The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers from June 15 – June 28.
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.
Sheriff David L. Dauzat requests all residents to submit details about storm impacts to fill out this survey to document damage to homes and/or businesses in the aftermath of this significant weather event. This survey is for residential and commercial structures only. Do not include vehicles. Information collected here will help parish, state, and federal authorities better understand the location and severity of damage impacts.
What is Damage.LA.Gov? Damage.LA.Gov is a website created by the State of Louisiana for citizens to self-submit storm damage to homes or businesses. Submitting your information helps parish, state, and federal officials understand the severity of the damage in our area. This data can also help speed up the process for individual recovery assistance. The official survey is available online at https://damage.la.gov/
Community Disaster Relief Resources and Open Shelters
To assist residents who require immediate aid or wish to volunteer, visit this resource link to review active disaster response initiatives and connect directly with service providers. There are multiple response locations and open shelters that are helpful.
American Red Cross (Mansura Area Shelter): Operating an emergency shelter at the Cochon de Lait Center, located at 1822 L’Eglise Street, Mansura, Louisiana 71350. This shelter provides safe refuge, hot meals, and compassionate support to residents who are forced from their homes. Anyone affected by the storms can also call the American Red Cross Disaster Assistance hotline at 1-800-733-2767 for help locating emergency shelter, food, and other assistance.
God’s Pit Crew (Moreauville Area): Located at 897 Bayou Des Glaises Street, Moreauville, Louisiana 71355. Operating from June 21st, 2026, to July 4th, 2026. This group is bringing a large truck of relief supplies and working with local partners on the ground.
Hope Force International (Moreauville Area): Located at 343 Tassin Street, Moreauville, Louisiana 71355. Operating from June 21st, 2026, to July 8th, 2026. Teams are checking homes for damage and helping people clean out thick mud from inside their houses.
Samaritan’s Purse (Hessmer Area): Located at Hessmer Baptist Church, 2927 Main Street, Hessmer, Louisiana 71341. Operating from June 21st, 2026, to July 25th, 2026. Volunteers will help homeowners clean up trash, clear out mud, and save their personal items.
Stormwise (Moreauville Area): Located in Moreauville, Louisiana. Operating from June 23rd, 2026, to July 6th, 2026. This group is helping to coordinate local cleanup work to make the recovery move faster.
Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief (Mansura Area): Located at Life Point Community Church, 1526 Leglise Street, Mansura, Louisiana 71350. Operating from June 24th, 2026, to July 4th, 2026. They are taking requests to help clean flooded homes. You can talk to them in person, call them at phone number 318-955-8235, or email them at ladr.adm.1@gmail.com.
Texans on Mission (Parish-Wide): Working across Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, from June 24th, 2026, to July 7th, 2026. They have brought mobile showers, laundry machines, and power generators to help residents. They have more feeding and chaplain teams ready to help as the water goes down.
Eight Days of Hope (Parish-Wide): Scheduled to work across Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, from June 27th, 2026, to July 11th, 2026. This rapid response team will help families clean out damaged houses, sort through personal belongings, and clear tree limbs and trash from yards.
Public safety reminder: when traveling through the affected areas, drive at a very slow speed near all workers and volunteers to protect their safety and to prevent vehicle “wake” water from causing further property damage to structures.
The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office can be reached by phone at 318-253-4000. In the event of an emergency, always dial 911.
A typical early July weather pattern will settle over Avoyelles Parish this week, bringing hot, humid afternoons with daily chances for isolated to scattered thunderstorms. Temperatures will remain near 90 degrees through the Independence Day weekend, with storms most likely during the afternoon and early evening hours.
Wednesday, July 1: Partly sunny and humid with scattered afternoon thunderstorms possible. High near 91, low around 74.
Thursday, July 2: Mostly sunny and hot with a slight chance of a pop-up afternoon thunderstorm. High near 90, low around 73.
