Today is the start of the 2022 hurricane season.  Above average hurricane activity is predicted again this year by the National Hurricane Center.  Many people in Louisiana are still trying to recover from storms last year including Hurricane Ida.  That storm was called the second-most damaging and intense hurricane ever to make landfall in the state behind Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has issued its outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. It’s predicting above-average hurricane activity this year — which would make it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season. NOAA’s outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, which extends from June 1 to November 30, is forecasting a likely range of 14 to 21 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.

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Students who aren’t sure where they’ll go to college this fall have until midnight, June 8 to apply for the Journal Services NSU Scholarships, which will award three new Northwestern State University students up to $3,000 in the next school year.

A link to a simple online application form is available here:

APPLICATION:  To Apply – Click Here

The scholarships are designed to assist Class of 2022 high school students who haven’t settled on a college choice, as well as students currently enrolled at other higher-education institutions who are considering transferring to NSU in Natchitoches.

They are being provided by Journal Services, LLC, based in Natchitoches, which supports 12 locally-owned journals covering north central and northwest Louisiana.

“We know there are students who haven’t decided yet where they’ll go to college this fall. We know that in many cases, money is a key factor in making college accessible,” said Bill Vance, general manager of Journal Services, LLC. “We are providing three game-changing scholarships bringing eager students to NSU to take advantage of the excellent academic programs here, and to live in a community where there are plenty of opportunities to find part-time jobs and to have a great student experience.”

Applicants are asked to provide their high school GPA (and college GPA if applicable), and also, report their ACT score along with listing honors, extracurricular activities and other relevant information on the form. That information will provide a basis for selecting the three winners.

The scholarship awards are for $1,500 cash per semester in the 2022-23 academic year. To renew the scholarship for the Spring 2023 semester, winners must post at least a 2.7 Fall semester GPA at NSU.

Scholarship winners must live in Natchitoches Parish during the upcoming school year. They are also required to have in-person, face-to-face instruction for 75 percent of their classes in 2022-23.

Students who have already accepted financial aid awards from Northwestern are not eligible to apply.

 

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By Molly Seales

On Thursday, May 19, the 1^st-6^th graders at Riverdale Academy celebrated the last day of school with an amazing field day organized by 1^st grade teacher Lauren Wiggins. This year, the students were able to enter the “Design a Field Day” shirt competition. 1^st grader Lauren Woodard was the winner with an “Ohana Means Family” themed design.

7^th grade students, as well as some high school students, helped out with the many fun games at field day. There were lots of balloons, running, squealing, and water activities, and the students were very competitive trying to win ribbons in their games. There were several places for photos, including a surf-themed backdrop and a vintage bus decorated with a Hawaiian themed balloon arch.

Probably the highlight of the day for the students was the opportunity to launch an all-out water balloon attack on principal Danny Rester. Mr. Rester took a beating and was such a good sport! He invited dean of students Dr. Hunter Brown to join him in the bombardment, but Dr. Brown gracefully declined.

This was a perfect ending to a great school year. We hope all of the students have a super fun summer! We will see you all in August!

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A gentle breeze broke the sweltering heat of a Saturday afternoon as family and friends gathered beneath tents and awnings.  The aromas of delicious stuff floated up from the pit that several gentlemen had been tending since early morning.  Friends and neighbors worked feverously to get the tables and chairs, decorations, long serving line and everything all in order.

There was going to be a celebration.  Mama Annie turned 99 years young and that definitely was cause for celebration.

Her daughter Marilyn Kessee was the hostess and she made sure everyone had something cool to drink.  She told the Journal that relatives and friends from all over had made their way to the party.  There was a sister from Boston, a grandson and great grandson from Washington, DC, and a brother James who came from next door.

And then about 3:00 pm the birthday girl appeared at the door of her house.  With a little help Annie Barfield descended the back steps to a seat of honor under the shade of a tree not quite as old as she is.  She humbly accepted the congratulations from everyone.

Her sense of humor is strong.  She laughed.  She gestured to folks she recognized.  And she patiently posed for picture after picture after picture. Mama Annie enjoyed the attention. 

Then daughter Marilyn Kessee called the crowd to order by thanking everyone.  “We’re here to celebrate her 99^thbirthday,” said Kessee, “I am so delighted you joined us.  This is a day the Lord has made.  Let’s rejoice in it.”

Kessee explained, “We all called her Mama Annie because she reached out to everyone.”  The stories circulating among the well-wishers bore that out as person after person spoke of the times Annie had touched them while they were growing up.

