Natchitoches Lions Club President, Dr. Cheryl Stoker, spoke to the club about her recent trip to participate in the March for Life 2018 in Washington DC on Jan. 20. Dr. Stoker traveled with fellow Natchitoches residents Shaun and Sarah Wheat. The trio bumped into a group of students from St. Mary’s Catholic School among the tens of thousands of pro-life Americans at the event.
“It’s hard to describe,” said Dr. Stoker. “There were so many people rallying in front of the Smithsonian. There were people as far as the eye could see, all the way back to the Washington Monument.”
After rallying, the crowd marched to the Supreme Court.
“It was a positive protest and I was glad to see that there were a lot of young people in attendance like the students from St. Mary’s,” she said. “It was a beautiful experience and I plan to go again next year.” This was her first time attending the march and Dr. Stoker said the crowd went wild when President Donald Trump addressed them on the Jumbotron.
Early morning January 23, longtime City Councilwoman Sylvia Morrow appeared in City Court and entered a plea of not guilty to theft charges. Ms. Morrow was charged with theft after an incident at the local Walmart Supercenter in town.
The incident has attracted attention because of the councilwoman’s high profile as well as the unusual situation of a sitting member of the city council being charged with theft.
Ms. Morrow is scheduled to have a trial on February 27 at 9 AM at City Court, located at 314 Amulet Street in Natchitoches.
I’ve been thinking recently that in my time I’ve been to some pretty interesting places. In the next few columns I’d like to share some stories with you about my travels — some routine but very nice trips to well-traveled places, as well as some treks to countries a little off the beaten path.
I’ll invite you to come along as I reminisce about travels to nations as diverse as England, Iceland, Guatemala and Argentina. I certainly hope you enjoy our trips. If you’re anything like me, you like to indulge in arm chair traveling when the real thing is not feasible.
For our first getaway I want to tell you about the time I spent some 18 hours on an airplane — one way. And I’m one of those folks who just can’t sleep on a plane — or in a car or bus for that matter. When I finally got to where I was going, I had work to do, but I was going into sleep deprivation by that time.
Wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. Here’s what it was all about. The Air Force Reserve 706th Fighter Squadron, based at the New Orleans Naval Air Station, was deploying for active duty to Aviano Air Base, a big and important NATO air base in northern Italy, between Venice and the Alps. The unit flew F-16 Falcon jets,, a small but terrific fighter for our Air Force.
Half of the unit would go over for two weeks and the rest of the unit would relieve them and deploy for two more weeks. As the military reporter for the New Orleans Times-Picayune, I and a photographer accompanied the second group to Italy. We were to have just a few hours on the ground, to get photos and for me to interview pilots and maintenance personnel about their mission there — which was to protect southern Europe and the Mediterranean area from any aggression.
We were to do our work while the plane that flew us and the second wave of AF Reserve personnel to Aviano was being serviced. That plane would then return the first bunch of reservists home, along with me and the photographer.
The chartered passenger plane in which we flew did not have the fuel capacity to fly directly from the US to Italy. So we took a few detours.
From New Orleans we flew to Gander, Newfoundland for our first refueling. Gander was a well-known stopping off point in the earlier days of transatlantic flights in the 1930s. So, being the history buff that I am, I appreciated being there.
But we were soon on our way to Iceland, the second gas stop. Iceland is a very rugged and beautiful land, but we stayed aboard the airplane during the stop and before long we took off for Italy. By the time we arrived at Aviano, we’d been on the plane for some 18 hours. Adding to that the time since I’d awoken at home that morning, I’d been awake for much longer than 24 hours.
We hooked up with some fighter pilots who wanted to take us to lunch, so we drove up to the foothills of the Alps, where snow covered much of the land. People were enjoying cross-country skiing. The restaurant was terrific, with friendly Italian girls, with their charming sing-song accents, as servers — all in all a grand meal.
