The Natchitoches Kiwanis Club is expanding its service to the community under the leadership of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity alumnus Dion Boyett.
A lender with Bank of Montgomery, Boyett first joined the Natchitoches club in 2013.
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers, dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time. So far in his 2017-2018 term as club president, Boyett and his fellow Kiwanians have sponsored a variety of projects that involve fundraising, community service, and assisting children locally and worldwide.
In Natchitoches, the Kiwanis Club has sponsored a Give-Back Night at Chilis, Kiwanis Kids Day at NSU, Coats for Kids, the annual Kiwanis Pancake Festival and 5K, and the ‘Kiwanis One Day,’ where members cleaned 4 city parks in 4 hours.
The Kiwanis Club meets the first and third Thursdays of each month at the Northwestern Hills Golf Course Recreation Complex. The Noon meeting feature a guest speaker from the community or planning and social activities. The organization sponsors at least one service project each month.
Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell presented an additional $31,500 in aid to Northwestern State University arising from the purchase of the purchase of the Valley Electric cooperative by SWEPCO in 2010.
Campbell presented NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio with a check for $31,500 to supplement $231,000 already donated by SWEPCO. Maggio said the total to date of $262,500 from Valley/SWEPCO is being used to match $80,000 in State Board of Regents funding, bringing the total budget impact to $342,500.
NSU is using the funds for university endowments, scholarships and grants.
The Valley/SWEPCO money originates from Valley Electric capital credits accumulated over the co-op’s 70 years of service. After buying Valley Electric in 2010, SWEPCO refunded $25 million in capital credits owed to the families and businesses that were Valley clients. Campbell pointed out that much of NSU’s student population represents the areas that were formerly served by Valley
“Efforts to locate co-op members who were owed money are completed and at my request the Public Service Commission has dedicated the remaining one percent to NSU,” Campbell said.
In 2015, on the fifth anniversary of the Valley-SWEPCO transaction, Campbell said the former Valley members had saved $64 million on their electric bills since SWEPCO bought the co-op in 2010.
Maggio said the money is carefully and strategically invested in the best interest of current and future students.
“This helps many of our students who are first-generation college students, as well as assist with faculty development projects,” Maggio said.
Local Head Start Centers ended the school year with a bang! Each center and classroom participated in ceremonies complete with certificates, refreshments, trophies, and class rings. Campti Head start participated in a 2018 Preschool Prom in which the students got a change to dress up and celebrate like the high school seniors do.
Head Start is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. Head Start is managed by the Natchitoches Parish Government.
Boy Scout Packmaster Sarah McFarland spoke to the Natchitoches Lions Club at its meeting May 21. She also accepted a donation from the Lions Club, presented by President Cheryl Stoker. Donations like the one made by the Lions Club help the troop with activities and trips.
Boy Scout Troop 60 was chartered in 1928 and is one of the oldest Boy Scout Troops in the Norwela Council. It meets every Thursday from 7-8 pm (except in July) at First United Methodist Church (411 2nd St. in Natchitoches). The troop has monthly outings, short and long campouts, and opportunities to volunteer in addition to weekly meetings.
Troop 60 logged over 200 hours of community service last year in the Natchitoches area.
“It’s an honor to watch these kids grow into the ethical, kind and compassionate people that Scouts encourages them to be,” said McFarland.
Troop 60 offers the best of Boy Scouting: outdoor adventure, leadership and character development, and community engagement in Scout-led teams (called patrols) that work together to accomplish their goals and HAVE FUN!
The Natchitoches Parish Veterans and Memorial Park Committee will host a
Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 28 at 3 pm to honor Natchitoches Veterans at
the site of the park beside and behind the Old Courthouse Museum on the
corner of 2nd and Church St. Program highlights will include, an opening
prayer, the posting of the colors by the Lakeview High School Jr. ROTC Color
Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Singing of the National Anthem,
Memorial Day, recognition of Gold Star Families, Memorial Day remarks by
Sen. Gerald Long, the “Roll Call” of parish veterans who have died in the
past year honored by the the playing of Taps, an update on park
construction, and a special “Thank You” to Park Sponsors. All area
veterans, friends, and families are encouraged to join us in this
celebration of our veterans’ service to our country.
