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Parish Public Work Schedule – August 19, 2015
The Natchitoches Parish Public Works Department announces that it has scheduled the following road maintenance work for August 19, 2015:
GRADING
1. Ira Messick Rd
2. Emmanuel Rd
Note: Due to rain being forecast for today and heavy rain forecast for tomorrow grading will be very limited.
POT HOLE REPAIRS
1. Allen-Beulah Rd
2. Cox Lane
3. Collins Rd
Note: The Pot hole patching truck is temporarily out of service for maintenance issues
BUSH HOGGING
1. Bernie Rd
2. Ashland area roads
Note: Two bush hogs/tractors are out of service today.
GRAVEL/MATERIAL ON ROADS
1. Ira Messick Rd
2. Emmanuel Rd
3. Shady Grove South
Note: Two dump trucks are temporarily out of service for maintenance issues
OTHER ROAD ISSUES
1. Bridge repairs on Shady Grove South
2. Trim limbs on Willie Banks and Lake Cemetery Rd
NSU Years of Service Honorees
Lillie Frazier Bell and Peggy Lodridge were recognized for 30 years of service at Northwestern State University during the school’s annual faculty/staff lunch. Bell is the University Registrar and Lodridge is retiring as campus manager of NSU’s CENLA campus. They were congratulated by NSU President Dr. Jim Henderson. Not shown are Kenny Turnley, operating engineer master for Facilities Services, and Annette Greathouse, custodian at the Nursing Education Center.
John Carter and Pam Hetherwick were recognized for 35 years of service to Northwestern State University. Carter is property manager for Facilities Services and Hetherwick is administrative assistant for University Affairs. Not shown is Ladell Conlay, administrative assistant for the School of Creative and Performing Arts. Dr. Jim Henderson, university president, presented the awards during NSU’s annual faculty/staff lunch
Northwestern State University recognized Maxine Johnson with a certificate and other gifts for 50 years of service to the University. The university will light the columns purple to honor Johnson, who is the director of planning, grants and development in the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health.
Northwestern State defensive line maturing on the fly
The interior of the defensive line might look a little different without New York Jets’ draft pick Deon Simon manning the middle, but a stroke of bad luck during the 2014 season could be paying dividends for the Demons in 2015.
Simon, a seventh-round selection, was one of three season-opening starters on the defensive line to suffer season-ending injuries by midseason. Defensive ends JeMarcus Marshall (Ouachita High) and now former Demon Justin Evans (Haynesville High) missed nearly the entire season.
While that misfortune impacted the Demons up front during a 6-6 campaign in 2014, the young linemen gained experience they otherwise wouldn’t have gotten.
Defensive line coach Jake Landoll said the line is further along than it would have been without the unexpected game experience.
“It gave them a lot experience, and even a little game experience, “ Landoll said. “Most of the guys we’ve got were young, and you can’t simulate that game speed in practice.
“You can’t do it until you actually get in the game, put people in the stands and turn the lights on. The fact that we have a little of that will give us an advantage going into the season.”
Sophomore Randy Woodle (Calvary Baptist), who began the season as a walk-on but was forced to start the last four games of the season, was a key beneficiary of the unexpected playing time.
Woodle made nine tackles in a total of seven appearances, but the hands-on adjustment to the college game is even more valuable.
“It helped a lot to get into a college atmosphere and play against guys that are way bigger, way faster and way more athletic than I’m used to in high school,” Woodle said. “I can bring that experience to this season and help better the defensive line.
“I have a height disadvantage (6-foot), so I’ve got to focus on using my hands. My hands have to be a lot quicker than everybody elses. If I get locked up, I usually won’t win that battle. I have to make sure my hands are the fastest part of me and keep their (opposing offensive linemen’s) hands off me.”
