The campus Book Fair at Red River Elementary starts Monday.  Dates are March 21^st through 25^th.  There is also an online Book Fair March 21^st through April 3rd.

Northwestern State University’s oldest graduate has died.  Earline Hart Andrews, 111, died Wednesday, March 16.  Andrews graduated from Louisiana Normal, as NSU was then known, in 1931, and spent 43 years teaching in Texas before retiring in 1975.

The Louisiana 4-H Livestock Ambassador Team is a brand new, statewide leadership opportunity for 4-H members that provides the prospect to build and apply leadership and professional skills while exploring animal science and the livestock industry. Livestock Ambassadors will not only lead livestock outreach activities in their parish, region, and state, but also learn valuable professional skills. This is available to Red River 4-H members that will be in 9th-12th grade for the 2022-2023 school year who have previously exhibited at least one livestock animal for at least one year prior as a Louisiana 4-H member.  Contact your local 4-H Agent, Jacque Fontenot at 932-4342 for information on how to apply.

Hardrick Rivers:  A Man Of Our Times!

A service celebrating the life and legacy of this internationally renowned saxophonist, band director and educator will go forth Monday, March 21, 2022 at the Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457 at High Noon.  The casketed remains will lie in state from 9:00 a. m. until service time.  Cremation will follow the celebration.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to the  Hardrick Rivers Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Bank of Montgomery, Account 40909041. 

The crisp season of fall was pleased to have brought forth the birth of our incomparable Hardrick Rivers.  He was a gift to his parents, Elijah King and the late Melba Rivers September 12, 1956 in the Powhatan Community.  As he developed, matured and shared his talents in the musical arts , he became a gift to the entire community and beyond.  His creator sounded the final call of Taps March 10, 2022 while he was a patient in the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.  Hardrick’s final earthly song had ended.

He accepted Christ as his personal Savior in Alexandria, LA at the tender age of seven.  In the later years, he affiliated with the First Methodist Church of Natchitoches, LA.  He was a baptized believer.

At the young age of 13, this multi-talented adolescent began playing music under the tutelage of a well-known Blues artist, the late Overton Owens (“Dr. Drip Drop”).  He concentrated on formulating his own unique sound on the saxophone and exhibited his new vibe through becoming a part of the Mustangs, and then through a band he founded called the Lighthouse Crew.  As he matured musically, he became an integral part of the Rivers’ Revue Band.  One of his loves was the monthly jam session with some of his favorite colleagues at Roque’s Grocery and Pool Hall on Carver Avenue in Natchitoches.  An outgrowth of these musical sets was the Roques’ Blues Band.

Our beloved Hardrick was a graduate of Allen High School.  In 2001 following a decade of employment with construction sprinkled with weekend gigs, this industrious young man earned a degree in Music from Northwestern State University where he became an instrumentalist with the school’s Jazz Ensemble for two semesters.  This formal credential prepared him for the awesome task of developing a great band as a Music Instructor at  Coushatta High School in Coushatta, LA.

Read about Rivers’ Coushatta and Red River High School connection HERE.

Shortly after earning his degree, he was awarded with the professional compliment of being inducted into the Louisiana Folk Life Center’s Hall of Master Folk Artists.

2003 marked the year of his teaming with B. B. Majors Blue Band and they toured Italy playing various blues events and venues.

Hardrick’s community of Powhatan recognized the statesman-like qualities he had and elected him as their Mayor in 2020 where he brought a spirit of progress to that settlement.  He was the sitting Mayor at the time of his passing.

The year of 2017 brought another signal honor—his being honored as a Louisiana Tradition Bearer at a ceremony at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest History Museum in Natchitoches.  Known as a “SAX MAN” and Blues Band Leader, Hardrick was a versatile musician that truly enjoyed performing.

This memorable gentleman was preceded in death by his mother, Melba Rivers, five siblings:  Pamela Revels Johnikin, Deondre King, Elijah King, Jr. and Elmer King.

