October 14, 2025
Author: NPJ
2025 Red Mass Celebrated at Trinity Episcopal Church
Natchitoches’ Trinity Episcopal Church hosted the 2025 Red Mass Friday, October 10. The Red Mass is part of a tradition that stretches back to Medieval Europe in which judges and lawyers would attend and ask God’s guidance. The term “Red Mass” derives from the color of the vestments worn by the priest as well as the bright scarlet robes worn by the English High Justices.
This year’s service was well attended by local judges and attorneys as well as police officers, sheriff’s deputies, firemen and emergency medical personnel
PODCAST: Cruelty Connection with Hillar Moore
Hillar Moore District Attorney for East Baton Rouge Parish will join Dr. Herman Song on Tuesday Oct 13th at 6:00 PM on the campus of Northwestern State University. The event is free to the public
TONIGHT!
District Attorney Moore will discuss how his office approaches cases where there is the suspicion of animal cruelty and how serious and predictive this behavior is and how authorities use this information to try to modify the behavior of the offender before abuse is perpetrated on humans
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PODCAST: Cruelty Connection with Billy Joe Harrington and Pearl Walker
Billy Joe Harrington, local District Attorney and Pearl Walker, representing FAUNA, invite the public to attend tonight’s event, Cruelty Connection, free to the public, on the Campus of Northwestern State University at the Friedman Student Union at 6:00 PM
TONIGHT!
FAUNA invites you to attend tonight’s event: Cruelty Connection to discuss the predictability of human behavior of persons who are abusive to animals and how that behavior continues into adulthood. Dr. Herman Song, noted forensic psychiatrist, along with Hillar Moore and Billy Joe Harrington, District Attorneys in Baton Rouge and Natchitoches Parish, respectively, will speak and present data regarding this important issue. The public is invited to attend this event that is free of charge.
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October 13, 2025
Jury Trials Scheduled to Proceed Monday – TODAY!
NATCHITOCHES PARISH — Jury trials scheduled for Monday, October 13, will proceed as planned at the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse.
All potential jurors and witnesses who have received a summons for attendance should plan to report to the courthouse before 9:00 a.m. Monday morning. Please bring your summons and any required identification as instructed.
For potential updates or changes, individuals are encouraged to call the phone number listed on their summons after 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 12. Recorded information will be available at that time regarding any modifications to the trial schedule.
This announcement is issued jointly by the Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court’s Office, the 10th Judicial District Court, and the District Attorney’s Office. All three offices appreciate the cooperation and civic duty demonstrated by local citizens in supporting the fair and efficient operation of the parish judicial system.
Natchitoches Parish (Local): New Property Tax Fails
Nine Concerts With One Goal – a Cure!
Natchitoches’ First United Methodist Church was the scene of the ninth of a series of benefit concerts held to raise funds for an eminently worthy cause, helping one of our own who is facing a grave illness. People from every corner of our community gathered once again to enjoy a superb Gospel concert by The Amazing Rhythm Disciples Sunday October 12. The tireless group played a two-hour concert delighting the audience with their signature blend of old favorites and Gospel songs with a novel twist.
People from all over Natchitoches and Sabine parishes have rallied to the side of Lydia, a local three-year-old girl diagnosed with San Filippo Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that attacks the central nervous system and is terminal. There is presently no cure, but Lydia’s parents were able to report some wonderful news in that the FDA has recently approved an experimental treatment and that she may qualify for.
Lydia’s family is praying for a miracle to save their child and is asking for our help. They are raising money for the Cure San Filippo Foundation in order to fund clinical trials that could save their daughter. It may be an uphill battle, but they remain undeterred.
One great aspect of life in a small town is that when trouble comes, so do neighbors willing to help.
The community’s response continues to be inspirational. Today’s concert raised over $4,000.00 and was one of a series of fundraisers held over the past year that have raised over $450,000. This past year has seen hundreds of people from every race and station in life come together in order to help a three-year-old child have a chance to live a normal life. It is an inspiring example of our nation at its best!
The APHN Fall Tour of Homes – Over 70 Years of Preservation and Education
The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (APHN) packed eight historic properties into a two-day Fall Tour of Homes across Natchitoches October 10-11.
The candlelight tour on Friday evening gave visitors a peek into four of our city’s many historic homes. Saturday featured homes in the historic district. The young ladies of the Calico Belles joined members of the APHN in providing hospitality to visitors and explaining the features and history of the homes and the community they are set in. In addition, this year’s tour featured the APHN Cookbook for sale as well as local authors at the Lemee House.
