Looking for fun this summer? Then sign up for our summer day camp that explores the history and heritage of Cane River and your local national park. Join us from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for one-of-a-kind learning experiences during a morning of demonstrations, games, and hands-on activities. Campers will explore, discover, create and go behind the scenes at the June 29, 2019 camp.

“This is the summer for kids to discover Magnolia Plantation,” said Chief of Interpretation Barbara Justice. “Our 2019 day camp is a time to explore, have fun and learn along the way.”

Culture Camp at Magnolia Plantation – Through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and programs by local artisans, campers ages 9-12 will explore the plantation; learn historic preservation techniques, and experience Creole and zydeco music. Camp is free but registration is required. Registration is now underway and is limited to 20 campers on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration deadline is midnight, Thursday, June 27. To register or for more information please call 318-352-0383 x316. Magnolia Plantation is located at 5549 Highway 119, Cloutierville (Derry), LA 71416.

By Sarah Mallette

The 90th Louisiana State FFA Convention was held June 3-6 in downtown Alexandria, La. Lakeview FFA members spent the week at convention competing in career development events (CDE), running for area and state offices, and celebrating the past years accomplishments.

The food science and technology career development event is designed to promote learning activities in food science and technology related to the food industry and to assist students in developing practical knowledge of principles used in a team decision-making process.

Food science and technology team members who placed 3rd in the State were: Gracie Niette, Blake Smith, Meagan Corley, and Emily Windham. Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) allow the student to construct their own personal experience with agriculture outside of the classroom.

Salem Johnson won 1st in her award area of Ag. Communications, where she owns and operates a blog researching agricultural topics. Gracie Niette won 2nd in her award area of Ag. Education, where she plans and implements lesson about agriculture to teach high school students.

The roles of an Area Officer include representing one of the four areas in Louisiana, being an advocate for local and state agriculture, and acting as a role model for future leaders in our organization. Gracie Niette was elected as Area II Vice President and Emily Windham as Area II Parliamentarian.

The roles of an FFA State Officer include representing over 11,000 FFA members at the National level, conducting chapter, business, and industry tours throughout the year, and planning and executing State FFA Convention. Salem Johnson was elected Area II State Vice President and will serve Louisiana FFA the upcoming year.

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It’s that time again, SCHOOL TIME, and the Kiwanis Club of Natchitoches is hosting its annual School Uniform drive during the month of July. The Club is collecting new and/or slightly used (in good condition) school uniforms for local children in need. The uniforms will be distributed to children in Natchitoches Parish through the Natchitoches Parish School Board.

Collection sites are set up at Waskom, Brown & Associates, City Bank, Alliance Compressors & BOM.

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Dessie Davenport, Jr.
November 17, 1959 – June 19, 2019
Arrangements TBA

Michael Wayne Phillips
March 30, 1957 – June 18, 2019
Service: Friday, June 21 at 11 am at Russell Cemetery

Kendall “K.D.” Hardison
March 9, 1991 – June 19, 2019
Arrangements TBA

Kendrick Williams
February 23, 1980 – June 18, 2019
Arrangements TBA

Paul “Bootsey” LaCour
March 21, 1942 – June 15, 2019
Visitation: Saturday, June 22 from 11 am – 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, June 22 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Louis Ray Metoyer
December 11, 1949 – June 16, 2019
Visitation: Thursday, June 20 from 8-11 am at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, located at 911 5th Street in Natchitoches
Service: Thursday, June 20 at 11 am at St. Anthony of Padua
Interment: St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Cloutierville

Charles Raymond Williams
September 15, 1940 – June 16, 2019
Visitation: Thursday, June 20 from 9 am – 1 pm at First Baptist Church of Montgomery, located at 739 Old Jefferson Highway in Montgomery
Service: Thursday, June 20 at 1 pm at The First Baptist Church
Interment: Summerfield Baptist Cemetery near Aloha

Mary Beaudion
June 14, 2019
Visitation: Saturday, June 22 from 8-9:30 am at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, located at 911 Fifth Street in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday, June 22 at 10 am at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
Interment: St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Cloutierville

RAPIDES PARISH:

P.E “Gene” Eugene Rhodes
November 19, 1927 – June 16, 2019
Service: Thursday, June 20 at 1 pm at Cotile Baptist Church

Marie A. Medica
June 14, 1926 – June 17, 2019
Service: Friday, June 21 at 2 pm at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Alexandria

SABINE PARISH:

Inetta Smith Campbell
January 30, 1925 – June 17, 2019
Service: Friday, June 21 at 2 pm at Bayou Scie United Methodist Church

WINN PARISH:

Dolly Imogene Russell Jones
February 19, 1931 – June 18, 2019
Service: Thursday, June 20 at 2 pm in the chapel of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield

Rufus Green
August 21, 1982 – June 15, 2019
Arrangements TBA

Ronald Goff
June 11, 2019
Service: Saturday, June 22 at 11 am at the Winnfield Primary School, located at 401 South St. John Street
Interment: Winnfield City Cemetery

James G. Stroud
December 13, 1945 – June 15, 2019
Visitation: Thursday, June 20 from 9 am – 12 pm at Southern Funeral Home
Service: Thursday, June 20 at 12 pm at Southern Funeral Home
Interment: Hurricane Grove Cemetery in Sikes

With the passage of House Bill 491, the Louisiana Legislature legalized the sale of hemp and hemp-derived cannabidiol products, more commonly called CBD.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed the legislation into law on June 6, 2019. The bill only authorizes the sale of hemp-derived CBD products with a THC concentration of less than 0.3%. Hemp and CBD are still banned from being used in food and drinks.

With the legalization of CBD, the Louisiana Department of Health will take an active role in the regulation of the product. Today, the Department has the responsibility of permitting manufacturers and registering labels for wholesale food and drug products.

According to officials with the Department’s Office of Public Health, CBD products manufactured, distributed, imported or sold for use in the state of Louisiana are required to be produced from hemp grown in accordance with standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CBD products must be labeled in accordance with Louisiana’s Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law.

Products sold at the retail level must obtain a permit prior to sale from the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.

The Department, along with the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, is working to promulgate formal rules that will provide detailed regulations.

By Kris James

Hello my Stylers! Just the other night I was sitting around watching Scream. No! There is not a reboot. Yet. Thank God! I was watching the original movie with Neve Campbell. Every summer I watch my favorite 90’s teen movies.

So at the beginning of the movie the phone rings and Drew Berrymore picks up, of course! This is the moment when something else really caught my attention. I started thinking about how many people still have a house phone? What about an answering machine? In an ever growing digital world, how do some of these vintage treasures stay alive?

Of course, the idea of a house phone to some seems pointless. Your cell phone travels, has voicemail and takes amazing pictures. It’s your entire life in one little device. For all the obvious reasons something created to make life easy has gotten to the point where we depend on it. But there are still those who live for a simpler time. There’s stylers like myself who wanna get lost in time and relive those experiences, whether it’s in the way we dress or just the items we collect. It reminds us of how simple life was.

For the past few years, I have seen many throwback goodies resurge. Thanks to the likes of Urban Outfitters you can capture those nostalgic moments again. Everything from the instant Polaroid camera to cassette players and the walkman. Like I said in my previous column, I own a record player and collect vinyl. I grew up in a time where you couldn’t just buy the single, you had to get the whole album. So artists made sure they gave you their best body of work because there were no skips. So imagine being an adult now and still being able to experience music that way.

This year at the MET GALA, Frank Ocean arrived looking fashionable, but more people were interested in his accessories. Frank captured the MET on film with a Contax T3 35mm camera for Vogue. This was a rare moment because who still uses film? Just like the vintage Polaroid cameras have made a comeback, I think Frank and others are on to something. With everything digital, it’s those raw candid photos that really create nostalgic magic.

I think the older I get the more timeless moments I try to create. So maybe I will get that landline with an answering machine. “You have reached Kris. Sorry, but I’m not home right now.” Nothing screams nostalgic more than that in 2019. Here are a few of my favorites I think every nostalgic Styler would love!

“Distance not only gives nostalgia, but perspective, and maybe objectivity.” – Robert Morgan

By Kevin Shannahan

Rising water levels on the Cane River and a favorable environment have led to an increase in the area’s alligator population. Combine that with more housing meaning more people living and boating on the Cane and there has been quite an increase in alligator sightings lately.

Louisiana’s Secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries, Jack Montouchet, and several of his staff members attended the Cane River Waterway Commission’s meeting Tuesday, June 18. Secretary Montouchet and his staff were invited to the meeting to discuss methods to address the alligator problem.

Jeb Linscombe, the department’s Fur and Alligator Program Manager, stated that the single best thing to be done is education. Alligators have a natural fear of humans. Feeding an alligator will cause it to lose that fear. That means more than not giving it food on purpose (as obviously a bad idea as that sounds, people do it.) Have you ever fished in the Cane and thrown the fish guts in the river? Have you thrown crawfish heads in the river after a crawfish boil at your house? You just fed the alligators without realizing it. Things like that are some of the major reasons alligators lose their fear of humans and associate them with food.

To help address the problem, the Cane River Waterway Commission introduced an ordinance to prohibit feeding alligators in Cane River Lake.

What is a nuisance alligator? A nuisance alligator is one over 4 feet in length that presents a threat to pets, livestock or humans. This usually is a result of its having lost its fear of people. This is definitely the case if the alligator comes directly at you, especially if it comes out of the water. Alligators are naturally attracted to fishing lures for the same reason fish are, but one who follows boats or maintains a close distance without submerging may be considered a nuisance alligator.

