The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), advises the public that LA 6 Business, from LA 494 to LA 1 Business, in Natchitoches Parish, is scheduled to re-open today, Aug. 25, at 5 p.m. to all traffic.

The road, from LA 494 to LA 1 Business, was closed due to an emergency pipe repair.

Yvonne Sawyer
August 24, 2017
Arrangements TBA

LaKisha Jones
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at Evergreen Baptist Church in Hanna
Interment: New Hope Cemetery in Hanna

Rose Mary Youngblood
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at Faltine Baptist Church in Gloster
Interment: Faltine Cemetery in Gloster

Glynn Edward Kitchell 
February 25, 1935 – August 21, 2017
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at Marthaville Cemetery

George W. Spears
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at Shiloh Baptist Church in Mansfield
Interment: Shiloh Cemetery  in Mansfield

Virginia Kidd
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Mansfield
Interment: Shady Grove Cemetery in Mansfield

Dr. Joseph Villard Jr.
July 27, 1928 – August 20, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Aug. 26 from 9-10:30 am at the John Kramer & Son Funeral Home with a recitation of the Holy Rosary in the Kramer Chapel at 10 am
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park

Alma Braxton
August 19, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Aug. 26 from 8-9:30 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home in Natchitoches and Saturday from 10-11 am at the Ben Johnson Auditorium
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at  the Ben Johnson Auditorium
Interment: Rockford Baptist Church Cemetery on Old River Road

William Levi Berry
August 16, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Aug. 26 from 8-11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Methodist Cemetery in Allen

 

AUGUST 25, 2017 (10:00 AM) The Louisiana Department of Health/Office of Public Health, hereby rescinds the BOIL ADVISORY issued by the POWHATAN WATER SYSTEM. All of the samples collected cleared.

(PWS ID #1069008)

The City of Natchitoches would like to advise the public that all Destination Downtown events including the Home Tours have been canceled for Saturday, August 26, 2017. Destination Downtown Events will not be rescheduled. This cancelation is due to severe weather conditions that are predicted to make their way across Louisiana over the weekend.

The City of Natchitoches would like to remind all citizens that in the event of severe weather to monitor weather conditions and stay alert.  Public safety is the City’s top priority, so residents are advised to remain indoors during heavy rainfall and heavy winds unless an emergency makes it absolutely necessary to be on the road.

By Brooke Shirley

 

Registrars of voters across the state the week of Aug. 21-25 hosted Voter Registration Week activities aimed at registering eligible citizens to vote. The next regularly scheduled election in Louisiana is the Statewide Special and Open/Orleans Municipal Parochial Primary on Oct. 14, 2017.

Natchitoches Parish Registrar of Voters Office registered students at Natchitoches Central High School. Students had the opportunity to register to vote with the help of the League of Women Voters. These ladies are a part of a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. They strive to influence public policy through education and advocacy. To avoid interrupting any classes, students could register during their lunch shift or pick up the form to bring home for assistance completing it.

Louisiana was one of the first states in the nation to implement an easy, convenient online voter registration portal. Citizens with a valid Louisiana driver’s license can register online 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the convenience of their home or office by visiting https://voterportal.sos.la.gov.

Residents of Louisiana can also register in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office, when they apply for/renewing their driver’s license at any Office of Motor Vehicles or when obtaining services at public assistance agencies and Armed Forces recruitment offices. Citizens wishing to register by mail can download and print the application

at http://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/PublishedDocuments/ApplicationToRegisterToVote.pdf, or complete an application found at public libraries or through registration drives.

To register and vote in Louisiana individuals must:

be a U.S. citizen;

be at least 17 years old (16 years old if registering in person at the Registrar of Voters Office or at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles) to register and 18 years old prior to the next election to vote;

not be under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony;

not be under a judgment of full interdiction for mental incompetence or partial interdiction with suspension of voting rights;

be a resident in the state and parish in which you seek to register and vote; and
complete the process at least 20 days prior to an election if registering online or 30 days prior to an election if registering in person or by mail.

For a complete listing of activities in individual parishes, visit http://www.sos.la.gov/Pages/NewsAndEvents.aspx#faq166.

 

The Rapides Foundation will feature acclaimed author Wes Moore as the speaker at its fourth annual Symposium to be held Sept. 6 at the Alexandria Riverfront Center from 3:30-5 p.m. The Foundation presents the Symposium free of charge to the community as a way to gather around a topic of importance, and is a way to recognize the creation of The Rapides Foundation on Sept. 1, 1994.

The focus of the 2017 Symposium is “Transforming Communities” and Moore’s presentation will describe the transformative power of education and leadership and its impact on improving communities.

“Wes Moore is one of the most impressive speakers I’ve ever heard,” said Joe Rosier, president and CEO of The Rapides Foundation, “You really don’t want his presentation to end. He faced many challenges and had a difficult journey as a young person, but through family support, education and engaged mentors he became a Rhodes Scholar, decorated Army combat veteran, White House Fellow, and best-selling author, just to name a few of his accomplishments.”

Moore will share his personal story of overcoming adversity through education, embracing personal responsibility, and emerging as an inspirational leader. Through unforgettable storytelling, he inspires his audiences to see solutions instead of problems, overcome challenges, reach higher, lift up others, and find the power and purpose to achieve any goal.

