From 1971 until 1979, Enro was a professor of architecture at the Budapest College of Applied Arts in Hungary. In 1974, Enro was teaching a special course called “Form Studies” which taught students to create different three-dimensional forms and shapes without a special function. While teaching the complicated concepts of three-dimensional movement to his students, he began to experiment with a certain basic shape.

He took advantage of the college’s woodshop and began fitting pieces together until he had assembled 27 blocks of wood with rubber bands into a single prototype. Enro began twisting and turning the pieces of his prototype to ensure that the rubber bands would hold, then he realized a problem. He was unable to get it back in the same order as when he began. Rather than simply disassembling and reassembling the blocks of wood, he was determined to return it to its original state in the same way that he had by twisting and turning it. After working on it for several months, he finally succeeded. He was ecstatic. On his second prototype, Enro removed the rubbers bands and created a new internal component which held the pieces together more securely. It also removed the temptation to pull the pieces to stretch the rubber bands and reposition the pieces. It removed the temptation to cheat.

Once satisfied with his prototype, Enro showed his creation to coworkers and students, all of whom were captivated by its difficulty. Enro saw this as an opportunity. In 1975, Enro received a patent for his creation and tried to find a market for it. He took his prototype to toy fairs, but most toy sellers said there was nothing like it on the market for them to compare it to. They saw that as a negative, but Enro argued that that was what made it such a good product. It was simple, self-contained, easy to handle, three-dimensional, and had no parts to lose. It was totally unique. They argued that it was just too difficult. Finally, a small company in Budapest agreed to test Enro’s creation.

In late 1977, the first batches of Enro’s creation were released in toy shops in Budapest and sales were decent. In February of 1979, another small toy company saw Enro’s creation at Germany’s Nuremberg Toy Fair and worked with Enro in signing a contract with Ideal Toys to release it worldwide. In May 1980, Enro’s creation finally made it to the world market. At $1.99 per unit, sales were initially slow, but a newspaper, magazine, and television campaign created a craze for the product. Within three years, Ideal Toys sold an estimated 200 million units. More than 50 books have been published on Enro’s creation. Since 1980, more than 450 million units have been sold and it has become a cultural icon around the world. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Enro’s invention which was nearly named “The Gordian Knot.” Its original title, “The Magic Cube,” would have left its inventor in obscurity. Thankfully, Ideal Toys decided to use Enro’s name as the title for the product. At one point or other, nearly everyone has struggled to solve a Rubik’s Cube.

Sources:

1. Todd Coopee, “Squaring off with Rubik’s Cube,” Reader’s Digest, September 2024, p.26.

2. “Enro Rubik – An Extended Interview – G4G13 Apr 2018,” accessed November 3, 2024, https://youtu.be/G6kKOjvlWh0?si=ZO3gahkXKPcVKbTg.

3. “Enro Rubik: Creator of the Cube, TIME,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0poQ8q8RzSg.

SHREVEPORT – For the second straight semester, LSU Shreveport is celebrating record enrollment.

LSUS enrolled 10,851 students this fall with growth in both undergraduate and graduate students.

That figure is up 11 percent from Fall 2023 and more than 24 percent from Fall 2022. LSUS broke the 10,000-mark for the first time in Spring 2024 with 10,214 students.

“I am very proud of the work that our faculty and staff are doing to recruit new students and to retain already enrolled students,” said LSUS Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith. “It is a clear testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff that our retention rate has risen so dramatically this year.

“This doesn’t happen by accident, but only because the entire LSUS team of faculty and staff is focused on the success of our students. It’s remarkable that our enrollment is up in every category: undergraduate, graduate, face-to-face and online.”

The 10,851 enrollment for Fall 2024 reflects new students in LSUS’s second accelerated fall session that began earlier in October.

LSUS’s graduate programs remain wildly popular as its 8,118 students is a university record, growing 13 percent from Fall 2023.

Retaining graduate students is a key driver of growth as 5,376 students continued their degrees, which is up more than 1,200 students from the previous year.

The undergraduate student population continues to grow consistently as the 2,733 total is the highest since before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The number of first-time freshmen (301) grew year-over-year for the first time since COVID-19, and an increase in continuing undergraduate students (six percent climb from Fall 2023) contributed to the overall growth.

