Violinist Andrej Kurti will celebrate the release of his latest CD in a recital on Wednesday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall.Admission is free and open to the public. Those attending are asked to follow university regulations and to wear a mask.

Kurti, a professor of violin at Northwestern State University, recorded “Paganini’s 24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Op. 1.” The recording was done in Magale Recital Hall and will be released by Blue Griffin Recording. A reception will follow the concert and copies of the CD will be available. There will not be a livestream of this recital. The recordings will be posted on social media soon after.

“I am very much looking forward to this event,” said Kurti. “The official release of the CD is definitely a dream come true. It is something I was hoping and dreaming of achieving from the very young age. The Caprices are believed to be some of the most challenging compositions written for the solo instrument, an essential part of the advanced violin performance literature- true masterpieces.”

Kurti used support from the Alford Endowed Professorship to help fund the CD project. Dr. Sergei Kvitko was producer and engineer. This is Kurti’s third collaboration with Blue Griffin.

Kurti said in the world of solo violin repertoire, three Opuses come to his mind: Bach’s “Six Sonatas and Partitas, BWV 1001-1006,” Paganini’s “Twenty-Four Caprices, Op. 1” and Ysaye’s “Six Sonatas, Op. 27,” chronologically. Kurti previously recorded Ysaye’s “Six Sonatas, Op. 27,”

Kurti said the CD will be nationally and internationally distributed, with the name of Northwestern State University of Louisiana in the biographical credits, “which has already begun to bring much attention to our music program through inquiries by potential students and their teachers throughout the United States and Europe.”

Kurti is a native of Belgrade, Serbia. He studied at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory and finished his graduate studies in the University of Georgia, where he received doctorate degree in violin performance.

He was a recipient of five first prizes in competitions in Yugoslavia, four first prizes in competitions in Georgia and Florida and a finalist in the MTNA (Music Teacher National Association) Competition in 1998.

In 2004, Kurti became a violin faculty member at Northwestern State. He has appeared as a soloist with many symphony orchestras in the United States, Serbia, Montenegro, Italy, Greece, Russia and France. He also appeared as a chamber performer in Spain, France, Latvia, Canada and South Korea.

In non-classical music world, Kurti performed and arranged on more than 40 albums of popular and modern music, which he recorded for many different music labels in the United States.

Kurti has been invited to several international music festivals where he most often performed music written for solo violin. Kurti performed “Six Sonatas for Violin Solo” in his Road to Carnegie nationwide recital series, culminating with his Carnegie Hall debut in 2015.

“I am beyond grateful for Dr. Kvitko’s creative genius,” said Kurti. I would like to say a big thank you to my colleagues for their support and creativity including Leslie Gruesbeck, Eleonora Machado, John Dunn and Masahito Kuroda, as well as to my wife Sofiko Tchetchelashvili for her love and support.”

A series of donations have been made to the Hurricane Ida Relief effort by the Theta Delta chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at Northwestern State University. Items presented will be taken to Houma, an area that was ravaged by the recent hurricane. Residents in Gonzales will benefit from the chapter’s efforts as well.

“We never know when or where tragedy will hit. Many fellow NSU students and their families have been impacted by the storm. We stand ready to help as best we can,” said Gavin Scott, the chapter’s organizer for the effort.

Hundreds of items have been collected for distribution. The school was one of the drop-off sites for relief items. Pictured from left are Omega member Gavin Scott and East Natchitoches Elementary School principal, Chrystal Davis. The school is one of the drop-off locations for items being taken to south Louisiana.

CITY OF NATCHITOCHES JOB OPPORTUNITY: BEAUTIFICATION WORKER

POSITION: Public Works – Beautification Worker

DESCRIPTION: Responsible for operating various types of equipment such as lawn mower, tractor, weed eater and other equipment required to maintain the City’s grounds, streets and right of ways. Must also be willing to perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: Must have the ability to read and write; understand and follow instructions. Must have a valid Driver’s license.

