5-6-20
Republican lawmakers trying to unravel Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ statewide stay-at-home order are taking their first strike. A Wednesday hearing will offer clues about whether GOP anger over the coronavirus response could lead to curbs on the governor’s power. Edwards’ decision to extend his stay-at-home order through May 15 provoked strong criticism from Republicans who prefer a parish-by-parish approach. House GOP leader Blake Miguez is proposing legislation to undermine the stay-at-home order by keeping Edwards from being able to enforce it.
The number of deaths related to COVID-19 has surpassed 2,000 in Louisiana. And figures released Tuesday by the state health department show the number of confirmed cases in the state is just short of 30,000 — with more than 20,000 people having recovered. The number requiring hospitalization appears stable at around 1,500, while the number needing ventilators dropped to 194 from 220 a day earlier. The latest figures come as state officials say warmer weather has led to more people congregating outdoors — sometimes violating restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people.
THE NUMBER OF NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES IN ACADIANA GREW BY TWENTY-NINE TO ONE THOUSAND, SIX-HUNDRED-FORTY-THREE. ACADIANA HAD THREE MORE DEATHS. THE TOTAL DEATHS FOR THE REGION IS ONE HUNDRED FORTY-FOUR.
THERE ARE THREE MORE DEATHS IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA, ALL IN CALCASIEU PARISH. THE TOTAL STANDS AT FIFTY-TWO. THERE ARE ONLY SIX MORE CORONAVIRUS CASES IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA. THE TOTAL IS SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY-ONE.
TWO LAFAYETTE BUSINESSES WERE INVESTIGATED LAST WEEK AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF NOT FOLLOWING THE SAFE SHOP POLICY GUIDELINES. GERALD GREUNIG HAS MORE.
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ONE PERSON IN JENNINGS WAS ARRESTED FOUR TIMES IN APRIL FOR DRUGS, ROBBERY AND A HIGH SPEED CHASE, BUT EACH TIME HE’S BEEN RELEASED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. POLICE CHIEF DANNY SEMMES SAYS THEY ARE ONLY BOOKING VIOLENT OFFENDERS IN THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH JAIL BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS, WHICH IS FRUSTRATING FOR HIS OFFICERS. SEMMES SAYS THE MAN ACCUSED OF COMMITTING THE FOUR CRIMES, COTY FONTENOT, WOULD PROBABLY STILL BE IN JAIL ON THE FIRST OFFENSE AWAITING TRIAL UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. HE SAYS THEY WILL FOLLOW UP ON THESE CASES AND MAKE SURE JUSTICE IS SERVED ON FONTENOT.
A STANDOFF WITH NEW IBERIA POLICE LAST NIGHT ENDED PEACEFULLY. A MAN BARRICADED HIMSELF IN A HOME ON SANTA CLARA STREET AND KLFY TV REPORTED THAT IT HAPPENED AFTER AN APPARENT DOMESTIC DISPUTE. NEW IBERIA POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AT AROUND SIX LAST NIGHT AND THE MAN WOULDN’T ANSWER THE PHONE FROM POLICE OFFICERS. IT WAS RESOLVED AROUND TEN-THIRTY LAST NIGHT, BUT SPOKESMAN CAPTAIN JOHN BABIN WOULDN’T GIVE ANY DETAILS INCLUDING WHETHER THE MAN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.
THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS ASKING THE PUBLIC’S HELP IN LOCATING TWO SUSPECTS WHO BURGLARIZED IOTA HIGH SCHOOL ON MARCH TENTH. THE TWO, BELIEVED TO BE TEENAGERS OR IN THEIR EARLY TWENTIES, ENTERED THE SCHOOL THROUGH A WINDOW AND STOLE A THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF ITEMS INCLUDING A DIGITAL CAMERA AND CHROMEBOOK LAPTOPS. ONE OF THE SUSPECTS IS WHITE WITH A THIN BUILD AND THE OTHER IS BLACK, ALSO THIN, WITH DREADLOCKS. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION THAT CAN HELP THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE , CALL 789-TIPS, AND YOU COULD GET UP TO A THOUSAND DOLLAR REWARD IF IT LEADS TO AN ARREST.
