Natchitoches resident Rose Long passed away April 30, 2017 After an 11-month courageous battle. Service arrangements are pending at this time. Please continue to pray for the Long family as they go through this dark time.

Last Saturday was a good day for exercise. The weather cooperated. And the runners departed the Coushatta Country Club at precisely 5:00 pm.

It was the second annual Riverdale Academy Color 5-K Run/Walk. As the runners headed out, city police and sheriff’s officers stopped traffic and escorted them through the streets of Coushatta.

The “color run” part of the event came into play at several stations set up around town. At those locations race officials with the assistance of members of the local National Guard unit supplied the color. Or applied the color by throwing colored powder in the direction of the runners. The Journal asked one race official if the bright colors would wash out of the runner’s clothing. Her answer was “for the most part!”

Thanks to race organizer Celeste Huddleston for the list of top finishers:
Cannon Breedlove- 2nd grade
Ryder Huddleston-5th grade
Gunner Nash- 5th grade
Brock Keith -5th grade
All four finished holding hands with a time of 27:39.

Katie Key was first female finisher with a time of 28:55.

Friday May 5th is a special evening at Abundant Life Worship Center in Coushatta. They are hosting a Southern Mother and Daughter Tea at 7:00 pm.

The Journal spoke with Tea organizer Susan Bamburg. She said, “Bring your mother, daughter, grandmother, niece, cousin, friend or any other lady that is a blessing in your life.” Bamburg said “Please RSVP to 318-461-2088 so we can plan enough food for everyone.”

The Southern Mother and Daughter Tea is a ladies ministry of Abundant Life Worship Center, located at 1813 Ashland Road in Coushatta.

Pre-Need Specialists Byron Barclay, Greg Sargee and Joni Bass
Rose-Neath Administrative Assistant Renee Hill

Joni Bass is one of the Pre-Need Specialists for Kilpatrick Rose-Neath in Coushatta. She has important information for you at no charge.

Bass said, “Giving a gift to a loved one is a joy of life. One important gift is often overlooked, however, because it involves a subject difficult for many to consider, the sorting out of final affairs.”

Just as gift giving is a time of joy, the loss of a loved one is a time of grief. Adding to the stress of loss are the many decisions and responsibilities now thrust upon surviving family.

“Several choices must be faced within 24-48 hours after the loss”Bass explained. She asked, “Do you know the 30-hour rule?” Bass described the maze of arrangement options, funding possibilities, informational needs and final wishes can seem daunting but this maze does not need to be faced alone.

Pre-Need Specialist Greg Sargee said, “Arranging our final affairs to spare others what pain we can is truly a gift of love but for many it is not a gift easily given.”

“Please be our guest at a free pre-planning seminar at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Thursday, May 4th from 9:00am to noon” said Sargee. Bass said, “A short presentation will be given starting at 9:30 but our primary concern is to answer your questions and take the mystery out of the maze.”

For more information, please call Kilpatrick Life’sByron Barclay at 318-347-7230, Joni Bass at 318-525-4680 or Greg Sargee at 318-471-9504.

Winners from Riverdale Academy of the VFW Americanism Art Contest were presented their awards this week. Certificates from VFW Post 7287 and Auxiliary were presented to nine students.

Kindergarten students were asked to color the American Flag. Top three winners are shown above with their teacher Betty Ware. First place went to Cameron Swayze, second place to Madison Cason, and the third place winner was Ryder Shaver.

Students in first and second grade drew the American Flag. Top three winners are shown below with Principal Jamie Lawrence. First place winner was Hayden Cason, second place went to Maggie Straight, and the third place winner was Rylan Moseley.

Third and fourth grade students are asked to draw and color a patriotic scene. Principal Jamie Lawrence is also shown below with the winners. Charity Williamson finished in first place, Hanna Huddleston earned second place, and MaKayla Pickett’s entry finished in third place.

These awards are presented annually by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7287 and Auxiliary 7287 as part of the VFW’s service to the community.

