The public is invited to the first 2025 Northwestern Quarterback Club luncheon, presented by Cross Financial, today at 11:45 at Merci Beaucoup Restaurant on Church Street in downtown Natchitoches.
There will be six luncheons throughout the season, the majority of which will be on Thursdays ahead of home games. But since the season’s first game is Thursday night at Turpin Stadium, this week’s lunch is today. The cost for is $20 per person and will include a selection from a limited menu of Merci Beaucoup favorites.
Second-year head coach Blaine McCorkle and various staff members will be providing insight and reflection into the Northwestern program and this Thursday’s contest.
Additional luncheons will be held Sept. 18, Oct. 2, Oct. 23, Nov. 6 and Nov. 17. Merci Beaucoup is located at 127 Church Street in Natchitoches.
Paige Baumgartner (left) scored a goal Sunday as Northwestern won its home opener at the Demon Soccer Complex. (Photo by CHRIS REICH, NSU)
The regionally-ranked Northwestern State soccer team used a pair of first half goals and a strong back line effort in the second half to earn a 3-1 victory against Alcorn State on Sunday afternoon to open NSU’s home season at the Demon Soccer Complex.
NSU (2-1-1) posted its second three-goal performance in four contests. Alcorn State dipped to 0-2 with its second 3-1 defeat.
“It feels great to win,” head coach Ian Brophy said. “We knew it was going to be a tough match, and it turned out to be true. We knew we were in for an all-day affair. I am proud of the group and the energy they fought with to come away with three points.”
The Demons received goals from their big trio of Emily Senatore, Hosane Soukou and Paige Baumgartner.
While the Lady Braves started strong with a shot by Grace Ambrose, who recorded a game-high seven shot attempts for Alcorn, NSU found the back of the net first.
After shots from Baumgartner and Soukou in the first five minutes missed their target, the pairing connected on the first goal of the game.
In the seventh minute, Dawson Marrs sent a lead feed to Soukou, who sent a cross in the box to Baumgartner, who sent it home in the bottom right corner of the goal to give NSU the first lead.
“When either one of us gets the ball, we’re (Soukou and Baumgartner) on the same page with our runs and passes,” Baumgartner said. “Whenever I am taking the ball, she is always there for it and our speed matches up well together and we have a really good connection in the final third.”
Alcorn knotted the score in the 20th minute, as it turned a turnover into a clean look and goal by Annick Zouma.
NSU had chances to re-capture the lead from Soukou and Ravina Sandhu before Senatore regained the advantage for the Demons.
Emily Gundin found a running Senatore down the middle of the field at the top of the box and Senatore did the rest. She booted a left-footed kick to the right side of the net, past a diving Maria Heuman.
NSU keeper Kennedy Rist made her biggest save after Alcorn State was fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty kick in the 54th minute. The visitors tried to score at the bottom right corner of the goal, but Rist was equal to the task, diving to stop it and keep the advantage.
“Alcorn is a really tough team,” Brophy said. “They had that period where they were on top of their game where they were creating chances and then we gave up that penalty kick. Kennedy showed up big. Not only on that, but some other saves she made as well. That penalty shot was obviously a big moment in the game, and it shows what a great keeper she is.”
The reigning SLC Goalkeeper of the Week stopped six shots overall.
After each team generated numerous scoring opportunities, Soukou delivered the knockout blow with a goal on a header off a corner kick in the 78th minute off a pass from Emma Pethel.
“Shout out to Emma, who sent a perfect ball in on the corner,” Soukou said. “The ball just went straight for my head, and I hit it, and it went in the goal. I was so happy to score and help the team win.”
NSU is next in action Sunday at Mississippi Valley State before coming back home for contests against Grambling (Sept. 4) and UL Lafayette (Sept. 7).
Northwestern State University Baseball will host the Demon Diamond & Devotion Breakfast on Saturday, September 20, at Prather Coliseum. The event will bring together prayer, faith, and community support for the team.
The morning begins at 9 a.m. with a player meet-and-greet, followed by breakfast at 9:30 a.m. The program will begin at 10 a.m. and will include a testimony from NSU right-hander Kevin Robinson, who will share his story of faith.
Individual tickets are $20, with several sponsorship opportunities available. Options include the “Home Run for Hope” sponsorship at $750, which covers a table for eight and provides local youth with tickets to attend, the “Fork Em Fan Sponsors Table” for $500, and the “Demon Dugout Sponsor” at $250.