CONTACT: City of Natchitoches, Human Resources Department Located at 1400 Sabine St., or P.O. Box 37, Natchitoches, LA 71458-0037. Applications may also be picked up upstairs at City Hall located at 700 Second Street or may be downloaded at www.natchitochesla.gov

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications will be accepted through: September 16, 2021.

THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

WINN:
Jeffery Dale Blake
November 15, 1955 – August 26, 2021
Service: Friday, September 10 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield

The Natchitoches Police Department has three new officers that graduated from the Shreveport Regional Police Academy earlier today. The three new officers are Derienne Robinson, Adam Walker and Maria Williams.

The three new officers spent several grueling months at the Shreveport Regional Police Academy and will participate in the Natchitoches Police Department’s field training program to gain more experience.

If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101. 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.

Natchitoches’ Martin Luther King Park was the scene of a Stop the Violence Rally sponsored by the Natchitoches Coalition on Homelessness, the Natchitoches City Council as well as a number of local ministers. The rally was organized in response to the increasing number of shootings in the city. According to Natchitoches Police Chief Nekio Collins, there have been 5 deaths in the city and 49 shooting incidents since the beginning of the year. By way of comparison, Chief Collins stated that there were 39 people killed in shootings so far this year in Shreveport.

The rally featured a DJ, local rappers and some phenomenally talented youngsters who sang for the crowd. Tristen Jefferson showed oratorical skills far beyond his years in a superbly done opening prayer. Natchitoches City Councilwoman at Large Betty Sawyer and School Board member Dorothy McGaskey served as Mistresses of Ceremonies and introduced each speaker, performer and notable visitor.

Ms. Sara Troncale from the Louisiana National Guard’s Youth Challenge Program was on hand to explain her program, designed to assist young people in danger of dropping out of school with the support and disciple they need to succeed, all in a no cost residential setting. The Youth Challenge Program has three sites in the state and has served thousand of teens for over 20 years.
There was also a balloon release to commemorate the lives lost in the community due to violence. Rev Steven Harris was joined by community leaders, each holding a balloon that was released after Rev Harris gave a prayer.

Mayor Williams and newly installed police chief Nikeo Collins each spoke to the more than 75 persons at the rally. The Hawg Riders, a local motorcycle group came out to the rally as did Natchitoches Parish School Superintendent Grant Eloi. Judge Desiree Dyess was joined by City Council members Betty Sawyer, Rosemary Washington and Chris Petite and School Board members Steven Harris and Dorothy McGaskey. The award-winning BBQ chef Daryl “Sweetie” Walker and his wife served up some of their savory fare for the crowd attending.

The rally is just the beginning of the fight to stop the violence arising in our community. It is an issue that affects all of us. The Natchitoches Parish Journal would like to commend the hard-working, community minded people who gave of their time and resources to help make our community a better place to live.

BOM Bank received an honorable mention in The Independent Community Bankers of America’s (ICBA) 2021 National Community Bank Service Awards, which celebrate the outstanding and creative volunteer efforts of the nation’s community banks. The $650 million-asset bank was recognized for its relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At the height of the COVID-19 outbreak, BOM Bank searched for ways to support the communities we serve,” said Carrie Hough, BOM Senior Vice President and Marketing Director, “We joined forces with the Feed our Heroes program and their efforts to support frontline workers fighting COVID-19. This was one way to give back to the community we love. We are appreciative of this recognition by ICBA as validation of our efforts as we continuously strive to make a difference.”

As part of its efforts, the bank donated 300 community service hours to COVID-19 vaccination sites. The bank was able to help 6,000 people receive vaccinations. BOM also provided financial assistance to struggling small businesses through its participation in the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.

“ICBA is proud to recognize the extraordinary contributions of BOM Bank and its employees, which help support the vitality of local communities and the financial health of its citizens,” said ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey. “The conscientious and compassionate outreach demonstrated by the bank and its employees is a testament to the important role community banks serve and is to be commended.”

NATCHITOCHES – Dr. Kelli Welch Haynes has been named director of the School of Allied Health at Northwestern State University.

