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Two United Methodist Churches in Red River Parish met on Sunday at First Methodist Church in Coushatta and voted to disaffiliate with the United Methodist Church.  First Church in Coushatta and Wesley Chapel held separate church conferences chaired by the Rev. Karli Pidgeon of the Alexandria District.  The votes were taken at those conferences.

Current members of each church were given ballots to express their choice.  The three options were to stay, to disaffiliate, or to abstain.  All but one First Church ballot was to disaffiliate.  The vote at Wesley Chapel was unanimous to leave the denomination.

It is not effective until December 31^st and there are a couple of other things to be completed before the UMC releases the two churches.  Once all paperwork is completed and all financial obligations are met, there will be a special Louisiana General Conference during November and all UMC Churches in the state wishing to leave the denomination, including the two in Red River Parish, will come up for a vote.  Then the official release of local church property will be made by the conference.

Both churches will become independent churches as of January 1, 2023.

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By Christy Suggs

Friday night Red River traveled to Lakeview to take on the Gators in the second district game of 3-2A. This was the first time the Bulldogs had played on the new orange and green Gator’s field. When the night was over Red River defeated Lakeview 40-6 to go 2-0 in district.

Gators started out with the ball. But it was short lived due to a fumble recovered by the Bulldogs. Bulldogs jumped out with a powerful first play, scoring a touchdown by Jamarion Demery at 11:35 of the first quarter. Senior Miguel Allen followed it up with a PAT making the score 7-0. One the first attempt at a punt, Bulldogs got a roughing the kicker penalty giving the gators a first down. After 3 more plays the Gators were forced to punt. After a few first downs and a penalty later, the Dawgs were forced to punt. With only gaining 2 yards in 3 plays the Gators gave the Dawgs the ball on the 29 yard line. At the end of a 12 play drive, the Dawgs handed the ball off to Jyrel Jones for a 14 yard touchdown making the score 14-0 after the PAT with 10:49 to go in the 2nd quarter. Once again the Gators were unable to get a first down so they punted to the Dawgs. After 4 plays the Dawgs were forced to punt. Zylon Newman would force a fumble giving the Dawgs the ball on their own 33 yard line. While on the LHS 22 yard line, the Dawgs would throw an incomplete pass forcing them to kick a field goal. Unfortunately, it was a miss.

The Bulldogs would force another fumble, giving the offense field position on Lakeview’s 6 yard line. Leonard Mosley made a touchdown on the following play bringing the score to 20-0 right before the half.

Bulldogs started the second half with the ball. While in the red zone, the Dawgs would complete a pass to Shaylon Newton for a 9 yard touchdown followed by a PAT. 27-0. The Gators put their only score for the night on the board with a kick return making the score 27-6 with 8:21 to go in the 3rd. Less than 2 minutes later the Dawgs score from a 10 yard pass to Shaylon Newton. 34-6

The Bulldogs recover another fumble giving them the ball midfield but had to punt after failing to make a first down. The Gators had the same bad luck as the Dawgs getting a first down so they were forced to punt. A 61 yard punt return by Jieron Calhoun made the score 40-6. No more scores were made by either team. The final score would be RR 40 Lakeview 6.

Coach Harper had this to say about the 2 district games so far. “We are very proud of how well the team is playing right now. We have played a very difficult out of district schedule to prepare us for district and the playoffs. Opening district against J-Hodge with a win was a huge boost for us. J-Hodge was a win away from playing in the Dome. They have an LSU commit playing linebacker who’s a game changer on defense. Our offensive line did a great job all night opening big holes for Leonard Mosley. Our defense played very well neutralizing their run game. This week we traveled to 4-2 Lakeview and played a complete game. Both offense and defense played very well. Offensively we had 7 different receivers with receptions. Jieron Calhoun had a punt return for a TD & Shaylon Newton had 8 receptions for 156 yards 2 TD’s. We travel to Winnfield to play the #6 ranked team in the power rankings this Friday night.” 

Bulldogs are 3-4 overall with 2-0 in district.

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Red River Elementary had the honor in September to have the Quality Kid of the Month: Kyra Brisker.

