FROM: City of Natchitoches Purchasing Department 1400 Sabine Street Natchitoches, LA 71457
RFP NO. 0267
BID TITLE: Debris Monitoring Services – Hurricane Laura The RFP can be viewed and downloaded from the City of Natchitoches’ web site at www.natchitochesla.gov
SEALED RFP PROPOSALS WILL BE RECEIVED UNTIL 2:00 PM on September 8, 2020.
PLACE: AT THE OFFICE OF EDD LEE DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING 1400 SABINE STREET NATCHITOCHES, LA 71457.
The Natchitoches community filled the downtown riverbank for the Inauguration Celebration of Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. on Sept. 4.
Ed Ward Junior likened Williams’ win during the recent election to a new progressive captain taking the helm of the oldest permanent settlement in the entire Louisiana Purchase. A seaworthy vessel sailing on the ocean of municipal government.
This was a hard fought battle,” said Ward. “A courageous battle and we have won the victory.”
Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court David Stamey performed the ceremony. Before having Williams recite the oath of office, Stamey talked about what it means to do so.
“The next four years will not be easy. There will be tough days,” he said. “As all public officials know there’s not always good days. There’s tough days. He [Williams] got plenty of tough ones within his first week. Stamey was referring to the role Williams played in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, which hit Natchitoches in the early morning of Aug. 27, a short time after winning the election on Aug. 15.
Ronnie Williams Sr. introduced his son to the crowd as a great son, father, husband, pastor, brother, adding mayor to the list.
Williams started off by saying how grateful he is to have the honor to serve as Natchitoches’ mayor. He thanked Mayor Posey and others that came before for molding the City into what it is today.
“Natchitoches is great,” he said. “It will be my hope and goal to lead this city in a way that makes Natchitoches even greater.”
Service restoration in the wake of Hurricane Laura
We know how important your Suddenlink service is to you. Hurricane Laura caused significant damage across the Gulf Coast region that resulted in widespread service disruptions.
We appreciate your patience and we are offering a credit for the time that your Suddenlink service was not available after power was restored.
To request this credit, go to My Account, sign in with your Suddenlink username and password, and click “Request a Credit.”
Sept. 4, 2020 – Cleco had restored power to roughly 119,507, or 85 percent, of the 140,000 customers affected by Hurricane Laura.
Damage Assessment Continues
With system assessment and restoration efforts ongoing, the company continues to find damage to its system.
Distribution damage to date Crews have found 1,600 downed or broken poles, 1,000 damaged transformers, 4,600 damaged crossarms, 5,500 trees on power lines and approximately 350 miles of distribution conductor down.
Transmission damage to date Crews have found 409 trees reported on transmission lines and 167 transmission structures damaged.
Restoration Assessment
Below are restoration updates for impacted parishes. Please note that unexpected damage could impact restoration efforts. Cleco will report updates on areas as they become available. For the most up-to-date information, follow the company on Facebook @ClecoPower and visit Cleco’s website at cleco.com.
Allen Parish Elizabeth Saturday, Sept. 5 expected restoration
Oakdale Monday, Sept. 7 expected restoration
Oberlin Wednesday, Sept. 9 Power restored to customers in city limits. Estimate power restoration to remaining customers outside city limits by Wednesday, Sept. 9
Kinder Wednesday, Sept. 9 Power restored to customers in city limits. Estimate power restoration to customers outside city limits by Wednesday, Sept. 9
Grant Parish Pollock Friday, Sept. 4 Barron Road off Hwy. 165 N. Humphries off Hwy. 165 N. Crawford Loop Martin Acres Sherwood Forest Springhill Road and Springhill Loop
Saturday, Sept. 5 One town water well Lumberton Subdivision Crews are working on Dyson Circle Road and expect a two to three-day restoration effort
Monday, Sept. 7 The main line on Hwy. 8 toward Fishville – Bodies Landing
Thursday, Sept. 10 Camp Hardtner area from Hunt Plywood Plant Colfax
Friday, Sept. 4 Control House Road and Youngblood Road Dixon Hill Road Slayter Nichols Road
Saturday, Sept. 5 Main line on Hwy. 8 South
Sunday, Sept. 6 Nantachie area
Monday, Sept. 7 Katherine Cove US 71 and Smith Road
Friday, Sept. 11 Iatt Dam Road – Hyde Landing – Abe Hall Road
Dry Prong Friday, Sept. 4 Larry Braxley Road – Bethel Church Road
Sunday, Sept. 6 Hwy. 123 W.
