KVPI has learned that learned that Swamp Pop Legend Clint West died today (Tuesday) at 3;00pm  surrounded by his children at Opelousas General Hospital after a long illness according to his son, Coby Guillory. The news came from his son, Coby Guillory. Clint West, whose real name is Clinton Joseph Guillory age 77. His arrangements have not been set by his family. He is survived by four sons: Chauncey Guillory of Prairie Rhonde, Clinton Guillory of Lafayette, Coby Guillory of Oberlin and Josh Guillory of Lafayette. He is also survived by his daughter: Felicia Guillory of Pine Prairie.

   Clint began his music career as a drummer in a Cajun band, the Vidrine Playboys. He later recorded with the Boogie Kings. He recorded many of his songs with Jin Records. One of his most popular songs through the years was his version of “Big Blue Diamonds”.

   KVPI FM plans to do a special spotlight of his music all day Friday as well as play back one of his interviews he did with us.

Ville Platte Rotary Club Hears New School Program

June 28, 2016

       The Ville Platte Rotary Club today(Tuesday) heard from School Superintendent Toni Hamlin and her guests discuss a new school program designed to have more students earn a high school diploma. 

       Roxanne West, Supervisor of Special Education, said the new program is called “community based employment”. She said the goal is give students with disabilities a job training skill and leave school with a high school diploma.

     Kelly Lafleur, Ville Platte High Principal, announced she has taken special training to help train students to prepare for the work force through a “customer service” course.

    Tracy Jagneaux, Ville Platte High teacher and coach will be working directly with students in this new program. Initially, the program will be targeting 5-10 students at Ville Platte High and later will expand to students at Mamou and Pine Prairie.  Jagneaux is asking business owners in the Ville Platte area to permit some of these students to come work to gain important work and business skills. The students will not be paid by the businesses. He is also asking business leaders for input on how to improve the program and to spread the word to other businesses about this program. He said the ultimate goal is to educate and train the students to be productive and tax paying citizens.

    This was out going Rotary Club President Mitch Fontenot’s final program. Beginning in July, new club President Peter Strawitz will begin his administration and conducting the weekly club meetings.

    One of the highlights of the annual Smoked Meat Festival is the world championship smoked meat cook off. There were 100 entries that the judges had to sample Saturday. Here are the results of the 2016 Smoked Meat Cook Off:

Grand Champion Winners: Professional Category- Big Mamou Cajun Beef Jerky with Head Chef Damian Douget.  The Amateur Category Winner-Evangeline Bank Team 2 with Head Chef Bill Brunet.

Best Dressed Team: First Place- Cameron; Second Place- Evangeline Bank and Third Place- Citizens Bank.

Best Decorated Booth- First Place- Bryan Vidrine and Boucanee Coullions for “Hunters Paradise”; Second Place- Evangeline Bank for “Bankopoly”; Third Place- Team B&S for “Under the Sea”.

In the Professional Division:

Sausage, Andouille and Pounce Category- First Place- Big Mamou Beef Jerky; Second Place- Team B&S; and Third Place-Shake and Bake Uptown Cakes;

Tasso Category- Big Mamou Cajun Beef Jerky; Second Place- Papa Gator Seasoning; Third Place- Team B&S;

Smoked Seafood Category: First Place- Papa Gators Seasoning; Second Place- First Student Team 1; Third Place- Mercy Regional Medical Center Team 2;

Smoked Poultry Category: First Place- Teet’s Food Store Team 2; Second Place-Papa Gaor Seasoning; Third Place- Rep. Bernard LeBas;

Smoked Game Category: First Place- Papa Gators Seasoning; Second Place- Teet’s Food Store Team 1; Third Place- Mercy Regional Medical Center Team 2;

Barbecue/Smoker Category: First Place- Big Mamou Cajun Beef Jerky; Second Place- Mercy Regional Medical Center Team 2; Bryan and the Boucanee Coullion.

In the Amateur Division:

Sausage, Andouille, Pounce Category: First Place- Evangeline Bank Team 1; Second Place- Mercy Regional Medical Center Team 1; Third Place- Cajun Grillerz.

Tasso Category: First Place- Evangeline Bank Team 1; Second Place- Fontenot and Associates; Third Place- Citizens Bank Team 2.

Smoked Seafood Category: First Place- Cameron Team 1; Second Place- Citizens Bank Team 1 and Third Place- Evangeline Bank Team 1;

Smoked Poultry Category: First Place- Citizens Bank Team 1; Second Place- Martinique Cookers; Third Place- Suddenlink.