Then, my sleep deprivation, compounded by after-lunch sleepies hit me. One pilot let me crash for a little while on a spare bed in his apartment on the base. I just about went into a coma. But, they woke me up in time to get my interviews.
By then, it was time to say a fond farewell to Aviano Air Base and head for home. By the time we got back to Iceland, I was getting rather goofy from fatigue, but we had time to walk around the very nice and modern airport terminal. One thing that struck me was the Icelandic women — 95 percent of them were blondes. All that Viking blood, you know.
The adventure was not nearly over, however. Back on the plane, while the refueling continued, we looked out the windows to see a magnificent display of the Northern Lights, something that relatively few of us are ever privileged to see. Then we noticed that a blizzard seemed to be rolling in and that the plane’s maintenance workers were frantically trying to de-ice our wings.
The fighter pilots on board seemed to be worried, by the expressions on their faces, so I got worried, too, as you might well imagine. However, icy wings and all, we took off safely, and after another refueling stop at Gander, we returned home to the warm climes of south Louisiana. At some point after Iceland, my inability to sleep on a plane was overcome by sheer exhaustion and I conked out. The rest of the flight was a little fuzzy.
But it was a very special and unusual trip, providing me a memory that I still treasure. What’s not to like? The Alps, Iceland, northern lights, the company of wonderful Air Force pilots and personnel. Yeah, a good trip. Even if I did get a little drowsy.
Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc. (CRNHA), will host a brown bag lunch and learn lecture entitled, “Nature Journaling with a Private Eye” on Friday, Jan. 26 from 11 am – 1 pm at the US Army Corps of Engineers Grand Ecore Visitor Center.
Guest lecturer Terri Jacobson will provide an overview of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge (RRNWR), a department under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tasked with preserving the unique ecosystem in Northwestern Louisiana. Jacobson is a biologist, ranger, and educator for the Red River National Wildlife Refuge who will introduce the “Private Eye” method of nature journaling.
“We encourage nature enthusiasts to join us and start the new year off by becoming a Private Eye nature observer,” remarked Logan Schlatre, CRNHA Heritage Ranger. Jacobson will demonstrate how to closely study nature with a magnifying lens called a jeweler’s loupe and observe the smaller details of our environment. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session and end with a creative writing and drawing exercise. Opt outside with our jeweler’s loupes and discover just how fascinating nature can be.
The lecture, demonstration, and nature walk will be approximately an hour and half long and will take place at the Grand Ecore Visitor Center on January 26th from 11am-1pm. The lecture is free, but space is limited. Visitors are asked to bring your own brown bag lunch. For reservations or questions, contact Cane River NHA at 318-356-5555.
The Natchitoches Parish 9-1-1 Communications Commission conducted its first meeting for 2018 on Jan. 23. The first order of business was the swearing in by Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court, David Stamey, of the Commission’s newest member, Fire Chief John Wynn.
Chief Wynn replaces outgoing Fire Chief Crit Miller, who retired on Jan. 22. Board Chairman, Chief Micky Dove, thanked outgoing Commissioner Miller for his dedicated service to the Commission and welcomed Chief Wynn to the Commission during an exciting time involving many changes in the 9-1-1 community.
In addition to regular business, the Communications Commission also adopted resolutions confirming the its meeting dates for 2018, approving the employee holiday schedule for 2018, approving an operational strategy for the relocation of both public safety 9-1-1 call answering facilities to the new NATCOM Emergency Communications facility upon its completion, and approving the engagement of Ms. Deborah Dees, CPA, to perform the 2017 annual audit. Officers for the 2018 term are Chief Micky Dove, Chairman, Larry Atteridge, Vice Chairman, and Mary Jones, Secretary.
Architect George Minturn and 9-1-1 Director Carter also provided the Commission with an update of the NATCOM project. Minturn stated that weather has caused many delays that has resulted in the completion date for the project being pushed possibly to March 2018.
