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Cameron Fontenot and Kailey Sonnier of Eunice welcomed their daughter Atraya Storm Fontenot. Atraya is the first born baby of the year at Acadian Medical Center. (Photo by Myra Miller)

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AMC celebrates first baby

Rebecca Chaisson

Friday, January 6, 2023

Atraya Storm Fontenot is the first born baby of the new year at Acadian Medical Center. Atraya was born at 1:34 p.m. Jan. 2 and weighed 6 pounds and 8 ounces and measured 19 inches in length. Atraya’s parents are Kailey Sonnier and Cameron Fontenot of Eunice.

From left are St. Landry Parish School Board members Tiffany Nolan, Timmakah Hardy and Mary Ellen Donatto. Nolan, District 11, and Hardy, District 12, are newly elected to the Board.

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School Board begins year on a divided note

Rebecca Chaisson

Friday, January 6, 2023

The St. Landry Parish School Board began its year on a divided note by electing its new president on a 7-6 vote. Opelousas Board member Joyce Haynes moved from the vice president to the presidency at the meeting on Thursday and stressed unity.

The Confederate monument on the St. Landry Parish Courthouse grounds was found Jan. 2 to have been painted. The monument is shown on Thursday. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

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Confederate monument defaced

Rebecca Chaisson

Friday, January 6, 2023

A 66-year-old Opelousas man surrendered to police after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with the defacing of the Confederate monument on the St. Landry Parish Courthouse grounds. A St. Landry Parish Government news release identified the man as Don Leger.

Raymond “La La” Lalonde gave this 1979 photo to his mother, Marie Lanclos Lalonde, after being elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives. (Submitted photo via The Advocate)

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LaLa lived simply, and loved it

Rebecca Chaisson

Thursday, January 5, 2023

I think I knew LaLa Lalonde for a year or more before I knew his real name. He was a member of the legislature when I met him, but I don’t think I ever heard him introduce himself as “Raymond” or “Representative Lalonde.” He introduced himself simply. “Hi, I’m LaLa,” sometimes in French.

News notes items

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News notes

Myra Miller

Thursday, January 5, 2023

EHS Alumni election of officers meeting The EHS Alumni Association will have election of of officers and board members at 6 p.m. Feb. 1 at Eunice High. All lifetime members are encouraged to attend. Eunice Area Men’s Retreat set Feb.

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Eunice student is on Centenary College Fall 2022 Dean’s List

Rebecca Chaisson

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Sophie Vidrine, of Eunice, is among 218 Centenary students named to the Dean’s List for Fall 2022. The honor list names all students who have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in 12 or more semester hours taken for a letter grade during the fall semester.

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Basile student is on Angelo State University Fall 2022 Dean’s List

Rebecca Chaisson

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS — Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, has announced the students achieving the Dean’s List for the 2022 fall semester, including Yahaira Jones of Basile. To be eligible for the ASU Dean’s List, full-time undergraduate students must maintain a 3.

About 85% of Louisiana farmers do not have a college degree. But that’s not true for David Billings and Chip Perrin of Coastal Plains Meat Company in Eunice, who both have bachelor’s degrees and also are military veterans (Army and Marine Corps, respectively) with work experience in the oil and gas industry. They recently partnered with LSUE to support the college’s new agricultural education programs as they’re looking for interns and highly skilled graduates to hire. “I wish LSU’s new program existed when

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Acadiana vets see green in growing LSUE Ag programs

Rebecca Chaisson

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Through the largest grant in recent LSU Eunice history, $846,000 from the Delta Regional Authority, the college will begin welcoming students into a free Introduction to Agriculture class this spring.

Shirley Vige

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City auditor reports significant impact from federal funds

Rebecca Chaisson

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Auditor Shirley Vige reported the City of Eunice finances were bolstered by about $1.8 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. Vige delivered the audit report at the Dec. 13 Board of Aldermen meeting. The $1.

The Mardi Gras banners are up on 2nd Street in Eunice. Mardi Gras arrives on Feb. 21. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

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Mardi Gras band lineup announced

Rebecca Chaisson

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Holiday celebrations are still fresh memories, but here comes the big party. The Eunice Mardi Gras band schedule has been released. The Cajun Mardi Gras Festival in Eunice will begin Feb. 17 and conclude on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21. The live bands line up will include: Feb. 17, at 7 p.m.