The public is invited to a documentary showcase featuring short films by Northwestern State University COMM4240 students and new work by Professor Melody Gilbert.

Screenings will begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 25 in the Varnado Hall Ballroom. Free pizza will be provided.

The student filmmakers are Zachary Desselles of Pineville, Anna Duplantis of Madisonville, Colie Plaster of Gibsonville, North Carolina, and Waylon Washington of Coushatta.

Subjects of the documentaries include exploring loneliness, observing pain one can’t see, finding one’s place in the world, how to say goodbye to someone who promised you everything and a cassette tape not listened to for almost 40 years.

The final documentary, “The Night the Music Died,” reunites three NSU Current Sauce reporters, Melanie Torbett Babin, Dan McDonald and Janet Tompkins Vanhoof, who share their memories from 1973 of a tragic accident involving folk singer Jim Croce after a show in Prather Coliseum. Gilbert directed the film with Deselles, Duplantis, Colie Plaster and Washington as executive producers. David Antilley, executive director of NSU-TV, assisted with the projects.

For more information, contact Gilbert at gilbertm@nsula.edu.

Pictured: NSU alumni and former Current Sauce staffers who covered the death of musician Jim Croce shared their experiences with current communications students for a student-created documentary. From left are Zachary Desselles, Waylon Washington, Jerry Pierce, Colie Plaster, Melanie Torbett, Janet Tompkins and Anna Duplantis.

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At least twice down the stretch Saturday afternoon, Northwestern State baseball coach Bobby Barbier thought about making a pitching change.

Johnathan Harmon, the man on the mound, had other plans.

Harmon, a junior right-hander, made his coach look smart, tossing his second complete game of the season, setting the tone for a 4-2 Demon win against Houston Baptist in Southland Conference action at Brown-Stroud Field.

“The difference in two years,” Barbier said. “Last year, around the sixth inning, he lost that gear. This year, he’s got it. He’s able to fight through the sixth and seventh innings to where the adrenaline can carry him to the end. I never sent a guy out with that many pitches in the ninth. We’re usually really conservative with that, but he wanted it pretty badly.”

Harmon (5-4) was at 110 pitches through eight innings and left the mound with a one-run lead after the top of the eighth.

By the time Harmon returned to the bump, the lead had doubled, courtesy of another late-game RBI by Jake Haze, whose second double of the game chased home Jacob Farrell, who had reached on a fielder’s choice as a pinch hitter.

“I begged him to go back out there,” said Harmon, whose previous complete game came March 26 at New Orleans. “I told him, ‘If someone gets on, you can come take me out.’ I really wanted to the ball and to go win for our team.”

Reed Chumley did reach against Harmon, singling with two outs after Harmon struck out the first two batters of the HBU ninth. Fittingly, Harmon covered first base and took the flip from Gray Rowlett to retire Braden Sanford for the final out of the game and clinch the series for the Demons (19-19, 8-6), who have won eight straight at home. Harmon finished with a career-high 129 pitches.

Harmon’s consistency allowed Northwestern State the time it needed to solve Houston Baptist right-hander Jared Burch (1-3), who danced in and out of trouble for much of his 5 2-3 innings.

After the Huskies (14-26, 7-7) scored single runs in the third and fourth innings, Burch gave up an RBI groundout to Larson Fontenot to get the Demons on the board in the fourth.

Two innings later – following an interesting round of base running by his teammates – Fontenot delivered the biggest hit of the series for Northwestern State.

Daunte Stuart led off the sixth with an opposite-field double to the right-field corner that saw Stuart reach second after tumbling over the first-base bag. Bo Willis’ check-swing grounder moved Stuart to third ahead of a walk to Jeffrey Elkins, who stole second base.

Fontenot followed with a solid single to center to score both Stuart and Elkins as Elkins slid home under catcher Kevin Ortiz’ tag. Fontenot’s two-run single marked the first multi-run inning for either team in the series.

“I knew I had to get the job done, especially in my first at-bat,” Fontenot said. “I knew if I put the ball in play on the first one, I’d get the run in. The second at-bat, if I got the hit, it would be a different game.”

Armed with his first lead of the game, Harmon worked around a pair of two-out walks to strike out Ortiz for the final out of the seventh, letting out a loud scream to punctuate the moment.

A 1-2-3 eighth inning followed before Harmon closed out the Huskies in the eighth, securing Northwestern State’s eighth straight win at home and making sure the Demons would be assured a share of first place in the jumbled Southland Conference race after 14 games.

Harmon’s two ninth-inning strikeouts gave him eight on the day, a new career high, as he completed a five-hitter.

“Game-changing defense, like we talked about,” Barbier said. “It’s not going to be a hitter’s day this weekend. We’ve got 15 mile per hour winds blowing straight in. It’s going to be tough to hit balls in the gap, so you need to do the little things right. We got two big-time, two-out hits. Good base running by Jeff (Elkins) to score on Larson’s single. It was a good all-around win.”

