Press Releases
Thursday, Mar 19, 2020 - 6:44 pm
Alexandria, La. (March 19, 2020) — The Louisiana Department of Public Health has confirmed the first case of COVID-19 coronavirus in Rapides Parish. In the agency’s 5:30 p.m. update today they reported one confirmed case in Alexandria. “We expected as testing expanded more positive results would be found,” said Alexandria Mayor Jeffrey W. Hall. “We have been preparing for this and believe we are as ready as we can be. We continue to ask people to remain calm and follow the public health guidance we have been receiving, which emphasizes the need for social distancing, taking steps to minimize...
Thursday, Mar 19, 2020 - 4:53 pm
Alexandria, La. (March 19, 2020) — Alexandria Police Chief Jerrod King and Alexandria Fire Chief Larry King announced that effective at the close of business today the front lobby of the Public Safety Complex, located at 1000 Bolton Ave., will be closed to the general public until further notice. This temporary closure is part of the City of Alexandria’s efforts to minimize face-to-face contact and to protect the health of city employees during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Citizens needing access to police or fire records should make the request either by telephone or email. • Police...
Monday, Mar 16, 2020 - 6:01 pm
Alexandria, La. (March 16, 2020) — The City of Alexandria’s temporary suspension of services at city-owned meeting places will remain in effect until further notice. The closures include Convention Hall, the Randolph Riverfront Center, the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center and all community centers. Additionally, recreation facilities including the Alexandria Zoo, Links on the Bayou and the Alexandria Youth and Teen Center are closed until further notice. Bathrooms are also locked at public parks. “Today Gov. John Bel Edwards announced additional state-wide measures to slow the spread...
Saturday, Mar 14, 2020 - 4:50 pm
Alexandria, La. (March 14, 2020) — The City of Alexandria has temporarily suspended activities until further notice at all city-owned facilities where the general public gathers, regardless of event size. The closures include Convention Hall, the Randolph Riverfront Center, the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center and all community centers. Additionally, recreation facilities including the Alexandria Zoo, Links on the Bayou and the Alexandria Youth and Teen Center are closed until further notice. Bathrooms are also locked at public parks. “This situation is unique in that we are dealing...
Friday, Mar 13, 2020 - 5:24 pm
Alexandria, La. (March 13, 2020) — The City of Alexandria, following the guidance of Gov. John Bel Edwards as well as public health advisors, is canceling all planned public events that would attract 250 or more people, effective immediately through April 13. Additionally, the city is suspending activities until further notice at all city-owned facilities where the general public gathers, regardless of event size, effective at the close of business today. “Our primary concern has to be the health and safety of our citizens,” said Alexandria Mayor Jeffrey W. Hall said. “We will immediately...
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2020 - 5:00 pm
Alexandria, La. (March 10, 2020) — City of Alexandria officials are closely monitoring information regarding the spread of COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus. Alexandria Mayor Jeffrey W. Hall and his leadership team have been in touch with state health officials and are monitoring updates daily. Officials have also met to review contingencies should a wide spread outbreak of the virus occur locally. “Our first concern is the safety of our employees and citizens,” Mayor Hall said. “From that standpoint, we are encouraging everyone to follow the basic safety guidelines that have been...
Friday, Mar 6, 2020 - 12:33 pm
Alexandria, La. (March 2, 2020) — Investigators have released the names of the woman and her three grandchildren killed in a house fire in the early morning hours of March 1. Victims were Verlana Cooper, 48, Jadyn Cooper, 7, Brooklyn Cooper, 4, and Drya Reign Russaw, 4 months. The fire was reported in the 3400 block of Wainwright Street at 11:46 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, and firefighters were on scene for seven hours. The fire remains under investigation. Officials will be waiting on the results of autopsies, which are scheduled to be conducted today, as well as other lab tests before an...
Friday, Mar 6, 2020 - 12:32 pm
Alexandria, La. (March 1, 2020)— One adult and three children died in an early morning fire on Wainwright Street.
The fire started around midnight. The victim’s names are not being released at this time.
The fire remains under investigation. Agencies involved in the investigation include the State Fire Marshal, Alexandria Fire Department, Alexandria Police Department and the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office.
Contact:
Jim Smilie
Communications
318.449.5038
318.730.1683
jim.smilie@cityofalex.com
Friday, Mar 6, 2020 - 12:31 pm
Alexandria, La. (Feb. 28, 2020) — In coordination with the Louisiana Department of Transportation’s scheduled close of the four-way intersection of Jackson Street, Horseshoe Drive, Twin Bridges Road and Lodi Road, the City of Alexandria has announced local alternate routes. The closure of the streets is slated to begin Monday, March 2, and is expected to last until July for the construction of a roundabout. In the interim, drivers will need to take alternative routes. To decrease traffic congestion, motorists are advised to avoid the construction area as much as possible. For those needing to...
Friday, Mar 6, 2020 - 12:29 pm
Alexandria, La. (Feb. 25, 2020) — The City of Alexandria has applied for $18.1 million in funding from the Louisiana Watershed Initiative. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved the State of Louisiana’s action plan to spend $1.2 billion in Community Development Block Grant Mitigation funds to move forward with projects to drastically reduce flood risks for communities throughout the state. “Flooding is a significant issue locally and throughout the state,” noted Alexandria Mayor Jeffrey W. Hall. “As I have said before, these projects are very costly and we will...