MEDIA CONTACTS:   

• SWEPCO Corporate Communications Media Line: (318) 673-3060 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

SHREVEPORT, LA – Throughout SWEPCO’s service territory our customers are decking the halls and we’re pleased to shine a light on holiday fun in the communities we serve. In partnership with radio stations 96.5 KVKI in Shreveport, 101.5 KNUE in Longview, and 102.5 KKYR in Texarkana, SWEPCO is proud to sponsor a festive multi-state contest. We invite our residents and businesses to showcase their creativity by safely decorating their halls, walls, store fronts, homes, lawns, or even rooftops with the most magnificent lighting displays.

“Don’t hold back! Let your imagination shine as bright as a thousand lights,” encouraged SWEPCO light contest organizers Shantell Jordan and Brooke Rinaudo.

Area residents are encouraged to capture the brilliance of their displays and share their photos. Townsquare Media, in collaboration with SWEPCO, will award $500 to a lucky listener in each radio market whose lights outshine the rest. Contest entrants should select their radio station and submit their entries directly: 96.5 KVKI, 101.5 KNUE, OR 102.5 KKYR. 

“It’s your chance to make your community sparkle and take home a prize along with bragging rights as the best and brightest,” Jordan added.

To participate in the contest or find out more information about all the wonderful ways to sparkle, shine and celebrate with us, visit swepco.com/lightup.

In addition, SWEPCO is proud to sponsor other holiday favorites happening in our service territory:

• Celebrating their 40^th year, is the enchanting Christmas in Roseland at the American Rose Center. Now through December 23, in a winter wonderland as you stroll through the breathtaking lights and catch glimpses of Santa and his merry elves.
• For those seeking an electrifying display of pyrotechnics, mark your calendars for the Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival. On December 2, experience good food, live music and arts and crafts from local vendors. Santa will also be at the festival. At 6:30 p.m., the night sky will be ablaze with a sizzling spectacle of fireworks. Gather your friends and family, charge up your holiday cheer, and witness a spark-tacular show.
• In Northwest Arkansas, SWEPCO took center stage as the exclusive sponsor of the Lights of the Ozarks Light Night and Parade. There’s still time to witness the enchantment of Lights of the Ozarks! With over half a million lights transforming the square into a mesmerizing wonderland, this sparkling extravaganza will be on display every evening from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. From now through the New Year. Residents and visitors can bask in the electric glow and create truly special moments with your loved ones.

About Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) SWEPCO, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, serves more than 551,144 customers in Northwest and Central Louisiana, Northeast Texas and the Texas Panhandle, and Western Arkansas. SWEPCO’s headquarters are in Shreveport, La. News releases and other information about SWEPCO can be found at SWEPCO.com. Connect with us at Facebook.com/SWEPCO, Twitter.com/SWEPCOnews, Instagram.com/swepco, Youtube.com/SWEPCOtv and LinkedIn.com/company/swepco. 

About American Electric Power (AEP) 

American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 7,100 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com. 

GRAMBLING, La | The Grambling State University Department of Athletics and Dr. Trayvean Scott have announced a change in leadership of the GSU football program.

Head coach Hue Jackson has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately.

“We want to thank Coach Jackson on his contributions to the GSU football program. We wish him well in all his future endeavors,” said Dr. Scott. “This was not an easy decision to make but one that we felt was necessary to move our program forward. The goal at GSU is to compete for championships every year. As we move forward, we will be intentional in finding the right person to lead this program back to its rightful place as one of the top programs in the country.”

Co-Offensive Coordinator John Simon has been elevated to interim head coach and will assume day-to-day operations of the football program.

Coach Simon has coached at Arizona State, Memphis, Southern Miss and ULL. He played collegiately at Louisiana Tech and professionally with the Nashville Titans. He is a native of Baton Rouge.

A national search for a new head coach will commence immediately.

FOLLOW GRAMBLING STATE ATHLETICS
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /GramblingStateTigers1901 (Facebook), @gramblingathletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.

Source: http://www.gsutigers.com

Northwestern State University will hold Fall Commencement exercises at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec 13 and 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 in Prather Coliseum.