Sponsorships include recognition in the event program and on tables.
The event is hosted by the Lightning 12U Team. Proceeds benefit the NSU Baseball program.
Les Soeurs, a local women’s group that raises money for scholarships at Northwestern for women, held its August meeting at Watson Library.
Members were treated to a program by Donna Baker, University Archivist, about the Melrose Collection and others associated with it.
The group also welcomed four new members this summer: Melanie Johnson, Pam Frame, Megan Bostian, and Ali Rhodes.
Les Soeurs’ main fundraiser is a spring bake sale during the Farmers Market on the riverbank. All money collected by the group goes directly to NSU.
A group photo included seated members Sue Hortman, Pam Frame, Rosie Finical, and Gail Hines. Standing members were Brenda Rinehart, Charlotte Cross, Lisa Salter, Ali Rhodes, Anita James, Arleen Mayeux, Kerri LaFornara, Pat Pierson, Lisa Prudhomme, MaryAnn Nowlin, Marion Johnston, Lisa Davis Mitchel, Brenda Melder, Nancy Rutledge, Julia Jennings, Rena Baudouin, and Becky Green.
Robert Eugene Porter Sr. March 20, 1932 — August 17, 2025 Service: Wednesday, August 27 at 10 a.m. at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Natchitoches Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or npjnatla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them tonpjnatla@gmail.com
The Northwestern State University Alumni Association invites nominations for four awards, two that will recognize distinguished service, one for volunteerism toward the Alumni Association and one for a distinguished supporter. The awards will be presented during the Long Purple Line luncheon that begins at noon Friday, Oct. 3 at the Natchitoches Events Center in conjunction with Homecoming festivities.
The awards are intended to recognize alumni whose accomplishments significantly benefit both society and the NSU campus, advancing the common good and inspiring others to address challenges with insight and creativity.
Criteria for nominations is as follows.
Outstanding Young Alumnus/Alumna Distinguished Service Award – The Outstanding Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award is given to a young alumnus/alumna who has exhibited their dedication and loyalty to Northwestern’s programs and mission. The candidate must demonstrate:
An early record of distinguished service to Northwestern; and
Continued interest in serving the university in his/her life as a volunteer, donor and /or advocate.
The recipient must be an alumnus/alumna of NSU.
The recipient must have attained alumni status within ten years.
The recipient must be forty or younger at the time of the nomination.
Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna Distinguished Service Award – The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award is given to an NSU Alumni who has exhibited his or her dedication and loyalty to Northwestern’s programs and mission. The candidate must demonstrate:
A record of distinguished service to Northwestern; and
Continued interest in serving the university in his/her life as a volunteer, donor and /or advocate.
The recipient must be an alumnus/alumna of NSU.
The recipient must have attained alumni status greater than ten years.
The recipient must be forty or older at the time of the nomination.
NSU Alumni Association Volunteer of the Year Award – The Volunteer of the Year Award is given to a person who has exhibited his or her dedication and loyalty to Northwestern’s programs and mission. The candidate must demonstrate:
Membership in the NSU Alumni Association
Continued interest in serving the university in his/her life as a volunteer, donor and /or advocate.
Exemplary record of volunteer time, talents, and service to the NSU Alumni Association
Active involvement with a chapter, alumni interest group, affiliate program, NSU Alumni Board, or other forms of volunteer service to Northwestern State University
Distinguished Supporter Service Award – The Distinguished Supporter Service Award is presented to an individua who has shown exemplary support for Northwestern’s programs and missions. The candidate is not a graduate of NSU, but meets the following criteria:
Exhibits support for NSU through academics, athletics or the university’s mission and community initiatives.
Shows commitment to the university’s mission and values through active involvement, advocacy or sustained support time.
Is or has been active in initiatives that have positively affected the students, faculty, alumni and the community.
Nominations may be made by any alumnus or alumna, by any alumni chapter, or by any member of the faculty or staff of university. The selection committee is composed of the two immediate past presidents of the Alumni Association, current president of the Alumni Association, one member of the Demons Unlimited Board of Directors, the director of the Alumni Association and the SGA President.
The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (APHN), one of our area’s oldest and largest organizations dedicated to preserving and telling the stories of our area’s history, held its 3rd Annual White Linen Night Thursday, August 21 at the circa 1837 Lemee House.
