Fri, 10/16/2026 - 5:47am
The Jennings City Council approved a capital outlay resolution Tuesday as the city continues pursuing state funding to extend Fred and Ruth B. Zigler Memorial Drive west across La. 26 to Airport Road.
WATCH NOW Political Forum | District Attorney & District Judge
News
District Attorney Lauren Heinen is running for reelection in the 31st Judicial District for her second term. Elected in a special election in March 2022, Heinen’s administration has delivered tough-on-crime prosecution, overhauled court operations, and maintained strict fiscal discipline across Jefferson Davis Parish. “When I took office, I promised to enforce the law, hold criminals accountable, and put public safety first,” said Heinen. “True law-andorder leadership isn’t just about making promises. It’s about getting real results. We’ve proven a rural parish can modernize its justice system, aggressively prosecute dangerous criminals, invest in local youth, and protect taxpayers all at the same time.” Since taking office, Heinen’s administration has transformed the parish’s legal system into an efficient, victim-focused operation. Key accomplishments under the Heinen administration include:
LAKE ARTHUR — A much needed wastewater improvement project that stalled last month after failing to attract any bids is moving forward. The board of aldermen received three proposals at their recent council meeting for electrical upgrades on the town’s sewer lift stations.
LAKE ARTHUR — Retired educator and school administrator Donna Woods has announced her candidacy for the District 2 seat on the Jeff Davis Parish School Board, citing her experience in education and lifelong ties to the community.
The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging residents, businesses and building owners to turn off or dim nonessential lights at night to help protect migratory birds passing through the state this fall.
Community
Marching Unit – Band • First Place – Welsh High School • Second Place – Jennings High School Dance Group – Junior High • First Place - OLI Cheerleaders • Second Place – Lacassine Jr, Cheerleaders Dance Group – High School • First Place - Lacassine High Varsity Cheerleaders Bicycle • First Place – Kassidy Menard • Second Place - John Paul Fontenot Float/Truck and Trailer – Non School Group • First Place - Jeff Davis Living Center • Second Place - Daniel Sparks Float/Truck and Trailer – School • First Place - First Baptist Church • Second Place – Blazers 4-H.
Ages 5–7 Solo Winners First Place: Lorelei Meaux Second Place: Nicole Richard Third Place: Kalix Trimble Ages 8–10 Solo Winners First Place: Knox Lemoine Second Place: Owen Thompson Third Place: Iker Rivera Ages 11–13 Solo/Duet Winners First Place: Lydia Carter and Meredith Deaton Second Place: Hattie Landry and Grace Watkins Third Place: Levi Humble Ages 14–18 Solo/Duet Winners First Place: Hadlei Self Second Place: Hattie Landry Third Place: Mya Jordan Ages 19 and Over Solo Winners First Place: Breann Davis Second Place: Connie Dale Ages 11–13 Group Winners First Place: Welsh Roanoke Jr. High Cheer Team Second Place: WAR Jr.
Calendar Guidelines Items for Community Calendar must be submitted during regular weekday business hours at least two weeks prior to the day of the event. Events run in the order of their posted dates and ONLY AS SPACE ALLOWS.
Sports
WELSH — The Welsh Greyhounds opened action in District 7-2A last week with a big win over rival Kinder to move to 5-1 for the season and 1-0 in league play. This week the Hounds will step away from district play to host the Washington-Marion Chargin’ Indians for their Homecoming contest.
ELTON — The Elton Indians are gearing up for a highly anticipated non-district matchup on their home turf this Thursday as they host the Oakdale Warriors. The two programs head into the Week 7 contest moving in completely opposite directions.
LAKE ARTHUR — The game of the week will take place Thursday night from the confines of Jack Doland Stadium in Lake Arthur, as the unbeaten Tigers will host the Kinder Yellow Jackets in a key District 7-2A battle. The Yellow Jackets will carry an uncharacteristic 1-5 record into the contest and an 0-1 start in league play following their loss to Welsh last week.
ELTON — It was a game that featured a pair of 4-1 teams starting district play when the Elton Indians hosted the Merryville Panthers for Homecoming at Cleve Beard Stadium. As usual, the Indians were led by running back Makelin Lemoine with four rushing touchdowns. The Indians’ defense was able to stop the Panthers’ potent run game to give their alumni a dominating 46-6 Homecoming win.
LAKE ARTHUR — The Lake Arthur Tigers made short work of the visiting Basile Bearcats to open play in District 7-2A, as they claimed a 62-7 win. This one was over way before the end of the first half, as the hosts had a 55-0 lead going into intermission. The Tigers are a perfect 6-0 for the season and 1-0 in league play.
Editorial
The children were young when I stood before their breakfast trays and recited, “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” There was silence. They stared at me and then at each other.
Many hospitals are destabilizing small businesses across America by exploiting a littleknown federal charity care program to drive healthcare costs up. The 340B Drug Pricing Program was supposed to help safety-net hospitals serve vulnerable patients by letting them buy prescription medicines at a discount.
ELTON — The Elton Town Council approved a new golf cart ordinance that brings the town's regulations into compliance with Louisiana law and sets local registration fees, following a detailed presentation by Town Attorney Michael Holmes. Holmes explained that the ordinance is based on Louisiana Revised Statute 32:299.4 and establishes the requirements for operating golf carts on public streets within the Town of Elton. Under the ordinance, golf cart owners must register their vehicles with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles if they intend to drive them on public roads. Operators must also provide proof of registration and liability insurance before receiving authorization from the town.
Ihave unpacked the suitcase. I have washed its contents and returned my clean clothes to closets and drawers.
As a legislator proudly representing Louisiana’s working coast in Terrebonne Parish, the impacts of lawsuit abuse continue to reverberate across not only my district, but the entire state.
Obituaries
Published in Jennings Daily News October 14, 2026 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 at 11 a.m.
After a brief illness, Robert Courville, 92, died on Sept. 13, 2026 at his home in Roanoke surrounded by his loving family.
Margaret Myers Mallett, a devout Catholic, was the second of nine children born to Luke, Sr. and Mamie Kinney Myers on April 17, 1936 in Jennings in Jeff Davis Parish. As a teen, she cared for her maternal grandparents, Elvina and Leo Paul Kinney. After graduating from Jennings High School, she attended SLI (now UL Lafayette) where she met Joseph “Joe” Mallett also from Jeff Davis Parish. On August 4, 1956, they were one of the first couples married at the newly formed Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jennings, of which her family was a founding member. Margaret and Joe began their family in Welsh before moving to Baton Rouge for Joe’s work. In Baton Rouge, they were a founding family of St. Pius X Catholic Church. Upon moving to Wilson in East Feliciana Parish, they joined Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Jackson where she was active with the Altar Guild and was affectionately known as the “Donut Lady”.
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