Her 99^th Birthday Party was a great tribute to Annie Barfield by the crowd of more than 100 who say she touched them and the lives of many throughout the community.

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By Teddy Allen

Good thing some of the Shreveport boys went with Louisiana Tech’s baseball team this weekend to Hattiesburg, Miss., where the Bulldogs won the CUSA Tournament and some home boys found themselves playing dramatic roles.

Sophomore utility infielder Riggs Easterling, in his first year at Tech after starring at Loyola College Prep and Mississippi Delta Community College, scored his third and most important run of the year, the game-winner in Sunday’s 9-8 championship game victory over UTSA. The speedy Easterling had come on to pinch-run for CUSA Defensive Player of the Year Logan McLeod, who got the winning rally started with an infield single.

Junior lefthander Jonathan Fincher of C.E. Byrd cleverly brought along his left hand and even his left arm and together, the gang combined for 10 innings. He threw three innings and just 36 pitches in relief in the 4-0 win over Charlotte Wednesday; he gave up two hits, struck out two and didn’t walk anybody.

He started Saturday night’s elimination game, pitched seven innings, threw 96 pitches, gave up six hits, five runs, struck out eight, walked one, and left the game with a 5-5 tie; Tech scored two in the bottom of the ninth for an 8-7 win and its first walk-off victory of the season.

It’s second was Sunday, and the final at-bat starred senior Steele Netterville, Fincher’s high school friend and teammate, part of the future Fincher & Netterville Doctors ’R’ Us duo. But before medical school, the two are trying to get to Omaha, the next hurdle being the Austin Regional that begins when Tech plays Dallas Baptist at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Sunday’s hurdle was Step 1 and provided more drama than any appendicitis case Netterville might face down the road. The stage for Netterville: teammates on second and third, score 8-8, two outs, bottom nine. Righthanded hitter Netterville against righty reliever Braylon Owens.

Swing, foul ball, 0-1.

Outside and high, 1-1.

Called strike, 1-2. Looked outside. Netterville reacted, as did Tech’s Taylor Young, who’d been intentionally walked and was on second; he went semi-nuts and spread his palms to suggest just how outside the zone the pitch had been.

The sophomore Netterville might have been dead meat. Though back then he led the Bulldogs in extra base hits, tied for the lead in homers and was third in RBI, his strikeouts were high and he gave a lot of at-bats away. And batting in the heart of the order, he was going to get pitched tough anyway; he had to learn how not to help the pitcher.

“Three years ago, it was harder for me to flush it and move on to the next pitch,” Netterville said. “I’d have likely swung at the next pitch and still been mad at the umpire. (Hitting) Coach (Mitch) Gaspard really helped me grow as a hitter and as a person, along with (head coach) Lane Burroughs; they’ve been the perfect combination. Then you add in all the positive energy from Coop (pitching coach Cooper Fouts).”

The perfect combination included lots of at-bats, lots of pitching machine sliders, lots of video studying. Work and patience.

“You know him,” Gaspard said of Tech’s 3-hole hitter. “He was going to work at it until he figured it out.”

He’s hitting .311 now for the 42-19 Bulldogs with 45 career homers and a program record 62 career doubles. That and lots of practice waited for the 1-2 pitch Sunday.

Slider outside. Laid off. 2-2.

Then … it appeared Owens balked which, if called, would have ended the game and scored Easterling from third then. Netterville’s reaction was semi-violent. He stepped back. Pointed toward the rubber. Glanced at the dugout. But just as quickly, he stepped back into the box and got ready.

“The umpire told me to focus, and that just made more mad,” Netterville said. “First, he strikes me on a ball, then misses a balk. So, I was a little heated on the 2-2.

“But,” he said, “I cleared my mind. I heard Coach Gaspard in the background telling me to make the pitcher get the ball up, to relax.”

The pitch was worth his wait. Fastball up and away. Netterville might have been a little late with his swing, but a little late was just right. He bounced the ball just inside the first base bag and into the safety of right field to end the at-bat.

And to end the tournament.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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By Molly Seales

On Tuesday, May 17 through Thursday, May 19, the Riverdale Academy 8^th grade class traveled to South Louisiana for the annual Louisiana History Trip. The students began their trip by having lunch at the PastTime in Baton Rouge, followed by a tour of the Louisiana State Capitol Building. Students got to meet State Senator Louie Bernard, who recognized the group from the Senate floor when the afternoon session began. They also had an opportunity to go to the top of the building for photo ops and a view of the city. Next, they traveled to the Louisiana Old State Capitol where they got to view the beautiful architecture and saw “The Ghost of the Castle” interactive short film.

