Warren’s track and field teams finished Region 4 competition undefeated with blowout victories over Youngsville on Wednesday at War Memorial Field The Lady Dragons (4-0 in Region) not only won every event but nearly took every point in a 149-1 win Warren’s boys also finished 4-0 in Region 4 with a 128-22 victory “Today finished out our region competition with both the boys and girls going undefeated in the region and winning region championships,” said Warren coach Kevin Dustin “We set this as a goal in the beginning of the season and it’s great to have them both accomplish this goal It was a nice day to compete and we are continuing to see the kids improve on their season bests We are looking forward to getting into some good competition on Friday and see if we can lower those marks even more.” On Wednesday — a makeup meet from Tuesday’s weather postponement Double individual winners for Warren’s girls included Adison Cullers in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles and Lindsay Madigan triple jump and javelin Lilly Newton (high jump) and Gracie Page won pole vault at 9 feet triple jump and high jump for Warren’s boys Double winners were Tommaso Clemente in the 100 and 200 Other Warren winners were Quinn Norris (400) and Leyton Salvatore and Cole Fitzgerald tied at pole vault (10-3) Youngsville’s winners included Chase Myers in both the 110 and 300 hurdles and Aiden Eger Some of Warren’s track and field athletes will compete on Friday at an invitational in Altoona and some at Coudersport Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of Pennsylvania LLC | https://www.timesobserver.com | PO Box 188 One of the Youngsville decorative light pole signs is pictured Tuesday A 716-acre master-planned community is being planned for Youngsville with development beginning as early as next year will be located on property along Chemin Metairie Parkway just south of the Youngsville Sports Complex and include about 1,600 homes and other amenities a representative for Young's Industries who spoke at the Youngsville City Council meeting Thursday Plans also include over 100 acres of ponds several dog parks and playgrounds and green spaces all open to the public and connected through a sprawling trail system for walking and biking It will also include housing units ranging from single-family to multi-family and independent senior living spaces and will also feature spaces for businesses and restaurants and possibly a charter or private school Read more: Youngsville mayor sees Lauren Daigle concert as significant event for city's new amphitheater It would stretch from Decon Road to a strip of land adjacent to Detente Road hope to bring plans to the Lafayette Parish Planning Commission and back to council members for approval by the end of the year A groundbreaking could happen in early 2026 The development is expected to take 20-25 years to complete "It's a little what you might see in some of these Texas master plan communities that have bigger playgrounds and bigger amenities," Bailey said Read more: Manufacturing jobs are coming back in Acadiana. Could tariffs accelerate that growth? the Bailey Grove could be larger and have more residents than Sugar Mill Pond which will encompass just over 500 acres with 1,200 homes and a projected 5,000 residents once all the homes are built Young's Industries is the largest private landowner in the city The project would accelerate more residential growth in Youngsville which had the largest increase in population between 2000 and 2020 Bailey Grove can be transformative for the city The project has been in talks since he took office in 2015 "It represents an exciting opportunity for Youngsville because it tends to bring significant economic benefits increased commercial activity and new amenities for our residents," Ritter said but it underscores the responsibility that we have to make sure that we're growing wisely and protecting the reasons that make Youngsville a great community." Read more: Youngsville receives $3 million from DOTD. Mayor says money will go toward road projects. Stephen Marcantel writes for The Acadiana Advocate as a Report for America corps member. Email him at stephen.marcantel@theadvocate.com Early version of the master plan for the Bailey Grove community The 716 acre plot will have around 1,600 homes 1,600-home community is coming to Youngsville with construction beginning as early as next year 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: Deputies investigated through the night after bullets were fired into a home on Bert Winston Road in Youngsville A drive-by shooting was reported just after 9:30 p.m. according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office The WRAL Breaking News Tracker spotted more than 60 evidence markers at the scene and the sheriff's office found multiple bullet holes in the house WRAL News is working to learn if anyone else was injured The sheriff's office has not released the name of the woman or identified any suspects in the shooting The City of Youngsville is set to host a one-of-a-kind hometown concert on Saturday as Lauren Daigle brings her incredible vocal performance to the Youngsville Sports Complex Amphitheater powered by SLEMCO Youngsville Mayor Ken Ritter officially announced the concert simultaneously with Daigle calling it a “major moment” for the city and the region “We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Daigle to the Youngsville Amphitheater,” said Ritter “Her incredible talent and uplifting music will make for an unforgettable night in our city.” The upcoming show marks an important addition for the growing venue which is establishing itself in the Acadiana entertainment scene; with its open-air design and beautiful surroundings the amphitheater offers a unique experience for concertgoers under the sky an eight-time Billboard Music Award winner and has amassed over a billion streams across global platforms and “Thank God I Do” have dominated charts and connected with audiences around the world Her 2023 self-titled album and The Kaleidoscope Tour solidified her place as one of the most influential contemporary artists in both pop and Christian music today This will be Daigle’s first performance at the Youngsville Amphitheater and is expected to draw fans from across South Louisiana and beyond Tickets go on sale Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased through youngsvillesportscomplex.com. Sponsorship opportunities are currently available through the Youngsville Sports Complex With a history of sold-out performances from New York’s Carnegie Hall to the New Orleans Jazz Fest Lauren Daigle’s Youngsville debut is expected to be one of Acadiana's most anticipated music events in 2025 The City of Youngsville is set to host a one-of-a-kind hometown concert on Saturday, September 13, 2025, as Lauren Daigle brings her incredible vocal performance to the Youngsville Sports Complex Amphitheater powered by SLEMCO.