Cleco is launching its Watt Matters energy-saving campaign to help customers reduce their energy usage and lower their monthly bills during the hot summer months. 

“Each summer, Cleco shares programs, resources and practical tips to help customers reduce their energy usage,” said Tracy Daigrepont, director of customer experience at Cleco. “While customers can’t control the weather, they can control how they use energy, and during the summer months, every watt matters.”

The campaign focuses on three key areas. 

Manage It

Cleco’s Budget Billing program allows residential customers to pay approximately the same amount each month, making it easier to manage household budgets year-round.

Save It

Small changes, such as using a ceiling fan, turning off and unplugging unused appliances and switching to LED lights can help customers use energy more efficiently.

Know It

Cleco’s MyAccount platform and free mobile app allow customers to track current and projected energy use, helping them make informed decisions and manage usage. Customers can sign up for daily email and text alerts through their MyAccount profile. “Cleco also offers its Power Wise energy efficiency program,” said Daigrepont.

“The program provides energy-saving solutions to residential and business customers, including an on-site residential weatherization assessment at no out-of-pocket cost, appliance and device rebates, and an online store, Clecomarketplace.com, where residential customers receive instant rebates and manufacturer discounts on items like smart thermostats, advanced power strips, showerheads and more.” 

For more information on these programs, visit https://www.cleco.com/wattmatters

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Madelynn Misuraca of Natchitoches was named a recipient of the Jo Anne J. Trow Scholarship awarded by Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society for First -Year Academic Success. Selection is based on maintaining a 3.5 grade point average, academic records, participation in Alpha Lambda Delta activities, campus and community service activities and the applicant’s essay answers. 

Misuraca is a junior biology major and a 2025 inductee into Alpha Lambda Delta, the honor society that recognizes students’ academic success in their first year at a college or university. Founded in 1924, Alpha Lambda Delta has over a million lifetime members and is present on over 280 campuses. Alpha Lambda Delta’s mission is to “encourage superior academic achievement, to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning, and to assist students in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their unique roles in society.” 

The Jo Anne J. Trow Scholarship was started in 1988 in honor of a past president of Alpha Lambda Delta.  Trow is the former vice president for student services at Oregon State University.  She served Alpha Lambda Delta as a district advisor from 1974-1979, as secretary from 1979-1983, as president-elect from 1984-1985 and president from 1985-1988.  During her presidency, the society’s governing body, the national council, was restructured to provide more streamlined operations. 

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Members of the Rotary Club of Natchitoches welcomed representatives from Nova Vital Recovery Center during the club’s June 9 meeting at Merci Beaucoup.

Ruston Assistant Administrator Brooks Davis and Marketer Jennifer Ferguson spoke to Rotary members about the recovery center’s mission and services. The center’s mission is to restore faith and promise to individuals in need while helping connect families and change lives through recovery and support services.

Judge Rick Harrington and Rotary members welcomed the guests during the meeting.

Pictured are Brooks Davis, Judge Rick Harrington, Jennifer Ferguson and Rotary Club President Louie Bernard. The photo was provided by Dr. Ron McBride.

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Air Force JROTC cadets from Lakeview Jr/Sr High School recently completed Bossier Parish’s seven-day Cadet Leadership Course at Grambling State University.

The course included 140 cadets representing 14 schools across four states. The intensive 24-hour-a-day leadership program exposed cadets to a variety of leadership and followership opportunities designed to challenge participants outside their comfort zones and teach them how to lead and follow under pressure.

Throughout the week, cadets participated in classroom academics, water survival training, physical fitness activities, drill and ceremonies, outdoor field events, a rappelling tower, an obstacle course through the woods and other leadership exercises.

Each day was highly structured, with activities scheduled from 5 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.

The course concluded with a military parade and graduation ceremony. Three Lakeview cadets served on the Color Guard during the parade, and several students earned awards for outstanding performance throughout the course. Two cadets were named Honor Graduates, placing them among the top 10 percent of all participants.

Course attendees included Madison Anderson, Sophia Blake, Willis Freeman, Caitlynn Hernandez, Zalien Paul, Amauriah Singleton and Victoria Stewart.

Color Guard members were Madison Anderson, Caitlynn Hernandez and Amauriah Singleton.

