4-20-17
LAFAYETTE CITY LEADERS GATHERED AT LAFAYETTE HIGH YESTERDAY TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR A PROPOSED HALF CENT SALES TAX, THAT WILL BE VOTED ON IN THE APRIL 29TH ELECTION. THE LEADERS INCLUDED CITY PARISH MAYOR PRESIDENT JOEL ROBIDEAUX, SHERIFF MARK GARBER, ASSESSOR CONRAD COMEAUX, AND THE BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF LAFAYETTE, J. DOUGLAS DESHOTEL. THE PROPOSED TAX IS EXPECTED TO RAISE 195 MILLION DOLLARS, WHICH WOULD FUND NEW SCHOOLS AT PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY AND CARENCRO HEIGHTS, EXPANSIONS AT NINE OTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND A MAJOR ADDITION AT LAFAYETTE HIGH. THOSE PROJECT WOULD ALLOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO REMOVE 248 TEMPORARY CLASSROOMS.
THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL HAS REVERSED A RULING BY A DISTRICT JUDGE, WHO REINSTATED DEPUTY CHIEF T-J BELL TO THE LAKE CHARLES POLICE DEPARTMENT. IN 2015, BELL WAS FIRED FOR ALLOWING AN EMPLOYEE UNDER HIS COMMAND TO RECEIVE PAY FOR TIME SHE DIDN’T WORK, BUT JUDGE SHARON WILSON ORDERED HIM REINSTATED LAST APRIL, CITING COMMON SENSE AS THE DETERMINING FACTOR FOR HER RULING. THE CITY APPEALED TO THE THIRD CIRCUIT, WHICH, YESTERDAY, REVERSED JUDGE WILSON’S RULING. BELL’S ATTORNEY, TODD CLEMONS, TOLD KPLC HE BELIEVES THE THIRD CIRUIT WAS WRONG, AND THEY ARE NOT GIVING UP THE FIGHT.
A FLORIDA WOMAN, WHO WAS INJURED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION ON INTERSTATE TEN EARLIER THIS MONTH, DIED FROM HER INJURIES AT A LAFAYETTE HOSPITAL EARLIER THIS WEEK. 24-YEAR-OLD AMANDA CERUTI OF ST. PETERSBURG WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON I-TEN NEAR THE WHISKEY BAY EXIT ON APRIL SECOND SHORTLY BEFORE FOUR IN THE MORNING, WHEN SHE WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE DRIVEN IN THE WRONG DIRECTION BY 28-YEAR-OLD LESLIE MIGUES OF NEW IBERIA. MIGUES WAS CHARGED WITH FOURTH OFFENSE D-W-I AND DISABLING HER IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE, AMONG OTHER CHARGES. STATE POLICE, WHO WILL BE TURNING THE CASE OVER TO THE ST. MARTIN PARISH DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SAY THE CHARGES MAY BE UPGRADED NOW THAT CERUTI HAS DIED.
Gov. John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency for Louisiana’s coast, saying he hopes to draw national attention to coastal land loss. The Democratic governor issued the emergency proclamation Wednesday. His office said the proclamation will be sent to President Donald Trump and members of Congress, trying to raise the profile of the state’s erosion troubles as it seeks federal assistance to speed up restoration projects. In a statement, Edwards described the Louisiana coast as “in a state of crisis that demands immediate and urgent action to avert further damage to one of our most vital resources.”
THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD AND THE CITY OF BROUSSARD HAVE SIGNED A PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR LAND THAT WILL BE THE SITE OF A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE MARTIAL F. BILLEAUD SENIOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT AT THE CORNER OF MARTEAU ROAD AND FAIRFIELD DRIVE IN BROUSSARD AND SHOULD BE OPERATING BEGINNING IN AUGUST OF 2019. THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS BEEN PLANNING THIS SCHOOL FOR OVER A YEAR AND HAVE BUDGETED MONEY FOR IT. SUPERINTENDENT DONALD AGUILLARD SAYS THE SCHOOL WILL INITIALLY HOLD 600 STUDENTS BUT EVENTUALLY WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A THOUSAND STUDENTS ATTENDING.
Louisiana authorities are investigating allegations that a personal assistant financially exploited a federal judge whose alcoholism is so severe that a colleague asked a court to rule she cannot take care of herself. Records show a “caretaker” for U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi of Lake Charles is accused of using her credit cards and checking account to rack up more than $51,000 in debt, including checks purportedly signed by Minaldi while she was getting substance abuse treatment in Florida earlier this year. Prosecutors have sought a warrant to arrest the suspect, a 28-year-old man, on charges including forgery. Court records unsealed last week say Minaldi was ordered to get treatment for her alcoholism.
IN GRAND COTEAU, POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR A MISSING WOMAN. JULIE DARCE HAS MORE.
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Concern over an insect that’s infected vast stands of Roseau cane in southern Plaquemines Parish has prompted a warning against transporting or transplanting the cane into other parts of Louisiana. State wildlife officials and the LSU AgCenter say the insect is commonly referred to as Phragmites Scale or Roseau Cane Mealy Bug. It’s native to China or Japan and has had severe effects on vegetation of the Mississippi River Delta. Roseau cane is a wetland grass that helps protect Louisiana’s bird foot delta.
