The City Council introduced an ordinance at its May 28 meeting declaring a list of buildings unsafe and recommending they be demolished or put into repairs.

One property that had some ownership questions surrounding it is the old Head Start building, which exists on five lots on Martin Luther King Drive and High Street (415 and 419 MLK). Homeless people have decided to make their homes within the burnt remains of the facility and are “tearing it up pretty good.” It was also mentioned that there is asbestos within the building, which will make demolition more entailed.

BESE (Board of Secondary and Elementary Education) owns the majority of the property and the NPSB (Natchitoches Parish School Board) owns a small portion of the property.

School Superintendent Grant Eloi informed the Council that the board researched the ownership around 3 years ago and found it belonged with BESE. The property is currently resting with the Department of Administration for the LDOE (Louisiana Department of Education) because BESE transferred it to them. At the Assessor’s Office the language is “ambiguous” and says the school board owns everything, but they in fact only own a small portion of the property.

LDOE lawyers can’t find any kind of agreements regarding the property since the 70s. The general consensus is that no one knows where ownership stands definitively.

This agenda item was being introduced so there is still time to determine ownership before the Council needs to vote to approve it.  

AGENDA:

Declare May 2024 As Older Americans Month In The City Of Natchitoches 

6. ORDINANCES – FINAL: 

Award The Bid For Water Treatment Facility Improvements, Phase 1 (Bid No. 0667) 

Fifth Supplemental Bond Ordinance Authorizing The Issuance By The City Of Natchitoches, State Of Louisiana, Of Its, Taxable Utilities Revenue Bonds, Series 2024, In An Amount Of $2,700,000 Prescribing The Form, Terms And Provisions Of Said Bonds; Providing For The Payment Thereof; Entering Into Certain Other Covenants And Agreements In Connection With The Security And Payment Of Said Bonds; Selling Said Bonds To The Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund; And Authorizing The Execution Of A Loan And Pledge Agreement And Other Loan Documents With The Louisiana Department Of Health; Providing For The Delivery Of The Bonds To Said Department; And Providing For Other Matters In Connection Therewith. 

8. RESOLUTIONS: 

Approve The Execution Of The Contract By And Between The State Of Louisiana, Division Of Administration, Office Of Community Development, And The City Of Natchitoches For The FY 2023 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant – In The Amount Up To $1,142,566.00 For Street Improvements Within The City Of Natchitoches 

Approve A Cooperative Endeavor Agreement Between The City Of Natchitoches And The State Of Louisiana, Office Of Community Development For South Natchitoches Drainage Improvements And Further Providing With Respect Thereto 

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

The next scheduled City Council meeting will be June 10, 2024. 

The regularly scheduled City Council Meeting for Monday, May 27, 2024  was re-scheduled to Tuesday, May 28, 2024 due to Memorial Day. 

Human remains discovered near Marthaville on Friday morning, May 24, have been presumptively identified according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

Natchitoches Parish Coroner Steven Clanton said on May 27, the skeletal remains discovered on Friday morning at approximately 10:44 am, off of the Preston Hayes Road near Marthaville in a private pond and on the outer banks have been presumptively identified through evidence gathered at the scene as that of Steven W. Burkett.

The remains are being transported to the LSU F.A.C.E.S. Lab in Baton Rouge for examination and positive identification.

Family members were notified on Friday of the discovery.

Detectives say the investigation began, over two years ago, back on February 13, 2022 at approximately 11:00pm, when a female friend of Burkett contacted the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office reporting him missing under suspicious circumstances.

Deputies spoke with the friend, gathered information and completed an offense report for investigative purposes.

Burkett, 49, at the time, was described as a white male, 5’11”, 175 pounds, with medium length brown hair and brown eyes.  He reportedly lived in the 100 block of Eddie Williams Road near Marthaville, La.

A missing person bolo was issued along with Burkett being placed in the National Crime Information Center as a missing person.

Detectives began speaking with family and friends in an effort to gather additional information about Mr. Burkett.

Detectives executed search warrants in the area, including one at his home, searching for any clues or evidence.

On four occasions, NPSO Detectives, along with assistance from the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, Many Police Department, Natchitoches Parish Fire District #7, cadaver dogs from Shreveport Fire Department, Ark-La-Tex K-9 Rescue searched several hundred acres in separate locations on Preston Hayes Road near Marthaville and other areas on foot, all-terrain vehicles and horseback looking for Burkett or any clues to his whereabouts.

