Funeral services for Brenda Lee Wiggins, 60, of Hall Summit, LA will be held at 10 A.M. Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Terry Wheless officiating.  Interment will follow in Springhill Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at the funeral home.  Mrs. Wiggins was born October 16, 1960 and passed away July 29, 2021.

 

Publication of the complete obituary with photo is available by contacting The Journal at 318-564-3609.

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Tuesday was Teen Travels Tuesday for area 4-H members.  They traveled to Natchitoches and Northwestern State University for the Teen Leadership Conference.

After the event, Red River 4-H said, “Today was a good day at the Power of the Past – Force of the Future Leadership Conference! Speaker Nathan Harmon challenged us to change the world and the students travelled to different sessions to improve their leadership skills.”

The leadership conference was for 4-H members in grades seven through twelve.  As you can see in the photos with this article, the kids enjoyed a day of fun and learning.

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Adults and teens from Fairview Baptist Church have just returned from a trip to Merida and Teabo, Mexico.  The church has partnered with a local seminary there for four years.  It is located in the state of Yucatan.

Jana Endris said, “It’s hard to put into words what all God did but it was amazing!  We saw people surrender their lives to Christ every day and we worked alongside an awesome team from Door to Heaven Baptist Church in Teabo.  Please pray for them as they continue the work in their community.”

One of the activities during the trip was packing food bags.  Endris said, “We made 5 home visits each day.”  She said they worked in the village of Teabo doing a VBS, working in the medical clinic and with local villagers.

Endris asked, “Also, pray for our missionaries Hectorysilvia Martinez and Roberto And Esther Sigcho as they work at Cornerstone Seminary training men and women for the ministry! They were such a blessing to us!”

This is the fourth year Fairview Baptist Church has partnered with Cornerstone Baptist Theological Seminary in Merida.  This year eleven adults and three teens made the trip.

Asked if they planned to return next year, Endris said, “We are planning for it.  The trip will probably be in July.”

For more information, call Jana Endris at Fairview Baptist Church 318-932-5940.

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Each year 4-H members from the parish participate in the livestock exhibitions at the state fair in Shreveport.  Red River 4-H passed along this information from the Louisiana State Fair regarding the upcoming Livestock show.

From the state fair:

Good Morning Livestock Exhibitors, just a quick update on the 2021 Fall Show.

Swine DNA is due back to our office by the 10th of August. Please don’t be late.

Our Livestock Premium Book is now available on our website under livestock show information.

statefairoflouisiana.com/events/2021/2021-livestock-show

We are also looking for Sponsors for the 2021 Fall Shows. We are looking for Belt Buckle and General Sponsors.  Please contact our office at 318-635-1361 for more information.

Entries will be completed online again this year. Exhibitors will be able to enter and pay online. Online entries will be open starting Mid-August (Tentative Go Live Date – August 18, 2021). You will have until September 30 to enter without a late fee.

We are currently doing construction on our livestock barns. Contractors have started on the Swine Barn that collapsed during the winter storm and we are currently having a new roof installed on the Beef Barn.

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Red River schools posted this information:

Parents and students as you are out uniform shopping remember to follow the handbook guidelines from last year.

The High School will wear royal blue polos and khaki or navy shorts or pants. Jackets must be school issued or a solid color and no hoodies are allowed (navy, black, royal, white, or gray)

Junior High will wear navy polos and khaki or navy shorts or pants.  Jackets must be school-issued, or a solid color and no hoodies are allowed (navy, black, royal, white, or gray)

The school does have an online spirit store and it will open up next week so be on the look-out.  Anything purchased on the online store can be worn every day of the week.  Until the new store items come in last year items will be allowed to be worn daily.  If you have any questions please call the school before purchasing.

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By Molly Seales

It has been a busy week for the cheerleaders at Riverdale Academy as we attended cheer camp at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine Texas on July 24-July 27.  Cheer coach Sidney Jones, along with most of her cheer squad, attended camp.  Cheerleaders that attended were seniors: Kenley Loftin-captain, Renee’ Prosperie-captain, and Rylee Hodge; juniors: Emma Clemons- co-captain, Emily Kirkland, Jessie Kate Cobb, and Molly Seales; sophomores: Emily Cason, and Kylie Donald; freshmen: Jadyn King, Lilly Guillot, and Kacie Harper; 8^th graders: Emma Giddings, Julia Grace Riggs, Gracie Stephens, Ava Procell, and Charity Williamson.  Cheerleaders unable to attend were senior Sarah Dabbs, freshman Chloe Jordan, and 8^th grader Makayla Pickett.

Camp started on Saturday with the UCA staff welcoming all of the cheer squads to camp and then it was straight into doing daily activities. During camp the Riverdale cheerleaders learned a dance and band dance, learned  new cheers to bring home, and learned new stunts to perform for the crowd.  Other than learning new material, we also learned how to be safe, discovered many new team bonding exercises, and talked about how to bring more spirit to our school.