\nRead More The City of Youngsville is set to host a one-of-a-kind hometown concert on Saturday Tickets go on sale Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased through youngsvillesportscomplex.com. Sponsorship opportunities are currently available through the Youngsville Sports Complex 🎤🎶\n \nLauren Daigle is coming to Youngsville Save the Date and plan to join us on Saturday,.. Youngsville's annual audit included 10 findings three of which were repeats from the previous year If you want to see the entire audit for yourself regarding "adequate segregation of duties for accounting functions," is a very common findings for smaller municipalities that don't have enough employees to meet the auditor's best practices The other two were related to bookkeeping: a lack of policies and procedures to ensure transactions were properly recorded and account balances were recorded in a timely manner and a lack of personnel with qualifications needed to prepare financial statements stating that they continue "to implement policies and procedures and improve system controls to ensure that transactions are properly recorded and account balances are reconciled on a timely basis." the City responded that they're going to outsource these duties The new findings were related to bookkeeping as well; auditors wrote that the City: Here are the City's responses to each of those new findings; most of the issues already have been addressed: "Management will review policies and procedures concerning bank reconciliations to ensure bank accounts and any outstanding transactions get properly reconciled to the general ledger." "Management of the City of Youngsville is currently working to implement policies and procedures to ensure financial transactions are appropriately recorded and reconciled." management has transferred the appropriate cash into the separately designated customer utility deposit account." the City of Youngsville has obtained the necessary affidavits and has modified contracts with vendors to be in compliance with state statutes." the City has corrected all requirements of the debt covenants and made the necessary deposits and obligations requirements and will continue to monitor the requirements to ensure compliance." adjustments required during the audit resulted in budget variances greater than 5% The City will continue to monitor budget compliance and amend the budget when total expenditures and other uses exceed total budgeted amounts." "The City will take the appropriate actions to ensure that the financial statement audit is completed and submitted within the prescribed deadline." Vehicles drive past a flooded Jefferson Street underpass on Thursday Heavy rainfall overnight brought significant flooding throughout parts of Youngsville and Lafayette Parish According to the Youngsville Police Department the following roads are experiencing flooding: Each room is designed to meet the diverse sensory needs of children especially those with autism and sensory processing disorders the finishing touch to its sensory room was a custom sensory wall decal installed by Fast Signs dimensional artwork inspired by the Allegheny National Forest The design provides a calming and visually engaging focal point creating a multi-sensory experience to help students self-regulate decompress and stay focused throughout the school day The Warren Area High School sensory room is a dedicated space where students can explore their senses in a safe For children with sensory processing challenges The addition of sensory wall graphics offers visual input that helps promote relaxation and attention enhancing the therapeutic benefits of the space The initiative expands further with new sensory rooms being developed at Youngsville Elementary School and Eisenhower Elementary School The rooms will include a variety of therapeutic tools and sensory equipment specifically chosen to support students with Autism and other disabilities that benefit from sensory regulation “Sensory-friendly” environments are designed to provide the input students need to calm their minds and bodies That can mean a stimulating setting that helps energize and focus Sensory rooms are typically categorized as “active” or “calming,” and students may begin in an active space before transitioning to a more soothing one helping to bring their sensory experience full circle The use of sensory rooms is not intended as a reward or consequence but rather as a component of each student’s “sensory diet”–a consistent and integrated part of their daily routine that supports regulation and learning Expanded tax credits that make health insurance cheaper for 24.3 million Americans face expiration at the end of .. Two men are charged with murder after a deadly drive-by shooting in Youngsville Franklin County Sheriff Kevin White announced the arrests on Facebook Jaquan Lynch and Donavan Boyd were taken into custody Friday morning Bullets were fired into Pender's home on Bert Winston Road in Youngsville on April 1 there was between Pender and the suspects or share a motive for the shooting The Youngsville Chamber of Commerce announces a new Farmers Market taking place in the City of Youngsville The Youngsville Farmers Market will be held on the second Saturday of each month with the first one kicking off on Saturday The event will take place at Foster Memorial Park A variety of vendors are expected to be in attendance offering everything from pet accessories to seasoning You can follow the Youngsville Farmers Market on Facebook to keep up to date on the latest event updates They are still accepting vendors for the markets. If you're interested, you can apply through the Youngsville Chamber of Commerce's website here: https://www.youngsvillechamber.com/ Contemporary Christian pop singer Lauren Daigle grew up in Lafayette Popular Louisiana singer Lauren Daigle will perform at the Youngsville Sports Complex in September Daigle will perform at the Youngsville Sports Complex Amphitheater powered by SLEMCO at 6 p.m and Daigle is expected to perform at 8:30 p.m Tickets went on sale at 10 a.m who was born in Lake Charles but grew up in Lafayette has garnered over a billion streams and years of sold-out world tours with performances spanning four continents Radio City Music Hall and across the globe Youngsville's amphitheater opened last fall but its first ticketed event will be a Daigle's performance Officials are hoping to sell approximately 5,300 tickets for Daigle's performance Seating will include general admission on the grass lawn and multiple seating areas with different price tiers For more information on tickets, bag policies, parking information and more, visit laurendaigle.com/tour Email Ja'kori Madison at jakori.madison@theadvocate.com a senior at Youngsville Middle High School has been recognized as the Northwest Pennsylvania C.L.A.S.S Act Emerging Leader for the Warren County School District for March Students are honored for exemplifying exceptional effort academic success and service within their schools and communities.​ honors and Advanced Placement courses at Youngsville as well as taking College in the High School classes through the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford She has a 95.05 average and is currently her class salutatorian – a position she has maintained since her freshman year.​ Taylor has been an active participant in various extracurricular activities She is a member of the National Honor Society Her leadership roles have included serving as president Taylor showcased her school spirit and athleticism as a varsity cheerleader Her creative talents have also been evident through her contributions to school banners and bulletin boards enhancing the visual appeal of YMHS.Notably her writing skills were recognized when she won the annual American Legion essay contest Taylor’s commitment to service extends into the community She has volunteered for local events such as the Haunted Hayride and the Veteran’s Honor Flight Ceremony demonstrating her dedication to honoring and supporting others.Balancing her academic and extracurricular commitments Taylor also holds a part-time job at The Galley in Youngsville.​ Taylor has been accepted to Pennsylvania State University’s main campus where she plans to major in Information Sciences and Technology with a minor in Artificial Intelligence She hopes to one day be a part of the intelligence community in the military She intends to join the Air Force ROTC program at Penn State and is currently in the application process for enlistment.