This year, 4-H youth will be able to participate in a first-of-its-kind event through the North West Region of LSU AgCenter’s Northwest District Commercial Heifer Pen of 3 Show and Sale.

This event allows 4-H youth throughout the NW region to participate in a livestock project other than the traditional show ring cattle projects. This is a family-oriented project, and the 4-H youth select, raise, and enter a pen of 3 heifers that are uniform in their breed type and age.

Youth learn how to properly care for livestock and keep records on feed costs, veterinary expenses, etc., through completing a detailed record book. The proceeds from selling these heifers will be used for college savings and to purchase future 4-H livestock project animals.

Fifteen 4-H’ers from around the NW Region are participating in this year’s event, with forty-five heifers consigned to sell. Red River Livestock in Coushatta, LA, will host the Pen of 3 Show and Sale. These heifers will sell at the beginning of the regular sale on January 24, 2024, at 11am. This is an excellent opportunity to purchase some and help support local 4-H’ers simultaneously.

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Originally posted on April 6, 2017
By Joe Taylor

People of a certain age may recognize the attached picture. It is a rare photo of a small, unassuming building that served for over forty years as city hall for the little town of Coushatta—called by natives “the Calaboose,” which Google tells me is an old English word for a small jail. Why it got that name is a mystery to me. I’m told that the old jail in the old town on the river was also called the Calaboose, and maybe the name was transferred when the new building was built in the early twenties as the town moved toward the railroad.

There certainly was a jail as part of the building. If you study the picture, you’ll notice two small windows at the bottom. Those were the windows to, as I remember, two jail cells that looked ominous to a curious kid as he explored the town. The upper part of the building served as the city hall and was where the town clerk conducted the town’s everyday business, and the town council held its scheduled meetings.
The little building is an example of how simple times were then and how much modern government has grown.

In years past, when visiting a large city such as Chicago, I have been asked what it was like to be raised in a tiny town like Coushatta. I always answered it was like Mayberry. You had one city marshal for the town. Often, he carried no weapon. Houses were never locked, you didn’t even know where the old skeleton key was, and the car keys were always left in the car. As a kid, you had the run of the town. Days often might include a pick-up baseball or basketball game with the neighbors. Parents really didn’t know where kids were at all times but knew that everyone knew who you were and who you belonged to, and a call would be placed if needed.

I grew up in a time when parents had survived the Great Depression and a terrible world war. They were glad to be alive and wanted to enjoy life and make the world better for their kids. I realize now, in my old age, that growing up in the 50s and 60s was one of the best times in our country’s history, and I was lucky to be a part of it.

 

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BATON ROUGE, La. – The First Extraordinary Session of 2024 adjourned at 2:30 pm on Friday, January 19 after legislators passed measures redrawing Louisiana’s congressional districts as well as creating closed party primaries for federal elections as well as members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Public Service Commission. The eight-day session concluded 3 days early after lawmakers completed their business ahead of schedule.

“The Governor shared with us his commitment to ending the redistricting litigation so the legislature could quickly focus on the issues that will make Louisiana an even better place to live and work,” said Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier. “We didn’t want a federal judge to do it for us. In terms of closed primaries, it’s been a goal for many that gained traction under the leadership of Governor Landry and now was the time to act. With this session complete, all of our energy can now be directed towards the priorities that are important to our constituents.”

“Finding solutions to end the federal litigation holding the state back needed to happen,” said Senate President Cameron Henry. “There are critical decisions for the Senate to make as we start to tackle crime during the next special session as well as a myriad of other challenges during the regular session in March. That’s where we’ll be able to gain some momentum and make changes voters feel are long overdue.”

The congressional district map adopted by both chambers responds to a court mandate and redraws the 6th district seat, making it Louisiana’s 2nd majority-Black district. Supporters say SB 8 (WOMACK) remedies the legal challenge while making only minor changes to U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s district as well as that of Congresswoman Julia Letlow.

