The jury trial of Selma Thomas Mangham ended this week with guilty verdicts on all counts, including Molestation of a Juvenile (victim under 13), Indecent Behavior (victim under 13), and Sexual Battery (victim under 13).

The judge has set a sentencing hearing for October 10, 2024. In Louisiana, the convictions for molestation of a juvenile under the age of 13 and sexual battery of a juvenile under the age of 13 each carry a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison.

Evidence against Mangham included the testimony of multiple victims who suffered abuse at the hands of Mangham.

District Attorney Julie Jones stated, “[m]y office would like to recognize the hard work of the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office which handled the investigation, the people from our community who comprised the jury that listened to and rendered a guilty verdict, and, most especially, the victims who had the courage to speak up. They are the real heroes in this case. They have ensured that what happened to them at the hands of this defendant will not happen to anyone else. These are hard cases, but I am grateful to everyone who had a part in seeing that justice was done.”

Mangham has been incarcerated since his initial arrest on August 13, 2021.

CHRISTUS Health is opening a new children’s clinic at CHRISTUS Coushatta Health Care Center to serve local patients and those in surrounding communities.

A blessing, dedication and grand opening for the new CHRISTUS Kids Clinic – Coushatta is Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. at 1633 Marvel St., in Coushatta. The clinic is funded by CHRISTUS Foundation Shreveport-Bossier with community donations made to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH).

“This is truly a part of our mission, especially in a rural community,” said Brandon Hillman, CHRISTUS Coushatta Health Care Center administrator. “We see our role as a health care provider in a rural community as bringing as many services to our community as possible.”

Florence Bethard, CHRISTUS Foundation board member, said the community plays a pivotal role in helping ensure that patients and families receive the best possible health care.

“Each dollar donated helps provide treatments and support that pediatric patients desperately need today, so they can fulfill their potential for tomorrow,” she said.

The clinic will serve patients from newborn to age 21, providing physical, occupational and speech therapy two days a week initially, expanding as demand grows.

“We decided to open in Coushatta because there is a large population in those rural towns that do not have care or services for the pediatric population besides what they receive in the school system,” said Lisa Hooper, outpatient clinical supervisor of physical medicine and rehabilitation with CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System. “We recognized the need and we wanted to support that need and support the community.”

Coushatta resident Raylie Hardy has been a major advocate for a CHRISTUS Kids Clinic in Coushatta. Her 12-year-old daughter, McKenna, has been a patient at CHRISTUS Kids Clinic – Shreveport-Bossier for several years.

“Having a clinic in Coushatta is something we have been trying to get for many, many years now,” Hardy said. “I have been the mama pushing for it, not just for me, but for all the other moms and kids in Coushatta who are going to benefit from this.”

Local donations raised as a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital benefit CHRISTUS Foundation Shreveport-Bossier, which matches those funds with projects that impact patients and families.

“We’re excited that the CHRISTUS Kids Clinic is going to have such a presence,” said Amy Heron, executive director of philanthropy for CHRISTUS Foundation Shreveport-Bossier. “This is an exciting time and there is a need for such services. We want to keep the clinic innovative and with the latest in technology, and to do that we rely on those donations.”

For online donations, please visit http://www.christusfoundationsb.org.

Chief Kevin Stafford and the Coushatta Police Department expressed gratitude to Sheriff Glen Edwards and the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office for their contributions to the department.

Sheriff Edwards donated two patrol units to CPD. 

Matt Vines

When numbers are being discussed in the football preseason, it’s usually by coaches who are talking about their roster sizes and the depth they expect to have at different positions.

But a different number is taking center stage as Louisiana football kicks off starting this Friday for Midsouth Association of Independent Schools.

The number – or lack thereof – of referees and officials.

The Louisiana High School Officials Association says there’s a shortage of qualified officials, meaning that more football games may have to be moved to Thursdays and Saturdays, or in the worst-case scenario, cancelled altogether.

Greg Petrus, the LHSOA Regional Coordinator in the Alexandria area said that of the approximately 1,100 officials that don the stripes statewide, just seven percent are 30 years old or younger.

In contrast, nearly 70 percent of Louisiana officials are 50 years old or older.

Petrus spoke to TV station KALB about the statewide shortage. Coverage has surfaced in the Lafayette area as well, but all associations are experiencing shortages.