​ “The faculty and staff at Youngsville Middle High School take immense pride in Taylor’s accomplishments and are honored to nominate her as the Northwest Pennsylvania C.L.A.S.S Act Emerging Leader for March 2025,” school officials said in a news release “Her exemplary blend of academic prowess and community service sets a standard for her peers and underscores the values that the C.L.A.S.S Hospice of Warren County is set to host its inaugural fundraising event The League of Women Voters of Warren County has released its updated 2025 Government Directory A county resident has been sentenced to between 21 months and four years in state prison on three separate dockets A tractor-trailer overturned Tuesday on U.S At 10 a.m., Sky 5 flew over the scene at U.S. 1 and Bert Winston Road, near Youngsville 1 near Bert Winston Road reopened around 2 p.m An SUV at the rear of the truck was badly damaged WRAL News is working to learn if the drivers were injured KATC - New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers returned home this weekend to a warm welcome taking part in a special celebration during the Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade Youngsville Mayor Ken Ritter presented Nabers with a key to the city honoring his achievements both on and off the field “It is my highest honor to present to Malik Nabers our 2025 Youngsville Grand Marshal for the Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade – a key to the city of Youngsville,” the mayor said expressing pride in the local football star’s accomplishments who has made a name for himself with the New York Giants was celebrated for his contributions to both his community and the sport of football The honor marks a significant milestone in his career "I want to thank all my family and friends I also want to thank the mayor for giving me this opportunity," Nabers said during the event "This is one of the big accomplishments in my life and I want to thank the city of Youngsville for supporting me through my journey." Nabers was deeply moved by the outpouring of support from his hometown a gesture that ties back to his roots in Youngsville now with a special twist thanks to Nabers’ presence is set to be a celebration of both community and sporting excellence For an in-depth look into his journey to the big leagues, click here Gary Weber, district superintendent, released a prepared statement following Monday’s vote by the Warren County School District board to close the two high schools that said, in part, the closure is part of a strategic plan to boost academic offerings while helping improve the district’s finances. Monday’s meeting was contentious and emotional, with community residents trying to convince board members to save the schools. “There is no easy answer that will please everyone,” board member Mary Passinger said before the vote. “I’ve said several times, it’s not about the money, but rather the quality of education we’re offering. This has been a very difficult decision for me, and while I can’t speak for my fellow board members, I’m pretty sure they feel the same way.” Board member John Wortman began the latest attempt to consolidate schools last June. The region’s declining population was one reason Wortman introduced the initial resolution to have the district’s solicitor present to the board in July the process to close high schools. Population was still on Wortman’s mind on Monday, with the board member saying the board had to “look to the future” and think about all 38,000-plus residents when it came to the closure decision. Holden, who ran for the board as an opponent of the last effort to consolidate schools, said too many board members weren’t listening to the pleas of community members. Stephanie Snell, another board member who ran for the board in opposition to previous school merger attempts, criticized the lack of a plan for what high school would look like for Sheffield and Youngsville students if their high schools close. “I could get on board with consolidation if you can show me what we’re offering,” Snell said. “So the only thing that I can see that we’re offering either to Sheffield or Youngsville, we’re offering them emotional distress, financial stress, and a lack of community support. That’s the only thing we’re offering.” Youngsville students sat on the floor in front of the board before standing up in unison, a silent plea to keep their schools open. Some students were visibly emotional, with tears streaming as the results were announced. Parents also expressed frustration. The board’s decision to move into an executive session to consult with a solicitor was criticized by parents and students, who then left the meeting. Hospice of Warren County is set to host its inaugural fundraising event, Warren County Wonders, on Saturday, May ... The League of Women Voters of Warren County has released its updated 2025 Government Directory, a resource designed ... A county resident has been sentenced to between 21 months and four years in state prison on three separate dockets. ... Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of Pennsylvania, LLC | https://www.timesobserver.com | PO Box 188, Warren, PA 16365 | 814-723-8200 — The Youngsville chief of police race has resulted in a runoff The two candidates still racing to the finish line to become Police Chief of Youngsville are Jean-Paul "JP" Broussard and Cody Louviere, current Interim Chief of Police who stepped in after former chief of police Ricky Boudreaux stepped down last year citing health reasons Broussard received 46% of the vote, with Louviere following closely behind at 40%. KATC interviewed all three candidates before the election to learn more about their policies and what they hope to bring to the city. Click here to see those interviews We also asked the two candidates how they felt about the runoff and running again in December "Making the city safe getting some more officers on patrol to deter criminals from coming into the city of Youngsville to try make Youngsville the safest city in the state." "I'm here for the long run I'm here for the city we built this department up and we've been through a tumultuous time Now it’s been nothing but positive in the past year," Louviere said I live in the city and I raise my children in the city I'm invested in the city and invested in making it the best city that it can be and with the police department that complements that.” The runoff election will happen on December 7 More than 1,170 people have signed a petition within 24 hours to oppose the Warren County School District’s decision to close Youngsville Middle High School and community members have expressed their concerns about how the school’s closure will impact the community highlighting issues such as longer commute times and the disruption of vital peer connections and learning opportunities the school is more than just an educational institution; it is a central hub of the community is leading the charge to reverse the decision “This petition isn’t just about keeping a school open; it’s about saving the heart of our community,” King said “We’re fighting for our children and the connections that make Youngsville strong.” Petition signers have voiced their concerns emphasizing the unique benefits of smaller schools and the close-knit relationships they foster “Youngsville isn’t just a school and the people that go there are like a family Teachers there have a personal connection with students–you know they care Many of my greatest memories and long-time friendships came from being a Youngsville grad These personal connections could never be made the same with consolidation.” pointed out the practical challenges of the closure: There’s zero public transportation to the schools they’re sending students to Closing Youngsville will diminish children’s ability to participate in sports and increase the number of at-risk teenagers Data proves that children in smaller schools succeed and violence increases in larger schools!” echoed the sentiment: “We don’t need our kids on buses for over two hours a day Condensing kids into even bigger classes takes away the one-on-one learning they already struggle to get it would start the downfall of our community.” The Youngsville attendance area is appealing the school district’s decision to the Secretary of Education and the Court of Common Pleas petitioners wanted to gather at least 1,000 signatures a goal they’ve already surpassed in just one day a nonprofit education research organization courts have not held districts to any specific evidentiary burden or recognized any rights of appeal for families The appeals process in state law refers to a school