It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Donald Ray Fountain, who passed away on February 10, 2026, at the age of 85. Born on November 12, 1940, Donald was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and an esteemed member of his community.

Donald was the proud owner of Cenla Timber, a Forestry business that showcased his dedication to the region and contributed to its growth. He served as a board member of the Louisiana Forestry Association, where his leadership and vision were instrumental in guiding the organization towards its goals. A lifelong enthusiast of the great outdoors, Donald found joy in hunting, fishing, traveling, and sitting on the balcony overlooking the gulf, often sharing these cherished pastimes with friends and family.

Above all, Donald cherished his family. He is survived by his wife, Darlene Kastanek-Fountain; children, Cathy Ussery (Blaine) and Keith Fountain (Kelley); step-children, Krista Kastanek-Ellis, Kerry Kastanek, Karen Allen, and Keli Kastanek; grandchildren, Brittany Paulk (Jeremy), Courtney Hakes (Matt), Jordan Blake Shelton (Hadley), Connor Lason Cook (Sydney), and Madeline Brantley Hill (Chris); great grandchildren, Brayden Paulk, Madyson Paulk, Reece Hakes; sisters, Nadine Kessler and Beverly Moore (Larry) and extended family members and friends. His legacy will continue to live on through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom he adored.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Armie Fountain and Velva Jenkins, and his first wife and mother of his children, Dianne Fountain, of 56 years.

Funeral services will be held in his honor at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville, where he was a lifelong member, with Dr. Philip Robertson officiating, assisted by his son-in-law, Reverend Blaine Ussery. Burial will follow in Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and will resume on Saturday, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The family invites friends and family to gather to celebrate the life of Donald Fountain, sharing memories and stories that epitomize the love he had for all.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be Jeremy Paulk, Brayden Paulk, Matt Hakes, Reece Hakes, Jordan Shelton, Blake Moore, Brandon Moore, Ken Kessler, Scott Kessler, and Shane Kessler. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Ryder and Edward “Easy” Curry.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Buck for his wonderful care; Compassionate Hospice and Leading Home HomeHealth, especially Susan, Tahnee, Laura, Carolyn, Rose, and other special ladies.

The family would like to extend appreciation to everyone for the many calls, prayers, and love. Your compassion did not go unnoticed.

Services for Malcolm Ray Burlew will be held Friday, February 13, 2026 at Deville Church of God with Brother Matt Deville officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Burlew Cemetery, Deville under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Pineville.

Mr. Burlew, 92, of Deville, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026 in Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, Alexandria.

Drafted in 1953, he served our country in the Army, helping rebuild communications networks in Germany during the Korean war. After narrowly avoiding a deployment to Korea on the very day the armistice treaty between north and south was signed, he then returned home to Deville, marrying his wife, Carolyn, and they began their lives together. They had two children, Mikey and Mary Ann, and as they lived in their wholesome, small-town way, watched their family grow into what it is today.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Daisy Burlew; his many brothers and sisters, and one son, Mikey “Mike” Burlew.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 71 years, Carolyn Burlew; his daughter, Mary Ann Elliott, and her husband, Jerry; his daughter-in-law, Billie Burlew, as well as his brother, Tommy Burlew. In addition are his grandchildren, Garrett Burlew, Keisha Cross, and her husband, David, and Lanny Dean Burlew; his three great-granddaughters, Lexi Cross, Lybi Cross, and Heather Hudspeth, as well as two great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Garrett Burlew, Troy DeSoto, Dayton Deville, Thomas Burlew, Brian Burlew, and David Cross.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bomber Whatley, William Burlew, and Lanny Dean Burlew.

By JIM BUTLER 

A stunning genko, a touch of Japanese maple, a surprising leopard plant, an unexpected fountain, a bench in just the right spot, such are nuances of Jeff Carbo’s life work. 

The acclaimed Alexandria landscape architect, one of six graduates among this year’s Bolton High School Hall of Fame inductees, has left his mark on private and public projects close to home and far away. 

A 1978 Bear, Carbo went on to LSU, where he is now a member of the university’s Alumni Hall of Distinction as well as being designated an Art & Design Distinguished Alumni. 

His design work is in evidence at LSU, Louisiana Tech, Alexandria International Airport and other public environments, and commercial and residential projects abound near and far. 

Several years ago he and wife Wendy (they met at LSU) formed GoodWorks, turning their talents to pro bono work for non-profits. 

