The City Council meeting Monday night, Jan. 9, went by quickly. The only agenda item that required discussion was a planning and zoning appeal by John and Taryn Miles, which the council unanimously voted down.

The couple requested an appeal of the decision made by the Planning and Zoning Commission at its Dec. 6 meeting, which denied their request for permanent utility service to a motor home. The couple lives on South Court and says others in the neighborhood and residents on Parkway Drive have similar RV hookups.

They installed a meter pole with a 200-amp service and a 50-amp plug. The RV is parked by John’s mother-in-law’s home and he said her home only offers 100 amp service, so it wasn’t as simple as running an extension cord from her house to the vehicle.

However, Planning and Zoning Director Juanita Fowler said the ordinance pertaining to the issue doesn’t allow for permanent utility service to be hooked up to a portable structure.

Other agenda items included:

Proclamation declaring Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Proclamation declaring the month of January as Arbor Day

Change zoning classification of Trail Boss to B-A to sell beverages of high alcoholic content for consumption on premise

Introduction of change in zoning classification of Mayeaux’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant to B-A to sell beverages of high alcoholic content for consumption on premise

Execute a standard form of agreement between the City and Washer Hill Lipscomb Cabaniss Architecture LLC to provide professional services related to the Natchitoches Sports and Recreation Center

Introduction of ordinance to award the bid for the water distribution system improvements to the Cane River crossing at the Pine Street Bridge

Introduction of ordinance to execute a lease in favor of Med-Trans Corporation at the Natchitoches Regional Airport

Adopted the Natchitoches Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan 2016

Approve the appointment of Charles Brossette as the director to the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority Board and Mayor Lee Posey as alternate director

Appoint Ron Brown to the City Planning and Zoning Commission

City Council Meeting – January 9, 2017

In the early morning hours of Jan. 6 Patrol Officers with the Natchitoches Police Department made contact with an individual on Pegasus Street.  Due to their diligent patrol efforts, Sedrick Gordon, 26, was found to be in possession of a stolen firearm which was concealed in his pocket.  Sedrick Gordon, a resident of Natchitoches, was subsequently charged with illegal possession of stolen firearms, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and illegal carrying of a weapon. He was transported to the Detention Center where he is awaiting bond.

If you would like to report suspicious activity or an emergency please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.

The City of Natchitoches and the Community Counseling Center at Cane River Children’s Services are partnering to provide structured, positive activities for children during school year closures.

“Kids Day” will be held on Friday, Jan. 13 from 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the MLK Recreation Center located at 660 MLK Drive in Natchitoches.  “Kids Day” is open to all youth ages 6 – 13 and will include activities focused on art, skill building and recreation.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided.  Registration is $5 per child.

For more information, contact Dallas Russell at (318) 238-7508 or drussell@natchitochesla.gov.

By Kevin Shannahan

Kevin’s Gallery

The Cane River Creole Heritage Pageant celebrated its third year Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Natchitoches Events Center. The pageant, a celebration of the unique culture of the Cane River area, had a scholastic theme with the stage resembling a classroom and emcee Richardra Winder seated behind a teacher’s desk. The pageant’s audience was treated to several performances by Renee’s Dance Studio as well as songs by Brandol King Willis and Danny Allen Metoyer. This year’s contestants hailed from different areas of Louisiana and Texas, a sign of the enduring bonds forged among the people of the Cane River.

The Winners:

Miss Cane River Creole Belle: Bailey Roque
Miss Petite Creole Belle: Brooke Barnum
Little Miss Creole Belle: Kaylee Jones
Miss Creole Baby Belle: Eyden Gant
Miss Bye-Lo Baby: Chloe Antee
Ad-Sales Contest: Bailey Roque
Miss Photogenic: Brooke Barnum
Miss Congeniality: Alexis Steward
People’s Choice: Leighton Malonson

 

Anyone interested in becoming a voice for the abused and/or neglected children in Natchitoches, Red River and Sabine parishes is encouraged to join the ranks of CASA of Central Louisiana’s advocates. There will be an Advocate Volunteer training class Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 5:30 p.m.

