There will be a Planning & Zoning meeting on Tuesday, August 10th at 5:00pm in the City Hall Chambers located at 700 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA. 71457

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss a new subdivision within the City of Natchitoches.  

This notice has been paid for by the Citizens, Voters & Taxpayers opposed to the new Glendale Subdivision Development.  Please take moment to review the attached documents and petition provided below.  The petition states the numerous items regarding the negative impact this proposed development would create. 

Please consider signing the petition and/or attending the meeting.

For more information, please contact:

Jack McCain
318-652-3509

 

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BOM is excited to announce the addition of Haley Kilgore to our Keyser Avenue team. Haley is from Marthaville, LA and graduated from Natchitoches Central High School in 2013. She has been married for six years to her husband Josh Kilgore. Together they have three children, Hunter (6), Fisher (2), and a baby girl Brook (3 months). In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends. Haley loves being able to interact with the community and serve customers. She is excited to be a part of the BOM family, and can’t wait to see what the future holds. Welcome, Haley!

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The Parish Council held a special called meeting via teleconference on Aug. 6 to authorize the execution of several Change Orders that have already been approved by the Cane River Waterway Commission who is funding the Fish Hatchery Road Project.

Change Order No. 1 for the resurfacing of Fish Hatchery Road in the amount of $9,400 for revisions in planned drainage structures at several locations within the portion of the project for which roadside ditch profiles have been established to date, bringing the total to $2,064,605.78 and increasing the completion from 150 to 153 days

Change Order No. 2 for the resurfacing of Fish Hatchery Road in the amount of $48,710 to install a new outfall pipe to take runoff from the north/east roadside ditch at the Project Station and deposit it directly into Cane River Lake, bringing the total to $2,113,315.78 and increasing the completion from 153 to 161 days

Change Order No. 3 for the resurfacing of Fish Hatchery Road in the amount of $30,980 to install a new cross-drain pipe and outfall ditch at the Project Station and to replace existing deteriorated cross-drain pipes at four locations not specified in the plans, bringing the total to $2,144,295.78 and increasing the completion from 161 to 167 days

Change Order No. 4 for the resurfacing of Fish Hatchery Road in the amount of $5,400 to provide for pothole patching in the parts of the project where asphalt surfacing exists (North end of the road), bringing the total to $2,149,695.78 and increasing the completion from 161 to 167 days

Authorize the Parish President to enter into negotiations and obligate the funds for the acquisition of drainage servitudes from owners of private property at the locations of the new outfalls being constructed as part of the Fish Hatchery Road Project

Introduction of Ordinance to authorize the purchase by the Parish of certain drainage servitudes from private property owners at project stations of the resurfacing of Fish Hatchery Road Project

Hoover abstained from voting on these items as her husband is employed by the project contractor, Regional Construction.

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On Thursday August 5, 2021 a local concerned citizen learned of the LADOTD plan to place concrete curbing on Hwy 6 preventing vehicles exiting Hwy 3278 from turning left. The LADOTD plan is to have all vehicles turn right and those wanting to come into Natchitoches must now cross two lanes of traffic, enter the new turn lane in front of Dark Woods Park and then make a J turn back to Natchitoches negotiating two more lanes of traffic. 

Upon contacting LADOTD the citizen was told at each level that there was nothing that could be done.  The citizen contacted Senator Louie Bernard who immediately took action and started contacting LADOTD officials to find out exactly what can be done at this time.

This morning at 7:45 am Senator Bernard met at the location with a few of the neighbors and watched as people struggled to utilize the new turn lane and J turn area. Senator Bernard then arranged a meeting at the local LADOTD headquarters at 11:00 where he and several citizens voiced their concerns. During the meeting it became apparent that our local office has their hands tied as to what they are allowed to do,  so Senator Bernard reached out to Dr. Shawn Wilson, head of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and also the district office in Alexandria. According to Senator Bernard there is a very good chance that the LADOTD will pause construction for a day or two to make some time for a public hearing on the matter.

Once the public meeting is announced Natchitoches Parish citizens will have a chance to explain their issues with the changes and the state can give its side.   Hopefully, a compromise that works for all parties can be reached.

A big thank you to Senator Bernard. Without his help, the project would have proceeded with no input from the citizens.

