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Magnolia Bend Coushatta will host the Class of 2025 Senior breakfast August 12 at 7:30am. All Coushatta campus seniors and and local homeschool seniors are invited. Parents are also welcome to attend. 

Anderson’s Produce announced their last day this season is Saturday, July 27. Make sure you get over there and get the last of this season’s veggies. Anderson’s celebrated their 25th anniversary earlier this summer. 

Riverdale Academy’s Annual Ice Cream Social is slated for August 8 at 5pm. Parents and students are invited to eat delicious ice cream, check out their new classrooms and meet teachers. Then on Friday, August 9 1st-12th grade students will attend school from 7:40-11:30am.

New Life Church in Hall Summit is hosting a One Day VBS Saturday, July 27 from 9am until 12pm. Ages 3 years to grade 6 are invited. Enjoy food, games, a Bible study and lots of fun.

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Roger Pickett
April 30, 1951 — July 23, 2024
Service: Friday July 26, 2024 at 1pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Coushatta

Byron Harris Sr.
November 15, 1973 — July 18, 2024
Service: Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 11am at Summer Hill Baptist Church – Evelyn

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We know you enjoy a sweet dish of news that impacts our community and do we have a treat for you! Our friends and community partners at Dairy Queen (DQ) will raise funds for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) on Miracle Treat Day July 25. One hundred percent of the funds raised will stay local and directly benefit CHRISTUS Coushatta .

On Thursday, July 25, the DQ brand will have its annual Miracle Treat Day event. CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System will host a Blizzard eating contest at the Coushatta DQ location with local patients and children. For 40 years, the DQ brand has sponsored Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals benefiting member hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. One dollar or more from every Blizzard Treat sold is donated to local CMN Hospitals to change kids’ health and bring hope.

Additionally, Miracle Families and community members will come together for a Blizzard eating contest at 1pm to raise funds and awareness for the importance of children’s hospitals. Together, we can bring health and hope to kids so they can enjoy moments of happiness for years to come.

Not only do DQ restaurants serve delicious treats, but they are also changing kids’ health and bringing hope on Miracle Treat Day. For every Blizzard Treat sold at participating DQ locations, $1 or more will help change kids’ health to change the future at CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System, a member hospital of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. DQ locations are committed to serving local communities and bringing joy and smiles to guests of all ages. They invite you to visit and enjoy a Blizzard Treat on Miracle Treat Day, Thursday, July 25.

The 2024 goal is to raise more $3,000 for CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System.

Celebrating their 40th year of sponsorship, the DQ brand has raised more than $180 million to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. 

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Roman Collins has been busy since his time on American Idol. He performed on the American Idol Finale, released his album, and joined others for worship experiences in multiple cities.

His latest endeavor is to join one of his idols, CeCe Winans, on her Christmas Concert tour. On her social media, Winans commented that this is her first Christmas tour in over a decade.

“Also, joining me on tour is my special guest, Roman Collins! We had a great time singing together on American Idol and I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with him again”, wrote Winans.

Tickets go on pre-sale today at 10:00 am local with the pre-sale code CeCe24.

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RRPSB Summer Food Boxes will be distributed at Red River High School Wednesday July 24 from 10:30am to 1:30pm. 

First come, first served.

If you are a guardian picking up for a child or children, you will drive through the horseshoe at the high school (look for signs for directions), fill out the form and pick up your box(es).

If children are present at pickup, you can simply pick up a box and go.

All children 18 and under are eligible for the boxes.

More information can be found at https://rrbulldogs.com/school-cafe/

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(BATON ROUGE, LA) – The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) will release LEAP results for the 2023-24 school year Wednesday, July 24 at 10 a.m. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley will hold a virtual presentation at that time.

Louisiana students have improved two straight years on LEAP, including the largest year-over-year gains since 2016. LEAP measures proficiency in English/language arts (ELA), math, science, and social studies for grades 3-12. Student scores are reported on five levels: Unsatisfactory, Approaching Basic, Basic, Mastery, or Advanced. Students scoring Mastery and Advanced are considered proficient, or ready for the next grade level without the need for remediation or additional support.

Social studies results will not be available this year because the LDOE is developing an assessment for Louisiana’s new Freedom Framework social studies standards. The operational social studies test will occur in the spring of 2025.

More information will be shared later this week after scores are released. 

