Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application OPELOUSAS- A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for John Dale Doucet on Monday 2025 at 3:30 PM at Our Lady of Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas Visitation will be held in the church on Monday from 2:30 PM until the time of Mass Rite of Committal will follow at Bellevue Memorial Park in Opelousas a cherished pillar of the Opelousas community and a beloved family man and his journey through life was as vibrant and rich as the unforgettable sunsets over the bayous of his childhood Dale devoted himself to serving the public as the owner and operator of Piggly Wiggly in Opelousas where he greeted each customer with warmth and genuine kindness His store was more than just a place to grab groceries; it was a gathering spot where friends exchanged laughter and stories Dale carried the values of discipline and dedication with him throughout his life his swing as smooth as the Louisiana breeze Dale remained a passionate fan of the New Orleans Saints football team cheering them on with fervor that sparked delight Dale would often settle in to watch a good western Dale is survived by his wife of 61½ years Zachary Bellelo and Gabrielle Bellelo; and 1 great-grandchild Allen Doucet and Altha Duplechain Doucet; mother and father-in-law Breaux and Overton Breaux; and brother-in-law Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Opelousas Catholic third baseman Grace Luna (18) fires the ball to first to get the Holy Savior Menard runner in the third inning of the Division IV select championship on Sunday Opelousas Catholic pitcher Ashley Little (19) fires the ground ball to first to get the Holy Savior Menard runner in the third inning of the Division IV select championship on Sunday SULPHUR — Opelousas Catholic head softball coach Cullen Matherne was more than pleased with the way the Vikings swung the bats against Holy Savior Menard at Frasch Park in Sulphur on Sunday Unfortunately for Matherne and the Vikings those good swings didn’t materialize into many hits as OC loss 4-1 to Menard in the Division IV select state finals but we hit the ball right at them,” Matherne said They made the plays that needed to be made to win the game.” “We made two errors on the day and they scored off of both of them,” Matherne said Senior pitcher Ashley Little was the losing pitcher after allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks “She left her heart out on that field,” Matherne said of Little “She’s human and they got a few good swings off of her “But what she has done for this program is amazing,” Matherne continued “I wish we could have sent her off in a better way.” the Vikings recorded four singles by Little “I just told the girls that is life,” Matherne said “Sometimes you can hit the ball really hard and it is an out Then sometimes you can hit it really soft and it is a bad hit Email Eric Narcisse at enarcisse@theadvocate.com This story is only for subscribers like you${formattedName Email notifications are only sent once a day News Tips:newstips@theadvocate.com Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: John softball an abundance of power-hitting ended in an unlikely way Defending state champion Opelousas Catholic held the Eagles to a no-hitter in a 1-0 semifinal win Saturday in the Division IV Select Semifinals Saturday during the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Fast Pitch 56 Softball State Tournament at Frasch Park OCHS senior pitcher Ashley Little struck out 17 to ignite the victory for the No John junior Charli Neumann struck out six across seven innings but one run in the fifth made all the difference for the Vikings Opelousas Catholic shortstop Madison Lindeau scored in the fifth after she reached base on a double The Eagles sent OCHS back to the field after a double play retired the side for the Vikings who was part of the 1985 Eagle state championship team during her junior year “I was so proud of Charli for competing like she did,” Prowty said “She and (catcher) Cinclare Landry have a fantastic connection “Our pitching coach (Grayson Schnebelen) did an amazing job calling pitches and we were able to keep the game close,” she said Ashley Little had something else in mind.” The lack of hitting ultimately played the biggest role in the St we will look forward to the next opportunity to compete for state championship.” Prowty emphasized that the outcome of the seminal game does not deter from her team’s success this season and then they wanted to host the first round of the playoffs “And to punch our ticket to the semifinals by beating our rival (Ascension Catholic) couldn’t have been a better scenario.” It required a certain element that helped the Eagles throughout the season “Preserving through adversity is something we did all year long and it definitely made us stronger on the field and helped our team unity,” she said and I’m so blessed to have had the opportunity to coach them.” Opelousas Catholic's fortunes ended in the state championship game when Alexandria-based Holy Savior Menard defeated the Vikings 4-1 in the finals on Sunday Related Topics: St. Thomas More Catholic High School, Opelousas Catholic School, John Curtis Christian School, Louisiana High School Athletic Association, Shannon Belt Only two high school softball teams hailing from the 337 area code are still standing in the 2025 LHSAA State Softball Tournament Thomas More and Opelousas Catholic punched their tickets for the state championship game in their respective division Saturday just one more win away from hoisting the hardware “It's a blessing to have an opportunity to play another day,” STM coach Andria Waguespack said “Anytime you get to play on the last day of a season so to have them play on the last day possible day of their high school careers is just a special day The Opelousas Main Street Program said it currently is soliciting building restoration grant applications from downtown commercial building owners and/or business owners The grant opportunity is offered through Louisiana Main Street which provides grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to be used for restoration projects on historic commercial structures located in Louisiana Main Street districts Restoration projects can be on the interior and exterior of the commercial structure Applicants will compete statewide for funding with other Main Street communities To be eligible for Main Street Restoration Grant funds a building must be located within the downtown Main Street district be used for commercial purposes and be at least 50 years old the proposed exterior work must be approved by the local Historic District Commission and the Louisiana Main Street office while also conforming to the guidelines set forth by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation The deadline for submitting an application is May 30 Grant awards are expected to be announced in September. Grant-funded project work must be completed by April 30, 2026.  