BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has announced that Louisiana will suspend its participation in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), effective immediately. The announcement comes amid concerns raised by citizens, government watchdog organizations and media reports about potential questionable funding sources and that possibly partisan actors may have access to ERIC network data for political purposes, potentially undermining voter confidence.

“When Louisiana joined ERIC under my predecessor, we did so under the impression that it would enhance the accuracy of our voter rolls and strengthen Louisiana’s election integrity. After reading about these allegations and speaking with election attorneys and experts, I have determined that it may no longer be in Louisiana’s best interests to participate in this organization,” Secretary Ardoin said.“It is vital that any legitimate allegation of voter fraud or possible misuse of our voters’ personal information is investigated. My job is to ensure that the data voters entrust to my office is protected. I look forward to ERIC’s swift response to these allegations.”

ERIC was founded in 2012 by seven states, including Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, Utah, Virginia, Washington and the Pew Charitable Trusts. It has since grown to include 30 states and the District of Columbia. Louisiana joined the organization in 2014.

For more information, please contact our Elections Division at 800.883.2805.

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NATCHITOCHES:
Thomas Lattier Hennigan
November 26, 1929 – January 26, 2022
Service: Saturday, January 29 at 12 pm at the Chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches

Jessie B. Williams
Service: Saturday, January 29 at 11:30 am at the Kingdom Life Center, located on Hwy 71 in Campti

Ruby Tamara Balthazar
January 3, 1966 – January 22, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, January 29 from 1-2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. Burial will follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Cloutierville.

Frederick Lawson
Aug 15, 1956 – Jan 26, 2022
Arrangements TBA

Myrtis Marilyn Brett Otteman
January 23, 1938 – January 17, 2022
Service: Friday January 28 at 1 pm at The Minor Basilica of The Immaculate Conception

Sameria Pearrie
Service: Saturday, January 29 at 11 am at the Winnfield Funeral Home Chapel.

Nicholas Flakes
Dec 5, 2000 – Jan 10, 2022
Arrangements TBA

Cornell Robinson
Jul 27, 1962 – Jan 15, 2022
Arrangements TBA

Mildred Louise Eckhardt McTyre
March 26, 1935 – January 4, 2022
Service: Saturday, January 29 at 11 am at First Baptist Church of Natchitoches

SABINE:
Kathy Lea Kirk
December 5, 1952 – January 26, 2022
Service: Sunday, January 30 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

WINN:
Charles Renay Tant
September 21, 1944 – January 26, 2022
Service: Saturday, January 29 at 1 pm at Corinth Baptist Church

Lillian Bernadine Crain Hyde
August 19, 1928 – January 22, 2022
Service: Friday, January 28 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home

Patrick Kevin Hale, II
November 18, 1983 – January 22, 2022
Service: Saturday, January 29, at 1 pm at the VFW Hall, located at 1859 Highway 71 in Montgomery

Barbara Gayle Alderman
October 5, 1943 – January 7, 2022
Arrangements TBA

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Recognition Ceremony to be Held Friday, January 28th

NATCHITOCHES – A recognition ceremony will be held on Friday, January 28th to honor last year’s group of Natchitoches Treasures. The Natchitoches Treasures are an elite group of Natchitoches residents of retirement age who have made a lasting contribution to the community through their generosity, service, volunteerism and spirit.

The recognition ceremony will be held on Friday, January 28th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Natchitoches Events Center, located at 750 Second Street. Light refreshments will be served and the public and the media are invited to attend.

The 2021 Natchitoches Treasures were selected by a committee of those who have previously been named as a Natchitoches Treasure. Natchitoches Treasures have been selected each year since 2008. The treasures are selected from nominations received from members of the community.

The 2021 Natchitoches Treasures are Mr. Clifford Blake Jr., Mrs. Beulah Coutee, Dr. Jerry Glynn Ferguson, Mr. Stan Nash, and Mr. Thomas E. Roque.

The recognition ceremony will highlight the contributions made to the City of Natchitoches and the community by each newly elected Treasure, as well as pay tribute to those individuals named as Natchitoches Treasures in years past.

For more information about the Natchitoches Treasures, please call City Hall at (318) 352-2772.

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Patsy Ward Hoover has qualified to run for Mayor, Village of Natchez.

Rosia Slate Humphrey- Mayor Village of Natchez (incumbent)

Shelia Johnson and Amos Bradley have qualified. (incumbent)

Michael Gillie, Chief of police, filed. (incumbent)

No School board person has filed.

• as of January 26, 2022 close of business

Qualifying will be open until Friday, January 28, 2022 at 4:30pm.

 

Elections: Qualifying Starts Today

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Natchitoches Police officers responded to the Natchitoches Parish Library on Jan. 22 in response to a call from concerned library staff reporting a patron who was behaving bizarrely. This involved carrying multiple bulky bags into the building, setting up multiple cameras for recording purposes, trying to access areas restricted to the public, and pulling on door handles to areas that are off limits.

When officers made contact with the suspect he refused to give any information or provide them with an ID. Later identified as Travis Heinze, the suspect was taken into custody for resisting arrest and brought to the corrections center where he bonded out.

