With there being so many tournament trails now, it’s a wonder there’s even a weekend available. But this new tournament trail is something different. It’s the American Bass Anglers Top 150 Solo Tour and it’s just what the name says…solo. This three-tournament bass trail is designed for an angler who wants to fish a multi-day event by himself (no co-angler) without breaking the bank or taking out a loan. There are two divisions, the southeastern division and the southwest division. The southeastern division lakes include Lake Eufaula Alabama, Lake Guntersville Alabama and Lake Chickamauga Tennessee. The southwest division includes Toledo Bend Louisiana, Sam Rayburn Texas and Lake Eufaula Oklahoma.    

Other tournament trails that will remain nameless, charge up to $1800 for a three-day event and basically only have a 60% payback. American Bass Anglers(ABA) decided to go after a market of anglers who are tired of high entry fees and poor payback. So, they decided to offer a two-day event where all anglers fish both days (Friday & Saturday). They have a payback of 80% and $20,000 for a first-place finish (based on 150 boat field) for an affordable entry fee of $600. Also 20% of the field will be paid at each of these two-day events. This is the brainstorm of ABA Tournament Director Chris Wayand and the owner of ABA Morris Sheehan. Finally, a circuit that’s designed for the working man or weekend warrior who wants to compete at a high level without costing a fortune.

The first event was held on beautiful Toledo Bend Reservoir February 5th & 6th out of Cypress Bend Park. Even though it was not a full field, eighty-four of the best anglers showed up excited to see exactly what ABA had put together. While the 150-boat max was not obtained, this did not curtail the excitement surrounding this first inaugural ABA Top 150 Solo Tour. The competition level was a who’s who of the southwest region and the fish weighed-in reflected the caliber of anglers fishing this first-time event. Toledo Bend legends in this event included Harold Allen, Glen Freeman, George Jeane Jr., Jerrel Pringle and Kevin Lasyone just to name a few.

But young gun Cody Pitt stole the show and led this event wire to wire with a two-day total 10 bass limit of 51.49 pounds and taking home the $13,000 first place prize money. Cameron Roan of Beaumont, Texas and Nick Kincaid of Oklahoma finished 2nd and third respectively while taking home $5500 and $4200 each. Day 1 of this event had 7 bags of over 20 pounds with Cody Pitt leading the way with 27.02 pounds. He followed up day 1 with 24.47 on day two to seal the victory by a little over 3 pounds. It took a two- day total of 27.89 to get a check as sixteen places were paid out. Cole Moore of Anacoco, LA who finished 8th overall also took home the $1000 big bass honors with an 8.46-pound bass. He also finished

Overall, this was a great event, and I would like to commend ABA Tournament Director Chris Wayand and his great staff for doing an awesome job from takeoff each morning to the final weigh-in on Saturday. This circuit is in great hands with Chris and will continue to grow and exceed expectations. Starting a new tournament trail is not easy and takes time for the word to get out. The next event for this division will be on Lake Sam Rayburn March 26th & 27th out of Castle Boykin Park and I predict a full 150 boat field with $20,000 up for grabs.

There are two events left for this 2021 season and it’s not too late to enter. If you or someone you know is looking to fish this new and exciting ABA Top 150 Solo Tour, go to americanbassanglers.com or call ABA at 256-232-0406 and sign up today. Till next time, don’t forget to set the hook!

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POSITION AVAILABLE: INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST

QUALIFICATION:

● Valid Teaching Certificate

● Master’s Degree in Education (preferred)

● Minimum of five years of teaching experience with evidence of successfully impacting student achievement, particularly those who have the greatest needs.

JOB SUMMARY:
The Instructional Specialist is a critical lever in improving student achievement. The role of the Instructional Specialist is to build teacher capacity and deepen teachers’ understanding of instructional practices as related to Louisiana Student Standards and Data-Driven Instruction.

