Donald Wayne Jennings
April 12, 1983 – March 20, 2024
Service: Friday, March 22 at 12pm at Springhill Baptist Church
Dorothy Lee Sledge
August 5, 1922 — March 17, 2024
Service: Saturday, March 23 at 11am at Clear Springs Cemetery
VFW Post 7287, Coushatta is offering higher education scholarships in May of 2024 to graduates who are residents of Red River Parish. VFW Commander Barry McCoy said, “We want to help students whose parents or legal guardians are US veterans with the cost of higher education. They may plan to go to either a college, trade school, or other higher learning facility.”
Three scholarships in the amount of $5,000.00 each are being offered. One for a graduate of Red River High School, one for a graduate of Riverdale Academy, and one for a graduate at large.
McCoy said, “The Veterans of Foreign Wars is a veteran’s service organization. We want to help local veterans with paying for their child’s education. So, Post 7287 is offering these scholarships.” McCoy added, “The child must reside in Red River Parish, and they can attend any school of higher learning they wish.”
Scholarship applications have been provided to schools in the parish. Guidance counselors or school officials can supply information about the scholarships. Students or parents may contact VFW Post 7287 directly at 318-932-6557 or email to vfw7287@att.net for additional information.
Any high school graduate with at least a 2.0 GPA may apply. Applicants will be asked to furnish a brief essay describing their educational plans and reason for being awarded the scholarship.
Applicants must furnish proof of graduation and acceptance to an institution of higher education. They must also provide proof of the parent or legal guardian’s Honorable Discharge from any branch of the US military.
Registration deadline is May 10, 2024. Applicants are responsible for getting completed application packets back to Post 7287 by the deadline. The selection of scholarship winners will be announced during high school graduation season.
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Union Hall Baptist Church will host an Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23 from 10am – 2pm. Ages 12 and younger are invited to participate. All children must be accompanied by an adult. There will be lots of eggs, candy, prizes and food. Make sure to bring your basket.
Hop on over to the Ashland Fire Department, 472 Hwy 153 Ashland, for an egg hunt on Saturday, March 23 from 12-3pm. All eggs will be provided. There will be hot dogs served and a jump house for the kids.
First Methodist Church Coushatta will hold their annual egg hunt on Good Friday, March 29 beginning at 10:30am. There will be the Easter story, an egg hunt for toddlers through 5th grade, and a hot dog lunch. All children in the community are welcome. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance!!
First Baptist Church of Coushatta will host a community wide Easter Egg Hunt on Friday, March 29 from 4-6pm. All activities will be located in the Children’s playground area. This FREE event will include: inflatables, face painting, Hotdogs, popcorn, Hot air balloon (weather permitting), and an Easter Egg hunt with prizes! This event is only for kids ages 0-6th grade. Bring your Easter baskets and be ready for fun!
Fairview Baptist Church will host a Good Friday Community Egg Hunt and Fish Fry on March 29. Egg hunt at 5pm and Dinner at 5:45pm. This is a FREE event for all families and individuals. There will be inflatables for the children and games for everyone to play!
On March 30, Coushatta Recreation Park we will be having the 2nd Annual Community Funday Egg Hunt from 3-6pm. There will be kickball, basketball, a bounce house for smaller kids and more. Everyone is invite and welcome. Come prepared for a good time because we are planning to have a good time. Dat Bigg Belly Dude and J Boy’s Cooking is sponsoring the event.
There are two varieties of home improvement projects. The catalyst for the first variety of projects is the eye. When you have harvest gold or avocado green kitchen appliances, it is time for a little project. The way trends cycle, if you will hang on to those appliances another quarter century, they might be in vogue again. We might call those updates. It sounds less expensive to say, “I’m updating my home.”
The other variety of home improvement occurs when there is a major repair necessary. I am in the middle of that kind of home improvement. The house was constructed seventy-seven years ago. There are things that have “broken.” I am in the middle of a bathroom remodel. Seems the tub was not a cast iron variety. It was one of those “new-fangled” metal tubs of the 1940’s. The tub reached the end of its functional life. Corrosion, known as rust, surrounded the drain and the tub began to leak.
I was vetoed on the contractor, the other member of the committee voted to hire the friend of a friend. The work is “substantially completed.” All I can tell you is, I closed my eyes and listened to this guy talk and I swear I was listening to Larry the Cable guy. He was a nice man. He worked quickly. He did say, “Your house is not square.” Duh, it was built in 1947 and is pier and beam construction, no kidding it is not square.
