KAJN Jesus FM 102.9

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR U-L HEAD BASEBALL COACH TONY ROBICHEAUX.  THE FUNERAL WILL TAKE PLACE MONDAY AT TWO AT OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH.    VISITATION WILL TAKE PLACE BEFORE THE SERVICE FROM TEN TO TWO AND ANOTHER VISITATION WILL TAKE PLACE SUNDAY AT THE CAJUNDOME CONVENTION CENTER FROM THREE TO NINE.  ROBICHAUX DIED WEDNESDAY AT THE AGE OF 57.

INGEVITY IS SPENDING FIFTEEN MILLION DOLLARS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR DERIDDER CHEMICAL PLANT.  DERIDDER PLANT MANAGER DANNY KYLE SAYS THE UPGRADES WILL ALLOW THE COMPANY TO SECURE ITS EMPLOYMENT  WITH PLANS FOR FUTURE GROWTH.  HE SAYS THERE WILL BE NO IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS, BUT THEY’RE HOPING IT WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THE HIRING OF MORE EMPLOYEES.  THE DERIDDER FACILITY BEGAN OPERATING IN 1977 WITH LESS THAN FORTY EMPLOYEES AND NOW HAS MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED EMPLOYEES.

A KAPLAN MAN WAS KILLED IN A CAR CRASH IN ACADIA PARISH YESTERDAY EVENING.  26-YEAR-OLD HARLEY ROMINE WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 13 NEAR AIRPORT ROAD AT AROUN 5:20 P-M.  HE WENT OFF THE ROAD, CAUSING HIS CAR TO GO INTO A ROLL.  HE WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT AND WAS EJECTED.  ROMINE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

Treasurer John Schroder says he won’t let Louisiana spend $25 million from the state’s unclaimed property account for general operating expenses this year.  The Republican state treasurer calls the financing mechanism illegal.  Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards disagrees and says the money will pay for critical services.

The decision threatens to create a hole in the state’s $30 billion operating budget only a month after lawmakers finished crafting it.

TWO PEOPLE WERE SHOT AND KILLED ON JULY FOURTH IN LAFAYETTE PARISH.  JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT, A MAN WAS KILLED IN THE 200 BLOCK OF BROCKTON DRIVE NORTH OF CARENCRO.  THREE SUSPECTS WERE APPREHENDED BY LAFAYETTE OFFICERS AND A 16-YEAR-OLD HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER.  THE SECOND SHOOTING HAPPENED AROUND 2:30 A-M IN THE 200 BLOCK OF LILLY STREET WHERE A MAN WAS FOUND SHOT TO DEATH.  THERE HAVE BEEN NO ARRESTS YET IN THAT CASE.

A MISSING ESTHERWOOD WOMAN HAS BEEN FOUND SAFE.  41-YEAR-OLD CASSANDRA LELEAUX WAS FOUND IN SULPHUR, ACCORDING TO POLICE CHIEF WAYNE WELSH.  HE SAYS THEY WILL RELEASE MORE INFORMATION ONCE AN INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE.  LELEUX HAD BEEN MISSING SINCE LAST SATURDAY WHEN SHE TOLD FAMILY SHE WAS RETURNING AFTER A VISIT TO LAKE CHARLES.

TWO PEOPLE ARRESTED FOR SHOPLIFTING IN BREAUX BRIDGE WERE FOUND TO BE IN POSSESSION OF MORE THAN THIRTY STOLEN CHECKS.  BREAUX BRIDGE POLICE SAY THAT THE CHECK AMOUNTS TOTALED MORE THAN 43-THOUSAND DOLLARS.  THE TWO WHO WERE ARRESTED WERE 34-YEAR-OLD DUSTIN GUILBEAU OF JENNINGS AND 35-YEAR-OLD HEATHER COMPTON OF PORT BARRE.  THEY WERE BOOKED INTO THE ST. MARTIN PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER.

Louisiana state parks are offering discounts through the end of the year to first responders and all former and current military members.  Members of those groups nationwide can get 15% off rentals of campsites, cabins, lodges, group camps, conference centers and pavilions at Louisiana state parks.  The agency announced the discounts Wednesday to recognize Independence Day. It says first responders’ discounts are available for Monday through Thursday nights, and military discounts are available all week.

LA GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARD USED HIS VETO POWER TO CUT  $18.5 MILLION FROM THE 2019 CAPITAL OUTLAY BILL.  MOST OF THOSE CUTS WERE FROM PROPOSED PROJECTS IN ACADIA

PARISH.  JUST OVER $14 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR A PAIR OF PROJECTS AT LSU-E WERE VETOED.   ANOTHER $520,000 FOR PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE ACADIA PARISH  PUBLIC WORKS COMPLEX WAS ALSO STRICKEN FROM THE BILL   

THE STATE CAPITAL OUTLAY BUDGET  DOES DESIGNATE $5 MILLION  INTO MONCUS PARK AND THE LAFAYETTE ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.  THE OUTLAY BUDGET DOES PUT MONCUS PARK IN LINE IN COMING YEARS FOR ANOTHER $7.8 MILLION.  FACING SOME OPPOSITION TO USING STATE FUNDS

FORMER LAFAYETTE MAYOR JOEY DUREL AND THE PARK

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAID OTHER PARKS INCLUDING AUDUBON

PARK IN NEW ORLEANS RECEIVE MILLIONS IN STATE FUNDS.

