By Traci Schmidley

Yesterday I had a beautiful conversation with a precious friend. She expressed her fears with me about being labeled a racist and her family being attacked by an angry mob. Her posts tend to voice support for police officers and condemn those who break laws. I was able to share with her of a recent experience of fearing for my daughter’s and my safety at a gas station in a neighboring town because some white men who were probably under the influence made some assumptions about why I have a black daughter and wanted to address my ‘choice of men’ with me. My posts tend to highlight the existence of racism and condemn those who refute it. Her prior experiences lead to fear in one direction, and my prior experiences lead to fear in another.  But neither one of should be living in fear. We should be living in absolute victory in Christ. 

It’s undeniable that in this time Satan is working to stir up racial division in communities across the country. It’s also undeniable that in our specific community the church continues to be largely segregated in the spaces we congregate to worship and fellowship with other believers. 

As a result many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have expressed a lack of opportunity to engage in open, Christ-centered conversations about the fears, anger, hurt and hope we are currently experiencing in our homes with our Christian neighbors of different colors. Often, we, including myself, have minimized our complex emotions, experiences, and realities to mere hashtags and have fed into Satan’s schemes for us to wrap ourselves in pride and center our focus on the chaos and not on Christ. 

My pastor, Tommy Ray Eason, has graciously volunteered to lead an evening of conversation between believers of all colors. On Friday, June 19th, (also known as Juneteenth) we can share, listen, and pray and be reminded of the Word that doesn’t divide us, but binds us. 

I hope we can recognize Satan’s efforts in this arena, and be that much more determined to push back against his work with unity and love. I hope you will come. I am praying you will come. I know Christ will be present, and I am praying He will be exalted. 

Send me a message to RSVP. All are invited. Thank you for sharing.

---

An online virtual funeral for Mary Young Carlisle will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Coushatta, LA with Rev. Dr. Paul “Curtis” Carroll, Jr. officiating.  Interment will follow at Springville Cemetery, Coushatta, LA.

Mary was born January 16, 1929 in Peach, TX, the youngest daughter of Dosia and Church Young.  She passed away peacefully on June 9, 2020, at the age of 91. She had been a resident of Coushatta, LA for over 65 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold Carlisle; her brothers and sisters, Johnny Young, Adelle Proctor, Eris Davis, Virginia McDaniel, Herbert Young, Homer Young; and in-laws, Fred and Leola Carlisle.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Richard Carlisle, his wife, Pam, and their daughter, Natalie of Shreveport, LA; and her daughter, Linda Carlisle, and her long-time partner, Sonu Verghese of Colorado Springs, CO.  Mary also is survived by her sisters-in-law, Gale Young of Avinger, TX and Sue Young of Longview, TX; numerous nieces and nephews; and friends.

Mary graduated from Avinger High School in Avinger, TX in 1946. She married Harold in 1949 and they were married for 66 years before his death in 2016.  She attended East Texas Baptist University, where she studied Education and then finished her degree at Northwestern State University in 1960. She went on to enjoy teaching many elementary students in Coushatta and at Riverdale Academy until her retirement. Mary loved her family, her friends at First United Methodist Church, reading, tending her flowers, and her role in Eastern Star.  She was an active, serving member for over 50 years with Harmony Chapter #6 in Coushatta and made many dear OES friends throughout the state.

Special thanks to Dr. Coleman and Dr. Chico for taking such good care of her and to the staff of Green Meadow Haven, Leshena Taylor, and Kala Hill Sims for all you did to care for her, bring a smile to her face and brighten her day.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jim Bethard, Joe Harris, Marc McDaniel, and Floyd Phillips.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Louisiana United Methodist Children & Family Services and the American Heart Association.

Service will be livestream on Coushatta/Wesley Chapel UMC Facebook page.  

---

A disastrous fire was averted Wednesday night by a passer by who noticed smoke coming from one of the exhaust stacks on top of the York Chop on Ringgold Avenue.  He notified the owners of the restaurant who quickly returned to the business and called the fire department.

Owner Sherrie York said they were lucky, that there was no fire damage in the kitchen.  Ward York said at one time flames were shooting out the top of that exhaust stack.

The fire department arrived on the scene.  The situation was quickly brought under control.

Sherrie York said they had closed up for the night and had gone home when they got the alert.  She said she expects they will be open normal hours tomorrow.

There is a 25 minute video from the scene Wednesday night.  It is archived on the Red River Parish Journal’s Facebook page.

---

The spring athletic season was cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Now the state is reopening somewhat, and Governor Edwards has moved us into Phase Two.