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It’s a numbers game for Northwestern State volleyball, who began fall practice on Friday.

The combination of a postponed season, reduced roster and injuries left the Lady Demons with just seven players to finish the 13-game spring schedule. There were double that number going through passing drills inside Prather Coliseum on Friday morning as preparation began for 2021 season.

That fact alone has seventh-year head coach Sean Kiracofe excited about the new season.

“We have a full gym and all of our new players fill roles that we were at times lacking last season,” Kiracofe said. “To be able to put them into those spots is great and helped things just move a whole lot better.”

Another point of excitement for the coach and Lady Demon fans will be the return of libero Haley Hoang who suffered a season-ending injury midway through the spring season. Now a junior, Hoang picked up right where she left off in her first day back on the court.

“I feel back to normal and 100 percent,” Hoang said. “I’m just ready to go in and contribute everything I can and start off the same way I did last year if not better and do everything I can to help my team out.”

Hoang led the conference and ranked in the top 10 in the country in digs per set at the time of her injury. She is one of the leaders in a relatively small group of upperclassmen, along with Bryce Potter and Reagan Lee who both enter their fourth years with the program.

They are tasked with ushering in the next wave of Lady Demons, including four freshman who are likely to see plenty of action early and often.

“We have a great group of girls and I think we’ll get a better chance at gelling since we’ll be able to be together more,” Hoang said about the new faces on the team. “We’ve had a few open gyms and lift sessions, and everybody works really hard and is really dedicated and will give everything they have to make the team better.”

Still a relatively new face to the program is Autumn Gentry, who is in her second year at NSU after transferring from New Mexico State, but quickly established herself as leader thanks to the versatility she displayed a season ago playing multiple positions, at times, within the same match.

“It was a challenge getting to spend time in all the positions in practice,” Gentry said. “But it helped me see the floor in different ways that I hadn’t seen before, understand where other people are coming from in those positions and really helped my game overall.

“Having that knowledge in the different spots and how coach wants them run will help me give that advice to the new girls if they need it. I think it’s going to help all of us be better, motivating each other and pushing ourselves will be exciting.”

The work began in earnest on Friday morning and continues through the next few weeks as a new crop of players find their roles within the program and on the floor. Navigating through that in August with a full schedule ahead gives Kiracofe a sense of familiarity as he enters his 19th season in college coaching.

“To get an actual preseason and be able to train and work on things and get people used to what’s happening feels great, it feels comfortable,” he said. “I go back to how we were shorthanded number wise, a lot of the things we do on a normal basis we just couldn’t do because we didn’t have the bodies.

Now that we do, and we can get into that flow of game-like drills to work on specific things it’s a more comfortable and better feeling going into the season.”

NSU plays a home exhibition match against UL-Lafayette on Aug. 21 and opens the regular season in New Orleans at the Tulane Invite on Aug. 27.

Photo:  Gary Hardamon

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JUNE 27, 1943 – AUGUST 4, 2021

Mary Donellan Darby, 78, entered into the peace of heaven on the evening of March 4, at Lane Senior Care in Zachary, La., where she had been residing for the past six months because of advanced dementia. Although her world was clouded and confused she still took joy in the love of her family members and enjoyed receiving almost daily letters and old photos from her husband, Joe Darby. Mary was born in Derby, England on June 27, 1943. She was the daughter of an English war bride, Ada Dimmock, and an American GI, James Donellan. After World War II was over, Ada brought her three-year-old Mary to the United States, where the new family settled in Baton Rouge. Mary attended St. Anthony elementary and high schools and graduated from Istrouma High School in 1961. Mary was a very devout Catholic, having remained so from childhood. She relied on her faith to help her get through difficult times in life. She married and raised her three beloved children, Charles, Ronald and Shannon Alleman. After her children were grown, she obtained a licensed practical nurse degree and practiced for several years then went on to become a licensed professional counselor, with a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees. She specialized in family counseling, anger management, juvenile care and other aspects of counseling. She had private practices in East Baton Rouge, Jefferson and Natchitoches parishes. She also worked as a counselor for the Jefferson Parish Juvenile Services Department. Mary also made several professional presentations to students and faculty at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, her topics ranging from drug abuse to eating disorders. While in high school, Mary had met and dated Joe Darby. It was not yet time for them but after going their separate ways and raising their own families, they reunited in 1999 and were married in 2000. Joe retired from the New Orleans Times-Picayune in 2006 and they moved to Natchitoches to spend their remaining golden years. And golden years, they were. Mary and Joe traveled, dined out often, shared interests in history, attending baseball games, the theater and symphony concerts. They enjoyed a rich, loving life. She also enjoyed the love of their dogs, and there were always one or two pups in their care. Mary also loved to garden, planting flowers, bushes and trees and watching them grow. She had a huge collection of dozens of stuffed animals, most of them teddy bears, ranging in height from a couple of inches to a couple of feet. When she was younger, she was an avid walker, walking a mile or more every day. She had undergone triple bypass heart surgery in 2010 but recovered well and enjoyed years of good health. Signs of her dementia began to become obvious a few years ago, but she lived each day as best she could.

Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 11 from 5:00pm-8:00pm. Visitation will resume at Greenoaks Funeral Home Thursday, August 12 from 1:00pm until service time of 2:00pm.

A Memorial Service will be conducted at St. Denis Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Monday.

Mary was widely admired by many family members and friends and several have commented that she was a beautiful woman, inside and out.

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Some may be wondering where our parish stands on COVID-19 related deaths. Well, since the beginning of COVID-19, we have attributed 87 deaths to COVID-19. Now, this is residents of our parish only. Since beginning this current surge we have had two reports of deaths due to COVID and yes, we do anticipate to see a rise with the increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations we are currently seeing.

COVID-19 related deaths are supposed to be reported to the coroner’s office, given it falls into the “infectious disease” category. I know there is much skepticism over believing the numbers which are being published out there in the media and state. I will say this, the coroner’s office is who is certifying these cases and as such we review all relevant medical information, history, etc to determine if that was actually the cause of death or a contributor. We base our determinations after weighing in on all these factors. Every death is investigated and reviewed.

With that in mind, we do encourage everyone to mask up, property sanitize, wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer and get vaccinated. So many cases we are hearing about someone in the family exposing another family member to COVID. Some basic precautions can truly go a long ways.

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POSITION: Controller – Finance Department

DESCRIPTION: Performs a variety of routine and complex clerical and administrative skills in the Finance Department. Responsible for supervising all functions of the payroll department, all functions of the accounts payable department, including monthly sales tax, balancing cash, invoice processing, airport credit card report, monthly sales tax and 1099’s. Train other employees in the Finance Department. Assists in monthly, quarterly and year end reports. Monitors and performs the daily operations in relation to various employee benefits offered including health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, retirement and other benefits offered to employees.

Sets up new vendors and account codes in the GMBA system.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or business administration from an accredited college or university or related field with a minimum of three years of responsible government (Municipal) or banking accounting experience or similar experience or an Associate degree in accounting, finance or business administration from an accredited college or university or related field with five years of responsible government (Municipal) or banking accounting experience or similar experience or Graduation from a standard high school, supplemented by college level courses in accounting with seven years of responsible administrative or accounting work related to municipal or banking accounting experience.

CONTACT: City of Natchitoches, Human Resources Department located at 1400 Sabine Street, or P.O. Box 37, Natchitoches, LA 71458-0037. Applications may also be picked up upstairs at City hall, located at 700 Second St., or you may download an application on line at http://www.natchitochesla.gov

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications will be accepted through August 11, 2021

THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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The Natchitoches Parish School Board has been hard at work revising their back-to-school plan for the 2021-2022 school year. After Governor John Bel Edwards’ press conference on August 2, 2021, the Natchitoches Parish School Board created operational guidelines to answer questions and concerns surrounding Covid-19.

The official 2021-2022 NPSB Covid-19 Guidelines address various topics such as facial coverings, sanitization, Covid testing, and quarantines. “NPSB’s highest responsibility is student safety,” says Superintendent Dr. Grant Eloi, “and this plan outlines just how we manage to do that this year.”

For more information and to read NPSB’s Covid-19 Guidelines, please visit npsb.la/Covid- Guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the NPSB Nurse at covidnurse@npsb.la.

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Northwestern State University is preparing to welcome students back to campus for the Fall 2021 semester with athletes, spirit groups and student leaders already arriving prior to the university’s official move-in days Aug. 12-14.

