News

Marks earns three LSWA writing awards

NATCHITOCHES — Tony Marks, editor of the Ville Platte Gazette and sports editor of The Oakdale Journal, earned three awards in the 2024 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Annual Contest. The awards were presented on Sunday, June 29, in Natchitoches.

VPFD releases Fourth of July safety tips

(Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by Ville Platte Fire Chief Chris Soileau.) The Ville Platte Fire Department would like to wish you and your families a safe Independence Day weekend! Fireworks sales have begun and will continue until July 4.

EPSO Arrests

The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office reported the following recent bookings into the parish jail. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

How the Big Beautiful Bill will keep Louisiana’s energy industry strong

Louisiana knows energy. From offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of America to the refineries along the Mississippi River, we have been fueling America for generations. Energy is not just what we do, it is who we are.

Uhlman is indicted on federal charges

LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a former Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy has been indicted on child pornography charges.

Shooting under investigation by VPPD

Chief A. Perry Thomas reports the Ville Platte Police Department is currently investigating a shooting which occurred on the afternoon of June 25, 2025. At approximately 3:27 p.m.

Tightly knitted bonds

By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor Derrell Perron, recently celebrated his 50th anniversary with the Mamou Volunteer Fire Department. Perron admits, “(When I started in 1974), I had no idea I would be in it this long, but 50 years later I am still an active member.

Eunice bicyclist killed in hit and run in Mamou

MAMOU – Louisiana State Police Troop I troopers were notified shortly after 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday of a two-vehicle hit-and run fatality crash involving a motorized bicycle on La. 3149 near its intersection with La. 104 in Evangeline Parish.

Minister’s Corner: Enter with a sense of expectancy

By: DR. BRIAN DORE’ Member of the Ville Platte Ministerial Alliance Has this ever happened to you? You attend service at your church on Sunday morning or whenever services are conducted, and you leave the service the same way you entered. You haven’t felt the presence of God in your life.

Heritage Manor News: Happy Fourth of July

(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Patricia Duplechin, resident activity director at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Ville Platte. This column runs every Sunday in The Gazette.