Smoked Game Category: First Place- Cedar Lodge Taxidermy; Second Place- Cameron Team 2 and Third Place- Napa/Total Automotive.

Barbecue/Smoker Category: First Place- Evangeline Bank Team 2; Second Place- Suddenlink and Third Place- Martinique Cookers.

Special thanks to Virginia Coreil Shiver for the report.

The Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce met today at Noon at Main Street Pizza and Pub.  The Guest Speaker was Paul Mathews with the Port of New Orleans.  Mathews is originally from Pineville and attended University of Louisiana at Lafayette to achieve his MBA.  He talked about the workings of the Port of New Orleans and it being a deep-draft multipurpose port at the center of the world’s busiest port system.  The Port’s facilities include 20 million square feet of cargo handling area, more than 3.1 million square feet of covered storage area and 1.7 million square feet of cruise and parking facilities.  The Port of New Orleans handled 1,023,700 passengers in 2015, breaking the million-passenger milestone for the second consecutive year.  He had others with him who will be judging the Smoked Meat Cook-off this weekend.  Valerie Cahill of Hotel Cazan presented the judges as: Jane E. Booth, founder & partner of Booth & Booth Law Firm; Lori G. Murphy, owner & publisher of Inside New Orleans and Inside Northside magazines; Liz Williams, founder of Southern Food & Beverage Museum and President of Nation Food & Beverage Foundation; Dr. Myron Moorehead, nationally recognized OB/GYN, former King of Zulu and practicing attorney; Hervin Guidry, practicing attorney; Christophe Bela Szapary, attorney & partner of Provosty & Gankendorff, LLC; and Paul G. Aucoin, Executive Director of the Port of South Louisiana, serves on the Board of Directors for the New Orleans World Trade Center.

New Board Member for the Chamber were introduced.  Amy Dupre, Nicole G. Wenger and Michael John Lemoine will replace Randy Deshotel, Hillery hill and Judy Guillory. 

The next meeting will be held Wednesday, July 20^th at Main Street Pizza & Pub at Noon.

      The Evangeline Parish Sales and Use Tax Commission met Wednesday for their monthly meeting. Commission Director Mike Veillon released a report on the comparison on sales tax collections for May of this year as compared to May of last year. Every single municipality and government body showed a decrease from last year.

    Parish wide, sales tax collections were $1.4 million dollars in May of 2016, a 7.88 per cent decrease from May of 2015.

    In municipalities, Turkey Creek reported $12,353 in sales tax for May, a 55 percent drop from May of last year. The Town of Basile showed a 40 percent drop in sales tax collections for the month of May., Basile collected $16,957. The Village of Chataignier collected $2215 in sales taxes for May, that is a drop of 34 percent from last year. Pine Prairie taxes totaled $23,860 for May, a 21 percent drop from May of last y ear. The Town of Mamou collected $48,743, a drop of 8 percent. Ville Platte collected $229,310 in sals taxes, that is a decrease of $7900 or a 3 percent drop from May of last year.

     For parish government agencies, the police jury showed collected $234,036 for May, a decrease of 8 percent. Both the Solid Waste Commisison and the Evangeline Parish School Board showed a 7 percent decrease in sales taxes. The school board collected $572,368 whole the solid waste commission collected $286,184.

Evangeline Parish – Shortly before 1:30 am on June 24, 2016, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a single vehicle fatality crash on LA 376 near Mayeauxville Road. The crash took the life of 22 year old Brian Anderson of Mamou, LA.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Anderson was traveling southbound on LA 376 in a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe. For unknown reasons, Anderson ran off of the right side of the roadway and overcorrected left, causing his vehicle to overturn. Anderson was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Anderson sustained severe injuries and was transported to Savoy Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

It is unknown if impairment was a factor in this crash, but a toxicology sample was taken from Anderson and sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that all occupants of a motor vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and avoiding all distractions can often mean the difference between life and death.

Ville Platte Rotary Club holds Installation of Officers

June 21, 2016

        The Rotary Club of Ville Platte , Tuesday, held its annual installation of officers headed up by new club President Peter Strawitz. Past District Governor Linwood Broussard installed all the new club officers during the event.

