Billy Joe Harrington announced that several defendants entered felony guilty pleas in Division B of the 10th Judicial District Court under Judge Lala Sylvester.

Kaiden Burks, 17, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to second degree robbery and was sentenced to 12 years in the Department of Corrections.

Terrance Terrelle Carter, 40, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and received a 10-year sentence.

Michael Jermaine Edwards, 34, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, fentanyl, with intent to distribute and was sentenced to 14 years.

Hoy Joseph Ritter, 45, of Many, pleaded guilty to aggravated second degree battery and was sentenced to 11 years.

Bryan King, 37, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, synthetic cannabinoids, with intent to distribute and received a seven-year sentence.

Clarence Jenkins, 24, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and was sentenced to eight years.

Mysti Bedgood, 35, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to aggravated arson and was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections.

Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court David Stamey is urging residents to be informed as several important changes and issues are set for the May 16 election.

The election will mark the first Closed Party Primary in the parish, meaning registered Democrats will vote for Democratic candidates and registered Republicans will vote for Republican candidates. Voters registered with no party affiliation will have the option to declare a party in order to participate.

In addition to selecting party candidates for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and the Public Service Commission, voters in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana will consider several statewide and local measures.

Five proposed state constitutional amendments will appear on the ballot, including measures related to funding teacher pay raises through retirement system debt reduction and potential changes to the mandatory retirement age for judges.

Locally, voters will decide on three parishwide property tax renewals, including an 8-mill tax for the library, a 3-mill tax for the health unit, and a 3-mill tax for public buildings. Many residents will also vote on the Road 40 renewal.

Municipal races and measures are also included. Voters in the Village of Natchez, Louisiana will elect a mayor and aldermen for the next four years, while residents in the Village of Goldonna, Louisiana will consider a sales tax proposal.

Stamey encouraged residents to review the ballot and understand the issues before heading to the polls.

Meet Ralphie, our little “Tiger” 

Ralphie is an adorable mini Plott Hound mix who has been with FAUNA since he was just a young pup. While we’re so grateful he’s been safe and loved here, it breaks our hearts that he’s growing up without a family of his own.

Now about 2 years old and around 30 pounds, Ralphie is the perfect size, standing just below the knee and sporting the most beautiful tiger-striped brindle coat.

Ralphie has been working with a trainer, who shares:
“This is a SWEET boy! He’s a very gentle pup who thrives on physical affection and food rewards. He’s well-tempered and plays beautifully with other dogs. He could be an amazing addition to a family looking for a kind, loving companion… and just look at his smile!”

Ralphie truly is as special as they come. He’s gentle, affectionate, and still a puppy at heart. He loves playing with toys and going on leash walks, and he’ll keep you smiling with his silly, happy ways.

He’s also neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and keeps his kennel nice and clean, he really is just the goodest boy around!!

Ralphie is officially accepting applications for his new best friend… could that be you? 

For more information about fostering or adopting Ralphie, please contact FAUNA (Friends All United For Natchitoches Animals) at npfauna@gmail.com or NPFauna.org

The Natchitoches Lions Club has announced that applications are now available for its 2026–2027 scholarship program, offering financial assistance to local graduating seniors.

The scholarship provides $1,000 per recipient, distributed as $500 per semester, and will be awarded to two students graduating in Spring 2026 from a Natchitoches Parish public school, private school, or homeschool program. Eligible applicants must plan to attend Northwestern State University beginning in Fall 2026.

The deadline to apply is April 25, 2026.

Students interested in applying can request an application by emailing the Natchitoches Lions Club Scholarship Committee at natchitocheslionsscholarship@gmail.com.

The Natchitoches Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization, with more than 1.4 million members across approximately 49,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas.

Locally, the organization supports the community through initiatives such as the Cub Sight Program, diabetes education and care, and emergency response efforts. The club also provides educational and financial support to local service organizations and contributes to Louisiana Lions Camp, which offers outdoor camp experiences for youth with respiratory disorders, special needs, juvenile diabetes, and childhood cancers.

More information about the Natchitoches Lions Club can be found online at https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/natchitochesla/

HAMMOND —  In another Southland Conference women’s tennis nailbiter, Northwestern State edged Southeastern Louisiana 4–3 on Monday at the Southeastern Tennis Complex, with Honoka Umeda clinching the outcome in a three-set battle at the No. 1 position.

