Staci Scott from the Ware Youth Facility in Red River Parish talks to Billy West about the high cost of juvenile detention – over $9,000 per month ($300.00 per night, per juvenile) in the Ware Youth Facility.
The sense of irony was sick, but Monday was World Kindness Day, and on that autumn morning, four people were stabbed outside Lambright Sports and Wellness Center on the Louisiana Tech campus, a random act of violence by a young man quickly taken into custody.
Outside of a big gym and workout center. A place where people swim and play.
And the night before in Shreveport, there was a shooting in the parking lot of the YMCA that left one victim dead and another in the hospital.
Not exactly our kind of Kindness Day.
Kindness Day was established in 1998 with the obvious intent of highlighting the good and the positive, of bridging the gap between all our sorts of differences, and to recognize how much we are alike, to encourage unity.
Some of us aren’t getting the picture.
For lots of reasons, the Lambright Center is a special place to me. I remember it being built. I lived in one of the little houses where its parking lot is now. No telling how many hours we were having fun in there, 40 years ago.
The Shreveport YMCA on the parkway is 100 yards from the Little League fields, holy ground to me for about a decade 25 years ago. Sweaty boys and girls running around, eye black smeared, learning the game, making friends. Unbridled joy. Who pulls a gun 100 yards from a bag of baseballs and a concession stand filled with Frito Pies?
I know the people who run the Lambright. The gang who runs the YMCA are friends of mine, and for a long time. Good-hearted people. None of us are naïve enough to think that violence happens only in back alleys, but goodness gracious… Instead of shooting or stabbing someone, why don’t these people just go work out?
Few if any habitual offenders will read this. So I’m preaching to the choir. But the rest of us are going to have to double-up on the kindness beat, it looks like, and cover for the ones who get their kicks by ruining the lives of people minding their own business. Have these people never held a baby? Played catch with a child? Petted a dog or provided a lap for a cat’s nap? Have they never laughed? Never lived?
We don’t get a pass from trying to make things better just because a fraction of the population is intent on making things worse. Mark Twain is credited with saying that kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see. Maybe some hate-filled soul will see your kindness and it will make a difference.
He passed away several years ago, but Leo Buscaglia was a professor at USC who in the 1980s was called “Dr. Love” because of his popular books and talks on how and why we should connect. This was after a student’s suicide moved him to start a noncredit class he called “Love 1A.” Not a perfect class or a perfect man, I’m sure, but it started a conversation worth contemplating.
“Too often,” he said, “we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
An anonymous quote that has stuck with me is that “what you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”
So welcome to Kindness WEEK. Maybe we can pull some of the slack and get this turned around a bit. Keep plugging and not growing weary in doing good, that kind of thing, even though lately, the lunatic fringe seems to be winning more than their fair share of games.
Meanwhile at Tech, the University’s Counseling Services are available to students individually and in a group setting at no charge. Appointments can be made by visiting Keeny Hall 310, calling 318.257.2488, or visiting the website at latech.edu/counseling-
A campus blood drive is scheduled for Thursday outside Tolliver Hall from 9 until 3.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
Experience Legendary Music, Food & History at the Louisiana Legends Fest presented by Car Giant Chevrolet GMC of Homer! This unique festival is this Saturday, October 21st from 10am- 6pm in Downtown Historic Homer, LA!
The music line up this year includes two stages of live music starring multi-platinum singer/songwriter Deana Carter!
9:00 – 12:00 – DJ Haynes
12:00-12:30 – Firm Foundation (GBT Gospel Stage)
12:30 – 1:00 – Edgewood Square (GBT Gospel Stage)
1:00 – 2:30 – Muzikology (Fibrebond Main Stage)
2:30 – 3:00 – Combined Choirs of Homer & Haynesville 1st Baptist Churches, Calvary Baptist and Cornerstone (GBT Gospel Stage)
3:30 – 4:00 – Sean and the Crew (GBT Gospel Stage)
4:00 – 5:30 – Deana Carter (Fibrebond Main Stage)
Tours will be available of the historic Claiborne Parish Courthouse and Ford Museum. Enjoynlocal antique shopping, over 50 art and craft vendors and mouthwatering food in the food Court.
