Pine Prairie Police arrested and charged a Eunice man in connection with a burglary at a residence in May. Brandon Scott Darbonne age 35 of Eunice was arrested and charged with Simple Burglary and Theft on August 28, His bond was set at $40,000 set by Judge Gary Ortego. Pine Prairie Police Chief L.C. Deshotel said the arrest was in connection for the May 4 residential burglary, Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office made contact with the suspect due to a traffic violation where he was arrested on the Pine Prairie charges.. Chief Deshotel would like to thank the Acadia Parish Sheriff Office for their help in locating the suspect.

Schools remain closed in Evangeline Parish till Monday August 27, 2020 KVPI News has learned Sacred Heart and Evangeline Parish Public Schools will remain closed on Friday and reopen on Monday. Supt. Of Schools Darwan Lazard told KVPI News that "all public schools will be closed Friday. We anticipate opening schools on Monday. All campus administrators, custodians, cafeteria staff members as well as pupil appraisal, all maintenance staff and other district office personnel are expected to report to work on Friday August 28. Please check our website at spsb.com, our Facebook page and local media for updates." Sacred Heart School Development Director Kimberly LeJeune told KVPI News " With the approval of the Bishop, Sacred Heart Schools will be closed Friday and will resume classes on Monday. We hope everyone is safe and continued prayers for all those affected."

Evangeline Parish Supt. Of Schools Darwan Lazard announced to KVPI News that there will be no classes at Evangeline Parish Public Schools for Wednesday and Thursday due to Hurricane Laura. Visit their Facebook page and local media for announcements on the status of schools for Friday.

The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from guest speaker, Lisa Derouen, Executive Director of the Evangeline Parish Council on Aging. Derouen has been serving as director for the past ten years. The council on aging was formed in 1971 and is a private non-profit agency serving seniors, age 60 and older, throughout the parish with a range of services. Their funding sources come from state and federal agencies as well as funding through a local property millage tax. Their services include: meals both at the homes of seniors and in a congregate setting. They deliver 330 meals a day five days a week. The congregate meals are served for seniors at Village de Memoire, Martin Luther King Center, Savoy Heights , Basile and Pine Prairie. Evangeline Council on Aging also offers transportation services for the elderly and the general public using eight vehicles. The agency also offers home making services such as cleaning house, sitter and grocery shopping. All of the clients of Council on Aging services are age based and not determined by income. Derouen mentioned that the Senior Center at Village de Memoire offers congregate meals, bingo games and regular scheduled guest speakers and birthday parties. The center is now closed due to Covid-19. The agency employs some 60-70 workers, mostly part time. She was the guest speaker of Rotarian Bob Buroker. In other action, KVPI General Manager introduced two new full members of the staff: John Hadley, sales account representative and Claire Vidrine, DJ/Announcer.

Evangeline Parish Public Schools Scheduled to Open Tuesday August 24, 2020 Evangeline Parish Supt. Of Schools Darwan Lazard reported to KVPI News that Evangeline Parish public schools will be open for classes on Tuesday. That is unless the weather downgrades significantly from the current forecast. His statement, "All campuses in the Evangeline Parish School District will be open for a full day of classes Tuesday. We will continue monitoring the weather for Wednesday." The schools closed today at noon with news of the approaching hurricanes. Sacred Heart High and Elementary along with all schools in the Diocese of Lafayette through Thursday due to the hurricanes. They are due to resume classes on Friday.

Evangeline Parish Public Schools will dismiss at noon Monday August 23, 2020 KVPI News has been notified by Evangeline Parish Supt. Of Schools Darwan Lazard that due to the approaching two storms, public schools in the parish will dismiss at noon on Monday. Here is the statement: "After receiving information from the weather professionals, state and local emergency preparedness officials and other stakeholders, all Evangeline Parish School District campuses will dismiss students, teachers and certain campus personnel at noon on Monday, August 24 in preparation for the approaching storms (Marco and Laura). Campus administrators, counselors, secretaries, custodians and all personnel in district offices will be dismissed by 2:00pm., Out goal is to keep all school employees and students safe. As additional information becomes available, we will assess our local situation and make decisions regarding Tuesday and the rest of the week."

