The Natchitoches City Council voted to condemn two unsafe buildings and approved several infrastructure-related measures during its March 9 meeting.

Council members unanimously adopted an ordinance declaring two structures on Second Street and Fourth Street unsafe. The action allows the city to move forward with demolition or repairs necessary to bring the buildings into compliance with the local building code.

In other business, the council approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor to award the bid for Phase 2 improvements at the city’s water treatment facility. The contract was awarded to Lemoine Company LLC of Lafayette for $6.25 million, the lowest of three bids submitted.

City officials said the project represents the second phase of expansion and rehabilitation work at the city’s water treatment plants. The same company is currently constructing Plant No. 4, which officials said is nearing completion and expected to become operational in early April following a planned electrical shutdown to tie in the new facility.

Council members also introduced an ordinance establishing a human trafficking prevention and reporting policy for the city’s personnel policies manual. The proposed policy would require city employees and contractors to comply with state and federal laws related to preventing and reporting human trafficking. The measure will return for final consideration at the council’s next meeting.

Two resolutions related to infrastructure were also approved.

One resolution authorizes the mayor to advertise and accept bids for a concrete pavement replacement project on Second Street and Touline Street. The project is supported by state capital outlay funding, including $200,000 appropriated in 2023 for planning and an additional $2 million approved during the 2025 legislative session for construction.

Another resolution authorizes the mayor to execute a certificate of substantial completion for the city’s Fiscal Year 2023 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program street improvements project. The work, completed by Regional Construction LLC, focused on roadway improvements in several housing areas throughout the city.

Earlier in the meeting, the council also recognized March as Women’s History Month in the city.

The next regular meeting of the Natchitoches City Council is scheduled for March 23.

A traffic stop recently led to the arrest of a Natchitoches woman on felony drug and weapons charges, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

On Wednesday evening, March 4, 2026, at approximately 10:30 p.m., deputies assigned to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Operations Bureau were patrolling on La. Hwy. 6 near Clarence when they stopped a 2006 Honda pickup truck for a traffic violation.

Deputies identified the driver as 43-year-old Joretta L. Denham of Natchitoches, Louisiana.

While speaking with the driver and a passenger, deputies reportedly detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

According to reports, deputies asked Denham if she had any narcotics or weapons in the vehicle. Denham then pointed to a weapon and handed deputies a pipe commonly used to smoke illegal narcotics. A backup unit responded to assist at the scene.

Deputies secured the weapon, identified as a Taurus G2 9mm semi-automatic handgun, for officer safety. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, deputies discovered and seized a small amount of suspected methamphetamine, approximately 11 grams of suspected marijuana, seven doses of THC, weighing scales, and other drug paraphernalia.

Joretta L. Denham was placed under arrest without incident. She was transported and booked into the LaSalle Corrections Natchitoches Detention Center charged with:
Possession of CDS Schedule II (Methamphetamine)
Possession of CDS Schedule I (Marijuana)
Possession of a Firearm During a Felony Narcotics Offense
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Traffic charges

The passenger was released without criminal charges.

The seized narcotics will be submitted to the crime lab for analysis. Deputy T. Hortman was assisted by Deputy H. Layfield during the arrest.

Denham has since been released on a $23,000 appearance bond set by a district judge pending a court appearance.

A suspicious person call resulted in the arrest of a Natchitoches Parish man wanted by the 10th Judicial District Court and on felony drug charges according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

On Sunday evening, March 8, 2026, at approximately 6:20pm, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau were dispatched by NATCOM 911 Center to a possible residential burglary in the 300 block of Cedar Grove Drive, south of Natchitoches.

The caller reported that a male suspect riding a bicycle appeared to be attempting to make entry into the rear of a green and white mobile home.

Deputies arrived on scene where they located the bicycle and a male later identified as 60-year-old Milford Earl Wilson Jr. of Natchitoches.

