On Tuesday Red River 4-H posted Candy Club month for 4-h chefs. The young cooks met to prepare some of their favorite sweet treats.
The photos with this article reveal their favorites. Included were Caramel apple bites, Slime popcorn balls, and jolly rancher suckers. The kids had lots of fun.
Halloween is coming this weekend. There are several opportunities for the children to go trick and treating. October 31stcomes on Sunday. The Journal checked with local authorities, and no one has heard of any specific time or date set for that activity.
Local law enforcement and State Police are urging caution to keep children safe this weekend.
On Friday, Quality Ford is inviting children to their “Trunk or Treat” at the dealership. There will also be fun things to do and some valuable prizes to be won. Registration is already underway, so drop by.
Fall Festival at New Life Church in Hall Summit will be Saturday, October 30th. There will be free food, candy, candy, candy, games and lots of fun from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The church is located at 1093 First Street, Hall Summit.
A Trunk or Treat will be held at Red River Cowboy Church beginning at 5:00 pm Saturday, October 30th. There will be a cake walk fundraiser, fun and fellowship. And there will be an award for the favorite trunk.
Red River 4-H is collecting coats. If you have any coats that are too little, please consider passing them on to our October community service! Coats can be brought to the 4-H office or to the school office. They will be picked up when Mrs. Jacque comes for November
Report from the Red River Sheriff’s Office for the week ending Sunday, October 24, 2021
Press Release from the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office October 25, 2021
On October 17, 2021, the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office (RRPSO) Criminal Investigations Division began an investigation into a shooting which occurred in the vicinity of Ashland Road and Cummings Street in Red River Parish. During an incident earlier that evening, a Bossier City man suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso.
The victim had allegedly been lured to Red River Parish under false pretenses.
Following an investigation by RRPSO detectives, on October 20, 2021 three individuals were arrested without incident and transported to the Red River Parish Jail for booking.
Johnnie Maxie Jr., B/M, age 19 of the 700 block of Cummings St., Coushatta, Louisiana was charged with one count of Attempted Second Degree Murder and one count of Attempted Armed Robbery. His bond was set at $500,000 and he is currently incarcerated in the RRPJ.
Delrick D. Beard, B/M, age 19 of the 400 block of Arlington St., Coushatta, LA was charged with one count of Principal to Attempted Second Degree Murder and one count of Attempted Armed Robbery. His bond was set at $500,000 and he currently remains incarcerated in the RRPJ.
Earlier, on October 18th, Beard had been arrested on a charge of obstruction of justice. Sheriff’s Lieutenant Troy Murray confirmed that the earlier arrest was related to the same incident.
The third suspect, a seventeen-year old, B/M juvenile also of Coushatta was booked into Ware Youth Center and charged with one count of Principal to Attempted Second Degree Murder and one count of Attempted Armed Robbery with a bond set at $400,000.
The investigation is on-going.
The arrest report for this week lists two other arrests on attempted second degree murder charges. The Journal asked Administrative Lieutenant Troy Murray about the circumstances surrounding these arrests. Here is his reply.
Concerning Michael Hamilton’s arrest, he was arrested on an outstanding RRPSO warrant which stemmed from an incident which occurred in Red River Estates in April of 2019.
Concerning Anthony Howard’s arrest, he was also arrested on an RRPSO outstanding warrant. It stemmed from an incident which occurred in September of 2021 in the vicinity of the 300 block of Jim St. in Coushatta.
No additional information concerning any of these arrests is being released.
All children are invited to a Trunk or Treat Friday afternoon at Quality Ford. There will be lots of goodies for ghosts and goblins and other Halloween characters, and you can be a child from 1 to 100.
94.9 The River will broadcast live from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Morning Show host Trini Triggs will be there with a large load of goodies from the River’s Prize Closet. Registration is now going on for the drawings, so drop by Quality Ford today and put your name in the hopper.
The Journal caught up with Kori Bice, Rhetta Thomas and Jennifer Hornor making preparations for the Trunk or Treat event. Bring the kids Friday afternoon to Quality Ford for a huge Halloween Trunk or Treat!
