Rapides Area Planning Commission (RAPC) launched a Public Transit Pilot Program in May 2023. The two-year pilot program is offering firstcome, first-serve public transportation in Natchitoches and Grant parishes.

This is National Police Week and communities across the United States are honoring and remembering those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.

Sheriff Stuart Wright announced that Shona Moses of Natchitoches Parish is the recipient of an academic scholarship from the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Scholarship Program for the 20232024 school year. She resides in Natchez and plans to attend Northwestern State University.

Sheriff Stuart Wright presented the La.Sheriffs’ Scholarship to Shona Moses, in photo at left. She plans to attend Northwestern State and pursue a career in journalism. Wright presented alternate winners with scholarships from the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office. In bottom photo at left is Ava Arrington and at right is Katie Bedgood.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism announced the launch of a new Louisiana birding website funded by a CARES Act grant to develop a strategy to help rural and underserved communities in Louisiana.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor announce that during Love the Boot Week – Louisiana’s largest litter removal and beautification effort held during Earth Week – 19,441 individuals volunteered a total of 100,712 hours at over 760 events, removing a record 347 tons of litter in all 64 parishes. Diverted from the landfill and recycled were 7,044 aluminum cans (293 lbs.) and 6,847 plastic bottles (330 lbs.).

Northwestern State University’s School of Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics will host Destination Science camp June 2428 for children ages 10-14. The camp will offer experiences in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, physics, drone technology, veterinary technology and natural science.

The Red River Waterway Commission announces improvements to the Grand Ecore Recreation Area and RV Park located in off LA Hw. 6, at 1071 Tauzin Island Road.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Beta Omega Chapter is hosting a health and financial literacy seminar Friday, May 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at MR Weaver Elementary. There will be free screenings, free COVID tests, and free community resources and services. Additionally, there will be giveaways, pizza and refreshments.

Northwestern State University’s 74th Demon Battalion and Department of Military Science hosted a commissioning ceremony May 9 for graduating seniors who took the oath of office to serve as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. The event was held in conjunction with spring commencement exercises in which the four earned undergraduate degrees as ROTC cadets.