Local High School Football Scores - Week of November 23rd (Third Round Playoffs)

Friday, November 27th

Class 2A

-Arcadia 22, Basile 20 (KVPI Game of the Week)

*Scores come from the Associated Press (AP). If scores are incorrect or you have scores from teams you feel should be included, please comment and we will see about updating this page accordingly.

VILLE PLATTE ROTARY CLUB

NOVEMBER 24, 2015

     The Rotary Club of Ville Platte today (Tuesday) heard from new LSU-Eunice Chancellor Dr. Kimberly Russell. Dr. Russell has served for the past sixteen years  at Tyler Jr. College in Tyler, Texas.

     In her comments to the Rotary Club, Dr. Russell said LSU E is partnering with business and industry in the Lake Charles area to pre for the 62 billion dollar investment in the oil and gas industry. She said the region will need nurses and other professions to meet the growing demand. The region is expecting to grow in population by 50,000.

     She reported LSU Eunice is looking to meet industry needs in the Lafayette and St. Landry parish areas. She noted that that the Krotz Springs area will be getting a $400 million dollar investment that will create 300 new jobs.

    LSU Eunice will be expanding its nursing program since there is a shortage of nurses. The college is working with the C.E.O’s of local hospitals to assist in filling the need.

    She recognized Dr. Renee Robicheaux who accompanied her who is in charge of the nursing program.

    It was reported that LSU E students transfer at a much higher rate than average two year universities. She said the average tutition cost for a student at LSU in Baton Rouge is $12,000 a year while at LSU E is only $3500 a year, much more affordable for the average family. Rotarian Dr. Ted Ardoin was in charge of the program.

    In other news, it was announced by Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine that the holiday lights will be turned on December 1 on city streets and at city hall.

   Rotary Club members welcomed its newest member Maggie Ortego from Cabot Corporation.

ELECTION RETURNS

NOVEMBER 21, 2015

        Complete but unofficial election returns from Saturday’s runoff elections in Evangeline Parish shows that Daniel Arvie was elected as new juror in District 9 with 54% of the vote over his opponent Shawn Gallow who got 45 % of the vote. Arvie was elected with 792 votes to Gallow’s 652 votes.

       Basile area voters overwhelmingly approved an 8.5 million dollar bond issue to construct new classrooms for Basile schools. The vote 359 for the bond issue and 126 voting no.

      Voters also in the Basile area approved a 4.10 mill tax renewal for another ten years for the Acadia-Evangeline Fire Protection District. The vote was 360 yes and 129 voted no.

     Evangeline Parish voters voted in favor of an amendment to provide homestead exemption for disabled veterans. The vote was 4363 for the amendment and 1843 voting no.

     Also voters in Evangeline Parish by a 56% to 43 % margin voted for Democrat John Bel Edwards over Republican David Vitter. Edwards got 4720 votes to Vitter’s 3576 votes.

     For Lt. Governor, Republican Billy Nungesser vote 4315 votes to Democrat Kip Holden 3699 votes.

     Incumbent Attorney General Buddy Caldwell lost to challenger Jeff Landry in Evangeline Parish. Landry received 4311 vote to Caldwell’s 3364 votes.

Local High School Football Scores - Week of November 16th (Second Round Playoffs)

Friday, November 20th

Class 3A

-Iowa 41, Church Point 20

-St. James 30, Euince 19 

Class 1A

-Basile 35, Homer 7 (KVPI Game of the Week)

Class 2A

-Kinder 47, Bunkie 7

-Welsh 35, Oakdale 7

*Scores come from the Associated Press (AP). If scores are incorrect or you have scores from teams you feel should be included, please comment and we will see about updating this page accordingly.

