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Louisiana deflates mylar balloon releases with new ban, starting in August

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Thursday, June 4, 2026
By: ELISE PLUNK Louisiana Illuminator Louisiana lawmakers have approved a ban on intentional, outdoor releases of mylar and latex helium balloons. The governor shot down a similar proposal last year, but this year’s version will go into effect without his signature.
Co-owner Bonnie Kyzar stands inside The Barn Dancehall and Pavilion at Lakeview Park and Beach, outside of Eunice, on Thursday, May 14. Many of the activities of Balfa Week, Grand Hoorah and Black Pot Music Camp are held here. (Advocate photo by Robin May)

Co-owner Bonnie Kyzar stands inside The Barn Dancehall and Pavilion at Lakeview Park and Beach, outside of Eunice, on Thursday, May 14. Many of the activities of Balfa Week, Grand Hoorah and Black Pot Music Camp are held here. (Advocate photo by Robin May)

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Parish is home to a sandy beach resort

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Monday, June 1, 2026
By: JOANNA BROWN The Advocate (Editor’s Note: Lakeview Park and Beach is located in Evangeline Parish, located 3.9 miles north of Eunice.) The little city of Eunice attracts visitors from all over the world, seeking the trappings of authentic Cajun culture — like live music, the traditional rural...
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Early voting is set for runoff

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Monday, June 1, 2026
By: TONY MARKS Editor Registrar of Voters Lucas Buller, would like to announce the close of books for the June 27 election. The last day to register online using the geauxvote.com website is June 6.
Ville Platte High School graduate Jazlyn Ardoin (center) received a special surprise while receiving her diploma. Her father, Army Staff Sergeant Brannavon Ardoin (right) was approved for military leave to attend his daughter’s graduation. They are shown with Principal Shelsy Williams. (Photo courtesy of Trayvon Wilson)

Ville Platte High School graduate Jazlyn Ardoin (center) received a special surprise while receiving her diploma. Her father, Army Staff Sergeant Brannavon Ardoin (right) was approved for military leave to attend his daughter’s graduation. They are shown with Principal Shelsy Williams. (Photo courtesy of Trayvon Wilson)

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Adding pomp to the circumstances

News Staff
Thursday, May 28, 2026
By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor Graduation is already a momentous occasion in a high school student’s life, but little did Ville Platte High School graduate Jazlyn Ardoin know she would also receive the biggest surprise of her life that night.
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Governor announces task force for teacher pay raises

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Thursday, May 28, 2026
BATON ROUGE - Governor Jeff Landry, on Tuesday, May 26, along with Senate President Cameron Henry and House Speaker Philip Devillier, announced the creation of a bipartisan MFP Pay Raise Task Force focused on delivering permanent pay raises for Louisiana teachers and support staff without raising...
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Committee sends redistricting map to full House

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Thursday, May 28, 2026
By: GRACIE THOMAS AND SHERIDAN WHITE LSU Manship School News Service BATON ROUGE – An amended congressional district map eliminating one of Louisiana’s two majority-Democratic districts was approved by the House and Governmental Affairs Committee in a 10-7 vote down party lines on Thursday, May 21,...
MEMBERS HEAR UPDATE ON STATE PARKS - Shown, from left, are Rotarian Dr. Kirk Soileau, Michael Proctor (Louisiana Deputy Director of Louisiana State Parks), Police Juror Kevin Veillon, Katie Ardoin (District Four Manager) and Rotarian Wayne Vidrine. (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

MEMBERS HEAR UPDATE ON STATE PARKS - Shown, from left, are Rotarian Dr. Kirk Soileau, Michael Proctor (Louisiana Deputy Director of Louisiana State Parks), Police Juror Kevin Veillon, Katie Ardoin (District Four Manager) and Rotarian Wayne Vidrine. (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

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Ville Platte Rotary: Proctor shares news on Chicot State Park projects

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Monday, May 25, 2026
By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor Rotarian Wayne Vidrine welcomed Michael Proctor, Louisiana Deputy Director of State Parks, as the guest speaker for the May 19, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club.
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EPSB hears literacy report for K-3 students

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Monday, May 25, 2026
By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - Elementary Supervisor Cheri Fontenot, during the meeting of the Evangeline Parish School Board held Wednesday, May 20, reported a 31% growth in literacy over the past two years among the parish’s K-3 students.
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Election notice is given

News Staff
Monday, May 25, 2026
Registrar of Voters Lucas Buller, would like to announce the close of books for the June 27 election. The last day to register in person or by mail is May 27, and the last day to register online using the geauxvote.com website is June 6.
Robert Soileau (left), the son of Bobby Soileau, meets with Derek Landry (right), the grandson of RP “Cow” Landry and new head football coach and athletic director at Sacred Heart. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

Robert Soileau (left), the son of Bobby Soileau, meets with Derek Landry (right), the grandson of RP “Cow” Landry and new head football coach and athletic director at Sacred Heart. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

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Bridging generations

News Staff
Thursday, May 21, 2026
By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - A hyphen, according to Merriam-Webster, is defined as a punctuation mark used especially to divide or to compound words, word elements, or numbers.
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