     The new slate of officers are: President-Peter Strawitz, President Elect -Wayne Vidrine; Vice President-Annette Johnson; Treasurer-Vic Slaven; Secretary- Janice Helmer; Sgt. at Arms- Dr. Jerry Veillon ; Past President-Mitch Fontenot and new board members: Nicole Wegner, Larry Lachney, Dr. Jerry Veillon, Peggy Tate and Dr. Hosea “Joey” Soileau.

      Recognized were two first time Paul Harris Fellows who donated $1000 each to the Rotary Foundation: John Mayeaux and Steve Phillips. Also recognized as a major donor to the Rotary Foundation was Leonard Fontenot. Fontenot was named “Rotarian of the Year” for his 28 years of service to the club.

    Outgoing Club President Mitch Fontenot said he was pleased with the weekly programs and speakers this past year. His personal favorite guest speaker was U.L. Baseball Coach Tony Robicheaux.  He announced that the annual LSU-E scholarship fundraiser increased this year to $5000. Fontenot also said the club sponsored “Choices” program was a big success. The club sends volunteer members to encourage over 300 8^th grade students in parish schools to stay in school and make the right choices.  Currently the club membership is at 49.

    New Club President Peter Strawitz told club members and invited guests that he wants to continue the efforts made this past year by club leaders. Among his goals, Strawitz wants to emphasize are:  improve literacy in our community by working with our library and schools; review the by-laws of the club; continue the choices program; increase membership and support the Sacred Heart Interact club.

According to the Ville Platte Police Department, the following individuals have been recently arrested and booked into the Ville Platte City Jail:

Alice Arvie, 43 of W. Long Street, V.P. – Arrested for Theft of Goods and out on a $500.00 bond;

Roderick Rodriguez, 27 of 4^th Street, V.P. – Arrested for Possession of Schedule I and out on a $2,500.00 bond;

Jeremy Semien, 35 of E. Pine, V.P. – Arrested for Telephone Harassment and out on a $1,000.00 bond;

Michael Dupuis, Jr., 37 of Colt Ave., V.P. – Arrested for Theft of Goods with a bond set at $500.00;

Carlos Sanders, 28 of Cherry Street, V.P. – Arrested for Remaining After Forbidden and currently incarcerated with a $1,000.00 bond;

Mario Wilson, 27 of Angus Rd., V.P. – Arrested for Resisting Arrest and Possession of Marijuana and currently incarcerated with a $3,250.00 bond;

Kelly Campbell, 39 of Virginia Road, Church Point – Arrested for Driving Under Suspension and Wrong Way on a One Way and currently incarcerated with a $1,500.00 bond;

James Williams of County Road 128 – Arrested for Resisting Arrest/Improper Lane Usage/Driving Under Suspension/Open Container and Flight from an Officer.  Williams is currently incarcerated with a $1,200.00 bond;

Carlos Chapman, 45 of MLK Drive – Arrested for No Vehicle Registration/No Proof of Insurance/Careless Operation/Possession of Schedule 1 and currently out on a $3,900.00 bond;

Artrell Denton, 28 of Young Street – Arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery and currently incarcerated with a $1,000.00 bond;

Elton Arvie, 58 of East Hickory – Arrested for Driving Under Suspension and currently incarcerated on a $1,000.00 bond;

Deborah Veillon, 34 of Kembo Street, V.P. – Arrested for Remaining After Forbidden and currently incarcerated with a $500.00 bond; and

Zacarie Fontenot, of Lanse Bleu Road – Arrested for DWI 1^st Offense/No Inspection Sticker/No Driver’s License/Switched Plate/Wrong Way on a One Way and currently incarcerated with an $1,800.00 bond

According to the Mamou Police Department, on June 8, 2016, Mamou Police responded to a male subject holding a female and her two children with a knife.  It was learned that Deandre Bellard, 21 years old, went into the residence in Mamou asking to use the phone and that is when Deandre pulled out the knife and forced his way into the home.  While in the home, Deandre and the victim got into a struggle over a gun the victim had.  During the struggle, Deandre stabbed the victim once in her upper thigh and once in his side torso.  When Corporal Ethan Johns and Officer Dagan Soileau arrived on the scene, the female screamed for help and Corporal Johns and Officer Soileau made entry into the home.  Chief Zackery was able to remove the female victim from the residence while Officers attempted to apprehend the suspect.  Deandre then barricaded himself inside a bedroom before busting through the bedroom window where he exited the home and a foot chase ensued and Deandre was apprehended by Officer Soileau and Chief Zackery on the 500 block of 8^th Street.  The female victim was transported to Lafayette General Medical Center by Acadian Ambulance for her injuries.  She is doing well.  Deandre was booked into the Mamou Police Department for Attempted First Degree Murder, Home Invasion, 2 counts of Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Resisting an Officer, Simple Battery and Misrepresentation During Booking.  He was transported to the Evangeline Parish Jail on a $707,000.00 bond where he remains in custody.  Chief Zackery would like to thank all of his officers involved in this case for a job well done and to Acadian Ambulance.

