CLECO POWER OUTAGES

AUGUST 30, 2012

     Cleco reports that 2376 Cleco customers in Evangeline Parish are without power this morning. There are a total of 95, 197 customers with no electricity as a result of Hurricane Isaac. Here is the breakdown:

St. Landry- 5061, Rapides 6766, Acadia, 751, Allen 399, Avoyelles 4737, Beauregard 94, Grant 1395, Iberia 4926, LaSalle 8, Sabine 18, St. Mary  166, St. Martin 4927, Vernon 12 ,  Washington 756 and St. Tammany, the hardest area area has 62805 customers with no electricity.

CLECO POWER OUTAGES

AUGUST 29, 2012

       Cleco reports that 22,305 customers are without electricity this morning with Hurricane Isaac hitting Louisiana according to Ann Jenkins with Cleco. The hardest hit parish is St. Tammany Parish with 15, 705 customers without power while St. Martin parish has 6302 customers in the dark. Other parishes reporting power outages include: Avoyelles with 255, Rapides with 58 and Iberia Parish with 24 customers without electricity. The Cleco spokesperson announced that they have 2400 workers and contracted crews from as far away as Florida on standby to begin power restoration as soon as the storm passes.

       The first Tee Cotton Bowl Cook off and Family Fun Day was termed a big success by organizers Tim Fontenot and Jessie Muse. The event was held this (Saturday ) morning at the new Grand Pavilion. There were ten food booths participating in the various categories. DJ. T-Rob provided the music for everyone who attended. Oldies 92-5 KVPI was there covering the event live on remote.

      Here is the list of winners in the Cook Off:

Seafood Category-

1^st Place- Paul’s Meat Market; 2^nd Place- Cameron; 3^rd Place- Ken’s Care Care

Wild Game Category- 1^st Place- Paul’s Meat Market; 2^nd Place- Papa’s Gators; 3^rd Place- Larry Lafleur and Company;

Chicken Category- 1^st Place- Paul’s Meat Market; 2^nd Place- Deshotel Tire and 3^rd Place- Cameron;

Beef Category- 1^st Place- Ken’s Care Care; 2^nd Place- Deshotel Tire and 3^rd Place- Deshotel Tire;

Pork Category- 1^st Place-Ken’s Care Care; 2^nd Place- City of Ville Platte and 3^rd Place- Paul’s Meat Market

Grand Champion Winner- Paul’s Meat Market

      According to Evangeline Parish District Attorney Trent Brignac, a hearing was held this morning, Friday August 24 before Judge Judge John Larry Vidrine with regard to Justin Trevor Soileau, age 30 of Mamou. Soileau was indicted earlier this week by an Evangeline Parish Grand Jury for Aggravated Rape of a 75 year old female, Home Invasion and False imprisonment with a Dangerous Weapon. The crimes occurred on or about June 17 of this year. Today’s hearing was to determine whether a bond amount would be set  or whether Soileau would remain incarcerated without bond until trial. After the hearing in which the state was represented by Nicole Gil and Soileau by Attorney Daniel Stanford, Judge Vidrine ruled in favor of the State and ordered Soileau held without bond until trial.

     Soileau is currently scheduled for arraignment in September at which time a trial date will be selected. If convicted of Aggravated Rape, Soileau faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue reports multiple narcotic arrests during traffic stops.

Donald Wayne Fontenot, 20 of 933 East Railroad Ave. Ville Platte was arrested and charged with no license plate light and possession of schedule III.  Fontenot was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail and has since bonded out on a $10,000.00 bond set by Judge John Larry Vidrine.

Trevor Matthews, 31 of 703 Magnolia St. Apt 206, Mamou, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, turn signal required and failure to change address.  Matthews was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail where he remains incarcerated. 

Thaddeus Woods, 32 of 581 Halsey St., Eunice, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana.  Woods was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail where he remains incarcerated on a $2,500.00 bond.

Chad Rideaux, 32 of 705 Rue Jolie Blonde Apt 214, Mamou, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana.  Rideaux was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail where he remains incarcerated on a $2,500.00 bond.

Wesley Edwards, 42 of 312 Railroad Ave., Mamou, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana.  Edwards was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail where he remains incarcerated on a $2,500.00 bond.

Chief Lartigue would like for citizens to remain aware and report illegal activity to the Ville Platte Police Department by calling 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous and will help officers and detectives locate criminal activity and make our streets safer.

      Evangeline Parish District Attorney Trent Brignac reported that a new grand jury was empanelled on Monday, August 20, 2012 in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana.

    The grand jury considered one case on its first day of service and returned an indictment against Justin Trever Soileau, age 30 of Mamou for Aggravated Rape, Home Invasion and False imprisonment with a Dangerous Weapon. The crimes occurred on or about June 17, 2012 outside of the Town of Mamou and involved the rape of a 75 year old woman.

    Soileau remains incarcerated. A hearing is scheduled for Friday, August 24 at 9:00am before Judge John Larry Vidrine where the District Attorney is requesting that Soileau continue to be  held without bond pending his trial.

