By Joshua Loftin

Senior night at Red River High School was last Friday night, October 26th. It was a big night for the football team as they competed for the division championship. It was also a night to honor all of the seniors in the RRHS Football team, Band, Cheerleaders, and ROTC.

Thirty minutes before the game, all of the seniors of the football team were honored on the track. Family and friends were greeting them with gifts and a warm hug.

The seniors of the football team included: Gakerreon Mcdonald, Deandre Moore, Eric Grant, Jaelun White, R’maury Brock, Chad Keith, Malik Gay, Lyndarious Trotter, Darius Owens, Shadetrick Davis, Patrick Perkins, Johnathan Brisker, Jack Swift, Demaj Newman, Christian Housley, and Jonathan Kellogg,

During halftime the rest were honored with family and friends. Band members honored were: Clement Jones, Antwaine Lewis, and Jasmine Ward. The ROTC seniors were Teanna Eason and Alexis Keith.

Although the bulldogs lost 49-6, it was still a memorable night for all the seniors recognized.

Our local Coushatta Library hosted the “Lawyers in Libraries” clinic on 10/24/2018 between 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. If you missed it, unfortunately you will have to wait until next year when it comes back to the Coushatta Library.

Director of the Library, Trey Lewis is very excited about the clinic and stated that he thinks it is a great thing for the community. The Lawyer Aaron Wilson donated his time to assist our community with free legal advice.

Mr. Wilson provided answers to questions about bankruptcy, custody, divorce, medicaid, social security, successions, taxes and wills. There were five individuals helped by Mr. Wilson during the clinic.

This program is a nationwide program and is organized for the State of Louisiana by The Louisiana Bar Association. The clinics for the State of Louisiana are to be held during the week of October 22-27. During this week, LSBA members will provide free, limited services to the public at local libraries statewide. Attorneys may provide general “Ask-a-Lawyer” 15-minute consultations.

The afternoon kicked off with children carving pumpkins and wrapped up with a big chili supper and chili-cook off. The scene was Liberty Baptist Church in the Martin area on Saturday October 20th.

The photos tell it all. The children had a great time designing the face that they would carve, then they used their hands to scoop out all the gooey insides of the pumpkins. Some carved scary faces and others carved happy smiles. The little ones painted small pumpkins.

Then all the children gathered around as Bro Harry Bamburg read them from the gospels. He recalled Jesus telling his disciples not to prevent the little children from coming to Him. Bamburg asked, “Why do you put eyes in the pumpkins? So they can see out! And you put a candle inside to shine out through the eyes.” Then Bamburg asked, “Why do you scoop all the stuff out of the pumpkin? Because Jesus is the light that shines in our lives. He gets all the yuck and old stuff out of us.”

There were at least five large pots of chili entered in the chili cook-off. All were delicious, however the judges selected the chili prepared by John Perry Bamburg as the winner. Hanna Picket created and modeled the grand prize, a Chili Cook-Off Apron. There was a great crowd of parents, grandparents and the children and all enjoyed the chili until they were satisfied.

Last December Red River schools surprised everyone with their holiday-decorated school bus (pictured above). It was the last float and the “wow-factor” in the 2017 Coushatta Christmas Parade.

Fast forward to the present day. The Coushatta-Red River Chamber of Commerce is making plans for the annual Christmas Festival festivities. The date and theme for this year’s parade has been announced.

The parade will be held December 6th. The route will take the parade through the streets of Coushatta and past the reviewing stand on Front Street. The exact parade route, staging and dismissal areas have not been announced.

The theme this year is “Christmas Around the World.” Local schools, churches, groups and individuals are urged to plan now on entering a float. The Chamber said, “Think of countries like Italy, Netherlands, Mexico, France, England, Germany, China and so many more.” The floats should portray how people around the world celebrate the Christmas season.

The Chamber invites businesses, food vendors, and others to get involved with their booths and displays. More details on the Christmas festivities will be posted to the Chamber’s social media sites.