This week many of the Red River sports programs began gathering for workouts.  The school posted a schedule of activities for Football, Girls and Boys Basketball, Volleyball, Softball and Baseball, High School Dance and Cheer and Middle School Dance.

Times, days of the week and workout locations are included on the chart below.

---

Red River Clerk of Court has published the dates for qualifying for the Fall Election.  It will be July 22-24th.

This is for the November 3^rd Primary Election and the December 5^th General Election. Local offices for District Judge, District Attorney, Justices of the Peace and Constables, and Coushatta, Edgefield and Martin municipal officials will all qualify with the Red River Clerk of Court.

The positions to be elected are listed on the flyer attached below.

---

These are the latest number of cases of the COVID-19 virus according to the Louisiana Department of Health.  Red River stats have been very steady with only a slow growth in the number of infections confirmed.

To date, only 7.1% of the residents of Red River Parish have been tested.  This based upon a total of 593 persons tested for the virus.  One can only speculate what the true number of cases would be if everyone was tested.  Another area of speculation deals with the number of parish residents who have been hospitalized.  There are 52 cases reported however the state health department data does not indicate how many, if any of those people required hospitalization.

The statewide data is shown on the graphic below.

---

The Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) today announced the deadline for families to apply for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program has been extended one week, from June 8 to June 15.

June 15 is the final application deadline for the program. No further extension will be announced.

The agencies also today announced a slight delay in the timeline for mailed benefits for parents who applied between May 18 and May 25, during the program’s first week of applications. While the vast majority of P-EBT cards for this first group were expected to arrive in Louisiana mailboxes by the first part of this week, DCFS has been notified by its contractor that recipients should expect a delay of several days. Updates will be provided as they become available.

All Louisiana public schools and many non-public school facilities have been closed since March 16 as a result of the ongoing public health crisis. Under the federal P-EBT program, families of children in prekindergarten through 12th grade who normally receive free or reduced-price meals at school may get financial assistance to replace those meals. This includes children who attend a Community Eligibility Provision school, at which all children receive free and reduced-price meals regardless of income. These benefits, which total $285 per child, intend to cover 50 school days, from the onset of statewide school facility closures through the end of the 2019-2020 academic year. Parents who applied for free meals in May, after the P-EBT program was announced, will receive $91.20, which covers the cost of meals for 16 school days in May.

To date, applications have been submitted on behalf of 431,764 eligible children, or nearly 60 percent of all 729,507 eligible children. This is an increase from previously reported numbers, as the number of children eligible for the benefits has increased since the P-EBT program began.

P-EBT is separate from the more familiar Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit, which is issued on a Louisiana Purchase EBT card to approved low-income households. The P-EBT card can be used to purchase the same eligible food for the household as can be purchased with a SNAP card. All SNAP families with qualifying students are also eligible to receive P-EBT benefits if they apply, and P-EBT also is available to non-SNAP families if they meet the P-EBT guidelines.

The P-EBT benefits do not compete with other school meals programs. Many public school systems, for example, continue to offer emergency school meals to children regardless of the child’s enrollment or income. Children can continue to access these meals, in addition to the P-EBT benefits.

The online application is simple, requiring only a name, address, school district and school. Social security numbers, while helpful, are not required. The information submitted by the family, however, must exactly match the information on file with the school system in order for the application to successfully submit.

Once families complete an application in the portal, the computer system will notify them of their successful submission. Upon verification, DCFS will then mail the household a P-EBT debit card loaded with a one-time benefit of $285 per child (or $91.20 per child for those parents who applied for free lunch in May).

Families who completed the application by May 25 will be the first to receive the cards. They are expected to arrive this week. Families who completed the application by June 1 should receive benefits by June 13. Those who complete the application by June 8 should receive benefits by June 19. Those who apply by the new June 15 deadline should receive P-EBT cards by June 26.

Benefits are available for 365 days. The cards may be used at any store that accepts SNAP to buy SNAP-eligible food items.

Note:  The Journal requested the La. Department of Education furnish the number of applicants and the number of benefits granted to residents of Red River Parish.  As of this time, there has been no response to that request.

---

By Brad Dison

Mark Ellen dreamed of being a rich and famous rock star, and fantasized about all of the perks that come with it.  He realized that success would come from performing original material and not as a cover band.  How hard could it be to write an album’s worth of material?  Mark struggled to write a catalog of songs and after two weeks, he had a total of three songs.  Mark recalled that he “thought they were classics and saw [himself] performing them in a halo of soft lighting.” The few people who heard the songs at Chilswell Road commune thought differently.  Some members of the unimpressed crowd later told Mark to stick to the bass.