Detectives continued to investigate the case, following up on tips, submitting evidence to the crime lab and used media sources to ask for the public’s help.

KTBS Channel 3 did an In-Dept Story on Burkett’s disappearance.

Last week, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Detectives working on a tip traveled to a private pond off of the Preston Hayes Road near Marthaville.

With the landowner’s full cooperation and permission, detectives along with assistance from the NPSO Dive Team and North Sabine Parish Dive Team discovered human skeletal remains in the water and on the outer banks of the pond.

Detectives and dive team members remained on scene throughout Friday afternoon sifting through the shallow pond water and on the outer banks for any additional evidence that may assist in the investigation.

This was the first time, detectives searched this private pond, however, other nearby ponds had been searched.

Natchitoches Parish Coroner Steven Clanton responded to the scene.  The remains were carefully collected and transported to the LSU F.A.C.E.S lab in Baton Rouge for examination, analysis and positive identification.
Clanton said “it appeared the remains had been at this location for a couple of years, and during the collection of the remains, evidence was discovered that leads us to presumptively believe the remains are that of Mr. Steven W. Burkett.”

Detectives are remaining tight-lipped about the investigation but say Natchitoches and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Detectives are aggressively pursuing leads in the case.

The case remains active and ongoing.

If you have any information you would like to share contact the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau at 318-357-7830.

By Doug De Graffenried

Why?

I have never successfully answered the “why” question. There are times in a relationship when one will ask the other one, “Why did you hang the picture in that particular place?” “Why did you eat the last of the Blue Bell ice cream?” “Why did you mow the lawn as you did?” I think I have failed in answering those questions. It is because the answer to the question moved behind the realm of action into the realm of motivation. How many of us have the emotional intelligence to authentically answer a motivational question? Why did you blow up at the nice person in the restaurant, when they didn’t melt the cheese on your cheeseburger? 

I had an unanswerable “why” question this weekend. The dogs escaped the yard. When our dogs get out of the yard, they jet. Rolo is part Beagle and the sniffer in him takes over and he has to run each scent in the neighborhood. I know that if anything happens to Rolo, I will be in the eternal doghouse. He got out by opening a gate. No kidding, one of the dogs opened a gate. I don’t know how, and they are not confessing.

Why were the dogs in that part of the yard? That part of the yard is gated off on four sides, because my greenhouse is in that part of the yard. I was working in the greenhouse and the dogs were with me. I don’t know what motivated the dogs to be with me. I can’t explain canine motivation. I took a break and went inside; the dogs decided to execute an escape plan. The dogs did return, exhausted. I was released from the doghouse. However, the why questions continued. I know I am frustrating because I have never answered a why question, well.

The same in my professional life. Yes, I am called to this ministry. Yes, I read and study scripture daily. Yes, I talk to God several times a day. Even in ministry, I’m not good with the “why” question. “Why did this happen to me?” “Why am I sick?” “Why is my life falling apart?” I have been doing the preacher thing for forty-eight years. Here is how I now answer the “why” question. The answer to the “why” question is the purview of management, I’m only in customer service.

That is not where the conversation stops, although I have never been able to answer “why” question, I do have some insights about the better question; “how.” How do I move forward given my life circumstances How do I trust in Jesus in the middle of this storm? How do I put one foot in front of the other so I can take the next step? The question for all of us is….

How?

The highest hill in downtown Goldonna is carefully adorned with beautiful American flags to honor fallen heroes for Memorial Day. Area residents are making it an annual tradition to honor Veterans on Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. Please take the time to enjoy the beauty and symbolism of this community effort. 

The Goldonna Dusty Cut League is having a great season while dodging Spring storms.  Be sure to check their Facebook page for regular updates. There are only a few games left in regular season. The tournament is scheduled to begin May 31, weather permitting.

The Goldonna Christmas in the Park will hold their famous Fish Fry on Sunday, June 9 at the Village Town Hall beginning at 11 am. The plates will be sold for $10. If you would like to help please reach out to Gail Cloud or Eugene Garner. 

Goldonna Elementary Junior High School has wrapped up the 2023-2024 school year. Report cards can be picked up Monday through Thursday until June 6. 

