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A middle of the night thunderstorm threatened to again disrupt the Lake Providence Levee Festival, but in the end, the storm cleared out, the sun came out, and the people showed up. Music devotees sat in church pews, kids jumped in a bounce house, kids of all ages played ping-pong, runners and walkers and bikers completed races (some of them even with the company of a horse out of its pasture), and the music, food and art vendors created a joyful, family-like atmosphere for everyone who attended. “It’s hard to believe this is our fifth year,” said event coordinator Cassie Condrey. “It just keeps getting better.”

It was supposed to be a celebration, a final step towards everyone in East Carroll having access to reliable, highspeed, affordable internet. But last Friday’s broadband conference hosted by Delta Interfaith ended up being a strategy session on next steps toward finishing a job that was started in 2021.

East Carroll Banner received a bevy of awards during the Louisiana Press Association annual Better Newspaper Competition awards ceremony last week. JanieandJimmyNeighbours represented the Banner at the ceremony and collected a first place in General Excellence for 2025, along with eight other awards in categories such as best front page, best feature story, best news photo, and others.

Briarfield Academy held its graduation ceremony last Friday, May 8, at 6 p.m. on the school’s front lawn. Head of School Lisa Walters announced that the 16 graduates had been awarded and accepted approximately $175,000 in scholarship money. The following are each student’s plans for after graduation.

General Trass High School held its commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 6 p.m. Smiles lit the faces of the graduating members of the Class of 2026 as they entered the auditorium to the traditional strains of Pomp and Circumstance. Family and friends stood proudly as the class marched precisely to their appointed seats. The class motto, “A Rewarding Future Governed by Persistence,” set the tone for the evening.

Good Thursday morning. If you didn’t go to the Levee Fest this past weekend, you missed out. There was absolutely something for everyone, and it seemed everyone was there. You couldn’t really complain about the rain. Yes, it was a little muddy, but it quit when it needed to and never started back. Of course, my favorite part was seeing the children having such a good time. And the booths. It was easy to find Daggum BBQ. You just followed the line. There always seemed to be lines at the food vendors.

The Memorial Day and Flag Retirement Ceremony is set for Monday, May 25, at Lakeside Park Gazebo beginning at 11:30 a.m. A brown bag lunch, sponsored by Moses Shelby Chapter NSDAR, will be held immediately after the ceremonies at Virginia Harris Hall at Grace Episcopal Church, across the street from Lakeside Park.

May 2026 THURSDAY 14 TMM Project • 1pm • Griffin-Southside Lower and Upper Elementary • cultural celebration • in conjunction with East Carroll Parish Library • call 559-2615 for more information FRIDAY 15 Chair exercise for adults • 10am • ECP Library TUESDAY 19 SNAP benefit signup 9:30am-3pm • East Carroll Parish Community Action Agency EAST CARROLL PARISH POLICE JURY 12 noon • in the Police Jury Room THURSDAY 21 Plant a Seed with the LSU AgCenter's Lekeisha Lucas • 10am • East Carroll Parish Library LAKE PROVIDENCE HOUSING AUTHORITY 12 noon • LPHA office, Foster St. LAKE PROVIDENCE BOARD OF ALDERMEN 5:30pm • in the Mayor’s Court room, City Hall.

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 Board 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.

With its tax millage expiring in 2026, the East Carroll Parish Hospital Board of Commissioners focused on the announcement of an intent to call an election on November 3 for a 10.57 tax millage rate. The prospective resolution is scheduled to be presented and passed by the board on May 28, at its regular monthly meeting.