On day two of camp, the Riverdale cheerleaders had a cheer evaluation on one of the new cheers that we had learned the previous day at camp.  We gave it our all and won a blue ribbon for our superior performance.  We also won a spirit stick for the spirit and performance that we had on day two of camp.  The cheer squad had another evaluation on day three of camp on our camp dance, and we once again won a blue ribbon. At the end of the day, we were able to earn another spirit stick which we got to bring home with us.

Day four of camp was the day we had all been waiting on.  We got up very early to get ready, and it was the first time that the 2021-22 cheer squad would perform in our new uniforms.  The first thing we did that day was perform our camp dance routine, which we had been working to perfect. Cheer coach Sidney Jones said, “I cried once they finished because this was the BEST they ever performed the routine.”  Up next that day was game day performance, which consisted of the band dance we learned, a sideline cheer based on which situation the UCA staff gave us, and a cheer.  The squad did amazing on this performance.  While the staff was finishing up judging, there was a performance by all of the mascots that attended camp. This also included a senior recognition, where all of the seniors received a bracelet.  Kenley, Renee’ Rylee, and Sarah-on behalf of the cheer squad and your RA family-we are so proud of you all and we hope to help you make this year the best one yet!  At the final awards, the Riverdale Rebel Cheerleaders ended up taking home the first place trophy in the Large Varsity Division for our sideline cheer. After this was the pin it forward award, where Renee’ Prosperie was chosen by a cheerleader from another squad to receive this honor.

Cheer sponsor Sidney Jones had a lot to say about camp. She said, “The Riverdale Academy Cheerleaders attended UCA Cheer Camp July 24-27.  I was excited to take them because this season we have 20 girls; 13 of those girls have never cheered for RA before.  Although only 17 were able to attend camp, they showed up and showed out.  They have not only learned many new skills that we can’t wait to bring back home for football and basketball season, but this week each one has gained so much confidence as a cheerleader.  As a coach I could not have asked for a better trip. I think we were all a bit nervous when we found out they would be competing in the large varsity division, because that includes the biggest and best schools.  Your RA cheerleaders put in lots of hard work and held their own.  I told them they could do it, and they did better than I could have ever imagined. We left cheer camp with a spirit stick, two blue ribbons for their dance and cheer evaluation, 1^st place in the Large Varsity Division for the sideline cheer, lots of confidence, and so many new skills!”

Even though by the end of camp, all of the cheerleaders were tired and ready to go home, we gave it our all and learned many things at this camp.  We learned how to be more spirited, many new skills, and that we should never give up. We also built better relationships with each other and gained confidence.  It would be an understatement to say that the whole RA family is proud of us and that we are proud of ourselves.  The Riverdale Academy cheerleaders are ready and so excited to cheer on our team. The first football game is on August 13 at home against Central so come on out and cheer with us. GO REBELS!

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By Molly Seales

In 2010, Varsity cheer introduced their new “Pin It Forward” at cheer camps across the country.  Developed as a way to demonstrate why “America Needs Cheerleaders,” Pin It Forward recognized and praised cheerleaders who promote the values fostered through cheerleading, specifically leadership, spirit, commitment, kindness, and motivation. The goal of the campaign is to recognize standout cheerleaders and encourage them to pass on a kind act to fellow athletes.

The first part of the process involves a UCA Varsity staff member presenting a cheerleader with a card with 2 “Pin It Forward” pins.  That cheerleader is then instructed to find another cheerleader who has also demonstrated those same qualities.  This year senior captain Renee’ Prosperie earned a very deserved “Pin It Forward” award from a cheerleader from a different squad.  Pin It Forward is one of the highest individual awards Varsity gives.

When I asked cheer sponsor Sidney Jones how she would describe this award she told me, “The Pin It Forward Award is given to a cheerleader who is always stepping up to be a leader by setting a good example for their peers, including members on other teams, going above and beyond in classes including when learning routines, has a great spirit every day, a camper who shows how passionate they are, is kind to others, and of course SMILES!”

Renee’ is the daughter of Carey and Donna Prosperie of Coushatta. The Riverdale cheer squad, student body, faculty, staff, and fans would like to give a huge congratulations to Renee’. We are very proud of you! Go Rebels‼

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By Steve Graf

Today’s article may get me trouble but here it goes. Why are women not more prevalent in the bass fishing tours and why hasn’t their own pro tour taken off. Can women really compete on the pro tour with the men? Boy, these are some interesting questions that I’ll try an answer for you today and hopefully I won’t get myself in a pickle with all my lady friends.

Let’s make one thing clear, without women there probably would not be professional bass fishing tours! Now why is that? Because without the ladies back home holding down the fort, the men would not be able to go fishing! To be a professional bass fisherman, someone has to take care of kids and all their needs from doing homework to dance lessons to baseball practice to piano lessons and so on. Getting the kids up every day and ready for school and making sure they are fed, bathed and ready for bed at a descent hour. Taking care of all the bills rolling in and handling everything by themselves from a leaky faucet to changing a flat tire. This routine takes place every single day by the women who take on the role of being the home CEO. Yes, it’s a tough job and if you talk to any professional angler, they will tell without the women back at home doing all these things and raising the kids, they would not be able to be successful and fish the pro tour. It takes a special lady to be the wife of a professional bass fisherman.

