Congratulations to our grand prize winner, Katie Lafleur, who came in today to pick up her four grand prize tickets to enjoy a fantastic night out Friday at Cafe Evangeline for their sold out show featuring Tommy McLain, Steve Riley and C.C.Adcock.

The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from Sam Farr, with Pelican Truck Insurance in Denham Springs. Farr discussed the different forms of transportation in the trucking industry. The commonly called 18 wheelers are tractor trailer rigs. Some of the rigs have sleeper space for the long haul driver. Another part of the industry are hot shot companies. Hot shots are usually pickup trucks with trailers that deliver parts and materials in the oil industry for immediate delivery. There are different types of trailers including refrigerated, dry van and flatbed that determine what kind of cargo they are hauling. Drivers have to keep good logs and now the industry is making drivers use e-logs to avoid incorrect entries. Farr was the special guest of his father, Rotarian Allen Farr. In other news, club members were reminded that the Christmas social is set for December 11 at 6:00pm. Also, Chamber Executive Director Renee Brown reminded club members that the Chamber Christmas parade is set for Sunday at 5;30pm down Main Street. There will be a Christmas social for chamber members immediately after the parade at Café Evangeline. Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine said city work crews are working hard to get the Christmas lights up along Main Street in time for the Christmas parade.

The annual KVPI Turkey Shoot contest ended today with a lot of turkey winners. Our listeners called when they heard the shotgun blast cue to call for a chance to win a turkey for Thanksgiving. Congratulations to our turkey winners: Julia Guillory, Troy Guillory. Jeanette Dupre, Emily Wedlock, Rachel Marcantel, Kenneth West, Phyliss Stagg, Sonya Bordelon Jeanette Guillory,, Tony Godeau, Bridget Catoire, Angie Briley, Michael Fontenot, Vickie Deshotel, Tracy Veillon, David Ardoin, Debra Adams, Rita Comeaux, Rhonda LeJeune, Cindy Brown, Ricky Ben, and Tara Lafleur. Special thanks to our sponsors: Teets Food Store, Paul's Meat Market, Piggly Wiggly, Champagne's and Wal-Mart.

The 4-H Club took center stage at today's (Tuesday) meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club at the Family Life Center. Evangeline Parish 4-H Club Agent Kim Deville expressed her thoughts that the 4-H program helps inspire school students become better public speakers and to become leaders in their schools and later in public life. Two 4-H students shared their experiences with Rotary Club members: Sam Gil and Jose Deshotel. Both students expressed their appreciation for the 4-H program through its many workshops, educational programs and Jr. Leadership club. School students as young as Third graders can join the program. Both Gil and Deshotel were involved in planning the annual 4-H Technology and Science Camp. The two students are also seeking state offices in the state 4-H club organization. The visitors were guests of Rotarian Eric Gil. Club President Elect Nicole Wenger announced that the annual Christmas social is scheduled for December 11 at the Knob Hill camp on Chicot Park road. Rotary Club Director Renee Brown announced that the Chamber Christmas Social will be held December 2 from 5:30-7:30pm at Café Evangeline.

In a special ceremony today, Sacred Heart High Senior Karli Fontenot officially signed with the LSU Eunice Lady Bengals softball team. Karli is the daughter of Bridget and John Fontenot. She has been a star player with the Lady Trojans throughout her high school years. She has played shortstop at the school. Her brothers have excelled in sports. Kagan Jones signed with Nichols State and at LSU Alexandria and played at Kansas. Her other brother Caleb Fontenot played at McNeese and is playing with the Texas Rangers. KVPI Sports congratulates Karli Fontenot for her accomplishments.

