The seven students in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course this spring have begun their clinical rotation. They are members of the 26th CNA class at Red River High School since 1998.

The instructor is Dawn Brewer, a registered nurse. She said “the students will complete 100 hours of clinical practice to complete the course. Again this spring we are going to Natchitoches Community Care Center.”

Students in CNA are dual-enrolled at Mansfield LTC as well as Red River High. They will travel to Natchitoches each day through May. Brewer said “upon graduation from this course they will be job ready. They can go to work this summer.”

Students enrolled this semester are Rodnesha Demery, Tichina Jefferson, Wilteona Rainey, Nykeria Shivers, Deja Sibley, Destiny Speed and Cody Blankenship. Brewer estimated that over 100 students have earned their CNA since 1998.

To enroll in Certified Nursing Assistant program a student must attend Red River High, pass the TABE (Test of Applied Basic Education) test, and be at least 15 years of age. The only cost to the students is the uniform they wear for clinical rotation.

By Joe Taylor

People of a certain age may recognize the attached picture. It is a rare photo of a small unassuming building that served for over forty years as city hall for the little town of Coushatta. Called by natives “the Calaboose”, which Google tells me is an old English word for a small jail. Why it got that name is a mystery to me. I’m told that the old jail in the old town on the river was also called the calaboose and maybe the name was transferred when the new building was built in the early twenties, as the town moved toward the railroad.

There certainly was a jail as part of the building. If you study the picture you’ll notice two small windows at the bottom. Those were the windows to, as I remember, two jail cells that looked ominous to a curious kid as he explored the town. The upper part of the building served as the city hall and is where the town clerk conducted the everyday business of the town and where the town council held its scheduled meetings.

To me the little building is an example of how simple times were then and how much modern government has grown.

In years past when visiting a large city such as Chicago, I have been asked what was it like to be raised in a tiny town like Coushatta. I always answered it was like Mayberry. You had one city marshal for the town. Often he carried no weapon. Houses were never locked, you didn’t even know where the old skeleton key was, and the car keys were always left in the car. As a kid you had the run of the town. Days often might include a pick up game of baseball or basketball with the neighbors. Parents really didn’t know where you where at all times, but knew that everyone knew who you were and who you belonged to, and a call would be placed if needed.

I grew up in a time when the parents had survived a Great Depression and a terrible world war. They were glad to be alive and wanted to enjoy life and make the world better for their kids. I realize now in my old age that growing up in the 50’s and 60’s was one of best times in our country’s history and I was lucky to be a part of it.

Next month in our history article: We’ve all heard of the Hatfield and McCoy feud, but we never had a feud like that in Red River, did we? Yes we did! And next time I’ll tell the story of the Brown and Freeman feud that left four dead.

The March birthday party for residents of Green Meadow Haven was a banana split party. Members of First Baptist and First Methodist churches served about 40 residents on Friday March 31st.

These were not ordinary banana splits. They were deluxe cold confections and everyone there said they were delicious.

The recipe for says to begin with two generous slices of banana, apply two huge scoops of Neapolitan ice cream, and liberally spread strawberry, pineapple, and caramel topping. Next apply some chocolate syrup and top off with a large glob of real whipped cream and a cherry or two.

Green Meadow Haven celebrates residents’ birthdays every month. If you would like to help in April, call the activities department and volunteer.

Homade Jam is entertainment at its finest! This national touring band has been together since 1987. They have entertained audiences in 48 states and 5 provinces of Canada. And they’re playing at the VFW in Coushatta Friday night.

If you like to dance, Homade Jam plays your music. During the show you’ll hear 2-step, 3-step, belly rubbersline dances, jitterbugs, waltzes, and swing. Just bring them your requests.

Don’t miss this show Friday night April 7th at the VFW on Highway 71 south of Coushatta. Admission is $7.00. Doors open for dinner at 6 pm. The show starts at 7.

SPRING FESTIVAL. The town of Ashland is celebrating spring with its Spring Festival all day Saturday. There will be food, music, a parade at 10 am and an all-day flea market.

EASTER EGG HUNT. Fairview Baptist Church on Highway 71 is holding an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 15th. It starts at 10 am and lasts until noon. They are having slides, a jump house and hamburgers.