   Assistant District Attorney, Nicole Gil, represented the State in this matter and presented the case to the grand jury and was assisted by Assistant District Attorney, Marcus Fontenot.

VILLE PLATTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING

AUGUST 20, 2012

            The Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce today (Monday) heard from Dr. Tojo Ward give an update report on local economic development.

             Dr. Ward reported that that a job fair took place in Lafayette last week. One of the companies at the job fair , the Schumacher group, was planning to hire an additional 500 employees.

             A site selector is planning to visit the Evangeline Parish Industrial Park on September 12 . The site selector recommends to industries where to locate.

             Dr. Ward announced that one company, Project Circle, is considering locating the Evangeline Parish Industrial Park.It would be a 400 million dollar project that would initially hire 100 people but would increase the number to 200 employees..

           He said “We are going to get a good tenant at the Industrial Park due to our national and state certification.”

           Jennifer Walker with Walker and Son-Slap Ya Mama announced that they have moved into their new larger 33,000 square foot  facility on west end of main, in the old Pitre Ford location. They are working on the parking lot, landscaping and signage. They are planning a grand opening in the next two months.

             In other news,  the chamber :

--elected its new slate of officers for the new year: President Dr. Kirk Soileau, First Vice President Angie Rozas and Second Vice President-Mark Buller;

--elected its new board of directors: Larry Lachney, Mable Forman, Patrick Nero, Renee Brown and Vic Slaven.

Chief Neal Lartigue with the Ville Platte Police Department reports multiple arrests for narcotics and cyber stalking.

Chief Lartigue would like citizens to understand that cyber stalking is becoming more prevalent in our community and it’s a charge that the department is taking seriously. 

Cyber stalking according to Louisiana Law is the “Electronic communication, meaning computer, cell phone, pager, video recorder or other means sent to a person identified by a unique address or address number and received by that person.

“Use in electronic mail or electronic communication of any words or language threatening to inflict bodily harm to any person or to such person’s child, sibling, spouse or dependent or physical injury to the property of any person, or for the purpose of extorting money or other things of value from any person.”

“Electronically mail or electronically communicate to another and to knowingly make any false statement concerning death, injury, illness, disfigurement, indecent conduct, or criminal conduct of the person electronically mailed or of any member of the person’s family or household with the intent to threaten, terrify or harass.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Louisiana law also states that for juveniles the same law applies as cyber bullying.  “These crimes will be taken as seriously as any other crime.” Chief Lartigue said, “I want everyone to understand that cyber stalking is a felony charge.” Lartigue went on to say, “People should be aware that cyber stalking isn’t just by way of text messaging or calling on a phone,” Lartigue said, “Everyone should also be cautious of what they say on social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter.”

Chief Lartigue reported five arrests this week due to a cyber stalking complaint that was filed with the Ville Platte Police Department on July 29, 2012.  After an investigation was conducted there was evidence of cyber stalking that led to a warrant being executed on the following suspects.

Lafonda Castille, 22 of 190 Beauregard St., Opelousas was arrested on August 9, 2012 and charged with cyber stalking.  Castille was released on a $5,000.00 bond set by Judge Thomas Fuselier.

Monique Holmes, 24 of 1578 Old Tram Rd., Oakdale was arrested on August 9, 2012 and charged with cyber stalking.  Holmes was released on a $5,000.00 bond set by Judge Thomas Fuselier.

Markeisha Chapman 20, of 706 2^nd St., Mamou was arrested on August 9, 2012 and charged with cyber stalking.  Chapman was released on a $5,000.00 bond set by Judge Thomas Fuselier.

Bianca Landry, 23 of 1321 1^st St. ,Mamou was arrested on August 10, 2012 and charged with cyber stalking.  Landry was released on a $5,000.00 bond set by Judge Thomas Fuselier.

Keosha Thomas, 21 of 125 South 13^th Street, Oakdale was arrested on August 13, 2012 and charged with cyber stalking.  Thomas was released on a $5,000.00 bond set by Judge Thomas Fuselier.

Chief Lartigue reports the Narcotics Division is working hard to fight the narcotics problem in the city. 

 Coastandzer Arvie, 23 of 706 Derouen St. Ville Platte was arrested during a traffic stop and charged with resisting by flight and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.  Arvie was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail where he remains incarcerated on a $15,000.00 bond set by Judge John Larry Vidrine and a hold for Probation and Parole and also a hold for Mamou PD on an outstanding warrant.

Jonathan Seialle, 22 of 1010 Mattie Lane, Ville Platte was arrested during a traffic stop and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.  Seraille was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail where he remains incarcerated on a $15,000.00 bond set by Judge John Larry Vidrine.

Luvell Ferguson, 22 of 2076 B.L. Ferguson Rd. Ville Platte was arrested during a traffic stop and charged with possession of marijuana. Ferguson was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail where he remains incarcerated in a $2,500.00 bond.

