Listed below is a review of the stories that were featured in either the Marksville Weekly News or the Avoyelles Journal during 2008.
- JANUARY -
January 4, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
As part of the recommendations passed by the Avoyelles Parish School Board on Tuesday, December 16, there would be three magnet schools in the parish system. The three schools were a major part of the new desegregation plan that was presented to Federal Judge Dee Drell for approval. The plan called for the move of students to achieve racial balance at some of the schools in the parish.
Le Manoir Fleuri in Moreauville was the site of the first-ever bridal showcase featuring Avoyelles Parish businesses on January 17. The event was free to the public.
January 8, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
A new company was to take over cable service for residents of Marksville and Bunkie during the first quarter of 2009. The new company planned to install equipment in both cities to allow for better service. Media3 was to buy the cable system in Bunkie and Marksville plus six other Louisiana towns from Charter Communications.
The Louisiana Travel & Tourism Summit 2009, “Trails to Treasures,” was held at the Paragon Casino Resort Convention Center from Tuesday, January 20 through Thursday, January 22. The event attracted hundreds of participants from throughout the state, all united in their efforts to encourage visits to Louisiana’s colorful rural and urban areas. Marksville was the first rural community in the state to host the prestigious summit.
The Louisiana Technical College in Cottonport changed its name. The center was named the Louisiana Technical College Ward H. Nash Avoyelles Campus in honor of its former long-time director Ward Nash of Bunkie.
January 11, 2009 Avoyelles Journal
Bunkie board member Van Kojis was elected president of the Avoyelles Parish School Board and Freeman Ford was elected vice-president.
More modifications were made to the new school consolidation plan for the Avoyelles Parish School System since the board met with Dr. William Gordon in early December. The plan for middle magnet schools called to include grades six, seven and eight.
The first nomination received for Avoyellean of the Year of 2008 was Adam Marks.
January 15, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
The long awaited re-districting plan for the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury received federal court approval on Tuesday, January 6 at a court hearing in Alexandria.
The Marksville Police Department arrested two juveniles, age 16 and 14, in connection with a series of burglaries throughout the city of Marksville. The case was solved during the early morning hours of Saturday, January 10. According to Marksville Police Chief Newman Greenhouse, the juveniles were accused of breaking into 23 buildings and two vehicles since December 17.
January 18, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Avoyelles Parish residents once again had the opportunity to exhibit art work of many types during the Avoyelles Art Council’s WinterFest.
There were two young people from Avoyelles Parish who got a special view at the presidential inauguration. Emily Ryan and Joshua Jordan played special parts in the momentous occasion that left them with memories for years to come.
Americans watched as history was made on Tuesday, January 20 with the inauguration of Barack Obama as the first African-American president.
Nominations for Avoyellean of 2008 were Eline Redmon, Francis Keller and Patricia Joffrion.
January 22, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Chris Bacon, a former Marksville High basketball star, met candidate Barack Obama two weeks before his election to the office of President of the United States.
The man who was convicted of killing a Bordelonville child in a DWI accident was arrested on Sunday, January 11 and charged with his third offense on parole for less than a year.
Natalie Plauche was crowned Miss St. Joseph School 2008. First runner-up was Ainsley Leonards. Rhonda Kimble was crowned the 2008 Jr. Miss St. Joseph School. Members of her court were Baylee Lacombe, second runner-up and Kallie Reynaud, first runner-up.
January 25, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Students at Marksville Middle School in Fifth Ward had the day off on Tuesday, January 20, but it wasn’t to view the presidential inauguration. It was because vandals caused considerable damage to the school, including throwing chemicals on a classroom floor.
On Thursday, January 22, Marksville Police and the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office issued arrest warrants for eight people, accused of the break-ins at Marksville Middle School. The ages of those arrested ranged from 20 years old to 11 years old.
Avoyelles Parish soldiers with the 225th Engineer Brigade of Pineville served a year of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. They were SSG Lance Theriot, SSG Barry Wayne Lemoine, SSG Cleveland Gipson, SSG Paul McDowell, SFC CHad McNeal, SGM Tommy Brouillette, 1SG Patrick Deshautelle, SFC Darrell Rabalais, SGT Justin Tigner and PV1 Carl Normand.
Nominations for Avoyellean of 2008 were Evelyn Walker and Pat and Angelo Piazza.
January 29, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Members of the Le Bicentenaire (1809-2009) de la Ville de Marksville Court were presented at the official 200th birthday party for Marksville on January 17 at the Paragon Casino Resort Mari Center.
An altercation between the principal of Marksville High and a teacher at the school led to the teacher being arrested and placed on administrative leave without pay. Principal Duke Allgood, age 55, was taken to Avoyelles Hospital with injuries suffered during an altercation with MHS teacher Roch Bordelon. Bordelon had recently been appointed as the girls basketball coach at Marksville High.
Father Chad Partain of Mansura portrayed Civil War era Cocoville priest Rev. August Rebours as he blessed fallen Confederate militia men during a reenactment in February of 2009.
- FEBRUARY - February 1, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
By a narrow 3-2 vote on January 27, the education committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board recommended to do away with the attendance boundary change proposed in the new school consolidation plan. The full board would vote on the measure during the February meeting.
The Civil War came alive again around the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse square as part of the Marksville Bicentennial. The “re-taking” of the cotton took place on February 7, as part of the celebration of the city’s ongoing events during its 200th birthday year.
Nominations for Avoyellean of 2008 were Karen McCoy, Margaret Michel, Cledie Smetak and Bobbie J. Howard.
February 5, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
For a second consecutive term, George “Mickey” Romano was elected president of the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury.
The family of Clay Sayer filed a lawsuit in the 12th Judicial District Court almost a year after Sayer was killed during a Mardi Gras parade in Moncla. District Court Judge Billy Bennett heard the case.
Over 200 people went to the Cochon de Lait Pavilion Center in Mansura to hear Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal at a town hall meeting. Jindal spoke to the group for about 30 minutes and then answered questions from the audience.
February 8, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
By a narrow 5-4 vote, the Avoyelles Parish School Board decided to pull the boundary change proposal for students in the Belledeau-Fifth Ward area out of the new school plan. The zone change was a recommendation of expert Dr. William Gordon. The debate sparked a nearly one hour discussion of the plan at the February 3 school board meeting, that at times, was heated between board members and members of the audience.
Road construction work on La. Highway 115 between Bunkie and Hessmer began. The 6.373 mile overlay project was expected to take three months to complete.