Those who will long cherish his legendary lifetime of memories include His wife Pamela Rivers, His Children Donna Conday, Douglas (Kesha) Conday, Renee (Marlon) Brown, Melba (Bruce) Rivers, Hardrick (Petula) Rivers Jr., Tiawana Rivers, Joy (Vantrey) Dove, Charles (Hannan) Dove, and Justin Dove.

24 Grandchildren; Cedric Conday, Derick (Antriece)Turner Jr., Bre’Anna (Brandon) Perkins, Semaj ( Murphy ) Morman, Douglas (Yasmeen) Conday Jr.,  Derion Winder, Rodney Robinson, Bruce Smith III, Ladaijha Rivers, BrittNee Smith, Justice Robinson, Braeden Smith, Destiny Adkins, Alexis Rivers, Darin Adkins, Kaiden Conday, Marques Conday, Faith Conday, Jeremiah Rivers, Layla’ Cook, Kyla Cook, Brielle Monroe, Judah Cook, and Charles Dove III.

6 Great Grandchildren; Logan Tademy, Nova Owens, Mason Morman, Aiyanna Turner, Aeden Zoberbier

14 siblings; Charles Guiden, Deondre King, Carolyn King, Calvin King, Corrundulet King Sheard, Charlesetta Collins, Lee Crockom, Darrell Crockom, Latonia M Crockom, David Crockom, Kenneth King, Frank King, Leslie Crockom Mims, and His Ex-wife and Coparent Ms. Violet Rivers

His Friend and fellow musician since Childhood Ganey “Pop” Hymes

Countless Band members and musicians that have shared the stage and formed unforgettable friendships and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, additional family and friends including Alvin King.

By Molly Seales

The Rebels had a tough week March 7-11, barely losing 6-5 against Prairie View Academy on March 7 and suffering a tough 10-2 loss to Providence Classical Academy on March 11. Despite these losses, this young team shows lots of promise. Freshman pitcher Aston Hester went the distance against PVA, allowing 7 hits, 4 earned runs, and striking out 8 batters. Sophomore Landen Barrett had a hot bat again. He went 2 for 3 and scored 3 runs. Freshman Kaidyn Williams and junior Tyler Parker both went 1 for 3 at the plate with Parker scoring a run, while Hester had an RBI double. Senior Monroe McCarty scored the other run for Riverdale.

The Rebels struggled on cold, windy day against Providence, but they fought to the very end. Landen Barrett started on the mound for the Rebels. Ryder Huddleston came in the game in relief, followed by Hester. Barrett and Huddleston each struck out 2 batters, while Hester struck out 10. The Riverdale bats couldn’t seem to get going as well as they had in the previous 2 games. Barrett, Hester, and senior Jake Messenger were all 1 for 3 at the plate, with Hester and Messenger driving in a run each. Messenger and senior Denver Williams scored the 2 runs for the Rebels.

There is recognition for Landen Barrett.  He was selected the Max Preps Player of the Game in the 6-5 loss to Prairie View Academy.

The JV and Varsity Rebels traveled to Vicksburg, MS, on Tuesday, March 15, to take on the Tensas Chiefs. And next weekend, the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Rebels will play their final baseball tournament of the year in Rayville. Good luck Rebels!

On Monday afternoon Red River Schools and the local VFW Post and Auxiliary honored students from each public school in the parish.  The students were introduced to the School Board and audience by Superintendent Alison Strong.  Guy Breider represented the VFW in making the presentation.

