Tina Renee Compton
October 2, 1968 – February 26, 2024
Service: Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 1pm at United Baptist Church – Campti

Diane Vercher Thomas
May 8, 1957 – Mar 6, 2024
Arrangements TBA

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Matt Vines

LAKE CHARLES – In a game in which field goals and points of any kind were at a premium, Red River turned defense into offense as a fourth-quarter explosion pushed the Bulldogs past Donaldsonville, 54-45, on Tuesday in the Division III Non-Select semifinals.

Down one point with 3:30 remaining, the No. 13 seed Bulldogs ended the game on a 14-4 run to prevent No. 8 seed Donaldsonville (20-11) from reaching its first title game in program history.

“We were just taking the points as they came,” said Red River coach Dadrian Harris, who is making his first Top 28 appearance as a head coach but third with the program overall. “We were taking their punches, and we weren’t falling down.

“We kept fighting. We’ve been in this situation all season, being down and having to fight back. So we were used to this situation. When that run started, I felt like this game was ours.”

Red River (23-14) hasn’t won a title under its new name in two trips (2006 and 2003), but the former Coushatta High has three state titles in 11 appearances.

Red River will aim to add a banner under its new name when the Bulldogs meet No. 6 Marksville on Saturday at noon at McNeese’s Burton Coliseum. Fans who can’t make the trip can download the LHSAA Network television app for free to catch the action.

The Bulldogs have built their title game run with their tough defense creating transition offensive opportunities, and that’s exactly how Red River created separation Tuesday. Red River outscored Donaldsonville 25-11 in the final quarter.

“That’s our philosophy, hard-nosed defense and push the tempo,” Harris said. “We worked hard every day since our (second-round) loss to Ville Platte.

“We took that and ran with it. I’m so proud of these guys.”

A Collin Stafford 3-pointer, his second of the game, snatched the lead back for Red River at 43-41 and sparked the game-ending run.

Red River scored on its next two possessions in transition on layups from Warren Bowman and Jayden Wells, the second of which came from a heads-up bounce pass from halfcourt from an astute teammate.

Leading 47-41, Bowman sliced through a pair of defenders for another driving bucket before one free throw capped the 10-0 run and put Red River up 50-41 with 1:30 remaining.

Donaldsonville had its chances late thanks to offensive rebounds, but the Tigers couldn’t find the bottom of the bucket enough to threaten.

Bowman scored a team-high 14 points with Jomello McDonald adding 11.

The explosive finish made up for a slow start as both teams slogged to an 8-8 score after the first quarter. Red River led 25-23 at halftime, which set up a back-and-forth third quarter and most of the fourth quarter.

“It was all very new to us with this being our first time in the Top 28,” said Wells, who added nine points. “We had to get the nerves and jitters out.”

Donaldsonville led 37-34 after the third quarter before Red River started the fourth on a 6-0 run with a Christopher Gay basket and then a Gay assist.

Red River enters the championship game winners of nine of its last 10 games, including knocking off No. 4 Vinton, No. 5 Madison and now No. 8 Donaldsonville (who upended No. 1 French Settlement in the quarters)

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Daylight saving time will begin on Sunday, March 10 at 2am, when our clocks will go ahead one hour, part of the twice-annual time change that affects millions, but not all, Americans.

When daylight saving time begins, we will “spring forward,” and lose an hour of sleep, as opposed to the November time change, where we “fall back,” and gain an extra hour.

Daylight saving time is when “daylight” begins an hour later in the morning and lasts an hour longer in the evening. This allows the hour of daylight to stay coordinated with the time most people are active outside. Daylight saving time is supposed to save energy since during the warmer months majority will be outside and not home which saves energy.

The push to stop changing clocks has been put before Congress in the last couple of years, when the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022, a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent. However, it did not pass in the U.S. House of Representatives and was not signed into law by President Joe Biden.

Not all states and U.S. territories participate in daylight saving time.

Hawaii and Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) do not observe daylight saving time, and neither do the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In 2024, daylight saving time will end for the year at 2am on Sunday, November 3.

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Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Robert P. Hodges has appointed four new Region Majors (Command Inspectors) and five new Troop Commanders throughout the state. Troop G now has a new Regional Command Inspector, Major Michael Mayeux. Mayeux’s region includes Troop E, Troop F, and Troop G.

In addition to a new regional appointment, Superintendent Hodges has appointed Captain George “Trey” F. Strickland III, to serve as Troop G Commander.

 

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Are you seeing it? Have you sensed it? Are you starting to get just a bit more spring in your step? If so, here’s a hint as to what is happening to put that spring in your step.

Spring. We’re on the cusp of winter giving us the ragged remains of the season, finally giving way to this beautiful enchanted season of blossoms, blooms, green grass and emerging tender green leaves.

