by Ida B. Torn

SEE PHOTOS HERE

It’s that time of year again when nostalgia is delivered right to your home, sometimes right to your doorstep, and it comes wrapped in a bright red bag to make sure you don’t miss it. And it doesn’t matter what your economic status is, everybody gets one. The ADs Parish Red Books have hit the streets. It’s like Christmas in June!

I must admit, I let mine sit at the end of my drive all week as did the three neighbors nearest me. Not even the football schedule magnet that I knew was glued on the front was enough to draw me to it. It irritated me that the bag was thrown in my yard whether I wanted it or not. After today’s thunderstorm, the bags were looking pretty pitiful in the high grass that hasn’t been cut yet so I went out and picked up the three closest to my house. After hauling the mud covered “gifts” to my front porch, I went inside and asked my husband to go for an afternoon drive with me.

We spent about an hour driving around the Parish and found home after home with a rain-soaked red bag lying in the yard, both in well established neighborhoods and on rural roads. When we got home, we unwrapped our soggy book to see exactly what valuable information we had let go to waste. After all, many trees had to give their lives so I could have digits right at my fingertips. I couldn’t help but notice that the most frequent advertiser in the book was the phone book company itself with over 45 display ads in its yellow page section. ADs would like you to know that 91% of people aged 70+ still use a phone book.

The white pages section is a total of 111 pages and covers residences in Natchitoches, Sabine, Red River and DeSoto parishes. I think that is a pretty good indication that more and more people are moving to having only cell phones and you can’t find those numbers in a phone book. You can still find the phone number of your local politician, attorney, medical office, church, school and government office. You can also find those numbers through numerous online sources, which is what we do. At least ADs still believes in its product because they don’t offer an online resource.

If you actually look forward to getting your red package and didn’t retrieve it before the rain got to it, fear not. I heard that the YP Yellow Book is verifying numbers and will go to press soon.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 18 at 12:46PM CDT expiring June 18 at 1:45PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Areas Affected: Red River; De Soto; Bossier; Bienville; Webster; Caddo

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SHREVEPORT HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR:
SOUTHEASTERN CADDO PARISH IN NORTHWESTERN LOUISIANA…
WESTERN BIENVILLE PARISH IN NORTHWESTERN LOUISIANA…
SOUTHERN BOSSIER PARISH IN NORTHWESTERN LOUISIANA…
SOUTHERN WEBSTER PARISH IN NORTHWESTERN LOUISIANA…
CENTRAL DE SOTO PARISH IN NORTHWESTERN LOUISIANA…
RED RIVER PARISH IN NORTHWESTERN LOUISIANA…
* UNTIL 145 PM CDT

* AT 1246 PM CDT…SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE
EXTENDING FROM MINDEN TO NEAR RINGGOLD TO 6 MILES NORTH OF
CAMPTI… MOVING WEST AT 20 MPH.
HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS.
SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED.
IMPACT…EXPECT DAMAGE TO ROOFS…SIDING…AND TREES.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE:

SHREVEPORT…BOSSIER CITY…MINDEN…MANSFIELD…HAUGHTON…
BLANCHARD…COUSHATTA…BENTON…STONEWALL…RINGGOLD…SIBLEY…
DOYLINE…DUBBERLY…DIXIE INN…HEFLIN…FOSTERS…EASTWOOD…
MARTIN…SOUTH MANSFIELD AND HALL SUMMIT.

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
BUILDING.

STATE BOND COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:

The Staff finds no technical problem with the proposition and on that basis recommends the proposition be presented to the voters. The proposition is considered a renewal tax.

L16-239 – Natchitoches Parish Council, Sales Tax District No. 1 – ½ percent sales tax, 10 years, beginning April 1, 2017, constructing, improving and maintaining public infrastructure, with one- half of the tax revenues collected in the City of Natchitoches being expended within the City for constructing, improving, and maintain roads, bridges and drainage systems and the remainder of proceeds for construction, improving and maintaining of roads and bridges in the District.

This ½ percent sales tax is expected to yield approximately $3.2 million annually. The proposed proposition has never been presented to the voters. The proposition is considered a new tax.

