9-25-15
A NORTHSIDE LAFAYETTE FIRE STATION, THAT WAS CLOSED 14 MONTHS FOR REPAIRS, HAS REOPENED. STATION NUMBER FOUR AT THE CORNER OF WEST ALEXANDER AND MOSS STREETS, WAS INITIALLY OPENED IN 2010, BUT PROBLEMS BEGAN IMMEDIATELY, INCLUDING A LEAK THAT LED TO SUBSTANTIAL WATER DAMAGE, AND GAPS DEVELOPED AROUND THE WINDOWS. A LAWSUIT WAS FILED AGAINST THE CONTRACTOR, WHICH ENDED UP SPENDING AROUND 200 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CREW AT STATION NUMBER FOUR HAD BEEN HOUSED AT STATION NUMBER NINE TWO MILES AWAY, AND FIRE CHIEF ROBERT BENOIT SAYS RESPONSE TIMES HAVE BEEN ONLY A MINUTE LONGER.
A CEREMONY WAS HELD YESTERDAY IN FRONT OF THE CAMERON PARISH COURTHOUSE TO MARK THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE RITA. PARISH ADMINISTRATOR RYAN BOURRIAQUE SAYS 60 PERCENT OF THE STRUCTURES IN THE COMMUNITY OF CAMERON WERE SEVERELY IMPACTED OR TOTALLY DEVASTATED. WITH THE INFLUX OF FUNDS FROM FEMA, THE COMMUNITY OF 68-HUNDRED IS CONTINUING TO REBUILD. PARISH POLICE JURY PRESIDENT KIRK QUINN SAYS CAMERON PARISH IS IN A POSITION TODAY TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING GREAT.
THE U-S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE HOLDING A TOWN MEETING MONDAY NIGHT REGARDING THEIR INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE VILLE PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE EVANGELINE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE. THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT BEGAN THE INVESTIGATION IN APRIL AFTER REPORTS THAT BOTH AGENCIES WERE USING INESTIGATIVE HOLDS TO CONDUCT UNLAWFUL DETAINMENTS AND SEIZURES. AN INVESTIGATIVE HOLD IS USED TO DETAIN PEOPLE WITHOUT FORMALLY ARRESTING THEM, USUALLY FOR QUESTIONING. THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT SEVEN O’CLOCK MONDAY NIGHT AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN VILLE PLATTE.
The only major Democratic contender in the Louisiana governor’s race, John Bel Edwards, had the largest haul in the latest fundraising period. But Republican David Vitter still has the heftiest campaign account. Fundraising reports were due Thursday. They offer a look at money available to the four major gubernatorial contenders for advertising blitzes until the Oct. 24 election.
THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF LAFAYETTE KICKED OFF TINSELS AND TREASURES YESTERDAY AT THE CAJUNDOME. IT’S THEIR LARGEST ANNUAL FUNDRAISER, ENABLING THEM TO GIVE MORE THAN 4-POINT-7 MILLION DOLLARS SINCE 1993 TO COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT WOMEN AND CHILDREN. THERE ARE MORE THAN 140 BOUTIQUE-LIKE SHOPS AT THIS YEAR’S EVENT, AND ALMOST HALF OF THEM ARE NEW THIS YEAR. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CAJUNDOME BOX OFFICE OR AT THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF LAFAYETTE HEADQUARTERS.
A LAKE CHARLES MAN, WHO WALKED AWAY FROM A CRASH IN WHICH HE HIT TWO 18-WHEELERS WEDNESDAY NIGHT, IS SUSPECTED OF HAVING BEEN IMPAIRED AT THE TIME. 33-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM SHOCKLEY HAINS WAS BOOKED INTO THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH JAIL ON A CHARGE OF FOURTH OFFENSE D-W-I AND CARELESS OPERATION. HAINS MADE CONTACT WITH AN 18-WHEELER WHILE TRAVELING WEST ON I-TEN, TWO MILES WEST OF WELSH, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL AND GO THROUGH THE MEDIAN INTO THE PATH OF ANOTHER 18-WHEELER, ACCORDING TO SERGEANT JAMES ANDERSON OF STATE POLICE TROOP D. HAINS HAD ONLY MINOR INJURIES FROM THE CRASH.
TOMORROW FOUR INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS WILL DISPLAY THEIR ART WORK IN ARNAUDVILLE AT AN EXHIBIT DESIGNED TO OPEN DIALOGUE ABOUT RACE AND THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY. THE FOUR ARTISTS HAVE BEEN IN RESIDENCY IN ARNAUDVILLE FOR THE LAST MONTH, VISITING LOCAL LANDMARKS AND TALKING TO THE DESCENDANTS OF SLAVES. ONE OF THE ARTISTS, GEORGE MARKS OF ARNAUDVILLE, TELLS THE ADVOCATE HE HOPES THEIR WORK WILL SPARK DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SLAVERY’S HISTORY AND CURRENT RACE RELATIONS. THE SHACKLES OF MEMORY ART EXHIBIT WILL BE FROM NOON TO TWO TOMORROW AT THE NUNU ARTS AND CULTURAL COLLECTIVE IN ARNAUDVILLE.
LOUISIANA RESIDENTS MAY SOON NEED A PASSPORT TO FLY TO OTHER AMERICAN CITIES. JULIE DARCE EXPLAINS.
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