Lawmakers also approved the use of closed party primaries for the state’s federal elections, State Supreme Court justices as well as members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and the Public Service Commission. HB 17 (EMERSON) calls for a start date of 2026 for the closed primaries and was amended to allow unaffiliated voters to participate.

Looking ahead, members are expecting to reconvene for a 2nd Special Session to be called by Governor Jeff Landry focusing on crime beginning on Monday, February 19th. The 2024 Regular Session is set to convene on Monday, March 11th.

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Louisiana Tech University proudly announces the return of alumnus Raghu Kota, Director of Product Operations at Google Inc., as the keynote speaker for the 50th-anniversary celebration of its Biomedical Engineering program. The event, scheduled for February 1-2, 2024, promises to be a highlight in the University’s calendar, showcasing five decades of innovation and excellence in biomedical engineering.

Raghu Kota, who completed his Master’s degree in Engineering with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering at Louisiana Tech in 1993, also graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a Master of Business Administration in Strategy, Marketing, and Venture Capital.

He has since built an impressive career in the technology sector. With over 15 years of experience, his journey included significant roles at Microsoft Corporation and Computer Curriculum Corporation before landing his current position at Google. His expertise in hi-tech marketing, product strategy and planning, and product management makes him an ideal figure to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators.

In addition to the keynote presentation, the two-day celebration will provide Biomedical Engineering alums with networking opportunities, as well as giving them multiple chances to socialize with each other, students, faculty, and staff. The agenda will also include a Lady Techsters basketball game against Florida International University, campus tours, a luncheon, a career fair, and the prestigious Biomedical Engineering Honors Banquet. Kota’s keynote address is eagerly anticipated as a highlight of the event.

The University extends an open invitation to alumni, students, faculty, and the broader community to join in celebrating this milestone. The event will be held on the Ruston campus, with the keynote presentation scheduled for the afternoon of February 2, 2024, in the Integrated Engineering and Science Building’s AEP Foundation Auditorium.

Biomedical Engineering Program Chair and University Senate President Dr. Louis Reis says that the University and program look forward to hosting the returning alumni.

“We are excited to welcome back our alumni, recognize the achievements of our students, faculty, and staff, and celebrate the accomplishments of the Biomedical Engineering program here at Louisiana Tech University. We are also excited to invite one of many successful alumni, Mr. Raghu Kota, to serve as our keynote speaker for the event. His message and story about how his education at Louisiana Tech helped him with his many career accomplishments is one that should be exciting for our students and all of our esteemed guests at this event to hear.”

“Dr. Reis is doing excellent work in helping to organize this celebration, and I wholeheartedly welcome Mr. Kota and the rest of our Biomedical Engineering alums back to campus for it,” College of Engineering and Science Dean and Daniel D. Reneau Eminent Scholar Chair Dr. Collin Wick added. “I look forward to showing them how our program has evolved over the years through changing leadership, meeting our outstanding students, faculty, and staff, and some of the great educational initiatives and research they are pursuing.”

Registration for the event opens on January 2, 2024. Attendees are encouraged to secure their participation early, as this landmark event is expected to draw significant interest.

To register your interest, please visit Louisiana Tech’s University Advancement website.

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During a recent Walmart Keynote Address at the CES 2024, it was announced that Sam’s Club will stop checking receipts as customers leave the store. The stores will transition to AI (artificial intelligence) during 2024. The technology is being tested now in 10 clubs before expanding to all sites.

Customers will continue to check out either with Scan & Go or through regular register payment. Once paid, as customers exit the store, a combination of computer vision and digital technology will capture images of the carts and verify payment of all items.

Sam’s Club Chief Merchant Megan Crozier said during the keynote, “At Sam’s Club, we care about every second a member spends with us, so eliminating even the few seconds it takes to scan a receipt at the exit door, it’s well worth it.”

This change “not only streamlines the member’s exit, but also allows exit greeters to refocus their time and expertise to assisting members and ensuring they have an enjoyable shopping experience.”

