March 29, 2025, is election day for Red River Parish. Several elected offices are on the ballot.
First is the District 6 seat for the Red River Parish School Board. Valerie Cox vacated this seat on December 31 and will be filled by a special election.
The village of Hall Summit has three offices available. On the ballot are Mayor, Chief of Police, and Alderman.
The qualifying period for candidates closes today at 4:30 for all of these offices.
A list of all qualified candidates will be published in the RRPJ Monday morning.
Other election information includes:
The deadline to register to vote in person, by mail, or at the OMV Office is February 26.
The deadline to register to vote through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is March 8.
Early voting is from March 15-22 (excluding Sunday, March 16) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is March 25 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters). You can request an absentee ballot online through our Voter Portal or in writing through your Registrar of Voters Office.
The deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted absentee ballot (other than military and overseas voters) is March 28 by 4:30 p.m.
On election day, the polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
It’s been a minute since the Riverdale girls or the Red River boys basketball teams have tasted defeat.
The Lady Rebels (26-5) racked up 19 straight wins dating back to a Dec. 10 loss to Riverfield Academy (40-22 defeat).
Dec. 10 is also the last time the Bulldogs (18-3) lost, coming in 63-52 fashion to Captain Shreve.
The Bulldogs will get a rematch with Captain Shreve tonight, this time in Coushatta.
In Riverdale’s winning streak, only two games have been decided by 10 points or less.
The Lady Rebels will face the team that played them closest in the winning streak, heading to Claiborne Academy, a team they edged 41-38 on Jan. 13.
Red River has blasted their way to a 4-0 district record in 3-2A, which includes wins against Many, Mansfield, Winnfield and Lakeside. Winnfield did present a challenge in a 70-63 Red River win on Jan. 24.
The Bulldogs are also cruising at the top of the Division III Non-Select power rankings as the Bulldogs have more than 1.5-point lead over No. 2 Madison.
Riverdale has rolled through the rest of its district schedule, winning every other contest by at least 35 points.
The Lady Rebels have also graced the top spot of the MAIS Class 2A coaches poll this season and will be a serious contender for a state title once the playoffs start this coming week.
Riverdale boys Tonight’s trip to Claiborne Academy also represents the regular season finale for the Riverdale boys.
The Rebels (10-19) are trying to log a district win to help their playoff chances, but they’ll need to reverse a trend in which Claiborne won the earlier meeting, 67-39.
Red River girls Red River sits in a three-way tie for first place in District 3-2A after the first wave of games are complete.
The Lady Bulldogs knocked off Many to open district play but fell to Mansfield before breezing through Winnfield and Lakeside.
Red River (10-12) has won four of its last five contests after snapping a seven-game losing streak.
Many felled Mansfield this week to create the three-way tie.
The Lady Bulldogs step out of district play to face Class 5A Captain Shreve, which won the first meeting, 78-39.
Red River continues to teeter on the line to host a first-round playoff game, sitting at No. 16 in Division III Non-Select.
In 1873, Julius Wettstein, a German cheese maker, opened a cheese factory in Monroe, New York. He named it Monroe Cheese Company. The company was so successful that Wettstein sold the company five years later for $16,000. Adjusted for inflation, that would be just over half a million dollars in today’s money. The cheese company was bought and sold twice, each time making a profit, until Adolphe Tode and a partner bought it in 1884 for $25,000. In 1888, they hired 21-year-old Swiss immigrant Emil Frey to work in the factory.
In 1889, Adolphe challenged his cheese makers to produce a popular cheese called Bismarck. Bismarck cheese imported from Europe spoiled before it reached American grocers. After two years of failed attempts on his own time, Emil developed a new spreadable cheese that was so popular that the company discontinued their efforts to create Bismarck cheese. They named Emil’s creation Liederkranz after a famous New York Singing Society. Liederkranze cheese became popular across America, but Adolphe had made enough bad business decisions that he lost everything.
In 1891, New York wholesale grocer Jacob Weisl bought the Monroe Cheese Company from the Goshen Savings Bank. Under Jacob’s leadership, the Monroe Cheese Company grew and expanded. They opened a second factory in Covington, Pennsylvania where they focused mainly on producing Swiss cheese. Sales of Swiss cheese were spectacular, but there were some issues with producing and distributing wheels of hard Swiss cheese. It often came out misshapen or was broken during the manufacturing or distribution processes. Jacob deemed the misshapen or broken cheese unsalable, but what could they do with all the “waste cheese?”
In 1916, Jacob challenged his employees to find a way to turn the “waste cheese” into a profitable product. Luckily, Emil Frey was still working for Monroe Cheese Company. In his spare time in his home kitchen, Emil mixed and measured various ingredients. After two years of trial and error, he came up with a concoction which used only three ingredients; the waste cheese, whey, which was the leftover liquid from milk curds, and an emulsifier used to blend and stabilize the product. Emil patented the process, named his new cheese, and shared his discovery with his boss. The new cheese could easily hold its shape, required no refrigeration, had a long shelf life, and turned into a silky sauce when melted.
