COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Northwestern State will need to perform well in many areas when they head to Texas A&M on Tuesday, but limiting the Aggies’ transition opportunities will be paramount to the Demons (3-9) challenging TAMU.

The Aggies (8-2) generate part of their transition offense by turning 18 opponent turnovers into 18 points per game.

Transition defense has been a problem spot for the Demons this season, but an area in which they’ve improved lately.

NSU gave up just eight points off turnovers in a win against Southwestern Adventist on Saturday after allowing 17 points off turnovers at LSU despite the Tigers employing a press for long stretches of the Dec. 14 game.

Demons’ opponents are averaging 17 points off NSU turnovers this season.

“Texas A&M is unbelievable in transition, and that’s an area we’ve really worked on this season,” said NSU coach Mike McConathy. “LSU didn’t hurt us in transition that much, and we can’t let teams get out and score like that.

“We’re getting better at it, but we’ve got to do a great job in transition defense, rebounding and taking care of the ball.”

Fans can watch the action at 5 p.m. on SEC Network or listen to 95.9 FM KIX Country.

LISTEN LIVE – NSU MENS BASKETBALL

NSU is coming off one of its best performances of the season in a 104-50 win against Southwestern Adventist, a member of the National Christian Colleges Association.

Leading 15-14, the Demons closed the first half on a 35-6 run and didn’t look back as Emareyon McDonald’s 14 points led 11 different NSU scorers who had at least five points. Fellow freshman guard Carvell Teasett contributed a season-high 12 points in his third game of the season as he works his way back into the rotation.

“The (SWAU) game was a great one for us because the Knights execute really well, and we had to guard down against quicker opponents,” McConathy said. “Texas A&M is really quick with three perimeter players who are very athletic, so we think the (SWAU) game leads in very nicely for us because we sat down and guarded well.”

Freshman Kendal Coleman posted his third straight double double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, his fourth of the season. Coleman has done his best work against NSU’s toughest opponents, averaging 17.6 points and 7.4 rebounds against Power Five and American Athletic Conference foes.

Coleman is part of an NSU youth movement in which freshmen and sophomores are scoring 73 percent of NSU’s points, although that includes some third-year players because of the extra COVID-19 year of eligibility.

Sophomore transfer Cedric Garrett (7.9 ppg) and freshman Emareyon McDonald (7.0 ppg) are NSU’s other top two young scorers.

Rebounding has also been an improving facet of NSU’s game as the Demons have outrebounded seven of their 12 opponents after dominating SWAU by 25.

NSU has outrebounded the likes of Oklahoma, Louisiana Tech, Stephen F. Austin and once against ULM. The Demons pushed LSU in the rebounding battle for the first 30 minutes, resulting in 14 offensive boards at LSU before late rebounds pushed the Tigers’ overall edge to +14.

Texas A&M counters with a balanced offensive attack in which seven players average at least six points per game with bench player Quenton Jackson leading the way with 12.5 points per game.

Much like LSU, the Aggies present a formidable defense that allows opponents to shoot just 39 percent from the field and 62 points per game.

The Aggies logged their second Power Five win of the season by beating Oregon State by 10 on the road, chalking that victory next to Notre Dame (73-67), coached by former NSU player Mike Brey.

Texas A&M is NSU’s sixth Power Five or American Athletic Conference opponent this season with one more (Baylor) on the docket.

“It’s been a tough schedule, but every time we play one of these games, we are getting better,” McConathy said. “We’ll be prepared when we do start playing opponents that are more like us.”

Texas A&M head coach Buzz Williams is no stranger to Northwestern State, serving as an assistant in McConathy’s first season in 1999-2000.

The Demons rallied to the Southland Conference Tournament game and won 17 contests, the program’s most in eight seasons.

NSU battled Texas A&M in Williams’ first game as an Aggies head coach in 2019-20, cutting TAMU’s edge to seven points under four minutes remaining in an eventual 77-63 loss.

Senior LaTerrance Reed is one of four Demons who played in that game, scoring nine points and make two 3-pointers.

PHOTO: Gary Hardamon/NSU Photographic Services

The Louisiana Department of Health is issuing updated guidance for the holidays, as the Omicron variant spreads and COVID-19 trends worsen.

“CDC estimates that Omicron is now the dominant COVID-19 variant in the United States and in Louisiana’s region,” said State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol. “It is startling how quickly this happened, but it is not surprising.”