LSUS’s dedication to student success is reflected in its retention of both undergraduate and graduate students.

The University is one of only 11 universities nationally participating in the inaugural cohort to transform the early college experience, which is being led by the John Gardner Institute and Complete College America.

LSUS emphasizes offering programs that students want and employers need, which translates into improved economic status for its graduates.

The University received the highest ranking in the state for the second year in a row, in the annual Economic Mobility Index, which measures how effectively institutions assist low-income students to improve their socioeconomic status by graduating into well-paying jobs. LSUS ranked in the top 20 percent nationally in the study conducted by the organization Third Way, which published in September of 2023.

BATON ROUGE, La. –After convening its third special session of 2024 yesterday, the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee began hearing tax reform bills this morning and voted in favor of advancing several. Governor Jeff Landry joined the committee to share opening remarks encouraging legislators to consider the impact of the entire package of bills, as a whole, and how it can improve lives in Louisiana.

“The people need the entire package, not just a slice,” said Governor Landry. “I want to emphasize the full structure of the package makes it dependent on its entirety, but as you work through this process it does not mean what’s in front of you is iron clad. If you can achieve the same goals, we are open to talking to you about that. There is flexibility and that’s what I appreciate most about the legislative process. We can achieve something remarkable. All we have to do is look at the states next to us and see their economic progress and the quality of life they are achieving right next to us.”

During today’s committee, members approved the personal income and corporate franchise bills. HB1 (personal income bill) compresses personal income tax brackets resulting in a flat rate of 3% while also raising the standard deduction. HB3 (corporate franchise bill) eliminates the corporate franchise tax in Louisiana and limits eligibility of certain credits claimed against that tax.

“This is an income tax cut for everyone in Louisiana,” said Ways and Means Chair Julie Emerson. “The overall goal is to stimulate the economy and broaden our tax base. We want to show the people we are lowering their personal income tax rates, just like other states where they are thriving.”

“Chair Emerson and her committee have extensively researched and studied this tax reform package and are ready to fully consider it with the experts who believe it can significantly improve the lives of every citizen in Louisiana,” said Speaker of the House Phillip R. Devillier. “The positive impact these changes can have on our state’s tax structure will improve lives, improve the economy and improve our overall quality of life for decades to come. This is our chance to create big change for our constituents.”

All legislative proceedings including committee meetings and chamber debate can be viewed at http://www.legis.la.gov. Additionally, the Louisiana Legislature has a smartphone app (LA LEGE) that combines information from the House and Senate websites into an easy to use format users can access from anywhere.

Hearings in Ways and Means are scheduled to continue through the end of this week and into next week. This 3rd Extraordinary Session must conclude no later than 6:00 pm on Monday, November 25th.

Back during the 1980’s and ‘90’s, I had the pleasure of making several quail hunting trips to west Texas. Just like any hunt, some are good, and some are not so good. But a trip to Seymore, Texas, was one for the books. Today, I’ll recap one of those hunts where we termed the phase, “Seymore to see less,” that also turned out to be an education in how some ranches manage their quail.

These quail hunting trips over the years were always unique in their own way. Each one was always a little different depending on the terrain or ranch we hunted. The west Texas landscape can be unforgiving with cactus and every bush or tree loaded with thorns.

It really is some of the toughest terrain a hunter can encounter. Some land is hilly with steep bluffs and plateaus, while other areas are flat lands and valleys used for agriculture and growing everything from wheat to soybeans.

One thing about quail hunting, you never know if the quail will be on top of the plateaus or down in the valleys. But once you jump that first covey of quail, then you can understand what the birds are relating to as it’s all about their food source.

The first thing you do after shooting the first bird is check their crawl (stomach). This is how you determine what it is they are feeding on which tells you where you need to focus your hunt.

Now I was the new kid on the block on this particular hunt as the guys I was hunting with had been going out to west Texas since they were knee high to a grasshopper. Over the years, they had compiled a long list of ranchers whose places they had hunted before. But this trip was on new place called Ranger Creek, located just west of Seymore, Texas, and we were the first hunters they had ever hosted.

