Helen Walters
February 28, 1927 – February 6, 2018
Service: Saturday, Feb. 17 at 1 pm in the Chapel at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral home in Natchitoches
Lodie Marie Hamilton
February 6, 2018
Arrangements TBA
Claudia Lois (Hicks) Gerlach
August 12, 1926 – February 3, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 8 from 10 am – 12 pm at Blanchard- St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches
Service: Thursday, Feb. 8 at 1 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church of Natchitoches
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches
Marlene Bradley Carter February 5, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 17 from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Greenville Baptist Church in Clarence
Service: Saturday, Feb. 17 at 11 am at the Greenville Baptist Church
Interment: Greenville Baptist Church Cemetery
DeEtte Wilkinson Tomka
February 16, 1944 – January 24, 2018
Service: Saturday, Feb. 24 at 11 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 533 Second Street in Natchitoches
Interment: Trinity Bell Tower Columbarium
SURROUNDING AREAS:
Mark Frederick
January 9, 1958 – February 5, 2018
Visitation: Friday, Feb. 9 from 10 am – 2pm at the Southern Funeral Home in Winfield
Service: Friday, Feb. 9 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home chapel
Interment: Winnfield City Cemetery
Ella Carolyn Hale
September 7, 1948 – February 5, 2018
Service: Friday, Feb. 9 at 2 pm at Log Cabin in Ringgold
Raymond Babers Sr.
Visitation: Friday, Feb. 9 from 6-7 pm at Springville Baptist Church in Coushatta
Service: Saturday, Feb. 10 at 11 am at Springville Baptist Church
Interment: Springville Cemetery
Laverne Mitchell Colston
July 27, 1933 – February 3, 2018
Service held Feb. 6
Theo Elizabeth Ebarb Ezernack
October 6, 1924 – February 5, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 8 from 9-11 am
Service: immediately following at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zwolle
Eunice Mary Mercer
March 4, 1929 – February 4, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 8 at Southern Funeral Home, from 10 am – 2 pm
Service: Thursday, Feb. 8 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home
Interment: Cox-Guin Cemetery in Winnfield
Northwestern State University has a spring enrollment of 9,931, the largest for a spring semester in the university’s 134-year history. The previous record was 9,881 in 2004 prior to the implementation of selective admissions.
The registration count increased by 740 students or 8 percent over last spring. The strong growth in students follows a 6.1 percent rise last spring.
“The record spring enrollment is a reflection of the positive momentum taking place at the university,” said Northwestern State President Dr. Chris Maggio. “More students are choosing to enroll at Northwestern because of the university’s positive image. They choose to remain here and graduate because of the outstanding academics, vibrant student life and the knowledge that they are being prepared for today’s workforce.”
In recent months, nine online academic programs at Northwestern State have been ranked in the top 10 in the nation by higher education ranking groups.
The Online Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems was ranked first by bestcollegereviews.org. The website affordablecolleges.com ranked NSU’s bachelor’s program in accounting third, the bachelor’s in criminal justice and bachelor’s in liberal arts fourth, the bachelor’s in general studies seventh, the master’s in secondary education eighth and the bachelor’s in business administration 10th. Northwestern State’s bachelor’s in psychology is ranked as the seventh best counseling program by bestcolleges.com. NSU’s master’s in English was ranked sixth by onlineu.org.
The university added a Post Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and two Post Bachelor’s Certificates in Radiologic Science. NSU began a competency-based program allowing students seeking a computer information systems degree or certification to complete the program at a fraction of the time and cost. The university is seeking approval for additional academic programs that would attract more students.
A number of campus improvements have taken place including resurfacing of Sam Sibley Drive and additional parking at Watson Library. The New Academic Success Center, which was enhanced with a gift from Sen. Gerald Long and the late Rose Long, has been moved to Watson Library and work has begun on the new Academic Tutoring Center in an adjacent area under construction located on the first floor. The University Testing Center has been located in the southwest corner of Watson Library. Campus housing has been enhanced with the renovation of Varnado Hall, which was transformed into a 21st century living/learning residential college for students in the School of Creative and Performing Arts.