Award recipients included:

• Honor Flight Award: Willis Freeman and Victoria Stewart
• Warrior Spirit Award: Madison Anderson
• Outstanding Military Drill Performance: Sophia Blake
• Cadet Training Officer Achievement Award: Caitlynn Hernandez
• Honor Graduates: Caitlynn Hernandez and Amauriah Singleton

School officials congratulated the cadets on their accomplishments and representation of Lakeview Jr/Sr High School during the leadership program.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that on Thursday, June 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting, the Interstate 49 northbound and southbound bridges over Johnson Chute Bayou will be reduced to one lane for routine bridge inspections.

The affected structures are Bridge No. 083504550635551 and Bridge No. 083504550635552, located approximately 6.29 miles north of LA 6 in Natchitoches Parish.

Motorists should expect lane restrictions during the inspection period and are encouraged to use caution while traveling through the area.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that on Wednesday, June 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting, Bridge No. 083504550620161 on Interstate 49 northbound and southbound over Bayou Julian/Longlois Hill will be reduced to one lane for a routine bridge inspection.

The bridge is located approximately 1.13 miles north of LA 120 near Cypress in Natchitoches Parish.

Drivers are urged to use caution while traveling through the area and to expect possible delays during the inspection period.

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By JONATHON ZENK, Northwestern State Sports Information

EUGENE, Oregon — Until now, only three athletes in Northwestern State history have reached the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in each of their first two seasons with the program. Years later, they all rank among the program’s legends.

Six-time All-American and two-time national champion high jumper Brian Brown reached nationals in 1987 and 1988.

Latrell Frederick earned three All-America honors in the javelin after getting to NC’s in 2000 and 2001 in his first two collegiate campaigns.

Another javelin great, Cody Fillinch, who won All-America honors at each of his four NCAA Outdoors, got there in his first two years, 2006-07.

Two weeks ago, sophomore long jumper Roy Morris joined that short list after a tremendous performance at the NCAA East Region championships, finishing sixth.

After earning a second team All-American spot last season, Morris aims to repeat as an All-American with a top 16 finish tonight among a 24-man field on the first day of the national meet.

The Evangel Christian product competes at 8:40 p.m. (CDT) tonight at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon. Fans can watch the long jump on ESPN+.

“It feels amazing to go back to nationals,” Morris said. “I can’t be more blessed than I am right now. It feels amazing to see the position God put me in. I can’t ask for much more than that.”

Last season, Morris made a surprise appearance at nationals after a jump of 24-8 at regionals to finish ninth at the NCAA East competition. Morris led after the first of two flights before a lengthy weather delay caused disruption and forced the second flight to not compete until late at night.

The competitor in Morris wanted to make a statement at this year’s regional meet, knowing some thought he benefited from the delay last season. He did, with a personal best mark of 25-7 ¼.

“He’s a competitor, through and through,” assistant coach Alex Wills said. “When it comes to those pressure situations, he keeps a level head and that is something not every athlete can do. That is one of the things you can’t really coach. They either have it or they don’t. He can keep a level head in those pressure situations. We had a plan going into the competition and he stuck to it.”

After making it to nationals last June, Morris and Wills knew there was more potential to untap. During the offseason, the two worked relentlessly to improve certain aspects of Morris’ game, and once the training paid off, there was no stopping the Greenwood resident.

This season, Morris went out to not only prove he could make it back to nationals but also show others that he deserved the spot a year ago.

“I really put the work in to advance to where I was last year,” Morris said. “I know a lot of people doubted me and saying it was the weather delay. I just went out and proved that it wasn’t the weather delay, but it was because of the work I put in.”

Throughout his first season and a half with the Demons, Morris had the goal of jumping 25-0.

That happened in early April at the Pepsi Florida Relays, one of five times going 25 feet in the next two months — all at pivotal points in competition.

It was also at that time that Morris also went to a new approach — one that helped earn the gold medal at the Southland Conference Championships and ultimately, another nationals appearance.

“Last year, we worked on being technical and this year, the big thing we worked on was speed down the runway,” Wills said. “We worked all fall on getting him quicker. I pushed him back so his approach was further out so we could build that speed even more. It took a while, as the Florida Relays were the first one we really got to try that new approach and it worked out well. We just kept building off that.”

He did it again on his final jump in a pressure situation to win the gold medal at the conference championships — doing so by a quarter inch —and was 25-plus on all three jumps at the NCAA East First Round in Kentucky.

His first went 7.66 meters (25-1 ¾), which was just shy of a personal best. That attempt would have finished 12th and earned the last East slot for  nationals if he didn’t make any more attempts.

