It wasn’t planned this way but Northwestern State basketball fans get a double dose of the home team with a twi-night doubleheader on Mike McConathy Court at Prather Coliseum, beginning today at 4 with the Lady Demons hosting East Texas A&M followed by a 6:30 men’s contest against McNeese.

The women’s contest was postponed during the winter storm last month,  and moved to today during Mardi Gras break at the university and on Presidents’ Day for the country with most government offices, financial institutions and some other businesses closed.

For those unable to get to Prather Coliseum, the doubleheader can be viewed on ESPN+ or fans can listen to it on KZBL 100.7 FM.

Both Northwestern teams are coming off home victories Saturday. The Lady Demons got a 23-point, 17-rebound performance from sophomore Vee Atamah in a 62-47 win over Southeastern before the Demons won their second straight in another down-to-the-final seconds outcome, 69-66 over SLU.

LADY DEMONS:  Northwestern aims for some revenge hitting the home stretch of the season as the teams jockey for positioning for the upcoming Southland Conference Tournament.

The matchup is a big one for both teams, as fifth place NSU and eighth place Nicholls are separated by just a game and a half in the conference standings.

The Lions are in seventh place, a game behind the Lady Demons, and are aiming for the season sweep after winning the first meeting 61-52 in Commerce.

NSU (12-12, 9-7) aims to build on the win over Southeastern, as the Lady Demons play East Texas A&M (12-11, 8-8).

“We’re excited to get back to this game after our last outing in Commerce,” head coach Anna Nimz said. This game will be a different level of intensity. We need to get re-focused and ready to go.”

Saturday against SLU,  Among Atamah’s 23 points were five made 3-pointers, which gives her 69 on the season, moving her into 10th in the program’s single-season made 3-pointers list. Beatrice Attura has the school record with 88 in 2016-17.

NSU had one of its most dominant rebounding efforts in recent years, winning the battle of the boards a whopping 47-19.

East Texas A&M saw its five-game winning streak snapped Saturday against league-leading McNeese, a contest that the Lions led by nine at halftime.

DEMONS:  On a two-game win streak, the Northwestern men (8-18, 6-11) take on a NIL-funded McNeese lineup riding a three-game winning streak, including a dominant 97–54 blowout at East Texas A&M on Saturday.  McNeese (21-5, 14-3) ranks fourth nationally in steals per game (10.5), second in turnover margin (+7.0), and third in forced turnovers per game (16.9).

The Cowboys thrive on converting live-ball turnovers into transition offense — something that cratered NSU in the first meeting, Dec. 5 in Lake Charles, when McNeese won 92–54.

Micah Thomas, Northwestern’s leading scorer, was restricted to just three points in nine minutes, while the Demons shot 35 percent from the field and their starting lineup combined for just five points.

Head coach Rick Cabrera didn’t sugarcoat that performance.

“I’ll be honest,” Cabrera said. “If I knew we were going to play like that, we shouldn’t have shown up and just taken the 2-0 forfeit. They had just come off a loss to Incarnate Word. They changed their lineup, defended extremely well, and scored a ton of points in transition off our turnovers and bad misses.”

Despite that result, Cabrera said he believes this version of his team is different.

“We’re a much better team than we were then,” he said. “I think we could beat any team in this league. Obviously, any team could beat us, but I like our chances versus them on Monday night.”

Thomas scored 26 Saturday against SLU, including the go-ahead free throws with seven seconds left.

A season ago, the Northwestern State baseball team blasted a school single-season record 63 home runs.

That was the good news. The big question was how would the 2026 Demons react to losing players who slugged all but six of those?

Northwestern provided a strong response Sunday afternoon, slugging four home runs en route to a 10-3 victory that clinched a three-game sweep of former Southland Conference rival UT Arlington at Brown-Stroud Field.

The Demons got a two-run, eighth-inning tying home run by newcomer Grant Comeaux and won Friday’s opener 3-2 on a 14^th-inning RBI single from another newbie, Joe Siervo. Saturday, a five-run seventh inning following Thomas Marsala’s sixth-inning two-run homer made the difference in an 8-3 NSU victory.

