10-16-17
A PUMPKIN PATCH SET UP BY A LAFAYETTE CHURCH WAS VANDALIZED. HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF PUMPKINS WERE SMASHED AND A PORTABLE BATHROOM WAS TIPPED OVER AT THE COVENANT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PUMPKIN PATCH. DESPITE THE DAMAGE CHURCH LEADERS AND VOLUNTEERS WERE ABLE TO GET IT SET UP IN TIME TO OPEN ON SUNDAY. THE MONEY EARNED FROM PUMPKIN PATCH SALES GOES TO LOCAL MISSIONS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
Sasol has reached a hiring benchmark in the building of its $11 billion petrochemical complex under construction in southwest Louisiana. The South African company announced it has hired its 500th employee for the Calcasieu Parish project, with an average salary of $80,000. Ninety-three percent of the new workers are Louisiana residents, according to the company, which says it intends to hire 200 more workers over the next two years to support the operations. The Sasol petrochemical complex being built is located next to its existing chemical plant in the Lake Charles area.
Authorities say a 4-year-old Louisiana boy is dead after he walked out of his home late at night and was struck by a car. Louisiana State Police said in a news release that Raylen Jones and a sibling left their home “without detection” at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday. The boy was hit by a Nissan Altima after walking onto a nearby highway. Authorities say the child was critically injured and died after being airlifted to Lafayette General Medical Center.
The competition to be Louisiana’s first new state treasurer in 17 years is headed to a November runoff. Republican John Schroder, a former state representative, and Democrat Derrick Edwards, a New Orleans area lawyer, will face off on the Nov. 18 ballot after winning the most support in Saturday’s election among six candidates. Schroder outspent Edwards in the competition to reach the runoff. Edwards did little fundraising, but as the only Democrat, easily won the votes needed to advance.
IN OTHER ELECTION NEWS, THE RACE TO REPLACE SCOTT ANGELLE ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WILL NOT GO TO A RUNOFF. CRAIG C. GREENE TOOK 55 PERCENT OF THE VOTE TO BECOME THE NEXT COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT TWO, WHICH INCLUDES LAFAYETTE AND ST. MARTIN PARISHES AND A PORTION OF IBERIA PARISH. IN NEW IBERIA, VOTERS APPROVED A HALF CENT SALES TAX. CITY OFFICIALS WANTED THE NEW TAX SO THEY COULD OPEN A NEW POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR NEW IBERIA.
THERE WAS A ONE VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN YOUNGSVILLE LAST NIGHT. STATE POLICE SAY THE DRIVER FAILED TO NEGOTIATE A CORNER AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 339 AND CHEMIN AGREABLE ROAD. THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MINOR INJURIES.
DOZENS OF PEOPLE GATHERED AT THE LAKE CHARLES AMPHITHEATER SUNDAY TO WALK WITH SILENT FOOTPRINTS, WHICH IS A NONPROFIT THAT HELPS THOSE WHO LOST CHILDREN TO MISCARRIAGE OR STILLBIRTH. THE PRESIDENT OF SILENT FOOTPRINTS, KIMBERLY GUILLORY, SAYS SHE DELIVERED A STILLBORN BABY. SHE TELLS KPLC TV THAT SHE WANTED TO BE A VOICE FOR HERSELF AND OTHER MOMS TO STOP THE STIGMA OF SILENCE. AT THE END OF THE WALK, PARTICIPANTS RELEASED PINK AND BLUE BALLOONS TO REMIND THEIR LOVED ONES THAT THEY STILL LOVE THEM.
23-YEAR-OLD IGNATIOUS CARMOUCHE OF OPELOUSAS SAYS HE HOPES THAT, AS HE COMPETES ON THE TV SHOW THE VOICE, THAT HE CAN INSPIRE OTHERS. HE SAYS, ALREADY HE’S HEARD FROM PEOPLE, WHO REALIZE THAT, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE FROM SMALL TOWNS, THEY CAN DO BIG THINGS. CARMOUCHE TELLS THE DAILY ADVERTISER THAT HE FELT THE CALLING TO MINISTRY AT THE AGE OF 16 AND BEGAN PLAYING AND SINGING IN CHURCH. HE SAYS ONE OF HIS GOALS IS TO BRIDGE THE WORLD OF SPIRIT AND THE SECULAR WORLD WITH HIS MUSIC.
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said in a news release Friday that oil spewed out of an underwater fractured pipe in the Gulf of Mexico about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southeast of Venice, Louisiana.
The offshore oil and gas operator, LLOG Exploration Offshore, says between 7,950 and 9,350 barrels of oil were released before the spill was halted. There were no reports of injuries.