From Red River Elementary School:

McKinley Owens is an outstanding First Grader. She is always happy to come to school! She is the first one who comes in the morning and gives me a hug to start the day. She has a warm personality and infectious smile. She is always eager and excited to do her work and participates in class. She shows leadership skills by assisting her classmates and finishes her work quickly. She has outstanding behavior and is kind to others. I am thankful to have such a model student in my classroom. (Submitted by her teacher, Caroline Doughty)

From Red River Academic Academy:

What can I say about Shawn Ward, known as Sweet Shawn? I should start by explaining his nickname.  I call him my Sweet Shawn because he has such a sweet and giving heart. He is one of the most compassionate students I have ever taught.  He wants to be successful but it’s just as important to him that his classmates are successful with him. He is always the first student to offer to help anyone. Shawn is a hard worker and has such a great work ethic. He knows things aren’t always going to be easy for him at school, but he is willing to keep at it until he gets it. I have seen so much growth in him this year. Shawn is a great example of a great student.  I’m so proud to be a part of his journey. (Submitted by his teacher, Sherry Pickett)

From Red River Junior High School:

Samantha Taylor is an 8th grade student who works very hard to achieve her goals. Her work ethic is outstanding, and she is always working hard to make sure that the content that she delivers is her absolute best.  Samantha is also always ready to lend a helping hand to any of her fellow classmates.  Any time that she sees another student struggling, she strives to make sure that they are given assistance in any way that she can.  Samantha is such a joy to teach and makes us prouder with each day that passes.  (Submitted by Principal JC Davis)

From Red River High School:

Casey Davis is one of the most helpful students in his Biology AP class.  He is the first person to get up to help one of his classmates who is struggling. Often times he gets up to help me pass out materials to the class before I even think to ask for help.  He always has a good attitude about my class and takes personal responsibility for his learning and work, even when absent.  Casey is definitely one of those students that has a positive impact on the mood in the whole class.  (Submitted by teacher Nikki Smith)

Note: Casey Davis was not present for the presentation at the School Board Monday night.  His certificate was presented by Principal JC Dickey at school the next day.

The VFW Post and Auxiliary 7287 honor the students of the month each month from schools in the parish with a certificate and gift card to Dairy Queen.  For more information on the Student of the Month program, please call the VFW at 932-6557.

By Teddy Allen

Gus and Jezebel live next door, and sometimes Molly from a house over is there and sometimes even Duke from down the street. These are labs and herding dogs and mixes of athletic breeds, serious animals, and when the mailman or mailwoman come by each day, it is Armageddon, the Olympics of Barking.

And all these dogs are gold medal contenders.

No problem. Our mail carriers have more than once smiled at me and said, above the insane barking, “They love me.”

Maybe you don’t need a sense of humor to carry the mail, but I have to believe it helps. That, and spray repellant.

All this came to mind after a letter arrived alerting us that this is the 230th anniversary of the U.S. Postal System. The actual date that President George Washington created the modern-day post office is Feb. 20, 1792, so the letter was three weeks late but, hey, who’s counting?

I’m not, and here’s why:

The post office is a dart board for complaints. Stamps are too high. Service is slow. “Y’all make my dogs bark.”

Easy target.

But allow me to argue for my brothers and sisters at the USPS.

First of all, a “sort of” mail delivery had been in place since 1775, and Benjamin Franklin, you’ll remember from history class, was our first postmaster general. His salary was $1,000 annually. That’s a lot back then but … it would not have bought nearly as many stamps then as today.

Back then, a dollar equaled about 30 bucks in today’s dough. So a 12-cents stamp, the most fancy stamp you could get, one that would get a letter as far as you needed it to go—to one of the new states like, say, from Philly to Kentucky—would have cost between three and four bucks, if you’ll kindly do the math (because I can’t).

I just don’t understand why anyone would complain today that, for 50 cents, I can mail a check from my house to the insurance or electricity people instead of having to go to the actual address and hand it to the insurance or electricity people. It’s a bargain—and a lot better bargain than it was in 1792, when the “new” post office, in addition to other improvements, guaranteed lower mailing rates for newspapers, greatly advancing the idea of a free press.

Also back then the penalty for robbing a mail delivery person or stealing mail from the post office was death (see Sect. 17 of the Official Act). That’s right: The Big D. And you think 50 cents is a high price to pay.

Today the fine for such misguided tomfoolery is “only” five years in prison, which is no walk in the park but it beats having your mail and earthly address discontinued permanently.

So shut your pie hole!, you USPS bashers.