The grant application guidelines can also be found on the Main Street page at cityofopelousas.com Opelousas Main Street has received $87,000 in redevelopment grant funds from the Louisiana Main Street program initiating more than $260,000 in local project costs plus associated jobs and economic stimulation Town House Motel on Landry Street was the most recent recipient of the LA Main Street Restoration Grant Arpeggio’s Lounge & Event Center and Bodemuller the Printer both located on Main Street; Brass Rail located on Landry Street; the old Bodemuller building located on Bellevue Street; the former Fakouri building (The Parlor on Main) on Main Street and the former Palace Café on Landry Street FY 2025-2026 Louisiana Main Street Restoration Grant Application Guidelines Louisiana Main Street Restoration Grants provide funds to encourage the revitalization of historic downtown commercial properties in designated Louisiana Main Street districts The Louisiana Main Street Restoration Grants serve as an effort to promote community revitalization and stimulate economic growth and vitality Community reinvestment utilizing historic preservation practices improves community economic health by fostering renewed interest in shopping Grant funding and the number of grants awarded are dependent on state budgets and the amount of funding appropriated by the legislature each year Deadline: Grant applications must be submitted online to Louisiana Main Street sometimes hereinafter referred to as the (“State”) no later than Friday Matching funds: This grant requires a dollar-for-dollar monetary match toward hard costs Grant funds are limited to actual construction/restoration hard costs only Owner or tenant contributions of design work are regarded as in-kind and are not considered as matching funds 2026for the purpose of this grant This is a reimbursement grant: The award amount is paid upon completion of the work described in the approved scope of work noted in the grant agreement which is executed after the recipients are announced All grant-funded work must adhere to (1) the scope of work described in the grant application (2) the historic preservation guidelines of the Secretary of the Interior Standards (SOI) [see web link below] and (3) the grant agreement that is executed after notification of award Grant funded work must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation available at the National Park Service’s website: http://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/rehabilitation/rehab/index.htm Applicants and their contractors are strongly advised to become familiar with these guidelines Additional guidance may be found at http://www.nps.gov/hps/tps/standguide/ and http://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs.htm Tax Liabilities: Recipients of grants are responsible for any tax liability incurred as a result of this grant Recipients will receive a 1099 miscellaneous income form for use in preparing tax returns for the year in which the grant payment is issued Certificate of Appropriateness: Issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) by your local HDC does not guarantee that the scope of work meets the Secretary of the Interior Standards Louisiana Main Street may amend the scope of work to ensure compliance with the Secretary of the Interior Standards and this may necessitate another local HDC review and new COA • Property owners or tenants of commercially-zoned properties located within designated Louisiana Main Street districts as of December 31 of the calendar year preceding the application deadline o Tenantsmustobtainthepropertyowner’sconsentsignatureonthegrantapplication.o Iftheapplicantisacorporation,thegrantapplicationmustbeaccompaniedbyaresolution from the corporation’s board of directors authorizing the applicant’s signature on behalf of the corporation.o If the applicant is a co-owner of the property by a statement authorizing the applicant to act on behalf of all co-owners The statement must be signed by all co-owners • Buildings must be at least 50 years old and must contribute to the significance of the local Main Street district Buildings less than 50 years old may be eligible if they meet National Register criteria for exceptional significance as an integral part of a historic district that is listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places The local Main Street director will assist the applicant in determining if the building meets this eligibility requirement Louisiana Main Street will make the final determination based on the support documentation submitted with the application the local Main Street program may apply in conjunction with the city costs incurred by the city may apply toward the required match.o Installation must be of professional standard • Signage: Restoration of historically significant/landmark signage or the restoration or replication of historic theater marquees is eligible (New commercial signage is not supported by this grant.) • Governmental and other non-tax-generating entities with the following exceptions: o MainStreetdistricthistorictheaterandmuseumorganizations o A property that is owned by a tax-exempt entity that leases storefront space to a for-profit business Grant-funded work may not begin until:• The grant award notification is received by the applicant (typically early September) Grant-funded work may be a portion of a larger-scale in-progress project; however grant recipients are only eligible for reimbursement for work detailed in the scope of work associated with this grant and performed during the term of the signed grant agreement Reimbursement is not retroactive for work already underway or completed Overall project investment costs may be used to satisfy the match requirement Failure to commence work by the designated deadlines set forth in the grant agreement shall void the grant Grant-funded project work must be completed by April 30 • Contact the local Main Street director to: o Determine if the building was located within the boundaries of the Main Street district as of December 31 of the calendar year preceding the grant application deadline o DetermineiftheprojectrequiresreviewandaCertificateofAppropriatenessfromthelocal historic district commission o Determine the procedure for obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness from the historic district commission o Determinehistoricdistrictcommissionmeetingdates o RequestamapoftheMainStreetdistrictwith  Location of the property marked.o Make arrangements