Pursuant to R.S. 47:338.54 Parishes and School Boards are authorized to levy 5 percent within the jurisdiction. The combined rate levied within the Parish, excluding the Law Enforcement District and municipality is currently 2.00 percent, which does not include the proposed tax. The proposed tax would result in a rate 2.50 percent.

Total sales tax within this jurisdiction is:
Law Enforcement District                           0.50%
School Board                                                          2%
Parish Council, Sales Tax District No. 1   0.50% (lncludes Proposed)
City of Natchitoches                                      2.50%
Total                                                                    5.50%

STATE BOND COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:

The Staff finds no technical problem with the proposition and on that basis recommends the proposition be presented to the voters.

L16-241 – Natchitoches Parish Council, Sales Tax District No. 2 – ¾ percent sales tax, 10 years, beginning April 1, 2017, constructing, improving and maintaining public roads and bridges.

This ¾ percent sales tax is expected to yield approximately $1.5 million annually. The proposed proposition has never been presented to the voters. The proposition is considered a new tax.

Pursuant to R.S. 47:338.54 Parishes and School Boards are authorized to levy 5 percent within the jurisdiction. The combined rate levied within the Parish, excluding the Law Enforcement District and municipality is currently 3 percent, which does not include the proposed tax. The proposed tax would result in a rate 3.75 percent.

 

Total sales tax within this jurisdiction is:
Law Enforcement District          0.50%
School Board                                         2%
Parish Governemnt                              1%
Parish Sales Tax District No. 2    0.75% (Includes Proposed)
City of Clarence                                     1%
Total                                                     5.25%

By Paul Letlow

Ben Sheets needed that light bulb moment to show him his full potential.

As early as his freshman season at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, coach Smoke Laval told the young pitcher that he possessed first-round talent. Sheets didn’t realize how talented he was and how special he could be until the summer before his junior season when he was invited to Team USA tryouts in Tucson, Ariz. There he saw that his skills matched up with anyone there.

The light bulb turned into a spotlight quickly for the St. Amant High School product.

“All it took was that one tool,” said Sheets, a 10-year Major Leaguer with the Brewers, Oakland A’s and Atlanta Braves. “A good arm. And I did it with two pitches. You don’t see that much. You don’t see two-pitch pitchers starting and going 200 innings.”
That powerful arm opened a lot of doors for Sheets, including the one leading into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Sheets is part of the Class of 2016 being inducted Saturday, June 25 in Natchitoches.

After helping his college team reach an NCAA regional at LSU, Sheets was a first-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1999. The Brewers took him 10th overall.
An Olympic roster spot gave Sheets the national spotlight when he tossed a shutout win over Cuba to earn the United States its last baseball gold medal in 2000. Team USA coach Tommy Lasorda became so enamored with the Louisiana native during their time together, he even flew into Monroe later on to attend Sheets’ wedding.

“I think when you’re in the moment, it doesn’t seem as big,” Sheets said. “At the time, it’s what I did. It was like going to work and logging in. But the further I get away from it, the more I appreciate what we did as a team and how special it was.”

Editor’s note – This is one in a series profiling the 11 members of the Class of 2016 being enshrined Saturday, June 25 in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Competitive ballot inductees are P.J. Brown, Jim Hightower, Rick Jones, “Gentleman” Dave Malarcher, Janice Joseph-Richard, Ben Sheets, Arthur “Red” Swanson, and Anthony Thomas. Contributor inductees are Dr. Julian Bailes, Jim Hawthorne and Bob Tompkins. A schedule of events from June 23-25, along with online sales for tickets and golf entries, is available at LaSportsHall.com, with information also available by calling 318-238-4255.

The Cane River Green Market will say goodbye to one of its staple vendors this Saturday, June 18. Visit the market between 8 a.m. – noon to stock up on homemade bread items from Brady’s Bakery. The Brady family (Tony Anita and their daughter Leslie) is moving to Florida.

“We’ve loved having them,” said market coordinator Samantha Bonnette.
This is Bonnette’s fourth year of market and the Brady family has been a vendor every year, offering more variety each season.