Why aren’t more women fishing the pro tours with the men? As I have just revealed, 98% of the wives/women take care of everything going on in the household. This means that the ladies have less opportunity to get away and go fishing. To fish the professional level, requires a lot of time away from home with speaking engagements, travel, practice days and the 3- or 4-day tournament itself. When it’s all said and done, an angler will be gone from home 10 to 14 days straight at a time; sometimes even up to a month if the schedule calls for back-to-back events. Honestly, most men are not programed to handle the daily household chores and commitments with the kids required to keep a house running smoothly. Yes, this is sad but true!  Us men know our limitations!

Now let’s look at women competing against the men. This is where I might get into some hot live well water. First, yes women can catch fish just like the men do but there seems to be a disconnect with catching bigger fish which I feel comes into play because of technique. Most men tend to power fish more than the ladies do. By that I mean men like flip and punch heavy cover like hydrilla, lily pads, deep brush tops and flip bushes with jigs and soft plastic lures; they like to throw big crankbaits all day which can take a physical toll on even the most fit angler. Most of the women I have fished with, tend to be more finesse type fishermen with lighter/smaller lures. A lot of women I’ve noticed really like to use a Carolina rig which is also more of a finesse technique.

Nothing wrong with anything the women are using; it’s just that finesse style fishing tends to produce smaller bags weighed in on tournament day. Trust me, I know there are times when finesse techniques work better for the men as well. But this is not the norm with guys most of the time. Now I know I’ll hear from some lady bass anglers how wrong I am but all I have to go by is what I have observed in my 31 years of tournament experience fishing with the ladies or guiding some of the pro tour ladies for an upcoming event. It’s just like any other sport; women are going to do things a little differently most of the time than men do basically because of our physical makeup. Another thing that gives the men an advantage is the fact that men will more than likely make more casts in a day than the ladies therefore giving them more opportunities to catch more fish again due to the power fishing techniques men tend to use.

Understand, that these are general rules of thumb and there are exceptions to these so-called rules I’ve established. Next week we’ll take a serious look at some of the best women bass anglers of all time. I just want to make sure you understand that I’m not trying to slight the ladies at all, but I want people to understand the reasons why there aren’t more ladies fishing either the women’s pro tour like the LBAA (Lady Bass Anglers Association) or fishing on the men’s tours. Again, without the ladies, it would be very difficult for the men to go fishing and make a living on the pro tour. Till next week, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!

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Open House at Magnolia Bend Academy will be Thursday, August 5. PreK-6th Grade will be from 5:30-6:30pm and 7th-12th grade will be 6:30-7:30. If you have a student in both grades, you can come at any time.

The school also posted they have sent out an email about Gradelink, our online gradebook. If you have not received an email, please let us know.

The first day at Magnolia Bend Academy will be August 9^th.  The last day is April 27^th, 2022.  The break schedule is below.

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Tuesday, August 3^rd is MadScienTIST Tuesday.  Local 4-H club members are invited to sign up for a fun day next week.

The day is also known at STEM Day.  It is open for students in Kindergarten through 8^th grade.  Sign up by calling the Red River 4-H office at 932-4342.

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The Coushatta Country Club held its annual Junior Golf Championship on July 23rd.  The tournament is held for the children and grandchildren of Club members, but we do not turn away a child that is interested in playing golf.  The tournament is about learning the rules and etiquette of the game while having fun in a family atmosphere.  The Championship Flight played 18 holes and the Presidential Flight played 15 holes due to time constraints.  The other flights played five holes.  Medals were presented to the winners.  The winners this year are as follows:

Championship Flight:  Slayte Guidry finished 1^st and Holtz Helms was 2^nd.

Presidential Flight:  Jackson Hillman came in 1^st and Hunter Walker was 2^nd.                                          

Eagles:  Milton Guidry was 1^st and Benton Yount finished 2^nd.

Lady Birds:  Kiptin Williams 1st, Hadiley Tarrance 2nd and Alexis Yount finished 3^rd.

Birdies:  P.J. Guidry took 1^st place and Witt Walker was 2^nd.

Baby Birds:  Robby Williams was 1^st and Shelby Sneed took 2^nd.

Chipping and putting contests were also held for the participants. 

