Here is a look at the week of Oct. 5-11 at Northwestern State University.

Sept. 2 – Dec. 18 — Exhibit celebrating the 85th anniversary of Louisiana Collection, Cammie G. Henry Research Center, Watson Library

Sept. 15 – Oct. 7 — NSU/Natchitoches Art Guild Summer Show, Orville Hanchey Gallery

Oct. 6 – NSU Jazz Orchestra, Magale Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. #

Oct. 7 – Food Truck Workshop, Office of Alumni and Development, 520 University Parkway, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Oct. 7 – NSU Wind Symphony, Magale Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. #

Oct. 8 – Reception celebrating the 85th anniversary of Louisiana Collection, Cammie G. Henry Research Center, Watson Library, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 – Soccer vs. Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, Lady Demon Soccer Complex, 7 p.m.

# Livestream available at http://www.nsu.la/CAPA-LIVE

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the City of Natchitoches announces revisions to the schedule
released earlier today for upcoming construction work on East Fifth Street and Woodyard Drive.

The closure of East Fifth Street from Royal Street to just north of Bienville Street previously planned for 4-8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 has been re-scheduled to Monday, Oct. 6. During this time, this section of East Fifth Street will be CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC. Bienville Street at the intersection of East Fifth Street will remain open to traffic.

Asphalt pavement removal on a 1,200-linear foot section of Woodyard Drive located approximately 0.2 mile east of South Drive will be performed on Monday, October 6. During this operation, one-lane, two-way traffic will be maintained by use of flaggers. Base reconstruction work will follow on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 7 during which time this section of Woodyard Drive will be CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC for approximately four hours, which will require motorists to detour around the work site via Abbie Drive and Saida Street. Placement of the new asphalt surfacing on both streets is scheduled for later next week. During this operation, one-way, two-lane traffic will be maintained by use of flaggers.

This work is part of the City of Natchitoches 2025 Street Rehabilitation Program. The contractor is Apeck Construction LLC of Anacoco.

For more information, contact the City Engineer at (318) 352-3877.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft of a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) in the Cloutierville area.  A reward is being offered by the owner for information leading to the arrest, recovery, and conviction of those responsible.

According to NPSO detectives, on the night of September 28, 2025, a 2019 Honda Pioneer 1000 SXS, camouflage in color and valued at over $17,000 was stolen from the property of a local farmer in the 100 block of Little River Road in Cloutierville.

Detectives say the investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau at 318-357-7830 or via NPSO social media messenger.

Case Agent: Detective Sgt. Eric Mogridge

The City of Natchitoches would like to advise the public that on Friday, Oct. 3 beginning at 6 a.m., the following streets will be closed:
• Rue Beauport (Downtown Riverbank)
• Front Street from Touline Street to Lafayette Street.
• Touline Street from Front Street to Second Street

Saturday, Oct. 4 beginning at 6 a.m., the following streets will be closed:
• Rue Beauport (Downtown Riverbank)
• Front Street from Touline Street to Pavie Street
• Touline Street from Front Street to Second Street
• Second Street from Church Street to the Events Center

These street closures are due to the 19th Annual Natchitoches Car Show that will take place in the downtown area Oct. 3-4. Streets will remain closed on Saturday for the duration of the 19th Annual Natchitoches Car Show and will reopen once the festivities conclude. The Rue Beauport Riverbank will also be closed to all drive-through traffic for both days of the Car Show.

For more information on the 19th Annual Natchitoches Car Show visit natchitochescarshow.com.

The families of the Natchitoches Thomas Apartments community will soon be enjoying some of the nicest and most modern apartments in the area thanks to a $17,500,000.00 upgrade to the complex’s 120 apartments.

Mayor Ronnie Williams and Councilwoman Rosemary Elie joined Ben D. Johnson Center founder and President, Claire Prymus, in welcoming the first group of tenants to their newly renovated homes. Each apartment is certified as Energy Star Compliant, saving on energy usage and utility bills. The apartments feature a stacked washer and dryer, while the kitchen features a dishwasher, beautiful cabinets, countertops, and refrigerator as well as fire safety features. The renovation project also upgraded the parking areas and mailboxes.