The Evangeline Parish School Board met Wednesday evening at the media center. Superintendent Darwin Lazard announced that the District Performance Score (DPS) is 76.4. State Superintendent John White predicted dramatic drops, but Lazard commended the hard work of personnel, teachers, principals, and support staff who work along with the students. "We're not completely satisfied where we are, but we're happy where we are, and we are looking forward to continuing to climb to the top [...] We feel like we're headed in the right direction," he said, adding, "Probably few people in the state of Louisiana can explain the kind of magic dust that's used to calculate the formula, but we live and die by them." He went on to congratulate Mamou Elementary, Vidrine Elementary, and James Stephens Montessori for being recognized as top gains schools because they were able to raise their students at a higher level and higher percentage than many of the other schools in the state. He said the district graduation rate, under the new formula, is 80.5 B; under the old formula it would have been 68.5 C. School Board President Wayne Dardeau said the business with School Performance Scores and District Performance Scores is difficult to understand for the general public because of way they are scored, and the big concern the public has is Common Core. He, along with board member Scott Limoges, mentioned that citizens should pay attention to BESE Board candidates in the election next year because it's the BESE Board that comes up with the scoring system. BESE (Board of Elementary and Secondary Education) has the authority to create polices that govern the statewide operations of schools. In other business, CLECO Energy Efficient Consultant, Gary Guidroz, announced that, through CLECO's Power Wise Program, they are giving the EPSB an incentive in the amount of $20,000 for 2018 due to the LED retrofits being installed in parish schools. Guidroz said the energy-efficiency program is offered to anyone with a CLECO account. EPSB Maintenance & Operational Facilitator Jason Hazelton said the LED retrofits are coming along nicely so far in Bayou Chicot Elementary. He was pleased with the work accomplished so far. In other action, the board considered a motion to approve renewal of ISU Lemoine Insurance Agency as their insurance agent for a three-year term, but board member Mike Fontenot had some trepidation about being locked into a three-year term. The insurance agency agreed to a 30 day back-out clause. The board agreed to the three-year term with a 30 day back-out clause. The school board won a drawing for a $2,000 CNC simulator for a machinist to learn how to program, provided by the Hayes Foundation. Powel Industries then donated $5,000 simulation software to help start the machinist program. Lazard said there's a need for machinists in Evangeline Parish, and this donation will help to fill those jobs. In other business, the board approved: • chrome books and carts for several schools in the parish. • a motion to ratify an agreement with ABA School Consultants, LLC for psychologist services • a motion to ratify an agreement with First Choice Therapy, Inc. for physical therapy services. • Permission to accept low bid prices for large equipment for the Child Nutrition Program. In closing comments, Superintendent Lazard congratulated Bayou Chicot Elementary band students, Grace Bordelon and Connor Deville, who made it to the district honor band. Their band teacher is John Hovard.

Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue reports arrest in rape case. Chief Neal Lartigue with the Ville Platte Police Department reports an arrest in an aggravated rape case which dates back to 1995. The original report was filed in June of 1995 in which it was reported that a black male subject stopped at a residence and asked for water, then kicked in the door of the residence and raped the homeowner. The victim was 47 years old at the time of the reported attack and died in 2004 before the suspect was identified. The Acadiana Crime Lab recently reported to the Detectives at the Ville Platte Police Department that they had a DNA match on the suspect which resulted in an arrest in the 23 year old case. Allen Reed Richard, 57, last reported address of 501 West Wilson Street in Ville Platte, was arrested on November 10, 2018 and booked into the Ville Platte City Jail on 1 count of aggravated rape. Richard was then transferred to the Evangeline Parish Jail on a $350,000.00 bond. Chief Neal Lartigue reminds citizens to report suspicious or illegal activity immediately by calling the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313. Your call will remain anonymous.

The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from Dr. Ellis Landreneau, a pediatrician, who just opened his temporary medical office in Ville Platte. Dr. Landreneau, a native of the Ville Platte, is the son of Ricky and Ginger Landreneau and the grandson of Jake and Jeannie Ardoin. Dr. Landreneau introduced his wife, Christina, a physician assistant. His medical clinic, Evangeline Pediatrics, is open to take care of young people from birth to age 18. His temporary office is located next to the Wellness Center. His new office is due to be opened after the first of the year on West Main. Dr. Landreneau was the special guest of Rotarian Brent Coreil. In other news, Vice President Nicole Wenger announced the annual rotary club Christmas social is planned for Dec. 11 at 6:00pm at the Knob Hill Lodge on Chicot Park lodge; Also the annual Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade is scheduled for Sunday Dec. 2 at 5;30pm.

