There will be a regularly scheduled meeting of the Natchitoches Parish Council tonight, Feb. 20 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Council Board Room, #211 on the 2nd Floor of the Courthouse.

Agenda for tonight’s meeting:

The Village of Natchez will be having its town meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 6 PM.  The meeting will be at the New Birth Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Natchez.

By Brad Dison

Join the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 2 pm as Elvin Shields shares his research into the life of African-American Horsemen from slavery through the Jim Crow policies that banned the Black Jockeys and Trainers from the American thoroughbred racing industry in 1920.  He will be reviewing several books from his research into harsh discrimination of the U.S. Jockey clubs North and South. These policies changed the lives of thousands of Black families in America during the early 20th century.  Mr. Shields will also display his latest artwork entitled “19th Century A-A Horse Ranch”.

Free and open to the public.
Please visit the FLASH Facebook page or call (318) 357-2492 for more information.

In a highly anticipated move, the Mayor and Chief of Police of Natchitoches recently released a report purporting to demonstrate a decrease in crime within the city. However, the report’s limited scope has left many residents dissatisfied and questioning its validity.

The report, which compares crime statistics from October and November 2022 to the same period in 2023, has sparked criticism for its narrow focus. Many residents argue that a two-month comparison does not provide an accurate representation of the overall crime trends within the community.

“Where are the rest of the stats to give the community an accurate review of our crime?” demanded one resident, echoing the sentiments of many others. “Two months out of both years simply isn’t enough to draw any meaningful conclusions.”

The lack of comprehensive data has raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the local government. Residents and taxpayers alike are calling for access to a more detailed analysis that encompasses a broader timeframe and a wider range of crime metrics.

“This report falls short of our expectations,” remarked another resident. “As voters and taxpayers, we deserve a thorough examination of crime trends that takes into account all relevant factors.”

The controversy surrounding the release of the crime report underscores the importance of transparency and open communication between city officials and the community. Moving forward, residents are urging the Mayor and Chief of Police to provide a more comprehensive and transparent assessment of crime within Natchitoches.

As Natchitoches grapples with questions surrounding crime and public safety, residents are calling for a more robust and inclusive approach to data analysis that ensures the well-being of the entire community.

Click this link, then scroll to the bottom.

https://www.natchitochesla.gov/government/city-departments/police-protection/

The Service League of Natchitoches hosted its inaugural Bridal Show at the Prudhomme-Rouquier House Saturday, February 17. Prospective brides, grooms and their families had a chance to meet over 10 vendors offering a wide variety of wedding related services.

The Service League of Natchitoches, soon to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2025, has long been a fixture of the local philanthropic scene. The league’s over 300 active and sustaining members are: “…an organization of women dedicated to helping those in need and supporting the cultural, historical, educational and charitable endeavors of Natchitoches, thus enhancing the efficiency of community service….”Funds raised at the Bridal Show will be used for the preservation needs of the uniquely historic Prudhomme-Rouquier House.

Congratulations to the Natchitoches Troop 60 Eagle Scout J.P. Burell on his upcoming college graduation and to wish him and his fiancée all the best as they start their married life together.

The young men and women of Natchitoches Junior High commemorated Black History Month with a Historical Figure Poster Contest, Friday, February 16. Each student at the school was tasked with learning about an African-American historical figure and presenting their discoveries on a poster. The posters were then judged with the winners going on to the final competition.

The goal of the event was to have the children not just parrot back what they had found on the internet, but to incorporate when they read into lasting learning. It was plainly evident from the quality of the posters, the breadth of their subjects and above all, the enthusiasm of the young men and women presenting their projects, that the learning goal had been achieved.

The faculty, staff and students of Natchitoches Junior High School are a hard working bunch who have done a superb job. Well done!

7th grade:
Kaine Baptiste- first place
Mariah Holliman- second place
Aliyah McHenry- third place
Honorable mentions:
Rachel Coutee
LaKeria Bolton
Omar Bell
Lynniyah St. Remy

8th grade:
Jordan Wade- first place
Deshun Snow- second place
Chloe Henry- third place
Honorable mentions:
Sarah McElroy
Donovan Law
Alannah Cardonna
Kalayah McNulty
Dana Gonzalez

By Kevin Shannahan

Natchitoches’ Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration was held on Feb. 17 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Park. NSU student Malaya White, served as the event’s emcee. Tristan Jefferson delivered the opening prayer after which the young men and women of Weaver Elementary School’s Weaver Elites read a memorial poem and TJ Woodard gave a musical tribute. Reverend Ail Harris, Jr. of The Abundant Life Church delivered the keynote address.