Adam Sharples, a rhythm guitar player and old friend of Mark’s, contacted Mark and told him that he was forming a cover band.  He wanted Mark to play bass guitar.  Adam told Mark that the name of the band was Ugly Rumours.  “Why?” Mark asked.  Adam explained that if you hold the Grateful Dead’s album From the Mars Hotel upside-down and look at it in a mirror, it spells the words “Ugly Rumors.”  Since they were English, they adopted the English spelling, rumours.  Still struggling to write original material, Mark relented and joined the cover band.   

The Ugly Rumours quickly added band members.  They had a lead guitarist, rhythm guitarist, bass guitarist, drummer, harmonica player, but none of them were comfortable singing.  They had heard about a guy named Charles Linton who had managed a band and sang in a few shows.  They asked him to audition.  Charles had just the look they were hoping to find.  He had long hair, wore fringe, had a folk-rock look, was funny, well-organized, and started most sentences with the word ‘guys.’  Charles was the last member added to the Ugly Rumours. 

Without so much as a proper rehearsal, the Ugly Rumours began performing in front of crowds.  “Guys, guys,” Charles told the other band members following one show, “We’re okay and everything but we could be so much better if we rehearsed!”  They played a few college balls and got paid very little money.  This would not do.  Charles suggested they headline a small tour that they, themselves, would organize.  One evening in June, the Ugly Rumours readied for their top-billing performance at the Corpus Christi Alternative College Ball.  They hired two bands to go on before them.  To get attention, Charles and his bandmates hired a traditional jazz band comprised of musicians in their 40s, who wore striped blazers and straw hats, to open the show.  To the surprise of the Ugly Rumours, the jazz band was a hit with the crowd.  Mark recalled the shocking sight of long-haired hippie-type guys and girls who “hurled themselves about in riotous abandon.”  The second act to play the show was a string quartet.  They were well-received by the crowd as well.  Would the crowd do the same for Ugly Rumours?

Finally, the Ugly Rumours took to the stage.  The silence was broken by a familiar cowbell intro.  The rest of the musicians joined in on the Rolling Stones’ Honky Tonk Women.  Decades before Maroon 5 released the song Moves Like Jagger, Charles burst onto the stage doing his best Mick Jagger impersonation with “low-slung flares, bare midriff, one hand on a hip, the other wagging a cautionary finger, elbows flapping like a chicken.”  The crowd, exhausted from dancing to the jazz band, was not impressed.  

No matter how Charles and the rest of the band tried to stimulate the crowd, they were unmoved.  Charles realized he would have to think quickly to gain the crowd’s attention.  As the old saying goes, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”  In a moment of inspiration or desperation, Charles invited the string quartet to join them onstage.  The other members of Ugly Rumours were just as shocked as the string quartet was.  Everyone onstage was stunned when the crowd roared with delight.  They cheered, not for the Ugly Rumours, but for the string quartet.

The Ugly Rumours never recorded an album, never sold out arenas, never played on any television shows, and never went much further than the Corpus Christi Alternative College Ball.  Few people have ever seen the original lineup of the Ugly Rumours perform live because they played less than a dozen shows before disbanding. 

A life of relative obscurity seemed to be their destiny.  Well, not really.  From 1982 to 1985, Mark Ellen was a presenter on BBC TV’s Whistle Test, and he became the founding editor of a British music magazine called Q.  Adam Sharples spent forty years working in various directorial roles in British civil service.  Charles also went into public service and kept his early foray into rock and roll somewhat quiet.  In 2017, Charles Linton, the vocalist of the Ugly Rumours who had moves like Jagger declared, “When I was in the band, if we had had social media at that time, I would certainly not have been prime minister.”  Charles and Linton were the middle names of Anthony “Tony” Blair.

Sources:

Mark Ellen, “If Blair Made You Cringe as the Pm, Read What He Was Like in My Student Rock Band: A Bare Midriff and Cuban-Heeled Cowboy Boots Are Just the Start,” Daily Mail, May 3, 2014, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4384328/Tony-Blair-says-social-media-killed-career.html.

Chris Pleasance, “Tony Blair Says He Would Never Have Been Pm If Social Media Had Been Around When He Was Younger to Expose His ‘highly embarrassing’ Behaviour,” Daily Mail, April 5, 2017, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4384328/Tony-Blair-says-social-media-killed-career.html.

 

---

Louisiana College Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Cheryl Clark, is pleased to announce the recipients of the College’s prestigious Academic Honors for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Rebecca Prosperie of Coushatta is being recognized for receiving the Delta Kappa Gamma Award. This award is given to an outstanding Education student who possesses the knowledge, skills, and positive attitude needed to become an effective educator.

