The Natchitoches Parish Council elected new leadership, heard a public safety presentation, and advanced multiple ordinances, resolutions, and budget-related items during its Jan. 29 meeting.

During the opening portion of the meeting, the council conducted its annual election of officers. Marty Cheatwood was elected chairman of the Natchitoches Parish Council, followed by the election of Mark Kerry as vice chairman.

Following the election of officers, the council received a special presentation from a fire official regarding Operation Save a Life, a statewide fire prevention initiative that provides free smoke detectors and installation services to residents. The program is designed to reduce residential fire fatalities through proper smoke detector placement, education, and in-home safety assessments, particularly for seniors, low-income households, and residents with disabilities. Fire districts throughout Natchitoches Parish participate in the program, which also promotes broader community risk reduction efforts.

The council approved amendments to the meeting agenda to include consideration of a resolution authorizing the parish president to apply for a U.S. Department of Transportation grant in calendar year 2026, as well as the introduction of an ordinance to add Levi Taylor Road back into the parish road system.

Reports were then received from parish administration and department heads including a brief update on parish operations and the recent emergency response efforts and ongoing recovery work following weather-related events. Sharon Harris, executive director of OCS, presented her December report and noted the completion of a year-end summary covering services provided throughout 2025. Julie Lockhart, parish treasurer, reviewed financial reports, budget amendments, and resolutions scheduled for council consideration, including matters related to road funding, fire district appropriations, audit compliance, and grant applications.

The council also considered reappointments to several boards and commissions, including positions on Natchitoches Parish Fire Districts 4 (William E. Dowden IV), 7 (Christopher Lewis), and 8 (Tommy Morrison and Justin Martin), as well as the Natchitoches Parish Planning and Zoning Board (Elvin L. Shields).

New business included the introduction of Ordinance 001-2026 to add 126 feet to Ucie Vascocu Road and Ordinance 002-2026 related to a 2026 budget amendment for Fund 209 Blanchard Road and Fund 243 Clark Road. A public hearing and action item were listed for Ordinance 024-2025, which proposes removing 26,755 feet of Red Rock Road from the parish road system.

The council’s agenda also included several resolutions addressing election polling place changes, grant applications for road maintenance equipment, authorization of audit compliance documents, and agreements with parish fire districts related to Act 461 appropriations.

Additional agenda items involved approval of amended and proposed budgets for the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission and authorization for the parish president to award roadway rehabilitation and reconstruction bids for Blanchard Road ($429,045.43 to Apeck Construction, LLC), Clark Road ($498,884.00 to Regional Construction, LLC), and Lateral Lane ($938,988.70 to Regional Construction, LLC).

Marthaville Elementary/Jr. High School recently held its 5th Grade D.A.R.E. Graduation, recognizing students who completed the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

The Service League of Natchitoches will host Reading on the River, an annual community literacy event promoting the importance and enjoyment of reading outside of the classroom, on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The event will take place on the Natchitoches Riverbank from 10am-2pm.

The free, fun event for pre-K to 5th grade children includes reading-related activities, games, and music for children and families. Each child who attends will be able to take home at least one free new or used book. In past years, Reading on the River has distributed over 1,000 books to local children to promote literacy and education.

“Reading on the River is about meeting children where they are and showing them that books can be exciting, engaging, and full of possibility,” said Savannah Williams, Service League President. “Early exposure to reading is critical, and this event allows us to support literacy in a meaningful, hands-on way.”

Applications are now open for vendors to participate. There is no cost for participation, and each vendor is responsible for their own tent/booth space, table, chairs, and decorations. Each vendor should select a theme of their choice, whether centered around a popular children’s book or organization specific.

Vendors should provide at least one activity for attendees, such as storytelling, a small craft activity, or a coloring sheet.

This event is supported by Cane River National Heritage Area and the Natchitoches Parish Early Childhood Network.

