Water Restored on West Side; Boil Advisory Still in Effect
City of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches Parish School Board
The City of Natchitoches has restored water service to affected areas on the west side of the city following the outage that closed public buildings Wednesday. The boil advisory remains in effect until further notice, and residents should continue boiling water before drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or preparing food until the advisory is lifted. Northwestern State University restored service to its Natchitoches campus and resumed normal operations Thursday, with classes, offices and campus activities on regular schedules. Water was also restored at all six schools dismissed early Wednesday — Natchitoches Central High School, NSU Elementary Lab, NSU Middle Lab, L.P. Vaughn, Natchitoches Junior High and the Natchitoches Provisional Learning Center — and all Natchitoches Parish School Board schools are in session Thursday as regularly scheduled. The city credited crews who worked to identify the problem and make repairs.
NRMC Introduces Nattie, an AI Assistant
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center has introduced Nattie, an AI-powered assistant that answers questions about NRMC services, providers, locations and hours by text message. The service is available 24 hours a day at 318-667-7973. NRMC said Nattie provides general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or emergency services. Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911.
NSU Team Attends Rapides Foundation Symposium
Northwestern State University
Faculty and staff from Northwestern State University attended The Rapides Foundation Symposium: Pathways to Success, where the foundation presented five focus areas — healthcare access, healthy behaviors, education, economic development and social environment. Featured speaker Geoffrey Canada discussed the Harlem Children’s Zone, a degree attainment program in New York. Representing NSU were Susan Campbell, Atziary Perez, Sonya Johnson, Alicia Book, Megan Wedgeworth, Jessica Despino, Steve Gruesbeck, Kari Cook, Tamara Baxter, Becky Farmer, Melissa Rennie and Katrina Seymour.
ROAD CLOSURE: U.S. 84 at Bourbeaux Bayou
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
U.S. 84 over Bourbeaux Bayou, just east of the Village of Clarence, remains closed until further notice. DOTD said the condition and size of the box culvert require the roadway to stay closed for the safety of the traveling public. The department is developing a contract and seeking emergency funding to allow a contractor to replace the existing culvert with a new structure. No-truck signs have been posted on LA 1226. Motorists should prepare for an ongoing closure and detour.