The series concludes at 1 p.m. Sunday with a matchup of right-handers. Drayton Brown (4-3, 3.61) takes the ball for Northwestern State against Houston Baptist’s Matthew Charles (2-0, 7.61).

Northwestern State 4, Houston Baptist 2
HBU 001 100 000 – 2 5 1
NSU 000 102 01x – 4 6 0

W – Johnathan Harmon (5-4). L – Jared Burch (1-3). 2B – NSU, Daunte Stuart, Jeffrey Elkins, Jake Haze 2. Highlights: NSU, Stuart 2-3, 2B; Haze 2-4, 2 2Bs, RBI.
Records: Houston Baptist 14-26, 7-7; Northwestern State 19-19, 8-6.

PHOTO: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

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NEW ORLEANS – Patrycja Polanska provided the clinching point in Northwestern State’s last Southland Conference Tournament win in 2019.

As a senior in her last SLC Tournament, Polanska did the honors again Friday as her singles victory on court six finished off No. 8 seed Southeastern in 4-0 fashion.

Top-seeded NSU (15-4) has particularly excelled in the bottom half of its singles lineup this season, and the Lady Demons claimed three of the bottom four courts to ensure a quick two-hour win Friday to begin the Southland Conference Tournament.

“We did a good job today, and we had a great start in doubles to set the tone,” said second-year NSU coach Jonas Brobeck, who also earned his first SLC Tournament win as a head coach. “We took that with us to singles, and we did a great job of getting quick wins.

“There were tough conditions with wind, heat and humidity, but I thought we handled it fairly well. It’s important that we minimized court time when you want to compete three straight days at a tournament.”

The Lady Demons will face New Jersey Institute of Technology (11-7) in the semifinals Saturday at 10 a.m. No. 4 seed NJIT outlasted No. 5 seed Nicholls 4-1 in a match that went about three-and-a-half hours.

NJIT isn’t a fully-fledged SLC member, beating UIW and falling to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the regular season in their only SLC competition.

After clinching the doubles point against SLU, NSU received singles points from No. 3 Mariella Minetti, No. 5 Viktorie Wojcikova and Polanska.

Minetti bested Kate Oborina 6-2, 6-1 while Wojcikova pushed past Sonya Kanarskaya 6-2, 6-1.

Polanska needed an extra game on Court 6, topping Bogi Csordas 6-2, 6-2.

“Tournament play is a little bit different because everything is reset,” said Brobeck, whose Lady Demons rolled through SLC play at 6-0. “We got the nerves out of our system today.”

NSU captured the first two doubles points on the top two courts.

Tjasa Klevisar teamed up with Minetti to score a 6-1 victory against SLU’s Flory Bierma and Putri Insani.

NSU’s No. 2 tandem of Rozalie Dohnalova/Wojcikova clinched the point with a 6-2 win over SLU’s Polina Sleptsova/Polina Paunova.

The Lady Demons led on two of the three unfinished singles courts.

Klevisar led 6-5 in the first-set tiebreaker as she knotted 6-6 with Paunova at No. 2.

Ayu Ishibashi edged Flory Bierma 7-5 in the first set on No. 4.

“It’s great for them to be in quality matches and get quality playing time on courts that they’re not used to and in conditions they aren’t used to.

“We’ll have to play smart and be brave in certain aspects going forward in this tournament.”

SLU’s Insani won the first set at No. 1 against Dohnalova 6-3 and led 2-1 in the second set.

PHOTO: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

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In the first two games of senior weekend for Northwestern State it was a pair of freshmen that came through big time in a doubleheader sweep of UIW on Friday night.

Pitcher Sage Hoover continued to add to her already stellar rookie season by throwing the 15th no-hitter in program history getting the 1-0 win to start the day. Bailie Ragsdale came through with a two-run double early in the second game to set the Lady Demons up for a series-clinching 5-3 win.

“We were able to make some plays on defense and got some great pitching today,” head coach Donald Pickett said. “We were able to get these two wins even though we’re still struggling a little bit offensively. But we saw some good things and some positive things from some different people in the lineup and hopefully that’s going to start trending for everyone up and down the order.”

A week after two pitcher’s duels in the first two games against McNeese, the Lady Demons (27-17, 9-5) found themselves in another one to open the series with UIW.

Neither team found the hit column for the first three full innings of the game as both pitchers, Hoover for NSU and Ashley Trapp for UIW, danced around a handful of walks.

Keely DuBois finally broke the hitless stretch in the bottom of the fourth on a sharp single through the left side to start the inning. After moving to second on a sacrifice bunt and being pinch run for by Casey Irvin the Lady Demons picked up what proved to be the game-winning run on the second and final hit of the entire game.