If you or your organization is interested in serving as a vendor or supporting Reading on the River, please contact Jessica Mullican at jessica@canerivernha.org or 318-356-5555.

In a matchup of two of the best defenses in the Southland Conference, once again it was the Northwestern State women’s basketball team that stood the tallest.

Northwestern (10-9, 7-4) held visiting Nicholls (10-9, 6-6) to just 31.5 percent shooting and allowed the Colonels just 10 points in the final period, as the Lady Demons took home a 57-47 victory on Thursday evening at Prather Coliseum to complete a season sweep of the Colonels.

“I am really proud of them,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “I thought they showed a lot of intelligence down the stretch. A lot of individual players came up with a lot of big plays. Carla (Celaya) had 10 rebounds for us. Clarence (Djuela) had big baskets early in the fourth. Both of them played tremendous defense as well.

“Vee Atamah had 16 points in 15 minutes, which showed maturity on her part to come in and out and just sit a majority of the game (due to foul trouble). There were a lot of positives to take from this game, but we have to stop throwing the ball away.”

The Demons remained perfect (10-0) when holding their opponent to less than 60 points.

While the defense earned most of the credit, and rightfully so, the offense stepped up in a big way in the fourth.

Atamah came through when the team needed her the most.

Picking up her fourth foul early in the fourth, she was forced to sit until 4:09 to play with the Demons clinging to a 45-42 lead.

Ahead 45-44, Atamah scored seven straight to push a one-point lead to 52-47, highlighted by a left-wing triple with 3:05 left to put the Demons up 48-44.

She scored nine of her team-high 16 points in the final 4:09, lifting up an offense that had just scored 10 points in the first 16 minutes of the second half.

While Atamah closed out the win, Clarence Djuela kept Northwestern afloat early in the period after Atamah picked up her fourth foul.

A 13-0 run spanning the third and fourth quarters by Nicholls tied the score at 39-39 early in the fourth before Djuela scored on two nifty turnaround hook shots to give the Demons a lead they never relinquished.

“In the moment, I didn’t even realize how much my shots got us going,” Djuela said. “I just had come back from a poor third quarter and I was pretty frustrated with myself that I was not connecting on my shots at the rim. But Coach told me to go out there and do your thing and the shots will fall.”

With Atamah missing most of the first half, Nya Valentine (13 points) and Tiara Abron (14) picked up the slack.

In the final 10 minutes, Northwestern took over, outscoring Nicholls 18-10 including12-3 in the final 3:05.

“This game was really important,” Celaya said, after her fourth double digit rebounding game in the last eight. “In past games, we were lacking toughness. Today, it was an important game to be tough and together. There were times we didn’t handle their runs, but we fixed it and showed we can be tougher than the other team. Together, we achieved everything.”

The Lady Demons hit the road for three in a row, starting Saturday against New Orleans. NSU then travels to Lamar (Feb. 5) and East Texas A&M (Feb. 7) before coming home for five in a row, starting with hosting league-leading McNeese on Feb. 12.

The Northwestern men also visit UNO Saturday and host Nicholls Monday night in Prather Coliseum.

This winter blast has created thousands of hassles, headaches, backaches and even some scary or dangerous situations here and right over there. It’s curtailed sports schedules, especially at the high school level.

Don’t want a team on a bus on dicey roads.

But sometimes the weather develops faster than expected, or totally unexpectedly. That’s when the MVP of your team has a different type uniform. The bus company’s driver uniform.

You might have seen the photo of an LSU bus – fortunately, not with the Tigers basketball team on it – stuck sideways on a mountain hillside near Fayetteville Monday.

Could have been worse, except for the driver.

Guys (and ladies) like J.D., Lenny and his son Nathan, Eric, Rodney, Bill, Barry, Charley, Oris, John, Miss Suzanne. Mike, who you’ll hear from. Tim, who you’ll hear about.

It’s the fairly non-descript group who drive team buses.

