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• Zydeco Force member dies in mobile home fire

  November 9, 2012 9:26 AM

  OPELOUSAS - A member of the Opelousas Zydeco music scene has died in a fire in his home. Police say 49-year-old Shelton Broussard died Tuesday night when a fire broke out in his mobile home. Broussard was guitarist and founding member of the legendary band, Zydeco Force. ... more »

• 2 dead after crash on US 190

  October 15, 2012 10:29 AM

  OPELOUSAS - State police are investigating a two vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 190 in St. Landry Parish which claimed the lives of two people. The accident happened early Sunday morning. Troopers say 42-year-old David Deveer of Geismar was driving a truck towing a horse trailer when he... more »

• Troopers seize over 15 pounds of cocaine

  September 24, 2012 3:49 PM

  OPELOUSAS - Louisiana State Police have seized more than 15 pounds of cocaine in a traffic stop on Interstate 49 at Opelousas. Troopers stopped a 2004 Ford F-150 Sunday morning on I-49 southbound at U.S. Highway 190. After getting permission from the truck's driver to search the vehicle, troopers found... more »

• Florida slaying suspect caught in La.

  May 2, 2012 8:39 AM

  OPELOUSAS - A Florida man sought in the slayings of his wife and the boyfriend of his pregnant daughter has been arrested in Louisiana. Opelousas police spokesman Darren Zachary says 55-year-old Kevin Satterfield was arrested early Wednesday at a motel after family members provided information about his location. Florida authorities... more »

• 2 bodies found in burning Opelousas home

  January 12, 2012 6:59 AM

  OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) - Two men have been found dead inside a burning house in Opelousas, the victims of a double shooting. Police Chief Perry Gallow said the bodies had been soaked in accelerant and set ablaze in an apparent attempt to cover up the slayings. Local reports say firefighters... more »

• Student stabbed at Opelousas High School

  September 19, 2011 2:39 PM

  OPELOUSAS, La.- Police are investigating a stabbing at Opelousas High School. Police Chief Perry Gallow says the student was stabbed inside a school bathroom shortly before classes began Monday. Gallow says the victim was transported to Opelousas General Hospital after he was stabbed twice in the abdomen and... more »

• FAA investigates plane crash in Opelouas

  August 2, 2011 2:07 AM

  OPELOUSAS- Federal investigators are working to determine what caused a small plane to crash over the weekend shortly after takeoff from the St. Landry Parish Airport in Opelousas. The Federal Aviation Administration was notified after the single-engine plane crashed about 11 a.m. Saturday. The pilot, 52-year-old Arnold Reed Johnstone, of... more »

• St. Landry inmate captured in Evangeline Parish

  June 24, 2011 3:21 PM

  OPELOUSAS - A St. Landry Parish prisoner who escaped custody in Lafayette Parish Thursday has been captured in Evangeline Parish, authorities said Friday. Capt. Jimmy Darbonne, spokesman for the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office, said Matthew O. Keyes was captured at 10 a.m. Friday by Turkey Creek police following... more »

• Boat ramps in St. Landry Parish reopened today

  June 14, 2011 10:43 AM

  OPELOUSAS - More areas in the Atchafalaya Basin are being reopened to boaters as record flooding recedes. Authorities in St. Landry Parish announced that all boat launches at Bayou Darbonne and the Grimmett Canal will be opened today. Sheriff's deputies are asking boaters to be careful since there... more »

• Cops: Party after wedding almost a riot

  January 25, 2011 10:37 AM

  OPELOUSAS- Opelousas police say seven adults and a number of juveniles have been arrested and more arrests are expected after a post-wedding party turned into a fight. Police Chief Perry Gallow said Monday that up to 100 people may have been involved in what he described as a near... more »

• Lawmaker concerned about probation and parole officers

  January 18, 2011 5:37 PM

  LAFAYETTE - Senator Elbert Guillory (D-Opelousas) says state probation and parole officers are underpayed and overworked, and he's worried budget cuts will make the situation worse. A legislative report released last week says Louisiana probation and parole officers have a caseload count well above their counterparts in other states,... more »

