State

Ville Platte Mayor Ryan LeDay Williams (left) was the first candidate to qualify for the November 3, election. He is pictured as he signs the paperwork with Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel (right). Qualifying continues until Friday, August 7, at 4:30 p.m. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

Ville Platte Mayor Ryan LeDay Williams (left) was the first candidate to qualify for the November 3, election. He is pictured as he signs the paperwork with Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel (right). Qualifying continues until Friday, August 7, at 4:30 p.m. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

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Candidates begin to qualify for November election

News Staff
Thursday, August 6, 2026
By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - The ballot for the November 3 election is taking shape as candidates signed on the bottom line and began to qualify on Wednesday, August 5, in the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Office.
Manuel-Gasper

Manuel-Gasper

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Guatemalan national escapes from custody in Pine Prairie

News Staff
Thursday, August 6, 2026
A civil detainee, identified as Santiago Manuel Gasper (DOB: June 23, 2004), a national of Guatemala, escaped from the ICE Facility in Pine Prairie, on July 31, at approximately 4:09 p.m., according to a press release from the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office.
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Today is 81st anniversary of first atom bomb

News Staff
Thursday, August 6, 2026
By: TONY MARKS Editor Today, August 6, marks 81 years since the first atomic bomb was used in war. The bomb leveled four square miles of Hiroshima, Japan, and killed 50 thousand Japanese.
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Louisiana law banning debit card surcharges takes effect

News Staff
Thursday, August 6, 2026
By: MISTY CASTILLE The Center Square (The Center Square) – Louisiana retailers can no longer charge customers extra for using debit cards under a new state law that took effect Saturday, giving consumers new legal protections and expanding the attorney general's authority to enforce the ban.
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Qualifying begins for November election

News Staff
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Qualifying for the upcoming November elections began on Wednesday, August 5, and will continue until Friday, August 7. Qualifying will be held at the Clerk of Court’s office in the Evangeline Parish Courthouse from the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each of the qualifying days.
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2026 Gueydan Duck Calling Contest announced

News Staff
Monday, August 3, 2026
GUEYDAN - The Gueydan Duck Festival is proud to host the 56th Annual Louisiana State Duck and Goose Calling Contest. The contest will be held Saturday Aug. 15, at the Gueydan Civic Center, 901 Wilkinson Dr, Gueydan, LA.
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Fête Dieu du Teche is August 15

News Staff
Monday, August 3, 2026
The Twelfth Annual Fête-Dieu du Teche will be held on Saturday August 15, featuring a 40-mile Eucharistic Procession by boat along Bayou Teche.
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State Farm to begin issuing dividend payments this week

News Staff
Monday, August 3, 2026
Earlier this year, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, a national insurer that writes approximately 30% of the private passenger auto insurance market in Louisiana, announced it is issuing special dividends this summer to qualifying policyholders following stronger than expected...
Manuel-Gaspar

Manuel-Gaspar

Escaped Civil Detainee from ICE Facility, Pine Prairie

News Staff
Saturday, August 1, 2026
A civil detainee, Santiago Manuel Gasper (DOB: 06/23/2004), a national of Guatemala, escaped from the ICE Facility in Pine Prairie, Louisiana on July 31, 2026 at approximately 1609 hours. The Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office was notified of the escape at approximately 12:00 AM (midnight).
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