The Lady Demons (9–5 overall, 5–1 in the SLC) overcame an early deficit after dropping the doubles point.

“The girls are very resilient,” head coach Marcos Morelli said. “I’m proud of how they handled adversity.”

SLU took control in doubles, earning wins at the No. 1 and No. 2 positions.

Bente Bierma and Paige Duncan defeated Honoka Umeda and Sofi Garcia 6–4, while Taisia Bolsova and Aitana Darder edged Maria Farina and Lija Mumlek in a tight 7–6(5) match to secure the point. Martina Acebedo Bonocore and Athina Grigoriadou provided the lone doubles win for Northwestern State with a 6–4 victory at No. 3.

Trailing 1–0, the Lady Demons responded in singles play.

Farina quickly evened the match with a dominant 6–0, 6–0, victory over Bente Bierma at No. 2. Hukasian followed with a commanding 6–1, 6–0, win against Adriana Tirado at No. 6 to give NSU its first lead of the day.

“Those wins were very important,” Morelli said. “They helped shift the momentum to our side.”

The Lions (9–6, 2–3) answered with a pair of wins to regain the advantage. Duncan defeated Garcia 6–3, 6–4 at No. 5, and Darder outlasted Grigoriadou 6–4, 4–6, 6–1 at No. 3 to put Southeastern ahead 3–2.

Acebedo brought the Lady Demons level once again, securing a steady 6–4, 6–4, win over Tetradze at No. 4 to tie the overall match 3-3 and set up a decisive final court.

That left the outcome in the hands of Umeda at the top of the lineup.

After dropping the opening set 6–3, Umeda responded with composure, taking the second set 6–4 before pulling away in the third. She closed out the set 6–2 to complete the comeback and secure the 4–3 team victory for Northwestern.

“She handled adversity very well,” Morelli said. “She made the right adjustments and found her best level in the third set.”

It was the Lady Demons’ fifth SLC match in six outings decided on the final court.

“Anyone can beat anyone,” Morelli said. “Most matches in this conference come down to the final court.”

The Lady Demons split the weekend road trip 1–1. They come home to host Stephen F. Austin Saturday at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex. Doubles play is scheduled for 11 a.m.

In the final regular-season match of SLC competition last spring, the Ladyjacks denied the Lady Demons the outright regular season crown last spring and were part of a three-way tri-championship with NSU and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

MONROE – After playing 15 of its first 24 games at home, the Northwestern State baseball team is about to find out how life on the road really feels.

Beginning with today’s 6 p.m. game at ULM, the Demons take on their longest span of road games this season – a seven-game stretch that includes conference series at Nicholls (Friday-Sunday) and at UTRGV (April 2-4). Today’s game will air on 100.7 FM KZBL in Natchitoches and on www.NSUDemons.com.

“How do we get what we think is the B-Stro magic to travel with us?” third-year head coach Chris Bertrand said. “That’s probably not necessarily just a mental thing. It’s something that goes along with the parity (in college baseball) and how each team has tremendous players and is hard-working. Each team grinds and gets better on a daily basis, too. Part of the road stuff is the parity we have found, but we want to be in search of what small adjustments we can make so we can get some road wins and continue to climb.”

Today’s matchup is the second of three games between the former Southland Conference rivals this season. In the opener, Northwestern (15-9) rallied late to take a 13-10 victory from the Warhawks in Natchitoches on Feb. 17.

Since then, ULM (14-11) has jumped to a 4-2 start in Sun Belt Conference play, including a three-game sweep of Texas State from March 13-15. Texas State swept No. 25 Louisiana-Lafayette this past weekend.

The Warhawks have an offense that ranks second nationally in doubles (67) and fourth in doubles per game (2.68) and hits (286). ULM’s .330 team batting average ranks 14th nationally with the Warhawks leading the Sun Belt in all four of those categories.

The Warhawks enter Tuesday’s game with an 11-4 mark at home – one gave shy of Northwestern’s 12-3 mark at Brown-Stroud Field.

“Obviously, the three-game sweep of Texas State stands out, but they’re a team that you expect a little bit more offense from them,” Bertrand said. “They have been extremely offensive to this point, and they do it in multiple phases. The doubles are high, the homers are high, the stolen bases are high. They put pressure on you in a bunch of different ways. We’re excited for the opportunity to compete against a team like that, because it’s something that we feel is going to help us learn and get information about what it is we need to be doing moving forward.”

