State

Fran Lemelle, principal of James Stephens Montessori, (left) along with Superintendent Darwan Lazard (center) present gifts to Melanie Soileau (right). (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

Fran Lemelle, principal of James Stephens Montessori, (left) along with Superintendent Darwan Lazard (center) present gifts to Melanie Soileau (right). (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

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Soileau is honored as semifinalist

News Staff
Monday, March 24, 2025
By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - Melanie Soileau, a preschool teacher at James Stephens Montessori, was recognized as being a state semi-finalist for teacher of the year.
Deputies with the Criminal Patrol Unit of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office escort Trae’land Castille, 19, of Arnaudville, out of a police unit and into the Evangeline Parish Courthouse for his initial court hearing on Monday, March 17. His arraignment date is set for Monday, May 5, in Division A. (Photo courtesy of EPSO)

Deputies with the Criminal Patrol Unit of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office escort Trae’land Castille, 19, of Arnaudville, out of a police unit and into the Evangeline Parish Courthouse for his initial court hearing on Monday, March 17. His arraignment date is set for Monday, May 5, in Division A. (Photo courtesy of EPSO)

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Castille is booked on charges, makes first court appearance

News Staff
Thursday, March 20, 2025
By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - Trae’land Castille, the accused gunman associated with mass shooting that took place on Mardi Gras in Mamou, appeared in an Evangeline Parish courtroom for the first time on Monday, March 17. During the hearing in front of the honorable Judge Marcus L.
New Boggy Bayou Festival royalty crowned

New Boggy Bayou Festival royalty crowned

New Boggy Bayou Festival royalty crowned

News Staff
Thursday, March 20, 2025
The 2025 Boggy Bayou royalty were crowned on Saturday evening March 15, at the Sherman Place Event Venue in Crooked Creek. The newly-crowned royals will reign over the 40th annual Boggy Bayou Festival, which will be held in Pine Prairie May 8-10, 2025. In the top photo, from left are Ms.
VPHS band performs at festival

VPHS band performs at festival

VPHS band performs at festival

News Staff
Monday, March 17, 2025
On Saturday, March 8, the Ville Platte High School Marching Band concluded its season with a performance in Independence. The invitation to participate in the Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival Parade came after the band’s outstanding performance at the Mardi Gras festivities in Hammond.
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Lakeview hosts 22nd annual Balfa Week

News Staff
Monday, March 17, 2025
Learning traditional Louisiana music, dance, folklore and French language with friends from around the world is the focus of the 22nd Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week.
Cutting a ribbon marking the reopening of the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center on Friday were, from left, Scott Fontenot Eunice mayor; Laura McDonald and Lainey Binnix, park rangers; Herman Fuselier, parish tourism director; Justin Lemoine, executive director of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area; and Dwight Jodon, Eunice Rotary Club member. (LSN photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Cutting a ribbon marking the reopening of the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center on Friday were, from left, Scott Fontenot Eunice mayor; Laura McDonald and Lainey Binnix, park rangers; Herman Fuselier, parish tourism director; Justin Lemoine, executive director of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area; and Dwight Jodon, Eunice Rotary Club member. (LSN photo by Harlan Kirgan)

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Prairie Acadian Cultural Center reopens

News Staff
Monday, March 17, 2025
By: HARLAN KIRGAN LSN Editor It has been a long 5 years’ Despite mass firings coming out of Washington, D.C., the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center reopened on Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Center has been closed since 2019 due to renovations and the Covid pandemic.
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Youths named champions at 90th LSU AgCenter Livestock Show

News Staff
Monday, March 17, 2025
Hundreds of young people from across Louisiana were named state champions during the 90th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show held Feb. 11 to 18 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.
EPSB Special Olympics bowling team places at state

EPSB Special Olympics bowling team places at state

EPSB Special Olympics bowling team places at state

News Staff
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Some Evangeline Parish students participated in the Special Olympics Louisiana State Bowling Tournament on February 22, at All Star Lanes in Baton Rouge. “Our students had a great time competing and cheering one another on.
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DOTD announces start of $4.6M project on La. 758

News Staff
Thursday, March 13, 2025
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced that beginning Friday, March 14, construction will commence on a $4.6 million project on La. 758 (Woodstone Rd.) from US 190 (Ronald Reagan Dr.) to La. 29 (Chataignier Rd.) in Evangeline and St. Landry Parishes.
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PAR releases guide to Constitutional Amendment 2

News Staff
Thursday, March 13, 2025
(Editor’s Note: The following is the second of two articles that will take a look at the constitutional amendments which are on the March 29 ballot. The first article took a look at Amendments One, Three, and Four and was in the Thursday, March 13 edition of the Ville Platte Gazette.
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