Coushatta Police Department traffic stop leads to the discovery of suspected marijuana and possession of suspected legend drugs.

The report states that on 09/22/2024 at approximately 0300 hours, Coushatta Police Department officers made contact with a subject stopped at the intersection of East Carroll St. and Ringgold Ave.

The driver was stopped for an unusually long period of time at the stop sign, which led officers to investigate the driver’s condition further. The officer found Kori Mosley Jr. (B/M 27 years old of Winnfield) unconscious behind the wheel.

During the investigation, officers discovered inside Mosley’s vehicle a bag of suspected marijuana and a prescription bottle with no label containing a 34-count mixed quantity of two types of suspected legend drugs: Carisoprodol and Acetaminophen/Oxycodone Hydrochloride.

Mosley was transported, and booked into the Red River Parish Jail on charges of:
Possession of Schedule I with intent to distribute
Possession of Schedule II with intent to distribute
Possession of Schedule IV with intent to distribute

The social media post about the arrest reminds the public that the Coushatta Police Department is continuously working diligently to keep the Town of Coushatta’s city streets safe and drug-free.

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

Congratulations are in order for Ty Birdsong winning Week Three of the Football Pick-Em Contest in the Red River Parish Journal.

To enter this week’s contest, CLICK HERE!  https://tinyurl.com/RRPJPickem
(Games played on September 27, 2024)

The Red River Parish Journal and American Bank are proud to bring you the 2024 High School Football Pick’em Contest presented by American Bank.

Anyone is eligible to participate for FREE and each week’s winner will go home with a $100.00 cash prize.  Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 10 selected high school football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).

The American Bank & Tyler Insurance Agency High School Football Pick’em Contest will be conducted over the 10 regular season weeks of the High School season starting with Week 1 games (Sept. 6) and running through the end of November.

There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to subscribe to the Red River Parish Journal.

All contest decisions by Red River Parish Journal (RRPJ) management are final. Weekly winners will be notified on Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run that week in the RRPJ.

Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the RRPJ, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. Monday-Wednesday-Friday e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $100.00 each week!

________________________

The Red River Parish Journal wants to thank American Bank & Tyler Insurance Agency for their title and presenting sponsorships of this year’s High School pick’em contest.

We also want to thank Better Finance and C&K BBQ for their Pick’em Partnerships within the contest.

Week 1: Pam Williams
Week 2: Debbie Bamburg
Week 3: Ty Birdsong

Red River High School will celebrate Homecoming 2024 Friday, October 18.

The 2024 Homecoming Court will be presented before kick-off.

Homecoming Tailgating from 9am-5:30pm.
  Tailgating will take place in the RRHS baseball parking lot
  Wrapup/Cleanup is at 5:30pm
  All tailgating must vacate the baseball parking lot by 6pm (the gate will be shut and locked at this time)

Alumni Celebration will take place at the RRJH pavilion from 5:30-6:30pm. Classes honored: ’54, ’64, ’74, ’84, ’94, ’04, ’14, ’24. Socialize, grab a snack and get a free game ticket.

Contact Red River High School, 318.932.4913 to reserve your tailgating spot.

Members of the 2024 Homecoming Court:

Queen: Aiesha Hall

King: Jomello McDonald

Freshman Maid: Adrionna Murphy

Sophomore Maid: Kaleah Crawford

Junior Maid: Alayla Lewis

Senior Maids: Chadestiny Taylor & Areonia Banks

Princess: Caitlyn Jones

Prince: Cameron Hobley

Football Sweetheart: Kyleigh Antilley

Band Sweetheart: Kayden Nichols

Young Marines Sweetheart: Harlie Pickett

As a concession to age, about five days out of seven for the past 20-ish years I’ve eaten, for breakfast, cottage cheese and yogurt mixed up together.

It’s starting to get on my nerves. Not happening for me.

It is not cottage cheese’s fault and it is not yogurt’s fault, though they are each easy targets. Cottage cheese is good for you but it couldn’t run out of sight in a day and a half. So much for it being “healthy.”

Cottage cheese is supposed to be just about the most perfect man-made (no offense to cows) food there is. A fistful of it is packed full of protein. It is low in fat and has carbs, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron ore and tin, and a four-ounce serving contains more than 12 percent the daily recommended helping of cottage.