district that finds itself aggrieved by a reorganizational plan adopted by a county school board being able to petition the state Board of Education if the appeal is filed within 30 days with three or more members of the board constituting the state board for hearing purposes to the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the school is located For those interested in supporting the cause the petition can be found on Change.org by searching “Youngsville School.” Pictured is the Warren County School Board Residents expressed frustration and concerns over the decision and its impact on students and the community but this war is far from over… What are you going to do when these ripples get bigger it’s going to cause more damage than you already have,” said Harold Dunkle of Pittsfield Barb Lutton from Youngsville raised concerns about unclear scheduling One reason to close schools is to increase overall course offerings for students at the remaining two high schools Lutton said that hasn’t been demonstrated yet in the wake of the vote to close Youngsville and Sheffield “Unless the fact sheet you posted has the exact courses you are offering at Warren and Eisenhower we don’t even know what classes there are PA Cyber School looks attractive – we know what’s offered and it’s solidly laid out,” she said She also expressed frustration with communication “This is the first time I felt like I had dialogue in the past four months.” Pictured is Barb Lutton talking to the school board reassured attendees that open houses will be scheduled to allow students to tour their new schools and make informed decisions board member Mary Passinger said exact courses to be offered and the schools where they will be offered is still being determined because it will be based in part on what students want to see offered “All classes are available to all students but it depends on what they sign up for,” Passenger said “If 20 kids sign up for a class at Eisenhower and only 10 at Warren the class will be held at Eisenhower because we got the minimum number of kids to be able to offer this course.” The school board is encouraging students to sign up for the classes that they want to take but final courses for what will be offered depends on what they sign up for and if the minimum number of kids sign up for it.” Youngsville baseball coach Eddie Dorunda addressed the board inviting them to a spring game and sharing his frustrations “My students come to me for answers as a mentor and coach and I don’t have an answer for them,” Dorunda said We are making decisions before we have answers.” Pictured is Eddie Dorunda- Coach at Youngsville talking to the school board Also discussed during committee meetings on Monday are the return of art therapy services provided by Family Services of Warren County with group sessions rotating between schools reported a positive audit for the district highlighting a clean financial report with improved fund balances The meeting also included discussions about the 2025-26 school calendar and budget timelines with scheduling deadlines for students set for February 14 Mayor Ken Ritter of Youngsville announced that Grammy award-winning artist Lauren Daigle will be live in concert at the Youngsville Sports Complex Amphitheater later this year is expected to perform in Youngsville on Sept.13 She is no stranger to the big stage. She is a two-time Grammy, eight-time Billboard Music, four-time American Music, and 12-time GMA Dove Music Award winner. Daigle performed at Super Bowl LIX, singing “America the Beautiful” with Trombone Shorty She also has garnered more than 1 billion streams and years of sold-out world tours with performances spanning four continents Ritter said he and the city of Youngsville are excited to welcome Daigle home “We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Daigle to the Youngsville Amphitheater on Sept “Her incredible talent and uplifting music will make for an incredible night in our city.”   Tickets can be purchased through youngsvillesportscomplex.com and will go on sale to the public beginning at 10 a.m Youngsville Police are asking for information to assist their investigation into a shooting that happened Monday a Monday release from the department states Officers were called to a home to investigate a report of an attempted burglary They found a man with gunshot wounds when they arrived; he was transported to a local hospital were he was listed in stable condition "This is an active and ongoing investigation; we cannot release further details at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation," the release states "Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Youngsville Police Department at (337) 856-5931." ERIE — Some days you’re the windshield; some days you’re the bug Three days after a thrilling playoff victory Youngsville fell behind early and couldn’t recover during a 75-38 loss to Erie First Christian in the District 10 Class 1A championship game Friday at the Hagerty Family Events Center in Erie The news isn’t all bad for the Eagles as their season will continue when the PIAA Class 1A playoffs get underway on March 7 Youngsville will play the loser of today’s District 9 Class A championship game between Elk County Catholic and Otto-Eldred things started about as bad for the second-seeded Eagles as you could think up were on fire early and a thunderous dunk from Collins highlighted a 16-0 Erie First run to start the game “Erie First came out with a much higher energy level and we had to fight to match it,” said Youngsville coach Jesse Benton we had unfortunately dug too big of a hole.” Rylan Benton hit Youngsville’s first field goal of the game — a 3-pointer — with 3:01 left in the opening quarter Collins kept scoring for Erie First and it was 25-7 after a quarter Collins scored 17 of his game-high 26 points in the opening stanza Collins opened the second quarter with two more 3-pointers but Youngsville started to match the offensive pace with Benton David Manning and Ethan Beers doing the scoring the top-seeded Erie First team had managed to extend the lead to 21 Any chance of a Youngsville comeback was quickly thwarted in the second half as Erie First started the second half much like it did the first Erie First completed a 12-0 run before a pair of Cash Moore free throws ended Youngsville’s dry spell The fourth quarter featured a bevy of substitutions but Youngsville did get a 3-pointer from Hudson Haight to add one more highlight in defeat Beers and Manning all finished with 11 points in the Youngsville loss Collins led Erie First with 26 points and Blum added 21 Youngsville 7 17 6 8 — 38 Erie First 25 20 16 14 — 75 The northern pike is known for being a species that bites year-round Whether fishing through the ice or taking in .. ERIE — Four members of Warren’s boys tennis team traveled to the Westwood Racquet Club on Saturday to .. High School track and field invitationals went deep into the night Friday Thirteen Warren Dragons and one Eisenhower Knight help make up rosters for the 2025 New York vs (Youngsville, Louisiana) Get ready, music lovers Sugar Jam presented by Industrial Safety Solutions & Pink Trailer Productions is back for the 2025 season This concert series at Sugar Mill Pond features six nights of live music Sugar Jam features three spring and three fall concerts Hosted in the boathouse plaza at Sugar Mill Pond Whether you're a longtime fan or a first-time visitor this year’s lineup promises something for everyone Get ready, music lovers Sugar Jam, presented by Industrial Safety Solutions & Pink Trailer Productions is back for the 2025 season.