Local

COVID-19 cases climb

The positivity rate for COVID-19 cases in St. Landry Parish rose to 16.2%, up from 13.6%. The cumulative case total for the census tracts covering Eunice is now at 986, up 128 cases from 858 reported on July 30.

Parish’s population declines

St. Landry Parish’s population was 82,540 in the 2020 census released Thursday. That’s a decline of 5,160 or 5.9% from the 2000 count. In 2000, the St. Landry Parish’s population was 87,700, but dropped to 83,384 in 2010. Since 2000, Eunice’s population dropped 18%.

News notes

Late registration at EHS set Thursday Eunice High School will have a late registration from 9 a.m. until noon Thursday. Registration must be accompanied by an electric bill and any type of secondary bill. Registration fee is $50. Blood Drive at b1Bank Aug.

Grammy nominee returns to Zydeco Capital Jam Saturday

Grammy nominee Corey Ledet, aka “The Accordion Dragon”, returns to lead the Zydeco Capital Jam from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center, I-49 exit 23 in Opelousas. Ledet kicked off the jam, held the second Saturday of each month, when it debuted in January 2019.

Workshop to focus on arts, culture, tourism aiding development

Three workshops are planned starting Monday to explore ways that arts, culture, and tourism contribute to creative placemaking, economic development, and community revitalization. Called Leveraging Cultural Anchor Institutions, the virtual workshops are scheduled Monday through Wednesday.

Board OKs artificial turf for Rec Complex

Artificial turf for eight infields at the Eunice Recreation Complex was approved by the Board of Aldermen at Tuesday’s meeting. The Board authorized Mayor Scott Fontenot to enter into a agreement with Sustainability Partners, which will act as a contractor for the project.

LEAP test scores in St. Landry Parish declined

LEAP test scores from last spring show St. Landry Parish public school students declined. The scores were released on Aug. 4 by the state Department of Education and document the impact of a school year marked by COVID-19 precautions.

Parish sales tax revenue continues double-digit growth

St. Landry Parish sales tax collections continued double-digit growth through July, according to the monthly report released by St. Landry Parish School Board sales tax division. Collections totaled $50,618,551 through July, up $5,447,452 or 12% over the same period in 2020.

News notes

Late registration at EHS set Thursday Eunice High School will have a late registration from 9 a.m. until noon Thursday. Registration must be accompanied by an electric bill and any type of secondary bill. Registration fee is $50. Blood Drive at b1Bank Aug.

Preparing for opening day at St. Edmund

Second grade teacher at St. Edmund Elementary Mary Joubert prepares student binders at each desk for their first day of school. Joubert said she has 16 students in her class this year. St. Edmund School’s first day of school is Wednesday with a dismissal at noon. (Photo by Myra Miller)