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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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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).

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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.

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Marshal Randy Williams and the Natchitoches Ward One City Marshal’s Office congratulate Chief Deputy Steve Pezant for being named the National Deputy Marshal of the Year by the National Constables and Marshals Association during the recent 2025 President’s Awards Banquet in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The National Constables and Marshals Association is a non profit professional organization that represents Constables and Marshals across the United States. Founded to promote training, networking, and advocacy within the field, the association hosts annual conferences, provides educational resources, and works to uphold professional standards for its members. Each year, the group recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding service and leadership in their roles, including its National Deputy Marshal/Constable of the year.

Pezant has served in the Natchitoches Ward One City Marshal’s Office since 2020.

Pezant’s law enforcement career spans 35 years beginning at the Pike County (Mississippi) Sheriff’s Office in 1990, then the Louisiana State Police in 1993 and the Natchitoches Ward One City Marshal’s Office in 2020. He retired from the Louisiana State Police in 2019 as Master Trooper after 27 years of service, and was the Louisiana State Trooper’s Association Troop E Affiliate President from 2009 to 2014, serving 6 years as Vice President in that same organization.

Of those 35 years of Law Enforcement Service, 33 have been served within Natchitoches Parish.

A native of Summit, Mississippi, Pezant is a 1989 and 1990 graduate of Northwestern State University.

“Steve was hired in 2020 and in 2021 was promoted to Chief Deputy because of the outstanding job he was doing in a short period of time. Steve goes beyond his duties in serving at the Natchitoches Ward One City Marshal’s Office and in the City of Natchitoches. I am so proud that the National Association saw what he and his wife have done for the association. Steve deserves the recognition, the plaque he was given, and more.” Natchitoches Ward One City Marshal Randy Williams

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Play Sudoku online!

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By Journal Services Staff Writer

The 2025 Louisiana black bear hunting lottery concluded Aug. 28 with 1,330 applications from 1,119 applicants, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced.

Key Details:

• 26 permits will be issued for the Dec. 6-21 hunt, up from 11 in 2024
• Applications included 554 for private landowner lottery, 212 for LDWF Wildlife Management Area lottery in Bear Area 4 and 564 for general lottery
• Eight permits issued in Bear Management Area 1, three in Area 2 and 15 in Area 4
• Cubs and females with cubs are illegal to harvest; cubs defined as bears weighing 75 pounds or less
• Unsuccessful applicants receive preference points (capped at five) for subsequent years
• Hunters drawn cannot be selected again for two years

Impact/Analysis: The lottery drew 973 applications from 814 hunters in 2024. Population estimates and vital rate data determined permit numbers for each bear area. All lottery fees and license revenue fund the Louisiana black bear program, supporting live trapping, radio collaring, winter den checks and hair sampling to monitor range expansion.

Bottom Line: The Louisiana black bear was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1992 and delisted in 2016 following collaborative conservation efforts, marking one of the state’s most successful conservation programs.

For more information on the black bear hunting lottery, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/black-bear-hunting-lottery.

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By BRAD WELBORN, Northwestern State Sports Information

Missed chances and the visitors’ relentless rushing ended in a frustrating and disappointing Homecoming night for Northwestern State in its 40-10  Southland Conference football loss to East Texas A&M Saturday at Turpin Stadum.

The theme of the night played out in the first two series. Antonio Hall returned the opening kickoff 65 yards, setting up the Demons (1-4, 0-1) in prime field position. Six plays later a missed field goal denied an early edge.

East Texas A&M (1-4, 1-0) responded with a nine-play touchdown drive, gaining 27 yards on the ground on seven rushing plays ending in a two-yard score by E.J. Oakmon leading to a 17-3 halftime advantage.

The Lions rushed for 261 yards on 52 attempts behind a trio of backs to control the clock and the line of scrimmage.

“Can’t say I saw that one coming,” Demons’ coach Blaine McCorkle said. “That was one we all thought and hoped we would have played a lot better and have a chance to win. We still have a lot of work to do. We have a lot of looking in the mirror to do as players, as coaches, with schemes, with how we practice, how we prepare our bodies. 

“All we can do is go back to work. Nobody said this thing was going to be easy. We’re frustrated now but the beauty is you get another chance next week.”

Falling short on the opening series was the first of two major misses in the first half for the Demons.

A blocked punt by Ty Moore following a defensive 3-and-out set the Demons up in plus territory at the Lions’ 31-yard line. A sack on third down pushed the Demons back, leading to a field goal attempt that sailed wide left, leaving the drive empty and NSU trailing 10-0.

