Triumph, tragedy headline 2013

Locally, as well as nationally and internationally, 2013 was a year of both jubilation and misfortune.

Great things occurred like the election of a new pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and seemingly improbable playoff runs.

But while the good news was not limited over the past year, neither was the bad news, led by a terrorist attack and Mother Nature taking its course.

And while the full year in review will run in the Jan. 1, 2014, edition of The Crowley Post-Signal, here are some of the top stories of 2013:

• Jan. 10: Flooding in Acadia Parish

Acadia Parish citizens awoke to a shock after 10 inches of overnight rain caused extensive flooding, causing officials across the parish to close roads, fill sandbags, fight to keep floodwaters out of buildings and even save a few residents from trapped vehicles and homes.

• Feb. 10: Carnival Triumph fire

Several Notre Dame High students were among the more than 3,000 passengers aboard the Carnival Triumph stranded in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. The cruise ship stayed adrift until it was towed to shore Feb. 14.

• March 13: New pope elected

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergolio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was introduced as Pope Francis I and area Catholics rejoiced at the news. Pope Francis became the 266th pontiff.

• April 15: Boston Marathon bombings

For the first time in 11 years, a terrorist attack was carried out on American soil as the nation reeled from bombings at the Boston Marathon. The bombings killed three and injured an estimated 264 others. during the ensuing police manhunt for the alleged bombers, another, a police officer, was killed.

• May 4: Fire District 11 debate/vote

Rural residents surrounding the city limits of Crowley voted to accept a proposed $100 parcel fee to fund fire protection in that area. Meanwhile, after debates and arguments, a pact was agreed upon between the city and parish to fund fire fighting efforts until the district's protection can be officially set up.

• June 29: The Great Race stops in Crowley

The city rolled out the red carpet for visitors and Great Race competitors alike during the competition's lunch stop in Crowley. The large crowd helped Crowley be named Best Lunch Stop by race officials.

• July 15: Controversial sentencing

Judge Edward Rubin's sentencing of Tyson Dupuis in the 2011 drunk driving accident that killed Mitchell Romero drew the ire of the victim's family. In August, Rubin stiffened the sentence at a clarification hearing.

• Aug. 14: South Rayne Elementary fire

All public schools in the parish began a new school year except South Rayne Elementary. An early morning fire in the school's gym postponed the new year by one day for students at the school.

• Sept. 10: Exposure ordinance passed

The Acadia Parish Police Jury unanimously passed an ordinance that gave law enforcement the power to fine anyone caught wearing trousers below the hips and exposing undergarments or skin.

• Oct. 19: Southern Band highlights Rice Festival

The 77th International Rice Festival was another huge success, but this year, it was highlighted by return of native sone Lawrence Jackson and his gift to his hometown was an appearance by the Southern University Marching Band.

• Nov. 22: Church Point advances to quarterfinals

While Crowley and Notre Dame were ousted in the second round of the LHSAA State playoffs, Church Point earned its first trip to the quarterfinals in school history.

• Dec. 17: Grand Jury indicts Bertrand

An Acadia Parish Grand Jury returned a true bill of second-degree murder against Kerry Bertrand, who is accused of murdering his stepdaughter, Skylar Credeur, in August 2013.