Finally, how do the mail sorters know how to do that? How can all this paperwork, all these envelopes of different sizes, come into One Building and people in there are fast enough, basically overnight, to get it into The Appropriate Piles?

And how do different carriers get My Mail to My House? Now and then I’ll get Jezebel or even Molly’s mail and will have to walk next door and trade, but still, even getting a letter from Fort Worth to within two doors of my house for half a dollar is cause for celebration, in my way of thinking.

Nobody’s perfect, but in a dog-eat-dog world, the USPS is carrying its weight and then some. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night—nor barking dog—stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. Hat tippage.

I should mail them a thank-you note. (Think they’ll get it?)

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

Red River Parish Schools are seeking teachers in all areas.

Several Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs have been selected to the Basketball All-District teams.  Red River Parish Schools Athletics issued the lists of all-district team members.

For Basketball, District 3-2A All-District Honors, the First Team members selected are Antron Williams and Zintayvious Smith.  D’evin McDonald was the Bulldog selected to the Second Team,

Jieron Calhoun was selected for the Defensive Team.  Two players received Honorable Mention.  They are Shaylon Newton and Stanley Sibley.

Three Lady Bulldogs received District 3-2A All-District Honors.  Nakerra Jones was selected to the second team.  She also was named to the defensive team.

Two Lady Bulldogs received Honorable Mention.  They are Jaedynn French-Solton and Lyrika Miller.

These athletes represented Red River well. Congrats to all of you.

Everyone likes it to snow.  And it did, sort of, the other night here in Coushatta.  This reporter witnessed it all.  I stuck my hand out and a few flakes hit it.  It wasn’t rain.  It wasn’t sleet.  It wasn’t ice.

It was snow.

But you had to look quick.

The dawn brought recognition that something fluffy had fallen from the sky.  A little something.  Very little.

I ran to get the camera.  What you see is what we got!  Just a dab of white stuff.  But enough to say, “Yes it does snow in Coushatta this winter.”

By Brad Dison

Two guys walked into a bar… actually it was a tavern called the “House of Lords” in New York City.  The date was Friday, April 7, 1865.  Sam and his friend had been close since they were children.  In the tavern, Sam and his friend “drank considerably” and discussed Abraham Lincoln’s second presidential inauguration, which Sam’s friend had attended.

The morning of March 4, 1865, in Washington, D.C. was dark and gloomy.  The rain came down in torrents.  The dirt streets were “a sluice of mud.”  One newspaper reported, “The Heavens wept profusely and the streets of Washington deluged in mud!”  A short distance from the Capitol, a large procession gathered despite the hard rain.  The group consisted of a military escort, firemen, and members of several different civic societies.

Despite the rain and muddy streets, streams of people of all “sexes, ages, colors and conditions” made their way to the Capitol to witness the historic ceremony. People also gathered on the sidewalks along Pennsylvania Avenue all the way to the White House, then known as “the Presidential mansion.”  Carriages which would have been in great demand due to the inauguration were in even higher demand because of the weather.  It would have been in bad form to arrive for the inauguration wearing dirty, soggy clothing.  People who wanted to join the celebrations unsoiled by the rain and mud paid top dollar to ride in one of the city’s hundreds of carriages for hire.  In order to make the most profit possible, carriage drivers kept the horses moving at a faster pace than would have been normal for the muddy conditions.  Even though the carriages had fenders, the mud still sloshed onto passersby.  The thin, wooden carriage wheels sliced deep into the mud and launched the sludge a great distance.  Sitting in the tavern, Sam’s friend explained that he had taken such a carriage ride to the Capitol.

President Lincoln had arrived at the Capitol early that morning.  He was not trying to beat the rain; it had rained on him the whole way.  The President was busy “signing bills as fast as they were enrolled.”  Shortly before the inauguration ceremony was to begin at the Capitol, the Presidential “equipage” left the Presidential mansion for the Capitol.

