National Volunteer Week: Shoutout!

APRIL 26, 2024

A shoutout to the volunteers of the AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program (SCP) for all that you do in making a difference in the lives of others in our community. Your labor of love has not gone unnoticed. You are there for those who need you most to help maintain their dignity and independence in their own homes. Thank you – Linda Blake, Michael Braxton, Sandra Brew, Danny Byrd, Rozelia Carpenter, Patricia Colton, Jessie Corbin, Willie Sue Davis, Annie Demars, Linda Elie, Clara Evans, Barbara Fowler, Mildred Gates, Peggy Grayson, Rose Hollingsworth, Patricia Jackson, Ezekiel Jewett, Eunice Johnson, Stella Johnson, Mildred Joseph, Florestine Mitchell, Frankie Monroe, Stan Nash, Helen Obioha, Sandra Patterson, Celeste Raggio, Iadela Santiago, Addie Taylor, Cuban Williams, Ira Williams, Gloria Young, and Mae Young. Rodney Irchirl – Senior Companion Program Project Director.

NCHS announces promotion of Kerry Braden as Assistant Principal

APRIL 26, 2024

Natchitoches Central High School announced Kerry Braden as Assistant Principal. Braden has selflessly and faithfully served NCHS for the last several years as a classroom teacher and will continue to serve both teachers and students in his new administration role.

LaMATS Helps to Forge Productive Partnership

APRIL 26, 2024

Two kindred spirts, both fearless leaders of their respective villages, recently met to discuss supporting one another as they lead their communities through challenging times. Longstreet Mayor Connie Jackson (with the support of the Longstreet Village Council) is providing much needed surplus office furniture to Natchez Mayor Patsy Ward Hoover. The furniture will be utilized in the new Village Hall, now in the final stages of construction. The mutual “blessing,” as they both described it, is being facilitated with the support of the LaMATS Board of Directors and its Surplus Property Program. By early June, the new Natchez Village Hall will be open to the public and will stand strong as a very welcomed replacement to their old, unsafe building. LaMATS Board President Mayor David Butler II (Woodworth) and Board member Councilwoman Lisa Aymond (Woodworth) attended the ground breaking ceremony a few weeks ago to much fanfare and celebration. “We continue to rejoice in all of the effort, love, and support our community has received from so many. I can’t wait for Mayor Butler and my new, sweet friend, Mayor Jackson, to return to Natchez for the grand opening.” Mayor Hoover added. “My faith has been restored, and my heart is very full with deep gratitude.” Additionally, LaMATS Executive Director Cliff Palmer and Mayor Hoover expressed condolences to Mayor Jackson on the loss of her beloved husband and Air Force veteran, Shelby Ray Jackson, Jr., who passed away on March 22. The Louisiana Municipal Advisory and Technical Services Bureau (LaMATS) was established in 1998 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the LMA.  It’s mission is simple…to bring economical and efficient services that assist the LMA membership with their day-to-day business.

Natchitoches Fire District 9 asks for support on Election Day

APRIL 26, 2024

Fire District 9 has the only Rescue Unit in northern Natchitoches Parish. This in turn provides rescue services without waiting on resources to come from Natchitoches saving a minimum of 15-20 minutes. Seconds count. This saves time and lives in emergency situations. Not all outcomes are what we want in critical situations, but several outcomes have been good. Fire District 9 will respond outside of their coverage area when needed to save lives and property. The fire district’s current millage expires in 2025 and if passed, the new millage will take over in 2026. Paid Political Content

Deceased Veterans of Natchitoches Parish

APRIL 24, 2024

The Natchitoches Parish Veterans and Memorial Park Committee is currently working on the list of Veterans who have passed away since April of 2023. Each year we read the names of those recently deceased at the Memorial Day Program.  If you know of a Veteran who should be included on this year’s Memorial List, please email that name, along with your name and a current phone number to:  darfus@att.net or betsymae4h@gmail.com. We will need these names by May 3 to be sure they are included on the printed list. Our Program is scheduled for May 27.

May 19 is World IBD Day

May 19 is World IBD Day, a pivotal time to raise global awareness about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. On this day, we unite to highlight the challenges faced by nearly 1 in 100 Americans living with IBD, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis, awareness of new treatment options, and ongoing medical attention to manage this lifelong health condition.

For 2024, are focused on connecting diagnosed IBD patients to the right treatment:

•           “The Journey”: A woman diagnosed years ago learns about newer treatment options.

•           “Time For Change” & “What Really Matters”: Patients concerned about long-term steroid use find better treatments.

We also want to focus on helping patients find explanations for mysterious gut symptoms, include:

•           Unusual gut symptoms & IBD resources

IBD can pose significant long-term health risks and requires careful, ongoing medical attention. However, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed, and even those with accurate diagnoses may not even be fully aware of newer treatment options. Speaking to an IBD specialist can help undiagnosed and diagnosed patients feel better sooner.

NPSB Names New Lakeview Jr./Sr. High School:

Natchitoches Parish Schools is pleased to announce that Chase Stepp has been named the new principal of Lakeview Jr./Sr. High School. Stepp’s position will be effective for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Chase Stepp, a lifelong resident of Natchitoches, is currently an assistant principal at Natchitoches Junior High—Frankie Ray Jackson School. He will be succeeding Karla Renter, who will continue to serve as Lakeview’s principal until the end of the 2023-2024 school year. For more information, please see the attached release. I have also attached a headshot of Mr. Stepp. He will be addressing the community of Campti personally in a letter that I will send by the end of the day. Thank you for your continued support in keeping our community updated on everything happening in Natchitoches Parish Schools. If you have any questions, please contact NPSB Superintendent, Dr. Grant Eloi or myself.

 Thank you,

Chynna Paris-District Communications Manager

Office: (318) 357-7167-Cell: (337) 496-5573