The Lions took the ensuing possession down the field on a 14-play drive, the longest of the night, gaining 50 of the 80 yards on the trip via the rushing attack, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown run stretching the lead to 17-0.

The Demons found a spark on its final possession of the half that started with a Fernando Washington interception, his first as a Demon, at his own six-yard line. Quarterback Abram Johnston, engineered a quick and clean scoring drive to get the Demons on the board just before half.

A long completion to Camryn Davis and a long run from Kolbe Burrell put the Demons in position to convert on a Cooper Evans 30-yard field goal as time expired.

Any momentum the Demons gained with the scoring drive was squelched by the Lions to open the third quarter when ET’s KJ Shankle went around the right side for a 24-yard scoring run.

The Lions rushed for 139 yards on 28 carries in the second half, and took control as they scored touchdowns on all three of their third-quarter possessions and produced scoring drives four times on their five total in the second half.

The youthful Demons saw a pair of freshmen help fuel NSU’s lone scoring drive in the second half. Trevor Allen and Brenden Webb accounted for 34 yards on an eight-play drive the ended with a Burrell rushing touchdown, his first of the season.

“You saw Brenden Webb get his first action touching the ball and he showed that he can make plays, and same thing with Jimmie Duncan,” McCorkle said. “Trevor Allen got his first action of the season tonight and showed his capabilities. We had some guys step in on defense in their who had not played a snap yet this year. Proud of all those guys for that and we saw some more young guys get a chance to grow and develop.”

NSU plays its next two games on the road beginning next Saturday at Houston Christian.

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SAN MARCOS, Texas — The Northwestern State women’s tennis team closed out the Texas State Invitational on Sunday with a competitive showing across both doubles and singles, wrapping up a productive weekend of fall competition that featured several tightly contested matches. 

The Lady Demons opened the morning with an impressive doubles session, highlighted by two dominant wins.  

Zoi Spyrou and Honoka Umeda picked up a 6-4 victory against UIW’s Luciana Perez Hernandez and Alexandra Mille. 

Athina Grigoriadou and Martina Acebedo Bonocore continued their stellar form with a 6-2 triumph over UTRGV’s Mariia Bakhtina and Luna Buijtenhuijs.  

Lolita Hukasian and Maria Farina battled through a back-and-forth match before narrowly falling 7-6(5) to UIW’s Estefania Gonzalez and Ine Lamprecht. 

In singles play, Farina delivered one of NSU’s top performances of the day, securing a convincing 6-3, 6-1 win over Texas State’s Emily Niers to close out her weekend on a high note. 

In two weeks, the  Lady Demons travel to Huntsville, Texas, to compete in the Bearkat Invitational, hosted by Sam Houston. 

VOLLEYBALL:  Deja Benjamin recorded her 400th career kill, but Northwestern was defeated by the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders, 3-0 (25-22, 25-15 and 25-18) Saturday afternoon on the road in a Southland Conference volleyball match.

The Demons (1-17, 0-4 Southland) came out strong as they had 15-11 lead midway through the first set highlighted by four kills from Samaya Wesson.

However, the Islanders (6-10, 2-2 Southland) rallied to tie the match at 22-22 before edging the Demons in the first set on three straight kills.

Despite the second set being controlled by the Islanders, Benjamin recorded her 400th career kill with the Demons trailing 18-10.

“I’m proud of Deja,” said Demon head coach Ben Kaszeta. “She has been through several system changes, and it shows a lot of maturity and grit for her to keep getting better.”

NSU had 33 kills led by Benjamin with 11.

The Demons will be back in action Thursday night when they play on the road against the Southeastern Lions.

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By JONATHON ZENK, Northwestern State Sports Information

Whether it was the family that raised them, or the families they found at Northwestern State, the 13 people honored at the N-Club Hall of Fame ceremony Saturday morning at the Magale Recital Hall shared their success with those closest to them.

“It is a great honor to be inducted,” an emotional Josh Hancock said. “I lost my Dad a few weeks ago. I brought my Mom up to the stage because my parents gave me a lot of support. My parents worked hard and taught us to work hard and never give up.

“The appreciation I have for them is undeniable and I appreciate all the sacrifices they’ve made and that is one of the reasons why I worked as hard as possible so we got where we did at Northwestern.”

Hancock started a string of three brothers – Tramaine, then Keithan – who played at NSU.

He also poignantly thanked coach Mike McConathy for “making basketball fun for me again” when McConathy took over the program after Hancock’s sophomore season.

