Brad Dison, a lifelong resident of Bienville Parish and writer whose history column “Remember This?” runs weekly in the Journal, has released a new book about Sheriff Henderson Jordan’s pursuit and capture of notorious gangsters Bonnie and Clyde.

“The Trap: The Untold Story of Sheriff Henderson Jordan and the Final Pursuit of Bonnie and Clyde” is now available for purchase at www.HendersonJordan.com.

“There has been more fiction than fact written about their crime spree,” Dison said. “For 91 years, people have assumed that former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer used his superior tracking skills to locate Bonnie and Clyde. This is another bit of fiction. It was Bienville Parish Sheriff Henderson Jordan who located two of their hideouts in Bienville Parish. It was he who set three traps to capture the gang. It was he who used an ‘undercover man’ and a ‘man on the inside’ to determine where they would be on that fateful morning of May 23, 1934. It was he who led the ambush posse and ended their violent crime spree.”

BOM is a Corporate Sponsor of the City of Natchitoches’ Juneteenth Festival on June 21 on the downtown Natchitoches Riverbank. Pictured left to right: Shonterika Payton and Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr.

By Doug de Graffenried

I had it but it is gone now.

You read these articles days after I send them. My habit is to write and send them on Monday morning before noon. So, I start thinking about them on Sunday afternoon. I had the greatest idea in the history of these articles for an article. The idea was brilliant. It was illuminating. It was humorous. It was less than six hundred words. I remember exactly where I had the idea. I was sitting in traffic at Walgreens. I was on my way to Tractor Supply to look at things I will never use in my life. I call this “expanding my horizons.” I smiled to myself and asked myself if I should write the idea down. Somewhere in my brain the voice told me that this idea was so brilliant, illuminating, and humorous there would be no way I could ever forget the idea.

Never ever trust that voice in your head. The voice lies. I have no idea what I was going to write. I do not have a clue. I do not know if it was animal, mineral, or vegetable. I lost it. The idea is gone or has landed in someone’s Instagram feed, and they are claiming it as their very own idea. Today, if you read something brilliant, illuminating, and humorous, it was probably my idea!

The idea for the article had something to do with a Yiddish proverb. The Yiddish proverb teaches, “If one man calls you an ass pay him no mind. If two men call you an ass—go and buy a saddle.” I thought it was brilliant, illuminating, and humorous. I forgot what else went with it.

Do you forget?

As I grow more mature and notice all the physical stuff that does not work anymore, I have noticed that my mind is not as quick as it once was. I forget things. I just remembered that I forgot to read an Internet article on remembering not to forget.

Here is the truth in all this. God remembers you! He loves you, knows you, and remembers you as if you were His only child!

When you confess your sins to Him, He forgets them. Since God has forgotten your sins, why do you keep carrying them around?

I am glad God remembers and forgets!

Doug de Graffenried is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana. You can reach Doug at his email:  DougDeGraffenried

You still have time to win a buckle!

Red River Cowboy Church wants to help families live life with Jesus this summer! M3 Kids is based on 3 principles…My God, My Family & Me! We host several Mane Events each year to bring families together to play and learn how much God loves them. June 22 is the next Horseless rodeo! It’s a free family event for toddlers through 4th graders. Bring your child to church and register them for the Horseless Rodeo to begin immediately after the service. A free lunch will be provided by the Chuck Wagon. You and your child will choose your event. There will be events like sheep riding, cow branding with paint, sorting, dummy roping, and goat ribbon pulling. Do them all or just a few. This series will be held every 4th Sunday of May through August. Participate in 3 of the 4 Mane Events and your child will win a buckle. It’s that easy…and so much fun! Watch the Red River Cowboy Church Facebook page for more details. Every kid loves a cowboy buckle and this is an opportunity for you and your child to have a fun time the cowboy way!

Red River Cowboy Church
South Red River Parish
LA-174, Coushatta, LA 71019
Phone: (318) 201-2626

St. Mary’s Catholic School announced the appointment of Coach Layne Huckabay as the new head coach of both the Tigers and Lady Tigers varsity basketball teams.

A native of Coushatta, Louisiana, Coach Huckabay brings with him a wealth of experience, a passion for the game, and a proven record of turning programs around. He is a 2002 graduate of Riverdale Academy, where he was a key member of the 2000 South A State Championship team.

