The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), advises the public that Bridge Number 034-06-0402-1 will be reduced to one lane for Bridge Inspection from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM on Monday, May 18, 2015 and Tuesday, May 19, 2015. This structure is on LA 6 over Red River and is located at logmile 4.02. Bridge is located 2.36 miles east of the LA 6 Business Intersection with LA 6 bypass.

Permit/Detour Section
Bridge will be reduced to one 11’ lane with flagmen directing traffic. Please no wide loads.

Safety Reminder
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Additional Information
Call (318) 561-5100 or (800) 542-3509 or 511 or visit http://www.511LA.org for additional information. Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website, http://www.dotd.la.gov, selecting MYDOTD, the LA DOTD Facebook page, or the LA DOTD Twitter page, @Alex_Traffic for further information

Project Contact
Mark Winn; District 08 Bridge Maintenance and Inspection Supervisor
(318) 561-5128, (318) 447-7688
Mark.winn@la.gov

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life. In addition to more than 16,600 miles of roadway, including over 890 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, we are able to facilitate economic development, create job opportunities, improve vital evacuation routes, and make critical freight corridors safer and more efficient.

For more information, please visit http://www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

A service to honor the life of Mr. James E. Watkins, Sr. will be 3 pm Saturday, May 9, 2015 in the chapel of Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Fern Park Cemetery of Natchitoches. The family will receive friends from 9 am until service time on the 9th at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home.

Mr. James Watkins, Sr., 88 years of age and a resident of Oak Grove Community, passed away May 6th at his home. He was born in Birmingham, AL on the 21st of April 1927. He married Vera May Mason and together they raised 3 sons and 1 daughter, James Watkins, Jr., Bruce Watkins, Richard Watkins and Katherine Watkins Alexander. Mr. Watkins was a very hard working man, a welder by trade, also general construction and later a general contractor in the New Orleans area.

Survivors are one sister, Miss Rose Whitlock of Lake Charles, LA; son, Richard Allen Watkins; daughter, Katherine Ann Watkins; daughters in law, Brenda Watkins and Juanita Watkins; and a son in law, Mark Alexander. He was blessed with many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Christelle Salard will be at 3 pm Thursday, May 7, 2015 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cloutierville, LA with Father Kenneth Obiekwe serving as celebrant. Burial will follow at Emmanuel Cemetery in Chopin, LA. The family will receive friends from 10 am until 2 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home on Thursday, May 7, 2015. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 11:30 am on Thursday, May 7th in the funeral home chapel.

Christelle Salard, 70 years of age, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2015 in Natchitoches. She was born December 20, 1944 to Joseph Pierre Salard and Grace (Antee) Salard in Pineville, LA.

The family would like to extend their sincere “thanks” to the staff of Natchitoches Community Care and to Hospice of Natchitoches for the care of Christelle during such a difficult time.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Louisiana State Police, Campti Police, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS,and Natchitoches Fire District #9 Rescue
responded to a three-vehicle injury crash on La. Hwy 9 near Campti, La. on Wednesday morning at approximately 10:35am.

Five people were transported from the scene by EMS to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

Three vehicles involved were a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria, 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze.

The driver of the 2003 Ford was cited for No Drivers License and No Vehicle Compulsary Insurance.

The driver of the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze was cited for Careless Operation of a Vehicle.

The crash is being investigated by Campti Police since it occurred within the city limits of Campti.

Press Release: NSPO
05-06-15

Natchitoches Water System PWS ID# 1069007 Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana

Oak Grove Area within the Natchitoches Water Works #1 Distribution System is experiencing low pressure problems with the water supply system. This drop in system pressure below 15 pounds has been caused by repair efforts to the service lines.
Because of this drop in system pressure, the water within our water distribution system is of questionable microbiological quality.
Therefore, as a precaution, the Water Works #1 Distribution System is issuing a BOIL ADVISORY effective immediately for Oak Grove Area only.  This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by the Water System.
It is recommended that all consumers along Johnson Chute Road, Sisson Road, Paul Jordan Road, Posey Road, and La. Hwy 3191 from Smith Garage Road to La. Hwy 1 North, La. Hwy 504 and all roads leading off from it in an area between La..Hwy 3191 and the Bridge @ Sibley Lake disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:
Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container.  The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil.  (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle or pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)
Again, please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have been advised otherwise.
Guidelines for food service establishments are attached.
Upon notification from the Office of Public Health’s State Regional Laboratory that the samples collected from our water supply have been found to be safe, the State Health Department will notify the water supply of the sample results.  Upon such notification, the Water System will then rescind the Boil Advisory and notify its customers that the water has been found to be safe.
Johnson Chute Road, Sisson Road, Paul Jordan Road, Posey Road, and La. Hwy 3191 from Smith Garage Road to La. Hwy 1 North, La. Hwy 504 and all roads leading off from it in an area between La.. Hwy 3191 and the Bridge @ Sibley Lake . This Boil order does not affect the City of Natchitoches Water Distribution System.
Water Supply Representative: _Bryan Wimberly
Date: May 05, 2015

The photo shows a counterfeit $100.00 bill that was passed at a local restaurant in Many, Louisiana on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. After examining the bill, it was clear that the bill did not have the color shifting ink on the numerals.

Modern bills are imprinted with overt (or visible) security features that help identify counterfeit money. The most prominent is the color shifting ink used on bills produced after 2006. To identify the color shifting ink look at the lower-right hand corner of the bill’s face. Notice the printed numeral and tilt the bill back and forth. Depending on the angle at which you view the bill the color will shift from grey to green and back again. This is the first step in identifying fake money. Color shifting ink is very difficult to replicate and usually cannot be done on a laser printer.

