News

The East Carroll Parish Hospital Board along with the staff of the hospital and clinics hosted a reception honoring the newest member of their staff last Friday, June 21. Dr. Dana Pippin has been practicing family medicine since November 1, 2023, at the East Carroll Medical Clinic. Dr. Pippin said that she has enjoyed her practice in Lake Providence. “I see everyone from babies to the elderly, and I like that,” she said.

Construction is underway for a brand new 28,000 ton fertilizer facility at the Lake Providence Port. According to Manager Billy Townsend, MacroSource Fertilizer is investing $12 million dollars into a new facility that he feels will help the economy and local businesses in Lake Providence. “We are very proud to be investing this kind of money into the parish and town,” Townsend said. “I’m a hometown boy and I know the poverty that exists here.”

The East Carroll Parish Communications District Board voted unanimously to recommend Margaret Jong Toney as a replacement for Billy Coleman on the board, and authorized Director Debra Hopkins to send a letter to the Police Jury requesting that Toney be appointed. The Board also approved a resolution honoring Coleman who had been a member of the 9-1-1 Board for several years.

Arrests as of June 24, 2024: East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office: 6/20/24 – Jaquan Brown, 24, introduction of contraband into a penal institution, possession with intent to distribute a schedule III narcotic (Suboxone). Bond is set at $20,000.

The Town of Lake Providence Board of Aldermen discussed budget numbers earlier this month before amending this year’s budget and passing a new budget for the next fiscal year. A public hearing was held on 2023-2024 amended general fund budget and 20242025 proposed general fund budget, but the board received no public comments The amended budget of 2023-2024 shows that the town transferred about $345,000 from the utility fund in order to balance the budget.

The Louisiana Department of Health is launching a suite of new resources today to help Louisianans stay safe during the hot summer months. These resources include an expanded publicfacing heat-related illness dashboard and a collection of new heat-related health guidance documents.

It was an old fashioned, western-style shootout across the street from Uncle Darrel’s on Second Street last Tuesday, with numerous shell casings recovered from three different shooters, according to East Carroll Parish sheriff investigators. Alfred Bliss was sitting on the bed of a truck during the shooting and got caught in the crossfire.

During the public comment section of the East Carroll Parish Police Jury meeting last week, Phyllis Wyatt turned the video on on her camera, then asked if the jury had any update for herself and others who live on Henderson Loop. Road Superintendent Jake Robertson said that work would begin on that road soon. Wyatt cheered, turning the camera towards herself, and giving those watching a huge grin and thumbs up.