The Natchitoches Parish School Board met Monday, May 9th, at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the prospective budget for the upcoming bond issue as well as the possible amount to ask the voters for. Aside from the board members and Mr Solomon, the meeting was attended by The Natchitoches Parish Journal, another member of the media and Coach Helms of NCHS. There were no members of the general public present. Board members present at the meeting were Mr. Wilson, Ms. Guidroz, Mr. Danzy, Rev. Harris, Mr. Metoyer and Mr. Melder.

Mr. Solomon presented proposals for budget items. The discussion centered around 16 new classrooms for NCHS as well as a fieldhouse for their football team and other sports. Mr. Metoyer also was concerned about the expense of doing maintenance on the current Magnet building if it was in such terrible shape. He wondered if it might be a better use of tax dollars to tear it down rather than do a little here and there. The meeting adjourned with no clear course of action agreed upon. Mr. Solomon stated that the bond amount had to be settled upon and the election called by Monday, May 16th.

The Natchitoches Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that took place in the parking lot of the I-49 Burger King.

On May 9, 2016 around 8:07 a.m., Officers with the Natchitoches Police Department responded to 5386 University Parkway (Burger King) in reference to an armed robbery that had just occurred in the parking lot. Upon Officers arrival they made contact with the victim who stated that while in the parking lot she was approached by a black male (dark complexion, around 5’8” to 5’11” with blonde and black shoulder length dread locks) who ordered her at gunpoint to give him her property. The suspect was then picked up by a current body style white Ford Taurus that turned east on to University Parkway.

If you have any additional information in regards to this investigation please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or Detective Jeff Townson at (318) 357-3852. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.

Chief Micky Dove
Natchitoches Police Department

Demon Battalion recognizes cadet accomplishments
By Leah Jackson

Northwestern State University’s Department of Military Science hosted a commissioning ceremony for graduates of the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) Friday. The cadets, who earned degrees during commencement ceremonies, were commissioned as second lieutenants and will leave the university to begin their military careers.

New officers are 2nd Lt. Laura-Rose Porter of Zwolle and 2nd Lt. Donnette Stokes of Carencro.

Porter joined the Demon Battalion in 2014. She graduated with a degree in history with a minor in military science. She was a member of the River Campus Ministry involved with the Fun, Outreach, Relationship and Teaching (FORT) program and Phi Alpha Theta history honor society. Porter completed ROTC’s Leadership Training Course, the Cadet Leader Course and the Cadet Troop Leader Training Program. She participated in the Demon Battalion’s Ranger Challenge Team and earned a two-year Cadet Initial Entry Training Scholarship. Porter also served as the Battalion’s Command Sergeant Major and Adjutant. She has been assessed Aviation Corps and will complete the Basic Officers Leaders Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Stokes joined the Demon Battalion in 2012 and earned a campus-based three-year ROTC scholarship at the end of her freshman year. With an overall grade point average of 3.8, Stokes graduated magna cum laude with a degree in liberal arts with a concentration in foreign languages. She participated in Ranger Challenge three of her four years in the ROTC program and served as Battalion Adjutant during the fall of her senior year prior to serving as the Battalion Commander. Stokes has been assessed Active Duty Transportation Corps. After completing her Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Lee, Virginia, she will be stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Cadet Keshira McKnight of Natchitoches was unable to participate in the commissioning ceremony in order to compete in the Southland Conference Track and Field Championships. She was one of nine student-athletes who received her diploma May 1 due to competition commitments. McKnight graduated with a degree in psychology. She enrolled at NSU on a track and field scholarship and joined the Demon Battalion in 2014. Excelling in leadership positions, she earned a two-year ROTC scholarship at Cadet Initial Entry Training. McKnight’s military training includes the Leader’s Training Course and the Cadet Leader’s Course. She served as the Battalion Intelligence Officer as well as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major throughout her senior year. McKnight has been assessed National Guard Military Police. After completing Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, she will be stationed in Minden.

