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(The Center Square) — Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is backing new federal rules aimed at cutting scammers off from one of the simplest tools used to reach consumers: real telephone numbers.
LAKE ARTHUR — Lake Arthur’s Freedom Festival drew strong crowds, sold-out food vendors and a large group of volunteers this year, leaving organizers already planning improvements for next summer’s celebration. Mayor Sampson “Poncho” LeJeune said volunteers reported one of the event’s most successful years during a follow-up meeting with the board of aldermen.
The Jennings Police Department is working to dispel rumors circulating in the community about an officer in an unmarked white truck allegedly serving arrest warrants to people who failed to report for jury duty.

The James O. Hall American Legion Post 19 officer installment recently took place. Shown commemorating the occasion are Alt.

A generous private donation, growing community partnerships and continued support from local leaders are helping move the Jeff Davis Parish Animal Shelter closer to opening its doors. Parish officials, elected leaders and community supporters gathered recently to celebrate a donation from Oak Crossing Foundation, a nonprofit organization affiliated with Oak Crossing Development that supports community initiatives throughout Southwest Louisiana.

Around Town

I’m sure professionals who have a name for every personality disorder upon this earth would have a field day with all of mine. Most days, however, I find myself rather normal.
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Five generations gathered to celebrate Lake Arthur resident James “Jimmie” Bryant’s 97th birthday. Pictured here are his daughter Christie Belle Bryant Coats (in no particular order), granddaughter Amanda Gail Trahan, great-granddaughter Hayley Marie Sturlese and great-great-grandchildren Amelia Gail and Kamp Sturlese.
The Welsh Board of Aldermen and Mayor Karl Arceneaux (left) recently honored Chris LeBouef for his 24 years of service to the town. “We rarely stop to think when we turn on a faucet what it takes to get clean reliable water and the people behind the scenes,” Arceneaux said.
For many people, the library is still imagined as a quiet building filled with books. While the shelves remain full of stories waiting to be discovered, the Jeff Davis Parish Library has evolved into something much greater — a place where education, technology, culture and community come together under one roof.

Sports

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Fifteen-year-old Landon LaBouve made history this summer as the first Welsh High School freshman to compete in the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championship, joining 767 competitors from 42 states in one of the program’s largest national events.
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New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. has earned a spot on this year’s NFL Top 100 Players list, checking in at No. 96. The recognition marks the first time in his career that he has been included in the player-voted rankings.
Barrel racer and Hathaway resident Preslie Watson was recently introduced as a 2026-27 Louisiana 4H Equine Ambassador. She is the first student from Jeff Davis Parish to be chosen as a member of the ambassador team.

Opinions

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.

The Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture just released the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, resetting the federal nutrition advice that shapes how Americans eat.

The Jeff Davis Animal Shelter is completed, according to a recent news report from the parish administrator. And in the Jan. 22 JD Parish Police Jury meeting, the discussion centered around moving the tax rededication proposal to a November 2026 agenda for a re-vote. This rededication, which failed on Nov. 15, 2025, by the voters of Jeff Davis Parish, would have moved monies from a half-cent consolidated jail sales tax, originally passed in 2014, and last renewed in 2024, to fund maintaining this newly constructed $2.1 million shelter. The reason for moving the tax proposal later this year was to “educate the voters about taking money from the jail tax and moving it to fund the animal center”, and hopefully get the measure passed then.

Obituaries

Karen Guidry Jenkins, a member of the Jefferson Davis High School graduating class of 1968, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026. Services will be held in Orange, Texas, on Saturday, July 11, 2026..
Georgia Brantley Chargois passed into the loving arms of her Lord on June 9, 2026. Born on May 11, 1925, 101 years young, “Ms. Georgia”, as she was called, was born in Greenbrier, Ark., to Zachary Taylor Loveless and Clara Woodruff Loveless. She was preceded in death by her parents and four of her six siblings: Hazel Loveless Cardin (Dennis), Guthrie “Gus” Loveless (Bonnie Mae), Ozie Loveless Martinez, and Lovetta Loveless. Left to mourn her passing are her siblings: Gene H. Loveless and Shirley Loveless McElhanon Jordan, both of Arkansas.
Published in Jennings Daily News June 12, 2026 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held to honor the life of Jean Necessary Istre of Lake Charles at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Jennings with Rev.
Published in Jennings Daily News June 12, 2026 Douglas Roy Seilhan Sr, 74, passed away on June 5, 2026, at Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Jennings. Douglas was born on Nov.
Published in Jennings Daily News June 12, 2026 Clayton David McZeal was born on June 28, 1946, in Lake Arthur to the proud parents, Amos and Jennie McZeal. On Sunday, May 31, 2026, he was called home to the Lord and entered into eternal rest.

SPECIAL SECTIONS

PO Box 910 | 238 Market Street | Jennings, LA 70546 | 337.824.3011
PRINT ISSN 3069-4949
ONLINE ISSN 3069-4957