Krystle Leann Roberts, age 39, of DeRidder, was arrested on a Bench Warrant from Beauregard Parish. Roberts was transferred to Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Devin Jake Strother, age 35, of Pitkin, was arrested and charged with Criminal Trespass, one count Possession of Schedule I Narcotic, and one count of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $4,417. Strother posted bond and was released.
Megan Latrice Carroll, age 31, of Pitkin, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant. Bond has not been set. Carroll remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Donald R. Jackson, age 65, of Leesville, was arrested on an Outstanding Bench Warrant from Beauregard Parish. Jackson was transferred to Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Mavis Marie Baker Lipton, age 58, of Leesville, was arrested on an out of jurisdiction Bench Warrant. Lipton remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Georgia Vasilakis, age 39, of Nederland, Texas, was arrested and charged with one count Improper Telephone Communication. Bond was set at $2,500. Vasilakis posted bond and was released.
Brittany Renee Houn, age 23, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery with Child Endangerment. Bond has not been set. Haun remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
James Dofford White, age 58, of Pitkin, was arrested and charged with one count Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic (methamphetamine). Bond has not been set. White remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Amber Renea Powell, age 41, of Pitkin, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic (methamphetamine). Bond has not been set. Powell remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Vernon Parish girls’ basketball teams are poised to bring back two state championships from the LSHAA state tournament in Hammond.
Semi-finals in Division V non-select paired #1 Hicks and #4 Midland in the 6:15pm game. The Hicks Lady Pirates trailed the first half but mounted a thrilling comeback victory 51-45 to earn their 5th shot at a state title in the past six years. #2 Fairview outran #3 Anacoco in the 8 p.m. semi-final 81-70. Hicks will face Fairview, Friday at 8 p.m. for the state title. Hicks, the District 4-B champs, finished the season 33-4. The Lady Pirates beat district rival Pitkin in the quarterfinals, 51-46. Midland, from District 6-B sports a 25-10 record and beat Bell City in the quarterfinals 56-29. Hicks was led in the semis by seniors Reese Stephens and Cheyenne Phillips with 12 and 23 points respectively. Hicks took their first lead of the game early in the third quarter and used outstanding bench play with 14 points coming from girls who don’t score a lot. The Midland defensive scheme was to shut down Phillips and Stephens but the rest of the Lady Pirates picked up the load in the second half. Hicks just skipped a year of wearing the crown of state champs. They are the defending champions in Class C from 2020-2022. They won the Class B title in 2019.
The semi-final between Anacoco (33-6) and Fairview (30-7) reunited two old foes with a long history of playoff battles. Fairview is the defending 2023 champion in Class B, beating Hathaway by 10 last year. They won the title in 2022, beating Oak Hill and in 2021, beating Hathaway for the title. Anacoco has lost in the quarterfinals the last three years. The Lady Indians lost in the finals in 2017-2018-2019. Most teams the Lady Panthers play have trouble with their frenetic pace. Anacoco handled it well but at the end could not match the tempo.
#1 Rosepine in Division III non-select is seeking back-to-back state titles for the first time in program history. They meet #4 Westlake in the semis today at 1 p.m. The winner will play either #2 Amite or #3 Doyle in the finals Saturday at 8 p.m. to close out the tournament. The Lady Eagles won the 2023 state title, beating #2 Amite, 69-61. Rosepine fell to #3 Rayville in the 2022 state semi-finals, 69-63. Rosepine beat #8 Springfield 59-44 in the 2023 quarterfinals to earn their semi-final spot.
Hicks High School Girls Basketball Head Coach Jordyn Cross embraces mother Annie Cross after state quarterfinal win over Pitkin recently
by Danielle Tilley
If the scientists and sports experts could take that ephemeral, invisible, magical feeling that wells up in the heart of a mother when the ball lands in her child’s hand and could somehow bottle it up and sell it to the masses, what a fortune they could make! If they could somehow harness the hope of the woman who gave birth to the athlete, what an unstoppable force in the world that would be. If every mother could have her way, there would be no such thing as a missed shot, an error, or a slip. Every shot would make it to the hoop; every pitch would be in the strike zone; every kick would end up between the poles.
