The Kiwanis Club of Natchitoches’ guest speakers for their weekly luncheon were Natchitoches Council on Aging (COA) Executive Director Alice Barrios and COA board member Erin Boyt. Barrios and Boyt handed out COA brochures and spoke about the multiple programs available for their senior citizen members who are from all over Natchitoches Parish.

President-Designate Kaitlyn Hamm spoke about the upcoming Kiwanis Color Run and Pancake Festival happening on Saturday, October 9th. This event is the Kiwanis club’s primary fundraising effort for their service project budget. The 1 mile and 5K sign up are now live on the Facebook event as well as on runsignup.com.

President Craig Caskey asked the group to be thinking about who in their network would make a great Kiwanis member. For more information about joining, email the club at kiwanisnatchitoches@gmail.com. Caskey announced that next week’s guest speaker will be NPSO Division Chief Wendy Llorens, DARE program coordinator.

Pictured: Natchitoches COA board member Erin Boyt, Club President Craig Caskey, Natchitoches COA Executive Director Alice Barrios.

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By Joe Darby

As thousands of our fellow Louisianians continue to cope without power and dealing with badly damaged or destroyed homes and businesses, my thoughts turn to hurricanes I have experienced in the past.

Yesterday’s 56th anniversary of Hurricane Betsy, which blew in on Sept. 9, 1965, also helped evoke some memories.

The first severe hurricane I remember was known as the Hurricane of 1947 because that was before the great storms started to receive names. I would have been almost 6 and my only real recollection of it is going to the gymnasium of St. Gerard’s School in Baton Rouge for shelter during the storm. The brick gym was thought to be more substantial than our small wooden house at the time. But I don’t recall any major damage to our home once we returned. However, that storm did do fairly widespread damage in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

Then, except for Audrey being a killer storm in southwest Louisiana in 1957, almost 20 years of relative quiet went by before Betsy came slamming into Louisiana in 1965. I had been working as a reporter for the New Orleans Times-Picayune for only eight months. The editors sent reporter-photographer teams all over southeast Louisiana because the exact path of the storm could not be predicted as accurately as they can today.

I was sent to Thibodaux with a very good, experienced photographer named Phil Guarisco. As we approached the town, his big Pontiac sedan was rocked heavily by the growing winds. By the time we arrived in Thibodaux, the weather was raging and as I was running into the parish courthouse, a gust of wind blew my raincoat out like a parachute and actually lifted me a foot or so off the ground. We, along with local officials, spent the night in the strong old structure but went out the next morning to see downtown Thibodaux heavily damaged. I remember writing in my account that it looked like the town had been bombed by airplanes.

After I returned to New Orleans I saw that my car, a 1959 Sunbeam Alpine sports car that I’d left parked on Esplanade Avenue, had had a very close call. A huge tree from the avenue’s neutral ground had fallen just behind my vehicle and some of its outer branches were actually touching the back of the car, although it suffered no damage. I remember also looking across the courtyard of my apartment into an adjacent building. And I do mean looking into. The entire side wall had collapsed and you could see every room inside, like looking into a doll house. Most of the furniture appeared safe and undisturbed.

A day or so later I accompanied a tour of the Lower Ninth Ward in a National Guard amphibious vehicle and recall seeing the devastation that that unfortunate area had suffered from severe flooding. One more memory I will share. A friend of mine, another reporter, lived in St. Bernard Parish, which was completely inundated.
Once the waters went down he returned to his house and opened the refrigerator door, only to see a couple of snakes slither out. What a welcome home!

In 1969 Hurricane Camille came along and did some damage in New Orleans but wrecked the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I was a junior editor then and did not go out into the field to cover that storm.

Then we had another long quiescent period. My girls were born in 1972 and 1974 and the whole time they were growing up we never had to evacuate, so they were lucky in not having experienced any bad storms when they were young.