Carter said, “Delays in the project have been frustrating; however I am confident that the citizens, visitors, and travelers through Natchitoches will be rewarded with an opportunity to see a much more effective public safety deployment process when the facility is completed.”
All Natchitoches Parish Head Start Classrooms received Hatch tablet class packs to connect each student in the latest educational technology. IStartSmart Elite enables children to work independently; they can access fun, educational and skill-building games while teachers can monitor their progress in real time. Over 1,700 school districts and Head Start organizations benefit from iStartSmart Elite. Pictured is Head Start Director Chriscella Metoyer and Education Coordinator Deandra Chandler.
Parish President Rick Nowlin would like to share some important information regarding the Restore Louisiana Small Business Program, which offers interest-free, partially forgivable loans to businesses impacted by the 2016 flooding event. Since Natchitoches Parish was one of numerous Parishes affected by the event, some Parish businesses may be eligible for the program.
The program extended its application deadline to Feb. 28.
Small businesses and non-profits in the Parish who were affected by the 2016 floods and are interested in getting a loan through the program are encouraged to apply through one of the lenders participating in the program.
Oliver Johnson
January 18, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9-10 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday, Jan. 27 at 11 am at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church
Interment: St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery
Henry Rachal, Sr.
August 22, 1935 – January 21, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Jan. 25 from 5-8 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Friday, Jan. 26 at 11 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cloutierville
Interment: St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery
Milton Lloyd Carter
January 27, 1952 – January 18, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9-11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday, Jan. 27 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home
Interment: Robeline Cemetery
Ida Lee Newton
January 18, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 27 from 12-2 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday, Jan. 27 at 2 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home
Interment: St. Mark Methodist Church Cemetery in the New Town Community
Charlotte Ann Gonzaque Green
January 16, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 27 from 8:30-10 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cloutierville
Service: Saturday, Jan. 27 at 10 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Interment: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery
SURROUNDING AREAS:
Madison Paige Kelly
June 10, 1997 – January 22, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 27 from 11 am – 1 pm at Southern Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, Jan. 27 at 2 pm at Duchnese Cemetery
Hazel Knight Pace
August 31, 1928 – January 21, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Jan. 25 from 1-2 pm at the John Kramer & Son Funeral Home
Service: Thursday, Jan. 25 at 2 pm in the Kramer Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Hemphill Star Cemetery in Boyce
John E. Garrett
August 13, 1932 – January 22, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Jan. 25 from 8-10 am at Bethlehem Baptist Church
Service: Thursday, Jan. 25 at 10 am at Bethlehem Baptist Church
Interment: Bethlehem Cemetery
Myrtis B. Edwards
May 4, 1925 – January 20, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Jan. 25 from 10 am – 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home
Service: Thursday, Jan. 25 at 2 pm at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Winnfield
Second vice president of Lions Clubs International Jung-Yul Choi and his wife Seung-Bok visited Natchitoches and surrounding areas as part of 38 day tour of the US. The Natchitoches Lion’s Club held a reception Jan. 23 at the First United Methodist Church to welcome the couple. Lion’s members from surrounding areas including Shreveport, Alexandria, Baton Rouge and more were in attendance to meet Choi.
Choi said he chose to visit Louisiana because he wanted to experience the heart of Lionism that can be found among members in the south.
“You people have heart,” he said. “I like that. Each Lion must have heart so we can serve.”
Choi, of Pusan, Republic of Korea, was elected to serve as second vice president of Lions Clubs International at its 100th International Convention in Chicago June 30-July 4, 2017. He will officially be installed as President of the organization in 2020 during a ceremony in Milan, Italy.
“This is a great opportunity for him to become acquainted with Lionism in the US,” said Natchitoches Lion’s Club members Michele Waskom and MiMi Stoker. “Through this trip, he will gain a better understanding of the challenges we may face in our organization and in our community.”