Be assured, we are not done with winter yet. There will still be frosty mornings and chilling north winds and we still have a few weeks before we celebrate March 19 as the date spring officially arrives, on the calendar, at least.

My mom was one of those who kept an eye on the weather, especially if we have thunder in February. My calendar has two dates encircled for this year, February 10 and April 10. Mom always said that if it thunders in February, it will frost, or at least have a cold spell on that same day in April. Down through the years, I have kept up with it and although it doesn’t always frost in April on a date corresponding with the same date in February, there has just about always been a drop in temperatures within a few days of that date.

Not all will be flowers and green grass as spring eases in. Our part of the country is blessed with millions upon millions of pine trees that provide shade for us all year long. These same pines we love for most of the year we will come to despise in a few weeks when dreaded yellow dust begins coating everything with pollen. Some complain that pine pollen causes them to start sneezing. It doesn’t. Pine pollen is not the culprit. Other plants emerging in spring that cause the sneezing and itching of eyes are rag weed and pollen from oaks and other hardwoods.

Brushing aside the pine pollen, there is so many positive things greeting us when spring weather is actually here.

This is the time of year when new birds begin showing up. The juncos, purple finches and white throated sparrows will be heading north where they’ll spend the summer nesting and rearing their families. They’ll be replaced by colorful indigo buntings, blue grosbeaks and if you’re really lucky, you might get a painted bunting to visit your feeder. There is no other bird adorned with such vibrant blue, red and bright green colors. There will also be those that stop over on their way north, the rose breasted grosbeak and Baltimore oriole along with a plethora of warblers of all description.

For the hunter, spring is an enchanted season when the wild turkey begins to make its presence known. Even now in early March, hunters are already going out early mornings to listen for a gobbler on the roost and scouting for turkey sign. Hunting season opens April 6 but scouting and listening for gobblers is going on right now.

Spring is also one of my favorite times of year for two basic reasons. I love to catch bream and I love them all crispy and fried on the platter. As water temperatures start to warm,, bluegills and chinquapins will move to the shallows to fan out beds where eggs will be deposited. This is the time of year when you can catch all you care to clean in one bedding area.

Bass and crappie will also be moving onto shallow bedding areas to spawn and some real bragging sized bass and big slab crappie will be caught.

One of my favorite things I like to do in Spring is to take my cup of coffee to the back porch early mornings, make sure my bird feeder is filled as I sit and sip and watch and attempt to identify birds.

I know that all sorts of bad scary stuff is going on in our country and around the world but it does a body good to push it all aside for a time to enjoy this special season the Good Lord gives us. Thank God for Spring.

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Senator Jeremy Stine, from District 27, is offering legislation that would prevent contracts, including the one proposed for the sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield, from taking effect without meeting certain consumer protection standards that protect the best interest of those insured.

Stine’s Senate Bill 289 seeks to set restrictions to prohibit board members from profiting from a sale,
prohibit voting by telephone in which there is no written record, and safeguard financial interests of mutual members. The bill would apply both prospectively and retroactively.

The proposed legislation “is a proactive step toward ensuring that the interests of Louisiana and its
residents are at the forefront of any future healthcare proposals,” said Stine, a Lake Charles businessman. “By implementing these safeguards, we aim to prevent any undue influence, personal gain, or hasty decision-making that may compromise the health and well-being of our community.

“The proposed Blue Cross Blue Shield sale to Elevance Health has raised concerns about the potential
consequences for Louisiana’s healthcare landscape,” Sen. Stine said.

His legislation focuses on four key measures to prevent future proposals similar to the Blue Cross offering.

The first section of the bill prohibits board members from profiting from a sale.

“The measure is essential to ensure that decisions made by the board are solely in the interest of the people of Louisiana and not influenced by personal gain,” the senator said. In the proposed sale that Blue Cross withdrew, board members would have served on an Elevance leadership advisory board, where they would have been paid $105,000 a year for the next 10 years.

The bill also would ban counting votes taken by phone until confirmed in writing, either by mail or by
email. Stine said that would eliminate “the potential for rushed or less transparent decision-making processes, fostering a more thorough and thoughtful evaluation of proposals.”

Another portion states the Legislature’s intent to safeguard the voting rights and financial interests of
mutual members.

Under the Louisiana Civil Code, stating legislative intent and the importance of past concerns about
contracts makes the provisions of the legislation not only apply to future insurance company sales contracts, but existing contracts.

Although prompted by the Blue Cross Blue Shield proposed sale, the bill applies to all Louisiana licensed
insurance companies. It will be considered in the Regular Legislative Session than begins March 11.