There will also be cars on display at the Thomas G. Bourn Memorial Car Show, Art Contest, Farmer’s Market and much more!
The Louisiana Legends Fest honors and celebrates Louisianans’ that have had a significant impact with their life. This year’s honoree is Coach Alton “Red” Franklin who served as Head Coach of Haynesville’s Golden Tornado. From 1966-2000.
FREE General Admission
$25 Super Fan (Special Seating – Artist Meet & Greet Access)
$100 VIP (Covered Special Seating – Artist Meet & Greet Access – VIP Parking – VIP Lounge Access & Complimentary LLF Folding Chair)
Tickets: https://www.legendsfest.us/tickets
Homer is located 45 miles south of El Dorado, AR and is approximately 50 miles east of Shreveport and 65 miles west of Monroe.
More information can be found by visiting legendsfest.us.
At the Harrington Law Firm, we are a Debt Relief agency and we do assist people in filing for Bankruptcy under Federal Bankruptcy Law and also counsel people about non-bankruptcy options when they are suffering from financial problems.
There are lots of “street lawyers” out there who are very quick to give “advice” about the process and the effects of filing for bankruptcy.
First of all, the information those “street lawyers” give you is very likely incorrect. It may be that they or someone they knew filed bankruptcy in the past but bankruptcies are like snowflakes, every one is different. No two financial situations are exactly alike and what may or may not have worked for one person may work the total opposite way for another. In any event, here are some of the most common myths that we come across when counseling our clients about the possibility of filing bankruptcy:
MYTH #1:
If you file bankruptcy you will lose everything you have. That is actually almost never the case. In fact, most of the Chapter 13 Debt Consolidation Bankruptcies we file have the opposite effect. They often allow our clients to keep their property instead of losing it to their creditors.
MYTH #2:
You will never get credit again and you will never be able to own anything again. Both of these myths are absolutely false. We find that in the vast majority of our clients, the filing of bankruptcy actually improves their credit, sometimes dramatically, and that after they finish the bankruptcy, if they otherwise qualify for loans, they can purchase vehicles, homes, and as we like to say: “do anything you’re big enough to do.”
MYTH #3:
Filing will hurt your credit for ten years. This is absolutely a myth. While this may have been true many years ago, our experience has been that our clients’ credit improved dramatically upon receiving their discharge and they start receiving credit cards in the mail and offers from companies wanting to provide them with credit. Of course, we caution our clients to be very careful and conservative before getting themselves in debt again.
MYTH #4:
If you are married, both spouses have to file. This is not the case; we have many cases where one of the spouses in a married couple files while the other one does not.
MYTH #5:
You’ll have to testify in court. This is very, very unlikely. During Covid, the Bankruptcy Courts in our area began conducting the debtors’ meetings with the Trustees by telephone conference and/or Zoom and that continues to this day. That means that you can participate by phone from your home, work or wherever you are. It is rare that a court appearance would be required, and most of those are now are conducted by ZOOM.
MYTH #6:
Even if you file, creditors will still harass you and your family. Upon filing either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, which are the two types of consumer bankruptcies, all of your creditors will be served with what is called the “Automatic Stay,” which is an order issued by the Court prohibiting your creditors from suing you, calling you, writing you, or having any other further contact with you. You will have filed for bankruptcy protection, and protection is what it provides.
MYTH #7:
You can’t get rid of back taxes through bankruptcy. This is not always the case. Although there are some taxes that you cannot discharge through bankruptcy, we are often able to wipe out a good deal of back taxes and even if we can’t, could at least stop the penalties from running and protect our clients from seizures or any other collection efforts by the IRS or the State.
MYTH #8:
Bankruptcy cannot help you get your driver’s license back after suspension for MV fines. Again, this is false. We see many clients who owe thousands in Office of Motor Vehicle (DMV) fines and charges, and who have had their driver’s license suspended. In most cases we are able to file a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, take care of the fines through the plan, and immediately get the suspension lifted.