For more information call 318-238-2446, go online to http://www.casanat.org or stop by 1200 Keyser Avenue, Suite C.

Registration for the for the Youth Basketball League, hosted by the City of Natchitoches Recreation Department, is open through Saturday, Jan. 14. The cost is $35 per child with a $5 discount for each additional child. Costs include a reversible jersey and shorts. Children must be signed up by Jan. 14 to participate in the drafting process. A birth certificate is needed to complete the registration process.

Draft dates:
Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. for boys and girls ages 5-8
Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. for boys and girls ages 9-14
The cost for children signing up on draft days will be $45 with no exceptions. A signup day will be held Saturday, Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. – noon.

By Junior Johnson

Some friends and I were talking about the mischievous things we did as kids, compared to some of the things kids today are involved in. Our conversation reminded me of one such incident that I was involved in while a High School Senior.

While waiting for school to begin one morning, one of our classmates excitedly told us that Russell B’s house was on fire when the bus pulled up to it that morning.  No one was injured, but Russell stayed with his family.

John M suggested we drive out to see if we could help, which seemed like a good idea at the time. We piled into his car and left.

When we arrived the only thing remaining was the old chimney and smoldering embers.  Russell and his family were going through the things they salvaged.

It was a sobering sight for our young eyes.  His dad thanked us for coming out but we couldn’t do anything. He told Russell to return to school with us.

Back at school the principal was waiting for us.  John said we were probably in trouble so we may as well have a little fun.  He had a portable tape recorder in his car and he turned it on and dropped it in his pocket.

The principal ushered us into his office and began to scream and holler about leaving school grounds without permission. When we got to Study Hall, John pulled out the recorder and played the tape of the principal screaming at us.  The whole room was laughing when our Guidance Counselor entered the room and caught us.

We were marched back down to the principal. John refused to give him the recorder.  We were suspended for the remainder of the day as well as the next day.

Since this carried us through Friday we had a while to plot our revenge. Each room at our school was equipped with a big wooden desk with a lap drawer and three larger drawers on each side.

Since the school building was never locked it would be easy just to walk into the building and carry out the plan we had in mind.

Late Saturday evening we swiftly began removing all the drawers from the desks.

After we removed the drawers from all 12 desks we began replacing them randomly in each room while making sure no two drawers ended up in the same desk.

The school was already buzzing Monday morning when we arrived. The teachers arrived before we did and discovered the problems with their desks that we had cleverly achieved over the weekend.

The principal was livid and when the last bus arrived an announcement was made to assemble in the gymnasium.

Once the entire student body was assembled the Principal ranted about vandals and hoodlums and threatened to expel those responsible if he found the guilty culprits.  It never happened.

Each time the principal would pass us in the hall he would look us directly in the eye as if to say, “I know it was you.”

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office will hold its 4th annual Law Enforcement Ball Saturday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom on Northwestern’s campus. Tickets are $20 per person.

The event is open to the public and tickets can be purchased by contacting any of the members of the Honor Guard or emailing Siggie Silvie at ssilvie@npsheriff.net.

The NPSO Honor Guard is a select group of deputies that volunteer their service with a high degree of pride and self determination. The Honor Guard’s goal is to serve Natchitoches Parish as a visual reminder of the service and traditions of law enforcement.

They represent the Parish and the Sheriff’s Office at various functions and ceremonies and provide last honors for fallen members, past and present, with respect and dignity.

The Law Enforcement Ball raises funds to defray the cost of uniforms and equipment for the Honor Guard. Funds raised also allow the Honor Guard to travel to represent Natchitoches Parish at memorial services honoring fallen officers who have died in the line of duty across the state.

Pictured from left are Siggie Silvie Jr., Greg Eldridge, Carl Taylor, Michael Giamonne, Merry Byers, Brian Powell and Josh OwusuDuku. Not pictured are David Dorsey, Alice Johnson, Billy Shugart, Leo Johnson, Jonathan Byles and Anthony Ruffin.

Construction for the Rue Beauport Riverfront Project will begin Monday, January 9, 2017.  Due to the scope of the project, the riverbank will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic beginning on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 until the project is completed.  Beau Jardin and the Roque House Gardens will remain open throughout the duration of construction.

