Choosing a college can feel overwhelming for students and families. With so many questions about programs, admissions, campus life, and cost, the search often begins online. But if a university website feels dated or confusing, that first impression can create more stress than clarity.

Northwestern State University in Natchitoches has recognized this challenge and responded with a bold solution: a redesigned website that puts students and families first.

Unveiled this month, the new nsula.edu is built to guide prospective students, parents, and the community through a clear, engaging digital experience.

“Our enhanced site is dynamic, mobile-friendly, and designed with users in mind,” said Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer. “Whether you’re a high school student exploring majors, a parent reviewing financial aid, or a faculty member sharing research, the website is your first step into NSU.”

The redesign highlights admissions, academic programs, and campus life while showing the long-term value of an NSU degree.

“The website is more than just a facelift,” Gentry explained. “It’s a living, adaptable platform that will continue to grow alongside our students, faculty, alumni, and the broader Natchitoches community.”

Features include:

• Simple admissions navigation

• Interactive views of academic offerings

• Mobile-first design for families on the go

• Accessibility to ensure every visitor has a seamless experience

For President James T. Genovese, the project signals NSU’s forward momentum.

“This new digital front door reflects who we are today and the bright future we’re building,” Genovese said. “It shows students across Louisiana and beyond that NSU is a place where they can belong, grow, and succeed.”

While prospective students are the primary audience, the refreshed website also serves alumni, current students, faculty, staff, and the local community. From campus events to academic updates, nsula.edu is designed to be a central hub for all who are part of the NSU family.

“Our goal is for everyone who visits the site to feel connected,” said Gentry. “For prospective students especially, we want them to see themselves at NSU from the very first click.”

As students and families look ahead to the next chapter of education, a strong first step can make all the difference. Northwestern State University’s new website is designed to open doors, answer questions, and showcase the opportunities waiting in Natchitoches.

Discover the redesigned experience today at www.nsula.edu.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation or arrested and charged with a crime have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Jesse Dale Brewer
October 18, 1937 – September 19, 2025
Service: Graveside services for Mr. Brewer took place at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Zion Hill Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

• Fentanyl
• Methamphetamine
• Marijuana
• Various prescription pills (Schedule III and V)
• Drug paraphernalia (pipes)
• An iPhone matching the one reported stolen

1. Possession of Schedule I
2. Possession of Schedule II (2 counts)
3. Possession of Schedule V
4. Possession of Schedule III with Intent to Distribute
5. Possession of a Legend Drug
6. Prohibited Acts (drug-related)

1. Possession of Schedule I
2. Possession of Schedule II (2 counts)
3. Possession of Schedule III
4. Possession of Schedule V
5. Possession of a Legend Drug
6. Prohibited Acts

Alongside Starla Triplett Jones’s Pinecrest proposal, the Winnfield City Council moved through routine business and a few personnel matters at the September meeting.

After thanking the mayor and council for their hard work and honesty in handling matters within the community, Police Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter confirmed that “Shop with a Cop” will continue this holiday season. “Even if it’s just one kid, we’re having Shop with a Cop. We won’t get discouraged,” he said.

Councilman Matt Miller of District 4 took a moment to thank the fire department for restoring flag posts, calling the display of American flags across the bridge an impressive sight. Assistant Chief Martin also announced that some city employees will soon be sworn in as members of the Louisiana State Guard, a resource that can be called on in natural disasters. The ceremony took place Monday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m. in the Allen Building.

The council recognized Sydney Jones for his service in the recreation department, offering appreciation for his time and efforts on the job. In other business, the council introduced an ordinance to amend Chapter 11.5 of the city’s historical preservation code and approved hiring full-time dispatchers Kaylee Sweet and Tara Ayres, both of whom have already taken and passed their civil service exams.

Members authorized a transfer from the sales tax account to cover increased utility expenses. Hamms invited anyone with questions about the transfer to visit City Hall to better discuss and review the details. 

By Matt Vines

The Winnfield football team overcame its mistakes as they powered past Jonesboro-Hodge in a season-opening win.

But the Tigers couldn’t repeat that feat against a more stout Caldwell Parish bunch in Week 2, falling in 21-12 fashion.

The Spartans (1-1) scored the first two touchdowns and limited the Winnfield (1-1) offense to stave off a Tigers comeback.

“(Caldwell Parish coach Cleo Head) and his staff had a good plan to start the game offensively,” said Winnfield coach Byron Keller. “After seeing it and making our adjustments, we were able to get some three-and-outs and stop their drives.”

Caldwell Parish gained 285 yards (101 passing, 187 rushing) while Winnfield yards (97 passing and 133 rushing).

The Tigers will attempt to knock off Class 4A West Ouachita (1-1) on Friday, and Winnfield can’t make the same mistakes against a bigger, deeper Chiefs’ squad.

“We cannot make the same mistakes every week,” Keller said. “We have to correct those mistakes and not make them anymore.

“We have to win all three phases of the game, and we only won special teams against Caldwell Parish.”

Special teams was a critical phase this past week as Craig St. Cyr returned a kickoff about 90 yards for a touchdown.

Winnfield managed only one offensive score in the game, something that will have to be more productive against a West Ouachita bunch that dropped 62 points on Jonesboro-Hodge in a 62-13 win.

Winnfield also corralled J-Hodge to the tune of 28-6 in the opener.

The West Ouachita game starts the most difficult three-game stretch on Winnfield’s schedule, which includes home dates with Jena and Bunkie in the upcoming weeks.

