On May 13, 2024, at approximately 4:00 pm hour, deputies of the Evangeline Parish sheriff’s office responded to the 900 block of Chataignier Road, just outside the city limits of Ville Platte, La. Upon their arrival, deputies learned that a male subject was walking back to his mother's home, from a local store, and in the 900 block of Chataignier Road, a dark colored SUV with tinted windows, drove by and three shots were fired at him from the moving vehicle

The victim, Lee Larnette, is currently in stable condition at an area hospital and the assailant(s) are unknown at this time.  He is suffering from one gunshot to the upper back and one to the hip.

If anyone in the public that has pertinent information pursuant to the determining who did this crime, you are urged to contact the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.  The phone number is 337-363-2161

As always, Sheriff Charles R. Guillory and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on criminal activity and urges the public to contact their Investigation Department via phone at 337-363-2161 or through the agency’s website at www.evangelineparishsheriff.org.  Any person/s reporting information will remain anonymous. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Rotary Club Meeting – 5-14-24

The program at Tuesday’s Rotary luncheon was presented by Rotarian Kristi Enicke, and she invited Mark Layne and members of the staff from KVPI.  KVPI was just awarded the Small Market Radio Station of the Year award, and the Uniquely Louisiana Award by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters in March.  Mark thanked Kristi for inviting us, and for the Community for making it possible for KVPI to continue to be the voice of Ville Platte and Cajun culture… keeping alive the Cajun French language with La Tasse de Café, French Newscasts, and Cajun French Music.  Also, continuing the Swamp Pop and Fred’s Lounge, covering local sports, community events and news and so much more.  Mark also invited Jackie Miller, Mike Perron and Misty Parker to speak and share stories about what it means to be part of KVPI.  We all love being part of KVPI and were happy to be able to share our stories with the Rotary.

Other Rotary News:

• The next Board Meeting that was originally scheduled for May 14^th has been postponed, and the Board met after the meeting to pick a new date.
• Superintendent Darwan Lazard announced that the Evangeline Parish Schools were hiring seven new French Immersion teachers for next year.  Five of the current teachers are leaving, and the Parish is adding two teachers for the 8^th grade.  If anyone has furniture or household items that they can donate for these teachers, they would be appreciated.
• Linda Fontenot, the Founder of Save our Community Kids Adventure Camps announced that there will be an Open House Music Experience for Ages 7-22 at Hundredfold Coffee House on May 25^th from 1-5pm.  Attendees will have the opportunity to make their own music, write lyrics and much more.
• The speaker for the next meeting on May 21^st will be presented by Angela Fontenot.

On May 1, 2024, Detectives with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted Probation and Parol with a compliance check on a convicted felon under Probation and Parole supervision.  His name is Von Dale Ashford age  42 and he resides at the 500 Blk. of Lanse Meg Rd. 

During the compliance check, Detectives along with Probation and Parole, located multiple firearms inside the residence.  Two firearms, one containing a conversion trigger switch which modifies the firearms to be fully automatic was found Ashford’s possession.  Two other firearms were located inside the living room of the residence.  The firearms were later confiscated by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Ashford was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession or dealing in unregistered of illegally transferred weapons.  HE is currently being held in the Evangeline Parish Jail with a $200,000.00 bond  

As always, Sheriff Charles R. Guillory and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on criminal activity and urges the public to contact their Investigation Department via phone at 337-363-2161 or through the agency’s website at www.evangelineparishsheriff.org.  Any person/s reporting information will remain anonymous. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

On Monday night, the Evangeline Parish Police Jury held their monthly meeting.

• In the Executive Committee meeting, they discussed utilizing Open Meeting Software to livestream Jury meetings for easier access for the public. 
• The Road and Bridge Committee approved beginning the process of looking into taking back Nobrac Road from Crowell Lumber.
• Brian Richmond, the Park Manager for Crooked Creek, handled some personnel issues and then reported on successful April events.  The Memorial Day Celebration on May 25^th will include the Rose Down Rockers, and there will be a Black Pot Cookoff from 11:00-1:00.
• Kim Deville from the LSU Ag Center spoke about the new sign grant for the Chauncey Pitre Barn and introduced student and Grant Recipient, Dane Fontenot, who got approval for his Pollination Project from the Building Committee.  Project funds were from a Grant, and donations from Heather Cloud, Progressive and donations of local native grasses.  Vincent Deshotel introduced the new Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, Brittany Zaunbrecher.
• The Building Committee also approved work to be done by Calcasieu for the Courthouse.
• The Claims Committee approved enrolling two Firemen in the Insurance plan.
• The Equipment Committee gave approval to Engineer Jody Snoddy to proceed with the acquisition of a semi-trailer truck, a backhoe, and tractor with front-end loader, backhoe, grappler and shredder attachments under an existing grant.

