Local

Zydeco Capital Jam returns to I-49 Parish Visitor Center

After a 14-month absence, the Zydeco Capital Jam returns from 1 to 3 p.m. June 12 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center, I-49 exit 23, in Opelousas. Accordion legend Jeffery Broussard, of Zydeco Force and Creole Cowboys fame, will lead the jam, open to all players and fans.

Eunice natives graduate at LSU Health Shreveport commencement ceremony

LSU Health Shreveport students celebrated the culmination of hundreds of hours of academic accomplishment by graduating with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or Doctorate degree on May 21.

Fallen honored on Memorial Day

The names of those from Eunice who fell in service to the country were solemnly read at the Memorial Day ceremony. About 60 people assembled at memorial at Park Avenue and 2nd Street at 5 p.m. Monday. As Terry Matte, former VFW Post commander, said the day is for “all those who never came back home.

Church Point flood mitigation project funded

A $2.9 million project at Church Point to construct two detention ponds is among 16 announced by Gov. John Bel Edwards. The projects totaling $61.6 million are part of the Watershed Projects Grant Program: Local and Regional – Round 1 and are part of a plan to spend $1.

Active hurricane season predicted

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.

News notes

Farmers’ Market open Saturdays The Eunice Farmers’ Market will be open every Saturday, weather permitting, from 9 a.m. to noon. The market is located behind the DMV. Senior coupons are welcome.

Rain, rain go away

The rain has been pouring for nearly a week, causing flooding in parts of the state. One day brought 13 inches as the weather systems stalled over some cities. Many areas have been under water for days. One thing this weather has definitely shown us is where the problem spots are in our yards.

Marine killed in Afghanistan 10 years ago remembered in his hometown of Iota

On June 9, 2011, Cpl. Matthew Richard was on a combat operation in Afghanistan’s Helmund Province when he moved his team to safety as he investigated an improvised explosive device. The IED blew up killing the 21-year-old Marine from Iota.

Tri-Parish workforce posts gain in April

The Tri-Parish workforce posted a gain in April compared to a year ago when jobs vaporized amid COVID-19 restrictions and shutdowns. The April workforce numbered 67,162, an increase of 657 or nearly 1% over a year ago, according to statistic released Friday by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

Bridge reopened

The bridge on La. 3116, 0.9 miles north of La. 3123, has been reopened, according to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. The bridge, south of Eunice in Acadia Parish, had been closed for repairs.