Good morning, Lake Charles.

CARC marks Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month this March by hosting a Buddy Ball Tournament on Saturday, March 29, from 10 a.m.—1 p.m. at College Oaks Ball Field where players, volunteers, and spectators are invited, and the nonprofit also runs its Treasure Chest truck to collect donations while urging parents to access early special services for children with developmental disabilities.

Smitty’s Meat Market—a 70-year local staple—will stop cooking food until a new hood suppression system is installed to fix a fire code violation.

Owner Joe Lavergne said he needs three to four months to complete the upgrade and that the change could force layoffs as cooked food makes up 70 percent of sales.

On March 15, authorities at Calcasieu Correctional Center booked 15 individuals—mostly Lake Charles residents—on charges ranging from domestic abuse battery and interfering with emergency communication to illegal weapons possession and drug offenses.

The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office asked the public on March 16 to help locate 17-year-old Kylie Fruge who was last seen on Hwy 14 in Calcasieu Parish and who last spoke with her family on March 12.

McNeese coach Will Wade—a Clemson graduate and former team manager—will face his alma mater as his Cowboys, seeded 12th in the Midwest Regional, play Clemson on Thursday at 2:15 p.m. Lake Charles time in Providence, R.I.

The team seeks its first NCAA Tournament win after earning an 11-game win streak with a recent Southland Conference title.

Christian Shumate, the longest-serving Cowboy at McNeese, spoke about his time with the team and the chance to have his number retired after playing his final game at the Legacy Center on Wednesday, when he helped lead his team to a 63-54 win and earned his second Defensive Player of the Year award. He now must wait five years before he can join the McNeese Athletics Hall of Fame—his record-breaking career stands as a key part of the team's history.

Hayes Carll Live at Southlake Theater

Hayes Carll will perform live at Southlake Theater in Lake Charles, showcasing his unique blend of storytelling and country music.

Suds & Buds Spring Festival

Suds & Buds is a spring festival in Lake Charles featuring local vendors and supporting the Reins of Hope therapeutic riding program.

Frank Foster Live Concert

8:00-9:30 p.m. | Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino | Tickets available via UNATION | Enjoy an evening of live music with Frank Foster in a vibrant casino setting.

Virtual Tour of Senior Living

9 AM - 7 PM | Tower Oaks Apartments | Free entry | Explore the best senior living experiences with award-winning care and activities.

CeCe Winans Concert

7-9 p.m. — Glad Tidings Church — Tickets available — Experience an inspiring live performance by the renowned gospel artist CeCe Winans.

Dru Hill Concert

7-11 p.m. — Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino — Ticket prices vary — Experience the captivating R&B vibes of the legendary group Dru Hill.

CYPHACON 2025

5-9 p.m. — Lake Charles Event Center — Admission fee applicable — Celebrate the fun and creativity at the 13th annual CYPHACON event filled with excitement and entertainment.

SWLA's Annual Yoga Fest

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Drew Park — Admission details not specified — Celebrate movement, mindfulness, and community at Lake Area's largest yoga fest.

Bunny at the Barn Egg Hunt

8-10 p.m. — Eastern Dr, Lake Charles, LA — $10 per Child, $5 per Adult — Enjoy an evening of egg hunting with prizes, food, and guided pet play.