It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Louisiana's Old State Capitol in Ball, LA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Ball, LA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“These are skilled professions that give wonderful care. Thank you! Special thank you to Patricia”
“Always Best has been amazing in helping me with my father who has Alzheimer's and”
“My family and I love Always Best Care!”
“The workers are nice and knowledgeable of their job. I would recommend the company to”
“I love their caring services and would recommend them to anyone wanting to age in”
“The company is TOP TIER, very flexible with my son’s school hours, always very nice.”
“The company is an amazing company! The staff is wonderful, and the pay is great!”
“Always best care caregivers are very dependable and very hard workers goes above and beyond”
“I've been working with Always Best Care for over a year now, and I can”
“Always best senior care is a great company to work with. I've been working with”
“Always Best Care is a commendable agency specializing in placing reliable caregivers in the homes”
“We have been very pleased with services from Always Best Care. They are awesome! They”
“Angela Powell is the best! She wears her scrubs, comes right in my mother’s home”
“This agency is very caring and professional. If an issue arises they make sure it”
“Other Always Best Care has allowed my dad and step-mother to stay in their home. These”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care started helping me in July,”
“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude.”
“Summer Riggs made new homeownership a reality for our family. I highly recommend Summer Riggs!”
“Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice”
“My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14”
“Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She”
“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my”
“I am a current client of this provider We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care”
“These are skilled professions that give wonderful care. Thank you! Special thank you to Patricia and McKinsey for you attention to detail on multiple occasions!❤️”
“Always Best has been amazing in helping me with my father who has Alzheimer's and he had a stroke so he has limited mobility. They even go the extra mile and I'd like to mention Cynthia and Tracy for their outstanding service! It truly takes a hero to do what you guys do, as this is a very difficult job that requires amazing patience.”
“My family and I love Always Best Care!”
“The workers are nice and knowledgeable of their job. I would recommend the company to others”
“I love their caring services and would recommend them to anyone wanting to age in place. Thank you Always Best Care!”
“The company is TOP TIER, very flexible with my son’s school hours, always very nice. I love them! A HUGE help for me!”
“The company is an amazing company! The staff is wonderful, and the pay is great! I would highly recommend this company.”
“Always best care caregivers are very dependable and very hard workers goes above and beyond for their clients”
“I've been working with Always Best Care for over a year now, and I can honestly say it's been an incredible experience. The support from the office staff is top-notch - they're always available to answer questions, provide guidance, and help with any issues that arise. The clients I've worked with have been wonderful, and I appreciate the care and attention the company puts into matching caregivers with clients who are a good fit. I highly recommend Always Best Care to any caregiver looking for a supportive, flexible, and rewarding work environment. Keep up the great work & thanks so much!”
“Always best senior care is a great company to work with. I've been working with Always best for a little over a year now and I absolutely love it. My clients are so sweet The company is very family oriented They don't just care about the clients they also care about the workers. My daddy was in the hospital and ended up passing away the company allowed me to take off so I could be at the hospital with my daddy, and after he passed away they allowed me to be off rest of the week.”
“Always Best Care is a commendable agency specializing in placing reliable caregivers in the homes of elderly patients. Recently, I engaged their services to find a caregiver for my grandmother, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the outcome. Cyndi Williams from Always Best Care was instrumental throughout the process. Her dependability and understanding made the entire experience smooth and reassuring. From our initial consultation to the caregiver placement, Cyndi and the staff at Always best Care ensured that my grandmother's needs were prioritized, which greatly eased what could have been a challenging transition. Thanks to Always Best Care, my grandmother is not only well cared for but also genuinely happy with her caregiver. This has brought immense relief and peace of mind to our family, knowing that she is in capable hands. Overall, I highly recommend Always Best Care for their professionalism, compassion, and commitment to providing excellent elderly care services. They have truly made a positive difference in our lives during a time of significant adjustment. Claire Breslow”
“We have been very pleased with services from Always Best Care. They are awesome! They are very thorough, punctual, caring and helpful group. Shout out to Cynthia for going the extra mile to facilitate VA help for my step father. If your loved one is in need for in home care I highly recommend this company.”
