The BC | Bank Bank of Coushatta needs your help in deciding which Mardi Gras mask is the best. Head over to MyBCBank.com and check them out. Cast your vote my Feb 16.

Due to inclement weather predicted for Saturday, The Krewe of Dionysos parade in Natchitoches has been rescheduled for Sun Feb 15 at 6pm.

Lawmakers advance a bill to intercept casino winnings for child support.

A 1000-pound female Great White shark has been detected off the Louisiana Coast east of New Orleans.

Willis Knighton Health broke ground on its new $50 million medical office building in Ruston.

Drew Brees will ride in the Krewe of Bacchus in New Orleans Sun Feb 15.

Peggy Friday Danielson
June 18, 1940 – February 11, 2026
Visitation will be held Friday, February 13, 2026 from 2-3pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home in Coushatta with graveside services immediately following at Wallace Cemetery in the Wallace Community.

Curtis Brasco
February 14, 1955 – January 31, 2026
Funeral services will be held Saturday February 21, 2026 at 11am at New Hope #1 B.C. in Hanna.

Town of Coushatta Boil Water Advisory is now lifted for all customers. The samples were cleared by the Louisiana Department of Health/Office of Public Health on February 10, 2026.

Matt Vines

COUSHATTA — The hot streak that Red River girls basketball is on lifted the Lady Bulldogs into the history books this week.

With Tuesday’s 57-46 home win against Winnfield, Red River clinched the District 3-2A title.

All that stands in between Red River and the start of the playoffs is a Friday date at Lakeside, whom Red River beat 71-20 in the first meeting.

It’s the regular season finale with the playoffs starting next week for a Red River squad that improved to 18-2 and 6-1 in district play.

Tuesday’s win came after a huge 42-39 win at perennial district power Mansfield, securing a season sweep over the Lady Wolverines.

The Lady Bulldogs, winners of six of their last seven games, entered Tuesday as the No. 12 seed in the Division III Non-Select power rankings.

The Red River boys were already district champions headed into Tuesday’s matchup, and they cemented their district dominance with a 72-32 thumping of Winnfield.

It’s a Winnfield bunch that pushed the Bulldogs in the first meeting, a 69-58 win.

Red River (17-8, 7-0) have won eight straight contests.

The Bulldogs are at No. 5 in the Division III Non-Select power rankings

Riverdale basketball ready to leap into Class A state tournament
The Riverdale girls and basketball teams continue their playoff trek Wednesday at the Class A state tournament at Columbus Christian in Steens, Miss.

The Lady Rebels (26-5) ripped through the South Region tournament and will be one of two No. 1 seeds in the eight-team tournament.

Riverdale plays host and No. 4 seed Columbus Christian at 6:30 p.m.

The Rebels (4-13) enter as a No. 4 seed and will also play host Columbus Christian, who is a No. 1 seed, at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

The boys put their growth season on display with a win against Mt. Salus Christian before an eventual loss in the third-place game against Briarfield Academy.

The Rebels trailed by just seven points with six minutes remaining before Briarfield Academy made a flurry of 3-pointers to run away with a 73-49 win.

That same Briarfield squad beat Columbus Christian, 58-15, in late December, which means Riverdale certainly has a chance despite the seeding.

“We did a lot of good things at the regional tournament, and we brought a lot of energy and played with a ton of heart,” said coach Ty Jones. “They’ve worked so hard to get here, and I couldn’t be more proud of their effort.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, but I believe this is an opportunity for the young guys to gain some confidence finishing this season and going into the next.”

The top two teams in each state tournament will advance to the overall MAIS tournament, which feature teams of all classifications.

The Lady Rebels, with their five seniors led by stalwart Mary Claire Jones, are eyeing this group’s first state championship after a heartbreaking 59-56 loss to Marvell Academy in the state semifinals.

Riverdale did appear in the overall state tournament this past season.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will soon begin the process of removing tree debris from the right-of-way along certain state routes in the northwest region that accumulated as a result of the recent winter storm.