According to Sacred Heart Development Director Kimberly LeJeune: "In the interest of everyone's safety, both during and after the storms, All Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lafayette including Sacred Heart will be closed Monday, August 24th, through Thursday, August 27th with classes resuming on Friday, August 28th. Parents are asked to continue to monitor their school's communications system for updates and relevant information over the coming days as we continue to monitor the approach of Marcos and Laura. We continue to pray for the safety of all during this weather event."

   Vile Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine and Evangeline Parish Police Jury President Ryan Williams are both urging parish residents to prepare now for the two two storms predicted to strike the state. If you need sand bags,  Ville Platte residents who are able bodied citizens, please bring your owns shovels to the Girls and Boys place at 220 South Thompson. Bags will be provided for you to bag your own sandbags. For seniors and those who need assistance, go to the City Barn at 810 West Hicktory and assistance will be provided. Jury President  Williams urges residents that the police jury will be issuing sand bags at their Region A yard located in the Ward One Industrial Park right next to the 911/OEP office starting Monday morning.

KC HALL BRAWL LEADS TO SHOOTING LEAVES ONE IN CRITICAL CONDITION Sheriff Charles R. Guillory, of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office releases the following: Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office Investigations Division is still actively investigating the shooting that occurred on Sunday, August 16, 2020 near the KC Hall in Ville Platte. The victim of the shooting was identified as Jared Louis, black male, from Beaumont, TX (originally from Ville Platte). Louis was Air-Med to Lafayette General Hospital in critical condition. His condition has been upgraded to Stable since the morning of the shooting. Jean M. Joseph has been identified as the shooter. Joseph, Black/Male, born on 12/15/90 surrendered to authorities on Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Authorities say 29-year-old Jean M Joseph of Ville Platte, LA was charged with Attempted Manslaughter. A Warrant of Arrest was approved and signed by 13th Judicial District Judge Chuck West with a bond of $75,000.00. Joseph has since post bail. Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office says the investigation is still ongoing. Investigators are receiving helpful information and still actively conducting investigative interviews.

Sheriff Charles R. Guillory, of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office releases the following: Authorities are looking for help in the recent thefts of All Terrain Vehicles in Evangeline Parish. On Wednesday August 19, 2020, a 2013 Green Honda ATV was taken from a homeowner on the 1000 Block of LaHaye Road. During that same morning a local landlord was tending to one of his rent houses on the 700 block of S. Soileau and noticed what appeared to be an abandoned ATV on his property. Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office Investigators were dispatched and confirmed the ATV to be the stolen property from LaHaye Road. The ATV was confiscated and returned to its rightful owner. While on scene, Investigators observed multiple ATVs and Dirt Bikes on a property located at the 600 Block of Edward Knotoe Thomas Jr Street in plain view. Contact was made with a person residing at the residence. Investigators received verbal as well as written consent to check and verify ownership of the ATVs and Dirt Bikes. After further investigation it was learned that the two dirt bikes on the property did not belong to the person residing at the residence. It had been reported as stolen. Both dirt bikes were confiscated and the reported one was returned to its rightful owner. Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory reminds the Public that it is an offense to possess or buy stolen property. Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Public for their assistance with the recovery of the ATV. This case is still under investigation at this time, and pending arrest. Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office is always seeking information on criminal activity and urges the Public to contact the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office Investigation Department via phone at 337-363-2161 or through the agency's website at www.evangelineparishsheriff.org. Any person reporting information will always remain anonymous.

