By Jason Pugh
NSU Sports Information

There have been plenty of firsts in 40-plus years of Northwestern State women’s basketball history.

A pair of Lady Demons added another Thursday night.

Beatrice Attura and Cheyenne Brown each had 30 points in an 89-71 victory against Southeastern Louisiana in Prather Coliseum, marking the first time in program history two Lady Demons scored at least 30 points in the same game.

“It’s great — not only from a history standpoint but that we have that balance with somebody scoring on the inside and on the outside,” said NSU coach Jordan Dupuy. “You’ve got to get their teammates credit for getting them the ball and getting them open.”

The Lady Demons wrap up their two-game homestead Saturday against defending SLC champion Abilene Christian. Tipoff for NSU’s annual Play 4 Kay game, with proceeds benefiting the Kay Yow Foundation, is set for 1 p.m.

LAST SEEN NEAR KISATCHIE WORK CENTER AND PROVENCAL AREA ON FEBRUARY 12TH PUSHING A SHOPPING CART

*** WELFARE CONCERN***
The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office is seeking assistance from the public in locating Sarah Haselton, age 24, of Leesville.
Family members of Haselton indicate that they have not spoken with her since February 8, 2017.

Haselton is traveling on foot and may be pushing a shopping cart loaded with belongings.
Haselton was recently seen in the area of the Ranger Station at Kisatchie Forest on Highway 117 as well as in the Provencal area.
The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate Haselton to confirm her safety and well being.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Haselton can contact the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office at 337-238-1311 or your local law enforcement agency as Haselton is entered into the NCIC.

If you see this woman in Natchitoches Parish contact Chief Doug Rachal or Captain Tony Moran at 357-7830 or 352-6432.

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):
Devonte Aaron, 845 Posey, Natch, La – NSB, No DL
Charles Davis, 1425 Northern St, Natch, La – Exp MVI
Tyneal Johnson, 1411 Patton, Natch, La – Exp MVI
Kiara Lucas, 100 Lakeview Dr Apt 407, Natch, La – Speeding
Asia McGraw, 128 D Reba, Natch, La – No DL, NCR
Kevin Evans, 169 Caspari St, Natch, La – Criminal Trespass
Terrel Helaire, 918 4th St, Natch, La – Remaining on Premises
Gavin Jackson, 170 Bayou St, Natch, La – SCDP
Ebonie Slate, 107 Louis Loop, Natchez, La – DP
Coudy Bonner, 105 Boyce, Powhatan, La – NSB
Leon Johnson Jr., 1308 West Lakeshore Dr, Natch, La – SPOM
Dakedra Manning, 1120 Washington, Natch, La – Theft
Lonetta Cross, 1125 Allen St, Natch, La – TBS
Alvin Bolton, 1313 Primrose, Natch, La – DWI
David Hardwell, 618 Jackson Dr, Natch, La – DUS
Jacqueline Moody, 127 Gabrielle Loop, Nat, La – No DL, NSB
Richard Smith, 233 Pierson, Natch, La – SPOM
Niki Booth, P.O Box 1201, Many, La– TBS
Bonnie Rainey, 251 Cherry Loop, Natch, La – DP
Tanya White, 637 East 2nd St, Natch, La – No DL
Sedricka Brimsey, 500 North St Apt K4, Natch, La – DP

Trial (T):
Asia McGraw, 128 D Reba, Natch, La – (2) SCDP, Theft
Teresa McHenry, 500 North, Natch, La – TBS, DUS
Broderick Burton, 617 Amulet, Natch, La – SPOM, Improper Lane Usage, Unlicensed Driver, General Speeding
Keneen Hymes, 1225 Grace Ave, Natch, La – Simple Battery
Michael Moore, 238 Scarborough, Natch, La – (2) Resisting an Officer, SPOM
Andria Pikes, 116 Connie Dr, Natch, La – DWI, Speeding, DUS

