The City of Natchitoches Fire Department was dispatched by the Natchitoches Police Department on Feb. 12 to Shop Rite for smoke reported in the building.  Engines 1 and 3, Rescue 1, C1, C3 and C4 responded to the incident. Fire crews arrived on scene to find a single story commercial structure with no smoke or fire visible from the exterior of structure. Upon entry occupants advised that they had seen smoke coming from a vent. Fire crews searched the building and found no smoke or fire. The HVAC system located on the roof was assessed and nothing found. While assessing the units located in the store a belt was found to be off one of the units. 

The City of Natchitoches announces that, weather permitting, road resurfacing work will begin on Feb. 12 on West Third Street from Texas Street to Sabine Street. Closure of this street to through traffic is anticipated on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 13-14, to allow for construction of a new cement-treated base course. 

While this street is closed, traffic must detour around this work site via adjacent City streets, such as Dixie Street or Dorothy Street. 

The City also announces that the new asphalt surfacing will be placed on Fairgrounds Road sometime during the week of Feb. 12. During this operation, one-lane two-way traffic will be maintained by use of flaggers. 

This work is part of the City’s 2023-24 Street Rehabilitation Program. 

While traveling through these work zones, motorists are urged to obey all warning signs and flagger instructions. 

For more information, please contact the City Engineer, Nick Verret, at (318) 352-3877. 

The Natchitoches City Council held a brief meeting on Feb. 12. One agenda item was a resolution naming the gym located in the MLK Recreation Center as the John Winston Sr. Gym in honor of his many years of service to the citizens of Natchitoches.

                                                                                                                                                                                      AGENDA:

PROCLAMATIONS:

Proclaim The Month Of February 2024 As African American History Month In The City Of Natchitoches.

RESOLUTIONS:

Adopt LCDBG Citizen Participation Plan (HVAC)

Execute The Entity/State Agreement With The Louisiana Department Of Transportation And Development for the Natchitoches Safe Streets Revitalization Project

Advertise And Accept Bids For Water Treatment Facility Improvements (Phase 1) Bid No.  0667 

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• The next scheduled City Council meeting will be February 26, 2024.
• The offices of the City of Natchitoches will be closed Monday, February 19, 2024 in honor of President’s Day.

The Northwestern State men’s basketball team knew it would see a different version of the New Orleans Privateers on Monday night than the one the Demons defeated Jan. 20 in Lakefront Arena.

What the Demons did not expect was not to face the No. 7 scorer in the nation, New Orleans guard Jordan Johnson.

With Johnson out, Northwestern State shook off a sluggish start offensively and rediscovered their defensive identity to complete a season sweep of the Privateers with a 70-59 Southland Conference victory inside Prather Coliseum.

“Before the game, when it was obvious Jordan wasn’t playing, two things could happen – this team could come out and say what are we going to do or they can come out and be inspired,” first-year head coach Rick Cabrera said. “They came out inspired. They played angry. They defended angry. They held us to 10 points in the first 10, 11 minutes. That was probably the ugliest half we played – and we’ve had some ugly ones – but we were still leading at halftime.”

Northwestern State (7-18, 5-7) held a one-point lead at the break after weathering a 12-0 run the Privateers (8-14, 3-9) put together across a 4:45 stretch of the first half.

The Demons snapped the run with a Justin Wilson layup at the 8:24 mark that triggered a 24-11 surge to give Northwestern State its halftime lead. The push came after Cabrera calmly talked to his team at a first-half timeout before “getting after them a little” in the halftime locker room.

“I came out a little lackadaisical because (Johnson was out),” said junior guard Chase Forte, who led Northwestern State in points (14) and assists (7) while grabbing five rebounds. “I came out expecting to guard Jordan Johnson, and I kind of took my foot off the gas. That was my fault. We picked it up. We were down 12, and coach Cabrera said, ‘I’m not going to yell at you. I expect you to come back.’ We really picked it up after that huddle.”

In taking the 12-point lead, New Orleans hit eight of its first 14 shots. Across the final 28-plus minutes of the game, the Privateers shot 27.3 percent (12-for-44) from the field, including an 0-for-6 mark from beyond the 3-point arc in the second half.

Cabrera said he tells his team if it defends well he will allow it more offensive freedom, and that mantra played out in the second half.

While the Privateers dipped to 28.6-percent shooting in the final 20 minutes, the Demons knocked down 15 of 32 second-half shots to strengthen their shot at a Southland Conference Tournament berth.