The contractor anticipates beginning work this week, which includes the following parishes and routes:

Red River Parish:

– US 71 from Natchitoches Parish line to Bossier Parish line
– US 371 from US 71 to Bienville Parish line
– LA 783 from US 71 to US 371
– LA 786 from US 71 to LA 507
– LA 514 from US 71 to LA 515
– LA 507 from US 71 to LA 514
– US 84 from LA 1 to I-49
– LA 510 from US 84 to LA 177
– LA 155 from US 71 to Natchitoches Parish line

Bienville Parish:

– LA 4 from Ringgold to US 71
– US 371 from Ringgold to Red River Parish line
– LA 607 from LA 9 to LA 154

DeSoto Parish:

– I-49 from Caddo Parish line to Natchitoches Parish line
– LA 346
– LA 175 from Sabine Parish line to Caddo Parish line
– LA 5 from LA 175 to Logansport
– LA 3015 from LA 175 to Marshall Road
– LA 191 from US 84 to Sabine Parish line
– LA 509 from LA 175 to Red River Parish line
– LA 789
– LA 172
– LA 764
– LA 765
– US 171 from Sabine Parish line to Caddo Parish line
– LA 483 from LA 175 to Sabine Parish line
– LA 513 from Gibbs Street to Oxford Cut Off
– LA 169
– US 84 from Mundy Road to Logansport
– LA 522
– LA 3248

Intermittent lane and shoulder closures will be necessary to allow for debris removal operations, though major impacts to traffic are not anticipated.

Motorists should be on the lookout for contractor equipment and personnel, and proceed with extreme caution through the work zone. These operations will continue until the debris is removed from the right-of-way of the affected areas.

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.

The Red River Parish School Board will meet at 8:30 am Wednesday, February 11, 2026.  

Wednesday:

Mostly cloudy skies early then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Slight chance for a shower. High 72F. Winds light and variable.

Partly cloudy during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 47F. Winds light and variable.

Thursday:

Partly cloudy. High 73F. Winds light and variable.

Partly cloudy overnight with areas of patchy fog. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.

Joshua David Smith, born April 29, 1990, passed away on February 1, 2026, at the age of 35, following a lengthy illness.

Joshua is survived by his loving wife, Shauna Salard Smith; his cherished daughter, Aubrey Grace Smith; his mother, Monica Maggio Smith; and his father, Jerry David Smith “Peanut” (Christy). He is also survived by his paternal grandparents, Jerry and Elaine Smith; his mother-in-law, Michelle Rolen (John); and his father-in-law, Michael Salard. Joshua leaves behind his uncles, Richard (Becky) and Paul Smith “BooBoo,” as well as his sister-in-law, Meagan Salard Busby (Austin), and his nephew, Hudson. He is further survived by his stepbrothers, Colt and Caden. Joshua was deeply loved by his aunts, Michele Todtenbier, Aimee Fontenot (Greg), and Marla Prince, who were like mothers to him throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Charles “Charlou” and Myrna Maggio and his uncle, Randall Smith.

Joshua was a Certified Ford Master Technician and small engine mechanic who took great pride in his work. He loved working on vehicles and tractors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time working in his yard. Above all, Joshua treasured time with his daughter, especially playing board games together.

A devoted Christian, Joshua loved the Lord and prayed faithfully, particularly throughout the past three years during his illness. He drew strength from his unwavering faith and the constant support of his family. His faith never wavered as he trusted God to carry him through each day. The family is deeply grateful for the opportunity to spend meaningful time with Joshua during this past year.

Visitation will be held at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 4th from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Services will be held at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home on Thursday, February 5th at 1:00 PM with Pastor Benjamin Keele officiating. Joshua will be laid to rest at Davis Springs Cemetery in Fairview Alpha.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Todtenbier, Greg Fontenot, Michael Salard, Austin Busby, John Rolen, and Blake McNeely.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of The Courtyard of Natchitoches for their compassionate care during Joshua’s illness, with special appreciation to Karen, Martha, Sylvia, Anissa, Homada, Dr. John Hogg, and Hospice of Natchitoches.