Northwestern State University’s Department of Engineering Technology will host free summer robotics camps for beginners and advanced students. There is no charge to attend the campus, but space is limited to the first 12 applicants for each session. The deadline for registration is June 15.

Beginner Camp Session is for students ages 7-12. Session I will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 10-11. Session II will be held from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. July 13-14. The camp will cover basic electrical circuits, robot building and assembly and basic programming to navigate a robot.

Advanced Camp will be from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. July 17-18 for ages 13-18 and will cover Arduino programming and advanced sensing.

The camps will be held in Williamson Hall. Participants will provide their own lunches. The program is supported by the Natchitoches Chamber Education Fund and NSU’s ET Department.To register, email Curtis Desselles at dessellesc@nsula.edu or Dr. Jafar Al-Sharab at jafar@nsula.edu.

Upcoming Meetings. The parish Police Jury meets next Monday, May first. Their agenda will be available sometime today. Also coming up is the School Board next Monday May 8th and the City Council May 9th. Agendas for both will be available a day in advance. If there is a community concern, attend the meetings and make your concerns known. The School Board will be recognizing employees for their years of service on May 8th.

Hot Rods in Town. The Chamber of Commerce holds it’s 3rd annual car show at Grand Bayou on Saturday. Come see some awesome rides. There will be food and other vendors and music from live bands during the car show.

The mother of one band member, Leigh Adkins, posted on Facebook “Kathryn Adkins and her band, Mousiki, will be performing from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, followed by Pipe Dream Reality, which will start shortly after noon. If you are local, please come out and support the bands. I would love for all of my friends to come and hear Kathryn, Madden Weaver, Ally Greer, Will Rayburn, and Austin Cooper rock it out at 11:00 am. It will be a guaranteed great show!!”

The Season is Coming to an End. Saturday is the last day of competition for the Open Door Sports’ spring soccer league. Games will be played at 9:00 am and 10:30 am on the fields on Esparanza Road. About 70 kids took part, enjoyed the games, and learned a little soccer.

Six Headed to State. Coach Billy Henry, Jr. reported that six members of the Red River Boys Track Team are going to the state competition. The team placed fifth overall at regionals this past week. See the Wednesday edition of the Journal.

Competing next week in Baton Rouge are Desmond Bryant, Cadarius Moody, Patrick Perkins, Shacoby Perkins, Julius Brisker and Devonya Mosley.

The community is uniting in support of several families who suffered loss this past week. Ten-year-old Sheldon “SJ” Hallman passed away Saturday morning. A few hours later his cousin was injured and two other men were killed in a traffic accident on the Red Oak Road.

Hallman was injured four years ago while on a school outing to the State Fair in Shreveport. A ride malfunction trapped the boy.

John Hallman, the boy’s grandfather, says the Wake will be Friday evening at Will of God Church and the funeral will be at noon Saturday in the gym of the old Elementary School on East Carroll Street.

Details of the auto accident that injured one person and claimed two lives were furnished to the Journal by State Police Troop G:

Red River Parish-On Saturday, April 22, 2017, at 11:10 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to one vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 480 just south of US Highway 84 that claimed the lives of two people and left one severely injured.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria operated by 20-year-old Cedric Lewis of Coushatta was traveling north on LA 480 when for reasons still under investigation, he failed to negotiate a curve, exited the left side of the roadway, overturned, and struck a large group of trees.

Lewis as well as his passengers’ 43-year-old Ronnie Allen of Coushatta and 19-year-old Tyquinton Winn also of Coushatta was not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Lewis sustained serious injuries during the crash and was transported to University Health in Shreveport for treatment. Allen and Winn were partially ejected during the crash and sustained fatal injuries. Both Allen and Winn were pronounced dead at the scene by the Red River Parish Coroner.

Speed and restraint use are factors in this crash, but impairment is not suspected, however toxicology samples were obtained and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana law requires motor vehicle occupants to be properly restrained in every seating position, day and night. Wearing a seatbelt significantly reduces the likelihood of being seriously injured or killed as the result of a crash and is the single most effective thing motorists can do to protect themselves.