Kyra Brisker began her 2022-2023 school year Red River Ready.  Since day one of entering 5th grade at Red River Elementary, she has been motivated, prepared, and ready to meet her next set of goals. 

Kyra gives 100% effort each day to go over and above everything she has set out to do, which is evidenced in her grades and content mastery.  She is always eager to assist her peers and teachers in their time of need. 

Kyra  is very attentive during class and not afraid to stand alone.  She doesn’t have to be a part of the crowd or follow the crowd.  She understands what it means to make good choices. 

Kyra Brisker is a smart, sassy young lady who deserves the honor of serving as Red River Elementary School’s September Student of the Month.

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The Journal congratulates Randy Thomas, the winner of last week’s High School Football Pickers contest.  Randy wins $100 for correctly predicting the outcome of eight out of ten games.

Here is the results key, so you can see how you did.

Weekly High School Pickers Contest – RRPJ
Week Ending	Away	Score	At Home	Score
14-Oct	Red River	40	Lakeview	6
	Jonesboro-Hodge	12	Mansfield	20
	Many	42	Winnfield	14
	Riverdale Academy	12	WCCA	36
	Tensas Academy	58	Franklin Academy	24
	North DeSoto	37	Evangel	14
	Minden	12	Northwood	21
	Loyola	47	Lakeside	21
	Peabody	6	St Mary	58
	LaSalle	38	Montgomery	8
Tie #1	Red River vs Lakeview		Total Score	46
Tie #2	Many vs Winnfield		Total Score	56

This week’s line-up of games has been posted.  CLICK HERE to enter your guess in before the deadline at 4:00 pm Friday.  Someone will win the $100.  Shouldn’t it be you?

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By Teddy Allen

You ever been around friends and remember something funny and start laughing and can’t stop and of course, they ask why and you can’t explain? 

Me too. Happened Saturday night. 

All I could tell them was I’d seen dress rehearsal for a play earlier in the week and would be going to the Sunday matinee and was already laughing — was in tears — thinking of different parts. Whatever I could tell them would not translate; I’m not that good of a communicator. 

Sometimes, you’ve just got to experience it.  

Full disclosure: these next few moments with you will be about a play that my own personal child is in. 

But also, full disclosure, it’s funny, and if you like to laugh, you should go. 

It’s Popcorn Falls, it’s at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Shreveport Little (But It’s A Big Deal) Theatre And Really Not That Little. The run ends with Sunday’s matinee. A coffee table book celebrating the theatre’s first century is on sale in the lobby too; only 400 pictures in there so … think about it. I’ve spent hours enjoying mine.  

So, Popcorn Falls. It isn’t Shakespeare. (Although The Bard is mentioned!, stud that he was.) It’s genius and sophisticated, but sophisticated in disguise. Here’s the Associated Press nut graph: 

“The sleepy town of Popcorn Falls is forced into bankruptcy when a neighboring town and villain threaten to turn the place into a sewage treatment plant. The town’s only hope – open a theater! Two actors play more than 20 roles in a world of farce, love, and desperation, proving once and for all that art can save the world.” 

Northwest Louisiana is so blessed to have 5-star talent in all phases of local theater. You can’t swing a cat without hitting somebody who is a bona fide director, set designer, actor, or prop whiz … we’re so lucky. There is a stage and there is air and everything else has to be created. Moods. Sense of place. Drama. Comedy. Music. Suggestions of silence. People are amazing, what they are able to create out of nothing. 

Popcorn Falls is an example. A two-man show. The actors never really leave the stage. Less than 100 minutes with a 10-minute intermission. And none of those minutes is “filler” because every second, even the scene changes, have a purpose.  

So, Casey Allen, my physical son, is one of the actors, and Barry “the Pride of Grand Cane” Larson, who has teamed with Casey in so many things that I feel as if he’s my backup son, except he doesn’t look like me, is the other actor. They are scared to death before any play they are in starts — it’s like the Boston Celtics’ Bill Russell throwing up before every game — but they are perfectly at home on stage. Strange and familiar dynamic. 