On Saturday mornings when the bell is rung to open the market, Tony calls out, “Fresh Bread! Get your fresh bread!”

“The family is wonderful to work with and take great pride in their bread,” said Bonnette.“They sell out every weekend and then start taking orders for distribution during the week. We’re going to miss them and will have a hard time finding another bread vendor as delicious and friendly.”

Mary Lee Sigler Posey
Born: August 13, 1927
Died: June 17, 2016
Mary Lee Sigler Posey died peacefully at her home in Natchitoches on June 17, 2016. A Celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 20th at First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches with the Revs. Doug de Graffenried and Donald Avery officiating. Interment will follow in Springville Cemetery in
Coushatta. Visitation will held at First United Methodist Church Crossroads from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, June 19th and from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary June 20th prior to the service.

Mary Lee was born August 13, 1927 to Abner Lee Sigler and Nyease Dowies Sigler. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Allen Murph Posey, Sr., her parents, infant sister Nyease, and infant granddaughter Jennifer.

She is survived by sons Allen M.Posey, Jr. and wife, B.J., of Prairieville; Lee Posey and wife, Evie, of Natchitoches and daughter Sheila Posey Clark and husband, Rex, of Logansport. Mary Lee was affectionately called “Mom” by eight grandchildren: Kristin Posey Alexander and husband, Dennis, of Katy, Texas; Michael Allen Posey and wife, Joanna, of San Diego, California; Whitney Posey Weiner and husband, Neil, of Baton Rouge; Robert Hayes Posey and wife, Michelle, of Bossier City; Amanda Posey Gowdy and husband, Bennett, of Prairieville; Sarah Clark Stoll and husband, Adam, of Gilbert, Arizona; Matthew Rex Clark and wife, Cherish, of Natchitoches; and Patrick Allen Clark of Logansport. “Mom Posey” was loved by 16 great-grandchildren: Keagan, Chloe, Haley and Emmy Alexander; Beck Allen and Sallie-Jewel Posey; Matthew, Abigail and Emily Claire Weiner; Lauryn, Hayes and Cole Posey, Madison Stoll; Anniston and Wyatt Clark, and Hayden Clark. Two sisters, Frances Childress of Fort Worth, Texas and Virginia Baker of Birmingham, Alabama also survive Mary Lee. “Aunt Mary” or “Aunt Lee” is also survived by a host of loving nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Posey was involved in education one way or another throughout her life. She touched the lives of countless young children, students, and adults – many of whom stayed in touch with her through the years.

Her family and friends say she continued to “teach” up until her death by the example she demonstrated in her faith, love and walk with Christ. Mrs. Posey was a member of First United Methodist Church of Natchitoches. Among her honors, she was recognized for Excellence in Teaching, named as a Distinguished Educator at Northwestern and was recognized as a Natchitoches Treasure in 2014. She was a 50-year Golden Girl in P.E.O., was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a Tri-Sigma Alumni, and other organizations.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Rob Posey, Michael Posey, Matthew Clark, Patrick Clark, Dennis Alexander, Neil Weiner, Adam Stoll and Bennett Gowdy. Honorary pallbearers will be great-grandsons and nephews.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation for the love, support and blessings shown to our mother and to us. Mary Lee was blessed with a loving family, many friends and the best of caregivers. Her prayer group friends were a treasured group of ladies. Church family or long-time friends visited weekly; cards
and calls were countless. Her caregivers, Katherine Jackson, Rose Gistarb, Sandra McClinton, and Debra Jones have become part of our family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church (411 Second Street, Natchitoches,LA 71457), the Allen and Mary Lee Posey Endowed Scholarship (NSU Foundation, c/o NSU Alumni Center, 535 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA 71497) Springville Cemetery Association (P.O. Box 1023, Coushatta, LA
71019) or the organization of choice.

SERVICES
Funeral Service
Monday, June 20, 2016
10:00 AM

First United Methodist Church
Second Street
Natchitoches, LA 71457

By Kasi Patten / Opinion
NOTICE: The views in this piece do not mirror the views of the Natchitoches Parish Journal

For thousands of years, each gender came with a list of specific gender requirements. You wore pink dresses and bows in your hair if you were a girl. You were required to be emotional, afraid of dirt and attend ballet class. If you were a boy, you wore baseball caps, played football and were stoic when rough times came your way. But yet, it seems today things are changing up a little bit.