“We are constantly looking at ways for Sam’s Club to be the most convenient membership club and will continue to prioritize using technology to provide a truly differentiated and delightful experience for our members,” said Chris Nicholas, CEO of Sam’s Club.

According to a statement released by Walmart, members continue to say they want a faster and more convenient shopping experience and consistently rated the wait times at the exit – especially during busy periods – as a pain point in the shopping experience.

Expect to see it in Louisiana Sam’s Club by the end of 2024, if not before.

Source: Walmart

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Hickory Grove Water System continues under a Boil Advisory until further notice.

According to board member Christina Suggs, everything is running well. Tanks are holding at full capacity and able to keep up with water demand at this time. Pressure is also holding steady.

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All Persons Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty

SPEED, BOBBY
41 B M 1/12/2024 INCARCERATED
POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPON BY A FELON $30,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
THEFT $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
NO PROOF OF INSURANCE $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
SWITCHED LICENSE PLATE $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

MADDEN, ALICE
38 W F 1/12/2024 INCARCERATED
FAILURE TO APPEAR – TRUANCY ARRAIGNMENT $250.00 CASH BOND
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

HOWARD, ANTHONY
26 B M 1/12/2024 INCARCERATED
RESISTING AN OFFICER $2,500.00 (CONCURRENT)
THEFT $2,500.00 (CONCURRENT)
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

BREWER, GENE
48 B M 1/12/2024 1/16/2024
NO TAIL LAMPS $5,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
FLIGHT FROM AN OFFICER $5,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA OVER 14 GRAMS $5,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE $5,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPON BY A FELON $15,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
POSSESSION OF FIREARM IN PRESENCE OF A
CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE $15,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
RECKLESS OPERATION OF A VEHICLE $5,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA NO BOND SET (CONCURRENT)
FAILURE TO APPEAR – FINES & COSTS $1,500.00 (CONSECUTIVE)
TOTAL BOND AMOUNT : $16,500.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

RAINEY, WILLIE
44 B M 1/16/2024 INCARCERATED
SIMPLE CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY $2,500.00 (CONCURRENT)
ENTRY ON OR REMAINING ON LAND OR IN PLACE WHERE FORBIDDEN (2 COUNTS) $2,500.00 (EACH)
(CONCURRENT)
SIMPLE ASSAULT $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
ARRESTING AGENCY: COUSHATTA POLICE DEPARTMENT

SHORTY, RONNIE
44 B M 1/18/2024 1/18/2024
OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT – BIENVILLE PARISH
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

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Riverdale Jr. Beta Club is hosting a fund raiser to raise money for State Convention and service projects. The 100 envelope challenge will take place at basketball games on January 23. Everyone attending make sure to stop by and stuff an envelope.

Red River High School Bulldog Band Booster Club is holding a tumbler fundraiser. Tumblers have a full shiny blue wrap with a white Red River Bulldogs logo. They are 20 oz and cost $25. Contact Hannah Price for more information 318.471.0746.

Riverdale Academy’s basketball games postponed from Friday, January 19 and will now be played Thursday, January 25. 

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Maxine Wooley Lum
May 10, 1939 – January 16, 2024
Service: Tuesday, January 23 at 2pm at Ashland Baptist Church – Ashland

 

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2024 could possibly go down as one of the worst year for crawfish production in Louisiana. Louisiana leads the nation in crawfish production but the overly hot summer and lack of rain is having devastating results for this year’s crop.

Nearly 80% of the state remains in a severe drought that is wreaking havoc on the industry. The mudbugs do not have enough water to grow. Combine the drought with the higher temperatures experienced over the summer and the result is much less crawfish production.

LSU Ag Center Crawfish Specialist Mark Shirley shared with Brooke Thorington with the Louisiana Radio Network that he believes 2024 will be one of the worst mudbug seasons on record. He expects high prices and for supply to be minimal.

“It’s going to be the worst season ever. The population is just not there. The buyers are offering $7 and $8 a pound to the fishermen just to try to get them to go out and bait traps and go find them. It could be whatever price, they’re just not there,” said Shirley.