Harris Ray Wilson, Jr., known affectionately at Northwestern State as “Coach Black,” is the first smiling face to greet opponents as they set foot in NSU’s athletics venues.
Southland Conference member schools and the conference office as well as countless NSU fans smiled back when Coach Black and his family were in need.
More than $40,000 has been donated since Black’s grandmother’s house, which was his primary residence, burned in July.
Other gifts including clothing, furniture and bedding have allowed Black to move comfortably into his sister’s home.
Nearly every conference school or individuals from member schools donated to the Coach Black relief effort.
“My family and I want to say thanks to everybody for everything,” Black said. “It’s helped a lot.”
Central Arkansas was the most recent to contribute, and Black went on a shopping spree with a Wal-Mart gift card this past week.
Coach Black escaped a fire at his grandmother’s house before realizing his niece and his mother were still inside.
The 40-year-old returned to the home and helped them escape, garnering status as a “Hometown Hero” from the The Modern Woodmen of America. The organization made a donation to the Natchitoches Boyd and Girls Club in Black’s honor.
Coach Black was also honored as the Exchange Bank Demon Great of the Game on Sept. 13 during the home opening football game against Lamar.
He’s unofficially known as the assistant head coach for all sports with the unique ability to “fire” anybody and everybody he wants, only to bring them back within minutes.
Coach Black also has another nickname, “The Commissioner,” for his far-reaching influence and impact.
“Coach Black is one of the most resilient people I’ve ever seen,” said NSU men’s basketball coach Mike McConathy, dean of SLC basketball coaches in his 19th season. “He has a great gift of being able to put things behind him and to move forward with enthusiasm.
“He has a tremendous support group in his family and also around this community. Coach Black is loved and revered by so many people. I’ve seen the outpouring of love from so many, and it’s because he is so giving with his love and affection to everyone who crosses his path.”
More than $25,000 was raised within 48 hours of the fire.
Coach Black’s deep involvement with NSU Athletics extends off campus. He is also actively engaged with both local high schools, his alma mater Natchitoches Central and St. Mary’s, and is a beloved figure around state and Southland Conference athletic circles.
Returning the kindness to Coach Black and his family is one more way the SLC is #SouthlandStrong.
Colorful, award-winning Lake Charles sportswriter Scooter Hobbs and widely-acclaimed Pineville broadcaster Lyn Rollins were selected as 2018 recipients of the Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
The honor, to be made official June 30 in Natchitoches, means Hobbs and Rollins will join the elite 11-person Class of 2018 being inducted in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Hobbs and Rollins were selected from a 22-person pool of outstanding nominees for the state’s top sports journalism honor.
The Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism is the most prestigious honor offered to sports media in the state. Recipients are chosen by the 35-member Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame selection committee based on nominees’ professional accomplishments in local, state, regional and even national arenas, with leadership in the LSWA a contributing factor and three decades of work in the profession as a requirement.
Distinguished Service Award winners are enshrined in the Hall of Fame along with the 411 current athletes, sports journalists, coaches and administrators chosen since 1959. Just 60 leading figures in the state’s sports media have been honored with the Distinguished Service Award since its inception 36 years ago in 1982.
Hobbs and Rollins will be among the 2018 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class to be spotlighted in the annual Induction Dinner and Ceremonies on Saturday evening, June 30, at the Natchitoches Events Center. The Induction Dinner and Ceremonies are the highlight of the 2018 Induction Celebration beginning Thursday afternoon, June 28, with a press conference at the Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. Tickets for the Induction Dinner and Ceremonies, and golf entries, will be on sale this spring through the LaSportsHall.com website.
Six-time Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne, 18-year Major League Baseball pitcher Russ Springer, NBA champion and two-time Grambling All-American Larry Wright, and 15-year NFL receiver and two-time Super Bowl champion Brandon Stokley are among the eight 2018 competitive ballot inductees chosen for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
The class also includes championship coaches Lewis Cook (high school football, still active at Notre Dame of Crowley) and Jerry Simmons (LSU, UL Lafayette tennis), along with 1975 Bassmasters Classic champion Jack Hains and the late Paul Candies, a member of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
Also honored with enshrinement in the Class of 2018 will be the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award winner, to be announced next month.
