4-27-23
A NINE-YEAR-OLD GIRL, WHO WAS UNRESTRAINED IN THE BACK SEAT OF AN
S-U-V, DIED IN THE CRASH THAT HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY ONE-NINETY IN SAINT LANDRY PARISH TUESDAY. DANIELLE JOHNSON REPORTS.
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THE YOUNGSVILLE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD HAS AGREED TO HEAR AN APPEAL OF THE TERMINATION OF A POLICE OFFICER, WHO RESPONDED TO A NOVEMBER CRASH INVOLVING FORMER COUNCILWOMAN KAYLA MENARD REAUX. A REPORT BY THE ADVOCATE OVER HOW THE CRASH WAS HANDLED LED TO THE RESIGNATION OF REAUX AND A DECISION TO INVESTIGATE POLICE CHIEF RICKEY BOUDREAUX. ON APRIL FOURTEENTH, BOUDREAUX FIRED SERGEANT JUSTIN ORTIS FOR ALLEGEDLY VIOLATING DEPARTMENT POLICIES RELATED TO RECORDS, CELLPHONE USAGE, INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND INSUBORDINATION. HIS ATTORNEY WROTE A LETTER TO THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD SAYING ORTIS FIRING WAS NOT IN GOOD FAITH FOR CAUSE AND A VIOLATION OF A LOUISIANA LAW PROTECTING CIVIL SERVICE OFFICERS.
A TEXAS MAN WAS KILLED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE I-TWO-TEN BRIDGE IN LAKE CHARLES YESTERDAY MORNING AT AROUND FOUR-THIRTY. FORTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD HENRY MILLER WAS TRAVELING EAST WHEN HIS CAR BECAME DISABLED ON THE ROADWAY. HIS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER’S SIDE BY A PASSING MOTORIST WHO WAS DRIVING A TOYOTA CAMRY. MILLER WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE WHILE THE OTHER DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.
Louisiana lawmakers have advanced a bill that would ban K-12 public school staff from teaching or discussing gender identity and sexual orientation, including in extracurricular activities. The legislation advanced in a House committee, 7-5 on Wednesday and moves to the Republican-controlled House floor for debate. Republicans argue that parents should broach these subjects with children on their own. Democrats say that the law demonizes and isolates LGBTQ people by excluding them from classroom lessons.
A BILL BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE DODIE HORTON OF HOUGHTON WOULD REQUIRE THE POSTING OF “IN GOD WE TRUST” IN EVERY CLASSROOM IN THE STATE. IN TWENTY-EIGHTEEN, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A LAW REQUIRING THE MOTTO IN EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL. IF HOUSE BILL EIGHT IS APPROVED, SCHOOL DISTRICTS WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO USE THEIR OWN FUNDS TO PURCHASE THE POSTER BOARDS. THEY CAN ACCEPT DONATIONS FOR THE DISPLAYS.
CROWLEY POLICE HAVE MADE AN ARREST IN CONNECTION TO THE MURDER OF TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD STEPHON WILLIAMS AND THE WOUNDING OF ANOTHER PERSON LAST SATURDAY. LAST NIGHT, FORTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH “CRIP” GUIDRY SURRENDERED TO POLICE AND FACES CHARGES OF FIRST-DEGREE HOMOCIDE AND ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE HOMOCIDE. AT AROUND NOON SATURDAY, POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE OF THE SHOOTING ON DR. F-L JOHNSON AVENUE NEAR THE WEST HUTCHINSON AVENUE INTERSECTION. WILLIAMS WAS ALREADY DEAD AND A SECOND PERSON, WHO WAS SHOT TWICE IN THE LEG, IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY.
THE OWNERS OF THE OLD TRAPPEY’S CANNING PLANT IN LAFAYETTE HAVE BIG PLANS TO TURN IT INTO A RIVERWALK CONNECTING TO THE VERMILLION RIVER. STEHEN ORTEGO SAYS THE CITY IS WORKING ON DESIGNS FOR TWO PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES THAT CONNECT HEYMANN, LITTLE WOODS AND BEAVER PARK WITH TRAPPEY’S. ORTEGO SAYS TRAPPEY’S WILL BECOME A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE FIRST PHASE COSTING A HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS. HE SAYS THE PROJECT WILL BE A HUGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOOST AND A PLACE THAT PEOPLE IN LAFAYETTE CAN BE PROUD OF.
THIS SATURDAY, IBERIA PARISH VOTERS WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO RENEW A PROPERTY TAX THAT FUNDS PARISH SCHOOLS. IT’S PART OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN THAT FUNDS IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR CLASSROOMS. IN ACADIA PARISH, A LIBRARY TAX RENEWAL IS ON THE BALLOT. LIBRARY DIRECTOR CLAIRE DORE SAYS THIS IS THE ONLY TAX THAT PROVIDES FUNDING FOR EVERY LIBRARY BRANCH IN THE PARISH.
HIGHWAY NINETY WEST OF PARKERSON AVENUE IN CROWLEY IS CLOSED FOR ABOUT THREE BLOCKS. THAT’S BECAUSE OF A FIRE AT A BAR IN THE AREA.