Enrollment on the Natchitoches campus increased from 3,385 to 3,548. The total number of students on the Alexandria campus went from 192 to 249. This semester, 652 students took classes on the Shreveport campus compared to 614 last spring. The number of students at other sites, which includes electronic classes improved from 4,777 to 4,925. Enrollment on the Leesville campus decreased from 223 to 197.
Northwestern State University’s Prather Coliseum was the scene of an action packed day Saturday, Feb. 3 as the NSU Demons squared off against the Mc Neese Cowboys before a large crowd of Demon fans. NSU’s “Purple Haze” pep band entertained the crowd and kept things lively as always. No errant referee or opposing player escaped their attention. NSU spirit groups led cheers and performed for the fans during breaks in the action. While not the results one hoped for, the Demon’s men and women’s teams put up a tenacious battle.
During the man’s game, NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio presented a a “Salute to Service” certificate to Dr. Lisso Simmons, a WWII Navy Veteran. In addition, local Realtor Janice Bolton presented a $500.00 NSU Scholarship from Bolton Realty to NSU graduate student Kayla Velasquez. Ms. Bolton also fed both the men’s and women’s teams after the game.
Another hard fought contest was happening off the court as 7 teams battled for gumbo supremacy and bragging rights. NSU’s own Sodexo, the NSU Football Team, Pi Kappa Phi, Phi Mu, Tri Sigma, NSU Strength Coach Jerrod Mayatt and City Bank all fielded teams in the third annual Johnny Antoon Gumbo Cookoff. The popular fundraiser is expected to raise several hundred dollars in Mr. Antoon’s honor for the American Cancer Society. The crowd sampled each team’s efforts and voted by putting tickets in the team’s jar. This year’s winner was the ladies of Tri Sigma Sorority with NSU Football as the runner up.
Exchange Bank is now offering FHA Home Loans. Backed by the Federal Housing Administration, FHA loans are ideal for home buyers who do not have a lot of money to put down. Many first time home buyers find FHA loans attractive because it can mean thousands of dollars less in their down payment.
“While we do offer Rural Development and VA loans that often require no money down, not everyone qualifies,” stated Laura Lyles, Exchange Bank FHA Loan Specialist. “We saw a need in the community for a lower-down-payment loan product, and look forward to meeting that need at Exchange Bank.”
3.5% down for an FHA loan is more realistic for many Natchitoches area residents than the 5% required for a conventional loan. To get a mortgage with a down payment as low as 3.5 percent, the borrower needs a credit score of 600 or higher.
Lyles understands the value of FHA loans since she and her husband bought their first home through the FHA. Her tips for first time home buyers are to establish, maintain and monitor your credit, look closely at your budget and determine what you feel comfortable paying every month, and sit down with a lender to get prequalified before you go shopping.
Exchange Bank has served the banking needs of the Natchitoches community for 125 years, and currently has locations on Front Street and on South Drive in Natchitoches and on Highway 28 East in Pineville. In Natchitoches, contact Laura Lyles, FHA Loan Specialist, at 352-8141 ext 204 or stop by Exchange Bank at 104 South Drive.
Loans subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply.
Kiwanian Annette Roque presented January’s Terrific Kids at Weaver Elementary with certificates recognizing them for their character development, self-esteem and perseverance.
Cindy Fredieu, nurse at Lakeview Junior & Senior High School School-based Health Center; and Ashley Sesvold, nurse at Natchitoches Central High School School-based Health Center, attended a Fall Consortium meeting in Woodworth. The consortium is sponsored by the Adolescent Pre-Diabetes Prevention Program. The program is a grant to Richland Parish Hospital from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). Richland Parish Hospital partners with West Feliciana Parish Hospital and Christus Health Central Louisiana to provide personnel and programming help.
Consortium participants participated in an adult health screening, zip lining, brainstormed ideas for better student participation, heard testimonials from students participating in the program, and heard about the Year 2 lessons. The Spring Consortium will be held in April at the Wesley Conference Center in Woodworth.