The Monroe Cheese Company quickly put the “waste cheese” into production. Like Emil’s Liederkranze cheese, his new creation became popular in homes, hotels, and restaurants. It was so popular that on Valentine’s Day 1923, Jacob created and incorporated a new independent company to produce this one product. In 1927, Kraft Foods bought the “waste cheese” company.
Researchers at Kraft quickly began tinkering with Emil’s formula and process. Remember that Emil patented the process for making his “waste cheese.” Rather than three ingredients, the new formula had a paragraph’s worth of chemical ingredients. Kraft advertised the “waste cheese” as a health food and diet aid, though it was neither. With clever marketing campaigns, Kraft’s version of Emil’s “waste cheese” remains one of the most popular cheese products in the world. Kraft’s version still tastes and melts pretty much the same as the Emil’s “waste cheese,” and still uses the name Emil gave it because of its velvety smoothness when melted. You know Emil’s “waste cheese” as Velveeta. What you may not know is that Kraft’s version of Velveeta cheese does not contain any cheese.
Louisiana 4th graders lead the nation in reading growth again, now ranked 16th in the country
Louisiana students have achieved some of the most significant academic progress in the nation, according to data released today as part of The Nation’s Report Card. Widely regarded as the gold standard of assessments, these latest results measure math and reading proficiency among 4th and 8th grade students in the U.S. Louisiana’s students earned the state’s highest national rankings across both grade levels and subjects.
Governor Jeff Landry joined Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley for a press conference announcing the results today at Magnolia Woods Elementary in Baton Rouge.
“This is a historic achievement for our state and underscores the dedication of teachers and a laser focus on fundamental academic skills,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “While we are obviously pleased, we are not completely satisfied as there is more work to accomplish.”
Unprecedented National Rankings
The Nation’s Report Card measures 4th grade math, 4th grade reading, 8th grade math, and 8th grade reading. Louisiana saw its national rankings continue to rise in each subject and grade level.
4th Grade Math
2024: 38th
2022: 44th
2019: 50th
4th Grade Reading
2024: 16th
2022: 42nd
2019: 50th
8th Grade Math
2024: 43rd
2022: 45th
2019: 49th
8th Grade Reading
2024: 29th
2022: 39th
2019: 45th
Louisiana Among National Leaders
Louisiana 4th graders led the nation in reading growth for the second consecutive cycle of The Nation’s Report Card. (2022 and 2024)
Louisiana 4th graders were top five in the nation for math growth.
Louisiana is one of only two states where 4th graders exceeded 2019 scores in reading and math.
Louisiana is one of 14 states to post gains in 8th grade math.
Louisiana students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students outperformed the national average in both achievement and growth.
“These results demonstrate the power of a strong academic foundation and a relentless focus on academic excellence,” said Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Vice President Stacey Melerine. “I’m especially encouraged to see students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students outpacing their national peers for growth and achievement.”
Back to the Basics and a Commitment to Collaboration
Louisiana’s academic progress reflects the state’s emphasis on foundational skills and its investment in educators.
Literacy instruction aligned to the Science of Reading: Louisiana implemented a comprehensive literacy plan rooted in phonics, transforming how reading is taught statewide and equipping educators with the training to help students thrive.
Foundational math instruction: The state’s math plan emphasized mastery of basic math skills, providing students with the time and tools necessary for long-term success in advanced math.
Special education guidance: Louisiana’s Special Education Playbook for System Leaders received national recognition and offered educators practical tools to create high-quality learning environments for students with disabilities.
Empowering educators: Louisiana has invested in professional learning to equip teachers and leaders with the skills to effectively leverage high-quality instructional materials while reducing bureaucracy, excessive trainings, and classroom disruptions.
“Our intentional focus on equipping teachers and leaders is one of the main factors that has translated into academic growth for Louisiana children,” said Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson. “By providing educators with meaningful professional learning, coaching, and collaboration opportunities, we have supported them in using high-quality instructional materials in service of students.”
Looking Ahead
Louisiana has implemented a number of programs and initiatives to build on recent progress. Thanks to a substantial investment by the state legislature, Louisiana has expanded its high-dosage tutoring program to reach more schools and students. A new K-3 literacy screener has been launched to help identify and address early reading challenges. Building on its literacy success, Louisiana is introducing a K-3 math screener and statewide teacher training on foundational math instruction.
Louisiana also adopted a revised accountability system that will raise the bar for academic success, enhance the value of career education, and make it easier for the public to understand how schools are performing. Set to go into effect next school year, it has been called the strongest accountability system in the country by national education experts.
About The Nation’s Report Card
The Nation’s Report Card, also known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, is the only nationally representative assessment of student achievement over time for the nation, states, and selected large urban districts. A representative sample of students across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense (DoDea) schools take the assessment.
