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Get ready to experience the magic of handcrafted wonders at the 52nd Annual Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival, taking place on April 18 from 9 am – 5 pm, and April 19 from 10 am – 3 pm. The festival will be held at Melrose on the Cane where attendees can immerse themselves in a vibrant showcase of unique treasures crafted by talented artisans, savor a variety of delicious foods, sip on beer, wine, and other refreshing beverages such as fresh squeezed lemonade. Homemade ice cream returns to the festival this year as a long standing fan favorite as well as iron and wood works for your home and garden. We are also excited to feature local authors throughout the festival, along with live demonstrations that highlight traditional crafts such as basket weaving and quilting. These interactive experiences offer guests a chance to connect with the rich cultural heritage of the area.

Additionally, Randolph “Randy” Deaton will be presenting a special talk on Clementine Hunter on Saturday, April 18 at 11 am. Guests are encouraged to bring any photos or personal stories they may have of Clementine Hunter, which can be scanned and added to his growing collection.

Tickets for this exciting event can be purchased at: https://givebutter.com/MelroseArtsAndCrafts2026. Attendees will be able to shop for: stunning jewelry, exquisite paintings, savory salsa, intricate woodwork, delectable desserts, and much more. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or simply looking for something special, there’s something for everyone to discover and cherish at the Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival.

“We’d love for y’all to come out, shop, and support historic Melrose. Take in the views, check out all the vendors, and just enjoy a good day together at the festival. Tours of the Big House and African House will be available- so bring your friends and family and make it a day to remember, ” said Ariel Rachal event organizer.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate over five decades of artistic excellence at the 52nd Annual Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival. Purchase your tickets today and join us for a weekend of creativity, community, and celebration!

For ticket information and event updates, visit https://givebutter.com/MelroseArtsAndCrafts2026 

If it feels like getting or keeping insurance lately comes down to luck, you’re not alone. With rates climbing, policies changing, and hurricane season always looming, many homeowners are left wondering what they’ll land on next—and whether they can afford it.

The Natchitoches Central Chiefs, Lakeview Gators and St. Mary’s Tigers earned LHSAA baseball playoff bids released Tuesday, with the Chiefs traveling south this weekend, the Gators with a short road trip, while the Tigers don’t begin their postseason until the end of the month. 

NCHS (21-13) will play a best-of-three Non-Select Division I series beginning Thursday at 12th seeded Northshore (25-9). The Chiefs are seeded 21st. They play Thursday and Friday at 6:30, and if necessary, Saturday at noon. 

St. Mary’s (15-9) earned the No. 9 seed in the Select Division IV bracket, where competition is single-elimination. The high seed earned them a first-round bye, as it did their regional round opponent, Vermilion Catholic, No. 8 in the bracket, 15-10 overall. That game will be sometime between April 29 and May 2. 

Lakeview (16-15) is the No. 21 seed in Non-Select Division IV and will visit No. 12 Logansport next Thursday, April 23 in a first-round game.

BEAUMONT, Texas – Northwestern State rode another strong start from Mattison Buster and a late offensive surge to a game-one win, but were unable to slow Lamar’s bats in the nightcap as the teams split Tuesday’s Southland Conference softball doubleheader.

NSU looks to secure its third road conference series win of the season today at 2 p.m. with ESPN+ coverage and a broadcast on KZBL-FM Radio 100.7 in Natchitoches.

The Demons (22-22 overall, 11-9 in the Southland) took the opener 6-2 before falling 10-5 in Game 2, despite pounding out 19 hits Tuesday, six of them going for extra bases, and scoring 11 total runs.

“I was happy with how our offense performed today, and (Mattison) Buster did a great job in the circle in that first game,” head coach Jenny Fuller said. “Glad to come out of today with a split, and think if our offense can do that again tomorrow, we have a chance to take the series.”

Buster was perfect the first time through the lineup, retiring the first 10 batters she faced in a row before surrendering a one-out walk in the fourth inning. The no-hitter was broken up two batters later on a single to center, but Buster stranded both runners to keep Lamar off the board.

The Demon offense gave Buster the lead in the top of the fourth with a two-out rally. Makynlie Jones and Aly Delafield reached on back-to-back hits giving NSU a first-and-third scenario. The Demons deployed a double steal, forcing a bad throw to third that skipped to the outfield allowing Jones to score.

