The Ben D. Johnson Educational Center kicked off the Ben Burger T-Shirt Fundraiser in August in celebration of Mr. Ben Johnson’s birthday, Aug. 29. The Grand Finale will consist of the BEN BURGER being included in the fundraiser. For a donation of $35 you will receive a Ben Burger & a Ben Burger T-shirt. The funds raised will be used to provide iPads for participants in the Legacy Youth Workforce Development Program (LYWD) to assist in virtual learning. The event will be held at the Legacy Café located at 441 North Street (1 block south of MLK Dr. on the side of the Ben Johnson Auditorium).

During this event, you can also order from a limited menu which includes, our famous Curry Chicken Salad, the Black Bean Burger, our delicious Greek and Caesar Salads and Legacy Chocolate Chip Cookies!

The Legacy Café is the training environment for participants in the LYWD. The program serves young adults ages 17-24 who are out of work and school. Participants learn foodservice skills by participating in rotations at the Legacy Café and gain the ability to enter and remain in the workforce. This training is reinforced with class instruction on work and life skills, so the participants are primed for success.

The Ben Burger Grand Finale will be held Sept. 26 from 11 am to 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the BDJ Center at 400 MLK Drive in Natchitoches, or online at www.bdjcenter.org/donate-1  All donations are tax deductible, and all funds raised from the event will support youth in the LYWD program.

Claire Prymus, founder and Board Chair, “The work that we are doing is so important, and I appreciate the support that we’ve gotten from the community in the past, and I look forward to your continued support in helping us “transform lives and build community in Natchitoches.”

To donate call 318-460-7460.

NATCHITOCHES:
Sarah Clark
September 13, 2020
Arrangements TBA

SABINE:
Patricia Ardison
September 13, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Isaac N. Carter
September 22, 1931 – September 11, 2020
Service: Saturday, September 19 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

WINN:
Lynn Rhymes
February 08, 1938 – September 11, 2020
Service: Friday, September 18 at 12 pm at Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield

RED RIVER:
Donnie Foster Walker
August 23, 1947 – September 13, 2020
Service: Wednesday, September 16 at 2 pm at Beulah Cemetery in Many

Due to Hurricane Laura making landfall on August 27, 2020, the City of Natchitoches would like to notify the public of the coordination of the collection and removal of disaster debris through DRC Emergency Services, LLC. DRC Emergency Services, LLC will begin collection and removal on Wednesday, September 16th and expects debris removal to take approximately three weeks within the City of Natchitoches.

Residents are asked to separate disaster debris into two piles as described below:

· Trees, limbs, and brush (NO bagged leaves)

· All other debris materials such as building materials and contents, household hazardous waste, white goods (ex. washer, dryer, refrigerator, etc.), and bagged leaves

DRC Emergency Services, LLC has asked customers to please place the debris piles at the curb in the public right away in front of your home as they cannot go on to private property to remove debris. If properly separated, it will be picked up by crews and disposed of. For debris outside the scope of woody waste, Waste Connections crews will pick up and dispose of appropriately.

The City of Natchitoches would like to thank the citizens of Natchitoches for their patience during this time. It is our goal to have the debris cleaned up in our community as soon as possible.

If you have questions or need more information regarding debris pick up, please call 888-721-4DRC(4372).

Virtual students that have not picked up their iPad from Natchitoches Central High School may pick up an iPad at the office on Tuesday between the hours of 10 am – 12 pm. Parents must sign two consent forms before the device will be issued. Devices will be issued at the office. This will be the last day for pick of iPads for virtual students.

Students in A and B groups will begin to receive iPads this week. Students were given two consent forms Thursday and Friday to be signed by a parent. These forms must be returned to NCHS before a device can be issued to students.

Over 88% of housing units have been accounted for in the 2020 Census as of Sept. 8, with 22.7% counted by census takers and other field data collection operations, and 65.5% of housing units responding online, by phone or by mail.

Census takers are visiting neighborhoods across the country, and there is still time to self-respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone or by mail.The Census Bureau began to email households in low-response areas to encourage response to the 2020 Census.