Following the ceremony, everyone is invited to an open house hosted at the
nearby VFW/American Legion Posts to honor area Veterans, friends, and families.
Refreshments and food will be served.
Natchitoches Parish Veterans and Memorial Park Program
Master of Ceremonies MSG(R) – Scott Stetson
Opening Prayer – CH Major John K. Brocato
Posting of the Colors – Lakeview High School Air Force Jr. ROTC
Pledge of Allegiance – James Gay
Singing of the National Anthem – Sara Puryear Dunn
Recognition of Gold Star Families – Donna Masson
Memorial Day Remarks – Senator Gerald Long
Roll Call of Parish Veterans who died in the past year –
Deanna Fowler & Rev. Frank Fuller
Moment of Silence & Taps – Dr. John Dunn
Update on Park Projects – Dr. Bob Gillan
Closing Comments from the VFW/American Legion
and Auxiliaries – John Masson
Closing Prayer – Brother Steven R Harris, Sr., My923 FM
Many thanks to the NSU Army ROTC, Lakeview Air Force Jr. ROTC, Natchitoches
Central Jr. ROTC, VFW/American Legion and Auxiliaries, NPVAMP Committee
Members, City and Parish Governments of Natchitoches, the Natchitoches
Sheriff, the Natchitoches City Police, Natchitoches Area Chamber of
Commerce, KNTS TV, Elite Broadcasting, Weyerhaeuser Making Waves
Foundation, the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Sound System by Red Lapeyrouse,
the Natchitoches Parish Journal, the Natchitoches Times, Park Sponsors, and
the Veterans’ community for making this program possible.
A Boyce motorcyclist riding with a group of riders suffered moderate injuries in a motorcycle crash on the Campti Cut-Off earlier today according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
NPSO Patrol Division deputies, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS and Life Air responded to a motorcycle crash May 19 at 3:15 pm on La. Hwy 486 near the Cherokee Club.
According to Deputies, 50-year-old Brenda A. Barnhart was operating a 2013 Harley Davidson motorcyle traveling southeast on La. Hwy 486 when she entered a curve partially leaving the roadway to the right. Barnhart then overcorrected causing the motorcycle to skid sideways ejecting her.
Barnhart was treated at the scene by EMS for leg and arm injuries believed to be non-life threatening then airlifted by Life Air to Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria.
Deputies say Barnhart was riding with a group of motorcyclists when the crash occurred. She was wearing a protective helmet.
Lt. M. Wilson investigated the crash for the NPSO.
Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a north Natchitoches Parish man on felony drug charges during a traffic stop on Friday evening according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
NPSO Patrol Division deputies were patrolling in the Campti area May 18 at 10:57 pm when they stopped a 2000 Dodge pickup truck on US 71 for a traffic violation.
Deputies say the operator of the vehicle an unidentified female stated she had just been released from prison and did not have a drivers license.
A passenger in the vehicle was identified as Clayton Jones, 37 of Campti.
Deputies say while talking with Jones, he appeared uneasy and tense.
Deputies asked both occupants of the vehicle if there were any illegal narcotics in the vehicle in which the female operator “threw her hands up responding if there is it’s not mine”, and Jones responded “no.”
Deputies obtained permission to search the vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies discovered approximately 1-gram of suspected methamphetamine and approximately 3-grams of suspected marijuana.
Jones admitted the seized narcotics belonged to him.
Clayton Jones, 37, of the 100 block of Harbor Estate Road, Campti, La. was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS II Methamphetamine and Possession of CDS I Marijuana.
Jones remains in the Natchitoches Detention Center awaiting bond.
Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education will host a STEM camp this summer in partnership with Young Scholars, an education company from Shreveport that specializes in STEM programs. Classes will include Leadership Development, Forensic Science, and Engineering Design Challenge. The program is designed to provide students with exposure to a variety of STEM subjects while exercising problem solving skills, working in groups to complete hands-on projects, and learning about career options in these fields.
“Classes are led by highly skilled STEM professionals or Educators with expertise in the given field, so students are sure to gain applicable skills in a specialized environment. Classes are designed to be fun and engaging so that students have a quality experience”, says Christina Washington, Founder and Executive Director of Young Scholars. Mrs. Washington is an Electrical Engineer, Physicist, and Author whose goal is to increase participation in STEM fields.