Col. Carlene A.S. Blanding, commander for Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital and the Joint Readiness Training Center Surgeon at Fort Polk, was guest speaker.

By David West

Dr. Marcia Hardy, left, president of the Faculty Senate at Northwestern State University, presented a resolution of appreciation to Northwestern State President Dr. James Henderson at spring commencement exercises. The resolution, which was passed by the Faculty Senate read “Whereas President James Henderson since assuming office in January 2015 has worked tirelessly on behalf of Northwestern State University and higher education in the State of Louisiana; and Whereas he has sought through multiple creative and innovative efforts to revitalize the life of the university, Be it resolved that the Faculty Senate of Northwestern State University extends its utmost appreciation to Dr. Henderson for his continuing leadership and outstanding service to faculty, students and staff of the university.” Henderson has served as Northwestern State’s president since Jan. 1, 2015.

Our meeting will be May 12 at 3:00 in the Board Room of the Downtown City Bank

Agenda

1) Welcome to guests and new members

2) Financial Report – Dee Fowler

3) Paver Update – Donna Masson

4) Update on Fountain Problems – Grant Bowden & George Minturn

5) Report from committee on Plaque, Kiosk, and DS Monument placement

6) Vote on:
Architectural Planning – Phase III to complete the Monument and associated concrete work.
Proposal for wording of Signage by the city for a sign similar to the one on the American Cemetery

7) Future plans ??????- What would you like to see in the way Park improvements

8) Request for the names of Veterans for 2016 Taps

9) Finalize program for Memorial Day

Our next meeting is set for June 9 2016, at 3:00 in the Downtown City Bank Boardroom. For more information please contact Grant Bowden at 357-3106 or Bob Gillan at 352-7746.

By Edwin Crayton

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “Sunday morning at 11 am is the most segregated hour in America.” Well, despite much progress in race relations, many churches nationwide are still segregated, although the north and west are much better than the nation in general. What’s the case in Natchitoches? This poll sought answers by seeking the opinions of people of various races. The question was a simple one: “Are churches in Natchitoches still segregated? And if so, why?

Carla Antee: (transplant from California) “No they’re not integrated. The churches I’ve seen are predominately African American. If they had a mega church that would make more of a racial mix. People are going to the churches they’re more familiar with.”

Anonymous: “I personally attend a church that is integrated, and I think the Holy Spirit works in that environment. I know that some churches here are not integrated and let’s face it, it’s prejudice.”

Gene Dacus: (He is a former salesman, is white and spiritually conservative. He also lived here once.) “Natchitoches is small and like small towns, it’s got cliques. It’s not open.”

Dianne Crittenden: “Yes they’re still segregated. Why? Oh, same reason as usual: prejudice.”

Bennie Freeman: (He’s an African American artist from New Orleans) “I was sitting in church singing and one of the former presidents of Northwestern turned around and said I should sing in the choir. (He now sings in the choir at First Baptist Second Street, which is predominately white, but is also integrated.) I’ve been treated well at First Baptist. They make the effort. On the other hand, I know of the indifference that exits because of the lack of participation from people in the African American Community. I can’t tell you systematically that the churches are not integrated. It depends on the church and on the pastor.”

Carl Sias: “Yes they are segregated. Because we’re on a different wave length. If we say we are Christians, we should be as one. But the Devil has us separated. Some black people don’t want to sit under (the authority) of a black minister. And some white people don’t want to sit under the authority of a black one.”

Viola Jackson. “Yes, they’re still segregated. The only time I see whites in the Black churches is when they’re running for office. I don’t know what the situation is, but we should try to get along and try to experience the other race’s religion.”

Currently in Natchitoches, as far as I know, there are no predominately white churches with black pastors, although First Methodist did once have an African American pastor who helped build a new wing of the church before moving on. On the other hand, there are no whites serving as pastors in African American churches. Ironically, it was the Christian Church that led the Civil Rights Movement, a movement that integrated American life. Equally as ironic, the Bible itself says, God’s Kingdom will be “a house of many nations.” Is the lesson that we’d better learn to integrate now because Heaven is certainly integrated? And so is hell.

