Avoyelles Past Pages: October 30, 2026

By Donna Culotta

90 Years Ago

From our Oct. 31, 1936 editions

Speer’s Shoe Shop opened in the Weekly News building in Marksville.

The Cottonport FFA Chapter placed first in the vocational agricultural booths at the parish fair.

At Cottonport High, Acy Marchand was elected president of the Literary Society and Darrell Chatelain was elected president of the junior class.

Mrs. Roy Watts was elected president of the Markville Garden Club.

The Marksville High School Agricultural Department booth placed sixth at the Louisiana State Fair.

80 Years Ago

From our Nov. 2, 1946 editions

Marksville Mayor D.M. Riddle proclaimed Marine Corps Week.

Louise Gremillion was named to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.”

Nathan Maillet was elected president of the Bordelonville High 4-H Club and Joe Mertens was chosen president of the Dupont High 4-H Club.

Bunkie mule owners were invited to compete in the Louisiana Mule Derby at Bringhurst Field in Alexandria.

70 Years Ago

From our Nov. 3, 1956 editions

Leonard Bordelon of Bordelonville won reserved champion honors at the Louisiana State Fair.

Ruth Cayer of Marksville was elected president of the LSU East Hall dormitory.

Rev. Waynon Mott of Bunkie conducted revival services at the Cottonport Baptist Church.

Linda Landreneau was elected president of the Plaucheville High School 4-H Club..

The E.S. Voelker Co. of Bunkie went through considerable expense to demonstrate all the new John Deere farm tractors and equipment. Farmers were urged to see the equipment in action.

The Book Exchange of England gave rave reviews of the book, “To God Alone” written by Mimms Robertson, pastor of the Marksville Methodist Church.

Shirley Sagera assumed the duties of Assistant Home Demonstration Agent.

60 Years Ago

From our Nov. 3, 1966 editions

Marksville Elementary librarian, Mrs. Sterling Laborde, organized a library club.

Willie Wright of Evergreen received the LSUA Merit Service Honor Award.

Roy Dupuy of Marksville was named a Peace Corps volunteer.

Sue Couvillion, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Couvillion and a graduate of Bunkie High, was on the staff of “Yoncopin,” the Centenary College yearbook.

Eugene Jeansonne was elected president of the Mansura High FFA Chapter and at Moreauville High, Susan Mayeaux was chosen president of the junior class.

50 Years Ago

From our Nov. 4, 1976 editions

Numa L. Damiens of Marksville was awarded the Scouting Scroll of Honor.

Paul Reed, FFA advisor at Bunkie High, and John Fletcher, president of the FFA Chapter, addressed the Bunkie Rotary Club at its noon luncheon.

Linton Walls won the election for school board member from District-9.

Gerald Lemoine of Marksville was promoted to Warehouse Team Manager for Proctor and Gamble.

Mr. and Mrs. Zenon Deselles of Marksville and Mr. and Mrs. Morris Moreau of Simmesport celebrated their golden wedding anniversaries.

Deidre Guillot was elected president of the Fifth Ward High Library Club; M. Peter Lemoine was also elected president of the Marksville High 4-H Club.

40 Years Ago

From our Nov. 6, 1986 editions

Congressional candidate Clyde Holloway carried Avoyelles Parish in the election.

Filmore Bordelon of Longbridge was appointed to head the La. Farm Bureau Wheat and Grain Committee.

Royce Williford won the election for Ward One school board member.

Plaucheville native Delores Gremillion won three blue ribbons at the Cenla Pecan Show.

Kelly Paulk was elected president of the Avoyelles Parish FHA Executive Council.

Ducks Unlimited (DU) president Jimmy Earles presented a plaque to George Antie at the DU banquet held at Haas Auditorium in Bunkie.

Kay Miller won first place in the junior division of the sweet potato contest.

30 Years Ago

From our Oct. 31, 1996 editions

Marksville High school students, returning alumnus, parents and fans gathered around the traditional bonfire to celebrate Homecoming 1996.

State Representative Francis Thompson spoke to the Bunkie Lions Club about the campaign to the U.S. Congress in the Fifth District.

The school board received a $50,000 grant earmarked for teacher training. Linda Bordelon was instrumental in writing and securing the grant.

20 Years Ago

From our Nov. 2, 2006 editions

The new Cottonport Police Department’s website led to the arrest of Kayla Frank of Bunkie who impersonated an employee and charged items to a logging company’s account at the Cottonport Corner Shell Station.

Heavy rains resulted in flooding of Bayou des Glaises in Moreauville, the highest since 1927 and the bayou flowed backwards.

The port of Avoyelles on the Atchafalaya River in Simmesport received its first tenant when Helena Chemical signed a lease.

10 Years Ago

From our Oct. 27, 2016 editions

Boy Scout Troop 94 of Mansura presented eight scouts for the coveted Eagle Scout Award. The boys were: Jontae Bibbins of Mansura, Sawyer Coco of Simmesport, Jared Crenshaw of Marksville, Philip Davis of Cottonport, Connor Harris of Echo, Nick Mayeux of Moreauville, Janred Seaver of Cottonport and Jacob Williamson of Moreauville.

Teachers of the Month in Bunkie were Meredith Melancon, Bunkie Elementary and Doris Leary, Bunkie High.

According to Aloysia Ducote, CPA and City of Marksville auditor, the state could appoint a fiscal administrator if city officials did not take steps to avoid a looming deficit.

Police jurors were informed the APPJ would have to foot the bill for an expert witness in the trial of Derrick Stafford, accused in the death of 6-year old Jeremy Mardis.