Once completed, the riverfront will feature a plaza overlook with handicap access to the riverbank, enhanced stage to accommodate a wide range of performances and concerts, promenade along the river’s edge, lawn terrace amphitheater designed into the existing slope in front of the stage, and a permanent restroom facility and plaza at the south end of the riverbank. The City of Natchitoches appreciates the public’s patience while these improvements are being made.

By Ida B. Torn

I come from a large family where the jabs and jibes come at a quick quip when we’re all together. There’s usually a lot of jiving going on, too (you can look that one up). People who are becoming part of the family learn pretty quickly to develop a thick skin and eventually realize that we’ve developed a sarcastic sort of love speak.

There are days when I wake up fearing that no matter what I say, or don’t say for that matter, I’m going to offend someone. I’m often at a loss for things to talk about at large functions because I have a hard time judging what might set someone off. I once considered having a t-shirt made that reads “I’m sorry, did my opinion offend you or was it the fact that I have one” but I feared that someone would be offended so I scrapped the idea.

My grandfather, who was one of the greatest influencers in my life, had a saying that he used often, “I will always love you, but I don’t always like you.” I think that would make a great Hallmark card! He and I sometimes found ourselves on opposite ends of a subject. Our discussions sometimes became heated, but never with malice. He taught me that having open, honest and meaningful conversations oftentimes means setting social norms aside.

I sometimes find it incredibly hard to be politically correct. What offends some doesn’t necessarily offend all. Sometimes, the only way to accomplish a goal is to say or do something politically incorrect. I decided that I much prefer the term “Politically Impolite” so I decided to research it. Believe it or not, there’s a research article on the subject. Published in 2001 in the journal Discourse & Society, the article discusses concepts of being politically impolite. The article is very scholarly and I had a hard time following it, but I did find this statement that seemed to prove my point, “The literature on ritual insults is well established, and a number of researchers remark on the ways in which the exchange of insults and abuse can be used to maintain or even create solidarity…”

For those who were offended by the title of my last article, I offer a sincere apology. For those who got the gist of it and even appreciated the fact that it is a double entendre, I extend my sincere thanks. For those who are diligently working to bring economic development to our beloved Parish, I say, “Stay thirsty, my friends!”

Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc. (CRNHA), will host a brown bag lunch and learn lecture entitled, “Backyard Birding: A Discussion on Migratory Birds in the Red River National Wildlife Refuge” on Friday, Jan. 27 from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Grand Ecore Visitor Center.

Guest lecturer Terri Jacobson from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Red River National Wildlife Refuge (RRNWR) will discuss migratory birds traveling through the RRNWR and demonstrate birdwatching techniques that can be used at home or in the field. Jacobson will also present information regarding the RRNWR’s Backyard Bird Count Program. “We are excited to be partnering with the Red River National Wildlife Refuge and invite locals and visitors to pack your lunch and join us as we learn more about the seasonal bird spotting opportunities in Natchitoches Parish,” remarked Steven Fullen, Director of Interpretation for CRNHA.

Red River NWR is located in the Red River Valley which historically was forested with bottomland hardwoods, cypress sloughs and shrub/scrub swamps, providing a variety of habitats for wildlife. Red River National Wildlife Refuge is made up of four units in the Red River Valley in northwestern Louisiana. Headquarters Unit in Bossier and Caddo Parishes, Bayou Pierre Unit in Desoto and Red River Parishes, Lower Cane Unit in Natchitoches Parish and Spanish Lake Lowlands in Natchitoches Parish.

The lecture is free, but space is limited.  Registration can be made at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2770478. For questions contact Stephen Fullen at 318-356-5555.

On Friday, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed an official proclamation designating Monday, Jan. 9, 2017 Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.) in Louisiana as a way of expressing gratitude for the dedicated service of law enforcement officers and their families around the state of Louisiana.

“We are immensely grateful for the sacrifices made by officers and their family members on a daily basis, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in order to protect our schools, workplaces, roadways and homes,” said Gov. Edwards. “National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is an important opportunity to thank them of their dedicated service and the role they play in maintaining our civil society.”

