Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLAKE CHARLES unseated two-term Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter in a contentious runoff election Saturday Saturday’s results are complete but unofficial from the Secretary of State’s Office Hunter (R) received 48% of the votes (7,049) Simien is an attorney who served on the Lake Charles City Council from 2005 to 2013 Hunter posted the following statement to Facebook following his defeat: “I just called Marshall Simien to concede this election “Marshall is a good man and Lake Charles will be just fine moving forward I committed to him that it will be as seamless a transition as possible My family and I are doing well and ready for the next chapter God has in store for us It’s been a great ride and we’ve accomplished a lot.” Khalid Taha (R) and James Steward (No party) did not make the runoff Simien said as mayor he plans to prioritize economic development attracting tourists and protecting local businesses The two made it to the runoff during the March 29 election after Hunter received 47% of the vote Simien finished second with 29% of ballots cast James Steward and Khaid Taha fell short of advancing began serving as the Lake Charles mayor in 2017 the Republican was on the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury from 2011 to 2017 Hunter is a partner in The Villa Harlequin restaurant Hunter previously told The Advocate he was best candidate for the office due to the track record he and his team have and the successes it can point to throughout the city even with challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes but it also takes leadership," Hunter said and I would like to continue to be that leader held the Lake Charles City Council District A seat from 2005 to 2013 he served on the Port Board from 2003 to 2005 is a lawyer and president at Simien Law Firm Simien told The Advocate that he is the best candidate for the mayor because of his government experience and law degrees 20 to 25 years of public service and representation of businesses I'm a son of Lake Charles; this community raised me …," Simien said we had the strongest economy in the United States until the pandemic and I'm the person that's most qualified to get us there." Email Courtney Pedersen at Courtney.Pedersen@TheAdvocate.com Email notifications are only sent once a day News Tips:newstips@theadvocate.com Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: (KPLC) - Tommy Bilbo defeated Priscilla Sam for Lake Charles City Council’s District C seat in Saturday’s election Calcasieu Parish voters also approved five tax renewals went to a runoff for the seat that will be vacated by Rodney Geyen who did not run for reelection after serving seven terms Charles Gallien and Amanda Fontenot Johnson did not make the runoff Voters approved the renewal of a 0.5% sales tax that helps fund the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office The tax was first passed in 2006 after Hurricane Rita The tax will continue to be collected from 2026 through 2036 Westlake voters approved the renewal of a property tax that funds the city’s fire department The 10-mill tax will continue to be collected from 2026 to 2035 Westlake voters approved the renewal of a property tax to fund the city’s police department Westlake voters approved the renewal of a 1% sales tax that funds the fire department recreational facilities and supplements pay for city employees It will continue to be collected for 10 years starting in 2027 Westlake voters approved the renewal of a 0.5% sales tax that funds the police department By Patrick DeavillePublished: May 2025 at 5:03 AM CDT|Updated: 22 hours agoEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLAKE CHARLES (KPLC) - Calcasieu Correctional Center booking report for May 4 Lake Charles: Open alcoholic beverage containers in public places; public drunkenness; possession of marijuana; entry on or remaining in places after being forbidden; probation detainer Lake Charles: Contempt of court; transactions involving the proceeds from drug offenses; production or possession of a Schedule I drug; possession of a Schedule I drug; illegal carrying of weapons; possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of felonies; failure to signal while turning; operating a vehicle with a suspended license Lake Charles: Burglary; possession of a Schedule II drug; possession of a Schedule I drug; resisting an officer by refusal to I.D TX: Flight from an officer; failure to signal while turning; federal detainer Game Recap: Baseball | 5/4/2025 4:26:00 PM | by Matthew Bonnette Senior Associate AD/Athletic Communications ©2018 McNeese State University Athletics Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here for Saturday’s General Municipal Election in Louisiana KPLC will be following the results as they are updated through the Secretary of State’s Office Results are considered unofficial until they have been certified We will bring you full coverage of tonight’s results on our website and 7 News Nightcast Find all our election coverage HERE Tommy Bilbo received 57% of the votes to win Saturday's runoff election for the District C seat on the Lake Charles City Council Bilbo finished with 1,281 votes to top Priscilla Sam, who received 972 votes (43%), according to unofficial results The two Democrats landed in the runoff after none of the four candidates in the March 29 election managed to top 50% of the vote Democrats Charles Gallien and Amanda Fontenot Johnson failed to advance The seat is currently held by Rodney Geyen is the head of new business development at Stine Tax and Wealth Management and is a former refinery worker He previously said his platform is to grow the Gerstner Memorial area by adding a tax incentive to support businesses he wants to improve communication with public safety officials "I want to help out and get a basis with the police because (we've) got areas that are getting real rough where they've got a lot of older people who can't afford to move out," Bilbo said I want to … meet with the police so we can do a little more policing and property standards because if you don't take care of your area owns Royal Treatment Salon and Spa as well as 2nd Chance Bailbonds Sam previously told The Advocate her platform focuses around economic development for District C and improvement to drainage in the area "There's too many broken promises and misleading agendas," Sam said "I'm ready to push forward because I'm ready to be the change agent for the causes that's needed and solutions that's wanted." Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - After our first mayoral debate, Mayor Nic Hunter provided KPLC with a list of investments made in North Lake Charles since 2018 Many viewers reached out to us about how the investments in North Lake Charles compared to investments in other parts of the city On April 21, 7News reached out to the mayor’s office for a list of investments made in each city council district since 2018 the city provided us with a list of investments made in each district since 2017 Below are the total investments made per district: (Populations are based on the 2022 reapportionment numbers.) $98,368,422 was invested in citywide projects According to city spokesperson Katie Harrington most of these projects are listed as such because they benefit the entire community and not just one district such as utilities and infrastructure projects in specific districts are all on a looped system and create redundancies for better system reliability Below is the list of the individual capital investments made in each district since 2017: Lake Charles capital investments made since 2017 by KPLC 7 News on Scribd Lake Charles capital investments made since 2017 by KPLC 7 News on Scribd This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page KNGT | Lake Charles, LA — When it comes to our food in Louisiana and even the chains that everyone despises...we all know the one Since everyone has different tastes, it can be challenging to get everyone on the same page. I know its always a struggle to decide where to eat. That was somewhat eased by the internet magazine Far & Wide which ranked the "10 Worst Chain Restaurants in the U.S." You'll undoubtedly learn where not to go Several of the chains on Far & Wide's list are criticized for being somewhat pricey and relying more on brand recognition than on genuine quality Louisiana is home to some of the restaurant chains on the list #10 The Cheesecake FactoryWith only 1 location in Louisiana but apparently it bad enough to make “a list” #9 Red LobsterOnly 3 locations in Louisiana I have eaten at the location in Baton Rouge and it was quite nice which is now making me question my refined pallet let’s face it we all thought it was better than it is #7 TGI FridaysSearching the Interweb I couldn’t find an exact amount of Louisiana locations which makes me question if there is any left #6 Applebee’s12 Louisiana locations remain and I for one miss the one that we use to have right here in Lake Charles Read More: IHOP Franchise Files Bankruptcy, Are More Louisiana Locations at Risk Read More: Love Coffee? You Might Be Drinking the Worst in Louisiana! #5 Buffalo Wild Wings16 locations here in Louisiana I’m not sure why they made the list but this is probably the reason I’m not a food critic #3 Cracker Barrel10 locations here in Louisiana I for one love Cracker Barrel for the fact that I can get breakfast for supper which is one of my favorite times to have it #2 Denny’s6 locations in Louisiana and in my opinion that is 6 to many #1 Golden CorralOnly 4 locations in Louisiana I cant give this one a true review because its been so long since I have eaten there but I do remember the food selection was large Well that is you Top 10 Worst Restaurants in Louisiana Far & Wide ranked the 10 worst chain restaurants in the U.S., and several have locations right here in Louisiana. See which ones made the cut, and why locals might disagree.