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As 2024 comes to a close, we’re taking another holiday break, and there will be no Natchitoches Parish Journal on New Year’s Day.

We’ll start our round of 2025 editions Thursday morning, bringing you locally-based content free of charge, without annoying pop-ups or log-ins, in a 6:55 a.m. e-mail on weekdays to subscribers (no charge!).

You can also find our content on our webpage (NatchitochesParishJournal.com) or the Natchitoches Parish Journal Facebook page – easy to access, free to all.

We hope you have a great New Year’s Eve and a wonderful start to 2025.

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The property that was formerly a Pizza Hut at 801 Keyser Avenue in Natchitoches, was sold to Rodriguez Investments, LLC of Alexandria.  It was sold for $650,000 and the new owners are currently converting the building.

The Natchitoches Pizza Hut relocated to 810 University Pkwy, Natchitoches, LA 71457.

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The Natchitoches Parish Coroner, Steven M. Enlow Clanton, addresses the recent drug arrests on Dec. 27 made by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, which resulted in the seizure of approximately 2.1 pounds of suspected fentanyl.

This amount is enough to potentially kill around 476,000 people, roughly 10% of Louisiana’s population. This major seizure underscores the serious risks posed to the residents of Natchitoches Parish and surrounding areas.

Although deaths from fentanyl are not always publicized in the news, they do occur.

In Natchitoches Parish, 2024 saw six fatalities linked to fentanyl usage, with an additional death caused by N pyrrolidino protonitazene, a synthetic opioid with a potency 3 to 70 times greater than fentanyl.

The year 2023 recorded four fatalities, and 2022 saw five fatalities attributed to fentanyl.

These statistics underscore the persistent and deadly presence of fentanyl in the community.

Fentanyl Facts:

• Potency: Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. As per the DEA, a lethal dose for most people is around 2 milligrams—about the size of a few grains of salt.

• Adulteration: Illegally produced fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and even marijuana, or pressed into counterfeit pills mimicking OxyContin,
Percocet, Vicodin, Xanax, Alprazolam, Adderall, Ecstasy, or Molly.

• Contamination Risk: Drug dealers frequently mix fentanyl with other substances due to its potency and low cost, raising the likelihood of fatal overdoses.

• Statistics: In 2024, DEA lab tests found that 5 out of 10 pills tested contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl, with 42% of tested pills having at least 2 milligrams.

• Distribution: Fentanyl is typically trafficked by the kilogram, with a single kilogram having the potential to kill 500,000 people.

• Uncertainty: Individuals can unknowingly consume fentanyl-laced pills, or take them knowing they contain fentanyl but without knowing the lethal dose.

Safety Measures:

• Pill Precaution: Do not take any pills not prescribed to you and obtained from a pharmacy.

• Suspicious Substances: Report any suspicious substances to law enforcement for investigation.

• Report Possession: Inform authorities if you know someone in possession of illegal substances—it could save lives by getting them the help they need.

• Report Dealers: If you know someone dealing drugs, report them to protect potential victims, including your loved ones.

• Naloxone: Narcan or Naloxone is the reversal agent for Fentanyl. It is now widely available and can be purchased over the counter. If you suspect an overdose Call 911 and administer Narcan if available.

One Pill Can Kill! Don’t wait till it’s too late to prevent another tragedy!!

Report narcotics activity to the Natchitoches Drug Enforcement hotline at 318-238-8477.

Sheriff Stuart Wright said the public’s cooperation in providing tips to law enforcement is essential in combating criminal activity and solving criminal cases in Natchitoches Parish and all across our state.

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While there’s been rumors circulating on social media about the permanent closure of McAlister’s Deli in Natchitoches, the sign on the door makes it official. The NPJ reached out to the corporate office and requested information about the closure, but no response was received.

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Yolanda Chevalier Reed was officially sworn in as the newly elected Natchitoches Parish Tax Assessor in a ceremony held Monday morning. Reed, whose term begins on January 1, 2025, took the oath of office in the presence of friends and family.