Reprinted from The Real Views Community Newspaper

Kim began her banking career with City Bank in 1998 and currently holds the position of Assistant Vice President/Lender.

Kim is a native of Provencal and is a graduate of Natchitoches Central High School. She has been very active in the community. She is a former member of the Kiwanis Club where she served as a Board of Director for 3 years. In 2009 she received the “Kiwanian of the Year” award for her service and dedication to the club. She has also completed the Louisiana Banker’s Association Consumer Lending School.

Kim is married to Thomas Howell and they have two children, Lindsay and Dustin. They are the proud grandparents of two grandchildren, Molly Kate and Jake. They are active leaders at Freedom Life Church in Natchitoches.

Natchitoches, LA – Five students from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts competed at the Louisiana Envirothon contest on Saturday, April 16, at the Burden Center in Baton Rouge.

The competition is a multidisciplinary, environmental problem-solving contest. Students train and compete in teams of five in several natural resource areas: soils and land use, aquatic resources, forestry, wildlife and a changing yearly current environmental issue.
The current issue for 2016 was invasive species and the team prepared an oral presentation related to the current issue that described a solution to an environmental problem.

The LSMSA team consisted of Bryce Cason, a senior from Denham Springs; Bailey Dixon, a senior from Zachary; Aryiana Moore, a senior from Leesville; Sel Rogers, a senior from Metairie; and Gabrielle Yoes-Favrot, a junior from Gonzales.

The team placed first in the aquatics, current event and oral presentation areas and second overall in the competition.

The students received training and support from Dr. Allison Landry at LSMSA in preparing for the contest.

“Louisiana Envirothon was a great educational and fun event for all of the students involved,” said Landry. “The students extend a thank you to all of the sponsors and hosts of the contest.”

Sheriff Victor Jones and the deputies of the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office congratulate our own Deputy Vanessa Raynes Stanfield who received a Masters of Arts in Adult Education during Northwestern State University’s commence ceremonies on Friday, May 6, 2016.

Deputy Stanfield is assigned to the NPSO Community Services Division.

By Kevin Shannahan

Kevin’s Gallery

The Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Foundation held it’s 29th annual fundraising gala at the Natchitoches Events Center with a theme of “007 A Night of Intrigue.” A crowd of over four hundred people, some dressed as characters from the James Bond movies, enjoyed an evening of live entertainment, friends and comraderie.

The NRMC Foundation has raised well over $400,000.00 dollars since its first fundraising gala. The money raised is used for scholarships and health related grants in the local area. It was a truly enjoyable evening for a great cause.

Governor John Bel Edwards and Jacque Reed Horton

Governor John Bel Edwards made a special appearance to speak to the students and faculty at St. Mary’s school in Natchitoches, Louisiana.  While there, Governor Edwards spoke with us about the future of the State voucher program.

By Corey Poole

Natchitoches resident Nettles Brown was installed as the new chairman of the board for the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana April 26 at its annual meeting and luncheon at the City Club in Baton Rouge.

Brown graduated from Northwestern State University in 1963 with a bachelor of science in accounting degree. He received his MBA in 1970. He attended The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pa. where he received diplomas as a chartered life underwriter and a chartered financial consultant. He is a retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force with 33 years of service in hospital administration, including service at the Pentagon and in Saudi Arabia.

A financial services professional with New York Life and co-owner of Waskom, Brown & Associates LLC, an accounting firm in Natchitoches, Brown and his wife Glenelle have two children, Lesh Jr. and Breanna Brown Shumpert.

As a member of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Natchitoches, Brown served on the Board of Trustees for the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana from 2011-2014. He was vice-chair from 2014-2016 and will serve as chairman until 2018.
Asked by the Foundation’s president to join the board, Brown says they try to give back.
FUMC received a grant a few years ago to bolster the ministries at NSU Wesley, a United Methodist campus ministry. Church members worked with Methodist studentsat Northwestern State University.

