The Natchitoches Kiwanis Club was explosive as members played a mine field game at their meeting Oct. 19th, 2017.   Blindfolded participants were given verbal instructions to navigate a pathway of mine field pictures.

President Dion Boyett announced that Craig Caskey would be taking over the Impact group of the Kiwanis of Natchitoches I-Plan. Caskey gave an update on the Kiwanis One Day service project, Natchitoches 4 in 4. Three area businesses signed up so far, one NSU student group, and a Boy Scout troop, but Kiwanis is still looking for more volunteers.

The goal for the 4 in 4 Service Project is to clean 4 city parks in 4 hours. Easy enough right?

Volunteers will start at Ross Williams Park (1401 Dean Street) at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 and go from there. Volunteers will then head to the next closest parks:

2nd – Ben Johnson Foundation Basketball Courts (616 MLK Drive)
3rd – City Park (300 Amulet Street)
4th – Pierson & Mallett Children’s Park (701 East Fifth Street)

Trash bags, gloves, and grabbers will be provided by the Natchitoches Main Street office. If you or your service organization would like to join in this effort, contact Craig Caskey at Craig.Caskey@emerson.com or 318-548-0608.

In other club news, Emily Settle gave an update on Kiwanis participation with Witch Way to Main Street. The collegiate Kiwanis group, Circle K will join Kiwanis members on Front Street Oct. 31 from 5-7 for a free trick or treating event.

The Kiwanis “Give Back Night” Social Oct. 11 was a huge success for the club’s first attempt at this kind of event. Before closing the meeting, Dion presented the September 2017 Kiwanian of the Month Award to Craig Caskey.

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The NSU Opera Theatre and the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Chamber Orchestra will perform selections from “Le Nozze di Figaro” (The Marriage of Figaro) Oct. 22-23 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

Dr. Marcy McKee directs the NSU Opera Theatre and Dr. Douglas Bakenhus will conduct the NSU Chamber Orchestra.

A profoundly humane comedy, “Le Nozze di Figaro” is a remarkable marriage of Mozart’s music at the height of his genius and one of the best librettos ever set. In adapting a play that caused a scandal with its revolutionary take on 18th-century society, librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte focused less on the original topical references and more on the timeless issues embedded in the frothy drawing-room comedy.

“It has been a fun and interesting semester learning this show and each other, since this is my first semester at NSU. I have found the students willing and eager to learn the show and their characters,” said McKee. “We decided since this is rather early in the semester to perform such a large work that we would rather concentrate on the music and do the best singing possible. We have been collaborating with the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Chamber Orchestra. The students are excited to work with an orchestra.”

Most of the characters will be double cast. The cast is Rayshaughn Armant of New Orleans and Michael Martin of Pineville as Figaro, Amanda Charles of Shreveport and Nadya Cesario of Fort Smith, Arkansas, as Susanna, Braxton Hogan of Natchitoches and Aaron Rogers of Dayton, Texas, as the Count, Rachael Bryant of Alexandria and Michelle Moline of as the Countess.

The cast also includes Daniela Salas of Cartagena, Colombia as Cherubino, Noel Johnson of Bossier City and Ashley Pope of Nederland, Texas, as Marcelina, Mark Peyton of West Monroe as Bartolo, Morgan McCrory of Deville and Yoon Li of Seoul, South Korea, as Barbarina, Matthew Armand of Plaucheville as Basilio and Orlando Gonzales of Cartegena, Colombia, as Curzio.

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The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputy Unit held its annual banquet at Lakewood Inn in Creston Oct. 19. Guest Speaker was 1st Assistant District Attorney for Natchitoches Parish Cloyd Benjamin Jr.

Deputy Josh Axsom was named “2017 NPSO Reserve Deputy of Year” for his dedicated service to the citizens of Natchitoches Parish and NPSO.

Axsom was also a part-time K-9 handler for the NPSO until recently when his K-9 “Diesel” passed away suddenly.