Woodle, who checks in at 285 pounds, will have plenty of company in trying to fill a hole that’s featured NFL prospects the last two seasons (Simon in 2014 and Lesley Deamer III in 2013). Senior DeMarcus Drumgo has 12 career appearances under his belt, and guys like sophomore transfer Garron Featherston (6-3, 294 from Cerritos Comm unity College), sophomore Isaiah Wheeler (6-2, 301) sophomore Andrew Bluiett (6-3, 340) and redshirt freshman Josh Roberts (6-3, 312) will provide beef in the middle.
“The (defensive tackles) are still coming along – it’s a process,” Landoll said. “There’s a teaching and a coaching progression … as they come along and continue to add to their tools, some get a little frustrated.
“But when they watch themselves do something well, they go, ‘Wait a second, it’s starting to click.’ It’s starting to grow, and as that light becomes brighter and everything starts coming into focus, it’s going to gel really well for us on the inside.”
On the ends, the Demons have much more experience.
Led by Natchitoches native Leroy Armstrong, a Southland Conference preseason first-team selection, NSU won’t have the same experience problems on the edges.
Armstrong tied a team-high with 7.5 tackles for loss, and the elusive defensive end said he’s enjoyed taking on more of a leadership role.
“I’ve learned a lot from watching great guys like Deon Simon and Damon Medcafe lead, and a guy like Lesley Deamer,” Armstrong said. “With our younger defensive linemen getting to play a lot last year, they have more knowledge of the game.
“Once you pick up the speed of the game, which they did, it helps a lot. As for myself, I’m playing my blocks better and focusing on the playbook more. I’m studying and learning more.”
Marshall, a junior, is slated to occupy the other end spot as he attempts to make a full recovery from back surgery. He played just three games this past season, but he was selected to the College Sports Journal FCS All-Freshman All-America team in 2013.
“(Leroy and JeMarcus) are kind of like our voices in the locker room,” Landoll said. “They handle any of the (problems).
“Those guys have been watching Deon, Medcafe and Simon – watching the way they work, how they dress when they go to class. But much bigger than just coming out here and watching how they practice is how conduct themselves in class and in society – the football part and the way we work is just lagniappe.
“As long as we get great effort and attitude, everybody understands they fit somewhere in that defensive line room.”
The Demons have some experienced depth with sophomore Dannie Harmon (12 appearances, three starts) and junior transfers Diontre Thomas (ULM) and Darren Batiste (UL Lafayette).
The Next Civil Rights Battle
Joe Cunningham, III
Joe Cunningham is a conservative commentator, Front Page Editor at RedState.com, contributor to The Hayride, and a teacher in south Louisiana. You can find him on Twitter at @JoePCunningham and on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/jcunninghamwrites.
I’ve maintained for a while that education is going to be the next big fight we have. Currently, foreign policy is a very big deal on the American stage as both ISIS and Iran continue to threaten the United States, and we currently have an administration that wishes to sweep all the bad things under the rug. I had a tendency a few years back to be sympathetic toward the current administration in the way they handled things. I wasn’t pleased, but I understood where they were coming from. Now, though, I really can’t see any other logic behind Barack Obama’s foreign policy other than “Make the world more stable by removing the U.S. as a major contender.”
All that said, I don’t think foreign policy will remain as dominant as it is right now. And, contrary to what the Trump fans will say, immigration will not remain a major issue, either. Neither, sadly, will the Affordable Care Act, which is currently set to keep causing premiums to rise.
No, education will be the next great battle we face in our nation, and all policy eyes will turn toward the candidates and to Washington D.C. to try and get things changed. I’m sure by now you’ve all picked up on the idea that Congress is not going to do anything meaningful for the next year and a half. So, we must turn to the candidates for a clearer picture of what the fight could look like.
Of course, it goes without saying that one of the big fights within the education debate will be about Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The two extremes of that fight can be seen in Jeb Bush (pro-CCSS) and Ted Cruz (anti-CCSS). As a teacher, I have become accepting, though still not completely supportive, of the CCSS movement, and given Bush’s record on education – very much a pro-school choice candidate and big into the education reform scene. Cruz, while a beloved fighter in D.C., is woefully divisive on an issue that would be so much better served nuanced (get rid of the federal Department of Education, allow states to adopt Common Core with better and more local control, etc.”). It’s not just the CCSS that will be an issue, though. School choice is going to be big as more and more parents see public schools failing to meet their children’s needs and they look for alternatives.
