Presentation proposals are being accepted for the Ninth Annual Louisiana Studies Conference which will be held Sept. 22-23 at Northwestern State University. The theme of this year’s conference is “Louisiana Landscapes.”

Conference co-chair Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the Louisiana Folklife Center and associate professor of English at NSU, said conference organizers are interested in proposals that deal with the theme of Louisiana Landscapes, but all papers, creative writing, and short performances (dance, music, or theatric) that address any aspect of Louisiana studies are welcome. Proposals are being solicited for 15-minute presentations from scholars at all career stages as well as graduate students. Creative work (film, creative non-fiction, short fiction, and poetry) is welcome. Undergraduates are invited to submit, provided they are working with the guidance of a trained scholar.

Conference registration is free for all faculty, staff, and students affiliated with Bossier Parish Community College, the Louisiana Scholars’ College, the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, and Northwestern State University, as well as State and National Park Service personnel situated in Natchitoches Parish.

Abstracts (300 words max.) for scholarly proposals, creative writing, films, and short performances (dance, music, or theatric) should be sent as e-mail attachments to Rasmussen at rasmussens@nsula.edu. Presentations should run no longer than 15 minutes. Briefly detail the audio / visual tools (laptop, projection screen, data projector, DVD player, etc.) or space (the stage in the Magale Recital Hall will be provided for short performances) your presentation will require, if any.

Proposals should include a separate cover page with name, affiliation, mailing and e-mail address, and the title of your presentation. E-mails should be entitled: Louisiana Studies Conference Submission. An e-mail acknowledgement of having received each abstract will be sent within one week of having received it. If you do not receive an acknowledgment please resend your submission as it may not have been received. The deadline for submissions is July 1. Accepted presenters will be notified via e-mail by no later than July 15.

This interdisciplinary conference will be accepting proposals from the following disciplines: American studies, anthropology, architecture, archival studies, communications, craft, creative writing, criminal justice, cultural studies, cultural tourism, dance, design, education, English and literary studies, environmental studies, ethnic studies, fashion design, film studies, fine arts, folklore, gender studies, geography, heritage resources, history, interior design, journalism, linguistics, media studies, museum studies, musicology, music performance, philosophy, photography, political science, preservation studies, psychology, queer studies, religious studies, Romance languages, social work, sociology, theatre and vernacular architecture.
Read broadly, consider the following possibilities for presentation topics relating to the theme Louisiana Landscapes.

Rasmussen said Louisiana, its peoples, cultures, history, literature, places, etc. should be an intrinsic aspect of the proposed presentation.

“For example, ‘philosophical landscapes’ in itself would not be an appropriate presentation topic proposal for the Louisiana Studies Conference, while “philosophical landscapes in Louisiana” or “the philosophical landscapes of Louisianans” would be highly appropriate,” said Rasmussen.

Examples would include American Indian Landscapes, Architectural Landscapes, Archival Landscapes, Artistic Landscapes, Borders and Border Crossings, Built Environments, Climate Landscapes, Contested Landscapes, Crossroads and Convergences, Cultural Landscapes, Cultural Mapping, Emerging Landscapes, Endangered Landscapes, Ethnic Landscapes, Folk Landscapes, Gender Landscapes, Geographies, Historical Landscapes, Interior Landscapes, Landscapes in Fashion, Linguistic Landscapes, Literary Landscapes, Media Landscapes, Mental Landscapes,

Musical Landscapes, Mythic Landscapes, Narrative Landscapes, Neglected Landscapes, Performative Landscapes, Philosophical Landscapes, Photographic Landscapes, Political Landscapes, Preserving Landscapes, Questioning Landscapes, Religious and Spiritual Landscapes, Rural Landscapes, Sacred Sites and Spaces, Syncretic Landscapes, Theatrical Landscapes, Urban Landscapes and Vernacular Landscapes.
A selection of scholarly and creative work presented at the conference will be solicited for publication in the Louisiana Folklife Journal, a peer reviewed academic journal produced by the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State. Additional information is available on the website for the Louisiana Folklife Center, louisianafolklife.nsula.edu.

