Free Republic

On a rugged bluff overlooking the Ohio River, known locally as "Devil's Backbone," centuries of overgrowth obscures a secret of history... In 1799, early settlers found six skeletons clad in breastplates bearing a Welsh coat of arms. Indian legends told of "yellow-haired giants" who settled in Kentucky, southern Indiana, southern Ohio and Tennessee -- a region they called "the Dark and Forbidden Land." Archeologists debunk the legend. They say that evidence indicates that the natives of the region once conducted a vigorous trading network nearby and buried their dead on the bluff... Upstream about 14 miles from Louisville, Ky., the...

<p>A former Monroe congressman and the Ouachita Parish sheriff threw their support Friday behind Republic gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal.</p> <p>Dr. John Cooksey, a former U.S. representative, and Ouachita Parish Sheriff Richard Fewell met with Jindal and a group of supporters at the foot of the Louisville Bridge in West Monroe to announce their endorsements of Jindal. Both Fewell and Cooksey said they believed Jindal could better deal with the state's financial woes than his Democratic opponent Kathleen Blanco, who is the state's lieutenant governor.</p>

<p>Instructors of the Bible course elective in Ouachita Parish Schools walk a fine line.</p> <p>They may teach the Bible as history, but they can't let their beliefs enter the dialogue between student and instructor, said Robertine Hammond, instruction services director.</p>