Her appointment has been approved by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

“As the director of the School of Allied Health, Dr. Haynes brings a renewed enthusiasm and vision to ensure that all allied health programs continue to grow and excel,” said Dr. Joel Hicks, dean of NSU’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health. “Dr. Haynes is an excellent educator and an expert in the field of radiologic science. As the director of the School of Allied Health, all of the students, faculty and staff will benefit from her passion for education.”

Haynes, a professor of radiologic sciences, is among the most respected professionals in her field. Earlier this year, she was elevated to Fellow of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). To be recognized as a Fellow of the ASRT is one of the highest honors a radiologic technologist can receive, and only a fraction of the 225,000 radiologic technologists in the United States receive this honor.

To be considered for this status, the recipient must have made outstanding contributions to the radiologic science profession and the ASRT through research (podium presentations and writing) and service to the profession. As a scholar, Haynes has written multiple textbooks and textbook chapters, numerous refereed articles and has presented over 100 presentations at the state, national and international levels. In service, she has chaired and co-chaired numerous radiologic science committees at the local, state and national level.

“I am pleased and honored to accept the position as the Director of the School of Allied Health,” said Haynes. “My goal is to continue to educate future radiologic technologists and to expand the opportunities for allied health professionals in the state and region by offering the highest quality undergraduate and graduate programs.”

Haynes is co-author of the textbook, “Radiation Protection in Medical Radiography” The ninth edition was published in August.

She created the Haynes Scale of Professionalism for Radiologic Technology (HSPRT) which can be used as an assessment instrument for radiologic science educational programs and technologists.

The School of Allied Health offers a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences, Radiologic Technologist to Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Allied Health, Post-Baccalaureate certificates in invasive cardiovascular technology, MRI and CT and a Master of Science in Radiologic Sciences.

For more information on the School of Allied Health, go to nursing.nsula.edu/allied-health-programs.

NACOGDOCHES – Payten Vidourek led the Northwestern State cross country team with a third-place finish Friday at the Stephen F. Austin Opener, NSU’s first competition since 2019.

Vidourek’s 16:58.90 in the men’s 5K bested all but two Lumberjacks in the dual meet.

SFA’s Titus Kiplagat and Maxwell Murphy finished just a tenth of a second apart as Kiplagat won with a 16:34.30. The Lumberjacks won the team competition with 19 points compared to NSU’s 40.

Freshman Blake Glorioso was the only other Demon to beat any SFA runners as his sixth-place effort (18:03.20) topped three Lumberjacks.

First-year freshman Beau Melancon (ninth, 18:21.30), second-year freshman Xavier Wilson (10th, 18:39.70) and sophomore Ebenezer Aggrey (12th, 24:25.60) also competed in the opening meet.

On the women’s side, sophomore Olivia Sipes posted a team-best 12:11.50 to place 10th as SFA took the top nine positions in the two-mile race. Sipes is the only Lady Demon who has competed in a cross country race at NSU before Friday, running as a freshman in 2019.

Diana Granados (12:56.80) and Erin Wilson (13:41.60) were the next two finishers in their first collegiate cross country meets.

Jazz Rasouliyan (13th, 13:55.60), Leah Thompson (14th, 14:17.10) and Janiel Moore (15th, 16:55.80) all competed in their first NSU cross country meets.

NSU heads to Louisiana Tech for the Mook 4 Invitational on Sept. 18.

Result: https://www.tfrrs.org/results/xc/18466/SFA_Lumberjack_Opener

PHOTO: Jameira Smith/NSU Photographic Services

NATCHITOCHES:
Charles Henry Bobb
September 02, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Minnie Johnson
September 04, 2021
Arrangements TBA

SABINE:
Nancy Faye Cook
May 23, 1951 – September 2, 2021
Service: Monday, September 6 at 2 PM at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church

WINN:
Laura Payne Bonnette
December 01, 1921 – September 02, 2021
Service: Monday, September 6 at 2 pm at New Hope Cemetery in Dodson

NSU 14
North Texas 44

DENTON, Texas – There were plenty of big plays and turnovers in Northwestern State’s season-opening football game at North Texas on Saturday night.