He told me on Saturday that he would have to call friend number one to finish the drain because a part was missing.
The missing part was a ninety-degree turn. He described it as being PVC that was about six or seven inches long in total. He didn’t know where it was, but it was suddenly gone. He surmised that somehow friend number one had inadvertently picked it up. I shrugged my shoulders.
He finished his part of the job and left. That evening as I was getting the dogs settled, I found the missing piece of PVC. The dogs didn’t differentiate between some of their bones and this missing piece of pipe. There it was in the middle of my bed. The dogs had buried it under a throw pillow. I’m wondering if this isn’t in the same broad category of “my dog ate my homework.”
The Psalmist told us, “Fret not.” I wonder if the Psalmist had dogs that carried off PVC in the middle of a construction project. I know the Psalmist faced much more. Is your faith in Christ, such that you can face every adventure, situation, exchange, conversation, challenge, or detour with the attitude of “fret not?”
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A Red River Parish man suffered moderate injuries in a single-vehicle crash on US-71 in the Fairview Alpha community on Monday afternoon according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
At approximately 1:30pm, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Louisiana State Police, Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #9 Rescue and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS responded to NATCOM 911 Center reports of a single-vehicle crash with injuries and possible entrapment on US-71 in the Fairview Alpha community.
Units arrived on scene finding the sole-occupant of the vehicle suffering from moderate injuries trapped in the wreckage.
NPFD #9 using extrication equipment successfully freed the victim from the vehicle.
Deputies say a 25-year old Coushatta man operating a 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck was traveling northbound in the 900 block of US71 in Fairview Alpha when for reasons still under investigation apparently crossed over the centerline and exited the road on the left side. The vehicle continued to travel off the roadway through a yard striking a tree and continued several yards before coming to a rest.
The operator of the vehicle was transported from the scene by EMS to a regional trauma center with moderate injuries.
Troopers assigned to LSP Troop-E Alexandria worked the crash.
Last Sunday I saw it for the first time. At first, I didn’t know where that dust was coming from that I found on the windshield when I crawled behind the wheel preparing to head to church. Then I noticed the light golden color of the tiny flecks of dust. It hit me.
Pollen. Pine pollen.
Glancing at the ends of the branches of the hundreds of loblolly pines in my yard, I saw the swollen buds, locked and loaded to dump their load of aggravating yellow dust with no concern as to where their loads would land.
Pine pollen is produced by male pine cones, just trying out their masculinity I suppose. Some people are allergic to pine pollen, the same people are also likely to have allergic reactions to grass pollen. The culprit for most who experience bouts of hay fever in spring comes from pollen produced and released by oaks, hickories, rag weed and other such plants.
My wife enjoys opening the windows during spring to take advantage of nice comforting breezes. However, once the first bit of pollen is seen, she is not happy because this means she has to wait until pollen season ends in a few weeks to be able to open windows. By then, it’s starting to warm up too much to enjoy the pleasant springtime breezes.
Keeping windows open during pollen season is to invite yellow dust to make itself at home on the couch, chairs, tabletops, carpet, floors et al.
The stuff is indiscriminate; it cares not a bit that when it comes into your home uninvited; it’s like the obnoxious cousin, Randy Quaid in National Lampoon’s Christmas vacation who comes to visit with wife and kids disrupting family plans and is in no hurry to leave.
As much as we despise the hated yellow powder, the Internet has discovered and shares a number of reasons why we should give it some love.
Believe it or not, pine pollen has health benefits with research suggesting pine pollen has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains a natural anti-depressant that stimulates dopamine levels in the brain.
Wait, here’s more. Pine pollen can help reduce cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular health. Here’s a good one; pine pollen is especially beneficial for men because it contains high levels of testosterone. It can bolster your immunity to anti-aging as well as reducing fatigue, regulating metabolism, lowering blood pressure and protects the liver.
It can be used for the topical treatment of eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and other dry, itchy, flaky or inflamed skin conditions.
These research sources are suggesting that maybe we should give pine pollen more love because of all its benefits instead of treating it like a bad case of the flu.
As for me, it’s just too hard to create pleasant pictures in my mind of all the nice things this stuff can do while it’s coating my car, my driveway, my porch with that obnoxious yellow dust.
Even with all this good things pine pollen can do, I still don’t like it.
NATCHITOCHES – Blaine McCorkle was a happy football coach Monday afternoon – one surrounded by players who shared the same emotion.