Delafield was at the center of the Demons’ next run scoring chance in the sixth as she followed a Brynn Daniel double to left center with a runner on first with a two-bagger of her own to right to give NSU a 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals finally got to Buster in the bottom of the inning, pushing across two runs on a single to center and a wild pitch, cutting the lead down to one heading into the final frame.

NSU’s offense though had found its stride and broke the game open with a crooked number inning, with Daniel providing the decisive blow, a no-doubt three-run home run off the scoreboard in left, her second long ball of the season, making it a 6-2 NSU lead.

The Demons carried that offensive momentum into the nightcap, scoring in the first inning for the 20th time this season. Northwestern opened a 4-1 lead in its first three at-bats before Lamar scored four to answer the Demons’ three to take the lead in the third. They stretched the lead with two more in the fourth and scored at least one run in each of their final five trips to the plate in the game.

The Demons recorded nine total hits with six coming off the bats of Smith and Daniel in Game 2. Both came to the plate in the final two innings with chances at four-hit games but were turned away in their final at-bats.

“I really thought they were dialed in at the plate from the middle of that first game on,” Fuller said. “Brynn really secured the game for us with that home run. We felt like she was due for a big hit like that and she came through. JT got things going too, had three hits in the second game, so really happy with the offense today.”

With three runs scored on the day, JT Smith became just the second NSU player in the past 10 seasons to score 40 runs in a season and the first since Cayla Jones scored 41 in 2018 and 2019.

Buster (19-10) is one win away from becoming the fifth 20-game winner in the Southland Conference since 2021 and the first Demons pitcher with 20 wins in a season since Amie Ford tied the single-season record with 21 in 2004.

Daniel went 5-for-8 on the day with a home run, two doubles, five RBI and scored three runs. She was part of a the 4-5-6-7 hitters in the NSU lineup on the day that had a combined 12 hits.

BATON ROUGE – Both the Northwestern State baseball team and LSU took advantage of fifth-inning errors Tuesday night.

The Tigers’ swing in that moment, however, was a little bit larger and turned out to be the difference in the game.

Jake Brown’s three-run home run with two outs in the fifth inning drove in three unearned runs and lifted the Tigers to a 4-2 victory at Skip Bertman Field at Alex Box Stadium.

The Demons were unable to rekindle their scoring machine from last year when they run-ruled the eventual national champion Tigers 13-3. LSU won for the fourth time in the last seven meetings.

“There’s something to be said about the level of competition and the level of fight our guys continue to show,” third-year head coach Chris Betrand said. “That’s two out of the last three years that we’ve played one of the best teams in the land within one swing of a ball game at their home ballpark. I’m really proud of the way our guys came ready to play and really proud of the way they competed in a close ball game in an incredible environment, but it comes down to that level of production and getting the job done in the game’s biggest moments.”

The biggest moment for both teams came in the fifth inning.

Tied at 1 after the teams traded solo home runs in the early innings, the Demons (23-14) struck for a run in the top of the fifth, building it with the help of two LSU errors.

Bryce Johnson led off with a single and took second on an errant pickoff throw from Reagan Ricken. After Mason Wray, whose first home run of the season gave Northwestern a 1-0 lead in the second inning, reached on catcher’s interference, Zach White laid down a sacrifice bunt.

Sam Ardoin’s grounder to short gave the Demons the lead before Carson Benge (1-0) escaped further trouble.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Tigers (23-15) got the leadoff man on by virtue of the Demons’ lone error of the game.

After Chase Prestwich (1-2) got a key fielder’s choice to record the second out, Northwestern went to left-hander Jacob LeBlanc, who got ahead of left-handed hitting Jake Brown 1-2 before Brown tagged that pitch for a three-run home run to right-center field.

“Anytime you’re able to manufacture and scratch a run against a team like this, you need to take the learning points that come from it,” Bertrand said. “Hopefully, it shows you, one, that we’re capable, and, two, it sets the framework of what a quality inning looks like. Not only that, but we did it with six, seven, eight, nine in our lineup. We did it with the bottom of the lineup.

“When the Demons get back to attacking the opponent and using all nine guys to attack, we’re capable of putting together innings and ball games just like that.”

After Brown’s home run, the pitching staffs from each side took turns dancing out of trouble.

LeBlanc, Lucas Harrington and Carter White kept LSU off the scoreboard in the final three innings, allowing the Demons to build one final push in the eighth inning.

