Three outstanding scholars from Red River Parish are included on the Dean’s and President’s Lists at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The list is updated at the end of each semester.
Here is the Red River Parish List:
College of Business Administration
President’s List Robert Y Legrande
Ray P. Authement College of Sciences
Dean’s List Ty Louis Birdsong
University College
President’s List Kambrie Rachel Bethard
At the end of each regular semester, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette recognizes those students named to the President’s List and Dean’s List. Eligible students must be enrolled full time.
To be included on the Dean’s List, students must earn at 3.5 GPA or better and to be included on the President’s List, students must earn a 3.8 GPA or better.
On January 16th the next event of the Heart Program in Red River Parish will be held at Elizabeth Full Gospel Baptist Church. The theme is “New Year New You.”
The MLK Health Center and Pharmacy is coming to offer no cost health screenings to area residents. Screenings offered include blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, BMI, and Prostate Screening (via blood draw). Nutrition consultation will also be available.
As an added incentive, all who attend will be entered into a raffle to win $100 Visa card. Come for the valuable health screenings and you may leave with the $100 prize.
The location is Elizabeth Full Gospel Baptist Church at 6996 Highway 371, north of Coushatta. To pre-register or get more information on the event contact Essence Smith at 318-227-2912, ext. 5. This HEART Program event is funded by BHP.
Inspired preaching by Bro. Bo Shedd, Evangelist from Cullman, Alabama. Praise and worship singing by the Allen’s family from Branson, Missouri. It’s Praise Night this Sunday night at Social Springs Baptist Church.
Bro. James Hester said he was saving you a seat!
Sunday January 13th beginning at 6:00 pm. Use the hashtag #allaboutJesus!
Social Springs Baptist Church is located at 5455 Highway 371 in north Red River Parish.
Monday (January 11th) the home of the Red River Band Director was destroyed by fire. Yasmine Jason and her family lost all of their possessions. Some folks at the school are pitching in to help the family by collecting donations. There is a collection scheduled today from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm at Red River High. See Joyce Halbmaier or Johnny Taylor at the school.
The Journal received notice this week that the date has been set for the community health fair put on each spring by the Council on Aging. It will be held the morning of April 25th at the CoA building on Front Street. Save the date on your event planner.
From Senator John Kennedy’s office comes word Thursday that Kennedy was selected to serve as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG).
The news release said, “This subcommittee is tasked with drafting the spending plan for the agencies within its jurisdiction for the coming fiscal year.
“The jurisdiction of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee includes the Department of Treasury, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade Commission, White House, Federal Communications Commission and Small Business Administration, among its long list of crucial agencies.
“Our agencies are important, but so are the paychecks of the American people,” said Sen. Kennedy. “I am honored to serve as chairman of the FSGG subcommittee. In this role, my priorities are to ensure we are spending our money efficiently, that we know how it’s being spent and that we don’t spend a dime more than is necessary.”
In sports, both Riverdale Academy and Red River High basketball teams take to the court tonight. Riverdale is at home hosting Providence Classical Academy. Red River boys and girls teams travel to Alexandria for games with Holy Savior Menard. Journal Sports will offer play by play beginning about 5:50 pm. Look for the link to the broadcasts on the Journal website and social media pages. Links will be posted about 15 minutes before air time.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office has arrested a Mooringsport man for setting fire to the motel room he was staying in.
Morgan Freepon, 33, was booked into the Red River Parish Jail on Monday, Jan. 7, on one count of Aggravated Arson.
In the evening hours of January 6, the Red River Parish Fire District requested the assistance of the SFM to investigate the origin and cause of a fire at the Budget Inn, located in the 1300 block of Ringgold Avenue in Coushatta.
Three units were affected, but only one, Unit 117, was damaged in the fire. All three affected rooms were occupied at the time of the fire, including a mother and baby, however, all occupants were able to escape unharmed.
Following an assessment of the scene and collecting witness statements, investigators determined the fire started in Unit 117, where Freepon was staying. The fire was classified as incendiary.
