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Sharon Fontenot is pictured as she points out the 13 Swamp Pop records which were Billboard and Cashbox chart hits of the 1950s and 1960s. By comparison, Cajun music had two songs to hit the charts, while Zydeco had one song to make the charts. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

Sharon Fontenot is pictured as she points out the 13 Swamp Pop records which were Billboard and Cashbox chart hits of the 1950s and 1960s. By comparison, Cajun music had two songs to hit the charts, while Zydeco had one song to make the charts. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

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A pop of love in the swamp

News Staff
Thursday, February 20, 2025
By: TONY MARKS Editor The train does not pass along the track in Ville Platte much anymore, but a relocated depot still rests along the track. Few items of the depot’s original past remain, such as the two ticket windows inside.
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Area Mardi Gras events are announced

News Staff
Thursday, February 20, 2025
LSN Staff Report As South Louisiana prepares for Mardi Gras 2025, several events around the area have been announced. Mamou The Mamou Children’s Mardi Gras will be Sunday, February 23. Over the three day celebration, Mamou will feature music on the northside and southside stages.
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DOTD announces start of project on La. 106

News Staff
Monday, February 17, 2025
EVANGELINE PARISH - The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announces that beginning Tuesday, February 18, 2025, construction will commence on a $12.6 million rehabilitation project on La. 106 (St. Landry Highway) from U.S. 167 to the Avoyelles Parish line.
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Swamp Pop Reunion XIX is scheduled for March 3

News Staff
Monday, February 17, 2025
Swamp Pop Reunion XIX will be held Monday, March 3, at the Civic Center in Ville Platte, the “Swamp Pop Capital of the World!” Ticket sales for this 19th annual event are on sale now!
St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard, right, reads a proclamation declaring Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week for March 24 to 25 at Lakeview Park and Beach. Also shown, from left, are Jeanne Solis, executive director for Louisiana Folk Roots, and Board member Colby Martin at the Wednesday, February 5, St. Landry Parish Council meeting. (LSN photo by Harlan Kirgan)

St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard, right, reads a proclamation declaring Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week for March 24 to 25 at Lakeview Park and Beach. Also shown, from left, are Jeanne Solis, executive director for Louisiana Folk Roots, and Board member Colby Martin at the Wednesday, February 5, St. Landry Parish Council meeting. (LSN photo by Harlan Kirgan)

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Balfa Week declared at St. Landry Parish Council meeting

News Staff
Thursday, February 13, 2025
By: HARLAN KIRGAN LSN Editor Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week was declared for March 24 to 25 at Lakeview Park and Beach, in Evangeline Parish, in a proclamation signed by Parish President Jessie Bellard at the Wednesday, February 5, St. Landry Parish Council meeting.
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EPSO is released

News Staff
Thursday, February 13, 2025
By: STEPHEN MARCANTEL The Advocate (Editor’s Note: The comments from Sheriff Charles Guillory were added by Ville Platte Gazette editor Tony Marks.) The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office is no longer being supervised by federal officials after officers detained people up to dozens of hours for...
Doug Williams is a 1993 inductee of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and a Super Bowl XXII champion with the Washington Redskins. (Photo courtesy of LSHOF)

Doug Williams is a 1993 inductee of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and a Super Bowl XXII champion with the Washington Redskins. (Photo courtesy of LSHOF)

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LHSAA celebrates Black History

News Staff
Thursday, February 13, 2025
By: ETHAN W. ANDERSON LHSAA BATON ROUGE – As the football world turned its attention to Louisiana for the Super Bowl, we celebrate a Louisiana legend whose impact on the game is etched in history.
Second annual Bastrop, Texas, Mardi Gras is held

Second annual Bastrop, Texas, Mardi Gras is held

Second annual Bastrop, Texas, Mardi Gras is held

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
The Second Annual Bastrop, Texas, Mardi Gras was held this past weekend. Members of the Evangeline Parish Tourist Commission, KVPI Radio, the Boggy Bayou Festival, and other members of the parish made the trip to participate in the festivities.
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Ballot is set for March election

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
By: TONY MARKS Editor Three candidates signed up to be on the ballot in Evangeline Parish for the March 29 election. Geno Delafose, a Democrat from Eunice, and Ricky L. Duhon, a Democrat from Basile, qualified in the special election for Constable in Ward 2.
Bearcat Romnyn Cortez (at right) was the runner-up in the heavyweight division at the La. Classic in Gonzales.

Bearcat Romnyn Cortez (at right) was the runner-up in the heavyweight division at the La. Classic in Gonzales.

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Cortez claims runner-up spot at Louisiana Classic

News Staff
Thursday, January 30, 2025
By: DARREL LEJEUNE LSN Editor GONZALES - At the 52nd annual Louisiana Classic Tournament, held January 17-18 at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center, five Basile High wrestlers competed, with all of them winning at least one match.
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