If it were up to the mothers, our kids would never miss a mark. They’d never make a mistake; they’d never be overlooked or unappreciated. They’d never experience defeat. If the hope of an athlete’s mother could somehow be translated to points on a board, we might as well stop forging championship rings and tracking stats for MVP titles, because every athlete would inevitably be the greatest of all time.
I’ve never had a child play in a high-stakes game with a title or an advancement on the line, but I did watch from the sidelines as the basketball somehow miraculously found its way to my own child’s hand in a Little Dribblers game, two points down with six seconds left on the clock. It wasn’t a make- it-or-break-it game. It wasn’t really a game of any significance in the big picture. But when my kid took his shot and that ball bounced off the rim, and all of the “hey, shake it off; you did your best” platitudes were spoken, I still found myself crying all the way home. Because he wanted it so badly — and I wanted it even more for him.
Growing up in our house, the competitions of choice for the Tilley children included basketball, cheerleading, baseball, track and field, livestock shows, beauty pageants, Quiz Bowl, Literary Rally, public speaking and various peer-elected leadership positions. It was quite a mixed bag. But it could have been juggling, clown school or competitive face painting, and our mom would have been front and center, cheering us on and ensuring we had the very best tools in order to succeed.
My mom was always the more reserved one in our home. We were taught by her to keep a certain level of decorum when out in public: “Don’t get in here and act like you’ve never been out in public before.” But walking through the doors of a gym at my brother’s game, she became a different person. She was never one to get passionate about a game on TV. She never yelled at a ref or debated the pros and cons of a play. I honestly thought she held no interest in sports. But put her in a gym with number 13 on her kid’s back, and you would be hard-pressed to find another person in the gym more tuned in than her!
And I never understood that shift in her, until my kids decided to try their hand at sports, and I finally understood when the moment happened to me… and I got “the look.”
I’m not sure if there are words to describe what it does to a mom when you first get it. During that pre-game warmup when your kid is with their teammates, and they casually throw a glance to the crowd searching. And while they may acknowledge the familiar face of a teacher, a friend, a fan, a grandparent, a sibling, when their eyes fall on the face of their mom, there’s something that clicks in. When they make the goal, score the point, or do something that moves the team ahead; when they miss the shot, make the mistake, or let their emotions get the best of them; when the stakes are high, the game is close, the pressure is on, every athlete seems to take a moment to steal a glance into the crowd, looking for that one face.
I’d like to think that “the look” is something that both ignites and calms the player — something that says, “I can do this” and something that says, “It’s okay if I can’t.” It makes me wonder where the incredible world of sports would be today if there was never a mother in the crowd. Would there be such a thing as a Hail Mary pass or a Cinderella story? Would there be any satisfaction in the title or ring? Would we even believe ourselves capable of such feats if a mother hadn’t believed it for us first?
I was never an athlete in the typical sense of basketball or softball. I found my need for competition elsewhere, but there’s never been a single challenge I’ve taken on that I didn’t want to be named the winner. But that didn’t always happen. What I didn’t know then, and what I definitely know now, is that there wasn’t a single thing that I wanted for myself that my mom didn’t want more for me. And there wasn’t a single defeat or failure that broke my heart in two, that didn’t break my mom’s heart into a million.
So, during this time of year that we celebrate the athletes, let us take a moment to celebrate the mothers. The ones who have served as logistics coordinators, personal assistants, chefs, coaches, cheerleaders, and therapists to their athletes. As a mom to a young athlete, I look forward to and dread the day when my athlete will be where yours are now. I can only hope that whatever that ephemeral thing is that makes us feel the highs and lows more acutely than our athletes do, I hope I hold it as gracefully as you have. I hope I say the right words and do the right things that instill the same hope and resilience in my children as you have with yours.
