BREAKING: Elton voters recall their mayor

Elton Mayor Kesia Lemoine was removed from office by a narrow margin Saturday in a special recall election in Jeff Davis Parish.

The complete but unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s Office show 205, or 51 percent, voting to remove Lemoine from office while 197 voted against the recall.

Voter turnout was 55 percent.

Lemoine will be automatically removed from office after the nine-day period for filing an election contest is over, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. An interim will be appointed to replace the mayor until a special election can be held to fill the vacancy.

The recall election was called in January amid allegations of irregularities with the 2022 mayoral election, according to recall petition organizers. Organizers contend there were enough fraudulent votes to change the outcome of the election and that the people of Elton’s voices were not heard.

A recall attempt in May 2023 failed after organizers missed the mark on receiving enough signatures to place a recall election on the ballot. Forty percent of registered voters within the district were needed to force a recall election.

Parishwide voters renewed a 2.61-mill property tax tax for maintenance and upkeep of the parish courthouse and jail by a vote of 1,094-557 or 66 percent in favor.

It is expected to generate $748,500 annually for the upkeep of the facilities which includes the Clerk of Court, district attorney and judge’s offices, as well as the district court and some offices of the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Voters in Sub Road District 1 of Road District 11 approved the continuation of a 10.45-mill property tax for the improvement and maintenance of roads and bridges in the Fenton area by a vote of 52-21, or 71 in favor.

The millage, which represents a .14-mill increase, is expected to generate $339,000 annually for the district.

Voters in School District No. 1, which includes the two Lake Arthur campuses approved a 20-year, $3 million bond issue for construction and improvement of school facilities, including security upgrades. It will result in a 2-mill increase in the first year.

The measure passed 104-87, or 54 percent in favor.

Voters in the Welsh-Roanoke Consolidated School District 1 also passed a separate 20-year, $8.5 million bond issue for construction and improvements at Welsh High School, Welsh Elementary and Welsh-Roanoke Junior High.

It passed 267-85, or 76 percent in favor. It will be supported by a 12-mill tax in the first year.

Voters in Welsh renewed a 15-year, one-cent sales tax dedicated to the maintenance and improvement of streets, sidewalks and drainage.

The measure passed 189-26, or 88 percent in favor.

It is expected to generate $580,000 annually.

Voters in Fire Protection District 6 said yes to the continuation of a 10-year, 5.59 -mill property tax by a vote of 294-124, or 70 percent in favor.

The millage, which represents a .06-mill increase based on reappraisal, will be used for fire protection including construction, improvement, maintenance and operation of fire protection facilities in the Elton area. It is expected to generate $77,800 annually.

SportsPlus

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Landry tries to pull fast one

Informer

The Informer: Historic Arcade Theater destroyed in 1985 Thanksgiving Day fire

Jim Gazzolo

Jim Gazzolo column: Parity no cause for concern

Local News

US taxpayer funds went to foreign competition for domestic shrimpers

McNeese Sports

Cowboys look to regain touch

life

Hobo Hotel for Cats charity auction set for Saturday

Local News

Firefighter training to be offered to high school junior, seniors

Local News

LCPD complaints delay vote to reappoint police chief

Local News

Karlee Campbell curates a classroom for students where they feel welcomed

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls suffer double loss

life

SW La. nightlife calendar: There’s always something to do

Local News

Trump announces commission on religious liberty, White House Faith Office

McNeese Sports

Traveling man

Local News

Jennings High Key Club using grant to increase access to books

Local News

Program aimed at helping city workers buy homes

Local News

Several area schools named after Black education pioneers, local legends

Crime

LC man accused of going on crime spree

McNeese Sports

Back to their roots

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Second Harvest news unsettling

Local News

Meet the candidates: Five throw hat in ring for mayor’s race

McNeese Sports

SLC games set for McNeese

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls look for four-peat

Local News

UPDATE: Drug charges against veterinarian cleared of rape dropped

Local News

Cassidy, Senate committee advances Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nomination to be health secretary