Please note that the State Law limits number of people during the visitation period and attendance at the service to ten (10) or less and that social distancing be observed! This must be strictly enforced! Thank you in advance for your cooperation. It is designed for the safety of the family, our staff and the general public.
NATCHITOCHES: Nancy E. Williams May 15, 2020 Arrangements TBA
WINN: Omeria “Mickey” Dubois Lashley February 25, 1938 – May 14, 2020 Service: Saturday, May 16 at 11 am in the Southern Funeral Home Chapel in Winnfield
RED RIVER: Lynda Gayle Fairley Taylor October 01, 1938 – May 14, 2020 Service: Saturday, May 16 at 3 pm at Crittenden Memorial Park in Marion, Arkansas
Stay home. Follow the Governor’s Stay at Home Order. Only leave your home if it is necessary for essential work or for essential items.
Defend Against COVID-19. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Recognize the symptoms. Cover your cough. Wash your hands. Stay home especially if you are sick.
Maintain a Social Distance of 6ft. Social distancing means keeping 6ft. of physical space between yourself and others. This helps to prevent the spread of illness.
It happens all the time. A person goes to a doctor to see about one ache or pain and that illness reveals one or two other illnesses that have gone undiagnosed. Hopefully, the visit occurs in time to fix the issue. At any rate, just knowing what is happening is at least helpful, because the problem has been exposed and now can be dealt with and hopefully healed. In a similar way the Corona virus is a physical illness which has also exposed many social and moral ills. It is now generally agreed for instance that our medical system tends to favor the rich . Because of the nature of this disease, the world is also trying harder to house the homeless—although that is a work in progress. And we are aware that your race does indeed affect your health status: Poor African Americans with health issues are particularly vulnerable. Are we really surprised? Truth is, I believe we knew this stuff before the pandemic but ignored such issues for a simple reason: we humans are a selfish species. It was not until we were personally affected that we began to widely discuss these and other social ills exposed by the virus. As long as it was other people dying in other far off lands, it was not really on our radar screens, and I plead just as guilty as anyone else.
The Corona virus has convinced me that we humans simply do not know how to determine morality, chiefly because we tend to form everything we create in our image and design all things to cater to our selfish desires. The other, more important reason we cannot determine what is moral is because humans are fallible—not perfect. As a Christian my faith tells me that “All have fallen short of God’s glory” (Romans 3:23). That means none of us are perfect and so it is certain that at some point or another, even the best and brightest among us will make a mistake. Having an off day when you fly a plane, or drive a truck or even practice medicine is serious, but is not going to destroy the whole planet. Granted, it may cause harm to your clients or associates. But it will not typically lead to a worldwide crisis. However, designing a moral system is much more precious, more difficult and most certainly a more important a task. Create one faulty moral law and it can lead to slavery, a holocaust, genocide or the first (and last) nuclear war. Or it can even cost people their souls. Moral laws guide nations and rewrite history. The being who creates moral systems therefore must be someone special. He must know what he is doing. There is a zero tolerance for error. It is a unique qualification and only one being possesses such a qualification: God.
Only God is perfect. Only God is just.. Only God is always right. Only God is all three 100% of the time. The Bible says he created heaven and earth ( Book of Genesis, chapter 1). As creator, he knows how everything works and he knows how to make everything work. He has no rival. No one else has his power and righteousness. He is never wrong. That kind of judgment is mandatory to determine what is right or wrong for the entire world throughout history. When God designs something, it is good, perfect. He himself said so (Book of Genesis 1:31). God’s ideas do not need to be edited or changed. In fact, we Christians believe that it is a sin to disobey his designs which are delivered to mankind as commands, making it clear that God does not want his ideas to be altered ever. But I realize of course, this concept of faith in God’s sovereignty is not accepted by many people today. Many believe that they have the right to decide what is right for them and that the concepts of right or wrong are relative, meaning what is right for one person is not necessarily right for another. This idea, known as moral relativism is not really new. In Ancient Israel, God’s people began to question God and everyone decided for himself what was right. This angered God and he let it be known that those who would not obey him would be punished ultimately and only those who obeyed him would be truly blessed. Sure enough, Israel still did not listen and was destroyed, captured by an enemy nation. Throughout human history that struggle and tension has existed. Humankind has debated whether it gets to decide what is moral, or does God have the exclusive right to do so. We believers in Christ believe it is simple: only God decides morality because only he is qualified and his plans , commands and ideas are never going to be in need of the slightest revision anyway. Society may change marriage to allow same sex unions but we believe as our Bible dictates that it is a sin to change God’s design for marriage, which forbid such unions (Leviticus 18:22, Romans chapter 1). Society may approve of allowing men and women to live together without marrying, although the Bible says it is immoral (1 Corinthians, chapter 6). Society may make