11-21-16
THE CITY OF LAFAYETTE IS OFFERING FREE BUS RIDES FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WEEKEND. JULIE DARCE HAS MORE.
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The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury unanimously voted Thursday to ban smoking and vaping in parish buildings and parks. KPLC-TV reports the ordinance will not affect RV or campground sites, private residences, restaurants or bars. Originally, it would have taken effect in January, but the date was changed to March, so officials can notify the public. After six months, the police jury will review the ordinance to fix any problems that may come up.
A CHURCH IN BUNKIE CAUGHT FIRE LAST NIGHT. BY THE TIME FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AT MIDNIGHT, THE BACK OF THE DAVID HAAS METHODIST CHURCH WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE BUNKIE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE NEIGHBORING HOMES DID NOT HAVE TO BE EVACUATED.
First lady Donna Edwards says she is restarting a preservation foundation for the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion, to help raise money for the home’s upkeep and beautification. Edwards talked about the plans during a recent appearance on the governor’s radio call-in show. Edwards says she worked with former first lady Alice Foster, who helped create a similar organization when her husband Mike Foster was governor. Gov. John Bel Edwards and his wife are hoping to be back in the home by Thanksgiving, after being displaced by the mid-August flooding, which damaged security, heating and air conditioning systems.
Lafayette officials are taking a closer look at the concept of community schools.
The Advertiser reports Debbie Meaux, president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, and Karran Harper Royal, coordinator for the Louisiana branch of the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools, presented the model to Lafayette school board members earlier this month. Royal said the community model begins with an assessment of a school’s needs and assets. The overarching strategy for all community schools includes a strong academic curriculum, improved student assessments, positive discipline and parent and community engagement.
THE YOUTH GROUP OF WATER’S EDGE CHURCH IN LAKE CHARLES SPENT SATURDAY NIGHT ON THE STREETS AS THEY LEARNED WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE HOMELESS. YOUTH GROUP LEADER TARA ROSS TOLD KPLC TV THE HOMELESS OUTREACH WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THEM APPRECIATE ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE. THEY ALSO COLLECTED SUPPLIES TO GIVE TO 120 HOMELESS PEOPLE. THE WATER’S EDGE IS ALWAYS ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR THEIR FOOD PANTRY AND HAVE OTHER WAYS THEY ARE REACHING OUT TO THE HOMELESS.
THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO IN ST. LANDRY PARISH HAS ISSUED A BOIL ADVISORY. THE ADVISORY WAS ISSUED BECAUSE OF A FOUR INCH WATER LINE BREAK ON HIGHWAY 360. RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO BOIL THE TAP WATER FOR AT LEAST ONE MINUTE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER BEFORE CONSUMING IT. THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO WATER SYSTEM WILL DISCONTINUE THE BOIL ADVISORY ONCE WATER SAMPLES HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE SAFE.
Louisiana’s Department of Motor Vehicles will reverse its no cash policy on most transactions as soon as Dec. 1. The News-Star reports the department’s commissioner, Karen St. Germain, confirmed the move late Friday, citing pressure from lawmakers. But the policy won’t be completely reversed. St. Germain says customers will be able to pay for their driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations and titles with cash, but won’t be able to do so for reinstatement fees.
