News

Second thoughts about her senator

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, December 29, 2023
Regular readers weren’t surprised when I voted against John Fetterman in last year’s Senate race in Pennsylvania.

Could you pass a citizenship test? Really?

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, December 29, 2023
Okay, maybe I’m approaching this from a position of privilege. One of my earliest memories is of tagging along to my mother’s former grammar school when she voted. Social Studies was one of my favorite elementary school classes. Mr.

Celebrate the New Year with a sweet orange

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, December 29, 2023
Until relatively recent times, the New Year was the time to exchange gifts in many south Louisiana households, and it was almost a certainty that a sweet orange or two would be one of the things stuffed into a stocking. Gifts were simpler then and oranges were plentiful.

St. Landry Parish marriage licenses

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, December 29, 2023
The following obtained marriage licenses from the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court Office, Opelousas. Thursday, Dec. 21 Mayonce Frank of Morrow and Justina Apoli Capanay of Mamou. Christopher Seth Shipp of Ville Platte and Caroline Ann DeRouen of Bunkie. Patrick Seth Greene and Ashley Miquel Price.

St. Landry Parish civil cases

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, December 29, 2023
The following are civil cases filed in the 27th Judicial Court District, Opelousas. Wednesday, Dec. 20 Daniel Gould vs Satomi Wakisaka, divorce. Leslie Jacklin Laurentis Mathews vs Aaron Joseph Mathews, divorce. Succession of Henry Jones Jr. Thursday, Dec.

Bill introduced to preserve, extend Atchafalaya National Heritage Area

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, December 29, 2023
Members of the Louisiana Delegation led by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced a bill to include Lafourche Parish within the boundary of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area (ANHA) continuing a commitment to sustain the unique heritage of “America’s Foreign Country.
The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office recently purchased Chevrolet Tahoes as its new patrol fleet. Sheriff K.P. Gibson said there were a number of factors that went into the change from the Ford Explorers now being used. (Submitted photo)

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office recently purchased Chevrolet Tahoes as its new patrol fleet. Sheriff K.P. Gibson said there were a number of factors that went into the change from the Ford Explorers now being used. (Submitted photo)

Acadia Parish sheriff explains switch to Chevrolet Tahoes

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, December 29, 2023
The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office is renewing its fleet of patrol units. Sheriff K.P. Gibson announced earlier this week that, in keeping with his administration’s promise to keep units on the roads patrolling the parish, a new fleet of vehicles is being purchased.
State Fire Marshal deputies are investigating a fatal house fire in Opelousas. (Submitted photo)

State Fire Marshal deputies are investigating a fatal house fire in Opelousas. (Submitted photo)

One dies in Lawtell house fire

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, December 29, 2023
State Fire Marshal (SFM) deputies investigated a house fire in Lawtell that claimed one life. Just after 8 a.m. on Tuesday, St. Landry Fire District 3 responded to a call for a house fire located in the 11000 block of U.S. 190 West in the Opelousas area near Lawtell.
Mark Shirley, a coastal specialist with the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant, smiles while showing wings of various duck species to 4-H members participating in an Advanced Marsh Maneuvers camp in December. Photo by Hilton Waits/LSU AgCenter

Mark Shirley, a coastal specialist with the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant, smiles while showing wings of various duck species to 4-H members participating in an Advanced Marsh Maneuvers camp in December. Photo by Hilton Waits/LSU AgCenter

3 decades later, Mark Shirley still finds joy in teaching 4-H’ers about La. marshes

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, December 29, 2023
By Olivia McClure omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu GUEYDAN — In the late 1980s, a group of 4-H Junior Leaders in Vermilion Parish was itching to do something fun for a summer club activity.
Firefighters take a break from the sun in the shade of an Acadia Parish Fire District 4 truck while battling a fire off La. 358 and Houston Richard Road on Aug. 24. The day happened to be one of the hottest days of 2023 with a high of 106 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. From left, are Harral “New York” Johnson, Acadia Parish Fire District 4 chief; Chris Pierrotti, Eunice volunteer firefighter; and Dylan Fontenot, St. Landry Parish Fire District 6 volunteer. (Photos by Harlan Kirgan)

Firefighters take a break from the sun in the shade of an Acadia Parish Fire District 4 truck while battling a fire off La. 358 and Houston Richard Road on Aug. 24. The day happened to be one of the hottest days of 2023 with a high of 106 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. From left, are Harral “New York” Johnson, Acadia Parish Fire District 4 chief; Chris Pierrotti, Eunice volunteer firefighter; and Dylan Fontenot, St. Landry Parish Fire District 6 volunteer. (Photos by Harlan Kirgan)

2023 really was a hot year

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, December 29, 2023
This was the year when Louisiana did not experience a hurricane and in most years that would be significant weather news. Or, the weather news might be about a freak snowstorm, freeze or devastating flood. But in 2023 the awful, unrelenting, yard-withering heat in August is a top story for the year.