Trinity Episcopal Church and Preschool to Host Open House Nov. 17 Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce
Trinity Episcopal Church and Preschool will host an open house and ribbon-cutting event Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 3 to 6 p.m. in Natchitoches.
The event is listed on the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce’s November community calendar.
The gathering will provide an opportunity for community members to visit the church and preschool and participate in the ribbon-cutting celebration.
Historic District Cleanup Scheduled for Nov. 18 Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce
A Historic District Cleanup is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 1 to 2 p.m. in Natchitoches.
The activity appears on the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce’s community calendar as an opportunity to focus attention on the city’s historic district.
Additional details about the cleanup location and participation arrangements were not provided in the calendar listing.
Natchitoches Parish Government Offices to Close for Veterans Day Natchitoches Parish Government
Natchitoches Parish Government offices will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.
The closure was announced by parish officials Nov. 4. Veterans Day is a state and federal holiday honoring men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Residents needing services from parish government offices are encouraged to plan accordingly.
John Paul Thibodaux scored 26 of St. Mary’s 42 points Friday night in a homefield victory over Montgomery. (Journal photo by KEVIN SHANNAHAN)
St. Mary’s outlasted an inspired effort by visiting Montgomery Friday night at Turpin Stadium in a 42-36 victory that earned the local Tigers a first-round bye and a second-round home game in the LHSAA playoffs.
The triumph finished a 9-1 regular season for St. Mary’s as John Paul Thibodaux celebrated Senior Night by running for four touchdowns and a two-point conversion. He scored on runs of 20, 8, 5 and 4 yards.
Preston Tilley ran for a 2-yard TD and threw a two-point conversion pass to Michael French. Weston LeGrand added a four-yard touchdown run.
Montgomery took the lead with 8:18 left to play, going ahead 30-26 with its second TD in less than two minutes after recovering an onside kick.
St. Mary’s responded in championship style. LeGrande’s TD and a two-point conversion run by Gavin Solomon put the local Tigers back on top 34-30 with 6:41 remaining. Tilley’s touchdown and two-point conversion lifted SMHS ahead 42-30 with 4:36 to go.
Montgomery (4-6) came back one more time, scoring with 1:58 left, but was unable to repeat its onside kick success as Tripp Philen recovered for St. Mary’s. The hostTigers clinched the win with a first down that allowed them to run out the clock.
The LHSAA playoff brackets released Sunday have St. Mary’s seeded fifth in Select Division IV, good for a first-round bye this Friday. The Tigers will await the result of the first-round contest between No. 12 Ascension Catholic (8-2) and 21st-seeded Central Catholic (4-6), with that winner traveling to Natchitoches on Friday the 13th.
LAKEVIEW: The Gators ended their season Friday with a 44-8 homefield loss to Ringgold, finishing 2-8, highlighted by two straight victories early in the season as Lakeview stopped a 28-game losing streak and posted its first home win in three seasons, making Homecoming a very happy celebration.
The LA Lightning 13U travel ball team from Natchitoches won first place Sunday in the USSSA Fall Ball Closer. This was a 2-day tournament held November 7 & 8 at Parc Natchitoches in Natchitoches, LA.
From left to right are players Jax Errington, Carter Hough, Adam Todtenbier, Callen Bertrand, Aiden Ailstock, Gavin Key, Luke Fair, Archer Johnson, and Hendrix Johnson. Coaches pictured (left to right) are Justin Johnson, Evan Gandy, and Ray Gandy. Not pictured team member is RJ Braden.
Antonio Hall returned a kickoff 93 yards for Northwestern’s lone touchdown against UTRGV on Saturday. (NSU photo by CHRIS REICH)
Northwestern State struggled to overcome an early deficit and a series of costly turnovers Saturday as UT-Rio Grande Valley recorded a pair of defensive touchdowns on its way to a 52-7 victory at Turpin Stadium.
The Vaqueros (5-5, 3-4) entered the game ranked third nationally with 12 interceptions and added three more against the Demons (0-10, 0-7), returning two for first-half touchdowns. UTRGV scored 24 points off Northwestern turnovers, using the takeaways to maintain control throughout the afternoon.
“It was a bad day at the office,” head coach Blaine McCorkle said. “We came out flat and I didn’t have us ready to play. That’s on me. Gave up too many big plays early, got in a big hole fast and that hole was too big to get out of even when we did start to recover a little bit. Turnovers for the second time in four weeks have really killed us.”
The Vaqueros needed just two plays to take the lead. Safety TJ Neal intercepted a pass and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown less than a minute into the game, giving UTRGV an early 7-0 advantage.
NSU held the ball for more than six minutes on its ensuing possession but managed just 37 yards before punting. The Demons’ next two drives also ended in punts as UTRGV added three consecutive offensive touchdowns to build a 28-0 lead just 12 seconds into the second quarter.
The second interception proved especially costly. After moving into UTRGV territory, a deflected Zach Wilcke pass landed in the hands of safety Alijah Prosser, who returned it 90 yards for another defensive touchdown.
The Demons answered on the ensuing kickoff.
Antonio Hall returned the kick 93 yards for a touchdown, giving Northwestern its first kickoff return for a score since Myles Ward accomplished the feat in 2018.
