The Northwestern State football team has to replace a productive senior class of 2019, one that included a record-setting quarterback and four-year starters along the offensive line and in the defensive backfield.

That process kicks into gear Thursday at 3:45 p.m. when the Demons hold the first of 15 spring practices inside Turpin Stadium.

“When you start back in January, you’re gearing yourself up for the 2020 season, but there are phases you go through,” said Brad Laird, whose third season at the helm of his alma mater begins Sept. 3 when Northwestern State hosts Incarnate Word.

“The phase we start Thursday, spring practice, is always an exciting time. You’ve been through the offseason, and now you get to get out there and play some football and see what this team is all about. That is what excites us as a coaching staff and players. The players work so hard during the offseason to go out and put a football in their hands and play and practice for the next 15 days.”

The Demons’ spring schedule starts with a 22-period practice Thursday and runs through the 31st annual Joe Delaney Bowl at 12 p.m. March 21. The Demons will hold two spring scrimmages – at 10 a.m. March 7 and 14.

Among the 22 seniors who must be replaced are quarterback Shelton Eppler, who rewrote most of Northwestern State’s single-season and career passing records in his two seasons as a Demon, 100-catch receiver Quan Shorts, standout offensive linemen Dustin Burns, Jonathan Hubbard and Chris Zirkle and defensive backfield staples Nick Forde and Ryan Reed.

“It’s always exciting when you have competition,” Laird said. “One of our goals as a coaching staff is to identify who the starters are, identify the depth, identify the guys we can count on to play significant snaps. I’m excited about the three (quarterbacks) who will battle for that spot. Will we get everything answered in those 15 practices? That’s yet to be determined. We’ll see where we are after Day 1 going into Day 2 just like we’ll see where we are after practice 15 going into the summer.”

Thursday marks the first time Laird and his staff will see several of their 2020 signees in action as mid-year junior college signees have been on campus since classes resumed in January.

“It’s a combination of some of those older guys we brought in after we identified our needs combined with guys who may have been waiting in the background for a couple of years who will get that opportunity to showcase what they can do,” Laird said. “They should have the opportunity to play. That’s what we look forward to, guys who will step up in all three phases.

“We’ve talked offensively, and we’ve talked defensively, but who are the guys who will step up on special teams? We’ve got to find 11 guys for each special teams unit that will win football games for us. We’ll look at that very hard this spring. After reflecting on the 2019 season, we have to be better on special teams. We are going to be the most physical team. We have to be physical on both sides of the ball and on special teams. We need to find who will be physical when it’s fourth-and-1 or third-and-2. Who can we count on to make plays?”

2020 Spring Football Schedule – Date Time

Feb. 27 3:45 p.m.
Feb. 28 2:45 p.m.
Feb. 29 10 a.m.
March 3 3:45 p.m.
March 5 3:45 p.m.
March 6 2:45 p.m.
March 7 10 a.m. (Scrimmage 1)
March 10 3:45 p.m.
March 12 3:45 p.m.
March 13 2:45 p.m.
March 14 10 a.m. (Scrimmage 2)
March 17 3:45 p.m.
March 19 3:45 p.m.
March 20 2:45 p.m.
March 21 12 p.m. (31st annual Joe Delaney Bowl)

Photo Credit: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

Students at Natchitoches Magnet School received Terrific Kid certificates from the Natchitoches Kiwanis Club for the month of February recognizing them for their character development, self-esteem and perseverance.

Pictured are Adrienne Duruisseau, Xane Jones, Jaylei Babers, Tra’Miyaa Jones, Gracie Anable, Lydia Mogridge, Levi Aton, Dalton Conant, Dylan Torres, Charity Marshall, Austin Carter, Wesley Johnson, Morgan Robinson, Hunter Goings, Wyatt Laning and Jamal Barnes.

Natashia Jackson stands alone atop the Southland Conference indoor 400 meter record book.

When it comes to Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week, she has company.

Jackson and teammate Lauren Clarke swept the final weekly honors ahead of the conference championships awarded by the conference Wednesday.