How does one report a nuisance alligator in Louisiana? There are 8 regional offices of the LDWF throughout the state. Natchitoches is covered by the Alexandria office at 318-487-5885. A person who wishes to report a nuisance alligator may call any office however. The others are: Baton Rouge 225-765-2811, Lake Charles 337-491-2575, Minden 318-371-3050, Monroe 318-343-4044, Lafayette 337-262-2080, Rockefeller 337-538-2276 and Thibodaux 985-447-0821. Operation Game Thief, while mainly used to report poachers, is monitored 24 hours a day and may also be called to report a nuisance alligator at 800-442-2511. Lastly, Jeb Linscombe, Fur and Alligator Program Director, may be reached at 337-735-8671. The state contracts with trained nuisance alligator hunters who will either dispose of the alligator or relocate it depending on the circumstances.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has a handy list of Dos and Don’ts for Living With Alligators.

Don’t kill, harass, molest or attempt to move alligators. State law prohibits this and the potential for being bitten or injured by a provoked alligator is high.

Do – call your local LDWF office if you encounter a nuisance alligator who has lost his fear of humans.

Don’t – allow small children to play by themselves in or around water.

Do – closely supervise children when playing in, or around, water,

Don’t – swim at night or during dusk or dawn when alligators most actively feed.

Don’t – feed or entice alligators. Alligators overcome their natural shyness and become accustomed, or attracted to humans when fed.

Do – inform others that feeding alligators creates safety problems for others who want to use the water for recreational purposes.

Don’t – throw fish scraps into the water or leave them on shore. Although you are not intentionally feeding the alligators, the end result can be the same.

Do – dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at most boat ramps or fish camps.

Don’t remove any alligators from their natural habitat or accept one as a pet. It is a violation of state law to do so. Alligators do not become tame in captivity and handling even small ones may result in bites. In particular, never go near hatching/young alligators or pick them up. They may seem cute and harmless, but mother alligator will be nearby, and will protect her clutch for at least two years.

Do – enjoy viewing and photographing wild alligators from a safe distance of at least 50 feet or more. Remember that they are an important part of Louisiana’s natural history, as well as an integral component of many wetland systems.

The Cane River Waterway Commission is making an effort to proactively address this problem by both educating the public and introducing an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of alligators in Cane River Lake. Please do your part in keeping the Cane River a safe place to live and have fun!

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The Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission (NHDDC) unveils the new GoNatchitoches app, a trip planner and community calendar that serves as an interactive way to map out everything visitors and residents want to see and do in Natchitoches.

Designed with our partners at VisitWidget, this tool provides a new way to explore what Natchitoches has to offer, including upcoming events, popular attractions, restaurants, oddities, lodging, shops, landmarks and much more. Users can view it all at once or search by categories like Attractions, Dining, Arts & Culture, Lodging, and many others.

“We are very proud of this project and feel confident that the GoNatchitoches app will not only allow our visitors, but our residents to discover, plan, and enjoy all that Natchitoches has to offer,” remarked NHDDC Chairman Van Erikson.

See a festival you don’t want to miss? Click “Add” and the event will be added to your plan and you’ll be sent a reminder.

That restaurant everyone keeps telling you about? Click “Add” and you won’t forget to try it.

Want to invite some friends? Share your plan with them via social media, email or SMS text message.

No need to waste time or another sheet of paper. With this planner, GoNatchitoches can help you get organized and maximize your time, so you can have more fun in Natchitoches.

Already on your way to Natchitoches or live here? Download the app for your iPhone or Android and take your plan with you! Just type “GoNatchitoches” in the search box of your app store.

The “GoNatchitoches” project is a coalition between the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the City of Natchitoches, Cane River National Heritage Area, Northwestern State University, the Natchitoches Parish Tourism Commission, the Natchitoches Historic District Business Association, the Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce, and the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts.

The Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission was created for the purpose of the planning and development of the Natchitoches Historic District, a national historic landmark. The commission directs the production and maintenance of a master plan for the development of the district, which specifically provides for the development of tourism and maintenance of the historic integrity of the district.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is conducting bat colony monitoring in the state in an effort to survey for white-nose syndrome, a disease caused by a fungus that is responsible for more than 6 million bat deaths in the United States.

Neither the disease nor the fungus, which is not a threat to humans, has been detected in Louisiana, said LDWF Wildlife Disease Biologist Nikki Anderson, who is overseeing the monitoring program. She said that’s why it’s so important to observe bat colonies in the state.

In a citizen-science initiative, LDWF is encouraging state residents to help in the program. If you know the location of a roost or want to participate in bat monitoring please contact Anderson at 225-765-5030.