The School-based Health Centers received a plaque for their participation in the Adolescent Pre-Diabetes Prevention Program.
Angelia Carpenter is the Central Louisiana Adolescent Pre-Diabetes Prevention Program Coordinator for Lakeview Senior High and can be contacted at acarpenter@delhihospital for more information.
Claudia Lois (Hicks) Gerlach
August 12, 1926 – February 3, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 8 from 10 am – 12 pm at Blanchard- St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches
Service: Thursday, Feb. 8 at 1 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church of Natchitoches
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches
Marlene Bradley Carter
February 5, 2018
Arrangements TBA
DeEtte Wilkinson Tomka February 16, 1944 – January 24, 2018
Service: Saturday, Feb. 24 at 11 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 533 Second Street in Natchitoches
Interment: Trinity Bell Tower Columbarium
SURROUNDING AREAS:
Theo Elizabeth Ebarb Ezernack
October 6, 1924 – February 5, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 8 from 9-11 am
Service: immediately following at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zwolle
Lois Marie Poole
April 16, 1931 – February 3, 2018
Service held Feb. 5
Eunice Mary Mercer
March 4, 1929 – February 4, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 8 at Southern Funeral Home, from 10 am – 2 pm
Service: Thursday, Feb. 8 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home
Interment: Cox-Guin Cemetery in Winnfield
By Sid Hall, Military Affairs Coordinator/ROTC Program Manager
Continuing a tradition of honoring those who serve in the U.S. military during athletic events, Northwestern State University recognized Dr. Lisso Simmons for service to country and community during Saturday’s basketball double header in Prather Coliseum.
At the height of World War II, Simmons’ training as a Naval Air Force Radar Officer committed him to 10 years in the military. He served on active duty from 1942 to 1946 and completed his military commitment in an inactive status. As a Radar Officer with the rank of LT(JG) (Lieutenant, Junior Grade), Simmons served aboard aircraft carriers in the Pacific Theater where it was his duty to direct U.S. aircraft at night.
When asked to recount his experience, he said, “War is hell. I prefer to remember the good times.”
Simmons trained at Nero Beach, Fla., and received orders to report to the USS Belleau Wood. He flew into Hawaii on a Navy plane and after a week found himself on a small group of islands just taken by the U.S. There he boarded a merchant ship to proceed to the Belleau Wood.
“All wartime ships had tall iron pipes on which a cable was shot from one ship to another to make personnel and cargo transfers,” he said. “I was surprised to find myself on some sort of a basket chair contraption, dangling on the cable, between the two ships. They swayed and rocked. Before I knew it, the cable went slack, and I was dunked in the ocean. I climbed aboard the Belleau Wood and joined the war soaking wet, to include all of the gear in the pack on my back.”
Later he returned to Vero Beach for training.
“There were about 10 WAVES [US Naval Reserve – Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service] there and everyone vied for their attention,” he recalled. “We used separate radio call signs to communicate between the pilots and ground crew.
“One evening an Admiral from Jacksonville was visiting the base. Our Skipper wanted to demonstrate how we located and directed pilots using radar. As the Radar Officer, I was asked to direct a pilot, who was my friend, in a target plane. At one point in the procedure, I instructed him to ‘Sing for a fix!’ This meant, start a countdown of 10 to 1 so we can triangulate your position. Wanting to impress the WAVES, my friend began to ‘sing’ for a fix by belting out an advertising jingle for Super Suds detergent. The Skipper, visibly embarrassed in front of the Admiral, radioed sternly, ‘Hello crackpot! Sing for a fix!’ My friend replied, ‘Roger dodger, you old codger!’ then almost blew the roof off as he buzzed the tower. Later, he told me if he figured that if he was going to be in trouble, he might as well be in real trouble. You bet he was – he was grounded for 6 weeks!”
