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• Tee Cotton Bowl 2012 Play Video

  August 22, 2012 9:30 AM

  The Tee-Cotton Bowl will take place at the Ville Platte Civic Center on August 25, 2012. The family fun day begins at 10am and last until; the money raise will benefit Ville Platte and Sacred Heart High school football teams. For more info call: 337-831-0214 or email: FAJE1976@YAHOO.COM... more »

• House Fire in Ville Platte

  May 15, 2012 6:30 AM

  Evangeline emergency and fire officials are on the scene of a fatal house fire in Ville Platte. The flames engulfed the residence on Hickory street just after 1am Tuesday morning. Officials are reporting that there were two residents in the home when the fire started, but only one... more »

• ACLU suit attacks Ville Platte curfew

  February 9, 2012 9:36 AM

  VILLE PLATTE, La. (AP) - The American Civil Liberties Union has amended its complaint against Ville Platte and the city's late-night walking curfew. The amended complaint alleges that while the curfew has been suspended, the danger has not passed. The Advocate reports the amended complaint was filed Monday. Arthur Sampson,... more »

• Ville Platte Coaches Trial Set to Go to Trial

  January 23, 2012 6:45 PM

  Jury selection is underway in Jeff Davis Parish in the trial of a Ville Platte High football coach. It's been more than a year and a half since police said Roy Serie caused an accident that killed two people, including his wife Sheila. Police said Roy crossed the median and... more »

• Update: D.A. sheds light on Candidate's charges Play Video

  October 28, 2011 11:39 PM

  A former candidate for Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court is accused of trying to hire someone to "rough-up" a campaign worker. Police arrested Greg Tate last night, charging him with with one count of conspiracy to commit second degree battery. Just a week ago, Tate was aiming to be the... more »

• Ville Platte curfew lifted: Do's and Don't's Play Video

  October 11, 2011 11:32 PM

  The Ville Platte City Council decides to lift the walking curfew that's been in place since early this year. Council is revisiting the ordinance after a lawsuit was filed, claiming the curfew violates peoples' rights. Beginning on Wednesday, anyone over the age of 17 can walk the streets after... more »

• Ville Platte: Curfew stays... for now

  September 13, 2011 11:13 PM

  The curfew is still in place in Ville Platte... at least for now. City council voted to take another look at it next month and possibly get rid of it altogether. The meeting was the first for weeks. Some Ville Platte councilmen have been holding-out and refusing to attend... more »

• Ville Platte Cracking Down on Unpaid Utility Bills

  August 31, 2011 11:22 PM

  Ville Platte residents could lose water and gas utilities September 1, 2011, as part of the city's crack down on delinquent bills. And the mayor said it's a problem that's been going on for years. After several audits, and thousands of dollars lost, Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine said... more »

• Ville Platte's Chief of Police May Soon Get Twenty Precent Raise

  August 11, 2011 6:47 PM

  Ville Platte City employees may soon get a pay raise. The biggest recipient would be Chief of Police, Neil Lartigue. Council members are proposing increasing his salary by 20 percent. Resident, Phillip LaFleur, said "well, I think the chief has done a good job and if anyone deserves a... more »

• Two Animal Cruelty Investigations Involve Ville Platte Resident

  July 19, 2011 7:27 PM

  A Ville Platte resident is the center of not just one, but two animal cruelty investigations. It started with dogs, but livestock may be suffering too. Evangeline Parish Sheriff's investigators rescued three horses and one donkey from Calvin Freeman's property. Jeff Dorson with the Lousisiana Humane Society said, he's... more »

• 14 dogs euthanized, Ville Platte man charged with animal cruelty

  July 18, 2011 10:39 PM

  A Ville Platte man faces 14-counts of animal cruelty and more charges could follow. Deputies say an anonymous tip led them to a home on 5th St. in Ville Platte where they removed 20 dogs. Investigators say all of them were found in poor condition and in need of immediate... more »