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By Doug De Graffenried

In the Methodist church we have parsonages. A parsonage is a home provided by the church in which the pastor lives. They are a vestige of the 19th century, and they are fading fast. Many large churches now give the pastor a housing allowance. I was an associate pastor in New Orleans when I moved into my first Methodist parsonage. I had lived in college dorms and seminary housing prior to living in this fine home.

The house had all the latest technology and equipment. It had a garage door opener and central heating and air. The house came with a doorbell, which you don’t find in most seminary provided housing. The house even came with the latest in kitchen equipment, an automatic dishwasher.

I knew all about dishwashing. I was the designated dryer. My other task was to put the dishes up. I had been washing and drying dishes since the 60’s. It was one of the chores of being mom’s child. This fancy Methodist parsonage had that new technology, an automatic dishwasher. Do you remember the dishwashers that were on castors? Yes, it was that kind. It sat in a corner until you needed it, and then you could roll it in place when the dishes needed washing.

I did not use it much. I was a bachelor minister at the time and my life consisted of food that involved paper plates. One weekend my mother came to see me. I pulled out the real plates for her.

I also decided to show off my fancy modern dishwasher. I knew the rudiments of connecting it to the kitchen sink. What I did not have were the little pods of dishwashing soap. I loaded the dishwasher and made a rational decision. Since I had dishwashing liquid, I would simply pour dishwashing liquid into the dishwasher.

You know what happened next. Dishwashing liquid and dishwashers are incompatible. There were suds everywhere! I also learned that it takes a couple of wash cycles to get all the detergent out of the dishwasher. There were suds everywhere for a couple of weeks. I learned my dishwasher lesson and have not repeated that mistake.

The Bible proclaims that we are all sinners. Even wearing our Sunday best, we are sinners. We can try to live a holy and perfect life. We can try to avoid sin and live for Jesus, but our very nature gets into our way.

We are like dishwasher suds, eventually sin gets everywhere. There is a remedy for our situation, the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

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Northwestern State University’s School of STEM has received approval for three new physical science degree concentrations that will be available this fall. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Physical Science can opt for concentrations in physics, forensic laboratory and biochemistry.   

“We still offer the bachelor’s degree in physical science with a chemistry concentration for those students interested in material science, environmental science and physical chemistry, but we have expanded our offerings to include physics, forensic laboratory science and biochemistry.  This is very exciting as it opens new career options and partnerships for NSU and the School of STEM,” said Dr. Christopher Lyles, director of the School of STEM.  

The physics concentration will prepare students to enter graduate programs in the study of physics with an emphasis on modern physics using numerical methods or computation. There will also be courses available in experimental design and project experience through NASA-funded projects in atmospheric testing. 

The concentration in forensic laboratory will prepare students to work in a crime laboratory.  The concentration has a core set of classes that include both criminal justice classes as well as new forensic chemistry classes.  Students can then choose a specialized tract in either drug/trace evidence analysis and/or DNA analysis.  The degree provides all the prerequisites for students to achieve their postgraduate certifications with the FBI or the North Louisiana Crime Laboratory. 

The biochemistry concentration is a versatile concentration that allows students to complete all the pre-requisite requirements needed to apply to professional/graduate school (medical, dental, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, etc.) while completing 25 h of biochemistry and related chemistry classes.  

Information on the physical science degree program is available at https://www.nsula.edu/physical-science/.  The department is housed in Fournet Hall on the main Natchitoches campus and departmental and campus tours can be arranged at www.nsu.la/visit/   

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Dear Sweeter,

Time’s a funny dog, am I right?

Has it been more than 30 years since we’ve been calling you Sweeter?, when your grandboy toddlers said “Sweet Lou” and that morphed into “Sweeter”? Time flies, but the name is timeless. And fits.

So Happy Birthday, Sweeter! Sorry I missed being there. Somehow, after more than 40 years, I have wound up back on the Louisiana Tech Baseball bus, which is why I was calling you from Lake Charles and Sugar Land, Texas this week.

Bad news: I missed “Happy Birthday To You” and the cake and you wearing your goofy Happy Birthday hat the gang bought you.

Good news, we got to talk on the phone and the Bulldogs went 4-0 on the trip, swept the Battle at the Ballpark at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, and have started their season 11-0.

So far, so good.

Since you asked, yes momma, the baseball bus is the same, even after all this time:

Somebody plays the music too loud or not loud enough or the wrong music;

Somebody needs to go to the bathroom and has to run through a gauntlet of shins in the aisle to get back there;

Somebody says too many dirty words too loud;

Somebody forgot something;

Laughs and food and inside jokes.

It’s a beautiful thing. And it’s one of those things that never changes.

