6-11-26
PLANS ARE IN MOTION TO DEMOLISH THE REMAINING COBURN BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE, WHICH COLLAPSED FOLLOWING HEAVY RAINS. ONE MONTH AGO, ALEX LAZARD OF THE LAFAYETTE PUBLIC TRUST FINANCING AUTHORITY SAID THE BUILDING COULD BE SAVED. LAZARD SAYS NOW THAT, DUE TO FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS AND PUBLIC SAFETY, THEY DECIDED TO DEMOLISH THE REMAINING WALLS. THE AUTHORITY IS WORKING TO ACQUIRE THE BUILDING FROM THE STATE, WHICH PURCHASED IT USING FUNDS RELATED TO THE I-FORTY-NINE CONNECTOR PROJECT.
A LARGE SUGARCANE BAGASSE STORAGE SITE IN SAINT MARTIN PARISH IS DRAWING COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS CONCERNING THE ODOR, DUST AND POTENTIAL HEALTH IMPACTS. THE LOUISIANA SUGAR CANE COOPERATIVE, WHICH OWNS THE SITE, IS SEEKING TO HAVE THE PROPERTY REZONED FROM AGRICULTURAL TO INDUSTRIAL USE SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO USE IT AS A STORAGE SITE. RESIDENTS LIVING NEAR THE PROPERTY HAVE OPPPOSED THE REZONING REQUEST OVER THEIR CONCERNS. SAINT MARTIN PARISH PRESIDENT PETE DELCAMBRE SAYS OFFICIALS ARE WORKING WITH THE RESIDENTS AND THE COOPERATIVE AS WELL AS STATE AGENCIES TO FIND A SOLUTION.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS SENT LETTERS OF WARNING TO MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED HOSPITALS NATIONWIDE OVER FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH BASIC PRICING INFORMATION. THEY WARN OF POTENTIAL FINES SAYING THE LACK OF DISCLOSURE IS KEEPING HEALTHCARE COSTS HIGHER THAN IT SHOULD BE. TWENTY-SIX OF THE HOSPITALS ARE IN LOUISIANA. THEY INCLUDE ACADIAN MEDICAL CENTER IN EUNICE, COMPASS SENIOR CARE HOSPITAL IN JENNINGS, MERCY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IN VILLE PLATTE AND PARK PLACE SURGICAL HOSPITAL IN LAFAYETTE.
FORMER DERIDDER MAYOR MISTY ROBERTS WAS SENTENCED TUESDAY TO NINETY DAYS IN JAIL FOR HAVING RELATIONS WITH A SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD VICTIM. ROBERTS WAS FACING UP TO SEVENTEEN YEARS IN PRISON AFTER SHE WAS CONVICTED IN MARCH OF CARNAL KNOWLEDGE OF A JUVENILE AND INDECENT BEHAVIOR WITH A JUVENILE. JUDGE KENT SAVOIE SENTENCED HER TO A MANDATORY NINETY DAYS IN JAIL, A FIVE-YEAR SUSPENDED SENTENCE, FIVE YEARS PROBATION AND SHE’LL PAY A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR FINE. MANY PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA HAVE EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE SENTENCE, WHICH THEY CONSIDER A SLAP ON THE WRIST.
LAFAYETTE RESIDENTS GOT AN ANSWER AFTER A SINKHOLE FORMED ON SIMCOE STREET. GEORGE FAUST HAS MORE.
VOICER Q :25
A LONGTIME AGREEMENT THAT THE CITY OF ABBEVILLE HAS WITH THE IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO HOUSE MISDEMEANOR INMATES IS SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE MONTH. THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS THE DECISION TO END THE AGREEMENT WAS BASED ON OPERATIONAL CONCERNS RATHER THAN A LACK OF SPACE. ABBEVILLE POLICE CHIEF MIKE HARDY SAYS LOSING THOSE BEDS COULD CREATE CHALLENGES AND POTENTIALLY AFFECT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OFFENDERS WHO COMMIT CRIMES SUCH AS SHOPLIFTING AND SIMPLE BATTERY. HE SAYS HIS DEPARTMENT IS DETERMINED TO CONTINUE MAKING THE ARRESTS AND TRANSPORTING THE INMATES WHEREVER NECESSARY TO ENSURE THEY ARE HOUSED.
THE NUMBER OF NUISANCE ALLIGATORS IN LOUISIANA IS GROWING. THAT’S LED STATE OFFICIALS TO PREPARE TO LAUNCH A NEW RECREATIONAL ALLIGATOR HUNTING PROGRAM. GOVERNOR JEFF LANDRY SIGNED A BILL INTO LAW THAT ALLOWS THE RECREATIONAL ALLIGATOR HUNT TO BEGIN IN OCTOBER FIRST AND CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THAT MONTH. THE ALLIGATOR POPULATION IN LOUISIANA IS ESTIMATED TO BE THREE MILLION.
PROTESTERS GATHERED AT THE SAINT LANDRY PARISH COURTHOUSE TO DEMAND THE IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION OF PARISH PRESIDENT JESSIE BELLARD. THEY WERE UPSET OVER COMMENTS HE MADE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SAYING THAT PUBLIC HOUSING SHOULD NOT BE PERMANENT. BELLARD SAID HE WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THE AIM OF GOVERNMENT IS TO HELP PEOPLE TRANSITION FROM PUBLIC HOUSING INTO PERMANENT HOMES. PROTESTERS FELT HE WAS BLAMING CITIZENS FOR THEIR LIVELIHOODS.