Friday, Sept. 11 Landfill Rd./Liberty Chappel Road Crews began working on Nelms Loop today, Friday, Sept. 4. Currently, no estimated restoration time.
Bentley Work on Hwy 8 from Bentley going west to Parsonage Road, Grey Circle Road, Tommy Smith Road and Mundy Loop is ongoing Expect to restore power today, Friday, Sept. 4 to some customers along Hwy. 8
Rapides Parish Pineville Friday, Sept. 4 Wildwood Pearce Road Stone Gate Villa Townhouses (possibly)
Saturday, Sept. 5 Windy Lane Wonder Lane Wood Drift Circle Northwood Drive Sandy Lane Audrey Drive Kathy Drive
Libuse/Esler Field Friday, Sept. 4 Holiday Boulevard Lake Drive Holiday Circle Choctaw Hill Arrowhead
Saturday, Sept. 5 Donahue Ferry Road Grand Pierre Dauzart Lane
Glenmora Monday, Sept. 7 Power restored to 85 percent of customers. Estimate power will be restored to remaining customers by Monday, Sept. 7.
Forest Hill Tuesday, Sept. 8 Power restored to 85 percent of customers. Estimate power will be restored to remaining customers by Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Sabine Parish Friday, Sept. 4 Zwolle, Many, Toledo Bend Corridor
Vernon Parish Saturday, Sept. 5 Lions Camp Club Community
Monday, Sept. 7 Lee Hill Subdivision Leesville city limits Crews continue to work scattered outages.
Beauregard Parish DeRidder – Power restored to critical infrastructure, and some downtown businesses. Since yesterday, Sept. 3, power restored to 888 customers. Extreme damage; restoration will be a multiweek effort. Merryville – Crews are working in this area and will remain until power is restored to all customers. Extreme damage; restoration will be a multiweek project.
Calcasieu Parish Dequincy – One of the hardest hit areas. Crews are working to clear debris and assess damage. Infrastructure must be rebuilt before power can be restored.
Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams spoke at a joint press conference hosted by the city of Natchitoches and Natchitoches Parish Government Friday at Northwestern State University where officials discussed ongoing hurricane recovery efforts in the region, including the restoration of power and other services. The press conference took place near a temporary basecamp, visible in the background, where about 800 linemen from around the country are being housed as they work around the clock to restore power to affected areas.
Also joining the press conference were, from left, Col. Ken Baillie, Louisiana National Guard; City of Natchitoches Fire Chief John Wynn, Natchitoches Parish President John Richmond, Natchitoches Police Chief Mickey Dove, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, SWEPCO President Malcom Smoak and NSU’s Director of University Affairs Jennifer Kelly.
Sept. 4, 2020 – SWEPCO estimates power will be restored to 95% of customers in the Hornbeck area by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. Community-by-community restoration estimates are listed below.
“We know our customers are struggling in the devastation left behind by Hurricane Laura,” said Malcolm Smoak, SWEPCO president and chief operating officer. “Our crews are committed to working through this exceptional storm damage and getting your lights on. There is no holiday weekend for us or for folks without power. Thousands of line and tree personnel are working to restore power as safely and quickly as possible.”
Workers have identified more than 1,400 utility poles broken by Hurricane Laura, including more than 770 in the Hornbeck area.
Overall, 12 of 29 circuits serving the Natchitoches area have been fully repaired, One of the 17 circuits serving communities near Hornbeck has been completely fixed. Three additional circuits are 95% complete.
At 6 p.m. Friday, SWEPCO reported 17,300 customers without power in Central Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, including 11,300 in the Hornbeck area and 6,000 in the Natchitoches area.
Estimated Times of Restoration
Estimates are for 95% of customers who can take power. Many customers’ power will be restored sooner.
