Barbara Leach was the guest speaker for Natchitoches Jr. High’s Job’s for America’s Graduates Program on Jan. 31. Ms. Leach educated the students on topics such as job application (where/how to apply), resumes, and professionalism. NJH-JAG would like to extend our appreciation to Ms. Leach for her continued support of the program.

Pictured are: Joseph McDowell, Caiden Baines, Sesan Moran, Jessie Vasquez, Kaedynce Ware, Ms. Barbara Leach, Lydia Lacaze and Shonna Moses.

The public is invited to attend the St. Mary’s Catholic School Open House on Tuesday, March 11 from 5:30-7 p.m. New student registration begins March 2 for the 2020-2021 school year.

“With every year, St. Mary’s continues to expand and improve the educational opportunities,” said Principal Andrea Harrell. “Come see for yourself how the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) principles are infused daily in every classroom. We will also provide free pizza for the students and a chance to win a $500 tuition credit!”

Serving 3-year-olds through 12th grade students, the school maintains a standard of academic, athletic and spiritual excellence. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), which are accreditation divisions of AdvancED, the school utilizes the latest smart technology, Google Education and Apple instruction across the curriculum and with all grade levels.

With a 99.99 percent graduation rate, and an average ACT score of 24, graduates are prepared for postsecondary college or careers. Credentialed and certified faculty members provide instruction in a smaller class-size environment that allows for more individualized attention.

The PreK3 and Pre-K program at St. Mary’s is the perfect place for young children to learn social skills, fine and gross motor skills, and basic preschool fundamentals, in a structured, yet fun environment. Through the use of specialized learning centers, field trips, SMART Board interaction, and computers, our preschoolers are introduced to basic STEAM principles throughout their day of ‘playing.’

The tradition of excellence is continued by the student athletes at St. Mary’s. As a member of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, the school believes that athletics are designed to teach personal discipline and sportsmanship. A wide variety of varsity sports for boys and girls are offered including football, baseball, softball, basketball, track and cross country, tennis, golf, swimming, and weightlifting. A history of winning is a tradition among all sports.

Within the standards of academics and athletics are woven the Gospel teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Without the formation of goodness, all other standards pale in comparison. The religious formation offered to students of all faiths at St. Mary’s is the basis of all teachings and is imparted throughout the curriculum and the instructional day. Students display these teachings through weekly Mass, daily religion classes and prayer and a devotion of service to others.

“Another good thing about St. Mary’s is the high expectations we set for student behavior,” said Harrell. “Self-discipline is promoted, as well as leadership and moral values. We have very few discipline problems.”

St. Mary’s School has provided Catholic education for Natchitoches and the surrounding area since 1888, when five Sisters of Divine Providence came from San Antonio, Texas to establish a boarding and day academy for girls. Two years later, another high school for boys was established. In 1893, the two schools merged, incorporated as Saint Mary’s Academy. At the beginning of the second year, the new two-story brick Academy located at 212 Rue Touline, had an enrollment of 100 students and a faculty of seven nuns.

The school continued to grow at that location until it had outgrown its space. On February 12, 1967, three hundred and forty-seven students and eight Sisters of Divine Providence moved into the new St. Mary’s School on East 5th Street, where it is presently located.

Pictured: The Marian grotto from the old Academy was moved in 2008 from its location on Rue Touline to the present location of St. Mary’s School on East Fifth Street in Natchitoches.

April 4, 2020 Presidential Preference Primary / Municipal Primary Election

Polling Places Open at 7:00 AM and Close at 8:00 PM

Elections for:
Presidential Preference Primary
DSCC Member 23rd Representative District, Office “A”
Mayor- City of Natchitoches
Councilman at Large
Councilman District 3
Councilman District 4
Mayor- Village of Powhatan

Last day to Register to vote and / or make changes: March 14, 2020 by 11:59 PM (on-line Voter Registration Only).

Early Voting for all interested voters will be conducted in the Registrar of Voters Office located at 200 Church Street in the Natchitoches Parish Court House Building: Saturday March 21, 2020 Thru Saturday March 28, 2020 (closed Sunday March 22, 2020) 8:30 AM until 6:00 PM

Absentee voting by mail is intended for voters who will be out of the parish on Election Day and the week of Early Voting, or if a person is over 65, or has a mobility impaired ID card (must provide copy).  Fax request to: 318-357-2212 or Mail to: Registrar of Voters, P.O. Box 677, Natchitoches, LA 71458.

Call 318-357-2211 for additional information

POSITION: Information Systems Technician

DESCRIPTION: Assists the Information Services Manager for all computer support, software, hardware, and networking City wide.