Bats are vital to America and Louisiana’s agriculture industry. In fact, bats can be a farmer or gardener’s best friends because of the many insects they devour. They are also key in seed dispersal and pollination world-wide.

“It’s estimated they save farmers billions annually in crop damage and reduced pesticide usage because of the insects they eat,’’ Anderson said. “They’re extremely beneficial. We don’t have any fruit bats or nectar feeding bats in Louisiana; all of our bat species consume insects.”

White-nose syndrome was discovered in New York state in 2006-07. The fungus that causes the disease, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has spread rapidly. It has not been found in Louisiana or Florida, the only two states with that distinction in the eastern United States.

Louisiana is on the geographical leading edge of the disease spread. It was first detected in Arkansas and Mississippi in 2013-2014 and Texas in 2016-2017. Since those first detections, it has continued to spread closer to Louisiana boarders, increasing the potential for spread into the state.

The disease, named for the white fungus found on bats’ muzzles and wings, attacks hibernating bats.

Louisiana, which has 12 bat species, has four species of bats that have contracted white-nose syndrome in other parts of the country and four that have been found with the fungus but not the disease.

Rotarian with the Program Tommy Caldwell introduced Dr. Doug Bakenhaus, Northwestern State University’s Symphony Conductor at the June 18 meeting of Rotary Club of Natchitoches. Dr. Bakenhaus who has performed all over the world has been at NSU for 15 years. He stated, “Music can express itself on multiple levels.” In addition, he shared the dates for the 2019-2020 Natchitoches-NSU Concert Season.

Pictured from left are Rotary Club of Natchitoches President Richard White, Bakenhaus, and Caldwell (Photo by Dr. Ron McBride).

The National Park Service will conduct a prescribed burn along the Cane River riverbank at Oakland Plantation tomorrow, June 19. Traffic and boaters in the Shell Beach area should exercise caution in the area as there could be reduced visibility due to smoke.

The intent of the burn is to remove invasive vegetation within a 1-acre parcel along the riverbank in order to restore the viewshed from Oakland Plantation. Cane River Creole National Historical Park has completed an authorized burn plan, which outlines the parameters of the burn to ensure public safety.

Wildland firefighters from Natchez Trace Parkway and Kisatchie National Forest will be handling the burn in coordination with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office. Safety of the firefighters and the general public is the park’s utmost priority. For information about the prescribed burn please contact: Carrie A. Mardorf, Superintendent of Cane River Creole National Historical Park, 318-352-0383, x100.

June 17, 2019

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that he signed the following bills into law from the 2019 Regular Legislative Session:

ACT 264—SB 9 Removes certain future employees of the Regional Transit Authority from the system and state civil service.

ACT 265—SB 19 Provides relative to criminal history record information obtained by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

ACT 266—SB 67 Creates the Mid City Economic Development District in Orleans Parish.

ACT 267—SB 81 Provides relative to definition of fire employee.

ACT 268—SB 98 Provides relative to expungement.

ACT 269—SB 105 Provides for the powers of all gravity drainage districts.

ACT 270—SB 130 Provides for an exception to the use of electronic or audio recordings by court reporters in New Orleans Civil District Court to hearings regarding protection from abuse, assault, and stalking.

ACT 271—SB 143 Provides relative to driver licenses.

ACT 272—SB 149 Authorizes the state of Louisiana to sell or transfer certain state property.

ACT 273—SB 152 Provides for truth in labeling requirements of agricultural products.

ACT 274—SB 158 Provides for the creation of local special education advisory councils.

ACT 275—SB 165 Provides relative to promotional and competitive tests provided by municipal fire and police civil service boards.

ACT 276—SB 166 Provides relative to physician assistants.

ACT 277—SB 185 Provides relative to amendments of child support orders.

ACT 278—SB 188 Provides relative to the bonding authority of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission.

ACT 279—SB 216 Creates the State Land Office Reforestation Fund.

ACT 280—SB 238 Provides for abortion clinic employees to be mandatory reporters of human trafficking and certain sexual based crimes to law enforcement and provides for the additional postings of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline information.

ACT 281—HB 196 Exempts the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board and the State Board of Architectural Examiners from time limitations for disciplinary proceedings by professional and occupational boards and commissions.

ACT 282—HB 277 Requires the commissioner of alcohol and tobacco control to suspend or revoke permits of certain alcoholic beverage dealers for failure to pay taxes.

ACT 283—HB 356 Provides relative to visitation of inmates with serious bodily injuries at certain healthcare facilities.

ACT 284—HB 358 Provides relative to marijuana for therapeutic use.

ACT 285—HB 359 Provides relative to the crime of looting.

ACT 286—HB 575 Establishes requirements for transportation network companies.