University Housing and Residential Life staff have notified residential students that move-in days will be similar to the past two semesters with drive-thru check-in. Students should arrive for their registered time through NSU’s Jefferson Street entrance and go to Collins Pavilion where they will begin the check-in process and pick up keys without leaving their vehicle. Students will need to show their student ID or driver’s license to check in and will then proceed to their residential community.

Prior to arrival, students should check their email to print out and complete the Missing Student Policy and Resident Declaration Form required for move-in to decrease the amount of time spent filling out the paperwork.

Health and safety will remain a top priority. Earlier this week, Northwestern announced that the school will comply with state mandates requiring all individuals on all campuses to wear facial coverings while inside buildings, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not.

“The move-in process we created last fall was efficient, both time-wise and in regards to social distancing,” said Housing and Residential Life Director Stephanie Dyjack. “It was convenient for students to stay in their cars and be handed their move-in packets before heading to their residence halls.”

Students are allowed two people to assist them with moving in and will be provide with two parking passes for two vehicles to be permitted in the unloading and parking areas. Elevators will be limited to two people or members of the same household. In order to promote social distancing in hallways, stairwells and apartments, families are asked to leave when their move-in time is over.

Some offices in the Student Services Center will be open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14 to assist students with last-minute questions. These include Admissions, Financial Aid, One Card, Registrar’s, Student Accounting and Cashier’s and University Recruiting. The University Post Office will also be open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

“As a reminder, some procedures may be subject to change based on CDC, state and university policy,” Dyjack said.

NSU administrators strongly encourage students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated if they have not done so already. The university will offer free vaccinations at several locations on campus Aug. 12-Sept. 1. Students can sign up for a vaccine appointment at nsu.la/GetVaxxed and be entered for a grand prize drawing if first shot is received by Aug. 20.

Move-In Day is NSU’s kick off to Demon Days, 42 days of fun and free events and activities that provide students opportunities to get involved and make the most of their college experience. Move-In Day weekend events include First Night Fest on the Green, Destination Demons and the BCM Meet and Greet for all students and New Student Convocation, the President’s Picnic and Class Photo for the Class of 2025.

“We are very excited for the start of the semester and thrilled that our students will be returning to our residential communities,” Dyjack said. “Our entire team is prepared and ready.”

For more information on Move In Day call (318) 214-5400.

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Northwestern State University ROTC Cadet Meya Morse was commissioned Friday, Aug. 5 as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and is NSU’s first female cadet to be selected to serve on active duty in the Army’s Armor branch. Morse is a native of Morgan City and completed a bachelor’s degree at the close of NSU’s summer session in computer information systems with a concentration in web development and a minor in military science.

“Finding out that I would branch as an Armor officer was a surprise yet satisfaction to my eyes,” Morse said. “Not only will I be active duty in the armed forces, but I will be a part of a combat arms — the battlefield — branch. My role as an Armor officer is to lead in different operations and lead in combat operations pertaining to tanks and cavalry reconnaissance.”

“Meya has made history here in the Demon Battalion by being our first female cadet to commission as an Armor officer. Let that sink in a minute, our first female cadet in history to commission as an Armor officer,” said LTC Joshua R. Blake, professor of military science. “We are fortunate to witness this historic event as she is the first in what will be a long line of courageous women who take advantage of the new opportunities to serve.”

Infantry and Armor branches of the military were closed to women until 2016 when all military occupations and positions were opened to women who qualify and meet specific standards.

“As an Infantry officer, I can tell you firsthand that the Armor and Infantry branches are at the tip of the spear,” Drake said. “These branches are the hammer that close with and destroy our nation’s adversaries with decisive action and firepower. If you haven’t seen an M1 Abrams shoot its 120mm main gun, it’s an amazing demonstration of the Army’s strength.”

Morse is also the first female from her hometown to commission into a combat branch. Although unsure where she will be stationed, she will first head to Fort Benning, Georgia, for Basic Officer Leaders Course.

Morse graduated from Morgan City High School in 2016. While in high school, she was involved in many organizations, including National Beta Club and JROTC where she was the Battalion Commander of Morgan City High School.

“Before Battalion Commander, I went to JROTC Cadet Leadership Training Course, which is a week of leadership training. There, I was the top cadet in the entire camp out of over 600 cadets. Being Battalion Commander I did over 30 service events, and I led over 40 cadets in the Battalion,” Morse said.