Deputies then made contact with Freepon, who had been taken into custody earlier in the night by Coushatta Police. In an interview with investigators, Freepon admitted setting the fire and being under the influence of illegal narcotics at the time of the fire. He was then placed under arrest.
Above information from SFM Public Affairs Director- Ashley Rodrigue
The Journal spoke with Budget Inn owners Ken and Sammie Patel. They confirm they plan on renovating the affected areas of the motel. The Budget Inn remains open with 19 guest rooms in other building that were not damaged by the fire. A total of 3 units were damaged by the blaze, however Patel said there were a total of 15 units including the laundry room and their living quarters that were not usable at present because of smoke damage.
Sammie Patel said that Coushatta Police had brought the man to the motel to get him a room for the night. “He was in the room about 15 minutes when my son saw the man sitting outside the door watching the fire,” said Patel. She added her son heard the smoke alarm sound and called 9-1-1. She said, “He came and knocked on the office door, but it was locked, so he ran to the convenience store across the street.”
Coushatta Police Chief Kevin Stafford said they picked up the suspect and he was taken to the sheriff’s office. The state Fire Marshall said he was booked into the parish jail.
The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs brought home trophies from two prestigious holiday basketball tournaments. Both teams showed their skills and demonstrated their preparation for the upcoming district season.
Both teams competed in the Doc Edwards Memorial Airline Tournament beginning the day after Christmas. The Lady Bulldogs won the consolation bracket. The Bulldogs took it all, finishing in first place in the boys division.
The first week in the new year the Bulldogs took second place in the 79th annual Bossier High Invitational. They lost to Bossier High, the top team in 4-A in the state, in the finals Saturday night. Earlier in the week Red River had beaten BTW, Mansfield and 5-A powerhouse Natchitoches Central.
The season for both Red River and Riverdale Academy resumes on Friday night. Red River boys and girls teams play at Holy Savior Menard in Alexandria beginning with the girls game at 6:00 pm. Riverdale is host Friday night for Providence Classical Academy. Play begins with JV games starting at 5:00 pm.
Journal Sports is planning to stream all varsity games live Friday night. A link to the broadcasts will be posted on social media and the Journal website shortly before 6:00 pm. Let everyone know they can listen to the games if they cannot attend in person.
One person was injured in a two vehicle accident on the Red Oak Road Monday morning. Here is an update from Glenn Younger, State Police Public Information Officer:
“We worked a two-vehicle crash involving a CMV and a pick-up truck yesterday around 0800 on LA 480 at milepost 8, south of US 84 in Red River Parish.
“The driver of the CMV had no injuries. The driver of the pick-up had moderate injuries and was transported via Life Air Rescue to University Health in Shreveport.
“No further information is available at this time.”
Highway 480 was blocked for several hours until the damaged vehicles could be moved. This is the third accident we can recall in recent weeks along the twisting part of Red Oak Road.
Spots are still available for the annual Northwestern State Softball Auction on Jan. 19 being held at the Knights of Columbus. Fans can enjoy dinner and an auction with single tickets for $25 and a VIP table for $200. The event kicks off at 6 p.m.
The team, which includes the 2015 Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year (Mikayla Brown) and the reigning All-Louisiana Freshman of the Year (Cayla Jones), will be introduced and help haul your auction winnings to your vehicle.
Auction items can be seen on the NSU Softball Facebook page at facebook.com/NSULadyDemonsSoftball. All proceeds benefit the Lady Demon softball program, which begins its season Feb. 8 at Texas.
For more information on the auction, contact assistant coach Brooke Boening at boeningb@nsula.edu.