SKILLS: Have the knowledge of proper operation, use, and application of a variety of client computer systems and technologies such as MS Windows and AS400; Understand the principles of computer technology, hardware operating systems, client-server technologies and local area networks; Have the skill to back-up and restore, participate and apply PC security, antivirus, client imaging, and performance monitoring applications. CompTIA A+ or MCTS desirable.

CONTACT: Human Resources Department at 1400 Sabine Street or Post Office Box 37, Natchitoches, LA 71458-0037.

Applications may also be picked up upstairs at City Hall located at 700 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA, or may be downloaded at www.natchitochesla.gov

Applications will be accepted through March 12, 2020.

THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

BOM is excited to be a Corporate Sponsor of the new Parc Natchitoches! This first-class sports and recreational facility is now open & they just hosted their first USSSA Tournament with over 50 teams.

Left to right: Edd Lee, Blaise LaCour, Mayor Lee Posey, Tyler Murchison, Emily Breedlove, Katrice Below, and Kevin Warner.

The boil advisory for Chee Chee Bay Water System has been lifted. The system is no longer under a boil advisory as of today (3/4/20). For more information, customers may call 318-663-1148.

NATCHITOCHES:
Lisa Browning Edwards
January 7, 1963 – February 25, 2020
Visitation: Saturday, February 29 from 5-10 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday, February 29 at 7 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home

Charles David Jones, Sr.
February 21, 1950 – March 01, 2020
Visitation: Tuesday, March 3 from 5-9 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Wednesday, March 4 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Bellwood Cemetery in Bellwood

Agnes “BeBe” O’Con Corrales
March 20, 1928 – February 28, 2020
Visitation: Friday, March 6 from 6-9 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday, March 7 at 10 am at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery.

Adell Talton
March 20, 1951 – February 28, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Leroy Charles Roberson
January 17, 1949 – February 28, 2020
Arrangements TBA

SABINE:
Jerry Ray Singletary
September 15, 1944 – March 1, 2020
Visitation: Thursday, March 5 from 3-10 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many

William Fredrick Eilers Jr.
September 17, 1955 – February 28, 2020
Service: Wednesday, March 4 at 1 pm at Florien High School Gym

RED RIVER:
Joshua Chance Jones
February 29, 2000 – March 1, 2020
Visitation: Wednesday, March 4 from 12-2 pm at Martin Baptist Church in Martin
Service: Wednesday, March 4 at 2 pm at Martin Baptist Church
Interment: Martin Cemetery

Six distinguished Northwestern State University alumni will be inducted into the university’s Alumni Hall of Distinction, the Long Purple Line. This year’s inductees are state official Sujuan Boutte of Prairieville, businessman Harvey F. Marcus Sr. of Monroe, Louisiana State University Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron, NSU Vice President for External Affairs Jerry Pierce, Fed Ex Freight executive John A. Smith of Memphis, Tennessee, and former NSU faculty member Thomas Whitehead of Natchitoches.

The induction will take place on Friday, April 3 at 11:30 a.m. in McCullen Hall at the Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second St. Tickets are $25 and available by calling (318) 357-5513 or by going to WEBSITE.

The Long Purple Line was created to provide recognition and appreciation to individuals whose career accomplishments or service to their fellow man have enhanced the reputation and prestige of Northwestern State.

Selection may be based upon past or continuing achievements in individuals’ careers, exemplary and extraordinary service to community, state and nation or both career accomplishments and service to mankind including service to their alma mater.

Only 136 of the university’s 75,000 alumni have been inducted into the Long Purple Line since it was established in 1990.

Boutte’ has a broad range of experience spanning postsecondary financial aid for traditional and non-traditional populations, K-12, higher education, government and private industry. She has held several high-level positions in Louisiana state agencies. Since 2013, she has been executive director of the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance, managing an annual budget of almost $400 million. Boutte’ provides oversight of statewide college access and financial aid initiatives aimed at promoting, preparing for and providing college access to students and families including the Taylor Opportunity for Students Program (TOPS) and the Louisiana Go Grants. She previously served as the office’s deputy executive director, chief operations officer and chief research and planning officer.

Boutte’ has served as assistant secretary of the Office of Workforce Development and workforce planning executive consultant with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. She was also an education instruction specialist for IBM.

At Northwestern State, Boutte’ was director and founder of the Technology Training Institute, director of the Office of Public Service and coordinator of non-credit continuing education.