TBS – Theft by Shoplifting
SPOM – Simple Possession of Marijuana
SCDP – Simple Criminal Damage to Property
NSB – No Seat Belt
Exp MVI – Expired Inspection Sticker
SPDP – Simple Possession of Drug Paraphilia
No DL – No Driver’s Licenses
DP – Disturbing the Peace
DUS – Driving Under Suspension
NCR – No Child Restraint
DWI – Driving While Intoxicated
LM – Loud Music

NSU Elementary Lab School’s Robotics Club won 3rd place in Regional Autonomous Robotics Circuit (RARC) Robotics competition Feb. 11 in Bossier. The club consists of 20 fourth and fifth graders that make up five teams with four students in team.  They compete using Lego NXT robots in the RARC Northwestern region competitions in Bossier City.  The competition last Saturday was their second competition of the year.  During this competition, 109 elementary teams competed and NSU Elementary Schools team 5 (Teegan McKnight, Coleman Cade, William Terrell and J.J. Percher) won third place.

This year’s competitions are themed around energy resources, and each team has to complete the same tasks that renew or build various energy resources on an isolated island.  The students use their mathematics, science, engineering and computer programming skills to build and program a Lego NXT robot that will accomplish as many tasks as possible.

 

The Northwestern State University intends to solicit help from the Louisiana Army National Guard under the Innovative Readiness Construction Assistance Program. The project will be for construction assistance with the Army ROTC Rappel Tower Project. The work will be performed during the Louisiana Army National Guard Fiscal Year 2017. No local funds are available to complete this project without National Guard assistance.

Local contractors, labor union organizations or private individuals who have questions or who wish to voice opposition of the National Guard’s assistance regarding this project may contact CPT John Welch at john.j.welch1.mil@mail.mil or 318-357-6020, no later than March 1, 2017 at 3:00 p.m.

Persons not filing comments within the timeframe noted will be considered to have waived their objections to the participation of the Louisiana Army National Guard in this project.

The Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) will host the Brainy Acts Poetry Society (BAPS) tomorrow, Feb. 16th at 5pm for a poetry performance. BAPS, made up of NSU students, will be presenting in spoken word format with topics relating to Black History Month. The event will take place in the children’s performance area on the first floor of the NPL, requires no sign-up, and is open to all ages.

Following the live performance BAPS will offer a Teen Performance Workshop at 6pm. Teens will be mentored in positive self-expression, public performance, and confidence building. For more information, people may call Michelle Pichon, NPL Teen Programmer, at 318-238-9240.

 

Natchitoches Parish Fire District 4 units were paged out to an early morning structure fire Feb. 16 at 6:21 a.m. The residence, located on LA 117 at the south end of Provencal, was fully engulfed, sending a column of heavy black smoke rolling high above Provencal.  Engines and tankers from the Provencal, Flora and Vowells Mill stations responded.

Injured Northwestern State basketball star Zeek Woodley got back in action – online.

Woodley, who broke his right (shooting) wrist Dec. 19, is one of 16 contenders for a spot in the 2017 State Farm College Slam Dunk Championship March 30 at the NCAA Final Four in Phoenix. Sixteen players from throughout college basketball have been selected for the Dark Horse Dunker competition and paired in a bracket-style, online competition.

Eight first-round winners in weeklong voting at DarkHorseDunker.com advance into the quarterfinals beginning Feb. 21. Semifinals begin March 2 with the two finalists matched starting March 10.

Voting can be done daily from any hand-held, laptop or desktop computer in each week-long round.

Woodley is hopeful of returning to the court for NSU in its Feb. 22 home game against Lamar, coach Mike McConathy said Monday. The 6-2 product of Pelican All-Saints High School is 60 points shy of 2,000 in his career, 70 points away from breaking Billy Reynolds’ 40-year-old school scoring mark of 2,009 from 1973-77. He has a 19.2 career scoring average.

Winning the DarkHorseDunker.com voting would make him the second Demon player this decade to compete in the dunk contest at the Final Four. William Mosley, now playing professionally in Europe, competed in the 2011 contest at the Final Four in New Orleans.

A highlight tape of Woodley’s dunks in games and a series of trick-shot dunks he’s done in offseason training was submitted to contest organizers, along with a summary of his remarkable career credentials.