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It’s summer time; it’s hot and outdoors activities are best confined to early and late in the day. It’s proper to sit back under the cooling hum of the air conditioner and remember how special the outdoors can be and to be reminded of events of the past that made impressions of me.

I remember once when visiting my hunting club in later summer, I experienced something that was news to me. I was privileged to see two wild turkeys take to the air from the back side of the goat weed patch, climb nearly a hundred feet high to sail over the tops of the pines at the edge of the field. Turkeys are not known as strong fliers and I had no idea they could fly that high with such ease.

The most fascinating thing I saw, though, was right here in my own back yard.

Living in the country working from my home office, I’m often privy to nature doing what nature does. I’ll hear a commotion outside the window and it’ll be two hummingbirds undergoing a kamakazi attack on each other. Something scratches on the side of the house, I’ll go out and a squirrel will scurry away. Looking across the pasture when I walk out for the morning paper, I’ll frequently see a red-coated doe browsing along pasture’s edge.

Recently, I saw something that at first baffled me. My interest was piqued when I noticed a mound of sand pushed up against the concrete slab of the back porch from under the ajuga plants growing there. I assumed it was the mole that has given us fits this summer. I was about to fetch the mole trap when a creature crawled out of a hole in the middle of the sand pile and flew away.

It was the biggest wasp I’d ever seen. It looked like a hornet on steroids. Colored yellow and black somewhat like a yellow jacket or guinea wasp, the creature was a good two inches long. I was baffled and I’ll admit, a bit shaken. What if a colony of super-sized hornets or yellow jackets had chosen this site for their home? I could forget about relaxing on the porch under the ceiling fan. I live too far from the emergency room to enjoy that privilege.

When I spotted a cicada lying in the sand next to the wasp’s entry hole in the sand, a light bulb came on in my head. I had read an article sometime ago about cicada killer wasps that inhabit our area.
A trip to cyberspace revealed that the creature which had troubled me was indeed a cicada killer. Photos accompanying the articles I read confirmed it. Here’s what I learned from a University of Kentucky website about these interesting bugs.

“Also known as sand hornets, these wasps attract attention due to their large size, the burrows that they dig in home lawns, and their buzzing flights over the lawn. These insects occur in all states east of the Rocky Mountains and prefer to dig their burrows in sandy, bare, well drained soil exposed to full sunlight. The wasps feed on flower nectar while the immature or larval stage feeds primarily upon cicadas that are brought to the burrow by the adult.

“In spite of their large size, the wasps usually ignore people but they can give a painful sting if bothered. Mating males are aggressive and more easily disturbed.”

According to the article, the females search tree trunks and lower limbs for cicadas. The wasp stings its prey, turns the victim on its back, straddles it, and drags it or glides with it to the burrow. Each cell is furnished with at least one cicada (sometimes two or three) and a single egg before being sealed off. Two to 3 days later the egg hatches. Depending on the number of cicadas in its cell, the larva feeds for 4 to 10 days until only the cicada’s outer shell remains.

And I thought a high-flying wild turkey was going to be the highlight of my week!

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NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University hosted a press conference and reception to introduce James T. Genovese as the university’s 21st president Tuesday, July 23. Genovese and his family were met with congratulations from the university and Natchitoches communities, elected officials, alumni and school supporters.

Genovese expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support he received during and after the presidential search.

“It’s overwhelming. I want to thank each and every one of you for being here because I need you and you are part of the overall plan,” he said. “I have a lot of institutional knowledge, having served on the Supreme Court for eight years and having handled 200 employees, 19,000 lawyers, 372 judges and a budget of $208M.”

He recognized his wife Martha and their daughters Stephanie, Adrienne and Sarah, who were in the audience. Daughters Celeste and Elizabeth were not able to attend.

“Having five daughters and lived through that, I think I can take on this job,” he said.

He also thanked outgoing president Dr. Marcus Jones for his service to the university and assistance in the transition of office.

“I commend him for what he has done. His heart and soul are with Northwestern, and he has now levitated into a position in the UL System, but he has been there for me and I speak with him on a regular basis.”

Natchitoches District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington, NSU alum and long-time colleague and friend, said Genovese has a reputation for treating people with dignity and respect and will bring experience, leadership and energy to his role as president of Northwestern.

