Peggy Anne Hunter Key June 14, 1954 — April 13, 2026 Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 1pm at Liberty Baptist Church in Martin.
Gloria Beth (Huckaby) Ortega June 1, 1939 – April 10, 2026 Funeral services will be held Friday, April 17, 2026 at 10:30am at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, TX.
Mary “Mamie” Latson December 16, 1935 – April 11, 2026 The celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 1am at New Light Baptist Church in Hall Summit.
Lazarius Maurice Gray February 19, 2025 – April 9, 2026 Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 12pm at St. Savior B.C. in Coushatta.
Lue Demery August 31, 1942 – April 12, 2026 Services are pending
If you plan to vote on May 16, now is a good time to make sure your voter registration is current and that your party affiliation is correct. Louisiana will use its new closed party primary format for certain races on that date, which means your party registration can affect which candidate contests you are allowed to vote in.
Under the new system, Democrats vote in Democratic primaries and Republicans vote in Republican primaries for the offices covered by the law. Voters listed as No Party may choose which major party primary ballot they want to use, or they can skip those races and vote only on the constitutional amendments and any other non-closed contests that apply to them. The Secretary of State’s office says the closed primary rules apply to races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and BESE.
For Red River Parish, the May 16 ballot will include U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Public Service Commissioner and Five Constitutional Amendments. The Secretary of State’s sample ballot page is already set up for voters to review their ballot information before election day.
Voters should also know about a party-change issue that affects some registrations. The Louisiana Secretary of State announced that the Independent Party ceased to exist on Aug. 1, 2025, and voters who had been registered with that party were automatically moved to No Party status. That means anyone who was previously listed as Independent should double-check their registration before the election. Red River currently has almost 1,100 No Party voters.
Important deadlines are coming up quickly. According to the Secretary of State, the deadline to register in person, by mail, or through OMV is April 15, while the deadline to register online is April 25. Early voting for the May 16 election runs from May 2 through May 9, excluding Sunday, May 3.
With a new election format in place, checking your registration now could save confusion later. For Red River Parish voters, a quick look at your party affiliation and sample ballot may be one of the most important steps you take before heading to the polls.
A former Red River High School student is making his mark at Grambling State University.
Jemarcus Latson, now a student at Grambling State University, has been elected Sophomore Class Senator, earning the support of his fellow students with a campaign built around leadership, service, and student involvement.
Latson’s campaign slogan, “March Forward Together — Speak Up. Make a Change.”, reflected both his vision for student leadership and his connection to one of Grambling’s most recognized traditions. In addition to serving in student government, Latson is also a member of the world-famed Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band, making the “march” theme in his platform especially fitting.
On his campaign poster, Latson told students he may not be the most well-known candidate, but said he offered real leadership experience, a strong voice, and a heart to serve the students. His platform focused on goals such as representing students fairly, bringing new ideas and positive change, listening to student concerns, and building school spirit and unity through action.
For those back home in Red River Parish, his election is another reason to celebrate one of their own succeeding at the college level. From the classroom to campus leadership and the band field, Latson is continuing to represent his hometown well while making a name for himself at Grambling State.
His election as Sophomore Class Senator shows that his fellow students believe in his vision, and it marks an exciting new chapter for the former Red River High student as he continues to grow as a leader on campus.
Red River Parish has been ranked No. 5 among the Louisiana parishes experiencing the least population growth, according to recently published data from World Population Review. The ranking places Red River Parish among a small group of parishes where population numbers have remained flat or continued to decline rather than grow.
World Population Review estimates Red River Parish’s 2026 population at 7,083, with an annual growth rate of -1.14%. The site also reports the parish has declined by more than 22% since 2010, a sign of the long-term population loss that has affected many rural areas in Louisiana.
Federal census figures point in the same direction. The U.S. Census Bureau lists Red River Parish’s 2020 Census population at 7,620, with a July 1, 2025 estimate of 7,238. That amounts to about a 6% drop since the 2020 count.
For Red River Parish, the ranking reflects a challenge many small rural communities are facing. Fewer residents can mean a smaller workforce, fewer students in local schools, and added pressure on businesses and services that depend on stable population numbers. At the same time, parish leaders and residents continue to point to the strengths that keep people rooted here — a close-knit community, local schools, family ties, and the slower pace of parish life.