Education is very likely going to be our next big civil rights debate, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. My money is on the side of smaller government, as it’s big government that’s had control for so long and is actively destroying the education system.
Kisatchie Fire Update – August 18, 2015.
| Current Status |
The Lafayette Fire started on August 13, 2015. The fire is approximately 4 miles northwest of Gorum, Louisiana. It is burning in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness of Kisatchie National Forest. The wildfire is being managed by a Type 3 Team, led by Incident Commander, Steve Staples. Light rain slowed yesterday mornings planned burnout off of constructed handlines but by afternoon the burnout continued with good success. The burnout included interior firing by helicopter. |
| Current Size | 1331 Acres |
| Containment | 45% |
| Planned Events | Handcrews will focus on strengthening yesterday’s burnout with helicopter firing of any remaining interior fuels. Engines will continue patrolling along the Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway. Two helicopters are available for use if needed. As always we will provide for firefighter and public safety as our main priority. Firefighters will take the appropriate measures to protect private residences and timberlands on the east side of the Wilderness. |
| Cause | Human |
| Equipment | 7 Engines, 1 Type 2 Helicopter, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, 5 Dozers, 1 Type 1 Handcrews, 4 Type 2 Handcrews, and 58 Overhead. |
| Staff | 189 |
| Restrictions and Closures | The Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area is currently closed. The Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway (FS 59) from LA Highway 119 to FS 339 is also closed to all traffic. |
| Fire Weather | The high today is forecasted to reach 96 degrees with a relative humidity between 40%. Winds will be out of the south at 3 mph early up to 11 mph by afternoon. There is a 30% chance of rain and a possibility of thunder storms this afternoon. |
| Safety Message | Smoke may impact local roadways. We are asking visitors to use extreme caution around the fire area.
It has been determined that this fire was human caused, please be careful while enjoying your National Forests. |
Natchitoches Parish Council Meeting – 08-17-15
Visitors:
Ms. Norwood from the MLK Head Start center spoke to the Council about the great first day of school and also informed them of the new curriculum/software being funded by grants. These grants include funding for Letters Alive Smart Board software, curriculum for Green Market collaboration, and an in-class aquarium.
Monica Hargrove addressed the Council on the condition of Posey Road and provided pictures as well. The Council then explained the process of applying for State funds through the Capital Outlay program to repair the road. The process can take 2-4 years to take place. Five Parish roads were selected for funding in the last legislative session and it could take up to seven years to get the projects funded. Also, 25% of the funding has to be matched by a local entity. The Parish is currently trying to budget for 25% of one of the road projects for the 2016 fiscal year.
Ed Bradley, who lives on Bernie Road, also addressed the Council about his road needing to be bush hogged as well as the need for ditching on the road.
Don Colombel addressed the Council concerning Posey Road and referenced the parts of the road that did not need to be repaired. He suggested looking into grants for historical sites to help fund the repair of the roads to one of the historical churches on Posey Road.
The Council authorized the Parish President to enter into an agreement with GOHSEP that will allow the Parish to use them as the funding agent for the funds from FEMA for the road repairs caused by the recent flooding. This is a standard agreement that names GOHSEP as the “pass through” entity in the federal reimbursement process.
After a public hearing was held, the Council adopted Ordinance #07—2015 to remove Parish Road 343-A known as Bud Boyd Road located in Campti, LA from the Parish Road System. There were no comments from the public or the Council on this Ordinance. The Council also adopted Ordinance #08-2015 Budget Amendment for the 2015 Operating Budget. Revisions were made to bring in the cash budget, the actual cash amount was put in, and changes were made in the severance tax, highway department and insurance budgets.
