By early January of 2019, locals began to feel the effects of the U.S. government shutdown in Allen Parish. Almost 500 federal employees work in Oakdale and live in the parish, and locals were feeling the effects because employees were not being paid for their services yet they were continuing to work at the Oakdale prison and immigration and court. The shutdown lasted 35 days (December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019), the longest in U.S. history.
The Coushatta Casino Resort of Kinder celebrated 24 years of existence on Friday, January 18. That same week, the election process in the parish got underway for the October election with the first candidate, Stacey Hurst announcing her bid for the Clerk of Court seat. Hurst was successful in gaining this seat.
The end of January saw the installation of officers for the Kinder Chamber of Commerce and recognition give to several members. Citizen of the Year went to Fire Chief Brandon LaFargue. The Allen Parish Hospital was named Large Business of the Year and Allen Parish Ambulance received the Small Business of the Year honors. A Lifetime Achievement Award went to Semi Karam.
And as January came to a close, the Southwest Allen Parish Water District Two launched a year-long infrastructure upgrade with a $4 million DWRLF Loan Funding Improvement plan.
At the February meeting of the Allen Parish School Board, it was announced Superintendent Michael Doucet would retire when his contract ended June 30. With 38 years in education and 20 years as superintendent, Doucet said he was ready to spend time with family.
On February 23, Lieutenant Colonel Steven B. Sumbler deployed for the 225th Engineer Brigade of the Louisiana National Guard.
Also, the Reeves’ Lady Raiders made history by making the Top 28 for the first time in four decades (46 years). They were named Runners-Up in the LHSAA’s Class C competition after losing to Plainview, 55-32. Elton did become state champs in the Class 1A competition, their first title in 44 years, after beating Delhi, 51-44.
In March, Kinder Middle School’s Concert band and the Kinder High School Band of Gold both received the rating of II (Excellent) on stage at the Louisiana Music Educator’s Association District V Large Ensemble Assessment.
In April, the school board named Kent Reed as its new superintendent. The Kinder Lady Yellow Jackets learned they were headed to the Class 2A state softball tournament after beating the Bunkie Lady Panthers. In Sulphur, the Lady Jackets lost 9-8 to the Mangham Lady Dragons and became runners-up in the state.
Claudia Fuselier and Sara LaFargue were named the Administrative Assistants of the Year at the Chamber’s annual banquet.
The Kinder Family Pharmacy reopened after remodeling the business on Monday, April 29. A new drive-through and some retro renovations welcomed customers to visit.
In May, it was the Kinder High Yellow Jackets defeating Doyle 11-4 to claim the Class 2A 2019 Allstate Sugar Bowl/LHSAA Baseball State Championship. And the Oberlin Tigers beat Kentwood 9-1 to be crowned the Class 1A 2019 Allstate Sugar Bowl/LHSAA Baseball State Champions.
The changing of the guard at the Allen Parish School Board occurred in early June when Doucet said goodbye and welcomed Reed to the superintendent’s position.
Sheriff Doug Hebert III cut the ribbon in June to a new $5 million, 200-bed facility built to house federal inmates in the parish.
Hebert stated, “When I took office in 2012, I was determined to improve services. It was evident that we needed bring in some type of new revenue outside of the tax base to generate more income in order to do that. I began my search and started meeting with Scott Sutterfield at the I.C.E. facility in Oakdale. They were instrumental in assisting us in getting this project off the ground. As a result APSO not only brings in extra revenue, but made this entire facility more efficient and cheaper on the AP Police Jury to run even with us paying a semi-annual jail note. The Allen Parish Sheriff’s office is in the black and not just barely. We are very solid financially.”
The end of June brought light to investigations in Oberlin and Oakdale to light into possible corruption. The Town of Oberlin was having to provide documents for a grand jury, and Oakdale’s Police Chief Joseph Lockett and three other officers were facing an Allen Parish grand jury.
The Allen Parish Community Hospital celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday, June 29.
Qualifying for the October 12, Fall Gubernatorial Primary Election began August 6. Those with no opposition were Richard C. Earl, Allen Parish Assessor; Don Nesom, coroner; Ruffin George Jr., police jury; Heath Ardoin, police jury; and Kent Fontenot, police jury. Allen A. Courville became a new police juror, and Donald “Donnie” Taylor became a new Oberlin council member after they faced no opposition.
In October, Sheriff Hebert won re-election. Hurst became the new Clerk of Court. John Strother and Tony Hebert were re-elected to the police jury. District Four will see a runoff for police juror between Creig Vizena and Joshua Thompson.
Kenjabruch, which operates in Elton and Kinder, was recognized as one of the top dealers of the Bad Boy Zero Turn mower nationwide and received an award.
In early November, DPS scores (District Performance Scores) in education were released, and Allen Parish schools did well. Fairview High, Kinder High and Oakdale High all received a grade of A.
In the November election, voters chose Vizena for the police jury. John Bel Edwards was named governor for a second time.
Kinder and Oberlin football teams made it to the playoffs. Kinder lost 40-21 to Ferriday. Oberlin went one week further by making the semi-finals and losing to White Castle, 42-25.
At the end of December, Reeves announced it had received body armor for its K9 Officer Zulu.
Readers learned the Kinder schools were being updated and expanded.