abortion legal. But we Christians see aborting life as killing a child, a violation of one of the 10 Commandments: “thou shalt not kill.” (See Exodus, Chapter 20.) These are just a few examples of the conflict between the Bible and the world in regards to what is moral. Clearly we Christians are in conflict with our times. But we have decided instead, to strive for what we believe is a more excellent standard, which is to be in step with God, author of true morality. If the world saw God as the sole authority on morality, would we be seeing the neglect of those who are poor and sick as we deal with Covid 19? For instance, in Matthew chapter 25, we are told to feed the poor and look after the sick and those in need. If we allowed God to rule morality in our daily lives, wouldn’t we pay more attention to the suffering of those in poor other nations? When we care for them, the likelihood that they will experience a deadly epidemic that spreads worldwide will decrease and all of us will benefit. Actually it should appeal to our selfish nature, because when we help others, we also help ourselves. What affects one, ultimately affects all, the philosophers have warned us for ages. But only a moral mind that does not make mistakes can help us create a more moral, more humane world. The catch is, God does not force us to obey. He wants us to willingly surrender our lives to him. His blessings are directly related to our obedience. Although he takes care of believers and unbelievers, those who disobey are not blessed in the same way as those who are blessed. That is what Scripture teaches. Further, unless they turn from sin, confess their sins, ask for forgiveness and accept Jesus as savior and lord, the disobedient and rebellious will ultimately be doomed for eternity. A terrible fate. Right now, we are experiencing a tragic epidemic that is destroying much of what we treasure and threatening to do worse. We do not know everything about why it is happening, but it is happening. Is this the time to reject God’s moral authority and risk disaster as the ancients did? Their nation did not survive turning its back on God and to be blunt, neither can America or the rest of the world. Only God has the power to end the Corona virus or to let it rage on. Perhaps it is time at last to ask a crucial question. Is this the time to humbly turn to God, accept his moral guidance and pray for his blessing on the world and deliverance from this brutal epidemic? Read the ‘Holy Bible and the answer should become clear and obvious.
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” –2 Chronicles, chapter 7, verse 14
Fontenot’s Cajun Cafe is now open and are ready to serve you at the restaurant – located right here in Natchitoches at 936 University Parkway.
Following the guidelines provided by the state to protect us all. Fontenot’s Cajun Cafe offers dine-in, front-porch dining, carry-out, curbside and delivery.
Now open Monday – Saturday from 11a to 9pm – with their full menu available.
Fontenot’s Cajun Cafe located at 936 University Parkway – Natchitoches.
“Join me in welcoming Dr. Steven Jackson to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center as a full time General Surgeon with NRMC General Surgery Associates (GSA). Together with Dr. William Ball, GSA continues to provide 24/7 general surgery coverage for NRMC and our referral network.
Dr. Jackson joins us most recently from BayCare Medical Group, in New Port Richey, Florida where he was an attending General Surgeon. Prior to BMG, he was with the Surgery Clinic, LLC Gadsden, AL as an attending General Surgeon. During his previous medical staff appointment, Dr. Jackson has served in Directorships for Wound Care Management, Chief of Surgery and Credentialing Committee.
Dr. Jackson holds a BS, Physical Therapy, Florida A&M University 1997; and a Doctor of Osteopathy from Oklahoma State University College of Health Sciences, 2004. Dr. Jackson holds academic affiliations at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine – Adjunct Clinical Facility and the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine – Clinical Faculty.
He holds certifications Robotic Surgery, Breast Surgery, Bariatrics, Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Single incision Laparoscopic Surgery with training in Colon Surgery.
Steven relocates to Natchitoches with his wife, Natasha and their three children.
Please join me in welcoming the Dr. Jackson and his family to our community.”
Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a north Natchitoches Parish woman on felony drug charges during a traffic stop on Wednesday evening according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
On Wednesday evening May 13th at approximately 6:30pm, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Special Task Impact Patrol Unit were patrolling on La. Hwy 480 north of Campti when they stopped a 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse for switched license plates.
The operator of the vehicle was identified as 45-year-old Shannon Lynn Estes of Fairview Alpha.
Deputies say Estes informed them that she did not have a vehicle registration and the vehicle was uninsured.
During the traffic stop, deputies observed several indicators that led them to believe criminal activity existed.
Deputies obtained permission to search the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, deputies discovered and seized 2-bags containing approximately 17 grams of methamphetamine with a potential street value of $1700.00, packaging materials commonly used for street sales of illegal narcotics, a weighing scale and drug paraphernalia.
Deputies arrested:
Shannon Lynn Estes, 45, of the 200 block of Layfield Road, Fairview Alpha was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Switched License Plates, No Compulsory Insurance, Possession of CDS II Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute-2nd Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and other traffic offenses.