When I am eating it I try not to think of the word “curd.” Curd does not sound good but, well, there is no getting around that those are the little things half floating around in the other stuff, which is, I suppose, curd runoff.

It is not an especially ugly food – it is lumpy and white, like good homemade mashed potatoes – but it will win no beauty contest for you either. 

Never until I started eating cottage cheese and yogurt together had I eaten cottage cheese alone. It doesn’t taste like anything really, but if you had to say it DID taste like something, you would think of something bad.

That is just my opinion.

But mix cottage cheese and yogurt together – say a vanilla or strawberry yogurt, whatever you prefer – and bingo!, you have a healthy combo that does not taste bad at all. Drop some blueberries or bananas and/or granola in there and you’ve got a most decent leadoff hitter.

Good, and good for you.

There are only two drawbacks.

One, after a while, curds and yogurt lose that sensual BAM!, you know, the one they never really had in the first place. After a couple of decades, you have an excuse for waking each morning and crying over spoiled (spoilt?) milk.

The second drawback: cottage cheese and yogurt is no bacon and eggs. And bacon and eggs is the flagship of the breakfast armada.

You’ve got your French toast. Your waffle. Even your morning pork chop or sausage, patty or link. Outstanding all.

But if the go-to breakfast foods were lined up and we’re choosing team captains, bacon and eggs would be my first selection. Cottage cheese is the healthy but uncoordinated kid who does not get picked.

The multi-talented egg needs no introduction, and just smelling a home where bacon fries makes you feel like you can make it one more day, no matter how tough the sledding.

Bacon is to meats what brown sugar is to sweets: it just makes everything better. 

Bacon makes people smile. Bacon beats cottage cheese in a footrace 10 times out of 10. I wish my name were Sir Teddy Bacon.

My second draft pick: biscuit. The chef is key, but even a buttered canned biscuit will at least look at you in the eye.

Third draft pick: grits. But only if someone who knows how to make them are in charge. Bad grits might as well be cottage cheese. 

Now you can come in with all your fillers, your pastries, Stuff With Syrup On It, fruit and hash browns. (I love sort-of-burnt hash browns.) 

Chocolate milk. Orange juice. Coffee. Eat all that and your day is made and you haven’t even left the house yet.

Ruston, LA – Louisiana Tech University enrolled more than 12,000 students in the 2024 Fall Quarter including 2,453 freshmen, the largest freshman class in its 130-year history. Total enrollment for the quarter is 12,039, a nearly 4 percent increase over 2023 and the institution’s highest enrollment since 2018. Beyond first-time freshmen, the University experienced growth in transfer, master’s, doctoral, and international students.

“A Louisiana Tech degree has long been associated with life and career success. We attract students who are prepared for the academic rigor of a university focused on scholarship, teaching, and focused experiential learning,” President Jim Henderson said. “This talented freshman class enjoys the vibrant campus environment of a comprehensive research institution in an idyllic college town. Students are drawn to our faculty renowned for developing individuals to their fullest potential and preparing them to thrive in a future of boundless opportunity.”

The University has prioritized growth by emphasizing its distinguishing characteristic: tailored, student-focused learning experiences in more than 135 degree programs aligned with 21st century challenges and opportunities. Louisiana Tech’s investment in modern facilities, leading-edge research, and personalized student service also contributes to its rising enrollment.

“Our admissions team works tirelessly across the state, region, and overseas to make individuals aware of all that Louisiana Tech has to offer,” Senior VP for Student Advancement and COO Dickie Crawford said. “We anticipate that this incoming class, along with our returning students, will enjoy their college experience just as the more than 118,000 alumni before them.”

When I was a little boy, keys were my thing. I loved keys. I loved real keys.

I had a reliable source of keys too. My grandfather was a police officer. It seems that back in the 60’s people would lose keys at a very high rate. Pop would bring me bags of keys from time to time. I’m sure I was only receiving three or four at a time, but to me they appeared as a mountain of plenty.

I had a key ritual. I would separate out the door and house keys from the car keys.

Back in the day, each motor company had a key design unique to that motor company. For this article we will illustrate using the Ford Motor Company. Because Ford also made Mercury products the keys were interchangeable. If you worked at it, you might discover a Mercury car key would fit a Ford product.

