At 9:52am on Monday, June 17th, 911 dispatchers took a call regarding a water rescue on a property owned by International Paper. At the time of the call it was reported one male individual in a boat had been in or under the water for several minutes, Sheriff Richardson said in a news release. 

The DeSoto Sheriff Water Rescue and DeSoto FIRE/EMS were dispatched and located the male drowning victim. The individual was pronounced deceased at the scene by the DeSoto Coroner.

Further information on the identity of the victim will be provided at an appropriate time when family has been notified. 

The village of Robeline held a special meeting last Thursday to present the 2024-2025 Budget to the council and amend the 2023 budget. The proposition to add bathrooms in the village park was also presented. The council voted to amend the 2023 budget and to add bathrooms to the park.

The village of Robeline will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, June 20 at 6 p.m. in the Police Depot.

The village will also have another special meeting on Thursday, June 27 at 3 p.m. This meeting will be to adopt the 2024-2025 Budget before the June 30 deadline.

As many have noticed between weather and red tape there has been a stall to the expected construction in the curve of Robeline. The new clinic will almost certainly not meet the hoped for July opening date. The environmental testing required before construction has slowed things down though the building itself will go up quickly it will still need the interior finished before opening. But Robeline residents did get hope Monday when we saw some work being done on the bank site. It was a simple job, the crew simply removed the raised part of the parking lot that had been to aid vehicles in reaching the teller window of the old building. We had been informed that the plans for the new building were in the State Fire Marshal’s office for review. So hopefully with this leveling of the ground it’s a sign that things will start moving forward. After almost 7 months without a local branch many are happy to see any progress towards the return of the bank.

I would like to remind everyone that Apostolic Truth Tabernacle will be hosting VBS next week, June 24-26 from 6-8 p.m. with the Family program on June 27 at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to join in the fun with us.

By Doug De Graffenried

This will give you an opportunity to think about things. The application will be personal and thoughtful.

This is the story of a mountain climber, who wanted to climb the highest mountain in the land. He began his journey after decades of preparation. But since he wanted glory for himself, he decided to climb the mountain alone.

His climb started in the bright sunlight and proceeded until night. The night felt heavy in the heights of the mountain and the man could not see anything. All was black. Zero visibility since the moon and the stars were covered by the clouds.

As he was climbing, only mere feet from the top of the mountain, he slipped and fell into the air, falling at great speed. The climber could only see black spots as he went down, and the terrible sensation of being sucked down by gravity. He kept falling. . .and in those moments of great fear, it came to his mind all the good and bad experiences of his life.

He was thinking now about how close death was getting, when all of a sudden, he felt the rope tied to his waist pull him very hard.

His body was still hanging in the air…Only the rope was holding him, and in that moment of stillness he had no other choice by to scream:

HELP ME GOD!

All of a sudden, a deep voice coming from the heavens answered:

What do you want me to do?

Save me God!

Do you really think I can save you?

Of course, I believe you can.

THEN CUT THE ROPE TIED TO YOUR WAIST. . .

There was a moment of silence: the man decided to hold on to the rope with all of his strength.

The rescue team says that the next day a climber was found dead and frozen. . .his body hanging from a rope. His hands holding tightly to it. . .

Only ten feet from the ground. 

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

The Healing Clinics is the number one choice for medical marijuana evaluations in Louisiana. More than 40,000 satisfied patients. The Healing Clinics is the real deal when it comes to compassionate care during your healing journey with medical marijuana. Accept no substitutions!

The physicians at The Healing Clinics treat patients from all walks of life. From in-clinic treatment to hospice care, our patients know that their doctors will monitor their treatment with medical cannabis and they will receive professional, compassionate care from their physicians and the entire staff.

No matter what your motivation for seeking medical marijuana as an addition to your treatment plan, the physicians and staff at The Healing Clinics will guide you on your journey.

We value your privacy. Every step of your journey with us is HIPAA compliant and your information will always be protected.

Start your healing journey today! The Healing Clinics offers telehealth for optimum convenience in your physician evaluation.