“Angela Powell is the best! She wears her scrubs, comes right in my mother’s home and gets busy doing whatever my mother needs her to do. She just takes it upon herself to do things that she sees that needs to be done. Angela has a great disposition. I can tell she loves what she does. Our family absolutely loves and appreciates Angela. Thank you to Always Best Care!!!!!”
“This agency is very caring and professional. If an issue arises they make sure it gets solved.”
“Other Always Best Care has allowed my dad and step-mother to stay in their home. These ladies quickly learned the routine that they like and take very good care of them. The office staff are so helpful and quick to find a replacement sitter if someone calls in sick. I highly recommended this agency for your loved ones”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care started helping me in July, 2022. My husband needs daily care and we have been more than pleased with the caregivers that they have provided. The Staff is so professional and efficient, yet like family at the same time. Their focus is on their patients and the families. They have made my life so much easier. Highly recommend!!”
“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude. I will definitely be using her again when I’m ready to sell. I highly recommend her.”
“Summer Riggs made new homeownership a reality for our family. I highly recommend Summer Riggs!”
“Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice and you will never find a better place to work and they are very respectful, understanding and caring bosses. They pair you up with clients that matches your personality. I really love working for this company and how they treat their employees.”
“My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14 days. During that time our wonderful caregiver has agreed to be “on-call”. We are so grateful for her and there is no way we could take this trip without the peace of mind that her presence gives me! Thank you ABC for the service that your company provides and for the personal touch that you and your sister provide. Marilyn Get Outlook for iOS”
“Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She loves her job because she gets to find the perfect home for her clients. I highly recommend Summer to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.”
“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my Mother . I could go to work and know she was in excellent hands Very professional. Came on time. Treated us like family”
“I am a current client of this provider We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care of Monroe. They've been very helpful and the caregiver that we have working for us is fantastic. I would give them a very high recommendation. They started in July and have done exactly what we wanted them to do for our needs, and met those needs.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting town Park,Ball Louisiana in Ball, LA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Restaurant R'evolution or visit Old Governor's Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Ball, LA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Ball, LA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Ball, LA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
WED 12.08.2026In August, LALIGA will become the world’s first national professional football competition to roll out ‘Connected Ball’ technology on a large scale, deploying it across all LALIGA EA SPORTS matches, integrated alongside VAR and SAOT technologies, thereby reinforcing its position as a global leader in football innovation, technological development and competition integrity. The initiative also reinforces LALIGA’s commitment to continuing to evolve the audiovisual experience and the way in which fan...
WED 12.08.2026
In August, LALIGA will become the world’s first national professional football competition to roll out ‘Connected Ball’ technology on a large scale, deploying it across all LALIGA EA SPORTS matches, integrated alongside VAR and SAOT technologies, thereby reinforcing its position as a global leader in football innovation, technological development and competition integrity. The initiative also reinforces LALIGA’s commitment to continuing to evolve the audiovisual experience and the way in which fans, broadcasters and digital platforms consume football.
The initiative is the result of close collaboration between LALIGA, the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), PUMA and KINEXON, and combines elite football performance, advanced sports technology and a comprehensive operational framework designed to support refereeing decisions, enhance the transparency of the competition and improve the audiovisual experience for fans. The introduction of the Connected Ball will also enable the creation of xBALL, LALIGA’s new official data layer, which will serve as the foundation for future innovations in broadcasting, digital technology and match analysis.
The technology will be available for all LALIGA EA SPORTS matches from the first matchday of the 2026/27 season in August and will be accompanied by an extensive training programme for referees and VAR officials led by the CTA, ensuring consistent application of the information – which helps to make decisions more objective – across all stadiums and match environments.
At the heart of the system is a radio-frequency sensor developed by KINEXON and integrated into the official PUMA match ball. The sensor continuously and accurately transmits real-time information on the ball’s position and the exact moment of each contact. The data generated by the sensor is captured via a network of around twelve antennas installed in each stadium and integrated into the extensive technological ecosystem that LALIGA utilises for the competition.