“If you watch President Genovese, he is exhilarating, he is exciting, he is full of energy and that is going to translate into Northwestern, into all of us. That will translate into getting more students here and benefit our town,” Harrington said. “President Genovese has so many layers of experience, leadership, administrative leadership and those layers are going to be wonderful for Northwestern.”

Earlier in the morning, Genovese met with students who provided a lively welcome, introduced themselves and showcased campus life. During the program, student leaders and student-athletes presented gifts to the new first couple, including a Demon fan starter pack, and offered remarks of encouragement.

“How invigorating it is to be with the students and see their joy and their excitement,” Genovese said. “It brings back memories and I emphasize how they are the lifeblood of this institution.”

The new president said he will focus on increasing enrollment and addressing inadequate financing.

“We’ve got great programs, and I want to get out and I want to sell it,” Genovese said. “My vision is to reinvigorate and rejuvenate Northwestern and bring it back to the prominence that it once had and certainly deserves today.”

Genovese was named NSU president July 18 and will assume office Aug. 5 as the university begins its 140th academic year.

He is a lifelong resident of Opelousas and a 1971 graduate of NSU who went on to earn a law degree from Loyola University in 1974. As an undergraduate, Genovese was a four-year letterman in tennis. He was named to Who’s Who Among Universities and Colleges, Who’s Who Among Greek Fraternities and Sororities of America and Outstanding College Athletes of America. He was also president of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and involved with Interfraternity Council, Student Government Association and intramurals. Genovese was inducted into the Long Purple Line, NSU’s alumni hall of distinction, in 2018.

Mrs. Genevese, the former Martha Anne Janes, also attended Northwestern State as a nursing major, but chose a military career and retired as a staff sergeant in the Air Force. In addition to five daughters, they have four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

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George Carlin once made this comment on why he had such a congenital distrust of religious neophytes who claim to be “born again.” “They talk too much, pure and simple! When I was born, I was so stunned that I couldn’t speak for two years! If someone has a religious experience and shuts up for a couple of years, I will take them seriously.” Carlin had nothing nice to say about organized religion, but in this regard, he points out a spiritual truth.

Wonder and awe stun and mute our spontaneous energies. They paralyze us so that we become reflective by conscription.

Amazement does the opposite. Amazement opens up the conduit to our emotions and usually to our mouths. When your friend starts, “we had the most amazing vacation.” Don’t you catch your breath because you are about to be assaulted with a verbal travel journal? Of course, to go with the narration, pictures will be thrust upon you. Wonder and awe are spiritual and deep, amazement is visceral and shallow.

I take you to the Christmas stories in Luke. There are angels busy giving birth announcements. Zechariah the old man gets one and he is amazed. Zechariah, knowing about biological impossibilities voices proper questions, and Gabriel, seemingly unhappy with his questions, mutes him for nine months. So, Zechariah was amazed, and he spoke. Albeit, he spoke “out of school.”

A short time later, the same angel goes to the virgin Mary, with her birth announcement. She certainly knows about biological impossibilities, but she says nothing. She ponders the angel’s words in her heart.
She is filled with wonder and awe by this news. Her wonder and awe kept her silent.

Wonder and awe are the biblical antithesis to amazement.

It is the difference between taking your breath away and taking your words away.

Are wonder and awe a part of your daily experience? When you listen to the voice of creation as the sun is setting? When do you hear divine music? When are you touched by the love of another? Are there moments that are so divine for you, that you can’t speak?

Where do you find wonder and awe? What takes your words away?

Doug de Graffenried is Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston.

You can contact Doug at dougsponderings@gmail.com

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For Immediate Release
July 23, 2024
Contact: Griffin Neal

WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries today announced a bipartisan House Task Force to investigate the attempted assassination of presidential nominee Donald Trump.

“The security failures that allowed an assassination attempt on Donald Trump’s life are shocking. In response to bipartisan demands for answers, we are announcing a House Task Force made up of seven Republicans and six Democrats to thoroughly investigate the matter,” said Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries. “The task force will be empowered with subpoena authority and will move quickly to find the facts, ensure accountability, and make certain such failures never happen again.”

Background on the Task Force:

Today, Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries announced the Task Force to Investigate the Attempted Assassination of presidential nominee Donald Trump.

The Task Force will be empowered with all investigative authority of the House of Representatives including subpoena authority.