She earned a bachelor’s, master’s specialist and doctorate at Northwestern State and was a supervising teacher at the NSU Laboratory Schools for 12 years. Boutte’ was named Natchitoches Parish Elementary School Teacher of the Year, the Natchitoches Kiwanis’ Outstanding Young Educator and a Turner Broadcasting National Faculty Member.

Upon graduation from Northwestern State College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting, Marcus moved to Monroe. In the summer of 1963, he began his career in public accounting with a local CPA firm. After working for that firm for seven years, he opened his practice in 1970. After about 10 years, he partnered with fellow Northwestern State alumnus John Robinson to form Marcus, Robinson and Hassell which has offices in Monroe and Winnsboro.

Marcus has been involved in a number of successful business ventures throughout Louisiana and Arkansas which include healthcare companies, restaurants, commercial and residential development and management.

Marcus has supported NSU for decades and has served on numerous boards and committees that enhance the university, including the NSU Foundation Board, The Mary R. Gallaspy Trust No. 2 Board and the College of Business and Technology Advisory Board. He has also been honored as a member of the NSU College of Business Hall of Fame.

Marcus is active in state and national professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants. In 2019, he received the certificate of recognition for 50-years loyal membership in the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants

He has supported and donated to countless athletic and academic programs at NSU over the years, including establishing a faculty endowed professorship, and joined NSU alumni Bill Tilley, Bill Stokes and Joe Singletary in establishing a four-year endowed scholarship through the NSU Foundation.

Orgeron led LSU to the College Football Playoff title and a 15-0 record this past season. He was named National Coach of the Year by Walter Camp, Eddie Robinson and the Associated Press. He was also selected as the SEC Coach of the Year.

Orgeron’s staff and team included the winner of the 2019 Broyles Award as nation’s top assistant coach, the Heisman Trophy winner, winner of the Biletnikoff Award given to the outstanding receiver and the Jim Thorpe Award presented to the top defensive back. LSU set a school-record with five first team All-America selections in 2019. LSU’s offensive line claimed the Joe Moore Award as the top offensive line in college football.

Orgeron is LSU’s 33rd head football coach, and the first Louisiana native to serve as head coach of the Tigers in more than 30 years. Orgeron has a 40-9 record at LSU.

Orgeron was a defensive lineman for the NSU Demons and earned a degree in 1985. His coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Northwestern State and McNeese State. Orgeron was an assistant strength coach at Arkansas then worked as an assistant coach at Miami (Florida), Nicholls, Syracuse and Southern Cal, acquiring a reputation as one of the top defensive line coaches and recruiters in college football. He was head coach at the University of Mississippi for three years, then was on the staff of New Orleans Saints and the University of Tennessee before returning to Southern Cal. Orgeron joined the LSU coaching staff in 2015.

Recruited to Northwestern as an athletic trainer, Pierce was a four-year letterman in that position. He was an N Club officer and sports editor of the university newspaper. He joined the staff of The New Orleans Times-Picayune after receiving his journalism degree in 1961 and became executive sports editor at age 24.

Pierce returned to Northwestern in 1965 as Sports Information Director. He later served as News Bureau Director and assistant to the president and has been vice president of External Affairs for more than 30 years.

He was co-chair of Northwestern’s Centennial celebration and 125th anniversary activities and has been the university’s representative to the NCAA and Southland Conference. He is a former president of the conference. Pierce coordinates governmental affairs at NSU and was Northwestern’s liaison for the filming of “Steel Magnolias.”

Pierce brought the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame to Natchitoches in 1972 and directed the program for nearly 20 years. During that time, he was named one of the 20 “Most Influential People in Sports in Louisiana” by The Times-Picayune.

Author of thousands of newspaper and magazine articles and a book of columns and co-editor of books on the making of “Steel Magnolias” and the history of NSU, Pierce has received numerous journalism awards and other honors for civic, social and professional activities.

Inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and N Club Hall of Fame, Pierce was recognized this year as a donor to NSU for more than 20 consecutive years. He and his wife Regina have established endowed scholarships in athletics and education at the university.

Smith is president and chief executive officer of FedEx Freight, the market leader in the less-than-truckload (LTL) industry. He also serves on the Strategic Management Committee of FedEx Corporation, which sets the direction for the FedEx enterprise. FedEx Corporation employs more than 450,000 team members worldwide and uses nearly 700 airplanes and 189,000 motorized vehicles to deliver 15 million shipments every day in more than 220 countries. FedEx Corporation reported $69 billion in revenue in Fiscal Year 2019.

Smith has more than 30 years of experience in the transportation industry and joined FedEx in 2000. As CEO, he provides strategic direction for all FedEx Freight operations throughout North America.