One of the most dynamic scorers and shooters in college basketball, Woodley can rise and deliver with the best of them. He’s triggered high fives in Big XII and Southeastern Conference arenas with his dunks and has posted spectacular stats against an array of Power 5 conference teams.

Charles Barkley shook his hand at the end of an NSU game at Auburn last season. Mississippi State coach Ben Howland told media he could “play for anybody in the country” after his 28-point performance in a November near-upset of the Bulldogs. Earlier in his career, Woodley missed only one shot among a dozen in a 29-point outing at Oklahoma and had a double-double at Arizona.

He has an amazing shooting eye with career aim of 56 percent overall, 41 percent on 3-pointers, and 84 percent at the free throw line.

Among the other DarkHorseDunker.com contestants are Damarcus Croaker of Murray State, Nick Stover from South Alabama, Saint Bonaventure’s Denzel Gregg, Buay Tauch from Loyola Marymount,  Monmouth’s Collin Stewart and Demetris Morant of Florida Gulf Coast.

Lisa Lewis has been named Forest Supervisor of the Kisatchie National Forest in Pineville. Prior to becoming Forest Supervisor, Lisa was the District Ranger on the Forest’s largest Ranger District, the Calcasieu.  “Lisa’s ability to form lasting partnerships, as well as her extensive experience as a line officer in the Southern Region, will allow her to step in, making an immediate positive impact as Forest Supervisor,” said Regional Forester Tony Tooke.

During her 28-year career, Lewis has served in many leadership positions across the region, including acting Forest Supervisor positions in Texas and Louisiana. Recently Lisa served as the acting Deputy Forest Supervisor for the large, complex Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas. Lisa has served as a forester in Mississippi supervising a host of people and projects. Lisa served several years as Deputy District Ranger on the Calcasieu District which included lands in Vernon and Rapides Parishes and a large portion of Ft. Polk.

Ms. Lewis is a sought after teacher cadre member involving controlled fire training and leadership mentoring. Lisa has traveled across the Southern Region teaching and guiding others.

“Louisiana is my home and I believe the Kisatchie National Forest to be one of the most fascinating places in Louisiana,” stated Lisa. “There is nothing I would rather do than lead the wonderful Kisatchie National Forest,” Lewis continued. Ms. Lewis will have the huge responsibility of managing the complex Kisatchie National Forest which covers over 600,000 acres in seven north and central Louisiana parishes. Lisa will be responsible for many important programs including timber sales, fire management, recreation, wildlife, endangered species and mineral exploration as well hiring and employee programs.

Born in Leesville, Louisiana, Lewis earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry and a Master’s Degree in Forest Ecology from Louisiana Tech University. She began her career with the Forest Service in 1989 where she worked as a Forester Trainee on the Vernon Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest. She later moved to the Supervisor’s Office in Pineville where she worked as a member of the Forest Plan Revision Team involving Forest Recreation Planning.

Lewis enjoys spending time with her husband Trey, and two daughters, Erin and Casey. She is extremely active involving her girl’s activities, community and church. “I am very happy to serve the people of Louisiana and the Nation. My door is always open to the public and I want to hear all ideas concerning the Kisatchie,” said Lewis.

For more details about the Kisatchie National Forest, please visit our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/kisatchie or call 318-473-7160.

 

Not long ago a reader messaged to say he’d like to see more columns about the early pioneers of Natchitoches and Louisiana.

So, not having anything of urgency on my mind this week, I thought I’d talk a little bit about our founder — the one and only St. Denis.  St. Denis is a fascinating character.  Bold, intrepid, a skilled woodsman and trader and with enough charisma to charm a lovely teenaged Mexican girl and her family.  His life, I think, would make a good TV historical drama series.

Just about everybody in Natchitoches has heard of him, but probably a good number of folks aren’t familiar with the details of his life.

First of all, St. Denis is not the surname of our founder.  He was born in a suburb of Quebec, Canada in 1676 as Louis Antoine Juchereau

St. Denis was a title of minor nobility, similar to those held by Louisiana’s founders, the Lemoine brothers, one best known as Bienville and the other as Iberville.