Later that afternoon they got a VIP tour of Tiger Stadium and had a blast taking pictures by the field where the Tigers run out. They also enjoyed sitting in Joe Burrow’s former spot in the locker room. After the tour, the group attended an LSU vs. NSU baseball game at Alex Box Stadium. After the game, the group departed for New Orleans.

Wednesday morning, the group made its first stop at Mardi Gras World, where the students and chaperones had an interactive experience making a Mardi Gras mask, followed by a guided tour of the museum where they got to see floats being made. After that, they went to the World War II Museum for lunch, a tour, and the movie Beyond All Boundaries.The group then headed to the French Quarter where they enjoyed beignets at Café du Monde, saw St. Louis Cathedral, took a picture at the Moonwalk, and did a little souvenir shopping. Finally, they boarded the City of New Orleans Steamboat for a relaxing dinner cruise on the Mississippi River.

On Thursday, the group departed New Orleans for Houma’s House Plantation, which was beautiful and had some rich history about our state. The final stop on the trip was an airboat swamp tour at Basin’s Landing near Lafayette. The group got to see some beautiful scenery and an alligator or two.

I asked some of the students what their favorite part of the trip was, and here are some of the responses. Alaina Boyd said her favorite things were walking around New Orleans and the World War II Museum because she loves learning about history. Ben Moseley, the class history buff, said his favorites were the World War II Museum and the airboat swamp tour. Tyler Wilhite loved the World War II Museum, while his brother Mason enjoyed the museum as well as the City of New Orleans Steamboat dinner cruise. Julia Grace Riggs enjoyed the LSU and NSU baseball game as well as the World War II Museum, where she liked learning about the pilots.

8^th grade LA History teacher Bethany Seales would like to thank all of the chaperones who went and all of the people who supported this class on their fundraisers. Because of the community generosity, the class was able to earn enough money that each student was able to do everything on the trip without out-of-pocket expenses in New Orleans. They were truly blessed with this opportunity and will have the memories for a lifetime.

2022 Jr High LHSRA State Rodeo Finals are in the books.  Next stop is Perry, Georgia for the National Rodeo.  Magnolia Bend Academy is celebrating with those who are headed to Georgia.

Noah and Carter Perry are the Louisiana Team Roping State Champions.  Noah will compete at the National Rodeo in Perry, Georgia at the end of June.  He also qualified in chute dogging and goat tying and finished out the season as Reserve Champion All Around Cowboy.

Others from Magnolia Bend Academy going to the nationals are:

Kynsley Mudge – Break a way champion

Kayson Lasyone – 2nd Ribbon roping

Noah Weeks  – heeler team roping champion

Will Pleasant and Kynsley Mudge – team roping

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The Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History came to Coushatta this past weekend.  Kevin Young came to celebrate his grandmother’s 99^th birthday. 

Prior to that position, Young spent 20 years at the Schomburg Center in Harlem.  The center is part of the 100 year old New York Public Library system.  He said they have the oldest and largest collection of African American artifacts.

Young, who has spent much of his life working to preserve the history of African Americans in this country, is also a prolific writer.  His latest work is a children’s book.

Young said Emile and the Field is his latest.  “It is a children’s book that I named for my great grandfather on his father’s side,” said Young.  In the book, Emile falls in love with a field.  Not to give away the plot, Young said, “It is a story in which Emile learns to share.”

His bookshelf contains a recent book of poems Stones about Louisiana gravestones.  Some of those stones can be found in the Springville Cemetery.

For the past year and a half, Young has been director of the Museum of African American History in Washington, DC.  You may recall a TV network special on the construction.  Young said a couple of items had to be lowered into place by large cranes prior to finishing the building.  “There is a railroad car, a segregated car.  Also, there is a guard tower from Angola State Prison,” and Young added, “The museum has 400,000 square feet of display space with 40,000 objects in inventory.  At any one time about 3,000 of them are on view.”

The Journal inquired about some of the more significant items in the collection.  Young said, “We have Harriet Tubman’s hymnal and handkerchief.  There is Nat Turner’s Bible, Brenna Taylor’s portrait by Amy Sherril and the original casket of Emmitt Till from his wake in Chicago.”