Coushatta, the parish seat and largest town in Red River Parish, is also seeing a decline. World Population Review estimates Coushatta’s 2026 population at 1,586, down from 1,747 in 2020.
While rankings like this can raise concern, they also highlight an important conversation about the future of rural Louisiana. For Red River Parish, being listed at No. 5 is more than just a statistic — it is a reminder of the need to keep building opportunities, supporting local business, and creating reasons for families to stay and invest in the parish’s future.
You’ve probably heard of Vitamin D as the “sunshine vitamin,” essential for strong bones and often found in supplement form on pharmacy shelves. But here’s something that might surprise you: Vitamin D isn’t actually a vitamin at all. Biologically speaking, your body treats it more like a steroid hormone — one that influences everything from immunity to gene expression.
Despite its misleading name, Vitamin D functions more like powerful hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol. In fact, it’s chemically derived from cholesterol, the same base molecule used to create those other hormones. When your skin is exposed to sunlight — specifically UVB rays — a remarkable process begins. Your body produces a form of Vitamin D that is then converted by the liver and kidneys into calcitriol, the hormone’s active form.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), this active form binds to vitamin D receptors (VDRs) located inside nearly every cell in the body, where it can directly influence gene expression.
This gene-regulating power means Vitamin D isn’t just about maintaining calcium levels and bone strength. It plays a critical role in:
Immune system regulation
Inflammation control
Cell growth and repair
Phosphate balance
A review published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology states that “Vitamin D is a secosteroid hormone that exerts genomic effects via nuclear receptor binding, influencing hundreds of genes.”
Research continues to reveal links between Vitamin D deficiency and chronic conditions such as autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, and even certain cancers. The Cleveland Clinic notes that insufficient Vitamin D may also contribute to fatigue, muscle weakness, and increased susceptibility to infection.
So next time you soak up a bit of sunshine or pop that daily D3 supplement, remember: you’re not just taking a vitamin. You’re fueling one of your body’s most underrated hormone systems — and potentially activating genetic blueprints that keep you healthy from the inside out.
Fearless Thrift is in need of plastic bags, paper bags, newspaper, bubble wrap, packing paper or small boxes. They will gladly take any extras you may have.
Clara Springs Fourth Friday Fish Fry will be held Fri, Apr 25 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. Grand Cane Baptist will host.
According to DQs webpage, until Apr 26 you can buy one Blizzard and get a second for just 99 cents with the Blizzard Double Flip Deal! Only catch, must mobile order on the DQ app.
This summer the University of New Orleans will officially rejoin the LSU System. UNO will change colors and name to LSU New Orleans when the transition is complete according to reports.
American men (ages 18 to 26) to be automatically registered for the military draft beginning in December.
Perfect Fit Autism Foundation presents the 8th Annual SuperHero Light It Up Blue 2026 Autism Fun Run & Walk Sat Apr 25 at Betty Virginia Park in Shreveport at 8am. It is a family friendly event with games, food & drink.
Coca-Cola announced they are releasing cans with local symbols from all 50 states, DC & PR. Be on the lookout for Louisiana’s can!
New board members for the Red River Tourism Commission were announced on social media this week. The Commission, a sub-entity of the Red River Parish Police Jury, emphasizes collaboration, noting that success comes from working together to attract visitors, support local enterprises, and strengthen the local economy for future generations.
Leading the commission is President Mrs. Tangela Maxwell, who is joined by Secretary Mrs. Chandra Wilson. Together, they guide a Board of Directors that includes Mrs. Coronda B. Jones, Mr. Ashaunta Bradley, Mrs. Charlotte Taylor, Mrs. Dana Moseley, Mr. Joshua Terry, Ms. Janelle Givens, and Mr. Brandon Baxley.
The commission’s vision extends beyond tourism alone. By promoting local culture, events, and scenic attractions—from historic landmarks to live entertainment and natural landscapes—the RRTC aims to create lasting economic impact while preserving the identity of the community.
With its guiding principle—“Promoting Growth. Showcasing Culture. Strengthening Community.”—The Red River Tourism Commission is working to play a vital role in shaping the region’s future and ensuring it remains a vibrant place for both residents and visitors alike.
Red River high schoolers, middle schoolers to play in All-Star game
Fans have the opportunity to salute four Red River boys basketball seniors as well as get a glimpse of the future Saturday at the FastBreak ENT All-Star Game at Pineville High School.
