2-18-15
Poor accounting and administrative practices marked Westlake’s Legislative Audit for fiscal year 2013-2014. The American Press reports more than 50 residents packed City Hall’s council chambers Monday night, as Billy Fisher, an accountant, went over the audit’s 14 findings. Among the financial issues cited were the city’s failure to review accounting documents such as payroll tax reports and investment schedules in a proper manner and a noncompliance with state budgetary laws. On the administrative side, the audit found improper use of the mayor’s signature stamp.
LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM STAFF ARE BRAINSTORMING WAYS TO LET PARENTS KNOW ABOUT RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP STUDENTS WITH MATH. SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS SAY THEY HAVE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS FROM PARENTS ABOUT MATH LEARNING OPTIONS. THEY INSTRUCTED STAFF TO DO A BETTER JOB OF LETTING PARENTS KNOW ABOUT AVAILABLE RESOURCES, SUCH AS ONLINE VIDEO TUTORIALS THAT BREAK DOWN MATH LESSONS. MATH HOMEWORK HAS BECOME MORE COMPLEX BECAUSE OF THE NEW MATH CONCEPTS TAUGHT UNDER THE COMMON CORE CURRICULUM.
AUTHORITIES IN ACADIA PARISH HAD TO DEAL WITH THREE BOMB THREATS YESTERDAY. THE FIRST TWO YESTERDAY MORNING WERE CALLED INTO THE CROWLEY WALMART, WHILE THE THIRD WAS MADE TO MOUTON PHARMACY IN RAYNE LATE YESTERDAY MORNING. BOTH SCENES WERE CLEARED OF THREATS BY NOON. THE THREE BOMB THREATS WERE SIMILAR IN NATURE, AND THE RAYNE AND CROWLEY POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO DETERMINE IF IT’S THE SAME PERSON WHO MADE THEM.
A recent survey by the Louisiana Association of Educators found that a majority of Louisiana teachers believe students are being tested too much in regards to state-required standardized tests. Debbie Meaux, LAE president, tells the American Press that 78 percent of members polled think the current amount of standardized tests is excessive and takes too much time away from classroom instruction. Meaux said members also said they were not happy with the amount of time required to prepare students for the tests as well. Meaux said the survey also showed that Louisiana teachers are upset about students’ test scores being linked to teacher evaluations.
REPAIRS TO A BUILDING USED BY THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS CHAPTER OF LAKE CHARLES WILL UNDERGO REPAIRS BEGINNING FEBRUARY 26TH. THE 60 YEAR-OLD BUILDING AT 55-16 U-S 90 EAST HAS A CAVED IN ROOF, SLANTED WALLS, AND A MILDEWED CARPET. MORE THAN 22 THOUSAND DOLLARS HAS BEEN RAISED FOR THE PROJECT, ALTHOUGH IT’S EXPECTED TO COST MORE THAN 40 THOUSAND TO MAKE ALL THE REPAIRS. CHARLES MORRIS, A LOCAL CARPENTER WITH MULTIPLE FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE MILITARY, WILL DONATE HIS LABOR, AND THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS ALSO DONATING THEIR TIME.
THERE WAS A DEADLY CRASH IN LAFAYETTE YESTERDAY. JULIE DARCE HAS THE DETAILS.
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ONE PERSON WAS INJURED AT A MARDI GRAS PARADE IN FRANKLIN YESTERDAY. A 23-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS RIDING ON THE TRAILER OF AN 18-WHEELER TOWARDS THE END OF THE PARADE. SHE FELL OFF AND WAS HIT BY THE 18-WHEELER. SHE WAS AIRLIFTED TO A LAFAYETTE HOSPITAL, AND HER CONDITION HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.
Two officials say a Rosepine employee has been arrested for theft of approximately $3,500. The American Press reports that Troy Miers was booked into the Vernon Parish Jail after he allegedly used the town’s fuel credit card for personal use. The alleged theft prompted town officials to implement a new policy for the usage of the card. Miers was booked with one count of unauthorized use of an access card.
