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Guilty verdicts handed down in Thomas-Wilson murder trial

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By: ELIZABETH WEST
Managing Editor

After seven days of listening to eye witness and expert testimony in Judge Chuck West’s courtroom an Evangeline Parish Jury of 12 found Reokinski Thomas and Hilton Wilson guilty of first degree murder and attempted first degree murder.
Thomas, who was being represented by Roy Richard, and Wilson, who was being represented by Richard Spears, became a suspect in the murder of Joseph John and attempted first degree murder of Derrick John after Derrick made a statement to police identifying Thomas as the person he saw shooting at he and his brother on the night of July 23, 2013. Derrick’s statement though, came in October of 2013 after Derrick became incarcerated for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
When Derrick took the stand as the state’s witness, he testified that he waited three months to make a statement to police naming a shooter because he originally wanted to get revenge for his brother’s killing himself.
The state, who was being represented by Evangeline Parish Assistant District Attorney Marcus Fontenot, had the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the evidence showed that Thomas and Wilson were in fact guilty of the two charges.
To do so, the State spent five days calling its witnesses to the stand, while the defense finished putting on their case after calling only one witness to the stand.
When it came to their closing arguments the State re-stated to the jury the evidence that had been presented at the trial and what is known from that evidence.
“From the evidence, we know that an argument happened between the victim and the defendants at Laran Street earlier that day, and we know that Reokenski Thomas fired a gun at Laran St.,” said Fontenot, before he continued listing other facts that the evidence showed. “We also know that the shell casing found at Laran St. matched the 9 millimeter shell casing that was found at 119 East Washington St.”
The address of 119 East Washington is significant because that is where the shooter that killed Joseph was shooting from, which is directly across from the 120 East Washington home where the Johns were shot at.
Fontenot then said, “We also know that the bullet recovered from Joseph John came from the same gun that Mr. Thomas fired on Laran St.”
The State was even able to present the jury with DNA evidence from the crime scene.
The fence that the defendants supposedly jumped over as they fled the scene of the crime was swabbed by Ville Platte Detective Pat Hall and sent to the Louisiana State Crime Lab for testing.
Although the State’s crime lab was unable to say if the DNA was a match to either defendant, the district attorney’s office had the DNA swabs sent elsewhere for more testing. Mark Perlin, the creator of the program that was used to further test the DNA swabs from the crime scene, testified in court that his program was able to match the defendants’ DNA to the DNA that was collected from the fence at the crime scene.
The state also called Joshua Thomas to the stand to testify.
Joshua testified that while walking on Railroad Street, he saw a green car drop off two individuals around 11:30 p.m. He claimed that the two males wearing dark clothing ran through an alley way to E. Washington St. Joshua said that when he reached E. Washington St. and looked down the road, he “saw Reokinski fire a shot in the driveway of the victims home.”
This made the defense ask, why were the shell casings found across the street if the eye witness saw Thomas firing from the victims driveway.
During the trial, the State brought Wilson’s ex-girlfriend Lashana Simien in to testify to what Wilson had told her when he got home the night of the shooting.
Simien said, “He told me that he and Smoke (Reokenski) had probably shot someone but that he didn’t know if it was his bullet or Smoke’s.”
The defense pointed out to the jury that Simien’s statement came after the FBI showed up at her home with a warrant for obstruction of justice if she did not tell them what they considered to be the truth. FBI Agent Kruger had even informed Simien that her bond would be set at $90,000, which Simien knew she would not be able to post.
In closing arguments, Fontenot said to the jury, “The defense wants to act like they have “I got you moments”, because Detective Hall said he noticed sweat on a fence but officer (Xxxxxx) Griffin said he was the one that noticed it. Those aren’t I got you moments. Those are the smoke and mirrors I told you that the defense would use.”
When attorney Spears addressed the jury during his closing arguments, he reminded the jury of something he had told them during opening statements.
“I told you that at the end of this trial I would have a list of questions for you that were never answered during the trial,” said Spears.
One of those questions that Spears said had never been answered dealt with supposed phone records that the state claimed would prove Simien, who lived with Wilson, tried to call her ex-boyfriend several times at the time of the murder.
Spears also pointed out that if the defendants’ DNA had been collected from where the Ville Platte Police Department swabbed, then that would mean that the two defendants jumped the five foot fence in the exact same spot.
Both Spears and Richard, during their closing arguments, argued that evidence had not been handled properly by the VPPD.
In the instance of the DNA, Richard showed the jury that the label for the DNA that had been filled out by Detective Hall did not even have a name on it. Richard asked, “How do you even know that the DNA in the envelope belongs to my client or Mr. Thomas?”
In the minds of the jury though, the questions weren’t enough to acquit Thomas or Wilson.
After three and a half hours of deliberation Wednesday afternoon, the jury rendered their guilty verdicts.
Sentencing for Thomas and Wilson has been set for July 28, 2016.

