Senior citizens in the parish were offered face masks for their use in protecting themselves from potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus.  The distribution took place Thursday at the Council on Aging.

Executive Director Liz Cannon and Peggy Young handed out the masks.  Cannon said, “All together we will be distributing 300 masks today.  We will give them to the people we send meals to their homes.  And we will give them to the seniors who come to pick up lunch today.  This is in addition to those we are giving out this morning.”

Young gave The Journal instructions for using the masks.  Young said, “They are washable and reusable.  Wash with underwear after each use.  Do not bleach.  Then hang them up to dry.”

Yesterday the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office posted about the Masks:

Many people have called our office in reference to the availability of free face masks for residents of Red River Parish. The limited number of masks that are available are being provided through a joint effort of the Red River Parish Police Jury and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP).

Shane Hubbard, OEP (Office of Emergency Preparedness) Director for Red River Parish, has provided the following information:

Masks will be distributed by the Red River Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness. They will be made available to our senior citizens and essential workers. 

While supplies last, seniors aged 60 or older may receive masks by visiting the Red River Parish Council on Aging from the hours of 8:00 am to 1:00 pm (M-F) or by contacting their office at (318) 932-5721.

Managers of essential businesses must directly contact the local OEP office for information on how to procure masks for their workplaces by calling (318) 510-0221.

Hubbard said that they gave masks first to city workers, EMS and fire, police jury, and other public employees.  He said that school workers who maintain the schools over the summer and employees of the school board would also be supplied with masks.

Hubbard cautioned people to wear their mask over both nose and mouth.  “I see so many people wearing them below the nose.  That defeats the purpose because your nose draws in anything that is on the mask,” said Hubbard.  He also noted that you should not touch the outside of the mask with anything, not our hands, and definitely not your cell phone.

Pictured below are Cannon and Young handing out masks to Bill Gray for him and his wife Rudy.

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The Red River Parish Fire Protection District has relayed a message from the State Fire Marshall lifting the burn ban. 

The statewide burn ban issued 3/25 is LIFTED effective IMMEDIATELY!

Please remain aware of and compliant with any local restrictions on open burning and follow DEQ’s guidance on legal open burning materials: https://deq.louisiana.gov/…/BurningPresentation_2019_Update…

Please also be sure to follow safe open burning practices.

Thank you to everyone who cooperated in order to be considerate of your neighbors who are spending more time at home due to #COVID19!

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Red River outstanding basketball player Jaylon “Jay-Mac” McDonald will play college hoops at Bossier Parish Community College.  Red River Athletics posted, “Congratulations to Jaylen McDonald on his way to BPCC to play basketball.”

The high school said, “Three girls and now J-Mac, that makes 4 Bulldogs taking their talents to the next level playing for BPCC.  Wish we could have been in school to have a signing day, but know your Bulldog Family supports you 100 percent.

McDonald’s Principal JC Dickey posted congratulations, “This is an amazing young man, quite, humble, and respectful.  So excited to see what his future holds.”

McDonald is the 4th Bulldog or Lady Bulldog to sign to play at BPCC this year.  Earlier in the spring Morgyn Payne, Ma’Kaila Lewis and Danielle Burton signed athletic scholarships with BPCC.

McDonald led the Bulldogs to the state semi-finals in class 2-A while Payne, Lewis and Burton lead the Lady Bulldogs to the state finals game.

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This week Administrative Professionals Day was celebrated around the country and here in Red River Parish.  Here are a sampling of the observations.

From Red River High School:

Happy Administrator Professional Day.  RRHS would like you all to say thank you and we love you.  
Thank you to our 2 awesome secretaries Mrs. Hopper and Mrs. Russell and our great bookkeeper Mrs. Procell.

From the Principal, JC Dickey: 
Love these 3 women. They are amazing.  Thank you Mrs. Hopper, Mrs. Russell, and Mrs. Procell for all you do.

From the Red River 4-H office:
Please help me wish this special lady Happy Administrative Professionals Day today!  Jennifer Moseley is the best office coordinator I could ask for!!!!  Her love for people and 4-H shows daily and we appreciate her for that!  She has two assistants that are pretty special as well!
The Riverdale Academy Booster Club posted:

There are no words great enough to describe what Mrs. Stacey Messick Greer means to us. We are blessed beyond measure to have her at Riverdale Academy. I have heard it said by pretty much everyone, “ask Mrs. Stacey and if she doesn’t know, no one will” No truer words have ever been spoken.