Thousands of us pass that work daily — Holy Savior Menard High, Our Lady of Prompt Succor School and Church, Bolton Academy, St. Mary’s School, for example — without much thought to what has taken place. 

His professional colleagues, on the other hand, have recognized it, through almost 30 state and national awards since the mid-1990’s. 

Carbo and the other inductees will be honored at a dinner and ceremony on April 24. Tickets for the Holiday Inn Downtown event are available through boltonalumni.org/winfame.

Rapides Parish residents can expect a warm and generally calm stretch through the workweek, with patchy morning fog and mild afternoons, before rain and thunderstorms move in over the weekend.

Wednesday will be mostly sunny, though patchy fog may linger during the morning hours. A slight chance of afternoon showers, around 20 percent, is expected as temperatures climb into the upper 70s. Winds will be light, shifting from west to north by the afternoon. Overnight lows will fall into the lower 50s under increasing cloud cover.

Thursday begins with another round of patchy morning fog, followed by partly sunny skies. Highs will reach the mid-70s, with light east winds turning southerly later in the day. Mostly cloudy conditions continue Thursday night, with lows in the upper 50s.

Friday and Friday night remain mostly cloudy but warm, with daytime highs in the upper 70s and overnight lows near 60. No significant rainfall is expected during this period.

Rain chances increase Saturday as cloudy skies persist throughout the day. Showers are possible in the morning, followed by showers and a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Rain chances rise to around 80 percent, with highs in the mid-70s. More widespread showers and storms are expected Saturday night, with rain chances increasing to about 90 percent and lows in the mid-50s.

Conditions gradually improve Sunday, with a chance of morning showers giving way to mostly sunny skies by the afternoon. Highs will be near 70, and rain chances decrease to around 30 percent. Clear and cooler weather settles in Sunday night and continues through Monday, with lows in the upper 40s and highs in the lower 70s.

By Tuesday, mostly sunny skies return, and temperatures warm back into the mid-70s, ending the week on a pleasant note.

(UPDATE 2/10/2026): DOTD advises motorists that the project to repair the bridge along I-49 northbound in Rapides Parish that was impacted by an 18-wheeler in December is scheduled to begin the week of February 16, 2026.

This project is anticipated to wrap up in mid-March 2026, weather and other factors permitting.

This bridge is located approximately one mile north of Exit 61 (Meeker/Turkey Creek). The lane closure that is currently in place will remain so while repair work is underway.

DOTD will issue another update when the repairs are complete and the lane has been reopened.

Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser visited Central Louisiana on Tuesday, making stops in Alexandria and Pineville to meet with local leaders and highlight community initiatives.

During his visit, Nungesser spoke at Alexandria Country Day School, where he addressed the state’s Keep Louisiana Beautiful program and its role in promoting environmental stewardship and community pride.

Nungesser also toured the historic Kent Plantation House, one of the region’s oldest preserved structures, as part of his visit.

Officials from Explore Alexandria/Pineville joined local leaders and stakeholders for a luncheon at The Diamond Grill. During the gathering, Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy and Pineville Mayor Joe Bishop provided updates on ongoing projects and upcoming events in their respective cities.

The visit focused on collaboration among state and local leaders and discussions on future development and community initiatives in Central Louisiana.


As this short Mardi Gras season comes to its liturgical close on Tuesday, the season of Lent begins the following day with Ash Wednesday (February 18, 2026), continues through March and into April, culminating with Easter Sunday on April 5, 2026. At the very start of Ash Wednesday, believers are invited to come through a “drive-thru imposition of ashes” beginning at 7am in the First United Methodist Preschool carline. This is an open invitation to anyone who wants to come through for the imposition of ashes to start their day.



The evening of Ash Wednesday at FUMCA begins with solemn fellowship at The Gathering (5pm) over a simple meal of soup and bread (choice of potato or tomato basil). The meal is $6 per plate for adults (only $18 max per family). Following the fellowship meal, at 6pm, a traditional worship service will be held in the church sanctuary for a formal imposition of ashes, and delivery of the first sermon in the new series “The Prayers that Changed Everything”. This is a good time for first time visitors to come worship with FUMCA and begin the Lenten season with devotion, fellowship, and contemplation. 