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Staying in the zone

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School Board votes for subzone students to remain at Pine Prairie, Bayou Chicot schools

Evangeline Parish School Board President Wayne Dardeau informed a crowded room of parents and educators about the reasons why something must be done at Pine Prairie High School to alleviate their burden of having more students than the school has been constructed to hold. After a vote by the board, Pine Prairie will remain over capacity. (Gazette photo by Elizabeth West)

Rufus Searile spoke out against the school board’s plan to send the kids living in the sub-zone back to the Ville Platte schools at the board’s Wednesday meeting. (Gazette photo by Elizabeth West)

By: ELIZABETH WEST
Managing Editor

Discussion at Evangeline Parish School Board’s Wednesday night meeting centered around the wether or not Pine Prairie High School and Bayou Chicot Elementary’s students that live in the sub-zone, which is located in Ville Platte, would become once again zoned for Ville Platte schools like they were before re-organization took place in 2004.
When Arthur Sampson addressed the board he made it a point to inform them of the calls he has already made concerning this issue. Sampson said, “I have already called the justice department about this, and I am promise you we will be back in court.”
After parents reiterated the concerns that they had already voiced at Monday’s community meeting, Bayou Chicot’s board member Peggy Foreman said, “I don’t know if upsetting this whole parish for Bayou Chicot to only lose 17 kids is worth it, and for that reason I am against this. Especially since I believe in two years we will probably be right back in this same situation.”
Board member for the students living in the sub-zone Nancy Hamlin was also against this proposition.
Hamlin said, “After what I heard Monday night and tonight, I do not think that we should just all of a sudden up-root these children. I am completely against that.”
The board’s president Wayne Dardeau, who represents Pine Prairie’s school district, felt differently about the situation than Foreman and Hamlin.
Dardeau said, “District 4 and District 5 have been the only two districts that have grown over the last 20 years, and we are going to continue to grow. Those are the Pine Prairie and Bayou Chicot districts. There are over 100 kids signed up for pre-K between Pine Prairie and Bayou Chicot. When I graduated from Pine Prairie High School it was a B class school of about 100 and something students. Now that high school has over 300 students, and there are only two more classrooms now than when I went. There is no room to house these children.”
When the discussion ended, the board’s vice president Scott Limoges made a motion.
Limoges said, “I make a motion to offer limited freedom of choice and to move the sub-zone back to Ville Platte.”
When it came to the vote, the motion was shot down 10 to 3.
The three board members who voted to have the sub-zone sent back to Ville Platte were Dardeau, Limoges, and Mike Fontenot.
Other items approved were:
Approval of a resolution to authorize Superintendent Toni Hamlin on behalf of the EPSB to purchase property located at 921 7th Street, Mamou for the amount of $6,000.
Permission to advertise for purchase of a 2009 or newer handicapped bus with a rear mounted wheelchair lift using funds received from LDOE opportunity grant.
Permission to approve architect’s recommendation and seek quotes, as appropriate, regarding the replacement of the district’s education technology and training facility using general maintenance and technology funds.
Permission for approval of a five year VoIP contract with Detel for filing of E-rate 471 application for services beginning July 1, 2016.

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Maxeux attends LPL symposium

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Gazette Staff Report

John Mayeux from Mayeux Wealth Partners recently attended the LPL Financial Alternative Investments Sympo-sium, an invitation-only event for top-producing LPL-supported financial advisors who utilize alternative investments strategies in their practices.
At the conference, approximately 125 advisors gathered with LPL executives and industry experts to gain insight from proprietary research materials, examine product capabilities and exchange ideas with peers from around the country.
LPL and industry leaders hosted discussions on topics such as the changing regulatory environment, global themes and developments that could lead to potential investment opportunities, as well as strategies for developing and further integrating alternative investment products into their practices while positively impacting the financial lives of their clients.
“I value the role I play in helping my clients identify investment strategies that can help them pursue their financial aspirations,” said Mayeux. “The LPL Financial Alternative Investments Symposium provided me with practical information and tools that help me support my clients as well as my business.”

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VPPD Arrests

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The Ville Platte Police Department reported four recent bookings into the city jail. Arrested were the following persons:
•Tranisky Williams, 21, 902 N. Coreil St. Ville Platte, was arrested on March 14, 2016 for discharge of firearm (air rifles). Williams was released from jail on a $2,500.00 bond.
•Peter Seraille, 24, 512 W. Oak St., Ville Platte, was arrested on March 14, 2016 for disturbing the peace. Seraille remains incarcerated on a $200.00 bond.
•Casey Joseph, 24, 401 N. Chataignier St., Ville Platte, was arrested on March 16, 2016 for domestic abuse battery. Joseph remains in jail on a $1,000.00 bond.
•Robert Dupre, 22, 1519 Pecan Drive, Ville Platte, was arrested on March 16, 2016 for theft of goods and trespassing. Dupre was released from jail on a $1,000.00 bond.

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Tax seminar discussed at Chamber

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By: RAYMOND PARTSCH III
Managing Editor

Candace Fuselier with the Evangeline Parish Sales Tax Commission spoke to the Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce at Wednesday’s meeting.
Fuselier brought along print outs of sample questions to ask an auditor for local business owners and aspriing business owners, with the purpose of hosting a free seminar in town to help residents better understand taxes.
Fuselier wanted the chamber to continue to provide her office with feedback for the seminar plan, and that way a date could be selected to host the seminar.
“We want to bridge the gap between our business owners and our office,” Fuselier said.
Hotel Cazan’s Valerie Cahill also addressed the group and expressed how excited she was not only about the hotel’s future, but the town of Mamou’s and all of the parish.
“This is a sleeper place,” said Cahill, who also received a gift basket from Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine. “Just not the hotel or the town but the entire region.”
Gilbert “Winky” Aucoin took time to inform the chamber of the upcoming Le Grand Hoorah. The event, which will feature Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, will take place at Chicot State Park from April 15-16.
Aucoin said, “This is a feather in the cap of Chicot State Park.”
ToJo Ward told the group that Jack Miller’s and T-Boys Grocery will be featured in the next few weeks on KRVS Radio in Lafayette as part of a food spotlight.