The Winnfield City Council meeting carried a hopeful note last week as Starla Triplett Jones of the Winn Pinecrest Collaborative shared her vision for breathing new life into the former Pinecrest High School campus, which has sat empty and vandalized for more than 30 years. The organization envisions transforming the property into a neighborhood center that could offer services and programs for residents of all ages.

To make it happen, the group aims to raise $250,000 over the next three to five years while pursuing historical preservation status, which could open the door for additional funding through grants such as the Rosenwald Fund. Jones said interest is already coming in from former students across the country who want to help bring back a piece of their hometown’s history. “This project can restore community pride while preserving an important piece of Winnfield history,” she stated.

Council members agreed to sit down and look further into the legalities and necessary steps the collaborative must take to gain possession of the property, inviting Jones and the other members to join in determining the next steps.

On the evening of Sept. 15 a special ceremony was held to swear in seven of the Louisiana State Guard’s newest members.

Those taking the oath of service included:
Charles Curry
Cassidy Martin
Matthew Harrel
Dawson Lundy
John Hurt
Josh Coyler Jr. 
Jonathan Paul

They will serve in a reserve capacity to support the Louisiana National Guard in the event of emergencies within the state. As members of the State Guard, they will undergo quarterly training at Camp Beauregard, where instruction will cover a wide range of skills including firearms, emergency management, vehicle operations and other specialized fields. Their commitment ensures that Louisiana has a stronger network of trained individuals ready to assist in times of crisis, strengthening the safety and resilience of communities.

During the ceremony, 2nd Lt. Seth Bordelon addressed the audience, explaining that the Louisiana State Guard is under the command of Gov. Jeff Landry and functions as a strategic reserve for the Louisiana National Guard. This division of the State Guard is intended to support central Louisiana and operates within the state’s emergency management framework, particularly in cooperation with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP).

Lt. Bordelon further clarified that when the National Guard is deployed elsewhere, the State Guard is prepared to respond within Louisiana during natural disasters or other emergencies. Working alongside state and local agencies, the Guard stands ready to reduce the burden on first responders. Unlike the National Guard, the Louisiana State Guard is a state-based force and does not deploy outside Louisiana. Its mission is dedicated solely to serving Louisiana and its residents.

This new unit is centrally positioned within the state and can deploy quickly to north or south Louisiana, making it a valuable asset in times of need. The seven men were sworn in together before distinguished guests, family members and friends, marking the beginning of their service to Louisiana.

The Kiwanis Club of Winnfield continues its tradition of celebrating the “Terrific Kids,” students in the parish, by presenting to them certificates.

Rotarian Chesney Chandler, Winn Parish clerk of court, was Rotarian of the Day and guest speaker for the Aug. 27, 2025, Rotary meeting. Chandler described changes in election law providing for closed primaries in the next election and beyond.

She explained that Louisiana has had open primaries in which any voter could vote for any candidate in the first round regardless of the candidate’s party affiliation or the voter’s party registration. With the latest change in the law, registered Republican voters will be able to vote only for Republican candidates, registered Democratic voters only for Democratic candidates, and No Party voters only for No Party candidates.

The law will be applicable to the November general elections. For that election, candidates must qualify with the secretary of state or by nomination petition by Sept. 16.

At the ballot box, voters will have to make a declaration of ballot and choose a party among Democratic, Republican or No Party. The voting machine will be programmed to lock the voter out of the primary for candidates of any other party.

Between elections, voters can change their party selection at the registrar of voters’ office any time up to 30 days before the election. If a voter misses that deadline at the registrar’s office, they can change their party selection on the secretary of state’s website up to 20 days before the election. The last opportunity to change one’s party selection is when the voter goes to the polls on election day.

Chandler also mentioned a change in the law that requires all attorneys to file every pleading or document electronically with the clerk’s office, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Rose LeBlanc Odom, owner and operator of Screen Saver and Phone Repair on Main St., was the guest speaker at the Sept. 16 Kiwanis Club meeting.

Odom and her family moved to Louisiana in 2016, living a few years in Natchitoches before settling in Atlanta. She has worked in the tech business since the release of the iPhone 3, back in 2008, noting Apple is now up to iPhone 17.

Screen Saver currently operates in two locations, Winnfield and Natchitoches, with plans to open a shop in Many, La. Odom’s associate, Cassie Mosley, accompanied her to the meeting. She also mentioned Ethan, another associate, who is based at their Natchitoches location.

In addition to screen protection, the business repairs computers, phones, iPads, MacBooks, game boxes and several other devices.

Odom said she sees a generational gap in how people use phones and computers, and the business is developing classes to teach residents how to use their devices and recognize scams. Mosley is working on the class plans, which they hope to begin at the end of October.

Grab your costumes and candy buckets, The Winn Parish Fall Festival returns Oct. 28 with fun for all ages from 5:30-7:30.

The annual costume contest begins at 5:30 p.m., with registration opening at 5 p.m. Age groups are 0-3, 4-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-17 and 18 and older, with theme groups and pets included in this year’s categories.

Haunted hayrides will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Families can enjoy a free hot dog supper, bounce houses beside First Baptist Church and the pumpkin decorating contest hosted by the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office. 

Shonna Moss, the coordinator of Fall Fest for the past five years, said folks are still signing up booths, tents and other attractions, so get in where you fit in while time allows. If you’d like to join the fun, call 628-0169 or the museum at 628-5928.

The information below is a generated summary of the aid and service the Winn Parish Fire Fire District 3 has provided its community over the course of the month. We thank our local firefighters and EMTs for their vigilance and protection of Winn Parish and all who call it home.