The four Sundays of Lent will be celebrated in worship during both morning services, with Grace Life contemporary worship beginning at 8:30am, which includes Holy Communion weekly, and traditional liturgical experience at 11am, offering Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month. Palm Sunday will offer one blended service at 10am, followed by a family day potluck and Easter egg hunt on the grounds. Later in that same week there will be evening services for Maundy Thursday (6:30pm in the Grace Life fellowship hall) and Good Friday (6:30am in the traditional sanctuary).

Easter Sunday will be celebrated on April 5th in both morning services and will include Holy Communion and confirmations. 

The Prayers That Changed Everything sermon series will trace the life of Jesus through the prayers he embodies at decisive moments, showing how prayer is not escape from suffering but the means by which God’s redemptive work unfolds. The opening sermon begins with a prayer of openness and humility, inviting revelation and awakening as we acknowledge our limits before God. It then moves into the depths of human pain: Jesus’ prayer amid grief reveals divine compassion and resurrection hope; his prayer that embraces the cross teaches surrender to the Father’s will and redefines glory through sacrifice.

Mid-Lent, the focus widens. Jesus’ prayer for unity draws believers into shared mission, sanctification, and truth, while his anguished prayer in Gethsemane faces fear honestly—modeling trust and courage born of submission. From there, the series enters abandonment itself, where Jesus’ cry from the cross names forsakenness and affirms that God fully identifies with human suffering. Holy Week intensifies the story. On Palm Sunday, Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness extends radical grace to a hostile world. Maundy Thursday reveals prayer as embodied service—humility expressed through love and self-giving. Good Friday culminates in total surrender, as Jesus offers everything into the Father’s hands, holding hope even in death.

Finally, Easter Sunday proclaims the prayer that starts something new: resurrection births new life, renewed identity, and a community called to repentance, baptism, and joyful witness.
Taken together, the series presents prayer as the hidden engine of salvation history—opening hearts, carrying grief, uniting the faithful, enduring fear and abandonment, forgiving enemies, serving in love, surrendering all, and ultimately ushering in resurrection and renewal.

Previous and future 2026 sermons can be heard on Spotify at bit.ly/FUMCASpotify or on YouTube at bit.ly/FUMCAYouTube.


Residents have watched as Winn Community Health Center has grown from its 2,000 square foot building with a small client base in July 2009 to a multi-parish, nine-site health service with over 500 employees and last year surpassed its 1 million patient mark.

In the same way they’ve watched as ground was broken in spring 2024 on their Winnfield location between the 5-lane and East Lafayette St. and their spacious three-story building has slowly risen.  It’s an impressive structure that will house the multiplicity of services that will be handed there once opened as well as the management needs of all locations under the umbrella of Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana.

CEO Deano Thornton appeared before the Rotary Club of Winnfield and explained he cannot say for sure when the opening date will be, since finishing stages of any project always take longer than hoped.  “But this will be a proud part of this community for years to come.”  Looking at an edifice of this size and cost, he added that “people don’t know what WCHC has sacrificed through the years to get us to this point.”

Trinity opened clinics first in Winnfield then Colfax, Ringgold, Pollock, Ruston, Alexandria, Marksville, Dry Prong and Bossier, with others planned soon.  Their goal from the outset has been to provide quality professional healthcare to patients regardless their ability to pay.  This is vital in a low income area like north-central Louisiana, Thornton said, as some 63% of their 152,000 patients last year were Medicaid, while 11% were Medicare and 3% uninsured.

The speaker walked through a floor-by-floor slideshow of photographs and diagrams, showing what will greet patients as they enter the front door.  The lobby and the building as a whole will have “a very open feel to it.”  The health center is not simply primary care but many different specialty services as well, some of those varying from center to center throughout the Trinity organization.

The first floor will house general medical practices with 22 exam rooms, pediatrics, pharmacy, specialists, behavioral health, chiropractic, a spacious nurses’ station, radiology, labs, a warehouse and lots of office space.  It includes two elevators and an escalator to the second floor.  As big as the building appears from the outside, “it looks twice that size on the inside.”

Thornton explained that patients will be served through the same waiting area whether they arrive for an annual checkup, for behavioral services or other medical needs, thus eliminating worries of stigma issues.  For the children, a glass wall will separate the “sick” from the “well” patients, giving parents peace of mind.  Interactive boards are also installed to occupy the youngsters as they wait.

From the second floor, visitors will be able to look down from the common waiting area into the lobby.  That floor will include physical therapy as well as the dental and oral hygiene departments. 