Mrs. Stacey, you are the glue and we are so, so thankful for you! We pray that you know how loved and appreciated you are by parents, kids and your coworkers- not just today, but every single day. We love you!!!

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Not only do RRHS teachers miss their students but so do our support staff, like Mrs. Russell.  This week Joy Russell wrote this note to the students, parents, and faculty of RRHS:

This is truly one thing I never thought I would say, “I truly miss yall!” There has not been a day that has passed since all of this started that I haven’t thought about the students. And what’s even crazier is the fact that I got all emotional when we were told that you all would be going home and possibly not coming back for this school year. Some looked at me like, really Ms. Russell? Yes, really yall! I thought about the possibility that one of you or myself may get the virus and that we may never see each other again. This thought broke my heart. 

Some days I watch the clock and think about what block it should be and I see your faces pass my door. Some of you speak and some don’t and that’s ok. I want each of you to know that I love and miss you all. 

I’m asking yall to please do what THEY are telling us to do by wearing a mask and gloves when you go out for necessities and to depose of those things properly. Please remember to distance yourselves for one another. Most of all, if you feel sick don’t go anywhere and distance yourself from your other family members. 

Students I can only imagine the things going through your heads! Seniors thinking about graduation, their senior year prom, and do I have the things in place for college? Juniors thinking about their Ring Ceremony, prom, and oh please don’t forget the day after the Seniors leave that they are the BIG DAWGS on campus now.  Sophomores thinking oh my, I can’t wait until next year. I’m going to order my Class Ring and the possibility of a junior or senior inviting you to the prom. And last but not least the Freshmen. The thought of not being the new kids or babies of the campus is the best thought. I’m sure yall are probably saying Ms. Russell don’t know what she’s talking about, but I do! I was once a student at the same school you are attending, and these are the thoughts that I would have if I were in your place today. 

To the parents, please keep your children safe so that we all may return unharmed. To the faculty, I miss all of you as well. Please call or text if I could be of any assistance to you!

Once again to all of you I miss and love you!

Your secretary, Ms. Russell

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Thunderstorms and Tornadoes that visited northwest Louisiana during the past week skipped Red River parish for the most part.  There were only minor reports of damage. 

Despite some folks reporting heavy rainfall in a short time, only a few instances of minor flooding was reported.  Just to the north in Bienville parish Layfield Road was reported closed.  It was washed out by rushing waters.

And there were a few reports of trees down and other minor damage.  For the most part all Red River got was rain, and lots of it.

Late in 2019 the National Weather Service issued a graphic map of northwest Louisiana showing where about 40 tornadoes had touched down during the year.  Only one parish, Red River, did not see a single tornado in 2019.

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The parish 4-H is saluting graduating seniors who have participated in and contributed to the program.  This week they are saluting Jayden “Taco” Scott.

4-H prepared a special poster for Scott and other honorees.  Scott said, “I’ve made many friends and memories that I will remember for the rest of my life.  I’ve attended almost every camp possible and loved them all.

The 4-H office said, “We have some wonderful 4-H seniors here in Red River Parish. Please consider adopting a senior or letting our seniors know they can be adopted!”

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NSU Student Colton Campbell of Coushatta is among students awarded the Morgan Extra Mile Scholarship.  The scholarships were awarded last week.  The original plan was to award them on March 19^th, however that was delayed.

Members of Alpha Zeta Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority at Northwestern State University hosted a virtual program for the Morgan Extra Mile Scholarship April 19 to recognize students who were named recipients of scholarships funded by David D. and Sherry F. Morgan.  Special guests included Mr. and Mrs. Morgan of Austin, Texas; Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority National President Natalie Averette of Virginia Beach, Virginia; NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio and Chapter Advisors Jacque Crew and Reatha Cox. 

Members of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi who were named scholarship recipients were recognized in a virtual announcement April 13. National Pi Kappa Phi Chief Executive Officer Mark E. Timmes and his assistant Vicky Halsey assisted with the fraternity award selection process, along with a panel of alumni from Beta Omicron and Chapter Advisors Doug Ireland and Dr. Chris Lyles. Pi Kappa Phi honored their award recipients through a social media campaign earlier in April.