“He’s a talented athlete and capable of making those plays,” McCorkle said. “He’s been out of the lineup for a few weeks with injuries and he’s finally getting his body back and ready to go. When he’s healthy he’s fully capable of that, so that wasn’t a surprise to any of us at all.”
The NSU defense forced a punt on UTRGV’s next possession, but another interception halted the Demons’ following drive. The Vaqueros turned the takeaway into a 40-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, taking a 38-7 lead into the break.
Northwestern’s defense opened the second half with two stops, keeping UTRGV off the scoreboard in the third quarter. The Demons also put together one of their longest drives of the afternoon, moving 88 yards on 12 plays before an incomplete pass on fourth down ended the possession at the Vaqueros’ 3-yard line.
An errant snap on the next NSU possession resulted in the Demons’ fourth turnover of the game and another opportunity for UTRGV to capitalize.
Five Demon drives lasted at least 10 plays, including three in the first half and two after halftime. Two ended with interceptions and two more ended on failed fourth-down attempts, leaving NSU without points on any of those possessions.
Despite the disappointing afternoon, McCorkle said he continues to see growth in his players.
“Our guys are disciplined and they’re growing up and they’re becoming men,” McCorkle said. “At the end of the day that’s what we want to do. Everybody wants to hear ‘you’ve got to win,’ and you do. My job is to win football games. The guys know that. We’re not right now, but we’re getting a lot of things done other places that will help us win football games eventually.”
Northwestern closes its regular-season home schedule next Saturday when it hosts Houston Christian at 1 p.m. at Turpin Stadium.
Northwestern freshman Stella Allison is coming off a 3-for-6 shooting performance Friday at Arkansas. (NSU photo by CHRIS REICH)
The Northwestern State volleyball team took a big step toward qualifying for the eight-team Southland Conference Tournament next week with an upset win at UT-Rio Grande Valley Saturday, while NSU’s basketball teams dropped road games.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: After staying in range much of the game Friday at Arkansas, NSU has another opportunity to improve visiting No. 22 Oklahoma State (2-0) for a Monday morning (11 o’clock) contest.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+. OSU is the first of two ranked opponents the Demons face this season.
“I’ve known their coach Jacie (Hoyt) for some time now and she does a great job,” new NSU coach Alan Frey said. “She has put together a roster that can compete for a national championship. Even the way her team competed in the NCAA Tournament last year, I was so impressed with the way she coached against UCLA, the team that won the national championship.
“I am so excited about going in there and playing them and seeing what we can do against a national level team like that in a hostile environment against a friend.”
Friday, junior KP Parr scored a career-high 20 points in an 89-59 loss at Arkansas on 7-of-10 shooting from the field along with grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists.
In her two games, she has begun her NSU career nicely, shooting 9-of-14 from the field and averaging 7.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game.
The Lady Demons wrap up a three-game road trip with a visit to in-state foe Louisiana Tech on Thursday before coming back home for a matchup with LSU-Shreveport on Nov. 16.
MEN’S BASKETBALL: Murray State pulled away down the stretch Saturday night in the Bluegrass State for a 93-71 victory on its homecourt despite 24 points from Kentucky native Kai Simpson for the Demons.
“I’m really proud of our guys,” NSU coach Rick Cabrera said. “We put ourselves in position to win the game. I’ve got to give credit to Murray for sticking with the game plan, making big shots and getting stops. Our defense was really good for a long period of time, especially our switching defense. They are an NCAA Tournament-type team.”
Through the first 30-plus minutes of the game, the Demons (0-3) and Racers (2-0) were locked in a see-saw battle with no team building more than an eight-point edge.
The first half of the final 20 minutes saw the Demons erase an eight-point deficit to take a pair of leads, including a 62-60 edge with 11:10 to play after Simpson completed a three-point play.
That was the final lead of the night for Northwestern, playing without three rotation players because of injury.
The Demons finished the game 1-for-10 from the field.
“Our main dudes were playing heavy minutes, and it turned into some tough shots and missed defensive assignments,” Cabrera said.
Despite that, Northwestern sank a season-best 50 percent of its shot and was 7-for-12 from 3-point range.
Joining Simpson in the Demons’ double-figure scoring group were Nathan Ojukwu (15 points, team-high six assists) and freshman Antoine Almuttar (10 points).
Northwestern plays at home Tuesday night against Millsaps.
VOLLEYBALL: Senior Jade Longlad’s 54 assists along with freshman Olivia Nzioki’s 18 kills helped propel the Demons to a key Southland Conference road win Saturday afternoon over the UT- Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 3-1 (25-22, 26-24, 21-25 and 26-24) in Edinburg, Texas.
The Demons (14-15, 6-8 SLC) also got a career-high 15 kills by Elizabeth Muguruza while Elsie Sanchez added 12. NSU collected 73 digs led by Emmarie McFarland with 18.
“We played a great match today,” said Kaszeta. “So collective on both sides of the net. Our kids not only handled pressure but were able to keep the pressure on them today too. A very good team win today.”
