Alexandria International Airport (AEX) advises airline passengers to closely monitor weather forecasts and the airlines’ flight-status updates prior to planned travel in the coming days. Inclement weather may impact travel conditions, both on roadways and in the air.

“Our primary concern is safety – for all those impacted, as well as that of our facilities,” said Ralph Hennessy, Executive Director of England Airpark and AEX. “Our AEX operations team, along with our airline partners and air traffic controllers, work together to ensure passenger safety, minimize disruptions, and otherwise support travelers. We encourage travelers to stay informed of weather conditions and their potential impacts on flight schedules.”

What Travelers Should Do:
1. Verify flight status – Visit your airline’s website or app for real-time updates on flight status.
2. Plan ahead – Check the weather forecasts, not only for the Alexandria area, but also your destination. Build in extra travel time to the airport and anticipate possible weather-related flight delays or cancellations.
3. Pack essentials – Pack necessary items, such as medications and device chargers, in your carry-on in case of unexpected delays.

In addition to monitoring airline sites, AEX travelers can find arrivals and departures at flyaex.org.

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Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies are warning residents about another text message scam circulating in the parish that is designed to steal personal information and collect fraudulent fees.

In the latest version of the scam, Louisiana residents are receiving text messages claiming they have an “outstanding traffic ticket” and must immediately pay the fine by January 21, to avoid further consequences. These messages often include suspicious links and urgent language meant to pressure recipients into responding.

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) advises residents to ignore and delete these messages.

The Louisiana OMV offers the following tips to help residents avoid falling victim to scams:
DO NOT click on links in unsolicited messages from unverified sources
DO NOT respond to texts or provide personal or financial information
Delete suspicious texts and emails and report them to reportfraud.ftc.gov
Use caution with all communications received from unknown or anonymous sources
Verify that any message is from a legitimate, official source
Watch for common scam indicators such as vague or misspelled URLs, poor grammar, or promises of rewards

Residents are reminded that the Louisiana OMV does not send text messages or emails threatening prosecution, arrest, or penalties for traffic violations or unpaid fees.

To safely and securely conduct legitimate OMV services online, Louisiana residents should only use the official OMV website at http://www.expresslane.org.

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Two Natchitoches Central High School students recently placed among the top 10 in Louisiana during the Fall Qualifier of the 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) U.S. National Championship.

Addison McGrath earned 6th place and Paityn Anthony placed 10th in Microsoft Word (Office 2019). The school praised the students’ achievements as part of its ongoing commitment to teaching real-world skills. Coach Jeramie Hale guided the students in preparation for the competition.

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NACOGDOCHES, Texas—Vernell Atamah’s 23-point double-double was not enough, as Northwestern State couldn’t hold an early lead and lost 70-63 at Stephen F. Austin on Thursday evening at the William R. Johnson Coliseum in Southland Conference women’s basketball.

Atamah recorded her third double-double of the season for the Lady Demons (9-9 overall, 6-4 in the SLC) with 23 points and 11 rebounds. The 23 points were her most since pouring in 27 against Purdue Fort Wayne on Nov. 25. However, the Ladyjacks (14-5, 8-2) used a late six-point run to seal the game after NSU moved within 63-61.

“There were a lot of positives tonight,” Northwestern coach Anna Nimz said. “But we shot poorly inside the arc, and it plagued us. They played hard. They played with tremendous heart. We controlled the pace of play and shot it 14 more times than SFA, but we didn’t connect on the bunnies.”

A 3-pointer by Nya Valentine and pair of free throws got the visitors within two points at 63-61 with less than three minutes to play. Clarence Djuela recorded a block to give NSU a chance to tie or take the lead.

From that point on, the Demons went 1-for-6 with a turnover with the only bucket coming on a Tiara Abron layup with 16 seconds left to finish the scoring.

With 1:24 remaining, Kaylinn Kemp scored a layup for two of her team-high 21 points to put the Ladyjacks on top by four. SFA made three of its four free throws in the final minute to seal the game.

NSU jumped out to a 22-7 first quarter lead, making seven of its first 13 shots from the field and holding SFA to 2-of-10 to start.