But thank goodness, some things do. Like, for instance:

Last year’s Tech team was more up and down than a gopher on speed. Every game was like going to meet your tough-to-read girlfriend: you didn’t know whether to bring a tank top or a windbreaker or a heavy jacket. 

Couldn’t throw a strike. Guys hurt. One missed the whole season. Missed a couple of seniors who’d graduated, and no one picked up the Accountability Stick. Most everyone had a sub-par spring …

Just one of those sports deals where few things went right and every game was like going 12 rounds with Tyson. That the program was coming off back-to-back NCAA Regionals made it more trying. 

A Pepto-Bismol season.

But maybe Tech’s time in the barrel is up. The Diamond Dogs have come into 2024, as I heard an old cowpoke say one time, “a-rippin’ and a-roarin’, a-rompin’ and a-stompin’ …”

Hard to win 11 in a row in anything in college, but especially in baseball, where the tiniest thing — passed ball, throwing to the wrong base, missed cutoff — can blow it all up.

First trip of the season, the Dogs left the Love Shack Wednesday at 11, teed it up against McNeese at 6 and, on a cold, blustery, next-to-last evening of February, beat the Cowboys 13-4. Were right on every pitch. Maybe three swings and misses.

Slept fast and got on the bus at 8 and were practicing in Sugar Land at noon. Then a 20-minute bus ride to Houston to lift weights at Rice, then finally checking into the hotel back in Sugar Land, team supper, sleep, and in the next three days, beat Army 4-0, Creighton 12-0, and Air Force 8-5. Bulldogs had been in town 72 hours before they allowed a run. 

Outscored opponents 37-9.

Is that good? I think that’s good.

It’s early but … cautious optimism. Double cautious. Super-duper cautious. Still healing up from last year’s ulcer(s).

I’ll keep you up to speed Sweeter. You’ll enjoy a game when the weather’s warmer. The crowds for this weekend’s three games against Southern Miss — Friday at 6, Saturday at 2, Sunday at 1 — should get the Love Shack heated up.

See you at the park or at the kitchen table soon. Love you. The boys say hey, and smoke ’em high and tight.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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Save the Date: Father Daughter Dance at Red River Elementary March 22 from 5:30-7:30pm. More information to come. 

Don’t miss the annual Northwest Louisiana Mater Gardeners Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, April 6, 8am until noon at the Red River Research Center in Bossier City. For more information call 318.408.0984.

Riverdale Academy will host the Annual Spring Thaw Golf Tournament on April 26 at the Coushatta Country Club. 2-man Scramble will play 27 holes (pre-flighted) with a 1pm shotgun start. Lunch/beverages provided. Sponsorships are available. All fees are tax deductible. For more invitation contact Matt Huddleston 318.464.0277, Taylor Yount 318.609.2594 or the Pro Shop 318.932.5924.

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Matt Vines

TALLULAH – Another road game against a top-five seed?

Not a problem for Red River.

The No. 13 Bulldogs secured their spot in the Top 28 with a 61-59 win against No. 5 Madison on Friday in a quarterfinal matchup.

While Red River (22-14) is the only double-digit seed in Division III Non-Select to make the semifinals, this bracket has been one of upsets. Red River will get No. 8 seed Donaldsonville, who knocked off top-seeded French Settlement in the quarters.

The game in McNeese’s Burton Coliseum will be Tuesday at 6:15 p.m.

Red River faced small deficits throughout the fourth quarter at Madison (23-8), but the Bulldogs surged to take the lead with two minutes remaining and held on.

Warren Bowman converted a contested layup before Jayden Wells followed with a 3-pointer on the next possession to take a 1-point lead.

Wells protected that one point lead by forcing a five-second violation on Madison’s point guard with 30 seconds remaining. Jomello McDonald makes 1-of-2 free throws, and Red River defends for the final three seconds to close the victory against Madison.

“Tonight was all about heart and who wanted it more,” said Red River coach Dadrian Harris. “We traded punches throughout the game, but we kept our composure and got the last punch.”

Red River, who had beaten Madison in December by two points, looked like they were going to run away early as a Chris Gay “monster put-back dunk” sparked an early run that built an 11-point Bulldog lead.

But Madison wasn’t going away easily, retaking the lead in the second quarter and led by two points at the half.

The back-and-forth affair continued throughout the second half before Red River’s decisive run late in the fourth quarter.

Harris has lauded his team’s unselfishness throughout the playoffs, and each player understanding his role has been a cornerstone of the success.

“The unselfish play has allowed everyone to fulfill their roles wholeheartedly,” Harris said. “It also makes it hard for other teams to scout us because the points are spread out evenly.

“My guys feed the ball to the hot hand without hesitation. It can be a starter or someone off the bench – ultimately these guys just want to win.”

