District 6 School Board member, Valerie Cox, has announced that she will resign her position on the School Board effective December 31, 2024.
The timing of the announcement requires the board to conduct a special election for the position. The election will be held March 29, 2025. Cox’s resignation leaves two years of the present term open for a new board member.
Pictured is the letter of resignation submitted to RRPJ by Cox.
Congratulations are in order to picker winner Taylor Lee for winning Week Eight 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 November 1, 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!
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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
Week 4: Taylor Lee
Week 5: Venessa Birdsong
Week 6: Venessa Birdsong
Week 7: Ben Ledbetter
Week 8: Taylor Lee
Early Voting in Louisiana ended Tuesday, October 29, at 6:00 p.m. The turnout reached a milestone for the new location. Hykeem Lewis, pictured above, early voted on Monday afternoon and was greeted as the 1,000th voter. By Monday afternoon, 1312 people had voted.
Debra Jones, Registrar of Voters, has been encouraged by the number of voters who have turned out to vote early and the efficiency of the new office.
The Primary Election will be on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. All voting locations will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Final statistics for early voting will be presented in Friday’s edition of RRPJ.
The Fun Run for Lydia, benefiting Cure Sanfilippo Foundation, is Saturday, November 23 from 10am-1pm at Northwestern State University. Register by Nov. 1 to guarantee a tshirt.
All ages are invited to walk, jog, or dance through showers of safe color powder. Participation helps fund research to find a treatment or cure for children with Sanfilippo Syndrome like Natchitoches-native Lydia Rachal and her family.
The Rachal family and their supporters have been relentlessly fundraising to advance critical research for a cure since Lydia was diagnosed earlier this year. All proceeds benefit the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation.
Sanfilippo Syndrome is a terminal, neurodegenerative disease that causes children to lose all the skills they’ve gained. These children suffer seizures and movement disorders, experience pain and suffering, and then die in their teens. Currently, there is no FDA-approved treatment or cure.
After the run, enjoy bounce houses, delicious gumbo, and music from the DJ. With lawn games and activities for the whole family, there’s something for everyone.
Registration includes entry in the color fun run, gumbo, and event t-shirt.
I went to a workshop recently. I filled out a survey at the end of the workshop to give feedback. The survey asked about my level of satisfaction with the workshop. Can one say they were really satisfied with a workshop that was six of the most boring hours I have ever spent in my life? How would one express satisfaction with a required workshop? What was my level of satisfaction? The material was helpful the presentation was painful. What was my level of satisfaction?
It dawned on me that perhaps my friend David was insightful. He wrote:
“We all tend to share in a big, bad personal problem. It’s one that doesn’t get much press or pulpit time. Yet this problem is a huge interrupter of our personal spiritual journey. If you have this problem, you won’t be concerned that you have this problem precisely because you have the problem. The problem is personal spiritual self-satisfaction.
We’re all too satisfied with who we are, where we are, and what we’re doing. We’re satisfied with a little bit of biblical literacy. We’re satisfied with occasional moments of ministry. We’re satisfied with manageable debt that allows us to put a few coins in the plate. We’re satisfied with a bit of a grasp on the theology of Scripture. We’re satisfied with faithful attendance at the weekend services of our churches. We’re satisfied with quick morning devotions. We’re satisfied with a little ministry experience. We’re satisfied that we don’t act out most of our lust and we don’t communicate most of our envy. We’re satisfied that in our disappointment with God, we don’t walk away. We’re satisfied that we can harness a good bit of our fear of man. We’re satisfied to use most of our material resources to make and keep ourselves comfortable. We’re satisfied to be mere consumers of the work of the church ran than committed participants in it. We’re satisfied with hearts that occasionally wander and with thoughts that contradict what the Bible says is good and true. We’re satisfied with the amount of conflict we have in our lives. We’re satisfied.
None of us is yet a grace graduate, but we are satisfied. We give evidence that we still need to grow but we’re satisfied. And because we are satisfied, we are resistant to the grace that is our only hope.
Here is what you and I need to remember: we serve a dissatisfied Redeemer. He knows we still need the transforming work of His powerful grace.”
What is YOUR level of satisfaction?
Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office
October 28, 2024
Red River Parish Sheriff Glen Edwards would like to congratulate the twenty-four participants who recently completed the Louisiana Hunter’s Education Course. Great job!
According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the goal of the course is to prevent hunting incidents as well as ensure the future of hunting by teaching hunters about their responsibilities and roles in conservation.
Following two days of classroom instruction, on October 27, 2024 the students put their new-found knowledge into practice by finishing with a field day. All activities were held at the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office (RRPSO) Firing Range near Coushatta.
Leading the course was RRPSO deputy and hunter’s education instructor Marshall Guin. He was assisted by RRPSO Captain James Moseley and civilian volunteer Lee Guin.
