Ticket sales now open for NRMC Foundation’s Great Gatsby Experience

Ticket sales are now open for one of Natchitoches’ most anticipated spring events, the NRMC Foundation’s Great Gatsby Experience, set for Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Natchitoches Events Center. The immersive event promises an unforgettable evening of glamour, entertainment, and community impact in support of local healthcare.

For one night, guests will step into the elegance and excitement of the Roaring Twenties as the venue is transformed into a dazzling Gatsby-inspired celebration. Attendees are encouraged to embrace the spirit of the era with vintage style and attire while enjoying an evening filled with music, entertainment, and lively atmosphere.

The event will feature live performances by the Northwestern State University Theatre program, high-energy music from Party Machine, casino-style gaming, and an open bar throughout the evening. Guests will also enjoy a variety of heavy hors d’oeuvres while mingling in an environment designed to capture the glamour and intrigue of the 1920s.

Guests can choose between two ticket options designed to enhance the Gatsby experience.

General Admission tickets include heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and beverages served throughout the evening, casino-style gaming, live entertainment from the Northwestern State University Theatre program, and music from Party Machine, providing guests full access to the evening’s entertainment and festivities.

For those seeking a more elevated experience, the VIP Speakeasy Experience includes all General Admission benefits plus exclusive access to a private speakeasy-inspired lounge. VIP guests will enjoy vintage cocktails, caviar tasting, and poker tables in an intimate setting inspired by the clandestine lounges of the Roaring Twenties. The VIP experience also features special jazz entertainment, a caricature artist, and glamorous décor and photo moments, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the hidden speakeasies that defined the era.

More than just an evening of celebration, the Great Gatsby Experience serves an important purpose. Proceeds from the event benefit the NRMC Foundation, which supports programs, equipment purchases, and initiatives that enhance patient care at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and strengthen healthcare throughout the region.

Community members are encouraged to secure tickets early and prepare for a night of elegance, excitement, and philanthropy while supporting the mission of the NRMC Foundation. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are also still available for businesses and individuals who would like to support the event and the Foundation’s mission. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit nrmcfoundation.org/gatsby.


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City Bank appoints Blake Byles to board of directors

City Bank has announced the appointment of Blake Byles as a new member of its board of directors.

Blake, the son of Mary Hornsby Byles and the late Valmore (R.V.) Byles, grew up in Many, LA and graduated from Many High School. He attended and graduated from Northwestern State University while also serving in the Army National Guard (527th Division Engineering). He credits his military experience with preparing him for life and business as much as his college degree.

After college graduation he pursued a career in the oil and gas industry which gave him the opportunity to live in different states. Blake quickly realized that Sabine Parish was the best place in the world to settle down and raise a family. He moved back home and started his first business. Blake loves entrepreneurship and today works with many different companies that he started or has acquired interest in. He is also active in the community serving on the Sabine Parish Chamber Board, Sabine Industrial Committee, Economic Development Board, 911 Board, Library Board, Water District 1 Board, Jury Commission, and Knights of Columbus.

Blake enjoys his community involvement but considers the most important part of his life to be his family. He is married to Lauren Vines Byles, and they have two beautiful, sweet daughters and one handsome, wild boy. Together they hope to instill in their children the old school morals and values which promote that everyone should be treated with respect and giving back is the greatest feeling. The family are active members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Many.


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Demons host Islanders in annual #ForkCancer baseball series beginning tonight

Brooks Leonard has provided punch in the leadoff role for the Northwestern Demons. (NSU photo by CHRIS REICH)

Under third-year coach Chris Bertrand, the Northwestern State baseball team has made player development a pillar of its program.

As the Demons begin their third Southland Conference series of the season tonight at 6:30 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Brown-Stroud Field, the evidence is at the top of the lineup.