Sheriff Doug Anderson announced the addition of “Stitch,” a narcotics detection K-9 to the ranks of the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Nominations for Avoyellean of 2008 were Lisa Thevenot, Lennie Bordelon and Ronnie Link.
February 12, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Doug Anderson said that an audit done when he took over on July 1, 2008 found the sheriff's office clean in its financial record keeping. The sheriff said the only debt carried over was a $2.4 million long-term debt from the State Bonding Commission.
Marksville's Main Street saw more excitement than it had seen in years as guns and cannons blasted for a ten minute battle as "Yankee" soldiers came to raid the town. The reenactment was one of the city of Marksville's 200th birthday celebration events.
The bond for Justin Paul Brouillette, formerly of Marksville, went from $30,000 to $90,000 on February 2, after he was arraigned on three counts of vehicular homicide in connection with hitting and killing a mother and her two daughters. He pleaded not guilty to each count.
February 15, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Doug Anderson and organizers of the Moncla Mardi Gras Parade were at odds over whether the parade would be held on February 22. In the end, it was decided that the parade would not be held.
Construction was nearly complete on the new Tunica-Biloxi Cultural and Educational Resource Center. The center is the initial $13 million project in the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s comprehensive long range plans to aid in broadening the cultural, artistic, and educational offerings to its members. The 40,000 square foot facility houses a museum, gift shop, library, conservation and restoration laboratory, auditorium, classrooms, a Distance Learning Center, meeting rooms and offices.
Nominations for Avoyellean of 2008 were Connie Desselle and Cledie Smetak.
February 19, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
The Marksville City Council adopted an ordinance restricting the height of buildings, antennae, and other structures to protect the approaches to the Marksville airport.
A new book was released detailing the history of the city of Marksville. The book was the first of a series being published in conjunction with the 200th bicentennial birthday year of Marksville. The book is entitled, “Marc’s Town: Two Decades on the Prairie.”
February 22, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
A Black Bear was discovered in a tree in Dupont on February 13. The bear was hit by a vehicle while crossing the highway. The bear then traveled across the road and up a nearby tree where it stayed until Friday night.
The Tunica Biloxi Tribe announced the first solar house built on the reservation, and invited the public to come see it.
This week’s nominations were Rose Kuplesky, Melissa Star White and Gladys Maddie.
February 26, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Avoyelles Parish School Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine said the proposed school plan passed by the school board in December created much discussion throughout the parish. He said the parish needed to be more concerned about the overall educational future of the children of the parish.
A single vehicle accident on February 20, claimed the life of Lauren Elizabeth Rodney, age 17, of Cottonport.
Jordan Williams of Marksville High School signed a football scholarship to attend Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.
Sheriff’s deputies prepared a boat to drag Bayou des Glaises near Cottonport looking for the body of Frank Jenkins, Sr. during the month of March 2009.
MARCH March 1, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
The Avoyelles Parish School Board received a bill of good health concerning its audit report during the February 3 meeting.
Four Avoyelles Parish organizations were present at the dedication of two local trees into the Louisiana Garden Club Live Oak Society. The trees were dedicated to Marilyn Beridon Coco and Carmen Couvillion Heywood. Both ladies were important to Avoyelles Parish. The oaks mark the pre-civil war homesite of Ludger Couvillion, great-grandfather of Coco.
Avoyellean nominations were Allen Deloach, Ann Constance and Rose Kuplesky.
March 5, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Frank Jenkins, Sr., age 75, worked at the farm owned by Billy Thevenot just east of Cottonport. On a Thursday afternoon he was, allegedly, picking up limbs along the edge of Bayou de Glaises when he either fell or was pushed into the bayou and died. Police charged his nephew with first degree murder.
A small plane enroute to Marksville crashed late Friday night in a wooded area near Independence killing all three people, who were coming from Mississippi. News of the crash made state and national headlines. Those killed in the crash were pilot Glyn Ray Johnson; his girlfriend, Tabitha Dolbare, age 39; and the couple’s son, Nelson Dolbare, age 12.
Sheriff Doug Anderson announced that two Avoyelles Parish residents and a Lafayette man were arrested February 27 by the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force as a result of multiple ongoing narcotics investigations. One of the arrests was made after a high speed chase on Highway 1192.
March 8, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Superintendent of Schools Dwayne Lemoine wanted to make sure teachers, parents and students were aware of available study resources and that everyone was working together to make sure students performed well when state testing started April 1.
The Red River Waterway Commission approved $50,000 in funding for the Avoyelles Parish Port located on the Atchafalaya River in Simmesport.
Avoyellean nominations were Gerald Lemoine and Marc E. McNeal.
March 12, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Roch Bordelon, a teacher and girls basketball coach at Marksville High School, who was arrested and accused of fighting with his school principal, was allowed to resign from the Avoyelles Parish School Board, instead of being fired.
Gunfire erupted at the home of Avoyelles Parish Police Juror Francis Keller near Bunkie and left Keller suffering a gunshot wound. An arrest was quickly made and the incident was classified as a drive-by shooting.
Mansura native and renowned chef Joe Truex shared his recipe for crab cakes with TV home show icon Martha Stewart on March 5. Truex was the featured chef and appeared for about 20 minutes on the nationally broadcast program.
March 15, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
There was an incident in which an inmate trustee cleaning the courthouse may have taken a cell phone belonging to Judge Mark Jeansonne. That led to the subject of the cleaning maintenance of the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse by inmates to be discussed briefly during the March 10 meeting of the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury.
Avoyelles Public Charter High School students prepared for their next production, “The Music Man.”
The Avoyellean of the Year 2008 nominations were Joey Frank, Bobbie Gordon, Connie Lemoine and Rev. Lovall and Delores Bonton.
March 19, 2009
Marksville Weekly News>
A Lettsworth man was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of Jovondre Ravare, Sr., of Marksville on April 20, 2008. Kendrick Scott began serving his sentence without the benefit of parole.
A large crowd gathered on Sunday, March 8 for the dedication of two live oaks at the site of the former Gulfco building where the Marksville branch of the library will be located after the building is remodeled.
The Marksville city-wide street reconstruction and extension project was about 85% complete according to city engineer Rene Borrel of URS Corp. In his report during the March 11, Marksville City Council meeting, Borrel told the council and Mayor Dr. Richard Michel the contractor had started applying limestone shoulders on several streets.
