City Bank and Trust Company is pleased to announce the promotions of four (4) Bank Officers. These officers have served a combined total of 58 years at City Bank.

“We are so pleased to announce the promotions of Kim Howell, Marla Jones, Josh Pierson and JoAnna Washington to Vice President” said City Bank President and CEO, John E. Ackel. “All four employees are highly knowledgeable in their area of expertise and are committed to providing exceptional customer service while contributing to the bank’s overall success. I know they will continue to be valuable assets to our organization”

Kim Howell:
Kim was born and raised in Provencal, LA. She has been employed with City Bank for 22 years and has held numerous positions within the bank. She is currently a Consumer Loan Officer at the Main Office. Kim is a former member of the Natchitoches Kiwanis Club where she was a 3-year Board Member and received the Kiwanian of the Year award in 2009. She is an active member of Freedom Life Church. Kim is married to Buddy Howell and they have two children, Lindsay Phillips and Dustin Howell. She loves spending time with her family and friends but most of all with her precious grandchildren, Molly Kate, Jake, Olivia and Walker

Marla Jones:
Marla is a lifelong resident of Melrose, LA and has been employed with City Bank since 2004. She began her banking career as a Paying & Receiving Teller and was later promoted to Head Teller. Marla currently serves as the E-Banking Supervisor where she oversees the E-Banking and Bookkeeping Departments. She also coordinates the daily activities of the IT Department and provides operational IT support. Marla volunteers in several organizations in the community and is a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Isle Breville. Marla enjoys spending her free time with her daughter, Brielle Antee.

Josh Pierson:
Joshua was born and raised in Natchitoches, LA. He began his career with City Bank working as a teller while earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Northwestern State University. After graduation he became an Office Manager for a pipeline construction contractor based in Houston, TX. He returned to City Bank and for the past five years has been a Loan Officer, currently working at the Main Office. He is a member of the Natchitoches Lions Club, where he serves as President, and is a member of the First United Methodist Church. Josh enjoys hunting and fishing in the great outdoors but most of all likes spending time with his children, Calan and Camille.

JoAnna Washington:
Originally from Opelousas, LA, Joanna has lived in Natchitoches for 19 years. She has been employed with City Bank for 15 Years and has held positions on the frontline and in the Operations Department. Currently she is serving as Branch Administrator and Loan Officer at the University Branch. Joanna earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northwestern State University and later obtained her MBA from Grand Canyon University. She has completed additional leadership, supervisor, deposit and lending courses through the Louisiana Bankers Association. Joanna currently serves as a Board Member for the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, is an active member of the Natchitoches Rotary Club and is a member of St. John the Baptist Church. She is married to Kevin Washington, Jr. and they are the proud parents of teenage twins, Kaylee and Kevin III.

School/Site: L.P. Vaughn Elementary School
Ages served: PreK 4 year old
School/Site Performance Rating: 5.81 (Highly Proficient)

100% of teachers using a Tier 1 Curriculum

100% of Teachers certified (CDA, BA, or higher): 1 CDA, 2 BA, 5 M.Ed., and 1 Specialist

Vision:
Home, School, Community – We care about education!

Mission:
L.P. Vaughn’s mission is to work with the parents and community in developing the skills and character necessary for student success academically and socially in an ever-changing world.

School Philosophy:
We, the faculty and staff of L.P. Vaughn, believe the purpose of this institution of learning is to provide an environment in which all children can develop to their potential. We believe that each child has different aptitudes and attitudes and that the staff is responsible to provide for these individual differences. Our goal is to make it possible for each child to meet the challenges in a rapidly changing society.

What is unique/special about this school/site?
Children at L. P. Vaughn are taught by teachers who are certified in Early Childhood Education. Each class has a paraprofessional that has a CDA or specialized training in Early Childhood Education. The Pre-K Department (16 members) has a total of 210 + years of teaching experience in preschool. Teachers and Paras team teach using a curriculum and schedule structured to provide a developmentally appropriate experience for each child.