The message alerts households that their response to the 2020 Census is important for shaping the future of their communities because they inform how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated for crucial public services and infrastructure like hospitals, roads and bridges, schools and emergency response.

Census takers have begun following up in person with households that have not yet responded on their own in select areas and started visiting communities nationwide. When census takers visit households, they will wear face masks and follow local public health guidelines.

Visit 2020census.gov to respond now and for more details.

The Food Bank of Central Louisiana, in conjunction with N-Club Hall of Famer Marcus Spears, will set up a food distribution location Wednesday at the Collins Family Pavilion on the Northwestern State campus.

Distribution will begin at 10 a.m. and runs through 12 p.m. or until supplies are completely distributed.

According to executive director Jayne Wright-Velez, the Food Bank of Central Louisiana will have non-perishable items along with some fresh produce and frozen items to distribute as part of the group’s response to the damage caused by Hurricane Laura, which reached Natchitoches as a Category 2 storm Aug. 27.

Goods will be distributed in drive-thru fashion with recipients needing to provide photo identification. There are no income restrictions to receive any of the distributed food Wednesday. This follows the same pattern as several other stops made by the food bank in the wake of Hurricane Laura.

The Food Bank of Central Louisiana is a non-profit organization whose mission is to alleviate hunger in central Louisiana. The Food Bank distributes food and grocery products to needy families through a network of 161 charitable agencies in the following 11 parishes: Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon and Winn.

Spears, a Demon offensive lineman from 1991-93 and a 2011 N-Club Hall of Fame inductee, has volunteered with a food bank in Houston through his church, giving him a first-hand look into the services provided by those groups.

“This is a chance to give back to what I consider my second home,” said Spears, who volunteers at the Houston food bank with his church. “There are a lot of areas that were hit by the storm, and this is a chance for us to stand with the community who stands with us.”

Photos: Action shot of Marcus Spears and Spears at Turpin Stadium in 2011 as the Demon Great of the Game. Credit: NSU Photographic Services

Northwestern State University is welcoming 21 new faculty for the 2020-21 academic year, according to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Greg Handel.

New faculty in the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health are Associate Professor Dr. Aimee Badeaux and assistant professors of nursing Dr. Nancy Alexander, Saundra Blake, Jacqueline Blakes, Sarah Girlinghouse, Andrea Jones, Krystil Martelly, Dr. Katrina O’Con, Stephen Peters, Jessica Tidwell, Carla Watson and Dr. Tiana Williams. Jessica Despino is a new faculty member in radiologic sciences.

Joining the faculty in the School of Biological and Physical Sciences are assistant professors Dr. Douglas Landry and Dr. Kaleigh MacQueen in veterinary technology and Dr. Yohaselly Rodriquez, an assistant professor of chemistry.

New faculty in the School of Creative and Performing Arts are Assistant Professor of Art James Zamora, Assistant Professor of Music John Price, Assistant Professor of Dance Michael Lomeka and Assistant Professor of Theatre Carlos Nine.

Dr. Mustafa Mozael is joining NSU’s faculty as an instructor in the Department of Engineering Technology.

Here is information on each new faculty member.

Dr. Nancy Alexander
Degrees earned:

Baccalaureate of Nursing, Northwestern State University
Master of Nursing (MSN), Northwestern State University
Doctor of Nursing (DNP), Northwestern State University
Certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner through ANA
Certified as a Nurse Educator through NLN

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
NURB 4130 (Online) Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
NURA 2100 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing and Clinical

Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
I love my teaching family at NSU and the wonderful teamwork everyone gives.  NSU puts out top notched students and it is wonderful to see these students develop into professionals in such a caring environment. 

Dr. Aimee Badeaux
Degrees earned:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (2002)
Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) from Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, formerly known as Our Lady of the Lake College (2007)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Curriculum and Instruction from Louisiana State University (2015)

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
Nursing Theory, Nursing Research, serving as major professor for DNP scholarly projects.

Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
I am glad to be a faculty member at Northwestern State University, working with like-minded professionals to educate nurses and develop tomorrow’s advanced practice nurse leaders. NSU is recognized locally, regionally and nationally for its excellence as a higher education institution and its ability to develop outstanding nurses. I am very proud to be a part of NSU’s legacy of innovative programming and hope my contribution of developing the nurse anesthesia program will further added to the University’s recognition while supporting its mission.