Governor John Bel Edwards announced he will lift Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate in all settings except for K-12 schools, after sustained improvement across the state in terms of new cases, test positivity and hospitalizations. The Governor’s updated order is effective Wednesday, October 27th. It allows school districts to opt out of the mask mandate as long as they continue to follow the existing quarantine guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to better separate exposed students and faculty members from others and avoid outbreaks on campus.
CDC guidance still says everyone 2 years of age or older who is not fully vaccinated should wear a mask in indoor public places. And if you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection from the Delta variant, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area with high transmission. People who have a health condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider. At this time, in light of the Delta variant, CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.
“Today, I am cautiously optimistic and very relieved that the worst of this fourth surge of COVID is clearly behind us, which is a direct result of the people of Louisiana who stepped up to the plate when we needed them to and put their masks back on, got vaccinated, and took extra precautions to stay safe. That’s why we are able to lift the statewide mask mandate,” said Gov. Edwards. “While the K-12 mask mandate will be in place, school districts can opt out if they follow the existing, evidence-based CDC quarantine guidance. This new order does offer a way for local leaders to end the school mask mandate, if they so choose. Let me be clear – Louisiana has been a leader in bringing students safely back into the classroom. And they have done that by following public health guidance including on masking and quarantine. Public health experts and I encourage schools to stay that course. But because case numbers are going down and have reached a new baseline I do believe it’s an appropriate time to give schools more autonomy. It’s not lost on me that while Louisiana has seen 18 children die of COVID, half of those deaths came in the last three months, as the much more contagious Delta variant surged throughout our state.”
Masks will still be mandated by federal regulation, including on mass transit and in health care facilities. They will not be mandated in most places, including government buildings, college and university campuses and businesses. School districts may opt out of the mask mandate if they choose to, but only if they continue to adhere to CDC quarantine guidance.
“We are encouraged about our current COVID trends, but remain mindful of our profound loss as a result of the last surge and cognizant that we will remain vulnerable to an equally damaging surge unless more of our friends, family and neighbors choose to get vaccinated,” said State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter.
Local governments and private businesses may choose to continue to require and enforce mask requirements under the Governor’s order, which goes into effect on Wednesday, October 27.
Red River’s new Fire Chief is getting to know his way around the Central Fire Station and the rural stations in the parish. He also is looking over the structure of the fire department.
John Woodfin was selected this month by the Fire Department Board. He went to work right away and Woodfin told the Journal it is more initially than the part-time 32 hours he was hired to work.
“We need to be good stewards of public safety,” is how Woodfin sees the fire department. He plans to build on the base he found. Woodfin said, “I’m looking at more structure, more training, more taking care of our equipment and fire stations.”
He said it is a big fire district (being parish-wide). “We have professional firefighters, and they are expected to know the job and how to do it. I will make sure all have the training they need.”
Woodfin is no stranger to the job. He has worked as a fire captain in Bossier City. He also has experience as a paramedic since 1985. He worked for Red River EMS from 2010 to 2016. And Woodfin currently works part time with DeSoto EMS.
Woodfin said, “I think the guys will be excited. I’m coming in and bringing traditions in firefighting and training. They’ll have the same structure as any fire house in the country. But it is up to them to make the department what it will become.”
By Christy Suggs
Red River Bulldogs took the field against the Lakeville Gators Friday in the 2021 Homecoming game. This was the fifth district game of the season. The crowd was entertained before the game by a performance from the Blue Diamonds Danceline. Lakeview started off with the ball but Red River’s defense forced a punt. The Bulldogs started the drive at their own 39 yard line. Red River scored a one play touchdown off of a touch pass from Tre Smith to Antron Williams for 61 yards. Ryder Hogan followed the touchdown with a PAT putting the Bulldogs on the board first. The Bulldog defense stopped the Gators once more. The Bulldogs were stopped just inches of a first down causing them to give the Gators back the ball. The Gators marched down the field scoring a touchdown but were unable to convert the 2 point conversion. This would be Lakeview’s only scoring play of the game. The quarter ended RR 7 Lakeview 6.