MYTH #9:
You can only file once for bankruptcy protection. This is definitely not true; debtors can file multiple times for bankruptcy protection.
MYTH #10:
Only deadbeats or bad people file for bankruptcy. This is definitely a myth. We find that our clients see bankruptcy as an absolute last resort and 90+% of our clients file for one of the following reasons: divorce, excessive medical bills, or becoming unemployed or under-employed.
MYTH #11:
When you get behind on your bills and can’t catch up bankruptcy, is your only option. When a client comes to us for a free consultation at The Harrington Law Firm, we discuss all of their options. Often times we will recommend non-bankruptcy options with our clients, such as, allowing us to negotiate with their creditors.
Remember, your first appointment is always free!
In addition to bankruptcy, The Harrington Law Firm handles Automobile Accidents, Medical Malpractice and other type of Personal Injury cases, Successions, Social Security Disability claims, and uncontested Divorces.
The Harrington Law Firm may be reached by calling (318) 352-5900 or going to http://www.theharringtonlawfirm.com
NortheastTel, a leader in rural broadband in Northeast Louisiana, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire CP-TEL Holdings, Inc. of Natchitoches, a leading broadband provider in Northwest Louisiana.
Mike George, President and CEO of NortheastTel said, “The acquisition of CP-TEL is a significant event for NortheastTel. CP-TEL’s leadership has built a strong company, focusing on enhancing broadband and other advanced telecommunications services throughout Northwestern Louisiana. Together with our management team, we are confident that we can continue to further these objectives.”
Becky Scott, President of Epic Touch Co.(parent company of CP-TEL), stated, “We are excited that CP-TEL is being acquired by another rural telecommunications company with a long history of doing business in Louisiana. Like Epic Touch, NortheastTel is a family-owned company that embodies the same commitment to taking care of its employees, customers, and the communities where we live and work.”
Under the agreement, NortheastTel will retain existing CP-TEL management, including Tom Edens, General Manager. Northeast is committed to continuing to grow CP-TEL and does not foresee changes in employee count following the acquisition.
The acquisition will be a stock transaction in which NortheastTel will acquire 100% of CP-TEL’s shares. The parties expect the transaction to be completed during 1Q 2024 subject to regulatory approval and other conditions set forth in the definitive agreement.
About NortheastTel
NortheastTel, headquartered in Collinston, LA is a full-service telephone and broadband services provider in rural northeastern Louisiana. The history of the current ownership of the company began in 1946 with the purchase of the Collinston Telephone Company. In 1953 the company was reorganized as Northeast Louisiana Telephone Company and has evolved over the years to where it is today. NortheastTel is a locally owned company offering customers world-class advanced telecommunications services utilizing a state-of-the-art fiber optic network and electronics.
About CP-TEL
Founded in 1933, CP-TEL has grown from a small independent telephone company providing service to the communities of Pleasant Hill, Campti, Pelican and Creston to a progressive telecommunications company delivering broadband and other communications services over state-of-the-art facilities.
CP-TEL has continued to grow their business by investing in Natchitoches, Sabine, DeSoto and Red River Parishes by expanding and upgrading their fiber-optic network and associated electronics throughout these areas. These investments have enabled CP-TEL to be able to offer customers fiber-optic connectivity with internet speeds up to 1G with no data sharing or throttling.
The success of Northwestern State University is vital to Northwest Louisiana.
My wife, Mrs. Laura, is a 1991 Graduate of NSU and nearly 50 of our close family members are graduates of NSU including three of our four parents. Our great grandparents, grandparents, parents, numerous aunts, uncles cousins and siblings were students, athletes, professors, cheerleaders and graduates of NSU.
The beautiful N that lights the night on top of Turpin Stadium was placed in honor of Mrs. Laura’s grandfather E.H. Gilson. He was the Quarterback for the 1939 undefeated Football Team, her Uncle played in the 1960s and her brother played in the 2000s. Her grandmother was the first band majorette for NSU.
