On November 6, 2026, the Natchitoches Police Department met at the Council Chambers to announce promotions and commendations.
Below is the list of promotions and commendations:
Susan Johnson was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police
Jessica Williams was promoted to Captain
John Greely was promoted to Lieutenant
Alexis Nelson was promoted to Sergeant
Gavin Watson was promoted to Sergeant
Jeffery Franks Jr. was promoted to Sergeant
Abbie Baker was promoted to Corporal
Kenton Lacaze was promoted to Corporal
Animal Control Officer Ronald Dellinger was awarded the Life Saving Award for rendering aid to an automobile crash victim while waiting on paramedics to arrive. The Life Saving Award is given to an officer who is credited with taking physical action that results in a life being saved from certain death.
Lieutenant Robert Williams and Corporal Allen Holmes were awarded the Motorcycle Service Ribbon. This ribbon is worn by any certified Motors Officer who is currently serving with the Natchitoches Police Department.
Police Communications Officer Whitney Wolf was awarded Employee of the Month for the Natchitoches Police Department.
If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.
How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:
You can also report a tip anonymously by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388. All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $5,000 for the arrest of an offender.
MURRAY, Kentucky – For much of Saturday night’s matchup with Murray State, the Northwestern State men’s basketball team was a free-flowing, efficient offense.
Down the stretch, however, the Racers were able to interrupt that flow and pulled away for a 93-71 victory inside the CFSB Center in the first matchup between the teams in program history.
“I’m really proud of our guys,” fourth-year head coach Rick Cabrera said. “We put ourselves in position to win the game. I’ve got to give credit to Murray for sticking with the game plan, making big shots and getting stops. Our defense was really good for a strong period of time, especially our switching defense. They are an NCAA Tournament-type team. I think we’ve had the toughest week of Division I teams with who we’ve played in seven games.
“To finish it with a lot of promise is something we can learn from.”
Through the first 30-plus minutes of the game, the Demons (0-3) and Racers (2-0) were locked in a see-saw battle with no team building more than an eight-point edge.
The first half of the final 20 minutes saw the Demons erase an eight-point deficit to take a pair of leads, including a 62-60 edge with 11:10 to play after Kai Simpson completed a three-point play.
In returning to his home state, Simpson led Northwestern State with 24 points as one of three Demons to reach double figures.
“He was a stud for us, and he’s been a stud for us since he got here,” Cabrera said. “He didn’t play well against Mississippi State, and we had a tough film session. I got on him pretty good, but I also let him know he has to be who he is. Guys like him are going to have to make tough shots, because they’re going to be scouted hard.”
That would be the final lead of the night for Northwestern, which was playing without three rotation players because of injury.
The Demons carried over a strong first-half offensive performance in which they shot 55.6 percent from the field (15-for-27) into the second half.
When Simpson took the game into the under-12-minute media timeout with a layup, Northwestern was shooting 59.5 percent from the field. Following the timeout, the Demons finished the game 1-for-10 from the field.
“Our main dudes were playing heavy minutes, and it turned into some tough shots and missed defensive assignments,” Cabrera said.
Despite that, Northwestern sank a season-best 50 percent of its shot and was 7-for-12 from 3-point range.
Defensively, the Demons locked down on the Racers’ 6-foot-9 forward Roman Domon, who led Murray State with 22 points in its season-opening win against Tennessee State.
While Northwestern frustrated Domon into a 4-for-16 night from the field – including misses on all eight of his 3-point attempts – Brayden Shorter more than picked up the slack.
Shorter delivered 20 of his game-high 29 points in the second half, leading a long-range barrage from the Racers, who were playing their first game in the renovated CFSB Center.
Shorter hit five of six second-half 3-pointers as Murray State buried 14 of its 32 3-point attempts as a team after Baylor and Mississippi State had combined to hit 17 in the Demons’ first two games.
Joining Simpson in the Demons’ double-figure scoring group were Nathan Ojukwu (15 points, team-high six assists) and freshman Antoine Almuttar (10 points).
Almuttar’s twin brother, Armon, hit the first 3-pointer of his collegiate career in the first half, giving the Demons an early 8-6 lead as part of an 8-3 run that led to NSU’s largest lead of the game.
“Those two guys,” Cabrera said of the Almuttars, “I tell the staff, ‘I just love coaching them.’ They feel like they’ve been playing college basketball for two or three years. They compete. They don’t smile on the court. It’s all business. Those are the guys you enjoy coaching.”
The Demons return to Natchitoches for their home opener Tuesday against Millsaps. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on Mike McConathy Court at Prather Coliseum.
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Photo: Nathan Ojukwu set career highs in points (15) and assists (6) at Murray State on Saturday. Credit: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services
Music, poetry and nine languages: NSU celebrates 250 years of the Declaration of Independence
NATCHITOCHES –The U.S. Declaration of Independence was read aloud in nine languages Nov. 1 as Northwestern State University students, faculty and guests from many countries celebrated the document’s 250th anniversary.