But that’s what makes this and most other plays I’ve seen here good: they care. Casey and Barry. Director Sean Dion and the subtle “add-ins” he created. Tom Serio’s set. A rolling table (you’ll see). Riley Keene’s stage managing. The sound from Barry Butler, the best in the biz. The lighting. On and on. Even the work of “Intimacy Coordinator” Liesl Cruz. (See it and you’ll know.) 

Happy for everyone because I know what they’ve invested and how much joy and honesty they bring to the day’s work. They made me laugh. Still are. It feels as if they’ve created something just for you. For no one but you. When theatre is “done right,” that’s the magic that happens.  

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu 

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Do YOU know what is happening?

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“Coach” Mike
McCONATHY

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has an important
Announcement to make
and he wants you
to join him!

Thursday
October 27, 2022

Natchitoches Event Center
Doors open at 4:30 – 7:00

Light refreshments – Casual

• Paid for by the McConathy for State Senate Campaign

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I have enjoyed visiting with voters of School Board District 1.  As I look back on my conversations I realize that there are recurring questions about my qualifications and positions.  I’m going to take this opportunity to answer those questions.

1. What qualifications do I have to be your School Board member for District 1?I
   a.  I graduated from the public school in Many, LA in 1972.
   b.  I attended NSU for 3 years, where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education for Nursery School, Kindergarten, and Elementary Grades 1-8.
   c.  For the next 5 years I taught in the public school system teaching Title 1 Math and Reading at Florien High School, and Kindergarten at Zwolle Elementary school.
   d.  In 1979 I earned a Master’s degree plus 30 credits to qualify for Principal and Supervisor grades
   e.  In 1980, I moved to Coushatta and opened and operated a 3 & 4 year old Preschool for 9 years to prepare young students for kindergarten.
   f.  In 1989 I taught high school math at Riverdale Academy.
   g.  Later I attended LSUS and earned a degree in Accounting.
2. What do I know of the needs of the students and schools in Red River Parish? 
   a.  Beginning in 2016 I taught in Red River Parish Public Schools for 4 years.
   b.  Ten of my Grandchildren have attended Red River Elementary School, Red River Junior High School and Red River High School. Three of the 10 have graduated from Red River High School.
   c.  I have 2 daughters teaching in Red River Parish Schools.
   d.  I have firsthand knowledge of the needs of the Red River Parish students and schools. Some of those needs are:
   i. Involve parents in their children’s education whenever possible.
   ii. Work on reducing class size. Teachers are spread thin and students do not get the personal attention they require.
   iii. Provide mentors for new and struggling teachers.
   iv. Provide Advisors for High School students to help them apply for colleges, find and apply for scholarships and help with career choices.
3. How can I help improve the schools in Red River Parish?
   a.  I will listen to the community concerning issues facing the schools, as well as hear experiences and thoughts from teachers, educators and staff.
   b.  My priority is student achievement. My focus will always be on student outcomes.
   c.  I think it is important to set high academic standards, ensure Board Member transparency and accountability, create a safe and positive school culture, and advance policies that allow every student to thrive.

By Royal Alexander

Special Counsel Durham Turns Over Rocks to Expose FBI Corruption in 2016 Russia Collusion Hoax

If the FBI can attack our democracy with impunity to destroy a multi-billionaire U.S. President, no American is safe.

This past week Special Counsel John Durham went into federal court to begin the trial of Igor Danchenko for lying to the FBI as part of the Russia Collusion scam.  However, while the outcome of this specific case is important, what has been exposed is—more importantly—the larger picture of corruption at the highest levels of the FBI.

My observations here are not aimed at the field level FBI agents across the country who I have no reason to believe don’t honor their oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution and who do the best they can to perform their duties professionally and in a non-partisan manner.  My aim here is the vindictive, highly partisan, and traitorous political appointees at the very top of the FBI.

We have known for many years that in 2016 the FBI initiated its corrupt Crossfire Hurricane investigation into whether President Trump’s campaign had been “colluding” with Russians.  The predicate of this investigation was extremely weak information—essentially gossip—from a low-level aide named George Papadopoulous. 

At that time, the FBI also began to receive information from former British spy Christopher Steele including a “dossier” paid for by Hillary Clinton’s campaign containing demonstrably false information about then-candidate Trump to support this corrupt narrative of Trump’s alleged complicity with Russia.  Steele, we have since learned, worked on behalf of the Clinton campaign and fed his false allegations to a happily receptive, eager-to-collude FBI.