Laura worked for several years in the Admissions office, both as a student and in her first post graduate job. She traveled the state recruiting students to attend NSU. She was also on the original founding team of “Freshman Connectors” for incoming NSU students and helped develop the program.
Our families are from Natchitoches for several generations back. I proposed to Mrs. Laura on Front Street.
Our family has bled purple since it was the Normal School, and before the color orange was added.
In this campaign, our opponent’s supporters are spreading ugly rumors that we are somehow anti-NSU. Nothing could be further from the truth!
We are not naive or blind to the current situation at NSU. Changes must be made if we are going to return NSU to the status it deserves as a top regional university. We are committed to making those changes. Most importantly, we have the experience, insight and team ready to make it happen!
It is time for change. I am asking for your vote on Saturday!
WE ARE NORTHWESTERN! 🤘🏻💜🧡
Alan Seabaugh
Northwestern State University’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics announces three upcoming events in which prospective students can explore career opportunities in STEM fields, meet faculty and fellow students and learn about degree programs. The School of STEM includes the Department of Biology and Microbiology, the Department of Engineering Technology, the Division of Mathematics, the Department of Physical Science and the Department of Veterinary Technology.
STEM Day:
We at Journal Services, LLC are pleased to welcome our newest publication, Vernon Parish Journal. This online publication joins 12 others across Louisiana. Join us in welcoming Rick & Mary Lou Barnickel, publishers of the new Vernon Parish Journal.
“We feel the people of Vernon Parish – Leesville, New Llano, Anacoco, North Fort Johnson and South Fort
Johnson, and surrounding towns – deserve their own publication,” said Bill Vance. “At Journal Services LLC, we pride ourselves in covering local parishes with high-quality news and advertising to keep our readers up to date on what’s happening in their communities.”
All Journals cover local news, features, and sports. Subscriptions are – and always will be – free. Please visit www.vernonparishjournal.com and sign up today – CLICK HERE.
Click to visit any of our journals:
Bienville Parish Journal
Claiborne Parish Journal
DeSoto Parish Journal
Jackson Parish Journal
Lincoln Parish Journal
Natchitoches Parish Journal,
Sabine Parish Journal
Shreveport-Bossier Journal
Rapides Parish Journal
Vernon Parish Journal
Red River Parish Journal
Webster Parish Journal
Winn Parish Journal
Report from the Red River Sheriff’s Office for August 4 – August 10, 2023
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
IRVIN, DAVID ANTHONY JR 45 W M 8/5/2023 01:30
AGGRAVATED SECOND DEGREE BATTERY $20,000.00
MOSLEY, LANARDA R 45 B M 8/5/2023 21:55 8/8/2023 00:25
FAILURE TO APPEAR – TRAFFIC ARRAIGNMENT $692.00
FAILURE TO APPEAR – FINES AND COSTS $580.00
NEWTON, CORNELIOUS DAVIS 57 B M 8/6/2023 22:14 8/7/2023 11:10
FAILURE TO APPEAR – FINES AND COSTS OR BOND
GADDISON, LATOYA S 31 B F 8/7/2023 14:33 8/8/2023 17:13
CYBERBULLYING $1,000.00
CYBERBULLYING
HOOD, VINCENT M 57 W M 8/8/2023 18:09
DRIVING ON ROADWAY LANED FOR TRAFFIC $1,000.00
DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA UNDER 14 GRAMS
PENNINGTON, JAMES CADDON 19 W M 8/9/2023 02:36
OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT
POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE I CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE (MDMA) $5,000.00
OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT
POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II CDS
MILLAGE, DEMARCUS DEON 19 B M 8/9/2023 02:18
OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT
POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA $5,500.00
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA UNDER 14 GRAMS
POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE I CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE (MDMA)
POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II CDS
RESISTING AN OFFICER BY GIVING FALSE INFORMATION REGARDING IDENTITY
RESISTING AN OFFICER
RELIFORD, WYSHUN LEE 36 B M 8/9/2023 03:40 8/11/2023 13:02
POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II CDS $5,000.00
POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE I CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE (MDMA)
POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
SWITCHED LICENSE PLATE
NO TAIL LAMPS
NEALY, BRENTON 20 W M 8/9/2023 16:32
DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY $10,000.00
DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY
BANKS, IRIS ROY JR 43 B M 8/9/2023 20:20
DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY $10,000.00
GIBSON, JOHN ANDREW 44 W M 8/10/2023 09:16
FAILURE TO APPEAR – ARRAIGNMENT $2,000.00
Make sure you never miss a game by claiming your own FREE Football schedule magnet.