Heinze stated that he was just using the library and looked around the building since he’d never been to it before. When asked for identification he responded, “What does that have to do with anything,” and “How are you going to go above my constitutional protections on this because there is no crime?”

So who is Travis Heinze? He’s a “First Amendment Auditor” or “Police Auditor” from Aberdeen, Wash. What’s an auditor? These are individuals who film encounters with law enforcement officers/public officials. If an actual/perceived violation of the auditor’s protected rights occurs, the video will likely be posted on social media and/or serve as the basis for a claim or suit.

According to cirsa.org, one Colorado municipality recently agreed to pay a “First Amendment Auditor” $41,000 to settle a wrongful detention claim.

Heinze’s claim is that he was arrested illegally for not giving his name, but according to LRS 14: 108, resisting arrest is the refusal by the arrested or detained party to give his name and make his identity known to the arresting or detaining officer or providing false information regarding the identity of such party to the officer.

One of Heinze’s many internet followers commented, “Failure to I.D. is a secondary charge, these guys don’t have a primary charge of a crime committed.”

According to the NPD, Heinze was legally detained because of the reports regarding his suspicious behavior in the library and his refusal to provide identification. Under Louisiana law this gave officers probable cause for making the arrest.

What about those cameras Heinz set up in the library? From three different angles he filmed officers arriving in the library’s parking lot, his conversation with them inside, and his arrest. He publishes videos like these to his YouTube page for his followers. He also posted his “Top 10 Complaints Against My Arresting Officers in Natchitoches, La.” on Twitter with a link to his blog on a wordpress site.

On his Twitter profile, Heinze describes himself as “a homeless bum who lives out of my car, travels, offers health advice and shares anything on my mind.”

Following the posting of the Natchitoches videos, the library and police station began receiving an onslaught of calls from Henize’s first amendment audit peers/followers voicing their concern/disdain over the arrest and the fact that the library called the police on him in the first place. These same people have also taken to Facebook, flooding comment sections on the library and police department pages with links to the YouTube videos and comments along the lines of:

Don’t go to this place unless you want to get arrested. These horrible people are bigoted against folks using their facility stay away its for your own good. we need to close this place down. #TravisHeinze #ExchangeIDs

As he documents his travels across the country on his YouTube page “Life in a Car with Travis Heinze,” he documents his encounters with law enforcement along the way on his “Lets Exchange IDs with Travis Heinze” account, which dates back to 2017. These videos sport titles like:

“Reading and proofreading my lawsuit against Williston, ND”
“Officer Harris arrests me at city hall in Bethany, Missouri”
“Deputy Mortensen was called twice on me in Pembina, North Dakota”
“Comments about arrest in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho; showing a picture ID is the law?”

The City of Bethany, Mo. released a statement on Nov. 4, 2021 reporting charges were dismissed against Heinz, who entered the City Hall on Nov. 2 and began making repeated inquiries with the staff regarding parking regulations and parking availability. City Hall Staff members attempted to answer questions, but soon became uncomfortable and called police as a security measure. Heinze refused to identify himself when questioned by officers. He was placed under a 24-hour investigative hold at the Harrison County Detention Center. He was charged with Disturbing the Peace and Second-Degree Harassment by the Harrison County Prosecutor.

The bottom line is that there’s two sides to every story, so are these auditors “professional agitators” or are they performing a service for the American people?

TOP 10 COMPLAINTS:
https://acumagnet.wordpress.com/2022/01/26/my-top-10-complaints-against-my-arresting-officers-in-natchitoches-louisiana/

ARREST (CAM 1):
https://youtu.be/U34cBFaFMl0

ARREST (CAM 2):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsJ8wHmo6zg

ARREST (CAM 3):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNNQ_i8l0lg

PICK UP BELONGINGS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PqQAtsrQ1A

POLICE RECORDS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv0N4m67Qfw

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Elisa Silicato found the perfect opportunity to explore her long-time interest in southern life and culture this spring as an exchange student at Northwestern State University.

Silicato is a graduate student at the University of Pisa in Italy. The University of Pisa was founded in 1343. It is the 19th oldest university in the world in continuous operation and the 10th oldest in Italy.

“I chose to come and study in the United States, and specifically in the South because I had developed over the years a growing interest and fascination for the Southern life and culture,” said Silicato. “I found out about Northwestern State when I started scrolling down the list of agreements that my home University has all over the world, and Northwestern was one of the very few located in the South.”

Silicato is taking courses in French, English and Linguistics, American sign language and ballet. Each of the classes correspond to classes offered at her home university. She has found significant differences in the way classes are taught in Italy and the United States.

“Class structure is where the biggest ‘cultural shock’ happened,” said Silicato. “In Italy the classes are frontal and mostly monodirectional. Following a course in Italy means listening to what the professor says for four months, taking a lot of notes and studying a lot of books. After that you show up at your professor’s office the day of the exam and give an oral exam where you answer all of the questions.”

She had to quickly adjust to the way classes are taught in the U.S. and out of class homework.

“Some of the classes I follow are positioned in a circle giving the student the possibility to face each other and interact,” said Silicato. “Also the weekly homework was new to me, We don’t really get homework in Italy after high school, and that of course has forced me to create a different kind of schedule from what I was used to. It feels more like the university organizes my time rather than me doing it. Another positive aspect I found here at Northwestern is that students are expected to interact, give their opinion, produce and share what has been produced. That felt like fresh air as the Italian University System is a little more rigid.”

