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East Carroll Parish School District was named a Top Growing School System by the Louisiana Department of Education recently. East Carroll’s district performance score was a C, placing them seventh on a list of top growing school systems, after going from 69.2 district performance score last year to 72.7 this year, due probably to improved performance by the high school.

Last week, the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the cost of Medicare premiums would increase by 9.7% in 2026 for 67.6 million beneficiaries — 949,495 of whom live in Louisiana.

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In October last year, the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation (LTHP) launched the Louisiana Register of Historic Cemeteries, a public database to increase awareness of historic cemeteries for their protection, maintenance and respect for those buried within them. One year later, the organization has registered nearly 300 historic cemeteries throughout every parish of the state. A visual glossary with hundreds of photos and storymaps of notable individuals provide a greater understanding of Louisiana cemeteries.

Sara Blakely Denman and Mason Crews Fortenberry were wed November 1, 2025, at Stanton Hall in Natchez, Mississippi. Wayne Parker officiated.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I sure did. I drove to Branson, Missouri, all by myself and met my brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew. We had such a great time. The trip wasn’t bad. I have an older vehicle, and I still have a CD player, so I listen to audio CDs. And I had a great one. (And yes, I also played Christmas music).

Liz Dunnebacke isn’t dying, but for a recent end-of-life care workshop in New Orleans, she pretended to be. Dunnebacke lay still atop a folding table that was dressed as a bed, complaining that her legs hurt.

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.

Food demo • LSU AgCenter Food Innovation Institute (FOODii), School of Nutrition and Food Sciences • focus on holiday cookies • Friday, Dec. 12 • 5-8:30 p.m. • at test kitchen, Animal and Food Sciences Laboratory Building, LSU campus, 39 Forestry Ln., Baton Rouge Food Distribution - Dec. 16 and Jan. 27 * 10am • parking lot of First Baptist Church • Doris James, (318) 559-1543.