The Louisiana Tech Clinical Residency and Recruitment Center (CRRC) continues to collaborate with Louisiana Tech Athletics in its literacy program, Dogs with a Cause. This partnership allows student-athletes to be “coached” by clinical residents as they prepare them to teach in their adopted classrooms.

“As we enter year 7, we have revamped the program to visit one area school per month, including all athletes and all education majors. Our previous visit in November included men’s basketball, golf, softball, and football,” said Amy Vessel, director of clinical and professional experiences in the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Dogs with a Cause provides elementary students in Lincoln Parish Schools a chance to read and discuss books with Louisiana Tech University athletes through coaching from education majors. Not only does this encourage a love of reading for the students, but it also fosters a sense of community and mentorship for the athletes.

“I had a great time reading and hanging out with the students,” said Alex Vertus, junior guard for the Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team. “I was amazed at how engaged they were and how much they seemed to enjoy spending time with us. We know it’s important to give back to the community, but this showed us just how much impact we can have on those who look up to us.”

The most recent visit in November was not only for the athletes to read to the students, but also to deliver the 2023 Coaching for Literacy Grant to this year’s recipient, Ruston Elementary School (RES). This grant allowed the RES literacy team to purchase literacy materials needed to improve the curriculum and create an environment that fosters a love for reading.

“We hope that these materials, targeted to support literacy and writing, will help bridge the gaps in students’ achievement and that their DIBELS and LEAP scores show continued growth and success, as well as a love for reading,” said Shuana Vallery, RES curriculum strategist.

RES Principal Mandy Brown, continues to notice the positive impact students and teachers have experienced through the grant.

“When teachers and students know the community is invested in our school, it brings forth a greater purpose and sense of pride,” said Brown. “This act of generosity further motivates both faculty and students because the community is showing they care about our students and their future.”

Since 2016, Dogs with a Cause has continued to grow bigger and brighter than ever. Originally, the program began with the men’s basketball team, but now Louisiana Tech Athletics has recruited all 16 athletic teams to participate.

“Our team really enjoyed giving back to the community and being a positive influence on the younger generation,” said Talvin Hester, head coach of the Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team. “Any chance we have to get into the schools and see these students is a definite priority for us as athletes and coaches. We appreciate the opportunity given to us by Dogs with a Cause and Coaching for Literacy.”

Dogs with a Cause is a monthly event that visits Lincoln Parish schools. For more information about the program, visit the link here. To support the program with donations, visit here.

For much of the English-speaking world, the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree inside the home became popular in the Victorian era.  For hundreds of years, people had decorated Christmas trees, but they were kept outside.  Prior to 1840, when Queen Victoria married her German-born cousin Prince Albert, indoor Christmas trees were normally a tradition only held by the royal family.  A few upper-class families adopted the tradition, but the popularity of indoor decorated Christmas trees quickly spread when commoners saw an etching of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their children celebrating around a festively decorated tree.  Other countries, including the United States, quickly adopted the tradition.  Everyone, it seemed, wanted to celebrate in the same fashion as the royal family.  Well, almost everyone.

In September of 1901, Junior, his second wife Edith, and four of their children, Kermit, Ethel, Archibald, and Quentin, moved into a new-to-them house.  The house was over a hundred years old when they moved in.  Junior and his family loved to celebrate Christmas, but they had never adopted the tradition of having a decorated Christmas tree in the home.  Although his children would certainly have enjoyed a festively decorated Christmas tree with all the trimmings, Junior ultimately decided not to get a tree.  Junior had nothing against Christmas trees in particular, there was just not enough room in the home for a tree.  Can you imagine not having a Christmas tree as part of your holiday decor? 

Late in the afternoon on Christmas day, Junior and his family gathered around the table for Christmas dinner.  As Edith and the children looked on with watering mouths, Junior carved the 32-pound turkey.  After they ate their fill of turkey and all the trimmings, they turned their attention to the mince and pumpkin pies.  What a feast it was. 

Not wanting his children to miss out on the Christmas tree tradition altogether, Junior found a solution.  Following Christmas dinner, Junior made some excuse and conveniently disappeared.  Edith and the children took a carriage to the nearby home of Junior’s sister and brother-in-law, Anna—they called her Bamie—and William Cowles.  The two families, minus Junior, were enjoying a festive celebration around the cedar Christmas tree complete with red, white, and blue electric lights when they had a visit from Santa Claus.  He had white hair, white beard, and belted out the unmistakable “Ho! Ho! Ho!”  However, this Santa had no red suit and hat lined with white fur as we would expect.  He wore the khaki uniform of a soldier and a sombrero pulled down low over his eyes.  Santa passed out a large number of presents to the children, then they all joined in games and the telling of ghost stories over snacks.  As the celebration was winding down, the unusually dressed Santa Claus said a final “Ho! Ho! Ho!” and made a hasty exit.  Edith and the children said their goodbyes, wished each other “Merry Christmas,” and returned to their house.  With a twinkle in his eye, Junior met them at the door and asked for details of their celebration at the Cowles’ home, which they were only too eager to share.  Even without a Christmas tree in their new-to-them house, Junior, Edith, and the children had a most memorable Christmas together.