According to Shirley, of the 361,000 acres only half will produce crawfish this year and the half that do, it is going to be late. “You probably find some towards the end of March, April, and May, but it’s going to be a very short supply from the farm.”

In an interview by Tommy Tucker with WWL, Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain shared that some farmers have quit fishing because they are finding no product to sell.

“Farmers that normally catch 30, 40, or 50 sacks (of crawfish) end up with one or two sacks,” Strain said. “By and large, many of them are not fishing right now. They did try, and they didn’t catch anything.”

Strain goes on to say that his main concern is that no one really knows if production will increase at all. There is no way to know but at this moment, predictions do not look good.

It is looking more and more like crawfish will be a rare delicacy this season. Those that are lucky enough to find some, expect them to be smaller than normal and to cost much more.

Sources: Louisiana Radio Network
               WWL First News

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We live in a “throwaway” culture.

We throw away just about everything.

Not that we haven’t noticed. We’ve been using this expression since LIFE magazine published an article in 1955 about a new phenomenon that emerged in the prosperity of the 1950s. “Throwaway Living” the article was called.

Instead of blowing our noses using washable handkerchiefs (as did our eco-friendly grandmothers), we use tissues and throw them away.

We diaper babies’ bottoms, and then throw them away — the diapers, not the bottoms.
We buy a pair of shoes and throw them away.

We buy water packaged in plastic bottles, drink the water — and throw the bottles away.

Almost everything we purchase comes in what many call excessive packaging which … is thrown away. If in fact, you can get into these excessively protective plastic packages. Last week it took two pairs of scissors and my wire cutters to open the “plastic package” in which the new scissors were located. Who oversees this crazy world?

We buy small and large appliances and when they break down, we buy new ones and throw away the old ones.

We buy TVs and throw them away.

In an era long past, small shops existed to repair items that consumers were then loath to throw away. Used to be that a small repair shop could provide a modest income. You could get your TVs, toasters, radios, and irons repaired for a small charge and they were good to go.

The archetype for such small businesses is Emmett’s Fix-It Shop in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, as depicted on the 1960s television series “The Andy Griffith Show.” Emmett Clark fixed clocks, lamps, radios and more. These shops, for the most part, have disappeared.

We don’t fix things; we toss them out. Our throwaway culture involves more than antiquated electronics.
We also throw away friendships, values, traditions, manners, decency, and common sense. Some might say that we too often throw away our souls in pursuit of some elusive dream we hold dear. We cast aside the spiritual component of our lives thinking, perhaps, that we will focus on spirituality later.

Then, one morning, we wake up wondering who we are and where we’ve been and where our life has taken us. “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans,” according to Beatles legend John Lennon.

Whatever you want to call it, we sense deep down that something is wrong. Something is broken. Something is in desperate need of fixing.

Good thing, God is in the repair business!

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Have you ever seen the movie Dr. Doolittle starring Eddie Murphy? In this
movie Eddie plays the role of a doctor who discovers he can communicate with
animals.

We’ve all had a conversation with our own pets, but the difference is they
can’t talk back. But deep in our hearts we know, or at least we think, they
truly understand what we’re saying. I’ve often wondered what a bass would
say to an angler if they could talk. As an experienced angler who has
engaged in several conversations with bass, I’ll give you an idea as to what
they really think.

Bass are like people; they all have different personalities. Some are quiet
and shy, some are aggressive, and some like to be a part of a gang or school
(as we call them). The bigger fish called trophies, six pounds or larger,
like to isolate themselves and tend to be loners. That’s why you’ll catch
larger fish out of brush tops or isolated clumps of hydrilla and stumps.

I’ve always heard other anglers say that if you’ll listen, bass will tell
you what they want. What anglers are referring to is how to catch them. The
first fish you catch can be a clue on what, how and where you need to be
fishing that day. For example, if you catch a bass off the very end of a
boat dock in 10 feet of water, near a creek channel, you might want to find
other boat docks with the same characteristics. This is what we would call a
pattern.

