Five members of the mixed ensemble at LSMSA auditioned for and were chosen to participate in the All-South Band during tryouts held at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss. The students will participate in practice sessions and a concert Feb. 10-11 at the university. Pictured are, from left, Jonas Truax, a sophomore from Denham Springs; Juan Cecchini, a sophomore from Denham Springs; Clara Kolterman, a junior from Sterlington; Garett Byrne, a junior from Walker; and Marcos Cecchini, a senior from Denham Springs.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Louisiana State Police, Robeline Police, and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS responded to a two-vehicle injury crash on La. Hwy 6 West, east of Robeline Feb. 7 at 6:44 a.m.

Both operators of the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt and 1991 Chevrolet Silverado were transported by EMS to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
Both vehicles were traveling eastbound on LA 6 near Johnny Floyd Rd. when the 1991 Chevrolet Silverado stopped for a westbound school bus that was picking up children. The Cobalt, which was traveling behind the Silverado, struck the rear end of the pick up truck.

The school bus warning signals were activated at the time of the crash.
Deputies remind motorists during early morning and afternoon commutes, pay attention to the roadway, avoid driver distractions, and be mindful of school buses stopping on area roadways picking up and unloading school children.

M/T S. Pezant assigned to LSP Troop-E Alexandria investigated the crash.

Photo: NPSO

The City of Natchitoches will hold a public hearing at Monday, Feb. 13 at 4 p.m. at the Natchitoches Arts Center, 716 Second Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana. The purpose of the public hearing is to discuss the administration of an online auction and sale of adjudicated properties program. All interested persons are encouraged to attend this meeting.

Northwestern State University’s current spring semester enrollment of 9,191 is an increase of 540 students, or 6.1 percent, over last spring’s registration count of 8,651.

This spring’s enrollment numbers are the highest for a spring term at the university since 2006, the first year of selective admissions, and the largest gain in spring semester enrollment since 2003.

NSU Acting President Dr. Chris Maggio attributed the substantial enrollment increase to “the university’s continuing focus on academic excellence, expanded efforts to attract and retain outstanding students and an increased emphasis on meaningful and effective student services.”

Maggio said another major factor in the enrollment gain was Northwestern’s decision “to provide full funding for TOPS scholarships this spring to assist students in making the difficult transition to reductions in the program enacted by the state.”

TOPS recipients at universities statewide received total funding for the scholarships during the fall semester,  but TOPS allocations were reduced by nearly 60 percent for the spring.

Maggio noted that former NSU president Dr. Jim Henderson, now head of the University of Louisiana System, “made the decision to use funds from reserves, increased fall enrollment revenues, private funding and other sources to honor the university’s commitment to TOPS student for the spring, and that was obviously a good investment.”

The NSU acting president said student services were enhanced last year with the opening of an Academic Success Center in Watson Library to improve campus wide tutoring and academic support for students.  A gift from State Sen. Gerald Long and his wife Rose helped fund the establishment of the center.

“Everything that is accomplished at Northwestern can be attributed to the combined efforts of students, faculty, alumni, friends and stakeholders,” Maggio said.  When these groups with a common interest in advancing our university work together, we can do great things.”

Northwestern has also focused increased attention on realigning and developing academic programs that give students expanded skills and training for high demand jobs in this region and across the state.

NSU has developed a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Louisiana Department of Economic Development to develop a trained workforce for CRSA, a global leader of next-generation technology services and solutions at the Cyber Research Park in Bossier City. Through this partnership, NSU will triple the size of the renowned computer information systems program.

The university has also signed several new agreements with community and technical colleges throughout Louisiana to make it easier for students with an associate degree to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

Last fall, Northwestern State created the first competency based degree program in the state. The program in computer information systems allows students to learn and advance at their own pace as they demonstrate mastery of specific skills.

A new Bachelor of Applied Science in Resource Management has been created, and the university has also developed post associate and post baccalaureate certificates in quality control and project management along with a post baccalaureate certificate in business analytics.

Northwestern State was ranked as most affordable online college in the United States by College Choice, a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources.

Northwestern State is also implementing a new Doctor of Education degree that will prepare individuals for leadership positions that focus on adult learning and development, particularly in the community college setting.

Maggio said, “These innovative academic advancements will make the university even more attractive to prospective students in the years ahead.”

By Junior Johnson

Growing up in the 50s and 60s in the country I was fortunate to have wonderful experiences that prepared me for adulthood. One of those was a work ethic instilled in me by my father, who was one of the most hard working and respected men I’ve ever known.

In our home there were two books that we read almost daily. The most important was the Holy Bible and the other was the Farmer’s Almanac.

My dad would consult the Almanac often when it came time for projects. He gave me a lesson one day that I’ve never forgotten.

He planned to build a fence on our property but postponed his project until the “sign of the moon was right.” I didn’t understand why and he brought me out to a place in the yard and had me dig a hole with his post-hole digger about a foot deep. He then said to fill it back up. In my 14-year-old mind this didn’t seem to be a learning lesson; however, I did as I was told. To my surprise I did not have enough dirt to fill it back up. Astonished I asked why and he said it was due to the moon, and that in a few days, the moon would be in a different stage and we would repeat this process.