Saundra Blake
Degrees earned:
Northwestern State University-BSN, 2012
Northwestern State University-MSN, 2020

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
The following 4^th level ASN courses
NURA 2500-Nursing Concepts III  (didactic/lecture)
NURA 2510- Application of the Nursing Process III (clinical-pediatrics)
NURA 2550-Humanistic Nursing Care

Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
I am elated to be a faculty member at my alma mater. Northwestern State nursing faculty value high quality, equitable healthcare, have a passion for nursing education, and truly care about students as a whole. It is an honor to be part of the NSU’s College of Nursing and Allied Health team!

 Jacqueline Blakes
Degrees earned:
Associate Degree in Nursing Northwestern State University 
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, Northwestern State University
Master’s Degree in Nursing Administration, Louisiana State University, New Orleans

Subjects you will be teaching this year: 
Second Level Nursing Courses in the School of Nursing

Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
I am an alumna of NSU and I have always wanted to give back to the institution that has afforded me many great opportunities.  This is something that I’ve always wanted to do therefore I am grateful to have the opportunity.

 Jessica Ashworth Despino
Degrees earned:
Bachelor of Radiologic Sciences, Northwestern State University
Master of Radiologic Sciences with a concentration in Education, Northwestern State University
Certified in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR)

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
Radiologic Sciences: Clinical Radiography, Introduction to Radiography and Radiographic Positioning. Allied Health: Foundations of Patient Care, University Studies 1000

Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
After receiving both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern State University, I was thrilled when the opportunity came for me to come back to my roots and become a faculty member for NSU. I am passionate about my profession and enjoy working with students who also want to share this passion that I have.

Sarah Girlinghouse
Degrees earned:
MSN-APRN-FNP-C    2016– University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL)
BSN     2013—Northwestern State University (NSU)
ASN     2011—Northwestern State University
LPN     1997—Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (Diploma)

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
Women’s Health Didactic and Clinical – Fall semester
Pediatric Clinical – Fall semester
Psychiatric/ Mental Health Didactic and clinical – Spring semester

Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
As an NSU nursing graduate it feels as though I have come home!  I have come full circle and I am now molding young nurses as I once was myself.

Andrea Jones
Degrees earned:
Associates of Science – Bossier Parish Community College
Bachelor of Nursing – NSU College of Nursing
Masters in Adult Gerentology/Education – NSU College of Nursing
Currently a Senior in Organization Systems Leadership to DNP – NSU College of Nursing

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
NURA 1100 – Introduction to Nursing
NURA 1110 – Introduction to Nursing Skills
NURA 1160 – Methods Medication Dosage Calculation

Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
I have worked at NSU College of Nursing for four years under a partnership program between NSU and Willis Knighton. I have always been treated just like I was a part of the NSU family even though I wasn’t officially. Since my employment with WK was affected due to COVID-19, I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to continue with NSU College of Nursing in my same position, just now as a true member of the “family” of NSU.

Douglas Landry
Degrees earned:
D.V.M (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) Louisiana State University, 2003
Bachelor of Science in Animal Science Louisiana State University, 2000
17 years of veterinary medical and surgical practice

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
VTEC 2090/2091 – Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology lecture and lab
VTEC 3190/3191 – Veterinary Hospital Technology 1 & 2 along with their corresponding labs

Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty?
I am looking forward to continuing to grow an already very successful Veterinary Technology program.  I would like to integrate more practical “hands on” skills into the lab curriculum as these are critical to the success of Registered Veterinary Technicians going into the veterinary hospital workplace.  My goal would be to incorporate a small working clinic into the program in the future to further enhance the learning experience. 

Michael Lomeka
Degrees earned: 
BFA Dance / The Juilliard School (Lincoln Center, NYC) 
MFA Choreography / Jacksonville University (Jacksonville, Florida) 

Subjects you will be teaching this year: 
Modern Dance Technique, Jazz Dance Technique, Beginning Ballet, and Senior Seminar (Dance Majors) 

Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
From the beginning of the Search Committee interviews, I have been struck by the passion of each and every faculty member. These are the type of individuals I would like to surround myself with. 

