Treasury Launches Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to Deliver $350 Billion, $7.4 million allocated to Natchitoches Parish

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the launch of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, to provide $350 billion in emergency funding for state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments.

Louisiana is slated to receive $3,011,136,886.60. Louisiana’s “non-entitlement units or local government” programs are slated to receive $315,493,318. Of that, Natchitoches Parish is set to receive $7.4 million.

Treasury also released details on the ways funds can be used to respond to acute pandemic-response needs, fill revenue shortfalls among state and local governments, and support the communities and populations hardest-hit by the COVID-19 crisis. Eligible state, territorial, metropolitan city, county, and Tribal governments will be able to access funding directly from the Treasury Department in the coming days to assist communities as they recover from the pandemic.

“Today is a milestone in our country’s recovery from the pandemic and its adjacent economic crisis. With this funding, communities hit hard by COVID-19 will able to return to a semblance of normalcy; they’ll be able to rehire teachers, firefighters and other essential workers – and to help small businesses reopen safely,” said Secretary Janet L. Yellen. “There are no benefits to enduring two historic economic crises in a 13-year span, except for one: We can improve our policymaking. During the Great Recession, when cities and states were facing similar revenue shortfalls, the federal government didn’t provide enough aid to close the gap. That was an error. Insufficient relief meant that cities had to slash spending, and that austerity undermined the broader recovery. With today’s announcement, we are charting a very different – and much faster – course back to prosperity.”

While the need for services provided by state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments has increased —including setting up emergency medical facilities, standing up vaccination sites, and supporting struggling small businesses—these governments have faced significant revenue shortfalls as a result of the economic fallout from the crisis. As a result, these governments have endured unprecedented strains, forcing many to make untenable choices between laying off educators, firefighters, and other frontline workers or failing to provide services that communities rely on. Since the beginning of this crisis, state and local governments have cut over 1 million jobs.

The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide substantial flexibility for each jurisdiction to meet local needs—including support for households, small businesses, impacted industries, essential workers, and the communities hardest-hit by the crisis. Within the categories of eligible uses listed, recipients have broad flexibility to decide how best to use this funding to meet the needs of their communities. In addition to allowing for flexible spending up to the level of their revenue loss, recipients can use funds to:

Support public health expenditures, by – among other uses – funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, mental health and substance misuse treatment and certain public health and safety personnel responding to the crisis;

Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including by rehiring public sector workers, providing aid to households facing food, housing or other financial insecurity, offering small business assistance, and extending support for industries hardest hit by the crisis
Aid the communities and populations hardest hit by the crisis, supporting an equitable recovery by addressing not only the immediate harms of the pandemic, but its exacerbation of longstanding public health, economic and educational disparities

Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have borne and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service during the pandemic; and, Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, improving access to clean drinking water, supporting vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and expanding access to broadband internet.

Insufficient federal aid and state and local austerity under similar fiscal pressures during the Great Recession and its aftermath undermined and slowed the nation’s broader recovery. The steps the Biden Administration has taken to aid state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments will create jobs and help fuel a strong recovery. And support for communities hardest-hit by this crisis can help undo racial inequities and other disparities that have held too many places back for too long.

For an overview of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program including an expanded use of eligible uses, see the fact sheet below.

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The City of Natchitoches announced at a Town Hall Meeting on May 4 during a presentation of the 2021-2022 budget. The City has set aside $200,000 for a cost share with the auto mall at I-49. This is part of the American Rescue Plan 2021 Tentative Plan for Allocation of Funds. The City of Natchitoches was allocated $3.2 million in funds through the American Rescue Plan from the federal government.

There’s an ordinance that deals with a water line located on the property where the auto mall will be located on the hill by Hwy. 504 and I-49. When the water line was put in this spot back in the 80s the owner of the land allowed the city to relocate the line through their property with a stipulation in the right-of-way agreement that if the property was ever developed the City would bear the cost of relocating the line. Thirty-five years later that stipulation is a legal binding document and that property is being developed. The City will need to bring sewer to this location for the dealerships that will relocate to the new auto mall. A deal was struck with the developer that if they bear the cost of the water line, the City would bear the cost of serving sewer to the location. The closest sewer tie in is across Hwy. 6 near Wendy’s.

Vaughn Chevrolet is building out there now. Then the Legacy Chrysler, Dodge Jeep Ram dealership will relocate.

Additionally a permit was pulled by Vaughn Family Properties through the City Planning and Zoning Department for the month April with a value of $5.5 million, located at 1742 Hwy. 504

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Natchitoches Parish School Superintendent, Dr. Grant Eloi, was joined by Finance Director Mr. Lee Waskom and 8 of the parish’s 11 school board members in a town hall meeting held at Cloutierville’s Grace Baptist Church. The meeting, attended by twelve residents in addition to the board members, was the last in a series of town halls sponsored by the district to promote its proposed consolidation of districts 6, 8 and 10 into a new district 11. This consolidation, as well as the proposed building of a new high school intended to serve the Cloutierville, Marthaville and Provencal areas, were the topics discussed at the meeting.

