The 2020 Boudin Bowl took place Wednesday in Holly Beach. The final score: The 39ers defeated the Chefs 22-17 in a good game. KVPI Sports Announcer Tracy Jagneaux and color analyst Tim Fontenot were there to call the game for KVPI Sports. Congratulations to our Boudin Bowl Football Pool Winners: First Quarter Winner: Daniel Thibodeaux; Second Quarter Winner-Lisa Deshotel; Third Quarter Winner-Darrel Dupre and Fourth Quarter Winner: Beverly Vidrine. Each of our winners won multiple prizes including food and beer. Thank you to our sponsors and a special thanks to all of our many listeners who signed up for the free football squares.

Runaway Juvenile Reported VILLE PLATTE, LA – The Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office needs the public's assistance in locating a runaway juvenile. On Tuesday, January 27, 2020 the reporting person (David Courvelle) stated his daughter Trinity Rene Taylor (DOB 4-2-2003) left her residence from the 1100 block of Andrea Road at around 2:00 pm for work at Champagnes Quality Foods (901 Tate Cove Road) in Ville Platte. The reporting person stated his daughter never returned to work after taking her 5:00 pm break. Trinity Rene Taylor (DOB 4-2-2003) was last seen wearing a maroon colored long sleeve work shirt embroidered with the Champagnes logo and blue jeans. A photo of Trinity is included below. Trinity is said to be travelling in a 2005 charcoal grey 4 door Toyota Camry bearing Louisiana License Plate PF09506 registered to her father David Courvelle. If anyone has any information or comes into contact with Trinity Rene Taylor is asked to contact the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office Investigations Division at 337-363-2161.

Ville Platte Rotary Hears from Winston Lafleur on Christian Missions January 29, 2020 The Rotary Club of Ville Platte today (Tuesday) heard from guest speaker, Winston Lafleur with Ville Platte Christian Missions. The group has been having fund raisers and benefits to raise money to help natives living in a small village in Honduras since 2009. The group will once again have a fund raiser including live music, food and a silent auction coming up February 15 at the Ville Platte. In past years, missionaries from the group have worked on churches, schools, water projects and delivered food commodities to the poor by day and ministered spiritually to them at night. Lafleur said, 20 missionaries traveled with the group to Honduras last year. This year, so far, 26 have made plans to make the journey. Everyone who travels pay their own way. All of the money raised in the benefits go to help those living in Honduras. Lafleur thanked everyone who have made donations and helped in the benefits through these past years. He was a guest of Rotarian Ronnie Landreneau. Also speaking at the meeting was new member Rose May, who grew up in Dequincy and worked as a paralegal and in accounting in Houston, Texas. Club member Mark Suellentrop announced that the club will be sponsoring the "Choices" program once again this year in area schools to encourage students to stay in school.

KVPI had a drawing of everyone who qualified for our promotion to win Wayne Toups concert tickets. Congratulations to our three winners: Danny Lahaye, Darrell Fontenot and Lisa Lee. Each of our winners have won a pair of tickets to see Wayne Toups on concert Saturday Feb. 1 at Paragon Casino in Marksville Platte. Thank you to everyone who qualified to win.

Ville Platte City Council Meeting January 22, 2020 The Ville Platte City Council, Tuesday , discussed a growing crime problem through the city and agreed upon solutions to combat the crime issue. Two representatives of the business community attended the meeting, Cody Vidrine of Ace Hardware and Angie Shexnayder of Ville Platte Clinic Pharmacy. Vidrine related three recent incidents of crimes around his business involving juveniles. He said "I am not worried about dirty streets . We need to get more police on our streets." He was commenting about the fact that the police chief announced he has only one officer on patrol per shift in the city. "It is time for us to do something. This is getting out of control. If something is not done, someone is going to get killed." Angie Shexnayder was surprised at the low pay a police officer gets. "My pharmacy techs are making more money than our police officers who are risking their lives." City Councilman Bryan Riggs commented "We lost population in the city and crime increased. We raised utility fees to correct the budget deficit and to give more money to our police force. The city council has approved hiring ten additional police officers. Two were hired last night. The problem is that a police officer has to become post certified by attending special training at a police academy for several months. One of the two officers hired last night is post certified so she can go to work immediately. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine announced that as of Thursday, all calls to the city police will automatically go to 9-1-1 dispatchers. The savings of some $80-100,000 will be used to beef up the police force. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine also announced that a new free anonymous tip app will launch for Ville Platte residents in February to help fight crime. The problem is low pay for police officers. The city council agreed to gradually raise the pay for police officers to $15 an hour to compete with police departments such as Opelousas. The police chief said the newly trained officers in Ville Platte are leaving the city to better paying jobs elsewhere. The city council approved giving the authority for the police chief to hire new officers after consultation and approval with the mayor without having to wait for the full city council's approval. The city council asked the city attorney to review options to restrict operations at the L&V Store where loitering is common and has been the scene of a shooting. In other action: --C.P.A. Vic Slaven reviewed the finding of an audit on the city's financial records that ended as of June 30 of last year and gave the city a clean unmodified opinion; --the city spent $57,000 in December than in November and Mayor Jennnifer Vidrine blames the increase to payment of the auditor, the payment of an insurance premium and repairing a sewer pump; --voted to get an estimate on the cost to repair its city street sweeper; --approved paying a longevity pay increase to city employees who have been with the city for five years or more. The cost will be $14,688; --the city council welcomed the new Evangeline Chamber Director Erin Hoffpauir; --heard the fire chief report for December: 27 calls, 4 structure fires and 6 grass fires; -heard the police chief give his December report: 360 calls, 19 citations, 32 arrests, 11 felony arrests and worked 38 accidents; --announced that the city has demolished five abandoned properties in December; --approved a liquor permit for the Swamp Pop Reunion dance on Feb. 24 at the civic center.

