The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from Shane Darbonne, director of the Ville Platte Wellness Center as their guest speaker. He spoke on the importance of getting a flu shot.

    Darbonne said the United States is facing one of the deadliest flu strains ever. Most flu shots are effective against four strains of the virus. The “A” strain is the one that has been deadly especially with young children.

   The injectable flu shot is much more effective than the nasal spray. The shots should be taken annually for everyone including pregnant women and children as young as 6 months old. The flu shots have shown to be 36-40 percent effective against most strains of the flu. It takes about two weeks to become effective.

   This year, cases of the flu began as early as August. The flu shots remain effective for about six months.

    Darbonne urged employers to have their staff get their flu shots and to wash your hands often.

    He was the special guest of Rotarian Ronnie Landreneau.

        Evangeline Parish Sheriff Eddie Soileau reports to KVPI News: Late Friday night, January 26, parish deputies were dispatched to the 2400 block of of Veterans Memorial Highway in the Duralde area regarding a gunshot victim. Deputies arrived and found an adult female shooting victim, who had been shot by an unidentified male subject. During the initial investigation, investigators were able to identify two male subjects as Persons of Interest that are wanted for questioning. A motive for the shooting has not yet been determined. The shooting victim, whose identity has not been released,  suffered a wound to her right cheek. Anyone with information on this shooting or any other crime is urged to contact the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division by phone at 337-363-2161. All callers with information will and always remain anonymous.

Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue reports search for suspect in attempted 2^nd degree murder.

 On January 4, 2018 at approximately 8:30 p.m. Officers with the Ville Platte Police Department responded to a report of assault in the 900 block of Reed Street, Ville Platte.  Upon arrival they learned that the victim had left the area and located him a short time later at a nearby store where he was sitting on the ground and had blood on his shirt.  Officers learned that he had been stabbed multiple times in an altercation on Reed Street over a cell phone and money. 

The victim was transported to Mercy Regional Medical Center and then airlifted to Lafayette General Medical Center with severe to critical injuries.  

After further investigation an arrest warrant has been issued for Trever Travez Larnett 24, of 930 South Chataignier Street Ville Platte.  Larnett is wanted for disturbing the peace by fighting and attempted second degree murder. 

Chief Lartigue is asking anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of Trevor Larnett to contact the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous.

Police Chief Neal Lartigue is asking for assistance in identifying armed robbery suspects.

On January 24, 2018 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Officers with the Ville Platte Police Department responded to the 400 block of North Latour Street for a report of an armed robbery.  Upon arrival Officers learned that two black males wearing hoodies, armed with hand guns robbed Ms. Kathy Oliver of a money bag containing cash and checks.  When Ms. Oliver refused to give the suspects the money bag, one of the suspects hit her in the face with a hand gun and took the money bag when she fell to the ground. 

If you observed two black males in hoodies hanging around the area before 4:30 yesterday, or can identify these suspects, Chief Lartigue is asking that you assist the department in removing these criminals from our streets.  Call the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous. 

Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue reports recent arrests to KVPI News:

On January 12, 2018 the Ville Platte Police Department received a call that a vehicle parked at a pawn shop on Chataignier Road may be stolen.   A black male went into the pawn shop to pawn some tools from the truck and while looking at the tools the pawnshop owner noticed a business name and phone number on the truck.  After calling the number the store owner found out that the truck had been stolen from  Lake Charles.  The suspect became nervous and fled the area with another black male and a black female inside the vehicle.  A concerned citizen followed the truck while informing the police department of their current location as Officers worked to intercept the stolen truck.   The vehicle was stopped in the 300 block of East Long Street.  The male suspect fled on foot and a male and female were detained at the scene and brought in for questioning.

A short time later the male suspect that fled on foot was apprehended in an apartment in Ville Platte. 

The detained suspects were interviewed and later released.

Arrested was, Perkins Lafleur III, 30 of 2002 Tulip Street, Lake Charles.  Lafleur was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail on the charge of illegal possession of stolen goods.   Lafleur was transported to the Evangeline Parish jail on a $25,000.00 bond set by Judge Ortego.

 On January 14, 2018 Officers with the Ville Platte Police Department responded to a report of a disturbance on North Soileau.  Upon arrival Officers learned that a male suspect at the residence had threatened a female relative with a knife.  The suspect also threatened to harm himself.  Acadian Ambulance was called to the residence to assess the situation.  After treatment at Mercy Regional Medical Center, Derek Matthews 27, of 605 North Soileau Street, Ville Platte, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.   Matthew’s bond was set at $25,000.00 by Judge Ortego.