During the 10 a.m. ceremony on Wednesday, diplomas will be awarded to graduates earning from the College of Business and Technology and the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development.

During the 2 p.m. on Wednesday ceremony, diplomas will be awarded to graduates earning degrees from the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health.

During the 10 a.m. ceremony on Thursday, diplomas will be awarded to graduates earning degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Louisiana Scholars’ College.

For a detailed schedule, a list of Frequently Asked Questions and candidate information, visit www.nsula.edu/graduation.

PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY

BUCHANAN, TIA
31 W F 11/27/2023 11/30/2023
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
BATTERY OF A DATING PARTNER $10,000.00

WATERS, MICHAEL
42 W M 11/28/2023 11/28/2023
ARRESTING AGENCY: COUSHATTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
SECOND DEGREE BATTERY $15,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE $5,000.00 (CONCURRENT)

COLLINS, CORTEZ
40 B M 11/28/2023 11/29/2023
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY (SERIOUS BODILY INJURY) $20,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
FALSE IMPRISONMENT $10,000.00 (CONCURRENT)

Chamber of Commerce Meeting December 5 at 5:30pm in the School Board Office conference room.

Police Jury Meeting December 6 at 10am at the Red River Courthouse. 

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

NONE

RRES is BULLDOG PROUD to announce one of our students is a published author!

Third grader, Ava Jones, has written and illustrated her own book. “Crawjazz” is a book filled with Louisiana rich culture.

The book is about a crawfish name Kayden who has a love for jazz music. Kayden and his friend Malta, the alligator, go on a journey to search the swamp for jazz instruments. One day, while searching the swamp, they stumble across an old rusted trumpet. Kayden and Malta were so excited because their dream of becoming jazz singers was one step closer to becoming a reality! They would practice for hours. Kayden’s and Malta’s dream become a reality as they become jazz legends, just like the Great Bleu Billie.

Her book can be found on Amazon!  Order here!

Source: Red River Elementary School

Staci Scott from the Ware Youth Facility in Red River Parish talks to Billy West about the high cost of juvenile detention – over $9,000 per month ($300.00 per night, per juvenile) in the Ware Youth Facility.

During the month of November, the Coushatta Chute Chapter DAR teamed with the Red River Parish Library to honor service men and women from our parish. When the tree was taken down on Monday, there were a total of 81 stars adorned the tree.

Each star represented a person who served in the military. There were 9 stars for American Revolution service, 2 for World War 1, 8 for World War II, 1 for Korea, and 5 for Vietnam. Veterans from each branch of the military were also honored. 26 stars were from the army, 11 from Navy, 17 from the Air Force, 11 Marines, 1 Coast Guard, and 1 National Guard.

Each of the stars are now at the library and can be picked up by the family member who placed them on the tree. Any of the stars that remain will be kept and placed on the tree next November.

Coushatta Chute Chapter Regent, Norma Lester expressed her thanks to the library staff for all the help during this event. She also thanks the people who participated by adding their veteran’s name to the tree. Her hope is that this becomes an annual event and recognition of even more service members grows.

HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE
November 29, 2023

New Orleans – This afternoon, Governor-Elect Jeff Landry announced the appointment of Robert P. Hodges as the 27^th Louisiana State Police Superintendent and Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Services.  Robert Hodges currently holds the position of Region 2 Patrol Major.  His appointment to Louisiana State Police Superintendent will be effective on January 8, 2024.

Major Hodges is a 28-year veteran with Louisiana State Police.  He began his career in 1995 as a Patrol Trooper in Troop B (Kenner) and has held various assignments throughout his LSP career in Patrol and Investigations.  Major Hodges, a native of New Orleans, graduated from Brother Martin High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Louisiana State University.  He previously served as an Intelligence Officer in the Louisiana Army National Guard Reserve.  