Drop off leaders for West Central La met to discuss plans for National Collection Week, November 12th through 19th. Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes are packed with prayer, hygiene items, school supplies, a WOW item, toys, a note from the packer to the child receiving the box and $9.00 for shipping.

In addition to Martin Baptist Church in Red River Parish, Sabine Parish has two drop off centers location where shoeboxes maybe delivered. They are Calvary Baptist in Many and Mitchell Baptist in Converse.

Pictured with this article are Patsy Kitchings from Martin Baptist in Red River Parish, Brenda Ingram Central Drop Off at Westside Baptist Church in Natchitoches, Tonia Cates at Mitchell Baptist and Cherry Wells at Calvary Baptist in Sabine Parish. Not pictured is a Jeanine Ford First Baptist in Winnfield.

For more information about Operation Christmas Child call the Red River Parish coordinator, Patsy Kitchings at 318-932-6234.

Jamie Adams, a March, 2004 graduate of Louisiana Tech University’s College of Business and currently Chief Revenue Officer at Scorpion, a privately owned digital marketing company with more than 5,000 clients, will serve as the keynote speaker for Tech’s fall commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, in the Thomas Assembly Center (TAC) on the Tech campus.

Those family and friends who are unable to attend commencement can watch the event via Facebook Live at facebook.com/LATech.

The University’s Young Alumnus in 2014, Adams earned his degree in computer information systems (CIS) and began his professional career with Deloitte & Touche as an Enterprise Risk Consultant. In 2007 he joined ReachLocal, a digital marketing startup headquartered in both Los Angeles and Shreveport. Adams has spent the past 12 years delivering marketing technology and consulting services to businesses across a number of industries, including automotive, healthcare, legal, franchise, retail, and home services.

He is most passionate about leading teams of sales and business development professionals in their quest to become the best in their respective marketplaces. Scorpion, his current employer, was recently voted the No.1 Marketing Company for Franchise Businesses in America by Entrepreneur magazine; Scorpion is also the back-to-back champion of Google’s Customer Service Champion Award.

A supporter of both the Louisiana Tech Athletic Club (LTAC) and the College of Business, Jamie as a Tech student went back and forth between science and business for a while. “It was obvious that technology was disrupting industries and business models,” he said. “…Ultimately I loved technology and I loved studying business. I believed CIS would give me the best opportunity to have a successful career in both.”

Adams is kept busy by technological advances and by his entrepreneurial spirit, but he still makes time for Tech, as his willingness to “come home” for graduation illustrates.

“Jamie was one of those students who you knew loved being at Tech,” said Tech management and information systems professor Tony Inman, one of Adams’ mentors. “Apparently, he still loves it as much as ever.”

In his spare time, Jamie enjoys attending concerts, watching tennis and football, reading, and thinking about how he can make a positive impact in people’s lives. A native of Coushatta, he currently lives in Dallas.

Tonight is Trunk-or-Treat. Businesses, groups, churches and individuals will gather on Front Street and decorate their vehicle trunks. There will be plenty of goodies as kids of all ages trick or treat up and down the street. It all starts at 5:30 tonight.

The Red River Waterway Commission has opened the following boat launches Coushatta, Red Oak, Grand Ecore, Montgomery, St. Maurice, Natchitoches. All other public boat launches operated by the Red River Waterway Commission are closed at this time..

Sweet Potatoes are still on sale!! We are taking pre-orders now. If you have sold any please start bringing the money and slips to the 4-H Office. Last day to turn in is Nov. 1 but I will take them on Nov. 2 until 12:00 if you cannot make it on Nov. 1, Pickup date is Nov. 9

Riverdale Academy posts that they will have a Blood Drive Monday, November 5 from 8:30- 12:30. Please come out and give if you’re able!

The final football game of Red River’s regular season is Friday night in Alexandria. It is a district game against Holy Savior Menard. Kickoff at 7:00 pm. Journal Sports will stream the game live beginning at 6:45 on The Journal’s website and social media pages.

