The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office has shared the following official disaster recovery announcement issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding Rental Assistance for local residents.

FEMA has announced that Rental Assistance is available to eligible Louisiana renters, homeowners, and students who are unable to live in their primary residences due to damage caused by Tropical Storm Arthur from June 17–24. FEMA Rental Assistance is a temporary grant to help pay for temporary housing—such as a house, apartment, recreational vehicle, or other option—while one’s permanent home is being repaired, rebuilt, or while you search for a new place to live.

Eligible parishes include Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany, and Terrebonne.

FEMA emphasizes that grant funds must be spent strictly on approved rental expenses and all receipts must be retained. Covered costs include temporary housing rent, security deposits, and essential utility costs (gas, electric, water). Costs NOT covered include Internet and cable television services , replacement of personal property (such as lost food or clothing) , home repairs, or transportation and fuel costs.

Initial grants are determined on a case-by-case basis and cover one to two months. Continued Temporary Housing Assistance may be granted for three-month periods upon submitting receipts and documentation proving prior funds were used properly. If a person has insurance and the policy includes Additional Living Expenses (ALE) or temporary housing benefits, the person must provide FEMA with that insurance claim settlement, proof of exhaustion, or denial documentation to determine grant eligibility.

The application deadline is Thursday, Oct. 1. All applications and case reviews are managed directly by FEMA. To apply:

* Online (Fastest): Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
* FEMA Mobile App: Download the official FEMA App on your smartphone.
* FEMA Helpline: Call toll-free at 800-621-3362. Phone lines operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with multilingual support (Press 2 for Spanish). Relay service users (VRS, captioned phone) can provide FEMA with their service number.
* Disaster Recovery Centers: Find an in-person center by entering your ZIP code at FEMA.gov/DRC.

Additional program information can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4927.

This public safety notice is shared as a courtesy to residents by the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office.

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Another week of hot and humid weather is what Avoyelles Parish has to look forward to – another week of sun, clouds, and thunderstorms. High temperatures will range all over the 90s – low to middle to upper. Lots of clouds predicted for this forecast window, with a brief pause for isolated thunderstorms – then rinse and repeat.

Wednesday, Aug. 26: Partly cloudy skies with possible stray storms. Partly cloudy skies followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms later during the night; chance of rain 50%. High near 97, low around 74.

Thursday, Aug. 27: Thunderstorms likely in the morning, then a chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon; chance of rain 60%. Occasional showers with a thunderstorm possible overnight; chance of rain 40%. High near 92, low around 73.

Friday, Aug. 28: Intervals of clouds and sun with the chance of an isolated thunderstorm in the afternoon; chance of rain 30%. Partly cloudy skies overnight. High around 94, low near 71.

Saturday, Aug. 29: Sun and clouds mixed. Partly cloudy skies overnight. High near 95, low around 72.

Sunday, Aug. 30: Mainly sunny skies with a few clouds later in the day. Partly cloudy skies at night. High near 97, low around 73.

Monday, Aug. 31: Sunny early in the day followed by scattered thunderstorms developing later; chance of rain 30%. Partly cloudy overnight. High near 96, low around 74.

Tuesday, Sept. 1: Mostly sunny skies with a few clouds in the afternoon. Partly cloudy overnight. High of 95, low of 73.

Avoyelles Parish will remain under a persistent summertime weather pattern through the week, featuring hot afternoons and high humidity with clouds making frequent appearances. Isolated thunderstorms are possible but none are forecast to be severe. Rinse and repeat of last week going into this week. 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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The City of Bunkie recently shared an update on its ongoing Operation Fight Blight project, this time focusing on abandoned and/or inoperable automobiles.

Eleven (11) abandoned/inoperable vehicles that cleared due process procedures were addressed. Four (4) were removed by owners, six (6) were resolved via towing, while one (1) matter is pending the result of a citation.

In the case of the citation, refusing to remove inoperable vehicles following notification/due process, refusing to allow them to be moved, or placing impediments to prevent them from being removed (ex. blocking with another vehicle or placing them behind an enclosure) is a violation of the law subject to the issuance of a summons to appear in court.

The problem of abandoned/inoperable vehicles remains; the city wants to work with residents on a solution.