The Natchitoches Thomas Apartments have 1,2-,3- and 4-bedroom units. The rent is based on the tenant’s income. 

Join Marvin as he talks about recent redistricting in the State of Louisiana

Brought to you by Lance Lopez with Farm Bureau, Harrington Law Firm, Sharpco Hotel Group and the Mariner Restaurant.

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By BRAD WELBORN, Northwestern State Sports Information

When then-true freshman Abram Johnston took the field for the first time as Northwestern State’s starting quarterback in the late stages of last season, nerves traveled with him. 

Through the understandable butterflies he flashed promise, throwing for 301 yards and a touchdown. But the growing pains of inexperience showed, too — including two costly interceptions.

A year later, Johnston carries himself like a different player.

“Last year there wasn’t as much confidence for me,” Johnston admitted. “I had never played in a college game yet. But this year it’s totally different. I’m much more confident, and I have the team behind my back.”

The confidence he carries into NSU’s Southland Conference opener Saturday night in Turpin Stadium against East Texas A&M, the same team he made his first career start against a year ago, hasn’t come overnight, but Johnston’s progress has been impossible to ignore. 

He remembers vividly the mistakes from that first start — a red zone turnover, another coming out of halftime. Those moments stuck with him, but instead of shaking his belief, they sharpened his resolve.

“It’s exciting to see how much I’ve grown and learned from last year,”  said Johnson, two years removed from his days as the star QB for Parkview Baptist High School in Baton Rouge . “I remember making a couple of big mistakes … so being able to see how much I’ve learned and gotten better against the same team is a cool opportunity.”

His mindfulness and ability to celebrate the good while still believing there was still more he could do or do better, is an intangible that head coach Blaine McCorkle loves in his young signal caller. 

Two weeks ago against Prairie View A&M, Johnston produced his first three-touchdown game, throwing for two and rushing for another, a career-long 29-yard run that tied the game at 17 late in the third quarter. 

He finished with 232 all-purpose yards going 13-for-20 in the air and carrying the ball 15 times. Johnston did not throw an interception or turn the ball over in the game and only took one sack.

“You look at the stat line and how he played last time and you say this guy had a pretty good game,” McCorkle said. “But he’ll tell you there were a lot of things that he left on the table. He comes so far every week because he is really tough and really smart. He has the ability to self-correct, process information and his rate of growth will be really fast compared to a lot of quarterbacks as young as him. Because it is important to him and he wants to do well.”

That growth and progression since his first start is not only mental, but equally physical for the redshirt freshman QB. Plays, moments and situations that once felt overwhelming now come naturally.

“Mentally things have really slowed down for me,” he said. “Last year they would call in a play on the wristband and I’d check it two or three times just to make sure I got it right and said it right in the huddle. Now it’s second nature. Physically, having a full year with this strength staff, I probably gained 10 pounds and just feel stronger.”

That strength — and confidence — play hand-in-hand with his ability as a thrower and a runner with the football. Johnston has carried the ball 40 times for the Demons this year, an average of 10.0 rushing attempts per game, the most on the team, and is second on the team in rushing yards at 122.

Several of those carries have been designed quarterback runs, but his ability to extend plays and get positive yards will serve the Demons well as they enter the eight-game conference portion of the season.

“That (his strength) just adds to my confidence,” Johnston said. “You can’t run timid in football and I definitely don’t feel that at this point. Confidence to run and know when to use my legs but also when to throw the ball, stay in the pocket and make a throw.”

Johnston’s evolution has also been fueled by the players around him. A deep receiving corps, with 13 different players having at least one reception on the season, have embraced persistence and roles beyond just catching passes.

“It’s a really good group of receivers, and they’re all patient,” Johnston said. “The ball gets spread around, so nobody gets a ton of touches at one time. They’re patient and do their job. They’re good at stalk blocking, good at blocking on the outside. They do their part and when their moment comes they’ve all made plays this year.”

As Johnston prepares to face East Texas A&M again, it serves as a fitting measuring stick for himself and the Demons. A year ago, he was a newcomer learning hard lessons. Now, he’s a confident leader driving the Demon offense forward — a quarterback who continues to grow into the job, and learning to thrive in it.