• Four teens booked with arson, murder in fatal fire

  December 25, 2010 1:04 PM

  OPELOUSAS - A 16-year-old boy and three 14-year-old boys have been booked with arson and second-degree murder for a fatal fire set off by fireworks, Opelousas Police Chief Perry Gallow says. The fire Wednesday night killed 55-year-old Johnny Little, a city employee who was alone and believed to have been... more »

• Recall petition filed against Gov. Jindal

  December 15, 2010 5:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A recall petition has been filed against Gov. Bobby Jindal by a couple from Opelousas. Ronnie Ray Ceasar says he is trying to get the governor recalled because he's unhappy with budget cuts that have stripped millions from higher education and health care. Ceasar also calls Jindal... more »

• Ex-teacher sentenced in La. child porn case

  December 1, 2010 6:37 AM

  LAFAYETTE - After receiving a 14-year prison sentence on a child pornography charge, Larry Caillier II told a federal judge that he was innocent and that his attorneys had persuaded him to accept a plea deal. Caillier, a former Opelousas High School teacher, was accused of receiving a sexually explicit... more »

• Water theft cost Opelousas $25,000 a month

  September 21, 2010 6:35 AM

  Officials say about 700 accounts, representing about 10 percent of all customers in Opelousas, have not been paying for water use, costing the city up to $25,000 a month. An electronic water metering system is finally up and running and the residents are now being required to pay their bills.... more »

• Opelousas housing effort begins in fall

  July 26, 2010 6:02 AM

  A $1.5 million housing rehabilitation effort will begin in Opelousas this fall. A housing specialist with the Shaw Group that will oversee the program says only owner-occupied houses that were damaged during either hurricanes Gustav or Ike will qualify. For the first round of funding, there is a $15,000 per... more »

• Opelousas pharmacy worker arrested

  June 10, 2010 8:21 AM

  An Opelousas pharmacy technician has been arrested for allegedly stealing $300,000 worth of prescription painkillers from her employer. Melinda Simon of Carencro is being held in the St. Landry Parish Jail, and faces various charges. CVS Pharmacy filed a complaint one of its pharmacy technicians was stealing Lortab, Soma and... more »

• Man Arrested In Toddler's Death

  May 19, 2010 12:01 PM

  A 25 year old Opelousas man has been booked with manslaughter in the death of his girlfriend's 2 year old child. Napoleon J.Prudhomme of Opelousas was arrested Tuesday morning at his home. The Sheriff's Office says the investigation began when officer received a call on May 5 regarding... more »

• Serviceman accused of killing bride's ex-husband

  May 11, 2010 9:08 AM

  A U.S. Air Force serviceman is being held without bond in Opelousas following the shooting death of his bride's ex-husband. Jason Rolls has been booked with manslaughter in the death of Michael Hall. Jason and Twaila Rolls had been married for only a few hours when Hall appeared at their... more »

• Derby success has Borel in demand

  April 28, 2010 1:31 PM

  St. Martin Parish's Calvin Borel has made a living on long shots, most famously 50-1 Mine That Bird in last year's Kentucky Derby. The jockey's second Derby triumph in three years, though, has made him a star who no longer needs to jump on any ride that comes along.... more »

• Man sentenced in double manslaughter in Opelousas

  April 26, 2010 11:33 AM

  A 24-year-old man from Prairieville will serve two 28 year jail terms concurrently after pleading guilty to two counts of manslaughter. Blake Cannon Reine was involved in a hit-and-run crash in Opelousas. He fled the scene and led a police officer on a chase. That's when he ran a... more »

• Man sentenced in double manslaughter

  April 26, 2010 6:49 AM

  A Prairieville man has been sentenced to two concurrent 28-year jail terms after pleading guilty to two counts of manslaughter. Police say Blake Cannon Reine was being chased by an Opelousas police officer after leaving the scene of a hit-and-run accident in Opelousas, when Reine ran a red light and... more »

• Civilian charged in Danziger case arraigned

  April 16, 2010 12:35 PM

  A man charged with lying to the FBI about the deadly shootings on a New Orleans Bridge following Hurricane Katrina will plead guilty later this month, his lawyer says. Prosecutors say Marion David Ryder III of Opelousas falsely claimed he was chasing a group of people near the Danziger... more »