Each year one of our guys would make phone calls to several different ranchers. One thing we learned over the years was that when you called these ranch owners and asked if they had birds (quail), they always said yes; whether it was true or not, they just wanted your money.

We also learned how these ranch owners like to control or protect their quail populations. If it’s a three-day hunt, prepare to not find very many birds on day one as they send you to an area with little to no birds.

On day two, they take you to a place that’s a little better and some hunters might limit out. Then on day three (final day) you’re hunting in quail paradise, and everyone shoots their limit. Now this practice of bird control, or rather hunter control, is common as ranchers don’t want hunters to overhunt one particular place.

Quail are like any other commodity; they have value and Texas ranchers figured out that hunters will pay good money to hunt them. Why is quail hunting so popular? They are one of the best birds that have ever graced a table. It’s a white meat bird, that when wrapped in bacon, grilled in lemon butter and served with wild rice, just might be the best table fare there is.

Another thing that’s great about quail hunting, it’s like a dove hunt, it’s a social hunt. Over the years I’ve made great memories and shared in some great hunts with some awesome guys. And this Ranger Creek hunt was just one of many great hunts we enjoyed.

Another memory I have about our Ranger Creek hunt is that after a long day of chasing bobwhite quail, a man can develop quiet an appetite. The owners of this ranch had processed a steer the day before we arrived and cooked this side of beef all day long over a rotisserie pit.

Let’s just say, next to wild quail, a fresh barbequed steer is very satisfying after a hard day of chasing those miniature feathered helicopters. The Ranger Creek folks really knew how to cater to their guests and were nothing but gracious host.

This is just one of many quail hunting trips I’ve experienced and even though some hunts were better than others, each hunt was special in its own way. It’s not always about the kill, but it’s about the overall experience and the good times shared with great friends.

Till next time, good luck, happy hunting and may all your hunts be fulfilling and enjoyable. But more importantly, be safe and make sure to take a hunter’s safety course.

Steve Graf

CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System is hosting a unique hiring event Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 5-7pm at Bodacious Bar and Q (8410 Line Ave) for nursing and other health professionals who want to start or further their health care careers. Attendees will have the chance for on-the-spot interviews, interactions with hospital leaders and the opportunity to discover the diverse career paths available within the health system while enjoying food, refreshments and giveaways. There are a broad range of openings and schedules, both full and part-time to fit candidates’ needs. Those interested in a position should come ready to discuss their professional goals and bring a resume.

Red River Cowboy Church will host Kids Playday 2024 on Saturday, November 16. Events begin at 10am. Non-horse events include stick horse races, goat ribbon pull and dummy roping. A variety of horse events are also slated for the day. For more information, contact Katie at 318.652.2553.

The Shreveport Aquarium is hosting their 5th Annual BELIEVE! Lights the Night. Dates are November 30, December 7, 8, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23. Hours from 5-9pm. Wear your Christmas jammies or sweaters on this unforgettable journey that will make you BELIEVE in the magic of Christmas! This experience typically takes 60-90 minutes. 

Mark your calendar for December 27, the Independence Bowl Rally on the Red event is the place to be. This is a fun-filled evening full of FREE events for you and your family. The Mardi Gras preview parade starts at the Louisiana Boardwalk and ends in the East Bank District, where you can stay for the Battle of the Bands, fireworks and concert. The parade begins at 6:30pm followed by the band battle at 7:15pm. Fireworks blast off at 7:45pm and the free concert begins at 8pm. 

James Hodge “JH” Holman
May 30, 1939 – November 5, 2024
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 8, 2024 at 10am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel in Coushatta.

As polls closed on Tuesday, a new mayor for the Town of Coushatta was elected. Ashanti Cole garnered 59% of the vote and won the election in the primary election.