In anticipation of the upcoming LCDBG grant application period, the Council approved a Citizen Participation Plan/Citizen Complaint Procedure; appointed Sheryl Frederick as Citizen Complaint Officer for compliance with the LCDBG program; authorized the Parish President to proceed with the development of the LCDBG application taking into consideration the views and proposals submitted by citizens that attended the public hearing as well as those that were unable to attend and views of the governing body; that a Procurement Policy be adopted for compliance with the LCDBG program; and that the Parish President proceed with the procurement and selection of professional services for the purpose of assisting in the development of the LCDBG application and implementation of the project (possible discussion of firms to be considered for administrative and engineering services).
In other Parish business, the Council authorized the Parish President to obtain bids for the construction of the required concrete slab and chain link fence for conversion of the uncontrolled garbage bin site at Readhimer to a mini-compactor station.
The Council led a brief discussion regarding the office space for the Council Clerk. Councilman Chris Paige stated that he was very troubled by Ms. Fredrick’s office situation and urged the Council to find a better option. Ms. Frederick stated that she had requested the office space be constructed for her but she did not feel as though the space provided her with enough privacy. Mr. Paige suggested that she be provided space at the Office of Community Services. The possibility of space at the Parish’s Live Oak Building was also discussed.
An amendment was added to the agenda to discuss the opportunity for the Council to be a nonfederal entity that would sponsor the ongoing project to help the St. Augustine church near Melrose with their serious erosion issue. They are receiving federal funding because the church is registered as a significant historical site, and the funds will pay for the feasibility study. The project is projected to cost roughly $70,000, and if the Council were to agree to sponsor, then they would only be responsible for 50% of any costs over $100,000. The Council agreed that this was a serious matter, especially because of the potential damage to homes and the closing of Hwy. 484. An Ordinance was introduced to start the process for the approval of this project.
Parish President Report
Renovations to the MLK Center are complete with great upgrades in the facility and technology.
Applications have been received for the position of Head Start Director from in-house employees Erica Dupree and Patricia Telsey. Interviews have been completed and the Selection Committee will submit their recommendation on these candidates to Mr. Nowlin and the Policy Council.
Mr. Nowlin will accompany Mayor Lee Posey, Juanita Murphy and Sheriff Victor Jones to tour an animal shelter in Baton Rouge as a possible entity to potentially help bring a shelter to Natchitoches.
Parish Public Works post today’s work schedule – 08-18-15
The Natchitoches Parish Public Works Department announces that it has scheduled the following road maintenance work for August 18, 2015:
GRADING
1. Collier Hill Rd
2. Stiles Rd
3. Eight Mile Loop
4. Jim King Rd
5. E. Rawls Loop
6. Emmanuel Rd
POT HOLE REPAIRS
1. Allen-Beulah Rd
2. Collins Rd
BUSH HOGGING
1. Sportsmans Lodge Rd.
Note: Two bush hogs/tractors are out of service today.
GRAVEL/MATERIAL ON ROADS
1. Eight Mile Loop
Note: One dump truck is temporarily out of service for maintenance issues.
OTHER ROAD ISSUES
1. Replace cross-drain on Kemp St (Campti)
2. Trim limbs on Gorum Cemetery Rd, Patrick Rd, Willie Banks and Lake Cemetery Rd
LOUISIANA TRAVELS Premieres TONIGHT on LPB at 7PM – Featuring Natchitoches!
Charlie tasting Tabasco pepper mash out of an old oak barrel during my tour of the Tabasco Pepper Sauce plant at Avery Island. This pepper mash is ten times hotter than Tabasco sauce. It’s just one of the adventures you will see tonight.
LPB’s Charlie Whinham heads to five of Louisiana’s top travel destinations including:
Avery Island, birthplace to Tabasco.
Natchitoches, recently named Best Small Southern Town by USA Today readers.
The U.S. Freedom Pavilion of the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
Poverty Point Historic Site, 3,500 year old earthen mounds named a United Nations World Heritage Site in 2014
Kisatchie National Forest that covers 600,000 acres across central and northwest Louisiana
Parish Public Works post schedule for August 17, 2015.