One Friday night, Pop stopped by with a bag of keys. I quickly sorted the keys. I took the car keys outside for an experiment.

I don’t know how I knew this, but I had a couple of Mercury keys which I took outside. I crawled into the driver’s seat of our 1961 Ford Galaxy and started testing keys. The Mercury ignition keys would fit into the Ford ignition. (You remember, of course the difference between the ignition keys and the trunk keys?) While the Mercury keys fit into the ignition, they would not turn the tumblers.

My key experiment was nearly completed when I put a Mercury key into the ignition and turned it. The 1961 Ford Galaxy roared to life. I then followed the pattern I had learned from adults. I pulled the shift lever down into “D.” “D” meant go!

The car lurched forward and traveled about five feet into the side of the house. The dent in the house was still there 40 years later!

Thus began my illustrious driving career.

The adults filed out of the house. Mom, Dad and Pop the police office all asked, “How did you start the car?” I shared my key knowledge. Pop cut off my Ford Motor key supply. I did have a large collection of General Motors keys that I had decided to try on whoever owned one of those cars. Pop owned a Chevrolet. I had developed a testing plan for that automobile.

Jesus has given us the keys to the Kingdom. No need to be locked in or locked out. You have the keys. Often you have the power to set yourself free.

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

You can contact Doug at dougsponderings@gmail.com

NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University is set to launch a pioneering artificial intelligence programming course in partnership with IBM, one of the world’s tech leaders. NSU is the first and only institution to be recognized as a success story by IBM Power Skills Academy.

Starting in Spring 2025, NSU’s School of Business will offer “IBM Power Systems Programming with Emphasis on AI in Business Applications,” a course designed to equip both traditional students and professionals with advanced AI and programming skills.

Offered online through both flexible and real-time formats, the course will focus on AI applications in business and RPG IV programming. In collaboration with IBM, this career-focused training addresses the growing need for skilled professionals, preparing participants to excel in the rapidly advancing tech industry.

“This course will allow students to gain exposure to IBM technology, which they can apply directly in their careers,” said Dr. Curtis Penrod, director of NSU’s School of Business. “The integration of AI concepts will strengthen their ability to compete in the future workforce.”

The partnership with IBM was made possible by NSU alumnus Monty Chicola, founder of Real Vision Software and a prominent IBM business partner. Chicola, who earned his degree in Computer Information Systems in 1979, will serve as the course instructor. With his vast experience in IBM solutions, Chicola’s leadership ensures students will receive a top-tier education in AI and programming.

“I can confidently say that our collaboration with IBM represents a pivotal step for Northwestern in advancing technological education,” said Chicola. “Students are immersed in hands-on learning that prepares them for real-world challenges, mastering IBM i’s integrated (operating) system and exploring the transformative power of artificial intelligence. This course not only builds technical expertise but also provides a globally recognized IBM certification badge.”

“We are thrilled to partner with IBM to bring cutting-edge technology education to our students,” said NSU President James Genovese. “The launch of our first course using the IBM curriculum, with a focus on artificial intelligence and RPG IV programming, marks a significant milestone for Northwestern and the state of Louisiana. This collaboration not only enhances our curriculum but also positions our students to be leaders in the rapidly evolving tech industry. We look forward to expanding this partnership and continuing to offer innovative educational opportunities that prepare our graduates for the future.”

Currently enrolled students are encouraged to contact their advisor or Penrod at penrodc@nsula.edu for more information about this course.

For those seeking enrollment as a non-degree seeking student, a step-by-step enrollment guide can be found by visiting https://nsu.la/IBMApply.

In addition to its focus on AI, NSU’s Computer Information Systems program offers comprehensive degree options, including concentrations in Application Development, Information Systems Management and Networking and Cybersecurity. The program has been recognized for its excellence in preparing students for the tech sector, offering both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems.

Video interviews with NSU President Genovese and NSU Director of The School of Business Dr. Curtis Penrod: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/rgziHvqODM/group/st-53dbb5dd-480d-4793-b1d7-757311e6fb86

Additional video content related to IBM + NSU Partnership:  https://spaces.hightail.com/space/rgziHvqODM/group/st-53dbb5dd-480d-4793-b1d7-757311e6fb86

The Red River Soil and Water Conservation District has an opening for a District Secretary/Program Assistant.