Estes remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center with bond set at $24,000 by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge.
Deputies believe the illegal narcotics was intended for distribution in north Natchitoches Parish.
The seized narcotics will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis.
The vehicle was impounded by a local wrecker service.
The case file will be turned over to the Natchitoches Parish District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
There is no greater recognition of a graduate’s achievements than a high school diploma. It has been a long four years, but here you are ready to graduate. So many individuals have played a part in helping you to achieve this milestone in your lives. Your parents have supported you in more ways than it is possible to count. Your teachers have tirelessly shared knowledge with you. Coaches, club sponsors, and community volunteers made school more than just classwork. Advisors helped you to find direction for the future. The custodial staff made sure you had a clean environment in which to learn and cafeteria workers kept your stomachs full with the breakfasts and lunches they prepared each day. The guidance department listened and tried to copilot you down the right track. Behind each one of you there were at least a dozen people providing support in so many ways. All of these people deserve a huge thank you for their roles in your lives. The best way to show gratitude is to make the most of the opportunities you have and go forward with the intention of making the world a better place.
How did the years pass so quickly? You began high school as children, but you leave as adults. It seems like only yesterday you were freshmen fighting with the locks on your locker. Trying to figure out where your next class was. Time measured in class periods. Days and weeks measured in semesters. Next, you progressed to your sophomore and junior years and shared special memories and experiences with your classmates. Finally, you were confident that you were ready to take over as the NCHS senior class of 2020.
Some of you will begin college next year, others will begin your careers. Each of you will travel your own path. No matter where you go or what you do, there will be challenges. Your individual successes benefit society as a whole. Imagine if every individual lived up to his or her own potential. Through hard work and perseverance of you have the possibility and the tools available to achieve that goal.
As you go out into the world as adults, my challenge to each of you is to do all that you can to reach your full potential. If each of the 266 students in this graduating class is able to do that, just imagine the effect on the world that you will have. I pray each of you are humble in your success and learn from your mistakes in order to grow and meet your full potential. I pray you all make the most of your precious lives. So for your last morning as seniors at NCHS: Let’s have a great day…GO CHIEFS!
A car traveling 128 miles per hour on Interstate-49 has led to the arrest of an attempted murder suspect , seizure of illegal narcotics and weapons on Sunday morning according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones.
On Sunday morning May 10 at approximately 9:20am, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division were patrolling on Interstate-49 near Ajax when they observed and clocked a vehicle traveling southbound speeding 128 miles per hour in a posted 75 mph speed zone.
NatCom 911 Center also received reports of the vehicle traveling at an excessive speed.
Deputies stopped the white 2019 Kia passenger car as it exited I-49 on La. Hwy 6 in Natchitoches.
The operator of the vehicle was identified as 22-year-old Demario D. Braxton of Natchez, La.
Deputies say while speaking with Braxton they smelled a strong marijuana odor as he replied he was in a rush to take someone to the hospital.
Two passengers in the vehicle were identified as 18-year-old Michael A. Shields of Natchitoches and another individual that identified himself with a false name as Jason Jackson with an unknown DOB but later positively identified as 22-year-old Donta S. Brimsey of Natchitoches.
Deputies conducted a search of the vehicle, seizing a bottle of suspected promethaizine syrup, and a Micro Draco semi-automatic 7.62X39mm caliber pistol similar to a AK-47 wrapped in a towel in the trunk and along with some .22 caliber bullets.
A local warrants check revealed that Donta Brimsey was wanted by Natchitoches Police Department for Attempted Second Degree Murder in connection with a March 31st shooting on Welch Street in Natchitoches according to Sheriff-elect Stuart Wright.
Deputies arrested:
*Donta S. Brimsey, 22, of the 100 block of Reba Street, Natchitoches transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with 1-count of Possession of a Legend Drug, Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Person convicted of a Felony, Resisting an Officer by Giving a False Name, and NPD Criminal Warrant for Attempted 2nd Degree Murder.
Brimsey has a prior felony conviction for Aggravated Assault with a Firearm.
*Michael A. Shields, 18, of the 700 block of Bossier Street, Natchitoches transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with 1-count of Possession of a Legend Drug.
*Demario D. Braxton, 22, of the 100 block of Sam Clark Road, Natchez transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Speeding 128/75, 1-count Possession of a Legend Drug, Possession of a Firearm by a Person convicted of a Felony, and Probation Violation.
Braxton has a prior Aggravated Assault with a Firearm conviction and remains on probation until 2021.
A further investigation into Braxton’s suspicious behavior led to the discovery of a Smith and Wesson Walther .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun, 4 suspected ecstasy tabs and 1-suspected alprazolam narcotic pill.