The Natchitoches Parish Public Works Department announces that it has scheduled the following road maintenance work for August 17, 2015:
GRADING
1. Clear Lake Rd
2. Sheriff Bailey Rd
3. Mammy Trail Rd
4. McDonald Camp Rd
5. Montgomery Camp Rd
6. Eight Mile Loop
7. Marthaville-Allen Rd
8. Bayou Derbonne Rd
9. Russell Cemetery Rd
10. FS 339 Rd
POT HOLE REPAIRS
1. Ponderosa
2. Catholic Lane
3. Clarence streets
BUSH HOGGING
1. Hart Rd
2. Sportsmans Lodge Rd
Note: One bush hog tractor is temporarily out of service for maintenance issues. The mowing department is short-staffed by one employee today.
GRAVEL/MATERIAL ON ROADS
Chester Warren Rd
Longlois Hill Cut-off
Note: One dump truck is temporarily out of service for maintenance issues.
OTHER ROAD ISSUES
1. Tree on Willow Rd
2. Culvert cleaned at Gilgal Church
Hearing on City of Natchitoches water rates to be held on August 24, 2015
Mayor Lee Posey stated in the Council meeting held on August 10, 2015, that the City of Natchitoches water department has been losing money and the current Council is considering an increase in the water rates paid by the City Water Department customers. As first reported last Tuesday in the Journal, the Public Hearing on water rates will be held on August 24, 2015 at 6pm. Please make plans to attend. This hearing is the proper place for water department customers to have their opinions heard.
Kiwanis Governor to speak at Kiwanis on August 20, 2015
Kiwanis District Governor John McCay
On Thursday, August 20 the Kiwanis Club of Natchitoches will host a “Meet the Governor” social at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest History Museum. LA-MISS-TENN Kiwanis District Governor John McCay will be visiting Division 11 and providing an update on all things Kiwanis. Both Kiwanians and non-Kiwanians are welcome to attend.
The evening will begin at 5:00 P.M. with a social hour; heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. Governor McCay will give his speech at approximately 6:30 P.M., and the evening will conclude by 7:30 P.M. Cost to attend is free for active members of the Natchitoches Kiwanis Club and $10 per person for club members from other cities and/or additional guests. For those who do not pre-register, the cost will be $15 per person at the door. For more information, contact Richard Rose, Lt. Governor, Division 11 at r_rose@bellsouth.net.
The Demons wrapped up their 12th day and 11th practice of preseason camp.
It wasn’t a full-scale scrimmage, but Saturday morning’s practice and 11-on-11 competition in thud and live tempos gave Northwestern State football coach Jay Thomas and staff precisely what they wanted to see.
The Demons wrapped up their 12th day and 11th practice of preseason camp, ending the first full week of drills with a 2:30-long workout, mostly in Turpin Stadium as a couple hundred fans watched. Most of the competitive periods were staged with thud tempo, meaning no tackling and ideally nobody being taken to the ground, but the last 35 minutes of 11-on-11 was tackle football, with many veterans watching as newcomers and other contenders tried to make a mark.
“We got a good look at everybody and especially guys we needed to see going live in the scrimmage portion, both young guys and some in position battles like at quarterback. We wanted to give everybody an opportunity to go prove themselves,” said Thomas, “and some older guys already have.
“Offensively we ran the ball really well, and defensively we ran to the ball very well. We’ve got to stress takeaways on defense. We made mistakes, both sides of the ball, and had way too many penalties, especially on defense. There’s time to clean that up,” he said.
“The running game looked pretty polished, particularly the outside run game. When the defense got a chance to tackle, it really helped the defense do what they do. It’s tough to play defense and not tackle.”
Freshmen running backs Nigel Dora and Hunter Bedgood, and senior Matt Flores, had most of the quality runs in the 40-snap live scrimmage action. Dora churned for 25 yards on three runs in the best sustained drive, an 11-play, 54-yarder led by sophomore quarterback J.D. Almond, who went 2-for-4 for 23 yards. Bedgood topped the rushing list with 31 yards on four tries.