Outgoing seniors Demarche Newton, Warren Bowman, Collin Stafford and Malique Smith will play in the All-Star Session II game scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
The day is full of events, starting with middle school all-star games dubbed Rising Stars.
Red River Junior High hoopers Gary Brayden and Christian Mims will participate in Session I at noon.
There are 3-point shootouts for both middle school (1:15 p.m.) and high school (4:30 p.m.) and a high school dunk contest (5 p.m.) as well.
The first high school All-Star Session I game is scheduled for 3 p.m.
The festivities end at 7 p.m. with Small School Showcase, an all-star game of Class B vs. Class C players.
For a full schedule and breakdown, visit FastBreak ENT’s Facebook page.
Riverdale Academy JV track boys earn runner-up finish
The Riverdale Academy junior varsity boys track team finished as the MAIS District 3-A runners-up in the district meet at Rayville High on Wednesday.
The tennis and golf teams are getting deeper into their seasons as well with competitions at the ULM Tennis Center and the Homer Country Club, respectively.
Red River baseball running out of time to make playoffs
The Red River baseball posted won thre of its three baseball games this week highlighted by Thursday’s 8-1 win over Saline, but the Bulldogs still lost ground in the Division III Non-Select playoff hunt.
The Bulldogs blasted one-win Mansfield in a doubleheader win – 19-2 and 15-0 – on Tuesday after falling at Ebarb in an 8-3 loss on Monday.
Red River (12-15) dipped to No. 28 in the power rankings, nearly 1.5 power points behind the 24th and final spot. But that number is before the Saline win is accounted for.
The Bulldogs host Ebarb on Monday in the season finale.
Red River softball slides out of playoff home game
The Red River softball team (14-10) knows it will play in the postseason, but home or away remains to be seen.
The Lady Bulldogs slid to No. 18 in the Division III Non-Select power rankings after a split with Lakeview on Tuesday. Red River fell to Class 5A Natchitoches Central on Thursday, 15-0.
Red River punished Lakeview in a 12-4 win before falling in 19-17 fashion in the nightcap.
The loss snapped Red River’s seven-game winning streak.
The Lady Bulldogs will host Dodson on Monday in the regular season finale.
Kids ages 2 to 12 will have several chances to fish for free this June as the 2026 Youth Fishing Derbies return to the Kisatchie National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service has scheduled derby events for June 6 at Stuart Lake in Grant Parish, Anderson Pond in Natchitoches Parish, Government Pond in Vernon Parish, and Bombing Range Pond in Winn Parish. A fifth derby is set for June 13 at Valentine Lake in Rapides Parish.
According to the Forest Service events page, each location will have its own start time. Anderson Pond begins at 6:30 a.m., Government Pond and Valentine Lake begin at 7 a.m., and Stuart Lake and Bombing Range Pond start at 8 a.m. Most events wrap up by late morning.
The annual derbies are designed as family-friendly outdoor events that give children a chance to enjoy fishing in a fun setting on national forest lands. The Forest Service lists the Winn Parish event at Bombing Range Pond as the 22nd Annual Frank Clark Youth Fishing Derby, while the other derbies are also part of the forest’s regular slate of youth fishing events.
Families who plan to attend are encouraged to check the official Kisatchie National Forest events page for registration details, exact locations, and contact information for each site. The Forest Service has posted district contacts for every derby in case families need additional information before heading out.
For North Louisiana families looking for a simple summer outing, the derbies offer a chance for children to get outside, cast a line, and enjoy a morning at the water.
If you have been waiting on a weekend that feels like spring trying its best to turn into summer, this may be it.
Friday will bring a mix of sun and clouds with a warm afternoon high near 84 degrees. Winds will stay light and variable, so it should be a good day to be outside without getting blown away. Friday night stays calm with just a few clouds and a low around 61.
Saturday looks like the pick of the weekend. Expect plenty of sunshine with a few clouds drifting in during the afternoon. Temperatures will climb to about 86 degrees, with a light southeast breeze at 5 to 10 mph. Saturday night will stay partly cloudy and mild with a low near 63.
By Sunday, the clouds start to take over a little more, but it will still be warm with a high around 83. South-southeast winds will pick up a bit to around 10 to 15 mph, making it feel a little breezier than the first part of the weekend. Sunday night stays cloudy with a low around 65.