Dr. Eloi gave a slide presentation that showed the existing and proposed district lines. He also spoke of the tax base each area has to draw upon and how that would enable the construction of a new high school if combined. The consolidation will be voted on by the school board at its meeting in June.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal would like to commend school board members Broadway, Danzy, Harris, Metoyer, Garner, Benefield, Phelps and Guidroz who came out on a cold and wet night to answer questions from interested residents and to hear their opinions. The Journal would also like to wish board member Mrs. Beverly Broadway a happy birthday and to commend her for taking time out of her special day to attend the town hall meeting.

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NATCHITOCHES PARISH – A twenty-five-old Natchitoches man is currently incarcerated in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center following a weekend incident allegedly involving him target practicing and the bullet entering an elderly man’s residence narrowly missing him according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Noah Harvis Johnson, 25, of the 100 block of Patrick Road, Natchitoches was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on Sunday afternoon at approximately 5:00pm charged with Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property and Illegal Use of a Weapon.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies say the incident investigation began on Sunday afternoon May 9 at approximately 4:40pm, when NATCOM 911 Center received a call from an elderly man in the 500 block of Riverview Drive, Natchez reporting that someone was firing a weapon across Cane River and a bullet had went through his residence glass window in an area where he was standing while hearing the shots.

Two NPSO Deputies responded to the scene.

After arriving, the elderly man confined to a walker and other assisted living accessories informed deputies that he had made contact and spoke with an individual across the river from his residence about shooting and the dangers of projectiles ricocheting off of the water causing possible property damage or harming someone.
Deputies gathered information for an offense report, processed, photographed and collected evidence at the scene for investigative purposes.

As the investigation progressed, deputies spoke with Detectives assigned to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau then traveled to a residence across Cane River located in the 100 block of Patrick Road (Point Place) south of Natchitoches.

While there, deputies made contact with Noah H. Johnson.

Deputies then collected a Walther PPS 9mm semi-automatic handgun in Johnson’s possession.
While speaking with Johnson, he admitted that he had fired his weapon multiple times target practicing shooting at empty cans in his yard. He further stated that when the complainant yelled at him he ceased firing the weapon.
Deputies say it appeared while Johnson was firing the weapon on Patrick Road, it appears the bullet projectile traveled across Cane River and went through a glass window at the complainant’s residence.
Johnson was released on 5/10/2021 on $10,000.00 bond set by a 10th Judicial District Judge.

Lt. M. Powell and Deputy M. Williams made the arrest.

Sheriff Stuart Wright said we are very fortunate that someone was not injured in this incident. Always follow the following gun safety rules while targeting practicing. Remember when you pull the trigger and fire that weapon you can’t stop the bullet or call it back!!

1. Treat all guns as if they are loaded. Always assume that a gun is loaded even if you think it is unloaded. Every time a gun is handled for any reason, check to see that it is unloaded. If you are unable to check a gun to see if it is unloaded, leave it alone and seek help from someone more knowledgeable about guns.

2. Keep the gun pointed in the safest possible direction. Always be aware of where a gun is pointing. A “safe direction” is one where an accidental discharge of the gun will not cause injury or damage. Only point a gun at an object you intend to shoot. Never point a gun toward yourself or another person.

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Always keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot. Even though it may be comfortable to rest your finger on the trigger, it also is unsafe. If you are moving around with your finger on the trigger and stumble or fall, you could inadvertently pull the trigger. Sudden loud noises or movements can result in an accidental discharge because there is a natural tendency to tighten the muscles when startled. The trigger is for firing and the handle is for handling.

4. Know your target, its surroundings and beyond. Check that the areas in front of and behind your target are safe before shooting. Be aware that if the bullet misses or completely passes through the target, it could strike a person or object. Identify the target and make sure it is what you intend to shoot. If you are in doubt, DON’T SHOOT! Never fire at a target that is only a movement, color, sound or unidentifiable shape. Be aware of all the people around you before you shoot.

5. Know how to properly operate your gun. It is important to become thoroughly familiar with your gun. You should know its mechanical characteristics including how to properly load, unload and clear a malfunction from your gun. Obviously, not all guns are mechanically the same. Never assume that what applies to one make or model is exactly applicable to another. You should direct questions regarding the operation of your gun to your firearms dealer, or contact the manufacturer directly.

6. Store your gun safely and securely to prevent unauthorized use. Guns and ammunition should be stored separately.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY POINTS

The six basic safety rules are the foundational rules for gun safety. However, there are additional safety points that must not be overlooked.

• Never handle a gun when you are in an emotional state such as anger or depression. Your judgment may be impaired.

• Never shoot a gun in celebration (the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve, for example). Not only is this unsafe, but it is generally illegal. A bullet fired into the air will return to the ground with enough speed to cause injury or death.

• Do not shoot at water, flat or hard surfaces. The bullet can ricochet and hit someone or something other than the target.

