News

Aug. 11 was this week, and Louisiana 811 hopes that the 8/11 date on the calendar served as a natural reminder for residents to contact 811 prior to any digging project to have underground utility lines marked. Every few minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first contacting 811.

The Mississippi River Commission (MRC) will conduct its annual low water inspection trip aboard Motor Vessel Mississippi, Aug 17-21, 2026, continuing its tradition of engaging with communities along the river.

Tariff rates for wireless mobile phones in the parish will go to $2 a month, beginning September 1. The East Carroll Parish Communications District board met in a special meeting last Wednesday and approved the increase after a public hearing for comments.

Saturday was a big day in Louisiana when 400 new laws went into effect. Passed during the 2026 legislative session and signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, the new laws going into effect include one that will most affect consumers: Debit card surcharges are now banned. Businesses can no longer charge customers an extra fee for paying their bills with their debit cards. This excludes credit cards, but includes all businesses where debit cards are taken and online charges as well.

The need to speed up the hiring process to put much needed personnel in key positions precipitated a change in the East Carroll Parish Hospital’s hiring policy and procedure. The hospital board addressed the policy changes at its regular monthly meeting last week.

Together for Hope-LA completed its annual Bags of Hope Backpack Giveaway last Saturday, said Wanda Manning, director of TFH-LA, who also gave a big shout-out to the administration of Griffin Southside Lower and Upper Elementary school for its support.

More than 20 participants attended Together for Hope-LA monthly Necessary Essentials Diaper Giveaway last week, providing much-needed diapers and essential hygiene items to families throughout East Carroll Parish.

Happy Thursday, everyone. The clock is ticking, and soon the kids will be back in school.

Topping: ¼ cup pepitas (or roasted pumpkin seeds) 1 tablespoon granulated sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Dry Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon ground ginger ¼ teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon salt Wet Ingredients: 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) 1 cup granulated sugar ½ cup packed light brown sugar ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter 2 large eggs, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9X5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. In a small bowl, mix the topping ingredients and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients until well combined. In a large bowl, combine wet ingredients; mix until smooth and well blended. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be thick and slightly lumpy. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Using the parchment overhang, lift the bread out and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Yields: 1 loaf

There are many foods that makesummerenjoyable,and watermelon is certainly one of them. Whether you prefer it sliced and eaten fresh or blended into smoothies, tossed into salads, or frozen into sorbets, watermelon is a refreshing and versatile treat.