Bulldogs started the 2nd quarter with the ball on Lakeview’s 36 yard line. On 4th down the Bulldogs decided to kick a field goal, however it was no good. The Gators were unable to capitalize on their drive and were forced to punt again. This punt was returned 64 yards into the end zone by Stanley Maxie making the score 14-6 after the PAT. After another failed drive by the Gators, Red River started on Lakeview’s 26 yard line. This drive ended with a 4 yard rushing touchdown by Stanley Maxie. 21-6
After a fumble on the kickoff, the Bulldogs got the ball on Lakeview’s 24. The Dawgs scored once again off a 1 play touchdown by D’Evin McDonald. The half with the Dawgs leading 28-6.
After the presentation of the court and the crowning of the Homecoming Queen, the powerful Dawgs came out ready for more action. Jyril Jones ran the kickoff back for 60 yards. This put the Dawgs up 35-6 after Ryder Hogan kicked in the extra point. The Gators started on their 35 yard line. However, the Dawgs forced a fumble that was picked up by Jyrel Jones. Ending their drive the Bulldogs scored a 9 yard rushing touchdown by Stanley Maxie. (42-6). Off penalties the Bulldogs were forced from their 15 yard line. With around 4 minutes left in the 3rd, the teams were unfortunately forced to retreat to the locker rooms due to a disturbance in the stands. The game was called due to safety concerns, leaving the score RR 42 Lakeview 6. This makes Red River season record 6-2 and district record 4-1.
Friday night Red River Bulldogs travel to Loyola take on the Flyers for a non-district play.
Red River Royalty has a place of honor at the Homecoming football game last Friday. They watched the Bulldogs get off to a slow start but hold the lead. The team came alive shortly before the end of the first half.
They the court was introduced. Each maid was escorted across the field and under the upraised sword salute from JROTC. When all had been introduced and took their places in front of the home crowd, the Queen was announced.
Payel Patel, a Senior Maid, was announced as the Homecoming Queen. She met the Homecoming King, Senior #9 Tre Smit for pictures and smiles all around.
The members of the Homecoming court are:
Band Sweetheart: Nevaeh Caldwell
Football Sweetheart: Breonce Smith
ROTC Sweetheart: Kori Williamson
Freshmen Maid: Aiesha Hall
Sophomore Maid: Tija Augmon
Junior Maid: Makiya Banks
Senior Maids:
Precious Gray
Madison Hillin
Natiya Ross
Tess Zegel
By Brad Dison
Erik Weisz was born on March 24, 1874 in Budapest. When Erik was four years old, his family emigrated to the United States. The family settled in Appleton, Wisconsin and changed their last name to the German spelling Weiss. Erik adopted the German spelling Ehrich. To lessen confusion, this article will refer to him by his birth name, Erik.
Erik’s family moved often to find work. His father, Mayer Samuel Weisz, was a Rabbi who was often in search of employment. In 1882, they moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Five years later, they moved into a boarding house in New York City. To help earn money for the struggling family, young Erik held several jobs. At nine years old, Erik made his public debut as a trapeze artist under the name “Ehrich, the Prince of the Air”. Erik often performed in small tent acts, dime museums and circus sideshows, usually with another performer to double the draw and to share expenses. For the rest of his life, Erik’s world revolved around entertaining and amazing crowds of people.
In 1894, while performing with his brother, Theodore, Erik met another sideshow performer named Wilhelmina Beatrice “Bess” Rahner. Within a short time, Erik and Bess married. They performed together for the remainder of Erik’s career.
On October 21, 1936, Erik lectured before the male student body of McGill University in Montreal. Topics of his lecture included his ability to withstand immense pain without so much as a wince. Following his lecture, he answered questions from the students. One student asked if it was possible to painlessly pass needles through his cheek. Rather than verbalizing an answer, he took out a hat pin and ran it through his cheek. He showed no sign of pain. At the end of his lecture, Erik invited them back to his dressing room for further discussion if they were interested. To his surprise, many of the students took advantage of the invitation, including Jocelyn Gordon Whitehead.