The APHN members and supporters gathered to honor two dedicated preservationists who have given years of service to the APHN and its mission of preservation and education. Ms. Alma Alost, former first lady of Northwestern State University and a legend in the historic preservation community, was honored for her years of service. Also honored was Erica Outlaw. Ms. Outlaw served as a Calico Belle throughout her school days and has sponsored the group for the past three years. Each woman was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a small gift in recognition of their service to the organization.
In addition to the Lemee House, the APHN also owns and operates Melrose Plantation, one of our state’s cultural and historic treasures. The organization is perhaps best known as the host of the Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival, an annual event that draws thousands of visitors from around the country to the Melrose Plantation. The dedicated members of the APHN have been a tireless force in preserving our area’s history since 1941.
The Natchitoches Parish Journal is donating the event photography. The APHN members and their families are welcome to download any they wish.
Northwestern State University Campus Dining announced that Café Demon, the on-campus coffee shop located inside the Watson Memorial Library building, will not reopen this fall.
University dining officials expressed appreciation to students, faculty, and staff who supported the café in past semesters. While the closure marks the end of the coffee shop’s operations, officials said it also creates opportunities for new dining options on campus.
NSU Campus Dining encouraged the community to stay updated for future announcements regarding changes and improvements to the dining experience.
This past week I became a member of an exclusive club, one that takes years, possibly decades, to become eligible. There is no elaborate membership fee, per se. But, trust me, you pay for it in small increments over time.
I am officially an empty nester. Well, almost. Not sure if I am supposed to count my questionable Jack Russell Terrier and temperamental Ragdoll cat.
Since the departure of my last child, I quickly realized that I needed to stay busy at work and around the house as the silence can be deafening. I created a list of projects that had long been filed away in the recesses of my mind. The projects weren’t major in scope, but not fun at all, nonetheless. I truly don’t believe that anyone wakes up in the morning ready to clean out an overstuffed closet of kid’s clothing, old sporting goods and elderly stuffed animals.
When I began the process of removing all of the contents of the closet, I became somewhat nostalgic. My eyes started to leak. There lied her middle school cheerleading bag with her name adorably monogrammed on it. I remember the day she received it, she was over the moon with excitement. As I held it in my hands I could not make sense of why it was so heavy. As I unzipped the relic, my face began to turn a heated shade of red. Not from embarrassment or sadness but from anger. There were water bottles and empty snack bags that began to grow things that should be examined in a lab. As I was shaking my head in disgust I noticed some free range cash in the bag.
Free range cash is a label that I use to describe the cash and coins that I find while doing the laundry or cleaning out drawers and closets. If I find it in the scope of my cleaning, it then immediately becomes mine and there is no search for the rightful owner.
Not only did I find cash and spare change, I also found an unused gift card to the local movie theater. It was at this moment that I was thrown back to my own childhood. When I was in middle school the cost of a movie matinee was two dollars. This sounds like chump change in today’s terms; but I vividly remember my mother and I checking our couch cushions and the bottom of her purse to scrape up enough money for me to go to the movies with friends. My anger quickly turned to sadness. In my younger years I would have been ever so grateful for a gift card and loose cash that I didn’t need. As I kept cleaning the closet, I uncovered more monetary treasures that were left behind. Many dollar bills and loose change.
I just didn’t understand how this kid was loaded with dollars and not much sense, she didn’t even care enough to keep an eye on where it was going or at least keep it all in one place. Was I raising an ungrateful child? I truly thought that I had shared many stories of my struggles in childhood that would make her appreciate the little bit of extras that she was afforded. Instead of focusing on what I perceived as ungratefulness I began to thank the Lord for all of the goodness and mercy that he has shown me and my daughters over the years.
I began praying and asking God to forgive me if I didn’t do such a great job parenting and explaining the importance of dollars and cents. I also started sharing my long list of things to grateful for. I thanked him for my new found cash, movie gift card (wink wink), our health, a roof over our heads, food in the cabinets, transportation, friends, family, jobs we love, and above all… I thanked him for giving us his son.
What are you grateful for? Do you tell the Lord about it often enough? Do you share it with other people? My prayer is that you will always share the goodness of our savior with whoever will listen, even when it does not make sense.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the people! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works.” 1 Chronicles 16:8-9
Join Marvin as he address the following questions about the transparency of Ronnie Williams.
QUESTION ONE:Was Mayor Williams accurate on why electrical rates have increased in here in Natchitoches, in America and across the world?
QUESTION TWO:Has the Mayor been totally transparent since he signed the original LEPA agreement in March of this year and at the August 11th Council Meeting?
