A Fairview Alpha juvenile remains in serious condition in a regional trauma center following a single-vehicle crash on US-71 north of Campti on Dec. 2 around 11:53 pm, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office. NATCOM 911 Center received an automated crash detection report of a crash in the 1600 block of US-71 north of Hwy. 3163 near Fairview Alpha School.
Dispatchers attempted to call the phone number but received no response. Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies began to respond to the area.
Shortly thereafter, NATCOM 911 Center received a 911 Call from a motorist reporting a single-vehicle crash with injuries and entrapment on US-71 in the same area as previously reported during the automated crash detection report. Deputies arrived on scene finding the sole-occupant suffering from possible life-threatening injuries and partially trapped in the vehicle.
Louisiana State Police, Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #9 Rescue and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS responded to the scene. Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #9 had to pry the door open to free the driver from the wreckage.
According to preliminary information, a 16-year-old Fairview Alpha juvenile operating a 2016 Audi SUV was traveling northbound on US-71 north of La. Hwy 3163 when for reasons still under investigation, exited the road on the right side. The vehicle struck a road sign then continued to travel off the shoulder striking a utility pole coming to a rest.
No further details will be released at this time pending the Louisiana State Police crash investigation. The juvenile was transported from the scene by EMS to a regional trauma center for treatment of multiple injuries. Troopers assigned to LSP Troop-E Alexandria are investigating the crash.
Coushatta-Red River Chamber of Commerce met at 5:30pm on December 5, 2023. This meeting is the culmination of a year of work for the Chamber. Topic of discussion was the Coushatta parade slated for 4:30 pm, Thursday, Dec. 7. Noon Wednesday ends the sign-up for floats in the parade. Sign up here. 30 participants had signed up as of meeting time. The route will remain the same. Line-up at Coushatta Park. Enter from the Armory side only. Floats may begin throwing at Ringgold Avenue. The parade will progress down Ringgold Avenue to Front Street. No band or performances this year during the parade. All performances will be after the parade at the grandstand. Fireworks begin precisely at 6:00 pm.
Vendors for the day are asked to be ready to set up between 2:30 and 4:00. Each vendor will have a confirmation email with instructions from Kelley Lee, the coordinator of vendors. All vendors shall sign a hold harmless agreement and receive sales tax forms.
The chamber also discussed the January open meeting of the Chamber. Efforts this year are centered on getting as many businesses to become members as possible. The January meeting will also be election of board members and officers. They encourage every businessperson and individual to become involved.
Did I want to write a book? Absolutely. Did I think I could? Yes. Would I actually get down to writing one? Not sure; not sure at all. The very thought of trying to put a book together was overwhelming. One day, I’d think I could do it. The next day, you gotta be kidding. At my age with no knowledge of all that’s involved in writing a book was too much. I decided to just forget it. As much as I’d like to see a book with my name on the cover, it was just too much, so I gave up the thought.
Enter Morgan Tarpley Smith. She had been my contact for my weekly columns in the Jena Times, a newspaper I have submitted my outdoor columns to for years. Her side gig, which became her main job after her years with the Times was setting up her own business of being an editor assisting and guiding writers in book writing projects.
Smith began dropping hints that I ought to consider compiling a book and she was willing to help by becoming my editor. This past summer, I took a deep breath, shook off a case of nerves and decided to give it a try under her direction.
This past Wednesday, November 29, Amazon.com released to the world my book. My palms are sweaty and I hyperventilate some at the thought that I actually did it. The title of my book, “Bamboozled by a Bobcat” highlights one of the stories about a harrowing experience I had as a kid when I was within two feet of having a big bobcat pounce on my head.
In my introduction of readers to my book, here’s what Morgan Smith guided me in writing on my Glynn Harris Author page on Facebook….”It’s a collection of many short stories from my growing up years in Goldonna and other stories involving country life, fishing and hunting.”
To give you a better idea of the contents of the book, some chapter titles begin with my growing up in a four room house my daddy and friends built. Two bedrooms, a kitchen and living room. Bathroom? We didn’t have one the first few years of my life because bathrooms need water and our shallow well where we drew water for drinking and cooking couldn’t cut it. Our bathroom consisted of a path out back leading to our outdoor privy.
