6-21-19
ON WEDNESDAY, SUSPENDED LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL BRIAN POPE WAS SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR IN THE PARISH JAIL, BUT HE MAY NOT SERVE HIS SENTENCE ANY TIME SOON. THAT’S BECAUSE HIS ATTORNEY PLANS TO APPEAL HIS THREE CONVICTIONS ON MONDAY, AND HE MAY ASK THAT HIS CLIENT REMAIN FREE DURING THE APPEALS PROCESS. POPE WAS CONVICTED BY A JURY IN OCTOBER ON ONE COUNT OF PERJURY AND THREE MALFEASANCE CHARGES, BUT JUDGE DAVID SMITH DISMISSED THE PERJURY CONVICTION WEDNESDAY AND, WHILE SENTENCING HIM TO THREE YEARS ON THE OTHER CONVICTIONS, DISMISSED ALL BUT ONE. ASSISTANT D-A ALAN HANEY SAYS HE PLANS TO APPEAL THE DISMISSED PERJURY CONVICTION TO THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS.
A BILL BY SENATOR DAN “BLADE” MORRISH THAT PASSED IN THE RECENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES IN EACH CALCASIEU PARISH DRAINAGE DISTRICT FROM FIVE TO SEVEN. THE ASSISTANT TO THE PARISH ADMINISTRATOR ALBERTO GALAN SAYS THIS MEANS EVERY WARD IN THE PARISH WILL HAVE REPRESENTATION. HE SAYS THAT IS WHY THE POLICE JURY RECOMMENDED AND EXPANDED THE BOARD STRUCTURE. POLICE JURY PRESIDENT KEVIN WHITE TELLS KPLC TV HE’S OPTIMISTIC THE EXPANSION WILL STREAMLINE DRAINAGE.
SENTENCING IS SCHEDULED TODAY FOR FORMER IBERIA PARISH CLERK OF COURT MICHAEL THIBODEAUX. CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.
VOICER A :14
A Louisiana resident is challenging the state Bond Commission’s decision to exclude two large banks from underwriting state contracts because of the banks’ corporate policies regarding firearms businesses. The lawsuit argues that the move last spring exceeded the Bond Commission’s authority, broke state rules and cost taxpayers by limiting competition for the work. Bank of America was excluded because it stopped issuing loans to some makers of military-style rifles. Citigroup was excluded for requiring retail clients to require background checks for firearm purchases, refuse to sell to anyone under 21 and quit selling bump stocks and high-capacity magazines.
THE SCOTT FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LAFAYETTE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. UNDER THE AGREEMENT, THE LAFAYETTE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL SEND ONE ENGINE COMPANY AND EQUIPMENT TO STRUCTURE FIRES AND PRIVATE ALARMS WITHIN THE SCOTT CITY LIMITS. SCOTT FIRE CHIEF CHAD SONNIER SAYS THIS WILL PROVIDE SCOTT RESIDENTS WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES BY ENSURING PERSONNEL WILL BE ON THE SCENE OF A FIRE WITHIN MINIMAL TIME. THE AGREEMENT GOES INTO EFFECT ON JULY FIRST.
ON WEDNESDAY, THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO ALLOW THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO EXCEED THE OVERTIME BUDGET. POLICE CHIEF SHAWN CALDWELL SAYS THEY OFTEN HAVE TO ASK TO EXCEED THE YEARLY OVERTIME BUDGET. HE SAYS THE OVERTIME BUDGET AMOUNT OF 700 THOUSAND DOLLARS WAS SET IN 2007 WHEN POLICE PAY WAS LESS. HE SAYS THEY ALSO ARE STRUGGLING WITH A SHORTAGE OF OFFICERS WITH TWELVE VACANCIES AND 22 OFFICERS IN TRAINING.
THE VERMILLION PARISH SCHOOL BOARD HAS ONCE AGAIN TABLED DISCUSSION ABOUT THE RESTORATION OF A BUILDING DAMAGED BY THE 2016 FLOOD. THEY ARE LOOKING AT COMPLETELY OVERHAULING THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING INCLUDING NEW FLOORS, WALLS, AC, ELECTRICAL AND PAINTING. THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST AROUND TWO MILLION DOLLARS. SUPERINTENDENT JEROME PUYAU SAID AT MONDAY’S MEETING, WHEN THE DISCUSSION WAS ORIGINALLY TABLED, THAT HE’D LIKE THE BID PROCESS TO BEGIN IN THREE WEEKS.
GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS WILL BE IN ACADIANA TODAY. CAROLINE MARCELLO TELLS US WHY.
VOICER B :38
