Red River Parish School District Board Meeting
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 @ 3:30 PM

Posted: Monday, February 9, 2026 (Noon)
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
AGENDA
The next meeting of the Red River Parish School Board will be Wednesday, March 11, 2026 @ 3:30 PM in the Red River Parish School Board Administration Building, 100 Bulldog Drive, Coushatta, LA

MEETINGS WILL RUN CONSECUTIVELY

1. Open – Melinda Hardy, Board President

Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance & Mission Statement led by Mission Statement: Mr. David Jones,
Business Manager

“Red River Parish Schools Provide Excellent Education: Every Child, Every Day, Whatever It Takes!

A. Finance Committee – Cleve Miller, Chairperson
1. To approve payment of bills
2. To approved Revised Salary Scale
3. To receive Monthly Report for all Major Funds from Mr. David Jones, Business Manager

BOARD MEETING

2. To approve Agenda for Wednesday, March 11, 2026
3. To approve Minutes of Wednesday, February 11, 2026
4. To approve Consent Agenda
A. Finance Committee – Cleve Miller, Chairperson
1. To approve payment of bills
2. To approve Revised Salary Scale
2. To receive Monthly Report for all Major Funds from Mr. David Jones, Business Manager
5. Superintendent’s Report
   Monthly Report for Red River Head Start Program
   Personnel Report – Resignations, Retirements, and New Hires
6. To approve Revised Job Description for Payroll and Technology Departments
7. To discuss investigative proceedings, pursuant to LA. R. S. 42:6.1.A.4
8. To consider employment for Head Start Personnel
9. Announcements Next Board Meeting Wednesday, April 8, 2026 @ 3:30 PM
LSBA Convention March 29-31, 2026
10. Adjournment

Public comment is asked for on each agenda item. If you wish to address the Board, please fill out a speaker’s form
prior to the meeting indicating the agenda item to be addressed and give form to Board President

Red River Parish residents felt the ground shake again on Monday, March 9, as four earthquakes struck within a span of about 10 minutes, continuing a string of seismic activity in the area.

According to preliminary reports, the quakes ranged in magnitude from 3.1 to 4.4, strong enough for many people to feel the shaking indoors and out. The series of tremors was closely clustered in time, adding to the concern and curiosity of residents who have experienced several quakes in recent weeks.

As of press time, no significant injuries or major structural damage had been reported, though some residents noted rattling windows, swaying light fixtures, and items shifting on shelves. Local officials are encouraging anyone who notices cracks, foundation changes, or other possible damage to document it and contact the appropriate authorities or their insurance representatives.

Monday’s earthquakes are the latest in a pattern of small to moderate tremors affecting Red River Parish, prompting many to follow seismic updates more closely than ever before. Parish officials and emergency personnel are staying in contact with state agencies and monitoring information from geological services as more data becomes available.

Residents are reminded that even small earthquakes are a good reason to review basic safety measures: know where to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” secure heavy items that could fall, and keep an emergency kit with essentials such as water, flashlights, and medications.

While the recent activity has been unsettling, local leaders emphasize that staying informed and prepared is the best way for Red River Parish to face this bout of shaking together.

Through the whole season of Lent, I work on answering the question, “What am I giving up for Lent.”

A friend told me recently, “I’m simply frazzled.” Now, when a minister says “frazzled,” my imagination goes straight to cartoon mode. I pictured him with his hair standing straight up, soot on his face, clutching a smoldering Bible in one hand while trying to answer a phone call and a text message with the other. Ministry does that to us. Then I looked at my own calendar—those blank spaces I had optimistically filled in with “rest”—and I understood exactly what he meant.

There’s an old saying: “I’m so busy I don’t know if I’ve found a rope or lost a horse. “Some days, that feels less like a saying and more like a spiritual condition.

Our culture practically demands frazzled, frenetic activity. If we’re going to play the game, we’re expected to check email, Facebook, Instagram, and X like we’re on some sort of digital scavenger hunt. I left Facebook, I never tweeted, and my computer only checks email a couple of times a day. I do peek at Instagram—because that’s where my family hangs out—but even that can feel like a part-time job.

