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A two-time MLB All-Star (2014, 2016) who was fourth in the National League MVP voting in 2014, Jonathan Lucroy was a record-setting catcher at UL and led the Ragin’ Cajuns to two Sun Belt titles and the 2007 NCAA regional finals before a 12-year major league career. (Photo courtesy of Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame)

A two-time MLB All-Star (2014, 2016) who was fourth in the National League MVP voting in 2014, Jonathan Lucroy was a record-setting catcher at UL and led the Ragin’ Cajuns to two Sun Belt titles and the 2007 NCAA regional finals before a 12-year major league career. (Photo courtesy of Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame)

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Lucroy worked his way through the ranks to MLB All-Star, gold medalist

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
By: DAN McDONALD Written for the LSWA It’s been a good few months for Jonathan Lucroy. Last August, the former Major League Baseball All-Star got the phone call from the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, letting him know that he would be honored with the state’s highest athletic accolade this summer.
Fontenot

Fontenot

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Fontenot is selected new district superintendent

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - By a vote of 7-5, elementary supervisor Cheri Fontenot edged out high school supervisor Liz Chatelain to become the new superintendent of the Evangeline Parish School District. The vote came during a school board meeting held Tuesday, June 23.
Soileau

Soileau

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VVA president passes away

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
By: TONY MARKS Editor Joseph Durel “JD” Soileau, vice president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Louisiana State Chapter and as president of the Ville Platte Chapter 632, passed away on Friday, June 19, 2026, at the age of 76. Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m.
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Fontenot enters a plea of guilty in death of wife

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
By: TONY MARKS Editor Ray Charles Fontenot, on Monday, June 22, entered a plea of guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of his wife, Brittany Guillory Fontenot in 2023.
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Victim dies in two-vehicle crash

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE – A two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 167 near Ceeway Lane, in Bayou Chicot, claimed the life of 19-year-old Kyle Basco, of St. Landry. According to a press release from Louisiana State Police, troopers responded to the scene at approximately 2 p.m.
Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot speaks at the General Session at the 104th Annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention. (Photo courtesy of Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation)

Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot speaks at the General Session at the 104th Annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention. (Photo courtesy of Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation)

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Fontenot is elected to third term as president

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
NEW ORLEANS--Richard Fontenot, a fourth-generation rice, soybean and crawfish farmer from Ville Platte, was reelected to serve his third term as president of Louisiana Farm Bureau at the 104th Annual Convention of the organization on June 21, 2026.
Vigneaux

Vigneaux

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JULIE ANN VIGNEAUX

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
KAPLAN - A Catholic Liturgy of the Word Service was held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 4 p.m. at Cypress Funeral Home in Maurice for Julie Ann Vigneaux, age 49, who passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Lafayette. Visitation for Julie was on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Fontenot

Fontenot

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CAROLYN JEAN FONTENOT

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Graveside services for Mrs. Carolyn Jean Carlson Fontenot will be held at 11 a.m. today, June 25, 2026, at Miller Cemetery, Eunice, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Oakdale. Mrs. Fontenot, 87, of Ville Platte, near Pine Prairie, entered eternal rest on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
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Ville Platte fugitive is arrested

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
CALCASIEU PARISH – On June 22, troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop D attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a silver Ram TRX traveling westbound on Interstate 10 just east of Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish.
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Early voting ends for runoff election

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE – Early voting for the runoff election ended with 522 parish voters casting their ballots. Of the total, 387 were White, 128 were Black, 250 were male, 272 were female, 177 were Democrats, 293 were Republicans, 395 were in-person, and 127 were absentee.
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