HAMMOND – The Lakeview High School girls’ basketball team nearly pulled off an amazing comeback Friday in the Ochsner’s LHSAA Division IV Non-Select state championship game.

But a rocky first two quarters proved just a bit too much for the Lady Gators to overcome and ninth-seeded Oakdale upset No. 2-seeded Lakeview 53-48 at the University Center on the Southeastern Louisiana University campus.

Lakeview suffered 18 first-half turnovers and made only 4 of 13 free throws in the first two quarters as Oakdale’s full-court press was too much to handle. The Lady Warriors ran off 10 straight points in the first quarter to lead 14-7 after eight minutes, and opened a 27-14 halftime advantage.

The Lady Gators were better after halftime, but just couldn’t complete their rally. Lakeview got within six points in the third period, then after Oakdale pushed away again, the Lady Gators made their final surge in the closing minutes.

With 1:40 to go, a steal and layup by Timberlyn Washington drew Lakeview within 49-46 but over the next minute Oakdale scored the next four points and held the Lady Gators to just one basket the rest of the way.

Lakeview finished its state runner-up season with a 24-4 record. Oakdale rose to 18-12 with its surprising run to the title, which included a banked-in, buzzer-beating 3-pointer Monday to upset No. 1-ranked Arcadia in the state semifinals.

Washington scored 19 points, handed out five assists and made three steals to lead Lakeview, as she has done all season long. Sa’Niyah Marshall hit four of her five shots from the floor and scored 10 points, while Trinity Browder scored nine for the Lady Gators, who made only three turnovers after halftime and sank eight of nine free throws in their comeback.

For more Journal coverage, check Monday’s edition.

PHOTO – Attached  (Photo by PETER FOREST, Journal Sports)

NATCHITOCHES – A lock down pitching and defensive effort set the table for a six-run offensive explosion for Northwester State on Friday afternoon in a 9-1 run-rule victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff to open the NHDDC Lady Demon Classic.

Kenzie Seely allowed just one hit, a sharp single off her shin to the first batter of the game, and then only allowed just two more baserunners the remainder of the game on two walks, one coming in the second and the other in the third.

Seely retired the final nine batters of the game in a row and finished with six strikeouts to pick up her second win of the season.

The Lions were able to scratch across the leadoff single for a run after a steal of second, advance her to third on a ground out and bring her in on a sacrifice fly to right. The Demons responded right away thanks to three straight hits and taking advantage of one of three Lion errors in the game.

After a sharp Makenzie Chaffin single through the right side, Laney Roos dumped one into left center and ended up on third base after a throw from center trying to catch Chaffin advancing to third, allowing her to tie the game at one. Kat Marshall then narrowly missed a dead center home run off the top of the wall for a double that scored Roos and put the Demons ahead 2-1 after the bottom of the first.

NSU used its speed to add to the lead in the bottom of the third after two straight singles from Bailie Ragsdale and Chaffin put runners at the corners. A perfectly executed double steal allowed Ragsdale her third steal of the season to make it a 3-1 NSU lead.

Seely cruised through the next two innings with three strikeouts and did not allow a ball to leave the infield. Third baseman Tristin Court made a pair of stellar defensive plays in the fourth to keep runners from reaching as part of one of NSU’s best all-around defensive performances of the season.

The centerpiece of the NSU offensive on the day, Ragsdale started the game-winning bottom of the fifth outburst with a walk and steal of second. Chaffin and Roos followed with a single and walk to load the bases.

Marshall slapped a ball the other way for a two-run single, extending the NSU lead to 5-1. A throwing error on the play put runners at second and third for a Keely Dubois sacrifice fly to right two pitches later.

Pinch runner Vivica Hernandez scored on a bunt single by Taylor Williams to make it 7-1 and after a Court single and Ashlyn Walker was hit by a pitch, the Demons had the bases loaded once again with the winning run at second.

In one of the more unceremonious ways to win a game, Nani Winger and Ragsdale each drew walks, the second of the inning for Ragsdale, to end the game in NSU’s second run-rule 9-1 victory of the season.

Chaffin went 3-for-3 on the day with two runs scored and Marshall drove three on a 2-for-2 day at the dish with a double.

NSU continues play in the NHDDC Lady Demon Classic on Saturday evening at 5 p.m. against Jackson State. The game can be seen on ESPN+.

Photo: Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services

NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State baseball team got one big hit in the ninth inning Friday night.