And next was the Big One, Katrina on Aug. 29, 2005. There had been a few close calls for New Orleans in the years immediately preceding 2005 and my wife Mary and I evacuated to Natchitoches two or three times. We came up here to get away from Katrina also and stayed at the late Bobby DeBlieux’s Tante Huppe guest house. We’d stayed with him before and the more we got to know Bobby, the more we liked him.

Anyway, at the time we lived in Gretna on the West Bank and suffered only minor roof damage, unlike 80 percent of the east bank, which as you know, was underwater for days. We all remember the horrible conditions in the city but Mary and I managed to avoid them. When Bobby had to ask us to leave because he had folks coming in with room reservations, Mary and I stayed with various relatives in the Baton Rouge area until I was able to return to our house, while Mary stayed in Baton Rouge for a while. For the next few weeks I played a small part in covering the aftermath of that horrible natural disaster.

And finally, Ida spread her devastation late last month. My only involvement was worrying about my girls and some friends who still live in New Orleans but all came out okay. I hope this is the last “big one” for a while. But that doesn’t seem likely from what the scientists are telling us. However, here’s a heart-felt Good Luck wish to all Louisianians who remain in harms way from those storms.

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Natchitoches Central  41
Peabody  14

Natchitoches Central High School’s spirited fans and resilient football team were a winning pairing Thursday night.

In the home opener for the Chiefs, the crowd’s energy spurred on the home team. NCHS was able to repel a second-quarter rally by visiting Peabody, regaining the lead just before halftime, and took command in the third quarter, thanks in no small part to the enthusiasm shown by the people above the railings in the grandstand, cheering on the young men in maroon jerseys and helmets on the field below.

FINAL SCORE: Natchitoches Central 41 Peabody 14

GAME SITE: Natchitoches (Turpin Stadium)

RECORDS: NCHS Chiefs (2-0), Peabody Warhorses (0-2)

SCORING PLAYS:

(NC) Caylin Demars 5 run (Sam Maggio kick), 11:19 1st quarter, Chiefs 7-0

(NC) Jason Jackson 44 interception return (Maggio kick), 10:53 1st, Chiefs 14-0

(P) Arthur Lavalais 1 run (run failed), 10:16 2nd, Chiefs 14-6

(P) Carlos Davidson to Patrick Turner 43 pass (Lavalais run), 3:51 2nd, tied 14-14

(NC) B.J. Young 4 run (Maggio kick), 0:32 2nd, Chiefs 21-14

(NC) Chris Howard 10 fumble return (kick failed), 10:29 3rd, Chiefs 27-14

(NC) Young 1 run (Young run), 6:42 3rd, Chiefs 35-14

(NC) Demars 7 run (kick failed), 9:27 4th, Chiefs 41-14

KEY STATS: Chiefs rushed for 215 yards, led by Caylin Demars’ 14-107, 2 touchdowns and B.J. Young’s 9-70, 2 TDs … the NCHS defense scored twice while coming up with three turnovers, including James Jackson’s fumble recovery at the PHS 5 on the game’s first snap … Peabody mounted a 13-play, 81-yard drive to its first score … Defensive standouts for NCHS included Justin Aaron (10 tackles, 2 pass breakups), Fred Jackson (7 tackles, 1 breakup), Chris Howard (6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery for a TD, 1 breakup), Logan Saucier (6 tackles, 2 sacks), James Jackson (6 tackles, 1 fumble recovery), Calvin Willis (4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 for lost yards, 1 breakup) Braylin Demars and Reggie Boldon (each with 2 breakups), Tredarius Brown (2 sacks).

NOTES: NCHS led 14-0 after three plays from scrimmage, two straight turnovers by Peabody … it’s the first time since 2019 the Chiefs have won two straight games.

COACH JAMES WILKERSON’S COMMENTS: “It was the kind of game we expected. We knew we were going to be in for a fight. They are a good football team with very talented players. I am really proud of our guys for finishing the game strongly. That is a big difference from last year. I thought our defense really stepped it up in the second half. It was a big challenge for them tonight against a Peabody team that scored 30 last week.