In addition, forthcoming appointees to the LSP Senior Command Staff were announced including:

Major Frank Besson
Appointed to Assistant Superintendent / Chief of Staff

Lt. Col. Joseph Hasselbeck III
Current Deputy Superintendent of LSP Patrol

Lt. Col. Treone Williams-Larvadain
Current Deputy Superintendent of the LSP Bureau of Investigations

Major Cordell Williams
Appointed to Deputy Superintendent of LSP Support

Lt. Col. Greg Graphia
Current Deputy Superintendent – Chief Administrative Officer

Contact Information:
Captain Nick Manale
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs – HQ
Office: (225) 925-6118
Nick.Manale@la.gov

Charles Voyde is considered by some to be a legend in Texas because of his high-profile criminal history.  Charles was a carpet salesman, professional gambler, and a convicted contract killer, a hitman.  Charles was born in 1938 in Lovelady, Texas.  His criminal career began sometime in the late 1950s and escalated from petty crimes to murder.    

Charles had a wife and two children, the oldest of which was Woodrow.  In 1968, when Woodrow was seven years old, Charles was arrested for the murder of Alan Harry Berg, also a carpet salesman.  Woodrow’s father disappeared from his life.  While awaiting trial, Charles and two others were charged with the murder of wealthy grain broker Sam Degelia near McAllen, Texas.  In September 1970, Charles was acquitted of murdering Berg.  After the first trial for Sam Degelia’s murder ended in a deadlocked jury, Charles was convicted in 1973 and sentenced to 15 years in prison.  According to trial testimony, Charles was paid just $2,000 to murder Degelia.  In 1978, after serving five years of his sentence, Charles was released for good behavior.

Like Charles, Jamiel “Jimmy” Chagra was a carpet salesman and a professional gambler.  Jimmy was also a drug trafficker operating out of Las Vegas, Nevada and El Paso, Texas. In February 1979, Jimmy was indicted by a federal grand jury on cocaine and marijuana smuggling charges in Midland, Texas, and the case was assigned to Federal Judge “Maximum” John Wood.  The judge earned the nickname “Maximum” for his tough treatment of drug dealers and smugglers.  Jimmy tried back channels, and, when that failed, threatened Judge Wood, but he refused to step down as the presiding judge in Jimmy’s case.  Jimmy decided to hire a hitman.

According to courtroom testimony, in April 1979, Jimmy Chagra met Charles and Jo Ann, Charles’ third wife, in Las Vegas.  At that meeting, Charles agreed to murder the federal judge for $250,000.  In the following month, Jo Ann, using the false name Fay King, bought a Weatherby rifle in a Dallas gun shop.  A few days later, May 29, 1979, Judge John Wood was standing outside his car at his home in San Antonio, purportedly looking at a flat tire on either his or his wife’s car.  A neighbor heard what he thought was a car backfiring and looked out of his window and saw the judge fall into his car.  He had been shot in the back.  He fell into and died in his wife’s lap.  In the following month, Teresa Starr Jasper, Charles’ stepdaughter, picked up a briefcase which contained $250,000 in Las Vegas from Elizabeth Chagra, Jimmy’s wife.

The murder of the federal judge prompted a massive investigation, and, in August 1979, Jimmy Chagra was convicted in absentia in federal court of continuing criminal activity and sentenced to 30 years without parole.  Five months later, Jimmy was captured in Las Vegas and sent to Leavenworth federal prison.  While in prison, Jimmy bragged to another inmate, Jerry Ray James, that he had Judge John Wood killed and provided some specific details.  Jerry Ray shared the information he learned with investigators.  In September 1980, Charles was arrested in Van Horn, Texas following a 10-hour cocaine-fueled standoff with police.  It was when news broke of the 10-hour standoff that Woodrow learned the whereabouts of his father whom he had not seen in over ten years. 

During interrogation, Charles admitted to killing Judge John Wood.  In all fairness, during the same interrogation he also claimed to have killed several other people including President John F. Kennedy.  In April 1982, a federal grand jury indicted Jimmy, Jimmy’s little brother Joe Chagra, Jimmy’s wife Elizabeth, along with Charles and Jo Ann for conspiracy and other charges in the John Wood murder case.  Joe Chagra made a plea-bargain for a lesser sentence.  Elizabeth Chagra was found guilty of conspiracy for delivering the $250,000 payment to Charles’ stepdaughter.  Jo Ann, who bought the rifle that killed Judge John Wood was sentenced to 25 years in prison for obstruction.  Charles, the hitman who admitted to killing the judge, was sentenced to serve two consecutive life sentences for the murder.  Jimmy was ultimately acquitted of hiring Charles to kill Judge John Wood but was found guilty on numerous drug trafficking charges.                