To protect yourself, get vaccinated and, if eligible, get boosted.
To reduce transmission, regardless of vaccination status, mask indoors when not with your everyday household.
Regardless of vaccination status, get tested multiple times.

READ MORE: https://ldh.la.gov/news/omicron-holiday-guidance

A beginning ceramics class, “Playing in the Mud,” will be offered through Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education starting Thursday, Jan. 13. The class will be offered on Thursday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. through Feb. 17 in Room 113 of the Fine Arts Annex.

The fee is $125 plus a $20 material fee paid directly to the instructor on the first night of class. Enrollment to the class is limited.

This course is an introduction to working with clay. The student will learn hand-building and sculptural techniques, as well as work on the potter’s wheel. There will also be room for intermediate and advanced students to take the class who want to use the facilities during the class time.

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

The ladies of the royal blue and pure white of Mu Omega Zeta of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and Zeta Amicae of Natchitoches donated 40 bags of candy to be distributed at the Witch Way to Main Street event in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Mu Omega Zeta also donated several bags of candy to Trunk-R-Treat and Block Party in Natchez.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is an international, historically black Greek-lettered sorority founded in 1920 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. Our founding principles are Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood. Our motto is: A community-conscious, action-oriented organization. We are in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Refuge System), American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Women Veterans Rock. Our National Programs are National Education Foundation, Stork’s Nest, Z. H. O.P.E. (Zetas Heling Other People Excel and Z.O.L. (Zeta Organizational Leadership).

Mrs. Josephine Winder is the President of Mu Omega Zeta, and Ms. Doryce Polk is the President of Zeta Amicae.

One Zeta—-Unified—–Mobilized——Zetarized

BOM is proud to sponsor Jesse Roberts, long time resident of Montgomery, as he continues to pursue his passion as a professional MMA & UFC fighter. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Emily Settle, Jesse Roberts, BOM’s Craig George and Brooke Latham.

NATCHITOCHES:
Dr. Susan Dollar
12/19/1959 ~ 12/20/2021
Arrangements TBA

Charles Dwight Vienne, Sr.
March 29, 1939 – December 19, 2021
Service: Thursday, December 23 at 11 am at The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Cora Lee “Dootsie” Baker McNeely
July 11, 1940 – December 15, 2021
Service: Tuesday, December 21 at 10 am at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

WINN:
Vikkie Lynn (VanHoozen) LaFollette
January 25, 1967 – December 19, 2021
Service: Wednesday, December 22 at 11 am in the Chapel of Kinner & Stevens Funeral Home

Carolyn Kay Kerry
January 6, 1950 – December 18, 2021
Service: Wednesday December 22 at 2 pm at The Family Church in Winnfield

Denise Verret Thompson
February 21, 1961 – December 18, 2021
Service: Tuesday, December 21 at 1 pm in the Southern Funeral Home Chapel

For the seventh straight year, Northwestern State athletics has broken its department record in the Graduation Success Rate, which measures the percentage of NSU student-athletes who graduate within a six-year window.

NSU graduated 87 percent of its 2014 freshman cohort, which is the latest data available.

The 2014 cohort accounts for all student-athletes who started and finished their academic careers at NSU and any student-athletes who transferred into NSU from other institutions.

The Demons 2013 freshman cohort set the previous record at 84 percent.

“The continued academic success of NSU Athletics, and in record-setting fashion, has been accomplished in the same way as competitive wins – with a team effort,” said NSU athletics director Greg Burke. “From our coaches to the academic/compliance staffs to our faculty, and of course through the due diligence of our student-athletes, making the grade is a staple of our athletic department and is one of which I am very proud.”

One major factor in the three percent uptick is the men’s and women’s track/cross country programs, both of which graduated 81 percent from the 2014 class.

The men posted a 62 percent in the 2013 class after scores in the 50s for the previous three reports.

The women scored a 73 for the 2013 class.

Tennis and volleyball posted perfect 100 scores.

Four other programs graduated 90 percent or better from the 2014 group, including softball (95), soccer (92) and men’s and women’s basketball (92).

Football earned its second straight score above 80, checking in with an 82 in the 2014 cohort.

The Division I Board of Directors created the GSR in response to Division I college and university presidents who wanted data that more accurately reflected the mobility of college students than the federal graduation rate. The federal rate counts any student who leaves a school as an academic failure, no matter whether he or she enrolls at another school and graduates.

Also, the federal rate does not recognize students who enter their graduating school as transfer students.

The GSR formula removes from the rate student-athletes who leave school while academically eligible and includes student-athletes who transfer to a school after initially enrolling elsewhere.

