One team advanced and one team’s season ended in high school football playoffs Friday.

Mansfield’s first playoff game ended in a loss.  The Wolverines were defeated by Jena.  Final score Jena 26 and Mansfield 8.

Logansport was victorious in their first playoff game.  They went against Jonesboro-Hodge and a stronger Tiger team prevailed.  Final score was Logansport 36 and Jonesboro-Hodge 6. 

Logansport advances to the second round next Friday.  They will face East Feliciana at home after East Feliciana Defeated Elton 48-0 to advance.

The Griffins of North DeSoto had a bye this week and will play their first playoff game next Friday night.  North DeSoto will host Cecilia following Cecilia’s win over Franklinton 35-28.

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Renee Lodestro, 56, of Logansport, Louisiana went home to be with her Lord on November 10, 2022, after a long battle with cancer. She was born on December 25, 1965, to Johnny and Sarah Alford of Logansport, Louisiana.

Services will be at the Logansport Elementary Gym on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be at the Bethel Cemetery. Rev. Dean Register will be officiating. Visitation will be held from noon until the time of service.

Renee was an elementary teacher at Logansport, where she taught for many years before having to retire last year because of medical reasons. She was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church.

Survivors other than her parents are her husband, Anthony Lodestro of Logansport; children, Jonathon Rushton and wife, Dana of Logansport and Paige Parker and husband, Preston of Shelbyville, Texas; five grandchildren, Dallas, Maggie, and Rayne Parker, Cayden and Ryker Rushton; brother, Mark Alford, and wife, Leslie; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Honoring Renee as pallbearers will be Jeremy Curry, Chase Alford, Greg Alford, Jacob Grau, Scotti Cummings, Stephen Turner, Butch Brown, and Michael Amox.  Honorary pallbearers are Martin Grau, James Curry, and Gary Wayne Timmons.

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Louisiana voters approved just three of eight proposed constitutional amendments Tuesday night, all aimed at reducing the burden on taxpayers.  DeSoto voters approved of the same three of the eight amendments.

Veterans with disabilities will now pay less for property taxes after voters approved Amendment 2 by nearly 73%. Those with a 100% service-connected disability rating or a 100% unemployability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and their spouses will no longer be required to pay any parish property taxes on their homestead if they live there.

On Amendment 2, 74% of DeSoto voters gave their approval.

Veterans with disability ratings between 70% and 99% and their spouses are also now eligible for a property tax exemption up to $120,000, while those with ratings of 50% to 69% and their spouses will get a property tax break up to $100,000 of the homestead’s value. The previous exemption was capped at $75,000, or $150,000 in certain parishes.

Nearly 75% of voters also supported Amendment 4 to allow local water districts, municipalities and other political subdivisions to reduce customer bills for water use if charges stem from damage outside of a customer’s control.

DeSoto voters followed the statewide trend and went farther with 74% of them voting in favor of Amendment 4.

The change follows many other states that offer permissive flexibility to water utilities to help customers during floods, ice storms, and other natural disasters. Louisiana law previously prohibited the state, local governments and other political subdivisions from crediting residents or businesses for charges related to infrastructure problems that have plagued the state in the wake of a series of catastrophic storms in recent years.

Louisiana voters also approved Amendment 8 with a much closer vote of 55% to 45% to remove a constitutional requirement for certain disabled homeowners eligible for a tax break to annually certify their income.

DeSoto voted Yes on  Amendment 8.  The tally was 53% in favor.

The change applies to property tax rates that are frozen for permanently or totally disabled homeowners with annual incomes of no more than $100,000, though that figure is set to increase with inflation starting in 2026. Louisiana law previously required all who receive special property tax breaks to recertify their income yearly with the assessor, with the exception of those age 65 and older.

The Center Square contributed to this report.

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The DeSoto Sheriff’s office passed along a Boil Advisory notice.  A Boil Advisory has been issued for the Town of Logansport until at least November 16th.  Repairs are being done during this time, so some residents may experience low water pressure during this time as well.  We will update the public when we are notified that the advisory has been lifted.

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The Lions meet every second and fourth Tuesday for a catered lunch at the Clista A. Calhoun Center and you are welcome to come by.

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In what was proclaimed as the game of the year back in August, the Griffins and Falcons did not disappoint the standing room only crowd as the Griffins fell to the Northwood Falcons 20-19 Last Friday Night.