Some are task-oriented, and don’t talk while driving. Some are friendly, some are chatterboxes. Most bond in their own way with the coaches, staff and players, especially if they are regular travel partners.

Some are characters. Bill, past Medicare age but still energetic, unwittingly entertained by balancing huge portions of food on his fork. He wore big & tall clothes. He cleaned every plate. Didn’t spill anything. Had the belt size to prove it.

Many years earlier, Bill drove for the Arkansas Razorbacks basketball powerhouse way back when Eddie Sutton was calling the Hogs. Sutton ended his career at Oklahoma State, and Mike McConathy’s Northwestern teams played an annual paycheck game in Stillwater for several years. Once, Bill was the Demons’ driver. He was delighted because of his past history with Sutton.

This was not the 2005 game when Northwestern ended the Cowboys’ 108-game home win streak against non-conference opponents at Gallagher-Iba Arena. This was 2-3 years earlier, when Okie State blew out the visitors from Natchitoches. The coaches were still cordial in the postgame handshake line, which included everybody on the benches, from assistants to graduate assistants, student managers, and players, led by the head coaches.

And bringing up the rear, this one time, Bill. Seated a couple rows behind the Demons’ bench, in full bus driver uniform, he joined the end of the handshake line just in time to meet Sutton and lock onto his left arm while enthusiastically shaking the coach’s right hand. Doubt Eddie Sutton was ever more puzzled in a postgame handshake. He obviously didn’t remember Bill from more than 30 years ago. His expression was borderline panic until a hustling staff member interrupted.

Barry was a favorite personality,although he had a heavy foot, not only in big-city traffic, but most any time a few vehicles were in range. He quickly earned the nickname “Barry Brakes.”

But he got the Demons home through some pretty dodgy weather many a trip.

High school coaches used to be their team bus drivers. Everybody had a commercial drivers’ license.

“Not as much nowadays, but for a long time, if you didn’t drive a bus, you weren’t going to be a coach,” said McConathy, who played at Airline, always planned on being a coach while starring at Louisiana Tech, and began the Lady Vikings basketball program as their coach/driver. He drove Bossier Parish Community College teams all 16 years he was coaching the Cavaliers – not just his team, but occasionally, others, too.

There are still places, mostly smaller schools, where coach is also the bus driver.

But over the past 20-30 years, that role generally is filled by the pros.

That brings up Tim. Tim Henderson. He is the regular driver for the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters. This week, he’s their hero. He helped them through 18 hours stopped on Interstate 20, in a miles-long jam, about just five miles from home. You can read about their ordeal in today’s Lincoln Parish Journal, with Malcolm Butler providing an inside account.

McConathy doesn’t make bus trips any more. But the retired coach and erstwhile bus driver remembers countless experiences and like every coach of every team at any level, admires those “bussies” who truly keep it between the ditches when that’s not easy.

Maybe his most frightening passenger experience was traveling back from Conway, Ark., as a snow and ice storm surprised forecasters.

“We drove into town, played the game – and the weather was getting so bad that nobody other than those who had to be there were in the gym – and headed home.

“Coming around a curve on the interstate loop in Little Rock — we weren’t going more than 25-30 mph — we were crossing a bridge and the bus started to slide. For a couple seconds, you didn’t know … fortunately the bridge was at a slight uphill angle from right lane to left, there wasn’t any other vehicle in the left lane, and it was a short bridge. We weren’t going very fast at all, but after that, it was a long time and a lotta miles down the road before we got over 20 mph.

“Another time, coming back from a game at Arkansas, it was cold, cold, and the defroster wasn’t working. We had to get coaches with towels to wipe the windshield so our driver could see the road, or we were gonna be sitting alongside it waiting for a long time for better weather.

“The thing that amazes me still is on all of those trips, with snow and ice or really bad storms, you never saw panic in their eyes, or at least they never let on if they were the least bit jumpy. They just drove. You felt confident because they were. You felt cared for. You felt safe.”

