Looking Back:

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Associate Editor

Today, we take a look back to the first holiday season of the 2000s by recalling the events of December 2000.
•Weber Lee “Bee” Deshotel retired after 32 years as Evangeline Parish Tax Assessor.
•LSU-Eunice added campus-wide, wireless internet connection to better serve students.
•The first graduation class of Pine Prairie Correnctional Center was held when 12 inmates received their GEDs.
•A new sign was placed at the Native Plant Heritage Garden, which was dedicated in May 2000. Corine Roberie, who was instrumental in the founding and creation of the garden, stated the goal of the garden is to “serve as a living, breathing laboratory to both school age and adult visitors to highlight the interesting, unique and varied natural elements of Louisiana’s natural resources.”
•Cody Perron, son of Mike and Gwen Perron of Ville Platte, graduated from Marine Security Guard at Quantico Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia.
•Mamou High School football coach Joe Deselle was named Coach of the Year for the Class 1A Football Team by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association.
•The speed limit on Main Street and LaSalle Street was increased to 35 miles per hour, up from the previous speed limit of 30 miles per hour. This was done as Mayor Bennett Baquet requested the Department of Transportation and Development to investigate the possibility. After must observation and many studies, the request was granted.
•The Evangeline Parish Police Jury announced the establishment of a website to keep citizens informed and post agendas and minutes of the group’s meeting, as well and maps and points of interest to those visiting the parish.
•The Main Street Walking Path “Le Pecanniere Walking Park” was underway after a recreational grant was received from Governor Mike Foster for the project. The project, sponsored by the Evangeline Parish Police Jury, was located in front of Ville Platte Medical Center. The grant was co-written by Police Jury President Bob Manuel, Ville Platte City Council member Phil Lemoine and Nina David.
•Sale items at Brown’s Furniture in Eunice and Opelousas for the store’s year-end event with all items marked 50 cents on the dollar included: swivel rockers ($125) and seven-piece dining room suite with matching china cabinet ($999) and five-piece dinette set ($199).
•Sale items at Winn-Dixie included: 24-pack of Charmin toilet tissue (2 for $10); 12-pack of Pepsi products ($1.99), New York strip steak ($3.99 per pound) and Andre Champagne ($1.99).
•Movies playing at The Queen Cinema in Eunice included: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” starring Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen and Christine Baranski; and “102 Dalmations,” starring Glenn Close and Alice Evans.
•Popular songs of December 2000 included: “Independent Women (Part 1),” by Destiny’s Child; “With Arms Wide Open,” by Creed; “This I Promise You,” by NSYNC; and “My Next 30 Years,” by Tim McGraw.