Mamou Police Chief Brent Zackery reported to KVPI News that his department made a number of arrests dealing with drugs.

     After Mamou Police obtained a warrant for a resident at 521 East Street, they recovered illegal substances and arrests were made. Anthony Fontenot age 28 whose home was searched by police was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, possession of crystal meth, prohibited acts and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $47,000. Also arrested in that same case was Ladell Collins age 20 of 812 4^th Street Mamou. Collins was charged with possession of a schedule two drug (Marijuana), prohibited acts and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $37,000.

   On May 12, Mamou Police made a traffic stop and charged the driver and passenger with drug charges and other charges. The driver was Jacob Brett Perron of 1195 Yves Lane, Ville Platte. He was charged with possession and distribution of schedule two drugs, no insurance, no license plate light, and two counts of failure to stop at a stop sign. Bond set at $32,500. The passenger was identified as Eric Glenn Johnson age 27 of 203 South Coreil Street, Ville Platte. He was charged with possession and distribution of schedule two drugs: crystal meth. Bond was set at $30,000.

 Police Chief Zackery said his department has been working the area around Savoy Heights where there have been reports of drug activity. As a result of a stakeout: Daniel Manuel age 58 of 909 Cherry Street, Mamou was arrested and charged with having a disorderly place, possession of drug paraphernalia, aiding and abetting others to enter or remain on premises where forbidden. His bond was set at $7500.

On May 10, Mamou Police arrested the driver of a vehicle, He was identified as Shelton Robinson age 32 of 101 Railroad, Mamou. At the time, the vehicle was blocking a roadway. He was charged with blocking a road way, having a suspended license, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer and flight from an officer.

Chicot/St. Landry Stabbing

            On Wednesday, May 23, 2018, the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stabbing that occurred on Hwy. 106 between Bayou Chicot and St. Landry communities. The complainant advised he was traveling on Hwy. 106 at approximately 11:40 p.m. when he observed a white male walking on the side of the roadway. The complainant stopped to offer assistance to the male subject. The complainant advised the subject requested a ride, which he obliged. The complainant advised after the subject entered the vehicle, they proceeded west bound on Hwy. 106. The complainant advised when they began traveling, the subject brandished a sharp edged weapon and began stabbing and cutting the complainant. The complainant advised the subject then exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The complainant then returned to his residence, where he contacted 911.

            The suspect has been identified as a white male, late 20’s to early 30’s, approximately 5’6” – 5’8”. He was last seen wearing an Orange shirt w/cut sleeves and a pair of light colored blue jeans.

            If you have any information regarding this matter, you are urged to contact the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 337-363-2161.

      Janet Armand, Director of Nursing at Savoy Medical Center’s New Horizons Psych unit was the guest speaker at today’s (Tuesday) meeting at the Ville Platte Rotary Club.

       The 34 bed unit offers a dual purpose: as a Chemical Detox unit for short stays and for the treatment of emotional and behavioral problems. They offer two levels of treatment for adult and geriatric patients including inpatient hospitalization and an intensive outpatient program.

       New Horizons has two psychiatrists on staff from Alexandria along with a Nurse Practitioner.

       She said referrals can be made be made by primary care physicians, social workers, nursing facilities and concerned family members. Payment options include Medicaid, Medicare, primate insurance and private pay.

    She was the guest of Rotarians Jackie Riche and Steve Phillips.

  A large group of veterans, family members, public officials and members of the general public gathered at the War monument on Courthouse Square this (Monday) morning to observe Memorial Day. The annual event is sponsored by the Veterans of Ville Platte.

  J.D. Soileau, commander of the Viet Nam Veterans of America, Evangeline Parish Chapter conducted the program. Fr. Richard Vidrine offered the invocation and benediction.

  Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel read the names of every Evangeline Parish soldier that died in combat from the Civil War through the Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

  Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine and State Representative Bernard LeBas also addressed the group assembled on courthouse square.

  The program was carried live on KVPI 1050 AM The Legend.

Classic Hits 92.5 KVPI wants to congratulate our 2018 Cajun Heartland State Fair ticket winners. We gave listeners a chance to qualify to win four sheets of ride tickets, and our winners are Rose Marcantel, Shirlene O’Connor, and Dana Launey. Keep listening to our station to find out how you too can be a winner in one of our many contests. To get more information about Cajun Heartland State Fair visit their Facebook page, or go to cajundome.com.

    The Rotary Club of Ville Platte today (Tuesday) heard from Shelby Santiago with CASA (Court Appointed  Special Advocate) for Evangeline and St. Landry Parishes. CASA volunteers represent the interest of abused and neglected children during court and child protection proceedings. They are appointed by a local judge to serve as a child’s voice in court.

