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A local man received a sentence this week for his part in the 2022 shooting death of Manual Jacoby Provost, who was 28 at the time of his death.

Jennings Police Department made several notable arrests over the past week for various incidents, including drug and gun charges, as well as first-degree rape and domestic abuse battery with child endangerment. On March 18, JPD officers approached 26-year-old Bryson Richard of Jennings near Fire Station 2 on La. 26 south of the city about an active arrest warrant. During a search of the suspect, Richard was found to be in possession of a stolen firearm and narcotics, according to law enforcement. Richard was arrested and charged with two counts of illegal possession of stolen firearms, possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, possession of a firearm with a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, possession of a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. Richard was booked into the Jeff Davis Parish Regional Consolidated Jail Facility where he is being held without bond. On March 22, officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Merry Street in reference to a rape. Upon arrival, officers were advised a 79-year-old female victim was drug by her hair into the bathroom and sexually assaulted. The suspect, who was later identified as 39-year-old Christopher “Elmo” Istre of Jennings, was believed to be walking on La. 26 just north of Jennings. Shortly after, Istre was located by law enforcement traveling south on La. 26 near the I-10 Park.

The Jeff Davis Arts Council’s A Chip Off the Old Block high school group has been hard at work preparing for its opening performance. The seasoned actors, including Emily Davidson (clockwise, from left) Blaire Dupuis and Colton Prejean, welcome the community to watch their version of “Little Women” by Louisa May Allcott at the Strand Theatre. For show times and more information, see today’s edition.