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 THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND HARRAH’S CASINO ARE HEADING TO COURT AGAIN.  A BATON ROUGE JUDGE SIDED WITH THE LA

DEPT OF REVENUE THAT HARRAH’S SHOULD PAY THE STATE TAXES ON COMPLIMENTARY OR DISCOUNTED HOTEL ROOMS.  THIS SETS UP A TRAIL WHERE THE STATE WILL SEEK BACK TAXES FROM HARRAHS.  THE AMOUNT OF TAXES AT STAKE IS

ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN $30 AND $50 MILLION.

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 THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HAS LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION

INTO THE OIL RIG ACCIDENT THAT TOOK 2 LIVES.  SHELL OIL’S SPOKESPERSON SAID THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED DURING A ROUTINE AND

MANDATORY TEST OF THE LIFEBOAT LAUNCH AND RETRIEVAL CAPABILITIES ON SUNDAY.  THIS WAS THE THIRD FATAL ACCIDENT ON AN

OFFSHORE PLATFORM IN JUST OVER A MONTH. 

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  ACADIA PARISH CRIME STOPPER IS SEEKING HELP IN A RECENT SHOOTING DEATH. SHERIFF K.P. GIBSON GIVES US DETAILS.    

     AMONG THE PLENTIFUL  4^TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS IS THE ANNUAL ORLANDO THOMAS FAMILY FUN DAY AT THE MARTIN

LUTHER KING CENTER IN CROWLEY.  THE CELEBRATION STARTS AT 10 AM WITH A HEALTH FAIR PEOPLE CAN CHECK BLOOD PRESSURE AND SUGAR LEVELS.  THERE WILL BE FOOD, GAMES, AND A BAND/DJ TO ENTERTAIN.  THE VILLAGE OF MORSE WILL HAVE A FIREWORKS DISPLAY AT DUSK AS PART OF THEIR 4^TH OF JULY CELEBRATION  

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LAFAYETTE CITY POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A  FATAL SHOOTING LAST NIGHT.  CAROLINE MARCELLO                            TELLS US MORE FROM THE TV-10 NEWSROOM:

UL BASEBALL COACH TONY ROBICHAUX HAS UNDER GONE A 2^ND

HEART SURGERY AT OCHSNER HEALTH CENTER IN NEW ORLEANS.   OFFICIALS REPORT THAT ROBICHAUX IS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT IN CRITICAL CONDITION.  ROBICHAUX SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK LAST WEEK AND UNDERWENT OPEN HEART SURGERY IN LAFAYETTE.  THE FAMILY IS ASKING FOR PRAYER FOR COACH ROBICHAUX.

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 JUNE WAS THE  FIRST OFFICIAL MONTH OF THE 2019 HURRICANE

SEASON AND IT WAS TYPICALLY A QUIET MONTH IN THE GULF AND TROPICS.  NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TELL US THAT JULY IS EXPECTED TO BE NORMAL.  RIGHT NOW THERE IS NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY IN THE GULF AND TROPICS.  DENNIS FELTGEN WITH THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER SAID WE ARE STILL EXPECTING A NEAR NORMAL SEASON.  NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE PREPREATIONS IN THE EVENT A STORM SHOULD COME OUR WAY.  DETAILS ON PREPARATION TIPS ARE ON WWWKAJN.COM.  AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER ARE WHEN MORE HURRICANES DEVELOP IN THE GULF.        

CONGRESSSMAN RALPH ABRAHAM IS PICKING UP SUPPORT FROM SOME OF PRESIDENT TRUMP’S KEY SUPPORTERS IN THE STATE. 

TRUMP’S TWO CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHAIRMEN AND SOME OTHER

HEAVYWEIGHTS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT ABRAHAM’S BID FOR THE TOP JOB IN LOUISIANA.  SHIPBUILDER

BOKHSIE BOLLINGER AND NEWS ORLEANS REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER JOE CANIZARO ARE HEADING UP THE EFFORT TO

GENERATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ABRAHAM.      

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  FOR THE FOURTH YEAR, CHICK FIL A HAS BEEN NAMED THE NATION’S TOP

FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT.  THE AMERICAN CUSTOMER SERVICE INDEX SHOWS CHICK FIL A BEAT OUT ALL OF THE BURGER CHAINS.  ACSI DID A

SURVEY OF 23;000 CONSUMERS AND SCORED RESTAURANT S. ACCORDING TO

THE RESPONSE FROM THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE SURVEY.   

