1-24-19
A FIVE VEHICLE CRASH ON INTERSTATE TEN EARLY THIS MORNING LEFT TWO PEOPLE DEAD. THE CRASH, WHICH HAPPENED AT MILE MARKER 106 IN LAFAYETTE PARISH, INVOLVED AN 18 WHEELER. THE INTERSTATE HAS BEEN CLOSED EASTBOUND AT MILE MARKER 107 IN LAFAYETTE DUE TO A VEHICLE ON FIRE. TRAFFIC IS BEING DIVERTED TO I-49.
THERE HAVE BEEN TEN CAR BREAK-INS OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS IN JENNINGS. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ALMOST CAPTURED ONE BURGLAR WHO WAS CAUGHT IN THE ACT BY A HOMEOWNER. POLICE CHIEF DANNY SEMMES SAYS THE BURGLAR ELUDED POLICE TWICE BY OUTRUNNING THEM IN A FOOT CHASE, BUT HE LEFT BEHIND A JACKET WHICH IS BEING TESTED FOR D-N-A. THE SUSPECT IS WHITE, SIX-FEET TALL WITH DARK HAIR AND TATTOOS ON HIS LEFT ARM.
A MAN, WHO LED AN UNSUCCESSFUL RECALL EFFORT AGAINST IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF LOUIS ACKAL, HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR HIS PART IN A ROAD RAGE INCIDENT. ON JULY 8TH OF 2016, 24-YEAR-OLD RAKEEM BLAKES WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT-AND-RUN IN LAFAYETTE PARISH AT HIGHWAY 90 AND AMBASSADOR CAFFERY. DONALD BROUSSARD OF LAFAYETTE CHASED AFTER BLAKES FOR ELEVEN MILES, WITH THE CHASE ENDING WHEN BLAKES LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE AND HIT AN 18 WHEELER HEAD-ON, KILLING HIM. BROUSSARD WAS SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS OF HARD LABOR ON A CHARGE OF NEGLIGENT HOMOCIDE.
Gov. John Bel Edwards says $300 million Louisiana is expected to receive over three years from offshore oil and gas drilling income will pay for long-sought coastal protection projects. The Democratic governor announced the spending plans Wednesday, saying he also intends to ask lawmakers to spend $55 million from last year’s state surplus on coastal work as well. There are a number of projects slated to receive drilling money including a flood control structure in St. Mary Parish. Edwards also named interim leader of the Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority, Chip Kline, to the permanent position.
THE LAFAYETTE CITY PARISH COUNCIL HAS RESCHEDULED A VOTE ON THE REDEDICATION OF THE LIBRARY’S RESERVE FUNDS UNTIL APRIL 12TH. THEY PUT OFF A VOTE ON TUESDAY TO REDEDICATE 18 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE LIBRARY’S RESERVES TO USE ON ROADS, BRIDGES AND DRAINAGE. THAT’S BECAUSE MAYOR PRESIDENT JOEL ROBIDEAUX TOLD THE COUNCIL HE HAD NEW INFORMATION THAT THE LIBRARY SYSTEM ALLEGEDLY MISLED VOTERS ON A 2002 PROPERTY TAX THAT ALLOWED THEM TO GROW 42 MILLION DOLLARS IN RESERVES. IF THE COUNCIL OKS THE REDEDICATION IN APRIL, IT WILL BE PUT ON THE OCTOBER TWELFTH BALLOT FOR PARISH VOTERS TO APPROVE.
LAST NIGHT THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH POLICE JURY APPROVED A SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR LOCAL FARMERS ON THE PURCHASE OF CRAWFISH BAIT AND FEED. POLICE JUROR JOHN MARCEAUX SAYS IT WAS NECESSARY TO ADOPT THE EXEMPTION BECAUSE JEFF DAVIS PARISH WAS ONE OF ONLY TWO THAT CHARGED A SALES TAX ON CRAWFISH FEED AND BAIT. HE SAYS FARMERS AND RETAILERS WILL NOW BE ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD WITH SURROUNDING PARISHES. MARCEAUX SAYS THE EXEMPTION WILL GO INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
BULLET PROOF LIGHTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AT MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR PARK IN CHURCH POINT. NEW MAYOR SPANKY MECHE SAID THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS HE WANTED TO DO AFTER HE TOOK OFFICE. MECHE TELLS KLFY TV THAT HE RECEIVED A COMPLAINT TWO YEARS AGO ABOUT THE LIGHT CONSTANTLY BEING SHOT OUT AT THE PARK. THERE ARE PLANS FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO ALL THREE PARKS IN CHURCH POINT SUCH AS RENOVATING BATHROOMS AND POSSIBLY ADDING WALKING PATHS.
Louisiana’s top school board is spending $700,000 on seven pilot projects aimed at improving access to early childhood education. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education agreed Wednesday to steer the dollars to five school systems including Lafayette parish. Money also will go to the St. Mary Parish Community Action Agency and the New Orleans early education network. The pilot programs, called Ready Start Community Networks, will spend two years assessing local child care needs, working to improve teacher training and developing fundraising strategies.
