A mother and a grandmother of a student at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts shared their personal stories related to a revolution currently being studied in the Latin American Revolutions class. Sebastian Brumfield Mejia’s mother, Doris, and his grandmother, Bianca, discussed their experiences in Nicaragua just before the Sandinistas overtook that government in 1979. Events in Nicaragua were so chaotic that the family left the nation before 1979. Sebastian is a senior from Baton Rouge and his mother is a 1992 graduate of LSMSA.

Natchitoches Parish President Rick Nowlin has declared a State of Emergency due to potential effects of the flooding conditions of the Red River. Mr. Nowlin urges all citizens to take notice and prepare accordingly.

Anyone needing assistance with sandbags should contact Mary Jones with the Office of Emergency Preparedness at (318) 471-2942.

Board of REALTORS left to right Brandon Thornton (Professional Land Surveyor) Cathy Davis, Robert Davis (professional Land Surveyor), Cele Cook, Michele Todtenbier, Richard & Mary White, Vicky Sanders, Jill Leo, Natchitoches Board of REALTORS Executive, Ed Martin (appraiser), Brad Ferguson (President of the Natchitoches Board of Realtors).

By Kevin Shannahan

Natchitoches area homeowners may have recently received notices from their mortgage lenders requiring them to get flood insurance as their home is now considered to be in a flood plain. The Natchitoches Board of REALTORS held an educational seminar this Tuesday at the Freedom Life Church for local homeowners to answer questions and address their concerns.

The problem was a result of the Federal Emergency Management Agency redrawing flood maps last July. These maps are used by insurance companies and mortgage lenders to determine whether or not a property is in a flood plain and needs to have flood insurance. The redrawing resulted in expanded floodplains taking in larger areas than in the older maps. The requirement to have flood insurance can add a significant cost to a mortgage payment as well as decrease the value of the property. The insurance may not actually be needed.

Teaching homeowners about their options, the Board of REALTORS seminar showed community members how to obtain a Letter of Map Amendment, or LOMA, that removes a structure or property from a floodplain map. This letter, when submitted to the lender, shows that the property is not actually in danger of flooding. This can save the homeowner from having to purchase increasingly expensive flood insurance as well as help preserve the value of his or her property. Brad Ferguson, President of the Natchitoches Board of REALTORS, and his fellow REALTORS invite local homeowners who have any questions to contact any of them for help.

From left to right: Bonita Rowell, Jennifer Nichols, Lyssa Taylor, and Laverne Moore.

The Louisiana Restaurant Legends Award recognizes outstanding employees for their long-term dedication and service to the state’s restaurant industry. Louisiana Restaurant Legends are recognized by their employers, patrons, and peers as being exceptional individuals who make the industry world-renown. Monday, May 2nd, the Louisiana Restaurant Association and the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau honored and recognized Bonita Rowell of Mariner’s for being an icon in the restaurant business for over 21 years and Laverne Moore, also of Mariner’s for serving the community and tourists for 33 years.

Bonita has been a dedicated server at Mariner’s for over 21 years. She is quite popular with the locals as many request her when they make their reservations. She likes to say she has “served doctors, lawyers and Indian Chiefs”! She loves her job and gives credit to her customers, co-workers and working in a family business. She calls Don, Jennifer, and Lyssa her family.

Laverne has been whipping up the greatest Southern recipes in the kitchen at Mariner’s for 33 years. From gumbo, etouffee, to bread pudding and chocolate lush, she keeps the customers coming back. She has loved working at Mariner’s from many of the same reasons Bonita loves working at the family owned restaurant. Laverne loves to learn new techniques, experiment and puts love in every dish.

J.D. Thornton, Executive Officer of the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, has been reappointed by Governor John Bel Edwards for a third term as a Commissioner of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement. Thornton was initially appointed in 2008 as the only non-elected official receiving a Governor’s Appointment.
The Mission of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE) is to improve the operations of the criminal justice system and promote public safety by providing progressive leadership and coordination within the criminal justice community. Thornton’s primary professional interest is in strategic enforcement policy and programs related to criminal justice reform. He received his formal education in Strategic Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Executive Education Program, in 1999 and 2000.

Chief Thornton’s responsibilities with the Sheriff’s Office include strategic operations and planning, fiscal oversight, and coordination of special programs. He has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 14 1/2 years. For six of those years, he has worked as an adjunct instructor in the Criminal Justice Program at Northwestern State University.
Prior to his current public service he spent 15 years as a Special Agent with the Department of Revenue, working criminal tax fraud investigations, followed by 5 ½ years as the Bureau Chief for the Criminal Division. He was credentialed as a certified fraud examiner in 1995.

He obtained his bachelor’s degree at the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1972; he then served six years as a combat infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps; he received his MBA while completing his M.A. from Yale University. Chief Thornton was also the Honor Graduate of the Louisiana State Police Academy and completed his federal enforcement training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, completing programs at the US Treasury Financial Fraud Institute. He is also a graduate of the FBI Command College and is a member of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association.

After 10 years of research, planning, building and promoting, the Natchitoches Events Center is making an economic impact locally. The Center is debt free with only part of the operational expenses being carried by the City. The economic impact is tremendous. As soon as the 87 room hotel opens (estimated Fall of 2016) the effects will be even greater. The cycle includes guests spending money at local restaurants, shopping, flying in, purchasing gas and paying sales taxes. That income, in turn, is spent locally by business owners.

