St. Mary’s School has announced the hiring of Aimée Smelser as its new fourth- and fifth-grade English Language Arts and math teacher.

Smelser brings 24 years of classroom experience to the position, having taught in multiple school districts across Arkansas and Louisiana. School officials said her career has been marked by a commitment to academic excellence, innovative instruction and student achievement.

Among her professional accomplishments, Smelser was named Walmart Teacher of the Year in Camden, Arkansas, and served as a presenter at the Arkansas Association for Gifted and Talented Education Conference, where she shared a curriculum she developed to encourage entrepreneurial thinking among students.

While teaching second grade at Fairview Alpha, her students achieved a 100 percent improvement rate on state Student Learning Target assessments.

A native of Shreveport, Smelser earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Southern Arkansas University. She is known for her expertise in English Language Arts curriculum and student achievement.

In addition to her work in education, Smelser has been active in community service through organizations including Junior Auxiliary, Relay for Life and programs that support local students and families. She is also an active member of the Natchitoches community.

Smelser is married to Jason Smelser and is the mother of one son, Mitchell.

School officials said they look forward to the knowledge, experience and enthusiasm she will bring to students and the St. Mary’s School community.

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Culture, confidence, and community pride took center stage as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Mu Omega Zeta Chapter hosted its landmark inaugural Miss Juneteenth Heritage Pageant. Held on May 30 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreational Community Center, the groundbreaking event celebrated the rich heritage and bright futures of local youth.

The evening opened with a powerful and moving rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” performed by Grace Powell. Guiding the audience through the rest of the night’s festivities was event emcee Dr. Ail R. Harris Jr., with attendees also enjoying special live entertainment by Andrew Cofield and Tanner Holden.

A Showcase of Grace and Leadership

The energetic evening kicked off with a vibrant opening dance performance featuring all 17 contestants. To compete for the historic titles, the young ladies hit the stage to model elegant formal wear and vibrant African attire, followed by a dynamic Question and Answer forum designed to highlight their poise, intellect, and leadership skills.

Divided into three age-specific divisions, the participants captivated the audience and judges alike. The exciting culmination of the evening featured special appearances by distinguished queens from prominent community organizations, who had the distinct honor of crowning the inaugural winners.

The Official Results & Crowning Highlights

Little Miss Juneteenth (Ages 5–8)

The youngest division took the stage with incredible poise, culminating in a special crowning moment by AKA Debutante Ariana Adams.

• Queen: Zaya Smith
• 1st Runner-Up: Paisleigh Berryman
• 2nd Runner-Up: Zamaria Allen

Junior Miss Juneteenth (Ages 9–12)

The junior division contestants shined brightly, with the new queen officially crowned by Tan’Keia Palmer, Queen of the Krewe of the 9.

• Queen: Zakiyya Hamilton
• 1st Runner-Up: Ava Chevalier
• 2nd Runner-Up: Alyssa Haskett

Miss Juneteenth (Ages 13–17)

The eldest division showcased exceptional leadership, where the grand title was officially crowned by Krewe of Excellence Queen, Lorie Woodard.

• Queen: Genesis Conday
• 1st Runner-Up: Janiya Harris-Howard
• 2nd Runner-Up: Shane’ Johnson

Special Category Awards

In addition to the division crowns, several contestants were recognized for their exceptional character, poise, and community dedication:

• Miss Youthful Glow: Paisleigh Berryman & Khe’Lani Walker
• Most Improved: Ivyani Johnson
• Miss Photogenic: Alyssa Haskett
• Community Impact Award: Zakiyya Hamilton
• Community Engagement Award: Ava Chevalier
• Miss Congeniality: Genesis Conday

The Mu Omega Zeta Chapter extends its warmest congratulations to all 17 remarkable contestants. Through their participation, these young ladies have truly embodied leadership, grace, and heritage, setting a beautiful precedent for the years to come.

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Residents can expect a warm and increasingly unsettled weather pattern through the upcoming weekend, with rain and thunderstorm chances climbing significantly by Saturday and Sunday.

