Parish Had Stories in 2025
Staff Reports
As usual St. Landry Parish did not escape 2025 without its share of intriguing stories that captured the attention of the St. Landry Now.com readership.
There were recurring financial issues that plagued areas of parishwide elected leadership in addition to issues that briefly captured the attention of national audiences.
Local governments and appointed members of sales tax-driven districts spent and acquired significant revenue that affects infrastructure around Opelousas.
Here is a review of the captivating stories St. Landry Now.com covered during 2025.
“Sneauxfall” in St. Landry
Areas around Opelousas in January received as much as nine inches of snow, as residents woke up to an icy environment usually seen on Christmas cards and other areas of the nation. Parish officials opened and staffed a warming shelter at Indian Hills that accommodated individuals from St. Landry.
Stadium Project Completed
The $8 million expenditure to repurpose Donald Gardner Stadium supported primarily by the Opelousas Downtown Development District, was partially completed in time for several football games in October. The finishing touches to the outdoor track for the city-owned project were completed in December.
Pope’s St. Landry Ancestry
While the world celebrated the selection of Leo XIV as pope of the Roman Catholic Church, St. Landry Parish acknowledged that Pontiff is descended from prominent persons of color who resided in the Washington area during the mid-18th century. The Clerk of Court plans more in depth research on the pope’s family later in 2026.
Opelousas Sales Tax Election
In August Opelousas voters approved unquestionably the reinstatement of a citywide sales tax that was allowed to lapse earlier in the year due to inaction by the city administration and the Board of Aldermen. City officials announced that Opelousas lost $1.85 million in tax revenues over a three-month period. The 1-cent sales tax is estimated to generate about $6 million annually. Officials began collecting the previously lost revenue during the final quarter of 2025.
Parish Finances
Parish president Jessie Bellard went to Baton Rouge in August and convinced the State Bond Commission to approve a $4 million request to assist the parish with paying operational expenses for 2025 and this year. Bellard said the parish plans to use $2.9 million of the Commission-approved amount.
Jail Escape
December brought the parish jail into a national spotlight as three inmates executed a daring escape from their third-story cells by apparently kicking out a portion of a wall and using tied bed sheets to scale down the exterior of the building. Two inmates were recaptured, while a third died during a standoff with Port Barre police. CNN contacted St. Landry Now for updates.
School Board Deficit
Declining annual student enrollment, low property millage rates and the necessity of paying off previous bonded indebtedness caused St. Landry school officials to indicate that the operating budget deficit for 2025 could reach as high as $4 million.
Bellard And Guidroz
Disputes between Bellard and Sheriff Bobby Guidroz continued over the condition of the parish jail. Following the inmates’ escape. Guidroz accused Bellard of failing to properly maintain the jail, while Bellard said the jail is “structurally sound” and blames Guidroz for not providing enough manpower to properly manage inmates security.
Community Center
Opelousas municipal officials through the effort of State Representative Dustin Miller, secured $4.3 million in state funding that will fund a Community Center that will be located on the South City Park boulevard. Bids for the project are estimated at $4.6 million.
Downtown Issues
The city failed again to secure and finance an economic catalyst project for the downtown area. Efforts to refurbish the former Women’s Homeless Shelter were delayed again due to financing and structural issues, while the ODD agreed to loan $1.5 million to help historical architect Stephen Ortego rebuild the former Federal Building.