In high school, Morse was also in the gifted program for acting, singing and drawing and was part of Morgan City’s women’s basketball and track teams. As a basketball player, she was named All-State for four years and was team captain. In track, she went to Regionals in 2015 for the 300 hurdles. She was also MC for school pep rallies and Homecoming Queen in 2015.

Arriving at NSU in 2016, Morse was president of Juice Athletics, part of Lifted Voices choir and dance and joined African America Caucus participating in Wild n Out for three years. She also did community service and intramural sports and was named All Star and MVP for flag football and basketball. Her name is on several flags hanging in the WRAC representing five championships in intramural sports. She is an Honor Roll student.

“I joined the Northwestern State Demon Battalion in 2019 because I wanted to further my military outlook. From there, I held various positions such as S-1, president of the Black Knights, president of the Cadet Funds and executive officer. I volunteered at the nursing home, animal shelter, summer program for kids back in Morgan City and service events. I also attended Operation Agile Leader to commission as an officer in the Army,” she said.

Morse currently serves in the Army Reserves and has been serving in the military for four years as a specialist. Her MOS was an 88M (Transportation Specialist) for the 441st Transportation Company in New Orleans.

Pictured: Meya Morse of Morgan City, right, made history at Northwestern State University as being the first female ROTC cadet to commission in the Armor branch of the U.S. Army, an opportunity that was closed to women until 2016. Morse earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems with a concentration in web development and a minor in military science. LTC Joshua Drake, left, administered the oath of office as Morse was commissioned as a second lieutenant during an Aug. 6 ceremony.

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NATCHITOCHES:
Mary D. Darby
June 27, 1943 – Aug. 4, 2021
Visitation: Monday, August 9 from 6-8 pm at St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches

JoAnn Dubriel Rachal
July 24, 1939 – August 05, 2021
Service: Friday, August 13 at 11 am at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Isle Brevelle

SABINE:
Garlon L. Slay Sr.
March 31, 1948 – August 4, 2021
Service: Monday, August 9 at 10 am at Zwolle City Cemetery

WINN:
Cathy Virginia Terrell
October 01, 1951 – August 04, 2021
Service: Saturday August 7 at 10 am at the Urania Cemetery

Sister Gayle Eileen Coon
August 17, 1944 – August 4, 2021
Service: Tuesday, August 10 at 2 pm at Cornerstone Apostolic Church of the Aimoch Community

RED RIVER:
Albert Monroe Baker
October 20, 1932 – August 05, 2021
Service: Tuesday, August 10 at 11 am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

Robert David Woodell
January 02, 1963 – August 05, 2021
Service: Monday, August 9 at 11 am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

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The main topic at the Natchitoches Parish School Board meetings on Aug. 3 and 5 revolved around Covid and how the school district is preparing to keep students safe as the 2021-22 school year starts next week. LEAP 2025 data released from the Louisiana Department of Education has made it clear that in-person instruction is far more beneficial than virtual learning options for the majority of students.

“This information should guide decisions for educators and parents moving into the new school year,” said Superintendent Dr. Grant Eloi. “It is absolutely critical that we keep our students in the classroom for this upcoming year while mitigating the spread of Covid 19 and that very much goes to our two guiding principles: student learning and student safety, which is right there with that. I’m excited to know that our guiding principles are very much in line with what State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley is saying as well.

Governor John Bel Edwards has temporarily reinstated Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate indoors for all people ages five and older as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across Louisiana. As of now, NPSB will be following Governor Edward’s mask mandate in all Natchitoches Parish Schools.

Other agenda items included:
Permission to Advertise for Bids for District wide smartphone application.
Approve 3 Bids For Security Cameras at NJH, Weaver, and Magnet
Rapides Effective Schools Grant- Diagram for Math Success
2021-2022 Budget
3121 Social Security Alternative Plan
Covid Leave Continuance
Consider Approving New Positions
LDH voluntary testing program for NPSB schools.
Amendment to 2021-2022 Handbook

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The Natchitoches Parish School Board received an update from Superintendent Grant Eloi regarding the new LEAP 2025 data recently released by the Louisiana Department of Education at the Board meeting on Aug. 5.