Leadoff hitter Brooks Leonard and the Demons (10-7, 3-3 SLC) will continue the series with a 2 p.m. Saturday first pitch and a 1 p.m. Sunday matinee, coming off a road Southland Conference series win at UIW and a 13-2 midweek win against Alcorn State. The Islanders are also 10-7 overall but 0-2 in the conference.

Leonard enters the weekend not only having solidified his spot as Northwestern’s leadoff hitter but also thriving in that spot. In nine games as the leadoff man, the junior is batting .333 and reaching base at a .414 clip.

An outfielder who also has seen time at second base, Leonard also has swiped four of his team-leading six bases since moving to the top of the lineup. A Pierre Part native, Leonard has started 15 games – four more than across his first two years in the program combined.

“Building with quality people,” Bertrand said. “Building with great human beings. Brooks exemplifies everything we talk about when we talk about growth and development and a great fit for the program – what we want Demon baseball to be. A guy like Brooks, who has that work-while-you-wait mentality, who will play any position, do anything for the team. Brooks accepts every challenge that is laid before him, and he accepts in a way where he puts his head down and he works. He’s been a guy who has run the gamut of it. He’s been a role player to a part-time player to the top of the lineup to infield to outfield. He’s everything we want Demon baseball to be about.”  

The visiting Islanders bring a versatile offense to Natchitoches, one that leads the Southland in triples (6) and ranks second in stolen bases (29) and sacrifice bunts (9). Individually, graduate infielder Cade Sanchez leads the Southland in hitting at .403 while junior outfielder Isaiah Afework paces the SLC with two triples and Christian Smith-Johnson shares the league lead with 12 stolen bases.

Unlike the Demons’ most recent Southland opponent – UIW and first-year head coach Nick Zalesk — Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is led by the dean of Southland Conference coaches Scott Malone, who is in his 19th season at the helm of the Islander program.

“You know exactly what you’re going to get – a very well-coached team, a very disciplined team, a team that likes to compete in the same way we feel we do,” Bertrand said. “You know you’re in for three great games. You know you’re in for a battle. For us, we’re happy and we are excited to play these games at home and to be at the B-Stro in front of our fans. It’s familiar ground. We have to continue to strike a balance. We have to realize it is week three of conference play and these are high-stakes games, but we also need to continue to work on the Demons.”

The Demons will have a new Friday night starter, left-hander Brody Trosclair (2-0, 0.00).  The program will honor family members and others battling cancer and have a series of activities to promote cancer awareness during the series as part of NSU Athletics’ continuing #ForkCancer initiative.


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Southland softball, tennis action begins this evening on busy weekend at Northwestern

Junior outfielder Sophia Livers and her Northwestern softball teammates are home beginning this evening for a Southland Conference series against McNeese. (NSU photo by PAIGE FONTENOT)

A pleasant spring weekend will be busy for Northwestern Athletics with the defending Southland Conference champion women’s tennis team and the softball team both playing at home, along with a home baseball series and some big non-athletic events.

The Northwest Literary Rally and the NSU Music Festival on Saturday follow the ROTC Demon Challenge on Friday among a heavy slate of on-campus activities. Competition of a different kind in softball and tennis provides noteworthy early-season Southland Conference contests.

SOFTBALL:  A strong two-week stretch of play has Northwestern trending upward just as a key Southland series arrives at Demon Diamond.

The Lady Demons (12-14, 2-1) host perennial power McNeese (19-7, 3-0) in a three-game set that begins with a single game this evening at 6 before a Saturday doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. All three games will stream on ESPN+, with Saturday’s opener also airing locally on 100.7 FM KZBL in Natchitoches.

NSU enters the weekend having won seven of its past nine games, a stretch that included a conference road series victory at HCU and a second run-rule win this season against Grambling earlier in the week.

During the recent surge, the Demons have found their rhythm offensively, batting .311 as a team while averaging 7.0 runs and nearly eight hits per game.

“I think we’re clicking as a team a little bit more than in the beginning and playing well together,” head coach Jenny Fuller said. “Feel like we’re putting the right pieces together and winning some games and gaining that momentum will be key going into this weekend.”

