3-9-20
LAFAYETTE MAYOR PRESIDENT JOSH GUILLORY SAYS THE ALREADY-CLOSED BUCHANAN STREET PARKING GARAGE IN DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE IS NOW A SAFETY HAZARD. CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.
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A VILLE PLATTE WOMAN, WHO WENT MISSING ON FEBRUARY 26TH AND WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND FIVE DAYS LATER, WILL BE LAID TO REST THIS SATURDAY. THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR 72-YEAR-OLD JOYCE THOMAS WILL TAKE PLACE AT ELEVEN A-M AT THE NINTH BAPTIST CHURCH. AUTHORITIES HAVE STILL NOT RELEASED THE CAUSE OF DEATH. THE FAMILY HAS ASKED THAT YOU KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS.
ABOUT ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE GATHERED FOR A STOP THE VIOLENCE RALLY IN LAKE CHARLES. MARSHA DUHON, WHO LOST A SON ONE YEAR AGO TO GUN VIOLENCE, HOSTED THE RALLY. SHE TELLS KPLC TV THAT IT’S TIME FOR CHILDREN TO PUT THE GUNS DOWN AND STOP THE VIOLENCE, BECAUSE NO ONE WINS AND EVERYONE LOSES. SHE REALIZES THAT ONE RALLY WON’T END GUN VIOLENCE BUT SHE SAYS SHE HOPES THE MESSAGE COMES ACROSS.
A Louisiana Legislature packed with dozens of new members starts its first lawmaking session of the term today. Lawmakers have a grab bag of topics for debate and none of the budget woes that preoccupied the last term. They’ll consider whether to legalize sports betting and recreational marijuana, whether to do away with Louisiana’s use of the death penalty or change the means of execution, how to spend a multimillion-dollar surplus and what approach they’ll try to combat high car insurance rates. The 85-day session begins today at noon.
The opening of an urban park in Lafayette is being delayed because the non-profit organization behind the project has obtained more money for additional features. The Advertiser reports that Lafayette Central Park Inc. initially hoped to open Moncus Park this spring. But, with an extra $5 million available, the organization is planning to open later in the year. Features being added this year are an amphitheater and a “family area,” which includes a tree house, splash pad and playground.
A Louisiana prosecutor has been fired for requesting a delay in a murder case without telling the judge that the defense wanted to keep the trial date in April. The American Press reports that the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney fired assistant Jason Brown, who had been suspended without pay for two weeks before his dismissal. Brown had asked Judge Ron Ware for a delay in the case against Joey Julian. Julian is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Ernest Samuel Miller in November 2017.
ONE PERSON WAS KILLED IN A BOATING ACCIDENT IN AVERY CANAL IN IBERIA PARISH. STATE WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES AGENTS ARE WORKING THE ACCIDENT. IT INVOLVED ONE BOAT AND THERE WERE NO OTHER INJURIES. THERE ARE NO OTHER DETAILS AT THIS TIME.
A CHURCHPOINT MAN FACES A LIST OF CHARGES AFTER AN ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY. CAROLINE MARCELLO REPORTS.
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