10-23-23
A TWENTY-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED AFTER CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IN THE THIRTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF JEFFERSON STREET THAT LEFT FOUR PEOPLE INJURED. MYLES PAUL WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON JEFFERSON STREET WHEN HE REAR-ENDED A PARKED TRUCK WHICH HIT A PARKED MOTORCYCLE. ONE PERSON WAS PINNED UNDERNEATH THE WHEELS OF THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH HAD THE TRUCK ON TOP OF IT. THE OTHER THREE VICTIMS HAD MINOR TO MODERATE INJURIES.
OPELOUSAS POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A HOMOCIDE THAT HAPPENED AT AROUND NINE-THIRTY SATURDAY NIGHT. A TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS FOUND WITH GUNSHOT WOUNDS IN THE ELEVEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF OVERTON STREET. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BUT LATER DIED FROM HIS INJURIES. OPELOUSAS POLICE ARE ASKING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE SHOOTING TO CALL THE DEPARTMENT AT NINE-FOUR-EIGHT-TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED.
LOUISIANA CONGRESSMAN MIKE JOHNSON HAS ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTIONS TO RUN FOR SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. JOHNSON POSTED A LETTER OF INTENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT. HE SAID HE MADE HIS DECISION AFTER MUCH PRAYER AND DELIBERATION. JOHNSON SAYS AS SPEAKER, HE INTENDS TO RESTORE TRUST, ADVANCE A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY AGENDA AND PROMOTE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.
LAKE ARTHUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WILL BE DISMISSING AT NOON TODAY. THAT’S BECAUSE OF A PLANNED WATER OUTAGE FOR THE TOWN. WATER WILL BE TURNED OFF TO MAKE REPAIRS TO A FIRE HYDRANT LEAK AT THE CORNER OF CALCASIEU AND FOURTH STREETS. REPAIRS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY EARLY IN THE AFTERNOON AND, AFTER THE WATER IS TURNED BACK ON, LAKE ARTHUR WILL BE UNDER A BOIL ADVISORY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
The interim leader of public schools in Lafayette parish has been selected to serve as the district’s next superintendent. The Advocate reports the Lafayette Parish School Board voted unanimously Thursday to elevate Francis Touchet Jr. to the permanent position. He has served in the interim role since July after former Superintendent Irma Trosclair resigned. Touchet was the only applicant for the post, which he previously sought in 2015.
A SHOOTING DEATH IS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN VILLE PLATTE. POLICE CHIEF A. PERRY THOMAS SAYS AN EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD SUSTAINED A FATAL GUNSHOT WOUND FRIDAY NIGHT. IT HAPPENED IN THE SIX HUNDRED BLOCK OF EAST HUEY P. LONG STREET.
LOUISIANA HAS DROPPED OVER ONE HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND FROM MEDICAID ROLLS SINCE APRIL. THAT’S WHEN FEDERAL PROTECTIONS KEEPING THE INSURANCE INTACT DURING THE PANDEMIC ENDED. THREE OF FOUR MEDICAID PATIENTS IN LOUISIANA LOST COVERAGE DUE TO PROCEDURAL REASONS LIKE INCOMPLETE RENEWAL PACKETS OR OUTDATED CONTACT INFORMATION. EARLIER THIS YEAR AT ITS HEIGHT, THERE WERE OVER TWO MILLION MEDICAID ENROLLEES, WHICH WAS ABOUT FORTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE STATE POPULATION.
THE SAINT MARTIN PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS RECEIVED A THIRTEEN-POINT-FOUR MILLION DOLLAR MAGNET SCHOOLS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GRANT FROM THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. IT WILL BE USED FOR THE PROGRAM PROSPER, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS GAIN ACADEMIC SUCCESS AT SAINT MARTIN PARISH’S EARLY LEARNING CENTER AND SAINT MARTINVILLE PRIMARY. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS ALREADY RECEIVED THREE MILLION DOLLARS TO INTRODUCE PROSPER TO THE SCHOOLS AND THEY WILL GET TWO-POINT-SIX MILLION OVER EACH OF THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. THE SCHOOL BOARD SAYS THE GOAL OF PROSPER IS TO CREATE AND PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE MAGNET PROGRAMS AT THE SCHOOLS.