A few years ago The Harrington Law Firm started making football magnets. Ever since then, they’ve become very popular.
“I can’t tell you how many people tell me they see me every morning when they go to their fridge, which I am truly sorry about,” said Rodney Harrington. “I even had a friend send me a picture at an Airbnb in Branson, Missouri showing they had one of the magnets on the fridge there! They’re everywhere. Get them while you can!”
The magnets can be picked up at The Harrington Law Firm office, located at 459 Jefferson Street in Natchitoches.
You don’t live in Natchitoches? No worries! Just fill out the form online at theharringtonlawfirm.com/2023-football-magnet and a magnet will be shipped to you right away!
Report from the Red River Sheriff’s Office for July 28- August 3, 2023
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
POINDEXTER, TRAVIS MICHAEL 31 W M 7/29/2023 15:10 7/29/2023 15:55
ARRESTING AGENCY: RRPSO OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT TRANSFERRED
PEOPLES, DERRICK 51 B M 7/29/2023 19:40
ARRESTING AGENCY: CPD DOMESTIC ABUSE AGGRAVATED ASSAULT $25,000.00
TINGLE, STACY DIANE 51 W F 7/30/2023 03:38 7/30/2023 04:33
ARRESTING AGENCY: RRPSO OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT TRANSFERRED
TINGLE, KEVIN LANE 33 B M 7/30/2023 03:37
FAILURE TO APPEAR – PRETRIAL $1,000.00
FAILURE TO APPEAR – PRETRIAL
ARRESTING AGENCY: RRPSO FAILURE TO APPEAR- ARRAIGNMENT
LEON, ANTHONY RAMOND 34 B M 7/30/2023 11:30
ARRESTING AGENCY: CPD FAILURE TO APPEAR- ARRAIGNMENT $1,500
PINKSTON, MEREDITH L 20 W F 7/30/2023 20:28 7/31/2023 11:24
ARRESTING AGENCY: RRPSO OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT TRANSFERRED
BAKER, JEFFREY LANE 32 W M 8/1/2023 14:51
SIMPLE BURGLARY $50,000.00
CRIMINAL TRESPASS
POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II CDS
FAILURE TO APPEAR – PRETRIAL
FAILURE TO APPEAR – PRETRIAL
ARRESTING AGENCY: RRPSO FAILURE TO HONOR WRITTEN PROMISE TO APPEAR – ARRAIGNMENT
WILLIAMS, KARNESHA D 40 B F 8/2/2023 19:49 8/2/2023 21:32
ARRESTING AGENCY: CPD FAILURE TO APPEAR – TRAFFIC – CRIMINAL TRIAL $699.00
BUSWELL, DUSTIN 29 W M 8/3/2023 23:26
VIOLATION OF PROTECTIVE ORDERS
VIOLATION OF PROTECTIVE ORDERS
ARRESTING AGENCY: RRPSO POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II CDS
The Town of Coushatta notified the Journal Friday morning that the Boil Advisory for the town’s water system has been lifted. The Boil Advisory had been initiated on Wednesday after a water leak caused the system to loose pressure. The leak has been fixed and the water has tested safe for consumption.
On Wednesday August 2, 2023, Red River Fire District was dispatched to the report of a one-vehicle motor vehicle crash on Highway 71 South near Highway 784. The vehicle was reported on fire, with the driver out of the vehicle.
