More Drug Stops by Evangeline Parish Authorities October 25, 2021 Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory informed KVPI News that his deputies have been busy stopping drug offenders throughout the parish. Last Tuesday October 19, the sheriff's office K-9 Unit stopped a vehicle on Main Street. When the agent made contact with the driver, there was a lot of movement in an effort to conceal items. K-9 Diego was deployed and gave a positive alert to possible presence of narcotics. Following a search, the driver, Jeremy Bryce Willis, age 30 of Mamou was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine. On October 20, the criminal patrol unit stopped a car on North Soileau Street in Ville Platte for a traffic violation. Upon coming into contact with the driver, there was a strong smell of marijuana. Agents conducted a an interview and the following action was taken: Kendrez O'brian Thomas age 19 of Ville Platte and Madison Lynn Armand age 20 of Ville Platte were both cited and released for possession of marijuana. Also on October 20, the criminal patrol unit was in the Basile area and stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. When deputies made contact with the driver, they could see narcotics in plain view. Arrested was Kirk Noel age 44 of Arnaudville charged with possession with intent to distribute over 31 grams of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Last Thursday October 21, the Narcotics Division conducted a search warrant on a residence at 352 Johnson Road in Ville Platte. Agents located illegal narcotics inside the home. While the agents were inside the home, a pickup truck arrived and learned that the occupants of the truck were there to drop off a large amount of narcotics. The following arrests were made: Danielle Nicole Dupre age 32 of Ville Platte charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute Fentanyl, possession of Alprazolam and possession of drug paraphernalia. Also arrested were the occupants of the truck: Brian Keith Guidry age 41 , Church Point and James Kevin Chavis age 41 of Church Point. The two suspects were each charged with possession with intent to distribute over 43 grams of Fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Chavis also had two outstanding arrests warrants. On Friday October 22 the Sheriff's Department was working security at the Cotton Festival. Deputies were notified of a subject causing a disturbance in an area of the fair grounds. When deputies made contact with the subject, they could a plastic bag sticking out of the corner of his jacket pocket. Upon further inspection, it was determined to be marijuana. Arrested was Bobby Melvin Lewis age 18 of Ville Platte charged with possession with intent to distribute over 16 grams of marijuana. On Saturday October 23, the sheriff's office responded to a wreck in the Basile area. Upon arrival, deputies found a truck in a field. While they were conducting a crash investigation, officers located illegal narcotics. Arrested was Curth James Romero age 27 of Jennings charged with possession with possession with intent to distribute Promethazine and possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone. Also on a separate traffic stop on Sunday: Curt Patrick Saucier age 52 of Red Fox Lane, Ville Platte was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of schedule 3 and schedule four drugs. As always, Sheriff Guillory urges residents contact his investigations department to report any illegal activity at 337-363-2161.

ATV Theft Arrests October 21, 2021 Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory reported to KVPI News that two suspects were arrested in connection with the theft of an ATV in our area. More arrests are expected. On October 9, deputies were dispatched to the 900 block of Chicot Park road in reference to an ATV theft. Deputies learned the ATV stolen was an older model tan colored Honda ATV. The ATV was taken out of the victim's storage shed when he was away from his residence. On October 16, detectives were patrolling the 5000 block of Lanse Bleu road. During that time, detectives were able to locate the stolen ATV. During their investigation, it was learned that two suspects were involved in the theft. One suspect was identified as Anthony Jake LeBleu age 22 of Ville Platte and was charged with illegal possession of stolen things, accessories after the fact, and unauthorized use of a moveable. The second suspect was identified as Dylan Fournerat age 24 of Mamou and he was charged with theft, criminal damage to property, simple burglary and trespassing. The investigation is on- going. As always, Sheriff Guillory urges parish residents to contact his investigation department to report any criminal activity at 363-2161.