For More Information:

Website:  at TheHealingClinics.com
Call:  (318) 227-4088
Email: info@thehealingclinics.com

Five (5) Convenient Locations:

BATON ROUGE
11715 Bricksome Ave., Suite A-6
Baton Rouge, LA, 70816
(225) 250-8606
HOURS: By Appointment Only

MADISONVILLE
1519 West Hwy 22, Suite 5
Madisonville, LA 70447
(985) 590-8088
HOURS: 9AM to 5PM M-F

LAKE CHARLES
2802 Hodges St.
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 240-6587
HOURS: By Appointment Only

MONROE
100 South 2nd Street
Monroe, LA, 71201
(318) 227-4088
HOURS: By Appointment Only

SHREVEPORT
745 Olive Street, Suite 202
Shreveport, Louisiana, 71104
(318) 227-4088
HOURS: 9AM to 5PM M-Th • 8AM to 4PM Friday

The Natchitoches Parish School Board is extending the deadline to apply for the District Truancy & Attendance Officer position. The deadline to apply for the position is Thursday, June 20th. This is a 12 month position and they will be located at the Natchitoches Parish School Board’s Central Office location. Eligible applicants must have at least five years of experience in law enforcement.

We are also looking for an Assistant Principal of Instruction at Natchitoches Central High School. The deadline to apply for the Assistant Principal position is Thursday, June 27th. This is a 10 month position and will be available on Monday, August 5, 2024 for the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

Our last job listing is for a Central Office Secretary in our Human Resources Department. The deadline to apply for the secretary position is Thursday, June 27th. This is a 12 month position and they will be located at the Natchitoches Parish School Board’s Central Office location.

Gett Thomas, a Vernon Parish native and graduate of Pickering High School, has been named the new boys’ basketball coach at Anacoco High School.

Thomas spent the last five years as the head basketball coach and assistant football coach at Oakdale High.  Thomas was an assistant coach for one year on the Northwestern State University basketball staff.  He began his coaching path as an assistant football coach at Pickering for five years.

Thomas compiled a 90-44 record at Oakdale, including four straight district titles and back- to-back quarterfinal appearances in the playoffs.  He was named District Coach of the Year four years in a row.  The Pickering graduate earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration from LSU and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Louisiana Christian University (LC/Pineville).

Thomas and his wife, Leslie, are expecting their first child next month.  

Last week we covered some of the issues going on with anglers on our lakes and waterways. We talked about the confrontations taking place daily as guys compete for water space. Every angler, of course, wants an area of the lake to themselves.

Twenty-five to 30 years ago, this might have been possible but not in 2024! Since the Covid pandemic, it is crazy how many people have taken to the outdoors, and specifically the water, for either fishing or just pleasure boating.

So, with so many people on our lakes and rivers, competition for water space is at an all-time high. Today, I’m going to grab my whistle and put on my coach’s cap and teach anyone willing to listen (boat captains and high school anglers) on the unwritten rules of tournament bass fishing. Actually, these rules should apply to all anglers!  

Rule No. 1: Don’t back your boat down the ramp if you’re not ready to launch. This is a major sore spot with anglers as so many times some anglers will block the ramp by loading all their gear, putting on the running light, loading their rods, removing the trailer bar and unhooking all the trailer straps. Do all this before you get to the ramp! Same goes for pleasure boaters; do all your prepping away from the ramp. Now when you get to the ramp, you’re ready to drop the boat in the water and get out of the way.

Next, brush piles — Rule No. 2: You don’t own a sunken brush pile. This might be the most controversial topic among tournament anglers and can be a major source of tension. But you must understand, that even though YOU spent hours sinking brush piles all over the lake, in reality, you do not own them. Once anything is sunk on a public waterway, it is no longer YOUR personal fishing spot, it’s public. YOU DO NOT OWN THAT OR ANY OTHER BRUSH PILE! Anyone and everyone has just as much right to fish that brush pile as the person that put it there.

Now, with all this being said, if I know that an angler in the tournament put out a particular brush top, I’ll honor him by not fishing it. Also, if I see a good friend fishing a particular brush pile, I’ll check it off my list of places to fish out of respect for him.  

Here’s the thing about brush piles; most lakes have hundreds of brush piles all over the lake. All you have to do is use your electronics and go find them.

Which leads us to Rule No. 3: Go find your own fish! Don’t rely on another angler to find fish for you. Find them on your own. You’ll get a greater satisfaction from fishing when you do it on your own.

Rule No. 4: Don’t cut off another angler. This is the most controversial unwritten rule there is and the one that has created the most verbal wars on the water. Nothing sets a bass fisherman off quicker than another angler cutting them off. If you see a boat going down a stretch of boat docks, grass line or tree line, don’t run in on him and start fishing a few hundred feet in front of him.

