1-21-16
The race to fill an open U.S. House seat representing the Lafayette and Lake Charles areas has drawn two candidates so far. Erick Knezek (KIH-neh-zik), a Republican member of the Lafayette Parish School Board, announced his candidacy Wednesday for the 3rd Congressional District with an online video. He joins another GOP contender for the congressional seat, Greg Ellison of Lafayette.
The seat is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, a Republican from Lafayette who is running for the U.S. Senate.
CALCASIEU PARISH HAS THE HIGHEST RATE OF SUDDEN UNEXPLAINABLE INFANT DEATHS IN THE STATE. THAT’S WHY THE CALCASIEU PARISH CORONER’S OFFICE, WHICH INVESTIGATES THESE DEATHS, IS HOLDING SAFE SLEEP EDUCATION CLASSES FOR NEW AND EXPECTANT MOMS. ONE OF THE TEACHERS, CHARLIE HUNTER, TELLS KPLC TV THAT THEY FOCUS ON THE ABC’S: ALONE, ON THEIR BACK, AND IN A CRIB. THOSE WHO ATTEND THE CLASSES WILL RECEIVE A NEW PACK-AND-PLAY CRIB.
ONE MAN IS DEAD AFTER A HOSTAGE SITUATION IN ST. LANDRY PARISH. JULIE DARCE HAS MORE.
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Reaction to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ tax hike proposals for closing Louisiana’s massive budget holes is mixed. Legislative leaders say they’re encouraged by the broad array of options, but others are showing resistance to the ideas. The Democratic governor offered a “menu of options” that includes increased sales, tobacco and alcohol taxes; boosted taxes on phone service and car rentals; and lessened business tax breaks. Republican Senate President John Alario said Wednesday he appreciates Edwards didn’t put many limitations on what he’d consider.
FOUR LAFAYETTE PARISH EDUCATORS WERE HONORED LAST NIGHT AS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR BY THE LAFAYETTE EDUCATION FOUNDATION. IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CATEGORY, THE WINNER WAS DARMECIA CRANE, WHO TEACHES FIFTH GRADE AT MILTON ELEMENTARY. VINCENT ROBERT SMITH, WHO TEACHES PHYS ED AT THE DAVID THIBODEAUX STEM MAGNET SCHOOL, IS THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR, WHILE SANDRA LABORDE BROUSSARD, A SPEECH AND THEATRE TEACHER AT COMEAUX HIGH, WAS THE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR. THE WINNER IN THE INSPIRATIONAL CATEGORY WAS LIAN CHERAMIE, A THEATRE TEACHER AT LAFAYETTE HIGH.
THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A NEW TOWN HOUSE DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL GO UP AT THE CORNER OF OGDEN AND IHLES ROADS. THE 47 ATTACHED RESIDENTIAL TOWN HOMES WILL BE CONSTRUCTED BY AN ATLANTA-BASED DEVELOPER, OPTIVITAE. COMPANY PRESIDENT JACQUE MEBIUS SAYS THEY EXPECT TO BEGIN CLEARING THE PROPERTY IN APRIL AND HOPE TO HAVE THE FIRST UNIT UP BY THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THIS YEAR. THE COUNCIL ALSO ANNEXED THE PROPERTY INTO THE CITY LIMITS SO THE TOWN HOUSES CAN BE PUT ON THE CITY SEWER SYSTEM.
SOUTH LOUISIANA COMMUNITY COLLEGE WILL BE OFFERING HELICOPTER PILOT TRAINING AS THE FIRST STEP IN THEIR NEW INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF AVIATION EXCELLENCE. IT WILL BE HELD AT A FACILITY THEY BOUGHT FROM BRISTOW ACADEMY, WHICH IS LOCATED NEAR THE ACADIANA REGIONAL AIRPORT IN NEW IBERIA. CHANCELLOR NATALIE HARDER SAYS THE NEED FOR AVIATION WORKERS IN ACADIANA AND AROUND THE COUNTRY IS GROWING. SHE SAYS MANY AVIATION COMPANIES IN THE AREA HAVE HAD TO GO OUTSIDE ACADIANA TO FIND WORKERS BECAUSE OF THE SPECIALIZED TRAINING THAT THEY NEED.
EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ANNOUNCED THAT REAL I-D-COMPLIANT IDENTIFICATION IS NOT NEEDED TO FLY DOMESTICALLY UNTIL JANUARY 18, 2018. UNTIL THEN, TRAVELERS WILL STILL BE ABLE TO USE A DRIVERS LICENSE OR PASSPORT TO GET THROUGH SECURITY. BUT IN TWO YEARS, TRAVELERS FROM STATES THAT ARE NOT REAL-I-D-COMPLIANT WILL HAVE TO FIND AN ALTERNATE FORM OF I-D THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION. CURRENTLY LOUISIANA IS NOT A REAL I-D-COMPLIANT STATE.