The Northwestern State soccer team aims to bounce back tonight at 7 when it welcomes Southeastern Louisiana to the Demon Soccer Complex to begin an action-packed homecoming weekend.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. for a contest that can be viewed on ESPN+.

“It should be another good game,” Northwestern coach Ian Brophy said. “They’re off to a hot start to conference play with two wins and a tie. We know it will be a really tough game and we know we’ll have to go in and fight for a win and do all the little details we’re working on in practice and getting things right.  If we do that, then hopefully we can protect home field and come away with a big three points.”

The Demons are honoring former player Heather Penico, the 2005 Southland Conference Player of the Year, who led the Demons to the NCAA Tournament and is being inducted into the N-Club Hall of Fame on Saturday, the sixth member of the soccer program to be inducted.

She joins Britiany Cargill, Erin Hebert, Holly Horn Broussard, Hillarie Marshall Coleman and Missy Payne Howe.

“Seeing these former athletes just goes to show you the history of this program that has won five Southland championships,” Brophy said. “It shows the program’s traditional success here, fighting for titles year in and year out, so it is great to see these ladies get recognized. I was really happy to see Hillarie get recognized last year, so we are really looking forward to Heather being recognized this year.”

It is also alumni night, as at least seven former NSU athletes are making the return to the Soccer Complex.

This year’s NSU (6-3-3) team is coming off a heartbreaking 1-0 loss at Houston Christian, despite outshooting the Huskies 17-7.

The Demons and Lady Lions (3-4-3, 2-0-1) are no strangers to tight contests against one another.

NSU and SLU have clashed in epic contests in recent times, as 11 of the last 12 contests have been decided by no more than one goal, including last season’s tournament game won by the Demons and the Lady Lions’ 2-1 win in Hammond during last year’s regular season.

NSU has been locking down opponents during a 10-game stretch, as the Demons have allowed just four goals during those 10 and NSU has allowed no more than one goal in any of them.

SLU has started out league play undefeated, beating UTRGV and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and tying Stephen F. Austin.

VOLLEYBALL:  The Demon volleyball team gets back into action Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Edinburg, Texas, against the UT-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros as Southland Conference play continues.

The Demons (1-15, 0-2 SLC) showed signs of progress despite Saturday’s loss to Houston Christian (7-8, 2-0 SLC). NSU had the match tied at 20-20 in the first set before falling 25-20 and then trailed just 24-23 in the third set before HCU clinched the win.

“It’s all a process,” said Demons coach Ben Kaszeta. “The results are important, but we can’t get too focused on it to where we are so worried about it that we don’t get better. Our energy and effort have been really good but now we have to start matching it with some execution.”

The Demons enter the weekend leading the conference in aces (100) led by junior Jade Longlad. The Calgary, Canada native has 33 aces which also leads the league and is tied for fifth in the nation. The University of Central Florida’s Skylar English has 38 to lead the country.

The morning of October 3, 2020, dawned cool, clear and calm, a perfect day to begin squirrel season. I rode my 4-wheeler to my favorite woods, parked it and walked over to a log to sit and wait for daylight.

This is something I have done since I was a kid, being in the woods at first light on opening day of squirrel season. My dad engrained in me my love for hunting squirrels when I was just a little tyke, following him, watching him and learning how he did it so that a few years later, I could go out on my own.

This morning five years ago was different. Back and leg pain that had gotten worse limiting my mobility but it was opening day and I was determined to give it a go. Having already crossed the 80-year threshold a couple of years earlier meant I was experiencing what happens to most guys my age. I still had the want-to; it was the get-it-done thing that was superseding the desire to do as I had done opening day in previous years.

I watched the cool clear dawn slowly transition into daylight and began scanning the acorn-laden oaks for movement that would indicate that squirrels were ready for breakfast.

As I sat and waited, I remembered opening day in times past when I would be watching the trees as daylight approached. I recalled that first shaking of an oak limb that indicated a squirrel was up and moving, how I would ease up, sneak quietly to within gun range of the feeding squirrel, waiting until it gave me a clear shot before drawing a bead and hitting the trigger.