The Smith & Wesson handgun was reported stolen through Webster Parish authorities.
Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents also responded to assist in the investigation.
Deputies also charged with Braxton with additional charges of: 2-counts of Obstruction of Justice, 1-count of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Felony, Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of Ecstasy with Intent to Distribute, Illegal Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession of CDS IV Alprazolam.
All three suspects remain in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
The rental vehicle was impounded.
Involved in the investigation and arrests were: Deputies J. Creighton, M.Smith, Lt. S. LaCaze, Reserve Deputy A. Mitchell and Natchitoches Drug Task Force Agents.
The investigation is ongoing.
Sheriff-elect Stuart Wright said we are pleased that we have taken a violent attempted murder suspect, illegal narcotics and weapons off the streets. We will continue to aggressively pursue criminal offenders in Natchitoches Parish to assure our citizens safety.”
DESCRIPTION: Enforcement of the Animal Control Ordinance; maintain records and reports regarding impounded animals, animal bites, quarantines, investigations, citations and daily statistics; ability to operate Microsoft Word and Excel; clean and disinfect kennels and cages; provide animals with proper food, water, and medical care; must be available for after hours and weekend work.
EDUCATION: High School diploma or equivalent. Must be a licensed driver.
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 St., or you can download an application on line at http://www.natchitochesla.gov
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications will be accepted through May 29, 2020.
THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) has rescheduled end-of-the-year events that were postponed due to COVID-19. Tentatively set for Sunday, Aug. 9, three major events are planned for an unprecedented one-day celebration.
“It is important for us to offer these annual traditions for the LSMSA Community,” said Dr. Steve Horton, LSMSA executive director. “While a one-day celebration will be hectic, these are meaningful milestones for our students, and we hope to offer them in-person as allowed within state guidelines.”
The following dates/events are tentative and subject to change based on the state’s directives for large gatherings. All events are scheduled to be held in Northwestern State University’s Prather Coliseum.
At this time, LSMSA is planning for open seating, taking into account any and all requirements for social distancing. However, should the state restrict the attendance of gatherings, restrictions may be put in place for the number of guests allowed per student.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) officials are continuing preparations to safely re-open classes for summer and fall semesters in all programs. Plans are centered around having students on-campus and online as appropriate. In addition, the college plans to provide institutional aid to significantly reduce tuition for career and technical education programs and general courses in an effort to make classes more affordable for students who are dealing with financial hardship from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. General education courses are typically courses in freshman English, mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. These courses are accepted at all Louisiana public colleges and universities including LSU of Alexandria, Northwestern State University, and Louisiana College.
“Currently CLTCC is offering essential CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) program trainings such as Nursing, Manufacturing, and Welding, to name a few,” said CLTCC Chancellor Jimmy Sawtelle. “We are conducting student training in an environment patterned after local business and industry following the appropriate safety measures, including use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), social distancing, thorough cleaning of high-traffic areas, and we have conducted specialized safety training for our employees.”
Sawtelle said online and hybrid (face-to-face and online) classes will continue to be the preferred option for many courses during the summer session, which begins June 1. But in many CLTCC disciplines, such as welding, nursing, and manufacturing, hands-on instruction is essential. “It is critical that we balance the safety needs of our students and our instructors with the educational objectives of the course to make sure our students get the best possible learning experience in an appropriate training environment,” Sawtelle said. “We are taking the necessary steps to safely use hands-on instruction where we determine that method is essential, and we are adjusting our procedures as needed. CLTCC is using screening, PPE, distancing and spacing strategies, increased cleaning efforts, and adjusting teacher-student ratios to minimize exposure.”
Also, Sawtelle said the school is making plans to be ready to welcome students back for a strong yet appropriate return to on-campus instruction for the fall semester, which starts Aug. 17.
For both summer and fall semesters, students will find opportunities for reduced tuition for many programs and general education courses. “We want everyone back, and, like everyone else, we want to see classes return similar to pre-COVID-19. But we understand many people throughout Central Louisiana have lost jobs, had their hours reduced, or experienced other financial challenges during the pandemic,” Sawtelle said. “We don’t want these life situations to be an impediment to someone pursuing their goal of going back to school, getting a training certificate, or working to increase their education and improve their life.”
As a result, Sawtelle said CLTCC will be significantly reducing tuition for general courses, such as English, Algebra and science. “We are all in this together,” Sawtelle said. “Central Louisiana has been so supportive and has really embraced CLTCC. In this difficult time, we want to do everything we can to give back and be supportive of our community. Whether it is making 3D printed PPE for local healthcare workers or reducing tuition to help during financial uncertainty, we’re proud partners with the communities in the 12 parishes we serve, and we are happy to do whatever we can to help.”