The top-five seeds in Division III have been eliminated, with Red River taking care of No. 4 Vinton and No. 5 Madison in the past two rounds.

Marksville, seeded No. 6, beat Winnfield and will play No. 7 Richwood in the other semifinal. No. 2 Rayville was bounced in the second round by No. 18 Vidalia, who fell to Richwood in the quarters.

Red River split a season series with Richwood.

It’s the Bulldogs ninth Top 28 trip since 1999 but first since 2020.

The former Coushatta High has three state titles (last in 1999), but the school under the Red River moniker hasn’t hung a state championship yet.

It’s no stranger to the state semifinals, making its eighth trip as Red River and first with Harris as a head coach. Harris went on Keith Johnson’s staff for visits in 2018 and 2020 and has been to the Top 28 once as a player and a total of four times as an assistant.

“There has been a lot of work behind the scenes that has gotten us where we are now,” Harris said. “The players and coaches work extremely hard every day to be better in every aspect of the game we love so much.

“So yes, to build this program back up has been a journey that I would not have wanted to travel with any other group of young men. I don’t thin many realize how hard it is to get (to the Top 28), and it’s an amazing feeling. But the job isn’t finished. We’re not satisfied with just going. I want to put my team in the best position to win the championship.”

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(IRVING, Texas) – CHRISTUS Health, a faith-based, not-for-profit global health system, announced today that it earned the prestigious “Great Place To Work” national certification, which is awarded based entirely on what current Associates say about their experience working there.

“This exciting achievement is a direct reflection of the dedication and care that our Associates show our patients, consumers and each other every day,” said Ernie Sadau, president and chief executive officer. “We are truly devoted to living our values of compassion, excellence, integrity, dignity and stewardship, and I couldn’t be prouder of our Associates and the important work they do as they stay true to our mission.”

In a random survey of 5,000 Associates from across the organization, 80% of respondents said CHRISTUS Health is a great place to work. This is 15 percentage points higher than the qualifying benchmark. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to be certified as a Great Place To Work.

CHRISTUS Health is among the largest health systems in the country with over 50,000 Associates and more than 60 hospitals in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. CHRISTUS recently opened a new system ministry office and is celebrating its 25th Jubilee anniversary as CHRISTUS Health this year.

“We have long recognized that our Associates are what make CHRISTUS Health an amazing place to work,” said Kimberly King Webb, chief human resources officer. “They are the heartbeat of the healing work we do each day. And we are grateful that together we’ve created a community of engaged Associates who enjoy our work environment and who live our values.”

The Great Place To Work certification requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience. Job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great leader at a certified great workplace. Employees at certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work and are twice as likely to be paid fairly and have a fair chance at promotion.

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About CHRISTUS Health
At CHRISTUS Health, we deliver a complete healing experience that respects the individual. We serve our communities with dignity. And with a good deal of admiration. CHRISTUS Health is an international Catholic, not-for-profit system made up of more than 600 centers, including community hospitals, urgent care centers, health insurance companies and physician clinics. We are a community of over 50,000 Associates, with over 15,000 physicians providing individualized care—and all focused on our charitable mission. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Houston and San Antonio and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to every individual we serve.

About Great Place To Work
As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work® brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All™ Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified™ or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces™ List.

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Matt Vines

Red River softball starts winning streak

COUSHATTA – After a tough start to the season, Red River softball has built a three-game winning streak in hopes of turning its fortunes around.

The Lady Bulldogs (3-5) blasted Bossier, 15-1 and 15-2, in a doubleheader before handling Jonesboro-Hodge, 20-2, in the District 3-2A opener.

Red River had been on the other end of similar scores to start the season, dropping five games by at least 10 runs to Doyline, Northwood-Shreveport (twice), Northwood-Lena and Loyola.

The Lady Bulldogs have a busy homestand early this week with Saline on Monday, Jonesboro-Hodge on Tuesday and Northwood-Lena on Wednesday.

 

Red River baseball remains undefeated

The winning hasn’t stopped for the Red River baseball team as it picked up three wins in the Logansport Tournament to remain undefeated.

Red River’s pitching continues to dominate opposing hitters as the Bulldogs blew through Logansport (8-1) on Thursday, Castor (10-0) on Friday and Stanley (6-0) on Saturday.

The Bulldogs (8-0) will face arguably their toughest yet when they head to Haughton on Tuesday and Minden on Wednesday.

Riverdale baseball still searching for first win

The Riverdale baseball team has been on the wrong end of the first four games of the season, but the Rebels have a busy week ahead in search of their first win.

In games with a reported score, Riverdale hasn’t come closer than eight runs.

The Rebels have suffered losses to Riverfield Academy (twice), Tallulah Academy and Prairieview Academy.

