Natchitoches News

Lott Oil Company, Inc. is a family owned fuel and lubricant distributorship with its home office in historic Natchitoches.

Northwestern State University's College of Nursing and Allied Health will hold its annual open house Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the NSU Nursing and Allied Health Education Center at 1800 Line Ave.

Enjoy a day of family-friendly Mardi Gras fun in historic Natchitoches on Saturday with lots of great free things to do. The Krewe of Wag-uns Parade featuring children, pets, Mardi Gras music and costumed interpreters will starts the activities at 12:30 p.m. - Anyone interested in participating in the Krewe of Wag-uns parade should meet at the Bank of Montgomery parking lot at 814 Washington Street at 11 a.m. Pets should be on a leash and owners must be present at all times. No ATVs are permitted. Golf carts are permissible if driven by an adult. Children may ride scooters, bicycles, wagons, etc, and must be accompanied by an adult. Decorations and candy will not be provided. Some throws will be provided and participants are encouraged to bring their own; however, they are not required. The Natchitoches Main Street program will host live entertainment in the downtown historic district. Entertainment will be provided by Luke Jazz Trio from 3-6 p.m. on Front Street in front of Exchange Bank. The Krewe of Dionysos will host its annual Mardi Gras parade. The parade will begin on the east side of Natchitoches in the River South Commons Shopping Center at 5:30 p.m. and continue throughout downtown Natchitoches ending at the intersection of Second Street and Church Street. Grand marshal for the parade will be former New Orleans Saints quarterback, Bobby Hebert, the 'Cajun Cannon.' Downtown businesses will be open for meals and shopping. --Information: Cll Arleen Mayeaux at (318) 352-5834 or the Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 259-1714. --From staff reports

OUACHITA PARISH, La., - There are three Mardi Gras parades scheduled for this Saturday, the 11th, here in the Monroe area.

Northwestern State University in Natchitoches will host the annual Louisiana Future Business Leaders of America District III Leadership Conference on Friday. The opening session is at 8 a.m. in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Testing begins at 8:45 a.m. in the Friedman Student Union Ballroom. An awards ceremony begins at 2 p.m. Students from 27 schools are expected to attend. Participating Central Louisiana schools include Atlanta, Bolton, Buckeye, Calvin, Converse, Dodson, Ebarb, Georgetown, the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, Many, Natchitoches Central, Negreet, Oak Hill, Peabody, Pineville, Plainview, Rapides, St. Mary's, Winnfield Middle and Winnfield Senior.

On Jan. 27-28, about 30 members of the Mandeville High School Drama Club attended the Louisiana Thespian Conference at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.

Jeremy Dewayne Armstrong, 26, of 816 July St. in Natchitoches pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine and was sentenced to 10 years.

NATCHITOCHES, La., February 3, 2012 - President Obama, at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, answered the question, "What would Jesus do?" Obama's answer was, unsurprisingly, "raise taxes on the rich." That answer is unsurprising, of course, because Jesus would do exactly what Barack Obama would do if only Jesus were as informed and wise as ... (more)

The Louisiana Scholars' College at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches will host an installment of its Biomedical Sciences Lecture Series with a presentation next Friday, Feb.

In commemoration of Black History Month, Helping Hands will host the 11th annual Black History Program at 6 p.m. Feb.

Louisiana Brand Commission Inspector Johnny Steib and Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Detective Josh Adams arrested Steven Leslie Jones, 32, of Natchez, Louisiana, his truck was photographed by a hidden camera at a Pointe Coupee Parish crime scene.

Anna Williams and her brother, Gavin Shirley, look at the ducks swimming in Cane River Lake in Natchitoches.

Natchitoches native Keith Poche finished fourth last spring in the Bassmaster Elite Series event on Alabama's Pickwick Lake.

A Northwest Louisiana elementary school will soon see a growth spurt - not from its students, but from a couple of pear trees recently planted outside the school.

Lincoln Parish voters will be asked in April to consider a new one-fourth-cent sales tax along with the renewal of an existing property tax to help fund operations at the Lincoln Sheriff's Office.

Authorities are searching for a Campti man who escaped from police custody Friday while being questioned in connection with a Wednesday double homicide in Campti, Natchitoches Parish sheriff's officials said.

Sheriff Mike Stone is asking for the public's support to help keep our community safe and preserve the quality of life in Lincoln Parish by voting yes on two tax measures in a special election set for April 21, 2012.

NATCHITOCHES PARISH, La., - Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's deputies, along with personnel with the Natchitoches Parish Coroners office are currently investigating what appears to be a double homicide.

The conviction and death sentence of a Coushatta man who killed his girlfriend's son by burning him alive has been upheld by the Louisiana State Supreme Court.

Kyle and Melany Landreneau Vidrine of Eunice are pleased to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Amelia Louise Vidrine, to Blake Karrington Smith, son of Eric and Becky Williams Gray of Ferriday and the late Claude Rush of Vidalia.