THIS IS A MAJOR NO NO! Give the angler his space and go at least 300 yards or more before dropping your trolling motor. Or start behind the angler and go away from him which is what he would prefer anyway.

Rule No. 5: Don’t run up on another boat and shut down on top of them. This is more of a problem on lakes that have a defined boat lane with little to no wiggle room. If another angler is fishing close to the boat lane, shut down at least 40 yards from them and idle by him a few yards before getting back on pad.

In some cases, anglers will motion you with a hand signal waving you on to stay on pad and run by them. I personally would rather have someone just run by me on pad rather than shutting down and throwing a two-foot wake on me. A running boat produces a smaller wake than one with a fast idle. But it’s always good to be courteous and let the other angler tell you what they want you to do.

Rule No. 6: Never drop waypoints with your GPS of another angler’s fishing spot. This one is a major issue with all tournament bass anglers. Just because you see one of the local favorites on a particular body of water fishing a specific spot, does not mean you should idle by him and drop a waypoint. I’ve seen anglers go out of their way to mark another angler’s location only to return and fish the same spot. If you can’t find your own fish, don’t enter the tournament!

Rule No. 7: At no point should an angler have a pair of binoculars in their boat! This really makes an angler using them look pitiful. It shows you’re spending time sitting and watching other anglers catch fish while you’re waiting for them to leave so you can fish that spot. Don’t do this! Binoculars have no place in a bass boat.

The next two rules (8 and 9) apply mainly to anglers fishing a pro/am tournament.

Rule No. 8: Don’t throw past the front of the boat. This is actually a written rule, but also the most overlooked or ignored rule by co-anglers. Some co-anglers think they can cast anywhere they want, but that’s not the case. The co-angler should fish the water from the imaginary line from the middle of the boat to the back of the boat. My advice to co-anglers – if you want to fish in front of the boat, then sign up as a boater/pro.

Rule No. 9: Make sure to help the boater/pro with gas on tournament day. Most guys will never ask for the money, so it’s up to you (co-angler) to offer. It’s pretty much understood that unless gas prices are high, $40 is a good offer. Some boater/pros may not take it, but it’s a courteous gesture on your part to offer, especially if you covered a lot of water that day.  

Finally, Rule No. 10: Your bass boat is not a rocket ship! You’re not impressing anyone on the lake by going fast. So SLOW DOWN and be courteous and respectful of all boaters. In the words of former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson: speed kills! Now obviously he was talking about football, but the same rule applies for going too fast in a bass boat.

Whether we think it or not, we (anglers) do not own any portion of the lake. Everyone is entitled to all areas of any public lake or river. So be respectful of all boaters using the lake. As hard as it can be, exercise patience and try to be nice.

The rules listed above have been passed down to me by previous generations of anglers during my many years of tournament experience. These are things that all bass fishermen need to be reminded of from time to time.

We all get frustrated, but today our lakes and waterways are overrun with boaters and it’s up to us to educate each other as to what is considered acceptable behavior on the water. If you know of anyone, like a boat captain, high school angler or someone new to tournament bass fishing, please share this information with them.  

‘Til next time, good luck, good fishing and when in doubt — set the hook!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

By Brad Dison

Ronnie Wayne Freeman
June 7, 2024
Service: Thursday, June 20 at 10:30 am at Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home, located at 318 North St. in Natchitoches

Gene Bartlett Haskins
December 21, 1942 — June 16, 2024
Service: Wednesday, June 19 at 1 pm in the Marthaville Cemetery

Jesse Richard Gourdon
May 23, 1957 — June 15, 2024
In following his wishes of cremation, a memorial mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church in the Trichel Community will be announced at a later date.

Mitchell Nash Jr. (Better known as “STICK”)
November 20, 1948 – June 10, 2024
Service: Saturday, June 22 at 11 am at the Gilgal Baptist Church in Louella

Sadie M. Johnson
February 7, 1951 – May 31, 2024
Arrangements TBA

On June 12, 2024, at approximately 9:50 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 6 west of Many. The crash claimed the life of 57-year-old Michael D. Remedies of Fisher.

The initial investigation revealed that a 2016 Toyota, driven by 52-year-old Ronald P. Jett of Many, was attempting to enter Louisiana Highway 6 from a private drive-way. For reasons still under investigation, Jett failed to yield to an eastbound 2021 Harley Davidson, driven by Remedies. This action placed the Toyota in the direct travel path of the motorcycle, which resulted in a collision.

