The Passion, Pursuit and Prize

Our purpose determines our priorities, pursuit and prize.Yes, once we know why we’re here, it affects everything we think, say and do: because the joy’s not the final destination; it’s the journey itself that gets us there.

Man pleads guilty to arson and setting 19 fires in Kisatchie

On April 9, Clinton Nathaniel Johnson, a 37-yearold Leesville resident, was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison and immediately remanded to federal custody after previously pleading guilty to a felony for intentionally setting wildfires in the Kisatchie National Forest.

Sheriff partners with pharmacy for ‘Drug TakeBack’ event April 25

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff ’s Office is partnering with Walgreens of Natchitoches to host a DEA RX TakeBack Event on Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 12: p.m. in the parking lot of Walgreens, 300 Keyser Avenue, Natchitoches.

La. Main Street taking applications for building restoration projects from $2,500 to $10,000

Louisiana Main Street is accepting grant applications to assist with building restoration projects on historic commercial structures located within designated Main Street districts. Applications may be submitted by commercial building owners and/or business owners.

It’s taken a long time.... Blanchard Road underway

There may be a lot of dust and inconvenience but Blanchard Road residents probably don’t mind.Construction to overlay Blanchard Road began last week with moving in equipment and removing the asphalt.. It should be completed in about three more weeks, weather permitting.

JUST TALKIN’

Here’s another example of legislators taking care of themselves and leaving the public to fend for themselves.A bill in the legislature would require campaign robo calls generated with artificial intelligence to disclose that fact at the start of the call.

LABI Speaker

Big prizes await winners of Northwestern essay contests

N o r t h w e s t e r n State University is sponsoring two high school contests this year. In addition to the NSU Louisiana High School Essay Contest, now in its 18th year, the university will also sponsor the NSU Louisiana High School Creative Expressions Contest.

LaDOTD announces 14 projects with 2 in Natchitoches Parish for striping and sign upgrades

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced that 14 projects around the state received bids in March. Thirteen contractors presented apparent low bids totaling $47.8 million.Two are in Natchitoches Parish.

Lawmakers urge caution before further lowering State income tax

Efforts to eliminate or significantly reduce Louisiana’s state income tax appear to be on hold this legislative session, as lawmakers have signaled a more cautious approach following recent tax reductions.House Bill 253 by Rep. Danny McCormick, R-Oil City, and House Bill 411 by Rep.