• Hand your gun to someone only after you verify that it is unloaded and the cylinder or action is open. Take a gun from someone only after you verify that it is unloaded and the cylinder or action is open.

• Guns, alcohol and drugs don’t mix. Alcohol and drugs can negatively affect judgment as well as physical coordination.

Alcohol and any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical functions should not be used before or while handling guns. Avoid handling and using your gun when you are taking medications that cause drowsiness or include a warning to not operate machinery while taking this drug.

• The loud noise from a fired gun can cause hearing damage, and the debris and hot gas that is often emitted can result in eye injury. Always wear ear and eye protection when shooting a gun.

Be safe, make the right decision.

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The City of Natchitoches Planning and Zoning Department approved 56 permits during the month of April with an application value of $6.3 million.

See Full Report Below:

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Northwestern State University is accepting applications for the 2021-22 Call Me Mister cohort. The application deadline is May 15 and applications are available at https://education.nsula.edu/callmemister/.

Call Me Mister is an initiative to recruit African American males to become teacher and mentors at low-performing schools. Misters benefit from financial assistance to help cover tuition and fees, instructional support and preparation for licensure exams, a cohort system for social and cultural support and leadership development. They will gain immediate exposure to a classroom environment and job placement assistance after graduation, according to Ramona Wynder, program coordinator.

MISTER is an acronym for Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models. As a Call Me MISTER campus, NSU is part of a highly acclaimed recruitment and support program that includes a national network of universities. Research shows that having greater diversity in the teaching force yields positive outcomes not only for children of color, but for all children, Wynder said. When children have access to effective teachers who look like them, they perform better academically and social-emotionally.

Prospective Misters must be a minority male and come from an underserved, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and/or educationally at-risk community. They must major in early childhood education, elementary education, health and physical education or music education and demonstrate record of high scholastic achievement and participation in extra-curricular and community service activities.

Applications for Call me MISTER will be reviewed on a competitive basis each spring for consideration for cohorts that will begin each fall semester. Preference will be given to graduating high school seniors; two-year community college transfers; and first-year college freshmen. Eligible candidates will be selected based upon their potential for teaching and their motivation for participation in the program.

For more information, visit the website above or contact Wynder at (318) 357-4549.

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By Bud Denega, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

The Northwestern State softball team will begin its Southland Conference tournament a day later than scheduled. Due to inclement weather, the No. 4-seeded Lady Demons will play their first game Wednesday, tentatively, at 1:30 p.m.

NSU will battle the winner between No. 5-seeded Southeastern Louisiana and No. 8-seeded Abilene Christian. That game will take place Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.

By way of earning a top-four seed, the Lady Demons are participating in the double-elimination portion of the bracket.

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1963 – 2021

A memorial service is scheduled for Brenda Gail Rachal Knight on May 18, 2021 at 1 p.m. at Christian Worship Center located at 1513 Hwy 494, Natchitoches, LA. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Brenda’s life. Flowers can be sent to the church and donations to help Brenda and her sons can be dropped off at M & M Pharmacy.

Brenda Gail Knight, age 57, died on May 8, 2021, in Natchitoches, LA. Brenda is survived by her two sons Blake Fraij of Arkansas and Shane Knight of Natchitoches, LA. She is also survived by her mother Titia Jo Rachal; three sisters Janice Rachal, Donna Kelly, Kellie Gill and her husband James; and one brother Jessie Rachal and his wife Carol all of Natchitoches, LA. She is preceded in death by her father Newton Rachal and one sister Tammy Rachal.

Brenda was born on December 1, 1963 in Natchitoches, LA. to parents Titia Jo and Newton Rachal. She graduated from Natchitoches Central High School and resided in Natchitoches most of her life.

She was a very loving mother with a big heart and a free spirit. She loved rock-n-roll, especially Jimi Hendrix. She danced to the beat of her own drum and lived life the way she wanted to. She was always down for a laugh and to have a good time. She will be missed by all who loved her.

Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalms 23: 6)

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With only a few days left for the seniors at St. Mary’s Catholic School, the thought of leaving friendships and high school experiences is finally beginning to sink in. Surprisingly, one of those friendships includes a kindergartener, who they have become friends with this past year, through the Senior/Kindergartener Buddy program.

“This unique program that has been around St. Mary’s for more than 30 years, partners one senior with one kindergartener for the purpose of creating a sense of family between the older kids and the younger kids,” said Tracie Key, senior religion teacher and coordinator of the program. “By meeting and spending 20-30 minutes together once a month over the course of a year, the pair get to know each other and share a special bond much like that of an older brother/sister type of relationship. Because of Covid, we had a shortened buddy program this year but increased the frequency to once a week. The students enjoyed it just as much.”

“The St. Mary’s Kindergartener Buddy program is awesome for the seniors and the kindergarteners,” said senior Ben Smiley, whose buddy is Kiptin Williams. “The seniors get a chance to have fun and be a kid again, and the kindergarteners get someone to look up to and follow examples of as they grow up through the school year.”