March 22, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Students in a parochial/private school or home-school in grades 4, 8, 10, and 11 who would be attending a school in the Avoyelles Parish School System during the 2009-2010 school year were required to take and pass the LEAP or GEE test to be eligible for placement in grades five and nine or to meet high school graduation requirements.
The Avoyellean of the Year 2008 nominations were Gerard Moreau and Joe Elder.
March 26, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
The possible closure of the three middle schools, especially Bunkie Middle, continued to be an emotional issue, and at least one school board member was pointing fingers at the newspaper for its coverage of the story. The subject dominated the beginning of a special meeting of the board for about an hour.
Firemen did not have to go far to battle a blaze which damaged a downtown Marksville home on March 18 at 8:22 a.m. The home was located at 452 N. Washington Street across from the fire station. The home was built by Judge Francis Gremillion in the 1960s and was still occupied by one of his daughters.
Mansura Mayor Kenneth Pickett’s veto of a proposed 20-year contract with LAWCO, the town’s water system franchise holder, held up as support by council members for the 20-year proposal evaporated. After the veto was upheld, the company agreed to a four-year contract, with similar provisions as the old contract.
March 29, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Artists from south Louisiana including Avoyelles, Evangeline and Lafayette parishes displayed their paintings at the Cottonport Museum Art Exhibit 2009, a project of The Friends of the Cottonport Museum. Some of the paintings were available for purchase.
“Godspell,” a musical based on the gospel of St. Matthew, was performed by students of Marksville High School in the school auditorium.
Avoyellean of the Year 2008 nominations were Bobby Pierite and Greg Kojis.
Nora Gaspard-Dauzat demonstrated how to make homemade butter on the courthouse square in April of 2009 as part of the celebration of the founding of the city of Marksville 200 years ago.
APRIL April 2, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
The main water well that services the town of Simmesport had a pump going out and the town was looking for funds to replace it. Simmesport Water Superintendent Frankie Bordelon said the water should pump at 450 gallons a minute but it was only generating less than 200 gallons a minute.
Avoyelles Hospital in Marksville, a 51-bed facility, was sold by the Rapides Healthcare System (RHS), based in Alexandria, to a group out of Mandeville. The sale was expected to have been finalized on Tuesday, March 31.
April 5, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
The Marksville State Historic Site at 837 Martin Luther King Drive located on Old River in Marksville, faced a cut in its budget as proposed by Governor Bobby Jindal for all state and historic sites. The cuts would possibly cause the site to be closed on week days.
Members of the Avoyelles Parish Jury met in another special session on Monday, March 30, to consider a settlement offer of paying $50,000 to cover the expenses for litigation in the Rev. Chris Augustine case against the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury. Augustine was the plaintiff in a lawsuit against the Police Jury to create a third minority district.
Avoyellean of the Year 2008 nominations were Gail Shill, Brent Scallan, Clinton Jacobs and Mary Fanara.
April 9, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
The Marksville Chamber of Commerce held its annual appreciation banquet on Thursday, March 26. Awards presented were Small Business Man of the Year, Kinman Goux of Goux Pharmacy; Outstanding Woman in Business, Glenda Gremillion; Outstanding Man in Business, Frank Havard of Farm Bureau; and Special Award, Al Leger for his work with the Marksville Chamber of Commerce.
Air conditioning the gymnasiums at two schools in the parish was the subject of a long discussion for the Avoyelles Parish School Board during a special meeting held on Tuesday, March 31. The board discussed placing air-conditioners in the gyms at Avoyelles High and Bunkie Middle.
Clyde Holloway (R) carried Avoyelles Parish for the Public Service Commissioner post in District Four. Holloway had 1,346 votes or 60% of the vote in Avoyelles Parish compared to 802 or 36% for Joe McPherson (D) and 95 or 4% for Gil Pinac (D). Only 2,243 voters cast votes in the election.
April 12, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
The Avoyelles Animal Welfare Society broke ground for an animal shelter on Friday, March 6 located on Prison Road in Cottonport.
The Bunkie Chamber of Commerce and the city of Bunkie sponsored the second annual Bunkie Art and Farmers’ Market on April 18 on the grounds of the Bunkie Depot.
Avoyellean of the Year 2008 nominations were Sabrina Sonnier, Bobby Cazelot and Roy and Cora Gauthier.
April 16, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Repeat offenders of Marksville’s loud music ordinance were at risk of having their vehicles impounded. Marksville’s mayor and city council took steps to crack down on loud music, loitering and other nuisance behaviors in response to complaints by a vocal contingent of delegates at the April 8 Marksville City Council meeting.
A single vehicle crash on Monday morning left a Hessmer man, Glenn Gauthier, dead. The crash occurred north of Fifth Ward at the intersection La. Highway One and La. Highway 114.
Streets and drainage concerns were back on the agenda at Hessmer’s April 7 village council meeting as Mayor Lynn Bordelon addressed complaints about the condition of School Street.
April 19, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
After 20 months of frustration for drivers and residents along Highway 114 and Couvillion Street in Moreauville, the new Highway 114 bridge over the Diversion Canal of Bayou De Glaises finally reopened. A ribbon cutting was held on April 9.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advised the public about work to replace two bridges in Avoyelles Parish. Work on Johnson Road started on April 15 and Fort De Russy Road April 22.
The Avoyellean of the Year nominations were Elton Bernard and Johnny Leary.
April 23, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Attorneys who represented the city of Marksville filed a lawsuit against Willis Engineering, Inc., TRC Engineers, Inc. and TRC Companies, Inc. for improper work done in building a one million gallon water tank to tie into the Avoyelles Water Commission system.
The April 14 meeting of the Avoyelles Police Jury began with an unexpected announcement as jurors opened their packets and found a letter of resignation from Allison Laborde, secretary-treasurer for the Police Jury. She had served in the position for 21 years. Laborde left on June 30 to take a job with the consulting firm of Frye Magee in Ball.
The topic of “bill issues with inmates” was a hot item of discussion at the April 15 meeting of the Moreauville Village Council. Councilman Kenneth Farbe voiced his objection to the purchase of items for inmates on work crews with the exception of food and soft drinks. He wasted no time telling the mayor and council he wanted this practice to stop immediately.
The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office held a three-day training seminar for justices of the peace and constables in Marksville, at the Paragon Casino, and many of those in attendance were from Avoyelles Parish.
April 26, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
A Hessmer man was arrested by the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office on April 23, on charges of aggravated rape and attempted oral sexual battery involving three children ranging in ages four to eight. Jeff V. Fairchild Jr., age 48 of Hessmer, was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated rape and one count of attempted oral sexual battery.