According to reports, when deputies asked Wilson what he was doing, he responded that he and others allegedly were about to begin demolition of the mobile home and he was just looking over the structure. Wilson also informed the responding deputy that he believed there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

A local warrants check confirmed an outstanding 10th Judicial District Court Bench Warrant on Wilson for Failure to Appear in Court on June 18, 2025, on the charge of Gross Littering.
Wilson was placed under arrest without incident.

While placing handcuffs on Wilson, the deputy observed a cellophane bag containing suspected narcotics in plain view on his person. An ensuing search incidental to the arrest resulted in the discovery and seizure of two cellophane bags containing approximately 3.4 grams of suspected methamphetamine.

Deputies transported Wilson to the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center for booking. While there, medical staff observed a pre-existing wound to his lower left leg. Wilson was transported to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center where he was treated and released by medical staff.

Shortly after being released, Wilson was transported back to the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center where he was booked on the charges of:
• Failure to Appear for Gross Littering
• Possession of CDS Schedule II – Methamphetamine

Wilson remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center awaiting bond.

The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for analysis. Deputy Cpl. T. Freeman made the arrest.

Sheriff Stuart Wright stated, “We would like to thank the concerned citizen who reported the suspicious activity. The quick actions of alert residents and deputies working together helps us prevent potential crimes and remove illegal drugs from our communities. We encourage all residents to report suspicious activity to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-357-7851. Working together helps keep our parish safe.”

St. Mary’s Catholic School is proud to congratulate students Cullen Aton and Roan McClung on an outstanding performance at the North Louisiana High School Fishing League tournament held this past weekend at Caney Lake.

Competing in the junior division, Cullen and Roan earned 1st Place out of 42 junior teams, showcasing impressive skill and teamwork on the water. Their success did not stop there. When all results were tallied, their catch actually outweighed the high school division winners, giving them the top overall weight out of all 108 boats competing in the tournament.

The duo brought in a five-fish sack weighing 22.85 pounds, marking the first time they have broken the 20-pound mark in competition. During the tournament, Roan also landed a 7-pound bass, helping secure the team’s remarkable finish.

The Northwestern State baseball team starts its busiest week of the 2026 season thus far at home this evening.

The Demons (9-7) have the first of three five-game weeks beginning with Alcorn State visiting Brown-Stroud Field at 6 p.m. today before Northwestern heads to Grambling on Wednesday, weather permitting, at 6 p.m. to cap a two-game, home-and-home season series with the Tigers.

Northwestern stays home this weekend for a three-game Southland Conference series starting Friday night against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Today’s game will air on ESPN+ while free streaming audio of Wednesday’s game will be available on www.NSUDemons.com and through the Northwestern State athletics mobile app, which can be downloaded free for Apple or Android devices.

“The word balance is something we’re going to continue to focus on,” third-year head coach Chris Bertrand said. “We’re going to have that first-time feeling, and we’re going to have that first-time opportunity. We want to balance that with where we are in the season, and we want to balance that with what it is we’re still discovering about our team. It’s something we’re definitely looking forward to, because we want to capitalize upon the momentum we’ve built. We want to extend a quality brand of baseball, and we want to have the opportunity to extend a winning streak.”

Northwestern returns home to face an Alcorn State (2-13) team it is becoming more and more familiar with as it starts a two-game run against teams from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

This marks the second straight season for the Braves to visit Natchitoches and the third time since 2022 when the teams met in a three-game series at Brown-Stroud Field.

The Braves enter the game with an offense that will challenge Northwestern’s defense. Alcorn State has swiped 21 bases in 15 games, doing so at a 72.4 percent success rate.

“One of the things we like about the schedule and the way it lays out – in this case, particularly, the midweek schedule – is you play different types of teams, which forces you to play against different styles of baseball, and it challenges different parts of your game,” Bertrand said. “We know the two teams we face this week are going to be very athletic teams. We know they have speed. We know they’re going to play with great skill sets, so it challenges you to hold runners. It challenges you to defend the short game whenever that becomes a necessity. It challenges your infielders and outfielders on how they approach balls and then secure the baseball and efficiently get rid of it. You’ve got to be accurate with everything you do.”