Northwestern State pitcher Kyle Swanson’s academic credentials never have been in question.
A two-time NSU graduate, Swanson’s sterling academic resume got an extra boost as he was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District 6 Team on Thursday. District 6 encompasses all Division I schools from Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
A product of Montgomery (Texas) High School, Swanson was in the midst of his best statistical season when the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic shut down college sports. Swanson appeared in seven of the Demons’ 16 games, going 0-1 with a 1.04 ERA and four saves. He was joined by Mississippi State’s Spencer Price as the two pitchers selected to the District 6 squad.
After completing his undergraduate biology degree with the highest grade point average (4.0) in the College of Arts and Sciences, Swanson earned his master’s degree in health and human performance with a concentration in health promotion during Friday’s virtual commencement ceremonies. He carried a 4.0 GPA into his final semester of graduate school.
He has been accepted into the first class of Sam Houston State’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and will begin classes in the fall.
“Kyle set a tremendous example for our guys with his ability to balance academics and athletics,” head coach Bobby Barbier said. “He is deserving of the recognition he received for what he did in the classroom and on the mound. He was really good this year and a guy we could count on at the end of games.”
This year’s CoSIDA Academic All-District Teams were selected on the basis of career academic and athletic achievements. Swanson finished his Demon career with eight saves, tying him for seventh in school history. His four saves through 16 games had him on pace to challenge the NSU single-season saves mark of 10, accomplished four times by Chad Sheppard (twice), Daniel Desclouds and Brandon Smith.
Swanson was one of four Southland Conference student-athletes selected to CoSIDA Academic All-District Teams, joined by Central Arkansas infielder Christian Brasher, Houston Baptist pitcher Kyle Gruller and Incarnate Word outfielder Ridge Rogers. Gruller and Rogers were named to the District 5 Team.
Players selected to one of the eight all-district teams are eligible to be named CoSIDA Academic All-Americans. Those honors will be announced in early June.
Photo: File shot of Kyle Swanson pitching. Credit: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services
Please note that the State Law limits number of people during the visitation period and attendance at the service to ten (10) or less and that social distancing be observed! This must be strictly enforced! Thank you in advance for your cooperation. It is designed for the safety of the family, our staff and the general public.
NATCHITOCHES: Stanley Jones September 20, 1976 – May 2, 2020 Arrangements TBA
SABINE: Joseph Vance Etheridge January 19, 1949 – May 11, 2020 Arrangements TBA
Baton Rouge, La. (May 13, 2020) — The Louisiana Department of Health has updated its website to reflect the latest number of COVID-19 positives and will continue to update its website at noon each day.
Today, the Department reports 612 new cases, of which 317 came from labs that are new to reporting. These labs previously have not reported and are now reporting all their historic lab results electronically.
This means 295 of the 612 new cases came from the rest of the regular reporting across the state. We expect to see more labs across the state onboarding in a similar fashion as we work to quickly ramp up testing across the state and ensure the state has the most comprehensive data on testing.
Nursing homes and other adult residential facilities
COVID-19 cases have been reported by 197 nursing homes and 77 other adult residential facilities in Louisiana. A total of 3,840 COVID-19 cases have been reported among residents of nursing homes, and a total of 501 COVID-19 cases have been reported among residents of other adult residential facilities. A total of 863 COVID-19 deaths have been reported among residents of nursing homes, and 58 COVID-19 deaths have been reported among residents of other adult residential facilities. There are 279 licensed and certified nursing homes and 157 adult residential care providers in Louisiana.
The Department will update the number of adult residential facilities with COVID-19 cases, the number of residents who are confirmed to have COVID-19 and the number of deaths among these residents on Mondays and Wednesdays.
NATCHITOCHES PARISH- State Fire Marshal deputies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a commercial fire in downtown Natchitoches from last month.
Around 5 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, the Natchitoches Fire Department responded to a commercial structure fire in the 500 block of Front Street.
Firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the multi-unit building. Crews worked quickly to contain the flames to just two units, resulting in only two other units suffering smoke damage. None of the units were occupied at the time of the fire.
After assessing the scene, which included video evidence, SFM investigators determined the fire originated in unit occupied by Mayeaux’s Steakhouse restaurant. At this time, the exact cause of the fire is undetermined, however electrical malfunction is suspected to be a primary contributing factor.
The SFM would like to commend the Natchitoches Fire Department on their excellent fire suppression efforts in this call and for their partnership in this investigation.
Northwestern State University is joining sister schools in the University of Louisiana System in planning a return to face-to-face instruction for the Fall 2020 semester. NSU, along with other institutions, is designing plans specific to the NSU community that prioritize the health and safety of students, faculty and staff and the university’s educational mission.