Unfortunately for the Demons, the lack of key base hits earlier in the game proved costly as visiting UT Arlington rallied from an early deficit then held off the Demons, 5-4, in a non-conference series opener at Brown-Stroud Field.

“We had a couple of times with the bases loaded and couldn’t get it done,” seventh-year head coach Bobby Barbier said. “They had their inning, and we don’t punch back. We can’t think we’re going to win that game 2-0 or 2-1. They’ve got a good team. They’re going to fight. When they had their inning to make it 3-2, I thought we had some very passive at-bats and some very passive plays in the field. We’ll get better.”

Northwestern State (4-5) suffered its fourth one-run loss in the first nine games of the season in large part because it could not build on an early lead.

The Demons used a pair of triples and a pair of sacrifice flies in the first five innings to take a 2-0 lead against UTA starter Gabe Starks (1-0). Starks, an Arkansas transfer, was able to stem the tide and limit the damage later in his outing, keeping the Mavericks (3-6) within striking distance.

Northwestern State loaded the bases in the fourth inning with two outs before Starks escaped with a strikeout to hang a zero before the Demons twice loaded the bases in the fifth inning, scoring only on Broch Holmes’ one-out sacrifice fly that doubled NSU’s lead.

Those six stranded runners immediately loomed large as the Mavericks broke through against Demon left-hander Cal Carver (1-1), who handcuffed UTA on two hits through five scoreless innings.

Carver struck out five in those five innings before Matt Cavanagh drew a leadoff walk in the sixth, sparking a three-run UTA rally that was aided by a pair of Demon errors and a wild pitch. The two Demon errors directly set up Steven Saunders’ go-ahead RBI single past a diving Jake Haze at second base.

The Mavericks added single runs in the eighth and ninth innings against the NSU bullpen, runs that stood tall as the Demons launched a two-out, ninth-inning rally.

After Connery Peters struck out the first two Demons in the ninth, Gabe Colaianni singled to left and took second on a wild pitch before Gray Rowlett reached on an infield single. Freshman Michael Dattalo doubled inside the first-base bag to score both runners before Peters got a strikeout to complete his second save of the season.

“Give those guys credit,” Barbier said. “All three guys they threw out there had really good arms, lower to mid-90s with good stuff. (Dattalo’s) been fantastic. He’s been mature about things. He had a couple of bad at-bats earlier in the game but stuck with it and had a really good at-bat there at the end.”

Colaianni (2-for-5) and Jake Haze (2-for-2), who drove in NSU’s first run with a second-inning sac fly, led the Demons’ eight-hit attack while Tyson Pointer had UTA’s lone multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 and scoring twice, including the go-ahead run in the fifth.

The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. with a matchup of right-handers. Alex Makarewich (1-0, 3.60) is scheduled to start for Northwestern State against UTA’s Bryce Hackett (0-1, 7.20).

UTA 5, Northwestern State 4
UTA 000 003 011 – 5 7 1
NSU 010 010 002 – 4 8 3
W – Gabe Starks (1-0). L – Cal Carver (1-1). S – Connery Peters (2). 2B – UTA, Ben Lumsden. NSU, Michael Dattalo, Jake Haze. 3B – NSU, Gabe Colaianni, Broch Holmes. Highlights: UTA, Tyson Pointer 2-4. NSU, Colaianni 2-5, 3B; Haze 2-2, RBI.

Records: UTA 3-6, Northwestern State 4-5.

Photo: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

The Village of Natchez Village Council met at the New Birth Baptist Church Thursday, March 2. The mayor and all three aldermen were there as well as special guests and members of the community.

The agenda contained several contentious items concerning police matters, beautification, and sewerage.

The meeting began with the call to order, roll call, invocation and pledge of allegiance. Invited guests Mr. & Mrs. Kevin and Carla Hamilton, owners of K&C Delivery Service and Tasty Treats, stated that they were in the process of reopening the old Rite Way Grocery in Natchez. Russell Meissner, branch manager of J&J Exterminating, brought the council up to speed on the progress of battling the rat infestation in the city hall building. The building is also suffering from termite infestation.

Police Chief Michael Gillie, Jr.’s report outlined the challenges facing law enforcement in the village. The Dollar General store has suffered from a rash of thefts and as a result four warrants have been issued for the arrest of suspects. There is also an investigation into passing counterfeit currency at the store.

