The Lady Bulldogs are hosting their annual tournament this weekend. Games begin at 3:30 this afternoon with the host team playing at 6:30. Games continue tomorrow beginning at 10am. The Lady Dawgs finish the evening with a 5pm game time. Admission is $10.

Clara Springs Fourth Friday Fish Fry will be held Friday, Mar 27 from 5-7pm. Cost is $15 ($10 for kids 10-17). Dinner includes All you can eat fried fish, coleslaw, french fries, hushpuppies, pinto beans, lemon bread pudding, homemade ice cream and drink. Robeline First Baptist will host.

Abundant Life Worship Center is hosting ALL-IN-5th Sunday service Mar 29 at 2pm. Guest speaker is Mandy Holloway. There will be no 10:30am service that day.

Liberty Baptist Church & Davis Springs Southern Methodist Church are hosting a 5th Sunday Singing Mar 29 at 6pm at Liberty Baptist Church. Everyone is invited to join for song, food and fellowship.

Clara Springs Baptist Camp is holding their Annual Campers on Mission work week Mar 30-Apr 3. Work begins everyday at 8am. Meals provided daily. Volunteers are needed for a day, afternoon or the full week. Contact Bro Bubba 318-796-3875 for more information.

Red River Junior High will host a Track Meet Apr 2. Field events begin at 3pm followed by running events at 4:15pm. Admission is $10.

Women’s Prayer Brunch will be held at Zion Chapel BC Apr 4 at 10am. The theme is a Praying Woman. Program mover is Minister Kimberly Babers. Guest Speaker is Cora Banks Pinesett. All women are asked to wear white. All churches are invited.

LSU Women’s Basketball plays Duke in the Sweet 16 matchup in a late night matchup tonight at 9pm.

More than 450 TSA officers have quit during the partial government shutdown according to DHS.

NFL says New Orleans must upgrade aging hotel stock to boost chances to win bid for 2031 Super Bowl.

Delta suspends travel perks for members of Congress as partial government shutdown continues. 

LSU has re-hired Will Wade as the men’s basketball coach. Wade previously was head coach from 2017-2022.

Netflix is raising prices on all streaming plans for the second time in just over a year.

Hayden Price
August 1, 2016 – March 23, 2026
Funeral Services will be held on March 27, 2026 at 3pm at Aulds Funeral Home in Shreveport

Katherine Guy
01/17/1935 – 03/17/2026
Funeral Services will be held Saturday March 28, 2026 at 11am at Springville B.C. in Coushatta.

Motorists in Red River Parish are still waiting on the full reopening of LA 155 between Coushatta and Martin, but the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says the end of the project is getting closer. DOTD said in a recent update that the four bridge structures are complete, but the roadway remains closed while crews finish the roadway tie-in work needed to connect the new bridge and roadway sections. DOTD’s official January update said construction was still continuing at the Brushy Bayou crossing, and the route remains listed as closed on the state’s current highway trouble board.

The project has been a major one for this stretch of highway. DOTD announced in 2023 that the work would replace four timber bridges with new concrete structures on LA 155 near Coushatta. The bridges were all built in 1972 and cross Coney Bayou, Grand Bayou, Carroll Creek, and Brushy Creek. The project was awarded to Brown Industrial Construction, LLC for $13.3 million, with work beginning on April 17, 2023.

According to DOTD’s more recent public update and the agency’s social media messaging, attention has shifted from bridge replacement to the remaining roadway work. That means the major bridge structures are finished, but drivers still cannot use the route until the connecting roadway is completed and opened safely to traffic. DOTD’s statewide highway report, updated this week, still lists LA 155 near Coushatta as closed for the replacement of four bridges.

For Red River Parish drivers, the latest word points to April 2026 as the anticipated reopening window for the roadway. Until then, motorists should continue using alternate routes and watch for additional DOTD updates as the final stage of construction moves forward.

The 2026 Junior Leadership Conference was held March 6-8, 2026 at Camp Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center in Pollock, LA.

Red River Parish 4Her’s who attended were Laynie Morse, Alaina Boyd, Camren Barbo, MyKhail Cox, and Kane Burleson.

Youth Voice is a significant component of the 4-H program, in which youth are allowed to express themselves openly to become actively involved in their growth. This is especially true during our annual Junior Leadership Conference, a state-wide 4-H leadership conference that is planned BY youth FOR youth!

The Louisiana 4-H Executive Board members plan and implement an overnight state-wide youth leadership conference for 4-H’ers at least 14 years of age and older. Delegates (or participants) have the opportunity to participate in a track that most peaks their interest through a ranking process. Delegates have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills while meeting other 4-H’ers from throughout Louisiana and participating in a fun, youth-led conference.

