8-19-25
VILLE PLATTE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED OVER THE WEEKEND. GEORGE FAUST REPORTS.
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A LAFAYETTE POLICE OFFICER REMAINS ON THE JOB AFTER HIS ARREST LAST MONTH IN TEXAS FOR AN ALLEGED ASSAULT CAUSING BODILY INJURY TO A FAMILY MEMBER. THE ARREST PROMPTED AN INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION. THE SITUATION HAS LED TO CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND HIGHER STANDARDS WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER TELLS KLFY TV IT USED TO BE AN ARREST FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE WAS TRADITIONALLY GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE TERMINATION.
GOVERNOR JEFF LANDRY HAS APPROVED THE DEPLOYMENT OF LOUISIANA NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS TO THE NATION’S CAPITAL. HE SAID ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT HE HAS APPROVED THE DEPLOYMENT OF ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE SOLDIERS. LANDRY SAYS THEY WILL GO TO ASSIST PRESIDENT TRUMP’S MISSION TO RESTORE SAFETY AND PEACE TO THE NATION’S CAPITAL. HE SAYS HE SUPPORTS THE MISSION TO RETURN SAFETY AND SANITY TO WASHINGTON D-C AND CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING IN LOUISIANA.
A MAN IN DERIDDER WAS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY CHOKING A POLICE OFFICER AND ATTEMPTING TO TAKE HIS TASER. THE OFFICER WAS RESPONDING TO A CALL ABOUT AN UNWANTED PERSON AT A LOCAL BUSINESS. THE MAN, FORTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL DARRON SMITH OF BAKER, WAS INTOXICATED AND BECAME AGGRESSIVE TO THE OFFICER. WHEN HE ATTACKED HIM, THE EMPLOYEES CAME TO THE OFFICER’S DEFENSE BY SUBDUING HIM. THE OFFICER HAD MODERATE INJURIES TO THE NECK AND FACE.
A PACK OF STRAY DOGS IS CONCERNING RESIDENTS IN IBERIA PARISH WITH REPORTS OF THEM KILLING PETS. THE PACK FIRST APPEARED IN LOREAUVILLE OVER A YEAR AGO AND THE ATTACKS HAVE SINCE SPREAD. FRANCINE GUILLOT, WHO CREATED A FACEBOOK GROUP TRACKING THE DOG SIGHTINGS, SAYS FORTY-THREE CATS AND SEVEN RABBITS IN CAGES HAVE BEEN MAULED. RESIDENTS HAVE TOLD KLFY TV THEY FEEL PARISH LEADERS AND ANIMAL CONTROL HAVE BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO THEIR CONCERNS.
ABOUT SIXTY-FIVE HUNDRED HOMEOWNERS IN LAFAYETTE PARISH WILL SEE A FIFTEEN PERCENT INCREASE IN THEIR PROPERTY TAXES IN DECEMBER. PARISH TAX ASSESSOR JUSTIN CENTANNI SAYS IT’S MOSTLY DUE TO PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS OR SALES. THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE HAS LAUNCHED AN OPEN BOOK PERIOD WHICH ALLOWS HOMEOWNERS TO REVIEW THEIR ASSESSMENTS AND ASK QUESTIONS. THE OPEN BOOK PERIOD ENDS ON SEPTEMBER SECOND.
A NEW STUDY FINDS LOUISIANA IS THE DEADLIEST STATE FOR HOT CAR DEATHS INVOLVING CHILDREN. THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE GOLDENZWEIG LAW GROUP OF HOUSTON BASED ON DATA COMPILED BY THE RESEARCH COMPANY, NO HEAT STROKE. LOUISIANA HAS HAD THIRTY-SIX RECORDED CHILD HEATSTROKE DEATHS IN VEHICLES SINCE NINETEEN NINETY-EIGHT. THE LATEST SUCH DEATH WAS IN LAKE CHARLES THREE YEARS AGO.
OPELOUSAS MAYOR JULIUS ALSANDOR EXPRESSED THANKS TO VOTERS FOR APPROVING A ONE CENT SALES TAX ON SATURDAY. THE TAX, WHICH GENERATES SIX MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY, HAD EXPIRED AT THE END OF MAY. IT WILL NOW GO BACK INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER FIRST. ALSANDOR SAYS, WITHOUT THE TAX, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRASTIC CHANGES MADE TO OPERATIONAL AND PERSONNEL COSTS.
