Sheriff Jayson Richardson proudly announces that Dy. John Lary and Dy. Reagan Prosperie have officially completed Academy and are ready to serve DeSoto Parish! The Shreveport Police Academy is a 16 week program for those seeking a career in Law Enforcement. The course is a major achievement, but it does not come easy. Academy is challenging in many different areas ranging from physical, mental, and strategical operations. There is a minimum of 496 hours which must be completed and is set forth by POST, the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council. Both have officially passed the Louisiana POST Certification!

Deputy John Lary (R) will be headed to our Patrol Division, while Deputy Reagan Prosperie (L) will join the Special Services Division with a future as a School Resource Deputy! We are certainly proud to have them both a part of our DPSO Family!

Reagan is the son of Carey and Donna Waldrip Prosperie of Coushatta. 

Source: DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office

The Louisiana Department of Health Office of Public Health and the Shreveport Police Department are hosting the 2nd Annual Northwest Louisiana Youth Summit on Saturday, November 4. The summit is for youth ages 10 to 18 and their parents. The event is FREE to attend.

Registration and a breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. and the program will start at 9 a.m. and go until 12:30 p.m. with a motivational luncheon to follow. The summit will take place at the Southern Hills Park and Community Center at 1002 W. Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport.

If you are interested in participating as a vendor or have more questions, please contact Yolanda Duckworth, the Region 7 Opioid Prevention Outreach Coordinator, at Yolanda.Duckworth@la.gov.

Ana Deloach VanEaton
Communications Coordinator for Regions 7 & 8
Office of Public Health

The brutally sad and tragic death news of writer and extremely talented actor Matthew Perry this weekend brought to mind happier times when reality, an acquired taste for sure, was moved to the back burner every Thursday night for “Must See TV.”

In the post-Cheers, post-The Cosby Show landscape of NBC Thursday night programming, Perry and the gang took over the TV comedy series world with Friends, and the addition of Seinfeld made it a one-two punch lethal for other networks. Icing on the cake was ER, a drama like spicey forerunners Falcon Crest or Dynasty or Dallas, only set in an emergency room where George Clooney was breaking hearts and mending wounds, all at the same time. (Mostly everyone on ER wore scrubs: what a break for Wardrobe.)

Hard to believe it’s been — 30 years ago? Seinfeld moved to Thursdays in the fall of 1993-94, then Friends came along to join it and ER. An NBC TV exec dubbed it “Must See TV,” and for millions, it was.

My spousal unit, a Friends disciple, says she never missed it. I will never forget getting the cold vocal cord shoulder in a late-’90s Thursday night call to Ramz, as close to a brother as anyone I have. The chillingly brief conversation went something like, “Must See TV night. Thursday. Call you tomorrow.”

Long distance and everything. And not a big TV watcher, I had no idea. Completely out of touch with TV-watching America, was I.

I love Seinfeld, but I’ve caught them all on reruns. Any Friends or ER episode I’ve seen has been by accident. (Chandler was Matthew Perry and Joey was that other guy and Ross was The Guy Who Was Briefly In Band of Brothers and one of the girls was Monica and I don’t know the other two. Blissfully ignorant.)

I was way in the minority because America was NBC’s best friend on Thursday nights in the 1990s. Friends at 7. Then something to get you to Seinfeld at 8—might be The Single Guy or Boston Common or Suddenly Susan, just some sort of half-hour bridge—then something else to get you from 8:30 to 9 when ER aired.

Remember: not everyone had a VCR then. Most did, but many didn’t, and if you had one it was expensive and the size of an ice chest. And often didn’t work well.

No one had a DVR.

(I knew the 1980s monster hit L.A. Law was in trouble when David Spade, during a Saturday Night Live! skit (back when SNL was must-see TV), said, “L.A. Law. Didn’t watch it. Didn’t tape it.” Tons and tons of water cooler talk involved whether or not you “saw” a show or at least “taped” it. “You mean you forgot to TAPE it?!”)  

No one under 35 or so will grasp this, but if you didn’t see or tape a show in the fall, it was gone until spring reruns. So, you HAD to see it. Must See TV.

