Jazz on the River set for Saturday, April 17

The Arna Bontemps African American  Museum will present its 15^th Annual Jazz on the River, Saturday, April 17, 2010, at the Alexandria Amphitheatre in downtown Alexandria.  Jazz on the River 2010, which is being held in conjunction with the South West Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tennis Championship Tournament April 15-17, will feature award winning international entertainer Kathy Wade “The First Voice of a New Era” of Cincinnati and The Nile Rhythm Band featuring Maynard Batiste in a free evening concert (6-10 PM) on the banks of the scenic Red River.

Also performing will be the Bontempian Big Band, a 16-20-piece jazz ensemble comprised of outstanding Central Louisiana high school students who participate in a jazz residency under the direction of noted music educator Wilmer Christophe.

Kathy Wade, #1 Jazz and Blues Vocalist on MP3.com; #1MP3.com Jazz Vocal Time to Say Good-bye featured on Sci-Fi network’s First Wave sound track and featured in Essence Magazine, March 1999 (Teaching With Music).  Kathy is an award winning international entertainer whose “rich interpretative skills as a song stylist extraordinaire” capture the imagery of emotion on her recording, You Got The Magic and upcoming release, Kathy Wade, Klassic.  (DAKA Music) “Magic,” recorded in Los Angeles, accents Kathy’s “multi-octave contralto of effervescent energy” with world-renowned musicians including Gerald Albright, Harvey Mason and GRAMMY nominated arranger, Producer/Pianist, Bill Cunliffe.  Kathy has opened for Dionne Warwick, Cleo Laine, Nancy Wilson, Diane Schuur, Shirley Horn, Anita Baker, Kenny G, Whitney Houston, David Sanborn, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Stephanie Mills, Jonathan Butler, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Will Downing, Najee and Ramsey Lewis.
The Nile Rhythm Band featuring Maynard Batiste, Jazz pianist and composer, “taking Jazz and Rhythm to another level.” Mr. Batiste is the son of the late, great Alvin Batiste, Jazz clarinetist.

Jazz on the River is a free outdoor community jazz concert sponsored by the Arna Bontemps Museum every year since 1996. The organization has three major reasons for producing and presenting this program:

1) to provide audiences outside of New Orleans and the “Jazz Corridor” a chance to experience live jazz, one of Louisiana’s richest art forms and arguably its greatest gift to the world;

2) to cultivate more venues for the performance of jazz in Central Louisiana, of which there are very few;
3) to showcase the art form which profoundly influenced Arna Bontemps and other artists of his era – the Harlem Renaissance and the Jazz Age – including Langston Hughes, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound, James Joyce, and Ernest Hemingway. Over the past ten years, Jazz on the River has evolved into Central Louisiana’s premiere jazz event, each year featuring an impressive line-up of internationally acclaimed jazz artists and local talents. Past performers include Ellis Marsalis, Alvin Batiste, Kathy Wade, the Ed Perkins Quartet, the Quamon Fowler Quintet featuring Grammy®-nominee Maurice Brown, Kent Jordan, and Grammy®-winner Nicholas Payton.

Jazz on the River 2010 is a continuum of New Orleans jazz, the birthplace of jazz.

Jazz on the River is sponsored by the Arna Bontemps African American Museum and co-sponsored by the City of Alexandria.

Tables with a seating for ten will be available for reservation at $200.00 to help offset the cost of the concert. For more information, contact the Museum at 318-473-4692 or 318-448-4697.

Paul retires as Pineville police chief; Murdock named interim chief

By Bill Sumrall
The Light

PINEVILLE — Family, friends and fellow officers honored Police Chief Jesse Terral Paul with an afternoon retirement party Tuesday, April 13.

“He is one of the most honest, fairest persons there is,” said Evelyn Mitchell, a telecommunications officer with the Pineville Police Department for 15 1/2 years, who was among more than 60 people at the City Hall’s Council chamber event.

“He’s been a wonderful co-worker as well as a chief. He doesn’t expect anything out of his employees that he doesn’t do himself,” Mitchell said.

Tuesday was Paul’s last day to work but Friday, April 16, marks his official retirement day as Pineville’s top cop since April 2008.

