HHERALDING OOVER A CCENTURY OF NNEWS CCOVERAGE •• 1903-20131903-2013 LIFESTYLES INSIDE SPORTS CLUB MEMBERS HERE COME AND NEW GEAR FOR THE BRIDES PATRIOTS DEMONS See Page 1B See Page 3A See Page 8A The Natchitoches Times And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free, John 8:32. Weekend Edition, August 10-11, 2013 Natchitoches, Louisiana • Since 1714 Seventy-Five Cents the Copy Letters to the Editor Let us know what you think, Fire insurance premiums write a letter to the editor. See Page 4A for details. Natchitoches Times e-mail going down in Robeline, [email protected] Visit our website at: www.natchitochestimes.com Ajax, Marthaville, WEATHER Spanish Lake, Bethany HIGH LOW Homeowners in the areas of ance producer if the reduc- 95 74 Robeline, Ajax, Bethany, tion in premiums is not Marthaville and Spanish Lake reflected in their next renewal can expect significant rate notice. Area Deaths reductions in their fire insur- Fire protection grading is Eldon W. Palmer Jr. ance premiums effective Sept. promulgated by the Property 9 according to Commissioner Insurance Association of Theresa Jeanette Free of Insurance Jim Donelon. Louisiana (PIAL) and Donelon recognized fire- approved by the La. Insurance fighters and local officials in commissioner. All fire dis- Fire District 7 for the tricts are graded on a scale of Obituaries Page 2A improvement of their fire pro- 1 to 10 by PIAL with 10 repre- Dr. Joey Bynog, DVM with PetStar Animal Care will be microchiping Home Again brand tection grading from Class 7 senting no fire protection and microchips during the Natchitoches Humane Society pet bath Saturday. From left are to Class 6. 1 being the best. Bynog, Amber Martinez and Jennifer Becic with Hans Solo and Leia, NHS rescues. There Fire insurance for a home “A variety of factors are Jindal names will be a $25 charge per animal for the chips. valued at $150,000 was costing considered in determining a US Representative residents in Fire District 7 district’s grading. Everything about $1,346 a year. from the number of dispatch- to Veterans post That cost is likely to drop to er on duty to the number of about $1,266 under the new firefighters and fire trucks, to grading, saving homeowners the availability of water affect Gov. Bobby Jindal appoint- about $80 in annual premi- a district’s grading,” Donelon ed U.S. Rep. Rodney ums. said. Alexander to serve as The amount of the premi- Rankings may change at Secretary of the Louisiana um reduction will vary, any time PIAL resurvey a dis- Department of Veterans depending on the value of the trict or they may remain the Affairs (LDVA) Aug. 7. property, the fire district same. An upgrade, such as Alexander has agreed to where the property is located Class 6 to Class 4, will proba- step down from his position and the rate schedule of the bly mean a drop in property in Congress and serve as company insuring the proper- insurance rates. PIAL con- Secretary of the department. ty. ducts surveys of the fire dis- He will succeed Interim Policyholders in the area tricts services before issuing a Secretary David LaCerte, should contact their insur- grading. who will serve as Alexander’s Deputy Secretary. Alexander’s resig- Vet Tech Students will clip nails at the Aug. 17 nation will be effective Sept. Sandi Ragan, owned by Tina and Natchitoches Humane Society Dog Wash. From left 26 and he will take over as Wayne Ragan, got spa treatment at Gloria Patterson, Marteece Pennington and secretary Sept. 30. the July Dog Wash. Tenashia Bailey with Beebe Tebbetts, rescued by Jindal said, “David did Debbie and Matt Tebbetts. tremendous work for our veterans while serving as Interim Secretary, and he Get your dog bathed, clipped, chipped Saturday will continue to do a great The Natchitoches Humane Society will sible, take a towel for your dog’s bath. job in his role as Deputy have a dog wash Saturday, Aug. 17 from 9 A special feature will be implanting Secretary. Rodney has been a a.m.-1 p.m. at Tractor Supply. microchips for $25. That service will be spon- warrior for the people of Baths for dogs under 40 pounds will be $5; sored by Dr. Joey Bynog, DVM, PetStar Louisiana throughout his baths for larger dogs will be $10. For $5, NSU Animal Care. The Humane Society is a 501c3 time in Congress. He’s dedi- vet tech students will clip dogs’ nails. If pos- and relies totally on donations. cated his life to public ser- vice. Most importantly, when Rodney went to Washington, he didn’t let Washington University systems president says partnerships change him, and he never forgot where he is from.” vital in keeping graduates in state George Rhymes presented the Louisiana Employer Support Alexander is a veteran of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award to Judie Barnum. public servant. Prior to Dr. Sandra Woodley, presi- being elected to