However, what our nation did not know was the stunning fact noted by Kimberly Strassel in the Wall Street Journal.  “The FBI rushed to meet with Mr. Steele in early October 2016.  It had undertaken no due diligence on its source and had been unable to verify a single dossier claim (and never would).   At that meeting, it nonetheless took the astonishing step of offering Mr. Steele “up to $1 million” in taxpayer dollars to verify his own information.  Usually, Ms. Strassel notes, the FBI pays another party to verify a source report.”  (WSJ 10-14-2022.)

Steele never has and never could verify anything!  And yet, the information in the Dossier had already been used, and would continue to be used, by the FBI to fabricate probable cause to obtain four secret FISA warrants used to tap Trump Tower and spy on another Trump campaign staffer.

It gets even worse but what we outlined here is sufficient.

All of this information is publicly available but national “media” and social media further perpetuated this fraud through their obvious double standard in the way they ignored and actively suppressed the Clinton-Russia Hoax corruption story which is demonstrably true; as contrasted with the media’s saturation coverage of the demonstrably false allegation of Trump-Russia collusion as Robert Mueller and his team were reluctantly forced to conclude following the expenditure of $32 million taxpayer dollars and 18 months of futile investigation to try to “get Trump.”

Conclusions to be drawn:

Our U.S. Intelligence Agencies like the FBI have been weaponized for partisan politics.  We can no longer trust our law enforcement agencies to investigate, prosecute and try people on a non-partisan basis.  The existence of a federal investigation may or may not be rooted in real evidence of criminal actions, depending on the politics and viewpoint of the target of the investigation.

See also the 2020 Hunter Biden laptop story which the dishonest media and Big Tech only now, in March 2022, acknowledge was a major, verified story.  Polling demonstrated that 14.6 percent of Biden voters would have voted differently had they known about the evidence of international influence peddling contained on Hunter Biden’s laptop.  This would have changed the result of the 2020 election, decided by 44,000 votes in Wisconsin, Arizona, and Georgia.

Will justice ever be served? It will be difficult given the power of Big Tech and the Deep State but I’m hopeful a new Republican Congress, using subpoena power, will hold hearings to shine a light into this political and governmental corruption.

These Durham filings again make clear that we are at a point in American history that a presumption of falsity and untrustworthiness must be made whenever our national media or government institutions make a “statement” regarding the “news.”  There is simply no reason to believe them at face value, and every reason not to. 

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By Molly Seales

On Friday, October 14, the Riverdale Rebels traveled to Woodville, MS, to take on the WCCA Rams. It was an uncharacteristic night for the Rebels, as they didn’t seem to pull things together as a team. This was possibly because of fall break and being out of their usual school and practice routine. They were defeated by the Rams 36-12. Even with the loss, the Rebels have a 7-2 record and will still be strong playoff contenders.

Offensive stats were not available, but the defense made a great effort to hold off the Rams, who were about twice our size. Team totals were 44 tackles, 9 TFL, a sack, a PBU, and a fumble recovery. Junior lineman Hayden Hillman made his presence known on the field the entire game. He led the team with 9 tackles, including 3 TFL, an assist, and a quarterback sack. Senior Ben Almond had 7 tackles, 2 assists, and a fumble recovery, while his brother freshman Ashton Almond had 6 tackles, including 2TFL, and 4 assists. Ryder Huddleston also had 6 tackles with 1 TFL, 2 assists, and a crucial PBU, while Kyle Guillory added 5 tackles, including a TFL, and an assist. Landen Barrett had 3 tackles and 3 assists, and Jace Wilhite had 3 tackles and an assist. Kaidyn Williams had 2 tackles, including 2 TFL, and 2 assists, and Tyler Parker had 2 tackles and an assist. Aston Hester rounded out the defense with a tackle.

This Friday night the Rebels will take on Franklin Academy at home for senior night, where our senior football players and cheerleaders will be honored. Senior night presentations begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by kickoff at 7:00 p.m. Friday is pink out spirit day, and there will be a pep rally at 2:00 at the stadium. We hope that you can all come out Friday and support our seniors and our Rebels!

