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THE LAFAYETTE REGIONAL AIRPORT COMMISSIONERS ANNOUCED YESTERDAY THE TWO NATIONAL FIRMS THAT WILL BUILD A NEW PASSENGER TERMINAL AS WELL AS OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE AIRPORT. THE COMMISSIONER’S CHOICE FOR THE ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING FIRM IS R-S-AND-H OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, AND HEERY OUT OF ATLANTA WILL MANAGE THE CONSTRUCTION. THE COMMISSIONERS WILL WORK ON A CONTRACT WITH THE TWO FIRMS, AND, IF THEY CAN’T, THEY WILL GO TO THEIR SECOND CHOICE. CONSTRUCTION ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NEXT YEAR.
THE I-TEN BRIDGE IN LAKE CHARLES WAS CLOSED ON THE EASTBOUND SIDE OVERNIGHT BECAUSE OF A MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENT. WESTLAKE POLICE SAY THIS MORNING IT IS NOW OPEN, ACCORDING TO KPLC TV. THREE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE EXTENT OF THEIR INJURIES IS NOT KNOWN.
A ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCILWOMAN, WHO WAS RECENTLY CHALLENGED ON HER RESIDENCY QUALIFICATIONS, ANNOUNCED HER RESIGNATION YESTERDAY. FEKISHA MILLER MATTHEWS SAYS THE RESIGNATION WILL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. ON MARCH 18TH, A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS OFFICE CLAIMING THAT HER MAIN RESIDENCE WAS IN LAFAYETTE. MILLER MATTHEWS HAS SERVED AS COUNCILWOMAN FOR DISTRICT THREE IN ST. LANDRY PARISH SINCE 2007.
THE HOUSE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE QUICKLY PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE WOMEN WANTING AN ABORTION TO WAIT 72 HOURS. CURRENTLY LOUISIANA LAW REQUIRES A 24 HOUR WAITING PERIOD. THE MEASURE GOES NEXT TO THE FULL HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION. IF THE PROPOSED LAW IS APPROVED, IT WOULD MEAN LOUISIANA WOULD HAVE THE LONGEST WAITING PERIOD IN THE NATION, TIED WITH FIVE OTHER STATE.
Lawmakers have advanced a proposal aimed at enacting work requirements on food stamp recipients, requirements that Gov. John Bel Edwards kept from taking effect earlier this year. A proposal by Rep. Jay Morris, a Monroe Republican, would require legislative approval to seek a federal waiver of the work requirements for “able-bodied” childless adults. The House health committee advanced the bill Wednesday, sending it to the full House for consideration.
Edwards’ chief lawyer Matthew Block says the governor is working to make sure Louisiana has enough job training and job placement services before mandating work requirements.
A LIAISON FOR THE STERLING GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION SAYS RESIDENTS THERE FEEL THEY’VE BEEN LEFT OUT IN THE PLANNING FOR THE I-49 CONNECTOR PROJECT IN LAFAYETTE. STACY HARGROVE SPOKE AT A MEETING OF STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND CONSULTANTS ON THE PROJECT. SHE SAYS THAT, UNTIL YESTERDAY, REQUESTS TO MEET WITH D-O-T-D REPRESENTATIVES HAS BEEN IGNORED. STERLING GROVE RESIDENT DAVID KOURY SAYS THE CURRENT DESIGNS OF THE I-49 CONNECTOR RESEMBLE ONES IN BATON ROUGE AND OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE LED TO CRIME AND BLIGHT.
THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY HAS CHANGED THE LAWS FOR DOOR-TO-DOOR SALESMEN SO THAT THEY ARE MORE IN LINE WITH CITY LAWS, MAKING IT EASIER FOR POLICE AND DEPUTIES TO ENFORCE THE LAW. UNDER THE NEW ORDINANCE, THOSE WHO WISH TO PEDDLE PRODUCTS AT HOMES MUST REGISTER, CAN ONLY SELL BETWEEN NINE A-M AND SIX P-M, AND MUST GO TO THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE HOME. THEY ALSO ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A VISIBLE PHOTO I-D. THOSE WHO DON’T WANT A SALESMEN COMING TO THEIR DOOR CAN GET A “NO SOLICITORS” STICKER FROM THE PARISH AND PUT IT ON THEIR FRONT DOOR.
A RAYNE MAN WAS KILLED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT AROUND 12:30 A-M WEDNESDAY. STATE POLICE SAY 20-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH LEBLANC CROSSED THE CENTER LINE ON L-A 98 NEAR STANDARD MILL ROAD AND COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH A PICKUP TRUCK. LEBLANC’S VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND BURST INTO FLAMES. LEBLANC WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE DRIVER OF THE PICKUP SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES.