Sheriff Victor Jones, Chief of Patrol Doug Rachal and Reserve Deputy-Vice President of Reserve Board David Stevenson presented Certificate of Appreciation certificates to all members of the Reserve Deputy Unit.

During closing remarks, Sheriff Jones expressed his thanks to the Reserve Deputies for their loyalty and service to the citizens of Natchitoches Parish.

Sheriff Jones also extended his appreciation and thanks to the spouses and family members of reserve deputies for their support of the NPSO.

The NPSO Reserve Deputy is a voluntary division of the sheriff’s office which is tasked with supplementing the patrol division and other divisions, with school activities, festivals, traffic details, hazardous weather events and other calls for service. The reserve units is based on very simple concepts, “promote citizen involvement in law enforcement and protect the integrity and professionalism of the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office”.

Members of the unit are: Deputy Louis Byers, Deputy David Stevenson, Deputy Michael Gillie Sr., Deputy Steven Clanton, Deputy Emile Metoyer, Deputy Charles Roge, Deputy Michael Delrie, Deputy Larry Atteridge, Deputy Markalyn Williams, Deputy Niandria Harris, Deputy Nicole Bamburg, Deputy Ann Wade, Deputy Josh Axsom, Deputy JD Bonds, Deputy James Maxie, Deputy Joseph Dyson, Deputy David Putman, Deputy Wayne Lodridge, Deputy Bryan Carline, and Deputy Robert Griffin.

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Natchitoches Young Professionals is throwing a “Spooktoberfest” Halloween Party Friday, Oct. 27 from 7-10:30 pm. Meet organization members at Maglieaux’s for all the fun, including a costume contest, DJ, photo booth, free drinks for NYP members, and food and drink specials.

Check-in begins at 7 pm. NYP members will receive a wristband for free specialty drinks all night long. Not a member? Join at natchitochesChamber.com/NYP

Beer Pong Tournament begins at 7:30 pm. $20 per two-man team. Winning team receives 2x$25 gift cards to Maggio’s, 2 golf bags, 2 ice chests and 2 cases of yeungling beer.

Costume Contest Winners Announced at 9 pm (Prizes TBA).

Raffle Ticket Drawing for Stock-the-Bar gift basket at 9:30 pm

This event is open to those who are 21 years of age and older. Proceeds to benefit Natchitoches Young Professionals Conference to be held in Summer 2018.

Paid Advertising

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By Natalie Covher

A birthday party, held Oct. 20 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Natchitoches, celebrated the life of John Oswald Colson, better known as the filé man.

Colson has been making filé most of his life. His mother and the generations before her all provided the Cane River community with fresh filé, red pepper and other seasonings. Using a traditional pilon, a large tree hollowed out much like a giant mortar and pestle, he pounds the leaves into the fine, fragrant, bright green seasoning, filé. He demonstrates at conferences, festivals and educational events, teaching and preserving the art.

“I’ve known him for years, I went to school with his daughter,” said Scotty Williams. “I see him at every folk festival. He’s always there doing file demonstrations, telling people how and when to harvest it, and explaining its importance to the culture of the area. Beyond the file he is just really a cool guy. There’s never any pressure when you’re hanging out with Oswald.”

At the birthday party, people dined on meat pies, jambalaya, corn bread and other foods in the church hall. One of the highlights of the party was the cakes. Some were decorated with filé leaves made of fondant, but the one that stood out was the car. “It’s based off this old car that’s sat under the carport for the last 40 years,” joked Tracey Colson Tantee. “Everyone knows which house is ours because of the car. The cake even has the same license plate.”

Colson’s process of making filé is now considered a folk art and the special flavor that seems so rich to his filé is the story in the hands that create it.

“My dad is a fixture in the Cane River Community and I thought people would enjoy a chance to celebrate with him,” said Tracey. “He’s not your typical 80-year-old. He always surrounds himself with young people. He is a natural teacher, it is as if he has a bunch of extra kids whom he’s taught everything in his head.”