Photo Credit:  Leslie Johnson

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By Molly Seales

On Wednesday, October 12, Riverdale senior pitcher/1^st baseman Jessie Kate Cobb traveled to Jackson, MS, to play in the Class 2A/3A softball all-star game. Jessie played on the blue team and played with and against the best seniors in class 2A and 3A. Jessie Kate got the start at 1^st base and then played 1^st again later in the game. She was perfect on her chances for put-outs with no errors-a 1.000 fielding percentage. She also pitched an inning, allowing no hits and striking out a batter. Although her team didn’t win, Jessie Kate had a great time. She said, “I really had a lot of fun and will never forget the experience. I enjoyed making friends with softball players from other teams.”

Jessie Kate has at a stellar career for the Lady Rebels, playing softball for seven years. She has earned numerous team awards as well as all district honors. Last year she was district MVP and an all-MAIS selection. This year she was first team all-district and was chosen by MAIS coaches to play in the all-star game. Jessie Kate’s coaches are Tabitha King and Rodney Cobb. She is the daughter of Rodney and Mary Vay Cobb. Her presence, pitching, and leadership will be greatly missed on the diamond next year. We love you and are proud of you!

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What is your organization and purpose?  

The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center is a non-profit organization, formerly called the Alzheimer’s Agency of Shreveport/Bossier. The name was changed to better illustrate our local mission. Our mission is to provide resources, education, and support services for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias; their family members, and their caregivers in the local area; as well as to promote awareness in the community.  

Our vision is to “Create a community where no one affected by Alzheimer’s and Dementia makes the journey alone.” 

What are the Alzheimer’s stats nationwide?  

Nationwide, more than 6 million people, age 65 and over, are living with Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to increase 20% by 2025. 

How many people are affected by Alzheimer’s in our area?  

The Center for Brain Health at LSU Health, Shreveport estimates over 85,000 people are affected by Alzheimer’s within a 75-mile radius of Shreveport.  

What is your organization doing to help this community?  

We are working diligently and with urgency to address the unmet needs of people in Northwest Louisiana affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. We help by assessing individual client needs, guiding, and supporting caregivers, responding to requests for help and information, educating the public, providing resources, and overall helping to navigate the care system.  

What services do you provide?  

We have care navigators to help you through the journey and a Licensed Professional Counselor for one-on-one meetings or to talk with family members.  We offer memory screenings, monthly education workshops, fun and engaging activities for caregivers and their loved ones with dementia, a printed and online local resource directory, and assistance in legal matters. We teach families how to maintain dignity of their loved ones and help nurture relationships throughout the disease process. We have a speaker’s bureau for education and training for civic groups, healthcare providers, faith-based organizations, law enforcement agencies, and other organizations. We also facilitate caregiver support groups in the community. 

Tell us more about the caregiver support groups. 

Support groups are vital to the caregiver. It’s an opportunity for the caregiver to express their emotions in a non-judgmental way. Caregivers learn that they are not going through this journey alone and they have a peer group that knows exactly what each other is going through. Groups meet for an hour once or twice a month – you can attend as many as you need. 

Do you have events the public can attend?  

The Second Annual Education Conference in Northwest Louisiana, “A Positive Approach to Dementia,” is scheduled for Friday, November 4, from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm at First United Methodist Church, Shreveport. The keynote address will be given by a national speaker with the Teepa Snow Foundation, well-known in the world of dementia. This conference is the only one of its kind in Northwest Louisiana.  

Where are you located?  

We are located in the heart of Shreveport at 851 Olive Street. However, we are willing to travel to where we are needed in Northwest Louisiana. 

Can you give us some fun tips for improving brain health?  

Try brushing your teeth with your non-dominate hand, wear earplugs to experience the world without sound, or learn a new musical instrument or something that is completely new to you. 

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The newly formed Red River Republican Committee is working to get involved in the next election on November 8^th.  They held a second organizational meeting on Friday evening and another meeting is planned for October 20^th.  One goal is to have poll watchers in place for the November 8^th election.