Evangeline Parish School Board

November 18, 2015

The Evangeline Parish School Board met tonight for its bi-monthly meeting in the School Board Media Center.  Chief Financial Officer, Amy LaFleur, reported that eligible employees will be receiving a 14^th bonus check this Friday along with their regular checks.  For full-time degreed personnel the amount will be $3,428.15 and for full-time support personnel the amount will be $1,542.67.  There are stipulations as to who will be receiving the extra check, however.  The School Board will be sending everyone an email describing the criteria for receiving the funds.  She also reported that to-date the School Board has received $926,801.77 in Timber Sales; however, they have expended $758,266.54, and spent more funds in replanting and spraying the areas leaving approximately $33,000.00 received.  Ms. LaFleur also stated that they received the result of the 2014-15 Financial Risk Assessment and the School Board’s status remains in “Excellent” status.

Superintendent, Toni Hamlin, reported that currently there are negotiations in Washington D.C. being had to give more “authority” back to the states instead of leaving decisions to those in Washington.  She also stated that the school performance scores should be out soon after the Thanksgiving holidays.  She stated that all public schools and the School Board will be closed next week and will re-open on November 30^th.  She wished everyone a very nice Thanksgiving.

Rotary Club Hears from Centurylink Official

November 17, 2015

      Rotarian Benny Fontenot was the featured speaker today (Tuesday) at the Rotary Club meeting. Fontenot is the area supervisor for Centurylink and has been with the company for over 35 years. He is charge of operations for the phone company in Evangeline Parish and portions of St. Martin and Avoyelles Parishes. He mentioned when he first came to work in 1980, there were some areas of the parish that still had party line phones.

    Centurylink  has 12 employees working in the Ville Platte office and the company every year contributes to various fairs and  festivals in the area. When he first came to work in the Ville Platte office, there were 30 employees .

    He announced that Centurylink wil be receiving federal Cat funds to extend high speed internet speed to rural areas. Construction work is now going on in rural areas to upgrade internet speed throughout Evangeline Parish. The company will be spending $10 million dollars a year for the next 5 years. The service should be turned on in the first quarter of next year.

    In other rotary news, Club President Mitch Fontenot announced:

-the Rotary Club Christmas Social is planned for December 8 at the Cazan Lodge;

-reported that the “Choices” program to encourage students to stay in school will begin in December at six schools in the parish.

KVPI broadcasted the Running of The Tournoi today from the Industrial Park. The Tournoi had been rescheduled 3 times due to weather but it was a beautiful day as the riders competed. Here are the results after 3 rounds:

1st place - Eric Guillory
with 20 rings and a time of 12.53
2nd place - Alex Haller
With 19 rings and a time of 13.49
3rd place - Ryan Haller
with 18 rings and a time of 13.25
4th place - Chuck Manuel
with 18 rings and a time of 13.97
5th place - Paul Fontenot
with 17 rings with a time of 13.06
6th place - Marcus Guillory
with 16 rings with a time of 12.86
7th place - Keith Saucier
with 15 rings with a time of 13.26
8th place - Kent Saucier
with 15 rings and a time of 13.51
9th place - Cody Manuel
with 15 rings and a time of 13.56
10th place - Shane Trahan
with 15 rings and a time of 13.88
11th place - John Ross Guillory
with 14 rings with a time of 13.0
12th place - Lisa Crane
with 13 rings and a time of 12.72
Sportsmanship Trophy to Paul Fontenot and Shane Guillory
Fastest Time Trophy to Eric Guillory
Top Qualifier - John Ross Guillory

Local High School Football Scores - Week of November 9th (First Round Playoffs)

Friday, November 13th

Class 2A

-Bunkie 49, North Caddo 8

-Oakdale 34, West St. Mary 6

Class 3A

-Patterson 21, Ville Platte 16 (KVPI Game of the Week)

-Eunice 22, McMain 18

*Scores come from the Associated Press (AP). If scores are incorrect or you have scores from teams you feel should be included, please comment and we will see about updating this page accordingly.

