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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Council also approved:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BATON ROUGE – The last time the Northwestern State baseball team lost a Southland Conference series at home, the Demons responded by winning eight of its next 10 games.

The Demons hope to take the lessons learned from that stretch a month ago and apply them as they begin a four-game road trip with a 6:30 p.m. visit tonight to LSU.

The game will air on SEC Network Plus and can be heard on 100.7 FM KZBL and through the Northwestern State Athletics mobile app, which can be downloaded free for Apple and Android devices.

“That’s exactly what it is – continual learning no matter how it comes about or where it comes from,” third-year head coach Chris Bertrand said. “We want to continuously learn. We’ll learn from this weekend’s ball games. We’ll work on what needs to be fixed, work on the deficiencies and the weaknesses that were exposed. We’ll continue to sharpen our strengths and be very intentional about mending the bodies and getting healthy.”

Both the Demons (23-13) and Tigers (22-15) enter the matchup coming off tough weekends.

Northwestern dropped two of three Southand Conference games to Houston Christian at Brown-Stroud Field while LSU dropped all three games of its SEC series at Ole Miss. The Tigers enter the game in the midst of a four-game losing streak.

It didn’t knock NSU (14-7 in the league) out of the Southland lead, however, while LSU slipped to 6-9 in the SEC, ahead of only South Carolina and Missouri.

A season ago, the Demons handed LSU a 13-3, seven-inning defeat at Alex Box Stadium, waiting out a lightning delay as they won for the third time in the past six meetings between the teams. It was the first time this century that LSU was run-ruled at home in a non-conference game.

“We’ll take all factors into consideration, but we have to put (last year’s game) behind us and know it has no bearing on (Tuesday) night,” Bertrand said. “We still want to pull positives from it. Did we learn from that opportunity and what we accomplished? Take the good from it, but understand it needs to be put behind us and understand all the circumstances that are going on now.

“That team is not only going to be ready to play, but they’re at the point in their season where they have important things on the line, too. They’re obviously going to be ready to play as you always expect from an LSU team or a Jay Johnson-coached team.”

The Demons will send Baton Rouge native Wesley Marien (2-0, 3.16) to the mound for his first start of the season. A Parkview Baptist product, Marien has been one of the Demons’ most trusted relievers, leading the team with 11 relief appearances.

“It’s an opportunity for Wes, and we’re happy for all of those factors that are involved,” Bertrand said of Marien starting in his hometown. “That does play into it. We want him to have that experience, that level of, hopefully, comfort, but it’s also an opportunity for us to grow, develop and learn.

“He gets to experience those things, but at the same time, what can he do to strengthen his game, and what can he do that sets an example for the Demons in all of the games to come. We’re excited about it and what we’re going to get a chance to learn and use moving forward.”

SLC HONOR FOR DEMON PITCHER: Dylan Marionneaux collected his second Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week honor of the season and the third of his career on Monday. The SLC Pitcher and Hitter of the Week awards are voted on by league sports information directors.

Marionneaux, a junior from Zachary, tossed a six-hit, complete game against Houston Christian on Saturday, scattering six hits and not allowing an earned run while striking out a career-high 11 as he improved to 4-2 on the season.

Say hello to Flip!

This adorable, 7-year-old, bob-tailed little guy is bursting with personality and is a total favorite among his caretakers. Flip adores anything that involves fun, whether it’s splashing in his kiddie pool, chasing tennis balls, or hopping in the car for a pup cup. He’s always ready to go and doesn’t really care where, he’s just happiest being by your side.

Flip is house-trained and has had some basic obedience training, and he continues to impress with his intelligence. We think he would thrive in a home with older kids and/or a dog friend to play with.

Flip has been waiting far too long for a family of his own, but he’s still hopeful that one day soon it will be his turn. If you’re looking for a fun, loyal, adventure-loving companion, please consider giving Flip the happy ending he’s been waiting for, he just might be your perfect match! 

For more information about fostering or adopting Flip, please reach out to FAUNA (Friends All United For Natchitoches Animals) at npfauna@gmail.com or NPFauna.org

Natchitoches City Council will have a pre-council meeting on Monday, April 13 beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m. to discuss non-agenda items. The City Council meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month and will be reserved to only items on the Agenda.  The public is invited to both the pre-council meetings and council meetings with the understanding that items not on the agenda will not be discussed at the scheduled council meetings, but the public is welcome to discuss any topic at the pre-council meetings.  The City Council Meetings are held at the Natchitoches City Council Chambers, located at 716 Second St. in Natchitoches.

PAID CONTENT

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces the substantial completion of the $7.3 million project to repair a nearly 7 mile section of LA 9 in Natchitoches Parish.

The project, which stretched from LA 156 to US 71 in the Town of Campti, included base repairs at certain locations to strengthen the roadway, drainage work, milling to remove old asphalt, fresh asphalt paving along the entire project, new striping & signage, and related work.

LA 9 is an important connector route that stretches through several parishes, and provides access to towns such as Campti, Arcadia, and Homer.

This type of investment in the state’s transportation system is another step toward modernizing the network, improving quality of life for citizens and visitors, and strengthening connectivity for communities across Louisiana.

As always, DOTD appreciates the patience of the traveling public while construction activities were underway.

This project was made possible by funding from the Louisiana Transportation Infrastructure Fund (LTIF 1.0).

Cannons roared and gunfire reverberated through the quiet village of Pleasant Hill April 10 through 12 as Union and Confederate armies clashed in one of the battles of Union General Nathan P. Banks’ Red River Campaign. Unlike the actual battle in 1864, the cannon and rifle fire did not result in a storm of lead and iron and the casualties “resurrected” after the battle was over.

Thursday, April 9 marked the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Pleasant Hill. The first re-enactment was held in 1964 on the 100th anniversary of the battle. After a hiatus of several years, the re-enactment went on to become a beloved tradition presented on, or as close as possible to, the anniversary of the battle. This year’s re-enactment is the 46th one. The Battle of Pleasant Hill re-enactment is a rarity in that it commemorates a specific battle and takes place on the actual battlefield. The site is about 3 miles from the modern site of the Village of Pleasant Hill. This year’s re-enactment featured over 450 participants from Louisiana and neighboring states.

Friday featured an open camp held for local educators so school groups could come and learn about life in the Civil War era. Camp Taylor was also introduced this year. It is a child friendly area with games, crafts, and educational activities for children. Saturday and Sunday each featured battles fought before a large crowd of hundreds of spectators as well as the newly crowned 2026-2027 Battle of Pleasant Hill Queen, Chloe Cramer, her court and a contingent of visiting fair and festival queens from across Louisiana. Miss Cramer was crowned by the 2025-2026 Queen, Miss Michelle Hood, before Sunday’s battle reenactment.

In addition to the battles on Saturday and Sunday, there was a parade and period ball Saturday, as well as a memorial luminaria ceremony commemorating the soldiers who fell in the Battle of Pleasant Hill. Sunday featured a period church service open to all. 

The Battle of Pleasant Hill re-enactment is an educational and family-friendly event that offers something to history aficionados of every age. The Battle of Pleasant Hill re-enactment is one of the myriad of festivals, concerts and other events that make life in Louisiana anything but boring. The Parish Journals of Louisiana congratulate the re-enactors and volunteers whose hard work is evidenced throughout the well organized and fun event. The Battle of Pleasant Hill re-enactment is a superb example of what a small town can accomplish working together.