Young said he comes to Coushatta for a visit as often as he can.  He attended his grandmother’s 95th birthday celebration several years ago.  And he plans to come back for birthday number 100 next year.

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By Brad Dison

Erik Weihenmayer liked to test his limits.  He was an angry, rebellious kid who eventually turned his fury into competitiveness and personal achievement.  He joined his high school’s wrestling team and, to everyone’s amazement including his own, he became a champion.  He became a skydiver, skier, long-distance biker, marathon runner, kayaker, and scuba diver.  There seemed to be no limit to what Erik could accomplish.

In 1987, Erik enrolled at Boston College.  Four years later, he graduated with a 3.1 grade point average and a degree in English.  Unable to land a job, Erik returned to college and earned a masters degree in education.  He finally got hired as a grade school teacher in Phoenix, Arizona.  It was while he was in Arizona that Erik became interested in mountain climbing.  In 1995, he joined a team of climbers who were determined to climb Alaska’s 20,310-foot Denali Mountain, also known as Mount McKinley.  After months of preparations, arduous training, and a difficult climb, Erik and his team summited Denali.  He and his team spent a total of 21 days on the mountain.  During that time, three climbers on other teams died while climbing the same mountain. 

In the five years that followed, Erik had summited the highest peaks of five of the seven continents, and had climbed the vertical 3,000-foot face of Yosemite’s El Capitan.  In the previous fifty years, 170 climbers had lost their lives trying to climb the mountains that Erik had bested.  In 2000, Erik set his sights on conquering Earth’s highest mountain, the 29,031-foot Mount Everest.  Family and friends tried to persuade Erik not to attempt Mount Everest because of the high number of climbers who had died trying to conquer the mountain.  Erik could not be dissuaded.

Finally, after months of training, Erik and his team began their ascent of the world’s highest peak.  Climbing Mount Everest took its toll on Erik’s body.  He suffered from bouts of dehydration and dysentery, but Erik continued to climb. His confidence grew with each step he took toward the towering peak.  At one point, Erik’s climbing partner stumbled and fell into a crevasse.  While falling, his partner’s ice ax accidentally cut Erik’s face.  After helping his partner regain his footing, the team treated Erik’s cut with the first aid kit they had brought along.  They continued to climb.

On May 25, 2001, Erik and his eighteen team members reached the summit of Mount Everest.  Erik and his team earned several records upon reaching the summit.  Erik’s team was the largest single group of people who had ever reached its peak.  64-year-old team member Sherman Bull, a Connecticut physician, became the oldest person to reach the summit.  The team reached the peak with the heaviest piece of equipment climbers had ever lugged up the mountain, a 25-pound high-definition camera used to document the climb. 

Erik and his team had little time to celebrate.  They spent a mere fifteen minutes at the peak before they began the dangerous task of descending the mountain.  When Erik completed his descent from the mountain he said, “I feel great,” and added “my next challenge will be to climb into bed.”

Erik was not the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest.  He was not the first person to complete the Seven Summits—at the time about 150 people had done it before.  He was not the first to reach the top of the Carstensz Pyramid, the Eighth Summit. He was not the first to climb up the 3,000-foot Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite, nor was he the first person to ascend Losar, the 2,700-foot vertical ice face in the Himalayas.  Although he was not the first to reach these peaks, Erik became something of a superstar among climbers.  He even appeared on the June 18, 2001 cover of Time magazine following his reaching the summit of Mount Everest, though he never got to see it.  In fact, he never got to take in the view from atop the world at Mount Everest.  Erik Weihenmayer is blind.

Sources:

1. Daily Press (Victorville, California), June 7, 2001, p.6.
2. Time Magazine, June 18, 2001.
3. The Boston Globe, June 27, 2001, p.81.

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LifeShare’s LifeScholar Program is designed to honor students who demonstrate community service and leadership by becoming regular blood donors.

We had a number of students participate to give the Gift of Life.  Among them are Hayley Loe of Red River High School.  Other area LifeScholars are Saline HS LifeScholar – Hannah Leggett, and Castor High School LifeScholars – Gracelynn Rimsky & Kaydence Pickett.

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Margaret Bierden Downs

July 24, 1928 to May 28, 2022

Graveside services at 12:00 Noon on June 4, 2022 at Beulah Cemetery in Marthaville.