Photo Credit: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services
The unauthorized use of a vehicle and outstanding warrants in Natchitoches and Red River Parishes recently led to the arrests of two Red River Parish residents according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office. On December 22, 2018 Red River Parish Sheriff’s Deputies contacted the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office requesting deputies BOLO (Be on the Lookout) for a black 2019 Jeep Latitude possibly occupied by a Gretchen Shaver and Eric Lindsey of Coushatta, La. The vehicle had been reported taken in Red River Parish without the owner’s permission. NPSO Deputies were informed that the vehicle may have been in the Natchitoches or surrounding areas. A radio broadcast alert was issued to all law enforcement and stations in Natchitoches Parish. Both Shaver and Lindsey were also wanted on outstanding warrants in Natchitoches and Red River Parishes. On Sunday December 23 shortly after 2:00pm, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division received a tip that both Shaver and Lindsey in the stolen Jeep were at a local business on Keyser Avenue in Natchitoches. Deputies responded to the area observing the couple exiting the business walking into the parking lot. Deputies made contact with Lindsey and while attempting to arrest, he resisted but complied a short time later. During a search of Lindsey’s person incidental to his arrest, deputies discovered a glass pipe commonly used to smoke illegal narcotics containing a white residue in his front pocket along with a set of keys and key fob. Deputies activated the key fob recovering the stolen Jeep a short distance away. Shaver was placed under arrest without incident. Deputies learned during the arrests of possible illegal narcotics being in the vehicle and requested assistance from Drug Task Force Agents. A Drug Task Force Narcotics Detection K-9 also responded.
The owner of the vehicle was contacted and responded to the scene. Based on information of illegal narcotics being in the vehicle along with the owner’s permission to search the vehicle and a positive narcotics K-9 alert to the vehicle for the presence of a narcotics odor, deputies obtained a search warrant from a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge to search the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, deputies seized approximately 6.4 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 1.9 grams of suspected marijuana, suspected hydrocodone narcotic pills, suspected clonzapam narcotic pills and drug paraphernalia. The seized narcotics will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis and identification for criminal court proceedings. Eric Christopher Lindsey, 33, of the 400 block of Joe Price Road, Coushatta, La., was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS Schedule II Narcotics, Possession of CDS CDS IV Narcotics, Second or Subsequent Offenses, Possession of CDS I Marijuana, Resisting an Officer, Illegal Possession of Stolen Things valued over $10,000 and Failure to Appear in Red River Parish. Gretchen A. Shaver, 24, of the 800 block of Ashland Road, Coushatta, La., was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS I Marijuana, Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine, Illegal Possession of Stolen Things valued over $10,000, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Remaining on Premises after being Forbidden on Natchitoches Criminal Warrant. The vehicle was released to the owner. Involved in the arrests were: Deputies A. Llorence, and M. Smith assisted by Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents.
The first Food For Seniors distribution for 2019 is scheduled next Monday at the Red River Council on Aging. Distribution will be from 8:30 am to 11:00 am. Other dates in 2019 are March 11th, May 13th, July 8th, September 9th, and November 4th. Senior citizens who are not registered for the Food For Seniors boxes may do so by contacting the Council on Aging at 932-5721.
The Red River Parish Police Jury has elected officers for 2019. At their meeting Monday night, jurors voted to re-elect Shawn Beard as President and Ben Taylor as Vice President.
SCAM ALERT: Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office shared a post: “We have received word that a local business in our parish has received a request for a donation from this caller identifying himself as “Matt”. Please read the attached information concering this apparent scam and always remember to do your research before making any donation.
“If you are a local citizen/business and have fallen victim to this scam, please contact the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-932-4221.”
From Barbara Riggs Holland at Davis Springs: “Davis Spring Church is NOT collecting money for someone named Michael who fell from a deer stand. Someone who says they’re “Matt” is calling people asking for donations. He even gives an account number to send the money to. Please do NOT donate any money!”
The State Fire Marshall’s office is investigating a fire Sunday evening at the Budget Inn on Highway 71. That late evening fire destroyed one room and damages two others.
At 8:40 Red River fire department received a call of a fire at Budget inn. When they arrived one room was involved, and the fire was spreading to a second room. The third room had smoke and water damage. In the pictures you can see firefighters checking every room.