A CROWLEY MAN WAS KILLED EARLY SATURDAY MORNING WHEN HE CRASHED HIS MOTORCYCLE INTO LIVINGSTON PARISH

SHERIFF’S DEPUTY VEHICLE.  JASON VIDRINE DIED FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT.     

A LAFAYETTE MAN WAS CONVICTED LATE FRIDAY BY AN ORLEANS JURY IN CONNECTION WITH CHARGES FROM A 2016 BOURBON STREET SHOOTING.  TRAVON MANUEL WAS CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTED MANSLAUGHTER AND OF ATTEMPTED OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.  THE JURY COULD NOT AGREE ON A COUNT OF MURDER.  MANUEL FACES UP TO 20 YRS IN THE INCIDENT. 

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FORMER LAFAYETTE CITY MARCHAL BRYAN POPE IS SET TO REPORT TO JAIL THIS MORNING.  THERE IS A POSSIBLE APPEAL TO THE COURT TO ALLOW POPE TO REMAIN FREE WHILE HIS CONVICTION IS GOING THRU THE APPEALS PROCESS.   

  THE FOOD DELIVERY FIRM WAITR HAS LAID OFF AN UNDISCLOSED NUMBER OF WORKERS.  WAITR CEO CHRIS MEAUX SAID THAT THE LAYOFFS ARE A SYNERGISTIC REDUCTION.  WAITR ACQUIRED BITE SQUAD A SIMILR

FOOD DELIVERY SVC IN DECEMBER FOR 321 MILLION.  IT IS EXPECTED THE LAY OFFS WILL AFFECT WORKERS IN BOTH THE LAFAYETTE AND LAKE

CHARLES AREAS.      

THE PONTOON BRIDGE ON LA 91 IN ESTERWOOD WILL BE OPEN FOR THE 4^TH OF JULY HOLIDY PERIOD.  THE BRIDGE WILL OPEN AT 5PM TODAY AND CLOSE AGAIN ON MONDAY JULY 8^TH.  THE BRIDGE HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE MID MAY FOR NEEDED REPAIRS.  OFFICIALS SAY THE WORK ON THE CURRENT PROJECT IS ABOUT 75% COMPLETE.      

THE STATE OF LOUISIANA IS BREATHING LIFE INTO THE HISTORIC HOLY ROSARY INSTITUE

    (GERALD BRUNIG AT CH 10 HAS DETAILS         :33  H:

A FREE CAR SEAT SAFETY EVENT WILL BE HELD ON THE CROWLEY WAL MART PARKING LOT TOMORROW.  GEESEY FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME IN

ASSOCIATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IS THE HOSTING THE

EVENT.  FREE CAR SEAT INSPECTIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM 10AM TO 1PM.  FREE CHILD ID KITS WITH FINGERPRINTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE.   

CARENCRO IS PLANNING OUR AREA’S FIRST HOT AIR BALOON

FESTIVAL.  THE GLOW IN THE CRO IS AN EVENT THAT ORGANIZERS HOPE TO HOLD EVERY YEAR.  THE EVENT IS SET FOR AUGUST   30^TH AND 31ST.  THERE ARE EXPECTED TO BE 20 HOT AIR BALLOONS MUSIC AND CARNIVAL RIDES AS PART OF THE NEW FESTIVAL

A 38YR OLD ARNAUDVILLE MAN WAS KILLED IN A SINGLE CAR CRASH IN BREAUX BRIDGE.  RYAN SHRIMPF WAS DRIVING ON LA 341 WHEN HE WENT OFF THE ROADWAY STRUCK A CULVERT AND OVERTURNED ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE.  HE WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT.    

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THE LOUISIANA POLITICAL POT IS BEGINNING TO SIMMER A BIT.  REPUBLICAN LOUISIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER CRAIG GREENE HAS ENFORSED REPUTLICAN CONGRESSMAN RALPH

ABRAHAN IN THE GOVERNOR’S RACE.  GREENE HAS SUPPORTED

GOV.  EDWARDS IN THE 2015 RUN OFF AGAINST DAVID VITTER.    

RICE FARMERS AND PRODUCERS FROM THE REGION WERE IN

ATTENDANCE IN GOOD NUMBERS YESTERDAY AT THE ANNUAL

RICE FIELD DAY AT THE CROWLEY ROUSE CAFFEY RICE RESEARCH CENTER.  THOSE IN ATTENDANCE LEARNED ABOUT

ONGOING RICE RSEARCH BEING CONDUCTED TO HELP THEM

GROW A HARDIER CROP.  THERE WERE ALSO PRESENTATIONS

ON CONTROLLING WEEDS AND DISEASES AND BREEDING

TECHNOLOGIES IN RICE.