Wednesday will begin with partly cloudy skies before becoming mostly cloudy during the afternoon. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected later in the day, with highs reaching the mid-80s. Northeast winds will range from 5 to 10 mph. Rain chances remain low at 20 percent.

Conditions Wednesday night will remain mostly dry, although a slight chance of evening showers and thunderstorms will linger before skies become mostly cloudy overnight. Temperatures are expected to fall into the upper 60s.

Cloud cover will continue Thursday with a greater opportunity for afternoon showers and thunderstorms. High temperatures will remain in the mid-80s with east winds of 5 to 10 mph. Rain chances increase to 40 percent. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with lows again settling in the upper 60s.

Friday will bring another mostly cloudy day with scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms possible. Temperatures will warm into the upper 80s, while rain chances remain at 40 percent. A slight chance of lingering evening storms is forecast Friday night, with lows dropping into the lower 70s.

The most active weather of the forecast period is expected over the weekend. Saturday will feature mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance of morning showers before rain becomes more widespread during the afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms are likely, with highs in the upper 80s and a 70 percent chance of precipitation. Some showers and storms may continue into Saturday evening before gradually diminishing overnight.

A similar pattern is expected Sunday, with mostly cloudy skies and numerous afternoon showers and thunderstorms. High temperatures will again reach the upper 80s, and rain chances will remain at 70 percent. Any remaining storms are expected to taper off Sunday night, with lows in the mid-70s.

Looking ahead to Monday, temperatures will climb to around 90 degrees. While the day will not be a washout, forecasters expect another chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, with rain chances around 40 percent.

Overall, residents should prepare for warm, humid conditions and increasing opportunities for rain as the weekend approaches. Outdoor activities, especially Saturday and Sunday afternoon, may be impacted by thunderstorms and periods of heavy rainfall.

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The future has officially arrived — and apparently it wants to discuss your life goals before handing over your morning coffee. A new AI-powered coffee kiosk is leaving customers both caffeinated and confused as it replaces simple drink orders with a barrage of oddly personal questions. From optimizing emotional states to aligning beverages with long-term aspirations, the machine seems determined to do everything except just pour the coffee. Local residents report spending more time answering the kiosk than they would have spent chatting with an actual barista. Experts say this may be the first recorded case of a latte requiring a personality assessment.

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Natchitoches parish was well represented at the 97^th state Future Farmers of America (FFA) convention in Alexandria by a group of sharp young people from Lakeview and NCHS’ FFA chapters. The convention featured 1,400 FFA members from 217 chapters located at high schools throughout the state.

The convention takes place from Monday, June 1 to Thursday June 4, during which time the FFA members will compete in various agricultural areas as well as public speaking. FFA is also notable in that the convention, and indeed the program, is student run. The FFA is not just for agricultural education, it provides hands on training in leadership and organization. Those blue jackets are more than a tradition. They are a symbol of excellence.

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Celebrate the Louisiana Peach Festival’s 76th year with free admission, a wide range of entertainment and activities, and plenty of peachy events to enjoy leading up to the festival. Browse our guide below and start planning your trip to Downtown Ruston for the weekend of Saturday, June 6.

EAT:
From June 1-6, enjoy Peach Culinary Crawl, a weeklong tasting tour featuring over 20 local restaurants. Each participating location will offer special peach-inspired items. From peach BBQ and burgers to peach cocktails and desserts, there’s something to satisfy every craving. The full Culinary Crawl menu is available on the Peach Fest website.

SEE:
Get a preview of all the arts of the festival with the 39th Annual NCLAC Peach Art Exhibit. Check out the display of local artist of all ages in the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center happening all through July.

– Peach fest hack: After visiting the exhibit, take the quick drive to explore downtown Ruston, scope out the festival grounds, and snap a picture at one of the colorful murals!

