BDC Tree Service:
Cell/Text: (318) 419-3076

eMail: BDC Tree Service
Website: BDC Tree Service

What We Do & Who We Are

BDC Tree Service has been Central Louisiana best tree service since 2006.

BDC Tree Service provides professional tree care and removal services, including tree trimming, fertilization, storm damage and emergency response.  Licensed and insured, the BDC Team is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality on every job!

When you need tree services … call Cecil Zito!
No job’s too big, no tree’s too tough!
Honest. Fair. Professional.

Call for your FREE estimate today!

---

Due to continued winter storm conditions and in coordination with guidance from the National Weather Service and local officials, all campuses of Northwestern State University will remain closed on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. This closure is a continuation of the university-wide closure in effect on Monday, January 26, 2026.

The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors remains our highest priority. Ongoing winter weather and the potential for hazardous travel and outdoor conditions continue to impact the region, and maintaining the campus closure reflects the university’s commitment to protecting the well-being of the Northwestern State community.

Campus Operations and Student Services
Residence halls will remain open for students who choose to remain on campus. Students staying on campus are expected to follow all university protocols and safety guidelines and to remain attentive to official communications.

Dining services will continue to operate on a modified schedule.

---

St. Mary’s Catholic School is actively accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year for grades Pre-K through 12. As part of its commitment to making high-quality Catholic education accessible to more families, St. Mary’s offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship opportunities, including new and expanded programs for the upcoming school year.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance Highlights:

Arete Scholarship:

• Provides generous tuition support ranging from $4,400 to $4,950
• Designed to assist qualifying families based on household size and income
• Application Period: February 2 – April 15

ACE Scholarship:

• Need-based tuition assistance for qualifying families
• Application period: February 2 – July 26

Tuition Assistance for Current Families (TADS):

• Partial tuition grants designed to support existing St. Mary’s families
• Application Deadline: May 1

“At St. Mary’s, we are dedicated to providing a faith-centered education that empowers every child to thrive academically, spiritually, and socially,” said Stephen Wren, Principal. “Through our expanded financial aid and scholarship programs, we are excited to open the doors of opportunity to more families, ensuring that a St. Mary’s education remains accessible to all.”

How to Apply for Financial Aid:
Families interested in financial assistance are encouraged to visit http://www.smstigers.org and navigate to Admissions > Financial Aid to explore and apply for the available opportunities, including the Arete, ACE, and TADS programs.

Why Choose St. Mary’s Catholic School?

• Faith-Driven Academic Excellence: Offering a well-rounded education that integrates rigorous academics with Catholic values to inspire lifelong learning and moral leadership
• Small class sizes and personalized instruction
• Competitive Athletics Program: A wide range of sports offerings promoting teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness
• A vibrant, safe community fostering academic, spiritual, and social development

Don’t miss this opportunity to join the St. Mary’s family. Enroll now to secure your spot for the 2026-2027 school year. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Debbie Norman at 352-8394 or dnorman@smstigers.org.

---

Come join us at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum on Thursday, Jan. 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for the first biannual Natchitoches Community SPEAR Awards presented by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation and FLASH (Friends of Louisiana Sports & History). This event, which is free and open to the public, will recognize Natchitoches Central and St. Mary’s Fall 2025 playoff teams. There will be snacks and students are encouraged to show their school pride! The St. Mary’s program will start at 6:30 pm and the NCHS Program will start at 7 pm. For more information, visit the FLASH Facebook page or call 318-357-2492. The museum is located at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches.

---

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Northwestern State’s men’s basketball game originally scheduled for tonight at Stephen F. Austin has shifted from tonight to Tuesday afternoon as a result of the winter storm.

The Southland Conference contest at William R. Johnson Coliseum in Nacogdoches has been rescheduled for Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Despite the change in date and time, the matchup between the Demons and the conference-leading Lumberjacks will still be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network.

The postponement follows the decision to delay NSU’s scheduled Saturday home basketball doubleheader against East Texas A&M as Winter Storm Fern began to impact travel and campus operations across the region.

