A document appeared mysteriously on my desk in the middle of another crazy week. I thought I would share the contents of this document:

“My instructor in Sabbath-keeping was not a professor or a spiritual director, but a foreman at the East Chicago Inland Steel plan named Mike Paddock. His wife was treasurer of the tiny congregation I served as a student pastor, and she wrote my salary check twice a month. Mike would deliver it along with two dozen eggs and a shopping bag full of tomatoes, cucumbers and honey dew melons.

Mike’s seminar on Sabbath-keeping occurred on a summer Saturday morning when he saw my car at the church. “What the hell are you doing here on a Saturday morning?” he asked me. “Well,” I stammered, “I’m here being available to the congregation. I’m pretty much gone all week, at school, so Saturday, I’m here in case anyone needs me.”

“Let me tell you something, Mike said. “Nobody needs you today. If they do, they’ll call you. Nobody wants to see you today. They’re busy. They’ll see you plenty tomorrow. So go home. Cut your grass, wash your car, sit in your yard, and play with your kids. Get outa here.” I did what he said and have tried to abide by it ever since.

In Practicing Our Faith, Dorothy Bass writes, “Americans need rest, and they need to be reminded that they do not cause the grain to grow and that their greatest fulfillment does not come through the acquisition of material things. Moreover, the planet needs a rest from human plucking and burning and buying and selling.”

In Genesis, God is busy creating for six days and then takes a day off. This is a different kind of God, a God who rests, a God who says, “I’m not going into the office tomorrow. I’ve put in long hours every day all week and tomorrow I’m putting up my feet and enjoying what I’ve accomplished. This is a life changing way of thinking: work is not finished until it is enjoyed in rest. There is a lesson in grace here—the world does not depend of our activity; we do not have sole responsibility for the grain growing, or any responsibility for the sun rising.

Poet Wendell Berry takes a walk every Sunday morning and then goes home and writes a Sabbath poem. In one poem he describes how we ache and sweat in our daily labors:

“and yet no leaf or grain is filled
by work of ours; the field is tilled
and left to grace,
that we may reap. Great work is done while we’re asleep.”

God rested. Do you?

The Natchitoches Police Department received a complaint of carnal knowledge of a juvenile on May 8. NPD Officers spoke with the complainant who advised them that her 16-year-old daughter was involved in a sexual relationship with a 32-year-old male, identified as Barry LaCaze.

During the investigation the suspect, Barry LaCaze, turned himself in to NPD Detectives. LaCaze was charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and placed in the Natchitoches Parish detention Center on May 10. Felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.

Patsy Bartley Cole
April 10, 1947 – May 11, 2017
Visitation: Family may visit from Saturday, May 13 from 12:30-1 pm and friends may visit from 1-2:15 pm
Service: Saturday, May 13 at 2:30 pm in the Martin Baptist Church in Martin
Interment: Martin Cemetery

Oren Lincoln Kelsey, Jr.
July 13, 1916 – May 10, 2017
Visitation: Friday, May 12 from 5-10 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel
Service: Saturday, May 13 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Many Cemetery

Dr. Douglas Stewart Allen
June 4, 1951 – May 8, 2017
Visitation: Friday, May 12 from 10 am – 12:30 pm at the Kramer Funeral Home in Alexandria
Service: Friday, May 12 at 1 pm at St. Rita Catholic Church
Interment: Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, Ohio at a later date

Helen Mickel Collins
February 17, 1923 – May 7, 2017
Visitation: Friday, May 12 from 9:30-10:30 am at the John Kramer & Son Funeral Home
Service: Friday, May 12 at 11 am at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church
Interment: Alexandria Memorial Gardens

Una Napper
March 03, 1921 – May 09, 2017
Visitation: Monday, May 15 from 12-1 pm
Service: Monday, May 15 at 1 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Pleasant Hill
Patricia Quin McKee
May 5, 2017
Visitation: Friday, May 12 from 10-11:30 am
Service: Friday, May 12 at 11:30 AM at Forest Park Funeral Home, 1201 Louisiana Avenue in Shreveport
Interment: Forest Park Cemetery on St. Vincent Avenue

Christian Cordell Gore
December 13, 2001 – May 09, 2017
Service: Saturday, May 13 at 3:30 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Winnfield

Louvenia Prelow
May 09, 2017
Service: Saturday, May 13 at 2:30 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home in Natchitoches