EXPERIENCE: There’s plenty to enjoy Friday before the festival:

• Take a stroll through Downtown Ruston and browse the Peach Sidewalk Sale. Participating downtown shops will be offering peachy deals and special promotions from June 3-6.
  – Peach Fest Hack: Find your perfect festival outfit during the sidewalk sale!
• The Peach Parade is a long loved and cherished tradition by festival attendees. The parade will roll down W. Alabama Ave. and N. Monroe St. on Friday, June 5 at 6:00 PM.
• After the parade, you can head over to the North Louisiana Expo Center for the 37th Annual Peach Festival Rodeo for family fun entertainment, trick riders, and more.

Saturday June 6: Festival Day!

Festival activities start at 9:00 AM and there’s plenty to eat, see, and experience—all located on the festival grounds.

EAT:

Festival Eats

• This year, enjoy bites from 15 food vendors, offering everything from burgers, sandwiches, and pizza, to classic festival treats, refreshing drinks, and tasty snacks.
• You’ll also want to pay a visit to the Historic Fire Station for a scoop of frosty peach ice cream from the ladies of Beta Sigma Phi
  – Peach Fest Hack: Ask vendors what their special peach item is! All food vendors create and offer a peachy item just for the Peach Festival

Local Eats
Feeling like a sit-down meal? Check out these local restaurants that are walkable from the festival:

• The Local: morning pick-me-up coffee, pastries, and breakfast bites.
• Uptown Downtown or Heard Freighthouse Food Park: perfect for lunch and plenty of options! For sandwiches, wraps, and a sweet treat, go to Uptown Downtown. For BBQ, Burgers, Chinese, or Mexican cuisine, head over to the Food Park.
• Sundown Tavern or Ponchatoulas: both are beloved Ruston staples with that classic dive bar charm. Be sure to try the fried green beans at Sundown or the stuffed catfish at Ponchatoulas.
• Roma or Utility Brewing: For classic Italian-style pizza, pasta, and fresh salads, take a stroll to Roma’s Italian Bistro. Want to try something different? Utility Brewing serves up creative wood fire-baked pizzas paired with craft beer in a cozy setting.

SEE:

• Festival Art Displays: Discover Plein Air artists painting the scenes and capturing the action of the festival in real time. At Kids Alley, there will be interactive displays and activities for the kiddos to participate in the arts themselves!
• Ruston Antique Classic Car Show: Head over to Cadence Bank from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM for the Car Show. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just love vintage charm, this show is sure to impress with its lineup of beautifully restored classic vehicles.
• Fireworks Show: Stick around till the headliner performance for the Peach Festival’s Firework show at 8:45 PM! This dazzling sky display will take place before the headlining act to kick off the grand finale to the festival.
• Go to www.lapeachfest.com/schedule to see all festival events!

EXPERIENCE:

• Live Music: Enjoy more than 12 consecutive hours of live performances at the Railroad Park stage. With an exciting lineup of artists, the festival’s musical energy will keep you dancing all day long. Don’t miss the headliner, The Chee-Weez, taking the stage at 9:00 PM.
  – Peach Fest Hack: Bring a lawn chair or blanket in case seating runs out!
• Kids Alley: Make fun memories in this family-friendly zone packed with interactive activities and entertainment to keep the little ones smiling.
• Curated Market: Browse the booths of more than 90 vendors, all selling their handmade arts, jewelry, clothing, mugs, decorations, candles, and lots more. Additionally, you can stop by the Peach Fest Sticker Wall in the market—perfect for a fun and unique photo op.
  – Peach Fest Hack: arrive early to the Curated Market before your favorite vendor sells out. Visit www.lapeachfest.com/vendors to get a sneak peek at what vendors are offering.

SUNDAY:

After a busy Saturday, sleep in, take Sunday slow and enjoy Ruston’s cozy charm:

EAT:

• Trios: Enjoy their signature brunch menu in a trendy atmosphere.
• The Local: Order specialty brunch cocktails and bites in the heart of Downtown.
• Beau Vines Steakhouse: Not a brunch fan? Dive into a hearty lunch and bottomless mimosas.