The annual Morgan Extra Mile Scholarship program, originally scheduled for March 19, was cancelled due to coronavirus safety measures.  Cara Davlin of Sigma Sigma Sigma and Javier Garcia of Pi Kappa Phi were banquet co-chairs.

The Morgans, who are long-time supporters of Northwestern State, created the scholarships to recognize members of Sigma Sigma Sigma and Pi Kappa Phi who are committed to going the “Extra Mile” to achieve success. Recipients of First Generation Scholarships are the first in their immediate families to attend college.  Members participate in an application process that is reviewed by chapter alumni before selections are made. Since 2018, the Morgans have awarded more than $96,000 in student scholarships.

This year’s Tri Sigma members awarded First Generation Scholarships are Kristen Breedlove of Campti, Shelby Cambre of Livingston, Courtney Chancellor of Gray, Katie Cole of Campti, Kelsi Horn of Many, Lauren Knight of Haughton, Bailee Rattanachai of Haughton, Brette Reaux of Youngsville and Katelyn Stevens of Minden.  

Members of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity awarded the Morgan First Generation Scholarships were Allen Ashley of Shreveport, Jonathan Castillo of Bossier City, Javier Garcia of Bossier City and Char’Tarian Wilson of Greenwood.

The Sherry F. Morgan Extra Mile Scholarship was established in 2017 and has since awarded more than $20,000 in student scholarships to members of Sigma Sigma Sigma. This year’s recipients were Hannah Angell of Shreveport, Ryann Bizette of Livonia, Elizabeth Blair of Texarkana, Texas; Elizabeth Coleman of Napoleonville, Natalee Cook of Vivian, Cara Davlin of Stonewall, Grace Gosserand of Ventress, Peyton Harville of Bossier City, Katelyn Kennedy of Baker, McKenzie Knotts of Keithville and Emily Miller of Grand Cane.

Haley Sylvester of Baton Rouge was awarded the Lisa Burton Steadfast Scholarship.

Pi Kappa Phi members who were named David D. Morgan Extra Mile Scholars were Trace Anthon of Hammond, Colton Campbell of Coushatta, Andrew Dubriske of Barksdale AFB, Steven Gardner of Benton, Daniel Larin of Little Elm, Texas; Jacob Norris of Monterey, Nicholas Oliveras of Oak Point, Texas, and Aron Stephens of Franklinton.  

David Morgan, a 1973 NSU graduate and alumnus of NSU’s Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, established the Extra Mile Scholarship in 2008 to recognize members of Pi Kappa Phi who distinguish themselves through academic success, chapter leadership, campus involvement and part-time employment. The scholarship has since grown and is awarded at the national level as well as in the local chapter.

The Sherry Fargerson Morgan Extra Mile Scholarship for Sigma Sigma Sigma was announced in 2017 and mirrors the criteria for Pi Kappa Phi by honoring students who are outstanding and high achieving members of the chapter.

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Today “Fear Not” concluded its fifth week of broadcasts on The Journal’s Facebook page.  From the beginning broadcast on Monday, March 23^rd the show has presented encouragement to those feeling stressed or anxious because of the COVID-19 outbreak and the resulting lock down of people and businesses.

Each day a local pastor has brought reassurance from the word of God that we have nothing to fear.  And the program will continue as long as our world has been turned upside down by the invisible enemy in our midst.

Here is your lineup for next week:

Monday, April 27^th – Bro. Richard Kaufman of Martin Baptist Church

Tuesday, April 28^th – Evangelist David Hanna

Wednesday, April 29^th – Will Hall of Abundant Life Worship Center

Thursday, April 30^th – Joey Miller of Victorious Life Ministries

Friday, May 1^st – Bro. Matt Endris of Fairview Baptist Church

The inspirational spark for the program was the words of the angels near Bethlehem who announced the birth of Jesus to the Shepherds.  “Fear Not” they said.  Same assurance came to the women who went to the tomb on Easter morning.  Several pastors who have appeared on the program noted that the term fear not appears 365 times in the Bible.

The Journal thanks the hundreds of people who have watched the broadcasts live each weekday at 8:00 am.  And we also than the many additional folks who have watched archived shows.  Rev. Curtis Carroll, the guest on Thursday, said he appreciates the opportunity to hear from the other pastors in the parish.  “After all on Sunday I am delivering my message.  Other than the community Thanksgiving service or a Sunrise Service I don’t get much opportunity to visit other pastors delivering their sermons.”

