News

The scorched interior of a classroom at Southwest Elementary building. State Fire Marshal deputies determined the fire was intentionally set. (Submitted photo)

The scorched interior of a classroom at Southwest Elementary building. State Fire Marshal deputies determined the fire was intentionally set. (Submitted photo)

Vacant school fire believed to be arson

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
St Landry Crime Stoppers and the Louisiana State Fire Marshals need help in solving an arson in the city of Opelousas. On Feb. 28, just before 5:15 p.m., Opelousas firefighters responded to a report of a fire at the vacant Southwest Elementary building located in the 1200 block of Burr Street.
Hosts and speakers for Friday’s State of the Parish Luncheon held at The Grand Opera House in Crowley were, from left, Megan Duhon, Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce president and CEO; Scott Richard, superintendent of Acadia Parish public schools; K.P. Gibson, Acadia Parish sheriff; Chance Henry, Acadia Parish Police Jury president; Tracy Wirtz, Cox public / media relations manager; Laycie Lewis, Cox public affairs specialist; and Jennifer Middlebrooks, Cox local sales manager. (Crowley Post-Signal photo)

Hosts and speakers for Friday’s State of the Parish Luncheon held at The Grand Opera House in Crowley were, from left, Megan Duhon, Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce president and CEO; Scott Richard, superintendent of Acadia Parish public schools; K.P. Gibson, Acadia Parish sheriff; Chance Henry, Acadia Parish Police Jury president; Tracy Wirtz, Cox public / media relations manager; Laycie Lewis, Cox public affairs specialist; and Jennifer Middlebrooks, Cox local sales manager. (Crowley Post-Signal photo)

State of Acadia Parish declared as pretty good shape

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Generally speaking, Acadia Parish is in pretty good shape. Parishwide sales tax revenues are up, schools are getting tech upgrades thanks to the infusion of federal dollars and the overall crime rate, while not down, is holding steady.
Kristin Bullard, standing at right, a Leonviille Elementary School teacher, at Tuesday’s St. Landry Parish School Board committee meeting.

Kristin Bullard, standing at right, a Leonviille Elementary School teacher, at Tuesday’s St. Landry Parish School Board committee meeting.

Teacher pleads for help at School Board meeting

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
An eighth-grade teacher pleaded for help at a St. Landry Parish School Board meeting and said teachers are leaving the profession, not due to pay, but because they are disrespected.
By Harlan Kirgan Editor The defeat of three property tax proposals on Saturday’s ballot was not on the agenda for the St. Landry Parish School Board committee meetings on Monday and Tuesday. But the tax defeat seemed to be in the background of the meetings. “You saw what our tax did. We’ve got to realize the people are looking at us. They don’t trust the school system at all,” said Board member Kyle Boss on Monday. Superintendent Patrick Jenkins also noted trust is an issue for the school system that als

By Harlan Kirgan Editor The defeat of three property tax proposals on Saturday’s ballot was not on the agenda for the St. Landry Parish School Board committee meetings on Monday and Tuesday. But the tax defeat seemed to be in the background of the meetings. “You saw what our tax did. We’ve got to realize the people are looking at us. They don’t trust the school system at all,” said Board member Kyle Boss on Monday. Superintendent Patrick Jenkins also noted trust is an issue for the school system that als

Tax defeat doesn’t make School Board’s agenda

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
The defeat of three property tax proposals on Saturday’s ballot was not on the agenda for the St. Landry Parish School Board committee meetings on Monday and Tuesday. But the tax defeat seemed to be in the background of the meetings. “You saw what our tax did.
Nicholas Richard Veale

Nicholas Richard Veale

Jailer arrested for abusing prisoner

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
A St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s jailer, Nicholas Richard Veale, 34, of the 500 block of St. Patrick Avenue, Opeousas, has been arrested for abusing a prisoner, according to Sheriff Bobby Guidroz. Veale is charged with simple battery and malfeasance in office. His bail is set at $3,000.
St. Landry Parish Sheriff arrests report

St. Landry Parish Sheriff arrests report

St. Landry Parish Sheriff arrests

Myra Miller
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
The following are arrests reported by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. March 30 Nicholas Richard Veale, 34, 500 block of St. Patrick Avenue, Opelousas. Simple battery, malfeasance in office. Arrested by St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. Brian J. Winters, 39, 1400 block of W.
Eunice Police Arrests

Eunice Police Arrests

Eunice Police Arrests report

Myra Miller
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
The following are arrests by Eunice Police. March 29 Katrina Jyne Griffin, 31, 600 block of Park, Oakdale. Contempt of court. Timothy Wayne Fontenot, 25, 400 block of Winn Road, Sunset. Theft, value less than $1,000. Eugene Chambers, 40, 300 block of North East Street, Eunice. Contempt of court.
Eunice Police Radio log

Eunice Police Radio log

Eunice Police Radio log

Myra Miller
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
The following are excerpts from the Eunice Police Department radio dispatch logs. March 29 01:00 Harassment reported in the 1700 block of West Peach.
St. Landry Parish Sheriff arrests report

St. Landry Parish Sheriff arrests report

St. Landry Parish Sheriff arrests

Myra Miller
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
The following are arrests reported by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. March 29 Shane Joseph Richard, 35, 600 block of Desiree Road, Opelousas. Bench warrant. Arrested by St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. Christina Morgan Brown, 26, 2200 block of George Drive, Opelousas. Child desertion.
Elouise Johnwell

Elouise Johnwell

Elouise Johnwell

Myra Miller
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
EUNICE-Funeral services for Elouise Johnwell, will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at 10 a.m. with the visitation beginning at 8 a.m. until service time at Owens-Thomas Funeral Home in Eunice. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Rev. Jermaine Tezeno will officiate the funeral ceremony.