Coach Huckabay earned his degree in General Studies from Northwestern State University, where he also gained valuable collegiate coaching experience as a student assistant for the Lady Demons from 2008 to 2011.

In 2012, he joined the Centenary College women’s basketball staff as an assistant coach. During his first season, the program saw a dramatic improvement — jumping from a single win the previous year to 10 wins under his guidance.

Most recently, Coach Huckabay led the varsity girls’ program at Central Christian Academy. When he took over, the team had not recorded a win in six years. In just his first season, he guided them to three victories, and by the following year, the team notched eight wins and earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

Coach Huckabay and his wife, Hannah, were married in 2012 and are proud parents to two daughters, Lillian (11) and Payton (9). The Huckabay family is excited to become part of the extended St. Mary’s community as he begins this new chapter.

“We are confident that Coach Huckabay’s dedication, leadership, and coaching philosophy will bring energy and continued growth to our basketball programs,” said Coach Dennis Breland, Athletic Director.  “His ability to build competitive and character-driven teams aligns perfectly with the values of St. Mary’s Catholic School.”

Please join us in welcoming Coach Huckabay to St. Mary’s!

For more information about St. Mary’s Catholic School, contact the school office at (318) 352-8394 or visit www.smstigers.org.

“School Daze-Celebrating Culture, Landmark Achievements,” was the theme for Krewe of The 9’s inaugural Royal Court coronation on June 8 at the Northwestern State University’s television center. Ross Williams and Tan”Keia Palmer were crowned king queen, respectively for the 2026 Mardi Gras season. (from left to right) Albert Middleton and Yolanda Bobb were crowned as Duke and Duchess of Philanthropy and Matthew Craig and Kenesha Coats were crowned Duke and Duchess of Scholarship-completing Williams and Palmer’s court.

The Harrington Law Firm in Natchitoches, while providing their clients with a small-town family feel, at the same time provides top notch legal representation as recognized by the nation’s leader in attorneys’ ratings.

“Some might call our business model a little ‘hokey’ or old-fashioned, but it is something that we truly believe in,” said partner Eddie Harrington when referring to the family approach to their business.

“My Dad (Rodney) and I are obviously family and the members of our staff have each been with us many years, and some cases, decades.” He continued, “We consider them to be part of our family as well and when someone becomes our client, we tell them that they have become a part of the Harrington Law Firm family.”

Harrington said that the attorneys and staff at the firm endeavor to treat every client the same as if they were an actual blood relative.

“Every client who comes to see us is involved in one type of stressful situation or another,” Harrington concluded. “They’ve either been in an automobile accident, are having financial problems, have been denied Social Security Disability, or are dealing with some other serious issue. We find that they are comforted by the fact that not only are we going to take care of their business, but we truly treat them like our own family members.”

When it comes to taking care of their clients’ business, one highly respected attorneys’ rating service says that the Harrington Law Firm does that as well as any firm in the country.

Martindale-Hubbell, the leading world-wide legal information service, which has been providing background information on lawyers and law firms in the United States and other countries for over 150 years, has given the Harrington Law Firm and partners C. Rodney Harrington and “AV Preeminent Rating,” the company’s highest rating. According to Martindale-Hubbell, the “AV Preeminent Rating,” which is established by the company obtaining peer reviews from other attorneys in the same geographical area, recognizes law firms and attorneys for their strong legal ability and high ethical standards.

An elite group of approximately 10% of all firms and attorneys in America hold an “AV Preeminent Rating,” a designation recognized as the “Gold Standard” of legal ratings. If that wasn’t enough, the firm has also been awarded the “Special Edition Judicial Award” which is especially noteworthy because it is based upon the confidential opinions and recommendations of members of the Judiciary familiar with the attorneys in the Harrington Law Firm. The “Judicial Edition Award” indicates perfect ratings from the Judiciary on the Harrington’s legal ability and ethical standards. 


Harrington Law Firm clients have the comfort and confidence knowing that not only are they going to be treated like family but that they represented by a firm that is recognized as the “Gold Standard” for legal firms across the country. The Harrington Law Firm is composed of partners C. Rodney Harrington and C. Edward “Eddie” Harrington and is located at 459 Jefferson Street, Natchitoches, LA. Their areas of practice are Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Bankruptcy, Social Security Disability and Wills & Successions.