On Friday the committee elected officers and board members were also approved.  There are several vacancies on the board, including a representative from districts 4 and 6.  The GOP committee will use the district lines of the parish Police Jury.

Here are the board members approved:

Chairman – Penny Dupree-Hays

Vice Chairman – Josh Davis

Secretary – Mary Cason

Treasurer – Barbara Thomas

Parliamentarian – Buster Bailey

Board members elected:

District 1 – William “Buster” Bailey

District 2 – Brandon Baxley

District 3 – Barbara Thomas

District 4 – Vacant

District 5 – David Hanna

District 6 – Vacant

At Large Kala Sims, Josh Davis and Madelyne Dupree

Committee members are to study by-laws and come up with a list of poll-watchers to submit for the November election before the next committee meeting on Thursday night.

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Report from the Red River Sheriff’s Office for October 7-14, 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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John Denton Foster, Jr.

January 28, 1951 to October 14, 2022

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 10:00 am at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Campti.

David Lee Jackson

Homecoming Service we’ll be Saturday October 22, 2022 at 1:00 pm at New Scott Olly Baptist Church in Alexandria. La 71302.

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On the gridiron this week, Riverdale Academy hosts Franklin Academy from Winnsboro.  This is Riverdale’s last regular season game.  Red River travels to Winnfield for a 7:00 pm game Friday night.

Dr. John Lauck, Louisiana Tech University’s Chase Bank Endowed Associate Professor of Accountancy, will offer a free fraud prevention class to area businesses and non-profits on Friday, Nov. 4, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The course will take place in room 126 in the College of  Business.  The course will provide an overview of the prevalence and types of fraud committed against typical organizations and how and why most frauds occur. In addition, Dr. Lauck will discuss common asset misappropriation and corruption-related fraud schemes impacting organizations.

Next weekend the Department of Theatre and Dance at Northwestern State University will present “The Government Inspector” on October 26-30.  There will also be performances on Nov. 2-5.  It will be in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Performance time is 7:30 p.m. except for Sunday, Oct. 30 which will be a 2 p.m. matinee. Dr. Sean Bartley is the director. 

Tickets are $15 and $12 for senior citizens. NSU, BPCC@NSU and Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts students are admitted free with a current student I.D.

Red River 4-H shooting sports met recently and practiced at the Sheriff’s Dept Shooting Range. Even if you missed the intro meeting, you can still join. Reminder that we don’t provide ammo, guns, or bows.  4-H Shooting Sports is for students in 4^th through 12th grades.

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Red River won on the road to Lakeview.  Final Red River 40 – Lakeview 6.

Riverdale Academy traveled to WCCA in Mississippi.  WCCA prevailed 36 to 12.

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The Red River Parish School Board passed a resolution last Monday expressing their opposition to massive changes proposed in school accountability.  According to the Superintendent, those changes would strip Red River High of its A rating and put it at about a D.

Superintendent Alison Strong told the board there is a group opposed to the accountability system established by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).  Strong said, “They are dissatisfied because a great number of high schools are receiving an A or B in the present system.  It is an effort to reduce the high scores and give more Cs, Ds and Fs.  That would cut us off at our knees.”

In the past few years Red River Schools have invested millions in improving classrooms and increasing the offerings in vocational areas.  Just this fall the new vocational building at the high school has been put in service.  Strong said, “This proposal would take credit away from our high school vocational and other programs.”

The Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, of which Strong is a member, fought back the proposal at the last BESE meeting in August.  Strong said, “It’s back on the agenda in October.  We (the Superintendents Association) have proposed an alternate system adopted by the LSBA.  Our resolution does give us points for our kits that are getting vocational endorsements through our programs and through dual enrollment.  At present this is our best option.  I ask the board to approve this resolution.”

High School Principal JC Dickey told the school board, “If adopted it would force us to move funding away from vocational and force kids into a college program.  We want every kid to make a choice that is best for them.  The proposed changes make us force them into a path that may not be in their best interest.”

The school board passed the resolution on a voice vote without dissent.

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At their monthly meeting on Monday, the Red River Fire Board voted to adjust the time of their monthly meeting to accommodate work schedules of several members.  The meetings will remain on the second Monday of each month.  The meeting time will be moved to 3:00 pm instead of the present 10:00 am.