Duties include: general bookkeeping, manage/balance an annual budget, customer reception, compose correspondence, prepare multiple reports each month, attend monthly board meeting and prepare minutes, and assist office personnel in USDA NRCS programs offered to the public. Must be proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook as well as Adobe products I. Should be a fast learner, and able to self-motivate with excellent organizational skills.

Please email resume to: Sarah.elias@la.nacdnet.net or mail to: Red River SWCD 1311 Ringgold Avenue Coushatta, LA 71019

Benefits – Annual leave and sick leave are accrued on pay periods worked. Benefits will include state group health insurance and Louisiana deferred compensation benefits program.

Red River Junior High is hosting Grits and Grands Thursday, Sept 26 from 7:30-8:15am. Grandparents of RRJH students plan to enjoy breakfast with your grands! 

Liberty Baptist Church together with Davis Springs Southern Methodist Church invites everyone to 5th Sunday Singing September 29 at 6pm. Join in song, food and fellowship. 

First Methodist Church Coushatta will host a Fall Festival with Trunk or Treat, crafts, games and food on Sunday, October 20 at 5pm. Kids make sure to wear your costumes!

Festival season in Louisiana is here! Enjoy one of these festivals this week/weekend.
Alligator Festival in Luling; Sugar Cane Festival in New Iberia; Chicken Festival in Dubach; Red River Revel in Shreveport. 

Bowen Arrow Co (in Farm Pro Feed & Supply) will hold an Archery Tournament Sat, Sept 28. Casual start from 9am – 12pm. Youth and Adult divisions. All ages are welcome. 

Sherman Arthur Simon
September 3, 1950 – September 23, 2024
Funeral Services will be held Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 2pm at the Ringgold School Complex in  Ringgold

The Coushatta Chute Chapter DAR and Springville Cemetery will hold a Wreaths Across America Day on December 14, 2024, at 11:00 am. Wreaths will be placed on the more than 150 graves of veterans identified in the Springville Cemetery.

Members of the community and families of veterans who would like to sponsor a wreath are encouraged to order online at wreathsacrossamerica.org/la0106p. Scanning the QR code will also take you to the sponsor site. Wreaths are $17 each. Anyone wishing to send a check may make the check payable to Wreaths Across America and mail to P.O. Box 553, Coushatta, LA 71019.

Join the community in remembering, honoring, and teaching about veterans in this area.

The Journal attended the Grand Opening for new location of the Red River Parish Registrar of Voter’s Office. A host of local dignitaries, Police Jury members, parish employees, and registrars from surrounding parishes joined Red River Registrar, Debra Jones and Secretary of State, Nancy Landry to cut the ribbon and welcome the public to the updated offices.

After the ribbon cutting on September 19, guests were given tours of the offices and enjoyed refreshments. The offices are now ready to begin registering voters, updating voter information, and preparing for the national election in November.

Registrar Jones says that she is excited for early voting. “This will be a much better location for everyone to vote early in person. We have easy access for everyone, and we can be reached without having the public move through metal detectors”. She went on to thank the Police Jury for all their work in getting the office up and running and equipped with up-to-date technologies.
The new location is 1906 Front Street in Coushatta.

Matt Vines

EAST POINT – Riverdale Academy had hoped a bye week would be a chance to hit a reset button on its season entering Friday’s rivalry game against Claiborne Academy.

But the Rebels couldn’t keep up early, and Claiborne Academy cruised to a 50-16 win.
Riverdale (1-4) falls for the second straight game and has scored 16 or fewer points in each of its four losses.

“Claiborne built a big lead early,” said Riverdale coach Nathan Edie. “The biggest factors were our inability to tackle their athletes in space, and we couldn’t get our snaps down.

“Bad snaps cost us several opportunities on offense, and we looked lethargic on defense.”
Claiborne Academy quarterback Kyler Monk is the best of those athletes, and Monk threw for three touchdowns and ran for another three.

The junior totaled 295 yards (180 rushing and 115 passing) on the night.

Monk completed 5-of-11 passes with Reagan Feazell (2-68, 1TD) and Dylan Buckner (2-33, TD) catching multiple passes. Buckner added 36 rushing yards on just two carries and had 76 yards on punt returns.
Riverdale’s Tanner Carlisle accounted for the home Rebels’ two touchdowns.