Riverdale plays a home doubleheader against Providence Classical Academy on Tuesday, at Claiborne Academy on Wednesday, and at Tensas Academy on Saturday.

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For Immediate Release

Baton Rouge, LA – Responding to Louisiana’s escalating crime crisis, the Senate Republican Delegation has passed a sweeping legislative package designed to improve public safety and revamp the criminal justice system. Triggered by a violent crime rate significantly above the national average and the alarming ranking of its cities among the nation’s most dangerous, this legislation encompasses heightened penalties, judicial system modernization, enhanced support for law enforcement, victim empowerment, and the introduction of preventive measures like drug courts to curb recidivism. Additionally, it recognizes constitutional carry rights, affirming the state’s commitment to the Second Amendment. These efforts reflect a comprehensive and proactive strategy to rebuild community trust and ensure a safer Louisiana.

Truth & Transparency: Addressing the root causes of our criminal justice system’s failures, including the antiquated systems that have allowed corruption to thrive. We are moving towards modernizing record keeping and ensuring accountability within the system.

Raised Stakes: A clear message has been sent to criminals: violent acts will be met with swift and severe punishment. The legislation aims to restore public safety, uphold law and order, and deter future crimes by increasing penalties.

Drug Court Reform: Recognizing the importance of rehabilitation, the state is strengthening our drug court programs, which have proven to reduce criminal activity, rearrests, and drug use, saving Louisiana four dollars for every dollar spent.

Juvenile Justice: Addressing the increasing violence among juveniles, the new laws aim to ensure that young offenders are held accountable while providing pathways to meaningful life changes.

Law Enforcement Support: The delegation stands firmly behind our law enforcement officers, ensuring they have the support and protection needed to do their jobs without fear of undue legal liability. This move is crucial for maintaining strong and effective law enforcement across the state.

Victim Empowerment: By standing up for the most vulnerable and ensuring a criminal justice system that works for victims and their families, Louisiana is leading the way in supporting justice over chaos.

Constitutional Carry: Aligning with more than half of the U.S. states, Louisiana now supports permitless open and concealed carry for law-abiding citizens, ensuring that residents have the means to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Louisiana Strengthens Justice with Public Defender Reform: In a landmark move, Louisiana has passed legislation establishing the Office of the State Public Defender, ensuring dedicated funding to support public defenders throughout the state. This pivotal reform aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of legal defense for indigent residents, bolstering fairness and efficiency within Louisiana’s criminal justice system.

The Louisiana Senate Republican Delegation is committed to making our state a safer place for all its residents. Through these legislative measures, we are taking decisive action against crime, supporting our law enforcement, empowering victims, and upholding the rights of our citizens. We stand united in our resolve to restore peace and security to our communities.

Senate Republican Executive Council
Senator Jeremy Stine, Chairman, Senator Thomas Pressly, Vice Chairman, Senator Adam Bass, Senator Mike Fesi, & Senator Beth Mizell

For Questions Contact: Chairman Senator Jeremy Stine
sd27@legis.la.gov

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I had hoped the Supreme Court would hear this case, and on an expedited basis.  That’s because the issues presented in the case lie at the very core of our Constitutional separation of powers.

The Supreme Court has stated that the question before it in this case is “whether and if so to what extent does a former President enjoy presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for conduct alleged to involve official acts during his tenure in office.”  As we know, the allegations of wrongdoing against President Trump stem from his alleged conduct on Jan. 6, 2021.

As the Wall Street Journal has observed “… in Nixon v. Fitzgerald, the high court held that a president enjoys absolute immunity from civil suits predicated on his ‘official acts,’ even if they fall foul of ‘federal laws of general applicability.”  Justice Lewis Powell wrote that such immunity is a “functionally mandated incident of the President’s unique office, rooted in the constitutional tradition of the separation of powers and supported by our history.”  Such lawsuits “could distract a President from his public duties, to the detriment of not only the President and his office but also the Nation that the Presidency was designed to serve.” (WSJ, Rivkin @ Foley. 3-1-24).

In fact, the Nixon Court specifically noted that “the greatest public interest isn’t in enforcing ordinary statutes against the president.”  Rather, immunity is necessary to ensure he has “the maximum ability to deal fearlessly and impartially with the duties of his office.” (WSJ).

We recall President Trump has vigorously and repeatedly contended that the 202o presidential election was a fraudulent election and that all of his actions on Jan 6, 2021, were fully appropriate in light of the constitutional requirement that a president “take care that the laws are faithfully executed.”  This obviously includes election laws.

While Nixon was a civil case involving a lawsuit, the Supreme Court has decided it will now address whether these constitutional considerations require immunity from criminal prosecution as well.  The Nixon Court ruled that a president has “absolute immunity” for lawsuits for civil acts, even those at the “outer perimeter” of his official duties.  Otherwise, such liability could cause a president to pause and/or chill certain of his actions as president if he could be civilly liable for them.