As a result of the crash, Remedies sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene. Jett, who was unrestrained, sustained no injuries. A toxicology sample was obtained and submitted for analysis.

While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, distracted and inattentive driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in our state. Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to stay alert while driving. A lapse in one’s awareness can have deadly consequences.

In 2024, Troop E has investigated 28 fatal crashes, resulting in 30 deaths.

The UL System Board of Supervisors is initiating a national search to identify Dr. Marcus Jones’ successor as he transitions from his current role as NSU President to rejoin the UL System as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

The ideal candidate for this role will be a visionary and entrepreneurial leader who has exhibited academic and senior administrative success. The Board seeks an individual dedicated to fundraising, economic development, community relations, and student-centered initiatives.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate transparent communication, collaborative management, and shared governance, with high-level executive experience and demonstrated exceptional performance.

The oak limbs always looked so majestic as they swayed with the brisk winds of spring storms. I watched this strong oak tree quickly grow from a younger sapling all the way to early adulthood. It had lush green leaves that were perky and green in the spring and would give way to a breathtaking reddish brown in the fall. My daughters have both tied ribbons around this tree, used it as home base in aggressive games of tag, and tried to climb it on numerous occasions. Our family dogs have even treed many squirrels in this beautiful part of our landscape. 

Oaks are known for their strength and resilience and this one was no different. That was, until a fateful spring storm blew through our lives and a bolt of lightning took away the top of it. From this point we were able to shape it up, trim the dead limbs and help it continue to live for another storm season. 

The next a series of spring storms had their way with our majestic white oak tree. My youngest daughter jokingly said, “These storms are taking her down limb for limb, there will soon be nothing left.” I took this as a personal challenge to help our white oak live her best life. With every storm that blew our way we would work meticulously to revive the torn and tattered tree. 

Even though our white oak was losing her looks, losing her limbs and barely alive birds and squirrels still found refuge in what was left. Earlier this year, without a warning, a strong storm blew through during the middle of the night and had its sights set on the white oak. With one large flash of lightning that lit up the entire sky, we officially said goodbye to our back yard buddy. There was literally nothing left. Except, for the trunk. 

The trunk had large chunks of it blown out and the bark was already turning a dead shade of brown. She lived a long good life, housed many varieties of birds, and gave refuge to squirrels. I just shook my head as I added removing the now ugly tree to my to-do list. 

Saturday after Saturday I would make my way to the back yard for coffee and watch the activity around the white oak. I believe, even in its ugly state, that it had more bird traffic than ever. I counted no less than twelve birds on this tree on any given day. Completely amazed that wildlife is still making good use of it, I have not taken it down yet. 

Just like this tree that has been the target of many storms, life can send us just as many. We may feel ugly inside and like we are losing parts of ourselves with every disturbance that comes our way. We may even feel like it is time to just give up because there is nothing left except a trunk. But, we serve a savior who uses what’s left to move mountains and change hearts. He can always use you, no matter what condition you are in. You may feel like you are an ugly tree and there is nothing left for you until God shows you that you are still useful and beautiful. 

“My grace is all you need, for my power is the greatest when you are weak.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

Funeral services for Kenneth Perry Barnhart, 56, will be held Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Beulah Baptist Church, 31725 Hwy 191, Many, Louisiana. A burial will follow at St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery, 1130 San Antonio Ave, Many, Louisiana. A visitation will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 9891 Texas Hwy, Many, Louisiana Friday, June 14, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Officiating the service will be Reverend Justin Barnhart and Father Tim Hurd.

Perry was born on October 5, 1967 to Kenneth Eugene Barnhart and Bonnie Nett Barnhart in Zwolle, Louisiana and passed away on June 10, 2024 in Many, Louisiana.

Perry was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his mother and son, Justin Barnhart and wife, Amy, of New London, Missouri; daughter, Hailey Barnhart Brown and husband, Christopher, of Many, Louisiana; sisters, Lisa Sepulvado and husband, Brad, of Many, Louisiana and Lisa Austin of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana; brothers, Richard Barnhart and wife, Connie, of Many, Louisiana and Raymond Barnhart of Ohio; and grandchildren, Parker, Tanner, Trinity, Harmony, Bentley, Tucker, Kylyn, Kinsley, Kyson, and Kreed.