The ceremony included her husband, Carey Reed, who assisted by holding the Bible during the oath.

“I am incredibly proud of Yolanda as she steps into this important role,” said a close friend who officiated the swearing-in. “I know she will serve our parish with dedication and excellence.”

Reed expressed her enthusiasm for the position and encouraged residents to reach out to her with any questions or concerns regarding tax assessments.

Her term as tax assessor is expected to bring a new chapter of service and commitment to the people of Natchitoches Parish.

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The Natchitoches Parish Tax Assessor’s Office will welcome a new Chief Deputy as Kimberly LaCaze steps into the role on January 1, 2025.

LaCaze, a well-respected figure in the community, has been recognized for her dedication and outstanding performance in her previous roles. Her appointment comes with high expectations for continued excellence.

“Congratulations to Kimberly LaCaze on this well-deserved position,” said a colleague. “She has always done a fantastic job, and I’m confident she will continue to excel in her new role.”

The transition coincides with the start of a new term for the Tax Assessor’s office, marking a fresh chapter of leadership and service for Natchitoches Parish.

The Tax Assessor’s Office extends its wishes for a Happy New Year to all residents as it begins 2025 with this exciting announcement.

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Julie Hughes Callihan was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana on May 8, 1946.  The oldest of three girls, she was raised as a product of both town and country.  She would hunt with her dad in the mornings, set the table in the evenings, paint away an afternoon and fall off a horse the next. She was a child of piano keys and skinned knees.  Collaborating with her sisters or scheming with her cousins, she always found ways to push the boundaries of proper southern etiquette.  She was the kind of girl to wear tennis shoes to her debutante and sneak a nip of whiskey with the cooks. She was instilled with a strong sense of family and place that would never leave her and that would eventually call her back home.

In her 20’s, she left for New York City and saw the world as an airline stewardess, before briefly landing in New Orleans where she dined and danced with her Aunt Bebe. She later moved to Baton Rouge, where she met her husband on a blind date and immediately fell in love. There, over the next forty years, she would rear a family, start a successful real estate brokerage and property management company, and serve as Executrix of the John S. McIlhenny estate.  

She was the quintessential working mother. Upon entering her home, one would never guess that she had any occupation other than raising her two boys. Even well into their 40’s, her nurturing and mothering never ceased. They were her world. 

She was also the ultimate preservationist – a ferocious taker of notes and keeper of records, both big and small. She was a passionate genealogist, tracing her ancestry multiple generations beyond the founding of Natchitoches. In her home, there is not a Bible, address or notebook that is not filled with paper-clipped mementos of letters, private prayers, and pictures. 

After retiring to her “Camp Salubrity” on Cane River, Julie followed in her great grandmother Sudie’s footsteps, becoming active in the community. She held a number of board positions with the Briarwood Caroline Dorman Nature Preserve and led their fund-raising efforts over the years. She was also an active member with the Daughters of the American Revolution. But anyone close to her knew that her favorite pastime was enjoying an evening glass of wine on Cane River, thinking of her family and contemplating a life well-lived. 

Through it all, she was a woman that exuded deep spirituality, grace, and a stiff upper lip – the same qualities that she imbued in her sons. She spent her final months under the loving care of her two boys and their families, and her sister-in-law Cathy.  She passed away peacefully in New Orleans on December 19, 2024. 

Julie was preceded in death by her parents, Edmond Prudhomme and Martha Lawton Hughes, and her sister Jill.  She is survived by her loving husband of over 50 years, William Henry Callihan, their sons William Edmond, his wife Courtney and their daughter Elliot, and Lawton Cole and his fiancée, Hannah Schumacher; by her step-daughter Kristen and her two children Taylor and Michael; and by her sister Marti Bailey, her husband David and their daughter Brianna.

Services will take place at 12:00 pm, on January 3, 2025, at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home, Natchitoches, LA, with visitation at 11. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider donating to Briarwood in her name, at the Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve, 107 Broadmoor Shopping Center, Natchitoches, LA 71457.