About a week later we dug another hole and had more than enough dirt to fill it back up. He had learned this from reading the stages of the moon from the Farmer’s Almanac.

I decided it was time for me to check this book out and began to read some of the articles in it. An advertisement toward the end of the book caught my eye. Grit Newspaper was looking for young boys to sell their newspapers. It was a good money making opportunity. I would make 7 cents from every copy that I sold for 20 cents. My dad helped me fill out my first order for 25 Grit Newspapers.

It was summer and I anxiously watched for the mail carrier to bring me my Grit Newspapers. It wasn’t long before he stopped with a package addressed to “Junior Johnson.” I was so proud to see my name on that brown paper as I tore open the package. Inside was a canvas bag with Grit Newspaper printed on it and a shoulder strap to wear the bag filled with my papers. I was delighted to see a little name tag with my name and “Salesman” written under it. I was set.

The next morning after finishing my chores I put my name tag on and slung my Grit Newspaper bag across my shoulder and departed on my bicycle to the first house down the road. Even though most of the people who lived near us knew me, I was still nervous because I’d never sold anything before, and 20 cents was a lot of money in 1962. You could buy a gallon of gasoline for 30 cents.

I sold papers at every stop I made that morning and wasn’t half way around Cane River leading into my hometown of Cloutierville. I’d made $1.75

Mom was happy and told me how proud she was. She said a lot of the grown men working in the fields were only making $5-7 a day and had to support their family with that money. She then said it was time for me to sit down with her and shell peas. So much for the great salesman.

When dad arrived late that evening from the logging woods I excitedly told him of my success and he also told me how proud he was. He helped me fill out the paperwork to send Grit their share of the proceeds and order the next edition. We upped the order to 50 copies.

I was just as successful with my second order and had completed my route to town. I don’t recall why I never went into Cloutierville to sell my Grit Newspaper but continued to sell 50 copies each week to my customers in the country. I was making $3.50 and received two gifts as a reward from them. One was a very nice leather baseball glove which I used throughout my years playing baseball in school. The other was a siren that attached to the frame of my bicycle, and when I pulled a chain it would make the sound like a police car. I would use this to announce that I was at my customers house with their Grit Newspaper.

I continued my Grit Newspaper route for the remainder of that summer and throughout the next school year and summer. I always had money in my pocket for activities that I enjoyed with friends. I was able to buy little things that caught my eye and didn’t have to ask for spending money because I knew there was never enough to spare. I enjoyed my independence.

I still have fond memories of those days and appreciate my customers who helped me make spending money, but more importantly learn the valuable lesson of responsibility.

Grit Newspaper has come a long way in its 130 year existence. It targets Rural America and is still very popular in a magazine format which is published every other month and costs only $14.50 per year.

Thank you GRIT…..I am a subscriber and anxiously await my next magazine.

By Kevin Shannahan

Kevin’s Gallery

Alexandria’s Tree House Children’s Museum was overrun by Darth Vader and the forces of the Empire in the form of the 501st Legion Feb. 4. Over 150 children and their families got to meet their favorite Star Wars characters and have their photos taken with them. The 501st Legion is a nation-wide group of Star Wars enthusiats who authentically portray characters from the Star Wars movies. They travel to children’s hospitals and charitable events to bring the children’s favorite Star Wars characters to life.

Rey from The Force Awakens, portrayed by Kaylee Walleser, gave lessons on light saber fighting to the children attending the event. Natchitoches attorney Eddie Harrington portrayed an Imperial Stormtrooper while Sarah Dyess was a Jedi.

The fun event had a serious purpose. Kylie is a young girl facing a multi organ transplant in an Omaha hospital. She will spend 6 months there to be followed by another 6 months of out-patient treatment. While insurance will cover the medical expenses, transportation and her family’s living expenses are not. The day’s event was designed to help defray those expenses. Kylie and her family are avid Star Wars fans so it was a natural fit for the Tree House and the 501st Legion. In fact, her sister Kaylee is a member and portrayed Rey from the latest Star Wars movie.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal is donating the event photography. Full size downloads are enabled and anyone may download for free. If you do download any photographs, please consider a donation to this worthy cause. Kylie’s mother Joan may be reached at 318-625-8003 or jcwalleser@gmail.com. The Tree House may be reached at 318-619-9394. The NPJ extends it best wishes to her for a speedy recovery.

 

 

 

A Natchitoches man wanted by the Tenth Judicial District Court since August 2016 on narcotics and weapons charges faces additional felony charges after he bailed out of a vehicle during a traffic stop on Friday morning, which led to a brief manhunt just south of Natchitoches.

Cedric C. Washington, 36, who gave an address in the 300 block of Hwy. 484 in Natchez, was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on Friday afternoon just before 6 p.m. He was charged with Failure to Appear in the Tenth Judicial District Court for a plea on Aug. 21, 2016 for Criminal Trespassing, Illegal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Obstruction of Justice, Possession of CDS Schedule II Narcotics with Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Firearm by a Person convicted of a Felony, Illegal Possession of Firearm in the Presence of Narcotics, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Washington now faces additional charges of Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Person convicted of a Felony and 2-counts Resisting an Officer.

