COLFAX, La. — The Louisiana Pecan Festival will return to downtown Colfax for its 58th year Nov. 6-8, bringing three days of live music, parades, contests, carnival rides, vendors and traditional festival activities.

Festivities will begin Friday, Nov. 6, with vendors opening along Front Street at 8 a.m. The Blessing of the Crops will take place at 9 a.m. on the Main Stage, while the festival cooking contest will begin at the same time in the Community Room at Colfax Banking Company. Judging is scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Children’s Day will begin at 10 a.m. on Front Street and continue until noon. The carnival and antique tractor show will open at noon, with cooking contest results announced on the Main Stage.

Friday evening activities will include the Trail Ride Associations Parade at 5 p.m., followed by entertainment from Alphonse Ardoin & The Zydeco Kings. The Friday Night Street Dance featuring Born To Boogie will begin at 8 p.m.

Activities resume Saturday, Nov. 7, with vendors and the Antique Tractor Show opening at 8 a.m. The Grand Parade will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the opening of the Country Store and Pecan House at 11 a.m.

The carnival will open at noon Saturday, when a pie-eating contest is also scheduled on the Main Stage. Live entertainment will include Blue Crab Redemption at 1 p.m. and Ben Ragsdale at 4 p.m.

Saturday’s festivities will continue with a street dance featuring the Adam Leger Band at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m., with streets expected to be cleared by 10 p.m.

The final day of the festival, Sunday, Nov. 8, will begin with gospel music at 9 a.m. The carnival, vendors, Country Store and Pecan House will open at noon. Few Blue will provide entertainment beginning at 1 p.m.

The 58th Louisiana Pecan Festival will officially close at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Festival organizers are also reminding attendees that four-wheelers and golf carts will not be allowed on Front Street during the event.

---

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office will welcome area senior citizens for its annual TRIAD Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 9, at the Grant Parish Civic Center.

The luncheon will begin at 11 a.m. and is open to residents 60 years of age and older.

Organizers are inviting seniors to enjoy a gathering centered around food, fellowship and fun while spending time with members of the community.

The annual event is part of Grant Parish TRIAD, a community partnership bringing together law enforcement, seniors and community services with the goal of supporting and connecting older residents.

The luncheon will be held at the Grant Parish Civic Center, 1290 Main Street in Colfax.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office encouraged eligible residents to attend, continuing its message of “Making a Difference, Together.”

---

GRANT PARISH, La. — Grant Parish will see sunny skies and temperatures in the low 90s through much of the workweek before rain and thunderstorm chances return this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday will be sunny with a high near 91 degrees. Winds will begin calm before becoming northeasterly around 5 mph during the afternoon. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 62.

Thursday will remain sunny with a high near 91, followed by mostly clear skies and a low around 61 Thursday night.

Friday will bring another sunny day with a high near 91. Friday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 61.

Rain chances return Saturday. There will be a slight chance of showers early, followed by a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Otherwise, skies will be mostly sunny with a high near 89. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with a 20% chance of showers and a low around 63.

Sunday will be partly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and a high near 89. A 20% chance of showers will continue Sunday night, with a low around 64.

For Columbus Day on Monday, the National Weather Service forecasts a 20% chance of showers. Otherwise, skies will be mostly sunny with a high near 91 degrees.

---

Louisiana gardeners still have plenty of opportunities to plant cool-season vegetables this month, according to recommendations from the LSU AgCenter.

The AgCenter said October is an ideal time to work on fall vegetable gardens, although recommended planting dates vary between northern and southern Louisiana.

Broccoli transplants can be planted statewide through Oct. 31, while cabbage plants can go into gardens throughout October and into November. Collards and turnips grown for their roots can also be direct-seeded through Oct. 31 across the state.

For North Louisiana, gardeners have a shorter window for several crops as cooler temperatures approach. Carrots and Swiss chard should generally be planted by Oct. 15. Kale can be planted from seed or transplants through Oct. 31, while lettuce can be planted through Oct. 30.