SEE:
While you’re at the festival Saturday, you will likely spot a few of Ruston’s unique bulldog statues scattered throughout downtown. In total, there are 22 bulldogs placed around the city—each with its own charm. Stretch your visit a little longer and turn your Sunday into a scavenger hunt to track down the ones you missed.

EXPERIENCE:
Wind down with a peaceful visit to Lincoln Parish Park. This park offers mountain biking and walking trails, kayaking, fishing, and a playground for the kids. It’s the perfect way to soak in the natural beauty of Ruston and cap off your Peach Festival weekend.

From peachy treats and live music to charming shops and peaceful parks, the 76th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival is the perfect way to kick off your summer. Soak up the fun, explore Ruston, and celebrate 76 years of sweet traditions and unforgettable memories!

To learn the insider tips and tricks all seasoned festival goers know, read up on our How to Peach Fest blog.

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Several St. Mary’s Tiger softball and baseball players have earned postseason honors from statewide organizations recognizing their outstanding performances during the 2026 season.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association named Grace Wren to its Class 1A All-State Softball Team announced Tuesday as a utility player. Lady Tiger teammates Tyonnah Burton and Malorie LaCaze were also recognized, earning honorable mention All-State honors.

On the baseball side, AJ Lavespere was selected to the LSWA Class 1A All-State Baseball Team as an infielder. Fellow Tigers Winn Cedars and Haiden Nelson were honorable mention All-State selections.

The LSWA’s 12-member All-State committee, which has media members from all around Louisiana, considers all first-team all-district players for its All-State teams, which are chosen by position. 

Additional honors were awarded by the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association (LBCA), which selected Winn Cedars, AJ Lavespere, and Haiden Nelson to its All-Region Team. The Louisiana Softball Coaches Association (LSCA) also recognized two Lady Tigers, naming Tyonnah Burton and Grace Wren to its All-State Team.

These honors are voted on LBCA member coaches from across Louisiana and recognize athletes who have distinguished themselves through their performance, leadership, and contributions to their teams throughout the season.

The recognition reflects another successful year for St. Mary’s athletics and highlights the dedication and hard work demonstrated by these student-athletes both on and off the field.

St. Mary’s congratulates Grace Wren, Tyonnah Burton, Malorie LaCaze, AJ Lavespere, Winn Cedars, and Haiden Nelson on their accomplishments and thanks them for representing the Tigers with pride throughout the season.

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Hundreds of kids who dream of playing in the pros – or, kids who just love to play – can get signed up for the free New Orleans Saints & Pelicans/Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Junior Training Camp on Saturday morning, June 27 on the Northwestern State campus in Natchitoches.

The JTC annually provides two hours of full throttle fun alongside Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame members and NSU coaches, and staff from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans community relations department. It is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.

The clinic registration can be done quickly on the LaSportsHall.com website under the “events’ button. Or parents can call the LSHOF Foundation office at 318-238-4255 for registration help. The camp fills to its 300-kid capacity almost every summer.

The LaSportsHall.com website has the full schedule for the Induction Celebration June 25-27. The JTC is one of three free events, beginning with the Thursday evening Welcome Reception from 5-7 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. The biggest free ticket is Friday night, June 26 Rockin’ Riverfest concert from 6-10:30 on the downtown riverbank, featuring a fireworks show after the Class of 2026 is introduced at 9:15.

The Junior Training Camp runs from 9-11 a.m., starting with registration between 8-9 a.m. at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center (WRAC) gymnasium on the NSU campus. It’s important for parents to get their campers checked in well before the fun starts at 9 a.m. Then, campers get introduced to the sports stars who will be coaching them for the next two hours, inside focusing on basketball skills, and outside at Turpin Stadium, with football and general sports skills instruction.

Every camper will bring home a free T-shirt, other items, and a coupon for a meal at Raisin’ Canes. Photos from the camp will be posted on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Facebook page, and so will a highlight video.

The goals of the JTC are simple – a fun, and thrilling, experience for the kids, free of charge; skills instruction from some of the best to ever play, or coach, the games; and promotion of health lifestyles and positive life choices.