Jackson, Northwestern State’s do-it-all senior, rewrote the conference’s indoor 400 meter record for the second straight week, clocking a 53.43 at the Texas Tech Matador Qualifier to earn her second consecutive and third overall weekly honor of the 2020 season. Jackson’s mark stands 31st nationally after being converted for altitude to a 53.54.

Clarke, a sophomore from Houston, established a pair of personal bests at the Texas A&M Invitational to nab her first SLC Indoor Field Athlete of the Week award.

She delivered the 20th-longest triple jump in the nation and the longest by an SLC competitor this season (42-11.75) to win the event and finished second in the high jump with a mark of 5-8.75 that sits fourth in the conference and 47th nationally.

The Lady Demons and Demons will compete in the Southland Conference Indoor Championships March 1-2 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Photo Credit: Jameria Smith/NSU Photographic Services

The East Natchitoches School of Fine Arts is in full swing. Students are busy taking private and group classes in art, keyboard, piano, voice, flute, viola, guitar, drama, dance, and drums. The largest group class is the art class of eleven students taught by Natchitoches Parish School district art teacher, Erin Parrish. Nine private drum lessons are taught by Northwestern State upper classman, Mr. Chris Ball. All other classes are taught by Northwestern State including: Jonathon Andino (viola), David Paz (piano & keyboard), Sarah Holoubek (dance), Sidney Gilder (drama), Herbie Brewton (guitar), and MiKayla Richarsdson (voice and flute).

Director and Natchitoches Parish music teacher, Danny R. Von Kanel says, “I am so excited about this years talent. With a number returning students, we are seeing an uptick in the quality of talent compared to past years. With well over $11,000.00 raised to fund the school, the financial resources are there to fund the year. In addition, I can’t say enough about the Natchitoches business community for believing in us and making it possible for students across the district to experience the arts. Thank you!”

Principal of the East Natchitoches Elementary School is Chrystal Davis. Superintendent of the Natchitoches Parish public school district is Mr. Dale Skinner.

Picture are Drama teacher Sidney Gilder, Daryl Walker, Jacob Hypes, Anna Taylor, Blakely Ridley, Belcy Lopez, Journey Ashlock, Kylon Payton, LaGordian Brown, Lathan Johnson, Barbara Clark, Mary Harvey, Allysa Sibley, Ella Fuitt, Gennaya Gibson, Jayden Harp, Jayda Russell, Cameron McDaniel, Journey Arthor, Drums teacher Chris Ball, Jake Broadway, Flute Teacher MiKayla Richardson, Desiree Edwards, Voice teacher MiKayla, Katie Rodriguez, Keyboard teacher David Paz, and Se’Niya Thomas.

The Ho Minti Society, Inc., a nonprofit that encourages the vitality of traditional Choctaw-Apache Community of Ebarb arts and heritage, is launching its 2020 Indigenous Arts and Crafts Series with a workshop on brick stitch beading. The event is co-sponsored by Northwestern State University Anthropology and American Indian Programs, and hosted by the Williamson Museum. The workshop will be Feb. 29 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Williamson Museum, Kyser Hall 208.

“Native American arts and crafts are living arts,” Ho Minti President Rhonda Gauthier explained. “Working with beads, leather, wood, fabric, animal parts and other natural or synthetic materials, Native artists use traditional skills and techniques to create works of incredible beauty. Each Native American community has its own family traditions reflected in decorative details which are transmitted and used with respect.”

The technique for this first workshop is called brick stitch and requires weaving together tiny seed beads in a staggered pattern. It can be used to create diamond- or triangle-shaped objects. Dr. Rebecca Riall, an anthropologist and attorney on the NSU faculty, will teach the workshop.

“For Native people, learning traditional techniques from our elders is a time not just to learn about art, but to learn life lessons, laugh and think about our community,” Riall said.

“The greatest art is learned by listening to your elders,” said Jason “Big Jake” Rivers, a founding Ho Minti board member and Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb council member.

Future workshops will include traditional basket making, leather bags and more.

“We need to keep our cultures alive,” said Ho Minti Treasurer Pam Cartinez.

