State

Fifth annual SH powerlifting invitational is held

By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - Area schools competed in the fifth annual Sacred Heart Invitational, held Saturday, January 10. The Mamou Lady Green Demons (117 points) and the Sacred Heart Trojans (95 points) walked away with the top trophies as team champions of the event.

McNeese names honor students

The President’s Honor List for the fall 2025 semester at McNeese State University has been announced. To be on the President’s Honor List, an undergraduate student must earn at least a 3.5 GPA or better while carrying at least 15 semester hours.

NSU announces honor students

NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University announced the names of undergraduate students who were named to the Fall 2025 Dean’s List. Students on the Dean’s List must be enrolled full time and earn a grade point average of between 3.5 and 3.99.

ULM announces honor students

MONROE -- The University of Louisiana Monroe announces the students on the Dean's List for the Fall 2025 semester. Eligibility for the Dean's List requires full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 semester hours completed) and the list is calculated based on the following G.P.A. hours and term G.P.A.

Deputy-involved shooting is investigated

By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE — One person is dead following a deputy-involved shooting that occurred near the intersection of Ivy Lane and Homer Road, just east of the corporate limits of Ville Platte. The incident claimed the life of Dylan Savoie, 24.

BHS student is a regional honoree

The Louisiana Department of Education has named Basile High School’s 12th-grade Student of the Year and Evangeline Parish Student of the Year Charlee Clare Smith, as regional honoree.

Cannon fire, Cajun flavor return as Acadiana Renaissance Faire opens

VILLE PLATTE — The cannon booms, fiddle strings snap into rhythm, flames roar against the winter sky, and the scent of roasted turkey legs, spice and woodsmoke drifts across the field.

State Police Detectives Continue Investigation of Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy-Involved Shooting

Detectives with the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations continue to investigate a deputy-involved shooting that occurred on January 7, 2026, in Evangeline Parish. As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives identified the deceased subject as 24-year-old Dylan Savoie.

Balfa testifies in evidentiary hearing

By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - An evidentiary hearing for post-conviction relief began on Tuesday, January 6, regarding John Brady Balfa, who was convicted in connection with the 1983 abduction and murder of Aubrey LaHaye.

Hands-free driving law takes effect

(Editor’s Note: The following is a public service announcement from Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory.) Please be informed that the new law requiring hands-free driving while using any electronic device became effective January 1.