The math and reading assessments in 4th and 8th grades had been conducted every two years since 2003 until it was suspended due to the pandemic. The 2022 assessment was the first administered since the pandemic.
Northwestern State University’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics invites all ninth-12th grade students to NSU for STEM Day where they can explore degree paths and careers in engineering, mathematics, wildlife and environmental sciences, veterinary science, chemistry, physics, drone technology, biomedical/microbiology and more.
STEM Day will be from 8 a.m.-noon Friday, Feb. 7.
High schoolers will be able to talk with faculty about becoming a medical doctor, veterinarian, pharmacist, dentist, data analyst, scientist, factory manager and other professions and take part in hands-on experiments. They will experience a day in the life of a STEM major and learn about student events and organizations, scholarships, research facilities and other opportunities.
Science and math teachers are welcome to bring groups of students. Group registration is available by contacting Dr. Anna Dugas, STEM School facilitator, at dugasa@nsula.edu.
Professor of Chemistry Dr. Chad Thibodeaux, right, discussed how drug tests are performed with Fairview High School students Kadie Mahaffey, Hadlee McCallon and Andee Stanley during Fall STEM Day at NSU last September. High school students from around the state rotated through workshops to learn about fields of study and career paths in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
When it comes to bass tournament anglers and sponsors, the winds are changing, and the opportunities are diminishing. Today we’ll take a look at what many young anglers are facing with regards to landing sponsors while trying to compete on one of the professional bass tournament trails. If you’re looking to fish for a living, pay close attention to what I’m about to tell you.
First, let’s address why sponsors are necessary; without them the decision to fish professionally can be next to impossible unless you have parents or grandparents willing to foot the bill. To fish at the highest level requires lots of money up front even before you ever wet a hook. Without great sponsors, it’s almost impossible to make the dream of becoming a professional bass fisherman a reality.
In today’s professional bass fishing world, there are only so many sponsors available as anglers are constantly competing for what few there are. Not all sponsors are created equal, as some are willing to pay the angler a salary, while others just give product such as a bass boat, fishing tackle, or possibly a truck in exchange for the angler’s promotion of these items.
But before an angler needs to worry about sponsors, he or she needs to learn how to find fish. The one mistake I see with many young anglers on the rise is that they are too worried about how to obtain sponsors rather than learning how to find and catch fish.
Kids today are star struck by the fancy sublimation shirts that really do turn heads. But it goes without saying that unless you can catch fish, you won’t have to worry about landing sponsors. Tournament success is still important!
Another thing young anglers don’t understand in today’s professional bass fishing world, it’s not just about catching bass, it’s also about an angler’s ability to promote a product. Most sponsors could care less if you can catch bass. They’re more concerned with your ability to communicate and sell product for them.
They want an angler who will represent their brand in a professional manner by attending boat shows, fishing seminars and doing a great job with social media promotions. My first advice to any angler looking to fish professionally is to take speech and learn how to sell yourself and communicate with people.
Here’s the truth…once you sign with sponsors, you’re now obligated to them and must respond to their beckoning call. They’re not paying you to fish, but rather to represent their brand and promote product.
Here’s where the love hate relationship comes into play. Every angler will tell you that when it comes to sponsors, it is a double edge sword. With success comes more responsibility and commitment to the sponsors you’re connected with.
This means more time off the water and less time practicing, which can interfere with your ability to compete at the highest level due to the fact that your sponsors are pulling you away from what you really want to do the most….go bass fishing!
But sponsors are a necessity for a fulltime professional angler, and they hold all the cards in an angler’s ability to make a living. Every angler will tell you there’s no way an angler can make a living just off tournament winnings. Anglers must draw a salary and get help with expensive tournament entry fees in order to make a living for their families.
So, the next time you see a professional bass fisherman wearing one of those great looking sublimation shirts with all the different company logos, understand that each logo comes with a high level of commitment and dedication, not just to the companies he represents, but his family as well.
Till next time, good luck, good fishing and always believe that the fish are going bite tomorrow. The power of positive thinking is the most important ingredient an angler can have in order to achieve success.
Red River SWCD is having its 3rd annual Tree Sale. Trees will be available for purchase from February 19- 21, 2025.
Buyers can choose from assorted hardwoods and fruit trees on sale at the Coushatta office, located at 1311 Ringgold Ave. They will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Do not miss your chance to purchase.
Tree Sale February 19-21, 2025 Red River SWCD 1311 Ringold Avenue, Coushatta, LA 8 AM to 3 PM
The streets of downtown Many will come alive under the lights as Many Gras 2025 shifts to an exciting nighttime parade. The festivities kick off Saturday, Feb. 1 with the parade rolling at 6pm. After the parade, the celebration continues in the square with a street dance featuring DJ Doug and a variety of offerings from food trucks. Locals and visitors alike are invited to join the fun for an unforgettable “Louisiana Saturday Night” filled with music, dancing, and great food. Don’t miss this exciting new tradition in Many!