Sandra Sharlene Bochkstanz

June 8, 1956 to May 29, 2022

Funeral service at 10:00 am on Friday June 3, 2022 at Rockett-Nettles Chapel

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There is a blood drive in town today.  LifeShare will be at Red River High School from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm in the new gym.

The Red River Parish Library will be closed Friday June 3rd for a staff development day.  The library would also like to remind everyone to come by  and pick up a library survey.  Fill it out and drop it off later.  Answering the questions will give us valuable information on how to better serve the community.

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Report from the Red River Sheriff’s Office for May 23-29, 2022.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Pastor Dr. Louis Smith, Jr.

April 12, 1943 ~ May 20, 2022 (age 79)

Funeral service will be 11:00 am, Saturday, May 28, 2022 at New Bethel MBC in Shreveport.

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On May 24, 2022, eighteen Red River Academic Academy (RRAA) students at the Springville campus earned graduation certificates for successfully completing the requirements of the DARE program. Red River Parish Sheriff’s Deputy/DARE Officer Rodrick Johnson officiated the ceremony.

DARE, which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, is a program designed to teach students the dangers of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco as well as “how to say no” using DARE’s five resistance strategies. Topics covered include communication skills, peer pressure, stress, and bullying along with facts and health effects of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Students also learned the DARE Decision Making Model which is designed to help them make safe and responsible choices throughout their lives.

While all the students did a great job, every year one member of each fifth grade class is selected as a workbook winner while another is recognized for writing the best DARE essay. Congratulations to essay winner Jacarvis Speed and workbook winner Lillie Harlow! In addition to those two awards, a special Dare Officer’s Award for excelling on her DARE homework assignment was presented to Lauren Babers!

During the service Principal Daniels, Sheriff Edwards, and Deputy Johnson spoke to the students about the importance of making wise decisions and the rewards associated with those good choices. They were also reminded of negative consequences associated with poor choices and the importance of using the information, skills, and tools they learned in DARE on a daily basis. As the DARE program is a team effort involving the school, law enforcement and parents, the students were encouraged to continue to turn to these three sources as part of their help networks.

It was a great year and a great class! Deputy Johnson would like to thank fifth grade teacher Mrs. Pickett as well as Principal Daniels for their support of DARE, the fifth grade students for their hard work, the parents for entrusting their children to us, and Sheriff Edwards for making the program available.

As always, Sheriff Edwards would like to thank the Red River Parish School Board and administration for allowing our department to present the DARE program and for everyone’s combined effort in making it another successful year for the students. Congratulations 2021-22 RRAA DARE class on a job well done!

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This year, Miss RRHS is Payal Patel, and Mr. RRHS is Ryder Hogan.  Red River High said, “These are 2 great seniors, and they represent us well.”

Each senior is given an opportunity to fill out an application listing all of their accomplishments and activities they were involved in during their 4 years at Red River High. 

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The RRHS gym with a large crowd in attendance was the venue for the annual Junior Class Ring ceremony.  It was held on Wednesday afternoon.  Class rings were presented to seventy-three class members.

This year the class voted to not take the upcoming year for granted, but to become the golden standard.  In addition to being the leaders at their school, they plan to lead in their community.  They plan to help others and to leave a positive impact on the younger generation.

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Public schools in Red River Parish are in recess for the last major holiday of the school year.  They are out for Memorial Day.  The nation celebrates the last Monday in May each year as a memorial to those who have defended this country.

The school’s Memorial Day break started Thursday, May 26 and lasts through Monday, May 30. Red River schools said, “As we enjoy our time away from the regimen of school, let us not forget the purpose and meaning of Memorial Day. Freedom comes with a great price, and it is paid for by the ultimate sacrifice of brave men and women who have given their lives so that we can be free. We give honor to them as we celebrate Memorial Day.”

Public school classes resume Tuesday, May 31.

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Magnolia Bend Academy is out for the summer.  Campuses will be open on Tuesday’s from 9:00 am until1:00 pm. We will return all text messages, phone calls, messages on Messenger, and emails on that day.

Mrs. Lacey, the school accountant, will be working Monday through Friday 9:00 am until 3:00 pm.

If you have a question, please email us or message the following:

For Coushatta campus:

Michelle Castello

magnoliabendacademy1@gmail.com

For Natchitoches campus:

Tori Solomon

Torisolomon@live.com

For Many campus:

Nan Arthur

NanMBAMany22@gmail.com

For homeschool:

Michelle Castello

Magnoliabendacademy1@gmail.com

For fee questions:

Lacey Loyd 318-581-5678

Thanks! And have a fantastic summer break!!

