Two Red River residents are among those working to put together the 2018 “Operation Christmas Child.” The program annually sends shoeboxes of supplies to children in third world countries. Participating form Red River Parish are Susan Longino and Patsy Kitchings.

Here is the report submitted by Brenda Ingram:

The West Central La Operation Christmas Child team met to discuss the upcoming events for Natchitoches, Winn, Red River, and Sabine. The team is planning project leader meetings in each parish for August and September. The parish meetings are open to all participating and prospective churches, organizations, groups, fraternities and sororities and individuals who have packed a shoebox or would like to pack a shoebox to send to third world countries to further God’s kingdom.

The team also discussed the Countdown Event that will be held at First Baptist in Natchitoches on August 5, 2018 at 6:00 pm. The guest speakers will be Mark & Cherry Brumbelow from Wild Peach, Texas. This small church of 25 members has a BIG heart and has taken on a God size goal. For more information contact Susan Longino at 318-663-3190

Those who attended from Natchitoches Parish were Virginia Crossno, Pansy Morgan, Jack Ingram, Nancy Moore, Sharon Cobb, and Lisa Laurent.

From Winn Parish were Jeanine Ford and Ciena Thompson.

From Red River Parish were Susan Longino and Patsy Kitchings.

And from Sabine Parish were Beth Martin, Jennie Ogden, JoAnn Meadows, Cherry Wells, and Dewayne Martin.

Saturday night is the Senior Dance at the Council on Aging on Front Street. The dance is from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm featuring The Playboys. Admission is $6.
The deadline for completing the Reading Logs for the Library’s Summer Reading Program is approaching. Children’s Librarian Kala Sims said it is Friday, July 20th. She asked parents to get their child’s log to the library no later than Monday.

There will be games and crafts for children at the library Thursday afternoon beginning at 2:00 pm. There is no charge and all children are invited.

The Coushatta Armory is quiet for the next couple of weeks. Members of C Troop 2nd Squadron 108th Cavalry Regiment are spending three weeks at annual training. They loaded their trucks and two chartered busses early Saturday morning and pulled out for Camp Shelby near Hattisburg, Mississippi.

First Sargent Daniel Sloan told us that 60 members of the unit will spend three weeks getting additional advanced training. It is in preparation for “Ready Year” in 2010.

Members of the Coushatta VFW Post and Auxiliary passed out bottled water and snacks to the soldiers for their trip to Mississippi.

Possible misspending of funds of the Red River Parish Communications District as well as improper or possibly illegal loans to an employee were revealed in an audit released to the public today. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor released an investigative audit of certain funds of the Communications District, known also as the 9-1-1- District. In the audit the district’s former Administrator is said to have “issued 10 extra paychecks to herself…between July 2016 and January 2017.”

District Administrator Jennifer Mahfouz was released from her position in April 2018. There has been no replacement named at this time.

The district’s annual audit of January through December 2017 was done by a private firm. When that firms audit process revealed certain transactions that were questionable, the information was turned over to the Legislative Auditor for further investigation. The results of that investigation are included in today’s report.

The Journal will have further details on the investigation and the full audit in Wednesday’s edition.

The schedule for Riverdale Academy’s football team has been finalized. They have five away games and five games at home in 2018. Riverdale has five district games this year.

The Rebels first action under new head coach Jared Barber will be the Jamboree August 11th at the University of Louisiana Monroe. The Rebels will play Tallulah at 12:00 noon and then Caiborne at 12:25 pm.

Here is the schedule from Coach Barber:

District 3
@Rebul Academy 8/17
Prentiss Academy 8/24
@Wilkinson County Christian 9/7
@Christian Collegiate Academy 9/14
Claiborne Academy 9/21*
@Franklin Academy 9/28*
Prairie View Academy 10/5*
Tallulah Academy 10/12*
Tensas Academy 10/19
@Briarfield Academy 10/24*
*District Games

Scheduling this year for MAIS schools was delayed due to changes in the programs offered by Riverdale’s opponents. Several schools went from 11-man to 8-man football and one school had considered not fielding a team this year. That resulted in the late date for finalizing the schedule.

Journal Sports is making plans to stream Riverdale games live on The Journal’s website and social media pages. More details on how you can get the games in the near future.

Several parish young people did very well at the Red River Showdown held last Friday and Saturday. There was competition in Swine, Sheep and Goats. Organizer Nancy Nettles told the Journal contestants came from several surrounding states to enter.

The Red River Showdown is an annual part of the tour of summer livestock shows across Louisiana. The tour winds up at the end of summer when the overall point winners will be crowned.