Our preschool students are able to participate in school activities that help ease the transition to kindergarten. On a daily basis, they are able to meet and interact with school principals, kindergarten teachers, and other school staff. Families have access to all of the elementary school resources when their children begin preschool. Transportation, free lunch program, technology, library, school nurse, gym, parent /teacher conferences, book fair, and planned family participation activities are some examples of what is offered.

Students may select to receive services from our Outpatient Client/School-Based Health Center. Students can receive immunizations, dental services, and basic health checks while at school.

We are a school site for NSU Teacher Candidates which gives some classrooms a higher adult to child ratio.

Teachers are involved in professional development and self-studies that ensure that students are getting the best education based on the latest research and technology available.

Students receive extra classroom and learning materials through grants/donors. The latest materials secured through DonorsChoose were seat sacks and headphones. All students receive literacy bags to take home from NSU’s Cradle to College Pipeline Literacy Program (2 times each year). This contains a book, activities, paper, colors, and other school type supplies. Each Christmas students receive treats and a new backpack that is secured by a school staff member.

A recent investigation by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives has led to the arrest of a south Natchitoches Parish man on sexual battery charges according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

Shortly after 6:30pm on Friday October 23, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Bureau responded to the sexual battery of an employee at a south Natchitoches Parish convenience store.

The complaint focused on allegations of a man identified as Glen P. Russell entering the business and while there inappropriately touching a female employee of the business in a sexual manner.

Deputies arrived on scene speaking with the management, interviewed the victim, made sure the victim was safe then completed an offense report for investigative purposes.

Deputies then turned the case over to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Detectives began their investigation by reviewing business surveillance video, interviewing the victim and positively identifying the suspect identified as Glen P. Russell.

Detectives obtained sufficient evidence and probable cause during the investigation to obtain a criminal arrest warrant signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge for the arrest of Mr. Russell.

On October 29 at approximately 11:33am, Glen Pierce Russell, 72, of the 1700 block of Bayou Derbonne Road, Montrose or 300 block of Sherwood Drive, Dry Prong, La. was arrested and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with 1-count of sexual battery.

Russell has been released on a $25,000.00 bond set by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge pending his court appearance.

Detectives say while interviewing Russell he confessed to the act.

Patrol Deputies issued the victim a LAVNS form. LAVNS is a service provided by the LCLE in cooperation with the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association (LSA), Louisiana District Attorneys’ Association (LDAA), and the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DOC).
LAVNS will monitor the custody status of adult inmates in all parish jails and state prisons. By calling our LA VINE LINE (866-LAVNS-4-U) or by accessing our website at the above link, you may inquire about an offender’s status and, optionally, register to be notified upon any change to that offender’s custody status (i.e., release from jail, transfer to another facility, etc.).

LAVNS is FREE to victims who may call it ANONYMOUSLY and as often as they wish to register or to determine an inmate’s current status.

Deputy C. Haliburton was assisted by Detective D. Sowell in the investigation and arrest.

We commend the store management for their responsible act of protecting their employee, seeing something was not right and reporting this unacceptable act to the NPSO.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) along with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) will set up a COVID-19 testing site in the LSMSA Parking Lot starting November 9-20.

COVID-19 tests are free to the public and will be administered in the LSMSA parking lot at the corner of University Parkway and Caspari Street from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday – Friday. The only criteria to be tested is the participant must be 18 years of age or older and be able to present a valid ID. Test results should be available within 2-3 days of your testing date.

A team of students from Northwestern State University were named winners of the Inferno Pitch, a business model competition hosted by BRF’s Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program through NSU’s School of Business. The team was awarded a cash prize of $3,000, scholarships to the Louisiana Startup Prize 2021 and professional services from EAP.

Landon Olivier, Colton Campbell, Gabrielle Chapman and Dilaney Deroache pitched a proposal for Cane River Wine Shop, Natchitoches’ first wine shop in which customers can enjoy a glass of wine and local entertainment.