Kaleigh MacQueen
Degrees earned:
Louisiana Tech University- Bachelor of Science
Louisiana State University- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
Intro into Vet Tech
Parasitology
Medical Terminology
Pharmacology

Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
I am grateful for the opportunity to teach what I have learned in the field to students seeking the same career. I feel Northwestern State University truly cares about its students and I am proud to be member of its faculty.

Dr. Mustafa Mozael
Degrees earned including the institution:
Doctorate in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Rutgers University – New Jersey

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
Electrical Principle I, II (Dc, and AC)
Engineering Programing (MATLAB)
Electrical Principle Lab
Electronics Lab

Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
I would like to add value to the NSU Engineering Technology Department by serving students and to be involved in the research area of manufacturing, control and system.

Carlos R. Nine
Degrees earned including the institution:
BA in Theatre, University of Southern Mississippi
MFA in Theatre, Texas State University

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
Sound Reinforcement, Vectorworks, and Co teaching Dance Theatre Design

Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
I am excited to be a member at Northwestern State because I get to use everything I have learned and teach it to all my students. I think that being able to show people how fun design can be, and see them pursue it in the future is a reason I love teaching.

Katrina O’Con
Degrees earned:
Associate Degree of Nursing, Northwestern State University, 1993
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Northwestern State University 1998
Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia, Texas Wesleyan University, MSNA, 2002
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, Texas Wesleyan University, DNAP, 2016
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science, In progress: PhD, Texas Woman’s University, anticipate completion in August 2023

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
NURG 7001: Clinical Prevention and Population Health
NURG 7010: DNP Scholarly Project Practicum I

Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
I am proud to be a part of the NSU family. As a two-time alum, I am thankful that I can give back to the University that gave me such a strong foundation in order for me to continue and further my education.  I am blessed to mentor young nurses and to become a part of another professional nurse’s strong foundation.

Stephen Peters
Degrees earned:
ASN, NSU
BSN, NSU
MSN, Walden University

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
Fundamentals of Nursing NURB3061 and NURB3041

Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
I am actually a returning faculty member. I was recruited away from NSU but made the decision to return when the opportunity was presented to me. I enjoy the dedication and commitment to the students and faculty at NSU. I believe the mission and values of NSU are lived through our interactions with the students and we truly want them to be successful.

John Price
Degrees earned:
BM Piano Performance, Utah State University
BS Statistics, Utah State University
MM Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Utah State University
DMA Piano Performance and Pedagogy, University of Oklahoma

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
MUS 1700—Piano Minor Study
MUS 1820—Class Piano III 
MUS 4150—Piano Pedagogy I

Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
I am excited to work with the dedicated students and outstanding faculty at NSU in both the music department and the School of Creative and Performing Arts. My colleagues have been very welcoming, students have been very engaged in the classroom, and thus far I have loved living in Natchitoches and working at NSU.

Yohaselly Santiago-Rodriguez
Degrees earned:
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM)
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, UPRM                      

Subjects you will be teaching this year: General Chemistry I (lecture and labs) for science, engineering technology and education majors General Chemistry II (lecture and labs) for science majors, Environmental Chemistry

Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
I am glad to be a member of NSU’s faculty because this is a place where I always feel welcome and part of something greater than me. All students, faculty and staff have a strong sense of community and my colleagues encourage the establishment of collaborations, even between different disciplines, that will help us not only to achieve our professional goals but also institutional goals. 

Jessica K. Tidwell
Degrees earned:
BSN, Northwestern State University
MSN, Northwestern State University

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
NURA 2510
NURA 1080
NURA 1081
NURA 1160

Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
As a two-time graduate of NSU, I believe strongly in the values of integrity, fortitude and humanity, as these were values of foundation instilled in me by the great faculty of NSU’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health. These are values that have carried and elevated me through both my bedside and advanced practices as a nurse, and of which values inspired me to return as an educator. It is my overarching goal to support, advocate, and demonstrate these values in an effort to advance the quality of graduate produced by NSU College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, of which the senior faculty and dean also strongly support and embody.