Drug Busts October 20, 2021 A number of subjects were arrested by Evangeline Parish Sheriff's deputies according to Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory. On October 14, the sheriff's department Narcotics Unit along with the patrol division stopped a car in the Best Western hotel parking lot in Ville Platte. The agents approached the car and noticed the smell of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. Consent to search the vehicle was granted. Agents discovered a large amount of crystal methamphetamine. Kylance Joseph age 36 of Opelousas was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute over 28 grams of Methamphetamine, possession of Crack Cocaine and possession with intent to distribute over 20 ounces of Promethazine. On October 17, the sheriff's criminal patrol unit made contact with a suspect in the parking lot at the Best Inn Motelin Ville Platte . After conducting the interview with the nervous suspect, he admitted to deputies he had narcotics on him. Joseph Andrew Credeur age 33 who is homeless was charged with possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Later that same evening, agents made contact with the driver of a vehicle parked in the Best Inn Motel parking lot. Deputies patted the suspect and noticed he had brass knuckles in his pocket and they located narcotics. The suspect was identified as Jeremy Daniel Smith age 25 of Natchitoches charged with possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Also charged was Richard John Manuel of Cotton Gin Loop, Ville Platte charged with possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and he had two outstanding warrants for failure to appear for court. On Tuesday October 19, the sheriff's office K-9 unit stopped a vehicle in the Basile area on a traffic violation. The K-9 Diego conducted a free air sniff around the car and indicated to possible narcotics inside the vehicle. Following a search, Catherine Fontenot age 48 of Gueydan was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute over 40 grams of Methamphetamine. Also charged was James A. Johnson age 40 of Basile charged with possession with intent to distribute over 40 grams of Methamphetamine and he also had two active warrants for failure to appear for court. As always Sheriff Guillory reminds Evangeline Parish residents to contact his investigations unit for news tips or to report any criminal activity at 363-2161

Turkey Creek Police Arrests October 17, 2021 Turkey Creek Police Chief Steven Ardoin informed KVPI News his police department continues to keep their word on protecting the citizens and trying to eradicate narcotics use in their village. On September 22, officers with the Turkey Creek Police Department were conducting traffic control on US 167 when they observed a white van traveling faster than the posted speed limit. Officers made contact with the driver, Rexton Dauzat of Ville Platte. He advised police he did not have a drivers license with him. Officers conducted a road side investigation and learned that the driver gave police a fake name to avoid going to jail for driving under suspension. He was placed under arrest on a charge for resisting an officer by giving false information and cited for speeding and driving under suspension. On September 25, officers initiated a traffic stop of a white Chevrolet truck on Red Roberts road. Turkey Creek police spoke with the driver, Aaron Johnston of Pine Prairie. Officers learned that the truck license plates were switched along with him not having a valid driver’s license. A positive K9 alert revealed that the driver has presumed illegal narcotics. After a search, illegal narcotics was located. Johnson was cited for the traffic infractions and a warrant was placed for his arrest for the narcotics. On September 28, Turkey Creek police was notified by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Department that they had Paige Prudhomme of Pine Prairie in custody and that they had a NCIC warrant for her arrest through the Turkey Creek Police Department for driving under suspension, possession of schedule two Crystal Meth and drug paraphernalia. Turkey Creek Police confirmed the warrant and she was booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail. On October 4, while court proceedings were going on, Kenny Clark of Turkey Creek entered to handle a previous citation when officers observed he had an outstanding warrant through the village of Turkey Creek for carrying a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of synthetic cannabinoid. Clark was placed into custody for the outstanding warrant and transported to the Evangeline Parish Jail for booking. Turkey Creek Police would like to thank everyone for their continued trust in the department and they will continue to strive to keep the community safe.

Miller Sign Fire October 12, 2021 Ville Platte Fire fighters on Monday night fought a major fire that destroyed a business on West Lincoln in Ville Platte. Fire Chief Chris Soileau informed KVPI News that the Miller Sports and Signs building at 1002 West Lincoln was heavily damaged in the Monday night blaze. The 7200 square foot building is owned by Justin Miller and is considered a total loss. The fire chief compared the size of this fire to another major business when the Jungle Dinner Club was destroyed in a fire on West Main Street a few years ago. Chief Soileau said the call from 9-1-1 came in at 8:11pm Monday night and within three minutes, the first fire units arrived at the scene. He said six units from Ville Platte and Evangeline Fire District Two responded along with 31 firefighters. Fire District Two responded with two service tankers. Firefighters remained at the scene until 1:45 Tuesday morning. Some 500,000 gallons of water were used in putting out the fire. The cause and the origin of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office but appears the fire blaze began in the common work area of the building. The fire chief praised his fire fighters for doing "a fantastic job" in containing the fire and not letting it spread to adjoining buildings. No injuries were reported during the operation.