Sheriff Edwards and the RRPSO wish everyone a safe, enjoyable, and successful hunting season!
Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office
October 29, 2024
As Halloween quickly approaches, Sheriff Edwards would like to offer several trick-or-treating tips to help keep your family safe while you are enjoying the fun and festivities.
~ Always trick-or-treat with an adult
~ Wear bright colors and stay in well-lit areas
~ Dispose of any unwrapped candy
~ Look both ways before crossing the street
~ Always take your time and be safe
~ Put electronic devices away and walk, don’t run
~ Only visit homes that have porch lights on
~ Don’t eat candy until an adult has inspected it
~ Don’t enter the house or car of a stranger
~ Don’t wear costumes that restrict your vision
~ Don’t go anywhere that you do not feel safe
~ Drivers, slow down and be alert for children in the area
~ Be cautious around animals
Have a Fun & Safe Halloween!
I early voted this past Thursday in Shreveport. It went smoothly as I was ushered in, through and out.
I thought about how such a simple but powerful act is a mere reflection of so much more. The right to vote—to determine the laws we live under and the kind of country we live in—has been afforded to us, guaranteed to us throughout America’s history only by the great sacrifice, that “last full measure of devotion”—of more than 1.1 million Americans who were killed in combat throughout our history, and millions more who were grievously wounded, defending the freedoms we often take for granted.
I thought of Thomas Jefferson’s brilliant Declaration of Independence and the timeless moral truths it laid down in a governing blueprint for the ages.
I thought of the resolve and bravery of General George Washington who overcame numerous seemingly insurmountable obstacles and, by the force of his personality and regal bearing, held together a rag tag army many of whom had neither shoes in that freezing weather nor a weapon, to defeat the British army and secure America’s independence.
I thought of the Founding Fathers as they sat in the miserable heat of that Philadelphia convention hall from May to September 1787 with no cooling breeze of any kind because they had to keep the doors and windows closed and curtains drawn so as not to have it discovered that they were writing a constitution rather than doing what they were supposed to be doing—revising the Articles of Confederation.
It is inexplicable except by the hand of God how those men from such diverse backgrounds, often with no prior relationship with each other, came together, built trust and by the hardest framed a document that, along with the nation it gave rise to, is the envy of the world.
I think again of George Washington who, always lamenting his “want of qualifications,” reluctantly served as president of the convention and said almost nothing over the 4 months of the Convention. Yet, his mere presence in the room—sitting silently on the raised dais—conveyed a moral authority and dignity to the gathering that did nothing less than hold the often volatile and heated proceedings together.
I think of the venerable Benjamin Franklin also, who, after weeks of sitting quietly in the convention hall, realized that the delegates were making only “small progress” and uttered the remarks for which he is probably best known as he implored the men to begin praying each morning before they began their deliberations:
Franklin rose, unsteady on his feet in his late eighties and with a weak voice; he would have immediately received the full attention of the delegates. We can almost hear in Franklin’s voice his age, fatigue, and wisdom. “I have lived, 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, it is likely an empire can rise without His aid?” The delegates began praying after that and they begin to make progress.
I also think of Benjamin Franklin’s great quote at the conclusion of the Convention when he was asked by a woman in the street “Dr. Franklin, what have you wrought?” and he replied famously “a Republic, madam, if you can keep it.”
To say we must cherish our right to vote is not enough. We must cling to it as a rare treasure because the right to vote and the necessity to have all legal votes count equally with that of every other voter is not only one of our fundamental constitutional rights but is also the right that is preservative of all our other rights.
The Framers handed down to us a sacred gift. The very least we can do in honor of their memory and sacrifice is to guarantee—by virtue of our vote—that we preserve that gift for ourselves and the Americans who will follow us, who will hopefully also ‘pledge their lives, their fortune and their sacred honor,’ to ensure that America continues to defend and protect the essential values imbedded in our Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Doing so will guarantee that America maintains a “Government by the Consent of Governed”, and that a “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” does not perish from the earth.
Royal Alexander
Nothing says Halloween is just around the corner than a bowl full of candy corn. Celebrate this multicolored candy that resembles a corn kernel today, October 30, Candy Corn Day.
Made of sugar, corn syrup, and coloring, candy corn was invented in the 1880s by George Renninger of Wunderle Candy Company in Pennsylvania, United States. The candy was then mass produced under the name Chicken Feed by the Goelitz Confectionery Company during the early 1900s. The candy was sold in boxes that had a picture of a rooster on it and marketed under the tagline “Something worth crowing for” and was only available between March and November.
