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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Experience true "Southern hospitality" at one of Louisiana's 11 most hospitable towns
The South is well-known for its charm and good manners, hence the term "Southern hospitality." When visiting the South, guests are sure to be welcomed with open arms. Whether visitors stay in a big city or small town, guests will be able to easily find hospitable service. Like other states in the South, Louisiana fosters a sense of community and is full of "Southern charm." In order to help tourists and residents alike find these Louisiana communities with the utmost hospitality, WorldAtlas contrived a list of the 11 most hospitable towns in Louisiana. Minden, Louisiana was founded in the 1830s by a group of Utopian settlers from Germany. The town's well-preserved history can be explored in depth at the Germantown Colony Museum and the Dorcheat Historical Museum. Visitors can find welcoming accommodations at The Villas at Spanish Court or at Huffman House Bed and Breakfast. Leesville, once known to be a lawless land where outlaws clashed, now is a popular destination for its natural beauty. Plenty of outdoor adventures are to be had at South Toledo Bend State Park and Sabine National Forest. Leesville is home to the largest military base in the state, Fort Polk, and the surrounding area is a hub for shopping and dining. Breaux Bridge, also known as the "Crawfish Capital of the World," is a charming small town in South Louisiana. Breaux Bridge hosts an annual Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival in may, where visitors enjoy crawfish, Cajun music, crafts and a carnival. In this town, there is a landmark bridge with a crawfish painted on the top that leads to downtown. Historically, Abita Springs was home to a Choctaw Native American community who named the region's springs "fountain" because of their medicinal properties. In the 1800s, Abita Springs began attracting visitors as a health and recreational destination. Now, the town appeals to those seeking fresh water, natural beauty, culture and the 'quiet life.' Bastrop was once a settlement that began, in 1796, as a modest and struggling frontier community. Now, Bastrop is a thriving community, with plenty of events and festivals occurring around the courthouse square. Nearby attractions like the Georgia Pacific Wildlife Management Area and the Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge are perfect for visitors who enjoy outdoor activities. Natchitoches is the oldest town in Louisiana, and is considered the oldest permanent settlement within the borders of the Louisiana Purchase. Natchitoches' National Historic Landmark District features French Creole townhouses, the 19th-century Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile and the Minor Basilica. There is also the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, which includes the 18th-century Oakland Plantation. Farmerville is a rural community that's best known for Lake D'Arbonne State Park, where visitors find great opportunities for fishing, kayaking and relaxing within nature. Throughout the year, various fishing tournaments are held at Lake D'Arbonne, where anglers of all levels have the chance to compete. Additionally, during the summer, Farmerville hosts its Louisiana Watermelon Festival, where attendees can sample Louisiana crops and produce. Opelousas, also known as the "Zydeco Music Capital of the World," is the third oldest town in Louisiana. Zydeco's Louisiana Creole roots and influence can be explored at Opelousas' Zydeco Music Exhibit at Le Vieux Village Heritage Park, or visitors can see Zydeco music live on Friday nights during the Music & Market series. Historic architectures can also be found throughout Opelousas, with structures from the antebellum and Victorian periods. St. Francisville is a picturesque destination in Louisiana, with its numerous historic sites and well-preserved architecture. Antebellum structures in the Greek Revival and Southern Gothic styles can be found throughout St. Francisville. Visitors can also indulge in shopping and dining opportunities within historic downtown. St. Martinville has a rich history, as the area was founded in the 1760s by Acadian exiles who were forced out Nova Scotia, Canada by the British Empire. Additionally, after the French Revolution, the town became a safe haven for Royalist immigrants who escapes the guillotines in France, which is how St. Martinville got the nickname "Le Petit Paris," or "Little Paris." St. Martinville's expansive history can be explored at the Longfellow-Evangeline State Commemorative Area. Grand Isle is a town in Louisiana located on a narrow barrier island on the Gulf Coast that's known for its beaches, especially those within the Grand Isle State Park. This park is full of trails, campsites, a fishing pier, the Grand Isle Birding Trail and the Butterfly Dome. Additionally, the Wake Side Cable Park attracts water sports enthusiasts with its jumps and obstacles. Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: What are the most hospitable places to visit in Louisiana?