“We hope as many people as possible from throughout Central Louisiana can attend, especially our civic, elected and faith-based leaders,” Rosier continued. “Anyone who has a concern about how to build up or make our communities better will have a great opportunity to hear a compelling message. Whatever your interest is, we believe you’ll find Wes Moore’s presentation to be very challenging and encouraging.”

The Symposium is free and open to the entire Central Louisiana community, but registration is needed. There are three convenient ways to register: by calling the Foundation at 318-443-3394 or 800-994-3394; registering on our website at http://www.rapidesfoundation.org; or emailing the Foundation at Events@rapidesfoundation.org.

Moore is the author of two best-selling books. His first book, “The Other Wes Moore” has been on the New York Times Best Sellers list seven straight years. A planned motion picture from Executive Producer Oprah Winfrey is based on the book, which tells the story of how educational opportunities, strong parental influence, mentors and a community support network helped Moore transcend the fate of a man with the same name who lived just blocks away and took a tragically different path to prison. Moore’s most recent book, “The Work,” debuted at No. 15.

He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Robin Hood Foundation, one of the nation’s largest foundations with a sole focus on alleviating poverty. He is also the founder of BridgeEDU, an organization that provides support to students as they navigate to higher education. He is a decorated combat veteran and officer who served in the elite 82nd Airborne division of the Unites States Army. His military service inspired him to become a passionate voice for veterans, serving as executive producer and host of Coming Back with Wes Moore, a PBS miniseries about the challenges facing returning Iraq and Afghanistan vets. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy and the Johns Hopkins University. He was selected as a Rhodes Scholar, earning a MLitt in International Relations and Affairs at Oxford University.

The mission of The Rapides Foundation is to improve health status in Central Louisiana, and over its 23-year history has sought to support that mission by developing initiatives and strategies intended to impact our community for decades to come. The Foundation focuses its works in three strategic areas: Healthy People, Education and Healthy Communities. Since the Foundation’s inception in 1994, it has disbursed more than $200 million in grants. The Rapides Foundation serves a nine-parish area in Central Louisiana: Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn.

A joint investigation by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Detectives led to the arrest of an Alabama man in connection with a residential burglary in Goldonna according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones.

NPSO Patrol Division deputies responded to a reported residential burglary June 5 in the 300 block of Trichel Loop in Goldonna. They learned entry had been gained into his residence. Items in excess of $10,000 were reported stolen, which included two laptop computers, jewelry, clothing, gold coins, 30 pair of sunglasses, athletic shoes, clothing, medication and other items.

Deputies also learned while speaking with the complainant, when he was returned home he encountered a black Chevrolet Equinox or Trailblazer occupied by a male and female in his driveway.
When he questioned them as to what they were doing, they replied “just turning around because of a road washout.” NPSO Detectives also responded to the scene.

Deputies processed the crime scene, completed an offense report and forwarded the case to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division for investigative purposes. During the next couple of weeks, detectives continued to investigate the burglary identifying a Josh Shane Cryar of Alabama as a person of interest. Detectives learned Cryar and his girlfriend had stayed in an old home place in the area for a couple of weeks.

As the investigation progressed, detectives learned Cryar had sold items in Rapides and Natchitoches Parishes, which were identified as items stolen in the Goldonna burglary. Detectives then obtained a criminal warrant for the arrest of Cryar signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge. They then learned that Cryar was on the move and believed to be visiting relatives in the Deville area of Rapides Parish. Detectives summoned the assistance of Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Detectives to make the arrest. Rapides deputies responded to the area and arrested Cryar without incident.

As a result of the investigation:
Josh Shane Cryar, 37, of Foley, Alabama was transported and booked into the Rapides Parish Jail and later transferred to Natchitoches Parish charged with 1-count of Simple Burglary.

Cryar has since posted a $5,000 bond set by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge. Deputies say while interviewing Cryar he admitted to his involvement in the burglary. Some of the items reported stolen have been recovered.

 

Arthur Dew originally taught Calvin Braxton Jr. at Natchitoches Central High School. Fast forward years later and Dew chose to buy his next car from Natchitoches Ford.

“I trust Calvin and his staff,” said Dew, who’s bought his last 5-6 cars from Natchitoches Ford. “Where else can you get good customer service and considerate, reliable salesmen. My salesman is always there to see what I need, not force me into buying something.”

Find hometown service and the best deals at Natchitoches Ford when you pick a car and pick a payment. Ford is America’s most trusted brand in cars, trucks and SUVs. Stop by the car lot at 7501 Hwy. 1 Bypass or call 1-888-309-0671. Payments are figured with $0 down + TTL at 75 months and 4.49% APR. See dealer for details.

“They show me appreciation,” said Dew. “And I appreciate them in return.”

Just Click each below to view!