So far over my many years of fishing and listening, not a single bass has
verbally conveyed anything to me that would help me solve the fishing puzzle
… or have they? The key is you have to listen and pay attention. Now it
may require some interpretation, but if you’re focused and observant, it
will all come together.

One professional angler who is known for his ability to talk to the fish is
the legendary pro Rick Clunn. Considered by many as the greatest angler of
all time, Rick has won 4 Bassmaster Classics (the Super Bowl of bass
fishing).

Rick is a unique kind of bird as he tends to do things a little different.
He’s a guy who likes to stay away from other anglers at an event by camping
out and getting as close to nature as he can. In his words, he wants to
become one with nature.

Not all anglers take this approach, but it has served Rick Clunn well as he
has amassed over $2.6 million in winnings. That means after 496 tournaments
fished, he has earned over $5,000 per event! Rick has even written articles
about what he calls “zenning” which is a form of meditation and mental state
of mind. It’s his way of getting what athletes call “in the zone.”

Whether you take Rick’s meditation approach or come up with one of your
own, it is important for a tournament angler to be focused. Bass fishing is
as much a mental game as it is physical. A lot of anglers are good at many
different techniques and can catch fish. But the anglers who are strong
mentally are usually the ones who are the most successful.

‘Til next time, good luck, good fishing and always remember, that if you’re
not sure it’s a bite, set the hook anyway. Because it just might be the fish
of a lifetime!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) unanimously voted today to reappoint Dr. Cade Brumley as Louisiana State Superintendent of Education. Dr. Brumley has served as State Superintendent since 2020 through a period that has included unprecedented disruptions, from the global pandemic to historically active hurricane seasons. Despite challenges, Louisiana education has progressed on both state and national measurements.

“Dr. Brumley’s leadership has been instrumental in the improved academic outcomes Louisiana has made in recent years,” said BESE President Ronnie Morris. “We look forward to our continued collaboration as we continue to raise the bar for Louisiana students.”

“Education in Louisiana is poised to accelerate and I’m humbled by the opportunity to work alongside Governor Landry, the legislature, and BESE to move our state to the next level of success,” said Dr. Brumley. “We’ve made encouraging progress and I’m proud of the commitment from students, parents, and educators to continue our state’s academic gains.”

BESE’s action affirms that Dr. Brumley remains at the helm of a state education system that has taken positive steps on state and national measurements:

• Louisiana’s overall ranking among the states moved from 46th to 42nd and the state’s 4th graders were No. 1 in the nation for reading growth on The Nation’s Report Card.
• Louisiana’s K-12 education earned its highest place ever in the U.S. News & World Report Best States ranking, moving from 46 to 41 from 2019 to 2022.
• Louisiana’s LEAP scores have improved in consecutive years, with students earning the most significant year-over-year gains since 2016.
• Louisiana’s statewide school performance score exceeded its pre-pandemic level following two consecutive years of growth.

“In a state that’s been long-challenged educationally, we must remain laser focused on academic achievement,” said Dr. Brumley. “Merit matters in Louisiana and our students are as capable as any in the nation. Now is the time to set high standards and give every student the opportunities they need to reach their full potential.”

BESE appoints the position by a two-thirds vote of its total membership. BESE’s next step will be for the Board president and officers to negotiate and finalize a contract with Dr. Brumley. As a procedural matter, the Board will then request approval of the contract by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget and request confirmation of the appointment by the Louisiana Senate. 

Brumley served six years as DeSoto Parish Schools superintendent. During his time in DeSoto, results greatly improved, and the system now ranks as one of Louisiana’s top ten districts for student academic achievement, an increase from 49.

# # #

BESE is the administrative policymaking body for elementary and secondary schools in Louisiana. The Board sets key education initiatives and works to outline an education agenda to achieve continuous improvement of public education as measured by student and school achievement.

