The Town of Coushatta’s curfew has been lifted on May 15, 2020 at 5:00 AM. The Curfew was put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in conjunction with the governor’s Stay At Home Order.
The Stay at Home Order has also expired. Everyone should still continue to practice social distancing.
Mayor Johnny Cox
Traffic in Coushatta is being routed around East Carroll Street in front of the old elementary school. A cave-in occurred yesterday and repairs are underway today.
There are detour signs up at Front Street by the Methodist Church. Other detour signs are up just past the 4-way stop at the foot of the Red River bridge. Traffic is being routed on Ringgold Avenue until repairs are completed.
That stretch of US 84/East Carroll has seen several cave ins that necessitated sewer line repairs in the past few years.
Governor John Bel Edwards formally declared that Louisiana will enter into Phase One of its Roadmap to a Resilient Louisiana on Friday, May 15, when the Stay at Home order will be lifted and more businesses will be allowed to open with strict social distancing, enhanced sanitation and required masks for employees helping the public.
The order specifies that Louisianans should still stay at home as much as possible to avoid unnecessary exposure to COVID-19. People who are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should still stay at home unless they are traveling outside of the home for an essential activity, like obtaining food, medicine or medical care. Read the full proclamation below.
“Thanks to the hard work of the people of Louisiana under the Stay at Home order, we have seen declining new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. This, coupled with increased testing and contact tracing capacity, is what is allowing us to move to Phase One on Friday. This is not mission accomplished or a victory against COVID-19, but it is a positive and hopeful move for Louisiana,” Gov. Edwards said. “While this a step forward for our state, I want to encourage the public and business owners to proceed cautiously and to take the necessary steps to protect themselves, including wearing a protective face covering like a cloth mask when they are in public, keeping social distance from people outside of their households and practicing good hygiene.”
Major changes in the new order include expanding the types of businesses that can now operate and the specific types of businesses that are limited to 25 percent of occupancy and require strict social distancing.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Louisiana Department of Health have issued guidance for churches and different types of businesses to help them enter Phase One in a way that ensures they operate safely and at the maximum level allowed.
With the exception of gaming establishments and shopping malls, no church leader or business owner is required to register or to get approval of their opening plans in advance. Registering for the Open Safely site is not required to reopen, but it is encouraged as it will allow businesses and churches to get the latest information quickly.
Phase One guidance will allow essential businesses as defined by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), to remain open. Non-essential businesses (sometimes called “gray area” businesses) and churches may remain open at 25 percent of their occupancy. Further, churches and restaurants, cafes and coffee shops may continue to conduct outdoor service not limited by 25 percent of indoor capacity so long as strict social distancing is practiced. All business owners should read the order to understand which category their business falls into.
New types of businesses that may open beginning on May 15, with 25 percent occupancy limits, sanitation guidelines and spacing for physical distancing include:
Casinos and video poker establishments may open on May 18, at 25 percent occupancy and with 50 percent of their gaming positions, spaced out to allow for social distancing and with enhanced sanitation. Gaming facilities must have a plan approved by the Gaming Control Board prior to reopening.
The following businesses remain closed: massage establishments and spas, tattoo parlors, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, trampoline parks, arcades, fairs, bars and breweries without LDH food permits, pool halls, bowling alleys, contact sports, children’s play centers, playgrounds, theme parks, adult entertainment venues, and other similar businesses.
In a separate order, the Governor extended legal deadlines that had previously been delayed in March. The order also suspended other provisions necessary to respond to this disaster. These deadlines, including the moratorium on evictions, will continue until June 5.
The number of COVID-19 cases in the parish continues to creep upward. There are now 38 confirmed cases, up two from last week. There have been six deaths attributed to the virus.
The Louisiana Department of Health has updated its website to reflect the latest number of COVID-19 positives and will continue to update its website at noon each day. There have been 33,489 cases reported of which 22,608 are presumed to have recovered. There have been 2,351 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
Thursday, the Department reported 827 new cases, of which 609 came from labs that are new to reporting. These labs previously have not reported and are now reporting all their historic lab results electronically.
This means 218 of the 827 new cases came from the rest of the regular reporting across the state.