Prior to his current role, Smith most recently served as the senior vice president of operations for FedEx Freight. His experience spans every area of the business, including operations, sales, transportation, fleet maintenance, facility services and safety.

Smith serves on the boards of the Arkansas Trucking Association and the American Transportation Research Institute and was named treasurer of the board for the American Trucking Associations in October 2019. He graduated from Northwestern State University with a degree in geology.

Smith was a four-year starter on the Demon football team as an offensive tackle. He was a two-time All-Louisiana selection and a pre-season All-Gulf Star Conference choice. He was the winner of the Demon Award given to the outstanding offensive lineman.

Whitehead was a member of Northwestern State’s faculty for 30 years, serving as an associate professor of journalism and director of International Programs. He served as an advisor for various student media, providing training to students preparing for a professional career. He also oversaw the university’s Distinguished Lecture Series, which brought numerous leading figures to campus.

A strong advocate for preserving Northwestern State’s history, Whitehead co-authored the book “Northwestern State University at 125” which was published in 2009. He led efforts to make the university’s past more accessible through its Traditions website, which showcases digital collections of the university’s student newspaper, yearbook and alumni magazine and information on alumni honorees, past presidents and historic campus buildings.

Whitehead worked as a production location consultant for the film “Steel Magnolias.” He also worked as a local contact and executive assistant to the film’s producer Ray Stark. Whitehead was a co-author of the “Steel Magnolias Scrapbook.”

One of the leading experts on Natchitoches Parish artist Clementine Hunter, Whitehead worked on documentaries and co-authored and edited books about Hunter.

He is active in local historic preservation organizations and served on the Louisiana Film and Video Commission, the board of directors of Friends of Louisiana Public Broadcasting and the national advisory council of Kappa Alpha Order social fraternity. He is a member of the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Honor Society of Phi Eta Sigma.

Since retiring from NSU, he was worked as a governmental affairs and special events consultant.

It’s time to make the residents of Natchitoches a priority again. It’s time for something better for all of us who live here. This is a historical election at a critical time, and together we can make a difference.

I am so very pleased to announce my candidacy for Mayor of the city of Natchitoches. With encouragement from my family, parishioners, friends and numerous citizens, coupled with my desire to continue serving the community, I have prayerfully answered the call.

My wife Tiffany and I, as well as generations of our families, have called Natchitoches home for centuries. We are committed on ensuring Natchitoches remains the best place to raise our children now and in the future. As we grew up, we felt safe and secure. Now, the incidents of violent crimes are skyrocketing. The great city of Natchitoches has so much to offer, and I will continue working hard to ensure our residents have an equal opportunity to live their dreams.

Are we content with the leadership of our Mayor over the past eight years? Are we sure he has the best interests of ALL of the people he serves? We have allowed our City government to serve only certain areas of our city for far too long. You do not have to look far to see the results of this: violence in our neighborhoods, poor drainage and streets in disrepair, forgotten youth with nothing productive to occupy their time, significant increase in crime and public safety concerns, and most importantly, no new jobs that offer living wages to the community it serves.

Over the last 8 years, we have seen a dramatic increase in spending that focuses mainly on tourism and visitors. To continue with what has been done over the past 8 years is to continue to ignore the urgent needs of the residents of Natchitoches. We have allowed our “leaders” to shape our future, with little resistance and as a result the devotion and loyalty to the residents has dwindled

Remember, leadership is not about the position you hold. It is about solving problems and developing solutions together with our friends and neighbors to achieve a common goal. Leaders do not passively wait to see who will step up to the plate; they step forward themselves and ask, “What can I do to help?” As an educator, I see first-hand the impact that poverty and limited opportunities have on our children. Furthermore, as a pastor of 7 years, I know what it means to have a heart for serving others. I will be your servant leader.

We deserve jobs that pay enough money to care for our families. We deserve safe neighborhoods in which to raise our children. We deserve honest and open government that gives us a voice. We deserve affordable utilities that do not force us to decide between heat and air or feeding our families. We deserve attractive communities. We deserve youth programs that invest in the future of our children. We deserve a better tomorrow.

I must believe there is room for everyone in our beautiful, historic City of Natchitoches to experience the American dream. Sadly, the powerful have just gone silent, and the forgotten are waiting for solutions. Today, I promise to make a difference, to be worthy of the title of leader, and to help reshape the future of our city as your Mayor. Please consider voting #168, Ronnie Williams, Jr. for Mayor. You can vote for a better tomorrow on April 4 or go to the polls during early voting March 21-28.