ACT 287—HB 89 Renames the Northwest La. Technical College as the Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College and provides for an expansion of its mission and educational program.

ACT 288—HB 14 Prohibits certain employees from rejoining the Firefighters’ Retirement System and Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System.

ACT 289—HB 29 Provides relative to the payment of health insurance premiums for certain retirees of the Hazardous Duty Services Plan in the Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System.

ACT 290—HB 47 Provides relative to the crime of improper supervision of a minor by a parent or legal custodian.

ACT 291—HB 50 Provides relative to the destruction of certain court records in city court.

ACT 292—HB 74 Provides relative to computer-related crimes committed against the state.

ACT 293—HB 86 Includes in the definition of “bona fide resident” honorably discharged veterans of the United States armed forces.

ACT 294—HB 141 Provides relative to motorcyclist profiling training for peace officers.

ACT 295—HB 157 Changes requirements for Class “E” temporary instructional permits.

ACT 296—HB 162 Provides relative to the administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate to sex offenders.

ACT 297—HB 163 Relative to responsibilities for actions related to sequestration of carbon dioxide.

ACT 298—HB 185 Provides relative to the registration of persons convicted of terrorism offenses and offenses against peace officers.

ACT 299—HB 204 Provides relative to Medicaid provider fees assessed on nonpublic providers of emergency ground ambulance services.

ACT 300—HB 214 Provides for the computation of time allowed to seek review of decisions by the Dept. of Environmental Quality.

ACT 301—HB 217 Increases certain special permit fees and dedicates the proceeds of the fee increase into the Construction Subfund of the Transportation Trust Fund.

ACT 302—HB 220 Provides relative to the collection of fines.

ACT 303—HB 247 Provides for use by licensed retail dealers of a real-time age verification system authorized by the commissioner.

ACT 304—HB 263 Provides relative to loss years for purposes of the net operating loss deduction for corporate income tax.

ACT 305—HB 269 Requires a license for taking alligators and eliminates the additional license for an assistant to an alligator hunter.

ACT 306—HB 285 Provides for worker’s compensation for volunteer reserve police officers.

ACT 307—HB 287 Provides relative to the issuance of reasonable notice to the Louisiana Department of Health upon judicial commitment following judicial hearing.

ACT 308—HB 296 Provides relative to training for law enforcement officers and first responders with regard to Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related conditions.

ACT 309—HB 298 Provides relative to payment of insurance premiums for certain sheriffs and deputy sheriffs of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office.

ACT 310—HB 306 Provides relative to continued custody hearings.

ACT 311—HB 307 Provides relative to bribery and intimidation of public officials and law enforcement officers.

ACT 312—HB 333 Creates the State Use Council for the Purchase of Goods and Services Provided by Individuals with Disabilities and institutes “supported employment provider” in laws on public procurement, public contracts, taxation, and work release programs.

ACT 313—HB 368 Provides relative to the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board.

ACT 314—HB 369 Creates the Louisiana Trucking Research and Education Council.

ACT 315—HB 387 Increases the salary of the district attorney.

ACT 316—HB 403 Provides that certain election days shall be public school holidays in certain parishes.

ACT 317—HB 411 Provides for insureds to have the option to choose a particular motor vehicle repair shop.

ACT 318—HB 415 Provides relative to driver’s license reinstatement.

ACT 319—HB 434 Provides relative to definitions, policies, and procedures of Medicaid managed care organizations.

ACT 320—HB 487 Limits the amount of adoption fees in certain cases.

ACT 321—HB 531 Provides relative to the powers granted to the chief of police for the city of Opelousas.

ACT 322—HB 553 Provides relative to the Lower Ninth Ward Economic Development District in Orleans Parish.

ACT 323—SB 191 Provides actions for damages against real estate appraisers, appraisal management companies, and real estate appraisal companies.

ACT 324—HB 69 Provides relative to the membership of the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry.

ACT 325—HB 203 Provides relative to privileges on immovable.

ACT 326—HB 376 Provides relative to sentencing when a defendant possessed, used, or discharged a firearm in the commission of certain offenses.

ACT 327—HB 379 Provides with respect to applications of minors applying for driving privileges.

ACT 328—HB 385 Provides relative to purse distribution.

ACT 329—HB 406 Creates the Fairwood Crime Prevention and Improvement District.

ACT 330—HB 424 Provides relative to denials of provider claims and prior authorization requests by Medicaid managed care organizations.

ACT 331—HB 507 Levies a 7% tax on the gross sales of therapeutic marijuana and dedicates the avails into the Community and Family Support System Fund.

ACT 332—HB 536 Provides relative to the licensing of free standing birth centers.

ACT 333—SB 47 Requires the assistant secretary of OMV, not later than October 1, 2020, to establish, operate, and maintain commercial motor vehicle information systems and to deny or revoke commercial motor vehicle registration under certain circumstances.