The starting game time was pushed up to 5:30 due to the potential for inclement weather but that didn’t stop the Griffins from jumping out to a first half 13-0 lead with touchdowns by Brian Banks and Sam Odom. The strong winds definitely had an effect on the Delafield passing game as open routes were picked up and pushed out of reach for the speedy Griffin receivers.

Northwood cut the lead in half heading into the half and both defenses really settled in and traded punches for the middle stanzas of the ball game.

In the third quarter the Griffins offense began to sputter, and the Northwood offense found a chink in the Griffins defensive armor. The running game behind quarterback Mason Welch and Quintavion White proved to be too much for the Griffins to handle. Three touchdowns provided the Falcons with a 20-13 lead. A magnificent John Lewis touchdown brought the Griffins within striking distance but a missed extra point to tie the game for the Griffins proved to be the death nail in what was one outstanding football game between two great football teams.

The Falcons win gave them a share of the 1-4A District Championship that both the Falcons and Griffins will both stake claim to until their next meeting a year from now, but in the meantime both schools will use this week to rest and heal as they earned first round byes the State Playoffs that begin today.

The Griffins return home on November 18 to face the winner of the First Round matchup between the #13 seeded Cecilia Bulldogs and the #20 seeded Franklinton Dragons.

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By Brad Dison

At about 7:00 p.m., on Sunday evening, December 18, 1921, Harry, who was the secretary to the Tulsa, Oklahoma Police Commissioner and purchasing agent for the police and fire departments, drove his car to the home of Ike Wilkerson, a police detective who lived just a few blocks away.  The pair planned to spend the evening shooting rabbits along the road to Jenks, a town just south of Tulsa.  As they rode along the highway, Ike held a .44 caliber shotgun on his lap just in case they jumped up a rabbit.

Up in the distance, Harry and Ike saw a large Buick touring car parked on the side of the road.  Harry slowed his car as they approached.  They, being policemen, peered at the car to see if there was any hint that the occupants needed assistance.  Suddenly, three men jumped out of the touring car with guns drawn.  Harry raised his hands to show that he was unarmed.  Ike raised his shotgun.  Ike quickly squeezed the trigger and heard a sound that would send chills down the spine of even the most hardened of men.  Click!  His shotgun misfired.  Had the shotgun fired, Ike would have “blown the top of his head off.”  Ike reached for his automatic pistol.

The bandit who should have been on the receiving end of Ike’s shotgun began firing at Ike.  Bullets hit both of Ike’s legs just above his knees.  The bandit then turned the gun on Harry, who still had his hands up in a surrendering position.  The bandit fired two or three times as he ran back toward the touring car.  The bandit’s bullets struck Harry in the chest and one of his legs.  The bandits jumped into the touring car as Ike fired his pistol at them.  Ike heard his bullets hitting the touring car as the bandits sped off.  Ike was certain he had wounded at least one of the men.

In less than ten seconds, Harry and Ike’s rabbit-hunting trip turned into the fight for their lives.  Both were seriously wounded and bleeding profusely.  Despite his injuries, Harry sped his car over a mile to the nearest farmhouse.  Harry, bleeding from his chest and leg, ran with a limp up the front porch.  There he collapsed.  Ike was unable to get out of the car.  The farmer’s family tended to the wounded men as good as they could and sent word for an ambulance and police.

As with any shooting in which a law enforcement officer is wounded, throngs of policemen descended upon the farm.  Even before the two men had arrived at the hospital in Tulsa, possess of county officers aided by deputized police officers were busy searching the roads in the area for the culprits.  Ike had provided them with descriptions of the bandits and their touring car.

At the hospital, physicians began operating on Harry and Ike.  Doctors were able to save Ike’s life, but he would never walk again.  Harry’s condition was very precarious, his physicians said.  A bullet from the bandit’s gun had pierced his lung.  Doctors gave him little chance for survival.

On the following day, police arrested three men who were positively identified by Ike as the culprits.  They were eventually sentenced to life in prison for the murder.  Two days after the shooting, Harry H. Aurandt, loving husband and father, died from his wounds.  He was 48 years old.  Harry left behind a widow, Anna Aurandt, and two small children: a daughter, Frances H. Aurandt, and a son, Paul H. Aurandt.  Paul Harvey Aurandt.  You and I know him as Paul Harvey.