The home that Junior and his family moved into, which Junior deemed not large for a Christmas tree, now includes just under 100 Christmas trees as part of its annual holiday décor.   The house had plenty of rooms to be sure, but Junior was so popular and received so many visitors on a daily basis that all the rooms were required for guests.   The house is still popular with guests.  Visitors wanting to get a glimpse inside the house must apply months in advance for the chance to take a tour.  The Santa Claus that joined the celebration at the Cowles residence was wearing, not a traditional Santa suit, but the uniform of a Rough Rider.  Junior, the 26th president of the United States, was Theodore Roosevelt.  The house without room for a Christmas tree was the White House. 

Sources:

1.     The Baltimore Sun, December 22, 1901, p.2.

2.     Morning Register (Eugene, Oregon), December 25, 1901, p.3.

3.     St. Louis Globe-Democrat, December 25, 1901, p.2.

4.     The Washington Times, December 25, 1901, p.5.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2023

Effective date for new policy now December 20

Today, Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) President Dr. Holly Boffy announced that she is withdrawing an emergency rule that would have immediately enacted BESE’s policy establishing an appeals process for qualifying high school seniors who do not meet the state’s standardized test requirement for graduation.

“As president of BESE, today I am withdrawing the emergency rule I issued on November 29, 2023,” said Dr. Boffy. “My intention was to give the Louisiana Department of Education more time to implement the new appeals process. However, the emergency rule has become a distraction. Instead of going into effect immediately, the policy will now go into effect according to the original schedule when it publishes as final rule in the December 20, 2023 edition of the Louisiana Register.

“I encourage everyone to reach out to their state legislators to encourage them to codify the appeals process in law during the next legislative session. Louisiana is the last state to implement such a process and while it will only be used for a small number of students, it will make a large, positive impact in the lives of these students by giving them opportunities to prepare for a productive role in society using their gifts.”

BESE has directed the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) to develop implementation guidance for local school systems. Upon the policy’s adoption as final rule on December 20, 2023, students meeting the policy’s eligibility requirements, including those who would have graduated with the Class of 2023, may exercise the option to appeal. School districts with seniors who have met all other graduation criteria may move forward with the school-building level committee process at that time to determine if students meet the appeals process criteria.

Originally approved by BESE as a Notice of Intent in June 2023, the EXCELL (Expanded Criteria for Every Learner in Louisiana) appeals process policy has progressed through months of public engagement and dialogue. Today’s update regarding the policy was made at a news conference in Baton Rouge in which Dr. Boffy, BESE At-large Member Dr. Belinda Davis, and other educators shared data and case studies to demonstrate the importance of providing an appeal option for the state’s LEAP scoring graduation requirement. The full news conference is available for viewing online at www.youtube.com/@louisianabese.

EXCELL provides an appeal option for seniors who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills sufficient to graduate, but struggle with difficulties related to standardized tests, such as English Language learners and students with other learning challenges. Among other requirements, eligible students must complete all Carnegie unit requirements for the TOPS University or TOPS Tech Career Diploma, submit a portfolio of work aligned to LEAP 2025 standards, demonstrate evidence of employability, and meet with a local career support organization that can help connect them with post-graduation opportunities. Appeals will be administered at the local school level, and students would still be required to take the LEAP assessment.

More information and requirements related to the appeals process is available in the June 14, 2023 news release from BESE’s original approval of the policy: https://bese.louisiana.gov/about-bese/bese-news/2023/06/14/bese-introduces-appeals-process-for-state-s-leap-scoring-graduation-requirement.

The complete policy is available for viewing online at https://bese.louisiana.gov. 

# # #

BESE is the administrative policymaking body for elementary and secondary schools in Louisiana. The Board sets key education initiatives and works to outline an education agenda to achieve continuous improvement of public education as measured by student and school achievement.

The first day of December brought what, in some ways, may stand as the first day in a new era of Northwestern State athletics.

On an unseasonably warm Friday on the Northwestern State football practice field, 15 dignitaries turned over a pile of dirt, symbolizing the groundbreaking for the multi-million dollar David and Sherry Morgan Health Performance Center.

The annex that will be located in the Donald G. Kelly Athletic Complex will include a new 11,600 square foot weight room with space for more than 100 student-athletes, a 25-foot artificial turf pad, a new nutrition center, a student-athlete lounge and offices for the strength and conditioning staff. A second phase of the construction project will convert the current weight room into a high-tech rehabilitation center along with other sports medicine upgrades. The third phase will be the renovation of the current Eugene Christmas athletic training room.

The roughly hour-long ceremony brought to life a project that worked its way through the legislative and fundraising process, much like a football team making its way steadily downfield rather than by virtue of one or two big plays.

“It’s like (State Senator) Louie Bernard said during the program, ‘Sometimes good things take a little bit longer than you think to come to fruition,’” former Director of Athletics Greg Burke said. “This project started before COVID. That meeting with David Morgan in (former NSU President) Dr. (Chris) Maggio’s office was Homecoming of 2019. Then COVID really put the brakes on things for over a year. We got it going again. Thanks to a lot of people from the donors to the legislators to the people on campus, I knew it was going to happen. From the first time (current NSU Director of Athletics) Kevin (Bostian) and I talked, it was a discussion point. There was no doubt it was going to get to the finish line. It was a matter of timing more than anything else.”