Evangeline Parish School Board Meeting August 19, 2020 Evangeline Parish School Board members Wednesday were given last minute details about the start of the school year scheduled for August 24 in parish public schools. Some 5725 students are enrolled to attend classes with about 1400 of those attending an online Evangeline Virtual Academy school. Officials from First Student, the transportation company contracted to transport school students, announced that they were able to reduce the cost of disinfecting school buses. First Student Manager Hubert Mabe announced the company has reduced the cost of disinfecting the school buses twice per day from $6,000 a month to $1700 a month. The school board will be responsible for the cost. Technology Coordinator John Deranger announced that the 1100 chrome books for school students to use at school and in the virtual school have not arrived. He said the devices are being manufactured in China and have had three delays because of the great demand all over the country. He told the school board the latest projection is the devices should arrive by the middle of September. Deranger felt the school district still has 4500 chromebooks in stock from previous years. "I am confident we can meet the needs of the students.", he commented. Deranger also said the big challenge facing the school district is a lack of internet access for students in rural areas especially in the northern part of the parish. Towers are planning to be installed at each school site where parents of virtual school students can bring their students to school properties to get connected with their devices. Board member Wayne Dardeau warned his fellow members that their phones will be ringing from concerned parents over the lack of connectivity in certain parts of the parish. Also, it was announced that 1500 internet hot spots are expected to arrive by Friday. Assistant Superintendent Mike Lombas reported that that there will be up to four teachers from each school in the parish teaching students online. The principals from each school will choose those teachers. Connie Guillory, Title Two Director reported on the success of the recent Technology Boot Camp to prepare teachers. Some 300 teachers completed the training putting in some 1200 hours. Board President Wayne Dardeau issued a statement at the beginning of the meeting to make sure parents understand that the superintendent never stated that the school district will be able to comply with the six feet separation policy. The superintendent and the board announced that the rule will be followed to the greatest extent possible. In other action, the school board: --received news that former Basile High Coach and Principal Tony Bertrand has been named as new Maintenance Supervisor; --was notified that the final group of French Immersion teachers have arrived at their new homes in Evangeline Parish. The French Immersion program is going on at Ville Platte Elementary and Mamou Elementary schools; --approved the purchase of $56,000 worth of privacy shields for teacher desks throughout the parish; --received word that parents of Evangeline Virtual Academy students will be getting log in information and schedules from their teachers during the first week of school.

Suspect arrested on drug charges in Pine Prairie August 15, 2020 A spokesman for Pine Prairie Police Chief L.C. Deshotel reported to KVPI News that a suspect was arrested on drug possession charges after being stopped on a traffic violation. The incident took place Saturday August 15 when Pine Prairie Police observed a white Nissan Maxima with an expired plate. The driver failed to stop for the police vehicle leading to a short chase to an address on 9th street off of Heritage Road. Police discovered that the passenger was in possession of suspected marijuana and crystal meth. The passenger , Anthony Laborde age 22 of 3768 Heritage Road, Ville Platte was charged with possession of marijuana possession of crystal meth and possession of drug paraphernalia. The driver Austin Brecken of 619 9th street Ville Platte was released on a traffic summons for expired plate, expired drivers license and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Pine Prairie Police would like to thank the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office and Turkey Creek Police Department for their assistance.