Red River Football – CLICK HERE

Riverdale Football – CLICK HERE 

 

More interest this year than in prior years is the way Registrar of Voters Debra Jones terms the turnout for early voting so far. There are more local races on the ballot than last year.

Jones told The Journal that 121 people voted on Tuesday. Another 122 voted on Wednesday. And as of about 4:00 pm 76 people had voted on Thursday. That is a total of 319.

Early voting continues through 6:00 pm on Tuesday October 30th. To vote early go to the Registrar’s office in the courthouse between 8:30 am and 6:00 pm.

There are four school board seats to be voted on and the Mayor’s race in Hall Summit. There is a statewide election for Secretary of State and the 4th District Congressional seat is up this year. Election day is Tuesday, November 6th.

Red River Parish AVC Sample Ballots for 11-6-18

By Joshua Loftin

Sunday was the 10th year anniversary of Open Door Fellowship. There was a special service that included a feast afterwards.

The service started with a welcome from the current pastor at Open Door, Bro. Steven McAbee. He stated, “Today we will look at our church’s past, present, and future.” He also mentioned that the first service of Open Door Fellowship was July 27, 2008. The church also took a look back at all the ministries that they participated in.

During the service, all the charter members of Open Door who were present stood for a moment of thanks and recognition from the whole church. Bro. Tom Smith, the first pastor of Open Door was present and took to the front of the pulpit to take a look back on remembrance of the past and the loved ones that had passed away over the years. Also, members of the church were invited to stand and give brief testimonies and memories very dear to their hearts.

Numerous worship songs were sung along with a solo by Juliana Handy, which got all of the church on their feet clapping. Later on in the service, the shofar was blown to signify a sacred occasion. Jeremiah McAbee was the one to blow the shofar. Bro. Steven said he felt that it should be his 4-year-old son to blow to signify “the many years ahead of Open Door”

The final words of the service was a prayer by Bro. Tom Smith. He gave thanks for this church and all the things that it has and will continue to do for this community.

Sunday Service for Open Door starts at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings.

On October 16, 2018 at 12:00 p.m., Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office Communications received a complaint of an attempted break-in at a residence located on U.S. Hwy 71 north of Crossroads. The resident advised that shortly before noon, an unfamiliar subject pulled his vehicle into her driveway and approached her residence. After ignoring his knocks at the door in hopes he would leave, the man proceeded to move around the residence and repeatedly knocked on the exterior of her mobile home. The homeowner then heard what sounded like a window shatter in her living room, and as she entered the room, she observed a man extending his arm inside the house. She reported that she yelled at the man as she made eye contact with him and he fled the scene in a dark colored SUV traveling south on U.S. Hwy 71 toward Coushatta.

Red River Sheriff’s Office Communications dispatched units to the location and notified all personnel of the suspect/vehicle descriptions. A short time later a Red River Parish Sheriff’s patrol deputy initiated a traffic stop on U.S. Hwy 371 near the intersection of LA Hwy 786. The deputy notified responding units that the vehicle he was stopping matched the reported suspect and suspect vehicle.

Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators confirmed that the detained subject was the man in question. At 1:14 p.m. he was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Red River Parish Jail for booking. Michael D. Harris, B/M, age 53 of the 1800 block of Desoto St., Shreveport, LA was charged with one count each of the following: Criminal Trespass, Simple Criminal Damage to Property Less than $500 (MISD) and Attempted Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling.

Total bond was set at $60,000 and he remains incarcerated in the Red River Parish Jail. A hold has also been placed on his release by Probation and Parole (Shreveport District).

Funeral services for Sherry Woodard Perkins, 77, of Coushatta, LA will be held Friday, October 26, 2018 at 11:00 A. M. in Social Springs Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. James Hester assisted by Dr. Nathan Davis. Burial will follow in Social Springs Cemetery. Visitation was Thursday, October 25, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home, Coushatta, LA.

Mrs. Perkins was born January 20, 1941 in Hall Summit, LA and passed away October 23, 2018 in Shreveport, LA.