The event, “Works of Our Common Kindred: An International Freedoms Celebration,” was hosted by the NSU Eta Mu Chapter of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, with NSU Watson Library and the School of Creative & Performing Arts.
The title comes from the Declaration itself, which speaks of “the ties of our common kindred.” Organizers used the phrase to show that the ideals of 1776, equality, liberty and government by the people, are shared by people around the world.
The NSU Trumpet Ensemble, directed by Galindo Rodriguez, opened the program with “America the Beautiful.” Chapter President Christine R. Ferrell welcomed the audience and Donna Baker introduced the program.
Performers then shared music and poetry of freedom from five nations. Sofiko Tchetchelashvili and Chialing Hsieh represented Georgia. Claudette Elline Cruz, Lhareen Lazo and Hsieh performed a Filipino patriotic song. Irene Gomez and Steven Mendoza played and sang works from Ecuador. Ferrell read Belgium’s “La Brabançonne,” and violinist Andrej Kurti closed with Serbian folk tunes.
The finale brought 10 readers to the stage to read the Declaration in English, Nepali, French, Dutch, Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese, Hindi and Georgian. Readers were Debbie Huntington, Nabin Sapkota, Damien Tristant, Ferrell, Edgar Martinez, Cruz, Hsieh, Neeru Deep, Tchetchelashvili and Baker. The audience then read the document’s final pledge together.
The evening concluded with a reception of finger foods from around the world, giving guests a final taste of the many cultures that came together to celebrate.
The celebration also had a purpose beyond the stage: helping NSU students. Throughout the evening, guests were invited to give to the Phi Beta Delta Eta Mu Chapter scholarship fund. Every donation goes directly to scholarships for Northwestern State University students.
“Give a gift that opens doors,” the chapter urged guests. For many students, a scholarship can make the difference in staying in school, studying abroad or connecting with the wider world.
Performers from around the world participated in “Works of Our Common Kindred,” presented by NSU’s Phi Beta Delta chapter. From left are Stephen Mendoza, Irene Gomez, Lhareen Lazo Donna Baker, Debbie Huntington, Nabin Sapkota, Damien Tristant, Christine Ferrell, Edgar Martinez, Claudette Elline Cruz, Chialing Hsieh, Neeru Deep, Sofiko Tchetchelashvili and Andrej Kurti.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly 176,000 Gourmia air fryer ovens sold at Target stores nationwide are being recalled following reports of unexpected door closures that have resulted in dozens of burn injuries.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recall affects approximately 175,951 Gourmia Stainless Steel Digital 9-Slice Air Fryer Ovens, model number GTF7530.
The ovens feature two spring-loaded glass front doors that can unexpectedly snap shut when bumped, creating a burn hazard for consumers removing hot food.
Gourmia has received 57 reports of oven doors closing unexpectedly, resulting in 40 reported burn incidents involving consumers’ hands or wrists.
The affected ovens were sold at Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from October 2021 through June 2026 for approximately $150.
Consumers can identify the recalled products by model number GTF7530 and date codes ranging from 3021 to 0126, located on a label on the back of the oven.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises consumers to stop using the recalled ovens immediately and contact Gourmia for a free repair kit, which includes an additional doorstop and installation instructions.
Consumers can contact Gourmia at 888-834-0092 or visit the company’s website for recall information.
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Department of Health is warning residents about rare amoeba infections after identifying 10 cases of Acanthamoeba infection statewide since 2024, including one fatal brain infection in 2026.
According to health officials, eight of the reported cases involved Acanthamoeba keratitis, an eye infection that can cause permanent vision loss. Seven of those patients wore contact lenses, and five cases resulted in permanent vision loss.
The department is urging contact lens wearers to remove their lenses before showering, swimming or using a hot tub.
Acanthamoeba is a microscopic organism commonly found in the environment, including soil and water. The organism can be present in tap water, swimming pools and other water systems.
Health officials also warn against using untreated tap water for nasal or sinus rinsing. Two serious infections reported in 2026 involved patients with weakened immune systems who had used tap water in nasal irrigation devices, although the water was not established as the source of infection.
Residents are advised to use sterile, distilled or properly boiled and cooled water for nasal rinsing and to follow recommended contact lens cleaning and storage practices.
Although infections are rare, health officials say proper water use and contact lens hygiene can help reduce the risk of exposure.
NATCHITOCHES, La. — Longtime Natchitoches Police Department officer and detective Brad Walker has returned to law enforcement following a brief retirement.
Walker was sworn in as a deputy with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office on Friday, November 6.
Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court David Stamey administered the oath of office.
Walker previously served with the Natchitoches Police Department before retiring. His return marks a new chapter in his law enforcement career, this time serving with the parish sheriff’s office.
NATCHITOCHES, La. — The Natchitoches City Council is scheduled to meet Monday, November 9, at 5:30 p.m., with several ordinances and proposed agreements on the agenda.