Rosemary Braxton Robinson
May 07, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, May 13 from 10-noon at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, May 13 at noon at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Natchitoches
Interment: Lawrence Serenity Sanctum

Evelyn Jones
September 09, 1934 – May 02, 2017
Service: Saturday, May 13 at 11 am at the New Beginnings Baptist Church in Natchitoches

Howard Ray Moore
May 28, 1948 – May 07, 2017
Visitation: Friday, May 12 from 6-8 pm at the Burks Temple Methodist Church in Winnfield
Service: Saturday, May 13 at 11 am at the Winfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Winnfield City Cemetery

By Edwin Crayton/Opinion

(Part 2 of 2)

In the last article I wrote about how statistics from the Natchitoches Police reveal that in 2016, African Americans led most categories in offenses—usually based on arrests or citations (For article see: . https://natchitochesparishjournal.com/?s=edwin+crayton).

The numbers are alarming when you look at percentages. For instance of 252 drug arrests, 215 of those arrested were black. Out of 41 burglaries, 38 were black. In the category of larceny/shoplifting, of 60 arrests, 43 were African Americans. That article was written to purposely interview only African Americans in order to get the unique perspective of the African American Community. As the point was made in that article, this information must be put in perspective so as not to stereotype African Americans.

Such a report, striking as it is, still doesn’t prove that black people commit more crimes than whites. Indeed, this is merely a yearly statistical report that changes yearly. Whites may lead this year, who knows? And in fact the report actually shows that most African Americans in Natchitoches, apparently must be law-abiding, since Natchitoches is around 60% black and the overall numbers of offenders don’t even get into the high tree figures.

This actually means most African Americans must have a very low chance of committing crime or even violating the law in a noncriminal way. That’s quite positive. And yet, the figures should be looked at soberly and the black participants in the last article agreed that it is an issue that needs attention and help from the African American Community and the broader local community. Which begs the question, what does the broader community think about this report? This article takes things a step further and goes and asked whites for their thoughts and any possible solutions. Here are those responses.

Gene Dacus : “Many of their homes don’t have dads and the moms–who are working hard—can’t keep always keep track of the children. So, these kids get into trouble and drugs because of hanging around with the wrong crowd. (Gene made clear this isn’t just true of all blacks, and said this is also true of many whites today.) The solution? They need positive things to do like clubs, recreational activities and going to church.”
Anonymous, retired university professor: “I think it’s the environment sometimes. When I drive through the African American Community I often see young people standing around idle. That leads to trouble often. The solution? I don’t know.”

Vade Gordon, former attorney: It’s not true of all blacks, but welfare is playing a role in this. When I was a teacher a kid told me, “I’m going to go and sell drugs.” When you promote welfare, you promote this kind of attitude. It promotes irresponsibility. Welfare promotes the use of children as paychecks. What’s the general solution? You’ve got to tighten up welfare. Make people accountable. Parents need to be accountable for their kids in school.”

Betty Ryder: “There’s nothing for the black race here. There’s drugs on every corner. The solution is better policing.”

Joe Matthison: “It’s hard for people in general to distinguish between right and wrong—not just blacks. They rationalize their actions. It’s a human thing and not a racial one. But culture does figure into it. Solution? The Bible. Don’t steal. Don’t cheat. But you can’t just say that to people. You must replace it with something. If you don’t want me to break the law, give me something .” (Implying giving alternatives or help).

Dianne: “The kids today, growing up. I don’t know what’s making them that way. The older people are like that too. But I don’t think it’s racial. People today are just thinking about doing crime. Only way you can make the change is to take the kids to church and maybe there would be a way to get them to continue going right.”

Pretty much all respondents suggested we all need to be willing to help. Made me think of one more quote: “It’s alright to tell a man to lift himself by his own bootstraps, but it’s cruel jest to say to a bootless man that he out to lift himself by his own bootstraps” –Martin Luther King Jr.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal received this submission. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Natchitoches Parish Journal.  If you have an article or story of interest for publishing consideration by the NPJ, please send it to NPJNatLa@gmail.com.

Photo Credit: Stefan Molyneux

 

Sharon Gahagan was honored during the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Foundation meeting held May 10. Gahagan has served on the Board for the past 6 years. She served as Vice Chair, Secretary/Treasurer and Chair of the Grant Committee during her tenure. Presenting gifts are Dr. Chris Maggio, President and Tom Matuschka, Executive Director of the Foundation.

Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones and Natchitoches Parish resident Nathan Albritton testifying at the Administration of Criminal Justice at the 2017 Regular Legislative Session in Baton Rouge on May 10.

Mayor Lee Posey gave an update on the dead grass situation to the City Council May 8. While the City has run a program to stunt the growth of grass at the airport for the past 3 years, it became quite the tragedy when grass sprayed in 5-6 targeted areas in the city limits of Natchitoches died, leaving unsightly brown areas behind.

The spraying was originally used because the City was told it would have a positive long-term affect by decreasing the amount of times workers would be required to mow certain areas, like the median and right-of-ways along University Parkway, close to I-49 and areas of City Park. The chemical is designed to stunt growth, kill weeds and promote healthier future growth of the grass.

However, the overall process didn’t work as residents began to question why there were huge sections of dead grass along the roadways. The City met with the owners of the company that sprayed the chemicals, who admitted they’d mixed the chemicals too hard. According to Mayor Lee Posey, the City is asking for a reimbursement and for the company to re-seed the dead areas.

Article on the NPJ from April 15, 2017

https://natchitochesparishjournal.com/2017/04/15/the-grass-isnt-always-greener/

UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson announced a contest asking students to write his 10,000th tweet. The winner will receive a $500 scholarship to a UL System university. Henderson, an avid fan of the social media platform, set up the contest to draw attention to the University of Louisiana System and its nine universities.

“The contest is a fun way to engage our student body and the entire University of Louisiana System family,” Henderson said.

Henderson announced the contest on twitter with a tongue-and-cheek video calling for entries. The contest, with limited rules, only requires the tweet be about the System or one of its nine universities. Henderson is judging the contest and the winner will be announced as his 10,000thtweet. To submit an entry, tweet @DRJBHenderson using #JH10K.

Henderson had about 9,970 tweets when he announced the contest.

NCHS Senior softball player Cameron Owsley received the LHSAA All Academic Award at the Softball State Championship Tournament in Sulphur on April 29. This award is given to graduating seniors who have maintained a 4.0 grand point average their entire high school career while playing sports.

By Garry McCollum

My favorite time of year to fish is spring. Sight fishing is a very proficient way of catching springtime fish. When the spring time bass spawn is over, many anglers face a time of uncertainty. Bass can be extremely difficult to pattern in this time of year, with the spring cold fronts…

My favorite time of year to fish is spring. Sight fishing is a proficient way of catching springtime fish. When the spring time bass spawn is over, many anglers face a time of uncertainty. Bass can be extremely difficult to pattern in this time of year, with the spring cold fronts blowing through and the spawn being over, bass fishing at this time of year can be challenging to say the least.

During the spawn bass can be found on the banks or close to them, but where do the bass go after the spawn is over? Bass will be in transition and start to head out to deeper water. You can target shallow flats early in the morning with a topwater, frog bait, shallow crankbait, or spinnerbait. The morning is a good time to catch post spawn fish.

If you are like most anglers, you like to fish longer than a few hours in the morning and a few hours in the evening. I like to fish all day if given the opportunity. In order to be successful at this time of year the angler must adjust. Bass will be in two different groups during this time of year, shallow water and deep water. Approximately 20 percent of the bass population will be shallow, while 80 percent prefer the comfort and security of the deeper water. The thing that both of these groups have in common is the need to replenish themselves after the spawn.

I continue to fish for them during the spawn, the Bream spawn. Late April and May bream will be moving onto the beds, bass will be targeting the bream as a forage species as they are congregated and an easier prey than at other times of the year. Remember the Largemouth Bass is an opportunistic predator.

To locate bream beds, use good polarized glasses and look for honey cone circles along the bank. The beds will extend out from the shore line in a semi circle. The best beds will be the ones that are next to deeper water, however some bream beds can be found in water as deep as ten feet. If you are having trouble locating bream beds you can tie on the Johnson Beetle Spin and fish it along the bottom.

Once you have located the bream beds it is time to match the hatch. Use bream colored crankbaits, jigs, flukes, or spinnerbaits. Remember that the bass is a predator and uses cover to ambush its prey so if you find bream beds next to deeper water and have some cover there, hang on!

When the spring spawn is over and you are having trouble finding bass. You may just want to go sight fishing again, but this time for bream.