Shared by Red River Parish 4-H

Wednesday:

Sunshine along with some cloudy interval during the day. High around 85F with south winds around 5 to 10 mph. 

Tonight will be a mostly clear sky with a low of 61F. Winds will be light and variable.

Thursday:

Cloudy skies in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High around 85F with south winds 5 to 10 mph.

Mostly clear skies overnight with a low of 61F. Winds south at 5 to 10 mph.

CHRISTUS Health recognizes March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by providing crucial information about the second-deadliest cancer in the U.S., which can be detected with routine screenings.
In 2026, the American Cancer Society estimates nearly 160,000 new colorectal cancer cases resulting in more than 55,000 deaths nationwide.

Nearly of adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the earliest stage live for 5five years or more, compared to only 16% of those diagnosed at the most advanced stage, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

“Colorectal cancer often begins as a noncancerous polyp in the colon or rectum, and detecting it early makes a tremendous difference,” said Dr. Philip Cole II, colon and rectal surgeon with CHRISTUS Health – Coushatta Rural Health Clinic. “Recognizing symptoms is important, but screening before symptoms appear is the best way to prevent serious illness.”

Common symptoms include changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation; changes in stool consistency, color or shape; and abdominal pain, cramping or bloating.

A colonoscopy remains the most effective way to evaluate colorectal cancer. During the procedure, a sedated patient undergoes an examination of the colon using a small, lighted camera attached to a flexible tube. Polyps can be identified and removed during the procedure, reducing cancer risk.

Treatment for colorectal cancer varies depending on the stage at diagnosis.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends adults start getting screened for colorectal cancer at age 45, five years earlier than the previous guidelines. The change in 2021 was based on the trend of growing cases among younger adults.

Experts point to poor diet, obesity, limited physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use, environmental exposures and family history as possible contributing factors to the increase.

CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center and Coushatta Health Care Center offer colonoscopy screenings as part of their comprehensive medical services.

“Early detection can be lifesaving. It dramatically improves the likelihood of successful treatment,” said Brandon Hillman, hospital administrator at CHRISTUS Coushatta Health Care Center.

Hillman said recognizing National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is a way for people to learn about the cancer, how to spot it and when to be screened for it.

CHRISTUS Health in Coushatta does not require a referral to schedule a screening. Patients in Shreveport will require a physician referral for screening.

To make an appointment, call (318) 932-2081 or visit christushealth.org.

As the weather warms up, we are entering swarm season for honeybees. This is a natural reproductive process that hives go through where the old queen and about half of the bees leave the hive to find a new location.

These swarms will gather on trees, eaves of houses, or other structures while they search for a suitable location for a new hive. These swarms will often move on their own after a while, or they can be removed by a beekeeper.

If you see a swarm, keep your distance, keep pets away, and call the LSU AgCenter office at 318-932-4342 to be put in touch with a beekeeper.

               When I was a little boy, keys were my thing. Not toys. Not marbles. Not baseball cards. Keys. Real, metal, grown‑up keys—the kind that clinked in your pocket and made you feel like you had access to the universe.

               And I had a source.

               My grandfather—Pop—was a policeman. And apparently in the 1960s, Americans were losing keys at a rate that can only be described as “biblical.” Pop would bring me bags of keys. Now, I’m sure it was only three or four at a time, but to my young eyes it looked like Fort Knox had sprung a leak.

               I had a ritual. A system. A liturgy of keys.

• House keys over here
• Car keys over there
• Mystery keys (the ones that looked like they opened secret government bunkers) in a special pile

               Back then, every car company had its own key design. Ford keys looked like Ford keys. GM keys looked like GM keys. Chrysler keys looked like they were designed on a Friday afternoon. And because Ford also made Mercury, their keys were cousins—interchangeable in shape, though not in function. You could slip a Mercury key into a Ford ignition, but it wasn’t supposed to turn.

               Supposed to.

               One Friday night, Pop dropped off a fresh batch of keys. I sorted them with the precision of a jeweler. Then I grabbed a couple of Mercury keys and headed outside for what I can only describe as unauthorized field research.

               I climbed into our 1961 Ford Galaxie—bench seat, steering wheel the size of a hula hoop, and an ignition switch that sat right on the dashboard like it was daring you to try something foolish.

               I inserted a Mercury key.
               It fit.
               But it didn’t turn.

               I inserted another Mercury key.
               It fit.
               It didn’t turn.

               Then came key number three.

               I slid it in, gave it a twist, and—VROOOOM—the Ford Galaxie roared to life like it had been waiting all day for a small child to hot‑wire it.Naturally, I followed the adult pattern I had observed:

               I pulled the column shifter down into “D.”