Friday, July 3: Warm and muggy with a mix of sun and clouds. Isolated to scattered afternoon thunderstorms are possible. High around 90, low near 72.
Saturday, July 4: Partly sunny and humid with a few afternoon thunderstorms possible before evening holiday activities. High near 90, low around 72.
Sunday, July 5: Mostly cloudy and humid with isolated showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. High near 91, low around 71.
Monday, July 6: Hot and mostly sunny with afternoon temperatures reaching the lower 90s. High around 92, low near 72.
Tuesday, July 7: Continued hot and humid with partly sunny skies and a slight chance of an afternoon thunderstorm. High in the lower 90s, low in the low 70s.
Outlook: Summer heat and humidity will remain the dominant weather story across the parish through the week. While no prolonged periods of rain are expected, brief afternoon thunderstorms could produce locally heavy downpours and lightning. Those with outdoor plans for the Independence Day holiday should stay hydrated and keep an eye on the forecast for any developing storms.
The Cenla Mental Health Workforce Accelerator Program Grant funded by The Rapides Foundation and in consultation with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is accepting applications from candidates and placement sites in nine parishes: Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn. Applications will be accepted until June 30.
The program helps bridge the gap between a master’s degree in mental health and licensure in Louisiana and supports mental health and community support systems in central Louisiana. It’s administered through Northwestern State University’s Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development.
Eligible candidatesare master’s level mental health professionals interested in pursuing Louisiana licensure as either a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The program supports candidates through licensing exam preparation, licensure application fees, professional development and mentoring by content experts in counseling and social work. The program also covers the cost of candidate’s clinical supervision if the employer does not provide it.
Eligible placement sites are employers offering mental health services to children, adults and families living in central Louisiana. The program supports placement sites through job placement assistance and partial reimbursement of salaries for up to two years.
“We look forward to reviewing applications and to welcoming our next cohort of approved candidates and placement sites,” said Steven Gruesbeck, MS, NCC, executive director of Cenla Mental Health Workforce Accelerator Program at NSU.
Joe Rosier, President and CEO of The Rapides Foundation, said the Foundation’s Board of Trustees created the Cenla Mental Health Workforce Accelerator Program Grant in 2025 to help address the critical shortage of licensed mental health professionals in Central Louisiana. The four-year grant was awarded to NSU to carry out this important work.
“The program builds on our longstanding commitment to strengthening the region’s healthcare workforce, particularly in nursing, behavioral health and allied health fields,” Rosier said. “By supporting mental health professionals on their path to licensure, this program will help expand access to quality behavioral health services throughout our nine-parish service area.”
“Social workers are desperately needed and highly sought after in rural Louisiana to meet the needs of individuals with diminished access to services,” said Byron D. McKinney, MSW, LCSW-BACS, an associate professor of social work at NSU and social work mentor for the program.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Provisional Licensed Professional Counselors (PLPCs) beginning their licensure journey and a win for our region,” said Dr. Gerra Perkins, program coordinator for NSU’s Master of Arts in Counseling program and counseling mentor for the program. “Increasing the number of licensed mental health professionals and improving access to mental health care brings a host of benefits for individuals and families in our communities, including connection and resilience, economic well-being and better health outcomes.”
“By removing obstacles and providing relevant support, we will increase the number of fully licensed professionals in Central Louisiana by 2029,” said Dr. Susan Campbell, associate professor of social work at NSU and associate director of the program.
More information and applications are available at nsula.edu/mental-health-workforce/
As Louisiana families prepare to celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th year, the Office of State Fire Marshal (SFM) is urging residents to put safety first and use fireworks responsibly.
Fireworks remain a leading cause of preventable holiday injuries each year. Sparklers can reach temperatures above 2,000 degrees, creating a serious burn risk, especially for children.
According to 2025 data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks misuse and malfunction were linked to at least 15 deaths and an estimated 13,000 emergency department-treated injuries. Sparklers accounted for an estimated 1,300 injuries. People ages 15 to 24 were injured most often, with burns to the hands, fingers and head among the most common injuries.
