Tracy Wirtz has been a fixture in the Lafayette media landscape for more than 30 years. Her career began in radio, she transitioned to television for about two decades, and returned to her radio roots in 2023. A lifelong resident of south Louisiana, she enjoys writing about Cajun culture and what makes the area unique and interesting. Tracy is also proud to be part of a great team that keeps our beloved Acadiana informed and connected.
Tracy Wirtz
![Flood 2016: FEMA, Food, Volunteering, & Who Can Help You In Acadiana](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-08-12-at-10.00.40-AM.png?w=980&q=75)
Flood 2016: FEMA, Food, Volunteering, & Who Can Help You In Acadiana
As Acadiana recovers from the Flood of 2016, we will all pull together to get through it. There are people and agencies who are ready to help you get the help you need. If you weren't impacted greatly and want to lend a hand, there are ways you can do that, too.
![Drone Flies Over Severe Flooding On HWY 90 At HWY 92 In Broussard [VIDEOS]](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/08/hqdefault3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Drone Flies Over Severe Flooding On HWY 90 At HWY 92 In Broussard [VIDEOS]
The drone video shows how severe the flooding is on HWY 90 at HWY 92 in Broussard. You can see one car didn't make it through. Turn around. Don't drown!
![Lafayette First-Grader Wins National “Leader In Me” Grand Prize With Inspirational Speech [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/08/yay-z-e1470944625148.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Lafayette First-Grader Wins National “Leader In Me” Grand Prize With Inspirational Speech [VIDEO]
Zhorie'l Tapo, a first-grader at Plantation Elementary in Lafayette, is one of the grand prize winners for The Leader in Me Student Speech Contest. She, along with students in other age brackets, won a $500 Leadership Grant. Nearly 250 students participated in the nationwide contest.
![Recycle Gallon Jugs To Make Ice– Easy DIY To Save Money](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/08/gallon-jug-e1470578356883.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Recycle Gallon Jugs To Make Ice– Easy DIY To Save Money
Our family doesn't ever buy ice when we pack an ice chest. My husband has found a DIY-way to recycle gallon jugs to make ice that lasts longer than any we can find in bags.
![Olympic Gymnast Breaks Leg In Half During Competition– And Then Gets Dropped By EMTs [GRAPHIC VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/08/samir-ait-said.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Olympic Gymnast Breaks Leg In Half During Competition– And Then Gets Dropped By EMTs [GRAPHIC VIDEO]
French gymnast Samir Ait Said shattered his leg during preliminary competition at the Rio Olympics Saturday. To add insult to literal injury, EMTs dropped his stretcher as they loaded him into the ambulance! All of it was caught on video.
![All Your Back-To-School Info Right Here– Calendars, Supply Lists, & More!](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2014/07/Mom-at-school-bus.jpg?w=980&q=75)
All Your Back-To-School Info Right Here– Calendars, Supply Lists, & More!
It's the final weekend before all students in Louisiana head back to school! Click on the appropriate button to find calendars, school supply lists, and other valuable information to make the 2016-17 school year as easy as possible.
![What Grade Would The ACT People Get On Their Own Test?](http://townsquare.media/site/149/files/2016/04/RS3283_100281534-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
What Grade Would The ACT People Get On Their Own Test?
What grade the ACT people would get on their own test? I was logged onto their FAQ page. Near the bottom, I noticed glaring grammatical and spelling errors.
![Louisiana Sales Tax (Kinda) Holiday– How Much Can I Save On What?](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2012/08/kids-money.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Louisiana Sales Tax (Kinda) Holiday– How Much Can I Save On What?
The Louisiana Sales Tax Holiday is this Friday and Saturday, but it's not the holiday we've enjoyed in the past.
Because of the budget issues, the Legislature did a couple of things to fill the gap. First, lawmakers increased the state sales tax by one percent, making the total five percent...
![A Trooper’s Thank You Note](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2016/03/Louisiana-State-Police-Patch-Facebook1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
A Trooper’s Thank You Note
On our way back from a family beach vacation, we saw blue lights flashing in the opposite direction. My husband was driving and I, of course, was nosy. What I saw made my heart smile, so I decided to share it on Facebook. He saw my post and commented "thank you!"