Among the items expected to be considered are two planning and zoning ordinances, along with final consideration of an ordinance establishing regulations for the excessive accumulation of personal property and materials that create unsafe, unsanitary or hazardous conditions.
Council members are also expected to consider an ordinance recognizing and continuing the existing operational authority of the Ward One City Marshal for the City of Natchitoches.
Another proposed ordinance would authorize Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement involving the Natchitoches Historic Foundation and the Cane River Waterway District.
The agreement concerns construction on city property necessary to protect and safeguard the Pascal Rock House and related facilities.
NATCHITOCHES, La. — The Natchitoches Central Chiefs closed out their 2026 football season Thursday night with a 42-28 loss to the Huntington Raiders at Independence Stadium in Shreveport.
The Chiefs led 21-14 at halftime, but Huntington rallied in the second half to secure the district victory.
Natchitoches Central finished the season with a 1-9 overall record and a 1-5 mark in district play.
In other local high school football action Friday night, the St. Mary’s Tigers defeated district opponent Montgomery 42-36 to close out their regular season.
The Lakeview Gators also wrapped up their regular season Friday, falling to Ringgold 44-8.
The Northwestern State Demons host the UTRGV Vaqueros at Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Central Standard Time.
Listen to the KZBL 100.7 FM broadcast using the player below. The scoreboard appears when game coverage begins and updates during the game.
John Spencer Melder, 67, passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He died surrounded by his loving husband, his adoring parents, and all three of his siblings.
Spencer was born at the very same hospital on September 19, 1959, and though his birth and death happened within steps of each other, the life he lived in between bounded beyond all maps.
The youngest of the four Melder children, Spencer was the family’s pride and joy from the day he arrived, and he remains so today. He grew up in Natchitoches and loved the small, historic southern town his whole life. Spencer contributed generously to its local preservation, arts, and culture. To the friends and strangers he charmed around the world, his hometown and its goings-on were, in his words, “a hoot.” So was he.
Spencer was raised in the First Baptist Church of Natchitoches. He graduated from Natchitoches Central High School in 1977 and went on to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he joined Sigma Chi Fraternity and earned a B.S. in Accounting in 1981. After a short but spirited stint in the family cotton ginning business in Crockett, Texas, he went back to LSU and earned his Juris Doctor from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1988. Then it was on to New York City, where he attended New York University School of Law on a Gerald L. Wallace Fund Scholarship and earned an LL.M. in Taxation. He was a member of the Louisiana and New York State Bars.
Spencer had a successful career, which spanned four decades as an international tax attorney in the global finance industry. Based in New York, the job carried him across the world, and he lived and worked in Europe, Asia, and South America. He retired in 2025 from JPMorgan Chase, where he was responsible for international transfer pricing.
Spencer met the love of his life, Mr. Jonathan Tait Murphy, in the summer of 2000 during a holiday in southern France. The two, both New Yorkers, had never met before they joined mutual friends in a house share in Provence. The rest, as they say, is history.
They quickly built a life together on the eastside of Manhattan before moving to Woodbury, Connecticut, in 2007. Jonathan and Spencer were wed in a surprise ceremony in their garden in Woodbury in August 2015 in the presence of only two witnesses—Spencer’s parents, L.J. and Gay Melder.
Spencer brought joy to everyone he met. He loved to sing. He loved to cook. He loved to host parties where he would usually cook and sing. He loved to occasionally keep bees and chickens. He loved Jonathan’s flower garden, with its stunning hydrangeas and award-winning peonies. He loved his family. He loved his parents. He loved his sister Gayla and her husband Ed. He loved his brothers Sonny and Tommy and their wives Connie and Brenda. He loved Jonathan’s family. He loved a dozen nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. He loved his dogs, Welsh Terriers all: Jimmy (the original), Jimmy (the second), Emmie, and Maurice. He loved his work and the people he worked with. He loved his friends, who were countless, and each one singularly precious to him. He loved Jonathan most of all.
And they all loved him back.
Yet no love is greater than the one that holds him now, as he rests in the eternal love of his Heavenly Father. Spencer was a Christian who loved the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Natchitoches, where he was baptized as a child and where his funeral services will be held.
Spencer is survived by his husband, Jonathan Tait Murphy, of Woodbury, Connecticut; his parents, Esther Gay Melder and L.J. Melder Sr., of Natchitoches; his sister, Gayla Carey (Ed), of Baton Rouge; and his brothers, L.J. “Sonny” Melder Jr. (Connie) and Thomas Melder (Brenda), both of Natchitoches.
Serving as pallbearers will be his nephews and nephews-in-law, Andy Blumberg, David Broussard, Chad Melder, Jay Melder, Jon Melder, and Dan Paul Moncla. Honorary pallbearers will be Rory Centanni, James Holloway, Jerry Paul, Michael Prudhomme, Roberto Rizzo, and Stephen Rojas.
A service celebrating Spencer’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at The First Baptist Church, 508 Second Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m.
For Spencer, there will be many beautiful flowers.