Morris’ second jump put any thought he might not make it to nationals to bed, as he recorded a personal best jump of 7.80 meters (25-7 ¼) to cement his spot in Oregon.

The mark that earned him a spot at nationals a season ago wouldn’t have even put him inside the East Region top 20 this time around.

“We knew about his potential this year and even last year,” Wills said. “I’ve been telling coaches he’s going to jump 7.70 or 7.80, so for him to come out and hit that exact mark was amazing. But not only that, all three of his jumps were over 25 feet and he had only done that twice previously during his career. For him to come out and hit that mark all three times just shows that he is really that type of competitor and we’re ready to see what he can do at nationals.”

Morris uses a calm, level-headed demeanor during his jumps, which has helped him achieve several of his goals. Now he aims for another — to become one of the top eight long jumpers in the country to earn a first team All-American slot tonight.

Also competing for NSU tonight, at 10:36 in Heat 1 of three, will be the men’s 4×400 meter relay team in the semifinal round. ESPN will have coverage.

Lady Demon sprinter Rushana Dwyer runs Thursday in the 400 meter dash semifinals.

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

The transfer portal brought Mattison Buster from Louisiana Tech to Northwestern State for the 2026 season. Now the portal has carried her west to her home state of Texas, where she will join recently departed NSU coaches Jenny and Brad Fuller at Baylor.

In a move that was not unexpected, Buster followed her pitching coach, Mrs. Fuller, to Waco after the portal opened Monday for softball competitors. Baylor announced the move Tuesday. Buster, a native of Sulphur Springs, Texas, played her first two seasons at Louisiana Tech, then relocated to NSU to play for Fuller.

It was a big success. The Lady Demons had the nation’s second-biggest win-total improvement, upping their victory count by 17 in the 2026 season. Buster was the cornerstone.

Buster was the Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and a first-team All-SLC pitcher. She also earned Academic All-District honors from the College Sports Communicators.

Buster was the only SLC pitcher to throw more than 100.0 innings in conference play. She led the league with 59 strikeouts and tied for the most Southland wins with 11. 

She established herself as one of the league’s top pitchers when she became the first hurler since 2021 to earn two wins in the same series against McNeese, the eventual SLC Tournament champion and an NCAA Tournament entry. Three weeks later, she twirled back-to-back shutouts on the road at SFA as part of a stretch of 19.2 straight scoreless innings pitched.

She also became the first three-time recipient of an SLC weekly award, earning Pitcher of the Week on March 2, March 16 and April 6. Against the top two seeds in the conference tournament, she held Southeastern (3) and McNeese (1) to the fewest hits in an SLC game this year and was the only SLC pitcher this year to throw a complete game shutout against McNeese.

Overall, Buster led the conference in complete games (21), games started (32), innings pitched (198.0), pitching appearances (38), shutouts (6), strikeouts (111) and wins (21). She is one of 12 pitchers in the country with 20 or more wins this year, just the fifth Southland pitcher in the past five years to record 20 wins in a season, and tied the NSU school record with 21 wins.

Northwestern’s new coach is Jason Anderson, who was extremely successful in the past 12 seasons at Division II Southern Arkansas, including a pair of College World Series appearances and a third-place finish in 2017.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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The “youngest” event during this month’s Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration is the most exclusive, yet casual, opportunity for the public to enjoy hearing from the Class of 2026 inductees.

It’s the Round Table Luncheon Saturday, June 27, at noon at Riverside Reserve, 104 Mill Street, in Natchitoches. There are still seats available for the eighth annual Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation.

Registration is available for the luncheon can be made by visiting LaSportsHall.com, or by calling 318-238-4255. It is a ticketed event.

Festivities begin Thursday evening, June 25 with the free of charge Welcome Reception from 5-7 open to all, no registration necessary, at the Hall of Fame museum facing the traffic circle at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches.

The BOM Celebrity Bowling Bash is at midday Friday, June 26 at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. Friday evening brings the free Rockin’ River Fest concert on Cane River Lake in downtown Natchitoches, from 6-10:30, with the Class of 2026 introduced at 9:15 right before a sports-themed fireworks show over the water.

Events Saturday, June 27 include the free Saints and Pelicans Junior Training Camp for kids, the Round Table Luncheon, and the Induction Reception and Ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center.