The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from two guest speakers representing Cameron in Ville Platte. Abby Landreneau and Jared Blanchard spoke about what is going at Cameron/Schlumberger. Abby Landreneau began her presentation with a video clip produced by an employee giving a history of the Ville Platte facility. Cameron opened at the Ward One Industrial park in 1983. In 2015, the plant was purchased by Schlumberger. The facility manufactures valves for the oil and gas industry ranging in size from 2 inch to 42 inch. There are currently 310 employees working at Cameron. In 2019, 59 percent of the workforce lived in Evangeline Parish. The plant produced 11 million dollars in sales for Evangeline Parish and paid 1.5 million dollars in taxes to the parish. She reported on the numerous community outreach projects they do every year including: the annual children's Christmas party for hardship students, giving tours to school students and assisting with the special Olympics. Blanchard reported that the TC Energy Trans Canada Louisiana Express Pipeline from Appalachia to Louisiana will add three compressor stations in the state. One of those stations will be located in the St. Landry area near Chicot Park in Evangeline Parish. All of the control valves being used in this project are being manufactured at the Ville Platte facility. The facility is known for building the "Cadillac" of ball valves in the oil and gas industry known as the "Cameron Valve"that are shipped world wide. The cost of a 2 inch valve is $2000 while the huge 42 inch size value has a price tag of $130,000. Landreneau, in an answer to a question from a club member, said market conditions may change but she did not expect any additional personnel layoffs. In other club business, the rotary club approved the appointment of Bob Manuel to the board replacing Dr. Jerry Veillon who has retired. Bob joins the rest of the board: Annette Johnson, Larry Lachney, Dr. Joey Soileau, Wayne Vidrine and Nicole Wenger. Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine announced she will be meeting with Suddenlink and Centurylink officials soon to encourage the companies to improve their internet service to Ville Platte. She will also talk with Suddenlink about putting KVPI back on KVPI on cable lineup.

Evangeline Parish School Board Meeting January 15, 2020 Certified Public Accountant Vic Slaven of the C.P.A. firm, Kolder, Slaven and Company on Wednesday presented the findings of its audit of the financial records of the Evangeline Parish School Board during the board's meeting. Slaven gave the board a "clean" opinion with no findings. He called it a good report. The ending fund balance in the general fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 showed the school district having $8.6 million dollars in its account. A member of the audience, Rufus Serailles, addressed the board after the audit report to complain about a salary discrepancy. He asked board members if they were aware that certain members of the school board office staff received a $6,000 a year pay raise while teachers only received a $1000 pay raise. School Board Legal Advisor, Assistant District Attorney Betsy Jackson, told Serailles that he was out of order since his subject matter did not deal directly with the subject of the audit. Board President Wayne Dardeau suggested to the speaker that the issue he raised would have to be brought at another time. Chief Financial Officer Amy Lafleur announced that two schools in the Basile area will pilot a new program using school accounting software. The software will offer the option for parents to pay fees on line rather than cash to the schools. It is expected other schools will soon be offering the payment options as well. School Superintendent Darwan Lazard praised CFO Amy Lafleur and her staff for the good audit report findings. She has been serving in that capacity for the school district for 19 years. Lazard also announced that she has been named as new Finance Secretary to the Louisiana School Business Officers Association. Amy Lafleur reported that sales tax collections dropped by $18,000 over the same time a year earlier for the month of December. However, overall collections, year to date still show a healthy balance with over $219,000 more that the same period a year earlier. Supt. Lazard introduced two new appointments: Miss Willie Goodley will serve as Interim Principal at Ville Platte High . She has over 40 years in education with 20 years serving at Basile and Mamou schools; Cherie Fontenot will serve as new Acting Elementary Supervisor for the school district. She has served more than 27 years in education. She was named as Louisiana Elementary Principal of the Year and worked at James Stephens Montessori School. Mr. Lazard also announced that Tom Prudhomme was recently appointed in the maintenance crew in AC, Heating and Electrical work. It was announced that Monday is a holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day while Tuesday will be a day of Professional Development where students will not attend classes.