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Brad Dison

The church near Victor’s home was badly in need of repair, but no one seemed to care. Generations of worshipers had passed through its doors, but, with each passing year, the building got dirtier, darker, and more damp. It needed a new roof. Its rafters needed repairs. It needed a little of everything, but nothing was offered. Unless something drastic happened, Victor feared that the old church would be torn down and a more modern building, maybe not even a church, would be put in its place. Victor was horrified by the thought. He saw something in the old church building that most others failed to see. Maybe they had seen it at one time, but most people in town largely ignored the old church. To Victor, the building was much more than merely walls and a roof. To him, the church was important.
What could Victor do? He was not an architect or carpenter. He held no political office. He had no authority to do anything towards preserving the church that he loved so dearly. Victor was a writer, mostly of poetry. Oh, dear. He published a paper entitled War [declared] on the Demolishers in which he argued for the preservation of old buildings such as his beloved church. Most of the people who read his paper were the ones who wanted to demolish buildings to make room to erect more modern structures. Victor was distraught.
Victor decided to write a book about the church in his spare time. For three years, Victor struggled to find the time to work on the book as his other literary projects, ones that earned money, took precedence. Rather than a clever title which would draw interest to the story, Victor simply used the name of the church as the title of the book. The church, an inanimate object, became almost a living, breathing character in itself. Finally, Victor finished the book, sent it to his publisher, and waited. Would anyone read a book about an almost forgotten church?
To Victor’s surprise, his book about the church became a hit. Readers flocked to see the old church which was featured so prominently in the book. They flocked to the same church they had previously ignored. The church had not changed, but their perception of it had. Victor’s book brought new interest to the church. With each passing year, Victor’s book became more popular. Thirteen years after Victor published his book, the king of the country ordered the restoration of the church, a project which lasted twenty years. With the success of Victor’s book, the church became much more than a building of worship. It became a national icon.
In the years since Victor’s book was first published, millions of visitors, me included, have flocked to see the church because of the book. The church is currently undergoing another restoration following a disastrous fire. You and I know the story and the church well because of the book’s many stage, television, and film adaptations. Had Victor not written his book, the church which had stood for over 700 years would not have been saved, and you and I would never have heard of the church Notre-Dame de Paris. The original French title of Victor’s book was Notre-Dame de Paris, but English-speaking countries know Victor Hugo’s 1831 book by its adapted title, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This is just one example of the positive power of words.

Source: Daniel Christian, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Notre Dame Cathedral Paris, July 22, 2019, https://notredamecathedralparis.com/the-hunchback-of-notre-dame/.

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If you are lucky, you decide when you retire.

No pink slip. No “we are downsizing.” No corporate restructure.

The power to call it quits and ride off in the sunset is in your hands.

Ron Higgins, Journal Columnist, recently wrote this about Nick Saban.

I thought it appropriate for me, not that I am in Nick Saban’s class.

Yes, I decided to retire from Waskom, Brown & Associates, LLC. (WBA) in July 2023.

I did not retire from New York Life Insurance Company.

People have asked me when I was going to retire and I always responded “as long as I am having fun and helping people, I will not retire.”

Well, I am still having fun and helping people representing New York Life Insurance Company as I have for the past 23 years.

If I have not told you of my retirement from WBA, I apologize!

David Waskom and I had a great relationship for 24 years but as I have been told “sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do,” and I did what I thought was best for me and my family.

I retired and “repurposed” my time and energy to represent the best mutual life insurance company in the world, New York Life Insurance Company.

If you need my services, want to talk about your issues, or just want to sit and chat about your life, I am available at 213 Renee Street, Suite B or you can call me at 318/332-7684.

As a friend recently reminded me, “we are truly blessed way beyond what we deserve.”