Honoring Perry as pallbearers will be Richard Barnhart, Kirkland Cain, Coy Fisher, Michael Mizell, Lisa Sepulvado, and Brandon Soileou. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his daughter, Hailey Barnhart Brown and his grandsons.

Kenneth Perry Barnhart
October 5, 1967 — June 10, 2024
Service: Saturday, June 15, 2024, 10am at the Beulah Baptist Church, Many

Rose Marie Teekell
April 14, 1964 — June 10, 2024
Service: Friday June 14 at 6 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Deborah Gail Neitte
February 26, 1954 — June 9, 2024
Service: June 14 at 1 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral

Elmer P. Davidson Jr.
June 9, 2024
Arrangements TBA

Nelda Lorenne Tate
January 20, 1931 — June 5, 2024
Service: Tuesday, June 18 at 3 pm at Westside Baptist Church

Lesh Nettles Brown Jr.
October 13, 1964 — June 5, 2024
Service: Saturday, June 15 at 10 am at First United Methodist Church in the Sanctuary, Natchitoches.

Everlener Reed
June 3, 2024
Service: Saturday, June 15 at 2 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, located at 318 North St. in Natchitoches

Edward Dorsey
May 13, 1957 – June 5, 2024
Service: Saturday, June 15 at 1 pm at the Rockford Baptist Church on Old River Road

Mittie Calhoun
June 1, 2024
Service: Saturday, June 15 at 11 am in the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel 318 North St. in Natchitoches

Joy Steele Brown
February 11, 1960 – June 11, 2024
Service: Saturday, June 15, 2024, 11am a Celebration of Life at Crossroads Baptist Church, Marthaville.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports the boat and body of missing fisherman, John “Buddy” Martin, age 64, of Joaquin, Texas, was recovered the evening of June 10 from an area near the Jolly Roger Marina on the Louisiana side of Toledo Bend.

According to Sabine County, Texas Sheriff Kevin Windham, his boat and body were found by Sabine Country Chief Deputy Chad Hooper and Game Warden Sam Anderson.

Martin had left the Texas side of the lake near Huxley Bay Saturday June 8 and never returned.  Texas and Louisiana agents searched two days for him.  The investigation was led by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

This marks the 5^th fatality of the year on the area’s biggest body of water.  Authorities urge you to use caution on the water, especially now that water levels are high and may not allow you to see hazards in areas unfamiliar to you.

By Courtney Freeman

The Village of Robeline will hold a special meeting Thursday June 13 at 3 p.m. in the Police Depot. The agenda for the upcoming fiscal year will be presented to the council for a vote later in the month after the public hearing period is fulfilled. Other agenda items can be found on the attached agenda.

Apostolic Truth Tabernacle, located at 9086 Texas St. in Robeline, will hold its vacation bible school June 24-26 from 6-8 pm with a family program set for June 27 at 7 pm. Everyone is invited to join us for a great time. If anyone is interested and needs more information please contact Courtney at 318-354-7019.

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA

Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024
Location: 122 Depot Street, Robeline La 71469
Time: 3:00 pm

I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION
II. CALL TO ORDER GORDON O’CON, MAYOR
III. ROLL CALL CELESTE O’CON, CLERK
IV. Special Business Amend 2023/24 Budget CELESTE O’CON, CLERK PROPOSE 2024/25 BUDGET CELESTE O’CON, CLERK PAVILLION ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION GORDON O’CON, MAYOR CITY PARK RESTROOMS (BUILDING) GORDON O’CON, MAYOR
V. ADJOURNMENT

A joint investigation by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives and Louisiana State Probation and Parole-Natchitoches District led to the recovery of a stolen travel trailer near the Spanish Lake area in west Natchitoches Parish according to Sheriff Stuart Wright.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives, deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau and Louisiana State Probation and Parole Agents acting on a tip went to a location in the 3000 block of La. Hwy 485 near Spanish Lake on June 10 around 4 pm. The tip reportedly concerned a stolen travel trailer parked in the area.

Deputies arrived on scene. Shortly thereafter, detectives made contact with a person identified as 35-year-old Dakoda Brigmon of the Robeline area. Detectives learned while running the 2019 Keystone Travel Trailer serial number that it was reported stolen to the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office on May 2. Detectives confirmed that information with Livingston Parish authorities.