A major catalyst for the offensive turnaround has been leadoff hitter JT Smith, who has sparked the Demons at the top of the lineup during the past 10 games.

Smith is batting .522 during that stretch with a .632 on-base percentage, leading the team with 12 hits, 12 runs scored and nine RBIs during the run.

“She’s definitely elevated her play and done her job in the leadoff of getting on base,” Fuller said. “If she does that it sets us up for some momentum going into that inning. Happy with what she’s doing on that front. And I think she’s a natural leader and example too. She has played at a high level, practices with intensity and focus. She’s elevated our whole team with the way she plays and how she goes about preparing for games and being that true professional.”

The Demons will face a McNeese squad that opened conference play in strong fashion, sweeping Lamar in Lake Charles last weekend while averaging 7.3 runs per game in the three-game series.

“It’s huge to be able to play a team like them at home,” Fuller said. “We’re excited to play a team that is that competitive and has beaten some really good teams this year. I think if we play well and play together that we have a chance to beat them for sure.”

The weekend series will also feature several themed promotions at Demon Diamond.

Today’s opener will serve as Greek Night and a White Out, with Greek organizations invited to attend and participate in games and giveaways throughout the night. Saturday’s doubleheader will feature Bark in the Park, allowing fans to bring their leashed dogs to enjoy the day at Demon Diamond.

TENNIS: After starting SLC action with an impressive road sweep two weeks ago in south Texas, Northwestern returns to the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex this weekend.

Defending Southland co-champion NSU (6–4 overall, 2–0 SLC) hosts New Orleans today at 2 p.m. before welcoming Nicholls on Sunday at 11 a.m. in a pair of matches delayed last weekend by weather.

The Lady Demons enter the weekend with momentum after sweeping their opening Southland road trip with back-to-back 4–3 victories over UTRGV and another defending co-champion, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi.

Saturday’s matchup brings in a strong UNO squad off to a 6-1 start.


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Cane River Waterway Commission to hold public meeting March 16 in Natchez

The Cane River Waterway Commission will hold a public meeting Monday, March 16, at 6 p.m.

The meeting will take place at the commission office located at Cane River Waterway Commission Office.

According to the posted notice, the commission will allow a public comment period prior to taking action on agenda items that require a vote, in accordance with state law.

The meeting agenda includes approval of minutes from the Feb. 10 meeting, introduction of guests, a treasurer report, and an executive session.

Old business will include discussion of the pump station.

New business items include Resolution 1 of 2026, the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, the 2024–2025 audit report, and updates involving Burt Poche, the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Natchitoches Christmas Festival Committee.

The meeting will be conducted by Director of Operations Jason Adcock.

Individuals who require special assistance in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act are asked to contact the commission office at 318-663-8815 prior to the meeting.

NATCHEZ, La. — The Cane River Waterway Commission will hold a public meeting Monday, March 16, at 6 p.m.

The meeting will take place at the commission office located at Cane River Waterway Commission Office.

According to the posted notice, the commission will allow a public comment period prior to taking action on agenda items that require a vote, in accordance with state law.

The meeting agenda includes approval of minutes from the Feb. 10 meeting, introduction of guests, a treasurer report, and an executive session.

Old business will include discussion of the pump station.

New business items include Resolution 1 of 2026, the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, the 2024–2025 audit report, and updates involving Burt Poche, the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Natchitoches Christmas Festival Committee.

The meeting will be conducted by Director of Operations Jason Adcock.

Individuals who require special assistance in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act are asked to contact the commission office at 318-663-8815 prior to the meeting.