2017 Lincoln MKZ: $539 (PC04044)

2016 Ford Explorer: $489 (PT19934)

2015 Chevy Cruz: $249 (UC86073)

2016 Jeep Wrangler: $539 (UT08878)

2015 Ford F-150 4X4: $499 (UT99003)

2016 Ford Fusion: $329 (PC91718)

2016 Toyota Camry: $289 (UC73287)

2016 Hyundai Sonata: $249 (UC73897)

2016 Nissan Altima: $280 (UC39196)

2016 Chevrolet Impala: $339 (UC27037)

2015 Ford F-150: $419 (PT25787)

2015 Dodge Charger: $379 (UC96344)

2017 Ford Escape: $429 (PT84487)

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The tradition of the Independence Bowl Foundation/Northwestern State Kickoff Luncheon in late August stretches back almost a quarter-century, so the Demons always try to make it extra special.

Thursday, the supporters from the Shreveport-Bossier area listening to NSU head coach Jay Thomas were delighted when he announced one of their hometown heroes, Haughton High School product J.D. Almond, will be the Demons’ starting quarterback in the season opener next Saturday night at Louisiana Tech.

Almond ended his junior season last November starting NSU’s final three games after he began the season sidelined by a bad case of poison ivy. This year, his August has been infinitely more active and impressive, although there were strong challenges from junior college transfer Clay Holgorsen and redshirt freshman Kenny Sears.

“It was heavily competitive and we believe we have three guys who can step on the field and move the offense,” Thomas said. “J.D. gives us the senior leadership. He has started games for us and this team believes in him, so we have a lot of confidence in him being our guy.

“Clay Holgorsen will also be ready to play. Kenny Sears really came on strong in the last week, doing a fantastic job to the point where he’s now in the mix,” said Thomas.  “We’d like to try to get the other guys some time on the field. It’s all about the game flow.”

The tipping point for Almond, said Thomas, were the intangibles.

“His leadership and work ethic is unmatched. He’s played games here. When you’re going into a big game like we are next week, you the steadiness, you need the confidence, and he brings that to the table. I’m excited for J.D. and there’s no doubt he’s going to do a good job for us.”

Thomas said the rest of the NSU depth chart will be solidified over the weekend. The Demons will practice Friday, have a mock game Saturday morning at 9 a.m. in Turpin Stadium, then ramp up preparations for Louisiana Tech.

He and the Demons coaches have been watching film of the Bulldogs already in preseason.

“You can’t help but do that. They’re so good,” he said. “The last couple of days we’ve been heating it up and next week we’ll really start game prep.”

NSU is keeping an eye on Hurricane Harvey and the weather spawned by the storm. Thomas anticipates perhaps adjusting the normal game-week practice schedule to accelerate game plan installation.

City Marshal Randy Williams wanted to inform the following people that they have outstanding bench warrants through the Natchitoches City Marshal’s Office. The names on this list did not pay their fines in full nor did they return to court on the court date they were sentenced to by City Court Judge Gahagan. These individuals will need to clear up their fines and bench warrant fees at the City Marshal’s Office located at 373 Second St. to stop any further actions:

FINE PAYMENT (F):
Latarus Calvin, 812 Woodyard Dr #2, Natch, La – DWI
Gabriel Green, 238 Scarborough St, Natch, La – Simple Battery
Laquanda Joseph, 1414 Hwy 1 Apt 205, Natch, La – Exp MVI, Turning Movement
Derrick Pye, 808 Dorothy St, Natch, La – No DL
Otis Smith Jr., 1101 Clarence Dr, Natch, La – NSB, No DL
Karly Williams, 298 Vienne Rd Lot 12, Natch, La – TBS, Exp MVI
Charles Pye, 808 Dorothy St, Natch, La – Exp MVI
Devonte Aaron, 517 Sanford/845 Posey Rd, Natch, La – (2) No DL, NSB
Corinthia Davis, 2348 Hwy 6 Lot 5, Natch, La – TBS
Keisha Farley, 2599 Hwy 71, Campti, La – TBS, DWI
Aqualious Harris, 500 North St K-4, Natch, La – Speeding
Niki Booth, P.O. Box1201, Many, La – TBS
Rebecca Ellison, 140 Wilkerson Rd, Natch, La – TBS
Jarvis Lacey, 170 Beverly Rise, Natch, La – SPOM
Henry Malancon, 308 Daffodill St, Goryville, La – No DL
Brittany Penegar, 1785 Fish Hatchery Rd, Natch, La – TBS, DP
Markell Roy, 151 Melissa Place, Natch, La – Simple Battery
Katrice Brimsey, 500 North St K-4, Natch, La – Exp MVI
Patricia Scroggins, 210 Fairgrounds Rd Apt 5, Natch, La – TBS
Fredrick Anthony, 1501 Amulet St, Natch, La – DP
Angelina Aquinaga, 4921 Hwy 3278 Lot #18, Natch, La – Exp MVI

Trial (T):
Calvin Calhoun, 1501 Jones St, Coushatta, La – TBS
Darrin Hall, 1533 Grayson St, Natch, La – Unlicensed Driver, LM
Demika Daniels, 166 Cedar Grove Dr, Natch, La – TBS
Harold Remo, 106 Harry Dr, Natch, La – No Vehicle Registration
Dominique Moses, 500 North St J-1, Natch, La – TBS
Julie Williams, 1230 Old Robeline Rd Apt C109, Natch, La – DP, SCDP
Trayvontrell Akins, 247 Lake Dr, Natch, La – TBS

Allied Financial is offering Back-to-School Loans (Title, Personal, Auto and Collateral) starting at $300.

