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A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR MONCUS PARK AT THE HORSE FARM IN LAFAYETTE IS EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE IN EARLY JUNE WITH CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN MID-JUNE. THAT’S ACCORDING TO ELIZABETH E-B BROOKS, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LAFAYETTE CENTRAL PARK INCORPORATED, WHO GAVE AN UPDATE ON THE NEW PUBLIC PARK TO THE LAFAYETTE CITY PARISH COUNCIL LAST NIGHT. PHASE ONE OF THE DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WILL COST BETWEEN 15 AND 16 MILLION DOLLARS, WILL INCLUDE WALKING AND RUNNING TRAILS, TREE HOUSES, PLAYGROUNDS, A POND, A DOG PARK, A FARMER’S PAVILION, AND PARKING AND RESTROOMS. BROOKS SAYS CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO TAKE UP TO TWO YEARS WITH A GRAND OPENING SOMETIME IN 2018 OR 2019.
The “Welcome to the City of DeRidder” sign has been stolen — again. On La. 27, it can get quite dark at night and there’s not much around, making the sign an easy target. The last time it went missing, Police Chief John Gott tells KPLC-TV they didn’t have to search long for it. He says after a few phone calls, it was magically returned.
ONE OF THE TEN IBERIA PARISH DEPUTIES, WHO PLED GUILTY TO CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, HAS ASKED THAT HIS GUILTY PLEA BE VOIDED. BRET KLEIN BROUSSARD, A FORMER NARCOTICS AGENT WHO TESTIFIED LAST YEAR AGAINST SHERIFF LOUIS ACKAL AS PART OF A PLEA AGREEMENT, IS ARGUING THAT THE U-S ATTORNEY WHO SIGNED OFF THE AGREEMENT DIDN’T HAVE THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DO SO. THE ATTORNEY FOR BROUSSARD SAYS THAT THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, VANITA GUPTA, WAS NEVER CONFIRMED BY THE U-S SENATE AND THUS COULDN’T APPROVE THE AGREEMENT. BROUSSARD, WHO WAS ACCUSED OF STANDING BY AND DOING NOTHING WHILE OTHER DEPUTIES BEAT IBERIA PARISH JAIL INMATES WITH BATONS, IS SCHEDULED TO BE SENTENCED ON MARCH 28TH.
Louisiana’s top school board is poised to back a rewrite of the state’s science standards for public schools, the first revamp of the teaching benchmarks in two decades. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education gave preliminary support Tuesday to the standards. But support came only after language was added to reference a Louisiana law that allows public school science teachers to use supplemental materials in their classrooms. Supporters of the addition wanted the language included as a way to encourage teachers to challenge evolution in their science classrooms.
Louisiana’s public schools appear on track to receive largely standstill financing for the next school year. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on Tuesday backed a recommendation for a $3.7 billion financing formula for the 2017-18 school year that would freeze the amount of money doled out per student.
The proposal would include $18 million in new money for higher-need students and dual enrollment programs that help students earn credit toward advanced degrees. The proposal is expected to expected to receive final approval today and head to lawmakers for consideration in the upcoming legislative session.
LAFAYETTE POLICE HAVE DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF DEATH FOR TWO MEN WHO WERE FOUND DEAD IN TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN LAFAYETTE TUESDAY MORNING. JULIE DARCE REPORTS.
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A LAKE CHARLES MAN, WHO PLED GUILTY TO THREE COUNTS OF PURSE SNATCHING, HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO TWENTY YEARS IN A STATE PRISON. 26-YEAR-OLD JERIN J. CHARLES ENTERED A PLEA OF NO CONTEST TO THE CHARGES LAST APRIL. THE PURSE SNATCHINGS HAPPENED IN STORE PARKING LOTS BETWEEN APRIL FIRST AND FIFTH. ACCORDING TO POLICE, CHARLES APPROACHED THE WOMEN WHILE THEY WERE IN THEIR CARS, DEMANDING THEIR PURSE OR WALLETS, AND THE VICTIMS EACH SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES WHEN THEY TRIED TO FIGHT HIM OFF.
THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS RELEASED PHOTOS OF SUSPECTS THEY BELIEVE MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A RASH OF BURGLARIES OUTSIDE OF EUNICE. THE RESIDENTIAL AND VEHICLE BURGLARIES HAPPENED IN THE AREA OF FOURNERAT ROAD AND POST DRIVE, IN WHICH A LAPTOP, MULTIPLE FIREARMS, AND AN XBOX ONE CONSOLE WERE AMONG THE ITEMS STOLEN. THE PICTURES OF THE SUSPECTS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CRIMESTOPPERS OF ACADIA PARISH WEBSITE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION CAN CALL 789-TIPS, WHERE UP TO A ONE THOUSAND DOLLAR CASH REWARD IS BEING OFFERED.