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Word of the Day: Bequeath

Phonetic: /be·queath/

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition

eave (a personal estate or one’s body) to a person or other beneficiary by a will.
“he bequeathed his art collection to the town”

Similar: leave, leave in one’s will. make over. pass on

pass (something) on or leave (something) to someone else.
“he is ditching the unpopular policies bequeathed to him”

Similar: hand down, hand on


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Notice of Death – March 12, 2026

Roy Allen Roque Sr.
9-11-62 – 3-3-26
Service: Thursday, March 19,2026 at 10 am at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Natchez

Austin L. Johnson
January 4, 2000 – February 27, 2026
Service: Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 11 am at the RAMS Church, located at 175 Fairgrounds Road in Natchitoches

Rev. Edward Earl Johnson
August 31, 1955 – March 9, 2026
Service: Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary of the St. Paul Baptist Church, located at 391 St. Paul Church Road in Natchez

Wayne Place
February 17, 1952 — March 6, 2026
Service: Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Charles E. Durr
August 25, 1941 — February 24, 2026
Service: Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 1 pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Natchitoches

Tyrone Vaughn’ Keith Andrus
January 27, 1975 – February 25, 2026
Service: Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 11AM at St. Peter Baptist Church in Lafayette

Jay Tousant
April 19, 1966 – March 4, 2026
Arrangements TBA

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 to npjnatla@gmail.com


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PODCAST: with State Rep. Gabe Firment

Join Marvin as he chats with State Representative Gabe Firment and the current session of the Louisiana Legislative season.

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

Paid Content


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NSU Middle Lab School announces Honor Roll

NSU Middle Lab would like to acknowledge the following students for the 3rd Nine Weeks.
 
PRINCIPAL’S LIST
 
8TH GRADE
Aaron Blanchard
Wyatt Fontana
Juhee Han
Marcel Hoover
Lila Hubier
Braylee Johnson
Khloe Kaufman
Garrett Landry
Caleb Matt
Zoey Matthews
Brody McKee
Molly Morris
Guillermo Reynolds-Perez
Cora Scribner
Lacey Shoalmire
Leah Weber
 
7TH GRADE
Brielle Carreira
Jaxon Christie
Jude Coleman
Aubrey Cozad
Sam Dean
Alice Harrington
Dakota Johnson
Rachel Key
Jaxon LaCaze
Addison LaCour
Maisie Mangum
Anna Miller
Jody Morvant, III
Evan Parrish
Reagan Scanlan
Kennadi Starks
Emery Wenninger
Kayla Wilson
 
6TH GRADE
Aubree Anderson
Lincoln Brumley
Charlee Ducote
Lucas Eddington
Charlotte Eloi
Davis Forsyth
Waylon Hypes
Gevie Killion
Blythe LeBlanc
Max Nelson
Owen Penrod
Audrey Rachal
Caroline Stewart
Quin Tichenor
 
AB HONOR ROLL
 
8TH GRADE
Beck Adams
Riley Britten
Riley Dubois
Erin Dupre’
Ava Fredieu
Hunter French
Allison Friday
Kinsley Graves
Cheyenne Johnson
Kaylee Jones
Aniyah LaCour
Clay Manuel
Ava Peppers
Kate Proctor
Lily Sampson
Brinley Smith
Patrick Stokes
Taelyn Thornton
Madilynn Trichel
Harper Trichell
Kennedy Wilkerson
Brenyn Wilson
 
7TH GRADE
Kensley Addison
Kambria Berry
Nia Britton
Moss Cain
Braelyn Chasteen
Willow Cox
Annabelle Cozad
Jackson Dawson
Whitni Dunagan
Tate Dupree
Brenda Fontenot
Finley Frederick
Ames Guillory
Mackenzie Harper
Blessing Ngacha
Patrick Lemoine
Rhett Manuel
Norah McGrath
Lane Murchison
Harper Procell
Pax Sers
Ally Vanzant
Scott Wilson
 