All in all, it looks like a pretty solid weekend forecast — warm days, mild nights, and no big weather trouble in sight. Not bad at all for a spring weekend in Red River Parish.
The Orion spacecraft undergoes processing inside the Vehicle Assembly Building as NASA prepares for the Artemis I mission. Photo: NASA / Public Domain
By Morgan Sweeney | Apr 6, 2026
(The Center Square) – The astronauts of the Artemis II NASA mission made history just before 2 p.m. Eastern Monday when they traveled farther in their Orion spacecraft from the Earth than any humans have ever flown.
The previous record was set by the American spacecraft Apollo 13 in 1970.
A woman on the communications team at NASA Mission Control in Houston narrated the event as it occurred online. She braced the crew, everyone at Mission Control, and those watching online from around the world for the milestone.
“We are standing by for the Integrity crew aboard Orion to surpass the Apollo 13 record,” she said, just moments before.She marked the occasion with a tribute to that crew and a message to the four astronauts aboard the Integrity.
“On April 15, 1970, during the Apollo 13 mission, three explorers set the record for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from our home planet,” she said. “At that time, over 55 years ago, Lovell, Swigert and Haise flew 248,655 statute miles away from Earth. Today, for all humanity, you’re pushing beyond that frontier.”
The astronauts took the moment to challenge others to exceed their accomplishment.
“We choose this moment to challenge this generation and the next to make sure this record is not long-lived,” one of the male astronauts said.
They also named two “relatively fresh” craters on the moon – one, after their spacecraft, the Integrity, and the other after the deceased wife of crew member and commander Reid Wiseman.
Canadian Space Agency astronaut and crew member Jeremy Hansen read the message to Mission Control, choking back tears.
“Especially meaningful for this crew is a number of years ago, we started this journey in our close knit astronaut family, and we lost a loved one,” Hansen said.
He went on to describe a “bright spot” on the moon that can, at certain times, be seen from Earth. The crew named that spot Carroll. The astronauts could be seen wiping tears from their eyes, and Mission Control took a moment of silence.
The crew is now in their lunar flyby and formally began their observations around 2:45 p.m. They are slated to conclude their observations around 9:20 p.m.
During the flyby, they will photograph and describe the lunar surface from the Integrity, including areas of the far side of the moon never viewed by the naked eye. They’ll also experience “Earthset,” where the Earth disappears behind the moon from their perspective, reach their closest distance to the moon at 4,070 miles above its surface, and witness “Earthrise” and a solar eclipse.They’ll also reach their farthest distance from Earth at 252,706 miles, more than 4,000 miles deeper into space than the Apollo 13 travelled.
The Artemis II mission began on April 1 and is a 10-day journey. It’s purpose is to build on the successful unmanned 2022 Artemis I mission and is NASA’s first crewed mission aboard the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.
During the mission, the astronauts will test a number of features and functions of the spacecraft as well as monitor its automated activities. Their lunar observations are intended to inform future moon missions, aligning with President Donald Trump’s initiative of advancing American leadership in space.
The president wants Americans to return to the moon by the end of his term, establish a lunar outpost by 2030 along with a lunar nuclear reactor, establish greater security and military capabilities in space and prepare the way for trips to Mars.
In the 1930s, the Kutol Products soap company was dangerously close to going out of business. Cleo McVicker worked hard to get Kutol’s products into stores and ultimately in the hands of consumers. Kutol needed a new product, but what? At the time, many homes in America were heated with coal which left a sooty residue on everything in the home. Unlike regular household dust which could easily be swept or vacuumed up, coal dust was finer and more difficult to remove. Sweeping and vacuuming coal dust normally sent more of it back into the air than was collected. Coal dust also contained sulfur, nitrogen, silica, and heavy metals, which could be hazardous to health. In 1933, Cleo negotiated a deal with the purchasing agent for the Kroger grocery store chain to add a cleaner to their inventory which would remove coal dust from wallpaper. Coal dust was especially hard to remove from wallpaper because it was small enough to settle into the paper fibers of wallpaper. Cleo promised Kroger a product which did not exist.