A STATEWIDE OUTBREAK OF HEPATITIS IS CONTINUING TO GROW ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS FROM THE LA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.  AS OF JUNE 21^ST LOUISIANA HAS 305 REPORTED CASES OF HAV INFECTIONS.  THE DEPARTMENT HAS REPORTED ONE DEATH AS A RESULT OF THE VIRIS.  AT LEAST ONE CASE HAS

BEEN REPORTED IN ACADIA, LAFAYETTE, CALCASIEU, ST LANDRY

ST MARY, AND ALLEN.  THE HARDES HIT AREA IS LIVINGSTON PARISH WITH BETWEEN 76 & 90 CASES.  HEPATITIS A IS A HIGHLY

CONTAGIOUS LIVER INFECTION CAUSED BY THE HEPATITIS A

VIRIS.  IT IS VACCINE-PREVENTABLE.  THE DISEASE IS EASILY

SPREAD THROUGH CLOSE CONTACT AS WELL AS SHARING

INJECTION AND NON INJECTION DRUGS.    

COUNTERFEIT MONEY IS BEING FOUND  IN OUR AREA.  EUNICE HAS SEEN A

FLURRY OF COUNTERFEIT $100.00 BILL ACTIVITY.  IN MORSE OFFICIALS REPORT A INFLUX OF $20.00 BOGUS BILLS.  IF YOU SUSPECT SOMEONE IS TRYING TO PASS A BOGUS BILL CONTACT YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT.    

MEGAN KELLY REPORTS ON BEACH CLOSURES IN THE  CALCAUSIEU AREA.

 15^TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY KEITH STUTES HAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL NOT RUN FOR RE-ELLECTION IN 2020.    STUTES HAS WORKED FOR  35 YEARS IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE THAT INCLUDES LAFYETTE, ACADIA AND VERMILLION.  STUTES ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY, DANIEL LANDRY III HAS INFORMALLY HE WILL BE A CANDIDATE FOR THE POST.

DELFIN LNG LLC HAS ANNOUNCED A DELAY IN A MAJOR PROJECT THAT

WOULD BUILD A FLOATING LIQUEFACTION VESSES AND EXPORT TERMINAL

IN CAMERON PARISH.  THE COMPANY SAYS THAT THE LNG PROJECT IS

BEING DELAYED BECAUSE OF THE DETAILED NATURE OF THE ENGINEERING

DESIGN OF OFFSHORE FACILITIES AND THE COMPLEXITY OF DEVELOPING

NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS.  THE DELFIN FACILITIES COULD PRODUCE UP

TO 13 MILLION TONS OF LNG PER YEAR ACROSS FOUR FLOATING VESSELS ABOUT 50 MILES OFF THE LOUISIANA COAST. 

THE US SUPREME COURT IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE TWO MAJOR DECISIONS TODAY.   ONE OF THOSE DECISIONS INVOLVES

WHETHER THE UPCOMING CENSUS CAN INCLUDE A QUESTION THAT DEALS WITH A PERSONS CITIZENSHIP. 

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CONGRESSMAN STEVE SCALISE WAS BACK ON THE BASEBALL

FIELD LAST NIGHT.  STEVE WAS THE LEADOFF HITTER FOR

REPUBLICIANS IN THE ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL GAME.  YOU WILL RECALL HE NARROWLY SURVIVED A MASS

SHOOTING TWO YEARS AGO.  WITH AN ERROR OON A 3-2 COUNT

SCALISE ADVANCED TO FIRST BASE. 

10 ACADIANA RESIDENT HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN A STATEWIDE CHILD PORN BUST.  CALLED OPERATION “BROKEN HEART, IT WAS A 2 MONTH INVESTIGATION DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY;, ARREST AND PROSECUTE PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH PRODUCING, DISTRIBUTING AND POSSESSING CHILD PORN OR ENGAGING IN SEXUAL ENTICEMENT AND SEX TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN.  A TOTAL OF 63 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED THUS FAR.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IN JENNINGS ARE SEARCHING FOR A PICKUP TRUCK THAT STRUCK 2 PEOPLE ON HWY 26 NEAR MCDONALDS.  IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THE DRIVER WAS ELDERLY AND MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE ACCIDENT.  

ONE OF THE YEARS MOST ANTICIPATED FARM EVENTS WILL BE HELD IN

CROWLEY.  THE ANNUAL RICE FI3LD DAY WILL BE HELD AT THE ROUSE CAFFEY RICE RESEARCH STATION.  SPEAKERS TODAY INCLUDE MIKE STRAIN OUR LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF AGRILCULTURE COMMISSIONER AND BETSY WARD USA RICE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. 

MEGAN KELLY REPORTS ON A TRAFFIC FATALITY IN CALCAUSIEU PARISH.