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Food distribution for school children in the parish begins on Monday.  The meals are free, however the child and parent must be registered.  And the link to sign up has changed.  The correct link was included in the story The Journal published on Wednesday.  Here it is again:

https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/emf/thsfc/redriveremergencymeals

The Journal is seeking a creative artists to assist in the creation of ads and other graphics.  If you are interested, send The Journal your resume and contact information.  Email it to RedRiverParishJournal@gmail.com.

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Private graveside services for Sylvia Delores Davis, 72, of Coushatta, LA will be held at 10 A.M. Thursday, April 23, 2020 at Bethel Cemetery with Bro. Wiley Cole officiating. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Services under the direction of Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home, Coushatta, LA.

Mrs. Davis was born February 19, 1948 in Coushatta, LA and passed away April 20, 2020.

She was preceded in death by her son, Joseph Daniel Davis; parents, Charlie and Sylvia Layfield.

Mrs. Davis is survived by two sons, Michael S. Davis and wife, Christine of Coushatta, LA and Scotty Davis and wife, Julie of Keithville, LA; eight grandchildren: Brittany Davis, Kirk Davis, Christopher Davis, Austin Busby, Geron Davis, Brennan Busby, Jamison Davis, and Casey Davis; three great-grandchildren: Layla Davis, Aily Quinonez, and Landrri Davis.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Kirk Davis, Austin Busby, Jamison Davis, and Casey Davis and Albert Loftin. Honorary pallbearer will be Christopher Davis.

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EDITOR’S NOTE:  The sign up URL has been changed.  The one in this story is the correct sign up page.

 

Next Monday students in Red River Parish will begin receiving meals delivered to their homes.  The Red River School Board announced the revised program in a message to parents.  The sign-up time is now to be included in the first distribution next Monday.

Red River Parish Public Schools is partnering with the Healthy School Food Collaborative to provide much needed meals to the children in our parish.  This will allow parents to receive meals for your children delivered to your home. This program will take the place of the pick up meals from Red River Elementary School.

If you would like to receive meals at your home for your child/children at no cost, please sign up using the following link.

https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/emf/thsfc/redriveremergencymeals

If you do not have access to a cell phone or internet, we, at the board office can assist you.  Please call between 8-10 am on Monday or Tuesday at the Red River Parish Public School Board office and we will assist you as much as possible.  The office number is 318-271-3148 or you can e-mail Katie Bethard at kbethard@rrbulldogs.com.

Last week the school system passed out lunches for a week at Red River Elementary.  The board then partnered with Healthy School Food Collaborative to begin food distribution next Monday.  The meals will be distributed to families in the parish as no cost.  And they will be delivered to the student’s home.

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The Healthy School Food Collaborative is the group that will be supplying meals to school children here in Red River Parish.  The Journal spoke with Executive Director James Graham.  He described the group as a non-profit organization that has been operating nearly seven years, mostly in the New Orleans area.  Graham said they mostly did summer feeding programs for school children.

“But this COVID-19 virus has opened up more opportunities for us,” said Graham.  Here is the  description of their feeding program posted on the THSFC website:

“The Healthy School Food Collaborative provides management and consulting services to single and multi-site charter and private school child nutrition programs.  We assist schools in becoming their own School Food Authority and relieve them of the regulatory and administrative burdens that are part of all school food programs.

“Is your school district or school feeling the impact that COVID-19 has on students who depend on receiving nutritious meals at school?  Do you need help setting up a compliant emergency school food program and distribution plan so that your students continue to receive nutritious meals in alternative ways?” said the website.

Graham told The Journal this is the first occasion he has had to work with Red River Schools.  He said, “We will be distributing shelf stable foods.  We’ll have seven day’s worth of meals I one packet.  There will be seven meals.  We will provide the food transportation and distribution.”

Graham said they will begin distributing meals in Winn parish on Friday and in Jackson parish next week.

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Last Saturday afternoon Abundant Life Worship Center fed our community.  Pastor Will Hall said, “There wasn’t anything left.  We actually had people we had to turn away.”

The church partnered with the York Chop to provide 320 meals of bar-b-que sandwiches, beans and potato salad. 

Volunteers met people as they drove into the church parking lot on Ashland Road.  Pastor Hall was seen wearing an Incredible Hulk mask that belonged to one of his children.  Hall said, “The kids wore all of mine earlier, so I grabbed one of theirs!”