Silicato likes the variety of offerings at NSU.

“The university offers a range of opportunities to which I wouldn’t have had such easy access in my home university, like for example studying subjects from very different fields,” said Silicato. “The community of Natchitoches has been more than welcoming towards me, and I am very delighted to live in such a beautiful, warm and multicultural environment.”

Silicato encourages students from Northwestern to spend a semester at an international university like the University of Pisa. NSU and Pisa have had an exchange agreement for several years. Students from NSU pay the same tuition to study internationally, but have access to all services offered by the host university.

“I would encourage students from NSU to come and study at the University of Pisa for many reasons,” said Silicato. “It is a great opportunity to grow and explore a different culture. Our university holds more than 30 courses in English in a variety of fields. Most are graduate courses but undergraduate courses are available as well. Pisa is a wonderful, charming, clean, safe little town, packed with students and fun activities.”

The International Student Resource Center & Study Abroad is currently accepting applications for Fall 2022 and Spring 2023. Travel scholarships are available for International Exchanges. The ISRC & Study Abroad office offers opportunities to Study Abroad through bilateral agreements with partner universities around the world and through the International Student Exchange Program and opportunities to Study Away at colleges and universities throughout the U.S., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands through the National Student Exchange Program.

For more information on international and national study opportunities at Northwestern State, visit nsula.edu/international or contact Dr. Telba Espinoza-Contreras at 318-357-5939. 

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(Gorum)-Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives are attempting to identify the owner of a burned vehicle discovered by a motorist on the Maurice Bynog Road near Gorum on Sunday evening, Jan. 23, shortly after 7:30pm according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the scene and discovered what appeared to be a late model Chevrolet or GMC Sports Utility Vehicle totally burned.

It appeared the vehicle was deliberately burned at that location.

The vehicle was also missing an engine and the transmission.

A search of the immediate area for any clues or other evidence was unfounded.

Detectives have been unable to obtain a VIN on the vehicle due to the burned condition , however, a local towing service that recovered the vehicle is assisting detectives in attempting to locate other unique identifiers on the frame or other undisclosed locations on the vehicle.

If you have any information contact Major Reginald Turner at 357-7830.

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Natchitoches Parish Early Childhood Network provides our parish with high-quality early childhood education options to help our children, birth to age 4, grow, learn, and reach their full potential.
But we can’t do this without your help: tell us how we can better meet our community’s needs so that every child has access to exceptional early childhood education.

Click this link to fill out a survey and share your thoughts with us.

Early Childhood Survey

The survey should take less than 5 minutes. Respondents who complete the survey by 5 p.m. on February 9 will be entered into a prize raffle. Winners will be selected and contacted by phone or email no later than Monday, February 21.

You will be asked to provide your contact information for prize drawing purposes, but your survey feedback will go directly to a third-party organization and will remain completely anonymous.
Thank you in advance for your participation. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Northwestern State University will hold Spring 2022 commencement exercises with four ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 11 and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, May 12, according to University Registrar Barbara Prescott. Commencement will take place in Prather Coliseum. The ceremonies will be streamed live on the university’s website, http://www.nsula.edu.

Graduates and guests should note some changes in entrance and exit procedures for the upcoming ceremonies. Graduates will enter the Coliseum on the west side facing the Kappa Sigma House. Guests for graduates with last names beginning A-L should use entrance and exits on the east of Prather Coliseum, which faces the tennis courts. Guests for graduates with last names beginning M-Z should use the entrance and exits on the west side of Prather Coliseum, facing the Kappa Sigma House.

ADA accessibility entrance is located at the main entrance at the front of the Coliseum.

Faculty and stage party will enter on the east side of Prather Coliseum, the side facing the tennis courts.

Detailed information and a list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found at http://www.nsula.edu/graduation.

The Spring 2022 commencement schedule is as follows.

10 a.m. Wednesday, May 11

College of Nursing and School of Allied Health (Bachelor and Associate Degrees)

BAS – Allied Health
BS – Radiologic Sciences

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
ASN – Associate of Science in Nursing

2 p.m. Wednesday, May 11

Graduate School (Graduate Degrees)

College of Arts and Sciences

MA – Art, English

MM – Music

MS – Homeland Security

College of Nursing and School of Allied Health

DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice

MS – Radiologic Sciences
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Gallaspy Family College of Education & Human Development

EDD – Adult Learning and Development

EDS – Educational Leadership and Instruction

MA – Adult Learning & Development, Counseling, Student Affairs in Higher Education

MAT – Early Childhood Education-Grades PK-3, Elementary Education-Grades 1-5, Elementary Education and Special Education Mild/Moderate-Grades 1-5, Middle School Education-Grades 4-8, Middle School Education and Special Education Mild/Moderate-Grades 4-8, Secondary Education-Grades 6-12, Secondary Education and Special Education Mild/Moderate-Grades 6-12

MED – Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, Educational Technology Leadership, Special Education
MS – Health and Human Performance, Psychology-Clinical

College of Business and Technology (Bachelor Degrees)

BS – Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Hospitality

Management &Tourism

10 a.m. Thursday, May 12

College of Arts and Sciences (Bachelor and Associate Degrees)