The investigation began Friday morning, Feb. 3 at 9:18 a.m., when NPSO Warrants Division and Patrol Division deputies responded to a complaint of unknown individuals living in a vacant residence in the 200 block of Vienna Road in Cedar Grove Sub-Division, south of Natchitoches.

Deputies arrived on scene encountering a male and female in a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe rental vehicle parked in the yard of the vacant residence.

Deputies say while speaking with the occupants of the vehicle the male recognized as Cedric Washington gave them several false names.

Washington appeared anxious and nervous and when they asked him to step out of the vehicle, he started the vehicle, backed-up and fled the area. They pursued him and the female in the vehicle, observing it turning onto Cedar Grove Drive.

Washington abandoned the vehicle, fleeing into the neighborhood on foot.

Additional NPSO Deputies, a tracking dog and Natchitoches Police responded to the scene to assist in the search for Washington.

A perimeter of the area was set by responding units.

During the search, deputies discovered a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun on the ground near the vehicle, which according to NCIC, was reported stolen to Gonzales Police Department in 2014.

Deputies continued to search the area for over two hours but were unsuccessful, although they kept a heavy law enforcement presence in the area throughout the morning and afternoon.

On Friday afternoon shortly after 5 p.m., concerned citizens in the Laird Fletcher and Franklin Lane areas contacted the NPSO reporting a suspicious man walking in the area matching the description of Washington.

Deputies that responded to the area observed Washington attempting to climb through a barbed wire fence into a field. They gave several verbal commands for him to come to them. He responded “Ok” but turned and began to flee again.

Deputies Victor Kay and Derrick Caballero pursued the suspect on foot and were able to subdue Washington a short distance away. There were no injuries.

NPSO Detectives are expected to consult with Gonzales Police Department concerning the stolen weapon and attempt to determine how it ended up in Natchitoches Parish.

Washington remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center awaiting bond.

The female was transported to the La. Adult Probation and Parole Office in Natchitoches.

Deputies say while interviewing Washington at the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center, he stated during the initial chase he climbed a tree to elude capture in the Cedar Grove area.

In celebration of Black History Month, the Natchitoches Parish Library will host “Discover Your Roots” with Elvin L. Shields, President of the Natchitoches Genealogical and Historical Association (NGHA). Mr. Shields will share his wealth of knowledge regarding local historical records and methods of genealogical research at the NPL Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 6 pm.

Mr. Shields will discuss African-American genealogy from slavery to the present, especially as it relates to the local area. He will also present many techniques to discover your own roots via the many resources available at Natchitoches’ Genealogical Library and the NPL. Mr. Shields will be sharing several historic documents from the Genealogy Library, located at 600 2nd Street; in many cases, these are original documents only available at this location. He will also have on display his folk art, depicting an eighteenth-century slave logger’s camp and the final exodus of African-American sharecroppers due to the complete mechanization of farm labor in the 1970s.

Mr. Shields is a retired Professional Mechanical Engineer since 2011 and the 27th President of NGHA since 2016. He was born on Melrose Plantation in 1948 and moved to Oakland Plantation in Bermuda, Louisiana in 1954 where he lived until 1962 as a child of sharecroppers.

The NPL encourages everyone to not miss this opportunity to discover your roots, and hear a first-hand account of Natchitoches’ own unique history. For more information, or for questions regarding this program, you may call Martha Uchino, the NPL’s Adult Programmer, at 318-238-9246. No registration is required for this program.

NPSO Deputies assigned to the Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force held a K-9 narcotics-detection dog demonstration for Girl Scout Brownies, Troop 462, and Girl Scout Cadets, Troop 1512 at the First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches Feb. 3.
Deputy Cory Campbell and his narcotics detection K-9 “Misty”, a belgian malinois demonstrated how “Misty” is trained to detect illegal narcotics.

Task Force Sgt. Jonathan Roberts and Agent Brandon Smith also answered questions asked by the Girl Scouts.

Girl Scout Troop 1512 leaders are Jason Church and Erin Hollier.
Girl Scout Troop 462 leader is Danette Westfall.

The Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force is compromised of members from the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and Natchitoches Police Department.

PHOTOS: NPSO

As I’d written last week, Mary and I went to Baton Rouge last weekend to see a performance by Louisiana Cajun French musician and historian Zachary Richard. The show, essentially a history of the Cajuns in music, was terrific.

While there, we revisited the Old State Capitol Museum, that wonderful old structure that resembles a medieval castle. Mark Twain disparaged its architecture, but it’s a fascinating structure, even more dazzling inside than outside.

Originally erected in the 1840s, burned in the Civil War, it again served as the capitol from the 1880s to the early 1930s when Huey P. Long had the “new” capitol built. After having suffered some years of neglect in the mid 20th century, it’s now a museum of politics and whenever you are in Baton Rouge I highly recommend a visit.

Our own recent visit refreshed my memories of the history of our governors and reminded me of one of the more bizarre episodes of Louisiana history — and we have had plenty of those.