If all went according to my plan, I’d watch the squirrel tumble to the ground and feel a real sense of pride – one squirrel spotted, one shot and one cooling in my game bag.

After the woods quieted down, I’d watch the trees from more movement and if I saw another on the move, the sequence would be repeated.

If not, I’d carefully and quietly pick my way through the woods to the next grove of hardwoods, keeping my eyes alert for movement and by the end of the hunt, I would hopefully have enough squirrels in my game bag for a squirrel mulligan or enough young ones for a squirrel fry that would beat anything Col. Sanders could do with his fried chicken.

A favorite thing was to go back to camp, clean the squirrels, select the younger ones to fry alongside a plate of Mary B’s biscuits and homemade gravy. It really doesn’t get much better than that.

On that morning five years ago, I soon spotted four squirrels moving in the oaks 150 or so yards away across a little drain. In order to get within shooting distance of them, I would have to ease down a slight hill using trees to cover my movements, cross the drain to get close enough.

I started my stalk to head in their direction and after sneaking a few yards, I stopped and pondered what I would need to do to cover the distance, and I decided to do something I had never done in all my years of squirrel hunting. I turned around, slowly walked back to my 4-wheeler and left the woods. I never went back.

My final squirrel hunt ended getting to experience being in the cool quiet woods one more time, seeing some squirrels and facing the decision that this sport I love was something I cherished but simply could not do anymore.

I’m OK with that as I have a storehouse of memories I can rely on when the weather cools down as opening day in October rolls around.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

Natchitoches Parish Schools were featured this week in the Boston Globe Magazine in an in-depth article examining reading and math achievement across the United States. The feature highlights the district’s significant progress over the past five years, noting record-high scores in grades 3–8 reading and math. From 2019 to 2024, Natchitoches Parish students gained more than a grade level in reading, surpassing the national average for the first time.

The article credits the district’s progress to the work of teachers, leaders, and students, as well as the implementation of evidence-based literacy practices, teacher collaboration, and innovative supports. Schools across the parish, from L.P. Vaughn Elementary to M.R. Weaver and beyond, were recognized as part of the district’s story of resilience and improvement.

Superintendent Grant Eloi emphasized the urgency of reform in the system, describing the school district itself as a public health crisis that required decisive action. The article notes that those actions are now showing results, drawing national attention.

Northwestern State University presented the Nth Degree to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center CEO Kirk Soileau Wednesday to acknowledge his and the hospital’s support of the university, specifically for the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health and NSU Athletics.

The Nth Degree is a special honor conferred by Northwestern that recognizes individuals who have gone the extra mile in meritorious service to the university or the community.

“This is a special award that goes to a special individual who has shown phenomenal interest in Northwestern and service to Northwestern, being there for us and accommodating us and one we appreciate deeply,” said NSU President James Genovese at the surprise announcement Wednesday, which took place during a lunch for NRMC personnel.

“I do appreciate this, and it means a lot to me to be able to do the work we do with the university,” Soileau said. “This is a true partnership that began eight or nine years ago and, as they say, a rising tide floats all boats. The success of the university is also the success of Natchitoches Regional.”

Soileau has over 40 years of healthcare experience in the public, for-profit, not-for-profit and faith-based organizations and was the founder of an international healthcare consulting company traveling to over 21 countries. He joined NRMC as chief executive officer in 2013 and is responsible for all aspects of the NRMC’s strategic, clinical and financial direction.

The NRMC health system encompasses 216 beds comprised of an acute care hospital, assisted living and long-term care facility. The NRMC network includes 12 primary care, rural health, specialty and walk-in clinics serving Natchitoches, Sabine, Winn and Red River parishes. NRMC recently acquired the Northwest Louisiana Cancer Center to further expand access to care for the residents of the medical centers service area.

NSU and NRMC have several long-standing partnerships and professional services agreements. The hospital is the official sports medicine provider for NSU Athletics, which includes care for student athletes and spirit teams, and supports trainers in NSU’s sports medicine program. NRMC has provided significant sponsorship of major fundraising events for the NSU Foundation and Demons Unlimited and has several agreements in place to help NSU graduate more nurses and healthcare providers for the region.

