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Leesville Leader
Convicted killer of Leesville woman denied parole a third time
A former Fort Polk soldier convicted in the 1988 kidnapping, rape and murder of a Leesville woman has been denied parole a third time. Samuel Galbraith appeared before the Louisiana Probation and Parole board on Wednesday. His parole request was denied in a 2-1 vote; he can apply for parole again in two years. Galbraith was […]
BOSS soldiers congregate, make connections at crawfish boil
By Angie Thorne | Public Affairs Office FORT POLK — The chance to enjoy a little Louisiana culture in the form of a crawfish boil was more than Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers members could resist. BOSS hosted the boil and single soldiers showed up in force to enjoy every step of the process from cleaning […]
Louisiana audit finds issues with hurricane recovery loans
By Victor Skinner | The Center Square Louisiana officials continue to uncover millions in noncompliant federal loans tied to hurricane recovery efforts, while they also struggled to report progress on programs to the federal government. The findings and others were included in a financial audit report of the Executive Department for fiscal year 2022 produced by […]
Tornado watch issued for Vernon Parish
A tornado watch has been issued for portions of western and central Louisiana — including Vernon Parish and the Fort Polk area — and is in effect until 5 p.m. Storms this morning across northern and central Louisiana have had the potential for tornadoes and damaging wind gusts, and this activity could affect portions of […]
La. audit finds overpayments in foster care program
By Victor Skinner | The Center Square Problems with billings at the Department of Public Safety and Corrections resulted in more than $100,000 in overpayments during the last fiscal year, according to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. LLA Mike Waguespack published an audit report for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections’ Office of Juvenile Justice on […]
ELECTION RESULTS: All eight tax propositions approved in Vernon
All eight tax propositions on Vernon Parish ballots were overwhelming approved by voters on Saturday. All of the propositions benefit area school districts. A 10-year, 8.12 mills parishwide school tax proposition for maintenance and operations of schools was approved by 81 percent. The proposition received 1,335 yes votes and 321 no votes, according to complete […]
Louisiana House Education Committee approves several school choice bills
The Center Square Legislation moving through the Louisiana House would expand school choice options for families, and prohibit discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity with students. The House Education Committee on Tuesday approved two measures designed to open up school choice opportunities for families. House Bill 98, sponsored by state Rep. Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, […]
Saturday is Election Day across SW La.
Saturday will be Election Day across Southwest Louisiana. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ballots will feature tax propositions in Beauregard and Vernon parishes. The ballot items include: Beauregard A 10-year, parishwide school district proposition for maintenance and operations of schools; the millage renewal authorizes the school board to continue to […]
PHOTO GALLERY: Military Appreciation Day
The Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce and the city of DeRidder are proud partners with the 519th Military Police Battalion Stationed at Fort Polk. Once a year the organizations team up to host the entire battalion for a family fun day at the DeRidder Dixie Youth Ball Field. (Photos Special to the Leesville Leader)
Reinvestments at Fort Polk continue to improve on-post housing, enhance quality of life
Special to the News Leader With quality of life as a top priority for Fort Polk leadership, Corvias — a solutions provider to the Department of Defense — continues its commitment to operate, maintain and provide service to the more than 4,800 residents of on-base housing at Fort Polk. In 2021, Corvias announced a commitment […]
Rapides Foundation awards $1.8M in reconnecting grants
Special to the Leesville Leader The Rapides Foundation has awarded $1.8 million in grants to six organizations under a new program that addresses the high number of Central Louisiana young adults ages 16 to 24 who are neither in school nor working. The Reconnecting Cenla Program Grant seeks to reconnect these young people to meaningful […]
Cassidy hosts rural community funding summit in Leesville
Special to the News Leader U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, and his office hosted a rural community funding summit in Leesville this week, together with USDA Rural Development, the Louisiana Housing Corporation and the Louisiana Municipal Association. Officials and community leaders throughout Central Louisiana were present to learn more about Cassidy’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs […]
Bill could establish rules for online public meetings
By Victor Skinner | The Center Square The Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Sharon Hewitt, a Republican candidate for governor, to establish rules for virtual public meetings. Senate Bill 201 “basically provides a comprehensive framework that establishes the requirements for public entities to meet remotely via electronic means outside […]
Louisiana short 166 state troopers
By Molly Ryan and Jenna Bridges | LSU Manship School News Service BATON ROUGE — The House Appropriations Committee discussed Tuesday expanding the budgets for youth, corrections and public safety services as state officials expressed a need to address employee turnover rates through higher salaries. Corrections Department Secretary James LeBlanc underscored the stressful, difficult work his […]
Vietnam vets honored with pinning at Post Exchange
By Karen Sampson | Public Affairs Office Vietnam War veterans were honored for their service and sacrifices during a pinning ceremony hosted by the Fort Polk Army and Air Force Exchange Service on National Vietnam Veterans Day March 29. March 29 marked the day the last American troops departed Vietnam in 1973 and the day Hanoi […]
Guest commentary: Ill. students boost morale for Fort Polk soldiers
By Spc. Kelly Acevedo | Public Affairs Office FORT POLK — When I was in the fourth grade my teacher had my classmates and I write letters to her friend, a Marine who was overseas in Australia. She believed our letters could uplift him and his buddies. Most kids thanked him and his peers for their […]
LSWA Class 2A all-state: SWLA sweeps top girls awards
By Warren Arceneaux On the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 2A team, Southwest Louisiana players swept both girls awards with Oakdale’s Renotta Edwards being voted Coach of the Year and Rosepine’s Addison Fruge voted Most Valuable Player. Edwards led the Warriors to their first state title. Oakdale beat three of the top four seeds in […]
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