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By Steve Graf

Every year I make plans to meet my brother, Mike Comer, and my nephew, Chris, along with a host of characters from their past, for some offshore fishing for speckled trout, redfish and maybe a flounder or two. This is a welcome change from my constant chasing of largemouth bass. It’s a trip that has brought two brothers closer together and allowed for sharing of so many stories of our parallel pasts. Our parents divorced when our mother was pregnant with me. Mike was 5 years older than me and stayed with our dad, while I stayed with our mom after I was born. I never knew about Mike until it was revealed to me around the age of ten. Yes, it’s complicated and sad that we never got to meet each other until about 6 years ago, but we have taken full advantage of this opportunity and are trying to make up for lost time.

This annual fishing trip to Galveston, Texas, has great meaning for me as it allows us to reunite and share our family history and memories of years gone by, as well creating new ones. It’s a time when I get to sit and talk with Mike and hear stories about our dad and the grandparents who raised him, both of whom I never got to meet. At the same time, I get to share my memories of our mother who was not a part of his life. It’s kind of a sad story, but one we are both fortunate, in so many ways, to have been a part of. Our past has shaped both of us, in a positive way, into the people we are today. God has a funny sense of humor sometimes, but he always has a plan and knows your destination. We were both blessed with people who made sure we were given a chance to excel in life, people who took us in and raised us as their own. Mike was with his grandparents and I with my aunt and uncle.

Sports and fishing have played a huge role in both of our lives, creating opportunities that any young man would be lucky to experience. But nothing brings two brothers together more than going out on a body of water and picking up a rod with a topwater bait tied on and catching fish. There’s just something special about a bass, redfish or a trout blowing up on a walking bait like a Zara Spook. Yes, it is very competitive between us as to who caught the most or the biggest fish of the day. There’s a lot of picking and joking around as to who was the better athlete or who is the best fisherman….which by the way is me since I’m the one writing this article. I will make sure Mike gets a copy of this testimonial, so he’ll know the truth.

All jokes aside, Mike and I have only known each other for less than 6 years, but our connection with each other runs deep. Every time we get together, it’s an adventure on the water, but it’s also a time to reconnect and talk about the time we missed growing up together like brothers should. But neither one of us has any regrets or grudges. We recognize that this has been a small part of God’s plan for each of us. We recognize the blessing we have been given and that God has brought us together for a reason. One thing is for sure, we both love to fish and as long as we can both pick up a rod and make a cast, our brotherly competition will continue for whatever time we have left here on Earth. Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook.

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Louisiana Tech University’s School of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry (SAFS) awarded $34,000 in scholarships and a number of other awards at its annual Agriculture Scholarship Banquet.  One of those went to Alyssa Woodard of Coushatta.

“These students have worked incredibly hard to position themselves to continue their successful career path in agriculture,” said Dr. Christopher Keyes, SAFS Director. “They’ve demonstrated the Tenets of our university including excellence, commitment, knowledge, and leadership and deserve to be celebrated.”

An area student was recognized with a scholarship and for her active participation in the Gamma Chapter of Alpha Zeta, the honor society of highest distinction for service, leadership, and scholarship for agriculture and natural resources.  She is Alyssa Woodard of Coushatta, and she was awarded the William Green Endowed Scholarship.

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It is time for fresh from the farm fruits and veggies.  Anderson’s Produce at Lake End is open for the 2022 season.  Anderson’s Produce said, “We have a great crop in store this year for you.” 

In addition to the freshest fruits and vegetables, Anderson’s has the farm raised fresh beef from Dan Cason farms.   Also, there is a great selection of flowers and ferns.

Anderson’s Produce is located halfway between LA 1 and I-49 at 110 Anderson Lane.  Phone 318-932-1432.  Farmer Anderson said, “Come on out and see us at the farm.”

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Our parish has been spared a tornado thus far in 2022.  Nearby parishes have not been so lucky.  The National Weather Service in Shreveport issued the latest count for northwest Louisiana, east Texas, southeast Oklahoma and southwest Arkansas at 31.  The tornado northeast of Detroit, TX now brings our total to 31 tornadoes so far this year.

DeSoto and Red River parishes have had no tornadoes in 2022.  Hardest hit are Natchitoches and Caddo parishes with four tornadoes each.  Rusk County in east Texas has had five.

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