Thanks to people like J.D., Charles, John, Miss Suzanne, Barry Brakes — and Tim, this week’s hero in the 318 AC team bus universe..

The Northwestern State Lady Demons opened their home schedule Thursday with a gritty 5–2 victory over Jackson State at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex, highlighted by a pivotal comeback performance from Maria Farina that helped secure the team’s second win of the season.

“It was a very tough match,” head coach Marcos Morelli said. “Jackson State made it hard on every court, especially in singles. I’m proud of our girls for staying composed and pulling through.”

Northwestern (2–1) set the tone early, claiming the doubles point, winning two of the three matches.

“Winning the doubles point is always huge,” Morelli said. “I was pleased with the process on all three courts. That early momentum matters in matches like this.”

Singles play turned into a back-and-forth battle, with NSU striking first.

Freshman Paulina Grigoriadou delivered a dominant performance at the No. 3 position, winning 6–1, 6–0 to push the Lady Demons’ lead to 2–0.

Pika Doberlet extended the advantage shortly after, earning a 6–3, 6–2, straight-sets victory to make it 3–0.

JSU (0-3) responded at the No. 5 position to get within 3-1.

With the match tightening, Marina Farina delivered one of the defining moments of the afternoon at No. 2 singles. After falling behind 4-1 in the second set, the junior stayed composed and rallied to close out a 6–4, 7–5 victory, clinching the match for NSU.

“It was crucial,” Morelli said. “Jackson State had momentum on several courts. Maria stayed calm, cruised through the storm, and found a way to finish. That experience really showed.”

The match featured key contributions from NSU’s freshmen, opening and closing the day with wins.

“We’re very pleased with our freshmen,” Morelli said. “Athina (Grigoriadou), Martina (Acebedo Bonocore), and Lija (Mumlek) fight hard, they listen, and they’re getting better. It’s not a coincidence that the first win and the last win came from those two.”

The victory came in the Lady Demons’ first match at home this season.

“It’s exciting for the girls to feel the support of our community and get their first win on our courts,” Morelli said. “That matters.”

The Lady Demons head to Denton, Texas, to face North Texas on Sunday.

St. Mary’s Catholic School is now accepting applications for a Cafeteria Technician. This position involves assisting with daily food preparation, serving students, and maintaining a clean, safe cafeteria environment. Applicants must be able to pass a background check.

For more details or to apply, contact Joanne Roque at 318-352-3125.

Please join BOM Bank in congratulating Katrice Below on her promotion to Senior Vice President. Katrice has over 25 years of banking experience, building her career in relationship management and commercial and consumer lending. Her passion for people and her commitment to excellence have made her an incredible leader within our BOM family.

“Throughout my career, I’ve made it a priority to grow both personally and professionally,” Below said.

Below is a graduate of the LSU Graduate School of Banking, LBA Leadership School, Leadership Natchitoches, and the Bankers on Leaders of Tomorrow program. Most recently, she was grateful to have been recognized with the Louisiana Bankers Association’s Young Bankers Impact Award (2022), Burt Clark Foundation Community Engagement Award (2023), and the Women of Excellence Visionaries Award (2025)—achievements that reflect the guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support of her colleagues, mentors, and community.

“I have always had a passion for serving others, and I am humbled by every opportunity to help individuals, families, and businesses reach their goals,” she shared.

Outside of work, Katrice enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, family, and friends. She loves traveling and exploring new places—and carries that same sense of curiosity and drive into everything she does.

We are so grateful to have such an amazing woman helping lead and shape the future of BOM Bank!

The Natchitoches City Council introduced multiple ordinances, and held extended discussions on long-running property code enforcement issues during its Jan. 28 meeting.

