Teens & Addiction

The science of brain development reveals why teens are responsive to new experiences and influences, both positive and negative. For this reason, the teen years are a period of great promise and potential risk, especially for addiction. That’s why preventing and delaying substance use during this time is so vital to their long-term health.

Everything we think, feel and do is governed by our brain. Alcohol can have a much stronger effect on a brain that is not fully developed.

Make no mistake: tweens and teens are exposed to alcohol and are curious about it. However, parents can arm tweens and teens with crucial information to make the right decision before they are presented with the option to drink or not to drink.

Did you know:

• Parents are the leading influence on their kids when it comes to alcohol & drugs
• 53% of 8th grade students think it is “fairly easy” or “very easy” to obtain alcohol.
• Among 10 – 18 year old children, 7% report that they “never” had a conversation with their parents about the dangers of alcohol in the past year.
• 46% of parents say they need information on the health effects of underage drinking to continue to have meaningful conversations about underage drinking.
• 64% of 10 – 18 year old children report their parents as the leading influence in their decision about drinking or not drinking alcohol.

If you would like to make a difference and help save our children from substance abuse, please attend a public forum at the Winn Parish Library on June 7th t 5:30 pm. Refreshments will be served, but more importantly, connections will be made.

Source:

1. Dr. Elliott Brown and the National Institute of Health
2. National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS)

#Education + Engagement = Triumph Over Addiction!

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This project is funded by a Substance and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program Grant from The Rapides Foundation. The goal of the grant is to support the implementation of evidence-based, community-driven solutions for preventing substance and alcohol abuse.

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By Steve Graf

As humans, we tend to repeat things over and over. We like routine and we hate change. Bass fishermen are no different in this respect. As tournaments go, we usually pre-fish for three days, which seems to be the norm. For me, when it comes to scouting, I’ll always start in shallow water (less than 5 feet) and see if I can catch a few fish early as bass go through a feeding frenzy as the sun is on the rise. Then after the sun gets higher in the sky, I’ll move out into deeper water searching brush tops or deep structures. This is the routine I have followed for years, but I’ve always been known as a shallow water angler.

This time of year, I have another routine of always starting out throwing a topwater bait like a Zara Spook or a Yellow Magic. Some days the bass want a walking style bait like the Spook, but on other days they want a popper style bait like the Yellow Magic or a Pop R. The fish will tell you what and how they want the bait. There are times when you must slow down, and other days you can’t turn the reel handle fast enough. Once the sun has risen and I have determined whether the topwater bite is on or off, I will pick up my flipping rod and see if I can put a pattern together using soft plastic.

As for boat launching, anglers are very picky and follow their own specific routine in order to get the boat ready to drop in the water. For me, first I unhook both trailer straps, then I turn on the power supply for the boat and remove the trailer tow bar that the motor rests on. Then I make sure the plug is in and my life jacket is out and connected to my kill switch. The last thing I do is unhook the front strap from the boat (if I have someone backing me down the ramp), so I can slide the boat off the trailer. So many times, I’ve had co-anglers or partners try and help with these chores, but that’s when something gets forgotten and can get a little embarrassing when you can’t get the boat off the trailer because someone forgot to unhook the trailer tie downs. Advice…let the boater do everything himself! He’ll ask for help if he needs it. This way, no steps get missed on the boat launching procedure.

Another thing tournament anglers are very conscious of….making sure they have fresh lines on their reels. Nothing will make an angler madder than to lose a big fish due to his neglect of having fresh line on his reels. After three days of practice, I will always take the reels that I plan on using for the tournament and put a fresh line on each of them. It’s attention to detail like this that can be the difference between finishing in the top 10 or 35th. One more thing, that may be the most important…where will we eat each night? The group I travel with has a routine that we will not waiver from. Example: At Lake Sam Rayburn, we will always drive into Jasper on Thursday night and eat Mexican food at Martin’s. Then on Friday night, we’ll eat at Rayburn Country Clubhouse (which has a great chef). Even the snacks I carry during practice and tournament days will be the same for each event…a handful of turkey, string cheese stick and jerky. This is probably why I lose weight every time I go fishing! Oh, and I will always have three bottles of water and two small screw top bottles of Coke. (No canned drinks are allowed in my boat due to the potential of spilling them.)

As you can see, anglers really are creatures of habit, and we prove it each and every tournament we fish. If you want to mess with a bass tournament fisherman, take him out of his routine. It’s almost the same as a pitcher in baseball, if you can break his rhythm or routine, it can take him completely out of his game. Tournament anglers are no different! Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!

Steve Graf – Owner/Co-host
Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show
& Tackle Talk Live

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NRMC Walk-In Clinic is located at 740 Keyser Avenue, just down and across the street from the main hospital campus. The Clinic offers immediate diagnosis and treatment for minor illnesses and injuries. For more serious and life-threatening illnesses and injuries, please go to NRMC’s Emergency Department at the hospital’s main campus.