BA – Communication, Criminal Justice, English, History, Liberal Arts
BFA – Dance, Fine and Graphic Arts

BGS – General Studies

BM – Music

BS – Applied Microbiology, Biology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering Technology, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Theatre, Unified Public Safety Administration
AD – Veterinary Technology
AGS – Associate of General Studies
AS – Engineering Technology

Louisiana Scholars’ College (Bachelor Degrees)

BA – Communication, Criminal Justice, English, History, Liberal Arts

BFA – Fine & Graphic Arts
BM – Music

BME – Music Education-Instrumental-Grades K-12, Music Education-Vocal-Grades K-12

BS – Accounting, Applied Microbiology, Biology, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Electronic Engineering Technology, Elementary Education-Grades 1-5, Health and Exercise Science, Hospitality Management and Tourism, Industrial Engineering Technology, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Psychology, Secondary Education and Teaching, Theatre, Unified Public Safety Administration

BSW – Social Work

 

2 p.m. Thursday, May 12

Gallaspy Family College of Education & Human Development (Bachelor Degrees)

BME – Music Education-Instrumental-Grades K-12, Music Education-Vocal-Grades K-12, Music Education-Vocal/Instrumental -Grades K-12

BS – Addiction Studies, Child and Family Studies, Early Childhood Education-Grades Pre-K-3, Elementary Education-Grades 1-5, Health and Exercise Science, Health and Physical Education-Grades K-12, Psychology, Secondary Education and Teaching

BSW – Social Work

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Led by two dozen perfect grade point averages, 88 Northwestern State student-athletes were named to the 2021 Southland Conference Commissioner’s Fall Honor Roll.

All student-athletes who were eligible to compete in the fall semester and produced at least a 3.0 grade point average earned the distinction. Five NSU teams competed in the fall: football, volleyball, soccer and men’s and women’s cross country. Northwestern State’s 88 awardees were third most among the five Louisiana Southland institutions.

NSU’s regular-season and Southland Conference Tournament champion soccer team had 24 players named to the honor roll, including nine with perfect 4.0 grade point averages.

Football produced 38 honor roll members. Nine Demon football players posted perfect 4.0 grade point averages.

Eleven of NSU’s 14 volleyball players were included on the team while nine of 14 Demon and Lady Demon cross-country competitors earned the honor from the Southland.

This marks the first time since the fall 2019 semester the Southland will break its honor roll into fall and spring semesters. A year ago, because of shifted schedules, the conference released a comprehensive honor roll in June.

Photo: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

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The Northwestern State men’s basketball team returns to Prather Coliseum on Thursday to host Incarnate Word in the Demons first home game in 40 days.

NSU’s eight-game road trip included visits to Texas locales like Texas A&M, Baylor and Katy before its three-game road swing to begin Southland Conference.

The Demons (4-16, 0-3 SLC) are back in Prather for Thursday’s 7:30 p.m. tilt against the Cardinals (4-16, 0-3 SLC), the first home game since hosting Southwestern Adventist on Dec. 18. The 40 days between home games is tied for the fourth-longest stretch in the nation..

Fans not able to attend the men’s and women’s doubleheader can catch a video stream on nsudemons.com, audio on FM 94.9 The River or on the NSU app.

“I’ve never had this long between home games, and we’re very eager to get back after having three tough away games against some of the best teams in our conference,” said Natchitoches native Brian White. “We’re looking forward to taking care of the home floor.

“We’re ready to win. It’s time for it. We’ve played in big games, now it’s time to get to it. We learned that we have to win close games because that’s what the rest of the conference schedule is going to be.”

For a Demons squad that’s had chances to win on the road against arguably the three best teams in the SLC, small advantages like not having to travel and sleep away from home could tip the scales in NSU’s favor.

“It’s going to be good to play back at home,” said NSU coach Mike McConathy. “It’s been a tough stretch, but hopefully we’ll keep rolling down the road.

“It’s not like we’re not close, it’s just what’s it going to take to get over the hump. We’ve spent more than one in four nights on the road during this stretch, and it wears on you.”

NSU’s lone win against an SLC foe came against UIW in the SLC Tip-Off event, which doesn’t count toward league play.

Sophomore guard Cedric Garrett provided a tip-in three-point play with 17 seconds remaining that lifted NSU to an 83-80 win.

The usual starter has shined coming off the bench in the last two games, accounting for 21 points after scoring 28 points combined in the previous six contests.

“Sometimes a change of scenery makes all the difference,” McConathy said. “Coming off the bench allows you to see some things before you go in the game, and sometimes you can be more productive that way.

“Cedric has done a great job with that, seeing and assessing the game.”

Because of matchups, senior center Larry Owens didn’t appear in the first UIW matchup.

But he’s been a force since that Jan. 7 game, averaging 13 points and more than six rebounds in the last four outings. That included a 21-point performance at Southeastern.

Victory has eluded NSU in the last four games since the UIW win, but the Demons have been knocking on the door.

NSU fell twice to UNO, an 80-79 contest in which a 30-9 free-throw advantage for the Privateers loomed large after the Demons led most of the Jan. 8 game.