THEY’RE MOVING IN. Open Door Fellowship will hold a night of worship tonight, April 7th in their new worship center. They moved the furniture in this week and are getting everything ready. The official grand opening will be scheduled in the near future.

BATTLEFIELD DEDICATION. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser will be at the Mansfield State Historic Site Today (Apr 7th) joining CLECO and the Civil War Trust to announce the permanent protection of hallowed ground at the Mansfield Battlefield in DeSoto parish. The battle of Mansfield was the last Confederate campaign victory of the Civil War. It was fought April 8, 1864. The ceremony begins at 11:00 am.

TRAFFIC SLOW-DOWN ON THE WAY TO CASTOR. If you are heading to Castor expect some delay on LA 153 near Castor. The roadway is restricted to one lane 24 hours a day. A flagger will direct you. This is to tie in the newly completed bridge to the roadway. Work is expected to be complete by April 10th.

Superintendent Alison Hughes presented her “…of the year” awards at Monday’s School Board Meeting. Hughes said “I love to honor students” and named an elementary, middle, and secondary student of the year.

Elementary School Student of the Year is Hayden Dowden, a 5th grader at Red River Elementary. Hayden is the daughter of Patricia and Michael Dowden. Hughes said “She has a 4.0 GPA in science. And she wants to become a doctor.”

Middle School Student of the Year is Elizabeth Hughes, an 8th grader at Red River Junior High. Parents are Timmy and Alison Hughes. The Superintendent said “Elizabeth has a 4.0 GPA and her favorite subject is English. She wants to be a pediatrician or physical therapist.”

Secondary School Student of the Year is Jon Russell, a senior at Red River High School. His mother is Joy Russell. The Superintendent said “Jon is a top academic student for our parish with a high GPA in the senior class. He wants to attend Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and become a surgeon.”

Hughes presented Ellie Drew the Teacher of the Year plaque from Red River Elementary School. Drew is a math teacher. The Superintendent said “Drew serves as a mentor for new teachers. And she works with students in helping with their math.”

Teacher of the Year at Red River Junior High School is Anicia Banks. Hughes said “she has been teaching over 15 years. Although she teaches business she takes on the responsibility for helping all students.”

The Red River High School Teacher of the Year is Samantha Sullivan. Hughes said “she is involved in many activities in addition to her role as an English teacher. She does a lot for the school and we appreciate her very much.”

Several people were named Support Person of the Year including Joann McCoy at the elementary school. Hughes says McCoy “has served as secretary and registrar for three years. She stays beyond work hours to assure that students get on the right bus and home safely. Other Support Persons of the Year are Gloria Harris from Red River Junior High, Denise Keith at Red River High School, and Alice Everett at Springville Education Center. Bus Driver of the year is Rebecca Moore.

The public is invited to experience Abbie Lane this Easter season. A guided walk through four meditation stations is planned April 14th and 15th.

Your hosts are Wayne and Nancy Spears. They are putting the final touches on the four prayer gardens. According to the guide for visitors, there are four “R”s on the tour.

The tour begins with “Resolve – on surrendering the heart, mind and soul to the will of God” at Gethsemane. It is located near the entrance of Abbie Lane in front of Raven’s Nest.

Next stop is “Return – to that love relationship with the Lord you once had” at Calvary, located behind the barn on the hill. A little farther down the trail is “Revelation – to embrace victory for all things through the resurrection of Christ” there is the Empty Tomb, located at the fork of Emmaus Road and Ebenezer Trail.

Final stop on your Easter Prayer Garden tour is “Recognize – the presence of Jesus in the ordinary journey of life” at Emmaus. It is located on the Emmaus Road past Mt. Sinai on a trail to the right.

Spears said everyone is invited to come the Friday and Saturday before Easter. Guides will be available to assist, or you may walk the trails and stop at the prayer gardens for as long as you desire. The typical tour of the four stations will take about an hour.