Sassafrass isn’t Colson’s only passion. “I met him at the Badin Roque House,” said Robert Caldwell. “He showed me how to make the poteaux-en-terre or “post in hole” construction. He taught me how to maintain historic buildings. When I found out he had an interest in food we talked about common food heritage.”

He is known by many names and has lived a colorful life to say the least. He is full of stories of Cane River, the traditions, but most importantly the people.

“We became friends years ago when I was doing some research with the National Parks Service,” said Susan Dollar. “My favorite memories with him are riding down Cane River listening to him tell stories.”
Colson moved to Chicago as a young man, then spent time in California, however Cane River always called him back. Midsummer into late fall you can find him pounding away, making his filé.

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Parish President Rick Nowlin has announced his intention to make appointments to the
Natchitoches Parish Planning Commission and the Natchitoches Parish Hospital Service District Board.  Any resident interested in serving on either the Planning Commission or the Hospital Service District Board should submit an application to the Office of the President. Applications may be picked up at the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse, located at 200 Church Street, or by contacting David Kees, Jr., Executive Assistant to the President, at (318) 352-2714, or by sending an email to dkees@npgov.org.

Rick Nowlin
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
200 CHURCH STREET
NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA 71457
318-352-2714

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Champ Henry Huffman Jr
May 11, 1934 – October 20, 2017
Visitation: Tuesday, Oct. 24 fro, 9-11 am
Service: Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 11 am in the chapel of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home
Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Park

Paul Rowland Edwards
August 2, 1961 – October 20, 2017
Visitation: Wednesday, from 11:30 am – 2 pm
Service: Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 2 pm in the chapel of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home
Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park

Lula Mae Stevens
February 14, 1917 – October 19, 2017
Visitation: Monday, Oct. 23 from 12-2 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Monday, Oct. 23 at 2 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches
Interment: Fern Park Cemetery of Natchitoches

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Landowners gathered at a Feral Hog Workshop Thursday evening, Oct. 19 at the Grand Ecore RV Park. The Natchitoches Soil and Water Conservation District held the workshop to educate landowners on the following:

Poisons: Ariel Bourgoyne (LSU Ag Center)
Trapping, Transporting and Changes in Feral Hog Laws: Gene Cavalier (LDAF)
Testing Feral Hogs for Diseases: Dr. Christopher Lyles (NSU Biology Dept.)
Update on Natchitoches SWCD Feral Hog Control Program: JD Cox (WRE Technician)

Feral hogs are increasing at an alarming rate, causing harm to water quality, landscapes, gardens and extensive damage to agricultural crops. Control of feral hogs in difficult and entails countless man hours and expense to landowners. Two keys to success in managing feral hogs are trap placement and pre baiting.

NSU has collected five samples in the Cane River Watershed. One out of the five hogs tested positive for Leptospira Interrogens. The hope is to collect enough samples from feral hogs in the area to build a reference library of diseases for quick identification and to determine what percentage of the population is contaminated.

Dr. Lyles asked that landowners contact him when they are trapping hogs so he can collect samples. The samples must be collected within 3 hours of the hogs being killed (Lyles would prefer a shorter time frame). Email him at lylesc@nsula.edu or call 318-357-6514.

From 2014-2017, 3,774 feral hogs have been removed from Natchitoches parish. The SWCD began a new aerial gunning sign up on Nov. 1, which will conclude on Dec. 22. Land in Natchitoches Parish and land within the Red River Bottomland area are eligible. For information call 318-357-8366 (Ext. 3) or go online to http://www.nswcd.org.

Natchitoches Central High School
Natchitoches Central  14
Ouachita Parish  54

St. Mary’s Catholic School
St. Mary’s 70
University Academy  6
(Thursday)

Lakeview High School
Lakeview  0
Many 62

Bernard Johnson and Altorio Holden, members of the Richard Johnson Regional Improvement Foundation, watched workers pour and smooth out concrete for a basketball court at the Richard Johnson Recreational Park Oct. 20 in Payne Subdivision.