Cleo immediately contacted his brother Noah, Kutol’s main product developer, and the two began the rigorous research and development process. After countless failures, they came up with the formula for a compound which easily removed coal dust from wallpaper. Unlike liquid cleaners which required the user to apply the liquid to a cloth and swipe away the coal dust which usually made a bigger mess, Kutol wallpaper cleaner, was non-toxic, non-staining, and made no mess at all. The user simply pressed the compound onto the wall and the coal dust stuck to it. Once the compound became saturated with coal dust, the consumer threw it away and bought another can for five cents. Because it was a replenishable product, the Kutol company was saved one nickel at a time.
For 20 years, Kutol wallpaper cleaner kept the company afloat and successful. Following World War II, many people converted their homes from being heated by coal to natural gas. No longer did homeowners have the hassle of purchasing, handling, and storing a skuttle of dusty coal. Natural gas burned cleanly and was piped directly into the home. Around the same time, manufacturers began making wallpaper out of vinyl rather than paper which made it much easier to clean. By the early 1950s, sales of Kutol wallpaper cleaner began to decline quickly. The company was once again on the brink of failure.
In 1955, Joe McVicker, Cleo’s son, was searching for a way to keep Kutol from going bankrupt when Kay Zufall, his sister-in-law and schoolteacher, convinced him that Kutol wallpaper cleaner could be used for something more fun than cleaning. Joe ran with the idea. In 1956, Kutol established the Rainbow Crafts Company Inc. and repackaged the wallpaper cleaner, but Kutol was so near bankruptcy that they had no advertising budget. That could have been the end, but Joe demonstrated his product to Bob Keeshan, better known to the world as Captain Kangaroo. Bob liked the product so much that he agreed to use it in his television show at least once a week. From 1955 until 1984, Captain Kangaroo was one of the most popular children’s shows on television. Before Captain Kangaroo, Kutol struggled to sell their rebranded product. Because of Captain Kangaroo, Kutol struggled to keep up with demand. Since its introduction on Captain Kangaroo, billions of cans of rebranded Kutol wallpaper cleaner have been sold. It has become one of history’s most iconic toys and it remains popular to this day. We have all played with Kuto wallpaper cleaner, but we know it as Play-Doh.
Sources:
1. The Cincinnati Enquirer, April 19, 1936, p.25.
2. The Akron Beacon Journal, April 18, 1938, p.19.
A view of downtown Shreveport, La. Photo: Emilee Calametti / The Center Square
By Darren Svan | Apr 6, 2026
(The Center Square) – North Louisiana Economic Development leveraged millions in public funds and state backing to reposition a key manufacturing complex in Shreveport that was shuttered and dormant.
This month, the regional economic development arm announced plans to demolish and redevelop the former Libbey Glass industrial complex, a 54-acre site on Jewella Avenue, for modern manufacturing use. Demolition is expected to take one year.
The sprawling factory complex has been part of the Shreveport business landscape for nearly 100 years, with its highly visible water towers, furnaces and maze of pipes. At one time, there were more than 1,500 employees working around the clock.After decades of declining production, operations officially ceased in 2020.
Located at an Interstate 20 exit, the site will be cleared and prepared for new industrial clients to start construction projects, rejuvenating an area of the city eroded by disinvestment. The site has rail access, beneficial visibility, high-capacity industrial infrastructure and industrial zoning.
“That adjacency to Interstate 20 is incredibly valuable,” Justyn Dixon, president and chief executive officer of NLEP, told The Center Square in an earlier interview. “You can’t find a property like this within two hours in either direction.”
A 2025 state appropriations bill provided NLEP with $10 million from the general fund for redevelopment purposes. Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority, along with other city and parish funding programs, will provide additional funding.
“Without the obsolete 100-year-old building sitting there, it would be a tremendous asset, but private sector real estate developers weren’t going to take that initiative,” Dixon said. “The purpose is to put the property into a condition where it becomes attractive for companies to invest and create jobs. We’re not trying to make money off the property itself.”
Dixon initially pursued funding through state capital outlay money used for public facilities and infrastructure projects but learned from Gov. Jeff Landry that pursuing appropriation funds was a better choice.
“We explained to the governor exactly what we intended to do with the money – ultimately bring more jobs and investment to the region,” Dixon said. “Economic development is a priority for him, and the project aligned with his mission.”NLEP is evaluating the full cost of mitigating environmental issues, which may require additional funding, Dixon said.