SALARY:
Salary based on teacher pay scale with applicant’s years of experience, and the addition of a substantial Instructional Specialist stipend.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
9 Months

WHERE TO APPLY:
Linda G. Page, Director of Personnel Natchitoches Parish School Board
P. O. Box 16
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016 Phone: (318) 352-2358
Fax: (318) 352-8138

APPLICATIONS:
Application packet should consist of the following:

● Resume’

● Evidence of successful teaching experience (for example, VAM, Student Performance Data, COMPASS, CLASS, etc.)

● Original transcripts from institution(s) awarding degree

● Three professional letters of recommendation, one of which is from your immediate supervisor

Submit a ten-to-fifteen-minute video clip of a model lesson involving students or professional development session involving teachers where the applicant is leading the event (share link via Google Drive to lpage@nat.k12.la.us).

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Kids Winter Retreat 2021 has held recently at Clara Springs Baptist Camp.  Camp organizers were Mandi and Bubba Mills.  Bubba said, “It kicked off and wow…..tears were shed over hearing 128 kids and adults lifting their voices in unison singing with Macy Veuleman. We have missed hearing the Night Singers as we lovingly call the sounds of worship at night.”

Mills said, “Then to see the kids who unabandonly gave their heart freely to Jesus tonight after Kolby King helped prepare the path to the feet of Jesus.”

“Clara Springs needed this, said Mills, “The kids needed this after a year of disappointments, loses, and sadness.  The Kids Retreat was true JOY and we can’t wait to be part of every moment.

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By Hayley Loe

The Red River High School boys kicked off their season with 3 amazing wins and an overall great start to their season. The Baseball team has a record of 6-0 and have outscored their opponents 80-1.

The team started with a win in the Red River Tournament on Saturday with 10-0 over Castor.  Tyler Hughes had 9 strikeouts during this game.

In the following games the Bulldogs got a 21-0 win over Simsboro and a 22-0 win over Ringgold.  Coach Reed went on to include that these wins would not have been possible with a team effort.

The baseball team also beat Haynesvillie in the first round of the Red River Tourney 5-1.  Pierce Kellogg pitched 5 innings with 9 strikeouts.

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I usually write something like this after our last game every year, but it’s taken me a few days to make sure it all comes out the right way.

First of all, what a crazy year it’s been. Being an AD/Coach during a covid year has been a stressful, learning experience. But as always, the coaching side was very rewarding for me.

As many of you know, this was my first year coaching girls and my first year coaching guys/girls at the same time. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I knew it would be different. I am very thankful for the opportunity I had to coach all of our kids at RA. To be trusted with both positions seriously means a lot to me. If you make any decisions about who does what at RA, just know that I appreciate you.

I believe there is an expectation for players that put on the red and black from November-March to win and win often. Some people even expect the winning to look a certain way. One thing that I was so impressed with this year is how our kids performed under those expectations. Because let me say this: unless the kids come to work, clock in day after day at practice, remember all sorts of X’s and O’s and offensive/defensive rules, be good teammates, etc., we don’t have the opportunity to win. It doesn’t matter what anyone expects. It’s not easier to win just because we have a certain name across our jersey. But they consistently put in the work and for that, I’m as proud as I can be.

As someone who is inside of the locker rooms/practices, but also gets to watch the kids from the sideline and be their biggest fan every day, I think the actual work that our players put in is overlooked. The winning habits/attitudes that they display are what translates to the next stage of their lives. Not their stats, and not their minutes. Some of the most selfless people I know are between the age of 13-18, because they don’t care about either one.

From a coach’s perspective, I’ve been so extremely proud of our teams this year because of the reasons mentioned above. But what makes my job so enjoyable is how fun they all are to be around. Seeing them joke with one another, but genuinely care for one another (especially when things don’t go our way) is such a cool thing.

I could go on forever about both teams and how they are unique in their own ways, the funny stories we have, etc. But I’d just like everyone to know how proud I am of the kids that represented our school this year. I truly love them to death, and they accomplished a lot:

Girls:
21-5 Overall Record.
District 4-A Champs.
South-A Regional Champs.
Class A Final Four.

