Red River COA to host Community Health Fair

The Red River Council on Aging, 1824 Front Street, will host a Community Health Fair Thursday, May 16 from 8:30am-12pm.

The following vendors are participating:
Home Health, Resource Center, CHRISTUS Coushatta, Medical Technology, Rehab Centers, Hospice, LaChip, Acadian On Call, and Blood Sugar Checks.

CHRISTUS Coushatta Healthcare will provide the following services for a nominal fee:

  • Lipid Profile $10
    includes: Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL Cholesterol and LDL Direct Cholesterol
  • Comprehensive Profile (CMP) $10
    includes: Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, CO2, BUN, Creatinine, Glucose, Total Bilirubin, AST/SGOT, ALT/SCPT, Total Protein, Albumin, ALKP, Calcium
  • TSH and CBC $5 each
  • HGB A1C will be provided free of charge by the MLK Health Center and Pharmacy/BHP Heart Program

Come by and get your blood pressure, weight, height, and blood sugar checked.

Door Prizes will also be given away.


Week: 04/26/2024 – 05/02/2024

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty

SMALL, ALONZA
68 B M 4/26/2024 5/1/2024
OPERATING A VEHICLE WHILE INTOXICATED $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
FIRST DEGREE VEHICULAR NEGLIGENT INJURING $10,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
FIRST DEGREE VEHICULAR NEGLIGENT INJURING $10,000.00 (CONCURRENT
ARRESTING AGENCY: LOUISIANA STATE POLICE

PARKER, JUSTIN
43 W M 4/28/2024 4/29/2024
FAILURE TO APPEAR – TRAFFIC ARRAIGNMENT O.R. BOND
ARRESTING AGENCY: COUSHATTA POLICE DEPARTMENT

RELIFORD, JIMMY
48 B M 4/28/2024 4/29/2024
DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY $5,000.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

MASON, TROY
63 W M 4/30/2024 INCARCERATED
THEFT OVER $25,000 $10,000.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: COUSHATTA POLICE DEPARTMENT

MILLER, TRE’SHAWN
17 B M 5/1/2024 INCARCERATED
SIMPLE CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY O.R. BOND
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

FONTENOT, DAVID
30 W M 5/1/2024 INCARCERATED
DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY BY STRANGULATION $50,000.00
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

MOORE, KALION
21 B M 5/2/2024 INCARCERATED
ILLEGAL USE OF WEAPON $45,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
ATTEMPTED SIMPLE BURGLARY $15,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
SIMPLE BURGLARY $30,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
SIMPLE CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
CRIMINAL TRESPASS $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
FAILURE TO APPEAR – FINES & COSTS $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

WREN, WILLIAM
40 W M 5/2/2024 INCARCERATED
VIOLATION OF CONDITIONS OF PAROLE
ARRESTING AGENCY: LOUISIANA PROBATION AND PAROLE


This & That…Monday, May 6, 2025

Chick-fil-A will celebrate Service Appreciation Days during May at participating locations. Present your Service ID on the following dates to receive your free choice of a sandwich, 8-count nuggets or 3-count strips. May 6-Nurses; May 7-Teachers; May 14-Police Officers; May 18-Military/Veterans and May 21-EMS & First Responders. 

Whataburger will celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week by hosting “Whata Teacher” May 6-10. School employees need to present their school ID badge to receive choice of a free Taquito, Breakfast on a bun or Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit. Offer valid for breakfast only between 5-9am. 

Woman Church will be held Tuesday, May 7 from 6-8pm at The Shop, 1942 Hwy 507. Worship leaders for the night are Maura Dupree and Kaitlyn Beard and the speaker is Kat Arnold. Dinner will be provided. Bring your Bible and a friend.

Interested in learning more about using that air fryer you still have in a box? Red River Parish Helping Hands will host an instructional presentation at the Jack & Laura Center May 9 at 1pm.


Notice of Death – May 5, 2024

Raymond Lloyd, Jr.
September 24, 1970 ~ April 27, 2024
Service: Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 10:30am at New Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, 2332 Jewella Avenue – Shreveport


Red River baseball aiming for more program history in quarterfinals

Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – Red River High baseball has already made program history just by appearing in the quarterfinals.

But the Bulldogs (24-8) don’t want the history-making to end as they host No. 5 Doyle (18-12) in the Division III Non-Select quarterfinals series.