Twelve companies submitted proposals for the remediation and demolition project. Lloyd D. Nabors Demolition was selected as the contractor, with remediation oversight assigned to Jones Environmental. Management of the site’s redevelopment will be overseen by Wieland.
“We’re doing it in phases, starting at the interstate and moving south,” Dixon said. “There’s a reason for that. We’re working with companies that may be able to use parts of the warehouse, so we’re keeping options open as the project moves forward.”
The goal is to bring the complex back into commerce by providing companies “a shovel-ready opportunity” to build manufacturing and logistics operations that align with today’s industrial demands, according to NLEP.
“Everything we do is driven by jobs and investment,” Dixon said.
We’ve all heard the words, “You need to stop and smell the roses.” That actually means we need to take the time to enjoy the moment. We need to be mentally present. Some of the best times in our lives are not always moments of fireworks going off.
Sometimes it’s those less important events that provide just as much joy. Today, I’ll go over a few events in my life that I truly cherish, along with some I regret.
There was one moment of regret during my Little League days. Even though I played all sports, I was also a dedicated Boy Scout. Being a scout during the 1970s was very common for a young boy.
But the one regret I have is the fact that I was one project away from becoming an Eagle Scout and never completed it. This is the highest achievement a scout can earn. It means a lot to become an Eagle Scout and looks good on a job resume. It gets the attention of an employer looking to hire you as it shows your ability to commit to a task and follow through.
I’ll admit that my baseball career, which was more important to me at that time, got in the way of my accomplishing the goal of receiving an Eagle Scout badge.
One event that’s given me a lifetime of both pride and joy was being a member of the 1978 Class 3A Texas state baseball championship team. Any time you can share the experience of winning a state title, especially with your closest friends, it just means more.
I can remember our head coach giving us a post-game speech after winning the state title. He said that this victory would mean more to us later in life than it did that day. How right he was!
That Texas state title whet my appetite for another one the next year. But nothing is harder than defending a state championship and regretfully we came up one game short of a repeat trip to the state tournament.
Another joy also comes with some regret. The day I got drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1983 brought so much joy. But after two seasons of playing in their minor league system, it was very apparent I had zero chance to make it to the major league level with the Expos.
Montreal at the time had three Major League Baseball All-Stars in their outfield with Tim Rains, Andre Dawson and Warren Cromartie. It may have been the best outfield in the big leagues at that time. There was no room to move up in the organization unless one of these three got hurt or traded. My regret after leaving the Expos is turning down a Double A contract from the San Francisco Giants that would have extended my baseball career.
While sports have been a huge part of my life, nothing has given me as much competitive joy as bass fishing. As a kid growing up on a ranch, there was no shortage of stock ponds to fish. I basically learned on my own, along with reading Bassmaster Magazine stories on how to catch bass.
I have spent hundreds of days fishing the banks of five different stock ponds loaded with good bass. I was always so proud to bring a stringer full of bass back home for a good fish fry.
Tournament bass fishing has given me much joy over the past 36 years especially with all the friends I have met and shared so many good times while fishing tournament trails and fishing some of the best lakes in the country.
Another joy in my life has been the creation of the Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show. This was a brainstorm of mine back in 2007 that I felt was much needed. Nineteen years later, the show is still going strong! Each week for 52 weeks out of the year I get to talk about issues related to God’s great outdoors. My relationship with my two other co-hosts, Gary McCoy and Mike Echols, makes doing the program so enjoyable.
But my greatest joy came the day I signed a scholarship to continue my athletic career/education to Northwestern State University where I met Sherrie, my wife of 44 years. We then celebrated the births of our three children Brittany, Meredith and Brandon.
To this day, raising of these three blessings has been my greatest accomplishment and one that has ZERO regrets!
Each of us has so many events or situations over the course of a lifetime that we can look back on with either joy or regret. As life continues to give us both good and bad times, just the fact that we are still waking up every day means we have so much joy to look forward to, and hopefully no regrets.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that on Wednesday, April 15th and Thursday, April 16, 2026, there will be intermittent lane closures on LA 526 (Bert Kouns Industrial Loop) at the railroad crossing near the Auto Mall in Shreveport.
The lane closures will take place in one direction at a time for the purpose of allowing crews to pave and smooth out the approaches to the Union Pacific railroad crossing.