Conference co-chairs along with Rasmussen are Dr. Lisa Abney, faculty facilitator for academic research and community college outreach and professor of English at Northwestern State, Jason Church, materials conservator, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training and Dr. Charles Pellegrin, associate professor of history at Northwestern State.

The Conference is co-sponsored by the Folklife Society of Louisiana, the Louisiana Folklife Center, and the NSU College of Arts, Sciences, Graduate Studies and Research.

While motorists may feel inconvenienced as they drive through water logged areas in the vicinity of the Keyser Avenue and South Drive intersection, Utility Director Charles Brossette says these are signs of improvements underway in the City.

The work, which should be finished by today, March 22, will bring fresher water to the East Natchitoches system, which includes the northern part of Williams Avenue.

The work includes tying into the main water line that runs along Keyser and running a new line across Cane River to the water plant off of Jefferson Street, which creates a quicker route for the water to flow.

The hydrants are flowing around the Keyser and South intersection because workers have to move a block that’s holding a plug in on a valve. They don’t want the valve to slip off the end of the high pressure line because then there would be no way to cut the water off. So, the hydrants are run to lower the pressure so the workers can make the tie in.

There was an awkward moment toward the end of the Parish Council meeting Monday night, March 20, as Patsy Ward Hoover had to withdraw an item she added to the agenda asking the Council to consider introducing Ordinance 005-2017 for a 3 percent cost-of-living raise for Parish employees.

It seemed like a valiant effort, until Parish Treasurer Debbie Miley said there was no money in the 2017 budget to accommodate the raise. Miley referred to another agenda item where the Council voted to keep the mileage’s for the Parish the same instead of rolling them forward (SEE DOCUMENT BELOW).

When Hoover questioned why the employees didn’t receive the raise last year Parish President Rick Nowlin said it was a decision he made after speaking to the department heads. Certain things happened last year that put a stress on the budget. Nowlin said that while he has an obligation to the Parish employees, he also has a fiduciary obligation to the citizens in the Parish.

“I value the employees,” he said. “But I have to consider the overall impact on the budget.”

He added that the thought of adding the 3 percent raise into the 2017 budget was not only bad timing with over 9 months of the year left, but he was concerned where the money would come from.

Mrs. Yvonne Jones
Aug. 09, 1947 – March 20, 2017
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday, March 24 at 11 a.m. at the St. Augustine Catholic Church of Melrose, with entombment following in the church’s mausoleum. The family will receive friends at a wake/visitation on the preceding Thursday evening at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel from 5-9 p.m. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will start at 7:30 p.m. during the wake service.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that contributions be made in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Center 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. Services under the direction of the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home.

Yvonne Marie Jones, 69, passed on at her longtime residence on March 20, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. Yvonne was born to the parentage of the late Avis Chelette Jones and Victor Edward Jones, Sr. in Pineville on Aug. 9, 1947; the oldest of six children which blessed this union.

Yvonne married her beloved college sweetheart, Nolan Joseph Jones Jr. of Melrose in 1971. From this union, they were blessed with three children; two daughters, Sonia Jones Huntsberry and Shante’ Jones LaCour, and one son, Nolan Jones, III.

Yvonne attended St. James Elementary School in Alexandria. She graduated from A. Wettermark High School in Boyce. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL) in Lafayette. Yvonne graduated from the Nursing program at USL in 1969. She began her career working in the hospital system as a labor and delivery nurse. Yvonne was then hired as the first school nurse of Natchitoches Parish. Yvonne went on to coordinate the school program from 1977-2006 with astounding tender loving care.

In addition to the care she gave the children of the parish, she was the Vice President of Parish Counsel, Vice President of Christian Mothers at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Board Member of Dixie Youth Baseball and Softball Program, Ambassador for St. Jude Children’s Hospital Research Program, and a member of the initial chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at USL.