Those days are gone forever, of course. No comedy shows anymore, much less comedy nights. No variety shows. Those days gave way to the DVD and to the glorious option of streaming (which I’ve fully embraced) and to what is falsely billed as “reality TV.” The only real reality TV is sports, and I’m not so sure even THAT’S true when it comes to the NBA playoffs — but that’s another story. And definitely not Must See TV.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

The Youth Group from Bethel Baptist Church will hold a bake sale on Saturday, November 4 at Rivertown Market from 8:30am-until. Funds raised will be used to help those in need during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. 

78th Birthday Honorarium/52nd Ministry Banquet honoring Pastor Jimmie T. Mitchell will be held Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 6pm at the Coushatta Event Center, 5093 Cut-Off Road. To purchase tickets contact Pastor Joey Miller 318.609.3932, Alicia Smith 318.470.3964 or Alice Everett 318.754.5634. Attire is semi-formal and colors are royal blue, silver and black.

New Hope #3 Baptist Church in Hanna will celebrate its 90th Church Anniversary on Sunday, November 5 at 1:30pm. Special Guest will be Pastor Christopher Burton from Starlight Baptist Church, Coushatta. 

Elaine Sessions
May 18, 1937 – October 29, 2023
Service: Wednesday, November 1 at 2pm at First Baptist Church Family Life Center, Coushatta

Red River Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $70. Contact your funeral provider or RedRiverParishJournal@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to RedRiverParishJournal@gmail.com)

This is the tenth and final week of the American Bank High School Football Pickers Contest.  The Journal has a great line-up of games to be played this week.  And we have a $100 prize for the person doing the best job of selecting the winners.

The entry blank has been posted.  CLICK HERE to go claim your prize.

Red River baseball teams will have a Halloween scrimmage TODAY. The catch–the teams will play in Halloween costumes!

The Junior High squad plays at 4pm and the varsity begins at 5:30pm.

Admission is only $5.

There will be a bounce house and carnival games. You can participate in a cake walk for $2. Or how about pie your favorite administrator in the face for $2 a throw. There will also be concession for sell. 

The Red River Baseball Dugout Club is sponsoring the event.

OCTOBER 31

You don’t want to miss the Halloween spooktacular at the Red River Parish Library from 3-5pm. There will be lots of candy. Even a backdrop for you to take ghostly photos.

Christus Coushatta Health Care Center is holding a Trunk or Treat in the Clinic parking lot from 5-7pm. Come enjoy games, prizes, candy and more! 

Abundant Life Worship Center is hosting a Trunk or Treat starting at 5:30PM. Bring the kids for a fun, safe family friendly night of treats. Refreshments will be available.

First Baptist Church Coushatta will hold their Fall Festival from 6-8pm. Free entry. Enjoy games, food, and fellowship.

NSU football quarterback Tyler Vander Waal posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) Saturday, October 28 expressing his “2 cents” about the handling of NSU’s season. His statement follows:

‘Dr. Jones and Kevin have failed the players immensely. The canceling of the season was never about Ronnie. They used his unfortunate passing as a cop out. The lack of leadership was evident. As much as I respected Coach Laird as a coach and a man, he didn’t have any control of this team. As players, we were kept in the dark about everything. The decision makers here thought it was a good idea to cancel the season and take away the only structure we had? They thought it would be smart to take away these players outlets during a time of grief? Where we go to be together and have fun and play the game we love? To cancel the season because we’re not all mentally there and need more time to grieve and then start offseason workouts on Monday? No, I fully believe there was more to this decision than we will ever know. This was just an easy way to get out of things. Most, if not all, of the players in that locker room wanted to play the last 4 games. They didn’t consider the players in this decision and they failed us as
athletes.’

Vander Waal also joined Billy West Live podcast Saturday. Listen to it here.

The NSU athletic department released the following statement apparently in response to Vander Waal’s social media post.  

“We understand and respect the feelings of our players. They are fierce competitors and no doubt some wanted to get back on the field of play. At the end of the day we had to take the health and welfare of players and coaches into consideration when making this difficult decision. While not easy, we are confident we made the right call.”

Photo source: nsudemons.com

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that beginning on Monday, November 6, 2023, the US 84 bridge over Bayou Pierre in Red River Parish will be closed for repair.

This bridge closure is scheduled to be in place for approximately five weeks, and is necessary to allow DOTD crews to perform repairs to the girder, bridge piles, and other components. This work will ensure the bridge can remain in service in the future.

This bridge is located approximately 2.3 miles west of LA 1 near the DeSoto Parish line. 