In the late 1980s, Charles and Woodrow grew closer.  Woodrow visited his father in prison at least once a year.  In 1985, Woodrow became a bartender and began helping his father to get a new trial.  In 1987, when Charles married his fourth wife by proxy, Woodrow stood in for his father during the ceremony.  Charles argued that his legal representation was not adequate in his 1979 trial.  “No matter what you did,” Charles said, “you have a right under that Constitution to a fair and impartial hearing of your peers, and I did not get that.”  In 1998, Woodrow told reporters that it was the “sad truth” that the legal system “seems to work a lot better for those who have enough money.”  Woodrow fought to get his father a new trial until March 21, 2007, when the 69-year-old contract killer died in prison of a heart attack.   

Woodrow once said the fight to get his father a new trial cost a lot of money, but his bartending job paid more than most bartending jobs.  You see, Woodrow, the son of a hit man, was a bartender at the Boston, Massachusetts bar “where everybody knows your name.”  The name of the fictional bar was Cheers.  Charles Voyde Harrelson was the father of actor Woodrow “Woody” Harrelson.

Sources:

1.     El Paso Times, May 30, 1979, p.1.

2.     Fort Worth Star-Telegram, October 21, 1984, p.89.

3.     Fort Worth Star-Telegram, October 25, 1984, p.69.

4.     Tampa Bay Times, August 7, 1998, p.22.

5.     The Monitor (McAllen, Texas), July 16, 1999, p. 26.

6.     Austin American-Statesman, March 22, 2007, p.21.

Louisiana Tech University has announced the names of students on its Fall Quarter 2023 President’s and Dean’s honor lists.

Students whose names are followed by an asterisk earned recognition as members of the president’s honor list. That distinction signifies achievement of at least a 3.8 academic grade point average on a minimum of nine semester hours completed (100-level or higher), with no grade lower than a B.

To be eligible for the dean’s honor lists, a student is required to earn at least a 3.5 academic grade point average with no grade lower than a C on a minimum of nine semester hours completed (100-level or higher).

Courses yielding satisfactory/failure grades and courses audited do not count toward eligibility for either recognition. Only undergraduates with no incomplete grades are eligible to make either list.

Red River

• Coushatta: Brennan Thomas Edie

Wednesday, November 29, 2023 12:59 PM

As a kid growing up, teachers would ask the question of what do you want to be when you grow up? For boys, this was a trick question because we never grow up! Back in my day, the standard answers were policeman, fireman, teacher or for the super smart students in my class they would say…. a doctor or lawyer. Some had even greater aspirations of becoming an astronaut, mainly due to the fact we had just landed on the moon. But you never heard anyone say, “I want to be a professional bass fisherman.”

Another thing you never heard was that someone was going to sell water for a living. Can you imagine how your classmates would have reacted back in the 1970’s if you had announced you were going to bottle and sell water. You would have been the center of all their jokes from that day forward. But it turns out, you would have gotten the last laugh as you became wealthy selling water.

You probably would have gotten the same reaction if you said you were going to be a professional bass fisherman. Today, this is a real career choice for a select few. I have always compared it to being a professional athlete. The odds are not in your favor and these two are very comparable. Let me expand on this. Only 1 out of every 10,000 baseball players in the country gets drafted and only 1 out of every 5,000 makes it to the Major Leagues.

I tell you this because it just might be the same odds for becoming a professional bass fisherman. There are literally thousands of anglers across the world who want to make it to the United States and become a professional angler. Not only are you trying to be the best in this country, but you’ll be competing with anglers from Canada, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, and Australia for what amounts to about 80 slots in either B.A.S.S. or the MLF Pro Tours.