Pianist Boris Cepeda will present a recital at Northwestern State University on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. The concert is part of the Louisiana Piano Series International. Tickets are $15. A livestream will be available at capa.nsula.edu/livestream. NSU Assistant Professor of Piano Dr. John Price and Associate Professor of Piano Dr. Francis Yang are co-directors of the of the Louisiana Piano Series International.
A Hope for Lydia fundraiser will be held Saturday, Feb 8 at the Ashland Fire Department located at 719 Highway 153 in Ashland starting at 11am. Lydia is the 2 year old daughter of Kirk and Morgan Weaver Rachal who has been diagnosed with Sanfilippo, a disease known as Alzheimer’s in children. Bar-B-Que sandwich plates will be for sale for $10 each. Preorders are welcome and deliveries can be made locally. Willing to travel further if 10 or more plates are ordered for one location. A Charbroil electric smoker donated by Fire District 2 in Goldonna will be raffled off as well. (Winner does not need to be present to win) Tickets are $1 each. Please contact an Ashland Fire Department member if you would like to purchase tickets. There will be auction items to bid on that day as well. Please follow Ashland Fire District 8’s Facebook page for updates. All proceeds will go to Hope for Lydia. Donate to Hope for Lydia can also be made at the GoFundMe link is: https://www.gofundme.com/f/savelydia
A TEAS Test Boop Camp will be offered through Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic Learning and Global Education on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the second-floor classroom of South Hall on NSU’s Natchitoches campus. Registration is $40 if completed by Feb. 1 and $50 after that date. The boot camp provides study tips for test success and a review of the TEAS sections on reading, math, science and English. The recommended text for the course is Mometrix Test Preparation (2016). ATI TEAS Secrets Study Guide, ISBN: 978-1-5167-0383-8. For more information or to register for classes, go to checkout.nsula.edu
Meriwether Wealth and Planning has announced their support of local students by offering four (4) $1,000 scholarships to eligible graduating high school seniors. Applications are available at https://www.meriwether.com/resources and must be received by Monday, March 31, 2025 at 5pm. Meriwether Wealth & Planning, LLC is a registered investment adviser with offices in Minden and Ruston. They provide services such as investment management, retirement planning, business valuation, and advisory services for employer plans.
First Baptist Church Coushatta is hosting Basketball JAM Camp, a month long camp that consists of weekly age-group practices honing in on learning the skills and drills of basketball, devotional times at the end of each practice and Family day on the last Saturday with scrimmages to show off what the children have learned. The fun will take place throughout the month of March. Coach Mike McConathy will be helping us with the skills and drills. Registration is now open for children in grades PreK4-6.
Bobby Lee Kightlinger August 15, 1936 – January 28, 2025 Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 12:30pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel in Coushatta.
Tony Caldwell January 3, 1964 – January 27, 2025 Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 1pm at New Light Missionary Baptist Church in Hall Summit.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that a section of LA 507 south of the Village of Womack in Red River Parish is closed due to a pipe failure that has impacted the integrity of the roadway.
The closure is in place on LA 507 from LA 514 to LA 786, with the location of the pipe just north of the intersection with LA 786 (see included map).
Local traffic should access LA 507 on the northern end using US 371 to LA 514 to LA 507.
This closure will remain in place until further notice as DOTD prepares to gather the necessary materials to repair the roadway. We will issue an update when the road has been reopened.
Restrictions/Permits: Total road closure at the specified location. All vehicles will need to utilized an alternate route.
Alternate Route: Local traffic should access LA 507 on the northern end using US 371 to LA 514 to LA 507.
This work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.
Safety reminder:
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment. Remember to leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking near an active construction zone.
Additional information:
Call 511, visit www.511la.org, or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app for additional travel information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MyDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and X (Twitter) pages.
GOD’S PLAN > HIS PLAN: Dr. Steven Bell thought he would be practicing medicine — not preaching the gospel.
Each week, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s Tony Taglavore takes to lunch a local person – someone who is well-known, successful, and/or influential, and asks, “What’s Your Story?”
By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services
Easter 2018.
Life was good.
Real good.
The Texas church of which he was pastor had just completed an extraordinarily successful capital campaign.
The college campus ministry of which his wife led was “exploding.”
“We were at the mountaintop.”
And ripe for what he calls “spiritual warfare.”
“When you’re going through good things, that’s when you’re going to get hit really hard . . . . That’s when you get tested. That’s when you get punched in the gut – sucker punched.”
But the pastor certainly didn’t expect to get knocked down at Easter brunch. The festive occasion turned into a two-month “nightmare.”
“Everybody at our table who ate raw oysters got salmonella.”
Including the pastor and one of his two daughters. He eventually got well. She struggled. For weeks, the 14-year-old had excruciating abdominal pain. Doctors could not find the cause. Except for one physician, an interventional radiologist.
“He’s the guy that saved our daughter’s life.”
But not before the young girl endured four surgeries, spent a month in the hospital, and another month receiving daily antibiotic injections. Wasn’t that enough to make her parents – even though they were both ordained ministers – doubt their maker?