This calculation makes it a more complete and accurate look at student-athlete success.

PHOTO:  Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

The Natchitoches Parish Council will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on December 20, 2021 at 5:30pm. The meeting will be held in the Large Courtroom on the 2nd Floor of the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse.

You can watch the meeting LIVE here:

https://www.facebook.com/NPJNatLa

AGENDA ATTACHED:

Facing their final non-Division I opponent of the season, the Demons ran away with a 104-50 victory against visiting Southwestern Adventist. Despite topping triple digits for the first time since March 7, 2020, Northwestern State could credit its defensive effort for the lopsided final result.

“I thought we sat down and guarded,” head coach Mike McConathy said. “Coach (Tyler) Woolridge, they do a really good job in their offense with back cuts and shoot the ball really well. We came out and they made their shots early in the game. It was 15-14 at one point and, from that point, we did a better job of sitting down and not getting beat. We contested shots better.”

The Demons (3-9) held a 15-14 lead with 11:32 to play in the first half after Levi Rogers connected on a jump shot.

From there, Northwestern State locked down the visiting Knights, setting off a 26-0 run across the next 8:35 that effectively put the game away in the first half. Fueling the long period of dominance were eight fast-break points as the Demons leaned into their physical advantage.

All told NSU outscored the Knights, who played the game as an exhibition, 18-3 in fast-break points, 56-8 in the paints and 23-8 on points off turnovers.

“It was a role reversal for us,” said senior guard LaTerrance Reed, who finished with nine points and added a highlight-reel block late in the game. “We expected to win like this, but it was more about us focusing on defense, focusing on small things. We played really well defensively at LSU. We had to clean some things up tonight, and we were able to do that tonight.”

The Demons’ massive first-half run allowed McConathy to play 15 players, all of whom earned at least 6:20 of playing time and all of whom scored.

Freshman guard Emareyon McDonald paced the lengthy list of NSU scorers with 14 points while Kendal Coleman notched a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double in less than 17 minutes of game action. Justin Lamb was Southwestern Adventist’s lone double-figure scorer, hitting four 3-pointers en route to a 12-point.

Paced by McDonald and Carvell Teasett (12), the Demon bench did much of the offensive work Saturday.

Included in NSU’s 65-17 advantage in bench points were the first five points of Fred Ford’s Demon career and five from Cooper Smith, matching his career high set earlier this season. Ford’s first bucket was a 3-pointer – the Demons’ 11th of the game, a season high.

NSU’s defense led to a 60-35 advantage on the backboard and to a strong second half shooting performance as the Demons connected on 54.8 percent of their second-half shots (23-for-42). Overall, NSU produced a 51.9-percent aim from the field (40-for-77), a high-water mark for the season.

“We preached defense from the beginning,” said junior point guard Brian White, who had four of NSU’s 27 assists while not committing a turnover. “Sometimes our shots don’t fall, which has happened in our bigger games. Defense led us to great offense tonight.

“It’s always good to see those guys (Smith and Ford) get a chance. They give it their all every day in practice. To see them score and have a smile on their face, it lifts up the whole team.”

The Demons return to action Tuesday night when they travel to face Texas A&M. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. inside Reed Arena.

by Roy Lang III

In a conversation with the Journal, University of Louisiana System president Jim Henderson backed Grambling president Rick Gallot a week after Henderson received a letter — purported to originate from the football team, but not linked to any specific players — stacked with complaints and aimed directly at Gallot.

The letter, first reported by HBCUsports.com, was signed by “The 2021 Grambling State University G-Men” and claimed Gallot was the “main contributor to the decline” of Grambling football, a program that “used to be the Black Notre Dame and icon of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).”

Three main areas of concern outlined in the letter (dated Dec. 7) to Henderson, the Louisiana Board of Regents, senator Katrina Jackson and representative Patrick Jefferson were: Misappropriation and diversion of funds for the football program, a failure to provide a safe environment and a failure to provide, promote and support proper athletic staff.

“Issues in the football program are dealt with by the coach, the athletic director and the president, if necessary,” Henderson told the Journal. “Some of the safety things (mentioned in the letter), that’s been a focus for Grambling for some time. The Facilities Master Plan includes some state-of-the-art security upgrades.”

Upon receipt of such “anonymous” letters, Henderson said the process is to immediately contact the subject – in this case, Gallot. In terms of action, Henderson deferred to Gallot, who was named Grambling president in 2016.

Consequently, Gallot says he’s put the wheels in motion for an investigation.