“It’s a testament to having great players, and it’s a testament to having great coaches and those combinations being willing to put in the work,” third-year head coach Chris Bertand said. “The way (assistant coach and recruiting coordinator) Dylan (Belanger) has built our roster and gotten us what we needed. The way that (assistant coach) Sam (Taylor) and (former assistant coach) Billy (Henley) before him and the rest of the coaching staff puts in the work to be able to develop those players. It speaks to the overall program for what we’re trying to build.”

For the first time all weekend, the Demons (3-0) built an early lead. After fashioning come-from-behind victories in the late innings Friday and Saturday, Northwestern scored first for the first time this season when Sebastian Huerta swatted a two-out solo home run in the second inning off UTA right-hander Dylan Skolfield (0-1).

That swing delivered Huerta’s first career home run and was part of a career-high-tying, three-hit day for the senior catcher.

  Colton Harrison joined Huerta as first-time Northwestern home run hitters in the third inning, launching a high-arcing solo blast to left field that was followed by an opposite-field home run by Thomas Marsala III on the ensuing pitch.

Those three runs were more than enough for Huerta’s batterymate, senior right-hander Trent Hillen.

Hillen tossed five innings of one-run ball, matching his career high with eight strikeouts while scattering three hits. Each of the three Demon starters on the weekend worked at least five innings and did not allow more than two runs.

“I just watched Carter (White) and Dylan (Marionneaux) all weekend just execute pitches,” Hillen said. “That gave me confidence to go out and just do me. We started the first two innings in a tight game. Once we started scoring more, I had to hold them to zeroes. After they hit a solo home run, it was 3-1 at the time. My offense went out and scored runs, and I just had to keep executing pitches.”

The Demons effectively put the game away after Hillen departed, tacking on four runs in the bottom of the fifth.

UTA (0-3) was able to pull within four after scoring single runs in the seventh and eighth innings before the Demons capped their long-ball barrage with another first-time blast.

After a Joe Siervo RBI double, JT Simonelli drove the first pitch he saw from Jacob Gabler over the center-field wall for a two-run home run that capped a six-homer weekend for the Demons.

The Demons return to action Tuesday when they host ULM  at 6 p.m. at Brown-Stroud Field.

Surrounded by family members, elected officials and community leaders, Leland and Gussie Lacaze of Robeline were formally recognized Tuesday as Louisiana’s longest known married couple, celebrating 79 years of marriage.

The recognition followed a statewide search conducted by Louisiana Family Forum, which annually identifies and honors the longest married couples across the state ahead of Valentine’s Day. The Lacazes will mark their 79th wedding anniversary on Feb. 15 and are among 13 couples inducted into the organization’s 2026 Marriage Hall of Fame.

The couple’s story began in May 1945 in the small sawmill town of Flora. Leland, who played guitar with friends on Saturday nights, caught Gussie’s attention during one of those gatherings. Their courtship was soon interrupted when Leland was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II.

For two years, the couple exchanged letters while he was overseas. Before leaving, Leland asked Gussie if she would marry him when he returned. She agreed but declined to marry before his deployment, later explaining she did not want to risk becoming a young widow.

Leland returned home in January 1947. The couple married on Feb. 15, 1947, beginning a union that has now spanned nearly eight decades.

During Tuesday’s ceremony, Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills praised the couple’s faithfulness and commitment, describing their marriage as an example of covenant and devotion for younger generations.

Several state and local leaders attended the event, including representatives from the governor’s office and members of the Louisiana Legislature, who presented proclamations recognizing both the couple’s 79th anniversary and their distinction as the state’s longest married couple.

In addition to their nearly 79 years together, the Lacazes built a large family, including four children, eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Leland, a World War II veteran, also shared reflections on his decades of public service. He worked for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development beginning in 1951 and later with the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury, continuing employment until the age of 92. He also frequently traveled to Baton Rouge over the years to assist local officials in securing funding for parish needs.

As part of the recognition, arrangements were announced for Leland to receive a VIP visit to the National WWII Museumin New Orleans, fulfilling a long-standing wish to tour the museum dedicated to the conflict in which he served.