The following is a quick guide to help you determine where you should go for medical care based on your health needs:

Walk-In Clinic
Allergies
Coughs/Congestion
Minor Burns
Stomachache
Eye Infection
Minor Injury
Sprains
Indigestion
Sore Throat

Emergency Department
Severe Allergy Reaction
Chest Pain or Discomfort
Severe Burns
Loss of Consciousness
Severe Abdominal Pain
Sudden Vision Impairments
Head Injury
Trauma with Broken Bones or Bleeding
Drug Overdose
Severe Dehydration

NRMC Walk-In Clinic is open seven days a week from 8:00am to 8:00pm with onsite laboratory and x-ray services. The Walk-in Clinic provides care at a lower cost than the full-service Emergency Department, and patient visits are much quicker with a shorter waiting period. Due to the complexity of Emergency Department cases, the team triages cases to ensure critically ill or injured patients are seen immediately. A patient with a minor illness or injury generally will wait longer in the ED for care. So please use the Walk-in Clinic for minor illnesses and injuries, because it is specifically designed to help patients get in and out quickly and provides the care level these patients need. Emergency care is available 24-hours-a-day, 7 days a week and is backed by the full services of the hospital.

When to Call 9-1-1

If you think you have a life-threatening injury or illness including a heart attack or stroke, call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance or go to the nearest ER. NRMC’s Emergency Services provide paramedics and ambulance coverage for the parish.

Insurance

Both the Clinic and Emergency Department accept Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance, and self-pay.

For more information, please visit NRMChospital.org.

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The Winn 4-H/Outdoor Skills Banquest is Saturday, June 4, 2022, at the Winnfield Civic Center. Social time begins at 5 PM and dinner begins at 6:30 PM.

Ticket prices are $35 for individuals and $60 for a couple. Eight-person sponsor tables are available for $350.

Included with the ticket price is dinner, silent auction, live auction, door prizes, raffles, games and more.

All proceeds will benefit the Winn Parish 4-H and Shooting Sports programs.

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WINN:
Chloe Boullion
November 8, 1939 – June 1, 2022O
Service: Monday, June 6 at 11 am at Bethlehem Cemetery

NATCHITOCHES:
Michael “Mickey” Walker, Jr.
January 16, 1946 – June 1, 2022
Service: Saturday, June 4 at 11 am at United Baptist Cemetery, formerly L.C. Weaver Memorial Cemetery in Campti

Leroy Irchirl, Sr.
September 6, 1953 – May 29, 2022
Service: Saturday, June 4 at 11am at First Baptist Church Amulet Street

Gloria Marie Moore
Visitation: Friday, June 3 from 6-8 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.
Service: Assemble at the funeral home Saturday, June 4 at 9:30 am to form a procession to St. Paul Baptist Church in the Bermuda community for an 11 am service

Dr. Susan Dollar
Service: Saturday, June 4 at 11 am at the First Presbyterian Church

Randy Sanderson
August 10, 1954 – May 29, 2022
Service: Friday, June 3 at 12 pm at Central Baptist Church in Robeline

SABINE:
Larry Wayne Rivers
January 22, 1950 – May 31, 2022
Service: Tuesday, June 7 at 10 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church

Rowena Jo Evans
February 21, 1936 – May 28, 2022
Service: Wednesday, June 8 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

RED RIVER:
Sandra Sharlene Bockstanz
June 8, 1966 – May 29, 2022
Service: Friday, June 3 at 10 am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

Margaret Bierden Downs
July 24, 1928 – May 28, 2022
Service: Saturday, June 4 at 12 pm at Beulah Cemetery, located at 2279 Hwy 487 in Marthaville

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PRESS RELEASE

District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on April 12, 2022

DERIUS MICHAEL VEAL: Defendant entered guilty plea operating a vehicle while intoxicated first offense. Imposition of sentence suspended, two years supervised probation, pay fine, court cost and probation fee, perform sixteen hours community service, satisfactorily complete court approved drug and substance and driver improvement programs.

CHESTER LEE MOSLEY: Defendant entered guilty plea criminal mischief. Imposition of sentence suspended, two years unsupervised probation, pay fine court cost and probation fee.

ETHAN COLE BOONE: Defendant entered guilty plea operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Imposition of sentence deferred, supervised probation two years, pay fine, court cost, probation fee, perform sixteen hours community service, satisfactorily complete court approved drug and substance and driver improvement programs.

DARRIN E. HEMPHILL: Defendant entered guilty plea operating a vehicle while intoxicated second offense. Imposition of sentence suspended, two years supervised probation, pay fine, court cost, probation fee and fee to Office of Public Defender, perform sixteen hours community service, complete court approved drug and substance and driver improvement programs.

