Local

Nathaniel Savoy, a senior detective with the Ville Platte Police Department, resigned last week after appearing in surveillance video allegedly taking 40 to 50 packs of roofing shingles from a local business valued at over $1,000.

A jury found Eric Johnson guilty of aggravated arson and obstruction of justice involving the Rendevous Dinner Club fire in late July 2013, by a jury n Judge Chuck West’s courtroom Thursday, March 12. Johnson was 22 years old when he was arrested about a month after the fire.

The criminal trial of Eric Johnson on charges of aggravated arson and obstruction of justice involving the burning down of the Rendevous Dinner Club in late July 2013 began earlier this week in District 13 Judge Chuck West’s courtroom.

Money -- or the lack of it -- was at the center of several issues taken up by the Evangeline Parish Police Jury during its regular monthly meeting Monday, March 9.

Stanley Leger pled guilty to vote tampering in the November 2014, Turkey Creek mayor’s race on Friday, March 6.

Nine trucks and 21 volunteer firefighters responded to a house fire at 1366 Lee Street in Ville Platte at 2:11 p.m. Thursday afternoon. Interim Fire Chief Chris Harrison said the fire was the result of a heater malfunction while the owner, Gene Latour, was away from the house.

Before daylight broke Friday morning, the Mamou Police Department was out in the streets on a warrant round-up, looking for eight individuals who had warrants on narcotics charges.

The Evangeline Parish School Board voted to join a request for the 2.75 percent MFP (Minimum Foundation Program) funding increase for the 2013-2014 school year that school districts across the state have not received.

Herman Alfred shows where a city street crew removed debris clogging drainage pipes, causing flooding in his west Ville Platte neighborhood, near the corner of Clement Street and Freddie Dunn Street.

The Evangeline Parish Police Jury discussed clearing of abandoned properties during its committee meeting session Monday, March 2, and decided to take action on the problem during its regular monthly meeting on March 9.