Boys:
20-3 Overall Record.
Undefeated District 4-A Champs.
South-A Regional Champs.
Class A Runner-Up.
Overall Tournament.

For me, I can’t wait to get back to work and improve in a couple areas. Players win games, and I had a lot of good ones this year. But coaches lose games, and our seasons didn’t end the way we had hoped they would.

Additionally, being selected to coach in an All-Star game, along with being named the District 4-A Coach of the Year for both girls and boys is truly such a blessing. I’m so thankful for this job and everything that comes with it, good and bad.

Finally, a HUGE thank you to Steven Bryant and Rebecca Prosperie for their time and dedication to our kids. As someone who has done what they’re doing, it’s not easy. I appreciate you 2 more than you’ll ever know. Thank you Ms. Nancy Nettles, Mrs. Keri Wilhite, Mrs. Marie Woodard, Mr. Matt Huddleston, my mom Penny Dupree Hays, Mrs. Donna and Mr. Carey Prosperie, Mrs. Stacey Messick Greer, Mr. Danny Rester, and everyone else who served in any type of role to help us this year. Car rides, meals, laundry at hotels, etc. None of it goes unnoticed, and all of it is appreciated. Fans and parents, thank you all for your support. 

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Saint Mark Hospice is looking to hire a part-time Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist. All interested applicants, please call, fax, or email our office.  SAINT MARK HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE LLC 298 Army Road, Coushatta, LA 71019.  Phone 318-932-1111 or Fax 318-626-7064. Email: office@stmarkhospice.com

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Louisiana Tech University welcomed 364 new graduates into the Tech Alumni Family in two separate ceremonies held Saturday, March 6th in the Thomas Assembly Center. This is the 335th commencement exercise held at Tech.  Two of those graduating are from Red River Parish.

Graduating from Coushatta were Lewis G. Lawson with a Bachelor of Science degree and Faith Danielle Marler with a Bachelor of Arts degree.  

Among the graduates were five recipients of the 4.0 medal and Dr. Joe Bates, a physician from Tyler, Texas, who first set foot on the Louisiana Tech campus in 1959.

After earning 92 hours and a 4.0 GPA, Bates was accepted directly into LSU’s School of Medicine in New Orleans in 196, where he received his medical degree as an honor graduate of the Class of 1965. Bates received his bachelor’s degree in Biology today.

“I always wanted to obtain my bachelor’s degree from Tech, just as my brother did in 1953, but it would have been difficult financially to prolong my training for another one or two years,” he said about his decision to take the med school offer, “an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.”

Each of today’s ceremonies welcomed a different commencement speaker. In the 9 a.m. ceremony for the College of Business and the College of Liberal Arts, 1985 and 1986 graduate Bruce Singleton spoke. 

Singleton encouraged graduates to celebrate a new beginning full of opportunity as they enter their lives beyond Louisiana Tech University.

“Have you considered what your future might hold?,” Singleton said. “You are entering what will be the most fun, exciting, challenging, but fruitful years of your life. As you enter this next phase, everything is about to change.”

Singleton reminded graduates that their character and ability to develop relationships with others would help determine their achievements later in life.

“Almost everything you build will be the result of relationships,” Singleton said. “As you build relationships, opportunities will present themselves to you, and character building never ends.”

After advising graduates to work constantly on building their character, Singleton related his belief that those endeavors would impact the world positively.

“We know that now, more than ever, we need to be better,” Singleton said. “We need change. This is an opportunity to build character. How? We begin by treating others with respect and dignity. Be good and honest and true. Be fair, and seek to understand others. 

“But above all else, be kind to everyone around you. These are small changes, but small changes are less risky. They are easier to execute; they’re repeatable, and their impact accumulates over time.”

Singleton concluded by asking graduates to remember to pursue great character in their future endeavors.

“Unleash your bulldog instincts. Take hold of your future, grab on, and clamp down on its britches. Hold on tight cause it will move fast, and when you feel that destiny is near, let go,” Singleton said. “It’s at that point that your future will come to you.”