During the discussion in Erik’s dressing room, Whitehead remarked, “You would hardly feel a blow in the stomach, would you?” “Certainly no,” Erik replied. Erik was unprepared for what came next. Before he could tighten the muscles in his stomach to lessen the blow, Whitehead gave Erik “two short-armed punches to the pit of his stomach.” Erik shuddered because, as he told the boys, he was not prepared for the punches.
While giving his final performance in Montreal on the following night, the crowd noticed that Erik doubled over in pain several times. Ever the showman, Erik fought through the pain and finished his performance before a cheering crowd. Erik complained of severe stomach pains, something that had never bothered him before.
A few days later, while performing alongside Bess in Detroit, Michigan, Erik collapsed. After he regained consciousness, to the surprise of everyone present, Erik continued with his act. After the show, Erik checked into a local hospital. On the following day, doctors operated on Erik for appendicitis. Following surgery, Erik showed symptoms of swelling of the tissue that lines the abdomen called peritonitis. Erik’s peritonitis was linked to his burst appendix. Erik underwent a second surgery to save his life from the effects of peritonitis. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to save Erik. He lived long enough to say his final goodbyes to his family and friends who surrounded his bedside.
Bess was saddened by her husband’s passing, but she held out hope that she would soon be in contact with Erik. “Long before he died,” Bess explained, “we agreed that whoever should go first would try to return to the other. We agreed upon a message, phased in code. It was known only to the two of us. The compact was to last 10 years and no longer. After that period, the one of us still alive was to abandon hope either in the possibility of the survival of the dead, or their ability to communicate with the living.” Bess said, “In his last hours, he said to me: ‘Beatrice, I’ll come to you somehow, even though I have to go through hell.”
On the first anniversary of Erik’s death at 8:30 p.m., the exact time of Erik’s death, Bess held a séance in an attempt to contact her beloved Erik. She anxiously awaited a communication from Erik which said “Rosabelle, Believe”, the code words she and Erik had decided upon. The words did not come. She repeated the séance on the second anniversary of Erik’s death, then the third and fourth. News of the séances spread throughout the world and other people began holding séances to try to contact Erik. In 1936, on the tenth anniversary of Erik’s death, Bess prepared for the final séance to contact Erik, as per their agreement. At 8:30 p.m., Bess and other believers in psychic phenomena, one of which was a Los Angeles superior court judge, gathered on the roof of a Hollywood hotel to try to make contact with Erik one final time. They were not the only ones trying to contact Erik. People held simultaneous séances in sixteen cities in the United States, England, Australia and Canada, but no lights flickered, no objects moved without explanation, and no one heard “Rosabelle, Believe.” All was quiet. Bess never received the message from Erik that she so longed to hear. On February 11, 1943, seventeen years after Erik’s death, Bess died from a heart attack. She never remarried.
People still hold séances each year on the anniversary of Erik’s death to try to make contact with him, but all attempts have failed. Erik was an illusionist, stunt performer, and is most remembered as an escape artist. He died on Halloween night in 1926. On this Halloween night, if your lights flicker or you hear a strange sound, it may just be Erik trying to make contact with the living world. You may not recognize the name Erik Weisz, but you certainly know him by his stage name…Harry Houdini. Happy Halloween!
Sources:
By Molly Seales
On Friday, October 15, the Riverdale Academy Rebel senior football players and cheerleaders played and performed in their final regular season game in Marston Stadium. Before the game, the football players and cheerleaders were escorted by their family members and honored by their coaches. Following the presentations, there was a special fireworks show for them.
Senior football players and their escorts were #77, Kaden Cason, who was escorted by his mom Heather Nettles and his grandmother Juanita Nettles; #11 Reagan Huddleston, who was escorted by his parents, Matt and Celeste Huddleston; #4 Ty Jones, who was escorted by his parents Tyler Jones and Julie Jones; #14 Monroe McCarty, who was escorted by his parents Monroe and Lisa McCarty; #1 Jake Messenger, who was escorted by his parents, Clay and Ashlie Messenger; #50 Chandler Nettles. He was escorted by his father, Josh Nettles and his grandmother Lisa Eddy, and #56, Denver Williams, who was escorted by his parents, Rodney and Brandi Williams.