Attrition through retirement and retention issues due to fan/coach abuse and work-life unbalance are prime reasons for the shortage.

Officials give up prime nights during the week and on the weekend to work a variety of sports, not just football.

When a shortage for a particular weekend or event occurs, schools begin to look beyond their area for officials. That drives up the cost for pay officials as schools pay extra for longer travel, which could put schools with smaller athletic budgets at higher risk for cancelling games altogether.

The LHSOA is increasing its efforts to recruit new officials and retain them from year-to-year, but they need your help.

To learn about becoming an official, visit lhsoa.com or https://www.lhsaa.org/lhsoa.

Fortunately for us humanoids, we come equipped with a variety of things that help us navigate the world, especially when you like to hunt and fish. It’s our senses; those inborn things that give us the ability to see, to hear, to feel.

Take squirrel hunting for example. You’re sitting in the woods on a cool fall morning and you hear a variety of sounds, like birds singing, leaves falling, the rustle of trees when there is a breeze. Then you detect something different. You hear the sound of tiny claws on bark or the soft “whack….whack” of something eating a hickory nut. You don’t need to see it; you already know it’s a squirrel.

Fishing for an unseen quarry lurking beneath the surface calls into play most of our senses. We hear surface feeding fish, we see our line twitch when a fish takes the lure.

It’s the sense of touch, the ability to feel what’s going on down there out of sight that may be of utmost importance. Fishing rods made of graphite and boron used by most anglers today are super-sensitive scientific marvels allowing the angler to feel the gentle pick-up when a bass inhales a plastic worm. Even with these sensitive fibers working on the side of the angler, though, sensitivity to touch is of utmost importance.

Some fishermen have a sense of touch that is more acute than other anglers. Mike Lowrance, a Murfreesboro, TN angler, is one of those. He has become a nationally-known specialist at catching fish by “feel”. He competes in national tournaments matching his skills, cast-for-cast, with the best in the business and he is able to hold his own with any of them.

Lowrance’s secret is that he has perfected the fine art of super-sensitivity more so than most anglers.

“I am of the opinion,” says Lowrance, “that my senses are no better than anybody else’s. The big difference is that when I’m fishing, I don’t let anything distract me. My attention is on what I’m doing while others may be distracted by something else. They only feel about 40 percent of what they should because they’re not paying attention.

“I cannot use a closed face reel….it has no feel. I prefer a revolving spool reel and I’ve learned you have to keep your finger in contact with the line at all times.

“When you use your line as the sensitivity device, you’re feeling it all, right down to the vibration of the lure. You know what your lure is doing. You can feel if you’re running it properly. I feel I have a quicker response with the line than the rod. As a matter of fact,” he added, “I know I do.”

One of Lowrance’s secrets is that he uses a line that has a smooth finish and that lays down smooth and flat on the spool. While he uses graphite rods because of their quickness and fast response, the line is of more importance to Lowrance.

“The rod is the casting equipment. I feel the fish with the line,” he said.

Hearing about Mike Lowrance and his ability to fish by feel, I couldn’t help but speculate that most anglers would do a better job at what they do if they forced themselves to concentrate more on feel.
Try to imagine how it would be to spend a day anchored at a favorite worm hole wearing a blindfold.

After a period of adjustment where you cast out into blackness and felt the lure settle to the bottom, it is logical to imagine that your sensitivity would begin to improve as you are forced to rely strictly on the message the line is conveying to you as you slowly work the plastic worm over structure.

Mike Lowrance developed his sensitivity in this manner, after a fashion. He did it, however, out of necessity rather than choice.

Mike Lowrance is totally blind.

The LSU Textile and Costume Museum invites the public to view the latest exhibit, Coming Home: Geoffrey Beene.

Geoffrey Beene, originally from Haynesville, Louisiana, was a legend of American fashion design. This retrospective exhibition features the collection of Sylvia R. Karasu, MD, with garments from the 1960s through the early 2000s, supplemented with fashion sketches.

The exhibition will run until January 24, 2025, at the museum located 330 Tower Dr. in the Human Ecology Building on the LSU campus. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10am to 12pm and 1 to 4pm, and the first Sunday of each month from 2 to 4pm. Admission to the museum is free.

