News

Peggy Martin holds the children’s book that tells the story of the rose that bears her name. (Photo by Tobie Blanchard/LSU AgCenter)

Peggy Martin holds the children’s book that tells the story of the rose that bears her name. (Photo by Tobie Blanchard/LSU AgCenter)

The Peggy Martin rose: 20 years after Hurricane Katrina

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 15, 2025
A quick glance at Peggy Martin’s Gonzales, Louisiana, home, and it’s clear she loves plants. Paintings and prints of flowers line her walls, tablecloths pop with colorful flora, potted plants fill corners and bouquets dot shelves and end tables.
Okra thrives in the summer heat, making it a favorite in Louisiana gardens. Many varieties are available; Clemson Spineless, a popular choice, is pictured here.

Okra thrives in the summer heat, making it a favorite in Louisiana gardens. Many varieties are available; Clemson Spineless, a popular choice, is pictured here.

Easy-to-grow okra is a Louisiana tradition

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 15, 2025
Okra holds a special place in the hearts of many Louisianans. For some, it’s an essential ingredient in gumbo, and for others, it’s a must-grow crop in the summer vegetable garden. It’s no wonder why: Okra is tasty and nutritious. It’s easy to grow and prolific, even in intense heat.

Tariff brought Bull Moose to sugar belt

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 15, 2025
Seventy-five sugar mills operating in Louisiana in 1800 produced five million pounds of sugar that sold for eight cents a pound, netting about $400,000 to the planters. That was a lot of money in those days, and the sugar industry was just getting started.

Navigating crime in Washington, D.C.

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 15, 2025
My friend and his wife, longtime residents of Washington, D.C., helped me understand one of the root causes of crime in the nation’s capital — truancy. “It starts there,” said my friend. “During COVID-19, kids got used to skipping online classes without consequences.

Are you making the best use of your ears?

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 15, 2025
“Hear that lonesome whippoorwill/ He sounds too blue to fly/ The midnight train is whining low…” — Hank Williams Among the books I mean to get around to reading is Neil Ansell’s “The Edge of Silence: In Search of the Disappearing Sounds of Nature.
Michael Driggs, a physical therapist at Rehab Xcel was the guest speaker Wednesday at the Eunice Rotary Club. From left are Erika Fontenot, Rotary president; Driggs; and Andrea Chachere, a Rotarian and board member. Driggs was the guest of Chachere. (Photo by Myra Miller)

Michael Driggs, a physical therapist at Rehab Xcel was the guest speaker Wednesday at the Eunice Rotary Club. From left are Erika Fontenot, Rotary president; Driggs; and Andrea Chachere, a Rotarian and board member. Driggs was the guest of Chachere. (Photo by Myra Miller)

Driggs focuses on concussions, hydration with high school athletes

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 15, 2025
Michael Driggs, a physical therapist at Rehab Xcel, has been busy with preseason football season working with St. Edmund High School athletic sports. “We are educating football players about head concussion and staying hydrated,” he said.
Shaun Grantham, St. Landry Parish School Board chief financial officer, explains budget details during a Committee of the Whole meeting in Opelousas on Thursday. The committee approved the budget to move to the full Board meeting on Sept. 4. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Shaun Grantham, St. Landry Parish School Board chief financial officer, explains budget details during a Committee of the Whole meeting in Opelousas on Thursday. The committee approved the budget to move to the full Board meeting on Sept. 4. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

School Board settles on budget with $7.9M deficit

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 15, 2025
St. Landry Parish School Board members are sending a 2025-2026 budget with a $7.9 million deficit forward to its Sept 4 regular meeting for approval. “Am I worried? No. Am I concerned?
Jena Donaldson, children’s program librarian at the Eunice Public Library.

Jena Donaldson, children’s program librarian at the Eunice Public Library.

‘Great summer at the library’

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 15, 2025
“It was a great summer at the library,” reported Jena Donaldson, children’s program librarian, to the Eunice mayor and Board of Aldermen.
St. Landry Parish Sheriff arrests report

St. Landry Parish Sheriff arrests report

St. Landry Parish Sheriff arrests

Myra Miller
Thursday, August 14, 2025
The following are arrests reported by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Thursday, Aug. 14 Helene Rayshette Williams, 54, 1100 block of Story Street, Opelousas. Domestic abuse battery. Arrested by St.
Eunice Police Radio log

Eunice Police Radio log

Eunice Police Radio log

Myra Miller
Thursday, August 14, 2025
The following are excerpts from the Eunice Police Department radio dispatch logs. The Police Department changed the format from chronological to one based on officers who responded to calls. Wednesday, Aug. 13 There were 14 traffic stops from 7:14 a.m. until 10:45 p.m. Officer Eunice PD 2:25 a.m.