We didn’t have air conditioning early on. We didn’t even have fans for one main reason. Electricity had not made its way to Goldonna back then. I did my homework by the light of a kerosene lamp, we heated the house in winter by a wood heater and in summer without power meant that we sweated a lot. It was a glorious day when they erected a pole, ran a wire to the house and we could pull a string and a light would come on. Hallelujah!
In the book, you’ll read about how I learned to hunt by following my dad to the squirrel woods and my introduction to deer and turkey hunting. I tell about hog killing day, how the grown ups processed and cured the meat without having electric freezers. One chapter I think you’ll find interesting and has the chance to bring a chuckle is entitled “Moonshine in the Church House.”
A writer friend, Keith Sutton, reviewed a first copy of the book and endorsing it, he wrote…”Bamboozled by a Bobcat takes the reader on a heartfelt journey through a life richly lived….these recollections are woven together with a tapestry of outdoor adventures, hunting escapades and the evolution of a budding writer.”
This gives you a snapshot about what you’ll read when you order your copy of “Bamboozled by a Bobcat”. I’ll hopefully get set up soon for a book signing or two but in the meantime, go to Amazon.com and search for the book. I think you’ll like it and with Christmas just around the corner, getting copies for friends and kin might make your shopping for gifts a bit easier.
4-Hers have lots of deadline coming during the December and January.
Call the office for additional information or sign up for Remind messages. 4-H (all grades) text @redriver4h to 81010 Jr Leaders (7-12 grades) text @rr4hj to 81010 4-H Chefs (2-8 grades) text @4hchefs to 81010 4-H Explorers (1-6 grades) text @f3gehh to 81010 4-H Robotics (6-12 grades) text @gkc9ea to 81010
Dec 5 Jr Leader float prep Dec 6 Deadline to pay/register for Jr Leader Bossier & Natchitoches trips Dec 7 Christmas Parade Dec 12 Deadline to pay/register for Mudbugs game Dec 15 Christmas at the Barn (Red River Research Station) Dec 18 Jr Leaders Day of Service–COA 5-11am; Lunch 11-12; School gardens 12-1pm Dec 19 Jr Leaders trip to Natchitoches Dec 20 Deadline to register for Challenge Camp (7-8 grades) Jan 5 Deadline to register for Fashion Day Camp (5-12 grades) & STEM Day Camp (3-7 grades)
‘Tis the season for bringing a Fresh Cut Louisiana Christmas Tree home for the holidays. Check out this list of Louisiana Christmas Tree farms shared on the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Facebook page.
I have closely followed the Caddo Sheriff election and the legal challenge occurring now in Caddo Parish District Court. The Nickelson Petition (lawsuit) is 80 pages long. The first 14 pages of the suit contain the allegations of mistakes and irregularities. Most of the remaining 66 pages contain numerous “Notation of Irregularities in the Conduct of the Election” prepared by poll commissioners who were working at the various precincts at which the alleged defects occurred.
I note that since even before the 2020 presidential election, Louisianians and all Americans have witnessed first-hand the impact of so-called ‘voting irregularities’—such as those that were documented in all six of the major swing states in 2020—on the voters’ confidence in the result of our elections, from the presidential down to the local level. That is why I believe the facts currently available in the public record and court filings concerning the Caddo Sheriff’s race demand judicial resolution and, potentially, a re-vote.
The two candidates remain separated by only one vote, with Chief Henry Whitehorn prevailing. As a result, his opponent, John Nickelson, filed suit challenging the validity and conduct of the election alleging it was “tainted with dubious votes, irregularities and a lack of procedure.”
Unsurprisingly, the legal dispute centers upon whether certain voting requirements were followed and there is every indication they were not.
For example, Nickelson’s legal counsel introduced documents reflecting that two people voted twice in the election. After reviewing the documents, one witness stated at trial “it appears so” that they had voted twice. Of these two individuals, one early voted in person then voted again on Election Day. Another individual sent in an absentee ballot and then voted in person on Election Day.
Nickelson’s team also called Dale Sibley, Caddo Registrar of Voters, to testify about and focus upon the “flaps” or affidavits of 54 pulled ballots regarding why they had been flagged. It was discovered that voter and/or witness signatures were missing. In response, Sibley stated that his office policy is to err on the side of allowing a vote if the intent is clear. Well, while that may be an admirable practice with which we can empathize, it likely doesn’t comport with the law. If we are serious about ‘defending our democracy’ we must insist that only votes that are legally compliant be counted.
