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(EDITOR’S NOTE:  As Super Regionals begin this weekend, a classic voice of college baseball will be watching. Lyn Rollins has worked some Baton Rouge Regional assignments in years past, but nowadays his broadcast schedule wraps up with the end of LSU’s regular season. He’s weighing retirement, but will probably be back in August calling Tiger soccer and volleyball on ESPN+.) 

By ADDISON EVANS, Journal Contributor 

BATON ROUGE — Lyn Rollins arrives at Alex-Box Stadium early, as he always has, carrying his first Diet Coke of the evening, clutching the same worn brown briefcase that for decades has contained his neatly stacked game notes. He steps into the press box, his bright blue eyes scanning the monitors lined across the desk, his headset resting in place, waiting to begin the pre-game broadcast.

Around him, coworkers settle into their rhythm of preparing cameras, checking audio levels and lowering the deep blue SEC Network curtain for a backdrop in the announcers’ booth. His Diet Coke sits in front of him, but he still makes his way to the fridge for two more, a small routine that has outlasted nearly everything else in his career.

When he returns, he looks out to the empty rows of purple seats below him. Batting practice draws only a handful of fans. The sharp crack of baseballs to metal bats fills the air, echoing farther than it will once the crowd arrives. Soon his voice will fill it for many more watching at home.

Rollins’ real legacy is not anything he has said on air, but what his voice has come to mean to the people listening to it.

For decades, Rollins has been one of the defining voices of LSU sports, known for his “Lynisms,” a repertoire of colorful one-liners that have come to define him as a national treasure – cited by fans and media alike. 

Here’s a sample:

• “If Columbus would have had this wind behind him, he would have arrived in 1491.”

• “You’re going to need a bloodhound, federal Marshall and a subpoena to find that ball.”

• His most famous: “You can pucker up and kiss that baby goodbye! “

His career was not built in packed stadiums or bathed by television lights. It started during his undergraduate years at Northwestern State in a small radio station, KNOC AM in Natchitoches, where opportunity looked far less glamorous. 

“They literally said, if you empty the trash cans… sweep the lobby… make sure the door is locked, the job’s yours,” Rollins said. “I thought I was in heaven to do it.”

It was not the job itself that mattered; it was the opportunity to be there at all. His mentorship, one he says deserves a capital “M,” under legendary broadcaster Norm Fletcher allowed him to learn by doing, even when that meant Fletcher stepping away mid-broadcast and leaving Rollins alone on the mic. Those moments, he says, were where confidence was built not by perfection but by being trusted to figure it out.

Rollins traces much of his foundation back to Northwestern. He credits former speech department head Dr. Edna West, known for her nationally recognized work in phonetics, for shaping the way he speaks, even if she never realized the impact of her influence. He also tips his cap to college chum and former Demon infielder Jim Hawthorne, an Anacoco native who helped him find his love for broadcasting baseball.

“Northwestern gave me a chance to develop on my own terms,” Rollins said. “It wasn’t like today where there are opportunities with the SEC Network, ESPN and streaming.”

Hawthorne found statewide acclaim on a faster track, taking over at LSU’s sports play by play man in 1983 and going through the golden era of Tiger sports until retiring in 2016. Rollins started calling LSU baseball games on TV a decade after his former classmate got to Baton Rouge, but now has lasted a decade after Hawthorne hung up his headset.

Rollins was briefly a sportscaster at KALB TV in Alexandria, his hometown, in the mid-1970s, but for the first two decades after college, he broadcast sports on radio stations – notably serving as the voice of two minor league baseball clubs, the Lafayette Drillers and the Alexandria Aces, along with a 10-year stint as the play by play man for Northwestern Sports. Living in Pineville, Rollins drew TV assignments in the mid-90s for LSU baseball on the Jumbo Sports Network, then baseball, football and more on Cox Sports Television, and TigerVision before the advent of ESPN+ and the SEC Network.

For much of his career, broadcasting was not a full-time job, requiring him to balance other work along the way. Through it all was his wife, Debbie, a librarian who supported him during those early years and remained a constant as his reputation and schedule grew.

Outside of broadcasting, Rollins’ life follows the same kind of balance. His mornings begin with black coffee, followed by some form of exercise — something he has done nearly every day since 1985, missing only three. What once meant long runs has shifted to walking or biking, but his discipline has never left.

Much of his time away from the game is spent outdoors, working in his yard in Auburn, Ala., where he and Debbie relocated to be near their son and his family. The move has improved his lawn care, and lifestyle: he’s paying attention to details he says he might have overlooked years ago. The pace is much calmer, which is a large contrast to the noise of game day in Baton Rouge.

Over time, Rollins developed not just a skill, but his philosophy.

“Honor the audience… whether it’s one person or a million… you owe everything you’ve got,” he said.

To Rollins, broadcasting is not just describing a game: it is creating an experience.

That belief shaped his style, one built on language, imagery and connection, and over time, it built something else: trust.

That trust extends far beyond broadcasting.