Program Schedule: Leadership Development June 4-8, Forensic Science June 11-15, and Engineering Design Challenge June 25-29. Visit checkout.nsula.edu for more information about the summer program or to register. You may also find out more information by visiting http://www.YoungScholarsEC.com/nsu.
For more information contact Melanie Bedgood, coordinator of non-credit activities, at (318) 357-6355 or bedgoodm@nsula.edu.
Joseph Wilkie Basco
June 5, 1941 – May 18, 2018
Service: Tuesday, May 22 at 2 pm at the Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Interment: Calvary Baptist Church
Harold Gene Lilley
March 27, 1937 – May 19, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, May 22 from 6-8 pm at the Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Wednesday, May 23 at 10 am at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Robeline
Addie Fisher
May 18, 2018
Arrangements TBA
Alex Benito Reliford
May 28, 1971 – May 1, 2018
Arrangements TBA
Doris Rachal Jordan
April 26, 2018
Arrangements TBA
SABINE PARISH:
Betty Jean Edmunds Wall Arthur
December 19, 1930 – May 18, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, May 22 at 10 am at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church
Service: Tuesday, May 22 at 11 am at Mt. Carmel Cemetery
RAPIDES PARISH:
Timmy Glenn Boone
February 23, 1994 – May 17, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, May 22 from 10 am – 2 pm at Gardner Baptist Church in Boyce
Service: Tuesday, May 22 at 2 pm at Gardner Baptist Church in Boyce
It was a busy weekend indeed for the families of Natchitoches parish as three local high schools held their graduations May 17–19. Lakeview High School held its graduation May 17 at NSU’s A. A. Fredericks Auditorium with 88 young men and women taking their place as Gator Alumni. NSU President, Dr. Chris Maggio, was the keynote speaker. The Gator seniors racked up over $180,000 in scholarships to help see them through their college years. Two graduates will be taking their place in the defense of our nation in the Army and in the Air Force.
Natchitoches Central High School sent 256 young men and women into the world Friday, May 18 at NSU’s Prather Coliseum. The award winning NCHS orchestra began the ceremony with their customary skill and aplomb playing the traditional “Land of Hope and Glory” as the graduates entered. The Chief’s senior class garnered an impressive number of scholarships, with a total value of over $600,000.
The Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts closed out the weekend as it held its graduation ceremony Saturday, May 19 at NSU’s Prather Coliseum. The LSMSA graduated 112 seniors in its 34th commencement, with several young men and women from Natchitoches parish among the graduating class. The class earned over $31,000,000 in scholarships, an increase of $10,000,000 from the previous year. Mr. Matt Mabe, a 1998 LSMSA alumnus and West Point graduate, gave the keynote address.
The graduation also featured some unique traditions. The entire LSMSA student body attends the ceremony, with each class seated behind the seniors. After the senior class departs, there is a spirited scramble as each class moves up into the seats occupied by its predecessors. The senior class also exits with a fun song. Last year’s was the Star Wars theme. This year, the seniors exited to the James Bond 007 theme.
The Natchitoches Parish Journal extends its best wishes to all of our parish’s graduates as they undertake the next steps in their lives. In addition, we also wish Godspeed to the young men and women who have chosen to bear America’s faith and honor in military service.
The 2018 Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Foundation Gala was held May 19 at the Natchitoches Events Center. The theme for the Gala was “Hollywood Glamour” and the decor had guests feeling as though they were entering a luxurious award show in which only the rich and famous were invited. Guests were greeted with a red carpet arrival that set the tone for the evening.
Gala attendees were wowed with a dinner of filet mignon and stuffed flounder. After a welcome and introduction of Hospital CEO Kirk Soileau, the crowd danced the night away to hits old and new.
The NRMC Gala is a much anticipated event and was well attended and enjoyed by all.
Community Development Works is accepting applications for Cenla Boardbuilders, a program aimed at developing emerging leaders through service on the boards of directors of local nonprofit organizations. The deadline to apply for the program is Friday, June 15.
The program is free and open to: professionals identified by their employer as “up and coming” with a desire for greater community involvement; nonprofit board members wanting an orientation to their new role on a board; or interested individuals who may be retired, self-employed, or looking for higher-level volunteer opportunities .