Bunkie businesses were locking their doors during business hours after a second armed robbery was committed in broad daylight. Bunkie Police said both armed robberies were committed by the same woman, who was arrested in Marksville by Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies. Rachel Malbrough, age 31 of 107 South Chestnut in Bunkie, was arrested and charged with two counts of armed robbery, two counts of false imprisonment and a probation warrant.
The Avoyellean of the Year nominations were Betty Lemoine, Glen Normand and Wilbert Carmouche.
April 30, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Funding and support was sought to construct a 50,000 square foot, $8 million state of the art Catholic high school for Avoyelles Parish. Sister Ann Lacour, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Alexandria, proposed that funding for the school be acquired through pledges made by the people of Avoyelles. Lacour explained that the entire $8 million must be secured before construction can begin.
A report concerning work being planned for the Spring Bayou Wildlife Management Area was heard at the meeting of the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury on April 14. Juror Mark Borrel reported that five proposals were received for the Wetland Enhancement and Open Water Habitat Creation project in the Spring Bayou WMA. The project consisted of dredging approximately 5,000 feet of channels and
opening levees.
The Grambling University Marching Band entertained a crowd in front of the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse in the month of May 2009.
- May - May 3, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
The Cochon de Lait Festival in Mansura was set for Mother’s Day weekend May 7-10. Musical entertainment for the event included Wayne Toups, Geno Delafose and his French “Rockin’ Boogie Band” and David S. Romain.
Despite cutbacks and the fact that the middle schools may soon be closing, the school board considered spending money to air condition the gymnasiums at the schools.
The Avoyellean of the Year nomination was Jerry Ducey.
May 7, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
People across the world became concerned about the H1N1 (Swine) flu outbreak. While there were no reported cases in Avoyelles Parish, officials were keeping a close eye on developments.
A two-vehicle crash, which occurred on May 1, left one man dead and three injured.
This year’s Mansura Cochon de Lait Festival poster was designed by Season Bivens, an artist who grew up in the town of Mansura. She is the daughter of Dennis and Sherrie (Beridon) Bivens.
May 10, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Mother’s Day for Jessica Desselle in Hessmer was low key, yet special and celebrated, but still there was work on her part. As the mother of two severely handicapped children, Jessica knows the full extent of motherhood. She has been married to Jeramy for 11 years and nine have been filled with serving one or both of her special girls who can do nothing for themselves.
The letters of six children from across the Avoyelles Parish area were selected as winners in the annual Mother’s Day Contest sponsored by the Avoyelles Journal. Mothers of the winning authors were presented with corsages from the newspaper. The winners and their mothers were: Cameron Jackson and his mother, Shemika Jackson of Moreauville; Ada Dubea and her mother, Lisa Dubea of Marksville; Aliyah Warren and her mother, Chasity Warren of Marksville; Madeline St. Romain and her mother, Brandie Simoneaux of Bordelonville; Katelyn Wright and her mother, Sandie Wright of Marksville; and Corey St. Romain and his mother, Sandra St. Romain of Bunkie.
The Avoyellean of the Year nominations were Louis Coco and Ralph Schwartzenburg.
May 14, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
With less than a month left before school ends, it was uncertain whether summer school would be offered to public school students. A motion to have a middle school/high school summer school with students paying a $200 fee failed in a four-four tie during the May 5, meeting of the Avoyelles Parish School Board. Last year summer school was free. Superintendent Lemoine told board members they didn’t have the money this year to offer it for free.
School Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine announced the June 30 retirements of Martha Coulon, principal of Bunkie Elementary and Barbara Jones, supervisor of personnel/elementary education, both of whom had been in the school system 37 years; and Dr. Paula M. Childress, director of curriculum and instruction, who had been in the system for 31 years.
A continued rise in domestic abuse cases in Avoyelles Parish led the parish judicial system to institute a new policy for people arrested in domestic abuse battery cases.
May 17, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Mansura businessman Joe Elder was named Avoyellean of the Year 2008.
An open hearing was held on May 22, in federal court in Alexandria about the future of the public schools in Avoyelles Parish. This came after a closed status hearing was held in federal court on May 12.
At the May 5 Avoyelles Parish School Board meeting the board members wrestled with how to get uncooperative parents to send their children to school and how to keep uncooperative students in the classroom.
May 21, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Avoyelles Parish may be losing “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in tax revenue to a neighboring parish because of a problem with addresses, a Catahoula Parish resident warned the Police Jury on Tuesday, May 12.
There was dancing and music in the streets of Marksville never seen before. The world famous Grambling State University Band put on a show as part of the city’s year long 200th birthday celebration.
The Marksville City Council at its Wednesday, May 13 meeting reported that a plan to restart its water plant is ongoing but had been halted. The city also learned that the street project was completed, according to the city engineer.
U.S. Federal Judge Dee Drell ruled that the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury would not have to pay attorney fees involved in creating a third minority district in its current nine member plan after the judge ruled the plaintiffs were not the prevailing party. The ruling by the judge saved the Police Jury several thousand dollars.
May 24, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
The only Avoyelles Parish car dealer currently selling new cars continued to do so after it escaped cuts made by GM and Chrysler. Bunkie dealer Lloyd Vaughn’s two franchises survived double rounds of cuts made by the parent corporations. It was a big relief to the 40 plus employees who worked at Vaughn Motors.
Students at Bunkie Elementary raced to clear the halls on the final day of classes, May 21, as schools across the parish let out for the summer. Teachers at the public schools were released on Friday, May 22.
Promotions and better pay were the order of the day for four Avoyelles Parish Police Jury employees. In what became a domino effect caused by an upcoming employee retirement, the Police Jury filled vacancies by promoting from within and, according to the police jurors, without negatively impacting the monthly payroll.
May 28, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
After six straight hours of testimony, Avoyelles officials and residents waiting to hear the fate of the Avoyelles Parish School System, were disappointed when Federal Judge Dee Drell did not give a ruling. Instead, he told attorneys he would give his decision on the following Wednesday.
LSU at Alexandria conferred degrees on 158 graduates at its spring commencement. Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields delivered the commencement address. Many students from the Greater Avoyelles Parish area were among the graduates.
May 31, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
The number of schools in Avoyelles Parish was reduced by three when Federal Judge Dee Drell allowed the closure of the three public middle schools, Mansura Middle, Bunkie Middle and Marksville Middle. Reopening Mansura Middle as a magnet school in 2010 was considered.