As of result of the investigation, Dakoda Brigmon was placed under arrest without incident, transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Illegal Possession of Stolen Things valued over $10,000.

Brigmon remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center awaiting bond.

The travel trailer has been secured in an undisclosed location until the rightful owner can take possession.

Involved in the investigation and arrest were:  Lt. J. Byles, Lt. G. Sers, Detective E. Modgridge, Probation and Parole Agents, assisted by Deputy C. Crow.

By Rickey Robertson

Now, as readers look at the title of this story, you are going to say, “Not Custer’s last man but Custer’s last stand.” No, as you have learned in one of my previous stories, there was a survivor of the Alamo, and now there is confirmed evidence that one cavalry trooper assigned to the 7^th Cavalry did survive!

Frank Finkle was born on January 29, 1854, in Washington County, Ohio. He enlisted in the US Army in the early 1870’s using the name of August Finckle. Experts have now compared Finkle’s handwriting on his enlistment paperwork with samples of his later handwriting and they are an exact match! Throughout his life he used several aliases and different spellings of his name. But is there evidence that he survived the massacre? Yes, there is. Chief Rain-in-the-Face mentioned in an Army report that a soldier was seen escaping from the battleground. A friend of Finkle, Charles Windolph, in the first unit to arrive at the massacre, searched and searched the complete battlefield looking for his friend’s remains but did not find them. This was filed in an Army report. As patrols fanned out throughout the area, Lt. Edward Godfrey’s unit found a dead sorrel US Cavalry horse at the headwaters of the Rosebud and Yellowstone Rivers. This is the color of the horses in Custer’s company and was found exactly where Finkle said he had left the wounded horse when he had to shoot the animal.

In Finkle’s story he awoke while still on his mount, named Ginger, and the horse was in full gallop. Finkle had been wounded in the head and in the leg with his mount also wounded. He rode slowly for 4 or 5 days and the wounded horse finally gave out. He took only the bridle and began walking until he saw a settler cutting wood. The man and his partner took the bullet from his leg and nursed him back to health.

Finkle did not know if he was posted as a deserter after the battle. He continued west and caught a steamboat on the Missouri River, and onboard the boat he learned that there were no survivors of the Custer Massacre. He decided to never disclose that he had been at the massacre. He traveled to San Francisco, didn’t like that city, then went on to Dayton Washington where in 1886, he married a local girl and bought his first farm. Over the years he became a large and wealthy landowner.

In 1920, surrounded by family ad friends who were gathered for a visit, one of the visitors began to talk about what those “damn Indians had done to General Custer.” After 44 years, this is what broke Finkle’s silence. He told all in attendance of his secret. And he gave an eyewitness account of the massacre and of how he came to Dayton, Washington.

This is an incredible story that most folks have never heard. Now we can say there was a survivor of the massacre to go along with Captain Keogh’s cavalry mount Comanche, the only animal survivor of the battle; brave men and brave animals who are remembered to this very day.

JOB: Maintenance Repairer 2

SALARY: $3,410.00 – $6,136.00 Monthly

LOCATION: Natchitoches, LA

JOB TYPE: Classified

JOB NUMBER: CRT-2024-195475-TJ

DEPARTMENT: Culture Rec & Tourism-State Museum

OPENING DATE:  05/30/2024

CLOSING DATE:  6/13/2024,11:59 PM Central

This position is located at the Office of State Museum in Natchitoches, LA.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

40% Assists with the set-up and take-down before, during, and after Museum events and rentals. Performs maintenance and upkeep of in-house systems and exhibits. Monitors pest control and security systems of the site through daily routines and procedures. Acquires and assists with the acquiring of items necessary to complete projects including contractor bids and making approved purchases.

25% Performs minor general maintenance work and repairs on bui1ding HV AC systems. Performs duties such as construction, repair, and painting assignments, paints sheetrock, plasters walls, does trim work, and finishes other surfaces. Erects scaffolding, sands, scrapes, and scales surfaces for painting. Installs lighting devices and fixtures, connecting beaters and other installation. Performs minor plumbing by cutting and threading pipes, running lines, installing fixtures, connecting heaters and other installations.

20% Constructs, and assists with construction and installation of exhibits. Moves and assists with movement of collection items and loaned artifacts under the direction of appropriate staff.

