Report from the Red River Sheriff’s Office for June 2-8, 2023
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.
We sustainably manage forests and manufacture products that make the world a better place. We’re serious about safety, driven to achieve excellence, and proud of what we do. With multiple business lines in locations across North America, we offer a range of exciting career opportunities for smart, talented people who are passionate about making a difference. We know you have a choice in your career. We want you to choose us.
Weyerhaeuser in Natchitoches is hosting an on-site job fair at their mill on Wednesday, June 26, 2023. We are hiring Entry-Level Production Associates, with the pay starting at $17.50 per hour. The job fair will be held at 234 Industrial Avenue in Natchitoches. Interested applicants may apply online at www.wy.com/careers. After applying and successfully passing an assessment test, pre-register for the job fair by calling 318-354-4055. Excellent benefit packages, bonus opportunities, perfect attendance incentives, and development opportunities are just some of the reasons why Weyerhaeuser is the preferred employer in Natchitoches.
Weyerhaeuser was voted Best of Manufacturing in Natchitoches Parish for 2022. Not only do our associates believe we’re a great place to work, but so does our community!
Join our team by applying and attending our job fair on Wednesday, June 26, 2023. We look forward to meeting you, and are excited to begin this journey with you!
EOE
Vicki Lee Woods
January 19, 1956 – June 11, 2023
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel.
Harold Willis Waters
September 12, 1950 – June 10, 2023
Funeral services were held at 2:00 pm Monday, June 12, 2023 at Fairview Baptist Church.
Mel Schwem Sims
JAN 24, 1955 – MAY 25, 2023
A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 4546 Highway 783, Ringgold, Louisiana 71068.
The Red River Parish Journal publishes “Remembrances” – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $70. The obituary will be included in the emails sent to subscribers. Contact your funeral provider or RedRiverParishJournal@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication.
Many people from here use the Jimmy Davis Bridge between Shreveport and Bossier City. Take note of this announcement by DOTD:
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that beginning on Monday, June 19, 2023, the LA 511 (Jimmie Davis Hwy/70th Street) bridge over the Red River in Caddo and Bossier Parishes will be closed nightly from Monday, June 19th through Friday, June 23rd, from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. each night.
Bro. Richard Kaufman told the Journal that Trevor Thomas will be performing live at Martin Baptist Church on June 24that 6:00 pm. The theme is Laughter, Inspiration and Life Change.
Magnolia Bend Academy introduced new teachers for next school year. They are:
Justin Wiley-Bible
Tonya Wiley-Pre-K
Gabrielle Dyes- 4th/5th/6th Math and Science
Sophia Foshee-Jr High/High School History
Heather Gandy- 2nd Grade
Emma McElwee-Jr High/High School Math
Debbie Blades – 4th/5th/6th ELA and Science.
There is a meeting tonight at Red River High for students in 7th through 12th grades interested in a school fishing team. Bring a parent and meet at 5:00 pm in the vocational building.
Red River Crappie Club June Tournament Results on the RED RIVER:
FIRST PLACE-Ken Roberts / Kennith Scallion- 10.14 lbs.
SECOND PLACE- Justin Keith/ Casey Bolyer- 8.98 lbs.
THIRD PLACE- Jody Vann/ Eden Vann- 8.87 lbs.
BIG FISH- Ken Roberts/ Kennith Scallion- 1.63 lbs.
TRASH FISH- Jody Vann/ Eden Vann- 3.35 lbs. goo.
Report from the Red River Sheriff’s Office for June 2-8, 2023
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.
By Katie Bethard, MS, RD, LDN, Director of Nutrition and Health
The classrooms are empty, but the Red River High School Cafeteria will be filled with food in order to feed children during the summer months. The Child Nutrition Program at Red River Parish Public Schools will be providing free lunch for children 18 years and under from June 26 until July 27 Monday through Thursday of the week. The doors will open at 11:00 am and close at 1:00 pm, however it is on a first come first serve basis. We will adjust as needed in order to try and accommodate increasing numbers if we run out.
The lunch is free for any children that are 18 years and under, even if they do not attend Red River Parish Public Schools. In order to receive a meal, children from other schools must bring a student identification card from any school they attend or a Louisiana identification card or driver’s license.
The summer lunch program begins June 26 and runs through July 28 Monday through Thursday from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm in the Red River High School Cafeteria.
Children must eat around campus and cannot take meals to go. If this changes we will update as soon as possible. Each child that gets a lunch, will get a free cold summer treat!
