10-23-19
THE FOUNDER OF AMERICA’S CAJUN NAVY WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY FOR FELONY THEFT BY FRAUD AND MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS. THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS THE CHARGES AGAINST JOHN BILLIOT JUNIOR OF SCOTT WERE RELATED TO A GOFUNDME ACCOUNT HE SET UP TO HELP CERTAIN FOSTER CHILDREN AND THEIR FOSTER PARENTS. THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS BILLIOT KEPT MOST OF THE FUNDS RAISED. HE POSTED BOND AFTER BEING BOOKED INTO THE LAFAYETTE PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER AND IS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN COURT TOMORROW.
THERE WERE SOME TENSE MOMENTS AT LAST NIGHT’S MEETING OF A JEFF DAVIS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE OVER THE NAMING OF A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE NEW SCHOOL, WHICH WILL BE BUILT OFF OF L-A 26 SOUTH BEGINNING IN APRIL, WILL TAKE STUDENTS FROM JAMES WARD ELEMENTARY AND JENNINGS ELEMENTARY ONCE IT’S COMPLETED. SEVERAL PEOPLE SPOKE OUT ABOUT KEEPING THE JAMES WARD ELEMENTARY NAME IN HONOR OF THE BLACK EDUCATOR. IN THE END, THE COMMITTEE VOTED TO RECOMMEND NAMING THE NEW SCHOOL JENNINGS ELEMENTARY. THE FULL SCHOOL BOARD WILL VOTE ON THE NAME IN NOVEMBER.
THE SUSPECT WANTED FOR HITTING A WOMAN WITH HER CAR IN OPELOUSAS AND FLEEING IS IN JAIL. MEGAN KELLY REPORTS.
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Louisiana’s Supreme Court has sidestepped, for now, the question of whether juveniles convicted of certain sex crimes can be required to register as sex offenders for the rest of their lives. The case involved a man convicted of having molested his younger sister when he was 14 years old. As an adult, he sought relief from the sex registration requirement. The high court ruled Tuesday ruled that because he was no longer in custody, he was ineligible to file for post-conviction relief under state law.
THE LAFAYETTE PLANNING COMMISSION HAS VOTED AGAINST REZONING A SECTION OF GIRARD PARK DRIVE THAT WOULD ALLOW A HIGH DENSITY APARTMENT COMPLEX. THE REZONING WAS PART A PLAN TO REVITALIZE THE OIL CENTER. HOWEVER, RESIDENTS ON GIRARD PARK DRIVE CAME OUT AGAINST THE PROPOSAL AND WHAT IT WOULD DO THEIR QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD. THE LAFAYETTE CITY PARISH COUNCIL HAS THE FINAL SAY ON THE REZONING AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE UP THE MATTER NEXT MONTH.
A MAN FROM CALCASIEU PARISH WAS KILLED IN A FREAK ACCIDENT WHILE HUNTING IN SABINE PARISH. 53-YEAR-OLD PAUL LANDRY WAS FOUND DEAD AT THE BASE OF HIS DEER STAND SUNDAY. SABINE PARISH CORONER RON RIVERS SAYS IT APPEARS HE STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE LOWEST RUNG OF THE LADDER AFTER TRIPPING ON A STUMP. FAMILY MEMBERS FOUND LANDRY AFTER DECIDING TO CHECK ON HIM WHEN HE DIDN’T ANSWER THEIR PHONE CALLS.
CHURCH POINT POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING TWO SHOOTINGS THAT HAPPENED MONDAY NIGHT. A RESIDENCE IN THE TWO HUNDRED BLOCK OF EAST MINNEX ALLEY WAS FIRED AT MULTIPLE TIMES AND THERE ARE BULLET HOLES IN SEVERAL VEHICLES AND IN A WINDOW AT THE HOME. POLICE CHIEF DALE THIBODEAUX SAYS THIS IS THE SECOND SHOOTING AT THAT HOUSE SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE. HE SAYS THEY ARE CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION AT ANOTHER RESIDENCE ON AN OPPOSITE STREET WHERE ANOTHER SHOOTING OCCURRED.
Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says Louisiana’s farmers could start growing industrial hemp by the spring if federal and state agriculture agencies keep their regulatory work on track. Strain outlined to state lawmakers Monday the regulations his department has drafted for industrial hemp production. The rules will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for approval. Lawmakers earlier this year agreed to legalize hemp production in Louisiana, saying that would help farmers diversify their crops.