The Goldonna Baptist Church has numerous things to be excited about this summer. Thier summer family nights will begin on June 5th with house church. They also have movie and pizza nights, corn hole tournament, and fireworks with homemade ice cream on July 3. The wiffle ball tournament will be July 20. The cost is $60 for a six-player team with a minimum of three females per team. However, all-female teams are certainly welcomed. The church will also have a big waterslide that day and a $10 bracelet buys the young ones (or young at heart) all day access. All proceeds will go to Operation Christmas Child. Our OCC items for May are “WoW” items, such as playground balls, toy trucks, playing cards, etc. Vacation Bible School is scheduled for July 14-17. The RAs/GAs Sunday night programs are up and running with amazing leaders. The Youth Group will always have biscuits and sausage ready before Sunday School. Dr. Wiley Cole is currently leading the church through an in-depth study of the book of Romans at 5 pm. This is followed up with supper together every Sunday evening at 6 pm.

Goldonna Assembly of God Church would like to remind everyone about the Blessings Box located in front of The Stand Coffee Shop. Inside this box you will can goods, personal hygiene items and inspirational materials. These are for anyone in need. Of course, if you have an abundance, please don’t be shy about adding items for others in need. 

On June 2 at 10 am, the Women’s Teen Challenge Center will be ministering at Goldonna Assembly of God on Tally Street. 

If you have news to share please email Reba Phelps at jreba.phelps@gmail.com

A look in the rearview mirror at Louisiana Tech’s 2024 baseball season (so far) from someone who’s been there … 

(Editor’s Note: Odd circumstances put me on the road with the team and, despite that, the guys ended up winning Conference USA’s regular season title and survived a metaphorical fistfight to finish runner-up in the conference tournament last week. They bring a 45-15 record and want-to into Friday’s 7 p.m. scrap against Kansas State, 32-24, in the Fayetteville Regional.)

 Tech’s 12-0 start included its first road game of the year, a 20 hits, 13 runs whupping of McNeese in Lake Charles in cold weather, and by “cold” we mean 47-below 0. With a wind blowing in from left. It was so cold I saw a lawyer with his hands in his own pockets.

The final part of trip was a championship at the three-day Battle at the Ballpark in Sugar Land, Texas, which was a semi-synopsis of the whole season, minus the losses. 

• Tech beat Army, 4-0, scoring all the game’s runs in the eighth, the final pair on a homer by centerfielder Cole McConnell, who at that point in Tech’s 9-0 season had 4 doubles, 1 triple, 3 homers, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts — and 0 singles.
• Beat pain-in-the-ass Creighton, 12-0. Creighton’s voice carries, put it that way. The walk-off blow — a three-run, line-drive tater by Ethan Bates.
• Beat Air Force, 8-5, after trailing 5-0.
• Tech’s Bates was the DH and Reliever and MVP on the All-Tournament team — and was last week named the 2024 Most Outstanding Player in CUSA.

On the bus trip home, we started losing power near Grambling, regained it, limped off Interstate 20 and onto Tech Drive, and crawled to a stop at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park in the middle of the night. Without anyone knowing it, we’d just experienced the season in mini-form: some blowouts, some tight wins, and some flats that almost made you pull over.

And it was only the first week of March.

In Miami for three games, three guys went for separate walks and were attacked by the same bird on the same morning, a Hitchcockian affair we all witnessed on the team bus to the game that afternoon when the same bird at the same spot attacked some unsuspecting sap. Major laughs. And sadly, the highlight of the 1-2 trip.

There was the hotel where you had to turn in a Magic Ticket for breakfast, and the hotel in Arizona that was probably nice — 40 years ago. Someone was always misplacing a wallet or phone. Someone was always looking for a bottle of water.

There were enough 7 a.m. bus rides to make you feel you were in third grade again. These early-morning taxis were due mainly to early flights. One plane trip a season is about it for mid-majors; Tech had four. Miami. Arizona. New Mexico. Virginia. Flying a college baseball team commercial is like turning around a battleship. In molasses. In wintertime. (Or in Lake Charles in late February.)

Commercial air travel with college baseball is a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey affair, a circus without the elephants and straw. If you come home with almost as many people and almost as much equipment as you left with, it’s considered a very successful trip.

As any team will tell you, the non-baseball parts are common. The baseball parts are different. That’s why lots of teams aren’t playing this weekend, and 64, like Tech, are. They’ve been good at the baseball parts. 

A lot of those 45 wins and the positive reaction to a couple of particularly hard-knocks losses has been because of how this team of Dogs has gotten along, adjusted and adapted during the non-baseball parts. Doubleheaders and time changes and Saturday and Sunday pre-noon games. 