The updated summer menu is below.
Each year, the Red River Parish School Board recognizes employees that have served in the educational system with a service award and pin. This is done in increments of 5 years. This year we recognized two staff members for 50 years of service in the educational system. These amazing and dedicated staff members are Deborah Guidry and Doyle Bell.
Here is the full list of service awards presented:
5 YEARS
Robert Lee Babers, Jr Bus Operator
Tori Dawn Bamburg Red River Junior High
Mary Virginia Hines Central Office
Antoinette Prealow Bus Operator
Jeanette Sibley Food Service
Anthony Simoneaux Red River High School
John Ethan Squires Red River High School
Virginia Woodley Bus Operator
10 YEARS
Crystal Lynn Briggs Red River Elementary
Lindsy Elaine Cook Red River Elementary
Charles R. Crockett Food Service
Julie Diane Inman Red River Elementary
Megan Nicole Inman Red River Elementary
Donnisha Mims Red River Elementary School
Toni Hay Rodgers Red River High School
Mandy Valesa Thomas Red River High School
Hannah Nicole Wren Red River Elementary School
15 YEARS
Casey L Bolyer Red River Elementary School
Christopher Lynn Reed Red River High School
20 YEARS
Turischeva Nicole Bailey Red River High School
Jennifer Breedlove Red River High School
Jack Clark Bus Operator
Patience Hardy Danzy Red River Junior High
Misty Dawn Humphrey Red River Junior High
Kelli S. Moseley Red River Elementary School
Sherry Pickett Red River Academic Academy
Jacqueline Guye Richmond Red River Academic Academy
Jacqueline Lashunna Smith Red River Elementary School
Susan M. Wiliams Red River Elementary School
Rachael Ann Williamson Red River Junior High School
25 YEARS
Debbie L. Bamburg Bus Operator
Carol H. Cameron Red River Elementary School
Martha A. Davis Red River High School
David M. Jones Central Office
Vanessa M. Lloyd Red River Elementary School
Persunda H. Raymond Red River Academic Academy
Cynthia D. Smith Red River High School
Lynda S. Swafford Bus Operator
30 YEARS
Ossie Lewis Red River Academic Academy
Shanna Keath Moore Red River High School
Terri Leone Red River Elementary School
Diane L. Newton Central Office
Marie L. Tucker Red River Elementary School
35 YEARS
Cleve L. Miller Red River Parish School Board
40 YEARS
None
45 YEARS
None
50 years
Doyle L. Bell Red River High School
Deborah F Guidry Red River High School
The Red River Parish Journal welcomes our new reporter, Chloe Spradley. She will be reporting on sports, academics, extra-curricular activities and other events at Riverdale Academy.
Chloe begins her journey in journalism with an excellent piece on the departure of long-time football head coach Jarred Smelser. The Journal hopes to send Chloe on many more assignments in the coming months and years.
By Chloe Spradley
Over the past few weeks, teacher/coach Jared Smelser made a very hard decision to leave Riverdale Academy. He has been at Riverdale for 4 years, and during that time, he has been the history teacher of 9th – 12th grade, baseball coach, and head football coach. He led the football team in 4 district championships, 3 semi final appearances, and 1 state runner up title, ending his career at Riverdale with a record of 42-15.
I got the chance to ask Coach Jared about his time at Riverdale, and this is what he had to say: “My family and I are truly blessed to have been a part of a loving and caring community. Riverdale and Red River have done everything possible to make us feel at home and feel loved. We have invested so much time and love for our kids, school, coworkers and community, and they have reciprocated. This was one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make as a family but felt this is the direction that God was leading us to. We will always have a special place in our hearts for this community and its schools. Goodbyes are never easy, especially this one.”
He and his family will be dearly missed by all the Riverdale community. There’s never a dull moment with him, as he brings smiles to everyone’s faces and always knows how to lighten the mood.
Coach Jared is a very loving father to his son Cybastian, and wife Cymantha. Everyone will miss seeing them on the sidelines, cheering on our Rebels.
Please pray for the Smelser family as they continue this new chapter of their life!
By Brad Dison
As a teenager, George spent most of his free time cruising the streets of Modesto, California. He owned an Autobianchi Bianchina, an Italian minicar based on the Fiat 500. The car sported a convertible top, and roll bar, and was surprisingly peppy for its size. George liked driving fast.