Sources:

1. The Morning Tulsa Daily World, December 19, 1921, p.1.
2. The Morning Tulsa Daily World, December 20, 1921, p.1.

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This week Mansfield High School issued a Student Spotlight.  He is Montravious Richardson. Montravious is a 10th grader at Mansfield High School.

Richardson was nominated by his math teacher, Ms. Moore. Ms. Moore says, “I would like to nominate Montravious Richardson. “Trey” was put in my Algebra 2 class a week or so after school started. At first, he struggled to keep up. Over the past few weeks, I have seen Trey make the most miraculous improvement. He asks questions, works with his group mates and stays on task. I am really proud of the hard work and effort he has put forth in class. Keep it up kiddo.”

A school administrator went to Montravious’ class with Ms. Moore.  He delivered some treats from the administration at Mansfield High School. The school offered, “Congratulations, Montravious, and thank you for being a great example of perseverance.”

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By Steve Graf

So, do you think you want to be a professional bass fisherman? Well, we’ve already covered this once, but today we’ll look at what and how some of the greatest anglers in the world spend their off-season or downtime. After being on the road for weeks and months at a time away from family, pro anglers are looking to slow down and catch their breath. Because of the everyday grind and dedication, it takes to compete at the highest level, anglers need to recharge their batteries. Let’s look at the different ways these guys re-energize themselves and get ready for another long season of fishing.

Most professional anglers grew up either in the woods or on the water. Most have an extensive past of hunting big game, ducks, squirrels, or hogs. Most cut their teeth and might have even been in diapers when they shot their first deer. But nothing brings them back down to earth more than spending quality time at their favorite hunting camp. It’s not about the kill as much as it is about just getting away from the pressure and demands anglers are under during the regular season. It’s going out and sitting in a deer stand where all you can hear is the wind blowing, squirrels barking, and the cracking of the sunflowers seeds they’re eating. Yes, it’s true they do fall asleep once in a while when the deer aren’t moving, but that’s okay. They take no phone calls and are unavailable for interviews. The only calls they take are from their publicist or from one of their many sponsors….oh and maybe their wives or children. Sometimes they won’t even talk to their friends! But it’s the time back at the camp talking to their hunting buddies about the big deer they saw or missed while enjoying some of the great meals, that makes a hunting camp special. It’s the stories they tell year after year about previous hunts, stories they’ve already told time and time again. But no one really cares, because the stories (lies) just get bigger and better with every passing year.

Amongst the many professional anglers, some would rather hunt waterfowl and sit in a duck blind for hours…again telling more stories about how many ducks they’ve killed over the years, or they discuss why there are not as many ducks as there used to be.  But one thing that makes a good duck hunt…the biscuits and sausage they cook and share in the blind while waiting on the next group of birds to come into the hole they are sitting on. One common theme for any hunting trip is the food. For some reason, hunting camp or duck blind food is always better than any meal you can get anywhere else on the planet. Not sure why, but it’s true!

But one thing I’ve always found strange is another way some of the pros relax; they go fishing! Yes, I said fishing! Who would have thought that since these guys are on the water trying to make a living from January through September, that fishing would be a way for them to relax? Let me help you understand this. There’s a huge difference between fishing tournaments and fun fishing. Some of the pros use this time to test new lures they’ve been involved with designing for the companies they’re representing like Strike King and Berkley. This is something pro anglers really enjoy…designing baits that will hit the market one day with their name on it. But fun fishing for some of these guys is a trip into the marsh or saltwater fishing for speckled trout and redfish. This is when they can be with their family or friends and just enjoy a day on the water without cameras or a boat official watching their every move.

The life of a professional bass fisherman can be a hectic one. There’s a lot of pressure to not only perform at a high level but put food on the table for their families. The stress is off the chart for all of these guys because if they’re not successful, they will be eliminated from the pro tour and replaced by another up-and-coming young angler. Just because you make it to the highest level of bass fishing, does not guarantee you a spot for life. Anglers still must go out and perform. This is why they need that downtime to relax and get away from the everyday grind it takes to be a professional bass fisherman.  Till next time, good luck, good fishing, and don’t forget to wear your sunscreen.

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On December 10, 2022, voters in DeSoto Parish will be asked whether or not to renew an existing millage and approve a proposition that supports parish-wide road construction, operations and services that the Parish currently provides to its citizens.