The outcome moved Northwestern close to clinching a Southland Tournament berth. The Demons split the season series with the Vaqueros (14-11, 10-4 SLC). NSU will take on the East Texas A&M Lions (11-16, 5-9 SLC) Thursday night at Prather Coliseum then visit the Lions to wrap the regular season Saturday.
Oil and gas leasing remained strong across Natchitoches Parish in October, but the pattern of that leasing appears to be changing as companies increasingly move into smaller tracts and developed areas.
The Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court’s office recorded 168 leases during October, continuing the strong pace of oil and gas filings seen throughout 2026.
Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court David Stamey said one difference has become noticeable in recent filings.
“We have recently had more leases but probably less total acreage leased,” Stamey said.
Earlier in the leasing cycle, companies were often securing larger tracts of land. Stamey said the more recent filings suggest companies are now working to connect or fill in areas between those larger leases.
That has brought leasing into subdivisions, along highways and onto smaller individual tracts.
The change may help explain why the number of leases remains high even when the total acreage represented by those leases may be smaller than during earlier stages of development.
Geographically, leasing continues in two broad areas stretching from around Provencal north toward the area south of Ashland.
Additional leases were filed in the Eight Mile Loop area, along Louisiana Highway 504, around Allen-Marthaville Road and near Crossroads Church. Leasing also continues along Louisiana Highway 6 toward Robeline and on the east side of Interstate 49.
The filings show companies continuing to work both established areas and smaller tracts within the broader leasing footprint that has developed across the parish during the past year.
The seismic project in Natchitoches and Sabine parishes also continues.
Residents and landowners are watching the project closely, hoping the geological information gathered through the seismic work could identify additional areas of interest and lead to more leasing and eventually additional drilling.
Seismic surveys allow exploration companies to study underground geological formations before deciding whether an area warrants further investment. The surveys do not guarantee future drilling, but favorable results can influence where companies focus additional leasing and exploration.
Landowners approached with mineral lease offers, rights-of-way agreements, pipeline easements or other oil and gas documents should understand the complexity and potential long-term consequences of the agreements they are being asked to sign.
Those who are not experienced in oil and gas matters should strongly consider consulting a qualified oil and gas attorney or other specialist before signing an agreement. Mineral leases and related agreements can affect royalty payments, mineral rights, surface access and future use of property.
Professional guidance can help landowners understand proposed terms and protect their interests before entering into a long-term agreement.
The October filings bring the 2026 year-to-date total to 792, nearly double the 405 filings recorded during all of 2025.
Total filed in calendar year 2025: 405 Total filed in calendar year 2026: 792
The Natchitoches Parish Journal will continue following leasing, drilling, seismic work and related oil and gas development across the parish.
A review of Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records confirms the leases filed in October 2026. The NPJ obtained this information directly from the parish’s online Public Records system.
No part of this publication, including text, photographs, graphics, or multimedia, may be reproduced, distributed, republished, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission from the publisher.
Natchitoches Parish Government Offices to Close for Veterans Day Natchitoches Parish Government
Natchitoches Parish Government offices will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.
The closure was announced by parish officials Nov. 4. Veterans Day is a state and federal holiday honoring men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Residents needing services from parish government offices are encouraged to plan accordingly.
Natchitoches City Council to Meet Monday, Nov. 9 City of Natchitoches
The Natchitoches City Council will hold its next regular meeting Monday, Nov. 9.
The meeting follows the council’s Oct. 26 session, which included action on the public swimming pool renovation project, water treatment facility improvements and other city business.
Residents interested in upcoming council decisions may review the city’s meeting notices and agendas for matters scheduled for consideration.
NSU Announces Campus Activities for Nov. 8-14 Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University has announced campus activities for Nov. 8-14, featuring concerts, athletics, art exhibitions and student competitions.
Highlights include the Jazz Orchestra concert Nov. 9, men’s basketball against Millsaps College and a percussion concert Nov. 10, and the Inferno Pitch competition Nov. 11.
Additional events include volleyball against East Texas A&M Nov. 12, JAM Day and an art exhibition reception Nov. 13, and Honor Band concerts Nov. 13-14.
The Demons will host Houston Christian in football Saturday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. in Turpin Stadium.
The NCHS Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country teams qualified for the state championship meet for the first time in school history while competing in the LHSAA Division 2 – Region 1 Championships at Acadiana Park in Lafayette on Thursday, November 5th.
Senior Aiden Cooper led the boys’ team with a blistering 5k time of 17:52, earning 24th place, All-Region honors, and an automatic qualifying bid to the state championship meet. The scoring was rounded out by Pierce Hyams (26th, 18:02), Patrick Martinez (32nd, 18:13), Weston Dunagan (36th, 18:21), and Tate Scribner (52nd, 19:32). The final two Chiefs to cross the finish line were Gabriel Bush (61st, 20:42) and Joseph Stephens (68th, 21:31).
In the team event, the boys qualified for state in sixth place with a 5k team average of 18:24—the fastest time by an NCHS cross country team in twenty years.
Freshman Molly Morris led the Lady Chiefs with a personal best 5k time of 25:15 earning 45th place. The rest of the scoring runners were Cora Scribner (54th, 28:19), Emery Bryant (55th, 28:40), Isabela Soto (56th, 28:44), and Carsyn Goings (60th, 29:38). Khloe Willis (61st, 29:48) and Bella Clark (68th, 31:08) were the final two Lady Chiefs across the line.
