7-10-15
Lafayette Parish home sales for the first half of this year were up 4 percent compared with 2014, a sign of a healthy real estate market despite concerns of weak oil prices slowing the local economy. According to an analysis released Wednesday by Van Eaton & Romero CEO Bill Bacque, the Advocate reports that from January to June, 1,616 homes were sold in the parish, up from 1,555 for the same period last year. Using figures from the Realtor Association of Acadiana, Bacque says the median sales price rose from $189,000 last year to $199,000.
According to the analysis, in the Acadiana region outside of Lafayette Parish, home sales fell by 5 percent, though home sales in the surrounding area make up a smaller share of the regional market.
The Fort Polk Army base in central Louisiana is in line to lose 388 troops as the Army announces cuts in active duty forces. Members of the state’s congressional delegation said Thursday they were disappointed in the cuts, but added that the reduction at Fort Polk could have been worse, as other bases face cuts numbering in the thousands. Fort Polk Progress, a Leesville-based community organization that supports the base, described the cuts as “minor” and said in a news release that the decision “reinforces that the Army finds great military value in Fort Polk….”
The sentiments were echoed by the state’s Republican U.S. Sens. David Vitter and Bill Cassidy, and members of Louisiana’s House delegation, including Republican Rep. Charles Boustany.
A COMPLAINT FROM AN OPELOUSAS RESIDENT HAS LED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION. LISA COLA CLAIMS THAT OFFICERS HAVE HARRASSED HER. POLICE CHIEF DONALD THOMPSON SAYS THE INTERNAL INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING, BUT NO OFFICERS HAVE BEEN PUT ON LEAVE. HE SAYS THAT HE WANTS THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT HE IS TRYING TO KEEP HIS POLICE OFFICERS HONEST.
State wildlife and fisheries officials are reminding charter vessels that Tuesday is the last day of the federal red snapper season. NOAA Fisheries made the decision to split the recreational red snapper quota into two components — private anglers and charter vessels and headboats (for-hire). Private anglers had a 10-day federal season that closed June 10, while charter vessels/headboats have a 45-day season closing at the end of the day July 14.
THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE MAY HAVE ITS LARGEST FRESHMEN CLASS EVER THIS FALL. JULIE DARCE HAS MORE.
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JEFF DAVIS PARISH POLICE JURORS ARE WORKING ON FINAL PLANS FOR A NEW JAIL THAT WILL BE SENT TO THE STATE FOR APPROVAL. CREWS HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE JUNE FIRST TO CLEAR 17 ACRES OF LAND WHERE THE 200 BED FACILITY WILL BE BUILT. ONCE PLANS FOR THE 8-POINT-7 MILLION PROJECT ARE APPROVED BY THE STATE, CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN, AND SHOULD TAKE ABOUT A YEAR-AND-A-HALF TO COMPLETE. SHERIFF IVY WOODS SAYS THE FACILITY IS NEEDED. HE SAYS LAST WEEK THEY HAD TO SHIP OFF INMATES TO OTHER SHERIFF’S OFFICES BECAUSE OF A LACK OF SPACE IN THE CURRENT JAIL.
AN IOTA WOMAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR INDECENT BEHAVIOR WITH A JUVENILE. THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE RECEIVED A COMPLAINT ON JUNE 24TH ABOUT AN INCIDENT WITH A TWELVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL. THEY ARRESTED 21-YEAR-OLD KATELYN P. LAPOINT BEDOYA WITHOUT INCIDENT AND PLACED HER IN THE ACADIA PARISH JAIL. HER BOND WAS SET AT 100 THOUSAND DOLLARS.
Lafayette Parish School System educators are working out a common grading system for high schools as part of a review of the parish’s pupil progression plan.
The Advocate reports the school system’s new chief academic officer, Annette Samec, informed school board members of the potential common grading system during Wednesday’s board meeting. Samec said principals voiced concerns about grading during discussions about how to meet expectations set by Superintendent Donald Aguillard. Students return to classes on Aug. 13.
