Red River Parish Public Schools announced an amendment to its policy for serving meals to students under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs for the 2024-2025 school year.

All students will be served breakfast and lunch at no charge at the following sites:

Red River Elementary School

Red River Academic Academy

Red River Junior High School

Red River High School

For additional information please contact:

Katie Bethard, MS, RD, LDN

Director of Nutrition and Health

Red River Parish Public Schools

Ph: 318-271-3144

The Red River Parish School Board, in accordance with State guidelines, will destroy all special education records of former students born prior to January 1, 1999. These records are no longer needed for educational purposes.

You have an opportunity to obtain these records prior to August 5, 2024. The records can be claimed at Red River Parish School Board Office, 100 Bulldog Dr., Coushatta, LA. 71019 between the hours of 8:00 am and 3:00 pm, Monday through Wednesday and 8:00-12:30 pm Thursday.

All unclaimed records will be destroyed on Monday, August 5, 2024.

If you have any questions, please call Red River Parish Special Education Department at (318) 271-3138.

Red River Parish Head Start PK3 and PK4 released important dates.

Open House is set for Thursday, August 1 from 4:30-6:30pm. 

Start dates:
Girls will attend Monday, August 5.
Boys will attend Tuesday, August 6.
All students will attend Wednesday, August 7.

Drop off time will be 7:15-7:40am on the carline sidewalk. 

Parents may walk their child into class August 5-7. Parents will need to park on the back rows of parking lot. Please be aware of children crossing the parking lot.

PK3 pickup time will be 2:15-2:30pm on the carline sidewalk. PK4 pickup time is 2:45pm.
Parents should stay in their cars at all times. Staff will place children in their car seats. Car seats are required by law. 

Busses leave at 2:30pm. 

Each child needs a full size backpack, extra set of clothes and nap covers.
Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided. 
Make sure to put child’s name on all backpacks, nap covers, clothing and lunch boxes.

For the past few years, it was looking like Louisiana’s turkey hunters would have to reluctantly put away their shotguns and turkey calls and go back to doing what we were doing a couple of decades ago. It seemed the only outdoors springtime activity would be fishing. All the statistics pointed to a steady decline in turkey populations, back like it was when only a handful of local diehards, like Blue Parkman, Pete Brister and L.W. Hamner went out morning after morning hoping they might find a turkey track or actually hear a gobble.

Then something happened. According to a press release by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), Louisiana’s turkey hunters enjoyed the best year by far from a harvest standpoint in 2024. They reported taking 3695 birds during the recently completed hunting season.

This year, for the first time since the harvest reporting was mandated in 2009, turkey hunters reported taking more than 3,000 birds. In fact, the past three seasons were the best ever reported since harvest data was compiled. Last year, an astounding 2833 birds were taken but for the 2024 season, the take was 30.4 percent higher than that.

What happened? Why did the harvest data take a jump in the right direction over the past three years? In 2018, the LDWF staff recommended that the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission push back the opening date for turkey season to give gobblers and hens more time to take care of the business of breeding and putting more baby turkeys on the ground.

Cody Cedatol is Turkey Program Manager for LDWF and he believes that giving turkeys more time to do what they naturally do in spring before hunters take to the woods played a big role in the improvement of the number of gobblers being taken. “This clearly indicates increasing turkey populations in many areas of the state and provides additional evidence that the season change is working,” said Cedatol. “Many hunters indicated increased encounters with jakes (juvenile turkeys), which is an indicator of good reproduction. Similar reports were noted in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.”

Jason Lupardis, native Kentuckian, has been named CEO of an up and coming organization, Turkeys for Tomorrow, that has the goal of trying to pinpoint problems nationwide having to do with the overall decline in wild turkey populations around the country.

We visited with Lupardis recently to ask about Turkeys for Tomorrow and get his take on what he sees as some of the main problems and why he believes Louisiana has beat the odds, in a manner of speaking, by having such good results over the past 2-3 years while other states continue to struggle.

