An incident in the Springville Community last April resulted in the arrest this past week of a Coushatta man. According to the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office Valere Dewayne Frazier (shown above) is being housed in the Desoto Parish Jail on $24,000 bond. Frazier is charged with Attempted Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Offenses, Aggravated Assault (2 counts), Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property and Insurance Fraud.

Last April 20th there was an incident on Woodland Hills Road in Springville involving multiple subjects. RRPSO reports Frazier reportedly became aggressive, was involved in the discharge of a firearm and attempting to use his vehicle to strike an individual before colliding with an occupied vehicle. Frazier is reported to have fled the scene on foot.

Warrants were obtained for Frazier’s arrest. Investigators recently learned that Frazier was being held in St. Tammany parish on unrelated charges. Deputies traveled to Hammond March 15th and arrested Frazier. He was returned to Red River parish. All of the charges grew out of the April 2016 incident in Springville except for the insurance fraud charge. That originated from a Louisiana State Police investigation. State Police issued an arrest warrant for Frazier in April of 2016.

Also on this week’s arrest report from the Sheriff’s Department is the arrest of Kevin Doin Morris (shown below) of Calvin Street in Coushatta. Morris was arrested March 14th. He is charged with Simple Battery and Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property. Morris’ bail is set at $200,000 on each of the charges for a total bail of $400,000. He is being held in the Red River Parish Jail.

The spring Confirmation Class at First United Methodist Church and Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church is underway. Five seventh and eighth graders are taking part.

The Confirmation Class is being lead by Susan Simpson. She introduced the confirmands to the congregation at First Church on Sunday. They are Maddie Hillin, Hardy Dowden, Brett Dancy, Kaitlyn Antilley and Elizabeth Ann Hughes. Hillin attends Wesley Chapel and the others attend First Church.

Simpson said their eight weeks will be very busy. “We will attend Confirmation Day with the Bishop and visit other Methodist worship services and services of other denominations. They will study the history of Methodism and the history of the church” said Simpson.

Most important, said Simpson “we will focus on serving our church through prayers, presence, gifts, witness and service.” One service project is collecting supplies for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Sager Brown Depot located at Baldwin, LA.

The study and projects will take place now through late May. Confirmation Sunday is May 21st.

March is National Nutrition Month, to be celebrated locally with an open house at the Red River Parish Health Unit on the Red Oak Road. The hours will be 4 to 6 pm on Monday March 27th.

The health unit’s Nursing Supervisor is Yashica Turner. She tells The Journal this will be a fun event, as well as informative. There will be door prizes and nutrition contests.

Turner said the theme is “healthy habits for a healthy community. Our prime goal is disease prevention through education.” The importance of good nutrition will be presented by the health unit staff during the open house.

The Red River Parish Health Unit provides many different health services to the community. Turner said they offer flu shots, tests and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy testing as well as other services.

The health unit is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Call 318-932-4087 for more information.

Mark your calendar. Red River Cowboy Church is hosting its Men’s Conference on April first with speakers, target shooting and a wild game lunch.

Speakers for the day include Wayne Parker, a game warden and motivational speaker. Also on the schedule is professional bass fisherman Keith Poche.

Hunters! Bring your shotgun and participate in the shotgun turkey shoot. Cowboy Church is furnishing the shells and will lend a shotgun to anyone who doesn’t bring their own. There will also be a B.B. gun target turkey shoot. And there will be a grand prize drawing for a Merkel 12 gauge double barrel shotgun.

Want to know more? Call Lyle Kniffen at 318-510-3523 or Clyde Miley at 318-201-2626. Cowboy Church is located at Lake End on Highway 1.

The second annual Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Bass Tournament will be held Saturday, March 25 from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Cypress Bend Boat Launch on Toledo Bend Lake. All boats must weigh-in by 3 p.m. Scales will open at 2 p.m.

Dylan was born March 10, 1997, to Luther “Burt” Poche, Jr. and Misty Ott in Natchitoches. He had  two brothers: Kaleb and Brayden.  Later down the road, Shelley Delrie Poche came into their lives and became stepmother to the three boys. Family was a key part of Dylan’s life, and he enjoyed spending quality time with all of them.

Everyone knew that being outdoors is what Dylan loved.  Dylan’s joy for hunting and fishing began when his dad would take him and his brothers hunting and fishing in the pond behind their Pawpaw’s.  In high school Dylan focused on fishing, joining the Natchitoches Central High School fishing team.

