Chill, Frozen Precipitation Forecast Thru Mardi Gras
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Time to plant Blue Jays potatoes win thriller Page 6 over Bobcats Page 7 The Eunice News VOL. 117 NO. 13 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2021 $1.00 Long-awaited Maple Avenue project in sight By Harlan Kirgan getting it done. been set for the project. ing about that earlier today and Editor It was a group Prairie Construction of as long as I can remember since The long-awaited Maple Ave- effort from the Opelousas won the project with I’ve been driving it probably nue — La. 91 — repaving project city and other a bid of $2,022,472.75. need some work. It is a main was let by the Louisiana Depart- state officials.” “I’m glad they got awarded the thoroughfare through the city. ment of Transportation and De- The DOTD bid,” said Eunice Mayor Scott I’m just grateful it is going to be velopment, according to an an- stated the Fontenot. “I think it is going to redone.” nouncement on Thursday. project would be a huge economic boost to the DeVillier said he other officials “I’m excited to see that this be “Milling, community. I believe the prop- are going to monitor the project’s is actually is going to come to patching, wid- erty values on that road should progress. fruition,” said State Rep. Phil- ening, overlay, Rep. Phillip DeVillier increase because it is going to be “We want to stay on top of it Eunice Mardi Gras Capit- lip DeVillier. “I know it has been and drainage.” brand new road. Hopefully, that and make sure at the end of the aine Pat Frey at the 2019 a long time. A lot people were The project turns into more economic devel- day we have a very good product run. (Photo by Harlan involved with getting it done. is from the T-intersection of La. opment.” that will pay off for the city for Kirgan) I want everyone that had their 13 and Maple Avenue west to the The road is a major east-west many years to come,” DeVillier hands on it to know that I ac- Acadia Parish line. route through Eunice. Rain, sleet, knowledge it wasn’t one person No construction start date has Fontenot said, “I was think- (See Maple Page 11) snow, cold, COVID – the Liberty Theatre getting old look back Chill, frozen Mardi Gras run will go on precipitation By Harlan Kirgan Editor The Eunice Mardi Gras forecast thru Run is scheduled de- spite certain cold and the threat of freezing rain, Mardi Gras sleet, snow and the ever- present COVID-19. Captaine Pat Frey said City closing all but there are still a few spots left for participants in the emergency operations run. Registration is being accepted. Check the Le Staff Report Vieux Mardi Gras De Ca- Weather conditions are forecast to juns de Eunice’s Facebook worsen with wintry precipitation into page. The registration fee Wednesday resulting in a flurry of -no is $30. tices. The run is limited to Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot has or- 150 participants due to dered Eunice city departments closed COVID-19 restrictions. Monday due to impending extreme Normally, the run in- weather conditions. cludes hundreds of partic- The city is observing Mardi Gras on ipants on horseback, foot Tuesday with departments closed. and riding on trailers. City emergency and essential per- This year marks the sonnel will function under the emer- 125th run, he said. The awning on the Liberty Theatre’s 2nd Street being restored to is original look as seen in the gency guidelines and on-call policies. “We’d still go even if we side was removed last week. The building is view below. On Thursday, St. Landry Parish have one runner that’s Government announced sandbags are there,” Frey said. available in the barns behind the Yam- The run will assemble bilee Building, 1939 Landry Road, in at 7 a.m. at the Northwest Opelousas throughout the weekend for Community Center and residents who need them. Bags have leave there at 9 a.m. already been filled and stacked and The public can come and are available for pickup now through watch anywhere along the Sunday night. route, he said. Parish President Jessie Bellard said, There are five to six “With the winter weather, we can ex- trailers in this year’s run pect to see ice on the roads and possi- and 20 to 25 horses, he bly downed trees and branches. For ev- said. eryone’s safety, it is best to stay off the Costumes are mandat- roads, especially on Monday and Tues- day when the temperature is expected (See Mardi Gras, Page 11) to drop below freezing, and there is a high possibility of frozen rain or snow.” Bellard said public work crews and emergency management officials would Eunice Recreation Dept. hopes for COVID recovery be monitoring conditions through Tuesday. If residents need to report frozen By Harlan Kirgan Johnson said player