MaMa was a special lady. She started playing the piano and organ at a young age and continued to do so until her health no longer permitted. She played her first funeral service at the age of twelve. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchild, John Warren, and was looking forward to Little Wiley’s arrival in January. MaMa loved to read and cross-stitch to pass the time. She fought the good fight and now she will hurt no more.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Perkins and her parents, John and Pauline Woodard.

Left to cherish her memory include two sons, John Perkins and wife, Elizabeth of Coushatta, LA and Donnie Perkins and wife, Phyllis of Des Moines, IA; grandchildren, Jim Perkins and wife, Laura, Emily Burns and husband, Chase, Jay Perkins and wife, Taylor, Heather Collins, and Shannon Pitts and husband, David; great grandson, John Warren Perkins; great granddaughters, Desirea and Gisele Pitts and Savannah and Ava Collins; and a special friend, Heloise Pickett.

Pallbearers will be Jim Perkins, Jay Perkins, Chase Burns, Mark Garrett, Gary Giddens, Drew Moseley, Stanley Moseley, and Paxton Moseley. Honorary pallbearers will be Nubbin Pickett, Robert Perkins, Calvin Perkins, and Ethan Perkins.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Last year at this time everyone was talking about the Holiday Express coming to our area. This year Coushatta is not on their itinerary.

The Holiday Express train was created by employees of the Kansas City Southern rail system. It tours every year in November and December. In 2017 over 2,200 people were reported to have toured the train and talked with Santa and a lot of elves during the several hours it was in Coushatta.

The KCS website has posted the 2018 schedule of stops and only two are in Louisiana. The Holiday Express will be in Monroe on November 28th and in Shreveport on December 3rd. Maybe we’ll be included in future years.

The first group of Riverdale Academy Students of the Month were presented certificates and gift cards by the Coushatta VFW and Auxiliary. Dr. Robert Peters, Principal, introduced the students. Barry McCoy, VFW Post Commander, presented each with a certificate noting their accomplishment and a gift card to Dairy Queen.

These students were selected for the month of August. They are Gracie Longino of Mrs. Hanna Wren’s Pre-K. She represented Riverdale Elementary.

Ben Moseley of Mrs. Amanda Cannon’s 5th grade represented Riverdale Middle School.

Kenley Loftin of Jared Barber’s 9th grade was selected from Riverdale High School.

VFW Post 7287 and Auxiliary 7287 of Coushatta present the Student of the Month to all schools in Red River Parish. The program was initiated for the 2018-19 school year as the Veterans of Foreign Wars expands its service to the children of the parish.

The Journal gets on a soapbox only occasionally, however in the upcoming election the people of Red River Parish may be bamboozled by the last item on the ballot. It concerns fantasy sports betting. What’s that? What would a “yes” or “no” vote mean?

The issue is not technically a secret, however it is hidden at the bottom of a ballot on an election cycle that may have less than star-power attention getting races and issues. It is a tradition in this state (and others) to run something by the voters when they are not paying attention. It is done all the time with “tax renewals” and other items.

There is a website by the proponents of the matter. It gives the benefits in glowing terms and hints that it may be a new, valuable revenue stream for the state. And they add the Pied Piper argument that nearly every other state is doing it, so why not us? Remember the lottery?

I read that website and did not find out the answer to a couple of my questions. I would like to know who is behind this? Is it the fantasy sports companies? Who gets the money? Is there any certainty that the state would benefit? And would the citizens benefit?

With this article is a link to a website maintained by Public Affairs Research that explains the proposed constitutional amendments and this fantasy sports betting issue. They present both sides of the argument so the voters can make an informed decision.

The Journal is not taking a stand on this issue. I will stand on the side of voters having an opportunity to know what they are voting on. I read their stuff and PAR’s stuff. And I suggest you do the same.

Here is the link: http://reports.parlouisiana.org/2018/Constitutional_Amendments/ballot-item.html

Click on Fantasy Sports Ballot Item. You may wish to go over the proposed constitutional amendments while you are there.