The girls’ team earned the eighth and final qualifying spot in the team event with a 5k team average of 28:07.
Both the Chiefs and Lady Chiefs will end their historic season by competing in the LHSAA Cross Country Championships in Natchitoches on November 16th.
Back (from left): Jackson Henderson, Brian Morris, Joseph Stephens, Weston Dunagan, Braxton Lambert, Patrick Martinez, Aiden Cooper, Pierce Hyams, Tate Scribner, Tano Eleyae, Gabriel Bush.
KJ Newton crosses the goalline at Independence Stadium Thursday night on one of his three touchdown receptions for Natchitoches Central. (Journal photo by KEVIN PICKENS)
Natchitoches Central led most of Thursday night’s game against Huntington but the Raiders roared back in the fourth quarter to end the Chiefs’ season.
St. Mary’s finishes its regular-season schedule in Turpin Stadium tonight, hosting Montgomery to tune up for postseason play. Lakeview is also home tonight, against Ringgold, in the Gators’ last game of the season.
HUNTINGTON 42, NCHS 28: At Shreveport’s Independence Stadium, the Chiefs missed chances to have a three-touchdown halftime lead and it cost them after Huntington rallied down the stretch in a comeback win.
NCHS, finishing 1-9 overall and 1-5 in District 1-5A with four very competitive losses, led 21-14 at halftime but two turnovers deep in Huntington territory prevented a 35-14 advantage through two quarters.
The Raiders (4-6, 4-2) won their third straight and fourth in five district games with a second-half surge. After going ahead 35-28 in the final period, Huntington recovered a fumble inside its own 40 to halt an NCHS bid to tie the game with 6:50 remaining.
The Chiefs scored on four Kobe Jones touchdown passes, three going to KJ Newton covering 22, 40 and 5 yards. Ronald Bolton and Jones connected on a 73-yard TD strike.
Huntington scored on a 65-yard fumble return for a 14-7 first quarter lead, but NCHS bounced back to take the halftime lead.
ST. MARY’S: The Tigers wrap up their District 3-1A schedule by hosting neighborhood rival Montgomery at 7 o’clock tonight. St. Mary’s is one play away from being unbeaten, with a blocked 22-yard field goal deciding a 29-28 loss to Logansport as the reason the Tigers aren’t 9-0.
The last time St. Mary’s dropped only one regular-season game was 2022, which wound up with a state quarterfinal appearance and an 11-2 record.
Montgomery is 4-5 overall and 2-2 in district. The Tigers have dropped their last two games, at Jonesboro-Hodge (36-6) and at home to Logansport (65-22) after blasting Ringgold 64-30 on Oct. 16.
St. Mary’s shut out Ringgold in the second half last week, winning 67-28 after a wild 36-28 first half in Bienville Parish.
Senior running back John Paul Thibodaux is averaging 120 rushing yards and has run for 15 scores.
Freshman Weston Legrande is the top tackler for SMHS with a 9.1 average.
The Tigers will find out their Select Division IV playoff draw Sunday. They appear certain to get a first-round bye and a second-round home game, standing fourth in Division IV with a 14.48 power ranking. If they retain their No. 4 seeding, they would also be able to host a quarterfinal game.
LAKEVIEW: The Gators ended a long losing streak with two straight early season wins, and tonight at 7 they hope to wrap up the season successfully at home against Ringgold.
Lakeview is 2-7 overall and 0-4 in District 3-1A after losing 52-0 at Jonesboro-Hodge last week. The Redskins are 4-4 overall, and also winless in district games, giving up at least 50 points in each loss.
Kai Simpson led Northwestern with 13 points at Mississippi State on Thursday night. (NSU photo by CHRIS REICH)
STARKVILLE, Mississippi – Sluggish offensive starts to each half forced the Northwestern State men’s basketball team into an uncomfortable position Thursday night.
Coupled with a Mississippi State front line that controlled the offensive glass, the Demons were unable to overcome the tough stretches, falling to the Bulldogs, 82-44, inside Humphrey Coliseum.
“If I would have told you that we would have held them to 40 percent (shooting) from the field and 28 (percent) from 3, and we lost by 38, you wouldn’t have believed it,” fourth-year head coach Rick Cabrera said. “But they had 20 offensive rebounds and 25 second-chance points.”
The Demons (0-2) did not score in the first five minutes of the game. Despite the slow start in which Northwestern missed its first six shots and committed a turnover, NSU trailed by only six after Arne Osojnik and Doyle Brown sank consecutive 3-pointers a little more than seven minutes into the game.
The Bulldogs (2-0) swung momentum in their favor with a 13-3 run across the next 5:45 seconds, building a double-figure lead they would not relinquish.
Mississippi State stifled the Demons defensively as Osojnik’s and Brown’s 3s on consecutive possessions marked the only time Northwestern hit field goals on back-to-back possessions in the half.
“I give credit to their defense, but we have to do a better job of making it easier,” Cabrera said. “We have a team of 14, but when two of your best drivers are sitting in dress clothes, that matters. Hopefully. we’ll get them back soon. We needed them against a team that pressures and has length and size on the perimeter. Our guys fought and competed. It just wasn’t good enough.”
