5-26-17
Louisiana State Police say 13 people from Acadiana have been arrested in connection with an insurance fraud scheme involving staged automobile crashes. A news release says Thursday’s arrests followed an investigation that began with complaints from insurance companies. Investigators say the scheme involved a group of people who regularly participated in reporting fictitious automobile crashes, bogus injuries and property damage in southwestern Louisiana. Those arrested were jailed in the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.
FOR THE THIRD TIME, A MOSS BLUFF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT, WHO WAS ACCIDENTALLY SHOT ON MAY 15TH, HAS RETURNED TO A LAFAYETE HOSPITAL FOR MORE SURGERY. ACCORDING TO K-P-L-C-T-V, GAGE MECHE UNDERWENT SURGERY FOR INTESTINAL COMPLICATIONS. THE SURGERY WAS CONSIDERED A SUCCESS AND HE WAS RECOVERING LAST NIGHT. GAGE WAS SHOT WHEN ANOTHER STUDENT BROUGHT A GUN TO SCHOOL IN HIS BACKPACK, WHICH DISCHARGED WHEN IT FELL OUT.
STATE POLICE IN THE TROOP I AREA WILL BE AGGRESSIVELY PATROLLING THE HIGHWAYS FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. THEY WILL BE IMPLEMENTING A D-W-I “NO REFUSAL” CHECKPOINT TODAY IN ST. MARTIN PARISH. THE CHECKPOINT IS BASED ON A TREND OF MORE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION DURING HOLIDAYS. IF YOU SEE A POSSIBLE IMPAIRED DRIVER OR A ROAD HAZARD, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO CALL STATE POLICE ON YOUR CELL AT STAR-577.
Lawmakers have temporarily shelved key pieces of Louisiana’s planned criminal justice overhaul after they say Republicans threatened to trounce the proposals because Democrats are holding up an unrelated financing bill. The House was expected to vote Thursday on four bills stemming from a task force’s recommendations to decrease the state’s highest-in-the-nation incarceration rate and save millions annually. All four bills, however, were postponed. The bills are rescheduled for Tuesday.
A proposal seeking to protect controversial speakers’ appearances at Louisiana colleges and calling on campuses to punish students who disrupt them won support from House lawmakers on a second try. Rep. Lance Harris, chairman of the House Republican Delegation, says his bill is a response to university decisions to scrap events like Berkeley’s canceling of conservative commentator Ann Coulter’s speech. Harris’ proposal would require colleges to establish sanctions for students who interfere with “the free expression of others.” The measure, which previously fell seven votes short, was sent to the Senate with a 66-26 House vote Wednesday.
ONE PERSON HAS DIED AFTER A THREE CAR ACCIDENT THURSDAY AFTERNOON. JULIE DARCE HAS MORE.
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A DIVE TEAM FROM THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE PULLED A VEHICLE FROM THE CALCASIEU RIVER THURSDAY MORNING. THE CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER WAS DISCOVERED WHILE DOING A ROUTINE SONAR SWEEP. LIEUTENANT RON JOHNSON TELLS KPLC TV THEY DO THESE SONAR SWEEPS ONCE A WEEK IN DIFFERENT BODIES OF WATER. JOHNSON SAYS THE VEHICLE WAS CLAIMED AS STOLEN, THOUGH NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED ON IT.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCED THE CLOSURE OF A BRIDGE IN PORT BARRE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THE BRIDGE ON OLD PORT BARRE ROAD, OR L-A 742, CROSSES THE LITTLE TECHE BAYOU BETWEEN LITTLE TECHE ROAD AND LALONDE ROAD. THE CLOSURE WAS MADE NECESSARY MAKE REPAIRS ON THE BRIDGE. DETOUR SIGNS WILL BE POSTED FOR MOTORISTS.