CORRECTED

According to Mamou Police Chief, Brent Zackery, the following individuals were arrested in the Month of May by the Mamou Police Department:

Elaine Freeman of Jackson, MS for Simple Kidnapping;

Aaron Savant of Mamou, LA for Driving under Suspension

Johnathan Malveaux of Mamou, LA for Contempt of Court Warrants

Floyd Weston of Mamou, LA for Driving Under Suspension

Helan Fontenot of Ville Platte, LA for Contempt of Court Warrant

Arthur Drummond of Mamou, LA for Domestic Abuse Battery

Justin Pierce of Basile, LA for Driving Without a Driver’s License

Gideon Joseph of Ville Platte, LA for 3 Stop Sign Violations, Driving Left of Center, Open Container, Reckless Operation of a Vehicle, Aggravated Flight from an Officer and Suspended Driver’s License.

Lance Duplechain of Mamou, LA for Contempt of Court

Leeann Fontenot of Mamou, LA for Theft

Casey Balfa of Mamou, LA for Unauthorized Use of an Access Card – 54 Counts

Antoinial Miller of Mamou, LA for Open Container and Possession of Schedule 2 Narcotics

Wilson Vallery of Church Point, LA for Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile, Sexual Battery and 1^st Degree Rape.

Yarnell Green of Mamou, LA for Aggravated Assault

Darrin Guidry of Eunice, LA for Possession of Schedule 1 Narcotic and Drug Paraphernalia

Lane Bergeron of Mamou, LA for Possession of Schedule 1 Narcotics

Morgan Brown of St. Landry, LA for Possession of Schedule I and Schedule II Narcotics with Intent to Distribute

Markey Freeman of Mamou, LA for Domestic Abuse

Derantae Williams of Mamou, LA for 2^nd Degree Battery

Shereka Patin of Mamou, LA for Suspended Driver’s License

Joseph Foret of Mamou, LA for Theft

Tracia Fontenot of Ville Platte, LA for Possession of Crystal Meth

Jordan Richard of Mamou, LA for Simple Criminal Damage to Property

Rusty Jack of Mamou, LA for Domestic Abuse Battery

The Evangeline Parish School Board held its bi-monthly meeting Wednesday in the School Board Media Center.  It was a short summer meeting where it was reported by CFO, Amy Lafleur that the Board’s sales tax collection for the month of May was down by $40,865.20.  For the year so far, collection is down by $253,450.04 and there is one month left to go for the year. 

School Superintendent, Toni Hamlin, announced that she attended the Superintendent Summit Conference where the group heard from Governor John Bel Edwards.  She said although he spoke well to the crowd, there wasn’t really much to it because he doesn’t know how the state budget woes are going to be handled all the way around.

She also spoke about problems the School Board has been having with mail delivery.  She pointed out that when they mail out notices and packets of information, all of the mail goes to Baton Rouge to be processed, not Lafayette.  Some of those employees who will not allow the checks to be direct-deposited and insist on a mailed check, have been receiving their checks a little late.  Some people have never received information that has been sent to them.  They will be finding alternative ways of delivering notices to School Board Members.

Ms. Hamlin also recognized Mesha Denise (Suire) Romero.  Ms. Romero was a 52- year old special education teacher who recently passed away. 

The next Executive Committee Meeting will be held on June 29^th at 4:00 p.m. and the next School Board Meeting will be held July 6^th at 6:00 p.m.

The Ville Platte City Council met Tuesday evening at Ville Platte City Hall. 

It was Budget Night as CPA, Dana Quebedeaux, explained the proposed 2016-2017 Budget to Council.  The proposed budget includes approximately $2M to be used for infrastructure and city improvements.  Almost 80% of that will be funded by Federal and State grants either already approved or being sought.  Some of the items included in the $2M include a police truck, a dump truck, city vehicles, pay increases for city employees, a 20% pay increase for the City Marshall and Chief of Police, walking trails and splash pads at area parks.  Fire department employees will see a 5% pay raise and police officers will see a $.50 an hour raise.  According to Quebedeaux, the City came in $444,780.00 under budget last year and Mayor Vidrine pointed out that for the last 3 years, the city has come in under budget.  She stated “We have so many unexpected expenses, but we continue to come in under budget.” In reference to the pay increase for police officers, the Mayor stated “We want to stay competitive in our pay.  We don’t want officers to come here and be trained and the leave to go to other departments.”