Brought to you by Lance Lopez with Farm Bureau, Sharpco Hotel Group and the Mariner Restaurant.
This week, the Natchitoches Parish School Board recognizes Mrs. Myra McGee, a custodian at Provencal Elementary/Junior High.
Myra is more than a custodian. From keeping the school shining to caring for students and staff, she goes above and beyond every single day. Whether it’s providing a uniform or backpack for a student in need, offering encouragement, or spreading joy with her thoughtfulness, Myra makes a difference in countless ways.
Emily Gundin and Northwestern State outshot Tarleton State 9-5 Thursday night, but couldn’t capitalize in a scoreless draw including a near-two hour weather delay and brief power outage. (File photo by CHRIS REICH, NSU)
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — A little bit of everything happened during Thursday evening’s women’s soccer game between Northwestern State and Tarleton State.
Everything except for a goal.
NSU (1-1-1) played Tarleton (1-1-1) to a scoreless draw in a weather-shortened contest at the Tarleton Soccer Complex.
The game had weather delays, power outages and goals wiped away, in a wild night, one which saw each team record multiple golden chances to score but neither found back of the net.
“It was easily the strangest, weirdest game, in my entire career,” Northwestern’s third-year head coach Ian Brophy said. “There was a lightning delay followed by a short re-start and then a power outage and I thought we were going to call the game at that point.
“And then we kept playing just to get it cut short by lightning at the end. It was the strangest game I’ve been in during my career, without question.”
Tarleton outshoot NSU 4-0 before lightning entered the area and the game had an hour and 45 minute delay.
After the delay, the Demons went to work. NSU used the delay to re-group and came out of the delay with a purpose.
The Demons attempted the final five shots of the half, controlling the final 33 minutes.
“I just think we needed to re-group a little bit,” Brophy said. “I don’t think we started the game particularly well in terms of some of the things we try to do and try to play our game, and we got away from that a little bit. We just talked about getting back to the basics of what we do well.”
In the 58th minute, the lights went out, and the teams had another delay, as the lights were being worked on.
It appeared as though NSU did take the lead in the 63rd minute, as Emily Mougia had an impressive move to dribble the ball into scoring range before passing it to Paige Baumgartner. From near the end line, Baumgartner passed it into the middle for Housane Soukou, who scored from the middle of the box. But the official ruled Baumgartner was offside to nullify the goal.
The Demons had one more corner, their ninth of the match, but it was booted away, and neither team recorded a shot attempt the remainder of the game, as more lightning invaded the area in the 71st minute, and the game was called, ending in a scoreless draw.
Overall, the Demons out-shot the Texans 9-5 with Senatore and Gundin each attempting two to lead NSU.
Next up for NSU is its home opener, as it comes back to Natchitoches to take on Alcorn on Sunday at 1 p.m.
MAKING HIS POINT: Northwestern State football coach Blaine McCorkle speaks Thursday at the NSU/Independence Bowl Kickoff Luncheon Thursday at Superior’s Steakhouse in Shreveport. (Photo by BRAD WELBORN, NSU)
By JASON PUGH, Northwestern State Athletic Media Relations
SHREVEPORT — Standing at the podium inside Superior’s Steakhouse, second-year Northwestern State football coach Blaine McCorkle reiterated just how deep his ties run with the Independence Bowl.
“Last year, I wore both of my (Independence Bowl) rings, but today I only wore mine from 1995,” McCorkle said during Thursday’s Northwestern State/Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Kickoff Luncheon. “It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years, but you guys do a wonderful job in a great bowl and there are a lot of great memories here.”
McCorkle then turned his attention to his current team – the 2025 Demons – which opens the season next Thursday at 7 p.m. against Alcorn State in Turpin Stadium.
That group of Demons will be loaded with in-state products – most directly from high school while others have found their way back to their home state via the transfer portal.
In his 21 months since taking over the Demon program, McCorkle has placed a premium on recruiting in-state talent.
“Our staff has now been through two full cycles of recruiting and 82 percent of the high school signees that we’ve signed are from the state of Louisiana,” McCorkle said. “That’s more than any of the other 13 Division I football-playing schools in Louisiana and that’s more than quite a few of them combined. This state right here has some of the best talent in the country. Everybody sitting in this room knows that. The numbers back it up. We’re going to stay close to home, and we’re going to stay homegrown.
