The Marksville Chamber of Commerce has announced that vendor registration for new vendors for the 20th Annual Christmas Extravaganza is now open.

For vendors who’ve been waiting for the chance to join one of Central Louisiana’s favorite holiday shopping events, now is the time! Vendor spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will fill quickly.

The 20th Annual Christmas Extravaganza will take place on Saturday, Nov. 21, 8am to 4pm at the Paragon Casino Resort – Mari Center & Ballroom. Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase a business and be part of this special milestone year.

Have questions? Contact the Marksville Chamber of Commerce. Register today before all the spaces are gone.

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Move Bunkie Forward has announced that Move Forward Monday will return on Sept. 14.

Registration is officially open, and it’s never too early to secure a spot for one’s child. Give the child the opportunity to grow, stay active, and build healthy habits in a fun and encouraging environment.

Register today and reserve a place: https://forms.gle/BzuyzxKkAMGSqdkM7. The QR code above can also be scanned for registration.

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The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) today announced the launch of a redesigned website and a refreshed brand as part of a wider modernization effort to improve accessibility, strengthen communication, and connect Louisiana families to services.

The brand refresh includes a new agency logo, updated mission and vision statements, redesigned materials, and a website built around clarity, accessibility, and ease of use.

“Louisiana families rely on DCFS every day, and our responsibility is to meet that trust with compassion, transparency, and accessibility,” said DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris. “Our updated brand and redesigned website help us communicate more clearly, respond more effectively, and present a unified identity that reflects our continued commitment to children and families.”

The redesigned website provides clearer navigation, improved accessibility features, mobile-responsive design, and a more intuitive user experience. The launch marks a major milestone in the agency’s modernization work, which has included significant employee and stakeholder engagement. The updated website helps users quickly locate information on child welfare services, family support programs, child support enforcement, foster care, adoption, and other key resources.

This initiative does not change any agency programs, services, eligibility requirements, or operational responsibilities.

Reports of child abuse or neglect are still made the same way for the public and for mandatory reporters. Report child abuse and neglect at 1-855-4LA-KIDS (1-855-452-5437).

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services works to protect children, empower families, and strengthen communities so every child grows up safe, stable, and strong. Through prevention, preservation, protection, and reunification, DCFS provides services and supports that help children remain safe, families remain strong, and communities thrive.

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Don’t miss this teen production of “Dearly Departed” this week on August 6-8 at 7pm.

This show is directed by Ian Brulte and is entirely teen driven! Teenagers from the community are creating, designing, acting and directing to get this comedy ready for an audience.

Tickets are available at MarksvilleFox.com/tickets.

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August is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Avoyelles Parish School Board is here to support its families.

Avoyelles Parish Schools is partnering with ParentGuidance.org to offer FREE virtual Mental Health Series webinars throughout the month of August. These expert-led sessions cover a wide range of topics to help parents and caregivers navigate today’s challenges, including:

* Child anxiety
* Building confidence
* Social media safety
* Bullying prevention
* Emotional regulation
* Healthy boundaries
* Body positivity
* Suicide prevention awareness
* Self-harm prevention
* Eating disorders
*…and more.

Sessions are held Monday–Thursday at 6pm CT, and parents/guardians can attend as many sessions as desired at no cost.

Simply scan the QR code on the calendar or visit parentguidance.org/mhs-catalog to view the full schedule and register.

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Bert Steve Smith
February 3, 1930 — August 1, 2026
Service: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 10am at St. Peter Catholic Church Hall, Bordelonville.

Michael Ross Reynolds
September 16, 1950 — July 26, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 3pm at Melancon Funeral Home, Bunkie.

Eula Mae Batiste
October 1, 1940 — July 24, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 10am at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Mansura.

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 July 13 – July 19.

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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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is advising of an upcoming temporary road closure on Louisiana Highway 115, located north of Hessmer, approximately one-quarter mile south of Large Road. Crews will be replacing cross drain pipes beneath the roadway to improve drainage and infrastructure in the area.

The closure and detour initiated on Sunday, July 26, and will run through Friday, July 31.

To maintain access and safety throughout the construction period, a signed detour will be in place using Louisiana Highway 114 and Louisiana Highway 1 through Mansura and Marksville.

Northbound Traffic: Motorists traveling northbound on Louisiana Highway 115 will be directed west onto Louisiana Highway 114 in Hessmer. Continue on Louisiana Highway 114 into Mansura, then turn north onto Louisiana Highway 1 into Marksville to resume normal travel.

Southbound Traffic: Motorists traveling southbound will follow the same detour route in reverse order.

All construction activities are weather-dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Sheriff Dauzat urges all motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, exercise extreme caution when navigating work zones, and stay alert for highway crews and heavy equipment.

For real-time traffic updates and road conditions, dial 511 within Louisiana, call 1-888-ROAD-511, or visit the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development 511 Traveler Information website at www.511la.org.

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Hot and humid weather persists across Avoyelles Parish through the upcoming week as the typical late-July pattern remains firmly and consistently in place. Afternoon temperatures will reach the middle 90s most days, though dropping to the upper 80s later in the forecast window. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop during the afternoon and evening hours.

Wednesday, July 29: Some sun in the morning with increasing clouds during the afternoon with showers developing overnight. Change of rain 40%. High near 95, low around 77.

Thursday, July 30: Scattered thunderstorms during the day with a 50% chance of rain before giving way to cloudy skies overnight. High near 90, low around 75.

Friday, July 31: Intervals of clouds and sunshine followed by partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms later during the night – chance of rain 40%. High around 92, low near 77.

Saturday, August 1: Scattered thunderstorms in the morning, then partly cloudy late; chance of rain 40%. Scattered showers and thunderstorms in the evening/night; chance of rain 60%. High near 90, low around 74.

Sunday, August 2: Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms early becoming more widespread during the afternoon. Chance of rain starting around 60% before dropping to 40%. High near 87, low around 72.

Monday, August 3: Scattered thunderstorms in the morning, then partly cloudy late; chance of rain 40%. Partly cloudy in the evening followed by scattered thunderstorms after midnight; chance of rain 40%. High near 89, low around 73.

Tuesday, August 4: Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms in the morning; 40% chance of rain. High of 91, low of 73.

Avoyelles Parish will remain under a persistent summertime weather pattern through the week, featuring hot afternoons, high humidity and daily pop-up thunderstorms. Heat index values may exceed 100 degrees during the afternoon, so residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, take frequent breaks if working outdoors, and seek shelter immediately if thunderstorms approach.

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The Avoyelles Parish School Board celebrated Chuck Normand, the parish’s Louisiana Principal of the Year State Finalist, at the annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Gala in New Orleans.

Mr. Normand’s passion for students, commitment to excellence, and servant leadership have made a lasting impact on the students, staff, and families of Bunkie Magnet High School. His recognition is a reflection of the dedication he demonstrates every day and the positive culture he has helped build.

Congratulations, Mr. Normand. AFSB thanks him for his leadership, commitment to students, and for representing Avoyelles Parish Schools with such distinction. The APS family is incredibly proud of him.

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