Local News
Frith Released From Jail
Ricky Frith, the Lake Providence man accused of the 2005 New Years murder of Kenneth Puckett, was released from jail at the end of June 2006. He spent a year and a half behind bars but was let go when new evidence emerged in the case. Police are still working on leads and continues to focus attention on Sandra Pee, who led them to Puckett's body on January 5th, 2005. No further details are known at this time.
We Got It!
According to the News Star, Monroe's newspaper, Lake Providence has scored the ethanol plant, which will reportedly bring 50 - 60 jobs to the area plus construction jobs in the building of the plant. The $170 million dollar plant, being built for Bioenergy International, LLC out of Massachusetts by James Construction Group of Baton Rouge, will produce 100 million gallons of ethanol. Ethanol is an alternative fuel source made from corn. The Lake Providence Port Commission has secured $9 million dollars in Louisiana Port Priority Grants to improve the current infrastructure, including a foundation for the plant, the building of grain storage facilities and improvements to the railways that will bring in the raw product and ship out the ethanol.
Louisiana Soul Food and Heritage Festival 2006
Plans are underway for the 2006 Louisiana Soul Food and Heritage Festival. The festival, "a celebration of music, food, fun, and fellowship", is scheduled for June 10, 2006. Those interested in acquiring booth space can contact the East Carroll Cultural Tourism Initiative at P.O. Box 706, Lake Providence, LA, 71254 * 318-559-5200 * http://www.eastcarrolltourism.org
First Grade Teacher Passes Away
Ms. Ercell King, retired first grade teacher of nearly everyone who attended school in East Carroll Parish, died Friday, April 28, 2006, at the age of 95. Ms. King, who continued to teach school well into her 80's, spent her entire life teaching children reading, writing, and arithmetic. Services are set for Monday, May 1st, 2006 at the Methodist Church in Lake Providence. May she rest in peace....Lord knows she earned it.
Prominent Citizen Killed In Motor Vehicle Crash
Bobbie J. Warren (Chase), a community organizer who worked with numerous local agencies to improve the town, was killed early on the morning of April 22 on Highway 134. It has been reported that Warren, who drove a 1995 Lexus, was speeding east towards town when she failed to negotiate a curb. Her car crossed the center line and hit a guard rail and came to rest on the opposite side of the road where the vehicle caught fire. Emergency personnel responded quickly but Warren was pronounced dead at the scene. Toxicology studies were ordered and foul play is not suspected.
Employment Opportunity?
The town of Lake Providence is in negotiations to bring an Ethanol plant to East Carroll parish. For more information, see my "Will it happen in our lifetime?" page.