The slender Kountze, Texas, native (“I still have those skinny legs!” he cracked) was one of three Demon hoops stars spotlighted Saturday. All three helped NSU win NCAA Tournament games.

The point guard finished with 307 career assists, which was sixth in program history at the end of his career. Hancock also sealed the Demons’ first NCAA Tournament victory by draining a triple in the final minute to put away Winthrop in 2001.

On a day filled with reminiscing about tremendous moments in their careers, it was fitting that the man who made the biggest play in NSU Athletics history was honored.

Jermaine Wallace, who drilled a 3-pointer in the corner to defeat third-seeded Iowa in the 2006 NCAA Tournament, earned his spot in the Hall with much more than a moment that still lives indelibly in March Madness history.

A two-time All-Southland Conference selection, Wallace ranks 13th on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,427 points and helped McConathy’s teams win two straight Southland titles. A member of the Demons’ All-Century Team, Wallace’s 200 career 3-pointers stood as a school record for nearly a decade.

“Without my brothers on the team, there would be no me,” said the native of Heflin and product of Sibley High School.

“I remember the shot frame-by-frame. I remember every moment, but any time anybody asks me about that shot, I always revert to the comeback before the shot. I tell people that I just made the shot you remember, but my brothers and I made the (17-point) comeback to make it possible. That is what I remember the most.”

Wallace shared a locker room with Tyrone Mitchell, who has made an impact after his playing career as the head coach for a championship program at Xavier (N.O.).

Being the on-court leader of the “Demons of Destiny” helped Mitchell develop a successful coaching career after he finished playing professionally overseas.

“I was a scorer coming out of high school and six games into my college career, Coach Mike brought me into his office,” Mitchell said. “He said ‘Tyrone, if you lead us in scoring, we’re never going to win a championship.’ He said ‘Trust what I’m telling you. You’re a leader, we need you to lead this group. We need you to make the ultimate sacrifices. Still, those are the things I do today as a head coach, and it sticks with me.”

He wasn’t the only one of the 13 inductees who was born to be a head coach.

As a daughter of a Texas high school head football coach, a career path was almost ordained for former Lady Demons softball coach Gay McNutt.

“I grew up on the sidelines on Friday nights,” McNutt said. “I heard a lot of words I probably should not have heard, words that my mother probably didn’t appreciate. But that is where it started. I knew I wanted to coach all along.”

And coach she did, leading the program to its first two NCAA Tournament appearances (1998, 2000) as part of a three-year run of Southland Conference titles from 1998-2000.

In that stretch, McNutt led NSU to a 112-55 mark, including a 40-18 record in 1998 and 41-19 mark in 2000. Her 161 career victories are third in program history.

A two-way softball standout almost a decade later, Amanda Glenn Peters’ name is scattered all over the record books.

She has two of the top four strikeout seasons in school history, and is second all-time in career strikeouts with 568 and third in innings pitched with 560. A two-time first-team All-Louisiana selection, she slugged 29 career home runs and Glenn’s 125 RBIs remain fourth in program career history.

When it came to who would win in a battle between Glenn as a pitcher and Glenn as a hitter, she was confident in her selection.

“If Amanda Glenn the hitter faced Amanda Glenn the pitcher, the choice was easy who would win,” she said. “It would probably be the hitter because that was where my heart was and we were winning games. But, 100 percent, if Amanda Glenn the pitcher thought Amanda Glenn the hitter was going to beat her, she would hit her.”

Layne Miller has made a giant impact on the softball program and NSU Athletics overall and was honored with the Distinguished Service Award. A former Demon baseball player, he has a daughter, Lauren, who played softball at NSU, and for decades, Layne has been a vital volunteer and avid supporter of Natchitoches and Northwestern.

Like many others being honored, his parents were big inspirations for helping him earn a spot in the N-Club Hall of Fame. It was his love of cooking that has been a cornerstone of his involvement.

“Both my father and mother were good cooks,” he said. “My dad used to cook at large crowds for camp and that is where I picked it up from. The first time I cooked for Northwestern athletics was for Jim Wells and the baseball team (in 1990) and it grew from there.

“Gay McNutt asked me if I had ever been to a Mississippi State baseball game. She told me ‘We need an outfield club like that.’ So, we got it started.”

Baseball great David Reynolds said he owes a lot to the city of Natchitoches and NSU.

As a position player and ultimately a pitcher, Reynolds spent six years in minor league baseball. At Northwestern, he was an immediate starter at shortstop and an All-Trans America Conference selection and All-Louisiana as a freshman when he batted .274 with six home runs and 34 RBI.