  On January 19, 2018, Officers responded to a disturbance call in the area of Soileau Street and Magnolia Street.  Upon arrival Officers learned that two black males were involved in an altercation and one of the males pulled a gun on the other male.  Officers obtained the identity of the suspect as Daequan Antoine  21, of 1102 Tate Cove Road, Ville Platte.  Antoine was taken into custody without incident and the gun was located.  Antoine was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail on the charge of felony aggravated assault.  Antoine’s bond is set at $25,000.00 by Judge Ortego.   Antoine was also booked on an outstanding warrant from 2017 for criminal damage to property.  The bond on that warrant is $11,500.00 set by Judge Chuck west.

Chief Neal Lartigue reminds residents to report suspicious or illegal activity by calling the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous.

      Parents, family members, public officials and others packed the bleachers at Mamou Elementary School tonight (Tuesday) for a “French Day” program to salute the French Immersion program at the school. The emcee was School Librarian Nina David. School Principal Troy Fontenot welcomed the crowd. The Mamou French Immersion students did the Pledge of Allegiance in French. Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel and Lelia Bordelon conducted the invocation in French. The Cajun musicians that entertained the group were Jamie Berzas on Accordian, Mark Young on guitar and vocals and Christian McGee on fiddle. The two French immersion teachers, Miss Christiane and Miss Emilie, gave a power point presentation on their home town areas in France. They spoke about their hometown food, sporting events and festivals and events. A highlight of the program was retired teacher Deidra Fruge  reading a Cajun story book for the Immersion students. Nina David reported that the school received a grant that she wrote that pays for the purchase of Cajun and French story books. She is asking members of the public to sign up at the school to read stories to the students. Superintendent of Schools Darwan Lazard told the group “This is a dream come true for all of us.” She said this was the first program he urged the school board to approve when he became superintendent a year ago. He said the program here in Evangeline Parish has just started and yet other school systems are coming in to see how the program is working. He stated that the Ruston School district visited recently our local French immersion program. He commended the teachers, school leaders, school board for their support. KVPI 1050 AM was there broadcasting live on remote the entire program for our listeners.

         After below freezing weather earlier in the week, the weather cooperated with those attending the 2018 Evangeline Parish 4-H Livestock Show and Sale Saturday at the Chauncey Pitre Ag Arena.

        4-H’ers from all over the parish showed their animals Friday and Saturday morning with special judges brought in from Texas. Many of these 4-H’ers will advance to show their animals at the District Livestock Show in Lake Charles in two weeks.

       The Market Animal Sale began at 1:00pm with Auctioneer Col. Ricky Duhon of Basile. His young assistant auctioneer was Hosea Deshotel, a 14 year old from Eunice.

       Just before the sale began, Evangeline Parish County Agent Todd Fontenot recognized three active 4-H’ers who are graduating this year: Tara Fontenot of Basile,  Jamerson LeDay and Morgan McDaniel , both of Ville Platte High.

       The annual cake auction donated by Keith Saucier took place. The cake was purchased and bid out six different times finally bringing in over $2200 to the 4-H Livestock Show program.

       Classic Hits 92.5 KVPI was there covering it live with Josh and Mark.

Superintendent Darwan Lazard announced this evening at the Evangeline Parish School Board meeting that all Evangeline Parish schools, except for Basile Highschool and Basile Elementary, will  reopen tomorrow. Due to the cities low water pressure, both Basile Highschool and Elementary will be closed tomorrow and are anticipated to reopen Monday. In an effort to motivate teachers and students to return to the classrooms tomorrow, Mr. Lazard announced a jean day for students and teachers across Evangeline Parish. In other news, there will be only one School Board meeting next month and it is scheduled for February 7^th at 6:00 pm. 

   The Ville Platte City Council and Mayor Jennifer Vidrine met Tuesday for their meeting of the month at City Hall. Todd Morein with Universal Communications made a presentation to provide high speed internet service throughout the city. His proposal would include attaching his equipment to the city’s Water Towers. The council voted to take his proposal under consideration and report back at a later date.

   Five retired city employees were honored with a plaque of appreciation during the meeting by the mayor and council for their many years of service to the city. The honored retirees included: Marcus Johnson with the Gas Dept; Donna Veillon, tax collector, Kenneth Green in the street department; Joe Matte and Carroll Duos, both in public works department.

   In other business, the city council approved longevity pay for full time city employees who have been with the city for more than five years. Also, fire department employees began receiving this month their mandatory 2 percent increase in pay.