Also inducted into the 2026 Marriage Hall of Fame were:

Marion and Jean Hess of Metairie — 78 years
Billy and Billie Crooks of Dry Prong — 77 years
Angelo James and Josie Lewis of Shreveport — 75 years
James and Margaret Mohr of Shreveport — 74 years
Harrison and Jeanette Matherne of Raceland — 74 years
Bobby Earl and Pat Hicks of Marion — 74 years
Conrad and Nettie Simoneaux of Lafayette — 73 years
Nettie and Leo Honeycutt of West Monroe — 73 years
Louis and Barbara Rogge of Baton Rouge — 71 years
Mike and Darlene Campagna of Baton Rouge — 70 years

Organizers said the annual recognition highlights marriages that exemplify long-term commitment, faith and family, values they say strengthen communities across Louisiana.

In addition to the ceremony, the couple received multiple official proclamations recognizing their milestone. On behalf of the Louisiana Senate, Senator Alan Seabaugh extended commendations honoring Mr. and Mrs. Leland LaCaze on the occasion of their 79th wedding anniversary and upon being named Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple. The proclamations praised their lifetime of devotion, highlighting their wartime letters, decades of family life and service, and their example of faithfulness and perseverance.

Governor Jeff Landry also issued an official statement, giving special recognition to Leland and Gussie LaCaze on the celebration of 79 years of marriage on behalf of the citizens of the State of Louisiana.

A Northwestern State University student remains hospitalized after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing University Parkway near the Watson Library early Feb. 10.

According to the Natchitoches Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 900 block of University Parkway at 6:57 a.m. in reference to a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.

The department’s initial investigation determined that a 2020 Ford F-150 was traveling east on University Parkway and failed to stop or yield to a pedestrian in the crosswalk near the campus library. Police said the driver remained on scene and was issued a citation.

Family members identified the pedestrian as Sharissa Spears, a current NSU student. According to her family, Spears was crossing the crosswalk after leaving campus to go to work. They said she looked both ways and activated the crosswalk signal before stepping into the roadway.

A relative said Spears remembers little after entering the crosswalk, recalling only waking up in the middle of the road surrounded by bystanders. The family reported that she was struck and thrown approximately 60 feet.

Spears sustained multiple serious injuries, including fractured facial bones, broken ribs, a broken arm and other injuries requiring surgery. She was transported to LSU in Shreveport, where police said she is listed in stable/critical condition. Her family said she is currently recovering in the intensive care unit.

Describing her as careful and responsible, family members said they were compelled to speak out on Feb. 12 when they reached out to the NPJ after learning there had been no public coverage of the incident in the days following the crash. They hope sharing her story will raise awareness about pedestrian safety near campus crosswalks.

In a statement, the Natchitoches Police Department reminded motorists of Louisiana law regarding crosswalks. State law requires drivers approaching a yield sign to slow to a reasonable speed or stop if necessary before entering a crosswalk and to yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian legally crossing the roadway.

Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a two-vehicle crash on Feb. 12 around 1:39 pm on I-49 near Mile Post 140.  The crash claimed the life of 25-year-old Dejuan D. Dickerson of Highland Park, MI.

The initial investigation revealed that a 2025 Freightliner was stopped on the southbound shoulder of I-49. The driver (pedestrian) of the Freightliner was attempting to change a flat tire on the vehicle. For reasons still under investigation, a southbound 2023 Freightliner drifted onto the southbound shoulder, struck the left side of the 2025 Freightliner and impacted the pedestrian.   

Dickerson sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. The driver of the 2023 Freightliner, who was restrained, sustained minor injuries. Routine toxicology sample were obtained and submitted for analysis. Charges are pending. 

While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, distracted and inattentive driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in our state.  Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to stay alert while driving.  A lapse in one’s awareness can have deadly consequences.

Original:

Traffic was disrupted Thursday afternoon after a reported accident involving 18-wheelers on Interstate 49.

A NPJ reader submitted a news tip reporting a fire on I-49 on Feb. 12 around 1:50 pm. According to the tip, the on-ramp heading north toward Shreveport was blocked off and both lanes of traffic were closed.

The reader also indicated that it appeared as though two 18-wheelers were on fire.

Officials had not released confirmed details about the cause of the fire or the extent of any injuries as of press time. No further information is available at this time.