When I came to college, I had no clue about the LGBTQIA+ community. Much less what it meant to identify as the big T word- transgendered. Now, it is all I hear about. “Transgenders this,” Transgenders that.” One morning I woke up, clicked on my Facebook app, and my newsfeed flooded with lamentations of Target’s audacity to allow these “freaks” into the bathroom with “our wives, daughters, and mothers.”

Accusations of men allowed to enter women’s bathrooms who “hurt women, because they are now protected under the law,” assaulted my mind and soul. I wondered, what is the big deal? Uneducated on the topic, instead of blasting my haphazardly thought out opinion to my eagerly awaiting Facebook fans, I took to Google. When I could not find what I was looking for on the internet, I asked my peers. Here are my findings (NOTE: All names were left out to protect the identity of those interviewed):

The first person I spoke to was a cisgender female who goes to school with me. She grew up in Austin, Texas: one of the most liberal cities in the South. She mentioned how she never once felt threatened by the idea of transgendered women using the restroom they identified with. She felt more threatened by men while walking down the street. When they catcall and whistle, making comments such as, “you’re too pretty to have a boyfriend,” she felt disgust paint her body cold.

The lack of acknowledgment of sex crimes against women and the assumption that women “had it coming” made her uncomfortable. Not someone using the restroom they identify with. She felt as if Americans worried about the wrong side of sexual assault issues.

Honestly, I was raised by extremely conservative parents. I understand the whole right side and why they are upset that their nation changing so much, but I do not think fear constitutes hatred and prejudice. I do not think that in today’s time there is any place for trans-homophobia and violence towards the LGBTQIA+ community or people who support it.

By parading through Target thumping your Bible, yelling fire and brimstone and standing outside the bathrooms like some elementary school hall monitor you’re making things worse. Let me put it in perspective for you. As of April 2015, only 700,000 American’s identified as transgender. That is about 0.2 – 0.3 percent of the population. Do you realize how small that is?

I understand that the biggest argument is the supposed “rise in sexual assault in bathrooms.” This is a myth. Of the 18 states with NDO’s (Non-discriminatory ordinances) in place, none of them found a rise in sexual assault in women’s restrooms (http://abcnews.go.com/). The issue isn’t in the laws themselves, it’s in the way we handle sexual assault and crimes against women. If your biggest problem with the NDO’s is men going and assaulting women, then demand more severe punishment for men and women who commit sex crimes.

If you’re looking for something to compare it to here you go: Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. Just like taking away guns won’t stop gun violence, forcing gender binary tradition in bathrooms won’t stop sexual assault. How about instead we focus on making America a better place for everyone. Stop telling everyone they are going to Hell. Stop telling women if they dress and look a certain way they won’t get assaulted. Stop letting “boys be boys.”

Thich Nhat Hanh said, “Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones.”

I encourage everyone to do a little research on what it means to be transgendered. Then, have a conversation about what you can do to make your community better. Whether it be attending a local LGBTQIA+ meeting, or just becoming a little more understanding. Do not blast hatred on Facebook. Instead, try to understand. I promise, nothing is as scary as it seems if you educate yourself on the topic.

After hearing uncertainty voiced by city residents over which district in Natchitoches they live in, newly sworn-in Councilman Eddie Harrington shared this map, which lists the four districts in the City limits and its representative.

District 1: Eddie Harrington (BLUE)
District 2: Dale Nielsen
(PINK)
District 3: Sylvia Morrow
(YELLOW)
District 4: Lawrence Batiste (GREEN)
Councilman At Large: Don Mims Jr. (elected by all districts)

By Kevin Shannahan

Natchitoches Parish is well represented with the Cheerleading Squads of St. Mary’s and Lakeview High Schools joining 300 of their fellow high school cheerleaders at NSU’s campus for this week’s Cheer Camp put on by the Universal Cheerleader’s Association. The UCA teachers, all current or former college cheerleaders, gave expert instruction on cheers, routines, presentation and stunts-all in a high energy environment. The different squads competed in various areas with one of the most prized awards being the UCA Banana, which is awarded to the most enthusiastic team each day. The 16 teams at the camp arrived Sunday and left Wednesday after giving a show of their new skills for friends and family.