The Whitehorn team’s principal argument has been that the allegedly defective absentee ballots were not objected to within the time required by law and, hence, they are waived.
The law requires that absentee ballots, for example, be handled and executed in a specific way for the simple but logical reason that the voter is not present in person voting at a voting machine. As such, election officials have no way of knowing whether the absentee ballot they are reviewing is a valid vote without the requirement that it be correctly signed and witnessed.
I think it is likely that there are almost always some mistakes or irregularities in every election, but not enough to change the outcome. However, with only a one vote margin, even one single mistake could change the outcome.
I attended the trial of this matter last week and, while I don’t know how Judge Bleich viewed the trial and will rule after he receives and reviews the post-trial briefs of both parties, I do feel that the Nickelson team carried its legal burden of proving that with a one vote margin “it is impossible to determine the result” of the election, and that a new runoff election should be ordered. (LA. R.S. 18:1432).
I emphasize that were the margin of victory here greater than one single, solitary vote the error or mistake might be deemed “harmless error” if it would not alter the outcome of the election. However, with a one vote margin, if even one of the numerous alleged mistakes and/or irregularities is true, the election outcome changes.
The right to vote and the necessity to have all legal votes count equally with that of every other voter is not only one of our fundamental constitutional rights but is alsothe right that is preservative of all our other rights. It is a sacred right for which over a million Americans fought and died throughout America’s military history. That is why we must demand that the election safeguards put into place by law are scrupulously followed in this case.
Lacy Prejean (right) will begin her first season as Northwestern State head softball coach when the season starts on Feb. 8, 2024. Credit: Arief Harlan
Renewed rivalries, exciting tournament weekends with noteworthy competition and the standard Southland Conference gauntlet mark the beginning of the Lacy Prejean era for Northwestern State softball in 2024.
Prejean announced her team’s schedule on Thursday, one that features four tournament weekends across Texas and Louisiana, four home conference weekends and a handful of midweek matchups with regional and in-state rivals.
The loaded non-conference slate begins in San Marcos, Texas, at the Texas State Tournament, Feb. 8-10 where the Demons will play five games in three days to open the season. Opening day will see NSU face host Texas State and UTSA before meeting with Creighton, SIU and Kennesaw State the next two days.
For the first time since they were conference foes, NSU and Stephen F. Austin will renew their rivalry on Feb. 13 with the Demons traveling to Nacogdoches for the first of two midweek doubleheader meeting between the two schools.
Two more weekends on the road follow that first midweek contest taking the Demons to Houston for five more games as the Houston Classic before their first game in the state of Louisiana coming the following week at ULM’s annual Best on the Bayou Tournament.
The Demons open that weekend with their first game against ULM since 2021 and just the second since 2017. They will also see former Southland foe Sam Houston for two games that weekend along with former Big East champions and current ACC team Syracuse marking the first all-time meeting with the Orange.
After three weeks on the road and 17 total games, fans will get their first chance to see the Demons at home when they host SFA in the back half of the home-and-home doubleheader with the Lumberjacks on Feb. 27.
The final preparation before conference play sends the Demons to Austin, Texas, and the Longhorn Invitational. NSU will take on Texas, who finished 2023 ranked No. 11 in the country, in the second game of the day after their meeting with Hofstra. The final non-conference game before the start of SLC play pits the Demons against Penn State that same weekend.
NSU opens conference play at home against Nicholls on March 8, the first of four home Southland weekends this year. The Demons also host McNeese (March 28-29), Texas A&M-Commerce (April 19-20) and UIW (May 3-4) at the Demon Diamond this season.
Sprinkled throughout the Southland slate are three midweek games against familiar in-state foes and neighbors Louisiana Tech and Grambling. NSU continues its home-and-home meetings with the Bulldogs in Ruston on March 12 and in Natchitoches on April 16. The Demons final non-conference game of the season will be a home game against Grambling on April 30.
The Demons travel to Lamar (March 15-16), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (March 22-23), Southeastern (April 12-13) and HCU (April 26-27) for their road conference slate.
The Southland Conference Tournament will be held May 7-11 at North Oak Park in Hammond, La.
VIP season tickets for NSU softball are available now for $75 (chair backs) and $55 (general admission bleacher).
Single-game tickets will go on sale Feb. 12. For more information, visit www.nsutickets.com or call 318-357-4268.