But the 53-year-old veteran of almost 30 years in the police department said in an interview that he’s taking off a few vacation days in between.

Paul was named interim police chief Aug. 15, 2007, before being appointed chief and at Tuesday’s later Pineville’s City Council meeting Assistant Police Chief Rusty Murdock was named as interim police chief until a new chief is appointed.

Before joining the police department, Paul graduated from Buckeye High School in 1974, worked for Stanley Printing Company briefly, then spent a tour of duty in the U.S. Marine Corps until his discharge.

Paul was hired as a patrolman for the Pineville Police Department in February 1981, and has moved up in every rank available since.
“I’ve enjoyed it. There’s been some rough days, there’s been some great days. But it’s been a rewarding career,” Paul said.

Paul recalled the technological changes since he joined law enforcement.

“I’ve seen computers in the car, the mobile CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch),” Paul said, which keeps the officers on the street instead of having to come in and hand-write their reports.

“They all do their reports in the car on the computers and it’s sent directly inside. They’re out on the street where they should be, taking care of business,” Paul said, noting he has also seen the advent of digital cameras in all police units too.

“Since I’ve been chief, I’ve hired 14 patrol officers and two communications officers, and that brings us to within one of a full roster,” Paul added.

The department has 67 officers now and would be fully staffed at 68 people. “We’re almost back up to full strength,” Paul said.

Paul said the department has just gone online with Twitter and Face Book accounts to more readily alert the public for emergency situations, serious accidents and road blockages.

“In case you have an escapee or something, we can get the word out quicker,” Paul said, through public information officer Lt. Basco.

In addition to mobile CADs for police cars and motorcycles, Paul said that under his tenure the department has implemented a missing child/older or disabled adult program.

“If we have someone, a child or an older person or a disabled person that is missing, we call this network and we give them the information, the description, the location,” Paul said.

“They have the capability of making, like, 1,000 phone calls in one minute to alert the public,” Paul said, to go outside in the targeted area to look on their property.

“We’ve never had to use it. We haven’t had it that long, but it is a good program,” Paul said. “They zero in on that particular area, so many miles radius, and they can call everyone that lives in that radius.”

Also, he brought back the community policing program in Pineville but Paul noted “it’s not what I’ve done sitting in here as chief, it’s what the men and women of the Pineville Police Department have done that makes this department work.”

“We couldn’t have accomplished what we’ve accomplished without the help of the mayor, his staff, the officers you see out there working the streets day and night, weekends, holidays — they’re the ones that needs the credit, not me,” Paul said.

“I just play a small part, and I wish them good luck,” Paul said.

His immediate plans are to enjoy some time with his wife Diane and his family, which include children Jill, Jeff and Shelley, and the six grandchildren: Lanyne, Dustin, Emily, Cole, Piper and Shelbi.

“I have a long list for him, keep him busy,” Paul’s wife, Diane, said. “We’re very proud of him for what he’s done and what he’s accomplished.”

During the afternoon retirement party, Pineville City Judge Philip Terrell called Paul “a kind, Christian man” who is dedicated to his family, community and his fellow law enforcement colleagues.

Though court and law enforcement officials all perform different jobs, “we’re all family,” the judge said, adding that Paul “has been a tremendous asset to the police department and the community.”

“I’m proud he was our police chief and especially proud he’s been my friend all these years,” Judge Terrell said.

Rapides Parish Sheriff Chuck Wagner said, “We hate to see you leave but know it’s a new story in your life.”
“Everything we did together was in the best interest of this community,” Sheriff Wagner said.

Assistant Chief Rusty Murdock told the crowd that “he’s a good guy and got a good attitude.” Captain Joe Salmon and Ken Walker with Red River Delta Law Enforcement Planning District also paid tribute to Paul.

Mayor Clarence R. Fields read a proclamation by the City Council declaring April 16 as “Chief Jesse Terral Paul Day” in recognition of his service.

“We lose a good friend and we lose a great leader and obviously I will miss him,” Mayor Fields said.