Yvonne was known for her countless hours of nursing services to the community of Cane River. Yvonne found joy in dancing, attending sporting events, traveling and serving her church community. After retirement she looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, Avis Chelette Jones and Victor Jones Sr., her nephew, Chad Jones, her father-in-law, Nolan Jones Sr., her mother-in-law, Florence Long Jones and her sister-in-law, Linda Jones Davis.

Mourning her departure, but cherishing the memories made are devoted husband, Nolan Jones Jr. of Melrose; her three children, Sonia Jones Huntsberry of Huffman, Texas (Hayward), Shante’ Jones LaCour of Spring,Texas and Nolan Jones III of Melrose; her sisters, Peggy Braxton of Natchitoches (Calvin), Rita Jones of Cloutierville, Patricia Roque of Natchez (Darrell), Susie Winston of Natchitoches (John); her brothers, Victor Jones Jr. of Natchez (Deloris), Jerry Jones of Cloutierville (Marie), Kenneth Metoyer of San Diego, Cali. (Sylvia); her four grandchildren, Reagan LaCour, Aubrey LaCour, Mikaila Huntsberry, and Brailyn Huntsberry; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Kevin’s Gallery

Northwestern State University’s Orville J. Hanchey Gallery was the place to be on campus Tuesday, March 21st as the first annual Lit Con filled the room with everything from poetry to improv theater to literary cosplay. Approximately 130 students visited the day long event, hearing from a variety of speakers and presentations. The day culminated with a literary cosplay contest as well as poetry and fiction readings from students and faculty.

BOM is a silver sponsor of the Nak-a-tosh Chapter of The Priesthood Motorcycle Ministry’s 6th annual motorcycle rally, Cane River-Full Throttle, which will be held in Natchitoches April 22-23. This year’s proceeds will be donated to Operation Homefront to assist U.S. Military troops and families with emergency financial assistance, toys at Christmas, holiday meals, school supplies for military children, and assistance to wounded service members.

A fictional story by Junior Johnson

It was cold and damp as the Johnson’s departed their little farm in the Mississippi Delta for their two day journey to Cane River in Louisiana.

They’d worked through the night packing what they’d need on their trip, and it was nearing daybreak as their traveling party moved out.

Sheriff Jones was sending two of his most trusted deputies to protect them, and Reverend Cryer made arrangements to travel with them. Neighbors would watch over the farm in their absence.

Plans were to travel to Natchez, Miss. where they’d board a riverboat traveling south to Baton Rouge. They’d make connections along the way to the Red River which would take them to Natchitoches, Louisiana. From there they’d travel over land to Cloutierville, and meet up with their relatives.

Even though everyone was tired and exhausted from their long night’s work, they knew they’d have to stay alert because Captain John Winston and his band of hoodlums could be anywhere along the way to cause them harm.

It was late that evening when they finally arrived at the boarding dock in Natchez. Under the watchful eyes of the deputies they experienced no trouble along the way.

Aiden and Dylan were excited as all of their traveling party boarded the Mississippi Queen riverboat. Neither they, nor Mrs. Johnson had ever been on a vessel this size before.

Accommodations were made for their wagon and horses, and after a much needed dinner they tried to get some rest.

Captain John Winston and his men weren’t far behind. Even though he had no one who knew the exact plans the Johnson’s made, he had spies throughout the area who were on the lookout for them. There were few options available for the family except river travel.

By the time Winston and his hoodlums arrived in Natchez, the Johnson’s were already on their way to make their connections to Red River and their journey to Natchitoches.

Although they were safe for the time being, danger was not far behind the Johnson traveling party. They were able to get some rest during the night before making connections for the last part of their journey on the Red River to Natchitoches.

The deputies knew the riverboat Captain and he allowed Aiden and Dylan to join him in the wheelhouse of the boat as they traveled upriver. The Captain even allowed them to blow the whistle as they passed traffic on the mighty Red River. They were thrilled to death, and felt safe, for the time being.