Beyond Weddings and Craft Shows

The diversity of the events is extraordinary. While most of the public knows the Center as THE place to have weddings and receptions, craft shows and Mardi Gras parties, the Center is a host to a great array of groups.

“We just hosted the Superior Livestock Auction,” said Chris Post, “over 58,000 head of cattle were sold nationwide via satellite video. All of this from the Events Center. “

In July, the Center will host EXTREME FORCE LIVE, a nonprofit, anti-bullying campaign, featuring martial arts Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They are expecting over 700 people to attend. That’s 700 people who will contribute to local restaurants, gas stations, shops and our tax base.

“We are also your full event planning resource. I will make your event as seamless at possible by drawing your floor plan, seating arrangement, helping select your food and even taking care of the things you may not consider, like insurance and music.” said Melissa Cloutier, “We can transform the Center into a truly magical place.”

For more information or to schedule your event, go to:

http://www.natchitocheseventscenter.com/

By Leah Jackson

Bailey LeBato of Leesville earned a special recognition from Northwestern State University’s Department of Health and Human Performance. The graduating senior was named Outstanding Health and Physical Education Major, an honor given to a student who exhibits excellence through academics and serves as a role model for his or her peers in the department. The honor was made all the more special because LeBato’s father, Marc LaBaton, received the same award 15 years ago.

When Bailey sent the news to her father that she won the award, he responded with a picture of his plaque for the same recognition in 2001.

“As if the award itself was not special enough, knowing I had made this impression on my professors for them to think I was deserving, the fact my dad also received the same was that much more special,” she said.

Marc LeBato teaches elementary physical education in Vernon Parish, where Bailey plans to teach and coach next year. She will graduate May 6 with a 4.0 grade point average.

“The degree of HHP has deep roots in our family,” Bailey said. “My dad’s mother and grandfather were both teacher and coaches, making my dad and I third and fourth generation educators.” Marc LeBato has taught kindergarten through sixth grade physical education for 14 years.

“I guess you could say it’s in my blood,” Bailey said. “Growing up, I rode with my dad to school every day, turned on the gym lights, rode the bus to fifth and sixth grade basketball games and always had endless toys to play with (PE equipment).”

Bailey credits her father for his example of perseverance and determination.

“We have pictures at home that remind him of his time at Northwestern,” she said. “These pictures include one of him studying with me as a baby lying on his chest and one of him and [HHP Professor] Dr. Bill Dickens that I myself took of them. These pictures motivated me to continue my education even in times when I wanted to give up. I even assisted my dad with a project as a five-year-old that I got my brother to help me with last spring. Same project, different class.”

Bailey’s mother, Kelli LeBato, is also a graduate of NSU, having earned her degree in education in 2008.

“Receiving this award was so humbling as [Department Head] Dr. John Dollar gave such kind words during the ceremony. Visiting with the dean of the college, Dr. Vickie Gentry, and Dr. Dickens, who had also taught dad, was such a neat experience. Sharing this night with my dad will be something I will always remember. NSU is a home away from home, with the best educators who focus not only on their students’ education, but also on forming professional relationships and friendships.”

On May 5th Robeline First Baptist Church will have National Day of Prayer at 6:30pm. Everyone is invited to come and take a stand for the Lord, and pray for our nation, our leaders and our communities.

The Natchitoches Parish Library invites everyone to come celebrate Children’s Book Week May 2 – 5.

Activities will include library tours & special story times every day during Children’s Book Week. Library tours for school groups will also be available upon request. In addition to these activities, we will also show a kid-appropriate movie each afternoon in the Children’s area. The movie will begin each day at 3:30 in the afternoon.

David Scott will perform on Thursday, May 5th at 9 a.m. Scott is an illusionist based in Shreveport, LA ,who has been wowing young audiences for many years. “Our goal is to make sure that your event is the most memorable event possible. Imagine the awe and wonder when a real live bunny appears from nowhere! Your child, or group will be thanking you for giving them such a good, fun, and memorable time,” Scott said. Scott has performed shows and entertained young audiences throughout Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas.

Along with the performance, there will be a chance to learn more about the exciting programs and performances coming up during the Summer Reading Program. Registration for the Children’s, Teen, and Adult Summer Reading Programs begin June 1st.

To make reservations for programs or to schedule a class tour, please call Children’s Services at 238-9222. For more information on this and other upcoming programs at your Natchitoches Parish Library, visit the library’s website at http://www.youseemore.com/natchitoches, or like us on Facebook.

The Natchitoches Board of REALTORS® will be hosting a FREE informational seminar on May 3rd from 6-7pm at Freedom Life Church (1530 Keyser Ave). This seminar is open to the public. Attendees will be educated on the process to file a LOMA (Letter of Map Amendment) to possibly reduce or eliminate their flood insurance if they qualify.

Two of our local surveyors, Brandon Thornton with Nowlin & Associates and Robert Davis with Davis Surveying, will join us for the seminar as well.

If you need further information, please contact Janice Bolton at 318.354.0404.

Janice Bolton
Bolton Real Estate
760 Front St.
Natchitoches, LA 71457