News

Celebrate Arrival of Fiber Internet • Broadband Conference - workshops, information, giveaway for Grads in Gowns • 1-5pm on Friday, May 8 • East Carroll Parish Library • register at deltainterfaith. org/may8 Graduation for Briarfield Academy and General Trass High School • Friday, May 8 • both at 6pm Fifth annual Lake Providence Levee Festival • Saturday, May 9 • www. lakeprovidenceleveefestival.com

May 2026 SATURDAY 2 The Rev. John H.

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A partially burned car was discovered in a deep ravine at the intersection of Highland Road and Highway 65 north last Friday, adding another layer to a story that has dominated East Carroll Parish’s headlines since the end of last year.

Despite recent assurances that they had their financial statements in order, members of the East Carroll Parish Police Jury did not have financials at committee meetings for the fourth month in a row, and reported that they had them at the regular meeting, but had not yet had time to review them. The jury met on Tuesday, April 14, following its committee meeting the day prior.

The Lake Providence Police Department will continue business as usual after three aldermen voted against Mayor Bobby Amacker’s proposal last week to lay off all but the town’s elected police chief due to budget overage and less-than-expected revenue from fines. “What I’m asking for tonight is to disallow any appropriation for the police department until we can at least see where we’re going, until further notice,” Amacker said. The police department started the fiscal year last July 1 with about $178,000 budgeted for expenditures and was expected to bring in about $175,000 in fines, according to Lee Ann Clement, town clerk. At the end of March, actual expenditures were at about $202,000 and revenues from fines were only at about $36,000, she said. Catherine Middlebrook, Sucletter Brown-Crye, and Charlene Bailey voted against a motion to freeze the police department’s budget, which was offered by Jason Condrey and seconded by Karl Magee. Middlebrook questioned whether or not any other departments were over budget, and Clement said that, at this time, only the police department has exceeded its budget.

The fifth annual Lake Providence Levee Festival will take place Saturday, May 9, at the Byerley House at 600 Lake St. The festival has grown from a couple of hundred local attendees in 2022 to more than 700 at its most well-attended. It has also attracted visitors from Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Little Rock and Memphis to enjoy local food, shop on Makers’ Row, run and bike the levee, and listen to and dance to great live music.

Luis Capetillo Perez and Gracen Thornton were named Colonel and His Lady at the prom held last week by the student body of Briarfield Academy. Runners-up were William Woodall and Ella Claire Payne. Other honors announced were: Who’s Who- Cameron Brumley, Maggie Frith, Ella Claire Payne, and Gracen Thornton; Class Favorites- Ella Claire Payne and William Woodall; Most Athletic- Ella Claire Payne and Luis Capetillo Perez; Funniest- Haven Smith and Luis Capetillo Perez; Biggest Flirts- Avery Robian and Luis Capetillo Perez; and Most Likely to Succeed- Maggie Frith and Cameron Brumley. The senior class will graduate May 8 at 6 p.m. on the front lawn of the school.

Arrests as of April 20, 2026: East Carroll Parish Sheriff: 4/14/26 - Anissa Brown, 29, disturbing the peace by fighting. Bond $350.

A Lake Providence dining favorite will reopen May 1 with a menu featuring limited breakfast items followed by pizzas and grab-and-go sandwiches for lunch. Suffit, the food and hospitality project headed by mother- daughter duo Clelie Stone and Zoe Webb, is located at 9895 Highway 65 South and will be open from 7:30 a.m.