The selection of Hobbs and Rollins was jointly announced Jan. 19 by Hall of Fame Chairman Doug Ireland and LSWA president Paul Letlow.
Hobbs has been LSWA Sportswriter of the Year five times and Columnist of the Year eight times. He has won 87 first-place honors in LSWA writing contests, along with 51 seconds and 35 thirds. A former LSWA president, Hobbs has been a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame selection committee for over 30 years.
Rollins, a 1973 Northwestern State graduate, is a protégé of the late Norm Fletcher, the Natchitoches broadcaster who won the Distinguished Service Award in 2010. He succeeded Fletcher as the voice of the Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony and has been a co-host of the long-running CST Hall of Fame Showcase recap of each summer’s inductions.
BOM, the premier bank of northwest Louisiana with assets of $385 million, has named Vice President Daniel Lonsberry as market president for Rapides Parish and Vice President Daniel Bennett as market president for Sabine Parish.
In their new positions, Lonsberry and Bennett will oversee budgets and loan growth in their respective markets.
Lonsberry was instrumental in coordinating BOM’s entry into Rapides, where the bank has three full-service branches. A native and resident of Alexandria, he began his banking career in 2008.
Bennett, a native and resident of Many, was instrumental in BOM’s entry into Sabine, where it has a branch at 603 U.S. Highway 171 Bypass in Many. He began his banking career in 2007.
Lonsberry and Bennett are both graduates of Northwestern State University and the LSU Graduate School of Banking. They also have served in numerous areas of the industry and have expertise in agricultural and commercial lending.
About BOM
BOM was established in 1903 in Montgomery, Louisiana, and has a strong tradition of supporting the northwest Louisiana communities in which it operates. BOM combines hometown values with modern, full-service personal and business banking products. BOM offers convenient locations throughout Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Grant, Natchitoches, Rapides and Sabine parishes. For more information, visit bofm.com.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) advises the public that LA 1 South By Pass, Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish, will be closed at the Union Pacific Railroad track. The work is being done at milepost 315.682 and is on control section 034-30.
The closures will start on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 7 am with a re-opening to traffic at 7 pm on Wednesday, Jan. 24. The closure is for Union Pacific Railroad to replace the track panel thru the crossing.
Permit/Detour Section
The Roadway will be closed completely to all traffic during this time.
Detour Route:
The detour will be LA 1 South By Pass to LA 1 South to LA 478 West to I-49 North to LA 6 East to LA 1 South By Pass
The detour route will be identified with proper markings for the general public.
All emergency agencies will be notified of the road closure.
Safety Reminder
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
Additional Information
Call (318) 561-5100 or (800) 542-3509 or 511 or visit http://www.511LA.org for additional information. Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website @ http://www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MYDOTD, the Way to Geaux Application for iPhone or Android devices, the DOTD Facebook page or the LA DOTD Twitter page, @Alex_Traffic for further information and details.
LA 6X Business, Natchitoches Parish, will be closed at the Union Pacific Railroad track. The work is being done at milepost 1.080 and is on control section 034-05.
Permit/Detour Section
The roadway will be closed completely to all traffic during this time.
Detour Route:
The detour will be LA 6X Business East to LA 1223 East to LA 1 South to LA 1 South By Pass to LA 6X Business East. The detour route will be identified with proper markings for the general public. All emergency agencies will be notified of the road closure.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park has reopened and has resumed regular tours and operations. The Grand Ecore Visitor Center will resume normal operating hours Wednesday, January 24, 2018.
The duo of Willis Deloney and Adam Unsworth will perform at Northwestern State University Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.