While ULM has fashioned its winning record behind its offense, the Demons have shown balance in starting the season 15-9 for the second straight season.

Northwestern’s pitching staff leads the Southland Conference in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.17, 14th nationally) and in ERA (3.97, 33rd nationally).

The Demons will send left-hander Jacob LeBlanc (2-2, 4.09) against ULM left-hander Hayden Toal (0-0, 10.80).

While Northwestern allowed 10 runs in the first meeting with ULM, it also showed its signature gritty style, scoring 10 runs across the seventh and eighth innings to rally for the victory.

“That’s exactly what it is we say we want to be, and I think there’s something about having guys that love to play, love to compete and do what they say they’re going to do,” Bertrand said. “At times, even through the moments where we need to put in work or we need to continue to grow and develop as a team, knowing that’s the case and knowing we have a group that’s always going to show up – as the leader – it gives you some level of peace at the start of the game, knowing that your guys are always going to be in the fight.”

Demons’ right-hander Dylan Marionneaux was named the Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday, two days after tossing a complete game in Northwestern’s 6-2 win against New Orleans.

Both of Marionneaux’s complete games have come against the Privateers with his second coming on the one-year anniversary of his first.

A junior from Zachary, Marionneaux scattered seven hits and struck out six in tossing the Demons’ first complete game of the season. He threw 72 or his career-high 103 pitches for strikes.

Marionneaux induced 12 groundball outs, utilizing his infield defense to great effect.

Longtime college football coach Jack Harbaugh once said, “attack each day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”

That is exactly what third-year Northwestern State head coach Blaine McCorkle wants his Demon football team to do as it kicks off spring practice early this morning.

“I want to see them attack spring practice,” McCorkle said. “Start fast. Go after spring practice. Don’t hold back. We’ve talked about that a lot because I think one thing we fell victim to last year was we entered a lot of games feeling our way through and when we realized we could play with somebody it’s a little too late. 

“That’s a product of being as young as we were but now we’re a whole lot older. So teaching them to go after it, not hold back. Don’t live in fear of the mistake. No hesitation. No fear. Go attack it and let things fall where they may. If you trust your training when you go on the attack, you’re going to be alright.”

Attacking the day will be made easier with early starts to the day’s work.

For the first time under McCorkle the Demons shift their practice time to an early morning window, taking the field at 7 a.m. for 14 scheduled practices across the next five weeks leading up to the annual Delaney Bowl on April 25.

“We’re excited for it and we’re ready to go,” McCorkle said. “I think we’ve had a really productive offseason as players and coaches. I think we’ve improved our program in a lot of areas. We’ve brought in some good talent to help enhance our roster, restructured our staff a little to help us be more detailed. We’ve had some self-scout and reflection there too. So, all together I think this is as excited as I’ve been to go into spring practice since we’ve been here.”

That excitement comes in part from what McCorkle believes is the most complete roster he has had in Natchitoches.

“We had a long staff meeting really analyzing and evaluating our roster from top to bottom with a lot of metrics and deviations and things like that,” McCorkle said. “This is hands down our more complete football team. We don’t have any what I would call superstars out there that are going to blow the scoreboard up by themselves, but our bottom end is much better. We’re a balanced football team across the board which is going to lend to as much depth as we’ve had.”

That depth has been building over the past three seasons as the once youngest team in Division I football continues to get more birthdays under their belts and continues to stick together as a group.

The Demons lost just 13 players to the transfer portal from a season ago, the second fewest in the Southland Conference. The addition of 20 transfers, 17 of which will take the field today, adds to the depth component as well as the top-end talent on the roster.

 “They’ve fit in really well so far and put up some good numbers and done some impressive things in the weight room,” McCorkle said of the transfers. “We’ll be excited to see them get out there. A lot of new bodies on defense, especially in that defensive backfield. We’re glad those guys are here and excited to grow and get better.”

The class consists of seven defensive backs that address one of the biggest areas of need for NSU this offseason, along with the defensive line that is another excitement point for McCorkle.

“I’m really excited about the secondary and seeing those new guys there,” McCorkle said. “We’ve shuffled our staff and have two coaches back there now with Coach Mo (Maurice Stewart) to coach specifically the corners and brought in Darren Jackson to work with the safeties. That group by nature has a lot of personalities so having more hands-on attention with those guys and little bit different focus in that room, I’m excited to see what that looks like.