Northwestern took the final two games of its three-game series at UIW, giving the Demons their first series win at Sullivan Field presented by H-E-B since 2018.

Northwestern’s offense came alive in the offense-friendly environment in San Antonio. The Demons hit .317 as a team and slugged eight home runs in the three-game series, continuing the momentum they built in a 13-1, seven-inning win against Grambling last Tuesday at home.

SOFTBALL: Riding its best stretch in the last few seasons, the Northwestern softball team looks to keep the momentum rolling this afternoon when it travels to Grambling to close out a home-and-home series.

The Demons (11-14) won their first conference road series since 2023 this past weekend taking two games from Houston Christian before a walk-off winner spoiled a potential NSU sweep.

“I like the direction we’re heading right now,” head coach Jenny Fuller said. “We’ve been playing with good energy and doing a lot of things well in all phases. The key for us now is staying consistent and bringing that same focus into a midweek game on the road.”

NSU has won six of its last eight games heading into the 90-mile trip north to face Grambling (7-11) for the second and final time this year. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the GSU Softball Complex. There will be no live video of the game, but live stats will be available at nsudemons.com/livestats.

The Demons jumped all over Grambling in the first meeting on Feb. 10 in Natchitoches, scoring seven runs in the first inning on just three hits. They added a five-run third to the tally and cruised to a 12-0 run-rule win to pick up their first victory of the season. 

Northwestern will stay home for a three-game SLC series Friday evening and Saturday against McNeese.

LAKE CHARLES—After a sluggish first half, the fifth-seeded Northwestern State women’s basketball team came alive in the second half to turn a nine-point deficit into a 69-56 victory over No. 8 East Texas A&M Monday in the opening round of the Southland Conference Tournament at Townsley Law Arena.

Northwestern (18-13) advances to meet No. 4 UT-Rio Grande Valley (19-12) in the quarterfinals today at 11 a.m. The teams split during the games this season, with the Lady Demons walking away with a 64-59 overtime road win in the last meeting 10 days ago.

East Texas A&M (13-17) rode its own hot shooting and NSU’s inaccuracy (26 percent aim) to build a 20-7 lead that was 32-23 Lions at halftime.

“We were resilient,” Northwestern coach Anna Nimz said. “In the second half compared to the first, we defended and rebounded. We challenged them at half because we got into some foul trouble in the first half because we didn’t necessarily guard intelligently. Coming out of half, I think they did a nice job of that. The bench production came out and were big, keeping us in the game and cutting it to nine at halftime. It was a collective team effort.”

NSU scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter as the cornerstone of an extended 32-10 run to overtake, then pull away from the Lions, thanks to Vernell “Vee” Atamah.

After being benched four minutes into the game by two fouls, the SLC Player of the Year scored 14 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter.

She also made history in the process, as her triple to break a 45-45 deadlock gave her the school single-season 3-point record.

“I knew that whenever I was to go back in, I had to give it my all,” Atamah said. “Going into the fourth quarter, there was no promised game after this one, so I knew I had to give it my all in that fourth quarter and that is what I did.”

The Demons roared to life after shaking out of a 3-point shooting nightmare. In the first three quarters, NSU went 1-for-14. In the fourth, it was a whole different story, as the Demons made their first three triples and buried four in the final period.

Down by three early in the fourth, Atamah scored on a basket and foul before her record-breaking 3-pointer. Carla Celaya had a steal and layup to put Northwestern on top 50-45, forcing an East Texas A&M timeout.

That was followed by another Celaya layup, a layup from Tiara Abron and another 3-pointer from Atamah and NSU was off and running with a 57-45 lead.

The lead never was under nine the rest of the way.

In the final period, second-team All-SLC pick Nya Valentine had another strong finish, scoring five of her 17 points and dishing out two of her four assists.

The Demons outrebounded the Lions 53-26. Northwestern has beaten its last nine opponents on the boards, with seven of the last eight margins by double digits.