The Lady Demons will resume their schedule at home Thursday night against Nicholls on Mike McConathy Court at Prather Coliseum.

---

The LSU AgCenter will be offering cattle producers the opportunity to become certified Louisiana Master Cattlemen this spring. The Louisiana Master Cattleman Program was developed in 2004 to increase cattle producers’ knowledge of the cattle industry and help them become more profitable and productive. The Master Cattleman Program is a series of lectures held once a week in the evenings that cover topics including pasture management, animal health, nutrition, cattle handling, and economics of beef cattle operations. In addition to these topics, participants in the Master Cattleman Program will complete the Beef Quality Assurance Certification Program. Classes will be held at the Red River Parish Extension Office in Coushatta, LA. Lectures begin on Thursday, March 5, and will be held each Thursday night until May 7 from 6 P.M until 9 P.M. Evening meals will be provided. Tuition fees for this course are $225 per person and pre-registration is required. The deadline to register for this course is February 23. Space is limited so sign up soon. For more information on this course, please contact any of the following LSU AgCenter extension agents: Lee Faulk (318-245-4200), Joshua Salley (318-872-0533), or Randall Mallette (318-932-4342).

“It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability. If you need special assistance to participate in this course, please call 319-927-2578.”

---

Embracing the spirit of Mardi Gras in Natchitoches Parish and beyond, the city’s newest Mardi Gras organization, Krewe of The 9, will host its inaugural Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, Jan. 31, rolling through downtown Natchitoches and the surrounding residential historic district.

Parade staging and lineup will take place in the parking lot of the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse, located at 200 Church Street from 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. The parade is scheduled to roll at noon.

The family-friendly parade will be led by grand marshal Bennie Logan, a Coushatta, Louisiana native and former NFL defensive tackle. Logan had an accomplished athletic career at Red River High School before playing college football at LSU. He was drafted in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft and went on to play six seasons in the league with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans. The Eagles later went on to win the Super Bowl following his tenure with the team.

Following his professional football career, Logan transitioned into coaching and business. He recently joined longtime friend Marshall Faulk and his staff at Southern University and A&M College after Faulk was named head football coach in December. Logan currently serves as the Jaguars’ defensive line coach.

The parade will feature a mix of local and out-of-town entrants and will follow a route beginning at the staging area and traveling Church Street, Second Street, Texas Street, Fifth Street, and returning to Church Street.

Those interested in additional information or in entering the parade may contact kreweofthe9parade@gmail.com or call (318) 332-0414, (318) 521-4799, or (318) 332-8254.

---

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office is warning motorists not to travel this evening, Jan. 25, due to hazardous road conditions. If travel is absolutely necessary, motorists are urged to use extreme caution and be alert for “black ice.”

Black ice is a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that forms on roadways, bridges, and overpasses when temperatures drop below freezing. Because it is difficult to see, drivers may not realize it is present until they begin to slide or lose control.

Deputies and the NATCOM 911 Center have responded to multiple reports of downed trees, limbs, and power lines throughout Natchitoches Parish today. Louisiana DOTD crews and the Parish Highway Department have been working continuously to clear roadways; however, some debris remains.
Additional trees and limbs may continue to fall due to the weight of accumulated ice.

Temperatures are expected to fall well below freezing this evening, causing areas that appeared to have melted earlier to refreeze. These conditions will increase the risk of black ice and roadway hazards.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to urge motorists not to travel unless it is absolutely essential due to dangerous conditions.

SWEPCO is currently reporting more than 4,000 power outages across the parish. 

Sheriff Stuart Wright commends motorists for reading and adhering to traffic advisories and exercising patience and caution during this weather event. He also recognizes the dedication and hard work of Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s deputies, extra-duty deputies, NATCOM 911 Center operators, Louisiana DOTD, Town Marshals, and Natchitoches Parish Fire Districts for their continued assistance.

Deputies also remind residents to use caution when walking on icy surfaces, including steps, sidewalks, driveways, and porches. Wear shoes with good traction, walk slowly, and use handrails when available.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and Natchitoches Office of Emergency Preparedness will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as needed. Your cooperation and caution are appreciated as we work together to keep our community safe.

