Revival Continues at Apostolic Truth Tabernacle, services have been extended to this weekend. Friday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, Feb. 28 the service will be held at 7 p.m. On Sunday, March 1 there will be services held at 10 am and 6 pm. We’ve had amazing services and invited everyone to come join us. We’d love to see you.
The end is in sight for the Robeline clinic. I popped my head in the front door and it looked really nice. And also close to completion. The Sabine director said that there is about a month and a half of construction, then of course the actual running of computer and equipment cables and connections. You have to set up the house after it gets built. But we’re very happy to see the end of our wait on the horizon.
On another positive note, preliminary work has begun on the sewer project. The ponds have been inspected and assessed. Now a crew is currently working on cleaning, assessing and inspecting the sewer lines. Looking for any previously undetected issues or problems. Even small steps move us forward and I’m happy to see progress for the benefit of our community.
A town-wide burn ban has been declared for the Town of Campti as officials cite extreme heat and dangerously dry conditions that have increased the risk of wildfires.
In an executive order issued under the authority of Louisiana Revised Statute 29:727, Mayor Katrina Evans established the burn ban effective immediately.
The proclamation states that Campti is experiencing a period of extreme heat, significant lack of rainfall and resulting dry vegetation. Local fire officials formally requested the implementation of the ban, noting that drought conditions have substantially increased the threat of uncontrolled outdoor fires.
The order prohibits all outdoor open burning within the corporate limits of Campti. This includes, but is not limited to, the burning of yard waste such as leaves, branches and grass clippings, as well as construction debris, trash and the use of open fire pits or campfires.
Outdoor cooking is permitted only when conducted in a contained, commercial-grade appliance such as a charcoal or gas grill. Grills must be attended at all times and positioned away from dry vegetation.
The ban does not apply to prescribed burns conducted by certified professionals under the oversight of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
Any person found in violation of the order may be subject to civil or criminal penalties under La. R.S. 40:1602 and applicable municipal ordinances.
The burn ban will remain in effect until weather conditions improve and the order is formally rescinded.
The St. Mary’s girls basketball team gathered Monday night in Eunice minutes after their overtime upset in the second round of the state playoffs. (Submitted photo)
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Everybody knew the Natchitoches Central girls basketball team could make it this far In the state playoffs, and on script, the Lady Chiefs have recovered from a midseason swoon to reach the state quarterfinals on a roll.
Nobody thought the St. Mary’s Lady Tigers would be still playing basketball, one step away from Marsh Madness next week in Hammond.
But here they are.
Both local teams face tough hurdles tonight on the road in the LHSAA postseason.
Ninth-seeded NCHS (21-8), coming off a 50-33 demolition of No. 8 Destrehan on the road Monday night in Non-Select Division I second-round game, heads to the Baton Rouge metro area to meet top-seeded Zachary (28-3), the defending state champions.
NCHS won 12 of its first 13 games but hit the skids, going 3-6 for a month-long stretch. The Lady Chiefs have won six of their last seven, beating Airline at home 52-49 in a late comeback before using a 16-0 run after halftime to take command at Destrehan.
They are aiming for the fifth state semifinal appearance in 12 seasons under coach Nikki Jones.
St. Mary’s, the lowest seed remaining in any of the 10 girls playoff brackets, hopes to defy the odds once again. Seeded 21st in Select Division IV, the Lady Tigers have won six straight, their last four in district and two road playoff games, to earn a quarterfinal trip to Ruston, where they will encounter the fourth-seeded Cedar Creek Lady Cougars.
St. Mary’s is the lowest seeded girls team to reach the state quarters in any classification in five years. Ironically, that was the year the Lady Tigers won the state championship by beating Cedar Creek’s district rival, Ouachita Christian, for all the marbles.
SMHS opened the playoffs going to Morgan City and scoring a 48-35 first-round surprise over 12th-seeded Central Catholic.
Monday night in Eunice, the Lady Tigers pulled a shocker, toppling fifth-seeded St. Edmund in overtime 65-60.
“They have really stepped up. They have a lot of fight, a lot of grit, and they’re paying attention to every game plan, every detail,” said first-year St. Mary’s coach Layne Huckabay.
“They have bought into each other more in the last six, seven or eight games and this is the result. They are ready to go in and fight Cedar Creek,” he said.