“Braylin Demars sparked us with a big special teams play (a 79-yard kickoff return), and Jason Jackson got us going early with a pick-six. Our quarterback, B.J. Young, didn’t have a great first half but really came on strong, and did what a good quarterback should do. He had a short memory, made some big plays with his feet and completed some big passes in crucial moments. Caylin Demars continues to carry us and make big plays. It was an overall team effort. as coaches we really needed to see what we would do if we got in a tight game and tonight I think our boys did a really good job.”

NEXT UP: The Chiefs will host West Ouachita next Friday night in Turpin Stadium.

 

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Northwestern State’s Sept. 25 Southland Conference football game at Southeastern has been moved because of damage from Hurricane Ida.

The Demons now will travel to Hammond to face the Lions on Nov. 13 as both schools announced Wednesday.

“The NSU family is empathetic to its sister University of Louisiana System institutions and fellow Southland Conference members (Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls, and University of New Orleans) that have been severely impacted by Hurricane Ida,” NSU Director of Athletics Greg Burke said. “In addition to relief efforts to assist those universities which are already in motion on our campus, the opportunity for our athletic program to adjust its football schedule and accommodate Southeastern Louisiana during its recovery period is something we are glad to do.”

Added head coach Brad Laird: “Rearranging our football schedule is minor in contrast to what so many in South Louisiana are experiencing in the wake of Hurricane Ida. Both Greg and I have friends on the Southeastern staff and in the Southeastern athletic department, which makes our ability to make this change happen even more meaningful.”

The field at Strawberry Stadium suffered enough damage from Ida, a category 4 hurricane, to render it unplayable for the originally scheduled date. The teams both had Nov. 13 as an open date and made the decision to shift the game to that date.

Northwestern State now will have Sept. 25 as its open date and will finish the season with eight games in as many weeks.

The teams also will meet in Natchitoches on Oct. 23 for Northwestern State’s homecoming game.

Photo: Jay Griffin (18) and Northwestern State will play at Southeastern Louisiana on Nov. 13, moving from the original date of Sept. 25. Credit: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

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The Lakeview High School football team is getting its miles in so far in the 2021 season.

The Gators scrimmaged up at Lakeside High in Sibley on Aug. 20 and sparkled, dominating their hosts.

After missing jamboree competition in Natchitoches due to COVID protocols, Lakeview made a long journey last Friday to St. Joseph, hard by the Mississippi River, for a season-opening visit to Tensas.

Today, the Gators load the buses again, this time for a drive up to Bastrop and a first-ever meeting with Beekman Charter School.

After dropping a hard-fought 22-6 decision at Tensas in a game decided in the fourth quarter, Lakeview appears to be a solid favorite against a Tigers team that was plastered 44-6 at Lincoln Prep last Friday night.

Lakeview had some significant personnel unable to play last week due to COVID protocols. It remains to be seen how near normal the Gators’ lineup will be tonight, but coach Brandon Helms has not been disappointed by his team’s effort at any point, and with a good response, it could be Happy Trails back to the Black Lake country for LHS after the final horn sounds.

Look for game coverage of Lakeview in Sunday morning’s Natchitoches Parish Journal.

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Thursday afternoon, the Natchitoches Central volleyball team won another district match and remained unbeaten by pushing past visiting Parkway 3-1 at the Teepee.

The Lady Chiefs (3-0) can take another step toward staking a claim as north Louisiana’s best prep volleyball team on Saturday.

NCHS will host perennial state volleyball power Episcopal School of Acadiana and Haughton in a round-robin event beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Teepee. Admission is free for NCHS students with their school IDs, and for others, it’s $6.

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For the second straight Friday night, the St. Mary’s football team plays at home in Turpin Stadium.

But tonight, the challenge is quite different than the Tigers encountered in their season-opening 43-23 loss to a very talented Class 3A Abbeville team.

The Buckeye Panthers (1-0) are a 2A squad who present a big test for SMHS – emphasis on big.