The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches is one of, if not the, oldest historic preservation groups in the parish. They were the group responsible for the iconic protest that halted the paving of the Front St. bricks and have been at the forefront of preservation and education ever since.
The annual Tour of Homes is an excellent opportunity to experience and appreciate the wonderful examples of historic architecture that survive in our parish and learn of their role in shaping our community to the present day.
Youth Deer Season 2025 Kicks Off in Natchitoches Parish
As October’s morning temperatures cool across the forested hills of Natchitoches Parish, the woods awaken with a fresh kind of excitement. Opening day of youth deer season tends to be one of those magic mornings every hunter remembers. Many youth hunters – often paired with a parent, mentor, or guardian – spend hours in tree stands or ground blinds, watching for deer movement before sunrise. Some will see a deer in the first hour; others will wait all day. Regardless of the outcome, the collective energy is infectious, and memories are made.
The statewide Youth/Veterans deer season this year runs October 11 through October 17, 2025. Within Natchitoches Parish, this means youth hunters (17 or younger) and participating veterans have a full week – with all legal deer weapons allowed in many areas – to pursue deer before the general firearms season crowds the woods.
Because Natchitoches Parish lies in Deer Area 2 under Louisiana regulations, youth hunters may use archery, primitive firearms, or modern firearms (as allowed) during this week. Always consult the official Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries booklet or website for any last-minute local restrictions, especially on federal lands or WMAs in the parish.
Nearby public lands like Fort Johnson North WMA (Peason Ridge), which spans Natchitoches, Sabine, and Vernon Parishes, also fall under forest and federal land regulation schedules. Hunters should pay close attention to how state and federal rules intersect on lands like Kisatchie National Forest within parish boundaries.
Source: www.wlf.louisiana.gov
Demons’ fourth-quarter rally at HCU comes up short
HOUSTON – For the second time in three games, a fourth-quarter push on the road came up just short as Northwestern State football team dropped a 20-17 Southland Conference decision to Houston Christian at Husky Stadium Saturday night.
“This was a hard one,” said second-year Demons’ coach Blaine McCorkle, whose team fell 27-24 at Prairie View A&M in suburban Houston on Sept. 27 in its prior road game. “The guys played extremely, extremely hard for four quarters. They showed a lot of heart. They showed a lot of grit. They continued to be who we expect them to be in that realm.
“This one’s hard to swallow. We came in here and played a three-point game against a team that put 62 on us last year. There’s no consolation in this, but we are getting better.”
Down 20-10 early in the fourth quarter, the Demons (1-5, 0-2) took advantage of an odd two-play stretch to pull within a field goal.
After Houston Christian (2-4, 1-1) failed on a fake punt that gave Northwestern the ball at the HCU 38, the Huskies’ Thio Georges intercepted Abram Johnston on the next snap before freshman wide receiver Brendan Webb made his second key play of the game.
Webb was able to strip Georges during the latter’s winding return with offensive lineman Logan Brady recovering for the Demons at the HCU 45.
Nine plays later, Johnston rolled right and ripped a 10-yard scoring pass to Ty Moore to bring Northwestern back within seven – the same deficit it faced at halftime.
While Johnston’s dart finished the drive, it was his running – along with running backs Myion Hicks and Kolbe Burrell – that helped the Demons roll up a season-best 330 yards total offense, 206 of which came on the ground.
Johnston finished 15-for-33 passing for 124 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while leading the Demons with 85 yards rushing on 11 carries. The Demons rushed for a season-high 206 yards with Johnston, Hicks (12 carries, 69 yards) and Burrell (13 carries, 54 yards) carrying much of the load.
“Our offensive line is probably our most improved part of the team from last year, and I’ve said that several times,” McCorkle said. “They’re still really, really young and really, really small, but they’re playing well. I was excited to see what we did in the run game. That’s what we want to grow into, and we’re just scratching the surface of. There were signs of life, and that’s what gives us hope.”
HCU had rebuilt its 10-point lead behind the second long touchdown run of the game from freshman running back Xai’Shaun Edwards, who ripped off 214 yards on 30 carries including touchdown runs of 52 and 47 yards. The latter came in the third quarter and were the Huskies’ lone points of the second half.
“You take away those two runs, our defense showed marked improvement tonight stopping the run,” McCorkle said.
