News

The need to speed up the hiring process to put much needed personnel in key positions precipitated a change in the East Carroll Parish Hospital’s hiring policy and procedure. The hospital board addressed the policy changes at its regular monthly meeting last week.

Together for Hope-LA completed its annual Bags of Hope Backpack Giveaway last Saturday, said Wanda Manning, director of TFH-LA, who also gave a big shout-out to the administration of Griffin Southside Lower and Upper Elementary school for its support.

More than 20 participants attended Together for Hope-LA monthly Necessary Essentials Diaper Giveaway last week, providing much-needed diapers and essential hygiene items to families throughout East Carroll Parish.

Happy Thursday, everyone. The clock is ticking, and soon the kids will be back in school.

Topping: ¼ cup pepitas (or roasted pumpkin seeds) 1 tablespoon granulated sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Dry Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon ground ginger ¼ teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon salt Wet Ingredients: 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) 1 cup granulated sugar ½ cup packed light brown sugar ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter 2 large eggs, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9X5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. In a small bowl, mix the topping ingredients and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients until well combined. In a large bowl, combine wet ingredients; mix until smooth and well blended. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be thick and slightly lumpy. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Using the parchment overhang, lift the bread out and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Yields: 1 loaf

There are many foods that makesummerenjoyable,and watermelon is certainly one of them. Whether you prefer it sliced and eaten fresh or blended into smoothies, tossed into salads, or frozen into sorbets, watermelon is a refreshing and versatile treat.

Seeds may be tiny, but they can pack a nutritional punch. Some seeds that we may enjoy eating include pumpkin seeds (pepitas), sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and nuts. Most nuts are the seeds of trees, except peanuts, which are the seeds of a legume.

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 Board 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 COMMITTEES 1st Wednesday of month @ 10am • in the Police Jury Room EAST CARROLL PARISH POLICE JURY Tuesday following committee meetings @ 12 noon • in the Police Jury 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.

August 2026 THURSDAY 6 DEPT OF PUBLIC SAFETY DRIVER’S LICENSE OFFICE 9am-3pm (lunch 12-1), East Carroll Parish Police Jury office building (old health unit) FRIDAY 7 Chair exercise for adults • 10am • ECP Library SATURDAY 8 Create your own atlatl • Poverty Point World Heritage Site • ranger will walk visitors through the process of making and testing this ancient spear-throwing device and testing • Archeological Laboratory • 10 am-1pm • Participants must be at least 14 years or older • register by calling 318-926-- 5492 or by emailing povertypoint_int3@crt.la.gov • maximum registration of 10 participants TUESDAY 11 SNAP benefit signup 9:30am-3pm • East Carroll Parish Community Action Agency EAST CARROLL PARISH POLICE JURY 12 noon • in the Police Jury Room WEDNESDAY 12 Chair exercise for adults • 10am • ECP Library “Protecting Your Legacy: What Happens to Family Land When There Is No Will?' • 11am– 1pm • East Carroll Parish Library • Refreshments will be served EAST CARROLL HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD 10am • at Housing Authority, Mike A ve..

Arrests as of August 3, 2026: East Carroll Parish Sheriff: 7/27/26/26 - Yursm King, 41, probation and parole hold. No bond.