Month: October 2025

APSO arrests convicted violent offender-fugitive after pursuit

/ Megan Lowe
Nicholas Lavalais
An Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputy was conducting routine patrol in the vicinity of Hessmer on Oct. 23 at approximately 3:41am.
 
The deputy observed a subject riding a bicycle on the sidewalk of Highway 115 near the “APM” gas station. The cyclist’s body appeared that of a male. The cyclist was wearing a mask concealing his face. The deputy initiated a traffic stop on the bicycle. The cyclist/violator then came to a stop. As the deputy exited his patrol vehicle, the violator began to flee the stop. A pursuit was initiated and traveled from Highway 115 onto Highway 114, heading west. The violator engaged a motor on the bicycle, reaching speeds of 36 miles per hour. Near the intersection of Highway 114 and T-Williams Road, the violator abandoned the motorized bicycle and fled on foot.
 
After a foot pursuit, the deputy apprehended the violator, who actively resisted arrest before being safely taken into custody. The violator was identified as 36-year-old Nicholas D. Lavalais of Hessmer. The deputy immediately confirmed Mr. Lavalais was a wanted fugitive from justice. On Sept. 8, Mr. Lavalais pled guilty and was sentenced in the 12th Judicial District Court for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of Schedule I CDS (Heroin). He was ordered to report on Sept. 15 to begin serving his concurrent sentences. Mr. Lavalais failed to report, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
 
In addition to the fugitive warrant, Marksville Police Department issued a ‘Be On the Lookout’ (BOLO) advisory for Mr. Lavalais because he was wanted as a suspect in connection with several recent crimes, including Felony Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Simple Burglary (Felony), Criminal Damage to Property (Misdemeanor), and Criminal Mischief (Misdemeanor). A background check revealed Mr. Lavalais’s criminal history is 22 pages long without his new charges. He is classified as a “Felon” and “Violent Offender.”
 
Mr. Lavalais was transported and booked into the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office DC-1. Mr. Lavalais was charged with the Fugitive Warrant, Flight from an Officer, Resisting an Officer, Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoids and numerous other violations. Mr. Lavalais will remain in custody to serve his time and will have a future court date(s) for his new charges.
 
Sheriff David L. Dauzat commends the deputy for his proactive policing and his courage to carry out his duty. “This arrest highlights the fact that even seemingly routine encounters can be dangerous. This subject was actively fleeing justice to avoid a 5-year prison sentence, was wanted for other felony crimes, and his 22-page, criminal history shows he is a clear threat to our community. Our deputies are committed to identifying and apprehending those who evade the law, and we are pleased to have taken this convicted, violent offender off the streets,” stated the sheriff.
 
If anyone has information on criminal activity, contact the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-253-4000.
 
All persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Traffic stop in Marksville leads to felony arrest

/ Megan Lowe
Travis Bardwell

An Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy, while on proactive patrol in the Marksville area near Highway 1191, conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an equipment violation on Oct. 13 at approximately 10:48pm.

During the stop, the driver was identified as Travis James Bardwell, 41, of Hessmer. A routine computer check revealed Mr. Bardwell had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for Contempt of Court. After Mr. Bardwell was taken into custody, a firearm was located inside his vehicle. A subsequent criminal history investigation confirmed that Mr. Bardwell is a convicted felon and is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

Travis James Bardwell was transported and booked into the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office Detention
Center 1 on the following charges: Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies and Contempt of Court (Failure to Appear – Domestic Abuse Battery).

This arrest is a direct result of the deputies’ proactive patrols. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office remains committed to being vigilant in our communities to keep citizens safe.

Sheriff David L. Dauzat reminds all citizens to report any suspicious activity. Contact the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-253-4000.

All persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

APSO enhances life-saving capabilities with new AEDS, advanced training

/ Megan Lowe

Sheriff David L. Dauzat announced that the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office (APSO) has enhanced its life-saving capabilities by equipping patrol units with new Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

Deputies are often the first to arrive at the scene of a medical emergency. Having this equipment and training is vital for providing immediate, life-saving intervention in the critical minutes before Emergency Medical Services (EMS) can arrive.

This is especially critical in this community. From Jan. 1, 2022, to Sept. 1 of this year, the Avoyelles Communications Center has received and dispatched over 103,000 medical emergency calls for service. This staggering number shows the immense need for a rapid medical response.

Furthermore, statistics show that Avoyelles Parish has one of the higher rates of heart disease in Louisiana, and this state consistently ranks among the worst in the nation for cardiovascular health.

In addition to the new AEDs, deputies have just completed their annual in-service training and recertification in:

– Basic Life Support (BLS)
– Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
– AED Operation
– Tourniquet Application for trauma

Sheriff Dauzat stated, “We know the importance of investing in our community’s safety and equipping our deputies with the tools they need to do their job safely and effectively. These 103,000 medical calls are not just numbers; they represent our family, friends, and neighbors in crisis. Equipping our deputies, who are already on patrol in our communities, will help save lives in Avoyelles Parish.”

For emergencies, always dial 911. For non-emergencies, contact the APSO office at 318-253-4000 or via email at info@AvoyellesSO.org.

Parish Registrar provides details for upcoming Road District 2 elections

/ Megan Lowe

The Avoyelles Parish Registrar of Voters has shared information regarding the Nov. 15 General Election; this applies to Road District 2. 

Early voting week begins Saturday, Nov. 1, and runs through Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 8:30am to 6pm. There will be no voting on Sunday, Nov. 2. 

Registered voters can vote online or get election information at http://www.geauxvote.com.

This information pertains to the following precincts.

2-05 (PART)
3-01 (PART)
3-03 (PART)
6-01 (PART)
6-02 (PART)
6-02A
7-01
7-02
7-03
8-01
8-02 (PART)
8-03
8-03A
9-01 (PART)
9-03 (PART)
11-01
11-02

The early voting location is the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse (312 N Main St, Suite E, Marksville). For more information, call 318-253-7129.

Save the Date: Cottonport announces details for 58th Annual Christmas on the Bayou

/ NPJ

The Town of Cottonport has announced dates and details for its 58th Annual Cottonport Christmas on the Bayou celebration.

Friday, Dec. 12, will feature the Decorating Contest and Tree Lighting.

Saturday, Dec. 13, will feature the Black Pot Special – Anything Goes from 8am to 12pm with fireworks at 6pm. 

Sunday, Dec. 14, will afford vendors an opportunity to set up. The parade line-up will begin at 11am, and the parade itself will start at 1pm. 

LDWF accepting applications for Beyond Becoming an Outdoors Woman (B-BOW) Deer Hunt

/ Megan Lowe

LDWF has announced that applications are now open for the Becoming an Outdoors Women (BOW) Deer Hunt, scheduled for Jan. 9-11, 2026, at Floy McElroy Wildlife Management Area.

This hunt is designed for novice deer hunters who have previously attended a Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) workshop and are ready for hands-on learning experience in a safe, supportive environment.

The deadline for the lottery application is Nov. 30, with a drawing date of Dec. 1. Successful applicants will be notified by email. Apply here: https://buff.ly/w4fjTiM

Eligibility requirements are as follows.

  • Must have attended a previous BOW workshop
  • Must be a novice deer hunter (harvested no more than two deer or other big game animals)
  • Must not have previously attended a Louisiana B-BOW deer hunt or harvested a deer during that event
  • Must be Hunter Education certified

The Beyond BOW program helps women build on skills learned during BOW weekends – offering hands-on experiences while providing guidance from supportive instructors in real-world outdoor settings. For questions, email BOW@wlf.la.gov. Learn more: https://buff.ly/CEkF6jA.