Six Northwestern State University students and alumnae will represent the university in next weeks Miss Louisiana Pageant in Monroe. Among those competing for the Miss Louisiana title are, from left, Breanna Collier, Miss Greater Baton Rouge, Hannah Tetusch, Miss Bossier City, Marissa McMickens, Miss Northwestern Lady of the Bracelet, Taylor Walker, Miss Dixie Stockshow, Holli’ Conway, Miss Heart of Pilot, Lincoln Pearce, Miss Natchitoches. Collier and Walker formerly held the title of Miss Northwestern Lady of the Bracelet.

 

“Run.”

What does the word mean?

We must consider the connotation and the denotation of the word. When speaking we encode the message and the hearer decodes the message. The encoding and decoding of the verbal message is run through several filters including gender, culture, educational and regional morphology. Do you want a pop? Or would you rather have a Coke?

When I moved to New Orleans I heard frequently, “I am running to Schwegmanm’s to make groceries.”

The opportunities for miscommunication are astronomical.

A few Sunday mornings ago I was waxing eloquent in the sermon.

I said, “The children of Israel had followed Jezebel into idolatry.”

One of my dearest church members told me later that she heard me say, “The children of Israel had followed Jezebel into Dollar Tree.” With my southern drawl, I’m sure I made idolatry and dollar tree sound very close. She was wondering for the rest of my sermon, why the children of Israel went to Dollar Tree. Everyone knows they are Jewish and are looking for the best deal on Dial Soap. The remainder of the sermon was lost because of a misheard or poorly pronounced word.

How many marital fights have been caused by a misunderstanding of a word? How many wars, by poor translation of words across languages?

I had my communication chaos thesis confirmed as I was having a conversation about last week’s article. I told someone that I had written an article on Hamlet. The nice lady said, “Oh gambling is such an important topic.” I seriously need to get rid of this drawl!

So I have stalled, do you know the meaning of the word, “run?”

Run is what you did as a child as the teacher opened the door for you to go outside on the playground for recess. I understand recess has been permanently recessed.

A person runs for a political office. I actually have found myself running out of the building muttering after most of the Parish Council meetings. I am saving up for a doozy of an article about the political process from the inside. I’ll probably have to move after I write it.

On a muggy summer day, like this one, you want your air conditioning running.

Last week, my bride in the middle of baking a cake needed me to run to the store for an ingredient.

In preparing for retirement, my financial adviser wanted to run some numbers before our conference.

In High School we were warned about the run on sentence. I am quite sure I have violated that edict several times.

“Honey, there is a run in your stockings.”

The Bible warns us, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”

The tragic shooting in Orlando created the usual cadre of words. Radical Islamic Terrorism.Automatic Weapons.Gun Control.Terrorist.Immigration.LGBTQI.Fear.Muslim.Safety.Trump. Clinton.

What do these words mean?

One last thought from the book of Proverbs:

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”

Are we running from the truth?

The First United Methodist Men will host a “Pull” Together Sporting Clay Tournament to benefit the Empower Nepali Girls Foundation Saturday, June 18 at the Natchitoches Shooting Range. The Methodist Men decided to hold it around Father’s Day to foster the connection of fathers and sons through the generations. The event is open to all levels and abilities of shooters.
Same day registration will be available beginning at 8 a.m. Pre-registration forms are available at the First United Methodist Church office and the range.

Target shooting will begin at 9 a.m. The event will include team and individual competitions. Awards will be given for Team HOA, Individual Youth and Adult HOA, Second, Third and others to be announced. The trail is a walking course. Golf carts and side-by-sides are allowed (No 4-wheelers).

Lunch, cooked by members of the Methodist Men, will be provided for participants. Plates are $10 for non-shooters. There will be a silent auction and homemade cakes will be sold by the Methodist Women Group.