for a design consultation with the Louisiana Main Street Design • Incomplete applications will not be eligible for grant funding Note: A local Main Street director or Louisiana Main Street staff may provide applicant information and assistance but shall not write or otherwise complete the Main Street Restoration Grant application on behalf of an applicant the Louisiana Main Street staff will check the application for completeness and compliance and to ensure the application is complete and that all eligibility criteria are met non-compliant applications will not be considered Louisiana Main Street staff cannot rewrite or alter any portion of the application after submission non-compliant applications will be notified as soon as possible after receipt so as to not hold up those projects Accepted applications are reviewed by a panel for consideration of funding Panelists are professionals selected from the fields of architecture and other associated areas of revitalization specialization from around the country Panelists may not be employed by a Louisiana Main Street community reside in a designated Louisiana Main Street community be an employee of Louisiana Economic Development or the Louisiana Department of Culture or be directly or indirectly involved with Louisiana Main Street communities Note: Members of the review panel will not be familiar with the buildings or communities associated with each project The story told visually through photos and written narrative will provide an understanding of the projects The narrative should be concise rather than lengthy The Louisiana Main Street Restoration Grant is a highly competitive grant open to all qualifying applicants in Louisiana Main Street districts level of restoration for the intended project how the project affects the original design of the building in question the economic and visual impact the project brings to both the historic commercial district and the local Main Street experience; as well as the availability of funds appropriated by the Louisiana Legislature to Louisiana Main Street Award amounts may be adjusted contingent upon legislative allocation of funds Grant recipients should receive notification by early September 2025 ANTICIPATED GRANT TIMELINE (subject to change) Grant applications must be submitted to Louisiana Main Street by: Grant agreement forms will arrive after the announcement of recipients These forms must be signed and returned to the State within two weeks otherwise the grant funding will be reallocated All grant recipients will be required to provide a State of Louisiana Vendor Number at the time that the grant agreement is signed The Louisiana Division of Administration Office of Statewide Reporting and Accounting Policy (OSRAP) is responsible for maintaining the statewide vendor database The duties performed by OSRAP include the activation of new records verification of Taxpayer Identification Numbers verification of 1099 reporting status and maintenance of existing vendor records address and reporting information on the individuals and companies that provide goods and services to the state or receive state assistance payments Instructions for registering as a vendor to the State of Louisiana and thereby receiving a State of Louisiana Vendor number may be found here: https://www.doa.la.gov/media/bahlig4w/lagov-new-vendor-registration.pdf.Grant-funded work may commence after signing the grant acceptance letter and returning it to Some scopes of work are larger than others and require months to complete while others only require days or weeks to complete The absolute deadline for completing work supported by this grant as described in the scope of work is: Deadline for reimbursement requests to be filed with Louisiana Main Street using the reimbursement form included in the grant agreement: All work associated with the project scope must be underway no later than 60 days of signing the grant agreement the applicant is indicating an intention to do the work as proposed and has the resources to begin and complete the work as stipulated Reimbursement will be made to the grant recipient in one lump sum upon completion of the project and after Louisiana Main Street has visited the completed project and approved it for compliance with the terms of the grant agreement The following shall be submitted to Louisiana Main Street for issuance of the grant funds: Write Now Opelousas Publishing LLC dbaSt. Landry Now123 South Main StOpelousas, LA 70570‪(337) 451-0568‬ The rain ended Saturday morning just in time for the Sunset Garden Club’s 28th annual Sunset Herb and Garden Festival Accordion legend Jeffery Broussard is going from the big screen to the Zydeco Capital Jam next week Broussard can be seen playing alongside other local musicians at the upcoming Zydeco Capital Jam from 1 to 3 p.m. But performing in front of a large audience isn’t new for Broussard He recently made an appearance in the hit horror movie “Sinners” playing an accordionist alongside Michael B Broussard is also on the movie’s soundtrack Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Bobby Rush the movie as grossed more than $161 million worldwide Box office: 'Sinners,' filmed partly in Louisiana, opens at No. 1 over Easter weekend Broussard follows in the footsteps of his father leader of the popular Lawtell Playboys band It wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s that Broussard truly shone with the Zydeco Force a highly influential group that ushered in a contemporary sound in traditional zydeco Zydeco Force reigned as dancehall and TV stars “Zydeco Extravaganza.” Fans flocked to the clubs to hear “Hey Madeline,” “On My Way,” “B-Flat” and other hits Broussard has returned to his traditional roots with his Creole Cowboys band “Bayou Moonlight,” Broussard’s debut album with the Nighttime Syndicate will be released May 23 on Fairground Records LANDRY PARISH — A special city council meeting was held Friday morning in Opelousas to address a looming financial deadline that could significantly impact city services The city’s 1% sales tax — first implemented in 1975 — is set to expire on May 31 and city leaders are now scrambling to get the renewal on a future ballot and explain to residents what’s at stake if it doesn’t pass “It will be up to the people to decide,” said Mayor Julius Alsandor during Friday’s meeting The discussion centered around the fact that Opelousas missed the state deadlines to include the sales tax renewal on both the March and May election ballots Mayor Alsandor says auditors brought the oversight to the city’s attention “Now we’re taking steps to get it on the ballot,” Alsandor said City officials say the tax generates approximately $6 million annually funding essential city services including waterworks “This one cent allows us to show potential economic developers that we’re investing in our future,” the mayor added Local businessman Derrick Comeaux voiced concerns about how the city is using the tax dollars “They spend this money irresponsibly — doing repairs halfway,” said Comeaux. “We’re building a stadium with millions in local and state money but people are asking: Why isn’t infrastructure like roads and water lines the priority?” the state legislature — which is currently in session — must create a way for Opelousas to even add an election date that's not already on the calendar which passed the House and is currently in the Senate and the Secretary of State for final approval “We’re hopeful the legislature will approve an August 16th election date,” said City Attorney Travis Broussard If voters ultimately reject the tax renewal Mayor Alsandor says the city could face serious financial consequences “We’ll come up with a plan to move forward but I’d be lying if I said it wouldn’t be a financial strain on the city,” he said The city plans to hold another meeting on May 22 at 5:00 p.m at City Hall to call the election and continue discussing the proposal The mayor also says he will host town hall meetings ahead of the vote to inform the public about the benefits and drawbacks of the tax renewal It was a picnic perfect Sunday for guests who took advantage of low humidity annual fundraiser brunch hosted by the Preservationists Of St award-winning chef-owner of the Steamboat Warehouse in Washington and his team provided the culinary expertise for the paid event whose proceeds will be used to help fund ongoing roof drainage and upper gallery repairs for the house that was constructed at the end of the 18th century who this year celebrate their 50th anniversary of owning the Prudhomme House depend upon donations from similar events in order to maintain the house which is considered the oldest in Opelousas and perhaps St On Sunday approximately 50 guests were treated to breakfasts of chicken and andouille gumbo Bourque’s boudin and homemade peach cobbler Preservationist members also served as waiters as they took the breakfast buffet choices of their guests to the outdoor tables that featured glassware linen tablecloths and silverware located underneath tents provided by St orange juice were served with the served brunches Many of those arriving quickly ordered glasses filled with the popular Prudhomme House mimosas mixed with orange juice and champagne the guests had the option of taking tours of the house and property that once briefly served as headquarters for Union soldiers who occupied Opelousas during the Civil War Later this year the Preservationists plan to celebrate their half century of Prudhomme House ownership with a fall picnic and the annual membership meeting that this year will honor those who previously served on the board of directors for the organization Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLAKE CHARLES (KPLC) - An Opelousas car dealer has been arrested after an audit of his used car lot is facing several charges of illegal possession of stolen things and alteration of a car’s VIN number The theft was discovered in an investigation by the Louisiana State Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft unit and Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission Their investigation was launched on April 16 into an inventory audit at AJ Auto Sales in Opelousas Detectives found four allegedly stolen vehicles: a 2021 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Each car also had an altered VIN and was accompanied by a fraudulent title provided by Guillory investigators also alleged Guillory allowed dealer tags assigned to the dealership to be used on the stolen cars and by an unauthorized individual in violation of Louisiana car dealership regulations Authorities say the total combined value of the stolen vehicles is estimated at $275,000 As a parent of two lively young boys from Opelousas I can attest to the difference enrolling both sons in Opelousas and Lawtell Head Start programs Exposing them to Head Start has made a difference in their enjoyment in learning They love to learn & participate in all things academic.  My oldest son’s Dibels (state reading assessment) score is one of the highest in his grade which would not have been possible without Head Start I’m a parent advocate with Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) This organization ensures all children have a healthy start in life by advocating for funding in early childhood education programs and access to healthy foods through Head Start my son was introduced to foods he would refuse to eat at home but now enjoys new If Head Start is defunded it will impact over 750,000 children annually across the U.S This program is often the only reliable child care option in rural and underserved communities It offers a multitude of services such as: Early learning The country loses $122 billion annually due to lack of child care This year marks 60 years of Head Start; let’s honor its success by building on it I urge Louisiana lawmakers to protect & strengthen Head Start so more families like mine can thrive accused of killing a man at an Opelousas health club is back in jail after a judge revoked his bond on Thursday Laday is charged in connection to the February 2023 shooting death of 35-year-old Harrison Bordenave at an Opelousas health club His attorney claims the shooting was an act of self-defense prosecutors argued for Laday’s bond revocation after his recent arrest in Calcasieu Parish Court records indicate that in November 2024 was present at the hearing and expressed her ongoing pain over the loss of her son I hope God can right this wrong,” she said Despite emotional testimony from Laday’s family advocating for him to remain out on bond “It seems like a travesty that his family speaks about what a good father he is and how much they need him,”Bordenave said. “Well While acknowledging the difficulty of the situation Bordenave said she felt a measure of justice was served some small measure of justice was done because he’s going back to jail,” she said Laday’s attorney and family declined to comment on the ruling The excitement of the Acadiana Junior and High School Rodeo is back in Opelousas for its second year After more than two decades without a rodeo in St last year's event marked a momentous return sparking the idea to make it an annual tradition “This event really brought back memories of 20 years ago,” said event organizer Brandon Guillot “Many of the parents involved in the club were part of it before The rodeo welcomes kids in grades 5-12 to showcase their skills making it a thrilling competition for all involved While the stakes are high for the young