\nRead More KNGT | Lake Charles, LA — When it comes to our food in Louisiana Since everyone has different tastes, it can be challenging to get everyone on the same page. I know its always a struggle to decide where to eat. That was somewhat eased by the internet magazine Far & Wide Read More: IHOP Franchise Files Bankruptcy, Are More Louisiana Locations at Risk Read More: Love Coffee? You Might Be Drinking the Worst in Louisiana! lost the Lake Charles mayoral runoff to Marshall Simien Jr defeated incumbent Nicholas "Nic" Hunter on Saturday in a runoff election for mayor of Lake Charles Simien received 52% (7,703) of votes cast, while two-term incumbent Hunter had 48% (7,049), according to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State The race saw a 32% turnout among registered voters Simien told The Advocate he is the best candidate for the office because of his experience in government and law degrees began serving as Lake Charles mayor in 2017 Hunter congratulated Simien in a social media post after the results were in Saturday "Marshall is a good man and Lake Charles will be just fine moving forward My family and I are doing well and ready for the next chapter God has in store for us," Hunter wrote It's been a great ride and we've accomplished a lot." Leading to the runoff, the best use for the Capital One tower in downtown Lake Charles became a common topic for voters. In late 2024 Hunter announced plans for the property that previously held the skyscraper Simien had questioned why the city would give up property and sales tax revenue from potential private investment at the site Ballets with a Twist dancers perform "Brandy Alexander" featuring the South Beauregard High School Marching Band on May 1 at the Roza Hart Theatre in Lake Charles 'They become a member of our company for the week and really get to learn the ropes.' Kaelyn Atkins and Lizzie Austin have been dancing together since they were toddlers the two Lake Charles Dance Academy students had the opportunity to perform with a New York-based ballet company during "Cocktail Hour: The Show" on Thursday at the Rosa Heart Theatre in Lake Charles "It was really cool (to be given the opportunity)," said Atkins "I went in not knowing what they were expecting or looking for and it felt comfortable." which was a part of Banners at McNeese State University was preceded by workshops and master classes where Ballets with a Twist members worked with several area dancers The students who performed were selected following a workshop with soloists from the company Banners Director Brook Haneman said one of the reasons the group was chosen is because it is outreach oriented it's really important to make the experience of these artists a lot more rich and a lot more layered and a lot more nuanced," Haneman said "We chose them because of the way that they work with the community and they have an entire book on how they work with communities." The cocktail-themed performance also included four younger dancers from the Lake Charles Dance Academy: Kylie Bonnitt said she liked that the company made them feel like a part of the group Ballets with a Twist Choreographer and Artistic Director Marilyn Klaus said the group embraces the opportunity to introduce aspiring dancers to the process of putting on a professional show "They become a member of our company for the week and really get to learn the ropes," Klaus said but it’s so much fun — and very rewarding." The performance also featured the South Beauregard High School Marching Band kicking off the show When he was approached by Haneman about the opportunity band Director Jeremy Boudreaux thought it was a unique experience and worth the effort The group received the music to learn before the company came into town and then practiced with the dancers during rehearsals "To work with a professional ballet company and for the students to see how fast-paced and efficient it can be is not something you can easily replicate in the classroom," Boudreaux said these students now have a performance credit with a New York ballet company and a world-renowned composer in Steven Gaboury who took time to come work with the band for a special rehearsal It’s not often the students get to meet the composers of their pieces Haneman said her favorite part of the show was being able to include the South Beauregard Golden Knights after the difficult year they had with a senior member of the band dying Hanneman dedicated the performance to the student and one of their lighting designers who recently died "I specifically asked the audience that at the end of the show when they put their hands together and they clap for this show that they spread their love all throughout the auditorium but then they shoot that love straight up to the stars," Haneman said (KPLC) - Calcasieu Correctional Center booking report for May 1 Lake Charles: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance Schedule II; prohibited acts; drug paraphernalia Schedule V; possession of marijuana 1st offense (14 grams or less); prohibited acts; drug paraphernalia; illegal carrying of weapons during commission of a crime or in presence of CDS; turning movements and required signals; use of multiple beam road lighting equipment; driver must be licensed Indiana: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance Schedule III; possession of a controlled dangerous substance Schedule V; prohibited acts; drug paraphernalia; produce distribute or possess with intent Schedule I narcotic; possession or dealing in unregistered or illegally transferred weapons; illegal carrying of weapons during commission of a crime or in presence of CDS Chicago: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance Schedule III; Possession of a controlled dangerous substance 32: Immigration detainer; federal detainer or possession of legend drug without prescription or order prohibited; exceptions Lake Charles: Attempted second degree murder Lake Charles: Direct contempt of court; produce distribute or possess with intent Schedule I narcotic; possession of marijuana 1st offense (14 grams or less); Possession of a controlled dangerous substance Schedule II; prohibited acts; drug paraphernalia; obstruction of justice; resisting an officer; safety helmets; driving on roadway laned for traffic Lake Charles: Battery of emergency room personnel or a healthcare professional; direct contempt of court Lake Charles: Violations of protective orders Lake Charles: Flight from an officer; aggravated flight from an officer; aggravated assault with a motor vehicle upon a peace officer Lake Charles, Louisiana (KNGT-FM) - The wait is finally over is officially ready to open after years of planning. Well it looks like they are finally opening their doors and we've got everything you need to know about the big opening The original restaurant is located in Abbeville the restaurant originally was started back in 1973 when Harold Hebert and his wife Doris took over Dupuy’s Oyster Bar in Abbeville coming to Lake Charles dates back to December of 2018 was looking for a piece of property to buy here in the Lake Area Those in the Lake Charles area won't have to wait any longer as the new Shucks and the Cajun flavors you know and love—now in Lake Charles!” Shucks! is officially set to open its latest restaurant in Louisiana, here's what we know...\nRead More Lake Charles, Louisiana (KNGT-FM) - The wait is finally over (KPLC) - Calcasieu Correctional Center booking report for May 2 A proposed state law that would allow the Lake Charles city marshal to spend a portion of his salary on community policing passed its first hurdle this week in the Legislature House Bill 134 by Rep would create a new avenue for the city marshal to pay deputies extra money for community policing Existing law allows him to pay deputies additional money with a portion of the marshal’s salary that comes from civil fee collections The bill would allow the city marshal to use that same fee-driven portion of his salary to also supplement payments to deputies for community policing outside of their regular shifts The department has more than 50 reserve deputy marshals “He wants to be able to use this money from this account to pay part-time reserve deputies that work for him on special events like festivals and parades,” Carter said Wednesday as he testified before the House Judiciary Committee The bill received unanimous support from the committee and will head next to the full House “I know it’s increasingly difficult for all of these cities and municipalities that are hosting the parades “They’re all having trouble getting additional security and I appreciate him doing this out of his own sack of money Lake Charles Ward 3 Marshal Nathan Keller said community policing has been a priority since he took office in 2021 The marshal’s salary is supplemented by fees collected by his office for civil matters which include serving court orders or eviction notices The amount collected varies from year-to-year The marshal’s salary was $165,000 in 2023, with the civil fees totaling about $82,000 that year, or about half of his salary according to the agency’s most recent Louisiana Legislative Auditor report The existing law already allows Keller to use those fees to pay extra to his deputies to compete with rates paid by other law enforcement agencies in Calcasieu Parish But he said many part-time reserve deputies also volunteer their time to work with children and senior citizens in underserved communities This bill would allow him to offer them compensation for that type of community policing as well “This way we can actually pay them some type of stipend to go out and assist,” Keller said “And it now frees up Lake Charles City Police and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office because the average parade may take 30 to 100 people for us to make that route safe.” Email Megan Wyatt at mwyatt@theadvocate.com Thanks for visiting Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome {{~plugins.stringLib.substringOnWord(helpers.plugins.stringLib.stripHtml(data.description) or needs a spa day - she deserves a break on Mother’s Day weekend here are some ideas that might inspire the perfect way to celebrate all the mother figures in your life Request the official travel guide and start planning your playdate to Louisiana's Playground © 2025 Lake Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau (KPLC) - There will be a series of upcoming daily lane closures as Entergy contractors replace utility poles (KPLC) - Calcasieu Correctional Center booking report for April 30 Lake Charles: Simple criminal damage to property from $1,000 but less than $50,000 DeQuincy: Theft less than $1,000; possession of synthetic marijuana 1st offense; contraband defined; certain activities regarding contraband in penal institutions prohibited distribute or possess with intent Schedule II narcotic; produce distribute or possess with intent Schedule I narcotic; illegal use of controlled dangerous substances in the presence of persons under seventeen; prohibited acts; drug paraphernalia Lake Charles: Two counts of direct contempt of court Texas: Theft from $5,000 but less than $25,000 Sulphur: Battery of a dating partner - first offense Lake Charles: Failure to register and notify as a sex offender or child predator; possession of marijuana 1st offense (14 grams or less) Lake Charles: Three counts of direct contempt of court; possession of a controlled dangerous substance Schedule IV; resisting an officer by refusal to I.D.; resisting an officer; possession of a controlled dangerous substance Sulphur: Criminal trespass; possession of a controlled dangerous substance (KPLC) - Calcasieu Correctional Center booking report for April 29 Lake Charles: Contempt of court (2 charges); possession of a Schedule I drug; illegal carrying of weapons during a crime Ragely: Possession of Schedule II drug; public intimidation and retaliation; possession of drug paraphernalia Vinton: Possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of