The third floor will house support and administration for the entire Trinity organization.  Included will be offices for finance, IT, billing, records, company officials, board room, kitchen (there are more than 130 people in the building) plus an employee break room, as on each floor.  Thornton stressed that this does involve a number of people “but I’m old-school and want to hire local people who our clients can actually talk to rather than farm it out to businesses in other parts of the country.  It helps our people and helps our economy.”

There will also be a banquet room on the top floor large enough to seat 100 people banquet-style that can be used for Trinity functions and when the organization wants to host a community event.  He’s proud of the wood-look to many areas of the interior and exterior of the three-story.  “I wanted it to look like it belongs to the community where timber products are so important.”  He noted that TBA Studio is the architectural firm that made this happen, with Winn native Lisa Peddy Frontaura taking the lead role.

He also called attention to the center’s in-house 340D pharmacy serviced by pharmacists Steve Burnam and Chip Little.  The advantage to patients receiving prescriptions from Community Health Center providers is that costs will be based on household income.  He gave an example of a lady who had been paying $225 for one prescription who received the same for only $8 through the center’s pharmacy.

Be sure to watch the Journal for future details on the Grand Opening.

Everyone’s racing to hit the Assumptions button like it’s a reflex… while the big red FACTS buzzer just sits there, untouched.

Cue the game show music. Cue the dramatic pause.

Wrong answer, but thanks for playing.

In real life, jumping to conclusions doesn’t win prizes — it just spreads confusion. Accountability starts when we slow down, check the facts, and resist the urge to react first and think later.

By JIM BUTLER

A sage once said fishing and fiction are inseparable. Yet another offered numbers don’t lie. 

Those observations pretty much summarize the current status of efforts to change sport fishery rules on Saline-Larto. 

The Wildlife & Fisheries Commission at its February meeting took no action on the request from local government after hearing an updated2025 resource report from fisheries biologist Shelby Richard. 

Anglers and their representatives want limits on crappie and bass taken from the sprawling waterway reduced, from 50 daily, no minimum size limit for crappie to 25 and 10” and from 10 daily, no minimum size limit for bass to 8 and 14”. 

Their concern is promoted by apparent numbers of small fish kept by some fishermen and recollections of numbers and size of fish caught in years past. 

Richard told the commission that catch studies show the fish are still there and size is not a big issue. 

He said study results from 2025 found relative crappie abundance at the highest level ever measured. 

Growth rates are slower than the state average but showed improvement, he noted. 

Black crappie catches indicated a large number of smaller fish population. Catch rate of fish 8 inches or longer was comparable to the five-year average. 

White crappie catches indicated a relatively stable count and the highest catch record of 10 to 12-inch fish, Richard reported. 

Bass counts in 2025 were the fourth highest of catch surveys previously conducted in the complex with strong numbers of “stock” fish (8-12 inches).

Age-growth rates were faster than the state average, with the better numbers on the east side of the complex, a combination of water quality and habitat factors.  

State Rep. Mike Johnson, who spoke on behalf of the concerned anglers, said he was encouraged by the findings though they don’t match up with the anglers’ view and said he would further study the findings before drawing conclusions. 

The Commission left open the possibility of revisiting the matter after members likewise have time to study the data. 

• Some of this report was initially published by Louisiana Sportsman. 

Did not expect that the halftime shows would be the most interesting part of the TV coverage of the Super Bowl.

That Seattle vs. New England collision wasn’t one that woke up the echoes going into Sunday night, and it lived up to expectations. If you had New England squares with zeroes, it was a great game.

Relatively few east of the Rockies paid much attention to the Seahawks. Now they’re comparing the defense to the Monsters of the Midway and the Steel Curtain.

It’s a little early for that; need a larger sample size than one Stupor Bowl. Give young Patriots quarterback Drake Maye credit for being accessible and accountable in postgame interviews. He was accurate then.

During the game, not so much. NBC’s Cris Collinsworth caught himself over and over just before he used “pathetic” to describe Maye’s mayday passing display.

This is a player who was seriously considered for the NFL MVP award. He was as out-of-synch as Kid Rock in the pre-taped (he admitted it) Turning Point USA halftime show.

Lip synching is as much a part of the “live performance” music business as gambling is to sports. Doing it well is what matters.

It took 200 words before “Bad Bunny” entered this conversation.