6TH GRADE
Austin Rachal
Maci Shivers
Jolee Snyder
Jolie Streete
Steele Weeks
Keelan White
Avery Williams
Addyson Adams
Elizabeth Blankenbaker
Piper Bostian
Alex Broadway
Sophie Bynog
Kylie Caballero
Layla Demery
Jack Dunn
Caleb Fontenot
Elliana Fultz
Cole Gentry
Evie Hawkins
Karson Kuykendall
Rhynn Lacombe
Ronin Lentz
Max Ma
Liam Mahloch
Crosby Marcotte
Parker Martin
Jett Mathews
Danlie Owecki
Sawyer Pleasant

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OMC’s 2025 Helping Hands Awards

CEO, Dr. Mark Guidry is pleased to announce Outpatient Medical Center’s Annual Helping Hand Award recipients. These employees are recognized because they have consistently gone above and beyond what’s expected, often working evenings and weekends, to achieve the organization’s strategic health plan.

The 2025 Annual Awardees are:

Thomas Blake, Director of Operations, is awarded for exemplary executive management, working late evenings and weekends on OMC priority initiatives and being a mentor to new managers.

Dr. Bobby Jones, a Part-Time Dentist, was the most productive dentist in 2025, seeing 390 patients.

Doris Kochinsky, Lead Counselor, goes above and beyond in care of behavioral health patients. Ms. Kochinsky incorporated additional quality of care standards key to accreditation and saw more patients in 2025 than 2024.

Katie Lovell, School-based Nurse, is awarded for being the most dependable nursing employee and a go-to for new nurses.

Kristy Mosley, Dental Assistant Supervisor, is recognized as a champion for achieving compliance in the dental clinic, which resulted in Joint Commission accreditation.

Cynthia Watson, Assistant to Director of Patient Services, is the most dependable and reliable front desk staff member and a champion of patient satisfaction.

William Salinas, Senior Executive Assistant, is a wellness champion and he established OMC’s first quarterly newsletter, a milestone in OMC’s strategic health plan.

Kazue Seo, Senior IT Manager, took on additional responsibilities in IT, including managing provider schedules and patient appointment schedules in the electronic health record.

Dr. Dametra Taylor, Doctor of Nursing Practice, was the provider who cared for the most patients in 2025, and she is OMC’s infection prevention champion.

Aaliyah Williams, Assistant to the Director of Nursing, took on additional responsibilities to manage the nursing team in the absence of a Director of Nursing.

Dr. Guidry says, “OMC’s Helping Hands are resilient. They are instrumental in improving the organization by assuring compliance and by demonstrating excellence in our patient services. Our Helping Hands have a special heart for the underserved. Their work is exemplary of compassionate healthcare workers.”

(NOTE: For information about this news release, contact 318.357-2071 or info@outpatientmedical.org)


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Natchitoches Parish high schools to adopt year-long block schedule beginning in 2026–27 school year

Natchitoches Parish School Board announced that parish high schools will transition from a semester block schedule to a year-long block schedule beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.

Under the new schedule, students will take eight classes for the entire school year rather than completing four classes in the fall semester and four different classes in the spring. Students will rotate through an A/B/C day schedule, attending four courses on A Day, four different courses on B Day, and all eight courses on C Day.

School officials said the change will allow students to remain in the same courses throughout the year, providing more time to master course standards and better preparing them for state and national assessments.

The shift also aligns with an updated state assessment policy that will begin with the incoming freshman class in the 2026–2027 school year. Under the new policy, students will take two comprehensive LEAP exams at the end of their second year of high school, one in English Language Arts and one in mathematics. The existing Civics and Biology LEAP exams will continue to be administered.

Under the new schedule, students will attend WIN each day, and mid-year LEAP exams will be eliminated with testing shifting to May.

District officials said graduation requirements, course offerings, and opportunities for dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses will remain unchanged. Students will continue to have access to electives, career pathway courses, interventions, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

The schedule change will apply to all high school students in grades nine through twelve beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.

Families with questions are encouraged to review the district’s informational materials or contact the guidance counselor at their child’s school for additional information.


