State

Lauren Thibodeaux Ortego

Lauren Thibodeaux Ortego is state semi-finalist

News Staff

Thursday, May 14, 2026

By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor With a legacy of energy and excellence, Vidrine Elementary second grade teacher Lauren Thibodeaux Ortego has created more than a just a classroom. She has created a wonderful learning environment for her second grade students.

William Chapman is pictured as he tries to make a putt during the first round of the state golf tournament on Monday, May 4, in Carencro. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

Going clubbin’

News Staff

Thursday, May 7, 2026

By: TONY MARKS Editor CARENCRO - With a total score of 674 and a total to par gross of +98, the Sacred Heart golf team finished as state runner-up at the 2026 LHSAA Golf State Championships in Division IV. The championship was held Monday, May 4, and Tuesday, May 5, at Farm d’Allie Golf Club.

Local Headline

Council approves sidewalk grant

News Staff

Thursday, May 7, 2026

By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - The Ville Platte City Council, during a special meeting held Thursday, April 30, approved a resolution authorizing a Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) grant award in the amount of $772,990 to construct sidewalks from East Main Street to Tom...

Louisiana Congressman Cleo Fields told the Baton Rouge Press Club Monday that voters should vote the entire ballot even though Gov. Jeff Landry has suspended elections for the U.S. House. (Photo by Kylah Babin/LSU Manship School News Service)

Fields: Vote the entire ballot even though Gov. Landry has suspended U.S House elections

News Staff

Thursday, May 7, 2026

By: KYLAH BABIN AND SHERIDAN WHITE LSU Manship School News Service BATON ROUGE – U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields told the Baton Rouge Press Club Monday that Louisiana voters should vote as normal in elections for the U.S. House of Representatives even though Gov.

Chloe Brook Childers

Queens embark on royal journey

News Staff

Monday, May 4, 2026

By: TONY MARKS Editor As another Boggy Bayou Festival gets underway this week, this year’s festival royalty shared their thoughts on what it means to represent not only the festival but also Prairie Manor Nursing Home.

LSUE SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTED - During the April 28, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club, Rotarian Dr. Willie Buller and Rotary President Beau Wilson presented the annual Ville Platte Rotary scholarship donation to the LSUE Foundation. Shown, from left, are Wilson, LSUE Foundation Executive Director Carey Lawson, LSUE Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson, Dr. Buller, and Rotarian Dr. Kirk Soileau. (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

Ville Platte Rotary

News Staff

Monday, May 4, 2026

By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor Rotarian Dr. Kirk Soileau welcomed LSU Eunice Chancellor Dr.

Local Headline

U.S. House primary elections are suspended

News Staff

Monday, May 4, 2026

By: TONY MARKS Editor A day after the United States Supreme Court rendered a decision in Callais v. Louisiana, Governor Jeff Landry issued an executive order that suspended closed party primary elections for offices of U.S. Representative.

Local Headline

Ville Platte Police Department achieves compliance

News Staff

Thursday, April 30, 2026

VILLE PLATTE - The United States Department of Justice has closed its investigation into the Ville Platte Police Department, concluding a federal civil rights review that began in 2015 and followed formal findings of unconstitutional detention practices in 2016.

Local Headline

Early voting begins Saturday

News Staff

Thursday, April 30, 2026

By: TONY MARKS Editor Early voting for the May 16 election will begin Saturday May 2 and end on Saturday, May 9. Early voting will not be conducted on Sunday, May 3. Early voting will be conducted at the registrar’s office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Local Headline

Cleco’s owners have agreed to sell the company

News Staff

Thursday, April 30, 2026

By: SAM KARLIN The Advocate The owners of Cleco Power have reached an agreement to sell the electric utility to Stonepeak Energy and Bernhard Capital Partners in a deal that will keep the firm headquartered in central Louisiana.

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