All rooms in the Budget Inn were evacuated until the fire was under control. Fire Chief Shane Felts said they will know more details after the State Fire Marshall completes their investigation. For now, the cause of the fire is under investigation.
There were no injuries reported.
Reporter Barry McCoy furnished the photos and contributed to this report.
Our area is experiencing a very wet winter. As a result ditches, creeks and the Red River are full. There is a River Flood Warning in effect.
Here is the latest information Thursday afternoon from the National Weather Service:
“Additional Rainfall Amounts across the Four State Region valid Tonight through 6 AM Friday Morning. The heavier amounts will remain across portions of West Central and East Central Louisiana. Intermittent moderate to heavy rain will continue across the area this morning (Thursday) and afternoon.
“Motorists should exercise caution on area roadways due to reduced visibilities and ponding in low-lying areas.”
Meanwhile all boat launches on the Red River operated by the Red River Waterway Commission are closed. The latest post on the commission’s Facebook page indicates the closures are the result of rising levels on the Red River.
The latest river stage chart for the Red River shows the river at Shreveport should begin to fall over the next few days.
Registrations are now being accepted for this year’s Cooperative Enterprise Teen Leadership Conference in late March. Registration deadline is Friday, February 1st.
The 4-H Facebook post said, “ The Leadership Camp is designed to sharpen leadership, marketing, money and management skills while competing with a team to build and manage a cooperative business.”
The camp is open to 4-H members in grades 8 through 12. It will be held March 29th through 31st at Grand Walker Educational Center in Pollock.
Registration fee is $50 and is due to the local 4-H office by Friday, February 1st at 4:00 pm. Participants at the camp must provide their own transportation.
There are a couple of highway and railroad repair projects scheduled soon on the route many from Red River take to Shreveport. One is along Highway 1 in the port area. The other involves repairs to the Jimmy Davis Bridge.
Here are the releases from state transportation officials:
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, the LA 511 (Jimmie Davis Hwy) Bridge over the Red River in Caddo & Bossier Parishes will be reduced to one lane of traffic for bridge maintenance. This lane closure is scheduled to take place from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This bridge is located approximately 0.7 miles west of US 71.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that beginning Sunday, January 6, 2019, there will be lane closures and traffic switches on the northbound and southbound lanes of LA 1 between Francis Bickham Blvd. and Doug Attaway Blvd. near the Port of Caddo-Bossier in Caddo Parish. This is necessary for the replacement of the railroad tracks on LA 1 at this location. Replacement of the tracks on the southbound lanes will begin first. Additionally, both intersections of LA 1 and Harts Island Road will be closed while the southbound tracks are replaced. Motorists may access LA 1 via LA 175. The track repairs are scheduled to last approximately three (3) weeks, weather permitting.
On January 16th the next event of the Heart Program in Red River Parish will be held at Elizabeth Full Gospel Baptist Church. The theme is “New Year New You.”
The MLK Health Center and Pharmacy is coming to offer no cost health screenings to area residents. Screenings offered include blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, BMI, and Prostate Screening (via blood draw). Nutrition consultation will also be available.
As an added incentive, all who attend will be entered into a raffle to win $100 Visa card. Come for the valuable health screenings and you may leave with the $100 prize.
The location is Elizabeth Full Gospel Baptist Church at 6996 Highway 371, north of Coushatta. To pre-register or get more information on the event contact Essence Smith at 318-227-2912, ext. 5. This HEART Program event is funded by BHP.
Residents along the Red Oak Road south of Coushatta experienced a brief power outage on Wednesday morning. State Police report working a one vehicle accident in which a vehicle hit a utility pole. State police say the occupant of the vehicle received minor injuries.
From the PAW Parents at the elementary school: As you begin to take down your Christmas decor and decide you want new stuff next year, Red River Elementary School would love it. We have lots of halls and places that would love decorations next year. Just message and we can make arrangements to get it.