Nettles Brown
lnbrown@ftnewyorklife.com
318-332-7684

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Clara Springs Baptist Camp will offer a Concealed Carry Handgun Class on Saturday, January 20 from 8am-4pm. Space is limited. To register: https://clarasprings.wufoo.com/forms/concealed-carry-class
For more information: http://clarasprings.com/2024-events/concealed-carry-class

Blood Drive Saturday, January 20 from 10am until 5pm for the replenishment for Angie Cason. It will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 200 Carroll Street, in Shreveport. Everyone who donates will receive a long sleeve influencer shirt (while supplies last). The first 70 donors will also get Aunt Annie’s pretzels! With each donation, life share will offset costs for Angie Cason’s use of blood products in the past few months.

Northwestern State University will host STEM Day on Friday, March 1 from 8am-12pm in the Student Union Ballroom. Students in grades 9-12 are invited to attend. Students will choose their interest from Biomedical/Microbiology, Natural Science/Ecology, Veterinary Science, Chemistry & Physics, or Mathematics/Engineering. Register here.

Join the BASIC Club’s 5th Quarter on Friday, Jan 26 at the Castor High School Gym. It will follow the Castor/Doyline game. Pizza, games and a great message will be shared. Speaker will be Joshua Terry. Everyone is invited to attend. 

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Edith Joy Stothart Gaddis
October 5, 1929 – December 27, 2023
Service: Saturday, January 20 at 2pm at Asbury United Methodist Church – Bossier City

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As we are well into the recovery stage of the winter weather event please help your water systems out. Turn off all of your water down stream of your meter ie faucets, spickets, washing machine, dishwashers and insure your toilet is not running. Then go check your meter and confirm the small triangle is not spinning.

If it is spinning, you have a leak or something is running somewhere on your personal water lines.

All water systems in the parish have been instructed to check the meters and if the meter is spinning out of control to shut off the meter and lock it. Once you have fixed your leaks they will gladly turn your meter back on.

The issue with most water systems is from customers not checking and fixing their leak. When multiple customers have leaks, this will drain a water system and force the pumps to shut down on low water level.

If you are an ELDERLY customer or a customer who is not PHYSICALLY able to check or fix a leak please contact your water system and they will assist you to check your meter and find help. 

~message posted on Red River Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness

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Due to a broken water main in Coushatta, ALL Red River Parish Schools will dismiss at 12:45pm TODAY.

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The winter storm of the last several days has left water woes for several rural water systems. Administrators from these water systems and Homeland Security have asked residents to check for leaks and some systems are now under boil advisories.

Fairview water system issued a precautionary boil advisory on January 16, after a water main break on Hwy 480. This included the area beginning where Bright Morning Star Church Road meets Hwy 480 and includes homes going north in Coushatta to Brown Road. They reported that a portion of roadway broke away and damaged the water main. This problem is in addition to the request for all residents to check for leaks on private property as the pipes thaw.

Hickory Grove water system administrators indicated that leaks on private land might be the major cause for their water shortage. In the past 24 hrs the entire tank has drained. They plan to keep the water off till the tank can fill and then attempt to open again. They are requesting that a check be made of each house.

Martin Water System has also been concerned about low pressure and possible leaks. Each homeowner is asked to make a survey of their property for possible water leaks.

The Town of Coushatta also had a problem with water Thursday that caused the Red River Parish School Board to dismiss school early, Thursday. This calamity was not the result of leaky pipes or frozen ground. A source reported that the gas company was working at the north Y and punctured the water main. Crews have been working to get the water restored in town.

With more freezing weather headed into the Ark-La-Tex, homeowners should take the time now to search for and repair any leaks. Then everyone should be prepared for our second round of winter chill.

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Out of an abundance of caution and with freezing temperatures continuing til midday today, Red River Parish Public Schools are closed and will continue a virtual learning day. Students received an emergency weather packet last Thursday and are expected to have it completed before returning to school tomorrow.

All teachers and administrators will be checking their emails and Remind messages throughout the day if students or parents have any questions regrading the learning packet.

All Red River Parish Public School students and staff are expected to return to school Thursday, January 18, 2024.

If there is a change in the return date parents and students will receive notification via phone message, social media, and local news outlets. 