NWS Shreveport has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for Natchitoches Parish tonight with expected lows near 15 degrees.

Stay warm, don’t travel.

---

Due to hazardous road conditions, families still without power, and continued cold temperatures preventing ice from melting quickly, and in coordination with guidance from the National Weather Service, all NPSB schools and offices will remain closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

---

Bossier Parish

• LA 154 in both directions from Houghton Rd. to Lakeview Circle (Lake Bistineau Bridge)
• LA 3 overpass over the KCS railroad tracks in both directions

Caddo Parish

• Greenwood Rest Area (located along I-20 east at mile marker 2)
• I-220 east ramp to I-49 north
• I-49 south ramp to I-220 east
• I-49 north from LA 526 to I-20
• I-49 south from I-20 to LA 3132
• LA 3132 west ramp to I-49 south

Rapides Parish

• I-49 between south junction of MacArthur Dr. (Exit 80) and Rapides Station Rd. (Exit 94)
• Jackson St. Bridge; US 165 Business; Rapides Parish
• LA 8; Richard Thompson Memorial Bridge (Boyce Bridge) Rapides & Grant Parishes

Motorists can access the latest updates on real-time traffic and road conditions using the 511 Traveler Information System by dialing 511 from their telephone and saying the route or region on which they are seeking information. 

Contact
District 08 Emergency Operation Center
(318) 561-5233

---

---

The Cane River Waterway Commission has announced that the regular meeting scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2026, has been canceled due to projected winter weather. Officials cited safety concerns related to the forecast as the reason for the cancellation.

A new date for the meeting will be announced once conditions allow. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to stay updated through official Cane River Waterway Commission channels for further information.

Officials urge citizens to exercise caution and prioritize safety during the winter weather event.

---

Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. and the Natchitoches City Council have announced that the regularly scheduled City Council meeting set for Monday, Jan. 26 is postponed due to anticipated inclement weather.

City officials cited safety concerns related to weather conditions as the reason for the postponement. The meeting was rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 5:30 p.m.

The meeting will be held at its usual location, unless otherwise announced. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official City of Natchitoches communication channels for any additional updates or changes.

City officials thank the public for their understanding and encourage citizens to prioritize safety during the winter weather event.

---

Crews with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development are continuing proactive tree removal operations across the state, including in Natchitoches Parish, as preparations intensify ahead of an expected winter storm.

According to DOTD, the work is focused on removing trees and limbs that could fall and block roadways during periods of freezing temperatures, ice, or high winds. Downed trees are a common hazard during winter weather events and can significantly impact emergency response times and public safety.

DOTD officials say similar operations are underway in multiple parishes as part of a broader effort to reduce storm-related roadway closures and improve travel safety during inclement weather.

Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near work zones and to stay informed about changing road conditions. The latest traffic updates, road closures, and travel advisories are available through the state’s 511 traveler information system at 511la.org.

DOTD encourages residents to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather and to monitor official updates as conditions evolve.

---

All schools within the Natchitoches Parish School Board will be closed Monday, Jan. 26 due to inclement winter weather impacting the area.

District officials announced the closure following forecasts of hazardous road conditions, transportation concerns, and the possibility of power outages. While students and staff expressed enthusiasm about attending school despite the weather, safety considerations ultimately guided the decision.

The closure applies district-wide and includes all campuses and school-related activities. Ensuring the safety of students, staff, and bus drivers remains the school system’s top priority during severe weather events.

Families are encouraged to remain at home and take precautions during the winter conditions. The district will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates regarding school operations for Tuesday and the remainder of the week through social media and automated phone calls.

---

A Natchitoches man was arrested Tuesday night after deputies observed suspected narcotics being thrown from a vehicle into the Cane River, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau deputies were patrolling Louisiana Highway 1 (South Drive) near Rapides Drive on Jan. 20 around 10:23 pm when they attempted to stop a white 2015 Ford Escape for multiple traffic violations.