When units from the Red River Fire District arrived at the scene they found an overturned box truck fully involved. There was also a downed power pole and lines.
The fire was extinguished by Fire personnel. SWEPCO was notified. Crews were called to restore power.
The wreck occurred about 8:00 am Wednesday morning. The downed power lines cut power to much of the area along US 71 up into Coushatta. Power was restored to SWEPCO customers during Wednesday afternoon.
Also Wednesday morning, another leak developed in the city water system reported as near Dairy Queen on US 71 north. The leak is one of many that have occurred while workers are replacing the entire town’s water system.
The water system lost pressure for a time. That prompted a boil advisory to be issued for the entire town water system and forcing school officials to send the children home early due to lack of water at the campuses in town. As of late Thursday, the boil advisory is still in effect.
Qualifying for the October 14 Gubernatorial Primary Election will be held from Tuesday, August 8 through Thursday, August 10. Local candidates will qualify at the Red River Clerk of Court’s office.
The Louisiana Secretary of State said, “Local and municipal candidates qualify with the clerk of court in the parish in which they are registered to vote. All candidates for state office will qualify at the Louisiana State Archives located at 3851 Essen Lane in Baton Rouge. Hours of operation for the secretary of state are 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily. Candidates are encouraged to check with their local clerk of court for specific parish hours.”
There will be a crowded ballot this October with state, legislative, and local offices up for election. On the statewide ballot will include candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commissioner of Insurance.
Members of the BESE board are also up for election. Red River voters will vote on the representative from this area of the state. We are in BESE district 4.
All members of the state legislature are up for election. This area is involved in redistricting for both the state house and senate. House district 23 served by Kenny Cox has been moved to south Louisiana and areas included in that district have been moved into other house districts. All of Red River is now in House district 5. Cox is term limited and cannot run again for the House.
Redistricting also jumbled up the north Louisiana Senate district. The seat now occupied by retiring Senator Louis Bernard has changed and now includes part or all of 10 parishes. Red River is included in that newly drawn district 31.
On the local level, the Sheriff, Clerk of Court, Assessor, Coroner and Police Jurors all are up for election. And there are special elections in Edgefield for Chief of Police and in Hall Summit also for Chief of Police.
By Brad Dison
For hundreds of years, people have created drinkable elixirs and tonics which they claimed had medicinal purposes. Salesmen, many of whom could be better described as con men, arrived in towns and communities and hawked their tonics. They would tell tales of the miraculous cures that their product was responsible for, sell their drinks to the locals at a low price, and quickly head to the next town while no one was looking.
In the latter half of the 19th century, salesmen of these concoctions began advertising their goods in newspapers. In 1882, “Hop Bitters” was advertised as an appetizing drink which was a “blood purifier, clears the brain, gives tone to the stomach, and cures all diseases of the liver, blood, stomach and bowels, nerves, kidneys, and purifies and cleanses the entire system.” “Beal’s Cure Alls” advertisements claimed that the tonic cured “cough, asthma, bronchitis, spitting of blood, shortness of breath, rheumatism, gout, lumbago, sciatica, sprains, bruises, sore throat, and chilblains.” Some of the names of these concoctions which are no longer in existence are “Brown’s Iron Bitters,” “Electric Bitters,” “Hartshorne’s Cure-All,” “Taraxacum and Podophyllin,” “Samaritan Nervine,” “Pond’s Extract,” “Egyptian Mystery – the Drink of the Ages,” “Charleston Pop,” “Bruce’s Juices,” “Red Head Flapper,” and “Brad’s Drink.”
Most of the tonics had no real medicinal value and were created to make money. However, some of the creators were professionally trained and believed that their drinks were medicinal. Caleb Bradham graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, then attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Caleb was on the path to becoming a doctor until his father’s business went bankrupt in 1890. Caleb dropped out of medical school and returned home to North Carolina. He taught public school for a short time, but his interests were still devoted to medicine. In about 1891 or 1892, Caleb opened the “Bradham Drug Company” in New Bern.