The Lady Tigers fell behind 10-0 Monday night in Eunice to a team with four senior starters.
St. Mary’s seniors Ava Hebert and Amelia Hanes provided steady leadership. Hebert, the team’s leading scorer, poured in 25 while Ava Holland added 18 points and 18 rebounds. Freshman Corbin Gandy made some crucial plays while contributing 9 points and 9 rebounds, as every player made impact during the back-and forth battle.
“I’m not speechless very often, but what they’ve done these last two games has left me speechless,” said Huckaby. “I’m so proud of them. They are playing confident, fearless, smart and tough basketball. Now we’re in the elite eight, where nobody expected us to be. We’re still dancing.”
Cedar Creek is 21-8 and has won 10 of its last 11 while reaching the state quarterfinals for the 10th consecutive year.
Cedar Creek head coach Katie Hall is a former All-State MVP for championship teams at Byrd High School, and starred at Louisiana Tech for Leon Barmore.
St. Mary’s assistant coach Ronnie Howell coached Hall in eighth grade in Shreveport, and coached Cedar Creek associate coach Tony Martinez at LSUS, and later had Martinez on his staff.
“We all know each other really well,” said Huckabay, who was a graduate assistant for coach James Smith at Northwestern more than 20 years ago.
“This is going to be full circle for the coaches. Katie called me Tuesday morning and said, ‘what’s going on, heartbreak kid?’ We talked for 25 minutes,” he said. “We’ve known each other since she played at Tech. She’s an excellent coach with a very very good team.”
Both games tip off at 6. The Lady Chiefs will be broadcast on 100.7 FM KZBL. The Lady Tigers’ broadcast will be at 97.5 KDBH FM.
Northwestern State University powerlifters Ja’Leigha Gray of Plaquemine and Keith Wade of Belle Rose were standouts in their first collegiate competition at the USA Powerlifting Capital City Classic in Baton Rouge.
Gray placed first in the Women’s Equipped Open Division, 56kg Weight Class with a personal record of 85 kg (185 pounds. Wade also had a personal record of 145 kg (315 pounds).
“I am very proud of both lifters for their hard work and dedication,” said Powerlifting Club Head Coach Maya Lucas. “Not only were they able to place in their first meet, but they achieved new personal records, which is a major win in itself. I am very proud of them and can’t wait to see what the rest of the semester holds for the team.”
The next meet for the powerlifting team will be USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals on April 9-12 in Kenner.
For more information or to join the NSU Powerlifting Team, contact Lucas at lucasma@nsula.edu.
Samari Finney (middle) won the women’s long jump for Northwestern on Day 1 of the Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships. (Photo by ETHAN LOWE, Samford Athletics)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Going into the Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, Roy Morris and Samari Finney led the Southland Conference in the men’s and women’s long jump. The pair once again proved it on the conference’s biggest stage.
They each took home the gold in their events at the first day of the SLC Indoors on Wednesday at the Birmingham Crossplex.
“We had a pretty good day today,” head coach Mike Heimerman said. “We were not perfect but really good. We have put ourselves in a good position to try and bring home some team titles. It won’t be easy but this group wouldn’t want it any other way.”
The Lady Demons are bidding to win their fourth straight SLC Indoor crown.
In his young career with the Demons, Morris had done just about everything. Last outdoor season, he was an All-American and he received a bronze medal in last year’s indoor meet. One accomplishment missing was that elusive SLC Championship gold medal.
That wait is over. The Evangel Christian Academy product led the entire way, punctuating it with a 24-9.75 on his final jump. Stephen F. Austin’s Bryson Williams came close with a 24-7.75, barely behind Morris’ leading jump at the time of 24-8.75.
“First of all, I want to thank my family and coaching staff for always believing in me and giving me that push I needed,” Morris said. “It feels amazing to walk away with the gold. After last season, I went back to the drawing board and physically and mentally prepared myself for this day.”
On the women’s side, Finney just did what she always does. As consistent as anyone in the league, she went 19-8.75 on her second jump to smoke the competition. No one else even broke the 19-foot mark—and Finney did that four times.
After a disappointing 12th place finish at last year’s indoor meet, she left no doubt in this one, winning her second straight long jump title after claiming gold at last year’s outdoor championships.