Just one month after voting to allow MedExpress Ambulance Services to operate in the city limits, at its August meeting Tuesday evening the Ville Platte City Council heard a response from Acadian Ambulance Service. The Council also hired six new patrolmen for the police department. Paul Fuselier, who manages governmental relations for Acadian, emphasized that the long-standing ambulance service will continue to provide quality care to the residents of the city. However, he also hinted that splitting the call volume between two providers won't necessarily lead to better emergency services. "We're not leaving Ville Platte," Fuselier told the Council, noting that Acadian first began serving the city in 1974. "We're here; we've been here; and we're going to take care of our responsibilities." Fuselier said that Acadian employs 30 Evangeline Parish residents, including seven who live in Ville Platte, with an annual payroll of $1.5 million for those employees. These employees bring a wealth of experience to Ville Platte residents, he said. "You have right here in Ville Platte, with just three people, more than 100 years of combined experience," Fuselier said. Fuselier balanced Acadian's commitment to Ville Platte and Evangeline Parish with warnings that having multiple emergency medical services providers has some drawbacks. "Just because you have multiple providers doesn't mean you'll have more ambulances deployed," Fuselier said. Citing the economics of the EMS industry, Fuselier said that ambulance services depend on a high call volume of non-emergency calls in order to make up for the less lucrative emergency calls. The money made from the non-emergency calls help to pay for the staff and resources that are needed to provide an area with the best care possible. Fuselier even pointed to a letter from MedExpress Chief Executive Officer Mark Majors to illustrate his point. In the letter from 2016, Majors addressed the Grant Parish Sheriff and 911 offices. At the time, MedExpress had two units operating in Grant Parish. However, Majors warned the government officials that allowing another ambulance service into the parish would mean that fewer resources from MedExpress could be assigned to the parish. The next day, Fuselier said, MedExpress did pull one of its ambulance units from the parish. Fuselier also complained that Acadian Ambulance is held to a standard of service that MedExpress is not held to. In Acadian's contract with the Evangeline Parish Police Jury to be the sole provider for the parish, the company must respond to calls within eight minutes at least 80 percent of the time. However, MedExpress is not held to any standard in operating in the city. "We think that it's not fair that the accountability doesn't apply to other providers," Fuselier said. "But, we're not shying away from it, and we will continue to honor it." Mayor Jennifer Vidrine and councilmen Mike Perron and Bryant Riggs both praised the professionalism and level of service that Acadian Ambulance has provided in the past. "Right now, we have a win-win situation," said Vidrine. "We're getting positive reports on both (providers). We are very fortunate for a city our size to have two great providers." Riggs emphasized a free enterprise reason for allowing MedExpress into the city last month. "Nothing against Acadian," said Riggs, "but bringing in another ambulance service is competition, which can lead to improved services for everyone." The police department gained new patrolmen when the Council approved Chief of Police Neil Lartigue's recommendation to hire six new officers. Three of the hires – Gerald Keller, Damon Maricle, and Sam Stewart, who are all post-certified – were actually hired by Lartigue during the past month. The Council's decision Tuesday evening was to confirm their hire. The other three hires are Taylor Frugé, Sid LaFleur, and Jacoby Briscoe. Of these three, only Frugé is post-certified. All of them will need to pass physical and psychological exams before they can be assigned to a patrol route. The new hires brings the Ville Platte Police Department up to nine active patrolmen. There are two other patrolmen who are currently out on workman's comp. Chief Lartigue said that he plans to eventually have four officers on duty on the night shift. The Council also hired Daniel Andrus to the fire department. In other business, Mayor Vidrine informed the Council that the city has received two new dump trucks to help with picking up trash around town. She also noted that there are still job openings in the street department. The jobs pay $9/hours. Applicants must be able to pass a drug test and not have a felony conviction in the last seven years.

Congratulation to our Ville Platte Pride 10U all stars girls WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!! The girls went through bracket play at the world series in Longview, Texas without any losses. KVPI Sports covered all of the games, pool play and bracket play for family and friends and supporters back home on 92.5 KVPI. Thanks to Sports Announcer Tracey Jagneaux and Nick LeBas for doing a great job. Congratulations to the girls, and parents, Coach Brandon Fontenot and Assistant Coaches David and Sunny Lahaye. A great big thank you to all of the many sponsors who made it possible to all of the games in Texas. We're proud of you, girls!!!

The Ville Platte Pride girls all stars will represent Ville Platte and Evangeline Parish in the Fast Pitch softball World Series this weekend in Longview, Texas. The games begin at 12 noon Saturday with the pool play games that continue at 1:30pm and 4:30pm. The bracket games begin Saturday night at 6:00pm. The head coach is Dr. Brandon Fontenot and Assistant Coaches are Sunny LaHaye and David Lahaye. KVPI Sports plans to broadcast all of the girls games for friends and family back with Sports Announcers Tracey Jagneaux and Nick LeBas all on Classic Hits 92.5 KVPI FM and on line at classichits925.com. Special thanks to all of our great sponsors.

2020 running of the Tournoi will take place August 6, 2020 KVPI News has learned that the running of the 2020 Tournoi will take place. President Kent Saucier told KVPI News that the Tournoi board met and voted to proceed with the Tournoi at the Industrial Park. He said "We are an outdoor activity and feel we can easily socially distance and stay within the Covid 19 safety practices. " The Tournoi is tentatively scheduled for Sunday October 18 at 2;00pm at the Ward One Industrial Park, north of Ville Platte. However there will be no Tournoi ball and no Queen's pageant. The Tournoi eliminations are scheduled for Sunday Sept. 13 at 2;00pm at the Industrial Park for anyone interested in qualifying to ride in this year's event. Last year the champ was Eric Guillory who has won the event for 8 years and had the fastest time. The two- man team with the most rings were Ryan Haller and Keith Saucier who had a total of 41 out of a possible 42 rings. The top nine finishers last year who are automatically qualified for this year's event: Eric Guillory, Alex Haller, Ryan Haller, Marcus Guillory, John Ross Guillory, Kent Saucier, Shane Lee, Paul Fontenot and Keith Saucier. KVPI will be there once again broadcasting the entire event for our listeners.