That’s where Dylan knew he had found his niche.  In 2013, he placed 2nd in the TBF Louisiana High School Fishing State Championship on Caddo Lake.  He went on to fish in the High School World Finals in Pickwick Ala. in 2015, where he and his fishing partner, Reagan Maxey, placed 17th out of over 100 boats.

By fishing many tournaments throughout the state during his high school years, Dylan became an accomplished angler.  Upon his graduation from NCHS in 2015 with honors, Dylan decided to attend Northwestern State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Dylan’s dream and passion, however, was to become a professional angler one day.  He joined the NSU Fishing Team and partnered up with Cain Hamous. Dylan fished his first FLW Cowboy Division tournament on Toledo Bend Lake in 2016 and placed 4th, with his biggest weight ever of 22lbs 8oz.

First place at the fishing tournament will receive $5,000. Additional payouts will be made. Other activities include a DJ, raffles, a bounce house and food and fun for all ages. The entry fee is $150 (max two people per boat). There will be an optional Big Fish for $20 per boat.

Register by mail: Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Fund, 471 Riverview Dr., Natchez, LA 71456. Mail-in registrations must be received by March 23. Register in person Friday, March 24 from 2-6 p.m. at Toledo Tackle or on the morning of the vent from 4:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. FORMS BELOW

For more information contact Burt Poche at 318-652-3176 or 318-652-7192.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG! Here is proof that spring is here. The 2017 Red River Biddy T-Ball and Coach Pitch schedule is out. All games will be played at the Coushatta ball park beginning Thursday March 30th. Last game will be on Monday, May 1st.

WAY TO GO KIDS. The state literary rally happens in Baton Rouge on April 1st. Red River parish is well represented by students from both Red River High School and Riverdale Academy.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT INFORMATION. Last night was College and Career Night at Red River High School. It was part of the parent teacher conference. Students got information on College admissions, upcoming tests like the ACT, financial aid, the TOPS scholarships and other topics of interest.

ANOTHER SCAM TO LOOK OUT FOR. The sheriff’s department warns a new version of an old scam “seems to becoming more popular.” The RRPSO shares an FCC article on their Facebook page describing the “one ring” wireless phone scam.

The FCC says wireless consumers get calls that appear to be from a domestic phone but are in fact associated with international pay-per-call phone numbers. Usually the phone rings once and then disconnects. Returning the call may result in large phone bills and fees.

The FCC’s advice is to be aware that the scam is out there and check any unfamiliar number before returning a call.

IT’S OPEN! The bridge over 507 is open again. Most of the folks who regularly go that way have gotten the word. The several weeks it was closed wasn’t much of a bother to most of us, but it was an giant inconvenience to those who do go that way.

Three residents of Coushatta were arrested, along with four others from northwest Louisiana, in connection with the theft of two all-terrain vehicles. The ATVs have not been recovered. They are believed to be somewhere in Red River Parish.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office headed the investigation of the theft of two ATVs from a shed near Powhatan during the night on January 21st. The ATVs are described as Yamaha Kodiak 700 models (similar to the one in the photo) with an approximate value of $14,000.

Sheriff’s detectives from Red River, Sabine and Caddo parishes joined in the investigation. Natchitoches Chief of Investigations Greg Dunn said they obtained the names of several persons of interest. Warrants were obtained from a Tenth Judicial District Judge for the arrest of the seven suspects.

Coushatta residents arrested in the investigation were Armaa Y. Edwards, Larris Edwards, and Simco W. Morris.

Armaa Y. Edwards, 17, of the 900 block of 2nd Street, Coushatta, La., booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on February 21st, charged with 2-counts of Theft less than $750, 1-count of Criminal Trespassing, 1-count of Attempted Theft, and 1-count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile

Larris Edwards, 19, of the 900 block of 2nd Street, Coushatta, La., booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on February 27th, charged with 1-count of Criminal Conspiracy, 2-counts of Felony Theft between $5000-$25,000, 1-count of Attempted Theft, 1-count of Theft less than $750 and 1-count of Criminal Trespassing.

Simco W. Morris, 21, of the 900 block of 2nd Street, Coushatta, La., is currently being held in the Red River Parish Jail on Red River Parish charges of Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile, Flight from an Officer and Resisting an Officer.Morris is also being held on Natchitoches Parish charges of 1-count of Criminal Conspiracy, 2-counts of Felony Theft between $5000-$25,000, 1-count of Theft less than $750, 1-count of Attempted Theft and 1-count of Criminal Trespassing.

In addition three Shreveport residents and one resident of Many were arrested and charged in the case.

All of the suspects have bonded out of jail pending their court appearances with the exception of Simco Morris and Larris Edwards.