While the long jumpers took home the golds, they were not the only ones who reached the podium, as Randy Kelly (men’s high jump) took the silver with a 6-11 clearance and Thea Ring (women’s pentathlon) collected the bronze.
It is Kelly’s fifth time on the podium at a conference meet, including three silvers.
In her first SLC Championships, Ring posted a terrific performance that broke the school record with a score of 3726.
On the track, many Demons and Lady Demons qualified for Thursday’s finals.
Kalen Beavers won the prelims in the 200-meter dash, clocking a 21.06 to qualify for the finals. Teammates Elijah Rowe (21.72) placed fourth, Keontae Gaines (21.34) finished sixth and Will Achee (21.40) came in seventh to all join Beavers in today’s eight-man final.
Margaret Conteh (24.27) and Juvonna Cornette (24.28) finished fifth and sixth, respectively, to advance to the women’s 200 finals. Cornette’s time was a season best.
In the women’s 400-meter dash, Rushana Dwyer won the prelims with a run of 53.17, leading three NSU runners among the top five. Conteh (53.70) took third and Kahliyah Anderson (55.73) came in fifth.
Three of the top five in the men’s 400 were Demons, led by Achee, who ran a 47.49 to finish second. Desmond Duncan (47.91) and Kason Jones (48.06) came in fourth and fifth, respectively, to also qualify for finals.
Four Lady Demons are in the 60-meter dash finals, led by Sileena Farrell, who ran a 7.51. Cornette also ran a 7.51 to finish fourth and Dynia Lewis finished fifth. Maria Umoibang finished seventh with a run of 7.54.
Gaines finished second in the men’s 60-meter dash, while Beavers finished fourth and Eddy Vu came in fifth.
Dynia Lewis (8.64) and Brian Fisher (8.19) each reached the 60-meter hurdle finals for NSU.
The teams are back in action today on the second and final day which starts with the men’s heptathlon 60-meter hurdles at 9:40 a.m.
Coming off a career day with 15 points and 13 rebounds against Houston Christian, Dasia Turner hopes for more today as Northwestern visits UTRGV at noon. (NSU photo by CHRIS REICH)
EDINBURG, Texas—After clinching a berth in the Southland Conference Tournament last time out, it is all about postseason seeding for the Northwestern State women’s basketball team as the regular season reaches its conclusion.
NSU (14-13, 11-8) came from 10 points down in the second half to defeat Houston Christian last game to maintain a share of fifth place in the conference standings.
Today at noon, they visit UT-Rio Grande Valley (17-11, 14-5), which is tied for second place in the Southland standings.
“It’s still about inching closer and closer to 40 minutes of focused and intentional game play,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “We had a very resilient win Saturday against HCU, showing a lot of resolve and toughness, especially coming out of halftime after a big challenge by our staff.”
Today’s game can be viewed on ESPN+ or fans can listen to it on KZBL 100.7 FM or Demon Sports Network stations in Many and Leesville.
With three games remaining, Northwestern is tied with UIW and three games up on East Texas A&M and Nicholls in the conference standings. One win for the Demons clinches at least the No. 6 seed. NSU is also three games behind a cluster of UTRGV, Stephen F. Austin and Lamar for the No. 4 seed and a first round bye.
Vernell Atamah is chasing history in both the 3-point department and the points department. She nailed one triple in the win over HCU, which was a big one in the fourth quarter, which brings her total to 77 this season, 11 shy of the single season school record of 88 set by Beatrice Attura in 2016-17.
At 946 career points, she is also aiming to become one of the fastest players in school history to score 1,000 points and just the 28th player overall in school history.
The sophomore from Mesquite, Texas, has been able to work her way to the free throw line, as Atamah is 21-of-28 from the charity stripe the last two games, including going 10-of-11 in the win over HCU.
The game matches the two top scorers in the Southland: Atamah and UTRGV’s Jalayah Ingram. Atamah averages 18.6 points in overall games, while Ingram is second at 16.4.
These are the two best rebounding teams in the Southland. UTRGV leads the Southland in rebounding margin during conference games at plus-9.7, while NSU is second at plus-7.5.
Northwestern has won the rebounding battle by an average of 17 in the last four games, including being a whopping plus-28 in the win over Southeastern Louisiana. The Demons are 3-1 during that stretch.