Following approval of prior agenda items, the council welcomed special guest Carolyn Beaudion, who presented plans for Ambriar Youth Oasis, a home-based stabilization program for boys ages 10-12 in Natchitoches Parish. Boudoin explained that the program was designed to focus on early intervention, trauma stabilization, and prevention at a critical developmental stage. She said the program aimed to reduce youth involvement in the Juvenile Justice system and provide additional placement options for the Department of Children and Family Services.

Beaudion told council members she had more than 20 years of experience working with children and currently works with girls through an existing program in the city. She said the boys’ home would initially serve 8-10 youths for stays of up to six months, depending on need and available space. Council members asked clarifying questions about capacity, location, and program structure before thanking her for the presentation.

The council then adopted a final ordinance authorizing the mayor to award a bid for Christmas lighting supplies in the amount of $9,411, noting the purchase was part of routine maintenance to replace aging decorations used throughout the city.

Several ordinances were taken from the table and reintroduced after previous delays related to administrative issues. The council introduced Ordinance No. 001 of 2026, authorizing the mayor to execute a three-year agricultural lease for city-owned property. The lease, awarded to Russell and Mary Edith Stacy Farms, covered tracts B and D at a rate of $153.31 per acre per year. City officials explained the lease would allow row crop farming, reducing city maintenance responsibilities.

Ordinance No. 002 of 2026 was also taken from the table and introduced, authorizing a separate three-year agricultural lease with Stacy Farms for a 96.82-acre tract near Mill Street and extending toward the airport. Officials said the land would be used for row crops, including soybeans, and would generate approximately $10,595 annually for the city.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on Ordinance No. 004 of 2026, which addressed unsafe structures at 817 Fourth Street and 852 Second Street. City officials explained the properties had previously been granted extensions to come into compliance with building codes but remained in dangerous and unsanitary condition. The ordinance was introduced to begin the process of condemnation.

Planning and zoning staff detailed ongoing issues at 817 Fourth Street, including structural damage from a fallen chimney, lack of approved structural plans, and the presence of a recreational vehicle being used for temporary housing on the property, which violated city code. The property owner and contractor addressed the council, stating they were prepared to begin repairs and outlining plans to meet with the city building inspector to determine required structural documentation.

Council members emphasized that the property owners had been given extensive time to make progress and made clear that visible improvements would be required within the next 30 days to avoid condemnation. Officials explained that if the ordinance were ultimately adopted, an additional 30-day period would follow to demonstrate continued progress, effectively providing a 60-day window.

The council also introduced Ordinance No. 005 of 2026, which proposed revoking the dedication of a portion of Payne Street. After discussion about utility easements, future infrastructure needs, and residential development concerns, the council voted to table the ordinance to allow for further review.

Ordinance No. 006 of 2026 was introduced to rescind a prior condemnation order for the property at 1203 Russell Street. City officials reported the structure, previously deemed unsafe in 2022, had undergone extensive rehabilitation and was now in compliance with applicable building, fire, health, and zoning codes. The renovation included new roofing, electrical systems, plumbing, sewer lines, and air conditioning units across eight residential units. Council members praised the project as an example of successful rehabilitation following condemnation.

The meeting concluded with a financial update from city officials, who reported that the City of Natchitoches had collected approximately $14.8 million in revenues as of the end of December. That figure represents an increase of roughly four percent compared to the same period the previous year.

Officials noted that the growth reflected steady performance across several revenue categories, including sales tax collections and other general fund revenues. City leadership emphasized the importance of maintaining responsible budgeting practices while continuing to address infrastructure needs, code enforcement efforts, and long-term capital projects.

Council members said the financial position places the city in a better position to manage ongoing obligations while planning for future improvements.

The Natchitoches Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Council Board Room, #211 on the 2nd Floor of the Courthouse.

Agenda for tonight’s meeting:

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Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) established a basecamp in Natchitoches as part of its response to Winter Storm Fern, providing critical support for crews working to restore power across the region.