cowboys and cowgirls the atmosphere remains light-hearted and fun “It’s great to see so many young people participating,” said rodeo participant Colt Guillot it’ll be up to the next generation to carry it forward and keep the tradition alive.” The hope for this event is that it’s just the beginning so does the desire to create something lasting for the future of St we expect even more people to get involved this year,” said participant Braxton Guillot the event offers a sense of community pride and provides another exciting option for kids in the parish Landry Parish Government Events Coordinator Ci Ci Savoy you might not think these kinds of events exist in our parish,” Savoy said “But to see it come to life in front of our eyes knowing it gives our kids more opportunities to get involved Copyright © 2025 Baton Rouge Clinic. Website Designed by Gatorworks – The Jean Michel Prudhomme home in Opelousas is under construction is making improvements to the aging structure — one that has withstood nearly two centuries of wear and tear “This is probably one of the oldest structures in St Landry Parish and even in Southwest Louisiana,” said historian James Douget has survived numerous hurricanes and even played a role during the Civil War “It served as headquarters during the Civil War for Union troops,” Douget said Commonly referred to as the Jean Michel Prudhomme home the residence was named after its first owner a cattle raiser best known for his work as a blacksmith The home has stood through some of the nation’s most profound moments “It was the meeting ground for the French and U.S government after the Louisiana Purchase,” Douget added Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places the home is getting a much-needed face lift “Then we are going to do some painting and some minor repairs here and there Landry raised enough funds to begin restoring the home’s balcony The home's historical significance continues to educate new generations Students from Maltrait Memorial Catholic School in Kaplan recently visited the site as part of a field trip “There was a lot to learn today about how these people grew up and lived in this house,” said student Brie Bourque "I think the people who do not come here are missing out on how the past was and how their ancestors lived From the three families that lived there to the antique items that once occupied its rooms Douget said the goal is to preserve the home’s legacy for centuries to come and pass it on to the next generation “We are looking at a structure that is over 230 years old and that is what we are doing — trying to keep it going for another 230 years you can contact James Douget at 337-942-8011 or 337-692-1017 Restoration on the home is expected to be completed sometime in May LANDRY PARISH — The 2025 Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade is just around the corner with only three weeks left before the big event "No Place Like Home," celebrates local pride and preparations are in full swing as organizers work tirelessly to make the parade in Opelousas a success president of the Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Association (OIMGA) shared insights about what parade-goers can expect this year Planning for the 2025 parade has been underway since last year and several independent float owners are expected to join the parade we’re looking at having at least four marching bands,” Alsandor said Organizing an event of this magnitude is not without its costs Alsandor revealed that the parade budget has already surpassed $30,000 which includes expenses for both the parade and the Mardi Gras ball that recently took place over the weekend The procession will begin at the intersection of Landry and Academy streets (U.S proceeding down 190 West and concluding at the Yambilee Building "We’re excited to try a new route this year,” Alsandor said “We’re expecting the parade to last longer Security measures are also being put in place to ensure the safety of all parade-goers The OIMGA is working on obtaining necessary permits and processing participation applications The OIMGA also announced that the Grand Marshal for the 2025 Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade will be Martin Roy a local landmark founded by his father in 1936 Roy has continued to uphold the family legacy treating customers and staff like family and ensuring the business remains an integral part of the community The Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade is scheduled to roll on Tuesday The parade will start at Academy and Landry streets Opelousas-- Funeral services will be held for Patricia Ann Brown on Saturday in the Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Opelousas Pastor Marcus Lazard will officiate the service Visitation will be held in the church from Patricia touched the lives of many with her warm spirit and unwavering love for those around her Patricia exemplified the qualities of a dedicated wife and nurturing mother She cherished her role as a beloved partner to her husband with whom she shared 29 years of marriage in Opelousas they built a loving home that fostered the growth and happiness of their children Patricia's devotion to her family was evident in everything she did and her legacy will live on through the hearts of her children connecting deeply with her brothers and sisters and sisters Shelia White (Starrel) of Opelousas and she treasured the time spent with her loved ones Their absence leaves a profound void in the family but Patricia's love and memory will always remain a source of strength for those who knew her they reflect upon the joy and laughter Patricia brought into their lives She will be remembered not only for her kindness and compassion but also for the warmth she radiated which made everyone feel welcome in her presence Patricia Ann Brown will be dearly missed but her spirit will live on in the cherished memories held by her family and friends for a group of students from Northwestern College this break was about giving back a community outreach program dedicated to helping local youth The students assisted in expanding the program by working on an additional house to accommodate more kids Their efforts were met with gratitude from the community and the students themselves found the experience rewarding "They do a lot of great things in the community," said Mary Walnofer "We want to do the same thing no matter what side of the country we are on after college." While the trip was primarily about service the students also got to experience the vibrant culture of Louisiana They attended a Mardi Gras parade on Tuesday "I thought that it was eating pancakes and talking to one another Aside from community service and cultural experiences Though they all attend the University