“Reports from brood surveys of Louisiana turkeys have shown a higher poult-to-hen ratio which means that there has been good production of young turkeys. That is partly due,” said Lupardis,” to the pushing back opening day to allow gobblers and hens to breed.” To find out how Turkeys for Tomorrow works, visit turkeysfortomorrow.org.

He also noted a new regulation Louisiana will implement beginning the 2025 season that will protect young gobblers. “The new regulation means only youth hunters may take one jake per season. For remaining hunters, only mature gobblers may be taken and jakes will be off limits. A mature gobbler is described as an adult with tail feathers the same length, beard longer than 6 inches and spurs at least ½ inch long,” he said.

It is troubling to realize that in so many areas, Louisiana is at or near the bottom in rank. However, when it comes to wild turkeys, our state because of more restrictive regulations, is setting standards that hopefully will see our wild turkey population continue to thrive.

The 2nd Annual Amelia Spires Heart Project fundraiser celebration is slated for Saturday, September 7 at 7pm at Spires Bros Farms, 10533 Oak Grove Hwy, in Mer Rouge.

There will be food, drinks, an open bar, a live auction, and live music by local band 31Gr8. There will also be a drawing for a door prize upon entry. Ticket prices are $50 per person.

Amelia is the daughter of Allen and Samantha Craig Spires. Her grandparents are Becky Hicks Craig, Dr. Allen “Dino” Spires and the late Lori Rubin Spires.

She was diagnosed in 2019, at only six weeks of age, with an array of congenital heart defects, the worst being Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. 

The Amelia Spires Heart Project Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that aims to raise money for Louisiana’s tiniest hearts. In collaboration with the Ochsner Foundation, all proceeds raised from this organization go to the Ochsner Children’s Hospital. Funds raised help families on some of the worst days of their lives. Monies raised go towards housing, travel, utilities, living expenses and so much more for these families. Ochsner has Louisiana’s only pediatric cardiology transplant program.

Last year, The Amelia Spires Heart Project raised over $100,000 in funds helping with the following items:

• Glasses
• CPAP/home oxygen
• School supplies
• Transportation (Uber) to and from appointments.
• Gas money for those traveling to appointments.
• Family lodging while patients are hospitalized
• Family meals and groceries for relocated families
• Utility bills for relocated families
• Rent of relocated
• Vitamins and medications not covered by insurance
• Continuing medical education opportunities for pediatric transplant team
• English classes for non-English speaking parents.
• Minutes for phone bills
• Home blood pressure monitors
• Home scales
• Ventricular Assist Device (external heart pump) equipment
• Bereavement items and flowers
• Printing costs for transplant handbook and family guide

Please contact 318-351-9420 for additional information.

All proceeds are tax deductible and 100% goes to the Ochsner Foundation.

The Amelia Spires Heart Project IS A 501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. All CHARITABLE DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. TAX ID: 93-1999662

I was looking at my hands while driving to Shreveport. I noticed this spot on one of them. Now with all the worries about skin cancer and since I hung out on the beach and roasted myself as an adolescent, I was concerned about the spot on my hand. It looked funny through my sunglasses, and I made a note to check the spot when I finished driving.

I arrived at the appointed hospital for the visit and remembered my hand. I made the visit, had prayer, was encouraged by the person’s faith and hope, and went to the lobby. There I examined my hand. I looked carefully at the spot on the top of my hand. I did what is in vogue in our world, I consulted Dr. Google.

So, I know you are curious about the spot. It is a symptom of a terminal condition. The hand is marking the first symptom of the incurable malady. I know you will pray for me through this malady, and I will receive good medical care.

Oh, the spot, it is an age spot! I think I grew the age spot for my last birthday. It is on the top of my right hand, and I have noticed that the left hand is growing matching spots.

I want you to live a good, long, and healthy life. I want you to do everything you need to do to avoid all the things that the latest study has revealed that shorten our lives. I want you to believe the media about living longer. Go ahead and buy all that stuff at Walmart that will bring your vitality and hide your age spots.

Did you know that a person who ate meat, drank dairy, ate vegetables, was exposed to sunlight, had minimal medical care, and was born in 1850 has a 100% chance of being dead today? Well, you caught my sarcasm!