Nettles provided these Local Red River Showdown Placings:

Swine Division
Showmanship: 6 classes of showmanship
Shirley Boyd 2nd Junior Division Heat A
Alaina Boyd 2nd Junior Division Heat B
Adalyn Halbmaier Peewee Division
Market swine class 16 classes of Market Swine
Class 2
2nd place Alaina Boyd
7th place Shirley Boyd
Class 3
7th place Shirley Boyd
Class 5
5th place Alaina Boyd

Sheep Division
Showmanship 5 classes
Senior Division
1st place Carmen Pickett
Junior Division
2nd place Madison Chamberlin

Peewee Division
Maverick Garcia, Whitt Walker, Adalyn Halbmaier
Overall Reserve Champion Sheep Showman: Carmen Pickett
Market Classes 12 classes
Class 6
4th place Madison Chamberlin
Class 7
1st place Carmen Pickett
4 place Madison Chamberlin
Class 8
3 place Madison Chamberlin
Class 10
1 place Carmen Pickett

Goat Division
Showmanship 45 classes
Senior Division
2nd place Alyssa Woodard
Peewee Division Adalyn Halbmaier
Market Classes 9 classes
Class 2
2nd place Alyssa Woodard
Class 3
1st place Alyssa Woodard

The HEART Team from the MLK Health Center and Pharmacy returns to Coushatta later this month to offer a Women’s Health Screening Event. HEART is an acronym for Health Education Awareness Response Team.

The July event offers free cardio checks that will include blood glucose and Lipid Panel test. Mammograms will be available to insured and uninsured women 40-years and older who have not had a mammogram within the past 365 days.

A registered dietitian will be at the event to offer nutrition counseling. A Registered Nurse will be on site to give you an explanation of the results from the cardio checks and mammograms.

As an incentive, a $10 gift card will be given to everyone completing their screening tests. And there will be other prizes as well.

These important health screenings will be offered to women in the parish on July 24th. The event will be held at Christus Coushatta Health Care from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm.

The HEART Team has been conducting regular events in Coushatta for nearly a year. Their next event is scheduled next month. They will be participating in the Health Fair at Open Door Fellowship on August 11th.

The University of Louisiana Monroe announces the President’s and Dean’s lists for the spring 2018 semester. To be on the President’s list a student must earn at least a 3.9 GPA with a minimum of 12 hours. To be on the Dean’s list the requirements are a GPA of at least 3.5 with a minimum of 12 hours.

Students on the lists from Red River Parish include: Colby Craig, President’s List. Erin Hodge, Dean’s List. Megan Jones, Dean’s List. Carmen Latiolais, President’s List. Ansley Loftin, Dean’s List.

The Journal thanks Hope Young in the ULM Office of Marketing and Communications for the information. And we congratulate our area students for their excellent academic achievement.

The Back to School Bash for Red River Parish public schools is scheduled for July 30th from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. It will be held at the High School Gym. The background work is well underway.

You may have noticed various merchants in town giving the public an opportunity to contribute by buying school supplies for the effort. Some have collection boxes for you to put your donation.

The United Way of Northwest Louisiana is heading the effort up for the second year. The idea is to provide backpacks and school supplies for the children in the parish. Some reports put the number of children served last year at about 1,000. The goal is larger than that for this year.

Volunteers are being sought to help with “Pack the Pack.” From 8:30 am to Noon on Friday July 27th volunteers will gather to fill the donated backpacks with pencils, paper and all other school supplies.

In addition to the parish wide back to school event, churches and other groups are planning some sort of activity. First United Methodist Church on Front Street will have their annual Back to School Bash on Sunday August 5th at 5:00 pm. It will feature games, food, and other activities.

If your church or group is planning a celebration for the beginning of the school year, let The Journal know at TheRRJournal@gmail.com.

Children in the parish will report to classes on Tuesday, August 7th.

Riverdale Academy is delighted to begin the 2018/2019 academic year with a new principal, Dr. Robert Peters, a native of Grant Parish but a long-time resident of the Fairview Community in Natchitoches Parish. Dr. Peters brings fifty years of teaching and administrative experience to the Riverdale Family. His goal is to grow the student body by making “excellence” the watchword in academics, in extra-curricular activities and in sports. He would welcome a visit by parents and students interested in attending Riverdale Academy.