of Iowa they often don't have the opportunity to interact with one another on campus This trip allowed them to form meaningful connections "It was cool to room with these guys," said Andrew Haverdin "This is one of those trips I can’t forget with the relationships that were built here." As the week wrapped up and their departure date approached the students reflected on the impact of their time in Opelousas The experience had given them a new appreciation for Louisiana and its people Their ripple effect means that much to us." OPELOUSAS — If you've driven by Donald Gardner Stadium recently you've likely noticed the heavy equipment and tractors hard at work Crews are tearing down parts of the stadium as they prepare for a major renovation project that has been in the works for quite some time "This project has been in development long before 2023," said Lena Charles the chairwoman of the Opelousas Downtown Development District which is part of a two-phase project with a $7.5 million price tag aims to transform the stadium into a monument for the city of Opelousas the revitalization will bring a sense of pride to the community "The whole reason we were created was for the revitalization of our city and our district within our corridor," Charles said "A lot of pride is building up in the community." work is already in progress with dirt being moved "This park is something we will all be proud of." a football player at Opelousas High School Rideau says the upgrades will be a significant improvement "This will be different because we’ll have what the other schools have," Rideau explained "We won’t have to worry about playing in poor conditions a new South City Park Recreational Center is also part of the project The $2.5 million center will offer new recreational opportunities for the community "You will see a bunch of excited Opelousians in that stadium and you’ll see their tax dollars at work," Alsandor said The city and the Opelousas Downtown Development District will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the project on Wednesday — An Opelousas Police Department sergeant has been arrested on a charge of domestic abuse the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division initiated an investigation involving an Opelousas Police Department sergeant following a request from Opelousas Police Chief Graig Leblanc according to a spokesperson The investigation revealed that 39-year-old Romalis Thomas was involved in an off-duty domestic violence incident outside the Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino on April 20 Troopers with the Gaming Enforcement Division obtained an arrest warrant from the 27th Judicial District Court for one count of Domestic Abuse Battery “I have requested the Louisiana State Police to conduct this investigation to uphold transparency and reinforce the trust our community places in us In line with our departmental policies and as part of our commitment to a thorough process the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave while we conduct an internal investigation.” One man is dead and another is in critical condition and police have arrested a third after a shooting on Joseph Street in Opelousas Thursday Joseph Thomas was booked with second-degree murder three counts attempted second-degree murder and illegal use of weapons As we reported yesterday the shooting happened in the 800 block of Joseph Street around 2 p.m and another had been transported to a hospital via private vehicle That man is listed in critical but stable condition Police found the house where the suspect fled and got a search warrant for it - it's in the 800 block of Planters Street One of them is believed to be the one used in the shooting Police say Thomas confessed after "several hours of interviews." The Opelousas Police Department continues to investigate this incident and encourages anyone with additional information to contact the department at (337) 948-2500 or St 2025Alex ArmandLouisiana Scouting Director The 2025 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual  Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and there are some very talented players and teams across Louisiana Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Sulphur but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes a reality  We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Louisiana  We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and our always popular Game of the Week segment Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the Bayou State we will be releasing our Player and Pitcher of the Week as well as additional content that is focused strictly on high school baseball in Louisiana *Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.  If you have not received a questionnaire and would like to fill one out, please email State Director Alex Armand at [email protected] High School Name: Opelousas Catholic High School Top Underclassmen (2027 & 2028 Class): 2027 C Myles Collins After a phenomenal 2024 season that saw the Opelousas Catholic Vikings capture the LHSAA Select D-IV State Title the team enters the 2025 campaign with high expectations and a target on their backs Head Coach Justin Boyd leads a program rich in tradition aiming to build on last year’s success with a roster full of experienced talent and hungry contributors Experience will be the foundation of this year's squad With a core group of players who were integral to last year’s title run the Vikings are well-positioned to navigate the challenges of the regular season and make another deep postseason push The team’s collective focus will be on daily improvement with every practice and game designed to prepare them for the intensity of playoff baseball Opelousas Catholic returns quite a bit on offense even with the departures of key seniors Mark Collins (UL-Lafayette) and Jordan Luna (LSU-Eunice) from a year ago Rowen Bergeron and Braylin Harris are two returning seniors that played pivotal roles on last year's State Title team Juniors Kross Gillen and John Parker Trahan are two additional returning starters that Coach Boyd is excited to have back in 2025  Gillen was a member of our Future Games team last summer and hit at a .330 clip with 4 HR and 31 RBI as a sophomore  Trahan tallied a .287 AVG and .417 OBP last season Sophomore Myles Collins was the everyday starting catcher last season as a freshman and will be behind the plate once again this spring  Collins finished last season hitting .396 with a .517 OBP both very impressive numbers for a freshman There's also reason for optimisim with this year's pitching staff as the Vikings return three key contributors from last spring  Senior Zach Collins went 3-2 with 2 Saves and a 2.30 ERA in 2024 while junior