felonies Lake Charles: Armed robbery; possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of felonies Lake Charles: Possession of a Schedule IV drug; possession of a Schedule II drug Longville: Monetary instrument abuse; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a Schedule II drug (2 charges); possession of a Schedule IV drug (2 charges) Lake Charles: Robbery; property damage under $1,000 Maurepas: False imprisonment; battery of a dating partner Iowa: Possession of a Schedule II drug; out of state detainer TX: Failure to possess the required license for home improvement (4 charges); theft under $25,000; theft over $25,000; exploitation of the infirm (KPLC) - Calcasieu Correctional Center booking report for April 28 Sulphur: Instate detainer; parole detainer Lake Charles: Resisting an officer by refusal to I.D.; out of state detainer (3 charges) Lake Charles: Battery of a dating partner; home invasion Lake Charles: Violations of protective orders; domestic abuse; home invasion Westlake: Failure to perform any work for 45 days or longer after receiving payment; instate detainer AL: Federal detainer; immigration detainer Lake Charles: Possession of a Schedule II drug; illegal carrying of weapons during a crime Lake Charles: Possession of marijuana; sale or possession of a legend drug without a prescription; possession of a Schedule II drug; possession of a Schedule I drug Lake Charles: Contempt of court; possession of a Schedule II drug; possession of drug paraphernalia; improper display of plates; driving on a roadway laned for traffic Burgas: Cruelty to juveniles; contraband in a penal institution Jennings: Possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a Schedule II drug (4 charges); no turning signals; must have working stop lamps and turning signals; possession of a Schedule I drug; obstruction of justice; contempt of court (2 charges); possession of a Schedule IV drug (2 charges) Lake Charles: Theft under $1,000 (2 charges); contempt of court Vinton: Possession of stolen things under $25,000; possession of drug paraphernalia Lake Charles: Theft of a motor vehicle under $25000; aggravated flight from an officer Launch your boat or kayak for an unforgettable sunset float Drift away to your happy place with the lazy rivers and poolside cabanas Discover all the fun things to do in Lake Charles including Vegas-style resort casinos fun festivals and more unique things to do.  Lake Charles is buzzing with activities this May Indulge in mouthwatering servings of crawfish at Crying Eagle's Annual Crawfish Cook-Off cheer on outstanding high school athletes at the LHSAA State softball and baseball tournaments and celebrate the return of Downtown at Sundown… If you are looking for a first rate casino getaway you will hit the jackpot when booking your… Making plans for this upcoming weekend in Southwest Louisiana There are many different ways to experience the sights and sounds of Southwest Louisiana Kids love Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana because we're extremely family-oriented and get ready to shop until you drop at… Explore world-famous wildlife habitats & estuaries on your journey through the wild… You don't have to be nocturnal to enjoy the great shows and events that Southwest Louisiana… low lights and the soft glow of a candle or two - whether you are here for… Southwest Louisiana has a thriving arts community these are just a few things you can… Golfing is a year-round attraction in Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana which serves as a children’s museum and science center to learn about the unique ecosystem of Southwest Louisiana This world-class facility has a futuristic design and is the perfect complement for families traveling to the area Another development is a dual partnership between Lake Area Adventures and Paul’s Rib Shack with kayak and watersport activity rentals right along the shores of Lake Charles Paul’s Rib Shack will provide tasty barbecue to complement hungry paddlers who have worked up an appetite This new recreation complex located in Westlake Louisiana will feature 1,000 feet of lazy river along with 7,000 square feet of concessions Construction is expected to wrap up in 2025 with a public opening shortly thereafter.  the director of public relations for Visit Lake Charles What I love most about living in Louisiana is sharing the experience with others From our coastal outdoor adventures to our cultural celebrations to our unforgettable Cajun cuisine you might find me: listening to live music Lake Charles is redefining its place as a premier Southern destination with three landmark attractions set to debut in 2025 blending modern design with the city's vibrant culture and outdoor beauty and culture enthusiasts from across the nation the only attraction of its kind in the state Guests will marvel at freshwater and saltwater aquariums get up close with stingrays in a touch tank and dive into hands-on STEM activities that are as fun as they are educational Crying Eagle Brewing- Lakefront will open its doors in the summer This full-service restaurant combines breathtaking views with a seafood-inspired menu and a microbrewery specializing in refreshing lagers With a full bar offering cocktails and wine it’s the perfect spot to relax after a busy day Crying Eagle Lakefront — a $12 million investment — goes beyond dining with indoor and outdoor entertainment areas and a waterfront to-go station ideal for grabbing a drink and strolling by the lake Winter will usher in a dazzling new addition: Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu located in the heart of the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District This modern space will bring the magic of Mardi Gras to life with over 400 historic costumes spanning five decades add a touch of whimsy to this immersive experience Designed to celebrate the family-friendly traditions of Southwest Louisiana’s Mardi Gras culture the museum is a nod of the area’s unique heritage These attractions represent a collective investment in the city’s cultural and economic growth “We’re thrilled to offer visitors and locals alike experiences that highlight the best of Southwest Louisiana,” says Kyle Edmiston As Lake Charles continues to evolve into a must-visit destination media representatives are invited to witness these transformations firsthand Secure your spot at one of our exclusive preview events or explore the stories shaping Southwest Louisiana’s future Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application peacefully passed away at his home in Lake Charles he graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL) with a degree in civil engineering He then began his career with Bartley Incorporated and enjoyed a successful career in building in Lake Charles One of his proudest accomplishments was the Lake Charles Regional Airport Terminal He was an active member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church as he supported the Calcasieu and Cameron Parish 4-H Clubs Alfred's life revolved around his family He instilled a deep sense of love and devotion in his family and in everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him Those left to cherish his memory include his children: John Palma (Cindy) and James Palma (Diana); his grandchildren: Michael Palma (Rachael) and Jason Farner; his great-grandchildren: Graham and Madison Fitzpatrick Beni Murphy; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends Gayle Zembower and his two favorite hunting and fishing buddies Alfred and Mary Marcello Palma; his sister The family would like to thank their loving caregivers and Amedisys Hospice donations to the church would be appreciated A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday 2025 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home Visitation will begin on Sunday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a rosary being recited at 6:00 PM There will be no public visitation on Monday Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (KHLA - Lake Charles, Louisiana) - Crawfish in full force here in Southwest Louisiana, it's time to get out and enjoy this Cajun delicacy Looking for some spicy mudbugs around town? Here's a list of restaurants and drive-thrus all across SWLA that have the best prices Crawfish Fun Fact: I found this article that says the first record of selling crawfish commercially in the USA was over 144 years ago Crawfish farming didn't start to catch on until the 1960s and today Louisiana provides 70-90% of the crawfish consumed in the USA These are the latest prices that we have, if your business is on the list and you have changed your prices, please reach out to Mikey.O@929thelake.com Crawfish farming in Louisiana started in the early 1900s but people in the area had been catching wild crawfish for food long before that Farmers first grew rice and later realized that their flooded fields were also great for raising crawfish and people began setting up special ponds just for them Louisiana is the top producer of crawfish in the United States Crawfish are an important part of Louisiana’s culture where they are used in dishes like crawfish étouffée Crawfish in full force here in Southwest Louisiana, it's time to get out and enjoy this Cajun delicacy. We have all the details.\nRead More (KHLA - Lake Charles, Louisiana) - Crawfish in full force here in Southwest Louisiana, it's time to get out and enjoy this Cajun delicacy Looking for some spicy mudbugs around town? Here's a list of restaurants and drive-thrus all across SWLA that have the best prices Crawfish Fun Fact: I found this article that says the first record of selling crawfish commercially in the USA was over 144 years ago These are the latest prices that we have, if your business is on the list and you have changed your prices, please reach out to Mikey.O@929thelake.com and endless ways to pack im Joy during your visit the owner/operator of Biking Through the Lake joins hosts Brady and Jillian on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss seeing Lake Charles from the seat of a bicycle The Listen Score (LS) is a metric that shows the estimated popularity of a podcast compared to all other RSS-based public podcasts in the world on a scale from 0 to 100 it's like Nielsen ratings for podcasts The ranking of 3,070,326+ podcasts in the world the Biologist Supervisor for the LDFW Nature and Science Center at Port Wonder… ABOUT THE EPISODE Guest Allyson Montgomery the Executive Director for The Children’s Museum at Port Wonder… ABOUT THE EPISODE Hosts Brady and Jillian fly solo on Louisiana’s Playground this episode as they uncover some of… the owner/operator of Game2Life joins hosts Brady and Jillian on… Brady and Jillian are not only a team on the podcast— they’re also married with two spoiled rotten children are no strangers to joining forces for media projects with their decade of experience in the television business With ‘Louisiana’s Playground,’ they’ll share their experiences