In the front of the procession was a strong force of police on horseback.  Next came the military portion which consisted of a regiment of infantry (Veteran Reserves), a battalion of cavalry, and a battery of artillery.  The Fire Brigade, which was comprised of government and city Fire Departments, and the visiting firemen from Philadelphia, followed.  One newspaper reported, “This display was remarkably fine, and was one of the most attractive features in the procession.”  The Presidential carriage, which carried Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln and other members of the Presidential household, was escorted by a United States Marshal and the guard of black horse cavalry who were usually on duty at the Presidential mansion.  As the carriage drove along Pennsylvania Avenue, the crowd struggled to see who was inside.  The Presidential carriage was followed by several civic societies, State delegations and political associations, and a large number of citizens on horseback who had joined the parade of their own volition.  The procession was much larger and imposing than had been anticipated considering the weather.  While the procession was en route to the Capitol, the “clouds broke away, and the sun shone out with great splendor, giving the scene a bright and cheerful aspect.”

Inside the Capital building, last minute details pertaining to the inaugural ceremonies were finalized.  Guards stood at the entrance on the eastern front.  All other entrances to the Capital were closed.  At ten o’clock, the doors to the eastern entrance were opened.  Some people were crushed as the crowd rushed through the doors and scrambled to find seats.  Within minutes, every available space in the chamber was occupied.  Keeping order was nearly impossible.

Just before noon, the official procession, which consisted of members of the Supreme Court, President Lincoln and Vice President Hannibal Hamlin, members of the cabinet, and other government officials, filed into the chamber.  Vice President Hamlin presented a heartfelt farewell speech.  Vice President elect Andrew Johnson made a speech which was “remarkable only for its incoherence, which brought a blush to the cheek of every Senator and official of the government who was present.”  Following his speech, Mr. Johnson took the oath of office as Vice President.  Then came the moment that the crowd had come to see.  The official procession moved to the platform in from of the portico of the eastern front of the Capitol.  An estimated thirty to forty thousand people, most of which had to stand in the deep mud, broke out into enthusiastic cheers upon President Lincoln’s appearance before them.

At the table in the “House of Lords” tavern, Sam’s friend told him that he had a good view of President Lincoln.  Unlike the majority of onlookers, his status was such that he was able to watch the inauguration from a clean, dry, raised balcony overlooking President Lincoln.  Sam’s friend bragged that he had been as close to the President as he was to his friend sitting at the table.  Sam’s friend was there when Lincoln spoke the words, “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in to bind up the nation’s wounds…”

With the conclusion of President Lincoln’s speech, a battery of artillery stationed near the Capitol fired a national salute, and the jubilant onlookers cheered again.  Sam’s friend watched as the procession returned to the interior of the Capitol and escorted Mr. Lincoln to the Presidential mansion.  Sitting in the bar in New York, Sam listened intently as his friend shared the details of the day and was taken aback by what his friend said next.  Sam’s friend struck the table and said, “What an excellent chance I had to killed the President, if I had wished, on inauguration day!”  Exactly one week after Sam and his friend discussed the second inauguration at a tavern in New York City, April 14, 1865, Sam’s friend shot President Abraham Lincoln.  Sam Chester’s friend was John Wilkes Booth.

Sources:

1. New York Daily Herald, March 5, 1865, p.2.
2. The Daily Milwaukee News, March 5, 1865, p.1.
3. Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia), April 15, 1865, p.1.
4. Edward Jr. Steers, The Trial: The Assassination of President Lincoln and the Trial of the Conspirators (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2003), 45.
5. “History Detectives Episode 8, Lincoln Assassination,” PBS, accessed March 10, 2022, -tc.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/static/media/transcripts/2011-04-01/108_lincoln.pdf.
6. Dave Taylor, “Booth at Lincoln’s Second Inauguration,” LincolnConspirators.com, May 31, 2012, //lincolnconspirators.com/2012/05/31/booth-at-lincolns-second-inauguration/#:~:text=Then%20in%20the%20February%2013,his%20pictures%20of%20the%20inauguration.