It is essential to emphasise that the sensor does not alter the behaviour, performance or playing characteristics of the PUMA match ball. PUMA has worked closely with KINEXON to ensure that the integration of the technology meets the highest performance standards of elite football, whilst preserving the integrity of the game.
Extensive validation tests and blind trials carried out with players have confirmed that there is no perceptible difference between a standard match ball and one fitted with sensors in terms of feel, trajectory, weight, balance or the overall playing experience.
Supporting key decisions with objective data
By accurately identifying the precise moment of contact between the player and the ball, the system significantly reduces uncertainty in situations where a few milliseconds can make a decisive difference. It thus helps to objectify decisions in incidents relating to offside, handball, deflections and touches, corner kick calls, double-touch situations and all those actions where it is important to confirm the exact moment of contact.
Enhancing transparency and the fans’ experience
One of the most visible elements of the system is the ‘heartbeat’ signal generated by the sensor located inside the ball. This signal identifies the exact moment the ball makes contact, which adds an extra level of transparency and removes uncertainty surrounding frame selection in offside analysis. The heartbeat signal will also be integrated into the broadcast, alongside specific graphics and visualisations designed to translate the data from Connected Ball technology and the decision-making processes into a more understandable, transparent and engaging experience for viewers.
The technology will also provide commentators and broadcasters with an additional source of information, helping to explain key moments with greater clarity and accuracy during live broadcasts. In addition, xBALL is being launched – a new official layer of match data capable of enriching broadcasts, digital experiences and fan engagement. This data will enable broadcasts to show the exact speed of shots, the spin applied to the ball or the trajectory of certain key moments. This will be compatible with LALIGA’s international broadcast signal, digital products and future ‘second-screen’ experiences, and will be rolled out progressively following the first few matchdays.
A comprehensive operational protocol
To ensure consistency across all venues, a comprehensive implementation protocol has been developed to regulate the preparation, verification, safekeeping and management of connected match balls. This protocol will be applied in all LALIGA EA SPORTS stadiums and complies with the new standards that are beginning to be adopted by major international football competitions.
Before each match, every ball is identified, charged, checked and validated through a specific operational process designed to ensure maximum reliability from the kick-off to the final whistle.
Connected balls are reserved exclusively for use in official matches and are not used during warm-ups or training sessions, thereby ensuring the integrity of the system and the quality of the signal. Each match will feature 14 connected balls: one in play, another held by the fourth official, and twelve balls positioned at fixed points around the pitch as part of the multi-ball system. The protocol also sets out responsibilities regarding ball management, signal verification, connectivity testing and incident management, ensuring a consistent operational framework throughout the competition.
Overall, the project represents a further step in LALIGA’s commitment to improving football through innovation, whilst preserving the essence of the game. Following its roll-out in LALIGA EA SPORTS, the technology is also expected to be introduced in LALIGA HYPERMOTION from the 2027/28 season onwards.
© LALIGA - 2026
BALL, La. (KALB) - The Louisiana Board of Ethics has filed an electoral suit in the Rapides Parish 9th Judicial District Court, challenging Ball Alderman Marc Mercer’s 2026 mayoral bid.At this time, the exact charges and claims against Mercer are unknown. When approached by KALB for comment, Mercer declined to provide a statement until he is served official court documents. According to court records, the Board of Ethics’s trial attorney, Tracy Barker, is presiding over the case.This comes on the heels of a r...
BALL, La. (KALB) - The Louisiana Board of Ethics has filed an electoral suit in the Rapides Parish 9th Judicial District Court, challenging Ball Alderman Marc Mercer’s 2026 mayoral bid.
At this time, the exact charges and claims against Mercer are unknown. When approached by KALB for comment, Mercer declined to provide a statement until he is served official court documents. According to court records, the Board of Ethics’s trial attorney, Tracy Barker, is presiding over the case.