A local independent loan company, Allied Financial has served Natchitoches and surrounding communities for over 20 years now. It’s also family owned and operated. Clay Jackson’s father Tandy started Allied Financial almost 30 years ago. Originally located in Coushatta, the Jackson family moved their business to Natchitoches a little over 20 years ago.

“It’s all about keeping money local,” said Clay. His father first opened a local insurance agency with Allied Financial conducting the premium financing. As time progressed, Clay researched other financing options to offer to the community. With history in the car insurance industry, he started financing cars, which allowed the business to expand.

Allied Financial Manager Susie St. Andre and Assistant Manager Krista Sesvold have experience in the loan business.

“We enjoy helping people make ends meet,” said Sesvold.

The business is based on the relationships they form with their clients. It may start with a car loan, but once people learn about Allied’s other loan options, they soon come back. Whether you need money for moving, money to stay current on rent, or any other reason life may throw at you, Allied Financial is here to help.

Stop by the office at 1300 Washington Street or call 318-354-7526 today.

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The Robeline Heritage Society is proud to announce our 2017 Robeline Heritage Queen: Baylee Ray.

Baylee is the oldest daughter of Brian and Christi Ray. She and her three younger siblings all raised here in the Robeline area.

Baylee graduated from Many High School this past year, where she served as an FCA Leader and ran track. Baylee is now a freshman at Northwestern State University where she is a nursing major and plans to graduate in 2021.

Baylee is also an extremely active member in her church, Robeline First Baptist, where she teaches a Sunday school class. She has also been active on mission trips. Some of which include visiting Houston’s 5th ward, traveling to south Louisiana after the “Great Flood” to help remove debris and clean out damaged homes. There are also plans to visit Nicaragua later this year.

The 26th Annual Robeline Heritage Festival will kick off Oct. 6 at 5 pm. There will be hayrides, free hotdogs and gospel music by local talent. The evening will be wrapped up with a performance from 4 Days Late. Opening ceremonies will begin Oct. 7 at 10 am with the parade starting at 11 am. There will be a treasure hunt and clues will be provided throughout the day. There will also be plenty of food, arts and crafts, games for the kids and musical entertainment. Charlie Farley will take the stage at 8 pm.

My fellow nerds gathered at the airport. We jumped on the plane. We landed in Nashville. We checked into the hotel. We grabbed our official eclipse glasses. The hotel was so cool they had two pair of glasses for our room. Monday we waited and waited.
The funny thing about a total eclipse is the waiting involved for the two and half minutes of totality. It was worth every second of waiting.

At the appointed hour we walked out and gazed upwards as the moon made its appearance across the face of the sun. The moon was going rogue. The moon was dancing in the face of the diva. The moon was photobombing the sun’s selfie. The moon was mooning the sun.

It took over an hour for totality to start. As we were waiting for totality we noticed the one cloud in the sky was headed in our direction. Even that one cloud couldn’t mess up the event. Totality happened at announced hour. When it did it was spectacular. The night bugs starting singing. The sky looked like a sky at sunset except it looked that way for 360 degrees. In the field where we were, with a bunch of other nerds, there was absolute silence. The sun is yellow through the eclipse glasses, the corona is silver. Totality ends with the “diamond ring.” It is like a giant flashbulb goes off and the world is back to bright and the sky is back to bright blue.

We were so excited; we are planning our totality nerd reunion for 2024. This time I’ll only need to drive to find it. The next North American total eclipse can be seen in parts of Texas and Arkansas. We can call it the “Bubba eclipse.” I likely won’t be around for the one is 2045, but it goes over Orlando and has been dubbed the “Disney eclipse.” There is another full eclipse in 2019, but it is in South America. We have found a cruise ship that sails out of Tahiti and sails for 15 days and will anchor in the area of totality. Do you think I can get a yard pass to see that eclipse?

It was worth all the work to get to Nashville. God willing I will see another one before I leave this world.

I had friends who were watching the eclipse in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The eclipse there was 99%. You would think a 99% eclipse would be fairly spectacular. It was not. At 99% there was no viewing of the corona. There is no taking the glasses off and looking at totality with the naked eye. Yes you can do that and we did. There is no “diamond ring” light burst at the end of totality. There were no bugs singing, there was no seeing the colors of sunset everywhere on the horizon. There was no hushed silence in the face of dusk at 1:30 in the afternoon. There was too much sunlight at 99% to see anything cool.

In terms of eclipses, you need totality to get the great experience.

The folks watching the eclipse in the Smokey Mountain National Park had awesome views of totality. Some of them were in the right place to see it all. Some of them stopped in the tourist traps thinking they were “close enough” to have a good view of the eclipse. Some of them may have been happy with the 99% and would do it all again to see the moon cross the sun’s path. Some of you saw 90% and you didn’t have to leave Natchitoches. It was awesome for you.

But that one percent made all the difference in the cosmos between partial and total. Believe me total is worth the trip. The Methodists will be taking a church trip on Monday, April 8, 2024 to see totality.

The spiritual lesson is easy. Giving your life 99% to Jesus is not good enough. In terms of following Jesus and eclipses you must be all in to get the full impact.

