3-30-15
LAFAYETTE PARISH VOTERS APPROVED TWO PROPERTY TAX PROPOSALS ON SATURDAY. A TEN YEAR, 4-POINT-1-7 MILL PROPERTY TAX FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE WORK, PASSED WITH NEARLY 75 PERCENT OF THE VOTE. ANOTHER MEASURE THAT WOULD COMBINE THE TWO TAXES TO FUND PUBLIC HEALTH UNITS, MOSQUITO CONTROL, AND ANIMAL CONTROL ALSO EASILY PASSED. THAT PROPOSAL WILL ENABLE THE CITY PARISH GOVERNMENT TO BUILD A LARGER ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER, IF THE COUNCIL APPROVES.
VOTERS IN CALCASIEU PARISH APPROVED THE RENEWAL OF A HALF CENT SALES TAX FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DISTRICT. THE TAX, WHICH WILL LAST FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS, RAISES ABOUT 16 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. SHERIFF TONY MANCUSO SAYS THE MONEY GENERATED BY THE TAX IS USED TO GIVE RAISES AND TO PAY FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. THE TAX MEASURE PASSED WITH 83 PERCENT OF THE VOTE, THOUGH THERE WAS JUST AN EIGHT PERCENT TURNOUT FOR THE ELECTION, ACCORDING TO THE LOUISIANA SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE.
RAYNE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A JENNINGS MAN RIGHT OUTSIDE THE FROG CITY TRAVEL PLAZA. JULIE DARCE HAS MORE.
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Louisiana State University researchers say Louisiana shrimpers face lower prices this year with an expected rise in imported shrimp. The Daily World reports that imports last year were hit by a virus called Early Mortality Syndrome, or EMS. But this year imports are re-entering the market and that is expected to drive prices down. Julie Anderson-Lively, assistant professor at Louisiana State University’s AgCenter, says a lot of imports were killed off last year and never entered the market.
THE LAFAYETTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS OFFERING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH THE OPPORTUNITY MACHINE, AN INITIATIVE THAT WAS STARTED IN 2009. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ZACHARY BARKER SAYS THE OPPORTUNITY MACHINE IS FOR FLEDGLING STARTUPS AND BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS, BUT ARE LOOKING FOR A BOOST. BARKER TELLS THE ADVOCATE THAT HE CAN HELP PUSH BUSINESSES IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, CONNECTING THEM WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE. ENTREPRENEURS CAN SIGN UP FOR THE PROGRAM THROUGH OPPORTUNITY MACHINE’S WEBSITE, AND BARKER SAYS THERE ARE NO FEES, JUST A WILLINGNESS TO PUT IN THE EFFORT.
A fresh delay in plans for a veterans’ clinic in Lake Charles is drawing harsh criticism from members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation. The Department of Veterans Affairs issued a statement Friday that said it was attempting to award a contract for construction as soon as possible. It said a potential successful offer had been identified but after a review it was found that the potential contract would violate Office of Management and Budget rules. The VA’s announcement said the latest development means progress on the Lake Charles clinic will be delayed for several more months.
Louisiana State Police say a 55-year-old man is dead and 10 other people were injured when a Mercury Tracer changed lanes into the path of a pickup truck that was towing a Buick on U.S. 190 at Opelousas. Master Trooper Brooks David (DAH-veed) identifies the dead man as Harold Richard of Opelousas, a passenger in the Tracer driven by 47-year-old Catherine Arclese. David says the crash Friday night injured Arclese; pickup driver 18-year-old Brandell Pryor of Opelousas; the man steering the towed Buick, five passengers in the pickup and two in the Buick.
David says Arclese was ticketed with failure to yield and Pryor with two counts of violating child restraint laws.
State Rep. John Bel Edwards has won the endorsement of the Louisiana Democratic Party in the governor’s election, a signal no other major Democrats are likely to jump into the race. Party backing came unanimously Saturday from the Democratic State Central Committee. Edwards, a Democratic leader in the Louisiana Legislature, used his speech to blast Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal and suggest the GOP contenders in the governor’s race would continue Jindal’s policies.
The endorsement appears to end speculation that New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu would become a candidate for the Oct. 24 election.