• Grades 3-8
  • From 2019 to 2021, the number of students scoring Mastery or above saw a decrease; 2 percentage points in grades 3-8 and 3 percentage points in grades 9-12. This decrease was felt across all grade levels, content areas and student subgroups.
  • Simultaneously, learning gaps deepened, as evidenced by a 5 percentage point increase in the number of students scoring Unsatisfactory. This disproportionately impacted:
    • Economically disadvantaged students
    • Students in the earlier tested grades (e.g., grades 3 and 4)
    • Scores earned in mathematics

• Grades 9-12
  • Across all subjects, the number of students scoring Mastery and above declined by 5 percentage points since 2019.
  • In each individual subject, the number of students scoring Mastery and above has decreased since 2019.
  • Algebra I saw the greatest decline (-9 percentage points) from 2019 – 2021, and English II had the smallest decline (-2 percentage points).

Eloi said the Natchitoches Parish School District is not where he wants it to be with LEAP scores…yet. He wants the district’s proficiency (mastery and advanced combined) to be somewhere in the high 40s to 50s range. This year it wasn’t that the schools didn’t focus on academics. Teachers had so many other things to deal with (pandemic, weather events, multiple quarantines, etc.) that a lot of time they weren’t able to focus on academics.

“I am through the roof that I can tell you that we maintained this year, not only did we maintain in a Covid year, but we maintained better than the vast majority of school districts in the state,” said Eloi.

Most school districts lost 4 points or worse. Natchitoches Parish only lost 2 points in 3-8th grade and only 3 points for high school.

“I think we can all contextualize that this is a win,” he added.

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One of the things that will make me more nervous than a sinner on a Sunday pew is preparing a home cooked meal for someone else. I much prefer to treat someone to a meal in a restaurant because if things go poorly, it is the restaurant’s folly and not my own. If I invite you over to my house to break bread, I will always go with my old trusty enchiladas. If I sign up for a Meal Train to help others, I will also check the list first to make sure no one else committed to enchiladas. If no one else has claimed the rights then I will move forward with my tasty and highly esteemed favorite Mexican meal.

This would consist of the Old El Paso recipe found on the rear of the can of enchilada sauce, corn salad and a Cheerio pie for dessert.

I would have loved to tell you that it was an ancient family recipe that was handed down from my tribal ancestors but If I am being totally honest, the recipe was found while on a desperate search for new meal ideas. Often, I will embellish the recipe and add extra ingredients but more times than not, it is the simplest recipe known to mankind and literally a crowd favorite.

Top it with sour cream, green onions and diced tomatoes and you would swear you are partaking of gourmet Tex-Mex.

This past weekend when I made trip to the grocery store, I had already planned to cook the enchiladas for my household but also wanted to make a pan for my former in-laws who were battling some health issues. I purchased all of the ingredients but decided to buy a little extra meat and freeze what was not immediately needed.

Once I returned home, I started browning the meat and for some unknown reason it just looked like a lot of ground beef. At this point, I checked the package to see how many pounds that I had purchased. It was merely two pounds but I even had transfer it into a larger pot to accommodate what appeared to be substantial amount of meat.

I did joke with God while cooking and told him it looked like his was multiplying the enchiladas to feed five thousand.

The meal was coming together flawlessly. Everything was seasoned to perfection and I was confident that the recipients of the enchiladas would not be disappointed. I started to roll enchiladas and put them in the appropriate pan. One pan down and one to go…. but it appeared there was enough meat to actually make a third pan.

It was around this time that I decided to make a pan for my daddy…making my pan last…and deliver them to Goldonna. Once his pan was complete there appeared to be enough left for another pan. So, this one would bless a neighbor across the street and I would make my pan last. The most peculiar thing happened next.

It appeared there was enough for a fourth pan, so this went to another neighbor across the street. Making my own pan last, there was more than enough to feed me, my daughter and her friend lunch and then glorious repeats for supper that night.

God didn’t feed enchiladas to the five thousand but he did feed five families off of a minuscule amount of ground beef and lots of love. I truly felt since I made my pan last that he provided enough to bless the people that he wanted blessed through the work of my hands. As I have written many times before… there is no greater blessing than putting others before yourself. Meeting needs of others before your own is a humbling and spiritual experience that has everlasting effects on your soul.