Hornbeck Area:
Leesville – Friday 11:59 PM – North to Anacoco & East on Hwy 111 Saturday 11:59 PM – Hawthorne to Foul Road on Hwy 8; Golf course to Tank Trail on 117 North
Monday 11:59 PM – East 28 & Slagle Road
Noble – Friday 11:59 PM – Ebarb School, North Toledo State Park, 191 South
Negreet – Saturday 11:59 PM – Hwy 476 & Hwy 191 South; Hwy 191 North to 1215 & Hwy 6 West to State Line
Kurthwood – Monday 11:59 PM – North on 117 to Kisatchie fire tower; South to Tank Trail on Hwy 117 & Hwy 465
Hicks – Saturday 11:59 PM – To Simpson – parish line Tuesday 11:59 PM – Hicks to Slagle – Hwy 8 to Simpson; Hwy 121 to Leander
Many – Saturday 11:59:00 PM – South to Florien – East on 118 to Mt. Carmel Church Sunday 11:59 PM – Hwy 6 West of Many, Airport, Shut Eye Road, to Negreet Road
Natchitoches Area:
Provencal 10 p.m. Friday – Hagewood Hwy 6 to Hwy 504 Oak Grove community 10 p.m. Saturday – Hwy 120 Provencal and east to Cypress 10 p.m. Sunday –Hagewood Hwy. 6 to Robeline 10 p.m. Monday – Provencal and south on Hwy. 117 to Belwood
Verda 10 p.m. Sunday – Verda Hwy 122 to Montgomery; Verda Hwy. 471 and Hwy 122 to Dry Prong 10 p.m. Monday – Hwy. 471 Verda to Atlanta, La;
Derry 10 p.m. Saturday – Derry La Hwy. 119 to Melrose; Derry La Hwy 1 north to Cypress, La 10 p.m. Sunday – Derry La Hwy. 1 south to Marco
Many 10 p.m. Friday – Many Marthaville Rd 10 p.m. Sunday – Many Hwy 6 runs east to Robeline Ft. Jessup area
Marthaville 10 p.m. Saturday – Marthaville Hwy. 120 to Robeline; Marthaville Hwy 120 to Natchitoches Parish/Sabine Parish line
Cane River 10 p.m. Saturday- Hwy. 1 south to Natchez and Hwy 1 bypass to I-49
Grand Ecore 10 p.m. Sunday – Hwy. 6 west of Grand Ecore and Clarence community, St. Maurice, Montgomery
Campti 10 p.m. Friday – Campti Hwy 71 south to Clarence 10 p.m. Saturday – Campti Hwy. 71 north to Fairview; 10 p.m. Monday – Campti Hwy. 480 east to Sandy Point
Colfax 10 p.m. Monday – Colfax Hwy 492 to Rock Hill community, Meade Rd
Outage Update Crews continue to repair power lines that deliver electricity from those substations to homes and businesses across Central Louisiana.
SWEPCO has restored power to 24,700 Central Louisiana customers. At the peak after the hurricane, 42,000 customer were without power in Bienville, DeSoto, Grant, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Vernon and Winn parishes.
For all of SWEPCO, power has been restored to almost 119,000 customers, or about 87%, of those without power after Hurricane Laura struck SWEPCO’s service area as a Category 2 storm on Thursday, Aug. 27.
NATCHITOCHES: Bertha Wardsworth of Natchitoches, Louisiana August 31, 2020 Arrangements TBA
Rev. Simpson “COOTAU” Williams September 1, 2020 Arrangements TBA
Annie Lee Petite January 20, 1949 – August 26, 2020 Service: Saturday, September 5 at 11 am in the Jackson Square Cemetery. ALL ATTENDING MUST WEAR FACIAL MASKS AND OBSERVE SOCIAL DISTANCING.
SABINE: Nellie Rice Law February 27, 1923 – September 3, 2020 Service: Saturday, September 5 at 11 am at Ebenezer Baptist Church
James Bart Crittenden July 2, 1971 – August 31, 2020 Service: Sunday, September 6 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel
WINN: Roger Vines September 21, 1950 – September 03, 2020 Arrangements TBA
Parker Levi Cummings January 03, 1991 – September 03, 2020 Service: Sunday, September 6 at 2:30 pm at First Baptist Church
Repairs have been completed to 19 of the 20 substations knocked out of service by Hurricane Laura. Crews continue to repair power lines that deliver electricity from those substations to homes and businesses across Central Louisiana.
As of 7 p.m. Thursday, 21,000 customers remained without service.
“We are installing a 1-megawatt generator as an alternate source of power for a substation near Leesville – the last substation serving SWEPCO customers that was damaged by the hurricane,” said Drew Seidel, SWEPCO vice president of Distribution Region Operations. “As we’ve worked to repair the substations, hundreds of line crews continue to rebuild the power lines fed by the substations.”
Approximately 1,100 poles were damaged or broken by Hurricane Laura, Seidel said. Replacing utility poles is some of the most time-consuming work in storm restoration.