The Moncla Theatre held tryouts for its summer production of “Dear Enemy,” an original historical musical by Nettie Chenevert of Evergreen.
The third annual Marksville Farmers’ Market was to be the June activity as part of the ongoing Le Bicentenaire de la Ville de Marksville. Each Saturday in June, the market would be open from 8 to 11 a.m. on the courthouse square in downtown Marksville.
Long-time Marksville Fire Chief Ned Bordelon was laid to rest with formal distinction with firemen from around Avoyelles in attendance on June 4, 2009.
- JUNE - June 4, 2009 Marksville Weekly News
Since opening its casino 15 years ago, the Tunica-Biloxi Indians have had a major economic impact on Avoyelles Parish providing almost $30 million to local government and area non-profit organizations.
The Avoyelles Parish Teachers of the Year for 2008-09 on the individual school level were named. Elementary Teachers of the Year were: Brandi Chatelain, Cottonport Elementary; Andrea Lemoine, Riverside Elementary; Casey Lambert, Lafargue Elementary; Janet Bledsoe, Bunkie Elementary; Caneshia Jacob, Plaucheville Elementary; and Jessica Lemoine, Marksville Elementary. Middle School Teachers of the Year were: Paul McHenry, Bunkie Middle; Ilie St. Romain, Mansura Middle; and Amy Pitre, Marksville Middle. High School Teachers of the Year were: Roxanne Laborde-Couvillion, Avoyelles High; Michael Rachal, Marksville High; Frankie Palermo, Bunkie High; and Eric Dauzat, LaSAS.
June 7, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe celebrated the 15th anniversary of the opening of its casino in a special ceremony on June 3.
The Avoyelles Parish Teachers of the Year for 2008-09 on the parish level were honored during the May 5 meeting of the Avoyelles Parish School Board. Elementary Teacher of the Year was Casey Lambert of Lafargue Elementary; Middle School Teacher of the Year was Ilie St. Romain of Mansura Middle and High School Teacher of the Year was Michael Rachal of Marksville High School. All three advanced to the state regional round for the Louisiana Teacher of the Year program.
Kevin Rabalais, formerly of Marksville and now living and writing in Australia, won the Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Writer Award given annually at the Sydney Writer’s Festival to one or more of the best novelists living in Australia under the age of 35.
June 11, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
A report on a program for improving teacher quality for Avoyelles Parish was presented to the Avoyelles Parish School Board during its monthly meeting on June 2. The project would be funded by The American Recovery and Reinvestment ACT of 2009, which was part of the stimulus funding from the federal government. The program would cost the school system $5 million to fully implement for two years with $4.5 million already in place.
Preparations for the overlay of several Hessmer streets was underway as ditch work, culvert placements and grading had been done on School Street and a section of Steven Street. Hessmer Mayor Lynn Bordelon reported the progress during the June 2 Hessmer Village Council meeting.
Senate Bill 259, proposed in the Louisiana State Legislature by State Senator Eric LaFleur and others, received unanimous approval from the Louisiana Senate Education Committee. The bill provided for a new high school career option diploma. LaFleur, who represents Avoyelles Parish, said Louisiana currently had one of the highest high school drop out rates in the United States.
June 14, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Two former queens, Erin E. Husbands and Valeria C. Williams, competed in the Miss Louisiana 2009 Pageant in Monroe. They competed with 29 young ladies from across the state.
Political analyst and demographer Elliott Stonecipher announced that Louisiana could lose a Congressional representative and see those districts drastically rearranged based on the 2010 census. Stonecipher made his predictions in an interview with The Lafayette Daily Advertiser in June, and if the state loses a congressional district, Avoyelles Parish could be affected when the districts are redrawn.
The Avoyelles Parish School Board held an Education Committee meeting on Tuesday, June 9 that turned into a battle between funding for master teachers and the Reading First Program.
June 18, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
A paraplegic man from Simmesport was peacefully sleeping in his bed in the early morning hours of June 14 when he was suddenly awakened by a pickup truck crashing into his bedroom. The truck was driven by an, alleged, drunk driver.
A distinguished group of residents of Avoyelles who make up the Cenla Honor Guard received new uniforms. The uniforms were purchased through donations from businesses and individuals across Avoyelles.
At 6 a.m. on Monday, June 15, Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s deputies along with Sheriff Doug Anderson began the multi-agency briefing outlining the arrest details of “Operation Summer Storm.” Deputies then arrested 12 people on drug charges and 13 more on other various charges.
June 21, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
The staff of the central office of the Avoyelles Parish School Board was reduced by two members after the board meeting on June 16. The move came after board members reconsidered a resolution to hire a Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
The farmers of Avoyelles Parish were looking up at the sky wondering when the next rainfall would happen in the parish. It had been over two weeks since the parish had had any measurable rainfall. The pattern at that time resembled the same pattern of a year ago.
June 25, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Avoyelles Parish Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine was not present when he learned the board had considered fully funding the Reading First Program and cutting the program that called for the parish to hire ten master teachers funded by the federal stimulus plan.
People mud-riding in the Lake Pearl area made a grisly discovery of a sock with bones. The discovery had the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office conducting a statewide search for a missing person.
The effect of the loss of two major figures, one a native of Mansura and one from Marksville, was evident by the heavily attended funeral services for both individuals. Fr. Ken Roy of Mansura passed away on Tuesday, June 16 while Margaret Michel, wife of Marksville Mayor Richard Michel, passed away on Monday, June 15.
June 28, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
The city of Marksville and the Marksville Chamber of Commerce invited everyone to participate in the annual Marksville July 4th celebration. Several events were planned including food vendors, music and an old time political stump speaking reenactment around the courthouse square. Even Marc and Julie Eliché, the founders of Marksville, were expected to make a “re-appearance.”
Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Charles Riddle tips his hat as he portrayed the late former Louisiana governor Huey P. Long as he rides in the Marksville Fourth of July Parade. Riddle rode on the float carrying the members of the Marksville Bicentennial Court in celebration of the city’s 200th birthday.
- JULY - July 2, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
An Avoyelles Parish Grand Jury determined a true bill on former Mansura Police Chief Phillip Lucas, Jr., on indecent behavior with a juvenile charge.
Just days after the remains of a human body were found in Lake Pearl near Hessmer, a body was discovered in the Spring Bayou complex on Friday, June 26. Major Steve Martel of the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office said the body appeared to be a 45 to 65 year old white male with gray hair and a goatee. There was no identification on the body.