Demographic breakdown on COVID-19 deaths indicated 56.07% were Black and 41.21% were White. 54.46% were male and 45.02% female. As for underlying conditions in the death rate, Hypertension leads with 5342%, Diabetes33.14%, while Cardiac Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease and Obesity each had about 18%.
Nursing homes and other adult residential facilities
COVID-19 cases have been reported by 197 nursing homes and 77 other adult residential facilities in Louisiana. A total of 3,840 COVID-19 cases have been reported among residents of nursing homes, and a total of 501 COVID-19 cases have been reported among residents of other adult residential facilities. A total of 863 COVID-19 deaths have been reported among residents of nursing homes, and 58 COVID-19 deaths have been reported among residents of other adult residential facilities. There are 279 licensed and certified nursing homes and 157 adult residential care providers in Louisiana.
The Department will update the number of adult residential facilities with COVID-19 cases, the number of residents who are confirmed to have COVID-19 and the number of deaths among these residents on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Northwestern State University is joining sister schools in the University of Louisiana System in planning a return to face-to-face instruction for the Fall 2020 semester. NSU, along with other institutions, is designing plans specific to the NSU community that prioritize the health and safety of students, faculty and staff and the university’s educational mission.
“We have missed the usual activity that normally takes place on our campus. We are looking forward to welcoming students back to campus as appropriate safeguards and health measures are implemented to ensure the health and welfare of our personnel, which remains the university’s highest priority,” said NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio.
“Throughout this event our member institutions have prioritized safety and learning. Those will remain our chief considerations as we begin the process of re-populating our campuses,” UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson said. “The university experience is more than just attending class and we are optimistic, with the right safeguards in place and following the guidance of health experts, that we will be able to safely return to campus in August.”
Maggio announced a phased return to campus for employees beginning Monday, May 18 to bring back personnel in a limited capacity, including protocols for maintaining social distancing. During the stay-at-home order, faculty and staff worked remotely to help students complete the semester and the university presented a virtual graduation May 8. While the campus was mostly empty, administrators worked to ensure that buildings and facilities are ready for reopening.
“Red River Sanitors has conducted thorough cleaning and sanitization of all restrooms and public areas throughout the campus in recent weeks,” Maggio said. “The Physical Plant staff is working to install glass and plexiglass barriers in high traffic areas of the Student Services and WRAC facilities and will have these projects completed over the next few weeks. Hand sanitizer stations have also been placed in high traffic areas. Elevators will have limited occupancy of two passengers at a time.”
Last month UL System Board Chair Mark Romero appointed an ad hoc committee on post-pandemic operations who will meet later this month to discuss returning to campus and review System-level guidelines to assist universities in transitioning to more normal operations.
“Our universities have been in lock-step through the interruptions we experienced the past couple of months,” Henderson said. “This systemic coordination is beneficial to students, faculty, staff and the state as a whole.”
The System’s guidelines will address the re-populating of campuses based on external and internal conditions including segmenting return by waves; testing requirements; increased hygiene; communication practices; and distancing protocols.
The Coushatta Town Council met Tuesday evening. The agenda consisted of only routine business. Only a required majority of council members attended and some of them and the Mayor wore masks to cover their faces. They maintained at least 6-foot spacing during the meeting.
The town approved selection of the Coushatta Citizen as the town’s Official Journal. Note that the Citizen is the only publication in Red River Parish that meets the requirements in state law to be the official journal.
And the Town Council voted to pay the town’s bills for the month.
Police Chief Kevin Stafford reported that the town is following the Governor’s model for reopening. Stafford said, “We still have numbers that are spiking.” He said care would be taken to assure the public’s safety.
Currently the town is under an 8:00 pm until 6:00 am curfew each night. There was no mention of the curfew during the town council meeting. The Journal inquired of several city staffers and the response was that a decision has not been made on changing or lifting the curfew. The parish-wide curfew in Natchitoches ended this morning (May 15th) at 5:00 am.
Information from the US Bureau of the Census indicated that Red River Parish trails most of the state in responding to the 2020 Census. The estimate is that only about a third of parish residents have filled out census information.