Carla Watson
Degrees earned:
ASN, Southern Arkansas University
BSN, Northwestern State University- 2005 BSN
MSN, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with focus as Family Nurse Practitioner,
Northwestern State University-2013

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
NURA 2100

Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty?
I look forward to serving Northwestern as a assistant professor in hopes of guiding new nursing students in their educational process. Northwestern has a reputation of producing some of the best new graduates in the state and I am excited to be part of such a prestigious program. 

Dr. Tiana Williams
Degrees earned:
BSN, MSN, PMC, Grambling State University
PMC, McNeese State University
BTh, MTh, Psy.D., Hope Bible Institute-

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
NURG 5700, NURG 5930

Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty?
I am glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty because the College of Nursing is progressive, professional, caring and team oriented. Not only has the College of Nursing faculty been so warm and welcoming, but also other departments that I have been working with to onboard. I am excited about the new programs and growth here and can’t wait to see what other wonderful things Northwestern has in store.

James Zamora
Degrees earned:

Bachelors of Fine Art in Painting and Drawing, University of North Texas,
Masters of Fine Art in Painting, Texas Woman’s University.

Subjects you will be teaching this year:
Drawing I and Drawing III

Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? 
I’m really excited about the diversity in the student body.  The facilities for Drawing are spacious and full of light.  The other Art Faculty members are friendly and very supportive of each other, which is rare!

Save the Children Head Start, located at 319 North Street in Natchitoches, is accepting children ages 3-4 years old.

Opportunities are made available to children receiving services from Early Steps or children who have an IEP.

During this pandemic we want give you and your family the comfort of knowing that we are going above and beyond to ensure the safety of your child.

Virtual learning is available upon request of the parent.

For more information contact Patricia Telsee at 31-521-0213 or Tina Carter at 318-521-5980.

Items needed for enrollment:

Birth Certificate
Shot Record
W-2, Tax Return, or Proof of Income
Proof of Residency

Parents must have all documentation to complete their child’s application.

Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchitoches and the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana are sponsoring a Laundry Aid Service to provide direct relief for hurricane victims. Anyone will laundry needs related to Hurricane Laura is invited to have a wash on us on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 4-6 pm at the Wash-N-Dry, located at 250 Keyser Ave. Other aid will also be available.

NATCHITOCHES:
Sarah Clark
September 13, 2020
Arrangements TBA

SABINE:
Patricia Ardison
September 13, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Ronnie Lynn Walker
January 18, 1972 – September 09, 2020
Service: Tuesday, September 15 at 3 pm at Hurricane Grove Baptist Church, located at 337 Hurricane Grove Rd. in Sikes

WINN:
Billy LaFollette
September 01, 1937 – September 13, 2020
Service: Tuesday, September 15 at 2 pm at East Winnfield Baptist Church

Lynn Rhymes
February 08, 1938 – September 11, 2020
Service: Friday, September 18 at 12 pm at Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield

RED RIVER:
Andre’ “Ann” Louisa Fuhrman
November 15, 1942 – September 11, 2020
Service: Tuesday, September 15, at 11 am at the Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

Billy Joe Gay
October 13, 1937 – September 12, 2020
Service: Tuesday, September 15 at 3 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

Barbara Lee Brian
September 10, 1924 – September 12, 2020
Private Family Service

Donnie Foster Walker
August 23, 1947 – September 13, 2020
Service: Wednesday, September 16 at 2 pm at Beulah Cemetery in Many

The Natchitoches Humane Society held the last of its popular monthly dog wash fundraisers for 2020 Saturday, September 12 at the Tractor Supply Company. A hard working group of NSU Soccer players, coaches, faculty members and NSU’s Students for Animal Protection Club joined the Humane Society volunteers in bathing 74 dogs of every size and description.

The funds raised will be used to further the Humane Society’s mission by assisting with costs such as veterinarian bills, shots, food, spay and neutering expenses. The society rescued 299 animals last year. Natchitoches’ Humane Society is a force for good in our community!