brenard@visitlakecharles.org Brady is a Louisiana nomad having lived in every corner of the state He loves all things the boot and Southwest Louisiana has to offer from its culture to its food and sports After 10 years of an award-winning sports reporting career Brady decided to share his love of Louisiana with anyone willing to listen sports and who knows what else on Twitter/X facebook.com/JillianCorderKPLC That intrigue has led her to an award-winning journalism career When she’s not sharing the stories of Louisianians on the evening news she’s exploring the Bayou State with her family Whether it be rocking out at our unique festivals or kayaking through the cypress trees Jillian invites everyone to come experience Louisiana’s Playground An angel came and called my name and took me by the hand The angel said my place was ready in Heaven far above but I would have to leave behind all those I dearly love Our tomorrows have started without her and we will never be the same She was born on August 13,1959 at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge where she was a flag corps member of the Band of Blue Sherry was an active member of the Chi Omega sorority and worked in the office at Barger's Drug Store She was always known as "Renee" to family members but as "Sherry" in her school and professional positions This sometimes caused confusion for others but she was a precious and loyal friend to anyone that called her by either of her names Margaret Catholic School here in Lake Charles she would spend the next 40 years on that campus as an educator Her children attended there and then later her grandchildren She loved spending her days with young students and teaching them about her beloved Catholic faith and fellow teachers for 33 years as a full time teacher she continued to substitute teach at SMCS until the onset of her illness She was blessed to teach her grandchildren and the descendants of her former students over the years Margaret campus will always be felt and she will be greatly missed by her many peers and students Steve and Sherry spent many years following their children in St They made many friends along the way and enjoyed the special camaraderie between fellow Catholic school parents and supporters She enjoyed traveling to help and support her daughter OK and later traveling eastward to Hammond She always enjoyed babysitting her precious Karter and Maggie Sherry and Steve attended many softball and soccer events for Wes and Lucy here in town and wherever they competed Lawn chairs and stadium seats were always in the car and Steve and Sherry were ready to go anywhere to support their children and grandchildren in any and all activities as her grandchildren were always the center of her world Sherry also took a retirement job at L'auberge Casino She enjoyed the work and made many new friends there She was always faithful and helpful to anyone in need Sherry loved traveling to new places and made several RV camping trips with her sisters She and Kim made some cross country trips to Branson She was a great navigator and was always prepared for any unexpected surprise along the way She visited Disney with all 4 of her grandchildren on several occasions and loved sharing the excitement and adventure with her family her family shared in preparing her for the greatest trip she would ever take It has truly been a blessing to walk with her toward a destination we all hope to travel to one day whom she shared her life with for 43 years Sherry and Steve are the parents of two children Scott Christian Lyons (Elizabeth) and Sarah Lyons White (Jeremy) Those two children blessed them with 4 precious grandchildren and four siblings; Kimberly Cart Ardoin (CJ) Memories of "Nan" will be cherished by her many nieces Sherry Renee was preceded in death by her mother A gathering for family and friends will be at Johnson Funeral Home from 4:00pm until 8:00pm with a Rosary to be recited at 7pm A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St with burial to follow at Consolata cemetery any memorial donations may be made in her name to St A May 2023 photo shows construction at the Driftwood LNG facility in Calcasieu Parish Woodside Energy has made a final investment decision to build a $17.5 billion liquefied natural gas production and export facility in Calcasieu Parish which state officials said is the largest foreign investment in Louisiana history Construction of the Louisiana LNG facility has been underway for three years It will be located on a 1,200-acre site on the west bank of the Calcasieu River south of Lake Charles and is slated to produce 16.5 million tons per year of LNG It is expected to create 500 to 1,000 permanent jobs and 8,000 construction jobs Jeff Landry referred to the "long and winding road" that it took to make the export facility a reality during a news conference Tuesday announcing the project "We've addressed obstacles and moved things out of the way and we'll continue to do it as long as you keep investing in Louisiana," he told Woodside officials during the event in the courtyard of the Pentagon Barracks in Baton Rouge The development has expansion capacity that will allow it to produce 27.6 million tons of LNG annually Four LNG terminals are currently operating in Louisiana and Venture Global is nearing a final investment decision on Calcasieu Pass 2 Houston-based Tellurian first discussed building the facility it won a controversial tax concession worth up to $2 billion over its first decade which was then largest industrial tax break in Louisiana's history The project was approved by federal regulators during the first Trump Administration and received a long-term export license But disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic a lack of financing and lengthy equipment delivery timelines delayed construction Woodside is an Australian company with operations across North and South America The company shipped its first cargo of LNG from Australia to Japan in 1989 when it purchased Tellurian for $900 million it sold a 40% stake in Louisiana LNG to the infrastructure investment firm Stonespeak for $5.7 billion a move than reduced the amount of capital it would have to come up with to complete the plant and made a “material step” toward the final investment decision Stonespeak's contributions will be used to support 75% of the capital expenditures at the plant through 2026 executive vice president and international chief operating officer for Woodside said global LNG demand has increased by 60% over the past decade and is expected to grow another 50% over the next 10 years About 500 people are already working at the Louisiana LNG site concrete has been poured and dirt has been moved "One of the advantages of this project is that a lot of early work has been done," he said "It's perfectly poised to take off now with this final investment decision." The project is a “game-changer” for Woodside that will position the company as a global LNG leader The location will allow the company to sell LNG to clients in Europe and Asia which gives it options in case the Russia-Ukraine war ends and Russian natural gas is once again allowed to be sold in Europe executive director of the LSU Center for Energy Studies said the global demand for Gulf Coast LNG is being driven by the low price of natural gas in Louisiana and Texas LNG costs just under $3 per million British thermal units at the Henry Hub but $11.68 at the main European transfer facility in the Netherlands and $11.90 at the East Asia transfer point The Russian invasion of Ukraine jump-started some LNG projects that were going nowhere “Countries around the world are willing to pay a premium for long-term natural gas contracts,” Upton said 13% of the natural gas being produced in the U.S Upton said there is no theoretical ceiling on how much supply could be exported as long as customers are willing to pay the high costs of liquification and shipping “That shows how much the global market values that natural gas,” he said Louisiana Bucket Brigade SWLA Program Coordinator Lori Cooke was less enthusiastic about Louisiana LNG "There (are) so many (LNG facilities) trying to get in on the ground floor and they're frantically trying to start shipping LNG Cooke mentioned that the new facility will also bring problems with erosion and dredging as well as continued pollution to the area “We've sacrificed enough of our health and our family’s health and our ancestors' health with those dangerous chemicals that are going into the air and (this new facility) is just going to add to that,” Cooke said Staff Writer Courtney Pedersen contributed to this report Email Timothy Boone at tboone@theadvocate.com Hunter won 47% of the vote in the March 29 election, forcing a runoff with attorney and former city councilman Simien Voters will choose between the two on the May 3 ballot KPLC developed our questions for the candidates based on viewer submissions We asked the following questions to both candidates: We asked the following questions just to Hunter: We asked the following questions just to Simien: Early voting for the May 3 election will be held April 19 through 26 The deadline to request an absentee ballot is April 29 Find what’s on your ballot HERE You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security an exhibit and discovery space for people of all ages has cut the ribbon at its front doors in anticipation of two museums that will soon open inside State and local officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony today — the first day of spring — at the distinctive lakeside site is a new landmark for travelers along Interstate 10 Port Wonder is located along the Lake Charles lakefront on North Lakeshore Drive near I-10 The multimillion-dollar public-private partnership will be the upcoming home of: Both museums are completing final preparations The Children's Museum will feature four new gallery experiences for visitors to explore and will offer year-round educational programs and hands-on activities for all ages LDWF’s Nature and Science Center will have hands-on learning opportunities freshwater and saltwater aquariums and touch tanks.  The LDWF Nature and Science Center at Port Wonder is funded in part through the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group (TIG) with dollars provided to help compensate the public for lost recreational use opportunities due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and associated response activities The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF) is a supporting partner in providing this experience to the community.  “Today we celebrate the first day of a new Lake Charles — a day where 80,000-plus visitors traveling the I-10 Corridor through Lake Charles are now welcomed by a vibrant developed lakefront,” said Mayor Nic Hunter “As we prepare to welcome visitors to Port Wonder we are also eagerly watching construction move at a rapid pace next door at Crying Eagle Lakefront.” Mayor Hunter added: “Our lakefront is one of our greatest assets Citizens of Lake Charles and visitors are in for a real treat Through Port Wonder and Crying Eagle Lakefront we are making our lakefront a premier and unique destination for visitors along the Gulf Coast.” “This is the realization of a dream,” said Children’s Museum Executive Director Allyson Montgomery “We appreciate everyone who is a stakeholder in this and we are excited that we will be opening our doors soon.” “We are proud to partner with the City of Lake Charles the Children’s Museum of SWLA and LAWFF to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to Louisiana especially to the children; the future hunters and fishers in our state,” said LDWF Acting Secretary Tyler Bosworth “Our mission at the department is to protect and promote our valuable wildlife and fisheries resources and the Nature and Science Center will provide the perfect opportunity to showcase the wonders of the Sportsman’s Paradise and what our department does on a daily basis.”  Port Wonder was designed by Cambridge Seven Associates of Cambridge was the building contractor and Randy Goodloe was the local architect. The iconic design is intended to enhance the new center’s visibility and accessibility and to promote opportunities for the public to play and learn about Louisiana’s rich natural heritage The City of Lake Charles has re-imagined a prime area of its waterfront into a family destination with the new complex The site lies between the Cypress Alligator Pond habitat and a parking garage on city property Port Wonder is arranged around a view corridor from the street to the lake The Children’s Museum and the Nature and Science Center occupy separate wings on either side of this shared congregation space The undulating roofline suggests the winding waterways that culminate at Lake Charles The two curved “crests” house the Children’s Museum and the Nature and Science Center hands-on interactive center coupled with an immersive experience for all visitors that is unique to Southwest Louisiana Children’s Museum exhibits and galleries focused on technology health and nature are balanced with the Nature & Science Center’s marsh and barrier island fish tanks a covered fishing pier and walking trails that connect to the existing alligator habitat The Children’s Museum will host a “Sip and Wonder” sneak-preview cocktail fundraiser from 5:30-8 p.m Brett Downer, O’Carroll Group • brett@ocarroll.com / 337-515-0942 Taylor Brazan, La. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries • tbrazan@wlf.la.gov / 225-765-3970 Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Calcasieu Correctional Center booking report for April 26, 2025. Kiynen Davon Chieves, 23, Lake Charles: Production, manufacture, distribution, or possession of a Schedule I drug; possession of a Schedule II drug; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of feonies; possession of stolen firearms; possession of stolen things over $25,000; resisting an officer by refusal to I.D. Jmarcus Yuhon Latulas, 31, Lake Charles: Production, manufacture, distribution, or possession of a Schedule I drug; possession of a Schedule II drug; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of felonies; possession of stolen firearms; possession of stolen things over $25,000. Jeremiah D. Landry, 25, Lake Charles: Possession of stolen things over $25,000; production, manufacture, distribution, or possession of a Schedule I drug; possession of a Schedule II drug; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of stolen firearms. Robert Allen Thigpen Jr., 33, Lake Charles: Possession of a Schedule II drug; possession of drug paraphernalia. Larry Charles Caraker, 42, Seguin, TX: Third offense DWI; improper use of a one-way road; failure to stop or yield; driving on a roadway laned for traffic; aggravated flight from an officer; resisting an officer; operating a vehicle with a suspended license. Tyler Allyn Trahan, 24, Lake Charles: Domestic abuse; resisting an officer. Jason Jacob Winford, 40, Lake Charles: Unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling; domestic abuse; interfering with an emergency communication. Gregory Joseph Guillory, 69, Lake Charles: Aggravated assault with a firearm; aggravated assault on a dating partner; violations of protective orders. Cesar Israel Ixcoy-Lobos, 32, Jayess, MS: Third offense DWI; possession of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle; careless operation; driver must be licensed. Deja Monique Senegal, 24, Lake Charles: Domestic abuse; aggravated battery. Caroline Elizabeth Taylor, 25, Houston, TX: First offense DWI; possession of a Schedule IV drug. Judith Brooke Locklear, 30, Starks: Property damage under $50,000; disturbing the peace; possession of marijuana; possession of a Schedule II drug; possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of felonies; use of a Schedule drug in the presence of a minor (2 charges); illegal carrying of weapons; possession of drug paraphernalia; instate detainer. Rustin James Charlie, 34, Lake Charles: Violations of protective orders. Carmella Marie Cuningham, 33, Lake Charles: Possession of a Schedule II drug; possession of drug paraphernalia. Ashton Riley Dempsey, 21, Pearland, TX: Aggravated battery; possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of felonies. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Brandon Keith Holland During his time in the military he traveled to places like Germany He loved guns and spent countless hours tinkering and building out his next rifle along with building RC cars and whatever else he could take apart and put back together and grew many exotic plants around his house Brandon always had sketch books full of his drawings He had a passion and talent for art which he passed down to Gracelyn and he loved spending time with his Mom and Pop watching Saints football and relaxing outside One of Brandon's greatest joys in life was on Tuesday afternoons when he spent time with his "Trusty Sidekick," Gracelyn He appreciated good food and showed it by bringing his own Tupperware for leftovers and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends Brandon's free spirit and big heart touched the lives of everyone lucky enough to know him Brandon also leaves behind his two beloved dogs Brandon is preceded in death by his grandparents and beloved pet dog A memorial service in Brandon's honor will take place on April 30 2025 at 11:00am at Johnson Funeral Home in Moss Bluff with a graveside service to follow at Southwest Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery Brandon will be deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him His memory will live in the hearts of his family and friends Southwest Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery – Woodside Energy Group announced its $17.5 billion final investment decision for the foundation of its new liquified natural gas (LNG) production and export facility in Calcasieu Parish that is expected to produce up to 16.5 million metric tons (Mtpa) of LNG per year This announcement takes its place in both state and national history as being the first greenfield LNG project to reach final investment decision under President Trump’s second administration and the largest single foreign direct investment and greenfield project in Louisiana history “Woodside’s decision to invest in Louisiana is an unmistakable signal to the world that Louisiana is the epicenter of powering the globe,” said Governor Jeff Landry “Our ‘all of the above’ approach to energy is working We have four active LNG terminals in Louisiana – more than any other state With more than 30,000 miles of natural gas pipelines Louisiana is the place to be when it comes to LNG We are working with President Trump to deliver on America’s energy potential!” Louisiana LNG is expected to generate significant economic growth and create new opportunities for the state The project will support thousands of jobs during the construction phase as well as thousands more once operational the project will also contribute significantly towards both national and state economic growth and generate billions in additional state and local tax revenues “Louisiana LNG is a game-changing development for Woodside and for the state of Louisiana,” said Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill “We are beyond appreciative of the support we have received from Governor Landry the state of Louisiana and the local community We look forward to being a strong community partner driving economic growth and creating new opportunities for the state of Louisiana.” where our competitive advantages and comprehensive business ecosystem is generating transformational opportunities for Louisiana that have a global impact,” LED Secretary Susan B “Louisiana’s growth in the LNG sector is reinvigorating our historic status as a worldwide energy leader and Woodside choosing Calcasieu Parish shows that the work of this administration is positioning Louisiana to win.” Louisiana LNG will add to the state’s diverse and expansive energy portfolio Louisiana currently has four operational LNG export terminals and is responsible for 61% of the nation’s LNG exports The state ranks third in the nation for natural gas production and holds 6% of all U.S Woodside has a long history in Louisiana with its existing offshore business and is committed to being good corporate citizens the company invested $650,000 into Louisiana communities to fund five community grant programs and enable initiatives that support a broad range of needs in communities along the Louisiana Gulf Coast The company recently supported the Region 5 STEM Center to develop a new innovation lab that will enhance STEM education opportunities for all Southwest Louisiana students and teachers Woodside is also a Partner in Education with Calcasieu Parish School Board through the Woodside LEAD (Leadership Enrichment and Development) High School Council an initiative designed to identify and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the local community “We congratulate and welcome Woodside Louisiana LNG to Calcasieu Parish and southwest Louisiana as it moves through its final investment decision,” Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Judd Bares said well-paying jobs for the area and will also help to grow our local economy We’re looking forward to the positive impact it’ll have on our community.” Woodside acquired the Lake Charles project with its acquisition of Houston-based Tellurian Inc The project has a total permitted capacity of 27.6 million Mtpa Construction is already underway on the foundational development with the first production target in 2029 “We are extremely excited to see Woodside Energy’s Louisiana LNG facility reach the FID milestone,” Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance CEO Scott Walker said “It is a tremendous investment for Calcasieu Parish and Southwest Louisiana Projected to produce 16.5 million Mtpa of LNG per year Woodside will be able to provide for the growing energy demands around the world while being good stewards within our community Woodside has been a strong community partner and a strong environmental steward and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the coming years.” Woodside is a global energy company providing reliable and affordable energy to help people lead better lives The company is leveraging its track record of world-class project execution and operational excellence to build a diverse global portfolio Woodside has over 35 years of experience in the LNG industry including pioneering Australia’s LNG industry as operator of the North West Shelf Project which shipped its first LNG cargo to Japan in 1989 The company is executing major projects today while pursuing growth opportunities that will deliver long-term value for shareholders Woodside maintains a strong balance sheet and a disciplined investment approach Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for driving capital investment, job creation and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana and employers of all sizes. Explore how LED is positioning Louisiana to win at OpportunityLouisiana.com Members of the news media can contact the LED Communications team for information and interview requests about LED projects and programs Media Inquiries Be the first to know the latest news and information 617 North Third StreetBaton Rouge, LA 70802-5239800.450.8115 | 225.342.3000 © 2025 LED. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Notice. | Non-Discrimination Policy. (KPLC) - Calcasieu Correctional Center booking report for April 10 Sulphur: Aggravated assault on a dating partner; battery of a dating partner Lake Charles: Aggravated flight from an officer; resisting an officer; possession of marijuana; immigration detainer Sulphur: Possession of a Schedule II drug (2 charges); possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a Schedule I drug; proper equipment required on vehicles; theft under $1,000; contempt of court; robbery; possession of stolen things under $1,000; accessories after the fact Lake Charles: Probation violation; theft under $25,000; probation violation Lake Charles: Possession of a Schedule I drug; probation violation Lake Charles: Possession of marijuana; possession of a Schedule II drug (3 charges); possession of drug paraphernalia; obstruction of justice; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles; proper equipment required on vehicles; operating a vehicle while under suspension; probation violation Sulphur: Broken headlamps on motor vehicles; flight from an officer; use of multiple-beam road lighting equipment; driver must be licensed; contempt of court (2 charges) New Orleans: Burglary; theft under $1,000; illegal transmission of monetary funds; identity theft Westlake: Burglary; theft under $5,000; possession of stolen things under $5,000; contempt of court (2 charges) DeQuincy: Use of counterfeit or unlawful wagering instruments; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a Schedule II drug; in-state detainer Lake Charles: Illegal carrying of weapons during a crime; possession of marijuana; possession of stolen firearms; possession of synthetic marijuana (KPLC) - A tradition in downtown Lake Charles is moving to a new location the Lake Charles Farm & Table Market (formerly known as the Cash and Carry Farmers Market) will be held inside the Brick House at 110 West Pine Street in Lake Charles The market will take place every Tuesday from 3:30 to 6 p.m MacFarlane’s Celtic Pub will serve plate lunches inside the Brick House and the bar will be fully open for any drinks people may wish to grab For more information about the market, click HERE (KPLC) - All five candidates for mayor of Lake Charles met in a live on-air debate in KPLC’s studio Wednesday night We asked the five candidates questions we developed based on viewer submissions We also allowed the candidates to ask questions to each other Incumbent Mayor Nic Hunter is running for reelection against challengers Wilford Carter II All five candidates answered the following questions: We also asked each of the candidates an individual question We also sat down with each candidate one-on-one to learn about who they are and what they hope to achieve as mayor of Lake Charles Those interviews will air each day this week on 7 News at Six Early voting will be held March 15 through 22 See what’s on your ballot HERE Today marked an exciting milestone for Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana as community leaders, partners, and residents gathered along the lakefront to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Port Wonder a visionary family-focused destination that opened to the public in April 2025 Port Wonder is more than a building; it is a dynamic symbol of progress Located along North Lakeshore Drive near I-10 this iconic structure features a distinctive undulating roofline that reflects the winding waterways of Southwest Louisiana Designed by Cambridge Seven Associates of Cambridge with Lemoine Co. as the building contractor and local architect Randy Goodloe Port Wonder is positioned to become a premier destination for families traveling the I-10 Corridor and beyond This multimillion-dollar public-private partnership has transformed a prime area of the lakefront between the Cypress Alligator Pond habitat and the city parking garage into a family-centric hub for education At the heart of Port Wonder are two major attractions: Spanning 15,000 square feet, the Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana is a vibrant state-of-the-art facility designed to spark curiosity and foster creativity for children of all ages The museum features four dynamic galleries — Nature and City — each blending beloved classics with innovative the Calcasieu Crawlers space provides a safe along with two private nursing rooms for mothers Visitors can also browse the museum’s gift shop The Maker’s Garage is a flexible event space for workshops and special programming adding to the museum’s commitment to year-round educational experiences Occupying 5,700 square feet, the LDWF Nature and Science Center is an immersive educational facility designed for families This interactive center features over 15,000 gallons of fresh and saltwater aquariums showcasing the biodiversity of Louisiana’s bayous Interactive exhibits showcase key LDWF initiatives like coastal restoration, fisheries management and the innovative Rigs to Reefs Program Visitors can also enjoy a fun fishing game that allows children and adults to “catch” native Louisiana species virtually an ADA-compliant covered fishing pier and connections to the existing alligator habitat along the lakefront boardwalk The Nature and Science Center is made possible in part by funding through the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group (TIG) using dollars set aside to compensate the public for lost recreational use opportunities following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF) is a key supporting partner in bringing this educational experience to life Visitors have the opportunity to purchase separate admission tickets for each museum or a joint ticket for access to both sides of Port Wonder — allowing for an unforgettable full-day experience for families and visitors of all ages Port Wonder is more than just a ribbon-cutting; it’s the realization of a visionary lakefront project that has been years in the making Announced in 2018 and breaking ground in June 2021 this $30+ million investment is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in Southwest Louisiana The development brings together a diverse group of stakeholders dedicated to enriching the community including the Calcasieu Parish Public Library Philanthropic contributions from individuals and businesses—including Bill and Kay Dore and the Zigler Foundation—further illustrate the community-driven nature of the project Port Wonder’s grand opening sets the stage for a dynamic lakefront district that will continue evolving. Adding to the excitement, Crying Eagle Brewing - Lakefront is set to open this summer offering a vibrant dining and entertainment experience This $12 million expansion of the popular local brewery will feature a full-service restaurant with a seafood-inspired menu a microbrewery specializing in crisp lagers and a full bar serving craft cocktails and wine the venue will include indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces as well as a waterfront to-go station—perfect for grabbing a drink while enjoying a leisurely lakeside stroll With Port Wonder as the anchor and Crying Eagle Brewing - Lakefront adding a flavorful touch the Lake Charles lakefront is poised to become a premier destination for families Lance Campione votes at a polling station during early voting at the Coursey Boulevard Registrar of Voters on Tuesday two Lake Charles city government runoffs and four West Lake propositions on the ballots in Calcasieu Parish the area saw more early votes for the May 3 election than it did for the March 29 election Over the seven days of early voting for the May 3 election Data from the Louisiana Secretary of State shows 5,392 of those early votes were done in person With in-person votes and absentee ballots, 2,134 votes were cast in the parish after just the first day of early voting on April 19. Calcasieu Parish Registrar of Voters Kim Fontenot accurately predicted that the overall early voting turnout would be higher for the May 3 election we have the Geaux Vote app (and) you can always get on there and find out what you vote on Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine although some reports may be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed Contact the reporter listed for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk For real-time information on stream flow in Arkansas from the U.S. Geological Survey, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/rt For water-quality statistics (including temperature) in many Arkansas streams and lakes, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality Download the Fish Brain app and follow AGFC at: https://join.fishbrain.com/agfc-page (updated 4-24-2025) AGFC staff reported that fishing is still going well at the Lake Conway Nursery Pond Staffers ran into a family catching harvestable bream this past week While Lake Conway is drawn down for renovation the Lake Conway Nursery Pond is open for fishing in the immediate area with bream and trout being reported among catches of late The 70-acre pond has been stocked by the AGFC with mature bass catfish and bream as well as rainbow trout for the cold weather months (updated 5-1-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said the fishing on the Little Red River has been solid and with Greers Ferry Lake sitting about 6 feet over power pool the Army Corps of Engineers has been keeping things consistent with one generator and one floodgate running pretty much nonstop That steady