Be Safe, Tight Lines.

A six-month series of suspicious 911 calls to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office 911 Center led to the arrest of a Campti man according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Starting in September 2016, and ending in March 2017, NPSO 911 Communications dispatchers received approximately five 911 calls for emergency response to an undisclosed address in north Natchitoches Parish according NPSO Computer Aided Dispatch records.

The calls were made from different numbers in the early morning hours and focused on an alleged suicidal juvenile female. Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division responded to the residence with urgency due to the nature of the each call.

In each case, deputies arrived at the residence and while speaking with a parent, determined the juvenile was asleep. Deputies were also allowed to confirm that the juvenile posed no potential risk to harm herself. 911 dispatchers began to notice a pattern in the calls involving the same address .

In each response, deputies learned the calls were false prank 911 calls that required emergency response from the NPSO and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS.

Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol, Criminal Investigations Divisions and a 911 supervisor began reviewing 911 calls, including collecting forensic evidence which led to person of interest in the investigation.

As the investigation progressed, detectives determined that all false 911 calls came from one source.

On May 3, detectives interviewed Christopher John Nicholas Jr. at the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division. Detectives say while interviewing Nicholas he allegedly confessed to making the calls in the presence of a family member who fully cooperated in the investigation.

Detectives arrested and issued citations to Nicholas, 26 of the 200 block of LeBrum Street in Campti, for five-counts of Misuse and Abuse of 911 Calls/Criminal Mischief.

Nicholas was released pending a court appearance in the 10th Judicial District Court.

Sheriff Jones said, “We consider misuse and abuse of our 911 system a serious issue, our deputies may need to respond to legitimate emergency calls for service when we are responding to false 911 calls-it also puts our deputies at risk and takes us away from other matters that may need our immediate response.”

The Lakeview FFA recently competed at the State FFA Career Development Events. The events were held at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge on March 28.

The Dairy Foods team earned 3rd place at state. This team consisted of Mason Harper, Emily Johnson, Ashley Womack, and Brandon Roberts. Mason was recognized as the High Point Individual for scoring the best in the competition.

Electricity finished 2nd, earning the distinction of State Runner Up. The electrician was Lucas Drummer.

Team members Tyler Sullivan, Kelsey Shoemaker, Bayli Quick, and Emily Windham became eligible to compete at the state event after placing 2nd at the Area II Nursery/Landscape Career Development Event March 9 at Northwestern State University. The team advances to national competition at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, in October.

The Nursery/Landscape Career Development Event allows students to demonstrate their knowledge in plant materials, plant disorders, cultural practices, design and construction, supplies and equipment, safety, interpersonal relations, marketing, and records and reports.

FFA is a national organization of over 600,000 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. FFA is an integral part of the agricultural education program in public schools. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon Cutting May 10 for Natchitoches’ newest family fun, entertainment attraction.

Whether you’re struggling to gain your freedom and make your escape on the El Camino Real or helping Isabella make it to her one true love before the stroke of midnight, these escape rooms are real life interactive games that require participants work together to solve puzzles and find clues to escape before the time runs out.

Dr. Douglas Stewart Allen
June 4, 1951 – May 8, 2017
Visitation: Thursday, May 11 from 4-8 pm and Friday, May 12 from 10 am – 12:30 pm at the Kramer Funeral Home in Alexandria. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held Thursday, May 11 at 5 pm in the Kramer Chapel
Service: Friday, May 12 at 1 pm at St. Rita Catholic Church
Interment: Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, Ohio at a later date

Helen Mickel Collins
February 17, 1923 – May 7, 2017
Visitation: Thursday, May 11 from 5-8 pm and Friday, May 12 from 9:30-10:30 am at the John Kramer & Son Funeral Home. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held Thursday, May 11 at 6 pm in the Kramer Chapel Service: Friday, May 12 at 11 am at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church
Interment: Alexandria Memorial Gardens

Curtis “Sonny” Gordey
May 23, 1945 – May 9, 2017
Visitation: Thursday, May 11 from 9-11 am in the Kramer Chapel
Service: Thursday, May 11 at 11 am in the chapel of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home
Interment: Alexandria Memorial Gardens.