This comes on the heels of a resident’s suit that did the same. In that suit, the plaintiff claimed Mercer lied on election documents required to qualify for the mayoral seat by not reporting any outstanding ethics fees owed. The suit was tossed by a Rapides Parish judge for an absence of ‘certified evidence’. In response to the suit being tossed, the plaintiff refused to bring the suit forward again, but vowed to report the suit to the Louisiana Board of Ethics.
During the initial suit’s trial hearing, Mercer testified that he could not recall or recognize any paperwork or letters from the Ethics Board that were presented.
An independent review of the Louisiana Board of Ethics’ database reflects Mercer owes approximately $2,975 in assessed fines, fees and penalties for filing campaign finance and personal disclosure forms dating as far back as 2019. Additionally, $475 in fees have been reported to the Louisiana Attorney General’s office for review.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Lawsuit challenging Ball mayoral candidate’s electoral bid dismissed
This is a developing story, and we will have more information soon.
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BALL, La. (KALB) - Starfish Ministries has announced that tickets are now available for its first-ever Royal Ball and gala fundraiser, a Regency-era-themed evening benefiting the organization’s foster care programming in Central Louisiana.The event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bentley Ballroom. Guests are encouraged to wear Regency-inspired formal attire.The evening will include a string quartet, silent auction, dancing, dinner and macaron towers. Organizers describe the atmosphere as ...
BALL, La. (KALB) - Starfish Ministries has announced that tickets are now available for its first-ever Royal Ball and gala fundraiser, a Regency-era-themed evening benefiting the organization’s foster care programming in Central Louisiana.
The event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bentley Ballroom. Guests are encouraged to wear Regency-inspired formal attire.
The evening will include a string quartet, silent auction, dancing, dinner and macaron towers. Organizers describe the atmosphere as a step back to the early 19th century, drawing inspiration from the Bridgerton aesthetic.
Starfish Ministries founder Jessica Lachney said the theme reflects a personal connection to the era.
“It’s kind of my favorite show,” Lachney said. “I think a lot of people feel that way, but I really just love that time, honestly. Historically, it’s an amazing time. It’s where a whole lot of different things happen, of course, but really what I love about it the most is the way that the women carried themselves, the way that the men carried themselves. It was just a time of royalty.”
Lachney said proceeds from the ball will fund the organization’s next phase of programming, which includes opening two residential homes in Central Louisiana.
“This goes into our programming; Starfish Ministries is on a mission to redefine the future for kids in foster care,” Lachney said. “We are really changing the way that looks for us right now. Healing Homes of Cenla, which is owned by my husband and me, we opened that in order to be able to work with the state on licensing and policies and all of that stuff. And so that’s actually coming soon. We are opening two homes in central Louisiana.”
For tickets, you can CLICK HERE.
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Instead of giving its doctors and nurses several seasons to evolve, the second season of “The Pitt” jumped 10 months into the future. This allowed the actors the unusual opportunity to explore new facets of their characters. For Shawn Hatosy, Gerran Howell and Patrick Ball, each nominated for an Emmy for supporting actor in a drama series, that meant very different performances.At the end of Season 1, Ball’s Dr. Frank Langdon was forced to depart the hospital after Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wy...
Instead of giving its doctors and nurses several seasons to evolve, the second season of “The Pitt” jumped 10 months into the future. This allowed the actors the unusual opportunity to explore new facets of their characters. For Shawn Hatosy, Gerran Howell and Patrick Ball, each nominated for an Emmy for supporting actor in a drama series, that meant very different performances.
At the end of Season 1, Ball’s Dr. Frank Langdon was forced to depart the hospital after Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) discovered his drug addiction. Season 2, set on the Fourth of July, marks his first day back after rehab.
“It was a great dramatic problem for me,” Ball says, speaking with Howell and Hatosy over Zoom from Los Angeles. “He’s been out of the Pitt and going through this profound spiritual transition and hasn’t seen anyone for 10 months. He has to come back and reestablish these relationships. He realizes over the course of the season that, actually, everybody here has changed.”