Wayne and Nancy Spears created Abbie Lane Retreat Ministry. It is located in a wooded 80 acres along Highway 71, ten minutes south of Coushatta. Wayne Spears describes Abbie Lane as “dedicated to the facilitation of rest and renewal for individuals in vocational ministry.” He adds “this is offered to ministers, missionaries, evangelists, and others in ministry without cost.” The center is also available for rental by church leadership teams for retreats or extended meetings.

Each month the Red River Parish Farm Bureau selects the “Most Improved” student of the month. The April student selected is Noah Simmons, a Kindergarten student at Red River Elementary School.

Noah’s teacher is Jennifer Pickett. She said “when Noah started kindergarten he knew very little letters and sounds. He also struggled in math. Noah had a target of 60 based on his assessment. Noah has exceeded his target. His score is 94 in math and 90 in ELA.”

Pickett’s nomination statement says “Noah is not only a hard worker but very respectful.” And she concludes by saying “I am so excited to see what the future has in store for him.”

Farm Bureau Agency Manager Brandon Stout presented Noah Simmons a certificate recognizing his accomplishments and a gift card from Dairy Queen. Noah was most excited about the upcoming trip to DQ.

The Northwestern State University Presidential Search Committee selected four semifinalists to interview at the end of the month for the school’s top post.The semifinalists are:

Neal Barlow, Dean, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Arkansas Tech University

 

 

 

Chris Maggio, Acting President and Vice President for the Student Experience, Northwestern State University

 

 

 

 

Timothy Quinnan, Vice President for Student Affairs, University of Texas at Arlington

 

 

 

William Wainwright, Chancellor, Northshore Technical Community College

 

 

 

 

 

“The NSU search is especially meaningful to me and I am pleased with the incredible talent found in the four semifinalists,” UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson said. “The university is on a positive trajectory and its next leader is poised to create an even better environment for students.”

Candidates will sit for public interviews on Northwestern’s campus April 26 and 27 to select finalists who will interview with the UL System Board at a special meeting May 4. UL System staff will release a detailed interview schedule when it is finalized. In addition to public interviews, candidates will meet with NSU faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members. Comments and questions can be submitted by emailing NSUPresidentialSearch@la.gov.

Voting members of the search committee include UL System board members Edward Crawford, Lola Dunahoe, Pam Egan, Jimmie Martin, Shawn Murphy, Alejandro Perkins, Mark Romero, Winfred Sibille and Student Board Member Antonio Torres. Also serving as a voting member is NSU Faculty Senate President Marcia Hardy.

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At approximately 5:30 a.m. on the morning of January 17, 2017 a Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office (RRPSO) deputy was dispatched to a residence in the 2000 block of Hwy 507 in reference to a reported burglary. The complainant discoveredthat three motorcycle dirt bikes had been stolen from his workshop at his residence. After performing the initial investigation, the responding deputy referred the case to the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.

During the course of the investigation, on February 6, 2017, a Louisiana State Trooper initiated a traffic stop on a dirt bike traveling on I-49 in Desoto Parish. The motorcycle was subsequently confirmed as one of the three stolen from Red River Parish. The operator, identified as Alvin Thomas of Mansfield, LA, was placed under arrest and booked into the DeSoto Parish Detention Center. Additional suspects were identified following this arrest.

On March 9, 2017, the motorcycle ownercontacted Red River Sheriff’s investigators with possible information concerning the bikes. While searching various swap shops online, he observed what appeared to be his missing two bikes posted for sale near Livingston, TX. Red River investigators immediately contacted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for assistance. Later the same day, Polk County detectives positively identified and recovered the remaining two motorcycles at a private residence in Livingston, TX. RRPSO investigators, along with the owner of the motorcycles traveled to Texas the same evening and transported them back to Red River Parish. The recovery led to additional information regarding the original suspects.

On March 22, 2017, Anthony B. Caldwell, B/M, age 26 of the 700 block of Cumming St., Coushatta, LA was placed under arrest and charged with two counts of Illegal Possession of Stolen Things. Caldwell was also linked to a separate burglary at a residence on LA 514 near Womack in which a blue Raptor 750 4-wheeler was stolen. This ATV has not yet been recovered. Caldwell posted a $10,000 bond on March 23, 2017 and was released pending a trial date.