If you can believe it, between the years 1932 and 1936, we actually had five different governors. This phenomenon was caused by political manipulation by Huey Long and a death in office. Here’s how the strange scenario played out.

Huey, elected governor in 1928, was elected to the US Senate in 1930, but he chose not to take his seat in Washington right away because he and Lt. Gov. Paul St. Cyr were political enemies and he did not want St. Cyr to step into the governor’s chair.

St. Cyr claimed, however, that when elected to the Senate, Long had given up the governorship and proclaimed himself as the new governor. Long put armed guards around the capitol and governor’s mansion to prevent the “coup.”

The stalemate continued for some time before Huey turned the tables on St. Cyr. Saying St. Cyr had left the lieutenant governor’s position vacant, Long had Alvin O. King of Lake Charles, the president pro tem of the Louisiana Senate, sworn in as lieutenant governor on Oct. 14, 1931.

Huey finally resigned the governorship on Jan. 25, 1932, and King was sworn in as governor to fill the rest of Long’s term, which expired later that year. So far, now we have two governors in 1932 (if you don’t count St. Cyr, which nobody did anyway.)

Huey then managed to have his handpicked candidate, O.K. Allen, elected governor in the regular 1932 gubernatorial contest. Allen, who like Long was from Winnfield, was sworn in on May 16, 1932. That’s now three governors since the beginning of that year.

By the way, Allen was such a puppet of Huey Long’s that younger brother Earl Long made one of the funniest quips about Allen in the history of Louisiana politics. Known for unthinkingly doing whatever Huey told him, Allen, said Earl, once signed a leaf that had been blown onto his desk from an open window.

Well, Gov. Allen did not make it through to the end of his term. The man who had put up with so much humiliation because he thought Huey was one of the greatest men who had ever lived, died of a hemorrhage on Jan. 28, 1936, four months before he was due to exit the office.

The death meant that Lt. Gov. James A. Noe of Monroe became governor and served out the rest of Allen’s term. Strangely enough, he was in that position only because of another of the many political moves going on at that time. Lt. Gov. John Fournet took a seat on the state Supreme Court in 1935 and, as president pro tem of the state Senate, Noe because acting lieutenant governor.

Okay. Now we’ve had four governors since 1932, with one more to come before the end of 1936. That would be Richard W. Leche of New Orleans, who was nominated by what was left of the Long gang following Huey’s assassination in September 1935. Leche was, of course, elected by the people and took office in May 1936.

And that’s how we had an average of more than one governor a year from 1932 to 1936. By the way, with Huey gone, his old gang couldn’t handle the political empire that the King Fish had built up and Leche ended up resigning from office in 1939, being convicted by the feds for mail fraud and ended up serving six years until President Truman pardoned him in 1945.

The evidence rather tended to point to his guilt. On a yearly salary of $7,500, he accumulated a fortune of $450,000 in his three years as governor.

So, Dick Leche goes off to federal prison and guess who, as lieutenant governor, took over the now vacant governor’s seat? None other than Earl Long, the King Fish’s little brother, who had somewhat of an interesting future ahead of him, too.

Ain’t Louisiana politics grand?

St. Mary’s/Kiwanis Terrific Kids for January on front row from left are Adelle Williams, Luc Cross, Kollyns Duhon, Jacob Thibodaux and Sophia Hogg. On back row are Brandy Tilley, Carrie Hough Kiwanis/BOM Reps, Meredith Methvin, Logan Watson, Drake Griffin, Ryan LaCaze, Jenna Sklar, Avery Evans, Brady Childress and Principal Jacque Horton.

Northwestern State University’s Speech and Debate team competed in the Southern Forensic Championships at the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University Jan. 27-29.

Results are as follows:

Novice Jessica Hooten of Fort Polk went 5-1 and finished as double octofinalist.

Novice Alice Wilson of Ball went 4-2 in her first tournament and finished as double octofinalist.

Junior Varsity Debater Drew Chesher of Anacoco went 5-1. Chesher also won Speaker Champion in JV for the state of Louisiana and was named the Overall JV Champion for the state of Louisiana, as well as finishing as a quarter finalist in Individual Debate.

Hannah Morris of Haughton was ranked 8th Speaker in the Varsity Division.

NSU alumna Anne Marie Chesher judged 13 debates.

The team was accompanied by coach and sponsor Dr. Davina McClain.

The Southern Forensics Championship Board voted to provide certificates in lieu of many of the individual trophies and instead to make a $2,000 donation from all competing schools to St Jude’s in the name of Louisiana State University-Shreveport Debate Coach Trey Gibson and his daughter Emilie, who has been diagnosed with DIPG, an aggressive cancer of the brain stem. SFC also raised funds and items for students at William Carey University, which was devastated by a tornado two weeks ago, and competed in the tournament.

Northwestern State University Student Experience staff along with Campus Living Villages and the NSU Alumni Association teamed up to do a Polar Splash for Cash event during the “Baby it’s Cold Outside Welcome Week Events.” Splash for Cash was organized to raise awareness and funds for organizations that were meaningful to the participants while showing students they can be creative and have fun while serving others.