Howell’s Dr. Dennis Whitaker has become more confident. In fact, he seems to be having a better day than his co-workers, particularly Robby, whose mental health is on the brink of collapse.
“Whitaker isn’t witnessing any of what’s going on with Robby,” Howell says. “He’s found his flow in this very turbulent environment. But it’s not necessarily a healthy way of dealing with it. People are leaning on him, but you never see him ask other characters for help.”
Ball adds, “Whitaker is now occupying this space that [Langdon] once occupied as the golden boy. But being the golden boy isn’t actually a healthy seat to be in.”
Howell notes that the characters don’t necessarily change over the course of a season. “A lot of it happens in between seasons,” he says. “It’s a really gradual thing that the audience gets to understand as we go along. They have to figure out what’s changed.”
“You’re not going to have a grand catharsis or a life-changing turn,” Ball says. “But profound beginnings can happen. You see that for Langdon. In Season 1 he is very ego-forward. But he has gone away and realized, ‘I am probably the worst.’ The beginning of that revelation happens for Langdon in Season 2.”
Hatosy, who plays night-shift attending Dr. Jack Abbot, remembers getting a call from [creator] R. Scott Gemmill about Episode 7 and worrying that his character might be in peril. Instead, Gemmill outlined a storyline that revealed Abbot’s work as a SWAT medic.
“It’s not too different than Robby’s self-diagnosis of taking a motorcycle journey across the country without a helmet,” Hatosy says. “Abbot is seemingly doing this work, but there’s a lot of red flags there. I started the first episode [of the show] on the roof, literally about to jump, so I’m never sure when he’s going to come in and not make it.”
Being part of “The Pitt” has helped Hatosy let go of the need to know everything about his character or the story ahead of time. “There is something incredibly freeing about not knowing and being present,” he says. “I’ve given up asking because I don’t really want to know. Instead, I accept it and go with the flow.”
Although the characters were dealing with new challenges in Season 2, all of the actors felt more at ease, both with the unknown and with the structure. Ball had come from a theater background and had no television experience before “The Pitt.” The show is filmed on two handheld, constantly moving cameras with complex choreography required of the cast.
“I had absolutely no ability to process all that,” Ball says. “Now that we’re into filming Season 3, I am becoming aware that this has been quite an educational process because I can feel it now. I’m starting to see the chessboard.”
For Season 1, the actors underwent a five-day medical boot camp to learn terminology and procedures, and to ask real-world doctors any questions they might have. They had a shorter edition ahead of Season 2.
“We were thrown into the deep end,” Howell says. “It was lots of horrific videos. But those doctors instantly put it in perspective how important it was to them that this show was going to shine a light on something. You could feel in the room how important it was for us to get it right.”
“The show was pretty clear from the beginning that it was not going to be here to be a crowd-pleaser and have the romantic through lines and have all the archetypes of hooking up in closets,” Ball adds. “It was going to prioritize authenticity of medicine and authenticity of representation. The word ‘documentarian’ was thrown around a lot. We wanted there to be a conversation around mental health with Robby and a conversation around addiction.”
Ball grew up seeing firsthand the effect being a medical professional can have. His mom is an ER nurse, and his dad is a paramedic.
“I was on the phone with my parents a few days ago talking about how they had lost a dear friend who is an ER doctor who took his own life,” Ball says. “That was a real reminder of why we make this show. Being on a hit TV show and having a bunch of nominations can become primary. But this is not about nominations or trophies or views. There’s a mission to what we’re doing.”
“It’s opening up this conversation about the fragility and how dysfunctional this healthcare system is and how hard it is for these doctors and healthcare workers to navigate their way through it,” Hatosy adds.
In the world of “The Pitt,” everything is a group effort. It’s the same with the show itself. Out of 25 total Emmy nominations, 13 are for acting, which Hatosy says make it feel like “less of an individual achievement.”
“We get to go through it as a true ensemble,” Ball says. “When it’s over, we’ll be Emmy nominees forever. But while we’re here, we are still just one of ‘The Pitt’ crew, which is a really rare and awesome way to go through this moment.”
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