Riverdale Students Recent Accomplishments:

• Beta competition winners
• Average ACT composite score is 22
• Dual Enrollment courses offered from La. Tech, Northwestern State University, and
University of Louisiana at Monroe
• District and Class title winners in multiple sports.
• All-MAIS team players selected

Sports and Activities:
• Football Grades 3-12
• Basketball Grades 3-12
• Softball JV & Varsity
• Baseball JV & Varsity
• Track JV & Varsity
• Golf
• Tennis
• Danceline
• Cheer
• Numerous Clubs and activities

Parents interested in a quality education for their children should call and then come by for a visit and a tour of the school.

Riverdale Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex or national origin.

RIVERDALE ACADEMY

318-932-5876
100 Riverdale Rd.
Coushatta, LA 71019

Are you superstitious? It is Friday the 13th. Some people say it is an unlucky day. The origin may go back to October 13, 1307, the day that members of the Knights Templar were arrested under pressure from Pope Clement V. If you are superstitious or not, have a great day today.

Registrar of voters Mary Jones reminded me that anyone wishing to run for office should sign up at the Clerk of Court’s office. It is not in Jones’ office as reported in a recent issue. Sorry for the boo-boo!

Tuesday is the annual membership meeting of the Red River Council on Aging. All members are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be held at the COA on Front Street July 17th at 1:00 pm.

The Journal stopped by Anderson’s Produce the other day. This time of year the peaches are ripe and plentiful. We talked to Jason Anderson and he said they have so many ripe peaches that they are giving them away. Through tomorrow, Saturday, July 14th get a free box of peaches with every one you buy.

Jared Barber held his first “meet and greet” with football players and parents last Friday. The event was a fish fry at Riverdale Academy. There was plenty of great food and tie to get to know Coach Barber.

Barber told the gathering, “I grew up in Shreveport. I coached there and in East Texas. My team went to the Texas semi-finals in 2015, than became state champions in 2016.” He said he moved to a new school for 2017 and that team went to the state semi-finals.

“I am super excited to be here to coach your kids,” Barber said, “but it is not about winning. It is about building character.” And Barber said, “We are not building a team but a program. I hope these kids will look back at their 20 year graduation reunion and see that the program is still going.”

He said his priorities are faith, family, and academics and then football. “You have to have it all in order because academics is important,” added Barber. He told the players; “You will walk out of school with a diploma, God’s story in your heart and a championship ring.”

The coach talked enthusiastically about playoffs this fall, even though the schedule has not yet been set. He set the tone for team discipline, hard work, and keeping commitments. “I expect 100 percent commitment. A lack of it is not acceptable. There will be no cursing. You will keep your lockers clean and everything in order.”

In setting the bar pretty high for his players, Coach Barber said that playing time would be earned, not given. “Lack of effort won’t be tolerated,” said Barber, “We are creating a brotherhood. You will do whatever it takes to do something for your brother.”

Practices begin July 23rd with workouts running from 8:00 am until noon daily. First action comes at the Jamboree August 11th at ULM in Monroe. Barber said there would be 5 home and 5 away games with the first game on the road at Rebul Academy in Learned, Mississippi on August 17th. The schedule is not final due to at least one other school being unsure if they would have football this fall. The schedule is expected to be finalized in the near future.

Coach Barber summed it up this way, “Work hard, study hard, and play hard.”

Pictured with the article is Coach Barber with one of his outstanding players from Dallas Christian School in Mesquite to after their quarterfinal win.

Band Director Yasmine Jason is conducting band camp on the Red River campus. It lasts through July 21st. Here is her description of the event.

“Red River High School Creative and Performing Arts Department Band Camp will be July 9th-21st at the High School Band Hall! This is a the yearly camp that teaches students basic marching fundamentals, routines, and music. Band camp is free and operates from 8 am – 5pm daily. We are opening an invitation to students in grades 7-12th if they if they interested in band. We have staff to help accommodate all levels of musicianship, from beginner to advanced. Our goal is for each student to bring one friend to camp!

“The Red River High School Band has been known in the community for exceptional performances, outstanding student leadership and scholarship opportunities, and a way for students to travel and perform for multiple communities and areas. The Red River High School band performs at every football game as well as marching and concert competitions. The band receiving Superior ratings for both. It is our hope that participation in the band will foster a better understanding and appreciation of music and develop their skills.

“It is our primary focus that students strive and develop skills and confidence in their area of skill. Participation in the Marching Band, Danceline, Majorette or Flagline will take commitment, dedication and most of all, hard work. All students are expected to attend all performances and commitments.”

There is an old saying “You can’t fight city hall!” But you can make a difference in how things are going. Your chance is coming up.

There will be a primary election on November 6th and a general election on December 8th. All members of the Red River Parish School Board will be running for a new 4-year term.