![When Is The First Day For The 2016-17 School Year?](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2014/07/RS3292_123079612-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
When Is The First Day For The 2016-17 School Year?
Walking into any store that carries uniforms or backpacks, you know it's approaching fast. But when is the first day for the 2016-17 school year? Here's the list for public schools in Acadiana parishes.
![Do You Know What The Thin Blue Line Means?](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/07/the-thin-blue-line.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Do You Know What The Thin Blue Line Means?
The Thin Blue Line. The symbol has been around for a long time, but do you really know what it means? I wanted to understand more about this image that is appearing more given the recent tragic events. Curiously, there are several ideas about its meaning.
![National French Fry Day– What’s Your Favorite Fry?](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/04/All-You-Can-Eat-French-Fries.jpg?w=980&q=75)
National French Fry Day– What’s Your Favorite Fry?
Today, July 13, is National French Fry Day! Where are the best french fries?
![You May Have A 1970 Quarter Worth $35,000! [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/149/files/2016/07/1970-quarter.jpg?w=980&q=75)
You May Have A 1970 Quarter Worth $35,000! [VIDEO]
Check your pockets, sofa cushions, and the console of your car. You may have a 1970 quarter worth $35,000!
![How Maw Maw Treated Wasp Stings](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2013/06/Wasps.jpg?w=980&q=75)
How Maw Maw Treated Wasp Stings
They may be yellow or red or black, but they seem to be flying around everywhere. And those evil creatures hurt when they sting! I had a friend and a coworker both get stung twice this week. I started thinking about the ways Maw Maw treated wasp stings. They worked, too!
![Cheaper Gas Is Costing Us Money](http://townsquare.media/site/437/files/2014/11/gascard.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Cheaper Gas Is Costing Us Money
Families across south Louisiana who depend on the oil field already know that when the price at the pump drops, so does the balance in their bank account. However, people in every walk of life will feel the effect of cheaper gas in a way they may never have expected nor even realize.
![CLECO Customers May Have No Utility Bill In July!](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/06/clococomp.jpg?w=980&q=75)
CLECO Customers May Have No Utility Bill In July!
It's like Christmas in July for Cleco customers! The company is giving them a $475 credit on their bills. It could amount to a zero balance not just for July. If your bill isn't that much, the balance will roll over until the amount is depleted. So, how do you know if you qualify?
![What Do Mark Twain, Marie Antoinette, & Nikola Tesla Have In Common With Many Americans?](http://townsquare.media/site/149/files/2016/06/lil-bit-e1465419752691.jpg?w=980&q=75)
What Do Mark Twain, Marie Antoinette, & Nikola Tesla Have In Common With Many Americans?
The three seemingly unrelated individuals who were famous in their own unique ways-- Marie Antoinette, Queen of France; Mark Twain, renowned author; Nikola Tesla, brilliant electrical and mechanical engineer-- were all cat lovers.
Interestingly, Tesla's passion for electricity and the path his life took began when he was just three-years-old while he was watching his cat Macak...
![Learn At Least One New Thing A Day](http://townsquare.media/site/149/files/2016/05/hand-writing-e1464725969505.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Learn At Least One New Thing A Day
All graduates beginning their first full month of their new journey should realize that the real education has only just begun. There's a lot of fun, though, if you promise to learn at least one new thing every single day.
![The Original Walmart Greeter Lives In Cajun Country [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/05/hero-e1463609132285.jpg?w=980&q=75)
The Original Walmart Greeter Lives In Cajun Country [VIDEO]
Being a greeter wasn't the way the idea started for Crowley resident Lois Richard in 1982. The thought was to have an associate stand at the door of Walmart to decrease shoplifting which had become a problem at the relatively new store.
![Local Catholic Schools Celebrate May Crowning [PHOTOS]](http://townsquare.media/site/149/files/2016/05/may-crowning-Tracy.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Local Catholic Schools Celebrate May Crowning [PHOTOS]
May is a busy month with graduations, awards ceremonies, banquets, and, for many Catholic schools, a special celebration called a May crowning.