Buffalo Soldiers honor Coach Janice Richard

The Alexandria Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers recently honored Louisiana College W omen’s Basketball Coach Janice Richard for her success in leading the team to its first American Southwest Conference Tournament title.

Richard, a former Peabody High School basketball star, was named 2009-2010 Coach of the Year. She also led the team to make an appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

The group made the presentation on April 7.

Three Avoyelles Parish prison escapees captured in Miami

Three escaped Avoyelles Parish prisoners  were captured while staying at a Miami-Dade motel early this morning, according to WSVN Channel 7 from Miami.

Police found Quentin Truehill and Peter Hughes at the Budget Inn along 89th Street and Northwest 27th Avenue. Kentrell Johnson was picked up a few blocks away.

In March, Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Doug Anderson said, at about 1:40 a.m. March 30, the  inmates of the Avoyelles S.O. D.C. #1 escaped from custody after taking a correctional officer at knife point and forcing him to open a door.

The Sheriff stated that the door to a disciplinary holding cell was opened by the jailer to provide water to the inmates within when inmate Quentin M. Truehill brandished a handmade knife, held it to the throat of the correctional officer threatening to kill him if he did not open a nearby access door.

As the officer began to comply with Truehill’s demands another officer attempted to intervene and was cut on the hand. Truehill, Kentrell F. Johnson and Peter Hughes all fled the jail facility.

Deputies, City Police officers and a K-9 Chase Team from the Avoyelles Correctional Center tracked the escapee’s into a wooded area near Highway 1. Sheriff Anderson said it is now apparent that the three were picked up by an accomplice near the old Wal-Mart building in Marksville

Escapee’s are:

1.) Quentin M. Truehill, New Orleans, La., B/M, 5’9”, 140 lbs., D.O.B. 04/16/1987

Truehill is serving a 30 year sentence for manslaughter.

2.) Peter M. Hughes,  Abbeville, La.,B/M, 6’2”, 152 lbs., D.O.B. 10/31/1987

Hughes is serving a 4 year sentence for Unauthorized Entry of an inhabited Dwelling

3.) Kentrell F. Johnson, Marksville, La., B/M, 6’3”, 230 lbs., D.O.B. 10/04/70

Johnson is currently serving a 10 year parole violation in addition armed robbery charges.

Baptist State Convention to dedicate new Colfax camp

The Louisiana Home & Foreign Missions Baptist State Convention will host a dedication service for its Fountain Pines Baptist Camp at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 17.

The camp is located at 200 Bagdad Loop Road in Colfax.

The Rev. Dr. J. Michael Sanders, pastor of Fountain Baptist Church of Summit, N.J., will be the speaker.

“We have been working with cleanup days, construction projects, planning and our walk of faith to get to this point,” said Dr. Samuel C. Tolbert, Convention president. “Please make plans to be a part of this historic and festive occasion.

The camp is a 25-acre tract of land with some 17 that include, a two-bedroom home for a resident camp director, office and classroom space, a large kitchen, a large general assembly area that will be used for worship and cafeteria, dormitories, storage building, infirmary, and recreational areas.

Having the camp, Tolbert said, allows the opportunity for the Convention to  provide youth summer camps and retreats, leadership training institutes, pastor retreats, and disaster response. The facility will also serve as the Convention’s headquarters.

17-year-old accused of having sex with 12-year-old girl; condom found in his pants pocket

By EverythingCenla staff
A 17-year-old Alexandria man was arrested Sunday morning for allegedly having sex with a 12-year-old girl about 11:50 a.m. Sunday, April 11, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

Darraius Dunbar, 17, 816 Hudson Blvd., Alexandria, was booked into the Rapides Parish Jail on a charge of aggravated rape.

According to the police report, the following allegedly occurred:

Officers arrived at the home located in the Acadian Village community of Alexandria and talked to the victim’s father, who said his daughter “had just been caught” having sex with Dunbar who was inside of the house.

A witness told officers the girl came to the home after church to babysit two children. He said he stopped at the home to check on the children, who were alone in the living room when he got inside of the house.

He went to a rear bedroom and knocked on the door. While hearing noises coming from inside of the room, he continued to know a few more times.

