State

Basile High School alumnus Leighe’ McClelland Roark  (center front) smiles as she comes downhill along with other runners in the Boston Marathon.

Basile High School alumnus Leighe’ McClelland Roark (center front) smiles as she comes downhill along with other runners in the Boston Marathon.

From Basile to Boston

By: DARREL LEJEUNE LSN Editor BOSTON, Mass. - On Monday, April 21, 2025, Leighé McClelland Roark—a proud 1997 graduate of Basile High School—crossed the finish line of one of the world’s most legendary races: the Boston Marathon.
(L-R) Shelsy Williams, principal of VPHS; Mike Lombas, assistant superintendent; Rhonda Thomas, high school teacher of the year; Darwan Lazard, superintendent; Bobby Hamlin, EPSB president; Sheila Joseph, EPSB vice president.

(L-R) Shelsy Williams, principal of VPHS; Mike Lombas, assistant superintendent; Rhonda Thomas, high school teacher of the year; Darwan Lazard, superintendent; Bobby Hamlin, EPSB president; Sheila Joseph, EPSB vice president.

Teachers of the year are honored at ceremony

Staff Report VILLE PLATTE - Lights were flashing. Plastic swords were waving. Unity choir members were singing. Teachers and principals were soaring.
Jackson Soileau, of Sacred Heart, is pictured as he competes at the state outdoor track meet. (Photo by Matthew Louviere)

Jackson Soileau, of Sacred Heart, is pictured as he competes at the state outdoor track meet. (Photo by Matthew Louviere)

Soileau is state champion

By: TONY MARKS Editor The accolades keep coming the more Jackson Soileau keeps running. The Sacred Heart runner earned a state championship and a top-three finish in two events at the LHSAA Track and Field Meet held last Thursday at LSU’s Bernie Moore Track Stadium.
Local Headline

Local Headline

House committee advances state budget

By: QUINN MARCEAUX LSU Manship School News Service BATON ROUGE -- The House Appropriations Committee advanced a $49.4 billion state budget Monday that funds $2,000 teacher stipends for next year, closes a nearly $200 million shortfall and balances the books without raising taxes.
LSUE SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTED - During the May 6, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club, the group presented its annual LSUE Scholarship donation to the school. Shown, from left, are Rotarian Beau Wilson; Carey Lawson, Executive Director of the LSUE Foundation; Dr. Nancee Sorenson, Chancellor of LSUE; Rotarian Clem LaFleur; Rotary President Bob Manuel; and Dr. John Hamlin, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at LSUE. (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

LSUE SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTED - During the May 6, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club, the group presented its annual LSUE Scholarship donation to the school. Shown, from left, are Rotarian Beau Wilson; Carey Lawson, Executive Director of the LSUE Foundation; Dr. Nancee Sorenson, Chancellor of LSUE; Rotarian Clem LaFleur; Rotary President Bob Manuel; and Dr. John Hamlin, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at LSUE. (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

Ville Platte Rotary: LSUE Scholarship presented, campus updates given

By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor Rotarian Clem LaFleur welcomed Dr. John Hamlin, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at LSUE, as the guest speaker during the Tuesday, May 6, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. Dr. Hamlin addressed the group about LSUE’s recruiting program.
Local Headline

Local Headline

Louisiana OMV alerts residents of text message scam

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) is alerting residents about a text message scam that has the potential to steal personal information and charge unnecessary fees.
Local Headline

Local Headline

Proposed bill would further cut state income tax rates

By: QUINN MARCEAUX LSU Manship School News Service BATON ROUGE– The House of Representatives voted 86-13 Wednesday to approve a bill that might further cut the state’s new flat individual income tax rate and create a tax break for seniors starting in 2027.