Following the arrest of Caldwell, arrest warrants were secured for three additional suspects involved in the theft of the dirt bikes. The following were taken into custody without incident.

On March 27, 2017, Kenny W. Smith Jr., B/M, age 22 of the 200 block of Springville Rd., Coushatta, LA was charged with Simple Burglary and Theft over $750 but less than $5,000. His bond was set at $20,000 and he remains incarcerated.

On March 28, 2017, Kendale D. Ardison, B/M, age 22 of the 500 block of Jim Moore Rd., Coushatta, LA was charged with Simple Burglary and Theft over $750 but less than $5,000. He posted a $10,000 bond on March 23, 2017 and was released pending a trial date.

On March 28, 2017, Jarius Miller, B/M, age 18 of the 600 block of Almond Rd., Coushatta, LA was charged with Simple Burglary and Theft over $750 but less than $5,000. On March 29, 2017 he posted a $3,000 bond and was released pending a trial date.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the stolen 4-wheeler, or any other ATV/UTV in which the origin is questionable, is asked to contact the RRPSO Criminal Investigations Division at 318-932-6701.

Open Door Fellowship’s spring soccer season is officially underway. It kicked off Saturday April first at the ODF fields on the Esparanza Road.

ODF Athletic Director, J P Hardy said “the first day went really well, it went off without a hitch.” This is the third year that Open Door has offered soccer in the spring. Hardy said “we wanted a safe environment for the children in which we could teach soccer principals and how those can translate into life. It is an opportunity to teach our children biblical principals and how they play into their lives.”

Soccer games are played every Saturday morning in April. Games are at 9:00 and 10:30 am. This spring there are 70 children ages 5 to 14 participating. They play on 10 teams divided by players’ ages.

It’s time to register for the Chamber of Commerce’s spring car show. It will be held the final weekend in April.

If you have a classic automobile, it is time to shine and show it. Registration information is now on the Chamber’s website for the April 29th Classic Car Show. You can pay online and get full information on the event. You can also review pictures of entries from previous years.

On March 30, 2017 at 4:37 p.m. Red River Communications dispatched multiple units to Red River Estates apartment complex located on East Riddle St. in Coushatta in reference to a shooting.

The shooting may have stemmed from an earlier incident between two individuals in the early morning hours of March 29, 2017.

The victim, Earl Moore of Coushatta, was transported to Christus Coushatta hospital by personal vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Upon arrival, responding units immediately took the alleged shooter into custody and detained two additional suspects.

During the course of the investigation, the alleged shooter and one accomplice were placed under arrest and booked into the Red River Parish Jail.

On March 30, 2017 Carrel M. Waites, W/M, age 60 of Ringgold, LA was charged with one count of Principal to Second Degree Murder. Bond has not been set at this time and he remains incarcerated.

On March 31, 2017 Daniel M. Waites, W/M, age 34 ofRinggold, LA was charged with one count of Second Degree Murder. Bond has not been set at this time and he remains incarcerated.

The investigation is ongoing.

EASTER CELEBRATION. Martin Baptist Church will present their Easter Cantata “Amazing Love” Sunday April 9th at 10:30 A.M. under the direction of Dr. Glenn Wilkins. The public is invited.
If your church is having a special Easter program, let The Journal know. Send information to TheRRJournal@gmail.com. We’ll publicize special programs, music, and Easter egg huts too.

YOUR LAWMAKERS. The annual session of the legislature begins next Monday, April 10th. Here is how to contact your state Senator and Representatives:

Senator Gerald Long – District 31 – 318-628-5799 or 800-628-6120
email to: longg@legis.la.gov.

Representative Terry Brown – District 22 – 318-627-5153 or 855-261-6566
email to: browntr@legis.la.gov.

Representative Kenny Cox – District 23 – 855-844-8583
email to: coxk@legis.la.gov.

CONGRATULATIONS to Kaylee Merry of the Riverdale Academy Golf Team. She made her first hole-in-one while playing with the team at the Homer Country Club. Also congratulations to Kamden Messick, named the MAIS Class A Player of the Year. Messick is joined by three other Riverdale basketball players named to the MAIS Class A All-Star Team. They are Jaylee Riggs, Gracie Almond and Payton Thornton.