Mustard and turnip greens can be direct-seeded in North Louisiana through Oct. 31. Spinach has one of the longer planting windows and can be direct-seeded through Nov. 15.

Gardeners in South Louisiana generally have additional time for several fall crops. Carrots can be planted through Nov. 15, cabbage through Nov. 30, mustard and turnip greens through Nov. 10, and kale and lettuce through Nov. 15. Swiss chard can be planted through Oct. 30.

The AgCenter recommends direct-seeding carrots, collards, mustard and turnip greens, spinach and turnips grown for their roots.

Broccoli and cabbage should be planted as transplants, while kale and lettuce can be established either from seed or plants.

Gardeners can find additional crops, planting dates and growing recommendations in the LSU AgCenter Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide.

---

MONTGOMERY, La. — Montgomery High School has announced its 2026–2027 Homecoming Court, recognizing students who will represent their classes during this year’s Homecoming Week celebrations.

The Freshman Maids are Madison Vercher, Brantlie Flack, Addyson McManus, Amelia Pinder, Jaylee Arledge and Emma Lambert.

The Sophomore Maids are Abigail Dry, Bayleigh County, Khloe Willis and Sophia KingThe Junior Maids are Josie Raines, Bella Welch, Rylie Eddie, Kaylee Bullock and Kyrie Welch.

The Senior Maids are Shelby McKay, Zoey Dubois, Olivia Fowler, Jolee Johnson, Ella Lambert, Haylee Tucker and Traylehn Jones.

School officials said the students represent the pride, spirit and tradition of Montgomery High School and will be celebrated during Homecoming Week.

---

Young hunters and their families are invited to participate in a Youth Deer Hunting Event hosted by the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office on Saturday, Oct. 10.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 485 Richardson Drive in Colfax and is designed to give young hunters an opportunity to enjoy a day of hunting, fellowship and family fun.

Participants will have the opportunity to compete in a Big Buck Contest, while the hunter bringing in the largest doe will win the Doe Contest.

Every young hunter who enters the competition will receive a prize.

Food will also be served throughout the day for participants and their families.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office said the event is intended to provide a memorable outdoor experience for young hunters while bringing families and the community together.

---

Russell Eugene Ammons
1948 – October 2026
Visitation: Saturday, October 10 from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at Rush Funeral Home in Pineville
Services: Graveside service Saturday, October 10 at 1:00 p.m. at Coleman Cemetery in Dry Prong

Grant Parish Journalpublishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com)

---

Students from four Grant Parish schools recently participated in the 2026 Youth Summit on Healthy Behaviors, gaining information and skills they will bring back to their campuses throughout the school year.

Youth Health Advocates from Grant Junior High School, Georgetown High School, Grant High School and Montgomery High School attended the summit hosted by The Rapides Foundation.

During the event, students had opportunities to connect with other young leaders and participate in discussions focused on healthy eating and active living, drug and alcohol misuse prevention, and vaping and tobacco prevention.

The students’ work will continue beyond the summit. Throughout the year, the Youth Health Advocates will work with coordinators at their respective schools to share information with classmates, raise awareness and help organize activities promoting healthier choices on their campuses and within their communities.

Grant Parish Public Schools recognized the students for taking leadership roles and serving as positive examples for their peers.
School coordinators supporting the Youth Health Advocates are Morgan Lasyone at Grant Junior High School, Coach Philip Riggs at Georgetown High School, Coach Tay Hamilton at Grant High School and Coach Erin Melton at Montgomery High School.

The district also thanked the coordinators for supporting students as they work to encourage healthy habits and choices among their peers.

---

Grant Parish DART is inviting residents, churches and community organizations to participate in a series of October events designed to raise awareness of domestic violence, remember those who have lost their lives and show support for survivors.

October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, with purple serving as the color associated with awareness and support.