By nearly a unanimous vote, the Evangeline Parish School Board Wednesday approved a recommendation by school teachers and employees on a revised school calendar. The adopted calendar calls for the start of school to be August 24 and end June 4. The new calendar calls for the same number of holidays as the previous calendars had. School Superintendent Darwan Lazard said a survey of 655 employees showed that 70 percent of the staff chose that calendar over a calendar that called for the start of school just after Labor Day. Two medical professionals addressed the school board members. Dr. Tina Stefanski, Region Four Director of the Louisiana Department of Health and Dr. Chuck Aswell, well known local physician. Both speakers commended the school board for their efforts in following the guidelines from state and federal agencies in an effort to keep students and employees healthy and safe. Stefanski announced that a recent study from South Korea showed children age 10 and younger is much less likely to spread the virus to other people. The patients with the worst outcomes and the highest mortality rates continue to be seniors and those with health issues such as high blood pressure. Dr. Aswell commented that young children are not known to spread the Covid 19 virus. He said it is safer for children to attend school than go to a store. In contrast the Swine Flu virus a few years ago attacked young children. He said there has been a lot controversy over whether case numbers in the state are accurate. Aswell said you can believe the data Stefanski's department gives us is top notch and correct. Dr. Chuck remarked that Evangeline Parish has the lowest mortality (Death) rate in the state. He attributes the low rate to local doctors prescribing the proper medicine right at the start. Supt. Of Schools Darwan Lazard reported that buses will be running at 50 percent capacity and drivers will be wearing masks as well as students. Due to the capacity issues, school buses will no longer be able to drop off students at day care centers or permitting students to switch buses as in the past. In an effort to operate safely and within guidelines, Lazard announced buses will have a seating chart and they will transport students directly to their homes for their safety. In other action the school board: --Received a report that 1500 students have signed up to attend the online classes through Evangeline Virtual Academy; The remaining 4000 students will attend regular classes; --received news that Helene Francois has been named as the new principal at Basile High School; -- approved the purchase of 1500 mobile hot spots from AT&T at a cost of $127,500 to provide mobile connectivity for students in rural areas to take virtual classes online; --received a report on the cost of insuring the 5800 student chromebooks and 400 teacher laptops. The cost was too prohibitive. Even with a $100 deductible, it would have cost the board $139,000 a year.

Rotary Club Meeting August 4, 2020 The Ville Platte Rotary Club heard from Kayla McFarlain Kincannon , a master herbalist and owner of Brambles Herbal Apothecary. Her business is located at 118 Court Street in Ville Platte. She told club members as a master herbalist and a life coach, she is helping local and area residents with personalized education and support on a road to wellness and total integrative healing program through the use of herbal medicines. She answered a number of questions about herbs. She stated "that we need to explore and learn how to use the tools found in nature to nurture and support our bodies and to aid the maintain the balance we crave."