The goal of the Task Force will be threefold: 

• To understand what went wrong on the day of the attempted assassination
• To ensure accountability
• To prevent such an agency failure from ever happening again

The Task Force will make recommendations for reform to the relevant government agencies and recommend any necessary legislation to implement the reforms.

The House will vote on a resolution this week that will establish the Task Force and its members. The task force will be comprised of seven Republicans and six Democrats.

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Louisiana Supreme Court Justice James T. “Jimmy” Genovese was introduced Tuesday in Natchitoches as the 21st president of Northwestern State University. The event is archived on the university website, nsula.edu, and the Facebook/NorthwesternStateUniversity page.

Since the retirement of longtime President Dr. Randall J. Webb in 2014, in each of the following presidential searches, the NSU Alumni Association has endorsed a candidate. After the recent semi finalist interviews, the Association’s board of directors called a special meeting to discuss and voted to endorse the finalist.

Traditionally, the Alumni Association president participates on the search committee which gives us a line of sight into the entire search process. Current Alumni Association President Leah Sherman Middlebrook of Bossier City served in that role in this search.

“The following resolution shows our strong support for the new president. We are excited about his vision and leadership,” she said.

A Resolution of Endorsement by the Northwestern State University Alumni Association of The Honorable James Genovese, J.D., for the Position of President of Northwestern State University;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Northwestern State University Alumni Association has reviewed and evaluated the finalists selected by the ULS NSU Presidential Search Committee for the position of President of Northwestern State University in connection with the search for this position which is being conducted by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Northwestern State University Alumni Association believe that the qualifications and credentials possessed by the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., place him in a position to be the best choice to serve as the next President of Northwestern State University, for reasons to include:

1.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., has a distinguished record of accomplishment and demonstrated leadership skills at all of his levels of public service for over four decades, including his current tenure as Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court;

2.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., has a leadership style that is collaborative, consultative, open, and transparent, balanced by a record of strong leadership and a willingness to make tough decisions;

3.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., has an appreciation and understanding that the interests of the students are paramount;

4.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., possesses impeccable integrity;

5.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., has an appreciation of the values and objectives of our alma mater which includes a dedication to quality teaching and scholarship, as well as a commitment to enhance the academic profile and reputation of the university;

6.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., recognizes the importance of attracting, recruiting, and developing excellent administrators, and a commitment to building a strong, collaborative leadership team;

7.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., has a commitment to recruit and retain a highly qualified faculty;

8.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., has an appreciation and understanding of the unique quality of life issues for a Northwestern student, including an appreciation for the arts, history, and unique culture of the area;

9.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., has a commitment to supporting and embracing the unique characteristics of our university and university community;

10.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., will work effectively with the Board of Supervisors and implement the board’s policies;

11.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., has a proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels, to include faculty, staff, students, families, alumni, legislators, community leaders and other external constituents, as well as to maintain strong professional relations with elected officials and higher educational leadership;

12.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., has a strong commitment to athletics, and it is specifically noted that he was a Demon athlete and letter winner as a member and leader of the Northwestern tennis team;

13.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., will take a prominent and sustained role in fund raising to expand the university’s resource base, additions to endowments, gifts for facilities, scholarships and financial support for our faculty and staff; and

14.That the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., will foster an environment of optimism, creativity, and innovation.

WHEREAS, after considering the applicants for the position of President of Northwestern State University, the Board of Directors of the Northwestern State University Alumni Association has elected to endorse the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., as the next President of Northwestern State University

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Directors of the Northwestern State University Alumni Board hereby endorse the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., as the next President of Northwestern State University, and respectfully request the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System to select the Honorable James Genovese, J.D., as the next President of Northwestern State University.
After consideration of this Resolution at a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Northwestern State University Alumni Board of Directors held on the 17th day of July, 2024, on the motion by Joseph B. Stamey, and seconded by Dr. Hayward Hargrove, Jr., and John R. Evans, to adopt the Resolution, a record vote was taken and the following result was had:

The Board of Directors voted unanimously in favor of the Resolution to endorse The Honorable James Genovese, J.D. as President of Northwestern State University.

THUS, UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED at a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Northwestern State University Alumni Board of Directors held on the 17th day of July, 2024.

ATTEST: Leah Sherman Middlebrook NSU Alumni President.

(This article is a paid message on behalf of the NSU Alumni Association)

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Olympics News hot of the press: 

There was a danger that our world-class American athletes competing in the 2024 Summer Games from Paris might not have air-conditioning.