LaKisha Jones
Visitation: Friday, Aug. 25 from 7-8 pm at Evergreen Baptist Church in Hanna
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at Evergreen Baptist Church in Hanna
Interment: New Hope Cemetery in Hanna

Rose Mary Youngblood
Visitation: Friday, Aug. 25 from 6-7 pm at Faltine Baptist Church in Gloster
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at Faltine Baptist Church in Gloster
Interment: Faltine Cemetery in Gloster

Glynn Edward Kitchell 
February 25, 1935 – August 21, 2017
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at Marthaville Cemetery

George W. Spears
Visitation: Friday, Aug. 25 from 12-6 pm at Jenkins Funeral Home in Mansfield
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at Shiloh Baptist Church in Mansfield
Interment: Shiloh Cemetery  in Mansfield

Virginia Kidd
Visitation: Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 from 12-6 pm at Jenkins Funeral Home in Mansfield
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Mansfield
Interment: Shady Grove Cemetery in Mansfield

Dr. Joseph Villard Jr.
July 27, 1928 – August 20, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Aug. 26 from 9-10:30 am at the John Kramer & Son Funeral Home with a recitation of the Holy Rosary in the Kramer Chapel at 10 am
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park

Alma Braxton
August 19, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Aug. 26 from 8-9:30 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home in Natchitoches and Saturday from 10-11 am at the Ben Johnson Auditorium
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at  the Ben Johnson Auditorium
Interment: Rockford Baptist Church Cemetery on Old River Road

William Levi Berry
August 16, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Aug. 26 from 8-11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Methodist Cemetery in Allen

 

 

 

 

Parish President Rick Nowlin wants residents of Natchitoches Parish to be prepared for the possibility of severe weather associated with Hurricane Harvey. The National Weather Service predicts that Harvey will make landfall in Texas as a Category 3 hurricane late Friday. Through the weekend, the storm is expected to weaken and make its way across Louisiana.

This storm has the potential to bring torrential rains and high winds to Natchitoches Parish over a period of several days, which could possibly lead to flooding and power outages. President Nowlin encourages residents to begin preparing now by stocking up on essentials like food and water.

Parish residents are also reminded that roadways can become flooded due to the storm. Please use caution when driving, and avoid any roadways that are under water.

PRESS RELEASE: August 24, 2017

The bridge section of Jefferson Street that runs over Bayou Amulet will be closed until further notice for repairs, according to Captain Brad Walker with the Natchitoches Police Department. Motorists are asked to find alternate routes around the area.

There’s a salvinia problem on Black Lake. In fact, there’s been a chronic salvinia problem throughout the state for over 20 years.

Wildlife & Fisheries combats this invasive plant with biological (salvinian weevils), chemical and physical measures.

The NPJ recently received photos from residents on Sibley Lake who are concerned the salvinia problem on Sibley Lake has increased significantly just over the last month.

LDWF Biologist Manager Villis Dowden said this is due to the higher than normal precipitation Natchitoches Parish has received throughout August. The rain flushes vegetation from private ponds and upstream of the Oak Grove Bridge and the area upstream of the gas plant.

Treatments by both the LDWF and the City of Natchitoches have been underway and increased over the last two weeks to control any expansion into the main lake.  To date this year, the Department alone has treated 85 acres of giant salvinia on Sibley Lake, primarily in the Oak Grove area.

Villis said he expects with the current and future treatments, along with drier conditions, that salvinia coverage will begin to decrease in both of these upper tributaries as it has in the past.  The lower end where the potable water intake is located has never had a salvinia issue. Salvinia cannot remain still in open water conditions, wave action or in currents through the spillway.

The City Utility Department is also on the lake spraying a chemical that is designed to target the giant salvinia. This is a coordinated effort with the LDWF.

Dr. Cheryl Stoker, an Optometrist with Louisiana Eye and Laser of Natchitoches, was fitted for glasses for the first time when she was in the 4th grade. She sat in the front of the classroom, and her teacher noticed she was still squinting to see the board.

When she went to her doctor for an eye exam, she was fascinated by the equipment. From that point on, she knew she wanted to be an eye doctor, and she’s never changed her mind. Thirty-two years later, Dr. Cheryl Stoker still loves what she does.

“I feel blessed,” she said.

Dr. Stoker graduated from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn. before moving to Louisiana. She spent time in Alexandria and New Orleans before settling in Natchitoches 22 years ago.

She knows firsthand how vision can impact a child’s schoolwork. Children should have a comprehensive fully dilated eye exam before starting school and every year while they are in school.

Since children don’t typically complain because they don’t realize they have a problem, parents can watch for the following signs of vision impairment:

·  Headaches

·  Squinting

·  Holding objects abnormally close to their face

·  In small children (ages 3-4) be aware if they run into walls or are excessively clumsy

Louisiana Eye and Laser of Natchitoches is here to help. Students in grades K-12 are eligible to receive a Back-To-School Eye Care Special through Sept. 30. A routine eye exam is $45 with Standard Eye Wear starting at only $45.99 (includes frame and lenses).

For more information on this special call 318-352-0444. Louisiana Eye and Laser Center is located at 1055 Parkway Drive in Natchitoches. Promotion cannot be combined with any vision plan and applies at the Natchitoches location only.

Make the appointment today – just call for this special 318-352-0444.