The month’s activities will begin with the Grant D.A.R.T. Domestic Violence Awareness Walk on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Hopewell Baptist Church in Colfax. The walk begins at 9 a.m., with a suggested $10 donation to participate. Funds raised will benefit Grant Parish survivors.

A LifeShare Blood Center bus will also be on-site during the walk. Vendors interested in setting up a booth may contact DART Domestic Violence Survivor Advocate Amanda White at 318-627-5575. The walk is being organized by The Worth & Will Foundation.

Churches throughout Grant Parish are also encouraged to participate in Wear Purple Sunday on any Sunday during October. Congregations can wear purple together to raise awareness and honor survivors. Participating churches are encouraged to take group photos and share them with White.

On Thursday, Oct. 15, Grant Parish DART will participate in National Wear Purple Thursday. Businesses, schools, organizations and individuals are encouraged to wear purple shirts, ties, scarves, shoes, hats, nail polish or other purple items as a visible show of support for survivors and domestic violence awareness.

The month’s observances will also include Grant Parish DART’s Annual Candlelight Prayer Vigil at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at Hopewell Baptist Church, 1100 Graham Street in Colfax.

The vigil, themed “Shine Your Light on Domestic Violence,” will honor those who have lost their lives to domestic violence, offer hope to those who are still experiencing abuse and recognize survivors.

Those unable to attend in person will be able to view the vigil through Facebook Live via D.A.R.T. @DartofRuston and @HopewellIBC.

For additional information about the vigil or Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities, contact Amanda P. White, Grant Parish Domestic Violence Survivor Advocate, at 318-627-5575 or 318-787-1053.

Grant Parish DART is encouraging community participation throughout October with a message of awareness, support and hope for survivors of domestic violence.

---

September 28, 2026 — Acadian Companies recently welcomed the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) to its Lafayette headquarters to honor 19 veteran employees with Louisiana Honor Medals, letters from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, and challenge coins in appreciation of their military service and continued commitment to serving others.

The recognition brought together veteran employees representing several divisions under Acadian Companies, including Acadian Ambulance, Acadian Total Security, Safety Management Systems, and Acadian Air Med.

Louisiana Secretary of Veterans Affairs Charlton J. Meginley, Deputy Secretary Dr. Jerome Buller, and Executive Assistant Miracle Williams participated in the ceremony, helping honor and celebrate Acadian’s veteran employees.

Acadian Ambulance President Justin Back addressed the gathering, recognizing the veterans’ service and highlighting the continued commitment to service demonstrated by Acadian employees throughout the organization.

“We are grateful to the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs for taking the time to recognize our veteran employees and celebrate their service,” said Back. “Their commitment to serving others continues long after their military service, and we see that commitment every day throughout Acadian.”

Acadian Companies is proud to have veterans serving throughout its organization and recognizes the experience, dedication, and commitment they bring to their work and the communities they serve.

The 19 Acadian employees recognized during the ceremony were:

Jeremy Angelle — Air National Guard

Eric Bell — U.S. Army

Desiree Benoit — U.S. Army

Thomas Bongarzone — U.S. Navy

George Braneff — U.S. Air Force

Leslie Gravouilla — Army National Guard

Deirdre Green — U.S. Army

Jude Hebert — Army National Guard

Karen Heilman — U.S. Navy

Allen Jones — U.S. Air Force

Chelsie Kreamer — Army National Guard

Brandy Lane-Gage — U.S. Army

Tashia Levier — U.S. Army

Tiffany Lovell — Army National Guard

Javen Noel — Army National Guard

Daniel Ordeneaux — U.S. Marine Corps

Leland Roussell Jr. — Army National Guard

Dewey Thevis — U.S. Army

Tyler Tucker — U.S. Marine Corps

About Acadian Companies

Founded in 1971 as a small ambulance service, Acadian Companies has grown into a 100% employee-owned, multi-faceted company with eight diverse divisions specializing in medical transportation, prehospital care, mobile integrated healthcare, industrial health, safety and environmental services, training, consulting, dynamic security equipment and monitoring for homes and businesses, charter flight services, and world-class emergency medical services education.