No one loves the “good ol’ days” more than me. AM radio and Tammy Wynette. Screen doors. Front porches. Movies with dialogue. The only travel ball was in the major leagues.

Old days were the best — EXCEPT for automatic banking, streaming channels, and air-conditioning. And the leadoff hitter of those three is AC.

Has to be. Game-changer. 

So why no AC in Paris at the Olympics?

If you are an American who enjoys, even celebrates, seeing our country win at anything, and if you are an American who is spoiled rotten when it comes to air-conditioning, this less-than-thrilling and less-than-chilling news that our athletes might have to sleep in a France toaster is enough to make you break out in a cold sweat. 

Or a hot sweat. (Sometimes I get my sweats confused.)

The Games open today with football (we call it soccer), rugby sevens (no idea), handball (some idea but not really), archery (some idea: cowboy movies when I was little), shooting (pretty good idea, unfortunately, since I can read a newspaper), and Friday, FINALLY, the Opening Ceremony and badminton (some idea: church camp) and rowing (some idea: fishing).

If you miss the start, not an issue. We still have two wonderful weeks of swimming, diving, fencing, gymnasticsing, boxing, taekwondoing, cycling, weightlifting, pentathloning, “modern” pentathloning, basketballing, canoe sprinting (what the …?), sport climbing, running, jumping, and watching Coca-Cola and Visa commercials.

And, if the Americans are lucky, sleeping between winning golds.

Sleeping during a period of competition is no side chick or fling. Sleeping is part of who brought you to the party. Sleeping is your Main Thang. Gotta sleep.

This notion escaped the French.

They’d decided years ago that these Games would be the most eco-friendly and “greenest” ever, which his fine. Their plan to cut in half the carbon footprint of a “normal” Olympics was admirable — right up until the architects insisted that their non-AC, “energy-efficient geothermal cooling system” of water and pipes and wishes would keep the athletes’ rooms no warmer than 26 Celsius — which is a sultry 79 Fahrenheit in Indoor America.

To which the American coaches and athletes said, “NEG!”

The high temp in Paris during July and August averages 78. Child’s play for the American southerner, for sure. BUT …

We are a habit-driven people. I grew up in a two-story that had a window unit downstairs and a window that opened upstairs. Slept great. But once the world introduced us to central air, nighttime became a different ballgame. 

In rural America, we got used to AC. Really fast.

Expand that rationale for the world-class athlete who has slept at a certain temperature nearly their whole lives in preparation for the Olympics, the most important “athletic days” of their lives. The “optimal bedroom sleep micro-environment” for the Team USA competitor, one of our team physiologists told yahoo!/sports, is 61-65 degrees.

So when the Paris mayor insisted Olympic Village athletes would be “very comfortable” at “no warmer than 79,” athletes from the USA, Canada, Italy, Brazil, Greece, Japan, Australia and the like said, “Comfortable compared to WHAT?”

So those countries have either brought their own portable air-conditioners or are renting ones the French organizers have made available. No one wanted to come off as a spoiled or ungrateful visitor: they just didn’t want to be sweating in their PJs on the eve of running the 100. 

Many countries — Germany, Tonga, Samoa, plus the Swiss and French come to mind — don’t need or aren’t used to AC. They’re chill without it.

To each his own.

And that’s the point. We really are creatures of habit. Hey, the French gave us chocolate and perfume and the beret and fries. They meant no harm with the AC thing. But if the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre were in Kansas or Richmond or Shreveport, you can bet your last shred of Brie or Roquefort that they’d be air-conditioned. Set around 68, at the highest.

Have a great (and cool) Olympics!

(PS — the diff between the “pentathlon” and the “modern pentathlon”?; the modern one is air-conditioned.)

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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Riverdale Academy will hold a football meeting July 26 at 6pm in the school cafeteria for any student interested in playing. Parents should attend also. For more information contact the school or Coach Nathan or Coach Denver. 

Mighty Moms: Moms of Mighty Special Kids will hold their monthly meeting Friday, July 26 at 6pm at First Methodist Church in Coushatta. Guest speaker will be Kambrie Bethard Hays with Bethard & Bethard and Teal Lowring with Red River Industries. Join other mothers of children with special needs and fellowship together. Dinner will be provided. There is no childcare at this time. RSVP to Raylie Hardy at 318.471.8554.

