Ville Platte Rotary Meeting September 29, 2020 Quilts of Valor was the main topic from the guest speaker at Tuesday's meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. Karen Chaddrick, a retired school teacher from the Turkey Creek area, was the featured speaker. She is a member of a group of ladies who helped sew "Quilts of Valor" to veterans and active duty personnel. It is a national organization that has created quilts for some 12,000 veterans since 2003. The quilts serve as tangible reminders of appreciation and gratitude to service members. Locally the group began in 2026 in Pine Prairie with 4 women and now the group has increased to some ten ladies. It takes about two weeks to sew one of these special quilts. Some 23 quilts have been presented to veterans so far. The guest speaker was a guest of Rotarian Mable Forman. In other business, Rotarian Renee Brown reported on the club's Hurricane Laura helping hand project earlier in the day in Elizabeth. Rotary teamed up with the Evangeline Chamber of Commerce and the Acosta foundation in distributing some 200 boxes of food, gas cards and special packs of supplies that includes wipes, bug spray and other important products.

On September 24, 2020 Officers with Turkey Creek Police Department observed a red in color Kia Sorrento traveling Southbound on La Hwy 13 failure to maintain lane integrity, in violation of L.A.R.S 32:79. The driver later identified as Alicia Cole refused to stop for emergency vehicles and left the lane of travel. The pursuit continued southbound, out of Turkey Creek jurisdiction. Cole turned onto Crooked Creek Pkwy, stopped her vehicle and let out a passenger, later identified as Richard Craig Guillot age 39 of Cheneyville. Guillot ran from the vehicle into the woods in violation of L.A.R.S 14:108. Cole continued to drive to her residence at 5799 Highway 3187. Pine Prairie Police responded for assistance and a K9 search for Guillot was conducted with negative results. Alicia Cole age 34 of Crooked Creek Parkway was arrested and booked in the Evangeline Parish Jail for an outstanding warrant and Turkey Creek Warrant for violating L.A.R.S. improper lane usage, L.A.R.S. 14:108.1, aggravated flight from an officer, L.A.R.S. 32:412 expired driver's license, L.A.R.S. resisting an officer and L.A.R.S 32:1311 expired MVI. A warrant was issued for the passenger Richard Craig Guillot for violation of L.A.R.S. 14:108 resisting an officer. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Guillot is encouraged to contact 337-363-3345. All callers will remain anonymous. Chief Shawn Eckhart would like to thank the public for their continued support and to report all suspicious activity.

Turkey Creek Police Chief Shawn Eckhart has released the following to KVPI News: During the evening hours of Friday September 18, 2020, Officers with the Turkey Creek Police Department received a call of a green in color Buick Lesabre driving erratically. Officers observed the vehicle drive left of the center line and conducted a traffic stop. A field interview was conducted with the driver, later identified as Deshawn Vigers age 21 of Eunice. Through the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Vigers was driving on a suspended license. Vigers acknowledged the status and said he forgot to make his payments for reinstatement. Officers noticed a strong odor of Marijuana emitting from the vehicle and also observed a green vegetable material presumed to be Marijuana on the shirt of the passenger, later identified as Wilbert Ned age 19 of Eunice. Vigers admitted to smoking marijuana prior to the stop. K-9 Ice gave a positive alert to the presence of an odor of narcotics on the passenger side. A thorough search of the vehicle was conducted where two handguns were located under the driver and passenger seat. Also located in the center console was a white baggie with a green leafy material presumed to be Marijuana. Officers located a book bag in the rear of the car containing a brown Crown Royal bag with a clear mason jar and a digital scale used to weigh illegal narcotics. The traffic stop was in a drug free zone. Vigers was cited for his traffic violations. All evidence was recovered and the subjects were booked in the Evangeline Parish Jail for illegal carrying of weapons, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of a drug free zone. (2) During the evening hours of Friday September 18, 2020, Officers with the Turkey Creek Police Department conducted a traffic stop for equipment violations. Officers made contact with the driver, who was found to have a suspended driver's license. Officers observed the driver and his passenger appear extremely nervous. Consent to search was given and a positive alert by K9 Ice was received. A thorough search of the vehicle produced a Purple Crown Royal bag between the driver's seat and the center console containing a glass pipe with residue of presumed Crystal Meth. Officers located a black case on the driver's side floorboard with five lighters and a black magnetic key holder with rock like substance presumed to be Crystal Meth. The driver was released on a citation for the traffic violations and a warrant was issued for possession of schedule II CDS, crystal meth, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of a drug free zone. The driver is from Glenmora and the passenger is from Oakdale. Once they have been arrested and formally booked, their names will be released. Chief Shawn Eckhart would like to thank the public for their continued support and to report all suspicious activity.

