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Monday, Nov. 29, is the deadline to apply for the Crowley Main Street Façade Improvement Grant program.
Crowley Main Street will provide up to $2,500 in grants to assist property and business owners with façade and building improvement projects, according to Janie Morrison, Main Street director
A total of $10,000 is available to be awarded.
The new program is supported with funding from First National Bank of Louisiana and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.
Buildings located within the Crowley Main Street District stand to benefit from a wide range of projects. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, signage, storefronts, painting, awnings, accent lighting, window and/or door replacement and refurbishment of architectural features.
Morrison said the new program aims to stimulate local investment, create a positive visual impact, complement other community development efforts and preserve the City of Crowley’s historic and cultural assets.
“Our organization’s goal is to provide an incentive that encourages improvement to building exteriors that are visible from public streets and sidewalks,” said Morrison. “Exterior building improvements help to generate more foot traffic, encourage private investment and foster community pride.
“This new program will help to provide some relief to property and building owners wanting to make some improvements to their buildings.”
Building owners and businesses located within the Crowley Main Street District are encouraged to apply. Applications must include a budget and drawings of the improvements. Proposed changes must also adhere to local and state design guidelines, including approval of the Crowley Historic District Commission.
Crowley Main Street will assist with resources and information.
The Crowley Main Street Façade Improvement Grant Program reimburses the building or business owner, so all awards are given once the project is completed. Grant recipients are required to provide a dollar for dollar match.
For more information on grant guidelines and application requirements, contact Morrison at (337) 783-0824 or CrowleyMainStreet@gmail.com.

The Mermentau Boat Launch is officially open to boaters after being closed for eight months.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development closed the launch in March for replacement. The $575,000 project included grading, class II base course, replacing the boat ramp, and more.
It was originally estimated to be complete in June 2021.
State Rep. John Stefanski, R-Crowley, shared the news on Facebook late last week, saying he worked with DOTD over the last few legislative sessions to secure funds for the project.
“This is great news to all Acadia Parish boaters and fishermen,” he said. “Thank you to all Acadia Parish legislators and DOTD for seeing this through to completion.”
Village of Mermentau officials said they are “so excited” and thankful for the work done at the launch.

From the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli, we fight our country’s battles in the air on land and sea; first to fight for right and freedom and to keep our honor clean; we are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.
The above lines are the opening lines of the Marines Hymn, which was played during a Marine Corps Birthday Ball on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Klumpp Equipment on the Basile-Eunice Highway.
The guest of honor that night was Major General Ronald G. Richard, who was born Oct. 19, 1946, in Basile.
“I grew up in this area, and I have a lot of memories from childhood to adulthood in and around Basile,” said Maj. Gen. Richard. “It’s my honor to be invited here tonight to celebrate the 246th birthday of the Marine Corps.”
He continued, “I spoke at Marine Corps balls throughout the world, and I wouldn’t want to be in any other place than I am tonight right here in the country between Tepetate and Basile.”
Richard graduated from LSU in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in history. He completed The Basic School in February, 1969, and was assigned to Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines as a forward observer for 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines in Vietnam.
He later served as aide-de-camp to the CG, 3rd Marine Division, then, in July 1970, was assigned as a staff platoon commander at The Basic School.
In June, 1996, he was assigned as commanding general of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, and was promoted to lieutenant general in March 1997. He then served as deputy commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia.
His final assignment was as commanding general of Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from July 30, 1999, to his retirement in 2001.
After his retirement, he became the CEO of the Tiger Athletic Foundation, where his responsibilities included fostering lines of communication with LSU’s athletic and academic administration and developing support projects for all LSU athletic programs. He also oversaw the day-to-day operations of the organization including staff development and fundraising activities.
Maj. Gen. Richard told those in attendance to celebrate the veterans in their families and to remain vigilant “that we need to protect our freedoms.” He added, “This is how we protect our freedoms with veterans. That’s a message we should reinforce with our young people on a daily basis.”
As the major general explained, the Marine Corps celebrates its birthday for many reasons.
“We have a birthday cake, and some people may look at it and say that is a bit strange for a combat unit to have a birthday cake and celebrate it like kids,” he said, “but it’s not strange. We honor the men and women who have gone before us in combat and who have contracted with America to put their life on the line in the name of liberty for our great Republic.”
The major general went on to say, “We have allegiance to many of our leaders to include our commander-in-chief, to include our commanding generals, to include the American people, but, most of all, to the Constitution of this great Republic. That’s who we serve. We hope that our leaders and our generals and the American people appreciate that.”
“However,” he continued, “if they don’t appreciate that, the Marine Corps will continue to survive and protect this Republic from all enemies both foreign and domestic.”
According to Richard, the country is at a crossroads. “We need to pray for our leaders that they have wisdom to do the right thing for the American people. I’m not talking about politics here; I’m talking about the right thing for the American people. The Marine Corps uses the celebration of the birthday ball to challenge the other services and challenge our leaders to do the right thing.”
He continued, “We celebrate the Marine Corps, but, at the same time, we celebrate our country by being vigilant and speaking out. Those who are afraid to speak out because of the so-called political correctness or whatever ‘woke’ is are all but short of being cowardly people
“It’s time that we take hold of our country and our leaders and explain to them that this great Republic is like what we have here. This is America, not Washington, D.C. This country stands for what’s right and good, and our Marines Corps will ensure that continues.”
As he ended his remarks, Richard said, “I find it always important that we remember where we came from and remember what we’re all about to make sure that we stay grounded. If ever I was grounded, tonight I’m definitely grounded because right here in Basile, in Acadia Parish, I would not want to be anywhere else.
Major General Richard’s awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, and Meritorious Unit Commendation medals.
But, he said his two greatest awards are his Eagle Scout badge received from Maurice Andrepont and P.J. Baker and the commissioning of himself as a United States Marine.
At the end of the night, Tom Klumpp, owner of Klumpp Equipment, presented Richard with a tractor that belonged to his grandfather, Morris “Nonc Mick” Johnson.
Klumpp purchased the tractor from Richard’s father, Nelson, and restored it. Upon receiving the tractor, Richard told his wife, Dee, they could take it to Tiger Stadium.