Yesterday was a milestone for Carroll and Dollye LeGrande, long-time residents of Lake End. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Carroll and Dollye were wed in 1958 and moved to Lake End in 1961. They raised six children. They are Clay, Stace, Luke, Rachel, Jason and George. The LeGrande family includes too many grandchildren and great grands to mention. Happy 60th Anniversary to Carroll and Dollye LeGrande from their children.

Members of the two most successful football teams in modern-day Northwestern State history, the Southland Conference champion 1988 and 1998 squads, are reuniting at their alma mater this weekend during Homecoming festivities. Both teams were coached by Sam Goodwin, who will join the celebration Saturday. Dozens of team members and staff are expected to participate.

November 5th is the final food box for seniors distribution by the Red River Council on Aging. Boxes will be available for pickup from 8:30 to 11:00 am.

Monday is picture day at Riverdale Academy. The school reminds students that in addition to regular school pictures the yearbook, cap and gown, sports and cheer pictures will be taken.

Riverdale Academy concludes the 2018 Football Season on the road tonight. The Rebels travel to Lake Providence. They will play the Briarfield Academy Rebels in a district game. The game will be broadcast live on The Journal’s website and social media sites. Steven Bryant and Ty Hester will provide play-by-play beginning about 6:45.

Story and Photo by Debbie Narvaez

Our own local southern rock band “Thrown Together” from Coushatta competed in the “Dixie Maze Shout Out” located in Shreveport on Saturday 10/20/2018 and won 3rd Place. This gives them an opportunity to perform for Centenary College.

The band rocked the stage with three songs “American Band,” “Zombie” and “Country Girl.” The band is made up of five members; Allie Greer who is 13 years old (vocals, piano and guitar), James Phillips who is 13 years old (rhythm guitar), Randall Dalme who is 16 years old (bass), Austin Cooper who is 13 years old (drums) and Nick Narvaez who is 16 years old (lead guitar).

Thrown Together has been playing together for about six months. They have appeared at several festivals in Shreveport. They also have performed in local restaurants such as the York Chop in Coushatta and El Nopal in Shreveport with an invite to play again soon.

The gospel group 4Given gave a powerful concert on Saturday night at Open Door Fellowship. Members of many churches in the parish turned out to fill the auditorium and enjoy the music.

4Given is made up of Mark Smith, Jarrett Bailey, David Adams and Ken Adams. Su’Anice Bailey accompanies them on keyboard. If you have ever heard angels sing, you were probably there Saturday night.

The concert opened with a powerful acapella rendition of “There is a Sweet Sweet Spirit.” That set the tone of the evening. Mark Smith told the audience that they would follow with “perhaps the most familiar song to most people.” Everyone agreed when the group began “Jesus Loves Me.”

Another familiar and powerful song 4Given performed was “Why Me Lord” by Kris Kristofferson. Smith detailed Kristofferson’s own account of going to church with country singer Connie Smith one Sunday after the two had performed on Saturday night. As the story goes, at the end of the service there was an altar call, and Kristofferson had no intention of answering. But he said there he was raising his hand and then going forward. And that inspired him to write and record what would become his most popular song. Jarrett Bailey started it off asking the question “Why Me Lord?”

The group performed many very familiar songs and looking around the room you could tell when one or another was tugging at a heart. Prior to the final song, Mark Smith issued his own altar call. He said, “Life is certainly scary at times but we can know without any doubt where we are going if we accept Jesus Christ as our savior.” And that lead into their most powerful song of the night, “Because He Lives.”

The audience absorbed every word. They clapped and sang along. And 4Given invited all to stand and sing along with the final chorus, and then added another final chorus. There were many friends who greeted each other along with members of the group as they slowly left the church.

The Saturday night concert was part of the weekend celebration of the 10th anniversary of Open Door Fellowship. Joshua Loftin has a report on the Sunday celebration. It will appear in Friday’s edition of The Journal.

Shortly after 8:00 p.m. on October 15, 2018, Red River Parish Sheriff’s Communications received multiple calls for service involving weapons and shots fired. Multiple Coushatta Police Department and Red River Parish Sheriff’s units were dispatched to three different locations within the city limits of Coushatta.