Over the years, Rollins has received letters from people he has never met, many of them from women with husbands and children describing how his voice became part of their lives during some of their hardest moments. Some wrote about husbands battling illness, explaining how, for a few seconds during a home run call, the game allowed them to forget everything else. Others wrote about their children who were inspired by his craft. Rollins keeps those letters in his briefcase as a reminder that it is so much more than just a game.

“For 30 seconds… they forgot about their illness… they were wrapped up in the game,” Rollins said. “The joy of being able to relieve somebody… just the realization that what we do means a lot to people. We don’t see that.”

To him, those moments define the meaning of his work far more than any award or recognition.

Back in the press box, the quiet doesn’t last long. The seats begin to fill, the noise builds and the anticipation of Tuesday night Tiger baseball takes over.

Rollins adjusts his headset, glances at his notes and leans forward slightly as the first pitch approaches.

For those in the stadium, it is another game. For those listening, it is something more. Rollins already knows how he’ll sign off when the day, still a long seventh-inning stretch away, comes.

What he’ll say: “You can pucker up and kiss this baby goodbye!”

He won’t spread those words tonight. As he has for decades, Lyn Rollins is the voice carrying his audience not only to LSU Sports, but to the picture he paints of the game.

Contact Addison at sports@journalservicesllc.com

Phonetic: /in-JEN-der/

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition

Natchitoches parish was well represented at the 97^th state Future Farmers of America (FFA) convention in Alexandria by a group of sharp young people from Lakeview and NCHS’ FFA chapters. The convention featured 1,400 FFA members from 217 chapters located at high schools throughout the state.

The convention takes place from Monday, June 1 to Thursday June 4, during which time the FFA members will compete in various agricultural areas as well as public speaking. FFA is also notable in that the convention, and indeed the program, is student run. The FFA is not just for agricultural education, it provides hands on training in leadership and organization. Those blue jackets are more than a tradition. They are a symbol of excellence.

Celebrate the Louisiana Peach Festival’s 76th year with free admission, a wide range of entertainment and activities, and plenty of peachy events to enjoy leading up to the festival. Browse our guide below and start planning your trip to Downtown Ruston for the weekend of Saturday, June 6.

EAT:
From June 1-6, enjoy Peach Culinary Crawl, a weeklong tasting tour featuring over 20 local restaurants. Each participating location will offer special peach-inspired items. From peach BBQ and burgers to peach cocktails and desserts, there’s something to satisfy every craving. The full Culinary Crawl menu is available on the Peach Fest website.

SEE:
Get a preview of all the arts of the festival with the 39th Annual NCLAC Peach Art Exhibit. Check out the display of local artist of all ages in the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center happening all through July.

– Peach fest hack: After visiting the exhibit, take the quick drive to explore downtown Ruston, scope out the festival grounds, and snap a picture at one of the colorful murals!

EXPERIENCE: There’s plenty to enjoy Friday before the festival:

• Take a stroll through Downtown Ruston and browse the Peach Sidewalk Sale. Participating downtown shops will be offering peachy deals and special promotions from June 3-6.
  – Peach Fest Hack: Find your perfect festival outfit during the sidewalk sale!
• The Peach Parade is a long loved and cherished tradition by festival attendees. The parade will roll down W. Alabama Ave. and N. Monroe St. on Friday, June 5 at 6:00 PM.
• After the parade, you can head over to the North Louisiana Expo Center for the 37th Annual Peach Festival Rodeo for family fun entertainment, trick riders, and more.

Saturday June 6: Festival Day!

Festival activities start at 9:00 AM and there’s plenty to eat, see, and experience—all located on the festival grounds.

EAT:

Festival Eats

• This year, enjoy bites from 15 food vendors, offering everything from burgers, sandwiches, and pizza, to classic festival treats, refreshing drinks, and tasty snacks.
• You’ll also want to pay a visit to the Historic Fire Station for a scoop of frosty peach ice cream from the ladies of Beta Sigma Phi
  – Peach Fest Hack: Ask vendors what their special peach item is! All food vendors create and offer a peachy item just for the Peach Festival

Local Eats
Feeling like a sit-down meal? Check out these local restaurants that are walkable from the festival:

• The Local: morning pick-me-up coffee, pastries, and breakfast bites.
• Uptown Downtown or Heard Freighthouse Food Park: perfect for lunch and plenty of options! For sandwiches, wraps, and a sweet treat, go to Uptown Downtown. For BBQ, Burgers, Chinese, or Mexican cuisine, head over to the Food Park.
• Sundown Tavern or Ponchatoulas: both are beloved Ruston staples with that classic dive bar charm. Be sure to try the fried green beans at Sundown or the stuffed catfish at Ponchatoulas.
• Roma or Utility Brewing: For classic Italian-style pizza, pasta, and fresh salads, take a stroll to Roma’s Italian Bistro. Want to try something different? Utility Brewing serves up creative wood fire-baked pizzas paired with craft beer in a cozy setting.