“When we were able to get a good snap, most plays worked,” Edie said. “We went to a different formation and made a change at center.

Usual quarterback Kaidyn Williams suffered a knee injury on a tackle in the first half and was limited in the second half.

Williams was thrust into the full-time quarterback role after Ashton Almond was injured in the season opener.

The injuries are mounting for a roster already affected by low numbers.

With four regular season games remaining, Riverdale will go back to the drawing board with two road games coming up.

“Unfortunately, I think we took a step backwards (Friday),” Edie said. “I think our understanding of what needs to be done is there, but the execution is not.

“We will press on.”

The next game is a trip to River Oaks, who is shaping up to be Riverdale’s toughest test yet of the season.

September is Hunger Awareness Month and the Red River Parish 4-H is having a Coin War to raise money for the NW Food Bank to help raise awareness. For every $1 the NW Food Bank receives, they can provide $10 worth of food for families in need.

According to the Feeding America website, approximately 49 million people, that’s one in six people in the U.S., still relied on food assistance from charities like Feeding America in 2022. Hunger can affect people from all walks of life. Millions of people in America are just one job loss, missed paycheck, or medical emergency away from hunger. But hunger doesn’t affect everyone equally.  Some groups like children, seniors, and people of color face hunger at much higher rates.

RR 4-H has placed buckets at each school. Look through your vehicles, all over your house and everywhere in between for your loose change then bring it to one of the schools in Red River Parish. The school with the most change wins the Coin War!

Matt Vines

OAK GROVE – One of Red River’s keys to competing against Oak Grove was to force turnovers.
The Bulldogs did part partially check that box Friday, forcing two turnovers as Red River has forced multiple turnovers in all three games this season.

But that’s about the only box that got checked as Oak Grove ran away with a 55-8 victory.
The defending Division IV Non-Select champions scored 27 points in the first quarter and led 41-0 at halftime.

Red River (1-2) fumbled the opening kickoff, and Oak Grove (2-1) cashed in with a Brodie Stuart screen pass from quarterback Jackson Bradley to start the scoring.

The Bulldogs were able to limit Oak Grove’s passing ability with Bradley completing just 2-of-7 passes for 70 yards with a touchdown and interception.

Warren Bowman intercepted a third-quarter pass and returned it 41 yards to set the Bulldogs up in Oak Grove territory. Red River’s other turnover came when Cameron Jones forced a fumble that a teammate recovered.

But Oak Grove’s defense suffocated Red River’s offense all night.

Red River totaled 70 yards on the night with 38 yards coming on a fourth-quarter Nate Burton touchdown run as the lone Bulldogs score.

Montreveun Smith rushed for 32 yards on 11 carries and caught both of Red River’s completions totaling eight yards.

Oak Grove did most of its damage on the ground by tallying 301 rushing yards on just 20 carries (15 yards per attempt).

Jay Freeman gained 154 yards and two touchdowns on eight attempts.

The Oak Grove trip was the start of a four-game road swing and a stretch of five road games in the first six to start the season.

Red River heads to White Castle, Pineville and Mansfield in the next three weeks.

Baton Rouge – Louisiana State Police has been continuously monitoring incidents nationwide involving threats of violence made against schools.

At this time, Louisiana State Police is not aware of any credible threats to schools within the state. We are closely monitoring tips, leads, and information sources while working with federal, state, and local partners to investigate and share information, ensuring the safety of our communities.

It is important to note that making false threats against schools is not only dangerous but also illegal. Under Louisiana law, the intentional communication of false information regarding the existence of a bomb or other explosive device, or threats of violence against any person or property, is a felony crime. Individuals found guilty of making false threats can face up to 15 years in prison and significant fines. These actions disrupt school operations, waste valuable law enforcement resources, and cause undue fear and anxiety among students, parents, and educators.

Anyone who wishes to report suspicious activity or concerning threats against the public are encouraged to contact the Louisiana State Analytical and Fusion Center (LA-SAFE) at 225-925-4192. The Louisiana State Police also offers an online reporting system through a secure form, which is submitted directly to the appropriate investigators. Anyone can access this form by visiting the LA-SAFE website.

