Both schools in the parish celebrate Homecoming this week. The activities culminate Friday night with football games, Riverdale Academy hosting Rebul Academy and Red River High hosting Winnfield High.

Riverdale’s Stacy Greer told The Journal, “We’re having activities at school all week. There is a reunion honoring members of the class of ’77, ’87, ’97, and ’07.” On Thursday night Riverdale holds their “Powder Puff” game, with members of cheerleader and pep squads donning shoulder pads and helmets to compete on the field. Members of the football team will be the cheerleaders and maybe even the dance line. That is Thursday night beginning at 6:00 pm.

Friday night Rebul Academy travels from Learned, Mississippi to play the Rebels. Riverdale is 5 and 1 on the season, 4 and 0 in district competition. The homecoming court will be presented beginning at 6:00 pm. At 7:00 pm the football game kicks off. Greer said there will be a half-time spectacular performance featuring the Riverdale student body from pre-K through 12th grade.

Things are buzzing all week at Red River High in anticipation of the homecoming game Friday night. Monday was camo day and students will be wearing different styles of dress all week. Alice Everett, the cheerleader coach said they will be having alumni cheerleaders joining this year’s group.

Red River hosts the Tigers from Winnfield. They are 0 and 5 overall. The Red River Bulldogs are 3 and 2 overall. This will be their first district contest of the season for both teams.

The Red River Homecoming Court will be presented at half time Friday night. The kickoff is at 7:00 pm.

Journal Sports will broadcast the Red River High game live beginning at approximately 6:50 pm. Play by play and game commentary will be provided by Coach Billy Henry, Sr. and Coach Billy Henry, Jr. Journal Sports will carry the entire halftime ceremony live.

You may listen to the game on your smartphone, computer, laptop or other device. And you will be able to receive the game in Pat Strother Memorial Stadium. Bring our ear buds! Every game is streamed live plus broadcast on local radio.

To listen to Red River football, go The Journal’s home page, TheRedRiverParishJournal.com. You may also listen on The Journal’s Facebook and Twitter pages. And every game will be carried live on Coushatta’s local radio station KRRP 950.

You probably have not laughed this hard since last year’s Donkey Basketball game. The Red River Junior High Paw Parents are doing it again, another game on October 17th and many more laughs.

The Journal talked with Trina Brown, one of the event organizers. She said, “This year we are raising money for ‘Positive Behavior Intervention Support’ or PBIS program at Red River Junior High. Additionally some of the funds raised will be divided among the various Junior High athletic teams.” Last year the Donkey Basketball game raised enough money to purchase the sound system at the Junior High.

This comment was posted on their Facebook page, “Man if you were there last year you know it was the best thing we have all seen in a long time.. the laughs that came from that gym were heard a long way.. so with that being said we want to make it bigger and better this year.”

Brown told The Journal that advance tickets are now on sale at the Parent Center on Alonzo street for $7.00. She said, “Buy your tickets this week. The Parent Center will be closed next week for fall break.” Tickets will be $10 at the door.

There is an all-star cast lined up to participate on four teams. Brown said Mayor Johnny Cox and Superintendent Alison Hughes are committed to ride donkeys as well as many employees of the school board and schools, police jury members, and members of the sheriffs department. Local merchants who sponsor the teams are also getting involved as riders.

The schedule of games, beginning at 6:30 on October 17th features 4 teams. The Jumping Jacks and Donkey Dunkers will play first, followed by the Highballers vs. Jackace. Winners of those games will face off in the championship match.

So get your tickets this week and get ready for a hilarious evening of fun at the Donkey Basketball Game October 17th in the Junior High gym.

The Red River Parish School Board is asking voters to approve construction of new facilities at the High School, Junior High, Central Office, Tech and Parent Center, and the Athletic Complex. There is also upgrading of many facilities included in the board’s capital construction plans.

Voters are being asked to approve two property tax measures October 14th. The Journal sat down with Superintendent Alison Hughes and Finance Director David Jones this week to go over the plans and how the public is asked to fund them.

These proposition represent no new tax and no increase in the property tax homeowners presently pay. Hughes and Jones presented The Journal with a 4-page brochure created by the board’s architect to explain the projects to be funded by General Obligation Bonds. Anyone wishing a copy of the brochure may pick one up at the Central Office on Alonzo Street.

Jones said, “The present bond issue was passed in 1998 and funded construction of the Elementary and Junior High schools and the renovations of the High School building. That bond issue expires at the end of this year.” Jones added, “When passed in 1998 the tax rate was 42 mills. It has decreased to only 2.25 mills today due to the increase in property values following the natural gas boom of the past few years.”

How much will the proposed bond issue cost property owners? Superintendent Alison Hughes said, “Property values in the parish have increased to over $200,000,000 today with 90 percent of the increase due to natural gas development. This new proposition will generate over $29,000,000 for construction projects. But for homeowners their yearly tax bill will remain about the same.”

Hughes stressed, “The economic impact of these projects will be very large for our parish. Over the next three to five years we will see many construction jobs to build the new buildings and facilities. Much of it will benefit local contractors and local workers.”