Johnson, President and CEO of the Foundation, said they purchased 3.4 acres in 2015 and immediately began clearing it out. With the help of donations from the community and the foundation’s efforts, they raised enough money to begin the first phase of the park, which is the basketball courts. Future phases include a walking track, jungle gym and other playground equipment, a pavilion, baseball diamond and a building to house after school and mentoring programs.

The foundation continues to raise money through a GoFundMe campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/h66nswgc. For more information email rjrifoundation@yahoo.com or call 318-332-5551.

Kevin’s Gallery

Tonight was quite the packed evening for the St. Mary’s family. The evening started off with the signature SMS tailgate-easily the best restaurant in town on gameday! It was Senior Night in which the senior football players and spirit group members were recognized before kickoff. Halftime featured the correction of a long running injustice as Louisiana High School Athletic Association Executive Director, Mr. Eddie Bonine, presented the 2015 LHSAA Football Championship Trophy to former SMS Football Coach Lee Doty and the 2015 Tiger Football Team, spirit group members and trainers. The championship, initially won by Southern Lab, was vacated after the LHSAA uncovered several violations. The evening concluded the Tigers imposing a Carthaginian Peace upon University Lab of Alexandria with a decisive 70-6 win.

NPSO Patrol Division deputies, Louisiana State Police and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center responded to 911 reports of a two-vehicle crash Oct. 20 at 2:55 pm on Hwy. 6 East near Payne Sub-Division according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Both drivers of the 2012 Dodge pickup and 2016 Ford pickup truck were assessed at the scene by EMS.

Troopers assigned to LSP E Alexandria worked the crash.

Lakeview Jr/Sr High School Announces Honor Roll for 2nd Quarter (High School) and 1st Nine Weeks (Junior High)

7th Grade A Honor Roll

Hailey Poydras and Jennifer Williams

7th Grade B Honor Roll

Colby Creamer, Mar’Shae Grant, Kearston Nobles, Ja’Torri Phillips, Sammya Rachal, Rene Reliford, and Harli Thomas

8th Grade Principal’s List

Zoie Britt, Aky’a Chatman, Meagan Corley, and Elizabeth Poydras

8th Grade A Honor Roll

Brenden Allen, Allison Anderson, Ashlie Key, Kaitlynn Long, Kandice Palm, Chelsey Winslow, JaMichael Burgess, Liberty Collins, Raymond Connell, Emmanuel Davidson, Antuan Nash, Melik Nora, Dominick Rachal, Mahdi Shuaibu, Asharia Smith, and Edward Smith

9th Grade Principal’s List

Jeffery Custis, James Earp, Carleigh Lofton, Jo Porter, Averianna Slaughter, and Ethan Smith

9th Grade A Honor Roll

Taylor Coutee, Zachery Gorham, Adriunhya Gray, Amber Hembree, Ingerlisha Nicholas, Zenobia Poydras, Da’Marcus Rivers, Jason Smith, and Jeremy Sowell

9th Grade B Honor Roll

Alexia Adams, Anthony Alexander, Dae’Breyuona Bell, Layla Below, Destinee Britt, Amya Broomfield, Aalondra Garner, Makensie Hodges, Sabrina Ivy, U’Donis Jones, Derek Kirts, Kadarius Law, Joshua Mattox, Simon Messengmba, Kinley Nelson, Chloe Peacock, Tapiwa Rubunya, Colby Sepulvado, Darian Sessions, Mykel Slaughter, Shaliyha Smith, Tierra Stacks, and Larry Vaughn

10th Grade Principal’s List

Julie Baldwin, Angel Hayes, Karmen Jarriett, Salem Johnson, Joshua Long, Myla Porter, Anna Smith, Kaycee Smith, Hunter Thomas, Landon Vaughn, and Nick Wiggins