• 

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Ms. Stephanie Metoyer is our community’s newest homeowner! She partnered with the Natchitoches Fuller Center for Housing and on Saturday, September 12 her new home was dedicated.

Ms. Metoyer was joined in dedicating her new home by volunteers from the Fuller Center, her two foster children, family, and guests from the community. Mr. Vincent Cofield of the Henry O. Flipper Foundation gave the opening prayer after which the crowd joined hands to dedicate the home. Mr. Jim Roberts of the Natchitoches chapter of the Fuller House then presented Ms. Metoyer with a handmade plaque made by Mr. Edgar Stoesz of Pennsylvania that was signed by each volunteer who worked on the home.

The Fuller Center for Housing is a faith based non profit that opened in 2005. They currently operate in 70 communities in the United States as well as 20 countries. Their mission is to partner with individuals in need of housing and assist them in achieving their goals. The homes are built with volunteer labor. The homeowner puts in 300 hours of labor in building alongside the community volunteers. The Fuller Center does everything possible to keep the cost of materials and land down so the greatest number of people may become partners in homebuilding. The homeowner signs an interest free mortgage to repay the costs incurred. The Fuller Center makes no profit from the sale. In fact, the payments are turned around and used to build more homes. The homeowners are helping other people achieve their dreams when they make each mortgage payment.

The Fuller Center is a superb organization that is making our community a better place. They are men and women of every race and background who saw a need and are doing something about it. If you would like to donate, volunteer or otherwise join the men and women of the Fuller Center for Housing in changing lives and making our community a better place, please contact Jim Roberts at 318-554-8225. You may also get more information at fullercenter.org.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes to extend its best wishes to Ms. Metoyer and her wonderful family on this well deserved occasion. May the Lord grant you and your family many years in your new home!

• 

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As a result of Hurricane Laura’s winds, many trees in the area have received damage. Safety is very important when dealing with trees in the aftermath of a storm. Limbs may be significantly weakened and may fall without warning. Now is the time to tend to those affected trees to mitigate additional losses down the road. Unfortunately, some damage cannot be overcome, but with careful pruning many trees can be restored over time to their previous beauty. It is important not to make hasty decisions regarding tree care. Instead, consult with a professional, especially in the case of damaged limbs high up in mature trees.

Tree limbs that have broken need to be removed. As a home owner, you can take care of the low hanging ones yourself with proper cuts. It is important that these are removed properly in order for the tree to heal itself, preventing insect and disease entry. The broken portion can be removed, then the remainder of the limb needs to be trimmed back to the branch collar, the raised area around where the branch joins the trunk. Pruning at this point allows the tree to callous over the wound. When you are trimming branches, especially heavier branches, it is helpful to make a small cut in the bottom of the limb so that when it comes down it doesn’t tear the bark down the trunk as it falls.

After pruning the tree, it may look unbalanced but don’t overprune! The tree will surprise you with its ability to recover its appearance. Another mistake to avoid is cutting back all of the branches of a damaged tree to stubs. This practice leads to the growth of weak limbs that are even more likely to break in future storms. Additionally, this practice removes a large number of leaves, which are needed to feed the tree for recovery.

Proper pruning practices and consulting a professional will not have your trees back to their previous beauty overnight. However, given the time and proper care, you can again enjoy the shade and beauty that they previously provided.

For more information contact Randall Mallette, County Agent, at the local LSU AgCenter Extension Office 318-357-2224.

A FEMA mobile registration intake center will take place in the Robeline City Park, at 122 Depot Street in Robeline on Sept. 14-16 from 9 am – 5 pm according to FEMA officials.

You may apply for federal disaster aid at this site.

Please bring a valid ID and other essential information related to Hurricane Laura damage to your property.

The Natchitoches Parish School Board’s Technology Department has been hard at work with our Parent Help hotline. We are receiving a large influx of questions from parents concerning issues setting up their student(s) iPads.

In order to reduce the amount of inquiries and help parents efficiently, the NPSB Technology Department will be at the Media Center Monday, Sept. 14 from 8am-4:30pm to help troubleshoot any problems they may have with their student(s) device. Every member of the Technology Department will be on-site to assist with these issues.

