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Eunice High School Principal Mitch Fontenot is in the front hall of the school in this photo from 2018. Fontenot plans to retire from Eunice High in June. He said he will continue his career as principal at St. Edmund High School. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Eunice High School Principal Mitch Fontenot is in the front hall of the school in this photo from 2018. Fontenot plans to retire from Eunice High in June. He said he will continue his career as principal at St. Edmund High School. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

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Eunice High’s longtime principal Fontenot to retire; will lead St. Edmund

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, February 24, 2023
Mitch Fontenot is retiring after 14 years as principal of Eunice High School and 33 years as a public school educator here. Fontenot responded to a request for information that highlights the success of his tenure at Eunice High School.
Hunter Aucoin holds a chicken aloft after catching it during the Eunice Mardi Gras Run. Aucoin was at the field at Parish Road 6-325 and North Bobcat Drive. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Hunter Aucoin holds a chicken aloft after catching it during the Eunice Mardi Gras Run. Aucoin was at the field at Parish Road 6-325 and North Bobcat Drive. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

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5-day Mardi Gras party draws crowds to Eunice

Rebecca Chaisson
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Alicia Mire is the city and parish tourism official and on Tuesday by the music stage talked about the five-day Eunice Mardi Gras celebration. “I didn’t know half the crowd that was here and our street was packed. That means that was tourists — people from all over,” she said.
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Myra Miller
Thursday, February 23, 2023
St. Mathilda Church Lent dinners Fridays St. Mathilda Church will have Fried Fish and fish courtbouillon dinners fundraiser on every Friday during Lent. Pick up is from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Bishop Ceasar Center. A donation of $12 will be accepted.
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Myra Miller
Monday, February 20, 2023
Guns Down Power Up event at the Opelousas Museum Feb. 25 In honor of Black History Month, Guns Down Power Up and the Opelousas Museum are teaming up for a day dedicated to peace, creative expression and youth.
A painting by Eunice artist Amelia Vidrine was unveiled at the Eunice Board of Aldermen meeting on Feb. 14. The painting depicts the Dewey Balfa homestead is on a poster for the Dewey Balfa Cajun & Heritage Week set March 20 to 25 at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice. From left, are Mayor Scott Fontenot, Louisiana Folk Roots Director Jeanne Solis and Vidrine. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

A painting by Eunice artist Amelia Vidrine was unveiled at the Eunice Board of Aldermen meeting on Feb. 14. The painting depicts the Dewey Balfa homestead is on a poster for the Dewey Balfa Cajun & Heritage Week set March 20 to 25 at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice. From left, are Mayor Scott Fontenot, Louisiana Folk Roots Director Jeanne Solis and Vidrine. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

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City welcomes upcoming Balfa Week

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, February 17, 2023
A poster was unveiled and a proclamation made at the Eunice Board of Aldermen meeting on Feb. 14 to welcome the Dewey Balfa Cajun & Heritage Week set March 20 to 25 at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice. The poster is from an original artwork by Amelia Vidrine, of Eunice.
The frozen Mardi Gras of 2021. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

The frozen Mardi Gras of 2021. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

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When Mardi Gras collided with a blizzard

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, February 17, 2023
Big preparations had been afoot for weeks for Mardi Gras celebrations across south Louisiana in 1899. It was to be especially festive because Mardi Gras fell on Valentine’s Day that year. Nobody anticipated that what may have been the worst blizzard ever to hit the state would undo it all.
Boy Scout Troop 425 was recognized at the Feb. 14 Eunice Board of Aldermen meeting for its repair work at the Eunice Depot Museum. The scouts sealed the ramp and deck on Feb. 5. Scouts, from left, are Dreylan Babino, Caden Schoeffler, Jared Joyce, Noah LeJeune, Eli Manuel, Andrew Fontenot, Devan Joyce and Bryson Higginbotham. Scout Gage McGee was unable to attend the council meeting, but contributed significantly to the project, stated Council Chair Matthew Schoeffler. Brandon McGee is the scoutmaster. Sho

Boy Scout Troop 425 was recognized at the Feb. 14 Eunice Board of Aldermen meeting for its repair work at the Eunice Depot Museum. The scouts sealed the ramp and deck on Feb. 5. Scouts, from left, are Dreylan Babino, Caden Schoeffler, Jared Joyce, Noah LeJeune, Eli Manuel, Andrew Fontenot, Devan Joyce and Bryson Higginbotham. Scout Gage McGee was unable to attend the council meeting, but contributed significantly to the project, stated Council Chair Matthew Schoeffler. Brandon McGee is the scoutmaster. Sho

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Scouts recognized for community service at Board of Aldermen meeting

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, February 17, 2023
Boy Scout Troop 425 was recognized at the Feb. 14 Eunice Board of Aldermen meeting for its repair work at the Eunice Depot Museum. The scouts sealed the ramp and deck on Feb. 5.
Chicken under control at the 2022 Mardi Gras. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Chicken under control at the 2022 Mardi Gras. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

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Eunice Mardi Gras schedule

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, February 17, 2023
Start your morning off with a boucherie today as the Eunice Mardi Gras Festival continues centered on 2nd Street and Walnut Avenue. The city is hosting the Pa Ta Sa Cooking Krewe for the annual Boucherie at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on 2nd Street near the bandstand. At 3 p.m.
St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz holds an annual report for the Sheriff’s Office at the Eunice Rotary Club on Wednesday. (Photo by Myra Miller)

St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz holds an annual report for the Sheriff’s Office at the Eunice Rotary Club on Wednesday. (Photo by Myra Miller)

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Sheriff reports on successes, challenges

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, February 17, 2023
St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz was the guest speaker at the Eunice Rotary Club Wednesday. Guidroz brought along with him District Attorney Chad Pitre. Guidroz provided a 2022 annual report for the Rotarians. Guidroz is proud of a new complex building. He discussed the St.