“Louisiana’s future looks incredibly bright, because these wonderful students are embracing the entrepreneurial spirit through their participation in our business plan competition. For that, we all can be very hopeful and proud,” said Dr. Carmella Parker, associate professor in NSU’s School of Business and coordinator of outreach and special projects.

EAP, which specializes in stimulating entrepreneurship opportunities in Northwest Louisiana, partnered with the Northwestern State and Grambling State University to continue EAP’s Grand Prix business model competitions that encourage student innovation. Students submitted their business ideas and five finalists were chosen from each university to compete in the online student business pitch competitions.

“EAP recognizes the strong programs our university partners have built and the significant talent they are cultivating in their students,” said Dave Smith, EAP Executive Director. “We are doing all we can to ensure they have the resources they need for these students to be successful with starting and growing their businesses here in north Louisiana.”

Students participated in an online workshop with EAP team members and other advisors who provide the competitors with expertise, mentorship and key connections needed to fuel their success. In the final phase of the competition, the top five participants at each school presented their business ideas to a panel of judges at the Final Pitch.

“Northwestern State University is proud to partner with BRF’s Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program which stimulates entrepreneurship opportunities in northwest Louisiana,” said NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio. “It is rewarding to see the creativity of our students, and through this partnership that we are able to provide resources and an avenue to reward their entrepreneurial endeavors that will one day impact the growth and prosperity of our region.”

The Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program, an initiative of BRF, is a public/private partnership among BRF, the Caddo Parish Commission and the City of Shreveport to diversify the regional economy, create jobs and expand the area’s tax base by providing services to innovative startups that have high growth potential. Since EAP began in 2014, the program has screened 1,060 startups and provided services to more than 260 companies.

Northwestern State University’s 2020 Inferno Pitch winners are, from left, Landon Olivier, Dilaney Deroche, Gabrielle Chapman and Colton Campbell, whose business model proposal was Cane River Wine Shop.

The 2019-2020 release of Early Childhood Performance Profiles marks five years of full implementation of the statewide unified quality rating system for these programs. More than 12,500 observations were conducted across 4,959 classrooms in 1,558 sites, amounting to more than 1 million minutes of care and education observed.

This data, released by the Louisiana Department of Education, shows that all Natchitoches Parish Public Pre-K sites (Fairview, Goldonna, L.P. Vaughn, Marthaville, and Provencal) received an overall High Proficient rating.

Tiny Tots Daycare & Preschool: Excellent / 6.46
Fay’s Daycare & Preschool: High Proficient / 5.48
Bright Beginnings: Proficient / 5.02
Cobblestone Childhood Development Center: Proficient / 4.84
Little Rascals Learning Center, LLC: Proficient / 4.83
Funtime Palace Daycare: Proficient / 4.78
A to Z 123 Preschool & Learning Center: Proficient / 4.58
NSU Child Development Center: Excellent / 6.09
L.P. Vaughn: High Proficient / 5.81
Provencal Elementary: High Proficient / 5.63
Goldonna Elementary: High Proficient / 5.39
Fairview Alpha Elementary: High Proficient / 5.90
Marthaville Elementary: High Proficient / 5.99

Like previous years, Performance Profiles will include a Performance Score and Rating (based on CLASS® observations as well as Informational Metrics (such as curriculum quality, child/teacher ratios, and teacher credentials).

● Due to COVID-19, the Department implemented a “hold harmless” approach for 2019-2020 Performance Profiles that honors improvement made by sites in 2019-2020 and allows sites to access much-needed tax credits and bonus payments:

○ Sites with a higher 2019-2020 Performance Score were given the opportunity to opt-in to receiving an updated Performance Profile based on 2019-2020 results.

○ For all other sites, the Department is not releasing an updated 2019-2020 Performance Profile, and will publish their 2018-2019 Performance results for an additional year.

● The Fall 2019 Observation period was carried out without any of the disruptions associated with COVID and provides useful data for progress monitoring.