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Ex-Crime Stoppers star Higgins hired by Lafayette City Marshal

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Clay Higgins was hired Wednesday as a reserve deputy for the Lafayette City Marshal’s office. (File Photo)

The Advocate & KATC

Clay Higgins, the man popularly known as the ‘Cajun John Wayne,’ was sworn in Wednesday as a reserve deputy for the Lafayette city marshal.
KATC-TV, quoting an unnamed spokesman for the Marshal’s Office, said Higgins will assist in the office’s daily duties and will participate in all training exercises that deputies are required to have.
Higgins, who became an Internet sensation for his work as the St. Landry Parish Crime Stoppers spokesman, left the St. Landry Sheriff’s Office last month after controversy erupted over a video he produced at the behest of State Police.
Using the colorful commentary that brought him national fame in his Crime Stoppers videos, Higgins had a message for the seven alleged Gremlins street-gang members, of the Abbeville area: “You will be hunted. You will be trapped. And if you raise your weapon to a man like me, we’ll return fire with superior fire.”
Higgins calls the accused criminals “animals” and “heathens,” and perhaps anticipating backlash from the production, he also makes note of the black community members standing behind him in the video.
The American Civil Liberties Union objected, saying: “Assuming that what is reported is true, Mr. Higgins has suggested that those he seeks to arrest are subject to execution before trial.”
St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz had said he agreed with the sentiments aired in the Gremlins video but noted he had continuously asked Higgins to “tone down his unprofessional comments.”
The sheriff also said he repeatedly asked Higgins “to stop saying divisive, disrespectful or demeaning things like, ‘You have no brain cells,’ ‘knuckleheads’ or ‘liars.’ ”
Nevertheless, Higgins remained popular and, at his news conference announcing his resignation, said: “I would die rather than sacrifice my principles. I would leave my wife without a husband, my children without a daddy, rather than kneel to the very forces of evil that I have so long stood against.”
Higgins began working in St. Landry Parish law enforcement roles in 2004 and joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2011.

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Area Briefs

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PPHS Parent
Meeting on March 22
There will be a Parent Meeting at PPHS on March 22 for the parents of 3rd graders. The meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., and the topic of the meeting will be LEAP Test Preparation. The meeting will be held at the PPHS’s elementary building. Presenters at the meeting will be Tunita Carraway, Kasie Lafleur, and Candace Lejeune. Parents that are unable to attend the parent meeting may receive the handouts by requesting them from your child’s teacher. Parents that attend the meeting will be given a blue jean pass for their child to wear jeans on Wednesday, March 23.
For the parents of 4th grade students, a meeting will be held on March 23, and Sherry Fusilier, Brooke Lafleur, and O’sanna Vidrine will be the presenters. Students who’s parents attend the meting will be given a blue jean pass for Thursday, March 23.

Benefit for Quinten Paul Fontenot
to be held April 10
A benefit barbecue and raffle will be held for the family of Quinten Paul Fontenot, who passed away on March 1, due to brain injuries. The event will be held Sunday, April 10 at Nick’s on Main, with the lunches being served from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The meal will cost $8, which includes choice of boston butt or leg quarter, potato salad, rice dressing, pork and beans and bread. Entertainment will be provided by the Rebel Band beginning at 11 a.m. The raffle drawing will be held that day. Tickets are $1 each and you do not have to be present to win. The family is asking for businesses to donate items for the raffle, money, food or any other donations to help make this benefit a huge success and is very appreciative of the donations already received.
All proceeds will go toward funeral and medical expenses. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Anna Nugent (318-405-0187), Pauline Bolton (337-831-1454) or Veronica McFarlain (337-831-1126).

Mother’s Day Out grand opening
Mother’s Day Out sponsored by North Eunice Baptist Church in Eunice is holding a grand opening special of two free days in the month of April. Call Phyllis (580-0359) to schedule your free days. Mother’s Day Out is an affordable, Christian-based day school for ages six months to four years is available every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Baptist Church in Eunice.
Call Phyllis (580-0359) to schedule your free days. Drop-ins welcome based on space availability. Please call ahead at 337-546-0461 or 337-580-0359.

Lach Pas Le Francais held on April 9
The history students from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette are organizing a unique community project on French speaking heritage in Louisiana. The objective is to create an online collection of objects, documents, photographs, letters and other items about the history of French-speaking people in 20th century Louisiana.
You are invited to the main branch of the Lafayette Public Library Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., to help us share and preserve French-speaking Louisiana Heritage. Bring old documents (photos, posters, newspapers, letters, diaries, etc.) and old objects (traditional clothing, tools and crafts, music instruments, vinyls, medals, badges, stickers, ect.) that tell the stories of Cajuns, Creoles, American Indians, and other French speaking communities from Louisiana.
With your permission, your items will be scanned or photographed, and included in an online public collection. Your items are returned to you on site.
This whole event is free and open to the public. If you are unable to attend, but would like to know more, contact Dr. Thomas Cauvin at cauvin@louisiana.edu or (337) 482-6900.

St. John Baptist Church distributing food on Monday
St. John Family Baptist Church will be distributing food for families to qualified participants at the St. John Baptist Church Family Life Center located at 824 West Hickory Street on Monday, March 21 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Silver Eagles
meet weekly
The Silver Eagles social group for residents ages 50 and older meet each Tuesday at the Pine Prairie Community Center beginning at 10 a.m. For $4, those in attendance can enjoy bingo, lunch and fellowship. Everyone is invited to attend.