So, here’s to the fellow mothers of athletes.
I hope whatever that magical thing is that becomes engaged in the heart of an athlete’s mother continues to be a well for your children after they take off their jersey for the last time. And that as they go through life with all of its success and hope and joy and disappointment and grief and setback that they can still look up and see that mom is still there. And may they remember that they can do this, and may they remember that it’s also okay if they can’t. Because win or lose, Mom is always going to be in the crowd.
The Leesville City Council met Monday, February 26, at 3 p.m. with the first order of business being a public hearing on Ordinance 2 of 2024. This calls for a predial servitude agreement with AHF Investments LLC, doing business as All Hours Fitness, and authorizes the Mayor to sign and execute said agreement. There were no public comments, and Council members authorized the adoption of Ordinance 2 of 2024. It was approved during the regular Council meeting that followed.
Monthly bills for the city totaled $33,758.00. Pay requests were made by S. Keel Leesville Flooring and Brown’s A/C, Heat and Electric for over $36,000 in building repairs to the new Leesville Events Center. The money comes from Act 397 and state general funds. The public is invited to the grand opening of the Events Center Friday, March 15 beginning at 10 a.m.
City Engineer Mark McCarty reported the state has approved the city engineer agreement. It awaits Council approval. McCarty also told council members he had just received three bids on the Entrance Road sewer project. He had just received them and will report his findings once he goes over the bids.
Michael Hixson with Infrastructure Consultants and Engineers gave an in-depth update on the Leesville Airport runway project. The design work on expanding the runway from 3800 feet to 5600 feet is complete. The project is waiting for the environmental assessment report before beginning. This program is 100% funded by state and federal funds, including the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) grant of 4.9 million dollars. The 10–12-month project is scheduled to begin in July of this year.
Council members passed resolutions to adopt a revised version of the City of Leesville Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual. They also authorized the Owner-Engineer Agreement for Professional Services between the City and Meyer and Associates. The City entered into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the MLK Mentors, Inc. to provide mentoring programs and activities at the MLK Center.
Leesville Fire Chief Bobby Hooks reported to City Administrator Patti Larney that the City will temporarily halt issuing burn permits within city limits. Hooks cited recent high winds that sparked numerous fires last week in Vernon and Beauregard Parishes.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 11 at 3 p.m. in Leesville City Hall.
Seven Vernon Parish boys’ teams entered the playoffs last week, and four came out with wins. The most spectacular win came as #26 Hornbeck visited #7 Quitman and pulled off an overtime thriller winning 65-63 on a buzzer beater from Trace Fox. Four of five Hornbeck starters fouled out in the game. The Hornets visited #10 Pleasant Hill last night and dropped a tough one. The Hornets were down by 13 with two minutes to play when the radio station we were listening to went away into the night! Sorry for no final score!
Also, in Division V non-select play, #12 Pitkin fell to #18 Holden 68-66. In Division III, #19 Rosepine lost at #14 Jena, 78-76. In Division II non-select play #19 Leesville lost at #14 Minden, 65-54.
#4 ranked Pickering got a first-round bye and hosted #13 Lake Arthur last night in Division IV non-select play. Pickering came away with a 76-63 win over Lake Arthur. Pickering got 11 points from Ladarius Privatera in the fourth quarter including 3 three-point shots to help seal the win. The Red Devils will play #12 East Iberville in the quarterfinals Friday, March 1. They upset #5 North Central Tuesday night.
#12 Hicks visited #5 Doyline Monday night and pulled off the upset 53-49. Hicks ousted Phoenix in the first round 68-66. Hicks will now travel to #4 Negreet in the quarterfinals on Friday. March 1.
#2 ranked Anacoco demolished #18 Holden last night. They will play Pleasant Hill Friday, March 1 in the quarterfinals.
Certified Auto Repair Specialists opened during the early days of COVID in 2020. Solid business has allowed a move to a bigger shop on Nolan Trace, investments in high quality tools, and the latest equipment. They are able to provide the most minor repairs all the way up to custom engine design and builds.