Then came the start of SLC play. NSU shot just 6-17 from the free-throw line in the second half at SLU, losing a 10-point second-half lead in the 79-74 defeat.

The Demons dropped a 69-58 decision at Nicholls in which the Colonels outscored NSU 17-6 in the last 10 minutes.

The most recent defeat came at UNO in which NSU chiseled away at an 18-point Privateer lead before a late UNO surge led to an 85-77 Demon loss.

NSU was outscored 11-7 in the final minutes of the latest UNO loss, but it highlights an issue in late-game situations. SLU held an 11-3 edge in the last three minutes and UNO a 7-2 advantage at the end of the Jan. 8 contest.

UNO and SLU are a combined 5-1 in league play while preseason favorite Nicholls is 1-2 with both losses coming to the former squads.

“All of that means we’re not far away because these three teams are extremely talented and well-coached, and it does give us a great deal of hope to be in the game at the end,” McConathy said. “We’ve just got to finish.”

That’s exactly what the Demons did against UIW earlier this season, pushing NSU’s edge in the series to 8-3.

But the Cardinals topped NSU in the last meeting in Prather Coliseum, and McConathy said playing a disciplined UIW is always tough.

“There’s not going to be a lot of difference (Thursday) because they are going to continue to execute their stuff and go about things in a very professional manner,” McConathy said. “(Coach Carson Cunningham) does a very good job over there with all the ball screens and mismatches they try to create.”

NSU held a plus-eight rebounding advantage and a 16-4 edge in second-chance points in the first meeting.

Freshman center Kendal Coleman got back on track in the last game at UNO, producing 19 points, a career-high four assists and a career-high tying 15 rebounds. It’s his eighth double double in his last 10 games and ninth overall this season.

UIW guard R.J. Glasper averages nearly 15 points per game to lead the Cardinals.

Photo: Gary Hardamon/NSU Photographic Services

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Northwestern State certainly let the good times roll in a pair of road wins a week ago against Nicholls and New Orleans and are looking to bring that same South Louisiana feeling back home to Prather Coliseum this week.

“The last two games I think we’ve seen some of our best team defense and best team effort in general,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “I thought they really focused in on their defense against Nicholls and brought that same intensity and execution into the UNO game.”

The pair of game were much more prototypical to what the Lady Demons (9-5, 2-1) have been able to do thus far this season, putting the frustration of the conference opener at Southeastern far in their rear-view mirror.

NSU is the only team in the Southland Conference, men or women, with a winning record on the road and are hoping to bring that same confidence and energy into the first of two home games this week beginning on Thursday.

Tip-off against UIW (4-10, 0-3) is set for 5:30 p.m., as part of a doubleheader with the NSU men. The game can be seen at http://www.nsudemons.com with free streaming audio also available on the NSU Athletics mobile app or on 95.9 FM Kix Country the Natchitoches area.

Not much went wrong for the Lady Demons in the convincing win at New Orleans. Good ball movement and shots falling on offense along with tight defense and forced turnovers on defense. All resulting in the largest margin of victory in a conference game since 2014 and more importantly breeding more certainty amongst the players.

“We always hope that its building confidence, continuing to learn a little more about one another, continuing to trust the process and believe in what we’re trying to do,” Nimz said about the winning road trip. “We have a lot of individuals that can do a lot of great things but what’s really exciting is that everyone is getting involved and every person is really starting to fit their role. It takes time for people to settle into or accept their role and I think the last two games they’ve done a really nice job of that.”

Nimz referenced JaMiya Braxton as one that had really begun to fall into her role on the floor, especially after getting the starting nod in each of the past three games.

Braxton, one of the several players on the team known for their 3-point shooting abilities, found other ways to contribute beyond just knocking down the deep shot. She’s made two in each of the past three games from beyond the arc but also dished out four assists against Nicholls and grabbed six rebounds against New Orleans.

“They were two important wins coming off the loss at Southeastern,” she said. “We played hard to get them, we played together, had a lot of energy and energy from the bench. So that 2-0 last week was a big boost for us going into Thursday.”

The Lady Demons will do their best not to have the energy drained from them against a Cardinal team that typically likes to slow the pace, especially on the offensive end. UIW averages the second-fewest points (56.1) and field goal attempts (53.8) per game in the conference but are making the most of their opportunities converting on the third-best percentage (.368).

“They may not push the ball as much in transition as we do but we’re not going to adjust our speed to somebody else’s,” Nimz said. “It’s no different than when someone is playing quick and wants to press, press, press.

“It would be advantageous against us to maybe want to slow the game down but we’re going to play our ball and focus on what we can do to maintain that. I think our girls have the ability to get up and guard and as of late have shown they can make changes defensively mid game.”

The success of UIW starts with sophomore Jaaucklyn Moore who is second in the conference in scoring at 16.6 per game and leads the Cardinals in almost every offensive category. She is averaging 17.5 points per game in the last four.

“Each team in this conference has a couple kids that do great things for them,” Nimz said. “I think the ones that can play through their team the most are going to have the most success. When you can get multiple people touching the ball, no different than what we try to do, you get that.”