The event closed with the brothers of NSU’s Alpha Phi Alpha chapter placing a wreath at Dr. King’s memorial. Dr. King was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, joining as a graduate student in 1952 at Boston College. The event was organized by the City of Natchitoches and Northwestern State University.

The Briarwood Nature Preserve held its annual “Tom Sawyer Day”, Saturday, February 17. The event, a tradition for area naturalists for over 30 years, drew over 20 volunteers for a day of clearing paths, maintaining gardens, clearing invasive species and other tasks. Curator Bayli Brossette, a Lakeview alumna and veteran of the school’s FFA chapter, was joined by several current members of Lakeview’s FFA and their advisor. Other volunteers came from the Louisiana Scholars’ College and parish library as well as the larger community. After a day’s productive work, the volunteers were treated to a homemade meal and a tour of the grounds.

The Briarwood Nature Preserve, opened in 1972, is the birthplace and childhood home of famed naturalist Caroline Dormon. Dorman was a naturalist, author and the first woman hired by the US Forest Service. She was also instrumental in the creation of the Kisatchie National Forest. The Briarwood Nature Preserve serves to carry on her legacy of preservation and education about the natural world.

The preserve also holds the distinction of hosting some of the few surviving specimens of the endangered tree Torreya Taxifolia. The tree originally grew in an area on the Florida/Georgia border. Caroline Dormon brought some seedlings home from a trip to Florida in the 1930’s. The trees disappeared from their original habitat and now only exist in a few places. According to Louisiana Scholars’ College professor, Dr. Betsy Cochran, the Briarwood Nature Preserve boasts the largest number of Torreya Taxifolia trees in the United States.

From wildflowers to birds, animals and miles of walking trails, there is indeed something for everyone at the Briarwood Nature Preserve

By Victoria Wiggins, Chair of Louisiana’s 4-H State Food and Fitness Leadership Board and Natchitoches Parish 4-H Jr. Leader Vice President 

Introducing Victoria’s Educational Garden.  The transformation from an abandoned lot to an educational garden provides a “Lot of Compassion” for our community where seeds of unity and sustainability will be sown. 

A $20,000 grant was secured through Kids Gardening and Mr. Meyer’s Clean Day through the partnership of Natchitoches Parish 4-H, Natchitoches Parish School Board, Lisa Wiggins and myself.  My mission to create a community garden was inspired through involvement  with the State 4-H  Food and Fitness board.  The issue of food insecurity is real and food deserts are here in our community.  

The nationwide grant supplied $20,000 to support local leaders looking to transform vacant lots into gardens to help grow compassion in their community.  We were one of 10 projects accepted nationwide. 

The Garden’s location is 15 School Drive, right behind East Natchitoches Elementary School. This Educational Garden services our entire community and is within walking distance of three schools: East Natchitoches, Weaver, and Saint Mary’s. The support from our community is astounding.   This comes as no surprise, as the citizens of Natchitoches are amazing.  We invite all interested to join us in developing this garden to help eliminate food insecurity in our community. Currently, Victoria’s Educational Garden has a covered pavilion, Christmas tree, 9 raised beds, with aspirations of adding a seed pantry, sensory garden, recycled garden, and educational events each month.  

The current project hosted by 4-H is “Paint the Plank.” Paint the Plank is a competition between 4-H clubs and local organizations to help beautify our garden area by painting a plank for the garden’s fence line.  The theme is “Gardening brings Compassion” The winner will be selected and announced at the 4-H Jr. Leaders March meeting.  For more information on how to enter you may contact the 4-H office at 357-2224.

The Natchitoches Central softball team split a Saturday doubleheader, dropping a 4-1 decision to state power Buckeye after holding off West Ouachita 9-8.

The Lady Chiefs (1-2) got two of their six hits in the first game by Sydney Terrell but could only push across a fourth-inning run to answer a four-run Buckeye second inning.

NCHS pounded 10 hits in the second game. Terrell’s RBI double provided the margin of victory, when she delivered in the bottom of the fifth for a 9-6 advantage.

The Lady Chiefs scored three in the first at-bat, getting an RBI single from Ehren Guidroz, and a two-run double from Sydni Jones.

In the fourth, NCHS picked up an RBI double by Morgan Robinson, a run-scoring ground out by Guidroz and another RBI, on a base hit, by Jones.

Breanna Hale, Jones and Terrell each had two hits in the winning effort for the Lady Chiefs.

Earlier last week NCHS was surprised by Montgomery in the regular-season debut for both teams.

The Northwestern State University Volleyball team held its annual Spring DigFest fundraiser Saturday February 17 at NSU’s Prather Colisseum. The Spring DigFest, along with GrassFest held later in the year, are fundraisers for the NSU Volleyball team and a fun annual tradition for our community since 2010.