Well, this analysis would also obviously apply to criminal prosecution and with arguably greater force.  

Things are highly partisan in these times and President Trump’s enemies have resorted to lawfare against him because they don’t believe they can defeat him on election day.  They will literally do anything to stop him from being reelected including abusing both the civil and criminal law.

So, the question really becomes this: if civil lawsuits—which usually involve a resolution based upon money paid to the aggrieved party for damages—could materially alter the way a president conducts the duties of his office, wouldn’t the threat of criminal prosecution have an even greater chilling effect on him? 

The precedent for criminally prosecuting a former president has now been set by highly biased special counsel, Jack Smith.  Do we really believe that Republican prosecutors will not turn on the next Democratic president in exactly the same way?  They will.  As President Trump has stated regarding the absence of immunity from criminal prosecution as it pertains to President Biden, “Joe would be ripe for indictment.”  Indeed, Pres. Biden should be praying fervently for presidential immunity from criminal indictment. 

Special Counsel Robert Hur recently concluded Biden ‘willfully retained and disclosed classified military and national security information’—making out the elements of a crime—but concluded Biden wouldn’t be criminally charged even after he leaves office because his memory is so poor and his mind so blown that, essentially, he couldn’t effectively work with counsel to assist in his own defense.  (But he’s fit to be president?!).

This question of presidential immunity is important far beyond President Trump.

Again, Jack Smith, the partisan who spent 3 years and millions of dollars attempting to charge Trump with insurrection on January 6th, was unable to find evidence to even charge him with incitement, never mind insurrection. 

Every one of these highly strained, legally unprecedented attacks on Trump’s candidacy are not only a threat to him but, more importantly, to the American people and our democratic form of government—and the sacred and inviolable right we citizens have to choose our leaders.   

 This is election interference at its worst and must be stopped.

Royal Alexander

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First Baptist Church of Castor will host their 17th Annual Fishin’ for a Mission Bass Tournament on March 23. It will be held at Grand Bayou Reservoir in Coushatta.  

Registration will be $100 per team. Big Bass (optional) will be $20 per boat. All participants should be at Grand Bayou Reservoir by 5:30am to pick up team numbers. All teams will leave the landing in the order they enter. Weigh-in will be at 2pm. All fish will be left at weigh-in station for release. 

A meal will be provided to participants after weigh-in.

Prizes include fishing, hunting and cooking supplies, and gift certificates.

For more information contact David Lea, tournament director, at 318.55.1298 or Preston Young, pastor, at 318.540.9962.

Fishin’ for a Mission is sponsored by FBC Castor as a non-profit fundraiser in support  of various mission projects. All proceeds will be directed in support of summer missions. 

Fishin’ for a Mission Kid’s Tournament will also be held the same day. Ages 16 and under may participate. Sign-up, devotional and breakfast will take place from 10-10:30am. The tournament will take place from 10:30-11:30am with awards/prizes at 11:30am. For more information at the kid’s tournament contact Kellie Cook 318.465.4681 or Brittany Blewer 318.663.1388.

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SHREVEPORT – If Caddo Parish were to trumpet one advantage in an attempt to spur population growth, affordable housing should be the tune screeching out to the world.

That’s what Douglas White, the director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at LSUS, said during Tuesday’s Economic Outlook 2024 summit.

White was one of three expert panelists to join Shreveport-Bossier Advocate business editor Liz Swaine for an hour-long discussion about Northwest Louisiana’s economy.

The other two panelists were Brenda Clark Guess (assistant secretary of Louisiana Economic Development) and Justyn Dixon (president of North Louisiana Economic Partnership). To watch the entire discussion, visit the Shreveport-Bossier Advocate’s YouTube channel.

The median listing price for a home in Caddo Parish is regularly below $200,000, creeping above that mark in the second half of 2023 to rest at $205,900 this past December, according to data compiled by the CBER, which White heads.

Across the Red River, Bossier Parish median home listing prices climbed north of $300,000 for most of 2023, sitting at $300,000 on the dot this past December.

Home prices nationally eclipsed $400,000 ($402K) at the end of 2023, according to Redfin Monthly Housing Data.

Louisiana ranked as the fifth most-affordable state with a median listing price of $255,000 in a September Redfin report.

And with mortgage rates starting above 6.6 percent on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, home price is more important than ever when searching for affordable housing.

“We have an abundance of relatively affordable housing,” White said on the panel. “If you want to own your home, this is a great place to be because it’s an affordable place to live.