10% Oversees contractors performing electrical, carpentry, painting and plumbing repairs to buildings and equipment, masonry work, sheetrock finishing and other related jobs not performed by the agency that might require a licensed tradesman.

5% Compiles and assists with maintenance related reports, inventory monitoring, and purchase recommendations.

Performs other duties as assigned.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

TO APPLY:
Click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana/jobs/4525709/maintenance-repairer-2

I was taking the shortcut through Walmart the other day. I was on my way to the doggie treat section. If you want a growing stock, I suggest the doggie treat industry because I am single-handedly causing a growth in the industry. Our dogs like certain treats and it seems Walmart is always “out of them.” I have noticed that the doggie treats are growing more expensive with each trip to restock.

The short cut took me through the toy section. I have not been in the toy section in years. I found myself amid the place that children still drag their parents. At least I hope kids still drag their parents to the toy section. I know the video game section is also a big draw for the kids.

This nice boy and his mom were standing in the toy section. She had pulled a toy off the shelf that she was going to buy for the little boy. She handed the toy to the little boy, and he said to his mom, “I don’t want that one.”

The nice little boy was very polite and nice about it. I’m guessing that mom picked out the wrong superhero or something. I didn’t stay long enough to see if the toy selection came to a successful conclusion or not. I hope the little boy received the toy he wanted. He was certainly polite and nice in helping his mom pick the correct toy.

Here’s the thing though. He was receiving a gift, yet he wanted to decide which gift he wanted to receive.

I wonder how many times God has tried to send us His love and grace and we, by word or deed, have said to God, “I don’t want that one.”

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

A couple of unrelated recent headlines could combine to repair one of the more noteworthy rivalries in college football.

May 30: Southland Conference, NSU welcome back SFA’s Lumberjacks

June 1: NSU seeking new leadership after announcement of president’s departure

The timing was coincidental.

The reunion of Stephen F. Austin with Northwestern State and the rest of the Southland Conference was no surprise, in the works for many weeks after SFA realized the folly of flying thousands of miles to play Western Athletic Conference games in all its sports.

The move of NSU’s 20^th president, Dr. Marcus Jones, to take the No. 2 job in the University of Louisiana System’s office was a much bigger surprise to many. Jones will relocate to Baton Rouge at some point this summer, with that timing possibly settled during a regular ULS board meeting Thursday.

Who replaces him in Natchitoches? TBD, but lots of supporters of both NSU and SFA are hoping the Demons’ next leader will be somebody willing to revisit a decision Jones and his Nacogdoches counterpart facilitated that closeted the biggest trophy in sports, “Chief Caddo,” and the rich history it carried since 1960.

The trophy is a 7-foot-6, 320-pound statue of a mythical Native American chief, designed to honor the original settlers of the region, a tribe that helped keep peace when European explorers arrived 3-4 centuries ago.

Reaching back into the Natchitoches Parish Journal library – actually, using the handy search button on the right side of this page – I entered “Chief Caddo” and quickly accessed the thoughts I shared last Sept. 15 in a piece headlined Searching for solutions after the demise of a treasured (by many) tradition.

To save you the same exertion, I’ll share the crux of what I wrote then, after NSU and SFA’s presidents finally, with a threadbare five-sentence statement, announced the halt of the Chief Caddo tradition, three days before the football teams collided.

When that decision had been reached months earlier, but kept quiet. When nothing was done other than summarily pulling the plug on one of the sports’ most noteworthy trophy games, 72 hours before game day, instead of making that titanic shift known way back when SFA and NSU announced their first football meeting since 2019.

When it was befuddling to try to understand why the uncomfortable truth of the shocking decision wasn’t acknowledged long before.

The core of the Sept. 15 column stands true today:

“That would have allowed months for a new trophy to be developed, one that did the same things the Chief Caddo trophy was created to do – recognize the historic relationship between the two oldest communities in their respective states, and the Native American influence that made their existence possible.

“Saturday’s game could have been a celebration of a new tradition. Now the teams don’t meet until 2025. That leaves plenty of time for deliberation – and hopefully this time, collaboration past a small circle. Build some buy-in. Develop a wonderful new tradition. Fold in service activities by both schools to involve and benefit nearby Native Americans. Add some educational components. And a nice, new prize – hopefully one that is still the biggest in all the sports world. Why change that?