Trying to expand its Spanish ministries, the church also received a grant from the Foundation to sponsor a student to attend NSU.The student was chosen from the Lydia Patterson Institute, a Methodist Christian college-preparatory school in El Paso, Texas that offers programs to Spanish-speaking children, primarily from Juarez, Mexico. These students are given the opportunity to attend high school and college in the U.S. Brown proudly said that the church’s sponsored student just completed his first year of college.

“My mother taught me that there’s two kinds of men,” said Brown. “You’re either a giver or a taker and I feel I need to do some giving.”

Besides giving back through his church and the Foundation, Brown served as president of Kiwanis International from 1999-2000 and is a member of the Louisiana Conference Board of Ordained Ministry (CBOM). He is the president of the Natchitoches Parish Port Commission and treasurer of the Kiwanis Club of Natchitoches.

Located in Baton Rouge, the United Methodist Foundation was founded in 1975. It serves United Methodist Churches, institutions and individuals with the Louisiana Annual Conference, providing financial guidance and education, loans and grants. It is one of the largest United Methodist Foundations in the denomination.

The Foundation meeting and luncheon celebrated 40 years of service and the following milestones:

– $33 million in planned gifts established for the future of the United Methodist Church and its ministries
– $45 million loaned to churches and ministries within the Conference
– Over $5.7 million in grants awarded to United Methodist ministries
– Over 100 seminary service loans awarded to Conference pastors

2016 Elementary Teacher of the Year
Sarah Rachal Natchitoches – Magnet

2016 Jr. High Teacher of the Year
Charlotte Turner – Parks

2016 Principal of the Year
Mary Yount – Provencal

Teachers of the Year for each school
Cloutierville – Devoderick Wilson Patricia Wilson
East Natchitoches – Tameka Star
Fairview Alpha – Carl Gunter
Goldonna – Jackie Campbell Joy Rowell
Lakeview – Kyle Millier Shanice Major
Magnet – Carissa Davis Sarah Rachal
Marthaville – Amy Stepp
Natchitoches Central – Rachel Monroe
NSU E-Lab – Michah Nucholson
NSU Middle Lab – Shauna Hicks
Parks – Jessica Choyce Charlotte Turner
Provencal – Amanda Adams
Vaughn – Sonya Elie Jermaine Thomas
Weaver – Melissa Kaufman

Support Personnel
East – Judy Kathleen Llord
Parks  – Shelia Pierre
Marthaville – Cindy Mitchell
Fairview Alpha – Barbara Smith
Weaver – LaTonia Mims

Dear Principal/Teacher/Parent:

It is time for the 11th annual, “Essays for Excellence” with Elmer’s Candy Co. and Elite Radio Group in honor of our teachers and students.

Here’s how it works: All elementary students will be encouraged to submit an essay telling why their teacher should be chosen as the “Teacher of Excellence” We will select a winner from Grades 1st – 3rd and a winner from Grades 4th – 6th. The winning teachers will each receive a Kindle Fire HD and plaque. The students that write the winning essays will receive a brand new Kindle Fire HD(4th-6th class)) and a bicycle for (1st-3rd class). Good Luck to all of the elementary school children in Natchitoches Parish in this year’s “Essays for Excellence 2016.

NOTE: Contest begins May 9th.  Please make sure your 1st through 6th grader receives an entry form from their school.  All essays must be turned in by May 16th.
If you have any questions, please contact:

Theresa Wilkerson
Elite Radio Group
318-354-4000 ext 225
theresawilkerson.erg@gmail.com

Essay Winner 2015 – Parks

Essay Winner 2015 – NSU Lab

Doug De Graffenried – First United Methodist Church, Natchitoches, Louisiana

Dora is a theological dog. Actually she is a designer canine. She is a dash of this and a bit of that. She could be some form of Terrier she might have some Feist in her. She is a mutt of the highest order. This is the fourth anniversary of Dora joining our canine corps.