Unfortunately for the Demons, they had too many of one and not enough of the other.

Mean Green running back DeAndre Torrey rushed for a career-high 244 yards and three touchdowns and the Demons turned the ball over four times, allowing North Texas to pull away for a 44-14 victory at Apogee Stadium.

“It’s frustrating when you look at the scoreboard at the end of the game,” fourth-year head coach Brad Laird said. “The thing I told the guys, you look at the second half, coming out of the half, we get the interception, and we have the touchdown to Jay (Griffin) that gets called back. Those are things, when you’re playing games like this, you can’t have.”

The Demons (0-1) matched the Mean Green punch for punch for most of the first half, thanks to a pair of big plays on offense and an opportunistic defense.

Down 7-0 after Torrey’s first touchdown – a 24-yard run – Northwestern State answered with its first big play.

Kaleb Fletcher hit Kendrick Price on a slant route, and Price broke through a one-on-one tackle, turning it into a 65-yard touchdown.

“That definitely put a spark in the team,” said running back Scooter Adams, who ran for 92 yards on 12 carries and added 36 yards on a team-high seven catches. “That gave us some momentum. We’ve got to keep getting more explosive plays like that.”

Adams had the Demons’ other big offensive play in the first half.

Trailing 17-7, Adams took a second-down carry through a gaping hole 36 yards for his first touchdown of the season, cutting the NSU deficit to a field goal.

Adams’ score was set up by a Cedric Anderson interception of Jace Ruder.

“That came off a free safety blitz,” said Anderson, who also broke up a pass in the end zone in the second half. “I have to give credit to (PJ) Herrington. He came in on the blitz and hit the quarterback. I got on top of him, and when I turned around, the ball was there and I had to make a play.”

While the Demons were able to force Ruder into a pair of interceptions, the Mean Green (1-0) proved more capable at converting the Demons’ miscues into points.

North Texas turned its four extra possessions into 13 points, backing Torrey’s performance, which was the fourth-most yards gained by a running back against the Demons in a single game.

“From coaches and players, there are a lot of mistakes we made, but there were a lot of great things we did, too,” Laird said. “We’ll learn from those mistakes and get ready for Week 2.”

NSU moved the ball throughout the game – finishing with 418 yards, including 218 on the ground. However, the Demons could not convert a fourth-and-1 from the North Texas 11 in the first quarter of a scoreless game.

Similarly, NSU was unable to take advantage of Bartholomew’s interception on the first play of the second half. The junior cornerback’s eighth career interception extended his streak of games with an interception to four, stretching across three seasons.

The Demons appeared to have taken advantage of Bartholomew’s diving interception as Fletcher delivered a perfect deep ball to Griffin, who hauled it in around the 10-yard line and outraced the defender to the end zone.

An illegal shift nullified the apparent 38-yard score. One play later, North Texas recovered an NSU fumble that led to Roderic Burns’ leaping 23-yard touchdown catch from Ruder and a 17-point Mean Green lead.

“Our guys competed,” Laird said. “Our guys played hard. Our guys made some plays. That was a good thing to be able to get on film Week 1 against a good team that was a bowl team last year. The biggest thing is, when we have those opportunities, to take advantage of them against anybody. That showed itself tonight.”

The Demons return to action next Saturday at Alcorn. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. in Lorman, Mississippi.

Photo: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

St. Mary’s was overmatched in its season opener Friday night, with the Class 1A Tigers taking on a 3A Abbeville club expected to be better than the Wildcats have been in years.

The SMHS players didn’t buy into that line of thinking. Although Abbeville headed back south with a 43-23 win at Turpin Stadium, it was not a blowout, and it was hard earned.

The Tigers led 10-7 at halftime, and coach Aaron York saw a lot to like even as the visitors took control thanks to their superior numbers and overall size and speed.

“Overall, it was a good experience for us, playing up two classifications. I couldn’t ask for any more effort than our kids gave. For a little 1A school, our kids are tough.