“On the field or in the classroom, the safety of each student is paramount,” Gallot said in a statement provided to the Journal by the university. “As a result, I’ve asked the Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics (Trayvean Scott) to investigate the issues raised in the claim to ensure no GSU athletics staff member has allowed any student-athlete to perform in an unsafe environment or situation.”

In October of 2013, the Grambling football team staged a week-long strike that forced the forfeit of a game against Jackson State. The strike resulted from issues with the school’s rundown facilities, long bus trips to road games and personnel decisions under then-school president Frank Pogue.

Eight years later, a letter complained about ramifications from declining meal and travel budgets, a feeling of insecurity due to recent school shootings on campus and a revolving door (four athletic directors during Gallot’s tenure) at the top of Grambling’s athletic department.

The group behind the letter also voiced support for former head coach Broderick Fobbs, who was fired in November despite a 54-32 record and two Black College Football National Championships with the Tigers.

The letter concluded: “It is an honor to represent Grambling as G-Men and we deserve better from our university.”

Gallot is confident the university is headed in the right direction.

“Unfortunately, anonymous letters are often used by groups averse to change or lacking awareness of the detailed business operations of an institution,” Gallot’s statement said. “As we have intensified our efforts to progressively protect and advance our brand, we continue to pursue actions against unlicensed vendors, and individuals and groups raising money in the name of the institution without appropriate authorization. These actions often lead impacted entities feeling disgruntled and contrary.

“For 120 years, Grambling State University continues to build on the foundation of educational excellence that fosters an inclusive experience of worth and belonging while discovering your own greatness. Over the last several years, the institution has implemented successful best practices to improve its physical and financial health, resulting in three consecutive years of favorable results in its annual financial audits, each with zero findings. Valuable partnerships have also made it possible to lift the quality of campus facilities made available to all students including student-athletes.”

Henderson voiced unwavering faith in Gallot and the eight other school presidents, but maintains he continues to provide Grambling support in its mission to improve on the fields of sport and off.

“I’m focused on getting all of the resources we can possibly get to, reinforce some of the great progress already been made at Grambling – in both academics and athletics,” Henderson said. “It’s not merely having faith in our presidents, it’s faith in continual correspondence and communication.

“I’m on those campuses a couple of times a year. The presidents are the CEOs of the universities. I think we have nine of the best we’ve ever had at these universities.”

In his statement, Gallot continued to encourage Tigers to voice their concerns.

“It’s common for students to routinely stop by my office, email, or send direct messages via social media. I keep an open-door policy because their concerns will always remain a priority to the success of Grambling State.”

Grambling football players critical of GSU president, others in letter

Mr. Jermaine Thomas, founder, and sponsor of Natchitoches Junior High’s Boys to Men Club, was out with the young men of the club Saturday, December 18 ringing bells for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive at a local business. This marks the return of the Red Kettle Drive to our community after an absence of several years.

Mr. Thomas is a 7th grade math teacher at Natchitoches Junior High. He founded the Boys to Men Club in 2018 to “…Teach them life skills that are not in the curriculum…” The young men learn everything from etiquette to how to tie a necktie. Service projects such as the Red Kettle Drive are also an integral part of the club’s mission.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes to commend Mr. Thomas for going far beyond his job description in founding and sponsoring the Boys to Men Club. He saw a need and stepped in to fill it. The club’s success could be seen on a cold and wet Saturday as a group of well-mannered young men spent the day helping to raise funds for charity. Well done gentlemen!

The Northwestern State defense played one of its most high-octane games of the season but faltered in a short window that led to a deflating 51-47 loss to Tarleton State on Saturday afternoon.

With the teams a combined 0-for-19 from beyond the arc, Tarleton’s Iyana Dorsey made the first triple of the game with 29 seconds left in the third. The Texans made their first two shots of the fourth quarter, a pair of 3s from Jenna Dick, that completed a 9-2 stretch from which the Lady Demons were unable to recover.

“You hold a team to 51 and force 22 turnovers you generally come away with that game,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “We had a blip and gave up on three straight possessions and they made three 3s in that segment, took the lead that we weren’t able to turn back around. It was a real gut punch to work that hard and after working so hard all game to not come away with the win.”

The Lady Demons (6-4) set the tone early in the game forcing nine first-quarter turnovers and holding the Texans (7-3) to nine total points on 3-of-15 shooting through the first 10 minutes of the game.