\nRead More (Youngsville, Louisiana) Get ready, music lovers Sugar Jam Owners Daniel and Melissa Esteban are pictured outside their business The Samoa Churro Roll by The Churro's Boutique Daniel and Melissa Esteban are opening a second location in Youngsville in the coming weeks A dulce de leche and tropical churro by The Churro's Boutique An Oreo churro sundae by The Churro's Boutique It's been a busy few years for Daniel and Melissa Esteban Since opening a churreria in the Acadiana Mall in 2018 they've seen Lafayette's love for churros grow to the point that The Churro's Boutique will soon expand to a second location where the fried dough pastry is a ubiquitous treat that can be picked up from a street cart or purchased from inviting sidewalk cafes that keep the hot sugared snacks rolling out of the fryer all day long Churros range in style from simple confections that resemble a funnel cake in taste and texture all the way to loaded treats that come with fillings currently located in an Acadiana Mall kiosk near the JCPenney wing customers can order their churros filled with options like cream cheese dulce de leche or chocolate — and don't forget the chocolate dipping sauce on the side The Estebans really shine when it comes to creative toppings, with recent items like the tropical churro, which comes dressed with fresh kiwi, strawberries and banana. Their king cake churro is a yearly favorite during Mardi Gras an Oreo sundae churro and even churro cinnamon rolls In order to give their creativity room to expand decided it was time to take on a storefront of their own The Churro's Boutique will open at 2761 E Milton Ave. "Finding the right location in Lafayette is tough We have people calling every day to see if we're already open and sometimes people will come open the door while we're working there We feel grateful to the people there already expecting us." with an expanded menu consisting of sweet and savory crepes Daniel Esteban's father had been living in the Lafayette area for several years when Daniel and Melissa emigrated in 2012 We eat bread every day," said Melissa Esteban costs for building out a full bakery set-up proved excessive — and for churros all you need is great dough and a fryer that can operate seamlessly as people from every corner of Acadiana come to the mall to walk The Estebans weren't even able to test out their churro machine at home before its grand debut at the Acadiana Mall seven years ago "The night before we opened was the first time we used the machine," said Daniel Esteban "The first day was just talking with people and making sure everything was fried "We just want people to know we're a family business especially for people who don't go to the mall we'd love for you to come and visit in Youngsville."  The original The Churro's Boutique location will remain in the Acadiana Mall but the kiosk will move soon from its current location by the now-shuttered Forever 21 Email Joanna Brown at joanna.brown@theadvocate.com KATC - Saturday morning kicked off the 39th annual Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade sporting a variety of vibrant and creative outfits in honor of the celebration From dresses and skirts to colorful beads and even boots attendees embraced the festive spirit with flair I just love all of the toolies and the beads,” said Sheila Romanoff Others showcased unique twists on classic Mardi Gras attire “My mom got these from Amazon I think and this is just like a skirt and I got these fur boots.” Customized pants were also a popular choice with Olivia Fox who spent nearly a week to paint her Mardi Gras pants with a few adding their own personal touches He also gave a nod to the season's fashion trends wearing a simple white tee with his own Mardi Gras-inspired overalls “Fat Tuesday is coming right around the corner,” he said parade participants showcased the true spirit of Mardi Gras—bright YOUNGSVILLE — In a year’s time But Tuesday — for one final time — the Youngsville and Eisenhower boys basketball teams went to war in the Backyard Brawl Austin Hanson made sure the Knights ended up on the winning end of this one erupting for 27 points and leading Eisenhower to a 68-38 Region 3 victory in front of a capacity crowd at Youngsville High School “It was definitely a unique situation where it is a rivalry game and the last home game ever for the team that is combining with you,” said Eisenhower coach Ryan Mangini “I think Youngsville played really hard all game despite losing a player due to injury and another playing through an injury I have been following them all season and have been impressed with this group’s toughness and skill We are very excited for them to join our program and get started with them this offseason.” It was an emotional night in the Youngsville High School gym as the Eagles took part in their final boys basketball home game in program history staff and parents — as well as youngsters who had hoped to one day wear the red and white — jammed the stands and made the environment of Youngsville’s last boys home game one to remember things just didn’t go the way of the home team Playing without starter Braydon Baker and with Ethan Beers playing through an injury the Eagles stayed with the Knights early as the game started in a 5-5 tie the Knights put together a 9-0 run that would build a cushion that would never seriously be challenged 5-4 Region 3) led by 10 after a quarter and Youngsville got within 24-17 with 5:34 left in the first half a three-point play from the Knights’ Will Mandeville pushed the lead back into double digits and it remained there the rest of the game With the Knights already up 38-19 at halftime Hanson took over the game in the third quarter The scintillating sophomore scored 11 points in the opening three minutes of the third and 17 for the quarter all told as the Knights lead swelled to 60-27 3-5 Region 3) continued fighting until the bitter end and the longtime rivalry didn’t go down without one more chippy moment in the fourth quarter when a technical was called on Eisenhower for an elbow The supporters from both teams went to hollering giving a glimpse into the passion that will be sorely missed when these longtime rivals become teammates in late 2025 Youngsville coach Jesse Benton was proud of his team’s effort despite being disappointed with the loss “I hate to see this as the last home game,” said Benton “These young men worked very hard and were on top of their game until we ran into illness and injuries We need to focus on recovery and playoffs at this point.” Hanson led the Knights with 27 points and Casey Seymour added 14 points Will Mandeville finished with 9 points and Gavin Lindemuth scored 8 David Manning paced Youngsville’s effort with 17 points with Rylan Benton adding 9 and Ethan Beers 6 The Knights won the junior varsity contest 36-20 Alexander Russell led the Knights with 10 points while Uriah Gallegos paced the Eagles with nine points Youngsville is back in action Wednesday when it visits Erie Prep Academy for a varsity only contest Eisenhower closes the regular season Friday hosting that same Erie Prep Academy team YOUNGSVILLE — As the final season in program history winds down Youngsville was running out of time to win once more on its home court the Eagles put up a first-half defensive shutout and Youngsville earned a 22-13 victory over the Forest Area Fires on Senior Night on Wednesday at Youngsville High School “I’m just extremely proud of the girls,” said Youngsville coach Morgan Cook-Haibach Winning on Senior Night is the icing on the cake You can’t get much better than that.” Senior Kennedy Allen — one of the two Youngsville seniors honored Wednesday along with Cassidy Britton — scored the game’s first bucket just over a minute into the game and the Eagles never trailed Robinault scored 11 of her game-high 16 points in the first half as the Eagles built a 15-0 lead keeping the Fires off the scoreboard until the 6:54 mark of the third quarter Forest Area ripped off seven straight points of its own cutting the lead to 17-7 with 2:11 left in the third That’s when freshman Kaylee Lauffenburger squared up and found a cutting Natalie Ross who scored the hoop and drew the harm as the Eagles squashed Forest’s attempt at a rally Youngsville (2-16) returns to action on Thursday when it visits Maplewood before closing the season’s road schedule Saturday with an away tilt at Forest Area A state appeals court has ruled that the Lafayette Parish Council erred in 2023 when it rejected plans for a convenience store and gas station in an unincorporated area between Lafayette and Youngsville "As it is undisputed that Plaintiff's application complied with the (Lafayette Development Code) the Parish Council acted unreasonably in finding that it did not comply with the (Comprehensive) Plan," Van Kyzar "We find that it acted arbitrarily and capriciously and in violation of Plaintiff's due process rights by denying its plat application."  