Captain John Winston and his traveling party of hoodlums had boarded the next boat departing Natchez and were happy when they learned that the Johnson’s were on the boat just hours ahead of them. They laughed and relaxed at the bar throwing back drinks, knowing it was just a matter of time before the Johnson’s would be dead, and anyone else who tried to prevent their demise.

No one was safe from John Winston, even the Johnson’s…..At least that was what he thought.

The Lakeview Junior-Senior High School Band performed at the L. M. E. A. District II Concert Band Festival March 14 at Pineville High School. They received Superior and Excellent ratings for their concert, in which they performed Mark Williams’ arrangement of the Colonel Bogey march by Kenneth Alford; Scenes of Russia by Elliot Del Borgo; and Arabian Dances by Roland Barrett.

Eighth grade percussion student Amber Hembree commented, “My favorite piece was Scenes of Russia by Elliot Del Borgo. I liked that piece because it was very beautiful and showed off all the technique the band had. It also challenged the band in many different ways.” Amber also remarked that, “What I enjoyed most about this experience was the memories we made as a band. ‘Band is family’ is my favorite saying.”

The band also earned a Superior rating in sight reading, an event in which the band director has eight minutes to teach a piece that students and their teacher have never seen or heard before, then immediately perform it for adjudication. The Lakeview band earned straight A’s in the sight reading category.

The Lakeview Band is under the direction of Ms. Denise Roper, a graduate of Louisiana State University.

Band members pictured on front row from left are Brenden Allen, Shaquera Reliford, Courtney Mosley, Olivia Litton, Adriunhya Gray, Zoie Britt, Destinee Britt, Hailey Thompson, Amber Hembree and Kentrae Jones. On back row are Kain Custis, James Earp, Dylan Marr, Jo Porter, Joshua Graham, Myla Porter, Serenity Beavers, Za’Chary Jackson, Mathew Johnson, Kedreion Pattain, Destiny Driver and Heather Mosley.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives arrested an Ajax man in connection with a business burglary in northwest Natchitoches Parish according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones.

Patrol Division deputies responded to reports of a business burglary at Cowboy’s Truck Stop, located in the 900 block of Hwy. 174 near Ajax March 7 at 4:45 am.

They learned while speaking with the complainant that forced entry was gained into the business through a rear door.

Detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division also responded to the scene.

Items reported stolen in the burglary was the business safe containing $1,200 in cash and some checks.

Over the next 10 days, detectives reviewed business surveillance video and began to focus on a part-time employee of the business identified as Willie Lee Clark.

Clark resided within five miles of the business.

Patrol Shift “A” Deputies arrested Clark at his residence without incident March 17.

Willie Lee Clark, 49, of the 200 block of Jim Rivers Road in Ajax, was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center and charged with 1-count of Simple Burglary.

Clark, who has a prior criminal history, remains in the Natchitoches Detention Center awaiting bond.

Detectives say the safe has not been recovered.

Detectives C. LaCour, and J. Byles investigated the case assisted by the Patrol Division.

If you have any additional information concerning this burglary contact the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division at 357-7830.

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

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Robeline woman and a Natchitoches man on felony drug charges following a traffic stop on Hwy. 1 March 19 at 1:37 a.m. according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Patrol Division deputies stopped a 2007 Pontiac for a traffic violation on Hwy. 1 Bypass just north of its intersection with Fairgrounds Road. When the driver, later identified as Lindsey Renee Rachal, exited the vehicle her passenger quickly exited on the right side.
Deputies observed the passenger, identified as Gene Richard, discard a bottle on the ground. It contained one suspected ecstasy pill, two suspected suboxone narcotic pills, two cellophane bags containing suspected methamphetamine, and 11 unidentified pills.
Natchitoches Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents also responded to the scene to assist.

Richard, who has a prior narcotics arrest history, was placed under arrest.
Deputies began to interview Rachal observing that her coordination appeared to be impaired.

When deputies asked Rachal to perform a series of field sobriety tests she replied she was not drunk.