Natchitoches Police Department officers were dispatched to the 200 block of North Street on Feb. 11 around 6:55 pm in reference to a concerned citizen reporting suspicious activity in the area.  Upon officers’ arrival they were able to locate two juveniles that fit the description provided by the complainant.  While speaking with the two juveniles’ officers located several pieces of property that were reported stolen during a vehicle burglary.

The two juveniles were placed under arrest and transported to the Natchitoches Police Department where they were read their Miranda Rights in the presence of their guardians.  The juveniles are charged with Simple Burglary and were brought to a juvenile detention center in Jackson Parish.

Dorothy Hewitt was also arrested for Improper Supervision of a Juvenile.

If you would like to report suspicious activity or if you have additional information in regards to this investigation please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101.  Remember all information given shall remain confidential.  

How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:

You can also report a tip anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smart phone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388.  All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $5,000 for the arrest of an offender.

Catholic churches across Natchitoches Parish will begin operating under a new structure July 1, 2026, as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alexandria implements its “Together as One Church” pastoral plan.

In a Dec. 3 letter to parishioners, Robert W. Marshall Jr. announced the completion of the nearly two-year planning process. The first visible step will come June 1, 2026, when new clergy assignments are announced. From that point, pastors will have up to one year to carry out the required adjustments in their parishes.

For many rural congregations in Natchitoches Parish, the changes will mean new leadership structures, possible Mass schedule adjustments and, in some cases, the closing or merging of long-standing churches.

What is changing in Natchitoches Parish

According to diocesan documents, three churches in the parish are scheduled to close within one year of implementation:

Holy Family Chapel, Monet Ferry in Cloutierville
Holy Rosary Chapel, Emmanuel in Lena
St. Joseph Chapel in Trichel

St. Mary Margaret Chapel in Gorum

St. Francis of Assisi Church in Powhatan will be suppressed and amalgamated into St. Anthony of Padua Church in Natchitoches. In practical terms, that means St. Francis will no longer exist as its own parish. Its members, sacramental records, assets and territory will become part of St. Anthony of Padua.

Several churches will remain open but will share pastors or operate as missions:

St. Augustine Church in Natchez and St. John the Baptist Church in Cloutierville will operate in a shared pastorate.

Our Lady of Rosary Chapel in Black Lake will remain a mission served by Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Campti.

St. Anne Church in Spanish Lake will remain a mission served by St. Anthony of Padua in Natchitoches.

St. Anne Chapel in Old River will remain available as a worship site with occasional liturgies determined by the pastoral team.

Larger parishes such as the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Natchitoches, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Campti and St. Anthony of Padua in Natchitoches will continue with resident pastors.

What “closing,” “amalgamating,” and “suppressing” mean

Diocesan leaders emphasized that these terms have specific meanings in church law but may feel very personal to parishioners.

A closure means the church building will no longer be used regularly for Mass or parish activities. The final decision about what happens to the building — whether it becomes a chapel used occasionally, is sold, repurposed or demolished — will be made following church procedures.

Suppression means a parish’s legal identity within the Church is extinguished. The parish no longer exists as its own entity, and its territory becomes part of another parish.

Amalgamation is a merger. One parish remains active while another is suppressed and folded into it. Assets, debts and sacramental records transfer to the receiving parish.

Diocesan officials stressed that baptisms, marriages, confirmations and other sacraments remain fully valid. Parish records — including baptismal and marriage registers and cemetery documents — will be transferred to the designated parish and remain accessible for certified copies and genealogical requests.

What a shared pastor means

In shared pastorates, one priest or pastoral team oversees more than one parish. Each parish keeps its own finance and pastoral councils, bank accounts and sacramental records. However, Mass schedules may be coordinated so the priest can travel between churches.

Priest salaries, benefits and living expenses are shared among the participating parishes, and the pastor typically resides at one rectory.

For parishioners, this could mean changes in Mass times, fewer weekend Masses in some locations or combined liturgies intended to create fuller congregations. Ministries such as religious education, OCIA and adult faith formation may be combined or expanded through collaboration with neighboring parishes.

Why the changes are happening

The diocese cited several factors behind the restructuring, including declining population and Mass attendance in some areas, a shortage of priests, financial challenges and the cost of maintaining multiple facilities within small geographic areas.

