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The empty stage sits Friday, Sept 12, 2025, in the LU Student Union Theater in Baton Rouge. (Al Persicke / The Reveille)

The empty stage sits Friday, Sept 12, 2025, in the LU Student Union Theater in Baton Rouge. (Al Persicke / The Reveille)

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Speaker Johnson, Gov. Landry mourn Charlie Kirk at LSU vigil

News Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2025
By: PIPER HUTCHINSON Louisiana Illuminator U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Gov. Jeff Landry were among the participants at a vigil LSU held Friday evening for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University.
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Local Headline

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Louisiana 2025-26 deer season opens in some areas Sept. 20, LDWF announces

News Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2025
By: TREY ILES LDWF The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced that the 2025-26 Louisiana deer hunting season will begin Saturday Sept. 20 in Deer Areas 3, 7, 8 and 10 when archery season opens. Archery seasons in the other state deer areas will begin Oct. 1.
SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL 4-H - Shown, from left, are Superintendent Darwan Lazard, Sacred Heart High School 4-H student Amelia Fontenot, 4-H agents Kim Deville and Madison LaTour, and EP School Board President Bobby Hamlin. (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL 4-H - Shown, from left, are Superintendent Darwan Lazard, Sacred Heart High School 4-H student Amelia Fontenot, 4-H agents Kim Deville and Madison LaTour, and EP School Board President Bobby Hamlin. (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

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Success of 4-H is recognized

News Staff
Monday, September 15, 2025
By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor VILLE PLATTE - During the September 10, meeting of the Evangeline Parish School Board, 4-H Agents Kim Deville, Vince Deshotel and Madison LaTour addressed board members about the success of the 4-H program and students who attended 4-H University over the summer...
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Local Headline

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Unidentified victim may have parish ties

News Staff
Monday, September 15, 2025
On January 4, 1993, a timber marking crew discovered the skeletal remains of a black male south of Merryville, in Beauregard Parish.
Credit unions announce merger

Credit unions announce merger

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Credit unions announce merger

News Staff
Monday, September 15, 2025
Southwest Louisiana Credit Union (SWLACU) is proud to announce its merger with Cabot Employees Credit Union, bringing together two-member focused institutions with a shared commitment to community growth, financial empowerment, and cooperative values.
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Local Headline

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Louisiana leaders react to Charlie Kirk’s shooting death

News Staff
Monday, September 15, 2025
By: GREG LAROSE Louisiana Illuminator (Editor’s Note: The comments from State Representative Rhonda Butler were added by Ville Platte Gazette editor Tony Marks.
ROTARY DISTRICT GOVERNOR VISITS - Rotary District #6200 District Governor Chris Duhon (center) visited the September 9, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. He is shown with Rotarian Donald Bergeron (left) and Rotary President Beau Wilson (right). (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

ROTARY DISTRICT GOVERNOR VISITS - Rotary District #6200 District Governor Chris Duhon (center) visited the September 9, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. He is shown with Rotarian Donald Bergeron (left) and Rotary President Beau Wilson (right). (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

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Ville Platte Rotary:

News Staff
Monday, September 15, 2025
By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor Rotary District Governor Chris Duhon, leader of District #6200, visited the Ville Platte Rotary Club as the guest of Rotarian Nicole Wenger on Tuesday, September 9. Duhon shared an update on district plans for the remainder of the current club year.
King Cotton Robert “Bob” Manuel

King Cotton Robert “Bob” Manuel

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Manuel is announced as King Cotton

News Staff
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Robert F. “Bob” Manuel is a lifelong Ville Platte resident and a dedicated community leader. Bob began volunteering with the Cotton Festival in the early 1970s, shortly after graduating from Sacred Heart High School. He first assisted with the annual parade under longtime chairman Dan Poret.
Pictured are the two rescued pit bulls. (Photo courtesy of Hayden’s Hoofbeat Haven)

Pictured are the two rescued pit bulls. (Photo courtesy of Hayden’s Hoofbeat Haven)

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Rescue groups work together to save emaciated pit bulls

News Staff
Thursday, September 11, 2025
VILLE PLATTE — Two animal rescue organizations recently joined forces to save two emaciated pit bulls from a neglectful owner. The Humane Society of Louisiana (HSLA) and Hayden’s Hoofbeat Haven and Training are seeking donations for the dogs’ vet care and looking for someone to adopt them.
LSHOF

LSHOF

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announces 2026 induction class

News Staff
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
NATCHITOCHES – Recent Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Sylvia Fowles, NFL stars Joe Horn, Todd McClure and Pat Williams, Major League Baseball All-Star Jonathan Lucroy and legendary basketball coaches John Brady, Mike McConathy and Dewain Strother make up a star-studded eight- member group...
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