(BATON ROUGE, LA) – Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley is proposing a set of policy recommendations inspired from his Let Teachers Teach workgroup. These policies would significantly reduce the number of trainings teachers are required to repeat every year, tighten student discipline, and give effective educators more freedom over lesson planning.

The Let Teachers Teach policy package will be considered by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) during their meetings August 20-21. If approved, they would impact every public school in the state.

“Being an effective teacher is hard work and we seek to make the job more manageable and fulfilling,” said Dr. Brumley. “These policies will show support for hard-working teachers across Louisiana as they return to the classroom this year.”

The main areas of this Let Teachers Teach policy package are reducing state-mandated teacher trainings, creating expectations for student discipline, and providing teachers more autonomy over teaching practices and lesson planning when they consistently demonstrate success.

The teacher training policies would streamline dozens of non-academic trainings and lessons teachers must repeat each year.

“We’re moving to a ‘one-and-done’ model for many of the previously-required annual teacher trainings,” said Dr. Brumley. “Both policy-leaders and practitioners agree that required teacher trainings have become excessive.”

A new discipline policy would impact the Teacher Bill of Rights and change how school leaders must respond to persistent disruptions during class. Teachers would have the right to have a student removed from the classroom immediately when their behavior prevents the orderly instruction of other students or poses a threat.

“No student has the right to habitually disrupt the learning environment for their classmates or their teacher,” said Dr. Brumley, who just last week urged system leaders to recommit to assertive discipline action. “Students and teachers deserve peaceful schools.”

The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) collaborated with multiple stakeholders in the development of the policies.

“I’m thankful to work alongside Governor Landry, champions in the legislature, and a committed state board of education to solve complex challenges in the educational space while keeping student outcomes at the forefront of every decision,” said Dr. Brumley.

About the Let Teachers Teach workgroup

Dr. Brumley launched the workgroup in February to develop common sense solutions to unnecessary bureaucracies and classroom disruptions that keep teachers from doing what they do best — teaching students. The workgroup is composed of over two dozen teachers from across Louisiana.

The workgroup helped develop a set of recommendations PDF that can be addressed at the state, system, and school levels. Governor Landry joined Dr. Brumley and teachers from across the state to unveil the recommendations in May. The LDOE and BESE are outlining actions around all 18 recommendations. These range from new state laws, policy changes, and guidance for local school systems.

The workgroup is the product of feedback the LDOE has received through formal channels such as the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council as well as informal channels such as classroom visits and faculty meetings hosted by Dr. Brumley.

Ruston, LA – Louisiana Tech University announces the appointment of Dr. Heath Tims as the new chief executive officer of the Louisiana Tech University Alumni Association and associate vice president of the Division of University Engagement. Tims will leverage his extensive experience and leadership skills in this dual role to enhance and expand alumni relations and engagement.

Tims, who previously served as the associate dean of undergraduate studies in the College of Engineering and Science, will oversee collaborative efforts across multiple organizational units to strengthen and build upon the relationships established through alumni engagement.

“Over the past several months, broadening and scaling our alumni engagement efforts has emerged as an obvious and compelling opportunity,” Tech President Jim Henderson said. “The more than 88,000 living Louisiana Tech alumni are a testament to the importance of our work and the relevance of our mission. I am confident that Heath’s leadership will bring exciting possibilities for the future.”

Tims’ new role will involve a strategic focus on fostering deeper connections with alumni and enhancing the impact of the University’s outreach efforts. His extensive background in engineering and science education and his commitment to advancing the University’s mission will be instrumental in driving this initiative forward.

“As a proud alumnus of Louisiana Tech, I am looking forward to ensuring broad engagement among our vast network of alumni,” Tims said. “Whether you’re in Ruston, in the region, or somewhere across the globe, we want to remind Bulldogs what it means to ever loyal be.”

In 2004 I decided to take my fishing to another level by fishing as a co-angler on the defuncted FLW Tour, now called Major League Fishing (MLF). I fished this level for two seasons while expanding my bass fishing knowledge. To fish with the best anglers in the world was quite the privilege and made me realize just how lucky I was to get in the boat with pro anglers like Clark Wendlandt, Dion Hibdon, and Kelly Jordon. But I also got to wet a hook in some of the best bass lakes in America.