Shooters under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Shooters must provide their own ammunition (33/4 inch – 7.5 ounce, 8 ounce and 9 ounce size only: No heavy lead or steel shot). All shooters must wear eye and ear protection.
Last year the event raised $11,000 for scholarships for the girls sponsored through the Foundation. This year’s proceeds will go toward the Foundation’s Safe Learning Space Program. This program will provide learning materials for schools in the Everest region of Nepal.

Registration Options:
• Four person team- $400
• Individual Registration- $120
• Dynamic Duo (father and child pair)- $200
• Mulligans- $20
• Warm ups- $10

For more information contact Patrice Moulton at 663-7900 or Nolton Causey at 352-6182.

The Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission (NHDDC) approved its 2016-2017 budget proposal at its meeting Thursday morning, June 16. There was $16,200 held back in the “Special Events and Projects” line item, which Treasurer David Stamey said is a precautionary move. The commission will reassess the budget in January.

“There’s a true fear of the unknown right now,” he said regarding the state’s tax raises and budget problems. This is why the proposed budget is $324,000 and not the annual $360,000. “We made the decision to cut back that 10 percent of the budget because of that,” said Stamey.

In other business, Payne William’s tenure as Chairman is at an end and Vanner Erikson will step into the position.

Erikson announced that the NSU Foundation’s Dragon Moat Races were exactly what they’d hoped for the first year. The event will be held at Chaplain’s Lake next year in lieu of the Rue Beauport Riverbank Renovation project.  He also said that the university’s fall enrollment numbers are up.

“This is a testament to the different programs we’re offering,” he said. By catering to the programs students want to take and growing relationships with its satellite campuses, Erikson says they’re only seeing the numbers continue to rise.

Sandra Dickens updated the Commission on the success of the commercial for Natchitoches, funded by the NHDDC and the Historic District Business Association (HDBA). The NHDDC gave the HDBA $10,000 ($5,000 to produce and $5,000 to put the commercial into play) and the HDBA added $8,000 to the fund.

In a week and a half, the commercial has over 400,000 views. The HDBA has tracked its advertising and will target the commercial 2-4 hours outside of Natchitoches. Dickens said it’s important, especially with the riverbank renovation project, that residents stop advertising for individual stores and restaurants and start advertising the City as a destination for travel.

Cynthia Sutton with the Cane River National Heritage Area reported that the Grand Ecore Visitors Center had over 800 visitors in May and around 700 in April. “It’s the little engine that could and we’re really proud of those numbers,” she said.
Mayor Lee Posey mentioned plans that are underway to create a design for Lafayette Street that will allow it to be used for events, instead of blocking off Front Street.
“It’s about finding a balance,” he said.

BATON ROUGE (June 16, 2016) – The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is urging everyone to use caution this week due to ongoing dangerous heat levels. The National Weather Service (NWS) indicates the forecast for much of the state includes temperatures in the mid-90’s to upper-90’s. Those temperatures combined with high dew points means the heat index will exceed 100 degrees across the state.

According to the NWS, the heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body with relative humidity is combined with the air temperature. This has important considerations for the human body’s comfort.

“Please be safe if you are working outdoors,” said GOHSEP Director Jim Waskom. “Watch for warning signs of heat exhaustion for yourself and your co-workers. Take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. Check on loved ones and neighbors who may need assistance dealing with the heat. Stay aware of the conditions in your region and look for possible heat related advisories or warnings from the National Weather Service.”

Here are some heat wave safety tips from the NWS:

• Wear lightweight, loose fitting clothing and a hat.
• Drink water, even if you are not thirsty.
• When working outdoors, take frequent breaks.
• Save strenuous exercise for the early morning.
• Don’t get too much sun and wear sunscreen.

Find more tips on weather and preparedness on GOHSEP’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service. You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at http://www.getagameplan.org.

A group from the annual meeting of the Society of Louisiana CPA’s toured the construction site of the Chateau Saint Denis June 15. Chris Post and Melissa Cloutier with the Natchitoches Events Center led the group through the sheet-rocked hallways and rooms on the first and second floors.