Widely versed in both the classical and jazz idioms, Deloney and Unsworth bring a unique musical sensibility and breadth of experience to the horn/piano duo setting.
In a career spanning over three decades, Delony has won acclaim as a leading classical/jazz crossover artist. His concert explorations of the two musical worlds are showcased in a series of solo piano recordings on the Centaur label. “A New World A’ Comin’ – Classical and Jazz Connections” was released in 2001. “Double Dance – Classical and Jazz Connections II” was released in 2008, while the final installment of the series, “Out of Character – Classical and Jazz Connections III,” was released in October 2014. Previous album credits include a recording of sonatas by Samuel Barber and Sergei Prokofiev, also on the Centaur label, and a jazz album entitled “Civilized Conversations,” featuring Delony and bassist Bill Grimes.
Delony has appeared as piano soloist, guest pianist/arranger or conductor with orchestras throughout the United States as well as orchestras in Canada, the former Soviet Union and China. As a solo and collaborative recitalist, he has performed classical and jazz concerts throughout the U.S. – including a solo recital at Carnegie Hall (October, 2014) – as well as in France, Germany, the former Soviet Union, Mexico and Brazil.
A professor of horn at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Unsworth is dedicated to commissioning and performing works of living composers, expanding the modern repertoire to extended the boundaries of the horn.
He has five recordings as a leader to his credit that encompass a wide variety of music: “Balance” (2014), a jazz recording for horn, jazz sextet and chamber orchestra, “Snapshots” (2013), a recording or contemporary classical music in collaboration with composer/pianist Catherine Likhuta, “Just Follow Instructions” (2009), featuring the chamber music of saxophonist/composer Daniel Schnyder, “Next Step” (2008) and “Excerpt This!,” jazz recordings which received critical acclaim in both jazz and classical reviews.
Unsworth is a member of the Gil Evans Centennial Project big band, which has received two Grammy nominations for its’ recordings “Centennial and Lines of Color,” and won the 2013 Jazz Journalist Association Award for Large Jazz Ensemble of the Year. Prior to his appointment at the University of Michigan, he was Fourth Horn of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Second Horn of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Milton Lloyd Carter
January 27, 1952 – January 18, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9-11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday, Jan. 27 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home
Interment: Robeline Cemetery
Ida Lee Newton
January 18, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 27 from 12-2 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday, Jan. 27 at 2 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home
Interment: St. Mark Methodist Church Cemetery in the New Town Community
Charlotte Ann Gonzaque Green
January 16, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 27 from 8:30-10 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cloutierville
Service: Saturday, Jan. 27 at 10 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Interment: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery
SURROUNDING AREAS:
Floyd J. Giblin
December 26, 1945 – January 19, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 5 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel in Many Service: Wednesday Jan. 24 at 1 pm at The First United Methodist Church of Many
Interment: Many Cemetery
Bernice Taylor White
January 29, 1931 – January 18, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, Jan. 23 from 5-8 pm and Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 11 am – 2 pm at Christian Fellowship Church
Service: Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 2 pm at Christian Fellowship Church
Interment: Antioch Community Cemetery in Brewton’s Mill
Myrtis B. Edwards
May 4, 1925 – January 20, 2018
Visitation: Wednesday, Jan. 24 at Southern Funeral Home from 5-8:00 pm and Thursday, Jan. 25 from 10 am – 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home
Service: Thursday, Jan. 25 at 2 pm at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Winnfield
The new fire chief for the City of Natchitoches was sworn in at the City Council meeting Monday night, Jan. 22. Clerk of Court David Stamey swore in Fire Chief John Wynn and John’s wife pinned the new badge on his uniform.
Former Fire Chief Crit Miller served the Natchitoches Fire Department for 32 years and 9 months. Four and a half of those were served as Fire Chief.
“We’ve had good leadership in the Fire Department over the years,” said Mayor Lee Posey. “We’ll continue to have it under John Wynn.”