Chipping: 

Championship Flight – 1st place Slayte Guidry and 2nd Place – Holtz Helms

Presidential Flight – Tie – Jackson Hillman and Hunter Walker

Eagles – 1st Place – Benton Yount and 2nd Place – Milton Guidry

Lady Birds –  1st Place – Tie – Kiptin Williams and Hadiley Tarrance

Birdies – 1st Place – P.J. Guidry and 2nd Place – Witt Walker

Baby Birds – 1st Place – Robby Williams and 2nd Place – Shelby Sneed

Putting:

Championship Flight – 1st Place – Holtz Helms and 2nd Place – Slayte Guidry

Presidential Flight – 1st Place – Tie Hunter Walker and Jackson Hillman

Eagles – 1st Place – Benton Yount and 2nd Place – Milton Guidry

Lady Birds – 1st Place – Hadiley Tarrance and 2nd Place – Kiptin Williams

Birdies – 1st Place – P.J. Guidry and 2nd Place – Witt Walker

Baby Birds – 1st Place – Shelby Sneed and 2nd Place – Robby Williams

Certificates were presented to the winners of the contests and gift bags were given to all the participants.  We appreciate everyone that came out and we are looking forward to next year.

Thank you to Penny Dupree for information and great photos of the kids from Mallory Yount, Kassie Williams, D’Anna Logan, Kayla Hillman and Silas Guidry.

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Next Thursday is the annual Ice Cream Social at Riverdale Academy.  It will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Also, next Thursday, horse riding resumes at Red River Cowboy Church.  Bring your horse or ride theirs.  This is a free event starting at 6:00 pm in the arena.

And Magnolia Bend Academy holds their fall open house at 6:30 next Thursday.  They are located at the former Catfish Bend restaurant location on Catfish Bend Road.

While you are marking your calendar, save these dates for August.

Police Jury meets at 10:00 am Wednesday, August 4^th on the third floor of the Courthouse.

Fire Department Board meeting is 10:00 am Monday, August 9^th at the fire station.

School Board meets at 4:30 pm Monday, August 9^th at the Administration Building on Alonzo street.

Red River Elementary School holds open house at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, August 10^th.

And Town Council meets at Town Hall at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, August 10^th.

Two Louisiana Tech School of Design students are part of a pair of lengthy group shows that open in Baton Rouge and New Orleans this summer.  Jennifer Robison, a MFA Candidate in Photography, is currently in the group show Iridescence at the Louisiana Art and Science Museum, 100 S. River Road in Baton Rouge. The show opened July 17 and is set to run through July 31, 2022.  Maryam El-Awadi, a Senior Studio Art Major, will be in the group show Louisiana Contemporary at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St. in New Orleans. The show runs August 7 – October 10.

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In recent days the COVID-19 virus and the new Delta Variant has been on the rise in Louisiana.  At the same time, the percentage of the population eligible to receive the vaccine remains low, at not quite a third.

The Journal is presenting three articles in this issue.  Here we took a look at the numbers.  In the following articles we look at the surge in the virus and updated guidelines for wearing masks to protect yourself and others.

First, the numbers.  Louisiana’s population is put at 4,627,002 in 2021.  Information from the Louisiana Department of Health is that 1,706,544 people have completed the series of vaccinations to protect them from COVID-19.  Do the math and 36.88% of the population has been vaccinated.  That is slightly off because only persons 12+ are eligible for vaccination.

Red River Parish is in LDH Region 7.  Information from the LDH website puts the percent of Red River residents who have been vaccinated at 30.54%.

The other chart with this article shows the deaths and illness in the parish attributable to COVID-19.  There have been 31 deaths from COVID-19 and 7 others listed as probable.

There is a lot of information in the following articles.  Many people do not like to scroll down that far, however the information is there if you wish to see it.

The Journal would like to hear from you.  Have you been vaccinated & why did you get it?  Have you declined the vaccine and why?  What sources of information do you rely on?  What is your level of concern about a possible threat from COVID-19?

Send responses to RedRiverParishJournal@gmail.com.  We will not publish names without contacting you for specific permission.

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COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Louisiana both hit records, the Louisiana Department of Health and Governor Edwards both urge individuals in Louisiana to take immediate precautions for their own and others’ safety.

Tuesday, The Louisiana Department of Health announces 6,797 new COVID-19 cases reported to the state since July 26, 2021 – the second highest single-day case count reported since January 6, 2021 (6,882 cases reported that day).

Also Tuesday 1,390 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Louisiana. That represents an increase of 169 hospitalizations since the day before, the largest single-day increase since March 2020. There were three days in March 2020 where the increase was larger: March 25 (220), March 31 (196) and March 26 (185).

“To see this current rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations is becoming increasingly scary,” said Gov. Edwards. “We reported nearly 6,800 cases today in addition to the nearly 8,000 that were reported from the weekend. And today, there are close to 1,400 COVID patients hospitalized statewide — approximately 90 percent of whom are unvaccinated. This is the largest single daily increase since March of last year. the largest single daily increase since March of last year.

“As I said recently, this surge is on us, and that means it is up to each of us to do our part to bring it to an end. It’s within our power. Getting vaccinated is the best way to stay safe and healthy during this pandemic. It is the best way to put it behind us.

“In addition, I am recommending that everyone, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, wear masks while indoors if six feet of physical distance cannot be maintained.

