7-10-19
A TROPICAL DEPRESSION IS EXPECTED TO FORM IN THE GULF TODAY OR TOMORROW WHICH COULD CAUSE FLOODING IN ACADIANA. TERRY CORDICK WITH THE LAFAYETE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT’S PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY ARE PREPARING FOR THE WEATHER TODAY, WHICH MEANS CHECKING THE DIFFERENT ZONES THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY HAD FLOODING PROBLEMS. HE SAYS RESIDENTS CAN HELP BY CLEARING STORM DRAINS IN THEIR YARDS. HE SAYS IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A BLOCKAGE, CALL THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
YESTERDAY A LAFAYETTE PARISH GRAND JURY FOUND 57-YEAR-OLD KEVIN DAIGLE GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER FOR THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A STATE TROOPER. THE TROOPER, STEVEN VINCENT, HAD PULLED OVER TO HELP DAIGLE, WHOSE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN A DITCH ALONGSIDE L-A 14 NEAR BELL CITY, AND DAIGLE SHOT HIM WITH A SAWED OFF SHOTGUN. THE MURDER TRIAL WAS MOVED FROM CALCASIEU PARISH TO LAFAYETTE IN ORDER TO GET A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL JURY. THE JURY WILL DELIBERATE TODAY ON THE SENTENCE, WHETHER DAIGLE WILL SPEND LIFE IN PRISON OR FACE THE DEATH PENALTY.
A FIRE AT OPELOUSAS GENERAL HOSPITAL FORCED SOME PATIENTS TO BE MOVED FROM THEIR ROOMS DUE TO THE HEAVY SMOKE. MEGAN KELLY HAS MORE.
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Gov. John Bel Edwards will report a sizable $9.6 million in his re-election campaign account, despite barely being able to fundraise in the most recent donor solicitation quarter. The Democratic incumbent’s campaign released its latest fundraising numbers Tuesday. Reports are due to Louisiana’s ethics administration office next week. Edwards couldn’t fundraise from April 8 through July 7, during the legislative session and the post-session month when he decided whether to sign or veto bills.
LAFAYETTE MAYOR PRESIDENT JOEL ROBIDEAUX SAYS L-U-S MAY HAVE VIOLATED PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION RULES AND THE LOCAL FAIR GOVERNMENT COMPETITION ACT. HE SAYS IN A LETTER TO THE COMMISSION THAT L-U-S ALLEGEDLY MADE UNNECESSARY PAYMENTS TO L-U-S FIBER FOR POWER OUTAGE MONITORING THAT CAME TO CLOSE TO A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. THE MONITORING SERVICE FOR L-U-S FIBER CUSTOMERS NOTIFIED L-U-S OF POWER OUTAGES MORE QUICKLY. FORMER L-U-S AND L-U-S FIBER DIRECTOR TERRY HUVAL TELLS THE ADVOCATE THAT THE SERVICE WORKED, IMPROVING RELIABILITY TO CUSTOMERS AT A FAIR PRICE.
THE LAKE CHARLES REGIONAL AIRPORT HAS BEEN AWARDED A ONE MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THAT MONEY WILL BE USED TO BUILD TWO NEW LOADING BRIDGES. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HEATH ALLEN SAYS IT COULD HELP THEM ATTRACT ADDITIONAL AIR SERVICES TO THE AIRPORT. ALSO YESTERDAY, THE CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN LAKE CHARLES WAS AWARDED 300 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO RECONSTRUCT A TAXIWAY.
A CROWLEY MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR CAUSING A CRASH ON ODDFELLOWS ROAD SATURDAY NIGHT THAT INJURED A WOMAN AND A CHILD. THE WOMAN DRIVING TOLD POLICE THAT SHE WAS IN AN ARGUMENT WITH 39-YEAR-OLD RAYMOND DELL TUCKER THE THIRD WHEN HE GRABBED THE WHEEL AND PULLED IT RIGHT. THAT SENT THE VEHICLE THROUGH A DITCH AND INTO A UTILITY POLE. TUCKER ALLEGEDLY CONFIRMED HER ACCOUNT WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR QUESTIONING AFTER BEING TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL, AND HE NOW FACES TWO COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED NEGLIGENT HOMOCIDE.
FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program are urging people on the Gulf and East coasts to act now to prepare for hurricane season and buy flood insurance.
They sent news releases to coastal cities on Tuesday. The statements from the flood insurance program and Federal Emergency Management Agency note that an inch of water in an average home can require $25,000 in repairs, and that flood insurance policies need 30 days to take effect. The agencies recommend other measures including an evacuation plan and an emergency kit with at least three days’ supplies.