Right now, through the end of March, CARS is offering a special on wheel alignments. Purchase a set of four tires and get an alignment for half-price. A well aligned vehicle has improved fuel economy, reduced noise levels, and less vibration. When tires are unbalanced, uneven wear occurs, reducing the life of your tire and potentially causing driving hazards. A minor misalignment can take thousands of miles off a tire’s life. A major misalignment, especially in the toe angle, can chew through your tire tread depth in just a few hundred miles if not corrected.
Owner Charles Renz and wife Roisin believe in treating customers the way they like to be treated. Their Christian faith is an important part of the business operation. The business logo for CARS includes a carpenter’s hammer in the middle. This symbolizes how the Renzes go through life and operate their business. Before Jesus became the greatest teacher, he was a carpenter. The carpenter’s hammer is a constant reminder that Jesus is at the center of all they do at CARS.
Charles has over 30 years of honing his mechanical skills, starting by working in a Seattle oil shop. He has taken advanced automotive classes and offers years of hands-on experience. In 1998 he earned the level of Master Certified Technician from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). That, of course, is the gold standard in the US and Canada for auto repair technicians. Master Technicians must re-certify every five years. Charles has gone way beyond that. He holds Advance Level certifications in L1-Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Certification, X1-Under Specialist Exhaust Systems Certification and C1-Xervice Consultant Certification.
There are 197,440 ASE technicians in the US. Only 69,678 of them are Master Automobile Technicians and less than 35,000 of those are L1 Certified. One of those is Charles Renz at CARS.
CARS at 1108 Nolan Trace are people you can count on with the knowledge you need to keep your vehicles roadworthy. Through the end of March, buy a set of four tires and get an alignment for half-price. Call CARS at 337-353-7668 and get the details.
The Northwestern State University Foundation will hold the popular spring fund raiser Flavor of Louisiana on Friday, March 15 in Prather Coliseum. Flavor of Louisiana is a seafood extravaganza featuring samplings of seafood dishes prepared by chefs from around the state, along with options for non-seafood eaters, coffees, desserts, specialty cocktails, craft beers, music, dancing, raffles and silent auctions.
Flavor of Louisiana is presented in partnership with the Louisiana Seafood Board with special guest Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. All proceeds go to support NSU student scholarships and faculty development.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $80 per person. Sales end March 14.
Sponsorships are also available on several levels and include corresponding perks, such as reserved seating, preferred parking and more.
Funeral services for Shirley Grimes Parker, 80, of Simpson, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Simpson Baptist Church in Simpson, Louisiana, with Rev. Edmond Gwynn officiating. Burial will follow in the Welcome Cemetery in Simpson under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville.
Visitation will be Thursday, February 29, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
Shirley was born on September 11, 1943, in Leesville, Louisiana to her parents, George W. Grimes and Laura Ava Marshall Grimes. She passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2024, in Christus St. Francis Cabrini Hospital.
She worked for many years at The Vernon Parish School Board, working in dietary in the Simpson Schools. Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Glen C. Parker; brother, Glenn Grimes; sister, Rachel Maddox. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Myles Parker of Simpson, Louisiana; brothers, Douglas Grimes and David Phillips (Susie) of Simpson; sisters, Helen Dowden of Simpson, Kathy Isgitt (Billy) of Anacoco, Louisiana, and Lee Johnson of Leesville; and a host of nieces and nephews.
A point of pride in Vernon Parish is the home of Dr. Edmond Ellison Smart and his bride, Harriet Neal Smart, at 301 South First St, in what is now Leesville. Before we get too deeply into the old house and its story, which I look forward to sharing, let me give you a little context for appreciating its singular notoriety. To put it plainly, what we don’t learn, we cannot enjoy. When Edmond and Harriet were moving into this remarkable house, Abraham Lincoln received the nomination to represent the Union for the Republican Party by quoting from the Bible, Matthew: 12:25, “…A city or a house divided against itself cannot stand…”. Our historic couple, Dr. Smart and Hattie, would be among those following developments with this tall, dark, and deadly serious patriot, Abraham Lincoln. The house was brand spanking new.