Northwestern loaded the bases before Deven Sheerin came in and got a strikeout and a foul out to end the threat. Sheerin then struck out the side in the ninth for his third save of the season.

“We competed in a great way, but when the game requires you to execute and be productive in order to win, we have to be better in those moments,” Bertrand said. “For the first five innings of the game, our offense was those things, regardless of what’s on the scoreboard. In innings six, seven, eight and nine, we struck out 11 times when they only have to collect 12 outs.

“The arms they rolled out in those four innings were incredible arms, but we’re going to have to figure our ways to gain some productivity against great arms so that we can be successful moving forward – whether it be in the important nine games of Southland paly that are left or when we go to Arkansas or when we get the program where we need to get it.”

The Demons return to action Friday when they open a three-game Southland Conference series at Lamar. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Students from Middle Lab’s orchestra program earned top recognition during a recent performance trip to Walt Disney World, continuing a tradition of excellence under the direction of Katrice LaCour.

The group received a superior rating at the competition, qualifying them for one of the event’s highest honors. They were then awarded the Golden Mickey, which is presented to the ensemble with the highest overall score in its division, competing against bands, orchestras, and choirs from across the field.

School officials noted that the recognition has become a familiar achievement for the program, with this marking approximately the fourth or fifth time LaCour’s students have earned the distinction.

In addition to the group’s success at the national-level competition, LaCour was recently recognized by the state legislature for his contributions to music education and his broader cultural impact.

School leaders praised the students for representing Middle Lab with consistency and excellence, adding that their performances continue to stand out year after year.

April 15 is a date etched into history through events that span tragedy, perseverance, and transformation across different eras.

Perhaps the most widely recognized event tied to this day is the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. After striking an iceberg late on April 14, the luxury liner sank in the early hours of April 15, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,500 passengers and crew. The disaster shocked the world and led to sweeping maritime safety reforms, including improved lifeboat requirements and the establishment of the International Ice Patrol.

April 15 is also known in the United States as Tax Day, the deadline for filing federal income tax returns. While far less dramatic, the annual date has become a consistent fixture in American life, often sparking discussions about fiscal policy, government spending, and economic responsibility.

In 1947, another milestone unfolded when Jackie Robinson made his debut in Major League Baseball, breaking the color barrier. His first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers marked a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, challenging segregation in professional sports and paving the way for greater inclusion.

The date also carries somber significance in more recent history. On April 15, 2013, two bombs detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring hundreds. The attack led to a massive manhunt and ultimately changes in security measures at major public events.

Across generations, April 15 has come to represent both loss and progress, serving as a reminder of how pivotal moments can reshape safety standards, social norms, and national conversations.

The Natchitoches City Council moved to address the city’s long-term infrastructure and financial future at its April 13 meeting, introducing a $112.4 million consolidated budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and advancing a series of utility upgrades aimed at stabilizing local water services.

The proposed budget, introduced as Ordinance #011, outlines $112,421,878 in total spending across all funds for the fiscal year beginning June 1. Finance Director Clarissa Brown Smith noted that a central pillar of the plan is the strategic use of $1.2 million in local matching funds to leverage more than $20 million in state and federal grants.

“Identifying those match dollars was one of our biggest tasks this year,” Brown Smith said. “It allows us to invest in our infrastructure well beyond what our local tax base could provide alone.”

The spending plan allocates $10.3 million to utilities, $4.7 million to the physical environment, and $3.3 million to public safety capital outlay.

The council authorized a significant expansion of the South Williams Waterline Project through two change orders with David Lawler Construction.

While the first change order resulted in a $2,010 decrease by standardizing pipe materials, a second order added $64,728 to the contract to replace an aging 2-inch galvanized line on Royal Street with a new 6-inch PVC main. Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. noted that despite the addition, the project remains significantly under its original $980,000 budget.

In related infrastructure news, the council introduced a zoning amendment for 3600 University Parkway. The property is slated to be rezoned from R-2 to R-1 to facilitate the development of the city’s new fire station.

The meeting took on a celebratory tone during a series of special recognitions. The council honored Kolade Newton, a local athlete who recently captured the USA Club Wrestling State Championship in the 14U 225-pound division.

“We need more young men getting involved and doing things actively and positively,” Mayor Williams said, presenting Newton with a certificate of achievement.

