4-8-16
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN LAFAYETTE PARISH IS DOWN, ACCORDING TO AN ANNUAL REPORT OF THE REALTOR’S COMMERCIAL ALLIANCE OF ACADIANA, WHICH DELIVERED ITS REPORT YESTERDAY. AFTER A THREE YEAR BOOM, RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IS DOWN TWELVE PERCENT IN LAFAYETTE, 44 PERCENT IN SCOTT, AND 48 PERCENT IN BROUSSARD. HOWEVER, IT’S WAY UP IN CARENCRO, WHERE 136 NEW HOMES WERE BUILT IN 2015, A 152 PERCENT INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. DESPITE THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS WERE UP TWENTY PERCENT IN 2015.
A 24-YEAR-OLD FLORIDA MAN WAS BOOKED INTO THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH JAIL AFTER LEADING AUTHORITIES ON A SEVEN MILE CHASE THAT ENDED ON L-A 26 AT THE I-TEN EXIT. STATE POLICE SPOKESMAN SERGEANT JAMES ANDERSON SAYS A STATE TROOPER NOTICED 24-YEAR-OLD KEVIN DALE BRISCOE OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF I-TEN NEAR EGAN, BUT WAS PARTIALLY IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. HE SAW BRISCOE INHALING COMPRESSED GAS THROUGH AN ELECTRONIC DUSTER CAN AND,WHEN HE TRIED TO GET BRISCOE TO OPEN HIS WINDOW, HE DROVE OFF. A JENNINGS POLICE OFFICER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES IN THE CHASE, AND TWO STATE TROOPER VEHICLES AND AN ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S CAR WERE DAMAGED.
A DISCUSSION BY THE ST. LANDRY PARISH SCHOOL BOARD ABOUT WHETHER TO CHANGE THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A COORDINATOR OF MUSIC TURNED INTO A QUESTION OF WHETHER THERE IS A NEED TO CREATE THE POSITION. THE BOARD INITIALLY DISCUSSED WHETHER A PERSON APPOINTED TO THAT POSITION NEEDED A MUSICAL BACKGROUND REQUIREMENT. BUT BOARD MEMBER DONNIE PERRON SUGGESTED HAVING OTHER COORDINATORS HIRED BY THE DISTRICT ASSUME THE MUSIC COORDINATOR ROLE BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL ISSUES. THE BOARD VOTED TO SEND THE ISSUE BACK TO THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE.
The Edwards administration has joined the state attorney general in getting involved in lawsuits filed against oil and gas activities over damage to coastal wetlands. On Thursday, Gov. John Bel Edwards said the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources is seeking to intervene in lawsuits filed by Plaquemines, Jefferson, and Cameron parishes against oil and gas companies. Last month, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry moved to take over the suits.
Edwards wants to make sure Louisiana is involved so the state will get money resulting from the suits if they are successful.
BRAXTON MOODY THE FOURTH OF LAFAYETTE WAS TO PLEAD GUILTY YESTERDAY IN CONNECTION WITH A DRIVE BY SHOOTING LAST JULY, BUT THE PLEA HEARING HAS BEEN DELAYED. MOODY IS ACCUSED OF SHOOTING UP A CADILLAC ESCALADE BELONGING TO HIS EX-WIFE’S BOYFRIEND, LAFAYETTE ORTHOPEDIST J. LEE LEONARD. BEFORE THE PLEA HEARING, JUDGE PATRICK MICHOT RULED MOODY, WHO HAS A HISTORY OF MENTAL ILLNESS, WAS COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL, BUT DENIED A MOTION BY HIS ATTORNEY TO SEAL MOODY’S MEDICAL RECORDS. THE PLEA HEARING WAS DELAYED BECAUSE HIS ATTORNEY, LAWRENCE BILLEAUD, WANTS THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS TO REVIEW THE RECORDS ISSUE.
MANY FLOOD VICTIMS FROM THE VINTON AREA ATTENDED A MEETING AT THE LOCAL V-F-W TO DISCUSS THEIR LEGAL OPTIONS AGAINST THE SABINE RIVER AUTHORITY. ATTORNEY ADAM NICHOLS OF BEAUMONT TELLS KPLC TV THAT THE AUTHORITY INTENTIONALLY OPENED THE FLOOD GATES, DESTROYING HOMES AND AFFECTING THEIR LIVES. HE BELIEVES THE FLOOD VICTIMS HAVE A CASE AND HIS FIRM WILL BE PURSUING SOME SORT OF JUSTICE FOR THEM. THE SABINE RIVER AUTHORITY HAS SAID THAT THEY FOLLOWED THE PROTOCALS IN PLACE FOR DECIDING WHEN TO OPEN THE FLOOD GATES.
THE FAMILY OF MAYCI BREAUX, WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED AT THE GRAND THEATRE LAST JULY, WILL BE SPEAKING AT AN ANNUAL VOICE FOR VICTIMS RALLY IN DOWNTOWN NEW IBERIA MONDAY NIGHT. ALSO SPEAKING AT THE RALLY WILL BE ST. MARY PARISH SHERIFF MARK HEBERT, STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF LANDRY, AND 16TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY BO DUHE. THIS IS THE THIRTEENTH YEAR FOR THE RALLY, WHICH IS PUT ON BY THE VICTIM SUPPORT GROUP, VOICES OF INNOCENT CITIZENS EMPOWERED. IT TAKES PLACE MONDAY NIGHT AT SIX IN BOULIGNY PLAZA.
Louisiana is stepping up its program to test deer for a lethal, incurable brain disease that’s been found in neighboring states. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries veterinarian Jim LaCour told the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission on Thursday in Baton Rouge that the state should be on guard for “chronic wasting disease.” According to the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance, the disease has been found in wild or penned deer in about two dozen states, including west Texas and northern Arkansas. The alliance says the disease has not been found in people.
