If Johnston Street or Louisiana Avenue is part of your daily routine, Lafayette is asking what you would change along the route.

Lafayette Consolidated Government has opened public surveys for an 8.5-mile corridor project stretching from Interstate 10 at Louisiana Avenue to Ambassador Caffery.

The planning effort examines transportation, drainage, utilities, safety, business access, walking and biking.

Residents, business owners and property owners can participate through a community questionnaire, a business survey and an interactive map for identifying specific trouble spots.

A community open house is scheduled for Monday, October 26, at 5:30 p.m. at the Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan Street.

Phase One continues into 2027, and construction is currently anticipated to begin in 2028.

This is an opportunity to influence the planning rather than an announcement of immediate construction.

Before answering, think about the locations you know best: an awkward driveway, a difficult crossing or a recurring drainage problem.

Specific observations give the project team a clearer picture of how the corridor works in everyday life.

Surveys will remain available through spring 2027, but submitting feedback now can help inform the October meeting.

This week’s recipe pick is Chef Patrick Mould’s chicken and andouille gumbo. Published by Explore Louisiana, it combines dark roux, smoked sausage, chicken and the familiar vegetable trinity.

The recipe makes eight bowls and calls for prepared dark roux. Plan time for making stock and simmering the gumbo.

Follow the full recipe for exact quantities and instructions, or watch the chef’s linked cooking demonstration.

Woodhouse Spa is preparing to open at 3810 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Suite 500, adding a new option for massages, facials, and body treatments in Lafayette.

The official Lafayette page announces a fall 2026 opening, while local reporting and recent hiring advertisements point to November as a tentative target. A confirmed grand-opening day has not been established in the sources checked.

Owner Giselle McBee also owns Woodhouse locations in Metairie and Mandeville. In local reporting, she emphasizes personalized care and a welcoming guest experience.

The Lafayette page already lists treatment options and packages, giving prospective guests a way to explore the menu before making plans. Check appointment duration, availability, and what is included when booking opens, especially if you are arranging a visit for a special occasion.

The business is also recruiting ahead of its arrival. Spa professionals can follow the open-positions link on the official page to check current opportunities and requirements.

Want opening news without repeatedly checking back? Woodhouse’s pre-opening signup form offers updates about the opening, special offers, events, and booking announcements. The form includes consent to marketing emails and text messages. For now, keep this new business on your coming-soon list and wait for a confirmed date before planning a visit.

Rue is waiting for her next chapter at the Lafayette Animal Shelter & Care Center, and a visit could be the beginning of something special.

Listed among the first pets on the shelter’s available-animal page when checked October 10, she is a one-year-old female terrier weighing 38.8 pounds.

Her shelter photos show a dark-coated dog wearing a purple seasonal bandana, with autumn decorations adding a little Halloween charm.

Rue is in Kennel 7, and her listed adoption fee is $35.

Use Pet ID 121110 when asking about her so staff can identify the right dog.

Her listing does not describe her training, medical history, or comfort around children, cats, and other dogs, so those are good questions to bring to the shelter.

A conversation with staff and time together can help you decide whether your household and Rue are a good match.

You can view Rue’s profile and additional photos, then complete the shelter’s adoption application.

Check her availability before making the trip, since adoption listings can change.

Could your home be Rue’s fresh start? If you are ready for the everyday care and commitment a dog needs, take that first step and ask to meet her.

Photo courtesy of Lafayette Animal Shelter & Care Center / Adopets.

Nick Pugh III has been named the 2026 Lafayette Civic Cup recipient, recognizing a record of service that connects local classrooms with student space projects.

The Lafayette native and 1968 engineering graduate has remained closely involved with UL Lafayette. The university credits him with directing its successful effort to become Louisiana’s first college team to build and launch satellites, and with advising a high-school team whose experiment reached the International Space Station.

His mentorship includes hands-on technical support. In a historical account of the 2013 CAPE-2 project, UL described him spending as much as 20 hours weekly helping students. That figure documents his involvement then, rather than his current schedule.

Nick and JoAnn established the Pugh Family Foundation in 2000. Its education work includes support for UL scholarships, student satellite projects, and the Learning Lab, alongside initiatives benefiting Lafayette elementary schools.

The Civic Cup celebration is scheduled for November 10 at City Club at River Ranch, with a 5:30 p.m. reception and 6:30 p.m. program. Ticket sales are reported to begin October 12.

For Hometown Hero, the story is about more than an award: it is the lasting value of sharing expertise and giving local students room to pursue bigger possibilities.

Lafayette has two options for a grown-up Halloween dinner: Mercy Kitchen on Verot School Road and Pamplona Tapas Bar downtown. Both combine their regular food offerings with seasonal decorations and themed drinks.

At Mercy Kitchen, 1312 Verot School Road, the festivities include outdoor decorations, a vintage-truck photo spot, specialty cocktails and mocktails. The Advocate reports that the regular menu remains available and families are welcome.

Mercy plans a DJ on Halloween night, October 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. Its festivities are scheduled through November 2. Reservations are encouraged at (337) 345-1123; confirm the current menu and availability when booking.

Pamplona’s Nightmare on Jefferson Street transforms 631 Jefferson Street into a decorated indoor pop-up. The restaurant describes the experience as designed for adults, with some themes and imagery unsuitable for children.

Its official FAQ lists the pop-up through November 1, six nights weekly from 4:30 to 11 p.m., closed Mondays. Halloween cocktails are separately advertised for October, so check the selection before a November visit.

Before booking through Pamplona’s website, review its policies: confirmed online reservations, a nonrefundable $5-per-person booking fee, a two-hour table limit and a 20% gratuity. It is an evening to plan ahead for, especially with a group.