Empire News

Heather M. McKinley of Minden and Joshua J. Kaufman of Meraux, Louisiana, were married on May 21, 2011, at 6 o'clock in the evening at First Baptist Church, Minden.

John Francis "Jack" Garatie died August 14, 2011. Jack was born in New Orleans, LA and raised in Algiers, but lived in Empire for most of his adult life.

The public has until Aug. 8 to submit comments about a report and draft environmental impact statement for the Barataria Basin.

Mississippi oystermen have already been hit hard in recent years by cheap imports and other factors, and now the upcoming harvest season may be lost.

Speckled trout and redfish appear to be biting throughout the area despite muddy water in spots.