Mississippi State outrebounded Northwestern, 50-34, and owned a 25-9 advantage in second-chance points and a 30-18 edge in points in the paint.
The offensive rebounding skewed the Demons’ defensive numbers as Northwestern limited a Bulldog team that scored 106 points on 58.3-percent shooting Monday against Tennessee Tech to 82 points on 40.6-percent shooting.
“Our initial defense was really good,” Cabrera said. “When it hit the rim, it’s not that our guys weren’t there fighting for it. They just do a great job of attacking the offensive glass.”
For the second straight game, Kai Simpson led the Demons in scoring with 13 points while Josh Hubbard paced a balanced Bulldog attack with 15 points as three Mississippi State players reached double figures.
The Demons cap their season-opening, three-game road trip Saturday night at Murray State. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. inside the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.
Kendall Hemperley (right) celebrates with her Northwestern teammates Emily Gundin (center) and Maliya Maldonado (left) after Hemperley scored the first goal of the game Thursday. (NSU photo by CHRIS REICH)
Northwestern State’s female fall sports teams had mixed results Thursday, with the soccer squad winning its last regular-season contest while the volleyball Demons dropped a match on their south Texas road trip.
SOCCER: A second half goal from Kate Bouck lifted Northwestern to a 2-1 victory over UT-Rio Grande Valley in the regular season finale on Thursday afternoon at the Demon Soccer Complex.
NSU (9-9 overall, 6-4 SLC) scored on a blast from Bouck in the 54th minute that was initially stopped by UTRGV (4-12-2, 0-8-2) goalkeeper Mariana Amezcua, but after halting the head-high shot, the shot was so fast, it bounced off Amezcua’s hands and over her head and into the back of the net.
It was Bouck’s first goal of the season, coming at a perfect time.
The win lifted the Demons into the No. 3 seed in next week’s Southland Conference Tournament, facing No. 6 McNeese Tuesday at 3:30 in Commerce, Texas.
“This was a big three points,” head coach Ian Brophy said. “We really needed it. It secures a top four finish, and we’ve done that in all my years here, so that is a positive.
“I thought we could have played a lot better. I didn’t think we were great on the day. We had a lot of control and a lot of possession, but I don’t think we were very dangerous with that possession and that is one area we need to continue to improve in.”
The Demons outshot UTRGV 23-7.
The teams traded goals in the first half less than five minutes apart.
Kendall Hemperley found the back of the net for the third time this season in the 14th minute for NSU before Sienna Gillespie answered for the Vaqueros.
VOLLEYBALL: The Demons’ comeback fell short in a 3-1 loss (25-20, 25-14, 23-25 and 25-16) to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Thursday night in Corpus Christi.
The Demons (13-15, 5-8 SLC) were led by Amber Craig with 11 kills while Olivia Nzioki added 10 kills and five blocks. Senior Jade Longlad had 29 assists as she went over 1,300 for her career. Emmarie McFarland chipped in with 14 digs as she passed 800 career digs.
The Islanders (9-15, 7-6 SLC) limited NSU to a .141 hitting percentage (41-22-135). A&M-Corpus Christi finished with a .301 (57-15-136).
The Islanders evened the series with the Demons after NSU won the first matchup 3-1 back in Natchitoches on Oct. 10.
NSU will face the UT-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (14-10, 10-3 SLC) Saturday in Edinburg, Texas at 1 p.m. The Vaqueros were upset in five sets Thursday by East Texas A&M (9-17, 4-10 SLC).
Justice Bus to Return to Natchitoches Parish Library Nov. 17 Natchitoches Parish Library
The Justice Bus mobile legal resource center is scheduled to visit the Natchitoches Parish Library Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The program provides free resources to help residents navigate civil legal matters and locate legal assistance.
The visit is part of an ongoing initiative to make legal information and assistance more accessible to Louisiana residents.
Caregiver Support Group to Meet Nov. 17 in Natchitoches Natchitoches Council on Aging
The Natchitoches Council on Aging will offer a free caregiver support group Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 2 to 3 p.m.
The confidential gathering is designed for individuals caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, including spouses and other family members.
Participants can share experiences, discuss caregiving challenges and connect with others facing similar responsibilities.
Fleur de Lis Christmas Craft Market Returns Nov. 28 City of Natchitoches
The 22nd annual Fleur de Lis Christmas Craft Market will be held Saturday, Nov. 28, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Natchitoches.
The annual event will feature more than 100 booths offering handmade items, providing residents and visitors an opportunity to shop for gifts during the holiday season.
The market is among the community activities scheduled as Natchitoches prepares for its annual Christmas celebrations.
Veterans Day Celebration Set for Nov. 10 at Mariner’s Restaurant
Lagniappe Homecare and DT Midstream will host a Veterans Day celebration Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 8:30 a.m. at Mariner’s Lakefront Restaurant, 5948 LA-1 in Natchitoches.
The event will honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Veterans and community members interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Kellie at 318-471-2712.