The Church Point Battling Bears defeated Donaldsonville High School’s Tigers with a final score of 35-0 in a Class 3A regional playoff tilt at White Castle High School.
Head Coach John Arceneaux said despite feeling like the Bears brought their best, the Tigers were more physical than expected.
“They had a good plan. Defensively, we were able to get after them early. We thought it was important to start fast, get the lead and make them play from behind,” he said. “I think we were able to make them uncomfortable.”
This victory makes the Bears the first to win 12 games and also makes them the first class to reach the quarterfinals twice.
After the Bears first received the ball about two minutes into the game, they proceeded with a long drive, ultimately getting all the way to the Tigers 18 yard-line before turning the ball over on downs.
Jaden Reese recovered a fumble from the Tigers not long after. Jalon Reese and Andy Briceno were then able to get to the Tigers 10 which allowed Tylon Citizen to inch the ball to the Tiger two yard-line.
Briceno made the first score with 52 seconds life in the first quarter and also scored a two-point conversion which made the score 8-0.
In the second quarter, the Bears would then nearly lose the ball and get driven back, but Jaden Reese, in a quick succession of runs moved up the field allowing Chandler Guillory to sneak up one yard for a score, which when combined with a successful two-point conversion from Briceno, brought the score to 16-0.
On the next Bears drive, after two carries, Briceno ran 37 yards for another touchdown to bring the score to 22-0.
After a touchback, the Tigers took over at their own 20-yard line.
However, Church Point’s excellent defensive game kept the Tigers further grounded durning the drive, giving the ball back to Church Point at the 47 yard-line.
Briceno got the ball once more and ran to the Bears 47 yard-line for a first and 10. The combined efforts of Guillory, Briceno, Citizen and Reese moved down the field in a long, slow drive which end with Briceno running two yards to score a Bear touchdown. The kick was no good which left the score at 28-0 to end the second quarter.
Arceneaux said gaining control was vital at this point.
“Though we had some mistakes, like with fumbling the ball in the end zone, we still had control,” he said. “It was important that we did this because with 28 points at half, they can still make some plays still come back with some quick strike guys.”
In the third quarter neither team scored. Arceneaux said there was solid strategy at play.
“The goal was to shorten the game and eat up as much clock as possible, and we did that. “We drove it down, took two penalties inside the five yard-line and threw an interception,” he said. “We did what we needed to do to advance, and that’s what football’s all about.”
In the Bears’s last possession in the fourth quarter, Citizen was able to find a wide open space at the Tigers 22 yard-line and slip through smoothly and quietly for the final touchdown of the game.