Cadets of the Red River High School Jr ROTC program went to the NASA Space Center in Houston on a field trip. They also visited the Galleria Mall in Houston.

ROTC commander Major Thomas Edwards and two other adults accompanied 38 cadets on the two-day trip. Major Edwards described the trip as “a great opportunity for the students. Highlight of the trip was a tour of the Space Center.”

The cadets took a trolly tour of the NASA facilities. Major Edwards said “they were invited into the Space Center Control System where they received a briefing on the space program.”

There was also time for fun on the trip. The ROTC cadets toured the Galleria for shopping and a meal.

The 2017 Fan Drive conducted by the Red River Council on Aging is underway. Director Liz Cannon said they have received their first donation of fans. And she knows more are on the way. Pictured are Cannon, Michael Braswell of the COA and a stack of donated fans.

Cannon told The Journal “Amazing Grace Baptist Church on Highway 71 donated the first 20 fans.” Cannon added “we distributed 108 fans last summer. Our goal is 200 fans in 2017.”

The fan drive is conducted to provide relief from summer heat to elderly residents of Red River parish. “If you live in Red River parish and are 60 years old or older you’re eligible. There is a limit of one fan per household” Cannon said.

Residents of the community are asked to contribute fans now, before heat becomes unbearable. The Council on Aging is taking applications for the fans and will distribute them in the parish.

The Red River Bulldog Track Teams sent 24 of their 30 members to the regional meet in Lake Charles this week after the boys finished first overall and the girls finished third in district. Red River hosted the district meet last Thursday.

Pictured with this story is William Davis competing in the high jump, Morgan Payne throwing the javelin, and Kenneth Bradley in the triple jump. The Red River Boys finished first in six events at district and scored 163 points. The girls scored 74 points for third place in district.

Also last week the Riverdale Academy boys track team finished in 3rd place in the District Meet held in Tallulah. The girls track team finished as District Runner-Ups.

Results for Riverdale from Field Events at the District Track Meet:
Jaylee Riggs-1st in shot put.
Bailee King-3rd in shot put
Kamden Messick-1st in high jump
Ryan Tomerlin-1st in discus
August LeGrande-3rd in discus
Gracie Almond-1st in high jump
Reagan Prosperie-2nd in shot put
Bailee King-2nd in discuss
Jaylee Riggs-3rd in discuss

There will be a fish fry and an auction fundraiser at Open Door Fellowship on Saturday, May 6th. Fishplates will be available for $10.00 beginning at 4:00 pm. Reserve your fishplates by calling 932-5819.

The auction will include baked goods, household items, hunting clothes, plus gift cards and items from local businesses. Many other items are included in the auction also. The auction begins at 5:30 on May 6th.

Open Door Fellowship is seeking donations of items to be auctioned. Someone will be at the church on the Esperanza road Friday noon to 4:00 pm and Saturday morning 9:00 am until noon to accept donations. Call the church at 932-6267 to arrange for pickup of donated items or to get more information.

The Director of Special Education for the Red River Parish School Board is Michelle Deville. She reported recently to the board on the status of programs offered for special education students and for gifted and talented students.

Deville said they offer educational opportunities specially designed for students with identified learning disabilities from mild to severe. Deville said “out of 1,500 students in public schools 176 are in special education or about 12 percent of our students.”

“The gifted and talented programs” said Deville “are offered to students who demonstrate abilities like high academic performance and intellectual aptitude.” She said there would be a two-week camp this summer featuring music, theatre, and academics. One session would be for grades 1 through 5 and another for students in grades 6 through 11. Deville said “the purpose of the camp is to build up skills for the coming school year.”

Put this on your calendar…
This year’s Academic All Star Banquet will be held May 2nd at Grand Bayou. Seniors from both Riverdale Academy and Red River High School will be honored for their academic achievements.

Congratulations to Riverdale Freshman Adam Bryant. He shot a perfect 50/50 and received 1st place in the Louisiana 4H Senior Modified Skeet Shoot. Bryant is shown below.