Dora and her siblings were rescued by my bride on her drive home from Gibsland. There was no evidence of a mother dog. They were on the side of the road outside of Castor, which is to say, “in the middle of nowhere.” My wife called the night before and said, “There are four cute puppies wandering on the side of the road. I can’t find their mother. If they are still here tomorrow night I’m going to bring them home.” I said, “Sure.”

The next night we had four new puppies, three males and a female.

It was evident that the female was not in very good shape. She had sores on her abdomen and appeared to be unsure on her feet. As weak and as frail as she was, the first night she walked the perimeter of the backyard. She earned her name, “Dora, the Explorer.” The next morning I piled those four puppies up in a shoe box and took them to Dr. Kieffer. She said they were about five weeks old and tried to identify their canine breed. The males very healthy but Dr. Becky just shook her head about Dora. She gave Dora some medicine but wasn’t hopeful of her survival.

Each night we put them to bed we wondered how we would find Dora the next morning. She stopped eating and drinking. She would stand up, but would be unable to move. We weren’t certain that she could see or hear. Her siblings were picking on her harshly. A couple of more trips to the vet, an IV or two and Dora started to show signs of being a dog. She still had issues with mobility but at least she started eating and drinking. I think that is when we started spoiling her, because we felt she might be a short timer. We wanted her little life to be happy. We were willing to do anything we could and spend the money we needed to so that Dora would have a chance.

Today Dora runs the pack. She has been around long enough to garner her nickname, “Baby-Deaux.” Our two Labs don’t know how to handle her Terrier behavior. We are not certain either, but if you come to the house, Dora will let you know that she’s the barking boss. The lawn man is afraid of her. The mailman is afraid of her. The air conditioner man is afraid of her. Yet, she is very docile and gentle with us.

She is a very strong little dog, who has dispatched seven moles thus far. She can outrun the Labs without breaking a doggie sweat. I have no alarm clock because at 5:30 a.m. Dora jumps into the bed, finds my nose and will lick it until I am fully awake. There is no snooze button on this silly dog. She has trained me in her wanting to be fed, wanting the back gate opened so she can run in the field, and wanting a doggie treat signals. They are all different, but she worked with me until I knew them.

Why does any of this matter?

Jesus said, “If you humans know how to give good gifts imagine how your Father in heaven can give better gifts.”

Dora was likely abandoned with her siblings. She was a throw-away dog. She didn’t matter. She was wandering on the side of a dangerous road, lost! Had she not been seen by my observant wife on her drive home, she likely would have died from her infection or been run over. This throw away outcast found herself adopted by the most dog crazy people imaginable. She went from abandoned to spoiled rotten. She is loved and her story is celebrated by our family each year at this time. She is our “May-Day” dog.

If we humans love our pets and care for them and we are imperfect, can you imagine how great perfect love is? I think God gave us Dora, so we could understand His love a little bit better. As I mentioned, she is a theological dog.

A student from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts was chosen to participate in the annual Rural Electric Youth Tour Trip to Washington, D.C., by the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives.

Aryiana Moore, a senior from Leesville, is sponsored by Beauregard Electric. She will travel to Washington, D.C., June 11-17.

“I was super excited when I found out I won the trip,” said Moore. “When I received the call, I was sitting in the CPT atrium with my friend and I started jumping up and down while silently screaming in celebration.

“I immediately called my mom to tell her the good news. Part of me couldn’t believe that I had actually won. It was an amazing surprise to say the least.”

Moore first learned about the opportunity through a newspaper when she was a freshman in high school, but was too young to apply at the time. She decided to apply because it seemed like a cool opportunity to tour Washington, D.C., for free.

According to Moore, applying was relatively easy. She had to write an essay on a chosen topic and e-mail it in along with her contact information. She also had to have a teacher that could verify that she did write the essay herself. This year’s topic was “What is the biggest issue facing today’s generation?”