The timing of Friday’s ceremony came two days after Northwestern State introduced its new football coach, Blaine McCorkle, who attended the ceremony.

During his introductory news conference Wednesday, McCorkle spoke of meeting with Bostian and how Bostian had a “vision for everything” within the walls of the NSU fieldhouse. Friday’s groundbreaking brought some of those closer to reality.

“There are a lot of times you got into a new place and they tell you what they’re going to do,” McCorkle said. “There’s nothing better when you show up on the first day and they’re putting shovels in the ground. That’s pretty exciting to see, and it gives me hope and encouragement that I made the right choice coming here. It’s not just a vision and a reality, and we saw that today.”

Added Northwestern State President Dr. Marcus Jones: “The renovation and expansion of the athletic complex is a major milestone for NSU Athletics. Not only is it a symbol of progress and pride, but it is also an investment in our coaches, staff, student-athletes and future Demons. For NSU to remain competitive, we must continue to recruit the highest-caliber of student-athlete. Modern recruiting standards are based on the expectations of prospective student-athletes, and the quality of facilities is a major factor in the decision-making process of every student-athlete. Being able to showcase a state-of-the-art facility, such as the one that will be built here, will give NSU an advantage over our peers and help us to attract a high-caliber recruit.”

A significant portion of what lies ahead for NSU Athletics as it relates to the center is rooted in what happened on the campus more than half a century ago. David Morgan walked into a business class – “Late,” Sherry Morgan added – and met his wife.

“There were some young ladies there from the business school who were going to take our letters,” David Morgan said. “We were supposed to read a problem in the business book and dictate a letter to the girls from the secretarial pool who came over to class. I walked in, and I surveyed the group. I saw this beautiful, blonde-headed young lady with a Tri Sigma jersey on. I said, ‘Hey, I haven’t seen here before. I’m going to go it by her.’ That began a 50-year relationship and marriage. We just celebrated 50 years of marriage – to the same person, which I think is important.”

When the Morgans announced their $1.5 million lead gift in April 2022, David Morgan called attending Northwestern State a “game-changer” for both he and his wife.

The same could be said for what the Morgans’ donation did to move the project forward.

“The support this project – and Northwestern State University as a whole – received from David and Sherry Morgan cannot be understated nor can it be underappreciated,” Bostian said. “The David and Sherry Morgan Health Performance Center will benefit current and future student-athletes in much the same way David’s and Sherry’s experiences as Northwestern State benefited them. The work put in by our university administration and our legislative representatives at the local and statewide levels is symbolically recognized here today, but the impact it will have will be seen physically on the fields or on the courts where our student-athletes will compete.”

That impact will be felt outside the walls of the university as well.

“We believe the strength of the university is the strength of our medical center,” said Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Kirk Soileau. “As the community grows, we grow as an organization. On behalf of Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, our associates, our medical staff and our board, congratulations on this amazing project. Thank you to the Morgans for putting this together and helping this all come together.”

Bernard echoed the Morgans’ sentiments in his remarks.

“There is something about the college experience,” he said. “There is something about going to a university and what it leaves with you. It drips with nostalgia when you come back to your university and you can be proud of it. We’re always going to be proud of Northwestern. There’s not a university, a business, an industry in America that hasn’t had tough times. Tough times don’t last. Tough people do. All of these things you see happening today are positive things for Northwestern, and I challenge all of you to stay strong, stay positive. Be more than involved with Northwestern – be committed to Northwestern.”

Lifelong Castor resident Tony McCarthy has released a new children’s Christmas book just in time for the holiday season with full-color illustrations by his niece, Lauren McCarthy, who was also born and raised in Castor.

Within days of its release, “Possum Tales: A Possum Christmas” reached #1 in new releases in children’s Christmas books on Amazon. It has been accepted for distribution by Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and most other major booksellers.

The book tells the Christmas tale of a sweet family of country possums living in their little house in the tip top of a pin oak tree who are awakened on the night before Christmas by a loud noise in the nearby field. Could it be Ol’ Saint Nick and his team of Reindeer…or is Ol’ GrinPaw Possum up to mischief again? You’ll want to read this cute and funny rhyming tale to find out what ‘s a-happenin’…

Tony said, “A lot of thought went into the book from the highly detailed illustrations right down to the choice of font, the same font used by Dr. Seuss, which is easy for children to read.”

When not writing stories for children, Tony is a registered nurse and director of nursing at Specialty Rehabilitation Hospital of Coushatta. He is also a songwriter and vocalist for the regionally recognized band Extreme Caution. Lauren teaches art at Martin Park Elementary School in Alexandria.

You can get a copy of “A Possum Christmas” at: https://amzn.to/4aaxS5K

He was 6-8 and thin as a celery stick in the 1970s, a young athlete all afro and smiles and jump shots. 

“The kids today, they see that afro I had back then — they love that,” says Aaron James. “I couldn’t grow one now.”

Retired in Ruston —  “You better believe it!” says the ex-NBAer and college coach and administrator — James is still all smiles. It would be hard to know him and not like the easy-going, lanky dude who led the nation in scoring as a senior at Grambling in 1973 when he pumped in 32-plus a game.