One of my first favorites would be Lake Okeechobee in South Florida. This is a place like no other I have fished in my entire career. It is a great fishery, but also intimidating with its massive expanse of wide-open cattails patches and hydrilla grass beds.

To navigate this lake without GPS would be a nightmare and almost impossible to return to an area where you caught fish the day before, as the entire lake looks the same. But when it comes to big bass, this lake is in a class all to itself where massive largemouth bass in the ten-pound range are fairly common. It’s not unusual for a tournament angler to bring in a 30-pound 5 fish limit.

Next, Kentucky Lake! During the early 2000’s this lake was on fire and a magnet for major bass tournaments due to its great fishing. Two things played a key role in what made this lake so good…. current and ledges. Kentucky Lake is known as a great current lake as bass set up on these deep-water ledges waiting to ambush just about any lure an angler might want to throw. It’s also one of many great lakes along the Tennessee River chain. While the lake was on the decline a few years ago, it has now rebounded, and the fishing is once again really good.

Another great lake I fished during my FLW days was Beaver Lake Arkansas. This lake is a structure fisherman’s dream and was where the “shaky head” craze first started. The shaky head is a small ball head jig (usually 1/8 oz. or 3/16 oz.) with a light wire hook.

This technique is usually fished on a spinning rod with light line anywhere from 8 to 10-pound test. Known as a bottom dragging bait, this technique is great for catching finicky bass. Beaver Lake is where this technique started and has become a main stay method for catching bass all across the country.

Closer to home, and a place that just might be the best bass lake in America as named a couple of years by Bassmaster Magazine, is Lake Sam Rayburn! Located just across the Louisiana/Texas state line in East Texas, Sam Rayburn is the crown jewel of the bass fishing world. Anglers commonly weigh-in 30-pound stringers almost year around.

Whether you like to fish deep or shallow, Rayburn offers you the opportunity to fish anyway you desire. It is a great deep structure fishing lake, along with plenty of shallow cover for bass to hide. Probably the number one technique used here is the Carolina rig. This is a drag the bottom technique with a ¾ or 1 ounce tungsten weight with a 3-foot leader using a baby brush hog in watermelon/red.

Rayburn is also the second biggest lake in Texas and gets more tournament fishing pressure than any other body of water. It’s truly amazing how each week this lake gets pounded but continues to put out 20- and 30-pound stringers.

Other great lakes that I’ve had the pleasure to fish include Lake Hartwell and Santee Cooper South Carolina, Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma and South Alabama, Lake Chickamauga and Old Hickory in Tennessee, Toledo Bend, Lake Fork and a lake I grew up on Lake Monticello located just outside of Mt. Pleasant, Texas. But one of my newest favorites is East Texas’ very own Lake of the Pines. This lake has been a sleeping giant but in recent years has really become a very popular bass tournament lake.

While some will disagree, another place that has a special place in my heart is the mighty Red River! This body of water has become one of my personal favorites. I’ve had quite a bit of success on the Red River and it seems to suit my style of fishing.

I guess you could say I have been truly blessed to get the opportunity to fish some of the best fisheries in America. Along the way, I’ve made an endless list of friends of both professional anglers and weekend warriors. It has been through this list of anglers that I have been able to sustain a great outdoors radio/podcast program for 17 years called Hook’N Up & Track’N Down.

But I’ve also had a little help with two great co-hosts, Gary McCoy and Mike Echols. Together we have been able to put together an outdoors program that’s both highly entertaining and educational.

To wrap this up, we are lucky to live in a country with so many great places to wet a hook in the many lakes and rivers loaded with great fish catching opportunities. Not only can anglers bring in great stringers but can make some great memories just as I have done!

Till next time, good luck, good fishing and make sure to introduce a kid to the great outdoors.

Steve Graf

Angler’s Perspective

The Friends of the Mansfield Female College presents “A Bridal Vendor Fair” at the Clista Calhoun Event Center in Mansfield on August 25 from 2-5pm.

Kat Arnold Ministries will present ‘Fall in Love with Jesus – Through His Creation’ on Saturday, September 7 at the RB4 Event Center, 791 Nash Road in Logansport. Doors open at 4pm, dinner served at 5pm. Dress casually and join in for an unforgettable experience with God and girlfriends. Register here: https://www.katarnoldministries.com/event-list

Red River 4-H has two camps coming soon. Hunter Education Camp is October 4-5 and Father & Son Overnight Camp is October 25-27. More information coming soon.

Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners will hold a Fall Bulb Sale Saturday, October 26 from 8am to 1pm at the Red River Research Station in Bossier City. The will also be an educational gardening seminar at 10:30am. Special guest speaker is Chris Weisinger, The Bulb Hunter. Food trucks will be on hand.

Syble Beth Giddings Welch
Service: Friday, August 16 at 11am at Rose Neath Funeral Homes – Shreveport Southside

Patricia Housley
February 24, 1959 — August 6, 2024
Service: Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11am at Evergreen Baptist Church – Ajax

Mary Leon
June 20, 1927  — August 11, 2024
Service: Saturday, August 17 , 2024 at 11am at New Hope #3 Baptist Church – Hanna

According to a release from the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office, on August 12, 2024, at approximately 1:35 p.m., RRPSO Deputies and Coushatta City Police Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 900 block of Second Street in Coushatta, Louisiana in reference to a possible shooting.

Area businesses and schools were placed on lockdown until officials could ascertain if there was a threat to the public. After a short time, all restrictions were lifted for the immediate area.

The official report states that deputies and officers located a female in the front yard of the residence suffering from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound. Red River Parish EMS responded to the location. However, the victim was unresponsive. She was later pronounced deceased on-scene by the Red River Parish Deputy Coroner and was identified as a 20-year-old black female from Coushatta, Louisiana. The alleged shooter/homeowner of the residence was on-scene and was identified as Thomas Mangham of Coushatta, LA.

Social media posts and other sources identified the young woman as Jaecinea Purnell.  Sources also report that two or three individuals may have witnessed the incident.

Red River Parish Sheriff’s Detectives initiated an investigation. Mangham was detained, and a search warrant was obtained for the residence where the firearm, which is believed to have been used during the shooting, was subsequently located. Mangham was then transported to RRPSO’s Criminal Investigations Division and later booked into the Red River Parish Jail on charges of Illegal Discharge of a Firearm and 2nd Degree Murder.

Mangham is a 58-year-old white male and remains incarcerated awaiting bond. The investigation is ongoing.

On August 8, 2024, the Coushatta Police Department arrested a suspect in reference to a shooting that occurred on Ashland Road.

On August 8, 2024 at approximately 11:15am, officers received a call in reference to a victim being shot at on Ashland Road. Upon speaking with the victim, officers learned that there was a physical altercation between the victim and Brandon Johnson (W/M 46 years old of Coushatta) which led to Johnson shooting at him.

Officers made contact with Johnson at his residence on Ashland Road, and he was apprehended without further incident. Officers secured a search warrant for Johnson’s residence which led to evidence being seized. Johnson was charged with Aggravated Assault with a firearm, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a firearm by persons convicted of certain felonies, and placed in the Red River Parish Jail.

The victim did not sustain any injuries during the incident.

If you would like to report any suspicious activity or provide information that would assist in an investigation, contact the Coushatta Police Department at 318-932-4222. Be advised, any information given will remain confidential.

By Doug De Graffenried

I mapped out two simple tasks for Saturday.

Task number one was to trim the hedges in the front yard. They all look like planted versions of a Chia-pet. The task would not take long. I have purchased power tools that make this task a breeze. I was breezing along through the task, about to turn the corner from the east side to the north side of the house, when a complication arrived. The battery powered hedge trimmer suddenly died. I looked for obstructions, there were none. I changed the battery. That didn’t work either. I sought out advice from the experts at You Tube. I found a video with a guy describing how to fix the same problem. He had my very model suffering from the same symptoms. After five minutes of watching that video, I decided I was not taking the thing apart. I developed a new strategy. On Sunday after church, I went to Lowes and bought a new one. As soon as I send this article to the nice people who publish it, I’m back at hedge trimming.

Task number two was to cook the steaks. That is always fun. No one bothers me when I’m cooking steaks. It is alone time that produces sumptuous results. I cheat! I have one of those wood pellet grills. The grill is so smart it is attached to my phone. I can be in the car miles away and instruct the grill to light and heat up to a certain temperature. If I use a meat probe, the probe reports the temperature to my phone. It is all technological.

