Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a Ville Platte man allegedly found in bed with a seven-year-old girl in Bunkie early yesterday morning.  Captain Tim Ryan says the girl’s parents held 61-year-old Jeffrey Brant at gunpoint until authorities arrived…:

CUT 03(10)      “…invited in.”

He’s charged with home invasion, criminal trespass, and indecent behavior with juveniles. The little girl and her younger sister are apparently unharmed.

Thanksgiving holiday weekend shopping gives retailers hope for a good Christmas season. National Retail Federation president Matt Shay says figures from the weekend indicate there could be a 6-to-8-percent increase in retail sales over last year…:

CUT 11(10)      “…four weeks.”

197-million Americans did some shopping between Friday and Monday; either online or in stores.

Police in Covington confirm the murder of a retired local priest, Father Otis Young, who had been reported missing last Saturday. A coroner confirmed the badly burned remains found Monday were Young’s. He was apparently bludgeoned to death. A second victim’s identity has not been confirmed yet, but it is believed she is Ruth Prats, a church assistant. A suspect is in custody.

The statewide average for regular gas today is $3.03 a gallon, and AAA expects it to continue to drop…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”