Ville Platte Rotary Club welcomes French Immersion Teachers Sept. 22, 2020 French Immersion Teachers from Ville Platte Elementary and Mamou Elementary were guests at Tuesday's noon meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. Superintendent of Schools Darwan Lazard introduced Ville Platte Elementary Principal Katrina Ardoin and Mamou Elementary Principal Troy Fontenot. Both programs are beginning their fourth years with classes from Kindergarten through fourth grade. Lazard said it is important to support and preserve our French culture in Evangeline Parish. The immersion program was in danger of not having teachers this year because of tougher federal visa rules. President Donald Trump approved a J-1 Visa exemption for Louisiana's French Immersion teachers which permitted the needed seven new teachers to travel to Louisiana. Also speaking at the meeting was a long time supporter of the French Immersion program, Wanda Verrette of Mamou. Among the teachers who introduced themselves include: Sandrina Ndongo Toto from Camaroon, Cora Lee Feron from Belgium, Jessica Marie Capseta from France, Camille Robin from France, Marion Jacob from France, Melissa Wilmart from Belgium and Vincent Martin from France. The Rotary Club has collected some $1300 in donations from its members to help Southwest Louisiana residents who were impacted from Hurricane Laura in the Lake Charles area. The club will match individual club members donations up to $1500 to reach the over $3000 goal. The club plans to prepare some 70 boxes of gas cards and supplies.

On Friday September 18th, 2020 Pine Prairie Police was notified about a white male going to several houses in town around 1:30 a.m., standing in the yards and attempting to open the doors to the residences. Through security surveillance, the suspect was identified as Thomas E. Vidrine age 40 of 1430 First Street Pine Prairie. An arrest warrant was issued by Judge Ortego with a $7,500 bond and on the morning of September 22, 2020 Officers on patrol was able to locate Thomas in his front yard where he was arrested without incident. Thomas was booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail on 2 counts of Criminal Trespassing and 2 counts of Criminal Mischief. Chief Deshotel reminds the public to report suspicious activity to his department.

Sheriff Charles R. Guillory, of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office releases the following: Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office continues to make progress with the rash of ATV thefts from over the summer. Investigations Department has been exhausting all means of attempting to recover as many stolen ATV's from the rash of ATV and vehicle thefts during the summer. Throughout the summer several Evangeline Parish residences, have been victims of ATV and vehicle thefts. Detectives with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office immediately began investigating all reports putting in countless hours of work. During the investigation detectives were able to recover 5 ATV's. There were a total of 5 arrest made along with the recoveries. Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Public for their assistance with the releasing of information that often led to the recovery of the ATVs. 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. Investigations are still ongoing at this time, and pending more arrest. The following subjects were arrested and charged by the Evangeline Parish Sherriff's Office. All subjects are awaiting bond amounts. Jimmy Richardson-possession of stolen things (ATV); Kmohne Young charged with Principal to possession of stolen things (ATV); Haley Richardson charged with accessory after the Fact; Taylor Frank charged with Accessory after the Fact and Charles Jason previously arrested charged with possession of stolen things (ATV).