The first floor has 11 rooms, the third floor has 38 rooms and the fourth floor has 38 rooms. The second floor is level with Second Street, with the main entrance facing the Events Center and a bricked courtyard in the back on the first level. Two suites on the third and fourth levels offer privacy with a private hallway connecting a set of rooms. The French-Creole theme will offer a comfortable atmosphere with high ceilings and Southern charm.
“Natchitoches is Louisiana’s best kept secret for special events,” says Ronald GItz, CPA, Executive Director & CEO of the Society of Louisiana CPAs. “This is the second year we have held our Leadership Workshop here, bringing in 60+ CPA members from across the state. It’s a perfect venue providing historic charm, friendly locals, expert planning staff, and not to mention delicious food (we love the meat pies). And now with the new hotel opening soon, it will pave the way for larger groups to come and enjoy what we’ve been grateful to experience. We’re glad to be back.”

The LCPA is a nonprofit professional association. While they’ve stayed at a handful of bed and breakfasts in town, they’re eager for the hotel’s opening so they can have an anchor hotel, which will offer an additional 4,000 square feet of meeting space.

The LCPA equips CPAs and future CPAs with tools to excel in careers and perform at the highest levels to benefit clients and employees. Membership is open to CPAs and future CPAs.

The group met in Natchitoches to elect leaders who will continue to move the association forward. The meeting includes election of officers, presentation of annual awards and voting on proposed bylaws amendments. Members and guests are then welcome to stay and enjoy the President’s Reception. The group also had a free period to tour the downtown area, shop and admire the architecture and 300 plus years of history.

Natchitoches was named #2 on the list of The 8 Best Places to Live in Louisiana, compiled by onlyinyourstate.com.

The website takes a fun, informal approach to helping readers discover things to do in each of the 50 states.

To see the full list go online to http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/louisiana/best-places-to-live-la.

 

The Natchitoches Rotary Club welcomed South Shreveport Rotary member and District Rotary Foundation Chair, Bob Molloy, to their regular Tuesday lunchtime meeting. Also visiting with the group was Glenda Stark, past president of the South Shreveport Rotary Club.

Natchitoches Rotary President, Kendal Perkins, began the meeting by praising the District for its support and resources to the Natchitoches Club. Rotary Club President Elect Fre Terasa introduced Molloy as a prime example of what the Rotary Foundation is, noting several awards he has received and numerous positions he has held within the South Shreveport Club.

Molly opened his talk by describing, in simplest terms, what Rotary is – a group of individuals exchanging ideas and taking action. He defined the goals of The Rotary Foundation: transforming local Rotarian’s gifts into projects close to home and around the world, focusing on promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies.

These goals are accomplished through Foundation grants such as the ones received by the Natchitoches Club, which support the annual Dictionary Project and Essay Contest. Over the last 3 years, this District has received over $100,000 from The Rotary Foundation. Molloy also stressed that, along with local projects, countries across the world have benefited from The Foundation’s life-changing work such as planting trees, supporting orphanages, providing programs in prisons and supporting ambulance service. He encouraged members to continue supporting the Polio Plus effort. Through 2018, any donation Rotary commits to polio eradication will be matched 2:1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information, go to https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/rotary-foundation.

Pictured from left are Rotary Club President Kendal Perkins, Glenda Stark, Bob Molloy and Rotary Club President Elect Fred Terasa.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Provencal man classified as a Tier 2 sex offender in connection with the alleged inappropriate behavior with a 6-yea-old boy, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones Jr.

NPSO Patrol Division responded to the Victoria Trailer Park, located in the 700 block of Provencal-Robeline Road June 11 at 7 p.m. when the mother of the juvenile reported he was allegedly lured into a residence by a male and subjected to inappropriate sexual acts.

The investigation led to the identification of the suspect Donald Wayne Harp, a Tier 2 sex offender, who was living in the trailer park after his release from the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center in 2014 on a prior conviction of possession of child pornography.

Deputies collected additional information from concerned citizens in the area, which assisted in the investigation.