   Mayor Jennifer Vidrine commended Fire Chief Chris Harrison for applying and  receiving a $7500 grant for the fire department to be used for a new vehicle. The city is also applying for grant money to purchase a new ladder truck and new pumper truck.

   Also, Public Works Director Don White was commended for his early repair work on the city water system last year that has keep the city water system from losing water pressure during the recent hard freezes we have had.

   In other action, the city council approved a resolution to apply for the sale of 2.9 million dollars in bonds for road and drainage improvements.

   The council approved moving the dates for their February meeting to Feb. 12 due to the Mardi Gras holiday and move the March meeting date due to a conflict with the National League of Cities Conference.

KVPI News has learned that Sacred Heart Elementary and High School as well as all Evangeline Parish public schools will be closed again Thursday because of the continued icy conditions on parish roads.Supt. of Schools Darwan Lazard stated that supervisors, principals and custodians of parish public schools are asked to checked campuses at 2;00pm Thursday. All other employees are not required to report to work.

There will be no parish wide curfew in Evangeline Parish tonight, according to Police Jury President Ryan Williams. After an inspection of roads around the parish, it was determined that a curfew is not needed tonight.

KVPI News has received word that due to possible severe winter weather conditions Tuesday, all public schools in Evangeline Parish as well as Sacred Heart Elementary and High School will be closed. Keep listening to KVPI and our social media for the latest word on the weather and weather announcements.

BAYOU CHICOT, LA – The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s assistance in locating a runaway juvenile.

On Thursday, January 11, 2018 the reporting person (Jodi Sylvester) stated her son Adyn Joseph Fontenot (DOB 8-2-2004) left her residence from the 1000 block of Jeremy Cole Drive at around 7:00 pm. The reporting person stated her son was upset for being disciplined and runaway, and has still not returned.  

Adyn Joseph Fontenot (DOB 8-2-2004) was last seen wearing his school uniform which includes a grey colored polo shirt, khaki pants, grey jacket, and black shoes.

If anyone has any information or comes into contact with Adyn Joseph Fontenot is asked to contact the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at 337-363-2161.

       Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was the guest speaker at Tuesday’s meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. Nungesser spent the night at Chicot State Park inspecting the condition and upkeep of the park. He met earlier with local, parish and state officials over the future of Chicot State Park. He was introduced at the meeting by State Representative Bernard LeBas.

      Nungesser explained that his Tourism Department had taken major cuts in funding from 167 million dollars in 2008 to just $99 million dollars in 2017. The department has 250 fewer employees in that nine year period. He mentioned that former Governor Bobby Jindal had taken 54 million dollars from the state tourism dollars that was to be used for repair and maintenance.

     The Lt. Governor is proposing working with private business and industry to begin public/private partnerships to help support the state parks around the state. He explained that Centurylink has agreed to help sponsor the Poverty Point nature area.

    For Chicot Park , he is asking for applications or resumes to hire a new Park Manager to oversee the park. Nungesser said Chciot Park needs a manager who will live at the park with a salary range of $50-70,000. He wants to hire someone who has a love and passion of the park. He is asking local residents “to help me find the right person”.

   Nungesser is also looking at possibly of having a real estate developer sell home sites at an unused part of the park and lake; and  to sell and market the canoes and kayaks and look at rebuilding the flooded cabins at the park.

   Rotary Club President Wayne Vidrine thanked the Lt. Governor for showing his concern over the condition of Chicot State Park. Vidrine called the park “the crown jewel of Evangeline Parish.” The club pays  the scholarship of two high school students each year to attend Camp Rylla , the rotary club summer camp, now being held at Chicot State Park. Nungesser was presented a special basket of local products presented by Ville Platte Mayor Pro Tem Mike Perron.

     In other action, the rotary club:

--received a report that Club President Wayne Vidrine and Eric Gil traveled to the Beaumont Rotary Club recently to present a donation on behalf of the Ville Platte club for “Operation Warmth”. The club will deliver 440 coats to victims of last year’s hurricane.

--announced the winners in the annual football pool .

Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was the guest speaker at Tuesday’s meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. Nungesser spent the night at Chicot State Park inspecting the condition and upkeep of the park. He met earlier with local, parish and state officials over the future of Chicot State Park. He was introduced at the meeting by State Representative Bernard LeBas.

      Nungesser explained that his Tourism Department had taken major cuts in funding from 167 million dollars in 2008 to just $99 million dollars in 2017. The department has 250 fewer employees in that nine year period. He mentioned that former Governor Bobby Jindal had taken 54 million dollars from the state tourism dollars that was to be used for repair and maintenance.