Bass fishing has become an international sport and is very competitive for those who want to try and make a living doing it. Catching fish is only a small part of what it takes to fish for a living. Today, you must be good with social media, understand business, be a great salesman and you better have good communication skills with the ability to talk to people.

Now let’s look at the sacrifices you’ll have to make. First, prepare to eat a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while learning how to sleep in your truck or camp out to save money. Just to enter a B.A.S.S. or MLF event will cost you at least $50,000 up front and you have not even wet a hook yet. Travel expenses today with gas, hotel and food is off the chart. Hence, the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and campgrounds to try and save money.

You’ll pull your boat all over the United States with constant wear and tear on your vehicle. Don’t forget, it takes gas to fill up your boat which is an easy $75 to $120 per fill-up which includes all the practice and competition days. To be conservative, you’re probably looking at $100,000 to fish your first season which means you need to finish in the top 50 in every event to collect a $10,000 check and break even. I’ve only known one angler to ever achieve this accomplishment.

If you’re a family man, this just might be the toughest career choice you can make as you will miss birthdays, anniversaries, and some holidays. You will shed a lot of tears as you drive away from your wife and kids waving goodbye while you live the gypsy life away from home for days and weeks at a time.

I’m not trying to discourage anyone from pursuing their dreams, but understand, it’s one of the toughest and most competitive career choices you can ever make. It takes a special angler/person to make it in today’s world as a professional angler. You will need as many sponsors as you can land and if this is your dream, start saving your money now so that when you get that opportunity, money is not an issue. Anglers who are fishing just to get a check are the anglers who will struggle. Tournament fishing is kind of like gambling, anglers who fish to win can take chances rather than having to worry about just making a check so they can fish the next event.

Finally, if you’re married, make sure you have a wife who understands how tough this lifestyle can be. Today, many of the wives act as business managers for their husbands and help with coordinating appearances and interviews that pro anglers are called to do. This allows the angler to stay focused on catching fish and being competitive.

I hope I’ve shed some light on what it takes to enter the world of being a professional bass fisherman. It’s not an easy life, but one that can have great rewards if done correctly. Till next time, good luck, good fishing, and think long and hard if you decide to pursue a career in the professional bass fishing world.

Steve Graf

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2023

Minden, LA. – The picturesque town of Minden is set to transform into a winter wonderland as it hosts the annual Christmas in Minden festival on December 8-9, 2023. This enchanting event promises a weekend filled with festive cheer, family-friendly activities, and the joyous spirit of the holiday season.

The Christmas in Minden festival has become a beloved tradition for both locals and visitors alike. Attendees can expect a magical experience with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and a variety of activities that capture the essence of the season.

Mayor Nick Cox expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming festivities, stating, “Christmas in Minden is a special time for our community to come together and celebrate the joy of the season. This year’s festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with something for everyone to enjoy. We invite residents and visitors to join us in creating cherished memories and spreading holiday cheer throughout Minden.”

The President of the Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce, Stephanie Barnette emphasized the economic and community benefits of the festival, stating, “The Christmas in Minden festival not only brings joy and warmth to our community, but also serves as a boost for our local businesses. We encourage everyone to shop local and support our vibrant community during this festive season.”

The executive director of Visit Webster Parish, Serena Gray, highlighted the unique attractions that will draw visitors to the festival, saying, “Minden is a hidden gem, and Christmas in Minden showcases our town’s charm and hospitality. From the festive children’s activities, special holiday menus at local eateries and dazzling light displays to the entertainment lineup, there’s something for everyone. We invite visitors from near and far to experience the magic of Minden this holiday season.”

Key Festival Highlights Include:

• Lighting ceremony to kick off the holiday season
• Free Hayride Tours of Christmas lights
• Christmas Bruch at Geaux Fresh Bistro & Bakery
• Sweet treats and photos with Santa at The Courtyard
• Kid crafts at the Dorcheat Museum
• Festive market inside The Venue on Pearl
• Christmas Parade
• Live musical performances
• Spectacular firework display

The Christmas in Minden festival is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Minden Main Street, the City of Minden, the Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce, the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Commission, the Dorcheat Museum, Webster Parish Libraries, Minden Medical Center and the dedicated support of local businesses and volunteers.