While the white, orange and yellow version of the candy is popular around Halloween, the triangular candy can be found in different colors, around other seasonal holidays. Some of these include: pastel colored bunny corn sold around Easter; red, white and pink candy called cupid corn available during Valentine’s Day; and the red, white and green reindeer corn that is sold around Christmas.
How to Celebrate:
Get a bag of candy corn and share them with family, friends, and co-workers.
Make a recipe using candy corn
Good chicken salad is like pornography. We can’t really define it, but we know it when we see it.
And taste it.
We live among a people bent on throwing wrenches into what should be the simplest things. Pee wee ball. Music awards shows. The high school prom.
And chicken salad.
Instead of just playing, singing, dancing, or eating, we end up injecting everything with steroids, putting it under strobe lights, and driving people crazy.
These are the people our parents warned us about, the kind of complicated folk who mess up one-car funerals. And it’s not because they’re stupid. It’s because they want to add seven more cars, two taxis and a tow truck — just because. Too much time on their hands.
Big problem.
Nowhere is the disease more rampant than in your foodstuffs. I offer, for your consideration and contemplation, chicken salad. So simple, yet so misunderstood. It falls into a troublesome category of food that can be either really good or really bad. Usually, it turns bad when people try to glorify it and lift it above its reason for being.
Think of a jacked-up VW with chrome and mud flaps. Some things just aren’t meant to be.
My friend Ma Parker came back from lunch this week lit up like a Christmas tree. The reason was music to my ears.
“I just had,” she said, “some really, really good chicken salad.”
Sweet. It’s hard to come by in these modern times, so hard that, when you find it, you have to seek out a friend and comment, spread the love.
Chicken salad need not be complicated. I am no pro but when I think chicken salad, I think chicken, a little mayo and hint of mustard, some ground pepper, a smidge of lemon juice, and you’re ready to roll.
Remember when you were little and you got sick and had to go to the doctor, and your mom always tried to do a little extra something special for you to get you over the hump?
Mine bought me a chicken salad sandwich at a pharmacy that had a grill in the same town that had a doctor. Spoiled me for life. David’s Pharmacy in Mullins, S.C. They had a sandwich press deal and it would toast the bread with your “chick sal” stuff already inside and it came out crisp and heavenly.
The word I’m looking for is succulent. So succulent. It was almost worth getting sick just to get one.
On the panini sandwich deal, they were 40 years ahead.
Forty YEARS.
So I had David’s when I got sick, and every other day I had my momma’s understated chick sal in a clear Tupperware bowl in the icebox at the house. You just snatched a bit, put it on a piece of white bread, fresh and lush, folded it over and went back to your bicycle.
Sweet.
But today … cranberries and grapes and nuts in chicken salad? Apples?
Seriously? Would you put pork butt roast in your jello mold?
No doubt there are different strokes for different folks. To each his own and to and fro and all of that
but …
I’m on a campaign to get celery, whose popularity defies logic, out of tuna fish sandwiches and chicken salad and I know my work is cut out for me there, but grapes? Nuts? Really? I love trail mix.
But not in chicken salad.
Where we error is when we think “adding stuff” makes things better. Not always.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
Trick or Treat at the Red River Parish Library on Wednesday, October 30, 3-5pm. Put your costumes on and join in the Halloween fun including lots of candy and a Halloween scene for photos.
First Baptist Church Coushatta will host Trunk or Treat Wednesday, October 30 from 5-7pm. Events include a jumper, inflatable twister, food, and fellowship. Popcorn and hot dogs will be served.
‘SHOE’ ACE some love. Quota West Monroe is collecting gently worn or new shoes to raise money for Academy of Collaborative Education (ACE). The shoes will be sent to 3rd world countries where many people have no shoes. ACE will be paid by the pound of the shoes collected. 100% of money received will go to ACE. Any type shoe is welcome and needed. You can drop off your shoes at First Methodist Church Coushatta weekdays between 9-11am or at Red River Council on Aging weekdays between 8am-12pm. For more information contact Kelley Lee at 318.471.3391. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY.
Natchitoches Farmers Market, Saturday, November 2 from 8am-12pm. The theme is Holiday Cheer, bring on the holidays with face painting, crafts, guest booths, a demo by 4-H and music by Craig Caskey.
Country Trade Days, 4157 Hwy 84 Mansfield, will be held Saturday, Nov. 2.
Check out some of these great fairs and festivals this weekend in our area. Which one are you headed to?
State Fair of Louisiana – Shreveport
Pine Beetle Festival – Castor
ARToberfest – Ruston
Sabine Freestate Festival – Florien
Louisiana Pecan Festival – Colfax
Louisiana Book Festival – Baton Rouge
Louisiana Renaissance Festival – Hammond
NOLA Zydeco Festival – New Orleans
Katherine “Ali” Aline Gardner
November 23, 1989 – October 27, 2024
Graveside services will be held Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 10am at Thomas-Wren Cemetery
Clarice Ann Edwards Madden
January 28, 1931 – October 25, 2024
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 2pm at Rockett Funeral Home Chapel in Ringgold
Bobby G Myers
February 12, 1951 – October 26, 2024
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 2pm at Castor Community Center in Castor
Matt Vines
MANY – Forty-two straight points.