generation schedule has made for some great fishing conditions up and down the river and yes — the fish are definitely keyed in on them perfect for working close to the banks in 4 to 6-plus feet of water I’ve been pairing a Girdle Bug with a caddis dropper or just running a single San Juan Worm depending on the day “If you’re looking to get on the water or need some guidance Want to book a trip or ask about current conditions?” (updated 5-1-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said fishing for trout has been going really well Only one generator has been running lately at the dam and fishing on one generation flow calls for a ⅛-ounce marabou jig for good results anglers are throwing a little bit bigger bait Though this one-generation flow should stick around a while make sure to check the links above of the Corps and SWPA for generation schedules and any changes at Greers Ferry Lake with it 7-8 feet high as of Thursday with more rain in the forecast for the upcoming weekend (updated 5-1-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry lake is at 469.25 feet msl 7.21 feet above normal pool and falling with generation Crappie can be found near the shoreline while some others are still floating around in deeper water Jigs and minnows are working best at all depths while crankbaits are working for trolling 12-18 feet for mid-depth fish and 40 feet for the deep fish Try to drag a jig tipped with minnow or crawler and/or drop-shot Big Minnow-style plugs are working trolled Catfish are eating all over the lake and rivers Lots of blues are coming in — lines and jugs are working best with a variety of baits A lot of white bass and hybrid bass are up rivers with a lot still deep in the lake at 50 feet Use Road Runners and grubs for shallow fish spoons and inline spinners for the rest in 25-40 feet a lot are in 12-20 feet and some are still out in 50 feet (updated 5-1-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the lake has been fishing well as far as catching good numbers of black bass Anglers have been catching them in 10-15 feet of water a Carolina rig and a jig both have worked well Anglers are also fishing up in the bushes in shallow water in 4-6 feet depth flipping jigs or flipping a Texas-rigged creature bait up in those bushes Early in the morning and late in the evening there is a pretty good topwater bite starting a Pop-R or a walking bait in white or shad color is best) up shallow around flooded bushes and flooded cover The lake is on the rise with more rain coming Black bass were biting off the shoreline in fair numbers Crappie jigs and minnows were working for the bass as well along with crankbaits in various colors (all have gotten some action) Follow more from Harris Brake Lake Resort on its Facebook page Black bass are doing well on buzzbaits and soft-plastic worms Crappie are still doing well in 6-8 feet of water Brewer Lake has a new regulation for 2025: The 13- to 16-inch black bass slot limit on Brewer (as well as Lake Barnett in White County) has been replaced; now but only one of those may exceed 16 inches (updated 4-24-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reports water temp 68 degrees They’ve heard no reports on crappie or bream — it’s been a tough bite There have also been reports of pretty good catches of bream Crappie will be biting on the usual minnows and jigs Redear have been going for worms and bluegill will bite worms and crickets (updated 5-1-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) urged anglers to heed the small craft advisory with the river running more than 100,000 cfs and more rain forecast along with water moving in on the river from Oklahoma The river has been running fast for a couple of weeks anglers can catch black bass using a wacky-rigged Senko and fish in backwaters around the grass buzzbaits in either black or white will work around entrances to the backwater Before the current ramped up and more water moved through crappie were reacting well to black and chartreuse Crappie Magnets fished around wood of the rock piles in the backwater areas Anglers are catching decent amounts of crappie and a few bream and catfish They don’t fish for bass on this (south) end of the lake but I’m sure they are catching them (in other areas).” though she didn’t have any hints from anglers on color The dingy conditions would probably favor a chartreuse in there stress to the trout than frequent changes to the generation amounts We can expect continued high water as the Army Corps of Engineers manages the water from the sky The Cotter catch has been high quality this week: 16- to 20-inch rainbows weren’t out of reach and the keepers (under 14 inches) were healthy and fat Seems you couldn’t go wrong with a suspending Smithwick Rogue Jr 7 Countdowns of almost any color (gold/black downsize your hooks (size 8 or 6) and try a tiny piece of shrimp with a bubblegum pink worm Make it a mousetail — white egg pattern on the pink worm — for a more sure catch The browns have been nibbling shad and sculpins “Come enjoy an Ozark spring day and you’ll be hooked “The storms on Wednesday and into Thursday have the potential to cause the Buffalo River and creeks to rise I recommend calling ahead to get an update on river conditions.” The offshore videogamers continue to have to work The mass of shad are still spread out moving out of the creeks Target larger bait balls or any bait you can find up high near the surface and closer to the shore A smaller 2.8 swimbait and or a regular Tater Shad has been working Topwater has started with small white Pop-R or Zara Spook Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Visit his YouTube site (Bull Shoals Fishing Report) or delcolvinfishing.com for more information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake (updated 5-1-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says the lake has come up over the buckbrush and is still rising Fishing in the backs of creeks with stained water has been producing a few fish Fish over buckbrush with spinnerbaits or a ⅛-ounce jighead with a small swimbait — also a shallow-running jerkbait such as a Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue will get some bites fish a little deeper along the old shore line Walleye seemed to be starting to feed a bit better this week Fish are scattered along chunk rock points with deep water close by and along steeper creek channel swings that have shad Some walleye are being caught in open water over the flooded trees Fishing 4-15 feet of water with jerkbaits or fishing the old shore line in 18-20 feet of water with jig and minnow jig and plastics or Ice jigs worked slowly back to the boat on points with deep water on at least one side will produce fish Fishing same structure right before and after dark with 110-style jerk baits or 5-inch floating stick baits and retrieved back at extremely slow speeds will get some fish Trolling size 7 Flicker Shads at speeds of 1.5 to 1.7 mph in 18-20 feet along windblown banks will also work try deep-diving crankbaits with snap weights to get your baits down 40-50 feet and fish over the flooded trees in 80-plus feet of water at 1.2 to 1.7 mph  (updated 5-1-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are starting to get on the banks making beds where the water temperatures are more stable Recent rain and muddy rising water definitely have slowed things down but should really improve this week They are staying 10 feet of water and casting parallel to the bank The best times have been sunset to 10 p.m. focusing on the lake’s north and east banks South and west winds warm these banks during the day The best lures for night fishing are Rogues and swimbaits Visit Tom’s website or his Facebook page linked above for more information or to schedule a trip (updated 5-1-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake is at 1,128.75 Lots of debris and floaters throughout the lake So ,caution needs to be used when boating on Beaver Spotted bass and smallies are on fire in the Rambo/Big Clifty and Little Clifty areas One key is if you can find water flowing in the feeder creeks with the big and dirty water from mid-lake up to Twin Bridges fish are scattered pushing up into the flooded areas fishing should respond with some stability “Summer patterns are just around the corner I assume crappie are in the process of spawning they will load up and start to feed post-spawn if you move and search you should be able to put fish in the boat especially when running with all the hazards in the lake Visit Jon’s Facebook page for the latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR “The spoonbill (aka paddlefish) have come up to spawn as well I don’t think I will be chasing these prehistoric-looking critters I expect to see some new faces on the river If you do not have a boat with electronics fishing for these fish below Houseman might be a challenge You can simply get a heavy rod/reel and head below the dam; that’s where they are going to end up anyways No skill really involved; if you know how to cast and retrieve So if you want to try and snag one of these big fish “Remember, for additional updates follow my Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service); I’m pretty much on the water every week Feel free to message me if you have any questions anglers were doing some deep catching last week of crappie but it warmed up and the fish are now staying shallow bream and crappie continued to be taken in good numbers by anglers for the past week Bream are shallow now and are favoring redworms No reports on black bass or white bass this week The surface water temperature was up to 69 degrees earlier this week The clarity remains the usual murky and the water level is still high Fishing should be good based on the “moon times” forecast May 9-15 with the best days of this month being May 24-30 That should be the perfect time for catfish and bream anglers have reported that bream are starting to make their beds in preparation for spawning They said redworms were working well for bream Black bass were still around 10-15 feet down Crappie continue to be the top target for anglers here They had been moving closer to the shore before the heavy rains but afterward they have remained in slightly deeper water Minnows have been a very popular bait choice so much so that the park’s bait shop is always busy The State Park Visitor Center is open every day from 8 a.m.-5 p.m making it hard to tell how high it did get Most of the upper area from Mammoth Spring down was cleaned out aggressively A lot of the moss that was a problem should be cleaned out There are also a lot of new gravel bars on the river I look forward to relearning the river over the summer “Storms can change river conditions as they move through the area.”  