St. Denis actually arrived in what was to become Louisiana along with Bienville in 1699, when he was 23.  So, if you’re a descendant of St. Denis, you can say that your ancestry reaches back to the very beginnings of the history of our state.

He helped Bienville explore various areas of Louisiana but I’ll skip over the details of those adventures.  His connection with the founding of Natchitoches began in the fall of 1713 when he received orders from Gov. Cadillac (yes, the guy for whom the car is named.  Cadillac was also governor in Detroit, another French settlement).

Cadillac ordered St. Denis to depart from Mobile, then the provincial capital, and to establish a fort at the village of the Natchitoches Indians and to then enter Spanish Texas to set up trade routes.

Accompanied by 25 Canadian troops, he won the respect of the Indians and formally established  the settlement here in 1714, making us, as you know, the oldest town in the Louisiana Purchase area, beating the founding of New Orleans by four years.

With about half of his troops, St Denis proceeded down to the Rio Grande, at a place then called Presidio del Norte, now known as Eagle Pass, Texas.  He there met Capt. Don Diego Ramon, the officer in charge of the presidio, as well as Ramon’s lovely granddaughter, Emmanuela Sanchez y Ramon, who was in her mid teens.  St Denis was 38 at the time.

It may have been love at first sight, but Spanish authorities brought St. Denis to Mexico City, where he was charged with trespassing on Spanish territory.

Here’s where St. Denis’ charm served him very well.  Not only did the Spanish release him and allow him to return to Louisiana, but he won the heart of Emmanuela and her family.  They were married at the presidio and, accompanied by Spanish officials, St. Denis returned to Louisiana and recommended the establishment of two Spanish trading posts, Nacogdoches, Texas, and Los Adayes just west of Natchitoches.

Louis and Emmanuela settled in at Natchitoches, parenting seven children, five girls and two boys, whose birth dates ranged from 1716 to 1740.

St. Denis, described as a large, well built man, was much admired by the Indians.  He had his legs tattooed in Indian fashion and the natives called him Pretty Legs as a token of affection.

He missed his home in Canada, proven by letters he wrote to relatives there, but the French authorities did not grant his requests for retirement.  He passed away in 1744 and Emmanuela lived on until 1758.  Historians pretty much agree that they are buried in now-unmarked graves in the American Cemetery, not under the building at Front and Church streets as a plaque at that location claims.

They still have numerous descendants here and elsewhere.  If you are related to them, your roots in North America go very far back.  St. Denis’ ancestors arrived in Canada in the 1630s and Emmanuela’s family arrived in Mexico in the late 1500s. ( I could not find one of the references I was looking for in order to write this column, but I do recall that her ancestors were on this continent before 1600.)

So, that’s a quick look at our founder and his wife.  Much more could be said.  Hopefully, some scholar will soon write a good biography and we can all learn more about this fascinating pioneer couple.

More than a half-century after the most remarkable football season in modern history at Northwestern State, members of the 1966 unbeaten team continue making an impact at their alma mater.

A 50-year reunion held last October during NSU’s Homecoming celebration brought about three dozen players, coaches, staff members and family members together again. The incredible feats of the 9-0 Demons, who finished the season ranked No. 1 nationally and Gulf States Conference champions, were rekindled.

A lasting tribute to their head coach, Jack Clayton, was also strengthened. A scholarship fund established by team members in 1996 to honor their coach has steadily grown in the past 20 years.

After the January passing of Mrs. Clayton, the endowment was renamed “The Jack and Nellie Clayton Memorial Scholarship” to honor the couple whose impact on hundreds of Demon football players, and thousands of NSU students, was immense.

Gifts to enhance the Clayton Scholarship were received during and after Homecoming weekend, said director of athletics Greg Burke, who steered establishment of the endowment 20 years ago. Since then, each fall a Clayton Scholarship grant recognizes a Demon football senior whose contributions to the team are significant and accomplishments off the field are impressive.

