GOVERNOR VISITS VILLE PLATTE

DECEMBER 27, 2013

    Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal visited Ville Platte today (Friday) to announce a parish-state partnership that led to community development grant funding for the purchase of emergency power generators for Evangeline Parish.

     The governor made a surprise visit to the courthouse today (Friday afternoon) and met with city and parish public officials. He formally announced that $1.2 million dollars in community development block grant funds had been approved for Evangeline Parish for 14 emergency power generators. The generators will be used at the parish health unit, a fire station, sewer lift stations, water wells and sewer treatment plants.

   Among those who spoke at the press conference were State Representative Bernard LeBas who thanked the governor for his support of the project. LeBas called the generators a “lifeline” to help people with essential services.

    Ville Platte City Councilman Mike Perron said the generators are “a must for emergency services such as nursing homes and police stations”.

     Others who spoke included Police Jury President Bryan Vidrine, police juror Lamar Johnson and Rebecca Devillier with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Department.

      Governor Jindal was also upbeat about the state’s economy. “We broke records by creating 80,000 new jobs in 2013. New jobs were created here in Evangeline Parish through Cameron Valves and in the state with IBM.”

     Jindal expects an even better economy in 2014. He expects another record breaking year that will have more good paying  jobs created than skilled workers.

     The press conference ended before members of the general public were able to ask questions. Evangeline Community Action Agency Director Gervis Lafleur was disappointed since he was getting ready to ask a question when the conference ended.

Ville Platte Police Department is searching for a missing Juvenile.  14 year old Benjayln Bradley is currently missing.  The Ville Platte Police Department received a report from her guardian last night that she was no longer at her residence.  An all points bulletin was issued to surrounding agencies and Benjalyn has still not been located.  Benjalyn is a black female 5 foot 2 inches and approximatley 86 pounds.  She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing black pants and a black shirt with the words "rock out" imprinted on the front. Benjalyn may be in the Ville Platte or Opelousas area.  If anyone has any information regarding this missing juvenile, please call the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous.

Here are the winners of the Magnolia Garden Club Christmas Decorations:
 
Civic Pride
 
1. Evangeline Bank & Trust Co.
 
Christmas Spirit
 
1. Willie Seal & Cindy Hymel - 112 W. Magnolia St.
2. Jamie & Courtney Butler - 1312 Kendall St.
3. Robert & Madeline Stromer - 605 E. Main St.
 
Appreciation Award
 
1. Judge John & Susan Saunders - 1599 W. Main St.
 
Overall Christmas Gold Medal
 
1. Dr. Greg & Erin Ardoin
  721 E. Main Street.

ELECTION YEAR 2014

DECEMBER  18, 2013

    Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel said it will be a busy year for elections in 2014 with most scheduled for the Fall Primary elections.

    On November 4, the primary ballot will include Ville Platte City Judge, Ville Platte City Marshal, both district court judges in Evangeline Parish, all 13 school board members, all justices of the peace and constables in the parish, mayors, aldermen and chief of police in Ville Platte, Mamou, Basile, Chataignier and Turkey Creek, District Attorney, Court of Appeals Judges, Congressman and U.S. Senator.

   Qualifying will be August 20-22 and early voting will be October 21-28.

A Turkey Creek man pleaded guilty to taking deer illegally on Dec. 13 in the 13th Judicial Court in Evangeline Parish.

Judge Tom Fusilier sentenced Corey S. Gautreaux, 25, to pay a $1,000 fine and $122.50 in court costs, revoked his hunting privileges for two years and to 30 days of jail, which will be suspended.

On Oct. 23, 2011 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited Gautreaux for taking deer illegally by snare in Evangeline Parish.

Agents received a complaint that Gautreaux had put several snares out on private land near the St. Landry community off of Frontier Road.  The snares appeared to be set in a manner to take deer.

Agents went to the area to investigate on Oct. 23, 2011.  After locating the snares, agents found a camera and a deer stand set up near the snares.  After reviewing the photos on the camera, agents found photos of Gautreaux checking the snares.

On that same afternoon agents found Gautreaux sitting in the stand with a bow and arrow.  After advising Gautreaux of his rights, he admitted to setting the snares for deer.

All the snares along with the camera were forfeited to the state.

Assistant District Attorney Tim Fontenot prosecuted the case.  Sgt. Scott D. Fontenot was the lead investigative agent in the case.

