(318) 559-2750

News

Downtown Lake Providence

Downtown Lake Providence is receiving a cleanup, with much more to come, thanks in large part to the efforts of Stanley Ray Pitts (in orange) and this crew of trustees. They have worked tirelessly in trimming overgrown bushes and trees, removing trash, and overall focusing on a facelift for Lake Street. The East Carroll Banner thanks you!

New eatery takes over old Chino Express site

Lake Providence residents have a new restaurant to choose from as of this week. AJ’s Eatz opened its doors officially Tuesday at 2 p.m., and began a full day, including breakfast, lunch and dinner yesterday morning. On Saturday at 10 a.m., it will hold a grand opening and kick off what owners Arndrei Johnson and Stoney Johnson Jr. promise to be a memorable hometown dining experience.

FREE ACCESS-Check out kickoff of Art Club at Lakeshore

Art for All Lake Providence held a community art day - the first for Art for All's Art Club - at Lakeshore Family Homes over the weekend. Virgil Brandon Sr., a professional artist who grew up in Lake Providence, and his wife, Charlene, visited from Monroe to teach the group some art skills. Above, the group shows off a large logo Brandon carved on which the participants added handprints. At right, a child traces their hand before creating a 2D drawing that looks 3D. Below left, a child paints his hand before making his impression on the Art for All logo. Below right, Brandon (in red shirt at left) assists people as they create gelli prints using cut greenery from outside, a project coordinated by Sara Beth Howard and Wanda Manning of Art for All. Check out more pictures at eastcarrollbanner.com and be on the lookout for the next meeting of the Art Club.

Local land yields huge alligator

Local farmer Nolan Parker and a group of his college friends from Mississippi State had a kill from a dove hunt weekend. Not a dove, but a 11’10” alligator estimated to be at least 35 years old.

Student count falls, affects district funding

The continuing loss of students in the East Carroll Parish school system has become a problem, said superintendent Meagan Brown, as is the subsequent loss of funding. Brown said that in February of 2025, the school system recorded a student population of 739, and that as of the regular monthly board meeting held last Tuesday, September 2, the student count was down to 687, a loss of 52 students.

THE RULES

Each week, East Carroll Banner publishes an entry blank with 20 high school, college and professional games. Here are the rules: • NO PHOTOCOPIED ENTRY FORMS.

Celebrating the lives of East Carroll residents

Happy 100th birthday, Mr. Simon Washington, Sr.! When you get to that age, you need to be number one. So this week, we have Mr. Simon as number one. Mr. Simon is still living at home in the Elm Street Apartments. He has a sitter, Willie Matthews, who I have been told is second to none. Mr. Simon has had a stroke, so he is a little difficult to understand, but his mind is still just as clear. His son, Simon Washington, Jr., lives in an apartment close by, so he has family and friends. Happy, happy birthday, Mr. Simon!

EAST CARROLL PARISH 2025 – 2026 SCHOOL BOARD BUDGETS NOTICE

The East Carroll Parish School Board’s proposed 2025-2026 General Fund Budget may be reviewed at the School Board Office, 607 Fourth Street, Lake Providence, LA between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Thursday, August 28, 2025 through Thursday, September 11, 2025.

Around the bend...

Breast Cancer Awareness Event • Saturday, Oct. 25 • 10am • East Carroll Parish Library • register by Sept.