News

Talk of U.S. taking Greenland leaves me cold

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Right after graduating from high school, my father enlisted in the Army. He had no idea they would be sending him to the other end of the world, a place where there were six months of darkness and six months of midnight sun.

Multiple reasons for a bad week for America

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
A number of current and former public officials took it on the chin this past week. Much of the criticism was justified, but there was overkill in several of the high profile cases.

Eagle Expo includes live raptors, photo workshop, boat tours

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
MORGAN CITY — The 20th Annual Eagle Expo and More, scheduled Feb. 20-22 in Morgan City will feature presentations from wildlife and nature experts, a live raptor presentation, boat tours to view eagles and opportunities to meet fellow birders.
UL Lafayette students will help design and build 5-acre research and entertainment park in Arnaudville, La. Ground is expected to be broken on the site’s first structure, the Aqua House (above), this spring or summer. (Courtesy rendering)

UL Lafayette students will help design and build 5-acre research and entertainment park in Arnaudville, La. Ground is expected to be broken on the site’s first structure, the Aqua House (above), this spring or summer. (Courtesy rendering)

UL Lafayette students to design, build 5-acre research, entertainment park

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
A 5-acre patch of land near Arnaudville will become a hub for education, science conferences, sustainability workshops and cultural festivals thanks, in part, to the expertise of University of Louisiana at Lafayette students. The Levity and Les Deux Bayous S.T.E.A.M.
Rice acres are expected to stay about the same in 2025. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Rice acres are expected to stay about the same in 2025. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Depressed commodity prices likely to keep farm margins tight

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
As farmers begin making plans for the upcoming growing season, many are bracing for the likelihood of another year marked by tight margins. “Production costs for 2025 are estimated to decrease for the second consecutive year, which is good news,” said LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto.
The 22nd annual Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week will be held in Eunice in March. The week was announced at the Eunice city council meeting on Tuesday with a proclamation. From left, are Jeane Solis, executive director of Louisiana Folk Roots; Mayor Scott Fontenot; Jean Johnson, Louisiana Folk Roots Board member; and Herb Wiltz, Louisiana Folk Roots Board member. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

The 22nd annual Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week will be held in Eunice in March. The week was announced at the Eunice city council meeting on Tuesday with a proclamation. From left, are Jeane Solis, executive director of Louisiana Folk Roots; Mayor Scott Fontenot; Jean Johnson, Louisiana Folk Roots Board member; and Herb Wiltz, Louisiana Folk Roots Board member. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Balfa Week coming to Lakeview

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
The 22nd annual Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week will begin with a pre-Camp Louisiana French language immersion activity on March 24 hosted at the National Park Service’s “Acadian Culture Center” in Eunice. Balfa Week continues March 25 to 28 at Lakeview RV Park in Eunice.

Suit on jail costs proves contentious

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
A lawsuit filed by St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard asking for a district court declaratory judgment on jail costs was contentious from the start. But the process itself may prove difficult. On Dec. 13 a motion was filed to recuse all 27 Judicial District judges from hearing the lawsuit.

Violent crime arrests down in 2024

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Violent crime arrests in Eunice were down in 2024 compared to 2023 according to a report released by Eunice Police Chief Kyle LeBouef for Tuesday’s Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting. LeBouef pointed out there were 1,274 more traffic stops in 2024 compared to 2023.
Shirley Vige, CPA of Vige, Tujague & Noel, opens an audit report at Tueday’s Eunice city council meeting. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Shirley Vige, CPA of Vige, Tujague & Noel, opens an audit report at Tueday’s Eunice city council meeting. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Audit finds city books healthy

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Auditor Shirley Vige possibly saved the best for last during his presentation of the annual audit the City of Eunice financial books. When the fiscal year ended on June 30, 2024, the city’s General Fund had a cash balance of $8,226,295.