For the first time since arriving as Northwestern State’s head football coach in November, McCorkle was able to put his team through a practice, running the Demons through a two-hour workout at Turpin Stadium to kick off spring practice.
“The biggest thing is I’m happy for our players,” McCorkle said. “I’m happy for the guys, especially the returners who haven’t put a helmet on and really played football since mid-October. That’s a long time to go. They were itching. The energy was good. The effort was good. They competed. As far as those things go, I’m really, really pleased.”
As with most first practices, especially with a first-year coaching staff, execution was not as high on McCorkle’s list as was starting to lay a foundation for not only the 2024 season but also for the future of the program.
“There are going to be first-day mistakes you have to clean up with the execution,” he said. “I’m sure when we turn on the film, it’s going to look pretty rough, but the feeling coming off the field was good. Moving forward with the healing process, part of that is playing football. I was happy for our players today to get to do that.”
The players reciprocated those feelings.
McCorkle’s first NSU coaching staff features a pair of returning coaches as well as new offensive, defensive and special teams coordinators. The message McCorkle and his staff have preached since arriving has been well received.
“One thing bringing us all back together was the excitement for change,” said quarterback Chance Newman, who started his third spring practice in Natchitoches. “One of the team rules is embrace change. One thing we’re doing as a team – all the guys who have been here – is accepting change. The guys who aren’t doing well with it are leaving. The guys who have accepted it are staying, and we’re getting better.”
In addition to the returners, the Demons began the on-field process of folding in double-digit mid-year transfers – including four-year and junior college transfers.
Those new additions were in the same place as the returners – physically and mentally – Monday afternoon.
“We were all excited,” said freshman offensive lineman Isaiah Ybarra, a transfer from Stetson University. “Everyone’s been talking about it for the past couple of weeks. Ever since conditioning starting, the new guys have been talking about putting some pads on and getting out there.”
Despite the first-day mistakes, Newman said he saw flashes of potential within the Demons, complimenting both the offense and defense for their performances.
McCorkle agreed while also issuing a challenge to his team.
“We got the mortar down – the concrete’s wet and it’s down,” he said. “I’m not sure we got a brick down, but we’re going piece by piece. When you build that brick wall, there a lot more that goes into it than just throwing bricks up there.
“I’m excited about where we are. You’ll always have lulls, but the challenge today coming off the field was as good as the energy and effort was today – the football was sloppy – but the energy and effort was good. That needs to be the least energy and effort we have in spring practice. We need to build on it every day a little more. When we get to practice 13, 14 and 15, the noise and energy need to be breaking windows on campus. That’s what you want to build to. It was a good start, but it needs to be the worst day we have all spring.”
The Demons continue spring practice Tuesday before taking an off day Wednesday. Northwestern State’s first full-pads workout of spring arrives Thursday.
Source: nsudemons.com
By: Jason Pugh, Assistant AD for Media Relations
Louisiana Tech University has announced the names of students on its Winter Quarter 2024 President’s and Dean’s honor lists.
Students whose names are followed by an asterisk earned recognition as members of the president’s honor list. That distinction signifies achievement of at least a 3.8 academic grade point average on a minimum of nine semester hours completed (100-level or higher), with no grade lower than a B.
To be eligible for the dean’s honor lists, a student is required to earn at least a 3.5 academic grade point average with no grade lower than a C on a minimum of nine semester hours completed (100-level or higher).
Courses yielding satisfactory/failure grades and courses audited do not count toward eligibility for either recognition. Only undergraduates with no incomplete grades are eligible to make either list.
Coushatta: Brennan Thomas Edie
Because we are in the middle of high school and college baseball season and because desperate times call for desperate measures, I am having to name myself Infield Fly Rule Sheriff for north Louisiana and maybe even for east Texas.
This is effective immediately. No time to waste …
The Infield Fly Rule can make you look crazier than a road lizard, more foolish than the guy who botched the one-car funeral procession. Not knowing this rule has caused more Walk of Shames than beer.
We’ve witnessed it mangled twice last week.
Once, a defender’s mistake cost his team a run. The other time, a baserunner ran his team out of an inning.
This happens more often than you’d think. And when it does, it looks like a prison break.
“An infield fly is a fair ball — not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt — which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out.”
Once the umpire declares “Infield Fly!” and/or points to the sky, the batter is out and all force plays are removed, regardless of whether the ball is caught.
This is to protect defenseless runners: an infielder in this situation could drop the ball on purpose and then turn an easy double play.