Congress, he dent of the University of Head Start director wins award served his country in the Louisiana System, encour- U.S. Air Force Reserve from aged strategic planning and 1965 to 1971. He started his collaboration between higher for support of National Guard career in public service at education and the age of 25 on the Jackson Louisiana Employer being highly supportive of business/industry to improve Support of the Guard and SGT Brandy Cain, mobilized Parish Police Jury. workforce development in Alexander went on to serve Reserve (ESGR), a with the Louisiana Army Louisiana as she met with the Department of Defense office, National Guard 844th ENGR for 15 years as a State Natchitoches Area Chamber Representative where he was honored Judie Barnum, CO. of Commerce and Natchitoches Head Start According to Bob Gillan, the chairman of the House Northwestern State Health and Welfare director with a Patriot Award Louisiana ESGR area Chair, University administrators in recognition of extraordi- “The Patriot Award was creat- Committee. Wednesday. Woodley said jobs Alexander and his wife, nary support for an employee ed by ESGR to publicly recog- are available in Louisiana, Dr. Sandra Woodley, right, toured Engineering Technology serving in the Louisiana nize individuals who provide the former Nancy Sutton, but partnerships are crucial reside in Ruston and they labs at Northwestern State University with ET Coordinator Guard or Reserve. outstanding patriotic support for the state to meet emerging Bobby Nowlin, left, Wednesday. Woodley, president of the A Statement of Support and cooperation to their have three children and six growth sectors, keep gradu- grandchildren. University of Louisiana System, was also a guest of the Certificate was also signed by employees, who like the citi- ates in-state and reach the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce and discussed Barnum to provide a v zen warriors before them, state’s economic potential. how schools in the UL System can produce graduates to meet reminder of the program’s have answered their nation’s “There is a mismatch industry demands in Louisiana. support of our troops. call to serve. between what we are produc- Along with the thanks of “Supportive employers are ing and what business and ships and out-of-class experi- Woodley also toured the committee, a “My Boss is a critical to maintaining the industry need,” Woodley ence and encouraging pro- Northwestern State’s Patriot” pin was also present- strength and readiness of the said. “We have to be system- gram/workforce partnerships Department of Engineering ed. nation’s Guard and Reserve atic about making those con- and student/employer con- Technology and listened to Barnum was nominated for units,” Gillan said. Index nections. We need to connect nections. Attracting premi- discussion between NSU’s ET with industry in a more um faculty, securing public faculty and representatives Nelson Road remains closed Obituaries 2A meaningful way.” and private partnerships and from Alliance Compressors, Woodley explained a three- strategic alignment of fund- International Paper and Nelson Road remains closed to through traffic at the location Editorial 4A prong initiative, C3 ing are also factors. Weyerhaeuser about what the of a cross-drain pipe approximately 1 mile south of this road’s (College/Career/Competitive “We need firm plans and university and its community junction with State Route LA-120 near Marthaville. Annie’s Mailbox 5A ness), that identifies priori- recurring resources to face partners are doing to encour- This road was closed on July 27 after heavy rainfall caused Lifestyles 1B ties for building post-sec- the challenges of higher edu- age focus on STEM (science, the washout of an existing cross-drain pipe at this location. ondary students into a strong cation meeting business and technology, engineering and It was originally anticipated that Parish forces would Sports 6A workforce. Strategies include industry needs,” Woodley mathematics) careers and replace this pipe and re-open the road by Aug. 2, but unfavor- identifying high priority aca- said. informing students about able site conditions have delayed the completion of this work. demic programs, offering on- “Collaboration is key,” said career opportunities. Parish Director of Public Works Nick Verret now anticipates line or hybrid classes to meet Tony Davis, Chamber presi- Ken Gardner, plant manag- that this work will be completed by Aug. 9 the needs of students already dent and chief executive offi- er at Alliance in Local traffic can detour around the closed site via the John working, promoting intern- cer. See NSU Page 3A Walden Road and the Mims Road. 2A THE NATCHITOCHES TIMES Weekend Edition, August 10-11, 2013 Obituaries Who’s Who at Northwestern State Winnfield. Emporia, Kan., Desiree’ A.