• Ex-city worker gets 15 years in sex case

  April 14, 2010 7:44 AM

  A former Lafayette Utilities System employee will spend the next 15 years in federal prison for having inappropriate sexual conversations in an Internet chat room with an undercover state police officer. Kevin Ray of Opelousas also will have to serve 10 years of supervised release once his prison term is... more »

• Deadly hit and run in Opelousas

  March 30, 2010 11:57 AM

  A teenager is dead after a car ran into him while he was riding his bike in Opelousas, then fled the scene of the crash. Police said Tyrell Jenkins was pronounced dead at the scene. They believe the car that hit the teen will have damage to the right... more »

• Opelousas man killed in crash

  March 25, 2010 7:04 AM

  State police are investigating a single vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 167 south of Ville Platte that claimed the life of an Opelousas man. Troopers say a pickup was southbound on Hwy. 167 Wednesday when the vehicle ran off the road and entered a ditch. The vehicle overturned and ejected... more »

• Larry Caillier's child porn trial slated for May

  March 17, 2010 6:50 AM

  Larry Caillier II is set to stand trial May 17 on federal child pornography charges. The former Opelousas High School teacher pleaded not guilty to charges of production and possession of child pornography, and attempt to coerce a minor to engage in criminal sexual acts. He was arrested Feb. 26... more »

• Former alderman wants out of jail

  March 12, 2010 8:09 AM

  A former Opelousas alderman and high school teacher arrested for child pornography is challenging magistrate's ruling denying him bond until his trial. Larry Caillier III is jailed on charges of production and possession of child pornography and attempting to coerce a minor to engage in criminal sexual acts. In a... more »

• Opelousas teacher accused of child porn

  March 10, 2010 2:14 PM

  A former Opelousas alderman and high school teacher is indicted on charges of child pornography. A federal grand jury formally accused Larry Caillier II with getting a minor to engage in sexual activity so that he could produce child pornography. He's accused of creating and possessing child porn and... more »

• Former Opelousas high school teacher accused of child porn

  March 10, 2010 1:28 PM

  A federal grand jury has indicted a former Opelousas alderman and Opelousas High School teacher with getting a minor to engage in sex acts to produce pornography. Acting U.S. Attorney William J. Flanagan said Wednesday that Larry Caillier II is charged with producing and possessing child pornography, and with... more »

• Parade planned for Saints' Henderson

  March 9, 2010 1:58 PM

  Opelousas is planning a parade Saturday to honor hometown hero and New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devery Henderson. Henderson had seven catches for 63 yards in the Super Bowl win over Indianapolis. Officials say Henderson's time in Opelousas will be limited because he has other events scheduled both... more »

• La. man arrested in illegal dumping case

  February 19, 2010 5:09 AM

  The director of a company that operates several wastewater treatment facilities in Louisiana has been arrested on charges he allowed untreated wastewater to be illegally dumped. Joseph L. Jones of Opelousas faces 12 felony charges involving alleged violations of Plaisance Development Corp.'s water discharge permits. Jones was arrested at his... more »

• Opelousas road closed to right derailed train

  February 18, 2010 9:51 AM

  Part of Louisiana Highway 749, known in Opelousas as Railroad Ave., is closed while crews work to right a derailed freight train. Jim Herring of Union Pacific Railroad Co. says the 10 cars were carrying rocks for railroad track beds when they derailed Tuesday evening. Police Chief Perry Gallow said... more »

• Street named for Saint

  February 10, 2010 7:47 AM

  Following a decisive Super Bowl victory on Sunday, Saints fever continues to grip Opelousas. The city council voted Tuesday to rename Jefferson Street for Opelousas native and Saints' wide receiver Devery Henderson. The council had only two reservations what do the residents on the street have to say about the... more »

• Opelousas offers ticket amnesty

  February 5, 2010 7:16 AM

  Opelousas City Court is conducting a one-month Traffic Ticket Amnesty Program for people with bench warrants in the court's traffic section. The amnesty will run February 15 through March 15 and serves as a limited opportunity to resolve warrants without fear of being placed in jail for being delinquent on... more »

• 12-year-old boy drowns in Vinton

  September 21, 2009 6:07 AM

  The Vinton Police Department says 12-year-old Joseph Staton from Opelousas apparently drowned in a swimming pool over the weekend. Witnesses told police the boy disappeared from a party Saturday and was found floating in swimming pool. No foul play is suspected. more »