Carter Stelly went 4-2 with a 2.80 ERA the Vikings will need contributions from a host of players competing for playing time on both the mound and the field: Senior Garret Lormand – A promising talent with the tools to impact games Senior Zack Miller – His development will be key in bolstering the team’s depth Senior Roy Henry – Another potential breakout candidate who could shine with increased opportunities Sophomore Lane Dugas – Expected to compete for key innings on the mound along with 8th Grader Evan Duplechain – All have the potential to carve out meaningful roles and add value in key moments The path to repeat as State Champions is never easy the team is committed to steady improvement throughout the season If the returning core continues to elevate their game and the emerging players step up to fill key roles the Vikings will once again be a formidable force in Class 1A but this team has shown it knows how to win when it matters most With a focus on growth and a championship mindset Opelousas Catholic is poised to contend for another state title in 2025 Follow on X (Formerly Twitter): @PrepBaseballLA Follow on Instagram: @PrepBaseballLA Follow on Facebook: Prep Baseball Report Louisiana + Click HERE to create a free profile + Click HERE to purchase a subscription which gives you access to additional information on the site           — A mother in Opelousas is left planning her son's funeral instead of celebrating a milestone spoke to KATC about her overwhelming grief following her son’s death She said she was preparing to set her son off to college in the spring she is grappling with the unimaginable loss I don’t know how to feel," Stacy Lewis said Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting which occurred Saturday night on Honey Lane her son had visited her home after spending time with other family members a disturbance broke out next door at a neighboring residence The tenant there had guests who were reportedly not supposed to be on the property attempting to fight the people inside the home leading to a confrontation he stepped outside to tell the group to leave the private property "The bullet wasn't even meant for my child Y'all came here to fight on private property Lewis says she tried to administer CPR to save his life but she recalls seeing so much blood that she didn’t know where it was coming from She is now pleading for the gunmen to come forward Kendrick Lewis was on track to start his education at Southern University this spring Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office for an update on the investigation Authorities stated that it is too early to identify any suspects or leads in the case We will continue to update this developing story Opelousas- A funeral service will be held for Burton Len Stander on Friday in the Sibille Funeral Home Chapel in Opelousas Burial will follow in the Temple Emanuel Jewish Cemetery in Opelousas passed away peacefully at his home on January 24 Early on in Burt’s life he achieved the status of Eagle Scout a testament to his commitment to leadership and work ethic These qualities then aided Burt in becoming a member of the U.S (now U.L.L.) and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity He was also an active member of the Elks Club He was also an excellent chef that enjoyed cooking his catch Burt loved spending time sharing these passions with his family and friends often attending Tiger games on Saturday and Saints games on Sunday It’s no surprise that he was in attendance when the Saints won the Super Bowl.  Susan Voitier and husband Billy of Opelousas He takes place in eternity alongside his parents 2025 Election will be held from March15 – March 22 Early Voting inOpelousas will return to the courthouse for this election! Registrar of Voter’s Office (Courthouse) 118 S The ballot items for this election consist of four Constitutional Amendments and a tax renewalfor Fire District 3.The deadline for anyone to register or make changes in-person and by mail is February 26,2025 2025 is the deadline for any electronic registrations and/or changes Thedeadline to request an absentee-by-mail ballot is March 25 2025 (other than Military andOverseas).Voters are encouraged to visit www.geauxvote.com or contact the Registrar’s office to verifytheir polling location and districts.For any questions please contact the Registrar’s Office at (337) 948-0572 the 17-year-old who was shot while riding with friends on Kim Drive in Opelousas on November 5th She succumbed to her injuries Saturday while trying to recover in the ICU at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical center family and friends have been expressing heartfelt messages and tributes on social media all weekend long If you want to help the family with funeral expenses, you can click here. Instead of living her life like a normal teenager 17-year-old Davasha Robertson fights for her life in the ICU at Ochsner’s Lafayette General Hospital after being shot in the back of the head last week “I got out of my sleep and rushed to the hospital and it was the most devastating phone call I have received in my life,” said David Robertson David says his daughter was shot while riding in a car with her friends in Opelousas Since the shooting Opelousas police have identified a suspect The shooting left Davasha’s father devastated No child deserves a stray bullet,” said David David pleads for peace and for the gun violence to stop They do not know what they really did until they can’t go back to their family Take time to think before you react—that is my message to these youngsters,” said David Davasha’s father is preparing to add to his family His significant other is expecting a baby boy in January and while he was hoping Davasha could be there for his son's arrival “I planned for all of them to dress up alike to welcome their little brother that phone call shattered my dreams,” said David The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with any expenses. If you would like to donate you can click here The Opelousas Police Department says the shooting is currently under investigation Anyone with information regarding this crime or any other crime is urged to contact the Opelousas Police Department at 337-948-2500 Information can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 337-948-TIPS Tipsters may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2500.00 for information leading to the identification and apprehension of those responsible Opelousas Police are asking for help to find a 15-year-old girl who went missing on Monday Azira Hardy lives on Elise Street in Opelousas wearing a dark hoodie/jacket and dark sweat pants UPDATE: Here are the details about two events set in St Landry Parish to mark Autism Awareness Month: and