The Simmesport Police Department announces the arrest of Dantea Mingo, B/F, age 27, following an investigation into a disturbance that occurred in the 400 block of Lincoln Street in Simmesport earlier this month.

Simmesport Police officers were dispatched to the area regarding a reported disturbance. Upon officers’ arrival, the suspect had already left the scene.

During the investigation, the victim provided law enforcement with video footage of the incident. Simmesport Police detectives reviewed the video and gathered information that helped investigators establish probable cause and obtain an arrest warrant for Mingo.

Detectives then learned that Mingo was in Mansura. With assistance from the Mansura Police Department, officers located and took Mingo into custody.

Mingo was transported by Simmesport Police officers to the Avoyelles Parish Jail, where she was booked on the following charges:

• Battery of a Dating Partner — Felony
• Terrorizing — Felony
• Simple Criminal Damage to Property — Misdemeanor

Mingo is also currently under the supervision of Louisiana State Probation and Parole, and the appropriate agency was notified of her arrest.

The Simmesport Police Department thanks the Mansura Police Department for its assistance in locating and apprehending the suspect.

All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Keeping all of the schools in Avoyelles Parish safe takes everyone. Students, families, staff, and community members are encouraged to download the FREE Safe Schools Louisiana app, an easy way to speak up when something doesn’t seem right.

Through Safe Schools Louisiana, users can:

* Report threats or suspicious activity anonymously
* Access school safety resources
* Quickly connect with resources when safety concerns arise

Whether it’s something seen, heard, read, or received online, don’t assume someone else will report it. Say it here. A single report could help prevent a serious situation.

Download the Safe Schools LA app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, or visit SafeSchoolsLA.com.

See something. Say something. Help keep all schools safe.

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Avoyelles Parish enters the first week of September with storms and clouds, but the forecast period will end with sun. Autumn may be around the corner, but the temperatures don’t reflect that. High temperatures will range all over the 90s – low to middle to upper.

Wednesday, Sept. 2: Sunshine and clouds mixed. A few clouds overnight. High near 91, low around 73.

Thursday, Sept. 3: Sunny skies during the morning hours followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms developing in the afternoon; chance of rain 40%. Partly cloudy skies overnight. High near 92, low around 72.

Friday, Sept. 4: Scattered thunderstorms and hot; chance of rain 50%. High around 92, low near 73.

Saturday, Sept. 5: Isolated thunderstorms in the morning, then partly cloudy later in the day; chance of rain 30%. Some clouds early giving way to generally clear skies overnight.  High near 94, low around 73.

Sunday, Sept. 6: Mainly sunny skies with a few clouds later in the day. Clear to partly cloudy skies at night. High near 96, low around 73.

Monday, Sept. 7: Sunny with a few clouds from time to time. A few clouds overnight. High near 95, low around 72.

Tuesday, Sept. 8: Mostly sunny skies. Partly cloudy overnight. High of 94, low of 72.

Isolated and scattered thunderstorms are possible in the beginning of the forecast window, but none are forecast to be severe. Highest chance of rain will be Friday, with a 50% chance of rain. Temperatures remain in the 90s, in defiance of the autumn equinox. Heat index values may exceed 100 degrees during the afternoon, so residents are encouraged to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks if working outdoors.

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Fox Theatre has announced the cast of its upcoming production of “Clue” October 22-25.

A wonderfully suspicious group of characters, secrets, and suspects are coming together for an evening of murder, mayhem, and plenty of laughs. Congratulations to the cast.

Yvette – Madelyn King

Miss Scarlett – Robin Blount

Mrs. Peacock – Ashley Weaver

Mrs. White – Amanda Phillips

Colonel Mustard – Rodney Walker

Professor Plum – Howard Desselle

Mr. Green – Shelley Jinks Johnson

Cook – Reese Smigura

The Motorist – Helen Blount

Mr. Body/Cop – Jacques Goudeau

Wadsworth – Kody Walker

Singing Telegram – Helen Bount

Who did it? More details coming soon.

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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Inland Fisheries staff recently continued efforts to restore beneficial native aquatic vegetation throughout the Saline-Larto Complex by planting coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum). This native species of submersed aquatic plant provides important habitat for fish and other aquatic wildlife.

On Aug. 19, biologists deployed 10 protective enclosures near Open Bayou, Little Saline Bayou and Shad Lake and transplanted the collected plants inside them. The enclosures protect the newly planted vegetation from being eaten while the plants become established.