Life asks you to adapt, just as you would to a new arm out of the pen or an error or a bad hop — or a kamikaze bird or late plane or lost luggage. We adjust or we don’t.

It’s a group of teammates who look forward to getting to the ballpark. When they get there again this weekend — and they will, somehow, some way, to baseball-friendly Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville — the baseball parts should be fun to watch. For sure, they’ve earned their way.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

Five St. Mary’s baseball stars and two top performers on the Lady Tigers’ softball team have received honorable mention All-State recognition from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association on the All-State Class A teams.

Tiger baseball players recognized were Conor Jordan, Preston Martinez, Braylon Normand, Trey Scarborough and Ayden Warren.

The St. Mary’s softball standouts getting honorable mention All-State were Tyonnah Burton and Grace Wren.

The Lady Tigers surged all the way to the Select Division IV state quarterfinals.

The Tigers advanced to the second round of the state playoffs.

The Northwestern Hills Golf Course will hold a Natchitoches Youth Golf Camp June 4-6 from 8:30-11 :30 am, sponsored by Natchitoches Golf Association.

The camp is open to girls and boys ages 7-15. The fee is $60 a person.

Attendees will focus on skill work on putting, chipping and driving. Instructors will spend time each day on the three. Youth golf clubs are available to any child that might need them for the golf camp. There will be a Drive, Chip and Putt contest at the end of each day. Snacks and cold drinks will be provided.

Call 318-357-6300 or Johnny Cox at 318-481-5300

If there’s one debate in bass fishing that has gone on for decades, it’s the age-old question: Does color matter? What we are referring to is the color of the bait you’re throwing when fishing for those elusive largemouth bass. No other topic in the bass fishing world has a difference of opinion more than this topic. Today I’ll give you my perspective that could lean you in either direction.  

If you ask any angler with years of experience, some will say, “Yes, color does matter,” while others will say, “No,” that the color of your bait has no bearing on if a bass will eat it. Occasionally, I will agree with the guys who say “no” because there are occasions where bass are on a feeding frenzy, otherwise known as “schooling,” and will bite just about anything you throw at them. But I’ve also seen instances where if you don’t throw something that is very close to the forage (baitfish) they are chasing, and I mean in both size and color, you will not get bit. This rule of “matching the hatch,” so to speak, pretty much applies 90 percent of the time.

Here’s my perspective when it comes to color. I say “yes,” color does matter, if for no other reason than confidence. I know we’ve talked about confidence in the past and there’s nothing more important to an angler than his confidence, whether it’s in a particular color or a select bait. This is always a part of my message when I speak to high school or college anglers. It’s important for young anglers to gain confidence in a particular color because when the fishing is tough, you want to fish with something you have a lot of confidence in.

When it comes to soft plastic baits, color can make a huge difference on whether you catch bass or not. My argument has always been if color is not important, then why do manufacturers make so many for anglers to choose from?  Some will say that is because companies are trying to catch anglers and sell lures. That might be true, but they also make so many colors because of the many different types of water clarity we have all across the country, and certain colors are designed to match different types of forage bass feed on.

All I know is this, over my many years of chasing those little green fish we call bass, more times than I can count, I made a color change and suddenly, I started catching bass. Was this a coincidence or was the new color I switched to closer to the forage they were feeding on? Only a bass can truly answer this question of whether color really matters, and until bass learn to speak, the world may never know.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

Rotarian with the Program Billy Clemons introduced Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Coordinators Steven and Tori Solomon at the May 28 Rotary luncheon. Solomon described the history of FCA and their active involvement with Northwestern State University student athletes, especially Monday night functions. Pictured from left are Rotary President Joe Sers, Clemons, Tori Solomon, and Steven Solomon (Photo by Dr. Ron McBride).

• Day 1 (June 5) is based at St. Augustine Church Hall with the Creole Heritage Center and will focus on local folklore. Campers will explore the stories of the Cane River region. St Augustine Church is located at 2262 Highway 484, Natchez.
• Day 2 (June 6) is based at the Texas & Pacific Railway Depot and will focus on flowers. Campers will have fun with flower crafts. The Depot is located at Remembrance Way/7th Street, Natchitoches.
• Day 3 (June 7) is based at Oakland Plantation and will focus on the world of fish and campers will have the chance to fish in Cane River Lake. Oakland Plantation is located at 4386 Highway 494, Natchez (Bermuda).
• Day 4 (June 8) is based at Magnolia Plantation and will focus on photography. Campers will practice photography skills and learn the principles of Leave No Trace. Magnolia Plantation is located at 5549 Highway 119, Cloutierville (Derry).