               “D” meant go.

               And go it did.

               The car lurched forward and traveled a majestic, triumphant five feet straight into the side of the house. The dent remained for forty years, a permanent historical marker commemorating the beginning of my illustrious driving career.

               The adults poured out of the house like a fire drill—Mom, Dad, and Pop the policeman.

               “How did you start the car?” they asked.

               I explained my key‑based methodology. Pop immediately cut off my Ford key supply.

               I still had a large collection of GM keys, though, and Pop owned a Chevrolet. I had a whole testing plan ready for that vehicle. Sadly, my research program was shut down before Phase Two.

               Jesus has given us the keys to the Kingdom—and unlike my Mercury‑Ford experiment, these keys actually belong to us, they always fit, and they never cause property damage.

               You’re not locked out.
               You’re not stuck in “Park.”
               You don’t have to hot‑wire your way into grace.

               The astonishing truth is this:

               In Christ, you already hold the keys.

               Keys to freedom.
               Keys to forgiveness.
               Keys to hope.
               Keys to a life that actually goes somewhere.

               And unlike that 1961 Ford Galaxie, you won’t crash into the side of the house when you use them.

               Jesus hands you the keys and says, “Go ahead. Turn the ignition. Live. Move. Be free.”

               That’s a Kingdom worth driving toward.

(UPDATE 3/24/2026): DOTD advises motorists that work continues on the replacement of the LA 514 bridge over Bayou Chicot in Red River Parish.

The contractor is currently working on completing the final bridge construction work, tying the roadway in to the new structure, and forming of the concrete barrier rail. Other activities include guardrail installation and permanent roadway striping.

At this time, the roadway is anticipated to reopen in mid-April 2026, weather and other factors permitting.

The other bridge currently under construction is the LA 507 bridge south of LA 514 near the Womack community. Barrier rail and other bridge work is progressing on this structure. It is anticipated to be complete in August 2026, weather and other factors permitting.

This $12 million project includes the replacement of six rural bridges in Red River in Bienville Parishes, and is a significant investment in ensuring the continued connectivity of the communities that utilize these bridges.

The 2nd Annual Louisiana Moonshine Festival will be held Mar 27-18 at the Vernon Parish Fairgrounds in Leesville.

Cody Johnson broke the all-time concert attendance record at RodeoHouston with 80,203 fans in attendance, breaking the record set by George Strait. 

The Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University will present a public concert by Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue on Tuesday, April 7 at 6 p.m. Natchitoches City Park at 401 Amulet Street in Natchitoches. The event is part of the Picnic in the Park series sponsored by the Natchitoches Parish Early Childhood Network and the Natchitoches Parish Library. The event is free and open to the public. Call the Natchitoches Parish Library at (318) 238-9224 by March 30 to reserve your plate of a hot dog, chips, cookie and a drink.

The 2026 Masters Tournament, the 90th Edition, tournament rounds will be played Thur Apr 9 – Sun Apr 12 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

Patina Place Trade Days & Spring Market will be held Apr 17-18 from 9am until 5pm in Keatchie. A variety of vendors will sell their products. 

Dutton Ranch, spinoff of the hit TV show Yellowstone, is set to premiere on Fri May 15. The first season is reported to have 9 episodes.

United Airlines has announced it will cut flights while fuel prices continue to rise. It is the first major US airline to make the cuts due to the cost of fuel.

Tammy Watts
June 6, 1960 – March 22, 2026
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 2 PM at Old Saline Baptist Church in Saline.

Katherine Guy
01/17/1935 – 03/17/2026
Funeral Services will be held Saturday March 28, 2026 at 11am at Springville B.C. in Coushatta.

A high-speed police pursuit spanning multiple parishes ended Saturday evening with the arrest of a 26-year-old woman in Shreveport.

Authorities say Lakeya Lajon Lewis was taken into custody on March 21, 2026, following a dangerous chase that began in Red River Parish and stretched into Caddo Parish. She is currently booked into the Caddo Correctional Center on charges of flight from an officer and in-state fugitive status, and is being held without bond.

According to officials, the incident began along Highway 1 in Red River Parish after law enforcement received an “officer needs assistance” call. The suspect vehicle, later confirmed to be driven by Lewis, fled the scene, prompting a coordinated pursuit involving multiple agencies.

As the chase progressed into Caddo Parish, speeds reportedly reached approximately 120 miles per hour. Law enforcement units tracked the vehicle through several major roadways, including Flournoy Lucas Road, Youree Drive, East Kings Highway, and Stratmore Drive, raising concerns about public safety.