As per Clerk of Court, Randy Deshotel, candidates that have qualified as of 4:30 p.m., Friday, January 10, 2020, to run for office in the upcoming April 4, 2020 election are as follows: City Marshall, City Court, City of Ville Platte Adam Toussaint Lisa M. Doucet Horace Johnson, Jr. Lucian McKinney, Jr. Brian Keith Fontenot Democratic Parish Executive Committee, Member at Large Chasity Ann Vidrine Kelli Ritter Buller Phillip Allen Lemoine Brian James Ardoin John B. Vidrine Democratic Parish Executive Committee, District 1 Marty Fruge Democratic State Central Committee, Office "A" Jennifer L. Vidrine Democratic State Central Committee, Office "B" John Deville Republican Parish Executive Committee, Member at Large Kenny Burgess Bryan Kirk Vidrine Warren James Lafleur Toni Lyon Aguillard Republican Parish Executive Committee, District 1 Warren James LaFleur, Jr. Republican Parish Executive Committee, District 4 Opal Andrus Johnson

Qualifying brought more candidates on Day Two January 9, 2020 Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel informed KVPI News that the following candidates qualified in his office today for the various offices on Day Two of qualifying for the April 4 special election: Member at Large for the Evangeline Parish Republican Executive Committee: Kenny Burgess, Bryan Kirk Vidrine, Warren James Lafleur and Toni Lyon Aguillard; District One, Evangeline Parish Republican Executive Committee: Warren James Lafleur. Qualifying ends Friday at the Clerk of Court's Office in the courthouse

Five people qualified today for Ville Platte City Marshal January 8, 2020 Qualifying for Ward One City Marshal began with five candidates officially qualifying for the office in the special April 4 election. The election is being held to fill the unexpired term of the late Ronald T. Doucet. Among the candidates who qualified with Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel in the courthouse include: Adam Toussaint, Lisa Doucet, Horace Johnson Jr., Lucian McKinney Jr and Brian Keith Fontenot. The qualifying continues through Friday at the Clerk of Court's office. Also qualifying today for positions in the parish and state levels of the Democratic Party: Chasity Vidrine qualified for the Democratic Parish Executive Committee Member at Large while Jennifer L. Vidrine qualified for Office A in the Democratic State Central Committee.

Driver Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash in St. Landry Parish Prairie Ronde – Shortly after 12:15 p.m. on January 5, 2020, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a two-vehicle crash on LA Hwy 103 at McGuffy Road in St. Landry Parish. The crash took the life of 57-year-old Stephanie Soileau of Ville Platte. The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Soileau was driving North on LA 103, in a 2014 Nissan Maxima, when she failed to negotiate a curve and crossed the centerline. After doing so, her vehicle struck a southbound 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche. Soileau was restrained at the time of the crash. She was transported to a local hospital in critical condition where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries. The driver of the Avalanche was properly restrained and was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Impairment is unknown but standard toxicology samples were obtained from both drivers. This crash remains under investigation. This marks the first fatality crash of 2020 for LSP Troop I. Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that making good choices while in motor vehicles such as observing all traffic laws, never driving while impaired or distracted, and always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.

Sheriff Eddie Soileau, of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office has released the following: Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department is relieved after capturing a white male subject identified as Timothy Kordish a known suspect involved in a recent Carjacking at a camp outside the city limits of Mamou, LA. Thursday January 2, 2020 Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office Deputies apprehended Kordish safely and without incident at a residence on the 1200 block of Baldridge Road. Initially on Thursday, December 19, 2019, Deputies were called out for the theft of a motor vehicle. After a brief gathering of information it was learned that a white male subject identified as Timothy Kordish had taken William Reed's vehicle without consent. Reed had invited Kordish to spend the day with him and his girlfriend at a camp off the Bond Road. Prior to departing while Reed was not present in the vehicle, Kordish armed himself with a rifle. He then threatened Reed's girlfriend with the rifle while they were waiting on Reed to return. At some point she was able to exit the vehicle without harm. After which Kordish drove off in the vehicle and didn't return. The vehicle was later recovered. An Affidavit for Arrest and an Arrest Warrant was immediately authored for Carjacking and Aggravated Assault with a Firearm. The Warrant was approved and signed by 13th Judicial Judge Chuck West. Kordish is currently being held at the Evangeline Parish jail on a $50,000.00 bond.