Sheriff Department Drug Arrest December 28, 2022 Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory reported to KVPI News a drug arrest took place last Friday. The sheriff's department narcotics unit stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. Agents made contact with the driver and occupant. Agents then developed probably cause to believe narcotics may be involved. K-9 Diego was on scene and deployed giving a positive alert to the presence of illegal narcotics. Agents then conducted a search of the vehicle and located a small amount of narcotics. Agents searched the driver and located a hidden belt around his waist which contained more narcotics. Agents arrested Corey Hebert age 45 of Chicot Park Road, Ville Platte and charged with possession with intent to distribute over 6 grams of Heroin, possession with intent to distribute over 4 grams of Fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute over 24 grams of Methamphetamine. He is also being held for a probation violation and was cited for the traffic violation.

Ville Platte City Council Meeting December 13, 2022 Farewell messages were made by Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine and some members of the Ville Platte City Council at Tuesday's city council meeting. It was the last public meeting for Mayor Vidrine along with Jordan Anderson and Jerry Joseph who did not win re-election in last week's elections and for Mike Perron who did not seek re-election. In her final mayor's comments, Mayor Vidrine said she is proud of the accomplishments she and the city council were able to do for the past 12 years. She advised the new incoming mayor and council members "to always work for the people and care about the people. Ville Platte and its people will always be in my heart" she said. The city council approved a number of measures recommended by Mayor Jennifer Vidrine using federal American Rescue Fund monies. The council approved accepting proposals to do begin cleaning the 13 city canals to improve the drainage issues in the city. At the suggestion by the mayor, the city council approved the purchase of the Ollie Deville property at the corner of Dr. Carver and Cotton Street for $35,000 to be used as a pocket park. The City Council, after viewing a presentation from a representative with Atakapa Services of Baton Rouge, approved using their services to begin cleaning storm drains in the city. In other business, the city council approved giving a 4% increase in pay to the paid firefighters in the city and to give police officers a $2.50 an hour pay raise. The pay hike would increase the pay for starting police officers to $17.50 an hour. Special presentations were made to Donna Guillory who is retiring after 33 years of service as a city hall employee and Mike Perron is retiring after 16 years as a city councilman. Dwan Jack appeared before the council to announce that he is opening a new pool hall in the city at 142 West Main in Ville Platte in the old Briley's Lounge location; Sharon Fontenot, curator of the Louisiana Swamp Pop Museum announced that the next Swamp Pop Reunion Dance is set for Feb. 22, Mardi Gras eve at the Ville Platte Civic Center. It is a major fund raiser for the museum, Visitors from 42 states and 12 countries have toured the only known museum dedicated for the presentation of Swamp Pop Music, Police Chief Neal Lartigue reported that for the month of November the police department responded to 896 calls, 22 citations issued, 19 misdemeanor cases, 3 felony cases, 16 accidents and one fatality. Lartigue is leaving the office after serving 16 years as police chief and 32 years in the police force. Fire Chief Chris Soileau announced that for the month of November 25 incidents reported to the fire department and no structure fires and one vehicle fire.

Election Returns December 10, 2022 Complete but unofficial returns from today's (Saturday's) runoff elections shows the following: The special runoff election for Mayor of Turkey Creek ended up in a tie vote. Bert Campbell and Vickie Chaddrick each got 109 votes in the runoff race. Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel spoke with the Secretary of State's Office and was informed that once the election is certified, there will be a special election to be held for Mayor in Turkey Creek January 14. In the Town of Mamou races for Mamou City Council, Reko Goodley defeated Jimmie Thomas 348 votes to Thomas's 247 votes for the Alderman at Large seat. For the District Three alderman seat, Eugene Manuel with 104 votes beat Allen Noel Sr who received 82 votes. In the city of Ville Platte, two of the three incumbents in the runoff races were defeated by their challengers. Challenger Anna Frank beat Jerry Joseph 156 to 94 votes in the District B office. Incumbent Jordan Anderson lost to Shawn Roy 164-137 in the District D seat. Incumbent Christina Sam from District E with 248 votes defeated Adam Toussaint who received 140 votes. Both Millage Tax Propositions called by the Fire Protection District Two board passed by more than 75 percent of the vote. The tax renewals were for renewing 5.63 mills for 15 and 17 years respectively. In Evangeline Parish, the three constitutional amendments were approved by voters by more than 67 percent of the vote. KVPI FM 92.5 was there broadcasting live from the Clerk of Court's Office in the courthouse with Clerk of Court randy Deshotel.

Drug Arrest at Ville Platte Residence December 8, 2022 Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory reported to KVPI News that Wednesday morning, the Evangeline Parish Sheriff Department Narcotics Division, along with the Allen Parish Sheriff Department Swat Team and the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole executed a search warrant at a residence located at 415 North Fontenot Street in Ville Platte. Agents entered the residence and different building on the property before daylight and detained three people without incident. Agents then searched the home and found crack cocaine, cocaine and marijuana along with several handguns and U S currency. Agents confiscated several vehicles, including four wheelers and a golf cart which will be seized. Arrested was James Alexander Garlow Sr. age 47 of 415 North Fontenot Street, Ville Platte charged with: Possession with intent to distribute over 116 grams of crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute over 295 grams of marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in the presence of controlled dangerous substance, possession of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor, possession of drug paraphernalia and money derived from drug proceeds. Sheriff Guillory would like to thank the Allen Parish Sheriff's Department Swat Team and Narcotics Unit along with the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole. All suspects are innocent till proven guilty.

The KVPI road crew had a good time broadcasting live at the scene of the 2022 Food for Families Food Drive at the Ville Platte Civic Center Pavilion. The road crew included Karlee, Misty, Britney and Mark. We even had a special report with our own Mike Perron during the day. Santa Claus even showed up. We had holiday music provided by DJ Jude Dardeau. Special thanks to Gene and Darlene for their help. Volunteers included students from Sacred Heart and the Ville Platte High JROTC. Gene Fontenot will be calling in during the French News at 7:30am on KVPI to give a report on how much food was collected during the day long drive.

Parish Deputy Charged with Battery on a Parish Inmate December 6, 2022 Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory reported to KVPI News that a corrections deputy was fired from his position and formally charged with one count of simple battery and one count of malfeasance in office. The deputy was identified as Juquarius Hayward. His bond was set at $6500. The sheriff said the charges were filed in connection with an altercation last Saturday involving multiple inmates. During the disturbance, all of the prisoners were detained and put on lockdown. While on lockdown, deputy Hayward assaulted one of the prisoners. The investigation is on going and more details may become available. In another case, Sheriff Guillory said a Ville Platte man was arrested in connection with a missing 16 year old female juvenile from Calcassieu Parish. On January 8, the sheriff's office was contacted by the Calcassieu Parish Sheriff's Office for help in locating a missing 16 year old female juvenile. Relatives of the missing girl advised deputies they they believed the girl had run away and was picked up by Isaiah Drummer age 21 of Ville Platte. Evangeline Parish deputies were able to locate the missing girl at Drummer's home in Ville Platte. Once the missing girl was located, she was detained and transported to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office and released into the custody of her legal guardian. This matter was then transferred to the sheriff's office criminal investigations division for further investigation. During the investigation, information was received that suggested that Drummer had an inappropriate sexual contact on at least one occasion after picking up the underage juvenile. Drummer was charged with one count of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and one count felony contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. He was booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail with a bond set at $45,000.