“We love our senior buddy because they are fun and they play with us,” echoed almost every kindergartener about their senior buddy.

When the seniors meet with their buddy once a week, the time can be spent playing outside, where the seniors can play a sport with them or just run around and play.

“I have decided that I have the best kindergarten buddy ever!” said Andrew Godfrey of his buddy Max Deen. “Max has one of the best personalities that I have ever been around. He is very adventurous and never seems to run out of energy.”

“Finley (York) is so awesome!” said Jace Miley. She is really funny and full of energy. Her favorite game to play is tag. She loves it when I chase her around the playground.”

Laura Aviles, the only senior with two buddies said, “Keeping up with Annah Adkins and Eleanor Picou is sometimes a little crazy, but I truly enjoy our time together.”

“My buddy, Kailyn Adkins, used to be very afraid of heights,” said Luke Zeagler. “She would get so close to going on the big slide, but she would back out the last second. Eventually, she got over her fear of heights and the slide is now her favorite thing to do on the playground. I’m so proud of her for doing that on her own. I can’t wait to see who she becomes!

Sometimes, the kindergarteners just want to talk about things – most of which are very funny and entertaining to the seniors.

“My favorite memory with Emilee Harper would have to be the first time we got to play together,” said Jessi Lucky. “She was talking about Disney princesses, so I asked her ‘who’s your favorite Disney princess?’ She replied, ‘I don’t know, but I can do a backflip!”

“I like how Revill Dean is very intelligent and super interesting,” said Michael Guillet. “My favorite memory with her is when I asked her what she would want for kindergarten graduation, to which she replied, ‘Doritos!”

“My favorite thing about the buddy program is listening to all of the crazy stories Stafford Savant tells me because it something new every time I see him!” said Abigail Miller.

“Hanging out with Carlee Rhodes reminds me not to get too caught up in all of the craziness of my busy schedule,” said Maggie Gilmore. “I feel like Charlee is a younger version of myself.”

A few special events are held throughout the year, including a Halloween party, Christmas present exchange, flying kites in March, visiting the zoo, and an Easter Egg Hunt. On the last week for the seniors, the whole group of buddies learned a dance together and performed it in front of the student body.

“The last few weeks have been so rewarding and fun,” said Madeline Godfrey. “Getting to know McCall Methvin and all of the precious kindergarteners has definitely been one of the highlights of my senior year.”

Jeffrey Townson, buddy to Aubrey Williams, summed it up best when he said, “I love the buddy program because it brings nothing but joy to everyone who is involved.”

Pictured: Kindergarteners at St. Mary’s School join their senior buddy for an Easter Egg Hunt this past Easter. The seniors have spent the second half of the year spending time with and getting to know their kindergarten buddy. The family bond it creates often last a lifetime. Seniors pictured with their buddy are Laura Aviles: Annah Adkins and Eleanor Picou; Cameron Churchman: Eli Thibodaux; Abigail Miller: Stafford Savant; Karson Eversull: Ryan Lovemore; Dane Files: Ben Collins; Maggie Gilmore: Charlee Rhodes; Andrew Godfrey: Max Deen; Madeline Godfrey, McCall Methvin; Michael Guillet: Revill Dean; Noah Heard: Ansley Dranguet; Tim Lyddy: Archer Johnson; Jessi Lucky: Emilee Harper; Grace Lemoine: Xzaven Colwell; Jace Miley: Finley York; Triston Mitchell: Laurel Charmichael; Jensen Parker: Vivian Philen; Ben Smiley: Kiptin Williams; Jeffrey Townson: Aubrey Williams; Patrick Vienne: Hayes Harrington; Dagan Watson: Madelyn Wilkerson; Abby Williams: Thea Foshee; and Luke Zeagler: Kailyn Adkins.

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Troop 60 of the Boy Scouts spent their Saturday volunteering with the Cane River Food Pantry. They spent 6 hours refurbishing three of the rusted old freezers. The Cane River Food Pantry serves our neighbors and can only do so because of the amazing volunteers like the boy scouts. Thank you to the boy scouts and their parents.

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The Legacy Café, a women-led restaurant staffed by students of the Legacy Youth Workforce Development Program, will host a “Sweet Potato Sampler” cooking demonstration on Wednesday, May 12th from 5:00 – 6:30 P.M. The free demonstration will feature four delicious recipes all made from sweet potatoes and from scratch. You can expect to try sweet potato fries, sweet potato stew, pureed baby food and top it off with sweet potato cake for dessert. Attendees will be able to try these treats, bring home samples and sweet potato starter plants. The Café will also provide recipes so attendees can create the dishes at home.

Bridget Gustafson, the Garden & Nutrition Coordinator VISTA Volunteer for the Ben D. Johnson Educational Center said “We want to encourage everyone, especially parents of young children, to attend this free event! You’ll get to walk away with homemade baby food, as well as other yummy, creative ways to prepare the sweet potatoes that continue to arrive in the USDA food boxes.” The food boxes Ms. Gustafson is referring to have been part of a weekly food drive initiative led by the Shekinah Glory Church of God, located at 725 Amulet Street.