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The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce announces a new level of membership for college students ages 18-21.  This level of membership is targeted to students who are interested in networking with local professionals and decision makers; the Student Membership is $35 for a year, and includes all the benefits of an Individual Member of the Chamber, such as exclusive invites to Chamber events, and access to member pricing for events, but at a steeply discounted rate.  The only requirement is that the person be a full-time student in that age bracket.  The intent is to better engage talent at Northwestern State University and, in turn, connect that talent to local business.

This level of membership is the same price as annual membership with Natchitoches Young Professionals (NYP), which is an initiative of the Chamber of Commerce.  While NYP provides many of the same opportunities, membership is not open to anyone under 21.  “This new level of membership should help us get more students involved in the community, specifically the business community,” says Acting President Tony Davis.  “It addresses the age gap for students who are eager to learn more about working in Natchitoches, but are not quite old enough to engage with NYP.”

“Making individual membership affordable for students is an important move towards fostering student interest and opportunity in the community,” Director of Membership Experience Maggie Harris says.  “There are students who are serious about wanting to jump start their careers, and this new initiative will give students the chance to build their professionals networks.”  Harris is a full-time employee with the Chamber, as well as a full-time student at Northwestern State University.

For those students interested in joining either Natchitoches Young Professionals or the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, email Membership@NatchitochesChamber.com or simply visit http://www.NatchitochesChamber.com .

The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce helps foster a thriving community through transformative leadership, collaboration, and innovation.

I’d like to tell you about my wonderful adventure of discovery with the Great Eclipse of 2017.  I’d like to, but I can’t because the highly touted eclipse of the sun just didn’t work for me.

If we’d lived in the area of totality, which stretched from points in Oregon to Charleston, S.C., I’m sure my story would be different.  And I saw on TV that lots of school children, even in our area, had fun experiences, particularly with those special solar glasses.  And I’m truly glad they did, because for them the phenomenon was something new.

I’d seen them before (at my age you’ve seen lots of things before) but I was still looking forward to the event.  Right now, my outside interests are pretty much confined to history, classic cars and stamp and coin collecting.  Years ago I was also into science and nature. If this was the 1970s,  I probably would have gone out and bought a book on astronomy and eclipses, so I could have been prepared with all the knowledge any science buff would want to have on exactly what happens when the moon gets in front of the sun.

Even now, though, I wanted to see it.  We learned that the Parish Library was having an eclipse program so we went there about noon, but all the seats were taken and the scheduled program was not set to start until 1 p.m.

So, having mistakenly thought that the Visitor’s Center at Grand Ecore was also having a program, we drove out there, but nothing was going on.  There was also one at Magnolia Plantation but by that time, we decided to just go eat.

We were still downtown at one of our favorite restaurants at 1:26 p.m., the height of the eclipse for the Natchitoches area.  I really thought it would get pretty dark outside, although I knew full darkness would not occur.  Not long before the peak time, it did get quite dim, but that turned out to be a passing cloud.

At 1:26 p.m. it was still pretty bright.  If I had been a member of a primitive tribe looking for a sign from the gods, I don’t think I would have been too impressed.   As it was, being a geezer who’s seen a thing or two, I was not too impressed either.

It’s probably all my fault.  Maybe my sense of wonder and awe isn’t what it used to be.  As I said, I’m glad the kids enjoyed it.  But one thing some of the little ones said was incorrect.  A few called it “a once in a lifetime experience.”

But those 9, 10 and 11-year-olds will get another chance to see an eclipse just seven years from now, in 2024.  They’ll be teenagers then and I hope they still have their sense of wonder.  If I’m still on the green side of the grass, I’ll be in my 80s.  I’m going to try to look forward to it.

Story by Doug Ireland, Assistant AD/Sports Information Director

Major league pitcher Brian Lawrence, football All-Americans Tony Joe Maranto and Ronnie Powell, basketball greats Bo Rayford, Eric Kubel and Stephanie Shaw Locke, and Lady Demon track trailblazer Marlene Garner comprise Northwestern State’s N-Club Hall of Fame induction class of 2017 announced Tuesday.

The seven standouts will receive NSU’s highest athletic honor on Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m. in a ceremony at the Magale Recital Hall on campus. The event is open to the public at no charge.

Lawrence, who starred for the Demons in 1997-98, won 50 games in six seasons in Major League Baseball in a 13-year professional playing career. His No. 29 is one of four retired by the Demons.

He became the San Diego Padres’ opening day starter in his five seasons with the Padres. Lawrence was National League Player of the Week for April 14, 2002. As a Demon, he was the 1998 Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year while winning two straight Southland championships under head coaches Dave Van Horn and John Cohen.

Maranto and Powell helped the 1997 Demon football team win a share of the Southland Conference championship and reach the FCS playoffs. Both played in the NFL.

Maranto, who played at NSU from 1994-97, was the Southland’s 1997 Defensive Player of the Year as a safety, and made the Southland’s Team of the Decade for the 1990s. He had 209 tackles in his final two seasons with six interceptions as a senior.