Their website is www.theharringtonlawfirm.com.

For more information about Martindale-Hubbell and their rating system, go to http://www.lawyers.com .

Rotarian with the Program Billy Clemons welcomed the Director of Louisiana Folk Life Center and NSU Folk Festival Shane Rasmussen at the June 10 Rotary luncheon. Rasmussen shared the many activities, artists, and performers scheduled for the 2025 NSU Folk Festival Saturday, July 19. More information available at folklife@nsula.edu or 318-357-4332. Pictured from left are Clemons, Sophie Rasmussen, Rasmussen, and Rotary President Jesse Taitano (Photo by Dr. Ron McBride).

To the Citizens of Natchitoches Parish:

While change can be challenging, it is often essential for progress and long-term improvement. It is easy to maintain the status quo. Parish President John Salter has carefully analyzed the current waste disposal operations for Natchitoches Parish Government (NPG) and the City of Natchitoches (City). His review has revealed that NPG can realize significant savings by moving operation of the transfer station and hauling and disposal of parish garbage “in house”.

Currently the operation of the NPG’s transfer station and the hauling and disposal of NPG’s garbage are performed by Waste Connections Bayou, Inc. Waste Connections Bayou, Inc. (WCB) is a Delaware corporation and a subsidiary of Waste Connections US, inc., also a Delaware Corporation. Therefore, the profits realized by WCB are transferred to the parent corporation, Waste Connections US, inc., and not only leave the parish, but they also leave the state. When NPG hauls and disposes of the garbage and operates the transfer station, these profits will be retained by NPG and will be available for repairs and improvements to the NPG’s road system.

While the contracts between NPG and WCB will terminate June 30, 2025, the contract between the City of Natchitoches and WCB is effective for a five-year period ending December 31, 2028.

The lease for WCB use of the NPG’s transfer station terminated at midnight on August 31, 2024. WCB was informed of the NPG’s intent to take over the waste operations of the parish at that time. The statement that this is a “rushed” transition is not correct. Significant issues in the respective contracts are as follows:

Natchitoches Parish Government

The initial term of contract between NPG and WCB was for three years, expiring June 30, 2023, but was extended to June 30, 2025. WCB shall obtain the landfill space required to complete collection and disposal. The initial landfill for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal was the Sabine Parish Landfill with a stated round-trip distance of eighty (80) miles. WCB is responsible for payment of all disposal costs, including tipping fees. Disposal fees charged to the NPG were originally $31.00 per ton for MSW but are currently $34.89 per ton. President Salter has a firm offer from the Sabine Parish Landfield to accept MSW for $21.00 per ton. This is a savings of $13.89 per ton.

In addition to the per-ton disposal fee, WCB charges NPG a per load unit fee for the collection and transport of solid waste as follows:
• 40 cubic yard compactor box – $225.11
• 30 cubic yard Roll-off container – $225.11
• 6 cubic yard bin -$219.47

During the past twelve (12) months, NPG generated 7,349.95 tons of solid waste to be collected, transported and disposed by WCB at a cost of $727,249.75. ($256,439.76 for disposal fees and $470,809.99 for collection and transport of solid waste). Currently, the solid waste is being transported to Timberlane Landfield located at Oakdale, Louisiana at a total cost of $98.95 per ton. Timberlane Landfill is 160 miles round-trip from Natchitoches.

Since the distance from Natchitoches to the Sabine Parish Landfill is one-half (80 miles) closer than Timberlane significant additional savings in transportation costs would occur.

Furthermore, many operating costs will be paid to Natchitoches Parish residents and businesses to build the local economy, and the realized savings will be available to be used to repair and improve Parish roads; not sent to an out-of-state corporation to enrich shareholders who do not know where Natchitoches Parish is located and do not care.

City of Natchitoches

The City of Natchitoches (City) is currently contracted for WCB to collect, haul and dispose of MSW and Construction and Demolition Waste (C&D) within the City’s corporate limits. The current contract is in effect for the period January 1,2024 until December 31, 2028. The City and WCB agreed that the MSW and C&D would be disposed of by WCB at a landfill (s) chosen at WCB’s sole discretion (The Initial Landfill). The contract defines the Initial landfill as Timberlane Landfill, located at 1158 Landfill Road, Oakdale, Louisiana 71463.