In the Town Council race with 5 to be elected the results are:
Reginald Prelow, Jr. with 435 for 15% of the vote
Edna Webb with 401 for 14% of the vote
Janice Lewis with 412 for 14% of the vote
Jamary Jones with 387 for 13% of the vote
Katherine Smith with 344 for 12% of the vote
Lum “ Boy” Allen with 301 for 10% of the vote
Kaleka “Neka” Newton with 270 for 9% of the vote
Joseph “ Joey” Procell with 222 for 8% of the vote
Ryan Smith with 123 for 4% of the vote

Edgefield results for Alderman where 3 were to be elected are:
Jack Terrell with 58 votes for 29%
Eugene Freeman with 56 votes for 28%
Donald Brinkley with 51 votes for 26%
Kawndria Demery 32 votes for 16%

In the Village of Martin, Ivy B. Dupree has been elected as Alderman with 82% of the vote.

The Village of Edgefield saw two seats filled with no opposition. Chandra Wilson as Mayor and Martez Smith as Chief of Police.

Congratulations are in order to picker winner Taylor Lee for winning Week Nine of the Football Pick’Em Contest in the Red River Parish Journal.

To enter this week’s contest, CLICK HERE!  https://tinyurl.com/RRPJPickem
(Games played on November 8, 2024)

The Red River Parish Journal and American Bank are proud to bring you the 2024 High School Football Pick’em Contest presented by American Bank.

Anyone is eligible to participate for FREE and each week’s winner will go home with a $100.00 cash prize.  Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 10 selected high school football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).

The American Bank & Tyler Insurance Agency High School Football Pick’em Contest will be conducted over the 10 regular season weeks of the High School season starting with Week 1 games (Sept. 6) and running through the end of November.

There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to subscribe to the Red River Parish Journal.

All contest decisions by Red River Parish Journal (RRPJ) management are final. Weekly winners will be notified on Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run that week in the RRPJ.

Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the RRPJ, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. Monday-Wednesday-Friday e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $100.00 each week!

________________________

The Red River Parish Journal wants to thank American Bank & Tyler Insurance Agency for their title and presenting sponsorships of this year’s High School pick’em contest.

We also want to thank Better Finance and C&K BBQ for their Pick’em Partnerships within the contest.

Week 1: Pam Williams
Week 2: Debbie Bamburg
Week 3: Ty Birdsong
Week 4: Taylor Lee
Week 5: Venessa Birdsong
Week 6: Venessa Birdsong
Week 7: Ben Ledbetter
Week 8: Taylor Lee
Week 9: Taylor Lee

The Harrington Law Firm and the way they do business is about family, in the truest sense of the word.

“By definition, we are a family firm. But it goes way beyond that,” says partner Eddie Harrington. “My dad began practicing law over 46 years ago here and practiced with his brothers Rick and Billy Joe,” Eddie continued, “I joined him in practice when I finished law school 14 years ago. So the practice of law has always been about family for us.”

Rodney says that the family aspect of their firm extends to the way they treat their clients.

“We tell our clients that when you hire Eddie and I to represent you, you become part of our family, The Harrington Law Firm family. We believe that strongly and live it every day in the way we handle our business.”

“We think that the family aspect of our firm and the one on one treatment we give our clients is something that sets us apart from some of the big billboard/TV advertising firms, many of which are located in Baton Rouge and New Orleans,” says Eddie.

“We like to say that when you hire us as your attorneys, you get US, Rodney and Eddie,” he continued “You’re not shuffled off to some underling.” Rodney says that the firm’s focus on family is further evidenced by their staff.

“Our staff is an integral part of The Harrington Law Firm family” said Rodney. “We truly believe we have the best, most efficient, most caring staff in Louisiana” he continued, “some of them have been with us for multiple decades. They are hard working, fiercely loyal, respectful to our clients, and to us, they are family.”

“If a member of my actual family has been wronged, harmed, or treated badly in some way, I will stand up and fight to protect that family member. Most people would,” says Eddie. “We fight for our clients as if they were our blood relatives. Again, to us, they ARE family.”

Office Manager Melanie Hicks, who first began working for Rodney as a student worker nearly 30 years ago, echoes Rodney’s and Eddie’s sentiments.

“I think it goes back to the fact that Rodney and Eddie have big hearts and so do the members of our staff,” says Melanie. “People that come to us are coming because they’ve had some problem, been in a car wreck, had financial problems, been denied social security, something like that. Generally they’re nervous, scared, and upset. We realize that and always try to treat them with the same dignity, respect, and empathy that we would members of our own immediate family.”

