News

St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard, left, is offering two parish investigators to help the St. Landry Parish School District address truancy issues. Bellard is shown with Dwanetta Scott, supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, a School Board committee meeting on Tuesday. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard, left, is offering two parish investigators to help the St. Landry Parish School District address truancy issues. Bellard is shown with Dwanetta Scott, supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, a School Board committee meeting on Tuesday. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Targeting truancy

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, September 1, 2023
Truancy rates in Louisiana and even Eunice are surprising high. At Eunice High the truancy rate in the 2022-2023 school year was 73.31%, according to the Louisiana Department of Education. There were 489 truancy cases at Eunice High last school year.

St. Landry Parish civil case filings

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, September 1, 2023
The following are civil cases filed in the 27th Judicial Court District, Opelousas. Thursday, Aug. 24 St. Landry Housing. Authority vs Megan Gautreaux, eviction. LVNV Funding vs Renee Fruge, open account. Judicial Commitment of AF. Calvary SPV LLC vs Antoine Payne, open account. Leo Demouchet Jr.

Road closures planned on La. 35

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, September 1, 2023
La. 35 (Church Point Hwy) from La. 98 (White Oak Highway) to La. 365 (Branch Highway) will have phased roadway closures to vehicular traffic beginning at 6 a.m. Sept. 11 until 6 p.m. Nov.

Rice hulls: A hidden gem for thriving gardens

(not verified)
Friday, September 1, 2023
Whether tending to a backyard oasis or cultivating a collection of indoor plants, there is an insider tip that could revolutionize the gardening game. Enter rice hulls, the unsung heroes of the gardening world, quietly offering a host of benefits that can elevate home green space.
Wilted plants show signs of lacking the water necessary for healthy growth. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Wilted plants show signs of lacking the water necessary for healthy growth. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Dos and don’ts in the garden during droughts

(not verified)
Friday, September 1, 2023
It’s beginning to look like fall all around us as plants go into survival mode during this heat wave. Temperatures continue to soar, and the rain is nowhere to be found.
Louisiana Agriculture Secretary Mike Strain views smoldering trees from a portion of the Tiger Island fire in Beauregard Parish on Aug. 23. (Jenn Finley/La. Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry)

Louisiana Agriculture Secretary Mike Strain views smoldering trees from a portion of the Tiger Island fire in Beauregard Parish on Aug. 23. (Jenn Finley/La. Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry)

Louisiana ag commissioner warns of continued wildfire risk

(not verified)
Friday, September 1, 2023
The Louisiana official who leads the state’s wildfire fighting efforts says he will ask the legislature for more resources next year, including additional personnel and a tanker plane that can drop water on blazes.

St. Landry Ag Arena stage unveiling concert scheduled

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, September 1, 2023
St. Landry Parish Government is announcing its Ag Arena Stage Unveiling Concert on Sept. 23 at the St. Landry Ag Arena, located at 1939 W. Landry Street in Opelousas. The event marks the official debut of the newly constructed Ag Arena Stage and will be a night of comedy and music.

UL Lafayette to host Science Day for high schoolers curious about majors, careers

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, September 1, 2023
Hundreds of prospective scientists will learn about what being a science major at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is like during Science Day 2023. UL Lafayette’s Ray P. Authement College of Sciences will host this year’s Science Day from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 20 on campus.
Eunice firefighters and other first-responders responded to a fire at Eunice Manor Thursday at about 2:24 p.m. According to Eunice Fire Chief Chaise Brown, “The fire was contained to one room only, and was an electrical one. There were no injuries. Everybody at the nursing home was accounted for and they were evacuated to outdoors.” (Photo by Myra Miller)

Eunice firefighters and other first-responders responded to a fire at Eunice Manor Thursday at about 2:24 p.m. According to Eunice Fire Chief Chaise Brown, “The fire was contained to one room only, and was an electrical one. There were no injuries. Everybody at the nursing home was accounted for and they were evacuated to outdoors.” (Photo by Myra Miller)

Fire call at Eunice Manor

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, September 1, 2023
Eunice firefighters and other first-responders responded to a fire at Eunice Manor Thursday at about 2:24 p.m. According to Eunice Fire Chief Chaise Brown, “The fire was contained to one room only, and was an electrical one. There were no injuries.