Joshua often leaned on the words of Joshua 1:8–9:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Every so often, Scripture taps us on the shoulder and whispers a truth we’d rather not admit out loud—especially not in front of the church council. It’s this: if there’s a polished saint on one side of the room and a repentant rascal on the other, the Lord tends to wander over to the rascal. And He does it with a kind of divine twinkle that says, “Watch what grace can do.”

This is not a minor theme. It’s practically the Bible’s greatest hits album.

Take Jacob. If your church had a background-check policy, Jacob wouldn’t even get to hand out bulletins. He lies, cheats, manipulates, and still God says, “That one. I’ll build a nation from that one.” Esau is out there doing CrossFit and being responsible. Jacob is stirring soup and plotting. And God chooses him anyway.

Or Rahab—whose résumé would not get her anywhere near the nursery sign-up sheet. Yet she becomes the hero of Jericho and ends up in Jesus’ family tree. God seems to delight in saying, “Your past doesn’t disqualify you. It’s the very place My grace shines brightest.”

And then there’s David. A man after God’s own heart… and also the star of several episodes that would make Dateline blush. Yet God keeps restoring him, using him, singing over him. Meanwhile, Saul—tall, impressive, polished—gets sidelined for trying too hard to look holy.

Peter is the apostle who could derail a committee meeting in under thirty seconds. He denies Jesus, misunderstands half the parables, and once cut off a man’s ear. Jesus hands him the keys to the kingdom anyway.

Zacchaeus? A professional cheat. A man who would overcharge you for your own tithe envelope. Jesus sees him and says, “Lunch at your place.” The crowd is scandalized. Jesus is delighted.

And the woman at the well—five husbands, a complicated story, and a reputation that made her the talk of the town. Jesus chooses her as the first evangelist of Samaria. The disciples are baffled. Jesus is not.

God consistently gravitates toward: the messy over the manicured, the repentant over the respectable, the hungry over the holy-looking, and the honest sinner over the polished saint

Why? Because saints tend to bring their résumé. Scoundrels bring their need.
Saints say, “Look what I’ve done for You.”
Scoundrels say, “Lord, have mercy.”
And God has always been drawn to the sound of mercy being asked for.

If you feel like a spiritual overachiever, God loves you—but He may ask you to scoot over so a tax collector can sit down.

If you feel like a spiritual disaster, God loves you—and He’s probably already pulling up a chair.

The gospel is not “God helps those who help themselves.”
The gospel is “God helps those who can’t even pretend to help themselves.”

And thank the Lord for that, because most of us are one bad day away from enrolling in Jacob’s School of Holy Mischief.

The Minden St. Jude Auction raised a record breaking $2,718,301 for St. Jude at their recent weekend fundraiser.

Mark your calendars—Riverdale’s Spring Thaw is set for Sat Mar 28 at the Coushatta Country Club.

Family Harvest Church is hosting a Bass Tournament Sat Apr 11 at Grand Bayou Resort.

Northwestern State University Professor of Art Corbin Covher and NSU alumna Hannah Fulton will join officials for the unveiling of the latest sculpture in the Natchitoches in Bloom series. The unveiling will take place at Susan Harling Robinson Memorial Park at the corner of Pine and Cypress streets at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb 12. The latest sculpture honors the story and legacy of “Steel Magnolias.” Natchitoches in Bloom is an ongoing public art project created by the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission and the Cane River National Heritage Area in partnership with NSU’s School of Creative and Performing Arts.

The Louisiana Art & Science Museum will host its next Free First Sunday on March 1, from 1 PM to 5 PM. Visitors can enjoy free admission to the museum and a special $5 rate for unlimited shows at the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium. With general admission generously sponsored by BASF, this monthly event promises an afternoon of exploration, education, and entertainment for all ages.