“They’re not a bad bunch. They beat Block in their opener, and have a bunch of big, physical kids,” said Tigers’ coach Aaron York. “They’re not quite as athletic as Abbeville, but if we don’t do what we’re supposed to, they can give us fits. They’re large up front.”

The secret to St. Mary’s success tonight is not complex, he said.

“If we can play fast, and match the physicality of what we did last week, we’ll be pretty successful this ballgame.”

It’s routinely said that football teams make their greatest progress between games one and two. But it’s also obvious that teams can react poorly to a negative outcome, especially a double-digit loss at home. Considering the Class A Tigers played a much larger foe last Friday night, and did a lot right, York is very pleased with his team’s progress.

“We’ve had a really good practice week. We’ve changed the way we do some things this week to get our legs back underneath us,” he said. “What we’ve stressed is don’t make the same mistakes we made last Friday night. Monday, the first thing we did was broke it down, offense, defense, and what we messed up, we corrected right then and there.

“Next step was, we installed (the game plan) for the week and we’ve been rolling along since.

“The focus of the kids has been really good. Our Tuesday and Wednesday practices are normally our physical days when we get after it. We’ve had two good days of hitting and I believe this has been one of our better full weeks of practice in a long time,” said York. “I don’t know if that’s because our kids got to see a live game and see game speed, and realized we need to match that in practice, or if it’s things we changed in practice, but we’ve had a really good work week.”

The Tigers “step up” in class to face the 2A Panthers tonight, and will continue in the next few weeks.

“Our schedule is tough. The first five games, we’re playing up in classifications. We’ve told the kids this is to prep us for district play and postseason,” said York. “We won’t see any more athleticism than we faced in Abbeville. Everything we’re doing is done for a reason, to get us ready for the games that really matter, district and playoffs.”

Abbeville had SMHS outmanned, as it turned out. The Wildcats expect their best season since 2006. As for the expectations for the Tigers, York has a simple plan.

“If our offense can move the ball, not turn it over, and if we don’t give up the big plays, from here on out, week 2 to week 10, we will be in every game and give ourselves a chance to win.”

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The Natchitoches Humane Society will be bathing dogs and trimming nails this Saturday, September 11 from 9 am – 1 pm at Tractor Supply. Microchipping will also be offered for $35. Bathing is $10 for dogs under 60 pounds and $15 for dogs over 60 pounds. Nail clipping is $10. Anal gland expression is $10.

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Do you have old files laying around that you need to properly dispose of? Or confidential information that you do not want to toss in the trash?

The Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) Community Shred Service is back again for Fall. The four-hour shredding event will take place in the NPL parking lot, Friday, September 17, from 10 AM to 2 PM. An industrial-strength mobile shredding truck will be available for public use at the NPL Main Branch (450 Second St.) for no cost.

Only paper documents may be disposed of, and staples and paperclips DO NOT need to be removed. Everyone is welcome, businesses included! Those making use of this fee-free service must stay with their documents until they have all been loaded into the shredder. No drop offs are allowed.

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Dr. Tara Tietjen-Smith has been named head of the Department of Health & Human Performance at Northwestern State University. Her appointment has been approved by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

“It’s an exciting day in HHP. NSU is my alma mater, and I am happy to be back in Natchitoches and so honored to be able to lead this group of incredible faculty, staff and students,” said Tietjen-Smith.

Tietjen-Smith is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) and Professor of Health and Kinesiology. She earned a Doctor of Arts in Health and Physical Education from Middle Tennessee State University as well as a Master of Arts in Health Promotion and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northwestern State University.

Previously a full professor at Texas A&M University at Commerce, Tietjen-Smith served as the department head for Health and Human Performance in the School of Nursing & Health Sciences for six years, overseeing one of the largest departments on campus both in total faculty and students. During her time at Commerce, she was co-founder of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, which included securing funding for and participation in planning of a $54 million building for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences which opened in January 2020, and the Academy for Health Potential, an entrepreneurial non-profit working in the East Texas community. Tietjen-Smith also served as a member of the Planning Council, Healthy Hunt County, for Hunt Regional Medical Center, chair of the university’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) and president of the Council of Academic Department Heads.