“I wouldn’t say it caused me to question my faith. I think I can speak the same for my wife. Now, if my daughter had died, I might have a whole different answer to that question.”
Thankfully, she didn’t die. But physically, she’s not the same. Once a swimmer, the now-college sophomore has reduced air capacity.
Her father isn’t the same, either.
“You don’t walk away from that not being changed. I would never want to go through that again. I would never wish that on anybody.”
Dr. Steven Bell, Senior Pastor of First Methodist Church in Shreveport, told me that story, and his story, during lunch at one of his favorite places, Monjunis Italian Café & Grocery. The 49-year-old had the lunch special of lasagna and a side Caesar salad. I had the lunch special of spaghetti, one meatball, and a side house salad. To drink, we both had water with lemon.
“I really didn’t know how (his daughter’s illness) was going to end. I trusted God was walking with us through the whole process.”
Steven’s 26-year ministry career – he is serving his ninth church – almost didn’t happen. Oh, he would still be a doctor. But instead of preaching the gospel, he would be ordering bloodwork.
“My dream was to go to college, go to medical school, and go into private practice with my dad.”
Steven’s father was a “celebrity” in Coushatta, where Steven grew up.
“People would come to our house after hours. They would show up and know Dr. Bell was going to see them. He was the kind of doctor that, even after it was out of fashion, he was still making house calls. He had his bag.”
But corporate America didn’t care about Steven’s dream. He was halfway through college when a large hospital system made Dr. Bell “an offer he couldn’t refuse.” Dr. Bell sold.
“My dream was gone.”
But ever since he was 17, Steven – who was always a believer – had been serious about his faith.
“I was in worship at First Baptist Church in Coushatta. We were singing. I realized this isn’t just something we’re doing. This is real. We’re singing to a God who hears us and has a plan for our life.”
Steven didn’t know that plan. After graduating Centenary College of Louisiana, he was torn between pursuing medicine and pursuing ministry. Steven solicited people’s thoughts. He heard reasonings for both professions. Then came a conversation with one of Steven’s professors, for whom Steven had great respect.
“He said, ‘Steven, I’m going to say this to you. You will make a fine doctor one day. I have no doubt about that. But given the gifts you have, I think the Lord needs you more so in pastoral ministry, and I just have to say that.’”
Thinking back, Steven says that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
So, Steven “pulled my little U-Haul trailer full of what few belongings I had” to seminary school at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. That’s where he met his now wife of 24 years (they dated 10 months), Meredith. Steven graduated in 2001, and five years later, became an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church.
But serving God in a traditional role wasn’t – and still isn’t – enough. Steven had long known the military – particularly the Army – needed chaplains. The first time he considered becoming one, his wife wasn’t on board.
“Her understanding was that I was going to sign on the dotted line, raise my right hand, be deployed, not come home, and leave her as a widow with a young child.”
But years later, after the scare of losing a child, Steven’s wife felt differently.
“With all we’ve gone through with Ann . . . . I’m not afraid of anything anymore. If you still feel called to this, you need to do this.”
He did.
Four years ago, Steven was commissioned as an Army Captain. Now with his second unit, Steven spends six days a quarter at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans.
“What do you do to give back? As I looked at my peers in the ministry, there just aren’t a lot of people that have the physical ability, the resilience, the desire, then ultimately the calling to serve military personnel. I did, and I still do.”
And not to be discounted is Steven’s patriotic gratitude.
“I love the country we are so privileged and fortunate to live in.”
Considering Steven leads a church with approximately 4,000 members (plus a television audience), oversees a staff of 100, and ministers to men and women in uniform, I knew his time was better spent somewhere other than at a restaurant with me. So, I asked my final question. As always, what is it about his life story he would pass along to others? Steven suggested the acronym F.I.G.H.T.:
F: Follow the Golden Rule. “There’s a bigger story in the bible, but it’s pretty condensed in that golden rule.”
I: Instill trust. “You can’t do much without trust.”
G: Give your best. “We’ve got one life to live, and really, life is short, so make the most of it.”
H: Hold yourself and others accountable. “When I mess up, maybe I will be perfect tomorrow.”
T: Take initiative. “What needs to be done, and what can I do about that?”
Lem C. Jones, Jr. passed away unexpectedly in the early morning hours of January 23, 2025 at his home in DeRidder, LA at the age of 72.
He was born in Kilgore, Texas to Lem C. Jones Sr, and Margaret Jones (Hill) and was the oldest of four boys. As a military family they traveled a lot, but home was always Louisiana where both sides of the family had roots. After high school he attended the ROTC program in Natchitoches, LA during college at Northwestern State University of Louisiana where he earned a BS in Mathematics, but the military was his passion.