---

Bro. Shawn Beard has begun Men of Courage in Red River.  It is a ministry for the men in this community.  The first gathering was shortly before the COVID-19 virus outbreak, therefore future meetings were put on hold.

Now that Louisiana has moved into Phase Two, Beard told The Journal that they will begin meeting again.  That meeting will be tomorrow night, June 11^th.

Here is Beard’s invitation:  “Join us for a great time of fellowship, food, worship and a word from the Lord!!! Come expecting to hear from the Lord and I promise you will!!! See you Thursday at 6:00 pm.  And hey, come as you are and bring a friend!!!

A fried catfish dinner will be served, and the message will be brought by Bro. Gevan Spinner.  The meeting will be held at Beard’s former auto repair business location, 1947 Highway 507.

---

By Royal Alexander

The Minneapolis City Council on Sunday voted to disband its police department and invest in community-based public safety programs following calls from activists to “defund the police,” in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.  

2020 has already been such a trying, nerve-wracking year that it was difficult to comprehend what I was reading.  Minneapolis, an American city of approximately 425,000, has decided to disband its police force and replace it with “public safety programs.”  WHAT?!  There will no longer be any police protection.  If they were not already there, I am certain Antifa and other violent protestors are now gleefully headed to the City knowing that their violence and lawlessness will now go unchecked.

This decision by the Minneapolis City Council is simply mind-boggling.  It represents the height of unhinged liberalism and Political Correctness.  Sadly, the innocent citizens of that City will pay for this gross error in judgment.  I would very much like to be wrong about this, but I am virtually certain that we are about to see a major increase in crime in that City.  Why wouldn’t we? There has been a police presence during the rioting and looting these past few days and looters were laughing as they left various stores, before setting them on fire, with their stolen goods.  Crimes will now be committed with no reservation or hesitation.  This change will not only result in more physical harm to residents, stealing and destruction of property but the number of murders will increase.  Sadly, I believe violence will leap to historic highs.

History has shown us time and again that when law enforcement authority disappears that vacuum is filled by lawlessness and anarchy.  Men are essentially like animals when they are not subjected to restraint or control.  Without rules and regulations that are enforced by legitimate authority you have violence, destruction and chaos.  There will be no security for the private property or lives of citizens.  It will be Might Makes Right, the strong survive and rule, and minority voices are silenced.  I am stunned by how naïve this approach is.  The warm fuzzies are not going to work on these people.  “How long are we going to abdicate law and order,” House Leader Gerald Ford asked in 1966, “in favor of a soft social theory that the man who heaves a brick through your window or tosses a firebomb into your car is simply the misunderstood and underprivileged product of a broken home?”

I simply cannot fathom this decision by the Minneapolis City Council.

---

By Faerie Lafield Sledge

Julie Page of Coushatta graduated with a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, on May 8, 2020. She currently serves full time as the Family Ministry Coordinator at First Baptist Church Coushatta.

The daughter of Jean Page and the late Dr. Marvin Page of Coushatta, Julie is a 1995 graduate of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston.  She also served as children’s intern at Cook Baptist Church in Ruston, worked as a Crosspoint staffer for Lifeway for 3 years, and taught school at Riverdale Academy and Red River High in Coushatta. A longtime member at First Baptist Coushatta, she has lived in Coushatta most of her life.

Because of the COVID-19 situation, graduation ceremonies were not held last month as usual. The May 2020 class will take part in the December 2020 ceremony instead.

---

From NSU:  For all the high school students going in to their senior year, we are dedicated our month of July to you! We look forward to meeting and celebrating with you as you begin your journey to senior year and college!

Red River High posted:  “For any of our incoming seniors who may be interested in attending Northwestern State University.”

---

Recently someone who is not a Red River resident had occasion to utilize the services of Christus Coushatta Health Care Center.  Her experience was very good, and the lady wrote to Sheriff Edwards expressing her thanks.  She also asked him to share her experiences with the community.

Here is her letter followed by Sheriff Edwards’ response:

Mildred P. Worrell

Sheriff Glenn Edwards

Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office

615 East Carroll St.

Coushatta, LA 71019

Dear Sheriff Edwards,

As I told you in our recent phone conversation, I had occasion to go to the Coushatta/Christus Hospital Emergency Room recently.  My husband and I were on our way home from our cottage on LA 515 just north of town when I experienced pain in my jaw.  My iWatch had indicated that my pulse rate was jumping around wildly, and, although I have never been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, there can always be a first time, and I know that jaw pain is a sign of an MI in females, so we decided caution would be wise, and we pulled into the Emergency entrance.