The first game is Friday at 6 p.m. with Saturday’s action starting at 11 a.m. in the best-of-three series.

The winner advances to Sulphur for a chance to play in the single-elimination semifinals and championship games.

The winner of the series will face the victors of No. 1 seed South Beauregard and No. 9 Loreauville.

Both Red River and Doyle earned first-round byes and swept their second-round opponents.

The Bulldogs’ pitching took center stage in wins of 3-2 and 6-2 against Pine Prairie.

Red River faced a 2-0 deficit and a no-hit bid from Pine Prairie’s Riley Fontenot through five innings, but doubles from Jaxun Moore and Tyler Hughes jumpstarted the offense with an Eli Murphy two-RBI single proving to be the game winner.

Hughes recorded the final three outs in relief in support of winning pitcher Aston Hester.

Red River got more late offense in the second game with six runs coming over the final three innings as Hughes went the distance on the mound.

Neither the home or the visiting teams have hit a home run all season in Red River’s home park, so line drives in the gaps and finding other ways to manufacture runs will be key factors.

For Doyle, they handled fellow District 3-2A foe Many in 9-3 and 8-7 wins.

In the deciding game, Doyle started down a 7-3 deficit before piling on five runs in the sixth inning.

Benesta and Barcia combined for all seven of Doyle’s Ris in the deciding game.

Doyle’s regular-season schedule varied wildly being in District 6-3A with powerhouses like Parkview Baptist and University Lab along with programs who aren’t well established such as Port Allen, Madison Prep and Glen Oaks.

In games decided by one run, Doyle lost its first four in that category before winning its last four, signaling the Tigers learned how to win close games.

Red River is 3-2 in one-run games, including the first contest against Pine Prairie.


RRHS’ Oldenburg wins STEM grant

Dr. Stephanie “Crickett” Oldenburg, media teacher at Red River High School, was selected as the AFCEA ArkLaTex STEM Teaching Tool grant award winner.  

This year, the AFCEA ArkLaTex Chapter selected 10 outstanding High School Seniors for Scholarships of $2,000 each and 1 Teacher for STEM Teaching Tool Grant for $2,000. The honorees were celebrated at its 18th Annual Scholarship Banquet in April. The banquet celebrates the achievements of exceptional high school seniors and educators in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). 

The teacher grant is to be used for advanced technology in the classroom. Ms. Oldenburg plans to expand her virtual studio offerings with the grant money by purchasing the appropriate software, lighting, and green screen to produce virtual video effects.

AFCEA is an ethical bridge between government requirements and industry’s capabilities, representing the top government, industry, and military professionals. The chapter serves North Louisiana, East Texas, and Southern Arkansas.

The AFCEA ArkLaTex Chapter has a proud heritage of awarding scholarships and grants to outstanding students and teachers from high schools in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas for 17 years, awarding over $750,000.


Red River Elementary achieves distinction as a 2023-2024 Capturing Kids’ Hearts® National Showcase School

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2024

Red River Elementary has received the 2023-2024 Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools® award (www.ckh.org). This distinction directly reflects the unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts of Red River Elementary’s students, staff, and the entire school community. The recognition of a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools® award serves as a testament to the commitment held by the campus community to foster a positive and nurturing learning environment.

Each year, National Showcase Schools undergo a meticulous selection process, evaluating essential performance indicators, collecting campus data, and seeking feedback from both staff and students. The outcomes reflect the successful integration of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts® Process, showcasing the unique culture and climate of each campus. Capturing Kids’ Hearts® applauds Red River Elementary where educators go above and beyond, fostering a secure, connected, and enthusiastic learning environment for students.

Thank you for contributing to the success of Red River Elementary‘s vibrant educational community. 

To learn more about Capturing Kids’ Hearts®, visit: capturingkidshearts.org

Thank you for your continued support in sharing positive stories within the local community.


UPDATE – DOTD announces project to improve a section of LA 509 in Red River Parish

UPDATE: DOTD advises motorists that this road closure for a pipe replacement will remain in place until Monday, May 20, 2024. This extension is due to recent rainfall that has impacted water levels in the creek.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces a project to repair and improve a two mile section of LA 509 in Red River Parish.

The $1.9 million project stretches from the DeSoto Parish line to LA 1, just north of the Village of Grand Bayou, and includes asphalt patching repairs and a mill and overlay to provide a new driving surface.