A 7-0 run on the heels of two Karmelah Dean buckets and a Candice Parramore jumper gave the Lady Demons a 9-2 lead midway through the quarter. While the NSU defense was locking down Tarleton’s offense, the Texan defense was also giving fits to the Lady Demons.

NSU failed to make a field goal in the final 5:14 of the quarter following Parramore’s jumper, only scoring its four points from the free throw line to take a 13-9 lead into the second.

Tarleton had a similar end to the second quarter going 0-for-9 from the field across the final three minutes of the half after tying the game at 19. The Lady Demons scored the final four points of the half on back-to-back possessions with Jiselle Woodson finding a jumper just outside the paint and Jasmin Dixon taking the pass from Erin Harris for the finish at the rim.

Woodson drew an offensive foul on the next possession to give NSU the ball back with 10 seconds remaining but her shot at the buzzer jumped off the rim and out keeping the scored at 23-19 at the break.

The NSU pressure defense forced 16 first-half turnovers, six coming in the final five minutes of the second quarter, but only managed to score eight points from those opportunities.

The teams traded baskets to start the third quarter with Monette Bolden extending the lead to six two minutes into the period with a jumper. Tarleton scored on three straight possessions a minute later to tie the game against at 27, but Bolden put NSU back ahead with a pull-up shot to slow the momentum.

She threaded a pass to Dixon late in the quarter that made it a 37-33 NSU lead, the final basket of the quarter for the Lady Demons who finished the final 2:11 with three missed shots leading to the first of Tarleton’s three consecutive 3-pointers.

The Texas took the 42-39 lead with 8:06 left in the game and after falling behind by one more following a free throw went 0-for-5 from the floor with three misses from deep over the next five minutes of the game.

The Lady Demons had shot better than 50 percent from range in two of the past three games but failed to make an outside shot on 13 attempts in the game.

“We’ve made 27 in the past three games so to go from that to zero is tough,” Nimz said. “We’ve been a little reliant on the 3-ball because it’s been going in. They’ve been good shots, and I think we took a lot of good ones today, but they just didn’t fall.”

Despite the field goal drought, the defense stood strong and held Tarleton scoreless during that same stretch of play and saw its lead decrease thanks to a pair of free throws from Dixon. A quick 6-2 stretch however gave them a 49-43 lead with just over a minute remaining in the game.

Bolden knocked down a 10-foot jumper at the minute mark then following a steal on the defensive end by Dean, a fortunate bounce off the defender’s hands from Parramore made its way through the net to make it a two-point game with 39 seconds left.

The Texans shot a pair of balls from beyond the arc on their next possession, missing both, but after a Bolden rebound with six seconds left, she was called for a controversial travel that gave Tarleton the ball back to seal from the free throw line.

Bolden finished the game with 18 points, seven rebounds and a pair of assists. She was the only player to reach double figures for the Lady Demons in the game.

“We lost and it’s tough, but there were a lot of positives tonight,” Nimz said. “They’re going to go home and refresh, spend some time with their families, have some fun and take a little break.

“We talked about making sure to stay in playing condition because that’s where the toughness, speed and quickness that we have comes from. You can only be those things if you’re in shape. They do that and we can come back and take care of what’s most important and that’s conference.”

Photo:  Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services

NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University recognized Fall and Summer 2021 graduates over two days this week, awarding 662 degrees to 656 graduates to Fall graduates and 412 degrees to 409 Summer 2021 graduates.

Among the graduates were four who completed degrees through Compete LA, an adult-friendly program designed to re-engage Louisianians with some college credit but no degree and assist them in identifying the best path to degree completion, re-enrollment and academic success through one of the University of Louisiana’s nine schools. Graduating from NSU this semester were Donna Bliss of Hammond, Associate of General Studies; Treone Larvadain of Napoleonville, Bachelor of Science (Unified Public Safety Administration); Kendyl Stevenson of Baton Rouge, Bachelor of Science (Psychology), and Pamela Rachal-Hendricks of Cleveland, Texas, Bachelor of General Studies.

Larvadain is the first Black female captain in Louisiana State Police history, now assigned to the State Police Integrity Division. She was previously assigned to the governor’s personal security detail. In 2018, Larvadain and her daughter, Tiah, became the first State Police mother/daughter troopers.

Larvadain’s colleague, J.D. Oliphant of Natchitoches, also graduated in Unified Public Safety Administration. Oliphant retired this semester as a lieutenant colonel. He was the first Black officer to be promoted troop commander at Troop E and later achieved the rank of Region 3 Patrol Command Inspector and an appointment as the Deputy Superintendent of Patrol.