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Harrington Law Firm offering free consultation concerning oil, gas, petroleum leasing

Partner Rodney Harrington says that with the proliferation of leasing going on in Natchitoches and surrounding parishes, many land owners are at a loss of what they should do and whether or not they are making the right move to lease their property. 

Harrington said he worked many years as a petroleum land man meeting with landowners on behalf of oil and gas leasing companies to try and convince them to lease their property.  

“It’s usually a good idea to lease your land as opposed to leaving it unleased,” said Harrington, “But you want to make certain you are making the best deal possible and that the terms of the lease are the most favorable to you.”

“You need to remember that the agents working for the leasing companies, or ‘lease hounds,’ as they are sometimes called.”  Harrington continued, “They are trying to get the best deal possible for their company and lease your property under the terms most favorable to them.  That’s their job.”  Harrington also said that his previous employment as a petroleum land man gives him a unique prospective.

“I know how these guys think,” he said.  “It’s not that they’re trying to take advantage of landowners for the most part, it’s just that, as I said, their job is to make the best deal possible for their employer.”  He did say there are also some “bad actors” out there.

Harrington said that he has recently represented several clients in Natchitoches Parish in lease negotiations and has been able to obtain significant increases in the bonus payments they were offered and significant improvements to their lease terms.  He also worked extensively in the field during the first Haynesville Shale Boom several years ago. 

The Harrington Law Firm is an AU Rated firm by Martindale-Hubble, ranking it in the top 10% of all law firms in the nation.            

The attorneys also represent clients in the areas of Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Social Security Disability, Wills and Successions.

You can reach Rodney Harrington at the Harrington Law Firm at 352-5900 or call that number for a free consultation. 


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NSU softball auction rescheduled for April 11

After winter storm Fern forced the postponement of the annual Northwestern State softball dinner and auction fundraising event in January, a new date and venue has been set: Saturday evening, April 11 at Flying Heart Brewery in Natchitoches.

The new date coincides with softball’s alumni weekend series against UIW, with the auction event following the afternoon series finale.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the program starting at 6:30 and the evening’s meal served at 7. All tickets purchased for the original date will be honored.

Auction items scheduled for bid in January will also still be available in April. Those include dove hunting trips to South Texas with Double H Outfitters, a weekend getaway trip to Waco, Texas and a three-night stay at a lake house on Table Rock Lake in the Ozark Mountains.

There will also be a selection of silent auction items available, with bidding for those beginning as the doors open.

Individual seats are still available for $50 and VIP tables can be purchased for $450. Proceeds from the event go to benefit all areas of the NSU softball program, said head coach Jenny Fuller.

For more information on the even, becoming a sponsor, purchasing tickets or how to support NSU softball, contact assist coach Paxtyn Hayes at hayesp@nsula.edu.

Tickets for the event can also be purchased by visiting nsudemons.com/softballauction.

Those unable to attend who would like to support the program can donate  by texting the word Demons7 to 71777.


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Get your tickets for Flavor of Louisiana, NSU’s popular seafood festival fund raiser

Flavor of Louisiana, Northwestern State University’s spring fund raiser, will return Friday, March 20 with an impressive line-up of popular restaurants offering samplings of Louisiana seafood delicacies and tasty non-seafood options.  Doors open at 6 p.m. in Prather Coliseum. 
 
Among the vendors are Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant, Legacy Cafe, Mayeaux’s Steak & Seafood Restaurant, La Casa Del Taco, Savoie’s, Lasyone’s, Mama’s Oyster House, Sweet D’s Kitchen, Russell’s Meat Pies, Sizzle and Drizzle, Peggy’s Pizza and others from around the region.  Coffee, desserts, craft beers and specialty cocktails will also be available. Wrinkle Free Entertainment will provide music for mingling and dancing.  
 
Tickets are $95 per person and $145 per couple and can be purchased online or at the door. 
 
All proceeds go to support academic programming, faculty development and scholarships for students.  To purchase tickets online visit northwesternstatealumni.com/flavor-of-louisiana.