What is a millage?  A millage is a means of assessing a property tax.  1 mill is equivalent to one-tenth of a cent.  It is important to note that the millage up for renewal in this election is NOT a new tax or an increase in the property tax.  It is a continuation of what is already in place.

Parish Wide Proposition – Road Tax Renewal – For the purpose of constructing and maintaining public roads and bridges and for the purchase of equipment and supplies with which to do such work in the whole of the Parish.  An estimated $4,616,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the Property Tax for an entire year, for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2024 and ending with the year 2033.

From Michael Norton, Parish Administrator

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The DeSoto Parish Journal has experienced tremendous growth in the past year.  Therefore, an Assistant Publisher is needed to supervise the gathering and production of local news items.

This is an immediate opening for a newly created position.  Salary and benefits to be negotiated.

Skills the successful candidate should possess include:

Covering local news events and boiling down the important aspects of the event into a news article.

Photographic skills to portray the event.

Research skills to supplement coverage of an event, including preparation prior to an interview, meeting, etc.

Journalistic ethics including being able to distinguish between the facts of an event and the “spin” of the event. 

Acute observation and note taking to assure accuracy of reporting, especially quotations from individuals involved in the story.

The ability to ask relevant questions and keep the subject of an interview on track.

And the appreciation of hard work and diligence in the gathering, writing, and disseminating local news.

Interested candidates should submit a brief resume, photo, and all contact information.  All submissions should be via email should be addressed to:  DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com.

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Advertising Salesperson wanted.  Immediate opening for a person to market local businesses using the Journal.  Digital news is the platform a rapidly increasing number of people look to for their information.   Your future success could be marketing your clients products and services on the Journal’s digital platforms.

The successful candidate should possess:

-a friendly smile and helpful attitude

-knowledge of the area and local businesses

-reliable transportation

-be a self-starter

-desire to earn a quality salary

This is a commissioned sales position.  The Journal offers high commissions coupled with bonuses and incentives based upon performance.

Send your resume and contact information by email to:  DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com

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Ruth Sue Frazier

July 9, 1950 to November 11, 2022

Service: Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 12:00 P.M. Elizabeth Full Gospel Church.

Alvin Ray Abercrombia

October 17, 1964 to November 1, 2022

Visitation: Friday, November 11, 2022 from 2-6 P.M. Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel Mansfield, LA

Graveside Service: Hampton Cemetery Pleasant Hill, LA

The DeSoto Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $70. The obituary will be included in the emails sent to subscribers.  Contact your funeral provider or DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above with no link to the obituary are FREE of charge.)

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The DeSoto Parish Library is closed today.  All branches are closed in honor of Veterans Day.  They will re-open Saturday at 9:00 am.

North DeSoto High School has a Veterans Day program scheduled today.  It will be held in the high school gym beginning at 10:45 am.

Join the Friends of Logansport Library at Big Zach’s Place on Main St. in Logansport this morning at 11:00 am to honor our Veterans.  Danny Rogers will be the guest speaker.  Each veteran will receive a free meal, and cake will be served.

The Cane River Singers, Northwestern State University Men’s Chorus and Lyrica will have a concert on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. Associate Director of Choral Activities Adam Philley will conduct the Cane River Singers and Lyrica. Ella Castro will conduct the Men’s Chorus.

All parish health units and state offices are closed for Veteran’s Day today.  Also other government offices, the post office and many financial institutions are taking the day off.

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Nearly half of the registered voters in DeSoto parish cast ballots in Tuesday’s election.  DeSoto went along with the statewide results and returned U.S. Senator John Kennedy to Washington for another term.  Kennedy got 68% of the votes in the parish or 6,284 votes.  The other 12 challengers were able to gather only 32% among them.

There were six contested seats on the DeSoto Parish School Board.  Here are the results.

In District 4, incumbent Donnie Dufour ran away with it gathering 404 votes or 56% for the win.  Dufour defeated Xavier Foster and Robert Mitchell.

There will be a runoff in District 5  between Alice Hamilton Thomas and James “Jim” Veuleman.  Thomas got 233 votes for 38%.  Veuleman got 196 votes or 32%.  The third place went to KaTina Lane with 181 votes or 30%.

Coday Johnston took the District 6 race by pulling in 532 votes or 57%.  Challenger Brian LaFleur got 407 or 43% of the votes.

Dale E. Morvan ran away with the race for District 7.  He got 645 votes for 75%.  Sonja Smith Polley got 25% of the vote or 219 votes.