The pursuit came to a controlled end near the intersection of Bert Kouns Industrial Loop and Interstate 49 South, where officers were able to stop the vehicle without reported injuries.

Officials confirmed that deputies from the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, troopers with the Louisiana State Police, and officers from the Shreveport Police Department all participated in the coordinated effort to bring the chase to a safe conclusion.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Residents in and around Coushatta have felt more than a few unsettling tremors lately, and the recent spike in earthquakes is drawing increasing attention from both the public and government agencies.

Those concerns were the focus of a community meeting held Friday night, where about 50 people gathered to hear from Dr. Cynthia Ebinger, a Tulane University professor and earthquake expert, about the recent seismic activity affecting the area. Ebinger was the featured speaker for the meeting, which centered on her knowledge, research, and professional insight into what may be causing the earthquakes near Coushatta and what residents should know moving forward.

According to information shared during the meeting, the U.S. Geological Survey has recorded 10 earthquakes in the past 30 days in the area. A survey connected to the recent activity reportedly had about 1,575 people complete it, showing how many residents have been paying attention to the shaking and looking for answers.

Ebinger says one possible factor may be underground wastewater and saltwater injection. During the meeting, she explained that disposing of large amounts of water deep underground can increase pressure below the surface. Over time, that pressure can affect older rock formations and weak points underground, causing them to shift and sometimes trigger earthquakes.

She said small tremors are not unusual, but what stands out now is that both the number of earthquakes and their magnitude are drastically increasing. “That change is one of the biggest concerns in the Coushatta area right now,” stressed Ebinger.

Part of the challenge in tracking the full scope of the activity is that seismic stations across Louisiana are spread so far apart that they do not always pick up the smaller earthquakes. Ebinger said that in October, more instruments were placed around the area to help gather better data and improve monitoring closer to where the shaking is happening.

The increased seismic activity has now drawn the attention of both state and federal officials. A 4.9 magnitude earthquake in the area prompted greater involvement from the U.S. Geological Survey, which is now working to better understand what is happening underground. Ebinger said she was surprised that a 4.9 earthquake happened in North Louisiana. She noted that a 4.9 is considered a moderate earthquake and said she believes it is probably the strongest earthquake the area will feel.

Officials also noted that any earthquake over 4.5 magnitude receives help or investigation from the federal government, which explains the increased federal response following the larger quake near Coushatta. In addition, a task force is now being created as officials continue responding to the recent activity and studying what steps may be needed moving forward.

To gather more information, new seismic equipment has been installed in the area to track earthquake activity in real time. The added monitoring is expected to help scientists map the faults involved, study the sequence of events, and answer questions many residents have raised, including whether groundwater could be affected, how many faults may be involved, and whether stronger earthquakes are possible in the future.

Ebinger also encouraged that the river levees be inspected, noting concern about the direction of the earthquake waves moving from Coushatta toward the Pleasant Hill and Pelican area.

Another concern raised during the meeting involved the many pipelines that run through the region. In response to a question from a concerned citizen, Shane Hubbard, director of Red River Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said that after a moderate earthquake, pipelines are inspected immediately before production continues.

Hubbard also added that additional earthquake information and preparedness resources can be found on the redriverready.com website.

With concern continuing to grow, local residents are paying close attention as experts and officials work to learn more about the unusual wave of seismic activity beneath North Louisiana.

RED RIVER PARISH, La. (March 19, 2026) — The Red River Parish Police Jury convened a special-called meeting Thursday morning to address key issues, including a proposed library project, contract legality, and board governance reforms.

Jurors present included Young, Hillman, Taylor, Davis, Moore, and Brown, with President Tray Murray absent.

The primary agenda item focused on an architect/engineering agreement tied to a proposed 7,000-square-foot library facility intended to house a museum of parish memorabilia. The District Attorney advised the Jury that a contract signed by President Murray on May 7, 2025, lacked legal standing because it lacked a formal vote or a recorded authorization in the meeting minutes.

Emphasizing that the Police Jury must act collectively, the District Attorney stated that no individual member has authority to bind the body without a motion, second, and majority vote. A provision within the contract—referred to as a “seven-day rule”—was identified as a possible means for the architect to recover some incurred costs.

Juror Jessie Davis motioned to invoke the seven-day clause, seconded by William Brown. The motion passed by roll call vote. The District Attorney was directed to notify both the architect and the Library Board of the decision.

Attention then turned to the appointment and structure of the Library Board. The District Attorney clarified that all board appointments must be approved in open meetings and noted recent statutory changes making such positions “at will” under Police Jury authority. Jurors discussed board composition and requested the drafting of a new ordinance requiring representation from each district and establishing term limits. Similar reforms may later be applied to other boards under Jury oversight.