“We have missed the usual activity that normally takes place on our campus. We are looking forward to welcoming students back to campus as appropriate safeguards and health measures are implemented to ensure the health and welfare of our personnel, which remains the university’s highest priority,” said NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio.
“Throughout this event our member institutions have prioritized safety and learning. Those will remain our chief considerations as we begin the process of re-populating our campuses,” UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson said. “The university experience is more than just attending class and we are optimistic, with the right safeguards in place and following the guidance of health experts, that we will be able to safely return to campus in August.”
Maggio announced a phased return to campus for employees beginning Monday, May 18 to bring back personnel in a limited capacity, including protocols for maintaining social distancing. During the stay-at-home order, faculty and staff worked remotely to help students complete the semester and the university presented a virtual graduation May 8. While the campus was mostly empty, administrators worked to ensure that buildings and facilities are ready for reopening.
“Red River Sanitors has conducted thorough cleaning and sanitization of all restrooms and public areas throughout the campus in recent weeks,” Maggio said. “The Physical Plant staff is working to install glass and plexiglass barriers in high traffic areas of the Student Services and WRAC facilities and will have these projects completed over the next few weeks. Hand sanitizer stations have also been placed in high traffic areas. Elevators will have limited occupancy of two passengers at a time.”
Last month UL System Board Chair Mark Romero appointed an ad hoc committee on post-pandemic operations who will meet later this month to discuss returning to campus and review System-level guidelines to assist universities in transitioning to more normal operations.
“Our universities have been in lock-step through the interruptions we experienced the past couple of months,” Henderson said. “This systemic coordination is beneficial to students, faculty, staff and the state as a whole.”
The System’s guidelines will address the re-populating of campuses based on external and internal conditions including segmenting return by waves; testing requirements; increased hygiene; communication practices; and distancing protocols.
A Natchitoches man and woman were arrested in North Natchitoches Parish on felony drug charges that resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine, marijuana and ecstasy on Sunday evening according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
On Sunday evening May 10 at approximately 8:40pm, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Special Task Impact Patrol Unit were patrolling in the area of Campti Bayou and Dufrene Roads north of Campti due to recent citizen complaints of suspicious activity when they observed a white Cadillac Escalade parked off the road behind Lakeview School.
When deputies pulled up to investigate the suspicious vehicle, the driver suddenly pulled off.
Shortly thereafter, deputies stopped the 2004 Cadillac Escalade on Huffman Road for a traffic violation.
Deputies identified the operator of the vehicle as 44-year-old Ociedrick L. Charles of Natchitoches, La.
During the traffic stop, deputies observed alcoholic beverage containers and smelled a strong marijuana odor coming from within the vehicle.
Charles appeared very nervous reaching into the vehicle, grabbing a vodka bottle throwing it on the ground.
Deputies learned Charles driver’s license was suspended.
A passenger in the vehicle was identified as 42-year-old Tonia Scott of Natchitoches.
Both Charles and Scott were on parole or probation due to prior felony convictions.
Deputies say when they asked Charles and Scott what were they doing in the area, they responded they were visiting and hiding because it was mother’s day.”
During a search of the vehicle, deputies seized approximately 7-grams of suspected methamphetamine a highly addictive narcotic, 12-grams of suspected marijuana (kush), suspected ecstasy tabs, and drug paraphernalia.
Deputies arrested:
*Ociedrick L. Charles, 44, of the 800 block of Brewton Street, Natchitoches, La., transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS I Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS II Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, 2nd of Subsequent Offenses, Possession of CDS I Ecstasy, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Open Alcoholic Beverages, Criminal Obstruction of Justice, Littering, Parole Violation, Driving under Suspension and traffic violations.
*Tonia Scott, 42, of the 300 block of Miller Creek Road, Natchitoches, La., transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS I Marijuana, Possession of CDS II Methamphetamine, 2nd or Subsequent Offenses, Possession of Alcoholic Beverages, and Probation Violation. Both suspects remain in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis.
The vehicle was impounded.
Deputies ask that if you see suspicious activity in your community to contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 352-6432, or the Drug Task Force at 357-2248. It’s a good practice to give accurate descriptions of the vehicle or person(s) involved in the activity for investigative purposes.
In his nearly quarter century as the director of athletics at Northwestern State, Greg Burke has kept a keen eye on each of his department’s intercollegiate teams and their standing regionally and nationally.
That background and wide-ranging focus should serve Burke well as he begins a five-year appointment on the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee, a tenure that will begin Sept. 1, 2020 running until Aug. 31, 2025.
In 2020-21, Duke Senior Deputy Director of Athletics and Administration Nina King will chair the committee, which has nine of its 10 spots currently filled. The lone opening will be filled by an Ohio Valley Conference representative.