I started Monday with a trip to the doctor. There is nothing wrong. I was there for my 250,000 mile checkup. Because I have reached my “golden years” they asked me some unfamiliar questions.
The question that threw me off was, “have you fallen recently?” I try not to fall. In the years since I was a younger man, gravity has become stronger. In High School I could dunk a volleyball. I never could get enough air to dunk a basketball, but I was so close. I could run like the wind. I got knocked down a great deal on Friday nights. Yes, I played football! Now if I were to try to jump at all, the results would be hilariously embarrassing. And the only wind I feel now is the kind that God sends. Now, I am watching football.
My current reality is I will miss a step on the ladder. I get tangled up with all the plants on the floor of my greenhouse. I know I have too many plants, because my 10’ x 20’ green house is full. I stumble but I don’t fall. I spill things in the kitchen, but I don’t fall. I trip sometimes but I don’t fall. Yet.
I know why they asked the question. At my age, that hurt to type, falls become an issue. There are many reasons a person might fall and there are definite consequences of falling.
I started thinking about falling. Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall and bad things happened. He was so smashed up all the governmental programs and personnel could not put him back together. When the stock market falls my wallet and future are imperiled. There are times clothes will fall, that is called a wardrobe malfunction. We used to call it flashing, but us ancient people are not cultured, civilized, or politically correct.
Falling can be good. If a few pounds fall off, that is good. Your numbers might fall and that would be another good thing. What about falling in love? That can be a good, bad, or complicated thing. There is a whole season dedicated to fall. It is called fall. I remind people it is not called rake, mulch, or burn. It is called fall, and the leaves are beautiful and obedient. Leave the leaves in their fallen condition, your lawn will thank you in the spring. I can’t verify what your neighbors might think about it, but the grass will love it.
Falling is also theological. Since the Garden of Eden, we humans are said to be in a fallen state because of sin. There is one more theological insight about falling.
Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 5, 2023 Contact: govpress@la.gov
BATON ROUGE, La. – According to Bureau of Economic Analysis data released this morning, Louisiana’s real Gross Domestic Product grew 3.2% in the second quarter of 2023, outpacing 40 other states and easily exceeding the national real GDP growth rate of 2.1%.
Among the 40 states that Louisiana outpaced are: Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, New York, California, Colorado, Arizona, Oregon and Washington.
“My administration has worked hard to grow and diversify Louisiana’s economy, and this top-10 GDP growth rate is yet another sign that our hard work is paying off,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “We have the lowest unemployment rate in state history. We have increased capital investment every year since 2017, including three consecutive years of more than $20 billion for the first time in our state’s history. And our economic growth is expected to continue. Economist Loren Scott recently predicted that Louisiana will add 80,000 more jobs in 2024 and 2025 thanks to our success positioning Louisiana as a leader in the global energy transition.”
To read the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ full press release, click here.
Upscale Events presents Holiday Heart Christmas Festival from 12-4pm on Saturday, December 9 at the Coushatta Event Center.
Donations are still needed. Contact Lavandria Taylor at 318.461.7773 for more information or to donate toys and other items.
Bring all the kids out for food, games, face painting, featuring photos with Mickey Santa & Minnie Mrs. Clause, write letters to Santa, door prizes, cupcake decorating, ornament making, & coloring contest!
Coushatta-Red River Christmas parade begins at 4:30 p.m. December 7. Fireworks begin at 6:00 p.m.
Medicare open enrollment ends on December 7, 2023. Don’t miss your chance to find better coverage, lower premiums, or both. Compare your current coverage choice with all your 2024 options before it’s too late.
Social Springs Baptist Church will host its annual Choral Christmas Cantata on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 5pm, followed by Mark Lanier and world-renowned pianist Andrew Ishee presenting a Christmas Concert. A love offering will be received and refreshments will be served.
December 3 reigned high in the hearts of young and old as the CPKC Holiday Express rolled into Coushatta. The excitement began to build as the Southern Belle train including the Christmas engine pulled five cars full of Christmas joy to a stop on the tracks at 3:00 pm. Thanks to the hard work of the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Coushatta Police, streets were blocked, and people began to line up. Officials estimated over 600 people from at least 4 parishes attended.