Ville Platte City Council

November 10, 2015

The Ville Platte City Council and Mayor Jennifer Vidrine held their monthly meeting tonight at Ville Platte City Hall.  The Mayor reported that expenditures for the month of October were $195,040.12.  That number is down $137,604.99 from the month of September in which $332,645.11 was spent.  Vic Slaven updated the Council with a positive Audit Report reflecting a surplus of $427,718.00.  There was no reported overspending from the General Fund. 

An introductory ordinance was introduced by Councilman, Mike Perron, for the raising of the salaries of the sitting Councilman to $700.00 a month and for the Mayor’s Salary to be raised to $70,000.00 a year.  Councilman Perron pointed out that the mayor has been paid a lot less than other surrounding area mayors.  Mayor Vidrine advised that the City Council has not received a raise in 30 years.  There will be a public hearing on the matter December 8^th at 4:45.

Residents can take part in the Tax Sale coming up on November 18^th by logging onto thecityofvilleplatte.com or if you would like assistance, City Hall will have 2 computers set up to help those who need it. 

Chief Neal Lartigue announced the hiring of 6 new full time patrol officers: Shenell James, Kaleb Aymond, Quinton Aymond, Jawainez Freeman, Caleb Falgout and Gijuan Anderson.  Also hired as a part-time officer was Tommy Gallow, part-time dispatcher, Cheryl Fontenot and part-time jailers, Paula Thomas and Melissa Freeman.

And, lastly the Mayor announced that the Fire Chief from Baker will be bringing their 18-Wheeler Training Truck to town and will be providing free training to our firefighters.  They will also feature the truck in the Christmas Parade

Ville Platte Police Department Arrest Report

November 10, 2015

According to the Ville Platte Police Department, in October the Police Department responded to a total of 609 complaints of which 203 required reports.  Those reports included charges of vandalism, Criminal Damage, Vagrancy, Burglary, Identity Theft, Gang Fight, Cyber Stalking, Stabbing, Domestic Abuse and Home Invasion.  34 Citations were issued in October.  Those charges include Reckless Operation, Driving under Suspension, Open Container and No proof of insurance.  8 Felony arrests were made including charges of Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm, 2^nd Degree Battery, Domestic Abuse and Violation of Protection.

The following individuals were arrested over the weekend:

Charles Skinner, Age 47 of Ville Platte was arrested for Resisting an Officer and Disturbing the Peace.  Bond was set at $950.00.  He remains incarcerated.

Kimberly Candies, age 45 of Ville Platte was arrested for Theft.  Bond was set at $1,000.00 and she is currently out on bond.

Joseph Adams, Age 62 of Ville Platte was arrested for Improper Left Turn, Reckless Operation and DWI.  Bond was set at $1,400.00 and he is currently out on bond.

Christopher Messer, age 26, was arrested for Open Container and DWI.  Bond was set at $1,200.00 and he is currently out on bond.

The Evangeline Parish Police

November 10, 2015

The Evangeline Parish Police Jury met last night in the Evangeline Parish Courthouse.  The Jury set budget hearings for this Thursday, November 12^th at 9:00 a.m. and next Thursday, November 19^th also at 9:00 a.m.  Hearings will be held in the Police Jury Room in the courthouse.  The Police Jury meeting to be aired in French will be held on December 8^th at 2:00 p.m. and the Budget Meeting for the Jury to amend the 2015 Budget and pass the 2016 Budget will take place on December 28^th at 5:30 p.m.  Also, during the December 28^th meeting, approval of bids for limestone, pipe, etc., will be voted on.  The City Engineer, Ronnie Landreneau, reported that the 2% Road Project is coming to an end. And there will be one more phase that will begin in the spring.

ROTARY CLUB OF VILLE PlATTE  HEARS HOSPICE SPOKESMAN

NOVEMBER 10, 2015

         The Rotary Club of Ville Platte today (Tuesday) heard from David Cobetz with Hospice of Acadiana. He informed the Rotarians that his organization is the only non profit hospice group in Acadiana out of a total of 19 end of life care groups. Last year, Hospice of Acadiana provided $250,000 in care for the indigent for the nine parish Acadiana area that includes Evangeline Parish.