The council also issued a proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, specifically recognizing the dispatchers who handle emergency calls for the city and parish. Police Chief Nikeo Collins introduced 46-year veteran Brenda Henderson and supervisor Daquan Johnson, describing the dispatchers as the “lifeline” for field officers.

“They are the voice in the night that you don’t see,” added Fire Chief John Wynn. “They are the actual first first-responders.”

The Council also approved:

• Resolution #021: Streamlining administrative paperwork for the Natchitoches Regional Airport in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD).

• Proclamation #017: Declaring April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, featuring a presentation from CASA Central Louisiana regarding their annual “Pinwheel Garden” campaign.

• Resolution #020: Designating Wednesday, April 22, as Earth Day, which will coincide with the statewide “Love the Boot” litter abatement initiative.

The council will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget before its final adoption. The next scheduled meeting is set for April 27, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.

The Natchitoches Parish Government has announced a temporary daytime road closure for Bennett Loop between Highway 504 and Hicks Road from Monday, April 13 through Thursday, April 16.

According to the parish, the roadway will be closed to all through traffic each day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. while the Natchitoches Parish Highway Department conducts road repair work.

Officials noted that the road will remain open to residents who live within the designated work zone during the scheduled closure hours.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and use alternate routes while work is underway. For additional information, the Natchitoches Parish Highway Department can be reached at 318-357-2200.

Louisiana is set to overhaul its K-12 English language arts (ELA) requirements, shifting toward what officials describe as a “return to timeless academic practices.”

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) recently approved the revised standards, which were recommended by State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. The changes are designed to build upon the state’s recent gains in reading proficiency by doubling down on fundamental literacy skills.

“These standards reflect a return to timeless academic practices,” Dr. Brumley said. “They also prioritize feedback we’ve heard from parents and teachers who want more classroom time devoted to core skills.”

The updated standards, which are scheduled to take effect for the 2027–2028 school year, introduce several key shifts in how literacy is approached in Louisiana classrooms:

The Science of Reading: The curriculum will place a heavier emphasis on phonics and foundational decoding skills. This aligns with a growing national movement to move away from “balanced literacy” in favor of evidence-based methods that help students become independent readers.

Grammar and Communication: The revisions reinforce a structured progression in grammar and usage, aimed at improving student communication in both professional and everyday environments.

Cursive Writing: Despite the digital age, the state is recommitting to handwriting, requiring cursive as part of a comprehensive approach to literacy.

State policy requires a review of K-12 content standards at least once every seven years. The current update marks the first major revision since the 2015–2016 cycle.

The process began in 2024 and was facilitated by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE). To ensure the changes reflected real-world classroom needs, the LDOE utilized a committee of local educators, school leaders, parents, and higher education experts. The revision included public meetings and a formal comment period to gather stakeholder input.

State officials clarified that while the new standards define what a student is expected to learn at each grade level, local school systems maintain the authority to choose their own curriculum—the specific textbooks and daily lesson plans used to teach those standards.

To prepare for the 2027 rollout, the LDOE plans to provide school systems with specialized training, instructional resources, and guidance to ensure a smooth transition for teachers and students alike.

Students from across Natchitoches, Vernon, and Red River parishes recently participated in a multi-day college tour to Atlanta, Georgia, organized by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Natchitoches Alumnae Chapter.

The trip, focused on educational development, provided participants with firsthand exposure to higher education opportunities and campus life at several Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Students visited Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College, where they toured campuses, explored academic programs, and learned about admissions requirements.

As part of the experience, students also visited The King Center to learn about the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on leadership, service, and civic responsibility.

Organizers said the initiative aimed to inspire students to pursue higher education while reinforcing the importance of scholarship and personal growth.

The chapter recognized several community sponsors for supporting the trip, including Randy Williams, City Bank, Boise Cascade, the City of Natchitoches, Attorney Howard Conday, Joanna Cooper, Edward Ward, Dr. Marcus Jones, Cloyd Benjamin, and the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation.

Special appreciation was also extended to Travis J. Batiste of Clark Atlanta University for assisting with coordination efforts.

Organizers said the program reflects the chapter’s ongoing commitment to empowering youth through education and opportunity.

The Natchitoches City Council took time during its April 13 meeting to celebrate local excellence, formally recognizing Kolade Newton for his recent victory as a USA Club Wrestling State Champion.