“Ho Minti Society is using workshops to share Native American living arts with Native and non-Native peoples,” Gauthier added.

Registration is required by emailing Gauthier at gauthier@nsula.edu. Children over 12 are permitted if accompanied by an adult. Space is limited. Materials are provided at no cost. However, those with nickel allergies may wish to bring one pair of hypoallergenic earwires.

“Ho Minti” means “y’all come” in Choctaw and reflects the nonprofit’s commitment to coming together to share and support American Indian ways of knowing and doing.

Rotarian with the Program Mike Newton introduced Warren Morris, former member of the LSU 1996 College World Series Championship team and MLB baseball player at the Feb. 25 Rotary Club of Natchitoches meeting. Warren shared many inspirational stories about his experiences as a college and major league baseball player and is proud to be from Alexandria, LA.

Pictured from left are President David Guillet, Morris, and Newton (Photo by Dr. Ron McBride).

Recently, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center received a national spotlight for its rural health programs and services. Kirk Soileau, Chief Executive Officer, was asked to present the hospital’s many successes at the 33rd Annual American Hospital Association Rural Healthcare Leadership Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

“It is always a pleasure to share our success with other hospitals,” Soileau noted. “We’ve found so many innovative ways to improve care in our community. For example, we created a Primary Care Clinic that is open seven-days-a-week, year-round that accepts Medicaid. We are seeing on average a 20 percent increase in patient volume at our Primary Care Clinic each month. So instead of waiting until someone is seriously ill and in need of emergency care, our goal is to get folks to come to the clinic when illnesses first start. This means treating upper respiratory illnesses before the condition worsens and possibly turns into pneumonia, or getting folks immunizations and flu shots, or helping those with chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure better control their numbers. We are seeing such a great response. Our model can work in other communities across the nation and have the same positive impact on health that we are seeing in Natchitoches,” Soileau said.

Soileau also shared other innovative programs such as how NRMC is growing its specialist network, reaching out into the community to address population health issues, addressing reimbursement challenges, and growing services that the local community wants and needs like Wound Care, access to specialty care and more.

After presenting at the AHA national rural health meeting, NRMC’s innovation work was highlighted at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C. Soileau also participated in a podcast about rural health which can be heard on www.nrmchospital.org/tv-radio-spots/

About Natchitoches Regional Medical Center
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center began as a community hospital in 1955 and has grown into a 216-bed healthcare system with 750 Associates and more than 100 active and consulting physicians on its medical staff. The system is comprised of the 96-bed acute care facility, a skilled nursing home, assisted living complex, and an extensive network of clinics throughout the parish. NRMC is an affiliate of Christus Health.

The body of a Northwestern State University student was found in a campus residence hall Tuesday, Feb. 26. James Evans, 22, a theatre major from Chalmette, died as the result of a medical condition.

Information on funeral services is incomplete. NSU’s Department of Theatre and Dance and Student Government Association plan to hold a memorial service next week.

The Northwestern State family extends condolences to Evans’ family and friends.

Chee Chee Bay Water System in North Natchitoches Parish has issued a Boil Advisory until further notice. This is due to a water mail break which is resulting in low pressure system wide. For more information, customers may call 318-663-1148.

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

NATCHITOCHES:
Lorraine Martin Dorris
December 28, 1948 – February 24, 2020
Visitation: Saturday, February 29 from 10-11 am at Summerfield Baptist Church located at 171 Summerfield Road, Summerfield Community
Service: Saturday, February 29 at 2 pm at Summerfield Baptist Church near Colfax

Jerry Larpenter
August 13, 1930 – February 21, 2020
Service: Tuesday, March 3 at 2 pm at Friendship Church of the Nazarene in Robeline

Will Smith
March 26, 1951 – February 21, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Steve Wiggins
May 14, 1948 – February 21, 2020
Visitation: Thursday, February 27 from 3:30-5:30 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches

Crawford Ficklin, Jr.
February 23, 2020
Service: Saturday, February 29 at 11 am at the First United Methodist Church, located at 411 Second Street in Natchitoches