Maybe a good Lenten discipline would be to give up the tyranny of the immediate. If it doesn’t get done today, I’ll get to it tomorrow. And if it’s still sitting there tomorrow, maybe it didn’t need doing in the first place.

Now, I’m not suggesting you shirk your responsibilities. I’m suggesting we learn something about living for the long run, something our souls have been trying to tell us while we’ve been too busy checking notifications.

God took the seventh day off. You, however, will not—because I know you. So let me offer a substitute: two peace pockets a day.

A peace pocket is a ten-minute break where you turn off the phone, turn off the computer monitor, close the door, and do absolutely nothing. If anyone asks, tell them you’re about to “work very hard for the next ten minutes on doing nothing.” Only we could turn rest into a job description.

If you can’t take a day off, take two peace pockets and call me later.

We spend so much time ruminating over trifles. The disciples once “lost” Jesus—not because He was lost, but because they were. They finally found Him praying alone. Breathless, they announced, “The whole town is looking for you!” Jesus calmly replied that He had other places to go. In other words: “I’m not ruled by your urgency.”

Jesus had priorities. He didn’t let the trivial masquerade as the essential.

If God rested and Jesus set priorities, maybe we should take the hint. Maybe Lent is the perfect time to let go of the things that make us feel frazzled, frantic, and spiritually threadbare.

Then, perhaps, we can finally decide whether we’ve found a rope or lost a horse.

Wednesday:

Rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 73F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

Thunderstorm during the evening then partly cloudy overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 44F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

Thursday:

Mainly sunny with cooler temperatures. High around 69F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. 

Clear skies overnight. Low 38F. Winds light and variable. 

Lawmakers consider state budget, education programs, AI regulation and more

The 2026 Regular Legislative Session convened Monday at noon as required by the State Constitution. Returning to Baton Rouge, lawmakers will tackle a variety of subjects including regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly when it comes to protecting children, regulation of carbon capture activities here in Louisiana, and proposals to increase investment in public safety and education.

“We have made such great strides in the first two years of this term, when you look at how far we have come in areas like tax reform and beginning to see insurance rates come down here in Louisiana,” said Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier. “This year we want to build on those successes to encourage even more economic investment in our state and better prepare our workforce to take advantage of those opportunities.”

“As we carefully consider the proposed $47 billion state budget for next year, legislators want to fund the priorities that are important to Louisianans without committing our state to spending we can’t afford in the years ahead,” said Senate President Cameron Henry. “As we look ahead to next year when we want to bring down our state income tax rate even further, we’ll be looking to strengthen our long-term revenue sources so that whether it’s education, energy or public safety, we build revenue sources that our state can depend on going forward.

The House of Representatives welcomed four new members. Chasity Martinez will serve District 60 in the parishes of Assumption and Iberville and has been named to the Education, Labor and Transportation committees. Ed Murray will serve District 97 in Orleans Parish and has been named to the Insurance, Municipal, and Transportation committees. Reese “Skip” Broussard will serve District 37 in the parishes of Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis and has been named to the Agriculture, Education and Transportation committees. Doyle Boudreaux will serve District 39 in Lafayette Parish and has been named to the Transportation, Administration of Criminal Justice and Retirement committees.

As of Tuesday morning, more than 1,360 bills have been filed by legislators, including the state budget, to be considered over an 85-day general legislative session.

To follow the legislative session in real time, the public can log into http://www.legis.la.gov to search for bills and watch live streams of committee room and floor debates. The legislative mobile phone app LALEGE can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play. This app includes a bill search and “find my legislator” function. Other key features include legislator profiles, Senate and House schedules and a visitor’s guide to the Capitol.

The 2026 Regular Legislative Session must adjourn no later than 6:00pm on Monday, June 1, 2026.

Talent is common, but experience is rare. Here is how CAPA turns students into working professionals before they ever graduate.

By Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer at Northwestern State University

There is a moment of terrifying clarity that happens to every young artist. It usually strikes midway through a senior showcase or during the quiet drive home from an audition. It is the realization that raw talent, no matter how bright, is only a starting line. The world is full of people who can sing, paint, or write. The industry does not pay for potential. It pays for polish.

This is the hard truth of the creative life. The gap between having a gift and having a career is wide, and it is paved with rejection, technical demands, and the need for a relentless work ethic. Many young creatives hesitate here. They have the vision, yet they lack the professional-grade portfolio or the stage hours to make a casting director pause. They wait to start their careers until after graduation, only to find they are already years behind.

At Northwestern State University, inside the Mrs. H.D. Dear, Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), we operate under a different philosophy. We believe you cannot learn to be a professional by sitting in a classroom talking about it. You must do the work.

The halls of CAPA carry a specific energy. It is the sound of a piano practice room occupied in the early morning hours and the scent of oils in a painting studio late at night. Here, we do not view the arts as a hobby or a fragile dream. We treat them as a discipline.

This approach changes the trajectory of a student’s life.

When you walk through the doors of CAPA, you are not asked to wait for your turn. The hierarchy that exists at other institutions, where freshmen wait years to touch a camera or step into the spotlight, does not exist here. From your first semester, you are in the mix. You are auditioning for mainstage productions. You are hanging your work in gallery exhibitions. You are recording in professional studios and reporting for digital media outlets.

The faculty guiding this work are not retired observers. They are active artists, performers, and creators who understand the modern landscape of the industry. They know that a degree is necessary, but a reel is vital. They push students to build a body of work that stands up to scrutiny in New York, Los Angeles, or Atlanta.

Scott Burrell, Director of the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts and Professor of Theatre, emphasizes that the curriculum bridges the gap between student and professional. “We don’t ask you to wait until graduation to become an artist,” Burrell says. “We hand you the tools and the stage on day one. By the time you leave, you’re not starting a career. You’re continuing one.”

The results of this immersion are etched into playbills and credit rolls across the nation.

Look at the numbers. Twelve alumni have landed on Broadway. Graduates have appeared in over 120 film and television productions. Thirty-two professional dance companies feature NSU-trained talent. Our alumni are defining the arts. They are the graphic designers shaping global brands, the journalists leading newsrooms, and the music educators inspiring the next generation. 

This success stems from a curriculum that balances creative freedom with technical rigor. Whether it is the NASAD-accredited Fine & Graphic Arts program, the elite ensembles of the Department of Music, or the Department of Theatre & Dance, one of only 150 NAST-accredited programs in the country, the standard is excellence.

We understand that talent is the fuel, but training is the engine. From Theatre and Music to Art and New Media, Journalism, & Communication Arts (NMJCA), our programs are defined by cutting-edge collaboration rather than outdated instruction. We prioritize career training that is pertinent to the industry and vital to the student. For example, NMJCA students are currently producing nationally award-winning podcast series. The Department of Music routinely brings Grammy-nominated producers into the studio to work alongside faculty and students. The Department of Art’s Design Center for in-house internships was recognized as one of only twenty elite models in a 2025 study by the Louisiana Board of Regents.

When an NSU student walks across the graduation stage, they carry a resume. They have a network of peers and mentors who open doors. They possess the confidence that comes from having done the job a hundred times before the first paycheck ever arrived.

The creative world is competitive, but it is not impenetrable. It yields to those who show up prepared. If you are ready to stop dreaming about the work and start doing it, you belong here. The studio is open. The lights are on.

Whether you seek to command the stage or master the craft behind the scenes, you will find your place within CAPA’s professionally oriented programs. The invitation is open to join the Demon family. Apply to CAPA today, schedule your visit, and let’s get to work.