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Lakeview High School to host FAFSA Assistance Night for parents

Lakeview High School will host a FAFSA Night on Friday, March 13 from 3-6 p.m. to assist parents with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the 2026–2027 school year.

Representatives from Career Compass will be on hand to provide guidance and answer questions throughout the application process. The event is open to all parents who need help completing their child’s FAFSA.

Parents are asked to bring an FSA ID, Social Security numbers, a phone and email address with access for verification codes, and 2024 tax information, including a 1040 form.

For more information, parents may contact Mrs. Wynn at 476-3360.


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‘Demons of Destiny’ 20th anniversary event Tuesday at Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame museum

Jermaine Wallace releases the game-winning shot over Iowa’s Adam Haluska on March 17, 2006, to lift Northwestern State to a 64-63 upset in the NCAA Tournament. (Photo by DOUG DANIELS)

Twenty years to the day after crafting one of March Madness’ signature moments, the “Demons of Destiny” will be in the spotlight Tuesday night.

A free reception and program will feature former Northwestern State head coach Mike McConathy and members of the 2005-06 Demon basketball team during the “Cinderella Wears Purple” 20th anniversary celebration at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum from 6-7:30 p.m. on March 17. The museum is located at 800 Front Street in downtown Natchitoches.

The 20-year celebration occurs on the anniversary of the St. Patrick’s Day 2006 Demons’ 64-63 NCAA Tournament victory against third-seeded Iowa on Jermaine Wallace’s last-second 3-pointer. The event is free and open to the public. There will be a reception followed by the program, which will be moderated by longtime Northwestern sports information director and current special assistant to the president Doug Ireland.

Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the panelists and ask questions during the panel.

Wallace’s corner jumper over the outstretched arm of Iowa’s Adam Haluska with 0.05 left and capped a remarkable Northwestern rally from 17 points down with 8:29 remaining in the game.

Clifton Lee tallied 16 points in a 20-6 Demon run to cut the Hawkeyes’ lead to 60-57 with less than two minutes to play, helping set up what many analysts still consider one of the most memorable moments in NCAA Tournament history.

Fittingly for a team who embodied its coach’s mantra of “the MVP of our team is our team,” Northwestern’s final sequence came off of an offensive rebound as Wallace grabbed the carom off a missed Kerwin Forges jumper, retreated to the left corner and buried the biggest shot in program history.

Tagged by then-Demon Sports Network radio announcer and current ESPN+ play-by-play voice Patrick Netherton as the “Demons of Destiny,” Northwestern’s improbable victory ignited a storm of national media attention for the program and the university that maintains today. Wallace’s shot is a staple of NCAA Tournament highlight reels and was voted the 2006 Pontiac Game Changing Performance award for the tournament. Fan voting resulted in a $105,000 general scholarship donation by General Motors/Pontiac to the university.

The ending was included in a Buffalo Wild Wings commercial and even referenced on a CBS soap opera.


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10th Annual Dylan Kyle Poche Bass Tournament

Dylan Kyle Poche was born on March 10, 1997, in Natchitoches, Louisiana

In just 18 short years, Dylan left a mark far greater than time could measure. After his tragic and violent passing, Dylan’s family made a decision to hold his first memorial Bass Tournament on May 8th  2016. 
Burt says, The event has grown bigger than we ever would have expected.

Each year, they host a memorial fishing tournament in his honor. Proceeds fund a scholarship through Northwestern State University, Dylan’s name continues to open doors and change lives for generations to come.

