9-13-24
A LAFAYETTE BUSINESSMAN WAS KILLED IN A SMALL PLANE CRASH YESTERDAY MORNING AT AROUND ELEVEN-THIRTY. SEVENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD GREG MANUEL OF MANUEL COMPANIES IN LAFAYETTE WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE PLANE. THE PLANE CRASHED AT THE OAKBOURNE COUNTRY CLUB GOLF COURSE SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD HAS TAKEN OVER THE INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH.
Francine is now a post-tropical cyclone after striking Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses, and sending storm surges rushing into coastal communities. At its peak more than 450,000 customers were without power, but, as of this morning, it’s down to 125,000. During the storm, the state reported that around 500 people stayed in emergency shelters, but that number has since dwindled. There were no reports of deaths or injuries.
A HOME IN MORGAN CITY WAS FLOODED AS A RESULT OF HURRICANE FRANCINE. MARTHA YOUNG SAYS WATER RUSHED INTO HER HOME’S UTILITY ROOM AND QUICKLY GOT ANKLE HIGH. SHE TELLS KLFY TV THAT THE FLOOD WATERS DIDN’T RECEDE UNTIL THURSDAY MORNING. YOUNG SAYS IT’S POSSIBLE THE FLOODING WOULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED IF THE WATER PUMPS WERE TURNED ON IN TIME.
FRANKLIN MAYOR EUGENE FOULCARD SAYS THE CITY WAS BLESSED TO BE OUTSIDE THE AREAS THAT WERE HEAVILY IMPACTED BY HURRICANE FRANCINE. HE TELLS KLFY TV THAT THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE INCLUDING FALLEN TREES, POWER OUTAGES AND SOME FLOODING IN PARTS OF THE CITY. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT KNOW OF ANY HOMES THAT SUFFERED SEVERE WATER DAMAGE. FOULCARD SAYS THINGS WERE GETTING BACK TO NORMAL QUICKLY IN FRANKLIN AND, DRIVING AROUND TOWN YESTERDAY, YOU WOULDN’T EVEN KNOW A STORM PASSED THROUGH ON WEDNESDAY.
MAJOR TERRY GUIDRY OF THE SAINT MARTIN PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS THEY WERE BLESSED BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T GET THE DAMAGE THEY EXPECTED FROM HURRICANE FRANCINE. THERE WERE SOME FLOODED ROADS AND POWER OUTAGES. GUIDRY SAYS THEY ARE HANDING OUT SUPPLIES LIKE WATER AND TARPS. SCHOOLS IN SAINT MARTIN PARISH REOPEN TODAY EXCEPT FOR STEPHENSVILLE ELEMENTARY.
THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES SAYS HURRICANES AND STORMS CAUSE WILDLIFE TO SEEK HIGHER GROUND, PUTTING THEM INTO AN UNFAMILIAR HABITAT. SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.
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PARENTS OF STUDENTS AT ACADIANA RENAISSANCE ACADEMY IN YOUNGSVILLE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE SCHOOL YESTERDAY SAYING THE SCHOOL WAS MADE AWARRE OF A SERIES OF SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS WITH THREATS MADE TO A VARIETY OF SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.
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THE BEAUREGARD PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS ARRESTED A DERIDDER JUNIOR HIGH STUDENT FOR MAKING A THREAT YESTERDAY. IN A STATEMENT, SUPERINTENDENT LARRY HOLLIE SAYS THE THREAT WAS INVESTIGATED AND APPROPRIATE STEPS WERE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS. HE SAYS THERE WILL BE A HEIGHTENED SECURITY PRESENCE AT DERIDDER JUNIOR HIGH TODAY. THAT INCLUDES PLACING METAL DETECTORS AT SCHOOL ENTRANCES.