SEE:

• Festival Art Displays: Discover Plein Air artists painting the scenes and capturing the action of the festival in real time. At Kids Alley, there will be interactive displays and activities for the kiddos to participate in the arts themselves!
• Ruston Antique Classic Car Show: Head over to Cadence Bank from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM for the Car Show. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just love vintage charm, this show is sure to impress with its lineup of beautifully restored classic vehicles.
• Fireworks Show: Stick around till the headliner performance for the Peach Festival’s Firework show at 8:45 PM! This dazzling sky display will take place before the headlining act to kick off the grand finale to the festival.
• Go to www.lapeachfest.com/schedule to see all festival events!

EXPERIENCE:

• Live Music: Enjoy more than 12 consecutive hours of live performances at the Railroad Park stage. With an exciting lineup of artists, the festival’s musical energy will keep you dancing all day long. Don’t miss the headliner, The Chee-Weez, taking the stage at 9:00 PM.
  – Peach Fest Hack: Bring a lawn chair or blanket in case seating runs out!
• Kids Alley: Make fun memories in this family-friendly zone packed with interactive activities and entertainment to keep the little ones smiling.
• Curated Market: Browse the booths of more than 90 vendors, all selling their handmade arts, jewelry, clothing, mugs, decorations, candles, and lots more. Additionally, you can stop by the Peach Fest Sticker Wall in the market—perfect for a fun and unique photo op.
  – Peach Fest Hack: arrive early to the Curated Market before your favorite vendor sells out. Visit www.lapeachfest.com/vendors to get a sneak peek at what vendors are offering.

SUNDAY:

After a busy Saturday, sleep in, take Sunday slow and enjoy Ruston’s cozy charm:

EAT:

• Trios: Enjoy their signature brunch menu in a trendy atmosphere.
• The Local: Order specialty brunch cocktails and bites in the heart of Downtown.
• Beau Vines Steakhouse: Not a brunch fan? Dive into a hearty lunch and bottomless mimosas.

SEE:
While you’re at the festival Saturday, you will likely spot a few of Ruston’s unique bulldog statues scattered throughout downtown. In total, there are 22 bulldogs placed around the city—each with its own charm. Stretch your visit a little longer and turn your Sunday into a scavenger hunt to track down the ones you missed.

EXPERIENCE:
Wind down with a peaceful visit to Lincoln Parish Park. This park offers mountain biking and walking trails, kayaking, fishing, and a playground for the kids. It’s the perfect way to soak in the natural beauty of Ruston and cap off your Peach Festival weekend.

From peachy treats and live music to charming shops and peaceful parks, the 76th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival is the perfect way to kick off your summer. Soak up the fun, explore Ruston, and celebrate 76 years of sweet traditions and unforgettable memories!

To learn the insider tips and tricks all seasoned festival goers know, read up on our How to Peach Fest blog.

Hundreds of kids who dream of playing in the pros – or, kids who just love to play – can get signed up for the free New Orleans Saints & Pelicans/Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Junior Training Camp on Saturday morning, June 27 on the Northwestern State campus in Natchitoches.

The JTC annually provides two hours of full throttle fun alongside Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame members and NSU coaches, and staff from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans community relations department. It is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.

The clinic registration can be done quickly on the LaSportsHall.com website under the “events’ button. Or parents can call the LSHOF Foundation office at 318-238-4255 for registration help. The camp fills to its 300-kid capacity almost every summer.

The LaSportsHall.com website has the full schedule for the Induction Celebration June 25-27. The JTC is one of three free events, beginning with the Thursday evening Welcome Reception from 5-7 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. The biggest free ticket is Friday night, June 26 Rockin’ Riverfest concert from 6-10:30 on the downtown riverbank, featuring a fireworks show after the Class of 2026 is introduced at 9:15.

The Junior Training Camp runs from 9-11 a.m., starting with registration between 8-9 a.m. at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center (WRAC) gymnasium on the NSU campus. It’s important for parents to get their campers checked in well before the fun starts at 9 a.m. Then, campers get introduced to the sports stars who will be coaching them for the next two hours, inside focusing on basketball skills, and outside at Turpin Stadium, with football and general sports skills instruction.

Every camper will bring home a free T-shirt, other items, and a coupon for a meal at Raisin’ Canes. Photos from the camp will be posted on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Facebook page, and so will a highlight video.

The goals of the JTC are simple – a fun, and thrilling, experience for the kids, free of charge; skills instruction from some of the best to ever play, or coach, the games; and promotion of health lifestyles and positive life choices.

The campers are separated into two groups. One stays inside for the first hour for basketball instruction, while the other is next door at Turpin Stadium, having football fun. The groups switch locations in the second half of the camp.

Parents can follow their favorite campers and watch all the fun from the stands in the gym and on the east side of Turpin Stadium – where it will be sunny, and hot, watching some really cool memories being made.

It may not feel romantic, but having honest conversations about money, family, and the future before marriage can make all the difference once real life begins.

 See what Ida says 

By Richard Searles

Healthcare, education, roads and flood protection projects receive funding recommendations in House Bill 2

More than $54 million in state construction and infrastructure projects tied to Natchitoches Parish are included in the latest version of Louisiana’s capital outlay budget, with major funding proposed for healthcare facilities, higher education projects, transportation improvements and flood protection initiatives.