The rule sounds tricky but it’s not once you ponder it for a moment. And the moment to ponder is not when the Infield Fly Rule has been declared. It’s now, while no bullets are flying and all is quiet on the western front.
So, the examples from last week:
Runners first and second, one out, fly to infield’s right side. Infield Fly is declared. Fielder misses the ball, and the runner on second, safe as grandma’s banana pudding secret recipe, semi-panics and takes off for third. The throw from the second baseman, who’s recovered the ball, is in plenty of time — BUT the third baseman doesn’t tag the runner. Steps on the bag thinking there was a force. But the force is off once Infield Fly is declared. The runner, who was surprised as anyone by his good fortune, then scored on a two-out base hit.
In the other example, runners were on first and second, one out, their team trailing by a run, eighth inning. Big Moment. Infield Fly is declared on a very high pop behind first; it hits the fielder’s glove and drops maybe three feet from him and — the runner on second bolted toward third as if propelled from a cannon. Easy throw to the third baseman, who makes the tag, end of that half inning and end of threat.
Makes your heart hurt.
So it is my suggestion that each team designate an Infield Fly Rule Captain. Or it could be Infield Fly Rule Sergeant-at-Arms or Infield Fly Rule Flavor of the Day/Ringmaster/Man About Town. Whatev. The point is, when the Infield Fly Rule is in effect as noted above, that appointed Infield Fly Rule Specialist is yelling to the baserunners, “HOLD YOUR BASE, FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING DECENT AND GOOD, DO NOT MOVE!”
Whether the fielder catches the fly or not, you are safe. Batter up.
Now if you are a fielder — this will take some practice and communication and work and your coach will have to agree — you almost always “have” to let the ball drop. The batter will be out anyway, the runners probably won’t know the rule or will panic, and you can double one up. If the runners don’t move and the ball doesn’t drop and take a wild bounce, no problem. Ball back to pitcher. Batter up.
And if you forget all that, it’s OK. The important thing is that you find and read “Mitch and the Infield Fly Rule,” an essay by the master of the art, the late and great Mississippian Willie Morris.
In it, when Morris taught a class in the American Novel as writer-in-residence at Ole Miss in the 1980s, a “willowy, full-breasted blond Chi Omega” called Mitch, 21 and a straight-A student, “tall and slender and lithesome, wry and irreverent and whimsical,” stands in class one day, recites the Infield Fly Rule in its entirety and finishes by saying, to her wide-eyed classmates in the cataclysmic quietness of the large amphitheater classroom and with a throaty Bacall voice, “I always thought it a fine rule.”
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
Rick Rowe and the KTBS 3 Community Caravan will have lunch Thursday, March 21 at noon at Crawfish King restaurant. The public is invited to attend.
Clara Springs Camp will host Fourth Friday Fish Fry today (Mar 22) from 5-7pm. Hosted by FBC Natchitoches. In honor of Read Across America month FBC Natchitoches library will be on campus sharing how their church library can assist your church ministry. There will be tables of FREE gently used books for you to take home! Dinner is $15 and includes all you can eat fried fish, coleslaw, french fries, hushpuppies, pinto beans, lemon bread pudding, homemade ice cream and drinks. Kids 9 and under eat FREE. Only $10 for kids ages 10-17.
The 8th Annual Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Bass Tournament is Saturday, March 23 at Cypress Bend Boat Launch on Toledo Bend. Tournament hours 6:45am – 3pm. Scales open at 2pm. Contact Burt Poche at 318.652.3176 or 318.652.7192. Online registration deadline is March 22 at 3pm http://www.dylankylepoche.com
In person registration is Friday, March 22 from 2-7pm at the boat launch or Saturday morning from 4-7am. Teams that do not weigh in a fish will be entered into a drawing for $1,000 cash. Must be present to win. There will also be prizes, raffles, DJ, bounce house, food and fun for all.
Mark your calendar! Rick Rowe and the KTBS 3 Community Caravan is headed to Coushatta and Red River Parish this week. Rowe will highlight what makes our area so special.
The caravan will have lunch on Thursday, March 21 at noon at Crawfish King restaurant. The public is invited to attend.
This month’s KTBS 3 Community Caravan is sponsored by Mayor Johnny Cox, his wife Valerie & friends.
The KTBS 3 Community Caravan, takes place once a month, goes to different locations around the region, and profiles that community. The Caravan is a chance to hear from viewers from all over the ArkLaTex.