The key moments of the day were reserved just for the freshman as senior Alexis Perry delivered a bouncing ball back up the middle that brought Irvin in from second and give NSU the 1-0 lead.

“There were two hits in the whole game,” Pickett said incredulously. “I’ve been in a lot of 1-0 games but I don’t know if I’ve ever been a part of a game quite like that. Sage just kept grinding it out and doing some good things mixing it up.”

After striking out the side in the top half of the inning, Hoover fully settled into the game and after seeing her teammates give her the one-run advantage, slammed the door on the Cardinals across the final three innings.

She allowed just one base runner, a two-out walk in the fifth, the rest of the way as the defense maintained its sharp work in the field.

“I think our defense has gotten so good lately,” Hoover said. “It’s always been good but they’ve been making the big plays more and more. Maggie (Black) was huge in both games for us today. Keely’s play was awesome, Taylor’s (Williams) play was awesome, we’re just really solid all around.”

Hoover became just the second pitcher under Pickett to reach 150 strikeouts in a season in the second inning of the game. In the seventh she moved to the top of the list for most single-season Ks under Pickett with her seventh and eighth of the game. She passed Kelee Grimes (154) and sits alone with 156 and counting.

The no hitter was completed on an infield pop-up to first that fell into the glove of Kat Marshall.

“I really didn’t notice until the seventh inning when we got that first out,” Hoover said. “I looked at the scoreboard and saw that zero and was like I have to get this done. It was all heart. I really wanted it for my team.”

NSU jumped ahead early in the second game with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Some key substitutions, on the base paths and at the plate, played a big role in the NSU rally.

After the first two batters of the inning reached, and a sacrifice moved them up a bag, Pickett called on Lexie Roos to pinch hit to try and bring at least one run in.

As she has done in each of her previous three pinch-hit appearances, Roos came through for the Lady Demons. A sharp single through the left side scored the run from third and kept the line moving to the top of the order.

“There’s been a couple of games this year where I’ve kicked myself for not using her early and waiting to later in the game,” Pickett said. “When we get the opportunity score, we need to do what we’ve got to do and Lexie has been doing a great job in that role.

“She’s had some great at bats and it’s just a huge boost for us. It loosened everybody up, got the confidence going, brought the energy, switched the momentum to us and we were able to turn it into three runs. It’s a difference maker having a hitter off the bench that’s confident and can give you a quality at bat when you need it.”

That’s when Ragsdale came up with her biggest contribution of the day, placing a ball perfectly into right field for a double that plated two more runs and gave NSU the early 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals were able to pull back within a run in the next half inning on a bases loaded single to center, but back-to-back, two-out hits in the bottom of the fourth for NSU pushed the edge back up to three.

Makenzie Chaffin delivered the first of the two straight hits to bring Ragsdale in to score and Perry came through again with a shot up the middle of her own for her second RBI of the day.

Kenzie Seely and Maggie Darr (9-3) combined for six strikeouts and just two earned runs in the game two win.

The Lady Demons will try for their second conference sweep of the season on Saturday beginning at 12 p.m. Senior presentations for Maggie Black, Cayla Jones and Alexi Perry will follow the game.

PHOTO: Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services.

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Provencal Panthers showed their pride when supporting the PTO by purchasing donuts first thing in the morning. Students and staff alike flocked to the table to enjoy a nice, sweet treat. We had such a large demand we had to separate days and grade levels. Thanks for supporting the PTO.

Pictured: PTO members Carita Carter and Kristian Lucas; student helpers Ameriah Meziere, and Amie and Abbie Thompson; Coach Poe; and students Lawson Brown and Laraya Garner.

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NATCHITOCHES:
Dr. Milton L. Cofield
March 23, 1951 – April 20, 2022
Additional information on arrangements and services will be shared.

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POSITION: School Secretary

LOCATION: Natchitoches Magnet School

QUALIFICATIONS:
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Associate or Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Secretarial experience preferred
• Excellent communication skills
• Proficiency in computer skills

SALARY: According to parish school salary schedule

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 10 Months

DEADLINE: Thursday, April 28, 2022, 4:00 p.m.

WHERE TO APPLY:
Linda G. Page, Director of Personnel
Natchitoches Parish School Board
P. O. Box 16
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016
Phone: (318) 352-2358
Fax: (318) 352-8138
Website: npsb.la

APPLICATIONS: Application packet should consist of a letter of application, resume’, diploma or transcript, and two letters of reference.

EOE

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Danielle Antoon Cobb has been named director of Alumni Affairs at Northwestern State University. Her appointment has been approved by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

Cobb has been associate director of alumni affairs since 2019. Her duties have included enhancing participation from both alumni and non-alumni supporters in the areas of membership, attendance, affinity efforts and volunteer endeavors, working closely with the director of the NSU Foundation to determine and ensure institutional and organizational goals are met and planning and executing all alumni related events and reunions sponsored by the Office of University Advancement.