This year, a portion of tournament proceeds will also benefit Hope For Lydia

Registration Deadline:  March 27, 2pm

Tournament Information:  www.dylankylepoche.com

Online Registration:  https://app.fishingchaos.com/tournament/421EecWiVrOyjr7ynXJz

10th Annual Dylan Kyle Poche Bas Tournament
Date: March 28, 2026

Location: Cypress Bend Park

Activities
•Kids Fishing from the bank
•Food for all
•Prizes/Raffles
•Kids Jumpers
•Live Band


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Notice of Death – March 11, 2026

Roy Allen Roque Sr.
9-11-62 – 3-3-26
Service: Thursday, March 19,2026 at 10 am at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Natchez

Austin L. Johnson
January 4, 2000 – February 27, 2026
Service: Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 11 am at the RAMS Church, located at 175 Fairgrounds Road in Natchitoches

Rev. Edward Earl Johnson
August 31, 1955 – March 9, 2026
Service: Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary of the St. Paul Baptist Church, located at 391 St. Paul Church Road in Natchez

Wayne Place
February 17, 1952 — March 6, 2026
Service: Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Charles E. Durr
August 25, 1941 — February 24, 2026
Service: Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 1 pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Natchitoches

Tyrone Vaughn’ Keith Andrus
January 27, 1975 – February 25, 2026
Service: Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 11AM at St. Peter Baptist Church in Lafayette

Jay Tousant
April 19, 1966 – March 4, 2026
Arrangements TBA

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 to npjnatla@gmail.com


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IMPACT operation near Campti results in arrest of Campti man on felony drug charges

A traffic stop in Campti on Friday evening resulted in the arrest of a Campti man on felony drug charges, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

On Friday evening, March 6, 2026, at approximately 7:13 p.m., NPSO Sheriff’s Deputies assigned to the IMPACT initiative operation were patrolling in the Town of Campti when they heard gunshots in the area. Deputies began saturating the area in an effort to locate where the gunshots originated. While in the area, deputies observed a 2013 Buick passenger car traveling at an unsafe speed on Lake Street. Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Vaughn Street.

Deputies identified the operator of the vehicle as 36-year-old Christian R. Bush of Campti. Two other passengers were inside the vehicle, including a 12-year-old relative.

While speaking with Bush, deputies smelled a strong odor of marijuana and observed suspected narcotics in plain view inside the vehicle. A subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle led to the discovery and seizure of suspected marijuana and suspected MDMA (ecstasy).

Christian R. Bush was placed under arrest, transported, and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with:
Possession of CDS I Marijuana
Possession of CDS I MDMA (Ecstasy)
Illegal Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances in the Presence of Persons Under the Age of 17

The seized narcotics will be submitted to the crime lab for analysis.

The 12-year-old juvenile was released into the custody of a relative. The other passenger was released without criminal charges. A 10th Judicial District Court Judge set bond for Bush at $16,500.

The NPSO IMPACT Team consists of members from the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau, Patrol Operations Bureau, and Drug Enforcement Unit. Anyone observing suspicious activity in their community is encouraged to contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-352-6432 or 318-357-7851.


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Natchitoches Police announce crime statistics for 2025

The Natchitoches Police Department would like to share with the community a compilation of the 2025 end-of-year statistics.

The Natchitoches Police Department has seen an overall reduction in crime during the 2025 calendar year. The decrease can be attributed to the creation of the Violent Crime Task Force, state-of-the-art technology, proactive efforts in crime deterrence, and the community’s cooperation with law enforcement.

The following information was compiled by Natchitoches Police Department’s Analytics Division and shows a decrease in multiple crime categories. In 2025, Homicides decreased by 57% (from 7 to 3), while Robberies saw a 71% reduction (from 7 down to 2). Burglaries dropped 25% with 327 reported cases compared to 437 the previous year, and Motor Vehicle Theft declined by 36% (from 85 to 54). Additionally, Property Damage decreased by 18% (233 cases), Disorderly Conduct fell 43% (20 cases), and Aggravated Assault saw a 19% reduction with 25 reported incidents.

The Natchitoches Police Department also completed 2,626 offense reports and made 1,587 adult and juvenile arrests during this period.

The Natchitoches Police Department will continue to serve our community and keep our neighborhoods safe through community policing and crime prevention patrols.

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 smartphone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388. All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $5,000 for the arrest of an offender.


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