The Ville Platte City Council Tuesday approved the appointment of two new fulltime police officers and one part time jailer. Police Chief Neal Lartigue reported this bring the total number to 26 officers. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine reminded the city council that the city will enforce the agreement new officers agree to. The agreement calls for new officers must stay in the force for at least two years or reimburse the city for their expenses for the training and uniform expenses. Some officers are not following the agreement and are leaving early for better paying jobs elsewhere. In other business, Todd Morein asked the city if they had decided on his offer that he made in January to install equipment on the city water tower to provide a local internet service to give citizens a choice. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine said the issue is the legality over whether the city can permit a private company to use the publicly owned water tower to provide an internet service. The city asked AT&T to invite a spokesman appear at their next meeting on their request for city permission to erect a 265 foot cell phone tower inside the city limits. In other action the city: Appointed Donald Ray Jones to the City Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board; Received word that expenses increased in October over September by $16,180 primarily because of audit expenses; Received a report from the city police in October, there were 437 calls, 14 traffic citations, 75 arrests and 16 felony arrests and worked 32 traffic accidents; Applied for a $50,000 Community Water Enrichment Fund grant for a communications and control system for the city water system; Approved a liquor permit for the Louisiana Mart store, formerly K&B at 1215 West Lincoln.

The annual Veterans Day program sponsored by American Legion Post 123 was held today in Mamou. Despite the cold northerly winds, crowds gathered along the parade route along Sixth Street to view the Veterans Day parade. The crowds then gathered in front of the Legion post Home for the program. Legion Commander Charles Perdices was the emcee. Guest speaker was Col. Jarrett Thomas , commander at Fort Polk. He has served tours of duty in Kuwait and Afghanistan. Others who spoke include Judge Chuck West and Judge Gary Ortego along with Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel. The fund raising cake auction took place and a flag ceremony. The Mamou Elementary French Immersion students said the Pledge of Allegiance in French. The Classic Hits 92.5 road crew, Annona Balfa and Mark Layne covered the events live. The following students were awarded for their shoe box float displays: 1st and Second Grade- 1st Place- Molly Ramsey; 2nd Place- Floyd Fontenot Jr. 3rd Place- Isabelle Bonnette and Honorable Mention- Brian Jarvis; 3rd and 4th Grade- 1st Place- Colby LaSage; 2nd place- Danilyn Landreneau, 3rd Place- Riley Rudd and Honorable Mention- Ryan Bonnette; 5th and 6th Grade- 1st Place- Carlee Rudd, 2nd Place- Angenetta Anderson; Veterans Day Eassay Contest Winners: 4th Grade- Amber Aymond's Class- 1st Place- Kyra Fuselier, 2nd Place- Syndi James, 3rd Place- Tyler Coward; Kelli Shatzle's Class- 1st Place- Cayla Dougherty. 2nd Place- Da'nyzsha Thomas and 3rd Place- Autumn Martel; 5th Grade: Macy Russell Class- 1st Place- Carlee Rudd, 2nd place- Kaityn Fontenot and 3rd Place- Kayla Dies; Amanda Deville Class: 1st Place- Javien Charles, 2nd Place- Aryn Reed and 3rd Place- Abram Spears.