Deputies demonstrated and had Rachal perform the field sobriety tests in which she failed to perform satisfactorily at which time she was also placed under arrest for suspected DWI.

As a result:
Gene Richard, 37, of the 100 block of Remo Road in Natchez was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center and charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamines-2nd or subsequent offense, Criminal Obstruction of Justice.
Other charges are pending based on crime lab analysis.
Richard remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center awaiting bond.
Lindsey Renee Rachal, 31, of the 2000 block of Hwy. 478 in Robeline refused to take the Chemical Test for Intoxication and was charged with DWI 1st Offense and traffic offenses.

Rachal remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center awaiting bond.
The vehicle was impounded.
Deputies assisgned to NPSO Patrol Shift “A” made the arrests assisted by NMJDTF agents.

Cane River Lake is currently at 98.0 MSL (pool stage).  All landings are open to boating traffic.

Giant Salvinia is a negative impact plant to the waterways.  It covers the surface of water bodies making navigation difficult.  Giant Salivinia has been spotted at boat landings on Cane River Lake.  Boaters are asked to be mindful of their trailers as they navigate from one body of water to another.  It will take everyone’s good stewardship to keep Cane River Lake beautiful and navigable for all to enjoy.

The commission appreciates your time and efforts.

Remember to boat Safe, Sober, and always wear your Life Jackets.

The second annual Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Bass Tournament will be held tomorrow – Saturday, March 25 from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Cypress Bend Boat Launch on Toledo Bend Lake. All boats must weigh-in by 3 p.m. Scales will open at 2 p.m.

Dylan was born March 10, 1997, to Luther “Burt” Poche, Jr. and Misty Ott in Natchitoches. He had  two brothers: Kaleb and Brayden.  Later down the road, Shelley Delrie Poche came into their lives and became stepmother to the three boys. Family was a key part of Dylan’s life, and he enjoyed spending quality time with all of them.

Everyone knew that being outdoors is what Dylan loved.  Dylan’s joy for hunting and fishing began when his dad would take him and his brothers hunting and fishing in the pond behind their Pawpaw’s.  In high school Dylan focused on fishing, joining the Natchitoches Central High School fishing team.

That’s where Dylan knew he had found his niche.  In 2013, he placed 2nd in the TBF Louisiana High School Fishing State Championship on Caddo Lake.  He went on to fish in the High School World Finals in Pickwick Ala. in 2015, where he and his fishing partner, Reagan Maxey, placed 17th out of over 100 boats.

By fishing many tournaments throughout the state during his high school years, Dylan became an accomplished angler.  Upon his graduation from NCHS in 2015 with honors, Dylan decided to attend Northwestern State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Dylan’s dream and passion, however, was to become a professional angler one day.  He joined the NSU Fishing Team and partnered up with Cain Hamous. Dylan fished his first FLW Cowboy Division tournament on Toledo Bend Lake in 2016 and placed 4th, with his biggest weight ever of 22lbs 8oz.

First place at the fishing tournament will receive $5,000. Additional payouts will be made. Other activities include a DJ, raffles, a bounce house and food and fun for all ages. The entry fee is $150 (max two people per boat). There will be an optional Big Fish for $20 per boat.

For more information contact Burt Poche at 318-652-3176 or 318-652-7192.

Discussions became heated at the Parish Council meeting Monday night, March 20, over an ordinance to solicit bids to purchase Bottom Ash for Parish road maintenance. The problem wasn’t the ordinance itself, but Council Chair Patsy Ward Hoover’s refusal to add an agenda item to amend the 2017 budget to allow for the purchase of Bottom Ash (a $100,000 line item).

The chair can set an internal deadline for items to be turned in to appear on the meeting agenda. Hoover said the deadline is the Wednesday before the meeting. However, Council member Russell Rachal said once the agenda is distributed, a motion to add an item to it can come up from the floor at any time during the meeting.

Despite Hoover’s reluctance to entertain the addition of the agenda item, Council member Doug de Graffenried made a motion, which broke the stalemate. Once added to the agenda the item passed.