The Demons practice today, Thursday and Friday of this week.

Multiple City of Natchitoches offices are currently without phone and internet service due to maintenance issues involving the city’s internet service provider, according to an announcement released March 23.

As a result of the outage, affected offices are unable to receive phone calls or access internal systems at this time. Officials advised that utility payments can still be made online through the City of Natchitoches billing website.

Emergency service phone lines remain operational and have not been impacted by the disruption.

City officials stated that updates will be provided once services are restored and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the outage.

Emergency crews are responding to a serious crash on Interstate 49 northbound near mile marker 159, just north of Ajax, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities reported the single-vehicle crash on March 22 around 8 a.m., with one person sustaining life-threatening injuries. The patient is being transported to a regional trauma center for treatment.

One lane of traffic remains open as first responders continue working at the scene. Agencies involved include Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s deputies, Louisiana State Police Troop E and Troop G, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS, NPSO Rescue and Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District No. 7.

Motorists traveling through the area are urged to use caution, avoid distractions and expect delays as the scene remains active.

Officials said any additional information will be released by Louisiana State Police Troop E.

Natchitoches City Council will have a pre-council meeting on Monday, March 23 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

Beginning Monday, March 23 Washington Street, which is State Highway 6 Business Route, will be closed to all traffic from the intersection of Texas Street to the intersection of Lafayette Street due to necessary sewer repairs.

This closure will remain in effect until such time as the repairs have been completed.

Through traffic will be detoured around the work area via the LA-6 North Bypass, LA-1, and the LA-1 Business Route, which consists of portions of Texas Street, Third Street, and Church Street.  Local traffic may utilize a number of alternate City streets to detour around the work site.

We appreciate the public’s patience as crews work to complete these repairs as quickly as possible.

For more information, please contact the City of Natchitoches Utility Department at (318) 357-3850.

A portion of Fish Hatchery Road will be closed next week as parish crews conduct maintenance work.

According to Natchitoches Parish Government, the 2100 block of Fish Hatchery Road will be closed to through traffic on Monday, March 23, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. as crews replace a drainage culvert.

Drivers are advised to plan alternate routes and allow for additional travel time during the closure.

Parish officials said the work is part of ongoing efforts to improve local infrastructure. For more information, residents can contact the parish office at (318) 352-2714.

The St. Denis Art League Spring Festival Board announces the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court for the 58^th Presentation and Ball.

Nineteen young women will make their debut as Ladies of the Court.

Miss Lainey Rebecca Bennett is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Thomas Bennett. She is the granddaughter of Mr. Donald Curtis Horne, Mrs. Connie Bischoff Tomlin, and Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Wayne Bennett. Lainey served as an Usher in 2024 and is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Miss Ava Marie Hope Broadway is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clint Richard Broadway. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Shelby Paul Borders, the late Mrs. Lisa Ates Borders, Mr. Ricky Broadway, and the late Mrs. Broadway. Ava served as an usher in 2024 and is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Miss Jillian Gray Coleman is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Craig Coleman. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Gene Thompson and Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Morris Coleman. Jillian is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Miss Jaycie Alyse Creamer is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eric Daniel Creamer.  She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Roy Speir and Mr. and Mrs. David Noel Creamer. Jaycie served as an Usher in 2024 as did her sister, Kadence Jade, in 2020. Kadence was presented as a Lady of the Court in 2022.  Jaycie is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Miss Jenna RyAnn Dove is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Wayne Spillman. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lynn Dove and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Wayne Spillman. Jenna is a senior at Natchitoches Central.

Miss Braylee Raine Fredieu is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chad Michael Fredieu. She is the granddaughter of Mr. Walter Donald Burt, Ms. Linda Louise Lestage, Mr. William Anthony Fredieu, and Ms. Joyce Baker Fredieu. Braylee is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Miss Madison Elizabeth Gorum is the daughter of Mr. Casey Lane Gorum.  She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Laura Abraham Gorum and the late Mr. Marion Lee Gorum, Mr. Michael Delrie, and Ms. Catherine Willis Farrington. Madison is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Miss Ehren Adair Guidroz is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Ehren Guidroz.  She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lee Guidroz and Mr. and Mrs. William Richard Adams. She served as an Usher in 2024 and is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Miss Ella Camille Hardee is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kelly Hardee III. She is the granddaughter of Ms. Camille Cedars LaCaze, Mr. and Mrs. Kavin Ray LaCaze, and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kelly Hardee, Jr. Ella is a senior at St. Mary’s High School. She served as an Usher in 2024. Her mother, the former Janie Camille LaCaze, was presented as a Lady in 2005 and her grandmother, the former Camille Cedars, was also presented in 1975.