Tietjen-Smith is currently the President of the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education (NAKHE) and has served the organization in a number of capacities in recent years, including as NAKHE Vice-President, National Conference Chair, and co-chair and co-creator of the Department Head Certification Program. Tietjen-Smith delivered the 54th annual Amy Morris Homans Lecture at the 2020 National Association of Kinesiology in Higher Education (NAKHE) conference in Palm Springs, California. This invited lecture is one of the highest honors accorded to a professional in the field of kinesiology.

She has received several awards for her accomplishments in teaching, research, and service, including a 2020 Texas Association for Black Personnel in Higher Education Eminent Scholar; 2019 A&M Commerce Faculty Senate Recognition Award for Professional Excellence, 2017 Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance Scholar Award; and the 2017 National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education Presidential Award.

The Department of Health & Human Performance offers Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education K-12, Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science, and a Master of Science in Health and Human Performance with concentrations in Sport Administration and Health Promotion.

For more information on the Department of Health & Human Performance, go to https://hhp.nsula.edu/

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NATCHITOCHES:
Frank William Snodgrass, Jr.
September 22, 1965 – September 08, 2021
Service: Tuesday, September 14 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Pearl Ethelene Bright
December 01, 1927 – September 07, 2021
Service: Friday, September 10 at 10 am at Memory Lawn Cemetery

Felenn Sowell
September 08, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Betty Sue Setliff
July 19, 1949 – September 02, 2021
Service: Thursday, September 9 at 10 am at The Pentecostals of Cloutierville

Fannie Willis
September 07, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Lloyd “REV” Smith
September 07, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Charles Henry Bobb
September 02, 2021
Service: Saturday, September 11 at 2 pm in the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, located at 318 North Street in Natchitoches

Minnie Johnson
September 04, 2021
Arrangements TBA

WINN:
Shirley James Tolbert
November 17, 1941 – September 09, 2021
Service: Sunday, September 12 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home

Leonard Roy Henderson
December 17, 1961 – September 07, 2021
Service: Friday, September 10 at 10 am at the Georgetown Cemetery

Esean Smith
September 11, 2003 – September 6, 2021
Arrangements TBA

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The Natchitoches Police Department is investigating a homicide that took place early Thursday morning on Highland Park Drive.

On September 9, 2021 around 6:14 a.m., officers with the Natchitoches Police Department responded to the 1200 block of Highland Park Drive in reference to a person lying in front of a residence. Upon officers arrival they located a juvenile who was suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office as a result of his injuries.

The Natchitoches Police Department will release more details as they become available.

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 Rudy 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
September 9, 2021

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

On September 4, 2021 around 5:07 p.m., officers with the Natchitoches Police Department were dispatched to a business in the 7500 block of Highway 3110. Upon officers arrival they located the victim suffering from a single self inflicted gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office as a result of his injuries.

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. 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.

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The Natchitoches Police Department is investigating an ATM theft that occurred early Tuesday morning.

On September 7, 2021 around 5:28 a.m., officers with the Natchitoches Police Department were dispatched to the 5000 block of Highway 3110 in reference to an alarm activation. Upon officers arrival they located the ATM from the bank on the ground and damaged. Officers also located a stolen vehicle that was used during the ATM theft.

The Natchitoches Police Department will release more details as they become available.

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 Rudy 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.

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The Natchitoches Central High School football team finally plays at home tonight, riding the crest of a dominant opening win last Friday night. The Chiefs were supposed to host a jamboree two weeks ago but COVID concerns forced its cancellation.