On April, 17, the Avoyelles Correctional Center celebrated its 20th year of operation with a ceremony at the facility.
July 5, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
What was meant as a prank, landed three Avoyelles Parish residents in jail. According to Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Doug Anderson, two mailbox bombings within 24 hours on June 30 kept his investigators busy. Arrested in the case were Maryanne Voorhies, William Voorhies and Adam Paul Marshall all of Marksville.
Marksville High School Principal Duke Allgood resigned after just 12 months on the job. The resignation, plus two other openings for principals, led to discussion of reshuffling administrative staff at the Avoyelles Parish School Board meeting on
June 30.
Most areas of Avoyelles Parish received its first rainfall since June 5 on Monday, June 29. While the rainfall was a welcomed relief to the residents, the farmers of the parish were looking for more to help their struggling crops.
July 9, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
State Senator Eric LaFleur and State Representative Robert Johnson announced the allocation of funds from the Louisiana Department of Transportation to widen La. Highway One to a four-lane highway with a center turning lane from Mansura to Marksville. The project for the widening of La. Highway One had been an ongoing goal of residents and the business community for over 10 years.
The Avoyelles Parish Courthouse came alive with political voices from the past as an old fashioned stump speaking reenactment was held on the courthouse steps, Saturday, July 4. The stump speaking was part of the year long celebration of Le Bicentenaire de la Ville de Marksville.
July 12, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
The grand opening of the Louisiana 4-H Museum was to be held on July 18 along with the induction of the members of the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame for 2009. Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor and director (LCES), said the museum would showcase the achievements of the Louisiana 4-H program over the past 100 years.
After two tie votes by the Avoyelles Parish School Board on July 7, three Avoyelles Parish schools were without principals for at least two or more weeks. The three schools were Marksville High, Bunkie Elementary and Plaucheville Elementary.
The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office got approval for another year of a routine line of credit by the State Bonding Commission at a June 18 meeting in Baton Rouge. The $750,000 credit was considered a loan and would be used if needed to fund current operations at the sheriff’s department.
July 16, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Governor Bobby Jindal came to Cottonport to hold a town hall meeting on Friday, July 10. Just as he received gifts from the Cottonport Mayor’s Women’s Association and the Cottonport Museum, the governor came bearing “gifts” for several governmental agencies in the parish. The governor signed a $5,401,772 check for projects in Avoyelles Parish, Cottonport, Bunkie, Hessmer, Plaucheville and Evergreen.
Charles Hembree, director of operations for the central region of Suddenlink Communications, answered questions from a packed crowd in attendance at the Cottonport Town Council meeting on July 8. The biggest concern expressed was the recent loss of reception from channels two and nine in the Cottonport area.
July 19, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Paragon Casino Resort hosted La Cuisine de la Louisiane, which served as a major fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and The Fox Theatre in Marksville.
For a governmental body whose 2008 budget ended in the black, there were no smiling faces at the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury at its meeting. Instead, there was concern about why the Police Jury’s general fund, the biggest of the several funds controlled by the jurors, came up almost $274,000 in the red.
The Avoyelles American Senior Girls softball team was chosen to be the host team of the Senior Girls Regional Tournament at Louisiana College in Pineville.
An informal discussion at an open meeting by all members of the Avoyelles Parish School Board about the appointment of principals ended with no decision being reached. Discussion focused on the three displaced middle school principals and the appointment of principals at parish schools.
July 23, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
The Marksville City Police came under fire as delegates complained of slow and inadequate responses to complaints. One delegate voiced complaints of loud music and traffic nuisances such as illegal parking and loitering.
Kenneth Pickett, mayor of Mansura, greeted hundreds of guests at the opening of the Louisiana 4-H Museum in Mansura. The museum was housed in the LSU/Southern AgCenter on Hwy. 1.
Moreauville Police Chief Scott Lemoine questioned the Moreauville council on a figure of almost $100,000 putting his department in the red. The council tabled the matter to collect more information.
Marksville Mayor Dr. Richard Michel recommended a $40,000 annual salary for a full time mayor and $500 per month for council members. The mayor’s current salary is $500 and $300 for council members. Mayor Michel said an annual salary for a full time mayor would not impact the budget because a full time mayor would not need a city manager.
July 26, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Some of the problems involving principalships in the Avoyelles Parish School System were solved during a special meeting of the school board on July 21. However, the largest school in the parish, Marksville High, still had no permanent principal. The issue of the principals overshadowed the appointment of Craig Foster of Bunkie as Assistant Superintendent of Schools.
The Le Theatre des Bon Temps production of the Rogers and Hammerstein classic musical, “The Sound of Music” was to open at the Fox Performing Arts Theatre on August 5.
July 30, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Allen Holmes, plaintiff in the Avoyelles Parish School Board’s long running desegregation lawsuit, told board members during a July 21 meeting to expect a status or conference call with Federal Judge Dee Drell. Holmes indicated the nature of the call would be concerning the division of board members on who should be the principal at Marksville High School.
The Marksville City Council heard an update on the city’s upcoming bicentennial events. The council also passed two resolutions renaming the annual Christmas Doll and Toy Fund and a walking track in Marksville in memory of the late Margaret Michel.
The Avoyelles Arts Council and the Marksville Bicentennial Committee announced the winners of the Marksville Bicentennial Celebration Photography Contest. The first place award in the Historic Marksville black and white category went to David Chatelain of Cottonport. First place in the Historic Marksville color category went to Stacy Jeansonne of Hessmer. The winner of first place in the Nature and Wildlife color category was Jason Saucier, Jr. of Cottonport.
The official Le Bicentenaire de la Ville de Marksville celebration poster was released during the month of August 2009.
- AUGUST - August 2, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Avoyelles Parish School Board members were on the spot at their monthly meeting. If they didn’t appoint a principal at Marksville High on a permanent or temporary basis then Federal Judge Dee Drell requested to see all board members, and attorneys on the following Thursday morning at the federal courthouse in Alexandria.
With the closure of the parish middle schools, a total of about 800 seventh and eighth graders would be attending class on the campuses of Avoyelles High, Bunkie High and Marksville High. The number also included eighth graders who would be attending LaSAS. The change brought on mixed reactions.
A story in the Baton Rouge Advocate on July 5, had residents and businessmen in Simmesport asking several questions. According to the story, there was a proposal to allow more water from the Mississippi River into the Atchafalaya River in an effort to bring more sediment downstream to rebuild the shrinking coastline.