She was associate director of development at NSU before shifting into alumni affairs. Cobb was senior community development manager for the American Cancer Society from 2014-2019. She is a member of the the Service League of Natchitoches where she was president in 2020-21 and a past member of Kiwanis of Natchitoches and Les Amies Service Organization.

A 2010 Northwestern State graduate in hospitality management and tourism, Cobb had an interest in working with the university’s alumni since her time as a student.

“I worked as a student worker in the Office of Alumni Affairs and genuinely enjoyed the comradery held among all alumni that I met,” said Cobb. “Their love for NSU and the tone of their voices when speaking of their time at NSU really made a mark on me. The alumni I encountered showed me that NSU is a small city within Natchitoches, and even being from Natchitoches, I could make my own mark at NSU.”

Cobb said her favorite part of the job is meeting new alumni and hearing their favorite memories from their time at NSU.

“Some memories are like mine, and others are completely different,” said Cobb. “That is what makes our university so unique. Everyone, no matter their background or walk of life, has the opportunity to make their own unique memories here.”

Cobb developed strong ties to Northwestern as she was growing up. Both her parents were NSU alumni. Her father, Johnny Antoon, was a successful Natchitoches businessman who employed two generations of NSU students. Her mother, Merle Antoon, was chapter advisor for Sigma Sigma Sorority for many years, which gave Cobb “80 college girls who were, in my eyes, my best friends.” Cobb’s husband Daniel is a 2011 NSU graduate as is her brother Michael who graduated in 2007.

“I always tossed around the idea of going elsewhere to obtain my undergraduate degree, but the truth is, I simply did not want to leave home,” said Cobb. “The college students who were employed by my parents are also present in my memories from my childhood. They picked up my brother and I from school many times due to my father becoming sidetracked and forgetting us. These memories, along with attending NSU sporting events, molded me into a young lady who simply loved NSU and Natchitoches. Many of my friends my senior year were ready to fly the coop and leave Natchitoches. I tossed around the idea, but deep down, I knew this was where I belonged. NSU molded me into the person I am today, and for that, I am forever grateful.”

As alumni director, Cobb plans to provide opportunities for Northwestern alumni to get together to reconnect. She hopes to create on-campus experiences as well as events in communities around the country where alumni live. Cobb doesn’t intend to wait until graduation to involve current students and will create events and activities to make students aware of the Alumni Association.

Cobb believes NSU alumni play a crucial role in the continued success and development of the university.

“When I consider donating monetarily or even donating my time to NSU, I do so in hopes that it benefits a younger version of myself, someone currently enrolled at NSU,” said Cobb. “Many people think, ‘I cannot afford to support financially so I am not going to support at all.’ There are so many ways in which you can support, other than financially. Telling your story about your time at NSU is huge. Your story could be the deciding factor for someone as to whether they attend our institution. Wear your NSU gear proudly. You never know the conversations it will spark. Another way in which you can support is by volunteering your time and talents to NSU. No matter what your background, everyone has a gift to offer in which they can support NSU.”

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On April 20, 2022 around 4:45 p.m., officers with the Natchitoches Police Department responded to the 1000 block of University Parkway in reference to a vehicle crashing into an apartment complex. Upon officers arrival they made contact with the driver who said that she lost control and crashed through a brick wall and into the building.

The driver of the car was not injured and no one was inside the apartment when the crash occurred.

If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.

How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:

You can also report a tip anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smart phone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388. All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $2,000 for the arrest of an offender.

Corporal John Greely
Public Information Officer
Natchitoches Police Department

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“I am in receipt of the the above referenced Proposed Ordinance No. 009-2022.  My Decision is to veto this proposed ordinance” – John Richmond

SEE LETTER ATTACHED BELOW

From the Agenda for Parish Meeting of April 18, 2022

First Introduction of proposed Ordinances: NONE Public Hearings:
Council to consider an Adoption of Ordinance 009-2022 to remove section 1.11 The Recording Policy from the Natchitoches Parish Personnel Manual due to being un­ constitutional and by the Revised Statue.

Action on Proposed Ordinances:

Council to consider an Adoption of Ordinance 009-2022 to remove section 1.11 The Recording Policy from the Natchitoches Parish Personnel Manual due to being un­ constitutional and by the Revised Statue.