Detectives say the ATVs have not been recovered but believe they may to be in Red River Parish.If you have any information on the whereabouts of the ATVs contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 352-6432 or your local law enforcement agency.Anyone caught in possession of the stolen ATV’s may be charged with Illegal Possession of Stolen Things.

Units from Red River Fire Protection District answered the call early Wednesday to a structure fire on Spring Street. The pictures show the house was heavily damaged.

The fire department posted that units were dispatched at 8:05 am to 211 Spring Street. Fire Chief Shane Felts told The Journal that the fire was extinguished in just a few minutes. The property owner said fire started from a little electric heater. All family members and their furry loved ones made it out safely.

Coushatta is joining communities throughout this area who have outlawed Jake Braking. It is a practice by drivers of heavy vehicles, log trucks, or oilfield traffic to slow their vehicles quickly.

Here is what Wikipedia says about it: “A compression release engine brake, frequently called a Jake brake or Jacobs brake, is an engine braking mechanism installed on some diesel engines. When activated, it opens exhaust valves in the cylinders after the compression cycle, releasing the compressed air trapped in the cylinders, and slowing the vehicle.”

Unfortunately, it is usually very noisy. Mayor Johnny Cox described several areas coming into Coushatta where the practice is being perfected by truckers. And he said residents are complaining.

Cox explained, “At present there isn’t anything we can do to Jake Brakers. This ordinance will be written to follow similar ones in neighboring towns. The fine is anticipated to be $150 or 15 days in jail for those ticketed.”

For six young ladies from Red River Parish this season’s prom will be something extra special. They will have an elegant evening gown to wear.

Last weekend the Cinderella Project invited these six ladies to come to Shreveport. They were given thirty minutes to shop, try on, and select their prom dress. And there were hundreds to choose from.

Spokesperson Ashley Busada of the Cinderella Project said this year they distributed 140 dresses in northwest Louisiana. And there have been over 500 dresses distributed since 2013.

To be eligible a student need only show proof of high school enrollment. No proof of need is required because eligibility for a free dress is on the honor system. For more information go to http://www.cinderellaprojectla.org.

Like the fairy tale, these ladies will have a beautiful evening gown to wear to their prom. But the story has a different ending. They don’t turn into a pumpkin at midnight.

If you have ever wanted to be in the dance line or be a majorette at Red River High School, tryout time begins next week. Pre-Tryouts are March 21 through 23. Formal tryouts will be held April 4-6.

All students attending Red River High School and eighth graders at Red River Junior High School are eligible. No experience is necessary.

All tryouts will be held in the Dance Palace from 3:30 to 5:00 pm each day. Participants should see Ms. Chatman and Mrs. Haskett to sign up. They advise to wear comfortable clothes for dancing and tennis shoes.

Red River parish is part of a multi-year, very lucrative Teacher Incentive grant funded by the federal government. It is aimed at helping teachers improve their quality of teaching. The grant is for the current and the next four school years.

The Director of Student Learning is Karen Squires. She explained at the March school board meeting that TIF (the Teacher Incentive Fund) is “about having the best teachers in the classroom working with trained mentors and good leaders.” Squires said, “This would create a pool of great people working with our students everyday.”

At present there are three trained teacher mentors in the parish. “We want to expand the mentor program, to get ten to twelve mentors in the parish,” said Squires. She adds “this could attract high school seniors and help them make the decision to become teachers in the parish.”

One person will be hired to head the program. The job description was approved so the job search can begin.

Board member Gene Longino had questions about who would bear the costs. He asked, “Will any of the money come from the minimum foundation state funds the board receives? What about expenses that would be paid from our general fund?”

Squires stated, “It is all being funded totally by the federal grant. It’s all federal money.”

A Coushatta resident faces charges of possession of illegal drugs and other drug related offenses. He was arrested last week by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies.

According to the NPSO a traffic stop on US-71 north of Campti lead to discovery of 3 grams of suspected marijuana, 4 alprazolam pills, and an open alcoholic beverage container.

Bobby Eugene Jones of Coushatta was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center. A passenger in the vehicle with Jones at the time of the traffic stop was released.

Attention senior citizens. The Council on Aging says you can sign up now for their “Food for Seniors” food distribution.

We caught up with Liz Cannon and Barry Horton sorting food into big boxes for the distribution on Monday March 13th. Earlier The Journal told you about yearly recertifying for the food program. Now Cannon asked us to spread the word that eligible seniors can sign up at any time.

The schedule for food distribution the rest of 2017 is May 8th, July 10th, September 11th, and November 13th. Distribution each day is from 8:30 am to 11:00 am.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY. Are you wearing green?