Blessings Boutique open April 9
Blessings Boutique at North Eunice Baptist Church in Eunice will be open to the public on April 9 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. The boutique will have free children’s and infant clothes, diapers, wipes, toiletries and more. For more information, call 337-967-3388.

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Early voting period begins March 26

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Gazette Staff Report

Lucas Buller, the Evangeline Parish Registrar of Voters, has announced that early voting for the upcoming April 9, 2016 election will begin on Saturday, March 26 and run through Saturday, April 2, excluding Sunday, March 27.
Early voting will be conducted at the Registrar’s Office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For any additional information, you may call Buller’s office at (337) 363-5538.

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EP Police Jury renegotiates new health insurance policy

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By: RAYMOND PARTSCH III
Managing Editor

The Evangeline Parish Police Jury has negotiated a new insurance agreement for its employees.
The jury held a special meeting on March 10 to discuss the Group Health Insurance renewal. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana had originally submitted a quote to the jury that included a 4.3 percent rate increase to the jury’s current plan.
At the jury’s regular monthly meeting on March 7, Secretary-Treasurer Donald Bergeron and President Ryan Ardoin both requested that Blue Cross Blue Shield renegotiate a lower rate increase.
The new quote submitted to the jury had a renewal increase of only 2 percent to the current plan. Juror Bryan Vidrine made the motion to accept the plan, which Juror Lamar Johnson seconded. The motion carried.
“We are very happy to stay with the same insurance,” Bergeron said. “Based on the amount of health claims, or lack thereof, the lower rate was more in line with what our rate should be.”
Bergeron added that the lower rate means parish tax payers also saved money.
“By holding out for a better rate we saved our tax payers $17,616 per year,” Bergeron said.
The Police Jury currently has 68 employees.

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Recycling for Christ

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Mr. Can Man owner uses her business to share love of faith, Cajun culture with others

Mr. Can Man owner LaDonna Thibodeaux (right) poses in front of a stack of processed and bundled aluminum cans with her employee Robert Lacroix. Once cans have been bundled, Thibodeaux sells them to Louisiana Scrap Metal Recycling located in Lafayette. (Gazette photo by Elizabeth West)

Over the years, Thibodeaux, with the help of her employees, has collected blacksmith tools that people have brought to her to sell. Inside of the Mr. Can Man shop, Thibodeaux has an entire blacksmith shop on display.

Cans are placed in the processor to be crushed. The processor crushes 60 cans in a block and then spits them out of the machine. They are then taken and bundled together by Thibodeaux and her workers. (Gazette photos by Elizabeth West)

By: ELIZABETH WEST
Managing Editor

For Mr. Can Man owner LaDonna Thibodeaux, her life in the recycling business has been about more than just recycling metals. The 50-year old woman has used her business to build relationships with people in the community so that she can share the love of Jesus Christ and her Cajun culture with each individual that walks into her shop.
At the age of 13, Thibodeaux began working at the Ville Platte business that her dad Don, and his two brothers John and Horace opened in 1973.
Thibodeaux said, “This is what I love. I get to take something people are throwing away and recycle it so that it can be used over and over again.”
Her love and passion for what she does is what fueled Thibodeaux’s desire to never let her business go, even when the economy was bad in 2008.
“In 2008, when the market was so bad, people told me this business wouldn’t make it, but I told them ‘Jesus Christ writes my checks,’” said Thibodeaux. “It was hard, but my mother Joyce, who passed away three weeks ago, taught me how to pray and have faith in Christ, because he is the only one that can save us.”
When the oil field started to decline in Louisiana, Thibodeaux’s business was once again struggling to stay alive.
After many prayers, an opportunity was presented to Thibodeaux that according to her is one major reason why Mr. Can Man is still standing.
“The economy is horrible right now, and there is no money in the metal market,” said Thibodeaux. “Not that long ago, I didn’t know how I was going to be able to keep this place open. I prayed and prayed, and Jesus’ love provided.”
Thibodeaux was given the opportunity to purchase a restaurant in the city she grew up in.
Thibodeaux said, “When I purchased Ronnie’s Cajun Cafe in Eunice, I was able to make enough there to be able to survive financially. It is amazing how Jesus Christ can make things happen in your time of need, because without that restaurant I couldn’t have kept Mr. Can Man open.”
According to Thibodeaux, Jesus’ love has not been her only saving grace, though. The love of the community has also played a major role in allowing Thibodeaux’s business to succeed.
“When things were difficult there were people that would come just to give me metals for free. They would say, ‘You will catch me later,’” said Thibodeaux. “It’s the Cajun culture that has made people so friendly, caring, and kind like that.”
With a big smile on her face, Thibodeaux then said, “Those people are Cajun Christians, and nothing gets better than that. Cajuns are taught to be hard working people that are kind, and Christians are taught to love like Jesus does, so there really is nothing better than a Cajun Christian.”
Most of Thibodeaux’s metals are bundled and sold to Louisiana Scrap Metal Recycling in Lafayette, however, there are a some items that come through her shop that she just can’t let go. She likes to put the pieces that she keeps on display for customers to see when they stop by.
“I have kept a lot of things over the years because when older people come in and see that I have something in here that you just don’t see being used today, I get to hear all kinds of stories,” said Thibodeaux. “I love hearing those stories, and that’s why I choose not to sell those items.”
She has been propositioned before by an individual that drove all the way from Texas to try and purchase some of Thibodeaux’s treasures, but she couldn’t let her trinkets go.
From an entire blacksmith shop to a 1920’s high chair, Thibodeaux has kept unique items that she has come across over the years, and allows people to check them out if they are ever passing by.
“Everything in here has a story to me, so I don’t want to let those things go,” said Thibodeaux. “But when someone comes in here and really likes something, I’ll usually just give it to them.”
While some people would want to make more money by selling the neat items Thibodeaux has acquired, the Mr. Can Man’s Cajun Christian owner would rather keep those items and use them to spread the word and love of God. She spread’s that love through conversations that the unique items spark between her and her customers.
Between collecting interesting metal items and purchasing items like refrigerators and cans from people, Thibodeaux has also collected people throughout the years.
Robert Lacroix, a current employee at Mr. Can Man, said, “I had been laid off about two and a half years ago, and was forced to move my wife and kids into a motel. When I met LaDonna, she gave me a little money for me and my family to get by, and she told me about Jesus. I have been working for her for over two years now.”
According to Thibodeaux, the scrap metal business will never make her wealthy by money standards, but it will always make her happy. Thibodeaux said, “If the market crashed tomorrow, I’d be okay because I serve Jesus Christ. I’ll never be rich financially, but I’ll always have my faith and will continue to share Christ’s love. That’s what matters most.”