The Round Table Luncheon starts with tremendous Louisiana cuisine and quickly kicks into gear with Fox Sports announcer (and 2020 LSHOF inductee) Tim Brando interviewing small groups of inductees on stage in a very informal and fast-moving setting.

A poignant scene at the 2019 luncheon unfolded before the program when Peyton Manning, being inducted later that day, stopped by to greet LSU legend Johnny Robinson, who was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame two months later.

Scenes like that, up-close access and the fun-filled dialog between Brando and the 2026 inductees combine to provide a memorable 90 minutes.

The Class of ‘26 is headlined by a star-studded group:  Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2025 inductee Sylvia Fowles, NFL stars Joe Horn, Todd McClure and Pat Williams, Major League Baseball All-Star Jonathan Lucroy and legendary basketball coaches John Brady, Mike McConathy and Dewain Strother.

Alexandria native and LSU baseball hero Warren Morris will receive the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award, earning enshrinement into the LSHOF. His walk-off home run won the 1996 College World Series for LSU and resulted in the Bolton High School product becoming a lifelong spokesman for college baseball, the CWS and LSU.

LSU graduate and New Orleans native Gil LeBreton and multi-faceted Shreveporter John James Marshall are going into the Hall as the 2026 winners of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. Former Tioga girls basketball coach and nationally-acclaimed high school sports administrator Kathy Holloway is being inducted as the recipient of the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award.

The Hall of Fame Round Table Luncheon shapes up as a highly entertaining opportunity for guests to have a up-close-and-personal experience and be entertained and well fed in a casual setting, with a touch of elegance at the Riverside Reserve on the banks of Cane River Lake just a mile from downtown Natchitoches.

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If you have ever experienced a summer bass tournament, then you understand the downside of one of these events. IT’S HOT! As a kid, I loved summertime, but as an adult I probably dread this time of year more than any other.  

I’ve always said that I would rather fish on a 30-degree day than a 95-degree day. Why? Because I can put enough clothes on to stay warm in the winter, but I can’t take enough clothes off to cool down in the summer.

Early mornings are usually not as bad, as temperatures will range from 75 to 80 degrees. As the morning warms up, by 10 o’clock you’re starting into the hot zone of 88 to 90 degrees. Then around noon, you’re looking at 90 to 95 degrees and starting to fry like a Natchitoches Meat Pie!

Sweat is now running down your back and into places we won’t mention. It’s dripping off your nose every time you bend over to lip a fish or change a bait. You have now entered the “miserable zone” of summertime fishing.

The problem is there’s no shade to retreat to unless you’re lucky enough to find a bridge somewhere on the lake. But the problem with bridges is that’s where all the crappie fishermen are, as they too are retreating to shade.

But there are ways to help you stay cool, or should I say cooler, depending on how you dress. First, a good wide brim hat is a must to help keep the sun and its intense UV rays off your head and neck region. 

Pull on a long-sleeve hooded shirt with built in UV protection like the ones I wear produced by Columbia Sportwear. They offer a variety of great UV protection shirts. There’s one I wear that it is truly unique; it’s made from plastic water bottles and is called the Columbia Omni Shade.

This shirt is like wearing an air conditioner, especially when you crank the big engine and run across the lake. It has a way of cooling you down quickly and giving you muchneeded relief from the heat while protecting you from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Even when you’re not running across the lake, just a slight breeze will help to cool you down wearing these shirts.

I wear long lightweight pants from both HUK Apparel and Columbia that also have built-in UV protection. The key to staying cooler on those upper 90-degree days is keeping the direct sunlight off the skin.

Now most people can’t comprehend or even imagine wearing long sleeves or long pants on a hot summer day. I used to be one of those guys. But ever since my Melanoma diagnosis in 2023, I have come to realize that long sleeves and long pants not only help me to stay cooler but also protect me from the sun’s UV rays

While I still hate fishing a tournament on hot summer days, I have found ways to cope with those high temperatures from June through August.

 I’ve also found that I maintain a better concentration level throughout the day by wearing clothes to help keep me cool. Nothing is worse when fishing than being too cold, too wet or too hot, as it can make for a long miserable day. 

‘Til next time, good luck and good fishing!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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Long before the infamous Salem Witch Trials captured the public imagination, the first recorded execution for witchcraft in what would become the United States took place on June 10, 1648.