It was a balanced offensive effort for Northwestern State, which saw leading scorer Cliff Davis take just five shots and finish with four points.

In addition to Forte’s 14 points, Braelon Bush, Jimel Lane and Justin Wilson all finished with 12 points while Jae Slack and J.C. Riley combined for 23 points off the bench to key the Demons’ 37-10 advantage in that category.

Much like Forte, Lane was at his versatile best Monday night, grabbing a team leading six rebounds and adding a pair of blocks, including one on a Kaleb Jenkins’ corner 3-pointer with 19 seconds left to preserve a seven-point Demon lead.

Lane’s block gave him a second last-minute moment in a home win this season after his two free throws in the closing seconds helped seal a Jan. 15 win against HCU.

“We really picked up the intensity on defense and started to make things flow on offense,” Lane said. “We’re a big defensive team. That’s what we pride ourselves on the most in practice. Playing defense, that’s what we have to do to get wins in this league.”

Without Johnson, Tyson Jackson led the Privateers with 18 points – 14 in the first half – while Carlos Hart added 12 and Jamond Vincent had all 11 of his points after halftime.

The Demons return to action Saturday when they begin a three-game Southland road trip at UIW. Tip off is set for 5 p.m. in San Antonio.

Northwestern State will reunite with an old flame on Tuesday night in its first midweek action of the season.

For the first time since they left the Southland Conference three years ago, NSU (2-3) and Stephen F. Austin (0-3) will meet on the softball diamond in the first of two home-and-home doubleheaders scheduled this season.

Prolonged rain on opening weekend across Texas have pushed the start of Tuesday’s double dip back from the original 3 p.m. start to a 5 p.m. first pitch with the second game coming 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first. 

Both games a scheduled to air on ESPN+.

The Demons enter the game after alternating wins and losses through their first five games on opening weekend. The showed flashes of a dynamic and aggressive offense that is still finding its early-season footing that was backed up by high-quality pitching.

In the final four games of the weekend the NSU staff of Kenzie Seely, Maggie Darr, Ryleigh Denton and Aly Delafield did not allow more than two earned runs in any of those games. They pitched their way to a 1.55 ERA over the final four games but suffered a pair of close, low-scoring losses.

“I’m proud of the whole pitching staff and how they performed those last few games,” head coach Lacy Prejean said. “They gave us an opportunity to win and that’s all you can ask for from them. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to capitalize on the momentum they gave us. That’s something we’re working on and it’s only going to make us better. We have to realize that we need to take advantage of those one-run, close games and be able to win them.” 

The Demons lost two one-run games on opening weekend, a 2-1 loss to Creighton and a 1-0 game against Kennesaw State. It took 28 games a year ago for them to drop two one-run affairs, with four wins by that margin during that time.

Both Seely and Darr had outings of 5.0-plus innings allowing one earned run each with both taking a hard-luck loss in those games. Delafield picked up her first career win in the circle, in the same game she got her first career hit, by going the final 4.0 innings, after a quality start from Ryleigh Denton, and not allowing a run with just two hits.

She was one of three freshmen to get their first career hits on opening weekend.

Elsewhere at the plate, four players produced multi-hit games on the weekend with Tristin Court turning in a 3-for-3 day with a pair of doubles against UTSA, both career highs for the senior third baseman. NSU had seven extra-base hits through the first five games including a 2-run triple from freshman Mia Liscano and a 2-run home run from Ashlyn Walker.

The bulk of those hits came in the 8-2 win over UTSA and the 6-3 win over Southern Illinois as NSU went 6-for-19 with runners in scoring position in their two wins. They went 0-for-9 in those situations in the one-run losses.

The Demons will look to capitalize on those situations when they come against the Ladyjacks who allowed 21 earned runs on 22 hits in their three games at Sam Houston’s Bearkat Invitational to open the season. Their opponents, Wichita State and UNLV, combined to hit .324 off five different SFA pitchers.

The Ladyjack won the most recent meeting between the two teams, a 4-1 final in the second game of the 2021 SLC Tournament.

By Doug De Graffenried

My ashes blew away.

That Ash Wednesday was a blustery day. I had agreed to do “drive by ashes” for those wanting to receive the Imposition of Ashes. I had ample ashes to do the “drive by ashes” from 6:30 until 7:30 a.m. I had the ashes on a flat dish. These ashes were a bit dryer than I like my ashes. Like gumbo in Louisiana, there are all sorts of recipes for the ashes used on Ash Wednesday. Some are very moist and very dark, almost like graphite. Other ashes are dry and gray in color. Our ash maker made some very dry ashes this year.