“For anyone asking the question when will this end, the answer is simple: when we decide to do what it takes to end it.

“The most impactful tools to make that happen are free and widely available- the three safe and effective vaccines. I am pleading with everyone who is not vaccinated and is of age to make the decision today to get vaccinated. Talk to a trusted medical professional and get the facts. Don’t let misinformation keep you from protecting yourself and your loved ones.”  

“COVID is surging in Louisiana, and it is not slowing down. As the dangerous and dominant Delta variant continues to spread and COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to skyrocket, we urge all individuals in Louisiana to protect themselves and their families,” said Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer. “Mask while indoors and get tested if you suspect you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. These are public health emergency measures that will limit death and suffering during this fourth surge. To ultimately put this pandemic behind us we need many more Louisianans to go sleeves up, which is why it’s so encouraging to see our weekly vaccination rate climbing.”  See the next article on the updated mask mandate put into effect this week.

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COVID-19 is on the increase across Louisiana.  This has caused the Governor and state health officials to upgrade their recommendations for wearing masks.  The Journal notes that this release is lengthy, however those concerned with protecting themselves may wish to read it to the end.

Note that the La Department of Health’s list of COVID-19 testing sites for the current week does not include any testing in northwest Louisiana.  Check the LDH website for the latest.

News Release from the Governor’s Office

As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in Louisiana, and following the designation of Louisiana by the White House as a “state of concern” because of its rapid case growth and insufficient vaccination rate, Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Department of Health issued updated guidance recommending that all people, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, wear masks indoors when at least six feet of distancing is not physically possible during the fourth surge of COVID-19.

Updated LDH guidance on masking, testing for vaccinated people and workplace accommodations is part of Louisiana’s strategy for ending its fourth surge of COVID, alongside increasing its vaccination rate. Additional measures may be announced later if the situation worsens.

“The White House has notified Louisiana that we are a State of Concern because we are the leading edge of the COVID-19 surge, due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant among the unvaccinated in our state. Indeed, Louisiana leads the nation in case growth, with 47 cases per capita. This should come as no surprise to anyone who has watched our case counts and hospitalizations continue to climb, and it necessitates additional guidance for how all people should stay safe in Louisiana right now, including wearing masks indoors, when unable to maintain social distancing, testing after suspected exposure even if they are vaccinated and, if possible, working remotely from home to limit exposure to groups,” Gov. Edwards said. “Right now, Louisiana has the best tool it has ever had to fight this surge: the COVID-19 vaccines. Encouragingly, our weekly vaccination rate has bumped up which I believe means everyone knows how urgent the situation is. We need even more people in our state to go sleeves up and take the COVID-19 vaccine. Increased vaccinations, when coupled with more masking, testing and distance, can get us out of the fourth surge, but only if people take action quickly.”

“We are in a very dangerous surge right now,” said Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer. “To ensure their own safety people in Louisiana should take precautions immediately. Masking and testing will limit death and suffering until we make it through this.”

UPDATED GUIDANCE FROM LDH

In light of sharply increasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout Louisiana, and as the nation learns more about the transmission dynamics of Delta breakthrough cases, today the Louisiana Department of Health recommends additional layers of protection for all residents, regardless of vaccination status. This updated guidance includes:

All people — vaccinated and unvaccinated — should wear face masks while indoors if 6 feet of physical distance cannot be maintained.

All businesses should review their operations to accommodate employees in a way that reduces unnecessary contact to avoid the spread of COVID in the workplace.

All people should take a COVID test immediately after a known or suspected exposure to COVID-19.

If positive, they should isolate immediately.

If negative, they should retest again between five and seven days post-exposure.

If they develop symptoms of COVID-19 at any point they should test and immediately isolate pending the results.

This guidance will remain in place at least until Louisiana is safely out of its fourth COVID-19 surge, with additional guidance and mitigation measures put in place if and when necessary to slow the spread of the more contagious and virulent Delta variant and preserve hospital capacity.

The following guidance from LDH and the CDC has not yet changed:

At this time CDC advises that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine following an exposure to COVID-19, and LDH is not yet altering this guidance.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, even those who are fully vaccinated or without a known exposure, should get tested.

Anyone who tests positive should immediately isolate. Isolation (for those who test positive for COVID-19) typically consists of:

If symptomatic, at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared, symptoms are improving, and at least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication

If asymptomatic but with a positive test, 10 days from the time the test sample was collected.

Local leaders may implement mitigation measures that are more comprehensive that the current state guidelines should they feel this is best for their communities. In addition, local school boards currently set masking and mitigation policies for their schools.

UPDATES FOR LOUISIANA STATE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

Under the Governor’s proclamation, heads of state government agencies will be authorized to enact masking procedures and mandates indoors when social distancing is not possible. Starting Monday, June 26, executive branch agencies in the Governor’s cabinet will mandate masks indoors of state buildings when distancing is not possible, for employees and visitors.

