2-20-15
THE LAFAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED THE CRIME STATISTICS FOR 2014, AND THERE WAS A TEN PERCENT DROP IN TOTAL CRIME WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. JULIE DARCE HAS MORE.
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A LAKE CHARLES MAN WAS ARRESTED WEDNESDAY FOR BEATING AND RAPING A WOMAN ON FEBRUARY 12TH. DETECTIVES SAY 40-YEAR-OLD JEREMY LANE GEORGE ENTERED THE WOMAN’S HOME UNANNOUNCED AND BEGAN AN ARGUMENT WHICH BECAME VIOLENT. CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SPOKESWOMAN KIM MYERS SAYS THE WOMAN WAS HELD IN THE HOME AGAINST HER WILL FOR THREE HOURS. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITALTO BE TREATED FOR INJURIES SHE SUFFERED.
THE ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL LAST NIGHT DECIDED TO SEEK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OPINION ON THE USE OF REVENUE FOR A SALES TAX. THE TAX, WHICH WAS PASSED IN 2013, IS COLLECTED IN THE UNINCORPORATED PARTS OF THE PARISH, AND IS TO BE USED TO FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION IN THOSE AREAS. THE COUNCIL WAS CONSIDERING REPAVING THREE ROADS, PARTS OF WHICH GO THROUGH THE CANKTON AREA. THE DISCUSSION OVER THE ISSUE GOT HEATED AMONG PARISH PRESIDENT BILL FONTENOT AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, BEFORE THEY DECIDED TO GET AN OPINION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
The lone Democratic candidate in the Louisiana governor’s race lagged behind the Republican contenders in fundraising last year. State Rep. John Bel Edwards filed his campaign finance report with the state ethics board late Wednesday. He reported raising $360,000 in 2014, coupled with a $25,000 personal loan. The three GOP candidates, who had previously released fundraising figures, each raised more than Edwards — and wrapped up 2014 with more cash on hand.
THE STATE BOND COMMISSION YESTERDAY AUTHORIZED U-L LAFAYETTE TO SELL UP TO TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS IN BONDS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CAJUNDOME. THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO COST 16-POINT-7 MILLION DOLLARS. AMONG THE UPGRADES INCLUDES REPLACING THE LOWER LEVEL SEATING, WHICH WILL INCLUDE ADDING 800 NEW SEATS. THE ROOF WILL ALSO BE RECOATED, THE RESTROOMS AND CONCESSION STANDS WILL BE REHABILITATED, AND THE LIGHTING IN THE DOME WILL BE REPLACED.
TWO TEMPORARY WORKER HOUSING FACILITIES IN CALCASIEU PARISH ARE CLOSER TO REALITY. LAST NIGHT THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY APPROVED REZONING TWO PROPERTIES. THE FIRST, WHICH WOULD HOUSE MORE THAN 500 WORKERS, WILL BE BUILT ON J CLOPHUS ROAD IN MOSSVILLE, JUST SOUTH OF WHERE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION IS SET TO TAKE PLACE. THE SECOND, WHICH WILL BE FOR WOMEN WORKERS ONLY, WILL BE PUT UP ON OPELOUSAS STREET IN LAKE CHARLES.
A WOMAN CRASHED HER S-U-V INTO THE ACADIA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD BUILDING YESTERDAY. IT HAPPENED AT AROUND ONE P-M WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME CRASHING INTO THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT’S ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, WHO WAS NOT IN THERE AT THE TIME. MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES ARE BEING BLAMED AS THE CAUSE FOR THE ACCIDENT. CROWLEY POLICE CHIEF K-P GIBSON SAYS THE DRIVER AND A PASSENGER WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.
Gov. Bobby Jindal has been spending using his state campaign account, though he isn’t up for re-election and doesn’t plan to run for any other office in Louisiana.
In his latest campaign finance report, the Republican governor documents nearly $1.5 million in spending over 2014. More than $575,000 was spent on a political consulting firm and polling. The governor’s chief political adviser, Timmy Teepell, says the spending was allowable under the restrictions governing the state campaign account.