God always provides for you when you decide to serve others first.

I am so blessed that God puts people in my path to show his love to. What started as a normal Saturday of chores and cooking turned into God multiplying the enchiladas. I am firmly convinced that if I sew enchiladas then I will surely reap enchiladas.

“Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices.” – Hebrews 13:16

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BATON ROUGE — Gov. John Bel Edwards is announcing $34 million in federal funding for 13 flood risk reduction projects recommended by regions throughout the state as part of the Local and Regional Projects and Programs – Round 1. Steering committees for the state’s watershed regions recommended the projects for funding, which the Council on Watershed Management approved at its meeting today.

“This announcement is the latest in a series of watershed project awards, representing major investments in reducing flood risk and creating a more resilient Louisiana.” Gov. Edwards said. “In less than one year since the state received federal mitigation funding, we have announced more than $400 million in flood mitigation projects and will be announcing more in the coming months. Through the Louisiana Watershed Initiative, local and regional partners worked closely with the state to select Round 1 projects that will benefit communities statewide.”

Today’s Round 1 funding announcement follows $61.6 million awarded in May to 16 projects, as well as about $213 million awarded earlier this year for 20 state projects and programs, including seven buyout initiatives. All awarded projects align with the long-term resilience objectives of the Louisiana Watershed Initiative and the state’s $1.2 billion CDBG-MIT Action Plan.

The local and regional Round 1 projects and grantees awarded today are as follows:

Region 1
$2.27 million for Foxskin Bayou Drainage Improvements, Haughton
$3.43 million for East Natchitoches Drainage Improvements, Natchitoches Parish

Region 2
$3.41 million for Drainage Crossing Replacements, Ball
$2.59 million for Bayou Lacombe Channel Improvements, Mansura (shared with Region 5)

Region 3
$2.68 million for Youngs Bayou Detention Pond, Monroe
$2.68 million for portable pumps parishwide, Ouachita Parish
$500,000 for Georgia Street Pump Station, Monroe

Region 4
$630,900 for Ball Park Lift Station Replacement, Leesville

Region 5
$3.1 million for Bayou Lacombe Channel Improvements, Mansura (shared with Region 2)
$1 million for Cypress Bayou and Coulee LaSalle Drainage Improvements, St. Martin Parish
$550,000 for Abbeville Area Vermilion River Bridge Debris Barrier System, Vermilion Parish

Region 6
$2.1 million for Bayou Lafourche Pump Project, Ascension Parish
$2.56 million for White Castle Canal Drainage Improvement Project, Iberville Parish

Region 7
$6 million for Jones Creek Detention Project, East Baton Rouge Parish

Immediately after today’s Round 1 announcement, the state launched Round 2, which includes a $100 million Design Support Pilot to address technical issues with Round 1 applications and support building local and regional project development capacity.

In addition, the state’s eight watershed regions submitted final recommendations to the council today on frameworks for regional floodplain management to guide the creation of long-term, regional watershed coalitions. The recommendations request statewide legislation to create these regional watershed entities.

To support implementation of the coalitions, the council approved Phase 2 of the Regional Capacity Building Grant program today. Phase 2 of the RCBG program allocates another round of funding—$800,000 per region—totaling $6.4 million for continued regional, watershed-based planning and coordination for the next four years.

For more information about LWI, visit the website or email watershed@la.gov

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By Tommy Rush

Every Monday Night there is a ministry that takes place at First Baptist called Celebrate Recovery. For almost seven years this biblical and balanced recovery program has helped hundreds of people find hope and healing from numerous life issues and/or addictions.

What makes Celebrate Recovery different from most recovery programs is the fact that it’s based on the words of Jesus and biblical principles rather than just psychological principles. When our church began participating in the CR Ministry, I was excited because I knew the program would meet the needs of hundreds if not thousands of people. Little did I realize how much my own life would be impacted by this ministry

As I’ve participated each week, I’ve realized more and more that everyone has struggles. We’ve all been hurt by other people, we’ve hurt ourselves and we’ve hurt others. We all have some form of addiction that we struggle with. I can say that because sin is addicting and the Bible teaches that, “All have sinned.” The reality is that an unforgiving heart or a controlling spirit can be just as addictive and destructive as a drug or alcohol addiction.