On that date, Margaret Jones of the Massachusetts Bay Colony was executed after being convicted of witchcraft. Historians consider the case one of the earliest documented witchcraft prosecutions in colonial America and a precursor to the more widely known Salem Witch Trials that occurred more than four decades later.

Jones, a midwife and healer, was accused of using witchcraft after some of her patients reportedly experienced unusual reactions to treatments she administered. Court records from the period cited testimony from neighbors and community members who claimed to have witnessed suspicious behavior or unexplained events connected to her.

The execution reflected a period in colonial history when fear of the supernatural, religious beliefs, and limited scientific understanding often influenced legal proceedings. Accusations of witchcraft were not uncommon in Europe and the American colonies during the 17th century, and many individuals faced trials based on circumstantial evidence, rumors, and superstition.

Historians note that the case of Margaret Jones serves as an example of how fear and misinformation can shape public opinion and government actions. Today, scholars continue to study colonial witchcraft cases to better understand the social and cultural forces that contributed to such prosecutions.

The anniversary also arrives at a time when public interest in true crime, historical mysteries, and folklore remains strong. Museums, historians, and educational institutions across the country continue to examine the legacy of witchcraft trials and the lessons they offer about justice, evidence, and public fear.

While the events of June 10, 1648, occurred nearly four centuries ago, they remain an important chapter in early American history and a reminder of the consequences that can arise when suspicion outweighs facts.

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What starts as one streaming service and a free trial can quickly become a monthly budget line item of its own. As subscription-based services continue to multiply, consumers everywhere are discovering that convenience often comes with a recurring charge attached.

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This week I’m celebrating fifty two years as a licensed driver. Like most men, I naturally assume I’m a superior driver. The truth is I’m just competent enough not to injure myself or innocent pedestrians. I also spend far too much time reading bumper stickers and watching what other drivers are doing while they’re supposed to be driving. Once upon a time I could read a bumper sticker from a safe distance. Now, if I want to read your bumper, I have to tailgate you. I won’t comment on the silly things you’re doing behind the wheel, but I am working on a book.

Recently I was driving a loaner while my car was being serviced—a luxury model from a certain company that apparently believes drivers need more buttons than a NASA vehicle. It was keyless, of course. To start it, you put your foot on the brake and push a button. I’m used to that with my hybrid. But this wasn’t a hybrid. This was an old-fashioned internal combustion engine, the kind that used to require a little finesse and a lot of prayer.

My grandfather turned me loose behind the wheel about three years before the State of Alabama thought it was a good idea. I learned on what we called the “lonesome road”—a gravel stretch with only one real hazard: the creek running alongside it. Where I grew up, a bayou was a creek, and a creek was something you didn’t want to drive into. The only traffic on that road consisted of grandparents giving driving lessons and children learning how to scare them.

Most of my self-taught Drivers-Ed happened in a 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe. You didn’t so much drive that car as point it in the general direction you hoped to go. Its only luxury was an AM radio. It had a starter button too—but starting that car on a cold morning was a full-body athletic event. You turned the key, depressed the clutch, pushed the starter button, and pumped the gas pedal like you were trying to churn butter. Getting that engine to fire was one of the early rites of male competency.

So imagine my amusement when I started the loaner car with a gentle tap of a button. No pumping the gas. No choke. No carburetor to flood. No vapor lock. If automakers are going to bring back push-button starters, they could at least bring back some of the drama. Cars have changed a lot in fifty-two years. Sometimes I feel like I’m not keeping up. When the service manager asked if I wanted a tutorial on all the features, I said, “I would rather not.”

And that’s when it hit me.

There are times I feel like I’m not keeping up with Jesus either. He asks me to go and do, and I would rather not. He asks me to love and forgive, and I would rather not. He asks me to look honestly at my life, and I would rather not. Sometimes the hardest thing to face is the mirror, and I would rather not.

Preachers feel it too. Some Sundays we leap out of bed ready to preach the love of God. Other Sundays we pull the covers over our head and think about calling in sick to ourselves. On those mornings, “I would rather not” feels like a full liturgy.

And you know what? Jesus understands. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the cross, He prayed a prayer that sounds an awful lot like “I would rather not.” But He went anyway. For you. For me.

So this Sunday, when you wake up and think about church and feel that tug of “I would rather not,” know this: you’re in good company. Preachers feel it. Jesus felt it. But blessings live on the other side of pushing past it.

How about it.

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Whether you combine finances or keep things separate, one thing matters most—having honest, regular conversations about money before it becomes a problem.