Registrar of Voters Mary Jones told The Journal that the qualifying period is July 18th through 20th. If you would like to qualify, bring your ID card and your voter registration card to the Registrar’s office in the courthouse. Hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Up for election locally, in addition to the school board, is the Mayor, Aldermen, and the Chief of Police of Hall Summit. Also on the ballot will be Justice of the Peace District C.

Statewide there will be an election to fill the Secretary of State’s office until the end of the current term. All Louisiana Congressman are running again. They serve a two-year term. Red River is in the 4th Congressional District and Mike Johnson is the incumbent.

So If you have ever wanted to “make a change” now is your chance. Qualifying is just a few days away.

Children ages toddler to nineteen came from several states to the Red River Showdown last weekend. It was held at the Livestock Barn at the fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday.

Nancy Nettles, organizer of the event, told The Journal, “We had a great turn out. There were around 30 parishes and three or four states represented.”

Friday evening was the Swine judging. Saturday morning the Sheep judging started about 10:00 am and was followed by Goat judging.

Nettles explained that there is a circuit throughout Louisiana, and Coushatta is the second stop. Young people are awarded points based upon their showmanship and the quality of the animals. Points are collected throughout the tour leading to the Grand Champion and other trophies awarded at the end of the summer.

It may be just the beginning of football season, however there is big news for followers of Northwestern State basketball. Do you recognize the coach in the picture? Read on!

Demons’ head coach Mike McConathy announced Monday the return of Dave Simmons to the NSU basketball staff after 12 seasons as head coach at Southland Conference rival McNeese.

Simmons, 58, was the lead assistant during McConathy’s first seven seasons at Northwestern (1999-2006), when the Demons made their first two NCAA Tournament appearances (2001, 2006), winning a game both times in March Madness.

Simmons, a DeRidder native and former standout from 1977-81 at Louisiana Tech, carries the title of assistant to the head coach on the NSU staff. He began work Monday.

McConathy and Simmons guided the Demons to their most dynamic stretch. After NSU had just five winning records in its first 24 years of NCAA Division I competition, after McConathy took over and hired Simmons, there were four more winning seasons in the next seven years, including 47 victories in their last two while shattering attendance records at Prather Coliseum.

The Demons beat Winthrop in the 2001 NCAA Tournament after capturing the Southland Conference Tournament championship. In 2005-06, NSU set a school record with 26 wins, claiming the Southland regular-season and tournament crowns before knocking off No. 15 Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Simmons has a combined 31 years in the Southland as a player and coach, including the last 12 as head coach at McNeese. He guided the Cowboys to the 2010-11 Southland regular-season championship, two Southland championship games and is the only McNeese coach to lead his teams to back-to-back national postseason tournaments: the 2011 NIT and 2012 CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

Simmons won the 2011 and 2012 Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches “Tommy Joe Eagles Coach of the Year” awards, and was the 2010-11 Southland Coach of the Year.

He is the third-winningest coach in McNeese history. Only Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame member Ralph Ward, who coached 19 seasons, spent more time in charge of the Cowboys basketball program than Simmons, who dramatically improved the program’s Academic Progress Rate scores during his tenure.

As an assistant coach, Simmons has helped three different Southland Conference schools – McNeese, Louisiana Tech and Northwestern – to five NCAA Tournament appearances.

Simmons’ 89 percent free throw aim at Louisiana Tech in his senior year (1980-81) is best in school history by a player with over 75 makes. His career 81.8 percent rate at the line ranks fourth. Simmons is featured on a banner in the concourse of the Bulldogs’ Thomas Assembly Center and is a member of the Louisiana Basketball Hall of Fame, enshrined in 2007 for his playing days as an All-Southland and All-NABC District 23 performer.

Crystal Wagoner checked in with word that Hall Summit Baptist Church is holding their kid’s camp. It’s Monday-Friday, next week at Hall Summit Baptist Church, 8am to 5pm daily for kids in the 1st through 8th Grade. Best part is it’s FREE!

NATCHITOCHES – The Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University will present a Fun with Music Camp July 16-20. Children ages 5-11 can participate in a variety of exciting music experiences that include singing, music games, instrumental activities, composing and many other creative music activities. Activities will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until noon, culminating with a large group sing-along. The fee is $150 per student. A sibling discount is available. Snacks and materials will be provided. For additional information contact Dr. Sharon Joy at joys@nsula.edu or (318) 357-5754.

Here are a couple of reminders from the PAW Parents at Red River Elementary School. First, uniforms for the 2018-19 school year are the same as last year. They posted that this goes for all schools in the parish. And Parents may register for 4-year-old preschool starting Monday at the RRP School Board. Must have birth certificate, social security card, updated shot record, proof of address in parish (bill with physical address), and income verification (2current checks stubs.)