By Brad Dison

Patrick Morrissey was born in Ireland on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1844. In reverence of the patron saint of Ireland, and his being born on the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, his parents named him Patrick. The Morrissey family crossed the Pacific Ocean and settled in Buffalo, New York. His father died shortly after their arrival. To earn money, Patrick’s mother kept boarders in a poor area known as the “infected district.” Patrick had little education and “was a wild boy.” Patrick occasionally got into legal trouble. In November, 1865, police arrested him on a charge of larceny. A jury convicted him of the crime and sentenced him to three-and-a-half years in the Auburn prison. Patrick’s mother begged Governor Fenton to pardon Patrick. After only seven or eight months in prison, Governor Fenton conceded and pardoned Patrick.

Patrick’s mother was fifty-five-year-old Ann Morrissey. Newspapers describe Ann as being associated with low people, which matched her character. She was a hardworking woman and was able to save a small amount money. Ann had a terrible temper and newspapers reported that she “often abused her children,” Patrick and his three younger sisters.

Patrick worked as a sailor. When he was in between jobs, Patrick stayed with his mother. He spent the majority of his time in a drunken condition. During his binges, he often requested the little money his mother had saved and claimed that he had a right to it because he was the oldest child. On June 22, 1872, a Saturday night, Patrick returned to his mother’s house from a long night of drinking. About 10 a.m. the next morning, Patrick left the house and returned at about 2 p.m. in a drunken stupor. Several boarders at Ann’s boarding house saw Patrick return and said he had a “wild look about him.”

Shortly after Patrick’s return, the boarders heard Patrick arguing with a woman in an adjoining room. The woman yelled, “Go away, you ——-, or I’ll call the watch on you!” Patrick replied, “Do you call me that you d—-d old thing?” Patrick picked up a carving-knife with his right hand. He grabbed the woman’s right shoulder with his left hand, which spun her around, and he stabbed her in the chest. She ran into the next room and collapsed. Stunned boarders carried her to a bed where she died about ten minutes later.

Patrick made no attempt to escape. He sat on a bed in the kitchen and waited for the police to arrive. Policemen arrested Patrick and took him to the police station for questioning. Patrick, still drunk, continually contradicted his own statements. He denied that he had any part in the stabbing, then confessed to the crime, then denied it again.

At Patrick’s trial, his defense attorneys did not deny that Patrick had killed the woman, but claimed he was temporarily insane “caused by liquor and a disposition to light-headedness, resulting from a blow received on his head.” The jury retired after closing arguments and, after a brief absence, returned with a guilty verdict for first degree murder. Four days later, the judge sentenced Patrick to be “hanged by the neck until you are dead.”

Patrick’s attorneys pleaded with the governor for a reprieve, but he would not interfere with the jury’s verdict. Patrick’s attorneys argued that the trial had followed the murder too rapidly, the murder occurred on June 23 and the trial began two days later. They also argued that the trial was too short. It took only twenty-one days from the beginning of Patrick’s trial until the judge sentenced him to death. The attorneys filed a motion for a new trial before the Supreme Court but the motion was denied. The legal process in 1872 was swift.

On September 6, 1872, the sheriff of Erie County, New York, led the condemned man from his jail cell to a holding room. A crowd gathered in the yard of the courthouse in anticipation of a public hanging. Members of the crowd requested to be allowed to watch the hanging, but the sheriff refused. A hush fell over the crowd when the undertaker delivered a black-walnut casket to the courthouse. The sheriff and three of his deputies dressed Patrick in a black robe and placed the noose around his neck. The sheriff ordered twenty-five of his deputies to clear the courthouse yard of everyone except twelve witnesses who had passes to watch the hanging, the number required by law. The sheriff led Patrick into the yard of the courthouse and to the scaffolding, which was shielded from public view by temporary canvas walls. Two deputies led Patrick up the steps to the hanging platform. The sheriff positioned himself on the ground next to the handle which would release the trap door. One of the deputies read the death warrant aloud, attached the noose to the hook on the hanging platform, and pulled a black hood over Patrick’s face. The sheriff pulled the lever, and the condemned man fell to his death.

The woman Patrick murdered was Ann Morrissey, his own mother. The sheriff, who had the grim role as executioner, became the only person to serve two non-consecutive terms as president of the United States, Grover Cleveland.

Buffalo Morning Express and Illustrated Buffalo Express, September 4, 1872, p.1.
Buffalo Evening Post, September 7, 1872, p.3.
Buffalo Weekly Courier, September 11, 1872, p.4.