In the noon ceremony for the College of Applied and Natural Sciences, College of Education, and College of Engineering and Science, 1978 graduate Justin Hinckley spoke.

Hinckley proposed that – after the challenges this class had endured during their academic careers – another tenet should be added to Tech’s Tenets, perseverance.

“While at Tech, your experiences have enabled you to become capable and resilient, while showing respect for others,” Hinckley said. “Work and life experiences will be similar but different.” 

Hinckley also encouraged the new alumni to support and maintain the reputation of Louisiana Tech University in perpetuity. 

“There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing others benefit and flourish as a result of a contribution we’ve made,” he said. “I challenge you to stay involved. If you want to be proud of your alma mater, your lifelong support is required and valued. You will also uphold Louisiana Tech’s reputation by your lifelong commitment and execution of the Tech Tenets in your personal and professional lives.”

Today’s graduates join the more than 107,000 Louisiana Tech alumni worldwide.

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Riverdale had their first tennis match of the year this week.  It was held at Forsythe Park in Monroe.

The school posted, “Congratulations to Emma Clemons on winning her first match and winning the second by a tiebreaker.

“We are looking forward to a fun and exciting season this year. We are proud of all of our players who competed today.”

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From Jacque Fontenot, Red River 4-H Agent

The following 7^th-8^th grade students went to a one day 4-H Challenge Camp February 26^th at the Outdoor Wilderness Center in Dubach.   They were part of 100 students from the Northwest Region.   

Despite very rainy weather that morning, they had a great time “Going the Distance from a Distance”.  They participated in an outdoor maze and ropes course, as well as sessions on decision making and dealing with stress. 

Left to right:  Raegan Cannon, Addison Bounds, Shelby Pickett, Hannah Worsham, Ben Moseley, and Rafe Suggs.

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Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has declared Sunday, March 14, 2021, as a day of prayer and remembrance for those who have died in Louisiana from COVID-19. Edwards said this week, “As of today, we’ve lost 9,812 of our neighbors, friends, brothers and sisters to the virus.”

Edwards said, “As we mourn, I am calling on all Louisianans to join me and First Lady Donna Edwards on Sunday for a moment of prayer or remembrance for those we have lost and their families and friends who need our support now more than ever.”

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By Hayley Loe

As the Red River Bulldogs boys basketball season comes to a close after a loss on Tuesday, March 2nd. The journal wanted to get some insight into this season challenges and how the boys managed to overcome them. 

Coach Harris had this to say about the 2020-2021 basketball season. 

“This season was different on many levels. Due to Covid, we were restricted to have a true preseason that starts during the summer. Summer workouts are where you build team chemistry and work on the development of the athletes. Also, we only had about a month for everyone to learn a new system and the guys that played football learned on the fly. Given all of those factors, we still were able to manage having a successful season. Most will look at wins and losses, but the bigger picture is personal and team development and building a program that will thrive for the years to come. 

“We had a very tough schedule this season with playing 12 out of 18 regular season games versus teams that were ranked top 8 from Class B to Class 5A. I believe the guys finally understand the potential they have. Realizing they can compete with top-tier teams produces hunger and passion. The guys have been though the trenches this year and have learned how to fight through adversity which will contribute to success in the future seasons.”

Along with the ending of a very different season for the Bulldogs, Coach Harris also wanted to say a few things to the players leaving this season. 

“My seniors, Brandon Harris and Marcus Brewer, are very special athletes. We have learned a lot from each other. I’ve built relationships with these guys that will last forever. They are young men of great character and work ethic, and those tools are essential to becoming successful in life. Every day will be a test whether physically, mentally, or emotionally, but it’s not what we go through, it’s how we respond. Though I wish I could have them another year, I pray nothing but success comes their way. I will always be in your corner and “Coach Pooh” is only a call away.”