Curtis Brasco
February 14, 1955 – January 31, 2026
Funeral services will be held Saturday February 21,2026 at 11am at New Hope #1 B.C. in Hanna.

Boil Advisory

Coushatta Water System
02/7/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Town of Coushatta Water system has experienced problems with our water supply system due to low pressure below 20 PSI.

Because of these problems, the water produced by our water supply system is of questionable microbiological quality.

Matt Vines

EAST POINT – Both the Riverdale Academy girls and boys basketball teams pushed through the Class A South Regional Tournament this past week and advanced to the Class A State Tournament this coming week.

The Lady Rebels (26-5) lifted the regional title by storming through their bracket, blasting Claiborne Academy 77-36 in the title game Saturday at Riverdale Academy.

Riverdale eased through the quarterfinals 69-17 against Humphreys Academy and 65-44 over Briarfield Academy in the semifinals.

“We shot the ball well all week,” said coach Trey Pittman. “We had extremely balanced scoring with different players stepping up every game.”

The boys won their quarterfinals contest 73-45 against Mt. Salus Christian, securing their spot in the upcoming state tournament with a guaranteed top-four finish in the regionals.

The Rebels (4-13) lost in the semifinals and in the third-place game, placing fourth in the tournament.

Four girls – Mary Claire Jones, Makayla Pickett, Julia Grace Riggs and Hanna Huddleston – were voted to the all-tournament team.

Tanner Carlisle represented the boys on the all-tournament team.

The girls are a No. 1 seed in the upcoming eight-team Class A state tournament at Columbus Christian.

They face No. 4 seed Columbus Christian on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

The boys play directly after as the No. 4 seed Rebels take on No. 1 seed Columbus Christian.

Matt Vines

SUPERINTENDENT’S LIST

NERIAH JANETTE BEAVERS 
CHRISTOPHER DAY JR 
KALEIGH AMBRIELLE DEMERY 
LEVI GLEN EDWARDS 
EMMA FREDERICK 
MICHAELA NICOLE HENDERSON
MAKENZIE MONEE HOUSLEY 
BARRETT RAY WILLIAM MANGHAM
IVORY-AUNA ELAINE PUEBLO 
LILLIAN MAY THOMAS
M`KAYVA MADASON WARD 
KENTRELL DASHAWN WILLIAMS

PRINCIPAL’S HONOR ROLL

MACI BELLARD 
BRIAN DURAND BOLYER JR 
KENNIDIE MINEOLA BRADLEY BONNER
MADISON ELIZABETH BREEDLOVE
ELIZABETH JOY DEMARY 
ALANAH CIMONE DEMERY 
JOHNARI ELISE DUPLANTIS
RI`YANNA D`YANIRA FRAZIER 
RYANN ELICEIA HELAIRE 
JA`NIYAH JONAE HORTON 
ALONDRA JACK 
JOSEPH TEREL JENKINS JR 
SAMUEL ZAYNE KEITH 
ABAGAIL KNOTTS 
GABRIELLE ALESE LEEPER 
IZABELLE CLAIRE LEEPER 
LOGAN ALAN LINDSEY 
KINGSTON BLAKE MARTIN 
ADIEN JOSIAH MAXIE 
LINDSEY BRYNN MCCRORY 
KAMYDEN KEYONNTE SHAMAR 
ANDREW LEE PETERSEN 
RICHARD ANTHONY PAUL PHILLIPS
ABIGAIL DARLENE PRICE 
EYAN SMELLEY 
TORAH LAKAI SMITH
ZECHARIAH MARTEZ SMITH 
PHILLIP TERRELL SWEENEY JR
VERNON LEE TERRELL I
MY KAYLAH ZY` ELL THOMAS 
BAYLEE GRACE WEAVER
ARYS JAMES WILLIAMSON
ELIJAH LANE WILLIAMSON 
MASON MARQUIS WILLIS
EMMA LYNN WOODARD