Louisiana is doing better overall with just over half of residents completing the census. The state rate of return is 53.4%. The Red River Parish rate is 37.2%. The national response rate is just under 60%.
That means only one in three Red River residents are being counted. The census is mandated by the US Constitution. And data collected is used to allocate funding to many state and federal programs. It also is used to allocate members of the US Congress and the Louisiana House and Senate. A more detailed look at the effects of a correct and complete census count were included in the March 27th issue of The Journal:
https://redriverparishjournal.com/2020/03/27/answer-the-census-questionnaire/
Residents who have not completed their census questionnaire will be contacted by the Census Bureau to see that they get counted in the 2020 Census.
The Pine Belt Multi-Purpose agency will distribute food boxes on Monday.
Ellen Clark called from Pine Belt to ask The Journal to alert everyone that the boxes will be given out from their facility in the Fairgrounds beginning at 10:30 am Monday. The boxes come from the food bank in Shreveport.
Clark said, “The boxes are for people who have already signed up for our distribution program.” She added, “Just stay in your car and someone will bring the box to you.”
Everyone loves a parade. But how do you pull off a parade these days, with all the social distancing and other situations we find ourselves in? Amanda Cannon has found a way.
Green Meadow Haven will hold a parade, or a series of parades, for their residents on Monday and Tuesday. Friends and families of residents are invited to take part.
Cannon said family members and friends will line up at Dairy Queen and drive through the Green Meadow Haven parking lot. They will go under the breezeway where residents will be waiting on the sidewalk. Then they will drive out the other side of the parking lot and be on their way.
The parade for residents living on the 100 and 200 hallway will be Monday afternoon. Residents on halls 300 and 400 will have their parade Tuesday afternoon. See the complete instructions on the parades below.
You may have noticed that the Sheriff’s Arrest Report for this week (published in Wednesday, May 13th Journal) included an additional charge placed against Steve Weir. He was charged with violation of a protective order and bond was set at $5,000.
Weir is a former local high school coach who was arrested last July. Here are the charges against Weir at that time: Steven Pierce Weir…was booked into the Red River Parish Jail on the following charges: Molestation of a Juvenile (25 counts), Prohibited Sexual Contact between an Educator and a Student (60 counts) and one count each of Extortion, Computer Aided Solicitation of Minor and Cyberstalking. (The Journal July 30, 2019)
The Journal asked Sheriff Glen Edwards to clarify the latest arrest. Sheriff Edwards response to the question follows: While incarcerated Weir made prohibited contact with an individual directly related to the pending case.
This week Bro. Harry Bamburg posted that Liberty Baptist Church will be assembling beginning Sunday.
Bamburg said, “Just a reminder to all Liberty Church people. On May 17th we will have Sunday School at 9:45 and worship at 11. We will practice safe distance and feel free to wear a mask if you wish. Please refrain from handshakes and hugs at this time. I love each of you and do not want anyone to be at risk.
“Sunday night and wed night will resume at their regular times also. Please pass on to members that may not have social media.
“If you feel like it’s in your best interest not to attend at this time due to the dangers of infection, I understand and want you to be safe. If you have any questions please feel free to call or text me.”
Bro. Colin Wimberly told The Journal that New Life Church at Hall Summit will continue to offer drive-up worship services. Wimberly said their building near the walking track in Hall Summit is too small to accommodate their congregation if they have to social distance.
Fairview Baptist Church is bringing their Sunday service back inside their facility. Youth Pastor Josh Terry said they will originate the worship service in the sanctuary with families sitting at least 6 feet apart. The service will be streamed to their fellowship hall and gymnasium to accommodate additional worshipers.
Cowboy Church plans to return to their arena for Sunday services. Interim Pastor Randall Beason appeared on The Journal’s Fear Not morning show this week. He said they have plenty of room in the arena for “Church in the Dirt.”
Let the Journal know how your house of worship is adjusting to the Governor’s proclamation lifting the Stay at Home order and easing of restrictions on churches, restaurants and other public gatherings. Email us at RedRiverParishJournal@gmail.com
On Wednesday, May 13th, District 22 Representative Gabe Firment commented on reform legislation now before the legislature:
Louisiana House and Senate committees voted yesterday to send nearly identically worded tort reform bills to the full House and Senate. Passing this important legislation will put money back into the pockets of Louisiana families and small businesses, and is an important step in economic recovery from Covid-19 and the steep decline in the price of oil and gas.