For most of George’s high school career, he was in danger of failing. George’s mother worried that he would never amount to anything. George’s father reassured her that George was just a late bloomer. George’s father wanted George to follow in his footsteps and run the office equipment store that the family had built. However, George wanted to be a car mechanic and race cars. George and his parents argued over the direction George planned to take in life. Finally, to placate his parents, George decided to go to college. First, George had to finish high school.
It was the end of the school year in 1962, and George was a senior at Thomas Downey High School. His high school graduation was scheduled for June 15, but George did not make it to his graduation. Three days before graduation, on June 12 at 4:50 p.m., George was driving his minicar back to his home at 821 Sylvan Road in Modesto, California. In the era when wearing a seatbelt was optional and seatbelts did not come standard in all cars, George was buckled in. As George neared his driveway, he slowed the car and turned on his left blinker. George looked ahead and saw that there was no oncoming traffic. George turned the wheel to the left and began the turn into his driveway. The last thing George heard was a horn.
17-year-old Frank Ferreira, also of Modesto, was driving at about 90 miles per hour in the same direction George had been traveling. Frank saw the minicar travelling slowly and veered into the left lane to pass. As Frank neared George’s minicar, George began the turn. Frank had little time to react. He slammed on the brakes and honked the horn, but it was too late. Frank’s car hit George’s minicar so hard that George’s car flipped seven or eight times and struck a walnut tree. While the car was flipping, George’s seatbelt snapped, and George was thrown from the minicar. A millisecond later, George’s minicar and Frank’s car struck a walnut tree. George was seriously injured. He lay unconscious near his crushed car. Paramedics rushed George to the Modesto City Hospital. Frank was uninjured.
When George awoke, a nurse reassured him. “Don’t worry,” she said, “you have all of your arms and legs.” “What do you mean?” George asked. He had no memory of the accident. Everybody kept telling George, “You should be dead.” After hearing that several times, George decided that “maybe there’s a reason I’m here.”
Whereas George had little interest in his high school career, he excelled in what became his major area of study in his junior year of college. George’s father was right when he said George was a late bloomer. George’s mother had no reason to be concerned about George’s lack of direction or that he would never amount to anything. According to Forbes, in 2023, George’s net worth was more than $4.9 billion. Had George agreed to go into his family’s office equipment business or had George not survived the car crash, we would never have shared in the adventures of Dr. Henry Walton Jones Jr., nor would we have learned what happened “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….” The teenage boy who somehow survived a horrific car crash went on to create the epic Hollywood franchises “Indiana Jones,” and “Star Wars.” His name is George Walton Lucas, Jr.
Sources:
As summer approaches, most teens are looking forward to sleeping in and enjoying their favorite pass times. But for cadets in JROTC, the summer will start with Junior Leadership Camp for underclassmen and full-blown Basic Training for graduates ready to start their military careers.
To honor their efforts, Post 7287 VFW and Auxiliary provided goodie bags. When each cadet finally gets a few minutes break, they will have a collection of munchies. Dawn Brewer is presenting the bags to Sgt. Lawrence Bunton, to share with 11 cadets, 3 in Basic Training and 8 in Junior Leadership.
Members of Red River Junior High’s Club toured Natchitoches City Hall recently. They met with Mayor Williams.
The group learned about City departments & business. The city posted, “It was a pleasure meeting these future leaders.”
JC Dickey of Red River Schools said, “These are our Junior High 8th grade young men. Thank you RRJHS for a great program and the City or Natch for hosting them.”
By Steve Graf
I recently had the opportunity to be the guest speaker for the Hemphill High School Bass Club banquet. It’s always both a blessing and an honor to get to share my fishing knowledge and experiences with up-and-coming anglers. My goal is to always make sure they understand how lucky they are to participate in a sport that can last a lifetime. In most sports like football, baseball, or basketball, an athlete is on a timeline. He has a short time frame to be great and get the most out of his God given athletic ability. But with bass fishing, it’s a sport you may never reach your full potential because it’s a sport that you just keep learning year after year.
But the one thing I really stressed during my message to these young anglers was that there are no shortcuts to being great. It’s no different than being a great shooter in basketball where you must get in the gym and shoot extra. For a baseball player to be a great hitter, he needs to get in the batting cage and take a lot of swings. Bass fishing is no different. To be a great angler, you must spend a lot of time on the water. Nothing makes an angler better than TOW… time on the water.