10th Grade A Honor Roll

JaQuan Bobb, William Brew, Diamond Brown, Kadon Cook, , Zackari Favela, A’Shanti Garner, Joshua Graham, Jodie Kerry, Gracie Niette, Shermarcus Page, Jakerian Washington, Emily Windham, Breanna Wyatt,and Daron Williams

10th Grade B Honor Roll

Elizabeth Anderson Takia Ardison, Ka’Brian Bonier, Makayla Cook, Emily Corley, Dacoda Coutee, Junell Coutee, Altorio Holden, Alexis Kinard, Danielle Morrison, Ethan Nelson, Thomas Norman, Mackenzie Phillips, Jh’Kolby Roberson, Raven Speir, Timothy Washington, Airamya Williams, Jasmine Williams, Shaneta Williams, Tyler Williams, and Noah Wilson

11th Grade Principal’s List

Jada Aldredge, LaTia Beavers, Makaila Braxton, Destini Carter, and Madison Hale

11th Grade A Honor Roll

Jalen Benn, Rebecca Guy, LaDashya Hayes, J’eishia Hill, Dillon Longino, Shaa’vareyah Page, Ke’Aira Thomas, Ashley Womack, and Ericka Young

11th Grade B Honor Roll

Joey Blackmon, Taylor Coleman, Taylor Ferrier, Gage Harper, Breanna Harrison, Ulysse Harvey, Martina Jarnagin, Zy-Keious Manual, Cassidy McLendon, Kerrell Nora, A’Keria Payton, Christiunna Pearrie, Nathan Roberts, Jayme Roy, Brittany Sullivan, Sara Sullivan, Jaylan Triplet-Bell, Larry Thompson, Victoria Tune, Tifany Valure, Matthew Vaughn, and Jada Williams

12th Grade Principal’s List

Alyssa Breaud, Quintarious Coleman, Kayla Denham, Mason Harper, Alexis Smith, and Tyler Sullivan

12th Grade A Honor Roll

Alanna Anderson, Robert Barthelemy, Diavione Frazier, Za’Chary Jackson, Jesse Rachal, Brandon Roberts, Terry Rowell, Dwaelon Shepherd, Do’Joureyan Smith, Daviion Telsee, Kamry Toms, and Skylar Williams

12th Grade B Honor Roll

Michael Banks, Serenity Beavers, Shundericka Browder, Trent Collier, Julee Daniels, Elizabeth Dawson, Layton Friday, Katherine Hicks, Jacaria Holden, Devin Irvin, Norman Moreland, Alexcia Pikes, Douglas Reliford, Dalton Riddle, LeAndre’ Ruffin, Skylar Ryder, Nasser Shuaibi, Savannah Walter, Dillan Winslow, Jalen Winslow, and LaDarrion Winslow

An announcement was made at a press conference Oct. 18 regarding the design and installation of a new roof for the Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC), Natchitoches Campus.

The historic rain events and floods in the spring and summer of 2016 caused severe damages to many colleges and universities throughout the state of Louisiana.

The CLTCC Natchitoches campus was among the most severely damaged. The property suffered significant interior and roof damages.

Due to the damages at CLTCC Natchitoches and elsewhere, the Louisiana Legislature, appropriated $14 million for the facility maintenance needs of higher education in the state. A portion these funds will be invested to replace the roof at the Natchitoches Campus.

This investment will further ensure a sound structure and aid in the improvements currently being made to the facility.

This roofing project will replace the original roof structure and preliminary work will begin before the end of this year.

System President Dr. Monty Sullivan said that while he works with 144 legislators in Louisiana, there are no two better than the two representatives of the Natchitoches campus and community: Senator Gerald Long and State Rep. Kenny Cox.

“They understand the mission of our institution,” said Sullivan.