The City of Ville Platte will be receiving $1M from a LA Community Development Block Grant to repair the ailing sewer plant which was built around 1984.  The City will have a matching portion for receiving the grant of $150,000.00.  The Mayor showed a huge stack of documents that it took to receive the grant and Ville Platte was the only municipality in the area to receive the money for 2016.

The Mayor said the Summer Workers are all out in the community at places of work and there are 29 of them this Summer.  Also, the Boys & Girls Club is now up and going for Summer.  There will be another registration for the After School program that will begin in late August.  That program will focus on academics and tutoring before games and other activities at the Club.

According to Evangeline Parish Sheriff, Eddie Soileau:

The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the address of 3388 Chataignier Road Ville Platte, LA (Blue Junction Convenience Store) in reference to a Disturbance.

Deputies arrived on scene to learn that a male subject identified as Daniel Adams refused to allow his wife to leave their property. Adam’s wife was there to gather her belongings in that she would later be filing for a Divorce. Adams blocked her in the driveway at 220 Johnson Road with his truck, after which, he followed her to the Blue Junction parking lot where he struck her vehicle multiple times in the rear causing her to go off the roadway nearby. When she exited her vehicle, Adams attempted to run her over with his vehicle before she was able to make it inside the convenience store where she was able to have someone contact the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Adams was charged with Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property. Adams is currently being held at the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Jail without bond as he awaits a Gwen’s Law hearing for the Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault charge. Bond will be set at the time of hearing by 13^th Judicial Judge Chuck West. 

VILLE PLATTE ROTARY CLUB

JUNE 21, 2016

    The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from in- coming Club President Peter Strawitz at its weekly meeting.

    Strawitz, who will be installed next week as the club’s new president, said he is proud to serve as the club’s new president in its mission to serve the public. The Ville Platte club was created in 1928 while Rotary International began in 1905.

   The new club president told club members that he wants to stress and encourage literacy for the citizens of Ville Platte by partnering with the library and school system.

   He said he will be working with members of the board to review all of the by-laws of the club to see which ones need to stay and which ones are out-dated.

   Strawitz said he will urge club members to consider some of their friends as possible new club members. He also wants to promote and support the club’s Interact organization at Sacred Heart High School. He is urging members to consider serving on committees.

   Next Tuesday June 21, the club will have their installation of officers at 6;00pm at Main Street Pizza. There will be no noon meeting next week.

The Ville Platte 2016 Dixie Youth Baseball 1st Place winners this season were:

In T-Ball – The Dots won 1^st Place with Head Coach, Nick Fontenot;

In Pitching Machine – The Bees won 1^st Place with Head Coach, Rob Guillory;

In the Minors – The Elks won 1^st Place with Head Coach, Brandin Fontenot; and

In the Majors – The Giants won 1^st Place with Head Coach, Delaney Fontenot

CONGRATULATIONS to all who competed this season!

The Evangeline Parish Police Jury held its monthly meeting in the Courthouse Monday night.

The Jury went into discussions regarding the future use of the Sheriff’s Annex Building the Office of Emergency Preparedness and 911 occupied before moving into their new building.  It was reported that Evangeline Parish Sheriff, Eddie Soileau, has requested to use the building but has asked the Police Jury to pay the costs of utilities, maintenance, etc.  After discussions were had, the Jury voted to allow the Sheriff to utilize the building, but on the condition that the Jury only pay for the insurance on the building and the Sheriff’s office would be responsible for daily maintenance, utilities, etc.  Police Juror, Lamar Johnson, stated “I am not going to pay for utilities that I have no control over.” 

There was a public hearing held on the use of unmanned aircraft or drones.  Police Juror, Bryan Vidrine, stated there have been problems in our area with children being harassed by drones and intimidated.  He recommended the Parish adopt the planned regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration as well as the statutes going to be used by the State of Louisiana.

The Police Jury approved the Hazard Mitigation Grant from GOSEP for an emergency generator to be installed at the new 911 building pending an approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Evangeline Parish Communications District.

Public Works Director, Chester Granger, was appointed to the E-911 Board and will be replacing Kent Fontenot.