In School Board District 10 Bobby Boyd got the win with 449 votes or 58%.  LaTarsha Ross Shelton polled 33d0 votes for 42%.

And in the race for District 11 Rosie Mae Mayweather received 358 votes for 54% of the votes.  Johnny R. Jones got 46% or 305 votes.

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This week Louisiana State Police conducted the historical graduation of Cadet Class 101, the first LSP Cadet Class to be exclusively comprised of prior law enforcement officers from around the state.  The Louisiana State Police Training Academy hosted the graduation ceremony where 23 individuals completed their dedicated journey to become Louisiana State Troopers.

Three of the graduates will be working our portion of the state.  They are Trent Perritt,

Eddie Thomas Jr., and John Wynn.  They were assigned to Troop G at Bossier City.

 On July 31, 2022, 28 cadets from across the state began an accelerated 14-week advanced training program to expand upon their foundation of basic law enforcement certifications.  Throughout the academy, cadets received training in various subjects including crash investigation, emergency vehicle operations, impaired driving detection, fair and impartial policing, legal aspects and constitutional updates, advanced firearms, and leadership skills in addition to a rigorous physical training regimen.  Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow troopers, 23 of those cadets achieved their goal this morning and received the distinguished badge of the Louisiana State Police.  Having successfully completed the LSP Training Academy, the newly graduated Troopers will deploy across the state, where they will participate in a 10-14 week field-training program while supervised by a veteran Louisiana State Trooper.

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This is the first week of the high school football playoffs.

The Griffins of North DeSoto finished with 8 wins and one loss this fall.  They drew a bye this Friday.  North DeSoto is now playing in Division 2 non-select.  They are ranked #4 in the state.

Mansfield’s Wolverines finished the season ranked #23.  They will travel to play #10 Jena Friday night for a Division 3 game.

And the Tigers of Logansport are at home Friday night.  The #7 Tigers play #26 Jonesboro-Hodge in the Division 4 bracket.

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Enjoy the Christmas spirit as BackAlley Community Theatre presents Not a Creature was Stirring, Not Even a Moose.  J. J. Garnes, Editor of the Herald Tribune, makes sure he uses Christmas to his advantage to sell a few more issues.  But then, he receives a letter from a small boy addressed to Santa, a wish moose appears, and maybe–can it be an Elf?  This fast-paced Christmas Yuletide will have you laughing with all of the holiday’s warmth and wit.  

Cast members include Heath Lemme, Amy Hall, Loni Young, Abby Nally, Brian McCarty, Linda Sibley, Ethan Springer, Pat Gamel, and Jay Fewless.  Debbie Carr is Director and Terry Sparks is Stage Manager.  

Show dates are Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3 at 7:00 pm, Sunday, December 4 at 2:00 pm, and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, December 8, 9, and 10 at 7:00 pm.  Reservations are required. 

Go to our website www.backalleygrandcane.com to reserve your ticket, or text/call our box office at 318-461-0202.  Tickets are $15; if paying at the door, cash or check only.  Sodas and water are $1.  Coffee, popcorn, and cookies are provided through contributions from our patrons. 

BackAlley Community Theatre is located in Historic Grand Cane at the corner of LA 3015 and Hwy 171.

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We had already sort of figured this was the way it was going to go, but in 1979 it was official when he released Rockin’ My Life Away. 

The life of showman extraordinaire Jerry Lee Lewis — rockin’ was a good way to put it, but there was more, lots more — came to an end last week, Friday, Oct. 28, when he passed away, age 87, at his home in DeSoto County, Miss.  

Services were this past Saturday afternoon at the Hernando Funeral Home in his hometown of Ferriday. Cousin and fellow singer/piano player Jimmy Swaggart spoke, and a boots-on-the-ground old friend in Ferriday told me that at one point during the 40-minute service, with Swaggart speaking, there was laughter after one story and not a dry eye in the house after the next.  

“Swaggart’s still got it,” my friend said. Cousins Jerry Lee and Mickey Gilley, who passed away in May, had it too. 

Of course, my Grandmama Ruth had all Swaggart’s gospel records, which I loved and listened to on a record player setup the size of a deep freezer in her West Monroe living room. 

She didn’t listen to any Jerry Lee — but I did. (At least I don’t think she did. I’m told she took a swig of Pabst Blue Ribbon now and then, and I never saw that either. She had ‘it’ too.) 