“Back out on the Belleau Wood, we were given beer and taken ashore in landing crafts to enjoy it. We could carry beer on the ship, we just couldn’t drink it,” Simmons remembered. “I didn’t drink beer and was on Shore Patrol, so I gave my beer away. Those who drank guzzled the beer while it was still cold. We then had to make our way back onto the landing crafts to return to the ship. Once at the ship, the only way to climb aboard was to literally climb aboard using rope ladders and cargo netting attached to the side of the ship. We soon realized that most of the men were not going to make the climb, so we piled them in cargo netting and hoisted them aboard as fish caught fresh for dinner.
“I’m not sure how we got away with so much insubordination!” he laughed.
In 1946, Simmons returned home and reenrolled at Northwestern State to finish his studies. There, he met Nadine Smith on her first day of school. They were married four days after she graduated in 1950. They had been married 56 years when she passed away in 2006. They have five children, and he smiles as he thinks of their grandchildren.
Simmons completed his Ed.D. in education at NSU in 1947 and began his career as a teacher in Natchitoches Parish schools. He served as a principal in Webster Parish before spending 14 years as a professor at Northwestern State. Dr. Simmons then spent eight years as Dean of the College of Education at Southeastern Louisiana University. He retired after one year as Dean of the School of Education at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. In 2000, Simmons was inducted in the NSU Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development Hall of Distinguished Educators.
The Northwestern State University Alumni Association will host Natchitoches’ third annual Dragon Boat Races Saturday, March 3 at the newly-renovated downtown riverbank.
The best part is that the cost for team entries has been lowered for this year’s races. The cost for each team to enter is $1,200.
Get ready to compete because the City’s team “Natchitoches Nightmare” is looking to win again. They’ve repeated their victory and won the race the last two years. For the 2018 races, they want to make it a three-peat!
“When Mayor Lee Posey first heard NSU was bringing the Dragon Boat Races to Natchitoches, he wanted to support it and the college,” said City employee Hannah Wenninger. “Competing in the races has gotten City employees involved in something that’s really fun.”
The City has been having so much fun that Posey would like to issue a challenge to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Department to enter a team this year for a little friendly competition. He thinks adding more teams is sure to bring more competition and more spectators to such a great community event.
The City team consists of fire and police department members and some ladies from various offices. It always boasts a diverse age range with rowers from 20-65 years old.
This year almost every member of “Natchitoches Nightmare is a returning vet.
“Our team is competitive and we’re not going to go down easy,” said Wenninger, who paddled with her team the first year and served as the drummer last year. She will do so again this year.
“The drummer position is more fun,” she said. “But it’s hard too. You’re the leader of the team. You need to project your voice and keep the rhythm. It takes a lot of focus and communication.”
Dragon Boat teams consist of 20 paddlers (a minimum of eight must be female) and one drummer. The helmsman will be provided. There will be a practice session for each team during the week preceding the event.
Races will begin at 8 a.m. and continue throughout the day with vendors, music and activities for families and spectators. Spectator admission is free.
Sponsorships, which include a team entry, are $2,500. The cost for a vendor is $100.
Kiwanian Reba Phelps presented January’s Terrific Kids at NSU E-Lab with certificates recognizing them for their character development, self-esteem and perseverance.
The Louisiana Creole Heritage Center at Northwestern State University has received a donation from an anonymous donor to establish a scholarship in memory of Dr. Raymond A. Lemée of Vernon, Texas, and Mavis Cade Raggio of Lake Charles.
Lemée’s ancestors were among the first settlers of Louisiana and helped found Natchitoches. He moved to Texas when he was 10 years old and earned his undergraduate degree at SMU and completed medical training at Baylor Medical College.
Lemée was called into active duty in the U.S. Army in 1940. During World War II, he was attached to the surgeon’s section of 8th Army Headquarters and was assigned to an administrative post with the Philippine guerillas. After the liberation of the Philippines, Lemée was base surgeon for U.S. troops on the island of Mindoro. Following the war, he remained in the Army Reserves for more than a decade.
Upon returning home, Lemée became a general practitioner in Vernon, Texas, developing a special interest in heart disease and the use of telescopes in medicine.