      The 2013 Food Net Food Drive in Ville Platte was a big success, according to local chairman Gene Fontenot with the Christian Care and Share Center. The day long food drive held at the civic center pavilion collected just over six tons of food despite the very cold temperatures. Last year, the food drive collected five tons of food. In addition, the food drive collected about $2000 in monetary donations. Fontenot would like to thank everyone who donated food and money as well as the many volunteers who assisted throughout the day.

    The Evangeline Parish Police Jury held their all French meeting today (Tuesday) in the courthouse before a standing room crowd of well wishers and visitors.

     Police Jury President Bryan Vidrine conducted the meeting and welcomed the visitors. KVPI’s Jim Soileau said the pledge of allegiance in French. Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel offered the invocation in French. One of the highlights was Assistant District Attorney Timmy Fontenot who played the national anthem on the accordion.

     Jean Frigault with Codofil handed out special Codofil calendars to jurors. Margaret “Chicken” Aucoin and Brenda Monier  praised the police jury for their efforts in promoting our Cajun and Creole French culture.  All three are members of a new organization promoting the French language in Evangeline Parish. The organization sponsored a  succesful French language school last summer in Chataignier. The group is planning another French school next summer.

    Former Secretary Treasurer Wilbert Ardoin welcomed public officials and dignitaries in the audience who included: Sheriff Eddie Soileau, State Senator Eric LaFleur, State Representative Bernard LeBas, Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel, District Attorney Trent Brignac, Assessor Dirk Deville, Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine, Mamou mayor Ricky Fontenot, City Marshal Ronald T Doucet and Liz Hill of the Evangeline Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness.

    The police jury approved issuing the sale of 30.6 million dollars in sales tax revenue bonds at 3.54 percent. The funds will be used for the construction, improvement and maintenance of parish roads and drainage. The bonds will be paid back from the collection of a 2 cent parish wide sales tax.

    In other action the police jury:

--voted to apply for a $100,000 community development block grant for security system for the courthouse and all parish owned offices and buildings;

--reappointed R.L. Quam for another four year term on the Evangeline Parish Water District #1 Board in Pine Prairie;

--reappointed Greg Monier for another two year term on the Mamou Fire Protection District Board;

--approved the low bid of E.L. Habetz of $38,700 to storm proof the Ville Platte Northside Civic Center.

 
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Chief Neal Lartigue with the Ville Platte Police Department reports a recent theft related incident.

On November 10, 2013, the Ville Platte Police Department received a complaint of theft from the 500 block of Jean Duos Road in Ville Platte.  Upon arrival officers learned that medication had been stolen from the residence.  Upon completion of the investigation Detectives arrested Yvonne Terrell Tezeno, 44 of 1425 Martin Luther King Blvd.  Ville Platte.  Tezeno was charged with Theft valued less than $300.00 and possession with intent to distribute a schedule III narcotic.  Tezeno was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail on a $15,000.00 bond issued by Judge Thomas Fuselier.

Chief Lartigue reminds citizens to call in any illegal information.  By calling the Ville Platte police Department at 363-1313 and reporting illegal activity you can help the department remove criminals from our streets.  Your call could provide vital information and as always your call will remain anonymous.

In the early morning hours of December 1, 2013, Officers with the Ville Platte Police Department responded to a shooting call in the 1200 block of Martin Luther King Drive, Ville Platte, according to a spokesman for Police Chief Neal Lartigue.   Upon arrival officers found one person shot multiple times.  Officers called for medical assistance and Acadian Ambulance was dispatched to the residence.   Medical treatment was administered but the male suspect did not survive the shooting.  Mr. Malcolm Wilson, 25 of 1331 Fruge Street, Ville Platte was pronounced dead at the scene from apparent gun shot wounds.  The Ville Platte Police Department will submit their evidence and case information to the District Attorney’s Office for Grand Jury review.

On November 19, 2013 Officers responded to theft call in the 900 block of East LaSalle Street, Ville Platte.  According to the report the business requested an investigation when they began to realize that money was being stolen from the company.  The investigation of this theft by Detectives led to the discovery that over $30,000.00 had been stolen over a period of several months.  Arrested was Rita G. Matte 43, of 1096 Archie Road, Eunice.  Ms. Matte was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail on charge of theft by fraud. Ms. Matte was released on a $25,000.00 bond set by Judge John Larry Vidrine. 

Chief Lartigue would like to remind everyone to keep doors, windows and automobiles locked at all times.  Being diligent with your property may help keep it safe from theft.  If you have information on any illegal activities please call the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous.