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THE NEWLY ELECTED LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD IS SET TO VOTE ON THE PROCESS TO HIRE A NEW SUPERINTENDENT.  CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.

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A 52-year-old Lake Charles man is accused of fatally shooting a man from Missouri and wounding a woman. Lake Charles police say Michael Andre Thomas was arrested late Tuesday, and his bond set at $650,000.  He’s accused of second-degree murder in the death of 52-year-old Timothy Napoleon of Kansas City, Missouri, and attempted second-degree murder of the woman. A police spokeswoman says the woman was moving out of the house where the shooting occurred.

A Louisiana appeal court has heard a lawsuit challenging state laws that let oil pipeline companies take private land. A lawyer for three landowners says the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal in Lake Charles could take weeks or months to decide. The case involves the 162-mile-long Bayou Bridge Pipeline, which began operating in March. The trial judge ruled in May that the pipeline trespassed on some private land in St. Martin Parish. But he said construction was legal. And he awarded the landowners only $150 apiece.

Louisiana Superintendent of Education John White is stepping down after eight years on the job. White announced his planned March 11 departure in a letter to state education board members released Wednesday. His resignation comes despite last year’s election of a board that appeared supportive of his policies. White oversaw improvements in graduation rates, college prep scores and other measures of student performance, although Louisiana continues to lag other states in education rankings. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education said a search for his replacement would begin immediately.

A BRIDGE ON E BROUSSARD ROAD IN LAFAYETTE WILL BE CLOSED FOR A FEW HOURS THIS MORNING.  THE BRIDGE AT MILEPOST ONE-POINT-2-5, WHICH CROSSES THE VERMILLION RIVER, WILL BE SHUT DOWN BETWEEN 8:30 TO 10:30 THIS MORNING.  THE CLOSURE IS NECESSARY SO CREWS CAN PERFORM EMERGENCY REPAIRS.  A DETOUR ROUTE CONSISTS OF L-A 92, VEROT SCHOOL ROAD, AMBASSADOR CAFFERY AND JOHNSTON STREET.

THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS POSTED A PHOTO OF A SUSPECTED THIEF ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE.  HE IS WANTED FOR STEALING AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF CASH FROM THE SAM’S COVE IN WESTLAKE.  DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED AT AROUND TEN P-M SUNDAY TO THE BUSINESS WHERE THEY FOUND IT HAD BEEN BROKEN INTO AND ACCESS HAD BEEN GAINED INTO A CASH BOX.  ANYONE WHO CAN IDENTIFY THE MAN IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE.

LAST NIGHT THE CROWLEY CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSED A QUESTION ABOUT THE CITY BEING REIMBURSED FOR THE INSTALLATION OF CULVERTS.  ACCORDING TO THE CROWLEY POST SIGNAL, THE CITY HAS INSTALLED CULVERTS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR YEARS AT NO COST TO THE PROPERTY OWNER, BUT THE OWNER IS THEN RESPONSIBLE FOR PURCHASING THE CULVERT.  PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN CLINT CRADEUR SAYS CITIES HAVE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE LABOR FOR INSTALLING CULVERTS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OR PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY.  HE IS ALSO QUESTIONING THE DECISION TO HIRE PRIVATE CONTRACTORS TO DO THE INSTALLATIONS.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION STICKERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION STATIONS TO CLAIM.  THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE OLD INSPECTION STICKERS LOSING THEIR ADHERENCE.  THE LOUISIANA OFFICE OF MOTOR VEHICLES IS ENCOURAGING THE INSPECTION STATIONS TO TRADE IN THEIR REMAINING STOCK OF INSPECTION STICKERS FOR NEW ONES.  IF THE INSPECTION STICKER ON YOUR VEHICLE WINDOW IS LOSING ADHERENCE, THE OFFICE OF MOTOR VEHICLEs ADVISES USING CLEAR PACKING TAPE UNTIL YOUR NEXT INSPECTION.

BOTH THE LAFAYETTE CITY AND PARISH COUNCILS AGREED TO SPLIT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTO THREE.  CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.

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LAKE CHARLES POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR A SUSPECT IN A DECEMBER 28TH SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED IN THE SEVEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF SEVENTEENTH STREET.  THIRTY-FOUR YEAR-OLD DAVID P. DENEGALL OF LAKE CHARLES IS WANTED ON CHARGES OF ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A PERSON CONVICTED OF CERTAIN FELONIES.  HE IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON DENEGAL IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE LAKE CHARLES POLICE DEPARTMENT OR DETECTIVE LARRY NEWINGHAM.