Louisianans pay roughly $2,200 each year to cover their cars, second only to Michigan. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon predicted the measure would cut rates by as much as 25 percent, though not immediately.
“Fear Not” is a daily inspirational program produced by The Journal. It airs live on Facebook at 8:00 am. Here is the lineup of local pastors scheduled for next week
Monday May 18 – Richard Kaufmann of Martin Baptist Church
Tuesday May 19 – Bubba Mills of Clara Springs Camp
Wednesday May 20 – William Hall of Abundant Life
Thursday May 21 – Ashanti Cole of Freedom Worship Center
Friday May 22 – Bro. Lee Rogers
From Red River High School: Report Cards where mailed out for 9-11th grade students and you should have received them by now with a letter explaining 4th nine weeks grades and if you were failing what you must do by June 30th in order to change your Incomplete into a passing grade. If you have not received them by Monday the 18th please call the school and we will send out a new one.
Final Report Cards for all Seniors will be mailed out Friday Morning. If any senior needs anything else we will be back at school Monday-Thursday 8am-3pm. Please call prior to coming to set up appointment, most needs can be handled over the phone or by email.
Obituary
June 4, 1959 to May 6, 2020
Graveside service will be 12 noon, Saturday, May 16, 2020 at Springville Cemetery. Open visitation will be from 10 to 4 p.m., Friday at Heavenly Gates.
Louisiana will move to Phase One under the White House COVID-19 guidance this Friday, May 15, which removes the Stay at Home order for Louisianans and allows additional businesses to open under strict occupancy, protection and social distancing guidelines, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Monday. High risk individuals should continue to stay at home, except for essential activities, like getting food or medical care.
Gov. Edwards outlined the first phase of the Roadmap to a Resilient Louisiana, which adopts every major recommendation of the White House plan in Phase One. The Governor also highlighted data that shows that the Stay at Home order improved Louisiana’s overall situation in relation to new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
Louisiana meets the statewide threshold criteria from the White House related to declining COVID-like symptoms, new cases and hospitalizations. In addition, testing and contact tracing are ramping up, which further supports the decision to go to Phase One.
“Because of the Stay at Home order, Louisianans were able to dramatically improve our trajectory, reduce the number of new cases, keep our health care system from being overrun and save lives. It is because of this hard work that I, in consultation with public health experts and business and industry leaders, feel confident that all across the state we can move forward with entering into Phase One. Because we meet the White House statewide threshold criteria, starting on Friday, additional businesses may open with reasonable limitations to ensure safety for their employees and their customers,” Gov. Edwards said. “Louisianans who are at high risk of dying from COVID-19, including the elderly, residents of long-term care facilities and those with poor control of certain illnesses, should continue to stay at home and only leave their homes only for essential reasons, like seeking medical care, going to an essential job or getting food.”
“Right now, the data shows improvement, and we also now have a much more robust testing and contract tracing program underway, which will allow us to better identify cases and isolate those who may have been infected. However, we are not out of the woods and if we see a dramatic spike in cases, we may have to increase restrictions. Our lives will not go back to normal for some time,” Gov. Edwards said. “I know this has been a trying time for our people, our churches and our businesses, and I am truly grateful for the continued adherence to mitigation measures designed to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and saving lives. Louisianans are a remarkably strong and resilient people, and by working together, we will continue to protect each other and our state.”
Gov. Edwards will issue an updated proclamation, the Roadmap to a Resilient Louisiana: Phase One, on Thursday, May 14 that removes the Stay at Home order for Louisianans, encouraging people who are at a higher risk of becoming ill from COVID-19 to continue to Stay at Home. However, all individuals are still Safer at Home and should limit their exposure to the novel coronavirus when in public by wearing a facial covering like a cloth mask, practicing good hygiene, including frequent handwashing, and maintaining at least six feet of social distance from people who are not in their households.