Raggio was an alumna of Northwestern State University where she was a member of Delta Zeta sorority and the Purple Jackets. She was an active member of the Junior League of Lake Charles, serving on the committee which established the Lake Charles Symphony in 1956. Raggio was president of the Junior League in 1960-61 and chaired the committee which established the Imperial Calcasieu Historical Museum.
She had a passion for historical preservation and was past president of the Southwest Louisiana Historical Association. Raggio served as board member of the Louisiana Preservation Alliance and Downtown Preservation Authority. She served as an historic preservation consultant during the restoration of the Calcasieu Parish Court House (Court Room A), the 1911 Lake Charles City Hall and Central School.
In 1988, she was recipient of the Chamber/Southwest Civic Service Award. The next year she was presented with the Louisiana Preservation Alliance Preservation Award. In 2005, Raggio received the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Excellence in Community Service Award and the Women in American History Project Award.
For more information on the scholarship, contact the Creole Heritage Center at (318) 357-6685.
BOM is a proud sponsor of the 2018 Dragon Boat Races! Make sure to join us on March 3 at the riverbank and cheer on the #BOMsquad! Pictured above from left are Tara McKenney BOM Marketing Asst., Carrie Hough BOM VP Marketing Director, Van Erikson NSU Foundation, Lyn Christophe BOM VP, and Dewayne Chelette BOM Staff and Teller Trainer.
Dr. Charles Jones will present a faculty piano recital at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, in the recital hall of the Center for Performance and Technology on the campus of LSMSA.
The performance is free and open to the public.
Jones, senior lecturer of piano at LSMSA, will be assisted in the program by Lisa Benner, soprano, LSMSA faculty member, and NSU professors Douglas Bachenhus, bassoon, Kristine Coreil, horn, Leah Forsyth, oboe, and Malena McLaren, clarinet.
The program will include Domenico Scarlatti’s Sonata in D Minor, two selections from Isaac Albeniz’s Iberia – El Albaicin and Triana, Franz Schubert’s Der Hirt auf dem Felsen (The Shepherd on the Rock) for voice, clarinet and piano, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Quintet for Piano and Winds, Op. 16.
Jones is in his 25th year on the faculty at LSMSA. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds the Master of Music and Doctor of Music Arts degrees from the University of Texas. He is an active member of the Louisiana Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association. He is a past president of LMTA and past national board of director member of MTNA.
Every year, during Catholic Schools Week, St. Mary’s hosts a Baby Shower for Jesus. Students bring baby (and mommy) items to be donated to the Women’s Resource Center. St. Mary’s is committed to Pro-Life before AND after birth! Pictured above on first row from left is Zachary Harrell. On second row are Faith Maxey, Bailey McConnell, reps from the WRC Danette Westfall ad Terri Ruck, Sarah Loach, Caroline Stokes and Peyton Green. On third row are Kale Eversull, religion teacher Tara Whitehead and Luke Gallien.