The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce invites the public to attend a moderated candidate forum on Thursday, March 19 from 5:30-7:30 PM for the upcoming City of Natchitoches Mayoral and City Council elections. The forum will take place at Northwestern State University’s News Studio, Room 142, Kyser Hall, 165 Sam Sibley Drive, Natchitoches, LA 71457. The forum will be facilitated by the Chamber of Commerce and hosted by NSU’s Student Government Association.

Every candidate running for either Mayor of the City of Natchitoches or City Council received a letter inviting them to attend the forum. With their letter, they also received a questionnaire, and a request to submit their answers back to the Chamber by noon on March 12th. Each candidate’s response will be posted and available to view at natchitocheschamber.com/candidatesrespond on March 13th. The responses will also be sent out to local media. See below for the questions that were sent to each candidate.

The candidate forum will be free and open to the public. Each candidate for Mayor and City Council will be given three minutes for opening remarks. The audience (both live and online) will be given the chance to submit written questions to the candidates at the beginning of the event. Questions will be presented by the moderator, and to keep the forum fair, each candidate will have an allotted amount of time to respond to the questions posed. There will be a timer with a signal card to keep each candidate on track. For City Council, questions will be required to be addressed to the district, and not an individual candidate.

The Chamber hosts political forums such as this with the intent of promoting civic engagement and civic literacy. The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce helps foster a thriving community through transformative leadership, collaboration, and innovation.

Mayor / City Council Candidate Questionnaire

1. Budget: What are your budgetary priorities?

2. Experience: What experience do you have with complicated budgets and management?

3. Changes and Reform: In your view, what has the city done well over the last four years? What opportunities for improvement do you see? Please provide specific examples.

4. Representation: [For City Council Candidates as applicable.] You represent a specific part of the city of Natchitoches—how will you balance the needs of your specific constituents with the needs of the city overall?

5. Economic Development: What in your opinion are the most significant hindrances that prevent businesses from locating in Natchitoches, and how do you plan to address them?

6. Capital Outlay: What specific projects do you see as critical components of our capital outlay plan? What projects do you see having the highest return on investment?

7. Tourism: Tourism in Natchitoches is an important factor of economic development. What do you think we’re doing well in promoting Natchitoches externally, and what other opportunities do you see in bringing outside visitors (and their pocketbooks)?

8. Safety and Security: What do you see as the biggest threat to the safety and security of Natchitoches citizens, and in what ways do you plan to make our city safer.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – There are plenty of adjectives to describe high-level competitors – outstanding, incredible, amazing, phenomenal – all of which applied to Natashia Jackson on Monday afternoon in the Southland Conference Indoor Championships.

The senior sprinter won three gold medals en route to the top overall scorer (27.5), her third consecutive at the indoor meet, helping lead the Lady Demons to a runner-up finish with 117.5 total points.

“What more can you say about her,” head coach Mike Heimerman said. “She broke three school records, two meet records and had one of the most incredible splits in the 400 relay I think I’ve ever seen. Not only did she lead our sprinters, but she led the entire women’s team today.”

Jackson set the conference, meet and NSU record in the 400 for the second day in a row with a time of 53.25. She did the same in the 200 running a 23.50, easily taking gold in both events.

In her final event of the day Jackson ran the anchor leg of the 4×400 relay where Janiel Moore, Jayla Fields and Erin Wilson broke the NSU record with a time of 3:41.29. The time was just 0.16 off the SLC record.

While Jackson was putting on a clinic on the track, Lauren Clarke and Jasmyn Steels were having their way on the field.

Clarke, the sophomore jumper, took home gold in both the triple and high jumps. Her third jump of the day went for 42-5.25 giving her the gold by a full foot. She then matcher her career high in the high jump clearing 5-8.75 on her second attempt.

“The electricity we had as a team from our runners was fun,” Heimerman said. “Our jumpers were feeding off of that and Lauren was fantastic today winning the triple and the high jump. It was just an overall great weekend for our jumpers.”

The Lady Demons went one-two in the triple jump as Jasmyn Steels followed her gold in the long jump from Sunday with a silver in the triple behind Clarke.

Along with her gold from the 400 relay, Moore took home the silver in the first race of the day, the 60-meter hurdles, running a career-best 8.51 in a photo finish.

The women’s 60 also came down to the wire where freshman Lynelle Washington taking the bronze with a time of 7.51. Just 0.7 seconds separated the gold medal from fifth place with Jackson just missing another medal at 7.52.

The NSU women finished second for the third straight season and the second straight season behind Stephen F. Austin.

“It was a great day for sure, but I think we left a few points out there,” Heimerman said. “We came in expecting to battle for a title and we did that. Knew it was going to be a dogfight no matter what. That’s why you compete.”