The campers are separated into two groups. One stays inside for the first hour for basketball instruction, while the other is next door at Turpin Stadium, having football fun. The groups switch locations in the second half of the camp.

Parents can follow their favorite campers and watch all the fun from the stands in the gym and on the east side of Turpin Stadium – where it will be sunny, and hot, watching some really cool memories being made.

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Three Northwestern State baseball players landed on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team announced by the organization Tuesday.

Junior outfielder Brooks Leonard and sophomore left-handed pitchers Jacob LeBlanc and Carter White were named to the teams, which honor student-athletes who are at least sophomores academically and athletically and have compiled a 3.5 or higher grade point average while either appearing in 90 percent of their teams contests or starting 66 percent.

Pitchers must have made at least 17 appearances or thrown 35 innings.

Leonard, a junior from Pierre Part, was a second-team All-Southland Conference selection after a breakout season. Leonard led Northwestern in batting average (.315), triples (3), on-base percentage (.418) and stolen bases (24) while seeing time at four defensive positions. His 21-game hitting streak from March 7-April 14 was the longest by a Demon hitter since Cort Brinson’s school-record, 29-game run in 2015.

Leonard’s 24 stolen bases placed him in a four-way tie for 10th in Northwestern single-season history while his 17 hit by pitches were the eighth most by a Demon in a single season. Leonard led the Southland Conference in stolen bases (16) and triples (3) in league games.

A health and exercise science major, Leonard owns a 3.59 grade point average.

LeBlanc, a native of Central, was one of the Demons’ most consistent arms out of the bullpen. Fourteen of his 17 appearances came in relief as he posted a 4-2 record with a 3.09 ERA in 32 innings pitched. LeBlanc picked up the win in the Demons’ Southland Conference Tournament victory against UTRGV, spinning 3 2-3 innings of shutout ball with a career-high-tying four strikeouts.

LeBlanc was unscored up on in nine of his 17 appearances, including five shutout innings in a March 27 start against ULM. LeBlanc picked up the win in that game as the Demons posted their lone shutout of the season.

A business administration major, LeBlanc holds a 3.67 grade point average.

White, a Bossier City-Airline product, handled a variety of roles in his sophomore season, starting nine of his 16 appearances, going 1-5 with a save in 41 innings pitched.

White earned his lone win of the season on April 4 at UTRGV, helping the Demons complete a three-game series sweep of the Vaqueros, going 2 2-3 innings of relief while allowing an unearned run. That was one of seven appearances in which White did not permit an earned run this season. He picked up his lone save April 24, closing out a series-opening win against Stephen F. Austin.

A health and exercise science major, White has posted a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

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Right now, the world of tournament bass fishing has reached a crossroads. If the powers that be (tournament organizations) do not address the key issues that have created this massive drop in tournament participation, the entire bass fishing industry is on the verge of collapse. 

Now this may sound a little harsh, and maybe a little overblown, but the time has come to save an industry that needs saving. Bass tournaments, no matter how you look at them, are a necessary avenue for product invention and promotion.  

This is how the fishing industry gets the word out about a new lure, or any product related to bass fishing. No other group has the power of promotion more than tournament anglers all across the country, and even around the world, simply by word of mouth. 

Look at Japan and how this crisis has impacted the bass fishing community. Nobody has been more creative and responsible for new lures and techniques than the Japanese. They have sent their best anglers to America for the sole purpose of promoting their market and the products they produce. 

How have they done it? By winning tournaments here in America. It seems like every year a new Japanese angler arrives on one of the high-level tours and has an immediate impact either by winning or finishing very high in every tournament. 

But getting back to the problem at hand, why has tournament participation dropped like the stock market crash of 1929? It hasn’t just fallen off a little, it has plummeted! Anglers have literally walked away overnight with zero signs of them coming back. 

So how can we fix the problem? First, we must recognize the problem before we can figure out how to correct it. It’s similar to an alcoholic’s dilemma; they have to realize they have a problem before they can fix it. 