Visit Mark’s blog (springriverfliesandguides.com) for updates and conditions on the Spring River (updated 5-1-2025) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team had no report this week they reported that black bass are phasing into the spawn The best fishing at that time was in protected shallows with woody cover using dark- colored soft-plastic creatures and jigs Spinnerbaits and bladed jigs were effective on windy days (updated 5-1-2025) Anglers are reminded that all fish caught must be released immediately The Hunger Run Access was opened late last year to boat traffic There have been reports from anglers catching nice black bass (updated 5-1-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Wednesday that lake elevation was 2 inches above normal pool and stable at 259.4 feet msl Millwood Lake Dam was releasing about 4,300 cfs and tailwater is near 233 feet msl and falling Incoming water upriver from the Tri-Lakes continues arriving downstream and feeding rivers into Millwood this week Siefert advises normal caution on the lake noting that boaters should stay vigilant watching for broken timber with reduced discharge volume rate conditions at the dam The Army Corps of Engineers continues to replace missing river buoys from Yarborough to Bee Lake to Big Bayou Boat Lane to Paraloma Trail and all the way to mile marker 1 and the open water Surface temps last week continue fluctuating Clarity along Little River is heavy stain to muddy with discharge at Millwood Dam muddy in some areas and further up Little River being the heaviest River clarity ranges 2-4 inches visibility depending on location Clarity and visibility of oxbows are heavy stained to muddy visibility from recent flooding lake-wide Siefert had these specifics of the fishing this week: * The largemouth bass activity has been fair to good over the past few weeks and in local tournaments A majority of bass have been noted post-spawn roaming shallow in search of bream beds in protected coves near cypress trees knees and stumps from 1-4 feet deep in flats and backs of creeks in a few areas in the oxbows up Little River where clarity is somewhat better than the river Most bass seen roaming flats appeared to be scouting areas of the oxbow lakes up Little River for bedding bream like bluegills Largemouths have been fair to good on square-bill cranks deflecting off stumps in shallow pockets especially near creeks running through flats with fresh lily pads where a creek bends the ATV and Echo 1.75 crankbaits in bluegill/bream Guacamole or burnt pumpkinseed patterns are best when you need to work shallow The Stumpknocker and Sunrise Perch patterns of the Echo 1.75 size drew some reactions from 2- to 3-pound bass last week near stumps on points of the oxbows Spin Traps with a gold tail spinner moving flawlessly through fresh lily pad stems will also grab a random reaction Brazalo Strutter Chatterbaits continue working for largemouths and best colors have been Millwood Mayhem Bream Reactions have been very good over the last couple of weeks and the best reactions continue to be in 5- to 9-foot depths near grass lines Brazalo Spinnerbaits in Arkansas River Shad Peach and Hot Mouse are all good choices in the stained to clear water areas in the oxbow lakes up Little River Largemouth Bass were reacting fair to 6- to 8-inch magnum-sized lizards Numerous bass are cruising grass lines and new fresh blooming lily pads in the 4- to 5-pound class 7-inch Power Worms and soft-plastic creature baits Texas-rigged Bass Assassin 5-inch Shad Assassins are working in Houdini Pumpkinseed and Smoke Wagon colors in the fresh blooming lily pad stands and behind and in dense grass lines * The bulk of white bass have been moving back down Little River and breaking up into smaller schools the past couple of weeks Seems like the larger schools have begun to separate into smaller groups and are more concentrated downriver at various creek dumps and points extending into Little River broken schools of whites were found from White Cliffs campground upriver to the entrance into McGuire Lake * Crappie seem to be moving shallow over the past week and the bite improved drastically around cypress trees and along grass lines they have been steadily improving in grass on jigs in white * Catfish continue to bite well on trotlines and limblines with the current in Little River buffalo and chicken livers were all working for channel cats up to 5-6 pounds each in current from 6-9 feet of depth * Numerous bream beds are being noted when you can find decent water clarity Water clarity in most locations is less than desirable groups of campers said they caught some off the bank and around the creek channel boat ramp on crickets and redworms last week We did note a few bream beds in the Jack’s Isle area of Little River backwater sloughs (updated 5-1-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) continues to do most of his fishing at and reporting from lakes Ouachita “The crappie and bass are finishing up their spawn or already in post-spawn We are catching limits of crappie stacked up on brushpiles fished 8-12 feet deep in 18-24 feet of water.”  (update 5-1-2025) AGFC staff visited DeGray Lake last Sunday and reported that the lake had fish around brush and that the grass was prominent with the best bite coming on wacky-rigged soft-plastic worms in green pumpkin color (updated 4-24-2025) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service (870-942-6291 or yoyoguideservice@gmail.com) at Iron Mountain Marina says The lake is slowly coming back to near normal levels Currently the lake is at 407.68 feet msl and dropping The lake has had quite a bit of debris floating around Most started around Lenox Marcus and upriver Sorry to say that very little new information is coming in to me “The water will be in the normal range for crappie this Thursday or Friday The crappie have been on the bed but very difficult to get to Water has been so high that you could not get a boat of any size into the shallow areas that people like to fish The crappie spawn should still be going on minnows and lures and work the shoreline as best as you can Change colors and size often until you get a pattern Some of the better areas this time of year are Lenox Marcus Brushy is always good for casting jigs to the shoreline “There was a bass tournament on DeGray on April 19 I missed the weigh-in so no clue as to what they were caught on “Hopefully the water will stabilize and we can get into the shallows to fish the spawning fish.” (updated 5-1-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service reports that water temperature has risen to 53 degrees with stained to muddy conditions in the tailrace Entergy scheduled very high generation flows round-the-clock for the last week of 6,000 cfs to stabilize area lakes from the last round of stormy weather to hit the state Very little productive fishing has taken place during this time as the tailrace is dangerous to navigate while this amount of water is being transferred through the system extremely muddy conditions accompanied the fast water which created a no-win situation for fishing and recreation activities The weekly generation schedule is normally posted on Wednesday at the Entergy/Hydro website (linked above) It is hoped conditions will soon allow for a much safer generation flow where the public can access the area safely good prospects for quality angling will present themselves April was the last month for rainbow trout stocking for the spring season with 4,320 fish scheduled for release in the tailrace Bank fishermen can catch limits of trout by using live baits such as redworms and waxworms fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater PowerBaits are a good bet presented in the same manner Boat fishermen can anchor in and around rock structure or sandbars and have success casting Rooster Tails in brown or white in a ⅛-ounce weight Spoon presentations as a Little Cleo or Super Duper also will work well in a current situation when rainbows are keying in on injured baitfish Fly-fishermen can still access areas that hold trout even though the lake is now at normal summertime pool Micro-jigs in black or white cast under a strike indicator strongly resemble river minnows that live in the tailrace Woolly Buggers in olive and black are a mainstay in the line of artificial lures on which trout will feed Egg patterns in orange or white will draw strikes when other presentations are ignored Walleye are still in the area finishing up the spawn and are feeding and preparing to migrate downstream to the main body of the lake Trolling shallow-running crankbaits that imitate crawfish and threadfin shad are a proven technique to cover water and tempt walleye into feeding White bass will move into the Carpenter Dam tailrace next month for the spawn and will remain in the tailrace until mid-July June will bring blue and channel catfish into the tailrace to begin their spawning run and will provide angers some wonderful table fare Remember to always wear a life jacket when on the water and obey all park and lake regulations when visiting Carpenter Dam Trash cans are limited so please pick up after yourselves and always cooperate with game wardens when approached superintendent at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7474) (updated 5-1-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) says the store is opening back up Friday after being closed the past two weeks She’ll have lots of fresh minnows from Lonoke in the store Carter Cove has a Facebook page, and the email address is cartercovebaitnmore@gmail.com (updated 5-1-2025) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are still good flippin’ jig and a floating worm are still all producing quality catches Walleye are moving back into the main lake from the rivers and major creeks Stripers are good and biting on topwater C-10 redfins and live bait Bream are fair on worms or crickets in 20-30 feet of water Crappie are still good and relating to brush in the 8- to 20-foot range Catfish are still good on trotlines and jugs with live and cut bait The lake level Thursday was 578.12 feet msl Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm (update 5-1-2025) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) while he’s usually on Lake Maumelle when the water is right said he’s been commuting back and forth to Lake Ouachita lately “We’ve been on a great crappie bite in brush in 10-20 feet of water Casting Original Baby Shad Bobby Garland Crappie Baits in a variety of colors has produced remarkable numbers over the past three to four weeks.” (updated 5-1-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) says bait customers who stop in before heading to Blue Mountain Lake say the fishing at Blue Mountain is going well for crappie Anglers report they are mostly using minnows thank you to all our loyal customers for shopping at Webb’s Sporting Goods!” Note: msl is mean sea level; cfs is cubic feet per second Sign up now to receive the AGFC Wildlife Weekly Newsletter in your mailbox every Wednesday afternoon (Waterfowl Reports are published weekly during waterfowl season and periodically outside the season) Fill in the following fields and hit submit