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawrason Act election underway in St. Martinville
ST. MARTINVILLE, La. (KLFY)- The highly anticipated election on the Lawrason Act is underway, as voters head to the polls to weigh in on the potential benefits. The St. Martinville City Council voted back in February to allow residents to cast their ballots in favor or against the Lawrason Act at the May 3rd election. The city of St. Martinville is one of only 24 cities in Louisiana that operates under a legislative charter. The charter has been in place in St. Martinville since 1895. Recently, the legislative charter has drawn criticism and controversy amongst some residents and officials who say the legislative charter does not provide an adequate separation of power between the mayor and the city council. Tensions rise in St. Martinville over Lawrason Act Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now St. Martinville Mayor, Jason Willis spoke about how he voted yes for the act. 'We can't ask for better if we continue doing the same thing and what we have been doing has not been working,' said Willis. 'We need to stick on facts and not lies and stuff to scare people in fear, and that alone brings a separation into our community, and that is not what we want.' Ambrose Bernard, a local voter, said he casted his vote in favor of the Lawrason Act, and hopes others will consider the change it could bring. 'We should all come out and vote for something that makes sense to the town or to the black community,' said Bernard. 'It's time for a change, I hope things get better everywhere.' Despite the outcome of the election, Willis said unity is key to moving the city of St. Martinville forward. 'We still need to come together as a community, and a council and as a mayor,' said Willis. 'We need to work together for the progress of our city, all the division, all the hatred stuff, all the back and forth, because a difference of opinion is uncalled for. We can have a difference of opinion and still work together.'' Polls are scheduled to close at 8pm tonight. To find your nearest polling location, click here. Louisiana completes series sweep of Southern Miss Herrmann, Louisiana Claim Rain-Soaked Win at Georgia State, 8-3 Lawrason Act election underway in St. Martinville Pleasant weather forecast for Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival These US cities are being called the best places to live in the country, says a new study Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
St. Martin Parish seeks tax renewal for school upgrades
ST. MARTIN PARISH, La. (KLFY)- The St. Martin Parish School Board has an important item on the ballot to renew an existing tax aimed at completing upgrades at schools parish wide. The Parish wide School District Proposition States: 'Shall St. Martin Parish School District, Louisiana (the 'District'), incur debt and issue bonds to the amount of not exceeding $30,000,000, in one or more series, to run not exceeding 20 years from date thereof, with interest at a rate of not exceeding 7% per annum, for the purpose of financing capital expenditures for school purposes for the District, including constructing, acquiring and/or improving schools and other school related facilities, together with equipment and furnishings therefor, including, to the extent feasible, those specific school projects set forth in the 'Capital Improvement Plan' to be approved prior to the election, title to which shall be in the public; which bonds will be general obligations of the District and will be payable from ad valorem taxes to be levied and collected in the manner provided by Article VI, Section 33 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974 and statutory authority supplemental thereto, with no estimated increase in the millage rate to be levied in the first year of issue above the 21.50 mills currently being levied to pay General Obligation Bonds of the District?' The item on the ballot for the May 3rd election includes funds to continue essential school operations at in St. Martin Parish. The St. Martin Parish Superintendent, Frederick Wiltz, said the tax renewal will focus on improving the infrastructure all seventeen schools in the parish. 'The primary purpose of this tax renewal is to help us to support maintaining our facilities,' said Wiltz. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The $30 million dollar bond would allow for renovations to deteriorated educational buildings, and facilities, expand technology in the school system, and strengthen security systems used to increase safety of school staff. 'Some of our facilities are 20 plus years old, so maintaining our facilities and making sure that we are able to use them for the next 25 to 30 years is something that we want to ensure we can do, because the cost of actually building a new facility is probably more than $30 million,' said Wiltz. Wiltz said though people will be enjoying the Crawfish Festival this weekend, he encourages voters to head to the polls. 'We're the largest educator in St. Martin Parish,' said Wiltz. 'So having the support of the community is something that's very vital to us, as a system we don't want to waste, we want to make sure that we use the money very wisely and take care of the items that need to be taken care of throughout the district.' Polls will open at 7am and will close at 8pm on Saturday. To learn more about the proposed projects, visit the St. Martin Parish School Board Facebook Page. To find your nearest polling location, click here. LHSAA Softball State Playoffs postponed due to weather Storms Overnight, Nice & Cooler Weather for Most of the Weekend… St. Martin Parish seeks tax renewal for school upgrades Abbeville man charged with arson to defraud insurance Crawfish farmers recover from drought with solid harvests Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crawfish farmers recover from drought with solid harvests
ST. MARTIN PARISH, LA (KLFY) — Crawfish farmers all over the state had a harvest they want to forget following the drought. 'It hurt last year you know. We all did.' said Mike Clay, a crawfish farmer. When the drought depleted the crawfish crop, Clay have to give up for the season because there was no point in even trying. Clay has been farming for 40 years. He said an average season for him is about five to 600 pounds per acre per year. Arctic Blizzard Impact On Crawfish Catch in Louisiana Clay said he put out '400 traps and caught 25 pounds of crawfish. That made up my mind last year that we were not going to fish.' While Clay said crawfish farming is not his only job, it is for many farmers, and they rely on the yearly harvest. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now LSU AgCenter predicts good crawfish season Fortunately, with the previous year's rainfall, it allowed the upcoming harvest to increase and prices to drop. Clay noticed this season was back to normal in December for the first harvest. He hopes he and his peers never have to go through a drought again. 'We doing about average this year so I would consider it a success. The price is pretty decent and its holding,' said Clay. St. Martin Parish seeks tax renewal for school upgrades Abbeville man charged with arson to defraud insurance Crawfish farmers recover from drought with solid harvests St. Martin Sheriff talks safety at Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Louisiana State Police honored K9 trooper Pita Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Louisiana State Police honored K9 trooper Pita
LOUISIANA (KLFY) — Pita,the retired K9 trooper, was honored for her service by the Louisiana State Police after passing away due to declining health authorities said. Before retiring in February 2024, Pita served for nine years for the Troop D area and its agencies as a member of the Criminal Patrol Unit with her keen sense of smell. 'When she was not locating narcotics, she could often be found visiting schools and searching for as many belly rubs as she could from the kids.' said The Louisiana State Police on a Facebook post. During retirement, Pita enjoyed her final years with her handler, Sgt. Moseley. 'We thank Pita for her loyalty, dedication, and service to the State of Louisiana. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Moseley and the entire State Police family.' The Louisiana State Police said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now St. Martin Sheriff talks safety at Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Louisiana State Police honored K9 trooper Pita The history behind those extravagant Kentucky Derby hats Small retailers say tariffs are affecting business Circle K visit after volunteering ends with Louisiana man winning $2.4 million Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