The weekend after Thanksgiving, the Grambling Hall of Famer, Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Famer, and Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer was back on the court, minus the hops and the afro but still hanging with teammates and getting love from fans, just as he did in 1974 when the New Orleans Jazz was born and James was the franchise’s first draft pick.

In Salt Lake City since 1979, the Jazz hosted James and former teammates Truck Robinson — an All-Star forward and still the franchise’s all-time rebound leader — and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Gail Goodrich for a weekend, part of a season-long celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Jazz. Similar events are planned through the spring, when the organization will release a documentary featuring former players, coaches and owners titled “Note Worthy: 50 Seasons of Jazz Basketball.” 

“They really did it up nice,” said James of the weekend, one that included “lots of dinners,” a meet-and-greet with four dozen or so fans who’ve had season tickets since 1979, and, from a luxury suite in the Delta Center, watching the Jazz beat the New Orleans Pelicans.

“I love the Pelicans,” said James, whose All-America hoops career began at the Dryades Street YMCA in New Orleans. “But when they play the Jazz, well, I gotta pull for the Jazz.”

He still talks to several of his teammates three or four times a year, something he understands is unusual for former NBAers. E.C. Coleman. Nate Williams. Freddie Boyd. Paul Griffin. Several others. He’s spent time on vacation with Rich Kelley up in Sun Valley, Idaho, where the former 7-foot center lives, and Kelley and his family have attended the Bayou Classic and shared Thanksgiving with James’ family in New Orleans.

“We were close when we played together,” James said of those first Jazz teams. “We were just like family. Of course, that means we’d fight a little bit too. But we were all just really good friends. At least once a month I talk to one of the guys.”

Good times. Back then, if there was a basketball goal within 35 feet or so, James was taking aim, so much so that former NBA star and Jazz play-by-play announcer Hot Rod Hundley called him “AJ From the Parking Lot.”

“I still get that from time to time,” James said. “Somebody will come up to me and say, “Wait … AJ From the Parking Lot!”

When was the last time, I wondered, he shot a basketball?

“Last week when they had me and Truck and Gail on the court during the Pelicans game,” he said. “We each shot a free throw. They missed; I made mine.”

Of course he did.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

Santa will be at Martin Village Hall on Friday, December 15 from 6-8pm.

Social Springs Baptist Church will host its annual Choral Christmas Cantata on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 5pm, followed by Mark Lanier and world-renowned pianist Andrew Ishee presenting a Christmas Concert. A love offering will be received and refreshments will be served.

Mary Lou Russell Allen
March 7, 1926 – December 1, 2023
Service: Saturday, December 9 at 1pm at Star Light Baptist Church, Coushatta

Wilmer Blount, Jr.
April 24, 1975 – November 24, 2023
Service: Saturday, December 9 at 12pm at Springville Baptist Church, Coushatta

A Fairview Alpha juvenile remains in serious condition in a regional trauma center following a single-vehicle crash on US-71 north of Campti on Dec. 2 around 11:53 pm, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office. NATCOM 911 Center received an automated crash detection report of a crash in the 1600 block of US-71 north of Hwy. 3163 near Fairview Alpha School.

Dispatchers attempted to call the phone number but received no response. Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies began to respond to the area.

Shortly thereafter, NATCOM 911 Center received a 911 Call from a motorist reporting a single-vehicle crash with injuries and entrapment on US-71 in the same area as previously reported during the automated crash detection report. Deputies arrived on scene finding the sole-occupant suffering from possible life-threatening injuries and partially trapped in the vehicle.

Louisiana State Police, Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #9 Rescue and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS responded to the scene. Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #9 had to pry the door open to free the driver from the wreckage.

According to preliminary information, a 16-year-old Fairview Alpha juvenile operating a 2016 Audi SUV was traveling northbound on US-71 north of La. Hwy 3163 when for reasons still under investigation, exited the road on the right side. The vehicle struck a road sign then continued to travel off the shoulder striking a utility pole coming to a rest.

No further details will be released at this time pending the Louisiana State Police crash investigation. The juvenile was transported from the scene by EMS to a regional trauma center for treatment of multiple injuries. Troopers assigned to LSP Troop-E Alexandria are investigating the crash.

Coushatta-Red River Chamber of Commerce met at 5:30pm on December 5, 2023. This meeting is the culmination of a year of work for the Chamber. Topic of discussion was the Coushatta parade slated for 4:30 pm, Thursday, Dec. 7. Noon Wednesday ends the sign-up for floats in the parade. Sign up here. 30 participants had signed up as of meeting time. The route will remain the same. Line-up at Coushatta Park. Enter from the Armory side only. Floats may begin throwing at Ringgold Avenue. The parade will progress down Ringgold Avenue to Front Street. No band or performances this year during the parade. All performances will be after the parade at the grandstand. Fireworks begin precisely at 6:00 pm.

  Vendors for the day are asked to be ready to set up between 2:30 and 4:00.  Each vendor will have a confirmation email with instructions from Kelley Lee, the coordinator of vendors. All vendors shall sign a hold harmless agreement and receive sales tax forms.

The chamber also discussed the January open meeting of the Chamber. Efforts this year are centered on getting as many businesses to become members as possible. The January meeting will also be election of board members and officers. They encourage every businessperson and individual to become involved.

