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There were no comments at the public meeting called to allow public input in an ordinance to increase the compensation of the Public Works Director for the Town of Lake Providence. Mayor Bobby Amacker closed the public meeting and asked the board to vote on the ordinance to increase David Lee’s salary from $32,500 to $39,500 yearly. The mayor explained that the public works director was taking on a lot of extra duties, including overseeing the sanitation and water departments. He told the board that the raise was well deserved and fair. “David is pretty good at getting things done,” Amacker said. The ordinance passed unanimously.

At a special meeting of the East Carroll Parish School Board, Superintendent Meagan Brown reported on how the dwindling student population will affect the district’s budget and bottom line. “On paper, the finances look good,” said Brown, “but the reality is that we are losing students and don’t know where we are from one year to the next.”

Texas Tech shocked our pickers in Week 3 of East Carroll Banner’s football contest; they were as shocked as Utah was last weekend when the Red Raiders beat the Utes handily. Only 11 players chose Texas Tech out of 39 who played. And only six pickers thought UL Monroe would get the win over the University of Texas at El Paso. How will contestants predict the outcome of another game in which a nearby college plays UTEP? The Miners face Louisiana Tech Saturday.

Is there any better time of the year than football season? We’ve been concentrating on Ole Miss and their new safety who is, of course, known to all of us. Lest we forget, in our fandom, we have another player making waves at Delta State University. Carter Coullard is a tight end for the Statesmen. In 2024, he played in seven games, scoring two touchdowns. They’ve had some good seasons and Carter has enjoyed a lot of playing time. It’s so great to see local young men go off to college and excel. In 2024, he was Gulf South Conference Honor Roll. He is majoring in business administration. Go Carter and the Statesmen. Lake Providence is rooting for you this year!

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Surrounded by family and friends, and with the help of Mayor Bobby Amacker and other local officials, Arndrei Johnson and Stoney Johnson Jr. opened their new soul food, home-cooking restaurant, A. J. Eatz, last Saturday. By the time breakfast had ended and lunch was ready to be served, a line had developed. With a rapidly-selling special of oxtails and other country fare, A. J. Eatz produced food to satisfy all their customers. Served buffet style, hungry patrons were able to choose which entree and side they wanted, and were served generous portions by familiar faces. A. J. Eatz is located at 218 North Hood Street in the former Chino Express building. Cutting the ribbon on the new restaurant A. J. Eatz on Saturday were (from left) Stoney Johnson Jr., co-owner; Mondario Hanford, East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office; Amacker; Bill Hopkins, East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office; and Arndrei Johnson, co-owner.

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 2nd Tuesday of month @ 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.

Arrests as of September 22, 2025: East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office: 9/19/25 - Phfedrick Derron Davis, 34, identity theft (6 counts). Bond $75,000.

Homecoming for Briarfield Academy • October 10 Homecoming for General Trass • October 24 Breast Cancer Awareness Event • Saturday, Oct. 25 • 10am • East Carroll Parish Library • register by Sept.

September/October 2025 THURSDAY 25 Together for Hope personal products giveaway • 4-5:30pm • see flyer on page 5 to register and for more information EAST CARROLL PARISH HOSPITAL BOARD @ 5pm • Conference Room at Hospital FRIDAY 26 Chair exercise for adults • 10am • ECP Library SATURDAY 27 SUNDAY 28 MONDAY 29 Chair exercise for adults • 10am • ECP Library TUESDAY 30 SNAP benefit signup 9:30am-3pm East Carroll Parish Community Action Agency WEDNESDAY 1 Chair exercise for adults • 10am • ECP Library THURSDAY 2.