Sheriff Charles R. Guillory, of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office releases the following: VILLE PLATTE, LA - Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office Investigators continue to search for the person who robbed The Medicine Chest Pharmacy at gunpoint in a Chipmunk outfit. The robbery occurred just after 12:00 p.m. Saturday, September 19, at the Medicine Chest located at 409 E. Lincoln Road. Surveillance video showed an armed suspect, in a Chipmunk outfit running from the store's parking lot to the rear door of the store, forcing an employee back inside. Once inside the suspect escorted the employee through the store at gunpoint as she filled his bag with an undisclosed amount of narcotic medication. After getting the undisclosed amount of medicine from the employee, the suspect walked out of the rear door of the store, and ran westbound towards a nearby apartment complex. This investigation is still active and ongoing. If anyone has information about this armed robbery is asked to contact Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office Investigators at 337-363-2161 or via our agency's website at www.evangelineparishsheriff.org. 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.

The Evangeline Parish School Board on Wednesday, September 16th discussed how COVID-19 will potentially affect the upcoming sports season. Superintendent Darwan Lazard is concerned that spectators will be limited to 25% capacity, minimizing revenue. Expenses for the programs will not change, but the income will be only a fraction of what it usually is. An allocation of funding may later have to be addressed for schools to continue the programs this year. Currently, Lazard is working with Chief Financial Officer Amy Lafleur to see where budgets can be stretched, though he predicts that he will eventually have to present to the board a motion to allow additional funding. The board was in support of this potential action. In a show of support for the kids and these programs, the schoolboard has chosen to decline the free event tickets gifted to them each season. Darwan Lazard would like to remind everyone that things are changing everyday and that nothing is certain at this time. District 6, Ward 3 Board Member Mike Fontenot requested on behalf of the public that board meetings be publicized via some social media platform like Facebook or YouTube. Superintendent Lazard stated that the reason why previous meetings were broadcasted was because they were virtual meetings—the current meetings are no longer virtual. No solutions were decided on, but no one from the public was present at Wednesday's meeting despite available seats. An email sent to Superintendent Lazard indicated that the hotspots expected by the schoolboard are being shipped today, September 17th, from Texas. In other news, the board: • Accepted ratification of a quote for 10 A/C window units for warehouse stock • Accepted ratification of a quote for two replacement A/C units requested by Mamou Elementary School cafeteria • Approved $9,090 for desks at Mamou Jr. High School and $15,450 for student email filtering for grades 6-12

We had very special visitors live in our studios during our KVPI La Tasse de Cafe radio show this morning with Charlie and Mark.. Assistant Superintendent of Schools Mike Lombas introduced the four French Immersion teachers assigned to Mamou elementary school: Vincent Martin who will teach fourth grade students and his wife Camille who will teach kindergarten students, Marion Jacob will teach First grade students and Melissa Wilmart, a Third grade instructor. Melissa hails from Belgium while the other three teachers come from France. All of us at KVPI would to welcome them to Cajun country. For those of you who missed the La Tasse show this morning with our French Immersion teachers, we have uploaded the entire show as a podcast. Follow this link to listen to the show at our website: https://classichits925.com/podcas.../la-tasse-de-cafe-archives

The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from Brooklyn Latour, Family Nurse Practitioner from Mercy Regional Medical Center. She announced to Rotary Club members that her Latour Family Healthcare office is open at 504 Jack Miller Road, Suite One next to Dr. Alvarez's office. She is a primary care provider. She specializes in Family Care for patients of all ages. She announced that that she specializes in diabetes, high blood pressure, allergies, hearing loss and ear infections. She can also do wellness exams and physicals. She was the special guest of Rotarian Mitch Fontenot. Club President Peter Strawitz reminded club members that the donations are being accepted to purchase needed supplies for victims of the recent hurricane in the Lake Charles area. The rotary board has agreed to match up to $1500 for all club member donations.