“The thing we hear most from our clients”, Melanie continued, “is ‘They treated me like family.’”

The Harrington Law Firm handles cases in all of Louisiana and is also licensed in Texas and its practice is focused on all types of personal injury including car wrecks and other vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, bankruptcy, social security disability, and wills and successions. For a free appointment, call 318-352-5900 and for more information go to www.theharringtonlawfirm.com.

By Matt Vines, Journal Sports

COUSHATTA – When coach Ellie Drew started the Red River volleyball program in 2018, she knew it’d be a process to familiarize the youth and the community with a new sport.

Fast forward to 2024, and the Bulldogs will be making their third consecutive playoff appearance.

The No. 28 seed Bulldogs will saddle up and head north to No. 5 Calvary Baptist (24-8) on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

But this year feels different. The Bulldogs (10-11) aren’t simply going for the experience (Red River didn’t score double digits in any single set in either previous playoff trip).

After winning a program-record 10 matches, which included against more established programs like Evangel Christian and St. Mary’s, Red River believes they can compete.

“We’ve played our best by far this season,” Drew said. “This is the first year we’ve actually got to run an offense with players specializing in positions like setter, middle blocker and outside hitter.

“It’s really helped players to play a specific position and refine those skills instead of rotating through and playing a lot of positions.”

Drew has leaned on her three-member senior class of libero Anyla Young and middle blockers Caitlyn Jones and Anyah Ashton.

“With those three, whatever I need them to do, they don’t ask questions and give it their all,” Drew said. “They set such a good example for younger players.

“Caitlyn started as an outside hitter, but we moved her to middle blocker during the season, and she’s picked it up and is excelling.”

Drew also points to the formation of a junior high program several years ago that has yielded younger players who come in with basic knowledge and experience. Before that, girls would join the program as sophomores or juniors with no experience.

The result is a team that’s improved throughout the season, learning from its 1-8 start to win nine of its last 12 matches.

Drew points to a match against regional power Natchitoches Central as an early sign that this year would be different.

“We didn’t win a set or anything, but (NCHS) had to work for their points,” Drew said. “And then against Evangel, that was a real turning point.

“I knew we could compete with teams like that, but when we beat Evangel (15-13 in the fifth set), the players started believing. They developed mentally and said, ‘OK, we can do this.’ This year, we’re learning more than we ever have from playing bigger schools because we could actually compete with them.

“We’ve played some of the best and seen them, and we haven’t been scared of them.”

Red River reached the playoffs the past two years winning four and eight matches, respectively.

It’s a step up from a winless 2020, but with a solid foundation in place and more experienced players coming on line, Red River is aiming to make double-digit wins and competing in the playoffs an annual occurrence.

“One of the best things about this entire process is that whether we were winning one match or 10 matches, the support has always been there from the community, the teachers, and the students,” said Drew, who teaches at Red River Junior High but comes over to coach the high school volleyball team. “People have always been into what we’re doing and been supportive.

“This has been an ideal group to coach in that they support each other and cheer for each other. The parents have also been incredible, and that’s made it even more of a joy to coach.”

(Campti)-At 11:00am on Monday, Nov. 4, an increased law enforcement presence of Natchitoches SWAT and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were in the 100 block of Adkins Street in Campti searching for Sammy Pottain. He was wanted by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office on outstanding felony warrants and fleeing during a traffic stop over the weekend, according to Sheriff Stuart Wright.

Pottain was not located at that time. 

Later that afternoon, Red River Parish Sheriff’s Deputies took Pottain into custody in Coushatta.

He was booked into the Red River Parish Jail and will be transferred to LaSalle Corrections Facility in Natchitoches at a later time to face Natchitoches Parish criminal charges.

Source: Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Facebook post

NATCHITOCHES –The Northwestern State University Louisiana Folklife Center will host the 16th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Multicultural Christmas Concert beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum, 800 Front Street, Natchitoches.

Singers, musicians, dancers and readers of both sacred and secular art are invited to join the multi-cultural celebration with the Natchitoches community with performances that address Christmas or the Christmas season.

To participate, please contact the Louisiana Folklife Center by Nov. 22 at (318) 357-4332 or folklife@nsula.edu.