The department is currently a one man show with Chief Gillie as the only member of the department. The village’s dire financial straits have made recruiting and retention of officers difficult as has the dilapidated condition of the department’s only car. The village was in line to purchase a police vehicle, but was unable to complete the purchase due to finances. An at times heated exchange occurred between alderman McKinley Hoover, a former Natchez police Chief,  and Chief Gilley with alderman Hoover stating that he got the job done with the resources he was given, often less than they have now. He described the police car he had as in worse shape than the current one, which compared to his “looked like a Cadillac”. Alderman Hoover provided what little levity there was at the meeting when he spoke of giving a motorist a speeding ticket and then needing a jump start from that driver. Chief Gillie stated that as the speed cameras are not being used and the police car is inoperative, the department is not bringing in any revenue. Chief Gillie pointed out that he is also an officer in Robeline, which is how he supports his family, and has answered calls for assistance at all hours of the night. Mayor Patsy Ward Hoover stated that she is looking for the means to fund a police vehicle.

Mr. Clave Davis of the village’s sewer department gave the next report. Once again, the village’s financial situation is proving difficult. The system’s pumps are not all functioning properly and are unable to keep up with heavy rainfall. There are also problems with the system’s oxidation pond. Illegal sewer hookups into existing lines are also causing problems. Often done haphazardly, the hookups are not only illegal, they are causing sewage problems as well. In the words of Mr. Davis “When we did a smoke test, the fire department thought there was a fire somewhere!” Manholes are also located in ditches rather than being elevated, causing further water issues. There are also over $30,000.00 worth of unpaid sewer bills which further hampers the village of Natchez’ ability to operate.

The mayor’s report was a discussion of the village’s beautification efforts, specifically the need to remove inoperative vehicles from yards. This resulted in impassioned pleas from citizens with vehicles that would be affected.

The council adopted the minutes of the February 6 meeting. There were no appointments to boards or commissions, nor was there any old business.

New business drew another controversy when Alderman Monique Sarpy noted that an item she wished to have on the agenda was not. Mayor Hoover pointed out that as mayor, she had the prerogative to set the agenda. After citing the Lawrason Act and conferring with village attorney Alex Washington, the meeting proceeded.

The KLB Beautification grant is proceeding well. Flowers will be planted along Highway 1 and around the Natchez sign. Later in the Meeting, Mr. Kris Hall stated that he was going to donate funds for the purchase of the flowers.

The second item of new business revisited the longstanding issues of drainage and ditches.

There was no introduction of proposed ordinances, public hearings nor resolutions. or other agenda items. During the non-agenda items, Alderman Monique Sarpy brought up an issue concerning the village’s contract with Waterworks District # 2. There was considerable confusion over the contract’s term of three vs. six months and whether or not the contract was properly done. Village Attorney Alex Washington stated he will have to examine the contract and the circumstances surrounding it before he can form an opinion. The contract is key to the village’s ability to enforce the payment of sewer bills.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10.

POSITIONS: Temporary and Part-time Outreach Workers
DUTIES:  Call Patients, Distribute Flyers, Group Presentations, Make Appointments
REQUIREMENTS: Must have transportation

TO APPLY:  Send you resume to: HR@outpatientmedical.org

PLEASE INCLUDE: Why you believe COVID vaccines are important

One of the most iconic movie lines that was birthed from the classic and beloved movie, Steel Magnolias, was uttered by the ultra talented, Olympia Dukakis. Her forged and over saturated southern drawl made every one of her lines more dramatic and memorable.

While this could be debated for many hours, I stand by my convictions with this one. This was my favorite. Pure southern bell entertainment. These Steel Magnolia ladies could talk smack with the best of them.

Every time I watch Claire Belcher smile and look directly into Truvy Jones eyes and said, “As somebody always said…if can’t say anything nice about anybody come sit by me” it makes me smile. Of course it isn’t very nice, but funny, yes it is.

While most of the time you will find me as annoyingly positive as I can be, sometimes I do have bad days and succumb to negativity when it is presented to me. More times that not, I recognize it pretty quickly and start repenting under my breath while repeating some of my favorite scriptures that remind me I am a child of God and not a child of the streets.

This past week though, it has been a tough one. Stress from every angle you can imagine. Long hours of work, volunteer time, single parenting, volleyball travel, getting acquainted with our rescue kitty, writing, trying to keep a clean house and halfway decent yard. It just all came crashing down. I was open and available for all negativity and talking smack that came my way.