• NAACP wants change in Ville Platte

  July 13, 2011 12:22 AM

  After 10:00, Ville Platte residents have to wear reflective gear if they're walking the streets. It's part of the curfew law put in place in February. Leaders with the NAACP say it's allowed racial profiling in the city but their complaints went unheard at Tuesday's City Council meeting. "You... more »

• Crash kills Ville Platte teen

  July 11, 2011 9:17 AM

  BAYOU CHICOT, La. (AP) - A one-car accident on La. Highway 106 has claimed the life of a Ville Platte teen. State police say 17-year-old Jeannine Shafer was pronounced dead at the scene of the 4 a.m. Sunday accident on La. 106 just east of its intersection with U.S. Highway... more »

• Should Agents Killed in Ville Platte Get Special Death Benefits

  June 10, 2011 11:20 PM

  A Louisiana lawmaker wants to make death benefits available for State employees killed in the line of duty, such as the two insurance investigators killed Tuesday in Ville Platte. There's no doubt Tuesday's double-murder suicide still weighs heavily on the small town of Ville Platte. Many residents now turning... more »

• One of First Witnesses Recounts Ville Platte Shootings

  June 8, 2011 10:22 PM

  More information about Tuesday's double murder suicide surfaces only a day after the shooting in downtown Ville Platte. One of the first witnesses on the scene describes what happened in an exclusive interview with KATC, and the shooter's family issues a statement about the incident. The witnesses doesn't want... more »

• What Could Have Led to Ville Platte Double Murder-Suicide

  June 8, 2011 12:18 AM

  It was a tragic end to a sordid past for Ville Platte insurance agent Melvin Lavergne. After over 40 years in the insurance business, he'd recently faced several investigations and an arrest. It was all leading up to Tuesday's double murder suicide in Ville Platte. "Today around one o'clock... more »

• Witnesses recall Ville Platte double murder suicide

  June 8, 2011 12:01 AM

  With Tuesday's shooting happening during business hours on Ville Platte's Main Street, many people came forward telling their own stories on what they saw at Lavergne Insurance. "I thought they were shots but I wasn't really sure so when I walked outside," Tommy Richard said. "That's when I had... more »

• Armed Robbery Turned Murder in Ville Platte

  May 7, 2011 11:29 PM

  A murder investigation underway in Ville Platte. According to Evangeline Today.com http://evangelinetoday.com/view/full_story/13167848/article-Robbery-turned-shooting-claims-the-life-of-one?instance=home_news_lead it all started with an armed robbery at a nail salon on West Main Street Friday night. The paper reports a man broke into the business and fired several shots, hitting the store owner who later died.... more »

• Speed Limit Increases on Portions of I-49

  April 18, 2011 7:19 PM

  Starting today, drivers along rural sections of I-49 will be able to press the gas a little harder. For twelve years, Tom Rutherford has been traveling the roads in his big rig. Many of those trips along I-49 near Ville-Platte northward to Shreveport. "If the speed limit is 75,... more »

• Ville Platte and Opelousas Deputy Marshals Team Up for Warrant Service Round-up

  February 24, 2011 2:11 PM

  Ville Platte and Opelousas Deputy City Marshals teamed up this morning to serve 40 warrants. There were sixteen Deputy Marshalls knocking on doors and searching for people who haven't shown up to court for things like traffic tickets, theft, speeding, disturbing peace, fighting, and simple battery "We make sure they... more »

• Ville Platte City Hall Closed

  February 3, 2011 11:19 PM

  Ville Platte City Hall will be closed Friday. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine says business will resume as normal on Monday morning. more »

• Ville Platte Agent Faces 7 Charges

  February 1, 2011 8:45 AM

  VILLE PLATTE, La. (AP) - A Ville Platte insurance agent has been arrested and had his license suspended. Tuesday, 65-year-old John Melvin Lavergne was arrested by state police on seven counts of Prohibited Acts and Unfair Trade Practices. He was also served by Department of Insurance Fraud Section investigators with... more »