“It may take a crew working safely and quickly five hours to replace a single pole,” Seidel said. “Repair work takes longer if a tree crew needs to cut trees away from downed lines or the broken pole is difficult to access – across standing water or mired in mud.”
Crews add cross-arms, insulators and other hardware to the poles, install transformers in some locations, and get the conductors back up in the air. Throughout the process, workers focus on safety, especially regarding lines that may be energized.
“With the magnitude of this storm, we are working as safely and quickly as possible in hundreds of locations to replace poles and other equipment to restore power to our customers,” Seidel said.
Estimated Times of Restoration
SWEPCO has provided details on estimated times of restoration for communities in the Natchitoches area. More localized information for communities in the Hornbeck area will be provided when available.
Estimates are for 95% of customers who can take power. Many customers will be restored sooner.
Hornbeck and surrounding communities:
10 p.m. Sunday (more detailed information to come)
Natchitoches Area:
Provencal –
10 p.m. Friday – Hagewood Hwy 6 to Hwy 504 Oak Grove community
10 p.m. Saturday – Hwy 120 Provencal and east to Cypress
10 p.m. Sunday – Provencal and south on Hwy. 117 to Belwood; Hagewood Hwy. 6 to Robeline
Verda –
10 p.m. Saturday – Hwy. 471 Verda to Atlanta, La; Verda Hwy. 471 and Hwy 122 to Dry Prong
10 p.m. Sunday – Verda Hwy 122 to Montgomery
Derry –
10 p.m. Thursday – Derry La Hwy 1 north to Cypress, La
10 p.m. Friday – Derry La Hwy. 119 to Melrose
10 p.m. Saturday – Derry La Hwy. 1 south to Marco
Many –
10 p.m. Friday – Many Marthaville Rd
10 p.m. Sunday – Many Hwy 6 runs east to Robeline Ft. Jessup area
Marthaville –
10 p.m. Thursday – Marthaville Hwy 487 to Ajax
10 p.m. Saturday – Marthaville Hwy. 120 to Robeline; Marthaville Hwy 120 to Natchitoches Parish/Sabine Parish line
Cane River –
10 p.m. Saturday- Hwy. 1 south to Natchez and Hwy 1 bypass to I-49
Grand Ecore –
10 p.m. Thursday – Hwy 6 at Grand Ecore and Hwy. 3191 Oak Grove community
10 p.m. Sunday – Hwy. 6 west of Grand Ecore and Clarence community, St. Maurice, Montgomery
Campti –
10 p.m. Friday – Campti Hwy 71 south to Clarence
10 p.m. Saturday – Campti Hwy. 71 north to Fairview; Campti Hwy. 480 east to Sandy Point
Belmont –
10 p.m. Thursday – Belmont Hwy. 175 south to Many and Hwy 175 north to Pleasant Hill
Creston –
10 p.m. Thursday – Creston Hwy. 9 to Campti, Bells Camp community
Colfax –
10 p.m. Saturday – Colfax Hwy 492 to Rock Hill community, Meade Rd
Outage Update
Approximately 21,000 customers remain without power in eight Central Louisiana parishes, including 12,800 in the Hornbeck area, 7,300 in the Natchitoches area and 900 in the Mansfield area.
SWEPCO has restored power to 21,000 Central Louisiana customers. At the peak after the hurricane, 42,000 customer were without power in Bienville, DeSoto, Grant, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Vernon and Winn parishes.
For all of SWEPCO, power has been restored to 115,000 customers, or about 85%, of those without power after Hurricane Laura struck SWEPCO’s service area as a Category 2 storm on Thursday, Aug. 27.
Hurricane Laura made landfall early last Thursday morning leaving major damage throughout Louisiana. It was about 4 a.m. when the storm began blowing through Natchitoches. I like many of you, watched on weather radar as the storm’s eye crossed over Sibley Lake. It was very discouraging to sit in the dark, listening to trees fall and power transformers blow after all our community has been through lately. It’s been a tough summer and I don’t know of anyone who wanted it to end with a hurricane.
The Storm left a good deal of damage, but the sun came up and brought encouragement with it. It’s hard to stay discouraged when you see neighbors walking down the street checking on neighbors. It was encouraging to see neighborhood children picking up sticks and assisting elderly neighbors along the street. I’m not sure about every neighborhood, but in many of them by noon the power saws were humming and cleanup was already underway. By Friday we were calling neighbors we didn’t know by their first name. What a blessing to see the community pulling together putting things back together!