Senior cheerleaders and their escorts were Sarah Dabbs, who was escorted by her parents, Bill and Kym Dabbs; Rylee Hodge, who was escorted by her mother Jodi Hodge; Kenley Loftin, who was escorted by her parents, Shaun Loftin and Stacey McWilliams Loftin; and Renee Prosperie, who was escorted by her parents, Carey and Donna Prosperie.
Coaches Jared Smelser and Jensen Spillum presented the senior boys with footballs signed by their teammates. Cheer coach Sidney Jones presented the senior cheerleaders with a wooden cut-out of their first initial that had pictures of their cheerleading days and signatures of their cheer squad members. At halftime, all of the senior cheerleaders became flyers and were lifted into stunts, followed by a special senior dance.
It was a great final regular season game for the Rebels as they beat #1 ranked WCCA 40-28 to clinch the district title. Unfortunately for the Rebels, senior Jake Messenger suffered a season ending injury in the final minutes of the game. Please join us in prayer for Jake as he has his first surgery Wednesday.
Even though the Rebels will be playing the remainder of the season without Jake and Monroe, don’t count them out! This is a strong, determined team that has overcome many obstacles to get where they are! The Rebels enter the playoffs as the #2 seed in Class 1A. They have a bye on the first night of playoffs, which is October 29. On November 5, they will play the winner of #7 seeded Tensas Academy and #10 seeded Deer Creek Academy. The game will be played in East Point and will begin at 7:00 p.m. Please make plans to come out and support the Rebels as they fight their way back to the championship game for the second year in a row!
Northwestern State University is continuing its tradition of honoring those who served in the nation’s Armed Forces by recognizing a veteran during each home football game this season. Lieutenant Colonel Urson S. Bacle (US Army Retired) was recognized during the Oct. 23 Homecoming game.
Bacle has served over 40 years through the active and reserve Army components and as a Department of the Army Civilian. In 1970, he entered service as an Infantryman in the Louisiana Army National Guard and attained the rank of Sergeant. After attending Officer Candidate School, he enrolled in Northwestern’s Master of Business Administration program and ROTC. He graduated and commissioned in the Quartermaster Corps in 1974.
LTC Bacle went on to serve at the Army Energy Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, U.S. Army Japan and US Army Korea where he provided technical assistance and logistics training to subordinate commands, reserve units, joint service commands, the Republic of Korea Combined Forces Command, and the Japan Ground Self Defense forces. He supervised Wartime Host Nation Support, transferring and receiving material and services from the Government of Japan. He supervised the Combined Petroleum Support Center during contingencies and negotiated petroleum support agreements in the theater with foreign governments and military services.
Most recently, as a Department of the Army Civilian, LTC Bacle served as a Senior Program Analyst for US Army Installation Management Command, Headquarters, Stationing Management Division, Arlington, VA. There, he analyzed concept plans, stationing packages, and coordinated internally and externally to determine base operations support requirements, environmental impacts, and sustainability on these initiatives. He facilitated the execution of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closures (BRAC) and supported the South East, North East, West, Europe, Republic of Korea, and Pacific IMCOM regions and garrisons BRAC action plans.
As the Deputy Commander for Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Energy Support Center, Republic of Korea, LTC Bacle supervised a network of 32 Defense Fuel Supply Points and four refinery contracts with a total value of approximately one billion dollars. He was the lead on closing the 30-year-old Trans Korea Pipeline System and the transfer of operations to the state-of-the-art commercial South North Pipeline system. His duties encompassed inventory management, quality acceptance and surveillance, personnel administration, fiscal and manpower management, logistics, and other areas while liaising with the Republic of Korea Ministry of Defense and civilian corporate suppliers.
Additional assignments included Director of Plans and Programs/Program Manager for US Air Force Detachment 3, Air Force Petroleum Office Ft. Belvoir, VA; Fuel Director for US Navy FISC Supply Det Sasebo Japan; Assistant Officer in Charge, US Navy FISC Yokosuka Fuel Department FISC Fuel Detachment, Tsurumi; and Operations and Transportation Officer for US Army 2nd Quartermaster Group, 19th TAACOM, Republic of Korea.