During its regular monthly meeting Monday evening, the Evangeline Parish Police Jury received a "clean audit opinion" from Casey Ardoin, a partner in the Kolder, Slaven & Company accounting firm. Ardoin said that the audit came with an "unmodified opinion," meaning that "the financial statements look very good." "You are in a strong position," Ardoin told the Jury, with a fund balance of more than $14 million. "As of Dec. 31 2019, you have money in the bank to operate. You guys do a good job here." Jury President Ryan Williams was pleased with the audit report, saying, "We're taking care of business. Everybody is being accountable. Let's keep it that way." In related news, Secretary-Treasurer Donald Bergeron announced that the June sales tax collection was over $325,000; "a very good month," he said. In other business, the Jury heard about a litter enforcement program from Corporal Jason Stagg with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the leading litter enforcement agency in the state. Stagg discussed the tremendous success of a program that uses hidden cameras to catch people who litter. Stagg said that, using the cameras, the LDWF is working on 50 open cases. These cases could turn into more than 70 different cases, he said. He also told the Jury that the department would cooperate by putting cameras in any high-litter areas that it could identify. Juror Bryan Vidrine noted some people were recently caught littering along Stagecoach Road. "Thirty garbage bags of trash were thrown off the bridge," he reported. "Some of the bags were so heavy that we had to use an excavator to extract them." "Litter is a big problem in our parish," Williams noted. "We spend a lot of money picking up trash when we could be spending money making Evangeline beautiful." Gwen Fontenot, the new president of the Evangeline Chamber of Commerce, introduced herself to the Jury. Fontenot, who took over on July 1, said that her number one priority is to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus on local businesses. "Our local and small businesses need financial assistance," Fontenot explained. "A lot of small businesses are struggling to get the available assistance." She said that the Chamber is "putting together informational webinars and training of businesses to help them get to the right place to apply for the right things." In other coronavirus news, Bergeron informed the Jury that it has received funding from the Corona Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities relief program. The Jury has received more than $60,000; while sub-applicants Solid Waste and 911 received over $75,000 and $65,000 respectively. The money will help to cover expenses related to the coronavirus. Earlier, in an Executive Committee meeting, Fontenot and Tourism Commission President Jay Gielow agreed to informally continue a cooperative endeavor agreement that provides funding for the two groups to employees. However, the two groups do not see eye-to-eye on continuing the agreement; so they will be meeting to iron out differences. Next month, the two groups will have a proposal for a new agreement. In another earlier committee meeting, Bergeron informed the Jury about the status of a flood mitigation project. The project to build a $1.8 million retention pond was originally crafted to take advantage of FEMA money following the historic 2016 floods. Due to fierce competition for the grant money and an approaching deadline, Bergeron recommended that the Jury allow the application to lapse. However, Bergeron told the Jury, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is also doling money for similar projects. Bergeron recommended that the Jury gather more information to be ready to apply for the grant money once it becomes official. He said that the retention pond project could be used for the HUD application. The Jury also approved a resolution to call a special election on Dec. 5 for the renewal of the Acadia-Evangeline Fire Protection District tax. It is expected to collect $58,500 every year for the construction and maintenance of fire protection facilities and equipment. Mrs. Hattie Johnston was appointed to represent Pine Prairie on the Tourism Board. Cecile Causey was hired as a front office employee; Michael Guillory was hired as a courthouse janitor; Tony Tremie was hired on the Dist. 1 and Dist. 7 litter crew; and a vacancy for the litter abatement crew was announced. The September Police Jury meeting will not be held at its normal time. Usually, the Jury meets on the first Monday of the month, which will be Sept. 8. However, that also happens to be Labor Day. Because of the holiday, the Jury will move its September meeting to the following Monday, Sept. 14. Before the regular meeting, there will be two public hearings: one at 4:30 pm for comment about adopting Orange Street in Chataignier; and one at 4:50 pm about putting a 3-Way stop sign at the intersection of Berdine Street in the Wyble Subdivision.

BAYOU CHICOT HOMEOWNERS OFFERS A $1,000.00 CASH REWARD FOR THE CAPTURE AND ARREST OF THE STAGE COACH ROAD BURGLAR Sheriff Charles R. Guillory, of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office releases the following: Bayou Chicot homeowners hope the thief that burglarized their home is captured. Investigators said on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 after 10:00 p.m. a suspect(s) forced entry into a home in the 2000 Block of Stage Coach Road. The residents were not home at the time of the burglary. Glass of a rear door was damaged allowing the suspect(s) to gain entry into the residence. Once inside the following items were taken from the residence: several firearms, valuable jewelry, and prescribed narcotics. Anyone with information that can help find the person(s) involved is asked to call Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office Investigators at 337-363-2161.Homeowners have offered a $1,000.00 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person(s) involved. All callers will remain anonymous.