For more information about the Christmas in Minden festival, please visit www.visitwebster.net/events or contact Serena Gray at 318-377-4240, serena@visitwebster.net 

By: Chloe Spradley

On November 3rd, the Riverdale football team played Briarfield Academy in round 2 of playoffs. The Rebels went into the game determined and excited, but unfortunately, Briarfield took home the win 42-36. The Rebels have had an outstanding season, and even though they didn’t make it to the championship, everyone is still very proud of their progress this season.

On offense was quarterback Ryder Huddleston with 110 passing yards, 7/12 throws, and 1 touchdown. On the receiving end of those throws were Ashton Almond with 2 catches, 30 yards, and 1 touchdown, Kyle Guillory with 1 catch and 21 yards, Landen Barrett with 2 catches and 20 yards, and Kaidyn Williams with 2 catches and 39 yards.

Rushing offense for the Rebels were Guillory with 16 carries and 79 yards, Huddleston with 20 carries, 120 yards, and 1 touchdown, and Williams with 7 carries, 66 yards, and 3 touchdowns.

Defense for the Rebels was Guillory with 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, and 1 interception; Barrett with 5 solo tackles and 2 assists (3 TFL); Williams with 4 solo tackles and 3 assists; Huddleston with 3 solos and 1 assist (1 TFL); Hayden Hillman with 1 solo and 1 assist; and Almond with 2 solos and 2 assists (1 TFL). Tanner Carlisle, Zane Givens, Jaxon Gates, Cannon Adams, Caleb Dabbs, and John Windham were also there on defense for the Rebels.

These boys played an amazing season, and we are so proud of them!

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

The Holiday Express will visit Coushatta on Sunday, December 3 from 4-8pm.

Jean Kennard Page
July 18, 1932 – November 28, 2023
Visitation: Friday, December 1 from 6pm-8pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home, Coushatta
Service: Saturday, December 2 at 10am at Hall Summit Baptist Church

Joe L. “Tunu” Franklin
Visitation: Friday, December 1 from 2-6pm at Jenkins Funeral Home, Mansfield
Service: Saturday, December 2 at 1pm at Will of God Ministries, Coushatta.
Interment at New Mary Magdalene, Gahagan. Repast will follow at the Coushatta Event Center.

The 2023 Holiday Express train is set to return. Santa Claus and his elves will be visiting 20 communities in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. This festive six-car train will continue its charitable tradition with The Salvation Army this year.

The Holiday Express resumes its free public stops, allowing visitors to meet Santa and explore the festively adorned train cars. Donations for the 2023 campaign are welcomed!

The Holiday Express will visit Coushatta on Sunday, December 3 from 4-8pm.

The 6th Annual Castor High School Reindeer Run is slated for Monday, December 11, 2023. The Reindeer Run is a fun event for the community and school. It is hosted by the CHS Cross Country, Track and Softball team.

The run will have the following divisions:
6:00pm  Dancer’s Dash: 1/4 mile fun run for students in grades 3 and below
6:10pm  Rudolph’s Rush: 1/4 mile run for students in grades 4 -6
6:20pm  Blixen’s Blitz: 1/4 mile dash for the serious runner grades 7 and up (including any community runners)
6:30pm  Santa’s Stroll: 1 lap to enjoy the lights

Included with admission fee ($15) is an event long sleeve shirt, reindeer antlers, and access to all the fun Christmas activities. Santa will be available for pictures. There will be a Santa letter writing station, places for fun photos, a Christmas movie playing, games, and other fun holiday activities. 

All participates MUST wear the 2023 Reindeer Run event shirt to enter. Shirts are on sale this week only. Cost is $15. All orders are due Friday, December 1. Contact the school to order (318) 544-7271.

If you would like to be a Reindeer Run sponsor complete the form online at https://forms.gle/rRgXLUB3mMYv3wKw8. Sponsorships are also due by Friday, December 1. Sponsor names are featured on the back of the event shirt according to the level of sponsorship chosen.