As part of this project, LA 509 at this location closed to through traffic on March 4, 2024 to allow for the replacement of a cross drain pipe that runs under the roadway. Detour signage will be in place.

This road closure originally anticipated to last approximately 30 days, weather permitting. However, that has now been pushed to May 20. Once that pipe replacement is complete, the contractor will begin working on the mill and overlay portion of the project.

The entire project is expected to wrap up in early Fall 2024, with progress dependent on weather conditions and other factors that can impact construction timelines.

Safety reminder:

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking near an active construction zone.

Additional information:

Call 511, visit www.511la.org, or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app for additional information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MyDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and Twitter pages.


Weekly Roundup: Riverdale baseball season ends in South Regionals

The Riverdale Academy baseball came to an end as the No. 3 seed Rebels fell in a best of three series to No. 2 seed Wilkinson County Christian Academy.

Riverdale lost by scores of 12-2 and 9-6.

The six runs scored in the second contest is the most in more than a month, dating back to a 13-8 loss to Claiborne Academy on March 22.

Zane Givens and Jax Hearold each recorded a team-high two RBIs in the series.

K. Williams scored a five runs to lead the Rebels.

Riverdale ends its season with a 3-18 record.

 

Four Red River softball players on All-District team

Two Red River softball players were voted to the All-District 3-2A team while another two Lady Bulldogs were included in the honorable mention.

Bryn Danzy made the first team as a utility player. As a pitcher, Danzy surpassed the 300-strikeout career mark late this season.

Shelby Pickett was selected as a second-team infielder.

Addison Bounds and Sarah Cormier were listed in the honorable mention section.

 

Red River track and field competed at regionals

The Red River boys 4×100 relay team came within an eyelash of advancing to the state championships, finishing in fourth with a 43.91 time at the Region 1-2A track meet this past week.

The top three finishers in each event advance to the state championships.

Third-place Rayville clocked a 43.67, a .24-second difference.

Other top Red River performers included the boys 4×800 relay (sixth, 9:41.45), the girls 4×200 (7th, 1:52.44), Kaleah Crawford (7th in the 400, 1:05.11), Geramiyah Williams (8th in the 400, 53.72), the girls 4×100 (8th, 52.61) and Aniyah Jones (8th in the 200, 27.58).

 

Red River anglers taking part in state championships

Red River High’s Kolten Antilley and Brent Danzy will fish in the Louisiana Bass Nation 2024 State Championships in Lake Charles this coming weekend on the Calcasieu River.

The field consists of 138 high school boats.

Middle schoolers Chaston Waters and Darrell Fields will fish in the junior division, which consists of 45 boats.


Wilderness Survival Camp

Reeve learned as a child how to survive.  When he was a child, his parents recognized that there was something different about Reeve.  He was highly intelligent but struggled with social interactions.  He was unable to make friends, failed to understand social cues, became lost in his own thoughts, became obsessed with certain interests, and was unable to understand empathy.  During conversations, Reeve would often stop mid-sentence and get a glazed look.  He would pause, sometime for minutes, while his thoughts were processing.  Sometimes he would continue the sentence where he left off as if nothing had happened.  Other times, he would simply walk away.  Reeve, the smallest child in his elementary class, was constantly targeted by bullies who enjoyed punching him in the face.  As an adult, Reeve said, “If you have never been punched in the nose, you have no idea how it affects you the rest of your life.”   

His mother thought he was a genius, but his father saw his awkwardness as a weakness.  Reeve’s father often used physical and mental torture against him.  Reeve’s father constantly berated  Reeve and called him useless, an idiot, and, one that stuck more than the others, stupid.  Although never officially diagnosed, Reeve was born with a neurodevelopmental disorder known as Asperger Syndrome.  On the autism spectrum, someone with Asperger’s Syndrome is considered “high functioning.”  Reeve’s father thought Reeve just needed toughening up. 