Bishop Marshall acknowledged in his letter that the changes may be especially difficult for families in rural communities, where churches often serve as both places of worship and community gathering spaces.

For some parishioners, the plan could mean driving farther for Sunday Mass, attending services at a different church or watching a familiar church building close its doors. At the same time, diocesan leaders say the goal is to strengthen parish life, ensure long-term sustainability and maintain vibrant sacramental life and pastoral care.

Sacred items such as altars, tabernacles, chalices, statues and relics will be handled with reverence and may be transferred to other churches. Cemeteries associated with suppressed or closed parishes will continue to be maintained by the receiving parish, and perpetual care funds must remain dedicated to their intended purpose.

As July 1 approaches, parishioners can expect continued communication from pastors and diocesan leadership outlining timelines and local details. While the structure of some parishes will change, diocesan officials emphasized that the mission of the Church — worship, sacraments and service — will continue in every community.

Patsy Ward Hoover-Mayor of Natchez-Incumbent

Monique Sarpy-Mayor of Natchez

John Groce-Alderman Natchez

Shelia Johnson-Alderman Natchez

Alvin Murray- Alderman Natchez

Michael Gillie-Chief of Police

The Natchitoches Historic District shines a bit brighter today as the third in a series of five art pieces was unveiled at the Susan Harling Robinson Memorial Park Thursday, February 12. The series, titled “Natchitoches in Bloom”, is intended to celebrate Natchitoches’ history and culture with sculptures of flowers significant to the region. The sculpture unveiled today is of a Magnolia and is a tribute to the iconic Natchitoches movie “Steel Magnolias” and its protagonist Susan Harling Robinson. The piece is a collaboration between NSU Associate Professor of Art Corbin Covher and 2016 NSU alumna and Louisiana Christian University Asst Professor Hannah Fulton.

Professor Covher said of the project: “I want to help create a set of sculptures that tell the story of our city better than what one type of flower could say. The sculptures will all belong to the series, but instead of one repetitive sculpture, each flower will be one of a kind and add to the narrative of Natchitoches,” LCU Professor Fulton stated that she drew inspiration for her painting of the sculpture from the stained glass windows of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

The Natchitoches in Bloom public art project was created by the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission and the Cane River National Heritage Area. 

The Natchitoches Parish School Board approved the district’s school calendar for the 2026-2027 school year on Feb. 10.

The calendar, which was developed with input from district staff, follows guidelines set by the Louisiana Department of Education.

Lydia Rachal, a young girl whose fight with a rare terminal genetic disorder has drawn widespread community support, has been chosen as the Diocese of Alexandria’s Catholic Daughter of the Year for the 2026 CDA Kid State Project, according to a social media post mad eon Feb. 11 by her mother.

Lydia’s story has resonated throughout Natchitoches and surrounding parishes as friends, neighbors and local organizations have rallied to support her and her family in their efforts to seek life-saving treatment. The campaign to help Lydia, who was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome, has included fundraisers such as a Fun Run at Northwestern State University’s campus that drew more than 400 participants and raised significant funds to help the family work toward clinical trial treatment options.

In addition to local runs, concerts and community events designed to raise awareness and funding for Lydia’s care, Gov. Jeff Landry proclaimed December as Sanfilippo Awareness Month to encourage greater awareness of the disease and the needs of affected families.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas program, which bestows the Catholic Daughter of the Year recognition as part of its CDA Kid initiative, brings additional statewide attention to Lydia’s courage and the community’s support efforts.

Community leaders and residents continue to show support through fundraising, awareness and advocacy as Lydia’s journey inspires efforts across the region.

Northwestern State University’s club powerlifting team will begin its first season of competition Saturday, Feb. 21 at the USA Powerlifting Capital City Classic in Baton Rouge.

Representing NSU will be freshmen Ja’Leigha Gray of Plaquemine and Keith Wade of Belle Rose.

“I am excited to continue my journey in powerlifting and can’t wait for the upcoming challenge of this competition,” said Gray.

Wade said he is taking part in powerlifting because “wanted to get stronger and build connections with fellow lifters.”