The morning passed without incident. People would drive up. I would walk the ashes out to their car. They would get out of the car, and I would say “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. Repent and believe the gospel.” I made the sign of the cross on their foreheads with the ashes. Because the ashes were dry, the finished product looked more like a smudge than the cross. I knew the recipe needed modification prior to the evening service.

As the morning progressed the wind picked up. One family pulled up and I imposed the ashes on them. They had their pet dog in the car and asked if he could get “ashed” on Ash Wednesday. I’m such a dog fan that I gave the pooch the full treatment. The dog didn’t get ashes, but I laid hands on him and blessed him. They got back in the car and drove off. They told me later the dog seemed to be calmer. 

As I walked back into the church I looked down at my ashes. They had blown away. I told you those ashes were dry. I was thankful that I was at the end of my allotted time. 

I bring this up because Ash Wednesday is on Valentine’s Day this year. That is always a tough call for those of you who have decided to fast from chocolate during Lent. Many of you will participate in an Imposition of Ashes service. The service is to remind us of our nature. We are dust and to dust we shall return.

It is a solemn and humbling service to officiate. I am reminded that I am mortal. I’m reminded that my friends, whom I love, are also mortal. I really don’t want to think about that. One day, we all end up like my Ash Wednesday ashes: blown away.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. The season of Lent calls us to repentance and preparation for Easter.

The risen Christ of Easter is our seal and promise that Jesus’ followers have eternal life. What seems blown away here on earth is gathered in eternity and made whole and fully alive in Christ. We start with ashes; we end with an empty tomb. It is the amazing story of One who overcame death and the grave and promises to do the same for us.

We tell the story every year because it is still true. 

I’m blown away thinking about it.

Sibley Lake is now closed until further notice. The boat ramps on Sibley Lake are closed due to high water levels. A notification will be posted when the ramps reopen. The City of Natchitoches apologizes for this inconvenience at this time. 

By Brad Dison

When the forefathers of the United States of America began considering a total separation from Great Britain, our leaders had to plan ahead.  If the efforts of the colonists were successful, they would have to construct a new form of government almost from the ground up.  They would have to take bits and pieces from governments from all over the world to create what they later described in the preamble to the Constitution as a “more perfect union.”  What would the union be called?

When, in June 1775, the Congress appointed George Washington as commander in chief of the Army, our country was referred to as the “United Colonies.”  The moniker itself defined the colonies as being an offspring of and answerable to the mother country, Great Britain.  Our forefathers recognized the need for a new title for our collection of colonies.  In early draft of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson began the document, “A Declaration of the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERCA, in General Congress assembled…”  Notice that each letter in the name of our country is capitalized for emphasis.  After several revisions, the final version of the Declaration of Independence began, “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America…”  The final version of the Declaration included less emphasis on the title.  The “thirteen united States” was used as a description of the colonies, to show that they stood together against Great Britain, rather than an official name.

Four days later, July 8, 1776, the words “United States of America” was included in the first draft of the Articles of Confederation, but the articles were not ratified by the states until 1781.  In September 1776, our forefathers approved several resolutions including payments to the soldiers.  The fifth resolution stated, “That in all continental commissions, and other instruments, where, heretofore, the words ‘United Colonies’ have been used, the stile be altered for the future to the “United States.”  It was on that Monday, September 9, 1776, that our country officially adopted its legal name.  During the American Revolution, government inspectors needed an easy way to show which casks of gunpowder had been approved for use by colonial soldiers.  In August 1776, a month before “United States” became an official title, government inspectors began marking casks of approved gunpowder with the initials “U.S.A.”   

In 1891, Lucas Miller became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin’s 6^th district.  He thought our country was not living up to its full potential and he, a first term representative, was the person to lead the country toward its destiny.  He introduced numerous bills which, if they had passed, would have forever changed our country.  Miller proposed 46 bills that, if they had become laws, our daily lives would be much different.  His proposals would have provided for the governmental control of “pretty much everything that can be controlled, and some things that cannot be.”  He proposed that 37 departments, each controlled by a secretary, such as the secretaries of fluids, forces, fairs, lectures, amusements, and more.  “The comfort of the general public,” he proposed, “is to be provided for by a department of public health, their cleanliness enforced by a department of public baths, and their clothing washed through the medium of a department of public laundries.”  Had his bills been approved, the government would have had control over every aspect of our lives in America, the home of the free.  A couple in love would have to petition the government for permission to marry.  Governmental permission would have been necessary to have children or to get divorced. 