ACT 334—SB 49 Provides relative to activities of out-of-state trust companies.

ACT 335—SB 50 Provides relative to the petition for incorporation.

ACT 336—SB 54 Provides relative to the Louisiana Health Works Commission.

ACT 337—SB 55 Provides for an exemption to the Louisiana Weights and Measures Law.

ACT 338—SB 59 Adds physician assistants to persons eligible for reduction to their individual income tax.

ACT 339—SB 62 Requires the board of commissioners for the Calcasieu-Cameron Navigation District to meet once a quarter.

ACT 340—SB 66 Provides relative to open meetings of public bodies.

ACT 341—SB 68 Provides relative to search warrants.

ACT 342—SB 69 Authorizes the Louisiana Department of Health to sell or transfer title to certain property.

ACT 343—SB 72 Provides for an additional member to the board of commissioners of the Ernest N. Morial – New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority.

ACT 344—SB 82 Provides relative to the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law.

ACT 345—SB 88 Provides relative to the workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule.

ACT 346—SB 92 Provides relative to the board of commissioners of the Iberia Parish Hospital Service District No. 1.

ACT 347—SB 96 Provides for membership of the board of commissioners for the Gentilly Development District in Orleans Parish.

ACT 348—SB 101 Provides relative to state banks and immovable property.

ACT 349—SB 102 Authorizes an increase in court costs in the mayor’s court of the town of Livingston.

ACT 350—SB 115 Provides relative to exercise of rights and conducting of operations arising from co-ownership of land and mineral rights.

ACT 351—SB 119 Creates the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council.

ACT 352—HB 92 Provides relative to the membership and voting requirements of the Louisiana Agricultural Commodities Commission.

ACT 353—HB 106 Provides relative to the Right to Farm Law.

ACT 354—HB 138 Provides relative to certain substances in the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law.

ACT 355—HB 184 Provides relative to offenses committed at school or recreation athletic contests.

ACT 356—HB 236 Authorizes certain parishes to name a sports complex in honor of a living person.

ACT 357—HB 323 Creates a crime prevention district in the Monticello neighborhood in East Baton Rouge Parish.

ACT 358—HB 348 Provides relative to public-private partnerships.

ACT 359—HB 494 Provides relative to the determination of where sales and use taxes are due on purchases of certain raw materials converted into asphaltic concrete.

ACT 360—HB 547 Provides relative to collection of sales tax on remote sales.

ACT 361—HB 567 Provides relative to Louisiana Transportation Authority and Department of Transportation and Development toll violation enforcement.

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Paul “Bootsey” LaCour
March 21, 1942 – June 15, 2019
Visitation: Saturday, June 22 from 11 am – 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, June 22 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Louis Ray Metoyer
December 11, 1949 – June 16, 2019
Visitation: Thursday, June 20 from 8-11 am at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, located at 911 5th Street in Natchitoches
Service: Thursday, June 20 at 11 am at St. Anthony of Padua
Interment: St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Cloutierville

Charles Raymond Williams
September 15, 1940 – June 16, 2019
Visitation: Thursday, June 20 from 9 am – 1 pm at First Baptist Church of Montgomery, located at 739 Old Jefferson Highway in Montgomery
Service: Thursday, June 20 at 1 pm at The First Baptist Church
Interment: Summerfield Baptist Cemetery near Aloha

Mary Beaudion
June 14, 2019
Visitation: Saturday, June 22 from 8-9:30 am at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, located at 911 Fifth Street in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday, June 22 at 10 am at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
Interment: St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Cloutierville

RAPIDES PARISH:

P.E “Gene” Eugene Rhodes
November 19, 1927 – June 16, 2019
Service: Thursday, June 20 at 1 pm at Cotile Baptist Church
Marie A. Medica
June 14, 1926 – June 17, 2019
Service: Friday, June 21 at 2 pm at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Alexandria

RED RIVER PARISH:

Roy Lynn “Pistol” Carney
November 11, 1939 – June 17, 2019
Service: Wednesday, June 19 at 11 am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel in Coushatta
Interment: Davis Springs Cemetery

WINN PARISH:

Rufus Green
August 21, 1982 – June 15, 2019
Arrangements TBA

Ronald Goff
June 11, 2019
Service: Saturday, June 22 at 11 am at the Winnfield Primary School, located at 401 South St. John Street
Interment: Winnfield City Cemetery

James G. Stroud
December 13, 1945 – June 15, 2019
Visitation: Wednesday, June 19 from 5-8 pm and Thursday, June 20 from 9 am – 12 pm at Southern Funeral Home
Service: Thursday, June 20 at 12 pm at Southern Funeral Home
Interment: Hurricane Grove Cemetery in Sikes

During the Natchitoches Parish Council meeting Monday night, June 17, Jan Frederick was re-appointed and Richard Johnson was appointed to the Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission. However no one made a motion to approve the appointment of Mike Newton, President and Board Member of Exchange Bank, to the Natchitoches Parish Hospital Service District. This particular item died for lack of interest. As a side note, Kirk Soileau CEO of the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center is also an Exchange Bank Board Member, as well as John Luster, a local attorney.  Exchange Bank is a “Fiscal Agent” for Parish Government.