Election Returns November 6, 2018 A large turnout of voters went to the polls Tuesday on election day in all areas of Evangeline Parish that matched the large number of early voters. Complete but unofficial returns show the following: For Secretary of State –In Evangeline Parish- Incumbent Kyle Ardoin was the top vote getter with 3129 votes or 30 percent of the vote. Coming in a close second was Turkey Creek Mayor Heather Cloyd who received 2972 votes. Gwen Collins Greenup received 1311 votes Renee Fontenot Free received 1193 votes, Thomas Kennedy had 535 votes, Rick Edmonds with 460 votes, Julie Stokes with 423 votes, A.G. Crowe with 216 votes and Matt Moreau received 108 votes. For Congress in the Fourth District in Evangeline Parish, incumbent Mike Johnson easily carried the parish with 7072 votes, Ryan Trundle with 2537 votes and Mark David Halverson with 246 votes. School Board District Three Incumbent Karen Vidrine was relected over challenger Ted Soileau. Vidrine received 451 votes to Soileau's 271 votes. School Board District Ten, incumbent Arthur Savoy won reelection with 599 votes over challenger Maggie Ortego who got 435 votes. In School Board District 12, incumbent Ellis Guillory Sr. was reelected with 303 votes over challenger Calvin LeDay Jr, who got 287 votes. In the School Board District 13 seat, Incumbent Georgianna Wilson beat challenger Chris Guillory by 30 votes. Wilson received 465 votes while Guillory got 435 votes. In the City of Ville Platte, Mayor Jennifer Vidrine easily won reelection receiving 1806 ovtes to Kevin Lafleur's 696 votes. For Chief of Police in Ville Platte, Incumbent Neal Lartigue was relected. Lartigue got 1480 votes while his challenger Linton Fontenot received 1068 votes. For District A in Ville Platte, Challenger Faye Lemoine with 275 votes defeated incumbent councilman C.J. Dardeau who received 113 votes; District D in Ville Platte In an open race with no incumbent, Coach Lionel Anderson with 239 votes deafeated Shanky Thomas who received 188 votes. In District E in Ville Platte, Incumbent Donald Sam beat challenger Lucian McKenny Jr who received 191 votes. For District F in Ville Platte, Bryant Riggs, the incumbent received 225 votes to challenger Kathan Arvie who got 103 votes. For the Town of Mamou, Mayor Ricky Fontenot won relection with 702 votes over his two challengers: Gerald Fontenot with 3 59 votes and David Charlie with 60 votes. For Mamou Police Chief, Incumbent Brent Zackery received 571 votes will go into a runoff with second place finisher Charles Perdices with 312 votes. Michael Thomas received 218 votes and Michael Gorilla Fruge received 50 vote. For Alderman District 1 in mamou-Derrel Sheaky Thomas beat incumbent Freddie Matthew,198 votes to 143 votes; For Alderman District 2 in Mamou, Brook Chapman was elected with 133 votes to his challenger, Clayton Tiny McGee received 94 votes.Alderman District 3- Incumbent Charles Reed got 148 votes while challenger Glynn Brunet who got 104 votes. For Chataignier Mayor, incumbent Jackie Malveaux Thomas with 52 votes lost to challenger Justin Darbonne who got 107 votes; For Basile Chief of Police: incumbent Allen Ivory Jr. defeated his challenger, Ivory Thomas: Allen Ivory jr. received 219 votes; For Aldermen in Basile where three are to be elected, here are the voter getters; Bron Dubroc with 214 votes, Kenny Burgess with 181 votes, Kristy Miller with 174 votes, Caleb Delafosse. For alderman in Chataignier, three to be elected: Carilyn Tu Arvie with 112 votes, Deba Fontenot with 90 votes, John Brasseaux for 60 votes;. Out of the seven amendments to the state constitution, five out of the seven amendments were approved by parish voters;

Jerrie LeDoux, aide to Congressman Mike Johnson was the guest speaker at today's (Tuesday) meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club held at the Family Life Center. Congressman Johnson was elected two years ago in 2016 by the highest vote margin in 50 years. His fourth district covers a 15 parish area all the way from the Arkansas line down south to Sunset and Grand Coteau. LeDoux represents Evangeline, St. Landry, Beauregard and Allen parishes. She reported that the 44 year old Congressman is a constitutional attorney who specializes in religious freedom issues. He and his wife are the parents of four children. His routine is he flies to Washington DC on Monday from his home in North Louisiana. He sleeps in his office and showers in the capital basement. He returns home on Fridays. Despite being a freshman congressman, he has been able to pass eight pieces of legislation. He serves a member of the Natural Resources Committee. LeDoux said she can help local residents with federal agencies such as the Veterans Agency, I.R.S., U.S.D.A., helping to support federal grant applications and appointments to military academies. She told club members that the state may lose a congressional seat in the next census because of a population drop. She was the guest speaker of Rotarian Bill Brunet. Club President Peter Strawitz welcomed three members to the club: Debra Vidrine, Billy Fontenot and Michael Lemoine. It was announced that the club was able to donate $2000 to the Hurricane Florence Relief Fund. Club members are reminded to make donations for the "Toys for Ville Platte" project and Christmas baskets to needy local families.