“The ‘antiquated’ Chief, thought to be reasonably historically accurate when Logansport wood carver Harold Green developed him in 1960-61, was due for an upgrade. Our society has made much progress since then. There are no longer two water fountains or segregated schools. Women and minorities have greatly enhanced standing in today’s America. It’s not perfect. It never will be, but it can always be better. Maybe over the long haul, this change helps, after it understandably inflamed angry emotions from blindsided Demons and Lumberjacks this week.”

Nine months later, NSU’s leadership change offers a chance to reconsider all implications of last fall’s announcement of a decision made quite a while before we heard about it.

This is June 12. The Demons and Lumberjacks now will meet once again as Southland rivals, Oct. 5 in Nacogdoches. Plenty of time to get this mistake corrected, and revitalize a tradition if not to develop a concept for a new trophy.

History can repeat itself. There’s no reason not to renew the stakes that launched the trophy series. In 1960, it was decided the winning team would pick the artist to carve the trophy. The losing team would provide a huge log from its native forests.

Here’s to NSU-SFA 2024: Back to the Future.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

The biggest, most star-studded and fun-filled party of every summer for miles around is coming your way next weekend.

 Three days of festivities are right around the corner, Thursday June 20 through Saturday June 22, with the 2024 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration in Natchitoches.

 The LSHOF’s Class of 2024 will be enshrined next Saturday night at the Natchitoches Events Center to culminate the 65^th Induction Celebration.

 The Induction Celebration will kick off Thursday, June 20, with the Welcome Reception from 5-7 p.m., free to the public at the Hall of Fame museum.

 The Friday, June 21 schedule begins with the Celebrity Bowling Bash presented by BOM at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. The 2024 Rockin’ River Fest, a free concert presented by Rapides Regional Medical Center on the downtown riverbank stage, begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 10:30. In conjunction with the Rockin’ River Fest is the VIP Taste of Tailgating party.

The slate on Saturday, June 22 kicks off with the free LSHOF Junior Training Camp led by community relations personnel from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, on the NSU campus at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center and Turpin Stadium. This event has been filled to capacity since last month.

 At noon Saturday, the Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation is set for Riverside Reserve on Mill Street.

 Festivities culminate Saturday evening with the Induction Reception at the LSHOF museum beginning at 5, followed at 7 by the Induction Ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center. Northwestern State University and State Farm Agents of Louisiana are presenting sponsors Saturday evening.

 The VIP Taste of Tailgating, the Bowling Bash, the Round Table Luncheon and the Induction Reception and Ceremony are ticketed events requiring purchase in advance through LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255. Those events are nearing sellouts.

 The Thursday reception, the Friday evening River Fest and the Junior Training Camp are free.

 The Class of 2024 is headlined by a star-studded group of eight inductees from the LSHOF “competitors ballot,” led by national sports celebrities Seimone Augustus, Drew Brees and Daniel Cormier.

 Along with Brees, the New Orleans Saints’ NFL record-setting passer, is Augustus, a Baton Rouge native who is one of women’s basketball’s all-time best, and Cormier, the Lafayette born-and-raised Olympic wrestler who became and remains one of the most prominent figures in MMA.

 This year’s class also includes 1992 Olympic wrestling gold medalist Kevin Jackson from LSU along with former basketball coach Tulane Perry Clark and McNeese football great Kerry Joseph, who had a 19-year pro career.

 More inductees are high school football coach Frank Monica, who won state titles at three different south Louisiana schools, and Ray Sibille, a Breeders’ Cup-winning thoroughbred jockey from Sunset who ranks among the nation’s elite riders.

 Grambling’s Wilbert Ellis becomes the second-ever recipient of the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award. During his 43-year baseball coaching career and since, Ellis has made local, statewide and national impact not only in the competitive arena but also in community service and leadership.

 Winners of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism are widely-respected south Louisiana sportswriters Bobby Ardoin and Ron Higgins. Longtime Southland Conference commissioner Tom Burnett, a Louisiana Tech graduate, will receive the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award.

 The 2024 Induction Celebration will be hosted by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, the support organization for the Hall of Fame. The LSHOF Foundation was established as a 501 c 3 non-profit entity in 1975 and is governed by a statewide board of directors. 

 For information on sponsorship opportunities and other participation, contact Foundation President/CEO Ronnie Rantz at 225-802-6040 or RonnieRantz@LaSportsHall.com, or Greg Burke, Director of Business Development and Public Relations, at 318-663-5459 or GregBurke@LaSportsHall.com via email.