HONOR ROLL

JAXON LAYNE BLOUNT
GARY JOHN BRADEN III
SCOTTY BRISKER JR 
MCKENZIE NAKEL CALDWELL
PEYTON RYDER CALDWELL
BRAXTON O`BRYAN CALHOUN 
DOMINIQUE JERMAINE CASSON JR
TRINITY ALIGHIA DOWLEN
KAIDEN TREMEL HUMPHERY 
CYPRESS ALAIYAH JACKSON
KYRSTIN RE`NAE JONE
ALLIE GRACE KELLOGG
CHRISTIAN MIMS 
TEDIE DESHUN NELSON JR
GWYNETH GAYLE PALMER 
BAILEE ARRYN RANEY 
SIRE DEANTE` REEVES
RE`BEKAH RE`NEE SCOTT 
REMINGTON CARTER SHAVER 
A`DYN JAE SOLTON 
TE AUNNA AMBRIYEL TAYLOR 
SHA` RIYAH DEONA WILLIAMS 

Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – Coming off another playoff appearance, the Red River baseball team opens the 2026 regular season Monday at Zwolle at 6 p.m.

The Bulldogs couldn’t replicate its historic 2024 season in which the program advanced to its quarterfinals, but Red River did make it back to the playoffs as a No. 23 seed and lost in the first round to Doyle.

Now championship caliber head coach Todd Moore will see what’s in store in his third season at the helm.
That 2024 team featured an experienced roster that sent four players to the collegiate level.

There are still remnants of that roster in 2026 with players like Kade Martinez, Elijah Murphy, Cameron Jones, Porter Williamson and Nolan Moore.

But Red River will need to develop pitching after losing Aston Hester and John Dickey IV on the mound.
Murphy did start the second game of the first-round playoff series, and he’ll surely be an arm on which Red River will rely this season.

After the opener against Zwolle, Red River turns around and hosts Florien on Tuesday in the home opener.

The schedule sprinkles in district games throughout as everybody is chasing reigning champion Lakeside. In 2025, Red River swept Mansfield in a two-game set but managed just one combined win against Winnfield, Many and Lakeside.

Red River finished the season 9-13.

Other notable non-district matchups include Minden (Feb. 23), Choudrant (March 2), Parkway (March 3), and North DeSoto (March 20).

Pictured is Cade Kelly of Quitman with the 10.0 lb largemouth bass he caught on Grand Bayou Reservoir
in Coushatta on January 16, 2026. Kelly plans to have a replica of the fish made under Grand Bayou
Resort’s Lunker program.

The resort and Grand Bayou Reservoir District will pay for replicas of any bass caught at the lake that is
over 10 pounds. If the fisherman wants a replica, the fish must first be officially weighed by resort
personnel, then returned to the lake alive and in good condition. Now, get out there and fish!
Photo credit Grand Bayou Resort staff.

On January 31, 2026, the Krewe of Dionysos hosted their Grand Bal XXVIII in the Natchitoches Events
Center under the thrilling theme Krewe of Dionysos Around the World." Brett Garfinkel served as the Grand event’s emcee, and Louisiana Red was the band for the evening.

The Krewe took guests on a trip of a lifetime, with four different destinations, which required a passport
provided to each ‘traveler’, complete with country stamps. The Krewe’s first stop was in Egypt, where
Captain Dionysos Brandi McManus made her debut with her page, Eleanor Grace Picou. After a brief in-flight entertainment, the Junior Court was presented.