Photo:  Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services

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POSITION: Accountant – Finance Department

DESCRIPTION: Performs technical and administrative accounting work in maintaining the fiscal records and accounting for the City. Prepares periodic reports and assists in the preparation of the annual and other State and Federal reports. Makes journal entries to balance and close monthly books in the general ledger, revenue and expense accounts; reconciles general ledger and subsidiary utility accounts. Reconciles bank statements. Assists in the preparation of the various year end reports.

QUALIFICATIONS: The successful applicant shall have at least 2 years of bookkeeping experience. A degree in accounting or a business related field is preferred.

CONTACT: City of Natchitoches, Human Resources Department located At 1400 Sabine Street or P.O. Box 37, Natchitoches, LA 71458-0037. Applications may also be picked up upstairs at City Hall located at 700 Second St., or you can download an application on line at www.natchitochesla.gov

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

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Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education will offer a Notary Public Exam Prep Course starting Tuesday, Feb. 8. Class time is 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday until May 5. The early bird fee is $430 until Feb. 2 and $450 after that date.

In partnership with Louisiana State University-Shreveport, this 52-hour course is an introduction to notary public fundamentals, The instructor, attorney and notary Jennifer Brown, distributes significant course study guides and materials to assist in preparation for the exam. This course will be delivered via online video conferencing. The instructor will provide participants with a conferencing link to join the class once enrolled.

Requirements for the course are that participants must have broadband access, a camera and sound. The test is based on the Louisiana Secretary of State’s newest edition of “The Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice,” which is available only at http://www.sos.la.gov or call (225) 922-0507 for further information. You must have this book on the first day of class. Please visit the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Website’s Notary and Certifications for qualifications at http://www.sos.la.gov or call (225) 922-0507. In order to take the Louisiana State Notary Exam, students must be Louisiana residents and registered to vote in Louisiana.

For more information or to register for classes call (800) 376-2422 or (318) 357-6355.

Photo: Getty Images

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NATCHITOCHES:
Jessie B. Williams
Service: Saturday, January 29 at 11:30 am at the Kingdom Life Center, located on Hwy 71 in Campti

Ruby Tamara Balthazar
January 3, 1966 – January 22, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, January 29 from 1-2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. Burial will follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Cloutierville.

Frederick Lawson
Aug 15, 1956 – Jan 26, 2022
Arrangements TBA

Myrtis Marilyn Brett Otteman
January 23, 1938 – January 17, 2022
Service: Friday January 28 at 1 pm at The Minor Basilica of The Immaculate Conception

Sameria Pearrie
Service: Saturday, January 29 at 11 am at the Winnfield Funeral Home Chapel.

Nicholas Flakes
Dec 5, 2000 – Jan 10, 2022
Arrangements TBA

Cornell Robinson
Jul 27, 1962 – Jan 15, 2022
Arrangements TBA

Mildred Louise Eckhardt McTyre
March 26, 1935 – January 4, 2022
Service: Saturday, January 29 at 11 am at First Baptist Church of Natchitoches

WINN:
Lillian Bernadine Crain Hyde
August 19, 1928 – January 22, 2022
Service: Friday, January 28 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home

Patrick Kevin Hale, II
November 18, 1983 – January 22, 2022
Service: Saturday, January 29, at 1 pm at the VFW Hall, located at 1859 Highway 71 in Montgomery

Barbara Gayle Alderman
October 5, 1943 – January 7, 2022
Arrangements TBA

Rev. Katie Florence Moore
April 5, 1972 – January 14, 2022
Service: Thursday, January 27 at 11 am at Southern Funeral Home

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

As Mike McConathy’s Northwestern State basketball team prepares to play its first home game in 40 days Thursday night, a glance at the Demons’ record is undeniably discouraging.

No way to dress up an overall 4-16 mark, or an 0-3 start in the Southland Conference.

It is what it is. But it will not drag down the Demons when they tip off in Prather Coliseum at 7:30-ish Thursday night.

Doesn’t hurt that Northwestern is hosting Incarnate Word. The Alamo City-based Cardinals already have fallen to the Demons, 83-80, on Jan. 7 at the Southland’s unique Tip Off Tournament in Katy, Texas, and they’re hitting Natchitoches with an identical substandard slate.

So the quick read is NSU should have confidence, and will, Thursday night.

But even if UIW was unbeaten, the Demons would be going in feelin’ good. That’s McConathy magic.

Nearly everyone else, understandably, thinks his team is in a miserable funk. McConathy, his staff and players believe they are building toward a major shift in fortune.

When many coaches would be ducking and covering given Northwestern’s worksheet so far, he’s not.

He’s believing, not belittling, and playing the long game. He’s not sulking, he’s not stewing, he’s just steadily guiding the Demons confidently along the schedule – having completed a collection of non-conference contests that ranked among the 15 toughest among the country’s 351 Division I teams.

It’s the daunting nature of that schedule which has the Demons defiantly undaunted right now, said their top scorer and rebounder, second-year freshman Kendal Coleman, a Captain Shreve product.

“Most people don’t take that into account. We’ve played several of the top teams in the country, top 25 teams, No. 1 Baylor on down. Coach Mike keeps the negativity out of our group, even though he and our coaches do tell us what we did wrong, where we need to get better. They’re not bashing us. They’re teaching us.”