Psalm 148 begins with, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the heights above…” Later in verse 8 there’s the interesting phrase, “Praise the Lord for the stormy winds fulfilling His word.” I’m not sure of everything that phrase means, but it definitely means that God has a unique way of using even the storms of life to fulfill His promises and remind us of His goodness and grace.
Yes, storms and difficulties are some of life’s best teachers. They teach us that the material things of this world are replaceable and should be held loosely. On the other hand good friends and family are invaluable and worth holding close to the heart. Storms also provide us an opportunity to engage in life’s greatest joy, which is serving and blessing others rather than sitting idle in the heat and dark. Jesus himself said “I came to serve, not to be served.” (Mark 10:45) He was once asked what was the greatest commandment and He answered “to love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and the second, to love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
I realize many are still struggling and dealing with damage from the storm. Please know that you are not alone and God’s grace is often only a prayer away. It’s interesting how bad storms seem to always be followed by good stories and unexpected blessings. One day we will tell stories about the year that started with a pandemic and ended with a hurricane. Hopefully our stories will include many highlights of God’s awesome goodness and grace!
The tax treatment of unemployment benefits you receive depends on the type of program paying the benefits. Unemployment compensation includes amounts received under the laws of the United States or of a state, such as:
State unemployment insurance benefits
Benefits paid to you by a state or the District of Columbia from the Federal Unemployment Trust Fund
Railroad unemployment compensation benefits
Disability benefits paid as a substitute for unemployment compensation
Trade readjustment allowances under the Trade Act of 1974
Unemployment assistance under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974, and
Unemployment assistance under the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 Program
As we recover from the damages of Hurricane Laura, it is important to protect your yourself and your property from potential fraud during Post-Storm recovery. After a natural disaster, contractors and workers from out of town will arrive to offer recovery related services such as home repair, tree cutting, and debris removal. Many of these companies are legitimate businesses who provide professional services for a fair cost.
However, citizens must be aware of potential scammers who prey on people during this time of suffering. It is important to protect yourself from being a victim of post-storm fraud.
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University is serving as a basecamp and staging area to utility crews from around the United States and Canada this week as linemen travel to Louisiana to restore power to storm-battered areas in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Thousands of people across the state have been without power since Laura made landfall in Cameron as a Category 4 storm late Wednesday, Aug. 26 and early Thursday, Aug. 27.
Logistics are facilitated through Storm Services LLC, in cooperation with regional service provider Southwestern Electric Power Company. Storm Services offers complete mobile infrastructure and disaster services and specializes in providing logistics for large numbers of workers who are temporarily relocated and require housing, food, water, laundry and sanitary facilities when a natural disaster or regional emergency occurs. The basecamp is one of eight currently up and running in Louisiana.
SWEPCO began wrapping up recovery in the Shreveport-Bossier area earlier this week and relocated its staging area at CenturyLink Center to Northwestern State.
A huge dining tent is erected in NSU’s main commuter parking lot in the center of campus with dozens of mobile sleep trailers lined up in parking lots near university residence halls for the crews that work 16-hour days. The sleep trailers can accommodate up to 30 workers each. Fleets of utility work trucks are parked at Prather Coliseum and workers are bused to and from the housing and dining facilities to start and end their shifts.
The Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts also coordinated to house linemen and other workers in nearby Caddo Hall.
“SWEPCO contacted NSU and the Louisiana School about using our campus to facilitate their mobilization,” said Jennifer Kelly, director of University Affairs. “There is nowhere else in Natchitoches Parish, the heart of SWEPCO’s Valley District, where they can park trucks and set up services for the workers.”
SWEPCO employees Mary Burton and Vera Severin were working as housing coordinators for the crews. Burton, AMR coordinator for SWEPCO, said the dining facility fed about 450 workers Tuesday and about 800 Wednesday with more expected to arrive.
The operation began Monday and workers were told to be prepared to stay through Saturday, said Severin, who is a field revenue specialist for SWEPCO. The crews are prepared hot meals served in an air-conditioned facility while also maintaining social distancing and COVID-19 safety protocols.
“With so many people across the state without power, we at NSU are happy to offer assistance to those who are working non-stop to restore power to residents and businesses,” said NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio. NSU suspended classes through Tuesday, Sept. 8, which freed up the large parking lots for the use of the basecamp. Caddo Hall is currently available as LSMSA is holding virtual classes this semester due to COVID-19.
Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell toured the basecamp Wednesday with Maggio Kelly.
SWEPCO also assisted Northwestern with their campus clean-up process after the storm blew down trees and power lines, Kelly said.
As of mid-day Wednesday, SWEPCO had restored service to about 40 percent of its 42,000 customers in the Valley District.
Jess Jobe sprinted around Turpin Stadium on a warm afternoon in early March, encouraging student-athletes who were in the infancy of spring camp.
Wife and co-head coach Anna Jobe gave birth to the couple’s first child, Sterling, the day before.
The coaching duo planned extensively how to build on a young team that rallied to tie NSU’s program record with 13 wins while raising a newborn.
Within a week, the coronavirus pandemic shut down sports across the nation.
Soccer camp paused. Recruiting trips halted. Classes moved online as students scattered back to their hometowns.
And the Jobes were able to experience each of Sterling’s milestones together instead of in shifts.
“Obviously things didn’t go as planned with the pandemic,” said Jess Jobe, who is entering his third season in Natchitoches with Anna. “We wanted to get Sterling on a schedule that would free up Anna for practices, and we would lean on some individuals in the community for help.
“We have a section of our press box that could be made into a makeshift nursery. But the really special part of this experience for us has been being able to spend a lot more time with him because of the pandemic. It took a lot of things way out of order and disrupted our daily lives and the focus we had with our team, but we got to really see him grow and develop. We got to know him and got our feet underneath us as parents. We were allowed to get into a rhythm. It’s been a really special time for us as a family.”
“Flexible.” It’s the word the Jobes use most often when describing how one navigates entering parenthood for the first time during a pandemic with tremendous uncertainty around athletics.
“It’s been a whirlwind, planning for the unexpected and not knowing what’s going to happen,” said Anna Jobe, who corralled a squirming Sterling as he reached for her lapel microphone and her hair. “But we’ve tried to be flexible and roll with the punches – we’ve been committed to doing that and the players have been great with it.
“Initially, we wanted to get Sterling on a routine and get settled in as new parents. Both sets of our family were committed to come and help, and the Natchitoches community as well as our First Baptist Natchitoches family has been awesome. To be able to see Sterling develop so rapidly together has been really special for us, and we’ve tried to soak up every moment.”
NSU teammates have soaked up moments with the family’s new addition in gatherings at the couple’s house on the banks of Cane River Lake.
Socially distanced and wearing masks, players have watched Sterling but haven’t been able to hold him yet.
“This team has been so excited and supportive since we told them we were pregnant,” Anna Jobe said. “They’ve seen us go through every step, and now that he’s here, they’re anxious to hold him and be sisters of sorts.
“Their enthusiasm has been brought more enthusiasm to Jess and I. Having a child hasn’t changed us as coaches, but it’s reiterated the things we feel are important in our program. It’s brought hands and feet and a face to the things we do because it’s made the things we try to instill in our players way more personal. We get to start from the ground up in molding a human soul, and these girls have prepared me to be a parent.”
Watching a child’s development is similar to watching a team’s growth, explained Jess Jobe.
The 2019 Lady Demons went from barely crawling to sprinting toward a Southland Conference title in a matter of weeks.
Packed with 23 freshmen and sophomores, NSU exploded after an 0-5 start to finish 13-8-1 and second in league play (8-2-1).
The Lady Demons knocked off eventual champion Lamar and roared through the league tournament to the championship game before falling to the Cardinals, 3-1.
“We had a rough start, but we never stopped believing,” said Jess Jobe, who was named Louisiana co-head coaches of the year with Anna by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association after they guided the second-youngest team in the nation to the league title game. “It’s a tribute to the coaching staff that kept pushing to find solutions and combinations and a tribute to the players who kept believing that can we play meaningful games at the end of our season despite the 0-5 start.
“We grinded out the first win at Jackson State, and it wasn’t pretty or great. But we grabbed every little bit of momentum and kept running with it.”
The Lady Demons flashed their defensive capability, holding conference opponents to eight goals in 11 regular season games before pitching a pair of shutouts in the SLC Tournament to reach the title game.
The defense featured SLC Defensive Player of the Year Nicole Henry, Nicole’s twin sister and SLC first teamer Natalie Henry and third-teamer Hallie Field among others.