Anglers leaving the sport they’ve loved so much basically started right after the COVID 19 pandemic. But during this time tournament participation was high with most events running full fields of 200 boats or more. Today those same events are drawing less than 100 boats while others have lost over two-thirds of their participation.

Also boat sales during COVID exploded to the point that there were one-year waiting lists for all major bass boat brands. Manufacturers struggled to build bass boats fast enough to satisfy the demand. 

So, what happened after COVID and why did tournament anglers load their high dollar bass boats and go home, never to return? Well, there’s only one thing that’s had a major impact on the bass fishing world – the invention of Forward-Facing Sonar (FFS)! Bingo!

This hit the bass fishing market like nothing else ever has. Just like American politics, it has also divided us as consumers! Not just a little bit either; anglers around the country continue to argue over the negative impact FFS has placed on our bass fisheries. Some issues have been substantiated, and others are now considered myths. 

Most anglers will agree that forward-facing sonar has been a tremendous invention that has totally changed the bass fishing world. But the true anglers who are considered to be purist believe that this new technology has no place in bass tournaments. 

The PGA Tour has faced similar technology issues lately with better golf clubs and golf balls that are flying farther than ever before. These adjustments have caused major concerns for the PGA Tour and even have resulted in some golf courses becoming obsolete, or at least, not suitable for pro tournaments.

So, the PGA Tour decided to implement new restrictions on manufacturers and how far golf balls can fly. They did this for the good of sport and the future of the sport. Maybe B.A.S.S. and Major League Fishing (MLF) need to take a page from the PGA Tour. 

Let’s take away FFS for all bass tournament competitions and get back to using acquired skills anglers need to have in order to compete at the highest level. You don’t have to eliminate it totally; allow anglers to use it for practice only. But it has no place on the professional level and should be banned on tournament day. 

The biggest concern at this time is with the lower entry-level tournaments like the BFL’s, Toyota Series and the Bassmaster Opens. Is it too late to make changes or eliminate FFS for tournaments on the lower levels? 

Not really. Every year tournament organizations make changes to their rules, and this would be no different. I just hope the powers that be (B.A.S.S. and MLF) wake up and do the right thing for 2027 in order to save a dying industry — tournament bass fishing!  

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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June 3 is National Egg Day, a celebration of one of the most versatile and widely consumed foods in the world.

Whether scrambled, fried, boiled or baked into a favorite dessert, eggs remain a staple in kitchens across America. This year’s observance comes after several years in which eggs became an unlikely headline-maker due to supply challenges, rising grocery costs and changing consumer habits.

For many families, eggs are among the first items checked on a grocery list. They are used in everything from breakfast plates and holiday baking to restaurant recipes and school cafeteria meals. Their affordability and nutritional value have helped make them a longtime favorite among consumers.

Eggs have also become a cultural fixture. Social media is filled with debates over the best way to cook them, while chefs continue to develop new recipes featuring the humble ingredient. In Louisiana, eggs often play a starring role in dishes ranging from breakfast biscuits and gravy to bread pudding and homemade meat pies.

The observance also offers a chance to appreciate the farmers, producers and businesses that help keep grocery shelves stocked. According to agricultural experts, Americans consume billions of eggs each year, making them one of the country’s most popular food products.

National Egg Day has no elaborate traditions, but many people mark the occasion by preparing a favorite egg dish, trying a new recipe or simply enjoying a classic breakfast.

Whether served sunny-side up, folded into an omelet or mixed into a cake batter, eggs continue to prove that some of the simplest foods can have the biggest impact.

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Jacob Ruppert, Court Counsel and District Hearing Officer for the 10th Judicial District Court, was the guest speaker at a recent Rotary Club meeting.

Ruppert presented a program titled “The Threat of Artificial Intelligence to the Constitutional Right to Counsel and to Privacy,” discussing the potential impact of artificial intelligence on legal representation and privacy rights.

John Luster introduced Ruppert to the group, and Rotary President Louie Bernard and club members welcomed him.

Pictured from left are Rotary President Louie Bernard, Jacob Ruppert and John Luster. The photo was taken by Dr. Ron McBride.