“They (Abbeville) were a good Class 3A ballclub. They had 11 coming in on offense, 11 others on defense, and some guys who could go. It was a stout challenge for us,” said York. “We didn’t back away.”

The first half wasn’t all it could have been for the Tigers, but it was a solid start.

“We won the first half, I thought. The defense had a couple good stands,” said York. “We played the best we could have, held our own.

Abbeville began to take over with a kick return for a touchdown. Later came a pick six interception return for a score when the pass bounced off the SMHS receivers’ hands, bounced in the air and was snatched up and run back.

The Tigers moved inside the Wildcats’ 20 three times, but scored only three points.

Ethan Busby scored three touchdowns, two on receptions from Adam Parker. Busby caught six passes for 83 yards. Jaydyn Jackson accumulated 91 total yards on nine touches in his first game as the primary back for St. Mary’s. Parker went 13 of 26 for 162 passing yards.

Payne Williams booted a field goal and was perfect on three extra points.

Defensively, Drake Griffin topped the Tiger chart with 4.5 tackles and Graeme Fidelak made 3.5.

“My message after the game was, ‘Don’t ever accept losing. This ought to make you upset, make you want to get better.’ Our kids felt that way. They were hurting afterward,” said York.

“I can’t complain. Some younger kids had to step up and get some reps, and now we can teach off of that. A lot of kids got their first game experience, and some of those were playing both ways – five starters. Four of our five offensive linemen, and our entire receiving corps, played both ways.

“If we’re going to play this iron man football, it was an eye opener. We didn’t get our feet wet in a jamboree so this was our first test, and it was a good one,” said York.

The Tigers stay home next Friday night to meet Buckeye.

Not much has gone according to plan in the last couple of weeks for the Lakeview High School Gators football team. Friday night sure didn’t.

After an impressive scrimmage at Lakeside Aug. 20, the Gators were sidelined by COVID quarantine protocols last week, and were still hampered by missing some key personnel as they kicked off the regular season Friday night at Tensas in St. Joseph, on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Despite a valiant effort, particularly defensively, Lakeview faded late in a 22-6 loss that was in doubt until the latter stages of the contest.

Getting offensive plays underway was not a given, said coach Brandon Helms.

“We had a lot of snap issues. Fumbled snaps, mishandled snaps, bad snaps, and every play starts with a snap,” he said. “We put ourselves in bad situations.

“But we had chances to punch the ball in, and didn’t. We were inside their 10-yard line four times and got no points out of those opportunities. We turned the ball over on downs three times, and fumbled at the five.”

The personnel shuffle hampered the Gators.

“We definitely missed some of the guys we didn’t have because they were quarantined. That showed. We played a lot of young guys and the positive is, they got a lot of experience. The negative was, they’re young and made some mistakes inexperienced players can make,” said Helms.

There were bright spots, he said.

“Our backs ran the ball well. We had two explosive runs,” said Helms. “Our defensive line got after it, for the most part. We weren’t able to throw at all, which is completely against my nature, and that’s disappointing. I was pleased with the effort of some of our kids.”

Two usually unsung Gators earned praise as standouts in the contest.

“(Defensive tackle) Dillon Ireland is 6-foot-1, 260 and plays hard. He did that every snap, all night, and played well. He normally doesn’t play a lot on our offensive line but we were down some personnel, and we put him as an extra tight end where he was a road grader for us.

Ireland recovered a fumble in the end zone to lift Lakeview to a first-half lead. Tensas had blocked a punt to score a safety for a 2-0 edge, but Ireland’s touchdown put the Gators on top 6-2, an advantage that lasted until later in the game.

“Devonte Rice played very hard, in his first football game, and did some good things as a running back,” said Helms. There were some guys who stood out, played hard, but those two really stood tall for us.”

Tensas broke a couple of long runs later in the game as Lakeview players tired.

“It was a competitive game throughout, and nobody could make a play to stretch it one way or the other for the longest, and late in the game, Tensas did,” said Helms, who noted the field didn’t appear to have been mowed for weeks, adding to the difficulty for players.