The first principles taught in Celebrate Recovery is… “Realize I’m not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable.”

It is really amazing how much time and energy we spend trying to control and manage what we cannot control or manage. I’ve been learning this principle up close and personal for the past several months. My wife and I have been in the process of renovating a house. Do I have to say anything else? When we started the renovation I think it rained for two solid months. Now that the rain is gone, we’re learning how little we can control the schedule of roofers and plumbers.

Life is a gentle reminder, (sometimes a screaming reminder) that I’m not in control. Maybe the Lord is reminding us through all the difficulties and struggles of the past two years that we need to surrender control to Him. He is definitely far better at being in control than I am! Maybe you’ve been through just enough pain, just enough humbling that you’re finally ready to trust Him with what you have been trying so hard to control. I remind myself daily that Jesus gave us the answer to that controlling approach to life with these simple words found in Matthew 6:8 “Your Heavenly Father knows what you need even before you ask him.”

Every week we end our Celebrate Recovery Worship with the Serenity Prayer. I’ve prayed it often in recent months…

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is; not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen

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Meetings, filling out forms, equipment fittings, listening to guest speakers.

Kyle Moore and Kendrick Price are well-versed in the traditions of Northwestern State football reporting day. For the seniors, that made Thursday’s events a little more surreal.

“With it being the last one, I’m taking the time to appreciate the things I didn’t really enjoy as much,” said Price, a sixth-year senior from Lindale, Texas. “I appreciate being around the guys and having another opportunity to strap up and get to work.”

After a calendar year in which the Demons reported to fall camp in a socially distanced setting before the fall season ultimately was scuttled and a six-game spring season held in its place, Thursday provided a much more familiar feeling for the Demons – even if it meant the same, at-times monotonous preseason machinations.

“It feels a lot more natural, getting in the swing of things,” said Moore, a Navarro College product who is entering his fourth season with the Demons. “Since you’re young, you start football this time of the year. Now we’re doing it again. It’s exciting. We have a good mix of young and older guys, and the energy is high.”

While the Demons handled much of the preseason behind-the-scenes minutia Thursday, they are eager to begin the first full-squad preseason workouts, which begin at 9:15 a.m. Friday inside Turpin Stadium.

“This day, I don’t know if it gets any better,” fourth-year head coach Brad Laird said. “You’ve got all your guys coming back. I know we were all here in July, but you had a few days for everybody to get away. To bring everybody back and go through report day is exciting.

“As we all look for normalcy, we’re used to fall camp in August. It’s supposed to be 100 degrees on the turf on a Tuesday morning. That’s what fall camp is about.”

This year’s fall “camp” will be somewhat truncated as Northwestern State begins fall semester classes on Aug. 16, leaving 10 days from the first workout to the first day of classes.

“I don’t know how it will be,” Moore said of the shorter duration of camp. “Ask me at the end and I’ll probably have a different answer. I think the week-and-a-half will be good.”

Regardless of the length of time of camp and how the transition to a typical academic-athletic balancing act, the Demons veterans are aligned in their thinking.

“Camp is definitely a grueling time of year,” Price said. “A shortened camp might benefit us, but regardless, our objectives are the same. We’re working toward the same goal. Whether it’s in camp or if we are practicing and in class, we’re working toward that same goal.”

Photo Credit: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

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Friends and family members of Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie James Williams Jr. will host the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on Saturday morning, Aug. 7 from 7:45-9 am in the H. B. Barnum Family Life Center at First Baptist Church, located at 1116 Amulet Street. The ecumenical event will feature a series of prayers by local pastors and special musical offerings.

“As we all aggressively work to build a stronger community (bringing our spiritual and community leaders together), we are pleased to share our facility as the host site for this year’s prayer breakfast,” said the Rev. Thomas E. Carter, Sr., pastor of First Baptist-Amulet Church and breakfast committee member.

Designed to keenly encourage prayer, unity and growth in the City of Natchitoches, the breakfast is scheduled to be held every first Saturday in August.

“To be uplifted in spirit and united in prayer, this is an awesome effort for our community. We believe in the power of prayer,” remarked the Rev. Bradlen J. Holden, pastor of First Baptist Church-North Street and breakfast committee member.

The event is not being paid for at taxpayers expense. For information, call: 318-352-3314.

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