12-7-16
A FORMER LAFAYETTE PROSECUTOR, WHO WAS CONVICTED FOR ACCEPTING BRIBES FROM DRUNK DRIVING SUSPECTS IN EXCHANGE FOR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT, HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY BARRED FROM PRACTICING LAW IN LOUISIANA. THE STATE SUPREME COURT AGREED WITH THE STATE OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL THAT THE ACTIONS OF GREG WILLIAMS WERE SO EGREGIOUS, THAT HE SHOULD BE PERMANENTLY PROHIBITED FROM APPLYING FOR READMISSION TO THE BAR. WILLIAMS ADMITTED IN 2013 THAT, WHILE WORKING FOR FORMER DISTRICT ATTORNEY MIKE HARSON, HE ACCEPTED 500 DOLLARS WORTH OF BRIBES IN CASH AND GIFTS IN EXCHANGE FOR THE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT. TWO OTHER EMPLOYEES IN THE OFFICE, INCLUDING WILLIAM’S SECRETARY, ALSO WERE CONVICTED.
THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS SEARCHING FOR AN INMATE WHO WALKED OFF THE JOB AS A TRUSTY AT THE OFFICE OF LOUISIANA STATE POLICE TROOP D ON MAIN STREET IN LAKE CHARLES YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE BELIEVES 26-YEAR-OLD JONATHON B. ALEXANDER STOLE A WHITE CHRYSLER HEARSE WITH A LOUISIANA LICENSE PLATE A584886. WHEN ALEXANDER ESCAPED, HE WAS WEARING A YELLOW T-SHIRT WITH INMATE WRITTEN ON IT AND BLUE JEANS. ANYONE WHO KNOWS WHERE ALEXANDER IS OR HAS SEEN HIM IS ASKED TO CALL THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE.
THE RAYNE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING A HOMOCIDE, WHICH HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AT AROUND 8:30. POLICE RESPONDED TO CALLS OF SHOTS BEING FIRED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF REYNOLDS AVENUE AND WEST B NORTH STREET, AND FOUND A BLACK MALE VICTIM. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE ACADIA GENERAL HOSPITAL IN CROWLEY, WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD. THE RAYNE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT YET RELEASED THE IDENTITY OF THE VICTIM BECAUSE HIS NEXT OF KIN HAD NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED.
GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS CHIEF BUDGET ARCHITECT TOLD HOUSE BUDGET LEADERS THAT THINGS ARE NOT LOOKING GOOD WHEN IT COMES TO THE NEXT BUDGET. LAST YEAR’S BUDGET WILL HAVE TO BE TRIMMED BY 313 MILLION DOLLARS BECAUSE OF A FINANCIAL SHORTFALL THAT ENDED IN JUNE. JAY DARDENNE PREDICTS AN ADDITIONAL 300 MILLION FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR BUDGET. THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE IS HOLDING EARLY HEARINGS WITH STATE AGENCY HEADS AND THE EDWARD’S ADMINISTRATION AS THEY BEGIN IDENTIFYING PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT FISCAL BUDGET THAT BEGINS JULY FIRST.
LAFAYETTE MAYOR PRESIDENT JOEL ROBIDEAUX RAISED THE POSSIBILITY OF A PARISHWIDE DRAINAGE TAX IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DAILY ADVERTISER. HE MADE THE COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE HEAVY WEEKEND RAINS THAT LED TO SOME FLOODING IN YOUNGSVILLE. THE MAYOR OF YOUNGSVILLE KEN RITTER COMPLAINED THAT THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT CLAIMS THERE’S NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO CLEAN COULEES AND MAJOR DRAINAGE CHANNELS. IN 2006 LAFAYETTE PARISH VOTERS REJECTED A PROPOSED TAX FOR ROADS AND DRAINAGE PROJECTS, BUT ROBIDEAUX SAYS TIME AND EVENTS MAY MAKE THE PUBLIC MORE RECEPTIVE TO A NEW TAX DEDICATED TO DRAINAGE.
A MAN WANTED ON TWO WARRANTS IN JEFF DAVIS PARISH ATTEMPTED TO JUMP THE BLACK BAYOU BRIDGE IN BIG LAKE TUESDAY MORNING WHILE LEADING CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES ON A HIGH SPEED CHASE. SHERIFF’S OFFICE SPOKESWOMAN KIM MYERS SAYS DEPUTIES STAKED OUT A HOME ON THE GULF HIGHWAY WHERE 37-YEAR-OLD MORGAN J. LYONS OF JENNINGS WAS AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP HIM WHEN HE LEFT THE HOME, BUT HE FLED. OPERATORS AT THE BLACK BAYOU BRIDGE RAISED THE APRONS IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP LYONS, BUT HE CRASHED THROUGH THE TRAFFIC ARMS AND TRIED TO JUMP THE BRIDGE. HIS TRUCK WENT OVER THE APRON AND CAME TO REST ON THE PONTOON, WHERE HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.
NO BOND HAS BEEN SET FOR A BREAUX BRIDGE MAN ARRESTED FOR CRUELTY TO A JUVENILE. JEFF HORCHEK HAS MORE.
VOICER I :17
PRESIDENT ELECT DONALD TRUMP IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A VISIT TO LOUISIANA ON FRIDAY TO CAMPAIGN FOR REPUBLICAN JOHN KENNEDY IN HIS BID FOR THE U-S SENATE. KENNEDY IS LEADING IN RECENT POLLS OVER THE OTHER CANDIDATE, DEMOCRAT FOSTER CAMPBELL. IF KENNEDY WINS, IT WILL GIVE REPUBLICANS A 52-TO-48 SEAT MAJORITY IN THE U-S SENATE. THE ELECTION TAKES PLACE THIS SATURDAY.