The principle of the Clayton Scholarship Endowment is over $100,000, said Burke.

Overseeing the 1966 Demons’ reunion was associate athletics director Dr. Haley Taitano, who was impressed by the strong bond that remains between 1966 players, coaches and staff.

“The 50-year reunion of the 1966 football team was something truly special to experience,” said Taitano. “Their generosity and willingness to give back on behalf of their team and beloved coach is something that we haven’t quite seen before. You can tell that they share a special bond and hold NSU near and dear to their hearts, even now, 50 years later.”

Over $3,000 was donated to enhance the scholarship by 1966 team members and family members.

That group of donors included David Centanni, Dick Concilio, David Dawson, Shelley Dickie, Steve Gaspard, Larry Gracie, Don Guidry, John Hall, Susan Long, David Lovich, Lawrence Nugent, Al Phillips, Gary Pittman, Mike Pool, John Porche, John Ropp, William Rowe, David Smith, Herbie Smith, and Glenn Talbert.

For information on The Jack and Nellie Clayton Scholarship, contact Taitano at 318-357-4278 or at blounth@nsula.edu by e-mail.

Colombian performing arts students from Comfenalco Cartagena have enriched Northwestern State University’s School of Creative and Performing Arts since an exchange agreement was reached in 2011.

The nearly 50 Colombian students received a visit from a handful of their old mentors recently as Colombian professors made an 11-day visit to the campus.

Colombian bassoon and oboe professors attended NSU’s Double Reed Day workshop, which included interpretation of a Colombian quintet arrangement, among various activities on their tour.

“We wanted them to participate and observe classes, and they engaged in playing and conversation with our faculty and students,” said Dr. Greg Handel, interim dean of Northwestern State’s College of Arts and Sciences and director of the School of Creative and Performing Arts. “We hope that they can take the experiences back and advance the mission of (Comfenalco Cartagena).

“The director of their Philharmonia guest conducted the NSU Symphony, and this was a wonderful indication of how music transcends language and provides everyone a deeper understanding of the emotion in music.”

Comfenalco professor Alvaro Hernandez said he enjoyed seeing the progress of his students in a collegiate setting.

“I’ll have great memories of seeing the artistic evolution that our students have had, both on musical and personal levels,” Hernandez said. “I’m proud of them because they have opened possibilities for other fellow students of our institution to follow the same positive path they have taken.

“We had a very enriching visit academically and personally, and Northwestern State University is supremely organized with a high academic and humanistic focus. They have high quality professors who demonstrate professional ethics not only in their methodologies but also because they treat their students as if they were their own children.”

The Colombian students, who participate in NSU’s early start program, have excelled in the music program.

Most recently, three Colombian students were featured in the six-student McCutcheon Honors Recital, which selects the best performers from the fall.

While music may be universal, methods for producing the sound can differ around the world.

Professor Rosana Salgado Cruz said she learned about the construction of American reeds, which differed from European reeds used in Colombia.

“It’s necessary for my students to know and learn about it, so those that receive these scholarships to Northwestern State can be ready,” Salgado Cruz said. “Dr. Handel and (Executive Vice President for University and Business Affairs) Marcus Jones as well as all the administrators and teachers were very attentive and made us feel like we were a part of the community and institution during our visit.

“We are grateful for this enriching experience as well as for the exemplary education and protection they have given our Colombian students.”

By Randall Mallette

In recent years, there’s been a sharp rise in the number of products on store shelves that boast “organic”,” all-natural”, or “no-GMO” on their labels. The food we eat, especially the animal products, are constantly being scrutinized for their content, and often, good animal products get pushed aside for products whose labeling includes a key word or words such as “all-natural.” In this article, I am going to focus strictly on the use of hormones in chicken production. Before continuing, I want to clarify that this article is strictly informational and is not meant to condemn or condone any management practices used in the raising of livestock or poultry. All information used here is research-based.