The other school board tax proposition on the ballot is the Construction, Repair and Equipment proposition. Jones said, “It calls for a tax of 5.62 mills. This is the same rate of the past several years. That issue is a renewal of the school’s board’s tax that happens every 10 years. “ Jones explained, “It is used for repairs and maintenance at schools and other district facilities. Income from this proposition funds ongoing maintenance and cleaning and janitorial supplies. It also pays for repairing air conditioning, electrical and other items.”

The school board at it’s September meeting encouraged the public to study their requests and approve both propositions on October 14th.

The Council on Aging wants to keep seniors moving. So they offer Chair Exercises and Stretches every Tuesday morning. Their exercise equipment is available every day. COA Activities Director Peggy Young told the Journal they have a group of mature adults, including some in their upper 80s and 90s that regularly attend the Tuesday chair exercise program.

The Journal visited a Tuesday morning session recently and Young got this reporter involved in the exercises too. Young said, “You can’t report on it if you haven’t taken part.” So I did.

Sitting down doesn’t mean the workout is easy. Young came up with more ways to tax your muscles than you would imagine. And I thought I was in good shape! Young said, “Our program is designed to keep elderly people moving and flexible while also building strength.”

The Journal talked with participant Shirley McMillan. She said, “I have been doing these exercises 5 to 6 years. During that time I had knee replacement surgery. Before the surgery I walked bow-legged and with a walking stick. The surgery straightened my legs. I exercise to strengthen the muscles and now I walk without assistance. I come to the Council on Aging every day and use their exercise equipment.”

Young said, “The council has some basic exercise equipment. Seniors use it every day to help strengthen their bodies and build muscles.” Young encourages all seniors in the parish to join the council’s exercise program to improve their health and keep them going strong.

Attention graduating seniors at Red River High School and Riverdale Academy. It is time to apply for scholarships to NSU.

The early bird scholarship deadline for the fall 2018 semester at Northwestern State University is Oct. 31, according to Director of University Recruiting Jana Lucky. The university’s priority scholarship deadline is Dec. 1 and the second priority deadline is March 1.

Lucky said Northwestern State has a variety of scholarships available for incoming freshman and one of the most important things a prospective student can do is make sure their application is sent in for consideration as early as possible.

“Those who meet the priority deadline receive first attention,” said Lucky. “NSU has some of the best scholarship packages around that are tailored individually to each student.”

According to Lucky, prospective students who submit an application for admission, ACT or SAT scores and six-semester high school transcripts by Oct. 31 could have a scholarship offer by the Christmas Break.

United Way of Northwest Louisiana, in partnership with the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, will coordinate disaster relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Maria. This statewide effort to assist Puerto Rico will last t through Wednesday, Oct. 11.

Donations of relief supplies may be dropped off at the Central Fire Station in Coushatta, next to the railroad on East Carroll St. Drop off hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.

United Way NWLA will accept specific donations at a temporary storage facility at the Salvation Army in Shreveport. This is one of eight donation sites in the parishes throughout their Northwest Louisiana territory. For a list of all donation sites throughout the state, click here. After collections cease, members of the Louisiana National Guard will collect the donated goods for shipment to Puerto Rico.

“United Way fights for those who need help getting back on their feet after a disaster. It is routine for us to step in and provide assistance during this healing process, but we also need help from our Northwest Louisiana residents to give from their hearts,” said CEO and President of United Way of Northwest Louisiana, Dr. Bruce Willson.

The Governor of Puerto Rico has requested help from the public for the following specific items in original, unopened packages.

• Diapers (all sizes)
• Diaper cream
• Baby wipes
• Bottles with nipples
• Bottles with disposable liners
• Powder infant formula (no liquids)
• Feminine hygiene products (tampons, pads, liners)

United Way NWLA is also calling on the help of volunteers to accept and sort these donations at the Salvation Army on Stoner Ave. Those who wish to volunteer can sign up through this link: http://bit.ly/2ftzv44.

Early voting is now going on. You may vote at the Registrar of Voters office in the courthouse through Saturday October 7th.

This week is the annual Red River Parish Fair and Rodeo. Armbands for discounted ride prices are on sale at a local fried chicken restaurant. The midway is open each night through Saturday and the Rodeo is Friday and Saturday nights.

The Fair Parade is Thursday afternoon. It will feature many floats and local groups and personalities. Joyce Halbmaier is on the fair board. She told The Journal, “Rose Mosely, is our Grand Marshall. The fair has been dedicated to her work in the community. “

Halbmaier said, “Start time is 5:00 pm. The parade will leave the fair grounds, turn at Burger King and go past Bank of Coushatta, turn on Rush Street and turn again on Industrial Drive, passing the ball fields. The parade will come out by the nursing home and back onto the fair grounds.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04), issued the following statement regarding the White House nominations of Don R. Willett, Kyle Duncan, Kurt D. Engelhardt and James C. Ho for open seats on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The court serves Louisiana and several neighboring states:

“I applaud the president for nominating these four exceptional individuals for the Fifth Circuit. Having practiced there, I can say with great confidence that each of them would be an outstanding addition to the court. All four are constitutional conservatives who have served our nation and its judicial system with honor and distinction. I look forward to a timely confirmation process in the Senate.”

Correction: Thanks to JoAnn Cox for letting The Journal know it was the Red River Tourism Commission that was the source of the door prizes that promoted Grand Bayou Resort. She was correcting our story on the Dare Convention in a recent Journal issue.