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BATON ROUGE, La. – The First Extraordinary Session of 2024 convened at Monday, January 15 and included an address by Governor Jeff Landry to a joint gathering of House and Senate members as well as statewide elected officials. Legislators are set to consider redrawing congressional and Supreme Court districts to include additional minority districts for both, as well as closing Louisiana’s primary elections.

“The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met this morning to start educating themselves on the task of redrawing maps and they are set to start considering bills tomorrow,” said Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier. “Redistricting is a function of the Legislature and we’ll do the work that needs to get done. That way, we can focus on the much larger issues voters sent us to Baton Rouge to tackle,” says DeVillier.

“The governor clearly told the Legislature that the people have sent us here to solve problems and that’s what we’ll do,” said Senate President Cameron Henry. “The Senate accepts that task and will be working diligently to redraw new congressional and Supreme Court maps.”

All legislative proceedings including committee meetings and chamber debate can be viewed at http://www.legis.la.gov. Additionally, the Louisiana Legislature has a smartphone app (LA LEGE) that combines information from the House and Senate websites into an easy to use format users can access from anywhere.

New to the app this year are daily committee agendas and the ability to search and read bills being considered. The LA LEGE app is available to download free of charge from the Apple or Google Play stores and does not collect any personal information.

Final adjournment for the eight-day special session must come no later than 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23rd.

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As an outdoor writer, my paths cross with interesting people. Some are adept at fishing; some at hunting; some that are just flat-out interesting.

A couple of years ago, I met just such a person in Anna Ribbeck. She lives in Baton Rouge, works at LSU Ag Center and just received her graduate degree in plant science including her thesis on invasive aquatic plants.

There are lots of folks who have done what she’s done scholastically, but it’s here where Anna Ribbeck sets herself apart from others, especially young attractive women. Meet Anna the Archer, someone who got hooked on archery and is carrying her knowledge and expertise to a pretty high level.

Introduced to archery at the beginning of her years as a student at LSU, she is accumulating a reputation, not only as being deadly on the archery target range but in carrying it another step. She is a serious bow hunter, having already taken several deer with her bow.

From hunting deer, she became interested in using her bow to try and put a dent in the burgeoning population of nutria, the orange-toothed rodents that are decimating the coast line habitat by uprooting and foraging on the valuable plants that hold the marshland together.

Upon learning that she would take her introducing women to archery to the Claiborne Parish Library a couple of years ago to present a seminar, I contacted her for material for my columns and for my radio program.

“I want to educate the public, especially women, on archery. I do a lot of You Tube videos on social media under the name, Anna the Archer and I visit bow shops to teach women about archery. I also participate in competitive archery and that has not only been lots of fun but getting to hang out with others in the sport has been a big help in developing my skills and my love for the sport,” she told me during our interview.

Her love for the sport has attracted another entity that may seem like something females would have little interest in, alligator hunting. She is now a vital part of the popular television series, Swamp People, aired every Thursday night at 7:00 on the History Channel.

“To get to do this with these well-known alligator hunters, like star of the show, Troy Landry, and to do it with my bow is like nothing else,” Ribbeck said.

She is a member of an all-girl team featured in the show. Her partner, Ashley Jones joins her to form the Double A team.

“I’ve lost count of how many alligators Ashley and I have taken. It’s in the hundreds, I’m sure,” she added.
Ribbeck is also involved in another venture that is featured on the show. Landry assisted her in starting the Swamp Mysteries portion of the show where she chases down and dispatches feral pigs with her bow.

“We have so many hogs on the landscape that are harming the environment down here, much like you have in north Louisiana. We go after them with bows, with guns and even hunting them from helicopters,” she said.

I have had the privilege of interviewing a wide variety of individuals over the years but have found few as interesting as Anna the Archer.

Visit her site on Facebook, Anna the Archer, for a veritable plethora of stories, photos and video clips of her chasing nutria, alligators and feral hogs. Mark your calendar to watch her in action Thursday nights at 7:00 on the History Channel. You won’t be disappointed.

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