In addition, appointing authorities are directed to review their current operations to accommodate employees in a way that reduces unnecessary contact to avoid the spread of COVID in the workplace.

REVIEW OF COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

Fever or chills

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle or body aches

Headache

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Congestion or runny nose

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms and the CDC continues to update this list as it learns more about COVID-19. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes may be to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

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The final event in the Red River Parish Library’s series of children’s programs for the summer was a petting zoo.  Children, parents and grandparents enjoyed a hands on experience.

The Jubilee Zoo brought an Alpaca, a small bull, numerous goats and sheep, two very nervous rabbits and other creatures to the library’s side lot for a fun experience for the children.  They were furnished feed for the children to feed the animals, however the turtle enjoyed the fresh green grass the most.

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An extensive heat wave will consume the Central half of the U.S for the next few days. Widespread excessive heat warnings and heat advisories stretch from Montana into the South with the potential for a few record high temperatures in the north-central High Plains.

In our area the heat and lack of rain will continue for the next few days.  Here is the weather service forecast for Red River Parish through the weekend.

Wednesday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 110. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Thursday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 77.

Friday:  Sunny and hot, with a high near 98.

Friday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 76.

Saturday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.

Saturday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 77.

Sunday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.

Sunday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 77.

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By Brad Dison

On Wednesday, June 19, 1957, workers drilled, moved and crushed the earth at the Rattlesnake Uranium Pit Mine, 37 miles north of Monticello, Utah.  46-year-old James W. Rodgers normally worked outside the open pit mine and had only been moved inside the mine that very day to help in drilling operations.  33-year-old Charles “Chuck” Merrifield operated a power shovel, a bucket-equipped machine used for excavating earth or fragmented rock.  June 19 was the first day that James and Chuck worked together.

At about 3:30 p.m., Dee Gardner, a truck driver at the mine, saw James walk from the pit to the red pickup truck assigned to James for working in the mine.  The truck was owned by the mining company and painted a high-visibility red for safety.  James told Dee and other workers nearby, “I guess I’m going to have to kill him (Chuck) before I leave this job.”  James retrieved a .38 caliber revolver from the truck and headed back into the pit.  James walked back past Dee and toward Chuck’s power shovel.  Another mine worker told Dee, “I guess Rodgers is going to scare Chuck with a gun.”

At the power shovel, James motioned for Chuck to get off of the machine.  Chuck stood up, put one foot down out of the cab, and James began firing his pistol.  The first shot was not aimed at Chuck and hit the ground.  A split second later, James aimed the pistol at Chuck and fired until the revolver was empty, with each shot taking effect.  Chuck fell to the ground.  Dee was afraid to move because he “felt Rodgers didn’t like [him] either.”  James turned to Dee and other witnesses and said, “Well, I guess that takes care of that.”  James put the pistol back in his belt and walked toward the pickup truck.  He passed another mine worker as he neared his truck.  James calmly told him, “Well, he asked for it and he got it.”  James got into the pickup truck and drove away.  Chuck died within a few short minutes.

Law enforcement officers in Utah set up roadblocks on the main roads in the area but James had taken a back road into Colorado.  Utah law enforcement officers notified Colorado police near the Utah line of the shooting and told them to be on the lookout for the bright red mine truck.  A policeman near Cortez, Colorado, about 100 miles east of the mine, recognized the vehicle immediately and initiated a traffic stop.  The officer told James that a lot of policemen were looking for him, to which he replied, “Yes, I guess you are.”  The officer arrested James without incident.  He was armed with a .22 caliber rifle and the .38 caliber pistol he used in the shooting.  James reassured officers that he “wasn’t going to shoot anybody else.”  While in custody, James eagerly confessed to killing Chuck.

When questioned about the shooting, James told reporters, “I can’t tell you why I did it.  He’d been getting on my nerves for some time, and I knew it was going to lead to serious trouble… But I just can’t explain why I did it. He came at me one time with a wrench in his hand and I thought he was going to hit me.  He didn’t, but I felt he didn’t like me, and he kept on needling me.  Not anything in particular, but all the time.  I just couldn’t take any more of it.  But I can’t tell you why I shot him.”

In court, James pled not guilty by reason of insanity.  His attorneys argued that James was suffering from Syphilis which impaired his mental processes.  The disease, his attorneys argued, had deteriorated his brain, which affected his thinking and reasoning capabilities.  After two trials and a host of appeals, James was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to death by firing squad. 

In the early morning hours on March 30, 1960, Sheriff Seth Wright and prison warden John Turner sat with James and waited for daylight, the time of his execution.  The sheriff held a black hood that would be put over James’s head during the execution.  James looked at the hood and asked the sheriff, “What you got there?”  Sheriff Wright replied, “something to keep you warm.”  “Don’t worry,” James answered, “I’ll be where it’s warm pretty quick.”  When it was time to go to the prison field, Sheriff Wright asked if he was ready.  James quipped, “Yes, give me an hour’s head start.”  Just before the five riflemen “blasted him into eternity,” Sheriff Wright asked James if he had a last request.  “Sure,” James replied, “how about a bullet-proof suit?”  His request was denied.

