News

As a young girl, I remember standing in the choir at Central Baptist #1 under the leadership of Rev. Raymond Gill. Alongside my cousins, our voices rose in unison as we sang old hymns and gospels. And even though none of us had the voice of an angel, the Mothers praised us on with confidence and love.

Town and parish elected leaders will hold public hearings tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 21) to get public feedback on several completed, ongoing, and proposed grant projects.

Thursday, February 13, 2025, will always be a special day for Billy Townsend. It was on this date that Townsend, general manager of MacroSource, turned the keys of the brand new Lake Providence fertilizer facility over to his son, Jarrod Townsend. Jarrod had been working at the Macro-Source facility in Greenville, Miss., before returning to his hometown in Lake Providence to take the reins from his father. The younger Townsend said that initially he resisted the urgings of his father to go to work for MacroSource. “I had to drag him in here by both feet,” Billy said. He had previously been working in the oil field which was more lucrative. But after three or four years, his father convinced him. “I finally decided to try it, and I’ve always thought it was a great decision,” Jarrod said. “Not many people can say that they are the general manager of a fertilizer plant that their dad built.”

Arrests as of February 18, 2025: East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office: 2/9/25 - Antoine Addison, 35, charged with aggravated second degree battery. No bond (inmate at Riverbend Detention Center).

A house fire at Sondheimer last Thursday morning, February 13, was caused by an electric heater that was accidentally tipped over. East Carroll Parish Rural Fire Chief Tim Braswell said that the house was an older, wood-frame house that burned very rapidly. The house was a total loss. Braswell said that the residents of the home were originally from Tallulah, and he believed that they were now staying with relatives in Madison Parish.

SNAP benefit signup every Tuesday @ 9:30am-3pm East Carroll Parish Community Action Agency EAST CARROLL PARISH SCHOOL BOARD 1st Tuesday of month @ 6:30 pm • in the Media R oom, Administration building DEPT OF PUBLIC SAFETY DRIVER’S LICENSE OFFICE 1st Thursday of month from 9am-3 pm (lunch 12-1) East Carroll Parish Police Jury office building (old health unit) EAST CARROLL PARISH POLICE JURY 2nd Tuesday of month @ 12 noon • in the Police Jury Meeting Room EAST CARROLL HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD 2nd Wednesday of month @ 10am • at Housing Authority, Mike Ave. LAKE PROVIDENCE HOUSING AUTHORITY 3rd Thursday of month @ 12 noon LPHA office, Foster St.

The LSU AgCenter hosts Pesticide Recertification Meeting on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the Louisiana Cotton Museum • essential for pesticide applicators whose certification expires March 31, 2025 • Registration: 8:30am.

February 2025 THURSDAY 20 LAKE PROVIDENCE HOUSING AUTHORITY 12 noon • LPHA office, Foster St. LAKE PROVIDENCE BOARD OF ALDERMEN 5:30pm • in the Mayor’s C ourt room, City Hall “A Celebration of African- American Art and Culture” starts today • Winnsboro’s Old Post Office Museum • call 435-4488 for info FRIDAY 21 Chair exercise for adults • 10am • ECP Library Public hearings......

Connectivity to meaningful destinations is crucial in rural Louisiana because it directly impacts residents' access to essential services and opportunities. Many rural communities face transportation challenges, leaving citizens without reliable means to reach healthcare facilities, educational institutions, employment centers, and grocery stores.