In the minors, he posted a record of 36-28 with a 3.47 ERA and 22 saves in the White Sox organization, appearing in 202 games on the mound and another 37 as an infielder.

“Natchitoches is more than special to me. I married a girl from Natchitoches and with my two kids, we come back here for the holidays. It is special that all my family was able to come here and see this.”

Many top track and field athletes have represented NSU over the years, but none have done what Cody Fillinich did, becoming a four-time All-American in the javelin, becoming the first male javelin thrower in the NCAA to earn All-American status four times. It’s only been matched once since.

The Golden Meadow native finished runner-up at USA Juniors before representing the USA at the Junior Pan-Am Games.

Fillinich always had a strong arm, and came to Natchitoches as a football-track competitor hoping to quarterback Scott Stoker’s Demons, but he credited much of his success to track and field coach Mike Heimerman, who introduced him at the ceremony.

“Coach Mike really taught me how to train,” he said. “He tweaked my technique a little bit and told me, ‘This is what it takes to get on that stage and compete.’ That is what got me to that next level.”

Heather Penico Morain left her mark next door at the Demon Soccer Complex.

She started her career with a bang, being named Southland Conference Freshman of the Year in 2002, helping lead the Demons to their second NCAA Tournament berth. Three years later, she led her team to another NCAA appearance in 2005 as a senior and was named conference Player of the Year.

The two-time All-Louisiana selection is tied for 10th in program history with 21 goals scored. She said her induction was sweeter now than had it come sooner.

“I think it is better that it has been 20 years,” Penico Morain said. “It has been great to reconnect with former teammates I might have lost touch with. My boys are really into soccer and when we were at Prather Coliseum yesterday, they saw my name on the wall and were so excited and got so proud, and it brought me so much joy.”

Lady Demon basketball great Amanda Bennett came out of Simpson having tried only two 3-pointers as a 5-11 post player, but became a great perimeter scorer and a versatile player. She earned a first team All-SLC nod in 2003-04 as a junior when the Lady Demons finished 24-7 and swept the conference regular season and tournament titles on the way to the NCAA Tournament in coach James Smith’s final season.

The sharp-shooter ranks eighth in program history with 177 3-pointers. From a young age, she always had one school she wanted to attend.

“I wanted to be a Lady Demon from the time I was in fifth grade,” she said. “I came every single summer to camp here to try to get Coach Smith to talk to me. Finally, I got the call and came on a (recruiting) visit. Coach Smith said, ‘I don’t even need to recruit Bennett, I know she’s coming.’ He knew my heart was set on coming to NSU.”

Football teammates Derrick Johnese and Toby Zeigler were pivotal in two Southland championships and playoff appearances in 2002 and 2004 under Stoker.

Johnese set the Demons’ career scoring record of 212 points, which is still the best by a non-kicker, as well as the still-standing touchdowns mark of 34, and is fourth all-time in rushing yards.

He was named the SLC Offensive Player of the Year in 2004. Johnese had a specific reason for choosing Northwestern.

“I was being recruited by McNeese and NSU,” he said. “But the mistake McNeese made was they didn’t invite my parents on my visit. NSU invited my parents and my mom looked at the school and before we went into the las meeting, she told me, ‘Derrick, this is where I want you to go.’ So that is why I am here right now.”

A record-setting four-year starter at wide receiver, Zeigler’s most dynamic Demon plays came as a return specialist, capping his career as the Southland, state and school record-holder in career punt return average (1,361 yards, 109 attempts, 12.5 average), ranking second in FCS history at the time. His 99 career receptions were a then-school record and he also set Demons’ career all-purpose yardage record (4,943).

The former quarterback at Neville High in Monroe played in the CFL and he settled in Canada. He said positive peer pressure motivated his success with the Demons.

“With two all-conference running backs (Shelton Sampson shared the primary backfield role with Johnese), I wanted to house every return,” Zeigler said. “I wanted to make an impact on the game to help my guys win. The offense knew I wanted to do something special every time I touched the ball.”

He wasn’t the only player with a big special teams background to be inducted, joined by 1980s punter Mike Crow.

Crow still holds career records for punts (276) and punt yards (11,028) and was first-team All-Gulf Star Conference and All-Louisiana as a junior with a 42.4 average, then second-team All-Louisiana and All-Gulf Star as a senior. He was the primary factor why NSU led the FCS in net punting (40.4) in 1985.

“I wanted to play college football and Coach Sam Goodwin gave me that opportunity,” Crow said.

“There are three phases in football — offense, defense and special teams — and we took a lot of pride in our special teams. Coach Goodwin was the coach of special teams. There is pressure with 10 guys coming at you, but we took a lot of pride in doing it well.”