UTRGV has one of the best rebounders in the country in Charlotte O’Keefe, whose 13.9 boards per game are the second-most in the country and the reigning SLC Player of the Week recorded an average of 20.5 points and 18.5 rebounds per game against McNeese and Southeastern Louisiana.
O’Keefe had nine rebounds in the first matchup, a 61-55 Vaqueros win in Natchitoches. The Demons are just one of three teams in the Southland that has kept her in single digits in rebounds in a game.
Nimz is prepared for a crazy atmosphere for the game.
“It’s a kids game, so they absolutely will rally the valley something fierce,” Nimz said. “It’s going to be a sold out crowd, without a doubt. Embrace it. Embrace the noise, embrace the challenge, embrace the challenge of trying to go knock off one of the top tier teams in our conference.”
Saturday, Northwestern plays its final road contest of the regular season against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi before a home game against New Orleans on Tuesday.
The School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University will present “Oliverosfest! A Tribute to Pauline Oliveros” on Wednesday, March 4 at 5:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. NSU faculty member Collier Hyams will do a pre-concert lecture at 5 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. A livestream of the concert will be available at nsu.la/CAPA-LIVE. Featured musicians will be Carlos Diaz Del Valle on violin, Paul Christopher on cello and Karla Gonzalez Bueno on piano.
Pauline Oliveros was an American composer and accordionist. Considered a central figure in the development of post-war experimental and electronic music, she was a founding member of the San Francisco Tape Music Center in the early 1960s and served as its director. She taught music at Mills College, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Oliveros authored books, formulated new music theories and investigated new ways to focus attention on music including her concepts of “deep listening” and “sonic awareness,” drawing on metaphors from cybernetics.
Reuben Small, Jr. September 9, 1962 – February 20, 2026 Arrangements TBA
Anita Janene Hamous October 26, 1961 — February 24, 2026 Service: Saturday February 28, 2026, at 2 pm at Hickory Grove Congregational Methodist Church in Robeline
Casey Michael Field June 28, 1974 — February 22, 2026 Service: Saturday, February 28 at 10 a.m. at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Kenneth James Otto July 3, 1938 — February 19, 2026 Service: Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church on Royal Street
Norien Alexander Robinson Service: Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11 AM at Pentecost Baptist Church in Natchez
Kitchery Hilda Mae LaCour April 18, 1979 – February 17, 2026 Service: Saturday February 28, 2026 at 11am at the United Missionary Baptist Church Natchez
Darryl Milner April 13, 1963 — February 5, 2026 Service: Saturday February 28, 2026 at 12pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Kenneth James Otto July 3, 1938 — February 19, 2026 Time of viewing will be at Christ the King Lutheran Church on Royal Street, at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 1st with a service to follow.
Cecilia Katherine Keith Cook Service: Wednesday, March 11 at 10:30 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Natchitoches
Natchitoches Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or npjnatla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them tonpjnatla@gmail.com
A traffic stop near Ajax recently resulted in the arrest of a St. Amant man on felony drug charges, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright. A NPSO deputy working a special detail was patrolling Interstate 49 near Ajax on Feb. 17 around 1:56 pm when he clocked a 2012 Honda Civic traveling 87 miles per hour in a posted 75 mph speed zone.
While interviewing the driver, identified as Charles St. Martin, 41 of St. Amant, the deputy detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle and observed suspected narcotics in plain view.
A subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle and driver resulted in the seizure of:
Approximately 3 grams of suspected methamphetamine
Approximately 10 grams of suspected marijuana
Approximately 1 gram of suspected THC wax
St. Martin was placed under arrest without incident and transported to the LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center where he was booked on the following charges:
Possession of CDS Schedule II – Methamphetamine
Possession of CDS Schedule I – Marijuana
Speeding 87/75
The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis. The vehicle was towed by a local towing service. Deputy S. Dieter made the arrest.
Northwestern State University recently received a report of possible hazing violations by the NSU Cheer Team. The university takes all reports, whether formal or informal, seriously and conducted an investigation into the matter. The investigation identified areas reflecting a lack of appropriate oversight and control of the program and fostering activities inconsistent with university’s policies and best interest of our students. The coaches are no longer with the program.
All current team members will remain on the team. The interim suspension previously placed on team activities has been lifted. A new advisor will be appointed to provide oversight and support, and a search for new coaching staff will soon be underway.