The girl “cracked opened” the bedroom door. The witness asked, “What was going on?” He went inside of the room, walked around the bed and saw Dunbar, who was wearing only a pair of boxers, hiding between the bed and the wall.

The witness told the Dunbar and the girl to get dress. He called the girl’s father. Dunbar tried to leave before the father and police arrived.

The witness advised Dunbar to remain at the home.

When the girl’s parents arrived at the home, they indicated that this was not the first time their daughter and Dunbar had been sexually involved.

Dunbar told officers he and the girl did have sex and that he did use a condom, which was found in his left shorts pocket. The condom was taken in to evidence.

Loud noises startle homeowner

By Sherri L. Jackson
EverythingCenla

While getting into my vehicle this morning to begin my adventurous day, I heard noises that sounded like a drill. I just couldn’t figure out where all of the noises were coming from, especially since no one outside except me.

Finally, I looked up and saw the critter  in the tree pecking away. I ran inside to get my camera to catch this critter in action. Surprisingly, the animal kept doing its thing until I got back with the camera.

If you can identify the critter, please post. I thought it may have been a woodchuck, but my research doesn’t indicate it is.

Enjoy this photo as much as I enjoy the adventure in capturing it.

Winnfield vehicle crash leaves one seriously injured

A Saturday night crash involving two vehicles left one man seriously injured, according to the Louisiana State Police Troop E.

At 9:30 p.m. troopers responded to the crash on U.S. Highway 167 south in Winnfield. The crash involved a 2007 GMC Yukon, driven by Stacie C. Womack , 37, of Winnfield, and a 1999 Toyota Celica, driven by Steven R. Sliger II, 25, of  Greenwell Springs,

The GMC was traveling north bound in the inside lane of US Hwy 167 south bound when it collided with the south bound Toyota. After the collision, both vehicles came to rest on US Hwy 167 completely blocking both south bound lanes.

Womack was not wearing her seatbelt and received minor injuries. She was issued a citation for Driving the Wrong Way on a Multi-Lane Roadway and No Seatbelt.

Sliger II was not wearing his seatbelt and received serious injuries. He was transported to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport, LA

Routine toxicology tests are pending. The crash remains under investigation.

Ferriday man killed in Friday morning crash

Early Friday, April 9, a single vehicle crash killed one man and injured a woman, according to the Louisiana State Police Troop E.

Troopers responded to the crash around 2:10 a.m. on Louisiana Highway   568 at Lakeshore Dr. in Concordia Parish.

The crash involved a 2009 Dodge pickup, driven by Ray G. Pitts, 46. The Dodge was west bound on LA Hwy 568 when Pitts lost control and exited the right side of the roadway. After exiting the right side of the roadway, the Dodge reentered LA Hwy 568 and exited the left side before overturning.

Pitts was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected during the crash. He was transported to Riverland Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 6:15 a.m. His only passenger, Breezy L. Keith, 31, of Ferriday was not wearing her seatbelt and was ejected during the crash. She received moderate injuries and was transported to Riverland Medical Center.

Routine toxicology tests are pending. The crash remains under investigation.

Troop E Troopers have investigated 18 fatal crashes for the year of 2010, resulting in 20 fatalities.

UPDATE: Alexandria city bus in accident Friday, four passengers treated at hospital

An Alexandria city bus was involved in an accident about 3 p.m. Friday, April 9.

The accident occurred near Fourth and Jackson streets in front of the Alexander Fulton Hotel.

The Alexandria Police Department’s police report indicates the following:

Thomas Sanson Jr. of Trout, the bus driver, said he was traveling east on Fourth Street in the left lane when a 2007 Mercury, driven by Walter Becnel of Norco,  tried to make a left turn from the right lane and turned in front of the bus. Sanson said he was unable to stop in enough time to avoid the crash.

Meanwhile, Becnel said he was not aware that he was traveling on a one-way street. He said he tried to make the left turn from the left lane  into a private lot.

About 18 passengers were on the bus at the time of the accident. Gaynell Becnel, a passenger in Becnel’s vehicle, refused aid at the scene. At least four of the bus’ passengers were treated at Rapides Regional Medical Center