But after being sidelined last weekend, “we got to play,” said Helms. “We didn’t get to do that in a jamboree, and some of those mistakes that you get worked out in a jamboree, we had to suffer through in week one.

“We’ve got to get healthy, and we’ve got to get a lot better, quickly. We’ll regroup and get ready for Beekman Charter next Friday night in Bastrop,” he said.

The Gators are finally at home on Sept. 17 against Rayville.

Friday night, the Natchitoches Central High School football team not only enjoyed cruising to a dominant victory in the season opener, but also, the Chiefs celebrated a triumph for the first time since October 2019.

After sitting out last week’s jamboree due to COVID quarantine issues, and having limitations in preparations during game week, the Chiefs struggled in the first quarter but took control afterward against Woodlawn.

Senior running back Caylin Demars scored three touchdowns and rushed for 148 yards on 16 carries. Senior defensive back and returner Braylin Demars had a 28-yard punt return to set up NCHS’s second TD, and had a 45-yard punt return TD erased by a penalty. Senior safety Justin Aaron picked off two passes, returning the second one 50 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the final quarter.

The Chiefs defense was dominant in notching a shutout.

FINAL SCORE: NCHS 34, Woodlawn 0

GAME SITE: Shreveport (Independence Stadium)

RECORDS: NCHS Chiefs (1-0), Woodlawn Knights (0-1)

NCHS SCORING PLAYS:

Sam Maggio 32-yard field goal, 9:48 2nd quarter, 3-0

Caylin Demars 10-yard run. 3:53 2nd quarter, Maggio kick, 10-0

Demars 8-yard run, Maggio kick, 2:23 2nd quarter, 17-0

Demars 6-yard run, Maggio kick, 8:37 3rd quarter, 24-0

Maggio 25-yard field goal, 1:36 3rd quarter, 27-0

Justin Aaron 50-yard interception return, Maggio kick,11:43 4th quarter, 34-0

KEY STATS: The NCHS defense forced four turnovers, two fumbles and two interceptions, both by Justin Aaron, one returned 50 yards for a TD. In the shutout win, the Chiefs held the Knights to 51 yards rushing, 55 pashing, a total of 106 yards. Leading tacklers for the Chiefs were Logan Saucier with 11, Fred Jackson Jr. with 10, and each had a fumble recovery. Justin Aaron had 10 tackles along with his two interceptions. The Chief defense allowed Woodlawn to convert only 2 of 13 attempts on third down.

NOTES: Woodlawn had the game’s first scoring chance late in the opening quarter but the Chief defense forced a fumble on a first-and-goal situation with the Knights threatening on the 7-yard-line.NCHS drove 83 yards for Sam Maggio’s first field goal, starting a 17-point second quarter to open up the game. The Chiefs defense pitched a shutout for the first time since October 11, 2019 vs Southwood. It was the first NCHS win since the seventh game of the 2019 season, snapping an 11-game skid, and it was the first victory in coach James Wilkerson’s two seasons rebuilding the program.

NCHS COACH JAMES WILKERSON’S COMMENTS: “I’m very happy for our players, coaches, and fans. This was a much needed victory for our team. We did some good things in every aspect of the game. We do have a lot to improve on as we move on to Peabody.”

NEXT UP: NCHS will host Peabody (0-1) on Thursday night in Turpin Stadium. The Chiefs will have a patriotic night as this upcoming weekend will be the 20th anniversary of 9-1. Fans are asked to wear red, white and blue.

The Natchitoches Parish School Board is hosting a donation drive to help those families in Southeast Louisiana affected by Hurricane Ida. The donation drive will run through Monday, September 13, 2021.

All donations can be dropped off to a drop box at any Natchitoches Parish School Board school or the NPSB Central Office at 310 Royal St.

Your donations are greatly needed and appreciated. Once all donations have been collected, a team from NPSB will travel to Southeast Louisiana to deliver supplies.

January 02, 1939 – September 03, 2021

Funeral services for Myrna Barton Dunn will be Monday, September 6, 2021 at 11:00 am at Westside Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until 11:00 at Westside Baptist Church.