Wynn thanked everyone in attendance for his swearing in ceremony, which included friends, family, fellow firefighters and EMT co-workers.
“It is such an honor to wear the City of Natchitoches Fire Department patch and this gold badge and to represent my community,” he said. “Throughout the years the fire service has seen many changes. Even though we go through changes, our mission remains the same: To protect and serve our community by providing professional, caring and safe services through fire suppression, prevention, rescue and other programs. There are many people that have supported me throughout my career and I’d like to thank them. I’d like to thank Mayor Lee Posey and the members of the City Council for entrusting me with this honored position. I’d also like to thank my wife Tonya, my son Josh and daughter Summer, who have put up with my crazy schedule, messed up vacations and missed school functions to drop things at a moment’s notice to answer calls, go to training and schools and other specialized events that go along with the job. I’d like to thank my parents for providing me with a good work ethic and a great foundation to start my life and chase after my goals and dreams. I’d like to thank my coworkers and past fire chiefs from the fire station, many friends in the community, and other fire departments that have shared many years of knowledge and wisdom through my career to guide me in my endeavors. Finally, Chief Miller, for being such a great mentor and giving us such a great example to follow. I have big shoes to fill and hope to do so with honor, integrity and selfless courage. My door is always open and thank you.”
The next agenda item involved a request by Mary Northcutt for an appeal of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision to deny the request for a variance at 106 Martin Drive for the height restriction for an accessory structure (RV cover) and a variance of the 6-feet of the required 25-foot front yard setback. The Council unanimously voted to uphold the Commission’s decision.
Other agenda items included:
Ordinance declaring a certain building at 1404 Grace Avenue unsafe and recommending that same be demolished or put into repair to comply with the building code
Declare moveable property (16 self contained breathing apparatuses) to be surplus and coney property to the Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District No. 9
Execute Change Order No. 1 to the contract between the City and Regional Construction, LLC for the 2017 Street Rehabilitation Program
Enter into a contract with Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America for the Public Official Schedule Bond for the City
Amend and correct Ordinance No. 036 Of 2017 to correct address of certain building declared unsafe and recommended for demolition to 1320 Theophile Street
Ordinance providing for the incurring of debt and issuance of $12.5 million of sales tax bonds, series 2018, of the City
The Natchitoches Parish Council held its first meeting for 2018 on Monday, January 22. The first item of business was the election of the Chair and Vice Chair. Councilman Rodney Bedgood will serve as Chair and Councilman Doug de Graffenried will be Vice Chair.
The Council moved through the Agenda items at a quick pace and the meeting lasted just under an hour. Tony Davis, Executive Director of the Natchitoches Community Alliance presented a progress report on the Foundation’s economic development endeavors. See Report Here ->Tony Davis – Natchitoches Community Alliance 01-22-18
Mr. Elvin Shields was confirmed for another term on the Waterworks District No. 1 Board. Garland Brown was reappointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission and will be joined by Kacey L. Rodgers who will be serving her first term on the Commission. John T. Batten, Jr. and Ludlow N. McNeely, Jr. were re-appointed to Waterworks District No. 2.
During the Public Hearing portion of the Meeting, an item to amend the Parish’s Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy was tabled due to concerns the Parish Treasurer had with regards to certain language in the Ordinance. The Ordinance will be introduced again at a later meeting. An Ordinance amending Section 2-1 of the Parish Code of Ordinances relative to the Hospital Service District and an Ordinance authorizing the Parish President to execute documents necessary for the purchase of two properties which have been declared repetitive loss by FEMA passed unanimously.
The Council also approved a Resolution to move Precinct 4-3 back to its permanent location of St. Augustine Church Hall and a Resolution adopting the budget for the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory commission.