You can go to the meats section in any grocery store and find a package of chicken that says “No Added Hormones.” If you really read the label on that package though, you will find a sentence in much less obvious lettering explaining that the use of hormones in poultry production is prohibited in the United States. This has been the case since the 1950s, yet the frivolous and misleading statement of “No Hormones Added” on the package still sells chicken. The use of growth hormones in pork, dairy cattle, and veal calves is also prohibited. Growth hormones are allowed in beef, but I will cover that in a later article. The common misconception is that since chickens have increased in size drastically over the past few decades, there must be hormones being injected to produce this growth. However, selective breeding is largely responsible for the increased growth rates and resulting size of our poultry. Hormone use in poultry production is also not economical or practical, due to the number of injections per bird per day that would be required. Additionally, administering hormones to chickens could potentially cause leg problems due to the increased growth, resulting in losses to the producer. You may be thinking, “So if hormones aren’t injected, they could still be added to the feed.” That is not the case though. Hormones have two chemical forms: the protein form and the steroid form. Growth hormones fall under the protein category. Steroid hormones can be taken orally because they are not broken down during digestion. Protein hormones get broken down during digestion and therefore do not get the chance to act on the body. Since growth hormones are protein hormones, they cannot be feed additives (Publication 2767, Mississippi State University).

Now, despite the fact that hormones are not used in chicken production, there may still be measurable levels of hormones in the meat we eat. Hormones are produced naturally in the chicken’s body, just like in ours. Naturally occurring hormones in chickens still find their way into the fat and meat of the end product. In the table below you can see the comparative amounts of estrogen in chicken and other food products, compared to the natural amounts produced in normal humans daily.
(SEE CHART BELOW)
Knowing this, shop smart. When you shop, don’t set aside a poultry product because it doesn’t say “No Hormones Added”. Remember that all poultry raised or sold in the U.S. has no added hormones, whether the label claims it or not, and has been for decades. For more information on this topic, I encourage you to read a publication by the Mississippi State Extension Service entitled “Chickens Do Not Receive Growth Hormones: So Why All the Confusion?”. It can be found at https://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/p2767.pdf.

For more information contact Randall Mallette, County Agent, at the local LSU AgCenter Extension Office 318-357-2224. You can also visit us on the web at http://www.lsuagcenter.com or at 624 Second St, Natchitoches.

Cutline for Chart: Table taken from Publication 2767 by Dr. Tom Tabler, Jessica Wells, and Dr. Wei Zhai at Mississippi State University, Poultry Science. (1 gram = 1 billion nanograms)

The Krewe of Dionysos will hold its annual Mardi Gras parade Saturday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. The theme for 2017 is Mardi Gras on Mt. Olympus. This family friendly nighttime parade consists of a dozen or more super floats and much more. Catch throws including beads, cups and specialty items. The parade will roll from the stage parking lot down South Drive to Keyser Avenue; to Keyser Avenue; Left onto Keyser Avenue to Keyser Avenue Bridge; Right onto Jefferson to Front Street to Washington Street; Left onto Texas Street to Second Street; Left onto Second Street to Church Street where the parade ends.

Growing up in Shreveport, Tyler Cummings had a passion for animals and knew she wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She also knew that attending a large university was not for her, so she explored the opportunities Northwestern State University offers in veterinary technology.

“It was a very easy decision for me to make,” Cummings said. “I loved the curriculum for the vet tech program at NSU and I knew that I would receive more one on one attention and hands on experience here.”

Veterinary technicians could be described as the nurses of the animal world. When animals get sick or injured, vet techs examine them, administer first aid, collect laboratory samples and perform certain tests under the direction of licensed veterinarians. Providing this type of hands-on animal care requires formal training and, in most cases, professional licensure. Candidates must graduate from veterinary technician schools accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam to be licensed.

Northwestern State offers both the associate degree in veterinary technology and a bachelor’s degree in biology with veterinary technology concentration. While there are over 200 schools that offer the associate degree, only 22 others in the U.S. offer the bachelor of science option in schools accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. NSU is the only Louisiana school that offers the bachelor’s degree option.

According to Dr. Brenda Woodard, director of the program, NSU is finalizing an articulation agreement with Delgado Community College so that graduates of two-year program can complete the bachelor’s degree option at NSU.

