News

Citrus growers were concerned that the cold temperatures last winter would destroy this year’s crop. But that has not been the case.
Barton Joffrion, LSU AgCenter horticulture agent in Terrebonne Parish, said the season is well on its way with satsumas looking really good right now.
“The agriculture department tested earlier than normal this year, and they ended early because the fruit was coming in so sweet,” he said. “They normally test the first or second week in September, but this year they tested in mid-August, and the fruit was even getting sweet then.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is scheduling a flu vaccination day in Opelousas Thursday at the St. Landry Parish Health Unit, 308 W. Bloch St., Opelousas, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
These one-day clinics will allow people to come in and get a flu shot at little or no cost to the patient.
The flu causes approximately 500 deaths and nearly 3,000 hospitalizations each year in Louisiana. However, last year, there were more than 15,000 hospitalizations and more than 1,600 deaths from the flu in the state. Of those more than 1,600 deaths, 5 were pediatric deaths.

By Harlan Kirgan
Editor
Facebook might be top of mind for social media among adults, but don’t expect teens to hang around that site.
A survey of teens attending the annual St. Landry Parish Boldly Living As Smart Teens event offers a window in the world of 11- to 14-year-olds in the parish.
The survey found teens don’t hang out on Facebook so much, but their parents do.
That’s the sort of insight come from the survey presented to the 935 youths from 15 schools participating in the 17th annual program held Aug. 24 at the Yambilee in Opelousas.