Join us at the 46th annual Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11. While the event is typically held in the spring, this year we were forced to cancel the April date due to the COVID-19 regulations mandated by state and federal governments. As Louisiana began to re-open, we started planning for a new date in the Fall. Since this event is held outdoors, we are confident we can stage this festival in ways that keep visitors, volunteers, and vendors safe while letting everyone enjoy a beautiful Fall weekend at Melrose Plantation.

NPSO Patrol Division deputies responded to a reported vehicle in Cane River on Sept. 11 at 4:22 pm at the Shell Beach Boat Launch in the Bermuda community according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies arrived on scene and while speaking with the owner of the 2015 Ford F-150 learned that he backed the vehicle down the boat launch to off load a jet ski. He exited the vehicle and while doing so, he stated that he apparently forgot the vehicle in reverse or neutral. The vehicle began to roll backwards submerging in Cane River.

Major Doug Rachal and deputies assigned to the NPSO Dive Team responded to the scene to assist the towing service in recovering the vehicle.

The recovered vehicle received heavy water damage.

An offense report was filed on the incident.

• 

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Survivors who purchased or rented a generator and/or chainsaw as a result of Hurricane Laura may be able to receive FEMA reimbursement.

FEMA cannot reimburse equipment paid for by another source, such as homeowner’s, flood, or other types of insurance. Duplicate payments or reimbursements for assistance provided by insurance or any other source are prohibited by law.

Survivors interested in generator and/or chainsaw reimbursement from FEMA must first register. They may do so by going online to disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA mobile app or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362.

Applicants who purchase or rent a generator and/or chainsaw within 30 days after the incident start date of Aug. 22, may be eligible to receive financial assistance for reimbursement if:

• The applicant meets the general eligibility requirements for FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program.
• The home is the applicant’s primary residence and is located in a parish designated for the Individuals and Households Program. As of Sept. 8, designated parishes are Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, Union, Vermilion, Vernon and Winn.
• The generator was purchased or rented due to a disruption in electrical utility service caused by Hurricane Laura.
• Proof-of-purchase or rental receipts for the items are submitted by the applicant.

Price Limits
• FEMA may reimburse applicants up to $449 for generators and up to $179.99 for chainsaws.

Generator Safety
• Survivors should never use a generator inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Keep these devices outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
Other Reimbursable Items

• FEMA may also reimburse applicants for the following items: carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, dehumidifiers, humidifiers and weather radios.

 

The APHN would like to extend a warm welcome to its new staff members who have joined recently. Heather Tichenor is the new part-time Director and Koi Hatchootuchee (aka Hambone) is the new site caretaker. Heather and Hambone have taken over the duties of Brian & Stephanie Wilson, who left in March of this year.

Heather Tichenor has 15 years of experience in museums and public history organizations, primarily in the fields of education, interpretation, and administration. She spent 10 years working at Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto, Canada, one of the largest living history sites in the country. While there, she created and managed all history-focused public education programming for over 135,000 annual visitors while supervising over 40 staff and volunteers. In addition, she successfully wrote and administered federal grants, collaborated with numerous external partners, and once appeared on national television demonstrating how to flame a plum pudding for Christmas. Previously, she has worked at the New London County Historical Society, New London Landmarks, and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. She has a Masters in Medieval Studies and a Certificate in Museum Studies. Heather now lives in Natchitoches with her husband and two children. She is eager to dive into the Cane River region’s colorful and fascinating history.

Born in 1956, self-taught Louisiana folk artist Hambone started painting at the age of 46, colorful depictions of life growing up in the rural American Deep South.

Hambone uses acrylics to bring life to the scenes of his multicultural childhood upbringing and paints totally from memory. His subjects are derived from his life experiences and observations as he lived and traveled among many cultures – Black, White, Cajun, Rural and Country folks and City dwellers. His colorful, intricate and engaging paintings are full of humor and detail and inspire the viewer’s own childhood memories. His paintings hang in private collections throughout the United States and Canada.

Hambone now lives on site at Melrose Plantation along with his wife Colette, and their dogs and horses. In addition to working as the site caretaker, Hambone is also our artist-in-residence!