---

GRANT PARISH, La. — Grant Parish will begin the period with warm and mostly dry conditions Wednesday before rain and thunderstorm chances increase through the remainder of the week and into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday will be mostly sunny with a high near 93 degrees. Southeast winds will range from 5 to 10 mph. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 71.

Thursday will bring a slight chance of showers during the morning, followed by a greater chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Skies will be partly sunny with a high near 93. The chance of precipitation is 50%. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of showers and a low around 70.

Friday will feature a chance of showers during the morning, with showers becoming likely and a thunderstorm possible after 1 p.m. The high will be near 89 under mostly cloudy skies. Rain chances increase to 70%. A 40% chance of showers will continue Friday night, mainly before 1 a.m., with a low around 69.

Saturday will be cooler, with showers likely and a thunderstorm possible. The chance of precipitation is 60%, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 84. Saturday night will remain mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms and a low around 68.

Sunday will bring another 60% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms. Skies will be partly sunny with a high near 85.

The National Weather Service forecast indicates the greatest rain chances for Grant Parish will arrive Friday through Sunday, with repeated opportunities for showers and thunderstorms through the weekend.

---

Louisiana’s squirrel and rabbit hunting seasons will open statewide Saturday, Oct. 3, providing hunters with another opportunity to head into the woods as the state’s fall hunting seasons get underway.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that both seasons will continue through Feb. 28, 2027.

LDWF described squirrel and rabbit hunting as relatively inexpensive ways for families to spend time outdoors and introduce young people to hunting. Opportunities are available on numerous public lands managed by the department throughout Louisiana.

Hunters age 18 and older are required to have a basic hunting license. Those planning to hunt on an LDWF Wildlife Management Area should also be aware of additional access requirements. Visitors age 18 and older must have a qualifying license or WMA Access Permit, and hunters are required to check in and out when using WMAs.

Hunters are encouraged to review current season regulations, bag limits and rules for the specific public land they plan to visit before heading afield.

Licenses can be purchased through the Louisiana Outdoors licensing website.

Additional information about squirrel and rabbit hunting, including regulations and public hunting opportunities, is available through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

---

Jerry Samuel Spurgeon Jr.
1970 – September 24, 2026
Visitation: Saturday, October 3 from 12:00 p.m. until time of service at Bread of Life Pentecostal Church
Services: Saturday, October 3 at 2:00 p.m. at Bread of Life Pentecostal Church

Charles Eugene “Gene” Garner
March 31, 1943 – September 24, 2026
Visitation: Thursday, October 1 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Gallagher Funeral Home in Ball
Services: Thursday, October 1 at 1:00 p.m. at Gallagher Funeral Home in Ball
Burial: Forest Lawn Memorial Park Tribute Archive

Emily “Dianne” Smith Churchman
July 2, 1951 – September 22, 2026
No upcoming service information has been published at this time.

Grant Parish Journalpublishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com)

---

GRANT PARISH, La. — The Grant Parish School Board has announced the appointment of Tonya Normand as the new Secondary Supervisor for Grant Parish Public Schools.

A Grant Parish native and graduate of Grant High School, Normand brings experience in school administration, early childhood education, state-level education and instructional support to her new position.

Normand previously served as a middle school assistant principal and principal. Her career has also included serving as a Head Start director and working with the Louisiana Department of Education.

Most recently, Normand served as the literacy coach at Montgomery High School, where she worked with teachers and students to strengthen literacy instruction and support student achievement.

Throughout her career, Normand has focused on improving student achievement and strengthening instructional practices. In her new position, she will work closely with teachers and school leaders to provide resources, support, collaboration and professional growth opportunities for educators.

