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Protesters gather outside the GEO South Louisiana Detention Center in Basile on Monday, June 30. Among them were Joseph Bryant, international executive director of Service Employees International Union (SEIU). (Photo by Robert Stewart of Verite News)

Protesters gather outside the GEO South Louisiana Detention Center in Basile on Monday, June 30. Among them were Joseph Bryant, international executive director of Service Employees International Union (SEIU). (Photo by Robert Stewart of Verite News)

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Sheriff responds to protest at Basile facility

News Staff
Monday, July 7, 2025
(Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory. The Town of Basile, earlier last week, issued and approved a permit to a group of peaceful protesters from New Orleans. The protest was to be held Monday, June 30, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Richard

Richard

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Vatican accepts investigation into ‘Little Cajun Saint’ Charlene Richard

News Staff
Monday, July 7, 2025
The Advocate The Vatican has officially accepted and approved the investigation into the life of Charlene Richard, “the Little Cajun Saint,” according to the Charlene Richard Foundation. Charlene, a Richard native, died from acute lymphatic leukemia when she was 12 years old.
Artist Christopher Brown (left) presents artwork to Robert Soileau (right). The artwork commemorates Robert’s father George “Bobby” Soileau’s induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Artist Christopher Brown (left) presents artwork to Robert Soileau (right). The artwork commemorates Robert’s father George “Bobby” Soileau’s induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Carrying the flag

News Staff
Thursday, July 3, 2025
By: TONY MARKS Editor NATCHITOCHES — It may not be as good as when a priest, a pastor, and a rabbi walked into a bar, but did you hear the one about a gymnast, a boxer, a coach, a director, and a lineman going into the hall of fame?
Local Headline

Local Headline

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Fontenot is elected to second term

News Staff
Thursday, July 3, 2025
By: AVERY DAVIDSON Louisiana Farm Bureau NEW ORLEANS — Richard Fontenot, a fourth-generation rice, soybean and crawfish farmer from Ville Platte, will serve a second term as president of Louisiana Farm Bureau.
Local Headline

Local Headline

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Marks earns three LSWA writing awards

News Staff
Thursday, July 3, 2025
NATCHITOCHES — Tony Marks, editor of the Ville Platte Gazette and sports editor of The Oakdale Journal, earned three awards in the 2024 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Annual Contest. The awards were presented on Sunday, June 29, in Natchitoches.
Breaking News

Breaking News

Uhlman is indicted on federal charges

News Staff
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a former Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy has been indicted on child pornography charges.
Pictured is one of the trash receptacles received through a state grant. (Photo submitted)

Pictured is one of the trash receptacles received through a state grant. (Photo submitted)

Evangeline Parish Library receives five trash receptacles to prevent litter

News Staff
Thursday, June 26, 2025
The Evangeline Parish Library is pleases to be selected as one of 60 grant recipients of the 2024-25 Keep Louisiana Beautiful Trash Receptacle Grant Program made possible with funding from the State of Louisiana and Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
LPB CELEBRATES LOUISIANA SPORTS ICONS

LPB CELEBRATES LOUISIANA SPORTS ICONS

LPB CELEBRATES LOUISIANA SPORTS ICONS

News Staff
Monday, June 23, 2025
Louisiana sports fans are set to enjoy front row seats at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025 induction ceremony as Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) brings this year’s event LIVE from Natchitoches.
GEORGE “BOBBY” SOILEAU -- After making a name for himself as one of the most dominant boxers, which included claiming multiple high school championships and an individual NCAA title for LSU’s nationally-renowned program, the Ville Platte native became a championship-winning football coach at his alma mater -- Sacred Heart High School. (Photo courtesy of LSWA)

GEORGE “BOBBY” SOILEAU -- After making a name for himself as one of the most dominant boxers, which included claiming multiple high school championships and an individual NCAA title for LSU’s nationally-renowned program, the Ville Platte native became a championship-winning football coach at his alma mater -- Sacred Heart High School. (Photo courtesy of LSWA)

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Soileau packed a punch as a boxing champ, provided priceless life lessons as a coach

News Staff
Monday, June 23, 2025
By: RAYMOND PARTSCH III Written for the LSWA George "Bobby" Soileau taught his son how to throw a punch.
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