4-9-15
HOME SALES WERE UP SEVEN PERCENT IN LAFAYETTE PARISH FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2015 COMPARED TO THE SAME TIME PERIOD LAST YEAR. THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A HOME IS FOUR PERCENT HIGHER, AT 195 THOUSAND DOLLARS, AND HOMES ARE SELLING AT A FASTER PACE. BILL BACQUE OF VAN EATON AND ROMERO TELLS THE ADVOCATE HE’S SURPRISED BECAUSE OF THE LOW OIL PRICES, BUT THE LAFAYETTE ECONOMY HAS REMAINED STABLE. GREGG GOTHREAUX OF THE LAFAYETTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY CREDITS A MORE DIVERSE ECONOMY WHERE 45 PERCENT OF THE ACTIVITY COMES FROM OIL AND GAS BUSINESSES COMPARED TO 70 PERCENT IN THE EARLY 80’S.
KINDER’S ZONING BOARD AND TOWN COUNCIL APPROVED REZONING PROPERTY ALONG HIGHWAY 165 SO AN AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE CAN LOCATE THERE. SOME RESIDENTS IN THE AREA BETWEEN ROY’S CATFISH HUT AND THE OLD KLUMPP SALVAGE WERE AGAINST THE REZONING BECAUSE OF CONCERNS ABOUT THE NOISE FROM HELICOPTERS. A SPOKESMAN FOR AIR EVAC LIFETIME, BRENT GRAY, SAYS HELICOPTERS GENERATE NO MORE NOISE THAN A RIDING LAWNMOWER AND LESS THAN TRAINS THAT PASS THROUGH TOWN. HE SAYS THEY WILL INVEST THREE TO SIX MILLION DOLLARS IN THE PROPERTY AND HIRE UP TO 15 PEOPLE.
TWO IBERIA PARISH MEN HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF A JEANERETTE POLICE OFFICER, WHO WAS KILLED TUESDAY NIGHT DURING A HIGH SPEED CHASE THAT OCCURRED WHEN THE OFFICER ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER THE VEHICLE. OFFICER JUANDRE GILLIAM WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT AND WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN HE STRUCK A CEMENT CULVERT AND OVERTURNED THE CAR. 21-YEAR-OLD ANTRE T. JOSEPH HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER AND AGGRAVATED FLIGHT FROM AN OFFICER. HE WAS DRIVING A VEHICLE OWNED BY 57-YEAR-OLD CLINT ROGERS, WHO ALSO WAS ARRESTED FOR OBSTRUCTION AFTER DENYING HE KNEW WHO WAS DRIVING HIS PICKUP.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has made his first New Hampshire hire as he prepares for a presidential bid. Henry Goodwin, the former communications director for Walt Havenstein’s (HAV’-ehn-styn’s) gubernatorial bid, is joining Jindal’s new political organization, the American Future Project, as a top communications adviser. He will lead the organization’s New Hampshire efforts and help with national communication. Jindal also recently hired staffers in Iowa, the first caucus state.
THE PRINCIPAL OF CARENCRO MIDDLE SCHOOL DECIDED TO MAKE HIS RESIGNATION FROM THE SCHOOL IMMEDIATE. SPURGEON BANYARD ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK HE WAS RESIGNING EFFECTIVE JUNE 17, BUT HE MOVED UP THE DATE BECAUSE THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SUSPENDED HIS TEACHING CERTIFICATE FOR THE SECOND TIME. DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN KEN PASTORICK SAYS BANYARD’S CERTIFICATE WAS SUSPENDED BECAUSE THEY FOUND A FELONY ON HIS RECORD, THOUGH HE DIDN’T GIVE DETAILS. SUPERINTENDENT BURNELL LEJEUNE SAYS A DECISION HAS NOT YET BEEN MADE ON WHO WILL BE TAKING BANYARD’S PLACE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
The National Hurricane Museum and Science Center in Lake Charles has received a financial shot in the arm, with a $1 million donation by the Stream family. Gray Stream, the center’s board chairman, told the American Press on Monday that the donation brings the total amount contributed to $40 million “in capital pledges from a variety of committed sources.” The museum’s estimated cost is $70 million.
The center’s website says the museum could bring in as many as 220,000 visitors per year and provide the region with a $55 million annual economic impact.
FLAMES ERUPTED ON A BUS CARRYING 32 SCHOOL EMPLOYEES FROM ST. MARY PARISH TO THE AIRPORT. JULIE DARCE HAS MORE.
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Louisiana’s higher education leaders argued their value to the state’s economy as they urged state lawmakers to keep college campuses from deep cuts next year.
Under the most dire scenario, colleges could face cuts nearing $600 million — a reduction of 82 percent of their state financing. College system presidents said that would shutter some campuses and cripple those that could remain open. Campuses want the authority to raise tuition and fees, but say that won’t be enough to offset even the smaller gap.
