On Sept. 23, 2016, an unusual item went up for auction in Los Angeles: the cremated remains of famed author Truman Capote.
Capote, best known for “In Cold Blood” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” died in 1984 at the age of 59. His ashes had been kept by Joanne Carson, a close friend of Capote and former wife of “Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson.
The ashes were housed in a carved Japanese wooden box and were offered as part of Julien’s Auctions’ “Icons & Idols: Hollywood” sale. The auction house estimated the remains at $4,000 to $6,000.
When the auction concluded the following day, Capote’s ashes sold for $43,750 to an anonymous buyer. The sale attracted interest from potential buyers in the United States as well as Russia, Germany, China and South America.
The ashes were not the only unusual Capote memorabilia offered at the auction. His clothing, prescription bottles and other personal belongings were also sold.
According to the auction house, Capote had told Carson that he did not want his ashes to simply sit on a shelf, making the unusual auction an especially fitting final chapter to the author’s colorful public life.
Hans Riegel was born in Bonn, Germany, in 1893. After completing primary school, he began an apprenticeship as a confectioner, a candymaker. During World War I, Hans fought for the Germans. After the war, he returned to candy making and was hired by the Heinen confectionery company in Kessenich. On December 13, 1920, Hans left the Heinen company and founded his own candy company. His capital for his new venture included one sack of sugar, a marble slab, a chopper, a masonry stove, a copper kettle, and a roller. It was a small operation compared to what he was used to at the Heinen company. Working out of his small home at Bergstraße 37 in Bonn, Hans was only able to make about 110 pounds of hard candy per day. As soon as a batch was ready to sell, Hans’s wife Gertrude loaded the candy into a basket on her bicycle and hand-delivered the sweets to customers. Business was not growing as quickly as Hans had hoped. He knew he needed a unique product to bring in funds to allow him to expand his business. But what?
Hans’s target demographic was children, so he thought back to the things that made him happy as a child. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, showmen brought captive bears into towns to perform for passersby who would give them coins. The bears were street performers. The bears walked upright and performed numerous tricks, but the one the children enjoyed most, according to the number of coins taken in, was when the bears would dance as the showmen kept a beat on the tambourine. They were called Tanzbären, or dancing bears. In 1922, Hans used his fond memories to mold his candy into the shape of a dancing bear. Hans shaped his bears with four outstretched limbs so they could sit upright or could stand on all four paws. Children often played with the bears before eating them. Hans created an edible toy.
Sales of the dancing bears quickly exceeded Hans’s expectations. By 1923, Gertrude could no longer keep up with demand on her bicycle, so Hans purchased the company’s first delivery automobile. Hans’s candy went on sale in nearby shops and gradually expanded outward. By 1930, Hans’s candy was available throughout Germany. By 1933, Hans employed 400 people. Production stopped during World War II due to the lack of supplies. Hans died in March 1945, six months before the war ended. Following the war, Gertrude managed operations until two of her sons, Hans Jr. and Paul Riegel, took over management of the company. They built the company into a worldwide enterprise who employs about 8,500 workers in 16 factories in 11 countries who make more than 1,000 different sweet treats. Their top seller is still the product Hans designed after the dancing bears that he remembered from his childhood. Earlier I said Hans produced hard candy, but the dancing bears were something altogether different. You may not have heard the word Tanzbären, but it is likely that you or someone you know has enjoyed Haribo’s gummy bears.
Rickey Joe “Papoose” Ard, II March 7, 1977 – September 17, 2026 Service: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 10:30am at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Belle d’Eau.
Reginald Blackman, Sr. October 21, 1941 — September 15, 2026 Service: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 11am at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, Mansura.
Clay Elmer February 13, 1975 — September 15, 2026 Service: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 11am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Moncla.
Vera Ann Ariza Hudson October 2, 1967 – September 10, 2026 Service: Friday, September 25, 2026, 11am at First Congregational Baptist Church, Marksville.
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The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers from Aug. 31 through Sept. 6.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Bordelonville Volunteer Fire Department responded to the 2000 block of N. Bayou des Glaises in reference to a reported sawmill fire on Monday, Sept. 14.
Preliminary information indicates the fire originated from a nearby fire. Due to the wind conditions, hot embers were carried from the nearby fire and ignited combustible materials at the sawmill, causing what initially appeared to be a small fire to rapidly grow and spread.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a significant fire involving a large quantity of wood and timber piles. Due to the size and intensity of the fire, the substantial fuel load, and the potential for fire extension to nearby structures, mutual aid was requested from the Moreauville, Simmesport, Mansura, Hessmer, and Marksville Fire Departments.