Powell, a Demon from 1996-98, is one of the school’s greatest two-sport athletes, winning three All-America honors as a sprinter in track and field and running for 2,076 yards and 15 touchdowns while helping the football team win back-to-back Southland championships in 1997-98. He owned the Demons’ 100 meter dash record for 16 years with a 10.13 time and was third in the 55 meter dash at the 1998 NCAA Indoor Championships.

Rayford was NSU’s first two-time All-Southland basketball selection as he played from 1986-89. He posted the eighth-best single-season scoring total, 591 points in 29 games (20.4 average), as a senior, when his 21 points and 11 rebounds led the Demons to an 85-82 win at Kentucky. He scored the go-ahead basket and took a charge in the final minute.

Kubel won the 1994 Southland Conference Player of the Year award, still the only Demon to capture that honor in men’s basketball. The 6-foot-8 center, a two-year all-conference performer, averaged 24.3 points and 13.1 rebounds as a senior and ended his career (1991-94) with 1,325 points, 18th all-time in school history, and 702 rebounds, 11th best at NSU.

Locke was a two-time All-Southland point guard for the Lady Demons when two of the program’s most explosive scorers, previous N-Club Hall of Fame inductees Joskeen Garner and Angela Simpson, dominated the spotlight. Locke ranks 20th all-time with 1,309 points in 119 games, is fourth in assists (578) and had 254 steals, fifth in school history at the end of her career. NSU was 88-33 in her career from 1992-96, finishing second in the 1995 WNIT and fifth in the 1993 WNIT.

Garner, who sprinted at NSU from 1991-93, was twice the Southland’s 100 meter dash champion and became the first Lady Demon track and field competitor to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships (1993) after being the first NSU woman to compete at the USA Olympic Trials a year earlier. She set the school 100 dash record (11.47).

The inductees were chosen by an N-Club committee using voting by N-Club members as a factor in selections.

2017 N-Club Hall of Fame induction class

Marlene Garner (women’s track and field 1991-93) – Two-time Southland Outdoor 100m dash champ in 1991 (11.74), 1992 (11.63) … set school record with 11.47 time as she became the first-ever Lady Demon to qualify for the NCAA Outdoors (1993) after being the first-ever Lady Demon to compete at the USA Olympic Trials a year earlier.

Eric Kubel (men’s basketball, 1991-94) – Southland Conference Player of the Year in 1994 when he became the first player to average a double-double since McNeese’s John Rudd in the late 1970s … 6-8 center who had fantastic junior and senior seasons, averaging 20.7 points (539, 10th in school history) and 13.1 rebounds (341, fifth in school history) as a senior … ranks 16th all-time in scoring (1,325 points, 96 games, 13.8 ppg) and 10th in rebounding (702, 7.3 pg) … his 26 rebounds against Southeastern on Dec. 18, 1993 is the fourth-highest single-game total in school history (James Wyatt had three 30-rebound games) … career scoring high of 35 points as a junior … All-SLC as a junior and senior … helped 1991-92 Demons lead NCAA with 94.5 scoring average.

Brian Lawrence (baseball, 1997-98) – His Demon baseball jersey is one of four retired here … he won 50 games and had a 4.19 career ERA in six seasons in the major leagues, including a 15-win season in 2004 for the Padres … had five years (2001-05) with San Diego and also pitched for the Mets in 2007 … was the National League Player of the Week April 14, 2002 …   had 13 years overall as a professional pitcher … 1998 Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year … Demons won two straight Southland Conference championships in his two seasons, posting an overall 75-43 record under Dave Van Horn and John Cohen.

Stephanie Shaw Locke  (women’s basketball, 1992-96) – Two-time second-team All-Southland Conference point guard whose individual play was overshadowed alongside all-time greats Joskeen Garner and Angela Simpson on some of the better Lady Demon teams … ranks 20th all-time with 1,309 points (119 games, 11.0 ppg), fourth in assists (578, 4.8 pg) and had 254 steals, fifth in school history at the end of her career … had career-high 9 steals in win over UTSA as a junior … team went 88-33 in her four seasons as the starting point guard as coach James Smith called her “the heart of our team” … Lady Demons finished fifth in 1993 WNIT, second in 1995 WNIT … was assistant coach for four seasons until 2002.

Tony Joe Maranto (football 1994-97) – An All-American safety, Maranto was the 1997 Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year … he played in the NFL with the Saints and Browns, and in NFL Europe … made 209 tackles in his last two seasons, 106 with 6 interceptions as a senior when the Demons shared the Southland Conference championship and made their first FCS playoff appearance since 1988 … made Southland’s 1990s Team of the Decade.

Ronnie Powell (football, track, 1996-98) – A three-time All-American sprinter, Powell ran for 2,076 yards and 15 touchdowns while helping the Demons win back-to-back Southland Football League championships in two playoff seasons … set the NSU 100-meter dash record with a 10.13 time, breaking a record set 16 years earlier by Mark Duper … third in 1998 NCAA Indoors 55 meter dash (6.22) after running a PR of 6.17 in preliminary round … voted by coaches as Southland Indoor Athlete of the Year and Indoor Track Performer of the Year in 1998 after sweeping the 55m and 200m, setting a meet record in 21.27 as his 20 points helped the Demons upset two-time defending champion UTA for the team crown … took same honors at 1998 Southland Outdoors … 1997 Southland Football Newcomer of the Year, voted Offensive MVP by teammates … set school record with 93-yard TD run vs. Jacksonville State … made Southland’s 1990s Team of the Decade in both football and track … went to NFL Europe, then made the Cleveland Browns roster as a receiver in 1999.