The Natchitoches basecamp is one of three set up throughout SWEPCO’s service territory and serves as a temporary home for linemen, tree crews, and support teams working around the clock. These basecamps function as rapidly deployed, self-sustaining “small cities,” offering housing, meals, showers, laundry, power, communications, security, and logistical support for workers.

According to SWEPCO, the basecamp model allows crews to remain rested, safe, and positioned close to damaged areas, helping speed up restoration efforts following widespread ice-related outages.

SWEPCO officials reported that crews have continued to make strong progress in the aftermath of the storm and expect power to be restored to approximately 95 percent of customers who can safely receive service on Jan. 28 by 10 p.m.

The Natchitoches Police Department has identified Daren Vaughn (B/M, 23 y.o.a. of Natchitoches) as a suspect wanted for a homicide that took place earlier this month.

Daren Vaughn is wanted for Second Degree Murder, Illegal Use of a Weapon and Obstruction of Justice.

If you have seen Daren Vaughn please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or Detective Charles Cassels at (318) 357-3858. Do not attempt to apprehend or detain this individual by yourself. Daren Vaughn is considered to be armed and dangerous. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.

Original Story: Natchitoches Police investigate Homicide on Dorothy Street

The Natchitoches Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred Saturday night on Dorothy Street.

On Jan. 10, 2026 around 10:44 p.m., officers with the Natchitoches Police Department were dispatched to the 800 block of Dorothy Street in reference to a gunshot victim. Upon officers arrival they located the victim, Curtis Doty (B/M, 19 y.o.a. of Natchitoches) suffering from several gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began to render aid while other first responders were arriving to the area. Curtis Doty was pronounced deceased by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office as a result of his injuries.

Detectives and Officers spoke with several witnesses that led to the collection of additional evidence that was collected on scene and after a search warrant. All of the evidence recovered will be sent to the crime lab for additional analysis.

This investigation is ongoing and the Natchitoches Police Department will release more details as they become available.

Firefighters responded to a structure fire on Main Street in Natchez early Wednesday, Jan. 28, according to Natchitoches Parish Fire District No. 5.

NPFD 5 units and deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the scene at approximately 4:30 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters found a residential structure fully involved. The home was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

Crews were able to bring the fire under control, and no injuries were reported.

Engines 1 and 3 responded to the incident, along with brush trucks 5 and 6 and NPFD 5 personnel. Fire District 1 assisted at the scene by providing water supply support.

The cause of the fire was not immediately released.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s deputies and multiple units from Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District No. 2 responded on Jan. 26 around 8: 15 pm to a barn or shed fire in the 2500 block of Louisiana Highway 479 near Goldonna. Firefighters worked to contain the blaze, and the scene remained active for a period of time. No injuries were reported. Units from Bienville Fire District also assisted in the response.

St. Mary’s Catholic School announced that Pre-K teacher Kelly Savell was named the 2025–26 recipient of the Em W. Knipmeyer Excellence in Teaching Award, the highest honor awarded to a St. Mary’s educator.

The announcement was made following the school’s All-School Mass held in observance of Catholic Schools Week. Savell, a longtime and well-loved member of the faculty, was recognized for her dedication to students and her commitment to excellence in education.

Now in its 21st year, the Em W. Knipmeyer Excellence in Teaching Award honors educators who exemplify the spirit and legacy of Em W. Knipmeyer, a 1941 St. Mary’s graduate who later served the school as both a teacher and principal. The award highlights teachers who consistently go above and beyond in service to their students and school community.

Although Em Knipmeyer’s sister, Mrs. Joe Stamey, was unable to attend the presentation, school officials expressed appreciation to the Stamey family, a legacy family of alumni and longtime supporters, for continuing to honor Knipmeyer’s contributions through the annual award.

School leaders congratulated Savell on the recognition, noting her outstanding dedication to students and her positive impact on the St. Mary’s community.