The Jury also approved financial and administrative measures related to a joint construction project with the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office. Members adopted a resolution to establish necessary bank accounts and approved a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement outlining a 75/25 cost-sharing arrangement and a 15-year commitment for maintenance and utilities. Juror Davis was authorized to approve change orders with no specified monetary limits.

In other business, a purchase agreement from J&V was reviewed by the District Attorney and subsequently approved.

The meeting concluded with a directive that all entities governed by the Police Jury must have representation at meetings beginning April 1, 2026.

Red River Parish 4-H Shooters competed in the Northern Regional Shooting Sports Competition in Woodworth, Monroe, Grand Cane, and Alexandria, Louisiana for a chance to compete at State.

Morgan Moseley was first to compete in Woodworth, LA for the State 4-H Hunting Skills competition. Morgan had a great day at this competition.

Next up was Archery which competed in Alexandria, LA. It was a good day for the junior archery team! Colt Dulaney won 1st in FITA, Aaron Hester, a first-time shooter, placed in the top ten, and Levi Edwards, another first-time shooter, placed in the top 15. All 3 qualified for state.

For the second day of Archery our regional archery team did a great job and will ALL represent Red River at state! In the Senior Division, Morgan Moseley placed 10th in National Compound, Joseph Shaver placed 1st in Modified FITA and Field Compound Limited/Pins. In the Junior division, Colt Dulaney placed 1st in Modified FITA and 2nd in 3D, Aaron Hester placed 8th in Modified FITA, and Levi Edwards placed 7th in 3D. Archery Coaches Brian Shaver and Joseph Dulaney.

In Grand Cane, LA our BB team, Corbin Cummins, Jeremy Woodley, and Jameson Morse did a great job competing in their first Regionals! Jameson placed 2nd in the testing portion of the BB competition. Coached by Ron Jones.

In Monroe, LA our Red River Parish Shotgun team Remington Dabbs, Hunter Guice, Gabriel Dabbs, Gavin Franks, Mason Wilhite, Tyler Wilhite, Lauryn Bradley and Sawyer Maines. Four of our shooters will be advancing to State, Remington Dabbs, Hunter Guice, Gabriel Dabbs, and Gavin Franks. Coached by Josh Franks.

The last of the week was spent in Monroe, LA where our Rifle team competed. CMP Sr team Laynie Morse, Gabbi Bounds, Morgan Moseley, Tye Weems and Ben Moseley had a good day of shooting. Ben Moseley will advance to State placed 12th . Also competing that day in SR Silhouettes was Ben Moseley who will be advancing to State with a 5th place. Coached by Jason Moseley, Asha Hester, and Clayton Hester.

The Red River Paish 4-H Shooting Sports Club is very proud of all our shooters and our Sponsors are too. We appreciate all of our Sponsors: Lester Farms, Four B Garage, Moseley Leather Works, State Farm Tray Murray, Farm Pro, Bank of Coushatta, Christus Coushatta, Mabile’s Pharmacy, Cason Plantation, Weems Cattle Company, 3 W’s Feed, AA Donuts, BOM, Big Piney Leatherworks, Big Jiggs, Testament, NRA, Red
River 4-H Foundation, Red River Parish Sheriff Glen Edwards, Shaver Adventures, Guice Family, Rex Whilhite Farms, Rivertown Market, Country Market, The York Chop, Valley Farms, 318 Land Services, Bumper To Bumper, Lagrane Services, American Bank, B.O. Jone Tree Services, Youngblood Outdoors, Tyler Insurance, Jones Brothers, NELA Roofing, Hester Hunts, 3Franks,Mechanical Concepts, Woodley Farms, BOMAC, and Glover Family.

Shared by Red River Parish 4-H

Monday:

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 82F. Winds light and variable.

Partly cloudy sky overnight. Low 56F. Winds light and variable.

Tuesday:

Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High 81F. Winds light and variable.

Partly cloudy overnight. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.

Do you have travel plans in the near future? Even though there have been no major delays reported at local airports, you may still want to allow extra time as TSA staffing shortages continue to affect security operations across the country.

The issue is tied to unusually high absenteeism among Transportation Security Administration officers during the ongoing partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown. At this point, the biggest problems appear to be centered at larger airports including New Orleans, Dallas and Houston. Travel conditions can shift quickly, so you should check flight updates often, arrive early, and be prepared for possible wait times.

Federal officials have also warned that the situation could worsen if staffing shortages continue. For now, leaving from nearby airports may not be seeing the same headaches reported in larger cities, but a little extra planning could still make the trip smoother.