“It is an honor to represent Northwestern State University and the Southland Conference on the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee,” Burke said. “This appointment is a responsibility that I will embrace with dedication, integrity and passion. I look forward to a collaborative journey with committee chair Nina King and my fellow committee members which will culminate with the Women’s Final Four in San Antonio next April.”
Burke’s appointment to the committee adds another bullet point to a career that has been filled with service to the NCAA. Burke concluded a four-year run on the NCAA Committee on Academics in 2019 and previously has been a part of the NCAA Championships and Sports Management Cabinet and the NCAA FCS Football playoff selection committee.
“It is a tremendous honor and privilege for Greg Burke to be appointed to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee,” said Northwestern State President Dr. Chris Maggio. “He will provide valuable insight to the selection process and be an extremely effective representative of the Southland Conference in this capacity. He is a tireless advocate for women’s athletics and being selected for this role shows the respect Greg has earned nationally.”
The committee’s responsibilities includes yearly selection, seeding and bracketing of the Division I Women’s Basketball Championship 64-team tournament field that occurs after committee members prepare by participating in regional advisory committee calls, attending in-person meetings, participating in meetings/teleconferences and viewing hundreds of games.
Committee members are also involved in site selection (including first and second rounds, regional round and Women’s Final Four), championship operations and games management, championship misconduct issues and championship game official selection and advancement.
“All of us in the Southland Conference are proud of Greg Burke’s appointment to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee,” said Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett. “He’s a passionate leader, a strong advocate for women’s basketball and is always focused on the well-being of student-athletes. He’ll be a fantastic addition to the committee.”
Deneé Barracato, Deputy Director of Athletics for Operations & Capital Projects, Northwestern University Ceal Barry, Deputy Athletics Director, University of Colorado, Boulder Greg Burke, Director of Athletics, Northwestern State University Marcy Girton, Chief Operating Officer, Auburn University Jill Shields, Deputy Athletics Director/SWA, Kansas State University Nina King, Senior Deputy Director of Athletics/Administration, Legal Affairs and Chief of Staff, Duke University (Committee chair) Beth Goetz, Director of Athletics, Ball State University TBD, Ohio Valley Conference Debbie Richardson, Senior Associate Commissioner, Atlantic 10 Conference Tamica Smith Jones, Director of Athletics, University of California, Riverside
Photo: Northwestern State Director of Athletics Greg Burke will serve a five-year term on the NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee, beginning in September. Credit: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services
On May 13, CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper, UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson addressed the System’s plan to return to campus this fall. His message largely focused on developing guidelines with the health and safety of students, faculty and staff prioritized while carrying out educational missions and delivering the university experience.
The System announced its plans to return to face-to-face instruction earlier this week
UL SYSTEM PLANS TO RESUME IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION THIS FALL
The nine University of Louisiana System member institutions are planning for a return to face-to-face instruction this fall. Institutions are designing plans specific to their individual communities that prioritize the health and safety of students, faculty and staff and the universities’ educational mission.
“Throughout this event our member institutions have prioritized safety and learning. Those will remain our chief considerations as we begin the process of re-populating our campuses,” UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson said. “The university experience is more than just attending class and we are optimistic, with the right safeguards in place and following the guidance of health experts, that we will be able to safely return to campus in August.”
Last month UL System Board Chair Mark Romero appointed an ad hoc committee on post-pandemic operations who will meet later this month to discuss returning to campus and review System-level guidelines to assist universities in transitioning to more normal operations.
“Our universities have been in lock-step through the interruptions we experienced the past couple of months,” Henderson said. “This systemic coordination is beneficial to students, faculty, staff and the state as a whole.”
The System’s guidelines will address the re-populating of campuses based on external and internal conditions including segmenting return by waves; testing requirements; increased hygiene; communication practices; and distancing protocols.
Northwestern State University students taking classes at Barksdale Air Force Base have found one of their most valuable resources is a fellow student who understands them very well.
China Whitwer, a senior nursing major, has been named as a recipient of a Student Veteran Leadership Award by G.I. Jobs Magazine. The magazine recognized Whitwer for efforts to assist fellow students in navigating the process of enrolling in classes, putting together a degree plan and accessing their maximum amount of financial aid benefits.
“She never misses an opportunity to help and assist,” said Suzette Hadden, executive director of Caddo/Bossier Partnership and Military Outreach at NSU. “She is a leader by example and through her guidance, she is someone our young airmen can talk to for assistance.”
A native of Custer, South Dakota, Whitwer enrolled at NSU in 2018 after serving in the Air Force for eight years and came to Hadden looking for part-time work. She took a job in the VA Work-Study Program and began working with airmen, attending education fairs and providing support during military recognition days at the local office.