• Ville Platte Swears in First African American Mayor

  December 31, 2010 6:37 PM

  It was a day of firsts for the city of Ville Platte. Jennifer Vidrine grew up in the town and never imagined she'd be sworn in as the mayor. She is the first African American and the first female mayor of the city. She said, "it's a very important day... more »

• Person who robbed a Ville Platte bank could already be in jail

  November 15, 2010 9:13 AM

  The person who robbed a Ville Platte bank Monday could already be in jail. This surveillance picture was released after a teller was held up at the Hancock Bank. Officers in Jeanerette called Ville Platte saying the person in the picture was 45-year old Harvey Alexander who was... more »

• Search for Ville Platte Bank Robber

  November 8, 2010 3:32 PM

  The search is on for a Ville Platte bank robber and authorities hope surveillance images will help them catch the thief. The male subject approached a teller at Hancock Back Monday morning around 10:00 a.m. and produced a note demanding money. The robber grabbed the cash from the teller's... more »

• Voter Fraud Allegation In Ville Platte

  October 13, 2010 7:34 PM

  (note: the candidates/campaign signs shown in this story's video are not necessarily involved in the investigation or allegations of fraud.) Accusations of voter fraud tonight in Ville Platte where at least a dozen residents claim they unknowingly handed over their votes to a stranger. They contacted KATC and reporter... more »

• Candidate for Council Squashes Dropping Out Rumor

  September 27, 2010 12:54 PM

  Candidate for City Council in Ville Platte wants to put a stop to a rumor about ending her candidacy. Myra "Griffin" Fontenot is still running for City Council District D in Ville Platte. "I have been receiving phone calls and I have been confronted by people of my community about... more »

• Water Boil Advisory for Ville Platte

  September 22, 2010 4:25 PM

  The City of Ville Platte water system has experienced a line break in the water supply system which caused a loss in pressure in the distribution system. Because of these problems the water produced by the system is of questionable microbiological quality. Therefore, as a precaution, residents are asked to... more »

• Ville Platte Man cCharged with Vehicular Homicide

  August 27, 2010 9:23 AM

  JENNINGS, La. (AP) - State police have arrested a 45-yeaer-old Ville Platte man who caused an accident on U.S. Highway 165 that killed two people earlier this year. Roy Serie was booked Thursday with two counts of vehicular homicide, one count of driving while intoxicated and one count of vehicular... more »

• Ville Platte High School to Get Face Lift

  July 22, 2010 7:24 AM

  VILLE PLATTE, La. (AP) - The Evangeline Parish School board has award a $3 million contract that will give Ville Platte High school a long awaited face lift. The contract was awarded Wednesday to Skip Converse. The school board will pay for the project through a special federal low-interest program... more »

• Ville Platte Man Injured In Hazardous Material Spill

  July 8, 2010 7:05 PM

  This morning at 10:42 a.m., State Police received a telephone call advising of an incident at Louisiana Tank located north of Lake Charles at 4187 Highway 3059. Troopers with the Louisiana State Police Hazardous Materials Unit as well as an agent from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality responded. Preliminary... more »

• Ville Platte Teenager Drowns On Memorial Day

  June 1, 2010 5:44 PM

  A Memorial Day tragedy for a Ville Platte family. Corey Soileau, 19, drowned while cooling off in the Toledo Bend Reservoir. Soileau lost his father to drowning ten years before the water took his life. "We all love him and miss him and pray he's in a better place," said... more »

• Ville Platte Medical Staffing Firm Owners Arrested

  May 18, 2010 6:14 PM

  VILLE PLATTE - A months-long investigation by the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) and Louisiana Attorney General's office into the business practices of a Ville Platte medical staffing firm ended today with the arrest of the company's owners. Brett McElwee and Daniel Fuselier, owners of First Choice Medical Staffing, were... more »

• Ville Platte Couple's Wreck

  May 7, 2010 9:03 PM

  In Evangeline Parish, one community is dealing with a tragedy. A Lake Charles woman, Shannon Cox, and Shelia Serie of Ville Platte died in a car wreck this week. Shelia's husband, Roy was driving the vehicle that allegedly caused that crash. He is a coach at Ville Platte High... more »