Sheriff Office Drug Arrests October 11, 2021 Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory reported to KVPI News today the following arrests: On Tuesday October 5, the sheriff's office narcotics and patrol division executed a search warrant on a residence on US High167 North between Bayou Chicot and Turkey Creek. Once the search was complete, the following suspects were arrested: Travis Wayne Morgan age 31 of Ville Platte charged with possession of Methamphetamine, possession of Marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia and Seth Chad Morgan age 22 of Ville Platte charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. On Friday October 8, the sheriff department criminal patrol unit stopped a car for a traffic violation in the L'anse Meg area. Upon making contact with the occupants, deputies could smell marijuana coming from the car. Consent to search was given and narcotics were located. Silton Thibodeaux Jr age 49 of Mamou was ticketed on a charge of possession of marijuana and released. Also on October 8, a traffic stop was conducted for a traffic violation. This led to the following actions: Rios Benito age 30 of Houston, Texas was cited and released on possession of marijuana and Jana Faul of age 49 of Ville Platte charged with possession of methamphetamine. Last Saturday, October 9, the criminal patrol unit stopped a car on Vidrine Road for a traffic violation.. Agents discovered the occupants had active arrest warrants. The following subjects were arrested: Brittany Danielle LE age 26 of Pine Prairie charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of alprazolam and an active arrest warrant along with traffic violations. Also arrested was Roger Burleson age 31 of Opelousas charged with possession of methamphetamine. Last Saturday, the sheriff's department narcotics division and the patrol division executed a search warrant at residence on South Chataignier in Ville Platte. This stemmed from many complaints and weeks of surveillance. Agents entered the home and located indoor marijuana growth and other illegal narcotics. Arrested was Mark Adams age 55 of Ville Platte charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a shotgun with illegal length barrel, possession of a firearm in the presence of controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sheriff Guillory urges residents to contact his investigations unit to report illegal activity or to leave a news tip at 337-363-2161.

Evangeline Parish School Board

Public Meeting

Wednesday, 6 October 2021

Mr. Wayne Dardeau, President of the Evangeline Parish School Board, announced on Wednesday that the National School Board is recommending the FBI add parents who attend school board meetings to protest mask and/or vaccine mandates to an investigation list. However, Mr. Dardeau, speaking on behalf of the school board, does not accept this recommendation, as he sees it as an infringement of constitutional rights.

Changes were approved for the 2021-22 Pupil Progression Plan:

Beginning in the Spring semester of school year 2021-22, to be eligible for Dual Enrollment, students must meet dual enrollment college entry requirements for their selected school. A student will be ineligible for Dual Enrollment the next semester if he/she finishes with a D, F, or “W” as their final semester grade in at least 2 classes. If a student drops 2 or more attempted courses before the final withdrawal date without a “W,” the student will be ineligible for Dual Enrollment the next semester. Eligibility in both cases shall resume the following semester if the student meets all requirements.

Superintendent Lazard assures everyone that our parish is doing “very well overall” in dropping COVID cases. Restrictions will be eased on a school-by-school basis as numbers continue to drop.

The school board was granted an Emergency Connectivity Fund Grant in the full amount requested— $830,650.

Mr. John Harvard, the Band Teacher at Pine Prairie High School and Bayou Chicot Elementary School, was selected as the recipient of the 2021-22 Outstanding Young Music Educator Award of the LS Music Educators Association.

The Board is still struggling with a nationwide teacher shortage, though they are proactively working to fill the open positions. Available positions can be found on their website.

Schools will be sprayed for mosquitoes for upcoming home games.

Finally, the Board would like to remind everyone about their Career Fair on Wednesday, October 13, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Ville Platte High School.

Evangeline Parish Police Jury Meeting October 4, 2021 The Evangeline Parish Police Jury tonight (Monday) received a status report from their demographer, Mike Heffner, on preparing a new redistricting plan based on the new 2020 census data. Heffner prepared two plans for jurors to review and to receive input. Jurors have until June 2023 to prepare for their October 2023 election. Evangeline Parish School Board Members have an election in November of 2022 so their reapportionment plan must be approved by June of next year. In other business, the police jury approved entering into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Evangeline Chamber of Commerce having the jury send their monthly $650 contribution to them rather than split between the chamber and tourism commission. Chamber President Dr. Gwen Fontenot made the presentation to the jury. Tourism Commission Board Chairman Jay Giehlow was in favor of the change. Secretary Treasurer Donald Bergeron informed members of the jury that the parish had to use some $40,000 in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan to stay within its fiscal year budget. Bergeron said the parish is some $184,500 over its budget in paying the fees to prisoners residing in out of parish jails. Bergeron also announced that the jury will discuss a proposed tax proposition at its November 6 meeting to help fund the cost of a new parish jail. In other action, the police jury: --approved giving pay raises to its permit clerk, public works secretary and flood Zone Mapping clerk; --voted to purchase a second sprayer to spray for mosquitos in populated areas of the parish; --appointed Eugene Manuel to replace John Bihm on the Duralde Gravity Drainage Board; --reappointed Nathaniel Thomas and Lynn Gooden on the Evangeline Parish Communications District Board; --appointed Shane Darbonne to replace Pat Soileau on the Evangeline Parish Solid Waste Commission Board; --reappointed Paul Berzas to the Duralde Gravity Drainage Board; --set trick or treating hours in Evangeline Parish outside of municipalities as Sunday October 31 Halloween night from 6-8pm while trick of treating at Crooked Creek Park will be held Saturday October 30 from 5:30-8:00pm