In the event WCB is unable to use Timberlane Landfill due to reasons out of its control it shall have the right , upon written approval of the City, to dispose the solid waste at another landfill of its choosing and increase fees by the amount disposal fees increase and the amount transportation cost of transporting the MSW and C&D to such other landfill exceed those that would have been incurred if the waste was transported to the initial landfill. Prior to the City’s written approval, WCB agrees to provide the City with a cost comparison analysis of all available area landfills with contact information. Please note that any increase must be approved by the City.

The contract also provides for an “Operating Cost Adjustment” whereby WCB may petition the City for rate and price adjustments on the basis of material or unusual changes in its cost of operations. At the time of any such petition, WCB must provide the City with documents and records in reasonable form and sufficient detail to reasonably establish the necessity of any requested rate adjustment. If the City does not approve the rate increase, WCB may, in its sole discretion, terminate this agreement upon one-hundred and eighty (180) days written notice to the City.

Note that ANY PROPOSED INCREASE MUST BE APPROVED BY THE CITY.

President Salter’s statement that his plan “has no effect on the City of Natchitoches “ is correct unless the City approves an increase proposed by WCB.

WCB’s statement that NPG is eliminating the use of the transfer station is incorrect. NPG will continue to operate the transfer station after June 30, 2025. Likewise, WCB’s statement that it will be forced to haul City trash to a landfill much farther from the City than Timberlane is simply untrue. Nothing in President Salter’s plan will force WCB to stop hauling waste to Timberlane, where it is presently being disposed.

Like WCB, President Salter encourages all citizens to:

• Attend Parish Council meeting and be informed about the plans and projects of the Council.
• Ask the president and council members tough questions.
• Contact the president and council members to get information about the NPG activities and inform them of your problems.

The NPG works for the residents of Natchitoches Parish and strive to be transparent in all activities.

The long-term impact of implementation of President Salter’s plan is lower waste disposal costs, improved roads throughout the Parish by using savings for repairs and improvements, improved garbage service, and no impact on the garbage collection fees without City approval.

Paid Content

The Natchitoches Police Department has arrested the following individuals over the past week:

Heidi Reeves – Improper Supervision of a Minor
Dominique Sowell – Resisting an Officer
John Hicks – Aggravated Battery
Ashley Daniels – Theft and Child Desertion
Christopher Nicholas – Warrant through outside agency
Jakerius Demars – Remaining and Violation of a Protective Order
Nicky McElroy – Six Counts of FTA
Marie Lacour – Theft and Remaining
Verterrius Johnson – Littering
Vasharica Spearman – Violation of a Protective Order and Criminal Mischief
Rickitha Millage – Two Counts of Forged Insurance Documents and Simple Escape
Christopher Walker – Discharging a Firearm within the City Limits
Matthew Butler – Criminal Trespass
Steven Burks – FTA and Obstruction of Justice
Hannah Simms – Theft

If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.

How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:

You can also report a tip anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smart phone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388. All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $3,000 for the arrest of an offender.

The Natchitoches City Council recognized the 250th birthday of the United States Army during its regular meeting on June 9 by unanimously adopting a proclamation declaring June 14, 2025, as the Army’s official birthday in the City of Natchitoches.

The proclamation acknowledges the establishment of the U.S. Army by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, and honored the many local citizens who have served in the Army and sacrificed for the nation’s defense.

The Council also recognized Nicole Oakes as the City’s Employee of the Month. Oakes has served in the Planning and Zoning Department for over 14 years and was praised for her knowledge, reliability, and dedication to public service.

Shontrell Roque, who leads the department, credited Oakes as an instrumental figure in keeping operations running smoothly. “She’s been my backbone,” Roque shared. “Nicole brings historical insight and consistency to our work, and she’s been there every step of the way.”

Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. also thanked Oakes for her contributions, noting her commitment not only to her department but to the City as a whole.

Agenda items included:

PLANNING & ZONING – INTRODUCTION:

• Change The Zoning Classification Of Property Located At 119 Sidney Street From R-1 To R-2 Special Exception For The Operation Of A Short Term Rental. The property is in the Historic District and must meet parking and design requirements.

ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION:

• Award The Bid For The South Williams Water Line Project (Bid No. 0675) To David Lawler Construction LLC In Shreveport In The Amount Of $837,860.
• Declare Buildings At 801 Dixie Street (fire-damaged, no permits pulled), 412 Martin Luther King Drive (owned by the state; legal ownership clarification needed), and 817 Fourth Street and 852 Second Street (Previously granted 30-day extensions. Updates on repairs and permits were requested. Property owners addressed the council and presented evidence of ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the buildings) Unsafe And Recommending That Same Be Demolished Or Put Into Repair To Comply With The Building Code

RESOLUTIONS:

• Execute A Fourth Lease Amendment To Water Tower Option And Lease Agreement With New Cingular Wireless Pcs, LLC, Said Amendment Providing For An Extended Term For A Water Tower Site, Increasing Monthly Rent To $4,000 With A 3% Annual Escalation.
• Fix The Time, Day, Date And Place Of Regular Meetings Of The City Council Of The City Of Natchitoches For The Next Twelve Months.
• Establish Meeting Times And Places Of Natchitoches Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, Airport Advisory Commission, and Waterworks District No.1.
• Appoint Stacy McQueary As Clerk Of The Council For The City Of Natchitoches.
• Appoint Thomas, Cunningham, Broadway and Todtenbier As The Auditor For The City Of Natchitoches.
• Appoint BOM As The Fiscal Agent For The City Of Natchitoches.
• Designate The Natchitoches Times As the Official Legal Journal For The City Of Natchitoches For The Next Twelve Months.
• Appoint Charles Whitehead III, Rev. Bobby Claiborne, Michael D. Lewis, Rickey McCalister, Walter Johnson, Isaac Lewis, Alexia Conday, Anita Dubois, and Sadie Sawyer To The City Planning Commission For The City Of Natchitoches.
• Advertise For Bids For Equipment Replacement, Sludge Thickner No. 1, City Of Natchitoches Wastewater Treatment Plant (Bid No. 0674)
• Designate Thursday, June 19, 2025 As An Official Holiday For The Employees Of The City Of Natchitoches In Observation Of Juneteenth.
• Commit The Required Match Contribution For A Safe Streets And Roads For All (SS4A) Grant Application with a $1.8 million match (potentially offset by external funding).
• Enter Into A Contract With Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC, For The Euclid Casualty Package Insurance Renewal Effective June 30, 2025 Through June 30, 2026. The Council approved renewal of general and liability insurance with a slight increase due to prior claims.
• Execute An Agreement With The Louisiana Office Of Community Development For The 2023 – 2024 Community Water Enrichment Fund Grant Application (CWEF) For Improvements To The Natchitoches Water System. The City will accept $25,926 from the Community Water Enrichment Fund to replace outdated water lines on Douglas Drive.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next scheduled City Council meeting will be June 23, 2025.

Northwestern State softball standout Aly Delafield and Lady Demon tennis senior Ayu Ishibashi were named to Southland Conference All-Academic teams in their sports on Monday, the league office announced.

Delafield, a sophomore utility player, earned a spot on the second-team softball all-academic squad based on the votes of coaches, academic personnel and sports information directors of the member schools. This is Delafield’s first postseason academic honor of her career.

The North DeSoto High School product maintained a 3.65 cumulative GPA in her second year at NSU as a psychology major.

She led the team this season with a .322 batting average, bolstered by her .398 clip against conference foes, the highest SLC batting average by a Demon in 10 years, just one hit shy of a coveted .400 season.

Her 1.047 OPS in Southland play was one of the highest totals in the league this year by any player with nearly 40 percent of her 33 hits in conference going for extra bases. 

Delafield had at least one hit in 12 straight conference games, one of the longest streaks in the league this year.

She hit .428 across four straight series with seven extra-base hits, including back-to-back two doubles games against Stephen F. Austin.

The Stonewall native finished the season ranked in the top 10 in the conference in average, hits and doubles with the second most doubles (9) in SLC play in the league.

Following a standout senior campaign helping the Northwestern tennis team to a Southland Conference regular-season championship, Ishibashi was named Academic All-Southland Conference second team.

Ishibashi, a native of Chiba, Japan, continued to shine for the Lady Demons both athletically and academically during the 2024-25 season. 

