12-12-16
DANA BAKER RECENTLY TOOK OVER AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ACADIANA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. FOR ELEVEN YEARS, SHE WAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE LOUISIANE. SHE TELLS THE ADVOCATE HER EXPERTISE IS NOT IN CLASSICAL MUSIC, BUT SHE DOES OFFER HER EXPERIENCE IN MARKETING, EVENT PLANNING AND RUNNING AN ORGANIZATION THAT’S PRIMARILY FOCUSED IN MUSIC. SHE SAYS THE SYMPHONY IS CURRENTLY ESTABLISHING THEIR 2017 SEASON, ALONG WITH OTHER EVENTS AND FUNDRAISING.
THE CALCASIEU WOMEN’S SHELTER IS COLLECTING DONATIONS TO GIVE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS TO THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN THERE. OASIS IS ASKING FOR TOYS, CLOTHES AND OTHER ITEMS. THOSE WHO WILL BENEFIT ARE THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN CURRENTLY STAYING AT OASIS OR HAVE BEEN THERE WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. THE DONATIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT THE SHELTER, LOCATED AT 601 WEST 18TH STREET.
THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING AT AN APARTMENT COMPLEX IN CROWLEY THAT LEFT ONE MAN DEAD. JULIE DARCE REPORTS.
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The GOP has cemented its U.S. Senate majority and is holding onto the two remaining House seats that were still undecided before Louisiana’s runoff election Saturday. Republican state Treasurer John Kennedy won Louisiana’s open U.S. Senate seat, giving the GOP a 52-48 edge in the chamber starting in January.
Kennedy defeated Democrat Foster Campbell, a state utility regulator whose chances were seen as such a long-shot that national Democratic organizations offered little assistance. In two House runoffs, voters chose two more Republicans —Clay Higgins, a former sheriff’s captain known as the “Cajun John Wayne,” and state Rep. Mike Johnson.
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OUR LADY OF LOURDES AND THE WOMEN’S FOUNDATION ARE MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR ALL LAFAYETTE PARISH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO HAVE A PROGRAM FOR AN ADDITIONAL THREE YEARS THAT BRINGS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTO THE CLASSROOM. IT’S CALLED GONOODLE, WHICH IS AN ONLINE SUITE PROVIDING THREE TO FIVE MINUTE VIDEOS AND GAMES, WHICH GETS THE STUDENTS ACTIVE. IT’S DESIGNED TO IMPROVE STUDENT’S HEALTH, WHILE ALSO BOOSTING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. THE PROGRAM WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE PARENTS OF STUDENTS TO HELP GIVE THEM ACTIVE TIME AT HOME.
TONIGHT THERE WILL BE A QUESTION AND ANSWER FORUM FOR SIX MEN WHO HAVE ANNOUNCED THEIR INTENTIONS TO RUN FOR MAYOR OF LAKE CHARLES. THE FORUM, HOSTED BY LAKE CHARLES KIWANIS AND THE VISA COALITION, WILL INCLUDE TONY GUILLORY, JOE BANKS, CHRIS LANDRY, MARSHALL SIMIEN, DANA JACKSON, AND WILFORD CARTER. IT WILL TAKE PLACE TONIGHT BEGINNING AT FIVE AT CENTRAL SCHOOL ARTS AND HUMANITIES ON KIRBY STREET. THE PRIMARY ELECTION FOR LAKE CHARLES MAYOR IS SET FOR MARCH 25TH.
THREE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A RAYNE MAN LAST TUESDAY. RAYNE POLICE CHIEF CARROLL STELLY TELLS KATC TV THAT 59-YEAR-OLD MOHAMED ADBULAR NUR WAS SHOT DURING AN ARMED ROBBERY IN THE 400 BLOCK OF WEST B NORTH. THE THREE WHO WERE ARRESTED, 25-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH M. “CHUCKIE” LEBLANC, 27-YEAR-OLD GAVIN JOHN HAMILTON AND 25-YEAR-OLD RAKEEM A. YOKUM, HAVE ALL BEEN CHARGED WITH PRINCIPAL TO FIRST DEGREE MURDER. STELLY SAYS MORE ARRESTS ARE EXPECTED AS THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.
Congress has approved more than $1.25 billion for Louisiana’s flood recovery. The additional allocation approved Friday means Congress has dedicated between $1.8 billion and $1.9 billion, including an initial $438 million in disaster relief funds, for Louisiana’s long-term rebuilding. Still, that’s short of the at least $2.6 billion requested. Edwards and others said they’ll seek more flood assistance in 2017.
