News

Joseph Edwards, missing since 1964, is believed to have been murdered by Ku Klux Klansmen and sheriff’s deputies. His case is thought to be the only one investigated by the FBI and Justice Department during the Civil Rights era in which the body has never been found. (Concordia Sentinel photo)

Joseph Edwards, missing since 1964, is believed to have been murdered by Ku Klux Klansmen and sheriff’s deputies. His case is thought to be the only one investigated by the FBI and Justice Department during the Civil Rights era in which the body has never been found. (Concordia Sentinel photo)

No charges or body from Civil Rights era violence

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Six decades after a Louisiana man’s disappearance and presumed murder, his family is still looking for answers and a body to bury. Carl Ray Thompson, then 26, spotted his cousin’s two-toned Buick on the side of the Ferriday-Vidalia highway as he sat in the back of a sheriff’s car in July 1964.
Choir members rehearse at First Baptist Church in preparation for the Eunice Community Concert Band and Choir Christmas Concerts scheduled at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 at the church. (Photo by Dwight Jodon)

Choir members rehearse at First Baptist Church in preparation for the Eunice Community Concert Band and Choir Christmas Concerts scheduled at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 at the church. (Photo by Dwight Jodon)

Christmas season starts with a toy drive today

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
The Christmas season in Eunice starts this week with the first Christmas Festival at VFW Post 8971 on U.S. 190 with a toy drive for Toys for Tots. A drop off will be there so Boy Scout 425 and VFW veterans can collect unwrapped toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive.

Stalker denied bid to clear his record

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
An Opelousas man who had a conviction for stalking expunged is now back on the public record following a ruling by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of the State Police appealed an order in St.

Treat all instances of hatred and bias equally

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
About a month ago, I was traveling on the subway in Philadelphia when I was attacked by a young African-American male in a hoodie, who was angry that I was filming him after he’d punched me in the head moments before.

A tradition to be thankful for

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
I love pumpkin pie — but not just any pumpkin pie. It has to be my mother’s pumpkin pie, made with her unique thick and dry crust, and it has to be enjoyed only on Thanksgiving Day. It’s a Purcell family tradition, after all, and tradition is the reason Thanksgiving is my favorite American holiday.
Dr. Kelly L. Robinson, right, is an assistant professor of biology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She led a study that’s offering a broader picture of plankton life in the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo by Doug Dugas / University of Louisiana at Lafayette)

Dr. Kelly L. Robinson, right, is an assistant professor of biology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She led a study that’s offering a broader picture of plankton life in the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo by Doug Dugas / University of Louisiana at Lafayette)

UL Lafayette scientist’s research studies Gulf plankton life

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
A groundbreaking study in a leading scientific journal is offering a broader picture of plankton life in the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Kelly L. Robinson, an assistant professor of biology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Dr.
From left, are Johnny Carriere Jr., Refinery Mission executive director, Amanda Quebedeaux, Refinery Mission Board president, Joe Zanco (president and CEO, St. Landry Homestead Federal Savings Bank president and CEO, and Steven Matkovich Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas senior affordable housing analyst. (Submitted photo)

From left, are Johnny Carriere Jr., Refinery Mission executive director, Amanda Quebedeaux, Refinery Mission Board president, Joe Zanco (president and CEO, St. Landry Homestead Federal Savings Bank president and CEO, and Steven Matkovich Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas senior affordable housing analyst. (Submitted photo)

Refinery Mission breaks ground on transitional housing complex

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
OPELOUSAS — The Refinery Mission and its staff joined representatives from St. Landry Homestead Federal Savings Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas on Nov. 19 to break ground on a new transitional housing facility that will serve adult men.

UL Lafayette to help state meet carbon dioxide, methane goals

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
LAFAYETTE — The University of Louisiana at Lafayette will establish an extension service to help the state meet objectives for reducing carbon dioxide and methane emissions. The Louisiana C1 Extension Service will be part of UL Lafayette’s Energy Institute of Louisiana.
Judge Pro Tempore J. Larry Vidrine

Judge Pro Tempore J. Larry Vidrine

Court rules Jack the lost Lab returned to his owner

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
“Jack,” a lost Labrador retriever, by order of the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal, is to be returned to his owner, Gidion Thomas “Tres” Roark III.