“We brought in four freshmen from right here (Shreveport-Bossier City) this year. We got two from Airline (Ben Taylor and Ben Jump) and and two from Huntington (Nehemiah Barrett and Tyler Welch), and we got one from Ruston (Sam Nations), so we’re really excited about the inroads we’ve made specifically in this area.”
With family members of some Northwestern players in attendance, McCorkle expounded upon his reasons – beyond the quality of football played in the area – for keeping recruiting close to the geographic vest.
“We’re going to grow them and develop them, and the more you do that – the more grandma and friends and family can see you play – it makes you want play harder,” McCorkle said. “It makes you want to stay. It makes you not want to go four states away. We’re trying to bring in kids who want to call it home and want to be Northwestern State graduates and good alums when they leave.
“So far, I feel like we’re on track with it. We have to watch some of those guys grow up, but we like the progress they’re making.”
That progress will be seen on the field, but it already has shown up throughout training camp, which came to a conclusion this past Saturday in a place McCorkle has called home for nearly two years.
McCorkle said there is not a day that passes where he does not pull up to the Donald G. Kelly Athletic Complex and see a packed Turpin Stadium in his mind.
“Natchitoches is a special place,” he said. “My wife (Gina) and son (Sammy) and I have been here for 21 months and have really fallen in love with this town. It’s unique. It’s special. There are a lot of small college towns out there, but I think there is a special connection with our town and this university and this athletic department and this football team. Last year, we had a bad season and finished second in the conference in attendance.
“That is rare and unheard of, so just imagine what that thing is going to turn into when we start stacking the Ws together. It’s going to be special.”
James Michael Pierce ¨Mike¨ passed peacefully surrounded by family in Natchitoches, Louisiana on August 20, 2025 at the age of 74. Mike is survived by his wife, Teresa Barmer Pierce; son, J. Tyler Pierce (Madeline) of Breaux Bridge; grandsons John Maxwell, Porter James, and Morgan Douglas Pierce; sisters Brenda Pierce Falanga(Jimmy) of Metairie, Miriam (Patti) Fern Pierce of Lewiston, Sandy Pierce Shows(Mark) of Brandon, Mississippi. He is preceded in death by his mother & father James Murray Pierce & Dorothy Fowler Pierce of Kentwood and brother John Murray Pierce of Amite.
Mike was born on March 19, 1951 in Magnolia, Mississippi. He was a graduate of East Jefferson High School in Metairie, Louisiana. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 1973 with a degree in Agriculture where he was a proud member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He married Teresa Barmer in 1980. Mike had a long, successful career in Agriculture throughout the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. Mike loved Natchitoches and his home on the Cane River, boating and fishing off his pier. He had a life-long love for the outdoors and gardening to which he became a Master Gardner. Mike was passionate about sports, especially anything LSU or Saints related. He was lovingly known by family and friends as a music and history buff. He was an active and dedicated First Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Natchitoches where he also taught Sunday School.
A visitation will be held from 9am-11am Saturday, August 23 at First Presbyterian Church of Natchitoches, 114 Bienville Street with a memorial service at 11am. There are plans for a graveside service at Lewiston Baptist Church, in Kentwood Louisiana at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to First Presbyterian Church of Natchitoches, 114 Bienville Street.Natchitoches, La 71457.
Northwestern State University’s first cohort of students seeking a Master of Social Work degree met with department faculty and staff prior to the start of the fall semester. The MSW was approved last year and is offered completely online with students from all over the state enrolled. On the front row from left are Taywana Williams of DeRidder, Coree Nash of Jena, Kylee Barker and Christian Lawson of Natchitoches, Jaclyn Brooks of Florien and Megan Goff of Natchitoches. On the back row are Dr. Mary Edith Stacy, dean of the Graduate School; Dr. MaryAnne Candley, MSW program director and head of the Department of Social Work; Dr. Andrew Fultz, assistant professor and MSW field director; Associate Professor Denise Bailey and Trina Gibson, Title IV E coordinator. Not pictured are students Anniya’ Platt of Plain Dealing, Kristina Wozniak of Prairieville, Dr. Delana Prudhomme of Crowley, Ragini Brooke Delasalle of Baton Rouge and Elizabeth Malveaux of New Iberia. The mission of NSU’s MSW is to develop clinically trained social work professionals to meet the growing need for practitioners in the regional and national work force, with particular emphasis on providing trauma-informed services in rural central and western Louisiana. Information on the MSW and other degree programs offered through NSU’s Department of Social Work is available at https://www.nsula.edu/socialwork/.