Staff members raised money for a selected philanthropy in hopes of raising the most funds. The team that raised the most money would receive all monies raised from all of the groups for their non-profit. Staff members raised $447.19 in four hours. All participants took a dip in the University Columns pool as a group to signify unity and commitment to their causes.

The team that won was Campus Living Villages and their non-profit was St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The other philanthropies included Pay It Forward Network; United Service Organizations, Inc.; Broadway Cares/Equity Fights HIV/Aids and Team Gleason.

NPSO Deputies Michael Smith and Cody Olliff assisted Natchitoches Parish Fire District #7 with a grass fire in the 200 block of Minnie Odum Road near the Spanish Lake commmunity in west Natchitoches Parish Feb. 3 at 4:15 p.m.

Deputy Olliff, who recently completed the police academy, is going through field training with Deputy Smith.

No structures were damaged during the fire.

PHOTO: NPSO

Several Northwestern State University graduate students completing Master of Education or Master of Arts in Teaching degrees in special education were awarded $500 mini-grants for their classrooms from the Louisiana Council for Exceptional Children (LA-CEC). Awards were presented at La-CEC awards program in Lafayette Jan. 30.

Those who received grants, their schools and projects are Mary Andermann, APPLe Digital Academy, Ascension Parish, “Practical Career Planning;” Connie Bowen, Grant Prairie Elementary, St. Landry Parish, “Learning Science While Growing;” Sally-Rose Cragin, Hazel Park Hilda Knoff Elementary, Jefferson Parish, “Comprehensive Reading Tools for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing;” Tonda Collett, Bogalusa High, Bogalusa Parish, “Transitions Pathways: Parents + Students = Success;” Michelle Frederick, Benton Middle School, Bossier Parish,”Inspiring Comprehension through Technology;” Rebecca Lee-Poklemba, Aiken Virtual Program, Rapides Parish, “Improving Reading Comprehension with Text-to-Speech NaturalReader;” Ted Turlock, New Iberia Senior High, Iberia Parish, “Growing Together and Across the Curriculum.”

The assignment for the students was to follow the LA-CEC mini grant guidelines to apply for funding for a class project. Students learned the grant writing process including project description, statement of need, description of population, objectives, activities and timeline, evaluation procedures, project benefits, budget and letter of endorsement. LA-CEC awards the grants for projects that educate children with exceptionalities, improve relationships within families of children with exceptionalities, developing independent living or employment skills for students with exceptionalities or use technology to enhance education for children/youth with exceptionalities.

“I am thrilled that our students have an opportunity to learn grant-writing skills and are rewarded for their efforts by receiving $500 to spend in their classrooms,” said Dr. Barb Duchardt, professor in NSU’s Department of Teaching, Leadership and Counseling.

Donna Edwards, first lady of Louisiana presented awards to all winners along with Bambi Polotzola, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Disabilities Affairs.

Kelly Phillips, NSU graduate student pursuing add-on educational diagnostician special education certification, received the LA-CEC $1,000 Scholarship.

For information on NSU’s graduate programs in education offered through the university’s Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development, visit tlc.nsula.edu.

Several NSU students seeking graduate degrees in special education received mini-grants from the Louisiana Council for Exceptional Children to implement in their classrooms. From left are Mary Andermann, Rebecca Lee-Poklemba, Louisiana First Lady Donna Edwards, Sally-Rose Cragin, Connie Bowen, Tonda Collett, Michelle Frederick, Karen Henson and Bambi Polotzola, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Disabilities Affairs. Not pictured is Ted Turlock.

Kelly Phillips, a Northwestern State University graduate student seeking a master’s degree in special education, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Louisiana Council for Exception Children. From left are Donna Edwards, first lady of Louisiana, Jon Downs, Phillips and Bambi Polotzola, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Disabilities.

Northwestern State placed senior outfielder Kellye Kincannon and redshirt sophomore pitcher Mikayla Brown on the All-Southland Conference Preseason Teams announced Friday.

Kincannon is making her third appearance on the all-conference first team after landing on the league’s second team following her junior season.

The Lake Jackson, Texas, native batted .362 with team highs of 43 runs scored, 15 home runs and 14 doubles this past season.

With one season remaining, Kincannon is already NSU’s career leader in batting average (.378) and slugging percentage (.752) and is second in career home runs (42) and RBIs (144).

Brown is appearing for the second time on the all-conference preseason list.

The Deville native won the SLC Pitcher of the Year award as a freshman before tearing her ACL in the first weekend of her sophomore season.

Brown enters her second full season with a career record of 15-4 with a 1.45 ERA after winning her only two starts of 2016 before the injury.

“It’s great that our program and these young ladies are acknowledged for their hard word,” said NSU coach Donald Pickett. “We are excited to see what this year brings for them and our team.”

NSU was picked to finish sixth in the preseason coaches and sports information director polls voted on by SLC members.

The Lady Demons start their season Feb. 10 in the three-day ULM Mardi Gras Classic to kick off a month-long road trip before returning home to host No. 21 Baylor on March 8.

NSU’s nonconference schedule includes defending national champion and No. 1 Oklahoma and LSU and Florida, which are tied for fourth in the USA/TODAY NFCA Coaches poll.