When he was twelve years old, Reeve’s father sent him to a wilderness survival camp.  At camp, counselors gave the children a small ration of food and water.  The children were allowed, then encouraged, to fight the other children for their rations.  The bigger, stronger kids thrived after beating up and stealing the food and water from the weaker ones.  Reeve, small and socially awkward, was one of the weaker ones.  At the end of the first week, the boys were divided into two groups and ordered to attack.  The stronger team took the food and water from the weaker team.  The children on both teams were left battered and bleeding.  Every few years, a child died during the wilderness survival camp.  Rather than altering the mission of the wilderness survival camp for safety, the counselors used the deaths as warnings.  “Don’t be stupid like that dumb [expletive] who died last year,” they would say, “Don’t be the weak dumb [expletive].”  When Reeve returned home from camp, he had lost ten pounds.

In college, Reeve still struggled to make friends, but he used his ability to concentrate for long periods of time to his advantage.  He wrote a business plan for an electronic book service similar to the e-books many of us now read.  Following college, Reeve, along with his brother and another student, founded a company that became known as Zip2 whose product was internet-based city guides with maps and directions.  Most of us use this technology on our mobile phones to get directions.  In February 1999, the founders sold Zip2 and Reeve received $22 million.  In the following month, Reeve co-founded an online banking service and email payment company now called PayPal.  Three years later, the founders sold PayPal to eBay for $1.5 billion in stock, and Reeve received $175.8 million.  From there, Reeve cofounded two other companies which have become successful. 

Despite what his father thought, Reeve was not worthless.  He certainly was not stupid.  Reeve still struggles with social interactions and refers to ideas that he disagrees with, even some of the ideas of his own employees, as stupid.  “Adversity shaped me,” he claims.  Reeve said the time at the wilderness survival camp taught him some necessary skills which have helped him run SpaceX and Tesla.  Reeve is the middle name of Elon Musk.

 Source: Walter Isaacson, Elon Musk, (New York, New York, Simon and Schuster, 2023).


Speaker Johnson Launches House-wide effort to crack down on Antisemitism on college campuses

“We will use all tools available to us to address this scourge”

WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson was joined by House Republican leadership and Committee Chairs to announce a new House-wide effort to crack down on antisemitism on college campuses and hold universities accountable for failing to protect Jewish students.

As part of the effort, the House will be looking into federal funding universities receive, the foreign student visa program that has allowed students sympathetic to terrorist groups to attend our schools, and the generous tax benefits universities enjoy.

The effort will be led by the Education and Workforce Committee, the Ways and Means Committee, the Energy and Commerce Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Oversight Committee, and the Science, Space and Technology Committee.

“Antisemitism is a virus and because the administration and woke university presidents aren’t stepping in, we’re seeing it spread,” said Speaker Johnson. “We must act, and House Republicans will speak to this fateful moment with moral clarity… and that’s why today we’re here to announce a House-wide effort to crack down on antisemitism on college campuses. Nearly every committee here has a role to play in these efforts to stop the madness that has ensued. The federal government plays a critical role in higher education, and we will use all the tools available to us to address this scourge.”

Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx: “No stone must go unturned while buildings are being defaced. Campus greens are being captured, or graduations are being ruined. College is not a park for play acting juveniles or a battleground for radical activist. Everyone affiliated with these universities will receive a healthy dose of reality. Actions have consequences.”

Science, Space and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas: “Universities that can’t protect their students are not in compliance with their funding obligations through the National Science Foundation …As a part of the conditions of receiving taxpayer dollars through the NSF, universities must comply with Title Six of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin…It’s time we review whether universities that allow the harassment, assault or intimidation, other Jewish students are in compliance with their federal obligations.”

Energy and Commerce Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers: “The Energy and Commerce Committee oversees agencies that dole out massive amounts of taxpayer funded research grants… We will be increasing our oversight of institutions that have received public funding and cracking down on those who are in violation of the Civil Rights Act.”

Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan: “On September 30, 2021, Secretary Mayorkas issued his guidelines for immigration enforcement. He said that national security threats are a reason to remove people from this country. The overriding question is simple: Are individuals advocating for the destruction of our dearest and closest ally, the State of Israel, engaged in this anti-Semitic behavior? And is that a national security threat? We think it is and we think the American people deserve answers.”

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith: “At the Ways and Means Committee, we have been investigating the issue for months in a hearing last November, we examined the nexus between antisemitism tax exempt universities and terror financing networks…We’ve sent letters to university leaders demanding information on what disciplinary action, if any, that they have taken against those whose antisemitic activity violates campus policy. We’ve called on them to disclose any donations or funding they have received from foreign governments as well. Our investigation has already produced more than 1,500 pages of documents that we are now actively reviewing.”

Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer: “These radical protests threatening violence against Jews are anything but organic. It appears global elites are funding these hateful protests and pop-up tent cities. These are the same groups that fund other radical agendas, including diminishing America’s energy production and pushing soft on crime policies that harm the American people. The House Oversight Committee will follow the money trail, expose it to the American people and seek to hold bad actors funding hate accountable.”


Red River COA to host health fair

The Red River Council on Aging, 1824 Front Street, will host a Community Health Fair Thursday, May 16 from 8:30am-12pm.

The following vendors are participating:
Home Health, Resource Center, CHRISTUS Coushatta, Medical Technology, Rehab Centers, Hospice, LaChip, Acadian On Call, and Blood Sugar Checks.

CHRISTUS Coushatta Healthcare will provide the following services for a nominal fee:

  • Lipid Profile $10
    includes: Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL Cholesterol and LDL Direct Cholesterol
  • Comprehensive Profile (CMP) $10
    includes: Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, CO2, BUN, Creatinine, Glucose, Total Bilirubin, AST/SGOT, ALT/SCPT, Total Protein, Albumin, ALKP, Calcium
  • TSH and CBC $5 each
  • HGB A1C will be provided free of charge by the MLK Health Center and Pharmacy/BHP Heart Program

Come by and get your blood pressure, weight, height, and blood sugar checked.

Door Prizes will also be given away.


NSU to hold seven sessions of freshman orientation program

Northwestern State University will hold seven sessions of its freshman orientation program, Freshman Connection, beginning May 22.

Four sessions will be at the Natchitoches campus on May 22-23, May 29-30, June 13 and July 10-11.

The program will be held on the Alexandria campus on June 18, the Shreveport campus on June 20 and the Leesville/Fort Johnson campus on June 26. There is also a session for parents called Parent Connection and a session for younger siblings, Kid Konnection.

The fee is $100 for the sessions on the Natchitoches campus and $65 for the sessions on the Alexandria, Shreveport and Leesville/Fort Johnson campuses. Those attending the sessions on the Alexandria, Shreveport and Leesville/Fort Johnson campuses should be planning to take all classes on that campus. The two-day sessions on the Natchitoches campus include a one-night stay in campus residence halls.

Participants in Freshman Connection will be placed in a small group with a connector, who will guide individuals through the orientation program. Connectors are current Northwestern State students who share information about what can be expected at NSU and will offer support and guidance about the high school to college transition.

During the program, those attending will have a chance to meet with university administrators, visit with faculty and staff and learn more about campus life. Participants will be introduced to the academic programs and services provided by the University, such as academic advising and support services. Upon completing the registration process at Freshman Connection, students will be prepared for their first semester in college and will leave with a fall schedule in hand.

The Parent Connection program runs concurrently with day one of Freshman Connection but is a separate program to meet the specific needs of parents and families. Parent Connection will provide an overview of the academic and co-curricular resources available to your student at NSU. Parents will meet professional staff, faculty members and current students who will share valuable information on college success. Parents can learn where and how to get support for your student, meet other families of NSU students, ask questions and feel confident in your student’s ability to succeed in college.

Kid Konnection is designed exclusively for siblings (ages 5 – 12) of new NSU students to help them learn more about their big brother or sister’s new home. Activities include arts and crafts, a campus tour and meeting Vic the Demon. Participants will receive lunch, an afternoon snack and fun NSU stuff. In order for a sibling to participate in Kid Konnection, they must have a parent/guardian attending Parent Connection.

Current Northwestern State students serving as connectors are Abigail Chevalier of Mangham, Alex Dollar of Natchitoches, Peyton Fuller of Deville, Ellie Hardy of Haughton, Sachiri Henderson of Shreveport, Chris James of Bossier City, Bryce Juneau of Cottonport, Kaley Koss of Many, Alex Laurent of Lafayette, Amber Long of Benton, Kobie McCormick of Franklinton and Lyla Monroe of Rayville. This year’s connectors will also include Coree Nash of Jena, Jude Oliva of Raceland, Ella Price of Winnfield, Christopher Richard of Abbeville, Kieler Soape of Montgomery, Texas, Brooke Straight and Bradie Villemarette of Saint Francisville, Owen Stutzman of Gonzales, Hunter Thomas of Baton Rouge and Lauryn Vernon of Arcadia. Student coordinators are Kameron Burns of Haughton and Linzi Lampert of Deville.