Other members on the team are Ayana Taylor and Breanne Jones of Shreveport, Passion Lemelle of Ville Platte and Rubin Seastrunk and Tyrein Richardson of Alexandria. Jones will be a handler for the lifters at this competition. Taylor is team manager and will assist with meet logistics.

USA Powerlifting, established in 1981 as the American Drug Free Powerlifting Association, Inc, is the leading drug-tested powerlifting organization in the United States.

Distinct from weightlifting, a sport made up of two lifts: the snatch and the clean-and-jerk, where the weight is lifted above the head. Powerlifting includes three lifts: the squat, bench press and deadlift. Powerlifting competitions may include one, two or all three of the lifting disciplines.
Gray sees added benefits from taking part in powerlifting.

“I started powerlifting to teach myself resilience and do the unexpected,” said Gray. “I also love this sport.”

For more information or to join the NSU Powerlifting Team, contact Head Coach Maya Lucas at lucasma@nsula.edu.

Club sports are student-run organizations that bring together students with a shared interest in athletics. Competing with other colleges and clubs across the region, these teams offer a competitive outlet without the full-time commitment of NCAA sports. NSU offers 11 club sports. For more information, contact Coordinator of Competitive sports Courtney Chancellor at chancellorc@nsula.eduor go to
https://www.nsula.edu/wellness-and-recreation/wrac/

At 6:30 p.m. tonight, the first base dugout at Brown-Stroud Field will be shared by a full group of Northwestern State Demons, not a split squad, for the first time since last May.

Northwestern opens its 2026 baseball season hosting former Southland Conference rival UT Arlington tonight in the first of a three-game series that also includes a 6:30 p.m. Saturday matchup and a 2 p.m. Sunday series finale. Friday’s and Sunday’s games will air on ESPN+.

“The intrasquad portion has run its course, and now it’s time to go compete as one team and as one family in one dugout against someone else,” third-year head coach Chris Bertrand said. “It’s hard to contain the level of excitement – not only in playing but in opening up at home in front of our fans and continuing to build the baseball program one step at a time, one year at a time. We feel like we have some great momentum going.”

A season after improving their win total by 13 games, the Demons are seeking balance.

Northwestern much replace much of its everyday lineup, but the Demons return a heavy portion of their pitching staff – a group that includes three pitchers (Carter White, Dylan Marionneaux and Chase Prestwich) who own multiple Friday-night starts in their careers.

White (4-1, 2.65 in 2025) emerged as the Demons’ series-opening starter late in the season while Marionneaux (4-4, 5.01) opened 2025 as the Demons’ top starter and Hillen (7-1, 5.54) solidified the back end of the weekend rotation, sharing the team lead with 14 starts.

“We want to take advantage of the strengths of the personnel and strike a balance where you can,” Bertrand said. “That balance is the level of experience of starting on the weekends. We couldn’t be any more excited about those three guys. We’re obviously excited to have Carter White back after the way he rehabbed and developed in the fall. We’re excited to have Slim (Marionneaux) and Trent back with the level of experience they bring to the table. We’re excited to write those three names on those three lineup cards, because it gives us a chance to go out and compete and win ballgames.”

The weekend rotation is part of a pitching staff that returns 74.4 percent of its innings from a season ago.

The Demon position player group, however, will have numerous new faces.

Second baseman Hudson Brignac is the lone holdover who started more than 35 games a season ago. Junior right fielder Colin Rains reached that number while catchers Mason Wray (26) and Sebastian Huerta (21) cracked the 20-start mark.

Northwestern’s newcomer class featured a pair of transfers from NCAA regional participant Western Kentucky – first baseman/outfielder Thomas Marsala III and outfielder Joe Siervo – and two other Division I transfers. In addition to the former Hilltoppers, the Demons added shortstop Sam Ardoin from UL Lafayette and infielder Grant Comeaux from Louisiana Tech.

“Every offseason, when you go through your self-evaluation phase and you go into the roster-construction phase, you ask, ‘What is it we need?’” Bertrand said. “How do we strike a balance, and what does that balance look like? Whether that balance becomes position players and pitchers or freshman and seniors or right-handed and left-handed, everything we do, we try to strike that balance.

“Our coaching staff has done a wonderful job of building this team and developing and preparing this team in a manner where we feel there is balance.”