In the first half, after Atamah went to the bench, the Lions used a 17-2 run in the first quarter to build their largest lead at 20-7.

ET’s Nina Horvath, who came in shooting below 27 percent from deep, made all four of her 3-point attempts in the first half, including a banked in one. In the second half, the Demons held her scoreless.

Backup players rose to the occasion for Northwestern.

Freshman center Cimiya Rideaux made impact off the bench. She scored a career-high 10 points, including one at the end of the third quarter to cut it to 43-42.

“The bench was phenomenal,” Nimz said. “I told everybody in the locker room that it is going to take the entire team to make it through the conference tournament. I thought the bench did a tremendous job, keeping the score within nine at halftime. That is big credit to every kid who played.”

Celaya had seven points, 13 rebounds and five assists, while Clarence Djuela secured 10 rebounds.

The Demons helped themselves immensely from the free throw line, going 14-of-15.

Lowell K. “Sandy” Robinson was a deputy for the Tulare County California Sheriff’s Department until he was elected Sheriff in 1951.  From that election until the election in 1966, Sandy had easily defeated all others who vied for the office.  The November 8, 1966, election day was a disaster for Sandy because he received only about half as many votes as his contender received.  On January 1, 1967, he turned his office and the title of sheriff over to the incoming sheriff. 

One of Sandy’s daily tasks was to retrieve his mail from post office box number 510 at the Visalia Post Office.  It was a task that had become so routine that he performed it without much thought.  It was just one of the routine details of his daily life such as putting on his shoes and grabbing his car keys.  Soon after the election, Sandy decided to leave Visalia, California and move to Baxter Springs, Kansas to be near his parents and siblings.  In the chaos of moving, Sandy forgot to return his post office box key.  It remained on his keyring.  Sandy was still getting things settled in Baxter Springs when a local hotel manager resigned and moved to another town.  The hotel owner offered Sandy the hotel manager position and he quickly accepted.  Sandy had not set up his new address in Baxter Springs when he was hired for his new job.  When he visited the post office, he requested the same post office box which had been used by the previous manager just in case any mail intended for the hotel was delivered to that box.  After completing the necessary paperwork, the postal clerk gave Sandy the box key.  Stamped on one side of the key was the post office box number.  Sandy was surprised when he looked at the key and saw it stamped with the number 510.  Sandy had the same post office box number in Baxter Springs that he had in Visalia some 1650 miles to the west.

Sandy shrugged off the coincidence.  He made sure the new key worked, retrieved a few pieces of mail from the box, then put the key on his key ring with little thought.  Nearly two years went by, and checking his mailbox at the Baxter Springs Post Office became just another item on his daily routine.  Then in August 1969, Sandy pulled out his keyring and opened box number 510.  He retrieved the mail and was in the process of locking his post office box when he noticed that another key on his key ring was stamped “510.”  That is when he finally realized that he had forgotten to return his key to the Visalia Post Office.  Then, he wondered which of the two keys he had been using for nearly two years to get his mail.  Other than normal wear, the keys were practically identical.  Sandy tried both keys in each of the mailboxes in the Baxter Springs Post Office.  Although they would not open any other box at that post office, both keys opened post office box number 510.           

Sources:

1.     The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kansas), August 25, 1969, p.5.

2.     The Daily Item (Port Chester, New York), October 1, 1969, p.8.

3.     “Lowell Sandy Robinson,” FindAGrave.com, accessed March 1, 2026, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28198671/lowell-sandy-robinson.

Natchitoches City Council will have a pre-council meeting on Monday, March 9 beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m. to discuss non-agenda items. The City Council meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month and will be reserved to only items on the Agenda.  The public is invited to both the pre-council meetings and council meetings with the understanding that items not on the agenda will not be discussed at the scheduled council meetings, but the public is welcome to discuss any topic at the pre-council meetings.  The City Council Meetings are held at the Natchitoches City Council Chambers, located at 716 Second St. in Natchitoches.

PAID CONTENT

An RV fire temporarily closed the southbound lanes of Interstate 49 on March 7 near the Ajax area.