LTC Bacle’s military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Gold Hourglass, indicating 30 years of service.
By Royal Alexander
“I Don’t Think Parents Should be Telling Schools What They Should Teach”
This statement was recently made by Democrat nominee for Virginia governor (and former VA governor), Terry McAuliffe. Think about that statement again. “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.” Wow. At a time when many traditional, well-accepted aspects of American life have become backwards and upside down this comment nevertheless took me aback. However, it really shouldn’t have because these are the views of the Left which firmly believes that the supreme authority in children’s lives is the state, not their parents and not God.
How have we seen statements like this reflected lately? Well, as I shared two weeks ago in this column, The National School Boards Association first, we’ve now learned, coordinated for weeks before the letter was sent with the Biden Administration and then wrote in a September letter to President Biden urging Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice to stop “domestic terrorism and hate crimes” against public school officials. This means the National School Boards Association believed that the fact that parents were fighting to protect the health, safety and welfare of their children was so “dire” a situation that the Attorney General should invoke the Patriot Act and have these concerned parents deemed “domestic terrorists” under the Act.
Well, Attorney General Garland complied by issuing an October memo instructing law enforcement (including FBI) and prosecutors to develop “strategies for addressing threats against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff.” AG Garland, whose son in law’s company, Panorama, is providing its Critical Race Theory platform to over 1,500 school districts, 23,000 schools and 13 million students, is set to again testify before Congress this coming week on these issues.
What are parents so concerned and irate about? Well, let’s see. It may include the fact that in much of America, public schools have not truly educated children in decades and today serve more as a breeding ground for indoctrination in cultural Marxism than as institutions designed to impart even the most basic knowledge of language, math, science, or history. Please know I don’t intend here to bash or criticize the large majority of teachers in Louisiana and across the country who are deeply committed to their jobs and try very hard to educate their students. My focus here is on the school boards and school administrators who demand that these teachers—rather than concentrate on imparting the basic knowledge that will be necessary for their students to function in our society—instead “teach” these highly inappropriate topics including sexual perversion, gender identity and racial politics.
By the way, what is it specifically that parents so heatedly oppose? Well, among other things, pandemic shutdowns, the endless and burdensome coronavirus mask mandates, the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT, which essentially argues that America is historically and hopelessly racist), transgender confusion policies, Drag Queen Story Hour at the local library, as well as materials containing graphic sexual content (i.e., porn disguised as literature) being forced upon their children in public schools. (I realize that these topics may also be taught at private schools, but those schools don’t involve public taxpayer funds).
What is the most important fact here that Terry McAuliffe and the Left are ignoring? That children are not the property of the state and that parents are the final authority regarding what their children are taught and what they learn. The U.S. Supreme Court has many times recognized the fundamental liberty interest of American parents in—and constitutional right to control and direct—the education of their own children. That is why rowdy and heated local opposition to school board policies has been a hallmark of civic engagement and our constitutional form of government. It is also why millions of American parents have sacrificed greatly to put their children in private schools and a significant factor regarding why homeschooling numbers are increasing rapidly across the country.
Government may possess a compelling interest in the solid and thorough education of children with basic human knowledge and an understanding of American principles such that they develop into good and civic-minded citizens. That was certainly the original goal of public education. However, government most assuredly does not possess a compelling interest in replacing the rights of parents to educate their children with the government’s desire to indoctrinate children who are particularly vulnerable to it because of their youth and innocence. I hope parents continue to firmly stand against this.
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters that early voting for the Nov. 13 election begins Saturday, Oct. 30, and continues through Saturday, Nov. 6, excluding Sunday, Oct. 31. Citizens who want to early vote may do so in person at the Registrar of Voters office in the Courthouse.
Registrar of Voters Debra Jones said in Red River Parish, there will be four proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. There are no local races or tax propositions up for consideration in this election.
Here is the text of the statement from Secretary Ardoin:
St. Tammany, Vernon, and Washington.