One skill an angler must have in order to compete at a high level is the ability to cast. Anglers who can cast and put the bait where they need to are the anglers who will be the most successful. So, it’s important to practice your casting, flipping or pitching techniques. Anglers who struggle with casting will not be competitive on the tournament trails. You’ll simply be donating to someone else’s cause.
So many youngsters today want instant gratification in whatever sport they are playing. Bass fishing is a sport that requires time and lots of practice. Patience is another key component to being great. Some anglers learn quickly while others may take a little longer to reach a level where they can compete. The high school and college series fishing circuits have really sped up the learning curve for a lot of young anglers.
The advancement in electronics, especially with forward-facing sonar, has really enabled a lot of anglers to advance and shorten their learning curve. These young anglers today have been raised during the computer age and adapt to today’s fishing sonars very quickly. They’re not intimidated by their electronics like so many of the older generation.
Getting back to the topic of today’s message, there are no shortcuts when it comes to being a great angler. If you want to be one of the best, you must practice techniques, but more importantly, believe in yourself. I asked Kevin Van Dam, the greatest angler of all time, “What’s the number one tool in your tackle box?” His response was not a specific bait or a certain technique, it was one word… confidence. KVD said that it’s the one thing you can’t buy in a tackle store in order to be great. Nothing replaces confidence! Till next time, good luck, good fishing, and please don’t forget your sunscreen.
The River Parish School Board is accepting applications for the following position:
Reading Specialist/Interventionist (salary starting at 60K including supplements)
Qualifications:
Minimum of 3 effective years of experience as a certified ELA teacher. Teaching experience in 6-12 grade level. Proven results when working with struggling readers. Strong knowledge of how children learn to read. Knowledge and experience working with high-quality reading curriculum.
Certified in the following areas:
Secondary Grades 6-12
Reading Specialist 1-12
Louisiana Trained Mentor Teacher
Submit applications at the Red River Parish School Board and at http://www.rrbulldogs.com under “Employment”. Deadline for submission is June 2, 2023.
For more information, you may contact Nicole Eason by email neason@rrbulldogs.com or 318-271-3150.
Nicole M. Eason
Red River Parish School Board
Human Resources Department
First Baptist Church of Coushatta is seeking a full-time Administrative Secretary.
Please send resumes to:
First Baptist Church / Roger Cason
P.O. Box 465
Coushatta, LA 71019
Or email resume to fbccoushatta@bellsouth.net.
The Red River Parish School System is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Principal for the Red River Elementary School.
The Red River Elementary School Assistant Principal reports to the Principal and Superintendent of Red River Parish Schools. The Assistant Principal is responsible for providing high caliber educational leadership to the school, ensuring the safety and well-being of students, building strong family partnerships, selecting, hiring, supervising and evaluating staff in accordance with district policies, preparing and administering the school budget, and overseeing the school building and its operations and activities.
Salary: 75K starting pay for no experience (supplements are included in salary) Commensurate with experience.
Qualifications:
Provisional Principal, Principal, Educational Leadership or eligible for LDOE licensure once employed in administrative position.
Master’s and/ or Advanced degree from an accredited college or university, with graduate level courses in school administration and educational leadership.
Excellent communications and interpersonal skills.
Experience in staff supervision and evaluation and in budget development and administration.
Knowledge of early childhood/developmental learning and growth, behavioral response and best SEL practices.
Ability to provide inclusive and effective educational leadership of general and special education instructional programs.
Deadline for application submission June 16, 2023.
Apply online at http://www.rrbulldogs.com or you may contact Nicole Eason 318-271-3150 for more information.
Nicole M. Eason
Red River Parish School Board
Human Resources Department
The Red River Parish School System is accepting applications for the position of Algebra 1 teacher.
Salary for 1st year teacher with no experience: 60K (this includes supplements)
Qualifications:
Valid Teaching Certification (884 Algebra 1, 388 Math 6-12, 389 Math K-12, or 889 Math for Professionals) or
Eligible for a Practitioner’s License as confirmed by a local university or alternative certification program
Apply online at http://www.rrbulldogs.com or contact Nicole Eason 318-271-3150 for more information.
Nicole M. Eason
Red River Parish School Board
Human Resources Department
Melodie “Mel” Margaurite Schwem Sims, age 68, of Ringgold, Louisiana died in her little sisters arms Thursday, May 25, 2023, after a battle with cancer. She is proceeded in death by her mom and dad, James and Alpha Schwem, her husband Jerry Sims, and is finally reunited with the babies she never got to meet earthside,
Mel was born to James Louis Schwem and Alpha Pepper Schwem on January 24, 1955, right in time to grow up in the 70’s where she acquired her love for all things “peace, love” and rock n roll.”