The lane closures are scheduled to take place from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day for two (2) days.
This crossing is located approximately 1,200 feet north of the interchange with LA 3132.
Restrictions/Permits: Vehicles 11 feet wide or smaller may pass through the work zone. All larger vehicles will need to utilize an alternate route.
Alternate Route: No detour necessary as this is not a full road closure.
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 http://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 http://www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MyDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and X (Twitter) pages.
Contact Information:
Erin Buchanan DOTD Public Information Officer Shreveport-Bossier District (318) 549-8402 erin.buchanan@la.gov
Coach Ginger Craig will throw out the first pitch at NSUs softball game tomorrow at the Lady Demon Diamond at noon. The Lady Demons take on UIW. Both teams sit among a tightly packed group chasing second place in the conference standings and the opportunity to host one of the first-round tournament brackets the first weekend of May.
Shreveport native Sam Burns is tied for the lead after the first round of the Masters.
Bell’s Camp Trade Days, a day filled with vintage finds, antiques, handmade goods, plants and one-of-a-kind treasures, is this Sat from 9am until 6pm. Stroll, shop and discover something special while enjoying the charm of Black Lake.
Red River Parish School students will head back to the classroom Mon Apr 13.
The Red River Parish Extension Office (1910 Alonzo St) has tomatoes from the NW Region Red River Research Station. They have Red, Green and Mixed (no cherry). Go by today – Friday from 9am – 3pm and grab you some.
The Red River Parish Library will host the monthly Genealogy Meeting Apr 15 at 10am.
The Coushatta-Red River Chamber of Commerce first Farmers’ Market & Makers’ Fair is Apr 18 on Front Street from 7am until 2pm. No vendor fees. Complete Vendor Registration here. Questions contact Brandon Baxley at 318.332.4159.
Riverdale Academy will host a blood drive Tue Apr 21. Make plans to give and help RA reach their goal.
LSU baseball cracked back into the Top 25, sitting at No 24.
Clara Springs Baptist Camp is offering a new camp experience this summer. YAC (Young Adults Camp) is specifically for students and young adults who are 18 years old and older. YAC will take place July 10-12. Find out more info on their website.
Fernando Mendoza, the expected No. 1 overall pick, will not attend the 2026 NFL Draft, opting to share the moment at home with family, per ESPNs Adam Schefter.
The stars of Charlie’s Angels reunited April 6, for a special 50th anniversary celebration. Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and Cheryl Ladd received a standing ovation as they marked five decades since the show’s pilot first aired in March 1976. The event also honored the legacy of Farrah Fawcett, who passed away in 2009 but remains one of the most memorable parts of the show’s history and success.
This gives new meaning to starting over from scratch: The Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team will have NO returning players next season, as eligible players entered the portal and the rest exhausted eligibility.
Damarion Deshawn – Tyrell Lewis November 12, 2007 — April 2, 2026 Funeral services will be held Saturday April 11, 2026 at 11am at Springville B.C. in Coushatta.
Douglas James Roberson January 19, 2004 — March 27, 2026 Funeral services will be held Saturday April 11, 2026 at 11am at House Of Refuge in Coushatta.
Barbara Ann James Barbo February 16, 1948 — April 1, 2026 Funeral services will be held Saturday April 11, 2026 at 1pm at Rose Neath Funeral Home in Coushatta.
Ben Moseley, a senior at Riverdale Academy and member of the Red River Parish 4-H Shooting Sports Rifle Team, was named the 2025 ELEY X-Series Junior Open winner after turning in an impressive performance across six months of competition.
The ELEY X-Series was launched as a new online rimfire benchrest competition tied to the company’s ELEY x-shot scoring device. The competition ran from June 2025 through November 2025 and allowed shooters to compete from their home clubs by shooting six ELEY x-shot targets each month, scoring them through the free ELEY x-shot app, and uploading their results to the series.
Moseley finished the series with a remarkable total score of 8205-156x across six competitions, earning him the Junior Open championship. Along with the title, he also received a cash prize and a variety of ELEY products.
The format gave shooters the chance to compete in a national-level event without leaving their local range, making Moseley’s win an even bigger accomplishment for both him and the local shooting sports community.
His success reflects not only his skill and consistency on the range, but also the strength of the youth shooting sports program in Red River Parish.
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