In other business, an application was submitted for a 30-day extension until July 30 based on a reduced administrative staff to assist in the closeout of Head Start. The new grantee hasn’t been announced yet, but a meeting is scheduled for June 25. The Parish’s grant cycle ends June 30. More information will be released as soon as Head Start authorizes the Parish to do so.

Another agenda item was indefinitely postponed (motion made by Doug de Graffenried) until more information can be brought before the Council. The item was to consider adopting a resolution authorizing the Parish President to execute an agreement with the Natchitoches Community Alliance for economic development services. The amount, accrued over the past two years, is $18,000. The NCA is responsible for coordinating all economic development activity for Parish entities with Louisiana Economic Development. De Graffenried said that as broke as the Parish is, it’d be an $18,000 gamble it can’t afford. This comment came after Parish President Rick Nowlin explained that around 33 companies looked at bringing businesses to Natchitoches Parish last year. Natchitoches only made the “short list” with eight companies, but none committed to bringing business to the Parish. So, while Nowlin assured the Council there’s been a lot of effort toward economic development, there’s been no results.

Several zoning amendments were brought before the Council. One to change the zoning classification on a 23.57 acre parcel of land in Natchez required an amendment to change the wording from single family residence to commercial use for the construction of an RV Park. The ordinance was introduced so amended. This was done so as not to hold up the construction on the park too long. It will come up for a final vote at the July meeting.

Zoning Changes included:

Change zoning on lots 2 and 5 of Angler’s Paradise Park Subdivision along Hampton Road from R-2 Residential District for multi-family residences to an R-1 Residential District for single-family residences

Change zoning on a 1.87 acre parcel with an address of 761 Highway 504 from an RMH-1 Residence District for single family residences and manufactured homes to an R-3 Residence District for multi-family residences

Change zoning on lots A, B, C, and D of Angler’s Paradise Park Subdivision along Hampton Road from an R-2 Residential District for multi-family residences to an R-1 Residential District for single family residences

Other agenda items included:

Introduce Ordinance 010-2019 for a budget amendment to the Operating Budget for a highway fund amendment

Authorize Parish President to acquire a credit card from Exchange Bank in the name of the Natchitoches Parish Government. The card was previously in the former Treasurer’s name. With her departure, it was time to get a new card for the government as an entity

Adopt resolution of plans and policies, appointments and authorization of individuals for compliance with the LCDBG regulations

Approve that a Citizen Participation Plan/Citizen Complaint Procedure be adopted, and the Chief Administrative Official be appointed as Citizen Complaint Officer with the LCDBG program

Approve authorizing the Chief Elected Official to proceed with the development of the LCDBG proposal taking into consideration citizen participation requirements and views of the governing body

Authorize the Chief Elected Official to proceed with the procurement and selection of professional services for the purpose of assisting in the development of the LCDBG proposal and implementation of the project, if funded

Approve the continuing of the Natchitoches Times as the official Parish Journal for Natchitoches Parish

Award contract for the construction of Courthouse ADA Parking improvements to Page Builders LLC in the amount of $6,450

Approve that a Procurement Policy be adopted for compliance with the LCDBG program

Adopt Ordinance 008-2019 to adopt Amendment No. 1 to the 2019 Capital Improvements Budget

Parish President Rick Nowlin spoke to the Natchitoches League of Women Voters at its meeting June 17. He spoke about the Police Jury versus the Home Rule Charter form of government. He said the Police Jury is not conducive to what the Parish needs currently, but it’s not about individuals, rather the structure of the government.

He spoke on how things have been improved upon under the new form of government. “I think it’s a better system,” he said. “It puts more responsibility on the president.”

Nowlin also spoke on the roads. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) awarded three bridge projects including one on Clark Road. The contracts were awarded.

He also spoke on the Courthouse Security Project, which will improve the lax security, which Nowlin said is frightening. Plans should be complete by the end of the year.

He also shared three ideas that he feels would benefit the future of Natchitoches, even though he is not running for re-election this October.

Number one is that the Parish needs elected public officials who support the Home Rule Charter form of government. This form of government was approved 58 to 42 percent. However, three former Police Jury members currently sit on the Parish Council and Nowlin said it saddens him to hear people say they’ll never support the new form of government.