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Area Briefs

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New Life Church holding
Holy Week Revival tonight
New Life Pentecostal Church is wrapping up its Holy Week Revival Thursday, March 24, 2016. Guest speakers will be Evangelist Eric Johnson from Orange, Texas and youth minister Anthony Antoine from Mamou. The event starts at 7 p.m. at 1654 W. Main Street in Ville Platte.

Benefit for Quinten P. Fontenot
to be held on April 10
A benefit barbecue and raffle will be held for the family of Quinten Paul Fontenot, who passed away on March 1, due to brain injuries. The event will be held Sunday, April 10 at Nick’s on Main, with the lunches being served from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The meal will cost $8, which includes choice of boston butt or leg quarter, potato salad, rice dressing, pork and beans and bread. Entertainment will be provided by the Rebel Band beginning at 11 a.m. The raffle drawing will be held that day. Tickets are $1 each and you do not have to be present to win. The family is asking for businesses to donate items for the raffle, money, food or any other donations to help make this benefit a huge success and is very appreciative of the donations already received.
All proceeds will go toward funeral and medical expenses. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Anna Nugent (318-405-0187), Pauline Bolton (337-831-1454) or Veronica McFarlain (337-831-1126).

Blessings Boutique open April 9
Blessings Boutique at North Eunice Baptist Church in Eunice will be open to the public on April 9 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. The boutique will have free children’s and infant clothes, diapers, wipes, toiletries and more. For more information, call 337-967-3388.

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Joseph found guilty on three counts related to VP break-in

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By: ELIZABETH WEST
Associate Editor

Ricky Joseph was found guilty of simple burglary, theft, and simple criminal damage to property by an Evangeline Parish jury of six Wednesday morning.
Joseph was accused of breaking into Ville Platte barber shop K’s Kuts and stealing barber supplies that had a value of over $1,000 in March of 2015.
Following the reading of the verdict in Judge Gary Ortego’s courtroom, Evangeline Parish District Attorney Trent Brignac said, “I want to compliment Nicole Gil as the lead chair in this case, and I would also like to compliment Bo West and Alicia Kelly on their representation for the defendant. This is Mr. Joseph’s third conviction, and I am very confident that the jury got it right.”
Joseph’s sentencing has been set for June 2, 2016.

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St. Landry resident faces second degree murder charges

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Joshua Bradley

By: RAYMOND PARTSCH III
Managing Editor

The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office released a statement on Tuesday regarding the charges against Joshua Bradley, who was arrested on March 14 following the shooting his brother the night before.
According to Sheriff Doug Anderson charges for Bradley, 62, of 1350 Pacific Avenue, St Landry, have been upgraded to Second Degree Murder from Attempted Manslaughter.
Bradley was originally charged by investigators for Attempted Manslaughter, after he allegedly shot his brother Clarence Bradley, 71, at 506 William Street, Bunkie.
Anderson said as a result of the shooting on March 13th the victim who was hospitalized at Opelousas General had succumbed to his injuries on March 19th prompting his investigators to upgrade Bradley’s charges to Second Degree Murder.
Joshua Bradley was booked into APSO on March 22nd for Second Degree Murder. Bradley’s bond has been set at $450,000.00

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From television to movies, Bayou Chicot native Dupré takes center stage at festival

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James Dupre’, a former contestant on “The Voice,” is returning home as he will headline this year’s Boggy Bayou Festival. (Photo courtesy of Bernice Ardoin)