Explore CAPA: https://www.nsu.la/capa 

Schedule a CAPA Tour: https://www.nsula.edu/admissions/campus-tours/ 

Apply for Admission: https://www.nsula.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/ 

Lady Techsters Coach Brooke Stoehr was named Conference USA Coach of the Year. The team finished the regular season with a 24-5 record and head into the conference tournament as the #1 seed.

Gov. Landry calls for Louisiana to get rid of inspection stickers on opening day of the 2026 regular legislative session saying it should be replaced with a QR code.

NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr has announced he will race at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in April in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour.

A phlebotomy technician training class will be offered by Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education in Natchitoches starting March 17. The class will be on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the classroom on the second floor of South Hall. The fee for the class is $995 plus a material fee and the National Board Certification Exam Fee paid directly to the instructor on the first night of class. The National Board Certification Exam fee is due before April 17. A minimum payment of $497.50 must be included at the time of registration and does not include the material fee or board fee. The remaining balance must be paid through checkout.nsula.edu before Friday, April 17.

Dr. Mark Johnson will be inaugurated as the 10 th president of Louisiana Christian University
on March 26 at 6 p.m. in Guinn Auditorium. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. James Dew, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Flavor of Louisiana, Northwestern State University’s spring fund raiser, will return Friday, March 20 with an impressive line-up of popular restaurants offering samplings of Louisiana seafood delicacies and tasty non-seafood options. Doors open at 6 p.m. in Prather Coliseum. Among the vendors are Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant, Legacy Cafe, Mayeaux’s Steak & Seafood Restaurant, La Casa Del Taco, Savoie’s, Lasyone’s, Mama’s Oyster House, Sweet D’s Kitchen, Russell’s Meat Pies, Sizzle and Drizzle, Peggy’s Pizza and others from around the region. Coffee, desserts, craft beers and specialty cocktails will also be available. Wrinkle Free Entertainment will provide music for mingling and dancing. Tickets are $95 per person and $145 per couple and can be purchased online or at the door. All proceeds go to support academic programming, faculty development and scholarships for students. To purchase tickets online visit https://northwesternstatealumni.com/flavor-of-louisiana/.

Zacorion Deshawn Miller
August 7, 2006 – March 1, 2026
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 1pm at Deliverance Temple Church in Coushatta.

Carrie Orr McDonald
December 18, 1967 – January 23, 2026
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 11am at Abundant Life Worship Center in Coushatta.

Terri Trichell Adams
November 26, 1956 – February 13, 2026
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11am at Open Door Fellowship in Coushatta.

Pictured are five proud fishermen who each caught a largemouth bass over 10 pounds from Grand
Bayou Reservoir in Coushatta in February.

They are (from left to right):
Justin Cooper, Zwolle, LA, 11.4 lbs bass caught Feb 4, 2026
Tyler Morris, Bossier City, LA, a member of the LSUS fishing team, 10.2 lbs bass caught Feb 13, 2026
Bryce Distefang, Bossier City, LA, also a member of the LSUS fishing team, 10.4 lbs bass caught Feb 13,
2026
Karen Gerwin, Flint, TX, 11.2 lbs bass caught Feb 15, 2026.
Archie Dor’e II, Natchitoches, LA, 10.8 lbs caught on Feb 21, 2026

The resort and Grand Bayou Reservoir District will pay for replicas of any bass caught at the lake that is
over 10 pounds. If the fisherman wants a replica, the fish must first be officially weighed by resort
personnel, then returned to the lake alive and in good condition. All five of these fishermen have chosen
to have a replica made of their bass under the resort’s lunker program.

Story shared by Faerie Sledge.
Photo credits Grand Bayou Resort staff.

Monday:

Cloudy skies early with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible. High 78F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Partly cloudy skies in the evening, then becoming cloudy overnight. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. 

Tuesday:

Cloudy skies early with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible. High 81F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. 

Increasing clouds with showers arriving sometime after midnight. Low 68F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Change of rain 40%. 