When I was signed in, Ron had to leave and went to park our car to wait.  I was screened, and signed in.  I was told that “it will be a while”  before I could be seen as the ER was jammed up, currently coping with 3 “codes.”

I have been a medical social worker for the better part of my adult life including 10 years at Earl K. Long Memorial Medical Center, the last 5 as Social Work Director, so I knew all too well what three Codes meant to a small ER.  It meant that the available staff were up to their necks caring for people who were in the most extreme danger of death.  The clerk who signed me in added that the ER had only one MD & 2 nurses working.

One of the nurses, a mature woman, asked me whether I’d ever had an MI: “No.”

I wanted to get at least my blood pressure taken, and my heart rate (pulse) checked to see if the numbers were acceptable, and if the rate were stable.  So I waited.  However, I had had a very negative experience at a Baton Rouge hospital a few years previously, where I was left without a single ER staff member even so much as approaching my stretcher for 4.5 hours, and I had sworn I’d never let that happen to me again.  The pain in my jaw had receded also.

I went to the door of the screening room and began to stop any persons who had on uniforms.  I asked the if they could take my pulse &/or BP.  None of them were allowed to do so.  After I had tried this ploy for an hour, one lady said she would do her best to get someone to do those tests.

Very soon after that a young woman in scrubs came.  She announced that she was a physician, Dr. Hilaire.  (And yes, she is a relative of the LSU football player.  Go Tigers!)  She said she’d have to go to find a BP machine – which I was afraid would mean she’d be greatly delayed.  She could , however, take my pulse to see the rate and whether or not it was irregular.  Good enough.

Pulse rate 60 beats/minute & steady.  “I said, “Thank you, M’am.  I’ll be gone in 60 seconds.”  Home to Clinton.

At no time did I feel – as I most certainly did on my previous experience in a much bigger, much less busy ER – that I was forgotten.  No one lost their temper, although it was obvious to them – and to me – that my need was very small compared to what they were treating behind the ER doors.

The Coushatta Hospital is small.  That day the ER was badly overloaded.  But the staff were calm, kindly, communicative.  They were doing the best they could under life and death conditions.  Oh, yes: the ER sent one patient out on a stretcher for transfer to another hospital, and in no time at all another stretcher with YET ANOTHER patient was wheeled in.

These health professionals deserve commendation.  They deserve laud and recognition.  They are just a tiny sample of the thousands of health care workers, hospital workers, ambulance drivers, housekeepers, food service workers – all who work with us when we are sick.  But mostly, Sheriff, they deserve HELP.  The terrible toll working on the front lines exerts sadness, fear, and extreme fatigue.  And yet they do it.  And in this case, did it SO WELL.

I took some cookies to them last week when we were back up in your Parish.  It was not nearly enough.  Please let their community know how wonderful they are.

Thank you!

Warmly,

Mildred P. Worrell

Sheriff Edwards shared his response to Worrell’s letter:

Dear Mrs. Worrell,

I enjoyed our telephone conversation, and much appreciate your interest in our parish.  We as first responders do everything within our power to care for the citizens we serve.  I received your emailed letter detailing your experience at Christus Coushatta Emergency Department and am forwarding to our local news media.  Thanks again for your kind words!

 

 

---

By Jacque Fontenot, Red River Parish 4-H Agent

This year, Red River has 9 students competing virtually at 4-H University, June 22-25, in various contests.  Bryce Hunt, 8^th grader from RRJH, Insect ID.  Addison Bounds, 7^th grader from RRJH, 4-H has talent, Ellis and Elliot Grant, 9^th graders from RRHS, Sports Broadcasting.  Luke Greer, 9^thgrader from Riverdale, Sewing.  Emma Clemons, 9^th grader from Riverdale, Photography.  Trae Lloyd and Justin Madison, 9^th graders from RRHS, Consumer Decision Making.  LaFrances Jones, 11^th grader from RRHS, Career Prep Interview.  Congratulations to these excellent students and their commitment to these contests! 

WHAT IS 4-H UNIVERSITY? Each year 4-H members who are 13 years or older(before January 1st of that calendar year) and in the 7th-12th grade are eligible to attend 4-H University on the campus of LSU in Baton Rouge (virtually in 2020) to demonstrate their skills in more than 25 competitive events.  It is a culmination of a 4-H member’s year of hard work and dedication. Events range from Agricultural Use Demonstration, Automotive Care, Fishing Sports, Public Speaking, Fashion Revue, and more!

Through competing, youth demonstrate life skills in teamwork, decision making, problem solving, resiliency, and many more. Each competitive event allots youth an opportunity for personal growth, skill mastery, and other life skills vital to functioning members of society. 