By: BERNICE ARDOIN
Special to The Gazette

BAYOU CHICOT – Even though he wasn’t the top winner on the recent season of The Voice, James Dupré is definitely Boggy Bayou Festival’s voice.
James will headline Saturday night, April 2, at the 2016 Boggy Bayou Festival in Pine Prairie, which he considers “his hometown festival.”
This marks James’ fourth show over the years at the festival. “This time, I will be playing my new music,” he grins. “I will play a lot of songs from my new album, “Stoned to Death,” which is set to be released in a few weeks.” On his new album, James has written seven out of the 10 songs. He recently just finished shooting the music video to his title song.
The YouTube post by James Dupré from his first album, “It’s All Happening,” was what garnered Ellen Degeneres’ attention a few years back. The host of the popular show, The Ellen Show, contacted James requesting his appearance and so it was quite the beginning of a new era.
James appeared on the show and sang for the national television audience, which marked his first nationwide audience. Not long after, he was contacted by Warner Brothers and he signed the dotted line in 2011.
It wasn’t long before the Bayou Chicot native packed up and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he still resides today. However, after four years with the record label, James asked to be released. “I just felt like I wasn’t going anywhere with them,” he explains.
The son of Tony and Roxanne Dupré of Bayou Chicot, James has since made another memorable appearance on television as he was among the top 32 singers on NBC’s The Voice.
James has an older sister, April Godwin; two brothers, Jake and Ashton, and two younger sisters, Brittany and Elizabeth. The 2002 graduate of Bayou Chicot High School attended college at UL of Monroe, where he was pursuing a degree in meteorology.
During his college years, James began to sing a little in public. He had been singing around the house and in church as a small child. “We were always around music,” he recalls his childhood. “There was always music playing or someone singing,” he adds, smiling.
After two years of college, he decided to pursue a career in music. “At this time, I had been singing with a church band in Monroe,” he notes. “I was getting more and more comfortable in front of others. Of course,” he pauses, “I had to force myself out of my comfort zone.”
Before this time, music was just a hobby for James. It was something he’d do for relaxation and fun. “It rapidly became one of the things I loved to do,” he recalls. “I soon realized I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”
After a couple of years in college, James moved to Eunice. In 2005, he attended school to become a paramedic. His dad, Tony, has been a paramedic since 1990, and he encouraged James to go into that profession.
For the next six years, James worked for Acadian Ambulance. Still living in Eunice, James and his wife divorced. They are the parents of four sons, Paul, 9; Topher, 8; Nickie, 7; and Jackson, 5.
While still working with Acadian Ambulance, James decided to upload a few videos onto YouTube on the computer “just to see what people thought.” It wasn’t long until he met Kyle Lehning, a Nashville producer. In 2007, he began taking frequent trips to Nashville to write music.
It was in 2010 that James produced his first album “It’s All Happening.”
It was another YouTube video in 2013 that caught the eye of Justin Low, whose sister is a screen-writer from Texas. “They were looking for someone to play Randy Travis’ role in the film they were producing “The Price.” “My name was suggested by Low, and I was quick to admit I had no acting experience but decided to try out for it. I got the part.”
James would spend the next few months in Dallas, Texas, on the movie set. “I’d still play my shows on the weekends,” he says, not wanting to lose any time singing.
After his acting experience, a friend suggested James audition for The Voice, a popular NBC music show. “I decided I would audition so I had to go to Chicago last February (2015). “Two or three weeks later,” James recalls, “I was standing in my parents’ kitchen when I got the call informing me I made it to the next round, the executive audition.” This entailed performing in front of producers of the show and NBC producers, recalls James. “After that round,” he adds, “I found out the same evening I had made it to another round.”
Making it to the Blind Auditions on The Voice was the first round of the show to be televised. “About 100 people made it to this round,” he notes. “Only 48 contestants make a team and I was so excited to be one of them.” James explains that over 40,000 contestants auditioned at the start of the show, and now here was this country boy from Evangeline Parish wowing the television world.
James got through to the Battle Round of the show and was eliminated in the Knock Out Round. “At this time the 40,000 was narrowed down to 32.”
Quick to admit “this experience was a blast,” James also notes it was the coolest experiences of his life. “I made so many friends, friends that I still keep in touch with today.” The singer continues, “This put the momentum back in my career.”
When asked his hopes for the future, James is quick to admit, “I want to promote my new album. I think it’s a great quality of songs and I couldn’t be happier with it.”
As any father would admit, James says there are many sacrifices with his kids. “Id love to live closer to to my boys. I’d love to move back home to Chicot, while still making music,” he says of his plans one day. “All this is so bittersweet for me,” he says. “I love music, but when I’m in Nashville, I just can’t wait to come home. It’s funny,” he smiles, “But I didn’t understand what home meant before, but now I do.”
James says he would not be successful without the help of his family and the community. “People’s support is amazing. It makes me keep going because of everyone’s support. That, to me, is the most amazing part.”
To make this year’s festival even more special, James’ younger brother, Ashton, and his band, The Last Call, will be opening for James’ show.
Ashton, like his brother and Dad, is a paramedic, working with Acadian Ambulance. The 2009 graduate of Pine Prairie High School, Ashton, started his band in August 2014. He has also played several times at the festival.
“I never played a show before until four years ago,” he explains. “I always loved to sing but I was shy,” he admits. “I got a telephone call and they asked me to play and sing at a local night club. I thought about it and agreed to give it a try,” he adds. “I only knew 10 songs, so I played those 10 songs. They liked them and asked me to keep playing, so I played the 10 songs again,” he laughs as he reminisces. “Hey,” he interjects, “They called me back to do another show.”
Ashton knows a lot more than 10 songs now as he plays throughout South Louisiana
“My brother, James, has definitely inspired me,” he says. “Another inspiration was the late Mr. Shane West. He was such a big influence and pushed me to play.”
Ashton is working on an album on an independent label and hopes for late spring/early summer release. “I wrote four of the songs,” he says. “The rest was written by my bass player.”
As far as Ashton’s goal, he too hopes that music will be his full time career one day. “That would be amazing,” he adds.
Several year’s ago, Ashton auditioned for the X Factor talent show. “I placed second out of 43 in Alexandria. The top three went on to New Orleans for another round,” he explains that there were several thousand singers in the auditioning round. “I ended up in the top 200 singers,” he says. “Don’t know if I would do it again, but I always leave my options open,” Ashton admits.
Both boys say that the country singer, the late George Jones, was always a big influence on them when they were growing up. “He was definitely an idol for us,” Ashton says. “But watching James become successful has also been so great for me,” Ashton adds seriously. “I’m so proud of him.”.
Both singers invite the public to come see them take the stage during the 32nd Annual Boggy Bayou Festival in Pine Prairie on April 2. “You’ll be glad you did.”