Other business dealt with continuing financial adjustments as the board continues to recover from a prior year deficit and delayed or deferred repairs to facilities and equipment.

The board will amend the annual budget at the November meeting.  In the interim, Chief John Woodfin was given the OK to continue needed maintenance to firefighting vehicles.  There will also be some upgrading of the fire department computers.

The board discussed resolution of an old invoice to Verizon for service not longer received.  And also, they decided to do business locally for worker’s comp insurance.

The board voted to terminate a land lease agreement with local businessman John Paul.  For years the fire department leased land for a communications tower.  With construction of the new fire station in 2018 that tower was no longer needed. 

When the new fire board took over at the beginning of this year, the fire department was a couple of years behind on the lease payments.  Those back payment were made earlier this year, however there are still lease payments due each month.  The lease would run several more years.  The lease has a termination clause and on motion of board member Bill Jones the board decided to give the 30-day notice required and end the lease.  The board also decided to remove the unused tower from the leased land as soon as possible.

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A group of local Republicans are meeting tonight at the Red River Parish Library.  According to Penny Hayes, this will be their second meeting and they plan to elect officers tonight.  They will meet at the Library at 6:00 pm.

Hayes said they are setting up the Red River Parish Republican Executive Committee.  Its purpose, she said, “to promote good government and the best interests of the people of Red River Parish and the Republican Party.”

At the earlier meeting, Hayes said they selected a representative from each Police Jury district in the parish plus there will be five at large seats.  “A person has to have been registered Republican for six months and a resident of their district for at least six months to be elected to a seas on the committee,” said Hayes.

The newly formed parish committee has some vacancies.  Hayes said they will

Hayes told the Journal, “I have been a District 31-B representative on the state central committee.  I wanted to get the parish committee formed.”  And Hayes added, “We are starting out small with room to grown

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People from the parish interested in starting a Kiwanis club in Red River Parish met Thursday night for an organizational meeting.  Representatives of the sponsoring club, the Natchitoches Kiwanis along with various officials of the national program made presentations to the group on the purpose, structure, and community programs of Kiwanis.

About 40 people have joined the new club and more are expected in the coming days.  The new members will all be considered charter members of Red River Kiwanis.

Several people in the community volunteered to take the officer positions in the club.  They are:

President – Kristi Hoeflinger

President Elect – Alverster Barfield

Treasurer – Kelly Lee

Secretary – Lillie McDonald

Membership Chairperson – Ginny Hines

In addition, five people volunteered to be on the board of directors.  They are Tangela Maxwell, Susan Taylor, Thom Hoeflinger, Mary Taylor and Edna Webb.

Members of the new club elected all of the volunteers to those positions.

A meeting date of the third Monday of each month was established.  The club will meet at First Methodist Church at 5:00 pm.  Therefore, next Monday, October 17^th will be the next meeting.

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The September students selected from four Red River schools were recognized before the October meeting of the School Board.  Superintendent Alison Strong read their nominations from faculty and staff.

Red River Elementary Student is BRAXTON CALHOUN.  He was nominated by Mrs. Sutton and Mrs. Briggs.

Braxton is a 4th grade student at Red River Elementary School.  He is a very polite, respectful, hard-working young man. Braxton is always ready to learn and to do whatever it takes to reach his goals. He completes his work and never complains.  He is a joy to have in the classroom.

Next up, Strong read the nomination for AUBRYIEL ALLEN from Red River Academic Academy.  She was nominated by Mrs. Pickett.

What can I say about sweet Aubryiel? She is a great student and a joy to have in class.  Aubryiel is always willing to do anything I ask of her. She works hard and isn’t discouraged when the work is a challenge for her.  She comes into class always ready to learn and participate in our classroom activities.  Aubryiel is respectful and kind to her classmates and teachers. She is a great example for her peers and even for the adults around her. Her sense of humor really makes her fun to be around and makes her classmates comfortable, even when things get tense between different students. Aubryiel’s sweet, smiling face is one of the reasons I love being a teacher.