The Governor’s order will detail categories of businesses that can be open and those which must remain closed. All non-essential Phase One businesses and churches will be limited to 25 percent of their total occupancy, which meets the White House Guidance for Phase One that calls for “strict” social distancing measures. All Phase One businesses and churches must have their employees who deal with the public in face coverings or cloth masks and enforce social distancing.
The 25 percent occupancy rate is based on the advice of public health officials who recommend that people generally have 110 square feet around them. This occupancy capacity includes customers and employees.
The State Fire Marshal and the Louisiana Department of Health will continue issuing guidance to different types of businesses about Phase One in the coming days, in order to ensure that businesses and churches can safely operate to the maximum level allowed in Phase One. Business owners and faith leaders can register at OpenSafely.la.gov to receive this guidance, which will also be placed online.
With the exception of gaming establishments, no church leader or business owner is required to register or to get approval of their opening plans in advance. Registering for the Open Safely site is not required to reopen, but it is encouraged as it will allow businesses and churches to get the latest information quickly.
Phase One guidance will allow essential businesses, as defined by CISA, to remain open. Non-essential businesses (sometimes called “gray area” businesses) and places of worship may remain open at 25 percent of their occupancy. All business owners should read the order to understand which category their business falls into.
New types of businesses that may open beginning on May 15, with 25 percent occupancy limits, sanitation guidelines and spacing for physical distancing include:
The following businesses remain closed: massage establishments and spas, tattoo parlors, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, trampoline parks, arcades, fairs, bars and breweries without LDH food permits, pool halls, contact sports, children’s play centers, playgrounds, theme parks, adult entertainment venues, and other similar businesses.
All business owners should review the updated order, which will be formally issued on Thursday, to understand if their business can be open as of May 15.
State buildings will begin to be open to the public on May 15 at 25 percent occupancy and state agencies are directed to continue to bring more state employees back to work in person, with proper distancing and protections in place. In line with the White House Phase One guidance, all employers that care are encouraged to continue to allow their employees to work remotely where possible, and to plan to space out their employees, close communal spaces, require face coverings like masks and increase sanitation protocols when employees do return to the office.
Governor John Bel Edwards is relaxing his orders aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in Louisiana. Here are the numbers for Red River Parish.
The number of cases reported among parish residents is 36. That has been steady for almost a week. Also the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus is put at 6. That number has not increased recently.
From Librarian Trey Lewis
The governor has decided to allow Louisiana to enter phase one of the reintegration. What that means is the library will be opening soon. If nothing changes we will open to the public on Wednesday May 20th.
Some changes will be in effect to try and mitigate any chances of spreading the Covid virus. We will be limiting numbers inside the library at any given time. We will be suspending the use of the meeting room in the short term. Due to the close nature of seating and the crowds involved, summer reading program will be suspended this summer.
All staff will wear masks for your safety, and we ask the public do the same out of courtesy to everyone. If you need copies a staff member will assist you in making them.
Also computer access will be spaced to allow for proper distancing and workstations will be sanitized after each use. Some of these restrictions will be inconvenient but are a necessary evil at this time and we hope they will be a short lived.
We are looking forward to serving the people of Red River Parish again. It’s been a long night but hopefully we are seeing a little light again. Stay safe and we will see you soon.
Churches in Red River Parish are reading over the latest changes to the Stay at Home order to decide when and how they will be able to once again offer services in their sanctuary. Here is the latest information available to The Journal.
At Cowboy Church they began to gather last Sunday. The church posted, “Church in the dirt was fantastic Sunday! If you missed it, join us next week! We have park-and-worship available too! Thank you to all of our leadership team that made this possible!”
Bro. James Hester’s church family is going inside. Social Springs Baptist Church will be holding Sunday services in our sanctuary this Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 11am and 6pm. All necessary precautions will be taken for the health and safety of all who attend. Also, we will continue to stream our services on Facebook for those who are at-risk and/or unable to attend.
First Methodist and Wesley Chapel United Methodist Churches held their first drive-up churches. Members parked near the church and listened to Pastor Curtis Carroll on their vehicles radio. Meanwhile Methodist Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey has put out a video urging the church to delay reopening until Pentecost. Harvey said she relies on the rule of “do no harm” in deciding to wait two more weeks until the end of May.
