5-6-22
A SUSPECT IN THE SHOOTING DEATHS OF A FOUR-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND A FORTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY YESTERDAY IN SHREVEPORT. OPELOUSAS POLICE CHIEF MARTIN MCLENDON SAYS DETECTIVES FROM HIS DEPARTMENT ARE IN SHREVEPORT WITH THE SUSPECT, FORTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD DAVEIONTRAY L. BREAUX OF LAFAYETTE, AND HE WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO OPELOUSAS SOON. BREAUX FACES FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGES FOR THE SHOOTING DEATHS OF RAKATELYN JANE COLLA AND ALTON JAMES THOMAS, WHICH HAPPENED APRIL TWENTY-SEVENTH ON MIA STREET IN OPELOUSAS. HE ALSO FACES THREE COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE MURDER FOR THE WOUNDING OF THREE CHILDREN.
A LAWSUIT OVER LAFAYETTE’S REMOVAL OF A SPOIL BANK ALONG THE VERMILLION RIVER IN SAINT MARTIN PARISH HAS BEEN MOVED TO FEDERAL COURT. THE LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT REMOVED THE SPOIL BANK TO COMBAT FLOODING FROM THE VERMILLION RIVER BUT THEY DID NOT NOTIFY SAINT MARTIN PARISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OR THE U-S ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. THE CORPS ARGUED THAT, BECAUSE IT IS A FEDERAL AGENCY THAT HANDLES MATTERS OF CONSTRUCTION IN THE WETLANDS, THE CASE SHOULD BE MOVED TO FEDERAL COURT, AND THAT REQUEST WAS GRANTED. SAINT MARTIN PARISH OFFICIALS WERE UPSET ABOUT THE REMOVAL OF THE SPOIL BANK BECAUSE, THEY SAY, IT HELPED PROTECT ITS RESIDENTS FROM FLOODING.
A proposal to allow Louisiana high school seniors statewide, who have failed to reach graduation requirements, to do so by meeting other standards, has been rejected by the state education board. The idea was aimed at helping students whose performance suffered because of disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Advocate reports that the policy got five votes at Thursday’s meeting, with three members opposed, but it needed six votes of the 11-member board. The newspaper reports that, while statewide waivers were rejected, they were granted for districts affected by Hurricane Ida, which struck on Aug. 29.
CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF TONY MANCUSO SAYS THEY BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN MISCONDUCT AND MISAPPROPRIATION OF MONEY FROM THE MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. HE SAYS HE DOESN’T BELIEVE THE MONEY WAS PUBLIC FUNDS BUT PRIVATE DONATIONS. A PERSON BEING QUESTIONED BY DETECTIVES WAS EMPLOYED BY THE UNIVERSITY. THAT PERSON WAS PUT ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE DURING A FINANCIAL REVIEW AND HAS SINCE BEEN DISMISSED.
THE ACADIA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD IS HOSTING A JOB FAIR NEXT THURSDAY AT THE ACADIA PARISH EDUCATIONAL CENTER FROM ONE-THIRTY TO FIVE P-M. THE SCHOOL BOARD IS ANTICIPATING A VARIETY OF VACANCIES FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. THOSE INTERESTED SHOULD BRING THEIR RESUMES INCLUDING TEACHING CREDENTIALS. THEY’RE ALSO ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CUSTODIAL AND CAFETERIA POSITIONS.
THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS HAS UPHELD A LOWER COURT’S RULING THAT ALLOWS A LAWSUIT TO MOVE FORWARD AGAINST THE DIOCESE OF LAFAYETTE. THE LAWSUIT IS OVER AN ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT THAT HAPPENED IN THE NINTEEN-SIXTIES BY A PRIEST AGAINST A YOUNG BOY. THE LAWSUIT CAN GO FORWARD BECAUSE OF A STATE LAW APPROVED LAST YEAR THAT WENT INTO EFFECT. IT PROVIDES THREE YEARS WITH NO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR SURVIVORS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, ACCORDING TO RICHARD TRAHANT, WHO IS REPRESENTING THE PLAINTIFF.
A Baton Rouge sheriff’s deputy has died nearly six years after he was injured in an ambush that killed three other law enforcement officers. Nick Tullier died Thursday morning. His death at age 47 was announced on his father’s Facebook page. The cause of death was not announced but Tullier had struggled for years to recover from the 2016 shooting.
JEANERETTE POLICE CONDUCTED A STING OPERATION THAT RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF SEVEN PEOPLE. DURING THE OPERATION, THEY FOUND ECSTASY PILLS THAT WERE MADE TO LOOK LIKE FLINSTONE VITAMINS. POLICE CHIEF DUSTY VALLOT SAYS OFFICERS ALSO RECOVERED NINE GUNS, CRACK, MARIJUANA, METHAMPHETAMINE AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. VALLOT ASKED PARENTS TO BE AWARE OF DRUGS BEING SOLD ON THE STREETS THAT LOOK LIKE CANDY.