More than 660 permitted fireworks stands will operate statewide this season, with retail sales allowed through 11:59 p.m. July 5. Louisiana law requires fireworks vendors to be licensed and permitted through the SFM and to sell only where fireworks are authorized.
“Public fireworks displays remain the safest way to celebrate,” said DPS Principal, Assistant Chief Bryan J Adams. “If you choose to use consumer fireworks at home, plan ahead, follow safety guidelines and buy only from licensed vendors.”
To help prevent injuries, the Office of State Fire Marshal recommends:
Check local burn bans and avoid fireworks during dry or windy conditions
Use fireworks in open areas at least 200 feet from buildings, vehicles and flammable materials
Never allow children to handle fireworks; consider safer alternatives such as glow sticks or public displays
Never use homemade, altered or illegal fireworks and always follow label instructions
Do not use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs
Light one firework at a time and keep a hose or bucket of water nearby
Soak used fireworks before disposal and never place dry fireworks in the trash
The 4th of July Parade is BACK — and Marksville is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. That’s right: 250 years.
So Marksville plans on going bigger, louder, and more patriotic than ever before. Everyone should show up and show out: businesses, organizations, families and friend groups, and floats, golf carts, walking groups.
Let’s pack the streets and make this a parade to remember. Lineup begins at 8:30am in the Taco Bell Parking Lot. The parade rolls at 10am.
Register here: https://forms.gle/QcdW7iYrxn5WYJSm6
Don’t wait — this is going to be one of the biggest celebrations yet, one not to miss.
The St. Anthony of Padua Church Vacation Bible School will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Helping Hands Food Pantry in Bunkie during the week of July 6-9.
Consider donating, as this resource provides food to many families in need. Items can be sent with a child attending VBS or dropped off to St Anthony school during VBS days. Smaller cans, boxes, and bags are preferred.
There are still spots available for Fox Theatre’s first Little Foxes Summer Program! Registration for Disney’s 101 DALMATIONS KIDS is open for children ages 4-7.
Workshop dates will be July 6-10 and 13-17 from 9-11am. Performances will be July 17 at 6pm and July 18 at 2pm.
Head to the theatre’s website to register those little foxes today. For questions, just send the theatre a message on Facebook.
The 46th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival will be held on Saturday July 18, in the air–conditioned Prather Coliseum located at 220 S. Jefferson Street on the Northwestern State University campus in Natchitoches. The festival’s curated showcase of Louisiana folk musicians, food vendors and traditional crafts persons will open at 9 a.m. with live entertainment scheduled for 9:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The family-oriented festival is fully wheelchair accessible. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are $10 at the door for all events or $6 for an evening pass to all events after 5 p.m.
In honor of the 2026 Festival theme, “America the Beautiful,” the Festival will feature the traditional music of the nation – blues, gospel, Cajun, Celtic, country, bluegrass and zydeco on three stages of music as well as in the Magale Recital Hall. Music and dance headliners include Cajun bands Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys and Poisson Rouge, zydeco band Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, blues artists the Wayne “Blue” Burns Band and the Snake Doctors, western swing and classic country artists Gal Holiday and the Honky Revue, the Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team, bluegrass group Catahoula Drive, gospel groups the Amazing! Rhythm Disciples and the Winnsboro Easter Rock Ensemble and dance performances by Native Nations Intertribal, the Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team, the Thistle Dancers and Pipers and Fijian traditional dance by the Rokobou Family. In addition will be a special appearance by Kovanda’s Czech Band which will accompany the Louisiana Czech Heritage Dancers. The festival also includes numerous food vendors offering traditional Louisiana cuisine. Outdoor activities feature demonstrations of traditional blacksmithing, Dutch oven cooking and a child-friendly hands-on demonstration of a 19th century wash day.