CHAD EVERETT JOHNSON: Defendant entered guilty plea resisting an officer. Sentenced to ninety days in the parish jail starting January 30, 2022, credit for time served.

MORGAN C. SHATTLES: Defendant entered guilty plea no drivers license on person. Imposition of sentence suspended, two years unsupervised probation, pay fine and probation fee, court cost waived.

ROBERT LEWIS SNELLING: Defendant entered guilty plea unlawful operation of an off-road vehicle, operating a vehicle without a drivers license, failure to secure vehicle registration-no license plate, expired motor vehicle inspection over three months and operating of vehicle without required liability insurance. Defendant sentenced to thirty days on each charge to run concurrent with each other, credit for time served.

District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on April 13, 2022

IRA L. CAMPBELL, III: Defendant entered guilty plea possession of a SCH II controlled dangerous substance. Defendant sentenced to serve two years hard labor Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Execution two years jail sentence suspended. Defendant placed on two years supervised probation Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, pay fine, court cost, monthly supervision fee and special CDS fee, perform fifty hours community service and satisfactorily complete court approved drug and substance abuse program.

RICHARD TRAVIS BARHAM: Defendant entered guilty plea illegal possession of stolen things $5,000.00 or more but under $25,000.00. Defendant sentenced to serve five years hard labor Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, credit for time served.

ADAM LANCE SHIRLEY: Defendant entered guilty plea possession of a SCH II controlled dangerous substance. Sentenced to credit for time served.

RANDY DALE WILLIAMS: Defendant entered guilty plea attempted possession of a firearm by felon. Serve 7.5 years hard labor Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Execution 7.5 years jail sentence suspended, placed on three years supervised probation Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, pay fine, court cost, monthly supervision fee, perform fifty hours community service.

JACOB LYLE WISE-SHIRLEY: Defendant entered guilty plea aggravated assault upon a peace officer and simple escape. On the first charge defendant sentenced to serve three years hard labor with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. On the second charge defendant to serve two years hard labor Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, sentences consecutive.

District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on April 14, 2022

DARRIUS J. ARD: Defendant entered guilty plea possession of a SCH II controlled dangerous substance. Defendant to serve one year hard labor Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, credit for time served.

SHANNON D. FARMER: Defendant entered guilty plea unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling. Sentenced to credit for time served since January 25, 2020.

DOUGLAS WAYNE GRAY: Defendant entered guilty plea possession of firearm or carrying concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies. Sentenced to serve ten years at hard labor Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, credit for time served.

DEQUNDRIOUS DEMARIA DESHAWN HOWARD: Defendant entered guilty plea possession with intent to distribute a SCH II controlled dangerous substance. Defendant sentenced to serve eight years hard labor with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, credit for time served.

MISTY DAWN MARTIN: Defendant entered guilty plea failure to seek assistance. Serve six months without hard labor in custody of Winn Parish Sheriff, credit for time served.

GLEN ZELL WADE: Defendant entered guilty plea possession with intent to distribute a SCH II controlled dangerous substance. Defendant sentenced to serve five years hard labor with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on April 18, 2022

CHARLES FORD: Defendant entered guilty plea simple burglary. Serve six years with hard labor Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, credit for time served.

DALE ERWIN KEENEY: Defendant entered guilty plea identity theft. Defendant sentenced to serve one year hard labor with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, credit for time served.

NORRIS W. GARRETT: Defendant entered guilty plea simple robbery. Defendant sentenced to serve two years hard labor with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, credit for time served.

RORY D. LACROIX: Defendant entered guilty plea two counts simple burglary. On the first count defendant sentenced to serve twelve years hard labor with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, credit for time served. On the second count defendant sentenced to serve twelve years hard labor with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, sentence consecutive to count one.

CARL A. HUTCHINS: Defendant entered guilty plea failure to seek assistance. Serve six months without hard labor with custody of Winn Parish Sheriff.

KELVIN JAGGER SEPULVADO: Defendant entered guilty plea aggravated flight from an officer and DWI first offense. Serve five years hard labor Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, execution of five years suspended, placed on three years supervised probation Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, pay fine, court cost, fee to Office of Public Defender and monthly supervision fee, perform fifty hours community service, satisfactorily complete drug and substance and driver improvement programs.

District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on May 10, 2022

MICHAEL CLINTON JORDAN: Defendant entered guilty plea to failure to tag a deer. Imposition of sentence suspended, two years unsupervised probation, pay fine, court cost and probation fee.

CLINT HOUSTON PROCELL: Defendant entered guilty plea to operating a vehicle while intoxicated first offense. Imposition of sentence deferred, supervised probation with Winn Parish Probation Office twenty-four months, pay fine, court cost and probation fee. Perform sixteen hours community service and satisfactorily complete drug and substance abuse and driver improvement programs.

DONALD WAYNE BARNES: Defendant entered guilty plea no vehicle registration. Suspend imposition of sentence, two years probation, pay fine, court cost and probation fee.

