News

Several parish schools return to pre-pandemic scores

By: TONY MARKS Editor The Louisiana Department of Education released 2021-22 school performance scores for the state’s public K-12 schools and systems, according to a press release from the Louisiana Department of Education.

Sam arrested

Staff Report District Attorney Trent Brignac confirmed the arrest of Christina Sam, a Ville Platte city councilwoman, who is currently in a runoff for re-election.

Vaping now carries mandatory three-day suspension

By: TONY MARKS Editor The Evangeline Parish School Board, during its meeting held Wednesday, November 16, voted to impose a mandatory three-day suspension for any student caught vaping on campus. The three-days is a minimum and could be enhanced with each subsequent offense.

RONALD “RONNIE JOE” JOE BURKETT

MAMOU – Ronnie Joe Burkett, 71, passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at his residence in Mamou. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

ROBERT “B.J.” WAYNE FONTENOT

VILLE PLATTE - Funeral services for Robert “B.J.” Wayne Fontenot, 77, were held at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 18, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial followed in the B.J. Fontenot Cemetery. Father Tom Voorhies officiated the funeral Mass.

RAPHAEL KENT ARDOIN

Raphael Kent Ardoin, age 79, passed away Friday, November 11, 2022, at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge of natural causes. It was Kent’s wishes that his body be donated to LSU to help advance future medical treatments. There will be no public service provided.

EPSO Arrests

The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office reported the following recent bookings into the parish jail. Arrested were the following persons: • Gary P. Aymond, 57, Mamou, was arrested November 10, 2022, by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office for possession of schedule II CDS.

The Marks Post: B.J. was a peach

Over the past several years, I have been volunteering at the Ville Platte-Evangeline Parish Recreational Complex for Dixie Youth All-Star tournaments. Over that same time, I have gotten to know B.J. Fontenot, who was a former Dixie Youth coach and umpire and never missed an All-Star tournament.

Ville Platte Fire Department releases Thanksgiving safety tips

With the Thanksgiving holidays underway, Ville Platte Fire Chief Chris Soileau and staff, would like to offer the following safety tips to keep residents safe while Cooking at home for the holidays. The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving.

Soileau charged with monetary instrument abuse and theft

On July 26, 2022, Deputies with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office received a complaint of a possible identity theft. During the investigation it was learned that the suspect Robert Soileau Jr. of St. Landry Louisiana had been hired by the victim to do some repairs on his property.