As a way of celebrating Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Louisiana, Gov. Edwards will host an appreciation event at the Governor’s Mansion.

East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, and Baton Rouge Police Department Chief Carl Dabadie are slated to participate. In addition, the Governor’s Mansion will be lit in blue to honor law enforcement in Louisiana and across the country. Other state governors are also participating in National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day across the United States on Monday.

Following remarks, Gov. Edwards, First Lady Donna Edwards and the participants will tie ribbons on the fence of the Governor’s Mansion.

The Northwestern State softball team will host its third annual NSU Softball Banquet & Auction on Jan. 28 at the Knights of Columbus from 6-8:30 p.m.

Tickets are available for $25, which includes dinner and drinks, meet and greet with NSU coaches and players and chances to bid on items in a live and silent auction. VIP tables for eight guests are available for $200.

Guests are asked to RSVP by Jan. 25 and can register online at nsudemons.com/sbbanquet. Payment can be made through PayPal or a check can be mailed to NSU Softball at 468 Caspari Drive, Natchitoches, LA, 71497.

Auction items will be posted on the event’s Facebook Page. Visit the Lady Demons Softball Page and click on the banquet event to view auction items as they become available.

For more information, contact assistant coach Amy Hooks at hooksa@nsula.edu.

Kids playing basketball enjoy the playground game “Around the World.”

Former Northwestern State graduate manager Stephon Martinez is living it.

Last week, “former” didn’t fit next to his job title, but opportunity suddenly knocked. Last Saturday’s home game was his final one with the Demons. Martinez is heading toward Beijing, China, and a player development position at the renowned WuFang Sports Center.

He will spend a year in Beijing, training players ranging from teenagers to seasoned professionals, even some from the NBA.

He was recommended by Mike Procopio, director of player development for the Dallas Mavericks, and Tony Ronzone, director of player personnel for the Mavs.

“When those guys give you their seal of approval,” said Martinez, “it’s pretty much an offer you wouldn’t begin to refuse.”

He has been far away before. Martinez spent 15 days last summer in Nazareth, Israel, running basketball camps. He’s spent a few days in Finland doing the same thing, and in Mexico, where he has family roots.

It’s an unconventional path among his peers in college basketball. Most of them have visions of coaching in the NBA or in the blue-blood world of Power 5 conference basketball.

Martinez, a former college player at Lyon College in Arkansas, wants to teach the sport. After graduating in business administration, he founded DigDeep Basketball, a skill-development company that caters from youth leaguers to pro players.

“The Chinese Basketball Association is exploding. The NBA is obviously the best league in the world, and Europe is right behind that in terms of the caliber of play, but the CBA is getting in the conversation,” said Martinez. “Economically, there are a billion people there, three times the size of our population, and they love basketball. They have a very serious financial commitment to the game.

“I’ll have all levels of players. A lot of professional Chinese domestic players, a lot of NBA guys come over in the summer, and a good number of former NBA players are coming over to play and train. We’ll have good junior players and kids just starting and showing some promise,” he said.

Although his time at NSU is ending a few months early – he will complete his sport administration master’s degree, however – and in midseason, Martinez is grateful for his Demon days.

“Everybody on our staff has influenced me. Before I got here, I thought I worked hard. I’ve picked up something from everybody that I know will benefit me the rest of my career. Some places in Division I, you’re there to lick envelopes and fold towels. Here, the way Coach McConathy runs it, you get to do a lot. I tell the new GA’s coming in, you have the same base responsibility. It’s your duty to see if you can earn more. That’s how you get better. I’ve had a lot of opportunity to grow here.”

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies and Natchitoches Parish Fire District #9 responded to a structure fire on Cleve Heyl Road north of Campti, La.

The camp house owned by Tun Gist of Lake Arthur, La.  The house was a total loss.

There are no reported injuries.

The City of Natchitoches and the Cane River Waterway Commission will host a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Rue Beauport Riverfront Project Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. on the South end of the riverbank in downtown Natchitoches.

Some homeowners living inside the city limits of Natchitoches will see a midterm increase in their insurance premiums if they have fire insurance or any kind of fire protection policy. The increase is due to a decrease in the City’s fire rating.