After a 3-for-11 opening quarter, the Ladyjacks shot 48.6 percent in the final three quarters, while the Demons shot just 31.9 percent.

The difference was even more apparent from deep, as the Demons shot just 2-for-11 from deep in the second half, including missing nine of their final 10 3-point attempts.

On the flip side, the Ladyjacks made 8-of-15 from deep in the final three quarters after missing all five 3-point attempts they took in the opening 10 minutes.

Perhaps no two triples were bigger for SFA than the final two of the third quarter.

Trailing 49-47, the Ladyjacks received 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions from Key Roseby and Hermanie Dominguez to end the third quarter and take a 53-49 lead into the final frame. They never trailed in the fourth.

Abron scored 13 for her fifth consecutive game in double figures for the Demons, but the stifling SFA defense forced her to shoot 17 times to earn the 13 points. Valentine also reached double figures, scoring 10.

With Saturday’s game postponed against East Texas A&M, the next Northwestern contest is next Thursday at home against Nicholls before heading right back on the road for three more against New Orleans (Jan. 31), Lamar (Feb. 5) and East Texas A&M (Feb. 7).

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The Northwestern State men’s basketball team returns to the comfort of Mike McConathy Court in Prather Coliseum on Saturday afternoon with one eye on the weather and one eye on East Texas A&M.

The Demons and visiting Lions plan to tip off at 12 p.m. Saturday in a Southland Conference matchup that has been moved up from 3:30 because of the effects of Winter Storm Fern.

The earlier women’s game Saturday has been postponed. Both shifts have to do with the visitors’ travel – the Lady Lions will head home to Commerce after their Thursday night game instead of having to do so in wintry conditions Saturday evening, while the Lions travel south after Saturday’s game for a Monday night contest at Beaumont vs. Lamar.

If local conditions worsen sooner than forecast Saturday morning, check http://www.NSUDemons.com and the @NSUDemonsmbb social media channels for the latest information about the game’s status.

The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with radio coverage on the Demon Sports Network, flagship station 100.7 FM KZBL in Natchitoches.

The Demons (6-13, 4-6) come home searching for momentum after a tough 0–2 road swing that saw both games decided in the final seconds.

Northwestern fell at UIW this past Saturday when Tahj Staveskie converted game-winning free throws with 1.4 seconds remaining before suffering another gut punch Monday night at Houston Christian, where Kylin Green’s driving layup with nine seconds left sealed an 82–80 loss.

Despite the results, head coach Rick Cabrera said the team has stayed locked in during a week where uncertainty has been a factor.

“We just have to stay prepared,” Cabrera said. “Mother Nature is going to do what she wants to do, but we’ve got to stay focused on the opponent. Whether we get the good or the bad, we’ll make a decision after that. Right now, we’re focused on East Texas A&M.”

Even without a normal practice rhythm, Cabrera said the pause has allowed the Demons to turn the focus inward, particularly on the defensive end.

“We’re focusing on us, getting better defensively,” Cabrera said. “We’re not very good defensively, and you can’t win games like that. Defense wins games, too. Championships too. It’s good to have good offense, trust me, but defensively we’ve been very inconsistent.”

Those defensive lapses have been magnified late, as Northwestern has played five consecutive games settled in the final seconds.

“Paying attention to detail is so vital, especially in conference play,” Cabrera said. “When you’re up six and give up two 3s on back-to-back possessions, now it’s a one-point game. That’s very frustrating, and that’s something I’ve got to fix.”

Despite the heartbreak, Northwestern showed resilience and production from its veteran core.

Seniors Micah Thomas and Willie Williams led the way offensively over the weekend, with Thomas averaging 17 points per game and Williams close behind at 16.5, continuing his strong interior play.

A return home could be the spark the Demons need. Northwestern owns a 5–3 record at Prather Coliseum this season, a sharp contrast to its 1–10 mark away from Natchitoches.

“We need it,” Cabrera said. “Our last five games have been one-possession games. On the positive side, we’re three possessions away from being 7–3 in league play. That’s how important defense is. Eliminate two or three mistakes, and those are wins.”

