State

Pictured are the members of the Evangeline Parish School Board who were recognized as being certified board members by the Louisiana School Board Association. From left are Calvin Leday, Kristie Briley, Fannie Soileau, Vice President Sheila Joseph, President Bobby Hamlin, and Superintendent Darwan Lazard. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

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School district is among top ranked in state

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Monday, January 26, 2026

By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - At the Wednesday, January 21 meeting of the Evangeline Parish School Board, the board’s president, Bobby Hamlin, announced the parish’s school district was ranked 16th on the list of The 30 Best School Districts in Louisiana according to Money Inc.

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Agents help rescue four people from Bayou Cocodrie

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Monday, January 26, 2026

By: ADAM EINCK LDWF Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents participated in a successful search and rescue mission on Jan. 18 in Evangeline Parish. Agents were notified on the morning of Jan. 18 about an overturned vessel with four occupants in the water in Bayou Cocodrie.

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Humane Society objects to bringing back cockfighting in St. Landry Parish

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Monday, January 26, 2026

(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Jeff Dorson, director of the Humane Society of Louisiana. The statement from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill was added by Ville Platte Gazette editor Tony Marks) A St.

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Smoked Meat Battle is set for Crooked Creek

News Staff

Monday, January 26, 2026

Crooked Creek Recreational Area presents the Evangeline Parish Smoked Meat Battle on Saturday, March 14. Entry Classes: $100 per team entry. 2 entries max per team. 1 Team entry Includes: up to 3 separate categories. “Different dishes/categories must be presented for judging”.

From left are Rotarian Clem LaFleur, Kourtheil Henderson with the governor’s office, and Rotary of Ville Platte President Beau Wilson. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

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Rotary gains awareness of human trafficking

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Monday, January 26, 2026

By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - Kourtheil Henderson with the governor’s office spoke to Ville Platte Rotarians, during the club’s meeting on Tuesday, January 20, about human trafficking and what our state is doing to protect people from this crime.

Breaking News

Ice storm warning in effect

News Staff

Friday, January 23, 2026

From NWS ICE STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM SATURDAY TO 6 PM CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Total ice accumulations around a tenth to up to a half inch possible. * WHERE...Portions of central, southwest, and west central Louisiana and southeast Texas. * WHEN...From 6 PM Saturday to 6 PM CST Sunday.

Buller

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Buller is arrested for second DWI

News Staff

Thursday, January 22, 2026

By: TONY MARKS Editor Evangeline Parish Registrar of Voters Ashton Lucas Buller was arrested on Friday, January 16, by the Louisiana State Police on the charge of DWI 2nd offense. He was then released from custody the following morning on no bond.

Alex Lee is pictured as he presents his research that outlines the family ties of Pope Leo XIV to the Southwest Louisiana area. Lee spoke at the January meeting of the Evangeline Genealogical and Historical Society. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

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Local ties to the pope are outlined at meeting of genealogical and historical society

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Thursday, January 22, 2026

By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - Alex Lee, who has done extensive genealogical research on families in Southwest Louisiana, was the guest speaker at the meeting of the Evangeline Genealogical and Historical Society on Saturday, January 17.

EP Tourism hosts dinner for parish queens heading to state competition

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Monday, January 19, 2026

Evangeline Parish Tourism President Tony Marks (left) shares a toast with Swine Festival Queen Andie Toups, Queen Cotton Chloe Guilbeau and Louisiana Tournoi Queen Taylyn LaCombe during a special presentation following the Tourism board’s monthly meeting held Thursday, January 15.

STATE TREASURER VISITS VILLE PLATTE - Louisiana State Treasurer Dr. John Fleming visited with the Ville Platte Rotary Club as the guest speaker on January 13. Shown, from left, are Elbert Guillory, Fleming, Rotarian Larry Lachney and Rotary President Beau Wilson. (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

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State Treasurer Fleming addresses Rotary of Ville Platte

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Monday, January 19, 2026

By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor VILLE PLATTE - Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming, MD was the special guest speaker welcomed by Rotarian Larry Lachney and his fellow members of the Ville Platte Rotary Club for the group’s January 13, meeting. Prior to being elected as State Treasurer, Dr.

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