Did I want to write a book? Absolutely. Did I think I could? Yes. Would I actually get down to writing one? Not sure; not sure at all. The very thought of trying to put a book together was overwhelming. One day, I’d think I could do it. The next day, you gotta be kidding. At my age with no knowledge of all that’s involved in writing a book was too much. I decided to just forget it. As much as I’d like to see a book with my name on the cover, it was just too much, so I gave up the thought.

Enter Morgan Tarpley Smith. She had been my contact for my weekly columns in the Jena Times, a newspaper I have submitted my outdoor columns to for years. Her side gig, which became her main job after her years with the Times was setting up her own business of being an editor assisting and guiding writers in book writing projects.

Smith began dropping hints that I ought to consider compiling a book and she was willing to help by becoming my editor. This past summer, I took a deep breath, shook off a case of nerves and decided to give it a try under her direction.

This past Wednesday, November 29, Amazon.com released to the world my book. My palms are sweaty and I hyperventilate some at the thought that I actually did it. The title of my book, “Bamboozled by a Bobcat” highlights one of the stories about a harrowing experience I had as a kid when I was within two feet of having a big bobcat pounce on my head.

In my introduction of readers to my book, here’s what Morgan Smith guided me in writing on my Glynn Harris Author page on Facebook….”It’s a collection of many short stories from my growing up years in Goldonna and other stories involving country life, fishing and hunting.”

To give you a better idea of the contents of the book, some chapter titles begin with my growing up in a four room house my daddy and friends built. Two bedrooms, a kitchen and living room. Bathroom? We didn’t have one the first few years of my life because bathrooms need water and our shallow well where we drew water for drinking and cooking couldn’t cut it. Our bathroom consisted of a path out back leading to our outdoor privy.

We didn’t have air conditioning early on. We didn’t even have fans for one main reason. Electricity had not made its way to Goldonna back then. I did my homework by the light of a kerosene lamp, we heated the house in winter by a wood heater and in summer without power meant that we sweated a lot. It was a glorious day when they erected a pole, ran a wire to the house and we could pull a string and a light would come on. Hallelujah!

In the book, you’ll read about how I learned to hunt by following my dad to the squirrel woods and my introduction to deer and turkey hunting. I tell about hog killing day, how the grown ups processed and cured the meat without having electric freezers. One chapter I think you’ll find interesting and has the chance to bring a chuckle is entitled “Moonshine in the Church House.”

A writer friend, Keith Sutton, reviewed a first copy of the book and endorsing it, he wrote…”Bamboozled by a Bobcat takes the reader on a heartfelt journey through a life richly lived….these recollections are woven together with a tapestry of outdoor adventures, hunting escapades and the evolution of a budding writer.”

This gives you a snapshot about what you’ll read when you order your copy of “Bamboozled by a Bobcat”. I’ll hopefully get set up soon for a book signing or two but in the meantime, go to Amazon.com and search for the book. I think you’ll like it and with Christmas just around the corner, getting copies for friends and kin might make your shopping for gifts a bit easier.

4-Hers have lots of deadline coming during the December and January.

Call the office for additional information or sign up for Remind messages.
4-H (all grades) text @redriver4h to 81010
Jr Leaders (7-12 grades) text @rr4hj to 81010
4-H Chefs (2-8 grades) text @4hchefs to 81010
4-H Explorers (1-6 grades) text @f3gehh to 81010
4-H Robotics (6-12 grades) text @gkc9ea to 81010

Dec 5 Jr Leader float prep
Dec 6 Deadline to pay/register for Jr Leader Bossier & Natchitoches trips
Dec 7 Christmas Parade
Dec 12 Deadline to pay/register for Mudbugs game
Dec 15 Christmas at the Barn (Red River Research Station)
Dec 18 Jr Leaders Day of Service–COA 5-11am; Lunch 11-12; School gardens 12-1pm
Dec 19 Jr Leaders trip to Natchitoches
Dec 20 Deadline to register for Challenge Camp (7-8 grades)
Jan 5 Deadline to register for Fashion Day Camp (5-12 grades) & STEM Day Camp (3-7 grades)

‘Tis the season for bringing a Fresh Cut Louisiana Christmas Tree home for the holidays. Check out this list of Louisiana Christmas Tree farms shared on the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Facebook page. 

I have closely followed the Caddo Sheriff election and the legal challenge occurring now in Caddo Parish District Court.  The Nickelson Petition (lawsuit) is 80 pages long.  The first 14 pages of the suit contain the allegations of mistakes and irregularities.  Most of the remaining 66 pages contain numerous “Notation of Irregularities in the Conduct of the Election” prepared by poll commissioners who were working at the various precincts at which the alleged defects occurred. 

I note that since even before the 2020 presidential election, Louisianians and all Americans have witnessed first-hand the impact of so-called ‘voting irregularities’—such as those that were documented in all six of the major swing states in 2020—on the voters’ confidence in the result of our elections, from the presidential down to the local level.  That is why I believe the facts currently available in the public record and court filings concerning the Caddo Sheriff’s race demand judicial resolution and, potentially, a re-vote. 