Here is the deal, none of us get out of this life alive! You will not be the first. My words of advice, enjoy the journey!

Jesus promised us abundant life. Part of that abundant life is living this day fully trusting that God’s grace will see us through. Jesus also promised that after we are finished living that “He was the way, the truth, and the life” and that through Him we could come to the Father.

Whether you soul is spotted with the scars of sin, or your hands are showing the spots of age, we have hope.

Jesus, the carpenter promised that He has made a home for us in heaven, that promise is our only hope in the face of our spots.

Doug de Graffenried is Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston.

Contact him at dougsponderings@gmail.com

WASHINGTON — Speaker Mike Johnson and Leader Hakeem Jeffries today announced the Members of Congress who will serve on the bipartisan House task force on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

“We have the utmost confidence in this bipartisan group of steady, highly qualified, and capable Members of Congress to move quickly to find the facts, ensure accountability, and help make certain such failures never happen again,” said Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries.

Republican Members of the Task Force:

Chairman Rep. Mike Kelly (PA-16) represents Pennsylvania’s 16th District and resides in his hometown of Butler, the location of the assassination attempt. He has longstanding ties to the local law enforcement community, is the author of the resolution creating the Task Force and will serve as its chairman.

Rep. Mark Green (TN-07) is a former U.S. Army major, combat veteran, and E.R. physician. He is the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. 

Rep. David Joyce (OH-14) served as an attorney and county prosecutor for 25 years and is former Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.  

Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15) is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, a former judge for Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit, and former Florida Secretary of State. She serves on the Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees.

Rep. Michael Waltz (FL-06) is retired from the U.S. Army Special Forces and is a former White House and Pentagon advisor. He serves on the Intelligence, Armed Services, and Oversight Committees.  

Rep. Clay Higgins (LA-03) is a former U.S. Army staff sergeant and former law enforcement officer who maintains an active commission and Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) certification. He serves on the Homeland Security and Oversight Committees.

Rep. Pat Fallon (TX-04) is a former U.S. Air Force officer, and serves on the Oversight and Armed Services Committees, and their respective subcommittees dealing with Tactical Air and Land Forces and National Security. 

Democratic Members of the Task Force:

Ranking Member Rep. Jason Crow (CO-06) is a decorated former Army Ranger having served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Rep. Crow was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his heroism in Iraq. He is a Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46) is a senior Member of the House Judiciary and the House Homeland Security Committees, where he sits on the Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement & Intelligence Subcommittee. In that capacity, Rep. Correa recently traveled to Butler, PA to visit the site of the assassination attempt.

Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04) currently serves on the House Judiciary and House Foreign Affairs Committees and is a longtime Pennsylvania public servant, having served in the State House for six and a half years before coming to Congress. 

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) is a veteran of the United States Air Force and currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Rep. Glenn Ivey (MD-04) is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County who now serves on the House Judiciary, Homeland Security and Ethics Committees.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) is the former Florida Director of Emergency Management, where he oversaw both disaster response and after-action analysis. He serves on the House Oversight and Accountability and Foreign Affairs Committees.

Background on the Task Force:

The Task Force is empowered with all investigative authority of the House of Representatives, including subpoena authority. For the remainder of this Congress, it will assume control and jurisdiction over all pending House committee investigations regarding the Trump assassination attempt.

The goal of the Task Force is threefold: 

• To understand what went wrong on the day of the attempted assassination
• To ensure accountability
• To prevent such an agency failure from ever happening again

The Task Force will make recommendations for reform to the relevant government agencies and recommend any necessary legislation to implement the reforms.

Gimme an “E!” for “excitement!”

Go team!

It’s ‘that’ time of year, and the password is “excited!”

We can talk volleyball or soccer, and “certainly there is reason for excitement!” as most any coach would say, about the upcoming prospects on the court and on the pitch.

But the Kingpin of Autumn is football, so …

Pigskin Excitement!

Of all your excitements, the best and most contagious kind has got to be Pigskin Excitement! Optimism is rampant, hyperbole is free and easy.