the owner of Grab-N-Geaux convenience stores in south Louisiana bought property at the intersection of Fortune Road and Chemin Metairie Road to build a convenience store and gas station abutts residences that are not incorporated into any city the company made revisions to its plans to comply with the Lafayette Development Code then applied for a minor plat to officially establish the property's boundaries Additional issues such as drainage and traffic concerns were to be addressed in a later development stage The Lafayette Parish Planning Commission conducted a public hearing Jan The commission approved the plat subject to certain conditions noting that the convenience store was an allowed use of the property in an unincorporated area An adjacent landowner appealed to the Parish Council to reverse the Planning Commission's decision The Council heard opposition to the proposed store and gas station from nearby homeowners and landowners at a Feb reversing the Planning Commission's approval of the plat Only then-Councilman Kevin Naquin agreed with the Planning Commission's decision Singh Signature Stores filed suit in 15th Judicial District Court in Lafayette which agreed with the Parish Council in a judgment in May 2024 alleging the district court did not allow Singh to introduce evidence supporting its claim that Lafayette Consolidated Government was aribtrary and capricious; did not allow Singh to introduce testimony from three LCG employees; and did not rule that LCG abused its authority or violated Singh's rights by overturning the original approval of the plat Email Claire Taylor at ctaylor@theadvocate.com — Early voting for the November election starts on October 18th and KATC TV-3 is giving you the information you need to cast your ballot in local races we're introducing you to the three candidates for Youngsville Police Chief We've asked each candidate the same questions and their complete unedited responses are posted on our website in video and written form we'll bring you the three candidates running for Iberia Parish Tax Assessor - and we'll have election stories like this for you every day through the 17th Below are the answers from Jean Paul "JP" Broussard Broussard had a medical procedure and wasn't available for an on-camera interview YOUNGSVILLE HAS BEEN UNDER SCRUTINY IN THE PAST OVER OFFICIALS NOT BEING HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD HOW DO YOU HOPE TO BUILD TRUST BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY I will set clear conduct standards for all officers ensure thorough investigations of any misconduct and maintain open communication with the community I believe in leading by example and will hold myself and every member of our department to the highest standards of integrity." WHAT ARE THE CHANGES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO IMPLEMENT IF YOU DO WIN THE ELECTION WHAT WILL YOU BE ABLE TO PROVIDE DIFFERENTLY THAN THOSE OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE POSITION "My unique background as both a paramedic and a law enforcement officer gives me a well-rounded understanding of public safety allowing me to approach policing with a focus on both protection and service my deep roots in the community and conservative values resonate deeply with the values of Youngsville’s residents." WHAT ARE YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT QUALIFICATIONS "I have been involved in law enforcement since 2009 later advancing to a full-time Deputy Marshal My accolades include the Life Saving Award and being named Crime Stopper Officer of the Year in 2020 I have completed the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Leadership Series Training underscoring my dedication to continual professional development in law enforcement leadership." Below are the answers for current interim Youngsville Police Chief Cody Louviere: "Being Interim Chief for the last year and and a little bit more You have to hold yourself to that standard You have to make sure that we're following policies to my command staff is it's too easy to do the right thing You do the right thing for the people that aren't your citizens that are in your city that is is making sure your policies are strong your policies are followed and that everybody is doing their part to watch out for one another and and hold that person next to you accountable for their decisions and what they're doing and passing on that information when Is it a training factor that we need to train our guys better that maybe they don't understand the policy before we get into that realm of discipline to make sure they understand what they're doing." we've already started improving on our policies and procedures improving on those measures for those officers improving training that we bring to our officers as we progress through past this election cycle With my visions and my plans is you need to provide your officers with that next level training not only dealing with mental illness in our citizens and the crisis that we face every day with our citizens but also facing mental illness that our officers deal with on a daily basis with a lot of people don't think of the things that they see and the hardships that they're dealing with mentally with their own family maybe problems within then dealing with citizens every day I think is my vision going forward is make sure our guys are trained as well as they can be to deal with those things as they come." "I think my view of law enforcement in the time that I've been here you know I've been in law enforcement for now 22 years.I've been in leadership roles at my previous employment at the Lafayette Sheriff's office that had a strong backbone where I spent my entire career in patrol in law enforcement but it's something that I've absorbed knowledge and never stop learning I bring these leadership abilities that I've done at the sheriff's office and I've provided over there I've been through the FBI Leadership Academy already It's taught me a lot along with working with very strong supervisors in my past So being that my entire career is in law enforcement It's it's in me to bring this to this department and to teach them the things I've learned and to help my command staff through also helping those officers be the best and turn them into leaders because realistically you're a leader from day one and you should look at yourself as that in order to bring with your whole department with you." "I started off in law enforcement in 2002 as a reserve for the Lafayette Sheriff's office Just giving my time to the community for free Then I decided I wanted to get paid for it which I did patrol as a reserve but patrol So I worked my way until I got promoted to patrol sergeant.Most recently prior to leaving the sheriff's office last year I just brought that sense of camaraderie and leadership to the department to pass it on to our citizens Then I stepped into this role in August of last year and just trying to be progressing ever since." —————————————————————————————————————————————— "So I think the biggest part of building trust back into the community is being involved in the community Youngsville is a rapidly growing community and with that there's been a lot of growing pains and during that growth period the community has become detached from the police department and when you had the issues with the scandals and things are going on in in the community that has further separated the community from the police department So I think you gotta get back into the community You have to have these discussions with the community and you