Majoring in health and exercise science, she boasted a 3.9 GPA.

A second team All-Southland selection in both singles and doubles, Ishibashi led NSU with a 10-3 overall record in singles play, including a 7-2 mark in conference matches, second on the team. 

Paired with junior Sofi Garcia, Ishibashi added to her accolades in doubles, posting a 7-4 overall record and going 4-2 in Southland play at the No. 2 position.

With the onset of rising summer temperatures, the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office is issuing an important public safety reminder to all residents: never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle.

Children in the U.S. die every year from heatstroke after being left in a hot car, and this year we are asking you to help us share the message to “Look Before You Lock.”

“Heatstroke happens when the child’s body is unable to cool itself quickly enough and neurologic symptoms begin. “A child’s body heats up three-to-five times faster than an adult.

Each year, preventable tragedies occur when children or pets are left in hot cars. Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can rise dramatically in just minutes—even with the windows cracked—posing serious risks of heatstroke or death.

“We want to remind parents, guardians, and caregivers to always check the back seat before locking their vehicle,” said Sheriff Stuart Wright. “Especially during morning routines, such as transporting children to daycare or while shopping, it’s critical to remain alert.”

Safety Tips:
Look before you lock – always check the back seat before leaving your vehicle.

Keep vehicles locked when not in use to prevent children from climbing inside.

Place a necessary item like a purse, phone, or briefcase in the back seat to create a habit of checking.
If you see a child or pet alone in a vehicle, call 911 immediately.

Let’s work together to keep our children and animals safe this summer.

By Kent W. Peacock, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History, Director of Creole Heritage Center

The Creole Heritage Center at Northwestern State University, in partnership with Cane River Creole National Historical Park and Cane River National Heritage Area, welcomed 10 middle school social studies teachers from across Louisiana to NSU and Natchitoches for a three-day institute.

“Our goal was to give teachers a better understanding of who are Louisiana Creoles and their vibrant heritage so they feel confident incorporating these essential parts of Louisiana and the United States into their classrooms,” said Dr. Kent Peacock, director of the Creole Heritage Center.

Attendees learned about and visited many of the heritage sites in Natchitoches Parish that continue to bring the heritage of Louisiana Creoles to life with the hope they would bring their students to the sites in the future or bring these sites and the stories they preserve into their classrooms via virtual programming. Sites that attendees toured included NSU’s Creole Heritage Center, Melrose on the Cane, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum and two of Cane River Creole National Historical Park’s sites – Magnolia and Oakland Plantations. A particular highlight was hearing from Creoles of Cane River themselves through visits to St. Augustine Catholic Church and the Badin Roque House, made possible with the help of members of the St. Augustine Historical Society, and in newly recorded interviews by Cane River Creole National Historical Park.

“The success of the institute has to be attributed to all the volunteers and staff at each of the sites we visited, as well as National Park Service Ranger Meghan Schill and community leader Gail Jones who handled the responsibilities to make the institute happen,” Peacock said. Attendees benefited, too, from presentations by Belle Heritage’s Dr. Elista Istre, a cultural heritage and education consultant of Creole heritage herself. Most helpful for the teachers who attended were lesson plans and resources for the classroom provided by Istre, some of which attendees tried out themselves on the institute’s final day.

Based on feedback from the participants, the Creole Heritage Center is looking into presenting the institute again in Natchitoches, as well as at other Louisiana locations to help highlight the local Creole stories and historic sites that exist throughout the state.

Information on the Creole Heritage Center at NSU is available at nsula.edu/creole.

Kim Tolliver, Director of the NATCOM 911 Emergency Operations Center, is reminding the public to use the designated non-emergency phone number, 318-357-7850, for all non-urgent matters. This measure is crucial in helping emergency dispatchers keep the 911 lines open for true emergencies.

“Our emergency dispatchers must be available for life-threatening situations,” said Director Tolliver. “We ask the public to assist us by using the correct line when the situation does not require an emergency response.”

Examples of non-emergency calls include:
Complaint Calls
Stranded Motorists
Lost or found property
Requests for information
Reporting incidents that do not pose an immediate emergency or threat

Anyone experiencing a life-threatening emergency or requiring immediate police, fire, or medical assistance should continue to dial 911 without hesitation.