Red River Parish 4-H will host Junior Chefs Kitchen Quest a culinary day camp on July 29 from 8am until 2pm. Journey into cooking and learn how to become independent in the kitchen. Sign up by Friday, July 26. Cost to participate is $10.

East Point Mount Zion Baptist Church, 2570 Hwy 71, will host a blood drive Sunday, July 28 9am until 2pm. 

Red River Parish Public Schools will hold Open House for the 2024-2025 school year for students in grades PK-12 from 4:30-6:30pm Thursday, August 1 at each campus.  

Upscale Events, owned by Coushatta native Lavandria Taylor, is hosting their first Back 2 Tha Books Party on Friday, August 2 at the Red River Boat Launch from 5-9pm. Plans are in the works for multiple DJs, free food and drinks and backpacks stuffed with back to school goodies. Vendors, volunteers, donations and sponsors are needed to help make this event a huge success. Contact Lavandria through Facebook messenger to be apart of this event.

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Earl Thomas Haynes
May 7, 1933-July 12, 2024
Service: Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 2pm at Cypress Baptist Church – Benton

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Qualifying for the November 5, 2024, primary election in local and congressional races closed on July 19. Not only will the country vote for president, but towns and villages in Red River Parish will choose Mayors, Councilmen, and Aldermen.

We have your complete list of candidates for local elections. In the weeks to come we will research to provide information on each person running for office.

Four candidates qualified for Mayor of the Town of Coushatta.
Rose Byrd
Democrat

Ashanti Cole
Independent

Richard Logan Sr.
Republican

Charles “Randy” Walker
Democrat

Nine candidates will vie for the 5 seats of Town Council for Coushatta
Lum “Boy” Allen
Democrat

Jamary Jones
No Party

Janice Lewis
Democrat

Kaleka “Neka” Newton
Democrat

Reginald Prealow Jr.
Democrat

Joseph “Joey” Procell
Republican

Katherine Smith
Democrat

Ryan Smith
Democrat

Edna Webb
Democrat

Only one candidate qualified for Mayor in the Village of Edgefield.
Chandra Wilson
No Party

Only one candidate qualified for Chief of Police of the Village of Edgefield
Martez Smith
Democrat

Three of the following candidates will be elected for Aldermen Village of Edgefield
Donald Brinkley
Republican

Kawndria “TuTu” Demery
Democrat

Eugene Freeman
Republican

Jack Terrell
Republican

In the race for Alderman Village of Martin one candidate will be elected.
Elisa Caster
No Party

Ivy B. Dupree
Republican

Red River Parish will also choose a U.S. Representative for the 4th Congressional District. Candidates are:
“Mike” Johnson
Republican

Joshua Morott
Republican

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Dairy Queen, CHRISTUS Coushatta Health Care Center and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have teamed up to change kids’ health and bring hope on Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, July 25, 2024.

For every BLIZZARD treat purchased on July 25 at the DQ in Coushatta, at least $1 from each purchase will go to CHRISTUS Coushatta Health Center through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. 

Businesses and large groups are encouraged to PREORDER your blizzards. Contact Raylie Hardy for a preorder form.

Make sure to get a delicious BLIZZARD and help unlock a world of possibilities for kids treated at CHRISTUS Coushatta. 

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Week of July 28-August 3

First Baptist Church of Coushatta will host VBS July 28 – August 2. Supper begins at 5:20pm. Pick up is at 8pm. Students who have finished preschool (PK4) through 6th grade may attend. For more information or to register click here

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NATCHITOCHES – Things will look slightly different for Shreveport native and Northwestern State alumnus Trevor Bailey since he last entered Turpin Stadium in 2011. New stadium lights, new field turf, new band uniforms, and a new title. The former baritone section leader will now return to Northwestern State University in the newly formed position of associate director of bands/director of athletic bands. Bailey began his duties on Monday.

“I am deeply honored to become the newly appointed associate director of bands and director of athletic bands at Northwestern State,” said Bailey, who was selected after a national search. “This opportunity is not only a significant milestone in my career but
also a chance to contribute to the rich musical tradition and vibrant culture here at NSU. Music has always been my passion, and I believe it has the power to inspire, unite, and elevate us all.”

As an alumnus of the program, Bailey is mindful of the legacy of the Spirit of Northwestern.

