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News

Submitted photo
Fire Safety Smarts
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Renovations underway at former Stage shopping center
Motorists traveling one of Jennings’ busiest commercial corridors may have noticed construction fencing and crews at the large, long-vacant shopping center at 1215 North Lake Arthur Ave. Something is happening.
Rice Threshing returns
WELSH — The Welsh Threshermens Association will take visitors back in time Saturday, Oct. 10, during its Annual Old Time Rice Harvest, offering a glimpse into the history of rice farming in Southwest Louisiana.
Trisha Patterson
Patterson seeks support in upcoming election
Lifelong parish resident and local business owner Trisha Patterson is seeking an opportunity to serve her community as a member of the Jeff Davis Parish School Board. Patterson, 42, has announced her candidacy for the District 7 seat on the board, saying she hopes to bring the perspective of a parent, business owner and longtime community member to the position.
John Compton
Compton announces school board candidacy
HATHAWAY — John Compton, a local rice and crawfish farmer with deep roots in the Hathaway community, has announced his candidacy for the District 8 seat on the Jeff Davis Parish School Board. Compton is a graduate of Hathaway High School and McNeese State University, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in agricultural business and animal science and a master’s degree in environmental and chemical sciences.

Community

COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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.
Fair Fun , Fair Fun , Fair Fun , The Jeff Davis Parish Fair kicked off Wednesday with games and rides lining the midway. Attendees were met with bright lights and traditional carnival fun. Daily News photos by Erin Hargrave
Fair Fun
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New school zone added in Welsh
WELSH — Motorists traveling along Floyd Street near Welsh schools will soon face a reduced speed limit during school hours after town officials agreed to incorporate a portion of the street into the town’s school zone.
Elementary students at Hathaway High School got an up-close lesson in fire prevention during a recent visit from Jeff Davis Parish Fire District 2. Students explored firefighting equipment, met a Dalmatian and watched a fire hose demonstration that created a colorful rainbow beneath an arch of water. Submitted photos
Fire safety lessons start young
HATHAWAY — A fire truck, a Dalmatian and even a rainbow helped turn serious safety lessons into a memorable morning for elementary students at Hathaway High School during a recent visit from Jeff Davis Parish Fire District 2. Fire district personnel visited the school as part of Fire Prevention Week, giving young students an opportunity to see firefighting equipment up close while learning simple steps that could help save their lives during a fire.
1896
1896
Since today’s elementary students marvel that their teachers “are from the 1900s,” I was profoundly affected when, just days ago, I flipped my calendar to September and was reminded of my own grandmother’s birth….in 1896.

Sports

The Elton Junior High boys’ basketball team placed second in the recent district tournament. School officials praised the team’s hard work and determination. Submitted photo
TOURNAMENT ACTION
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Tigers to celebrate Homecoming against Bearcats
Tigers to celebrate Homecoming against Bearcats
LAKE ARTHUR — The unbeaten Lake Arthur Tigers are celebrating Homecoming this week, and that always makes a head coach nervous. “There are so many different activities during that week that can definitely take a football player’s mind off of his necessary preparations,” commented Tiger Head Coach Cody Gueringer. “It’s good to enjoy the week, but it’s absolutely necessary to have common sense and be able to focus on the game at hand. Basile is on a two-game winning streak and would like nothing better than to be able to come here and knock us off in our Homecoming game.
Hounds open district against Jackets
Hounds open district against Jackets
WELSH — The Welsh Greyhounds will open district play this week in District 7-2A by hosting long-time rival Kinder. The Yellow Jackets will enter the league battle with an uncharacteristic 1-4 record that has come against stiff competition. Kinder’s losses have come to Northwest, Eunice, Lake Charles College Prep and Bunkie. Welsh will enter the fray with a 4-1 record, with their only loss coming at the hands of Jennings. The Greyhounds have used excellent balance on offense and a stingy defense thus far this season. Senior quarterback Grant Haydel has proven to be more than just a pitcher on the baseball team. Haydel has thrown for 905 yards through five games. He has spread the wealth, as wide receivers Vince Bagala, Devanta Castille and Bryson Prudhomme, along with H-Back Bryce Fontenot, have all been the beneficiaries of Haydel’s accuracy. In the win over DeQuincy last week, Haydel was perfect, as he completed all 10 pass attempts for 281 yards and three touchdowns.
Photos courtesy of Elton High School
Elton welcomes Merryville for Homecoming clash
ELTON — The Elton High School Indians will combine its annual Homecoming celebration with the high stakes of its Class 1A District 5 opener when the team welcomes Merryville High School this Friday.
Daily News photos by Elisha Duhon
Jennings, DeRidder set for key showdown Thursday
Two teams with plenty of momentum heading into the heart of district play will collide Thursday night as the Jennings Bulldogs host the DeRidder Dragons in a key District 3-3A matchup at Jerry Simmons Stadium. Both teams enter the contest with identical 3-2 records, and both are coming off convincing district victories. Jennings has won three straight after an 0-2 start, while DeRidder has won its last two.

Editorial

America's small businesses can't afford 340B abuse
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 adopts golf cart ordinance aligned with state law
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.
Alt Text for Image
A vacation, in 50 words or less
Ihave unpacked the suitcase. I have washed its contents and returned my clean clothes to closets and drawers.
Louisiana lawsuit abuse costs taxpayers, jobs

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.

A rare reset in the new dietary guidelines — with more work ahead

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.

Obituaries

Robert Courville
Robert Courville
After a brief illness, Robert Courville, 92, died on Sept. 13, 2026 at his home in Roanoke surrounded by his loving family.
Peggy Deaville
Peggy Deaville
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Roberta Jane Koll
Roberta Jane Koll
Sept. 10, 1934 — Sept.
Margaret Mallett
Margaret Mallett
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”.
Mary Epperly
Mary Epperly
Mary Epperly passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at the age of 83. She was born in Roanoke and resided in LaPlace.

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PO Box 910 | 238 Market Street | Jennings, LA 70546 | 337.824.3011
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