Restrictions/Permits: Total road closure at the specified location. All vehicles will need to utilize an alternate route.

Alternate Route: Detour signage will be in place.

This work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.

Safety reminder:

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

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

Additional information:

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

Contact Information:

Erin Buchanan
Public Information Officer
Shreveport-Bossier District
(318) 549-8402
erin.buchanan@la.gov

Sweet potatoes come in 20 or 40 pounds. 20 pound box $20 and 40 pound is $30. 

Pecans–1lb bags choose from plain, spicy roasted, roasted, sugared, praline crunch, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate. Each bag is $13. 

Thy are also selling chocolate almonds for $13 a bag.

Last day to order is November 6. Orders will be ready November 15.

Call the 4-H office (932-4342) to order or see any 4-H member.

Northwestern State University will hold Homecoming activities and events as planned Nov. 3-4. The school announced on Oct. 26 that the remainder of the football season has been cancelled following the death of a student-athlete, but administrators and staff will continue with activities to honor students and alumni.

In a message to the student body, Student Government Association President Bailey Willis said Homecoming week activities for students, the kick-off concert, lip sync, fun run, food drive and service day, will take place as planned.

“Homecoming is not about a football game,” Willis said. “Homecoming is about the NSU family, students, alumni and the spirit of the university. I encourage you to attend all the events that you are able, wear your purple proudly, cheer for your fellow Demons and let naysayers know that Demons rise above.”

Friday, Nov. 3 events include the Long Purple Line luncheon and induction program that will begin at noon at the Natchitoches Events Center. The annual parade and pep rally, a popular community event, will begin at 5:30 p.m., starting on campus and ending at the downtown Natchitoches riverbank, where the Homecoming Honor Court will be recognized and spirit groups will perform.

On Saturday, Nov. 4 the N-Club Hall of Fame induction program will begin at 8 a.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Hall of Distinguished Educators will take place at 11:30 a.m. in the Middle Lab School auditorium. Tailgating will go on as planned. Administrators are working out details to highlight a scheduled volleyball match between the Lady Demons and McNeese as a central athletic event, along with ways to recognize students, alumni and spirit groups. Those plans will be announced as details are finalized.

“Our staff, students and volunteers have put many hours in planning events to recognize the deserving students elected to the Homecoming Honor Court as well as alumni who will be honored during the weekend,” said Dean of Students Reatha Cox. “Although Homecoming will be a bit different, it will be every bit as meaningful. It’s an opportunity to come together in a spirit of solidarity and support and show how strong the Demon family is.”

“Sometimes in life, we find ourselves in circumstances that we cannot control, but how we respond is what defines our character,” Willis said. “Please join me and your fellow Demons in coming together during Homecoming week and celebrating what it means to be part of the NSU family.”

Information will be posted at www.nsula.edu and https://northwesternstatealumni.com as it becomes available.

Newly elected Speaker of the House Mike Johnson posted the following message on his Facebook page:

It is the honor of a lifetime to have been elected the 56th Speaker of the House.

Thank you to my colleagues, friends, staff, and family for the unmatched support throughout this process. It has been an arduous few weeks, and a reminder that the House is as complicated and diverse as the people we represent. The urgency of this moment demands bold, decisive action to restore trust, advance our legislative priorities, and demonstrate good governance. Our House Republican Conference is united, and eager to work.

As Speaker, I will ensure the House delivers results and inspires change for the American people. We will restore trust in this body. We will advance a comprehensive conservative policy agenda, combat the harmful policies of the Biden Administration, and support our allies abroad. And we will restore sanity to a government desperately in need of it. Let’s get back to work.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

GUYE, LASHERADON
26 B F 10/20/2023 10/20/2023
ARRESTING AGENCY: COUSHATTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
ALLOWING UNLICENSED PERSON UNDER AGE OF 17 TO DRIVE $2,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
SIMPLE CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY VALUED $1,000 OR MORE BUT LESS THAN $50,000
$2,000.00 (CONCURRENT)

THOMAS, RANSON
45 B M 10/20/2023 INCARCERATED
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
THEFT OVER A VALUE OF $1,000 BUT LESS THAN $5,000 $2,500.00

COBB, THOMAS
46 W M 10/21/2023 INCARCERATED
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE $5,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
FAILURE TO HONOR WRITTEN PROMISE TO APPEAR – TRAFFIC ARRAIGNMENT $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT – BIENVILLE PARISH 