---

Local obituaries

Carolyn Golson Braswell

On Monday, June 8, 2020, moments after midnight, beloved family matriarch Carolyn Golson Braswell of Hall Summit, Louisiana passed away from complications due to dementia. A mother of three, grandmother of two, and great-grandmother of four, Carolyn was 87 years old. 

Carolyn was born September 26, 1932 in Hall Summit, Louisiana to Oscar Golson and Jewel Thornton Golson. She married Bobby Braswell on February 25, 1951. They had three children, daughter Rene’, who died as a child, daughter Rachel, and son Cody. 

Carolyn was an entrepreneur, a cancer survivor, and a caregiver to her elders. She was a fiercely devoted wife and mother who also drove fast, shot straight, and made her presence known. She was an avid reader and diarist and a fervent student of scripture and music. She observed the world with care and curiosity and made her notes in the margins. 

Carolyn was a celebrated baker and cook whose special recipes have become coveted family heirlooms. She never forgot a birthday. She always sent a “Thank You” note. She looked after anyone who ever shared a roof with her and kept an immaculate home. No one that she loved ever doubted it for a second. Carolyn was preceded in death by Bobby Braswell, her beloved husband of 45 years; daughter Rene’ Braswell; infant sister Maude; sisters Faye Woods and Beth Waters, and brothers Arleigh and Noble Golson. 

She is survived by daughter Rachel (Ted) Hayes, son Cody (Wayne Self) Braswell, grandson Dustin (Marsha) Hayes, granddaughter Jenna (Colby) Rushing, and great grandchildren Braydon Hayes, Cooper Hayes, Chance Rushing, and Summer Lyn Rushing. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 11, 9:30-10:30am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home in Coushatta, Louisiana. A graveside service will be held thereafter, at 11:00 am, at Social Springs Cemetery in Ringgold, Louisiana. Officiating will be Rev. Billy Lee Davis. Pallbearers will be Cody Braswell, Dustin Hayes, Ted Hayes, Harry Lawson, and Colby Rushing. 

The family would like to thank Nickolia Jones, the staff at Christus Coushatta and the staff at Green Meadow Haven for their loving assistance during Carolyn’s final months. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Robert Earl Procell, Sr.

Funeral services for Robert Earl Procell, Sr., 79, of Coushatta, LA will be held at 1 P.M. Friday, June 12, 2020 at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Larry Sales officiating.  Interment will follow in Holley Springs Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. Thursday, June 11, 2020 at the funeral home.

Mr. Procell was born July 3, 1940 and passed away June 8, 2020.  Robert Earl loved his dogs as well as the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting.  He also had a passion for horseback riding and four-wheeling.  He will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Florence Collins; parents, Albert and Edna Procell; two brothers, Joe Procell and Boogie Procell.

Mr. Procell is survived by two sons, Punkin Procell and wife, Monique of Oceanside, CA and Kenny Kellogg and wife, Brandy of Coushatta, LA; two daughters, Cristy Chatman and husband, Michael of Bossier City, LA and Tammy Kellogg of Coushatta, LA; 13 grandchildren:  Jonathan Taylor, Katie Krenk, Patience Procell, Jalen Gaskins, Jay Smith, Mariah Smith, Hannah Kellogg, Brooke Henderson, Dakota Kellogg, Zachary Kellogg, Alexis Procell, Michael Chatman, Jr., and Quintin Chatman; six great-grandchildren:  Sophia Krenk, Mikey Sullivan, Kylie Hester, Sawyer White, “Gunter” Jonsie Henderson, and Rylan Beavers; three brothers, Wilmer Procell of Haughton, LA, Charles Procell of Coushatta, LA, and Roy Procell of Baton Rouge, LA; two sisters, Mary Ann Procell of Coushatta, LA and Barbara Jean Kelly of Haughton, LA; and numerous nieces and nephews; and his special dog, Blackie.

Pallbearers will be Michael Chatman, Jr., Quintin Chatman, Duke Waters, Michael Waters, David Moore, Ken Cason, Chad Tingle, and Robert Foster.  Honorary pallbearer will be Tommy Waters.

---

Magnolia Bend Academy has scheduled the Ring Ceremony for the Class of 2021 for Thursday, August 6^th at 6:00 pm. The ceremony will be held at Red River Cowboy Church.