Senior kicker Chris Moore popped a 44-yard field goal to end the live competition, which began with a 29-yard fumble return for a score from junior defensive end Diontre Thomas.
There was little passing in the live action, after Almond and the other three competitors for the starting quarterback job shined in thud tempo action and 7-on-7 pass competition.
Sophomore Joel Blumenthal raced 55 yards for a touchdown. Senior Stephen Rivers laced a 30-yard scoring strike to All-American Ed Eagan, who also had a 70-yarder from Almond, and junior Daniel Hazlewood had several impressive throws.
With most frontline players sitting out the live scrimmage, top defenders in that segment were junior transfers Ron Perry (4 tackles) and Shawn Stephens (3.5 tackles), true freshman safety Nick Forde (3 tackles, including a sack), sophomore tackle Isaiah Wheeler (2 ½ tackles, including a sack), junior linebacker Robert Fabrizio (2 tackles), true freshman linebacker Brice Borgeson (2 tackles) and sophomore tackle Randy Woodle (a sack).
The Demons will not practice Sunday and will resume workouts at 8 a.m. Monday. Another milestone scrimmage comes next Saturday morning with the season opener on Sept. 3 in Turpin Stadium against Southeastern Louisiana.
Goldonna Festival Pageant set for August 28, 2015.
The Goldonna Saline Creek Beauty and Beau Pageant will be held August 28 at 6:00 at the Goldonna elementary auditorium. The pageant is a kick-off for the annual Goldonna Drake’s Saltworks/Saline Creek Festival.
Those wishing to participate in the Pageant must be under the age of 19. Anyone in the surrounding areas is eligible to compete. Entry forms must be received by August 20.
Rules and Form are below. You may also use these links to download and print the Rules and Forms:
For more information, please contact Brittany Johnson at 318-229-5206 or 318-727-8670.
Football – Demons scale back first scrimmage script, continue special teams emphasis
While Northwestern State football coach Jay Thomas has shortened the length of Saturday morning’s first major scrimmage action in preseason camp, there’s no drop in importance as Demons coaches begin to make depth chart decisions after 10 days of workouts.
NSU will begin practice at the normal 8 a.m. Saturday, but 11-on-11 scrimmage competition may start as late as 9:30 in Turpin Stadium, said Thomas. What happens over the following hour could significantly shape the Demons’ lineup for the Sept. 3 opener at home against Southeastern Louisiana, he said.
“It’s huge. It sets up the next couple of weeks of preparation for the opening game. This may be the last opportunity to get some live work for guys who we need to see to make personnel decisions,” said Thomas. “We have to balance that against putting our players out there for maybe one play too much and risking injuries. The older I get, the more nervous I get about that.”
Bumps and bruises at linebacker, one of the team’s more competitive position battles, spurred the choice for more practice time and less free-flowing scrimmage action. Overall, Thomas is very pleased with the progress he’s seen.
“It’s been a great week. The guys have taken to the task at hand and we’ve had good practices, gotten a lot of work done. You see it all starting to come together,” he said. “It’s still early but we’re on the right pace.”
While the Demons place heavy emphasis on special teams daily, there’s not much mystery about the focal figures in the kicking game. NSU returns All-American all-purpose player Ed Eagan, who already holds the school and is nearing the Southland Conference kickoff return career record, and is on the verge of setting the Demons’ career punt return mark. Senior kicker Chris Moore and senior punter Andy Wickman are two-year starters.
They were the prominent players last year as Northwestern State dramatically improved in Southland Conference and NCAA special teams rankings. The Demons led the FCS in punt return defense, giving up just nine yards in 2014. Moore broke three school records and threatened others while winning one game (with a game-ending 48-yarder at Louisiana Tech) and clinching others with late field goals. Eagan was second nationally with a 181-yard all-purpose average.
Special teams coordinator August Mangin is in his second year in charge and believes his troops can measure up to last year’s performance, and hopefully improve.
“The guys know we won’t surprise anybody after last year. They have really stepped up their game anticipating the challenges ahead,” he said.
