Friday, the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association presented Jim Rock, LAIA Executive Director, with their annual Liberty Bell Award. The community service award is given annually to recognize a non-lawyer who has strengthened the American system of freedom under the law. Selection focuses on recognizing someone who has rendered outstanding service to his or her community by either promoting a better understanding of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights; encouraging greater respect for laws and courts; stimulating a deeper sense of individual responsibility so that citizens recognize their duties as well as their rights; contributing to the effective functioning of our institutions of governments, or fostering a better understanding and appreciation of the rule of law. Pictured with his daughter, Courtney Lucas, Jim is humbled and honored, and thanks LAIA for providing outreach opportunities, as well as the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, where he currently serves as Board Chair. (fb)

Thanks to our 85 volunteers, our 2025 Paint Recycling Day was a success! We were able to recycle 1,060 gallons of paint from 150 vehicle drop-offs. One-hundred percent of the paint recycled is being donated to area nonprofits. (fb)