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The Girl Scout Troop 1016 led the Pledge of Allegiance during the Inauguration Ceremony program held Thursday. From left, are London (L.J.) Hofstad, Ava Ortego and Kallie Bakka. Alderman Chad Andrepont is in the background.More photos on Page 10. (Photo by Myra Miller)

The Girl Scout Troop 1016 led the Pledge of Allegiance during the Inauguration Ceremony program held Thursday. From left, are London (L.J.) Hofstad, Ava Ortego and Kallie Bakka. Alderman Chad Andrepont is in the background.More photos on Page 10. (Photo by Myra Miller)

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Eunice city officials take ceremonial oaths

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, January 6, 2023
The City of Eunice held an inauguration ceremony Thursday at the Eunice High School Auditorium with Van Reed as master of ceremonies. The event was ceremonial. Officials took their official oaths on Jan. 1 at City Hall.
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)

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

Harlan Kirgan
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.

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

Harlan Kirgan
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)

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

Harlan Kirgan
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)

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

Jim Bradshaw
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

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

Harlan Kirgan
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

Harlan Kirgan
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

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

Harlan Kirgan
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

Shirley Vige

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City auditor reports significant impact from federal funds

Harlan Kirgan
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.