“As I step into this role, my commitment is to foster an environment of excellence, creativity, and collaboration,” said Bailey. “Together, we will strive to reach new heights, both on and off the field. I am excited to work with members of the Spirit of Northwestern, to share our talents, and to continue the legacy of outstanding performances that are expected from us. I am thankful for this incredible opportunity, and I look forward to the journey ahead.”

Director of Bands Anthony Pursell said the university is fortunate to have Bailey back home and leading the Spirit of Northwestern.

“His passion and love for the university and band program are very contagious, and I am excited to work with him to give our students a tremendous experience,” said Pursell.

As Director of Athletic Bands, Bailey will lead the Spirit of Northwestern and Purple Haze Basketball Pep Band. He will also oversee operations for the annual Young Performers Day and Classic on the Cane Marching Festival. In addition, he will conduct the Wind Ensemble and assist in the daily administration of the band program.

“In the short time since accepting the position, he has already made an impact by reimmersing himself in the Spirit of Northwestern culture. His energy has already rubbed off on our students and I know they are excited to have him on the tower this season,” said Pursell.

Mark Poole, NSU alumnus and current director of bands at Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas, has first-hand experience with Bailey and his passion and potential.

“As an alumnus of NSU, I am very excited to see Trevor Bailey return to NSU,” said Poole. “I had the privilege of teaching him at Southwood High School and have been very proud of his career which started at NSU. He will continue to instill the traditions of excellence the Demon Marching Band is known for.”

Bailey is a 2011 graduate of Northwestern State with a Bachelor of Music Performance. After graduation, Bailey was named the assistant marching band director for the Horwang Primary School in Bangkok, Thailand, and was also a clinician and adjudicator with Yamaha Music of Asia. He returned to his native Shreveport to be the music director at the 81st Street ECE in Caddo Parish. Bailey then obtained a Master’s in Music Education degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and will complete the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Wind Conducting at the University of Alabama in the Spring of 2025. Bailey has university-level experience as the assistant director of bands and director of bands at the University of Pikeville (Kentucky) and as assistant director of athletic bands at Western Carolina University. He is also the low brass coordinator for the world-class Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps from Sacramento, California.

“Trevor has the perfect blend of understanding the needs of a smaller school with limited resources, and the aspirational building blocks brought by leading and managing a very large marching band of 450 members at Western Carolina and his work with numerous the drum corps,” said Pursell.

For more information on the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band, go to https://www.nsula.edu/music/spirit-of-northwestern/

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WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson released the following statement after the Democrat Party invalidated the votes of millions of Americans by forcing their nominee, Joe Biden, off the ballot for President:

“At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened. The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election.

“Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president, the self-proclaimed ‘party of democracy’ has proven exactly the opposite.

“The party’s prospects are no better now with Vice President Kamala Harris, who co-owns the disastrous policy failures of the Biden Administration. As second in command and a completely inept border czar, Harris has been a gleeful accomplice — not only in the destruction of American sovereignty, security, and prosperity, but also in the largest political coverup in U.S. history. She has known for as long as anyone of his incapacity to serve.

“Regardless of the chaos in the current White House, our adversaries around the globe should be reminded that the U.S. Congress, the U.S. military, and the American people are fully prepared and committed to defend our interests both at home and abroad.

“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough.”

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NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s School of Education will hold a ribbon cutting to open the School’s Center for Excellence in Teaching.  The ribbon cutting will take place at noon Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the Teacher Education Center Room 113C. The Teacher Education Center is located at 150 Tarleton Drive on the NSU campus.

The Center will serve aspiring teachers through mentoring, coaching, workshops, service projects and well-being awareness.

Development of the Center for Excellence in Teaching was supported by Weyerhaeuser and International Paper.

Information on NSU’s School of Education is available at https://www.nsula.edu/education/.

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SHREVEPORT – Working the front desk in the LSUS Student Success Center, senior Louise Linh Tran helps connect students with valuable academic resources.

But Tran wanted to do more than just help individual LSUS students.

The psychology major was accepted into a Postsecondary Policy and Advocacy Fellowship with Complete College America, a national advocate for dramatically increasing college completion rates and closing institutional performance gaps.

Tran is one of 12 student fellows across the nation who participate in weekly research sessions and discussions on different higher education topics, such as obstacles to education, the impact of artificial intelligence and how policies affect people from different socioeconomic statuses.