From the meeting of the Parish Council on April 18, 2022
APPROVED – Introduction of proposed Ordinance 009-2022 to remove section 1.11 The Recording Policy from the Natchitoches Parish Personnel Manual due to it being unconstitutional and by the revised statute (Cheatwood voted against)

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Parish Council meeting: April 18

Parish Council Agenda for April 18 Meeting – Tonight

Natchitoches’ downtown riverbank stage was the place to be Thursday, April 21, as the Chamber of Commerce continued its popular CRAVE event, now in its 7th year of bringing the local business community, civic leaders and citizens together for fun and networking. This year’s event was the “Carnival Edition” featuring 12 teams vying for the best carnival style cuisine bragging rights. The festive crowd filled the stage as they went from booth to booth, sampling and voting for their favorites. The 12 businesses and organizations participating in the competition displayed some notable ingenuity. From deep fried mac ‘n’ cheese to meatpies and cotton candy burritos there was something for even the most adventurous palate.

The night’s festivities were about more than having fun however. The event is held to raise money for the Chamber of Commerce’s initiatives such as the A+ coalition dedicated to improving the quality of education in our community, Natchitoches Young Professionals and the Natchitoches Leadership Institute. The much loved Crave events are part of the Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to bring the local community together, have fun, and build a better Natchitoches Parish.

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When I was growing up down on the rural route, I developed an interest in the fox squirrels and cat (gray) squirrels in the woods down on the creek. My first hunting experience was a fox squirrel that Bud Pennington, an old fellow who lived up the road, pointed out to me as it hunkered tight on a limb.

Mr. Bud’s squirrel dog had treed it. He pointed it out to me, I raised my old double barrel, took aim and pulled the trigger. The squirrel tumbled down in a shower of leaves and I was a thrilled young hunter.

Since that exciting day long years ago, hunting squirrels has been a passion of mine. I don’t think I’ve missed more than a couple of opening days of squirrel season since.

Today, things are a bit different. I don’t chase them as passionately as I did when I was younger.

Today, I have a pet squirrel. Well, she’s not actually a pet; she scoots away when I move too quickly but after a pause, she’s back.

Our yard is home to quite a few squirrels but a particular one kept coming on the porch looking for something to eat. I decided to try something; I dropped a handful of sunflower seeds next to the lounge chair where I enjoy sitting when the weather permits. I sat and waited.

Soon she ventured cautiously onto the edge of the porch, pausing and sitting up to study me and the pile of sunflower seeds. Her eye on the seed pile won her over. She was soon sitting within a couple of feet of where I sat, and she began to eat.

While I am enjoying having this close encounter with the squirrel, as an outdoor writer, I have to report that spring squirrel season is upon us. It begins May 7 and runs through May 29. The daily limit is three with a possession limit of nine.

This leaves me a bit conflicted. While I am enjoying the close encounter with my squirrel on my porch, there are plenty of them in the woods that are there for the taking. I admit that a young squirrel, dusted in flour, salt and pepper and fried like the Colonel does his chicken is a favorite of mine on the table nestled next to a bed of rice slathered with brown gravy, hot biscuits and a side of baby English peas.

I live in the country so it would be a simple matter to sit on my porch, watch for a young tender squirrel to appear and pop him with my .22. However, I have encouraging words for all the squirrels that live in my yard. You guys are off-limits.

I actually once hunted squirrels in spring. It was not for me. Something about trying to down a squirrel with a warm breeze in my face, filtered through green leaves while purple martins twitter overhead, just doesn’t feel right. I never went back.

An outdoor writer friend who hunts squirrels in spring once told me that springtime squirrels are tastier than those taken during the fall season. They feed on tender buds rather than hard mast-like hickory nuts and the flavor is milder and tastier.

Once the spring season opens May 7, go ahead and give it a try. I’ll be watching for squirrels but it will be a particular one.  

There are squirrels in the woods and there are squirrels in my yard. I’m going with the one nibbling sunflower seeds at my feet.

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The 10th Judicial District sent out subpoenas for Monday, April 25, 2022:

DATE: Monday, April 25, 2022.

The April 25, 2022 date has been cleared. If you received a subpoena to appear on April 25, your obligation is over and you don’t have to do anything else.  No Further action is required on our part.

The 10th JDC thanks you for your service.

David Stamey
Clerk of Court Natchitoches Parish
318-352-8152

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Northwestern State University will award an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities to Lela Mae Wilkes during spring commencement ceremonies. Wilkes will be honored along with graduates of the School of Business and Technology on Wednesday, May 11 at 2 p.m. in Prather Coliseum.

Spring commencement will be held May 11-12 in Prather Coliseum. Graduates for the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health will be honored on May 11 at 10 a.m. Students from the Graduate School and the College of Business and Technology on May 11 at 2 p.m. On May 12, undergraduate students from the College of Arts and Science and the Louisiana Scholars’ College will receive diplomas at 10 a.m. Undergraduate students from the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development and the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health will be recognized at 2 p.m.

Wilkes is owner and chief executive officer of Brown Eagle, a Baton Rouge company with more than 500 employees which serves chemical companies and other businesses across the mid-South.