As people drove through the covered area between the worship center and gymnasium they were presented with a meal for four.  After the distribution Hall commented simply, “God is good.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health on Monday issued a revised order for medical and surgical procedures. This guidance is necessary during a public health emergency to preserve personal protective equipment, to properly utilize hospital staffing and to ensure adequate hospital bed capacity. “Health care facilities play a critical role in responding to COVID-19 and helping people be their healthiest,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “We are quite some time away from returning to normal, but this is a step in the right direction.”

The revised guidance, which goes into effect April 27, states medical and surgical procedures shall only be performed under the following conditions:

• in order to treat an emergency medical condition; 
• to avoid further harms from an underlying condition or disease; 
• and for time sensitive conditions.  

Additionally, the order states dental visits, procedures and surgeries shall only be performed under the following conditions:

• in order to treat an emergency medical condition; 
• to avoid further harms from an underlying condition or disease; 
• and for time sensitive dental conditions.  

Before facilities perform any procedure, each much have a plan in place to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms or test if possible; to ensure adequate physical distance between patients; must have a five-day minimum supply of PPE available; and must follow additional guidance outlined in the order.

The previous order allowed surgeries only for emergency medical conditions. 

This order does not mean that all containment measures can be lifted across all facilities and specialties.

Healthcare services other than medical and surgical procedures should continue to happen via telehealth when medically appropriate.

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By Brad Dison

In the 1960s and 1970s, everyone, it seemed, was interested in the space program.  With Sputnik, the Russians put the first artificial satellite into orbit around the Earth.  A Russian cosmonaut became the first human to journey into outer space.  American astronauts, not to be outdone by the Russians, accepted the challenge with the creation of NASA, and made many firsts in the space race including the first photographs of the Earth from space and the first spacewalk.  President John F. Kennedy pledged “before the decade is out of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth,” a feat Americans accomplished in July 1969.  The space race continued in the 1970s with astronauts and cosmonauts making several trips to the Moon.  

The excitement of the space program in the 1960s and 1970s was waning in the 1980s.  Television stations no longer interrupted regular scheduled programming with rocket or space shuttle launches, transmissions from space, or landings.  For many people, space exploration had become boring.  Children, especially, had a hard time relating to and even understanding the tedious technical jargon the astronauts used.  NASA searched for ways to boost children’s interest in space exploration and the space program.  

On November 10, 1969, PBS began airing Sesame Street, a children’s educational television series which featured interactions between Muppets and humans.  Big Bird has been a featured character on Sesame Street since its debut.  The popularity of Sesame Street soared.  The show’s audience grew to include people in about 150 countries.  Children all over the world recognized and loved Big Bird.     

In the early 1980s, a representative of NASA contacted Caroll Spinney, the man who performed Big Bird from 1969 to 2018.  NASA proposed that they send Caroll along with the Big Bird costume into orbit around the Earth.  The plan was for Big Bird to make a worldwide television broadcast from space.  Big Bird would be and “outer-space ambassador to children all over the world.”  Caroll talked the proposition over with Debra Gilroy, his wife and manager.  They both agreed that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that he could not pass up.  “All kids loved Big Bird,” Caroll later explained, “but not all kids loved NASA.  It’s not as exciting as ‘Star Wars’.”  Return of the Jedi, the third installment in the Star Wars franchise, was playing in theaters when Nasa representatives contacted Caroll.  After their short discussion, Caroll and Debra decided that Big Bird would go into space.

Scientists at NASA began working on the logistics of putting Big Bird into orbit.  NASA faced two challenges with this plan; Caroll would have to undergo extensive training at NASA, and the scientists would have to get the 8-foot 2-inch Big Bird costume to fit into the storage compartments of the space shuttle.  Caroll recalled that “the space shuttle was like being in two vans put together.  There’s not a lot of room.”  Scientists used a mockup of the space shuttle and filled it with mock ups of all of the experiments and equipment that would be aboard on the mission.  Finally, they looked for room to store the Big Bird costume.  Scientists rearranged as much as possible on the shuttle but eventually concluded that the Big Bird costume was just too large to fit in the cramped storage spaces on the space shuttle.  NASA cancelled Big Bird’s trip into space.