Miss Morgan Ann Martin is the daughter of Ms. Ashley Bailey. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clay Miller Mayeaux. Morgan is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Miss Emorie Kate Mathews is the daughter of Mr. John Arnold Mathews IV and Ms. Lori Michelle Davis Mathews. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Alan Davis  and Mrs. Jeanne Rabalais Mathews and the late Mr. Mathews. Emorie is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Miss Audrey Ann Matt is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wayne Matt.  She is the daughter of Ms. Deborah Williams Howell, the late Mr. Randell Hezz Howell and Mr. and Mrs. Derrit Daniel Matt. Audrey served as an Usher in 2024. She is a senior at the St. Mary’s High School.

Miss Elizabeth Jane Meadows is the daughter of Mrs. Heather Foshee Meadows and the late Mr. Gary Curtis Meadows.  She is the granddaughter of Mr. Paul Lee Foshee and the late Mrs. Foshee, and the late Mr. and Mrs. James Deforest Meadows.  Elizabeth Jane’s mother, the former Heather Elizabeth Foshee, was presented as a Lady of the Court in 1990. She is a Senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Miss Brooke Nicole Norsworthy is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Ray Outlaw. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Lee Outlaw, Mr. Ronald Eric Morris, and Ms. Amber Michelle Billings. Brooke is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Miss Addison Blair Price is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brad Michael Price. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Anthony Price, Mr. David Nelson Price, and Ms. Beverly DuBois Prince. Addison was an Usher in 2024. She is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Miss Annaliece Gabrielle Romero is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas James Robertson, Jr.  She is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Miss Jenna Claire Sklar is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Paul Sklar. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Wayne Colston, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Louis Edward Sklar, Jr.  Her sister, Lily Anna, served as an Usher in 2020 and was presented in 2022. Jenna was a Herald in 2016 and served as Usher in 2024. Her twin brother, Joseph, will be presented as a Gentleman of the Court this year. Jenna is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Miss Brooklyn Ann Smith is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Ray Smith. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Emmitt Robinson, and Mr. and Mrs. Eric Quentin Gray. She served as an Usher in 2024 and is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Miss Anna Elizabeth Weaver is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mark Weaver. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Roy Weaver, Mrs. George Wilfred Mastainich and the late Mr. Mastainich. Anna served as an usher in 2024 and is a senior at Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts. 

Fourteen young men will be presented as Gentlemen of the Court.

Mr. Cameron Reed Ball is the son of Dr. and Mrs. William Arthur Ball, Junior. He is the grandson of Dr. William Clarence Risinger, Junior, Mrs. Sherrie Reed Burleigh, and Mr. and Mrs. William Arthur Ball, Senior. Cameron’s sister, Camille Savannah, was presented as a Lady of the Court in 2022 and was a Herald in 2012. Cameron is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Mr. Cameron Brett Brunson is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Brett Brunson. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. David Ray Fazio, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Mr. and Mrs. Ted Brunson. Cameron is a senior at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts.