The event helps the track and cross country programs attend state meet, purchase uniforms, and buy equipment. Both programs have enjoyed great success. The boys cross country team just finished 8th in the state at the Division V State Meet and the girls finished in the top ten as well with an individual runner medaling in the top 10 on the track. The track teams have won a combined total of four LHSAA State Runner-Up titles since 2017, have won numerous district and regional titles, and have had many individual podium and state champion winners at state meet.

Saturday, December 2, celebrate the Christmas season in Louisiana’s oldest city. Enjoy the daylong festival filled with music, entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors, and the famous firework show choreographed to holiday music over the Cane River Lake. 

Admission to the Festival area is $10 beginning at 6am. Ages 6 and under are free.

Saturday’s Schedule of Events:
7am-7pm  Mistletoe Market (City Bank parking lots on Second Street)
1pm           Festival of Lights Parade
6pm           Fireworks over Cane River Lake

Music on Riverbank Stage
2:30pm      Pete & Paul Band
5pm           Johnny Earthquake & the Moondogs

By: Glynn Harris

Louisiana is in the throes of a major drought that has reduced palatable browse for deer; they are having to depend on less desirable food sources to survive. Forty-three-year-old Daniel Colvin, Bernice, is offering a 4 ½ acre smorgasbord of wheat, clover and turnips that virtually guarantee that when he sits on his stand, it’s almost a sure thing that he’ll see deer.

Colvin is an entrepreneur who has a variety of professions. He deals in real estate buying and selling, is a commercial fisherman, has a lawn service and is a consultant to property owners who want to provide the best opportunity for attracting and holding deer.

He has converted his own 1300 acres in Union Parish to a haven for deer and as a result, he has been successful in growing some impressive bucks. Colvin keeps cameras out year-round, provides minerals all year and improves the land by controlled burning and thinning where needed. He knows and keep records on virtually every buck on the property but there was one that provided a bit of a mystery.

“I’m really not sure if I knew about this particular buck,” Colvin said. “I knew I had a big one on the property and had a photo of one back in July in velvet before his rack fully developed, I knew was going to be special. Then he just disappeared, and I never had a picture of this particular buck after that.”

As dry as things have been, it had rained the night of October 29 and continued on into the next morning, finally ceasing on Monday October 30.

“I knew the deer would be moving after the rain and bucks were starting to make scrapes and chase does. At 3:30, I got in my box stand overlooking the food plot and actually ran off a doe and yearling as I got to the stand. Soon after getting settled in the stand, several small bucks showed up and were starting to harass does that had also arrived,” said Colvin.

Around 5:00 that afternoon, Colvin noticed one particular small buck had his eyes fixed on the adjacent woods. Suddenly, the buck bolted and ran from the food plot.

“I knew there had to be a bigger buck that had spooked this little buck, so I kept my eyes on the direction the buck was looking. Then I saw a big rack and then the body of an impressive buck as it stepped out. I knew it was a shooter for sure, so I got my 25.06 Remington up and five seconds later, I hit the trigger. The buck ran about twenty yards before falling at the edge of the food plot,” Colvin continued.

The buck sported an impressive rack of 11 points, had an inside spread of 19 2/8 inches, impressive main beams of 24 and 25 inches and 5 inch bases. He was determined to be 5 ½ years old and weighed in at 190 pounds.

Colvin took him to Greg Hicks, official Buckmaster scorer, and the tape came to 154 4/8 inches.
Although Colvin has a record of just about every deer on the property, this one, never actually identified, was a bit of a mystery that ended successfully.

The NSU Jazz Combos will present their annual Jazz for Pups concert on Monday, Dec 4 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. A live stream of the concert will be available at capa.nsula.edu/livestream.

The concert is a benefit performance in partnership with Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals (FAUNA). Admission is free but donations are accepted for FAUNA including dog food, treats and toys. Cash donations will also be accepted as well as checks through Venmo. Representatives from FAUNA will be at the concert to accept donations.

The NSU Jazz Combos will perform Christmas tunes as well as some jazz standards by Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and more.

For more information contact NSU Professor of Saxophone Paul J. Forsyth at forsythp@nsula.edu.