The projects are contained in House Bill 2, the state’s annual capital outlay bill, which identifies construction and infrastructure projects eligible for state financing.

Among the largest allocations is $16.6 million for a healthcare infrastructure project at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, including construction of a new ambulatory tower.

Higher education projects account for another significant portion of the proposed funding. The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Innovation Center on the Northwestern State University campus is slated to receive $13.8 million, while replacement of John S. Kyser Hall at Northwestern State University is proposed for $6.54 million.

Transportation and infrastructure projects also received substantial support, including funding for improvements to Louisiana Highway 156 and reconstruction of city streets in Natchitoches.

If approved, the projects would represent one of the largest recent state investments in public facilities and infrastructure within Natchitoches Parish.

Proposed Natchitoches-Area Capital Outlay Projects

Total Proposed Funding

$54,601,163

In addition to the projects directly located in Natchitoches Parish, residents could benefit from several regional projects included elsewhere in the capital outlay bill, including navigation and transportation improvements affecting the Red River corridor.

The capital outlay bill must receive final legislative approval and projects must advance through the state’s priority funding process before construction funds are released.

The proposed capital outlay budget directs more than $54 million toward projects in and around Natchitoches Parish, with healthcare, higher education and transportation projects receiving the largest allocations. The largest single project is a $16.6 million ambulatory tower project at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, followed by a $13.8 million Innovation Center for the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts.

By Richard Searles

Education, infrastructure and economic development among top priorities

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Legislature adjourned its 2026 Regular Session after approving a balanced $47 billion state budget focused on education, economic development, infrastructure improvements and debt reduction.

The budget includes approximately $4 billion in State General Fund support for K-12 education and $1.3 billion for higher education. Funding also includes $420 million for early childhood education and $30 million for tutoring programs.

Lawmakers approved more than $360 million in economic development initiatives, including incentives for higher-paying jobs, business site development and workforce recruitment efforts.

The Legislature also allocated more than $500 million for additional road and infrastructure projects, $33 million for Medicaid home and community-based services and $144 million to reduce state retirement debt.

Before adjourning, lawmakers approved a new congressional district map, eliminated vehicle inspection sticker requirements in most parishes, added $50 million to the fortified roof grant program and approved additional protections for minors online.

During the session, legislators considered more than 2,500 measures and sent more than 900 bills to Gov. Jeff Landry for consideration.

The 2026 Regular Session concluded with lawmakers approving major investments in education, infrastructure and economic development while advancing a wide range of policy measures affecting Louisiana residents.

The Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court’s office continued to be busy recording new leases as it filed 76 more oil and gas leases during the month of May 2026.

Natchitoches Parish Clerk David Stamey confirmed that activity remains steady in the area described as from Interstate 49 at Highway 6, along La. Highway 6 to the Sabine Parish line and approximately 10 miles north into the Spanish Lake bottoms. However, leasing has now occurred south of La. Highway 6 and across I-49 on the east side of the interstate. There was one lease in the far northeastern portion of the parish near the Red River Parish and Bienville Parish lines, indicating activity is also occurring in neighboring parishes.

“This is wonderful economic news for our area,” Stamey said, “but it will be even better with every gas well that is drilled. Drilling has mostly been in the northwest portion of Natchitoches Parish, but indications are that production companies have been pleased.”

Stamey mentioned that his office has been busy with both in-person abstracting and online access for conveyances dating back to 1905. “We have been lucky to meet abstractors from companies new to the Robeline field,” Stamey said. “We thank them all for their business.”

The geographic expansion of leasing activity represents a significant shift, with operators now securing acreage beyond the traditional Robeline Field concentration and into previously untapped areas across parish boundaries. Activity across I-49 and into the northeastern portion of the parish suggests operators are assessing broader geological targets within the Haynesville Shale formation.

The seismic 3D graphing project, active across a 310-square-mile area mostly in Natchitoches Parish, supports this expanded exploration strategy. This extensive subsurface mapping work indicates operators are preparing detailed geological models across a much larger footprint than the initial Robeline Field concentration.

Landowners approached with lease offers or seismic survey requests should understand the complexity and long-term consequences of these agreements. If you are not an expert in oil and gas matters, strongly consider contacting a qualified oil and gas attorney before signing any documents. Mineral leases can have significant implications for mineral rights, royalty structures, surface rights and future property use. Professional legal guidance is essential to ensure fair terms and protect your interests.

A review of Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records confirms the 76 leases filed in May 2026. The NPJ obtained this information directly from the parish’s online Public Records system.

Total Leases filed in calendar year 2025: 405
Total Leases filed in calendar year 2026: 279

What a relief. There’s a big Congressional hearing Wednesday on the “Protect College Sports Act of 2026.”

“Supporting Student-Athletes, Restoring Fair Competition and Saving the Games Fans Love” is the stated mission of Senator Ted Cruz and colleagues.

“We cannot allow college athletics to morph into a mini-NFL or NBA,” said Cruz in an official statement announcing the hearing.

Senator, you’re late. By decades.

Some of it is fine by me. Absolutely if coaches are raking in mega-million dollar salaries, as they have been on the top shelf of the NCAA for this century, then the players ought to be cut in on the pie.