August 6, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
A U.S. judge in Alexandria ruled on one of the long running disputes between the Avoyelles Parish School Board and private landowners over rights-of-way to 16th section lands. The judge ruled in favor of the school board, which made hunters happy.
It was reported the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury had recently received funding to improve a portion of Hospital Road in Marksville. Approximately 1,300 feet of Hospital Road was to be improved in order to increase the potential for economic development.
August 9, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Celeste Voinche was named the new principal at Marksville High. Her appointment was recommended by School Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine during the August 4 school board meeting. It was Lemoine’s second try at naming Voinche. The first vote ended in a 4-4 tie. The second vote was 5-4 in favor of the appointment.
Her appointment came less than a week before public and parochial schools were to open on August 10. The opening and closing hours of the schools in the parish were announced.
August 13, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
The Avoyelles Parish School Board approved a budget with a deficit of over $200,000 in its General Fund and an overall deficit of over $2 million when all funds were combined.
The village of Hessmer took preliminary steps to make a zoning change to accommodate a Cottonport Bank branch location in the village. At Hessmer’s August 4 council meeting, Mayor Lynn Bordelon asked the council to approve advertising a public hearing to discuss the rezoning as required by law.
The rare combination of members of the same family attending the Louisiana Technical College Ward H. Nash Avoyelles Campus in Cottonport was a story. Although the school had always had a diverse student body it was unusual to have a combination like the Hawkins family. For Cashandra and Jill Hawkins, having their mother in the classroom was a reality and a joy.
August 16, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
A work of art depicting the Holy Trinity/Coronation hanging above the altar at St. Mary’s Assumption Church in Cottonport was published in the newspaper. The addition of the 3,000 lb. sculpture was part of the renovation at the church.
The Diocese of Alexandria announced that the plans for building a new centrally-located Catholic high school in Avoyelles Parish had been terminated. The decision came after the results of a Financial Resource Assessment Study done by Community Counseling Services (CCS) determined that there was not enough financial support to make it viable.
As the first week of school for the 2009-10 school year came to a close, Avoyelles Superintendent of Schools Dwayne Lemoine said all the schools were running smoothly with no major problems. However, a complaint had been raised about the issue of children having no bus transportation to school provided if they lived within one-mile of the school campus.
August 20, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
For the second time in less than a year, was a major stabbing incident at Club 51/50 on Highway One in Mansura. The latest incident left a Marksville teenager with serious stab wounds after an alleged fight in the parking lot.
Two local police officers were on hand at the August 12 Marksville City Council meeting to introduce Jedi, a Belgian Malinois dog and the newest member of the Marksville Police Department.
After having the same football coach for 15 years, Avoyelles High hired its fourth head football coach during the period between 2003 and 2009. Andy Boone was hired as the Mustangs new coach after the sudden resignation of Matthew Carmouche.
August 23, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
With so much talk about band aids, audience members may have thought they had walked into a health care debate instead of a regular meeting in a story about the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury. Residents wanted better work on parish roads.
A matinee performance of “To Know a Veil” was to be held at the Fox Performing Arts Theater in Marksville.
August 27, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
The Avoyelles Parish School Board did away with the policy of not providing bus transportation for students who live within a one-mile radius of their school campus.
They also approved the hiring of two physical education teachers, but decided to wait until the end of September to see if six guidance counselors could be hired for the elementary schools.
The Fifth Ward Volunteer Fire Department received a 2009 International-3,000 pumper tanker, which could pump and haul water.
August 30, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
With the beginning of a new school year, school systems and parishes were keeping a close eye on the HiN1 or Swine Flu virus. The same held true in Avoyelles Parish. The school system reported several cases of flu but none confirmed as Swine Flu.
District Court Judge Mark Jeansonne was upset that three recent newspaper articles named him as the judge setting bonds. He felt the articles attacked him unfairly, and issued a change in policy in future bond procedures.
Renovations needed at Avoyelles Parish public schools were in the process of getting done. On August 18 the Avoyelles Parish School Board approved borrowing $5 million at no interest for renovations at the schools in the parish.
Moreauville rescue workers are shown in five to six feet of water in Bayou de Glaises trying to remove the driver of a 2004 Dodge Durango. The vehicle had crashed off a one-lane wooden bridge at Desselle Crossing. This accident occurred during the month of September 2009.
- SEPTEMBER - September 3, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development opened bids to replace the Fuqua Crossing Bridge over Bayou Rouge in Cottonport. The bridge closed in 2007 when the state deemed the bridge unsafe to cross. The bridge had been completely removed by the town for safety reasons.
Avoyelles Parish student scores on the ACT college placement test dropped but only by one-tenth of one percent. The parish score was below the state and national average.
The 60th anniversary of the opening of Raymond’s Department Store on the courthouse square in Marksville was a story. Fresh from college, Raymond Laborde had opened his department store six decades ago and never looked back. The Laborde Building was built in 1926. Upstairs were dentist offices belonging to Raymond’s father, E. M. Laborde and uncle, Francis Laborde. At different times the downstairs was a bar, cafe, hardware and department store.
September 6, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
One year ago, on September 1, Avoyelles residents hunkered down as Hurricane Gustav roared up from the Houma area and smashed into the parish. One year later, Avoyelles was mostly back to normal but there were some lingering effects, mostly affecting crops.
An investigation into the escape of an inmate led to the arrest of three Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s correctional officers who worked at Avoyelles Detention Center #1 in Marksville. The three were relieved of their work duties, after their arrests by Evangeline Parish officials. They were arrested on charges of malfeasance in office after they, allegedly, allowed an inmate to have an unauthorized visit with a family member in Evangeline Parish. The malfeasance charges were felony charges. The officers were Kenneth P. Ebey, age 22 of Bunkie; Taylor J. Lamartiniere, age 20 of Fifth Ward; and Joshua J. Vitrano, age 28 of Marksville.
September 10, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
The Avoyelles Parish Police Jury’s grant consultant was present at a special August 31 meeting to discuss the possibility of obtaining a Louisiana Community Development Block Grant for drainage improvements.
According to Avoyelles Parish School Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine, school attendance in the parish was down to an average of about 86% during that week. Many of the absences were due to cases of the flu.
During the month of August there were two days when the red planet of Mars was visible with the naked eye. A picture taken by Howard Firmin, Jr. of the event of nature around August 18 or 19 was published.