By Bud Denega, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

Northwestern State celebrated an important annual tradition Thursday on the
“Keyser Bricks” outside of Keyser Hall, one made even more important by the financial difficulties wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Student-athletes and coaches from all 14 collegiate sports at NSU took time out of their day to write thank-you letters to generous NSU donors as part of Thank A Donor Day.

“A day like today means a lot,” NSU quarterback Zachary Clement said. “Our donors give us the opportunity to be here, and the opportunity to play the sports we love and attend a university.

“We are really grateful for it, and to be able to voice it and thank them in a letter, it’s important to us.”

Clement is a sophomore, so this marked his second Thank a Donor Day. For freshman basketball player Osha Cummings, Thursday represented her first encounter with the event.

While she has been here for only a few months, Cummings understands the impact NSU donors have for her team and university. That’s precisely why she didn’t hesitate to send out some words of appreciation.

“This day and these letters show the people that give to us that we care,” Cummings said. “We appreciate what they’re doing.”

Thursday stood as Deputy Athletic Director Dr. Haley Taitano’s seventh Thank a Donor Day. She knows how crucial NSU supporters are for the Demons and Lady Demons to be successful in each of their athletic endeavors.

“The donors are a huge part of our success both on and off the field or the court of play,” Taitano said. “I also think it’s really important of our student-athletes to get in the habit of thanking the people that donate to their programs, especially the juniors and seniors. Those are the ones that turn around and become donors when they graduate.”

The impact goes beyond athletics.

Erin Dupree, NSU’s Assistant Director of Donor Relations, organizes fundraisers and activities where students can physically go to their donor’s homes and thank them in person. They haven’t had the opportunity to meet face-to-face since March, so Thank a Donor Day allows everyone at NSU to reaffirm their gratefulness.

“We want our donors to know that we haven’t forgotten about them,” Dupree said, “We obviously thank them every time we get a donation in, but today allows us to bring in our students and for the donors to get hand-written letters from the students who receive scholarships from their donations.”

The event is put together through a partnership with the NSU Foundation and the Demons Unlimited Foundation.

A significant number of student-athletes receive merit-based aid awarded through the NSU Foundation.

The Demons Unlimited Foundation helps support athletics scholarships in all 14 sports along with auxiliary services like sports medicine, strength and conditioning and marketing.

Photo Credit: Chris Reich / NSU Photographic Services

NATCHITOCHES:
Rev. Douglas L. Cain
Memorial service to be held at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, Nov. 7th at 11 a.m. Rev. Cain passed away on May 4, 2020.

Nathaniel Brooks of Natchitoches, Louisiana
November 4, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Adrian Toussaint
January 28, 1981 – October 30, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Robert Dennis of Louisiana
October 31, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Elmer Davidson
October 30, 2020
Arrangements TBA

WINN:
Georgia Roberson
September 14, 1944 – November 2, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Ramona Ann Flower
September 24, 1928 – November 02, 2020
Service: Friday, November 6 at 11 am in the chapel of Kinner & Stevens Funeral

Savannah Flanagan
January 26, 1920 – October 31, 2020
Service: Saturday, November 7 at 10:30am in the Lawrence Serenity Sanctum

UPDATE: November 5, 2020
Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives have arrested the grandmother of a child abused in the Goldonna community in north Natchitoches Parish according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

This evening at approximately 9:30pm, NPSO Sheriff’s Detectives arrested Teresa Jurgens, 51, of Goldonna on a criminal arrest warrant signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge for Felony- Principle to Cruelty to Juveniles in connection with her involvement in a child abuse investigation involving her grandchild in Goldonna, La.

The investigation began on Friday October 30, 2020 which resulted in the child being removed from the home by State DCFS case workers on Monday November 2.

Two other people identified as Joe Hines, (the grandmother’s boyfriend) and the child’s mother, 28-year-old Casey Smedley of Goldonna remain incarcerated in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Cruelty to Juveniles.

No bond has been set.

On Monday, Sheriff Stuart Wright stated that NPSO detectives were committed to conducting an impartial investigation not based on hearsay or rumors, only following the facts and evidence in the case to be presented to the district attorney’s office.