For more information, go to nsula.edu/freshmanconnection.


Tech Giving Day raises $1.96 million from 800 donors

Ruston, Louisiana – Louisiana Tech’s sixth annual Giving Day on April 18 raised more than $1.96 million for the University.

More than 800 donors across America including students, faculty and staff, alumni, parents, corporate partners, and community members contributed to this year’s success. Funds were raised for areas throughout the campus community ranging from colleges and departments to scholarships and Tech Athletics.

“Once again, Louisiana Tech alumni and friends have made good on their commitment to ever loyal be by rallying on Giving Day to support the programs and projects they care most about. Gifts made on Giving Day and throughout the year are creating opportunities for unparalleled educational experiences in and out of the classroom, advancing groundbreaking capital projects, and opening possibilities through research and innovation,” said Devin Ferguson, Assistant Vice President for Philanthropy & Engagement. “Like the future ahead, success is only possible when everyone finds a personally meaningful way to participate, and the Tech family continues to do so year after year.”

The theme of 2024’s Giving Day, “Fulfilling Our Potential,” was built around a phrase oft-repeated early in President Jim Henderson’s tenure that suggests the promising future of the Louisiana Tech community knows no bounds. Gifts ranged from $5 to six figures, including two notable gifts to the Forest Products Innovation Center and the College of Business Center for Information Assurance.

“We are extremely grateful for the loyalty of our Tech Family,” said Lisa Bradley, Interim Vice President for University Advancement and Chief Financial Officer of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation. “Their consistent commitment to excellence through their philanthropic engagement reaches all areas of our campus and provides opportunities for our faculty, staff, and students. Louisiana Tech University is better because of the generosity of our Tech Family.”

To see more data from Giving Day 2024, including successful match challenges and the donor wall, visit LouisianaTechGivingDay.org.


Wrapping up a bump-marred 2024 Ray Scott National Championship

This being my sixth straight year qualifying for the Ray Scott National Championship, I’m always amazed at just how good some anglers are. This year was no exception, as the tournament was on a body of water that very few of its participants have fished — Lake Seminole in Georgia.

Turns out for me that it set up very similar to the backwaters of the Red River. It was defined by a river system (the Flint, Chattahoochee, and Spring creeks) that feeds this body of water. It had massive stump-filled flats with a great mix of vegetation. But this tournament also brought to light just how invasive some anglers can be today.

Before I get on my soap box, let me first congratulate two of my roommates for this event. Fellow north Louisiana anglers Brennan Flick (West Monroe) and Walt Stevens (Bernice) both had top 10 finishes, Brennan sixth with a great Day 2 comeback of 18.99 for a two-day weight total of 32.20. Walt also had a great event and was leading after Day 1 with 23.24 but had some bad breaks on Day 2 to finish eighth.

Both guys did a great job of fishing this event and making daily adjustments that allowed them to finish in the money. But they also had some issues with opposing anglers coming in on their territory.

Tournament fishing is getting to be a test of an angler’s patience, as some anglers think it’s OK to bump another angler’s boat. That’s right, bump another angler’s boat! How in the heck does this happen on a body of water with over 37,000 surface acres?

While fishing on Day 1, one angler had a competitor with an Auburn University boat wrap actually bump his boat during competition! At first, he was in shock that an angler would even make this mistake due to the fact there is a rule that states no fishing within 50 yards of another competitor anchored or not. But it’s just another example of how anglers are conducting themselves on the water today. It’s about winning at all costs no matter who or how anyone gets in their way.

Walt Stevens also had an issue on Day 2 with anglers coming in on his territory and not respecting the fact that he was in first place going into the final day. Young anglers today no longer show respect for any angler who has a chance to win a multi-day event. This probably cost him the Ray Scott Championship due to the fact that other anglers saw him catch his fish on Day 1 and decided to invade his territory. Three spots that he had all to himself on Day 1 were inundated with anglers who knew where he was fishing.

This kind of conduct used to never happen, but with so many young anglers on the water today, most have never been taught the unspoken rules of fishing etiquette. Today, it’s not unusual for anglers to have unkind words for each other when one angler decides not to respect another angler’s area. This is why it is so hard to win a bass tournament today. So many young anglers have no respect for anyone and just don’t care.