The Council removed an ordinance to amend the requirements for the Parish Council meetings in the Parish Code of Ordinance. Hoover withdrew an agenda item to consider a 3 percent COLA for Parish employees. It also tabled an introduction to hold a public hearing next month to the proposed scarifying of deteriorated sections of King Hill Road, located between its junction with Hwy. 485 and the end of Parish maintenance and Sisson Road, by petition signed by 30 residents. It was tabled until next month so the wording in the agenda item can be clarified.

Other agenda items included:
·      Reappoint Michael Richardson to the board for Fire District 4
·      Award bid for Courthouse Roof replacement to Terry’s Roofing and Sheet Metal INC for $130,000. The amount is from an insurance claim. The remaining work includes removing an old cooling tower from the roof (~$9,200). The funds for this would come from the Government Building Fund. Councilman Chris Paige asked that the record reflect that the job was not to exceed $150,000.
·      Enter into cooperative endeavor agreement with the Village of Natchez to place maintenance aggregate in potholes in the unpaved driveway that accesses the Village Hall. Other work includes the removal of deteriorated asphalt and placement of fill dirt in the Natchez Heritage Park.
·      Adopt proclamation for Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service on April 4, 2017.
·      Enter into an agreement with Chesapeake Energy Corp. for donation to the Parish of salvaged broken concrete material from the abandoned Placid Oil Company site located adjacent to the Mammy Trail Road and for Nowlin to advertise for bids for this material to be crushed for use as maintenance rock by the Parish Highway Department.
·      Consider accepting into the Parish system a new street in the Deer Park Subdivision designated as Alex Avenue off Independence Street.
·      Authorize Nowlin to sell the Parish building on 415 Trudeau St. and a certain parking lot to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office for a $200,000 credit against the $700,000 debt owed to the NPSO and a one- year ($60,000) deferment in Detention Center costs.
·      Revise budget for the Natchitoches Parish Highway Department: Fund 101, Fish Hatchery Road and Old River Road.
·      Approve the Disability Enrollment Improvement Plan for Head Start
·      Introduce ordinance to amend Parish Zoning Ordinance, relative to uses

Three regional musicians will perform their debut concert of brass trio music Wednesday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

The ensemble includes guest artists Michael Scarlato on trumpet and flugelhorn, Thomas Hundemer on horn and NSU professor J. Mark Thompson on tenor and bass trombones.  These musicians can be seen performing together frequently in other regional groups including the I-49 Brass Quintet and the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.

The program will feature works by Johannes Brahms, Walter Ross, Fisher Tull, Francis Poulenc, Allan Blank and David Sampson.  For more information call (318) 357-5791.

Past District Governor for the Lions Club Richard Mosher spoke to the Natchitoches Lions Club at its meeting March 20. A Lions Club member for 32 years, Mosher is a member of the Bossier City Lions Club, which with 115 members, is the biggest club in the state.

Mosher spoke about how Lions Club is the largest organization in the world with over 4 million members in 200 plus countries. The club was founded by Melvin Jones of Arizona in 1917. The first convention was held in Dallas in 1917. With a motto of “We Serve” its goal is to eliminate blindness in the world. This goal was adopted in 1925 after an inspiring address given at a national convention in 1925.

“I love this organization,” he said. “I think it makes a difference around the world.”

A traffic stop by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies March 17 at 8:37 pm led to the arrest of Melissa G. Hudson, 40 of Campti, on felony drug charges according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

NPSO Patrol Division deputies were patrolling in the City Limits of Campti, when they stopped a 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck on Smith Street for a traffic violation.

The driver, Hudson, informed them she didn’t have a driver’s license. During a computer check they learned that Hudson’s driver’s license was suspended and she was on probation due to a prior narcotics conviction.

Deputies observed an object protruding in her pocket and she appeared very uneasy.

When they asked Hudson what the object was she began to reach into her pocket leading them to believe criminal activity existed.