An Old Favorite Scam is Coming Around Again…

Dear Friend,
I do recognize the surprise this urgent, but confidential letter
brings to you,especially as it came from a stranger.I am Dr Edward
Williams (SAN) a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to late
Engr.Steve Moore a national of Mary Land in USA, who was a contractor
with a development company in Nigeria. On the 27th of April
2009,my client, his wife and their only son were involved in a car
accident …etcetc. The story gets better!

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left behind
by my late client before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.The
Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about $27 million US
dollars …and you know the rest of the story. It is so ridiculous that a product is now parodying this scam coming by telegraph in the 1800’s.

It’s great for a laugh, but please don’t fall for it.

Bob Dylan sang, “The times they are a changing.” The signs have come down from Fred’s Pharmacy on Riggold Avenue.

Fred’s corporate announced a couple of months ago that it was closing their store in Coushatta. The closure was first announced for the end of February. It came this week when the signs were removed.

The Journal asked a few questions and found that the Fred’s answering service still answers your call. Employees say the pharmacy is still open and they are filling prescriptions under Fred’s. They also say they have no further information other than they’re still working.

The Journal also called the Florida headquarters of the pharmacy reported to be taking over the store from Fred’s. A spokesperson in their PR department said she was not familiar with the store in Coushatta. But she added, “I’ll keep you updated in case we plan to move forward with this.”

Back to Bob Dylan…”the answer my friend is blowing in the wind.” When anything changes we’ll let you know.

The Northwestern State University Presidential Search Committee is interviewing three semifinalists on campus next week. The committee will choose at least two finalists to be presented to the full Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System next month.

In addition to committee interviews, candidates will tour the campus and meet with stakeholder groups including students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. The interview schedule is:
Neal Barlow at 9:00 am.
William Wainwright at 10:45 am
Chris Maggio at 1:00 pm.

Interviews will take place in the Magale Recital Hall. Candidates will be available to the media immediately following each interview in the A.A. Fredericks Fine Arts Center, Room 115.

Pre-Need Specialists Byron Barclay, Greg Sargee and Joni Bass
Rose-Neath Administrative Assistant Renee Hill

Joni Bass is one of the Pre-Need Specialists for Kilpatrick Rose-Neath in Coushatta. She has important information for you at no charge.

Bass said, “Giving a gift to a loved one is a joy of life. One important gift is often overlooked, however, because it involves a subject difficult for many to consider, the sorting out of final affairs.”

Just as gift giving is a time of joy, the loss of a loved one is a time of grief. Adding to the stress of loss are the many decisions and responsibilities now thrust upon surviving family.

“Several choices must be faced within 24-48 hours after the loss”Bass explained. She asked, “Do you know the 30-hour rule?” Bass described the maze of arrangement options, funding possibilities, informational needs and final wishes can seem daunting but this maze does need to be faced alone.

Pre-Need Specialist Greg Sargee said, “Arranging our final affairs to spare others what pain we can is truly a gift of love but for many it is not a gift easily given.”

“Please be our guest at a free pre-planning seminar at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Thursday, May 4th from 9:00am to noon” said Sargee. Bass said, “A short presentation will be given starting at 9:30 but our primary concern is to answer your questions and take the mystery out of the maze.”

For more information, please call Kilpatrick Life’sByron Barclay at 318-347-7230, Joni Bass at 318-525-4680 or Greg Sargee at 318-471-9504.

The month of April is “Fair Housing Month” and this week is “National Community Development” week in Coushatta. The city council made those proclamations earlier this month.

The Fair Housing proclamation comes on the 49th anniversary of the national Fair Housing Law, part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. The proclamation said, “the month of April is an occasion for all Americans-individually and collectively-to rededicate themselves to the principle of freedom from housing discrimination whenever it exists.

The Community Development week proclamation states, “In this community and communities throughout the nation, thirty-five years of Community Development Block Grant Program funding has developed a strong relationship between this local government and its residents, principally those of low-to-moderate income.”