East Texas A&M (8-12, 3-7) enters the weekend riding momentum after an 80–58 win over UIW on Monday, shooting 55.6 percent from the field with all five starters scoring in double figures.

As the Demons look to turn tight losses into wins, Cabrera said the margin for error is only getting thinner.

“These games are going to come down to the last two minutes,” Cabrera said. “That’s the league. You’ve got to make plays on both ends of the floor when it matters most.”

Monday, NSU is slated to visit Stephen F. Austin if possible in a game slated for CBS Sports Network coverage.

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Northwestern State University’s School of Education hosted the regional Educators Rising Conference Jan. 21. The conference brought students from six middle and high schools from five parishes in the region to network and participate in interactive competitions, according to event coordinator Dr. Kristen Authement.

Educators Rising is a national student organization that provides hands-on experience, mentorship and pathways into education careers.

Competition winners are as follows.

Creative Lecture
Junior High – first place, Khloe Kaufman, Northwestern State Middle Lab; second place, Presley Lapka, Bossier Parish School for Technology and Innovative Learning
High School – first place, Carley Riley, BPSTIL; second place, Rene Lefebrve, BPSTIL; third place, Splendora Johnson, BPSTIL

Educators Rising Moment
Junior High – first place, Hannah Almasay, BPSTIL
High School – first place Jayden Doyle, Plainview High School; second place, Samantha Pueblo, BPSTIL; third place, Isabella Floyd, Plainview

Job Interview:
High School – first place, Madison Foster, Winnfield Senior High School; second place, Joe Lewis IV, Winnfield Senior High School; third place, Damontris Ford, Mansfield High School

Children’s Literature
High School – first place, Yuxi Zheng, Mansfield High School

Interactive Bulletin Board
Junior High – first place, Kinley Johnson-BPSTIL; second place, Braylee Johnson, Natchitoches Middle Lab; third place, Kylie Caballero and Charlee Ducote, Natchitoches Middle Lab
High School – first place, Ava Jones-BPSTIL; tied for second place, Jaidyn Griffin, BPSTIL and Annabell Harmeson, BPSTIL; third place, Caroline Church and Mia Hollier, Natchitoches Central High School

NSU student Shae’Aunna Johnson of Many is serving as state president of the Louisiana Association of Future Educators (LAFE) and Educators Rising Louisiana for the 2025-26 academic year.

Information on LAFE is available at lae.org. You can follow NSU’s chapter of Educators Rising on Facebook at facebook.com/nsula.edrising. Information on NSU’s School of Education is available at nsu.la/SoE.

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FAUNA (Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals) is excited to announce that it will once again host the annual Natchitoches Pub Crawl. This event raises much needed funds for the 113 dogs and cats currently in our care, as well as allows us to help neglected, abused and homeless animals in our parish. 

This year’s 11th Annual Pub Crawl will take place on Saturday, March 14 from 4:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. in downtown Natchitoches. This event will happen rain or shine. There will be five (5) pub crawl stops in addition to musical acts, food trucks and vendors on Front Street. Each crawler who registers before March 7 will receive a t-shirt, goody bag and wristband entitling them to drink and appetizer specials and 2 free beers at the red beer truck. IDs will be checked at the registration/packet pick up table and at the beer truck.

A costume contest will be held at 6:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for best male costume and best female costume. Additionally, there will be first, second and third place prizes for the best pub crawl poker hand. All cards must be turned in by 8:30pm. The winners will be announced at 9:00pm. To register please visit ­­­­­­­­­­https://FAUNAPubCrawl2026.eventbrite.com.

Discount early bird registration is open until February 6. After that date the tickets will be regular price. The deadline to register and ensure an event t-shirt is March 1. You can register after March 1 and at the event but t-shirts are not guaranteed.

Our packet pick-up party will be Friday, March 13 from 4-6pm at Flying Heart Brewery. We will have door prizes as well as Trail Boss free lunch coupons for the lucky first few who pick up their packets.