RICHARD A. ROZELLE: Defendant entered guilty plea to operating a vehicle while intoxicated first offense. Imposition of sentence deferred, supervised probation with Winn Parish Probation Office twenty-four months, pay fine, court cost, fee to Office of Public Defender and probation fee. Perform sixteen hours community service and satisfactorily complete drug and substance abuse and driver improvement programs.

DARYN KAY WILLIAMS: Defendant entered guilty plea to operating a vehicle while intoxicated first offense. Imposition of sentence deferred, supervised probation with Winn Parish Probation Office twenty-four months, pay fine, court cost and probation fee. Perform sixteen hours community service and satisfactorily complete drug and substance abuse and driver improvement programs.

TODD MICHAEL ADAMS: Defendant entered guilty plea improper driving left of center and operating a vehicle with expired license plate. Defendant ordered to pay fine, court cost and probation fee.

ELBERT HAVEN HIGGS: Defendant entered guilty plea careless operation of a motor vehicle. Defendant sentenced to serve thirty days concurrent with time defendant is serving, credit for time served.

KIREN J. LATCHIE: Defendant entered guilty plea no drivers license. Imposition of sentence suspended, two years probation. Defendant ordered to pay probation fee, fine and court cost.

MARY D. LITES: Defendant entered guilty plea speeding. Imposition of sentence suspended, pay fine, court cost and probation fee.

District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on May 11, 2022

VIFRAN N. CARTER: Defendant entered guilty plea aggravated second degree battery. Defendant sentenced to serve 2.5 years hard labor Louisiana Department of Corrections, runs concurrent with any other sentence defendant has.

BARON RENALDO COLLINS: Defendant entered guilty plea possession of firearm or carrying concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies. Defendant sentenced to serve nine years at hard labor in custody of Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, credit for time served. No habitual bill will be filed. Court ordered forfeiture of 38 revolver.

MICHAEL J. EDMONDS, JR.: Defendant entered guilty plea simple criminal damage to property under $1,000.00. Defendant sentenced to credit for time served.

JABORI A. HALL: Defendant entered guilty plea unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling. Defendant sentenced to serve four years hard labor in custody of Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, given credit for time served.

DUSTIN VAUGHN LASYONE: Defendant entered guilty plea forgery. Defendant sentenced to serve eight years hard labor Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, given credit for time served.
District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on May 12, 2022

LACHAN MARIE EVANS: Defendant entered guilty plea disturbing the peace. Imposition of sentence suspended, two years probation, pay fine, court cost, probation fee and fee to Office of Public Defender.

DYLAN D. HARRISON: Defendant entered guilty plea aggravated battery. Defendant sentenced to serve five years hard labor in custody of Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, credit for time served.

AMANDA LEIGH MOCKOSHER: Defendant entered guilty plea possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. Defendant sentenced to serve two years hard labor Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Execution of jail sentence suspended, defendant placed on three years supervised probation Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Defendant ordered to pay fine, court cost, fee to Office of Public Defender, monthly supervision fee and special CDS fee. Defendant ordered to perform fifty hours community service, satisfactorily complete drug, substance abuse and driver improvement programs.

QUINTAVIOUS TAMARVION QUALLS: Defendant entered guilty plea resisting an officer by flight. Defendant ordered to pay fine, court cost, fee to Office of Public Defender and probation fee.

EDGAR E. ROGERS: Defendant entered guilty plea unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling. Defendant sentenced to serve two years hard labor in custody of Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, given credit for time served.

CHARLES WAYNE TUCKER: Defendant entered guilty plea possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. Defendant ordered to serve two years hard labor Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Execution of jail sentence suspended, defendant placed on three years supervised probation Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Defendant ordered to pay fine, court cost, fee to Office of Public Defender, monthly supervision fee and special CDS fee. Defendant ordered to perform fifty hours community service and satisfactorily complete drug and substance abuse program.

JENNIFER DAWN TUCKER: Defendant entered guilty plea possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. Imposition of sentence deferred. Defendant placed on three years supervised probation Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Defendant ordered to pay fine, court cost, fee to Office of Public Defender, monthly supervision fee and special CDS fee. Defendant ordered to perform fifty hours community service and satisfactorily complete drug and substance abuse program.

District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on May 13, 2022

MICHAEL L. BRUYNINCKX: Defendant entered guilty plea operating a vehicle while intoxicated third offense. Defendant ordered to serve two years hard labor in custody of Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, given credit for time served, consecutive.

SHARON A. BUSH: Defendant entered guilty plea simple battery. Defendant sentenced to time already served.

PAUL E. PURVIS: Defendant entered guilty plea failure to seek assistance. Defendant sentenced to serve one year hard labor Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, given credit for time served.

ELMA CAVAZOS: Defendant entered guilty plea criminal trespass. Imposition of sentence suspended, two years unsupervised probation, pay fine, court cost, probation fee and fee to Office of Public Defender.