According to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies and firefighters responded to the incident at about 10:56 a.m. near mile marker 152, just south of Ajax.

The fire led authorities to close the southbound lanes of the interstate while crews responded. Traffic was diverted off I-49 at Exit 155 near Ajax and rerouted to Louisiana Highway 1.

Deputies with the sheriff’s office assisted with traffic control while firefighters from Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #7 worked at the scene.

By 11:55 a.m., officials reported that all lanes had reopened. Motorists were advised to continue driving carefully and avoid distractions while towing and recovery crews worked to remove the burned vehicle from the interstate.

A mobile home was destroyed in an early morning fire on March 7 in Marthaville, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies and firefighters were dispatched at approximately 2:59 a.m. by the NATCOM 911 Center to a reported mobile home fire in the 100 block of South 2nd Street.

When units arrived, the structure was fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters with Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #7 responded to the scene and worked to extinguish the fire. Officials said the mobile home was a total loss.

Authorities reported that no injuries occurred as a result of the fire. Deputy Cpl. Thomas Freeman with the sheriff’s office responded to assist at the scene.

Three athletes from the St. Mary’s Catholic School’s girls powerlifting team have qualified to compete at the state championship.

Freshman Ady Rhodes and juniors Rayanna Norsworthy and Alyssa Brewton each earned a spot at the state meet following strong performances this season.

Rhodes finished with a total lift of 570 pounds, while Norsworthy also posted a 570-pound total. Brewton recorded the highest total among the three with 760 pounds.

The athletes will travel to Lafayette on March 26, 2026, to compete at the state powerlifting competition. Their qualification marks a significant milestone for the program as they prepare to compete among the top lifters in Louisiana.

LAKE CHARLES — In the Southland Conference women’s basketball race, few teams have been as hot down the stretch as Northwestern State.

Fifth-seeded NSU (17-13 overall, 14-8 in the SLC) enters the conference tournament today on a four-game winning streak and went 6-1 in its final seven regular season games.

The Lady Demons aim to carry that momentum forward against No. 8 East Texas A&M (13-16, 9-13) at Townsley Law Arena. The teams split the regular season meetings, with both winning on their home court.

Tipoff is at 11 a.m. today. The game will be carried on ESPN+ or fans can listen to it on KZBL 100.7 FM in Natchitoches. The winner of the game plays again at 11 a.m. on Tuesday against No. 4 UTRGV.

“The goal for every coach is to inch closer and closer to 40 minutes as you get to the end of the year,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “We’re not there yet, but we are absolutely playing some really good basketball.

“We have a lot of variance, which we still have to get better at to be able to make it through this tournament. But they are excited and they are ready. They believe and know they are a special group. We’ve had a couple of days to give our legs a rest, but mentally, still get after it.”

For the first time in 22 years, the Demons have won 14 conference games. That season was also the last time the Demon won conference player of the year until this season.

This season’s player of the year is Vernell Atamah, who is leading the league in both overall (19.3) and in conference games (19.0) and her 19.3 points per game are the most in the program since Beatrice Attura averaged 20.6 in 2016-17.

After reaching 1,000 career points in the regular season finale against Houston Christian, she has a chance to make some more history during the tournament. With 87 made 3-pointers this season, she is just one behind Attura’s school record of 88, set in 2016-17.

As a team, the Demons are also just one shy of tying the school record of 223, set just last season.

Nya Valentine is another major factor in the 3-point shooting, making 70, helping her earn a second team all-conference nod.

In addition to her prowess from beyond the arc, she is also one of the best in the conference at setting her teammates up, ranking second in assists per game, averaging five in league play.

In celebration of the 100th Natchitoches Christmas Festival, the Cane River National Heritage Area (CRNHA) is inviting the public to help preserve the history of this beloved tradition by sharing their personal Christmas memories

CRNHA will host two community scan days offering residents the opportunity to have photographs, films, and memorabilia professionally digitized.