If you would like to sponsor this event, participate as a vendor or volunteer, please contact FAUNA Board Member Kathy Owsley at katcamcal@yahoo.com or text 318-471-6624.

Below is the schedule of events:

3:30 – Packet pick-up begins

4:00-8:30 – Pub Crawl & Vendors

4:00-6:00 – Jenny & Kelli

6:00 – Costume Contest

6:00-8:00 – Coming In Crutch

6:00-10:00 – Wrinkle Free Entertainment

8:30 – All cards must be turned in

9:00 – 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd place winners announced

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE – SCAN NOW (Or Click Here)

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Pianist Sergei Kvitko will present a recital at Northwestern State University on Friday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend. A livestream will be available at http://www.nsu.la/CAPA-LIVE.

The program, “EXIT MUSIC (for the End of Time),” asks the question “If you knew that the world would end in one hour, what would be your playlist?”

Kvitko said the idea for this program was born out of two existential questions.

“As a church organist at the First Presbyterian Church in Lansing, Michigan, for almost 30 years, I have to play a lot of funeral and wedding services,” said Kvitko. “It is always fascinating to me how people select the music they want to hear at these very different but equally special events. Not to sound morbid, but I started thinking: what would I want to ‘hear’ at my funeral service? What IS my favorite music? And the other question, if I knew that the world would end in an hour, what would I want to play, what would I want to listen to?”

Kvitko will play works by David Biedenbender, Johann Sebastian Bach, Kvitko, Franz Schubert, Olivier Messiaen, Eugène Ysaÿe, Lowell Liebermann, Johannes Brahms, Gustav Mahler, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Radiohead, Gabriel Fauré and Igor Iachimciuc.

“Thinking of my favorite pieces of music, from ‘Winterreise’ to Mahler’s ‘Adagietto,’ and from Radiohead and Bjork to Bach and Mozart, I quickly realized that none of these works were written for piano,” said Kvitko. “The idea of a recital comprised entirely of transcriptions of the most beautiful music was born, and the work of selecting the pieces and, in some cases.”

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Here’s my latest Q & A

About Ida

Beginnings are tricky, but here we are—fresh page, blinking cursor, and a head full of questions. I’m Ida B. Torn, a lifelong Southerner from Kenner, Louisiana, who’s spent years working in newsrooms, design studios, and public service. I’ve seen my share of life’s chaos and comedy—and learned that sometimes, folks just need straight answers and a little laughter along the way.

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Phonetic: /kam-pan-yuh-lit, -leyt/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

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Loading crossword puzzle. One moment please.

Play Sudoku online!

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Alexandria International Airport (AEX) advises airline passengers to closely monitor weather forecasts and the airlines’ flight-status updates prior to planned travel in the coming days. Inclement weather may impact travel conditions, both on roadways and in the air.

“Our primary concern is safety – for all those impacted, as well as that of our facilities,” said Ralph Hennessy, Executive Director of England Airpark and AEX. “Our AEX operations team, along with our airline partners and air traffic controllers, work together to ensure passenger safety, minimize disruptions, and otherwise support travelers. We encourage travelers to stay informed of weather conditions and their potential impacts on flight schedules.”

What Travelers Should Do:
1. Verify flight status – Visit your airline’s website or app for real-time updates on flight status.
2. Plan ahead – Check the weather forecasts, not only for the Alexandria area, but also your destination. Build in extra travel time to the airport and anticipate possible weather-related flight delays or cancellations.
3. Pack essentials – Pack necessary items, such as medications and device chargers, in your carry-on in case of unexpected delays.

In addition to monitoring airline sites, AEX travelers can find arrivals and departures at flyaex.org.

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Residents of Natchitoches Parish are being urged to prepare for a significant winter weather event as a Winter Storm Watch remains in effect from Friday morning through Sunday morning, with freezing rain, sleet and hazardous travel conditions expected.

Cloudy conditions will persist through Thursday, with patchy fog possible overnight and into the morning hours. Rain chances remain moderate through Friday, with highs gradually falling from around 60 degrees Thursday to the mid-50s on Friday as colder air moves into the region. Winds will shift out of the northeast and increase to 10 to 15 mph by Friday.