National education policy playbook highlights Louisiana as a state exemplar for its “simple, transparent, and rigorous” formula that prepares students for career, college, or military service

BATON ROUGE, La. —Louisiana has been named a national standard for how schools and school systems are graded. ExcelinEd recognized Louisiana as the state exemplar for school and system accountability in its 2026 Education Policy Playbook. The playbook praises Louisiana for its transparent and rigorous approach that drives student outcomes and helps schools continuously improve.

“Louisiana is a national leader in education reform and those efforts are reflected in our academic progress,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “These shifts will push Louisiana students to greater heights, while the public receives a transparent look at school quality.”

Setting a National Standard

Created by the national education nonprofit ExcelinEd, the 2026 Education Policy Playbook is an annual report designed to help state leaders implement policies that improve student achievement. The guide names Louisiana as the model for school accountability, which is how states measure and share school performance.

“Louisiana has set a national standard with its Grow. Achieve. Thrive. accountability framework,” the playbook states. “The state now uses a simple, transparent and rigorous formula that holds schools accountable for three clear goals: helping all students reach grade-level proficiency or higher, ensuring individual growth for every student toward proficient or advanced achievement and prioritizing growth for the most struggling learners.”

Grow.Achieve.Thrive.

Grow. Achieve. Thrive. is Louisiana’s newly revised accountability system. It raises expectations for student performance, emphasizes transparency, and places greater focus on whether students are graduating ready for career, college, or military service.

Schools and systems will be measured using a clear, balanced scorecard built around three core expectations for every student:

• Grow: Students should make meaningful academic progress every year.
• Achieve: Students should reach proficiency in key subjects.
• Thrive: Students should graduate on time and be prepared for college, career, or service.

The first official performance scores using Grow. Achieve. Thrive. will be released in late 2026, reflecting results from the 2025–2026 school year.

About ExcelinEd
ExcelinEd is a nonprofit organization that supports state leaders in transforming education to unlock opportunity and lifelong success for every child. The organization provides policy expertise, implementation support, and research to help states increase learning, eliminate inequities, and ensure graduates are prepared for college and career.

By Nolan Mckendry | Mar 5, 2026

(The Center Square) – Louisiana education officials are weighing how — and how much – the state should police artificial intelligence in classrooms, as a Board of Elementary and Secondary Education panel laid out competing governance models that largely preserve local control while trying to standardize basic safety and quality checks.

At a recent BESE meeting, the AI Work Group presented a slate of “deliverables” aimed at “establishing criteria for a state-approved clearinghouse of vetted AI tools to ensure safe and effective classroom use.”

The group outlined three paths: building a state-run, two-tier clearinghouse of vetted tools; creating a statewide vetting framework districts would apply locally without a state-approved vendor list; or adopting a hybrid approach that requires local vetting while adding targeted state reporting for “high-impact” AI implementations.

The Louisiana Department of Education did not endorse a specific option, but officials emphasized they are prioritizing district decision-making over statewide mandates.

“We think that districts are generally good at working together and communicating,” Ashley Townsend, the department’s assistant superintendent of policy and governmental affairs, told The Center Square. “We want districts to be smart and we’re here to understand how we can support districts.”

Townsend added the department does not want to “mandate things,” and that school systems are generally responsible for how they procure AI tools and whcih platforms they use.

The discussion comes as Louisiana cautiously expands its use of AI in schools. The state recently authorized roughly $1 million in federal funds for student accounts tied to three AI platforms: Amira, Khanmigo and Writable. The platforms are being used as education supplements, while officials warn that AI adoption should not undermine the state’s recent gains in literacy and math.

Alongside governance questions, the education department is scaling up teacher training and guidance. The state’s Teacher Leader Summit is expected to draw about 7,000 educators with more than a dozen sessions focused on helping teachers teach AI. The work group also advised developing teacher competencies that include “target skills” to apply across content areas such as English.

Some advocates urged the state school board and educators to reframe how they talk about AI use in schools.

“We have to stop pretending like it is wrong for people to use AI to do their jobs,” said Anthony Owen, a work group member and Code.org’s head of policy and president of the Code.org Advocacy Coalition.