Thank you Ward 1 Voters! I am truly humbled and grateful to have been reelected as your Ward 1 City Marshal. I want to thank everyone who voted for me, supported me, and encouraged me throughout this election. Your trust and confidence in me mean more than words can express.
Serving the people of Ward 1 is an honor that I do not take for granted. I am thankful for the opportunity to continue serving the people of Ward 1 and the City of Natchitoches.
I remain committed to serving with dedication, integrity, and a genuine desire to make a difference. Thank you for believing in me and allowing me to continue to serve as your City Marshal.
Northwestern State University’s chapter of the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for international scholars hosted a program entitled “Works of Our Common Kindred” Sunday November 1 at NSU’s Magale auditorium. The event was held to honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and featured several superbly done musical pieces performed by international students and NSU CAPA faculty.
The program concluded with a reading of the Declaration of Independence with an interesting twist – NSU faculty and students read passages from the Declaration in their native languages. That reading brought home the universality of the American experience and of the various groups who came here to build a better life.
The audience and performers were then treated to a reception in the Magale lobby that featured different international foods.
Natchitoches Central senior safety Derrick Beaudoin cuts across the field on his 55-yard interception return touchdown that was the Chiefs’ last score in their 27-14 upset of previously unbeaten Haughton last Friday. (Journal photo by KEVIN SHANNAHAN)
Natchitoches Central stopped Haughton’s unbeaten season last Friday night.
Tonight, the Chiefs try to cool off another playoff-bound district foe when they visit Independence Stadium in Shreveport for a 7 o’clock contest against Huntington’s Raiders. The game will be broadcast on 100.7 FM KZBL.
NCHS picked up its first win this fall last week after three close calls against other district opponents. The Chiefs jumped on top and never trailed, coming up with a series of defensive stops including a goalline stand to end the first half, and beat Haughton 27-14 in Turpin Stadium.
The Chiefs (1-8 overall, 1-4 in District 1-5A) will line up against a Huntington team that like NCHS, took on a very challenging non-district schedule and has found its footing lately. The Raiders (3-6, 3-2) have won three of their last four, including the last two, notably a 32-6 victory last Friday at Benton a week after Benton edged NCHS 41-35 in overtime.
NCHS showed its diversity offensively last week, scoring on a 16-yard pass from Kobe Jones to Ronald Bolton, a 3-yard Kaden Kuykendoll run up the middle and a 24-yard fourth-down conversion on a pass from Jones Blessed Brown.
Huntington is almost certain to fit into the Select Division I 24-team playoff bracket. NCHS must win and get a series of favorable results from 11 other games this weekend to reach the 28-team Non-Select Division I postseason field.
Outstanding seasons ended Wednesday night for the volleyball teams from Natchitoches Central and St. Mary’s in the opening round of the 2026 LHSAA postseason.
NCHS went back and forth with visiting Dutchtown in a 3-1 loss in Division I competition. The Lady Chiefs won the first set 26-24, and the visitors edged out decisions in the next three sets, prevailing 25-23, 25-22 and 25-19.
It ended a 25-6 season for NCHS.
Across town, the St. Mary’s Lady Tigers gave it all they had against visiting St. Edmund but was beaten 3-0 in a Division V contest. The Lady Blue Jays won 25-14, 25-21 and 25-14, stopping St. Mary’s with a 20-8 record this fall.
Kordrick Turner will be a key part of Northwestern’s interior defense tonight at Mississippi State. (Photo by MADI MORRIS, North Texas Athletics)
STARKVILLE, Mississippi – There was no sense of a moral victory for the Northwestern State men’s basketball team after its competitive season-opening loss Monday night at Baylor.
Despite the outcome, however, the Demons will carry momentum into Thursday’s 6:30 p.m. matchup with Mississippi State inside Humphrey Coliseum. The game will air on SEC Network Plus, the streaming-only arm of the SEC Network.
“We did a lot of good things,” fourth-year head coach Rick Cabrera said. “We have some things we’ve got to fix offensively. Against teams like (Baylor), your margin for error is very slim. They’re very good – a team that can be playing in April. When you go on the road in a hostile atmosphere, you feel like you have to play mistake-free basketball. At times, we did that, but they took over with their size.”
Baylor defeated preseason No. 1 Florida and No. 3 Illinois in preseason exhibition games, and posted an 87-65 victory Monday over an NSU team that remained competitive but couldn’t get closer than 13 points.
In making their first trip to Starkville in a decade, the Demons (0-1) again will face a power-conference team that will have a size advantage.
Eight Bulldogs are listed at 6-foot-7 or taller. Despite its inherent size advantage, Mississippi State (1-0) will be driven as usual by 6-foot senior guard Joshua Hubbard, who led the Bulldogs to a 106-88 win against Tennessee Tech on Monday with 25 points and nine assists.
“Josh Hubbard is on pace to be, arguably, the greatest Mississippi State basketball player ever in their great history,” Cabrera said. “They’ve had a lot of great players come through there. He’s been an All-SEC guard, but beyond him they have other great players and Chris Jans is a heck of a coach.”
While Mississippi State opened its season with a victory in a track meet, Jans’ teams typically are defensive-minded.
