11-25-16
(AP) Two Leesville residents have been arrested in connection with the death of a Fort Polk soldier missing since September. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says 40-year-old Wanda Gordon and 27-year-old Tobias Williams each face one count of first-degree murder and obstruction of justice. Bond for each was set at $3 million. It’s unknown if either is represented by an attorney. The arrests are the result of an extensive investigation into the disappearance of 40-year-old Jonathan Ellis, of Leesville, and an active duty service member stationed at Fort Polk. He was reported missing Sept. 23. KPLC-TV reports Gordon and Williams were identified as persons of interest. Gordon refused to cooperate, but Craft says Williams led detectives to where he said Ellis’ body was disposed. Cadaver dogs later found human remains.
(AP) A man’s body has been found floating in the West Bayou Grand Marais canal in Jefferson Davis Parish. Chief Deputy Chris Ivey, a Sheriff’s Office spokesman, says the body was found around 8:15 a.m. Wednesday. Ivey says a farmer reported something suspicious in the canal near his irrigation pump. KPLC-TV reports authorities pulled a severely decomposed body of a male floating in the canal. The Calcasieu Parish coroner, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Marine Division and Forensic Investigative Unit assisted in the recovery of the body. The body was transported to the coroner’s office for an autopsy. Detectives are investigating the incident as a homicide. It’s unknown if foul play was involved.
ABRAHAM’S TENT IN LAKE CHARLES FED AROUND 220 PEOPLE A THANKSGIVING MEAL YESTERDAY. THAT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY AN OUTPOURING OF OLD AND NEW VOLUNTEERS AND THE GENEROSITY OF PEOPLE GIVING LAST MONTH IN KPLC’S PACK THE TENT FOOD COLLECTION. ABRAHAM’S TENT SERVES MEALS FOR LUNCH MONDAYS THROUGH SATURDAYS FROM 11:30 TO 12:30.
WHAT STARTED OUT AS A DREAM ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO BECAME A REALITY YESTERDAY. MORE THAN 100 TURNED OUT TO EAT THANKSGIVING DINNER IN OPELOUSAS. A THANKSGIVING COMMITTEE FORMED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, INCLUDED CITY LEADERS AND CITIZENS WANTING TO FEED THOSE IN NEED DURING THE HOLIDAY. PLANS ARE ALREADY BEING MADE TO EXPAND THE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER.
THE MAPLEWOOD HOLLYWOOD LIONS CLUB HELD ITS 29TH THANKSGIVING COMMUNITY MEAL YESTERDAY. TEN YEARS AGO, THE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DAY DINNER WAS MOVED TO THE SPAR COMPLEX IN SULPHUR BECAUSE IT HAD GROWN SO MUCH. THE COST OF YESTERDAY’S MEAL WAS ABOUT $4,500.
THE WELSH MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN VINTON OPENED ITS DOORS TO OVER 200 PEOPLE YESTERDAY FOR A FREE THANKSGIVING MEAL. ACCORDING TO PASTOR ROGER TEMPLETON, THE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DAY MEAL HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THE FIRST THE YEAR.
JOSEPH’S DINER FED A DELICIOUS MEAL TO THOSE IN NEED YESTERDAY, A TRADITION FOR OVER 30 YEARS. THEY DEPEND ON VOLUNTEERS FOR THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS TO SERVE THE MEALS AND DONATIONS TO MAKE THE MEALS POSSIBLE.
(AP) Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and his family have moved back into the Governor’s Mansion after three months of being displaced by the August flooding in Baton Rouge. The flood waters damaged security and heating and air-conditioning units kept in the basement of the 53-year-old residence. NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune reports the Edwards family had hoped to be back in the mansion by the Thanksgiving holiday. They had been staying in a Louisiana State Police facility in East Baton Rouge Parish while repairs were made. They moved back in last Friday. The governor’s spokesman Richard Carbo says estimates are that the flooding caused more than $1 million in damage to the mansion. Carbo says repair work is being covered by insurance and FEMA money.
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