V&M Baits and Posey’s Sports Center teamed up to organize a hat fundraiser and raise $2,937.40 for the Northwestern State University Fishing Team in honor of Wes Rollo, a member of the team who lost his life May 5.  From left are Matt Clark, owner of Posey’s Sports Center; Jeff and Sonya Rollo, parents of Wes; Fishing Team Sponsor Juddy Hamous, Kevin Jeane, president of V&M, and Erin Dupree, Development program coordinator for the NSU Foundation. 

Two big events are back on the books at Northwestern State University. The NSU Alumni Association has rescheduled the Golden Jubilee celebration for the Class of 1970 Homecoming weekend, Oct. 16-17 and the Long Purple Line induction program for Friday, Oct. 30.  The Golden Jubilee will include a lunch at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16 for all 50-year graduates. Guests will be given Natchitoches Welcome Bags and can spend the afternoon shopping and exploring downtown Natchitoches before the 5:30 p.m. Homecoming parade. A reception will take place at 7 p.m. with location to be determined in which 50-year graduates will be recognized. On Saturday, Oct. 17, guests can join a plantation bus tour before the Golden Jubilee tailgate begins at 2 p.m. Participants will receive a wristband for the tailgate, football game and parking pass.  Members of the Class of 1970 interested in receiving information on the Golden Jubilee celebration should contact Danielle Cobb at cobbd@nsula.edu or (318) 357-5513.

Northwestern State University’s Department of Engineering Technology will host its annual STEM Robotics Camp virtually.  The Robotics Camp will take place from 9 a.m.-noon June 24-26.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the camp will be conducted remotely for children ages 8-14.  Registration is free and will end June 15 or when the camp is full. To register, visit https://engrtech.nsula.edu/annual-robotics-summer-camps/.  Places are limited to the first 20 applicants.

---

Funeral services for Robert Earl Procell, Sr., 79, of Coushatta, LA will be held at 1 P.M. Friday, June 12, 2020 at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Larry Sales officiating.  Interment will follow in Holley Springs Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. Thursday, June 11, 2020 at the funeral home.

Mr. Procell was born July 3, 1940 and passed away June 8, 2020.  Robert Earl loved his dogs as well as the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting.  He also had a passion for horseback riding and four-wheeling.  He will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Florence Collins; parents, Albert and Edna Procell; two brothers, Joe Procell and Boogie Procell.

Mr. Procell is survived by two sons, Punkin Procell and wife, Monique of Oceanside, CA and Kenny Kellogg and wife, Brandy of Coushatta, LA; two daughters, Cristy Chatman and husband, Michael of Bossier City, LA and Tammy Kellogg of Coushatta, LA; 13 grandchildren:  Jonathan Taylor, Katie Krenk, Patience Procell, Jalen Gaskins, Jay Smith, Mariah Smith, Hannah Kellogg, Brooke Henderson, Dakota Kellogg, Zachary Kellogg, Alexis Procell, Michael Chatman, Jr., and Quintin Chatman; six great-grandchildren:  Sophia Krenk, Mikey Sullivan, Kylie Hester, Sawyer White, “Gunter” Jonsie Henderson, and Rylan Beavers; three brothers, Wilmer Procell of Haughton, LA, Charles Procell of Coushatta, LA, and Roy Procell of Baton Rouge, LA; two sisters, Mary Ann Procell of Coushatta, LA and Barbara Jean Kelly of Haughton, LA; and numerous nieces and nephews; and his special dog, Blackie.

Pallbearers will be Michael Chatman, Jr., Quintin Chatman, Duke Waters, Michael Waters, David Moore, Ken Cason, Chad Tingle, and Robert Foster.  Honorary pallbearer will be Tommy Waters.

---

On Monday, June 8, 2020, moments after midnight, beloved family matriarch Carolyn Golson Braswell of Hall Summit, Louisiana passed away from complications due to dementia. A mother of three, grandmother of two, and great-grandmother of four, Carolyn was 87 years old. 

Carolyn was born September 26, 1932 in Hall Summit, Louisiana to Oscar Golson and Jewel Thornton Golson. She married Bobby Braswell on February 25, 1951. They had three children, daughter Rene’, who died as a child, daughter Rachel, and son Cody. 

Carolyn was an entrepreneur, a cancer survivor, and a caregiver to her elders. She was a fiercely devoted wife and mother who also drove fast, shot straight, and made her presence known. She was an avid reader and diarist and a fervent student of scripture and music. She observed the world with care and curiosity and made her notes in the margins. 

Carolyn was a celebrated baker and cook whose special recipes have become coveted family heirlooms. She never forgot a birthday. She always sent a “Thank You” note. She looked after anyone who ever shared a roof with her and kept an immaculate home. No one that she loved ever doubted it for a second. Carolyn was preceded in death by Bobby Braswell, her beloved husband of 45 years; daughter Rene’ Braswell; infant sister Maude; sisters Faye Woods and Beth Waters, and brothers Arleigh and Noble Golson. 