The resolution said in part “this community…hereby petitions the U.S. Congress and Administration to recognize the outstanding work being done locally by the…program, and of its vital importance to the community.” The resolution asked that full funding be provided to the Community Development Bock Grant Program.

It was good news for one parish resident. Recently he received
$1,715.41 and it came from a Louisiana Citizens Insurance class action settlement.

State Treasury spokesperson Sarah Mulhearn said they do not release the name of people receiving money from the Treasury’s unclaimed property account. The treasury held an unclaimed property event recently in Shreveport and returned over $324,000 to residents of the state.

“It’s a great pleasure to give people money that’s rightfully theirs,” said State Treasurer Ron Henson. “It doesn’t take long, it’s an easy process, and it’s a free service.”

The State Treasury holds any unclaimed money or property that belongs to Louisiana residents. You can search for missing money online 24/7 at http://www.latreasury.com or call the Treasury’s toll-free hotline at 1-888-925-4127 (Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

It is reported that a portion of the Springhill Church Road in the Hall Summit area is still closed to traffic following a natural gas well blowout last Friday.

Red River Fire Protection District Chief Shane Felts says there was no fire, that the well was just blowing gas. He added, “Boots and Coots was on scene there pretty quick and took over.”

No injuries or evacuation of residents in the area were ordered.

In nearby DeSoto Parish, one worker was killed an another injured when a natural gas well blew out there. It took place about three miles from Grand Cane. Initially 15 to 20 homes in DeSoto Parish were ordered evacuated.

Dance Time. Tomorrow is the forth Saturday in April, which means it’s time for the Council on Aging’s monthly dance. The Playmates will be playing at the COA on Front Street. The dance is from 7 to 10 pm and the cover charge is just $6.00.

There is Still Time to Catch Up. If you missed the COA Community Health Fair this week, there is information you may be in need of. One such group is the Aging and Disability Resource Center that serves Red River parish and several others in the Shreveport area. Look for their story and many more in coming weeks.
Thanks Again The Journal says thank you to the many people in Red River and surrounding parishes who have acquired the habit of getting their news from the Red River Parish Journal. And an especial thanks to those who have shared the Journal with friends and relatives who live elsewhere yet want to remain in touch.

There is one thing you can do to help us. Let The Journal know when your group, your church, or school is holding an activity. We got many tips recently with all the Easter celebrations. And Vacation Bible School, graduation, Mothers Day and other events are coming soon.

Tell The Journal and we’ll tell everyone.

“We had a very successful, very informative Community Health Fair” is the assessment of Peggy Young. She coordinates the Senior Center on Front Street and Young put in many hours preparing for the Health Fair held yesterday.

The center’s large event room was crowded with vendors distributing information on just about everything about personal health someone could want. Young said, “Over 150 people took advantage of the information they offered. They could get their blood pressure checked or have reduced-rate blood work done by Christus Coushatta Health Care.”

Among participants were Red River Industries with samples of the delicious cookies and pastries they create; Kilpatrick Life gave information on an upcoming pre-arrangement seminar they are planning; and several home health and hospice agencies provided information on services they offered.

Participants were able to learn about Medicare, dental services offered by Christus Coushatta’s new dental clinic, how to get help with utilities for low income residents, and a wealth of other information.

The Community Health Fair was offered as a service to the residents of Red River Parish by the Council on Aging. There was information on the COA feeding programs, transportation, and other services provided.

We’ve all heard that a picture is worth a thousand words. So here are a few thousand words expressed in pictures taken around the parish during the Easter weekend.

Sights range from the Empty Tomb at Abbie Lane Retreat to decorating the yard for Easter. There are lilies in full bloom on the altar, a cross draped with white at St. George’s Catholic Church, the Easter Bunny passing out treats, and a great breakfast at Open Door Fellowship Easter morning.

There was a sunrise service on the pier at Grand Bayou Resort with the message delivered by Brother Nathan Davis of First Baptist Church. It was cloudy, which made for a beautiful sunrise.

However your family observed Easter, the Journal hopes it was memorable. Comment if you like with your experiences.