“We accomplish far more working together,” he said.

Number two is the poor road system. Going into the future, this has to be a priority. He also said the Parish Government needs to do a better job educating people on the magnitude of this problem.

“We’re going to have to play a major role in solving it ourselves,” he said.

Number three is economic development.

Northwestern State University has been a beneficiary of a burgeoning international student population as cultures and ideas from all over the world have to come Natchitoches.

But now, American students are beginning to plan semester-long placements at universities in places like France, Spain and Colombia.

Four students completed semesters and the Universite d’Angers in France with another finishing a semester at Fundacion Universitaria Colombo Internacional in Colombia.

Travis Mitchell, a hospitality management and tourism major, walked past the famed Notre Dame Cathedral a few hours before it was damaged in the April 16 fire.

“That was really crazy because we saw them doing construction, and there was a long line to get in,” said Mitchell, a North Carolina native who decided to take French in high school. “We said we’d just come back tomorrow, but obviously that didn’t happen.

“We still got to travel around Paris and see the Louvre and other parts of France. It’s pretty easy to travel to other countries as well, and I went to Italy, Ireland and Spain during the semester.”

NSU students will continue to study abroad this fall with two going to Universidad de Alicante in Spain, one heading to Shenzhen University in China and another to France.

Marcus Jones, NSU’s Executive Vice President for University & Business Affairs, said NSU students have studied at international universities for a week or a month, but there’s a growing trend on campus for local scholars to stay for full semesters.

“We’re really encouraging our domestic students to go abroad,” said Jones, who’s played a leading role in expanding NSU’s international student population. “We’ve had a host of students coming to Natchitoches from these countries, and now we’re starting to reciprocate with students of our own.”

NSU has bilateral agreements with schools in nine countries.

Telba Espinoza-Contreras, director of the International Student Resource Center, said more students typically favor short-term programs.

“We’re trying to create more of these opportunities,” Espinoza-Contreras said about short-term visits. “We currently have two language summer programs available to all NSU students to study for four weeks in either France or Mexico.

“We have other opportunities that are a week or 10 days available for specific majors.”

Since 2015, 23 NSU students have participated in study abroad programs, including the three students set for this fall.

The cost of international travel can seem prohibitive to some students, but Jones said NSU is offering small stipends to help offset those costs.

“Most of the students we attract to NSU don’t come from wealthy families, and it’s hard enough to pay tuition let alone be a part of a student exchange,” Jones said. “If a student is able to get airfare taken care of, they are more likely to participate.

“We don’t have a whole lot of stipends, but we want to promote what we do have. What I’ve found is if we help those students go abroad for a week exchange, they are more likely to go back for a longer period of time.”

Mitchell, who took classes in English although some students completed their coursework in French, said these stipends significantly reduced the cost of airfare.

“That helped a lot, and I strongly recommend that anybody that has an opportunity or a chance to study abroad to do it,” Mitchell said. “I’ll remember the people there most because the majority of those people are going to be outgoing people who want to have new experiences.

“Even if you’re not a people person, this experience forces you to talk to new people and learn a lot about different cultures.”

Northwestern State University’s Chamber Choir has been selected to perform at the National Collegiate Choral Organization Conference to be held Nov. 7-9 at the University of Maryland.

NSU’s Chamber Choir conducted by Dr. Nicholaus Cummins was one of 12 ensembles from around the country selected to perform for college/university and choral professionals from around the country.

“Being selected as one of these 12 choirs from around the U.S. is a huge honor for Northwestern State and brings us into a whole new league in college choral programs,” said Cummins. “We’ve begun saying we are ordinary people making extraordinary music and this just proves that to our students.”

The Chamber Choir recently earned third prize in the Ave Verum International Choral Competition in Baden, Austria. The ensemble also performed in three European capitals at Saint Martin’s Basilica in Prague, Czech Republic, Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vienna, Austria, and Saint Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Last summer, the Northwestern State Lyric Choir won a Gold Medal in the Female Choirs category at the 3rd Budapest International Choral Celebration and Laurea Mundi International Open Competition and Grand Prix of Choral Music. The Chamber Choir received a Laurea Summa Cum Laude diploma in the Mixed Choir category and a Laurea Cum Laude diploma in the Musica Sacra (Sacred Music) category.

The National Collegiate Choral Organization exists to serve the specific needs of university and collegiate choral conductors by providing a national forum for their collegiate choruses to perform, by offering lectures and promoting repertoire suitable to their interests, and by aiding in their professional development and program growth through performance as well as scholarly and research opportunities.

NCCO sponsors biennial conferences that focus on the particular needs of the college/university and other choral professionals. These conferences include performances by university and college choirs, presentations/clinics/workshop sessions appropriate for university and college conductors and sessions that feature literature appropriate for university and college choirs.