Local

St. Landry Parish sales tax collections posted 18% increase in January

January sales tax collections in St. Landry Parish totaled $10,602,423, up 18% or $1,624,995 over the January 2023 total of $8,977,428. The January sales tax report reflects sales in December.

Eunice native Army pilot, Bryant Fontenot, earns honors

Note: Chief Warrant Officer 5 Bryant Fontenot is a Eunice native and son of Virgil and Eve Fontenot. He graduated from St. Edmund High School in 1980.) By Janeczka Rodriguez After more than four decades of dedicated service, U.S. Army veteran pilot Bryant Fontenot is finally hanging up his wings.

Presidential primary election scheduled March 23

The Presidential Preference Primary is scheduled on March 23 and it will be closed primary meaning only Democrats and Republicans can vote in their respective party’s primary, according to St. Landry Parish Registrar of Voters Byron Stelly.

News notes

Etouffee Cook-off sponsors sought The Eunice Chamber of Commerce is seeking sponsors for the 37th Annual World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-off, scheduled to take place on March 23 at the Northwest Pavilion.

Sheriff’s detective found container leading to manslaughter conviction

A St. Landry Parish jury found an Opelousas man, Dewayne F. Poullard, Jr., 28, guilty of manslaughter on Friday for the shooting death of Chance Greene, also from Opelousas.  Evidence at trial revealed that in December of 2019, Poullard shot the victim twice in the torso with a .

DOTD to hold ‘Road Show’ in Lafayette

LAFAYETTE – The Joint Transportation, Highways, & Public Works Committee will conduct a legislative public hearing at 1:30 p.m. Thursday for the Acadiana Region (District 3) at the Lafayette Consolidated Government, City Hall Council Chambers 705 W. University Ave., Lafayette.

St. Landry-Evangeline United Way annual appreciation banquet recognizes supporters

St. Landry-Evangeline United Way held its annual appreciation banquet Jan. 22 at Toby’s Downtown in Opelousas. As an annual event, the United Way acknowledges the many supporters in St.

Registration open until Wednesday for Lil’ Mardi Gras

The Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras run take place Feb. 11 at the Eunice Recreational Complex, at 461 Sittig Road, in Eunice. Line-up begins at 7 a.m. and only registered vehicles will be admitted at this time. Participants can check in at 7:30 a.m.

Basile Mardi Gras festivities continue

Members of the Basile Mardi Gras Association have already begun their escapades for the 2024 carnival season, having performed at the Welsh Mardi Gras parade and at a private birthday party in Estherwood on Jan. 27. More pre-Mardi Gras Day events planned are as follows: On Friday, Feb.

Le Vieux Mardi Gras De Cajuns de Eunice registration deadline nears

Get ready for the ultimate Courir de Mardi Gras with Le Vieux Mardi Gras De Cajuns de Eunice. Here are the details for the much-anticipated Courier de Mardi Gras run: –Starting Point: Northwest Community Center, 501 Samuel Drive, Eunice. – Date: Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 a.m. registration.