Mary Jane Jackson Parker
February 22, 2020
Service: Saturday, February 29 at 9 am at Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, located at 318 North Street in Natchitoches

Anna Lou Evans Beasley
February 7, 1918 – February 18, 2020
Service: Saturday, February 29 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Interment: Weaver Cemetery in Flora

Cleveland Lewis
February 15, 2020
Arrangements TBA

WINN PARISH:
Dr. William “Bill” Robertson
November 13, 1952 – February 24, 2020
Visitation: Thursday, February 27 beginning at 5 pm at Fellowship Baptist Church in Jena
Service: Friday, February 28, 2020 at 10:00AM at the church under direction of Kinner & Stevens Funeral Home

James Cecil “Gabby” Freeman Sr.
August 13, 1930 – February 24, 2020
Visitation: Thursday, February 27 from 5-9 pm and Friday, February 28 from 10-11 am at Northside Baptist Church in Montgomery
Service: Friday, February 28 at 11 am at Northside Baptist Church

The Natchitoches Parish School Board held the interviews of the 14 candidates/applicants on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the week of February 17, 2020.

The Natchitoches Parish School Board will narrow the field of candidates during a special call meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.  The Natchitoches Parish Journal will stream this meeting LIVE.

A meet and greet has been set for March 10, 2020 to allow the public to have a face to face and ask questions.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal is providing the video of each candidates in the order they appeared before the full Natchitoches Parish School Board.  Each of their applications is available below the Videos.  This click the link to view.

The interviews were open to the public.

NPSB MEMBERS:
Reba Phelps, Emile Metoyer, Steven Harris, Beverly Broadway, Katrina Willis, Dorothy McGaskey, Tankia Palmer, Billy Benefield, Rhonda Guidroz, Russ Danzy and Eugene Garner.

Superintendent Candidates Video and Application are here for your review:

VIDEO: Billy Benefield explains the interview process

 

APPLICATIONS: Just click the link below to view that candidates application.

S.-Canady-App

G.-Eloi-App

D.-Gray-App

C.-Green-App

T.-Hamilton-App

T.-Johnson-App

E.-Jones-Jr-App

B.-Lawrence App

P.Nelson-App

T.-Reeves-App

C-Robinson-App

J.-Stroder-App

J.-Toro-App

J.-Winston-Jr-App

The inaugural Natchitoches Home and Garden Expo is set to take place this Saturday, February 29, at the Natchitoches Events Center, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Expo entry is free and open to the public. Attendees are invited to come and learn more about the products and services offered by local businesses. There will be door prizes given throughout the event.

There will be many attractions for the entire family at the Expo. This Expo will feature a Kids Zone, sponsored by the Natchitoches Parish Library, with a variety of games and books for the children of attendees to play with. A feature of the Kids Zone will be a large blow-up screen that will have Wii Games for the kids on it. CENLA VR Game Truck will also be parked in front of the Events Center, and will have a wide variety of video games for all ages. HHR Equipment Rental Services will have a large digger that kids will be able to play on as well.

Please see below for the complete list of vendors:

A&C Hydroseeding
A&G Computer Services
AKA Construction
All Seasons Heating & Air
Atmos Energy
BDC Tree Service
Bolton Realty
BOM Financial Services
CB Pressure Washing
Cane River Brewing Co.
Cane River Pools & Spas
CENLA VR Game Truck
City Bank
Farm Bureau Insurance – Kyndal Harrell
Freeman Insulation
Girl Scouts of America
Goldman Equipment
HHR Equipment Rental
iOrganize
Ivan Smith Furniture & Appliances
J&J Exterminating
Marketa Remo Design
Mason Salter’s Fine Furniture
Music Mountain Water
Natchitoches Historic Foundation
Natchitoches Fire Department
Natchitoches Parish Library
Natural Springs Garden Center & Nursery
Olivier Woodworks
Seamless Gutters of Natchitoches
Rhodes Properties & Development
Rhodes Realty
Sherwin Williams
Sabine State Bank
Service League of Natchitoches
State Farm Insurance – Mike Murphy
Sutton Realty
SWEPCO
The Louver Shop of Louisiana
Toledo Bend Repair Services
US Census Bureau
US Forest Service
US Lawns
Vaughn Chevrolet Buick Cadillac

The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce helps foster a thriving community through transformative leadership, collaboration, and innovation.