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Soileau announces resignation from fire district board

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By: ELIZABETH WEST
Associate Editor

At the Fire District #2’s monthly board meeting Wednesday night a board seat became vacant with the resignation of the board’s chairman Hunter Soileau, effective April 1, 2016.
During the meeting, board member Danny McDaniel read Soileau’s letter aloud to the board.
In his letter, Soileau stated, “It has been both a privilege and a pleasure serving with all of you. The fire services have and will continue to be a passion of mine, and I will continue to help the department in any way that I can.”
Soileau’s resignation also created the need for a new board chairman to be selected.
Board member Steve Thibodeaux nominated McDaniel for the position, and the board approved.
At the meeting the board also discussed hiring a training officer to help alleviate the work load of fire chief Chris Harrison.
Discussion about this topic began at the February meeting when Harrison first mentioned the idea.
At the March meeting, McDaniel said, “Generally, it has been the city that deals with personnel matters, and it has always worked well that way. I think we should let the city tell us what they would like to do, and then we can go from there.”
The city has a say in this matter because the fire district would only be paying 26 percent of the training officers salary, while the city would pay the rest.
A decision has yet to be made on whether a training officer position will be created and filled.
The board’s next meeting is set for April 12, at 6:00 p.m.
Other items discussed and approved at the meeting were:
•Adopt the resolution of passed tax.
•Resolution to consider tax renewal for the November election.
•Accept the fire chief report of two structure fires, three grass fires, and one vehicle fire responded to for the month.
•Motion to advertise for the sale of the 219 truck, with a set minimum bid of $80,000.
•Motion to advertise for bids for five sets of turnout gear for each fire station in the district.

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At the Library

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•The library staff wishes everyone a happy, safe, and memorable Easter Sunday!
•Staff member, Tina Davis, is now offering "Tech Help" to the public every Thursday from 9:30 - 11:30 am. This assistance is for geared toward Ereaders, Computers, Notebooks, Ipads or other media devises.
•Tuesday Crafting class continues at 6 p.m. Paper crafts offered are based on skill sets appropriate for teens and adults.
•As the school testing season approaches, we invite the public to check out one of the Library's website links called HomeworkLA.org. HomeworkLouisiana offers FREE online tutoring and academic resources from Tutor.com for Louisiana residents from kindergarten students through adult learners. Get help in math, science, social studies or English from a live tutor. The online services can be accessed from your home computer or from your mobile device with a valid library card.
•For more info about library programs and services, please call 363-1369, the branch nearest you or visit our website at www.evangelinelibrary.org.

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Area Briefs

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Food for Families releases
April delivery date, sites
The Evangeline Community Action Agency, Inc. and Food for Families/Food for Seniors will be distributing food boxes in the month of April. Distribution will be held on Thursday, April 7 at the following locations and times: Ville Platte Civic Center- 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.; Chataignier Town Hall- 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.; Mamou Skating Rink- 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Pine Prairie St. Peter’s Church- 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; Bayou Chicot Calvary Baptist Church- 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; Lone Pine Baptist Church- 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Basile Town Hall- 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Turkey Creek Town Hall- 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Keep Evangeline Beautiful having front yard clean up
Keep Evangeline Beautiful is sponsoring front yard clean up March 28-31. Please help make Ville Platte beautiful by bagging the trash and cutting the grass and ditches. Take pictures and submit them to show off your hard work and beautiful yards.

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Easter Sunday message from Bishop Jarrell

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The resurrection of Jesus has been called the crowning truth of the Christian faith. “If Christ is not risen,” said St. Paul, “Our faith is in vain.” The annual commemoration of the Lord’s Resurrection is a time for joyful celebration, for family gatherings and for springtime festivals. It is also a time for quiet reflection, for a prayer of thanksgiving to the God who made us, who loves us and who saves us. We pray: “Lord God, you displayed your power and love by raising Jesus from the dead and you promised the same saving gift to his followers. Increase our faith; instruct us in your ways; envelop us in your love that we may receive the gift that you gave to Jesus and join you and all of the saints in eternity.”
Happy Easter, everyone.