If you are wondering if you may have ever met Mel, you didn’t – because you WOULD remember.
Mel was the 4th of 6 kids, the middle’ish rung (which explains a lot). Her position as the youngest girl was halted when her baby sister, Debbie was born. And truthfully, Mel wouldn’t have it any other way. They were best friends, each other’s alibi’s, and the original Thelma and Louise.
When she was a young girl, she’d often threaten her brother Glen with a knuckle sandwich if he didn’t buy her a candy bar. When she wasn’t trying to rip curlers from her big sister, Pam’s head, you could find her working alongside her brother, Lonnie, in the garage. You could often catch her outside chasing lizards to hang from her ears or playing sports with the boys. She would often promise to play Barbies with her best friend Suzy, as long as Suzy would play football with her. Suzy is still waiting to play Barbies.
There was not a rodent, reptile or dog that Mel didn’t make friends with. If you visited her home, you were warned about making sudden moves or getting too close to her, in the event that her guard dog, Lucy, a 6-pound Pomeranian full of piss and vinegar, would go for your jugular. And never mind her bird, Alex, who’d cuss you out in front of God and everybody.
Mel wasn’t much for fancy parties, expensive jewelry, or gaudy home decor. But she made up for that with her vintage Coca-Cola collection, Marlboro’s and Dr. Pepper.
Mel worked various jobs throughout her adult life where she had the privilege of working with her friends and “a bunch of dingbats”.
In addition to the countless puzzles she leaves behind, she also leaves behind her brothers, Jim Schwem (wife Laura) Lonnie Schwem, (wife Rebecca) and Glen Schwem (wife Tammi, her sisters, Pam Johonnesson (husband Lawrence) and Debbie Bolton (husband Jeffrey,) longtime boyfriend, Nicky, two beautiful daughters, Amy Sims and Misty Sims (husband Mike Payne) And 5 amazing grandchildren, Jordan, Justin, Rebekah, Dillon, and Travis, and 3 great grandchildren, Alina, Rowan, and Emily, who are already missing her something fierce. She also leaves behind nearly 50 nieces and nephews who she loved more than peanut butter and chocolate…and that’s a lot!
Despite her tough-as-nails exterior, there is actual evidence that she was a loving, giving and caring person. Ask anyone she met, and they’d tell you that Mel made sure you knew you were important and loved. She also made sure to let you know when she thought you were annoying.
In lieu of flowers, we are asking that everyone make a donation in Mel’s name to the Dr. Pepper company, as we anticipate they are about to experience significant hardship as a result of the loss of Mel’s business. Keep them in your thoughts.
From all of us, “Good night. God bless you. We love your guts. Sweet dreams.”
A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 4546 Highway 783, Ringgold, Louisiana 71068.
Mel Schwem Sims
JAN 24, 1955 – MAY 25, 2023
A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 4546 Highway 783, Ringgold, Louisiana 71068.
The Red River Parish Journal publishes “Remembrances” – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $70. The obituary will be included in the emails sent to subscribers. Contact your funeral provider or RedRiverParishJournal@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication.
The Arena at Red River Cowboy Church is the location Saturday for the second in the Summer Playday Series. The event begins at 10:00 am. There are events planned for all ages including youth and adults.
First Baptist Church Coushatta announced that last Sunday they ordained Chris McCarthy, Jason Moseley, Randy Thomas, Sammy Sledge, and Bubba Mills as new deacons in the church.
The Red River High class of 2023 walked off the field Saturday morning into the rest of their lives. They carried with them their high school diploma, one of the first major accomplishments they will achieve in their life.
Red River School Board President Val Cox said, “Congratulations Red River High School Class of 2023. May God continue to bless you and guide your footsteps as you begin your next chapter.
By Faerie Sedge
Here is Eric Breedlove of Coushatta with his 10.04 pound bass taken on May 23, 2023, at Grand Bayou Resort. Breedlove will have a replica made of the bass under the resort’s Lunker program.
Grand Bayou Resort and the Grand Bayou Reservoir Commission will pay for replicas of any fish caught at the lake over 10 pounds. If the fisherman wants a replica, the fish must first be officially weighed by resort personnel, then returned to the lake alive and in good condition. Now, get out there and fish!
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