Claudia Lois (Hicks) Gerlach
August 12, 1926 – February 3, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 8 from 10 am – 12 pm at Blanchard- St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches
Service: Thursday, Feb. 8 at 1 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church of Natchitoches
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches
Marlene Bradley Carter
February 5, 2018
Arrangements TBA
DeEtte Wilkinson Tomka February 16, 1944 – January 24, 2018
Service: Saturday, Feb. 24 at 11 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 533 Second Street in Natchitoches
Interment: Trinity Bell Tower Columbarium
SURROUNDING AREAS:
Theo Elizabeth Ebarb Ezernack
October 6, 1924 – February 5, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 8 from 9-11 am
Service: immediately following at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zwolle
Lois Marie Poole
April 16, 1931 – February 3, 2018
Service held Feb. 5
Eunice Mary Mercer
March 4, 1929 – February 4, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 8 at Southern Funeral Home, from 10 am – 2 pm
Service: Thursday, Feb. 8 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home
Interment: Cox-Guin Cemetery in Winnfield
Roy Etheredge
Feb. 1, 2018
Service: Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 11 am at First Baptist Bossier
Visitation: Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 10 am in the Faith Chapel at First Baptist Bossier, located at 2810 E. Texas St meet in Bossier City
Joy Nell Walker Rogers
June 17, 1935 – January 31, 2018
Service: Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 10 am at the First United Methodist Church of Winnfield
Private First Class Charles Doty of Natchitoches died in battle a bit over 50 years ago on Nov. 8, 1967 on Hill 724 in Kontum Province, South Vietnam. He was a member of the 4th Infantry Division and had been in Vietnam for only a few months when he was killed. He was 21 years old, one of the 58,220 lives cut all too short by the Vietnam War. He is buried in Campti’s Community Cemetery and is on panel 29E, line 48 of the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
The construction of the Vietnam War Memorial Wall was finished in November 13, 1982, and is one of the most popular destinations for visitors hosting approximately 5.6 million visitors each year. The Vietman Veteran’s Memorial Foundation is continuing its mission of education and rememberance with “The Wall of Faces” project that seeks to have a photograph of each casualty named on the wall. It is a massive undertaking. The volunteer I spoke with has spent the past 7 years collecting over 6,000 photographs. PFC Charles Doty was the last one from Natchitoches Parish, one of 10 remaining in Louisiana. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pastor Steven Harris, Mr. Douglas Westmoreland, and Mr. Ed Ward. They were able to find Mr. Doty’s family in less than a day. I would also like to thank Mr. James Doty for graciously allowing us to send in his brother’s photograph. Each man from Natchitoches Parish who died in Vietnam will now have a photograph to go along with his name.
One hundred and four years, almost to the day, before Charles Doty fell in battle in Vietnam, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg address. It reads in part:
“…It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth…”
Let all of us resolve to do something every day to make our community and nation a little better, to take President Lincoln’s injunction to “…take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion…” to heart.
The Natchitoches Parish Journal will purchase a memorial paver in Charles Doty’s memory in the Natchitoches Parish Veterans’ Memorial Park.
Kayla Velasquez won a $500 NSU scholarship donated by Bolton Realty at the Demon basketball game Feb. 3. Kayla is a graduate student in Sports Administration and works at the Academic Center.
A Natchitoches woman has been arrested on Theft and Unauthorized Use of Access Card charges following an investigation by the NPSO High Tech Crime Unit according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
On Monday, Nov. 27, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division responded to a reported theft in the 7000 block of Hwy. 6 near Natchitoches.
Deputies say upon their arrival, while speaking with the complainant they learned that two-hundred dollars in cash had been stolen from her purse and several unauthorized purchases had been charged to her personal debit card.
Deputies completed an offense report and turned the case over to the NPSO High Tech Crime Unit for investigative purposes.
During the investigation, detectives developed a person of interest identified as 34 year-old Tammie Lynn Brian of Natchitoches.
Detectives began reviewing financial documents learning four unauthorized transactions amounting to approximately $255.39 had been made on the complainant’s debit card.
Three other attempted transactions were declined.
Detectives then began to review surveillance video at various business locations where the purchases were made.
As the investigation progressed, detectives positively identified Brian as the person making the unauthorized purchases.
On December 12, detectives interviewed Brian at the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division.
As a result of the interview and other forensic evidence, detectives obtained a criminal arrest warrant for the arrest of Brian signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge.
On February 1, NPSO Warrants Division Deputies arrested Tammie L. Brian, 34, of the 400 block of Eight Mile Loop, Natchitoches, La.
Brian was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with 1-count of Theft, 7-counts of Unauthorized Use of an Access Card and 7-counts of Illegal Transmission of Monetary Funds.
Brian remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center with bond set by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge at $25,000 dollars.
Involved in the investigation and arrest were: Detectives V. Kay, A. Shirley and C. Etheredge.
The NCHS Lady Chiefs won their first round Division II playoff game against Ouachita 2-1 in double overtime Feb. 2. Sophomore Madison Brown scored the two goals. The Lady Chiefs will travel to Lafayette to play St. Thomas Moore Monday, Feb. 5 at 3:30 p.m.
