By Donna Culotta

90 Years Ago

From our July 25, 1936 editions

Congressman-elect Leonard Allen visited Avoyelles Parish.

The Simmesport baseball team was victorious over Moreauville.

Mr. J.M. Brouillette purchased the Cash Store.

Land in Avoyelles was opened to resettle farm families in a special enterprise of the Resettlement Administration.

County Agent F.A. Swann stated that adequate legume acreage and its place in a sound farm system was recognized under the provisions of the Agricultural Conservation Program.

80 Years Ago

From our July 27, 1946 editions

The Fre-Zit Foods Company expected to be in full operation in Bunkie and was one of the many improvements the town was seeing.

Jerry Lee Guillory, with the Hessmer FFA, was elected parliamentarian of the state FFA.

W.T. Nolin was selected president of the Marksville National Loan Association.

General Raymond Fleming commented on the possibility of establishing a National Guard Unit in Marksville.

Governor Jimmie Davis signed a bill that provided over $6 million for teachers.

70 Years Ago

From our July 28, 1956 editions

A former IRS commissioner T. Coleman Andrews, said the federal income tax was “vicious and evil.”

Associate County Agent Steven Guilbeau was hospitalized after being stung by a yellow jacket wasp.

Governor Earl Long signed House Bill 143 that established a city court in Bunkie.

A group of men organized a Chamber of Commerce in Plaucheville. Hubert J. Rabalais was elected the president.

60 Years Ago

From our July 21, 1966 editions

Dr. S.R. “Pete” Abramson received the Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Federation Freedom Award.

The Louisiana State Pharmaceutical Association honored Carnot Dupuy of Marksville.

The Bunkie Parrino clan were fishing at Chicot Lake when the rain started falling. They caught 40 good bream before 10 a.m. but the rain chased them back to the pier.

Kenneth Bordelon of Hessmer received a scholarship awarded by the Federal Land Bank of New Orleans.

Avoyelles farmer Harold Dufour was named to the Farmers Home Administration County Commission.

50 Years Ago

From our July 29, 1976 editions

Susan Harp of Marksville received the annual Avoyelles Homemakers Council $100 grant.

Bunkie contestants in the Avoyelles Sugar Cane Queen Contest were: Donna Hines, Susan Noone, Linda Levy, Debbie Griffin, Cynthia Liliedahl, Jill Gremillion and Lisa Mulhearn.

John Raymond Luneau of Marksville received awards from South Central Bell and The American Red Cross.

Carl Baloney was appointed special assistant of the Division of Family Services.

James Roy of Bunkie was selected to attend the National Institute of Cooperative Education.

Gano Lemoine Jr. was elected president of the Cottonport Industrial Development Board.

Mrs. Vivian J. Ryland of Effie received a certificate for outstanding service during Soil Stewardship Week.

40 Years Ago

From our July 31, 1986 editions

Madelyn Casey won the “Mrs. Avoyelles” title.

Janice Desselle sought the office of school board member for District 2 and Ruth Lemoine announced her candidacy for Moreauville mayor.

Descendants of Ferdus Sylvester and Anna Ducote Riche held a reunion.

Mansura Mayor Harold Quebedeaux announced plans to seek re-election.

Bunkie was cited in the American Automotive Associations Pedestrian Protection Program for its outstanding pedestrian safety record and achievement saving lives and preventing injuries.

30 Years Ago

From our July 25, 1996 editions

Moncla hosted a Bastille Day celebration at the Moncla Community Center. There were French and American flags, the Lord’s Prayer in French, “La Marseilles” was sung and Mary Hart told how she met her husband-to-be on Bastille Day in Paris at the Eiffel Tower.

Retired Brig. General Sherian Cadoria of Mansura was appointed to the State Gambling Board by Gov. Mike Foster.

The Bunkie Family Dollar held a grand opening at its new store located between Helig-Meyers Furniture and O’Leary Sign Company.

The St. Joseph School 4-H Club won third place for Overall Club in Avoyelles. Members included Derek Gremillion, Kyle Marchive, Nicole Speyer, Skylar Gremillion, Katie Reimer and Robin Reimer.

20 Years Ago

From our July 27, 2006 editions

The Alert School for disciplinary students was scheduled to open in the old Hessmer Elementary School.

A motion at the school board meeting to close Bunkie Middle failed by a 6-3 vote.

The Louisiana Legislature set aside $100,000 for weed control at Spring Bayou, which was good news for local fishermen.

Mayor Pro-Tempore Gaon Escude announced that Mansura had become a $1m town when all the assets were added up.

The Marksville All-Stars Sr. baseball team was headed to state playoffs. The team and coaches were; Darren Crooks, John Stu Regard, John Lemoine, Blake Juneau, Seth Webster, Wade Borrel, Lane Normand, Randy Price, Robbie Roszell, Shea Jeansonne, Tanner Roszell, Tyler Gagnard, Josh Fletcher, Matthew Price and Zach Roszell.

10 Years Ago

From our July 28, 2016 editions

The State Dept. of Transportation and Development proposed routing Hwy. 115 around downtown Marksville to improve traffic flow.

The police jury was facing another glitch to their budget when they learned they may have to pay $50,000 for an expert witness in the Charles Mayeux murder trial.

A lawsuit filed by Gulf Coast Spinning against Cleco over the failed construction project in Bunkie was allowed to continue according to District Judge Billy Bennett.

Avoyelles Parish celebrated Bastille Day at the Fox Theater with a special viewing of Les Miserables accompanied by gourmet popcorn, chocolates and a serving of wine.

Moreauville’s ban on trailer parks was about to become an ordinance as the town council held a public meeting to hear from citizens many who were against the park.