Some graduates have deep family ties to Northwestern. Mary-Katherine Horton of Natchitoches graduated with a Master’s in Student Affairs in Higher Education. She is the 5th generation of her family to earn a degree from NSU, specifically out of the College of Education.

Herbert de Launey of Natchitoches, exemplifies life-long learning. At 73 years young, he graduated with a master’s degree in Adult Learning and Development. His study focused on examining learning disabilities and Critical Race Theory to understand and address the basic educational needs of individuals in a low-socioeconomic African American community.

Several other graduates completed degrees through perseverance and personal fortitude.

Paul Aune of Freeland, Washington, has been an online non-traditional student earning a bachelor’s degree in social work. He started his associate degree in Social Sciences at Northern Virginia Community College in the Washington, D.C. region in 2015, then moved to Guatemala in 2016 with his new wife who works for the State Department. He finished his associate (magna cum laude) in 2017 and began the Bachelor of Social Work program at NSU in 2018. He was then evacuated from Guatemala to a residence on Whidbey Island, north of Seattle, Washington, in March of 2020, due to the pandemic. He and his wife were in Natchitoches on their first trip to Louisiana and will be exploring New Orleans while visiting the area.

Several nursing graduates overcame additional challenges. Stephanie Daniel of Springhill, mother to two small children, worked her way through schools as a waitress often struggling to find an employer who would accommodate her academic schedule. According to her professors, even with the financial stress she gave 110% in lecture and in clinical.

“The struggles she faced seemed to push her harder and she always had a positive attitude no matter what,” said Anna Morris, senior director of Nursing and chief nursing administrator. Daniel earned an Associate of Science in Nursing.

Leanna Coy of Natchitoches completed her degree in communications while coping with a family emergency and its aftermath. In the fall of 2020, her father nearly lost his life in a crash in Texas. Coy commuted back and forth from Natchitoches to see to his medical care, eventually moving him to Natchitoches while she continued with a full load of classes. She maintained a 4.0 grade point average and graduated with her father in the audience.

Aletha Fager of Katy, Texas, earned her degree in education online while working full-time. She found her passion for teaching after working as a paraprofessional in her school’s special education department. After a search of trying to find the right college, she found NSU. She is currently teaching high school world geography in Katy and thanked her professors and others who assisted her during her journey.

“When I was accepted to NSU to begin my degree, it was a dream come true,” she said. “I can’t wait to get my diploma frame in the mail to hang my diploma in my classroom.”

The Natchitoches Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect that removed an envelope of money that was left on the counter at Whataburger.

Earlier this month officers with the Natchitoches Police Department were notified that on December 1, 2021 a customer was paying for their meal at Whataburger and accidently left behind an envelope containing money on the counter. Officers were able to review video surveillance and observed an unknown white female remove the envelope. After the unknown white female removed the envelope she then left the restaurant.

If you recognize or know this person please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or Detective William Connell at (318) 238-3911. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.

How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:

You can also report a tip anonymously by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388. All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $2,000 for the arrest of an offender.

Corporal John Greely
Public Information Officer
Natchitoches Police Department

Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana Chief Fred Simon purchased turkeys to distribute to the community and surrounding area of Campti for the holiday season on behalf of the Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana. He was assisted by NTL Vice Chief Janette Melton and Council Chief/Treasurer Peggy Smith. The Tribes office will be located in Campti and NTL has future plans to have a cultural center/museum along with PowWow grounds on the tribal ancestral land located at 118 Campti Bayou Rd.

A Sabine Parish woman is in jail in connection with a stabbing incident in Natchitoches on Wednesday evening according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

On Wednesday afternoon, December 15, at approximately 5:50pm, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Bureau of Patrol responded to NATCOM 911 Center reports of a stabbing incident at an apartment complex in the 100 block of La. Hwy 3191 in Oak Grove near Natchitoches.

Deputies arrived on scene shortly thereafter, discovering a 19-year-old female sitting in the rear of a vehicle suffering from a stab wound to the neck and other injuries.

Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS responded to the scene.
The victim was transported from the scene by EMS to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with a non-life threatening stab wound to the neck and other injuries.

Deputies processed and photographed the crime scene in addition to gathering information for an offense report.

Detectives assigned to the NPSO Bureau of Investigations also responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses.

During the investigation, detectives learned the incident was possibly drug related and it involved the victim and another female identified as 20-year-old Kelsey M. Sepulvado of Sabine Parish.