    CASA is in need of additional volunteers in both of Evangeline and St. Landry Parishes. In Evangeline Parish there are 80 foster children and only 10 CASA volunteers while in St. Landry parish, there are 105 foster children and 23 volunteers in neighboring St. Landry parish. CASA has a local office at 721 West Lincoln and their phone number is 337-506-2272. Also attending was Lorenzo Richard of CASA. They were the special guests of Rotarian Mable Forman.

    In other business, Club President Wayne Vidrine announced that the Installation of Officers banquet will be held June 12 at 6;00pm at the La Veille Banque location.

   The club also approved the following:

Approved naming Peter Strawitz as Vice President;

Naming Fr. Mitch Guidry as honorary club member;

Approved a motion of $125 to the Ville Platte Boys and Girls Club;

Appoved appointing a committee to look at re-establish a scholarship fund for students attending the Coreil Campus at Louisiana Technical College.

SECRETARY OF STATE KYLE ARDOIN TAKES OATH OF OFFICE

BATON ROUGE, La.—R. Kyle Ardoin was formally sworn in today during a short ceremony at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol. Judge Yvette Alexander administered the oath of office to Ardoin who was flanked by his wife, the former Letti Lowe of Port Allen and his daughter, Abbigale.

Ardoin, a native of Ville Platte and a resident of Baton Rouge, ascends into the position of secretary of state during a critical time for the Department of State, especially in terms of elections. In attendance were family, friends, staff, elected officials and other familiar faces around state government.

“I stand before you today knowing the importance of the job that lies before me,” said Secretary Ardoin. “It’s a job that hits right at the heart of our nation’s democracy and our states’ rights. Elections. We are preparing for the mid-term congressional elections as we speak, with qualifying less than two months away,” he said. “At the same time, we are embarking on replacing our voting equipment in an effort to better secure our votes while providing voters with a quick and easy process in which to cast their ballot.”

Serving as first assistant secretary of state since 2010, Ardoin is well prepared to lead the agency and has the support of not only local election officials, but also his colleagues nationally. The National Association of Secretaries of State named Ardoin co-chairman of the coveted Elections Committee indicating he had the wholehearted support of both NASS President Connie Lawson of Indiana as well as his co-chair from New Mexico, Secretary Maggie Toulouse Oliver.

“Knowing that elections cybersecurity and technology upgrades are at the forefront of the work done in every state across our nation, I am honored to be able to engage at a national level keeping Louisiana ahead of the curve in terms of the integrity of our election process,” said Ardoin. “My intent is to provide for a smooth transition of power to a newly elected secretary of state this winter, handing over an agency that has not missed a beat or slowed down any of our efforts to provide excellent customer service.”

Secretary Ardoin will serve as Louisiana secretary of state until a special election can be held on Nov. 6, 2018 and Dec. 8, 2018 if a runoff is required. Ardoin has named to his executive team former Speaker of the House Joe Salter as first assistant secretary of state, Shanda Jones as undersecretary of management and finance and Meg Casper Sunstrom as deputy secretary for communications and outreach.

Following the resignation of District 3 School Board member Darren Vidrine, the Evangeline Parish School Board approved the appointment of his wife, Karen Vidrine to fill his position. After taking the Oath of Office, Vidrine accepted a plaque on behalf of her husband, who was unable to attend the meeting. She then, took her seat among the board.

The board received an update from Maintenance & Operations Facilitator, Jason Hazelton, concerning their school maintenance and safety walk-through inspections. Two schools were recognized for having the best inspection scores for this quarter. Janitorial staff of big school winner, Pine Prairie High School, and small school winner, Chataignier Elementary, were recognized and awarded $25 Walmart gift cards. Hazelton stated, that the purpose of these inspections is to increase safety, while “pursuing positive relationships with state agencies”.

Hazelton was also proud to announce a 76.5% decrease in deficiencies noted on Fire Marshall inspections.

Lastly, Superintendent Darwan Lazard reminded the public, that due to past school cancelations, Evangeline Parish will have school on Memorial Day, May 28^th. Lazard hoped to clear some confusion, by reminding the public that by law, students must receive 63,720 instructional minutes. Teachers are required 182 work days, and not all days will be instructional.

Other business:

- Board accepted two letters of retirement, one for Pine Prairie High School Assistant Principal, Delores Fontenot, and W.W Stewart Elementary School teacher, Angela Guidry.

- Board received EPSB sales tax review from CFO Amy Lafleur, stating that in April 2018, $689,913.39 was collected, which is $90,326.47 less than April 2017.

- Board received a special visit from Mamou High School’s new Social Media Team, who after the meeting, showed the public a video they put together.

- Low bid of $73,000.00 from Tudor, Inc. was accepted for removal and replacement of first floor wood finish in the two-story red brick building at Bayou Chicot Elementary.

- Low price quote of $10,945.00 from Jeanmard, Inc.  was accepted for metal pavilion for stem program at Chataignier Elementary School to conduct outdoor classroom activities and experiments.