District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on May 16, 2022

JOSEPH TODD BROWNING: Defendant entered guilty plea theft of $5,000.00 or more but less than $25,000.00. Defendant sentenced to serve seven and one-half years at hard labor in custody of Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, given credit for time served.

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The Winnfield Rotary Club’s meeting on May 25, 2022, saw the return of a recent guest speaker, Erin Boyt with the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. Ms. Boyt, in commemoration of May as National Mental Health Awareness month, had previously informed local Rotarians of mental health services available in our area. It was only fitting that the last meeting of the month related to mental health awareness as well. On this occasion, although the mental health theme was the same, the topic was dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, at the request of Bo Walker, Rotarian of the day.

According to Ms. Boyt, who works with NRMC’s mental health division, more than 50 million people worldwide are afflicted with dementia, and the most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms of all forms of dementia are similar, including short term memory loss, with intact long term memory, as well as some thinking and intellectual impairment, accompanied by mood and emotional changes. The symptoms are caused by shrinkage of the brain due to decreased blood flow to the brain, disconnection of neurons or clumping together of neurons in the brain causing decreased brain function as a result of the buildup of amyloid plaque also referred to as white matter, and a decrease in the volume of healthy brain tissue, called gray matter.

External signs of dementia often show up as coping skills people develop to cover up the problems with memory and cognitive function, such as writing notes to themselves to remind themselves of rudimentary activities like making coffee, making a sandwich, finding things around the house or locations with which the person has been familiar for years. Some people forget how to operate home appliances, forget to blow out a candle, or forget they have retired and go to work. That last is more common in men than women.

Heredity is a cause of early onset dementia/Alzheimer occurring before the patient reaches the age of 60. If a parent with early-onset dementia has three children, one of the three has a 70% chance of developing it as well. On the other hand, if the parent’s dementia manifests after the age of 60, there is no hereditary factor.

Several conditions of physical health contribute to the development of dementia/Alzheimer’s disease, including coronary artery disease, other diseases resulting in reduced blood flow to the brain such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and depression or stress. Both of the latter cause inflammation of the brain, which damages the telomeres which protect the ends of chromosomes in the brain. That damage prevents the telomeres from fusing normally with nearby chromosomes. An individual’s isolation worsens the symptoms of dementia.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The patient will never regain the short term memory or cognitive function lost as a result of the condition. There are medications that may slow or stop the progression of the disease. If one notices any of the symptoms discussed above in himself or a loved one, talk to the person’s primary care physician, and get a referral to a neurologist. While the brain cannot be examined to determine a definitive diagnosis, there are tests that will allow neurologists to make a determination that Alzheimer’s disease or some other type of dementia is present. A CT scan of the brain allows diagnosticians to see an increase in white matter or a decrease in gray matter, and cognitive testing aids in the diagnosis. This testing must be done without the patient being aware he or she is being tested because people are very good at developing coping skills to cover up the memory loss from others. According to Boyt, tests will also allow determination of the stage of the disorder, early, late or final.

“There are many things we can do to help prevent the development of dementia,” says Ms. Boyt. These include physical exercise, mental exercises such as word games and puzzles, brain games, learning something new like a new language, socializing and providing service to others, good sleep and sleep habits, and good nutrition.

Good sleep aids in preventing dementia by allowing spinal fluid to migrate to the brain and remove toxins from the brain. This benefit of sleep has been discovered through the study of football players. Researchers have discovered that head, neck and spinal injuries sustained by football players impede the flow of spinal fluid to the brain during sleep, such that toxins are not eliminated and memory as well as cognitive function decline.

“Nutrition is important,” says Ms. Boyt, “we can prevent dementia by avoiding processed food which contains nitrates, nitrites and other additives harmful to the brain.” We should limit the consumption of bacon, processed meats, processed cheese, microwave popcorn and other foods which contain brain-damaging additives. Eat locally produced foods that undergo less processing than distantly-sourced foods. Avoid or limit consumption of white foods, such as white potatoes, rice, and refined flour products. Eat whole-grain foods such as quinoa. Fish are good for your brain, especially cold-water fish such as salmon, flounder, cod, and limit farmed fish. Avoid foods containing heavy metals such as mercury, and eat dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, romaine lettuce, kale, mustard, collard and turnip greens, both raw and cooked. These vegetables are effective at clearing heavy metals from our bodies. Other beneficial foods for brain health include all dark berries like blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, red wine in moderation, dark chocolate in moderation, coffee in moderation (so as not to disturb one’s sleep), and cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil. Avoid any oils that are produced by heat pressing because petroleum products are used in this process and even though they are filtered to reduce the petroleum, they cannot be completely removed.