have to build that trust back and You have officers who may not trust other officers because of things So you have to build that trust in the department and then expand it out into the community and work with the community to solve the crime issues in the community." "So the first thing if I were to win the election I would want to do is what I'm gonna call a comprehensive operational review That would basically entail going through the entire department of fine tooth comb from operations to budget to training and retention and hiring and everything I do have ideas as far as what I would like to see the department become But I think it would be premature at this point for me to say I want to go in and do X or I want to go in and do Z simply because you have to understand the dynamics of the organization first it would be inappropriate to say gonna go remove this position or make this change without understanding first So the comprehensive operational review is essential It is critical to go in there examining things as they are today before making any decisions on changes." "So I think I am uniquely qualified for the position for several reasons I have been a part of the community in Youngsville for almost 40 years now That is the community where I have grown up.That is the community I love that is the community where I intend to stay So I'm really deeply tied to that community I have roughly 15 years of law enforcement experience mostly supervisor managerial or admit of roles." background investigator and a training officer with the Lafayette Parish sheriff's office for almost 15 years when I left the sheriff's office and went into the private sector I began working in private security and private investigative work And that's the work I continue to do this day I have about 25 years of experience combined in law enforcement that is something different than other candidates bring to the table and I'd like to leverage what I know in private security private investigations as well as law enforcement to see what we can do to address a lot of what I'm gonna call special security concerns in our community Youngsville Police have sent us an update on a crash that happened Friday afternoon died in the crash that happened Friday at about 1:45 p.m. The crash happened in the 600 block of Layette Street they found one person who had died at the scene The cause of the crash is still under investigation by Youngsville Police and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office Anne Church in Youngsville is set to unveil a major renovation next spring offering parishioners a new worship space that will better accommodate the growing community has been largely funded by local donations and pledges "We've been in the construction process for about a year and a half now We've raised about $10 million in cash and pledges so far and the overall cost will be around $16 million," Rousso said "We are planning to move into the new church in the first week of May." The new building will feature Gothic-style architecture and stained glass windows designed by Father Rousso himself the expanded church will address the needs of a rapidly growing congregation in Youngsville The existing church building will be preserved and transformed into an adoration chapel once construction is completed "The concern initially was what we would do with the old church but once people learned we would preserve it and connect it to the new one "Now they recognize the legitimate need for more space especially since Youngsville is growing so quickly." The first Mass in the new church is scheduled for Friday which serves as the "home of the priest," is one of the oldest landmarks in Youngsville and was expanded in the early 1900s the renovated space was unveiled to the public during an open house on Sunday Rousso expressed gratitude for the support from parishioners noting the hard work involved in the renovations has been exhausting but rewarding and all the more fulfilling for a pastor to see the fruit of his hard work That’s what it’s really all about," he said Anne Church is poised to meet the spiritual needs of its growing community while preserving its rich history UPDATE: The driver who died has been identified as 41-year-old Richard Stutes Jr UPDATE: Piat Road is open to traffic as of 4:30 p.m The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated a fatal crash in the 700 block of Piat Road in Youngsville Tuesday afternoon One person was pronounced dead at the scene The driver of a second vehicle was transported to a local hospital for treatment Piat Road was closed for several hours Tuesday afternoon between Austin Road and Egret Road while the Sheriff’s Crash Reconstruction Team conducted an investigation Istre (center) and Niland (right) are running for Youngsville City Council Division D Youngsville voters will choose a council person to replace Ken Stansbury on the Youngsville City Council Stansbury was elected to the Lafayette Parish Council Todd Istre and Nick Niland responded to several questions ahead of the election to give voters a better understanding of their priorities Lannoo graduated from Westgate High School in 2002 He is also a graduate of LSU Eunice's Respiratory Care program He owns a travel agency that focuses on family travel and specializes in Disney destinations He was previously appointed and served as Youngsville City Councilman for Division A from April to October of 2023 Istre has a bachelor's degree in business law from the University of the Ozarks He describes himself as a Christian Conservative Republican and is an active member of Saint Anne's Catholic Church and many civic organizations He has lived in Youngsville for more than 40 years (Note: Istre said he received a bachelor's degree in business law for the University of the Ozarks Upon verification with the university's registrar Istre is shown to have completed a bachelor's degree in general studies in 1994 Istre also said he completed some of his degree at University of Louisiana at Lafayette the university's registrar confirmed that Istre did attend UL Lafayette for general studies and as a summer visitor Niland has a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a master's in business administration with a focus on healthcare administration from Western Governors University He is a registered nurse and works as a director of quality for a local hospital organization He has lived in Youngsville for eight years Some responses were edited for length and clarity Lannoo: I have a personal commitment to the future of our city Youngsville is a community my family and I have proudly called home for the past nine years and prosperous city where all families can thrive Having previously served on the city council I bring valuable experience and a proven track record of addressing our community's needs Istre: As a resident and family man of Youngsville for over 40 years my commitment to serving the city is evident through my involvement in various community boards and my dedication to the families of Youngsville A long-standing residency in Youngsville gives me a unique perspective on the city's needs and challenges business needs and aspirations of its residents Niland: I am running for city council because I have been actively involved in my community for years served on the Youngsville Chamber board of directors and I have been actively involved with the Rotary Club of Youngsville where I currently serve as president-elect My years of community service and involvement have led me to this moment and I think now is the perfect time for me to take that next step What is the biggest challenge facing Youngsville today and what solutions would you bring to the table Lannoo: Our growth rate has to present the largest challenge to the city as it is a contributing factor to most every other challenge we face Tackling this issue needs to be a collaborative effort and what I bring to the table is the ability to listen and learn the needs of all parties involved and communicate effectively the possible