“Lela Mae Wilkes owns and directs a major Louisiana-based company with hundreds of employees that has a major positive impact on the state economy and workforce,” said Northwestern State President Dr. Marcus Jones. “It is one of the most successful woman-owned companies in the South.  Lela Mae has provided extensive financial support and other assistance to the university over the years and has long been recognized as one of NSU’s most esteemed, involved and generous alumni.” 

Wilkes joined Brown Eagle as controller in 1977. She was promoted to president in 1989 and chief executive officer in 1990. Wilkes obtained 50 percent ownership pf the company in 2012 and acquired full ownership two years later. 

Wilkes has been a long-time supporter of Northwestern State. She was inducted into the NSU Alumni Hall of Distinction, the Long Purple Line in 2005. Wilkes served on the NSU Foundation Board of Directors. She has served on the School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board and has been recognized as a Distinguished Graduate of the School of Business.

While at Northwestern, she was a member of student organizations including Purple Jackets, Associated Women Students and Alpha Sigma Alpha. Wilkes was also elected treasurer of the Louisiana Student Teachers Association.

Brown Eagle is one of the largest companies of its kind in the nation and is the only woman-owned organization that provides material handling, on-site assembly, packaging, warehousing, shipping and other services to numerous chemical companies and other industries. A 1968 graduate in business from Northwestern, Wilkes later earned a degree in accounting from Louisiana State University.

Wilkes started her career working with her father on the family dairy farm in Pride before earning her CPA and becoming an accountant at Ethyl Corporation and a pioneer in the petrochemical service industry. 

She is a founding member of the Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance and was the first woman to serve on its board of directors.

“Mrs. Wilkes has been an outstanding role model for women throughout her career. She has been an active, engaging member of the Dean’s Advisory Council in the College of Business who has brought real world knowledge to the table. Her input has been valuable in helping improve the College’s curriculum,” said Dr. Mary Edith Stacy, interim dean of the College of Business and Technology.

Recognized as a pillar of the Baton Rouge community service scene throughout her adult life, Wilkes has been involved in the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Louisiana State Museum, Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center, Louisiana CASA Association, Foundation for Historical Louisiana, Rotary Club and other organizations and programs.

The Baton Rouge Business Report honored Wilkes in 2005 as one of the Capital Region’s Influential Women in Business.

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MOSS BLUFF – The Natchitoches Central softball team got the big knock it needed Thursday afternoon when Sydney Terrell cracked a tie-breaking three-run home run in the fifth inning of their Class 5A second-round playoff game at Sam Houston.

But the Lady Broncs returned the favor in the bottom of the inning, coming back with a three-run homer to draw even at 5-5.

An inning later, Sam Houston scored the decisive run on a one-out single to right field, the third base hit in that at-bat for the Lady Broncs.

Holding that 6-5 lead and needing only three outs, Sam Houston had to navigate the top of the Lady Chiefs’ batting order, a daunting task. But it wasn’t to be from NCHS players who contributed four hits and four runs in the contest. The visitors went down 1-2-3 in their final at bat.

Both teams had eight hits. NCHS never trailed until the bottom of the sixth.

The Lady Chiefs opened the game scoring a pair of runs. Singles by Desi Robinson and Cat Stokes to start the contest paid off when Morgan Dawson doubled them in with two outs.

Sam Houston posted one in the bottom of the first and tied the game with another run n the bottom of the fourth, the first of three straight innings that the Lady Broncs lit up the scoreboard.

Robinson and Stokes led off the fifth inning with base hits and jogged home when Terrell blasted it over the left field fence for the short-lived 5-2 lead.

With the comeback, Sam Houston, which won four state championships from 2011-15, advanced to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2017.

NCHS finished 21-10 with another one of the stronger seasons in school history, coming on the heels of last spring’s state quarterfinal appearance.

In the 5A bracket seedings, determined by LHSAA power points, Sam Houston was No. 8 and NCHS was No. 9. There wasn’t much difference when the bracket came out, and Thursday, there was just the slightest of difference after the final out.

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Anna Nimz is all about the process leading to the product.  

Nimz’ process will have even more time to grow and produce after signing a two-year contract extension through the 2025-26 season. 

Northwestern State announced the extension for Nimz on Thursday after being approved by the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors, which governs Northwestern State University. 

“What Anna has built in her short time here bodes well for the future of Lady Demon basketball,” Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian said. “She and her staff have navigated a unique situation smoothly, and I look forward to watching them continue to elevate the program to a championship level.” 

The Lady Demons finished the 2021-22 season as one of the most improved teams in the country thanks to the tireless work of Nimz, the staff and the players. The 11-win increase from one season to the next was the most in program history and the 17.1 point per game increase was one of the best in the nation from 20-21 to this past season. 

“I want to thank (university president) Dr. Marcus Jones, (vice president for external affairs) Jerry Pierce and (director of athletics) Kevin Bostian for believing in me and having a shared vision for this amazing program,” Nimz said.  