Speaking of context, one of my heroes, Alfred Russell Wallace, sent his manuscript to the great biologist, Charles Darwin, with a letter theorizing, with solid proof, that all animals evolve from the original to better their chances. Wallace had been alone among the southwest islands of the Pacific for over a decade and was bulging with discoveries. This scared Darwin, and he almost immediately published his famous book, “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection” or ” The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life.” Dr. Smart and Hattie, along with the educated and politically savvy members of their families, were sleeping under the stars and reading about Charles Darwin by candlelight or kerosine lamp. The house was getting its windows and shutters from New Orleans. Whale oil was selling for $2.50 a gallon. Square nails, also known as cut nails, were being hammered to hold together the Smart House. Seldom remembered today, the tireless architect, Henry Howard, was pumping out one famous house after another from Natchez to Mobile. The Smart House’s plan needed no architect; this Four-Square Georgian was reproduced all over the South. “It was beautifully simple and simply beautiful,” but it was far from the columned halls and bent rows of enslaved people. It’s not easy to grasp the context of this construction.
I’ll end with another heroine of mine, Ms. Marianne North, who undertook a sixteen-year journey around the world with her paints and brushes, “A View of Eden” resulted as Dr. Smart and Hattie were unpacking their things at 301 S. First Street.
James Turner is a local author, artist, builder, historian, and landscape architect. His most recent novel, Wolf Rock Cave, takes place in the prehistoric forests in Vernon Parish.
Northwestern State University’s School of STEM will host STEM Day for high school students on Friday, March 1. All students in grades 9-12 are invited. STEM Day will take place in NSU’s Student Union Ballroom from 8 a.m.- 12 noon.
“With rapidly emerging technologies and scientific advancements, today is an exciting time to be engaged in all areas of science, technology engineering and mathematics,” said Dr. Christopher Lyles, director of the School of STEM. “There is exponential growth opportunity for students looking for lucrative careers in STEM areas.”
High schoolers who attend STEM Day can explore career opportunities, meet with faculty and learn about degree programs in several diverse fields, including biomedical/microbiology, natural science and ecology, veterinary science, chemistry and physics and mathematics and engineering.
“STEM Day gives us an opportunity to talk one on one with prospective students about degree programs, answer questions, tour labs and discuss career possibilities,” Lyles said.
Funeral services for Wendy Wilson-Roberts, 61, of Leesville, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024, under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Homes. Services will be held at New Willow Baptist Church in Leesville with Rev. Ronale Coleman officiating. Burial will follow in the Leesville Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 2, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the church.
Wendy was born on October 7, 1962, in Leesville, Louisiana to her parents, Roberta Smith and George Williams. She passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024, in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Wendy is preceded in death by her parents and son-in-law, Ben Eugene III.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Dwayne Roberts; sons Nicholas Wilson Sr., Brandon Williams (Sandra); daughters, Roshunda Wilson-Peters (Rudy), Latonia Wilson-Eugene; Vernesha Roberts, Shawna Roberts; brothers, Michael Harris, Antione Williams, Jacque Williams, Alton Jackson; sisters, Evelyn Wilson, Patricia Harris, Candace Harris, Michelle Harris, Deanna Harris, Caprice Alves, Shante Fitchett; grandchildren, DeQuan Wilson, Deondre Wilson (Jlisha), Keyshawn Peters, Ny’asia Wilson, Jacolbe Eugene, Nicholas Carter, Ja’nyla Peters, Jayden Eugene, Nicholas Wilson, Nicole Wilson, and Camille Fountain.
The following was released on February 22 by Sheriff Robert Burby of Newton County, Texas:
At 1300 hours (1:00 pm), we recovered the body of Virginia Alvis Perkins, W/F, 83 YOA. She was recovered on the Texas shoreline near the North side of the railroad bridge.
