State

Layoffs to help balance budget

n an effort to reduce an anticipated deficit, the St. Martinville City Council has acted to trim $191,000 from the proposed 2018 budget. After Jan. 1, additional cuts are expected bring the total budget reduction to $250,000. At the Oct.

COA millage fails

A proposal to levy a 1.75 mills, 10-year property tax that would generate funds to operate the St. Martin Council on Aging failed to gain approval in light voting last Saturday. The proposal, which would have generated about $680,000 per year, was voted down by a 1,838 to 1,685 vote margin.

Police: Battery suspect booked on drug warrants

A 32-year-old Morgan City woman was charged with simple battery and booked on drug possession warrants after police responded to a disturbance on Pecos Street, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release. —Nicole M.

Delhi plant changes ownership in October

A familiar Delhi company has gotten ownership this month. Norsk Hydro’s acquisition of Orkla’s 50 percent ownership in Sapa was completed Oct. 2, giving Hydro full ownership in the global leader in extruded aluminium solutions and making Hydro a leading force in the global aluminium industry.

Archaeological Society sponsors clean-up day at Marksville Mounds on Oct. 22

{Editor’s Note: October is Louisiana Archaeology Month. This is the third in a series of archaeology-related articles to help celebrate Avoyelles’ history -- and pre-history -- and those men and women who are dedicated to researching and preserving those links to our past.

Paragon Casino Resort embarks on ‘refresh’ campaign

As part of an overall effort to improve its appeal to potential guests, Paragon Casino Resort and its consultant partner Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment recently rolled out several updates to the Paragon’s facilities and advertising efforts.

Vets organizations seek donations for memorial to Avoyelles men killed in Vietnam War

The first Avoyelles Parish Veterans Vietnam War Memorial sign will be finished and erected on La. Hwy 1 in time to be dedicated on Veterans Day.

Drop in enrollment will cost APSD $800,000

A drop in enrollment numbers will take an $800,000 bite out of the Avoyelles Parish School District budget this year, the School Board learned at its monthly meeting Oct. 3. “Enrollment is a little better today than at the start of the school year, but still not great,” Dauzat said.

SMP property assessed value drops in 2017

Assessor Todd Dugas reports that total property values in St. Martin Parish went down slightly this fiscal year for the first time in years. Dugas gave his annual assessment report at the Oct. 3 parish council meeting.

$14.5M project planned for SM Hospital

Plans for a major expansion of the St. Martin Hospital in Breaux Bridge advanced one step closer to reality last week when the St. Martin Parish Council approved a request by the hospital board to hold an election seeking approval of a $14.5 million bond issue in March.