Source: KTBS
SHREVEPORT – World-renowned Ukrainian photojournalist Mykola Omelchenko is bringing an immersive virtual reality exhibit to LSUS in which participants can experience the devastation to Ukrainian cities and neighborhoods as a result of the Russian invasion.
The exhibit will be at LSUS on March 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Noel Memorial Library. The exhibit was originally planned to appear in January but was postponed because of the winter storm.
Attendees can visit the exhibit at any time during that period, located on the third floor of the library.
Omelchenko is a veteran photojournalist who used a drone to photograph the damage in places like Bucha, Irpin and Borodianka as well as major cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy and Chernihiv.
With a VR Oculus, attendees can walk down the streets of these locations before the war and since its onset two years ago.
“The war in Ukraine is of great importance to the U.S., so the public must be better informed on what is happening overseas, and more crucially, of the human tragedy that is unfolding in Ukraine,” said Dr. Alexander Mikaberidze, an LSUS professor of history and the Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair for the Curatorship of the James Smith Noel Collection. “This is not just a conflict somewhere on the other side of the planet, but rather – as (U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson) put it – this is the greatest destabilization of the world order since World War II and constitutes a national security threat to the entire West.
“All of us should be paying closer attention to it.”
Omelchenko is part of the War Up Close Exhibit Team, which is traveling around the South as part of its United States tour as it uses virtual reality technology to deliver a hard-hitting view of the damage but also the resiliency of the Ukrainian people.
The exhibition has traveled around the world in cities like Paris, Berlin, Warsaw, Rome, and to locales in Indonesia, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. Attendees consisted of government officials, journalists, scientists, and regular citizens at each stop.
Mikaberidze, who has conducted a series of community lectures since the war began, said the local interest in this war encouraged him to bring an event like this to Shreveport.
“I know first-hand there is considerable public interest in what is happening in Ukraine, and I thought the Shreveport-Bossier community would benefit from having access to this exhibit,” Mikaberidze said.
(Shreveport, LA) – United Way of Northwest Louisiana (UWNWLA) and area businesses celebrated the $1.9 million raised for Northwest Louisiana programs on March 7 at the organization’s annual event, Tails and Ales: A Celebration of Impact. Sponsored by Margaritaville Resort Casino, Raymond James, Liberty Energy, Prolec GE, ANECA Federal Credit Union, Frymaster, First Guaranty Bank, and Eagle Distributing Shreveport, the event celebrates an impact value of nearly ten million for our community, helping more than 100,000 lives. Allocations of the funds are made to UWNWLA programs and nonprofit services that work to serve ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) citizens.
UWNWLA’s largest fundraising initiative is its annual campaign, where UWNWLA partners with companies to conduct workplace fundraisers. Campaigns allow employees to give back each year and connect to causes they care about. While this is a major source of revenue for the organization, Tails & Ales honors the hundreds of businesses and organizations that implement change in our community through not only workplace campaigns but also volunteer engagement and advocacy.
“Part of a true United Way Campaign goes beyond the pledge form,” said UWNWLA President & CEO LaToria W. Thomas. “We are grateful to have supporters who truly know what it means to Live United and embody the United Way spirit through their advocacy, volunteerism, and support. They preach, live, and breathe our mission and are the reason for our success. We are honored and eager to celebrate them every year.”
Tails and Ales took place at Margaritaville Resort Casino Bossier City in its Paradise Theater, where attendees enjoyed a seafood boil, live music by Professor Porkchop and the Dirty Dishes, beverages from local breweries, cornhole, raffle prizes, and a program recognizing honorees, including the recipient of the distinguished Clyde E. Fant Memorial Award. The Clyde E. Fant Award recognizes an individual who has contributed to the community and UWNWLA through leadership, campaign, or other volunteer efforts. This year, UWNWLA honored Grant Nuckolls and Andrew Crawford, co-owners of Cuban Liquor, for the significant impact they made through their Rare Whisky Raffle, which raised $28,000 for UWNWLA’s education program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The Clyde E. Fant Memorial Award has been awarded to community philanthropists since 1949. Former recipients include Virginia K. Shehee, 1975, Mary Ann Selber, 2001, and Jaf Fielder, 2023.
UWNWLA fights for the health, education, financial stability, and essential needs of everyone in its ten-parish footprint and is honored to recognize those who mobilize its mission.
TAILS & ALES: A CELEBRATION OF IMPACT AWARD RECIPIENTS
CLYDE E. FANT MEMORIAL AWARD
Grant Nuckolls and Andrew Crawford, Cuban Liquor
Recognizes individuals who have contributed to the community and UWNWLA through leadership, campaign, or other volunteer efforts.