Newton, competing in the 14U division within the 225-pound weight class, represents the Natchitoches Wrestling Organization. His achievement marks a significant milestone for the local youth sports program, which aims to provide fundamental training and competitive opportunities for the community’s athletes.

During the presentation, Newton was joined by his coach, Rudolph Glass—a Detective Lieutenant with the Natchitoches Police Department—who shared the young wrestler’s journey with the Council.

“I put a Facebook post out about starting a USA club team for the community so kids could learn the basic fundamentals,” Coach Glass said. “Kolade was 11 or 12 when he first started. He had to wrestle with the older guys, including two-time state finalists. This was his first year competing, and he did a great job.”

Glass described Newton as a hardworking and respectable athlete who balances his time on the wrestling mat with playing football. “He works hard, he comes to practice every day, and he works in his off time. He has a lot more in store,” Glass added.

Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. presented Newton with a certificate of recognition, emphasizing the importance of positive youth engagement in the city.

“We want to honor you and let you know that your city recognizes what you’re doing,” Mayor Williams said. “I want to encourage you to continue to develop your craft. There are probably scholarship opportunities down the road if you continue to improve.”

The recognition served as the opening highlight of the council meeting, with city officials and residents in attendance offering a standing ovation for the young champion.

The Natchitoches Wrestling Organization continues to operate as a community-based program, utilizing local expertise to mentor the next generation of Natchitoches athletes.

BEAUMONT, Texas – With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, Northwestern State softball has officially entered crunch time – and it still has plenty to play for.

Only two games separate five teams battling for the second spot in the Southland Conference standings and the right to host one of the two bracket pools of the conference tournament April 30-May 3. Sitting squarely in that mix, the Lady Demons (21-21 overall, 10-8 in the SLC) begin a pivotal six-game road stretch this week that could go a long way in shaping the final standings.

NSU salvaged the last game of a three-game home set with second-place Incarnate Word last weekend. Now they visit fourth-place Lamar (25-18, 11-7), whose head coach is former Donald Pickett Lady Demon assistant coach Amy Hooks and her primary assistant is former Northwestern shortstop and assistant coach Tara McKenney.

Second-year NSU coach Jenny Fuller believes the intensity of the series with UIW, with the last two games going down to the wire, can benefit her team.

“This past weekend was a high-pressure environment, and it gave us that sort of playoff feel,” Fuller said. “The more we’re in those moments the more comfortable we’re going to be in them. We don’t have much Division I postseason experience on this roster so that was a good test for us. So will these next few games as we head towards the conference tournament.”

NSU embarks on its second longest road stretch of the season in the shortest amount of time with six games, three at Lamar followed by three at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (10-32, 4-14) this weekend. 

The midweek series begins with today’s doubleheader against the Cardinals at 3 p.m. followed by a single game on Wednesday at 2 p.m. All three games are scheduled to air on ESPN+ with Wednesday’s finale also airing locally in Natchitoches on 100.7 FM KZBL.

The Demons salvaged their three-game set this past weekend against UIW by winning the finale 3-2, behind a three-run fourth inning where five hits and six straight batters reached to provide enough offense they needed on the day.

That game was set up by the grit and resilience that the 2026 Demons continue to show this year, responding with a better performance in Friday’s nightcap after a sloppy performance in the series opener where a season-high three errors and stale play led to a run-rule loss.

“We didn’t get the win in that second game on Friday but were able to play more our style and I think that definitely played a part in us winning on Saturday,” Fuller said. “Feel like that was really a must-win game for us to get that confidence and knowledge that we can compete with the top teams in the conference.”

The 10 conference wins through 18 games match the most in a season since 2022 and the third most over the past 10 years.  Overall, 21 wins triples the win total from last season when Fuller was hired in late summer at the end of the recruiting cycle, but she still collected some quality talent to play for NSU.

They’ll face a Lamar team looking to regroup after being swept by SLC unbeaten Southeastern, ending a program-record 14-game winning streak. The Cardinals were held to just one run and eight hits across the three-game set.

Despite the recent stumble, Lamar presents a balanced challenge. The Cardinals boast slightly stronger offensive numbers in several categories, while Northwestern holds the edge in pitching and defense.

For Northwestern, the approach this week is simple and necessary.

“We have to continue to play hard and be gritty, which I think this team is,” Fuller said. “Just find any way to win games. That can look different depending on the day. We need different players to step up, Buster to continue to pitch well, and I know she will, and just work hard and grind it out this week.”