Firefighters operated on scene for several hours, conducting coordinated fire suppression operations to establish control and prevent further extension. A piece of heavy equipment was also destroyed by the fire.
Crews worked to separate and expose burning materials so that concealed fire could be located and extinguished. A special “thank you” goes to Mickey and Donnie Gaither of Bordelonville for providing an excavator to assist firefighters in separating and spreading the logs, allowing crews to gain access to areas of the fire that were otherwise difficult to reach.
Bordeleonville VFD also thanked the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury for providing equipment and assistance during the incident.
A special “thank you” also goes to Acadian Ambulance Service for remaining on standby and providing medical assistance. Two firefighters were evaluated and treated for heat exhaustion during the operation.
Most importantly, the community thanks the Bordelonville Fire Department volunteers and all of the mutual-aid firefighters who answered the call and worked alongside us throughout this incident. Incidents of this magnitude require teamwork, coordination, and a tremendous commitment from everyone involved.
The Town of Mansura asks its citizens to respect and take care of the splash pad and its equipment. Recent damage has closed the splash pad until repairs are complete.
When something is damaged, it affects all of the children and families in the community who come out to enjoy it. Help keep the splash pad safe, clean, and in good condition for everyone.
Avoyelles Parish is getting a break from scattered thunderstorms for a few days and can look forward to some sunny days. Temperatures still don’t reflect that autumn is around the corner, thought night-time lows will find their way into the 60s. High temperatures will range in the lower-to-mid 90s.
Wednesday, Sept. 16: Sunny along with a few clouds with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible. Partly cloudy skies overnight. High near 96, low around 73.
Thursday, Sept. 17: Sunny skies and hot. Clear skies overnight. High near 96, low around 67.
Friday, Sept. 18: Mainly sunny and hot. Clear skies overnight. High around 95, low near 69.
Saturday, Sept. 19: Sunny along with a few clouds, though a stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Mostly clear skies overnight. High near 96, low around 71.
Sunday, Sept. 20: Mainly sunny with a few afternoon clouds. A few clouds from time to time overnight. High near 95, low around 72.
Monday, Sept. 21: Mainly sunny with a few afternoon clouds. A few clouds overnight. High near 94, low around 71.
Tuesday, Sept. 22: Partly cloudy in the morning followed by scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon; chance of rain 40%. A few clouds from time to time overnight. High of 91, low of 68.
Avoyelles Parish will get a break for some sun after a week of scattered thunderstorms, though stray storms are still possible throughout the forecast. Toward the end of the forecast window, scattered storms will return, with a 40% chance of rain. Temperatures remain in the 90s, though night-time temps dip into the 60s several nights. Heat index values may exceed 100 degrees during the afternoon, so residents are encouraged to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office requested the public’s assistance in locating 26-year-old Kharie K. Pursley. Pursley is actively wanted on outstanding felony arrest warrants issued through the 12th Judicial District Court.
SUSPECT IDENTIFICATION:
Name: Kharie K. Pursley, 26 yoa
Physical Description: Black/Male Approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, 170 pounds, medium build, black hair, and brown eyes
ACTIVE FELONY CHARGES:
-Principal to Second Degree Murder
-Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Murder
-Principal to Armed Robbery
Given the violent nature of these charges, Pursley should be considered armed and dangerous. Do not attempt to approach, follow, or apprehend this individual.
The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office urges Mr. Pursley to surrender himself to the nearest law enforcement agency or contact our office immediately so these pending legal matters can be addressed safely through the proper judicial process.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Kharie K. Pursley is urged to contact the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-253-4000 Extension 1 or dial 911.
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The future Avoyelles Community Education Center (ACEC) in Bunkie is taking shape.
Just months after breaking ground, the framework of this major investment in education and workforce development is beginning to rise, giving our community its first real look at what’s ahead.
When completed, ACEC will create new opportunities for high school students, adult learners, local businesses, and the entire community, bringing education, workforce training, and industry together under one roof.
Construction remains on schedule for completion in December 2026, with the first classes anticipated to begin in January 2027. Read the full story on the APSB website (www.avoyellespsb.com)to learn more about the progress, the vision behind ACEC, and what this facility will mean for the future of Avoyelles Parish.
The 8th Annual Bunkie Trade Days is just around the corner, so be sure to save that date so as not to miss it on Saturday, October 3, 7am to 3pm, on Bunkie’s Main Street.
The Trade Days will feature a flea market, food, arts and crafts, and vendors. Fall is coming. Come celebrate it with Bunkie Trade Days.