For me, this event started out with high expectations with a very good three-day practice. I felt really good going into Day 1 with three areas holding quality fish. But the loss of two fish over 5 pounds on Day 1 really put a damper on what I felt was a promising event. The key to high finishes is not losing fish. There’s no making up for losing a 5-pounder or in my case, two.

But I was proud of myself for a good Day 2 comeback with over 14 pounds, which allowed me to finish in 27th out of 104 competitors, missing the check cutoff at 25th place. Just to show you how important it is to not lose fish, the weights were so tight that the two fish I lost on Day 1 would have placed me in the top 12.

My final thoughts on this event: ABA (American Bass Anglers) does a great job of putting on this event every year. Tournament director Chris Wayand of Shreveport, does an outstanding job of running this event. A special thank you goes out to ABA and their entire staff for their commitment to making this tournament special. Looking forward to hopefully making my seventh straight Ray Scott in 2025 as it will be held on Lake Eufaula in Alabama for a third time.

‘Til next week, good luck, good fishing and when in doubt, set the hook!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com


This & That…Friday, May 3, 2024

Red River High School Fishing Team will compete at the State Fishing Tournament Saturday and Sunday in Lake Charles. GOOD LUCK!

St. James Church of God in Christ, in Powhatan, will celebrate the Anniversary of Pastor and First Lady Brandon and Kristen Jackson on Sunday, May 5 at 3pm. Guest speaker will be Pastor Joey Miller of Victorious Life Ministries of Coushatta.

The Southern Plainsmen Quartet will be in concert at the Ashland Baptist Church Sunday, May 5 at 6pm.

Woman Church will be held May 7 from 6-8pm at The Shop, 1942 Hwy 507. Worship leaders for the night are Maura Dupree and Kaitlyn Beard and the speaker is Kat Arnold. Dinner will be provided. Bring your Bible and a friend.

Interested in learning more about using that air fryer you still have in a box? Red River Parish Helping Hands will host an instructional presentation at the Jack & Laura Center May 9 at 1pm.


Notice of Death – May 2, 2024

Patsy Marie Gartman
August 10, 1942 – April 29, 2024
Graveside services: Friday, May 3, 2024 at 1pm at Old Sparta Cemetery

Leola Eloise Loftin
September 14, 1918 — April 28, 2024
Service: Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 2pm at Liberty Baptist Church – Martin

Beulah Mae Sunday
February 11, 1943 — April 22, 2024
Graveside Service: Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 11am at New Mary Magdalene Baptist Church Cemetery –  Coushatta

Kenneth Eugene Kay
October 21, 1968 – April 24, 2024
Private funeral services were held


RRPSB to hold special called meeting TODAY

The Red River Parish School Board will hold a special called meeting Wednesday, May 1 at 8:30am in the Red River Parish Administration Building, 100 Bulldog Drive, to approve a Resolution to join the State of Louisiana in litigation against the United States Department of Education regarding changes to Title IX regulations and guidelines. 


Red River COA to host Community Health Fair

The Red River Council on Aging, 1824 Front Street, will host a Community Health Fair Thursday, May 16 from 8:30am-12pm.

The following vendors are participating:
Home Health, Resource Center, CHRISTUS Coushatta, Medical Technology, Rehab Centers, Hospice, LaChip, Acadian On Call, and Blood Sugar Checks.

CHRISTUS Coushatta Healthcare will provide the following services for a nominal fee:

  • Lipid Profile $10
    includes: Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL Cholesterol and LDL Direct Cholesterol

  • Comprehensive Profile (CMP) $10
    includes: Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, CO2, BUN, Creatinine, Glucose, Total Bilirubin, AST/SGOT, ALT/SCPT, Total Protein, Albumin, ALKP, Calcium

  • TSH and CBC $5 each

  • HGB A1C will be provided free of charge by the MLK Health Center and Pharmacy/BHP Heart Program

Come by and get your blood pressure, weight, height, and blood sugar checked.

Door Prizes will also be given away.


Ponderings

By Doug De Graffenried

“Lost as a he-haint in high weeds.”

I have used it before, and it still applies. Some people are that lost. For you folks that don’t speak with an Alabama accent, a “he-haint” is a male ghost. And a male ghost in a corn field, or a field with high weeds, is very lost!