These seven-figure NIL deals we hear recruits and transfers are getting are no more excessive than the eight-figure contracts that are going to head coaches. Neither should exist, but …

We’re never going back to college sports as we thought they were. That will happen right alongside peace in the Middle East and admitting a messy CIA-Mafia conspiracy took out JFK.

You’ll get a lot more clarity June 12 when Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” hits movie screens and we find out Bigfoot uses UFOs to get away from prying eyes.

Ridiculous? So is the idea that Congress can solve this mess. We know the high level university presidents and conference commissioners can’t. Their first priorities are their own bottom lines. And it’s their second and third priorities, too.

The presidents punted on this long ago. It’s great that the former Ohio State president testifying Wednesday, Gordon Gee, is the same bold leader who offered these gems discussing an NCAA scandal staining the Buckeyes’ football program:

• “Let me just be very clear: I just hope the coach doesn’t fire me.”

• “They run the athletic department and I run the university, and I should have stayed out of there.”

He will no doubt show up at the hearing in his trademark bow tie. Looks academic. Here’s the clown Congress will hear from Wednesday: he ran up thousand-dollar luxury hotel bills on university expense accounts, got Ohio State to pay for $500 shower curtains for his university-provided house, and his marketing aces spent over $64,000 on bow ties, bow tie cookies and bow tie lapel pins for Gee and others to distribute over four years, according to reporting by the Dayton Daily News.

Surely he knows what’s good for the future of college sports.

Nick Saban will testify. He DOES know what’s good for the future of college sports.

He’s been telling anybody who will listen since the day he called it a coaching career, in part because their NIL package was the first and primary topic raised by practically every one of the first 20 or so players who he met with to discuss their futures with the following season’s Crimson Tide.

Listening to sages like Saban, and doing something about what you’ve heard, is where the disconnect exists with the presidents who make up the NCAA hierarchy and lead the Power 4 conference schools.

They are hoping Congress will impose its will where they would not. The Hatfields and McCoys have been sniping at each other across conference lines for decades instead of collaborating for the common good.

Now a group of presidents, board members and donors calling itself “Saving College Sports” – there’s even a snazzy letterhead – has presented Cruz and pals with a letter of support signed by dozens. New LSU president Wade Rousse’s name is on the letter. He told Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports he didn’t authorize his name to be included. Now that’s a reform-minded group, randomly claiming converts to its cause.

Know what’s missing from Wednesday’s festivities? Anyone not at the top tier. There are more than 360 NCAA Division I athletic programs. The issues discussed under the Capitol Dome tomorrow are so far out of scale for almost 300 of them that the eventual outcome for the non-Gucci schools is painfully predictable.

We saw it last month when the NCAA basketball postseasons, men and women, were padded to 76 teams – strictly a money grab for the biggies to get more teams in March Madness.

It doesn’t matter what’s good for the masses. It just comes down to what’s best for the masters of the college sports universe.

And they’re counting on a blow-hard heavy Congress, dripping in money from PACs and lobbyists that dwarf their actual salaries, to make it better?

Odds on that rank right up there with Jimmy Kimmel playing a round of golf with President Trump.

The ultimate solution to this mess will be when it crashes, drained of cash from disillusioned donors. Then we can hope that with nearly divine intervention, or desperation,  university leadership from across the far-reaching landscape gets real and sorts it out into authentic tiers of economically-sound competition with real oversight and rules that get enforced.

As likely as Fox News and CNN merging.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

MANSFIELD, La. — Sharpco Hotels Group has officially broken ground on a new 67‑room Comfort Inn & Suites in Mansfield, marking the company’s return to a community where its roots run deep.

The hotel will be built at the Interstate 49 and Highway 175 interchange, next to the LOVES Travel Center. When completed, it will become the first hotel at the exit, bringing new lodging options to travelers and supporting continued growth in DeSoto Parish.

The project will feature the Comfort brand’s Rise & Shine prototype, which includes a modern lobby, flexible seating areas, refreshed guestroom layouts, and amenities designed for both business and leisure guests. Plans call for complimentary hot breakfast, high‑speed Wi‑Fi, a fitness center, and meeting space.

For Sharpco Hotels Group, the project represents both progress and a homecoming.

“We are thrilled to return to the Mansfield market. I spent several summers living and working in our former Best Western here during my college years, so this community holds a special place in my story. Opening the first hotel at the Interstate 49 exit, right beside the LOVES Travel Center, is an exciting milestone for Sharpco Hotels Group,” said Jay Sharplin, President of Sharpco Hotels Group.

Sharpco previously owned and operated the Best Western in Mansfield throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, and the company says the new Comfort Inn & Suites will build on that legacy by bringing investment, jobs, and modern accommodations to the area.

Construction is now underway, with the hotel expected to open once development is completed.

Partner Rodney Harrington says that with the proliferation of leasing going on in Natchitoches and surrounding parishes, many land owners are at a loss of what they should do and whether or not they are making the right move to lease their property. 

Harrington said he worked many years as a petroleum land man meeting with landowners on behalf of oil and gas leasing companies to try and convince them to lease their property.  

