11-21-17
U-L HAS HIRED A NEW SOFTBALL COACH, GERRY GLASCO, A LONG TIME ASSISTANT AT SEVERAL S-E-C PROGRAMS. GLASCO SIGNED A FIVE YEAR CONTRACT AT A BASE SALARY OF 170 THOUSAND DOLLARS PER YEAR. HE TAKES OVER FOR MICHAEL LOTIEF, WHO WAS FIRED THOUGH HE RAN A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM. THE UNIVERSITY ACCUSED LOTIEF OF SUBJECTING PLAYERS AND STAFF TO A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT.
THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FENTON HOUSING AUTHORITY IS ACCUSED OF CONVERTING MORE THAN 34 THOUSAND DOLLARS OF HOUSING AUTHORITY FUNDS TO HER PERSONAL USE. THE STATE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR SAYS GWEN JACKSON ISSUED OR NEGOTIATED 52 UNAUTHORIZED CHECKS TO HERSELF, HER FAMILY MEMBERS OR OTHER HOUSING AUTHORITY EMPLOYEES BETWEEN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER. JACKSON RESIGNED IN SEPTEMBER. THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITORS HAVE RECOMMENDED THE AUTHORITY SEEK LEGAL ADVISE ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD, INCLUDING ON RECOVERING THE MONEY.
A FORMER IBERIA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER IS SPEAKING OUT AFTER BEING FIRED FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD TWENTY YEARS AGO. JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.
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A new audit says Louisiana’s payments to private nursing homes for taking care of Medicaid patients have risen substantially over the last decade. But while the facilities are pocketing ever-higher dollars from the state, their occupancy rates stayed largely flat. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera’s office said Louisiana uses payment structures that are out of step with other states, driving up costs on the nursing homes and long-term rehabilitation facilities. Auditors recommended changes that could save millions of dollars a year, which would require adjustments to state law.
THE LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL BRIAN POPE IS ACCUSED OF PREVENTING THE RELEASE OF AN OPINION FROM THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON POPE’S PRACTICE OF PAYING HIMSELF WITH COURT FEES. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE SAID IN A LETTER THAT THEY SHELVED THE OPINION AFTER UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTING TO REACH THE CITY MARSHAL BETWEEN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER. THE LETTER FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE WAS RELEASED YESTERDAY BY A GROUP ATTEMPTING TO RECALL POPE FROM OFFICE. THE GROUP SO FAR HAS COLLECTED AROUND 21 THOUSAND SIGNATURES ON A RECALL PETITION AND THEY HAVE UNTIL DECEMBER TENTH TO COLLECT A TOTAL OF 27,500 SIGNATURES TO FORCE A RECALL ELECTION.
IT’S BEEN THREE MONTHS SINCE TROPICAL STORM HARVEY HIT THE LAKE CHARLES AREA, BUT ONE NEIGHBORHOOD IS STILL RECOVERING. THREE GROUPS ARE HELPING – CAJUN NAVY RELIEF, CHURCH OF THE KING, AND VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTER – BUT THE GROUPS SAY IT’S ONLY FOUR SMALL FULLTIME CREWS THAT ARE ACTIVE AND THERE ARE AT LEAST A HUNDRED HOMES AFFECTED. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS WILLING TO DONATE MANPOWER OR TIME, AND PAYMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR SKILLED WORKERS. THOSE WHO CAN HELP ARE ENCOURAGED TO CALL JASON AT 552-58-26.
A VERMILLION PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER FROM KAPLAN PASSED AWAY MONDAY AFTER A SHORT BATTLE WITH CANCER. LUDDY HERPIN WAS 69 YEARS OLD. HE GRADUATED FROM KAPLAN HIGH SCHOOL IN 1969 AND LATER SERVED AS PRINCIPAL AT GUEYDAN HIGH SCHOOL. SERVICES ARE PENDING AT VINCENT FUNERAL HOME IN KAPLAN.
THE EVANGELINE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS ARRESTED A MAN THEY BELIEVE MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SEVERAL THEFTS AND ROBBERIES IN THE TURKEY CREEK AREA. DEPUTIES WERE CALLED OUT ONE WEEK AGO WITH A COMPLAINT ABOUT LOUD NOISES FROM SOMEONE RIDING AN A-T-V. A BRIEF INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE A-T-V HAD BEEN STOLEN AND THEY ARRESTED JEREMY CLARK. HE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF STOLEN THINGS AND HIS BOND IS SET AT 15 THOUSAND DOLLARS.
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