I can’t tell you, first-hand, about either halftime show. I was in the car moving from one vantage point to another. Made that strategic decision before game day.

My blunder? I should have gone to my second half gathering first. There was an epic spread to appreciate at Kent’s new casa on Cane River.

More good choices than effective Seahawks blitzes, and there were plenty of those. Just ask Will Campbell, the poor LSU rookie who was part of the Patriots’ overwhelmed O-line. (Good luck — he wasn’t talking at all postgame. Mama always said, ‘if you don’t have anything good to say, say nothing at all.’)

My biggest gaffe? Not hearing about Gresham’s gumbo until the closing minutes of the game.

I spent the first half elsewhere, in control of a remote, which allowed us to fast forward through three-and-outs to get to the commercials.

Everybody loved the Budweiser “American Icons” spot that showcased a Clydesdale (maybe if one of those was running routes for Maye, New England might have had a shot) befriending a baby bird that turned out to be an eagle.

Other standouts were “Good Will Dunkin” with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jennifer Anniston, Tom Brady and pals; the Pepsi “Choice” spot with the former Coca-Cola polar bear switching favorite brands, and Kurt Russell’s turn with an homage to his portrayal of 1980 USA Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks in “The Ultra Instructor.”

When that one ran, people at my party moved toward the ice chests chanting “Again! Again! Again!”

As an estimated 26 million Americans skipped work Monday, because they did go back for too much, or just because they could, a simple thought arises.

No, it’s not the idea of making the Monday after the Super Bowl a national holiday, although next year’s Supe will happen on Valentine’s Day and the following Monday is some sort of (already declared) federal holiday.

It’s not a new brainstorm, either – just a really smart one.

Why isn’t the Super Bowl on a Saturday night? The teams get a bye week after the conference championship games. Several of the playoff games are on Saturdays. It would not disrupt the American workforce reporting for duty as scheduled.

The TV networks will point out ratings for Saturday night programming are not nearly as strong as Sunday night. Sure, when we’re talking about reruns of some of the network’s regular shows, or an NBA game.

This is the SUPER BOWL. About a third of the country stops what it’s doing to watch. Or to go to a party where the game is on TV.

Besides, it would be one less day we’d have to hear arguments about the halftime entertainment.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

Lately, during the extremely cold weather that we experienced a couple of weeks ago, I took some time to watch a few fishing podcasts. There are a handful of programs that I follow from top anglers within the world of professional bass fishing. 

One of these is “After the Cast” with Major League Fishing pros Andy Montgomery, Edwin Evers and Ott DeFoe, strong personalities and great reputations for not only being outstanding anglers, but good Christians. 

Their podcast is a behind the scenes look at the daily rigors that tournament anglers go through from the travel they face, to practice and tournament days. 

But they’ll also sit down and talk about hot topics going on in bass fishing. They’re not afraid to voice their opinions and share their thoughts which makes the podcast very interesting to watch. 

Another podcast I follow is “Zaldangerous,” also known as “The Bilge,” a program with Elite Series angler and Texas pro Chris Zaldain and his wife, Trait. These two do not shy away from controversial topics and are not afraid to challenge the establishments of B.A.S.S. or Major League Fishing (MLF) when it comes to rules violations or recent decisions that have been made with regards to a tournament organization.

Both podcasts, “After the Cast” and “Zaldangerous,” are programs that anyone would enjoy. They’re both great at shedding light on the hot topics in professional bass fishing while discussing possible solutions.

These are people “living the dream” by fishing for a living. They travel like gypsies and caravan across the country, fishing the best fisheries in America. They discuss today’s anglers and how to navigate the demands of professional bass fishing. 

But their biggest concern is trying to provide for their families as a pro fisherman. So many of today’s anglers face obstacles that previous generations did not. First and foremost, how to navigate social media. This is a problem the older generation of anglers never had to deal with. 

All three professional bass tournament organizations require that all anglers participate in social media. This can be in many forms like a podcast, Facebook page, YouTube videos, Tik Tok or maybe an Instagram account. 

In today’s business world, it’s important that anglers have a social media presence as a way of promoting sponsor product and themselves as well. Of course, we all know that social media can be a place of controversy with people who are looking to discredit or cast blame on others for a particular situation. 

Having a great social media presence is all about how many “clicks” or “likes” you’re getting with the posts you’re making. A really good account can translate into valuable dollars. It’s also another avenue where anglers can make money to help supplement their income.  