Before GPS, most men would refuse to stop and ask for directions. It is in our genetic coding. Our brides would demand that we stop at the sketchy-looking convenience store and ask for directions. Our universal response was, “Honey, I think I recognize that water tower and I know where I am.” After another hour of being lost, the exasperated wife would demand we stop. She would walk into the same sketchy-looking convenience store and ask for directions. With the advent of GPS technology, men don’t need to ask for directions. Now we are never lost. If there is a problem, we blame it on that nice British woman speaking through our GPS. Google is infallible, right?

I do like to make my GPS lady mad by not following her directions. She will tell me to make a “legal U turn” or she will woefully offer the words, “recalculating.”

The notion of a male being lost for all eternity is both sad and humorous. Maybe that’s what a ghost is, a person who refuses to ask for directions on their journey to the pearly gates. They will eventually catch on to the fact that it is OK to ask for directions and go on to eternal bliss.

If you see someone who is lost, what should you do about point them in the right direction? Do you have an obligation to warn them that they are lost?

With all this technology in automobiles, how can anyone be lost?

The other day I was doing a wedding in Simsboro. It is a nice new wedding venue. I programmed my car to get me there. The car did a great job of making sure I arrived on time. As I left the wedding, I looked at the car map. According to my car, I was driving in the middle of nowhere. I was not on a road, nor was I headed in a direction. I wondered how long it would be before my vehicle would correct the navigation system oversight. It was amusing because the wedding was over. What if the same thing happened as I was headed to the wedding? Heading to the wedding and being lost would have been a most unpleasant experience. Being lost is a matter of destination and the perspective of time. Let me ask you three questions about your life journey.

In life’s journey, where are you? Where are you headed? Do you have a nagging feeling that you might have lost your way? Spiritually, how you do recalculate the journey?

When you are lost, how do you “get found?”

I think the question has a spiritual dimension and an answer involving Jesus.

The truth is He’ll leave the ninety-nine and go looking for the one that is lost.


RRES qualifies for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

Red River Elementary School has qualified for The USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Fresh fruit and vegetables will now be available for elementary students to snack on after lunch.

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is a federally assisted program providing free fresh fruits
and vegetables to children at eligible elementary schools during the school day. The goal of the FFVP
is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, to include new and different varieties, and to increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce among children. The FFVP also encourages healthier school environments by promoting nutrition education. 

Elementary schools in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and
the Virgin Islands are eligible to participate. Schools must operate the National School Lunch Program in order to operate the FFVP. Importantly, the FFVP prioritizes schools with the highest percentage of children certified as eligible for free and reduced price meals. This is because children from low-income families generally have fewer opportunities to consume fresh produce on a regular basis.

Participating elementary schools must serve the fresh fruits and vegetables outside the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program meal service times. Beyond these requirements, schools have flexibility in determining their implementation plan. Schools may select the type of produce served, decide the number of days per week to serve the produce (though schools are strongly encouraged to serve a minimum of two days per week), and choose the time outside the breakfast and lunch meal service to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to children.

To learn more, visit the FFVP webpage: https://www.fns.usda.gov/ffvp/fresh-fruitand-vegetable-program. 


BESE leadership statement regarding state lawsuit in response to new Title IX rules

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2024
Contact: Kevin Calbert | kevin.calbert@la.gov


On April 29, 2024, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana and Idaho filed a joint lawsuit against the federal government in response to the Biden administration’s recently released changes to Title IX, which redefine the interpretation of sex-based discrimination to include gender identity and other categories.

Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) President Ronnie Morris, Vice President Lance Harris, and Secretary-Treasurer Stacey Melerine issued the following statement regarding the new Title IX changes and the filing of the lawsuit:

“The officers of BESE fully support the state’s decision to sue the Biden administration in response to its radical changes to Title IX. Since its inception, Title IX has ensured protections for generations of girls and women in educational environments, resulting in greater equity and opportunity regardless of biological sex. Stretching the interpretation of gender discrimination beyond that which is grounded in clear biological fact undermines the original intent of Title IX, is inconsistent with its historical application, and endangers equal opportunity for females. The leadership of BESE stands with the Governor, Attorney General, and State Superintendent in this action.”

The mission of BESE is to provide leadership and create policies for education that expand opportunities for children, empower families and communities, and advance Louisiana in an increasingly competitive global market.