Sepulvado fled the scene in what was described as a black Toyota Camry bearing a Louisiana tag.

A law enforcement (BOLO) message was issued by NATCOM 911 Center to all patrol units and surrounding law enforcement agencies.

The investigation continued.

Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents were summoned to assist in the investigation.

Agents obtained a search warrant signed by a 10th Judicial District Court Judge to search the victim’s apartment.

During a search, agents seized a small bag of suspected marijuana.

On Thursday, December 16 at approximately 11:00am, Sepulvado turned herself into detectives at the NPSO Bureau of Investigations Office.

As a result:

Kelsey M. Sepulvado, 20, of Many, La. was arrested, interviewed, transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Aggravated Second Degree Battery.

Sepulvado was released on 12/17/2021 on $10,000.00 bond set by a 10th Judicial District Court Judge pending a court appearance.

Detective D. Sowell is lead investigator in the case. If you have any information, contact the NPSO Bureau of Investigations at 357-7830.

The Natchitoches Police Department is investigating an accidental shooting that took place Wednesday afternoon.

On December 15, 2021 around 5:28 p.m., officers with the Natchitoches Police Department were dispatched to the 400 block of Hedges Street in reference to a juvenile suffering from a single gunshot wound. Upon officers arrival they located a vehicle that was travelling with the juvenile victim and escorted them to the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. Detectives were able to determine that the juvenile was playing with the firearm when he accidentally shot himself in the arm.

The juvenile was later released from the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and was arrested for illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile.

The Natchitoches Police Department would like to remind everyone to follow these basic firearm safety tips.

• Treat all firearms as if they are loaded.
• Keep all firearms pointed in a safe direction.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
• Know your target and be aware of your surroundings.
• Know how to properly operate your firearm.
• Store your firearm safely to prevent any unauthorized use.

If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or if you have additional information in regards to this investigation please contact Detective Rudolph Glass at (318) 357-3878. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.

How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:

You can also report a tip anonymously by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388. All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $2,000 for the arrest of an offender.

Corporal John Greely
Public Information Officer
Natchitoches Police Department

December 17, 2021

NATCHITOCHES:
Cora Lee “Dootsie” Baker McNeely
July 11, 1940 – December 15, 2021
Service: Tuesday, December 21 at 10 am at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

SABINE:
Jerrie Lynn Gregory Walker
February 15, 1953 – December 14, 2021
The family will have a private service at a later date.

WINN:
Kathy Fallis
July 13, 1952 – December 15, 2021
Service: Monday, December 20 at 1 pm at Welcome Home Baptist Church

James Brandon Cockerham
July 13, 1979 – December 15, 2021
Service: Monday, December 20 at 1 pm at Hurricane Creek Cemetery

Denise Verret Thompson
February 21, 1961 – December 18, 2021
Service: Tuesday, December 21 at 1 pm in the Southern Funeral Home Chapel

Four Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Reserve Deputies, two Natchitoches Police Reserve Officers and two Coushatta Police Reserve Officers graduated from the Natchitoches Police Department Reserve Academy on December 16, 2021.

The graduation services were held at 6:00pm, on Thursday evening at the Natchitoches City Council Office on 2nd Second in Natchitoches.

During the eight week academy session, the reserve academy cadets were trained in criminal law, firearms, defensive tactics, narcotics identification, report writing, traffic, de-escalation tactics and other law enforcement topics.

Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams, Natchitoches Police Chief Nikeo Collins, Coushatta Police Chief Kevin Stafford and command staff from each agency attended the graduation.

Clerk of Court David Stamey administered the Oath of Office after the badge pinning ceremony.

Academy graduates: Officer Christopher Matheny-NPD, Officer Jonathan Severance-NPD, Deputy Trevor Stewart-NPSO, Deputy Quin Thompson-NPSO, Deputy Lyn Layfield-NPSO, Deputy Michael Zschach-NPSO, Officer Brandon Garrett-Coushatta Police and Officer Curtis Streetman-Coushatta Police Department.

Sheriff Stuart Wright and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office welcomes the graduates of the NPD Reserve Academy.

We also thank Mayor Ronnie Williams, NPD Chief of Police Nikeo Collins, Lt. Jeff Townson and all of the academy instructors from Natchitoches Police and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office for their dedication and time instructing the class in proper law enforcement procedures and techniques.

Special thanks to Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington.

The NPSO Reserve Deputy Units is a voluntary division of the Sheriff’s Office which is tasked with supplementing the patrol bureau with school activities, festivals, traffic details, natural disasters and other calls for service.