His dedication and patriotism to his country was a cornerstone of how he lived his whole life. He served in the US Army Field Artillery program in Ft. Sill, OK for the early part of his career, and held many command positions. He did multiple tours of duty overseas, including one tour in Germany where his daughters were able to be with him. Even after retiring from the military, he worked as a civilian liaison with the Army at Ft. Polk, LA until his retirement. He was an avid bowler during his military life, and even took up golf for a brief time, but always came back to bowling. His weekends would be spent playing in bowling leagues throughout the majority of the 1980’s with his bowling buddies. He enjoyed many, many hours spent with family hunting deer and dove, from his youth all the way up to retirement. The other passion is his life was his daughters, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter. He loved being Papaw almost as much if not more than he loved being Daddy. He enjoyed his retired years watching football and game show network, but most importantly spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lt Col (USAF, ret) Lem C. Jones, Sr, his nephew Richey Jones, and his granddaughter Katherine Jones. He is survived by his mother, Margaret Jones, his daughters Christine Scott (Gary) and Margaret Wyman (Anthony), grandsons ETN1 Robbie McCabe USN (Sara) and Richie McCabe, his great-granddaughter Ramona McCabe, three brothers Ron Jones, Lt Gen (USAF, ret) Tom Jones (Debbie), and Maj Gen (USAF, ret) James Jones (Heidi), and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
Services will be held at First Methodist Church of Coushatta on Thursday January 30, 2025 at 1:00pm under the direction of Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home, Coushatta, LA. Military graveside service to follow at Clear Springs Cemetery in Martin, weather permitting.
Memorial donations can be made to VA Medical Center in his name, if desired.
Northwestern State University announced the names of 529 students named to the President’s List for the Fall 2024 semester. Students on the President’s List must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and have a grade point average of 4.0.
Coushatta – Madison Chamberlin, Adrian Davis, Aiden Jones, Sharelle Moore
Eight hundred ninety-two undergraduate students were named to the Dean’s List. Students on the Dean’s List must be enrolled full time and earn a grade point average of between 3.5 and 3.99.
Seven hundred seventeen students were named to the Honor List. Students on the Honor List must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and have a grade point average of between 3.0 and 3.49.
President Trump’s Inauguration Signals Re-Birth of U.S. Greatness
In the whirl of President Trump’s first few days back in office he is securing our borders, fully freeing the oil and gas industry to explode with growth and ridding our public institutions of the poisonous Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DIE) doctrine to name just a few. He has also done something that only a distracted First World nation like ours would need to have done—he has again declared that there are only two genders, male and female.
The “golden age of America begins now,” Trump said again last week. What does he mean by that and how does his hope for our country tie into our American Exceptionalism?
American Exceptionalism includes a strong economy, a strong national defense, secure borders, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and guaranteeing each of us the opportunity to fully utilize our lives and God-given abilities in an environment in which every American has the opportunity to excel. I believe it also includes being proud of our national character and our extraordinary history. However, American Exceptionalism can be reduced to the most granular level.
We recall instances after hurricanes Katrina and Rita in which the owner/driver of an 18-wheeler in Oregon said he had awakened one morning and felt powerfully moved to drive a truck load of bananas to Louisiana to help with the food problems. FEMA wouldn’t accept them; finally, a group of churches did. Same story for an enormous number of donated McDonald hamburgers and over one hundred Lea’s pies. These kinds of examples are too numerous to count.
What about the flooding of New Orleans? What about the hundreds of Louisiana sportsmen who drove to the outskirts of New Orleans planning to help rescue as many stranded people as they could but were told by government agencies to turn around and go back home. American exceptionalism? Who filled many of these great needs after those hurricanes and other natural disasters? Churches, families, and private businesses virtually all of whom donated their time and resources because they wanted to help their fellow Louisianans and Americans.
American exceptionalism? Internationally, how about the billions of dollars the United States has spent through American international health programs designed to fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, which have saved the lives of over sixty million human beings.
After WWII, America was the world’s lone superpower and could have become an imperial one and essentially governed the world. Not only did we not seek global dominance, we did the opposite. Through the Marshall Plan and tremendous American aid and resources we helped other countries rebuild. Why? because unless provoked or endangered, the American spirit has never sought to subjugate other countries.
How about the miracle of our U.S. Constitution which gives rise to our Rule of Law; how about our shared belief that we are endowed by our Creator with certain rights that cannot be taken—all of which gave rise to a government instituted for the preservation of liberty? Our Bill of Rights which ensures our many freedoms including the guarantee that we cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law? Our 2nd Amendment?
That we cannot have our doors kicked in at 2:00 am without probable cause and a warrant? That we are guaranteed, every one of us, equal protection of the laws? Do we remember how rare all of this is?
No nation is perfect because nations are ruled by governments and governments are comprised of flawed human beings. Yet, throughout our history, we have always sought to correct our flaws as we strove for The Good, and, however imperfectly, the good was attained.
The American spirit is sterling as are the foundational ideals of liberty and equality to which we aspire. American kindness and generosity are unbounded. De Tocqueville observed that “the position of the Americans is therefore quite exceptional,” in Democracy in America, “and it may be believed that no democratic people will ever be placed in a similar one.” Why would he draw this conclusion?