Saturday, I went to light the grill.

The grill informed me that it needed to do a software update. How much software could a grill need? Has Microsoft discovered my grill and wants to install one of those infernal updates? The grill would not let me bypass the update.

While the grill was updating, I piddled with the plants in the yard. I looked at my phone to see how the grill was working. The update also applied to my phone. Suddenly, the grill app wanted the log in stuff. Do you remember the password you set two years ago for your grill app? Me neither.

I took care of the grill. While I cooked the steaks, I managed the password for the phone app. The relaxing Saturday had fallen apart by now.

I cleaned the grill and seasoned the griddle I had also used for the steaks. I went into the peace of my study to finish working on the sermon. There it was, the end of a perfect day, Microsoft wanted to update the software on my computer.

I started wondering if Jesus ever had “one of those days.” After reading the gospels, I can answer, “Yes, He did.” The Bible tells us what he did. He went off by himself and prayed.

You might give that a try the next time you have “one of those days.”

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

You can contact Doug at dougsponderings@gmail.com

Matt Vines

EAST POINT – Football fans in Red River Parish won’t have to wait until September to watch football games that count in the standings.

Riverdale Academy kicks off its season at home against Prairie View Academy on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Midsouth Association of Independent Schools takes its traditional early start ahead of the LHSAA, positioning this brand of football in the spotlight.

The Rebels will be testing their youth this season as eight seniors departed from a squad that won nine games this past year and advanced to the MAIS Championship Game in 2022.

“We do only have two seniors this year, but I’ve been really impressed with what our younger guys have done in the weightroom this summer,” said Riverdale coach Nathan Edie. “Our seventh graders especially have come in and put in a lot of work.

“A lot of our players have summer jobs, so we have a flexible schedule to fit in as much weights as we can.”

One facet that will benefit Riverdale is the participation in spring football for the first time in program history.

That laid the groundwork for a younger team to adapt to new roles.

Ashton Almond shifts from tight end to quarterback with other returning veterans like linemen Logan Gryder and Ben Mosley and running back Kaidyn Williams.

Like many private schools navigating an economy that’s experienced high inflation, sheer numbers has been an issue.

Riverdale has 17 players on its eight-man football roster with five of those being seventh and eighth graders.

That means coaches limit contact in practice to avoid injury.

“We try and keep full contact with our offensive and defensive lines, but we don’t make wide open tackles against each other,” Edie explained. “A lot of private schools are dealing with the same problems.”
Prairie View Academy isn’t exactly in the same boat as the Spartans carry around 30 players on their roster. A young team put together a 6-5 record with a playoff appearance this past season, and Edie said this bunch will only get better with experience.

“They are still sort of young in that they don’t have a lot of seniors, but these are guys who do have a good bit of experience,” Edie said. “They are athletic and have some big boys, and stamina will be a key for us.”

But Riverdale’s established winning culture could help counter Prairie View’s numbers advantage.
The Rebels have won at least nine games in each of the last four seasons, and they don’t have any plans to change that course.

“With it being the first game, we always want to look at what we did wrong and what we did right,” Edie said. “We want to focus on the little things like limiting our mistakes and penalties.”

I read an interesting article this past week entitled “America Isn’t Sacred, Only God Is.”  The article was written by Brian A. Graebe, a Catholic priest. The article makes the point that the frequent use by our elected leaders of godly language in civil or governmental matters is misplaced. 

For example, Fr. Graebe states that President Biden used the word “sacred” four times in a recent speech, referring to the “sacred” task of “perfecting our nation,” the equally “sacred,” in Biden’s view, “cause of our country” and the “sacred” ideals of our founding documents.  Graebe responded that while “the aforementioned may be important, praiseworthy and deserving of respect. None are sacred.” (Wall Street Journal, 08-02-24).

The article offers an additional, similarly erroneous example.  After Jan 6th, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi referred to the U.S Capitol as a “temple of democracy.”  Fr. Graebe points out that “a temple is a place to worship God … and while the U.S. Capitol is famous, iconic and worthy of protection and respect, it isn’t a temple and democracy isn’t a religion.” (WSJ).  

The gist of his article is that “an increasingly irreligious culture seeks to appropriate the words of faith” and that is what I found interesting.