At 8:08 p.m. Red River Parish Sheriff’s Communications received a call regarding an altercation at the Natchitoches Meat Pie facility located in the Industrial Park in Coushatta. At 8:11 p.m., the second call was received which reported a gunshot victim at a residence on Jones Street in Coushatta. The third call came in at 8:21 p.m. from a residence on Brittain Street, which is in the same residential neighborhood as Jones Street. This call reported a residential break-in with shots fired.

Responding officers/deputies located a victim at the Jones Street location who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the face. Red River EMS subsequently transported this individual to University Health in Shreveport for treatment of what was classified as non-life-threatening injuries.

While investigating at the Brittain Street location, officers/deputies learned of a second gunshot victim that was transported from that residence by private vehicle to Christus Coushatta Emergency Room. This victim was suffering from two gunshot wounds, also classified as non-life threatening, and was later transferred to University Health in Shreveport for treatment.

Multiple Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives responded to the various scenes/locations to assist the Coushatta Police Department officers with crime scene processing, interviews, etc. During the course of the investigation it was confirmed that both shootings and the incident at the local business were related.

The suspected shooter, later identified as Marcus Davis, reportedly held a worker at gunpoint at the Natchitoches Meat Pie facility in what appears to be an armed robbery. After taking money from the victim, Davis then forced the worker to produce his keys and drive them to the worker’s residence located on Brittain Street. Once at the residence, the victim tried to flee into the residence which resulted in the assailant firing multiple rounds, striking the victim twice.

It appears that Davis then fled the scene where he encountered the second (unrelated) victim at a nearby residence. The second victim was unaware of what had just taken place and confronted the suspect as he passed on his property. He was subsequently shot in the face. The victim sought help at the home on Jones Street where he was located by responding officers/deputies.

On October 16, 2018, the Coushatta Police Department secured two warrants for the arrest on the suspect. Davis also had an outstanding arrest warrant through the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office for three weapons related charges stemming from an incident occurring on July 28, 2018 at the Silver Dollar Liquor Store south of Coushatta. It was also learned that the suspect had outstanding warrants from the Winfield Police Department also stemming from gun violence.

Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives assisting in the investigation, developed leads as to the location of the suspect. On October 17, 2018, deputies and detectives responded to a residential location on LA 480 (Red Oak Road) near the Springville community to execute the arrest warrants. Davis was taken into custody following a brief standoff without incident.

Marcus D. Davis, B/M, age 28, of the 100 block of East Riddle St., Coushatta, LA was transported to the Red River Parish Jail (RRPJ) and booked on the following charges: Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities (3 counts), Illegal Carrying of Weapons (3 counts), Possession of a Firearm or Carrying Concealed Weapon by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies (3 counts), Attempted First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Kidnapping, Carjacking, Home Invasion, Attempted Second Degree Murder, and 4 Out of Parish Fugitive Warrants. Three of the fugitive warrants were from Winnfield Police Department and included charges of Attempted Second Degree Murder, Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies. The fourth fugitive warrant originated from Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office for Failure to Appear.

Total bond for Davis was set at $1,000,000 and he remains incarcerated in the RRPJ. A hold has been placed on his release by the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office and Winnfield Police Department.

Coordination between the Coushatta Police Department and the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office resulted in the speedy apprehension of this extremely dangerous individual.

A Melrose, LA woman ended up in the Red River Parish Jail last Wednesday after leading law enforcement on a chase through Coushatta and up US 71. No one was injured although the suspect is reported to have driven in excess of 80 miles per hour.

Coushatta Police Chief Kevin Stafford said the incident began in the MaxWay parking lot in Coushatta. It is believed the suspect and others came to Coushatta from Natchitoches Parish where the disagreement started.

Chief Stafford said his officers reported a stolen vehicle from Natchitoches parish was on their watch list. Someone called the sheriff’s office about a commotion in the MaxWay parking lot. Coushatta PD Officer Babers took the initial call and called for back-up from the Chief.