The Lady Demons certainly shined on Monday, but the men had their own fair share of success and results to build on going into the outdoor season.

“We didn’t have as many fireworks today on the men’s side as we did the women,” Heimerman said. “I think we’re more suited for outdoor with them, but they still did well in the relay and we have plenty of things to build on overall.”

Sophomore Marco Arevalo took home the silver in the shot put with a toss of 53-3.5 on his first attempt of the day. His effort was one of just two throws to clear 53 feet on the day along with ACU’s Tyler Richardson who took the gold.

Quindarrius Thompson notched a bronze in the triple jump on his first attempt of the competition. His 50-10.0 leap was his only scored jump of the day but held through the competition giving the Demons another podium finish.

The Demons were shut off the medal stand in their only sprint event, the 60 meters.

In the closest race of the day, NSU finished 4-5-6 with Kie’Ave Harry coming in just off the podium at 6.82, the same time as Brandon Letts. Central Arkansas’ Zachary Jewell took the gold with a time of 6.75 with the bronze time just 0.02 faster than Harry and Letts.

The nation’s top 16 performers travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 13-14 for the NCAA National Championship Meet. Defending long jump champion Jasmyn Steels currently ranks sixth in the county in the event.

NSU opens the 2020 outdoor season at the McNeese Cowboy Relays on March 14.

Photo Credit: Michael Wade

The NSU Wind Ensemble along with the Magale Concert Band and Fredericks Concert Band will perform this week. The NSU Wind Ensemble will perform on Wednesday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. and the Magale Concert Band and Fredericks Concert Band will present a concert on Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. Both concerts will be held in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Wind Ensemble conducted by Dan McDonald will play “William Byrd Suite” by Gordon Jacob, “Notezart” by Cindy McTee, “Irish Tune from County Derry” by Percy Grainger and “First Suite in E-flat” by Gustav Holst.

McDonald will conduct the Magale Concert Band with graduate conductor Jorge Ojeda Muñoz. The ensemble will perform Diamond Tide by Viet Cuong, “Moon by Night” by Jonathan Newman and “Symphonic Dance No. 3, ‘”Fiesta”’ by Clifton Williams.

The Fredericks Concert Band will be conducted by Oliver Molina and will play “The Great Locomotive Chase” by Robert W. Smith, “Impulse Engine” by Carolyn Bremer,

“The Beethoven Machine” by Michael Colgrass and “Foundry” by John Mackey.

Northwestern State University’s Department of English, Foreign Languages and Cultural Studies, in partnership with the Department of Fine and Graphic Art, will bring Louisiana Poet Laureate Darrell Bourque and artist Bill Gingles, an NSU graduate, to this year’s Spring Read.

Spring Read will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12 in Orville Hanchey Gallery. Bourque and Gingles will offer an hour-long workshop on collaboration prior to Spring Read. The workshop will be from 4-5 p.m. in Room 206 above the Gallery.

A reception and book signing will follow Spring Read. The theme for this year’s read is “Brought to you by the Letter ‘M.'”

For more information, contact Rebecca Macijeski, creative writing program coordinator and assistant professor of English, at macijeskir@nsula.edu.

The Natchitoches-Northwestern Folk Festival is seeking volunteers for this year’s event, which will take place July 24-25. Every year the festival relies on dozens of volunteers to help with various components and positions as needed.

Volunteers will work inside air-conditioned Prather Coliseum and will be needed from 3-10 p.m. Friday, July 24 and 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, July 25. In addition to listening to great music and meeting interesting people, volunteers received free admission to all events on the day they work and receive a free commemorative t-shirt for working five hours or more. Volunteers need not be a resident of Natchitoches or affiliated with NSU to participating.

“The Festival would not be a success without the valuable and deeply appreciated help of our volunteer corps,” said Dr. Shayne Rasmussen, event director and director of the Louisiana Folklife Center, which annually hosts the event.

For more information, job descriptions, shifts and how to become a volunteers call (318) 357-4332.

BOM is a Leapin’ Leprechaun Sponsor of the @chambernyp 6th Annual Pub Crawl. The event will take place on March 21 in Historic Downtown Natchitoches from 4-9pm.

In the photo from left to right: Jacob Murchison, Haley Taitano, Luke Lucky, Maggie Matusckha, Emily Breedlove, Reba Phelps, Lori Wallace, and Kelli West.

Smiles ran across the children at all five of the schools where members of the Northwestern State football team visited throughout Monday.