James Michael Pierce ¨Mike¨ March 19, 1951 – August 20, 2025 Service: Saturday, August 23 at 11 am at First Presbyterian Church of Natchitoches
Rodney Lane Achord November 18, 1959 — August 17, 2025 Service: Friday, August 22 at 10 am at Calvary Baptist Church
Rev. Randle David Gipson March 18, 1943 – August 16, 2025 Service: Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 11am at the Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church on LA Highway 501 in the Calvin Community
George Raymond Matthews September 22, 1939 — August 1, 2025 An interment ceremony will take place at 10 AM on August 23 at Friendship Cemetery (adjacent to Friendship Church of the Nazarene) in Robeline, Louisiana. A Celebration of Life reception will follow from 1-3 PM at the Catholic Daughters of America Hall at 130 Trudeau St. in Natchitoches.
Natchitoches Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or npjnatla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them tonpjnatla@gmail.com
GEO Group Operations – Alexandria Staging Facility (Courtesy Photo)
JOURNAL SERVICES
The quiet Alexandria International Airport in central Louisiana has become a crucial hub in the federal government’s immigration enforcement network, handling about four charter flights daily that transport immigrant detainees across the United States while generating significant economic benefits for the region.
The ICE operations have brought substantial economic impact to the Alexandria area. The GEO Group maintains steady employment opportunities in the region, with positions ranging from security officers to program managers. Average GEO Group hourly pay ranges from approximately $10.00 per hour to $40.87 per hour for specialized positions like registered nurses, with annual salaries ranging from approximately $43,888 for compliance roles to $350,000 for physicians.
The airport operates within England Airpark, a 3,600-acre mixed-use development that serves as an economic engine for Central Louisiana, providing aviation, transportation, manufacturing, education and healthcare opportunities. The facility contributes to the regional economy through direct employment, contractor services, and support services required for the complex transportation operations.
The immigration enforcement operations support various ancillary businesses in the area, including fuel services, aircraft maintenance, catering, ground transportation, and security services. These operations provide consistent revenue streams for local vendors and service providers throughout the year.
The Alexandria Staging Facility, located at the airport about 47 miles south of Natchitoches, serves as what Immigration and Customs Enforcement calls “a 72-hour staging facility to transfer and remove individuals from the U.S. to their country of origin.”
The GEO Group, a private prison corporation under contract with ICE, operates the 400-bed facility. Large commercial aircraft — including Boeing 737-300s, 400s and 800s with capacity for 149 to 162 passengers — arrive daily from cities across the nation.
Flight tracking data shows arrivals from Newark, N.J.; Brownsville, Texas; Miami; San Antonio; Richmond, Va.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Columbus, Ohio; El Paso, Texas; and Laredo, Texas. The geographic diversity illustrates Alexandria’s role as a central consolidation point in ICE’s nationwide transportation network.
Private aviation contractors have become essential to ICE Air Operations. Eastern Air Express joined the ICE transportation network in February, according to federal records. Previously, Swiftair was documented as a primary operator at Alexandria International Airport.
The relationship between ICE and private aviation companies represents a multibillion-dollar business, creating a specialized industry focused on government contracts for immigration-related flights.
ICE emphasizes safety and security protocols in its air operations. The Alexandria facility operates under strict security measures, with restricted access and limited public information. “To preserve operational security, ICE cannot release information on pending removal flights,” the agency said in a statement.
The airport serves dual purposes: consolidating detainees arriving from across the United States and facilitating departures to other countries. Flight records show departures to Jamaica and Honduras, demonstrating the facility’s role in completing deportations.
Louisiana’s congressional delegation has acknowledged the facility’s operations. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., described the facility as “a collection point from across a region of the nation in which people are screened and then they are deported.”
The immigration enforcement transportation sector continues evolving with new contractors and changing relationships reflecting policy shifts and market dynamics. Eastern Air Express’s involvement represents the ongoing commercialization of immigration enforcement operations.
Companies have developed specialized expertise for detention transportation, security protocols and international coordination required for removal flights. This evolution has created an industry sector dedicated to government immigration contracts, providing stable employment opportunities in specialized aviation services.
The airport sector supports employment across the region, with aviation-related job opportunities extending beyond the ICE operations to include traditional airport services, military charter operations, and commercial aviation support.