And so — here we are. With August and the first days of (legal) practice knocking at the door, the only way to get in is to say you’re “excited,” or one of its cousins.

You can be “Eager!” or “Fired up!” or “Stoked!” or “Juiced!” or even, if you are light-headed due to excitement, “in a tizzy!”

It does not matter if you’re a Rhodes Scholar pulling guard or a quarterback with a rocket arm and chicken lo mein for brains, if you are not “EXCITED!” then buddy you’d better GET excited or get your butt OUT of this locker room and OFF this field!

These are exciting times!

But … what about the teams that SAY they’re excited but are NOT excited? What about the teams that are just flat-out depressed? Don’t they deserve some love too?

We’ve been around and can testify: there’s not always a lot of exciting joy in Mudville.

There is what you will read in the newspapers and hear on film clips — “After an inspired offseason, we’re excited about getting on the field and sending these seniors out as champions!” — and there is what you will hear when the depressed coach walks back to the training room and pours his soul out, sweaty hat in hand, to the equipment manager.

“We’re not worth donating to the homeless store. It depresses me to think that State U. is going to come in here in about eight weeks, right about the time we’re 2-5, and beat us like a rented mule.

“And ol’ Frankie Junior, he could be the best tight end in the league but I swear, if he was any dumber, we’d have to water that boy twice a day.

“We tried to put in a new system in the off-season and, Moses and Enoch themselves as my witness, it’s not going to be any better than the OLD system because we have the SAME players! We don’t need a new system; we need new players. Preferably ones with IQ’s higher than their shoe sizes.

“On top of that, our mascot is getting neutered Tuesday. Did you know that? Doesn’t even have a vote. We’ve got more problems than a little bit.

“And jock itch has infected the whole team. I’m telling you I’m so unlucky, I could reach in a barrel of silver dollars and pull out a penny.

“Only thing that can save us now is the NC Double A fining us and putting us on permanent suspension so we don’t have to play, but we’re too poor to have broken any rules. We couldn’t buy the toot off a whistle if they were selling for a nickel a pop. Boy if heartaches were commercials, I’d be all over everybody’s television sets…

“Meanwhile I’m having to tell the press and fans we’re ‘excited!’ Yesterday I even threw out a ‘SUPER-excited!’ Think they bought it?

“You know what excites me? That the season won’t last forever.

“But it’s sure gonna seem that way.”

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

On Saturday, August 10, Mansfield State Historic Site will host “Life Between the Battles” from 10am to 3pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe how soldiers lived during the long stretches of time between engagements. Taste the hardtack and coffee that made up a soldier’s daily fare, hear the sound of musketry during battle drills, and feel the weight of the wool uniforms that soldiers wore year-round.

Fairview Baptist Church will host a Back to School event on Wednesday, August 21 at 6pm. Illusionist Bryan Drake will perform. This is a family friendly event for all ages. 

The Village of Hall Summit announced a new date for their annual Hometown Festival & BBQ cook-off. Mark your calendars, it will be February 21-22, 2025. 

Frances Gilbert Baker
July 19, 1931 – July 29, 2024
Service: Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 2pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel – Coushatta

The partnership of Dairy Queen, Christus Coushatta, and The Children’s Miracle Network fueled a lively competition in the hospital offices Thursday. Within the administrative offices, the bet was on which person could eat their treat the fastest. Hospital Administrator Brandon Hillman managed the win in just 1 minute and 14 seconds.

The partnership and participation in Coushatta were heartfelt for many families on Thursday. For every Blizzard sold on Thursday, July 25, a donation went to our region.  Several of our families with children with disabilities encouraged all of us to participate. 

Christus Coushatta announced several weeks ago that they are incorporating a children’s therapy clinic in Coushatta. This will include speech therapy, Physical and Occupational therapy, and more. To families in the area, the prospect of needed therapies so close to home is a miracle. Outside of the treatment and services provided by the public school system, the options of families for children with specific special needs have meant driving to Shreveport or Alexandria.