With a host of ingredients at his disposal, Caleb began experimenting with different tonics. He wanted to create a new drinkable tonic which had some medicinal value. Many of his experimental concoctions tasted too horrible to ingest more than once and were discarded. In 1893, he mixed several ingredients in a beaker and handed it to his assistant, James Henry King. Perhaps Caleb had tried too many bad mixtures on that day. The hesitant assistant downed the drink. To his surprise, the drink tasted good, and it seemed to sooth his stomach. Caleb had done it.
Caleb knew he was on the right track. He needed a name for his tonic. As to include his reputation in his tonic, Caleb titled the drink after a shortened version of his last name, Bradham. He called it “Brad’s Drink.” He began selling his tonic in his own drug store and eventually sold franchises to other local pharmacies.
After August 28, 1898, however, “Brad’s Drink” was no more. Well, the name, “Brad’s Drink” was no more. On that date, Caleb changed the name of his concoction. The most likely reason for the name change was for marketing purposes. Caleb used kola nut extract in his recipe and decided to use the term “cola” in the new name. The new first name of the mixture could almost be called false advertising. Caleb named the drink after an enzyme which aided in digestion similar to the way in which Caleb believed his drink aided in digestion, but his recipe did not include the enzyme. “Brad’s Drink,” under its more common name, has become the second most valuable soft drink brand in the world, second only to Coca-Cola. The name of that enzyme was Pepsin. Caleb changed the name of “Brad’s Drink” to “Pepsi-Cola.”
Sources:
On July 26, 2023 the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office hosted a “Cuffs & Hoses” Blood Drive on behalf of LifeShare Blood Center. It was held at the parish Courthouse.
Chief Criminal Deputy Greg Moore & wife Elaine, Chief Civil Deputy Amanda Hester, and IT Administrator Hayley Lewis were among those who donated. The goal of ten units was exceeded by one with eleven total units of blood being donated.
Good Hope FGBC will be holding a revival beginning next Wednesday and run through Friday. Worship services begin at 7:00 pm.
The guest speaker is Pastor Monya Robinson Coleman of Second Chance Ministries. Pastor Ben Taylor presides at Good Hope.
Good Hope FGBC is located on Alexandria Street in Powhatan.
By Steve Graf
With zero fishing going on due to the hot weather we have been experiencing, today we’ll look at my working career. After walking away from my athletic career in the late ‘80’s, it was time to get a real job. It was time to put my college degree (Industrial Engineering Technology) to good use. One reason I chose this as my major was due to the number of IET graduates the oil and gas companies were hiring out of Northwestern State in the mid ‘80’s. This was my original plan, but the oil and gas industry tanked, and they no longer were seeking graduates with this degree.
Now one thing I’ve learned over the years from the many different jobs I’ve held was that each job helped prepare me in some way for other positions I’ve held. These included car salesman, supervisory role at CONAGRA Poultry, and high school and college coaching. Nothing gave me more satisfaction than coaching did. Working with kids at the high school and collegiate level was truly rewarding and enjoyable. But the hours you put in on the college level are insane and was not a good fit for me personally or my family. I was not willing to make those family sacrifices that college coaches make.
Then in 1990, I decided to apply for an engineering job at a textile company, Holloway Sportswear, based out of Ohio but with factories in Louisiana. Best job I ever had! It was a company that made athletic outerwear and high school letter jackets. Holloway was the Mercedes of the athletic apparel world; they made the best. If you ever earned a letter jacket in high school, there’s a good chance it was made by Holloway who was the original letter jacket company.
After two years with the company, I was promoted to Louisiana Director of Manufacturing overseeing six factories across the state. The job was demanding, but the people were incredible.
Then around 1998, President Bill Clinton signed what was called the NAFTA agreement with Mexico. This was the beginning of the end for Holloway and all textile companies in Louisiana and across the country. It was at this point that my boss and I made several trips to Mexico to set up sewing factories. Then one by one we slowly pulled styles out of Louisiana and sent them to Mexico for production. This was the hardest thing I ever went though as an employee. It was my job at this point to tell all Louisiana employees they no longer had a job.