“Additionally, I want to say thank you to my staff. Without their dedication to our players and this program, we would not have had the success that we’ve already seen. I believe 100 percent that we have the right staff in place to help continue to grow and empower our young women. I believe in our players, staff and support staff to continue to elevate this program and restore it to a championship level.” 

Six different times during the season, the most of any other team in the league, an NSU player was named Southland Conference Player of the Week. Candice Parramore was the third player in program history to be named Southland Newcomer of the Year, the first since 1993, and Jasmin Dixon was the first all-defensive selection for NSU. 

Parramore, along with Monette Bolden, also earned all-conference selections following the season. 

They, along with eight other newcomers, were instrumental in the Lady Demons’ first three-game, non-conference, road winning streak in 33 years this past season. 

Off the court, the Lady Demons had 10 of their 14 players named to NSU Dean’s List or honor roll.  

“I am very excited for the opportunity to continue to lead the NSU women’s basketball program,” said Nimz. “I love the relationships that we have with our players and have enjoyed watching them grow both on and off the court. They are fun to be around, and I am blessed to be surrounded by them.” 

PHOTO: Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services

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The Southland Conference schedule tables have turned for the Northwestern State baseball team.

When the Demons open their three-game series against Houston Baptist at 6:30 p.m. Friday, it marks the start of three of four weekends at home to close conference play. In addition to the series opener, the three-game set features a 2 p.m. Saturday matchup and a 1 p.m. Sunday series finale.

The Demons (17-19, 6-6) enter the home-heavy back end of the conference schedule as one of three teams at .500 in league play, one game behind the league-leading trifecta of Nicholls, Southeastern and Houston Baptist (14-24, 7-5). NSU has played just three conference games at home, sweeping Texas A&M-Corpus Christi from April 1-3.

“It’s good to be home,” sixth-year head coach Bobby Barbier said. “It’s good to have three games where we know the park, can sleep in our own beds and our routine’s better. I’m excited. The boys are excited to be back in front of our fans.”

With nine of their final 12 conference games at home, the Demons have treaded enough water to keep them in the hunt to host one of the two four-team pods that make up the first weekend of the Southland Conference Tournament.

Those games are five weeks away. As such, the Demons are focused on the much closer future.

“If you look at it, we’re all kind of jumbled up in there,” Barbier said. “It’s important for us to be consistent. This weekend will be a good challenge for us to play well and see if we can get some consistency playing well a few games in a row.”

The Huskies come into the weekend outpacing the preseason predictions that surrounded them in former Major League All-Star and World Series champion Lance Berkman’s first year as head coach.

Projected to finish in a tie for last place, the Huskies instead finished the first half of Southland play with road series wins at McNeese and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Much like the Demons’ recently concluded road trip, Houston Baptist is in the midst of a two-weekend run of road conference series.

The Huskies have won three of their past four games following an 18-3 loss at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on April 15. Twice in the first four weeks of conference play, Houston Baptist has rallied from an opening-game loss to win a series.

“If you watch them, which we have most of the day (Thursday), they’ve improved,” Barbier said. “It’s what we always talk about, getting better as the season goes on. The three starters they’re going to run out at us this week, all three have done that. It’s not fortune. It’s better stuff and commanding the zone. They’ve got a couple of hitters in there who have really improved as the season has gone on.

“That happens a lot with a new coach. I did it a few years back. You’re trying to learn your team, and your team is learning you, seeing how you react in the dugout. You can’t simulate those things. I’m sure (Berkman) has an idea how to handle that with his pedigree.”

The Demons will send out their typical weekend rotation of left-hander Cal Carver (3-4, 4.62) and right-handers Johnathan Harmon (4-4, 3.15) and Drayton Brown (4-3, 3.61) while the Huskies counter with left-hander Austin Spinney (2-3, 6.55) and right-handers Jared Burch (1-2, 4.24) and Matthew Charles (2-0, 7.61).

All three NSU pitchers turned in quality starts (six or more innings, three or fewer earned runs allowed) this past weekend at Nicholls and have combined for six such outings in their first 12 league starts.

“They’ve been consistent,” Barbier said. “We had the rough weekend (at UIW), but to only have one of those is impressive. We trust them. Trust is such an important part of our game, especially on the bump. It can get lonely out there sometimes. We have trust in those guys that we will match up every weekend against whoever they throw. We trust we’re going to throw strikes and land breaking balls and have good stuff. They’ve done that.”

Free streaming of all three games are available on www.NSUDemons.com.