“There are still people who are working remotely with the ability to relocate, and this area has relatively good internet connectivity with an airport that has reasonable prices.”

Caddo Parish has steadily lost population, estimated at 229,025 in July of 2022 after having nearly 238,000 in the 2020 Census and nearly 255,000 in 2010.

White spearheads the effort to collect various economic data on the region, which is updated monthly and aggregated into quarterly Northwest Louisiana Economic Dashboard reports on the center’s website.

Data includes tax collection, building permits, unemployment rates, casino revenue, airport traffic, and mortgage and inflation rates among other items.

This information is shared with the regional business community, local governments and the population at large to better inform decision-making.

Since the title of the panel was “Economic Outlook 2024”, White offered his outlook for the area.

“Challenging,” White said. “I don’t think we’ll see the economy booming, but I don’t know whether it will slow down or just stay the way it is.

“I felt like before COVID-19 hit, Shreveport-Bossier was on an upward trajectory, and the (pandemic) slammed on those brakes. I hope that this is the last year that we fight the (COVID-19) hangover, and then start to see a real turnaround and expansion (in 2025).”

White pointed to commercial real estate dips nationally along with high interest rates as potential stumbling blocks if those areas negatively impact banking on a large scale.

“What keeps me up at night is that a commercial real estate crash could cause a banking crisis, which would cause issues throughout the country,” White said.

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Northwestern State University’s Office of Counseling and Career Services will host its annual Teacher Job Fair on Thursday, March 7 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Friedman Student Union Ballroom.

Student participants must wear professional attire. Students can get more information by going to nsu.la/TJFstudent. Prospective employers can go to nsu.la/TJFemployer.

Scheduled participants include the school systems from Natchitoches, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Caldwell, Concordia, DeSoto, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, LaSalle, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, St, Charles, St. Martin and Winn parishes.

Also scheduled to take part are the Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana. Charter Schools USA – Louisiana, Department of Defense Education Activity, Discovery Health Sciences Schools, Great Hearts Academies Teaching, Linwood Public Charter School, Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy, Lycée Francais de la Nouvelle Orleans and the Network of International Christian Schools.

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If your church, town, or community is holding an Easter celebration–let us know. Egg hunts, musicals, revivals etc. 

We will post Easter activities in the next couple weeks. 

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All persons presumed innocent until proven guilty

BULLARD, ROBERT
41 B M 2/25/2024
SECOND DEGREE BATTERY O.R. BOND
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

HOWARD, ANTHONY
26 B M 2/25/2024
SECOND DEGREE BATTERY $10,000.00 (CONSECUTIVE WITH ALL OTHER BONDS)
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

RAINEY, SHAUN
46 B M 2/25/2024 INCARCERATED
PRINCIPLE TO SECOND DEGREE BATTERY $10,000.00 (CONSECUTIVE WITH ALL OTHER BONDS) ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

WHITAKER, LARDESMOND
21 B M 2/25/2024
SECOND DEGREE BATTERY O.R. BOND
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

WILSON, ERIC
39 B M 2/25/2024 INCARCERATED
SECOND DEGREE BATTERY $10,000.00 (CONSECUTIVE WITH ALL OTHER BONDS)
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

WILSON, ZAVEONTA
21 B M 2/25/2024 INCARCERATED
SECOND DEGREE BATTERY $10,000.00 (CONSECUTIVE WITH ALL OTHER BONDS)
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

MCGRATH, MICHAEL
42 W M 2/26/2024 2/26/ 2024
MOLESTATION OF A JUVENILE (7 COUNTS) $25,000.00 (EACH) (CONCURRENT)
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

TAYLOR III, VICTOR
21 B M 2/26/2024 2/28/2024
ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF STOLEN THINGS $5,000.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

FREYOU, SEAN
53 W M 2/27/2024 2/27/2024
BATTERY OF A DATING PARTNER WITH STRANGULATION $20,000.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

HAYS, COLTON
30 W M 2/28/2024 INCARCERATED
VIOLATION OF A CONDITION OF BOND ORDERED BY A JUDGE $15,000.00
(RETURN TO CUSTODY, ORIGINAL BOND REINSTATED)
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

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The Red River Parish 4-H office is in the process of moving to their new office on Alonzo Street. If you can’t reach them by phone, leave a message or email jfontenot@agcenter.lsu.edu or jcmoseley@agcenter.lsu.edu. 

Family Harvest Church will their first bass tournament on Grand Bayou on April 6. All contestants must be signed up/fee paid by 6:30am at the boat ramp. Lines in water at 7am. Weigh-in 2pm at the mrina. Free tshirt to all teams who pre-register by March 23. For more information contact Justin Freeman 328.990.9420, Billy Bonds 318.471.3024 or Lyle Kniffin 318.510.3523.

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