The 2020 Tournoi Eliminations took place Sunday at the Ward One Industrial Park Track. Here are the riders who will be competing in this year's Tournoi run: the father and son team of Cody Manuel and Garrett Manuel, Brandon Snoke, Cody Guillory, Nick Miller, William Fontenot, Shane Deville, Bryan Fontenot, Ben Aguillard and Chuck Manuel. Several of these riders are rookies with the Tournoi. These ten riders will join the top finishers from last year's Tournoi: Champ- Eric Guillory, Alex Haller, Ryan Haller, Marcus Guillory, John Ross Guillory, Kent Saucier,, Shane Lee, Paul Fontenot and Keith Saucier. The running of the Tournoi will take place Sunday October 18 at 2;00pm at the Industrial Park. The public is invited to attend. KVPI FM will be there to cover the event live for our listeners.

At the regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening, Mayor Jennifer Vidrine announced that the City of Ville Platte was approved for a grant of nearly $171,000 to install energy efficient lights in all municipal buildings. The project, funded by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, will start in about two weeks. The mayor also announced continued progress on improving the city's image through the demolition of abandoned property. She said that in the last nine weeks, 21 properties have been demolished, and that 30 more letters were sent out to property owners this week. Since last September, the City has cleaned up 146 properties. However, the mayor noted, there are still more than 300 properties on the list. Once abandoned or overgrown property has been identified, the City sends certified letters to the owners telling them that they must demolish and clean up the property. If the owner does not do the clean up in the specified amount of time, then the City does the work. However, the cost of the demolition is added onto the owner's tax bill. "I encourage all property owners to take care of the problem, rather than wait for the City to do it," Vidrine urged. "If the City has to do it, it will be more expensive than just getting it done yourself." The mayor said that while some property owners do the work themselves, most end up waiting until the City has to do it. Vidrine also praised both the city workers and CLECO for their work before and after Hurricane Laura. In addition, she said that a city crew is cleaning up the Old Ville Platte Cemetery; but, she urged residents to stop littering. "I took a walk in the graveyard today," she said. "You should see all the beer cans, and Popeye's boxes, and other items that won't be mentioned in this meeting, that litter the graveyard. We shouldn't litter anywhere, but in the cemetery. Please have more respect than that." Fire Chief Fabien Poullard reported that firemen went to Lake Charles on Saturday to deliver supplies and provide hot lunches. All of the firemen who weren't on duty volunteered to go. More than 700 meals were provided, along with cleaning supplies, sanitizer, masks, and tarps. Fabien said that the fire department is planning another trip, and that he would announce the details once they have been finalized. The Council declared Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, as the "Ville Platte Girls, Softball Day" in honor of the Ville Platte Pride softball team, which won the Fastpitch America Softball Association World Series last month. Assistant Coach David LaHaye accepted framed proclamations on behalf of the team and coaches.

Rotary Club hears from Cameron Schlumberger Officials September 7, 2020 Billy Fontenot, plant manager of the Ville Platte Cameron-Schlumberger manufacturing facility was the guest speaker at today’s (Tuesday’s) meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club meeting. Fontenot said the Cameron plant will begin manufacturing a new ball valve for the oil and gas industry. Schlumberger closed the Little Rock plant and is moving their Orbit Ball valve operations to Ville Platte. By adding this product line from Little Rock, some 40-50 jobs will be retained at the Ville Platte plant. Engineer Kyle Mouton displayed the new Orbit ball valve in Ville Platte. Some 30-50 pieces of equipment have moved from Little Rock to Ville Platte . The new manufacturing line should be fully functioning by October. Now, Cameron of Ville Platte will be building 6-7 product lines of ball valves and will be a flagship facility for Cameron and Shlumberger. Fontenot said 2020 was a challenging year for the plant and for the industry showing the biggest downturn since the 1980’s. The additional product line is encouraging news for the 265 employees currently employed. In other Rotary news, Club President Peter Strawitz: -announced that the board approved making a $250 donation to purchase disinfectant spray cans for Heritage Manor Nursing Home; --challenged board members to raise $1500 with the board matching that amount to purchase needed supplies for needy families in the Deridder, Dequincy and Leesville areas impacted by the recent hurricane.