“It’s usually a good idea to lease your land as opposed to leaving it unleased,” said Harrington, “But you want to make certain you are making the best deal possible and that the terms of the lease are the most favorable to you.”

“You need to remember that the agents working for the leasing companies, or ‘lease hounds,’ as they are sometimes called.”  Harrington continued, “They are trying to get the best deal possible for their company and lease your property under the terms most favorable to them.  That’s their job.”  Harrington also said that his previous employment as a petroleum land man gives him a unique prospective.

“I know how these guys think,” he said.  “It’s not that they’re trying to take advantage of landowners for the most part, it’s just that, as I said, their job is to make the best deal possible for their employer.”  He did say there are also some “bad actors” out there.

Harrington said that he has recently represented several clients in Natchitoches Parish in lease negotiations and has been able to obtain significant increases in the bonus payments they were offered and significant improvements to their lease terms.  He also worked extensively in the field during the first Haynesville Shale Boom several years ago. 

The Harrington Law Firm is an AU Rated firm by Martindale-Hubble, ranking it in the top 10% of all law firms in the nation.            

The attorneys also represent clients in the areas of Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Social Security Disability, Wills and Successions.

You can reach Rodney Harrington at the Harrington Law Firm at 352-5900 or call that number for a free consultation. 

Great things are happening in the city of Natchitoches. Having long stood and served as a pillar in the community, the beloved Catanese Grocery property is now owned by its adjacent neighbor, First Baptist Church on North Street.

The acquisition marks a major milestone for both the church and the surrounding neighborhood, preserving a rich local legacy.

“It’s a remarkable story that spans many generations, and this latest endeavor provides a snapshot of arguably one of the greatest and longest standing relationships persisting between church and community here in Natchitoches,” said Pastor J’Rel West of the First Baptist Church.

The history of the Catanese Store is one of deep roots and community service. Originating in Cottonport, Louisiana, the business later moved to Natchez before establishing its long-term home in Natchitoches at the corner of North and Levy streets. Over the decades, the store provided goods, services, and warmth to everyone who walked through its doors.

More than just a place of business, the Catanese Store cultivated meaningful relationships that lasted lifetimes and transcended generations.

Church leadership expressed profound appreciation for the family that kept that spirit alive for so long, specifically highlighting the family’s enduring generosity.

“To say we’re thrilled would be an understatement,” West said. “Words simply cannot express how grateful we are for this acquisition and how much this means to our church. We especially want to thank Mrs. Linda Cockrell for her compassionate heart and exhibiting the same love her family has shown to our church so many years ago.”

West jokingly added, “Yeah, Mrs. Cockrell can preach anytime at First Baptist Church of North Street.”

While local election officials remain focused on next month’s runoff elections, a massive slate of local, municipal, and federal offices will head to Natchitoches Parish ballots this fall.

The Louisiana Secretary of State’s office has confirmed that the qualifying window for the Nov. 3 open primary election will run from Aug. 5 through Aug. 7. Local and municipal candidates must qualify with the Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court, while federal and state-level candidates will file directly in Baton Rouge.

Before the fall election cycle takes center stage, local voters will first head to the polls on Saturday, June 27, for the second party primary, featuring runoffs for both the Democratic and Republican U.S. Senate races.

However, local election watchers are already eyeing the August qualifying dates due to the sheer volume of local seats up for election.

A comprehensive list of local offices qualifying for the November ballot includes:

• Judicial & Law Enforcement: Both District Court judges, the Natchitoches Parish district attorney, the Natchitoches City Court judge, and the Natchitoches City marshal.

• Parish School Board: All seats for the Natchitoches Parish School Board will be on the ballot.

• Wards 2, 3, and 4: Justices of the peace and constables for all three wards.

• Town of Campti: Mayor, Chief of Police, and all Town Council seats.

• Villages of Ashland, Goldonna, Provencal, and Robeline: Mayors, Chiefs of Police, and aldermen for all four municipalities.

In addition to local leadership, Natchitoches Parish voters will cast ballots for federal and state offices, including a U.S. Senate seat, the region’s U.S. representative, and the area’s member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

According to state election calendars, the deadline to register to vote in person or by mail for the fall election is Oct. 5. Voters using the online GeauxVote system have until Oct. 13 to register. Early voting for the Nov. 3 election will take place from Oct. 20 through Oct. 27, excluding Sundays.

By Edwin Crayton/Opinion

And why do so many of them claim to be Christians?

If you’ve read your New Testament, you’ve probably noticed that when Jesus physically walked the earth, he often criticized religious people for loving the things of the world. What he was talking about was the fact that they valued the things of the world more than they valued the things of God. In fact, the Scriptures even say, “he who becomes friends with the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4).  If you are a Christian, you should know that we who confess Jesus as savior and Lord are supposed to place nothing before God. It’s the first of the ten commandments: “You shall have no other god before me” (Exodus 20:3). Yet, many things become like idols for us.

