News

Benita Fortenberry Lovell has finally seen her dream come true. Last week, her no-kill animal shelter came to fruition. She found her spot – the old abandoned Transylvania school, and she began immediately putting up her pens with shading for the dogs.

This week’s East Carroll Banner Football Contest winner proves you don’t have to be a top overall picker to be the top weekly picker. Taking the top spot this week was Jake Thornton. The only games Jake missed were the picks that very few guessed correctly – Indiana’s win over Oregon, UCLA beating Michigan State, Northwestern squeaking by Penn State, and, the real shocker, Pittsburgh’s win over Florida State. No one who played our contest picked Pittsburgh. Granted, it’s not going Florida State’s way these days, but still…wow!

It’s 4-H Week in East Carroll Parish. Well, I guess it’s 4-H week everywhere, but we’re really just interested in our 4-H kids, right? It was the initiation of 4-H at Briarfield Academy where the elementary and high school students held its introductory meeting, where youth learned about 4-H activities, contests, events, and were looking forward to a great year. At the elementary level, Mrs. Rhonda Allen, 4-H leader, held the introductory meeting in conjunction with 4-H week and homecoming activities which made for an interesting start for club events. Each club had a different activity at all of the local schools.

Since it was time for our regular profile on an East Carroll cook, there was no better place to look for a good cook and a good recipe than a school cafeteria. So with two new ladies at the helm and two seasoned workers leading them to success, I knew that Briarfield Academy would be a good place to find some great food. There are four workers: Connie Russell, the cafeteria manager, Casey McGaha, assistant manager, Dorothy Kelly, and last, but certainly not least, Overa Newton.

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This year, East Carroll Soil and Water Conservation District and America’s Conservation Districts participate in the annual Conservation Poster Contest. The theme “Home is Where the Habitat is”. Entries are due no later than 4 p.m. on November 3.

Arrests as of October 13, 2025: East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office: No arrests.

Local gardening enthusiasts are invited to dig into fall planting season with a hands-on educational event hosted by the East Carroll Parish Library. The free program, titled “Fall Gardening Tasks,” will take place on Friday, Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. at the library, 109 Sparrow St.

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 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.