   The Rotary Club of Ville Platte today (Tuesday) heard from new Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce Director Renee Brown.

   Brown told club members that she is expanding the chamber to make it a parish wide organization to include businesses throughout Evangeline Parish.

   Her goal is to promote business in Ville Platte and throughout the parish. She is planning a business forum for large businesses and industry such as Cameron and Ville Platte Iron Works.  The chamber is also preparing a small business forum. She plans to bring in groups such as the La. Workforce Commission, One Acadiana and the Louisiana Economic Development Administration to assist local business.

   Brown said her plans are to have the chamber sponsor a job fair and invite neighboring parishes to attend.

    Since there is a great need for additional machinists to be hired by local industry like Cameron and Ville Platte Iron Works, she is encouraging  Coreil Campus at South Louisiana Community College begin a machinists program at the school.

  Brown said the chamber is in the process of updating  its website to include a job page and a new app that can be downloaded for businesses.

  She mentioned two new businesses that have just opened or getting to open: a new antique/ flea market business in the Lavergne Furniture business and a chef is looking to open a new restaurant in Ville Platte.

Classic hits 92.5 KVPI wants to thank all who participated in our Mother’s Day Facebook giveaway.

Our “Queen for a Day” contest was a huge success. The rules were: 1) Like our Facebook page Classic Hits 92.5 KVPI. 2) Like and share our contest post. 3) Like business pages of our contest sponsors tagged in post. 4) Comment below a picture of the mother in which you are nominating, and in 100 words or less tell us why you believe your nominee deserves to win. We received dozens of heartfelt nominations, and it wasn’t easy, but our judges have picked our winner.

Congratulations to our KVPI Queen for a Day, Misty Tingle. Misty was nominated by her daughter, Paige Bordelon. Paige commented, “I’m nominating the strongest woman I’ve ever met! I’m beyond blessed to call her my mom and my best friend!! She’s the glue that keeps our dysfunctional family together! I truly believe it’s her daily prayers that keep our life balanced and I am so thankful for her! She definitely deserves to be treated like a queen!” Misty will receive the following:

- 30-minute head, neck and shoulders massage with Michelle Sonnier, licensed massage therapist, at her business Myohealth Massage Therapy, located at 103 Evangeline Street in Ville Platte.

- Wood/wrought iron planter from Blake’s Gifts, located at 512 Mcarthur Street in Ville Platte.

- $50.00 meal certificate to Main Street Pub and Grill located at 205 W Main Street in Ville Platte.

- $25.00 gift certificate for gifts, and a $25.00 gift certificate for Merle Norman products from Family Hair and Gifts, located at 611 E Lincoln road in Ville Platte.

- $25.00 gift certificate to Mae's Flower Shop located at 632 W Main Street in Ville Platte.

- $50.00 meal certificate to White Tail’s Bar & Grill located at 24399 us-190 in Krotz Springs.

-$50 gift certificate from Jacki Wyble at The Wyble Collection on West Main in Ville Platte.

- $20 gift certificate from Richardson Coffee House, located at 104 Cotton Street in Ville Platte.

Thank you to our sponsors, and those who entered our contest. Classic Hits 92.5 KVPI wants to wish all moms, a very Happy Mother’s Day.

2018 Senior Day

May 10, 2018

      Seniors from all  over Evangeline Parish packed the Ville Platte Northside Civic Center today to attend the annual Senior Day event sponsored by the Evangeline parish Council on Aging.

     A Cajun band provided the music for those wanting to get on the dance floor, a cake auction, door prizes, a delicious jambalaya lunch and bingo games.

    Council on Aging Director Lisa Derouen thanked the many volunteers who helped out and the many seniors who attend the event.

    KVPI FM 92.5 was there covering it with a live remote broadcast from 10-12 noon.

Faye Lemoine, Shady Acres resident, addressed the Ville Platte City Council once again Tuesday, on the status of the city’s water project, and the long overdue work that needs to be done in their subdivision.

Mayor Jennifer Vidrine, during March’s monthly meeting, told Lemoine that the ground was too wet to begin digging in her back yard. Two months later, Mayor Vidrine states that the ground is still too wet for the contractor to work.

“I don’t know what I look like,” said Lemoine, “but I am not a fool”. Lemoine has attended City Council meetings over the past two years on behalf of Shady Acres, each time expressing frustration over the city’s slow-moving efforts. Lemoine stated, that while waiting for the past two years, they’ve flooded twice. “It’s a process.” stated District “F” Council member Bryant Riggs.

City Engineer, Ronnie Landreneau was absent, and therefore unable to comment on the matter.