“They defend,” Cabrera said. “They get out in transition. They play free a little bit. Our guys are excited for the next opportunity. You always want to play on the big stage against the best, and these type of games help us in conference, but we’re going into these games trying to win them.”
Northwestern opened its season by seeing 11 newcomers combine to score all 65 points in Monday’s loss at Baylor. That same group grabbed all but one of the Demons’ 35 rebounds as only one returner – senior forward Kordrick Turner – played against the Bears.
That group also recovered from a tough start defensively to hold Baylor to 37.1-percent shooting in the second half, down from a 60-percent mark in the first half.
Northwestern also forced 16 turnovers and converted them into 18 points, matching its most points off turnovers against a power-conference team in the Cabrera era. The last time the Demons hit that number was against California on Dec. 14, 2024.
Turning defense into offense is a staple Cabrera said he hopes the Demons can maintain.
Said Cabrera: “I tell our guys, ‘I don’t want you thinking too much offensively. I want you to play unselfishly, try to get a paint touch, try to get a spray-out 3, try to get layups.’ If we get stops, we’ll have success (offensively). If the ball’s constantly coming out of the net, then we’re going to have to run plays and plays and plays. We don’t want to do that.”
Emma Pethel (with ball) will be a focal figure as the Northwestern soccer team makes its final homefield appearance, against UT-Rio Grande Valley, this morning at 11. (NSU photo by CHRIS REICH)
Northwestern State’s female fall sports teams are chasing Southland Conference Tournament berths this week, beginning today as the soccer team wraps up the regular season at home and volleyball starts a two-match swing in south Texas.
SOCCER: Southland Conference Tournament seeding is on the line as Northwestern welcomes UTRGV to the Demon Soccer Complex this morning for the final game of the regular season.
It is an early kickoff, at 11 a.m., designed to accommodate school children who will attend.
The Demons are currently in fifth place in the SLC but could finish as high as the No. 3 seed. NSU has been a No. 4 seed or higher in each of the past seven seasons, a streak that dates back to 2019.
NSU (8-9, 5-4) aims to rebound from a loss to McNeese when it faces the last-place Vaqueros (4-11-2, 0-7-2), who will not be a part of next week’s SLC Tournament.
“They are playing with house money,” NSU coach Ian Brophy said. “If there is any pressure, it is on us. Obviously, we want to win the game and get further up the table and get the best seeding possible for the conference tournament.
“The hope is that we will go out and perform well. We know they are going to be dangerous because they can play care-free and just play their game. We know it’s not going to be an easy match and if we take it lightly, we’ll be in for a real tough afternoon.”
After a disheartening 3-1 loss last Sunday at McNeese, the Demons aim to right the ship at home, where NSU has been nearly unbeatable. In the last 15 contests in front of a friendly crowd, the Demons are 14-1-2, dating back to mid-October 2024. NSU has scored 38 of its 51 goals at home.
It is the final game at the Demon Soccer Complex for a pair of Northwestern standouts, forward Paige Baumgartner and midfielder Riley Stern.
Stern has recorded 17 assists in her career, which is fourth in program history, and is just a single assist out of third.
Baumgartner has been a strong offensive force for three seasons with NSU and is just five points out of the top 10 for career points with 47.
Following the game, NSU heads to the SLC Tournament, which begins Tuesday.
VOLLEYBALL: With just four regular season matches remaining, the Northwestern volleyball team starts the stretch run tonight at 6:30 p.m. to face the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders at the Dugan Wellness Center in Corpus Christi – site of the Southland Conference Tournament later this month.
The Demons (13-14, 5-7 SLC) are looking to bounce back from a 3-0 loss at home to the UIW Cardinals (12-9, 10-2 SLC) this past Saturday. NSU enters the week tied for seventh place in the conference standings with Lamar (8-17, 5-7 SLC) who owns the tiebreaker over the Demons. The Islanders (8-15, 6-6 SLC) are tied for fifth place with McNeese (10-13, 6-6 SLC). The top eight teams qualify for the conference tournament Nov. 20-22.
“We’re in a pretty good place,” said Demon head coach Ben Kaszeta. “We’re working towards some good goals. But we’re still trying to maintain against some of the better teams in the league in each match. But I like the attitude and energy we have. Monday’s practice was awesome and we’re attacking things with good energy and a good mindset.”
Northwestern will travel to near the USA-Mexico border for a Saturday match at UT-Rio Grande Valley, then comes home for a season-ending home-and-home series against East Texas A&M, beginning next Thursday in Prather Coliseum.
Voters across Natchitoches Parish went to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, to decide several local elections, including city judge, city marshal, school board, justice of the peace, constable, mayoral, police chief and municipal council races.
According to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State, all Election Day precincts and early and absentee voting returns have been reported for the local contests listed below.
The results include several closely contested races, including the City Court judge’s race, where Robert Owsley received 52% of the vote against Cloyd Benjamin Jr., who received 48%.
In the Natchitoches City Marshal’s race, “Randy” Williams received 84% of the vote against Carl Sias, who received 16%.
The following results are UNOFFICIAL and remain subject to certification.
