1-4-18
THE STAFF AT ZOOSIANA- THE ZOO OF ACADIANA ARE WORKING TO KEEP THE NEARLY 800 ANIMALS THERE SAFE AND WARM. DIRECTOR OF MARKETING LEA LOFTIN SAYS THEY ARE STRINGING UP HEATERS EVERYWHERE THEY CAN AND TRYING NOT TO BLOW A BREAKER. THE PIPES HAVE FROZEN OR BUSTED SO THEY ARE HAVING TO FILL UP CONTAINERS AT OTHER SOURCES AND BRING THEM IN FOR THE ANIMALS. THE ZOO IS CLOSED BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER BUT MAY REOPEN THIS WEEKEND WHEN IT’S SUPPOSED TO WARM UP.
ENTERGY IS STARTING A 100 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT THIS MONTH TO UPGRADE THE ELECTRIAL POWER GRID IN JEFF DAVIS PARISH. THE PROJECT WILL ADD CLOSE TO 60 MILES OF NEW AND UPGRADED POWER LINES. THE NEW POWER LINES WILL UTILIZE STEEL STRUCTURES ABLE TO WITHSTAND UP TO 140 MILE AN HOUR WINDS. CHIP ARNOULD OF ENTERGY SAYS THE PROJECT SHOULD BE COMPLETED EARLY IN THE YEAR 2020, AND WARNS THAT THERE COULD BE SOME DELAYS ON HIGHWAYS 90 AND 395 DURING THE CONSTRUCTION.
IBERIA PARISH OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE SEEING A WATER RESERVE SHORTAGE. JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.
VOICER J :47
Louisiana’s health department says flu is widespread in the state, and it’s still early in the season. Secretary Rebekah Gee says in a news release Wednesday that Louisiana appears on the way to a severe flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Louisiana is among 36 states with widespread flu activity. State health officer Jimmy Guidry says it’s still a good time to get a flu shot.
THE COUNCIL FOR A BETTER LOUISIANA HAS ELECTED A LAFAYETTE LAWYER AS ITS NEXT CHAIRMAN. GARY MCGOFFIGAN ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE SAYING HE’S HONORED TO SERVE AS CHAIRMAN AT A TIME WHEN THE STATE IS FACING A GREAT CHALLENGE AND HAS IMPORTANT DECISIONS TO MAKE. THE GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG GROUP TRIES TO STEER THE LEGISLATURE TOWARDS CHOICES THAT IT BELIEVES MAKES FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT. THE NEW CHAIR-ELECT IS ALSO FROM LAFAYETTE…TYRON PICARD, WHO IS THE FOUNDER OF THE LOBBYING AND BUSINESS CONSULTING FIRM, THE PICARD GROUP.
A SULPHUR MAN, WHO KIDNAPPED TWO GIRLS IN ROUND ROCK, TEXAS AND WAS THE FOCUS OF AN AMBER ALERT, WAS FOUND IN TRINIDAD, COLORADO. AUTHORITIES SAY TERRY MILES IS IN POLICE CUSTODY AND THE TWO GIRLS, AGED 14 AND 7, ARE SAFE. POLICE BEGAN SEARCHING FOR THE GIRLS AFTER FINDING THEIR MOTHER DEAD IN HER HOME. MILES IS CONSIDERED A PERSON OF INTEREST IN HER DEATH.
OPELOUSAS POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATHS OF A MAN AND A WOMAN FOUND AT DIFFERENT HOMES YESTERDAY. THE CAUSES OF DEATH HAVE NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED BUT FOUL PLAY IS NOT SUSPECTED. THE WOMAN’S BODY WAS FOUND AT A HOME ON ACADEMY STREET. THE HOUSE WAS COLD AND THE HEAT NOT TURNED ON WHEN POLICE ARRIVED. THE MAN’S BODY WAS FOUND AT A HOME ON MAYOR STREET.
Farmers in 11 Louisiana parishes could be eligible for federal disaster assistance because of damage from flooding and losses caused by Hurricane Harvey. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated two parishes — Avoyelles and Catahoula— as primary natural disaster areas. Farmers in the parishes are eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency , if they meet eligibility requirements. Farmers in Caldwell, Concordia, Evangeline, Franklin, LaSalle, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, St. Landry and Tensas parishes could be available for other USDA disaster aid programs.