To further ensure that students understand when, where, and how to report concerns or misconduct, the university will provide training and informational sessions on code of conduct and hazing awareness and prevention. Northwestern State University remains committed to fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and respect across all student organizations and programs.
Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #9 along with assistance from Red River Fire Protection with all-terrain fire equipment and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry were dispatched by NATCOM 911 Center on Feb. 24 around 12:05 am to a reported grass fire near the Natchitoches-Red River Parish line in Natchitoches Parish.
Units arrived on scene discovering that the fire had spread to the Kansas City Southern railroad tracks in that area. Kansas City Southern Railroad were notified. Highway 480 was closed for a short-time while fire fighters contained the blaze.
NPFD #9 Chief Doug Rachal reports the fire is now contained and the roadway re-opened. Deputies remind the public that the National Weather Service Shreveport Forecast Office has issued an Elevated Fire Danger Risk for the area. Burning anything is discouraged until conditions improve.
Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies and multiple units from Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #6 were dispatched by NATCOM 911 Center on Feb. 24 around 12:15 am to reports of a vehicle under a carport fire in the 100 block of Michelle Drive in Payne Sub-Division in Natchitoches according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
While units were responding, additional calls reported the fire spreading to and engulfing the residence.
Deputies say the occupants of the residence, two adult females, and four children were able to exit without injury.
A 2017 Dodge passenger car and the home is reportedly a total loss.
City officials have issued a burn ban for the City of Natchitoches due to dry and unsafe burning conditions, along with an increase in fires reported throughout the parish and surrounding areas.
The ban is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice. Officials cited ongoing dry weather and a recent rash of fires as contributing factors in the decision.
Residents within the city limits are urged to refrain from any outdoor burning and to take extra precautions to reduce fire risks until conditions improve and the ban is lifted.
The 2026 election year will bring some important changes that the Clerk of Court office wants our citizens to understand before heading to the polls.
Many voters have already received flyers through the mail from the Secretary of State’s office explaining the new Closed Party Primary system. This system affects several specific offices: U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, State Supreme Court, the Public Service Commission, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. For these positions, the primaries will be separated into Democratic and Republican primaries. Democrats vote in the Democratic Primary and Republicans vote in the Republican Primary.
For the 6,041 citizens in Natchitoches Parish registered as No Party, the new system gives you the flexibility to choose which primary you wish to participate in — but there are some things you need to know. When you arrive at the polls, you will need to step out of line and sign a witnessed affidavit declaring which party’s primary you will vote in. Once you make that choice, you must stay with that same party if the race goes to a runoff. This is not a temporary accommodation — it is a permanent feature of how the new Closed Party Primary system works going forward.
Voters registered with third parties such as the Green Party are not eligible to participate in the closed primaries at all. Those voters may only cast a ballot in the November general election.
The current breakdown of registered voters in Natchitoches Parish is 9,292 Democrats, 7,602 Republicans, and 6,041 No Party affiliation.
The May 16 Party Primary will determine if one candidate receives 50% plus one vote, allowing them to advance directly to the November 3 general election. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the top two vote-getters move to the June 27 runoff, with the winner representing their party in November.
If you are unsure how you are registered, there are a couple of easy ways to check. The Secretary of State’s free GeauxVote.com app lets you review your party affiliation and even change it online. Keep in mind that the deadline to change your registration online is 20 days before the election, while changes made in person or by mail must be submitted at least 30 days before the election. If you would rather speak with someone directly, the Registrar of Voters office can assist you at 318-357-2211.
It is also worth noting that many races in 2026 are not affected by the Closed Party Primary system and remain open to all voters as before. For May, the Village of Natchez will elect their Mayor and Aldermen under the existing process. Many other races will be held this November, and the Clerk’s office will be sharing details on those elections soon.
If you have questions about how the new Closed Party Primary system works, give us a call at the Clerk’s office and we will do our best to help, or stop by for a copy of the Closed Party Primary flyer with full details.
The November election for Natchitoches Parish will be a busy one with Federal, parish and local elections scheduled.
The winners of the closed party primaries for U S Senator, U S Representative, Supreme Court Justice and Public Service Commission will face each other November 3, 2026.
For the local races, candidates qualify July 29-31 2026 at the Clerk of Court office.