 See what Ida says 

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Linda Gail Carter
June 6, 2026
Service: Thursday June 11, 2026 at 11 am at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church

Richard Lee Strother
October 4, 1949 — May 9, 2026
Service: June 13, 2026 at 10 am at Blanchard Funeral Home in Natchitoches

Natchitoches Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.

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The City of Natchitoches has lifted two boil advisories that were issued following recent water service disruptions.

The first advisory, issued June 5, affected Super 1 Foods, Zippy B’s, Stine Home & Yard, First Federal Bank, The Quad (formerly Frog Pond) and surrounding areas. City officials announced Tuesday that the advisory has been lifted after water samples collected by the Louisiana Department of Health on June 8 were determined to be safe for human consumption and use.

A second boil advisory issued June 4 has also been lifted. That advisory affected Payne Subdivision, Sudbury Subdivision and surrounding areas, including Sudbury Subdivision from Flora Street to Grand Ecore Bridge, McCaa’s Mobile Home Park, Boston Fowler Road, Brickyard Road, Buck’s Grocery Road, Dawn Road, Grand Ecore Spur, Hargis Road, Holden Road, Industrial Avenue, Pridgen Road, Rex Waterwell Road, St. Saviour Church Road, Tauzin Island Road and Clarence.

According to the city, water samples collected June 8 by the Louisiana Department of Health confirmed that the water in the affected areas is safe for human consumption and use.

The City of Natchitoches thanked residents and businesses for their patience during the advisories.

For additional information, residents may contact the City of Natchitoches Utility Department at (318) 357-3850.

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The Natchitoches City Council moved swiftly through a packed agenda during its June 8, 2026 meeting, passing a series of standard annual resolutions, greenlighting critical infrastructure bids, and solidifying a major insurance renewal that brings added cybersecurity protection to the city at a lower cost than last year.

In the opening segment of the meeting, the council presented the Mayor’s Athletic Leadership Award to standout student-athletes from St. Mary’s Catholic School and Natchitoches Central High School. The proclamation honored the students for their “exceptional leadership, dedication, and athletic excellence,” naming them role models both on and off the field.

The council officially declared June 2026 as Rural Farmers Market Month via Resolution 043. The resolution highlights the Natchitoches Farmers Market’s role in providing fresh food access and supporting healthy community initiatives.

The council then moved through a succession of standard annual resolutions to organize the city’s operational calendar and appointments for the next 12 months:

Resolution 034: Fixed the regular City Council meeting times for 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the City Council Chambers (716 2nd Street).
Resolution 035: Set official public meeting times and places for the Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, Airport Advisory Commission, and Waterworks District No. 1.
Resolution 036: Reappointed Stacy McQueary as Clerk of the Council.
Resolution 037: Reappointed the firm of Thomas, Cunningham, Broadway & Todtenbier as the city auditor through May 31, 2027.
Resolution 038: Appointed the Bank of Montgomery as the city’s fiscal agent through May 31, 2027.
Resolution 039: Designated the Natchitoches Times as the official legal journal for city print notices.
Resolution 040: Confirmed the reappointment of Alex Washington as City Attorney, alongside Assistant City Attorneys Daniel T. Murchison Jr., Cloyd Benjamin Jr., and Gary Conlay.
Resolution 041 & 042: Approved updated member rosters for the City Planning Commission and the Historic District Commission.

Resolution 044, authorized a risk management casualty package insurance renewal with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC for $573,493. The renewal process yielded excellent terms this year. Not only did the core premium drop, but the city was also able to roll comprehensive cybersecurity insurance into the package while still saving money.

The total package comes out to roughly $2,000 less per year than last year’s premium, even with the added cyber coverage.

The council approved Resolution 045, authorizing the city to advertise and accept sealed electronic bids for a long-awaited hangar door replacement at the Natchitoches Regional Airport.

Addressing the council, airport management explained that this is a second attempt at the project. Bids received approximately a year ago were rejected for coming in too high. The door has since been redesigned to fit budget expectations. The project is entirely funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and will cost the city nothing out of pocket. The door belongs to the oldest structure on the airport grounds—the old Northwestern hangar—and its aging track system desperately needs replacement. Bids will be accepted until 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 16.

The report sparked an extended council discussion regarding the city’s inventory of over 60 adjudicated properties accumulated since 2019. Council members expressed frustration over the high costs of maintaining these vacant lots, noting that some property owners mistakenly view the city as a “high-priced lawn service.”