I felt like Claire Belcher patting the couch while saying, “Come sit by me…..”

I gladly participated in gossip and all things that weigh heavy on a soul. And that is just what it did. By the end of the week I felt very heavy and really down on myself. Words really cannot describe how negativity affects you. You just feel it to your core, or at least I did.

After repenting and asking God to forgive me I truly had to forgive myself. I know God uses me in mighty ways for his Kingdom and has blessed me so much. What can I gain from being negative and talking smack about people? Nothing. It really doesn’t hurt the other person as much as it damages your soul. I am grateful that God takes into account my lack of perfection when he mapped out my life. If it weren’t for the grace of God and forgiveness, I would be in a deep, sorrowful pit of despair.

God is kind, compassionate and good to forgive us when we ask. He is good at ignoring our smack talk and using us for his glory.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those that listen. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:29-32

EFFECTIVE
April 1, 2023 

IMPORTANT NOTICE —– IMPORTANT NOTICE

ADDITIONAL TAX RATE FOR ANNEXED PROPERTIES OF
DISTRICT #1 TO THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES

FILING COLUMN: A2 (DISTRICT #1 & CITY OF NATCHITOCHES) SALES TAX

FILING COLUMN: A3 (DISTRICT #1 & CITY OF NATCHITOCHES/EDDC) SALES TAX

These will be the columns on the tax form where you will file your local Sales and Use Tax

Sales and Use Tax Rate Increase

District #1/City of Natchitoches

On May 30, 2000 the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury had enacted legislation to lock in District #1 boundaries, which consist of everything outside the city limits of Natchitoches.  This means that as the city annexed areas, District #1 still retained the same percent of sales and use tax.  All taxable transactions in the annexed area require an additional 1% percent sales/use tax to be collected.  This new tax will affect all businesses, deliveries, repairs and other taxable services that are performed in these areas. SEE THE BELOW TAX TABLE FOR THE NEW INCREASED TAX STRUCTURE.

The tax rate for all other City of Natchitoches businesses, not in an Economic Development District, remain at 5.5%

APRIL 1, 2023

New Local Sales and Use Tax Rates

IMPORTANT: If your business is located in the affected areas, you will receive a confirmation packet and instructions from the Tax Commission concerning the new filing protocol. You are hereby instructed to change all computers, cash registers, or collection procedures to insure the collection of the new rate increase. Please notify all vendors of this tax increase.

A copy of the new sales tax form will be available to all businesses at www.lataonline.org and the Tax Commission office.  All businesses should begin to use the new form May 1, 2023. Any questions concerning the implementation of this tax should be directed to:

NATCHITOCHES TAX COMMISSION
Laura D. Jeffcoat
Administrator
(318) 357-8871

Advertorial

Whether it’s football, baseball, basketball or corn hole, records are made to be broken. It’s not every day that a person gets the opportunity to set or break a record of any kind. It usually means the person setting the new record has played a particular sport for a long time. He or she has put in many hours of practice and is very dedicated to being the best. No matter how big the record is, the day will come when it will be broken.

In 1932 the world record largemouth bass of 22.4 pounds was caught in Georgia’s Lake Montgomery by George Perry. This record has stood for over 90 years! But, in 2009, a Japanese angler by the name of Manabu Kurita caught a 22.5-pound bass in Lake Biwa in Japan.

Based off simple math, you would think this would be a new world record by one ounce. Hold on, though. There’s a rule with the IGFA (International Game Fish Association) which certifies all fishing world records. It states that to be a new world record of any kind, the fish must weigh at least two ounces more than the previous record. But IGFA did give him credit for tying the world-record catch.  

Now let’s look at what happened on Saturday, Feb. 11, during the Bass Champs Team Trail event on Toledo Bend. Somewhere between 7-8 in the morning, Bill Cook of Houston set the hook on what he knew was a big bass. After hooking the bass on what’s called an A-Rig (an umbrella-style rig which imitates a small school of baitfish), Bill knew he had a big fish, but had no clue what was about to transpire. 

Bill had spotted the fish on his forward-facing sonar in about 18 feet of water on the edge of a drop-off. He made a cast in the direction of the bass and let the A-rig sink to the bottom. While watching his bait on his depth finder like a video game, he then engaged the reel and began to slowly retrieve the bait just off the bottom when the big fish came up and bit his lure.

