The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers from Dec. 8 through Dec. 14.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

LAFAYETTE, LA – An Avoyelles Parish man is facing life in prison for the murder of Ella Goodie, a rideshare driver, according to prosecutors. 

Brandon Jermaine Francisco, 39, from Mansura, pleaded guilty to the carjacking resulting in death with a binding and mandatory sentence of life in prison on Nov. 13. 

Francisco also admitting to carjacking an Uber and Lyft driver in 2022 during his guilty plea. The victim in that case was the mother of two minor children. 

In the course of his guilty plea, Francisco also admitted that following the carjacking and the shooting death of the victim, he disposed of her body then fled with the vehicle. 

Francisco’s sentencing is currently set for Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. 

The Avoyelles Parish School Board has announced the 2026 winners of the New Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year awards. 

Mrs. Morgan Valois, 3rd-grade English Language Arts teacher at Marksville Elementary School, has been named the 2026 New Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Chuck Normand has been named the 2026 Avoyelles Parish Principal of the Year. His strong leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to student success have made Bunkie Magnet High School a place where excellence thrives.

Mr. Normand will now move on to represent Avoyelles Parish in the state-level competition.

The Avoyelles High FFA Leadership Team traveled to McNeese State University in Lake Charles to compete in the Area III FFA Leadership Contest on Dec. 4.

Owen Rusk placed in 1st in Employment Skills. Kailey Gremillion competed in Geaux Teach Ag. Jaxyn Austin and Zoey Moreau competed in Creed Speaking. Ruby Austin competed in Extemporaneous Speaking. They advanced to the 2025 State FFA Leadership Contest, also held at McNeese, on Dec. 16.

Moreauville Mayor Beryl Holmes expresses her appreciation to all the people and organizations that helped make the village’s Christmas parade a success.

In the statement she released on Facebook, Mayor Holmes expressed her “sincerest appreciation to all those who contributed to the outstanding success of this year’s Annual Parade, Fireworks, tree lighting celebration, and associated events. It was indeed a magical day to commence our holiday season. We are grateful to Father Brian Sellers for leading the event with a powerful prayer and to Pastor Pierite for his presence.”

Mayor Holmes also expressed gratitude to the parade’s sponsors for their generous donations. 

She also expressed thanks to he numerous businesses, organizations, vendors, schools, Moreauville Fire Departments, participants, and judges who participated in the parade itself. 

Special recognition was extended to Sidney Benjamin and his wife with Benji’s Rental for their exceptional effort in decorating each year and to Grant Rabalais for his exceptional efforts in decorating the town hall. Everything was so beautiful. It is clear that everyone had a wonderful time.

Carla Desselle Juneau, proudly representing Moreauville, led the parade as Grand Marshal and was honored with a key to the city, accompanied by her family and friends.

Mayor Holmes also offered special thanks to Melissa Alexander (Event Coordinator) and the Moreauville Christmas Parade Committee for planning and organizing a truly magnificent event. Reginald and Mary Ducote were thanked for preparing and serving the delicious Gumbo.

The success of this event was undoubtedly a team effort. Mayor Holmes expressed appreciation for the efforts of the village’s street department in transforming the village into a festive Christmas celebration. She also thanked the police department for ensuring the safety of attendees, visitors, and citizens.

Mayor Holmes closed her statement with “I am proud of our little village, and let us continue to strive to make it a safe and welcoming place to work and live. We thank the community for their support and look forward to seeing you next year and for years to come. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced that it is time for Audubon’s 126th Christmas Bird Count, which officially began on Dec. 14 and will run through Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. 

For more than 120 years, volunteers across the Western Hemisphere have spent one winter day counting 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿—helping track population trends and guide conservation efforts. This annual event, known as the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), originated on Christmas Day in 1900.

Whether a seasoned birder or brand new, the CBC is open to everyone. Each count is organized inside an established 15-mile diameter circle by a local compiler who will guide participants through the process. Live inside a circle? Participants can even report birds from their feeders.

It is free to participate in the CBC, all skill levels are welcome, and it is a fun way to contribute to a real community science. 

Counts happen within the Dec. 14 to Jan. 5, 2026, window. Each circle picks 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 for its count. Want to learn more or find a count circle nearby? Full details are available here: https://buff.ly/66ybUNg

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF), in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), announced the launch of its inaugural raffle Thursday evening during its annual A Wild Night Fundraising Event. Supporting ongoing LDWF conservation efforts, the raffle offers outdoor enthusiasts and conservation supporters the chance to win a brand-new Chevy Silverado from your Super Chevy Dealers, valued at $60,000. 

Tickets are available for purchase now through Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. The winner will be drawn Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. All proceeds will support LDWF’s mission to preserve and enhance Louisiana’s diverse wildlife and fisheries through vital initiatives including habitat restoration, public hunting and fishing area improvements, species monitoring programs, and community outreach programs aimed at sustaining Louisiana’s fisheries and wildlife heritage.

Raffle Details:

• Raffle Ticket Price: $20 per ticket
• Raffle Prize: Brand New Chevy Silverado (valued at $60,000)
• Sales Period: now through Thursday, January 8, 2026.
• Purchase Options: Individual tickets are for sale at org/la-conservation-raffle. No purchase limit.
• Visit the official rules page to view the complete rules of the LAWFF 2025 Conservation Raffle.

Those who wish to receive raffle updates can sign up for email notifications at lawff.org.

Drawing and Winner Notification:
The winner of the raffle will be drawn on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, and will be notified by phone and email. 

Open to legal residents of the U.S. who are 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited. Contest ends 1/8/26. Visit the official rules page to view the complete rules of the LAWFF 2025 Conservation Raffle.