Here is a quick look at what occurred in 2023 through the archives of the Oakdale Journal.
In January of 2023, the Allen Parish School Board conducted its first meeting with eight board members, instead of six, due to reapportionment. The Allen Parish Police Jury also began a new process for adjudicated property and created a pamphlet to help purchasers navigate the process. The Oakdale City Council discussed alcohol sales on Sundays. Kenney Courville was inducted into the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Friday, January 13. In late January, Patricia “Pat” Jones, 92, announced her retirement as the executive director of the Allen Council on Aging/Allen Parish Transit.
In February, the Oakdale Council once again discussed updating its liquor ordinance. The police jury had to deal with increased coroner’s costs in the parish. Joelene Hartley was named the new executive director of the Allen Council on Aging on February 7. Superintendent Kent Reed told the school board he was ready to retire on July 1, after 37 years in education.
In March, the Oakdale Lady Warriors won their first state championship – Class 2A Non-Select Division IV – in the school’s history. A state of emergency was declared in Oakdale for water issues, and Mayor Gene Paul, Lt. Chris Oakes, parish’s emergency management director, and others contacted Homeland Security, U.S. Congressman Mike Johnson and other agencies for assistance. Kenney Courville joined Leatherwood Museum’s Hall of Fame as a former Kinder High School baseball coach.
April brought the police jury taking steps to allow storage of carbon dioxide in the parish. There was no quorum present at the council meeting to discuss the alcohol amended ordinance sales on Sundays in Oakdale. The Allen Parish Clerk of Court’s Office was awarded grants to assist in digitalizing records, storing them and making them accessible to the public. The Allen Parish Health Unit reopened.
At the May 8, school board meeting, the vote for a new superintendent ended four to four. Three meetings were held in May to choose a new superintendent, and all three ended in a deadlock. Reese Willis was crowned the 62nd Miss Oakdale by outdoing Queen Kaydin “Kay Kay” Strother Jr. Miss Queen named was Kennedy Jackson.
In June, a ground breaking ceremony was held for OPDEngery in Elizabeth. The Oakdale Council approved an ordinance for liquor sales. The June 5, meeting to discuss a new superintendent was cancelled. At its regularly scheduled meeting on June 12, the board agreed to return on June 13, to select an interim superintendent. Reed was given recognition as superintendent. The Coushatta Tribe received $11.4 million for infrastructure. The school board extended Reed’s contract on June 13, for 60 days while it prepared to begin a second round of interviews between contenders, Brad Soileau and Kenney Courville. Sheriff Doug Hebert was named the new president of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association.
Kenney Courville stepped down as a candidate and Brad Soileau was named new leader on July 10. The Oakdale Council passed an ordinance regarding food trucks/vendors within the city limits, as well as approving an ordinance prohibiting the use of recreational vehicles or campers as dwellings within the city limits. The residents and staff at Allen Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center invited the public to its grand opening of its new addition to the facility. The school board learned both breakfast and lunch would be served to every Allen Parish student for free in the 2023-2024 school year. Sgt. Angella South retired from the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office. State news affecting local residents included asking all residents to change their PIN numbers on EBT cards. Also, the OMV (Office of Motor Vehicle) announced personal information who applied for a Louisiana driver’s license may have been compromised.
Due to the hot and dry weather, August brought a statewide burn ban. Fairview’s Kyle Jinks was named the National Coach of the Year for basketball by the NHSACA. Brad Soileau officially took over the duties of superintendent with the retirement of Kent Reed. At the end of the month, the Oakdale Warrior girls received their rings from winning the state basketball title.
Allen Parish royalty was named on September 9, with Lexie Noelle Sonnier capturing the Miss title, and Samantha Deshotels being named the Jr. Miss Allen Parish queen. The Oakdale Council began addressing redistricting in the city based on the results of the 2020 Census. The Allen Parish Fair Association moved the fair to October 11, to 14, and named Syble Ryder as grand marshal and dedicated the fair in memory of Carol Guillory. SOWELA expanded its Industrial Lab Space at its Oakdale location. Ribbon cutting was held at the Oakdale Children’s Clinic. Raygan O’Quinn was named a new DARE officer.
Three teachers were recognized as Teachers of the Year at the October school board meeting including Sullivan Fontenot, high school; Rebecca Habetz, middle school; and Valerie Guree, elementary. Election results resulted in Jeff Landry being named governor. Oldest seniors recognized at the Annual Senior Citizens’ Day were Jacqueline Hebert, 98, and Clarence Smythe, 92. Oakdale High School celebrated 100 years of existence during its Homecoming festivities, October 16, to 21. Homecoming Queen was Chloe Bradley. Jewel’s became the focal point for a PBS film, No Man’s Land Trail, along with several other area businesses. Two died in a house fire in the 200 block of Canal Street. The Miss Merry Christmas Court was named with Reese Willis named queen.
November brought a decision by the police jury to consolidate its parish’s precincts while the Oakdale Council continued working on its redistricting process and favoring Plan Three. Elizabeth began planning for its Christmas in the Country’s 50th anniversary. APSB learned its SPS score for the district was a “B”.
In December, Elizabeth celebrated 50 years of Christmas in the Country with Kathy and Jimmy Melder named grand marshals of the parade. Elizabeth High named Maci Stapleton as 2023 Homecoming Queen. Claudette Gordon was named Christmas parade grand marshal for the town’s Christmas on Main in Oakdale. The Oakdale Council approved an ordinance for Plan 3 for reapportionment.