NCHS has overwhelmed the teams it has faced, rolling 20-7 in a scrimmage Aug. 20 at Pineville with the Rebels scoring against the Chiefs’ backups late in the matchup, then coming off the unplanned weekend off and rolling up 34 points in the middle 24 minutes at Shreveport’s Independence Stadium to smash Woodlawn in the season opener.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: NCHS Chiefs vs. Peabody Warhorses

WHEN/WHERE: Thursday, 7 p.m., Turpin Stadium

RADIO BROADCAST: 95.9 Kix Classic Country, pregame show 6:45

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

TICKETS: $10 at the stadium gates; $5 student tickets available through noon today at the NCHS administrative office, along with advance general admission ticket sales at $10.

RECORDS: NCHS (1-0), Peabody Warhorses (0-1)

LAST GAME: The Chiefs defeated Woodlawn 34-0 in Shreveport. The Warhorses lost on the road at Caldwell Parish, 55-30.

NOTES: After snapping an 11-game skid dating back to the seventh week of the 2019 season last Friday, the Chiefs aim to win back-to-back game for the first time since 2018 … the Chiefs will be led by senior running back Caylin Demars, who ran for 157 yards and three touchdowns against Woodlawn … the Chiefs defensive leaders are linebacker Logan Saucier with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery and safety Justin Aaron with two interceptions … Peabody’s defense is a 4-2-5 led by defensive back Carlos Davis … the Peabody offense uses a multiple scheme led by running back Arthur Lavalais, who rushed last week for 119 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries.

Fans attending tonight’s game are encouraged to wear patriotic red, white and blue colors to join in the observance of the 20-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and America’s resilience.

The NCHS volleyball team (2-0) is at home at 5:30 today hosting Parkway.

NCHS COACH JAMES WILKERSON SAYS: “After looking at the film, we obviously did some good things against Woodlawn last Friday night. We struggled at times early, but we were able to make some adjustments and overcome that, which is a big positive for us. That’s something we struggled with last year. We did some great things after that slow start. We executed well on offense and defense pitched a shutout, which was huge for us. Our special teams play was outstanding. Having a kicker who can make field goals at this level is always a huge plus. Our punt returns were explosive.

“Looking at Peabody, it’s a very athletic team. They have an amazing running back who can hurt us if we don’t wrap him up and tackle. They have some good offensive linemen who are big and strong and can really move people. Defensively, Peabody again has a lot of athleticism and speed in the back end.

“We’re going to have to be really focused and locked in from start to finish. I feel confident after picking up a win for the first time in a couple years. I think your focus picks up because you don’t want to lose that feeling. I feel good, because we’ve had a good week of practice. Now let’s bring it to the field and compete.”

NEXT UP: The Chiefs host West Ouachita next Friday night at Turpin Stadium at 7 o’clock.

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The Natchitoches Queens Pageant will take place this Saturday, September 11th at 4 p.m. at the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium on Northwestern State University’s campus. Admission to the pageant is $5 and tickets can be purchased at the door. The pageant is open to the public.

Contestants will compete in scholastic achievement, interview, evening wear, casual wear, and onstage question. The winner will be crowned Miss Merry Christmas and will receive an NSU tuition scholarship, cash scholarship and other prizes and awards. Christmas Belles will also be selected from the pageant. Miss Merry Christmas will serve as the official hostess of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. She and the Christmas Belles will represent Natchitoches at various events throughout the holiday season.

Competing in the pageant are:

Abigail Guillet, daughter of Angela and David Guillet. Abigail is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Alannah Bynog, daughter of Hamilton and Deanna Bynog. Alannah is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Anna Catherine Coleman, daughter of Micah and Caron Coleman. Anna Catherine is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Ashlyn Below, daughter of Gregory and Jennifer Below. Ashlyn is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Bethany Milner, daughter of Anthony and Brenda Milner. Bethany is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Caylyn Peddy, daughter of David and Kirby Peddy. Caylyn is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Emma Haecker, daughter of Mark and Leah Haecker. Emma is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Julia Ferrell, daughter of Andrew and Christine Ferrell. Julia is a senior at Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts.

Liliana Geier, daughter of Randy and Melaine Geier. Liliana is a senior at Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts.