Mr. Jefferson Walker Dunahoe is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jared Ryan Dunahoe. He is the grandson of Mr. Otis Edwin Dunahoe and the late Mrs. Dunahoe, Mr. Jefferson Black, and Ms. Stephanie Arsement Thibodeaux. Both his father, Jared Dunahoe, and his grandfather, Otis Edwin Dunahoe reigned as King in 2021 and 2001. His sister, Ann-Marie Ryan, was her father’s Herald in 2021. Jefferson is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Mr. Jackson Peace Godfrey is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Phillips Godfrey IV. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Armster McCain, Sr. and Mrs. John Peace Godfrey, III and the late Mr. Godfrey. His sisters, Madeline and Caroline, were Heralds and later crowned Queen in 2021 and 2023. His grandfather, Steve McCain, reigned as King in 2013. His mother, the former Susan McCain, was a Herald and then was presented as a Lady in 1998. Jackson is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Mr. Henry Albert Guillet is the son Mr. and Mrs. John Christopher Guillet. He is the grandson of Mrs. Lou Horton Martin and the late Gloyd Martin, the late Mr. John Barry Guillet and Mrs. Katherine Webster Jett. Both of his sisters, Claire Elizabeth and Ella Kathryn, served as Ushers, and were presented as Ladies in 2019 and 2024. His brother, Michael David, was presented as a Gentleman in 2021. Henry is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Mr. Max Rupert Sergey Hines is the son of Mr. Frank Steven Hines and Ms. Sara Grothaus Carter. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sherman Hines, and Mr. and Mrs. David Lee Grothaus. Max is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Mr. Tucker Daniel Johnson is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron David Johnson. He is the grandson of Mrs. Charles Dwight Vienne, Sr. and the late Mr. Vienne, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Allen Johnson.  Tucker’s mother, the former Lisa Vienne, was presented as a Lady in 1994. His brother, the Luke Aaron, was a Gentleman of the Court in 2025. He is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Mr. Zachary Adam Jordan is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Raymond Jordan. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Owen Benson, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Raymond Jordan. His brother, Taylor Aaron, was a Gentleman of the Court in 2023. Zachary  is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Mr. Matthew Ralph Mayeux is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Anthony Mayeux. He is the grandson of Mrs. Ralph Cherry Ingram, Jr. and the late Mr. Ingram, and Mr. and Mrs. Telisma Anthony Mayeux.  His brothers, Stephen and William, were Gentlemen of the Court in 2019 and 2022. Matthew is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Mr. John Gabriel McCain is the son of Mr. Steve Armster McCain and Mrs. Rebecca Emanuel Murray. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Armster McCain, and Mr. and Mrs. John Max Emanuel. His father, Steve McCain, Jr., was a Gentleman of the Court in 1992. His grandfather, Steve McCain, Sr., reigned as King in 2014. Gabriel is a senior at Pleasant Grove Independent School District.

Mr. Jacob Timothy Roquemore is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Romulus Keith Roquemore. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dorsey White, the late Mr. James Finke Mims, Mr. Raymond Roquemore and Ms. Sandra Mason. His sister, Hannah LeAnne, was presented as a Lady in 2023. His grandmother, the former Mary Williams, was presented in 1964. Jacob is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Mr. Joseph Paul Sklar, Jr. is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Paul Sklar Senior. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Wayne Colston, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Louis Edward Sklar, Jr. His sisters, Lily Anna and Jenna Claire, served as Ushers. Lily was presented in 2022 and Jenna was a Herald in 2016 and will be presented as a Lady this year. Joseph is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Mr. Max Franklin Wardell is the son of Dr. Pete Wardell and Ms. Claire Chester Wardell. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Glen Chester and Mr. and Mrs. William Pete Wardell. His brother, Mason Pete, was a Gentleman of the Court in 2023. Max is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Nickolas Walker Wright is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Edward Wright. He is the grandson of Mrs. Richard Porter, Jr. and the late Mr. Porter, and Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Edward Wright, Sr. His brothers, Ryan and Jack, were Gentlemen of the Court in 2014 and 2018. Nickolas is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Over 300 runners came out on a beautiful Saturday morning to compete in the 2026 Steel Magnolia Run held in beautiful downtown Natchitoches on Saturday, March 21. This year’s edition of the popular event featured a course taking runners through our picturesque city. Runners had a choice of a one mile “fun run” or a 5K race.

This event, in its 8th year and sponsored by the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Foundation, was more than a chance for fun and competition. The race is a major fundraiser for the NRMC Foundation’s various initiatives to improve the health of the parish’s citizens. This year’s race is raising funds for the NRMC Cancer Center.

The annual race is a true community effort. The Natchitoches police department directed traffic and ensured a safe environment for the runners. The NSU Volleyball and Soccer teams cheered on the runners as they started the race and as they crossed the finish line. Cadets from NCHS’ Army JROTC Chiefs Battalion presented the NRMC Foundation with a $500.00 donation.

One notable feature of the Steel Magnolia Race is that the top trophies are pieces of art! NSU Assistant Professor of Art, Corbin Covher, sculpted the awards for the top male and female runners. His handcrafted trophies helped make the race a special experience. The NRMC Foundation makes our community a better place. Let us help them as they help us!