THE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO SUFFER DIRE EFFECTS IN LOUISIANA  AND MISSISSIPPI DUE TO AND INFLUX OF FRESH WATER.  LA OFFICIALS SAY FLOODWATERS FROM THE MIDWEST ARE HURTING PEOPLE WHO MAKE A LIVING FROM COASTAL SEAFOOD.  FLOOD WATERS RUSHING FROM THE BONNET CARRE SPILLWAY NORTH OF NEW ORLEANS HAVE

KILLED OYSTERS AND HURT FISH CATCHES.  THE FRESH WATER HAS

DRIVEN CRABS, SHRIMP AND FISH OUT OF BAYS AND MARSHES AND INTO

SALTIER WATER WHERE THEY CAN SURVIVE, BUT OYSTERS CANNOT MOVE.  ONE OYSTER FARMER WHOSE FAMILY WORKS 10,000 ACRES OF OYSTER

LEASES IN LA WATERS SAID ON A SCALE OF 1-10 WE ARE 9 ½ DESTROYED.

LAFAYETTE HAS BEEN RANKED 3^RD BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN LOUISIANA.  THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.ORG  PLACE LAFAYETTE JUST BEHIND MANDEVILLE AND COVINGTON.  LAFAYETTE WAS THE LARGEST CITY IN

THE STATE TO REACH THE TOP 5.  BY THE WAY NEW ORLEANS WAS RANKED NEXT TO LAST IN THE

LOUISIANA HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE STRUCK A DEAL WITH A DRUG MAKER TO REDUCE THE COST OF HEPATITIS C DRUGS FOR SOME OF THE STATES MOST VULNERABLE PATIENTS.  IN THE AGREEMENT SHEPHERDED THROUGH NAEOTIATIONS BY LA HEALTH DEPARTMENT SECRETARY REBEKAH GEE, PHARMACEUTICAL GIANT GILEAD SCIENCES HAS AUTHORIZED THE DISTRIBUTION OF A MEDICATION THAT TYPICALLY COSTS $24,000 PER TREATMENT TO THE STATE’S MEDICAID PATIENTS AND PATIENTS IN PRISONS IN UNLIMITED QUANTITIES FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.  THE STATE WILL PAY A FIXED FEE, WHICH WILL BE ANNOUNCED TODAY FOR THE UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE DRUG WHICH CURES 98% OF HEPATITIS C CASES.

U-L BASEBALL COACH TONY ROBICHEAUX IS RECOVERING FROM A HEART ATTACK.  MEGAN KELLY HAS MORE.

VOICER E :16

THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS LOOKING FOR A HIT-AND-RUN SUSPECT WHO KILLED TWO DOGS ON JUNE 12^TH.  IT HAPPENED IN FRONT OF A DAY CARE ON HAM REID ROAD IN LAKE CHARLES, WHEN THE DRIVER NARROWLY MISSED A PERSON BUT HIT THE TWO DOGS THAT PERSON WAS WALKING.  IT’S BELIEVED THE VEHICLE WAS A SILVER 2010 INFINITY G-37, WHICH WOULD HAVE DAMAGE TO THE LOWER FRONT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT AREA INCLUDING MISSING BODY PANELS.  ANYONE WHO KNOWS OF A VEHICLE MATCHING THIS DESCRIPTION IS URGED TO CONTACT SERGEANT BRYAN GUTH WITH THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE AT 491-38-46.

THE ST. LANDRY PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS LOOKING FOR A SUSPICIOUS WHITE VAN.  A WOMAN WAS FOLLOWED TWICE BY THE WHITE VAN AND THE SECOND TIME, SOMEONE IN THE VEHICLE BRANDISHED A FIREARM TRYING TO GET HER TO PULL OVER.  THERE WERE FOUR PEOPLE IN THE VAN.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION THAT CAN HELP THE AUTHORITIES IS ASKED TO CALL ST. LANDRY PARISH CRIMESTOPPERS AT 948-TIPS.

DOZENS OF ACCUSED CHILD PREDATORS ARE FACING CHARGES IN LOUISIANA.  MEGAN KELLY EXPLAINS.

VOICER D :20

THERE ARE MORE THAN 24 MILLION DOLLARS IN PROJECTS FOR LAFAYETTE PARISH THAT ARE IN THE STATE CAPITAL OUTLAY BUDGET THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE.  HOWEVER IT HASN’T BEEN SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR YET WHO COULD LINE-ITEM VETO ANY OR ALL OF THE PROJECTS.  THE BIGGEST ITEM IS TEN MILLION DOLLARS TOWARD CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAFAYETTE REGIONAL AIRPORT’S NEW TERMINAL.  THERE’S ALSO FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FOR WASTEWATER AND INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGED BY FLOODING IN CARENCRO, NEARLY FOUR-AND-A-HALF MILLION TO RECONSTRUCT A SECTION OF SOUTH BERNARD ROAD IN BROUSSARD AND THREE MILLION FOR LAFAYETTE PARISH COURTHOUSE RENOVATIONS.

AN OAKDALE POLICE OFFICER WAS FIRED IN A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING YESTERDAY.  JOCELYN JACKSON WAS ONE OF FOUR OFFICERS IN THE OAKDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO WERE INDICTED LAST WEEK ON VARIOUS CHARGES.  JACKSON WAS CHARGED WITH SIMPLE BATTERY.  HOWEVER, OAKDALE MAYOR GENE PAUL SAYS JACKSON WAS FIRED BECAUSE SHE NEVER COMPLETED THE POLICE ACADEMY.