Many a day after making these announcements, I shed a few tears on the drive home knowing that I had just made life a lot tougher for so many women, many of whom were single moms. Many had no other skills than sewing. Some women were making as much as $14.00 an hour due to their ability to sew. This was good money back in the ‘90’s and there were no other jobs offered in these small communities that paid those kinds of wages.
All the employees were offered the opportunity to go back to school and learn a new trade. But many were in the age bracket of 40 and above and had no desire to go back to school. Many of these ladies had never done anything else their entire life but work in textiles.
It was sad to see the impact this had on the people I cared so much about. People with a strong work ethic and dedication to go to work every day. People who took great pride in making Holloway Sportswear the best company it could be were now being sent home… for good. Some locations that had been in operation since the mid 1970’s were now being shut down.
The old saying, “Nothing lasts forever,” comes to mind when I think about my Holloway days. Again, this was the best job I ever had that came to an end in 2004. Even during those stressful days when I questioned was it worth it, the people were the reason I stayed. One thing about Louisiana people, they take great pride in doing a good job and are very loyal and dedicated to whatever job they’re doing.
After walking away in 2004, Holloway was sold and is now under the umbrella of Augusta Sportswear in Georgia. The Holloway standard is still alive and well today as they have retained their name and reputation as the best.
Next week we’ll get back to more fishing topics as we prepare to head into the hottest month of the year…. August. Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to wear your sunscreen and protective clothing.
The 10th annual Crusin’ in Grand Cane has been scheduled for Saturday October 21st. Entries are now being accepted for classic cars, trucks and tractors up through year model 1993.
There will be food vendors, music, antiques, in addition to some mighty fine rides at this year’s Crusin’ event. Organizers promise cash awards for Best of Show, Best Car, Best Truck and Best Tractor. Coushatta resident John Perkins has won Best of Show the last two shows with his 1953 Chevy pickup. Your reporter will be there with something unusual to show.
The Northwestern State University Music Academy is enrolling students for the fall semester. The academy is directed by Northwestern State music faculty members, Dr. John Price and Dr. Francis Yang. It offers piano, guitar, percussion and voice lessons for students from age six to adults. Lessons are taught face to face or online. Teachers at the academy are graduate and undergraduate music students studying at Northwestern State.
Last semester, students performed in an end-of-semester Spring Recital in Magale Recital Hall. Many students also performed in the NSU Music Festival held in March. This semester, students can perform in a Monster Concert during Halloween season and a Christmas Concert. Students in past years also took part in the National Federation of Music Clubs Festival, the Central Music Teachers’ Association Sonatina Festival and the Louisiana Music Teachers Association Upper Elementary Auditions.
Lessons begin the week of August 21.
Barbara Ann Stewart
December 18, 1963 – July 28, 2023
Graveside services will be held at 9:00 am Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Campbell Creek Cemetery, Sharp, LA
Reflecting on the various camps held this summer at Clara Springs Camp, Lee Dickson said, “Young people have come from many locations to ‘draw near to Jesus’ at Clara Springs Camp this Summer. You have Prayed, and God is Blessing. Keep praying for each of them as they start back to school.
A Provencal man suffering from serious injuries has been airlifted to a regional trauma center following a metal cutting incident at his residence according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wight. On Thursday morning Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS responded to NATCOM 911 Center reports of a medical emergency involving a container explosion in the 100 block of Harmony Road near Provencal, La. Deputies say according to witnesses, the man was using a grinder attempting to cut an oxygen cylinder for scrap metal when the bottle exploded which resulted in the serious injuries.
Natchitoches’ Downtown Riverbank Stage was the place to be Friday, July 28, as the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame’s Induction Celebration hosted Rockin’ Riverfest. The popular event, long part of the annual induction of each new class of Louisiana sports legends into the Hall of Fame, featured concerts and family fun for children at the riverbank.
To quote the late Jerry Garcia, “What a long strange trip it’s been.” That’s 30. Byline John Brewer!
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