Because he recognized the American spirit and the moral and religious character that anchored it. President Reagan noted many times that America is the greatest country in the world. Again, it’s not perfect but it is, and remains, the last best hope of Earth. This exceptionalism is the basis of the new golden age to which Trump refers and aspires.
Grow Louisiana, a free year-long program for the beginning farmers of Louisiana, is accepting application submissions for the program. Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/GrowLouisiana
A beginning farmer is defined as those currently farming with fewer than 10 years of experience or those wanting to start farming. The program provides whole-farm planning, horticulture and business training, online resources, support, networking and mentoring.
Deadline for application: Saturday, Feb 8, 2025 Applicants will receive an email by Feb 14 notifying them of their acceptance. Tip 1: Qualtrics does not operate well in google, especially Chrome. If your application is not functioning properly, try opening the application in Microsoft Edge. Tip 2: Some questions might not let you proceed due to an empty field in the answer, such as the “Address 2” line in the address question. If it is not letting you submit, try typing a “.” in the blank and see if that lets you proceed.
Grow Louisiana is a year-long program for the beginning farmers of Louisiana, with a focus on sustainable/organic horticulture and business practices. A beginning farmer is defined as those currently farming with less than 10 years of experience or those wanting to start farming.
The Spring and Fall portions of this program will each consist of six Tuesday night sessions 6pm–9pm and one Saturday from 9am–4pm. The Summer portion will consist of three daytime meetings: a farm tour, a hands-on workshop, and a networking social.
The meeting of the program is Tuesday March 11, 2025, 6pm–9pm. The sessions will be held at the LSU on-campus Hill Farm Teaching Facility in Baton Rouge.
Should you be accepted to the program, these are the program expectations: -If a program participant misses three or more sessions, they will not be eligible for the certificate of completion. -Participants will be required to prepare a 5-slide PowerPoint presentation of your farm and farming goals for the second session of the program. (template will be provided) -Each participant will present their business plan in the final Fall session.
Participation is free and is funded by a USDA Southeast Transition to Organic Partnership Program grant.
If you have any questions, please email cmotsenbocker@agcenter.lsu.edu and ifrank@agcenter.lsu.edu
The washing machine at the Gibsland house is one of those front-loading types. The dryer is also. The dryer is stacked on top of the washer. I can stand in the laundry room and watch the laundry wash and dry. Sometimes that is better than what is on television. I have entered the phase of watching old football games to get through to the NFL-pre-season in August. I am rapidly running out of football season. I have tried to watch the new spring pro football games, but they have not caught my football fancy completely.
I remember the old-fashioned load it from the top type washing machines. I owned one that had a clear lid so I could stand there and watch the laundry do its thing too. I was a newer model that was missing something, more on that soon. If you have never seen laundry in the machines, you might try it. It is hypnotic. You can play games timing how long it takes the sweater to move from the front to the back and return. I know that none of you kill time like that. There are apps for killing time!
What both washing machines were missing was that thingy in the middle of the washing drum.
That thingy is called the agitator.
The internet, keeper of all knowledge, reads:
“In top loading washing machines, the agitator is responsible for moving the clothes through the water and detergent and is driven by the output shaft of the transmission. The output shaft is normally splined, and the center of the plastic agitator will have a matching spline to ensure a tight fit.”
The new washers have an agitation feature, but it is done in different ways. The thingy in the middle is not there. You want your laundry agitated!
Read again the definition for agitator in washing machines. They move clothes through the process. They are necessary for the washing process.
I think I am going to follow God’s call to be an agitator. My goal is to move people through the process of knowing Christ. If someone knows Christ, I want to agitate in such a way they will know Him better. I will agitate for the church to be a better place. I will agitate myself so that my life and faith are in alignment.
The thing about agitators, they are moving the process toward a better outcome. They not only point out what is wrong, they offer solutions and suggestions to make improvements.
Sunday, I invite you to a gathering of agitators at your local church. They are agitating for change, to transform the world in the name of Jesus.
Krewe of Demeter Mardi Gras parade date has changed due to weather forecast. It now rolls Sunday, Feb 23 at 3pm. Route begins at Independence Ave turning right onto Liberty Ave in Grand Cane.
The Coushatta Red River Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Sanfilippo Foundation Benefit Crappie Fishing Tournament and Family Day Saturday, March 1 at Grand Bayou Resort. For tournament registration or information contact Brandon Baxley at 318.332.4159. Family Day will take place from 10am until 4pm. There will be fun jumps and family activities. Food vendors will be available. A portion of the proceeds raised from the event will support two-year-old Lydia Rachal. She was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome, a disease known as Childhood Alzheimers. To make a donation contact Teal Lowring at 318.455.1173 or Melanie Alexander 318.228.7030.