By Kevin Shannahan

The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed its newest member at 780 Front St., Suite 105 Tuesday, February 25. Mike’s Gallery was welcomed to the Chamber of Commerce, and to our community, with a traditional ribbon cutting.

Mike’s Gallery is the newest addition to our area’s art scene. The gallery’s owner is Mike Cornelius, a native of Mobile, Alabama who married into a Natchitoches family. Cornelius is an avid historian who noted the numerous connections between Mobile and Natchitoches in the colonial era. This love is reflected in the gallery’s mission: “To procure and show wondrous, beautiful artworks for the enjoyment and illumination of all gallery visitors in support of the heritage and arts of Natchitoches, Louisiana.”

The gallery’s art is an eclectic combination of painting, shell art, sculpture and gift items. The artists are mainly local, but are joined by artists from Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Arkansas.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal extends its best wishes to Mike Cornelius and the artists in his gallery.

• 

• 

• 

For the second consecutive week, Northwestern State has won the Player of the Week with Ela Iwaniuk taking home the honor this week.
This is the second Player of the Week honor for the senior, winning once in 2018. It is the first time the Lady Demons have won the award in back-to-back weeks since 2018 when they won three times in a row. Iwaniuk was in the middle of that trio.

“This is a well-deserved honor for Ela this past week,” head coach Patric DuBois said. “She played solid and steady against very tough competition.”

Mariella Minetti earned the honor this past week.

Iwaniuk, a senior from Konarskie, Poland, had a convincing victory to begin the weekend at No. 2 singles against Southern Miss’ Katia de la Garza. Iwaniuk dispatched the previously unbeaten de la Garza in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.

On Sunday, she and fellow senior Emilija Dancetovic came back from a 4-1 in doubles against UTSA to emerge with the victory 7-5 and clinching the doubles point for the Lady Demons. That was proceeded by another straight sets triumph.

Iwaniuk won in decisive fashion against UTSA’s Laura Cabrera, winning 6-3, 6-3, to finish a perfect weekend.

She leads the Lady Demons into conference play, which begins Friday at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi before traveling to Lamar for a match Sunday.

Photo Credit: Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services

More than 350 high school students interested in pursuing careers in education attended the Educator’s Rising Louisiana Conference at Northwestern State University Wednesday. Participants heard from speakers, participated in workshops and competitions and browsed vendors to learn about topics that addressed anti-bullying, using technology, awareness of social issues and degree programs at NSU.

Keynote speaker Dr. Leslie Blanchard, executive director of the Leadership Development Institute at Louisiana State University, opened the conference by addressing several misconceptions about teaching and the negative feedback that young people often receive when they express a desire to go into teaching. Blanchard encouraged students to find the common ground in what they love, what they are good at, what the world needs and what they will get paid.

“I think it was a fantastic event so many students came out to learn about becoming an educator,” said Jessie Church, event chair. “They seem to really enjoy all of the session speakers and the competition judges said that the students were very prepared and amazing with her presentations.

Competition winners were as follows.

Educators Rising Moment – Jadyn Brunk, Brame Midddle School, first place; Charles Washington, Neville High School, second place, and Carson Savoie, Barbe High School, third place.

Public Speaking – Andrea Hernandez, Wossman High School, first place; Audrey Livigni, Neville High School, second place, and Trinity Baugh, Alexandria Senior High, third place.

Creative Lecture – Kaylee Raper, Brame Middle School, first place; Zoe Noel, Beau Chene High School, second place; Braxton Michel, Southeastern Louisiana University, third place, and Trinity Baugh, Alexandria Senior High, fourth place.

Ethical Dilemma – Jalisa Garth and Raytisha Jackson, Wossman High School, first place, and Jenna Mullican, Kenzie Harris, Maddie Dowden and Katie Cooley, South Beauregard High School, second place.