September 13, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
On September 1 and at a special meeting on September 8, the Avoyelles Parish School Board announced the move of two principals to central office positions and three being assigned to area schools. Thelma Prater was named Supervisor of Federal Programs; Randy Littleton was assigned as Supervisor of Elem. Education; and named as new principals were Wendy Adams at Cottonport Elementary; Jennifer Dismer at Plaucheville Elementary; and Denise Sayes at Lafargue Elementary.
It came down to a disturbing fact: the parish had lots of stray animals but little money to deal with the problem, as Avoyelles Animal Welfare Society found out at a meeting of the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury.
The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office released a facial reconstruction composite of the man whose body was found in Spring Bayou on June 26. Officers hoped to correctly identify the white male with the composite drawing.
September 17, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
Avoyelles Parish students were given the opportunity to view President Obama’s national address on education on
September 8.
It was announced the Police Jury could get a $286,000 grant from a stimulus package and several jurors wanted the funds to be used for the library system.
A second installment of a tour of the Holy Ghost and St. Joseph #1 cemetery as part of Le Bicentenaire de la Ville de Marc was to be held September 20. Ten “spirits” were to recreate the lives of important and everyday persons well known in the history of Marksville and the surrounding areas.
Veterans of the central Louisiana area were honored by the State of Louisiana and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs along with state and local officials at a ceremony in Mansura on August 20.
September 20, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
A Moreauville woman counted her blessings on September 16 after her 2004 Dodge Durango went over a wooden rail and plunged into Bayou de Glasies and she escaped unhurt.
The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office was awarded use of a helicopter owned by the Louisiana National Guard to help in the search of the cultivation and production of marijuana.
Entries were sought for the second annual Avoyelles Bayou BBQ Cook-Off in Cottonport. Cash prizes would be awarded.
September 24, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
The Avoyelles Parish Police Jury hoped to complete the task of whittling down 33 applicants for the Avoyelles Registrar of Voters position, to just one. That was the situation the jury was in after long-time Registrar Lonnie “Speed” Juneau announced his surprise retirement.
The Avoyelles Parish School Board held a one-hour discussion in which the hiring of two new assistant principals and the transfer of another assistant principal was approved. The opening of applications for assistant principals was also approved.
The Simmesport Town Council met on September 14 in which the biggest issue discussed was the proposed sale of the town’s natural gas system. The cost of operation and finding trained personnel led the town to look at selling the system.
September 27, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
A rash of fighting at the parish schools alarmed parents and community leaders. All three schools reported fighting but the school superintendent expected the number of incidents of fights and referrals to drop in the next few weeks.
A September 23 traffic accident near LSU-A on U.S. Highway 71 in Rapides Parish resulted in the death of a Bunkie man, George E. Winn, and left a Bunkie woman, Patricia A. Tanner, with moderate injuries.
The 2009-10 Bunkie High School Homecoming Court was pictured including: Dalana Douzart, Shanna Kelone, Tiffany Gaspard, Jordan Fletcher, Kasi Ducote, Rachel Juneau, Wyneka Washington, Meghan Lemoine, Rebecca Ford, Morgan Newton, Julia Gremillion, Ryan Bernard, Conley Turner, Clint Giglio, Dylan West, Jack Fletcher, Brandon Marks, Kendrick Leary, Billy Scott and James Harris.
Marksville City Police officers unveiled a sign dedicating a walking track to Margaret Michel during the month of October 2009.
OCTOBER October 1, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
An armed robbery at a video poker establishment in Bunkie on September 21, left the owner shaken up but unharmed. Six people, including four people from Marksville, were arrested in connection with the crime. The Bunkie Police Department received help from other parish agencies in making the arrests.
Over a mere 19 months, Gloria Moreau of Marksville went from being an employee for the Avoyelles Parish Registrar of Voters to running the office. Moreau was chosen as the new Registrar at a special Police Jury meeting on September 24.
Hunting season opened and thousands of hunters flocked to the woods.
October 4, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Giles McGhee was found guilty in 12th Judicial District Court on September 29 for manslaughter. He was found guilty of killing Myron Mingo, a former Marksville High basketball star, in a bar shooting on December 21, 2008.
In commemoration of the city of Marksville’s Bicentennial and in conjunction with Louisiana Archaeology Month, the public was invited to attend the presentation: “What did Marksville Mean 2,000 Years Ago: Mounds, Cemeteries, and the Milky Way” at the Marksville State Historic Site.
The 2009-10 Avoyelles High Homecoming Court were pictured including: Tevin Coleman and O’Shay Prevot, Kyle Juneau and Kelly Roblin, Lance Rabalais and Megan Chenevert, Andrew Bonnette and Kaci Lemoine, Trayon Batiste and Ashanti Haley, DeMarcus Dobison and Mylesha Johnson, Lucinda Jacobs and Farrell Augustine, Marcella Goudeau and Corey Friels, Blaire Keyser and Nathan Strong, Brittany Keyser and LaDarius Duskins and Robert Sampson and Jeremy Prier.
October 8, 2009
Marksville Weekly News
More companies were starting to show interest in the Avoyelles Parish Port located just south of the La. Highway One bridge in Simmesport. Tommy Maddie, chairman of the Avoyelles Port, told the Bunkie Rotary Club that an ethanol company was looking at the possibility of setting up a plant at the site.
The summer drought caused a decline in crop production during the fall harvest season. Soybeans and sweet potatoes seemed to have been hit the hardest because of the drought conditions.
Members of the Marksville High School football team, along with cheerleaders and coaches were pictured attending the 6:30 a.m. Mass at St Joseph Catholic Church on a Friday during football season. The tradition was an on-going ritual for many years.
October 11, 2009
Avoyelles Journal
Renovations and construction at the parish schools were possibly set to start after the board reached a final decision on October 6, on how to divide $5 million in interest free Quality School Construction Bonds. The board had to receive federal court approval before construction could begin.
As Marksville continued the year long celebration of its bicentennial, a play about the history of the city would be performed October 15, 16 and 17 at The Fox Theater in Marksville.
The 2009-10 Marksville High Homecoming Court was pictured including: Dreneitra McGlory and Sean Augustine; Angelica Sampson and Arthur Bonton, Jr.; Megan Luneau and Tyler Brouillette; Amie Bettevy and Buford Buford; Brittany Thomas and Patrick Demouy; Andriana Small and Norris Greenhouse; Katelyn Savoy and Payton Hataway, Nicole Romero and Brett M
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