Contact Information:
Sergeant William Huggins
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section – Region 1
William.huggins@la.gov
Office: (985) 893-6250

TROOP G NEWS RELEASE

Keachi – Saturday afternoon, at approximately 12:15 p.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a single-vehicle crash, at the intersection of Louisiana Highway 5 and Louisiana Highway 172, involving a DeSoto Parish Fire District vehicle. The crash resulted in the arrest of 39-year-old Mark Magee.

The investigation revealed that a 2022 Ford F-250, driven by Magee, was traveling south on Louisiana Highway 5. For reasons still under investigation, Magee lost control and ran off the left side of the roadway, before colliding with a fire hydrant. The Ford is assigned to Fire District 1, unmarked and equipped with emergency lights.

Upon contact with Magee, Troopers detected signs of impairment. During the investigation, a blood sample was collected and submitted for analysis. Magee was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI 1st offense) and careless operation. This investigation remains ongoing.

Troopers witness preventable motor vehicle crashes. Impairment is often a primary cause of crashes across the state. Louisiana State Police urge motorists to have a plan that includes a designated driver when consuming alcohol. Alcohol can impair visual ability, alter the sense of time and space, impair fine motor skills, and decrease reaction times. Alcohol can begin to impair a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle after just one drink. Please choose not to drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver.

Recently, investigators with the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office (RRPSO) were contacted by a local financial institution in reference to check theft and fraud. A check originally written for fifty dollars was stolen from a person’s mailbox, altered, and cashed for several thousand dollars. The case is currently under investigation.

As a precaution, please be mindful when mailing checks from your home mailbox, or even when using outside United States Postal Service (USPS) mail receptacles. In fact, in 2023, due to rising crime across the U.S. involving the USPS, Americans were advised to avoid depositing mail in their own mailboxes for a mail carrier to retrieve. Instead, the USPS recommended that patrons come inside their local post office to securely send mail.

If, however, you choose to mail your checks from home, the USPS and American Bankers Association have provided several tips to help you do so more securely. Please access the following link to review this information.

Once again, according to the USPS, if you are choosing to mail a check, it is always recommended that you use a secure mail drop such as inside a post office versus an unsecured public-facing mailbox.

If you have been a victim of mailbox theft and/or check fraud, please contact your financial institution as well as RRPSO investigators at 318-932-6701.

Check Washing and Check Theft Scams | American Bankers Association (aba.com)

Red River Parish 4-H will hold the 4-H Chefs Club Monday, Sept 23 from 4:30-5:30pm for grades 3-7 at the 4-H Office. Free to all enrolled 4-H members.

Magnolia Bend Academy Beta Club is holding a gift card fundraiser. Tickets  are $1 each and will be available for purchase in the office as well Beta Club members. The winner will also take home the beautiful fall wreath the gift cards are attached to. The drawing will be held on November 19, need not be present to win. Gift cards include Bass Pro Shops, Bath & Body Works, Mastercard, DQ, Nichols, Marshall’s, Starbucks, Visa, Home Sense, Texas Roadhouse, McDonald’s, Amazon, Hobby Lobby, Golden Corral, IHOP, Ulta, Fandango, Tractor Supply, Buffalo Wild Wings, Subway, Longhorn Steakhouse, Panda Express, Southern Classic, and Barnes & Noble. All proceeds will help Beta members attend convention and help with Beta Pro. 

Farm Pro, 6440 Hwy 371,  will hold a Grand Opening of their new sporting good’s department Saturday, September 30 at 11am.

Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education will offer a Pick Up Your Brush painting class on Oct. 3, 17 and 24. from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the second floor of South Hall. The fee is $45 for each separate session. No special or prior skills are required. Children ages 7 – 12 years old are allowed to enroll, but a parent must accompany the child the entire class. Parents do not have to enroll unless they take part. All supplies are included. For more information or to register for NSU non-credit programs, go to checkout.nsula.edu

The Village of Hall Summit will host their 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat Thursday, October 26 from 5-7pm at the Hall Summit Community Center & Park. The fun includes a costume contest, games and lots of candy!

NONE

Coushatta’s own Vickie Johnson is being inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. As a member of the 2025 class, Johnson joins seven others who are being inducted.

