The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers from Aug. 24 through Aug. 30.
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.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has issued a progress update regarding the ongoing bridge replacement project on Louisiana Highway 454 over Wiggins Bayou in Avoyelles Parish.
All lanes on LA-454 in both directions at the Wiggins Bayou Bridge remain closed to all through traffic.
The $11 million, 0.178-mile project includes the complete removal of the old concrete girder bridge, installation of a modern precast pre-stressed girder bridge, construction of permanent sheet pile walls, and associated roadway improvements.
Since construction began, crews have demolished and removed the previous bridge structure, carried out major earthwork, and resolved the severe erosion and scour conditions that affected the original crossing. Active operations currently underway include pile driving and the placement of caps and girders.
The project is estimated to be completed by early 2027 (weather permitting).
Motorists traveling through the area must continue utilizing designated state detours:
– Eastbound Traffic: Detour south on LA-107 to LA-454 West.
– Westbound Traffic: Detour north on LA-107 to LA-454 East.
Sheriff David L. Dauzat and the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office remind all motorists to exercise caution, observe all posted detour signage, and allow extra travel time for daily commutes. Please remain mindful of heavy equipment and construction personnel working in and around the project boundaries.
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Lester Duhé as the agency’s new Public Affairs Director.
Duhé joins DCFS with a strong background in media relations and public communications. He most recently served as Press Secretary for Attorney General Liz Murrill and the Louisiana Department of Justice, where he acted as the official spokesperson, led the communications strategy for major legal actions, investigations, and initiatives, and managed all public messaging across social and digital platforms.
He previously worked as a reporter and anchor for WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge and KLFY-TV in Lafayette, producing coverage for top-rated newscasts and creating digital content for large audiences. Lester also served as the Communications Director for the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana.
In his new role, Duhé will oversee DCFS communications, press engagement, public messaging, and digital communications strategy.
Press inquiries for DCFS can still be made to dcfspress@la.gov at this time, but in the future can be directly sent to lester.duhe.dcfs@la.gov.
Avoyelles Parish should expect more storms and clouds throughout the coming week. Autumn may be around the corner, but the temperatures still don’t reflect that. High temperatures will range in the lower 90s.
Wednesday, Sept. 9: Intervals of clouds and sunshine with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible. Partly cloudy skies overnight. High near 93, low around 73.
Thursday, Sept. 10: Partly cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing in the afternoon; chance of rain 50%. A few clouds from time to time overnight. High near 91, low around 72.
Friday, Sept. 11: Partly cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing in the afternoon; chance of rain 40%. Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm after midnight. High around 90, low near 72.
Saturday, Sept. 12: Scattered thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon; chance of rain 50%. Partly cloudy skies overnight. High near 90, low around 72.
Sunday, Sept. 13: Scattered thunderstorms, especially in the morning; chance of rain 40%. A few clouds from time to time overnight. High near 91, low around 72.
Monday, Sept. 14: Partly cloudy in the morning followed by scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon; chance of rain 40%. A few clouds overnight. High near 93, low around 72.
Tuesday, Sept. 15: Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm in the afternoon; chance of rain 30%. Partly cloudy overnight. High of 92, low of 72.
Isolated and scattered thunderstorms are possible throughout f the forecast window, but none are forecast to be severe. Highest chance of rain will be Thursday, with a 50% chance of rain. Temperatures remain in the 90s, in defiance of the autumn equinox, but no daily temps over 95. Heat index values may exceed 100 degrees during the afternoon, so residents are encouraged to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks if working outdoors. Seek shelter in the event of thunderstorms.
Labor Day weekend often marks the unofficial end of summer, but with hot temperatures continuing across Louisiana, families still have plenty of opportunities to enjoy pools, lakes, bayous and other waterways. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is reminding parents and caregivers to make water safety a priority.
“It is important that everyone in your family knows how to swim – children and adults. Swimming lessons are available all across the state. My nephew, Nathan Landry, was the victim of a drowning, so I know all too well the dangers of the water. I don’t want another family to experience that kind of loss. So please, Louisiana, get a swim plan – whether that means getting your children into lessons now or making a plan for next summer,” said DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris.
DCFS encourages families to:
– Always supervise children around water. Put your phone away, stay alert and keep your eyes on children at all times.
– Remember water safety goes beyond the pool. Drowning can happen in lakes, bayous, ponds and even bathtubs.
– Make sure children wear life jackets when they are on a boat or around open water. Use a properly fitted, Coast Guard-approved flotation device.
– Consider swimming lessons and CPR training to help prepare your family for emergencies.
– Add barriers around home pools, such as a fence, to help prevent children from accessing the water unsupervised.
“Water safety doesn’t end at the pool,” said DCFS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rebecca Hook. “Water safety is any time your children or your family is in or on the water. Supervising our children without distractions, using a Coast Guard-approved flotation device and having a safety plan are important ways we can help keep our children safe.”
For more water-safety information and resources, visit getaswimplan.ldh.la.gov.
The Avoyelles Parish Library will host ‘Tales & Ales’ – a short story discussion group – at Broken Wheel Brewery on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 5-7pm.
This month’s authors are Eudora Welty and Sandra Cisneros. The selected stories for Welty are “Why I Live at the P.O.” and “A Worn Path.” The selected stories for Cisneros are “Eleven” and “Barbie-Q.”
Louisiana law regarding marijuana on and near school campuses changed effective August 1, 2026. The Avoyelles Parish School Board wants all students, families, and community members to understand what the new law means.
Under Act 305 of the 2026 Regular Session, marijuana possession on school property, within 2,000 feet of school property, or on a school bus can carry serious criminal consequences, including up to one year of imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000.
The law also addresses smoking or vaping controlled dangerous substances in these areas, including THC vape pens.
For students in grades 6–12, school disciplinary consequences are separate from criminal consequences. A first occurrence involving marijuana may result in a recommendation for expulsion. A second or subsequent occurrence requires expulsion for at least two complete school semesters and referral to the district attorney.
Students and families: take a few minutes to review the information in the graphic and talk about the consequences of bringing, possessing, smoking, or vaping marijuana or THC products at or near school.
The Village of Hessmer Water System has issued a system-wide boil advisory until further notice. This is due to a routine inspection by the State on water tower #2. This advisory will probably be for at least a week. The Village will notify customers by social media, radio, and television once the advisory is lifted. The Village thanks its community for their patience and understanding.
Annie Maddie Ducote
January 11, 1929 — September 7, 2026
Service: Friday, September 11, 2026, 11:30am at Christ the King Catholic Church, Simmesport.
Henry Neil Bonnette
November 6, 1938 – September 6, 2026
Service: Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 5pm at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Marksville.
Geneva Brevelle Gagnard
October 9, 1937 – September 3, 2026
Service: Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 10am at Chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Marksville.
Ann Armand Rabalais
April 4, 1940 — August 15, 2026
Service: Saturday, September 12, 2026, 11am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Cemetery, Dupont.
Avoyelles Online News publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.
The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers from Aug. 17 through Aug. 23.
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.