One thousand one hundred thirty-five students were named to the Fall 2016 Dean’s List at Northwestern State University. Students on the list earned a grade point average of between 3.5 and 3.99. Those named to the Dean’s List by hometown in the Natchitoches area are as follows.

Alexandria – Alecia alford, Cassandra Armstrong, Nicholas Bailey, Ariyanna Bonton, Kaylee Boswell, Taryn Collins, Renee Cunnikin, Lewis Davis, Joshua Dorsey, Teresa Foshee, Zuleika Fountain, Claudia Gauthier, Maeghan George, Terrell Gorham, David Gravel, Monnie Guillory, Mallory Halford, Chamiqua Henderson, Casey Holts, Martha Hopewell, Destiney Lacour, Kristina Langley, Rachel Lavergne, ShaKiyla Lindsey, Aaron Martin, Danielle McDowell, Jason Mercer, Paige Meynard, Wade Morris, Travis Normand, Madeline PHaris, Joni Pilcher, Madison Ross, Jenna Wade; Zachary Walleser, Elizabeth Whitcher;

Bossier City – Shelby Ansley, Chris Ball, Tonya Barnes, Ashley Bennett, Brionne Blanche, Mickayla Blue, Mikaela Byrnes, Trena Camp, Jordan Chaffin, Alician Clark, Callie Crockett, Marda David, Sharonda Demars, Kenny Do, Loni Edgar, Madison Edwards, Dave Fields, Matthew Flynn, Matthew Fontenot, Karli Freeman, Audrey Friesen, Jacob Hammons, Oai Lee Huynh, Anton Inyakov, Nourain Jamhour, Benjamin Johnson, Tiffany Johnson, Haley Jorgensen, Keyaira Kimble, Emily Larosee, Mary Katheryn Lummus, Myra Martinez, Rance Mason, Madison Morris, Angie Nguyen, Kennedy Parson, Brittani Phillips, Stacy Ritchie, Douglas Smith, Hope Spaw, Brett Stephenson, Savannah Stevens, James Taylor, Kellie Toms, Chandler Vascocu, Kasey Williams, Tramel Williams, Haneen Zeidan, Nour Zeidan,

Boyce – Hannah Aslin, Brooklyn Basco, Lauren Davison, Curtis Fennell, Casie Ford, Stacey Gannaway, Carlie Gauthier, Sarah Hill, Sonya Hill, Jacob Ingraham, Ashley Smith, Samantha Smith, Bobbie Suttles;

Campti – Allison Friday, Kourtney Horton, Trenton Parker, Ronald Reliford, Jordan Rowell, Amy Silas, ShTarean Smith;

Clarence – LaQuita Weston;

Coushatta – Dustin Allen Troy Coleman, Elizabeth Durr, Nick Ezernack, Jason Gross, Barbara Johnson, William Lee, Aston Lester, MIkailah Smith, Precious Smith, Macie Wood, Caroline Wren;

Derry – Georgette Hassan;

Florien – Hillary Charles, Willow Chesson, Carolina Matthews, Bailey McCleary, Noah Parker, Ashton Remedies, Calli Robertson, Zachary Williams;

Fort Polk – Bailey Bailey, Nadia Charlot, Molly Fields, Martha Garcia-Leon, Melissa Gasho, Amanda Parks, Allyson Predmore, Chelsea Stapleton;

Goldonna – Brandon Smith;

Leesville – Katlyn Austin, Lyric Bacote, Rachal Brown, Victoria Butler, Alexis Bynog, Kaitlyn Connors, Raegan Dotson, Haleigh Edinger, Brittany French, Kaitlyn Frisbie, Jessica Gabor, Madison Hall, Alexis Harbin, Heather Hickman, Ronicia Howze, Amea James, Caitlan James, Jessica Lyons, James Magee, Katherine McPherson, Kelsea Mckinney, Brittany Paris, Rossana Potempa, Linsey Preddy, Jessica Ramirez, Jeffrey Santos, Joseph Slaughter, Rachel Smith, Michael Snell, Payton Soto, Grant Stolfi, Bruce Stone, Haley Tucker, Jacob Underwood, Lakyn Ward, Jessica Williamson, Dara Woods;

Mansfield – Tremeon Allen, Erin Campbell, Jessica Miller, Ashley Shelton, Brooke Smith, Stanley Woodley;

Many – Alyssa Baham, Jenifer Buirge, Samantha Carrier, Haleigh Dockens, Kyle Elliott, Jacob Ellis, Nicholas Ezernack, Michael Fair, Moses Gonzales, Samuel Greene, Mariam Haider, Heidi Knight, Marcie Malmay, Matthew Peace, Lincoln Pearce, Colten Sepulvado, Connor Settle, Samantha Simmons, Kimberly Voorhies, Matthew Wooley;

Marthaville – Ashleigh Daniels, Dillon Hagan, Madeline Procell;

Natchez – Joseph Bayonne, Victoria Bradford, Christopher Cayer, Alexis Moses;