To return these properties to private tax rolls, the city is partnering with ENP Consulting to promote the “Next Door Neighbor Program.” The initiative allows adjacent property owners who have voluntarily maintained a city-adjudicated lot for at least a year to buy the property at a reasonable, appraised rate.

The discussion turned technical as council members questioned whether the city could simply donate these properties to neighbors who have been cutting the grass.

“By state law, any city-owned property has to be sold at a fair market value,” council members clarified, noting that while exceptions exist for donations to select non-profit organizations for public benefits, they cannot simply be given away for residential private use.

However, officials suggested that legal counsel look into an argument regarding the “benefit of the city”—weighing the city’s long-term maintenance costs against the financial upside of returning the properties to the active tax rolls. The council plans to host a future workshop to clarify the legal steps and pricing structures for citizens interested in the program.

The city’s formal bid process for a major clearance grant begins immediately, targeting 15 blighted properties for demolition, with an additional 25 properties lined up for compliance review afterward.

During the director report portion, department heads updated the council on upcoming summer activities and utility challenges:

Water & Recreation- The city has successfully recruited enough lifeguards to move forward with summer swimming lessons, which are slated to begin a week from today. Lessons will cost $25 for an eight-day session. Public open swim fees remain highly affordable at one to two dollars.

On the utility side, crews spent 20 hours last week repairing two major water main breaks caused by utility boring rigs. While upcoming broadband installations have successfully remained aerial without disrupting underground lines, gas company drilling has frequently struck city water assets.

Christmas Festival- Early design layouts have officially begun for the milestone 100th Anniversary of the Christmas Festival. Crews are designing new entrance displays for Highway 6, the traffic circle, and fresh photo-op destinations. This year’s event will feature three drone shows costing $49,500. The Historic District Business Association (HDBA) and the city will split costs, with the HDBA contributing its traditional $25,000 share back to the city to offset public safety and public works labor costs.

Public Works- With heavy seasonal rain accelerating grass growth, Public Works Director Donnell requested that residents help clear and cut ditches on their own properties if capable. Due to a current lack of inmate labor availability, city crews are stretched thin trying to maintain primary roadway fairways while simultaneously servicing residential neighborhoods.

The next scheduled Natchitoches City Council meeting is set for June 22.

City offices will be officially closed on Friday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. The council highlighted a full lineup of events celebrating the Juneteenth Freedom and Unity Heritage Festival:

Juneteenth Parade: Friday, June 19. Lineup starts at 5 p.m., and the parade rolls at 6 p.m. Grand Marshal honors belong to Ms. Felicia Shante Hardison. Organizers are actively seeking additional ride participants and vendors.
Juneteenth Basketball Showdown: Saturday, June 20 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Natchitoches MLK Recreation Center. The event features a “Sheriff vs. Police” celebrity battle, alongside matchups featuring the Northwestern Demons alumni, the 1865 team, and a Natchitoches Central vs. Lakeview alumni showdown.
Jammin’ Juneteenth: Saturday, June 20 from 6-10 p.m. in downtown Natchitoches, featuring live performances by J. Paul and the Zydeco New Breeds.

Looking further ahead into the summer, the city confirmed its America 250 Fourth of July Celebration will take place on the riverbank on Saturday, July 4 from 6-10 p.m., featuring musical guests Trinity Tree and Johnny Earthquake.

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The City of Natchitoches will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at City of Natchitoches Council Chambers, 716 Second St. The purpose of the hearing is to solicit the public’s opinion of the effectiveness of the LCDBG Program and activities undertaken by the City of Natchitoches under the Love Louisiana Outdoors Program Richardson Park Project.

The City of Natchitoches invites all interested parties, particularly low to moderate income residents to attend. Accommodations will be made for disabled and non-English speaking persons provided a three (3) day notice is received by the City of Natchitoches. Those residents unable to attend may submit written comments and opinions until June 11, 2026 in writing to:

City of Natchitoches

700 Second St.

Natchitoches, LA 71457

Attn: Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr.

For more information, contact the Mayor’s office at 318-352-2772.

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A Natchitoches man wanted on multiple charges after failing to appear in court in September 2025 on charges including attempted murder, drug offenses, and sex offenses was recently arrested by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies during a traffic stop near Natchitoches, according to Sheriff Stuart Wright.