Jerry Lee Lewis, the last living member of the Million Dollar Quartet — add Carl Perkins, Elvis, and some guy named Johnny Cash — a member of both the Rock and Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame, he was the supreme showman and, according to another guy named Elton John, the best rock ’n’ roll piano player. “I can’t play that fast,” he told Rolling Stone in 2007.  

His heyday shows in the 1950s-’80s were before all the lights and pyrotechnics, yet every friend I’ve talked to who saw him live — I sadly did not, have seen only the mind-bending recordings — said he was world-class as a performer. Just Jerry Lee back by Kenny Lovelace and the Memphis Beats. All you needed. 

With a tip of the cap to a man who has brought many of us so much joy, we offer The Top 10 Jerry Lee Lewis Songs, According To Me, and you’re welcome to disagree because he was very good and there is a lot of fields to plow here: 

10. Pink Cadillac, with Bruce Springsteen: Even though it’s not a Jerry Lee Original, it makes the Top 10 because it’s an older Killer and he’s still got it.

9.  Whole Lotta Shakin’: A standard. Hehad to have gotten tired of playing this.

8. Who’s Gonna Play This Ol’ Piano: “… after the Killer’s gone …” I guess nobody. Hurts me. 

7. She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye: “…Baby’s packed up all her things and she’s left me …”

6. What Made Milwaukee Famous, Has Made A Loser Out Of Me: “It’s late and she is waiting/and I know I should go home/but every time I start to leave/they play another song…” Schlitz Problems.

5. Another Place, Another Time: “One by one, they’re turning out the lights/I been feedin’ that ol’ jukebox, just to hold you tight …” I wonder if I was the only pre-teen spinning all these albums back in the day? Not sure I even know what the lyrics meant then

4. One More Time With Feelin’: “Something good got lost along the way …” Kris Kristofferson wrote it so, this was a case of game recognizing game.

3. Who Will The Next Fool Be: “After all is said and done, you wouldn’t be satisfied with anyone …” Hard to even imagine anyone trying to cover these and coming close to Jerry Lee’s performance. 

2. Great Balls of Fire: “… you rattle my brain …” I think this was No. 96 onRolling Stone’s all-time rock songs.

1. Think About It Darlin’: I like the Jerry Lee ballads better than the fast ones and this one’s the best. It’s on theWho’s Gonna Play This Old Piano album from 1972 and was produced by Shreveport music wizard Jerry Kennedy, as so many of these were. Every one of the Jerry Kennedy/Jerry Lee Lewis ballads is a masterpiece, expressive and dynamic, just like the Killer. Hope to meet him one day, another place, another time. 

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu 

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The North DeSoto 5^th and 6^th grade football team is headed to the Championship game.  They will plan on Saturday at home.

The Middle School team won 20-0 against Carthage White last week.  The school posted, “It’s a great day to be a Griffin.”

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By Nicole Tull

Cruisin’ in Grand Cane boasted of over seventy vehicles being shown on Saturday morning. Both sides of front street were lined. There were muscle cars, family cars, pick-up trucks and jeeps. Hoods were opened to reveal the inner workings of these show pieces. Original and restored cars were proudly displayed.

John Perkins of Coushatta took the top trophy for his beautiful 1953 Chevy pickup.  The same truck was selected as the best of show at the last Cruisin’ in Grand Cane event in 2019.

People came out in support of the car show and the Fall Market. Vendors continued down front street beyond the cars. Handcrafted items of pottery, crafts, and honey could be found under the pop-up tents. There was live music to offer peppy ambience and pleasant weather for strolling.

Jann Franklin, a local author, could be found in 4C Coffee House signing her newly released second book in her Home Town Girl series. “Shining Stars and Mason Jars” is a quaint read about a gal’s experiences in a smaller town after living in a big city.

Photo credits:  Nicole Tull, John Perkins and Journal Staff.

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Congratulations to Randy Thomas, the winner of the High School Football Pickers contest week #10.  He won $100 from the Journal.  Thomas had the best record last week of predicting the outcome of ten area football games.

The Journal wishes to congratulate every winner for the past 10 weeks of the regular football season.  Thanks also the many people who entered the Pickers contest each week.  Stay tuned!  There are more fun and games coming from your local news source, the Journal.