For some, Thursday was just a great day for a treat. For others, it was the beginning of a sweet respite from long travels.

In October, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved the charter school application for one of the most unique schools in Louisiana. The Academy of Collaborative Education is a type 2 public school for K-5 that will serve children with autism in Ouachita Parish.

Maddie Worsham Cannon and Joellen Freeman are seeing their vision come to life. They envisioned a school where students could thrive with their abilities and the exceptionality they are diagnosed with. On Friday, Jul 26, 2024, a ribbon-cutting ceremony proved that determination and sheer motherly will can move mountains. Students from 8 parishes will be welcomed through the doors in August.

At the ceremony, Cannon expressed gratitude for everyone who helped make this school a reality. She thanked Freeman and the BESE member who helped them get approved. “The school is for our children and all of the children who come after them who will benefit.”

Cannon is the wife of Richard Cannon and the daughter of Richard and Jeannie Worsham of Coushatta. Richard is the son of Ricky and Liz Cannon of Martin.

Click the link to see the ribbon-cutting ceremony in its entirety.

A new era begins for Red River Parish. The expansion of Parish offices is commencing. The Registrar of Voters Office has moved to the corner of Front Street and Alonzo Street.

Registrar Debra Jones says this new location will house all the Parish’s voter needs, including early voting. All persons are encouraged to use the door on Alonzo Street (directly across from Bearing Service) to access the voters office.

An open house/ribbon cutting is planned for a future date.

Week of July 28-August 3

First Baptist Church of Coushatta will host VBS July 28 – August 2. Supper begins at 5:20pm. Pick up is at 8pm. Students who have finished preschool (PK4) through 6th grade may attend. For more information or to register click here.

Dress up days are as follows:
Monday: come as you are and show your ‘real’ self
Tuesday: wear bright color or neon colors
Wednesday: wear mis-fit clothes
Thursday: wear sunglasses
Friday: come as a tacky tourist

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) hatcheries produced and stocked approximately 4.2 million freshwater sportfish into 50 waterbodies statewide during the spring 2024 stocking season. The stocked fish primarily consisted of Florida Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass but also included White Crappie, Black Crappie and Bluegill.

LDWF owns and operates Booker Fowler, Beechwood, Huey P. Long, and Monroe Fish Hatcheries. Hatcheries also partner with the USFWS’ Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery and the City of Shreveport’s Cross Lake Fish Hatchery to meet statewide fish production needs. Fish are requested annually by LDWF’s nine fisheries management districts primarily to enhance or improve sportfishing opportunities.

“We are proud to be able to stock such a large quantity of freshwater sportfish throughout the state for the benefit of our fisheries habitat and recreational anglers,” said LDWF Secretary Madison Sheahan. “Our goal for fish stockings is to have a healthy population of sportfish statewide and to provide ample opportunity for recreational anglers to try their hand at catching large trophy bass in our Sportsman’s Paradise.”

While Louisiana hatcheries support various fish stocking needs throughout the state, most of today’s hatchery resources are directed to the production of Florida Bass. The Florida Bass can grow larger than Louisiana’s native Largemouth Bass species. The two species readily hybridize, and individuals reaching or exceeding 10 pounds in Louisiana usually have some degree of Florida Bass genetic influence due to LDWF’s stocking efforts. Stocking this species into existing native populations of Largemouth Bass, where successful, increases the potential for anglers to catch quality and/or trophy bass. Below are a few examples of the Florida Bass genetic influence in some of our most notable bass lakes.

Lacassine Pool  96.4%

Indian Creek     36.7%

NOLA City Park  80.2%

Chicot Lake  32.5%

Poverty Point  71.0%

False River  29.6%

Cypress Lake  43.2%

Bundick Lake  26.5%

Toledo Bend  42.1%

Lake Claiborne  26.1%

Stocking of Florida Bass focuses hatchery resources on areas with the best likelihood for success. Stocking is no longer done in areas where introgression of the Florida gene into the native bass population has been unsuccessful or in habitats where bass do not generally live to an age where they can reach trophy size.