Owen said the conversation should move beyond whether students are using AI to cheat and instead focus on broader, more practical questions while guarding against risks such as “cognitive offloading” and other “meta cognitive issues.”

NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University has been awarded $1.8 million in federal funding through the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process to support the development of Innovation Park, a transformative STEM initiative designed to expand research, strengthen workforce development and drive technological innovation across Louisiana.

University leaders expressed deep appreciation to U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, and their dedicated staff for championing the project through the federal appropriations process. Their leadership secured funding to purchase advanced equipment for Innovation Park, which will serve as an epicenter for STEM education in northwest Louisiana through a collaborative partnership between NSU and the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts (LSMSA).

Innovation Park will serve as a collaborative hub connecting NSU students with gifted high school students from LSMSA. In addition, the facility will function as a community and industry engagement center, creating opportunities for regional business leaders, entrepreneurs and industry partners to collaborate directly with students and faculty. This crossover between business development and advanced learning will foster innovation, support product development, strengthen public-private partnerships and stimulate economic growth throughout northwest Louisiana.

Fields emphasized Northwestern State’s role in driving regional growth and opportunity, noting that the recent investment represents more than just funding; it reflects a strong commitment to the university’s continued excellence and long-term impact. Highlighting the significance of the award, he stated, “Northwestern State University is a cornerstone of our region, and this $1.8 million investment reflects my commitment to ensuring our institutions have the resources they need to thrive. I am proud to have helped champion this funding and I know this award will have a positive impact on students, faculty, and the broader community for years to come.”

Kennedy underscored the long-term importance of investing in education and workforce readiness.

“The key to Louisiana’s future isn’t the price of oil, or who’s holding political office, or what our unemployment rate is. It’s education. I’m proud to have helped secure this funding to prepare students at Northwestern State University for careers in growing industries and keep talent in Louisiana,” said Kennedy.

Echoing the importance of forward-looking investments in higher education and technology, Cassidy highlighted how Innovation Park will strengthen both regional opportunity and national competitiveness.

“Investment in students is investment in our future,” said Cassidy. “New tech equipment for Innovation Park will better prepare students at Northwestern to contribute to not only Natchitoches, but our entire country.”

NSU President Jimmy Genovese said the federal investment reflects strong confidence in the university’s role as a regional driver of innovation.

“This funding demonstrates what is possible when our federal delegation works in partnership with our university and community,” said Genovese. “Innovation Park will provide our students with hands-on access to advanced technology, ensuring they are prepared to lead in high-demand, high-impact industries. This investment will transform the educational experience for our students while strengthening our state’s workforce and economy for generations to come.”

Red River Junior High is inviting local youth to get active this spring with the Believe • Achieve • Succeed League Youth Athletics program, offering opportunities for boys and girls to participate in basketball, dance, and cheer. The school will hold a drive through registration Mon Mar 9 and Tue Mar 10 from 3:30-5:15pm. Just drive up and fill out the forms. The program is open to children ages 5–13 and will run every Saturday from May 16 through June 13. The cost to participate is $40.

Join your friends for Luck o’ the Irish Bingo at the Red River Parish Library on Wed Mar 11 at 1pm. Lots of prizes, refreshments, and fun!

LSU Ag Center will hold their next Homesteader Series: Basics of Backyard Poultry Processing workshop Sat Mar 21 at 9am at the NW Region Red River Research Station in Bossier City.

Singer Bruce Hornsby drops new singles feature the LSU women’s basketball team in the video.

Oil prices have jumped past $100 a barrel as the Iran war disrupts oil production and shipping in the Middle East.

The US Postal Service Postmaster announced last week it expects to run out of money in a year without help from Congress.

Sarah J Maas, the author of the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” book series revealed that the story will continue with books six and seven. Book six will arrive Oct 27, and book seven Jan 12, 2027.

New United Airlines policy allows the airline to ban passengers who don’t use their headphones.