The day long tournament featured 12 teams from around the area competing for bragging rights. The superb NCHS volleyball team, a perennial contender in the LHSAA playoffs, had several young ladies come out for some post season fun. The DigFest is held to finance projects and items for the team not covered by their budget, such as new equipment for practicing and a few nice extras while on the road. This year’s Spring DigFest is expected to raise $2,000.00 to assist Demon Volleyball.

The Northwestern State University Volleyball team is a high achieving group of athletes coming to NSU from Louisiana and surrounding states. The team boasts a phenomenal 100% graduation rate and has earned a team average 3.4 gpa this year. These young women are a success on, and off, the court!

Best wishes to this group of superb scholar-athletes every success in their upcoming season. Fork ’em Demons!

Northwestern State continued its dominant play in front of the home fans with a 6-1 victory against LSU-Shreveport on Sunday afternoon at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex. 

NSU (5-2) began the day by cruising to the doubles point, winning 6-1 on courts 2 and 3. Sara Erenda and Sofi Garcia on court one also won their match at the top spot, coming from behind to win 6-4 over Pierinz Lescher and Sara Sanchez. 

“We continued to carry on with what we have been doing in practice,” Paige Wise said. “We were able to go out there and be ourselves and I think that is why we competeing well.”

LSUS tied the score at 1-1 with a win on court No. 2 when Maria Farina was forced to retire with Lescher in front 5-2 in the first set. 

From there, it was all Lady Demons. 

Ayu Ishibashi quickly gave NSU the lead back, convincingly dispatching Daniela Maldonzido 6-2, 6-0, to give the Lady Demons a 2-1 edge. 

Sofi Garcia dominated at the No. 4 position, 6-1, 6-0, against Sanchez to push the NSU advantage to 3-1. 

At No. 6, freshman Sara Erenda clinched the match for the Lady Demons, dominating Nicoleta Anestiadi 6-0, 6-2. 

Honoka Umeda and Paige Wise both had straight set wins, surrendering just two games each in victories to finish off a 6-1 triumph. 

The Lady Demons continue their 12-match homestand Saturday when they welcome Grambling to Natchitoches. 

Northwestern State 6, LSU-Shreveport 1 

February 18, 2024 

Natchitoches, La. 

Jack Fisher Tennis Complex 

Singles: 

1. Paige Wise (NSU) def. Angela Basto (LSUS) 6-2, 6-0 

2. Pierina Lescher (LSUS) def. Maria Farina (NSU) 5-2 retired 

3. Ayu Ishibashi (NSU) def. Daniela Maldonzldo (LSUS) 6-2, 6-0 

4. Sofi Garcia (NSU) def. Sara Sanchez (LSUS) 6-1, 6-0 

5. Honoka Umeda (NSU) def. Ana Mandrot (LSUS) 6-2, 6-0 

6. Sara Erenda (NSU) def. Nicoleta Anestiadi (LSUS) 6-0, 6-2 

Order of finish: 2, 3, 4, 6, 5, 1 

Doubles: 

1. Sara Erenda/Sofi Garcia (NSU) def. Pierinz Lescher/Sara Sanchez (LSUS) 6-4 

2. Paige Wise/Maria Farina (NSU) def. Daniela Maldonzldo/Ana Mandrot (LSUS) 6-1 

3. Ayu Ishibashi/Honoka Umeda (NSU) def. Angela Basto/Carmen Perez (LSUS) 6-1 

Order of finish: 3, 2, 1

By Emery Wenninger, E-Lab 4-H Reporter

This year our 4-H Club is setting records!  We help our community in numerous ways. Our 4-H program is organized and structured with an executive board, many committees such as See You at the Pole, Garden Club, Trash Troopers and 82 active members. This is the biggest 4-H club in the Elementary Lab School’s history.  

We host and plan an annual veterans day program for our community and over 600 people attended for the 2023-2024 program.  We also cleaned up the American Cemetery and placed new American Flags for deceased veterans to honor their service.  Our garden club hosts monthly meetings to teach about healthy living and gardening.  The garden club will help kick off activities for the new community garden, Victoria’s Educational Garden, next month.  

Each month, our See You at The Pole chairmen organizes student led prayers around our Hero Flagpole.  This morning we had approximately 65 in attendance.  

“Our 4-H club is great because here we have different activities and lessons that give us leadership opportunities and form a great community,” said Rachel Key, garden club president.  

The Journal is giving our readers the opportunity to participate in an online poll regarding CRIME in the City of Natchitoches.