(Surplus Stocking*)

Source: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty

HELLEN, SANAA
22 B F 7/21/2024 7/23/2024
DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY $5,000.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

CROCKER, DUSTIN
28 W M 7/22/2024 7/23/2024
FAILURE TO APPEAR – CRIMINAL TRIALS O.R. BOND
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

SPEED, LARRY
44 B M 7/22/2024 INCARCERATED
UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY OF AN INHABITED DWELLING $10,000.00
SIMPLE CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY (2 COUNTS) $1,000.00 (EACH)
ENTRY ON OR REMAINING ON LAND OR IN PLACE WHERE FORBIDDEN (2 COUNTS) $1,000.00 (EACH)
SIMPLE BATTERY $2,500.00
THEFT (MISDEMEANOR) $1,000.00
RESISTING AN OFFICER $5,000.00
FAILURE TO APPEAR – PRETRIAL $20,000.00
FAILURE TO APPEAR – PRETRIAL $10,000.00
FAILURE TO APPEAR – PRETRIAL $10,000.00
FAILURE TO APPEAR – PRETRIAL $5,000.00
CONCURRENT NEW CHARGES AND CONCURRENT BENCH WARRANTS RUN CONSECUTIVE : $30,000.00 Total
ARRESTING AGENCY: COUSHATTA POLICE DEPARTMENT

FORTSON, MICHAEL
66 B M 7/22/2024 INCARCERATED
DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY $5,000.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: COUSHATTA POLICE DEPARTMENT

PERKINS, CANNON
19 W F 7/23/2024 7/23/2024
FAILURE TO APPEAR – CRIMINAL TRIALS $1,000.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

WARD, DONNIE
20 W M 7/23/2024 INCARCERATED
FAILURE TO APPEAR – CRIMINAL TRIALS $1,000.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

GIBSON, JOHN
45 W M 7/23/2024 7/24/2024
FAILURE TO APPEAR – FINES & COSTS $130.00 OR 30 DAYS IN JAIL
FAILURE TO APPEAR – FINES & COSTS $130.00 OR 30 DAYS IN JAIL
FAILURE TO APPEAR – FINES & COSTS $130.00 OR 30 DAYS IN JAIL
FAILURE TO APPEAR – FINES & COSTS $390.00 OR 30 DAYS IN J AIL
(ALL BENCH WARRANTS RUN CONSECUTIVE) $780.00 OR 120 DAYS IN JAIL
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

WEAVER, TIMOTHY
24 W M 7/23/2024 INCARCERATED
SIMPLE CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY LESS THAN $1,000 $1,000.00
OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT – NATCHITOCHES POLICE DEPARTMENT
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

BRADLEY, RAYMOND
42 B M 7/23/2024 7/24/2024
BANK FRAUD $3,000.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

BRADLEY, TAWANNA
40 B F 7/23/2024 7/24/2024
BANK FRAUD $3,000.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

DAVIS, JASON
22 W M 7/23/2024 7/24/2024
FAILURE TO APPEAR – CRIMINAL ARRAIGNMENT $1,000.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: COUSHATTA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Castor Methodist Church, 153 Hwy 507, will host a Back to School Bash Saturday, August 3 from 9am until 12pm. Food, drinks, cotton candy, games, door prizes, and school supplies will be available. All kids are invited to attend. For more information contact Brad McCoy 318.475.9029 or Richard Twyman at 318.564.5160. 

Join the LSU AgCenter and Red River Parish Helping Hands on Thursday, August 8 at 1pm at the 4-H Office, 1919 Alonzo Street for a dynamic program aimed at boosting fruit and vegetable consumption and encouraging physical activity. Discover the joy of nutritious eating and the benefits of regular exercise in a welcoming environment. Don’t wait—take charge of your health journey now! For more details and to secure your spot, contact Jessica Salley at 318-461-2730. 

David Vogel will be in concert at Martin Baptist Church on Saturday, August 10 at 7pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. Enjoy a free evening of worship, encouragement and inspiration.