The United States Coast Guard is purchasing the 192-acre Birmingham-Southern College campus to be the home for a new training center.

Carrie Orr McDonald
December 18, 1967 – January 23, 2026
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 11am at Abundant Life Worship Center in Coushatta.

Terri Trichell Adams
November 26, 1956 – February 13, 2026
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11am at Open Door Fellowship in Coushatta.

Residents of Red River Parish and surrounding areas received an unexpected wake-up call early Thursday morning when an earthquake struck near Coushatta, Louisiana.

The tremor occurred around 5:30 a.m. and was later measured as a 4.9-magnitude earthquake by the United States Geological Survey. The quake originated at a depth of approximately 3.1 miles below the surface and was widely felt across north Louisiana and beyond. Residents from Alexandria, Louisiana to parts of southern Arkansas and East Texas reported feeling the shaking.

Some residents reported feeling a smaller tremor about 10 minutes before the stronger quake, which many described as enough to rattle homes and wake people from sleep.

Historical data indicate the quake ranks as the second-largest earthquake ever recorded in Louisiana. The largest on record occurred offshore in the Gulf of Mexico on February 9, 2006, when a 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck roughly 100 miles south of Grand Isle, Louisiana.

Social media lit up shortly after the quake as residents of Coushatta and neighboring communities began asking if others had felt the shaking. Several reported items falling from shelves and walls during the brief but noticeable tremor.

The Red River Parish Library reported minor stress cracks appearing in sheetrock.

Officials say there have been no reports of injuries at this time, and the Red River Sheriff’s Department released a video to reassure people that all authorities are monitoring the situation.  

While earthquakes are relatively rare in Louisiana, experts say tremors of this size can still be felt across a wide region, particularly when they occur at shallow depths. At least 10 earthquakes have been recorded in the Haynesville-Bossier Shale area since December.  

On Sunday, March 8, clocks across most of the United States will “spring forward” one hour as Daylight Saving Time begins for 2026. At 2:00 a.m. local time, the time will jump ahead to 3:00 a.m., shifting an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening.

What is “springing forward”?

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of moving clocks forward in the spring and back in the fall to make better use of daylight during the longer days of the warmer months. When we “spring forward” in March, sunrise and sunset both appear an hour later on the clock, giving people more usable daylight in the evening for work, activities, and family time.

In the U.S., the current schedule for DST was set by the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005. Since 2007, Daylight Saving Time has started on the second Sunday in March and ended on the first Sunday in November, a change that lengthened the DST period by about four weeks compared to earlier decades.

A brief history

The idea of shifting time to match daylight has been around for more than a century. Versions of seasonal clock changes were first put into law during World War I as a way to conserve fuel and take advantage of evening daylight. The U.S. first adopted DST in 1918, dropped it after the war, then brought it back in different forms over the years.

For a long time, states and even individual cities followed their own rules, which led to a confusing patchwork of start and end dates. In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which standardized how and when states that choose to observe DST would change their clocks. Today, almost all U.S. states follow Daylight Saving Time, with notable exceptions such as Hawaii and most of Arizona, which remain on standard time year-round.

Looking ahead to March 8

When residents set their clocks ahead one hour in the early hours of Sunday, March 8, they will technically lose an hour of sleep—but gain brighter evenings for the months ahead. Many experts recommend adjusting bedtime slightly in the days leading up to the change, setting alarms carefully, and double-checking clocks that don’t update automatically.

Whether people love it or dread it, “springing forward” has become a familiar milestone each year—one that signals the slow shift from winter’s early sunsets to the longer, lighter evenings of spring.

The Red River Parish Police Jury met for its committee and regular meetings on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, with all jurors present.

During the committee meeting, longtime parish employee Harold Woodard addressed the jury for the final time in his role as the parish’s Commercial Vehicle Permit Officer. Woodard announced he will retire from the position on March 18 after serving in the role since 2020.