NASA scientists eventually decided on a different program called Teacher in Space.  They reviewed applications from over 11,000 teachers and selected a Social Studies teacher from Concord, New Hampshire, called Christa McAuliffe.  On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger lifted off from the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida.  73 Seconds into the flight, the space shuttle disintegrated and killed everyone on board including Christa McAuliffe, Big Bird’s replacement.               

Sources:

The Alexandria Town Talk, January 3, 1986, p.39.

Florida Today, January 29, 1986, p.1.

Hartford Courant, June 10, 2015, p.D1.

“John F. Kennedy ‘Landing a Man on the Moon’ Address to Congress – May 25, 1961.” Video, 3:46. https://youtu.be/TUXuV7XbZvU. 

I Am Big Bird: the Caroll Spinney Story. Directed by Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker. New York City, New York: Copper Pot Pictures, 2015

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Ryder Huddleston and Jace Wilhite represented Riverdale in the first MSAIS E-Sports Tournament featuring Fortnite’s creative mode. The tournament was a 1 vs 1 single elimination with games being played in the best 2 out of 3 style. The competition was broadcast live on the MSAIS Twitch account.

Ryder won his first game and made it to the second round of play before being eliminated. Jace made it to the semi-final game against Layton Bays of Claiborne where he fell short of a win.  Bays became the 2A champion.

All the competitors played great games! They are excited about future e-sports events hosted by MSAIS.

Spring sports in all schools have been cancelled by the Governor’s Executive Order closing public schools due to the COVID-19 virus.  So students and educators are working up new and creative ways to engage students in online competition.

The MAIS, of which Riverdale is a member has not cancelled all of its spring sports.  A notice put out last week by MAIS said they hoped that some sports could be resumed at a later date.

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A June date has been set for the ACT test.  Red River High posted:

Attention all Red River High School Juniors and Seniors:

The ACT will be given at Red River High School on Tuesday, June 2nd, at no charge for all Red River High School Juniors and Seniors.  Please email kwren@rrbulldogs.com to put your name on the list.  

Seniors, due to Governor John Bel Edwards’s suspension of the April ACT deadline to qualify for TOPS without penalty until September 30, you have a great opportunity to qualify for either TOPS TECH or TOPS dependent upon your score.  A score of 17 is needed to qualify for TOPS TECH and a 20 to qualify for TOPS for the upcoming Fall semester. 

This ACT is also a great opportunity for Juniors who are interested in taking dual enrollment college classes during their senior year of high school.  Incoming seniors must have a qualifying ACT score to take dual enrollment.  

Those students who take the full ACT prior to September 2020 will have the opportunity to only focus and take only one section of the test on a national testing date at a time. Please plan taking advantage of this educational opportunity.

We will be providing breakfast at 7am for everyone who is testing and a snack during the scheduled break of the test.

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At a recent Covid-19 press conference Gov. John Bel Edwards proclaimed that Louisianans were just going to have to accept “living in a new normal” for an indefinite period of time. An April 16^th CNN online column declared that “the new normal” would include mass temperature checks, mandatory use of face masks, and admitted Orwellian government monitoring of cellphone locations in the guise of protecting public health.  The World Health Organization also continues to push this narrative with WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom stating that his organization was focused on seeing that “communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to adjust to the new normal.”

While there is no doubt that the Covid-19 virus has disrupted our lives and created a great deal of angst and anxiety about the days to come, we must be vigilant in seeing that our future as a state and nation is shaped and defined by “We the People” and not by government bureaucrats, liberal pundits, or power-hungry politicians. Last week President Trump released his guidelines for Opening Up America Again, a three-phase plan based on facts and verifiable data designed to re-start the economy and restore our personal liberties in a manner that also protects public health.

In my opinion, Governor Edwards has thus far shown impressive leadership ability and has done a good job of keeping the public informed about the impacts of this devastating viral outbreak on our state. The drastic measures initially undertaken to “flatten the curve” have been successful, and we are now in a position to adopt President Trump’s recommendations and begin opening up Louisiana again before our state economy plunges to a depth from which it may never recover. The time to act is now, and I strongly encourage the governor to let his Stay at Home Executive Order expire on April 30^th and allow local officials to determine the best course of action for their parish or municipality.   