It’s been a recurring pattern in the 22 previous seasons the Bossier City native has coached NSU. McConathy’s squads have typically traveled to challenging non-conference foes, only occasionally hosting a Division I opponent while making visits to Power 5 venues for “guarantee games” for which the home team pays an appearance fee, nowadays in the $60-75,000 range (down about 33 percent from the pre-pandemic take).

Take away those 109 “buy games” in his career (seven this season), and McConathy’s Demons have won 55 percent of the time (320-266). At the pinnacle: the only three NCAA Tournament appearances this century by any North Louisiana men’s program (2001, 2006, 2013) and a 2-3 record in March Madness – on neutral courts, BTW.

Each of the last two seasons, Northwestern surged late with seven wins in nine games, netting No. 4 seeds in the Southland Tournament, and reaching the semifinals. The Demons have played in the championship game seven times and additionally made four semis.

His approach is validated, again and again. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it is educational.

“It’s Coach’s mindset. He knows what buttons to push, and he binds everybody together, not letting us split apart. It’s pretty amazing to watch,” said longtime assistant Jeff Moore. “He just never gives up on anybody. It’s not in his DNA. He finds the good in people and players, and gets them to believe in that, and it draws the best out of them.”

“Most teams with this record, they’d come to practice like it’s an obligation,” said Dave Simmons, in his second stint at NSU with McConathy sandwiched around 12 years as head coach at McNeese. “Mike helps our guys see each day as an opportunity, and we see them growing because of the faith he shows in them.”

How did he develop his unyielding, unabashedly optimistic approach?

“A lot has to do with considering how you would want to be treated,” he said. “Growing up in Bossier City, I had so many coaches – not just in basketball, but in little league baseball and even junior high football, then into college – men who saw the big picture and encouraged us, patiently, believing in us.”

He’s a product of mentors like his dad, former Bossier schools superintendent Johnny McConathy; and coaches including Jerry Mosley in junior high football and basketball, Gerald Kimble in junior varsity basketball, his Airline High basketball coach J.C. Howell, and even his little league baseball coach, Tommy Henry. As he became one of Louisiana Tech’s greatest, Scotty Robertson, then Emmett Hendricks showed him the way.

“To me, you either coach out of fear, or out of love. You’ve got to discipline them, you’ve got to teach them, but they’ve got to know you care about them, and they’ll respond so much better.”

He’s counting on that come Thursday night.

“It’s like it’s been raining, thunder and lightning, for 40 days,” said McConathy, “and now, the clouds are clearing and it’s a whole new day.”

Photo by CHRIS REICH/NSU

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“And the answer is: What do you call a person who has no chance of correctly answering more than three questions, tops, on any single episode of Jeopardy!?”

“What is a Jeopardy! Deadbeat?”

“Correct! The judges would have also taken ‘What is Most any Normal Person?’”

No one is in jeopardy of me beating them on Jeopardy!, four decades old and the most-watched TV game show of all-time. The questions — or answers, if you prefer — are cast-iron tough. Harder than an acre of ash.

There is every reason to watch Jeopardy! and one big reason not to. What I hear most is, “It makes me feel stupid.” Legit response. Makes me feel more stupid. I passed feeling stupid a long time ago.

But … to those using that excuse, we offer this:

Consider an attitude adjustment. I know going in I’m not the most mature apple on the tree, so when I watch, it’s with low expectations. Extremely low. Barrel-bottom low. Again, me and millions of other stupid people have made it the most popular game show ever.

That anyone can ever actually win a match, even one, is what makes the current goings-on all that more confounding. The show’s reigning champ isn’t just beating people, she’s destroying them. Sherman through Georgia. She’s the game show equivalent of football’s 1970’s Pittsburgh Steelers.

A historic champ is Amy Schneider, a 41-year-old engineering manager from Oakland, Calif., who after Monday’s just-another-day-at-the-office rout had won 39 consecutive matches and moved into second place all-time and all by her lonesome.

She’d also pocketed $1,319,800. Hello.

She’s still way behind all-time champ Ken Jennings and his 74 straight wins. If she were chasing Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hit streak, she’d be around 30. Lot of pitchers left to face.

That said, Schneider’s got game. Monday alone, she answered questions from the categories of, among others, Government Agencies, Bodies of Water, The Crusades, Rhythm & Blues, Roman Life & Culture — quite the varied array.

As usual, she won by $10,000 — and that was after losing $25,000 in Final Jeopardy. LOST 25 large and still won by 10.

Some of Monday’s answers/questions, with the correct response in parentheses. Good luck:

“Moses’ mom put him in an ark made of this plant?” Me: “Reeds!” (Bulrush.) Dang! I KNEW I had that one …

“The mission of BLM, short for this, is ‘to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands.’” Me: “What is the Big Land Machine?” (Bureau of Land Management)

“Croatia’s border rivers, the Sava & Drava, are both tributaries of this one.” Me: “Uh ….” (The Gulf of Sidra)

“Pope Eugenius III launched the Second Crusade in 1145 with ‘Quantum Praedecessores,’ one of these documents named for its seal.” Me: “No WAY there was a whole other Crusade after the first one. No livin’ WAY!” (The Papal Bull.)

My guess would have been The Mama Bull. So close…

The show airs 4:30 weekdays on ABC. Sometimes I’ll record it and, if I’ve had a good day, I’ll watch maybe 10 minutes, just to be humbled, just to remind myself that while a contestant is winning on Jeopardy! each weekday, I barely know the difference between the Gulf of Sidra and the Gulf gas station down on the corner.