Pres. Reagan’s famous “Shining City on a Hill” remains a powerful illustration of what he believed America was, is, and could be.  But the reason the illustration is such an inspiring and enduring image is not because the lofty and beautiful city was “shining … or tall, proud and built on rocks stronger than oceans,” but because God had ordained it.  That is what imbued it with hope and promise. 

We used to know that.  We used to designate as sacred only those rarities in life that truly are.

I think of the language of George Washington’s Farewell Address to the nation:

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. …  And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”

I think of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence: he states that America takes its separate and equal station in the world, to which it is entitled by “the laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.”  He also emphasized our being endowed “by our Creator with certain unalienable rights.”  He powerfully closes the Declaration by “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our intentions” and does so “with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence.”

I think of John Adams, in his explication of public and private virtue, stating that “our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

I think of Benjamin Franklin who stated: “I have lived a long time, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men.  And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”

Throughout American history, these principles have resonated with us because we know the source from which they flow, God Almighty.  If that has changed because we have drifted from these principles—and replaced them with secularism and atheism—we should recognize that drift and return to them.  In fact, we must.  America is unique, not sacred but we remain blessed, strong, and prosperous when we remember that God is.

As our increasingly irreligious—even anti-religious—culture mis-appropriates the symbols and the vocabulary of religion in an effort to demonstrate an alliance with a God of their own construction, which is then used to “sanctify” their political agenda by suggesting that ‘God is on their side,’ I think it’s worth remembering President Reagan’s admonition that ‘the question isn’t whether or not God is on our side. The question is whether or not we are on God’s side?

Royal Alexander

The 101st Airborne released the following information earlier this week.

Beginning on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 13 and concluding on Sunday, August 18, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) will conduct a major training events in Minden and Alexandria. Residents living in and around the below areas may hear, see and experience increased aircraft traffic and noise during this time.

This exercise is designed to assess the division’s ability to conduct large-scale, long-range air assault operations in conjunction with training scenarios that will test their communication, logistical resupply and tactical abilities. All military training will take place on military installations or local airfields, but residents may see or hear an increased helicopter presence.

Combat Aviation Brigade and supporting sustainment elements will establish various Forward Arming and Refueling Points for aircraft flying between Fort Campbell, KY, and Fort Johnson, LA. Military helicopters will be refueled and resupplied at these FARPs before returning to Fort Campbell.

“We’re alerting the public to prepare nearby communities of an increase in noise as a result of
rotary wing aircraft conducting training flights over the course of the next few days,” said Lt.
Col. Martin Meiners, spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). “Our priority is
the safety of our Soldiers and families, as well as those of the nearby communities. We hope
this notification will allow the affected communities to plan ahead in anticipation of this increase in military air traffic, and we are grateful for the support from local leaders and the Mississippi and Louisiana National Guard.”

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is a part of the Army’s effort to pioneer the evolution
of vertical envelopment with modern equipment and well-trained soldiers, and to prepare the
nation to win in any future military combat environment or conflict.

Every vote from the major TikTok Sports outlets from around the country has been tabulated, and the result is no surprise: 

Nasdaq University of Georgia A&T&M is picked to repeat as BC$ national champion — even though each member of the team agreed to a restructured contract and less money this fall for more money later.

“This will allow us to invest more money on transfers to fill immediate needs,” coach Tommy “Dough” DiCosmo said. “The restructuring of the contracts speaks to the unselfishness of this team. Humbles me as a coach. They won it all last year and they’re more than willing to wait for a few hundred thousand down the road instead of cash right now for the best chance to repeat.”

The usually unflappable DiCosmo stopped and appeared to choke back tears before saying, “It’s not the wins I’ll remember, or the championships, or the trophies … well, I mean, I WILL remember the wins and the championships and the trophies because those things got me a house off No.7 fairway and some beach property. But what I’ll also remember — besides the trophies and some pretty solid investments that should allow me to retire year after next with the lifestyle I’m accustomed to, minus the locker room smell — is how these guys were willing to take some deferred stocks instead of cash up front. ‘Unselfish’ is the word that comes to my mind.”

He stopped, gathered himself, then said, barely above a whisper, “Old school.”

“The team that pays together, stays together,” team captain and All-American linebacker CD “Low Blow” Lee said. “Word.”