The Legacy Café is a real-life training environment for the Legacy Youth Workforce Development program (LYWD). The LYWD Program is a sixteen-week training initiative for 17-24-year-olds who are out of work and out of school. Students receive life skills training and development in the classroom, and work experience and instruction in the Legacy Café. The restaurant features a unique menu of southern soul food blended with fresh, healthy produce harvested from the Legacy Garden, located just behind the café.

If you know someone who might benefit from the LYWD Program, the BDJ Center asks that you help spread the word. To learn more about their programs call them at (318) 460-7460.

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Rotary President Paul Rinehart invited Natchitoches Parish Council President John Richmond to provide an update on the goals and objectives of Natchitoches Parish at the May 11 weekly Rotarian luncheon. Pictured from left are Rinehart and Richmond (Photo by Dr. Ron McBride).

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POSITION: District Coordinator of Maintenance Department

QUALIFICATIONS:
• High School Diploma (college degree preferred)
• Experience managing teams (general contractor experience preferred)
• Knowledge of plumbing, carpentry, electrical, HVAC and construction blue prints
• Experience in purchasing of construction materials and supplies
• Basic knowledge of operating computer software
• Experience with maintaining vendor relations and processing invoices
• Additional criteria as the Director of Business Affairs may establish

SALARY: According to Natchitoches Parish Salary Schedule

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 12 months

WHERE TO APPLY:
Linda G. Page, Director of Personnel
Natchitoches Parish School Board
310 Royal St., P. O. Box 16
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016
(318) 352-2358

DEADLINE: Thursday, May 20, 2021; 4:00 p.m.

APPLICATIONS: Application packet should consist of a resume’, transcripts or diploma, and a letter of reference from former or present employer.

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Northwestern State University’s Hospitality Management and Tourism program announced several student scholarship recipients for the Spring, Summer and Fall 2021 semesters.

Rayne Skelton of Many and Travon Jones of Cullen were selected for Columns Café Scholarships for the Spring 2021 semester. The $500 awards are funded by proceeds from Columns Café and Bistro to Go, which provide experiential learning and supplementary culinary funds for equipment and activities.

Julie Nelson of Boyce was awarded the $1,000 Mary Leigh Gallaspy Scholarship funds for Spring 2021 and the $500 Dixie Nell Gallaspy Scholarship for Fall 2021, dedicated to HMT majors only. Two other students, Katie Briggs of Keithville and Lilly Roach of Bryan, Arkansas, were awarded Dixie Nell Gallaspy Scholarships in the amount of $500 each for Spring 2021.

Mary Leigh Gallaspy funds were awarded in the amount of $1,000 each to students who plan to take classes during the Summer 2021 semester. They are Skelton, Justin Mundy of Pineville, Andrew Pitari of Metairie, Meredith Phelps of Natchitoches, Kierra Linden of Morse, Cameron Cherry of Ball, Morgan Slaughter of Natchez and Cree Roark of Olla. Cherry will also receive the Marlene McKinney Allen Scholarship ($200) for Spring 2021.

For 2021, Linden and Peyton Spurgeon of Pineville received funding from Louisiana Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. This is the second time Spurgeon has been awarded a scholarship from LRAEF.

Three students have been nominated to receive dedicated funds from the American Hotel and Lodging Association. They are Faith Burke of New Orleans, earning $2,000 for two semesters, Pitari, earning $1,500 for fall only as he will graduate in December, and Linden, receiving $2,000 for two semesters. Linden and Pitari also received $2,000 for the current academic year.

Peyton Spurgeon of Pineville, Kierra Linden of Morse and Andrew Pitari of Metairie were awarded scholarships from the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation for the Fall 2021 semester. Linden and Faith Burke of New Orleans will receive funding from the American Hotel and Lodging Education Foundation for the next academic year.

Spurgeon, Linden and Angela Wilson of Hahnville were also named LRAEF Scholars, an award presented in partnership with Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers for students who intend to pursue a career in the restaurant, foodservice, tourism or hospitality industry.

Pictured: Several students from NSU’s hospitality management and tourism program earned scholarships for the spring, summer and fall semesters. On the front row from left are Rayne Skelton, Andrew Pitari and Cameron Cherry. On the middle row are Cree Roark, Julie Nelson, Meredith Phelps and Morgan Slaughter. On the back row are Chef John Carriere, professor; Landon Amberg, professor; Valerie Salter, professor, and Kierra Linden.