Impromptu Speaking – Fallon Lincoln, Barbe High School, first place; Gage Simoneaux, Brusly High School, second place, and Zane McCaughey, Sulfur High School, third place.

Lesson Planning and Delivery – DeMarcus Washington, Wossman High School, first place, and Jasmine Crockett, Wossman High School, second place.

NSU has hosted regional EdRising meetings in the past, but this was the first time the state conference took place on campus.

Sponsors of the event include BOM Bank, Tony Davis, vice president of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and District 4 representative; Reba Phelps, Natchitoches Parish School Board District 6 representative; Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana, Louisiana Association of Educators and the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Resources.

Educators Rising Louisiana, formerly known as Future Educators of America (FEA), is the non-profit student organization and/or class for middle and high school students interested in the field of education-related careers. At the national level, Educators Rising and Phi Delta Kappa partner to create a national network that helps students build resources and create connections that can significantly impact educational opportunities through co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
As a national affiliate partnered through LaSTOY (Louisiana State Teachers of the Year), Educators Rising Louisiana offers students, through school or individual membership, opportunities to participate in coursework and projects that assist and recognize educator practices through local, state, and national conferences as well as performance-based competitions.

By Kris James

Good Wednesday stylers! With fashion month in full swing and spring collections trickling into stores, there’s no time like the present to get informed on what the must-have S/S 2020 trends will be. There are hundreds of runway shows each season, and I certainly don’t expect you to go digging through them all. That’s what we’re here for.

This S/S 2020 season is one I’m excited about, and I know my fashion lovers will be too. Designers gifted us with collections that were the perfect marriage of wearable and innovative. These trends are the ones that are the most digestible and the ones I’m predicting that will be the heavy hitters all season.

You’re probably familiar with the slip dress and bustier tops, but this season, lingerie is taking center stage in the ready-to-wear world. Lingerie dressing is going way beyond the confines of the bedroom as traditional lingerie detailing such as hook and eye clasps, boning, garters, sheer paneling, tons of silks, lace, corsetry, and much more have worked their way into some of the most prominent spring collections.

Besides, lingerie-inspired pieces, Satin is back. Designers incorporated the high-shine fabric in almost everything from suits to dresses, and separates. So if you want to go corporate with your look, prefer something slinkier, or would rather a happy medium, there’s optiosn to make the trend your own and in any color your heart desires.

It’s common for a particular decade to surface as the major inspiration behind a collection, but when you see most of your fav designers sending out models that look like they just stepped out of an episode of That ’70s Show, I knew something’s up. What now feels almost a tad necessary among the ongoing rise of simpler bourgeois dressing is the colorful stark contrast of mod prints, bohemian layers, and retro accessories straight out of the ’70s. Speaking of inspiration from the past, there is just so much to love about the return of the tube top. Aside from the ’90s nostalgia and minimalistic nature of the trend the tube top is also a breeze to style and can be worn in any season.

Whether there’s an actual trip in the future or just chilling around the city, thanks to this particular spring and summer trend, you’ll at least be able to dress like you’re headed on the tropical vacation of a lifetime with nature and fruit-inspired prints. Channel your inner J.Lo or go more casual with a matching set. Either way, feel the island breeze and try not to notice that it’s just air coming from the AC.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

In the last edition of the Capitol Briefing I stated that the number one priority facing the state legislature this session is to pass common sense Tort Reform legislation designed to lower personal and commercial automobile insurance rates. “Tort” Reform simply refers to changes in the civil justice system that aim to reduce the ability of plaintiffs to bring frivolous lawsuits against defendants and to ensure that monetary awards are commensurate with the damages sustained. Our broken legal system has tilted the scales of justice in favor of billboard trial lawyers whose unethical advertising methods have convinced scores of Louisianians that an automobile accident is the equivalent of winning the lottery.

As a result of our toxic legal environment, Louisiana has been named a “Judicial Hellhole” for 7 straight years and we currently have the second highest auto insurance rates in the nation. Hard-working lower and middle class families across the state have been among the hardest hit by the insurance crisis, with many families simply unable to afford the exorbitant automobile insurance premiums. The situation is even more desperate for small business owners such as logging contractors, farmers, and truckers who have no choice but to purchase commercial auto policies in a marketplace where most insurance companies have left the state or been forced to raise their rates due to the trial lawyers zeal for suing anyone with higher policy limits and deeper pockets.