Conditions are forecast to worsen late Friday night as temperatures drop sharply into the upper 20s. Rain is expected to transition to freezing rain after midnight, with gusty winds up to 25 mph increasing the potential for ice accumulation and dangerous road conditions.

Saturday is expected to bring a mix of rain, freezing rain and a slight chance of sleet, with temperatures holding near the lower 30s throughout the day. Precipitation chances are near 100 percent, and freezing rain is expected to continue into Saturday night as temperatures fall to around 20 degrees.

Freezing rain may persist into Sunday morning before gradually tapering off, with highs remaining in the lower 30s. Cold conditions will continue Sunday night, with lows dropping into the teens, followed by continued below-freezing temperatures into early next week.

Forecast models indicate the potential for significant impacts across the region. Ice accumulations between one-quarter and three-quarters of an inch are possible, with localized areas exceeding one inch. Snow and sleet accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are anticipated, with higher totals possible in areas farther north. These conditions could lead to power outages, downed trees and potentially impossible travel, particularly during Friday morning and evening commutes.

Officials advise residents to monitor forecasts closely and consider delaying all travel during the storm period. Those who must travel are encouraged to use extreme caution and carry a winter storm kit, including emergency supplies in case of becoming stranded.

Weather conditions will continue to be monitored, and additional advisories or warnings may be issued as the storm approaches.

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Join Marvin as he talks about recent murders in the City of Natchitoches.

Brought to you by Lance Lopez with Farm Bureau, Harrington Law Firm and the Sharpco Hotel Group.

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Local artist Mary Striegel, featured in a September 2024 NPJ article as NSU’s only freshman with a PhD, has made quite a splash in the area art scene since beginning her art studies under NSU Assistant Professor of Art, Edgar Cano.

Twenty-four of Striegel’s paintings and prints, produced during her tenure at NSU’s Art Department, are currently featured in a one-woman art show at NSU’s Hanchey Art Gallery. The exhibition’s opening reception was held on Tuesday, January 20. The pieces depict subjects ranging from a waiter at Café du Monde, to self-portraits, each of which tells a story.

After earning a PhD in Chemistry 38 years ago, Dr. Mary Striegel moved to Natchitoches, raised a family, and completed a successful 29-year career with the National Park Service’s National Center for Preservation Technology and Training. Never one to stand still, her retirement has seen her developing her talents in an entirely different area, art.

Mary Striegel is a past president of the Natchitoches Art Guild and has exhibited her works at their gallery as well as the State Museum in Shreveport and Centenary College’s Meadows Museum.

Senior citizens, at least 60 years of age, may take one class per semester at NSU free of charge. This is a wonderful opportunity to have fun, expand your horizons or take your life in a totally new direction. In Mary Striegel’s case, that direction will be printmaking next semester and a Master’s Degree in Art from NSU after that. For students of any age, NSU can open a whole new world. Fork ‘em Demons!

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I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. James Metoyer after the Hwy. 495 DOTD meeting this past Tuesday. Mr. Metoyer started a petition last October regarding the ongoing closure of a portion of hwy. 495 in Cloutierville. The highway has fallen into disrepair and a 2.2-2.5 mile portion was closed on May 9th 2019 due to an embankment slide that compromised the safety of that portion of the highway.

After over 6 years of no signs of action, members of the community decided to organize a petition to bring light to the situation. They also contacted their state and federal representatives and senators and their parish council member and president. Mr. Metoyer gave credit to Mr. Dewitt for being instrumental in getting answers and setting up the DOTD meeting.

At the meeting the attendees were informed that there was a plan to fix the highway. By realigning the curves of 2 areas further from Cane River it would move the road from the eroded embankment onto more stable ground. This plan would call for the purchase of right of way from land owners in the affected area. That is the current stage the project is on. Attendees were also told that funding had been secured for the project at a cost of 1.6 million. The project would utilize the PROTECT program(Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative Efficient and Cost-saving Transportation) for funding. The project is due to be bid out around June of this year. Mr. Metoyer did have concerns about funding falling through so close to the end of the fiscal year.