The final 30 minutes followed a back-and-forth, penalty-filled first half that started with the teams exchanging opening-drive touchdowns.
Edwards’ 52-yard burst up the middle put the Huskies ahead 2:52 into the contest before the Demons answered with their longest touchdown drive in terms of yards this season.
Johnston capped the 12-play, 75-yard march with a bit of improvisation, flipping a two-handed chest pass to Webb, who sprawled out in the end zone to cradle his first career reception and first career touchdown.
The teams were called for a total of 13 accepted penalties in the first half – a pair of which helped set up the Demons’ first lead of the game.
“The penalties hurt us early on, but we got that fixed in the second half,” McCorkle said. “That just shows where our margin is.”
With HCU facing a second-and-goal at the 2, the Huskies were called for a false start and a personal foul, pushing them back 20 yards and leading to a missed field goal.
Northwestern capitalized on the open door, playing complementary football by building a drive that Cooper Evans converted into points with a 33-yard field goal.
“No doubt, we are an improved football team,” McCorkle said. “Waiting is extremely hard. We have to wait well and keep working and know that our days are coming. They are, and our kids see it. It’s a heartbroken locker room in there right now, because they know it’s coming. They want it now, and I hurt for them.”
The Demons return to action next Saturday when they travel to Hammond to face Southeastern Louisiana. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. inside Strawberry Stadium.
NSU surges into SLC soccer lead with Sunday win at East Texas A&M
COMMERCE, Texas – With four games left in the regular season, the Northwestern State soccer team has taken over sole possession of first place in the Southland Conference.
Sunday, NSU (9-3-3, 4-1-1) broke open a scoreless battle with three second-half goals from three different players in a 3-1 road victory at East Texas A&M (5-6-4, 2-1-4).
“I am really proud of the performance today,” Lady Demons coach Ian Brophy said. “We knew early on it was going to be tough and it was going to be a gritty game, and we had to defend well and we did that.
“In the second half, we really gave ourselves a platform to play well and win the game. Our performance in the second half was really good, with the ball and without the ball. We were really good in all facets.”
With the victory the Demons moved on top in the conference, a point ahead of defending champion Stephen F. Austin.
NSU received goals from Paige Baumgartner, Emily Senatore and the first collegiate goal from Marissa Henderson to open up a 3-0 lead before a late goal broke the shutout for the Lions.
After missing the last game against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Baumgartner was a sparkplug off the bench Sunday.
She found the back of the net for her fifth goal of the season, tied for second on the team.
In the 53rd minute, Hosane Soukou crossed the ball into the box to Dawson Marrs, but Marrs’ shot was saved. The rebound caromed straight to Baumgartner, and she did the rest.
“She was a sparkplug for us,” Brophy said. “Having her miss the last game, I think we missed her and are really happy to have her back. She made an impact immediately upon stepping on the field. She stepped in and helped create great offensive chances for us.”
It was the first of two goals in a span of 3:25. Senatore connected on her 11th of the season to double the advantage.
Henderson buried the game-sealer in the 73rd minute shortly after a corner kick.
Kennedy Rist had a sensational game, making eight saves, many of which came when the game was in doubt.
“She was fantastic,” Brophy said. “When it was 2-0 and there was still plenty to play for and they started to push a little bit more. They knew how critical the next goal would be, and she came up with some big saves and kept us in front.”
NSU was outshot 17-16, losing the shots battle for the first time in SLC play, but made up for it by having the better of play when it came to dangerous chances.
Next up, the Demons host their final two home games of the season, welcoming a red-hot McNeese team on Thursday before finishing the home slate with UIW on Oct. 19.
October 10, 2025
PODCAST: BWL – Cruelty Connection
Dr. Herman Song, renowned forensic neuropsychiatrist will be a featured speaker Tuesday Oct 14th at 6:00 PM at the Friedman Student Union on the campus of Northwestern State University and he joins Billy West Live to discuss the science and predictive behavior between animal abuse and violence to humans.
Dr. Song will provide insight on the predictive behavior of humans who abuse animals and how that behavior can be a warning sign of violence against humans. The “Cruelty Connection” and presentation is part of a week long “VET TECH” week on the campus of NSU and the public is invited to attend free of charge. Anyone who cares about compassion and safety of animals and human beings could benefit from this presentation. FAUNA invites everyone to help build a community that protects both animals and people.
