7-2-15
LAST NIGHT, DEMOGRAPHER MIKE HEFNER TOLD THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD THAT HE SHOULD HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEW SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ZONES BY THE CHRISTMAS BREAK. HE SAYS HE WOULD HAVE REZONING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN DECEMBER AND PRELIMINARY ZONES FOR HIGH SCHOOLS. HE RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD KEEP HIGH SCHOOL ZONES THE SAME FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS UNTIL A NEW HIGH SCHOOL IS BUILT IN YOUNGSVILLE, SO THAT THEY DON’T HAVE TO CHANGE THE ZONES TWICE. HE ADVISED HOSTING WORKSHOPS FOR THE PUBLIC SO THEY WILL SEE THE NEED FOR THE CHANGES.
SIX ALLEN PARISH MEN HAVE BEEN ARRESTED ON ARSON AND BURGLARY CHARGES, INCLUDING THREE WHO WERE VOLUNTEERS WITH THE OAKDALE AND DISTRICT SIX FIRE DEPARTMENTS. THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE SAYS THE SIX WERE ARRESTED AFTER A MONTHS LONG INVESTIGATION INTO SEVERAL RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE FIRES. OFFICIALS SAY FIVE OF THE SIX HAVE CONFESSED TO THE CRIMES AND THE SIXTH REFUSED TO TALK. THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AND THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE INDICATES THAT THERE COULD BE MORE ARRESTS.
CROWLEY POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR A PERSON OF INTEREST IN A COUNTERFIET MONEY OPERATION. JULIE DARCE REPORTS.
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Victims of domestic violence are receiving new housing protections in state law.
Gov. Bobby Jindal’s office announced Wednesday that the governor has signed the bill by Baton Rouge Sen. Sharon Weston Broome, a Democrat, that sets up the new guidelines. In addition to allowing victims to break a lease to escape an abuser, the bill gives landlords the power to immediately evict those who are deemed abusers by the courts or a state welfare agency. In limited situations, landlords also will be prohibited from evicting abuse victims.
A LAFAYETTE MAN HAS HAD HIS MANSLAUGHTER CONVICTION OVERTURNED BY THE STATE SUPREME COURT. WILLIE JAMES ROBERTSON, WHO BURGLARIZED THE HOME OF AN 86-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN 1999, WAS FOUND GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER FOR CAUSING HER TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK. HOWEVER, THE STATE SUPREME COURT SAYS THE EVIDENCE DID NOT SHOW BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT HE WAS THERE BEFORE OR DURING HER HEART ATTACK. A LOWER COURT HAD ALSO THROWN OUT THE CONVICTION.
THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A RESOLUTION ASKING STEVEDORE COMPANIES AT THE PORT OF LAKE CHARLES TO HIRE LOCAL LONGSHOREMEN FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING. THE COUNCIL WANTS THE PORT BOARD TO DISTRIBUTE LETTERS OF THEIR REQUEST TO THE STEVEDORE COMPANIES. CITY ATTORNEY BILLY LOFTIN SAYS THE COUNCIL CAN’T FORCE THE COMPANIES TO HIRE LOCALLY, BUT THEY CAN MAKE THE REQUEST. COUNCIL PRESIDENT DANA JACKSON SAYS THE RESOLUTION WAS DRAFTED AFTER IT WAS LEARNED THAT ONE OF THE COMPANIES WILL BE LOOKING TO HIRE.
THE BODY OF A WOMAN WAS FOUND YESTERDAY IN A HOME ON SUNSET BOULEVARD IN NEW IBERIA. THE BODY WAS SENT TO THE IBERIA PARISH CORONEER FOR A DETERMINATION OF HER DEATH. MAJOR RYAN TURNER WITH THE IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS THEY DO NOT SUSPECT FOUL PLAY.
One of Louisiana’s candidates for governor is trying to draw campaign donors with a Britney Spears ticket giveaway and backing from the superstar’s mom. State Rep. John Bel Edwards, one of four major gubernatorial candidates and the only Democrat, released a fundraising email Wednesday that touted the Lynne Spears endorsement. The Spears family and the Edwards family both live in Tangipahoa Parish. In the email, the Edwards campaign offers people who donate $50 a chance to win a trip to see Britney Spears live in Las Vegas.