The program runs August-October, and consists of a series of sessions about the roles and responsibilities of being an effective board member. Participants may pursue two learning tracks for the program: Track I is for currently seated board members who are only seeking governance training; Track II is for individuals with no previous board service who are seeking governance training in preparation for nonprofit board service and assistance with identifying a nonprofit match.
Employers are encouraged to sponsor their emerging professionals for participation in the program, allowing for a meaningful professional development opportunity for the employee and community development opportunity for the organization.
CDW is also accepting applications for nonprofit partners who are interested in recruiting new members to their boards of directors.
To learn more about joining the 2018 program either as a participant, nonprofit partner or employer partner, call CDW toll-free at 800-803-8075 or visit http://www.communitydevelopmentworks.org. Community Development Works is a program of The Rapides Foundation.
Lakeview’s Air Force JROTC (AFJROTC) recently conducted a week-long model rocket competition. Overall, 45 rockets were built and launched on May 15 as part of Major (Ret) Bob Kellogg’s Exploration of Space, AFJROTC class. The competition combined writing across the curriculum, science, and art to evaluate and recognize the participants. The students’ rockets were evaluated on the construction, launch, and recovery of the rockets. Also, students were tasked to select 1 of 13 educational, historical, or patriotic themes, write an explanation of their theme, and finally paint their rocket to compliment their theme. The top 5 rockets and themes were: (1st place) LaDarrion Winslow, “Zoom 9/11”, (2nd Place) Zachery Gorham, “ICE, Cold War”, (3rd Place) Nathan Roberts, “The Punisher, Weapons of Mass Destruction”, (4th Place) Tierra Stacks, “The Scott Rocket”, and (5th Place) James Earp, “Atlas V.”
The Northwestern State basketball program, aiming to strengthen its perimeter scoring, has added junior college combo guard LaTerrance Reed, a 6-2 Buffalo, N.Y., prep standout who averaged 18 points last season as a sophomore at Niagara County Community College.
Reed helped Niagara to a 21-10 record while leading the NJCAA region in steals and minutes played. He scored 17.8 points per game, adding averages of 4.2 assists and 4.7 rebounds, sinking 48 percent of his shots overall including 37 percent on 3-pointers.
Reed earned first-team All-Region honors for coach Bill Beilein after a productive two seasons with the Thunderbirds, starting with a 26-7 freshman season that ended in the Elite 8 of the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament.
At Canisius High School, Reed was the New York State Federation Class A Tournament Most Valuable Player and a finalist for 2015 Mr. Basketball in New York state. He averaged 19 points, 4.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds as a senior as his team went 25-5 and won the Class A championship.
Reed scored 19.3 points and averaged 4.2 assists and 6.3 rebounds in 2015-16 at Salisbury School, a Connecticut-based prep school, earning team MVP honors as he led the conference in scoring and the team in scoring, assists and steals.
“We have addressed an obvious need by signing LaTerrance,” said Demons’ head coach Mike McConathy, preparing for his 20th season in charge at NSU. “We are confident that his dynamic playmaking ability, quickness, and basketball IQ will fit extremely well with our fast-paced style of play.
“He understands pace and space and can facilitate on offense to help his teammates get easy shots or create for himself. His size, strength, and ability to shoot the long ball makes him versatile enough to play either guard spot on both ends of the floor,” said McConathy.
The Demons, with a roster filled with eight newcomers including six freshmen, shot only 41 percent overall and 28 percent on 3-pointers last season. The addition of Reed and two November high school signees, 5-9 guard Brian White of Natchitoches Central and 6-8 forward Dalin Williams from Stinnett-West Texas High School, will bolster the NSU squad, which could add to its 2018-19 roster in the near future.
Reed, who has owned a 3.0 or better grade point average in high school, prep school and junior college (3.5 at Niagara County), was the 2014-15 Class A New York State Player of the Year for coach Kyle Husband at Canisius High.
“LaTerrance is a gifted player who brings many individual and team accomplishments to our program. His winning pedigree from his high school state championship, along with his prep school and junior college success, bodes well for our youthful core returners and incoming freshmen,” said McConathy.