Secretary Ardoin is also pleased to announce a new, temporary early voting site in New Orleans. The new, temporary site will be at the LSU Health Sciences Center, located at 433 Bolivar Street at the corner of Gravier and Bolivar. The site features ample free parking for voters. More information on this site is forthcoming.
Voters are encouraged to utilize Louisiana’s free, award-winning smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to locate parish early voting locations, Election Day voting site, or view their sample ballot. GeauxBot, the virtual voter assistant, is also available to access pertinent election information such as registration deadlines, election dates, polling locations, and hours. GeauxBot is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, polling commissioners will be supplied with personal protective equipment and will regularly sanitize designated areas and wipe down voting machines between each voter. Hand sanitizer will be provided to voters and masks are recommended, although not required.
In addition to a Louisiana driver’s license, a Louisiana Special ID or a generally recognized ID with picture and signature, voters may use a digital license via LA Wallet.
As Halloween quickly approaches, Sheriff Glen Edwards would like to offer several trick-or-treating tips to help keep your family safe while you are enjoying the fun and festivities.
Have a safe and happy Halloween!
Richard Lane Weaver, Jr.
January 21, 1965 to October 24, 2021
Funeral service 3:00 pm Wednesday October 27 at Rocket-Nettles Chapel
Wednesday there is a blood drive at Riverdale Academy from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. Sign up for the blood drive and you could win a $25 York Chop Gift card.
Following a Pastor’s Appreciation on Sunday, Dr. Nathan Davis said, “Thank you, First Baptist Church Family, for a wonderful night of root beer floats, Wolf Brand chilidogs, cake, and gifts. Your love, support, and generosity are always appreciated. Also, thank you for your sweet words of encouragement and for making it a great night. I love you.
Your Pastor and Friend, Dr. J. Nathan Davis.”
It was a festive homecoming game Friday night with the Red River Bulldogs in control of the Lakeview Gators. At halftime the Homecoming Court was presented and Payel Patel had been crowned Homecoming Queen.
The third quarter was underway and Red River was definitely overpowering Lakeview. This reporter was on the track behind the team taking pictures of the game. I noticed the cheering of the crowd turned into a roar. I turned around to see just about everyone in the stands making a dash for the exits in a panic.
Several people climbed or jumped over the fence onto the track. Most fans headed to the parking lot.
Sheriff’s deputies and city police officers rushed into the stands. They were trying to determine the cause. They were also directing people to the exits. High School and School Board officials were also trying to get the people out safely. Coaches of both teams sent their players running to the locker rooms. Cheerleaders and members of the homecoming court (who had been watching the game from the track) scrambled to the field house. The game officials also hurried to their locker room.
At 9:08 pm Athletic Director Norman Picou made the announcement on the PA system that all remaining fans were to clear the stadium immediately.
Law enforcement officers were speaking with fans in an effort to determine the cause of the panic. Others searched the now deserted stands for evidence. And other officers worked with the crowds outside the stadium to get everyone away safely and quickly.
Several rumors were being spread around and officials were trying to determine exactly what had taken place. School officials determined that some fans in the home section of the stadium had caused the panic.
Here is the Official statement from Red River Parish Schools:
In response to the incident at the football game at Pat Strother stadium against Lakeview. Red River Parish Schools can 100% guarantee that there was no gun or gun shots at the stadium. We have reviewed security cameras and confirmed that there were no shots fired and no gun. It was a panic created by a group of spectators. Red River Parish Schools would like to thank the Red River Parish Sheriff’s deputies and Coushatta City police for their quick response to ensure that our students and fans were safe and secure.
Players and participants were picked up by parents and relatives. Fans dispersed. And the game was ended. The scoreboard stood with the game clock at 3:41 in the third quarter. Final score Red River 42 and Lakeview 6.
Panic broke out in the home stadium tonight with 3:41 to go in the third quarter of the Red River homecoming game against Lakeview. Sheriff’s deputies tried to control the rush to the exits while asking fans what had happened.
Several rumors were being passed around. The Journal is withholding the contents of them until proper authorities can determine what triggered the panic. Sheriff’s deputies and school officials were also trying to obtain what started the panic. More on this after officials sort out what happened.