Press Release: Many Police Department

05-06-15

Funeral services for Evelyn Cox Ebert will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at Blanchard – St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA with Dr. Mike Honzell officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, LA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on May 6, 2015 at Blanchard – St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA.

Evelyn Ebert, 84 years of age, passed away May 4, 2015. Evelyn was born July 24, 1930 in Natchitoches, LA. She lived her life to serve her God and her family. She was a faithful Christian and charter member of Calvary Baptist Church in Natchitoches, LA. She spent most of her life in the Oak Grove Community near Natchitoches. Evelyn was very independent, which was evident by her strong will and tenacity to not let life’s circumstances get her down. She enjoyed many hobbies, including traveling, reading, playing bingo, and sewing, but she was most fond of quilting. She enjoyed the simple things in life, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her sons, Cecil Wade Ebert and his wife Rhonda of Campti, LA, Allen Lane Ebert and his wife Debbie of Campti, LA, Douglas Clay Ebert and his wife Kathy of Provencal, LA, and Lowell Ray Evert and his wife Janice of Natchitoches, LA; one sister, Yvinne Badiali of Mansfield, LA; seven grandchildren, Rhonette Mansell and her husband Rich, Casey Ebert, Brandy Kaiser and her husband Adam, Amanda Miller and her husband Jeremy, Jason Ebert, Justin Ebert, and Kayla Adkins and her husband Nathan; and nine great grandchildren, Kristen Sonnier, Emily Sonnier, Cody Wade Ebert, Max Kaiser, Brittany Miller, Logan Miller, Jacob Miller, Evelyn Miller, and Annah Adkins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ira Cecil Ebert; her parents, Arie Monroe Cox and Flora Belle Nix Cox; her brother, Clyde M. Cox; and her brother-in-law, Leslie Badiali.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Casey Ebert, Jason Ebert, Justin Ebert, Adam Kaiser, Jeremy Miller, and Nathan Adkins.

PUBLIC HEARING

City of Natchitoches, Louisiana

The City of Natchitoches will hold a public hearing at 5:00 PM on May 11, 2015, at the Natchitoches Arts Center, 716 Second Street. The purpose of the meeting is to obtain views on the housing and community development needs of the City and to discuss the submission of an application for funding under the State of Louisiana FY 2016/2017 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG) Program. The following items will be discussed at the hearing:

The amount of funds available for proposed community development and housing activities;

1. The range of activities available that may be undertaken, including the estimated amount of funds proposed to be used for activities that will benefit persons of low and moderate incomes;
2. The plans of the City for minimizing displaced persons as a result of activities assisted with such funds and the benefits to be provided by the City to persons actually displaced as a result of such activities; and
3. The City’s past performance on LCDBG projects funded by the State of Louisiana.

All citizens, particularly low and moderate income persons and residents of slum and blighted areas of the City are encouraged to attend this meeting.

Accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking individuals provided that a three day notice is received by the City.

Those citizens unable to attend this hearing may submit their views and proposals until May 26, 2015 in writing to:

City of Natchitoches
Post Office Box 37
Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457

Honorable Lee Posey, Mayor

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives have arrested a second man in connection with the April 17thdogfighting scheme investigation in the Oak Grove community near Natchitoches according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones Jr.

On April 17th,  Deputies assigned to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division,and Patrol Division assisted by the Natchitoches Police Animal Control and NPDC Animal Control Units executed a search warrant in the 1500 block of Eight Mile Loop near Natchitoches, La.

Other items seized included a dog treadmill and pulley system attached to a nearby building to build the animals strength, bite bags attached to metal coil springs used to increase bite strength and latching, whey protein, and creatine for muscle growth, whips, and several bottles of wound cleanser.

Detectives also seized a portable computer, ammunition, two police scanners, drug paraphernalia, and two all terrain vehicles, one of which has been found to be stolen in Sabine Parish, La.

Four dogs were euthanized.

Since that time April 17, NPSO detectives have continued the investigation looking for other suspects involved in the dogfighting.  Detectives also consulted with Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Van Kyzar.

On Friday May 1st, NPSO Detectives arrested Chase Alan Skinner, 27, of the 1500 block of Eight Mile Loop, Natchitoches, La. while in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on unrelated charges for 1-count of Possession of a Firearm by a Person convicted of a Felony, 1-count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals,  Principle to Dogfighting, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

No bond has been set on Skinner.

On April 17th, Ivory Hicks, 43, of the 1500 block of Eight Mile Loop, Natchitoches, La. was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, Dogfighting, Possession of a Firearm by a Person convicted of a Felony.

Hicks was released on bond.

Detectives say the investigation is still ongoing.

Natchitoches Parish President Rick Nowlin announces that the railroad crossing on Brickyard Road will be closed to all traffic from 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, for the replacement of rails by Union Pacific Railroad. In addition, the crossing on Industrial Avenue will be closed to all traffic from 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, for the replacement of rails at that location.

For more information, please contact Mr. Nick Verret, Director of Public Works for the Parish of Natchitoches, at (318) 357-2200.

LOUISIANA – The Office of the Louisiana Attorney General said the deadline for filing claims under a settlement with Sirius XM Radio is near. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell issued the reminder to consumers that the deadline is May 3. To be considered for restitution under the settlement, consumers must file a claim related to conduct from July 28, 2008 to Dec. 4, 2014, which involved “an identifiable loss that has not been previously resolved through other means.” Sirius XM Radio Inc. of New York agreed to pay $3.8 million and provide restitution to eligible consumers related to misleading advertising and billing practices. http://www.wafb.com/story/28942978/ag-issues-reminder-about-filing-claims-against-sirius-xm-as-deadline-nears

Press Release: Attorney General’s Office – Louisiana