Woodard thanked the jury members and the parish for their support during his tenure, calling the parish government “the smoothest, most well-run operation” he has worked with. He also commended the jury for their ability to work together for the good of the parish.

Police Jury President Tray Murray expressed appreciation for Woodard’s service, noting that Woodard had been instrumental in establishing the commercial vehicle permit division.

“You have been an asset since the day we started this division and the only one we thought of when we decided to create this position,” Murray said. “Thank you for everything you have done for this parish.”

In his monthly report, Woodard said commercial vehicle permits generated $38,367.50, while fines totaled $6,952.50.

During new business, Murray asked parish administrator Jessie Davis to remind all entities operating with a flow-through budget—including the parish library, ambulance service, and fire department—that a representative from each organization is required to attend every regular meeting of the Police Jury.

Jurors also approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office. Davis said the next step will be to finalize bank accounts and set up check deposits related to the agreement.

Preparations for the new parish administration building also moved forward. Davis said the process of staking out the building site is scheduled to begin Friday morning, weather permitting.

During the regular meeting, jurors voted to keep the current officers in place and discussed the possibility of holding a groundbreaking ceremony for the new building later this month.

The jury also confirmed that Thrash Construction of Shreveport, Louisiana, submitted the lowest bid and was awarded the contract to construct the new parish administration building.

According to the US National Weather Service in Shreveport, prolonged periods of heavy rainfall will lead to chances of flash flooding across the ArkLaTex over the weekend. Rainfall accumulations of 1-3 inches are expected with locally higher amounts possible.

Friday:

Cloudy skies early with partial sunshine expected late. Near record high temperatures near 84F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.

Chance of an isolated thunderstorm in the evening, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

Saturday:

Scattered thunderstorms in the morning becoming more widespread in the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 76F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

Cloudy skies with periods of rain overnight. Low 62F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Change of rain 70%. Rainfall near half and inch.

Sunday:

Thunderstorms in the morning, then variable clouds during the afternoon with still a chance of showers. Potential for heavy rainfall. High near 75F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 7-%.

Cloudy in the evening with occasional rain showers. Low around 65. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.

Matt Vines

Riverdale basketball racks up district honors
The Riverdale girls and boys basketball teams were well represented on their all-district and Class 1A teams.

Mary Claire Jones earned Class 1A Player of the Year honors and was picked as the District MVP.

Makayla Pickett, an all-state selection, also claimed the district’s Offensive Player of the Year.

The pair were joined by all-district first-team selections Julia Grace Riggs, Kaleigh Pickett and Hanna Huddleston.

The boys were represented by all-state pick Tanner Carlise and all-district picks Cannon Breedlove and Jackson Hillman with Hayden Cason taking honorable mention distinction.

Jones, Huddleston and Pickett played in the girls MAIS All-Star Game with Carlisle participating on the boys side.

Red River softball kicks off district play with loss vs. Lakeside
While district play is a much smaller portion of the softball schedule than any other sport, Red River started District 3-2A play with a 22-1 loss against defending champion Lakeside.

The Lady Warriors have won every district game since joining the league this past year, so the task was certainly a tall one for the Lady Bulldogs (3-4).

Red River did log their third win of the season earlier this week with a 23-16 shootout against Dodson.
In their three wins, Red River has scored at least 17 runs, showing the explosion that exists in the Lady Bulldogs’ bats.

The road doesn’t get much easier with a trip next week to district opponent Winnfield.

District teams play each other only once, meaning Red River has just four district games on its 24-game schedule.

Red River baseball finding its way with district play looming
The Red River baseball team is continuing to find its way as the Bulldogs dropped their last two contests, a 17-2 loss to Glenbrook and a 9-0 defeat to Choudrant.

The Bulldogs (4-6) have dropped four of their last five games with the lone win coming in 7-1 fashion against North Webster.

Red River has one more non-district meeting Monday with Ringgold coming to town before the Bulldogs kick off District 3-2A play against defending champion Lakeside.

The Lakeside series begins Tuesday in Coushatta before ending Thursday in Sibley.