Local

School is about to start as COVID cases rise

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in St. Landry Parish and in the state with teachers returning to schools on Wednesday and students on Aug. 11. Sylvia Brown, lead school nurse for the St.

News notes

Back to School Supply Drive Friday Three local Eunice businesses will sponsor a Back to School Supply Drive and Block Party beginning at 2 p.m. Friday at the Empiher Hookah Lounge, located at 631 E. Laurel Ave., Eunice.

Ceremony, social planned for new park in Washington

The Town of Washington will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new park at 10 a.m. Aug. 6 at the park named Ethel Park.

Sattler is unopposed for alderman at-large

Marion “Nootsie” Sattler won re-election for a second term as Eunice alderman at-large after Darrell Huckaby withdrew from the race. That was the only change from the three-day qualification period that ended Friday. There are races for chief of police, and alderman in Wards 2, 3 and 4.

Fontenot unopposed for mayor

Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot said he was in between deposition sessions on Tuesday when talking about being unopposed for a second four-year term as mayor. “It still hasn’t sunk in yet. I get to serve another four years. I was so overjoyed and emotional Friday afternoon,” he said.

St. Landry, Acadia internet grants announced

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a $130 million investment from the America Rescue Plan to bring more affordable and accessible internet to more than 66,000 households and small businesses through internet service providers in 50 parishes.

News notes

Mass for Charlene Richard set Aug. 11 The Charlene Richard Foundation announces the date of the annual Mass marking the 63rd Anniversary of the death of Charlene Marie Richard, Servant of God. The Mass will be offered at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Richard.

Comeaux named principal at Eunice Junior High School

Casey Daville Comeaux has been named the Eunice Junior High School principal. Comeaux served as the assistant principal at Eunice Junior High for the past six years under principal Chad Lemelle as well as principal Dwanetta Scott. Comeaux has 17 years of educational experience.

Lemelle named interim principal at Opelousas Junior High School

Chad Lemelle has been named interim principal at Opelousas Junior High School effective July 1. Lemelle served as Eunice Junior High School principal for the past 1 and 1/2 years His educational career began in 1999 as a biology/physical science teacher at Eunice High School.

Rice, gravy, and corn-fed Cajuns

I have been told that a true Cajun raised on the prairies can look at a field of growing rice and tell exactly how much gravy it will require to cover the harvested crop. If that’s so, it is an acquired skill. Cajuns came late to the rice field.