At deputies located Harp, 36, at 10:11 p.m. he was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center and charged with one-count of indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Harp’s bond is set at $100,000. Detectives assigned to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division are actively involved in the investigation as it continues.

Involved in the investigation and arrest were: Sgt. C. Dunn, Reserve Deputy J. Kay, Detective Derrick Sowell, and Detective Wyn McDowell and the Rapides Children’s Advocacy Center.

The criminal case will be turned over to the Natchitoches Parish District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

 

City Marshal Randy Williams wanted to inform the following people that they have outstanding bench warrants through the Natchitoches City Marshal’s Office. The names on this list did not pay their fines in full nor did they return to court on the court date they were sentenced to by City Court Judge Gahagan. These individuals will need to clear up their fines and bench warrant fees at the City Marshal’s Office located at 373 Second St. to stop any further actions:

FINE PAYMENT (F):

Roy Babineaux, 206 Kelly St, Natch, La – Exp MVI
Roosevelt Culbert, 850 Dixie St, Natch, La – Simple Battery
Tai Evans, 815 Woodyrard Dr, Natch, La – Theft
Markayla Farley, 1431 Grace Ave, Natch, La – Theft
Vershelle Gilbert, 600 Walnut St, Winnfield, La – DP
Trevor Graham, 557 Parsonage Rd, Natch, La – Public Poss of Alcohol Under 21
Lanell Hayes, 178 Kemp St, Campti, La – Theft
Gavin Jackson, 170 Bayou St, Natch, La – SCDP
Shanquinta King, 1505 Gold St, Natch, La – Unlicensed Driver, (2) DP
Kajaundra Lewis, 100 Lakeview, Natch, La – Exp MVI
Michael Moore, 233 Cherry Loop, Natch, La – NSB, Exp MVI
Mario Nash, 148 Greenville Dr, Clarence, La – NSB
Brittany Penegar, 1785 Fish Hatchery Rd, Natch, La – Theft, DP
Ashley Phillips, 508 Hwy 153, Ashland, La – Exp MVI
Shemeccia Robinson, 107 Lewis Loop, Natch, La – Simple Assault
Erica Spearman, 1319 Philips St Apt 1, Natch, La – Theft
Courtney Telsee, 708 Brahma St, Natch, La – No Insurance
Clifford Walker , 118 Morgan LN, Natch, La – NSB, No DL, Improper Equipment
Tanisha Foster, 1020 Allen St, Natch, La – DP, Simple Battery, Remaining on Premises, Unlicensed Driver, Telephone Harassment

Trial (T):

Marzarious Coleman, 227 Rowena St, Natch, La – Theft
Alyssia Finister, 601 Hedges St, Natch, La – DP
Kenjuanna Jewitt, 500 North St Apt E3, Natch, La –SPOM
Ashanti Lewis, 1224 Sara, Natch, La – SCDP
Nolan McGuire, 400 Lakeview Dr, Natch, La – Theft
Bridget Sexton, 100 Lakeview Dr 1 Apt 103, Natch, La – Theft

Northwestern State University’s Cammie G. Henry Research Center is hosting a summer exhibit featuring local cookbooks to illustrate the important role of cooking and the culinary arts in Louisiana and Natchitoches history.

“Cooking on the Cane Cookbook and Recipe Exhibit” explores the culinary history of the Cane River country and Louisiana through the extensive collection of cookbooks at the center.

“From Natchitoches meat pies to red beans and rice, gumbo, and jambalaya, food plays an important role in our history,” said Nolan Eller, assistant archivist. “Exhibit highlights include Cammie Henry’s recipes and recipe notebook dating to 1899, Thelma Kyser’s recipes for entertaining guests of President John Kyser and NSU faculty and staff, and a collection of other interesting cookbooks highlighting Louisiana culinary traditions.”

The exhibit allows viewers to connect with history through Louisiana’s unique cuisine, Eller said.

“Who knows? You may find a recipe you’d like to take home and try yourself,” he added.

The exhibit runs through Sept. 30 and is free and open to the public. The Cammie G. Henry Research Center is located on the third floor of NSU’s Eugene P. Watson Memorial Library. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8-11:45 a.m. Fridays.