CROWLEY POLICE SAY A WOMAN WHO RAN OVER A MAN ON SUNDAY WAS UPSET BECAUSE HE WAS THE FATHER OF HER CHILD AND SHE SAW HIM WITH ANOTHER WOMAN.  THEY SAY THE MAN, 19-YEAR-OLD MELVIN DUGAR, FOLLOWED THE WOMAN, 18-YEAR-OLD JASMINE BOURQUE TO HER HOME AND GOT INTO A PHYSICAL ALTERCATION.  THAT WHEN BOURQUE’S FATHER, 37-YEAR-OLD CECIL BOURQUE, GOT INVOLVED, HITTING DUGAR WITH A HAMMER, CAUSING INJURIES TO HIS RIBS, RIGHT LEG, FACE AND HEAD.  CECIL BOURQUE FACES CHARGES OF MANSLAUGHTER AND HATE CRIMES, JASMINE BOURQE FACES ATTEMPTED MANSLAUGHTER AND DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY CHARGES, AND DUGAR WAS BOOKED ON AGGRAVATED BATTERY, TWO COUNTS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY AND SIMPLE CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

A REPORT BY ADVOCACY GROUPS THAT INCLUDE THE A-C-L-U OF LOUISIANA FOUND THAT HUNDREDS OF STATE PRISONERS WERE HELD IN ISOLATION FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.  THE REPORT IS BASED ON A SURVEY OF 700 STATE PRISONERS.  MORE THAN 77 PERCENT SAID THEY HAD BEEN HELD IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR MORE THAN A YEAR AND THIRTY PERCENT SAID THEY WERE IN SOLITARY FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS.  A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS DISPUTED THE REPORT SAYING MANY OF THE ASSERTIONS WERE VAGUE AND “BLATANT LIES.”

THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS MADE AN ARREST IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED OVER THE WEEKEND.  32-YEAR-OLD JUSTIN JOHNSON OF LAFAYETTE WAS SHOT AND KILLED ON TOWNSHIP LANE SATURDAY AFTERNOON.  47-YEAR-OLD KEYON LAMPKIN WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER.  DEPUTIES SAY AN ALTERCATION BETWEEN THE TWO LED TO THE SHOOTING.

A 22-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS ARRESTED BY WELSH POLICE IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF HIS TWO-MONTH-OLD CHILD.  ZACKARY CHAVALLIER ADMITTED HITTING THE BACK OF THE BABY’S HEAD SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE BABY TO STOP CRYING.  THE BABY SUFFERED BRAIN INJURIES AND, ON FRIDAY MORNING, DIED AT THE HOSPITAL.  CHEVALLIER WAS INITIALLY CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE CRUELTY TO A JUVENILE BUT THE CHARGE WAS UPGRADED TO MANSLAUGHTER AFTER THE BABY DIED.

A FATHER AND DAUGHTER FROM CROWLEY ARE IN JAIL FOR ALLEGEDLY ATTACKING THE DAUGHTER’S BOYFRIEND.  MEGAN KELLY REPORTS.

VOICER C :21

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed legislation that could eventually lead to health insurance coverage for some residents if the federal Affordable Care Act is overturned.  The Advocate reports the Democratic governor once called the bill a “fig leaf” aimed at saving Louisiana’s Republican attorney general, Jeff Landry, from embarrassment.  The new law authorizes Louisiana’s insurance commissioner to study other states’ health care models to find a potential replacement for the individual health exchange under the Affordable Care Act. It would be needed only if the federal health law is overturned.

LAFAYETTE POLICE ARE TRYING TO FIND A MAN WHO ATTACKED AND ROBBED A WOMAN IN A LAFAYETTE SHOPPING CENTER FRIDAY NIGHT.  THE WOMAN WAS GETTING IN HER CAR NEAR MICHAEL’S AND HOBBY LOBBY WHEN A MAN IN A WHITE FOUR BY FOUR FORD TRUCK WITH A BLACK BED COVER AND A YELLOW LICENSE PLATE PULLED UP NEXT TO HER AND ATTACKED HER WITH A BLUNT OBJECT BEFORE ROBBING HER.  WITNESSES SAY THE OBJECT WAS A HAMMER.  THE WOMAN WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF HER INJURIES.

AN OAKDALE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER A JUNE SIXTH HOME FIRE ON WEST BECK STREET.  IT WAS LEARNED DURING THE INVESTIGATION THAT 29-YEAR-OLD BRANDON JACKSON TOOK OUT AN INSURANCE POLICY A WEEK BEFORE THE FIRE AND HE HAS SINCE BEEN CHARGED WITH ARSON WITH THE INTENT TO DEFRAUD.  45-YEAR-OLD HEATH REID WAS ORIGINALLY CHARGED IN THE FIRE BUT HAS SINCE BEEN CLEARED.  HOWEVER DURING THE INVESTIGATION, REID CONFESSED TO HIS INVOLVEMENT IN ANOTHER FIRE AT A CONCRETE STORAGE BUILDING ON EAST SEVENTH STREET ON MAY 14^TH, AND HE AND A RELATIVE, 47-YEAR-OLD BOBBY ODOM, HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH ARSON WITH THE INTENT TO DEFRAUD.