families in Opelousas kicked off the month with an event Tuesday afternoon They're asking residents to change their porch light to a red or blue light "I don't care if you light it up red or light it up blue I need y'all to light it up to show support for Autism Acceptance Month Here are a couple of pictures from Tuesday's event: According to the National Day Calendar website National Autism Awareness Month raises awareness for autism and Asperger's syndrome during April Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person's ability to communicate about one in 270 people in the world has Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD is a group of developmental disabilities that causes challenges in many areas of one’s life Some of the profoundly affected areas include social Children with ASD are usually nonverbal or they have restricted or repetitive behaviors The month-long observance takes place during World Autism Awareness Day The worldwide day was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 to shine a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis WAAD activities increase world knowledge of autism and impart information about the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention WAAD celebrates the unique talents and skills of persons with autism around the world (AP) — Opelousas police are investigating a shooting that left a young child hospitalized early Tuesday morning Authorities have not disclosed the child’s age or gender but witnesses near the scene identified her as a four-year-old girl The incident occurred on Ina Claire Drive in Opelousas A spokesperson for the Opelousas Police Department confirmed that a firearm was involved but details about how or why the shooting happened remain unclear It is also unknown whether the child was alone at the time of the incident KATC spoke to a near by neighbor who asked not to be on camera I have a little sister myself," expressed the witness A spokesperson with the hospital confirmed that the child was treated for what is believed to be non-life-threatening injuries and has since been transferred to another facility for further care and police have not yet provided further details 14-year old girl murdered by classmate in Baytown Parents charged with allegedly making gun accessible to teen that is accused of murdering 14-year-old The parents of a teen accused of killing 14-year-old Opelousas native Anaya Zachary at an apartment complex playground in Baytown, Texas, have been charged, KPRC-TV reports have both been charged with making a firearm accessible to a child Authorities allege the parents did not secure the gun in a way that prevented their 14-year-old son from accessing it and using it The incident occurred on March 21 at approximately 4 p.m Officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 4600 block of Village Lane after receiving reports of a shooting officers found Anaya near a playground with a gunshot wound Officers immediately began life-saving measures until medics arrived and she was transported to a local hospital where she was later pronounced dead Anaya's family said she relocated to Texas from Opelousas to live with her dad when she was 11 She was in her last year of middle school and they are devastated that she will never experience all that life had to offer “A part of our life, our family has been taken away. There will never be enough justice served because we don't get her back,” said her aunt, Nicole Ferguson, in a interview earlier this month The Baytown Police Department has not yet responded to The Advocate's requests for information about charges against the alleged shooter's parents Email Ja'kori Madison at jakori.madison@theadvocate.com Louisiana family mourns the death of 14-year-old Anaya Zachary who was murdered by a classmate at a apartment complex play ground in Baytown Landry Parish grand jury has indicted Opelousas Chief of Police Graig "Twin" Leblanc and two others in connection with a December 2023 shooting that involved the chief former Police Officer Savannah Butler and Opelousas Police Officer Tyron Abrams were all named in the indictment Butler is accused of attempted manslaughter Leblanc is accused of obstruction of justice Abrams is accused of malfeasance in office and obstruction of justice Landry Parish Sheriff's deputies booked all three back around the time of the incident; deputies investigated the shooting because it occurred at Butler's home deputies said Butler shot at the chief and the chief's wife after the wife came to Butler's home to speak to her husband They described it as a "domestic incident." Butler was booked with two counts negligent injury one count obstruction of justice and one count illegal use of a weapon Leblanc was booked with obstruction of justice malfeasance in office and failure to assist or aid another officer Abrams was booked with one count malfeasance in office and one count principal to obstruction of justice Abrams was the public information officer for the department Here's what the investigating detective alleged in the arrest warrant that was issued for the chief at the time of the incident: He was called to Butler's home the night of the shooting after the chief showed up at an Opelousas Hospital with a gunshot wound to the hand His wife - a fellow sheriff's deputy - was shot in the shoulder blood on Butler's OPD unit - a Dodge Charger - and he saw that it appeared some blood had recently been washed away on the carport He also noticed that the house had surveillance cameras The detective got a warrant for the footage on the cameras and one at the front door and another in the living room The videos showed Butler arrive at the home around 8 p.m. and the chief showed up four minutes later They were both inside the home when (the chief's wife) arrived at about 8:30 p.m The chief comes out to talk to (the chief's wife) and the next video shows Leblanc shot in the hand and Butler holding a gun and arguing with (the chief's wife) (The chief's wife) tried to get her husband into her car and he was telling her "do not call anyone." She said she was Butler is seen on the video pulling the chief out of his wife's car The chief and Butler went back into her home (The chief's wife) got help from someone else to get to the hospital Here are some of our stories on this incident: https://www.katc.com/news/around-acadiana/st-landry-parish/opelousas-police-chief-and-wife-hospitalized-amidst-ongoing-investigation https://www.katc.com/st-landry-parish/opelousas-police-chief-issues-statement-about-incident https://www.katc.com/st-landry-parish/details-read-the-arrest-warrant-for-opelousas-police-chief-graig-leblanc https://www.katc.com/st-landry-parish/opelousas-mayor-police-chief-is-still-in-charge-and-i-support-him