evalu- roads or downed branches, reach out Editor ations are scheduled in early to the Parish Government Emergency COVID-19 has been devas- March. Operations Center at 337-948-3688. tating in many ways, but for But Johnson’s message cen- Gov. Edwards has declared a state youth baseball and softball tered on the need for players of emergency due to the current heavy leagues the impact last year and volunteers. rainfall totals beginning to impact the was to wipe out the season. “Without volunteers we state and the potential for wintry con- Robert Johnson, city rec- cannot make this program ditions beginning this weekend and ex- reation director, spoke to the operate,” he said. “We have tending to next week. Eunice Board Board of Al- to have coaches and league The National Weather Service fore- dermen on Tuesday about the directors present to make it casts a slight chance of rain showers, current registration period happen.” freezing rain, and sleet after midnight that ends this month. Last year there were 637 Saturday and until 9 a.m. Sunday. “We need players, but we youths registered for the pro- On Sunday night, there is a slight also need parent volunteers, gram that ended when CO- chance of rain showers, freezing rain, coaches, league organizers, VID-19 restrictions unfolded and sleet after midnight. “he said. before the season could start. On Monday, the forecast is for freez- “Over the last four years Johnson said there are vi- ing rain and sleet before 9am, then we’ve seen about a 15% de- Eunice Alderman Chad Andrepont talks about the registration for rus safety protocols in place the youth baseball and softaball season at Tuesday’s Board of rain showers and freezing rain, possi- crease in participants in Aldermen meeting. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan) for the upcoming season. bly mixed with sleet. baseball and softball, which Johnson estimated about Monday night there is a chance of are our biggest programs,” he 600 youths may register this snow. freezing rain, and sleet before said. year. The registration fee is $60 midnight. Johnson was at the city tion of 4- to 14 -year-olds to Eunice Mayor Scott Fon- per child and is available on- On Mardi Gras, the forecast is for meeting pitching for registra- participate in the season that starts April 5. line at eunicerec.com. (See Season Page 11) (See Weather, Page11) Kip & Angie...Teamed Up Again! www.wsbankla.com 1020 West Laurel Ave • Eunice • 337-457-8952 2 Sunday, February 14, 2021 News The Eunice News www.eunicetoday.com Vaccine at Acadian Medical Center Jennifer Weishaupt Ruby Slipper CEO b1BANK Client Acadian Medical Center announced it has register for it at [email protected]. vaccinated more than 500 people, includ- Gene Ingram, R.N., administers vaccine ing more than 150 on Wednesday. If you to Christian Walker with the Eunice Fire are eligible to get the vaccine, you can Department. (Submitted photo) Branch farmer named to La. Ag Hall of Distinction By Craig Gautreaux of sugar per acre. cgautreaux@agcenter. Variety research is con- lsu.edu sidered by many in the Three fixtures in Loui- sugarcane community as siana agriculture will be being the “lifeblood of the inducted into the Louisi- industry.” Gay has par- ana Agriculture Hall of ticipated in variety tri- Distinction during a cer- als on his farm, and the emony at L’Auberge Hotel Gay family has funded a in Baton Rouge on March professorship at the LSU 4. AgCenter Sugar Research The new inductees are Station devoted to this ef- former Louisiana Farm fort. Bureau President Ron- Loewer has dedicated nie Anderson, of Ethel; much of his career to help- sugarcane farmer John ing the Louisiana and na- Gay, of Plaquemine; and Paul “Jackie” Loewer tional rice industry main- Paul “Jackie” Loewer, of tain a sound foundation. Branch, a rice farmer who dent of Farm Bureau. He has played a signifi- has been a strong advo- He served 31 years and cant role in the develop- cate for the rice industry helped grow the organiza- ment of several national in state and national or- tion from 67,000 members farm bills. ganizations. to nearly 150,000 today. Loewer played an inte- A joint effort of the LSU He received many gral role with the Louisi- AgCenter, Louisiana Ra- awards throughout his ana Rice Research Board, dio Network, Louisiana career, including being serving for 26 years, in- Farm Bureau Federation named Man of the Year cluding 12 years as chair- and Louisiana Depart- in Louisiana Agriculture man. The board funds ment of Agriculture and by Progressive Farmer research initiatives aimed Forestry, the Louisiana Magazine and induction at increasing the sustain- BE T TER Agriculture Hall of Dis- into the LSU Alumni Hall ability of Louisiana’s rice tinction honors individu- of Distinction.