Una Napper
March 03, 1921 – May 09, 2017
Visitation: Monday, May 15 from 12-1 pm
Service: Monday, May 15 at 1 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Pleasant Hill
Patricia Quin McKee
May 5, 2017
Visitation: Friday, May 12 from 10-11:30 am
Service: Friday, May 12 at 11:30 AM at Forest Park Funeral Home, 1201 Louisiana Avenue in Shreveport
Interment: Forest Park Cemetery on St. Vincent Avenue

Christian Cordell Gore
December 13, 2001 – May 09, 2017
Service: Saturday, May 13 at 3:30 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Winnfield

Louvenia Prelow
May 09, 2017
Service: Saturday, May 13 at 2:30 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home in Natchitoches

Rosemary Braxton Robinson
May 07, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, May 13 from 10-noon at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, May 13 at noon at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Natchitoches
Interment: Lawrence Serenity Sanctum

Evelyn Jones
September 09, 1934 – May 02, 2017
Service: Saturday, May 13 at 11 am at the New Beginnings Baptist Church in Natchitoches

Sue S. Speight
November 1, 1932 – May 7, 2017
Service: Thursday, May 11 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Little Flock Cemetery

Howard Ray Moore
May 28, 1948 – May 07, 2017
Visitation: Friday, May 12 from 6-8 pm at the Burks Temple Methodist Church in Winnfield
Service: Saturday, May 13 at 11 am at the Winfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Winnfield City Cemetery

Northwestern State University has received approval from the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System to waive non-resident fees for any non-resident student whose parent earned at least an associate degree from any regionally accredited college or university in Louisiana.

“Northwestern State plans to use the lower fees to more effectively recruit non-resident students,” said newly-appointed President Dr. Chris Maggio. “For many students, out-of-state tuition can be quite a burden. This waiver will make the university more attractive to out-of-state students and should help us increase future enrollment.”

The waiver was established by Act 455 of the 2016 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature.

Director of University Recruiting Jana Lucky said many NSU alumni, like those of other Louisiana institutions, maintain strong ties to the state and want to see their children educated in Louisiana.

“In recruiting in Texas and Arkansas, we frequently encounter students who express strong interest in NSU’s degree programs, but find the out-of-state fees an additional hardship in paying for college,” said Lucky. “This fee waiver will help us attract high-achieving students with ties to Louisiana who want to take advantage of the exceptional student experience at NSU.”

Lucky encouraged NSU alumni to contact the Office of University Recruiting as soon as their children reach high school so they can receive information from Northwestern State. Children of NSU alumni are classified as top priority students.

For more information on the waiver, contact the Office of University Recruiting at (318) 357-4503 or go to nsula.edu/future-students.

The Natchitoches Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. held its annual Beautillion April 22 at the Ben Johnson Auditorium.

Winners included the following:
Peoples’ Choice: Brian Carter Jr.
Mr. Congeniality: Huey Virece Jr.
Mr. Achiever: Javonte Mims
5th Runner Up: Joshua Britt
4th Runner Up: Brian Carter Jr.
3rd Runner Up: Charleston Moore
2nd Runner Up: Huey Virece Jr.
1st Runner Up: Javonte Mims
Mr. Beautillion 2017: D.J. Rabb II
Mr. Beautillion 2016: Marvin Below Jr.

Chapter President Chrystal Davis welcomed friends and family to the event. After a grand promenade and presentation of the Beauxs, there was a mother and son dance. The Beauxs and their Belles held a fashion showcase.

Mr. Davin White, a former Mr. Beautillion, was the guest speaker.

He said:

My young brothers, today I will give you the secret to success so that you can go out and conquer the world. The secret is very simple. It’s no certain formula, pattern or specific series of events. Joining a particular organization won’t guarantee it. Neither will the school you attend or the degree you obtain. The secret is nothing more than to try. Quite simply, you can’t succeed at a thing if you don’t try. I can’t say it’ll be the first, second, third, fourth or fifth try. But you must know TRYING, isn’t all about success or lack of it. Some give minimal effort and find huge success. You might try your entire life at a particular thing and never succeed, but if you quit you’ll never know if you could have succeeded. Life occurs and things happen, so simply trying can be hard at times, especially fir a young black male. No matter what you have to do or go through to succeed in life, always try to be the smoothest brother in the room.”

The Natchitoches Junior High JAG program accepted a sponsorship donation from an area business.

Syll-Young Olson, orchestra director at Natchitoches Central High School invites the community and surrounding areas to the Natchitoches Central Spring Concert at Magale Recital Hall on the Northwestern campus Thursday, May 11 at 7:30 pm. This event is free and open to the public.