The Mavericks enter their second year under skipper Mike Trapasso coming off a 21-33 mark a season ago.

By Reba Phelps

The month of December always comes and goes like a huge wrecking ball leaving behind a path of destruction shaped like fatigue and overeating. By the time New Year’s Eve makes her delicate entrance, I am more than ready to ring in the year with my pajamas and snacks while watching the wildly expensive crystal ball drop in Times Square.

While it has been a cozy tradition for the past few years, I truly wanted 2026 to be completely different as I am quickly becoming a lady who is set in her ways and somewhat predictable. I also wanted to be more intentional about the time I was spending seeking a deeper relationship with the Lord. My spiritual life was beginning to feel like it was on autopilot and needed a recharge. A few days before New Year’s Eve I made a post on social media asking what churches were having services to ring in the year. It wasn’t long before my timeline was flooded with church service information. I was completely overwhelmed with the sincerest invitations to worship with friends that I simply couldn’t narrow it down to just one service.

Being the overachieving optimist that I am, I narrowed it down to two services. One was earlier in the evening and one that started a little later.

On an invitation from my high school friend, Patrice Harper, my first New Year’s Eve church service began on Black Lake at the beautifully quaint and historic Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church on Pardee Road. Having misjudged my leave time, I was slightly tardy for the pre-church visiting with church members, but when I entered the church, I could feel the warmth and love from the small congregation of familiar faces. The Priest’s homily was beautifully worded and full of peace. As soon as the service concluded I was introduced and welcomed by every single church member in the building, including the Priest.

As I was leaving, I was feeling so blessed having been able to attend a service with high school friends and their parents. But I also knew there was something special about this church and its radiant, luminous stained-glass windows that reflected the love of Jesus from the inside out.

The church’s origins date all the way back to 1860 and was established as a missionary church. The church was also a Catholic School where most of the elders of the Black Lake community attended as children. Nuns educated the children through the 8th grade in the small one room church-schoolhouse. The cinderblock building that stands today was built around 1945 by brick mason, Bill Trichel, who is the grandfather of Patrice. The stunning kaleidoscopic stained-glass windows were installed around twenty-five years ago with an update about six years ago. While the building is small, the hearts of the congregation and history are as big as any cathedral in a much larger city.

Are you seeking Jesus? Is something missing in your life? Our hearts will always have a Jesus shaped hole in them that only he can fill. Our Parish is full of spectacular churches that have dedicated church members who are always open to visitors. There is a pew or chair waiting on the seekers. Seek and you will find, let 2026 be the year you find your church family.

“And I tell you, ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” – Luke 11:19

Follow along next week as I share the second church I visited on New Year’s Eve!

Reba Phelps jreba.phelps@gmail.com

The City of Natchitoches announces that construction will begin during the week of Feb. 16 on the segment of St. Maurice Lane from Williams Avenue to East Fifth Street.

This work will involve the construction of a new cement-treated base course, along with isolated asphalt pavement patching, followed by placement of new asphaltic concrete surfacing.

During the base reconstruction operation, this section of St. Maurice Lane will be CLOSED  to through traffic, but access to adjacent residences will be maintained to the extent possible.

The base reconstruction work is expected to be completed by Friday, Feb. 20, with the subsequent placement of the new asphaltic concrete surfacing anticipated during the week of Feb. 23.  Two-way, one-lane traffic will be maintained during the paving operation.

This pavement rehabilitation work is being partially funded by a special appropriation from the Louisiana Legislature during its 2025 regular session.  The contractor is Regional Construction, LLC, of Natchitoches.

Questions may be directed to the City Engineer at (318) 357-3877.

A retired FBI special agent and former member of the FBI’s national Art Crime Team will be the featured speaker at the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches membership luncheon on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Mariner’s Lakefront Restaurant. Tickets are $45 per person. Reservations are required by Feb. 10 and may be made by contacting Gayle Howell at (318) 332-9341 or by mailing payment to P.O. Box 2248, Natchitoches, LA 71457.

Randolph “Randy” Deaton IV will present “Legacy at Risk: The Art of Louisiana Folk Artist Clementine Hunter and the Vulnerability to Fraud and Forgery.” The presentation will explore issues surrounding art fraud and the protection of cultural heritage.