Alexandria International Airport’s role illustrates the complex infrastructure underlying modern immigration enforcement. Through partnerships with private contractors and logistical coordination, the facility serves as a hub in a nationwide system for detaining and removing immigrant detainees while contributing to the local economy through sustained operations and employment.
The transformation of the regional Louisiana airport into a key federal immigration enforcement component demonstrates how immigration policy creates economic impacts across communities. The facility provides stable government contracting opportunities and supports a network of related businesses throughout Central Louisiana. As immigration policy continues evolving, facilities like Alexandria’s staging operation will likely remain central to federal enforcement efforts and continue contributing to the regional economy.
GEO Group Operations in Louisiana
Alexandria Staging Facility 96 George Thompson Drive, Alexandria, LA 71303
Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center 830 Pinehill Road, PO Box 2826, Jena, LA 71342
Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center 1133 Hampton Dupre Road, Pine Prairie, LA 70576
South Louisiana ICE Processing Center 3843 Stagg Avenue, Basile, Louisiana 70515
The Village of Robeline will hold its monthly meeting today at 6 p.m. A public hearing will be held before the meeting at 5:45 p.m. for the public to have a forum for any questions and concerns about the ordinance on the agenda that would approve the sewer bond agreement.
Everyone is invited to come and be part of the hearing and meeting.
Cane River Homeschool Group will hold a Mom’s Night on Monday, Aug. 25. If you’re interested in joining contact Courtney Freeman 318-354-7019.
I did see the opinion piece on the seat reduction of the school board. I can see how some would be content with a board of five, like our parish council. I alluded in my previous article that I felt unhappy with the division of our parish council also. And stated that Natchitoches held three seats. I do understand that one district has a tail basically that snakes up to Clarence. And the current holder of that seat is a resident of Clarence. But his district line is around Second street and Amulet Street in Natchitoches. Therefore I consider it a Natchitoches seat. By the looks of the map all of Front Street, City Hall, both court houses, a branch of the sheriff’s office and the city police office are in his district.
Basically the epicenter of Natchitoches.
The reason I feel this split is unfair is because of our road system. I think all council members can agree to fund the hospital, the health unit, the housing department and all the other things that every rural, city and municipal resident is affected by. I know the council works with Natchitoches as well as other municipalities. But the thing we do not share is the dependency on the parish road system. The three Natchitoches districts have good portions of their district within the city limits and maintained by the City’s public works.
Therefore that leaves a small portion of their district that needs roads looked after and prioritized.
These districts are already smaller than the other two. I’m not saying the two rural district council members are doing a bad job. I’m saying the size of our district is burdensome concerning the road system. The only roads they don’t have to worry about are the state highways. I honestly feel like when road work comes up, they must feel like a doctor doing triage.
Who’s the worst off and needs immediate attention and who can hold on?
Just because we can wait compared to others doesn’t mean it’s not bad. Some road conditions stop people from leaving their homes. Because no one seems to know how to pull a ditch. Or at least you’re not going to get someone who does with what the wages are currently. Not to mention damage from wear and tear of these roads on vehicles. People will say, well ya’ll won’t pass a road tax or y’all voted down taking the library money for roads. Yes we haven’t and yes we did.
Because we feel under represented in our parish.
If we vote for an increase, most feel it will never make it to our road or any road in our vicinity. We backed the library because we saw the results from their plan and saw progress on Monday for a 2 for 1 deal to complete that plan. Also, years ago a council member proposed additional road taxes by district. That was never even allowed to reach us for a vote. We’re allowed to levy different millages for the school board and fire districts.
Why not road tax? Goldonna stood up and passed extra to keep their school until the unforeseen happened. Who says they wouldn’t for better roads guaranteed in their district. We’ll never know because it never went to the people. Yet the problems persist as nothing new is attempted and anything new is shot down.
It just leaves one feeling like, I’ll take my ball and go home if we don’t play by my rules. In Monday’s meeting an oak grove resident was upset because his roads near home were in terrible shape. So if someone in Oak Grove, which is adjacent to Sibley Lake, doesn’t have good roads, what would you imagine some of these Robeline, Marthaville, Provencal roads look like? Probably like some of those Goldonna and Fairview Alpha roads or Natchez and Cloutierville roads.
So no, I don’t feel the five seat parish council is effective for the rural citizens and shudder to think what a five member school board would look like. The truth of the matter is there is a lack of trust with our parish council, trust that we matter.
I’d hate for the school board to follow that path.