Deputies discovered the object to be a used syringe commonly used to inject narcotics.

Deputies also conducted a search of a bag Hudson was carrying when she exited the vehicle discovering two additional syringes-one loaded with suspected liquid methamphetamine.

Deputies asked Hudson if methamphetamine was in the syringe in which she allegedly replied “yes.”

Hudson was arrested and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center. She was charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Probation Violation and traffic offenses. She remains in the Natchitoches Detention Center awaiting bond.

The seized narcotics will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis and identification.

Deputies assigned to NPSO Patrol Shift “A” made the arrest.
Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents are assisting in the investigation.

Natchitoches Parish Fire District 9 in Marthaville was dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 200 block of Allen street in Campti March 18. Units were on scene in under 7 minutes to find a small fire in the kitchen of the residence. Units knocked the fire down and conducted a primary search to make sure no one was in the structure. Units then conducted an overhaul operation and checked for hot spots. Units cleared the scene after about 1 hour.

The Young at Heart group met at the First United Methodist Church March 1. The theme of St. Patrick was used in decorations by  Jolene Anders and Betty Whitehead of the Blanch Bostick Circle of Methodist Women. Rev. Doug de Graffenried gave the prayer.

Elaine Johnson was recognized as a first time guest. Special guests were from the Council on Aging. March Birthdays were celebrated by Mildred McTyre, John Brewer, Charlsie Coker, pictured, and Sonny Evans

Jessica McGrath with the Natchitoches Parish Library brought a 3-D printer that will make sculpture copies.  She made a small Eiffel Tower while there.  When asked about the activity at the Campti Branch of the parish system, she reported it was well used.

The Bookmobile is still making rounds in the parish, and though the roads are bad the library tax would only pave about 2 miles of highway.  For the year that would be about $2 million.  When asked if we should vote on March 25 for the continued 10 mill parish library tax and the road tax she said yes, vote for both.

The group had a nice lunch. The church provides fried chicken and attendees can bring a covered dish or $3 to cover the cost.  The next meeting is April 4 and a program of Northwestern Art and Drama with Vicki Parrish.

By Kevin Shannahan

Kevin’s Gallery

Natchitoches’ Front Street was transformed into a street party as the NYP hosted its 3rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl Saturday, March 18. Three hundred pub crawlers walked the length of Front street, stopping at a series of businesses to draw a card for the event’s poker run.

Forty volunteers from NSU’s Presidential Leadership Program, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and the Demon Volunteers staffed the poker run stations and helped out where needed. Half of the money raised tonight will go to the NSU Campus Beautification’s Adopt an Area Project to buy bins and other supplies to be used in maintaining the university’s picturesque beauty.

The pub crawl culminated at the north end of Front Street where entertainment was provided by “Larry’s Band” composed of NSU students from Columbia and “Panhandler.”

This year’s event also featured an unexpected development that was not on the agenda-a wedding that was being held next to the end point of the Pub Crawl. The Natchitoches Parish Journal extends its best wishes to Courtney Kerry of Chopin and Tre’ Angelle of Breaux Bridge as they start a long and happy life together!

 

Northwestern State’s first day of spring football practice went better than head coach Jay Thomas expected.

Getting great effort from the Demons on day one was almost a given. Getting favorable weather for the 2:30-long afternoon workout at Turpin Stadium was a very pleasant surprise.

“We got a break on that. It didn’t rain, and it cooled off, too,” said a smiling Thomas after the practice in shorts and helmets, the first of 15 spring sessions for NSU. “We were prepared to push forward through rain but fortunately the front hurried past us this morning.”

The Demons, who have 57 letterwinners including 36 who started at least once last season, staged the first of four practices this week and all participants walked away smiling.

“It was great to get out here,” said Thomas. “We threw a lot at them, offense, defense and the kicking game. It was a really good practice today.”

His team’s excellent strength and conditioning work since the 2016 season ended just before Thanksgiving paid dividends.