Michael “Mike” Murray
October 12, 1946 — July 26, 2024
Service: Monday, July 29 at 1pm at Pleasant Hill Methodist Church – Pleasant Hill

The Louisiana Department of Education released preliminary Leap 2025 scores for the state this week. Just like the LDOE, Red River Parish Public Schools saw fantastic improvements in some of their scores in grades 3-8.

A couple of areas to highlight are below. These are the percentages of our students who scored Basic, Mastery and Advanced on the Leap 2025 end-of-the-year exams. The scores show the growth between the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school year. There were no social studies scores this year, but this exam will return next school year.
Grade 3:
ELA saw an increase from 43.4 % to 51.5%
Science saw an increase from 39.9% to 48.4%
Grade 4:
Math had an increase from 68% to 71%
Science was an increase from 50% to 54.6%
Grade 5:
Math had an increase from 73% to 79.4%
Science was an increase from 43.9% to 53%
Grade 6:
Increases in all subject areas:
ELA saw a rise from 35% to 57.7%
Math saw an increase from 28.4% to 52%
Science had a rise from 19.4% to 41.6%
Grade 7:
Math saw an increase from 36% to 43.3%
Grade 8:
Science had an increase from 32.6% to 45.1%

Throughout the district, all 4 of our Red River Parish Public schools increased their assessment index on Leap 2025 assessments by at least 3 points and one school as much as 10 points.

The department will not release the entirety of school and district performance scores until mid-November. It is essential to note the LDOE has raised the letter grade scale scores again this year as to what makes up an A, B, C, D, or F school. The rise in the scores will make it even harder to maintain previous school/district letter grades. The LDOE raised these scores by 5 additional points and will raise them again by five more points next year.

What does this mean for your child’s school? To maintain their current school/district letter grade status, your school must increase its school/district performance score by 10 additional points to keep its current letter grade. Additionally, the current school accountability system will be changing again over the next two years to a completely new system, making it even harder for rural community schools like Red River Parish Public Schools to maintain the growth our schools have seen over the last few years.

As the LDOE, BESE, and our Governor change the ways schools operate and are graded, Red River Parish Public Schools will meet the challenge. As the new system emerges, we will adapt and change with it, continuing to rise to the standards the state puts in front of us. Our job is to ensure all Red River Schools students enjoy the same opportunities to succeed as anywhere else. Red River Parish Public Schools will continue to grow because of our amazing community, parents, teachers, staff, and, of course, our students.

Student scores have been uploaded to the student progress center, and parents can log on today to see those. Schools will also mail out hard copies of those scores early next week. If you do not receive your child’s scores by Thursday, August 1st, please contact your child’s school and make sure all your information is correct in the system.

Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office
July 25, 2024

On July 17, 2024, at the 33rd Annual Louisiana DARE Officer’s Association (LDOA) Conference, Sgt. Michael Longino of the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office (RRPSO) was recognized for twenty years of service as a DARE Officer. He was presented a special award by LDOA President Sgt. Jason Jones of the Shreveport Police Department.

After teaching the DARE curriculum for the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office for sixteen years, he has taught the last four years in the Red River Parish school system as a member of Sheriff Glen Edwards’ staff.

Throughout his twenty years in the DARE classroom, he has maintained a passion for teaching children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and the benefits of making safe and responsible choices. More importantly, he has continued to build relationships and be a positive role model for the students.

Overall Sgt. Longino has served in law enforcement for twenty-six years, twenty-two of which have been as a School Resource Officer (SRO). As he continues to serve our local school district as a DARE Officer and SRO, we congratulate him on this award and look forward to seeing him in the classroom and hallways for years to come.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advised motorists that beginning Thursday, July 25, 2024, the LA 515 bridge over Four Mile Bayou in Red River Parish is closed for replacement of the structure.

The closure is scheduled to be in place for approximately three months, weather permitting.

This bridge is located approximately one mile south of the intersection with LA 514 near the community of East Point.  Click link for map

Restrictions/Permits: Total road closure at the specified location. All vehicles will need to utilize an alternate route.

Alternate Route: Detour signage will be in place.

This work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.