• Father Accused of Stabbing Son at Festival

  April 12, 2010 7:08 AM

  One man is hospitalized today after he was stabbed by his own father. It happened at the Crawfish Etoufee Cookoff in Ville Platte this weekend. A family member says the two got into an argument about family issues. Newman Thibodeaux allegedly stabbed Keith Thibodeaux several times... more »

• Merging Plans For Ville Platte and Eunice Medical Centers

  April 6, 2010 11:43 AM

  EUNICE, La. (AP) - Ville Platte Medical Center and Acadian Medical Center of Eunice, which last year announced plans to merge, will make it official when they become two campuses of the newly created Mercy Regional Medical Center. The Daily World reports that Alan Daugherty, who had served as chief... more »

• Donna Greenwell pleads to selling children

  February 23, 2010 7:54 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Louisiana woman has pleaded guilty to selling two children for a cockatoo and $175 in what her attorney called an attempt to do a good thing that went wrong. "It was a really clumsy attempt at an adoption proceeding," said Steve Sikich, attorney for Donna... more »

• Ville Platte Drug Bust Leads To Two Arrests

  December 16, 2009 5:08 PM

  In Evangeline Parish, 34-year-old Ashley Smith and 42-year-old Daniel Lavine are under arrest accused of drug distribution. Police say crack cocaine and marijuana were found in each of their homes. Bond on is set at $10,000 for each of the suspects. more »

• Ville Platte insurance agent accused of fraud

  November 10, 2009 9:29 AM

  A Ville Platte agent has been issued a cease and desist order, summary suspension of his licenses and fine notice today for allegedly providing fraudulent proofs of insurance. John Melvin Lavergne, 64, was served by Department of Insurance Fraud Section Investigators with an order to cease and desist from... more »

• Ville Platte Agent Ordered To Cease And Desist

  November 9, 2009 4:56 PM

  A Ville Platte agent has been issued a cease and desist order, summary suspension of his licenses and fine notice today for allegedly providing fraudulent proofs of insurance. John Melvin Lavergne, 64, was served by Department of Insurance Fraud Section Investigators with an order to cease and desist from... more »

• Ville Platte deputy arrested on drug charges

  October 30, 2009 9:20 AM

  OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) - A St. Landry Parish sheriff's deputy has been arrested on drug charges. Deputy Chris LeJeune of Ville Platte was arrested this week as part of a joint operation between the St. Landry and Evangeline Parish sheriff's offices. Jimmy Darbonne with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office... more »

• Classes offered at Ville Platte Arboretum

  October 29, 2009 12:57 PM

  PINE NEEDLE BASKET CLASS SET FOR NOVEMBER 14 AT THE LOUISIANA STATE ARBORETUM VILLE PLATTE - Learn how to make a pine needle basket on Saturday, November 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Louisiana State Arboretum in Ville Platte. Participants will learn the basic... more »

• St. Landry Arrest Report: October 28, 2009

  October 28, 2009 11:18 AM

  This is the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office arrest report for October 28th, 2009. John Jacob Lemen, age 57, 182 Texas Eastern Rd., Opelousas, La., simple battery involving domestic violence Wilry Roy Jr., age 50, 228 Demourelle St., Ville Platte, La., felony theft Clifton Charlie Lamb, age... more »

• Spice maker files suit over trademark violation

  October 23, 2009 8:39 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - The Ville Platte company that makes "Slap Ya Mama" Cajun seasoning has slapped a lawsuit for trademark infringement on an upstart spice company marketing under the name "Punch Ya Daddy." Walker & Sons, the family owned company that makes "Slap Ya Mama," alleges the similarity of... more »

• Romero's plead guilty in bird-children swap

  October 15, 2009 7:43 AM

  VILLE PLATTE, La. (AP) - A Louisiana couple admitted giving an exotic bird to a woman in exchange for two children, a district attorney said Wednesday. Paul and Brandy Romero, of Eunice, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of sale of a minor child, Evangeline Parish District Attorney Trent Brignac's... more »