Comprehensive tort reform measures are required to stop the precipitous climb of auto insurance rates and put money back into the pockets of Louisiana families. I will be supporting legislation to decrease the civil jury trial threshold from $50,000.00 to $5,000.00, which will help prevent personal injury attorneys from shopping their cases for judges known to blatantly favor plaintiffs. Louisiana’s $50,000.00 jury trial threshold is clearly an outlier compared to the rest of the nation, with the next closest state having a $15,000.00 limit, and 36 states with a $0.00 threshold.

Another important piece of tort reform legislation will address the collateral source rule which essentially allows juries to see only the “sticker price” for medical costs instead of the actual cost incurred by the plaintiff. This typically results in a windfall for the trial lawyer and plaintiff, and is perhaps the biggest driver of our excessively high rates. Legal reform bills filed this session will also address “Direct Action”, or the trial lawyer’s ability to file a lawsuit against a defendant and their insurer, clearly resulting in higher damage awards.

I will also be supporting repeal of the preposterous “seatbelt gag rule” which prevents a jury from knowing if an injured plaintiff was wearing a seatbelt when the accident occurred. Believe it or not, each of the aforementioned measures were introduced last year and shot down by trial lawyers in the legislature and governor’s mansion. Although abuse of the legal system by trial lawyers is the leading cause of our high insurance rates, we must also hold insurance companies accountable and ensure that rates are based on verifiable actuarial data and not on arbitrarily determined standards.

I look forward to the spirited debates that will no doubt accompany our efforts to pass this common sense legislation our state urgently needs. Please know that my decisions as your state representative will always be made prayerfully with the best interests of the men and women of District 22 in mind.

Gabe Firment
District 22 State Representative

The Ninkasi Percussion Quartet will present a recital at Northwestern State University on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. The group will perform the percussion music of Marc Mellits, who is a faculty member at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Members of the Ninkasi Percussion Quartet are Dr. Gregory Lyons of Louisiana Tech, Dr. Gustavo Miranda of Nicholls State, Northwestern State faculty member Dr. Oliver Molina and Dr. Joe Moore of Benedict College. Mellits was the subject of Molina’s doctoral dissertation.

The recital at NSU wraps up a six-day concert tour that includes performances at Wheaton College, The University of Illinois, Lindenwood University in St. Louis, the University of Memphis and the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.

The Natchitoches Lions club welcomed Harriet Hudson to its meeting on Feb. 24. Harriet is currently serving as Lions District 8-L Campaign 100 Chair. She is pictured with Mary Hooper and Sara Giannome. Campaign 100 is a 3 year program to raise funds for International disasters, blindness prevention, childhood cancer research, providing diabetic supplies to impoverished countries and environmental improvements. If you or your company has a desire to help fund any of these projects locally or worldwide, please contact any Lions Club member.

Over the weekend of Feb. 14-15, hundreds of student athletes from across the U.S. converged on the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) for a weekend-long sports tournament.

LSMSA competed against sister schools Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS), the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA), and the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS).

TAMS took first place in the tournament, with LSMSA coming in second, ASMSA taking third and ASMS getting fourth.

Due to LSMSA’s proximity to Northwestern State University’s facilities, the competition has been held at the school since 2013.

“It’s great for community building,” said Cayla Garrett (’20), “but I would love to go to their schools and see their campuses.”

Events included tennis, flag football, ultimate Frisbee, soccer, girls basketball, boys basketball, and volleyball. After the event, students were treated to an awards banquet and spirit competition, as well as an after party behind the Prudhomme residence hall.

“I really like the spirit competition,” said Sarah Johnson (’21). “I thought ASMSA had a great cheer routine.”

LSMSA has athletic opportunities in many disciplines, and allows students to play more competitively as a member of the local high schools’ teams.

• 

• 

• 

• 

•