options to the citizens in order to determine the best course of action for everyone Istre: Drawing upon my experience serving on community boards and engaging in extensive community service I have honed strong leadership and problem-solving abilities These skills empower me to tackle pressing issues including: identifying areas where spending can be optimized ensuring critical services like police and public safety receive adequate funding streamlining business regulations to support business growth developing a multi-year budget plan and improving roads and drainage Niland: I am dedicated to enhancing and expanding the local business landscape in Youngsville We must focus on growing and developing businesses that are going to bring jobs and people into the city of Youngsville that can train people on HVAC/plumbing/welding/carpentry/barbers but it also provides entrepreneurial opportunities for new businesses to open as these trades are developed What are some things you'd like to introduce to the city council Lannoo: I would say I am more motivated to reintroduce topics to the council when the budget permits I believe the Parks and Rec department should have something to offer for every member of our community I believe we are making progress and want to continue down that road I am motivated to continue on Councilman (Kenneth) Stansbury's path of bringing a community center to the city I envision a place to celebrate the arts and the people of Youngsville Istre: Improvements to infrastructure and public transportation create initiatives to help local businesses thrive develop a comprehensive growth plan that includes zoning regulations and sustainable development practices while engaging residents in the city's planning process hosting of more frequent town hall meetings and open forums to gather resident's input preserving historic sites and maintaining the character of neighborhoods and creating policies that benefit both new developments and long-term residents I was able to experience different cultures and communities across the country and I feel that I have a wealth of knowledge and experience to pull from that can help to enrich our community I am very much focused on expanding and growing the family atmosphere within our city be it with our parks and rec to hosting events that are community-centered/focused What is your vision for Youngsville's future Lannoo: I hope that Youngsville remains one of the most desirable places to live and raise a family That the city sees a growth in local industry and jobs as well as an increase in businesses and tax revenue That we pay off debts early and continue to improve quality of life for residents while remaining fiscally responsible Istre: My future vision for Youngsville is one where growth and progress go hand in hand with preserving the community's unique charm Imagine a city with a thriving downtown area all while maintaining the warmth and character that long-time residents cherish I want a city that remains safe and family-oriented so that my wife and I feel secure raising our son and any future children I want us to continue to focus on maintaining our infrastructure I want Youngsville to remain a "home." By that I mean I want to continue to see residents out walking the neighborhoods and events held within the community so that we can all continue to come together Our community and our citizens are what makes Youngsville so great Ragin' Chicken will open in the former Villager's Cafe space in Youngsville A longtime quick serve restaurant owner will open a chicken finger restaurant in a Youngsville shopping center one of the franchisees behind the Lafayette-area Jersey Mike’s Subs locations will open Ragin' Chicken at 1901 Chemin Metairie Road in the former Villager’s Café space in the Mill Commons shopping center The business will have a soft opening March 1 It was granted a building permit recently by the city of Youngsville The restaurant will offer chicken fingers along with a variety of homemade dips red beans and rice and macaroni and cheese It’s a concept Gremillion has wanted to open for years He recalled visiting a Zaxby’s location along the Alabama coast for years who along with Ken Bordelon operate the Jersey Mike’s in the next building over in Youngsville moved on the idea after meeting with building owner Alan Plaisance The space’s interior has been replaced with black tile and red countertops with lots of TVs “I had been working on it for years,” he said “But it’s one of those things if you have a bucket list My bucket list was opening a chicken finger restaurant.” Email Adam Daigle at adaigle@theadvocate.com the final score doesn’t tell the entire story A quick glance shows Erie First Christian defeating the Youngsville Eagles 68-54 on Tuesday at Youngsville High School What a box score won’t show you is Youngsville trailed by just three points with 3:16 remaining before a couple key plays went the way of the visitors in the Region 3 contest 1-3 Region 3) stormed out of the gate in Tuesday’s tilt building an early 12-4 lead before Erie First (9-6 The visitors responded with an 8-0 run that tied things late in the first quarter Cash Moore made a quick bucket and David Manning added five quick points to put the hosts up 19-12 with 5:47 left in the opening half Erie First junior guard Avery Collins — who is averaging nearly 27 points a game this season — would make several key first-half buckets as the visiting Eagles took a 27-23 lead as the half wound down Youngsville got a 3-pointer from Rylan Benton just before the half to cut the red and white deficit to just one at the break The third quarter continued the back-and-forth nature of the game with Erie First leading by as many as six points but Youngsville snagging the lead a couple of times as well Erie First pushed its lead to seven at 54-47 with 4:34 to play Youngsville responded with shots by Moore and Braydon Baker leaving it a three-point game with 3:16 left the final run of the night went to Erie First which closed the game on a 14-3 run that cemented the road victory Benton paced the Eagles with 20 points while Manning finished with 15 points and Baker 9 more Collins went for 30-plus for the fifth time this season The Eagles have a quick turnaround before returning to action today with another home outing against Erie Prep Academy Erie First Christian 12 15 19 22 — 68 which is an NCAA Collegiate Fast Pitch Softball Tournament. Enjoy all the games from Friday The tournament include 10 teams and more than 250 athletes from across the country Youngsville’s Director of Parks and Recreation Tim Robichaux, recently shared his exictement for the event “These collegiate softball teams are traveling to compete at a high level and enjoy all that Youngsville has to offer We are grateful for the commitment from Coach Fremin and Southeastern Louisiana University who continue to choose the Youngsville Sports Complex as the host site for this event We’re excited to welcome the players You can purchase daily tournament passes and weekend passes online through the Youngsville Sports Complex website at www.YoungsvilleSportsComplex.com Tickets will also be available on-site at the gate via credit card purchase only The weather looks good for this weekend, so schedule changes should not occur. For the latest news, schedule updates, and additional information about the tournament, visit www.YoungsvilleSportsComplex.com Mardi Gras weekend will be jam packed in Youngsville as the Youngsville Sports Complex is once again hosting the 2025 Mardi Gras Mambo softball tournament.\nRead More We are excited to welcome all the teams this week for the 2025 Mardi Gras Mambo NCAA Collegiate Softball Tournament!.. You can purchase daily tournament passes and weekend passes online through the Youngsville Sports Complex website at www.YoungsvilleSportsComplex.com The weather looks good for this weekend, so schedule changes should not occur. For the latest news, schedule updates, and additional information about the tournament, visit www.YoungsvilleSportsComplex.com.