First Baptist Church Coushatta is hosting Basketball JAM Camp, a month long camp that consists of weekly age-group practices honing in on learning the skills and drills of basketball, devotional times at the end of each practice and Family day on the last Saturday with scrimmages to show off what the children have learned. The fun will take place throughout the month of March. Coach Mike McConathy will be helping us with the skills and drills. Registration is now open for children in grades PreK4-6.
High Gravity Glassworks in downtown Shreveport offers free glassblowing demonstrations for your schools. Field trips are always welcome, and they can accommodate up to 60 students at a time. To make the experience seamless and engaging, groups are split into two: half can enjoy their packed lunch or watch a PowerPoint presentation the teacher provides that aligns the visit with curriculum, while the other half watches the live glassblowing demonstration. Glassblowing can be incorporated into chemistry, physics, geometry, history, and of course art. Call for more information 318.582.1424.
Lt Col (ret) Lem C. Jones, Jr. September 14, 1952 – January 23, 2025 Funeral services will be held Thursday January 30, 2025 at 1pm at First Methodist Church in Coushatta.
On January 23, 2025, a DARE graduation ceremony was held for a combined ninety students from Red River Elementary School (RRES) and Red River Academic Academy (RRAA). Sgt. Michael Longino, Deputy Irvin Raphiel Jr., Deputy Travious Johnson, and Detective Tamara George-Walker led the ceremony.
DARE, which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, is designed to teach students the dangers of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco as well as “how to say no” using DARE’s five resistance strategies. Topics covered include communication skills, peer pressure, stress and bullying along with facts and health effects of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Students also learned the DARE Decision Making Model which is designed to help them make safe and responsible choices throughout their lives.
While all the students put forth great effort, every year one member of each fifth grade class is selected as a workbook winner while another is recognized for writing the best DARE essay. This year’s workbook winners were Kennidie Bonner, Alex Palmer, Abigail Price, and Kylie Williams. DARE essay winners were Jayla Keith, Allie Kellogg, Brooklyn Reeves, and Lilly Thomas. Congratulations!
Guest speakers Sheriff Glen Edwards, School Superintendent Alison Strong, and Mayor Ashanti Cole expressed how proud they were of the students’ accomplishments and reminded them that their futures are bright. Going forward, they were challenged to use the skills and principles taught in DARE to make great decisions in this ever-changing world. They were also encouraged to remember that the school, law enforcement, town leadership, and their families are available resources to help them be safe and successful. Each speaker also recognized the many parents and guests in attendance and thanked them for their support of the students and the DARE program.
As always, Sheriff Edwards would like to thank the Red River Parish School Board, RRES and RRAA faculty/administration, parents, and each DARE Officer for working with all involved to ensure another successful year for our DARE students.
A special thank you also goes to fifth grade teachers Mrs. Borders, Ms. Inman, Mrs. Moore, and Mrs. Pickett as well as countless others for their support and help throughout the DARE year. Great job RRES and RRAA DARE Class of 2024-25! Congratulations…and remember to BE SAFE & RESPONSIBLE!
Dr. Heather Carpenter, executive director of LSUS’s Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research, will host a weekly radio program in which she speaks with area nonprofit leaders about their organizations and volunteer opportunities. The show, which airs each Monday, starts with Providence House executive director Verni Howard. CREDIT: Submitted photo
Want to know how the most successful nonprofit organizations and leaders in the region got their start? Tune in to a new weekly program, “Community Connections,” on Red River Radio featuring the region’s most visible and successful nonprofits.
Dr. Heather Carpenter, executive director of LSUS’s Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research, talks to the area’s nonprofit leaders and discusses vital issues for regional nonprofits.
The show begins Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. with Providence House’s Verni Howard.
A different nonprofit leader will be featured each Monday, with Red River Revel’s Logan Lewis, Robinson Film Center’s Wendell Riley, and Geaux4Kids’ K.C. Kilpatrick joining the show this month.
“Each show talks about the nonprofit organization, their mission, and their impact and collaboration with other groups in the area,” Carpenter said. “We also touch on how people can help or volunteer with that particular organization.”
The show will include nonprofits from Red River Radio’s listening area, which stretches into East Texas, southern Arkansas and down to Alexandria in Louisiana.
Listeners can tune in to 89.9 FM or on the Red River Radio app.
Looking for the freshest bread in the grocery store? Then look no farther than the color of the tie holding the freshness in the bag. The colors serve a very specific purpose–telling consumers how fresh the bread is.
The origin of the color coding system is unknown but many stores use it to rotate fresh bread and remove older loaves.
The colors indicate what day of the week the bread was baked. The system is based on a five-day delivery schedule, with Wednesdays and Sundays generally skipped for baking.
Most bakeries use the following colors:
Blue indicates the bread was baked on Monday.
Green indicates the bread was baked on Tuesday.
Red indicates the bread was baked on Thursday.
White indicates the bread was baked on Friday.
Yellow indicates the bread was baked on Saturday.
But don’t worry if you can’t remember what color means what day, bread company’s actually say the best way to get the freshest bread is to look at the sell-by date on the wrappers
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