Ville Platte Police make arrests and warn about scams

Posted Thursday Afternoon by Mark Layne

Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue reports arrests for narcotics, burglary and reminds citizens that scams are still being conducted within the city.

On May 15, 2013 a traffic stop led to the arrest of Justin O’Neal Poullard, 24 of 1327 Martin Luther King Drive. Poullard was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail and charged with no seat belt, possession of schedule II with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Poullard remain incarcerated on a $20,000.00 bond set by Judge Thomas Fuselier.

Chief Lartigue would like to thank the Opelousas Police Department and their K-9 unit for their assistance with this traffic stop. “Working with other agencies benefits everyone” Chief Lartigue said, “We appreciate the Opelousas Police Department’s K-9 unit for making themselves available when we called and helping with this incident.”

On May 13, 2013, the Ville Platte Police Department responded to a report of a burglary in progress on West Main Street. Detective Patrick Hall was assigned to the case and upon completion of his investigation, arrested John Henry Jones, 62 of 124 East Wilson Street, Ville Platte. Mr. Jones was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail and charged with simple burglary and criminal damage to property. Mr. Jones was transferred to the Evangeline Parish Jail on a $25,000.00 bond set by Judge Thomas Fuselier.

Chief Lartigue would like to warn citizens that there are still scams being conducted on businesses and people in the community. A local business discovered that someone paid for their products with a counterfeit ten dollar bill recently and in another incident a man approached local businesses and people and asked for money for his sick kids. “If someone approaches you with a sad story and it seems like they are trying to get you to give them money, call the police department and tell the dispatcher” Chief Lartigue said, “An officer can check on the situation and identify this person.” Calling after the person has left or a day later will make it more difficult to locate this person and stop scam artists.

To report a possible scam, illegal narcotic activity or any other criminal activity, call the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313. Your call will remain anonymous.

Ville Platte City Council approves new water meters Tuesday

Posted About A Week Ago by Mark Layne

The Ville Platte City Council, Tuesday, approved the low quote of U.M.S. of Hammond of $1.1 million dollars to install new state of the art electronic reading meters for water customers in the city. The meter upgrade is part of the on- going city water construction project that has been going on for the past year. U.M.S. will install approximately 3000 meters in Ville Platte beginning in July.

City Engineer Ronnie Landreneau said these meters will eliminate the need for meter readers. However, Mayor Jennifer Vidrine announced that no one will lose their jobs. Current meter readers will be given new responsibilities.

The new meters will send a signal to a receiving antenna installed on the water towers. From there the signal information will be relayed to the host location in another state where all the information will be stored for the city. The new meters will be able to inform the city of water leaks and other emergency data.

In connection with these new expensive meters, the city council is preparing to enact an ordinance setting a hefty fine for those found guilty of tampering or damaging these new meters. A public hearing is planned for June 11 at 4:45.

Mayor Jennifer Vidrine and the council was receptive to a proposal by Dr. Greg Ardoin to appoint a select committee to look at proposed zoning ordinances. Dr. Ardoin said the city is poised to grow. He felt Ville Platte could become like Lake Charles in the next few years by taking the proper planning measures right now.

A number of teachers and students were recognized by Mayor Jennifer Vidrine and the city council. The following were each presented with a plaque and a basket packed with local products.

The following teachers of the year were honored: Elementary Teacher-Aleah West of Pine Prairie, Jr. High Teacher- Kelly Bellard of Ville Platte High, and High School Teacher of the Year-Travis Fontenot of Pine Prairie High.

The following public school students were honored: Gehrig Harris, 5^th grade student from Bayou Chicot; Mallory Landry, 8^th Grade student from Bayou Chicot and Benjamin Bertrand of Basile High School.

The following Sacred Heart teachers and students were honored: Elementary Tesacher of the Year-Charles Mire, Wanda Joubert, High School Teacher of the Year, George Brown, support person of the year and Paula Dianne Fontenot, administrator of the year. Elementary student of the year was Evan Miller, Ellis LaHaye was Jr. High student and Abbie Marie Fontenot, Sacred Heart High student of the year.

Mayor Jennifer Vidrine publicly thanked the city work crews for their long hours in restoring gas service to city residents after a major gas line ruptured last week.

In other business the city council:

--approved the hiring of two new paid full time fire fighters: Kirk Fontenot and Bryan Duplechain;

--heard from Arthur Sampson who complained that the city is not following proper procedure under the open meetings law dealing with citizens wishing to comment publicly on issues that the city may vote on. He also complained that the city was targeting African Americans with its abandoned property and cars. He says the city is not enforcing the same law on certain public officials that have abandoned cars on their property.

--approved retail liquor permits for the Smoked Meat Festival in June and a new business: Chataignier Street Grocery.

Evangeline Parish Police Jury Meeting

Posted About A Week Ago by Mark Layne

The Evangeline Parish Police Jury Monday discussed the possibility of calling a millage tax to help fund a parish wide animal control program. Since the parish has no source of funding, the police jury has asked secretary treasurer Doug DeVille to prepare a cost estimate on how much it would cost to fund an animal control program throughout the unincorporated areas of Evangeline Parish. Once the costs are determined, the parish can decide on much property tax would be needed. The issue is expected to be placed on the fall ballot for voters to decide on the issue.

In other news, the jury did not take up the issue of approving a cooperative endeavor agreement for the parish to provide gravel and grass shredding services for the new Ville Platte Recreational Park. The issue was on the agenda and the new recreational park director was due to speak when juror Eric Soileau objected to discuss the issue. Soileau said the original agenda mailed to him did not contain the recreational park item. Soileau asked the agenda item to be tabled until next month because there were residents from his district that wanted to speak on the issue.

In other action the police jury:

--received an annual report from Evangeline Parish County Agent Keith Fontenot and members of his staff;

--approved combining all three Basile voting precincts for future elections: American Legion, St Augustine Hall into the Dr. Bobby Deshotel Community Center;

--approved a liquor license for Kay Crosby to sell liquor at the Y Drive Through Store;

--voted to advertise to accept the lease to reopen the courthouse snack shop;

--agreed to apply for grant funds from the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant program;

--received news that the parish has received $32,942 in sales taxes collected in April.