On February 14, 2024, NCSO dispatchers received several calls of a white female observed going over the Hwy 190 East Bridge of the Sabine River. We responded to the bridge and found an unoccupied vehicle parked on the bridge in the eastbound shoulder. We contacted the witnesses who made the call and located evidence inside her vehicle that provided us with her identity and intentions.
The family was notified, and I met with them at the scene. We initiated a water recovery with negative results. During the last 8 days we were assisted by Texas and Louisiana Parks and Wildlife, Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bon Wier VFD, Merryville VFD, and Merryville PD. Other agencies that assisted during this period were Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and DeRidder FD, who flew drones that searched the water and shorelines. Tarver Performance Marine assisted by using their live scope and sonar.
I want to thank all the agencies and the many volunteers who devoted their time and energy during our search efforts. It was very difficult and extremely hard on the family who were there every day, and we want you to join us in keeping them in our prayers during their bereavement process.
The outpouring of support from Texas and Louisiana communities, churches, and individuals who provided food, drinks, and other items to help support and facilitate our search efforts are greatly appreciated.
Three Vernon Parish girls’ basketball teams punched their tickets to the state tournament in Hammond next week.
Division III non-select:
Defending state championship and #1 ranked Rosepine defeated #8 Springfield last night at the Eagles Nest 59-44. The victory earned them a berth in the semifinals versus either #4 French Settlement or #5 Westlake. The score was unavailable at press time. Rosepine beat #2 ranked Amite in the 2023 championship game.
Division V non-select:
#1 ranked Hicks took out their district rivals, #8 Pitkin, at The Ship in Hicks last night by 5 points in a tight, hotly contested game 51-46. Hicks advances to meet #4 Midland in the semifinals next week. The Lady Pirates lost in the 2023 quarterfinals to Fairview.
#3 Anacoco pounded #6 Castor 62-34 to advance to the Division V semifinals next week where they will meet #2 Fairview. These two teams have had some titanic battles in the last 3 years.
Vernon Parish girls’ teams could bring home two state championships next week in Division III and Division V non-select schools.
Northwestern State University’s School of STEM will host STEM Day for high school students on Friday, March 1. All students in grades 9-12 are invited. STEM Day will take place in NSU’s Student Union Ballroom from 8 a.m.- 12 noon.
“With rapidly emerging technologies and scientific advancements, today is an exciting time to be engaged in all areas of science, technology engineering and mathematics,” said Dr. Christopher Lyles, director of the School of STEM. “There is exponential growth opportunity for students looking for lucrative careers in STEM areas.”
High schoolers who attend STEM Day can explore career opportunities, meet with faculty and learn about degree programs in several diverse fields, including biomedical/microbiology, natural science and ecology, veterinary science, chemistry and physics and mathematics and engineering.
“STEM Day gives us an opportunity to talk one on one with prospective students about degree programs, answer questions, tour labs and discuss career possibilities,” Lyles said.
What do you do with old leftover, brown, unsightly bananas? Are you a put-‘em-in- a-smoothie person or a banana bread aficionado? You know there are more variations on banana bread recipes than there are U.S. patents! Everyone has a secret that makes their banana bread the moistest or least crumbly. You know — that secret ingredient that circulates in your family like loose change.
Banana bread is almost a universal welcome-to-the-neighborhood gift. Our neighbor Linda will bring some over sometimes, and hers is really good. My lovely wife makes hers with Amish friendship bread starter. Sadly, my mom did not make banana bread because none of her three boys ate bananas growing up. That has since changed for me. Well, I mean, have you seen how long chimpanzees live?
Which brings us to the bread. How many eggs? Nuts or no nuts? What kind of nuts? I like walnuts. Are you making a loaf, a bundt, or muffins? Do you use banana extract flavoring with your banana bread? Some think not…ever! ML likes banana cream pudding in her batter; smooth and velvety! Do you slather it with cream cheese frosting? As you can see, there are lots of questions to ask on the road to banana bread Nirvana!