Other elections in November include Court of Appeal Judges, Natchitoches Parish District Judges, the Natchitoches Parish District Attorney. At the same time, all school board members have their election.
In their districts, all the Natchitoches Parish Justice of the Peace and Constables races will be held.
The following areas in Natchitoches Parish will also hold elections:
Ashland: For Mayor, Chief of Police and Council Members Campti: For Mayor, Chief of Police and Councilmen Goldonna: For Mayor, Chief of Police and Aldermen Provencal: For Mayor, Chief of Police and Aldermen Robeline: For Mayor, Chief of Police and Aldermen
For Ward One of Natchitoches Parish: an election will be conducted for City Court Judge and City Court Marshal.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER Qualifying: July 29-31, 2026 Election Day: November 3, 2026 * Any runoffs will be held December 12, 2026
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), advises the public that on Monday, March 2 construction will begin on LA 486 in Natchitoches Parish. The work will begin at the intersection of LA 486 and LA 480 and proceed north for 0.965 Miles to the US 71 intersection.
The intent of this project is pavement patching, milling asphalt pavement, replace cross drains and asphalt pavement. The Contractor will maintain thru traffic at all times, but periodic lane closures and delays can be expected. The public is advised to remain alert to construction signs and changing roadway conditions.
The project was awarded to Madden Contracting Co., LLC in the amount of $1,552,695.55. The work associated with this project should take approximately 35 working days to complete.
Permit/Detour section Thru traffic will be maintained at all times with oversize and emergency vehicles allowed passage. There will be no detour routes for this project.
Safety Reminder DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
Additional Information Call (318) 561-5100 or (800) 542-3509 or 511 or visit www.511LA.org for additional information. Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website @ www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MYDOTD, the Way to Geaux Application for iPhone or Android devices, the DOTD Facebook page or the LA DOTD Twitter page, @Alex_Traffic for further information and details.
Residents of Natchitoches Parish can expect a warm and increasingly windy midweek stretch before a slight rain chance moves through Thursday, followed by a return to sunshine heading into the weekend.
Today will be mostly sunny with highs reaching the upper 60s. South winds will range from 10 to 15 mph, setting the stage for a warmer pattern.
Wednesday brings mostly cloudy skies and windy conditions, with highs climbing into the upper 70s. South winds will increase to 15 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph at times.
Thursday remains mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers in the morning and a better chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs will again reach the upper 70s, with southwest winds between 10 and 15 mph. Rain chances stand at 40 percent during the day and decrease to 30 percent Thursday evening. Cooler air moves in overnight, with lows dropping into the lower 50s.
By Friday, sunshine returns with mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid-70s. Clear conditions Friday night will allow temperatures to dip into the upper 40s.
The weekend looks pleasant, with mostly sunny skies Saturday through Monday. Highs will remain in the upper 70s, while overnight lows settle into the lower 50s.
Overall, the forecast points to a warm and breezy midweek period, a brief opportunity for rainfall Thursday, and a dry, mild weekend ahead.
Spring is right around the corner. The winding, hilly road that leads to Goldonna is starting to turn faintly green making way for a beautiful show of lush Spring foliage that will put on a show for many weeks. While Goldonna is tucked away in the Northern part of Natchitoches Parish it is a well-kept secret of hospitality, flourishing churches and small businesses that cater to the population of the Village. It is the home of the Goldonna Christmas in the Park Festival and soon to be thriving community center that will be housed at the former elementary-junior high school. While some may have considered Goldonna to be closed like the school, elected officials want to remind you that they are open for business and truly want you to come visit the community to experience the benefits of a close knit community that care about as about everyone.
The Goldonna Assembly of God recently announced service time changes for their church. Sunday morning service will now take place at 10 am. Sunday night service has been moved to 5 pm. Wednesday night service is now at 6 pm. They also announced visiting ministers for the rest of the month of February.
February 21- Teen Challenge Street Ministry February 22- Teen Challenge Men
Goldonna Baptist Church is continuing their Operation Christmas Child Ministry for 2026. The month of February they will be collecting wash clothes and loofahs for their boxes. Donations can be dropped off at the church. Church member, Dan Dupree won the recent “Breakfast for Supper Cookoff” with all proceeds being donated to the Operation Christmas Child Ministry within the church. The church will be hosting their 3rd Annual Clay Shooting Competition on Saturday, March 21 at 10 am. The event will be held at the 4H Shooting range located at 8882 Highway 34 in Winnfield. The entry fee is $25 per person. The competition will benefit Operation Christmas Child shipping costs. For more information please call 318-663-0302.