Sawing the log are, left to right (and down the log): Griffin McFarland, Jack Nicholson, Alex Eldridge, Koda DeBlieux, Jacob Miller, and Austin Dees.
Since 1949, Boy Scout troops have participated in annual Iditarod sled races and Scout skills events, and this year was another fun and exciting adventure as Troop 60 (Natchitoches) participated in the Norwela Council Iditarod Jan. 26-28 and brought home two first place ribbons and two second place ribbons in the six event competition. Scouts built wooden sleds that are loaded with required items and must be pulled during the race. Teams receive clues that when solved lead to various places around Kinsey Scout Ranch and stations where their Scout skills are tested.
Troop 60’s first clue led to a fire starting station where each group raced under time to get a fire started quickly using whatever of the wet camp area they could. After they got the fire started, they received another clue and raced off to another station, where they cut through a pine log in record time using a cross-cut saw and cheerful spirit. Using great teamwork, Troop 60 Scouts earned their first blue ribbon in the wooden nickel event!
Then they were off to demonstrate their first aid knowledge and skills and then to a leadership and communication exercise where the Scouts had to fold a tarp while standing on it, blindfolded, listening to the instruction of one sighted youth. Again, their great teamwork led to another first place finish with the fastest time for the most folds without falling off. Their next clue led them to an orienteering skills test, where they put their compass knowledge on the line and paced out an accurate route from a starting azimuth for a second place ribbon. Their final station asked that they build a useful camp gadget using what they had on their sled and several loose pieces of wood, and within a minute they had a functioning wooden rope swing and a gleeful Scout swinging as proof of concept for another second place win.
Congratulations to Troop 60 for their excellent showing this year! Troop 60 welcomes interested potential Scouts aged 11-17 to visit our meetings Thursdays at 7 pm at First United Methodist Church on Second St in Natchitoches. For more information, see BSATroop60.wordpress.com
Natchitoches Parish Fire District 6 donated a 500 gallon, 1985 pumper truck to Fire District 18 in Rapides Parish on Feb. 2. District 6 Fire Chief Michael and District 18 Fire Chief Roy Waters signed paperwork to transfer the title. District 6 Board of Directors Chair Johnny Possoit and area firefighters were on hand to see the transfer take place.
Originally operating as the Lecompte Volunteer Fire Department, poor performance during a Property Insurance Association review, dropped the fire rating to a 10 and increased homeowner insurance rates. Fire District 18 was formed and Waters said this new fire truck will help raise the district’s fire rating.
With him at the meeting in Natchitoches were Herman Williams, a member of the Fire District 18 Board; Randy Gilchrist, secretary for Fire District 18; and Alderman Patrick Baker, commissioner for the fire department.
Most of the trucks Fire District 6 uses carry around 2,000 gallons of water since there’s no fire hydrants to pull from. The smaller 500 gallon pumper truck didn’t do them much good, but Fire District 18 has access to fire hydrants so the smaller truck was the perfect fit.
“We had one of our trucks go down,” said Williams. “We were a truck short, so this one will fit right in and we appreciate the favor from Fire District 6.”
Senator Gerald Long also attended the meeting as both Rapides and Natchitoches Parishes are in his senatorial district.
“I’ve come to know both of these areas as a senator,” he said. “This is a great experience of two communities working together.”
The truck served as a reserve truck for Fire District 6, which covers the outskirts surrounding the city limits of Natchitoches. The truck was bought used and through the years Fire District 6 replaced its fleet, so the truck was no longer needed according Sesvold. He heard that District 18 was in need through the State Fire Marshal’s Office and answered the call.
The Northwestern State University Students for Animal Protection (SAP) organization will host a Mardi Paws Ball benefiting the Natchitoches Humane Society on the college campus in the Student Union Ball Room on Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $10 for NSU/ LSMSA Students and $20 for non-students. This event includes door prizes, music, food and guest speakers Mayor Lee Posey and Sheriff Victor Jones.
Call Haley Tucker for information, (337)353-9725 or e-mail htucker112936@nsula.edu.