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Louisiana homeowners and renters affected by the February winter storms who live in Red River and other parishes that have recently been designated for Individual Assistance could be eligible for help from FEMA.

The parishes are Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, DeSoto, East Baton Rouge, Franklin, Grant, LaSalle, Madison, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Webster, West Carroll, and Winn.

Here are the details of who is eligible as disseminated by FEMA:

If you have homeowners or renter’s insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your damage expenses, you may then be eligible for federal assistance.

The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting disasterassistance.gov/.  If it is not possible to register online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.

When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:

▪ A current phone number where you can be contacted;
▪ Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.

▪ Your Social Security number, if available;
▪ A general list of damage and losses; and
▪ If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

If it is safe to do so, start cleaning up now. Take photos to document damage and begin cleanup and repairs to prevent further damage. Remember to keep receipts from all purchases related to the cleanup and repair.

Disaster assistance may include financial help with temporary lodging and home repairs along with other programs to assist families recover from the effects of the event.

U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans are available for homeowners, renters, businesses of any size and nonprofits.

▪ For small businesses, those engaged in aquaculture and most nonprofits, up to $2 million is available for working capital needs even if there was no property damage, with a $2 million maximum loan for any combination of property damage and working capital needs.

▪ For homeowners: up to $200,000 is available to repair or replace their primary residence. For homeowners and renters: up to $40,000 to replace personal property, including vehicles.

Businesses and residents can apply online at sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. For questions and assistance completing an application, call 800-659-2955.

For the latest information on Louisiana winter storms, visit Louisiana Severe Winter Storms (DR-4590-LA) | FEMA.gov. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6.

Thanks to Liz Cannon and the Council on Aging for sending The Journal this information.

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Wow! What a great night we had! God provided everything we needed. He brought a great group of women to worship with us. It was just an amazing night!

Thank you Ammer Gayle and Karen for sharing with us. Beautiful worship music and a lesson that we all need to do. Spending quality quiet time with God.

Thank you Paula for a great meal. Thank you to everyone who came! I pray that you left differently than you came. 

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Stormie Danyelle Smith

August 22, 1994 to March 5, 2021

https://redriverparishjournal.com/2021/03/11/stormie-danyelle-smith/

 

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From the Red River Waterway Commission all boat launches are now open. 

Early voting for the March 20^th election runs through Saturday.  If you wish to vote early go to the Registrar of Voters office in the Courthouse.

A beginning ceramics class, “Playing in the Mud,” will be offered through Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education starting Thursday, March 18. The class will be offered on Thursday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. through April 29 in Room 113 of the Fine Arts Annex.  The fee is $125 plus a $20 material fee paid directly to the instructor on the first night of class. Enrollment to the class is limited.

Registration for the summer and fall 2021 semester begins Monday, March 15 at Northwestern State University. Northwestern State students can begin the registration procedure by checking the online schedule of classes through NSUConnect then meeting with their advisor. NSUConnect is available by logging into my.nsula.edu. Students can sign up for summer and fall classes through NSUConnect based on the following registration schedule. 

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Funeral services for Stormie Danyelle Smith, 26, of Campti, LA will be held at 2 P.M. Saturday, March 13, 2021 at a local Funeral Home with Bro. Olan McLaren officiating.  Interment will follow in Davis Springs Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 6 P.M. until 9 P.M. Friday, March 12, 2021 at the funeral home.

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By Molly Seales

The week of March 1-5 was National Beta Week, and the Riverdale Academy Beta Club participated each day.  The Beta Club Mission Statement is, “To promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, service, and leadership among elementary and secondary school students.” Students are chosen for this honor of being a Beta member based on grade point average and good character. We are fortunate to have a very active Beta Club at Riverdale.

This was a fun week of service to the school and community, but it also reached overseas. On Monday, the Beta members packed 24 care packages that will be sent to troops who have been deployed overseas from the Coushatta Armory. Each box included a photo of the Riverdale Beta Club and a letter from a student.  The Riverdale FCA became involved in the project as they gathered to pray over the boxes before they left the school. In addition to the FCA, the local VFW collaborated with the Beta Club by paying shipping on the boxes for the troops.  The Beta Club would like to extend a special thank you to the VFW members!