“NSU is the only state school providing on-campus opportunities for completing clinical skills labs in radiology, anesthesia, dental prophylaxis, surgical technology and animal nursing in an educational setting,” Woodard said. “Students work with cattle and horses on the campus farm. Dogs and cats are housed on campus, along with rabbits, birds, reptiles and rodents. Students learn how to care for all of these animals as a veterinary technician.”

“The biggest advantages to the Vet Tech program here at NSU are the professors, the small classroom environment and the hands on experience that we receive,” Cummings said. “Dr. James Woodard and Dr. Brenda Woodard are phenomenal teachers. They push you to be the best that you can be. They make sure that every student receives that one-on-one attention that we need in order to excel.”
Cummings said the hands-on experience with animals is a big factor in student success. During their first two semesters, students partner to care for the animals housed in the program’s facilities

“It is a lot of pressure but everyone enjoys the experience,” said Cummings, who plans to practice as a registered veterinary technician in Texas after graduation and hopes to eventually operate a no-kill animal shelter. “In each vet tech class the professors make it a point to give you hands on experience with the different animals.”

NSU’s vet tech program was recently ranked 16th in the nation in four-year schools by accreditedschoolsonline.org. Woodard said the program is emotionally rewarding for students interested in learning to care for sick and injured animals. Cummings agreed.

“The person that usually pursues this field of work is one that has a passion for helping animals,” Cummings said. “It is not a career that you do for money. It is a career that you do out of love for animals.”

For information on NSU’s vet tech program and other degree programs offered through NSU’s School of Biological and Physical Sciences, visit sciences.nsula.edu.

The School will host its first Science Showcase from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17. The program is aimed at high school juniors and seniors interested in experiencing a day in the life of a science major at NSU. Science Showcase participants will perform hands-on experiments, participate in student-led questions and answer panels and learn about scholarships and career opportunities. To register for the event, visit sciences.nsula.edu/nsu-sciences-showcase. Participants can also like the NSU Science Showcase event on Facebook. For more information, contact J. Colby Lasyone at (318) 357-5375 or email lasyonej@nsula.edu.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones Jr. held a press conference Feb. 15 to announce the launch of a new T.A.S.K. Program (Teaching Awareness to School Kids). T.A.S.K. is a joint effort between the OffenderWatch Initiative, local School Boards and law enforcement to help parents be vigilant by receiving notifications about offenders in their area.

Families with children enrolled in the Natchitoches Parish School Distirct are encouraged to sign up for this worthy and free service to be as vigilant and informed as possible. Superintendent Dale Skinner said he appreciates the opportunity to be a part of the program.

Wendy Llorens said the Sheriff’s Office will launch the program next week with seventh grade students in the parish who are currently going through the D.A.R.E. program.

Here’s how it works:

·      Students will receive a pamphlet from School Resource Officers at their schools to bring home to their parents
·      Parents can then register online to OffenderWatchInitiative.org and sign up to learn more about offenders in their area.
·      To complete the program, they can print out the map, sign it, and send it back with the child to their teacher.
·      The child will then receive a safety prize in the form of a complimentary meal through T.A.S.K. program sponsor McDonald’s, according to Ron Bolton.

OffenderWatch Initiative has rolled out the T.A.S.K. Program to many parishes and counties through the United States. Natchitoches is the first northern parish in Louisina to enroll, but the organization plans to expand to Shreveport and the Ark-La-Tex later this year, according to executive assistant director Julio Perez. Their goal is to reach many more children and families. A 10-year plan involves launching a college program.

DA Billy Joe Harrington extended his support at the press conference to the Sheriff Deputies who work hard to keep Natchitoches Parish children safe. “We want our citizens to be knowledgeable and aware,” he said.

Natchitoches Parish President Rick Nowlin announces that all Parish solid waste facilities, including the Parish Landfill located at 4597 Hwy. 1 North, will be OPEN for their regular operating hours on Presidents Day, Monday, February 20, which is a holiday for Federal and Parish employees.