The final item discussed by the Council was whether or not the Parish will hire another part-time Engineer. Parish President Mr. Nowlin informed the Council that the position has been advertised and that the deadline to apply is February 9. Current Parish Engineer, Mr. Nick Verret, has completed the final revisions for the Coco Bed Rd. project and is still working on a FEMA project for the Lower Cane River Rehabilitation and provides assistance with DEQ reporting requirements. The Payne Subdivision and Hampton Rd. Capital Outlay projects will be contracted out.
After interviewing 18 students in grades 5, 8 and 12 from each school in the Natchitoches Parish School District, the Student of the Year judges panel announced this year’s winners: Joshua Fortenberry, a senior at Natchitoches Central high School; Tinley Durr, an eighth grader at Marthaville; and Gracie Moore, a fifth grader at NSU Elementary.
Panel judges included Annie Oliphant, Reba Phelps, Dion Boyett, Dennis Breeland, Carmella McCart, Linda Page, Juanice Gray, and Corey Poole. The competition is organized by Anita Dubois.
Other students who represented their schools in the competition included: Nathaniel Lester, Cloutierville: Grade 5; Jazlyn Alarcon, East Natchitoches: Grade 5; Allen Saba, Fairview Alpha: Grade 5; Cami Faircloth, Goldonna: Grade 8; Coli Killingsworth, Goldonna: Grade 5; Simone Roberson, LP Vaughn: Grade 5; Cadie Coleman, Lakeview: Grade 12; Zoie Britt, Lakeview Jr. High: Grade 8; Kaylee Jordan, Mathaville: Grade 5; Kytiere Lazard, Natchitoches Jr. High: Grade 8; McKenzie Broadway, Magnet: Grade 8; Hunter Goings, Magnet: Grade 5; Anna Coleman, NSU-Middle: Grade 8; Addison Ivy, Provencal: Grade 5; Calvin Willis, Provencal: Grade 8.
Parish President Rick Nowlin and Mary Ann Nowlin, Cenla Regional Vice President for La Capitol Federal Credit Union, attended the Republican Party of Louisiana’s Elephant Gala Jan. 20 in New Orleans as guests of Senator Bill Cassidy. After the event they visited with Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain and his wife Susan to discuss the local agricultural economy in Natchitoches Parish and ways the State may be able to assist these businesses.
Angela Robinson is the new executive director of the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Foundation.
Robinson, an LSMSA alumnus, was named to the position by the LSMSA Foundation’s Board of Trustees after a nationwide search. She began her new role on Jan. 1, 2018.
“We are excited to have Angela as our new executive director,” said Bill New, president of the LSMSA Foundation Board of Trustees. “Her love for LSMSA, her work ethic and her track record for building relationships with alumni, parents, faculty and staff impressed all of us, and we look forward to working with her in this new role.”
A native of Mangham, Robinson graduated from LSMSA in 1993 before continuing her studies at Northwestern State University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science education in 1997 and Master of Education in gifted education from Northeast Louisiana University in 1998.
Prior to joining the Foundation staff as assistant director of development and external relations in 2016, Robinson served as the coordinator of advising support at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where she was instrumental in the creation of the memorandum of understanding that allows LSMSA students to earn the associate degree from ULM using their LSMSA coursework.
“Angela hit the ground running during her time as interim director,” said Dr. Steve Horton, LSMSA executive director. “She already understood the organization and its value to the school, and since she is so active with both entities already, the transition for all of us will be seamless.
“Angela loves LSMSA, and her loyalty to it is obvious in all she pursues.”
“It is such a privilege to be given the opportunity to serve my alma mater,” said Robinson. “The decision to attend LSMSA changed my life in ways that I could not have possibly imagined as a 16-year-old. I received the best education in the state, but even more importantly, I’ve met remarkable people from across our school’s 35 year history.”
Robinson acknowledged the hard work and success of previous Foundation board members and employees.
“I have been so proud of the LSMSA community as I have watched support for our school grow over the last three decades,” said Robinson. “I am excited to see what we will accomplish together in the future.”
The LSMSA Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that provides financial support for LSMSA beyond what is allocated from the state budget.