A woman received a phone call that her daughter was very sick with a fever. She left work and stopped by the pharmacy for medication. Upon returning to her car, she found she had locked her keys inside.

She had to get home to her sick daughter and didn’t know what to do. She called home, and the sitter told her that her daughter was getting worse. The sitter suggested that the woman get a coat hanger to unlock the door.

The woman found an old, rusty coat hanger on the ground. Not knowing how to use it, she bowed her head and asked God for help. An old rusty car pulled up, driven by a dirty, bearded man with a biker skull rag on his head. The woman thought, “Great, God, this is what you sent to help me?” But she was desperate and hopeful.

The man got out of his car and asked if he could help. She said, “Yes, my daughter is very sick. I must get home to her. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?”

He said, “Sure.” He walked over to the car and in seconds had it opened. She hugged him and through tears said, “Thank you so much. You’re a very nice man.”

The man replied, “Lady, I’m not a nice man. I just got out of prison for car theft.

The woman hugged the man again and cried aloud, “Thank you, God, for sending me a professional!”

If you have a medical problem, you want a physician. If your troubles are legal, then you want an attorney.

If you have a challenge with this bigger challenge called life, you need another kind of professional. I have good news for you, His name is Jesus. He is as close as a prayer.

The holiday season in Ruston, Louisiana, is nothing short of magical, especially for kids. From sparkling lights to festive treats, this town knows how to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Here are five adorable, kid-approved events that will make your family’s holiday season in Ruston one to remember.

What better way to start the holiday season than with a joyful open house and tree lighting that gets everyone in the festive spirit? Ruston’s annual Holiday Open House and Kickoff to Christmas on November 21 is the perfect start to the season, filled with family fun and excitement. Local shops and businesses decorate their storefronts, and everyone gathers around the tree to countdown the flip of the switch. Kids will love visiting with Santa, sipping hot chocolate, and adding local items to their Christmas wish list. 

Lincoln Lights up the Pines is a must if you want to see some true Christmas magic! This dazzling light display at Lincoln Parish Park turns the woods into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights on December 5-7 and 12-14. Families can pile into their cars, pack a thermos full of apple cider, tune the radio to holiday music, and drive through this 3-mile, stunning display.

The lights dance, sparkle, and fill the night with holiday cheer. Your kid’s eyes will be wide with
wonder as they take in the shimmering sights! 

Nothing says “Christmas magic” or “kid-approved”  like cookies! If your kiddos love cookies (and really, who doesn’t?), then Ruston’s Christmas Cookie Crawl on December 15 is an absolute must. Local businesses will feature locally-made holiday cookies, and families can stroll through town, collecting all sorts of delicious treats along the way. It’s a fun, tasty adventure as kids get to sample different flavors, and the excitement of filling up their cookie boxes makes it even sweeter. 

Race over to the Ruston Sports Complex for Christmas at the Complex on December 19-21 for a family-friendly event that guarantees an unforgettable and breathtaking (literally) holiday experience. The kids can enjoy a 5K fun run on Thursday, followed by a Christmas movie and ice skating on Friday, all capped off with food trucks, cookies and cocoa with Santa, and more ice skating on Saturday! The best part? All events on Friday and Saturday are totally free and open to the public. 

A highlight of the season, the Ruston Christmas Parade will roll into town on December 20, the perfect celebration of a magical holiday season! The parade is a must-see for all kids, featuring colorful floats, marching bands, and local performers all decked out in holiday attire. As you line the streets of downtown, you’ll be surrounded by the sounds of marching bands playing festive carols and the sight of Christmas-themed floats making their way down the route. And don’t forget to raise your hands in the air to catch the candy flying your way! 

Ruston turns into a holiday wonderland that’s perfect for families and kids of all ages. Whether your kiddos are into cookies, lights, or spending time with Santa, there’s something magical waiting for everyone. So bundle up, bring your holiday cheer, and get ready to make some sweet, festive memories in Ruston & Lincoln Parish!

For more details on local holiday events and to plan your festive trip, visit www.experienceruston.com.