A FATAL CRASH IN ST. LANDRY PARISH SUNDAY AFTERNOON IS BEING INVESTIGATED.  21-YEAR-OLD QIANA S. ORVILLE OF OPELOUSAS WENT OFF THE ROAD AT A CURVE ON HIGHWAY 167 NEAR BELLRIDGE ROAD AND STRUCK A TREE.  SHE WAS KILLED DESPITE WEARING HER SEATBELT.  TOXICOLOGY SAMPLES WERE TAKEN TO DETERMINE IF SHE WAS IMPAIRED.

A lawsuit says Louisiana imposes onerous and unconstitutional permit requirements on people who braid hair for a living.  The suit was filed Thursday in Baton Rouge by three practitioners of natural hair braiding techniques practiced widely in African American communities. The suit says Louisiana’s requirement for 500 hours of training is difficult to comply with. That’s because few cosmetology schools offer the course and the state doesn’t appear to even offer the required exam.

ON WEDNESDAY, SUSPENDED LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL BRIAN POPE WAS SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR IN THE PARISH JAIL, BUT HE MAY NOT SERVE HIS SENTENCE ANY TIME SOON.  THAT’S BECAUSE HIS ATTORNEY PLANS TO APPEAL HIS THREE CONVICTIONS ON MONDAY, AND HE MAY ASK THAT HIS CLIENT REMAIN FREE DURING THE APPEALS PROCESS.  POPE WAS CONVICTED BY A JURY IN OCTOBER ON ONE COUNT OF PERJURY AND THREE MALFEASANCE CHARGES, BUT JUDGE DAVID SMITH DISMISSED THE PERJURY CONVICTION WEDNESDAY AND, WHILE SENTENCING HIM TO THREE YEARS ON THE OTHER CONVICTIONS, DISMISSED ALL BUT ONE.  ASSISTANT D-A ALAN HANEY SAYS HE PLANS TO APPEAL THE DISMISSED PERJURY CONVICTION TO THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS.

A BILL BY SENATOR DAN “BLADE” MORRISH THAT PASSED IN THE RECENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES IN EACH CALCASIEU PARISH DRAINAGE DISTRICT FROM FIVE TO SEVEN.  THE ASSISTANT TO THE PARISH ADMINISTRATOR ALBERTO GALAN SAYS THIS MEANS EVERY WARD IN THE PARISH WILL HAVE REPRESENTATION.  HE SAYS THAT IS WHY THE POLICE JURY RECOMMENDED AND EXPANDED THE BOARD STRUCTURE.  POLICE JURY PRESIDENT KEVIN WHITE TELLS KPLC TV HE’S OPTIMISTIC THE EXPANSION WILL STREAMLINE DRAINAGE.

SENTENCING IS SCHEDULED TODAY FOR FORMER IBERIA PARISH CLERK OF COURT MICHAEL THIBODEAUX.  CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.

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A Louisiana resident is challenging the state Bond Commission’s decision to exclude two large banks from underwriting state contracts because of the banks’ corporate policies regarding firearms businesses.  The lawsuit argues that the move last spring exceeded the Bond Commission’s authority, broke state rules and cost taxpayers by limiting competition for the work.  Bank of America was excluded because it stopped issuing loans to some makers of military-style rifles. Citigroup was excluded for requiring retail clients to require background checks for firearm purchases, refuse to sell to anyone under 21 and quit selling bump stocks and high-capacity magazines.

THE SCOTT FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LAFAYETTE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.  UNDER THE AGREEMENT, THE LAFAYETTE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL SEND ONE ENGINE COMPANY AND EQUIPMENT TO STRUCTURE FIRES AND PRIVATE ALARMS WITHIN THE SCOTT CITY LIMITS.  SCOTT FIRE CHIEF CHAD SONNIER SAYS THIS WILL PROVIDE SCOTT RESIDENTS WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES BY ENSURING PERSONNEL WILL BE ON THE SCENE OF A FIRE WITHIN MINIMAL TIME.  THE AGREEMENT GOES INTO EFFECT ON JULY FIRST.

ON WEDNESDAY, THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO ALLOW THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO EXCEED THE OVERTIME BUDGET.  POLICE CHIEF SHAWN CALDWELL SAYS THEY OFTEN HAVE TO ASK TO EXCEED THE YEARLY OVERTIME BUDGET.  HE SAYS THE OVERTIME BUDGET AMOUNT OF 700 THOUSAND DOLLARS WAS SET IN 2007 WHEN POLICE PAY WAS LESS.  HE SAYS THEY ALSO ARE STRUGGLING WITH A SHORTAGE OF OFFICERS WITH TWELVE VACANCIES AND 22 OFFICERS IN TRAINING.