Madison Pellegrin, daughter of Terah Brossette and Shane Pellegrin. Madison is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Madison Raymond, daughter of Anthony and Persunda Raymond. Madison is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Amelia “McKenzie” Broadway, daughter of Michael and Beverly Broadway. Amelia is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Natalie Spillman, daughter of Damion and Amelia Spillman. Natalie is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Preslie Durbin, daughter of Douglas and Christina Feazell and Mitchell Durbin. Preslie is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

Sheridan Pesnell, daughter of Douglas and Angela Pesnell. Sheridan is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Sophia Brossett, daughter of Curtis and Regina Brossett. Sophia is a senior at St. Mary’s High School.

Tinley Durr, daughter of Brandon and Dana Durr. Tinley is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School.

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The Natchitoches Tax Commission is accepting Resumes for the position of Administrator through Friday, Sept. 17.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduate of an accredited four (4) year college or university with a degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in financial management. . Comprehensive knowledge of and work with Personal Computers and related MS Office 2013 (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint) and related mainframe programs.

Work experience in the related listed fields may be considered in lieu of degree.

Must be able to interpret complex State and Local (City, Parish and School Board) Sales and Use tax laws, regulations and policies. Have knowledge of computers and application techniques, knowledge of laws, regulations and policies governing the receipt, custody and expenditure of Tax Commission receipts. Possess the ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of professional, sub-professional and clerical personnel. Display the ability to prepare detailed and accurate special and regular financial reports, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, Tax Commission, other public officials and the general public. Be able to express ideas clearly and concisely in oral and written form to groups and individuals. Be able to make internal audits of complex tax receipts in order to account for and verify the receipts and disbursement of all revenue received for the taxing jurisdictions represented by the Tax Commission.

Applicants must be able to travel to attend professional education seminars, conferences as required to maintain appropriate knowledge of tax statutes and policies of local taxing jurisdictions.

SALARY: Depending on Qualifications of Applicant

Email Resumes To:

Mr. Lee Waskom
Chairman of the Board
Natchitoches Tax Commission
leewaskom@me.com 

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Baton Rouge, LA – Today, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced that Governor John Bel Edwards has agreed with his recommendation to reschedule the fall 2021 elections in light of the devastation brought on by Hurricane Ida.

“I am thankful that the Governor has recognized the importance of our recommendation to move the October 9 election to November 13 and the November 13 election to December 11,” Secretary Ardoin said. “This will allow our staff and local partners more time to properly prepare for a statewide election while ensuring the integrity of our election processes and that our voters’ traditional voting habits are as undisturbed as possible.”

Further announcements including an emergency certification and election-related deadlines are forthcoming.

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April 25, 1954 – September 3, 2021

It is with great sadness that the family of Mrs. Kathy Diane Mitchell Dove of Natchitoches, announces her passing after a brief illness, on September 3rd 2021, at the age of 67.

Mrs. Kathy passed away in the comfort of her home in Many, La. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Bennie Lloyd Dove, her three daughters, Tara Ortiz, Carla (Daniel) Ebert and Kristina (Curtis) Cox, her ten grandchildren, Meagan Dortlon, Wesley Ebert, Bailey Ebert, Gracie Ebert, Alejandro Ortiz, Gabriela Ortiz, Haylee Cox, Cameron Cox, Melanie Cox and Joseph Cox; her siblings Doug (Doris) Mitchell and Cecil Mitchell and many family and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Gracie Wyatt Mitchell and Henry “Truly” Mitchell.

Through the years Mrs. Kathy enjoyed tending to her flowers, watching birds, sitting outside on the porch listening to her wind chimes, traveling anywhere she was able to go, but more importantly, spending time with loved ones.

Mrs. Kathy dedicated her life to God and her family in a way that cannot be put into words. She was the definition of unconditional love, and her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone who was lucky enough to know her.

A memorial service to honor Mrs. Kathy’s life will be announced at a later date.

We love you Maw Maw!

“Fear thou not, for I am with thee” Isaiah 41:10

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