A Coushatta college student makes the fall 2016 LSU President’s Honor Roll. She is University College Center for Freshman Year student Keava R. Turner. She was a member of the 2015-16 Red River High School senior class. Congratulations Keava for all your accomplishment.

The Journal hasn’t mentioned it in a few weeks, but sidewalk construction is continuing along East Carroll Street. Please slow down in construction areas. And look for sidewalk improvements in other areas of town coming soon.

You may recall at the February School Board meeting representatives of Red River United made a presentation before the board (See Red River Journal, February 15, 2017) concerning teacher pay, working overtime without compensation, and other issues. Superintendent Alison Hughes told the board Monday night she contacted that teacher union and scheduled a meeting last week to discuss the issues the union had raised. Hughes said“Red River United cancelled the meeting just a short time before it was scheduled to start.” That meeting was to scheduled for March 8th.

The pastor of Martin Baptist Church, Bro. Richard Kaufman will be preaching revival services at Fryeburg Baptist Church beginning Sunday and continuing through Wednesday, March 22nd. The revival begins with services Sunday at 11:00 am. Sunday evening through Wednesday evening the service time will be 6:00 pm. Fryeburg Baptist Church is located at 1583 Hwy. 516 in Dubberly, La. Bro. Kyle Norred is their pastor.

The Red River Parish Journal wants to thank the hundreds of residents of Red River parish and the surrounding area who have subscribed to The Journal. You are enjoying the new way to get your local news.

Our promise is to deliver accurate, up to date information on people and events from our parish. Every Wednesday and Friday mornings we will send updated reports direct to your preferred electronic device.

If you know someone who would like to receive The Journal they can sign up for a free subscription at RedRiverParishJournal.com or on Facebook. Also they can email us at TheRRJournal@gmail.com.

Room to grow. A new baseball and softball complex. Practice field for the football team. More parking for sporting events. Some of the issues to be solved by the acquisition of land adjoining Red River Junior High and Pat Strother Memorial Stadium.

At Monday’s meeting of the board the Buildings and Grounds Committee chairman Gary Giddens described long term facility planning that is underway. Giddens said “we are looking at putting together a 20 year plan. But some items won’t wait 20 years or even 5 years to be taken care of.”

The discussions included making a priority list of all projects at school facilities. Giddens said “we are not only working on the plan but on securing the funds to do the work.”

Superintendent Alison Hughes said she is meeting with the board’s architect to discuss which projects are most important to do first. Hughes said “those could include new facilities at the high school campus and at the Springville Education Center. And also the purchase of additional land to develop.”

Jones said there are three parcels they are looking at. There is a one-acre lot and a three-acre parcel south of the junior high. The biggest parcel is 21.7 acres just east of the football field.

Board member Cleve Miller wanted the board to get an appraisal on the one-acre lot, saying they have an offer from the property owner to sell the land. Miller wanted the board to move on that one parcel.

On a motion from board member Gary Giddens it was decided to have all three of the parcels appraised so that the board would know their market value. The board will move forward on land acquisition when the appraisals are completed.

Many great memories to last a lifetime will be formed on the new playground equipment at Red River Elementary School. The official ribbon cutting was held Friday (March 10th).

It was quite a show with the RRES Cheerleaders and Bulldog mascot leading the way. There were speeches, a cutting of a big blue ribbon, and a white and blue balloon launch. And of course a stampede of kids trying to be the first on the swings, ladders and jungle gym.

Student Council President Hayden Dowden put it best. She said “we promise to take care of it and have lots of fun on it. “ School Board President Valerie Cox termed it “the most festive ribbon cutting ceremony I have ever attended.” Cox added a big thank you to all involved “for what you’ve done for the kids.”

RRES PAW Parents started working to build a playground for grades 1-5 about five years ago. Every fundraiser the group has done has been to purchase equipment. Money came from candy sales, cookbook sales, carnival profits, pageants, snow cones, and softball and volleyball tournaments. Also from box tops students saved for about 10 years.

Many people do not realize how expense playground equipment can be. The piece we purchased cost around $18,000 and that was on sale. Around $3,000 came from this project alone. Each box top is worth 10 cents, that’s a lot of box tops.

This is not the end, just phase one. In the immediate future is construction of two gaga ball pits. Also this school year plans call for pouring concrete slabs for the basketball courts.

Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulet!

The Red River Lady Bulldogs Softball Team participated in the 2017 Bossier Lady Kats Invitational this past weekend. The Lady Bulldogs finished the tournament with 3 wins and 1 loss and were crowned Co-Champions.