Aquatic vegetation provides nursery habitat for young fish, shelter from predators, feeding areas and habitat for aquatic insects and other organisms that support the food chain. It also provides anglers with additional areas to target fish.

LDWF has been working to re-establish native aquatic vegetation in the complex since 2022. While recovery has been gradual, the 2026 vegetation surveys have shown encouraging signs, including the continued presence of American lotus and white-water lily, as well as the discovery of bladderwort in the Shad Lake area.

This coontail planting is another step in a long-term effort to restore and enhance native fish habitat throughout the Saline-Larto Complex. LDWF will continue monitoring the planting sites and conducting annual vegetation surveys to track the recovery of native aquatic plants.

For additional information, contact Shelby Richard at 318.487.5352 or srichard@wlf.la.gov.

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The 2026 dove hunting season begins Saturday (Sept. 5) statewide, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced.

Louisiana is divided into the North and South zones for dove season. The North Zone runs from Sept. 5-27, Oct.10-Nov. 15 and Dec. 19-Jan. 17, 2027. The South Zone runs from Sept. 5-20, Oct. 17-Nov. 29 and Dec. 12-Jan. 10, 2027.

Dove hunters 18 and older are required to have a basic hunting license and be Harvest Information Program (HIP) certified. Youth 17 and under do not need a hunting license or HIP certification to dove hunt. To purchase a hunting license, go to the LDWF licensing webpage.

LDWF will have lease fields available in DeRidder and Colfax for the opening day (Sept. 5) of dove hunting season along with several LDWF Wildlife Management Area (WMA) dove fields.

Hunters may access permits for the lease field hunts through the LDWF website. Hunting on each of the lease fields will begin one-half hour before sunrise on Saturday. The registration fee for the lease fields is $10 for adults plus a convenience fee. Youths age 17 and younger do not have to pay the registration fee.

Only non-toxic shot size 6 and smaller may be used at these hunts and no lead shot is to be used. Dogs are allowed and ATVs are allowed but may be restricted to field roads if wet conditions prevail.

LDWF Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) offering dove fields or dove hunting opportunities, including Bodcau WMA, Boeuf WMA, Clear Creek WMA, John Franks WMA, Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA, Richard K. Yancey WMA, Russell Sage WMA, Sabine WMA, Sandy Hollow WMA, the U.S. Forest Service Calcasieu Ranger District Vernon Unit and West Bay WMA. For more information on WMA dove fields, see the LDWF dove fields webpage.

For a complete list of WMAs open to dove hunting and more information on WMA dove hunting, go to the LDWF seasons and regulations webpage.

All visitors to LDWF WMAs must have either a WMA Access Permit, Senior Hunting/Fishing License, Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise License or Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License. Go to the WMA permits webpage for more information.

For more information on dove hunting in Louisiana, see the LDWF dove webpage or contact Richard Temple at rtemple@wlf.la.gov or 337-491-2110.

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Join SaveCenla in helping lift the stigma of mental illness, so that people who suffer in silence will feel safe to seek help by participating in its “Into the Light” 5K Walk/Run on Friday, Sept. 18.

SaveCenla believes that the success of suicide prevention depends on community effort, so join them for a fun-filled, yet serious celebration with “Into the Light.”

Register to race, order a shirt and see what they look like, find out what to expect, etc. at https://www.savecenla.com/copy-of-asist-registration

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Movie Bunkie Forward invites the community to join them on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 9am a Taste Testing event at Lyons Market.

Come sample healthy, delicious foods, discover new flavors, and pick up ideas for making nutritious eating both fun and affordable. Bring a friend and join MBF for a great time.

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Harold Joseph Guillot, Sr.
November 20, 1939 – August 30, 2026
Service: Saturday, September 5, 2026, 10am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marksville.

Clifford Nelson Devereaux
January 30, 1951 – August 29, 2026
Service: Saturday, September 5, 2026, 2pm at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Marksville.

Mary A. Coco
May 20, 1944 — August 28, 2026
Service: Saturday, September 5, 2026, 11am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Moreauville.

Sandra Decuir Charrier
April 8, 1952 – August 27, 2026
Service: Thursday, September 3rd, 2026, 11am at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Marksville.

Rosetta Ivory
November 18, 1947 — August 24, 2026
Service: Saturday, September 5, 2026, 1pm at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Marksville.

Avoyelles Online News publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.

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The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers from Aug. 10 through Aug. 16.

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.

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