Lee is one of a triplet set of linebackers on an ATM team that dominated last year. As a trio, Lee and brothers CA and CB registered more than 300 tackles.

“If there’s been a better combo of linebackers to ever play, I sure ain’t seen ’em,” defensive coordinator Bowler Johnson said. “And won’t, not in this lifetime.”

The triplets’ little brother CC anchors the secondary at strong safety. One of the bigger safeties to ever play the game, the 6-6, 225-pound baby of the Lee bunch runs a 4.4, can bench a small county and is one of the reasons opponents attempted just two passes of more than 15 yards all season. While each was completed, one resulted in a limp-off, the other in a cart-off.

The offense starts with Jimmy “No Shoes” Taylor, a barefooted wonder who confuses defenses and electrifies fans with his daring runs, rocket arm, and six-car garage. A senior from the tobacco fields of small-town Virginia, Taylor missed the first week of fall drills after wrecking his Jag on the drive from his summer home in Jackson Hole.

“He’ll be ready for the opener,” offensive coordinator and NFL Hall of Fame receiver Quincy “Eye Black” Fontenette said. “Insurance covered the Jag; also got Jimmy a new deal with an insurance company whose name I can’t say right now, but I have some pamphlets I’ll be happy to hand you after practice.”

Elo “6-Sport” Capers, everybody’s favorite running back, is healthy after having spent the summer “lifting weights, getting my shoulder back right, and rotating the tires on my Audi,” the heralded junior said. Besides football, Capers has lettered in basketball, baseball, track and field, breakdancing, and advanced/varsity trampoline.

He’s good, but the Guys Up Front might be better. The self-proclaimed Best Dressed Offensive Line in Football (each player wears a necktie during games), the ATM offensive line is anchored by center Trudell “Big Hands” Patterson and guards Blaze “Big Feet” Butler and Grayson “Big Fill-in-the-Blank” Katona. 

“Every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp-dressed man,” the shy and popular Katona said. 

The offense usually plays with only one tackle, but opposing defensive coordinators will testify that at a cat-quick 7-2, 360, Moses “Where He At?” Abraham sort of counts as two guys anyway.

ATM opens the season against Wofford.

Picked to finish second this season are The New York Stock Exchange University of Alabama AT&T Fightin’ Benjamins.

Red River 4-H will hold a Back to School Junior Leader Meeting for any 4-H member in grades 8-12 Thursday, August 15 from 5-7pm at the 4-H office. Participate in a scavenger hunt and plan activities for the year. Snack and treats will be provided.

Northwestern State University’s College of Education and Human Development is seeking nominations for the 2024 Hall of Distinguished Educators and Outstanding Young Professionals. The deadline for nominations has been extended to Thursday, Aug. 15. The Hall of Distinguished Educators is the highest honor bestowed by the School of Education. Nominees must have earned an education degree from Northwestern State University, must have a minimum of 30 years of service in the field of education and must have made significant contributions to the field of education and/or the larger community at a local, state, national or international level. Nominees may be living or deceased. Outstanding Young Professionals in Education must have earned an education degree from NSU and have a minimum of 10 years of service in the field of education. Nominees must have made significant contributions to the field of education and/or the larger community. Nominees must be age 45 or younger. More than 100 educators have been honored with the Hall of Distinguished Educators award since 2000. Applications are available at http://www.nsu.la/HODEapplications. For more information, contact Gabby Trindle at trindleg@nsula.edu.

Join the LSU AgCenter and Red River Parish Helping Hands on Thursday, September 12 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. 

Syble Beth Giddings Welch
Service: Friday, August 16 at 11am at Rose Neath Funeral Homes – Shreveport Southside

Patricia Housley
February 24, 1959 — August 6, 2024
Service: Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11am at Evergreen Baptist Church – Ajax

Mary Leon
June 20, 1927  — August 11, 2024
Service: Saturday, August 17 , 2024 at 11am at New Hope #3 Baptist Church – Hanna

In June, updates suggested the 155 bridges at Carroll Creek Road were estimated to be finished within a month, barring weather incidents. The good news is that the bridge work is completed. The bad news is that opening the roads is independent of only finishing the bridges.

Dirt work, guard rails, asphalt, and painting are now scheduled. While there is no timeline for when these actions will be finished, steady work is being completed daily.