All Parish solid waste facilities will also be OPEN on Tuesday, February 28, which is the Mardi Gras holiday for State employees.

For questions relating to Parish solid waste operations, please contact the Solid Waste Department at (318) 238-3704.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones, Director and Asst. Director Deputy Mary Jones of Natchitoches Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness held a after action review Feb. 14 of the response to the Feb. 7 anhydrous ammonia leak at the West La. Ice Plant in Natchitoches.

Attending the meeting were Sheriff Victor Jones, Natchitoches Police Chief Mickey Dove, Asst. Director of the Natchitoches Office of Homeland & Security Deputy Mary Jones, NPD Asst. Chief Harmon Winters, NPD Captain Brad Walker, NPD Lt. Nikeo Collins, NPSO Captain Tony Moran, NPSO Chief of Communications LaQuita Collins, Deputy Lamarr McGaskey with OEP, John Nicholas with the State of Louisiana Gas Commission and NPFD #5 Chief, Natchitoches Fire Department Chief of Training/Safety and Haz Mat Coordinator Michael Sesvold along with the manager of the Natchitoches West La. Ice Plant.

Officials discussed the one-mile evacuation order that was issued by CodeRed during the initial response to the hazardous material leak in the interest of public safety and later downgraded to a four-block radius.

All involved agreed though it may have caused inconvenience to some, the safety of our city and citizens was our upmost priority in this situation.

Ammonia is an irritant and corrosive to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract and mucous membranes. Exposure to liquid or rapidly expanding gases may cause severe chemical burns and frostbite to the eyes, lungs and skin.

Natchitoches Police is also joining in the effort with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office to bring awareness to the CodeRed emergency network notification system and urge citizens to sign up for this free service.

Deputy Mary Jones discussed the opening of temporary shelters during emergencies and assistance from Red Cross.

We would also like to thank all of our law enforcement and first responders that responded to the incident during the evening of Feb. 7.

PRESS RELEASE and PHOTOS: NPSO

The Natchitoches Parish Journal and Elite Radio Group spread the love around the City this Valentine’s Day by delivering over 96 heart shaped boxes of chocolate to area businesses, governmental offices, firefighters and law enforcement.

 

 

Clinching two doubles points and one match point as the Northwestern State tennis team recorded a 3-0 week of competition, freshman Emilija Dancetovic captured Southland Conference Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week.

Dancetovic’s hot week started with a 6-2 doubles victory in the No. 2 position with junior Polina Ivanova against UL Lafayette on Thursday.

The Lipljan, Serbia native continued her strong play in doubles with another clinching win, 7-6 (7-1), against Southern Mississippi on Saturday. Dancetovic also secured the match point against USM (a 5-2 team victory), beating Elena Roca 6-3, 7-5.

Dancetovic closed out her conference-best weekend with a 6-2 doubles win against Louisiana Tech’s Sonia Chen and Marta Sramkova.

Over the course of three matches, Dancetovic went 4-1, 3-0 in doubles and 1-1 in singles.

The Lady Demons will be on the road this weekend, facing Texas State on Saturday and University of Texas San Antonio on Sunday.

Cloutierville’s annual Mardi Gras Parade will kick off Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. Doc Couty is the 2017 Grand Marshal. There will be a dance and fireworks following the parade’s conclusion. The parade begins at the Hwy. 1 and Hwy. 495 intersection, traveling down Hwy. 495 and ending at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Serena Gray, a senior campaign coordinator with United Way of Northwest Louisiana, spoke to the Natchitoches Lions Club Feb. 13. United Way is an advocate for the health, education and financial stability of everyone in every community, and this includes Natchitoches Parish. In Natchitoches, 49 percent of individuals are at or below the minimum of what is required to make a living. Half of this percentage is living in poverty and the other half is considered “ALICE” (Asset limited, income constrained and employed). The United Way is looking for more partners and more platforms to get word out that it offers resources to help people succeed. “Small steps will lead to a stronger community,” said Gray, who informed club members that one of the resources United Way offers is free tax preparation for anyone with an income of less than $54,000 per year.