Also, recent rains have elevated the water level to 96.5 mean sea level, allowing the entire lake to reopen to boating traffic, said Betty Fuller of Cane River Patrol.

Parts of the lake are closed when the water level drops below 96 feet, said Fuller. The level dropped down to 93.4 feet last year during the drought, but rain in recent weeks has brought it back up, she said.

“December was very good for the lake, and in January we’re getting these rains every week,” and more rain is expected in the next few days, Fuller said.

“When Natchitoches gets those kinds of rain, the river will jump. The last rain Natchitoches got almost 4 inches, and we got a 5-inch rise on the lake.”

She said officials can now issue fishing tournament permits for the lake.

This time of year, Cane River Lake attracts boaters, fishermen and picnickers. During warmer months, skiing and wave-running are popular.

Fishing is good this time of year, Fuller said. “White perch has been real active, and they are catching a few bass.”

The lake stretches about 36 miles in length and averages 300 feet in width, giving it a surface area of less than 1,000 acres. The size and the configuration, along with shallow depth in some areas, create problems that officials address with specific safety regulations.

Cane River, also known as the Lower Cane, is a separate body of water than Cane River Lake. Cane River is not navigable, Fuller said, because of debris and configuration.

For more information about Cane River Lake, call Fuller at (318) 617-3235

Hazel Woods, the chief investigator for the Lincoln Parish coroner’s office, says the cause of death is not yet known and an autopsy is pending.

Duplessis, 21, whose body was found Thursday morning, recently completed his sophomore season of eligibility.

Louisiana Tech spokesman Patrick Walsh says coach Sonny Dykes has informed the team, which was expected to have a meeting later Thursday. The university has also made grief counselors available to the team.

Duplessis, who is from New Orleans, played in two games last season as he sought to come back from a knee injury that sidelined him in 2010. As a true freshman in 2009, he had 70 carries for 277 yards

Kane will first visit the Northwestern State University Leesville-Fort Polk campus library to talk with students and faculty and sign copies of her published books, which she is donating to the library.

Kane will appear at Vernon Parish Library from 3:15-5 p.m. where she will offer guidelines for humor in poetry, a base for a poet’s beginnings and show how those elements guide her work in her books Rhythm and Booze and Jazz Funeral. She will answer questions following the lecture as well as sign copies of her books. The program, open to the public, is made possible through a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and Vernon Parish Library.

Kane is serving a two-year term as Louisiana’s Poet Laureate. A native of Massachusetts, she holds degrees from Cornell University, Boston University and Louisiana State University. Kane won the Donald Justice Poetry Prize for Jazz Funeral. A former Fulbright Scholar, Kane was a winner of the National Poetry Series Open Competition for Rhythm & Booze. She was a finalist for one of the major prizes in American poetry, The Poets’ Prize for the Best Collection of American Poetry, and a judge for the 2005 National Book Award in Poetry. Her poems “Particle Physics” and “Used Book” were featured on National Public Radio’s The Writer’s Almanac.

For more information on Kane’s appearance in Leesville, contact the Vernon Parish Library at (337) 239-2027 or (800) 737-2231.

Larry M. Malmay, white male,35, was arrested on charges of DUS,possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of schedule I with intent by Many Police Department. he bonded.

Randall Gun, white male, 48, was arrested on charges of disturbing the peace by Converse Police Department. He remains in jail.

Terry H. Smith JR., white male, 31, was arrested on charges of Zwolle Police Dept. warrant by Zwolle Police Dept. He remains in jail.

Montrell Edwards, black male, was arrested on charges of simple battery under the dating violence act by SPSD. He remains in jail.

Christopher R. Woodle, white male, 36, was arrested on charges of bench warrant by Many Police Dept. He remains in jail.

Viola L. Holden, black female, 19, was arrested on charges of simple battery under the dating violence act by SPSD. She remains in jail.

Boys:   Ebarb-54   Pleasant Hill-56

Curtis Chiley, black male, 33, arrested on charges of probation violation by P&P. He remains in jail.

Ricky Patterson, white male, 42, arrested on charges of warrant by RPD & WRPD. He remains in jail.

Patricia Alice Garner, white female, 28, arrested on charges of Pick Up Order for Town of Many by Many PD. He paid a fine and was released.

Alie Lester Hebert, white male, 35, arrested on charges of theft, criminal trespass by SPSD. He bonded.

The Sabine Parish Detention Center is currently housing 112 inmates.