Myrna Dunn was born and raised on January 2, 1939 in Alexandria, LA to Roy Lee Barton and Vaudean Walters Barton. She was a graduate of Bolton High School.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Vaudean Barton; her husband of 64 years, Leslie L. Dunn; daughter-in-law, Melissa Dunn, and one brother, Walter Roy Barton.

Myrna is survived by her three children, Cynthia Dunn Parker; Leslie L. Dunn, Jr. “Bubba” (Cindy); and Jeffrey Lee Dunn; five grandchildren, Quentin Dunn of Houston, Texas; Katie Dunn Carney (Lonny) of Provencal; Jacob Parker, of Lafayette, LA; Sarah Dunn Burkhalter and husband Stephen, of Natchitoches; and Kinslee Dunn, of Natchitoches; three great-grandchildren, Haley, Landon, and Adalynn Carney of Provencal. She is also survived by four sisters, Flora Lee Ferguson, Norma Sue Watkins (Mack), Donna Gayle Nigreville (Doug), and Connie Faye Barton.

She began her 35 year banking career at what was then Guaranty Bank and Trust in Alexandria. Upon moving to Natchitoches, she was employed by Exchange Bank & Trust, Co., where she earned the title of Vice President.

She was a member of Westside Baptist Church and was Chair of the Senior Adults, Cane River Campers, Lady Bugs Luncheon Group, Treasurer of Cenla Chapter of Banking Women, Natchitoches Jaycees, National Trust for Historic Preservation. She was Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year, and earned the City of Natchitoches Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her civic involvement. Myrna was the first female President of the Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce, Business and Professional Women’s founding President, Member of the Krewe of Dionysos, Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches and Natchitoches Historic Foundation, Inc., first director of the Natchitoches Main Street Program and Director of Keep Natchitoches Beautiful. The Historic District Business Association was formed under her direction. She also served many years on the Natchitoches Christmas Festival Committee.

For many years she enjoyed her Lunch Bunch where friends gathered to enjoy a meal and stimulating conversations. The group met every Wednesday for ten years, forming bonds that will never be broken. After many of the group moved away or were unable to continue the gatherings, she became involved with the Mah Jong group that was so much fun and kept them all on their toes.

Although Myrna was involved in many civic programs, the highlight of her life was her family and the hours spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The entire family loved the time spent together on Cane River throughout the years. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made In Memory of Myrna to Westside Baptist Church 6834 Hwy 1 South Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457.

NATCHITOCHES:
Obit: Myrna Dunn
January 02, 1939 – September 03, 2021
Visitation: The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until 11:00 at Westside Baptist Church.
Services:  Monday, September 6, 2021 at 11:00 am at Westside Baptist Church.
Burial:   will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until 11:00 at Westside Baptist Church.

WINN:
Dorothy DuBois
October 20, 1943 – September 01, 2021
Service: Sunday, September 5 at 2 pm at Montgomery Church of Christ

Robert William Howell
August 10, 1932 – August 30, 2021
Service: Sunday, September 5 at 1 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Winnfield

Jeffery Dale Blake
November 15, 1955 – August 26, 2021
Service: Friday, September 10 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield

Natchitoches Central High School
Natchitoches Central 34
Woodlawn 0

St. Mary’s Catholic School
St Mary’s  23
Abbeville 43

Lakeview High School
Lakeview  6
Tensas  22

The NPJ was made aware of tire and rim thefts that have begun yet again in Natchitoches. It’s been several years since residents and businesses have had to worry about their Chevy rims and tires going missing in the middle of the night. Since then, some homeowners have installed cameras and additional lighting on their homes’ exteriors to try and deter thefts.

Several cars have been stripped of their wheel sets at area car dealerships over the past week or so. Reports also indicate that thefts have also occurred around other businesses and areas of the City. No further information is available at this time but the NPJ will continue to follow the story as it develops.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/natchitochesparishjournal.com/2016/07/31/tire-rim-bandits-strike-again/amp/

CAMPTI-Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives and Campti Police are actively investigating a homicide in the Town of Campti according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

On Wednesday morning, September 1, at approximately 10:17am, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Bureau responded to NATCOM 911 Center reports of a death in the 100 block of Lake Street in Campti, La.