The two candidates remain separated by only one vote, with Chief Henry Whitehorn prevailing.  As a result, his opponent, John Nickelson, filed suit challenging the validity and conduct of the election alleging it was “tainted with dubious votes, irregularities and a lack of procedure.”  

Unsurprisingly, the legal dispute centers upon whether certain voting requirements were followed and there is every indication they were not. 

For example, Nickelson’s legal counsel introduced documents reflecting that two people voted twice in the election.  After reviewing the documents, one witness stated at trial “it appears so” that they had voted twice.  Of these two individuals, one early voted in person then voted again on Election Day.  Another individual sent in an absentee ballot and then voted in person on Election Day.

Nickelson’s team also called Dale Sibley, Caddo Registrar of Voters, to testify about and focus upon the “flaps” or affidavits of 54 pulled ballots regarding why they had been flagged.  It was discovered that voter and/or witness signatures were missing.  In response, Sibley stated that his office policy is to err on the side of allowing a vote if the intent is clear.  Well, while that may be an admirable practice with which we can empathize, it likely doesn’t comport with the law.  If we are serious about ‘defending our democracy’ we must insist that only votes that are legally compliant be counted. 

The Whitehorn team’s principal argument has been that the allegedly defective absentee ballots were not objected to within the time required by law and, hence, they are waived.

The law requires that absentee ballots, for example, be handled and executed in a specific way for the simple but logical reason that the voter is not present in person voting at a voting machine.  As such, election officials have no way of knowing whether the absentee ballot they are reviewing is a valid vote without the requirement that it be correctly signed and witnessed. 

I think it is likely that there are almost always some mistakes or irregularities in every election, but not enough to change the outcome.  However, with only a one vote margin, even one single mistake could change the outcome. 

I attended the trial of this matter last week and, while I don’t know how Judge Bleich viewed the trial and will rule after he receives and reviews the post-trial briefs of both parties, I do feel that the Nickelson team carried its legal burden of proving that with a one vote margin “it is impossible to determine the result” of the election, and that a new runoff election should be ordered. (LA. R.S. 18:1432).

I emphasize that were the margin of victory here greater than one single, solitary vote the error or mistake might be deemed “harmless error” if it would not alter the outcome of the election.  However, with a one vote margin, if even one of the numerous alleged mistakes and/or irregularities is true, the election outcome changes.

The right to vote and the necessity to have all legal votes count equally with that of every other voter is not only one of our fundamental constitutional rights but is also the right that is preservative of all our other rights.   It is a sacred right for which over a million Americans fought and died throughout America’s military history.  That is why we must demand that the election safeguards put into place by law are scrupulously followed in this case. 

Renewed rivalries, exciting tournament weekends with noteworthy competition and the standard Southland Conference gauntlet mark the beginning of the Lacy Prejean era for Northwestern State softball in 2024. 

Prejean announced her team’s schedule on Thursday, one that features four tournament weekends across Texas and Louisiana, four home conference weekends and a handful of midweek matchups with regional and in-state rivals. 

The loaded non-conference slate begins in San Marcos, Texas, at the Texas State Tournament, Feb. 8-10 where the Demons will play five games in three days to open the season. Opening day will see NSU face host Texas State and UTSA before meeting with Creighton, SIU and Kennesaw State the next two days. 

For the first time since they were conference foes, NSU and Stephen F. Austin will renew their rivalry on Feb. 13 with the Demons traveling to Nacogdoches for the first of two midweek doubleheader meeting between the two schools. 

Two more weekends on the road follow that first midweek contest taking the Demons to Houston for five more games as the Houston Classic before their first game in the state of Louisiana coming the following week at ULM’s annual Best on the Bayou Tournament. 

The Demons open that weekend with their first game against ULM since 2021 and just the second since 2017. They will also see former Southland foe Sam Houston for two games that weekend along with former Big East champions and current ACC team Syracuse marking the first all-time meeting with the Orange. 

After three weeks on the road and 17 total games, fans will get their first chance to see the Demons at home when they host SFA in the back half of the home-and-home doubleheader with the Lumberjacks on Feb. 27. 

The final preparation before conference play sends the Demons to Austin, Texas, and the Longhorn Invitational. NSU will take on Texas, who finished 2023 ranked No. 11 in the country, in the second game of the day after their meeting with Hofstra. The final non-conference game before the start of SLC play pits the Demons against Penn State that same weekend. 

NSU opens conference play at home against Nicholls on March 8, the first of four home Southland weekends this year. The Demons also host McNeese (March 28-29), Texas A&M-Commerce (April 19-20) and UIW (May 3-4) at the Demon Diamond this season. 

Sprinkled throughout the Southland slate are three midweek games against familiar in-state foes and neighbors Louisiana Tech and Grambling. NSU continues its home-and-home meetings with the Bulldogs in Ruston on March 12 and in Natchitoches on April 16. The Demons final non-conference game of the season will be a home game against Grambling on April 30. 

The Demons travel to Lamar (March 15-16), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (March 22-23), Southeastern (April 12-13) and HCU (April 26-27) for their road conference slate. 

The Southland Conference Tournament will be held May 7-11 at North Oak Park in Hammond, La. 

VIP season tickets for NSU softball are available now for $75 (chair backs) and $55 (general admission bleacher).  