In addition, an investment will be made in the college’s Manufacturing and Welding programs. Manufacturing and Welding are two of the most in demand and high paying professions in Louisiana and the nation.

These resources will originate from the Louisiana Community & Technical College System’s ‘Workforce Training Rapid Response Fund.’

Second grade students at St. Mary’s Catholic School did a novel study on one of the books from the Flat Stanley series. Each student mailed their very own handmade Flat Stanley to a different area in the U.S., covering 21 states.

The Flat Stanleys were mailed back to Natchitoches with photos of their travels and even a few treats from across the country. One rode a subway in New York City, and one got to wear a Texas A&M Jersey. Two more brought back Hershey Kisses from Pennsylvania and salt water taffy from South Carolina for the students to sample.

Second grader Eli Hypes used to live in Rhode Island, so that’s where he mailed his Flat Stanley. Friends from his hometown took a photo in front of his old house to send a bit of Rhode Island back to Louisiana. Chloe Methvin sent her Flat Stanley to New Hampshire where it visited an apple orchard.

The students got a real treat from Blanchard Williams’ Flat Stanley recipient. Grey Delisle Griffin does voice acting (often referred to as voice over work) in Los Angeles and has performed voices of various characters in roughly 85 cartoons. She also performs in animated movies and video games.

She face timed the second graders on Oct. 16 and performed some of her voices. Some of the characters that Grey provides the voices for are:
Daphne – What’s New Scooby-Doo?
Vicky – The Fairly OddParents
Mandy — The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
Frankie — Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends
Azula — Avatar: The Last Airbender
Mrs. Gleeful – Gravity Falls
Various Voice- Rugrats, Samurai Jack and Johnny Bravo
Mandy- The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
Penny’s mom- Bolt

Griffin, who lives in California with her husband Jared and their three sons (Tex, Harlan and Posie), first visited Natchitoches in the early 2000s for the Natchitoches Christmas Tour of Homes. She quickly fell in love with the town and booked a room at the Rusca House for the following Christmas Festival. Soon after she purchased a house and turned it into the Bayou Amulet Bed and Breakfast. She eventually sold it because traveling back and forth became too difficult. However, Natchitoches will always hold a special place in her heart.

Lakeview High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC invites area veterans to attend its Veterans Day Program Thursday, Nov. 9 at 10 am. If attending, contact Linda Davidson or Major Bob Kellogg at 476-3360 before Nov. 3

Ashley McCloud won the $630 jackpot for the Mystery Sound Cash Contest while listening to 94.9 The River.

Ashley successfully guessed the mystery sound was a glass lid being placed on a glass jar. She said there’s a glass candy jar that sits in the Natchitoches Farm Bureau office where she works and she quickly recognized the sound. Ashley, who is 26 weeks pregnant, plans to take the money and buy baby furniture with her fiancee.

“We’ll do it all again Monday morning with a brand new sound and a brand new jackpot,” said Trini Triggs. Each weekday morning between 7-10 am, Trini will take calls from listeners who think they know what the mystery sound is.

Contest sponsor Axsom Air said the entire company is enjoying the buzz the contest is creating around the office. “Everyone is begging for clues,” said Josh Axsom. “We wish the best of luck to all the contestants when guessing the new mystery sound.”

The first caller to guess correctly will win the jackpot. But wait, it gets better! For each incorrect answer, $5 will be added to the pot. The River Line is 318-581-4025.