Natchitoches Parish Local Election Results
City Judge — City Court, City of Natchitoches
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 21 of 21 precincts reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
Robert Owsley (NOPTY)
3,477
52%
Cloyd Benjamin, Jr. (NOPTY)
3,243
48%
Total
6,720
100%
Unofficial Turnout: 47.3%
City Marshal — City Court, City of Natchitoches
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 21 of 21 precincts reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
“Randy” Williams (DEM)
5,664
84%
Carl Sias (NOPTY)
1,044
16%
Total
6,708
100%
Unofficial Turnout: 47.2%
Member of School Board — District 1
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 3 of 3 precincts reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
Barbara Page (NOPTY)
690
56%
Lee Waskom (NOPTY)
547
44%
Total
1,237
100%
Unofficial Turnout: 55.5%
Member of School Board — District 8
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 7 of 7 precincts reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
“Chris” Bush (DEM)
510
50%
Linda Davidson (DEM)
372
36%
J D Samuel, Jr. (DEM)
138
14%
Total
1,020
100%
Unofficial Turnout: 44.4%
Justice of the Peace — Ward 3
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 10 of 10 precincts reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
George “Dwain” Spillman, Jr. (REP)
908
71%
Celeste Ocon (NOPTY)
364
29%
Total
1,272
100%
Unofficial Turnout: 47.6%
Constable — Justice of the Peace Ward 2
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 10 of 10 precincts reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
Monty Trichel (NOPTY)
981
70%
Lynn “Hoppy” Layfield (NOPTY)
414
30%
Total
1,395
100%
Unofficial Turnout: 44.4%
Mayor — Town of Campti
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 1 of 1 precinct reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
Katrina Evans (DEM)
172
54%
Jasmine Lewis (NOPTY)
148
46%
Total
320
100%
Unofficial Turnout: 55.9%
Mayor — Village of Robeline
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 2 of 2 precincts reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
Gordon Ocon (REP)
51
68%
Rodney Lane French (NOPTY)
22
29%
Chase Collins (NOPTY)
2
3%
Total
75
100%
Unofficial Turnout: 64.7%
Chief of Police — Town of Campti
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 1 of 1 precinct reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
Quatashia “Shae” Phillips (NOPTY)
107
34%
Rickey Armstead (NOPTY)
100
32%
Christopher Houston, Sr. (REP)
71
23%
Syreetta Evans (NOPTY)
33
11%
Total
311
100%
Unofficial Turnout: 54.4%
Chief of Police — Village of Ashland
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 1 of 1 precinct reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
Tom Ouzts, Jr. (REP)
52
64%
Shellie Pullig (NOPTY)
29
36%
Total
81
100%
Unofficial Turnout: 60.4%
Chief of Police — Village of Provencal
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 1 of 1 precinct reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
Eric Upchurch (REP)
193
89%
Virginia Salter (NOPTY)
25
11%
Total
218
100%
Unofficial Turnout: 56.2%
Aldermen — Village of Goldonna
Three to be elected
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 1 of 1 precinct reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
Norvel Garner (NOPTY)
88
29%
Larry McGee (REP)
84
28%
Reed Franklin (REP)
76
25%
Timmy Harris (REP)
52
17%
Total
300
Unofficial Turnout: 40.5%
Aldermen — Village of Robeline
Three to be elected
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 2 of 2 precincts reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
Martha Solice (REP)
40
21%
Bubba Ivy (REP)
37
20%
James Walker (NOPTY)
32
17%
Anthony Freeman (REP)
30
16%
Pamela Jennings (REP)
26
14%
Wannetta French (NOPTY)
24
13%
Total
189
Unofficial Turnout: 54.3%
Councilmen — Town of Campti
Five to be elected
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 1 of 1 precinct reporting
Candidate
Votes
Percent
Da’Netta Prudhomme (DEM)
211
17%
La-Tia Beavers (NOPTY)
208
17%
Mary Donaway Collins (DEM)
183
15%
Robin Washington (DEM)
182
15%
Sarah Ann Reliford (DEM)
161
13%
Laquita “Quita” Arnold (NOPTY)
153
12%
James Evans, Jr. (DEM)
152
12%
Total
1,250
Unofficial Turnout: 43.7%
Fire Protection District No. 5 — 7.19 Mills Renewal (BOC) — 10 Years
Reporting: Early and absentee complete | 7 of 7 precincts reporting
Proposition
Votes
Percent
YES
534
69%
NO
243
31%
Total
777
100%
Unofficial Turnout: 54.6%
The proposed 10-year, 7.19-mill tax renewal for Fire Protection District No. 5 received majority support, with 534 votes in favor (69%) and 243 votes against (31%), according to unofficial results.
All seven precincts have reported, along with early and absentee voting returns. The results remain unofficial pending certification.
About These Results
All local contests listed above have reported 100% of their Election Day precincts, along with early and absentee voting results.
Candidates are listed in order of votes received, with the leading candidates shown in bold. In multi-seat races, the candidates receiving the highest vote totals are identified based on the number of positions to be filled.
The percentages shown are those reported by the Louisiana Secretary of State and may not total exactly 100% because of rounding.
All results are unofficial and subject to certification. Some contests may require a runoff election under Louisiana election law.
Source: Louisiana Secretary of State — Unofficial Election Results, Nov. 3, 2026.
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