On Sunday evening, June 7, 2026, at approximately 8:06 p.m., deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau were patrolling in the Oak Grove area when they observed a Honda ATV (all-terrain vehicle) being operated improperly on a public roadway on La. Highway 504 near Sandra Street.

Deputies conducted a traffic stop and identified the operator as Devonte M. Leon, 29 of Natchitoches.

While speaking with Leon, deputies requested a records check through the NATCOM 911 Center. The inquiry revealed Leon was wanted by the Tenth Judicial District Court in Natchitoches Parish for Failure to Appear in Court in September 2025 on charges including Attempted Second Degree Murder, Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile, Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile, Possession of CDS I with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and other domestic-related offenses.

Leon was placed under arrest and transported to the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center, where he was booked on the outstanding warrants.

Deputies reported that while being booked into the detention center, Leon stated that he should have fled from the traffic stop when he had the opportunity.

Leon remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center pending further court proceedings.

Deputies A. Middleton and H. Layfield made the arrest.

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The 58th St. Denis Art League Spring Festival Court was formally presented at the annual presentation and Ball on April 25 at the Natchitoches Events Center. On the front row from left are Ella Hardee, Annaliece Romero, Jaycie Creamer, Madison Gorum, Ava Broadway, Brooke Norsworthy, and Morgan Martin. Middle row are Lainey Bennett, Emory Mathews, Addison Price, Jenna Sklar, Jenna Dove, and Elizabeth Meadows. Top row are Brooklyn Smith,Anna Weaver, Jillian Coleman,Caroline Terrell, Audrey Ratliff, Queen Hayden Sellers, King John Ackel, Brinley Cedars, McCall Methvin, Braylee Fredieu, Audrey Matt, and Ehren Guidroz.

Gentlemen: Cameron Ball, Henry Guillet, Jackson Godfrey, Zach Jordan, Jefferson Dunahoe, Joseph Sklar, Jacob Roquemore, Max Wardell, Nick Wright, Max Hines, Matthew Mayeux, Gabriel McCain, Tucker Johnson, and Cameron Brunson.

Ushers: Brinlee Berry, Lilly Boyd, Keely Cade, Ava Ducote, Emme Errington, Avery Evans, Karyssa Griffith, Caroline Johnson, Isabella Lopez, Madelyn Melder, Chloe Methvin, Bailee Mitchell, Evelyn Nicholson, Emmy O’Con, and Madelyn Roquemore.

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Local officials and state leaders gathered on June 8 for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting celebrating the completion of a major broadband infrastructure project. Funded by Louisiana’s Gumbo grant program, the newly installed in-ground fiber optic network brings high-speed internet access to 171 homes and 24 small businesses across long-underserved pockets of Natchitoches Parish, including the Clarence and Natchez areas.

Natchitoches City Councilwoman-at-Large Betty Sawyer Smith welcomed attendees, emphasizing that high-speed internet is now mandatory for daily life. District 25 State Representative Jason DeWitt praised the breakneck speed of the buildout, noting that crews laid tens of miles of fiber in near-record time with minimal disruption.

Louisiana’s decisive broadband initiative has positioned the state as a national leader. Officials noted that the journey from the onset of the pandemic in March 2020—which exposed severe digital inequities—to a fully funded, operating state broadband network took just six years.

The arrival of fiber internet provides an immediate boost to the parish economy, enabling remote work, e-commerce, and access to critical services like telehealth and digital pharmaceuticals. Bubba Sessions, representing the governor’s office, stated that closing the rural digital divide remains a primary focus for the administration.

While this specific project is complete, state leaders confirmed that funding is already secured to connect the remaining 1,818 unserved households and businesses across the broader parish. Grant agreements have been finalized with two Louisiana-based companies, Swift Fiber and Pelican Broadband, to close these gaps, with construction already underway in the Natchitoches-Coushatta area.

To mark the completion of the network, telecommunications provider Optimum wrapped up the celebration with a $5,000 corporate investment in local education. A representative for Optimum presented the check to the Natchitoches Parish School District through a partnership with the national non-profit DonorsChoose. The funds will allow individual local teachers to apply for direct grants to purchase classroom materials, headphones, and technology aids.

“I work in 17 states across the country, and everyone looks to Louisiana,” the Optimum representative remarked. “No one is out there moving as fast as this state.”

Following the presentations, the delegation concluded the event by ceremonially cutting a length of fiber optic cable to officially launch the network.

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