      Among the services, his group provides for is bereavement services and a special free camp for children to help deal with grief. The group has a volunteer staff of 350.

     Hospice care provides end of life care to the terminally ill who have 6 months to live or less. Hospice helps increase the quality of life.

      The group has a medical director as well as fourteen nurses that are certified in end of life care. They also provide with spiritual care with deacons and chaplains .

     Cobetz reminded club members that his group is planning a fund raising garage sale this Saturday at the Lafayette Event Center.

Local High School Football Scores - Week of November 2nd

Friday, November 6th

-Basile 20, St. Edmund Catholic 14 (KVPI Game of the Week)

-Bunkie 42, Rosepine 20

-Church Point 34, Ville Platte 6

-Delcambre 28, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte 7

-Eunice 49, Pine Prairie 6

-Oakdale 27, Holy Savior Menard 7

*Scores come from the Associated Press (AP). If scores are incorrect or you have scores from teams you feel should be included, please comment and we will see about updating this page accordingly.

Evangeline Parish School Board

November 4, 2015

The Evangeline Parish School Board held a very brief meeting in the School Board Media Center last night.  Darwin Lazard addressed the Board and advised that they have been contacted by the State Department of Education and they should be receiving the school scores on November 12^th.  The State encouraged schools to hold a “Parents Information Night” when the scores come in to explain the scores to parents.  Since most of our area schools have already held an open house for parents, they are considering having an “Assembly” type of gathering to explain the scores all at once.  Parents will be told that they are free to contact their child’s teacher for further explanation of the scores.

Schools will be closed on November 11^th in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.  Mr. Lazard stated it is important to remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

Evangeline Parish School Board

November 4, 2015

The Evangeline Parish School Board held a very brief meeting in the School Board Media Center last night.  Darwin Lazard addressed the Board and advised that they have been contacted by the State Department of Education and they should be receiving the school scores on November 12^th.  The State encouraged schools to hold a “Parents Information Night” when the scores come in to explain the scores to parents.  Since most of our area schools have already held an open house for parents, they are considering having an “Assembly” type of gathering to explain the scores all at once.  Parents will be told that they are free to contact their child’s teacher for further explanation of the scores.

Schools will be closed on November 11^th in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.  Mr. Lazard stated it is important to remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

SWINE FESTIVAL PAGEANT

NOVEMBER 1, 2015

    Despite the heavy rains Saturday , the Basile High Gym was packed with family and friends viewing the various pageants. The event began at 8:00am and ended at 9:00pm.

   Selected as new 2015 Miss Swine Festival Queen is Emily Lynn Vidrine, the daughter of Wayne and Jenny Vidrine of Ville Platte. Emily was also chosen as Most Photogenic;  First Runnerup is Erin Danielle Peavy of DeRidder; Second Runnerup is Courtney Ceasar of Eunice; Third Runnerup-Lindsey Burnett of Reeves; Miss Congeniality is Dairien Janay Victorian of Oberlin.

   The new Miss Teen Queen is Bailey Nicole Miller of Basile. The new Ms. Swine Festival Queen is Jeanne Marie Chatelain of Iowa.

   The outgoing 2014 Swine Festival Queen was Drew Ann Raca of Lacassine while the outgoing Teen Queen was Patricia Marasigan of Basile.

    The new Swine Festival King is Mark Layne, General Manager of KVPI. Last year’s King was Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel. The royalty will be riding in the Swine Festival Parade Sunday afternoon at 1:00pm.

    The Swine Festival Board named the late Basile High teacher Natalie Bertrand as  Parade Marshal. Her family was there Saturday night to receive an award in her honor and her family will take her place in the parade Sunday.