Due to the sensitivity of this investigation, no further information will be released at this time according to Chief Deputy Greg Dunn.

If you have any information contact Major Reginald Turner or Detective Derrick Sowell with the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division at 318-357-7830.

The Gingerbread House Children’s Advocacy Center in Shreveport, Natchitoches Parish District Attorney’s Office and Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services are all assisting in the investigation.

UPDATE: November 2, 2020

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives have arrested the mother of the child involved in the child abuse investigation in Goldonna according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

On Monday afternoon at approximately 2:35pm, State DCFS case workers removed the juvenile from the home.

The child is now in a safe environment.

Shortly after the child’s removal, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives executed a search warrant signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge at the home to search for any additional evidence or clues in the investigation.

At the conclusion of the search warrant, detectives interviewed the mother of the juvenile identified as 28-year-old Casey Smedley at the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau.

While interviewing Smedley, she admitted to detectives that she participated by recording the incident and forwarding the videos to another unnamed person without stopping the abuse.

Additional details will be released during criminal proceedings.

As a result of this findings and other evidence deputies arrested Casey Smedley, 28, transported and booked her into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Felony-Cruelty to Juvenile.

Smedley as well as Joe Hines remains incarcerated in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center without bond at this time.

Detectives say the investigation is ongoing and further arrests are possible.

Our detectives are committed to conducting an impartial investigation, that will follow the facts and evidence in this case to be presented to the District Attorney, not based on hearsay or rumors according to Sheriff Wright.”

Goldonna Police Chief arrested in cruelty to a juvenile case

INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY IN GOLDONNA COMMUNITY

BATON ROUGE, LA. – State Treasurer John M. Schroder today announced Louisiana citizens voted in favor of amending the constitution to create a trust fund that will protect Unclaimed Property money. The amendment passed with 65% voting in favor of it.

“I fought for years to make this day a reality. This amendment will stop government from spending your Unclaimed Property money,” said Treasurer Schroder. “That means your Unclaimed Property will always be there, whether you claim it or your great-great grandchildren claim it. Unclaimed Property is your money. Claim it!”

The Unclaimed Property Permanent Trust Fund will be created beginning July 1, 2021. Interest earnings from the trust fund will create a state revenue source without raising taxes or spending people’s Unclaimed Property money.

To search for Unclaimed Property, visit www.latreasury.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 4, 2020

Rev. Douglas L. Cain
Memorial service to be held at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, Nov. 7th at 11 a.m. 


On May 4, 2020, Doug Cain, loving husband and father of three children, passed away at the age of 71.

Doug was born in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland where he was adopted by Art and Dee Cain and raised in Bossier City with his brothers, Dan and Clint Cain. Doug received his undergraduate degree from Centenary College in Shreveport and his master’s degree in theology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. On June 25, 1977, he married Martie Rannenberg. They raised two sons, Jed and Brian, and a daughter, Mary Elizabeth.

Doug was a United Methodist minister in the Louisiana Conference for over 40 years. He pastored churches in DeRidder, Haughton, New Orleans, Shreveport, Natchitoches, Sulphur, and Coushatta in addition to serving as a District Superintendent.

Doug was a faithful servant of a loving and compassionate God. He believed that grace trumped sin and God’s eternal love provided a path forward for all of us. During his preaching prime, as they say in baseball, Doug “threw 95 mph and could paint the corners,” while somehow still getting a hungry congregation out by noon. He baptized crying babies, soothed nervous brides and grooms, helped children bury parents, and parents bury children.

Doug loved his wife and kids the way that he believed God loved each of us – unconditionally – during the best of times and the worst of times. Known affectionately as “Pop” to his granddaughter, Emerson, and four grandsons, Jake, London, Moss, and Fisher, he was a master storyteller and a professional driveway hoops H-O-R-S-E player.