She is survived by daughter Rachel (Ted) Hayes, son Cody (Wayne Self) Braswell, grandson Dustin (Marsha) Hayes, granddaughter Jenna (Colby) Rushing, and great grandchildren Braydon Hayes, Cooper Hayes, Chance Rushing, and Summer Lyn Rushing. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 11, 9:30-10:30am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home in Coushatta, Louisiana. A graveside service will be held thereafter, at 11:00 am, at Social Springs Cemetery in Ringgold, Louisiana. Officiating will be Rev. Billy Lee Davis. Pallbearers will be Cody Braswell, Dustin Hayes, Ted Hayes, Harry Lawson, and Colby Rushing. 

The family would like to thank Nickolia Jones, the staff at Christus Coushatta and the staff at Green Meadow Haven for their loving assistance during Carolyn’s final months. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

---

Report issued by the Red River Sheriff’s Office for the week ending June 7, 2020.

---

As soon as the 2020 Hurricane Season began the first storm was forming far south in the Gulf of Mexico.   It was named Cristobal and forecast movements put the storm coming ashore in South Louisiana this weekend.

Here is the Thursday update from the National Weather Service:
Tropical Depression Cristobal will continue to meander near the Bay of Campeche today and Friday, before shifting north through the Gulf of Mexico this weekend. Cristobal is expected to make landfall late Sunday night along the Louisiana coast, then weakening to a tropical depression as it moves farther inland into North Louisiana on Monday.

Local weather forecasts are predicting the storm will come up through central Louisiana after making landfall this weekend.  Increased rainfall in our area is expected as a result of the storm moving through.

---

The Red River Parish Police Jury voted Wednesday to reopen the courthouse.  Restrictions on the public coming to the courthouse were imposed in response to Governor John Bel Edwards’ original Stay at Home proclamation.  Now that Louisiana is moving to Phase Two of reopening, the restricted access to the Red River Courthouse is being eased.

The move by the Police Jury does not mean that the public can come and go as they please or that persons who do not have business with one agency or another can come in unannounced.

Juror William Brown made the motion to let the heads of agencies within the courthouse make the decision on access to their office and any conditions for granting access.  Brown’s motion maintains the security and health screening at the front entrance.  Those not passing the screening would be turned away.  The head of the agency that person wished to see would have the option of admitting the person or not.

There was much discussion that went into drawing up the new access plan.  Views expressed ranged from easing all restrictions to maintaining the status quo.  There was concern expressed for the health and safety of employees of the various agencies to liability concerns for lifting some restrictions that resulted in a person becoming infected.

Jury President Shawn Beard opened the discussion with the suggestion that the jury leave it up to each department head to set the requirements for their office.  There was also talk of enforcing a 6-foot social distancing, washing hands, and other safety measures.

Vice-President Ben Taylor said, “Inside the office area is an area of concern.  Let people in every department do what they feel comfortable with.”  Juror Jessie Davis said, “We don’t just let anybody come in and get a drink of water, or go to the bathroom, or visit.  We already have it in place that people who come have an appointment here.”

The jury approved the motion.  The head of each agency will publish and post their own guidelines for doing business with that office.  To wear a mask or not and the number of people who will be allowed in that office at one time will be up to the department head.

The front door screening will be maintained.  Prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus the Sheriff’ Department manned the security screenings for everyone coming to the courthouse.  They are also doing temperature checks and asking health questions.  That process will continue.  The major change at the front door is that they will no longer insist that everyone wear a mask.

These changes are effective immediately.

---

The Red River Parish 4-H office is reminding students that virtual 4-H camp registration is now open to 4-H members and non 4-H members ages 6-18.  There are four weeks available for signing up.  Call 932-4342 or message if you have any questions!  Be sure to register TODAY! Click here to register: https://bit.ly/LA4-HCamp

The state 4-H office posted earlier this week, “It’s TECHNOLOGY TUESDAY and we couldn’t think of a better day for another challenge! We want to see your most awesome building blocks and Legos creations! Post a picture of yourself with it below and tag #Louisiana4H! 

Oh and–just as a reminder, the first track of Virtual Summer Camp is SET and is running in 6 days! Be sure to register TODAY! Click here to register: https://bit.ly/LA4-HCamp

Parents: For more information on how these Legos and building blocks are “creating the next generation of engineers”, check out the article below from Smithsonian Magazine: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-lego-is-constructing-the-next-generation-of-engineers-37671528/.

---