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T h u r s d ay, J a n u a ry 29, 2026
A FESTIVE START
Washington Mardi Gras — a party with a purpose — kicks off despite some travel snags
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Youngsville chief facing impeachment Civil Service Board reinstates demoted police captain after five-hour hearing BY JOEL THOMPSON Staff writer
STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER
Queen Sarah Heebe, from left, and King Gray Stream stand with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, during the Wednesday kickoff to Washington Mardi Gras at the home of France’s ambassador to the United States. BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer
WASHINGTON — Despite icy streets and slippery sidewalks, Louisiana folks streamed into the Washington Hilton — the state’s 65th parish for now — as the 77th edition of the Washington Mardi Gras got underway Wednesday. The traditional kickoff for the four days of festivities hit a weather-related snag as Carnival officials reacted
to delayed flights and continued cleanup from the winter storm that hit earlier in the week. But, at a slightly later time than planned, the traditional toast to this year’s Washington Mardi Gras King Gray Stream and Queen Sarah Heebe took place at the home of France’s ambassador to the United States, Laurent Bili. “It’s good to see you,” said U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, referring to the travel woes. “It’s so cold.
Traffic is such a delight. It’s like we’re in Baton Rouge.” In lighthearted remarks in which he occasionally went into his wellknown imitation of President Donald Trump, Johnson paid tribute to the long-standing friendship between France and the U.S. — Louisiana in particular. Johnson, who is from Benton, mentioned the portraits of the Marquis de
ä See FESTIVE, page 9A
Impeachment filings against Youngsville Police Chief JP Broussard were brought before the Youngsville Municipal Police Civil Service Board during a Tuesday hearing that lasted more than five hours. The hearing was called to determine whether disciplinary action Broussard took against Youngsville police Capt. John Davison was appropriate. The board ultimately ruled it was not and ordered Davison reinstated to his former rank. Davison, who had served as a Broussard captain for more than a decade, had been demoted to patrol officer following an incident in which Broussard said Davison “cussed him out” during a phone call. Davison did not dispute that he used foul language but said it was not directed at Broussard. During the hearing, Davison’s attorney alleged Broussard perjured himself in his description of a separate internal investigation similar to Davison’s case. That investigation involved Sgt. Louvenia Landry, who filed a complaint against a subordinate, Officer Mallory Gary, for using foul language. Broussard testified Gary received verbal counseling, while Davison was demoted three ranks and placed on 90 days of unpaid leave. Broussard said the two cases were different, asserting Landry had harassed Gary before the incident. He later acknowledged that his handling of Davison’s discipline violated the Louisiana statute commonly referred to as the Police Officers Bill of Rights. Davison’s attorney countered that Broussard’s explanation conflicted with earlier testimony in which Broussard denied any investigation occurred. Broussard said the discrepancy stemmed from the time lapse between when the complaint was filed and when he received it. Davison’s counsel then submitted impeachment filings to the board.
ä See CHIEF, page 9A
Influential Lafayette restaurateur Charlie Goodson dies at 81 BY JOANNA BROWN and ADAM DAIGLE
Staff writers
Charlie Goodson, one of Lafayette’s best-known restaurateurs, has died after a battle with esophageal cancer. The 81-year-old died at home in Lafayette on Wednesday. Goodson, considered a lion of the Louisiana restaurant industry, started in the 1970s with Judge Roy Bean’s Saloon, which he later transformed with partners into Café Vermilionville. He founded Charley G’s in 1985, and in 1990 opened Hub City Diner with partners Pat Mould and George Graham. In 2013, Goodson made waves in the Lafayette restaurant scene again
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with the Southern Hospitality Kitchens restaurant group, started with Marc Krampe and Jody Ferguson. The group operates restaurants Charley G’s, Social Southern Table & Bar, Marcello’s Lafayette, Pete’s and The Tap Room. One of Goodson’s friends, Marla Rose Dubois, confirmed his death. She said Goodson had been the best man at her wedding, and that his community of friends is deeply distraught at his passing. Goodson had been a main player in the restaurant industry in Lafayette for years, dating back to his days operating Judge Roy Bean’s Saloon in what would later become Café Ver-
milionville along Pinhook Road in the 1970s. He was named Restaurateur of the Year in 2017 by the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association and had been honored by the Acadiana Restaurant Association as Restaurateur of the Year in 1987, 1988 and 1994. Goodson also served on the board of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission that hired Executive Director and CEO Ben Berthelot. He was also the founder of Eat Lafayette, an annual promotional event and celebration of the treasure trove of local home-owned restaurants. Goodson was a mentor to other
FILE PHOTO By ROBIN MAy
Restauranteur Charlie Goodson serves gumbo at the Taste of Eat Lafayette bicentennial celebration at the Cajundome ä See GOODSON, page 9A Convention Center in 2023.
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