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Demon soccer team scores special win; NSU volleyball bows at SLU
There was no way Kendall Hemperley was letting the Northwestern State soccer team lose its annual ‘Fork Cancer’ game.
The highly-motivated freshman from Katy, Texas, created the first goal on a cross that resulted in an own goal, helping lead the Demons (8-3-3, 3-1-1) to a 2-0 home Southland Conference soccer victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (3-7-4, 1-3-2) on Thursday evening at the Demon Soccer Complex.
Northwestern goes on the road for a key contest Sunday, visiting East Texas A&M in a battle for first place in the Southland standings as the back half of conference play begins.
Thursday night, Hemperley sported ‘Mom’ written on her leg in support of her mother, DeAnne, who battled breast cancer while Kendall was in high school.
It was also DeAnne’s birthday.
“It felt amazing to help get that goal,” Hemperley said. “As soon as that goal went in, I looked straight at my mom. It was awesome.
“She couldn’t ask for a better birthday gift. All she asked for was a goal and I gave it to her.”
On the goal, Hemperley sent in a cross into the box and AMCC’s Dakota Merino stuck her leg out to try to knock away the cross, but it hit her leg and deflected into the back of the net to give the Demons the lead.
While Hemperley helped Northwestern grab the lead, it was Riley Stern who put the exclamation point on the Demons’ second straight victory midway through the second half.
Stern, a redshirt junior from Fort Worth, scored on a free kick to put NSU up 2-0 in the 62nd minute.
Madison Murphy booted a free kick into the box, and it was deflected by AMCC’s Ashley Wilson, who tried to head it away. But instead, she headed it right down to Stern, who did the rest.
“I got in on so many free kicks tonight,” Stern said. “I was hungry to put one into the back of the net. It just dropped right in front of me, and I just knew I had to put it away and that is what I did.”
From there, the Demons defense shut the door, as NSU only surrendered one shot attempt over the final 28 minutes after Stern’s goal.
“It feels good to get a big three points for us against tough opposition,” head coach Ian Brophy said. “I am really happy with the way we controlled possession, and I really thought we controlled the game throughout.”
Overall, NSU out-shot AMCC 11-7, including 5-2 in the second half. During league play, the Demons have recorded more shot attempts than their opponents in four of the five games, with them tying in the other game in shot attempts.
Kennedy Rist posted her fifth shutout, aided by a tremendous defense that only helped allow one shot on goal.
“We defended in transition really well tonight,” Brophy said. “The way we were able to snuff out their attacks and recycled possession was a real positive. We were really good on the defensive side, and we were able to match their speed and physicality.”
VOLLEYBALL: The young Northwestern squad lost 3-0 (25-12, 25-12 and 15) Thursday night on the road to the Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions in Southland Conference action.
The Demons (1-18, 0-5 SLC) were led by Deja Benjamin with nine kills while Reagan Hamm had 13 assists. Emmarie McFarland led the way defensively with 11 digs.
The Lady Lions (12-5, 4-1 SLC) moved to 7-0 at home in the University Center this season.
NSU will travel 50 miles south to New Orleans to face the UNO Privateers (6-11, 1-3 SLC) Saturday afternoon at 1.
Your Daily Crossword/Sudoku
October 9, 2025
PODCAST: Economic Crossroads – Where do we go from here?
Join Marvin as he discusses the Economic Crossroads facing the City of Natchitoches.
Brought to you by Lance Lopez with Farm Bureau, Harrington Law Firm, Sharpco Hotel Group and the Mariner Restaurant.
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Demon soccer team hosts ‘Fork Cancer’ game tonight at 7; volleyball at SLU
For Northwestern State freshmen soccer players Kendall Hemperley and Sabrina McCarter, tonight’s ‘Fork Cancer’ game is not just any other contest.
In addition to each being in their first year on the team, Hemperley and McCarter have a much greater challenge in common — they both have a family member who has dealt with cancer.
The annual ‘Fork Cancer’ night sends NSU (7-3-3, 2-1-1 in the Southland Conference) against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (3-6-4, 1-2-2) in a contest that kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Demon Soccer Complex. It can be seen on ESPN+.
The Demons are partnering with the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center for the ‘Fork Cancer’ game. At the front gate, fans can grab pink swag as well as Hilinski’s Hope gear.
Both athletes echo the same sentiment — living life to the fullest.