The Henrys are just juniors entering this season with Field as a sophomore, all in front of goalkeeper Acelya Aydogmus who will start her second season at NSU after transferring from Troy.
“Defense is the foundation of everything we do,” said Anna Jobe, who helped lead NSU to its fifth SLC Tournament title game but first since 2005. “Our offense comes from that structure, and the girls continue to buy into that.
“Our leaders on the team talk about that and developing an even stronger defense has been a point of focus this fall. It’s exciting to see these girls take an incredible experience from last year and continue to lead this team while educating the new ones coming in.”
Soccer will look different with a scheduled spring regular season.
But the coaching staff has stressed a regular-season intensity in fall practices, which will crank back up after Labor Day.
“The table is set for our 2020 season, which has been moved to 2021,” Jess Jobe said. “In some regard, we had an excuse last year of being young with not much postseason experience, but coming into this year, we’ve drawn from our experience.
“We talk to our players about assessing their role and working to increase that role within the team through hard work. But what was special about last year’s team is that everybody bought in to the point that, when it came time to perform their role in that moment, they did what was asked of them. We’re excited about what’s to come.”
And as the Lady Demons pursue a conference title, a young Sterling will be in the stands or on the sidelines, rolling around and grabbing for the nearest object he can find.
On September 2, 2020 the Natchitoches Police Department was made aware of a social media post describing an incident that occurred in the Historic District. The social media post mentioned that an individual was harassed while jogging downtown on August 25, 2020. After looking into this matter the Natchitoches Police Department has determined that it has not received any complaints to substantiate this matter.
With cooler weather moving into Natchitoches next week; below are a few tips on how to stay safe while out and about in our city.
Always be aware and alert of your surroundings. Plan your route ahead of time and if possible always walk or jog with a friend. Use well-lit streets and try to avoid dark alleys or roadways. If a stranger attempts to talk with you continue your walk or jog and do not respond. Never ask or accept a ride from a stranger. Consider carrying a noise-making device such as a whistle and use it if you feel you are in danger. In the event of an emergency the sound can scare off a possible attacker and help police locate you. Carry only what you need. Try to avoid carrying a large amount of cash or wearing flashy and excessive jewelry that can bring attention to yourself.
If possible carry your cellular phone with the Natchitoches Police Department’s phone number programmed into it or dial 911 in the event of an emergency.
We are here to serve you, our citizens and visitors, if you would like to report suspicious activity or an emergency please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.
Northwestern State University’s Eugene P. Watson Library will host a traveling exhibit, “Determined to Rise: The Woman’s Suffrage Movement in Louisiana,” that celebrates the challenges and triumphs of the women’s suffrage movement in Louisiana in celebration of the 100th anniversary of ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.
The exhibit will be on display Monday, Sept. 14-Thursday, Sept. 24 in the Academic Success Center on the first floor of the library. Library hours are 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, closed Saturday and 2-10 p.m. Sunday
Developed by the Centennial Women’s Suffrage Project (CWSP) at Southeastern Louisiana University and with grant support from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) Rebirth grant program the exhibit consists of eight panels depicting photos of Louisiana suffragists, a timeline of significant events, the movement from the African-American woman’s perspective, laws that have changed since women gained the vote and Louisiana women who have made their mark on history.
The exhibit consists of four double-sided retractable stand posters, 31.5” x 89.75”, a guest book for thoughts and reflections, suffragette costume, and video.
The Lady Bass Anglers Association Women’s Pro Bass Tournament (scheduled for Sept. 11-12 in Natchitoches) and the “Get Hooked” program at the Louisiana Sports hall of Fame, which would have featured some of the top female competitors in the nation (scheduled for Sept. 5) have been cancelled due to hurricane Laura aftermath. Natchitoches hopes to have the LBAA back next year!
Please help the Natchitoches Police Department congratulate Officers Jonathan Jones and Rudy Glass. Each of them has been promoted to the rank of Corporal.
FROM: City of Natchitoches Purchasing Department 1400 Sabine Street Natchitoches, LA 71457
RFP NO. 0267
BID TITLE: Debris Monitoring Services – Hurricane Laura The RFP can be viewed and downloaded from the City of Natchitoches’ web site at www.natchitochesla.gov
SEALED RFP PROPOSALS WILL BE RECEIVED UNTIL 2:00 PM on September 8, 2020.
PLACE: AT THE OFFICE OF EDD LEE DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING 1400 SABINE STREET NATCHITOCHES, LA 71457.