Tuesday was “Shout Out to You” day. Beta members had a table set up in the lunchroom, and students could go by and write a “shout out” to a person that did something great.  The Beta members then attached candy to the shout outs and delivered the “shout out candy grams” to the teachers and students at Riverdale. Parents and grandparents also had the opportunity to send a shout out to their children. On Wednesday, the Beta members had “Story Time.” In honor of Read Across America week, the club members went to the elementary classes, read each class a book, and spent some time interacting with the younger students. Thursday there was a “Wall of Inspiration” in the lunchroom.  Students in all grades wrote names of people who have influenced them in a positive way. On Friday, Beta members wrote encouragement cards to neighbors, friends, family, and faculty.

Throughout the entire week, the Beta Club did a Toy Drive for Shriners Children’s Hospital in Shreveport.  A box was placed in the hallway downstairs, and by Friday it was full of toys for children of all ages. The students and parents of Riverdale really stepped up and made this project a success.

On behalf of our Beta Club, I would like to thank our sponsor, Mrs. Amanda Cason, for her dedication to our Beta Club and for the countless hours she spends helping make our club be such a success.  Our Beta members are very disappointed that due to Covid 19, we were not allowed to attend the State Beta Convention in person, but we hope that by next year that will change. Overall, our National Beta Week was a great success!

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The Red River Fire Department Board met on Monday.  They named an Acting Chief, adjusted pay scales for firefighters and continued the job of getting the department’s finances in order.

Jeremy Neal was named Temporary Chief.  Neal is a captain and he is adding the chief’s duties to his regular work schedule.  The board deferred action on additional compensation for Neal pending an assessment of the work load brought on by the additional duties.

The board appointed a committee of Bob Harris, Jamary Jones and Dan Cason to develop a job description for Fire Chief and propose a salary for a part-time (30 hour per week) chief.  This is in preparation for advertising for applications and selecting a permanent chief for the fire department.

In a move that involves most of the firefighting staff, the Fire Board expanded the most recent salary scale to apply to the entire firehouse staff effective immediately.  During discussion of the issue it was said that the salary scale had been developed by the former Fire Board, however it was made to apply only to new hires.  President Shawn Beard said, “At present we only have three on the current pay scale.  We have to adopt it to all of our firefighters.”  The change Monday is necessary to lower the department’s labor cost for future months.

The savings to be realized was not discussed during the meeting.  Afterward The Journal asked Kylie Shaw, board bookkeeper, what the savings would be for the rest of this year compared to keeping the old salary scale in place.  Shaw said the estimated saving is $170,365 for 2021.  District Attorney Julie Jones reminded the board that the new pay scale is still higher than pay scales received from Caddo and Natchitoches parishes.

During the meeting, Board Secretary Bill Jones had said, “If this pay scale is adopted (apply to all employees) we should be able to make it through the year and have $277,000 left (for other expenses).”  He added “We still have to consider what we will owe for bookkeeping and a board secretary.  Make sure we have enough to cover this.”

Other items that will require money include servicing all of the fire trucks and other equipment.  Temporary Chief Neal was authorized to spend up to $2,500 on repairs to the fire suppression systems and get them ready for the annual inspection.  They were damaged during the snow and ice storm.

And the board is still trying to get an exact figure of what the regular operating expenses will be on a continuing basis.  There was a discussion of their insurance policy and it was said that the fire department is still insuring the former fire station downtown and an out building at that location.  Those buildings were sold to the Sheriff in 2019.

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Red River is among the parishes approved for disaster aid.  Governor John Bel Edwards Tuesday said his request for a Major Disaster Declaration due to damage in Louisiana from February’s winter weather event has been approved by President Joseph R. Biden.