A couple of milestones to note. We were saddened this week with the passing of Jack Layfield, an outstanding citizen and veteran automobile salesman. And there was joy and celebration as another community figure; James Nettles celebrates his 90th birthday. The Journal caught up with Mr. Nettles at the Red River Showdown Saturday morning. Pictured below are grandchildren Madison Chamberlain, Carmen Pickett, Maverick Garcia, Madelyn Chamberlain and Kaleigh Pickett. Nettles is hidden in the middle with all the grands in his lap!

Today and tomorrow the Louisiana Junior Show Circuit sanctioned hog, sheep and goat show will stop in Coushatta. Local coordinator Nancy Nettles said it is open for exhibitors from toddlers through age 19. This weekend’s event will be held at the Red River Parish Fairgrounds.

Judging for Hogs will be held today (July 6th) with weigh in beginning at 5:00 pm and Showmanship at 6:30 pm with classes to follow.

Saturday there will be Sheep weigh in beginning at 8:15 am with Showmanship at 10:00 am and classes to follow. Also on Saturday will be Goats weigh in beginning at 10:30 with Showmanship at Noon and classes to follow.

Nettles said Coushatta is just one stop on the circuit which runs through August 16th. “At each stop entrants can earn points that lead to prizes to be awarded at the conclusion,” said Nettles. She told The Journal, “There will be a Grand Champion, Reserve Champion and eight others named to the top 10 in each class.”

We don’t have to remind you that it is hot! And more hot weather is on the way this summer. But what if you could not get cool? What if you had no air conditioning?

The Red River Council on Aging is concerned with the effect hot weather has on older citizens of the parish. They are having their annual Fan Drive, however they are not getting the response to the drive this year.

COA Director Liz Cannon said, “The price of fans may be keeping some people from donating. They can cost over 20 dollars each.” Cannon said they received 10 fans from CLECO as part of the utility’s donation to councils across the state. “I would like to see us get 100 fans,” said Cannon, “That’s my personal goal.”

The Journal is challenging businesses in Coushatta to step up and help our elderly keep cool. On Thursday, The Journal delivered five fans to Michael Braswell at the council. We challenge businesses and individuals to do the same, or to make a donation to the Council on Aging so they can buy the fans.

Cannon said, “We usually get some fans from the Caddo Council on Aging and we will distribute all that we get. But we could use more.”

When you give fans or cash to the Council on Aging be sure to have your picture taken. Send it to The Journal at TheRRJournal@gmail.com. We would like to salute others who accept the challenge to help keep our senior citizens cool this summer.

NATCHITOCHES – Lieutenant General Russel Honoré will be one of the special guests at the Creole Heritage Center’s 20th anniversary celebration, September 13-15. Retired Lt. Gen. Honoré will speak at the awards banquet to be held on Friday, September 14.

A native of Lakeland, Honoré was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Agriculture upon graduation from Southern University and A&M College in 1971. He holds a Master of Arts in Human Resources from Troy State University as well as an Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration from Southern University and A&M College, an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from Stillman College and an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Stillman College.

Prior to his command of Joint Task Force-Katrina – leading the Department of Defense response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana – Honoré served in a variety of command and staff positions which focused on Defense Support to Civil Authorities and Homeland Defense.

Honoré retired on February 29, 2008, following 37 years of active service with the United States Army. He continues to speak and consult nationally on Building a Culture of Preparedness.

Honoré is sometimes known as “The Ragin’ Cajun,” although he is actually of Louisiana Creole with a West Indies background, whose family came through the port of New Orleans and settled in the Pointe Coupee Parish. The Honoré family surname is still found among the Cane River Créoles.

For more information about Honoré’s appearance, contact the Creole Heritage Center at creolecenter@nsula.edu or 318/357-6685.

The Town of Coushatta has applied to the US Department of Agriculture for funding to make major improvements to the town’s water supply and distribution system. The town has also advertised that the Environmental Assessment on the project is available.

According to the legal notice, the town proposes “to drill two new water supply wells, replace undersized and deteriorated water mains and fittings/valves, replace the water pump station, construct one new and relocate one ground storage tank, replace all water meters, and provide standby electric generators at all of the well sites.

The environment consultant’s report said, “No significant impacts are expected as a result of the construction of the project.” The Environmental Assessment was prepared by the firm of Cothren, Graff, Smoak Engineering, Inc.

The town applied to the Rural Development agency (RUS) for funding for the proposed improvements and upgrades to the water system. The town has been preparing for water system upgrades for many months.