NATCOM appreciates the community’s cooperation in ensuring that emergency services remain fast and efficient for those in urgent need.

On the afternoon of June 4, 1987, 22-year-old Marquisa Kellogg was working at the Grand Slam Restaurant, a once-popular eatery in the Madisonville neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio.  She had served cheese coneys to two men in their early 20s whom she considered friends.  She said she knew them “from the neighborhood.”  Marquisa and the two customers exchanged pleasantries.  There was no reason for Marquisa to suspect that this day would be any different than any other workday at the restaurant, but according to newspaper accounts from 1987, it all went wrong when the two men walked up to the cash register.  The men had a brazen plan to rob Marquisa’s cash register.  When they approached Marquisa, one of the men pulled a weapon.  Marquisa took one look at the robber’s weapon and fled from her post at the open cash register.  When she regained her composure and returned to the cash register, she found that it was short by $25 and called the police. 

Police arrived at the restaurant, spoke with Marquisa, and began interviewing other customers.  Police struggled to find witnesses to the crime.  Upon hearing Marquisa scream, customers turned toward the cash register and saw her run away, but no one actually saw either of the men take money from the cash register.  Was this part of the plan?  Did the robbers intentionally steer the other customers’ attention onto the fleeing cashier and away from the cash register to enable them to quickly snatch some money?  Was this their grand slam? 

Marquisa later said the police failed to take the robbery seriously.  You see, rather than using a weapon that most people would normally expect a robber to use, such as a gun or knife, this robber used a much smaller weapon which was only about an inch-and-a-half long.  The weapon that the robber used to frighten Marquisa away from her cash register long enough to take money from it was a harmless six-legged winged insect called a Cicada. 

In an interview in 2021, Marquisa said the robbery at the Grand Slam Restaurant which received national news coverage had been blown out of proportion.  She said it had all been a prank gone wrong, but her register was still short $25.  Police made no arrests in this case.  

 Sources:

1.     Wilmington News-Journal, June 5, 1987, p.1.

2.     News Journal, June 6, 1987, p.12.

3.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, June 19, 2021, p.A5.

Meet Bruno! A fluffy, lovable, senior lab/golden retriever mix who would be the perfect companion for someone looking for a low-maintenance, easygoing friend.

Bruno gets along well with most dogs. He’s a smart pup who knows commands like “sit,” “down,” and “take a lap” with his low energy level. He really enjoys car rides where he can put his little nose out the window and take in all of the scents.

Bruno would thrive in a peaceful environment where he can relax and enjoy life. He’s fully kennel and crate trained, which would help make him a breeze to care for.

Independent by nature, Bruno is happy to spend time on his own but will light up at the chance to be brushed and scratched—it’s his favorite thing! If you’re seeking a loyal, mellow, and loving dog, Bruno is the one for you.
Ready to give Bruno the love he deserves? He’s waiting for you!

For more information about Bruno please reach out to FAUNA (Friends All United For Natchitoches Animals) at npfauna@gmail.com or visit our website npfauna.org

By Prem Gongaju

I

For starters, it is good from the get-go to own a banana republic for the banging production of endless bananas. (In Hawaii, the pineapples were second to none; and “Climate crisis” jinxed the State of Florida from winning the title of Banana Republic.)

The credit, all of it, belonged to O. Henry, who, while holed up in the Republic of Honduras, peered “Through the Looking Glass” and discovered the Central American country of Anchuria.

Subsequently, O. Henry fathered the bitter-sweet phrase. Viola! We have got banana republic.

Fast forward to the current Tariff-ic situation in America, the public saw/heard the grilling of Commerce Secretary Lutnic by Rep. Madeleine Dean: You Can Not Build Bananas in America. She firmly held up the Exhibit A in her right hand, and said, You Can Not Build Bananas in America.

II

Perhaps O. Henry might be entertaining from beyond the grave that he rued his days in the greener pasture by dropping an M before [a]nchuria. Clearly he can see that this is the age of Manchuria.

The Manchurian Candidate – to be precise.

“The Manchurian Candidate” would have earned O. Henry the coveted literary pedestal of the prestigious kind, keeping his critics from panning his oeuvre. Frank Sinatra would have unveiled his bust before the gathering of American heroes who were the valiant defenders of “embattled human autonomy.”