A system of heavy rains, wintry precipitation, and freezing temperatures began moving across Louisiana on February 11, 2021, and a second, similar system, followed on February 17, 2021. The impacts of the wintry precipitation and low temperatures, some of the lowest ever recorded in the region, posed a serious threat to the lives and property of the people of Louisiana. There were major power outages and outages to water systems, impacting roughly one-quarter of the Louisiana population.

“We appreciate President Biden’s approval for this assistance. Winter weather events on this magnitude or not a common for Louisiana,” said Gov. Edwards. “These storms brought considerable damage to the impacted areas. This will allow the state and our federal partners to continue assisting families with recovery from these events.”

The Major Disaster Declaration includes this specific support:

INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE (Assistance to individuals and households):

Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, DeSoto, East Baton Rouge, Franklin, Grant, LaSalle, Madison, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Webster, West Carroll, and Winn Parishes. 

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities):

Emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance approved for all 64 parishes within the State of Louisiana.

HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM (Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards):  All areas in the State of Louisiana are eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. 

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Red River Elementary School Principals, staff and students would like to congratulate our January Staff of the Month.  Pictured: left to right (Megan Inman, Edna Webb, Lyndsey Cook and Fredericka Mosley) not shown Zach Thrasher and Enisha Young.

From Mrs. Shunguanette Banks-Cole, Secretary, Red River Elementary.

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By Molly Seales

On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 3, the Christian Collegiate Academy Bulldogs came to East Point to take on the Riverdale Rebels in the first round of the 2021 MAIS Overall Basketball Tournament.  Even though it was an afternoon game, many fans came out to cheer the Rebels on.  The Rebels hung with the Class 2A Bulldogs for the first half, but in the second half, the Bulldogs came out and quickly extended their lead.  The Rebels ended up falling to the Bulldogs by a score of 79-54.

Caden Long had a great night for the Rebels, scoring 13 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and having 1 steal.  Paul Messenger had 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.  Parker Almond was also in double figures with 11 points.  He also led in rebounding with 7 boards and had 1 steal.  Ty Jones scored 9 points, had 6 rebounds, had 5 assists, and had 1 steal.  Denver Williams added 4 points and 6 rebounds.  Reagan Huddleston had 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.  Garrett Wilhite rounded out the scoring with 2 points, and he also had 2 rebounds.

The Rebels will return 4 starters for the 2021-2022 season, so be expecting them to be back strong in the fall. With basketball season officially over, it’s time for spring sports to get into full swing at Riverdale.  The golf team, tennis team, and baseball team began practicing this week, and track will start soon.

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Alaina and Shirley Boyd, students from Riverdale Academy, competed at the LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show in Gonzales last week.  Alaina and Shirley competed in the Swine show and Alaina competed in the Grey and Red Brahman Show .  This is Alaina’s first year to compete with her Gray Brahma, Marsh Mellow.  She placed 5th and 4th in Louisiana bred in her class.  She placed 12th place in the LJBA showmanship show. 

In the Swine show, Shirley placed 7th in showmanship, 13A (13 kids). Alaina placed 3rd, 12A (15 kids). Alaina placed 9th and 4th La breed with her Duroc. And Shirley did the same placing with her Yorkshire.  

From 4-H Agent Jacque Fontenot.

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By Brad Dison

On Friday afternoon, July 31, 1964, two gentlemen, 39-year-old James Travis and 30-year-old Dean Manuel, left Batesville, Arkansas, in a single-engine, four-seat Beechcraft 35-B33 Debonair airplane.  Travis piloted the plane he had rented from the Southeastern Beechcraft Co. at Berry Field in Nashville, Tennessee.  After taking off from the regional airport at Batesville, Travis aimed the airplane to the east and headed back toward Berry Field.  Travis and Manuel expected to fly the 310 miles back to Nashville in under two hours. 

At about 4:50 p.m., Travis radioed the tower at Berry Field that he was flying into a heavy rainstorm.  The radar operator heard concern in Travis’s voice and tried several times to make contact with Travis.  He received no reply.  Five minutes later, the Beechcraft airplane disappeared from the radar screen.