Seeing those reactions elicited the same response from the Demons who took part in the 16th annual Chris Waddell Day activities. The community service day is named for the Northwestern State redshirt freshman offensive lineman who passed away from a heart condition March 1, 2004, the day before he was to take part in his first spring practice at Northwestern State.

Defensive end Rashuad Powell has been part of the Northwestern State program for four years, making him a veteran of Chris Waddell Day, but his connection to the event goes deeper than most.

“It’s a great experience to talk to the kids and tell them about Chris Waddell,” Powell said. “It’s crazy, because I have the same thing he did, so this means a lot to me. I can tell my story about how I persevered through all the surgeries, all the setbacks, all the tests to get to where I am. It started building my character. I was in a hospital bed and now I’m playing football for Northwestern State.”

Powell and his teammates spent the day bouncing from school to school, spending time at L.P. Vaughn Elementary, St. Mary’s Elementary, M.R. Weaver Elementary, NSU E-Lab and NSU Middle Lab throughout the day.

Mixing physical activities – dodgeball was a mainstay at the morning stops – with life lessons, the Demon players and coaches involved gained as much from the interaction as the students.

“They absolutely love it,” assistant head coach De’Von Lockett said. “The basketball competition, the dodgeball competition, they enjoy the entire day. For us as a staff, it’s a chance to get out in the community and be with our kids at the forefront. Our guys do a lot of community service throughout the year, but today is special. We are going to continue to represent Chris and keep his legacy going.”

While Powell and several other players who made stops around Natchitoches on Monday have been through the Waddell Day routine before, the impact was not lost on the newcomers to the event.

“It was awesome,” said wide receiver Marquise Bridges, who came to Northwestern State from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at mid-year. “Being able to see these little kids who watch us and look up to us is a blessing. I don’t know the story that much, but I know enough to know the importance of it. (Waddell) was a guy who worked hard and cherished everything he did. We want to honor his name and go out and make an impact.”

Bridges was part of a group of NSU players who spoke to third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students at the E-Lab on the NSU campus.

Assistant coach J Pond led the discussion session, telling the students, “There’s never a bad time to be selfless,” before turning the program over to the players.

The players at all five stops, to a man, talked about how much they gained from the experiences on Chris Waddell Day.

“It’s really special to give back and teach lessons and help these kids,” running back Trevor Morgan said. “I remember when I was in their shoes. If I was a kid, I would feel real excited. We have a chance to be role models for the community. It’s real exciting.”

Said quarterback Kaleb Fletcher: “It’s amazing to get out here and give back to the community. We do this for the kids, but at the end of the day, we gain a lot more from being around these kids, these young, free souls. They’re enjoying their time without a worry or a care in the world. It was refreshing spending the day with them.”

Added tight end David Fitzwater: “It means a lot being a role model. These kids look up to us. This is their dream to be able to play at this level. It makes you appreciate what you’re able to do, because you want to give back. You were one of those kids one day.”

Photo Credit: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

NATCHITOCHES:
Lisa Browning Edwards
January 07, 1963 – February 25, 2020
Visitation: Saturday, February 29 from 5-10 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday, February 29 at 7 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home

Charles David Jones, Sr.
February 21, 1950 – March 01, 2020
Visitation: Tuesday, March 3 from 5-9 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Wednesday, March 4 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Bellwood Cemetery in Bellwood

Agnes “BeBe” O’Con Corrales
March 20, 1928 – February 28, 2020
Visitation: Friday, March 6 from 6-9 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday, March 7 at 10 am at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery.

Leroy Charles Roberson
January 17, 1949 – February 28, 2020
Arrangements TBA

SABINE:
Jerry Ray Singletary
September 15, 1944 – March 1, 2020
Visitation: Thursday, March 5 from 3-10 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many

William Fredrick Eilers Jr.
September 17, 1955 – February 28, 2020
Service: Wednesday, March 4 at 1 pm at Florien High School Gym

Natchitoches’ Events Center was the place to be Saturday, February 29 for homeowners and future homeowners as Natchitoches’ first Home and Garden Expo got underway. The Home and Garden Expo, a project of the Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce, featured over 50 exhibitors, ranging from real estate professionals, to insurance agents, home repair companies, lawn equipment dealers, banks and many others. The Natchitoches Fire Department had a display as did the US Forest Service’s Kisatchie National Forest and The Census Bureau. There was truly a lot to see and do at the Expo.

Over 500 people came to the inaugural event as the advent of warmer weather turned homeowner’s minds to maintenance and improvement. Eventgoers had a chance to meet with firms covering the gamut of home ownership and community life all in one convenient place.

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