“He has gained invaluable experience since graduating from high school three years ago, and his coach at Niagara County, Bill Beilein (nephew of Michigan head coach John Beilein), has done a terrific job developing his skill set and game for the rigors of Division I college basketball.
“He has played on the big stage winning a New York State High School Class A title and two years later, helping his junior college team to a Region title and a berth in the national junior college tournament as a college freshman. He has a track record of success on the court and in the classroom that should be an indicator for future success as a Demon.”
Karter Menard, a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity at Northwestern State University, will spend his Summer traveling the country with Louisiana’s premiere drum and bugle corps.
Menard has been selected for the Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, features 154 student musicians and performers. Based in Lafayette, the marching ensemble is comprised of brass bugles, drum line and color guard.
“This year for me is a great honor to be one of the drum majors because this corps was founded by my old high school band director,” Menard said. “Ever since this was started in 2014, I had high aspirations to be with this group.”
Members of the corps will spend weeks perfecting a 9-12 minute performance before hitting the road, traveling across the south and mid-west, competing against other corps. In early August, the Louisiana Stars and other corps will compete at the Drum Corps International World Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis.
Joseph Wilkie Basco
June 5, 1941 – May 18, 2018
Visitation: Monday, May 21 from 5-9 pm at the Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Tuesday, May 22 at 2 pm at the Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Interment: Calvary Baptist Church
Harold Gene Lilley
March 27, 1937 – May 19, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, May 22 from 6-8 pm at the Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Wednesday, May 23 at 10 am at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Robeline
Addie Fisher
May 18, 2018
Arrangements TBA
Alex Benito Reliford
May 28, 1971 – May 1, 2018
Arrangements TBA
Doris Rachal Jordan
April 26, 2018
Arrangements TBA SABINE PARISH:
Dollie Barnhill
February 3, 1929 – May 17, 2018
Service: Monday, May 21 at 10 am at the First Baptist Church of Many
Interment: Marthaville Cemetery
Betty Jean Edmunds Wall Arthur
December 19, 1930 – May 18, 2018
Visitation: Monday, May 21 at 5 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many and Tuesday, May 22 at 10 am at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church
Service: Tuesday, May 22 at 11 am at Mt. Carmel Cemetery
RAPIDES PARISH:
Timmy Glenn Boone
February 23, 1994 – May 17, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, May 22 from 10 am – 2 pm at Gardner Baptist Church in Boyce
Service: Tuesday, May 22 at 2 pm at Gardner Baptist Church in Boyce
Northwestern State University and Bossier Parish Community College formalized an articulation agreement that will allow students who earn an Associate of Applied Science in Communication Media, Mass Communication, at BPCC to transfer credits towards a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in broadcast and digital production at NSU.
The agreement is an example of the continued commitment the two institutions have for developing innovative transfer pathways focusing on the needs of today’s college student, administrators said.
“Creating pathways for students is what we are all about and we have no better partner than NSU,” said Dr. Rick Bateman, BPCC chancellor. “Our institutions are student-centered and our students are embraced, educated and empowered.”
“This agreement will allow BPCC graduates to easily transfer into the four-year program at Northwestern and complete their bachelor’s degrees in four years or less,” said NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio.
BPCC’s two-year degree Communication Media provides hands-on education for students in broadcasting, business of music, computer animation, multimedia studies, film, fine art photography, graphic design, media for ministry, photography, radio and television production. It also provides live and taped television programming for its own cable channel KCAV-TV, a Public, Education, and Government (PEG) channel on Suddenlink, the local cable system.
NSU’s broadcast and digital media production concentration in the Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts prepares students for broadcast media and broadcast production careers in industries such as television, radio, film, videos, and Web delivery. Through hands-on instruction, students learn to research, write, produce, and direct media rich content.
The new agreement includes components for advising students about specific BPCC courses in communication that transfer as NSU-approved communication classes and providing assistance to students transitioning from the community college to the university.
Bossier Parish Community College already has several agreements in place with Northwestern State University that facilitate the path for students to achieve their educational goals while meeting workforce needs and promoting economic development in northwest Louisiana.
Both institutions serve constituency needs and are responsive, student-oriented institutions that prepare the students to become productive members of society as well as promote the academic development and improvement in the quality of life of citizens in their regions.
