8-13-19
LAFAYETTE MAYOR PRESIDENT JOEL ROBIDEAUX IS PROPOSING TAKING TWO-POINT-4 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE COURTHOUSE FUND AND USING IT FOR THE LAFAYETTE PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER, WHICH HAS FINANCIAL STRUGGLES EACH YEAR. IF THE COUNCIL APPROVES, IT WOULD REDUCE THE COURTHOUSE RESERVES TO FIVE MILLION DOLLARS. SHERIFF MARK GARBER IS ASKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL ONE-POINT-8 MILLION DOLLARS TO PAY FOR MORE THAN A DOZEN NEW POSITIONS, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, FOOD SERVICE WORKERS AND G-E-D INSTRUCTORS. THE COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON THE PROPOSALS BEFORE PASSING A FINAL BUDGET.
A PEDESTRIAN WAS KILLED WHEN HE WAS HIT BY A TRUCK SUNDAY NIGHT IN IOWA. WITNESSES TOLD POLICE THAT THE PEDESTRIAN, IDENTIFIED AS 37-YEAR-OLD MARCUS K. MALLET OF IOWA, WAS WALKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN HE WAS STRUCK BY THE TRUCK. IT HAPPENED IN THE AREA OF MANCHESTER AND MCCOWN ROADS IN IOWA AT AROUND EIGHT SUNDAY NIGHT. MALLET WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.
THE RAYNE POLICE CHIEF ASKED FOR AND GOT A RAISE FROM THE CITY COUNCIL. HOWEVER, CHIEF CARROLL STELLY DID NOT GET AS MUCH AS HE WANTED. STELLY REQUESTED THAT HIS SALARY BE BOOSTED TO 65 THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR, BUT THE COUNCIL DECIDED TO RAISE IT TO 61 THOUSAND DOLLARS ANNUALLY. STELLY SAYS THE LAST TIME HE RECEIVED A RAISE WAS IN 2015.
The company that won a multimillion-dollar Louisiana flood recovery contract only to see it canceled because of conflict-of-interest concerns will be allowed to compete for the work. Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration has ordered a redo of the bid review process that will let Hunt Guillot and Associates be considered for the federally financed contract. The work is intended to help people whose homes were damaged by the 2016 floods. The original contract decision was rescinded because Louisiana’s chief procurement officer said key staff involved in the deal had a conflict of interest and may have given the company an unfair advantage.
THE LAFAYETTE REGIONAL AIRPORT HAS BEEN AWARDED A GRANT THAT WILL BRING NEW JOBS. CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.
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THE COAST GUARD MEDEVACED A MAN FROM A FISHING BOAT OFF THE COAST OF CAMERON YESTERDAY MORNING. THE CREW OF THE FISHING BOAT, WHICH WAS EIGHT MILES OFF THE COAST, NOTIFIED THE COAST GUARD THAT A 54-YEAR-OLD MAN ON THE BOAT WAS IN NEED OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. A COAST GUARD DUTY FLIGHT SURGEON RECOMMENDED THE MEDEVAC. A RESPONSE BOAT FROM STATION LAKE CHARLES WENT OUT AND GOT THE MAN AND BROUGHT HIM TO EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONNEL THAT WERE WAITING AT THE CALCASIEU RIVER FERRY DOCK.
FIFTEEN PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH THE LOSS OF THEIR HOME AFTER AN APARTMENT ON THE EUNICE IOTA HIGHWAY IN EUNICE WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE OVER THE WEEKEND. LORI RICHARD SAYS HER DAUGHTER CAME TO ALERT HER ABOUT THE FIRE AT AROUND 3:15 IN THE MORNING AND ALL OF HER FAMILY MANAGED TO GET OUT SAFELY BUT THREE DOGS WERE KILLED. LORI’S DAUGHTER SAYS HER AIR CONDITIONER CAUGHT FIRE. DONATIONS FOR THE FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE FIRE ARE BEING ACCEPTED AT THE RACEWAY 748 ON EAST LAUREL AVENUE IN EUNICE AND A GOFUNDME ACCOUNT HAS BEEN SET UP FOR THE LORI RICHARD FAMILY.
THE LOUISIANA FAMILY FORUM HAS RELEASED THEIR LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD JUST IN TIME FOR THE FALL ELECTIONS. EVERY STATE SENATE AND REPRESENTATIVE SEAT IS UP FOR ELECTION IN THE PRIMARY ON OCTOBER TWELFTH. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GENE MILLS ENCOURAGES VOTERS TO TAKE A LOOK TO SEE HOW THEIR STATE SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE DID BEFORE HEADING TO THE POLLS.
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YOU CAN GET YOUR LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD BY GOING TO LOUISIANA FAMILY FORUM’S WEBSITE, L-A FAMILY FORUM-DOT-ORG.
