News

Body found in Mississippi River identified as missing LSU student Kori Gauthier

BATON ROUGE – Authorities have confirmed that the body recovered in the Mississippi River on Tuesday in St. John the Baptist Parish has been identified as missing LSU student Kori Gauthier, of Opelousas.

Acadia Parish police jurors ponder demolition debris

CROWLEY — Demolition debris in a trailer park in Iota will be picked up. Meanwhile, the Acadia Parish Police Jury will revisit its “bulk waste” ordinance so that everyone is on the same page.

Feral pig baits showing promise

Feral pigs are a nuisance in many areas of the country, causing billions of dollars in damage. Scientists with the LSU AgCenter and the LSU Department of Chemistry are working on a bait and delivery system to help reduce the population of feral hogs.

Eunice Police radio dispatch logs

The following are excerpts from the Eunice Police Department radio dispatch logs. April 12 12:47 Caller in the 600 block of College advised of several juveniles in the yard and refusing to leave. 13:02 Report of littering at Tropical Car Wash.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s arrests

The following are arrests reported by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. April 13 Drake Christopher Pickney, 32, 1600 block of West Vine Street, Opelousas. Felon in possession of a firearm, no drivers license, stop sign violation. Arrested by Opelousas Police. Darrell James Gabriel, Jr.

Eunice Police arrests

The following are arrests by Eunice Police. April 15 Andagia Ameanish Rideau, 21, 1800 block of Hazel, Eunice. Simple battery. Robert Marks, 56, 200 block of Jennifer, Eunice. Probation warrant. Nickdrasha Dupre, 22, 800 block of South Beu lah, Eunice. Probation warrant.

News notes

Concert Band, Choir rehearsals set The Eunice Community Concert Band and Choir will begin rehearsals on May 10 for the choir and May for the 11 band for their 31st Anniversary Concert, “Be Our Guest.” Concert dates are July 15 and 16. For more information call 337-457-1776.

Oil & gas jobs in decline

BATON ROUGE — Employment in Louisiana’s oil and gas industry has been declining since 2014 and took another big hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, with layoffs of 7,500 more workers. The high-paying jobs have not come back yet even though world oil prices have rebounded to prepandemic levels.

Open meetings law violated on police dog issue

An attempt to put to rest a running issue with a police dog that the police chief said is no longer needed, but aldermen decided to keep, ran afoul of the state’s Open Meetings Law. At Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting the dog issue arose again.

School Board studies almost $104M in COVID funds

The St. Landry Parish School Board has nearly $104 million possibly coming to it in COVID relief funds. The school district has already spent $7.3 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding, which was the first of a three-part program.