Series Probables:

Friday: Houston Baptist LHP Austin Spinney (2-3, 6.55) at Northwestern State LHP Cal Carver (3-4, 4.62)

Saturday: Houston Baptist RHP Jared Burch (1-2, 4.24) at Northwestern State RHP Johnathan Harmon (4-4, 3.15)

Sunday: Houston Baptist RHP Matthew Charles (2-0, 7.61) at Northwestern State RHP Drayton Brown (4-3, 3.61)

PHOTO: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

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In the two series against Nicholls and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the Lady Demons left more than 20 runners on base in three games. They left seven on in the 5-4 loss to the Colonels and 11 on in the 4-3 loss to the Islanders. 

NSU left nine runners aboard in the first two games against McNeese this past weekend and only one in the 8-3 finale win. 

“We were right there and competing the entire time,” senior third baseman Maggie Black said. “The thing we want to really focus on is getting those timely hits. We struggled getting those hits when people were on base against McNeese and that’s really going to be what sets us apart from being right there and actually winning.  

“We’ve focused a lot on pitch selection this week. Especially on those towards the outer half of the plate because those are the ones you want to drive to the opposite field to move runners. So, when we see them come it’s about taking advantage of it and not letting them go.” 

Black is one of three seniors, along with Cayla Jones and Alexis Perry, who will be recognized following the series finale on Saturday after they play their final game at Lady Demon Diamond.  

While she along with all of her teammates will be looking for those timely hits during the series, it has been time that has flown for Black since her first year at NSU in the fall of 2018. 

“I remember being a freshman yesterday, at least that’s what it feels like,” she said. “I’ve really tried to live in the present this season, reminding myself even on those days when it’s tough that it’s one of the last times I’m going to put my cleats on or warm up with my throwing partner.  

“It’s definitely going to be an emotional weekend and I really want to get three wins. I love these girls. We’ve been through a lot together. They’re great teammates and even better friends.” 

PHOTO: Evelyn Winger

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Dr. Granger provides updated info and projects likely scenarios in the coming weeks for Ukraine/Russia. The USA’s continued assistance to the Ukrainian War effort is detailed in this podcast. The upcoming French Presidential election is also something Dr. Granger is monitoring and the implications on autocracies and nationalism worldwide.

Photo: Courtesy of NSU

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The City of Natchitoches will kick-off the Natchitoches Farmers Market tomorrow (Saturday) and will be open every Saturday every Saturday from now until July 23, 2022.

The Natchitoches Farmers Market will be downtown on the riverbank from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

April 23, 2022 – “Fluttering on the Bricks”
April 30, 2022 – “Teach Me to Fish”
May 7, 2022 – “Run Baby Run 5k”
May 14, 2022 – “Who Let the Dogs out??”
May 21, 2022 – “Battle of the Badges”
May 28, 2022 – “Signs of Summer”
June 4, 2022 – “The Chicken or The Egg?”
June 11, 2022 – “Mini Makers Day”
June 18, 2022 – “Blue Grass Day”
June 25, 2022 – “Contest on the Cane!!!”
July 2, 2022 – “4-H Day”
July 9, 2022 – “Blending for Health”
July 16, 2022 – “One Mans Treasure!!”
July 23, 2022 – “Farming on the Cane”

For more information, please contact the Farmers Market at (318) 663-5190 or (318) 214-7911.

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Conveniently located in the Multispecialty Clinic, on the corner of Keyser Avenue and Isadore Drive, community members are encouraged to take advantage of this great service.

Especially beneficial for NRMC patients, the onsite service will ensure prescriptions are filled quickly. Whether leaving a doctor’s office, discharging from the hospital or Emergency Department and need a prescription filled, or just in the area and need over-the-counter medications and/or supplies, this service will exceed expectations. Offered to the entire community, not just NRMC patients and Associates, the Pharmacy is a full retail pharmacy that is well stocked, focused on customer service, and offers convenience.

The Pharmacy is open 12 hours a day from 8:30am to 8:30pm, 7 days a week. “We are all about service,” explained Stephen Stricklin, Pharmacy Manager. “Being able to offer this innovative service is fantastic for our community. From extended daily and weekend hours to drive through and curb service to the peace of mind that comes with knowing that this is yet another quality driven NRMC service, our pharmacy is something special.”

The Pharmacy team will provide Shingles and Pneumonia vaccines. The pharmacy also offers supplements and over-the-counter medicines and supplies. The RxLocal mobile app allows for quick and easy prescription refills, along with direct communication with the Pharmacy team.

From competitive pricing to acceptance of most insurances, the new Pharmacy focuses on patient needs. “We are pleased to be able to offer retail pharmacy on our campus, and we know word will spread quickly about how well it works,” explained Kirk Soileau, NRMC Chief Executive Officer. “Most importantly, our Pharmacy team has the experience and expertise to set them apart. This is an exceptional group of professionals who will be able to assist patients with complex medication needs. Our pharmacists will provide medication consultations and help customers down to the smallest details.”

For more information, call 318.214.5777 or fax to 888.698.1529.

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