Lainey Bennett – Daughter of Krewe Members Jeremy Bennett and Hillary Bennett.
Ava Broadway – Daughter of Lindsey Broadway; Granddaughter of Krewe Member Shelby Borders.
Landon Carney – Son of Lonny Carney, Jr and Katie Dunn Carney; Grandson of Krewe Member Cindy
Dunn.
Andrew Cockrell – Son of Brian Cockrell and Dr. Jennifer Poynter Cockrell; Grandson of Charter Member
Brenda Poynter Reinhart and Krewe Member Paul Reinhart and the late Charter Member Mike Poynter.
Chalin Gandy – Son of Krewe Member Charlie Gandy and Matt Gandy.
Matthew Mayeux – Son of Krewe Member Dr. Michelle Ingram Mayeux and Chris Mayeux; Grandson of
Charter Krewe Members Lucille Ingram and the late Ralph Ingram.
Kinsley McManus – Daughter of Melissa Brumley; the late David McManus and Captain Brandi
McManus.
Ava Grace Mitchell – Daughter of Krewe Members Rick and Crystal Mitchell.
Addison Price – Daughter of Krewe Members Brad and Daviona Price.
Izabella “Izzy” Smith – Daughter of Keith and Jessica Brown; Granddaughter of Krewe Members Jerry
and Darlene McElwee.

Queen Dionysos Jodi Shirley made her debut with her pages James David Shirley and Georgiana Lee
Shirley; followed by King Dionysos Dr. Ted Jordan.

Next stop for the guests was Italy with the Duke and Duchess of Dance, Billy Meziere and Stacie
Lonadier, where gladiators joined the two for their parade around the room.

The Duke and Duchess of Destiny, Shelby Borders and Elizabeth Greely, landed the flight in Brazil.
Brazilian Dancers entertained the audience with an amazing dance and colorful costumes, while the
Duke & Duchess paraded around the room.

The flight landed in China next, with tumblers and a Chinese dragon greeting the Duke and Duchess of
Decadence, John Greely and Kristina Meziere

The fourth and final stop was New York City, with the Duke and Duchess of Desire, Chris Garcia and Cathy McCauslin. As the royalty paraded one last time, the Times Square Ball dropped to begin the Mardi Gras Party. The King toasted the travelers and kicked off the start of the Grand Bal.

The next stop on the itinerary for the Krewe will be Natchitoches, LA, for the Mardi Gras Parade on
February 14, 2026!

If your group would like to participate in our February 14, 2026 parade, participation forms can be
submitted online through our website, https://kreweofdionysos.com/parade/, and completing the PARADE PARTICIPATION FORM. Questions or correspondence can be sent to KreweOfDionysos@gmail.com or SarpyL71@gmail.com.

Monday:

Areas of patchy fog early then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 78F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10mph.

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

Tuesday:

Cloudy. High 77F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15mph.

Overcast overnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable.

Susan Cartwright, State Representative for Celebrate Recovery (CR) Will be at Amazing Grace Baptist Church, 7387 U.S. Highway 371, Coushatta, Sunday February 15, 2026 at 11:00 am. She will present a program, “7 Reasons Why I Believe in CR” and answer questions following. CR is a Christ centered recovery and support program for all hurts, hangup, and habits – including chemical addictions and life issues. For additional information contact Frank Rose at 318-218-5853, Virgie Rose at 318-218-5853 or Pastor R. Joseph Carey at 318-521-5665. Everyone is welcome!

Red River High School will hold its Black History Program Feb 26 at 9am. The public is invited to attend.

An Artificial Intelligence Workshop will be held at the Red River Parish Library on Tuesday, March 3. There will be a morning session 10:00-12:00, and an afternoon session 2:00-4:00. The sessions will be the same (Part 1). Part 2 Sessions will be scheduled for April 28th. The instructor will be Toby DeVille. For more information and to register, call 318-932-5614.

Historic LSUS baseball winning streak ends at 65.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit 50,000 for the first time on Friday.

American skier Lindsey Vonn crashed seconds into her downhill Olympic race Sunday after choosing to compete after tearing her left ACL in a World Cup event a week earlier. She was airlifted and underwent surgery for a fractured leg.

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to place their franchise tag on Pro Bowl wide receiver George Pickens.