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By Brad Dison

During World War II, allied forces used naval mines, self-contained underwater explosives, to destroy enemy ships and submarines. Sailors armed and deposited the mines in key areas where enemy ship traffic, especially German submarines known as U-boats, was likely. The slightest nudge ignited the mines. Sharks became an issue in the allied forces’ naval mining operation. Naturally curious, sharks frequently swam up to the naval mines for a closer look. In trying to determine what the mines were, sharks often bumped into the mines which triggered the mines and led to explosions. The military was not as much concerned for the welfare of the sharks as they were for the loss of the mines. Naval mining operations were time consuming, tedious, dangerous, and expensive. They needed some way to repel sharks from the mines.

Soon after the United States entered World War II, Carolyn McWilliams felt drawn to the war effort. She said later in life that “Everybody that I knew was in the Army or the Navy or down in Washington, so that’s where I went.” Carolyn tried to join the Women’s Army Corps (WACS) and the Navy’s Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), but was rejected by both because, they claimed, she was too tall. Carolyn stood 6’2” tall. Undeterred and eager to do her part, Carolyn volunteered to work in the OSS, the Office of Strategic Services, forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Carolyn was just one of 4,500 other women who worked for the OSS. She worked as a file secretary and typed up thousands of names on small note cards for a system which was used to keep track of officers’ locations in the era before computers. Carolyn was well-educated and ambitious. Within a short time, she was transferred to the Emergency Sea Rescue Equipment Section, a top-secret experimental research project.

One of Carolyn’s tasks within the OSS was more suited to a chemist than someone whose previous work was as a file secretary. Carolyn’s job was to develop a chemical shark repellent. Her superiors hoped that in addition to keeping sharks away from naval mines, downed pilots in the ocean could use a shark deterrent to stave off shark attacks while they awaited rescue.

Sharks have a heightened sense of smell, hundreds of times more powerful than a human’s. They have the ability to detect trace amounts of various compounds in millions of gallons of water. During her experiments, Carolyn learned that sharks avoided dead sharks. With this information, Carolyn set out to develop a recipe which smelled like a dead shark.

Carolyn was pampered in an upper-class household. Her father graduated from Princeton University and became wealthy in the real estate business. Her mother was an heiress to a paper company. Her grandfather was a lieutenant governor of Massachusetts. Carolyn had no experience with recipes or cooking because the family had hired cooks. Undeterred, Carolyn eagerly accepted the challenge.

Carolyn tried various combinations of putrid-smelling recipes, many of which attracted sharks rather than repelled them. Finally, after numerous attempts, she found one which showed a slight repellence. Carolyn’s recipe was a mixture of copper acetate and black dye made into a cake. Although the CIA eventually released Carolyn’s dead shark cake recipe, its use during World War II remains classified. Some sources claim that Carolyn’s shark repellent “was a critical tool during WWII, and was coated on explosives that were targeting German U-boats.”

Carolyn learned that the OSS was planning to send people overseas. She had always wanted to travel and pushed for overseas duty. In 1944, the OSS transferred Carolyn to Ceylon, present day Sri Lanka, and Kunming, China, where she worked as Chief of the OSS Registry. The Registry served all American intelligence branches, and Carolyn, who had the highest security clearance due to her position, knew every top-secret message that passed into and out of her office.

While abroad, Carolyn met another OSS officer who was well-educated, well-traveled, and loved fine French cuisine. Carolyn and Paul fell in love. In September of 1946, just over a year after the allied victory in World War II, Carolyn and Paul married. With the war over, Carolyn returned to civilian life while Paul continued to work in intelligence. In 1948, Paul was assigned to the U.S. Information Agency in France. Carolyn had always wanted to visit France, but, being the driven person she was, she needed a task, a purpose. She enrolled in one of France’s most prestigious cooking schools, Le Cordon Bleu. Up until this point, the only significant recipe she had experimented with was her shark repellent cakes.

In 1951, Carolyn graduated from Le Cordon Bleu. For most people, graduating from such a prominent school would have been enough. Carolyn, however, knew that there was more that she wanted to learn. She studied under several master chefs in France and continued to experiment in the culinary arts. In that same year, she began working with two authors on a French cookbook for Americans. Ten years later, the trio finally found a publisher who was interested in publishing their 726-page Mastering the Art of French Cooking. The book was a best-seller and is still in print.

The book was the first leap in Carolyn’s culinary career. Carolyn became a syndicated author, wrote numerous books which were designed to teach Americans how to cook French cuisine, and became the most widely seen cooking host on television from the 1960s until the 1990s. It is difficult to imagine that Carolyn’s culinary career began during World War II with a recipe for shark repellent. Rather than repel, her recipes have attracted the attention of millions of people around the world. Back in 1948, Julia Carolyn McWilliams married Paul Child, and became Julia Child.

Sources:
1. News-Press (Fort Myers, Florida), July 10, 2015, p.A13.
2. Naval Aviation Training Division Guide, Shark Sense, March, 1944.
3. “Julia Child Helped Develop Shark Repellant During World War Ii,” the National World War II Museum of New Orleans, accessed April 30, 2021, nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/julia-child-shark-repellant-world-war-ii#:~:text=The%20recipe%20of%20Child’s%20and,to%20deter%20sharks%20from%20attacking.
4. “Julia Child: Cooking up Spy Ops for Oss,” Central Intelligence Agency, accessed April 30, 2021, cia.gov/stories/story/julia-child-cooking-up-spy-ops-for-oss/.