The United States of America is always changing.  We have enlarged the United States with the addition of states and territories, but Miller’s proposals went too far.  Lucas Miller completed his first term in 1893.  His bid for a second term was unsuccessful.  One of the main reasons why his reelection campaign failed was his desire to change the name of our country.  He reasoned that “it is possible for the Republic to grow through the admission of new States into the Union until every Nation on Earth has become part of it.”  Miller rationalized that he was just planning ahead.  His plan even included a new title for our country which reflected its eventual growth.  The new title Miller proposed for our country was “the United States of Earth.”

Sources:

1.     The Union Times, February 24, 1893, p.1.

2.     “The 0th Article of the U.S. Constitution,” National Constitution Center – Constitutioncenter.org,https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/preamble.

3.     ‌ “Five ‘Unusual’ Amendments That Never Made It into the Constitution,” National Constitution Center – Constitutioncenter.org, 2018, https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/five-unusual-amendments-that-never-made-it-into-the-constitution.

4.     “On This Day, the Name ‘United States of America’ Becomes Official,” National Constitution Center, Constitutioncenter.org, https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/today-the-name-united-states-of-america-becomes-offici#:~:text=Blog%20Post-.

The Virtue of the Month for January was Courage.  Students from St. Mary’s Catholic School that displayed this virtue are Addison Poskey, Owen Dauzat, Reid Conner, Aria Poole, Moss Morgan, Dax Rashall-Wise, Charlee Rhodes, Ethan Probasco, Abram Nichols, Beau Clark, Aaron Campbell, Anna Johnson, Peyton Vascocu and Addison Evans.  Not Pictured is Kyle Poston.  Congratulations to these students!

Natchitoches City Council will have a pre-council meeting on Monday, Feb. 12 beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m. to discuss non-agenda items. The City Council meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month and will be reserved to only items on the Agenda.  The public is invited to both the pre-council meetings and council meetings with the understanding that items not on the agenda will not be discussed at the scheduled council meetings, but the public is welcome to discuss any topic at the pre-council meetings.  The City Council Meetings are held at the Natchitoches City Council Chambers, located at 716 Second St. in Natchitoches.  

                                                                                                                                                                                         AGENDA:

5. SPECIAL RECOGNITION:  Employee Of The Month Brent Dupree

6. SPECIAL GUEST:  Natchitoches Council on Aging

7. PROCLAMATIONS:

#008  Petite Resolution Proclaiming The Month Of February 2024 As African American History Month In The City Of Natchitoches.

8. RESOLUTIONS:

#009  Elie Resolution Adopting LCDBG Citizen Participation Plan (HVAC)

#010  Harrington Resolution Authorizing Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr., To Execute The Entity/State Agreement With The Louisiana Department Of Transportation And Development for the Natchitoches Safe Streets Revitalization Project

#011  Smith Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Advertise And Accept Bids For Water Treatment Facility Improvements (Phase 1) Bid No.  0667 

#012  Smith Resolution Naming The Gym Located In The MLK Recreation Center The John Winston, Sr. Gym In Honor Of His Many Years Of Service To The Citizens Of The City Of Natchitoches And To Otherwise Provide With   Respect Thereto.

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• The next scheduled City Council meeting will be February 26, 2024.
• The offices of the City of Natchitoches will be closed 

Monday, February 19, 2024 in honor of President’s Day.

In a written appeal mailed to homes in the community, John E. Winston, Sr. endorses one candidate for Mayor of Natchitoches.

Below is a copy of the actual written appeal received:

Office Building for Lease:

Size: 2 story / 2,170 Square Feet; Downstairs: 3 offices, file room and 2 bathrooms; Upstairs: 1 office, conference room, kitchen and 1 bathroom
Term: Lease – 1 year minimum
Lease Rate: $2,200.00 per month
Location: 101 Hazel Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana

For more information and/or a showing, please contact, 318-663-9077 or 318-471-9955

Serious Inquiries Only

The 10^th Judicial District Juvenile Drug Court Program began in 2008 in Natchitoches Parish. The goal of the program is to help reduce substance abuse and criminal behavior among juveniles, while empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength-based incentive intervention and rehabilitation services tailored to the needs of families and each individual juvenile.