The new owner of Bayou One Stop, Surama Jehad Ahmad, was granted a beer and wine liquor license by the Jury.

Police Juror, Bryan Vidrine, volunteered and was appointed as the Evangeline Parish Representative to the Acadiana Resource Conservation and Development Council.

The next Police Jury meeting will be held on July 11, 2016

According to Ville Platte Police Chief, Neil Lartigue, the following individuals have recently been arrested and booked into the Ville Platte City Jail:

Nathaniel Sanchez, age 37 of 906 W. LaSalle – arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery and out on a $1,000.00 bond;

Angel Varnado, age 27 of 906 W. LaSalle – arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery and out on a $1,000.00 bond;

Krystal Clark, age 55 of 5536 St. Landry – arrested for Criminal Mischief and out on a $200.00 bond;

Derrick Tezeno of 501 N.E. Railroad – arrested for Disturbing the Peace by Intoxication and out on a $200.00 bond;

Treg Jacko, age 24 of 1110 Verna Street, #207 – arrested for No Reflective Gear and Prohibited Acts and currently incarcerated with a $2,700.00 bond;

James Castille, age 30 of 330 Enola Street – arrested for Theft of Goods x2 and currently incarcerated with a $1,000.00 bond;

Martha Charles, age 31 of 315 N. Dossman – arrested for Theft of Goods and out on a $500.00 bond; and

Christopher Lavigne, age 22 of 1211 Celestine, Apt. 4 – arrested for Theft of Goods and out on a $500.00 bond.

If you are aware of any criminal activity, you are encouraged to contact the Ville Platte Police Department at 337-363-1313.  All calls will remain anonymous.  

Chief Neal Lartigue with the Ville Platte Police Department reports an arrest for cyberstalking.

On May 25, 2016 the Ville Platte Police Department received a complaint that inappropriate and false comments were being posted about a female on Facebook. During the investigation it was learned that the victim received a threat that inappropriate pictures of her would also be posted. A third complaint which reportedly targeted the victim was filed shortly thereafter.  After investigation and evidence was obtained a warrant was issued for Rufus Searile, 46 of 140 Shade Tree Lane.  Searile was arrested and charged with cyberstalking.  Searile was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail on a $25,000.00 bond and bonded out with a bond condition that he remain 150 yards away from the victim and have no contact with her through any third party. 

If you have any information regarding any type of criminal activity, you are asked to call the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous.

SCAM

JUNE 3, 2016

    A spokesman for Evangeline Parish Sheriff Eddie Soileau is warning local residents to be aware of a phone scam going on. The scam involves callers calling local and area residents saying they represent a government agency saying the local resident has a won a grant or is coming into some money. They need your bank account or social security number to transfer the money. Deputy Darrell Fontenot said he has personally received several callers all with a foreign accent. You cannot see where they are calling from. Please do not give them any personal information and  hang up on these type of callers is the advice to local residents.

Evangeline Parish School Board Meeting

June 1, 2016

      The Evangeline Parish School Board, Wednesday, voted to reject the entire executive committee report and send it back to committee for further review. Board Member Dr. Bobby Deshotel said the recommendations for a reduction in staffing “was done wrong.” Deshotel said the committee should have consulted with each school principal.  Another board member, Peggy Forman, asked the committee and superintendent  to notify the school board if and when the school district decides to implement its “reduction in force” policy.

   The executive committee met May 24 and made two recommendations to the full board in efforts to find ways to reduce the budget: eliminating 12 teacher positions through retirements, resignations, lack of certification and student membership. In this case, student membership which hovers around 6200 has remained steady according to the superintendent.

   The second recommendation would be to adopt a state special education staffing formula which would permit the school board to reduce the number of special education paraprofessionals by 16. Such a move would save the school board some $389,235. Superintendent Toni Hamlin reported that that there are only 666 special education students enrolled in the school district as compared to 800 this past year.

    Dr. Deshotel suggested the school  board look at cutting salaries. Superintendent Hamlin said state law prohibits  salary cuts. Hamlin said the board must address the problem of decreasing funds coming to operate the school system because of major cuts from the state. “We cannot operate in a deficit budget. The state has reduced its funding to school systems around the state by 44 million dollars. It is all about a lack of finances.”

   In other business, the school board:

--Heard reports from Evangeline Parish County Agent Todd Fontenot and 4-H Agent Kim Deville;

--Went behind closed doors in executive session to discuss an insurance settlement with their