TOP CAMPAIGN AWARD
Williams Companies
Goes to the company that raised the most campaign dollars.
LIFE OF THE PARTY
International Paper, Red River Mill
Recognizes a company that encourages its employees to give by hosting exciting events that support their workplace campaign. The recipient of this award does so with creativity and originality.
LIVE UNITED
Bossier Parish Libraries
Recognizes a company that has adopted the spirit of UWNWLA within its organization by engaging in charitable giving, advocacy, and volunteerism.
MOVERS & SHAKERS AWARD
McElroy Metal
Company with the largest percentage of increase from the previous year.
SERVANT’S HEART AWARD (INDIVIDUAL)
Paige Lasyone
Recognizes a person who takes on the true spirit of volunteerism by enthusiastically giving their time and service to make their community a better place.
SERVANT’S HEART AWARD (COMPANIES)
AETNA & KSLA NEWS 12
Recognizes companies that take on the true spirit of volunteerism by enthusiastically giving their time and service to make their community a better place.
OUTSTANDING AMBASSADOR
Waynesha Hall, Enterprise Holdings
Recognizes a company’s campaign ambassador for their hard work and dedication to the UWNWLA campaign while also going above and beyond to strengthen the relationship between UWNWLA and the company.
TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Bayou State Oil
Recognizes the company that had the highest employee participation in their workplace campaign.
LIFETIME SUPPORTER AWARD
Craig & Judy Storer, Storer Services
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, dedication, and contribution to United Way NWLA over an extended period of time.
COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARDS
American Red Cross & SPAR
Given in deep appreciation for their unwavering dedication, exemplary collaboration, and outstanding contributions to our community.
President Trump is one of the most creative leaders we may ever see and the manner in which he brings attention to issues—whether in a statesmanlike way or with his inimitable bombast—he nevertheless is always successful in doing so.
Recall that while president, in 2018, Trump called out other world leaders who are part of the NATO Alliance and browbeat and shamed them into upping their contributions to the Alliance to the required 2% of each nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). As noted by The Heritage Foundation in 2018 regarding Trump, ” … he has said Germany is a “captive” to Russia due to its oil and gas deals, and that he expects NATO countries to “immediately” increase defense spending to relieve some of the unfair burden on the U.S. After all, how many times have Europeans broken the promise to increase defense spending? The reality is, most NATO allies are free riders on American defense. And in spite of that, some NATO countries (like Germany) harbor deep anti-American attitudes, not just anti-Trump attitudes.” (K. Holmes, The Heritage Foundation, July 12, 2018).
That was a fair assessment in 2018 and it is why people still trust Trump in 2024. And the Trump approach worked.
“In 2016, non-U.S. NATO members spent $262 billion on defense; in 2020, they will spend $313 billion. Regardless of whether this increase resulted from changing threat perceptions, or Trump’s laser-like focus on inadequate defense spending, … the results speak for themselves. The $50 billion increase is equivalent to the entire defense budget of France.” (D. Kochis, The Heritage Foundation, Nov 3, 2020).
Well, Trump has recently made a similar statement and the Washington Post is, unsurprisingly, outraged.
While in Conway, South Carolina, Trump stated to an exuberant and receptive audience that he had once suggested to a foreign leader that he would “encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want” to NATO member countries who are not spending the required amount on their own defense. Trump stated that one of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, “well, sir, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?” Trump said he responded “You didn’t pay. You’re delinquent. No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.” (M. Levine, Washington Post, Feb. 10, 2024). The Post correctly noted that “Trump has long been a fierce critic of U.S. participation in the alliance, frequently hammering European countries on their share of defense spending, and appeared to be referring to indirect funding as part of participation in the alliance.”
And that is the only reason there has ever been any movement by these NATO nations toward paying anywhere close to what they owe for their own defense.
NATO remains critical to American national security interests, but we can no longer be expected to bear the lion share of the burden as we have for decades. That is why The Heritage Foundation contends that “to sustain the alliance, America’s NATO allies must be prepared to step up to the plate, and fully participate in burden sharing with the U.S. ” (N. Gardiner, Feb 7, 2024).