Today is National Banana Bread Day, so take those ugly brown bananas and give them a new purpose in life. Then you will have a new purpose in life…to eat it all!
While you’re at it, don’t forget Fido or Rover. Today is also National Dog Biscuit Day, so give your pooch a treat. Try baking your own dog biscuits. Mixes are readily available, and your dog will feel the love from that homemade treat.
Northwestern State University’s Office of Counseling and Career Services will hold its Spring Career Fair on Tuesday, February 27 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Friedman Student Union Ballroom.
The event is open to both undergraduate and graduate students at NSU who would like to meet and connect with prospective employers. Professional attire is required to attend. Assistant Director of Counseling and Career Services Rachel Cunningham said networking with different employers from multiple industries can increase the chances of finding an internship or job after graduation. Students can get more information through Handshake at nsu.la/GFstudent. Employers can sign up at nsu.la/GFemployer.
Scheduled participants include BOM, NRMC, CHRISTUS Health, Ochsner LSU Health, Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, Willis-Knighton Health System, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences – Occupational & Physical Therapy, Center for Children & Families, LA National Guard at NSU, Army Healthcare – Mid-West/South Region, Arq, Inc., Crest Industries, RoyOMartin, Mission & Installation Contracting Command, and KNOE 8 News.
Also scheduled to participate are EisnerAmper, Coca-Cola UNITED, City Year, LA Workforce Commission, City of Baton Rouge, Garland Police Department. Alexandria Police Department, LA Department of Public Safety & Corrections, LA Department of State Civil Service, LA Department of Transportation & Development, LA Office of Financial Institutions and the LA Office of Justice.
The Career Fair will also include LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans, LSU – College of Human Sciences & Education – School of Social Work, Southern University Law Center, Mississippi College School of Law, LSU Shreveport – Graduate Studies, Charter Schools USA, Dollar General and the USDA.
The Vernon Parish Police Jury is the governing body of the parish. The members are elected by the people to serve the interest of parish citizens. Following are the committee assignments for the 2024 Jury:
Capital Properties…Chair/David Fox, Quintin Thompson, Dean Mitchell, Kenny Haymon Personnel…Chair/Marvin Hilton, Kenny Haymon, David Brister, Curtis Clay Economic Development/Planning…Chair/Cody Hostetler, Scottie Benjamin, Kenny Haymon, Doug Roshong Road Maintenance/Construction…Chair/David Brister, Cody Hostetler, David Fox, Charnel Bailey Equipment…Chair/Scottie Benjamin, Curtis Clay, Quintin Thompson, Marvin Hilton, Doug Roshong Veterans Affairs…Chair/Doug Roshong, David Brister, Scottie Benjamin, Cody Hostetler Finance…Chair/Curtis Clay, Quintin Thompson, Marvin Hilton, Doug Roshong Ways & Means…Chair/Kenny Haymon, Dean Mitchell, David Fox, Curtis Clay Fire Protection & Solid Waste…Chair/Quintin Thompson, Kenny Haymon, Charnel Bailey, David Fox Lakes…Chair/Dean Mitchell, Marvin Hilton, Scottie Benjamin, David Brister Permits & Claims…Chair/Charnel Bailey, Marvin Hilton, Doug Roshong, Cody Hostetler
Police Jury President James Tuck is an ex-officio member of each committee.
The meeting of the Vernon Parish Police Jury was Tuesday, February 20, at 10 a.m. on the second floor of the Police Jury building.
Jurors set a public hearing for Monday, March 18 at 10 a.m. to take public input on a proposed ordinance to change the name of Trailer Park Road in District 7, Ward 7 to Cornwell Road.
Police Jurors adopted numerous resolutions, entering into Agreement between Owner & Engineer with Meyer & Associates for work at the rodeo arena. Another agreement between the Police Jury is with the USDA, Forest Service, Kisatchie National Forest for road improvements to Bailey Road in District 5, Ward 7. The Jury also agreed to support grants to be submitted through the Louisiana Division of Administration Office of Community Development Local Government Assistance Program (LGAP).