“Through this, mentally, I’ve gotten way stronger and live every day to the fullest because you have no idea how fast your life can switch around like that,” McCarter said.
McCarter, a goalkeeper from Orem, Utah, had a personal experience with cancer at a young age, as her older sister Gabby was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2017 at the age of 15.
“I almost didn’t believe it when I was told she had cancer,” McCarter said. “It is one of those things where you think ‘It’ll never happen to us.’ When I first found out, I just cried because I didn’t believe it.”
She became more appreciative of life and who all helped her and her family through the journey.
“It made me more of a grateful person because it shows that everyone around you is good and does want to help out,” she said. ”Not only did it make me stronger, but it also made everybody around me stronger as well.
“It was 2022 or 2023 when I found out she was cancer free. It was the best news ever,” Sabrina said.
The night is extra special and meaningful for Hemperley, as not only is it the annual ‘Fork Cancer’ game, but it is also her mother, DeAnne Hemperley’s birthday.
DeAnne was diagnosed with 3D breast cancer toward the end of Kendall’s sophomore year of high school.
DeAnne did 16 rounds of chemo and 40 rounds of radiation. Kendall stated that she was her mother’s nurse for about a year and a half because she had d’flap reconstruction, which Kendall explained is a hip-to-hip incision.
But dealing with something like that drew Kendall even closer to her mother.
“It made my mom and me become best friends,” Kendall said. “We got very close during that time — and still are very close. I even spent one of my Homecomings getting ready in a hospital room.”
During the time when her mother was sick, Kendall would go on drives, listen to music or play soccer as an escape.
“The only time I didn’t think about it was while playing soccer,” she said. “Soccer was the one stable thing in my life, at that time. It was basically an escape.”
As an aspiring nurse and daughter of a nurse, Hemperley had hands-on experience working with her mother often, as well as helping her younger siblings.
“My mom is a nurse and being a nurse, I think helped with the whole process,” Kendall said. “She knows certain things and to ask about certain things and I want to be a nurse when I get older. So, her going through this kind of helped my future. I am going into college with a lot of knowledge that a lot of freshmen don’t have, wanting to be a nurse.”
Hemperley said that while her mother is now breast cancer free, since it is metastatic, she doesn’t know if it will pop up in other areas.
“Seeing her go through that and struggle to even stay alive, it definitely taught me that there are very important things in life,” Hemperley said. “It also taught me to take each day, day-by-day, and not to worry about the little things in life.”
VOLLEYBALL: The Demons continue a four-game road trip tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Hammond facing the Southeastern Louisiana University Lady Lions in Southland Conference action.
The Demons (1-17, 0-4 SLC) are seeking their first conference win after a pair of road losses last week.
Junior Deja Benjamin recorded her 400th career kill against A&M-Corpus Christi and finished the match with 11. Junior Jade Longlad continues to lead the Southland in aces with 33 and is 15th in the country in the category.
The Lady Lions (11-5, 3-1 Southland) enters Thursday contest undefeated at home (6-0).
October 8, 2025
NSU’s Senatore takes home third SLC Offensive Player of the Week honor
A big week that moved her into the program top 10 in career goals earned Emily Senatore another Southland Conference weekly award.
Senatore, a junior from Oxford, Conn., earned the Co-SLC Offensive Player of the Week honor after recording both of NSU’s goals in the 2-1 victory last Thursday over Southeastern Louisiana, handing the Lions their first conference loss.
Senatore broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 84th minute with a goal into the bottom left corner of the net, which turned out to be her fifth game-winning goal of the season. That total leads the SLC and is tied for second nationally.
The pair of goals are Senatore’s first two during conference play and brings her total to 10 this season.
Her two goals moved her to a tie for 10th place on the NSU all-time goal list, as she tied 2025 N-Club Hall of Fame inductee Heather Penico, who was introduced to the crowd at halftime.
Her 10 goals are tied for fifth in the country and six shy of the school record, set in 2000 by Britiany Cargill.
It is her third conference weekly award this season, also winning it Aug. 19 after her two goals at Texas, and Sept. 9 after a goal and assist against Grambling.
She joins goalkeeper Kennedy Rist as Demons who have three weekly conference awards this season.
NSU sits in third place in the Southland with a record of 2-1-1, tied with Southeastern. Every team has at least one win and just five points separate first place from 10th place.
Senatore and the Demons play in front of the home crowd Thursday as NSU hosts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 7 p.m.
October 7, 2025