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EUNICE — Eunice High School is closed for cleaning after five staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
Principal Mitchell Fontenot, in a letter to parents, stated the campus closed at the end of the day Monday “out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all members of the community and the school.”
Instruction will be delivered remotely beginning Tuesday and in-person learning is scheduled to resume on Nov. 4, he stated.
The in-person restart date is “contingent on what the data tells us about the number of COVID-19 cases in the Eunice area,” he stated.
Arrangements are being made by the Child Nutrition Department to provide grab and go meals for EHS students at the Central Middle School campus, he stated.
“We will be closely monitoring this situation and following all directions provided by the Louisiana Department of Health. Please note that while we have an obligation to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all members of our community, we also have an obligation to protect the privacy of individuals affected by this virus,” he stated.
Fontenot said only close contacts are required to be quarantined.
“The Center for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) defines a close contact as an individual who was within six feet of a positive case of COVID-19 for a duration of longer than 15 consecutive minutes, he stated.
“Unless an individual has been personally contacted by the Department of Health or the school nurse we can reasonably assure you that you have not been identified as a close contact of a positive case. The only individuals who need to quarantine are those who have been personally contacted by the Department of Health or the school nurse,” he stated.
Fontenot stated, “If you are symptomatic please stay home and contact your medical provider immediately. If your child receives a positive COVID-19 result please contact Nurse Callie Schouest at 337-457-5895 or Nurse Sylvia Brown at 337-948-3646. Your cooperation with sharing information with our nurses and reporting any positive cases of COVID-19 within your family or close contacts is very important.”
Fontenot added, “It is important to note that there is no evidence that schools in the Eunice area have had an increase in positive cases, nor is there any indication that higher transmission rates in these neighborhoods are due to school buildings being open. The step to close school buildings is one of many steps being taken to help reduce transmission in the Eunice area.”
The Louisiana National Guard and Office of Public Health will be providing COVID-19 testing from 8 a.m. ot 3 p.m. Friday at the Eunice High School parking lot.
Staff members at Eunice Career and Technical Education Center will report to work to deliver lessons virtually, he stated.
All other schools in the Eunice area will remain open at this time, he stated.

George "Berton" Lege waltzed his way into heaven on Monday, October 19, 2020, after turning the golden age of 80 just days earlier.
Born to "Pierre" and Emilie Veazey Lege of Intracoastal City, Louisiana in a household of 10 family members, Berton was known to all as a loving, funny, happy, generous, caring brother and son. He was and has remained a great storyteller when describing life at home, keeping them, all laughing. Berton touched many lives with his joyfulness and hardly ever met a stranger.
Never a lazy man, he would help anyone in need at any time, working on their land, and in the marsh with his family. Telling jokes or singing songs, helped to pass their time as they trapped and hunted to survive. It was definitely not easy living in the marsh but posed to be the greatest schooling they would all have.
After graduating from Mount Carmel High, he went on to do his part for his country and enlisted in the Army. Coming home with several medals to prove his hard work and determination to be all he could be. Berton's best decision was marrying the love of his life, the late Margaret Elaine Bernard Lege, a woman that adored him right back. They went on to raise 6 loving children and taught their kids how to be self-sufficient living off the lands of the south.
This took place at their second home, the Paul J. Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary of the National Audubon Society in southwest Louisiana. Berton would proudly work as assistant manager for 40 years, along with his brother, Lonnie. A strong advocate for preserving the Louisiana coastline, marshes and all its wildlife, he taught many others to respect these gifts from God. You could often find him in neighboring areas teaching his kids and later grandkids to fish, hunt, trap or even just enjoy the sunrise on the back porch of his "Camp," with a hot cup of Community Coffee.
Berton was a pillar of his community in Mouton Cove, where he would raise his family and leave this world fifty years later. His Catholic faith was especially important to him and his parishioners rarely saw him miss mass, until he fell sick. His rosary was often in hand where he was usually thinking and praying for others.
He offered many bowls of gumbo, fried fish, or any such homemade delicacy as he was an extremely good cook, "feeding the five thousand" as it goes. He would even give you a drink of his favorite Kentucky Tavern bourbon, right before he would grab your arm and teach you to jitterbug. Berton's main philosophy was "we were only put on this earth to enjoy life and help others do the same ... no fighting or fussing, just loving and giving without expecting... enjoying the simple things, laughing and smiling often, because God wants us to."
Berton, Daddy, PawPaw Berton, Uncle Berton, El-yass, will be sadly missed by many including his children. He is survived by his family, Marie Antoinette "Toni" Lege, Tricia Adelle Gaspard and her husband Scotty, Monica Beth Theriot and her husband Cordell, Stephanie Ellen Lege and her fiance Carl Rogers, Claire Allison Lege, and Scott Maurice Lege; his ten living Grandchildren, Dustin Gaspard, Jedd David, Emily Gaspard, Caitlin Roy Uriegas and her husband Aaron Uriegas; daughter, Ellie Uriegas; Jenna David Herpin and her husband Lance Herpin, Sidney Stelly Frith and her husband Scott Frith, Jacob David, Maci Gaspard, Luke Gaspard, and Ava Clare Esponge, all of whom idolize their Paw Paw, seeing him as the Man, the Myth, the LEGEnd. He is also survived by his brothers, Lealand and wife Becky Lege, John Barry "Chop" Lege; sisters, Nettie and husband Daniel Detraz and Cheryl and husband Don Elbers; sisters-in-law, Betty Bernard, Peggy Broussard Lege, and Valla Broussard Lege.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; parents, Pierre and Emilie; brother, Wilton Ray; grandson, Matthew Harris Broussard; sister, Brenda Ruth; brothers,Arnold Pete and Lonnie Lege.
Many blessed thanks to Endia Campbell and the other special sitters, for their loving compassion and companionship they gave him these last few years.
Thanks also to Grace Hospice and the nurses who attended to Berton's needs.
The family requests visiting hours be observed at Vincent's Funeral Home in Abbeville, 209 South State St., on Friday, November 20, 2020 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM, a Rosary prayed at 12:00. Mass of Christian burial to follow at 3:00, St. James Chapel in Esther, Louisiana.
Berton's only request to his children upon his death was that his life be celebrated and not mourned. Please help in granting his request and Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