CARTER, CHASITY
43 W F 10/22/2023 10/23/2023
ARRESTING AGENCY: COUSHATTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
SIMPLE BATTERY $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
SIMPLE BATTERY $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
SIMPLE BATTERY OF PERSONS WITH INFIRMITIES $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)

SPEED, BOBBY
41 B M 10/22/2023 10/25/2023
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
FAILURE TO HONOR WRITTEN PROMISE TO APPEAR – TRAFFIC ARRAIGNMENT $150 TOWARDS FINES OR 70 DAYS IN JAIL

LOGAN, VINCENT
43 B M 10/23/2023 10/24/2023
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
RESISTING AN OFFICER $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE $2,500.00 (CONCURRENT)

LAFIELD, BILLY
44 W M 10/23/2023 10/24/2023
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT – BOSSIER PARISH

LINDSEY, TONYA
48 W F 10/25/2023 10/27/2023
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
PROBATION VIOLATION COURT ORDERED REHAB

MITCHELL, PATRICK
25 B M 10/25/2023 INCARCERATED
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA $1,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
ILLEGAL CARRYING OF WEAPONS $10,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
POSSESSION OF A FIREARM OR CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPON BY A FELON $15,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
POSSESSION OF OR DEALING IN FIREARMS WITH OBLITERATED NUMBERS OR MARKS $10,000.00 (CONCURRENT)
PROBATION VIOLATION NO BOND

MYATT, JEFFREY
53 W M 10/25/2023 10/26/2023
ARRESTING AGENCY: RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT – DIXIE COUNTY, FL

PRIDE, DAKOTA
28 W M 10/25/2023 INCARCERATED
ARRESTING AGENCY:
RED RIVER PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT – RUSK COUNTY, TX

WRIGHT, MANDY
43 W F 10/26/2023 10/27/2023
ARRESTING AGENCY: COUSHATTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
OUT OF PARISH FUGITIVE WARRANT – NATCHITOCHES PARISH

The York Chop is hiring and accepting applications for: Lunch Server: Full time and Part time positions available. Lunch BBQ Meat Cutter: Full time and Part time positions available. Applications are available inside The York Chop at 1818 Ringgold Ave Coushatta, LA 71019 318-932-CHOP

The 117th Louisiana State Fair is in full swing. Three weeks packed full of non-stop entertainment, delicious food, and unforgettable fun for EVERYONE! Visit the website to see a full list of events, https://www.statefairoflouisiana.com/events

James “Jim” Ledford
December 18, 1945 — October 25, 2023
Service: Tuesday, October 31 at 1pm at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 4330 Hwy 818, Ruston

Red River Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $70. Contact your funeral provider or RedRiverParishJournal@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to RedRiverParishJournal@gmail.com)

This afternoon at 4:00 pm is the deadline for this week’s Pickers contest.  CLICK HERE to enter now.  You could be the winner of the $100 weekly prize.

This is the last day to enter the American Bank High School Football Pickers Contest.  All you have to do is pick the winners of ten high school football games.  It is that easy.

The American Bank High School Football Pickers Contest is presented by Tyler Insurance Agency, Pathway Tire, Beard’s Automotive NAPA, Better Finance, York Chop, and Farm Pro Feed and Supplies.  Good luck and enter right now.

Beginning Monday, October 30 at approximately 7am Martin Water System customers on the Moning Hinson Road, St. Mary Church Road, Jones Road, Carroll Creek Road, Army Road, Esperanza Road, and Hwy 155 from the Moning Hinson Road towards Coushatta will have NO WATER.

The water lines near the Double bridges are being replaced with new, bigger pipes. The water will be turned back on as quickly as possible but will most probably be off all day. 

There will be a BOIL ADVISORY in this area also.

OCTOBER 27
Social Springs Baptist Church is having their Fall Festival on Friday, October 27 from 6-9pm. There will be games, cake walk, face painting, hayride, toy walk, s’mores, food and much more.

OCTOBER 28
Fairview Baptist Church invites everyone to their Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 28 from 2-4pm. Decorated cars will hand out candy. There will also be some carnival games, popcorn and of course, a ton of fun.

Martin Baptist Church will host their Fall Festival on Saturday, October 28 from 5-7pm. There will be games, crafts, Hot dogs/Chili dogs, cake walk, bounce house and Trunk or Treating.