Community members are encouraged to look through photo albums, storage boxes, and family collections for items that capture Christmas celebrations in Natchitoches over the years. Materials from a variety of formats are welcome, including:

• Printed photographs and photo albums
• 35mm slides and photographic negatives
• 8mm and Super 8 home movies
• VHS, camcorder tapes, DVDs, and CDs
• Scrapbook pages, programs, posters, and other printed memorabilia

Even items that may seem ordinary — family photos under the Christmas lights, snapshots of the parade, old festival programs, or home movies of fireworks — can help tell the story of how generations of families have celebrated Christmas in Natchitoches.

The community scan days will take place Friday, March 20 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum.

Participants simply need to bring their items. CRNHA staff will digitize materials on-site, allowing originals to be returned the same day. No appointments are necessary.

Materials collected will become part of a larger preservation project, ensuring that these treasured memories are not only preserved but shared with the wider community and festival visitors. Those who already have digital copies of photos or videos are encouraged to submit them by email to jessica@canerivernha.org.

This event is hosted by the Cane River National Heritage Area with support from the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum.

For more information about the community scan days or the Natchitoches Christmas preservation project, call the Cane River National Heritage Area at 318-356-5555 or email Jessica Mullican at jessica@canerivernha.org.

Firefighters responded to a woods fire on Lime Kiln Road on March 5 after a fallen tree struck active power lines and ignited surrounding vegetation. Natchitoches Parish Fire District 6, along with Natchitoches Parish Fire District 5 and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, were dispatched to the scene.

According to fire officials, a dead tree fell onto power lines, sparking a fire that quickly spread through nearby vegetation. Crews from Fire District 6 responded with Engine 1 and Rescue 1, while Fire District 5 assisted with Engine 1. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry also responded and established a fire break to prevent the flames from spreading further.

No additional details were immediately released.

The Louisiana Bankers Association recently presented its distinguished Service Award to Mr. Joe Pierson, Jr., Chairman of the Board of City Bank and Trust Company in recognition of an extraordinary 53 years of dedicated leadership and service to the banking industry and the community h e so faithfully served.

The award was bestowed as the longtime Chairman announced his retirement from the bank’s Board of Directors, marking the close of more than five decades of steady guidance, principled decision-making, and unwavering commitment. Throughout his tenure, he helped shape not only the growth and strength of City Bank and Trust Company, but also the character and culture that defines it today.

Under his leadership, the bank navigated seasons of economic change, industry evolution, and community growth; always grounded in integrity, fiscal responsibility, and a deep belief in community banking. Colleagues describe him as a steady hand and a visionary leader, equally respected for his wisdom in the boardroom and his genuine care for employees and customers alike.

The Louisiana Bankers Association’s Service Award recognizes individuals whose careers have left a lasting mark on the banking industry. In honoring Chairman Joe Pierson, Jr., the Association highlighted his decades of advocacy for community banks, his mentorship of emerging leaders, and his steadfast dedication to ensuring local financial institutions remain strong pillars within their communities.

As he steps away from the Board of Directors, he leaves behind a legacy defined by trust, stability, and service. His influence will continue to be felt in the institution he helped guide and in the countless lives touched along the way.

City Bank and Trust Company extends its deepest gratitude for 53 remarkable years of service and congratulates him on this well-deserved recognition. His retirement marks the end of an era; but his legacy will remain a foundation upon which City Bank continues to build for generations to come.

Students in Mrs. Griffith’s FBLA class at Natchitoches Central High School recently completed their Lucky Bear Service Project, collecting 120 teddy bears to support children receiving care at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.

Through the project, students partnered with the NRMC Foundation’s Lucky Bear Program, which provides stuffed animals to children who visit the hospital’s emergency room. The bears are given to young patients to help provide comfort during what can often be a frightening or stressful experience.

According to the school, the project was made possible through the generosity of community members who sponsored and donated the teddy bears.

School officials said service projects like the Lucky Bear initiative allow FBLA students to apply leadership skills while making a positive impact in the community.