News

Downside of casinos in Louisiana

Several quick financial fixes are being discussed in the current session of the Legislature involving the expansion of gambling. Here’s an interesting thought.

LuLu was cultural ‘marchand de boite’

Worry over the loss of the French culture in south Louisiana is no new thing. Nearly 80 years ago, there was enough concern that 3,000 people came to a big meeting in Abbeville to try to figure out what to do about it.

Bible cited in legislators’ death penalty deliberations

After a Senate panel voted Tuesday to ban the death penalty in Louisiana, a House committee rejected a similar bill 10-8 Wednesday at a tense hearing in which both sides quoted the Bible to make their points. All the Republicans on the committee voted against the bill. An independent, Rep.

Did you know? Always treat a firearm as if it is loaded

Last week there was a disturbing video circulating social media where a female was handling a firearm inside a car and accidently shot and killed a male subject. The negligent killing was caught on Facebook live and viewed by thousands.

LSU survey: Public favors Medicaid expansion, criminal justice reform

A survey by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab found that a majority of Louisiana residents support criminal justice reform and Medicaid expansion, two major policies pushed by the John Bel Edwards administration.

Parish sales revenue trailing last year

Sales tax collections in Eunice as of March are 1.1 percent below the year-to-date collections in 2017, according to statistics from the St. Landry Parish School Board Sales Tax Division. Eunice revenues were $1,348,948 through March. A year ago those revenues were $1,364,460 — a $15,512 decrease.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office arrests

The following are arrests reported by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. April 13 Roberta Inez Sosa, 46, 500 block of Collins Road, Opelousas. Possession of stolen things; three counts of accessories after the fact; simple burglary of inhabited dwelling (three counts).

Wayland H. Vincent

Funeral services will be held at noon Sunday, April 15, at Gumpoint Court of Praise Church in Branch for Wayland Hankins Vincent, 69, who passed away surrounded by his loving family April 11, 2018, in Lafayette. Rev.

James Rodney Forrestier

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 13 at 1 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Crowley for James Rodney Forrestier, 74, who passed away on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at 5:45 p.m. at Heart Hospital of Lafayette. Fr.

Rayford Trahan

Rayford Trahan, 47, passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at 2:15 p.m. at his home in Egan. Survivors include his fiancé, Mollie Cochran of Egan; one daughter, Jaida Trahan of Rayne; one son, Corey and wife Katie Trahan of DeRidder; his mother, Geraldine L.