If all goes to plan the project is estimated to take 18 months. So it’s reasonable to estimate a completion date of very late in 2027 or early 2028. While the official closure was in 2019, residents recall issues with the road beginning in 2016 after a hurricane. We hope our elected officials and parish DOTD engineers will keep the Cloutierville community in the loop as the project continues and that everything goes to plan. With the rough estimates and start dates, residents are still looking at almost a decade of having a state highway shut down right in the middle of their community. I commend the residents who came together to advocate for their community.

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Northwestern State University will host a documentary screening and panel discussion on “Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect” as part of Black History Month. The film explores the life and legacy of the nation’s first African American Supreme Court justice and follows Justice Thurgood Marshall, known as “Mr. Civil Rights,” from his legal career with the NAACP to his 1967 appointment to the nation’s highest court.

The event is sponsored by Black Studies, Pre-Law and Paralegal Studies, the Gail Metoyer Jones Center and NSU NAACP. The celebration of Justice Thurgood Marshall’s legacy will include a panel featuring local judges and the NAACP Louisiana president.

The program will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 in the NSU Student Union Ballroom. Panelists will include Michael McClanahan, Louisiana NAACP State Conference president; Judge David Wiliams, Division F – 9th Judicial District Court, and Judge Monique Freeman Rauls – 9th Judicial District Court.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Rebecca L. Riall, JD., Ph.D., attorney at law, at riallr@nsula.edu. Riall is an associate professor and coordinator of Prelaw and Paralegal Studies and Indigenous Studies.

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The City of Natchitoches is urging residents to prepare now for a significant winter weather system expected to impact the area from Friday through Sunday, bringing the potential for snow, ice, freezing rain, and hazardous travel conditions.

City officials emphasize that preparation must take place before Friday, as conditions Friday evening through the weekend may limit travel and response capabilities.

Resident Safety & Preparedness Guidance
Residents are encouraged to take the following precautions:

• Protect plumbing: If temperatures fall below freezing, allow faucets to drip slowly—a steady drip is sufficient. Do not leave faucets fully running.
• Limit travel: Stay off roadways Friday evening through Sunday afternoon as much as possible to reduce accident risks and allow crews to operate safely.
• Shop responsibly: Purchase needed groceries ahead of the storm while remaining mindful of others’ needs.
• Prepare for power disruptions: Refill critical medications now. If you rely on electric-powered medical equipment, have a plan to relocate if an outage occurs. Charge cell phones, tablets, and backup power packs. Store extra drinking water.

• Generator safety: Never operate generators inside homes or garages and never connect a generator directly to your home’s electrical system.
• Additional tips: residents are encouraged to winterize their homes, bring pets indoors, and check on elderly neighbors. For tips on winterizing your home visit Winter (weather.gov).

City Preparations:

The City has been closely monitoring the incoming weather and has made these necessary preparations:

• The Public Works Department has communicated with DOTD to make sure all three bridges in the City are salted before the inclement weather arrives.
• The Utility Department has filled all water towers to ensure the City has adequate water for residents and customers through the weather event.
• All other departments have made arrangements regarding personnel, fuel and equipment. 

Final Reminder

City officials stress that Friday and Saturday will be too late to prepare. Residents are urged to complete preparations today and tomorrow to ensure the safety of their households and the community as a whole.

The City of Natchitoches will continue to provide updates as conditions evolve and appreciates the community’s cooperation in keeping everyone safe during this weather event.

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The annual Northwestern State softball auction, scheduled for Saturday night, has been postponed due to projected inclement winter weather.

The decision was made by head softball coach Jenny Fuller out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of all expected attendees, participants and supporters, many traveling from long distance for the event.  A new date for the auction will be announced soon.

As for other weekend athletic events involving Northwestern teams, including a Saturday afternoon basketball doubleheader on Mike McConathy Court at Prather Coliseum, NSU officials are monitoring National Weather Service forecasts before making any final decisions, which should happen at some point today.

Fans are encouraged to follow @NSUDemons on all social media channels for the most up-to-date news and information.

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