“These guys had a great offseason, probably one of the best I’ve been around, and you could see the carryover in practice,” said Thomas, “because we were energetic and gave great effort start to finish.

“It needs to continue. We come back Thursday, have another good shorts and helmets day, then we get the pads on Friday and Saturday,” he said.

The weekday workouts begin at 3:30, while Saturday’s session starts at 9:30 a.m. at Turpin Stadium.

R.L. “Russell” Stockard, a trailblazing sportswriter and historian who was a 2008 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee, passed Saturday morning at age 92 after battling cancer.

Stockard is believed to have been the first African-American to have a byline and a photo as a sportswriter for a mainstream major daily paper in the country, at the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat in 1953.

He broke the color line in Louisiana sportswriting circles when he joined the staff of the Baton Rouge State-Times in 1954, and was there until joining the New Orleans States-Item staff where he worked from 1960-74.

He was the first sports information director (1959-64) at Southern University in Baton Rouge, where he also taught classes. He became the first public relations director and SID for the Southwestern Athletic Conference, serving in those roles from 1985-92, and worked as the SWAC’s initial NCAA compliance officer from 1990-93.

In 1964, he played a role in bringing about the first recorded integrated high school basketball game in state history, an event between New Orleans’ all-black St. Augustine High School and all-white Jesuit High, commemorated in the 1999 television movie “Passing Glory.”

He was on the committee which helped create the annual Bayou Classic football battle between in-state rivals Southern and Grambling held in New Orleans each year since 1974.

A World War II veteran, Stockard had master’s degrees from LSU, Tulane and Florida A&M, after earning his undergraduate degree at Tennessee State in his hometown of Nashville.

“I’ve led a blessed life. I was always able to do what I wanted to do. You could write a script, and it still would never turn out this good,” he once said.

Along with receiving the Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and being enshrined in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2008, Stockard was enshrined in the Greater New Orleans/Allstate Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame in his adopted hometown of New Orleans.

“Russell Stockard has a complete knowledge of sports. He has dedicated his life to it. If I had to recommend anyone to speak about sports, it would be Russell,” said the late Buddy Dilberto, the iconic New Orleans broadcaster and writer who was the 2005 recipient of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism.

In 2005, then an adjunct professor of geography at Southern-New Orleans, Stockard was stranded in his Ninth Ward home for two days during Hurricane Katrina. At age 81, he walked more than two miles to the top of the I-10 high rise bridge, and was eventually evacuated from the Superdome.

The hurricane did not decimate his remarkable collection of sports memorabilia and historical information compiled during his more than 50 years of involvement in state sports. After Katrina, he moved his family back to Baton Rouge, where he passed after spending his final days in hospice care.

Stockard also wrote for the Baton Rouge News-Leader, Louisiana Weekly and the Black Collegian magazine.

Boy Scouts from Troop 60 (Natchitoches) earned their Moviemaking merit badges this month under the generous leadership of Dr. Allison Rittmayer, assistant professor of Film Studies and English. Dr. Rittmayer, who teaches in NSU’s Department of English’s Film Studies concentration, guided the Scouts through the badge and the exciting field of cinematography. Scouts learned about how film works practically and emotionally as a form of communication, visited the Robinson Film Center for a tour of the projection room, and created their own scripts, treatments, and storyboards before they learned and demonstrated motion picture shooting techniques with professional film equipment. Then they shot their movies, acting on both sides of the camera lens. It was a fun badge to earn!

On March 2, families and friends were delighted to experience the premier showing of Troop 60’s moviemaking efforts during the evening meeting. Dr. Rittmayer presented everyone with information about the great variety of careers available in the film and moviemaking industries and gave each Scout a DVD of the Troop films.

Troop 60 wants to thank the many members of the Natchitoches community who volunteer their time and leadership to scouting. They also welcome interested potential Scouts aged 11-17 to their meetings each Thursday at 7 pm at First United Methodist Church on Second St in Natchitoches.

PICTURE: Dr. Rittmayer educates Troop 60 about the many career options related to film and moviemaking