Sheriff’s deputies and Coushatta Police officers were directing fans out of the stadium. Other officers later searched the stadium for any evidence of what started the panic.
At 9:08 pm, Athletic Director Norman Picou took to the PA mic and informed remaining fans to clear the stadium. After the initial panic subsided the remaining fans left quietly. Fans were orderly once clear of the stadium and most left within a few minutes.
Players from both teams were sent to their locker rooms as the panic broke out in the stands. They were held there while they changed out of their uniforms and arrangements were made for them to be picked up by family.
More on this developing story as information becomes available.
Louise Hagan, 95 was born on February 5, 1926 to Terrall and Linda Cox in the Womack community and passed away on October 21, 2021 at her home in Hall Summit, Louisiana surrounded by her family.
Louise lived a long and fulfilled life. All of her days were lived with love for our God and her family. Although she had been sick for quite some time, she was giving hugs and love until the very end. Louise was a dedicated Christian, wife, mother and grandmother. She treasured her family and embraced every moment with them. She made everyone feel special and leaves nothing but beautiful memories. She will be greatly missed by her family and all those who knew her.
She was proceeded in death by 1st husband Alvin Barbo, her oldest child, Charles Raymond Barbo, sons-in-law, Butch Clark and Vernon Perrin, grandsons, David Barbo and Jamie Severance, her mother, Linda Mae Antee, sisters, Susie Barbo, Florence Hamus, Clino Barbo brothers, Buster Williamson, Jack Williamson and Bobby Cox.
Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Johnny Hagan, her children, Linda Martinez (Wesley), Barbara Perrin, Richard Barbo (Darlene), Theresa Roshts (Larry), Leona Rymms (Robert), and Bill Hagan (Carrol). Her grandchildren which she loved dearly: Berle Dean Gray, Molly Anne Browning (Glenn), William Gray (Lisa), JD Moore (Nikki), Penny Marie Bruce (Reggie), Raymond Barbo Jr. (Myra), John Alvin Saxon-Barbo (Matt), Tina Louise Kazen (Jim), Chuck Severance (Cindy), Tim Severance and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren whom she adored.
Louise was a member of First Assembly of God Church in Coushatta. She had many friends and family members that loved her and she loved them, in particular, she cherished her very good friends, Jerry Jinks and wife Norma, Brother Nailes and wife Lenoir, Wayne Hays and wife Mary, and chosen daughter Nell Davis, and chosen granddaughter’s Gina Nichols and Jeannie Russell. To meet her was to be part of her family she was so full of love and grace.
The family would like to give special thanks to Regional Hospice and especially her nurse, Laura.
Visitation and funeral to take place at Kilpatrick’s Rose Neath Funeral Home in Coushatta.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2021, from 4-5 pm for family and 5-8 pm for friends and family.
Funeral will be held on Sunday, October 24, 2021, at 2 pm with Reverend James Nailes officiating. Interment will follow in Bethany Cumberland Cemetery.
The family kindly asks that you help to celebrate the life of Louise safely and wear a mask while indoors.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers include: Berle Dean Gray, Glenn Browning, JD Moore, John Saxon-Barbo, Ray Barbo, Nathan Barbo, Matthew Barbo, and Bill Hagan.
Honorary pallbearers include Christopher Blake, William Gray, Reggie Bruce, Brandon Black, Dillion Black, Jay Kazen, and Ethan Gray.
Louise Hagan
February 5, 1926 to October 21, 2021
View full obituary here:
Leatrice “Joy” Joyce Self
April 3, 1930 to October 19, 2021
Services Saturday October 23 at 3:00 pm at Pilgrim Home Baptist Church.
Bobbye Clyde Foster
November 26, 1936 to October 21, 2021
Services Monday October 25 at 10:00 am at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in Campti.
Jerry Glen Harris
April 28, 1962 to October 20, 2021
Services Wednesday October 27 at Rocket-Nettles Chapel.
Repair work has been completed and on Thursday the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development reopened the La 515 bridge over Coushatta Bayou.
The bridge near Crichton has been closed for repairs for several months. Area residents and the students and staff of Riverdale Academy had been detouring through Crossroads during the closure.
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