Opportunity available:  Account Executive

Areas include: Natchitoches, Sabine, DeSoto and Red River Parishes.

Qualifications:  Self-motivated, willing to learn, reliable transportation.  Training provided.

Income: Based on 25% sales commissions plus mileage.  Paid Weekly!

If you want to work your own schedule, set your own hours, build a lifetime income and Fridays off, then this is the opportunity for you!

Send resume to:  P. O. Box 2611, Natchitoches, LA 71457

The Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau announced the appointment of Paige Alost as the new Executive Director for the Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission. Alost succeeds the recently retired Arlene Gould, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the role.

Paige Alost, a native of Baton Rouge and a proud alumna of Louisiana State University, has dedicated over 25 years to tourism and place-based marketing leadership. For the past 23 years, she has lived in Athens, Ohio, where she made a significant impact as the Executive Director of the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau for over 14 years. During her tenure, Alost grew the Bureau’s budget from $250,000 to $750,000, significantly boosting the local tourism economy.

She led numerous award-winning marketing campaigns and served in several prominent roles, including President of the Ohio State Travel Association, President of Ohio’s Appalachian Country, and Ohio’s representative to the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Tourism Council. Her leadership and strategic vision have consistently fostered a strong “love of place,” enhancing community engagement and economic impact.

“I’m very grateful to the Natchitoches Tourism Board for considering my qualifications and experience, and I’m so excited to carry the torch forward after Arlene Gould’s many wonderful years of service to the CVB, Natchitoches Parish, and the State of Louisiana,” said Alost. “I’ve always carried a love of Natchitoches with me, and I’m excited to finally call it home. This is my dream job in my dream town, and I am eager to get started!”

Alost’s extensive professional experience also includes roles as New Development Marketer for Resort Lifestyle Communities, Economic and Community Development Educator at Central State University Cooperative Extension Service, and Director of Marketing, Communication, and Sales for senior living communities. Her background in strategic communications, branding, product development, and community development positions her perfectly to lead the Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission.

The Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau remains committed to maximizing economic growth by generating overnight stays through promoting tourism marketing, convention and meeting business, and festivals and events throughout Natchitoches Parish. The Bureau is confident that under Alost’s leadership, these goals will not only be met but exceeded, continuing to build on the solid foundation laid by Arlene Gould.

Kevin Gallery

“…Embrace these, Father, and receive them, thy heroic servants into thy kingdom…”
From President Franklin Roosevelt’s remarks to the Nation on D-Day

The Natchitoches Parish Veterans & Memorial Park was filled with veterans, families, and area residents on Monday, May 27 as our community held its annual Memorial Day Program under a huge flag hung from a Natchitoches fire truck ladder.

Jeremy Miller, NSU Army ROTC alumni, former Army officer and combat veteran, served as the Master of Ceremonies. Sara Puryear Dunn performed a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem. After the Anthem, the 2024 Girls’ State Delegates led the Pledge of Allegiance. Tommy Stewart, Josh Manotas, Bill Gordy, Charles Peyton, Randy Williams, Charlie Davis, and Jeremy Miller took turns reading the names of deceased area veterans from WWI to the present day after which Janet and Geo Darfus performed “Some Gave All”. The memorial brick for Staff Sergeant Josh Michael Manotas was then dedicated. The Cane River Quilters donated handmade quilts to three arer veterans.

The Memorial Day address was superbly delivered by retired Army First Sergeant Michael Selby. 1SG Selby is a familiar figure in the parish, having served generations of young men and women in NCHS’ Army JROTC. He has a sterling record of service to his nation, his church and family as well as our youth.

The name of each of the area veterans who passed away over the past year was read by Janet Darfus and Amanda Miller after which Dr. John Dunn played Taps.

A moment of silence was observed after which Tim Page delivered the closing prayer. In what has become a traditional ending for the Natchitoches Memorial Day ceremony, Janet and Geo Darfus led the crowd in in an absolutely superb rendition of the classic “God Bless America.”

The event is part and parcel of what Winston Churchill referred to as “the long continuity of our institutions.” It, and ceremonies like it across the country, bind us together as a nation. In the increasingly fractious country we find ourselves in, things like Memorial Day and its remembrances remind us of what is important.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal is donating the event photography. The veterans’ families are welcome to download any they wish.