Abundant Life Worship Center gathered in the large parking lot in front of their church last Sunday morning. People worshiped from their cars.
This Sunday is memorial day for Hickory Grove Baptist!!!k. The church posted, “As of right now I have not been told that we will be having Church Service (I will definitely let ya’ll know when I know).”
Donations to the cemetery can be sent to:
Hickory Grove Cemetery
6149 Hwy 784
Coushatta, LA 71019
By Brad Dison
Leland was a young and inexperienced newspaper reporter for the Houston Press. Leland was awestruck by the Houston Press’s senior crime reporter Harry McCormick. Dressed in the oft romanticized reporter style with his pressed suits and tilted fedora press hat, Harry went to great lengths to get a story. Leland always kept a watchful eye on Harry so that he could learn how to become a great reporter himself.
One night, Harry invited Leland out for a beer after work. Hungry for any opportunity to advance his reporting career, Leland gladly accepted. Although there were plenty of local places to have a beer, Harry drove them far out of town. They eventually reached their destination, “a sleezy speakeasy behind an even sleezier grocery, if you can believe it.” Harry warned Leland to keep his eyes open and his mouth shut no matter what transpired. Harry and Leland walked into the speakeasy and sat at a small table. After a few minutes, a man wearing old, dirty overalls and an old, crushed felt hat, sat down at their table. The man greeted Harry and gave Leland a nod. The man looked Harry and Leland over but “said virtually nothing.” The man sat for just a minute or two before he got up and left the speakeasy. A few minutes later, at Harry’s direction, Harry and Leland also left the speakeasy.
Back in the car, Harry asked Leland, “so, what did you think of him?” “Who?” Leland asked. Harry replied in disbelief, “You didn’t recognize Raymond Hamilton?” Leland was stunned. He and Harry had just sat down with one of the country’s most wanted criminals. Raymond and his associates were responsible for a string of murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, bank robberies, jailbreaks, and car thefts, as well as holdups of grocery stores, gas stations, and various other businesses. Harry warned Leland sternly that he could not tell anyone of their meeting, ever.
Late in the evening of March 18, 1935, just a few days after their meeting, Harry stood on a Houston street corner. Ralph Fultz, one of Raymond’s partners in crime, pulled up beside Harry and forced him at gunpoint into the car. Ralph drove Harry to an undisclosed location where Raymond cautiously waited. For two hours, Raymond told Harry of his various crimes and his close calls. He told Harry of one particular close call when a policeman fired a shotgun at him. He allowed Harry to feel the bullet fragment which was still lodged in his neck near his Adam’s apple. Raymond kidnapped Harry so that the trusted reporter could tell the public the “truth” about Raymond. “I never killed any man,” he claimed. Raymond hoped that this lie would garner some sympathy and make the public less likely to turn him in if they saw him. Following the interview, Raymond and Ralph returned Harry to his car. Before the kidnappers left, Harry had Raymond place his fingerprints on the windshield of his car so he could substantiate his story.
As the sun rose on the morning of March 19, people walking by Harry’s car found Harry bound and gagged. Before Harry allowed anyone to untie him, he made sure someone photographed him bound and gagged. Harry knew the photograph would draw attention to the story. Police verified that the fingerprints on Harry’s windshield were made by Raymond. Harry got the story of his career and newspapers throughout the country ran the story. Raymond’s lie helped him little as police caught up with him a short time after Harry’s interview. On May 10, 1935, Raymond was executed in the electric chair at the Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville, Texas. Raymond Hamilton was a member of the gang most often referred to as Bonnie and Clyde.
Leland kept his word to Harry for over fifty years, but Leland eventually shared his secret. He told of his and Harry’s meeting with Raymond. Leland explained that Harry brought him along to the speakeasy so Harry would have a witness if anything went wrong. He also explained Harry’s kidnapping; “Harry could not interview a criminal on the lam without being guilty of collusion, so he set up his own kidnapping so he could interview one of the countries most feared murderers.”