It’s the type of run that Many is accustomed to engineering, but on Friday, it was Red River that went on such a run in a 48-8 win on the road.
The two squads traded scores with Many converting a two-point conversion to take a rare lead this season (8-6), and the Tigers stopped Red River in the red zone to gain more momentum.
But Red River returned a punt 20 yards for a touchdown to snatch a 14-8 lead that sparked the large run.
A poor punt rolled free around the 20-yard line, one that Many didn’t touch down.
Jacob Kellogg keenly scooped up the ball and returned it for a touchdown.
Montreveun Smith, who scored the game’s first touchdown, bulled his way for the two-point conversion, and the Bulldogs never trailed again.
“It seemed that both teams were feeling each other out early,” said Red River coach Byron Keller. “The punt return was the spark of energy that we needed.
“Our kids finally saw and believed that we could beat Many.”
Red River forced a Many fumble inside the red zone after a long Tiger drive, and the Bulldogs marched 89 yards that ended in a Malique Smith 50-yard touchdown pass to Jomello McDonald to build a 20-8 edge.
The win is Red River’s (4-4, 3-0 District 3-2A) third straight and puts the Bulldogs in prime position to win an outright district title with a victory against Winnfield (4-4, 1-1) this coming week. It could have been a sort of defacto championship game, but Winnfield fell to Mansfield for its first district loss Friday.
Red River could win its first district title since 2005 after beating Many for the first time since 2007.
Many (0-8, 0-3), winners of the last 10 district titles, remain winless on the season with all losses coming by at least 20 points.
Back to Friday’s action, Red River stretched its 20-8 halftime lead when Malique Smith foud Geramiyah Williams for a 10-yard touchdown to start the third quarter.
The defense forced a turnover on downs near midfield, and Montreveun Smith scored his second touchdown of the night on an 8-yard run for a 34-8 lead.
A Cameron Jones interception return for a touchdown and a Warren Bowman rushing score capped the fourth-quarter scoring.
The Red River Fair livestock show held September 28, 2024, awarded many young showmen of this area with coveted honors.
Champions in Beef, Poultry, Sheep, Lambs, Goats, and swine will be featured at the Louisiana State Fair beginning October 28, 2024.
A listing of the major parish prizes are as follows:
Beef Showmanship
Intermediate Division: 12-14 years old 1st Place – Madelyn Chamberlin
Junior Division: 9-11 years old: 1st Place – Corbin Cummins
OVERALL Grand Champion Beef Showman: Madelyn Chamberlin
OVERALL Reserve Champion Beef Showman: Corbin Cummins
Commercial Heifer
1st place and Grand Champion Commercial Heifer: Corbin Cummins
Brahman Heifer
Spring yearling heifer Class, Calved March 1- April 30, 2023
1st place: Madelyn Chamberlin
Senior Yearling Heifer Class, calved September 1- December 31, 2022
1st Place: Corbin Cummins
Grand Champion Brahman Heifer: Madelyn Chamberlin
Reserve Champion Brahman Heifer: Corbin Cummins
Brahman Bull
1st place Grand Champion Brahman Bull: Madelyn Chamberlin
Peewee Beef Showmanship: Katie Cummins
Madelyn, Corbin, and Alaina will show at the State Fair. Brahman
showmanship, Thursday, Nov. 7 @ 6:00 p. m. Junior Brahman Show,
Friday, Nov. 8, @ 9:00 a.m. Open Brahman Show, Friday, Nov 8 @ 1:00 p. m.
Sheep Showmanship
1st place Sr. Division Sheep Showmanship – Katelynn Albright
1st place Intermediate Division Sheep Showmanship- Adelynn Dulaney
1st place Junior Division Sheep Showmanship – Colt Dulaney
Grand Champion Sheep Showman: Katelynn Albright
Reserve Champion Sheep Showman: Adelynn Dulaney
Katelynn, Adelynn, and Colt will show their lambs at State Fair next week
(Showmanship on Wednesday, Oct 30 th , Market (class) Thursday, Oct. 31
Market Lamb Classes
Class 1 – 1st place Colt Dulaney
Class 2 – 1st place Katelynn Albright
Class 3 – 1st place Adelynn Dulaney, 2nd place Katelynn Albright
Class 4 – 1st place Adelynn Dulaney, 2nd place Colt Dulaney
Grand Champion Market Lamb: Adalynn Dulaney
Reserve Champion Market Lamb: Adalynn Dulaney
Novice Division Sheep Showmanship:
1st place and Champion Novice Sheep Showman: Stetson Dulaney.