When Jesus asked the question, “What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul? (Mark 8:36)”, he was warning us that the lures of this world can lead us down a wrong, dark path to hell. The Bible makes it clear that often we won’t even know it’s already happened. A person may become successful, rich and popular and then, one morning, wake up in hell. In Luke Chapter 16:19-31, there is a story of a wealthy man who did just that. Two men died. One was Lazarus the beggar who befriended Jesus. And the other was a rich man named Dives. Lazarus went to heaven. The rich man went to hell. When I first read this story, I was stunned when Jesus made it clear that even successful people who die without accepting Jesus as Lord and savior will be damned. Here is what I believe the Holy Spirit has taught me about testing where my loyalties really are. What follows are some ways we leave God out and follow the world instead of him. The types of lures Satan uses to hijack our love for God and then transfer it to this world, are too numerous to cover in the scope of an article this size (or any size). However, I believe these transgressions are universal:

• People follow the world by giving in to unbelief. It’s been so since the beginning of the world. Adam and Eve, the very first man and woman did not believe what God told them. They believed the stranger, the Devil and disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit (Book of Genesis, Chapters 2-3). The Devil was worldly and disconnected from God. Adam and Eve did not believe God, even though he was clearly the one who created them. And he even warned them of what disobedience would bring.  They were without excuse. Adam and Eve’s decision to disobey God and listen to someone other than God brought sin into the world and led to all the sins that occurred down through the generations. Worse, their unfortunate choice qualified every human being for an eternity in hell. Today, we are repeating their mistake as many also disbelieve God’s Word. They reject Christ and the very words of God. They criticize Christians who try to live by biblical standards. Like Adam and Eve, many people today are listening to voices other than God’s voice. Unfortunately, like Adam and Eve, they don’t realize it’s the on ramp to hell. What’s the best way to hear God’s voice? Read your Bible. Read it cover to cover.
• People follow worldly concepts because instead of building God’s kingdom, they are really building their own kingdoms. The Pharisees rejected Jesus, attacked and eventually killed him because he was viewed by them as a threat to their power. The Pharisees wanted to build their own kingdom. They wanted Jesus and everyone to submit to their rules. Do we do that too? Sure. We ask God to bless us and do things for us. Nothing wrong with that. But that is focused on getting what we want. It’s building our How many times do we ask God what we can do for him? When we do so, we are focusing on building his kingdom.
• People follow worldly ideas because they view God as permissive. They want a god who will let them do whatever they want. Even some people in church live in lifestyles the Bible has prohibited. Tell them about it and they will accuse you of “judging” them. But the Bible is clear when it teaches that even though Jesus forgives sin, he does not endorse it or downplay it. Some pastors are even openly living in sexual lifestyles that the Bible forbids. They are teaching their congregations that their sinful lifestyle is alright with God. They are lying. Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good.” God has a zero tolerance for sin. Yes, he will forgive your sin, but you must regret it, repent for it, which means you must stop it and turn from it. He will empower you to do so.
• People choose the world when they have too much confidence in their own intelligence. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us that we should trust in God and should not lean to our own understanding. That means that we should yield to God and allow him to be in control instead of us. But really, most of the time, we humans make decisions without consulting God. This is why the world is so messed up. I plead guilty and confess that sometimes I struggle with letting go and letting God. Am I the only one? Of course not. But as I’ve grown older, I have realized that all human wisdom is flawed, while God’s wisdom is flawless—perfect. Look at it this way. God cannot fail. I can. You can. So, who should be making the decisions? Should be a no-brainer shouldn’t it? When we take charge, we limit God and therefore we miss out on a blessing that he would like to give, because we are limiting him. When we do that it’s called “being dumb”. God’s ideas, intelligence and power are always going to be bigger and more awesome than ours.
• People are fooled into believing success in this world guarantees success in the next world. It does not. The rich man in Luke Chapter 16 wound up in hell. Lazarus would have been considered a financial failure by the standards of this world. Yet he ended up enjoying the riches of heaven. Is it worth it to do evil in order to gain the world’s riches and end up in the fiery pit of hell for an eternity? Someone once said, “Whoever dies with the most toys wins.” Someone much wiser responded, “Dying with the most toys still means you’re dead.” True Success is accepting Jesus as savior and lord. It’s making it to heaven. Jesus himself said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me” (John 14:6). As Lazarus the Christian beggar proved, you don’t need money to come to Jesus and spend eternity in heaven.

People confess Christ as savior and lord, but in fact, they live by worldly values.  

Sure, they claim they are following a Christ who was not prejudiced, but somehow, they themselves are prejudiced. They attend segregated churches by choice. They’re materialistic, even though Jesus was not and warned people about worshipping money. In business, these “so called Christians” leave their faith at home, so much so, that their business practices are exactly like those of nonbelievers. In short, they live daily life like the world. They fit in. They want to fit in. They don’t live like Jesus. He did not fit in. The Bible even says God’s people are to be “peculiar”. We are supposed to be different from the rest of the world.  We are supposed to also obey Jesus. Jesus made this point when he asked some less than faithful people in his circle, “Why do you call me lord, lord and then don’t do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). He also said, “Those who love me will keep my commandments” (John 14:21). Maybe the question is, do we really love him?