The caller, reportedly a landlord contacted NATCOM reporting they discovered a tenant deceased inside a rental travel trailer.

Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS and Natchitoches Parish Deputy Asst. Coroner Steven Clanton also responded to the scene.

Deputies say upon their arrival and entering the travel trailer they discovered a deceased male lying on the floor identified as 56-year-old Rickey Lane Caskey of Campti, La. suffering from what appeared to be an apparent single-gunshot wound to the body.

Caskey was pronounced dead on the scene by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office.

Detectives assigned to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau responded to process the crime scene which included collecting evidence and taking photographs.

The crime scene was taped off for several hours while the scene was being processed.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright and District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington responded to the scene.

Detectives are investigating and looking into the possibility that the shooting death may be the result of a shots fired call made to NATCOM 911, Tuesday evening, August 31, 2021 at approximately 11:29pm in the areas of Lake Street, Marshall Street and Pasture Road in Campti.

Deputies responded to the shots fired calls but were unable to locate any suspicious activity reportedly at that time.

Detectives say while processing the crime scene, they discovered a bullet hole in the side of the trailer that penetrated the wall and traveled through the interior of the small travel trailer striking Caskey while he was believed to be in a standing position.

The body is being sent for an autopsy.

On Wednesday, detectives worked throughout the day interviewing potential witnesses, and asking the public for any assistance that could lead to an arrest in this senseless murder due to gun violence according to Sheriff Wright.

Our investigators are working tirelessly in an effort to arrest the individual or individuals involved in the murder of Mr. Caskey.”

We extend our condolences to the Caskey family and friends.

If you have any information, please contact the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division at 357-7830.

Story and Photos by Monica Velasquez

Courtesy of TWILA and Farm Bureau of Louisiana

Lisa Wiggins, teacher and librarian at Northwestern State University Elementary Lab School, was named this year’s Louisiana Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year, her second time to win the award.

The award recognizes a Louisiana teacher for achievements and efforts in teaching students the importance of agriculture. Wiggins teaches English language arts, science and reading to her K-5th grade students using literacy gardens she built more than a decade ago. She is also the 4-H Club sponsor.

Wiggins said she is inspired by the Roman philosopher Cicero who said, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Although she claims she’s not an expert gardener, Wiggins enjoys growing her gardening skills with her students.

“I’m learning just along with the kids,” Wiggins said. “A lot of the stuff they’re learning, I didn’t know before either. So, we’re applying a lot of our research into discovering new things, so I feel like a student along with them. We’re all growing together.”

As Wiggins expands her literacy garden roots, she’s run into a few snags. She introduced an aquaponics garden to the library but didn’t have any books associated with the topic in her library.
Instead, she and her students wrote a book of their own – “Plant Wars,” inspired by Star Wars and set in a galaxy far, far away.

“She’s bringing the library to life with these literacy beds in her garden, so they are living the stories that they read,” said Lynda Danos, Louisiana Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom State
Coordinator.

Danos presented Wiggins her award package and a plaque naming her the 2021 Louisiana Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. Wiggins also received the award in 2011 and since then, she expanded
her garden by adding an outdoor classroom, a greenhouse for aquaponics and a garden for each grade at the school.

Winning the award a second time means more to Wiggins than it did a decade ago, she said.

“I’ve grown to appreciate and respect this organization and all that they do for everyone, and the generosity and the wealth of resources and how they really are trying to promote and support
teachers,” Wiggins said. “Just to be associated with Ag in the Classroom and to be recognized as one of their outstanding teachers is quite an honor.”

Her prize package includes a trip to the National Ag in the Classroom Conference, a $500 cash prize and an iPad. 

Louisiana Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year is presented by TWILA (“This Week in Agriculture’”) the long-running TV agriculture program that is produced by Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. TWILA can be viewed on 18 broadcast and cable stations across Louisiana and nationally on RFD-TV. It is Louisiana’s first and only farm news program.