In the Peewee Sheep Showmanship class for younger participants who are learning to show for fun the children receive a ribbon and premium money. These participants were:
Case Dulaney, Axi Strahan. Alivia Strahan, D J Strahan. Gage Giddings, Charlee Ann McWhorten
Goat Showmanship
1st place Sr. Division Goat Showmanship – Katelynn Albright
1st place Intermediate Division Goat Showmanship- Adelynn Dulaney
1st place Junior Division Goat Showmanship – Colt Dulaney
Grand Champion Goat Showman: Adelynn Dulaney
Reserve Champion Goat Showman: Katelynn Albright
Katelynn, Adelynn, and Colt will show their lambs at the State Fair Showmanship on Tuesday, Oct 29, and Market (class) Wednesday, Oct. 30
Market Lamb Classes
Class 1 – 1st place – Katelynn Albright
Class 2 – 1st place – Katelynn Albright
Class 3 – 1st place – Adelynn Dulaney, 2nd place Colt Dulaney
Class 4 – 1st place – Adelynn Dulaney
Class 5 – 1st place – Colt Dulaney
Grand Champion Market Lamb: Adalynn Dulaney
Reserve Champion Market Lamb: Katelynn Albright
Class 1 – 1st place – Addelynn Dulaney, 2nd place – Colt Dulaney
Grand Champion Wether Dam: Adalynn Dulaney
Reserve Champion Wether Dam: Colt Dulaney
Commercial Doe Class- 1st place Katelynn Albright Grand Champion
Swine Showmanship
Swine Showmanship (Showmanship class determined by age of exhibitor
1st place Sr. Division Goat Showmanship.
Grand Champion Swine Showman – Katelynn Albright
Peewee Swine Showmanship: Axl, DJ, Alivia
Market Hog (Market class determined by animal weight)
Class 1 – 1st place: Katelynn Albright
Class 2 – 1 st place: Katelynn Albright
Grand Champion Market Hog: Katelynn Albright
Reserve Champion Market Hog: Katelynn Albright
Breeding Swine
Class 1 Hereford Gilt – 1 st place; Grand Champion Breeding Gilt: Katelynn Albright
Katelynn will show at the State Fair. Sunday, Nov. 3 beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Swine Showmanship, Prospect Swine, Breeding Swine, Commercial Gilts.
Adalynn Halbmaier, Alaina; Shirley Boyd will show their pigs at State Fair.
Poultry
Standard Varieties
American: Breed – Dominque
Class: 1st place Corbin Cummins, 2nd place Corbin Cummins, 3rd place Emmett Freeman
Champion English Hen: Corbin Cummins
Reserve Champion English Hen: Corbin Cummins
Bantam Varieties
Game Bantam Class: Breed – Old English
Class 1: 1st Place – Drake Moseley Class 3: 1st place – Drake Moseley
Class 2: 1st place – Emmett Freeman
2nd place –Drake Moseley
Champion Bantam Cock: Drake Moseley
Res. Champion Bantam Cock: Emmett Freeman
Champion Bantam Hen: Drake Moseley
Res. Champion Bantam Hen: Drake Moseley
Novice Poultry
Standard Varieties
Novice Champion Bantam Hen: Katie Cummins
Class 1: 1st place – Katie Cummins
POULTRY: BEST OF SHOW Drake Moseley
Poultry showing at State Fair: Hadley Brice and Lawrence Robinson
Rabbits
Lionhead
Class 1: 1st place Xander Loftin Class 3: 1st place, 2nd , 3rd place Xander Loftin
Class 2: 1st place Brantlee Desadier
4th place Brantlee Desadier
Champion Lionhead Buck: Xander Loftin
Champion Lionhead Doe: Xander Loftin
Res. Champion: Brantlee Desadier
Res. Champion Lionhead: Xander Loftin
Mini Rex Mini Rex
Class 1: 1 st place Xander Loftin Class 2: 1 st place Xander Loftin
Champion Mini Rex Buck: Xander Loftin Champion Mini Rex Doe: Xander Loftin
NOVICE Rabbits
Lionhead
Class 1: 1 st place Adeline Loftin Class 2: 1 st place & 2 nd place Adaline Loftin
Novice Champion Lionhead Buck: Adaline Loftin
Novice Champion Lionhead Doe: Adaline Loftin
Novice Res. Champion Lionhead Doe: Adaline Loftin
Class 3: 1st place Adaline Loftin
Mini Rex
Class 1: 1 st place Adaline Loftin Class 2: 1 st place Adaline Loftin
Novice Champion Mini Rex Doe: Adaline Loftin
Novice Champion Mini Rex Buck: Adaline Loftin
Rabbit: BEST OF SHOW: Adaline Loftin
Matt Vines
EAST POINT – There were a lot of reasons why Riverdale Academy wanted to win in impressive fashion Friday against Tensas Academy.