Natchitoches – Jahson Albert, Josephine Amusu, Daniella Angula Martinez, Francisco Ballestas-Sayas, Ashlyn Balthazar, Doris Below, Albert Benner, Lauren Bennett, Thea Berry, Christopher Billiot, Brittney Blechl, Keaton Booker, Kayla Bordelon, Caitlin Bowman, Taylor Burch, Stephen Burkhalter, Deasia Burrell, Maria Carmona-Ruiz, Jonathan Carruth, Valerie Chadick, Misty Chance, Halley Chapa, Brittony Cole, Joshua Davis, Kelsy Davis, Sarah Dunn, Virginia Falgoust, Daniela Forero Salcedo, Ashley Fortenberry, Angel Greer, Hannah Haigh, Emily Heard, Zachary Heard, Ashlyn Hogan, Jesamin Huff, Joshua Kaufman, Michael Kingsley, DL Knueppel, Cody LaCaze, Justyn Labom, Ricky Lacour, Carlomagno Leon Jimenez, Kirk Leone, Demard Llorens, Tarah Lott, Taimata Luafalemana, Alba Maloff, Erica McGeisey, Marissa Metoyer, Amber Minor, Paul Monroy Galeyeva, Falisha Moses, Cameron Normand, Kylie Parks, Joseph Parrie, Michael Phelps, Sarah Poland, Luis Gallo Quintero, Brandy Ranel, Darian Raymond, Candice Richardson, Rebecca Reine, Antavoius Roberson, Destinee Roberson, Laura Guzman Rodriguez, April Rond, Kayle Roquemore, Maria Rushing, Amelia Ryland, Emily Salter, Paula Sanchez Luna, Chequeria Scott, Dahmairi Scroggins, Spencer Sepulvado, Phelan Sewell, Martha Squyres, Ethan Stelly, Bethany Straub, Katherine Taylor, Tajarius Taylor, Rebecca Thomisee, Margaret Thompson, Ricardo Ventura, Laren Vercher, Barbara Vercher-Smith, Ashlyn Vitte, Kenikka Wafer, Layne Watkins, Kaylee Weakley, Matthew Weems, Sarah Kay Whitehead, Nicholas Wiggins, Jevan Wilson, Lanae Wilson, Isaac Woodward, James Worthan, Ryan Wright, Chelsea Wynder;

Oak Grove – Heather Allen;

Pineville – Madison Alwell, Snow Buckley, Carrigen Cain, Aimee Cartwright, Mason Caubarreaux, Lauren Collins, Luke Conway, Heather Craig, Sarah Caigre, Krystal Davis, Glory Deaton, Morgan Driscoll, Heather Fontenot, Courtney George, Katelan Gossett, Alysia Hawthorne, Morgan Humphries, Kaitlyn Jackson, Casey Kessler, Jessica king, Zachary Lacombe, Melissa Leone, Alyssa Lloid, Kaleigh Martin, Marissa McMickens, Alexxas Moore, Santana Mount, Jessica Nichols, Rylee Parker, Michalene Perry, Timothy Roberts, Breana Rogers, Loren Ryland, Brittany Shackleford, Glynn Sillavan, Chloe Solomon, Jennifer Thibodeaux, Suzanne Thompson, Carly Touchet, Odie Trusty, Kaylin Tullis, Emily Wiley, Allison Williams;

Provencal – Carson Custis, Kara Gandy;

Robeline – Lisa Alsobrook, Amy Bass, James Carney, Megan Maley, Andrew McAlister, Kacy Morace, Bergen Oge, Laura Olguin, Courtney Rachal, Hannah Schoth, Bradley Sparish, Victoria Thompson, Jeffrey Watley, Brittany Woodel;

St. Maurice – Breona Hollingsworth;

Saline – Isabella Jones;

Shreveport – Alexandra Adair, Alan Adams, Elizabeth Antee, Ragan Aple, Kevin Aycock, Karianna Baker, James Baldwin, Hannah Barrish, Angelica Bartlett, Sha’Destiny Blackshire, Hannah Bolton, Mary Breithaupt, Desean Britton, Jasmine Brown, Rakeisha Brown, Caitlin Bruce, Crystal Bryant, Charlie Caldwell, Caitlin Coker, Sharicka Coleman, Breonnica Collins, Kelsey Cook, Hannah Crnkovic, John Davison, Courtney Dehart, Kevin Denks, Karla Douglas, Kristina Doyal, Nitasha Edwards, Sarah Evans, ShaTeri Fitzpatrick, Amye Flair, Sean Flair, Samantha Freeman, Tyler Gardner, Rayvin Gaudet, Cassidy Giddens, Catherine Gist, Hallie Glick, Elaina Guerrero, Nadeen Hajaj, Christion Hall, Mariah Hester, Melinda Hunt, Jada Johnson, Joan Johnson, Nathan Jones, Alicia King, Tatyanna Kinsey, Mallory LaLena, Bryan Lee, Jaylon Lewis, Casey Long, Sarah Long, Joycelyn McConnell, Mozell Mcduffy, Brandon Melancon, Christine Mettenbrink, Madison Milligan, Kelly Moody, Terrye Moore, Zakiya Moraza, Joann Nelson, Sarah Neth, Kirklin Powell, Shelby Reddy, Harrison Reeves, Krystal Rosette, Robert Salone, Mary Samper, Prescious Schumpert, Kathryn Shrader, Mary Sibley, Ivana Skocibusic, Richard Sloan, Kaylin Smith, Khandice Smith, Kevin Smithey, Shelby Sowers, Christa Sprawls, Morgan Strickland, Jennifer Stringfellow, Khalil Sumlin, Michelle Sweezer, Jasper Tagle, Breyonna Thompson, Austin Townsend, Rhiannon Venable, Ilyanna Warlen, Brattany Waters, Charity Wesley, Victoria Whaley, JeVannica Williams, Shamolia Williams, Suzanne Williams, Tiffani Williams, Emily Wingrove;

