Local

Dates set for special sales tax election in Opelousas

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Early voting for the Aug. 16 special election will be held from Aug. 2 to 9, with the exception of Sundays, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Early voting will take place at the courthouse in Opelousas only. No early voting will be held in Eunice.
St. Landry Parish Government worker David Courville fills sandbags at the Yambilee Building in Opelousas on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan.

St. Landry Parish Government worker David Courville fills sandbags at the Yambilee Building in Opelousas on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan.

Area braces for possible tropical weather

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
A tropical weather system is moving toward Louisiana with forecasts a bit uncertain as to its impact. Preparations began Tuesday with St. Landry Parish Government using a sandbag-filling device at the Yambilee in anticipation of flooding.
News notes items

News notes items

News notes

Myra Miller
Monday, July 14, 2025
Lafayette Genealogical Society meeting set Lafayette Genealogical Society monthly meeting will be held at 6 p.m. July 17 at the Lafayette Public Library, Southside Branch, 6101 Johnston St., in Lafayette.
Features such as this outdoor fireplace at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station are called hardscapes. They can provide both aesthetic and practical benefits. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Features such as this outdoor fireplace at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station are called hardscapes. They can provide both aesthetic and practical benefits. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Hardscaping sets the stage for year-round outdoor living

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, July 11, 2025
You’ve heard of landscaping. How about hardscaping? Hardscapes are the manmade features that bring form and function to our landscapes, providing a contrast to living elements such as plants, trees and turf — otherwise known as softscapes.

St. Landry Parish marriage licenses

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, July 11, 2025
The following people obtain marriage licenses from the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court Office. Thursday, July 3 Jude Ryan Meche and Tracy Lynn Stone, both of Eunice. James Neil Saucier and Paula Sue Miller, both of Opelousas.

St. Landry Parish civil cases

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, July 11, 2025
The following are civil cases filed in the 27th Judicial District Court. Wednesday, July 2 Frank Morris Pitre et al vs Syria Emerson et al, declaratory relief. Succession of Ernest Jones Jr. Thursday, July 3 The Bank vs Fontenots Diesel Enterprises LLC, monies due.
The Rotary Club speaker Wednesday was Colie Plaster with Cleco. From left, are Tommy Hebert, Cleco government affairs manager; Erika Fontenot, Rotary Club president; Colie Plaster, Cleco communications representative; Willie Bergeron, Cleco governmental service representative; and Jacob Bergeron, Rotarian. Plaster was the guest of Bergeron. (Photo by Myra Miller)

The Rotary Club speaker Wednesday was Colie Plaster with Cleco. From left, are Tommy Hebert, Cleco government affairs manager; Erika Fontenot, Rotary Club president; Colie Plaster, Cleco communications representative; Willie Bergeron, Cleco governmental service representative; and Jacob Bergeron, Rotarian. Plaster was the guest of Bergeron. (Photo by Myra Miller)

Cleco speaker touts company’s impact

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, July 11, 2025
Cleco is not just an electrical power provider, Cleco provides community services and believes in giving back to the community, according to Colie Plaster, a 9-month Cleco communications representative, who spoke Wednesday at the Eunice Rotary Club meeting.

Parish sales tax collections drop

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, July 11, 2025
Total St. Landry Parish sales tax collections were down 1.9% compared to last year as 2025 reached the halfway point, according statistics released Tuesday by the St. Landry Parish School Board tax division.
St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard explains how $1.5 million in state funding will pay for the Eunice Community Health Center to relocate to a renovated portion of the former Moosa Hospital during a ceremony on Thursday. From left, are Timmy Lejeune, Parish Council member; Chad Andrepont, city alderman; Rep. Dustin Miller; Bellard; Chip Thibodeaux, hospital board chariman; Scott Fontenot, mayor; and Ernest Blanchard, Parish Council member. Parish Council member Jimmie Edwards is behind Blanchard at

St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard explains how $1.5 million in state funding will pay for the Eunice Community Health Center to relocate to a renovated portion of the former Moosa Hospital during a ceremony on Thursday. From left, are Timmy Lejeune, Parish Council member; Chad Andrepont, city alderman; Rep. Dustin Miller; Bellard; Chip Thibodeaux, hospital board chariman; Scott Fontenot, mayor; and Ernest Blanchard, Parish Council member. Parish Council member Jimmie Edwards is behind Blanchard at

Health center funding celebrated

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, July 11, 2025
St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard announced $1.5 million in state funding for the Eunice Community Health Center on Thursday. The ceremony held at the clinic entrance on Moosa Boulevard included city and parish elected officials and community members.