The Rebels pitched their first shutout of the season in a 50-0 dominating victory over visiting Tensas in the regular-season finale.
Riverdale (4-5, 2-1 District 3-1A) secured its second-place finish in the district, and because of River Oaks forfeiting all 10 of its wins this season, the Rebels will host a home playoff game in the first round this week.
Riverdale will welcome Union Christian Academy (3-6) on Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff in the first round of the MAIS Class 1A football playoffs.
But beyond just making (and hosting) a playoff game, the regular-season finale win gives the Rebels a lot of positive vibes about themselves.
Riverdale built a big early lead against Tensas Academy (2-9) and never let up.
“This was definitely our best defensive game of the year, and I think it showed our boys what they are capable of,” said Riverdale coach Nathan Edie. “It’s a big confidence booster for them I hope.
“To shut out a team, any team, is always difficult. I think the boys understand the effort it took to do it and what they must do going forward.”
The shutout, the second straight meeting against Tensas in which Riverdale hasn’t allowed a point, came against a Chiefs squad that dumped 48 points last week on Franklin Academy.
Tensas has shown the ability to score in bunches with at least 20 points scored in four games this season.
Riverdale didn’t have any trouble scoring points Friday as a healthy Rebels squad had its full complement of players.
Ashton Almond and Kaidyn Williams were effective in the running and passing game to spearhead an offense that reached the 50-point plateau for the second time this season.
Both left the Wilkinson County Christian game two weeks ago with injury, and Almond has missed large chunks of the season after suffering an injury early in the season-opener.
“We had a few miscues, but we were successful because we were aggressive up front and we getting our blocks,” Edie said. “Ashton and Kaidyn ran hard, and we were effective in the passing game – it was a just a great performance.”
Riverdale had a “scoring by committee” approach Friday, including senior lineman Logan Gryder getting in the end zone on Senior Night.
The captain and anchor of both lines was part of a four-member senior class that includes Williams, Brayden Pearah and Logan Martin.
“It always feels good to get a win, but there is something a little more special about sending your seniors out with a big ‘W’,” Edie said. “They deserved the recognition for their efforts over the years, and I’m glad they got it,
“But we aren’t done yet, and these boys still have more to prove.”
Other scorers included Almond, Williams, Ben Moseley and Tanner Carlisle. Carlisle returned an interception for a touchdown.
The annual Junior Livestock Sale is the climax of the year’s project activity of 4-H and FFA exhibitors. As a learning experience and business venture, these young men and women have selected, fed, and groomed their steers, lambs, broilers, goats, or hogs to take to the Louisiana State Fair to be judged, graded, and sold.
The Jr. Livestock Sale is their marketplace. During the auction, the exhibitors present their stock and receive a premium for their year of labor. By participating in this annual event, the exhibitors receive small-scale financial support for their hard work and dedication to their agricultural business.
Originally sponsored by the Shreveport Kiwanis Club, the first Junior Livestock Sale was held in 1936 and had only one steer. Owned by Charles A. Harrison of Bienville Parish, the steer was called the “Baby Beef Champion.” The steer, which weighed 590 pounds, was purchased by Texas Avenue Café for 29 cents per pound.
The Shreveport Chamber of Commerce took over sponsorship of the sale in 1952, and in 1972, Ark-La-Tex Agriculture Council (ALTAC) became the sponsor.
The 2024 ALTAC Jr. Livestock Sale will take place on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at the Louisiana State Fair Sale Arena. The Buyer’s Breakfast is from 9 -10am. The Exhibitor/Buyer ‘Meet & Greet’ follows from 10-11am. Sale Activities start at 11:30am.
All Champions, Grand & Reserve, and Louisiana Bred Grand & Reserve, will sell first.