The district said Normand is also focused on preparing students for opportunities beyond high school, with an emphasis on ensuring students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to become college- and career-ready.

As a lifelong member of the Grant Parish community, Normand said she looks forward to giving back to the community that helped shape her and working alongside students, educators, families and community members.

The Grant Parish School Board also recognized Jennifer Winslett for her dedication, leadership and contributions to the district, thanking her for her service to Grant Parish schools and students and wishing her well in her future endeavors.

District officials congratulated Normand on her new leadership role and welcomed her as Secondary Supervisor for Grant Parish Public Schools.

---

The LSU AgCenter is accepting applications for its summer internship program, offering college students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience working alongside Cooperative Extension educators throughout Louisiana.

The program is open to current or rising juniors, seniors and graduate students interested in learning how Extension programs are planned and conducted at the parish level.

Up to 30 internship positions are available across Louisiana. Students studying Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, Extension Education or related fields are encouraged to apply.

Interns will earn $15 per hour and work for approximately 10 to 12 weeks during the summer. Participants will work alongside LSU AgCenter educators while gaining practical experience with programs serving Louisiana communities.

As part of the internship, students will complete a project, report and video highlighting their experience. Interns may also work with their college advisor to determine whether the internship can qualify for academic credit.

Applicants must submit an application and participate in an interview process before being selected.

Applications opened Sept. 15 and will remain available through 11:59 p.m. CST on Nov. 15, 2026.

Additional information and applications are available at the LSU AgCenter Extension Internship website. Questions may also be directed to laremont@agcenter.lsu.edu.

---

This week marks Child Passenger Safety Week, and Acadian Ambulance is encouraging all parents and caregivers to take a moment to ensure their child’s car seat is properly installed and appropriate for their age, height, and weight.

“National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows that car seats cut the risk of fatal injury by up to 71% for infants and nearly 60% for toddlers,” says Dr. Chuck Burnell, Chief Medical Officer at Acadian Ambulance. “Proper use of car seats saves lives. Buckle up every ride, every time.”

Car Seat Safety Tips:

Keep children rear-facing as long as possible: Keep your child rear-facing until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by their car seat’s manufacturer. Most modern convertible seats allow children to ride rear-facing up to 40–50 pounds.

Check for a tight installation: Follow both the car seat instruction manual and your vehicle owner’s manual. Once installed, the car seat should not move more than 1 inch side-to-side or front-to-back at the belt path.

Position the chest clip correctly: Keep the chest clip fastened at armpit level, never over the belly, to ensure harness straps stay securely over the child’s shoulders.

Know when to switch to the seat belt: Car seat anchors (LATCH) have strict weight limits. Check your car seat’s manual to see when your child gets too heavy for the anchors and needs to be secured with the vehicle’s seat belt instead.

Always check labels and manuals: Every car seat model and vehicle is different; never assume installation steps are the same across different seats.

In recognition of Child Passenger Safety Week, National Seat Check Saturday on September 26 offers a great opportunity to get free guidance on properly installing and using the right car seats for your children. Find a nearby inspection location using NHTSA’s Car Seat Inspection Station locator.

Acadian Ambulance is the nation’s largest 100% employee-owned ambulance service providing prehospital care and medical transportation to areas in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. In recognition of Acadian’s clinical excellence, it is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services and a member of the American Ambulance Association. Its sister division, Acadian Air Med, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems.

Acadian Ambulance is a division of Acadian Companies, which has a global reach and a mission of improving the lives of its patients, customers and employees through its innovative spirit and diverse divisions, also including Acadian Air Med, Executive Aircraft Charter Service, Acadian Total Security, National EMS Academy, Safety Management Systems and Acadian Health.

Acadian’s National EMS Academy offers EMT training at its campuses across Louisiana, Texas, and Tennessee. For more information on upcoming classes, visit www.BecomeAMedic.com.