Deputies activated emergency lights, but the driver failed to stop and continued traveling northbound. As the vehicle crossed the Cane River Bridge near Honda Village, deputies observed several baggies being thrown from the vehicle into the river. The vehicle continued northbound and eventually stopped in the River South Commons shopping center. Additional NPSO deputies and officers with the Natchitoches Police Department responded to assist. Four occupants of the vehicle were detained while the investigation continued.

Deputies returned to the Cane River Bridge area and located a cellophane bag containing suspected methamphetamine in the area where the items were observed being discarded. In addition, a subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle led to the discovery and seizure of three additional cellophane bags containing suspected fentanyl.

As a result of the investigation, Leonard W. Solitaire, also known as “Rabbit,” 43, of the 100 block of Vienna Parkway in Natchitoches, was arrested and transported to the LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center. He was charged with:
• Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine
• Possession of CDS Schedule II Fentanyl
• Second or Subsequent Offense involving CDS Schedule II
• Criminal Obstruction of Justice
• Littering

Deputies also learned Solitaire who has a prior arrest history, was wanted by the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office on an outstanding warrant. He remains incarcerated at the Natchitoches Detention Center.

The driver of the vehicle was issued citations for faulty vehicle equipment, running a red light, and failure to signal. The remaining two passengers were released.

All seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for analysis.  NPSO Drug Enforcement Unit agents are assisting with the ongoing investigation. Deputy Cpl. J. Dranguet, Deputy T. Graves, Deputy J. Bellow, and Deputy Sgt. D. Halliburton were involved in the arrest.

“All Persons are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in Court”

---

Governor Jeff Landry issued a State of Emergency on Jan. 22 in preparation for the winter weather expected to hit Louisiana this weekend.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for much of the State, taking effect Friday, Jan. 23. The winter weather has the potential to bring ice, creating hazardous travel conditions, extended power outages, and disruption to essential services. This State of Emergency activates the State’s emergency response and recovery program, allowing for direct state assistance to support operational measures at the parish level.

---

Join Billy and Marvin as they discuss Julia Letlow joining an increasingly crowded field of republicans running to unseat Cassidy.

Marvin Blake, Jr.
1977 Graduate of Natchitoches Central
Graduate of NSU
Retired NPSB teacher at NCHS
Owner: Marvin Blake, Jr. Real Estate

Billy West, Jr.
1978 Graduate of Natchitoches Central
Graduate of LSU
Graduate of the Southern University Law School
Attorney at Law

Paid Content

---

As freezing temperatures move into the area, the City of Natchitoches and the Natchitoches Coalition on Homelessness are urgently seeking donations to support the operation of a warming center serving individuals experiencing homelessness.

The warming center is operating inside the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center at 660 Martin Luther King Drive and is intended to provide a safe place during below-freezing conditions expected Saturday, Jan. 24, through Tuesday, Jan. 27. Organizers say donated supplies are critical to ensuring the center can meet the needs of those seeking shelter during the cold weather.

Items currently needed include warm blankets, water, drinks, cups, plates, bowls, coffee, hot chocolate, snacks, napkins, forks and spoons. Donations will be accepted beginning Saturday at 9 a.m. at the recreation center.

In addition to supplies, volunteers are also needed to help operate the warming center, with a minimum four-hour commitment requested. Churches, Divine Nine organizations and other community groups are encouraged to support the effort through donations and volunteer assistance.

Community members interested in donating or volunteering can contact the City of Natchitoches at (318) 357-3839 or the Natchitoches Coalition on Homelessness at (318) 753-0010 for more information.

---

Trinity Episcopal Church will open an overnight warming shelter in its parish hall beginning Saturday evening, running through Tuesday morning, to support residents during the expected cold weather.

The church is seeking donations of lightly used coats and blankets, socks, gloves, hats, and supplies for warm drinks and meals, including coffee, tea, cocoa, and sandwich items. If power is lost downtown, shelter operations will move to the MLK Center, which has a backup generator provided by the City of Natchitoches.

Volunteers and donors can contact Mother Kris Paul at 443-734-4243 or reach out to Trinity Episcopal Church at 533 Second St. for more information. Shelter hours are 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

---