The Red River Bulldogs are in the Bossier Invitational Tournament. They won big time Wednesday night over BTW. They played Thursday night against long time rival Mansfield. Watch out Facebook page for the score update. And listen to the games live on The Journal’s website and Facebook page. If the Bulldogs keep winning they will play tonight (Friday) at 8:00 pm. And if they get into the finals, they will play at 8:00 Saturday night.
The regular basketball season for Riverdale and Red River resumes January 11th. Riverdale will be at home hosting the boys and girls teams from Providence Classical Academy. Red River boys and girls teams will be on the road at Holy Savior Menard in Alexandria.
Ooops! The Christmas/New Year school vacation has slipped away. Teachers report to school on Monday and the children return on Tuesday. Do something with the family on this last weekend of the vacation.
Shortly before 10:00 a.m. on December 9, 2018 Red River Communications received a call concerning a hit and run crash. The caller reported that as she was traveling south on U.S. Hwy 71 near Ware Youth Center, a black Tahoe quickly approached her from the rear and struck her vehicle. The Tahoe failed to stop and continued to travel south on U.S. Hwy 71 toward Coushatta.
As the suspect approached the north intersection of town near Burger King, a responding Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy observed the vehicle and activated his overhead lights and siren. Following a brief pursuit, the driver pulled over on Ringgold Avenue and was given verbal commands to exit the vehicle. As two deputies approached the Tahoe, the driver ignored commands and sped away, crossing the railroad tracks as a train approached.
After safely maneuvering the railroad crossing, one unit followed the Tahoe as other responding units were blocked by the train. The Tahoe quickly turned onto Front Street and soon came to a stop near St. John’s Baptist Church across from the Red River Parish Council on Aging. The deputy positioned his unit behind the Tahoe to block its exit to prevent any further pursuit.
The driver remained in the vehicle as instructed and complied with verbal commands while the deputy waited for additional units to arrive. After a responding Coushatta Police Officer arrived on scene, the driver complied with instructions to exit the vehicle and was taken into custody without further incident.
A subsequent search of the vehicle was performed as additional units arrived to assist. The search yielded drug paraphernalia, suspected marijuana and a loaded handgun, which were all collected as evidence.
Joshua Leriche, W/M, age 41 of the 200 block of Long Horn Dr., Bossier City, LA was booked into the Red River Parish Jail on the following charges: Possession of Marijuana (second offense), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Hit & Run Driving, Reckless Operation of a Vehicle, Careless Operation, Resisting an Officer, and Flight from an Officer.
His bond was set at $8,000 and he remains incarcerated in the Red River Parish Jail.
Press Release from the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Glen Edwards and employees of the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all those who sent cards, stopped by the office, sang a Christmas carol, or dropped off Christmas “goodies” for us all to enjoy.
It is a pleasure to serve the people of Red River Parish and we look forward to a great 2019. Happy New Year everyone!
We do not have photos of everything we received but would like to share those that we captured. Thanks again!
During the holidays the Silent Brotherhood Lodge #146 took up a collection to benefit the Red River Council on Aging. Lodge members presented a check for $200 to Council Director Liz Cannon.
One of those presenting the check was Robert Ward. He is the District Deputy Grand Master for the 6th Masonic District of Louisiana. Ward is also the Secretary of Silent Brotherhood. He told the Journal, “We selected the Council on Aging because of the services they do in the community. Their service goes far beyond just serving meals each day for senior citizens. They do a lot more.”
The Silent Brotherhood lodge is located on US 71 across from Dairy Queen. Ward said their meetings are open to the public. Meetings begin with a meal at 6:30 and meeting at 7:30. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday and third Monday of each month.
At approximately 4:38 a.m. on December 16, 2018 Red River Parish Sheriff’s Communications received a call from occupants of a home in reference to a possible “home invasion” in progress at a residence located on Grand Bayou Loop off of LA Hwy 1 north. A Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy patrolling in the area was in close proximity and immediately responded to the call.