Another issue revisited by the council was abandoned properties. Mayor Vidrine announced in her monthly report that 32 abandoned properties were recently added to their list. Letters will soon be sent to the property owners. Mayor Vidrine also reported that the city spent $205,694.73 in the month of April, which is $40, 626.69 less than the amount spent in March.

In other business:

Council approved official proclamation for May 2018 to be Older Americans Month. Staff of Chateau Des Amis in Ville Platte were in attendance to accept the certificate. 

Get- N- Go Drive Thru LLC, was approved for a consumption permit (license to drink on property).

The close out public hearing date for the LCDBG Sewer Project was approved for Tuesday, May 22^nd at 5:00 pm.

Council approved the hiring of Erin Clark and Andrew Clark as full-time patrolmen for the Ville Platte Police Department.

Fire Chief, Chris Harrison reported for the month of April: 21 calls, 4 of which were structural fires. No fatalities.

Chief of Police, Neil Lartigue reported for the month of April: 594 calls, 528 requiring a report, 20 citations, 50 arrests, 20 felony arrests. No fatalities.

The Rotary Club of Ville Platte met today (Tuesday) for their weekly meeting with Dr. Francisco “Nick” Cantu as the guest speaker. Dr. Cantu was the guest speaker of Rotarian Jackie Riche’.

   Dr. Cantu, a long time surgeon and family practice physician, announced that he is returning to Ville Platte to see patients at the Ville Platte Family clinic at his old medical office location. Dr. Cantu will be at the Ville Platte office on Tuesday and Thursdays while Nurse Practitioner Nicki Toussaint will see patients on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.

   Dr. Cantu is a native of Mexico and is following in the footsteps of his father who was a physician back home in his hometown. Dr. Cantu first moved to Ville Platte in 1976 after an invitation from the Humana Company who owned Ville Platte Medical Center at the time.

    He told Rotarians that he still loves taking care of patients and seeing his old patients that he treated many years ago.

    In other business,

--Club President Wayne Vidrine announced that the annual Rotary Installation banquet is set for June 12;

--announced that the recipients of this year’s Rotary’s Rylla Youth scholarships are: Callie Ann Pitre and Darelyn Lachney, both 12 grade students. Each student will receive a $1250 scholarship.

--received news from Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine that registration is now going on at city hall through May to begin a new city basketball league that will take place all summer long. The fee is $50 for youth age 7-8 and $75 each for those age 9-14.

District 7 Police Juror, Bryan Vidrine, proposed two ordinances during Monday’s monthly meeting; ordinance one, making it illegal to move/steal barricades, and ordinance two, making it illegal to drive through no wake zones during floods. There are no current ordinances set in place to deter these actions. Vidrine believes that enforcing hefty fines would help. Secretary-Treasurer, Donald Bergeron backed this idea, stating that both actions pose a danger, and added that he plans to look into it.

The jury also discussed two recent damage claims from drivers who hit a dirt pile on East Natchitoches road in Ville Platte. Public Works Director, Chester Granger stated there was” clear signage, that has met and exceeded the Department of Transportation standards”. The jury approved a motion to deny both damage claims.

During his Public Works Director report, Chester Granger informed the jury that the Department of Transportation Development inspected bridges in our area, and three bridges are currently closed due to failed inspections. The bridges on Natchitoches Rd and St. John Rd in Ville Platte, and the bridge on Bieber Rd. in Mamou are currently closed for repair.

In other business:

Secretary-Treasurer, Donald Bergeron, reported an $88,000 decrease in 2% sales tax collected in March of 2018, compared to March of 2017.

The jury approved the resignation of Gene Welch and the appointment of Michael Johnson as replacement on the Ward Four Water District board.

The jury approved the resignation of Danny Miller and the appointment of Felix Morein to the Te Mamou Water Board.

The jury approved a beer and wine permit for Chataignier Dollar General Store.

     Lana Fontenot, Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement for the South Louisiana Community College System was the featured guest speaker at today”s (Tuesday) meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club.

   Fontenot reported that South Louisiana Community College has now expanded to nine campuses in South Louisiana including Morgan City , Houma and here in Ville Platte at the C.B. Coreil Campus. The system serves over 13,000 students each year.

   She announced that two new course offerings will be offered at the Coreil Campus: a CDL program commercial truck driver course which is a seven week course and a Certified Nursing Assistant program. Also, the New Iberia campus will be offering a course to become a pilot  as well as oil and gas production.

   The system has constructed a new health and science building for its Lafayette campus and a new campus in St. Martinville.

    With dwindling state funding, the system is partnering more with business and industry to help with the costs. State funding has decreased for the past nine years. She was the special guest of Rotarian Richard LeJeune.

   Also speaking was Yvonne Normand of Opelousas with the Opelousas Rotary Sunrise Club. Normand praised the Ville Platte club’s Interact youth for their participation in the Interact Summer camp. Normand will be the District Governor for the 2020-2021 rotary year.