News

The East Carroll Parish Hospital Board voted at its regular monthly meeting last Thursday to purchase two new ventilators to be used on the ambulance for transport. Hospital administrator Ladonna Englerth said that the last ventilators were purchased in 2020, and were obsolete. “They are not user friendly, and I don’t even think they can get parts anymore,” Englerth said. The $38,759 price for the ventilators includes all the cables and connectors, she said, and the new equipment would be easier to use and maintain because of the built-in AI features.

Registration has closed for the Bayou League Youth Football program in East Carroll, and organizers say it is going to be a great season. One of the founders and organizers, Tystin White, said he believes there will be enough players to populate all of their teams.

“I will take the blame.” These were the simple words of Lake Providence Fire Chief Keith Larry at an interview Monday afternoon. Larry said that the fire rating of ten that the town was given, the lowest rating possible, was the result of a simple mistake on his behalf, one that he was unaware of, and that he thought had been worked out between the town and Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL).

Happy Thursday. This will be the last week that I will not be totally discombobulated for a while. I hate daylight savings time. I hate seeing school children have to go to school in the dark. I hate going to bed when it’s light outside. I feel sorry for the mamas who have to get their children in bed an hour earlier than they’re used to and get them up an hour earlier than they’re used to. But don’t forget to spring forward or you won’t make it to church Sunday.

For a long time in Louisiana, the biggest risk that came with growing palms was incurring freeze damage in the winter. In the past decade, however, two diseases have emerged as new threats to these beautiful tropical plants.

When was the last time you stopped to take inventory of the items in your pantry and remove expired foods? You may be surprised by how many products are past their expiration or “best by” dates. Foods stored beyond these dates can experience changes in appearance, flavor, and overall quality. Creating an orderly pantry begins with grouping similar items together. Designate specific shelves or zones for canned goods, baking supplies, snacks, grains, and breakfast foods. This system makes items easier to find and helps prevent duplicate purchases, which can save both time and money.

Arrests as of March 2, 2026: East Carroll Parish Sheriff: 2/27/26 - Shyban Martan, 19, aggravated battery. No bond listed.

Volunteers with Delta Interfaith and Together for Hope-Louisiana gave out cases of bottled water to East Carroll residents last week. Arndrei Johnson and Derrick Johnson took charge of the water distribution in Lake Providence, coordinated by Wanda Manning, Together for Hope director.

DEADLINE • LA GATOR applications due by March 16 • rules and link to application: doe.louisiana.gov/ topic-pages/louisiana-school-choice/la-gator DEADLINE • John H. Scott Memorial Fund scholarship applications due before March 31 • go to jhsfund.org for details and application Spring Break: East Carroll Parish Schools: March 23-27

March 2026 THURSDAY 5 DEPT OF PUBLIC SAFETY DRIVER’S LICENSE OFFICE 9am-3pm (lunch 12-1) East Carroll Parish Police Jury office building (old health unit) FRIDAY 6 Chair exercise for adults • 10am • ECP Library MONDAY 9 Briarfield Academy - Spring Break through March 13 TUESDAY 10 EAST CARROLL PARISH POLICE JURY 12 noon • in the Police Jury Room WEDNESDAY 11 Chair exercise for adults • 10am • ECP Library EAST CARROLL HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD 10am • at Housing Authority, Mike Ave..