He was proud to be able to share the moment with former teammates and family.

“It’s great to have my kids and grandkids here today,” he said. “They are old enough to be a part of this and understand what is going on.”

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Cruelty to animals doesn’t just hurt pets.  It can be a warning signs of violence against people too.  Join us to learn how understanding this link can help create safer, kinder communities.  Together, we can build a community that protects both animals and people.

Guest speakers Dr. Herman Soong, M.D. from Tulane University School of Medicine and the Honorable Hillar Moore, District Attorney from East Baton Rouge Parish, will present “The Cruelty Connection: Animal Abuse and Human Violence,” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14 in the Sylvan Friedman Student Union Ballroom.  They will discuss how cruelty to animals can be a warning sigh of violence against people and how to create safer communities.

The event is free and open to the public.

Week Long events:

Paws for a Cause Week kicks off at Northwestern State University Monday, Oct. 13, launching a week of “compassion, education, and community action to support animal welfare in Natchitoches and beyond,” according to organizers. The week will include pet therapy, speakers, the 12^th annual Farm to Table fundraiser dinner and other activities to engage the community and bring awareness to animal welfare.

Paws for a Cause Week is a partnership initiative with Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals (FAUNA), NSU’s School of STEM, NSU’s Department of Veterinary Technology, and NSU’s Office of Economic Development and Advancement.

Monday, Oct. 13 will feature “Paws and Relax,” a stress-relief/pet therapy event in which students can interact with therapy animals provided through FAUNA’s Providing Animal Comfort Therapy (PACT) program. This event promotes student wellness and supports FAUNA’s mission of protecting and caring for animals.

The 12^th annual Farm to Table Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15 at Mariner’s Restaurant. This popular FAUNA fund raiser will feature a specially curated multi-course menu with wine pairings, highlighting the best of local flavors and seasonal ingredients. Seating is limited.  Reservations are available https://www.npfauna.org/event/farm-to-table/.

NSU Vet Tech students will present “Paw-traits:  Snap.  Smile.  Support” from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 on the steps leading to the Columns on Normal Hill. Individuals can bring their pets and get a free photo available for download after the event.

Vet Tech will host a Bathe-A-Dog Day from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 in Bienvenu Hall Room 106 in which pets can get spa-style treatments that includes a bath, nail trimming, ear cleaning and anal gland expression. Pricing is based on dog’s weight starting at $13. Proceeds support the Vet Tech Club and their ongoing mission to provide animal care and learning opportunities for students.

“This partnership highlights the heart of our program, preparing students not only as skilled veterinary professionals but also as compassionate community leaders,” said Dr. Rachel Cezar-Martinez, director of Veterinary Technology at NSU. “I am excited for Paws for Cause Week because it will give NSU Veterinary Technology students the grand opportunity to receive hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom training with real-world practice, while instilling the values of service, advocacy, and leadership.”

For more information on Paws for a Cause Week contact FAUNA at npfauna@gmail.com.  Information on FAUNA is available at www.npFAUNA.org.

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National Flood Insurance Program lapses, affecting more than 434,000 Louisiana policyholders

Louisiana homebuyers and homeowners are experiencing immediate impacts from the federal government shutdown that began at midnight on October 1, 2025. The lapse in federal funding has suspended the National Flood Insurance Program, preventing new policies from being issued and blocking renewals until Congress restores funding.

Real estate transactions delayed

According to Andrea Tyler, a realtor with At Home Realty Group, she had to notify a client scheduled to close on a new construction home in Chalmette that the transaction might not proceed on time. The property is located in a flood zone, requiring the buyers to obtain coverage through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program before completing the purchase.

The National Association of Realtors reports that Louisiana has more than four hundred thirty-four thousand NFIP policyholders. The state ranks third nationally in total NFIP policies, behind Florida and Texas. Louisiana also has the highest percentage of NFIP policyholders in the country, with more than twenty percent of homes relying on federal flood insurance.

Coverage concerns and limitations

Jennifer Clements, sales manager for Dan Burghardt Insurance and president of Professional Insurance Agents of Louisiana, clarified that existing policyholders need not worry about their current coverage. If a policyholder experiences damage requiring a claim, they should proceed normally as the claims-processing portion of NFIP remains funded during the shutdown.