Stafford said, “The suspect almost hit my car when the chase began. The vehicle ran onto Ringgold Avenue then up US 71 at speeds of up to 75 and 80 miles an hour.” Stafford said units from the Sheriff’s Office joined in the chase and they radioed ahead to Bossier and Bienville Parishes that the suspect may be headed their way.

“It all ended up at Loggy Bayou,” said Stafford. He added, “The driver tried to turn onto LA 4 headed towards Ringgold but the car went into the grassy area where it was stopped.”

The weekly arrest report from the Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Kelsey Danay Weems of Melrose, LA. She is charged with 2 counts of aggravated second degree battery, reckless operation, illegal possession of stolen things, 2 counts of aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle upon a peace officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and a fugitive warrant from Grant Parish.

It appears the District Football title is on the line Friday night for the Red River Bulldogs. They host the powerhouse Many Tigers in Strother Stadium. Both are undefeated in district play, and both teams have suffered only one defeat this season.

Last week Red River Principal JC Dickey introduced the “Beat Many” spirit shirt. This week he turned up the heat and sweetened the deal. Here is Dickey’s statement:

“This week is a very big week for the high school as we will be playing Many High for the district championship in football on Friday, Oct. 26th. “This game will be a little different. This is our black out game and we are selling Beat Many shirts for $8 to everyone. We want to show our unity as we take down Many. These shirts are on sale at the High School with a limited supply. Come get yours starting Monday. Every student parish wide who purchases this shirt will have a free Jean day on Friday, Oct. 26th. They can wear their shirt to school and they will get in the game for $5. “These 2 teams are both ranked in the Top 6 in the state in 2A. So we are expecting a huge crowd. To help with seating, we are offering a one time only presale ticket for $15 and will allow you to bring your own chair and come sit on the track in the north or south end zones during the game. These presale tickets will go on sale Monday the 22nd. We will have a limited supply so come to the High School Monday and purchase your Beat Many Shirt and your Presale Track Ticket. “To sit on the track you must purchase the ticket before the game and arrive before kickoff. These tickets and shirts will go fast, so let’s show our support for our Bulldogs as they compete for District title. Go Dogs, Beat Many.”

The Journal found that Many fans have taken notice of Red River’s new shirts and issued something of their own. (We inverted it so the “hex” doesn’t carry over).

The game will be streamed live on The Journal’s website and social media pages. The stream will be up about 6:40 pm. Broadcast starts at 6:45 and kickoff is 7:00 pm Friday night.

A bunch of folks here in Red River Parish joined The Journal in a live Facebook broadcast this week. It seems that 94.9 The River, the area’s favorite country station, was giving away passes to Dark Woods just in time for Halloween.

I was invited to join Trini Triggs on his morning radio show. When I got there I found out that in addition to being on the radio station, I was also going to be a guest on his morning Facebook show. It was an amazing experience.

Hundreds of listeners tuned in to the broadcast. They responded with their names, phone numbers, and comments. And yes, they all wanted to win the tickets to Dark Woods. Trini and I were able to give away some of the tickets to our Red River citizens. That was the whole goal of me joining the show. So mission accomplished!

If you missed it, you can go to Facebook/949TheRiver and look in the archives. It’s still there. Let me know what you think.

Early voting started on Tuesday. You have a week if you wish to cast your ballot ahead of election day, November 6th. Early voting takes place at the Registrar of Voters Office in the courthouse 8:30 am to 6:00 pm through October 30th. The office is closed on Sunday.

Lawyers at the Library is today at the Red River Parish Library. It starts at 2:00 pm. You can get free legal advice on civil matters. No criminal cases, please.

Friday night Riverdale Academy winds up their 2018 football season. The Rebels will be on the road traveling to Lake Providence. They play Briarfield Academy’s Rebels. The Journal will stream that game live beginning at 6:45. Play by play is by Steven Bryant and Ty Hester. Kickoff is 7:00 pm.