News

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Website ranks Maurice as fastest growing city in Louisiana

Tue, 02/03/2026 - 3:56pm

The national website World Population Review reports that Maurice is the fastest-growing town or city in Louisiana.
The website says Maurice’s population reached 3,514 in 2026. Since the 2020 census, the town has grown by 6.74 percent, adding 1,329 people in six years.
Mayor Neil Arsement welcomed the recognition, calling it a positive reflection of Maurice’s appeal and quality of life.

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Rayne Mayor Chuck Robichaux is recognized as outgoing LEPA Chairman. Shown from left are Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White, LEPA Vice-Chairman; Rayne Mayor Chuck Robichaux, LEPA 2025 Chairman; St. Martinville Mayor Jason Willis, LEPA 2026 Chairman; and LEPA General Manager Kevin Bihm.

Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White is LEPA vice chair; St. Martinville Mayor Jason Willis installed as chair

Tue, 02/03/2026 - 3:53pm

City of St. Martinville Mayor Jason Willis has been named the Chairman of the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA) Board of Directors for 2026. Willis has been on the Board for four years, and previously served as Vice Chairman in 2025 and Secretary/Treasurer in 2024.
“Jason is a proven Mayor working tirelessly to create positive change for the citizens of St. Martinville, and I know he will bring that same energy to the Chairman role at LEPA”, said General Manager Bihm.

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Shown after execution of the Full Requirements agreement are, from left, Erath Councilman Scott Bernard, Erath Mayor Taylor Mencacci, and LEPA General Manager Kevin Bihm.

Erath agrees to make LEPA its new electricity provider

Tue, 02/03/2026 - 3:45pm

Members of the Erath Town Council voted to become a Full Requirements Member of LEPA at its meeting on Jan. 12.
The LEPA Board of Directors then approved the agreement at its Jan. 15 meeting.

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Nathaniel “The Rock” Nixon, a former inmate, shares his message with trusties at the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center.

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Vermilion Parish Sheriff Eddie Langlinais looks on as Nathaniel Nixon calls retired VPCC Warden Hubert Trahan.

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Nathaniel Nixon, Warden Sammy LaPorte, Judge Richard J. Putnam III and Sheriff Eddie Langlinais talk outside at the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center.

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Roderick Darby from Vermilion Reach Group, Vermilion Parish Sheriff Eddie Langlinais, Judge Richard J. Putnam, III, Nathaniel Nixon and Warden Sammy LaPorte

Prison turns Nixon’s life around

Wed, 01/28/2026 - 11:33am

Nathaniel “The Rock” Nixon, a former inmate at both Vermilion Parish Correctional Center (VPCC) and Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, recently returned to VPCC to share his personal testimony with trusty inmates, offering his candid reflection on crime, incarceration, accountability, and personal transformation.
During his visit, Nixon recounted his last arrest in the early 2000s by current Warden Sammy LaPorte and the 45-year sentence imposed by then-prosecutor Richard J. Putnam, III, who now presides as Abbeville City Court Judge.

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The Vermilion Parish episode of will be screened this Friday at the library in Abbeville.

LA64 is coming to Vermilion Parish

Wed, 01/28/2026 - 11:05am

Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) and the City of Abbeville invite the public to a free advance screening of the LA64 episode featuring Vermilion Parish on Friday, Jan. 30, at 6 p.m. at the Vermilion Parish Library – Abbeville Branch.
The event marks the first public screening of LA64 and the official kickoff of LPB’s new travel series. The full 30-minute Vermilion Parish episode will be shown ahead of the series’ broadcast premiere on Monday, Feb. 2, at 8 p.m. on LPB.

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