2024 Sale Order
Wood & Metal Ag Mechanics Champions & Reserve Champions
Overall Grand & Reserve Champion Steers
La. Bred Grand & Reserve Champion Steers
Overall Grand & Reserve Champion Sheep
La. Bred Grand & Reserve Champion Sheep
Overall Grand & Reserve Champion Goats
La. Bred Grand & Reserve Champion Goats
Overall Grand & Reserve Champion Poultry
Overall Grand & Reserve Champion Swine
La. Bred Grand & Reserve Champion Swine
Steers
Sheep
Goats
Poultry
Swine
BOSSIER CITY, LA –
On Friday, in his hometown of Benton, LA, Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife Kelly cast their votes for Republicans up and down the ballot and encouraged all Louisianians to make their plans to vote. Afterwards, Speaker Johnson held a press conference with local media and reflected on 365 days of serving as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
“It was exactly one year ago today, on October 25th, that we got the rather surreal and unexpected opportunity to lead the Congress. And it’s not a job, as we’ve explained before, that we ever expected or anticipated or threw our hat in initially. But it’s been our great honor to serve in that capacity as the 56th speaker of the House. I’m the first Speaker of the House we’ve ever had from the state of Louisiana, and it has been a real honor for us,” Speaker Johnson said. “It’s been humbling and a great opportunity, but it doesn’t it doesn’t overshadow the great honor that it is to be the representative of the people of the great state of Louisiana and the Fourth Congressional District. That has been the great honor of our lives, and we have been really thankful to do that.”
Johnson also spoke on serving the people of Louisiana’s 4th District saying that, “We’re one of the largest military districts in America, as most people know. We have Barksdale Air Force Base, we’re home to the Global Strike Command. We have Fort Johnson down in the Leesville area, southern part of the district, and the Joint Readiness Training Center, and of course Camp Minden as well. I wrote down a couple of the figures of the things we’ve been able to bring home. I joined the House Armed Services Committee back in 2021, and that was a key position before I became Speaker. But certainly, since becoming Speaker we’ve been able to secure a lot of the needs for the district: $3.5 billion in that time for the Air Force B-52 program, $2.6 billion for the Long Range Standoff Weapon program, and over $750 million in military construction projects for the Fourth District.
We also were able to get into this year’s NDAA. Some things we fought for: a 19.5% pay increase for junior enlisted service members, a 4.5% increase for all service members. We expanded the food and housing allowance, and we authorized more than $1 billion to improve barracks and living conditions on bases throughout the country. My staff has also been doing an extraordinary job because when you become Speaker of the House, you become a steward for the whole country. But our first priority has always been to take care of our people here. And my staff has really stepped up. We’ve had resource fairs for veterans throughout the district. We’ve had roundtables with local farmers and healthcare workers and elected officials and pastors and clergy around the district, grant seminars for local law enforcement and other interested parties and FEMA disaster preparedness briefings.
Contact: Greg Steele
(SHREVEPORT, Louisiana) – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and CHRISTUS Health is promoting the importance of support groups, which play a key role in both physical and mental recovery after a cancer diagnosis.
“The physical, mental, and even spiritual healing cannot be separated. They are all part of the journey,” said Brittany Whittington, a licensed social worker with CHRISTUS Shreveport- Bossier Health System.
Support groups give patients the opportunity to talk about their journey, help deal with practical problems like work or school, help the patient feel less alone and can help with ideas on dealing with side effects of treatment.
“It is very difficult to go through a cancer diagnosis and treatment without some advanced level of support,” Whittington said. “There are resources available for patients, both inside and outside the hospital, that can really make a difference.”
A supporter can accompany patients to appointments and meetings to help digest and reinforce
information.
Lorraine Krajewski knows firsthand the benefits of breast cancer support groups. The retired university professor has been diagnosed with breast cancer twice.
She attends the support group at CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System. Although she was skeptical at first, Krajewski said she eventually realized the importance of not just receiving support, but also providing support to others in the group.
“It’s called a support group, and it doesn’t just mean we get support from others, but we give it to other women,” she said. “If you’re not sure if it’s for you, do give it a try, and if you feel comfortable, that’s great. But you don’t know if you’ll feel comfortable with it until you do it.”
CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System offers support groups for both adults and children.
Whittington said young children may not fully comprehend what is happening to their loved one or to themselves, and support systems for them can be incredibly helpful.
“We don’t often think about the mental toll that this can take on children,” Whittington said. “So, you really want to be aware and look for changes in their attitude, in their schoolwork, their activities or friendships.”
Before joining a support group, you may want to ask yourself if you’re comfortable talking about
personal issues with others. You can also think about what you hope to gain by joining one.
“The key is to find what you are comfortable with,” Whittington said. “Every support group is different, but every one of them serves a purpose.”
The CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier “Kids Connection Support Group” meets the first and third Tuesday of every month from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the CHRISTUS Healthplex in Shreveport.
Adult breast support groups meet on the second Thursday of every month at CHRISTUS Bossier Outpatient Therapy building in Bossier City, and every fourth Thursday at the CHRISTUS Breast Center in Shreveport. Both meetings begin at 5:30 p.m.
Interested patients or caregivers can call (318) 681-4613 for information about adult support groups or (318) 681-6231 for the children’s support group.
NATCHITOCHES – Six distinguished Northwestern State University alumni were inducted into the university’s alumni hall of distinction, the Long Purple Line, and several others recognized for service to the university during a lunch and induction program Oct. 25.