The School Board on Monday heard an upbeat, optimistic report from Superintendent Alison Strong that all of the new classroom facilities will be ready for students come August.  Strong reported on the progress of getting everything ready the next school year.

Strong was joined at the meeting by Mike Millizer of CDI Contractors, the firm building the new Central Office just south of the Junior High.  Pictured is a drone video of the building that was shown to the board members.

Millizer said the roof trusses were put up in four days, that despite rainy days they were unloaded and installed.  He said there will be sheeting on the roof within a month that will shed water so other construction can continue.

Earlier board members and staff were talking were talking about perhaps getting to move into the building in November.  On Monday, Millizer projected, “Sometime around October we will have the project completed.  The general construction should be done by then.”

The video clearly showed the roof trusses, a large parking lot near the football and baseball/softball complex, and the entrance off Bulldog Drive.

The  COVID Health Emergency, in effect for the past two years, is expiring.  In a release from his office, Governor John Bel Edwards said, “I will not be renewing it.”  As Louisiana and the nation continue making strides in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the significant drop in cases and hospitalizations and the wide availability of safe and effective vaccines, for the first time in 24 months, Gov. John Bel Edwards will not renew his COVID public health emergency order when it expires this week. Gov. Edwards made the announcement during his address at the opening of Louisiana’s 2022 Regular Legislative Session.

“On March 11, 2020 I signed a public health emergency for COVID-19. And while it changed to reflect the ebb and flow of the pandemic, it has remained in effect ever since. This Wednesday, the order expires, and after 24 months, I will not be renewing it,” Gov. Edwards said. “This decision was not made lightly. I have met with GOHSEP, the Department of Health, the Louisiana National Guard, and the Division of Administration to ensure that there will be no federal aid repercussions or other adverse consequences from not renewing the proclamation. I want to be clear that just because the proclamation is expiring doesn’t mean COVID is over. If the circumstances call for it, I will not hesitate to declare another emergency. God willing, we will never have to see such difficult mitigation measures in our state again. Thankfully, at this time, we are no longer in a crisis. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that we are in a much better place today than we were two years ago.”

Gov. Edwards and his public health advisors will continue to monitor the situation with COVID and provide the public with updates and guidance as is necessary to manage public health in Louisiana’s communities and also to keep hospitals from being overwhelmed. Should additional needs arise, or the situation change, the Governor could revisit his emergency order in the future.

By Kevin Shanahan

Northwestern State University hosted over one thousand students, faculty sponsors and families from 30 schools from throughout the region for the Northwest Louisiana Literary Rally. The Louisiana High School Rally, an academic competition held throughout the state since 1909, with the regional competition being held at NSU since the 1960’s, is an academic competition in which high school students compete by taking exams in a variety of subjects taught in high school. The Northwest Louisiana Rally held at NSU featured 51 different tests ranging from Agriscience to Calculus. Red River parish was ably represented by students from Red River High and Riverdale Academy. Students who earn qualifying scores on their test or performance will advance to compete at the state literary rally at LSU in Baton Rouge in April. In addition, seniors who win an event at the regional or state rally are eligible to earn an honors stipend to NSU or the Scholars’ College.

The Red River Parish Journal wishes to commend the faculty members of the parish’s high schools whose hard work and guidance made it possible for these sharp young men and women to attend this competition. The High School Literary Rally is a truly wonderful event. It is a joy to see young people from throughout Louisiana competing at a high academic level. We would also like to commend Northwestern State University for their unflagging hospitality and well organized logistical support over the past several decades in hosting the regional rally.

Hard working teachers raising our children’s sights and encouraging academic excellence are part and parcel of our schools’ mission. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for the hours of hard work, dedication and belief in your students’ abilities. Lastly, the Red River Parish Journal wishes all the best to our parish’s students who will go on to represent our parish at the state rally in Baton Rouge. Well done!

The coach of the Blue Diamonds, Rytrice Martin recently held tryouts for the team for next school year.  Twenty-three young ladies from the High School and Junior High School were selected.