But here’s a question — can the average angler make it as a professional bass fisherman today? The biggest issue facing anglers today are with sponsors; there just are not enough to go around. Sponsors are a critical part of how anglers make a living and provide for their families. Tournament winnings are just a bonus for anglers and are not factored into their annual budgets. 

The fishing industry in general is just not big enough to support all the anglers looking to fish professionally. Most are stretched very thin with regards to how many anglers they can afford to sponsor. 

The industry is short on sponsorship dollars with there being three major professional bass fishing organizations — Major League Fishing (MLF), B.A.S.S. and the new National Professional Fishing League (NPFL).  

Anglers today are having to think outside the box and look at nonendemic companies that may have never had a presence in the bass fishing market.

Back during the old FLW days (2000 to 2012), there was Walmart, Land of Lakes, Kellogg’s, Snickers, Castro Motor Oil and many more that sank huge amounts of money into many of the old FLW Tour anglers. 

But ever since the demise of the FLW Tour around 2012, these sponsors have chosen to walk away and are no longer interested in this market, leaving a huge sponsorship void for anglers to pursue. 

Less sponsors means a bigger strain on anglers’ budgets as they try to navigate the costs involved with making a living as a professional.

Bottom line is this: with a shortage of sponsors it makes it very difficult for the average angler to participate on the professional level. It’s sad but it’s starting to look like only those anglers who have money, have a good financial support system like mom or dad, or wealthy grandparents will be the anglers who can compete on bass fishing’s highest level.  

As the old saying goes, “money can’t buy happiness,” but it can buy you a spot on a bass pro tour!  

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is continuing work on a $4.8 million road improvement project along LA 1200 south of the Town of Boyce in Rapides Parish.

The project covers approximately 4.2 miles of roadway and includes installation of new roadway base material and milling of existing asphalt in preparation for fresh paving. DOTD officials said the work is progressing as planned, with contractors actively removing old asphalt layers and stabilizing the roadbed.

According to DOTD, the improvements are intended to enhance roadway durability and driving conditions along the corridor.

The project is currently estimated for completion in late spring 2026, weather permitting.

The Rapides Parish Police Jury has announced the dates and times for its upcoming committee meetings and regular monthly meeting in March.

The Police Jury’s standing committees will meet Monday, March 2, 2026, beginning at 3 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the Police Jury Office, located on the second floor of the Parish Courthouse at 701 Murray Street in Alexandria. Committees will meet in the following order: Finance; Public Works, Watershed and Agricultural Affairs; Workforce Development and Grants; Tourism and Economic Planning and Development; Courthouse, Coliseum and Facilities; Parochial Board Liaison and Municipal Liaison; Personnel, Elections, Insurance and Legal; and Ambulance, Fire, Health and Homeland Security.

The agenda for the committee meetings will be posted at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, on the Meeting Room door.

The regular meeting of the Rapides Parish Police Jury is scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2026, at 3 p.m., also in the Meeting Room of the Police Jury Office at the parish courthouse. The agenda for the regular meeting will be posted at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Both the committee meetings and the regular Police Jury meeting will be streamed live at rppj.com and on the Rapides Parish Police Jury YouTube channel at youtube.com/@rppj-la.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend.

An Alexandria man was arrested Feb. 5 following a joint investigation by the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit and the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole after suspected fentanyl was discovered during a supervision check.

According to the RADE Unit, agents were contacted by Louisiana State Probation and Parole after officers located a substance believed to be fentanyl on a subject under their supervision, identified as Domingus Benson, 45, of Alexandria. RADE agents responded to the 4000 block of Third Street, where probation officers turned over the suspected narcotics.

Field testing confirmed the substance was fentanyl. Investigators then applied for and obtained a search warrant for a residence located at 4005 Third Street.

During a search of the residence, agents recovered approximately five ounces of powder cocaine and just over 3.5 grams of fentanyl. Authorities also located five firearms, assorted drug paraphernalia, and $594 in cash believed to be proceeds from illegal narcotics sales.

Benson was arrested and transported to the Rapides Parish Detention Center, where he was booked on charges of possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (cocaine) with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (fentanyl) with intent to distribute, five counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, five counts of illegal carrying of a firearm with narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a parole violation.

Benson was also issued a civil asset forfeiture notice for the seized currency.