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By Royal Alexander

Regarding an end to the use of the reverse discrimination of racial preferences in academic admissions, Justice Amy Coney Barrett asks, “how do we know when we’re done?”

A pair of explosive cases involving race and college admission practices are now before the U.S. Supreme Court.  These two cases involve whether Harvard and University of North Carolina have illegally discriminated against Asian-Americans in favor of other races.

To determine that, the Supreme Court will need to look back at its own precedents in this area.

How has the Supreme Court traditionally handled the use of racial preferences in college admissions?

The Court has said that race may be used as a factor—among several—for the purpose of achieving diversity of student population.   However, in her majority opinion in a 2003 case, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote “we expect that 25 years from now, the use of racial preferences will no longer be necessary to further the interest approved today.”   Well, that was 19 years ago but college admission boards argue that racial preferences are as important to achieving diversity today as ever.

So, “how do you know when you’re done?” asked Justice Amy Coney Barrett during oral argument.  That’s a great question.  Chief Justice John Roberts has also previously stated his desire to get our country out of this “sordid business, this divvying us up by race.”

Unfortunately, the key to removing our country from the use of racial preferences in matters such as these will be based upon how we define the word “equity.”

Recall that our Constitution safeguards—in fact, it’s the very promise of America itself—the principle that we are all equal under the law.

Equality.  No one is above the law.  “Lady Justice is colorblind” and not a “respecter of persons” because it doesn’t matter who each of us are, we are treated and viewed the same in the eyes of the law.

But there’s the rub.

Those who support the use of racial preferences aren’t doing so based upon notions of “equality.”   The perverse, unconstitutional principle they invoke is “equity”—but there is a monumental difference between the two.  “Equality” means we are all given the same opportunity.  “Equity” means we are all guaranteed the same result.

That’s politically poisonous and unpatriotic. 

It does great damage to America’s central premise of equal justice under law to engage in unequal treatment of different applicants to achieve a particular racial outcome.  But it does more than that.  As Justice Clarence Thomas pointed out “nowhere in any of the filings in this Court is any evidence that the purported ‘beneficiaries’ of this racial discrimination prove themselves by performing at (or even near) the same level as those students who receive no preferences.”

This may really be the point:

The individuals who make up these admissions committees at American colleges and universities are very often the same people who believe America is hopelessly and systemically racist.  In their minds, there will never come a time to end the use of racial preferences in college admissions as long as any mere allegation of racism exists.

That was Justice Barrett’s point.  We have already used racial preferences in this way at least back to the Supreme Court’s Bakke case in 1978, so “how do we know when we’re done?”

This is what it comes down to.

The Supreme Court’s long line of cases have made clear that when racial preferences are used—when Americans are categorized by race alone—the Court will employ its most demanding legal scrutiny of all, Strict Scrutiny.  This means that even if a college has a very important reason—and perhaps the achievement of a diverse student body can be deemed a “compelling” reason—to favor or prefer some races of students over other races of students there literally must be no other way to achieve this goal than by using a racial classification.

But there always is.

The promise of America is most brilliantly and beautifully laid out in the Declaration of Independence.  When Jefferson forged for the ages the principle that we are “created equal” he was presaging Rev. Martin Luther King’s clarion call that we be measured “not by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character.”

Our Supreme Court must find a way to preserve that principle in college admissions and across the politically charged and complex American cultural landscape.

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Between September 15 and October 15, 2022, an Aloha Party Barge was removed from a storage area located off Highway 71/84 in south Red River Parish. The barge has a second-floor structure supported by a visual post.  The back of the barge has a unique yellow slide – all of which can be seen in the photo above.

The entrance was gained by cutting the chain to a locked gate. The matter is being investigated by the Red River Parish Sheriff’s office.

A $5,000.00 reward is being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the theft.

This Party Barge may be seen on any of the area lakes or listed for sale on any of the Facebook “swap-shop” or “For Sale” pages.

REWARD OFFER: $5,000.00

CONTACT:  The office of Red River Parish Sheriff Glen Edwards

PHONE:  318-932-6701

* All Callers will remain anonymous.

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Recently over 50 teams from across Louisiana competed in the Louisiana FFA State Carpentry CDE.  Local school FFAs did very well in the competition.

These students took the skills they learned in the classroom and constructed a pub style picnic table.  And they figured up a bill of sale in under 3 hours. Stanley High School placed 3rd in the state.

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