It took almost an hour to get everything set up and guests onboard the train. The nostalgia of old trains and Christmas décor from days gone by filled the cars. Toy trains whistled through, and children’s faces lit up to know that Santa was waiting at the end of the tour.
Many thanks to Mr. Peter Drake, under the direction of the Town Council and Mayor Cox, who petitioned vigorously to have the train in our town again. The Christmas Spirit is alive and well in this small town.
The Riverdale varsity basketball teams played North Delta and Delta Streets on November 22nd. The Lady Rebels won over North Delta 49-42, and Delta Streets won over the Rebels 52-47.
For the Lady Rebels, Mary Claire Jones had 23 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 2 deflections, and 1 block; Jadyn King had 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, and 1 deflection; Madison Chamberlin with 6 points, 8 rebounds, 4 deflections, and 1 steal; Hanna Huddleston with 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 2 steals; McKayla Pickett with 9 points, 21 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 deflections, 1 steal, and 1 block; Charity Williamson with 2 points and 2 rebounds; and Julia Grace Riggs with 4 points and 3 rebounds.
For the boys, Ryder Huddleston had 23 points, 12 rebounds, 2 deflections, 5 steals, and 1 block; Ashton Almond with 6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 deflections, and 1 block; Kyle Guillory with 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 deflections; Tanner Carlisle with 7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 deflections, and 1 block; Will Jones with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 deflections, and 1 steal; Kaidyn Williams with 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 deflection, and Logan Gryder with 2 points and 3 rebounds.
Good job Rebels! Everyone can’t wait for another amazing season.
New Northwestern State football coach Blaine McCorkle (middle) is flanked by (from left to right) his parents, Diane and Sam McCorkle, his wife Gina and his oldest daughter Gracie after his on-campus introduction Wednesday. (Photo by CHRIS REICH, Northwestern State)
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
In an energetic 37 minutes Wednesday, Blaine McCorkle took firm control of a wobbly Northwestern State football program and outlined the core philosophies he’ll employ hoping to duplicate the turnaround he achieved at Division III Belhaven.
With 24 wins in his last three seasons after taking over a struggling program in Jackson, Miss., the 26-year coaching veteran knows what he likes. And with a degree from LSU, after four years (1995-99) as a deep snapper for the Tigers, he loves the idea of etouffee, gumbo and recruiting in the Bayou State.
“The heart and soul of our program will be right here in Louisiana, no doubt about it,” said the 47-year-old McCorkle, introduced to media and supporters Wednesday afternoon in the Steve and Lori Stroud Room that’s a short field goal from Turpin Stadium. He has signed a four-year contract at $252,000 per year, sources said, with that salary approximately $100,000 more than previous coach Brad Laird.
“We’re going to be all over this state. We’re going to be from Shreveport to Ruston to Monroe to Many, to West Ouachita I passed coming in (from Jackson), south Louisiana from Lake Charles, to Crowley, to Opelousas, Lafayette, South Lafourche, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, you name it, we’re going to be there,” he said. “For 30-40 years, the state of Louisiana has more NFL players per capita than any state in the country. Lotta good football right here, and we’re gonna cover it, get out and get to know people.”
While NCAA rules kept him from being specific, he noted that at Belhaven this fall, the Blazers have recruited a player from Natchitoches Central.
Although NSU has won just seven games in three seasons since the COVID pandemic, McCorkle doesn’t plan to load up on transfers while bolstering a roster that may be just half-full. Roughly five dozen players, he said, attended a Tuesday “meet the coach” session, and while some others may have been in class, there are plenty of gaps to fill to round out a 115-man roster.
“I do want to utilize the portal, but here, right now, we need to be very, very careful and very, very smart not to just bring anybody. My first thought is initially I want to go (with) older kids. I don’t want younger kids out of the portal,” he said. “I want guys who are graduate guys that can help us on the field, yes, but help us establish culture to a certain degree as well.”
McCorkle said he has “3-4” new staff who will be on campus Monday, and he may keep “1-2” of the current coaches when he completes his staff in the next 10 days. The Dec. 20 early signing date creates urgency to get those coaches on the road recruiting.
McCorkle, whose cousin Sammy is the head coach at Dartmouth in the Ivy League, won’t fit his offensive schemes to the personnel. The Demons will run what his Blazers have used – a three-down defensive front with lots of man coverage on the back end, and an NFL-style offense.