Wallace Wesley Prestridge
November 12, 1939 – October 18, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10-11 am at the United Baptist Church of Campti
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 am at the United Baptist Church in Campti
Interment: United Baptist Church Cemetery

Julian Gerald Baidy
August 11, 1951 – October 17, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10-11 am at the Kramer Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11:30 am at Bethel Cemetery

Essle L. Connor Smiley
May 18, 1942 – October 20, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 21 from 5-8 pm at Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield and Sunday, Oct. 22 from 1-2 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Service: Sunday, Oct. 22 at 2 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Interment: Garden of Memories in Winnfield

Lula Mae Stevens
February 14, 1917 – October 19, 2017
Visitation: Monday, Oct. 23 from 12-2 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Monday, Oct. 23 at 2 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches
Interment: Fern Park Cemetery of Natchitoches

Bill Giddens, Jr
November 19, 1968 – October 18, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 2 pm at Montgomery Cemetery in Montgomery

Randall Lynn Shell Sr.
June 6, 1967 – October 17, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 am at Friendship Baptist Church

Lottie Chambers
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 am at Mary Springfield Cemetery in Benson
Interment: Mary Springfield Cemetery in Benson

Robert Jones
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 1 pm at New Hope Baptist Church in Mansfield
Interment: New Hope Cemetery in Mansfield

Herbert Simon
August 12, 1920 – October 11, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 10 am at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Natchitoches
Interment: Catholic Cemetery on 5th Street

Rosetta Lewis McDaniel
October 11, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 21 from 9-11 am
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 am at First Baptist Church, located at 201 North Street in Natchitoches
Interment: St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Bermuda

A Justice Reinvestment Package, taking effect Nov. 1, will lower the number of state prisoners in detention centers across the state by releasing 1,500 inmates. This is the biggest and toughest problem the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office has faced since Sheriff Victor Jones was first elected in 2000. Louisiana has the largest number of incarcerated per capita and the state may be trying to balance its books, but it all rolls downhill. The Sheriff is concerned the savings to the state will only be passed on to the locals.

“We’re not opposed to what the state is trying to do,” said Jones. “We just have concerns. My concern is always with the victims and in my experience, when these guys get out they reoffend, adding another victim to their list.”

The inmates slated for release are violent, non-violent and drug-related offenders. Jones said it appears the images are being selected by what they were convicted of, not necessarily by their original charges. For example, one prisoner was charged with second degree murder. He pled to a lower charge of negligent homicide and was given a 5 year sentence.

“Many of these offenders plea to lesser charges, but sometimes it makes them no less violent,” said Jones.

Forty-one inmates will be released from the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center. Of these, only seven are residents of Natchitoches Parish. There are an estimated 16 Natchitoches Parish residents that will be released from other detention centers across the state. The state pays $24 for each of their inmates per day. If the DC were to have the full 25 percent of the state inmates (127) it’s supposed to house, that would amount to around $1.2 million annually.

There will be two more releases in December and January but Sheriff Jones said the exact number of prisoners is currently unknown. It is also unknown how these numbers will affect the detention center operations.

The Sheriff’s Office has subsidized the Detention Center since 2004 and the amount keeps rising. Last year it was up to $1.9 million. Looking at their reserves, if nothing changes, it’s unclear what operational state the DC will be able to maintain.

“We’ve been subsidizing 20 percent of the Parish costs from day one,” said Jones. “We have to supplement the jail. Just think what kind of burden it would put on the parish if it didn’t exist. It was set in a contract 20 years ago that the parish only pays for 80 of the average 120 parish prisoners (pre-trial inmates) at a lower rate of $15.50 per day per inmate. The DC is operating at a deficit. It was designed to stand alone on state and parish revenues and it can’t do that.”

The reduction in the prison population will not only affect the financial stability of the DC, but the rehabilitation programs its able to offer to inmates. Jails aren’t meant to warehouse prisoners for profit, but recently, DCs have shifted from rehabilitation to a warehouse model. This means they’ve started dropping rehabilitation programs such as GED and Work Release. Jones said they’re not sure how much longer they can keep their Work Release Program running, especially as the makeup of the prisoners at the DC shifts with the scheduled release next month. The eligible population will drop drastically, thus dropping the number of enrolled inmates. There’s only 13 in the program currently, whereas there’s been up to 40 enrolled in the past.

“The Work Release Program helps inmates gain some stability when they’re released,” said Jones. “Without somewhere to go or a place to work, they’re more likely to reoffend.”