After a tough battle, his partner (Ken Burgess) netted the fish. At first glance, they thought the fish might be a 12-pounder which was bigger than any fish Bill had ever caught before. They had no idea that Bill had just caught a new Toledo Bend Lake record of 15.67 pounds until they hit the scales during the weigh-in that afternoon.     

The funny part of this story is that the weekend before in a MLF BFL tournament, his co-angler partner (Michael Fagan) caught an 11-pounder off this same spot on an A-rig along with a 6.14-pound bass to finish second on the co-angler side of this event. The co-angler asked Bill if he had an A-rig tied on. Bill, thinking he had one rigged up in his rod locker, opened the locker, only to discover he had left that rod with the A-rig in his garage!

He made sure he had it in the boat for the Bass Champs event the next week and as they say, the rest is history!

The previous record of 15.32 caught by Eric Weems had stood for 22 years. Bill Cook is no stranger to the waters of Toledo Bend and has fished that body of water for over 30 years. He’s had a lot of success in tournament circuits like the BFL’s, Toyota Series and team trails. Bill is one of those anglers who you hope to be paired up with if you’re fishing as a co-angler in any event. He’s not only an excellent angler, but an even better person.

No one is more deserving of a record like this than Bill Cook. Along with a lot of other anglers, I hope his record catch stands for a long time — unless the fishing gods shine down on me with such an opportunity!

Until next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook! You never know, it just might be a new record!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

Look around Natchitoches, new business everywhere. Real Estate is also getting a new look. I have been a successful realtor for 16 years. I have learned the ins and outs of the business thoroughly during this time. We have opened a new office and we’re bringing what I believe to be a much-needed change that will assist those thinking about buying or selling a home. My grandson Colby Session is working with me as a licensed LA. Realtor. Together our mission is to make the process of buying or selling more affordable. We will accomplish this by listing and selling your house for as low as 2.5%.

Both Colby and I are lifelong residents of Natchitoches. Our future is here and we believe in Natchitoches. We hope to be an asset to everyone we come in contact with. Our thoughts will always center around “whatever it takes”. Call John at 318-332-9850, Colby at 318-652-4878, or come see us at the corner of Highway 1 South and Lateral Lane. We can help you save money.

BOM is a gold sponsor of the Krewe Of Excellence. Pictured left to right: Lillie Owens, BOM’s Katrice Below, and Chad Nelson.

NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State men’s basketball team entered Wednesday’s regular-season finale with a chance to share its first conference title since 2005-06.

The Demons did their part, playing stellar first-half defense and steadily pulling away from visiting UIW to score an 81-64 Southland Conference win against the Cardinals in Prather Coliseum.

The other shoe did not fall for NSU (21-10, 13-5) as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi outlasted Texas A&M-Commerce in overtime to clinch the outright league crown, but the Demons prove more than able to make crucial adjustments in a short time.

“It shows you how much this team continues to grow in a matter of days,” first-year head coach Corey Gipson said. “It was a quick turnaround in regard to playing them. This team has really impressed the staff every time we turn around and play somebody and turn back around and made some progress. Impressed by this group. Impressed by the brotherhood. Impressed by the unconditional love this group has for one another and how it’s grown throughout the year.”

Six days after being held to 26 first-half points in a five-point win at UIW (12-19, 6-12), the Demons used a 13-0 run across a 3:55 stretch of the first half to build their first double-digit lead of the game on Dayne Prim’s run-capping layup at the 4:50 mark of the first half.

Emareyon McDonald started the surge with five straight points and had eight of his 13 points in the push. During that time, the NSU defense forced UIW into eight straight misses and two turnovers.

“Once we get stops, that’s when the separation begins,” said Ja’Monta Black, who had all 12 of his points in the first half, hitting 4 of 6 3-point attempts.

Black came out hot against the Cardinals, hitting his first two 3-pointers – the last of which set a program record for made 3s by a team. Northwestern State’s seven made 3s pushed its season total to 265 with at least one more game remaining, The previous record had stood since the 1991-92 season.

His four made 3-pointers came just four days after completing a two-game road trip in which he hit two 3s and attempted just six long-range shots in games at UIW and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

“I always have confidence in my shot, even if I got a couple of games where I’m missing,” Black said. “My teammates have ultimate confidence in me, too, so they keep feeding me the ball. I’m going to keep doing what’s best for the team.”

While Black’s skillset was clear from the beginning, Jalen Hampton’s emerged early in the season.

