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Louisiana Nursery: A Testament to Local Growth and Community Connection

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Louisiana Nursery: A Testament to Local Growth and Community Connection


In the heart of Prairieville, Louisiana lies a beacon of local business and horticultural expertise: Louisiana Nursery. Celebrated for its dedication to the community and the advancement of gardening knowledge, this nursery stands as a testament to the resilience and growth of local enterprises. I had the pleasure of speaking with Les Rivet, a familiar face in the local gardening community, who has been with Louisiana Nursery for over four decades.

From Humble Beginnings to Horticultural Haven

Les’s journey with Louisiana Nursery began 41 years ago, starting with manual labor tasks such as unloading trucks and operating forklifts. Today, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the Prairieville location, a four-acre site that has been serving the community since its opening in 2006. This facility, along with two other locations in Baton Rouge, showcases the nursery’s commitment to providing a wide variety of plants and gardening supplies to its customers.

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Facing Challenges with Resilience

Louisiana Nursery has seen its fair share of challenges, from extreme weather conditions to the evolving needs of the community. Yet, through it all, the nursery has remained a steadfast provider of beauty and growth. Les attributes his love for the job to the ever-changing nature of the work and the joy of adapting to each new season. From the bustling spring season to the festive Christmas tree season, there’s always something new and exciting on the horizon.

A Community of Gardeners

At the heart of Louisiana Nursery is its people. Les speaks fondly of the relationships he’s built with customers over the years, many of whom have become friends. This sense of community is what makes Louisiana Nursery more than just a place to buy plants; it’s a place where success in gardening is nurtured, and customers are encouraged to return season after season.

Embracing Technology and Innovation

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Over the years, Louisiana Nursery has embraced technological advancements, both in the plants they offer and in their operations. The nursery now utilizes computers and databases to improve ordering efficiency and accuracy, a significant leap from the days of paper records. This adoption of technology has allowed Louisiana Nursery to continue offering the latest in plant varieties and gardening solutions.

A Personal Touch

When asked about his favorite plant, Les’s answer was immediate: azaleas. His preference for the larger varieties, such as the Formosa, reflects his deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the plant world.

Supporting Local: A Call to Action

As we wrapped up our conversation, the message was clear: supporting local businesses like Louisiana Nursery not only contributes to the local economy but also fosters a sense of community and shared growth. With three locations to serve the gardening needs of Louisiana, Les and his team at Louisiana Nursery invite everyone to experience the joy of gardening and the satisfaction of supporting local.

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In a world where the pace of change is ever-accelerating, Louisiana Nursery stands as a reminder of the value of local expertise, the importance of community, and the enduring beauty of nature.

 



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Louisiana

Louisiana shooter Shamar Elkins made chilling remarks about ‘demons’ weeks before killing his 7 kids and their cousin

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Louisiana shooter Shamar Elkins made chilling remarks about ‘demons’ weeks before killing his 7 kids and their cousin


The deranged Army vet dad who gunned down his seven children and their cousin confessed he was drowning in “dark thoughts” and told his stepdad that some people “don’t come back from their demons” just weeks before the heinous killings, according to a report.

Shamar Elkins, 31, killed eight children — five girls and three boys ages 3 to 11 — and seriously wounded two women believed to be his wife and girlfriend when he went on a shooting rampage through Shreveport following an argument with his spouse around 6 a.m. Sunday.

Shamar Elkins, 31, told family he was drowning in “dark thoughts” just weeks before he gunned down his seven children and their cousin. Facebook/Shamar Elkins

Just weeks ago, on Easter Sunday, Elkins called his mother, Mahelia Elkins, and his stepfather, Marcus Jackson, and chillingly told them he was drowning in “dark thoughts,” wanted to end his life, and that his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, wanted a divorce, the New York Times reported.

“I told him, ‘You can beat stuff, man. I don’t care what you’re going through, you can beat it,’” Jackson told the publication. “Then I remember him telling me: ‘Some people don’t come back from their demons.’”

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Mahelia Elkins said she was unclear what problems her son and his wife, who were married in 2024 and had four kids together, were dealing with, the Times reported.

But a relative of one of the wounded women said the couple was in the middle of separation proceedings and was due in court on Monday.

They had been arguing about their relationship coming to an end when Elkins — who was later killed by cops — opened fire, Crystal Brown told the Associated Press.

The killer father worked at UPS and served with the Louisiana Army National Guard from August 2013 to August 2020 as a signal support system specialist and fire support specialist, according to the Times.

A UPS coworker described Elkins as a devoted dad, but said he often seemed stressed and would pull his hair out, creating a lasting bald spot, the publication reported.

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Elkins worked at UPS and served with the Louisiana Army National Guard from August 2013 to August 2020 as a signal support system specialist and fire support specialist. Facebook/Shamar Elkins

Elkins’ mother noted that she had reconnected with her son more than a decade ago after leaving him to be raised by a family friend, Betty Walker. She had Elkins when she was a teenager and struggling with a crack cocaine addiction.

Walker said that she did not witness the shootings on Sunday morning but knew that Elkins shot his wife several times in the head and stomach, the paper reported.

She last saw the deranged father when his family came over for dinner just last weekend — but noted he did not appear off at the time.

“I was getting up this morning to make myself some coffee, and I got the call,” Walker recalled. “My babies — my babies are gone.”

Elkins also had two previous convictions, including for driving while intoxicated in 2016 and for the illegal use of weapons in 2019, the outlet said.

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In March 2019, a police report detailed that the National Guard vet had pulled a 9 millimeter handgun from his waistband and shot at a vehicle five times after a driver pulled a handgun on him — with one of the bullets being discovered near a school where children were playing.

Most of the victims were shot in the head while they slept. AP

The victims killed by Elkins have been identified as Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5. Seven of the eight were his own children, and the eighth was their cousin. They were all found dead inside their home in Shreveport.

Most of the victims were shot in the head while they slept, Shreveport Police Department spokesman Christopher Bordelon told NBC News.

One child was killed on the roof while trying to escape, police said.

Elkins, who was later killed by police during an attempted carjacking, also shot and wounded two women — the mothers of his children — during his murderous rage.

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He shot his wife in the face at the home with the eight kids, Bordelon told the outlet. The other injured victim is believed to be Elkins’ girlfriend, who was shot in a separate house nearby, the police spokesperson added.

Elkins shared four of the slain children with his wife and three with the other injured woman, according to Brown.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.



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At least 8 children killed in shooting in Louisiana, US

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At least 8 children killed in shooting in Louisiana, US


Yasin Gungor

19 April 2026Update: 19 April 2026

At least eight children were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in the US state of Louisiana, local police said Sunday.

Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said officers responded to the shooting just after 6 am (1100GMT), following a domestic disturbance call.

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The age of the deceased ranged from one to 14 years, he said, adding that the incident involved at least 10 individuals across four separate locations.

The suspect attempted to flee by carjacking a vehicle and driving to neighboring Bossier City, where police located and shot him dead.

Bordelon said Shreveport police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle into Bossier, where three officers discharged their firearms, killing him. He said investigators believe the suspect was the only person who opened fire at the locations.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the attack as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” adding: “It’s a terrible morning.”

No immediate information was available about the condition of the injured.

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‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers $2.8 billion

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‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers .8 billion


As Louisiana becomes a destination for multibillion-dollar technological investments in the rapidly-expanding data center sector, leaders, including President Trump and Governor Landry, have developed strategies to support that growth without



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