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TABASCO tour offers behind the scenes access to how famed hot sauce is made

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A digital counter totals the amount of TABASCO Pepper Sauce bottled inside the bottling plant at the TABASCO Pepper Sauce Factory on Avery Island in New Iberia. (Gazette photo by Raymond Partsch III)

By: RAYMOND PARTSCH III
Managing Editor

AVERY ISLAND — The state of Louisiana has become synonymous around the globe for a multitude of different people, places and things.
There is the revelry of Mardi Gras and debauchery of Bourbon Street, the distinctive musical sounds (Zydeco, Jazz and Swamp Pop) that have risen out of the swampland, the legendary and infamous political figures with names like Long and Edwards, and of course the backyard crawfish boils, hot plates of etouffee and bowls of chicken and sausage gumbo.
But no list, just like no kitchen table, would be complete without the state’s famous export, TABASCO Pepper Sauce.
Visitors to the TABASCO Pepper Sauce Factory and Museum on Avery Island will not only get the history of the hot sauce and the island, but also have a chance to see how TABASCO is made, its cultural impact and even eat some TABSCO-flavored dishes.
“There is a lot that goes on with the TABASCO brand,” Visitors Center Coordinator Kaitlyn Stanford said. “A lot of people don’t know what goes on here.”
Edmund McIlhenny, a former banker, created TABASCO Original Red Sauce in the mid-1860’s on Avery Island. After successfully planted peppers on the island, McIlhenny founded the McIlhenny Company in 1868. McIlhenny’s method for this hot sauce was to blend crushed red peppers with salt from the island and age the “mash” for a month. He then mixed the “mash” with French white wine vinegar and aged that for another month. After straining, the mixture was poured into a small bottle and corked.
Despite a few minor changes, like now aging the sauce in white oak barrels for three years, the process is the same as it was nearly 150 years. And instead of selling the bottles only in New Orleans, TABASCO is labeled in 22 different languages and is sold in more than 180 countries.
More than three decades, visitors to Avery Island could learn that history and also take a very short tour of the factory but that was the extent of the experience. That has since changed and the reason was the demand from customers and tourists.
“We have been discussing expansion for the past six to seven years,” Stanford said. “Our visitors have been asking for more and we wanted to give them more. For the past 30 years we have had the same existing tour. We got to hear their feedback and what they wanted to see.”
That feedback led to the completion of a multi-million dollar expansion that took nearly 18 months to complete. The tour now has ten spots and begins with a state-of-the-art museum, which was originally intended years ago in New Orleans, which has video presentations about the island, displays on the company’s history, and the factory’s bottling and culture influences. The latter includes a film montage of TABASCO appearances and a TABASCO specialty guitar played by Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony.
Visitors then follow the concrete paths to the pepper greenhouse and barrel warehouse before walking to the factory to see more displays, including five-foot tall bottles of sauce, as well as a window allowing visitors to watch the bottling process.
“We liked our customers to see the value behind the brand,” Stanford said.
In addition to the new museum and expanded tour, visitors can also eat lunch at Restaurant 1868, which opened last August. The restaurant features dishes that feature at least one of the dozens of the company’s sauces.
“We wanted to teach people how to use TABASCO,” Stanford said. “Each dish in our restaurant incorporates one of our flavors.”
After touring the factory, and stopping off at the TABASCO General Store, visitors can also check out the 170-acre Jungle Gardens and Bird City, which is a popular spot for wedding pictures.
“It is our hidden treasure on the island,” Stanford said. “We are looking to keep expanding the entire island experience for our visitors.”

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Cemetery vandalized; owners ask for help

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Evangeline Memorial Park was vandalized Wednesday and Thursday. (Gazette photo by Elizabeth West)

By: ELIZABETH WEST
Associate Editor

Wednesday morning an Evangeline Parish Sheriff deputy responded to a vandalism complaint at Evangeline Memorial Park. The vandals had removed nearly all of the flowers and flower vases from the mausoleum located towards the back of the cemetery.
The cemetery’s owners Rodney Jenkins and Sharon Blankenship were unaware of the vandalism until Thursday morning when a person repairing a marble plaque on one of the mausoleum’s vaults saw the mess and notified the owners.
Blankenship said, “We wish that a sheriff deputy could start patrolling through here if they are passing by. I’m not asking for them to do it everyday, but every once in a while could help.”
Blankenship’s frustration comes from the fact that her and her father’s cemetery has been vandalized many times over the years.
The cemetery owner said, “Something like this is happening all of the time. We use to have a flag program for military burials, but we can’t do that anymore because someone stole all of our flags and all of the flag poles had been laid on the ground. And then, last month we had a statue of Mary disappear, and we ended up finding it buried in flower bed at the cemetery.”
Besides throwing the majority of the flowers and vases from the mausoleum on the ground, Blankenship said, ““It also looks like someone used the vase rings to climb to the top of the mausoleum and bent all of the rings.” These are the rings that hold the vases on each marble plaque.
In the vandal’s process of bending the vase rings, they also managed to break one of the marble plaques off of the mausoleum.
After contacting the EPSO multiple times Thursday morning, a deputy finally arrived at the cemetery located on Chataignier Road a little over two hours after Blankenship first reported what she had found.
When the officer arrived, he informed Blankenship that more vandalism had been done since making his first report on Wednesday.
On Thursday there was a jacket, a pile of burnt sticks that looked like they had been used to build a fire, burnt pieces of paper that looked to be someone’s mail, marble pieces from the statue of Mary’s fingers that were broken off, and Nutter Butter cookie wrappers. More flowers and vases were also found on the top of the mausoleum.
When the cemetery owners checked the security footage, they were unable to see anything because the camera facing the mausoleum wasn’t working properly.
Blankenship however, said, “That problem has been fixed. My husband has already changed the camera so we will be able to see now.”
The local cemetery owners have asked that if anyone has any information concerning this matter to please contact Sharon Blankenship at (337) 363-7171.

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