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As the clock winds down on 2024, people across the globe prepare to usher in a new year with joy, reflection, and hope. New Year’s Eve is a night of celebration, marked by centuries-old traditions and contemporary festivities that unite communities and cultures in a shared moment of anticipation.

The history of New Year’s Eve dates back to ancient times when the Babylonians celebrated their new year with an 11-day festival in spring. The Romans later shifted the celebration to January 1, following the introduction of the Julian calendar. Today, the countdown to midnight remains a universal symbol of transition and renewal.

Modern celebrations vary widely. In Times Square, New York City, the famous ball drop attracts millions of viewers, a tradition that began in 1907. In Sydney, Australia, dazzling fireworks light up the harbor, while in Spain, revelers eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight for good luck. Japan rings in the New Year with the ringing of bells at temples, symbolizing purification and a fresh start.

Closer to home, families and friends gather for house parties, dining on festive dishes like black-eyed peas for prosperity and champagne toasts for celebration. Whether you’re attending a glamorous gala or enjoying a quiet evening with loved ones, New Year’s Eve offers a chance to reflect on the past year’s achievements and set intentions for the year ahead.

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My material grandparents were both born in the 19th century. They lived long enough that I knew them. I was particularly fond of my grandmother. Their house had a huge front porch with a swing and rocking chairs. After lunch we would all go out to the front porch. I asked my grandmother once, “What are we doing?”

She said, “We are watching the world go by.”

After we watched the passing world we were required to go inside and “be still.” Looking back, I understand that was grandparent for “we are napping, you kids don’t bother us.” Forced stillness is tough on a six-year-old. But even at that I have memories. When I was still, I would imagine what the people in that painting were doing.

That painting depicted a bearded man sitting with his wife and two children. My mother inherited the painting from her mother. When my mother died, I took the painting of the bearded man and his family.

As a child, I had a vague notion that those people were family. When we cleaned out mom’s house, seeing that painting again after so many years brought back strangely comforting feelings. My siblings had no such affinity for the painting. I took it home.

We live in a world of reciprocal relationships. We say it like this, “what goes around comes around.” Don’t admit this to anyone, but you know that in your heart what you have received in life is what you have planted. This can be a hard truth to swallow in places. And it will break down at times because of evil and human sinfulness. With those caveats, it seems to be true. If you want to change your luck, then change your behavior. If you want to have more friends, be friendlier. If you want financial peace become generous. You get the idea; you have heard it enough in sermons!

Now back to my grandmother’s painting. Since I have inherited it, I have wondered about the identity of those people. Why did this painting pull at my heart?

The other day I was trolling the family tree on ancestry. I was working through the material side of the family. I was tracing my great grandmother who died soon after giving birth to my grandmother’s twin brothers. Her father, my second great grandfather, was Rev. Daniel Shephard Campbell from Kentucky.

Attached to his information was a painting showing Rev. Campbell, his wife, and at least two of his ten children. One of the girls he named Katie Marvin Campbell. She was my great grandmother. My mother was named Katie Marvin. One of the girls in the painting was my great grandmother, Katie Marvin.

Interesting things about families, things go around in circles. I sat for several moments and stared at the picture on the Internet of Rev. Campbell and his family. It was the same one that hung on my grandmother’s wall. The same painting I inherited from my mother. It was the painting I looked at for hours while “being still.” It was a painting of my second great grandfather, Rev. Daniel Shephard Campbell a Methodist preacher.

Not only do families have these connections and repeated patterns. They are a part of daily life. You cannot escape connection. We were created to be connected. We were created to be dependent if you want a stronger image. In the New Year, could we all depend on each other a little bit more and be more dependable for others?

One of the truths of a reciprocal life is that we are in danger when we decide to divide our lives into those things we can do ourselves and those things that requires God’s help. When we live depending on God’s presence in our lives, we become dependable people of faith and action. It is all about “what goes around comes around.”

