News

Castex spied opportunity at river crossing

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, June 13, 2025
When Jean Castex started a small general store on the Mermentau River, the town that grew up around it was little more than a crossing point for brave travelers on the Old Spanish Trail.

That water cost how much???

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, June 13, 2025
“All day I’ve faced a barren waste/ Without the taste of water/ Cool but over-priced water…” — Apologies to the Sons of the Pioneers. According to the New York Times, “fine water” is starting to give fine wine a good stomping.
Local and parish library board members and employees, pastors, community leaders, library patrons, and Miss Basile royalty along with contractors who built the new Basile library branch building are gathered around Faye Langley, local representative on the Evangeline Library Board of Control, as she cuts the ceremonial ribbon at the library’s grand opening.

Local and parish library board members and employees, pastors, community leaders, library patrons, and Miss Basile royalty along with contractors who built the new Basile library branch building are gathered around Faye Langley, local representative on the Evangeline Library Board of Control, as she cuts the ceremonial ribbon at the library’s grand opening.

Basile writes new story with new library opening

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, June 13, 2025
A new chapter officially began for the people of Basile on June 5 as the Evangeline Parish Library system hosted the grand opening ceremony for its brand-new Basile branch building, located at 3222 Stagg Avenue.

St. Landry Parish marriage licenses

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, June 13, 2025
The following people obtained marriage licenses from the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court Office. Wednesday, June 4 Martin Luther Texada and Kimberly Michelle Lastrapes, both of Opelousas. Thursday, June 5 Noah Nathaniel Shepard and Krysten Alicia Joubert, both of Clarksville, Tennessee.

St. Landry Parish civil cases

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, June 13, 2025
The following are civil cases filed in the 27th Judicial Court District. Wednesday, June 4 Tabitha Vidrine vs Mark Anthony Vidrine, divorce. Bremer in Puac Virula et al vs State of Louisiana, name change. Kendrick Prejean vs Lori Clark et al, damages.
St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard, right, discusses the proposal to build a juvenile detention facility to serve nine parishes with retired, from left, retired District Judge Ellis Daigle and Eunice attorney Donnie Richard after Wednesday’s Eunice Rotary Club meeting. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard, right, discusses the proposal to build a juvenile detention facility to serve nine parishes with retired, from left, retired District Judge Ellis Daigle and Eunice attorney Donnie Richard after Wednesday’s Eunice Rotary Club meeting. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Voters to be asked to fund juvenile facility in March 2026

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, June 13, 2025
A vote on a 1 cent sales tax to fund a nine-parish juvenile district is possible in March 2026, said St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard.

School Board delays $1K pay raise vote

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, June 13, 2025
A proposal to provide a $1,000 pay raise for all full-time St. Landry School Board employees beginning July 1 was sent back to committee.

Legislators OK LSU buying equine center in Opelousas

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, June 13, 2025
Louisiana legislators voted to give $3.5 million in state funds to LSU to purchase a horse facility which the university did not request. The money will go toward the purchase of the 200-acre Copper Crowne Equestrian Center in Opelousas.
Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to reporters about his legislative agenda to bring down high auto insurance rates on April 9. Also shown, second from right, is House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, of Eunice. (Photo byWes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to reporters about his legislative agenda to bring down high auto insurance rates on April 9. Also shown, second from right, is House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, of Eunice. (Photo byWes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Legislation focuses on consumers and targets trial lawyers

(not verified)
Friday, June 13, 2025
The Louisiana Legislature wrapped up its 2025 regular session Thursday having passed an agenda to try to lower insurance rates with legislation that focused on consumers and so-called “tort reform” policy targeting personal injury lawyers on the belief they are the cause of the state’s high...

Teacher pay raise sent to voters

(not verified)
Friday, June 13, 2025
The Louisiana House voted 98-1 Thursday to give final legislative approval to $53.5 billion budget package for the upcoming fiscal year without objecting to any of the major changes that the Senate had made earlier this week.