According to Farm Bureau Agent Don Brown, the amount and when the increase appears on customers premiums will depend on the company and the anniversary of the policy.

The Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL) reviews fire districts every 5 years. From 2011 to 2016 the City’s rating fell from a 2 to a 3. This change occurred by mere points. The rating is based on a grading scale, much like the ones in school systems. In 2011 the City’s total credit was 80.23. It fell to a 77.53 in 2016. The 100 points is comprised of 10 percent communications, 50 percent fire department and 40 percent water supply.

Points were gained on dispatch circuits, distribution and company personnel, while points were lost on operators, engine companies, ladder service, fire prevention and the water system.

Fire Chief Crit Miller said with the fire department expanding its services and taking more EMS calls, its rating for operators went down. This item on the review looks at the number of operators on duty at the communications center to handle fire calls. PIAL groups EMS calls in with fire calls, so as the department’s call volume increases, PIAL’s metrics require the number of operators increase to compensate. This is a manpower issue that Chief Miller says he’s working to improve.

PIAL’s rating structure also changed in January of this year. For its most recent review, the fire department was graded using the previous rating structure, so additional changes will need to be made before they call for a new review or before their next scheduled review in 2020.

The Fire Department is in the process of training toward these new standards and Training and Safety Officer Michael Sesvold said a 2 rating looks achievable for their next review if they prepare.

“It’s better to wait until some improvements can be made before calling for a review,” said Sesvold. “We want to be completely prepared before we get reviewed again.”

Changes that will benefit the City’s rating include:

New Fire Prevention Officer
Raising hydrants
Upgrading water lines
Completion of 911 Communications Center

911 Director Willis Carter said that while the new Communications Center itself won’t help improve the rating, it will facilitate its improvement. It will bring Natchitoches Parish forward to establish an emergency response system instead of how it’s currently operating as a collection of agencies responding to emergencies.

“There’s a complexity of things that PIAL looks at,” said Sesvold. “When it’s broken down, the water supply section is one of the biggest things the Fire Department doesn’t have control of.”

City Utility Director Charles Brossette says the City is making plans to upgrade its infrastructure in the near future. As streets get overlaid, they’re upgrading old water lines from 4-6 inch pipes to a minimum 8-inch. This will boost water volume and pressure in the future.

Another problem with the water supply is that dirt has built up on some hydrants over the years, making it hard to turn a wrench to get water flowing. The City plans to raise the hydrants up to solve this issue.

Putting $1 million into its budget annually just to upgrade infrastructure, the City also has plans to upgrade its water plants. Another upcoming project includes putting a new 12-inch feed across Cane River from Sibley Street to the north side of Keyser Avenue, where there’s an existing 16-inch line. This will increase flow to neighborhoods around Scarborough and Carver.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Louisiana State Police, and NPFD# 7 arrived on the scene of a one-vehicle crash on Hwy. 487 near the Dick James Road near Marthaville.

The operator of the 1999 Chevrolet truck pulling a trash conveyor is reportedly uninjured.

If you are traveling through the area, drive carefully, avoid distractions and expect some delays while towing services clear the wreckage.

Natchitoches Parish President Rick Nowlin has issued a travel advisory due to the cold weather in the area. The next few days may bring both sleet and snow, resulting in dangerous conditions on Parish highways.

All citizens are encouraged to avoid driving, if possible, and to exercise caution when travel is necessary.

Rick Nowlin
Parish President

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Louisiana State Police, and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS arrived on the scene of a one-vehicle injury crash on Hwy. 9, north of Creston reported Jan. 6 at 9:51 a.m.

Deputies say the 38-year-old operator from Campti of the 2010 Infiniti was traveling southbound on Hwy. 9 while it was sleeting when she apparently lost control of the vehicle leaving the roadway on the right side striking several trees.

The initial call into the NPSO 911 Center reported the driver trapped in the vehicle.

NPFD# 9 was dispatched to the scene but before they arrived on scene, motorists stopped to assist the driver out of the vehicle.

The driver was transported from the scene by EMS to a Coushatta hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The crash is being investigated by Trooper J. Jett assigned to LSP Troop-E Alexandria.