Single-game tickets will go on sale Feb. 12. For more information, visit www.nsutickets.com or call 318-357-4268. 

I started Monday with a trip to the doctor. There is nothing wrong. I was there for my 250,000 mile checkup. Because I have reached my “golden years” they asked me some unfamiliar questions.

The question that threw me off was, “have you fallen recently?” I try not to fall. In the years since I was a younger man, gravity has become stronger. In High School I could dunk a volleyball. I never could get enough air to dunk a basketball, but I was so close. I could run like the wind. I got knocked down a great deal on Friday nights. Yes, I played football! Now if I were to try to jump at all, the results would be hilariously embarrassing. And the only wind I feel now is the kind that God sends. Now, I am watching football.

My current reality is I will miss a step on the ladder. I get tangled up with all the plants on the floor of my greenhouse. I know I have too many plants, because my 10’ x 20’ green house is full. I stumble but I don’t fall. I spill things in the kitchen, but I don’t fall. I trip sometimes but I don’t fall. Yet.

I know why they asked the question. At my age, that hurt to type, falls become an issue. There are many reasons a person might fall and there are definite consequences of falling.

I started thinking about falling. Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall and bad things happened. He was so smashed up all the governmental programs and personnel could not put him back together. When the stock market falls my wallet and future are imperiled. There are times clothes will fall, that is called a wardrobe malfunction. We used to call it flashing, but us ancient people are not cultured, civilized, or politically correct.

Falling can be good. If a few pounds fall off, that is good. Your numbers might fall and that would be another good thing. What about falling in love? That can be a good, bad, or complicated thing.
There is a whole season dedicated to fall. It is called fall. I remind people it is not called rake, mulch, or burn. It is called fall, and the leaves are beautiful and obedient. Leave the leaves in their fallen condition, your lawn will thank you in the spring. I can’t verify what your neighbors might think about it, but the grass will love it.

Falling is also theological. Since the Garden of Eden, we humans are said to be in a fallen state because of sin. There is one more theological insight about falling.

Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Have you fallen recently?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2023
Contact: govpress@la.gov

BATON ROUGE, La. – According to Bureau of Economic Analysis data released this morning, Louisiana’s real Gross Domestic Product grew 3.2% in the second quarter of 2023, outpacing 40 other states and easily exceeding the national real GDP growth rate of 2.1%.

Among the 40 states that Louisiana outpaced are: Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, New York, California, Colorado, Arizona, Oregon and Washington.

“My administration has worked hard to grow and diversify Louisiana’s economy, and this top-10 GDP growth rate is yet another sign that our hard work is paying off,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “We have the lowest unemployment rate in state history. We have increased capital investment every year since 2017, including three consecutive years of more than $20 billion for the first time in our state’s history. And our economic growth is expected to continue. Economist Loren Scott recently predicted that Louisiana will add 80,000 more jobs in 2024 and 2025 thanks to our success positioning Louisiana as a leader in the global energy transition.”

To read the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ full press release, click here.

Upscale Events presents Holiday Heart Christmas Festival from 12-4pm on Saturday, December 9 at the Coushatta Event Center. 

Donations are still needed. Contact Lavandria Taylor at 318.461.7773 for more information or to donate toys and other items.

Bring all the kids out for food, games, face painting, featuring photos with Mickey Santa & Minnie Mrs. Clause, write letters to Santa, door prizes, cupcake decorating, ornament making, & coloring contest!

Coushatta-Red River Christmas parade begins at 4:30 p.m. December 7.  Fireworks begin at 6:00 p.m.

Medicare open enrollment ends on December 7, 2023. Don’t miss your chance to find better coverage, lower premiums, or both. Compare your current coverage choice with all your 2024 options before it’s too late.

Social Springs Baptist Church will host its annual Choral Christmas Cantata on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 5pm, followed by Mark Lanier and world-renowned pianist Andrew Ishee presenting a Christmas Concert. A love offering will be received and refreshments will be served.

NONE

December 3 reigned high in the hearts of young and old as the CPKC Holiday Express rolled into Coushatta. The excitement began to build as the Southern Belle train including the Christmas engine pulled five cars full of Christmas joy to a stop on the tracks at 3:00 pm. Thanks to the hard work of the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Coushatta Police, streets were blocked, and people began to line up. Officials estimated over 600 people from at least 4 parishes attended.  

It took almost an hour to get everything set up and guests onboard the train. The nostalgia of old trains and Christmas décor from days gone by filled the cars. Toy trains whistled through, and children’s faces lit up to know that Santa was waiting at the end of the tour.

Many thanks to Mr. Peter Drake, under the direction of the Town Council and Mayor Cox, who petitioned vigorously to have the train in our town again. The Christmas Spirit is alive and well in this small town.

By: Chloe Spradley

The Riverdale varsity basketball teams played North Delta and Delta Streets on November 22nd. The Lady Rebels won over North Delta 49-42, and Delta Streets won over the Rebels 52-47.

For the Lady Rebels, Mary Claire Jones had 23 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 2 deflections, and 1 block; Jadyn King had 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, and 1 deflection; Madison Chamberlin with 6 points, 8 rebounds, 4 deflections, and 1 steal; Hanna Huddleston with 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 2 steals; McKayla Pickett with 9 points, 21 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 deflections, 1 steal, and 1 block; Charity Williamson with 2 points and 2 rebounds; and Julia Grace Riggs with 4 points and 3 rebounds.