Marty Robbins, a country and western singer known for hits such as “A White Sport Coat”, “The Story of My Life”, and “El Paso”, was at his home in Nashville when he heard a low-flying plane.  He looked up and saw the airplane just before it went below the tree line.  He heard the unmistakable sound of the plane crashing into the trees.  He immediately notified the authorities.

John Moran, who lived nearby, heard the engine sputtering and, like Marty Robbins, heard the plane crash.  He described it as “a thump.”  Mrs. William Wirshing, who also lived nearby, said the plane sounded like it “conked out.”

Several agencies and a host of individuals began searching for the missing plane including the Davidson County Civil Defense, local and state police, and volunteers, some on horseback.  Several airplanes and helicopters flew over the area during daylight hours but found no sign of an airplane crash.  H.H. Atkins, supervisor of the air traffic control sector of the Nashville Federal Aeronautics Administration, said “We had planes over the crash area a few minutes after 5 p.m. Friday, just five minutes after radar contact was lost.”   

The area where the plane went missing was home to several country music stars including Bill Pursell, Eddy Arnold, Chet Atkins, Ernest Tubb, Stonewall Jackson and, as mentioned above, Marty Robbins.  They all helped in the search for the missing plane. 

Based on the testimony of Marty Robbins, John Moran and Mrs. Wirshing, Davidson County Civil Defense workers concentrated their search in the vicinity of Franklin Road.  They went door-to-door and asked residents if they had seen or heard the airplane.  Puryear Mims said the plane circled over his swimming pool and headed toward Radnor Lake.  Miss Ruth DeLacey was inside her home when she felt “a vibration like an explosion.  It was like something had hit the house,” she said.  She heard no airplane and was unaware that an airplane was missing.  She walked outside and saw smoke in the woods for only a moment.  Miss DeLacey walked toward the smoke but returned to her home when she failed to see what caused the smoke. 

Although investigators had narrowed down the search area based on the testimony of multiple witnesses, they were unable to locate the airplane.  Searchers hunted the missing plane Friday night, all day Saturday, and began again on Sunday morning.  On that Sunday morning, August 2nd, some forty-four hours after the search began, Civil Defense investigator Bob Newton reviewed the testimony of Puryear Mims, who said the plane flew over his swimming pool and headed toward Radnor Lake.  Bob drew a line from Mims’s house to Radnor lake on a local map.  He then followed this path from Mims’s house toward the lake on foot.  Within a short while, Bob found the remains of the missing plane.  He was only about five hundred yards from the main area of the two-day search.  He found Manuel’s mangled body among the wreckage.  He found Travis’s lifeless body about thirty yards from the wreckage.  After it was clear that neither Manuel nor Travis had survived, Bob called for help. 

The National Transportation and Safety Board determined that Travis, the pilot, had experienced spatial disorientation during the rainstorm which led to the plane crash.  Investigators concluded that the plane “went into a nosedive and crashed into the base of a tree, leaving the top branches undisturbed,” which explained why rescue helicopters and airplanes were unable to locate the wreckage.              

Investigators identified the two men by the information in their wallets.  Country music star Eddy Arnold had been personal friends of Travis and Manuel and identified the bodies of his friends.  Dean Manuel was a piano player in Travis’s band and was also Travis’s business manager.  Few people, though, knew Travis by that… his middle name.  After high school, he became a disc jockey at KWKH, home of the Louisiana Hayride radio program, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and switched to a shortened version of his first name, James.  Because of his polite manner on and off the stage, and his velvet voice on recordings such as “Four Walls,” “He’ll Have to Go,” and “Am I Losing You,” people referred to him as Gentleman Jim.  Travis, the pilot of the ill-fated flight was James Travis “Gentleman Jim” Reeves.

Sources:

1. The Tennessean(Nashville, Tennessee), August 3, 1964, p.1.
2. 2.  The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee), August 4, 1964, p.1.

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