The mayor and city council are urging residents who have such vehicles, yet have no means to dispose of them, to call City Hall for assistance. (318-346-7663)

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Movie Bunkie Forward hosted a Lunch & Learn on Aug. 20 that featured Nancy Barr, RN, and Super Patches.

Ms. Barr, a nurse with more than 30 years of healthcare experience, introduced participants to Super Patch technology, explained the different patches and their intended uses, and answered questions about how they are designed to support everyday wellness.

MBF expressed its appreciation to everyone who joined attended the event, asked questions, shared experiences, and enjoyed lunch together. Their Lunch & Learn sessions are about more than gaining information—they’re about creating opportunities for tje community to come together, learn, and make informed choices about healthier living.

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As the beginning of football season approaches, beginning with the Football Jamboree this Saturday at Bunkie Magnet, Avoyelles Parish Schools wants to remind students, families, and fans of the APS Athletic Event Guidelines that will be in place at all APS athletic events for the 2026–2027 school year.

These guidelines are designed to help create a safe, positive, and enjoyable game-day atmosphere for everyone.

A few important reminders:

• K–8th grade students must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.

• Re-entry is not allowed once you exit the event.

• Only clear bags are permitted.

• No outside food, drinks, or coolers.

• Spectators are expected to remain seated during the event.

• No loitering in parking lots or surrounding areas.

• All tickets and concessions are **CASHLESS**.

Take a moment to review the complete guidelines in the graphic above before heading out to support any APS team.

Bunkie High School Cheer and Danceline is gearing up for football season by getting the football program ready. Bunkie invites any parent, business, or alumni that would like to give a Panther shout-out in this season’s program. Please have the order form (attached below) and payments turned in by Friday, Aug. 28, to Sarah Riche. If possible, email graphics/logo/pic to sarah.riche@avoyellespsb.com.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issued a Declaration of Emergency to modify the Gag Grouper season. The season for the recreational harvest of Gag Grouper in Louisiana state waters shall open at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 1 and remain open until 11:59 pm on Sept. 30.

The regional administrator of NOAA Fisheries has informed the Secretary that the 2026 recreational season for the harvest of Gag Grouper in the federal waters of the Gulf of America has been modified to open on September 1, 2026, and close on October 1, 2026. Compatible season regulations in state waters are often enacted to facilitate efficient enforcement of the fishery and to prevent long-term overfishing of the species.

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Michael Joseph Owen
January 3, 1949 – August 18, 2026
Service: Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 2pm at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, 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. 3 through Aug. 9.

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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At the August 13, 2026, meeting of the Bunkie City Council, former City Attorney Dan B. McKay, Jr. presented a special gift to the City of Bunkie—a framed copy of the program from the inauguration of the Bunkie City Court on November 29, 1956.

Accompanying the historic program were photographs of Leona Baronne, the court’s first clerk; Bunkie Mayor L.P. Garcia; and Judge James N. Lee, founder and first judge of the Bunkie City Court. McKay is the son-in-law of Judge Lee.

Judge Lee successfully petitioned the Louisiana Legislature to establish the Bunkie City Court and was subsequently elected its first judge in 1956. He served in that capacity until his election to the 12th Judicial District Court in 1978.

Making the occasion especially meaningful, three generations of Judge Lee’s family were present for the proceedings: his daughter, Adrienne Lee McKay; granddaughter, Holly McKay Descant; and great-granddaughter, Frances M. Descant.

Following McKay’s presentation to the city, Mayor Brenda C. Sampson and the Bunkie City Council returned the favor in kind, presenting McKay with a plaque commemorating his two tenures as Bunkie City Attorney.

McKay first served as Bunkie City Attorney from 1982 to 1990 and returned to the position more than three decades later, serving from 2022 to 2026, before taking leave to devote his full attention to his campaign for Congress in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District.

In presenting the plaque on behalf of the city, Mayor Sampson thanked McKay for his many years of service to Bunkie, particularly his recent contributions and legal expertise in helping advance the city’s successful and ongoing “Operation Blight Fight” initiative.

In thanking the mayor and council for the opportunity to serve, McKay alluded to his congressional campaign and the lessons learned from his years of municipal service.

“Being city attorney has taught me the critical needs of rural communities and how to deal with them,” McKay said. “It’s a continuing struggle, and I’m not ready to stop here.”

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