Sources:

1. The San Juan Record (Monticello, Utah), June 20, 1957, p.1.
2. The San Juan Record, December 12, 1957, p.1.
3. Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah), December 9, 1958, p.21.
4. The Ogden Standard-Examiner (Ogden, Utah), March 30, 1960.

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Hundreds of people came down the winding road, LA 177, to Clara Springs Camp last Friday afternoon.  They enjoyed a delicious fried catfish dinner with fries, hushpuppies and all the fixings.

The camp gave the head count as 310 people served.  The meal was prepared by volunteers from First Baptist Coushatta.

Thanks to Lee Dickson for the great photos.

The fish fry is held every fourth Friday at the camp.  The next one will be on August 28th so mark your calendar.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced Monday that 14 projects around the state were recently let. Twelve contractors presented apparent low bids totaling $40.1 million.

One of those projects is in Red River Parish.  Patching and asphalt surface treatment on LA 174, LA 2A, and LA 4 in Bienville, Claiborne, and Red River parishes: $1,222,590.10.

“This letting marks the beginning of quite a few routine statewide projects,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. “Of note are a couple of projects that will repair several bridges that were damaged by Hurricanes Laura and Delta, and we’re also investing over $15 million on a much-needed project to resurface 8.4 miles of U.S. 190 west of Baton Rouge.”

The complete list of projects and their apparent low bids are as follows:

Bridge Replacement and Repair:

Replacement of Boeuf River Bridge on LA 15 in Richland Parish: $7,209,166.62

Electrical and mechanical repairs of bridges on LA 14 and LA 330 in Iberia and Vermilion parishes: $557,900.00

Electrical, mechanical, and structural repairs of bridges on LA 3147, LA 319, and LA 1246 in St. Mary and Vermilion parishes: $495,800.00

Pavement/ Overlay:

Milling, patching, overlay, and drainage on LA 21 between W. Jct. of LA 1083 and Fairgrounds Blvd. in St. Tammany Parish: $1,856,347.12

High friction surface treatment on local roads in Lafayette Parish: $316,490.50

Patching and asphalt surface treatment on LA 174, LA 2A, and LA 4 in Bienville, Claiborne, and Red River parishes: $1,222,590.10

Milling, patching, and overlay on LA 2 between West Carroll Parish line and U.S. 65 in East Carroll and West Carroll parishes: $1,692,360.12

Milling, paving, and drainage on LA 493 between Montrose Rd. and LA 1 in Natchitoches Parish: $2,197,292.70

Grading, milling, patching, overlay, and drainage on U.S. 190 between Rougon Rd. and 0.5 miles west of LA 978 in Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge parishes: $15,318,212.61

Road rehabilitation, sidewalks, and multi-use path on N. Monroe St. between S. Service Rd. W. and W. Park Ave. in Lincoln Parish: $5,560,438.27

Congestion Mitigation and Safety:

Guardrail installation on Grammont St. and Booth St. in Ouachita Parish: $128,305.70

Turn lanes on LA 511 at Walker Rd. and Kennedy Dr. in Caddo Parish: $3,286,552.85

Other:

Sidewalks along LA 24 in Terrebonne Parish: $121,270.40

Sidewalks along Civic Center Blvd. in Terrebonne Parish: $168,542.07

Construction projects are prioritized by road/bridge condition, urgency of improvements, type/volume of traffic, crash records, unforeseeable emergencies that caused damage, and several other factors.

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Red River’s new shorter summer vacation is ending soon.  Students return to public schools on August 11^th.  Red River Public Schools has published helpful information for parents to get their children back into the swing of the school schedule.

When students have been out of classes for several weeks, some find it difficult to get back in the habit of getting up early to get ready for school. In the last days before classes resume, it might be helpful to have your student begin following the time schedule of bedtime that you typically follow when school is in session. Hopefully, it becomes an “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise,” reaction, like the old English nursery rhyme claimed.

True enough, adults can also find it difficult to adjust from a more relaxed schedule. In fact, it usually seems more difficult for adults to make the change, even to be healthier, wealthier and wiser.

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By Royal Alexander

The U.S. must take bold and concrete steps to assist these freedom seekers in Cuba, not just because that nation is 90 miles off the Florida coast but because our strong and visible support of the courage and bravery of these Cubans is a direct reflection on our own commitment to the same precious freedoms and sacred rights.

History never ceases to repeat itself.  Totalitarian regimes, founded on Marxism and Leninism and employing communist government-centric models, led by dictators who are absolutely committed to an iron grip on their nations, eventually fall into chaos and strife and then fail.  That is what we are witnessing yet again in Cuba.