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It may not feel romantic, but having honest conversations about money, family, and the future before marriage can make all the difference once real life begins.

 See what Ida says 

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I’ve been pondering one of life’s great mysteries: what happened to hats? Real hats. The kind men used to wear when they went to work, went to town, or went anywhere except the shower. Once upon a time, a man wouldn’t leave the house without a fedora, a trilby, or something with a brim wide enough to shade half the county. Now the only folks still wearing real hats are cowboys—and even they take them off indoors, which is more than I can say for the baseballcap crowd at Walmart.

I watch Perry Mason before bed most nights. Not for the suspense—there isn’t any. We all know Perry’s client didn’t do it. I watch to see how much the world has changed. In the 1957 episodes, everybody wears a hat. Even Perry. The only hatless soul is Paul Drake, the detective, who apparently needed full cranial ventilation to solve crimes. And have you noticed? Nobody has a television in their living room. They’re sitting around talking to each other like it’s normal. Wild times.

Do y’all know what happened to hats? Should we start a new fad here in Ruston? On second thought, no. I’d rather someone start a movement to make neckties disappear. That’s the one part of my calling I’ve never understood. Why wrap a decorative noose around my neck and cut off blood flow to my already overworked brain? I’m trying to preach the gospel, not pass out in the pulpit. Someone please start a necktie revolt. I’ll sign the petition.

And while we’re talking about things that vanished—what happened to CB radios? That was the first social media. You could make friends for a solid five miles. Longer if you were driving 55 on the interstate, which we all were back then, unless we weren’t, which is why we needed the CB in the first place. “Breaker onenine, where’s Smokey hiding?” Then radar detectors came along and CBs went the way of the eighttrack.

Some things I’m glad disappeared. Felt boards in church. I never trusted those things. One wrong move and Moses would fall off Mount Sinai. Typewriters? Good riddance. I used more liquid paper than ribbon. I’m surprised they didn’t sell it by the gallon.

But here’s something I hope doesn’t vanish: you.

So go to church on Sunday—before someone starts wondering what happened to you.

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Phonetic: /prog·​nos·​ti·​cate/

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition

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Loading crossword puzzle. One moment please.

Play Sudoku online!

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Francis Coutee Metoyer
Arrangements TBA

Jean Kay Clark
January 7, 1941 — May 26, 2026
Service: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 1 pm at Friendship Cemetery

Richard Lee Strother
October 4, 1949 — May 9, 2026
Service: June 13, 2026 at 10 am at Blanchard Funeral Home 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 to npjnatla@gmail.com

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By Richard Searles

Healthcare, education, roads and flood protection projects receive funding recommendations in House Bill 2

More than $54 million in state construction and infrastructure projects tied to Natchitoches Parish are included in the latest version of Louisiana’s capital outlay budget, with major funding proposed for healthcare facilities, higher education projects, transportation improvements and flood protection initiatives.

The projects are contained in House Bill 2, the state’s annual capital outlay bill, which identifies construction and infrastructure projects eligible for state financing.

Among the largest allocations is $16.6 million for a healthcare infrastructure project at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, including construction of a new ambulatory tower.

Higher education projects account for another significant portion of the proposed funding. The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Innovation Center on the Northwestern State University campus is slated to receive $13.8 million, while replacement of John S. Kyser Hall at Northwestern State University is proposed for $6.54 million.

Transportation and infrastructure projects also received substantial support, including funding for improvements to Louisiana Highway 156 and reconstruction of city streets in Natchitoches.

If approved, the projects would represent one of the largest recent state investments in public facilities and infrastructure within Natchitoches Parish.

Proposed Natchitoches-Area Capital Outlay Projects

Project	Proposed Funding
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Ambulatory Tower	$16,600,000
LSMSA Innovation Center	$13,800,000
LA 156 Improvements (Natchitoches/Winn/Grant)	$8,000,000
Replacement of John S. Kyser Hall at NSU	$6,544,641
Goldonna Road Resurfacing	$3,560,000
Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District Levee Project	$3,025,000
Second Street and Touline Street Reconstruction	$2,280,000
J. Bennett Johnston Red River Deepening Project	$400,000
Courthouse Security Improvements	$391,522

Total Proposed Funding

$54,601,163

In addition to the projects directly located in Natchitoches Parish, residents could benefit from several regional projects included elsewhere in the capital outlay bill, including navigation and transportation improvements affecting the Red River corridor.