Ms. Boyt pointed out that everyone experiences a normal cognitive decline as we age, and there is a big difference between that and the decline caused by dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. Some mild decline in memory and function does not warrant evaluation by a neurologist. But when a person has difficulty with routine and well-known processes, it is important to consult medical professionals right away to minimize loss of function if possible.

If Alzheimer’s disease/dementia is present, a continuum of care is available, depending on the stage of the disease. One may just need sitters at home to assist the caregiver, or require home health care or hospice care which can be done in the home. That includes regular visits by nursing assistants and nurses. The next step up from care in the home may be assisted living, which involves medication assistance, meals, and regular checks on the individual by trained staff.  Nursing homes or memory care centers are the last resort on the continuum, so a diagnosis of dementia/Alzheimer’s disease does not require an immediate move to residential care. The family and the patient can select the minimum assistance needed based on the stage of the disease and the specific family situation.

As customary, after Ms. Boyt answered questions from the audience, the meeting was adjourned with the Rotary motto, “Service above self!”

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Congratulations to Scottish Rite Patriotism Award recipients honored at Eastern Star Lodge in Winnfield on Memorial Day. The Scottish Rite is a group of Master Masons who actively embrace high social, moral, and spiritual values, including fellowship, compassion, and dedication to God, family, and country. These award recipients embody that dedication.

Pictured above: from left, Monroe Scottish Rite Venerable Master Judge Keith Gates, 32° KCCH, honorees Hadlee Welch, Devin Maxwell, and Bethany Gray, Louisiana Supreme Court Justice and Louisiana Grand Master Jay McCallum, 33° and Past Grand Masters Woody Bilyeu, 33° GC, and Lloyd Hennigan, 33°. On second row is Bro. Gary Dunn of Eastern Star Lodge.

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Shonna Moss along with guest Lauren Gunter from Teen Challenge spoke to the Kiwanis Club about the Strengthening Families Program. This is a program funded through the Rapides Foundation. It is a program to give parents the tools to keep kids alcohol and drug free. Shonna related the story of their adoption of a 12 year old girl who came from a background of addiction. Their daughter also has a brother who is in Teen Challenge right now and whose life has been changed. If a parent is addicted a child is 4 times more likely to be addicted. Thirty day programs do not work.

In answer to a question, Lauren Gunter said Teen Challenge has some adolescent programs in other states but not in Louisiana. These are programs that are similar to boarding schools. One of the issues of teen drinking is that parents allow children to drink at home or provide alcohol for parties because they think they can control the situation in this way. Most kids get alcohol from parents or older siblings.

Strengthening Families is an 11 week course. It involves having a meal together and then breaking into sessions – 7-12 year olds, 13-17 year olds and then parents. One problem is that no fathers have been engaged in the program,

A forum called Understand the Teen Brain and be Empowered to End the Cycle of Addiction will be held at the Winn Parish Library on June 7th at 5:30 PM. This forum is funded by the Rapides Foundation. Everyone is invited to attend. The brain is not developed until the mid-twenties. That is when good reasoning skills are present. Lauren Gunter said that alcohol and drugs are chemicals that alter the brain and take away dopamine which helps with good decisions. This takes a toll on the mind and body. 45% of kids who take their first drink at age 13 become an alcoholic.

The Strengthening Families Program is decreasing teen substance abuse by improving the family unit. In the program, a “family” is defined as one or more adults responsible for one or more children: a “parent” is an adult with that responsibility.

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Students who aren’t sure where they’ll go to college this fall have until midnight, on June 8 to apply for the Journal Services NSU Scholarships, which will award three new Northwestern State University students up to $3,000 in the next school year.

A link to a simple online application form is available here:

APPLICATION:  To Apply – Click Here

The scholarships are designed to assist Class of 2022 high school students who haven’t settled on a college choice, as well as students currently enrolled at other higher-education institutions who are considering transferring to NSU in Natchitoches.

They are being provided by Journal Services, LLC, based in Natchitoches, which supports 12 locally-owned journals covering north central and northwest Louisiana.

“We know there are students who haven’t decided yet where they’ll go to college this fall. We know that in many cases, money is a key factor in making college accessible,” said Bill Vance, general manager of Journal Services, LLC. “We are providing three game-changing scholarships bringing eager students to NSU to take advantage of the excellent academic programs here, and to live in a community where there are plenty of opportunities to find part-time jobs and to have a great student experience.”

Applicants are asked to provide their high school GPA (and college GPA if applicable), and also, report their ACT score along with listing honors, extracurricular activities and other relevant information on the form. That information will provide a basis for selecting the three winners. 

The scholarship awards are for $1,500 cash per semester in the 2022-23 academic year. To renew the scholarship for the Spring 2023 semester, winners must post at least a 2.7 Fall semester GPA at NSU.

Scholarship winners must live in Natchitoches Parish during the upcoming school year. They are also required to have in-person, face-to-face instruction for 75 percent of their classes in 2022-23.