Parish President Rick Nowlin and Sheriff Jones are now looking at possible solutions to this dilemma. From bringing in more federal prisoners (which pays $40 per inmate per day), to cutting costs at the DC, they’re looking at every possible option, but the solution remains elusive.

“This is a serious problem,” said Nowlin. “It’s gonna take cooperation from all of us to be a part of the solution.”

The Cane River Chapter of the Delta Waterfowl Organization held a banquet Oct. 19 to fundraise for the numerous programs and events they hold each year. They were able to raise over $8,000 due to the many raffles and auctions held that evening. There was a live auction filled with many duck calls, decorative items, a set of chairs, a chest, and a rifle. A silent auction was held as well including a selection of boots, decorative items, guns, and a dog bed. A delicious brisket dinner was prepared by Steve Roberts, the chairman of the Cane River Chapter.

The Delta Waterfowl Organization was founded in 1911, making this year their 106th year in operation. The Central Louisiana Chapter of Delta Waterfowl seeks to have an impact on ducks and duck hunting in a way that their forefathers would have never envisioned. From boosting duck production to protecting the tradition of waterfowling, Delta Waterfowl’s effective, cost-efficient programs are really making a difference for North American ducks and the hunters as well. The organization was originally founded for research to be able to answer questions of critical importance to ducks and duck hunters.

Delta has installed Hen houses at various locations across the nation which increases mallard production. In addition to the hen houses, Delta works towards managing the amount or predators near nesting habitats by trapping and relocating the animals. Delta runs the largest waterfowl hunter recruitment program in North America called “First Hunt.” During the two day event, attendees are taught gun safety, duck and goose calling, where to place decoys, how to identify different ducks and much more! Experienced mentors pair up with the first time hunters on a trip to the blind. After a successful hunt, they are taught to handle, clean, and cook their harvest.

Not only are they concerned with hunting ducks, they’re trying to maintain the population for future generations. I you’d like to make a donation or learn more about this organization visit deltawaterfowl.com.

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The Natchitoches Parish Library, in partnership with the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) and the Louisiana Library Association (LLA), is presenting its third annual “Lawyers in Libraries” statewide program on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

A local attorney will be present for the “Ask-a-Lawyer Program” from 10 am to 12 pm in the Library’s 3rd floor meeting room. The program is free and open to the public, but those interested are asked to sign up at the Library’s second floor Circulation Desk or call Alan Niette, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 318-238-9236.

The “Lawyers in Libraries” program is part of a legal aid initiative called the Legal Education and Assistance Program (LEAP), which provides much-needed legal information and resources to the public via local libraries.

“The Louisiana State Bar Association is committed to making attorneys available to everyone in Louisiana with legal issues, regardless of financial circumstance. This includes the “Lawyers in Libraries” program, which enables attorneys to provide direct services to their communities at no cost. Public libraries are natural starting points for people in search of legal information and resources, and this type of innovative partnership is why Louisiana is considered a national leader when it comes to Access to Justice,” said LSBA President Dona Renegar.

“The program has consistently grown over the last several years after being launched in 2014 under the leadership of then LSBA President Larry Shea of Shreveport. In 2016, 125 attorneys conducted over 70 events in one day, serving over 700 people statewide. We expect that this year’s event will be even bigger, thanks to the many pro bono attorneys who donate their time and expertise,” added Renegar.

The “Lawyers in Libraries” initiative was designed in partnership with the LLA, Law Library of Louisiana, LSU Law Library, and other partners.

For more information about the program, go to: http://www.LouisianaLawyersinLibraries.org

The Louisiana State Bar Association assists its more than 22,000 members in the practice of law. The statewide association, as part of its multi-faceted mission, promotes and maintains access to justice initiatives for the state’s residents, assists the Louisiana Supreme Court in its regulation of the practice of law, upholds the honor of the courts and the profession, and supports programs that increase public understanding of and respect for the law.