The Village of Hall Summit will sponsor a Trunk or Treat and Chili Cookoff Saturday, October 28 at the Hall Summit Community Center and Park. The Chili Cookoff begins at 5pm and Trunk or Treat at 6pm. If you have any questions, contact Rachel Henry at 932-5355.

New Life Church will host their Fall Festival Saturday, October 28 from 5-8pm. Come out for live music, paintball target shooting, video game truck, door prizes, jumpers, face painting and lots of candy.

OCTOBER 31
You don’t want to miss the Halloween spooktacular at the Red River Parish Library on Tuesday, October 31 from 3-5pm. There will be lots of candy. Even a backdrop for you to take ghostly photos.

Abundant Life Worship Center is hosting a Trunk or Treat Tuesday, October 31 starting at 5:30PM. Bring the kids for a fun, safe family friendly night of treats. Refreshments will be available.

First Baptist Church Coushatta will hold their Fall Festival on Tuesday, October 31 from 6-8pm. Free entry. Enjoy games, food, and fellowship.

I don’t believe cancellation of the football season was what the players wanted or what the player who so tragically lost his life would have wanted. Nor do I believe that this was what Coach Laird wanted. This is a horrible decision for the team. One doesn’t quit in the face of adversity.

In a case like this a team dedicates the season to their fallen teammate.

I believe this is the decision of the new President and athletic director. NSU has been shedding students since the new President’s hire and athletics have been in a chaotic downward spiral.

The resignation my alma mater needs more than any other is that of President Marcus Jones. He may be a fine man, but has proven himself a poor fit for Northwestern State University.

Steven Hines
Northwestern State University Alumni

Northwestern State University announced Thursday afternoon it has canceled the remainder of the 2023 football season due to the recent shooting death of junior safety Ronnie Caldwell, with university president Dr. Marcus Jones citing the mental health and well-being of its student-athletes as the primary reason for its decision.

“Ronnie was a beloved member of our community, and we miss him dearly,” said Jones. “While our instinct was to return to the field of play following his death, we’ve since learned that the hurt on our team was too deep. Now it is in the best interest of our players, coaches, and staff to pause and to take this time to mourn, to heal, and to support Ronnie’s family.”

The school has also accepted the resignation of head coach, Brad Laird, who was in his sixth season as head coach of the Demons football team.

“Due to the loss of Ronnie and the emotional burden it has caused me, I don’t feel I can give my all to these players or this program,” Laird said. “Any coach will tell you that their players become like family, so the loss of Ronnie was like losing a son. I love this program and this university and I know it will persevere and move forward with the competitive spirit that is at the core of our DNA.”

Caldwell, a junior safety from Cedar Park, Texas, in the Austin metroplex, had been persevering through an injury, traveling with the team in a coaching capacity, helping other defensive backs with their technique and schemes. His death, in an Oct. 12 early morning shooting at the Quad Apartment Complex, remains under investigation by the Natchitoches Police Department. Two roommates have been arrested on drugs and weapons charges, but no charges relating to Caldwell’s death have been filed.

“We appreciate Coach Laird’s long-term investment in Northwestern State football. From his undergraduate time as a record-setting quarterback to his year spent overseeing the university’s alumni office to coaching, he has been a vital member of the team,” said Kevin Bostian, NSU’s athletic director. “While we are disappointed not to be able to finish the season, we are confident that better days lie ahead for Northwestern State football.”

Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Weston Glaser, will step in as interim head coach while the athletic department begins an immediate search for its next head coach.

“I want to thank our team, family, friends and the whole Northwestern State community for your understanding of this difficult decision,” Jones said. “We appreciate your support during this challenging time.”

All ticket refund inquiries for the remaining two home games should be directed to Scott Maggio at maggios@nsula.edu. Media inquiries should be directed to Jason Pugh at pughj@nsula.edu.

The university’s press release did not immediately address considerations related to the Nov. 3-4 homecoming weekend, which was to culminate with an afternoon football game.

The decision also impacts McNeese State’s homecoming this weekend. NSU was scheduled to play at McNeese Saturday night.

Dr. Jones discusses the process and decision to cancel football for the balance of the 2023 Season and the resignation of Brad Laird as the Head Football Coach of NSU.

Note: This interview was at 2pm, October 26, 2023.