News

Three findings were reported on the most recent financial audit of the Town of Lake Providence, and during its regular meeting last week, members of the board of aldermen discussed Mayor Bobby Amacker’s response to each finding.

On Saturday, April 4, a new business will open its doors to the public. Oxbow Coffee will be much more than a business and coffee shop, according to its organizers; it will be an experience.

The weather was perfect, the Easter Bunny was on hand, and the kids were excited at the annual Easter egg hunt last Saturday at the Louisiana State Cotton Museum. The hunt is sponsored each year by the Louisiana State Cotton Museum, the East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Friends of the Louisiana State Cotton Museum.

If there’re two things that Tarsha Matthews knows, it’s food and kids. She should. As cafeteria manager at General Trass High School, she sees both everyday. Tarsha worked in the cafeteria at Southside for one year before transferring to General Trass where she has been for the past six years.

Tommy Martin, a native of Lake Providence and a 1971 graduate of Lake Providence High School, announces the publication of his first book, From the Pulpit to the Desert. The book offers a compelling narrative that reflects Martin’s life journey, drawing from his deep roots in East Carroll Parish, his decorated military service, and his extensive academic and professional experiences.

Good Thursday morning, everyone. I have had a nice week this week, and a little good news. Last Saturday, I went to an Easter egg hunt. I have been to a softball scrimmage game and color ball games. Oh, those color ball games! The admission is $2, and I have to tell you, I leave there feeling like I have stolen something because that is the most entertainment for the smallest amount of money I have ever spent. If you can watch those kids play ball and not leave that gymnasium smiling, something is wrong with you. They are seriously into that ball, and that’s what makes it so funny. And I am told that they are some smack talking little girls and boys also. Usually I’m the “I have to have a dog in the fight” type of person to watch a ballgame, but not with color ball. I holler for all of them and I enjoy watching them all play.

A first-grade student at Griffin Southside Lower and Upper Elementary is being celebrated for a reading achievement that has captured the attention of her school community. Bre’ Laysha James, a student in Kayla Spencer’s first-grade class, was recently named the winner of a $150 cash prize after reading an impressive 64 books in just two months.

The East Carroll Parish Medical Clinic is a nonprofit clinic that is operated by the East Carroll Parish Hospital. Their main goal is to bring quality healthcare to the parish and its citizens. What most of the citizens of East Carroll do not realize is that they have the option of seeing two specialists without going out of town. Dr. Llewellyn Simon is a specialist in internal medicine who has practiced for many years in Lake Providence.

Arrests as of March 16, 2026: East Carroll Parish Sheriff: 3/16/26 - Carr Hickman, 35, second degree murder, malfeasance in office, introduction of contraband into a penal institution. Bond $265,000.

Illegal drugs allegedly brought into Riverbend Detention Center by a corrections officer has led to the death of an inmate at the prison. Second degree murder charges have been filed against the guard and two other inmates alleged to have been part of the incident.