September 1, 1950 — January 26, 2026

Gary Stephen DeBlieux passed away on January 26, 2026, at the age of 75. Gary was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana where he lived his entire life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary McQueen DeBlieux Young and Louis Hertzog DeBlieux. He is survived by his siblings Larry Hertzog DeBlieux (Becky), Mary Lu DeBlieux Wilkerson (Phillip), Judith DeBlieux Knecht (Gene), Jean DeBlieux Gill, James Michael DeBlieux (Pam), Thomas David DeBlieux (Jane), and Martha DeBlieux Berry (Jimmy).

Gary was a loving Big G or Uncle Gary to his nieces and nephews Denise DeBlieux Prattini (Jeff), Richard Joseph DeBlieux (Lori), Jennifer DeBlieux Landry (Grant), Lauren Wilkerson Clancy (Austin), Phillip Patrick Wilkerson (Lyndsey), Brad Eugene Knecht (Bonnie), Kelley Knecht Theriot (Ji), Michael Lawrence Gill (Allison), Lesley DeBlieux Dunn (Darren), Emily DeBlieux Poche (Jim), Andrew Michael DeBlieux (Madeline), Louis Taylor DeBlieux (Lindy), Kathryn DeBlieux Montgomery (Forrest), James Hertzog Berry, and Matthew West Berry. He was a doting great uncle to 25 great nieces and great nephews.

He was a 1968 graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic School, and a 1972 graduate of Northwestern State University. Gary served the Natchitoches community in his professional life as a commercial banker. Immediately after graduating college, he began his banking career with Peoples Bank and Trust Company. He retired in 2025 as Senior Vice President of City Bank and Trust Company, capping a career of 53 years in banking. He was a devout Catholic who actively practiced his Catholic faith as a lifelong member of The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

Visitation will be held at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home on Thursday, February 5, 5:00 until 7:30. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, February 6, at 11:00. Reverend Louis Sklar will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Memory Lawn Cemetery.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Gerard Thomas, Steve Brown, Pat Johnson, Edwin Dunahoe, Mike McConathy, and Johnny Cox. Honorary pallbearers are Cliff Conine, Dave Galloway, Don Kelly, Robert “Skeeter” Salim, Johnny Muckleroy, and Griff Strange.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Gary’s memory to St. Mary’s Catholic School, 1101 East Fifth Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457; The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 145 Church Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457; or St. Jude Children’s ResearchHospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Natchitoches City Council will have a pre-council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 28 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.

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Natchitoches Parish residents should prepare for continued cold conditions and periods of freezing fog through the end of the week, followed by a slow warming trend early next week.

Patchy freezing fog is expected Wednesday morning before skies turn mostly sunny. High temperatures will reach around 50 degrees, with northwest winds near 5 mph.

Wednesday night will remain cold, with partly cloudy skies becoming mostly cloudy overnight. Patchy freezing fog is expected in the evening, developing into areas of freezing fog after midnight. Overnight lows will fall into the mid-20s, with light winds.

On Thursday, patchy freezing fog is again possible during the morning hours before conditions become partly cloudy. Highs will climb into the mid-50s with light south winds. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy and cold, with lows dropping into the lower 30s. Winds will shift from southwest to northwest after midnight.

Cooler temperatures return Friday under mostly cloudy skies, with afternoon highs in the mid-40s. Friday night will be colder, with partly cloudy skies and lows near 20 degrees.

Saturday will be mostly sunny but cold, with highs in the mid-30s. Clear conditions Saturday night will allow temperatures to fall again near 20 degrees. Sunday will bring mostly sunny skies with highs in the lower 40s, followed by clear and cold conditions Sunday night with lows in the mid-20s.

A gradual warming trend begins Monday, with mostly sunny skies and highs in the lower 50s. Partly cloudy conditions will continue Monday night into Tuesday, with overnight lows around 30 degrees and daytime highs reaching the upper 50s.

Residents are encouraged to use caution during early morning travel due to freezing fog and to protect pets, plants, and exposed pipes during the continued stretch of cold weather.