Not surprising to those that appreciated Doug’s quirky wit and humor, his last words were reportedly jokes with the ICU nurses caring for him at the hospital. But his final joke may have come with the very unique date of his death – May 4, 2020 – also known as May The Fourth Be With You Day – the unofficial holiday honoring the Star Wars franchise.

Doug loved the theology of Star Wars. It was the fodder of many a sermon. He introduced his kids to Star Wars in the 1980’s and could be seen 30 something years later standing in line at the movie theater with his grandkids on the opening night of the latest Star Wars movie.

In typical Doug Cain fashion, with his signature wit and humor, his final benediction to all those he left behind was simply and profoundly – MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU.

The Annual Stockholders Meeting of Hagewood Water System, Inc. will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at Waskom, Brown & Associates, LLC in the Keystone Room at 816 University Parkway, Suite A in Natchitoches.

If you have questions, please call Victoria Carroll at 318-357-1520.

Kirk Soileau, Chief Executive Officer of Natchitoches Regional Medical Center (NRMC) spoke to the Rotary Club of Natchitoches at their Nov. 2 outdoor meeting at the Prudhomme-Rouquier House. Soileau gave a comprehensive update of COVID-19 and answered many questions about the virus.

Pictured from left are Soileau and Rotary President Paul Rinehart (Photo by Dr. Ron McBride).

Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education will offer an online Notary Public Exam Prep Extensive Review Course on Saturday Nov. 14 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. The fee is $65 is paid before Nov. 8 and $85 if paid after,

The class will cover exam format, potential content, exam tips and last-minute study suggestions. If you signed up for the Notary Public Exam Prep, then this class is a part of that class. The instructor will provide you with a conferencing link to join the class once enrolled. In order to take the Louisiana State Notary Exam, students must be Louisiana residents and registered to vote in Louisiana.

Participants must have broadband access, a camera and sound. The test is based on the Louisiana Secretary of State’s newest edition of “The Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice,” only available at www.sos.la.gov.

For more information or to register for classes email ece@nsula.edu.

A Shreveport man is in custody following a brief pursuit on La. Hwy 6 West according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

At 6:24pm, Deputies assigned to the Natchitoches Multijurisdictional Drug Task Force Criminal Patrol Units engaged in a pursuit on La. Hwy 6 West just east of Robeline involving a Mercedes SUV speeding over 85 miles per hour traveling eastbound.

Criminal Patrol Units pursued the vehicle on La. Hwy 6 while other units stationed west of I-49 successfully deployed a tire deflation device that disabled the fleeing vehicle.

A suspect is in custody.

A heavy law enforcement presence is in the area. The scene is still active.

There are no injuries.

The name of the suspect is currently unavailable.

ALEXANDRIA – The Joint Transportation, Highway, & Public Works Committee will conduct a legislative public hearing on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. for the Central LA region (Avoyelles, Grant, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, and Winn Parishes).

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the public hearings – commonly referred to as the annual DOTD ‘Road Show’ – will be conducted virtually through Zoom. The purpose of the hearing is to review highway construction priorities for the fiscal year 2021-2022.

Information to join the Zoom meeting will be posted at the below link prior to the date of the public hearing:

http://wwwsp.dotd.la.gov/Inside_LaDOTD/Divisions/Multimodal/Transportation_Planning/Highway_Priority/Pages/default.aspx

Each DOTD District will be hosting its own virtual Road Show to allow legislators, other elected officials, DOTD representatives and the general public to discuss and obtain information about construction projects in the preliminary FY 21-22 Highway Priority Program and how those projects will affect each area of the state.

All those interested are invited to join the virtual Road Show, and will be afforded the opportunity to express their views. Oral testimony may be supplemented by presenting important facts and documentation in writing. Written statements and comments should be handed to the committee conducting the hearing, or mailed to the following address, postmarked within 45 calendar days following the hearing:

Joint Transportation, Highways, & Public Works Committee
C/O LA DOTD (Section 85)
P.O. Box 94245
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9245

NATCHITOCHES:
Rev. Douglas L. Cain
Memorial service to be held at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, Nov. 7th at 11 a.m.  Rev. Cain passed away on May 4, 2020.