Long Purple Line inductees were the late Jack Brittain Jr., Henry Burns of Haughton and Dr. Steve Horton, Doug Ireland, Dr. Chris Maggio and Robert “Skeeter” Salim, all of Natchitoches.
Induction into the Long Purple Line is the highest honor the university bestows on alumni.
The Northwestern State Alumni Association also presented additional awards to recognize distinguished service, volunteerism and outstanding support for the university. Award winners are as follows.
Leighann Westfall received the Outstanding Young Alumnus/Alumna Distinguished Service Award. This award is presented to an individual who graduated within the past 10 years and has shown continued interest in serving the university as a volunteer, donor and /or advocate.
Carrie Beth Hough received the Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna Distinguished Service Award. This award is presented to an individual with a record of distinguished service to the university’s programs and mission.
Patricia Hrapmann and Virginia Monceret were named NSU Alumni Association Volunteers of the Year, which honors those with an exemplary record of volunteering their time, talents and service to the NSU Alumni Association.
Sid and Frank Hall received the Distinguished Supporter Service Award, which recognizes individuals who did not graduate from NSU but who have supported the university through academics, athletics, involvement or advocacy.
The Long Purple Line induction program was held in conjunction with Northwestern State Homecoming festivities and the celebration of the 140th anniversary of the university’s founding in 1884.
Earlier in the day, James T. Genovese was invested as Northwestern State’s 21st president. Friday’s festivities continued with the annual parade and pep rally in downtown Natchitoches.
The NSU Homecoming celebration will continue on Saturday, Oct. 26. A schedule of events is available at https://www.nsula.edu/join-the-nsu-homecoming-celebration-oct-25-26/.
Long Purple Line:
Six alumni were inducted into Northwestern State University’s Long Purple Line, the university’s alumni hall of distinction. From left are Doug Ireland, Henry Burns, Dr. Chris Maggio, Robert “Skeeter” Salim and Dr. Steve Horton (back row). The late Jack Brittain Jr. was represented by his sisters, Judge Lala Sylvester, Dr. Cissy Picou, Rebecca Morris, Eliza Behrendsen and Cookie Richardson.
Leighann Westfall:
Leighann Westfall received the Outstanding Young Alumna Distinguished Service Award, presented by NSU President James Genovese.
Carrie Beth Hough:
Carrie Beth Hough received the Outstanding Alumna Distinguished Service Award, presented by NSU President James Genovese.
Virginia Monceret:
Virginia Monceret, right, and Patricia Hrapmann were named NSU Alumni Association Volunteers of the Year, presented by NSU President James Genovese. Hrapmann was unable to attend the program.
Sid and Frank Hall:
Sid, center, and Frank Hall, right, received NSU Alumni Association Distinguished Supporter Service Award, presented by NSU President James Genovese.
Photos: Chris Reich/NSU Photo Services
Early voting for the Open Primary/Presidential/Congressional Election ends this Tuesday, October 29. The Registrar of Voters Office, 1906 Front Street in Coushatta will be open from 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Red River High School Baseball will hold their 2nd Annual Bulldog Baseball Halloween Costume Scrimmage October 29 at 5pm. Admission $5.
The Pine Beetle Festival will be held Nov 2 in Castor. Parade rolls at 10am. Opening Ceremonies slated for 11am. Festival activities will be held all throughout the day. Dirt Road Troubadours will play from 6-8pm.
Take a step back in time at the 44th Annual Sabine Freestate Festival to the year 1806 in Louisiana’s No Man’s Land. Filled with Outlaws, Settlers, and Renegades, you’ll be sure to find a shootout always about to happen. The festival will be held Nov. 1-3 in Florien.
The 118th running of the State Fair of Louisiana is Oct. 30 through Nov. 17 at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds in Shreveport. The fair is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, it will be open Tuesday, Nov. 5 (Election Day). Hours of operation are 11am – 10pm weekdays and 10am – 10pm weekends.
Red River High School will hold a Blood Drive Thursday, November 7 from 9am-2pm in the RRHS Gym. Donors will receive a Blood Donors Sleigh sweatshirt.
Social Springs Baptist Church is looking for donation for their Silent Auction being held on November 9. The auction will benefit their Children’s Ministry by raising money to support programs like Team Kid and VBS. The church will acknowledge donors during the event and will give receipt for your charitable donation. Contact Natalie Hinds if you would like to donate.
Woman Church will be held November 12 at 6pm at Grand Bayou Resort Event Center. D’McCoy, from Living Word Minden, will be the guest speaker. Worship leader is Becky Kniffin. Thanksgiving dinner will be provided. Bring your Bible and a friend.
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Local high school football scores:
Red River 48, Many 8
Riverdale 50, Tensas 0
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