“We have meetings or online classes nearly every week where we learn about issues like equity in higher education,” said Tran, whose fellowship started in April and runs into August. “We’ll do research and complete writing assignments with a big capstone project at the end of the fellowship.

“I’m thinking about a curriculum capstone project centered around how curriculum can be more personalized and flexible. Each student has a different approach to learning.”

Tran is considering how gateway courses – general education requirements students take regardless of their major – could include a pass/no credit option as opposed to a strictly A-F grading scale.

“It was an option during the (COVID-19) pandemic, and I thought it was tremendously helpful,” Tran said. “Maybe a particular subject isn’t a student’s strength, and that course doesn’t relate to the student’s desired career.

“Instead of earning a letter grade that might not be great, a pass/no credit option could remove an obstacle for that student.”

Tran was encouraged to apply for the CCA fellowship after speaking with Dr. Akilah Martin, a CCA strategy director who is assisting LSUS evaluate its first two years of the college student experience. LSUS is part of the inaugural cohort founded by the John Gardner Institute that selected 11 universities across the nation to collaborate on successful strategies to combat college dropout rates.

“The goal is to have people actually complete college, not leave or drop out,” Tran said. “That inspired me to pursue the fellowship.

“I was once a freshman and am an international student, so it’s easier for me to identify a student’s needs and to guide people to the help they need. This fellowship has allowed me to study policy making and learn about ways we can introduce better practices for students.”

Tran is on track to complete her psychology degree this fall, but educational policymaking isn’t the only item on her agenda.

Tran became enamored with the United States through movies and television and has dreams of becoming an actress.

The Vietnam native came to the United States at age 14 through an international exchange program, living one year in Provo, Utah, before completing her final two years of high school at Shreveport’s Evangel Christian Academy.

“My sister worked at a movie theater for a while, and she took me to the movies a lot,” Tran said. “The first movie that made me realize I want to pursue this was ‘Alice in Wonderland.’

“I learned English watching the TV show ‘Phineas and Ferb’ and studied in English at the international school I attended.”

Tran aspires to move to New Orleans and aim for the silver screen in addition to developing in a more mainstream career.

“Movies and television shaped what I wanted to be because it’s drawn me to creating a story for entertainment,” said Tran, who eventually would like to write and direct later in her entertainment career. “This experience in America has been a lot, and I’ve loved learning about all the cultures here and making friends.

“I think I’ve adapted pretty well in this culture I’m living in, and it’s been a positive experience.”
Even if her own story doesn’t include the motion pictures, her academic activities have illuminated certain commonalities.

“I think the one common thing about the fellowship and psychology field is both find the roots of the challenges that people face,” Tran said. “You identify the problems so that you can implement better practices.

“I subscribe to the belief that college is not meant for everyone, and to some degree, I don’t necessarily think I’m meant for it. But being on this academic journey makes me appreciate the value of it.”

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Kathy Babers, representative from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s Office, attended the Webster Parish Police Jury meeting this month to give an update on recent happenings and upcoming outreach programs offered by the congressional office.

“We are starting a new school outreach. We have a lot of things, that no matter who’s in office, that congress offers to students,” said Babers. “That would include art competitions, an app challenge – where they can create an app and get recognized nationally for it.”

They also have nominations open for this years’ service academy.

“Which is obviously now even more of a big deal for the Speaker because you must have a congressional nomination to get into a service academy and so that is going to be a big deal this year,” she said.

Babers explained that upon Johnson’s election to Speaker of the House, there was some confusion because many were not aware that Johnson still attended to his congressional duties, as well.

“We are trying to let everybody know we still do the same things, he just has a Speaker side and his regular congressional side now,” said Babers. “So, we will be doing a lot of that coming up in the next few months.”

Members of congress are responsible for nominating candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA, Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination.

If nominated, participants must commit to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Johnson may nominate up to ten individuals for each vacant academy slot allotted to our district.

For those interested in applying for consideration, contact Babers at 318-840-0309 or Kathy.Babers@mail.house.gov. You may also find an application form on their website at

https://mikejohnson.house.gov/services/service-academy-nominations.htm

The 2024 application should be submitted no later than Wednesday, November 6, 2024, by email to Babers or mailed to Speaker Mike Johnson’s district office in Bossier City, Louisiana at 2250 Hospital Drive Suite 248 Bossier City, LA 71111.

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