“I’ve been an offensive line coach, so defensively I want to do what I can’t block. People think you can’t stop the run with a three-down front, you’re crazy. Our defense this year at Belhaven this year had four games with under 20 yards rushing allowed. If you do it right, if you teach it right, it is fast and it is physical, and I think there is a lot of value in it,” he said. “It gives people headaches.”
Offensively, McCorkle will not call plays as he did in his successful final three seasons at Belhaven and he will emphasize fundamentals.
“I’m a pure football coach. I think one of the biggest mistakes in all of football is so many everybody’s way out here, (trying to) be the next guru. Day one teaching, I’m going to have a tight end and a fullback. We’re going to play football, and we’re going to hit you in the face,” he said. “If you start there in 21 personnel, it’s real easy to grow your offense, expand, and do anything you want to do. We’re going to put our hand in the ground, learn how to block, how to take a handoff, how to fit people up, we’re going to block on the perimeter, and that will take us any direction we want to go.”
The Demons will be about 50-50 huddle and tempo, he said, and probably 50-50 with the quarterback in the shotgun and under center.
“As a whole, what you see on Sunday (in the NFL) is what we are, but we do like to have our quarterback run around a little more than those guys do. The purest football is on Sunday afternoon. Those are the best coaches, the best athletes in the world, but for some reason at the college and high school levels, we try to outcoach those guys. What are we thinking?”
The son of a longtime offensive line coach (father Sam worked at Ole Miss, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and several FCS and Division II programs, and in high school, and was head coach at West Alabama), McCorkle said he’s not the best coach in his household. His wife Gina, an All-American field hockey player at Ball State, won seven Atlantic Conference championships in 11 years at Richmond, where they met.
The oldest of his four children, daughter Gracie, was in the front row Wednesday. She just graduated from Louisiana Tech, where she’s worked with the Bulldogs’ fundraising team. His only son is 14-year-old Sammy, a rugged footballer who was playing in his first basketball game Wednesday night.
SWEPCO Corporate Communications Media Line: (318) 673-3060
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SHREVEPORT, LA – Throughout SWEPCO’s service territory our customers are decking the halls and we’re pleased to shine a light on holiday fun in the communities we serve. In partnership with radio stations 96.5 KVKI in Shreveport, 101.5 KNUE in Longview, and 102.5 KKYR in Texarkana, SWEPCO is proud to sponsor a festive multi-state contest. We invite our residents and businesses to showcase their creativity by safely decorating their halls, walls, store fronts, homes, lawns, or even rooftops with the most magnificent lighting displays.
“Don’t hold back! Let your imagination shine as bright as a thousand lights,” encouraged SWEPCO light contest organizers Shantell Jordan and Brooke Rinaudo.
Area residents are encouraged to capture the brilliance of their displays and share their photos. Townsquare Media, in collaboration with SWEPCO, will award $500 to a lucky listener in each radio market whose lights outshine the rest. Contest entrants should select their radio station and submit their entries directly: 96.5 KVKI, 101.5 KNUE, OR 102.5 KKYR.
“It’s your chance to make your community sparkle and take home a prize along with bragging rights as the best and brightest,” Jordan added.
To participate in the contest or find out more information about all the wonderful ways to sparkle, shine and celebrate with us, visit swepco.com/lightup.
In addition, SWEPCO is proud to sponsor other holiday favorites happening in our service territory:
Celebrating their 40th year, is the enchanting Christmas in Roseland at the American Rose Center. Now through December 23, in a winter wonderland as you stroll through the breathtaking lights and catch glimpses of Santa and his merry elves.
For those seeking an electrifying display of pyrotechnics, mark your calendars for the Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival. On December 2, experience good food, live music and arts and crafts from local vendors. Santa will also be at the festival. At 6:30 p.m., the night sky will be ablaze with a sizzling spectacle of fireworks. Gather your friends and family, charge up your holiday cheer, and witness a spark-tacular show.
In Northwest Arkansas, SWEPCO took center stage as the exclusive sponsor of the Lights of the Ozarks Light Night and Parade. There’s still time to witness the enchantment of Lights of the Ozarks! With over half a million lights transforming the square into a mesmerizing wonderland, this sparkling extravaganza will be on display every evening from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. From now through the New Year. Residents and visitors can bask in the electric glow and create truly special moments with your loved ones.
About Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) SWEPCO, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, serves more than 551,144 customers in Northwest and Central Louisiana, Northeast Texas and the Texas Panhandle, and Western Arkansas. SWEPCO’s headquarters are in Shreveport, La. News releases and other information about SWEPCO can be found at SWEPCO.com. Connect with us at Facebook.com/SWEPCO, Twitter.com/SWEPCOnews, Instagram.com/swepco, Youtube.com/SWEPCOtv and LinkedIn.com/company/swepco.
About American Electric Power (AEP)
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 7,100 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.
GRAMBLING, La | The Grambling State University Department of Athletics and Dr. Trayvean Scott have announced a change in leadership of the GSU football program.
Head coach Hue Jackson has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately.
“We want to thank Coach Jackson on his contributions to the GSU football program. We wish him well in all his future endeavors,” said Dr. Scott. “This was not an easy decision to make but one that we felt was necessary to move our program forward. The goal at GSU is to compete for championships every year. As we move forward, we will be intentional in finding the right person to lead this program back to its rightful place as one of the top programs in the country.”
Co-Offensive Coordinator John Simon has been elevated to interim head coach and will assume day-to-day operations of the football program.
Coach Simon has coached at Arizona State, Memphis, Southern Miss and ULL. He played collegiately at Louisiana Tech and professionally with the Nashville Titans. He is a native of Baton Rouge.
A national search for a new head coach will commence immediately.
FOLLOW GRAMBLING STATE ATHLETICS For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /GramblingStateTigers1901 (Facebook), @gramblingathletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
Northwestern State University will hold Fall Commencement exercises at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec 13 and 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 in Prather Coliseum.
During the 10 a.m. ceremony on Wednesday, diplomas will be awarded to graduates earning from the College of Business and Technology and the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development.
During the 2 p.m. on Wednesday ceremony, diplomas will be awarded to graduates earning degrees from the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health.
During the 10 a.m. ceremony on Thursday, diplomas will be awarded to graduates earning degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Louisiana Scholars’ College.
For a detailed schedule, a list of Frequently Asked Questions and candidate information, visit www.nsula.edu/graduation.
BUCHANAN, TIA 31 W F 11/27/2023 11/30/2023 ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE BATTERY OF A DATING PARTNER $10,000.00
WATERS, MICHAEL 42 W M 11/28/2023 11/28/2023 ARRESTING AGENCY: COUSHATTA POLICE DEPARTMENT SECOND DEGREE BATTERY $15,000.00 (CONCURRENT) POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE $5,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
COLLINS, CORTEZ 40 B M 11/28/2023 11/29/2023 ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY (SERIOUS BODILY INJURY) $20,000.00 (CONCURRENT) FALSE IMPRISONMENT $10,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
RRES Principal, Mike Beck with Ava Jones holding her book “Crawjazz”
RRES is BULLDOG PROUD to announce one of our students is a published author!
Third grader, Ava Jones, has written and illustrated her own book. “Crawjazz” is a book filled with Louisiana rich culture.
The book is about a crawfish name Kayden who has a love for jazz music. Kayden and his friend Malta, the alligator, go on a journey to search the swamp for jazz instruments. One day, while searching the swamp, they stumble across an old rusted trumpet. Kayden and Malta were so excited because their dream of becoming jazz singers was one step closer to becoming a reality! They would practice for hours. Kayden’s and Malta’s dream become a reality as they become jazz legends, just like the Great Bleu Billie.
During the month of November, the Coushatta Chute Chapter DAR teamed with the Red River Parish Library to honor service men and women from our parish. When the tree was taken down on Monday, there were a total of 81 stars adorned the tree.
Each star represented a person who served in the military. There were 9 stars for American Revolution service, 2 for World War 1, 8 for World War II, 1 for Korea, and 5 for Vietnam. Veterans from each branch of the military were also honored. 26 stars were from the army, 11 from Navy, 17 from the Air Force, 11 Marines, 1 Coast Guard, and 1 National Guard.
Each of the stars are now at the library and can be picked up by the family member who placed them on the tree. Any of the stars that remain will be kept and placed on the tree next November.
Coushatta Chute Chapter Regent, Norma Lester expressed her thanks to the library staff for all the help during this event. She also thanks the people who participated by adding their veteran’s name to the tree. Her hope is that this becomes an annual event and recognition of even more service members grows.
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