Sam Goodwin, the architect of Northwestern State’s golden modern era of football, died Friday night at his home following complications from a recent surgery.

Arrangements are pending for the school’s all-time leader in football victories and a member of the N-Club Hall of Fame, Southland Conference Hall of Honor and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.

“Northwestern State has lost a giant,” Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian said. “Coach Sam Goodwin’s ability to build winners on and off the field took the Demon football team to some of its greatest heights and its most memorable moments. Seeing coach Goodwin’s relationship with (current Demon head football) coach Blaine McCorkle the past couple of years gave those of us who were not here when coach was on the sidelines a look into what made him and his teams so successful. His impact on Northwestern and Natchitoches is unmistakable and everlasting.”

Goodwin, 82, won a school-record 102 games in 17 seasons at the helm of the Demon program, turning it into a perennial Southland Conference championship contender while setting the Southland Conference wins record.

A Pineville native, Goodwin led the Demons to four conference championships – the 1984 Gulf Star crown and the 1988, 1997 and 1998 Southland titles. He twice was named Southland Conference Coach of the Year.

His 1998 Demon team reached the FCS semifinals where it fell to eventual national champion UMass. That 1998 team equaled the school single-season record of 11 wins and featured four of the 22 All-Americans Goodwin coached at Northwestern.

His 1988 squad advanced to the FCS quarterfinals and is the only Northwestern team to go unbeaten in Southland play. That season, Goodwin’s “Road Warriors” picked up five straight conference or playoff wins away from Turpin Stadium, including a regular-season-ending 20-17 victory at Stephen F. Austin, which had previously been ranked No. 1 in the nation. Two weeks ahead of the win at SFA, the Demons took down another top-ranked team, North Texas, on the road.

That run included the Demons’ 22-13 victory at Boise State, which marked the first FCS playoff victory in program history and came amid wintry weather in Idaho. Northwestern’s 10 wins that season marked the program’s most victories in 49 years.

In addition to the on-field All-Americans he produced, Goodwin also coached two Academic All-Americans, a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes, 42 first-team All-Southland Conference selections and 38 players who reached the NFL.

Goodwin earned induction into the N-Club Hall of Fame – the highest honor the university awards to student-athletes and athletic staff members – in 1999.

Goodwin spent two seasons as an assistant on the late Lou Holtz’ coaching staff at the University of Arkansas after a stellar nine-season run at Parkview High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he won 72 percent of his games and led the Patriots to five state championships.

He then spent two seasons as the head coach at Southern Arkansas University before making his way to Northwestern.

At a teenager at Pineville High School, Goodwin was a two-way player (offensive guard and defensive tackle) who was named team captain his senior year. Goodwin helped lead Pineville to the Class 2A state championship his senior year after returning from a broken ankle suffered earlier in the season.

Following his prep career, he played at Henderson State, beginning his Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame career. Goodwin earned enshrinement in the Arkansas hall for both his playing career and his success at the helm of Parkview.

Goodwin later returned to his alma mater as athletic director after retiring from his coaching position at Northwestern in the summer of 2000. During his Henderson State playing career in the mid-1960s, Goodwin was a standout two-sport athlete.

An NAIA All-American selection in 1965 as a two-way player, Goodwin was the 1965 team captain for the Reddies’ football team and was a three-time conference champion in the discus, setting the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference discus record.

In addition to being selected as the Henderson State MVP in 1966, Goodwin was part of the AIC All-Decade Team as chosen by Dave Campbell’s Arkansas Football Magazine. He was enshrined in the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

Northwestern State University’s annual Flavor of Louisiana fundraiser made a welcome appearance as Prather Coliseum was once again transformed into what was arguably the finest restaurant in the state Friday, March 20. Twenty-four area establishments presented their best seafood cuisine and drinks to a hungry crowd of several hundred Northwestern State University supporters. The diners enjoyed some of the best seafood dishes to be found anywhere while supporting our hometown university.

The Flavor of Louisiana is the signature fundraiser for the NSU Foundation. The money raised will be used to further the Foundation’s mission of supporting NSU students with scholarships and travel funds, as well as providing opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to reach out to the surrounding community. 

The dinner featured each of the six species of fish, alligator, crab, oyster, shrimp, and crawfish that are native to our state. The Flavor of Louisiana event both promotes the use of local seafood and helps raise needed funds for Northwestern State University. 