That truth will either cause you to be grateful or to duck!

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There’s something about playing Houston Christian that always brings out the best in Sharna Ayres.

The graduate student poured in a game-high 20 points to lead Northwestern State (4-7, 1-1) to a 57-51 road victory against HCU (4-7, 1-1) on Sunday afternoon at Sharp Gymnasium.

It is the second consecutive trip to HCU that Ayres scored at least 20 points after dropping in a career-high 24 points in the matchup at Sharp Gymnasium last season and averaged 19.5 points per contest in the two meetings last year.

While Ayres scored 20 to lead the way, freshman Vernell Atamah finished right behind her with 19 of her own on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting, including 6-of-8 from the free throw line.

“Road wins are incredibly hard to come by and I am very proud of the girls efforts,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “I feel that there were so many big plays made by a handful of players, whether it was on offense or defense. Sharna and Vee were not only great on the offensive end but both were great on the boards.

“We absolutely have a lot to learn from this game. We need to grow in our ability to show composure and also take care of the ball. However, we are all thankful to learn from a win vs. a loss.”

The pairing dominated offensively, but the Demons came up huge with mammoth late-game stops.

Clinging to a 53-49 lead with less than a minute left, Northwestern State forced a 3-point miss from Tove Caesar and a Hannah Fields turnover before a Fields missed layup to secure the victory.

The Demons held HCU to just 31.3 percent shooting overall and 2-of-18 from deep, while shooting 37.7 from the field, making four 3-pointers.

Northwestern State also held Tiffany Tullis, who averages double digit rebounds, to just seven points and seven rebounds, and her rebound total was at three well into the fourth quarter.

While leading scorer Mya Blake was held to just five points, she contributed elsewhere with six rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block.

Not many sequences was larger than late in the third and early in the fourth, led by Blake.

With less than a minute left in the third, HCU had cut the Demons lead to three when Blake had a spurt in which she had a part in the following nine points.

She recorded her steal and dished it to Atamah for a layup. She followed that up with her lone bucket, a triple from the right wing, to make it 38-30 at the end of the third.

If that wasn’t enough, Blake recorded another assist as well as a pair of free throws to grow the lead to 42-30 a minute and a half into the fourth.

The Demons needed a fast start, which happened in a big way, as the visitors scored the first seven points of the contest and jumped out to a 16-6 lead.

Erin Maguire led the charge for the Huskies offense, scoring 11 points, but Northwestern State forced her to attempt 16 shots for those 11 points.

Kierra Prim tallied 10 points for the lone other Huskies player to reach double figures in scoring.

Northwestern State needed to hang in on the boards against the bigger HCU team, and did just that, out-rebounding the Huskies 41-38. Three Demons hauled down at least seven rebounds, led by Jasmin Dixon’s eight. Ayres and Atamah each collected seven rebounds. Blake, the point guard, even chipped in with six as well.

The Demons return home to Prather Coliseum for a pair of in-state games against McNeese on Thursday and Nicholls on Saturday.

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By Brad Dison

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The Village of Natchez will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 6p.m. at the Town Hall. The address to the town hall is 219 Main St. in Natchez.  The public is invited to attend. The Village will be voting on Ordinance 012-2024.

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After a lifetime of service to our parish, Natchitoches Parish Assessor Timothy K. Page celebrated the start of the next chapter of his life with a retirement party at the parish courthouse Friday, December 27. A group of friends, family, co-workers and well-wishers filled the Assessor’s office to mark Page’s last day. Timothy Page has worked in the parish assessor’s office for 36 years, to include the last four as parish assessor, an office he was elected to without opposition.

The seven employees of the assessor’s office are responsible for fairly and accurately assessing the value of almost 500 million dollars of residential and commercial property in Natchitoches parish.

Tim Page and his wife have four daughters and one granddaughter. His initial retirement plans include a lot more time in his deer stand. He is also planning on teaching Bible classes at the Natchitoches Church of Christ where he and his family are active members and spending more time with his family.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes Timothy K. Page all the best as he begins his well earned retirement!

