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AFTER THREE WEEKS OF CLEANUP, THE VERMILLIONVILLE LIVING HISTORY VILLAGE WILL HAVE A PARTIAL REOPENING THIS SATURDAY. MOST OF THE VILLAGE WILL REMAIN CLOSED BUT THE FESTIVE AREA, WHICH INCLUDES THE GIFT SHOP, PERFORMANCE CENTER AND COOKING SCHOOL, WILL REOPEN FOR A CHEESE MAKING CLASS AND THE WEEKLY CAJUN JAM. DAVID CHERAMIE, CEO FOR THE BAYOU VERMILLION DISTRICT, TELLS THE ADVOCATE THAT THE GARDENS AND TWO BUILDINGS WERE DAMAGED BY FLOODWATERS. DISTRICT FOREMAN TOM MELANCON SAYS SLOWLY BUT SURELY IT’S COMING BACK, BUT IT WILL TAKE A LOT OF WORK.
LAST WEEK MORE THAN 17 THOUSAND ACADIANA HOUSEHOLDS QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY FOOD STAMPS IN VERMILLION, IBERIA, AND ST. LANDRY PARISHES. ON MONDAY, ABOUT 21-HUNDRED HOUSEHOLDS IN LAFAYETTE PARISH WERE APPROVED AS WELL AS MORE THAN 800 IN ACADIA PARISH. APPLICATIONS THIS WEEK ARE BEING ACCEPTED AT THE BLACKHAM COLISEUM IN LAFAYETTE AND AT THE RAYNE CIVIC CENTER. NEXT WEEK HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED IN ST. MARTIN PARISH WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE ASSISTANCE BEGINNING TUESDAY, AND SOME AREAS OF EVANGELINE PARISH WILL BE ELIGIBLE AS WELL.
The Internal Revenue Service says it’s granting a regulatory waiver requested by U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy to allow those impacted by August floods in Louisiana early access to retirement funds without penalty. Cassidy, in a statement Tuesday, said the hardship waiver will be critical for helping Louisianans get back on their feet quickly. He says since so many living in the affected areas didn’t have flood insurance, “every tool possible needs to be implemented to allow them access to much needed emergency funds.” The hardship waiver will be in effect until Jan. 17, 2017, to allow flood victims access to emergency funds to account for losses that began Aug. 11.
STATE SENATOR DAN BLADE MORRIS OF JENNINGS IS PROPOSING THE BUILDING OF A BRIDGE CONNECTING MONKEY ISLAND TO CAMERON PARISH. IN 2005, HURRICAN RITA WASHED AWAY THE FERRY TO THE ISLAND, CUTTING IT OFF. MORRISH WANTS THE CHENIER PLAIN COASTAL RESTORATION AND PROTECTION AUTHORITY TO ADD BUILDING A BRIDGE TO THEIR PRIORITIES LIST AS WELL AS RESTORING THE HIGHWAY THAT RUNS THE LENGTH OF MONKEY ISLAND, L-A 11-41. MORRISH PRESENTED A PLAN TO THE AUTHORITY YESTERDAY, WHICH HE ESTIMATES WOULD COST BETWEEN TWELVE AND 15 MILLION DOLLARS.
AN EXPANSION PROJECT FOR MILTON ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN EARLY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT A YEAR-AND-A-HALF TO COMPLETE. CURRENTLY THE SCHOOL HAS ABOUT ONE THOUSAND STUDENTS, AND, ONCE THE EXPANSION IS FINISHED, SCHOOL OFFICIALS PLAN TO CAP ENROLLMENT AT 12-HUNDRED. AT A MEETING WITH PARENTS YESTERDAY, MARK STIELPER OF THE M-B-S-B GROUP SAYS THE NEW CONSTRUCTION WILL MEAN MORE ROOM FOR DROPPING OFF AND PICKING UP STUDENTS. THE SCHOOL WILL ALSO HAVE 42 NEW CLASSROOMS, A LARGER CAFETERIA, A NEW LIBRARY, THE GYM WILL BE AIR CONDITIONED, AND THE KITCHEN AND ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS WILL BE UPDATED.
A GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED THREE PEOPLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A ST. LANDRY PARISH WOMAN. JULIE DARCE HAS MORE.
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Louisiana is borrowing $187 million to keep money flowing to construction work, with continued financial uncertainties raising questions about which projects will proceed. The Bond Commission approved the general obligation bond sale Tuesday, borrowing money by selling bonds to investors for upfront cash. Bank Of America Merrill Lynch was the winning bidder. The debt will be paid over 20 years with a 2.7 percent interest rate.
THE CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD HAD A SPIRITED DEBATE OF MORE THAN AN HOUR OVER A PROPOSAL TO HAVE AN OUTSIDE FIRM DO A STUDY OF SCHOOL FACILITIES. THREE COMPANIES ARE BIDDING TO DO THE COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF ALL THE SCHOOL SYSTEM’S BUILDINGS, WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO COST 500 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE BOARD VOTED TO ALLOW STAFF TO SELECT TWO FINALISTS TO MAKE PRESENTATIONS. SUPERINTENDENT KARL BRUCHAUS SUGGESTED THE BOARD PAY FOR THE STUDY FROM THE RIVERBOAT FUND.