The freshman delivered a near double-double – 20 points and nine rebounds – while producing six of the Demons’ 11 offensive boards. NSU turned those into 14 second-chance points, more than doubling UIW’s six second-chance points.

“I feel like my game has grown,” said Hampton, who set up one of Black’s 3-pointers with a crisp crosscourt pass. “I’m more confident in myself. When I see one go in, I know it’s going to be one of those nights.”

Hampton hit 7 of 10 shots from the floor as the Demons shot 52.5 percent (32-for-61), topping the 50 percent shooting mark for the ninth time in 18 Southland games.

Both sides of the Demons’ attack were working as NSU held its opponent to fewer than 70 points for the 10th time in conference play.

One of Hampton’s buckets came off a no-look feed from Jovan Zelenbaba, a senior guard playing in his 100th career game and his Prather Coliseum finale. Zelenbaba was honored before the game in Senior Night ceremonies and finished with two points and the nifty assist to Hampton.

“Jovan Zelenbaba is a fine young man,” Gipson said. “He’s been in the military and represented his country, laying it on the line that way. He’s a terrific student, takes a lot of pride in his academics. His work ethic, he checks that mark. He was relentless in his community service. He checks that mark. We’re proud to have had a young man come into the program and buy into how we go about it. He’s got a bright future ahead of him. He’s very mature, and he doesn’t take anything in life for granted.”

DeMarcus Sharp, who left the game for the final few minutes of the first half, gave the Demons a fourth double-figure scorer, pumping in 11 of his 15 points in the second half. Jonathan Cisse, a former Northwestern State signee, led UIW with 18 points but needed 17 shots to do so.

The Demons return to action Tuesday when they play in the Southland Conference Tournament semifinals against the winner of No. 3 seed Southeastern and the winner of the first-round matchup between No. 6 seed Houston Christian and No. 7 seed New Orleans.

Credit: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

NATCHITOCHES – In a game reminiscent of the one less than a week ago, Northwestern State and UIW went toe-to-toe for the better part of the night. Unfortunately for NSU things ended in a similar fashion in a 79-60 loss to end the regular season.

Despite the tough loss in the home final, the Lady Demons (11-17, 7-11) still earned a spot in next week’s Southland Conference Tournament and will enter as the No. 8 seed set to take on the No. 5 seed Texas A&M-Commerce in the opening game of the week at 11 a.m. from the Legacy Center in Lake Charles, La.

“I think this group is a really good group and can be a really great basketball team when we’re playing the right way and playing for 40 minutes,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “We’re going to do a lot of scouting and film work, have some great practices and go to what matters most and that’s March basketball.”

Just like the game a week ago in San Antonio, little to nothing separated the two teams from each other through the first 20 minutes of the game.

NSU got the hot start it wanted with a game-opening 3-pointer from Sharna Ayres and another from Candice Parramore four possessions later. Parramore’s first triple of the game started an early 9-0 run for the Demons, fueled by back-to-back takeaways from the Demon defense putting NSU up 13-7 midway through the quarter.

The Cardinals maintained their recent success from beyond the arc, going on a spree at the end of the quarter making three straight deep balls to erase the NSU lead and send the teams to the second tied at 20.

By the second quarter media timeout the two teams had the same total rebounds, assists, made field goals and made 3-pointers and were locked in a back-and-forth battle in one of the best halves of basketball by both teams of the entire season.

The flow of the game stalled out a bit near the end of the second quarter however as a string of foul calls and free throws dominated the final three minutes of the half. That was where the Cardinals began to pull away ever so slightly.

Neither team made a field goal over the final three minutes of the quarter but thanks to two more trips to the line for UIW than for NSU, the Cardinals were able to take a 40-36 lead into the break. UIW went 7-for-8 from the stripe down the stretch while the Demons were 4-for-4.

The Cardinals built their largest lead of the third quarter, nine points, on the back of two straight 3-pointers early in the third quarter. After UIW answered an Alecia Whyte layup that pushed the lead back to nine, the Demons made its best run of the quarter to climb right back into the game.

Bengisu Alper dropped in a layup to start the 7-2 run where the Demons held UIW without a field goal for five straight minutes. Alper ended the stretch with a perfect bounce pass to Kayla Hampton under the basket for the easy layup that cut the lead down to two possessions at 50-46 with 2:27 to go in the third.