THE VERMILLION PARISH SCHOOL BOARD HAS ONCE AGAIN TABLED DISCUSSION ABOUT THE RESTORATION OF A BUILDING DAMAGED BY THE 2016 FLOOD.  THEY ARE LOOKING AT COMPLETELY OVERHAULING THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING INCLUDING NEW FLOORS, WALLS, AC, ELECTRICAL AND PAINTING.  THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST AROUND TWO MILLION DOLLARS.  SUPERINTENDENT JEROME PUYAU SAID AT MONDAY’S MEETING, WHEN THE DISCUSSION WAS ORIGINALLY TABLED, THAT HE’D LIKE THE BID PROCESS TO BEGIN IN THREE WEEKS.

GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS WILL BE IN ACADIANA TODAY.  CAROLINE MARCELLO TELLS US WHY.

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THE LAFAYETTE SIGN IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA HAS BEEN PAINTED IN RAINBOW COLORS BY THE LOCAL L-G-B-T GROUP P-FLAG.  OFFICIALS WITH THE GROUP SAY THEY RECEIVED PERMISSION TO REPAINT THE SIGN BEFORE TUESDAY’S VOTE BY THE CITY PARISH COUNCIL TO RECOGNIZE JUNE AS GAY PRICE MONTH.  THE RESOLUTION FAILED BECAUSE IT DID NOT RECEIVE FIVE VOTES.  THE VOTE WAS 4-TO-3 IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMAN KENNETH BOUDREAX BUT TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE ABSENT.

LAKE CHARLES POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A TEENAGER FOR A SHOOTING YESTERDAY THAT INJURED ONE PERSON.  IT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER FIVE

P-M IN THE TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED BLOCK OF ANITA DRIVE.  AN 18-YEAR-OLD WAS SHOT AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BUT HIS CONDITION HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.  A FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD WAS ARRESTED A SHORT WHILE AFTER THE SHOOTING.

THE ST. MARTIN PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A HOMOCIDE IN ARNAUDVILLE THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.  DEPUTIES SAY THEY RESPONDED TO THE SCENE OF THE SHOOTING ON DRAUZIN ROAD AT AROUND 4:30 AND FOUND A MAN LYING IN A DRIVEWAY, WHO HAD DIED FROM A GUNSHOT WOUND.  AUTHORITIES HAVE IDENTIFIED THE VICTIM AS 26-YEAR-OLD JAMAICAN MAJOR FROM OPELOUSAS.  DEPUTIES ARE SEARCHING FOR A SUSPECT.

THE U-S SENATE HAS VOTED TO CONFIRM AN APPOINTMENT TO THE FEDERAL COURT IN LAKE CHARLES.  54-YEAR-OLD JAMES CAIN JUNIOR WILL TAKE OVER FOR PATRICIA MINALDI, WHO HAD RETIRED AFTER STRUGGLES WITH ALCOHOLISM.  SHE DIED LAST DECEMBER.  CAIN IS A FOUNDING PARTNER OF THE LOFTIN, CAIN AND LEBLANC LAW FIRM IN LAKE CHARLES.  HE WAS CONFIRMED ON A 77-TO-21 VOTE BY THE U-S SENATE.

A LAFAYETTE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING AT AN OFF-DUTY DUSON POLICE OFFICER EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.  21-YEAR-OLD ROMEION GLAUDE WAS BOOKED INTO THE LAFAYETTE PARISH JAIL TUESDAY NIGHT ON CHARGES OF ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER.  HIS BOND WAS SET AT 150 THOUSAND DOLLARS.  INVESTIGATORS DO NOT BELIEVE THE OFFICER WAS TARGETED.  THEY SAY GLAUDE SHOT AT THE OFF DUTY OFFICER WHILE HE AND A FAMILY MEMBER WERE DRIVING ON ALSENDOR DRIVE AT AROUND 1:30 TUESDAY MORNING.

THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A 290 THOUSAND DOLLAR INVESTMENT INTO CYBER SECURITY.  THERE WILL ALSO BE A 250 THOUSAND DOLLAR ANNUAL COST.  THE MOVE COMES AFER AN INCIDENT IN DECEMBER WHEN SOMEONE WITHOUT AUTHORITY ACCESSED THE CITY’S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS.  THE CITY HOPES TO IMPLEMENT THE SYSTEM BY JULY FIRST.

A FLOATING BUNDLE DISCOVERED IN THE GULF OF MEXICO TUESDAY CONTAINED BLOCKS OF COCAINE WORTH OVER A MILLION DOLLARS.  CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.

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Donald “Doc” Hines, a physician who led the Louisiana Senate as president from 2004 to 2008, has died at age 85.  Hines’ death was confirmed Wednesday by the state Senate and Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office.  A Democrat from Bunkie, Hines served in the Senate from 1993 through 2008. He was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in Winnfield in 2006.