However, Clements noted limitations on policy adjustments during the shutdown. Policyholders can make changes to their policies that do not increase premiums, but other modifications are restricted. Tyler expressed concern that additional hurdles will further complicate an already stressful homebuying process, particularly noting that sellers might lose potential buyers who have already invested significantly in inspections and other pre-closing activities

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Program consolidation aims to streamline services for Louisiana families

The Louisiana Department of Health officially began administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on October 1, 2025, marking the first step in consolidating multiple benefit applications under a single state agency. The transition was made possible through the state’s Project One Door legislation.

Program details and continuity

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, SNAP participants will continue to receive benefits without any interruption in service. No changes to eligibility requirements are part of this administrative move. The shift brings SNAP under LDH administration so that nutrition assistance can be better aligned with other services already under the department, such as Medicaid.

Additional programs transferred

In addition to SNAP, the Louisiana Department of Health is receiving several other programs previously administered by the Department of Children and Family Services. These include Disability Determination Services, Electronic Healthy Incentives Project, Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program, Kinship Care Subsidy Program, and Sun Bucks.

Long-term goals

The Department stated that over time, this consolidation will reduce paperwork and wait times for residents, increase efficiency for staff members, and create a more streamlined experience for Louisiana families. Individuals can continue to apply for benefits and access resources on the LDH website. The Department will notify SNAP recipients as any changes are rolled out.

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After more than 12 years of directing operations for the $23 million, world-renowned Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches, Jennae Biddiscombe is headed south to accept a promotion in the Louisiana State Museum system.

The Boston native, who became a valued community member during her time in Natchitoches, departs this weekend to take over in Baton Rouge as LSM’s Museum Division Director.  She is the Director of the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge and supervises the operations of museum branches located in Thibodaux, Patterson – and Natchitoches.

“I will always be grateful for my time in Natchitoches and the wonderful people I have gotten to work with as Branch Director of the LSHOF and Northwest Louisiana History Museum,” she said. “This museum and community will always hold a place in my heart.”

She began her career at the Louisiana State Museum in December 2008, first as the Assistant Registrar, overseeing rights and reproduction services, and then as the Registrar.  When the LSHOF museum was in the final stages preparing for opening, Biddiscombe was named Branch Director in Natchitoches in April 2013.

She oversaw the final three months of setup before the grand opening June 28, 2013, as Shaquille O’Neal, Chanda Rubin, Kevin Mawae and Tommy Hodson headlined the LSHOF Class of 2013 and the museum debuted to rave reviews. It was named the world’s No. 1 new architectural achievement of 2013 by the international industry publication Azure Magazine, the only North American project to make the list with an addition to the Louvre in Paris at No. 2.

Biddiscombe’s leadership since has maintained that global stature for the local museum, which gets visitors from around the world to see the architecture and people from around the state and nation to check out the 27,500-square feet of exhibits on state sports and regional history.

“Jennae immersed herself into her role with the museum, and enriched our community, while she assured that the people of Natchitoches, and all of Louisiana’s citizens, were well served by this wonderful venue,” said Doug Ireland, chairman of the LSHOF and president of FLASH, Friends of Louisiana Sports and History, the local support group for the museum.

“She formed relationships and developed partnerships that were vital to the development of the museum as an attraction and a community resource,” he said. “Jennae directed daily operations and was a pivotal part of hundreds of special events ranging from Hall of Fame induction activities to wedding receptions, community gatherings, school tours, and outreach programs along with a wide range of programming,” he said. “She weathered state budget challenges and she collaborated with Northwestern, with the City of Natchitoches, the Natchitoches CVB and Chamber of Commerce, the Historic District Business Association, the LSHOF Foundation and other agencies and organizations to mutual benefit.

“We are grateful for her long-term impact and thrilled that in her new role, she will continue to be involved with the local museum,” he said.

Among Biddiscombe’s accomplishments:

• Obtained over $50,000 in grants to support the museum exhibitions, programming and marketing;
• Brought several traveling and temporary exhibits to the museum, highlighted by:

• • “The East Bank All-Stars: Making Little League History”- The Eastbank All-Stars made history becoming the first Louisiana team crowned Little League World Series Champions in 2019.

• • “Showtime: LSU’s Spectacular Pistol Pete”- The exhibition features more than 40 photographs from John Musemeche and Musemeche Photography in Baton Rouge.  Showcasing the incredible career of Pete Maravich.

• • “The Pelican State Goes to War: Louisiana in World War II”- Produced by The National WWII Museum, the exhibition will feature artifacts, photographs and oral histories that highlight Louisiana’s extraordinary contribution to America’s war efforts during World War II.

• • “Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America” –  This traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program captures the stories that unfold on the neighborhood fields and courts, and the underdog heroics, larger-than-life legends, fierce rivalries and gut-wrenching defeats.