Red River High School will host a blood drive Thursday, November 7 from 9am until 2pm in the gym. Donors will receive a Blood Donors Sleigh sweatshirt. The public is invited to participate. Help them reach their goal of at least 18 units. Walk ins are welcome. You can preregister at https://donor.lifeshare.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/276460. 

Mighty Moms will meet Friday, November 8 at 6pm at First Baptist Church of Robeline. Christi Ray will the guest speaker. A meal will be provided. 

The 6th Annual Minden Makers Fair will be held Saturday, November 9 from 11am-4pm at The Farm of Cultural Crossroads (419 East Union, Minden, LA). Expect a day full of handmade goods, delicious treats, and fun activities for the whole family.

The DeSoto Parish GOP will host a Social on Monday, November 18 beginning at 11:30am at the RB4 Event Center, 791 Nash Road in Logansport. Secretary of State, Nancy Landry, will be the guest of honor. Lunch will be catered. RSVP to Brandy Pearce by November 15 at 318.218.6854.

NONE

Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – The atmosphere around Red River High has been palpable.

Talks of the program’s first district championship since 2005 have been on everyone’s lips, and the Bulldogs would have an opportunity to secure the trophy at home and on Senior Night.

Red River made sure that the community could unleash nearly 20 years of not winning a title by dominating Winnfield from the first whistle.

The Bulldogs scored 38 first-half points and accounted for the game’s first 50 points in a 50-6 rout of Winnfield.

“It was great. That was a great high school football game experience,” said Red River coach Byron Keller.

“And being able to win the district title at home sealed the night.

“The excitement and celebrations after the game will be great memories for years.”

Red River (5-4, 4-0 District 3-2A) raced to a 22-0 lead after the first quarter and tacked on 16 more points in the second to erase any doubt of the outcome.

The Bulldogs have outscored their last three opponents 128-20, which included knocking off a previously unbeaten Lakeside squad in a 30-6 victory.

Red River’s 12 seniors can go ahead and submit their ring sizes after the Bulldogs completed a 4-0 district slate with wins against Mansfield (20-12), Lakeside (30-6), Many (48-8) and now Winnfield.

Names like receiver/cornerback Jomello McDonald and running back Montraveun Smith were central to Friday’s win as they’ve been all year.

But it’s more than just Red River’s most experienced players – juniors like quarterback Malique Smith and running back/defensive back Warren Bowman are growing in their roles.

Match that with an underclassmen-laden offensive line that’s steadily improved, and that explains why an offense that struggled early has surged in the last month.

“Malique especially has steadily improved as the season progressed,” Keller said. “He’s been able to handle more of the offense and improved tremendously in the passing game.

“The offensive line has also improved each week, which has allowed Malique to be comfortable and carve up defenses.”

The defense has experienced similar improvement throughout the season.

Winnfield has held to less than 200 offensive yards, including just three yards per rush.

“Alignment, assignment, and execution,” Keller said when describing the defensive’s performance Friday.

“We preach these three foundations.

“Then, when we add our fast and physical style, it gives opposing offenses trouble.”
Red River has now won seven of the last eight meetings against Winnfield.

While the Bulldogs have had some success over the past 20 years, particularly in the John Bachman years and then under Bachman’s coordinator Jeff Harper, there’s been a glass ceiling in district play with Calvary Baptist or Many as the preeminent power.

Calvary Baptist has been in a different district since 2016, and Many moved in and ruled the roost from there.

But Many’s demise allowed a wide-open district race, one in which Red River inserted itself and threw its weight around.

The Bulldogs’ four-game winning streak is its longest since winning four straight in 2020, which also included a Winnfield win.

Red River will attempt to make it five-in-a-row when they head to Oakdale (3-6) to finish the regular season.

The Bulldogs sit at No. 12 in the Division III Non-Select rankings.

The Red River Parish School Board will have a Special Called Meeting this morning (November 4) at 8:30am at Red River Parish School Board Administration Building.

The only item on the agenda is to declare a vacancy for District 6 and to call a special election for the vacancy for March 29, 2025. 

The regular monthly meeting will take Monday, November 11 at 4:30pm. 

By Matt Vines, Journal Sports

COUSHATTA — For a Riverdale Academy football team that has battled injuries to key players all season, the Rebels experienced a late-season surge to put the program in a familiar place – the second round of the playoffs.