The Lady Bulldogs now have a First Place Trophy and a Second Place Trophy from each of two tournaments they have played in this season. Their overall recordis 11-4 for the season. Superintendent of Schools Alison Hughes reported to the board this week ‘the Lady Bulldogs are ranked 15th in the state. They’re doing a very good job.

Save the Date. Social Springs Baptist Church has scheduled its first Women’s Conference. This one-day event will run all day on Saturday, March 25th. It begins at 8:00 am and concludes about 3:00 pm.

Leila Kay Warren is organizing this year’s conference. She says “the theme this year is ‘Tell Your Story’and we are inviting local ladies from churches in this area to tell their stories of how God has changed their lives.”

Contact Warren for registration information or other details. Her phone is 318-471-6808. Your $10 registration fee includes lunch.

The Most Improved Student of the Month was announced at Monday’s meeting of the Red River Parish School Board. He is Arcadious Whitaker, a first grader at Red River Elementary.

Nikki Kelly of the Coushatta office of Farm Bureau presented the certificate to Whitaker. His teacher Wendy Hines nominated Whitaker for his achievements. Hines said when students turn in one or two assignments, Whitaker turns in 5 or more. He has consistently scored “core” on assessments noting that the minimum score need is 130 and Whitaker scored 219.

Hines, in nominating her student, said he is respectful, honest and trustworthy. She called him a joy to teach.

Farm Bureau recognizes the most improved student in Red River Parish Schools each month. For more information call Nikki Kelly at the Coushatta Farm Bureau office at 703 Court Street. Her number is 318-932-3688.

NSU’s coalition to end sexual assault reviewed and renewed its memorandum of understanding with several local agencies Friday, meeting required mandates in awareness, prevention, referring and reporting sexual misconduct. NSU has an agreement with parish law enforcement, healthcare providers and advocacy groups that delineates procedures for reporting, investigating and adjudicating cases quickly and fairly.

NSU Acting President, Dr. Chris Maggio said “this is a proactive collaboration that is important not just for Northwestern but for the community as a whole,” NSU Title IX Coordinator Frances Conine said “this brings back into focus the reason for the coalition: to end sexual assault.”

Maggio and Natchitoches Parish D-A Billy Joe Harrington signed documents in a renewal of NSU’s policies on handling cases of sexual misconduct.

 

Two RRHS Juniors, Brian Price and Jacob Session competed in the Future Farmers of America District V Agricultural Mechanics Contest, Small Engine division on March 7, 2017 in Many. They placed 3rd and will advance to the Area II competition tomorrow (March 16th) at Mansfield Louisiana Technical College.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three members of the Riverdale Academy basketball teams were named to the MAIS All-Star teams. All are seniors. Congratulations to Austin Knotts, Jaylee Riggs and Colby Wyatt.

 

 

Results are in from the state Social Studies Fair. Their teacher, Will Worsham introduced the local winners to the School Board. Winners from Red River Junior High School were Latrell Mosley, Shakiya Davis, Elizabeth Hughes and Claire York. They were awarded second place in the northwest Louisiana regional competition in Shreveport and advanced to the state competition in Lake Charles.

In addition to those students introduced at Mondays School Board meeting, Worsham said “two students earned third place at the regional fair. They are Shaquincia Frazier and Ariuana Johnson.”

In the Science Fair, Worsham said they had one student place at the regionals. He is Nathan Tristan of Coushatta.

Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office reports Victor Demery of Postell Road in Coushatta is awaiting trial on charges including possession of drugs, assault, aggravated flight from an officer, and attempted entry of an inhabited dwelling. He is out on a $29,000 bond.

The incident began on February 21st when deputies answered an assault and attempted entry of a home call to Rolling Hills Trailer Park. While en route a responding deputy observed the suspect vehicle fleeing at a high rate of speed along U.S. Hwy 71 traveling toward Coushatta. Despite the officer’s pursuit, the suspect continued at a high rate of speed while passing other traffic in no passing zones. Due to the extent of the reckless driving and the fact that the suspect’s identity was known, the deputy terminated the pursuit in the interest of public safety.

That vehicle was located at the suspect’s residence on February 24th. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a residual amount of narcotics believed to be either marijuana or synthetic cannabis.

The suspect, Victor J. Demery surrendered himself on March 6thto deputies at the Red River Parish Courthouse and was booked into the Red River Parish Jail without incident on the following charges: Simple Assault, Attempted Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling, Possession of Schedule I Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Schedule I Synthetic Cannabinoids with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Aggravated Flight from an Officer.