8-20-15
Two proposed changes to Lafayette’s Home Rule Charter will be on the Nov. 21 ballot. The Advertiser reports the first proposal would change the title of the parish president to mayor/president. City-Parish President Joey Durel said for years he has dealt with confusion about his title and he hoped the amendment would bring clarity to the position. The second would expand the five-person planning and zoning commission to seven members.
THIS YEAR, THE CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS NEW CURRICULUM. LAST YEAR, THERE WERE COMPLAINTS MADE AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS BY PARENTS AND TEACHERS ABOUT THE COMMON CORE CURRICULUM. THAT LED THE SCHOOL BOARD TO FORM TEN COMMITTEES OF PARENTS AND EDUCATORS THAT REVIEWED MATERIALS FOR ALL GRADES AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SCHOOL BOARD. AFTER RECEIVING COMMENT FROM THE PUBLIC, THE SCHOOL BOARD ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
Louisiana has started its review of the education standards used in public schools with concerns the review timeline was too short and the work would rebrand the Common Core standards currently in use. The legislatively-created committee began Wednesday to comb through the grade-by-grade English and math benchmarks. The review panel contains teachers, other educators, school administrators, higher education officials and parents. It will submit recommendations in February after public hearings are held around the state.
BAYOU VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS PLACED ON LOCKDOWN YESTERDAY AFTER A SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED NEARBY. A WOMAN WAS SHOT AT A HOME ON SATURN ROAD AT AROUND ELEVEN A-M. THE VICTIM’S CONDITION HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED AND A SUSPECT HAS NOT BEEN NAMED. ST. MARY PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SPOKESWOMAN TRACI LANDRY SAYS THAT, AS A SAFETY MEASURE, BAYOU ELEMENTARY WAS LOCKED DOWN AND DEPUTIES STATIONED THERE, AND A SECTION OF SATURN ROAD WAS CLOSED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.
A SECOND SUSPECT IN A ROBBERY FRIDAY NIGHT AT A GAS STATION ON GLORIA SWITCH ROAD HAS BEEN ARRESTED. JEFF HORCHEK REPORTS.
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LAST NIGHT THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL APPROVED HOW A NEW QUARTER CENT SALES TAX WILL BE SPENT, IF IT IS APPROVED BY VOTERS. HALF THE MONEY WOULD BE USED FOR OPERATIONAL EXPENSES INCLUDING PAY RAISES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES. THE OTHER HALF WOULD GO TOWARD CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING TO ROADWAYS, CITY FACILITIES, AND WATER SYSTEMS. THE QUARTER CENT SALES TAX WILL BE ON THE OCTOBER 24TH BALLOT IN LAKE CHARLES.
Tourism is an $11 billion industry for Louisiana, and the four men seeking to be lieutenant governor say the state needs to invest more in fostering that industry.
At a tourism summit Wednesday , Jefferson Parish President John Young talked of creating a special fund to promote major events in the state. Former Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser said he’d rally support from local officials to pressure lawmakers to maintain tourism promotion dollars. Democratic Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden and state Sen. Elbert Guillory said they’d work to promote small Louisiana communities to tourists.
A ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST, WHO ONCE SERVED IN ST. LANDRY PARISH, WAS KILLED OVER THE WEEKEND IN HIS NATIVE NIGERIA. 57-YEAR-OLD DENNIS OSUAGWU WAS SHOT TO DEATH BY UNKNOWN ASSAILANTS. OSUAGWU SERVED AT ST. ANN AND HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN MALLET AND LAWTELL FROM 2000 TO 2011 BEFORE GOING BACK TO NIGERIA. BISHOP MICHAEL JARREL OF THE DIOCESE OF LAFAYETTE SAYS OSUAGWU WAS A FAITHFUL AND DEVOTED PASTOR.
