State
News Staff
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.
Thursday, September 18, 2025
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)
Success of 4-H is recognized
News Staff
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...
Monday, September 15, 2025
Unidentified victim may have parish ties
News Staff
On January 4, 1993, a timber marking crew discovered the skeletal remains of a black male south of Merryville, in Beauregard Parish.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Credit unions announce merger
News Staff
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.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Louisiana leaders react to Charlie Kirk’s shooting death
News Staff
By: GREG LAROSE
Louisiana Illuminator
(Editor’s Note: The comments from State Representative Rhonda Butler were added by Ville Platte Gazette editor Tony Marks.)
Elected officials from Louisiana are reacting to the death of ultra-conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot Wednesday afternoon...
Monday, September 15, 2025
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)
Ville Platte Rotary:
News Staff
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.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Manuel is announced as King Cotton
News Staff
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.
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Rescue groups work together to save emaciated pit bulls
News Staff
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.
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announces 2026 induction class
News Staff
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...
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Colonel Cotton and Marshal of Grand Parade of Cotton are announced
News Staff
Members of the Louisiana Cotton Association have been working on the 71st annual Louisiana Cotton Festival, which will be held from Monday, October 6, through Sunday, October 12, 2025.
They are pleased to announce the royalty for the 71st Louisiana Cotton Festival.
Monday, September 8, 2025