From Red River Junior High, Strong introduced RHIANNA MILLER.  Her nomination was written by Mrs. Wimberly.

Rhianna was selected by the 6th grade teaching team as RRJH Student of the Month. She demonstrates many leadership qualities as she encourages and helps her fellow classmates. Her eagerness and willingness to help others is refreshing to her teachers. Rhianna also demonstrates a desire to learn new concepts as she asks questions and responds well in her classes. Her writings are well thought out and prove interesting to the teachers.

And the student selected from Red River High School is CHRIS GAY.  Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Norman Picou nominated Gay.

Chris Gay has had one of the most impressive turnarounds as a student that I have seen in my 21 years of education.  Chris has become a model student and leader on our campus. He is performing exceptionally well in the classroom and has not had any discipline issues. We are extremely proud of the growth this student has and is showing.

Student of the Month is a community project of the local VFW Post and Auxiliary 7287.  Each student selected is presented a certificate and a gift card to a local restaurant.  Outstanding students in all schools in the parish are honored each month during the school year by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars.  To learn more about the VFW and Auxiliary call 932-6557.

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By Brad Dison

Jeannette Rankin was an exceptional woman.  She was born and raised in the wilderness near Missoula in what was then the Montana Territory.  Jeannette was a good student.  Her mother, Olive Pickering, had moved from New Hampshire to the Montana Territory to teach before she met and married John Rankin, a prosperous rancher, and builder originally from Canada.  It may have been her mother’s desire to teach that led to Jeannette’s desire to learn.

Following her high school graduation, Jeannette attended Montana State University and, in 1902, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology.  Jeannette taught for a short time and worked as a seamstress’s apprentice.  Jeannette was not satisfied.  She knew she could do more.

In 1904, Jeannette’s father died and she went to visit her uncle in San Francisco.  It was there that Jeannette first heard of the Telegraph Hill settlement house.  She learned that the settlement house was set up as a way for the middle and upper classes to help the poor class of society by sharing their experiences and education.  In this hierarchy, based on her father’s financial success and her education, Jeannette was considered middle class.  Jeannette volunteered at the settlement house and thus began her lifelong passion for social work.

Jeannette left San Francisco and enrolled in the New York School of Philanthropy from which she graduated in 1909.  From New York, she moved to Spokane, Washington, where she worked with impoverished children.  In her spare time, Jeannette took more classes in the social sciences.  She became an advocate for social reform, first as a volunteer and then as a field secretary with the National American Woman Suffrage Association.  Still, she thought there was more she could do.

On July 13, 1916, Jeannette announced her candidacy for one of Montana’s two seats in the United States House of Representatives.  Her platform supported many prominent issues of the day which included child welfare legislation and the prohibition of alcohol.  Jeannette was fighting an uphill battle.  Her announcement garnered little attention.  Many of the newspapers in Montana ignored Jeannette’s campaign altogether.  National newspapers focused, not on Jeanette’s campaign, but mainly on the campaigns of the nearly 300 women in Kansas who were running for office at every level of government.  Jeannette was lost in the shuffle.

Remember, Jeannette was an exceptional woman.  In August of 1916, she won the Republican primary by more than 7,000 votes.  On Tuesday, November 7, 1916, people throughout the country cast their votes for the candidates of their choice.  The major election news was the narrow reelection of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson to a second term of office.  Montana and Jeannette were still ignored by the news media because Montana was so sparsely populated that no one knew the results of their election for three or four days.  It took time to hand deliver election results from across the state on horseback.  When the final votes were tallied for Montana’s two seats in Congress, incumbent Representative John Morgan Evans led by around 7,600 votes.  He took the first seat.  Jeannette beat the third-place contender by around 6,000 votes.  She took the second seat.

The news media ignored Jeannette no more.  On April 2, 1917, newspaper reporters took copious notes as Jeannette took the oath of office and took her seat as a United States Representative.  She also took her seat in history.  In 1917, Jeannette became the first woman elected to the United States Congress.  Jeannette became a Congresswoman four years before the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution guaranteed women the right to vote.

Sources:

1. “Rankin, Jeannette, US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives.” 2020. @USHouseHistory. history.house.gov/People/Detail/20147.

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