The Police Jury approved and accepted the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) between the Louisiana Department of Treasury and the State of Louisiana on behalf of the Vernon Parish Tourism Commission. It authorizes John Crook, Executive Director, to execute this CEA on behalf of the Police Jury. Following committee reports at the February 12 meeting, several items came on after reports were made. Jurors heard and approved them. The Capital Properties Committee reported on quotes received for the new storage building for the Vernon Parish Office of Homeland Security. Only one quote met all the criteria of the specifications. That bid came from Total Construction and totaled $46,555.55. The Equipment Committee received requests from the Parish Road Manager to declare some parish equipment surplus and offer it up for sale at auctions in Alexandria and Lake Charles. Those sales are set for March 2. Requests were received from Districts 10-11-12 to purchase a Front-End Loader and Grapple for their tractor. The item from Goldman Equipment will cost $11,736.98 and will be paid from district funds. Another request from Districts 10-11-12 was for the purchase of a $6,000 utility trailer. Districts 1-4-8-9 also requested the purchase of a new 2024 backhoe from Doggett Equipment on a state contract. The cost of the backhoe of $128,737.20 will be financed.
The Finance Committee offered a late request from the Vernon Parish Health Unit to replace a copier. The 60-month lease will cost $164.69 per month and be paid for by Health Unit funds.
The Personnel Committee received late requests from the Parish Road Manager to change employees Kevin Johnson (District 5) and Jessie Thompson (District 3) from Equipment Operator to Grader Operator.
The Road Maintenance and Construction Committee opened bids earlier this month for 2024 Overlay Materials. Apeck Construction, Merrick LLC, and R.C. Paving were awarded the six bids. The Committee also relayed a request from the Vernon Parish Health Unit to dispose of a dead horse in District 11 and to burn a structure on Hwy. 117.
The next meeting of the Vernon Parish Police Jury will be committee meetings on March 11 at 5 p.m. The next regular monthly meeting will be on March 18 at 10 a.m.
Concrete bases for Robert Alost Hall are being poured and the 18-month project is running on schedule, according to Jennifer Kelly, Northwestern State University’s executive director of University Affairs. When complete, Alost Hall will be NSU’s main academic building.
“Steel will start going up mid- to late February,” Kelly said. “It’s progressing, even considering several days of rain, they’ve been able to move forward.”
The contract for the David and Sherry Morgan Sports Performance Center has been sent to the contractor and the timeline for its construction will be developed in the coming weeks when approved by the state Office of Facility Planning and Control. After that preliminary surface work, such as the marking of utilities and preparation for construction, will begin.
The roof and hood replacement for Fournet Hall is in the final stages of design by the architect and engineers. Bids should be released in the next six weeks.
Design work on the rigging system – the system of ropes and pulleys that enable a stage crew to hoist scenery, lights and stage effects — in A.A Fredericks Auditorium are underway in preparation for a future upgrade. An architect from Shreveport has been selected and will work with faculty and administrators in Department of Theatre and Dance and facilities personnel on the project. The upgrade should begin in the next six weeks, working around stage productions that are scheduled for the spring.
Elevator updates are ongoing in Kyser Hall and Watson Library. An elevator project at the Shreveport campus is complete and awaiting final inspection.
The replacement of stadium lights in Turpin Stadium will be completed by late spring, Kelly said. Lighting upgrades in Prather Coliseum were completed last fall.
“With all the rain we are addressing the problem of potholes on campus,” Kelly said. “The Student Government Association is working with us on a trash can project. They will partner with the Department of Fine and Graphic Art to paint some of the trash cans that will be placed in strategic locations around campus where we frequently find litter.”
Administrators at NSU have submitted five-year capital outlay plans and funding proposals for fiscal year 2025 to the University of Louisiana System. Capital outlay plans outline proposed construction projects that are submitted annually to the Louisiana Legislature for state funding consideration. The Legislative session will convene March 11 in Baton Rouge.