We have seen images recently of brave Cuban citizens massing in streets all across that island country for the first time in more than 60 years.  They risk their lives to speak in protest of the rapidly deteriorating economic and humanitarian conditions including a lack of basic goods and services—food, medicine, and other staples as well as electricity outages.

These people—men, women, teenagers, children—are standing up for their basic human rights and dignity to a degree unprecedented in Cuba.  In the past, under the longtime communist rule of Fidel Castro protests were virtually non-existent and they were brutally put down when they did arise. Now, however, aided by social media, these freedom fighters appear willing to stand up to the government, speak truth to power, and chant in unison, No More!  No Mas!

How has the Cuban government responded?  The same way dictators always respond, by brutally cracking down on the demonstrations all the while employing the same lies, doublespeak and euphemisms tyrants always use.

Cuban President Diaz-Canel dishonestly described the demonstrations as being led by a small group of “counter revolutionaries, sold out to the U.S. government” and he encouraged supporters of the government to defeat these freedom seekers.  Not long after, government officials terminated virtually all communication with the rest of the world and then unleashed “security forces” across the country.

Is this not a tired, yet unsettling, refrain? This is how tyrants and dictatorships always respond.

First, employing censorship, propaganda and control these thuggish tyrants first step is to deploy all media to lie to their citizens and the world about the very existence of the demonstrations; Second, tyrants deny and suppress the deplorable human rights abuses and economic desperation that triggered the freedom fighters to risk their lives to speak out demanding change.  This false narrative has included painting the uprising as an attack on the virtue and sanctity of “Mother Russia” or the challenge to a nation’s brutal tyrant as an attack on that nation’s “enlightened” way of life and the so-called “God king” leader who himself is a cult of personality.

Third, tyrants cut off outside communication of every kind.  Fourth, they attack their own people to crush the resistance while labeling the uprising as involving a small group of “counter revolutionaries.”  After that, “show trials” are conducted and the “guilty” are convicted, then often “disappeared” from the face of the earth.  Lastly, we often see a fake, choreographed “show of support” for the regime.

Whether we are speaking of the former Soviet Union (or the current predatory territorial view of other nations Russian president Vladimir Putin might seek to conquer—like the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine); or the iron grip of the Chinese Communist Party, the brutal theocracy of Iran or the vicious tactics of North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, the motives and methods of tyrants never change.   

America must respond clearly and boldly and not risk further damage to our moral authority in a way reminiscent of other American derelictions like our government’s handling of the Arab Spring or our weak and emasculated response to Putin’s annexation of Crimea, or to the gassing by Syria of its own people notwithstanding the U.S.’s so-called “red line.”

The courage we are witnessing by the long subjugated Cuban people “yearning to breathe free” is a truly historic moment that cannot be ignored.  Again, our commitment to this Cuban fight for freedom is a direct reflection of our commitment to our own way of life.

U.S. apologists of the Cuban government allege that these protests were caused by the Coronavirus.  If so, this raises key questions about the ability of the much-heralded Cuban health care system (socialized medicine) to care for its own people without completely melting down.

Cuba’s freedom fighters confirm, yet again, that socialism—including the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (the Nazi Party; yes, Nazism was Socialism and in addition to his intrinsic evil, Hitler was a Socialist and that movement must claim him too)—maintains its perfect record of failure throughout the world, and that given a chance and time, freedom will always find a way. 

It has been a source of great pride to watch freedom fighters in the streets of Havana proudly flying high the beautiful American Flag as a symbol of their willingness to fight and die for the justice and liberty and freedom that it represents to them and to the entire world.

For the same reason, it has been a source of great sorrow to recall the protests of U.S. domestic terrorists in Portland and Seattle and in numerous other U.S. cities burning, trampling and urinating on the same American Flag that, from the time of our Nation’s founding, more than 1.1 million Americans have paid the ultimate price to preserve and protect by freely giving the “last full measure of devotion” on brutal, unforgiving battlefields, and in the skies and on seas and oceans the world over—and then to reflect upon statements from Pres. Biden, AOC and many other defenders and apologists of this anti-American anarchy.

In 1982, President Ronald Reagan spoke to members of the British Parliament. In the speech, he predicted the collapse of Communism and its evil twin, Socialism, saying these anti-freedom “isms” would be left on the ‘ash heap of history.’   Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, his prediction has been born out in much of the world.

Now, the U.S. government must do all within its power to ensure that this Cuban vestige of Marxism/Communism/Socialism is also buried for good.  The long arc of history is said to bend toward justice and freedom and, if so, that means aiding this historic and pivotal Cuban fight for freedom now.

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This is the final week of the season at Anderson’s produce.  Saturday will be the last day!!    They still have wide selection of vegetables to fill your freezers.  Peas, peas, peas are still in abundance.    Peaches are buy one and get one free all week.   We still have several cuts of meat.  roasts , ground, briskets, and tenderized.   So come on out, get a bushel, or get a peck.

Jason Anderson said, “We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you.”  Anderson’s Produce is at 110 Anderson lane, or phone 318-932-1432.

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