Mrs. Myra Collins Hebert and Mr. Andrew Landry announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter Macie Elizabeth Landry of Delcambre to Justin Gerald LeBlanc of Erath.
The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late Dorothy “Dot” and Thomas Collins of Milton and Zella “Petite” and Dudley “Shamie” Landry of Delcambre. She is the youngest of three children whose siblings are Andre’ Landry and Megan Landry-Lalande.
The prospective groom is the son of Ms. Linda Breaux of Erath and Mr. Jerry LeBlanc of Erath. He is the grandson of Ms. Shirley Primeaux of St. Martinville and Mr. Curtis Joseph Breaux of Crowley and Whitney and Aussian LeBlanc of New Iberia. He is the youngest of three and his siblings are Jeramie LeBlanc and Melissa LeBlanc.
The couple will exchange their vows on October 30, 2020 during an intimate ceremony in St. Martinville, Louisiana officiated by the Honorable Judge Jonathon Perry.

KAPLAN - The Kaplan Pirates used their best defense to keep the Erath Bobcats from scoring more points in the fourth period.
The Pirates’ best defense was its offense.
The Bobcats scored a touchdown with 1:17 to play in the game and closed the Pirates’ lead 30-25.
The Bobcats needed to stop Kaplan to get the ball back for a chance to win the game.
But things did not go too well for the Bobcats. Instead, Erath got three penalties, including two back-to-back 15-yard penalties that allowed Kaplan to run out the clock and secure the victory.
“We did what we had to do to win,” said KHS head coach Stephen Lotief. “We were able to stay ahead of them the whole game. Give Erath credit; they are a good team. They fought until the end.”
Erath head coach Eric LeBlanc had a knot in his stomach right after the game. He did not like the way the game finished. The Bobcats thought they recovered a fumble with less than a minute to play, but they were told that the play had been blown dead by the officials. Not long after that, Erath was given two 15-yard penalties, which killed any chance of getting the ball back.
“We had our opportunities to win the game,” said LeBlanc. “We hurt ourselves with penalties, and when we got to the red zone we did not convert. “
The Pirates stayed ahead of Erath the entire game. At half time, Kaplan led 14-6. The Pirates got the opening possession of the second half and marched 46-yards, in only two minutes.
Tailback Drake LeJeune had two carries for 31-yards on the drive.
Caden Campisi scored on a 2-yard run, and KHS looked like they had the game in control, leading 22-6.
On Erath’s next drive, the Bobcats marched 65-yards in only three plays.
EHS quarterback Gabe Primeaux threw a 47-yard bomb to David Richard. Richard caught it and tip-toed along the sideline for another 30-yards and a score.
Richard had six catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns on the night.
After forcing Kaplan to punt, Erath made the game interesting behind a freshman quarterback’s arm. Lynkon Romero, who has now played in all three of Erath’s games, played the second series in the second half.
Romero completed four soft passes to four different receivers for 25-yards, 20-yards, 10-yards and 3-yards.
On the third down and goal, Romero hit Richard on a 7-yard touchdown pass. Dylon Duhon nailed the extra point, and the Bobcats were back in the game.
Erath’s defense held Kaplan and forced it to punt.
The Bobcats took up shop at their 15-yard line with Primeaux at quarterback. Four plays later, Kaplan got the ball back with the help of Landon Cheek’s interception.
Behind Campisi’s legs, Kaplan went 35-yards in six plays for a touchdown. Campisi darted 13-yards for a touchdown with 3:32 to play in the game.
The Bobcats were not about to quit. With Romero back at quarterback, the Bobcats went 80-yards for a touchdown.
Romero threw two passes to Landon Toups that went for 21 yards on the drive, and he nailed Austin Hebert in the end zone for an 11-yard TD pass.
Down 30-25 with just over a minute to play, Erath attempted an on-side kick, but Cheek fell on it.
LeJeune finished the game with a season-high 148-yards on 14 carries. Campisi had 101-yards on 19 carries, and he also scored three touchdowns.
Erath’s two quarterbacks combined to throw for 304 yards and three touchdowns.
Romero went into the game on three different offensive series and led the Bobcats to three touchdowns.
Romero completed 14-out-of-17 passes for 191-yards and two touchdowns in the game.
Primeaux was 8-for-18 and 113-yards and a touchdown.
Hebert had five catches for 67-yards, Landon Toups (3-36) and Trent Bristo (3-25), they each had three receptions for EHS.