So what is the new normal going to look like for District 22? I hope it looks a lot like the old normal – only better. I am a firm believer in American ingenuity, perseverance, and self-reliance. I believe that the pioneer spirit that drove our forefathers across the high seas in pursuit of freedom, liberty, and equality still lives in our hearts and minds. I believe the words spoken by President Truman following the end of WW2 still ring true today – “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”

I pray that this deadly virus will be eradicated from our land, as I pray that we will be united with an iron will and unwavering resolve to move forward not with a spirit of fear, but with a spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. I am looking forward to returning to the old normal and to the simple things citizens of District 22 enjoy so much – things like a cup of coffee with the Urania Knotheads, lunch at Red River Livestock in Coushatta, fried catfish at Lakewood Inn on Black Lake, strolling down Front Street in Natchitoches, little league baseball in Pollock, and worshipping our Sovereign God in church with friends and family.        

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National Library Week is April 19th through April 25th.  The American Library Association’s (ALA) theme for 2020 is ”Find Your Place at the Library.”  Libraries may be closed right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing, but it is still possible for you to check out library books–technically speaking, ebooks.  No face masks are required when visiting your library online!

In case you didn’t know it, your school library has a few ebooks.  To access your school library’s ebooks, go to https://gofollett.com.  Select your state, school, and log in with your student email username (the part before the @) and your student email password.  Set your search options ebook and your filter format to Follett ebook. Once you find the ebook that you want to read, click on the Checkout button.  To read checked out books on your device, download the Destiny Read App and log in. Your ebook will download automatically.

Red River students also have access to World Book Online at https://www.worldbookonline.com/.  Login and start exploring the online encyclopedia.  Be sure to scroll down and click on the World Book Products link in the bottom left corner of the web page to see all of the other resources that are available, including ebooks that you can read while online!  

If you need help with logging into your school library or World Book Online, email your school librarian:

Red River Elementary School, Regina Lawson, rlawson@rrbulldogs.com

Red River Junior & Senior High Schools, Donna Prosperie, dprosperie@rrbulldogs.com

You can find a larger selection of ebooks, including audio books and movies, on your local parish library’s website at https://greengoldlibraries.overdrive.com/.  Just sign in by selecting your library (Red River Parish Library) and entering your Card Number.  You can read the ebooks on your device through the Overdrive App or send it to your Kindle/Kindle App.

You also have access to other online resources through the State Library of Louisiana at http://lalibcon.state.lib.la.us/.

Need help thinking of a book to read?  Check out the book recommendations on the Summer Reading Lists and the Award Winners found on your school library’s web page at https://rrbulldogs.follettdestiny.com.

So, Find Your Place at the Library by bringing the Library to Your Place!

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Riverdale Academy posted this reminder to seniors:

By submitting your #FAFSA, you can find out if you qualify for federal and state aid to help you cut costs for college.

It’s also the application for TOPS!

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The folks at the local 4-H office are grateful to those who help them present their program to school children.  They said, “We have SO many volunteers to thank in Red River Parish. Shooting sports, foundation, livestock, junior leaders, school clubs, camp counselors, drivers, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, community members, the list goes on and on!!!

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to you all!!!!!”

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The National Weather Service predicted severe thunderstorms will develop late Wednesday morning and will move across our region through late Wednesday night. In addition, heavy rainfall with a threat for flash flooding will be possible across the pictured Flash Flood Watch area.  See map below.

Red River Schools are seeking Principal and Assistant Principal applicants.  Go to RR Bulldogs.com to apply.  Application deadline is April 27^th.

A pair of Louisiana Tech students have been selected to compete in “Ignite the Night,” a virtual event by NASA’s iTech team that invites innovators and enthusiasts to meet NASA, learn more about its iTech program, and present an idea on stage to an esteemed panel of NASA’s Center Chief Technologists, industry experts, and investors.

The Tech presentation is one of only 10 finalists selected.  The event is Wednesday, April 22^nd.

Tech submitted a proposal and was chosen to be part of the competition that NASA designed to create another opportunity for the agency to connect with innovators and enthusiasts directly. For Tech, this represents a public forum where significant research being conducted by investigators can receive national attention.  AJ McFarland and Chris Miller recently developed antimicrobial/antiviral medical textile that can be used for filtration of the air as well as used in N95 masks; these masks are what medical staffs are wearing to protect them from Covid-19. Miller will make the actual presentation.

Any Red River High seniors that need transcripts sent to colleges for admissions please email Mr. Wren, kwren@rrbulldogs.com with Transcript in the subject line. Tell him exactly what you need and where you need to send it. Final report cards and transcripts will not be available until after May 11th.

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