People cling to a worldview that opposes and is even incompatible with God’s worldview.

There are people who form their worldview on their own first, then they go out and find a religion and a “god” that fits what they’ve already decided. I suspect that is why we often hear some people say, “I wouldn’t serve a god who does…. (fill in the blank)?” Actually, the Bible teaches that God is who he is, take him or leave him. He doesn’t change to fit our lifestyle. Unlike your phone, he doesn’t do updates on himself. The Bible tells us we need to conform to God’s way of thinking because he knows best. He has all the wisdom and all the power. When we see things through the eyes of Jesus, we have true wisdom and peace. But we must humble ourselves to allow that to happen. Philippians 2:5 says, “let this mind be in you that is in Christ Jesus.” Bottom line is, when we want Jesus, we also want his point of view.

People buy into the trends of the day and of this world and that will almost always include abandoning God.

The social trends of the moment are increasingly meaner and anti-Christ. TV shows and popular social media routinely ridicule Christians and godly living. It almost seems you have to be anti-Christian to get a job in Hollywood.  This is an era when sexual concepts and ideas on reproduction go against Bible teachings and become so popular, they become laws.  In such an evil, toxic environment it’s easy to go along in order to get along. But Jesus doesn’t want us to sell out. He wants us to stay true and loyal to the faith. He warned us that those who reject him will be rejected by him. Being a Christian means we are to be faithful even when being faithful is unpopular or dangerous. The Bible promises that all believers will have trouble in this world. That’s sobering. But Jesus also promised that he would be with us at all times and the Bible reassures us that in times of persecution or even death, we will be given instructions if we are believers. 

People put off coming to Jesus because, they’re having too much fun living like an unbeliever in the world.

Some people will tell you that they’re not ready to believe in Jesus. They’ll admit, they like living outside of his will because they’re having a ball.  I’ve heard other people say, they’re going to get themselves together one day and then come to God. But they can’t do that. If they could, they wouldn’t need a savior.  More important, our days are numbered and no one knows when they’re going to die. In Luke 12:16-21, there is a great story of a man who was very well off and he decided he would just take all his goods, store them and then take it easy. God told him his soul would be required of him that day.  He died. You do not know, neither do I when we will pass on to the next world. That’s why every single day matters. Don’t wait. It may be too late. Those who are having fun doing what God prohibits should realize that if that last day comes before they’re surrendered to Jesus, their next stop will not be fun at all. The Bible is clear that the fires of hell await nonbelievers who die as nonbelievers (John 3:18, Revelations 20:15). It’s automatic.

Pray and obey God’s Holy Word. It is a sad reality that those who die in their sins without repenting will not be saved. And what about their friends who joined them and encouraged them to sin? Where will they be? Nowhere to be found. Stay faithful. Pray for God to give you strength to do so.

If you have never given your heart to Jesus, you can do so now. Ask him to be your savior and lord and repent for your sins. Accept him as lord, which means you are willing to let God lead you in living. (Read John 3:16 and Romans 10:9-10). Believe. And remember, this world is temporary. The next world is eternal. And God and only God controls the eternal world. You cannot choose both worlds because they exist in opposition.

As Adam and Eve discovered the hard way, it doesn’t pay to let anyone or anything lure into choosing the world and its ways instead of choosing God. You cannot sit on the fence either, or just ignore God, because neutrality is not an option. Whoever does either of those things will regret it for an eternity.

On October 6,1927, the first movie with talking actors was premiered by Warner Brothers Studios. It was called The Jazz Singer. It would change movies forever. But the day before, Sam Warner, the pioneer who was crucial to making it all happen died. Imagine. Just one day before giving the world an historic film. Who knew he’d die? We never know when we’ll go.

Most important question. Where did Sam Warner wake up in eternity? Heaven or hell?

Where will you? 

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” –James 4:4

^“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” –Joshua 24:15

Please pray for the following:

Pray for the soul of The United States of America

Please pray for our local library. Unfortunately, the Natchitoches Parish Library lost its funding when not enough people voted for the mileage tax that supports it. Pray to God to help this excellent and vital resource for our community survive. A great library like ours is essential.

The opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the Natchitoches Parish Journal or its associates.

The Louisiana Legislature passed SB 121 Thursday, sending a new congressional map to Governor Jeff Landry for his signature following months of debate prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down the state’s previous district lines.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais found that the previous map unconstitutionally prioritized race over traditional redistricting principles such as compactness and communities of interest. The new map was drawn without race as the predominant factor in determining district boundaries.

The legislation creates five Republican-leaning congressional districts statewide. A review of the enacted map shows that some parishes are split between congressional districts. 

For Caddo and Bossier parishes, both remain unified within the Fourth Congressional District alongside De Soto, Red River, Natchitoches, Sabine, Webster, Claiborne, and Bienville parishes. Central Louisiana, including Rapides Parish, is kept whole within the Fifth Congressional District.

The map now heads to the Governor for signature. If signed, it will govern Louisiana’s congressional representation through the remainder of the decade.

The Shreveport-Bossier Journal will continue to monitor developments.