“As China progressed in her studies with nursing, we found out through other nursing students that she continued to assist them in their studies, Pell Grant applications, or directed those short of funds to our office for a book to borrow,” said Hadden. “She has demonstrated to several upperclass nursing students that you can acquire a full-time status in your final semesters in order to maximize their VA benefits.”
Whitwer said she found the job was one she could do well.
“I found I was good at giving people suggestions on starting school or who to talk to about their questions,” said Whitwer. “Throughout my enlistment, I would always meet people that wanted to pursue an education but did not know where to start or if they could go to school while working. I thought the work-study would allow me to help other enlisted personnel, family and veterans pursue their education plans.”
Whitwer’s Air Force background was invaluable to assisting those in the military pursue a degree.
“I understood how Air Force Tuition Assistance and the GI Bill worked, how various shift schedules worked, and the different military requirements an enlisted person has,” said Whitwer. “I understood how to pursue a degree through the Community College of the Air Force while choosing classes specifically oriented to a bachelor’s. I was able to work with the airmen and nursing students by helping with time management, increasing their understanding of the rigors of the nursing program and helping them understand the prerequisite requirements of the nursing program.
NSU’s quality nursing program along with its proximity to Barksdale helped Whitwer decide to pursue her degree at Northwestern.
“The education counselor I spoke to about pursuing nursing recommended going to Northwestern and a coworker put me in contact with the Barksdale NSU office.” she said. “It was also a blessing that I could complete all the prerequisite courses for nursing online. Online classes have truly helped me to pursue my education. I was able to take classes throughout my enlistment and deployments. I did not have to attempt to build a class schedule around a work schedule or cancel classes because of unexpected deployments or military requirements.”
The availability of online classes gave Whitwer the opportunity to minor in psychology and addiction studies.
“I chose these minors because I believe the more I understand about people, the more proficient nurse I can be,” said Whitwer. “I believe these minors have helped me to better focus on patients as a whole person.”
Whitwer will complete her bachelor’s this summer and plans to earn a master’s and doctorate in nursing and pursue a career as an instructor.
The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum is open! As of Saturday, May 16, all Louisiana State Museums will reopen to the public for regular business hours. As the state moves into phase one, we continue our emphasis on cleanliness and have increased protocols for sanitation, physical distancing, and will be wearing masks and gloves. Guests are encouraged to also wear a mask and adhere to the CDC’s physical distancing guidelines. Learn and enjoy Louisiana’s rich sports history and culture in a safe, touchless environment by visiting our spacious museums.
Northwestern State University Assistant Professor of Theatre Dr. Richard St. Peter delivered a lecture on Shakespeare to group of 100 faculty and students in Baghdad, Iraq, through distance learning this week. St. Peter arranged his Iraqi lecture through Dr. Mohammed Nasser Hassoon who he met when while participating in the Fulbright Program in Romania. Hassoon was a Ph.D. student at the University of Craiova where St. Peter was teaching and they became acquainted. Hassoon reached out to St. Peter recently to ask if would talk to the group.
“I leapt at the opportunity. I am a big believer in cultural and pedagogical dialogue across cultures, especially with a country like Iraq where there has been rampant misunderstanding and antagonism for years,” said St. Peter. “This kind of ‘soft diplomacy’ is one of the cornerstones of the Fulbright program and I think it is something the theatre is very well equipped to undertake.”
St. Peter thinks the opportunity to interact with people in Iraq shows how theatre can bring people of different cultures together.
“At its heart, the theatre operates on the human scale and reminds us that nothing human is truly foreign and that despite our outward surface differences, we do share a common humanity that is illuminated when we gather to tell stories to each other.”
St. Peter also used technology during the spring semester to connect his students with playwright Stephen Adly Guirgus, who won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play “Between Riverside and Crazy.” When classes at NSU shifted to online delivery, two of St. Peter’s students, Myjoycia Cezar and Summer Jones, organized an online play reading series for the plays the class were going to read.
“Once they did that, I started reaching out to actors I knew to see if they might want to join us so the students could get to read with professional actors to make the reading a bit more experiential,” said St. Peter. “I had been Facebook friends with Guirgus for a while and we had chatted a couple of times but I didn’t really know him. So, I decided to just reach out and ask if he’d like to join us. I was not surprised when he said yes because that just is kind of in keeping with what I do know about him as a person. He was kind and funny and generous and I think the students and I think (I hope) they got a lot out of it.”
Theatre and English major Shari Wilson of Florien said interacting with Guirgus was “a bright and uplifting moment.”
“Hearing from the man himself about the play we were reading was magnificent,” said Wilson. Our classes in the theatre department studied his plays so everyone involved was very familiar with who he was which made it even more special. It was surreal not only putting a face to the playwright of many plays that I love, but also being able to sit down and have a conversation with him from my laptop.”
