JD Bancshares Ranked in Top 200 Publicly Traded Community Banks by American Banker Magazine Jennings- JD Bancshares, Inc., the parent holding company of JD Bank, is pleased to announce that it has been named to American Banker Magazine's Top 200 Publicly Traded Community Banks. The ranking is based on three- year average return on equity through December 31, 2019. "It is an honor to be recognized on this prestigious list of community banks," said Bruce W. Elder, JD Bank President and CEO. "Our talented team makes our success possible and this recognition provides evidence that our values, service and products are creating value for our stockholders."

KVPI News has received the following news release from Ville Platte Evangeline Parish Recreational Park Director David Lahaye. The purpose of this message is to inform everyone that, on Thursday, June 11th, a participant in one of the REC leagues has tested positive for COVID-19. The child participated in one game this season, on Tuesday, June 9th, two days prior to the positive test. The source of the infection has been traced to a family member who has not come to the ballpark. The parents had the child tested not due to symptoms, but due to the child having spent time with an extended family member the weekend of June 6th who tested positive on Wednesday, June 10th. The only symptom displayed by the child has been a mild stomachache. We wanted everyone to know not to create concern, but to inform each parent of the situation. Our goal is to protect the children and fans by providing complete transparency. At this time, none of the child’s teammates or coaches have displayed any symptoms of the virus. Further, we also have firsthand knowledge that the teams in the child’s only game did not participate in any post game handshakes per league protocol. We want to reiterate that the protocols put in place by the leagues and REC District follow Governor John Bel Edwards’ guidelines and were approved by the State Fire Marshall. Again, there is no evidence at this time that the child has spread the virus to anyone else at the ballpark, likely due to the beforementioned protocols. Additionally, the child’s symptoms are minor, and the child’s contraction of the virus was due to contact with an extended family member outside the ballpark and leagues. However, due to public health concerns, the City has determined it is in the best health interest of the public to close the ballpark for the remainder of the scheduled season for both the boys and girls' leagues. The Mayor wants everyone to know that free testing is available for anyone on Thursday, June 18th from 10:00AM - 11:00AM, Annie Mae’s Apartments located at 1020 N. Reed Street in Ville Platte and from 11;00am to 12 noon at the Olenes “Pop” Vidrine Gardens apartments located at 1110 North Chataignier Street.

Ville Platte City Council Meeting June 9, 2020 The Ville Platte City Council Tuesday met in a virtual meeting from City Hall for their regular meeting of the month. The council approved a recommendation from Mayor Jennifer Vidrine to reduce the hours of its nightly curfew to assist local businesses and help spur our economy. The new curfew hours effective Wednesday night will be from 11:00pm to 6:00am for adults and businesses. This replaces the old curfew times of 9:00pm to 6:00am. The curfew for juveniles remains from 8:00pm-6:00am each night. The mayor said phase two of the state regulations ends June 26 and the city will revisit the curfew hours after that date. The police chief Neal Lartigue said the curfew has worked well showing a marked decrease in crime in the city. Also in business, the council approved a proposal from Todd Morein with Universal Communications to provide another choice in high speed internet service to local city residents. The city attorney will draw up the agreement with the company which will agree to pay the city $600 a month for the use of three city owned towers. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine announced that testing for Covid-19 will be given to elderly residents at Chateau des Amies June 11 from 10-12, Annie May and Pop Garden Apartments June 18 from 10-12 noon and at Village de Memorie June 22 from 10-12 noon. The testing will be offered to both residents and the staff at each facility. The mayor said, testing will soon begin in other parts of Ward One including Chataignier, Point Blue and L'anse Aux Pailles. Mayor Vidrine said city hall is still closed to the public until the facility is outfitted with sanitation equipment such as plexi glass and floor markers. However, city employees are still coming to work each day providing city services. The public can contact city hall for any questions or concerns at 363-2939. City customers can pay their utility bills using the drop box on the side of city hall, pay online or by mail. Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue reported that for the month of May, the police department responded to 102 calls, issued 27 citations, made 26 arrests, 13 felony arrests and worked 24 traffic accidents. Also the chief announced the hiring of three new police officers: Bryan Wyles and Stewart Brady who are both post certified and can go to work immediately while the third new officer, Brandon Fontenot will attend the police academy for training. In other action, the city council approved a request from Rev. Lawrence Dick of Disciple Baptist Church to allow the closing of a nearby street for two hours near the church so the church could conduct services outside each Sunday starting July 5 until the Covid-19 orders are lifted by the state; The proposed new City fiscal year budget was officially presented to the city council during the meeting. It shows the city will end June 30 with a $317,292 surplus and an ending fund balance of $14.6 million dollars The budget includes additional revenues for the police department including 14 additional police officers and two detectives. The budget also includes the position of a training consultant. It increases the starting pay for new police officers to $15 an hour. The city budget capitol outlay funds has money dedicated for street work, jail repairs, and additional security cameras. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine announces the Civic Center is still not taking bookings due to the Covic-19 pandemic. Due to the fire marshal regulations, dances and buffet lines are not permitted. She is waiting to see what the phase 3 regulations will look like before approving bookings for the civic center.

The Evangeline Parish School Board Wednesday approved the appointment of Nick Chaumont of Basile to replace the late long time School board member Dr. Bobby Deshotel to fill out his unexpired term through November of this year. Dr. Bobby Deshotel served for more than five decades representing Basile schools on the school board. He also served as Mayor of Basile for a time. The position was offered to Mrs. Joella Deshotel, Dr. Bobby's widow, but she turned it down. She recommended that the board select Chaumont to serve in his place. The election will be held in November at the same time as President with a general runoff election, if necessary, in December. Qualifying will be held will be held July 15,16 and 17. Superintendent Darwan Lazard advised board members that he and his staff are taking extra precaution to prepare for the possible arrival of Tropical Storm Cristobal. Lazard said he was on a conference call with officials with the Evangeline Office of Emergency Preparedness for the latest weather information. The Superintendent mentioned that weather officials are stating that one computer model shows the storm track moving up Vermillion Bay, the same track Hurricane Lilly did in 2003. He said " We are preparing for possible flooding at some of our schools." Lazard , in other business, told board members that the Louisiana High School Athletic Association has loosened some of the regulations dealing with athletics now that the state is moving into Phase Two of the Covid-19 Pandemic Plan. He said "Our schools will have some level of athletics but we want to caution our coaches to make sure to follow the state guidelines. We want to make sure we keep our athletes and coaches safe." The Superintendent advised board members that there will be no merit pay given to employees this year. Every year, following an evaluation, each employee receives merit pay. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the state waived the evaluation since a good part of the school term did not take place. As a result of no evaluation, Lazard announced there will be no merit pay for school employees.