Since Soileau joined NRMC, the health system has seen expansive growth in both in-patient and outpatient services and medical staff recruitment. Growing from annual patient touch points of 57,000 in 2013 to over 225,000 service encounters last year and net revenue growth from $23M to $100M over the same period demonstrates the outcome of the NRMC leadership teams focus on organizational performance. That focus centers on improving the patient experience, becoming a Top 100 Hospital and adopting the Baldrige framework as the organization’s business model, earning the Texas Quality Governor’s award in 2019 and 2022 along with being named a TOP 100 Safe Care hospital nationally three out of the last five years.

Before joining NRMC, Soileau was CEO for Oakdale Community Hospital, system CEO for Renaissance Healthcare Systems in Houston, Texas, and president and COO for Gulf States Health Services.

Soileau obtained a Diploma in Nursing from Charity Hospital School of Nursing, New Orleans; a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of St. Francis, Joilet, Illinois, and a Master of Health Administration from Tulane University, New Orleans. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and a 2018 National Malcolm Baldrige Fellow.

Soileau was appointed by Gov. Bobby Jindal and subsequently re-appointed by Governors John Bel Edwards and Jeff Landry to serve on the Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners for the State of Louisiana. He is a board member for the LHA Trust Funds/HSLI/The Physicians Trust for Louisiana and is the past chairman of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Louisiana American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) State Chapter. He has served as board member-at-large for the Louisiana Hospital Association while currently serving on the LHA finance committee. Soileau has been an active Rotarian since 1998 and serves on the Board of Directors for Exchange Bank headquartered in Natchitoches.

“I’m humbled by this,” Soileau said. “I never expected anything like this and it’s really not about me but about our associates. I thank you for being here and being part of this.”

BOM Bank President & CEO Ken Hale, along with his children and BOM Bank employees Ragan and Drake Hale, and Board Members Kay Foshee and Leanne Foreman, and Kay’s granddaughter, Thea Foshee are pictured with the American flag that once flew over our Montgomery branch in the 1940s—before Alaska and Hawaii became states.

This treasured flag has now been carefully framed to preserve it for generations to come. For our BOM Bank family, this flag holds even deeper meaning.

Former BOM Bank President Merwin Wardlow—father of current Board Member Kay Foshee and Johnny Wardlow, grandfather of Board Member Leanne Foreman, and great-grandfather of Thea Foshee and older brother of Ken Hale’s grandfather, Kent Wardlow—was wounded while serving as a WWII paratrooper. He lost his leg in combat, and it was his service and sacrifice that inspired Ken’s grandfather to save this flag. Greg Brian, current BOM Bank Board Member also pictured, is the son of Fay, sister of Merwin and Kent. 

We are proud to honor both this piece of American history and the Wardlow family’s legacy of service and dedication.

Pictured on front row, from left, are Board Member Jim Gibson, Drake Hale, Board Member Leeanne Wardlow Foreman, Ragan Hale, Board Member Dr. Greg Brian, Board Member Kay and Thea Foshee, and Johnny Wardlow. On back row are Board Members Henry Rachal, Ken Hale, James Snyder, Kyler Martinez, Tyler Murchison, and Ronald Roy. Not pictured are Board Members Roger Cunningham, John Brittain, and Dr. Simeon Wall Jr.

The City of Natchitoches Water System has issued a boil advisory effective immediately for customers along Keyser Avenue from Parkway to the Village of St. Anne, including Masonic Drive, Martin Drive, and all of Chinquapin Village.

The advisory was prompted by a 10-inch water main break on Oct. 1, which caused water pressure in the affected areas to fall below 20 pounds. A drop in pressure increases the risk of contamination, making the water supply of questionable microbiological quality.

Residents in the impacted area are urged to disinfect all water before use, including drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth, making ice, or rinsing food. The recommended method is to bring water to a rolling boil for one full minute in a clean container. The one-minute count begins after the water reaches a rolling boil. To improve taste, boiled water may be shaken in a clean bottle, poured between containers, or a small pinch of salt can be added per quart.

The boil advisory will remain in effect until it is officially rescinded by the water system.

This advisory affects only the designated area and does not impact the remainder of the City of Natchitoches Water Distribution System.