Avoyelles Past Pages: November 6, 2026

By Donna Culotta

90 Years Ago

From our Nov. 7, 1936 editions

The school board chose the Union Bank as its fiscal agent.

Joyce Rabalais was elected president of the Cottonport High freshman class and Acy Marchand was chosen president of the senior class at CHS.

Plaucheville High FFA members Oliver Mayeux and Hanly Kimball attended the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City.

Laborde and Roy Motor Company made plans to hold its formal opening.

Alton Tassin of the Bobby Jones FFA Chapter won the American Farmer Award at the National Convention.

80 Years Ago

From our Nov. 9, 1946 editions

The U.S. Civil Service Commission announced examinations to fill rural carrier positions in Moreauville and Mansura.

Presidents of 4-H groups elected were Warren Moreau of Fifth Ward and Norris Riche in Evergreen.

The Marksville mayor and board of aldermen moved into the Weekly News building.

John Peter Laborde of Marksville was recognized by Omicron Delta Kappa, a national honorary leadership and service organization at LSU.

Clairborne Williams performed at the Blue Moon Club in Bunkie.

70 Years Ago

From our Nov. 10, 1956 editions

Ronald Mayeux of Moreauville won top honors at the Sears Gilt Contest.

Bunkie native, Charles Keller Jr., was appointed the Dodge regional manager for the Philadelphia area.

The La. Dept. of Highways accepted a 3.5 mile improvement project on the Marksville-Red River Highway for maintenance.

Agnes Louise Greer of Marksville was a candidate for graduation at Northwestern State College.

Skyler Brassette of Cottonport purchased a registered Guernsey bull.

Henry C. Lyles, graduate of Bunkie High, was promoted to general foreman of the utilities department at Humble Oil Refining Co in Baytown.

60 Years Ago

From our Nov. 10, 1966 editions

First Lt. Rose Hathorn of Effie completed the orientation course for the U.S. Air Force nurses.

Dr. J. G. Dupre of Bunkie became the Parish Director of the newly established Red Cross Chapter in Avoyelles.

Willie McNeal of Marksville was elected to the American Angus Association.

Clyde Neck and Mrs. Edmund Kalifey attended the fall board meeting of the Louisiana Jaycees and Jaynes in Alexandria.

Wayne Turner of Plaucheville received the LSU Merit-Service Honor Award.

50 Years Ago

From our Nov. 11, 1976 editions

The Avoyelles Retired Teachers Association presented a plaque to State Rep. Raymond Laborde.

Loretta Drouin caught a seven pound bass.

Jill Gremillion, daughter of Carmen Gremillion of Bunkie, finished in the top contestants among 38 at the International Rice Festival in Crowley.

Marksville native, Peter Stravitz, was appointed Coordinator for Instructional Media, Publications and Alumni Affairs at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.

Allison Lemoine of Cottonport was named as a state winner for her 4-H project.

A fire destroyed the Marksville Pay-Less Grocery as well as an adjoining lounge and house.

Father James Harrington conducted a Paulist Renewal Mission at St. Paul Catholic Church in Mansura.

40 Years Ago

From our Nov. 9, 1986 editions

Don Pat Descant was appointed to fill the expired term of the late Gaynor Gardiner on the Board of Directors of Bunkie General Hospital.

Bunkie Lion Bob Morrow read a thank you card received from the class for hearing impaired in Hessmer to members at the regular Lions Club meeting held at Masonic Hall.

Sgt. Barron P. Chenevert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hudson J. Chenevert of Cottonport, was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for exceptionally meritorious service during the period of Sept. 7, 1979 to June 24, 1986, while assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry and the 124th Attack Helicopter Battalion.

30 Years Ago

From our Nov, 7, 1996 editions

Pete Lemoine and Lindiann Scallan, Pre-k students, were crowned King and Queen at St. Joseph School Fair.

Marksville High School FHA held its annual local Yam Dish Contest. The top five winners were Cherie Normand, Julie Dauzat, Ashley Gonzalez, Ashley Deloach, and tied for fifth place, Jennifer Childress and Myra Barbin.

The Marksville High School Homecoming parade was featured with float photos included returning alums Grace Panichella, Dickie Gremillion, Connie St. Romain, Aggie Neck, John Bennett, Pete and Georgianna Kendall, Al Leger, Ron Normand, Tommy DeCuir Frank Sanchez and Angelo Piazza, Jr.

20 Years Ago

From our Nov. 9, 2006 editions

The pecan crop for 2006 set a record in the state and the parish and was shaping up to be one of the best in years.

Drew Bordelon, Bradley, Mynarzy and a 16-year old, all of Bunkie, were arrested for making bombs. The trio then, allegedly, threw two at Bunkie homes and placed one by a mailbox.

McNeese State strong safety, Jamelle Juneau, a Bunkie High graduate and member of the Panther football team, was named Player of the Week in the Southland Conference.

Harry Moreau donated an index of 8-volumes listing 78,000 Avoyelles names to the Marksville library for genealogy research.

The Marksville Tigers football team regained the Catskin by thumping the Bunkie Panthers, 34-15.

10 Years Ago

From our Nov. 8, 2016 editions

Marissa DeCuir, daughter of Randy and Susan DeCuir of Marksville, was named president of JKS Communications, a book publishing company.

Marksville was facing its last chance on the city budget, which needed $430,000 in cuts.

Brenda Dawson, owner of Community Support Services in Bunkie, said the company used by the school board for mental health services was illegal under Medicaid regulations and constituted Medicaid fraud.

Hundreds of people, including Gov. Edwin Edwards, turned out for the ceremony that changed the Cottonport state prison name to the Raymond Laborde Correctional Center.