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A warm welcome...

News Staff
Monday, October 5, 2026
Dear Visitors, On behalf of the Louisiana Cotton Festival Association and our dedicated volunteers, I am delighted to extend a warm invitation to everyone to join us for the 72nd Annual Louisiana Cotton Festival.
2025 COTTON FESTIVAL SENIOR ROYALTY - Shown, from left, are runners-up Byron Faul and Janella Soileau, Louisiana Cotton Festival Association President Kimberly McDaniel, Le Roi James Bordelon and La Reine Susan Graser. (Photo courtesy of Heritage Manor)

2025 COTTON FESTIVAL SENIOR ROYALTY - Shown, from left, are runners-up Byron Faul and Janella Soileau, Louisiana Cotton Festival Association President Kimberly McDaniel, Le Roi James Bordelon and La Reine Susan Graser. (Photo courtesy of Heritage Manor)

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2025 Le Roi et La Reine enjoyed their reign

News Staff
Monday, October 5, 2026
By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor 2025 senior Cotton Festival royalty Le Roi James Bordelon and La Reine Susan Graser bid farewell to their reign and crowned their successors during the pageant held Saturday, September 26.
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Grand Parade of Cotton information

News Staff
Monday, October 5, 2026
The Louisiana Cotton Festival’s Grand Parade of Cotton has been scheduled for 12 noon Sunday, October 11. Lineup will begin at 10:30 a.m. All entries must be received by Thursday, October 8, by 5 p.m. Forms can be mailed to 1322 Lee St., Ville Platte, LA. 70586.
Queen Cotton LXXII crowned

Queen Cotton LXXII crowned

Queen Cotton LXXII crowned

News Staff
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Ashley Ann Gorrell of Baton Rouge, the 23-year-old daughter of Samantha and Randall Rowlands, was crowned Queen Cotton LXXII during pageant festivities held Saturday afternoon, September 26, at the Northside Civic Center.
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A decade after flood, church is being demolished

News Staff
Thursday, October 1, 2026
By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - Ten years after historic flooding unearthed tombs and coffins in the church’s cemetery, the property of Saint Matthews Baptist Church has a new owner and is awaiting demolition. The Evangeline Parish Police Jury took over ownership of the property last week.
In the left photo, Le Roi Byron Faul and La Reine Shirley Copeland were crowned during Cotton Festival pageant activities held Saturday afternoon, September 26, at the Northside Civic Center.

In the left photo, Le Roi Byron Faul and La Reine Shirley Copeland were crowned during Cotton Festival pageant activities held Saturday afternoon, September 26, at the Northside Civic Center.

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Le Roi et La Reine crowned during annual cotton pageant

News Staff
Thursday, October 1, 2026
By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor During the annual crowning of Queen Cotton, Heritage Manor Le Roi et La Reine of the Cotton Festival were also crowned. Byron Faul, 70, of Ville Platte was chosen as Le Roi. He has been a resident of Heritage Manor for three years.
EPSO Arrests

EPSO Arrests

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EPSO Arrests

News Staff
Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office reported the following recent bookings into the parish jail. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Special Black-Bellied Whistling Duck Season to open Oct. 3, LDWF announces

News Staff
Thursday, October 1, 2026
By: TREY ILES LDWF The special nine-day Louisiana black-bellied whistling duck season will begin Saturday (Oct. 3) and run through Oct. 11, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced. The daily bag limit for the season will be four with a possession limit of twelve.
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Squirrel and Rabbit Hunting Seasons begin Oct. 3, LDWF announces

News Staff
Thursday, October 1, 2026
By: TREY ILES LDWF The Louisiana squirrel and rabbit hunting seasons begin Saturday (Oct. 3) in all parts of Louisiana and run through Feb. 28, 2027, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced.
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