Coach Martin said, “Thanks to all the parents who allowed their child to participate in this new coming dance season. Special thanks to my awesome judges Jessi Norman, Tina Sanford Smith, and Amanda Burns Dickey.  Also, thanks to Rose Johnson for the meat tray and cupcakes for everyone, Jodie E Jones Sweeney for sitting with the girls in the lobby, and Roger Wendy Harris for making sure everything was completely perfect.”

Kyleigh Antilley was selected as Captain of the Blue Diamonds for 2022-23.  Her Co-Captain is Jolene Jones.  The full team line-up is on the graphic below.

The Blue Diamonds perform at football games, basketball games and other events throughout the school year.  They also make an appearance in the parades and festivities in the parish.

Patsy Elaine Greer

February 17, 1933 to March 11, 2022

Graveside Service 3:30 pm Thursday, March 17, 2022 at Liberty Cemetery.

Hardrick Rivers

September 12, 1956 – March 10, 2022

Funeral arrangements are pending.  See this article:

https://redriverparishjournal.com/2022/03/12/remembering-hardrick-rivers/

Riverdale Academy is celebrating Beta week. Beta sponsor Amanda Cason said, “We started Wednesday with Pi day. A huge thanks to all my Beta members and students that helped out. They read Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi. They measured the diameter of objects and found out that it wrapped around the object 3 times and a little more (3.14).  And they also played a pi themed game with dice and cards.”

Red River public schools also observed Pi Day this week. No, we don’t mean the chocolate or strawberry kind. It’s the International Day of Mathematics! Pi is a constant number that is a vital part of the mathematics system. Although you might not be aware of it, the reality is that you probably use a measure of pi every day. At the same time, it might be nice to have the delicious kind of pie every day, as well.

Lots of stuff going on at the Red River High Athletic Complex the rest of this week. 

Wednesday-Softball vs Bossier (DH) at 5pm

Wednesday-Baseball vs CE Byrd at 6pm

Thursday-Saturday Softball host Lady Bulldog Invitational

Thursday-Saturday Baseball host the Earl Martin Invitational

Or Travel on Thursday and watch our track team compete at Captain Shreve

Come on Red River come out and support these spring sport athletes and programs.

Northwestern State University has earned the 2022-2023 Military Friendly® School designation. This is the 12th time Northwestern State has received the honor.  Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2022-2023 survey with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard. NSU was rated as a silver institution.

For the past 50 years, since January 1972, Red River Memorial Post 8287 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars has served veterans and the  Red River Parish community.  On March 10^th officials of the Louisiana Department VFW and  District 12 (northwest Louisiana) gathered to celebrate.

State Commander Tim Sloan and State Senior Vice Commander Don Reber presented the post with a letter and certificate from the National VFW Commander “Fritz” Mihelcic to mark the occasion.  Coushatta Post Commander Barry McCoy received the award on behalf of the members of the post.

One original member of the Post was in attendance.  Urson “Bill” Bacle was introduced to the gathering.  He is celebrating 50 years as a member.  Also introduced was the newest member of Post 7287, Jimmy Brown, Jr.  Brown became a member within the last two months.  With Brown’s membership Post 7287 is at 108% membership for the year.

Other honored guests at the 50^th anniversary celebration were State Junior Vice Commander Ron Delaney, State Chaplin David Fields, and District 12 Commander Ed Horton.

Representing the VFW Auxiliary were State Auxiliary President Ramel Fields, Conductress Lisa Delaney and current District 12 Auxiliary President Dawn Brewer.  Also present at the celebration were former State Presidents Susanne Wastlund and Angelia McCoy.  Delaney is also a past District 12 President.

In accepting the 50^th Anniversary certificate and letter, Coushatta Post Commander Barry McCoy pledged that the local VFW will continue serving veterans and the community for the next 50 years.

Also honored at the celebration Thursday evening were the local students of the year, teacher of the year, firefighter of the year and 911 dispatcher of the year.  Their stories will be in the Friday edition of the Journal.