Riverdale pitched its second straight shutout and leaned on its ground game to blank Union Christian Academy at home in a 44-0 win Friday in the first round of the playoffs.

“We were more aggressive this week, and it turned into a few good plays,” said Riverdale coach Nathan Edie. “Tyler Wilhite got his first career interception, and Logan Gryder got pressure all night.

“Having Brayden Pearah playing cornerback gives Tanner Carlisle the ability to play his more natural linebacker spot. Having Tanner and Ashton Almond both at linebacker gives our defense its best chance.”
No. 7 seed Riverdale (5-5) heads to No. 2 seed Lee Academy (4-5) on Friday in the second round of the Class 1A MAIS playoffs.

Against Union Christian (3-8), running back Kaidyn Williams took the lead with five rushing touchdowns to go along with the defense’s stifling performance.

“We kept it pretty simple (offensively) and just let our athletes make plays,” Edie said. “We were a little sluggish in the first quarter, but we turned it up in the second.

“Offensively, we need to maintain the style of football we have played the last two weeks. If we make our blocks, then our players will make plays.”

Williams continued to be a problem for Union Christian after he excelled running from the quarterback position in a Week 3 win (54-20).

Now that a healthy Ashton Almond is back under center, Riverdale was able to attack in more ways with Williams at running back.

The playoff win comes after Riverdale didn’t win a playoff game last year (first-round bye) despite a nine-win season in 2023. The Rebels lost a heartbreaker to Briarfield Chrisitan in the second round, a team that is the No. 1 seed this season after River Oaks’ forfeited its perfect season because of use of an ineligible player.

Federal Election Day falls on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, a tradition that dates back to 1845. Tomorrow, we will elect the 47th President of the United States. 

This year’s election won’t just give the nation a new commander-in-chief, it will also decide a total of 468 seats in the House and Senate that are up for grabs.

There are also local elections in the parish and a state amendment on the ballot.

Polls will be open from 6am until 8pm.

Election Day is not a federal holiday. However, it is considered a state holiday in Louisiana and some state offices will be closed. Red River Parish schools will also be closed.

When you go to cast your vote, you will be asked to identify yourself with either a photo ID or signature on a voter affidavit. You may use a Louisiana driver’s license, a Louisiana special identification card, a United States military identification card that contains your name and picture or other generally recognized picture identification card that has your name and signature.

Polling locations, sample ballots, and much more are available through the GeauxVote App, the Voter Portal, or www.GeauxVote.com. You can also contact the Registrar of Voters office at 932.5027.

Governor Jeff Landry has called the Louisiana Legislature to convene for a special session focused on rebuilding the state’s outdated tax system and growing the economy. It will convene at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

Topics include revenue, taxes, spending, budgets and teacher pay raises, among others.

“This special session fulfills the promise we made to the people of Louisiana to rebuild our economy and make Louisiana a place where people want to raise a family and create jobs,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “Throughout this special session, we have the opportunity to give teachers a permanent pay raise, put more money in every worker’s pocket, eliminate the tax on prescription drugs, and provide much needed tax relief for seniors. I am eager to enact this new playbook and finally make Louisiana a beacon of hope—inviting families and businesses back home. It’s time we move Louisiana Forward.”

Landry’s urgency is coupled with a major state tax revenue dropoff next year, estimated at between $400 million to $700 million which could mean major cuts to health care for the poor, elderly and disabled as well as significant budget reductions for state colleges and universities.

Landry shared in a news conference earlier this month, “We have a crisis if we do not address it,” 

Final Adjournment no later than 6:00 pm on Monday, November 25, 2024.

This marks the third extraordinary session Landry has called this year. The first was in January directing lawmakers to draw a second majority-Black congressional district. He then called a second that focused on tough-on-crime-related items.

The Third Special Session Proclamation is attached here.

Red River High School will host a blood drive Thursday, November 7 from 9am until 2pm in the gym.

Donors will receive a Blood Donors Sleigh sweatshirt.

The public is invited to participate.

Help them reach their goal of at least 18 units. 

You can preregister at https://donor.lifeshare.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/276460

Walk ins are welcome also.