Paul Durgin, 32 of 111 East LaSalle St. Ville Platte was arrested during a traffic stop and charged with failure to signal 100 feet prior to turn and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.  Durgin was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail where he remain incarcerated on a $15,000.00 bond set by Judge John Larry Vidrine.

Travosky Goodly, 29 of 1072 Goodly Rd. Ville Platte was arrested during a traffic stop and charged with open container and possession of marijuana. Goodly was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail where he was released on a $2,700.00 bond.

Chief Lartigue commends the officers and detectives for their hard work.  Lartigue also reminds citizens that anonymous tips are helping the officers and detectives remove drug offenders from our streets. Call and report illegal activity to the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous.

      Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel announces that qualifying for the November 6 election has ended. For Chief of Police in the Village of Pine Prairie, two candidates have qualified: L.C. Deshotel and Rick Ordner. For Mayor in Pine Prairie, incumbent Terry Savant and John Wade Deshotels Sr. All three incumbent aldermen were re elected for another term with no opposition: Quint West, Debbie Oge and Tammy Hammond. For the special school board election in District 7, Mamou area, two candidates qualified: incumbent Buck Dupuis and Sheila Jason Joseph.

     The November 6 election will also include the election for President.

ABBEVILLE- This morning at 11:45 a.m., the United States Marshal’s Violent Offender Task Force, with the assistance of Louisiana State Police, Abbeville Police Department, Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office located 28-year-old Kyle Robert Dore on Mouton Cove Road south of Abbeville.  Dore was taken into custody without incident.  The truck Dore used in his escape has also been recovered by investigators.    

Further charges related to this incident will be handled by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The Ville Platte Rotary Club met today for their regular meeting.  The guest speaker was David Mayeaux, who is a financial advisor for Edward Jones.  He is a Ville Platte native and a graduate of LSU.  He lived in St. Louis, Missouri for a while where he was an interim financial advisor for the Edward Jones home office.  He now has his own branch of Edward Jones in Ville Platte, and he says that he enjoys the different ways he can help people with retirement and other things they want to do.  He helps to guide customers where they want to go in life.  David Mayeaux is the son of John Mayeaux, also of Edward Jones.

      Evangeline Parish District Attorney Trent Brignac confirmed to KVPI News that Brian Keith Soileau was convicted today, Friday, August 3, 2012 of the Armed Robbery of Citizens Bank in Pine Prairie which occurred exactly a year ago, August 3, 2011. Soileau was scheduled to stand trial next week before an Evangeline Parish Criminal Jury. Soileau was represented by Attorney Jacob Fuselier. He changed his plea to Guilty just days prior to the start of the trial and was convicted, as charged, for the following crimes: Armed Robbery, Theft of a Firearm, Simple Burglary, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Illegal Use of a Weapon. Soileau is scheduled to be sentenced on November 29, 2012 before Judge Thomas Fuselier.  Soileau faces a maximum of 99 years in prison on the Armed Robbery charge alone. The maximum sentence when considering the other four convictions as well reaches a total of 143 years in prison.

     Charges still remain pending against Soileau for the Escape from the Pine Prairie Prison back on October 13, 2011 as well as the charges stemming from the Armed Robbery of Guaranty Bank on October 25, 2011 while he was a fugitive at large.

     Brignac commended the efforts of Assistant District Attorney Marcus Fontenot in securing the above referenced conviction. Brignac also complimented the efforts of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Department, as well as all other law enforcement agencies which were involved in the investigation and capture of Soileau.

      The Evangeline Parish School Board Wednesday received news that the state will begin reporting test results on parish alternative schools. Alternative Schools  were tested in the past but never reported by the state along with regular education classes.

     In Evangeline Parish, the alternative school is Evangeline Central in Vidrine with four programs operating. The school recorded an unsatisfactory score of 54.6.

     Evangeline Central includes the following programs:

     The Connections program targets at risk students or those 15 years old and have not passed the 8^th Grade Leap test.

    The Alternative program is geared for suspended or expelled students.

    The Options program prepares students to take the GED while the SAAC program assists students with disabilities.

    Superintendent of School Toni Hamlin announced to the school board that 23 students are impacted by the score. Parents of those students will be notified in writing and will be given the option to remain at the school, return to their home school or move to an “A” or “B” ranked school. The only school with a B ranking is Basile which is at near capacity at the current time.

    In other business, Superintendent Hamlin announced that retirees of the state group medical PPO plan have been advised that they are being moved over to Blue Cross of Louisiana, a third party administrator. It was announced that the move will realize 20 million dollars in savings.

    In other action, the school board:

--approved the low quote of Cotton Construction of Katy, Texas of $91,179 for construction work at Vidrine Elementary to replace classrooms destroyed by fire earlier this year;

--approved the quote of Lemoine Insurance Agency for student accident insurance that includes a benefit for MRI coverage;

--approved renewing a two year contract renewal  for Greg Guillory , Assistant Principal at Vidrine Elementary.