7-12-17
HOME SALES IN ACADIANA FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WERE UP IN ALL PARISHES EXCEPT FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH, ACCORDING TO BILL BACQUE OF VAN EATON AND ROMERO REALTORS. VERMILLION PARISH HAD THE BIGGEST INCREASE IN SALES OF 22-POINT-7 PERCENT, WHILE ST. MARTIN PARISH HOME SALES WERE UP 12-POINT-9 PERCENT AND ACADIA PARISH INCREASED BY 10-POINT-9 PERCENT. LAFAYETTE PARISH SAW A NEARLY SIX PERCENT INCREASE, THOUGH HOME SALES IN JUNE DECREASED FROM 313 LAST YEAR TO 292 THIS YEAR. OVERALL HOME SALES IN ACADIANA WERE UP 7-POINT-4-5 PERCENT FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS.
A LIGHTNING STRIKE STARTED A FIRE THAT DESTROYED A HOME IN LAKE CHARLES. VICTOR TEZENO AND HIS FAMILY WERE IN TEXAS WHEN IT HAPPENED. HE TELLS KPLC TV THAT THEY LOST MOST EVERYTHING THAT MEANT A LOT. A GO FUND ME ACCOUNT HAS BEEN SET UP TO HELP THE FAMILY, WHICH JUST HAD ITS HOME INSURANCE RECENTLY DROPPED.
THERE ARE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DEPUTY INVOLVED SHOOTING IN MAMOU LAST WEEK. HERE’S JULIE DARCE.
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U.S. Sen. John Kennedy says if he thinks the Senate GOP health care bill being negotiated behind the scenes is even a modest improvement over current law, he’ll support it. Kennedy responded Tuesday to Senate Republican leaders’ announcement that a reworked health care bill will be introduced Thursday, with a vote expected next week. Louisiana’s newest senator didn’t stake out a position on the first draft of the Senate bill and says he’s not sure if he’ll support the next draft because he hasn’t seen it. But Kennedy backs scheduling a vote on health care and estimates a 50/50 chance the Senate could pass legislation next week.
A TEN FOOT TALL, 200 POUND YARD GIRAFFE WAS STOLEN ON JULY 4TH IN LAFAYETTE. THE GIRAFFE WAS TAKEN ON JULY FOURTH FROM IN FRONT OF A BUSINESS LOCATED IN THE 700 BLOCK OF EAST GLORIA SWITCH. THE GIRAFFE, WHICH WAS MADE FROM SHEET METAL AND REBAR, IS VALUED AT ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION THAT COULD LEAD TO THE RECOVERY OF THE GIRAFFE IS URGED TO CALL LAFAYETTE CRIME STOPPERS AT 232-TIPS.
THE CITY OF WESTLAKE IS GETTING A NEW WELCOME SIGN. A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY AND AN UNVEILING OF THE NEW SIGN TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY AT CITY HALL. THE SIGN COST 52 THOUSAND DOLLARS, WHICH WAS PAID FOR THROUGH GAMING FUNDS AND A CONTRIBUTION FROM PHILLIPS 66. THE SIGN WILL BE PUT UP EARLY NEXT WEEK IF THE WEATHER COOPERATES.
A 21-year-old Louisiana man faces at least 45 days in prison and a $2,500 fine for killing a whooping crane in 2014 and killing ducks from a moving truck in 2015.
Defense attorney Barry Sallinger says Lane Thibodeaux of Gueydan (GAY-danh) could return to prison for another six months if he fails to pay within a year. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesman Adam Einck says Thibodeaux also faces state charges of witness intimidation. Thibodeaux pleaded guilty to five federal hunting charges last week, and District Judge Carol Whitehurst sentenced him to five concurrent 45-day sentences.
The three-day sign-up period for Louisiana’s fall elections is opening, with the highest-profile race a special election to fill the state treasurer’s job. An interim treasurer has been in the position since Republican John Kennedy was elected to the U.S. Senate. At least four candidates have announced they intend to run for the permanent position: former state budget administrator Angele Davis, a Baton Rouge Republican; lawyer Derrick Edwards, a New Orleans Democrat; state Sen. Neil Riser, a Republican from Caldwell Parish; and former state Rep. John Schroder, a Republican from St. Tammany Parish. Qualifying for the Oct. 14 ballot begins today and ends Friday evening.