• • “Water/Ways”- This traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program. explores the endless motion of the water cycle, water’s effect on landscape, settlement and migration, and its impact on culture and spirituality. It looks at how political and economic planning have long been affected by access to water and control of water resources. Human creativity and resourcefulness provide new ways of protecting water resources and renewing respect for the natural environment.

• • “Carrying the Dream”- a display of the hearse that carried the body of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Added several exhibits to the permanent exhibit, notably:

• • A case featuring Kim Mulkey;

• • A case featuring Louisiana Heisman Trophy winners.
• Developed diverse programming highlighting the state’s unique sports heritage and regional culture making the museum more than a museum, a community gathering place for events that included:

• • Book signings, including a visit from 1958 LSU Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon

• • Documentary film screenings

• • Dance and music programs, including a tribute to Jim Croce on the 50^th anniversary of his tragic death

• • Folklife programs

• • Lectures and roundtable discussions, including Steel Magolias programming

• • Children’s programming

• • Award ceremonies

Her new office will be at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge. She will maintain a residence with her husband Jackie in Natchitoches.

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Following three straight games on the road and a much-needed open week, the Northwestern State football team returns to Turpin Stadium on Saturday evening for Homecoming and kicks off the eight-game Southland Conference season.

The Demons (1-3) enter the 6 p.m. SLC opener against an East Texas A&M (0-4) team with a nearly identical résumé. The Lions, like NSU, played back-to-back Power Four opponents during the non-conference schedule, two of just the three FCS teams in the country that have borne that burden.

“They are a talented team and have the ability to make an explosive play at any time,” Demons coach Blaine McCorkle said. “They’ve played a couple of quarterbacks but either of them have the ability to make plays with big shot or their legs. We need to be on our game and have our eyes where they need to be.

“They came over here last year 0-5 and ran us out of the stadium. They’re coming in this year 0-4 with a very similar non-conference schedule as us. I think it’ll be a good matchup and another chance to see how much we’ve grown in a year.”

The culmination of Northwestern’s 2025 Homecoming celebration will air on ESPN+. The Demon Sports Network  game broadcast can be heard on 100.7 KZBL FM in Natchitoches, on Baldridge-Dumas Communications stations in Many, Leesville and Winnfield, and through www.nsudemons.com and the NSUDemons app.

Quarterback Abram Johnston, who is coming off the best all-around performance in his young career against Prairie View A&M two weeks ago, said the bye week has given the team a fresh start – and the Homecoming stage only amplifies the energy.

“To me it almost feels like the first game of the year,” he said. “Coming off a bye and having two weeks to prepare for this team and not being home, I’m giddy. I’m ready to play at home again. And everybody’s feeling that.

“We’re 0-0 right now in conference so in a lot of ways it feels like week one. We know how big of a game this is and how important it is for the rest of the season. Not to put pressure on us but we know what we expect to do and how important it is.”

For McCorkle, the challenge is less about the hype and pageantry of the game and more about execution by his team. The Demons are looking for consistent complementary football, something that cost them on the road in the three-point loss to an improving Prairie View team that beat Grambling last week.

“We’ve talked a lot and said a lot, you either lose or you learn. So what are the lessons we’re going to learn from that game?” McCorkle said. “I can see us being in a very similar type game this week. This could be another four-quarter game if we handle our business. Hopefully we’ve learned those lessons and complement each other a little bit better in all three phases to get us over the hump.”

Defensive lineman Preston Hickey said those lessons along with the added layer of motivation for who they’re playing for makes Saturday’s game even more meaningful.

“It’s about going out there and playing for our fans, families and all of us,” Hickey said. “We’ve had some tough games here in the past but I feel like they’ve helped mold us for what’s to come and we’ve gained a lot from them. East Texas is a good team with a lot of good play makers and I’m looking forward to the matchup.”

With a 37-day span between games at Turpin Stadium coming to a close and the natural buzz around the annual Homecoming game and festivites, McCorkle eagerly anticipates the game night energy in Natchitoches.

“There’ll be a lot of juice here on Saturday night,” McCorkle said. “Turpin Stadium is a great place to play. It’s a great atmosphere. Lights will be on. It’s Homecoming. The band is ready to be back in the stadium just as much as we are. Expecting a good crowd and a good game on a beautiful night for football. Our guys are excited about it. It’s been a long time since we’ve been home and we like being here in Turpin for sure.”

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Emily Senatore scored a pair of goals to tie Heather Penico on the all-time goal scoring list with 21, and more importantly, lifted NSU (7-3-3, 2-1-1) to a thrilling 2-1 victory over in-state rival Southeastern Louisiana (3-5-3, 2-1-1) on Thursday evening at the Demon Soccer Complex.