The capital outlay bill must receive final legislative approval and projects must advance through the state’s priority funding process before construction funds are released.

The proposed capital outlay budget directs more than $54 million toward projects in and around Natchitoches Parish, with healthcare, higher education and transportation projects receiving the largest allocations. The largest single project is a $16.6 million ambulatory tower project at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, followed by a $13.8 million Innovation Center for the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts.

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By Richard Searles

Education, infrastructure and economic development among top priorities

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Legislature adjourned its 2026 Regular Session after approving a balanced $47 billion state budget focused on education, economic development, infrastructure improvements and debt reduction.

The budget includes approximately $4 billion in State General Fund support for K-12 education and $1.3 billion for higher education. Funding also includes $420 million for early childhood education and $30 million for tutoring programs.

Lawmakers approved more than $360 million in economic development initiatives, including incentives for higher-paying jobs, business site development and workforce recruitment efforts.

The Legislature also allocated more than $500 million for additional road and infrastructure projects, $33 million for Medicaid home and community-based services and $144 million to reduce state retirement debt.

Before adjourning, lawmakers approved a new congressional district map, eliminated vehicle inspection sticker requirements in most parishes, added $50 million to the fortified roof grant program and approved additional protections for minors online.

During the session, legislators considered more than 2,500 measures and sent more than 900 bills to Gov. Jeff Landry for consideration.

The 2026 Regular Session concluded with lawmakers approving major investments in education, infrastructure and economic development while advancing a wide range of policy measures affecting Louisiana residents.

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The Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court’s office continued to be busy recording new leases as it filed 76 more oil and gas leases during the month of May 2026.

Natchitoches Parish Clerk David Stamey confirmed that activity remains steady in the area described as from Interstate 49 at Highway 6, along La. Highway 6 to the Sabine Parish line and approximately 10 miles north into the Spanish Lake bottoms. However, leasing has now occurred south of La. Highway 6 and across I-49 on the east side of the interstate. There was one lease in the far northeastern portion of the parish near the Red River Parish and Bienville Parish lines, indicating activity is also occurring in neighboring parishes.

“This is wonderful economic news for our area,” Stamey said, “but it will be even better with every gas well that is drilled. Drilling has mostly been in the northwest portion of Natchitoches Parish, but indications are that production companies have been pleased.”

Stamey mentioned that his office has been busy with both in-person abstracting and online access for conveyances dating back to 1905. “We have been lucky to meet abstractors from companies new to the Robeline field,” Stamey said. “We thank them all for their business.”

The geographic expansion of leasing activity represents a significant shift, with operators now securing acreage beyond the traditional Robeline Field concentration and into previously untapped areas across parish boundaries. Activity across I-49 and into the northeastern portion of the parish suggests operators are assessing broader geological targets within the Haynesville Shale formation.

The seismic 3D graphing project, active across a 310-square-mile area mostly in Natchitoches Parish, supports this expanded exploration strategy. This extensive subsurface mapping work indicates operators are preparing detailed geological models across a much larger footprint than the initial Robeline Field concentration.

Landowners approached with lease offers or seismic survey requests should understand the complexity and long-term consequences of these agreements. If you are not an expert in oil and gas matters, strongly consider contacting a qualified oil and gas attorney before signing any documents. Mineral leases can have significant implications for mineral rights, royalty structures, surface rights and future property use. Professional legal guidance is essential to ensure fair terms and protect your interests.

A review of Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records confirms the 76 leases filed in May 2026. The NPJ obtained this information directly from the parish’s online Public Records system.

Total Leases filed in calendar year 2025: 405
Total Leases filed in calendar year 2026: 279

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