“I am most looking forward to meeting a variety of elected representatives of our country,” she said.

Louisiana’s electric cooperatives send students to Washington for a number of reasons, including rewarding students for academic achievement through a writing contest; educating students about the role of electric co-ops in the national economy; fostering students’ appreciation for the democratic form of government; exposing students to the sights and sounds of our nation’s heritage; and building students’ leadership skills so that they may make a difference in their communities.

The Youth Tour is sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Van Kyzar | Courtesy Van Kyzar

NATCHITOCHES—In lieu of riding off into the sunset after retiring from the district attorney’s office, Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Van Kyzar is running to fill the vacant seat on the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal.

“I believe very strongly my experience as a private practice lawyer for over 20 years, district attorney for 20 years and 12 years as assistant district attorney provides me with the basis of knowledge and experience that will best serve the people,” Kyzar told the Louisiana Record. “It’s a natural fit for me.”

The Third Circuit Court of Appeal hears all criminal and civil court case appeals for a 21-parish area, including the central and southwestern parishes of Louisiana. The open seat on the court will be filled from the sub districts including Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides and Sabine parishes.

“I understand I have been given a great honor in the 10th Judicial District by serving as DA for the past 20 years,” Kyzar said. “I assumed that role with the understanding the great power of the DA’s office comes with great responsibility. I’ve always strived to handle this position with honor and integrity, and I pledge to the people in my district and state to do the same on the Third Circuit.”

Currently Kyzar is running unopposed, but he expects that to change before the election this November. Regardless of who else may enter the race, Kyzar knows he has locked down the support of at least a few Louisianans: his wife Theresa, a nursing professor at Northwestern State University; their five sons who range in age from 33 to 22; and three grandchildren.

“Theresa and I both believe in service to our professions,” Kyzar said in reference to his family supporting his run. “I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the legal profession and justice system in a different, but most important, way.”

Kyzar called it a “blessing” the election falls on the same day as the presidential election and shared he plans to utilize the excitement for the presidential race to share his message with people throughout the district.

“Our judicial branch is extremely important,” Kyzar said. “Appellate and supreme court judges are vital to the proper functioning of the judicial system.”

Though the role judges play in the functioning of our democracy may be foreign to many, Kyzar said it is the job of candidates like himself to help them understand the importance of judicial positions and the importance of a proper functioning judiciary system.

Kyzar said he worked hard to perform his duties as DA and handle his job with great respect and, if elected, will bring that same ethic to the Third Circuit.

“The office of the DA didn’t define who I am as a person, but my personal actions can define the role I’m serving for the people,” he said.

By: Katie Rucke May. 3, 2016, 12:47pm
Reposted from Social Media via The Louisiana Record
Original Story Link: CLICK HERE

*** Political Announcement ***

Parish President Rick Nowlin has announced that there is an immediate vacancy on Natchitoches Parish Fire District #2 Board. Any resident of the District interested in serving on the Board may submit their name and contact information by mailing it to the Office of the President, P. O. Box 799, 200 Church Street, Natchitoches 71458-0779, or by calling Mrs. Lynda Vance, Executive Assistant to the President at (318) 352-2714, or by sending an email to admin@npgov.org to receive the application instructions.

By Leah Jackson

Students and faculty from Northwestern State University’s Department of Hospitality Management and Tourism, along with NSU President and First Lady Dr. Jim and Tonia Henderson, joined tourism partners from the city and parish for a Travel and Tourism Rally Wednesday to welcome Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser to Natchitoches. Nungesser is travelling around Louisiana as part of National Tourism Week to support the industry that brought nearly 30 million visitors to Louisiana last year, generating more than $800 million in state tax revenue. Representatives from the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the city and parish, Cane River National Heritage Area, National Park Service, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum and joined members of the Chamber of Commerce, local hoteliers, innkeepers and restaurateurs to discuss the economic impact of tourism in Natchitoches. The rally took place at Fort St. Jean Baptiste, a state historic site.