Zoom Photo Studio

Lafayette Consolidated Government is looking to demolish part of Himbola Manor Apartments after the owner of the federally subsidized housing complex allowed it to fall into disrepair.

The decision to demolish would mark the beginning of the end of a process that began in 2019, when LCG first inspected the property and documented the challenges residents faced, Rachel Godeaux, LCG’s chief administrative officer, told the council on Tuesday.

“What we found in the most recent inspection that was performed is that the conditions have not improved; they have worsened,” Godeaux said.

Those conditions came into public view back in 2024, when residents at the 147-unit complex on Martin Luther King Drive began speaking to media outlets about the property’s conditions and management’s years-long history of ignoring requests.

Tenant complaints eventually led to the property, owned by a nonprofit called American Agape Foundation, being inspected and receiving its first notice of violation in August 2024, despite issues being documented as early as 2019, according to Godeaux.

The 2024 inspection found 132 violations and resulted in an administrative judge fining the owners more than $32,000. Issues included roof leaks and water damage to most of the complex’s buildings.

Those violations accrued a $10.45 daily fine for each until they were found resolved. In February 2025, the city began collecting fines for violations that continued, Godeaux said. By July 2026, the city had placed a lien on the property for the owners’ failure to complete repairs totaling about $148,000.

Read more at thecurrentla.com/2026/himbola-manor-to-be-torn-down-after-years-of-violations/

Jefferson Market, a new community-oriented grocery store, is coming to North Lafayette in early 2027.

The store, developed as a partnership between United Way of Acadiana, the operators of the Amis Grocery Store downtown and local financing bodies, aims to address a lack of food options in the neighborhood, whose residents have long lacked access to fresh, local groceries and which has been described as a “food desert.”

The business will occupy a 2,300-foot building in Pontiac Point, and is designed to serve residents of that neighborhood, along with the surrounding Sterling Grove and McComb-Veazey neighborhoods.

“Our goal was to create something that was locally owned, that the community felt was theirs – that they could be a part of,” says Heather Blanchard, the President and CEO of United Way of Acadiana, which spearheaded the project.

While other food assistance programs, like food pantries, depend on a steady stream of external funds and food supplies, the Jefferson Market organizers emphasize the intended long-term business sustainability of the project.

Previously designed as a nonprofit model and first announced in early 2025, the project has now changed to a for-profit concept, after partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank fell through, and with it the original location for the store.

“When that kind of fell through we’re like, ‘oh man, what are we going to do?’” Blanchard says.

Then, during Mardi Gras this year, she came across the Jefferson Street site. “So I was like, ‘Oh my god, it’s meant to be,’” she says.

Blanchard called the project’s community advisory council, including Alex Lazard of the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority, and they set to work securing the site.

Larger stores might typically be incentivized to come to a neighborhood through tax incentives. The public-private partnership with the owners of Amis Grocery is intended to provide a similar boost.

Read more at thecurrentla.com/2026/a-community-grocery-store-is-coming-to-lafayettes-northside/

Lafayette fine artist Herb Roe designed the 2026 Festivals Acadiens et Créoles poster (with the official pin being based on elements of his poster design, designed by Megan Barra). The reveal occurs Saturday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. at the Acadiana Center of the Arts. https://www.klfy.com/local/lafayette-parish/festivals-acadiens-et-creoles-set-to-reveal-pin-and-poster

Lafayette Parish School System 2026 graduates 🎓
TODAY is the last day to order your graduation images!

Lafayette Parish School System 2026 graduates 🎓

Monday August 31st is the last day to order your graduation images!

Finally, we’re excited to share a small select gallery featuring some of our favorite moments from this year’s Southside High School graduation ceremony— celebrating the pride, excitement, and accomplishments of the Class of 2026. 📸 It was an honor capturing these milestones for our local schools and graduates. Thank you to all the students, families, and faculty for letting us be part of such an important day.

See Link in comments to view more images from this graduation.

🎓 Success in Numbers 🎓

The LPSS Class of 2026 is stepping into bright futures with achievements that reflect the power of opportunity, growth, and hard work across our schools.

Class of 2026 Highlights:
• 2,039 Graduates
• $51.8 Million in Scholarships & Anticipated TOPS Awards
• 8,263 Dual Enrollment College Credit Hours Earned
• 4,915 Industry-Based Certifications Earned
• 64 Students Graduating with Associate Degrees
• 73 Students Entering Military Service
• 128 Students Earned an ACT Composite Score of 30+
• 5 Students Earned a Perfect ACT Score of 36
• 7 National Merit Finalists

From university lecture halls to career training programs, military service, and the workforce, our graduates are leaving LPSS prepared to succeed in every path ahead. Thank you to our educators, families, and community partners for helping us build brighter futures together.

Louisiana Department of Education Louisiana BESE Louisiana School Boards Association One Acadiana Lafayette Economic Development Authority LEDA Lafayette Consolidated Government

We’re excited to share a small select gallery featuring some of our favorite moments from this year’s Ovey Comeaux High School graduation ceremony— celebrating the pride, excitement, and accomplishments of the Class of 2026. 📸

See Link in comments to view more images from this graduation.
It was an honor capturing these milestones for our local schools and graduates. Thank you to all the students, families, and faculty for letting us be part of such an important day.

Graduation photos from the Lafayette Parish School System's 2026 ceremonies are now available! Use the link by Zoom Photo Studio along with your school’s access code to view pictures from the event. Be sure to select the correct school code when logging in to access your gallery.

Graduation Pics Green T. Lindon J.W. Faulk J.W. James Katharine Drexel Early Childhood Education Center Lafayette Elementary L. Leo Judice Live Oak Martial F. Billeaud Milton