Johnson, a hometown basketball hero, led her Coushatta High School team to State Championships in 1990 and 1991. She garnered first team all-state honors three years and All-State MVP in her junior and senior years, with an average of 27 to 29 points per game during those years. Johnson was one of the country’s most highly sought-after girls’ prep players in the early 1990s. As a sophomore at Coushatta High School, Johnson verbally committed to Louisiana Tech. In track and field, she was the Louisiana State Champion in the long jump as a senior.

She was a two-time All-American and Sun Belt Conference MVP at Louisiana Tech University. She led the Lady Techsters to the 1994 NCAA Championship Game, was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year in 1995 and earned Louisiana Player of the Year honors in 1996. A two-time Kodak All-American (1995 and 1996), she remains in the Tech record books, ranking No. 7 in points (1,960), No. 10 in scoring average (15.0), and No. 6 in field goals made (793). She is a 1996 graduate of Louisiana Tech and was inducted into the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.

Johnson was a New York Liberty WNBA standout player for 13 seasons and became the first person in league history to collect 4,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists in a career. She was added to the Liberty’s Ring of Honor in 2011. Johnson won the WNBA’s Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award in 2008, her last pro season.

Johnson is now an assistant coach of the Atlanta Dream. She was previously the head coach of the Dallas Wings in the WNBA and former head coach of the San Antonio Stars. Johnson has also served as an assistant coach for the USA Women’s National Team.  

Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – On the road again.

If Red River’s early football season had a soundtrack, this ballad from Willie Nelson would fit.

The Bulldogs (1-1) pack up the bus again this week as they head to reigning Division IV Non-Select champion Oak Grove (1-1).

The Friday matchup starts a four-game road trip and fifth in the first six games.

The Bulldogs hit four different regions of the state in its travels – first to Northeast Louisiana (Oak Grove), then down south of Baton Rouge to the Mississippi River town of White Castle, then to Central Louisiana (Pineville) and finish in Northwest Louisiana (Mansfield).

The idea stemmed from Red River’s first-round playoff loss at No. 7 seed Pine in which the Bulldogs built a 16-point halftime lead only to fall 38-16 in a disastrous second half.

After playing larger schools in Northwest Louisiana in years past, Red River coach Byron Keller wanted his guys to become accustomed to longer road trips against teams more comparable in size.

“We’re still playing great competition, but this way, we’re also learning how to execute travel as well,” Keller said this offseason in reference to the road-heavy schedule. “I think it’s beneficial for our players to get out and see different parts of the state. We’ll get a true measure of where we are against schools more our size.”

Keller noted that his team didn’t match the physicality of season-opening opponent Catholic-Pointe Coupee, but that changed in this past week’s 26-13 home win against St. Mary’s.

Red River found production both on the ground (226 rushing yards) and in the air (114 passing yards) while forcing three St. Mary’s turnovers to generate momentum.

The Bulldogs, who’ve forced three turnovers in each of the first two games, would certainly love that trend to continue against an Oak Grove squad that’s scored a combined 98 points in its first two games.
The Tigers lost a shootout to Calvary Baptist, 62-41, before dealing a blow to Crossett (Ark.) in a 57-18 decision.

“Oak Grove moves the ball well week in and week out, making few mistakes in the process,” Keller said. “Forcing turnovers would be huge in momentum for us and give us the confidence to understand that we can play well against the best in the state.

“Our program needs that one statement win to set us up nicely for the future, and a win against Oak Grove would do just that.”

Oak Grove quarterback Jackson Bradley is the team’s leading rusher and passer with more than 600 total yards and nine total touchdowns.

Red River leans on the legs of Montreveun Smith and Warren Bowman, who have more than 200 rushing yards combined.

The Bulldogs will need a healthy passing attack to keep the Oak Grove defense off balance, and quarterback Malique Smith does have three touchdowns to three different receivers with no interceptions. Smith’s completions have led to big plays, but the 33 percent completion rate will likely need to improve to keep the chains moving against Oak Grove.

“We were able to find balance offensively last week, and we had two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns with seven players touching the ball overall,” Keller said. “It’s always great to win, and we are teaching our players to make every play your best and at 100 percent effort.

“That will be very important over the next month. We will have to travel into tough environments and have to play tough and disciplined to pull off these victories. The victory against St. Mary’s puts us closer to our goals.”