8-18-16
FIVE ACADIANA SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL WAIT UNTIL MONDAY TO REOPEN: ACADIA, LAFAYETTE, ST. LANDRY, ST. MARTIN AND VERMILLION. MORE THAN A DOZEN SCHOOLS IN LAFAYETTE PARISH SUFFERED FLOOD DAMAGE INCLUDING WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY, WHICH TOOK IN A FOOT-AND-A-HALF OF WATER. THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED AN EMERGENCY ORDER FREEING UP MONEY FOR REPAIRS AND ALLOWING CONTRACTORS TO BE HIRED WITHOUT A BIDDING PROCESS. ACADIA PARISH ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL SUFFERED DAMAGE FROM THE FLOOD AND KAPLAN ELEMENTARY HAD A FOOT OF WATER IN IT.
CROWLEY POLICE CHIEF JIMMY BROUSSARD SAYS FLOODWATERS THAT COVERED ABOUT A THIRD OF THE CITY STARTED SHIFTING SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST. SOME PEOPLE FORCED OUT OF THEIR HOMES HAD BEGUN RETURNING YESTERDAY WHILE POLICE INCREASED PATROLS TO PREVENT LOOTERS. BROUSSARD SAYS THERE HAVEN’T BEEN ANY REPORTS OF LOOTERS, THOUGH SOME MEN WERE SEEN CHECKING OUT EVACUATED HOMES. ABOUT 40 PEOPLE WERE STILL AT A RED CROSS SHELTER LAST NIGHT IN THE INTERNATIONAL RICE FESTIVAL BUILDING IN CROWLEY, DOWN FROM 80 EARLIER IN THE WEEK.
Louisiana residents have begun clearing mud and debris from flood-damaged homes while trying to line up alternate housing as the scope of the catastrophe becomes clear. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson visits Louisiana on Thursday to review the federal government’s response to the flooding, which has damaged tens of thousands of homes and businesses. More than 70,000 people have registered for individual assistance and more than 9,000 have filed flood insurance claims. The flooding that struck the Baton Rouge and Lafayette areas has left at least 13 people dead.
LAFAYETTE MAYOR PRESIDENT JOEL ROBIDEAUX SAYS DEBRIS PICKUP IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MONDAY IN LAFAYETTE AND THE UNINCORPORATED PARTS OF LAFAYETTE. IT’S ALSO EXPECTED TO BEGIN SOON IN YOUNGSVILLE, BROUSSARD, AND OTHER INCORPORATED LAFAYETTE PARISH CITIES. HE TELLS THE DAILY ADVERTISER THE PICKUP SERVICES WILL COME IN WAVES OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. HE URGED RESIDENTS TO KEEP DEBRIS OUT OF DITCHES SO THAT, IF MORE RAIN COMES, IT DOESN’T CAUSE PROBLEMS.
THE MERMENTAU RIVER IS CONTINUING TO RISE AND IS NOW NOT EXPECTED TO CREST UNTIL FRIDAY EVENING. THE LATEST REPORT LAST NIGHT HAD THE MERMENTAU AT 10-POINT-6 FEET, AND ITS EXPECTED TO GET TO ELEVEN-AND-A HALF FEET. THE MERMENTAU RIVER BASIN COVERS ALL OF ACADIA PARISH AS WELL AS PARTS OF CAMERON, JEFF DAVIS, VERMILLION, LAFAYETTE, ST. LANDRY, EVANGELINE, AND ALLEN PARISHES. GUEYDAN MAYOR CHRIS THERIOT SAYS THEY ARE UNDER A VOLUNTARY EVACUATION WITH THE LEVEE HOLDING AT ABOUT TWO FEET ABOVE FLOOD STAGE.
TWENTY PARISHES ARE UNDER A FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION. JULIE DARCE HAS MORE.
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A man who shot a Jennings police officer in 2014 has been sentenced to 50 years in prison. State District Judge Ward Fontenot on Wednesday sentenced George Lowdins to 50 years on the attempted first-degree murder charge and 20 years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. KPLC-TV reports the sentences will run concurrently. Prosecutor Bennett Lapoint told jurors that Lowdins hid in a closet and ambushed Sgt. Ricky J. Benoit as he responded to domestic disturbance report.
LAKE CHARLES POLICE CHIEF DON DIXON SAYS OFFICERS IN HIS DEPARTMENT WERE USING BODY CAMERAS BEGINNING YESTERDAY. HE SAYS ANYTIME AN OFFICER RESPONDS TO A DISPATCHED CALL OR WHEN THEY HAVE CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE THEIR BODY CAMERAS. HE SAYS IN CASES INVOLVING SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS OR JUVENILES, THEY HAVE THE DISCRETION TO TURN THEM OFF, BUT FIRST HAVE TO EXPLAIN WHY AS WELL AS GIVING THE DATE AND TIME. DIXON SAYS THE BODY CAMERAS ARE AN ATTEMPT TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY.