The Cardinals broke their field goal drought with a 3-pointer and got another layup after an NSU miss to push the lead right back to nine in less than 30 seconds. NSU went the final 2:27 without a point and trailed 55-46 going to the fourth.

After growing the lead to double digits with a pair of early free throws, the Demons were able to cut it to single digits three times, the second coming on a pair of Whyte free throws with 7:55 to go that made it a 57-50 game, the closest it would get in the final eight minutes.

The Cardinals answered with a jumper and started a 10-2 run spanning the next three-plus minutes, the dagger coming on UIW’s ninth 3-pointer of the game and an And-1 bucket right before the media timeout that occurred on back-to-back possessions.

“I think it came down to two things tonight,” Nimz said. “I think UIW wanted it more. I don’t think collectively we all wanted it and at the end of the day that comes back on me. I’ve got to figure out a way to inspire, motivate, correct, curb put us in a better situation. We got a handful of open shots we just weren’t able to connect on them.”

In her final game inside Prather Coliseum, Parramore recorded her 12th 20-point game in an NSU jersey to lead all scorers. It was the 12th straight double-digit scoring effort to end the season for the two-year starter and the 30th time she led the Demons in scoring in her NSU career.

Whyte also finished in double figures with 10 points and Joelle Johnson had seven points with a team-best eight rebounds.

The monthly Young at Heart luncheon for seniors was held on March 1 at the First United Methodist Church. The Home Grown Tomaters band entertained the gathering with a selection of Blue Grass, Gospel, and Country favorites. The Koinonia Circle provided St. Patrick’s Day decorations, and Harvey Polk served as the Master of Ceremonies. Pastor Gary Willis led the group in prayer before the meal.

March birthdays were celebrated by Charlsie Coker and Linda Higginbotham.

Young at Heart meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 11 AM in Bostick Hall. The meeting is non-denominational, and all seniors are welcome. Attendees are asked to pay a $5.00 fee or to bring a covered dish to share.

Natchitoches native! Tiffany Syse is a multimillion dollar producing Realtor and proud team member of RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals. With a passion for exceptional client service and knowledge of Natchitoches Parish and surrounding areas, Tiffany is ready to help with all of your home buying and selling needs. Tiffany values integrity, hard work, and outstanding client service in everything she does. As is evident in her consistent 5-Star reviews, Tiffany’s attention to detail, commitment, and dedication to her clients is impeccable!

Tiffany is your local community expert both as an experienced agent and neighbor. She thoroughly enjoys helping to guide clients through the nuances of our local market whether selling or buying the perfect home. With access to a worldwide network, top listings, exceptional marketing strategies and cutting-edge technology, Tiffany is the obvious choice for all of your home buying and selling needs!

When Tiffany isn’t making homeowner’s dreams come true, she enjoys spending time with her husband Glen, their seven children and family.

Tiffany Cheatwood-Syse, Realtor
RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals
tsyse@therichmondgrp.com
Cell: 318-609-1100
Office: 318-527-0071
Website: TiffanySyseRealtor.com

• Every Office is Independently Owned

Pursuant to the provisions of a resolution adopted by the Parish School Board of the Parish of Natchitoches, State of Louisiana (the “Governing Authority”), acting as the governing authority of (i) Parishwide School District of the Parish of Natchitoches, State of Louisiana, (ii) School District No. 9 of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana and (iii) Consolidated School District No. 8 of the Parish of Natchitoches, State of Louisiana (the “Districts”), on January 12, 2023, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that special elections will be held within the Districts on SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2023 and that at the said elections there will be submitted to all registered voters in the Districts qualified and entitled to vote at the said elections under the Constitution and Laws of the State of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States, the following propositions, to-wit:

PARISHWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPOSITION (MILLAGE RENEWAL)

Shall Parishwide School District of the Parish of Natchitoches, State of Louisiana (the “District”), continue to levy a seven (7) mills tax on all property subject to taxation in the District for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2024 and ending with the year 2033 (an estimated

$2,832,400 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for the purpose of giving additional support to public elementary and secondary schools in the District by providing funds for construction, repairs, purchase of equipment and/or supplies and additional improvements?

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 9 PROPOSITION (MILLAGE RENEWAL)

Shall School District No. 9 of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana (the “District”), continue to levy a seven (7) mills tax on all property subject to taxation in the District for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2024 and ending with the year 2033 (an estimated $1,567,400 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining or operating public elementary and secondary schools in the District?

CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 8 PROPOSITION (MILLAGE RENEWAL)

Shall Consolidated School District No. 8 of the Parish of Natchitoches, State of Louisiana (the “District”), continue to levy a special tax of seven (7) mills on all property subject to taxation within the District (an estimated $60,300 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2025 and ending with the year 2034, the purpose of giving additional support to public elementary and secondary schools by funding the improvement, maintenance and operation of public school buildings in said District?

Said special election for the Parishwide Proposition will be held at each and every polling place in Natchitoches Parish, which polls will open at seven o’clock (7:00) a.m. and close at eight o’clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541.

Said special election for School District No. 9 Proposition will be held at the polling places at the following precincts of the District which polls will open at seven o’clock (7:00) a.m. and close at eight o’clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, to wit:

PRECINCTS

01-01
01-01A
01-02
01-03
01-03A
01-04
01-04A
01-05
01-05A
01-06
01-07
01-08
01-09
01-09A(PART)
01-10
01-10A(PART)
01-10B
01-11
01-12
01-13
01-14
02-04(PART)
02-06(PART)
02-07(PART)
02-07A
03-02(PART)
03-04(PART)
03-05(PART)
03-07
03-08(PART)
04-01(PART)
04-02
04-03(PART)
04-04(PART)
04-09

Said special election for Consolidated School District No. 8 Proposition will be held at the polling places at the following precincts of the District which polls will open at seven o’clock (7:00) a.m. and close at eight o’clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, to wit:

PRECINCTS

01-09A(PART)
03-05(PART)
03-06
03-08(PART)
03-09(PART)
03-10
04-01(PART)
04-06(PART)
04-07(PART)
04-08

The polling places for the precincts in the Parish and Districts are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said elections, and the Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners, respectively, shall be those persons designated according to law.

The estimated cost of the Parishwide election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $20,000.

The estimated cost of the School District No. 9 election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $12,000.

The estimated cost of the Consolidated School District No. 8 election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $3,000.

Notice is further given that a portion of the monies collected from the taxes described in the Propositions shall be remitted to certain state and statewide retirement systems in the manner required by law.

The said special elections will be held in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority, and the officers appointed to hold the said elections, as provided in this Notice of Special Elections, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, will make due returns thereof to said Governing Authority, and NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Governing Authority will meet at its regular meeting place, the Parish School Board Office, Board Room, 310 Royal Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana, on THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2023, at FIVE O’CLOCK (5:00) P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of the said special elections. All registered voters of the Districts are entitled to vote at said special elections and voting machines will be used.

THUS DONE AND SIGNED at Natchitoches, Louisiana, on this, the 12^th day of January, 2023.

/S/
President

ATTEST:

/S/
Secretary

JOURNAL SPORTS

BIRMINGHAM —Heading into the final event of the Southland Conference Indoor Championships Monday afternoon, all that stood between the Northwestern State women’s track & field team and its elusive first team title was a successful showing in one of its best events. 

While the NSU women didn’t win that race, the 4×400-meter relay team did what it needed to do — finish ahead of Lamar and UIW — to capture its first ever women’s team title at the two-day Southland Indoor Championships at the Birmingham Crossplex.

“It feels great to finally get one,” head coach Mike Heimerman said. “It is like a monkey off our back. This is a very young group and it shows they have a ton of confidence. I am really excited for what is to come.” 

The quartet of Sian Weller, Sanaria Butler, Maygan Shaw and Vanessa Balde finished second in the final  event with a time of 3:45.50, only bested by Texas A&M-Commerce’s season-best performance. 

“We knew we were gassed due to our athletes having competed already that day,” Heimerman said. “But I would not have wanted anyone else out there to try to secure a championship. I knew if they were to run a decent time, we had it.” 

Heading into the race, NSU was tied with UIW and Lamar for the top spot in the team scoring with 103 points, setting up a championship race. 

NSU finished with 111 points, while Lamar came in second with 107 and UIW came in third with 103. The three-point margin of victory for the team title was the closest since 2006, when the top three teams were separated by three points.

The Lady Demons had finished in the top three the past six seasons, and had been bridesmaids before at times since NSU joined the Southland in 1987, but never could break through and win it — until Monday. 

Lynell Washington was a star for the champs, winning a pair of golds in the 60 meters and 200 meters. 

On the men’s side, the Demons came in second with 104 points, only trailing 143.5 by repeat conference champion UIW.