Always felt I had a fightin’-man’s chance back in the day with Match Game. The Price is Right. Even Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. But Jeopardy! is a different animal. It’s always the windshield; I’m always the bug.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington announced today the guilty plea and sentencing in a 2021 domestic violence case.

Carl Murray, 35, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault upon a dating partner with a minor present. Prior to the guilty plea, prosecutors began jury selection to proceed with a trial. However, after eight jurors were selected for the trial, Murray changed his plea to guilty. He was sentenced to 4 years of incarceration at hard labor by Judge Desiree Duhon Dyess.

Murray, who has a prior conviction of aggravated battery, was charged under the “Aggravated Assault Upon a Dating Partner Child Endangerment Law” in which a minor child 13 years of age or younger was present at the scene when an assault committed on a family member or dating partner.

Special Assistant District Attorney Clifford R. Strider, III and First Assistant Cloyd Benjamin, Jr. prosecuted the case.

Domestic violence cases have risen in Natchitoches Parish, a trend also seen in jurisdictions nationwide.

“Unfortunately, domestic violence happens in all communities, and Natchitoches Parish is not immune. It affects every demographic, every socio-economic level, and does not discriminate. Last year, the number of domestic violence cases greatly exceeded the previous year,’ said District Attorney Harrington.

Domestic violence cases have risen 44% in Natchitoches Parish and have risen 108% in the city of Natchitoches in the past year” said District Attorney Harrington.

Louisiana law recognizes domestic violence as physical or sexual abuse or any offense against a person, physical or non-physical, committed by one household member, family, or dating partner against another.

“However, this tragic trend can be mitigated and prevented. We want to help those in need of protection before an act of violence occurs. Our office has a dedicated, full- time Victims Assistance Coordinator who works with victims and potential victims to ensure they are aware of their legal rights and protections to prevent future harm,” said District Attorney Harrington.

Alice Hardison is the Crime Victims Assistance Coordinator for the District Attorney’s Office.

“If someone is in fear of harm by another person, our first priority is to help them get protection. We assist them in filing a civil protective order with the district court and will make sure the process is done efficiently and expediently as possible,” said Hardison.

Citizens may contact the Hardison for assistance by call (318) 357-2214 or in case of emergency, call 911.

“We want to use every resource we have to prevent and deter domestic violence crimes in our parish,” said District Attorney Harrington.

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Northwestern State University and Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College in Minden renewed a memorandum of understanding that provides seamless credit transfers for students who complete courses at NLTCC and wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree at NSU. The understanding saves students time and money by recognizing course credits in English, math, physical science, speech and psychology. From left are Earl W. Meador, J.D., chancellor of Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College, and NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones. Not shown are Dr. Jayda Spillers, vice chancellor of Academic Affairs at NLTCC, and Dr. Greg Handel, NSU’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. The goal of the agreement is to reduce duplication of instruction and minimize student financial obligations. 

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The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) announces the promotion of several of its staff members as it bids farewell to Assistant Director of Student Services Jenny Schmitt, who has joined the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics at its new Morganton campus as Dean of Students. Schmitt first joined LSMSA in 2011 as a Student Life Advisor after completing graduate work in Higher Education.

Associate Director of Academic Services Ro Slutsky will assume the new role of Director of Support Services. In addition to advancing to a senior administrative role, Slutsky will assume responsibility for all support services, including mental health and personal counseling.

“Jenny has done so much for LSMSA during her tenure here, and she is already sorely missed by everyone,” said Executive Director Dr. Steve Horton. “Congratulations to Ro, who has for always been a strong advocate for both students and faculty.”

The school will advertise for a Dean of Students and Chief Student Affairs Officer position to assume responsibility for the student activities functions, including residential life, activities programming, discipline, and student organizations.

Once the Dean of Students position is filled, Director of Enrollment and Student Services Emily Shumate will assume the role of Director of Enrollment Management and Institutional Research. This shift will allow her to devote her time to overseeing the recruiting and admissions process that is coordinated by Assistant Director of Enrollment Services Heather Tichenor. Shumate will also begin to address the state and federal demands for institutional data collection, analysis, and reporting. Those responsibilities have been managed across divisions; however, much of the school’s accountability is now driven by data management and reporting.

“Since Emily’s innate strength involves data analysis and interpretation, she will provide fantastic oversight for our strategic plan while identifying our next year’s student body,” said Horton.

Dr. Kristi Key’s title will change from Director of Academic Services to Director of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer. Though her responsibilities will not change significantly, the new title better aligns with the traditional higher education model.

“This year has continually proven that the Covid quarantine impacted all of us — particularly the three classes who are on campus this year — so we are excited to realign our organizational structure to accommodate the changing needs of our student body,” said Horton. “We are grateful that our team of such dedicated educators and administrators have both paved the way, and continue working with and for students, faculty, and staff.”

LSMSA has educated highly motivated, high-achieving high school students from throughout the state since 1983. Inquiring parents and students may visit http://www.lsmsa.edu to learn more, complete online applications, and submit transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and current teachers’ recommendations. 

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