Revered George Procell would like to announce that the River of Life Family Worship Center will have a special guest Minister on Sunday, March 22. Brother Benny Anglin, who is no stranger to Goldonna, will be ministering. There will be a covered dish church fellowship directly after the service.
For news to share please email Reba Phelps at jreba.phelps@gmail.com
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Full-time position offering a full range of benefits, including vacation, personal time off, health insurance & 401 K retirement plan.
Ever notice how quickly opinions travel faster than facts? This week’s cartoon plays with that idea, leaning into the humor of how we debate, react and sometimes overreact in the digital age. Inspired by the game-show energy of Jeopardy!, it’s a lighthearted reminder that not every buzzer needs to be hit — and sometimes it’s okay to wait for the full answer.
Samari Finney in the women’s long jump aims to help lead Northwestern’s women to a fourth straight Southland indoor championship this week. (Photo by ETHAN LOWE, Samford Athletics)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— The Northwestern State women’s track and field team is aiming for a fourth consecutive Southland Conference indoor team crown, while the men aim to rebound from its sixth-place finish in 2025, as the 2026 SLC Indoors begin.
The two-day competition schedule starts today at 8:30 with the men’s heptathlon and the women’s pentathlon.
Prior to 2023, the NSU women had not taken home a team conference championship but have won five of the last six championships combined in the indoor and outdoor seasons.
The running events start at noon with the 5000-meter run for the women, while the women’s weight throw and pole vault begin at 1 p.m.
It picks up against with the finishing of the men’s heptathlon at 9:40 a.m. on Thursday.
Despite losing key pieces from last year’s title, the Lady Demons have reloaded. Many Northwestern athletes for both sides are finishing the indoor season strong.
“We’re anxious, nervous, a little bit of everything,” head coach Mike Heimerman said. “It’s going to be really tough for the women to the win again since there some really good teams in our conference and everybody wants to beat the defending champ. We have a target on our back since we’ve won three in a row, but we’re still one of the favorites and we’ll go out there and give it our best.”
No women’s team has won at least four conference indoor team titles in a row since Stephen F. Austin took home five straight titles from 2009-13.
While the men have not won the indoor crown since 2001, the Demons have finished in the top three on three occasions since 2018, including a second-place finish in 2023.
On the women’s side, sprinters Margaret Conteh and Rushana Dwyer are hitting their stride.
At the Jarvis Scott Invite, she was a part of the 4×400 relay team that smashed the Southland Conference record, as Conteh, Rushana Dwyer, Kahliyah Anderson and Dhakiya Blake ran a 3:32.47 to place second in the meet, only trailing home school Texas Tech, and broke NSU’s own conference record.
“To get another championship, it will take everybody at their best,” Conteh said. “We just need to go out and do what we’ve already been doing.”
Her 53.23 in the 400 and 24.18 in the 200 rank third and seventh in the SLC, respectively.
Dwyer, a transfer from South Florida, is poised to be a school record breaker in her one season at NSU. She joined Conteh on the relay team that broke the Southland record and also ranks second in the 400 in the SLC.
The women aren’t the only ones who are fast on the track, as the men are also strong as well.
William Achee, a school record holder in the 400-meter dash and as a member of the 4×400 relay team, is second in the Southland in the 400 and sixth in the 200.
Achee is one of three in the top six in the conference in the 400, as he is joined by Kason Jones and Desmond Duncan.
The Demons have three in the top five in the 60-meter dash, led by Kalen Beavers and Keontae Gaines, who are tied for third with a time of 6.70. Koen Beavers is right behind them in fifth with a time of 6.71.
In the field, Donroy Brown and Roy Morris for the men and Samari Finney and Ryah Dates on the women’s side are near—or at—the top in their events.
Brown, the reigning SLC Men’s Field Athlete of the Week, leads the charge in the men’s shot put, while Morris is tops in the men’s long jump.
Finney is the No. 1 competitor in the women’s long jump and Dates is fourth in both shot put and weight throw.