Authorities reported that Benson remains incarcerated and is being held on a parole violation as well as a $300,500 bond.

A RADE deputy assigned as a task force officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was contacted regarding one of the seized firearms that may violate legal barrel length requirements.

The investigation remains ongoing in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole.

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit is a multi-jurisdictional task force comprised of the Alexandria Police Department, Ball Police Department, Boyce Police Department, Cheneyville Police Department, Forest Hill Police Department, Glenmora Police Department, Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lecompte Police Department, McNary Police Department, Pineville Police Department, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Woodworth Police Department, Grant Parish District Attorney’s Office, Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office, the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.

Officials stated the RADE Unit continues to target individuals suspected of trafficking narcotics in central Louisiana. Anyone with information regarding narcotics activity is encouraged to contact the RADE Unit through its official Facebook page.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law or administrative action.

Here’s my latest Q & A

About Ida

Beginnings are tricky, but here we are—fresh page, blinking cursor, and a head full of questions. I’m Ida B. Torn, a lifelong Southerner from Kenner, Louisiana, who’s spent years working in newsrooms, design studios, and public service. I’ve seen my share of life’s chaos and comedy—and learned that sometimes, folks just need straight answers and a little laughter along the way.

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February 11 marks the birthday of one of the most influential voices in modern music history: Whitney Houston. Born on this date in 1963, Houston’s impact on pop culture extends far beyond record sales, reshaping the sound of popular music and redefining what vocal excellence looked like for generations that followed.

Rising to fame in the mid-1980s, Houston quickly became a cultural force. Her 1985 self-titled debut album produced multiple chart-topping singles and introduced audiences to a voice that blended pop accessibility with gospel power. At a time when female pop artists were often boxed into narrow roles, Houston crossed genres effortlessly, finding success on pop, R&B, adult contemporary, and international charts simultaneously.

Her influence wasn’t limited to music. Houston’s presence on television and in film helped expand representation in mainstream entertainment. Her starring role in The Bodyguard (1992) cemented her status as a crossover superstar, while the film’s soundtrack became one of the best-selling albums of all time. Songs like “I Will Always Love You” became cultural touchstones, played at weddings, graduations, sporting events, and moments of public mourning.

February 11 also invites reflection on Houston’s broader cultural legacy. She broke barriers for Black women in pop music during an era when radio formats were more rigidly segregated. Her success opened doors for countless artists who followed, including Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, and Adele, all of whom have cited Houston as a major influence.

Even decades after her peak, Houston’s voice remains a benchmark. Viral clips of her live performances continue to circulate online, often sparking renewed appreciation from younger audiences discovering her for the first time. Vocal coaches, music critics, and fans alike frequently reference her control, tone, and emotional delivery as unmatched.

While Houston’s life also included public struggles, her artistic legacy continues to overshadow controversy. Each year on February 11, fans around the world revisit her catalog, celebrate her achievements, and reflect on how deeply her music is woven into shared cultural memory.

In an industry that constantly evolves, Whitney Houston’s voice remains timeless — and February 11 serves as a reminder of the day one of pop culture’s greatest legends was born.

Celebration of Life services honoring Mr. Larry Daniel Lewis, Sr. will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Mount Hermon Baptist Church in Lena, with Reverends Frank D. Randle, Jr. and Avery Hamilton officiating. Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow at the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville.

Larry, 66, a proud native of Yonkers, NY, who later made Pineville, his home, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Rapides Regional Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his beloved sister Donna Lewis Miles (Tony Miles), his paternal grandparents Horsley McKinley Lewis, Sr. and Flossie Ferguson Lewis, and his maternal grandparents Robert Morton McCoy and Flossie Ferguson McCoy.

Larry’s memory will be lovingly cherished by his devoted wife of 41 years, Carnella J. Lewis; their children Larry Lewis, Jr. and Cheryl Lewis; his grandchildren, Laryssa Lewis, Ayanna Lewis, Marcel Lewis, and Maya Bell; his parents Horsley McKinley Lewis, Jr. and Louise S. Lewis; his brothers Jerry Lewis (Jatun Lewis) and Jeffrey Lewis; his sisters Debra Lewis, Dr. Sharon Lewis, and Cheryl Chevis (Darnell Chevis); a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, and dear friends who, through love and time, became his family.

Livestream of the service will be available online at mounthermonmbc.com.