The event is a true community effort on the part of the NSU family. NSU’s Purple Jackets greeted diners as they entered, while sharp young students from the Engineering Technology Department demonstrated some of the projects built by students. This year’s Flavor of Louisiana marks the seventh year of what will hopefully be many more. The Bayou State features some of the best seafood to be found anywhere! 

The students attending NSU are a hardworking and talented group of young men and women who make life in our community richer and better. The money raised at the Flavor of Louisiana will help these young men and women achieve their dreams of a better life. Let us help make Northwestern State University an even better place!

After a six-run sixth inning broke up a scoreless pitching duel, it appeared the Northwestern State baseball team was on its way to a decisive victory in Sunday’s Southland Conference series finale against New Orleans at Brown-Stroud Field.

However, as per their modus operandi, the Demons allowed the Privateers to make things interesting before Lucas Harrington closed out a 6-5 series-clinching win for Northwestern.

“It’s not Demon baseball (to do it the easy way), but I think it’s pride and it’s balance,” third-year head coach Chris Bertrand said. “We’re very proud of the way we found a way to win. We overcame some things and found a way to put up zeroes and hang on. You win a conference series. You win one at home. There’s so much to be proud about.

“The balance part of it is that we obviously have some baseball things we have to do better.”

NSU recovered from a 3-2 loss in the Friday night series opener to notch a 6-2 victory in Saturday’s Game 2. Demon junior right-hander Dylan Marionneaux spun his second career complete game, scattering seven hits.

The first five and a half innings of Sunday’s game were reserved for the starting pitchers as New Orleans left-hander Riley Marcotte and Northwestern right-hander Trent Hillen kept the game scoreless until the bottom of the sixth.

The Demons (15-9, 8-4) broke through first as Ethan Menard’s leadoff double sparked a six-run uprising.

Menard’s shot to the right-center field gap and Thomas Marsala III’s groundout to second forced Marcotte from the game. New Orleans reliever Luke Lycette relieved Marcotte and issued three straight walks, including an RBI bases-loaded free pass to Michael McAloose to score the first run of the game.

Lycette then jumped ahead of Demon catcher Sebastian Huerta 0-2 before Huerta knocked a two-run single to center field to give the Demons a 3-0 lead.

“I was sitting slider the whole at-bat,” Huerta said. “He was struggling with his command, so I was hesitant at first. When it got to 0-2, I just had to buckle down for the team.”

The team followed Huerta’s lead as Zach White followed with an RBI double off the top of the right-field wall that drove Lycette from the game. Sam Ardoin added a sacrifice fly and Brooks Leonard delivered an RBI single against Luke Hymel to cap the inning.

Hillen (2-1) was the beneficiary of the run support, but the length of the inning, which included two mid-inning pitching changes, affected his sharpness.

After allowing just two hits in the first six shutout innings, Hillen was greeted by a run of four straight singles from the Privateers (10-16, 4-8).

With the tying run at first base and two outs in the ninth, Bertrand brought in Lucas Harrington.

Harrington fell behind Eli Tidwell 3-0 before getting a called third strike on a full-count pitch to secure his third save and the Demons’ third straight Southland series win.

“Those guys (in the bullpen) have been consistent all year,” Huerta said. “They’re just dogs on the mound. I had 100 percent faith in them.”

The Demons held on to first in the Southland standings through three weeks. They return to action Tuesday when they begin a seven-game road trip at ULM. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Lou St. Amant Field.

SOFTBALL:  In Hammond, Northwestern had chance after chance to put runs on the board on Saturday, but more often than not came up empty in a 2-1 loss to Southland Conference leader Southeastern.

The Lady Demons (14-18, 4-5) left 10 runners on base in the game, including seven through the first four innings, missing their chance to apply even more pressure to the Lady Lions (26-9, 9-0) than they already were.

“We did a lot of good things to give ourselves chances, but we just couldn’t get the timely hit when we needed it,” head coach Jenny Fuller said. “Against a team like Southeastern, you have to capitalize on those opportunities because runs are hard to come by against the caliber pitching that they have.”

SLU won the first game of a Friday doubleheader 10-2, then walked off the nightcap 3-1 on a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. The Lady Lions had scored run-rule victories over their last six opponents but danced on the edge of losses in the final two games against Northwestern.

The Demons are home next weekend for a Friday-Saturday SLC series against East Texas A&M.