Adrian Toussaint
January 28, 1981 – October 30, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Loyce Faye Owen
June 07, 1945 – October 30, 2020
Service: Thursday, November 5 at 1 pm at Davis Springs Southern Methodist Church

Robert Dennis of Louisiana
October 31, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Elmer Davidson
October 30, 2020
Arrangements TBA

SABINE:
Calvin Blake Akins “Lil Jacc”
April 17, 1991 – November 1, 2020
Service: Thursday, November 5 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

Sandra “Sandy” Savell Terrell
March 28, 1968 – November 2, 2020
Service: Thursday, November 5 at 10 am at Antioch Cemetery

WINN:
Martha Virginia Rodgers
May 20, 1923 – October 31, 2020
A private memorial service will be held at Live Oak Cemetery in Pass Christian, Mississippi where she will be laid to rest next to her cherished husband George. Services under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, Louisiana.

William Henry Shows
April 15, 1935 – November 03, 2020
Service: Thursday, November 5 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home

Ramona Ann Flower
September 24, 1928 – November 02, 2020
Service: Friday, November 6 at 11 am in the chapel of Kinner & Stevens Funeral

Savannah Flanagan
January 26, 1920 – October 31, 2020
Service: Saturday, November 7 at 10:30 am in the Lawrence Serenity Sanctum

24 years ago my wife Kathy and I moved to Natchitoches. We have made it our home ever since and enjoyed raising our two daughters here. We love our town and our parish and have enjoyed being involved in this community. I was happy to have the opportunity to do even more by running for Natchitoches City Court Judge. I would like to thank the citizens of Natchitoches for their support and for electing me as your new Natchitoches City Court Judge.

I look forward to serving Natchitoches with honor and integrity.

Ward One – City Judge

Other Parish Races

Rhodes Realty will celebrate the Grand Opening of its new office location in Monroe with a Ribbon Cutting on Friday, Nov. 6 at 11 am at 1900 Auburn Avenue, Suite H, Monroe, LA 71201. Food and drinks will be provided.

“We want to give a huge shoutout to our sponsors for the event,” said Rhodes Realty CEO Rodrick McIntosh. “Come out and have a good time with us this Friday!”

Sponsors include: US Mortgage, Cajun Title, Assurance Financial, KMAC Solution, SW-Diversified Solution, and Planet Mortgage.

By Royal Alexander/Opinion

When Tuesday is over, and we may not know the results of the election for days or weeks, we must find a way to begin to come together as a country. Many of us, certainly including myself, have passionately expressed our view of the presidential race and the state of our state and nation. I am unquestionably supporting President Trump. However, if he loses in a free and fair election, I am not moving to another country as many of the entitled movie and media stars always threaten to do (but then never do). I am going to remain here in Shreveport and keep fighting for positive developments in our city, state, and country.

Even so, that won’t ever be enough. As individuals, we are limited in our ability to make progress based upon our own power. We must also seek the protection and blessing of Almighty God to fix our problems and heal our ills. It can only be done by the hand of God. Jefferson wrote powerfully and eloquently in the Declaration of Independence of “… the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” making clear that we not only possess an intrinsic and eternal value because we are made in the image and likeness of God but that we also seek Him because we cannot accomplish anything of significance without Him.

When I reflect on the crucial need for our nation to be united, I can do no better than to turn to President Lincoln and a speech he made in 1861 on the eve of the Civil War—an equally difficult and tumultuous time in America:

“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field and patriot grave to every living heart and hearth-stone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

It’s true for us as well that “passion may have strained” our “bonds of affection” but we cannot allow it to break them. America cannot work—our Constitution cannot work—if America becomes permanently divided. This is a difficult time, but America has been through many difficult times before. We will persevere through it because of the American spirit and because of the “better angels of our nature.” And with our prayers and contrition, God will do the rest.

The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Natchitoches Parish Journal.  If you have an article or story of interest for publishing consideration by the NPJ, please send it to NPJNatLa@gmail.com.