Eagan’s explosiveness is not just due to his special talents, said Mangin, but also to the credit of the other players on NSU’s return teams.
“The guys who block for him on punt return and kick return know how good Ed is, and he knows they help get him into the open,” said Mangin. “One guy I think deserves recognition is (senior running back) Matthew Flores. He’s kind of Ed’s sidekick as the offside returner, and without that guy, a lot of the big play opportunities Ed converts might not happen.”
Mostly, special teams play is an ensemble performance that requires unselfish, hard-working, hustling players who execute assignments repeatedly.
“The unsung hero is where it’s at. We have about 10 of them on each unit. Besides the kicker, punter and Ed, it’s a collective effort to do this at a high level and our guys buy into that concept.”
Moore and Wickman had breakthrough seasons as juniors, and Mangin thinks their best is yet to come.
“The success they had early in the season gave them confidence going forward. Now they’ve done a great job working with our strength and conditioning staff to reshape themselves, day after day, into a more ideal physiques for kickers and punters.”
Holder Tuff McClain is back, and so is 2013 holder Brandon Monrose, out last year with a leg injury. The only apparent personnel question to resolve is replacing graduated snappers Hunter Graves and Kevin Garza. Redshirt freshman Cody Nelson and junior college transfer Ryan Woehlert are the contenders.
“Both are very talented and I have the utmost confidence in them, and whoever we send out there will do the job,” said Mangin.
“It’s been no different going into the second week of camp than it was last year with Hunter and Garza,” said Moore. “These guys have done a very good job and I feel very good about them.”
Both Wickman and Moore said they’ve gotten lots of help from past teammates and coaches as they’ve developed.
“(Former kicker John) Shaughnessy and (former punter Nic) Russo taught me a lot, showed me the way, and now it’s surreal, with only a few months left in my football career,” said Wickman. “I started rough as a freshman and those guys and my coaches worked with me trying to get this meticulous art of punting down, and I think now I finally have it down pat.”
Said Moore: “The biggest step was becoming comfortable and calm, not overkicking the ball to prove leg strength. It’s all about consistency. Coach Mangin and coach (Chris) Forestier have done a great job teaching me the best approach, and (strength and conditioning) coach (Evan) Coachman and coach (Dustin) Chadwick have taught flexibility exercises and different tricks of the trade to make me more efficient.”
Mangin’s impact has been pivotal, said Wickman.
“He’s been a huge factor for our special teams. The success we had last year on special teams has a lot to do with the coaching we get and the emphasis that is put on the kicking game here.”
The Demon punter is proud of NSU being the FCS’s best at punt coverage last year, but takes little credit.
“That was all the other 10 guys giving me protection, and then getting downfield to cover and get in the returner’s face,” said Wickman. “They made me look good, most importantly made our team look good.”
He laughingly said he hates his job.
“It’s the worst position in sports. I’m only on the field when the offense doesn’t work. But when I’m called upon, it’s my job to give the other team a long field and make it easier on our defense,” said Wickman. “My goal is to not have to do a lot this year and to answer the bell when it rings.”
Natchitoches voted Best Historic Place Live
The website “OnlyInYourState.com” has named the City of Natchitoches as the “Best Historic Place to Live within the state of Louisiana!
READ FULL STORY HERE: OnlyInYourState
NSU LIVE on KTBS Channel 3, August 18, 2015
Northwestern State University will be featured on KTBS-3 Shreveport’s morning news program as sponsor of the First Cup program beginning at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18. The program is being sponsored jointly by NSU and the Natchitoches Historic District Business Association and will air from 4:30-7 a.m.
The progam will be broadcast from the Jack Clayton Plaza adjacent to the NSU Field House and Turpin Stadium and will feature interviews with NSU President Dr. Jim Henderson, students and personnel from Athletics who will speak about the Sept. 3 season opener White Out football game, academic programming and the student experience at NSU.
NSU supporters are invited to join students, spirit groups and staff on-site for the broadcast.
Dr. Jeff Mathews visits the Natchitoches Kiwanis Club.