If you believe that your child has a drug problem and would like to discuss whether your child is an appropriate candidate for drug court, please contact us today at 318-238-7810 or 10thjuveniledrugcourt@gmail.com

After gaining more confidence since her injury last year, Annemarie Broussard announced to the Southland Conference that she is officially back.

Broussard, a senior from Abbeville, cleared 12-10.75 in the pole vault, which not only is a season best for her, but also took over the SLC lead in the event.

The most decorated women’s pole vaulter in Northwestern State history, Broussard missed the entire outdoor season in 2023 due to injury. Every meet, she has been gaining more confidence and showed she is ready for the conference championships.

“Annie is being Annie,” associate head coach Adam Pennington said. “We have spent five years together and she’s never changed her mindset since I’ve met her. She is ready for war at all times and will continue to improve. She’s starting to get her rhythm back and having fun. Our lady vaulters continue to sharpen each other. And that’s why they are ranked at the top.”

Djimon Gumbs is feeling more himself as well. After being sick for a few weeks, Gumbs finished second in the shot put with a toss of 60-7.75. Twin brother Diamante Gumbs placed eighth with a distance of 53-8.5. Tarajh Hudson posted an indoor personal best with a 50-6.75.

“It was another solid day,” head coach Mike Heimerman said. “The sprinters did very well again. They continue to just put out amazing numbers.

“The throwers had a pretty good day. Everyone is starting to hit their form, just needing some tweaking. The group was led by Djimon. He is getting close to being back. Overall, I am very happy with the throwers. The numbers don’t always show the progression, but they did some good work.”

On the women’s side in the shot put, Ianna Roach placed 12^th with a distance of 46-4.25. Shakera Williams recorded a season-best 45-4.50 to finish 15^th and Carnitra Mackey (44-7.50) came in 18^th.

In the men’s high jump, Randy Kelly cleared 6-6.75 to finish eighth out of 20 competitors.

Continuing a sensational indoor season, Mikkel Johansson set a personal best with a time of 21.22 in the 200-meter dash section B, placing second out of 70 finishers. Cyrus Jacobs placed 10^th with a 21.53, also a personal best.

Running unattached, Zachaeus Beard ran a 21.80 to finish 25^th.

In section A of the 200-meters, Keontae Gaines posted a personal-best 21.12 to finish seventh out of 17 finishers. Jaysaun Smith ran a 21.55, which is a season best.

On the women’s side, four competed in the 200-meter section A, three of which set personal bests.

Sanaria Butler wrapped up a sensational weekend with a personal-best 24.05 to place 13^th. Lynell Washington placed right behind Butler with a 24.05 as well, finishing in 14^th. Vanessa Balde (24.06) and Maygan Shaw (24.08) also each posted personal bests, finishing 15^th and 17^th, respectively.

In section B, three of the four Lady Demons to run set personal bests and the other set a season best.

Victoria Byrd led the way with a personal-best 24.93 to place 35^th out of 95 runners. Kahliyah Anderson ran a season-bet 25.03 to place 43^rd. Tranasia Jones (25.25) and Raven-Symone Jarrett (26.88) also registered season bests.

“The sprinters had an amazing weekend,” Pennington said. “Nine total personal bests in the 200 and 10 season bests. I believe we were expecting a little faster, but it’s been a very long two weeks of travel for these athletes and they are still performing at a high level.

“Mikkel’s times continue to just drop and Cyrus and Jay have entered the top eight overall in the 200.”

The men’s 4×400 relay team of Johansson, Smith, Jacobs and Robert Norton posted a season-best 3:13.42 to finish ninth out of 23 teams.

In the men’s mile, Korbin Shumate (4:27.14) and John Klein (4:27.34) each ran a personal best, placing 25^th and 26^th out of 45 runners.

Before helping the men’s 4×400 relay team set a season best, Norton ran a personal-best 1:14.90 in the 600-yard run.

The track teams have an off week before heading to the SLC Indoor Championships, which begin Feb. 25 in Birmingham, Alabama.

POSITION: Technology Support Specialist

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Associates degree or Military/Technical School Training in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field preferred
• 2+ years of experience in an administrative or technical support role
• Intermediate knowledge of LAN topographies and monitoring tools
• Strong familiarity with Apple iOS devices, MDM’s and their operation
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office including Access Database Management
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Ability to lift 30 lbs.

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

Website: npsb.la

DEADLINE:
Monday, February 26, 2024

APPLICATIONS:
Application packets should consist of a letter of application, resume’, diploma or official transcripts and one letter of reference.

EOE