For the boys, Ryder Huddleston had 23 points, 12 rebounds, 2 deflections, 5 steals, and 1 block; Ashton Almond with 6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 deflections, and 1 block; Kyle Guillory with 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 deflections; Tanner Carlisle with 7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 deflections, and 1 block; Will Jones with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 deflections, and 1 steal; Kaidyn Williams with 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 deflection, and Logan Gryder with 2 points and 3 rebounds.

Good job Rebels! Everyone can’t wait for another amazing season.

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

In an energetic 37 minutes Wednesday, Blaine McCorkle took firm control of a wobbly Northwestern State football program and outlined the core philosophies he’ll employ hoping to duplicate the turnaround he achieved at Division III Belhaven.

With 24 wins in his last three seasons after taking over a struggling program in Jackson, Miss., the 26-year coaching veteran knows what he likes. And with a degree from LSU, after four years (1995-99) as a deep snapper for the Tigers, he loves the idea of etouffee, gumbo and recruiting in the Bayou State.

“The heart and soul of our program will be right here in Louisiana, no doubt about it,” said the 47-year-old McCorkle, introduced to media and supporters Wednesday afternoon in the Steve and Lori Stroud Room that’s a short field goal from Turpin Stadium. He has signed a four-year contract at $252,000 per year, sources said, with that salary approximately $100,000 more than previous coach Brad Laird.

“We’re going to be all over this state. We’re going to be from Shreveport to Ruston to Monroe to Many, to West Ouachita I passed coming in (from Jackson), south Louisiana from Lake Charles, to Crowley, to Opelousas, Lafayette, South Lafourche, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, you name it, we’re going to be there,” he said. “For 30-40 years, the state of Louisiana has more NFL players per capita than any state in the country. Lotta good football right here, and we’re gonna cover it, get out and get to know people.”

While NCAA rules kept him from being specific, he noted that at Belhaven this fall, the Blazers have recruited a player from Natchitoches Central.

Although NSU has won just seven games in three seasons since the COVID pandemic, McCorkle doesn’t plan to load up on transfers while bolstering a roster that may be just half-full. Roughly five dozen players, he said, attended a Tuesday “meet the coach” session, and while some others may have been in class, there are plenty of gaps to fill to round out a 115-man roster.

“I do want to utilize the portal, but here, right now, we need to be very, very careful and very, very smart not to just bring anybody. My first thought is initially I want to go (with) older kids. I don’t want younger kids out of the portal,” he said. “I want guys who are graduate guys that can help us on the field, yes, but help us establish culture to a certain degree as well.”

McCorkle said he has “3-4” new staff who will be on campus Monday, and he may keep “1-2” of the current coaches when he completes his staff in the next 10 days. The Dec. 20 early signing date creates urgency to get those coaches on the road recruiting.

McCorkle, whose cousin Sammy is the head coach at Dartmouth in the Ivy League, won’t fit his offensive schemes to the personnel. The Demons will run what his Blazers have used – a three-down defensive front with lots of man coverage on the back end, and an NFL-style offense.

“I’ve been an offensive line coach, so defensively I want to do what I can’t block. People think you can’t stop the run with a three-down front, you’re crazy. Our defense this year at Belhaven this year had four games with under 20 yards rushing allowed. If you do it right, if you teach it right, it is fast and it is physical, and I think there is a lot of value in it,” he said. “It gives people headaches.”

Offensively, McCorkle will not call plays as he did in his successful final three seasons at Belhaven and he will emphasize fundamentals.

“I’m a pure football coach. I think one of the biggest mistakes in all of football is so many everybody’s way out here, (trying to) be the next guru. Day one teaching, I’m going to have a tight end and a fullback. We’re going to play football, and we’re going to hit you in the face,” he said. “If you start there in 21 personnel, it’s real easy to grow your offense, expand, and do anything you want to do. We’re going to put our hand in the ground, learn how to block, how to take a handoff, how to fit people up, we’re going to block on the perimeter, and that will take us any direction we want to go.”

The Demons will be about 50-50 huddle and tempo, he said, and probably 50-50 with the quarterback in the shotgun and under center.

“As a whole, what you see on Sunday (in the NFL) is what we are, but we do like to have our quarterback run around a little more than those guys do. The purest football is on Sunday afternoon. Those are the best coaches, the best athletes in the world, but for some reason at the college and high school levels, we try to outcoach those guys. What are we thinking?”

The son of a longtime offensive line coach (father Sam worked at Ole Miss, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and several FCS and Division II programs, and in high school, and was head coach at West Alabama), McCorkle said he’s not the best coach in his household. His wife Gina, an All-American field hockey player at Ball State, won seven Atlantic Conference championships in 11 years at Richmond, where they met.

The oldest of his four children, daughter Gracie, was in the front row Wednesday. She just graduated from Louisiana Tech, where she’s worked with the Bulldogs’ fundraising team. His only son is 14-year-old Sammy, a rugged footballer who was playing in his first basketball game Wednesday night.

“I hope he fouls out,” cracked his dad.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com