At its Dec. 16 meeting, the Natchitoches Parish School Board approved the extension of the Superintendent Contract through December 31, 2024 for Dr. Grant Eloi with a 2% raise allowed for in his contract. The board also approved a one-time distribution of MFP appropriations of $583 for certified personnel and $300 for all other support personnel for January 2022.

At the committee meeting on Dec. 14, Eloi shared some information regarding simulated data recently released from the Louisiana Department of Education. Seventy-one percent of the state saw a drop from the simulated data. The Natchitoches Parish School District dropped (1.5 points) less than the average for the state. Younger students who spent longer amounts of time in virtual and historically disadvantaged populations suffered the largest drops.

“We definitely saw this as well in some of our schools though we do want to mention some of our schools were recognized for being in top growth and some of our schools were highlighted for equity meaning they showed improvement,” said Eloi.

The schools that showed top growth were East Natchitoches, Goldonna, Marthaville, NSU E-Lab and Middle Lab, Provencal and Magnet.

“We’re not satisfied…moving forward we think this is definitely something that we can build on,” said Eloi.

The board approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Office and the Natchitoches Parish School Board.

This partnership will provide truancy officers for the school district on an as-needed basis. Principals have been asking for this and there’s a lot of students who need to be addressed in a different way when their truancy becomes an issue.

Other agenda items included:

Grant permission for the advertisement of leasing School Board land for hunting.
Approve recommendation for winning bid for District wide Lawn Care Service to Payne’s Lawn Service LLC for a base bid of $258,390 per year, in which they were the sole bidder for the service.
Approve Recommendation for winning bidder of Timber Bid Tract – 0807
Approve the adoption of a new Salary Schedule for Food Service Workers and Managers effective July 1, 2022.
Approve job descriptions and adjusted pay scale for the Maintenance Department effective January 3, 2022.
Approve amended job description for Grant Manager.
Approve revisions to the NPSB Purchasing Policy (DJE).
Approve revisions to the NPSB Bids and Quotations policy (DJED).
Approve dual enrollment agreement with Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC).
Approve changes to NPSB policy GBN, section School Employees.
Approve the 2022 NPSB Board Meeting calendar.
Add position at Natchitoches Central for Edgenuity/Dual Enrollment Monitor. Salary for this position is being paid out of Title I and ESSER funds

Natchitoches Parish Fire Department 5 and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a structure fire in Natchez shortly after midnight on Dec. 16.

On arrival, members found a fully involved residential structure. Defensive fire attack was utilized with caution taken for life and involved electrical lines to the structure. There were no injuries.
Engines 1 & 5 responded, along with BR5 and 7 NPFD 5 members.

This week we celebrated a monumental family milestone. My oldest daughter graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Hospitality Management and Tourism with a 3.5 GPA.

Northwestern State University was a true blessing to her and our family. They offered so many opportunities that possibly would not have been afforded anywhere else. She was honored to volunteer with the American Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. She traveled abroad to Toulon, France where she was able to complete research for NSU and attended a world renowned hospitality institute and participated in a culinary class.

Lucky for mom, she would always share the tidbits of information that were collected along the way from her experiences and from her Professor, Connie Jones.

This is where I learned that my centerpieces were entirely too high for the Christmas table. They did not offer a warm conversational area that was inviting to my guests because they were taller than ten inches. All this time, I have been doing it wrong.

She also taught me that I should be using a spoon for each pot that I stir while cooking. This could cause cross-contamination and someone could die a slow and painful death due to the act of mixing foods at different stages of being cooked thoroughly.

I was also made aware that I was not cooking with fresh ingredients. I should be making my bread from scratch. My pasta should be hand-made for maximum taste, freshness and nutrition. How dare I make biscuits from a can? I must not love my family very much if I do not churn my own butter.

While my cooking and hostessing skills have taken a beating for the last few years I am forever grateful for the skills learned from my daughter. My Christmas hosting may need to be polished and shined. My Christmas may, on occasion, be cross-contaminated but my understanding of the true meaning of Christmas has never wavered.

My Christmases may not be perfect. But….

Our Christmases today, compared to the very first Christmas over 2,000 years ago, are very different. In the eyes the world, Jesus was born in a lowly manger under the light of a star because there were no rooms available in a hotel. He was surrounded by animals, his family and a few angels. He was born of virgin mother who was unwed. By all accounts, the King of kings was born into simplicity and humbleness.

It was the most perfect Christmas.

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” – Luke 2:6-7