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Leesville Leader
What to know about the 4 Constitutional Amendments on the ballot
By Rita LeBleu To everyone who has ever asked, “Why can’t the Louisiana Constitutional Amendments appear on the ballot in words citizens can understand,” the answer seems to be that the staff that does the writing are mostly attorneys. Turning to PAR’s independent nonpartisan guide to the Constitutional Amendments can help. Steven Procopio, President of […]
Benoit Motors Teacher of the Week Misti Perkins: ‘You will never regret loving your students’
By Emily Burleigh Lake Charles native Misti Perkins, 40, nurtures all-around growth within students and aims to promote learning in all aspects of their lives. “I believe in the importance of social and emotional growth as well as academics in the classroom. I teach the whole child in my classroom.” Perkins teaches visual arts at […]
BREAKING: Pitkin woman arrested on multiple counts of arson related to Rapides, Vernon wildfire
Forestry agents have arrested a Pitkin woman for setting multiple fires in Rapides Parish that made their way into Vernon. Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Enforcement Division said it arrested Laura Mclaughlin on Friday for setting what ultimately became a massive wildfire. “In the early morning hours of Aug. 24, LDAF fire crews and […]
$15,000 reward offered for information in wildfire arson cases
Investigators with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Forestry Enforcement Division have determined that many of the large wildfires burning throughout Louisiana in recent weeks are the result of arson. LDAF investigators, Louisiana State Fire Marshal deputies, and various parish sheriff’s office detectives continue to actively investigate the matter. Investigators urge anyone with information […]
Kennedy announces $4.9M grant for Leesville airport
U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced a $4.9 million grant for the city of Leesville from the Department of Defense’s Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program. “Investing in Louisiana communities is good for Louisianians and our national security, and I’m happy to see … the city of Leesville […]
Benoit Motors Teacher of the Week: For Lillian Knisley, love for students maternal
By Emily Burleigh Fourth-grade math and science teacher Lillian Knisely, 34, has a love for her students that is maternal. “Each child that I teach holds a special place in my heart. I teach each child as if they were my children.” A career in education was not Knisely’s original goal, but it was certainly […]
Cassidy discusses future of Social Security, need for solutions now
By Emily Burleigh Social Security will face a shortfall in nine years, leading to a 24 percent benefit cut for millions of Americans, according to U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. Cassidy discussed possible solutions to secure Social Security for current and future benefit recipients Thursday during an event hosted by AARP. According to AARP, over […]
Eyes on the sky: Fort Johnson’s weather wingmen stay alert
By Porsha Auzenne | Special to the News Leader FORT JOHNSON — The Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Johnson is known for being a great place to train. That training would be difficult to do, however, without the help of the Air Force’s Detachment 2, 18th Combat Weather Squadron. They play a crucial part in […]
Benoit Motors Teacher of the Week: Candice Plummer passes on the kindness, encouragement she received to her students
By Emily Burleigh Candice Plummer, 38, became a teacher to help others and make a difference in the lives of students and the community as a whole. During her life, she received positive support and feedback. She aims to provide the same impactful moments for the students that enter her classroom. Her mom was her […]
Johnson honors Louisiana firefighters, first responders
Special to the Leesville Leader In a floor speech last night, U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson honored the hundreds of firefighters, first responders, and volunteers who worked around the clock to protect our state from this summer’s unprecedented wildfires. “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Louisiana’s brave first responders who valiantly rose to […]
3rd Circuit Court of Appeal: Office of Juvenile Justice repeatedly ignored ruling
The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal publicly scolded the Office of Juvenile Justice for its recent refusal to place a juvenile in secure custody following his arrest for theft of a firearm, drug possession and burglary charges. The original juvenile case was heard before Judge Elvin C. Fontenot in Leesville City Court. Vernon Parish District […]
9/11 anniversary: Remembering those for whom the bell tolls
By Emily Burleigh The values that guided those during the events of Sept. 11, 2001, live on through those at Fort Johnson and the surrounding area. On Monday, Fort Johnson held a ceremony to remember the orchestrated attacks on the United States coordinated by al-Qaeda terrorists 22 years ago, honor those who lost their lives […]
‘It is really tragic’: Wildfires wipe out income for Louisiana forest landowners
By Olivia McClure WESTPORT— In west-central Louisiana, where wildfires have ravaged thousands of acres of drought-stricken forests in recent weeks, more has been lost than just trees. For many people, the towering pines that define the landscape of this rural region represent family inheritances, years of investment and hopes for the future. Growing trees takes […]
Grant bringing new life to historic National Hotel
By Emily Burleigh With the help of a $55,000 grant, Leesville Main Street is becoming a historic business hub in Vernon Parish. This summer, the Leesville Main Street Program was the recipient of the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization federal grant. The funding is distributed to a handful of cities and towns every year by the […]
Benoit Motors Teacher of the Week: Leslie McFarland ‘blessed to be a small part of a child’s journey’
By Emily Burleigh Leslie Mire McFarland, 47, emulates the teacher who inspired her to become an educator. She was a student who loved school. “I was very social and into every club or activity that was offered. I played softball and bowled. I loved being at school with my friends and participating.” She believes she […]
UPDATE: Tiger Island Fire 65 percent contained
By Emily Burleigh Firefighters with the Southern Area Red incident Management team are still working to extinguish four wildfires in Louisiana: The Tiger Island Fire, La. 113 Fire, Lions Camp Road Fire and Elizabeth Fire. The Tiger Island Fire, which has been burning for over two weeks in west Beauregard Parish, is now 65 percent […]
Investigators: Tiger Island Fire started ‘intentionally’ in secluded area of forested property
By Emily Burleigh The Tiger Island Fire was caused by arson, said state officials have confirmed. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry said Certified Wildland Fire Investigators, Louisiana State Fire Marshal deputies and the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office detective are investigating the the case as arson. LDAF Press Secretary Jenn Finley told the American […]
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