L-R: Dr. Greg Handel, Director of the NSU School of Creative and Performing Arts; Haley Blount,Kiwanian President-elect; Dr. Jeff Mathews, NSU Director of Bands.
Dr. Jeff Mathews, Director of Bands at Northwestern State University, spoke to the Natchitoches Kiwanis Club on August 13 about their Band Program, including the process involved in presenting halftime shows by the “Spirit of Northwestern” and the concert band program involving five bands during the Spring Semester.
Hotel Chateau Saint Denis – Update
The City is optimistic that this project will create jobs and generate new revenue for the City as well as all taxing entities. “We estimate that the new hotel will employ 26 full time equivalent positions with a total payroll and benefits of approximately $720,000 annually,” stated Mayor Lee Posey.
Mayor Lee Posey wants to thank the residents of the City for being supportive of this new development and is confident that it will be a successful venture and supportive of the future growth of the Natchitoches Events Center as well as the tax base for the City and Parish.
NPSO Deputies, LSP, Natchitoches Fire District #7, and EMS respond to La. Hwy 120 Single Vehicle Crash
NPSO Deputies, LSP, Natchitoches Fire District #7, and EMS respond to La. Hwy 120 Single Vehicle Crash, earlier this morning
On Thursday morning August 13 at approximately 8:52am, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Louisiana State Police, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS and Natchitoches Fire District #7 responded to a single-vehicle minor injury crash on La. Hwy 120 near La. Hwy 122…1 in Marthaville, La.
The driver of the 2000 Jeep Cherokee was uninjured.
A passenger in the vehicle was transported from the scene by EMS to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries believed to be minor.
Both occupants of the vehicle were wearing seat belts.
The crash investigation is being conducted by Troopers assigned to LSP Troop-E Alexandria.
Parish Public Works Post Schedule for August 13, 2015.
GRADING
- Morgan Quick
- Eight Mile Loop
- E. Rawls Loop
- Odra LeveeNote: One operator is still out from surgery.
POT HOLE REPAIRS
- Janie-Gorum
- Lake GorumNote: Pot hole patching truck is out of service due to mechanical issues.
BUSH HOGGING
- Robeline area roads
- Benjamin Point
- Rachal CampNote: One of our tractors we use to bush hog with is still down. Waiting on parts.
GRAVEL/MATERIAL ON ROADS
- South Main- Marthaville
- Marthaville streetsNote: One dump truck broke down
OTHER ROAD ISSUES
- Trim limbs on Penceno
- Clean bin sites
NSU TV replays of NSU Fall Sports Media Day begin
Natchitoches area cable TV subscribers can watch a replay of Northwestern State’s Fall Sports Media Day luncheon until shortly before kickoff of the Demon football team’s Sept. 3 season opener at Turpin Stadium against Southeastern Louisiana.
Coaches and student-athletes from NSU’s football, soccer and volleyball teams spoke to the media at the luncheon.
The event Wednesday will replay four times daily at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., said David Antilley II, manager/executive director of NSU TV.
NSU TV can be seen in Natchitoches and nearby communities on SuddenLink Channel 22, CP-Tel Channel 55, and UP1 and UP2 Channel 8.
Representing the Demon football team at the media day luncheon were head coach Jay Thomas, offensive coordinator Ben Norton, defensive coordinator Daryl Daye, special teams coordinator August Mangin, and six players: senior defensive end Leroy Armstrong, senior safety Chase Collins (both of Natchitoches), senior linebacker Paxton Cook, All-American senior receiver and return specialist Ed Eagan, senior receiver Cody Jones and senior offensive tackle Pace Murphy.
Speaking on behalf of the Lady Demon volleyball squad were new head coach Sean Kirocofe, along with junior Natalie Jaeger and seniors Glynna Johnson and Caiti O’Connell.
The Lady Demon soccer program was represented by head coach George Van Linder and senior Cassie Briscoe and sophomore Sage Leffew.
Coach Nathanial McReynolds talked about the NSU cross country teams, which will begin training next week.