Students who have already accepted financial aid awards from Northwestern are not eligible to apply.

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Date: 5-24-22
Name: Katelyn D Granger 
Address: Bossier City, LA
Race: White
Sex: Female 
Age: 27
Charge: Driving under suspension 

Date: 5-25-22
Name: Christopher Hayes 
Address: Houlka, MS 
Race: White 
Sex: Male
Age: 48
Charge: Possession of schedule 2 (Meth), Modified exhaust, No MVI, Brake Light, Unsafe Vehicle 

Date: 5-25-22
Name: Lucas Seth Carter
Address: Goldonna, LA 
Race: White 
Sex: Male 
Age: 34
Charge: Aggravated flight, Resisting an officer 

Date: 5-29-22
Name: Paul H Gains 
Address: Natchitoches, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male 
Age: 48
Charge: Operating a vehicle under suspension, Speeding, No insurance 

Date: 5-29-22
Name: Joshua Cole Ingles
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White 
Sex: Male
Age: 37
Charge: Warrant (simple burglary of inhabited dwelling)

Date:5-29-22
Name: Deanna Gorham 
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Sex: Female 
Age: 32
Charge: Illegal Possession of stolen  things 

Date: 5-30-22
Name: Tiffany Howard 
Address: Monroe, LA 
Race: White
Sex: Female 
Age: 37
Charge: Warrant (Baton Rouge) 

Date: 5-30-22
Name: John D Allen
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 35
Charge: Aggravated flight, Speeding, Possession of schedule 1 (marijuana), Expired MVI, No license plate, Attempt, Intent to distribute 

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.

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Date: 5-22-22
Name: Ray A Hollingsworth
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 34
Charge: Criminal damage to property

Date: 5-22-22
Name: Catherine V Simpson
Address: Dodson, LA
Race: White
Sex: Female
Age: 68
Charge: Theft, Direct contempt of court (x3)

Date: 5-22-22
Name: Courtney K Granadams
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Sex: Female
Age: 45
Charge: Theft

Date: 5-27-22
Name: Terry L Hayes
Address: Homeless
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: N/A
Charge: Theft (<1,000)

Date: 5-27-22
Name: Chad K Thomas
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 29
Charge: Aggressive battery, Illegal possession of a firearm, illegal carrying of a weapon

Date: 5-28-22
Name: Tony O Brow
Address: Natchitoches, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 23
Charge: No seatbelt, Failure to appear

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.

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By Brad Dison

Erik Weihenmayer liked to test his limits. He was an angry, rebellious kid who eventually turned his fury into competitiveness and personal achievement. He joined his high school’s wrestling team and, to everyone’s amazement including his own, he became a champion. He became a skydiver, skier, long-distance biker, marathon runner, kayaker, and scuba diver. There seemed to be no limit to what Erik could accomplish.

In 1987, Erik enrolled at Boston College. Four years later, he graduated with a 3.1 grade point average and a degree in English. Unable to land a job, Erik returned to college and earned a masters degree in education. He finally got hired as a grade school teacher in Phoenix, Arizona. It was while he was in Arizona that Erik became interested in mountain climbing. In 1995, he joined a team of climbers who were determined to climb Alaska’s 20,310-foot Denali Mountain, also known as Mount McKinley. After months of preparations, arduous training, and a difficult climb, Erik and his team summited Denali. He and his team spent a total of 21 days on the mountain. During that time, three climbers on other teams died while climbing the same mountain.

In the five years that followed, Erik had summited the highest peaks of five of the seven continents and had climbed the vertical 3,000-foot face of Yosemite’s El Capitan. In the previous fifty years, 170 climbers had lost their lives trying to climb the mountains that Erik had bested. In 2000, Erik set his sights on conquering Earth’s highest mountain, the 29,031-foot Mount Everest. Family and friends tried to persuade Erik not to attempt Mount Everest because of the high number of climbers who had died trying to conquer the mountain. Erik could not be dissuaded.

Finally, after months of training, Erik and his team began their ascent of the world’s highest peak. Climbing Mount Everest took its toll on Erik’s body. He suffered from bouts of dehydration and dysentery, but Erik continued to climb. His confidence grew with each step he took toward the towering peak. At one point, Erik’s climbing partner stumbled and fell into a crevasse. While falling, his partner’s ice ax accidentally cut Erik’s face. After helping his partner regain his footing, the team treated Erik’s cut with the first aid kit they had brought along. They continued to climb.

On May 25, 2001, Erik and his eighteen team members reached the summit of Mount Everest. Erik and his team earned several records upon reaching the summit. Erik’s team was the largest single group of people who had ever reached its peak. 64-year-old team member Sherman Bull, a Connecticut physician, became the oldest person to reach the summit. The team reached the peak with the heaviest piece of equipment climbers had ever lugged up the mountain, a 25-pound high-definition camera used to document the climb.