That is also why, The Heritage Foundation urges, “this cannot be a two-tier alliance, where the United States carries the overwhelming military load for the defense of the free world. Last year, only 11 NATO members spent the 2 percent of GDP on defense (Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, the United Kingdom, and the United States) agreed to almost a decade ago—and almost two years after Putin invaded Ukraine. This is unacceptable. It leaves the alliance dangerously vulnerable when it should be projecting strength and resolve.” (Id.)
There is a balance that must be achieved here and the only national or world leader who has made any progress in correcting this inequity is Trump.
America is the world’s only true superpower, but it cannot carry the weight of defense of the free world on its own. Trump’s statements are necessary “tough love” threats directed to our free-loading allies, and when he was President, these statements were effective in dramatically increasing defense spending among our European allies.
But, Trump’s essential point is that all NATO must pay their fair share for their own defense, a defense that is now provided primarily by the U.S. and hardworking taxpayers in Louisiana and throughout America.
Royal Alexander
SHREVEPORT — Are you worried that your teenager is going to spend their entire summer playing their favorite video game console or computer game?
Sign them up for the LaPIXEL Academy at LSUS, and they’ll use their gaming interest to develop creative and strategic skills in designing their own video game.
The camp, which runs June 3-28, lasts from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day on the LSUS campus. Lunch is provided.
Eligible students are aged 13-17 with at least a 2.5 GPA who submit a statement about why they’d like to participate in the video game design program. Students can apply at www.lapixelacademy.com, and candidates will be selected for participation from the applicant pool.
Applications are currently being accepted with an April 30 deadline.
“The LaPIXEL Academy presents participants with the unique, hands-on opportunity to not only create their own video games but also to learn what it’s like to do this in an exciting, team-based environment,” said Allen Garcie, director of the LaPIXEL Digital Arts and Media Academy. “They’ll develop skills related to character design and animation, storytelling and creativity, video game development and much more.
“Most importantly, this program is all about having fun and requires no prior experience. Our staff will be there to help every step of the way.”
Participants will present their playable video game at the end of the camp.
The camp is free thanks to sponsorship from LaPREP. LaPREP is a summer enrichment program which identifies, encourages and instructs competent middle and early high school students in math, science and engineering.
The LaPIXEL Academy is a collaborative undertaking with the LSUS Digital Arts program as students are taught how to use software like Adobe Photoshop and GameMaker Studio that are used in lucrative fields such as advertising, cyber security, bio-imagery and computer gaming.
The academy, entering its eighth year, has had more than 100 participants during that span.
For more information, contact Allen Garcie at allen.garcie@lsus.edu or at lapixel@lsus.edu.
The Office of Group Benefits (OGB) has learned of potential telephone fraud affecting our members. Members may receive phone calls from someone claiming to be from CVS Caremark Customer Account Management. This person then tells the member that they need to update the member’s account information.
CVS will not ask members for their ID number or SSN when making out-bound calls.
CVS/SilverScript may make outreach calls to a member for a number of reasons. Here are a few occasions:
In general, CVS/SilverScript will know if outreach has been made to a member
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a representative of CVS/SilverScript, do not give out any information. Take down the number they are calling from and then contact the CVS or SilverScript Customer Care team. Customer Care will be able to tell you if it was a legitimate call.
o CVS Customer Care: 1-877-300-1906 (Active employees and non-Medicare retirees)
o SilverScript Customer Care: 1-888-996-0104
All Persons are Presumed Innocent until Proven Guilty.
FLETCHER, WALTER
73 W M 3/8/2024 3/11/2024
SEXUAL BATTERY $50,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
ORAL SEXUAL BATTERY $50,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
INDECENT BEHAVIOR WITH JUVENILES $50,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
LEE, ANTONIA
53 B M 3/8/2024 3/8/2024
PROBATION VIOLATION O.R. BOND
ARRESTING AGENCY: COUSHATTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
MANGUM, SCOTT
49 W M 3/11/2024 3/11/2024
OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT – NATCHITOCHES PARISH
ARRESTING AGENCY: COUSHATTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
BALDWIN, HUNTER
18 W M 3/13/2024 3/13/2024
UNDERAGE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE $1,000.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: LOUISIANA STATE POLICE
Coushatta/Red River Chamber of Commerce will hold their monthly board meeting on Tuesday, March 19 at 11:30am.
Rivertown Market will host a 1-day meat sale on Friday, March 22. Doors open at 7am.
The Battle of Pleasant Hill will host school day on April 12. There will be a variety of activities for students to participate in. RSVP to Courtney Jones at 318.947.6254.