Shortly after turning onto Grand Bayou Loop, the deputy observed a vehicle traveling towards him in the direction of LA Hwy 1. He activated his overhead lights, positioned his unit across the roadway, exited his vehicle and gave verbal and visible commands in an effort to stop the driver. The driver ignored all commands and almost struck the deputy as the vehicle accelerated to evade. The vehicle then turned south onto LA Hwy 1 as the deputy pursued. The deputy observed multiple items being tossed from the vehicle as it reached speeds in excess of 85 mph. The items were later recovered and determined to be items taken from the crime scene.
Approximately three miles into the pursuit, just south of Harmon, the driver saw emergency lights ahead in the distance and attempted to turn off the roadway into a private road to evade. When he attempted the turn, he lost control and ran off the private drive to the left just before crossing the railroad tracks. The vehicle became stuck in the rocks that line the railroad tracks. The emergency lights the driver saw was a second Red River Parish Deputy which had set up at the intersection of LA Hwy 1 and LA Hwy 177 preparing to deploy spike strips. Four occupants exited the vehicle, each fleeing on foot in different directions. Responding deputies immediately began a search of the area in an attempt to locate the subjects. Other responding deputies continued to the residence and began “clearing” the caller’s residence to make certain no suspects remained on scene. Deputies discovered that the suspects removed a window air conditioning unit to gain entry into the house, but never entered the dwelling. Two vehicles parked outside the home had been burglarized.
At approximately 5:08 a.m. the alleged driver, Isaiah Woodward, was located and taken into custody without incident, while a search for the others continued. The Red River Parish Sheriff’s K-9 unit, along with the departmental drone were deployed during the search. Personnel and resources from Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office, David Wade Correctional Center and the Louisiana State Police also assisted in the search.
While investigators interviewed Woodward, the search led deputies to what appeared to be a “pick up” site for the remaining three suspects. It was later determined that they contacted someone via cell phone to drive to the area and pick them up. After determining the subjects were no longer in the area, at approximately 10:30 a.m. the area search was discontinued.
Later the same day, investigators identified a 16 year old male juvenile as one of the three suspects. He was brought in for questioning, interviewed and subsequently arrested. The two remaining suspects, including a second 16 year old male juvenile and a 17 year old male, were also identified. They were brought in for questioning the following day and subsequently arrested. During the course of the investigation, investigators learned that the crime was not random, but stemmed from a discussion on social media regarding the sale/purchase of a firearm.
On December 16, 2018 Isaiah J. Woodward, W/M, age 19 of the 4900 block of Hwy 494, Natchez, LA was booked into the Red River Parish Jail (RRPJ) on the following charges: Reckless Operation of a Vehicle, Attempted Home Invasion, Principal to Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, Aggravated Assault with a Motor Vehicle upon a Peace Officer, Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery and Theft of a Firearm. Total bond was set at $35,000 and he remains incarcerated in the RRPJ.
On December 17, 2018 Nicholas H. Davis, W/M, age 17 of the 200 block of Peninsula Drive, Natchitoches, LA was booked into the Red River Parish Jail on the following charges: Attempted Home Invasion, Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, Theft of a Firearm, Principle to Aggravated Assault with a Motor Vehicle Upon a Peace Officer, Principle to Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery and Theft of a Firearm. Total bond was set at $35,000 and he remains incarcerated in the RRP Jail.
Both juveniles were charged with Attempted Home Invasion, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, Theft of a Firearm, Principle to Aggravated Assault with a Motor Vehicle Upon a Peace Officer, Criminal Damage to Property and Principle to Flight from an Officer. Both were transported to, and incarcerated at, Ware Youth Center, a juvenile detention center located north of Coushatta. Both juveniles posted a $15,000 bond and were released to parents.
The investigation is ongoing and additional arrest(s) and/or charges are pending.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office has arrested a Mooringsport man for setting fire to the motel room he was staying in.
Registrations are now being accepted for this year’s Cooperative Enterprise Teen Leadership Conference in late March. Registration deadline is Friday, February 1st.
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