Erik and his team had little time to celebrate. They spent a mere fifteen minutes at the peak before they began the dangerous task of descending the mountain. When Erik completed his descent from the mountain he said, “I feel great,” and added, “my next challenge will be to climb into bed.”

Erik was not the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He was not the first person to complete the Seven Summits—at the time about 150 people had done it before. He was not the first to reach the top of the Carstensz Pyramid, the Eighth Summit. He was not the first to climb up the 3,000-foot Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite, nor was he the first person to ascend Losar, the 2,700-foot vertical ice face in the Himalayas. Although he was not the first to reach these peaks, Erik became something of a superstar among climbers. He even appeared on the June 18, 2001, cover of Time magazine following his reaching the summit of Mount Everest, though he never got to see it. In fact, he never got to take in the view from atop the world at Mount Everest. Erik Weihenmayer is blind.

Sources:
1. Daily Press (Victorville, California), June 7, 2001, p.6.
2. Time Magazine, June 18, 2001.
3. The Boston Globe, June 27, 2001, p.81.

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Good thing some of the Shreveport boys went with Louisiana Tech’s baseball team this weekend to Hattiesburg, Miss., where the Bulldogs won the CUSA Tournament and some homeboys found themselves playing dramatic roles.

Sophomore utility infielder Riggs Easterling, in his first year at Tech after starring at Loyola College Prep and Mississippi Delta Community College, scored his third and most important run of the year, the game-winner in Sunday’s 9-8 championship game victory over UTSA. The speedy Easterling had come on to pinch-run for CUSA Defensive Player of the Year Logan McLeod, who got the winning rally started with an infield single.

Junior lefthander Jonathan Fincher of C.E. Byrd cleverly brought along his left hand and even his left arm and together, the gang combined for 10 innings. He threw three innings and just 36 pitches in relief in the 4-0 win over Charlotte Wednesday; he gave up two hits, struck out two and didn’t walk anybody.

He started Saturday night’s elimination game, pitched seven innings, threw 96 pitches, gave up six hits, five runs, struck out eight, walked one, and left the game with a 5-5 tie; Tech scored two in the bottom of the ninth for an 8-7 win and its first walk-off victory of the season.

Its second was Sunday, and the final at-bat starred senior Steele Netterville, Fincher’s high school friend and teammate, part of the future Fincher & Netterville Doctors ’R’ Us duo. But before medical school, the two are trying to get to Omaha, the next hurdle being the Austin Regional that begins when Tech plays Dallas Baptist at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Sunday’s hurdle was Step 1 and provided more drama than any appendicitis case Netterville might face down the road. The stage for Netterville: teammates on second and third score 8-8, two outs, bottom nine. Righthanded hitter Netterville against righty reliever Braylon Owens.

Swing, foul ball, 0-1.

Outside and high, 1-1.

Called strike, 1-2. Looked outside. Netterville reacted, as did Tech’s Taylor Young, who’d been intentionally walked and was on second; he went semi-nuts and spread his palms to suggest just how outside the zone the pitch had been.

The sophomore Netterville might have been dead meat. Though back then he led the Bulldogs in extra base hits, tied for the lead in homers and was third in RBI, his strikeouts were high and he gave a lot of at-bats away. And batting in the heart of the order, he was going to get pitched tough anyway; he had to learn how not to help the pitcher.

“Three years ago, it was harder for me to flush it and move on to the next pitch,” Netterville said. “I’d have likely swung at the next pitch and still been mad at the umpire. (Hitting) Coach (Mitch) Gaspard really helped me grow as a hitter and as a person, along with (head coach) Lane Burroughs; they’ve been the perfect combination. Then you add in all the positive energy from Coop (pitching coach Cooper Fouts).”

The perfect combination included lots of at-bats, lots of pitching machine sliders, and lots of video studying. Work and patience.

“You know him,” Gaspard said of Tech’s 3-hole hitter. “He was going to work at it until he figured it out.”

He’s hitting .311 now for the 42-19 Bulldogs with 45 career homers and a program record 62 career doubles. That and lots of practice waited for the 1-2 pitch Sunday.

Slider outside. Laid off. 2-2.

Then … it appeared Owens balked which, if called, would have ended the game and scored Easterling from third then. Netterville’s reaction was semi-violent. He stepped back. Pointed toward the rubber. Glanced at the dugout. But just as quickly, he stepped back into the box and got ready.

“The umpire told me to focus, and that just made me madder,” Netterville said. “First, he strikes me on a ball, then misses a balk. So, I was a little heated on the 2-2.

“But,” he said, “I cleared my mind. I heard Coach Gaspard in the background telling me to make the pitcher get the ball up, to relax.”

The pitch was worth his wait. Fastball up and away. Netterville might have been a little late with his swing, but a little late was just right. He bounced the ball just inside the first base bag and into the safety of right field to end the at-bat.

And to end the tournament.

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