News

Food assistance

New Zion Baptist Church partnered with Three O’Clock Project to become a meal distribution site for St. Landry Parish students. On Friday, there was a line of people in vehicles to obtain meals. One box contained seven days of lunches and seven days of breakfast.

Cleco encourages eligible customers to apply for energy assistance funds

Cleco is encouraging eligible customers who need help paying their electric utility bills to apply for supplemental funds added to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Crowley ‘gray area’ businesses to begin reopening, mayor says

Signs of life may soon be returning to downtown Crowley. Mayor Tim Monceaux said Wednesday morning that he was allowing and encouraging all “gray area” businesses — those businesses which would fall under Section C of the Governor’s Stay at Home Order — to reopen.

City’s walking park, lake, golf course reopened

The city’s walking park, golf course and lake reopened to the public on Friday. Robert Johnson, recreation director, announced the reopening. “At this time, gatherings of people will be restricted and areas of the facilities maybe designated as off limits.

March job report shows COVID-19 impact

Unemployment rates in the Tri-Parish area and state rose by about 2% in March compared to the rates a year ago, according to Bureau of Labor statistics released Friday by the Louisiana Workforce Commission. The report reflects the impact of the coronavirus CLOVID-19 on the job market in the state.

LSUE to receive $2M from CARES

LSUE will receive $2 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Chancellor Nancee Sorenson announced the funding at a meeting called by state Rep. Phillip DeVillier at LSUE on Wednesday.

St. Landry Parish COVID-19 death toll rises to 34

The death toll in St. Landry Parish from COVID-19 rose to 34 in Friday’s update from the Louisiana Department of Health. The parish has had 157 confirmed cases. There have been 1,601 deaths reported from the virus. The Department has added another reporting statistic and is 59 probable deaths.

Area leaders discuss reopening the economy

About 50 leaders from St. Landry, Acadia and Evangeline parishes met Wednesday to discuss reopening the economy after nearly five weeks of a partial shutdown to slow the spread of COVID-19. State Rep.

COVID numbers may be larger

In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced antibodies-testing of shoppers at 3,000 supermarkets revealed 13.9 percent of New Yorkers had been infected with COVID-19 but in New York City, that number shot to 21 percent.

2 juveniles wounded in East Maple fracas

Two juveniles were wounded — one critically — in a fracas that occurred about 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the 400 block of East Maple, according to Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot. “During the fight guns were brought out and gunfire started,” Fontenot said.