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The City of Natchitoches would like to notify the public about a 12-inch water main leak located on Old Highway 1 Bypass near Waterwell Road. Residents in the area may experience low water pressure as a result. Utility crews are working diligently and safely to repair the water main. We appreciate your patience during this repair process.

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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. We do apologize for this inconvenience at this time.

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Northwestern State head volleyball coach Sean Kiracofe has resigned from his position, it was announced on Dec. 27.

Kiracofe was the longest-tenured and the coach who amassed the most wins in Demon volleyball history, the only coach to win more than 100 matches in their career at NSU.

“I would like to thank (former NSU Director of Athletics) Mr. (Greg) Burke and (former NSU President) Dr. (Jim) Henderson for offering me the chance to lead this program,” Kiracofe said. “During my 10 years I have heard stories firsthand and through Mr. Burke about how coaches hold NSU up as one of the highlights of their careers. I wholeheartedly agree with that. Northwestern State, Natchitoches and this community are special, and this has been a wonderful place for my wife Kerri and I to raise our children.

“Thank you to all the student-athletes over the last ten seasons. I love and appreciate all of you and how you have poured yourselves into the program. You made all the difficult times more than worth it, and all of our memorable moments on and off the court are solely because of you being exceptional people. Fork ‘Em Forever.”

During his time in Natchitoches, Kiracofe also had the most seasons with a winning record in Southland Conference play in program history and made seven trips to the SLC Tournament, reaching the semifinals in both 2019 and 2022 and the quarters in 2023.

“After 10 years of dedicated service, we want to express our sincere appreciation to Coach Kiracofe for his leadership, passion and unwavering commitment to the volleyball program here at Northwestern,” Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian said. “Over the past decade, he has helped shape not only talented athletes but also strong leaders, and left an indelible mark on the program. His contributions both on and off the court have been invaluable, and we wish him nothing but success in future endeavors. He will always be a part of our Demon family.”

The Demons won 20 matches, tied for the fourth most in a single year, during the historic 2019 season that included an 11-3 record in conference play. One of the best offensive teams in NSU history, the Demons set the team record with a .224 hitting percentage for the year with more than 1,500 kills, the most in a season in 15 years.

They were led by conference player of the year Hannah Brister who set the program’s season kills record with 539, the only player to record more than 500 kills in a season at NSU. Senior Alexis Warren also became the fourth player ever to record more than 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in a career during that season.

The Demons were selected for their second ever postseason berth earning a trip to Wyoming as a part of the NIVC (National Invitational Volleyball Championship).

Kiracofe was also named the LSWA (Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association) Coach of the Year.

A specialist when it comes to developing middle blockers, Kiracofe-coached teams and players have taken over the top spots in nearly all single-season and career blocking categories.

His teams have produced the second and third highest single-season block totals. The 2022 squad was just the second team to record more than 300 blocks in a single year, with the 2023 team falling just 4.5 short of back-to-back 300 seasons.

Of the 11 total instances where an individual recorded 100 blocks in a single season at NSU, six of them occurred under Kiracofe’s tutelage, including four in the past three seasons. During her sophomore season of 2023, Reaghan Thompson broke the NSU season total blocks (164) and block per set (1.52) record and finished sixth in the NCAA in blocks per set and ninth in total blocks.

The Demons have finished first or second in the Southland in blocks per set in each of the past three seasons and led the conference in total blocks in both 2022 and 2023.

Defense on the back row was also a priority for the Demons under Kiracofe with a string of the program’s elite liberos all playing for the Demons in the past 10 seasons.

Eight of the 12 best single season dig totals at NSU have come from Kiracofe players including five of the nine total 500-dig seasons in school history.

Channing Burleson recorded back-to-back 500-dig seasons in 2016-17, Megan Lohmiller had 548 in 2019 and both Ashlyn Svoboda and Symone Wesley surpassed 500 during the 2022 season, the only teammates to do so in the same season.