---

GRANT PARISH, La. — Hot and mostly dry conditions will continue across Grant Parish through the weekend, with afternoon temperatures reaching the mid-90s before a slight chance of rain returns Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday will be sunny and hot with a high near 95 degrees. Northeast winds will range from 5 to 10 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 68 and northeast winds around 5 mph.

Thursday will be mostly sunny with a high near 92. Northeast winds will be around 5 mph. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 66.

Mostly sunny skies will continue Friday, with a high near 93. Friday night will become mostly cloudy with a low around 67.

Temperatures will climb again Saturday, with mostly sunny and hot conditions and a high near 96. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 69.

Sunday will be partly sunny and hot with another high near 96 degrees. Partly cloudy skies are expected Sunday night with a low around 69.

The first rain chances in the forecast arrive Monday, when there will be a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise, the day will be mostly sunny and hot with a high near 95.

The National Weather Service forecast indicates Grant Parish will remain dry through the weekend, with only a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms returning Monday.

---

Grant High School Bass Club anglers recently took to the Red River for a day of competition, with several teams earning top finishes at the tournament weigh-in.

C. Nation and C. Constance captured first place and also earned Big Bass honors for the tournament.

L. Hebert and E. Benoit finished in second place, while J. Mott and C. Coleman rounded out the top three with a third-place finish.

The Grant High School Bass Club thanked everyone who attended the weigh-in and supported the student anglers.

Club officials described the tournament as a great day of fishing on the Red River and expressed appreciation for the continued community support of the program.

---

none

Grant Parish Journalpublishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com)

---

A South Carolina woman was arrested after authorities said methamphetamine was discovered concealed inside bracelets during a visit to a federal prison in Grant Parish.

According to the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies were notified by federal prison officials after a visitor was suspected of passing drugs to an inmate.

During the investigation, deputies reportedly discovered that methamphetamine had been concealed inside bracelets. Authorities said the inmate was found hiding the bracelets in his mouth.

Jazmine Smith, 35, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and taking contraband into a penal institution.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office did not provide additional information regarding the inmate or whether additional charges are expected.

An arrest is an accusation, and all suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

---

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a Cash App scam currently targeting individuals through phone calls.

According to the sheriff’s office, scammers may contact potential victims and request money, payments or other transactions through Cash App. The callers may pretend to be someone the victim knows or provide various explanations for why money needs to be sent.

Authorities are urging residents not to send money or complete a Cash App transaction without independently verifying the identity of the person making the request. Residents should also avoid providing personal or financial information in response to suspicious calls.

If a caller claims to be a friend, family member or other known individual requesting money, the sheriff’s office recommends hanging up and contacting that person directly using a phone number already known to be legitimate.

Residents are also encouraged to share the warning with family members and friends, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to financial scams.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office reminded the public that taking a few moments to independently verify an unexpected request for money can help prevent becoming a victim of fraud.

---

As Superintendent of Grant Parish Schools, I was present at the scene of the bus accident, and I witnessed firsthand the strength, compassion, and care of our community during an incredibly difficult situation.

What stood out to me most was how quickly our community came together. Parents and students showed remarkable patience and compassion, helping and supporting one another when emotions were understandably high. I saw people looking out for one another and doing what they could to help.

I am deeply grateful to the Louisiana State Police, the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, our volunteer firefighters, EMTs, and school board personnel who responded and worked tirelessly at the scene.

I am also thankful for our school administrators from Montgomery and Verda, who were present and immediately stepped in to support students and families. Our administrators continue to remain in contact with families and are focused on supporting our students as we move forward.

There are limits to what we can share publicly because we must respect the privacy of our students and their families and follow applicable policies and procedures. However, please know that the well-being of our students and families remains our highest priority. We will continue to offer school-level supports to our students who need to express any feelings or concerns.

As I pray for our students and families affected by this accident, I am also thankful to be part of the Grant Parish community. There really is nothing like it.

---