Leland’s reporting career prospered and he eventually earned the moniker “the most trusted man in America.” He broke the news to America of some of the most memorable moments of the twentieth century including the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, and John Lennon, as well as details of the Vietnam War, the Moon Landing, and a myriad of other important events. For more than fifty years, Leland kept secret his and Harry’s meeting with Raymond Hamilton, as well as the events surrounding Harry’s kidnapping. Leland was the middle name of “the most trusted man in America.” You and I know him as Walter Cronkite.
Sources:
Longview News-Journal, March 19, 1935, p.1.
The Weekly Schuyler Sun, March 21, 1935, p.1.
“Walter Cronkite meets Raymond Hamilton.” Accessed April 27, 2020. https://youtu.be/dS6fFk2hDjQ.
In accordance with Phase One of the state reopening plan, Louisiana Tech University will begin to move toward bringing a limited number of essential employees back onto campus, with a plan of having students, faculty, and staff all back on campus beginning in the Fall 2020 quarter. Classes were moved to an online delivery method beginning March 16. The University acted swiftly as the COVID-19 pandemic hit Louisiana, migrating over 1,700 face-to-face courses online in about 72 hours.
“Our priorities for this phase remain the same as the day we first learned about COVID-19,” said Tech President Dr. Les Guice. “We will continue to innovate and lead in our city, state, and region while maintaining health and safety and helping our students progress toward their academic goals.”
Beginning May 18, Louisiana Tech will begin returning select employees to campus. Louisiana Tech will conduct its first-half and full Summer 2020 session classes online. The University plans to conduct the second half of summer classes with face-to-face instruction. This plan may change, however, depending on how quickly the state enters later phases of the re-opening plan.
“Those who will be returning to campus will be notified by their direct supervisor,” said Adam McGuirt, Director of Disaster Recovery and Strategic Initiatives. “Teleworking will remain mandatory for non-essential personnel except as otherwise directed by supervisors.”
Employees who are considered high-risk or vulnerable to COVID-19 will still be given the opportunity to work from home where possible. While on campus, each employee will be expected to wear a cloth face covering when in public spaces or around others.
“Employees will not have to wear a face covering in a private office, but when they are within six feet of others the covering is strongly encouraged,” McGuirt said.
Bro. Bubba Mills of Clara Springs Baptist Camp reminds you they’re having a Bar-B-Q on Friday afternoon.
Mils asked, “Have you called or emailed your order in? The deadline is Wednesday at noon! Call 318-796-3875 or email mandi@clarasprings.com.
All orders will be TO-GO. You can bring them home or choose a nice place on campus to have a family style picnic. We do ask that you help maintain social distancing!
Red River High is alerting all Seniors and Juniors. If you are still wanting to take the ACT at school on Tuesday, June 2nd at 7:45 am, then you must email Mr. Wren by May 12th at noon to get on that list. Kwren@rrbulldogs.com
Here is the latest status of the Red River boat launches from the Waterway Commission:
***UPDATE 5/11/2020 – North Caddo, Stoner Ave, Teague Parkway, Bishop Point, Coushatta, Red Oak Lake, Grand Ecore, St. Maurice, Natchitoches, Montgomery, Red Bayou, Boyce, Colfax, Fort Buhlow, Poland, Lock & Dam 2, & Brouillette Boat Launches are now open.
All other Boat launches operated by the Red River Waterway Commission are now closed due to high levels. We will be monitoring river levels and update when there is a change.
Governor John Bel Edwards today announced that Louisiana moving to Phase 1 of the White House guidelines for opening America during the COVID-19 pandemic. Edwards spoke this afternoon saying, “After reviewing the data and discussing it with health officials, we are going to move to Phase 1 on Friday, May 15th.”
The next Governor’s Proclamation will be issued on Thursday to take effect on Friday. Edwards said it will last until June 15th. Edwards said, “Although we will lift the Stay at Home order on Friday, until that time it is still in effect. We are trying to strike the right balance between concern for public health and getting More businesses open.”
“The other requirement in moving to Phase 1,” said Edwards, “is based upon testing and contact tracing. We are getting more testing capacity and we will get up to 200,000 tests per month in the state. And we are also expanding the contact tracing capacity.”
Today’s figures from the Louisiana Department of Health indicate that there has not been a new case of COVID-19 reported in Red River Parish in the past few days. There have been 39 cases reported and there have been 6 deaths recorded so far.
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