8-18-15
LAST NIGHT THE LAFAYETTE CITY PARISH ZONING COMMISSION DEFERRED A VOTE ON A REQUEST BY A LIVE MUSIC VENUE TO BE REZONED OUT OF THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. THE CITY OF LAFAYETTE HAS A BAN ON BARS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, AND ARTMOSPHERE WANTS TO BE ZONED OUT OF THE AREA SO IT CAN OPERATE WITH A BAR PERMIT. NATHAN NORRIS OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SAYS ARTMOSPHERE IS A CULTURAL ASSET, BUT HE’S CONCERNED ABOUT SETTING A PRECEDENT OF ZONING ANY BUSINESS OUT OF THE AREA BECAUSE THEY ARE UNHAPPY WITH THE RULES. ARTMOSPHERE HAS OPERATED ON A PERMIT AS A RESTAURANT, BUT HAS STRUGGLED WITH THE REQUIREMENT TO HAVE MORE THAN FIFTY PERCENT OF REVENUES COME FROM FOOD SALES.
LAKE CHARLES POLICE ARRESTED A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER FOR MAKING A PASS AT A MAN IN A PUBLIC RESTROOM ON THE I-TEN BEACH. THE VICTIM, WHO WAS WASHING HIS HANDS, REFUSED THE REQUEST OF 51-YEAR-OLD CRAIG ALAN NEAL OF LAKE CHARLES, WHO THEN ALLEGEDLY PRODUCED A KNIFE AND THREATENED THE MAN IF HE TOLD ANYONE. THE VICTIM FLED THE SCENE AND TOLD POLICE, WHO FOUND NEAL STILL AT THE BEACH IN A VEHICLE, AND HE WAS POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED BY THE VICTIM. HE WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH OBSCENITY AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.
Newly appointed Jeanerette Police Chief Jeffery Matthews said he’s poring over résumés of applicants in an effort to beef up the woefully understaffed department.
The department now has five officers to patrol a city of more than 5,500 residents.
Matthews says he’s looking to hire six or seven more officers. The Advocate reports the Jeanerette Board of Aldermen last week appointed Matthews to the chief’s position.
A new audit found the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs didn’t properly address deficiencies at its five veteran homes or adequately monitor contractors who provide services. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office reviewed the oversight of veteran homes in Jennings, Bossier City, Jackson, Monroe and Reserve. These facilities offer nursing care, rehabilitative therapy and other long-term health services for veterans and their spouses. State Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte says many of the audit findings have been addressed — or will be corrected by a new quality assurance program.
A LAFAYETTE MAN IS ACCUSED OF EXPOSING HIMSELF IN A PUBLIC PLACE. JEFF HORCHEK REPORTS.
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CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF TONY MANCUSO MET LAST NIGHT WITH CHURCH LEADERS TO TALK ABOUT SAFETY, IN LIGHT OF RECENT CHURCH SHOOTINGS. MOST OF THOSE IN ATTENDANCE SIGNED UP TO HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE COME OUT TO THEIR BUILDING AND DO A SITE ASSESSMENT. MANCUSO SAYS THEY WILL GO OUT AND EXAMINE THE BUILDING AND HELP THEM WITH A PLAN. MANCUSO SAYS, FOR THOSE CHURCH MEMBERS WHO WANT TO TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER, THEY CAN TAKE THREE WEEKS OF TRAINING TO BECOME A RESERVE OFFICER.
A RECENTLY FIRED RAYNE POLICE OFFICER WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY. 46-YEAR-OLD TROY BRYAN MENARD WAS CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF SEXUAL BATTERY ON A MINOR, ONE COUNT OF LEWD AND LASCIVIOUS ACTS ON A MINOR, AND ONE COUNT OF AGGRAVATED CRIME AGAINST NATURE. ON AUGUST FOURTH, RAYNE POLICE CHIEF CARROLL STELLY ASKED THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MENARD, AND HAD FIRED HIM A DAY EARLIER. ARREST WARRANTS WERE OBTAINED ON AUGUST SEVENTH, BUT THE ARREST OF MENARD HAD TO WAIT WHILE HE WAS UNDERGOING TREATMENT AT AN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.
By fall 2017, New Iberia could be buzzing with aviation students — some learning to be pilots and others studying aircraft maintenance. South Louisiana business leaders and education officials are seeking funds for a new school on the sprawling grounds of Acadiana Regional Airport. South Louisiana Community College Chancellor Natalie Harder tells The Advocate that the aviation school, which would be part of SLCC, would offer two-year associate degrees in aviation maintenance and pilot training. She said the region already is an aviation hub for the oil and gas industry and commercial travel, and in Lafayette, Bell Helicopter is about to open its $26.3 million assembly plant for its Bell 505 Jet Ranger X.