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BOM was a sponsor of the St. Mary’s Catholic School’s Tiger & Lady Tiger Basketball Teams. In the photo from left and right: Coach DeAndre Benton and BOM’s Jacob Murchison.

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By Royal Alexander/Opinion

Crushing new taxes on job creators, along with workers staying home because they make more money not working, are harming our very productive economy.

President Reagan once stated, “I believe the best social program is a job.” That simple truth remains, and the Biden Administration would be wise to heed it.

The $2 trillion Biden plan will directly reduce wages, eliminate jobs, and restrict economic growth while decreasing private market investment, ultimately causing the U.S. to become less competitive. Why is that?

Because, among several other reasons, the proposal will increase the tax burden on entrepreneurs who create the very jobs a strong economy needs by raising the corporate tax rate to 28 percent from 21 percent. Biden also plans to raise the long-term capital gains tax rate from its current 23.8% to a whopping 43.4%. (Note, the top capital gains tax rate for Chinese investors is only 20%. Yes, that means the U.S. will be punishing investors more than Communist China).

The corporate tax rate is damaging enough but that, unfortunately, is not all the Biden plan does. Among other things, it will also add a new minimum 15% tax on “book income” (income corporations publicly report on their financial statements to shareholders), increase taxes on multinational corporations based in the U.S., and undermine and weaken American competitiveness through a new international agreement between high-tax countries. (Heritage.org). It will also continue hammering the fossil-fuel industry, this time with targeted tax increases. (Recall on his first day in office Pres. Biden revoked a permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline and also froze new leases for oil and gas drilling on federal lands and the issuance of new drilling permits).

What does all of this mean? In the simplest terms, if our federal (or state) government too heavily taxes economic activity we will have less economic activity. Taxes create a disincentive to provide or produce goods or services. For this reason, the power to tax is also the power to destroy. (Chief Justice John Marshall). Along these same lines we should also note that one of the most critical elements of job and business creation is the presence of individuals who are willing to take a risk—often a significant financial risk—that their business will succeed. The way you entice these individuals to do that is with affordable financial capital (start-up/investment dollars) to buy the equipment, lease or buy the space and/or location, and hire the people they will need to launch their business. If they cannot afford to borrow this start-up capital the business—and those jobs—will never be created.

Although we never seem to learn it, the lesson never changes when the government dramatically increases spending and significantly raises taxes the result is less economic growth, fewer jobs, and lower wages. Always. And, given that we are still recovering from government mandated Covid shutdowns the last thing we need to do is impose huge new taxes.

Taken together, these plans and the vast new taxes they include serve to put a drag on our increasingly vibrant post-Covid economy. I am hopeful that Congress will reject such harmful tax increases and instead focus on a concrete pro-growth agenda that keeps all taxes low—and job creators and job creation thriving in our economy.

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On May 8, 2021 around 12:45 a.m., officers with the Natchitoches Police Department were dispatched to the 300 block of Keyser Avenue in reference to a fatal crash involving a pedestrian.

The initial investigation by Natchitoches Police Department revealed that a 2007 Ford Explorer, driven by Juan Chavez, was travelling westbound on Keyser Avenue. At the same time, Brenda Knight, was crossing Keyser Avenue and was struck by the Ford Explorer.

Brenda Knight was transported to the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased as a result of her injuries.

Routine toxicology samples were obtained and will be submitted for the analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

If you would like to report suspicious activity or have any additional information in regards to this crash contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.

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By Bud Denega, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

The Southland Conference announced its All-Conference teams Monday. A trio of Northwestern State players were honored.

Junior E.C. Delafield led the way, garnering first-team All-Conference at the utility position. She did it all for the Lady Demons, both in the circle and at the plate.

Delafield owned a team-best 1.99 ERA in 109 innings pitched. She held a 10-4 record with nine complete games and 90 strikeouts.

Delafield also laid claim to the second-highest batting average on the team at .315. That came equipped with eight doubles, two home runs and 20 RBIs.

Northwestern State had a pair of third-team selections. Junior second baseman Cayla Jones and senior outfielder Kaitlyn St. Clair were honored.

This marks Jones’ third time being named all-conference. She came on strong toward the end of the regular season, finishing with a .309 batting average, seven doubles, one triple, four homers and 24 RBIs.

St. Clair reeled in all-conference recognition for the first time in her career. She batted .306 with five doubles, four homers and 14 RBIs.

The No. 4-seeded Lady Demons open Southland Conference play Tuesday against the winner between No. 5-seeded Southeastern Louisiana and No. 8-seeded Abilene Christian.