Terrance “Bo” Rayford (basketball, 1986-89) –23rd all-time in career scoring with 1,129 points in 78 games (14.5 average) … posted eighth-best single-season scoring total, 591 points in 29 games (20.4 average) in his senior season of 1988-89, when he shot 56.5 percent … led Demons in rebounding as a junior and senior … NSU’s first two-time All-Southland pick, and one of our only six all-time first-team selections, getting that as a senior after second-team honors in his junior season … as a senior, and the team’s only frontcourt starter (new coach Dan Bell started four guards), Rayford led NSU to the 85-82 win in Rupp Arena that was Kentucky’s first home-opening loss in 16 years on Dec. 7, 1988, with 21 points and 11 rebounds … he gave NSU the lead for good at 82-80 with 42 seconds left on a layup inside, then took a backcourt charge 15 seconds later and hit two free throws for a four-point lead … played professionally overseas for more than a decade.

A fictional story by Junior Johnson

The following morning at breakfast in the Gallien dining room, Levy Lodrigue revealed
the discussion that had taken place the night before with Rita Johnson and her boys Aiden and Dylan, to his sons Tony and John Levy, about their sister moving her family to CoCo Bed.  The boys were overjoyed to learn that they would be reunited with Rita and her sons.

Abslom Johnson said that he and Levy would go over to the office of Ronnie Smith, their lawyer, and get the necessary paperwork processed giving Rita land to have her new home built on.

He then gave his son John Wesley a list of supplies that they needed back home, and instructed him to take Dempsey and Harvis over to the Masson General Store, a very successful enterprise
operated by Clyde and John Masson. They were to secure the needed items and load the wagon they’d brought from CoCo Bed.  Levy told Tony and John Levy to accompany them along with Rita and her boys, and for them to get anything they might need as well.

Soon after breakfast, as they were getting ready to leave the Gallien Boarding House, the operator of the telegraph office stopped by with a wire that he had just received from Mississippi.

The day before, after laying out the proposal they were going to make with Captain John Winston, one of the Deputies had sent a telegram to Sheriff Jones explaining what they hoped Winston would agree to. He wanted a list of all the property in Winston’s name at the Assessor’s Office, and a list of his money on deposit at the local bank.

Sheriff Jones was able to get this information before he departed on his trip to Louisiana.  Abslom and Levy told the Mississippi Deputies, along with Deputy Moran, to accompany them to Ronnie Smith’s office. He would draw up papers to transfer the property back to its original owners, and divide the money.  They would gladly witness this and hoped it wouldn’t be long before the families were back in their respective homes.  The telegraph also said that Sheriff Jones expected to be in Natchitoches within two days and to have the prisoners there waiting for him.

Things were coming together nicely as they departed the Boarding House for Ronnie Smith’s office and the Masson General Store. Business was conducted at both places within a couple of hours and they were ready for a return trip to CoCo Bed, except the two Mississippi Deputies, who’d remain to help watch over the prisoners with Deputy Moran.

Abslom Johnson suggested they make one more stop before they left town, and that was at the Spurgeon Sawmill.  The mill was operated by the Spurgeon brothers, Wilmer and Jerry.  Abslom knew they were excellent at their craft and had one of the best logging contractors around in Dennis LaCaze.  Dennis was the son of Harold LaCaze who worked for Alexis Cloutier.

There was a large tract of virgin cypress trees on Abslom and Levy’s property and a portion of this timber could be used to construct Rita Johnson’s new home.

It didn’t take long for arrangements to be made with the Spurgeon’s.  They would arrange for Dennis to cut and deliver the logs to their mill for processing.

After this business deal was completed they finally departed Cloutierville for CoCo Bed where news of the new addition to the community would be joyously received.

It was nearing sundown when they arrived at the Johnson and Lodrigue homes on CoCo Bed.  Lucille and Martha was getting ready to put out supper for the family.  The first thing that Abslom did was summon Noah and tell him to ring the big bell that would announce to everyone that a meeting was to take place.

Workers began to gather after the sound of the bell and immediately began helping to unload the
wagon loaded with supplies purchased from Masson’s General Store.  Once this project was completed Levy told everyone to gather before his and Lucille’s home where he had an announcement to make.

As Levy was unveiling plans for his daughter and her children to join the community, cheers rang out from those crowed around.  There was joy on CoCo Bed and everyone was excited about what the future would bring.  Reverend Cryer, who was mending nicely from the surgery Doctor Scruggs had performed, raised his hand for silence and began a prayer of thanksgiving.

Back at the little one cell jail in Cloutierville, Doctor Scruggs had just  finished treating his newest patient, Captain John Winston.  With a much better qualified Doctor and the proper medical supplies, Winston was doing remarkably well in the two days that he had been locked in the cell.

As Deputy Moran locked the cell door behind the good Doctor after he had finished, he looked over at the evil Captain John Winston and saw something Winston had not done
in ages.

The murdering carpetbagger Captain John Winston hung his head and began to cry like a baby.  Deputy Moran only smiled.