This partnership is mutually beneficial to both institutions for several reasons. Traditional and non-traditional students attending BPCC will have the opportunity to apply their BPCC associate’s degree to an NSU bachelor’s degree and/or transfer designated BPCC courses as equivalent to specified NSU Communication classes.
Information on BPCC’s Communication Media program is available at bpcc.edu/communicationmedia/index.html. Information on NSU’s Department of New Media, Journalism and Communications Arts can be found at nsula.edu/newmedia.
Three students were inducted into the French Honor Society at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts on Thursday, May 10.
The chapter is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French, and the local sponsor is Dr. Nathalie Malti, instructor of French.
Students are eligible for membership after their third semester of French. They must maintain an A average in all French courses and a B average overall.
The aims of the society are to recognize excellent performance in French courses and to promote the French language and culture.
The motto of the society is “L’homme qui sait deux langues en vaut deux.” Translation: A man who knows two languages is worth two.
Inductees are Kathy Barrios, a senior from Houma, Chelsea Franklin, a senior from Crowley, and Santhosh Bomminani, a senior from West Monroe.
Other members include Claire Lucas, a senior from Baton Rouge; Hannah Miller, a senior from Baton Rouge; Colt Crain, a junior from Zachary; Ruby Kharod, a senior from Opelousas; Elyse Duplantier, a junior from Zachary; Manjistha Lakhotia, a junior from Lafayette; Rachel Judson, a junior from Lake Charles; Edouard Ferrell, a senior from Nathcitoches; and Angela Fang, a senior from Mandeville.
The Louisiana State Police held its annual Awards Ceremony May 17 to honor Troopers and public safety personnel from across the state for performing above and beyond the call of duty over the past year. The ceremony was held this afternoon at the Louisiana State Police Training Academy Auditorium on Independence Blvd. in Baton Rouge. Examples of bravery, dedication, and exceptional work ethic were common themes throughout the ceremony.
Awards presented to these extraordinary individuals for Region III, which covers Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, and Winn Parishes are as follows:
Lifesaving Award – Awarded for any act which results in saving or sustaining the life of a person:
· Trooper First Class Mark O’Brien (Troop E)
· Former DPS Officer Stephyn Prine (Current LA Deputy Fire Marshal)
Plainclothes Trooper of the Year – Awarded for consistent display of outstanding qualities that exemplify a member of the Louisiana State Police:
· Trooper First Class Timothy Ledet Jr. (CID – Region 3)
Meritorious Service Award – Awarded for performance of duty that exceeds the normal expectations of duty and demonstrates an exceptional degree of good judgment, initiative, and competence:
Chairman Micky Dove called the regular meeting of the Natchitoches Parish 9-1-1 Communications District Board of Commissioners to order on May 15. Included in items of new business was the passage of three resolutions. Resolution Number 11 approves the selection of the District’s official journal; Resolution Number 12 authorizes a “cost of living” increase for the District’s Address Coordinator; and Resolution Number 13 authorizes an expenditure not to exceed $5,000 for the installation of a sewer lift station at the Natchitoches Parish Emergency Communications Center.
Commissioners also received a briefing on a recent meeting of the Joint Operations Executive Management Sub-Committee related to a number of operational issues pertaining to the relocation of call taking/dispatching services to the new facility.
9-1-1 Director Willis Carter shared a brief overview of the Statewide 9-1-1 Consolidated Annual Report, which was prepared by the Louisiana Chapter of the APCO Legislative Committee and released on May 1. This report contains statistics and other information related to 9-1-1 services across the state of Louisiana. Carter also reported on the status of Senate Bill Number 264, which calls for enhancements to 9-1-1 call processing on a statewide scale.
Mark Begnaud, legal counsel for the District, presented an informative session covering a portion of the reporting responsibilities required of those serving on the Board of Commissioners for the Natchitoches Parish Communications District.
The final agenda item for the meeting was an update by George Minturn, the architect on the NATCOM project. He reported that progress is moving along on the final construction phase, which includes the installation of glass and doors, ceiling grids, raised floor grid and restroom tile along with base coat painting. Substantial completion is slated for June 4; however, a move-in date has not been set.