City Bank is a sponsor for the upcoming City Park Grand Reopening and Family Day Event, set for Saturday, June 3 from 10 am – 1 pm.

The City of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University and the Natchitoches Parish Journal are co-hosting this event, which is free and open to the public. There will be live music in the City Park amphitheater, free food, T-shirt raffle, activity booths, Zumba, face painting, inflatables and more.

Sponsors are needed to help make this event bigger and better. The deadline for sponsors is Friday, May 12. Levels include:

Bronze: $100 (includes company name on sponsor board at event and coverage in the NPJ)

Silver: $200 (bronze level benefits plus company name and logo on materials related to event and online promotion through the City Facebook page and email contact list)

Gold: $350 (all bronze and silver benefits plus naming rights for one of the following activities: snow cones, cotton candy, water slide, food table, popcorn, dunk tank, live music or T-shirts)

Activity Booths are also needed for this event. Your organization must be a non-profit, church, government agency or educational institution. You must provide a hands-on activity. You must stay for the entire event. You must offer free activities. You must provide your own tent, tables and chairs. The deadline for booths is Friday, May 19. Ideas for activity booths include: carnival games, arts & crafts, field games, board games, trivia, etc…

For more information email Dallas Russell at DRussell@natchitochesla.gov or Corey Poole at NPJNatLa@gmail.com.

Powerlifting may not be a well-known sport to some, but for Abby and Derek Toro it’s become a family tradition. Abby and Derek competed at the Louisiana State Games May 6 in West Monroe.

Abby competed in the 8-9-year-old division of the 97 lbs. weight class. She finished the day with squatting 55 lbs., bench pressing 25 lbs., deadlifting 125 lbs. and had a grand total of 205 lbs.

Derek, her dad and coach, competed in the 205 lbs. weight class.  He finished the day with a 405 lbs. squat, 240 lbs. bench press, and a deadlift of 450 lbs.  He finished the day with a 1,095 total.

Prior to the Louisiana State Games, Abby lifted at the New Orleans Invitational last September.  At that meet she set 14 Louisiana state powerlifting records for the 88 lbs. weight class. In addition to the records she set in New Orleans, she unofficially had set another 14 records for the 97 lbs. weight class this past weekend.  Abby plans to lift again in New Orleans this September, then at the City of Lights Invitational in February, and then compete for her first USA Powerlifting National Championship in Spokane, Washington a week later.

Abby, as a second-generation lifter, has learned a lot from her dad.  Derek was a powerlifter at Natchitoches Central High School, Northwestern State University, and Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.  In 1998 Derek was the Louisiana High School State Champion and USA Powerlifting High School National Champion for the 123 lbs. weight class.  He also still owns records at Northwestern and Texas State.

Abby and her dad had a lot of help this weekend at the Louisiana State Games from the Natchitoches Central Powerlifting Team that participated in the meet.  Coaches John Daughtery, Michael Wilson, and Emilie King were there with six team members who all qualified for the 2018 USA Powerlifting High School National Championship Meet.

Natchitoches Police Department officers received a tip about a stolen vehicle being in the area of Brahma Drive on May 7.

NPD Patrol officers attempted to stop the vehicle in question at 2:40 pm. The driver refused to stop, and led officers in a vehicle pursuit that ended in the 400 block of Julia Street.

The suspect fled on foot and a police K-9 was called in to track him. Arlannia Bobb, 26, was placed under arrest. He was charged with illegal possession of stolen things and aggravated flight from an officer.

NPD officers with the Criminal Investigations Division received information on May 8 at 3:20 pm that the driver of the vehicle, Brandon Kelly, 29, was present at a residence in the 700 block of Brahma Drive. Acting quickly on this tip, Kelly was apprehended from within a closet at the apartment. He was charged with illegal possession of stolen things and aggravated flight from an officer. Also, Kelly was charged with simple burglary and theft of motor vehicle in reference to an unrelated complaint from 2/8/17.

Bobb and Kelly both remain in Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
NPD appreciates the assistance from the public in apprehending this wanted individual. We will work hard to continue keeping your community safe.

Update: 
Officers with The Natchitoches Police Department identified a third passenger of the vehicle May 8 at 9:15 pm. Quandarious Williams, 18, was charged with illegal possession of stolen things and aggravated flight from an officer. Williams was placed in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.