     The Lt. Governor is proposing working with private business and industry to begin public/private partnerships to help support the state parks around the state. He explained that Centurylink has agreed to help sponsor the Poverty Point nature area.

    For Chicot Park , he is asking for applications or resumes to hire a new Park Manager to oversee the park. Nungesser said Chciot Park needs a manager who will live at the park with a salary range of $50-70,000. He wants to hire someone who has a love and passion of the park. He is asking local residents “to help me find the right person”.

   Nungesser is also looking at possibly of having a real estate developer sell home sites at an unused part of the park and lake; and  to sell and market the canoes and kayaks and look at rebuilding the flooded cabins at the park.

   Rotary Club President Wayne Vidrine thanked the Lt. Governor for showing his concern over the condition of Chicot State Park. Vidrine called the park “the crown jewel of Evangeline Parish.” The club pays  the scholarship of two high school students each year to attend Camp Rylla , the rotary club summer camp, now being held at Chicot State Park. Nungesser was presented a special basket of local products presented by Ville Platte Mayor Pro Tem Mike Perron.

     In other action, the rotary club:

--received a report that Club President Wayne Vidrine and Eric Gil traveled to the Beaumont Rotary Club recently to present a donation on behalf of the Ville Platte club for “Operation Warmth”. The club will deliver 440 coats to victims of last year’s hurricane.

--announced the winners in the annual football pool .

Ville  Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue updates report regarding missing man.

The Ville Platte Police Department requested assistance in locating Mr. Amos Jones who went missing on December 22, 2017.  According to Chief Lartigue that search has ended.  Mr. Jones was found deceased in an empty house not far from his residence on December 30, 2017.  There was no obvious indication of foul play but the investigation is ongoing at this time and Detectives are also waiting for the report from the Coroner’s office. 

 Chief Lartigue reminds residents to report suspicious or illegal activity by calling the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous. 

Baton Rouge, LA – Because the state is currently experiencing a recent surge in fire-related deaths,

several due to the arrival of markedly lower temperatures, the State Fire Marshal’s Office wishes to encourage citizens to remain vigilant when using space heaters and other heating sources, while maintaining working smoke alarms in their homes.

Since December State Fire Marshal investigators have responded to over six (6) residential structure fires that resulted in over ten (10) deaths, six of which have occurred in East Baton Rouge Parish since January 1st.

Investigators believe that four (4) of the recent deaths may have been attributed to the use of space heaters.

When using any type of heating source, whether it is a space heater or fireplace, homeowners should incorporate a “three-foot rule,” where there should be a space of at least three feet between a heating source and any combustibles such as furniture and décor. Ovens or open flame sources, such as candles, should never be used to heat homes.

“With colder weather here, we should all be careful when using portable and stationary heating sources,” said State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning, Jr. Browning added, “I also want to encourage everyone to make certain to have working smoke alarms in their homes.”

     The Ville Platte Rotary Club held a short meeting today (Tuesday) at Main Street Pizza. The meeting ended early because there was no guest speaker.

     Club President Wayne Vidrine informed club members that he and several members will be traveling Wednesday to present a donation to the Rotary Club of Beaumont whose members were impacted by last year’s hurricane.

     Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will be attended the Rotary Club meeting next week and meeting with local and parish groups over the future of Chicot State Park.

     In other business, Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine informed club members that property owners can now pay their property taxes online by going to the city’s website at City of Ville Platte.com. Property owners have until January 31 to pay their taxes. On February 1, they become delinquent.

    Also, the city is collecting coats and blankets for homeless veterans anyone in the city who may be in need of coats or blankets. You can donate your items at City Hall.

   Mayor Jennifer Vidrine also announced that the new police cars should be arriving within the next 90 days.

On December 24. 2017 Pine Prairie Police received a complaint about a stolen ATV from a residence in Pine Prairie. The information on the ATV was given to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office to be on the lookout when deputies received information on the suspect and location of the stolen ATV. Evangeline Parish Deputies located the ATV and suspect at an address on Crooked Creek Parkway. Devon Jade Chapman age 17 of 114 Tully Cloud , Oakdale  was arrested for the Criminal Trespassing and Theft of the ATV and an arrest warrant is issued for James Chad Ardoin age 37 of 1177 Rollins Road, Oakdale  for his role in the theft of the ATV. The ATV was recovered and returned to the owner.  If you have any information on the whereabouts of James Ardoin, please contact Pine Prairie Police at 33-599-2708. All calls will remain anonymous. Pine Prairie Police would like to thank the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this matter.