News

PPFOF Wins Multiple Awards at Annual Fairs and Festivals Convention

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The Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival (PPFOF) culminated its 75th anniversary year with multiple awards received last week at the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals (LAFF) annual convention in Baton Rouge, including the prestigious Classic Award/Fair of the Year for Division 1 Festivals.

Resolution to Seek Loan for "Reimbursable" Hurricane Ida Recovery Expneses Fails at Latest Meeting

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The agenda of the February 10 Plaquemines Parish Government (PPG) council meeting was unusually packed. With the previous council meeting being cut short due to many council members and officials in the administration off in Washington, DC to lobby for funding, all the deferred ordinances and resolutions were taken up at the February 10 meeting. Most of the ordinances and resolutions voted on at the meeting were routine measures—approving permits, selling unneeded property, zoning changes, etc.—but the council did take up and voted down one resolution that addressed a crucially important issue for Plaquemines Parish.

Commissioners Worry About Impacts from Railway Extension, Criticize Lackluster Updates from Developer

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After the previous Plaquemines Port Harbor & Terminal District (PPHTD) meeting was canceled due to several officials being in Washington, D.C. to lobby for federal funding, the latest February 10 PPHTD meeting saw the return of the typical irritation and dissatisfaction shown by commissioners during port meetings. Though all the ordinances and resolutions that were voted on during the meeting passed unanimously, a presentation from Chris Fetters of LA-23 Development Company on the eightmile railway extension project resulted in contentious discussions.

A Letter from 2021 Seafood Queen, Kristin Nash

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How did I reach the halfway point in my reign as Seafood Queen already? Along with Princess Lyric Davis and Pearl Ava Rodi, we have weathered COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida! But wow... the memories we have made! I've traveled near and far across our great state, made"forever friends" and cherished every minute of it!

Belle Chasse Lady Cardinals Volleyball Team Updates

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The Belle Chasse Lady Cardinals Volleyball Team defeated Assumption in five games in the LHSAA quarterfinals on Nov. 11 at the Cajundome in Lafayette helping them advance to the semifinals This is only the second time in history that Belle Chasse made it that far. Unfortunately, their season came to an end as they were defeated on Nov. 12 by the new state champions from St. Thomas Moore. The Lady Cards finished the season 29-8 overall. Ellen Rehrig, Tylen Bell, Jerne Colin, and Nya St. Cyr were named to the All-District team. Nya St. Cyr was also named to both the All-Metro and LVCA All-State teams. Congratulations Lady Cards!

Couvillion Group launches Teacher of the Year Endowment

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A Belle Chasse business owner has declared a challenge for Plaquemines Parish to aid in matching a $50,000 Teacher of the Year endowment. Timothy “Timmy” Couvillion, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Couvillion Group as well as Belle Chasse High School (BCHS) alumni, previously announced the endowment’s launch during the “We Hold the Future” Rally held at BCHS’s Auditorium last November.

College News

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• Blake Champagne made the Presidents list with a 4.0 GPA for the Fall of 2021 at the University of Louisiana Lafayette. Blake is a resident of Belle Chasse and a 2019 Belle Chasse High School graduate. He is the President of the UL Interfraternity Council (IFC), Vice-President of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and member of the Army ROTC program.

Redistricting is a Dull but Far-reaching Topic

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Three redistricting meetings have been completed and a few folks have a better understanding of the process and the task ahead for the parish council and school board. I say a few folks, because the meetings were sparsely attended. I skipped them myself but I did watch the recorded versions of all three.

Fire Chief Robichaux inducted into 2021 Fire Chiefs Hall of Fame

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On Jan. 12, the Louisiana First Responders Christian Faith Association inducted Fire Chief Roy A. Robichaux, Jr. of the Belle Chasse Volunteer Fire Department into the 2021 Fire Chiefs Hall of Fame at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette, LA. Chief Robichaux has dedicated 44 years as Chief and was recognized for his leadership activities in the state and community. In attendance was his son Jeff Robichaux and his wife Shara, wife Denise Robichaux, Assistant Chief Melvin Kiff and his wife Joyce and Deputy Chief Marty Martinez.

Plaquemines Port Begins to Operate Parish Ferries

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The Plaquemines Parish Port Harbor & Terminal District (PPHTD) has officially taken over ferry operations from the Plaquemines Parish Government (PPG), and with the ferries going through an extended period of atrophy— both the ferries’ infrastructure and their ability to provide services—due to the financial crisis afflicting PPG, the port is looking at a long and expensive journey to improve the ferries.