Brandon Ledet of Iowa and Jason Babineaux of Mamou entertain Monday during the Courir de Mardi Gras in Soileau. The two performed classic Cajun sons for the crowd. (DORIS MARICLE/AMERICAN PRESS)
BY DORIS MARICLE / AMERICAN PRESS
SOILEAU — The sounds of Cajun and Zydeco music echoed through the countryside Monday as hundreds of revelers roamed the back
roads of rural Allen Parish for a traditional Courir de Mardi Gras.
The celebrants, many sporting masks and multi-colored fringe costumes, came by horseback and flat-b ...
BY ERIC CORMIER / AMERICAN PRESS
An Iowa businessman wants the chairman of the Lake Charles Planning and Zoning Commission to step down after a controversial
vote involving a planned parking lot at the corner of Nelson Road and Woodland Drive.
Lee Mallett told the American Press on Monday that chairman Powell Smith should have re ...
FROM STAFF REPORTS
A weekend of Carnival revelry will come to an end today with several Fat Tuesday parades and chicken runs in the area.
Two parades will make their way down Ryan Street. Iowa, Jennings and Iota will also host festivities.
While the weekend rain sent Mardi Gras revelers and planners alike scrambling ...
BY LANCE TRAWEEK / AMERICAN PRESS
Today’s college and university students have
had opportunities throughout their educational journeys to learn about
black
history in a way that was not available to previous generations,
said Martha P. Hoskins, an instructor of history at McNeese
State University.
McNeese offers a variet ...
BY JOHNATHAN MANNING / AMERICAN PRESS
Sulphur Parks and Recreation is putting the final pieces in place to break ground on a new walking park, officials said.
SPAR director Norman Farr said workers have been busy readying the area — moving equipment into place, surveying, finding
utilities, protecting trees.
“They’r ...
BY ASHLEY WITHERS / AMERICAN PRESS
The challenge in teaching black history in Calcasieu Parish schools is not in getting the subject matter before the students.
The challenge is making the information both age-appropriate and relevant to a new generation of students.
“For a long time African-American
history and its culture ...
BY JOHNATHAN MANNING / AMERICAN PRESS
District 1 Police Juror Shannon Spell is asking motorists to be patient and respect property rights around the construction
on North Perkins Ferry Road in Moss Bluff.
“We’ve had some instances where people are
ignoring the barricades and the signage and using either private or
busine ...
BY LANCE TRAWEEK / AMERICAN PRESS
On Sunday, the Children’s Parade rolled under mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the lower 60s, according to the National
Weather Service.
Severe weather on Saturday led to flood watches in the Lake Area and the cancellation of The Krewe of Barkus and The Krewe
of Omega parades.
Katie ...
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
" />
BY JOHN GUIDROZ / AMERICAN PRESS
State lawmakers have filed just over 90 pieces of legislation that deal with retirement reform, but four areas that
address Gov. Bobby Jindal’s push to change pension benefits for state employees will likely get the most attention when the session
begins March 12.
Rep. Kevin Pearson, R-Slid ...
BY DORIS MARICLE / AMERICAN PRESS
JENNINGS — A severe thunderstorm that ripped through Jefferson Davis Parish on Saturday toppled trees and power lines and
damaged structures.
Trees were reported down on several houses and vehicles and power was out in several parts of the parish as the severe weather
rolled through the are ...
BY LANCE TRAWEEK/ AMERICAN PRESS
Severe weather on Saturday led to flood watches in the Lake Area and the cancellation of two popular Mardi Gras season events.
A flood watch was in effect in Lake Charles until 6 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
The Krewe of Barkus parade, where dogs dress up in Mardi Gras costumes ...