The 2nd Annual Hornet Style Reunion 2024 will be held in late September. ALL graduating classes from Hall Summit wll be honored. It will be held at Fielderville, 515 Fielder Rd, Ringgold. More information coming soon.
Russell Bamburg
May 7, 1966 – March 15, 2024
Service: Monday, March 18 at 10am at Magnolia Baptist Church – Coushatta
Matt Vines
COUSHATTA – The taste of defeat.
Through its first 10 games, Red River baseball hadn’t experienced that feeling.
But when the Bulldogs (11-3) dropped three games to quality teams in the Erath Tournament, coach Todd Moore was wondering how his squad would handle the losses.
That question was answered clearly Tuesday when Red River silenced Class 4A power North DeSoto in a 3-0 win on the road.
“I was actually somewhat surprised and very pleased with the attitude and intensity our guys had Tuesday going into the North DeSoto game,” said Moore, who is in his first season at Red River. “I couldn’t be more proud of how the team responded to the three losses this past weekend.”
North DeSoto coach Bo Odom called Red River pitcher Tyler Hughes a “buzzsaw” as Hughes entered in the fourth inning with runners on second and third with no outs.
“Tyler came in and closed the door that inning and turned in one of the best high school pitching performances I have seen,” Moore said. “He finished the game with 11 strikeouts (of the 12 outs he recorded).
“(Starter) Ethan Williamson did a great job of keeping North DeSoto hitters off-balance before Hughes came in in the fourth.”
Williamson held North DeSoto scoreless as the starter, helped by Hughes’ heroics in the fourth inning.
Kenny Lazarus supplied a two-run double in the fifth inning, and John Dickey hit a solo home run in the sixth inning.
North DeSoto has reached the Division III Non-Select semifinals each of the past two seasons.
Red River has quality wins against teams like Choudrant, Doyline and Minden to name a few, but the North DeSoto win is in a different class.
It’s a rebound from the three losses this past weekend — a 9-2 loss to Covington, a 1-0 loss to Central Lafourche and a 5-0 loss to Lafayette Christian.
“We saw some really good competition from down south at the Erath Tournament,” Moore said. “While we would have liked to of grabbed at least one win, I think it helped our guys to see teams of this quality.”
Dickey returned to the mound after a two-week hiatus and battled Covington.
Aston Hester held Central Lafourche in check for most of the game, but the Bulldogs couldn’t generate any offense.
Trailing 5-0, Jaxun Moore held Lafayette Christian in check the remainder of the game, but hitting was again hard to come by.
Red River scored just two runs in the three weekend games combined.
The Bulldogs finish this week at North Webster before starting district play against Lakeview and Winnfield this coming week.
The Village of Hall Summit will host their 3rd Annual Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 16 from 10am until 12pm at the Hall Summit Community Center and Walking Park. The egg hunt is open to children age 12 and under. Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be available after the hunt.
Union Hall Baptist Church will host an Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23 from 10am – 2pm. Ages 12 and younger are invited to participate. All children must be accompanied by an adult. There will be lots of eggs, candy, prizes and food. Make sure to bring your basket.
Hop on over to the Ashland Fire Department, 472 Hwy 153 Ashland, for an egg hunt on Saturday, March 23 from 12-3pm. All eggs will be provided. There will be hot dogs served and a jump house for the kids.
First Methodist Church Coushatta will hold their annual egg hunt on Good Friday March 29 beginning at 10:30am. There will be the Easter story, an egg hunt for toddlers through 5th grade, and a hot dog lunch. All children in the community are welcome. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance!!
First Baptist Church of Coushatta will host a community wide Easter Egg Hunt on Friday, March 29 from 4-6pm. All activities will be located in the Children’s playground area. This FREE event will include: inflatables, face painting, Hotdogs, popcorn, Hot air balloon (weather permitting), and an Easter Egg hunt with prizes! This event is only for kids ages 0-6th grade. Bring your Easter baskets and be ready for fun!
Fairview Baptist Church will host a Good Friday Community Egg Hunt and Fish Fry on March 29. Egg hunt at 5pm and Dinner at 5:45pm. This is a FREE event for all families and individuals. There will be inflatables for the children and games for everyone to play!
On March 30, Coushatta Recreation Park we will be having the 2nd Annual Community Funday Egg Hunt from 3-6pm. There will be kickball, basketball, a bounce house for smaller kids and more. Everyone is invite and welcome. Come prepared for a good time because we are planning to have a good time. Dat Bigg Belly Dude and J Boy’s Cooking is sponsoring the event.
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