Senatore scored her second goal to break a 1-1 deadlock in the 84th minute and earn the Demons a pivotal Southland Conference victory while handing the Lady Lions their first conference loss.

The junior from Oxford, Conn., tied Penico, who is being inducted into the N-Club Hall of Fame on Saturday, for 10th in program history for career goals.

“It was a great win, especially to get the goal in the last 10 minutes,” head coach Ian Brophy, who tied Stuart Gore for the fourth-most victories (24) in NSU history, said. “I am really happy, especially when you get the late goal.

“I was really pleased with the performance in general and the way we played throughout and the way we kept plugging away and creating chances. Even when it was 1-1, the way we dominated possession and continued to apply the pressure, and it ended up leading us to getting the game-winning goal.”

Senatore’s second goal came off a pass from Riley Stern, much like her first goal. Stern found Senatore, who spun around the defender and rolled one through the defense and past SLU goalkeeper Kendall Curran for her fifth game-winning goal of the season.

She relishes the late-game heroics, also scoring the winning goal in the closing minutes in last season’s victory at UIW.

“I love having the ball at my feet late,” Senatore said. “When it comes to the end of the game and we’re not winning, we really have to put everything out there, so I feel like I was trying to that and come out with the goal.”

Stern, making her first start of the season, also earned an assist on the first goal as well, passing it to Hosane Soukou, who passed it to Senatore. Senatore blasted one from outside the box to the top left corner for the game’s first goal in the 20th minute.

The Lady Lions found the back of the net for the tie when Alexandra Knight scored in the 54th minute.

It was the only shot on goal for SLU in the game, as the Demons defense thwarted the Lady Lions opportunities throughout.

“The defenders were really good all night,” Brophy said. “In the first half, especially, we really limited their scoring chances. The defense played really well. Emily Mougia had a big night tonight, as did Sophia Minnillo and Jessica Spitzer. I am really proud of the way we played defensively.”

NSU is off this weekend.

VOLLEYBALL: The Demons fell in a visit to the UT-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 3-0 (25-12, 25-17 and 25-12) Thursday night in Southland Conference play.

The Vaqueros (7-7, 2-1 Southland) were in command most of the match. In set two, the Demons (1-16, 0-3 Southland) competed better as they trailed 15-12. However, UTRGV scored 10 of the final 13 points as they went on to take set two and three convincingly.

“That’s the best team we have played all season,” said Demon head coach Ben Kaszeta. “Coach Todd (Todd Lowery-UTRGV head coach) has a great environment as well. Hats off to a great program. They are built to win the Southland.”

TENNIS: After opening the fall season with a strong showing at the Diving Eagle Invitational, the Lady Demon tennis team returns to action this weekend at the Texas State Invitational, starting today.

Six Lady Demons are making the trip: senior Zoi Spyrou, juniors Maria Farina and Honoka Umeda, and newcomers Lolita Hukasian, Martina Acebedo Bonocore, and Athina Grigoriadou.

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The 13-member N-Club Hall of Fame class of 2025 will add another highlight to its collective resume Saturday night.

The group will be inducted into the school’s athletic shrine in a 10 a.m. ceremony Saturday at Magale Recital Hall on the Northwestern campus. Admission is free. A reception honoring them starts at 9 a.m.

The inductees will be back in the spotlight at the NSU homecoming football game Saturday night as the Exchange Bank and Trust Demon Greats of the Game. They will be recognized during a first-half timeout in the game that kicks off at 6 against against East Texas A&M.

Four-time All-American javelin thrower Cody Fillinich tops a class that spans seven Northwestern sports – two of which have three members earning enshrinement.

Three Demon men’s basketball players who helped the program collect NCAA Tournament victories – Josh Hancock, Tyrone Mitchell and Jermaine Wallace — are headed into the Hall. Mitchell and Wallace were teammates on the Demons of Destiny – the 2005-06 Northwestern squad that upset third-seeded Iowa on Wallace’s last-second 3-pointer in a moment that lives on in March Madness lore.

Three football players – punter Mike Crow, running back Derrick Johnsese and wide receiver Toby Zeigler – will be enshrined as well. Joining those seven are softball pitcher Amanda Glenn and coach Gay McNutt, women’s basketball’s Amanda Bennett, soccer’s Heather Penico and baseball’s David Reynolds. Layne Miller, a fixture around Northwestern athletics and tailgates, will be honored with the Distinguished Service Award.

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