Five players under Kiracofe have recorded more than 1,000 career digs with Burleson and Svoboda representing the second and third most at NSU.

Kiracofe has helped guide 10 all-conference selections during his tenure and four superlative award winners. Brister (Freshman) and Burleson (Libero) both won individual honors in 2017. Brister also earned SLC Player of the Year honors two years later as a junior and Wesley picked up newcomer of the year honors in 2021.

Assistant coach Cara MacFarland has been named interim head coach as a search to find Kiracofe’s replacement commences.

“We are committed to continued and even great success of our volleyball program,” Bostian said. “A national search is underway to find an outstanding leader that will guide us into the future.”

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With fireworks tents and stands starting to see more sales following the Christmas holiday, the State Fire Marshal’s Office wants to encourage all Louisiana residents to not only be safe when using fireworks, but knowledgeable when buying them.

More than 300 retail fireworks permits have been issued for this end-of-the-year season, as it is state law for wholesale and retail fireworks business operators to be appropriately licensed by the SFM, in the parishes and municipalities where they are legally allowed. The sales season extends through 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2025.

The SFM encourages, first and foremost, that families choose to enjoy public fireworks displays over creating their own. However, if purchasing fireworks is your preference, we advise families to be mindful of whether the stand they are purchasing from has been permitted by this office. You can request to see permitting information from any retail fireworks business you visit. The SFM encourages reporting any suspicious or illegal sales of fireworks to 1-800-256-5452 or by visiting our website, http://www.lasfm.org.

In addition, we want everyone to enjoy fireworks in the safest way possible. A recent study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shows that fireworks-related injuries are on the rise across the country.

To avoid becoming part of this statistic, the SFM advises:

• Detonating devices at least 200 feet away from structures, vehicles and rubbish

• Never allowing children to light fireworks; instead, provide glow sticks and trinkets as alternatives

• Never use fireworks while impaired

• Lighting devices one at a time and monitoring embers released with a bucket of water or hose nearby

• Discarding detonated items by wetting them down to prevent re-ignition and do not dispose of them in a trash container until they have been doused with water

In addition, we encourage everyone to be mindful of the weather conditions in your area when considering whether to pop your own fireworks. Make sure you are aware of any burn bans established and take into account the dryness of your surroundings when choosing a safe location for popping fireworks.

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December 30 marks National Resolution Planning Day, encouraging people to reflect on the past year and set goals for the future. Experts recommend focusing on achievable resolutions, like starting small and building habits gradually.

From fitness goals to financial planning, meaningful resolutions can lead to personal growth and a fulfilling year ahead. Celebrate the potential of a fresh start by crafting resolutions that inspire action and change.

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By Prem Gongaju

An aged man from the East, I can tell the hoof falls and footfalls of the unwanted and unloved from a distance. Moving among men and beast, I am acquainted with the stable and the sheltered under the thatch. My heart beats in sync with the wayfarers’ beats of long ago. But I haven’t got the gold.

Even so, I felt emboldened by the sea-tossed song of the Celtic Bard,* nearly daring me to embark on a walkabout in the Byzantium of my backyard dotted with the old pecan trees. They were most likely worked by the offspring of “The Good Darky,”** whose shackled forebears were dragged through The Gate of No Return.

No more a paltry thing, I walkabout in the southern wild, and I find the traces of footprints on the road trodden by the fettered feet. Due to the historic disabuse of an antebellum notion held close to their bosoms by the lords and ladies lounging under the soporific shade of Stars and Bars, there won’t be a further reclamation of the road again. That road – that dusty road now sprinkled over with the amazing stardust of grace – is shut.

Circumnavigating back to the Byzantium of my backyard strewn with the sweet, buttery nuts, I put the Shabari lesson to practice by discarding the bitter ones on the demesne. My puffer pockets bulging like chipmunk cheeks, I rise in benediction to the mighty trees, whose limbs, having shed the earthly yield, swayed softly in the sun.

-Samapta-

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