More than 80 crafts vendors have been invited to display and discuss their traditional work with festival patrons. Craftspeople are expected to display beadwork, baskets, cowhide chair covers, alligator jewelry, Pysanky eggs, Native American crafts and pottery. Other expected craftspeople will display needlework, wood carvings, handmade toys and dolls, paintings, sculpture, homemade soap, spinning and weaving, handcrafted knives, handmade brooms, walking sticks, folk art quilts and more.
The Festival will include a Gumbo Cook-Off, in which professionals and hobbyists alike can compete in one of the multiple categories and demonstrate their cooking skills in any of three categories, Seafood, Poultry Plus and People’s Choice. All gumbo must be cooked on-site, with no commercial or pre-made roux allowed. Poultry, meat, seafood, rice and broth or stock may be prepared in advance or on-site and canned broth is allowed. Registration and the Cooks’ Meeting will take place at 8:00 a.m. Tasting and judging will begin at 12:30 p.m. with winners announced at 3:15 p.m. There is no fee to compete in the Cook-Off.
The Annual Louisiana State Fiddle Championship will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Magale Recital Hall. There will be a non-championship class and a championship class. A twin fiddle category will also be held. Registration is at noon in the first-floor foyer outside Magale Recital Hall. The Fiddle Championship winner will perform on the main stage at Prather Coliseum at 5 p.m.
The festival includes several opportunities for patrons to engage directly with Louisiana folk culture. Free dance lessons include clogging or flatfoot dancing with Clancey Stewart, Celtic dance taught by the Thistle Dancers and Pipers and Cajun and zydeco dancing taught by the Cajun French Music Association Dance Troupe. Interactive activities include dancing with the Louisiana Czech Heritage Dancers and Native Nations Intertribal.
“The festival bridges the distance between artists and the festival patrons, thus breaking the artificial barriers between artists and audience,” said Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the festival and NSU’s Louisiana Folklife Center. “Rather than watching from the sidelines, everyone who takes part in these activities will share and engage in Louisiana’s rich culture.”
KidFest will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kidfest is an area dedicated to child-friendly activities and is a fun way for children to examine their own cultural and family traditions as well as those from around the state.
Narrative sessions will be held in the festival N-Club Room from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature presentations on the making of the first sinker cypress fiddle, traditional carding, spinning and weaving, Fijian traditional culture, Louisiana foodways and heritage language revitalization. In addition will be music informances on Cajun music with bands Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys and Poisson Rouge. ASL interpretation, assistive listening devices and audio description for these cultural discussions will be made available upon prior request by July 10.
This year also features several pre-Festival events which are free and open to the general public. A Visit with the Bagpipe will be held at 2 p.m. on July 11 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. Attendees at this free workshop will learn the basics of traditional Celtic bagpipe and drumming, as well as Highland dance. The workshop will also feature a Celtic music and dance performance by the Thistle Dancers and Pipers. A second free pre-festival event will be a music and dance performance by Native Nations Intertribal at 6 p.m. on July 17 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Members of Native Nations Intertribal will also engage in a discussion of their traditions with anthropologist Dr. Hiram “Pete” Gregory, an expert on Southeastern Native American tribes and culture.
For a full schedule of events, online registration forms to participate in the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship and the Gumbo Cook-Off or to make a donation contact the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu or go to nsula.edu/folklife/.
Support for the Festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the State of Louisiana. The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program will not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.
The festival is sponsored by Alliance Compressors, Atmos Energy, C&H Precision Machining, City Bank, Cleco, Evans Family, LLC, the Harrington Law Firm, Natchitoches Wood Preserving Company, Ronnie’s Auto Glass and Collision Center and Young Estate, LLC.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has reopened all roads on the Grassy Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) following closures due to flooding.
Grassy Lake WMA consists of nearly 13,000 acres in northeastern Avoyelles Parish and is located approximately twelve miles from Bordelonville. For more information about Grassy Lake WMA, visit Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries – Grassy Lake WMA.