At the Regular Meeting, it was announced that the Parish will receive an $85,000 dividend back on the OSHA insurance coverage, so hiring the insurance agent has been very beneficial.  Tim Causey invited Ben Hunter from National Water Infrastructure, a private waste water and utility company, to speak about taking over the responsibility of waste water from the Parish.  A Motion was approved by the Jury to have a Legal Advisor develop a Bid Plan to auction off the plants in the parish with the exception of the ones that the Parish are legally obligated to control. 

The Public Works Director, Jody Snoddy, reported that they are working out the flood problems in the Ward 1 Drainage in District 8, and they continue to work on the 2% Drainage in District 5.  It will take about 4 months to get all of the bridges complete to do delays in getting the bridge timbers.

Toby Landreneau gave the Engineer’s Report on two projects.  He recommended awarding the Water Sector Project in the Wyble Subdivision, and that was approved.  The Evangeline Parish Industrial Park Road and Utility District is moving forward.  It should be complete by the next meeting and ready to go to bid.

The Secretary/Treasurer Dirk Deville reported Sales and Use Tax collections for February 2024 were $344,000, compared to $331,000 from February of 2023.  The Enterprise Zone Property Listing was approved for the Parish.  Mr. Deville was also authorized to sign on behalf of the Parish for the Equipment purchases and the Crooked Creek purchases.  He was also asked about the Boat Launch in Whiteville, and he reported that work is still ongoing.

The meeting was then adjourned for the Special Meeting to discuss Solar Panel Farms.

The Evangeline Parish School Board met on Wednesday night, and Superintendent Lazard presented a plan for ESSER positions for the 2024-2025 school year utilizing local, state and Federal Funds.  The federal funds for the existing program will end in September of 2024.  The ESSER Positions include College and Career Readiness Strategists, Curriculum Specialists for both High School and K-8^th, Technology Technicians, Safe and Healthy Schools/SBLC Specialists and Instructional Strategists.  The people who have filled these roles for the last three years have made a positive impact on the students, and keeping as many in place as possible will help to sustain the education and growth for the schools in Evangeline Parish.

The proposed plan includes utilizing multiple funding sources from state and federal funds, local school funds and from the General Fund.  The Board approved a motion from Fannie Soileau to delay the vote on the proposed plan until the next meeting in order to give Board Members more time to study the proposed plan and the budgetary considerations.  

Hancock Whitney was approved as the Fiscal Agent.  Presented bids, requisitions and invoices were approved.  President Bobby Max Hamlin presented a motion not to change the existing Title IX rules and to remain in alignment with the guidelines of the LA Department of Education, and this was approved by the Board.  The Board also approved the settlement of a Worker’s Compensation case.

Superintendent Lazard congratulated the Evangeline Reimagine Academy for being selected to do a special presentation for the Teacher Leader Summit at the end of the month in New Orleans.  He also congratulated Ms. Kelly Lafleur who was also selected to do a presentation at the Summit.

Mr. Lazard reported the following:

1. He reminded the Board Members that financial disclosures are due to the state by May 15^th.  If they would like, they can request Angelia Arvie to maintain a copy locally.
2. Information on the Solar Farm project was included in the Board’s packets.  Mr. Lazard thanked Bobby Max Hamlin for his efforts to ensure that the Evangeline Parish Schools received revenue from the proposed project.
3. May 24^th will be a ½ day.  Schools will be closed on Memorial Day, May 27^th.  Tuesday – Thursday, May 28^th-30^th will be ½ days.  May 31^st will be a Records day.  No Students.

The next School Board Meeting will be on Wednesday, May 15^th.

SHERIFF AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY

CRACK DOWN ON FENTANYL DEALERS

Hebert Receives 40-year Sentence

            On Monday, April 29, 2024, Corey Hebert entered a plea of guilty in the 13^th Judicial District Court Division B on the charges of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance, to wit: Fentanyl, and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance, to wit: Heroin, and received a sentence of forty (40) years hard labor. He also entered a plea of guilty to the charge of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance, to wit: Methamphetamine, and received a sentence of ten (10) years at hard labor. All charges are to run concurrent with one another and the first 5 years are to be served without benefit of parole or suspension of sentence.

          These convictions are the result of the combined efforts of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Evangeline Parish District Attorney’s Office to rid the Parish of Fentanyl and Heroin.

District Attorney Trent Brignac would like to thank Sheriff Charles Guillory and his Narcotics team, and complimented Assistant District Attorney Jacob B. Fusilier for his efforts in leading the prosecution of this case.