On Sunday September 6, 2020 Pine Prairie Police Officer Cheree Eckhart was patrolling the jurisdiction and observed a male subject at Investar Bank during non business hours. The subject, later identified as Brandon Paul Sauseda, age 23 of Marksville was barefoot and had no shirt on. Officer Eckhart made contact with Sauseda, who appeared to be under the influence of an intoxicating substance. Sauseda said that he was at the bank to pick up a vehicle that his brother left for him. Sauseda had a black plastic bag and showed Officer Eckhart vehicle paperwork that belonged to Fuselier's Pharmacy. During the field interview Eckhart was able to determine that the paperwork was taken from the pharmacy's delivery vehicle. Sauseda admitted to going through the vehicle to look for the key. Sauseda was advised of his rights per Miranda and detained. Eckhart made contact with the owner of the vehicle, who stated that Sauseda did not have permission to access the vehicle. Officers with Turkey Creek Police arrived on scence and rendered assistance. Sauseda was advised that he was under arrest, at which time he resisted the Officers. Sauseda was taken into custody and transported to Pine Prairie Police Department for processing. During booking, Sauseda attempted to bribe the Officers in exchange for his release. A warrant for the arrest of Brandon Paul Sauseda was issued for violating LaRS 14:62 Simple Burglary, LaRS 14:67 Theft under $500, LaRS 14:108 Resisting Arrest and LaRS 14:118 Public Bribery. Sauseda was transported and booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail with a $45,000 bond. Pine Prairie Police Chief LC Deshotel would like to thank the public for their continued support and to report any suspicious activity. Pine Prairie Police would also like to thank Turkey Creek Police for their assistance.

During the early morning hours of September 4, 2020 Officers with the Turkey Creek Police Department made a stop with a white male, later identified as Jody Paul Clark age 23 of 1156 Lake Cove Road, Ville Platte for equipment violations related to LaRS 32:329. Clark became extremely nervous during the stop and appeared as if he was going to run from the Officer. Clark was observed pulling a plastic baggie from his right front pocket, at which time he was instructed to the ground. Clark refused to comply with the Officer and the K9 was introduced. Clark laid down on the ground and placed the baggie into his mouth and swallowed it. Clark later admitted to the Officers that he swallowed a small bag of Marijuana. Pine Prairie Police Officer Cheree Eckhart arrived on scene to assist. Clark was advised of his rights per Miranda and taken into custody without incident. An arrest warrant was issued for LaRS 14:108 resisting an officer, LaRS 14:130.1 obstruction of justice and LaRS 40:1023 possession of drug paraphernalia. Clark was transported to the Turkey Creek Police Department for processing and received a medical evaluation by paramedics with Acadian Ambulance. While preparing Clark for transport to Evangeline Parish Jail, Clark was able to manipulate the back door of the Police Unit and escaped custody. A short foot pursuit ensued, but Clark was quickly apprehended. During the apprehension, Clark resisted arrest and attempted to disarm a Police Officer. Clark received additional charges of LaRS 14:110 Simple Escape, LaRS 14:108 resisting an Officer and 14:27.34.6 attempting to disarm a police officer. Clark was transported and booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail on a $21,000 bond for the above charges. Turkey Creek Police Chief Shawn Eckhart would like to thank the public for their continued support and to report all suspicious activity. Chief Eckhart would also like to thank Pine Prairie Police Department for their assistance.

Members of the KVPI announcing staff were the guest speakers at today's (Tuesday) meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. The hosts of KVPI's popular "La Tasse de Café" radio show each spoke and shared their thoughts and stories about the call-in bilingual show. Charlie Manuel, Mike Perron and Mark Layne each spoke. Host Jim Soileau did not attend because of illness. The long running show expanded to now run five days a week effective today (Tuesday) from 8-9am. The show earlier this year was awarded the "Uniquely Louisiana" award by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters. The speakers were guests of Rotarian Brent Coreil who was in charge of the program.