Veterans with overseas combat experience and their family members are welcome to join the local VFW Post and Auxiliary.  Both organizations meet the third Thursday of each month at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on the Ashland Road.  And if you are a veteran in need of services offered by the VFW, please call 318-932-6557.

Report from the Red River Sheriff’s Office for the week ending Sunday, March 13, 2022.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A former assistant band director at Red River High, Mayor of Powhatan, and area musician for many years died on Thursday.  Hardrick Rivers was 65.  He will be remembered most for his wailing sax and many appearances with his group at area festivals.

One side of Rivers the students at Red River High experienced for a number of years was his gentle demeanor and love of teaching youngsters music.  He was assistant band director at the high school and a fixture in the old Strother Stadium on Friday nights leading the Bulldog Band.

School Superintendent Alison Strong remembered Rivers, “He brought such joy and energy to our band program during his tenure in Red River Parish. Our students were blessed to have been instructed by such a talented man!”  Strong added, “On behalf of Red River Parish Schools, I extend my heartfelt prayers to the Rivers Family.”

Former Red River Band Director Yasmine Grayson said his students loved him.  “He was patient and taught the beginners and advanced group. He not only would teach them music concepts but would stop and give them some tidbits of wisdom. I never heard him fuss or yell at anyone,” added Grayson.

Grayson recalled his personal kindness.  She said, “He bought lunch for me every day. We would talk about music every day in between classes. He took on working and did a slew of side gigs at the same time. He definitely was a hard worker.  A truly great man and musician.”

Funeral arrangements for Rivers are pending at the time of this publication.

The price at the pump continues to increase.  Red River is not escaping the climbing gas prices.  On Tuesday the price of a gallon of regular jumped above $4 to $4.09.

By Thursday morning prices around town had gone up a few times more.  Posted prices the Journal observed ranged from $3.99 to $4.12 a gallon for regular.

Monthly sewer rates will go up for the town of Coushatta on May first. The rate hike was approved Tuesday at the Town Council meeting.

Coushatta Mayor, Dr. Johnny Cox said, “I am responsible for the increase. I don’t want the citizens to blame the council. This had to be done. And I’ll take responsibility.”

The town received a presentation from Ken Terry with LRWA, a firm that analyzes rural utility rates.  He said the total operating expenses for sewer service is $295,806.51 per year.  Last year the town took in $69,998.73 by charging $2.00 per month per customer.  Terry said, “There is no way the town can keep operating with that type of a loss.  You are charging $2.00 per 1,000 gallons of water used.  Sewer service cannot be that cheap!”

The proposed new rate would be the same as the charge for water or a base fee of $21.00 per month.  In addition, residential customers would pay $4.50 per additional 1,000 gallons of water used.  That would make the base residential fee for water and sewer $42.00 per month.  Customers using more water would pay more per month. 

Also, there will now be a different rate charged businesses.  The commercial base rate for sewer service would be $85.00 per month.  Commercial customers would also pay $4.50 per additional 1,000 gallons of water used.

Terry noted that the $2.00 rate for sewer service had been in effect since 2009.  Prior to that the fee was $1.00 per month.  He said, “You have been fortunate all these years only paying $2.00 for sewer service.  You are not putting any money into the sewer system for infrastructure and repairs.  You are getting behind.”

Only Councilman John Henry was not there Tuesday night.  The resolution to establish the new sewer rates passed 4-0.  The new rate will take effect with the May utility bills.  Although the resolution passed on Tuesday, Mayor Cox said the council will vote again next month when everyone is present so that the measure could pass unanimously.  However the vote taken Tuesday put the new rates into effect.

The Coushatta Water Department said Thursday the town water is safe to consume.  The Boil Advisory has been lifted for the Town of Coushatta.

The Boil Advisory had been put in place earlier in the week after the water system lost power during a storm.  That cause the town to be without water and cancelled school on Tuesday.

As of 9:58am March 10, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Health/Office of Public Health, hereby rescinds the Boil Advisory issued by the Coushatta Water System. The samples collected on March 9, 2022 cleared.