Deaton currently serves as security officer at BOM Bank. He retired from the FBI after 26 years of service, during which he held assignments in New York, New Orleans and Washington, D.C. His investigative work included cases involving white collar crime, violent crime, national security matters, internal bank fraud and money laundering.

In 2016, Deaton was selected to serve on the FBI’s national Art Crime Team, where he conducted investigations involving art, antiquities and cultural property. From August 2021 to February 2023, he served as Program Manager and Supervisory Special Agent of the FBI Art Crime Program and national Art Crime Team. He also worked with international partners and participated in interagency efforts focused on the investigation and preservation of cultural heritage.

A Louisiana native, Deaton is a 1993 graduate of LSU in Baton Rouge, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in quantitative business analysis and computer science.

Paid Content

The Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) is investing in long-term facility improvements with a multi-phase flooring renewal project beginning this week. Starting Friday, Feb. 13, the Main Branch’s Children’s Department on the first floor will be temporarily closed through Friday, Feb. 27, with normal operations resuming Saturday, Feb. 28. This initial phase addresses existing worn high-traffic flooring with durable, long-lasting carpet and tile that will serve patrons for years to come.

During the renovation, NPL is ensuring families maintain full access to children’s resources through multiple convenient alternatives. Physical juvenile materials remain available at the Northeast Branch in Campti and through NPL’s Mobile Branch services. Families are encouraged to check out desired materials from the Main Branch Children’s Department before 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12. The library’s extensive digital collection offers immediate access to thousands of age-appropriate titles through the free Hoopla and Libby apps, including movies, TV shows, music, eBooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, PBS Kids, The Highlights Collection, and more—all accessible from home with a library card.

All children’s programming, classes, and events will continue as scheduled without interruption. After-school tutoring for grades K-8 will continue on the second floor from 2:30-5:30 p.m. in 30-minute time slots. While walk-ins are welcome, families are encouraged to pre-register to ensure service availability. The Main Branch’s first-floor entrance will remain open for elevator and stair access to second-floor services; however, it is expected that the first-floor entrance will be inaccessible for a short period for one day. The building’s second-floor entrance on Second Street will remain open throughout the work. All other library programs and events are not expected to be affected. Patrons should follow NPL’s social media channels for real-time updates.

“We appreciate our community’s patience as we make these important improvements to better serve the people of our parish for years to come,” said NPL Deputy Director Alan Niette. “We have worked to ensure this project minimizes disruption while maintaining the free access to learning resources families depend on.”

For more information, visit natlib.org or contact Alan Niette at 318-238-9236 or alan@natlib.org.

Tina Lynn Rachal was born in Natchitoches, LA on September 15, 1967 to R. G. and Krystyna Horton.  She was a 1985 Natchitoches Central graduate. She also graduated from Natchitoches Technical College in medical transcription.

She had many jobs in the medical field. She worked at the Natchitoches Manor Nursing Home as a ward clerk, at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center as a medical transcriptionist, and then worked from home as a medical transcriptionist for different hospitals nationwide. She was the owner of Plantation Treasures on Front Street and the laced spiral staircase behind the store.  She loved to meet different people from all over the world who would come to visit Natchitoches and come into the store.  She loved the Lord and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone who would listen, which has led some people to salvation. She loved to camp and swim in Kisatchie Creek as a child. She loved the beach and the ocean waves. She loved her pets and hummingbirds.

She was preceded in death by her dad, R. G. Horton.  She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Sebastian Rachal; her mom, Krystyna Horton; and her brother, Donald Horton; her brother-in-law, Reuben Rachal and sister-in-law, Christine Rachal; nieces and nephews, Dewayne, James, Crystal, Austin, Tristen, and Aaron.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Donald Horton, Austin Horton, Tristen Horton, Aaron Poche, Dewayne Rachal, James Rachal, Ryan Rachal, and Cooper Rachal.

Funeral services for Tina will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 10 AM at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with Bro. Larry Vaughn officiating.  Burial will follow at Weaver Cemetery in Flora, LA.  The family will receive friends for a visitation at the funeral home on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 5pm until 7pm.