Sibley – Madison Mouser, Chelsea Cummings;

Winnfield – Taylor Burnett, Mia County, Ryan Foster, Alexis Jackson, Saquan Jenkins, Daeshawn Lyles, Ieishlia Lynch, Hunter Martin, Caitlin McCarty, Laci Parker, Javonti Thomas;

Dr. Steve Horton, executive director of LSMSA, issued a communication Feb. 3 to LSMSA faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends to inform them of the filing of Senate Bill No. 1.

Senate Bill No. 1 of Regular Session 2017, filed by Senator Thompson of Delhi Jan. 30, proposes to rename LSMSA as the “Jimmy D. Long Sr. Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts”. (https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=231282)

Senator Thompson and (former) Rep. Jimmy Long Sr. shared a long-standing friendship in the state legislature and thereafter. Senate Bill No.: 1 would formally establish LSMSA as Jimmy Long’s legacy. Anyone is welcome to submit comments or questions to Senator Francis Thompson, Senator Gerald Long, and/or respective legislators.

LSMSA has had and continues to have a strong relationship with the legislative and executive branches of state government for over 30 years. Both have been supportive of LSMSA in fulfilling the mission of the school. Currently, LSMSA is working closely with the legislature to finalize the $23 million capital request to begin construction on the new residence hall in early fall 2017.

Additionally the school is working with its legislative delegation to minimize any mid-year cuts to the school’s operating budget. So far the school has been exempted from the cut that resolved last year’s state fiscal deficit and is awaiting word on the status regarding the 2017 deficit/cut.

The Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts will NSU Sax Fest Saturday, Feb. 4 beginning at noon.

Saxophone students will be able to participate in master classes with professional musicians, attend a recital and meet the guest artists.

Derek Brown will present a recital and clinic at 3 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Brown will hold a jazz combo master class at noon in the Recital Hall. Guest instructor Marcos Colon will lead an NSU Saxophone Quartet master class at 1 p.m. in the Orchestra Room. At the same time, NSU Associate Professor of Saxophone Paul Forsyth will present a high school master class in Magale Recital Hall. At 2 p.m., a saxophone choir readings session will be held.

Brown lives and performs in Chicago, and is most known for his unique solo performances throughout the world. Crossing genres from jazz to funk to classical, Brown’s unique playing style, using creative new “beatbox-like” techniques is wowing audiences in festivals and venues across the globe. Brown is currently involved with the up-and-coming Chicago funk/fusion super group Low Spark, as well as his signature solo show, “BEATBoX SAX.”

With a fairly straightforward musical upbringing in small-town Michigan, Brown started to show some creative musical juice in the summers between years at Hope College. As one third of the jazz/bluegrass hybrid band, Afterthought, Brown began to write original tunes and experiment with the saxophone. By the time he left grad school at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music he was well on his way to creating his own unique approach to playing.

For the next six years, Brown was the Director of Jazz Studies at Abilene Christian University, in Abilene, Texas. In between teaching classes and lessons, directing the various jazz ensembles, starting up the annual Abilene Jazz Fest, and lots of grading, Derek challenged himself to see how full a sound he could get out of one horn, with no electronic help. Using some established techniques like slap-tonguing and double-tonguing, as well as some not-so-established techniques like various new percussive sounds and striking the sax with rings, he found something truly fresh.

Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc. (CRNHA), hosted a brown bag lunch and learn lecture entitled, “Backyard Birding: A Discussion on Migratory Birds in the Red River National Wildlife Refuge” Jan. 27 at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Grand Ecore Visitor Center.

Fifty local and regional bird enthusiasts attended to hear guest lecturer, Terri Jacobson from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Red River National Wildlife Refuge (RRNWR) discuss the migratory birds traveling through the RRNWR. Jacobson demonstrated birdwatching techniques that could be used at home or in the field and then accompanied the group on a bird walk around the Grand Ecore Visitor Center. “Situated on a bluff 80 feet above the Red River, the center provides a unique vantage point for visitors to catch a glimpse of the birds traveling through the region,” remarked Steven Fullen, CRNHA Director of Interpretation. “We invite visitors who are interested in birdwatching, but who were unable to attend the lecture to opt outside with us and check out a pair of our binoculars and hike the scenic trail,” he continued.

The US Army Corps of Engineers Grand Ecore Visitor Center is open Wednesday – Friday 10AM-4PM. For more information, contact 318.356.5555.