Photo: NSU Athletics

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NATCHITOCHES:
Brenda Gail Rachal Knight
December 01, 1963 – May 08, 2021
Service: Tuesday, May 18 at 1 pm at Christian Worship Center, located at 1513 Hwy. 494 in Natchitoches

Taylor Madison Weaver
April 2, 2002-May 9, 2021
Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, May 13 at the funeral home.
Service: Friday, May 14 at 11 a.m. at Rockett Funeral Home, Ringgold.
Cemetery: Hathorn Cemetery, Ashland, Louisiana.

Spencer Castleberry
August 27, 1972 – May 10, 2021
Service: Wednesday, May 12 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Todd Moore
August 31, 1962 – May 10, 2021
Service: Thursday, May 13 at 10 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Robert Hall, Sr
November 7, 1936 – May 4, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Clyde Ray Jackson
October 19, 1951 – May 7, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Willie Carr
May 23, 1945 – May 07, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Phillip Lloyd Gillis
March 13, 1968 – April 29, 2021
Service: Saturday, May 29, 2021 from 1-5 pm at the home of Ryan and Bekah French Home, located at 1615 Williams Ave. in Natchitoches

Ruben Sawyer
September 13, 1959 – May 04, 2021
Arrangements TBA

SABINE:
Jo Ann Richards
March 11, 1957 – May 8, 2021
Service: Friday, May 14 at 10 am at Hornbeck Full Gospel Church

Martha C. Foshee
January 19, 1929 – May 9, 2021

Service: Thursday, May 13 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

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The Natchitoches City Council met on May 10, 2021 for a brief meeting. Agenda items were as follows:

ORDINANCES – FINAL:

Adopt The Millage Rate For The Tax Year 2021.
Adopt The Budget For The City Of Natchitoches For The Fiscal Year June 1, 2021 Through May 31, 2022.
Authorize A Franchise In Favor Of Cane River Paddle & Pedal Sports, L.L.C. To Operate A Rental Boat Business Within The City Limits Of The City Of Natchitoches, Confirming The Term Of The Franchise, Conditions, And Considerations For Said Franchise And Authorizing The Mayor To Execute The Said Franchise Agreement On Behalf Of The City Providing For Advertising, Further Providing For Severability, And Further Providing For A Repealer And Effective Date Of Ordinance.
Provide For The Incurring Of Debt And Issuance Of Sales Tax Refunding Bonds, Series 2021 Of The City Of Natchitoches

ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION:
Declare Certain Buildings Unsafe And Recommending That Same Be Demolished Or Put Into Repair To Comply With The Building Code, Authorizing Notice To Be Served, Fixing Hearing Date And Appointing Curator To Represent Absentees. Properties include 1332 Berry Avenue, 722 Sabine Alley Street, 815 and 827 Jordan Street, 709 Kerry Street, 1538 Berry Avenue, and 312 Sanford Street.

Amend The 2020-2021 Budget To Reflect Additional Revenues and Expenditures.
Declare Movable Property To Be Surplus And Authorizing The Mayor Of The City Of Natchitoches, Louisiana, To Convey Said Movable Surplus Property To Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District No. 10 Of Natchitoches Parish, Whose Functions Include Public Safety; Providing For Advertising, Further Providing For Severability, And Further Providing For A Repealer And Effective Date Of Ordinance.

Provide For Affirming Zoning And If Necessary Rezoning Certain Premises As B-A Or B-Sob, And Further To Amend Sections Ii, ( C ) (4) And Ii, ( C ) (5) Of Appendix B – Zoning Regulations Of The Code Of Ordinances, Entitled B-A Districts And B-Sob Districts, To Provide For An Exception To Provision That Requires Termination Of Certain Zoning When Business Discontinues For A Time Period, Providing For Advertising, Further Providing For Severability, And Further Providing For A Repealer And Effective Date Of Ordinance.

Approve That Instrument Titled Cooperative Endeavor Agreement Between The City Of Natchitoches And Commcare Management Corporation, Which Agreement Provides For Cost Sharing For The Installation Of Utility Infrastructure, Including Electric, Water And Sanitary Sewer, Which Improvements Will Serve The Proposed Nursing Home Facility At 781 Louisiana Highway 494, As Well As Provide For Upgrades To The Existing Infrastructure And Accommodate Future Development In The Area

RESOLUTIONS:
Authorize The City To Participate In The LaMATS Administered Cooperative Purchasing Joint Commission (LACPC) And To Appoint Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr., As Commission Representative
Re-Appoint Henry Kinberger and Johnny Broussard as Members Of The Natchitoches Fire And Police Civil Service Board.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next scheduled City Council meeting will be Monday, May 24, 2021

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The Natchitoches Parish School Board is holding a Town Hall Meeting in Cloutierville on Tuesday, May 11 at 6 pm at the Grace Baptist Church located at 15926 Hwy 1, Cloutierville, Louisiana.

They will be discussing the consolidation of District 6, 8 and 10 into a new District 1. They are also proposing a new high school that would serve the Provencal, Marthaville and Cloutierville areas.

Input from the public is encouraged to attend to provide feedback on the consolidation as well as the high school.

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