THE FORMER MAYOR OF ESTHERWOOD WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY MORNING ON CHARGES OF REVENGE PORN AND RESISTING AN OFFICER.  ESTHERWOOD POLICE CHIEF WAYNE WELSH SAYS THAT THEY RECEIVED A COMPLAINT AND INVESTIGATED, BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY DETAILS.  THE CHARGES ARE AGAINST ANTHONY BORILL, WHO WAS MAYOR OF ESTHERWOOD FROM 2011 TO 2018.  THE REVENGE PORN CHARGE CARRIES A MAXIMUM TWO YEAR SENTENCE AND/OR A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR FINE IF CONVICTED.

Louisiana’s Medicaid program started the new year under a cloud of uncertainty, amid a continued dispute over multibillion-dollar contracts to provide health services to 1.5 million people. Deals with five private companies that manage care for most Medicaid patients were slated to expire at the end of December. The administration chose four companies to do the work starting in 2020. But two losing bidders that currently hold Louisiana Medicaid managed care contracts are protesting that decision, a legal process that has stalled the new contract awards.

A witness says a plane that crashed in Lafayette had leveled out its wings before it hit trees and transmission lines and crashed in a fiery heap. A preliminary investigation issued Tuesday by federal investigators did not give a cause for the Dec. 28 plane crash that killed five people on their way to the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board have repeatedly said it will take about a year for that determination to be made. But the report did shed new light on some aspects of the crash, including what witnesses told investigators.

A HABITUAL OFFENDER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON GOT ANOTHER FIFTY YEARS AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO MULTIPLE CHARGES IN LAKE CHARLES.  THE CRIMES ARE RELATED TO A 2017 INCIDENT WHEN LAKE CHARLES POLICE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER WILL CELESTINE LEADING TO A HIGH SPEED CHASE.  CELESTINE CRASHED HIS VEHICLE INTO A RESIDENCE LEAVING BEHIND A ONE-YEAR-OLD IN THE VEHICLE.  HE THEN BROKE INTO A RESIDENCE WHERE THE OWNER WAS PRESENT AND HID.

CRIME RATES IN NEW IBERIA ARE DOWN.  THE NUMBER OF PROPERTY CRIMES ARE DOWN FIFTY-TWO PERCENT WHILE THE VIOLENT CRIME RATE DROPPED BY FORTY PERCENT IN 2019 COMPARED TO 2018.  THE NUMBERS WERE REPORTED AT LAST NIGHT’S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.  MAYOR FREDDIE DECOURT SAYS HE BELIEVES THE REDUCED CRIME IS A RESULT OF COMMUNITY POLICING AND THE TRUST THAT’S BEEN EARNED IN THE COMMUNITY.

QUALIFYING FOR AN ELECTION TO SELECT MEMBERS FOR THE REPUBLICAN STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE IN LOUISIANA HAS BEEN CANCELED BY THE FIRST CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL.  THE COURT ISSUED THE INJUNCTION BECAUSE OF A LAWSUIT THAT THEY SAY HAS A LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS.  THE DECISION REVERSES A DISTRICT COURT’S JUDGEMENT TO DENY THE REQUEST OF AN INJUNCTION.  THE LAWSUIT CHALLENGES THE STATE’S STATUTES FOR ELECTING STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES.

ONE PERSON IS RECOVERING IN THE HOSPITAL TODAY AFTER SUFFERING MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS.  CAROLINE MARCELLO REPORTS.

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REPRESENTATIVES FOR CAMERON L-N-G CONFIRMED THEY ARE CONSIDERING AN EXPANSION OF THEIR FACILITY IN HACKBERRY.  CURRENTLY THEY ARE WORKING ON GETTING A THIRD NATURAL GAS LIQUEFACTION UNIT UP AND RUNNING, BUT THE OWNERS ARE DECIDING WHETHER TO ADD TWO MORE UNITS.  THAT WOULD MAKE IT THE SECOND LARGEST L-N-G OPERATION IN THE UNITED STATES.  THE THIRD UNIT IS EXPECTED TO BE UP AND RUNNING BY THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ health secretary is leaving the administration as the governor begins his second term in office. Dr. Rebekah Gee launched the Democratic governor’s Medicaid expansion program but faced repeated criticism from Republicans about her management of it during her four-year tenure. The governor’s office announced Monday that Gee is resigning from the position effective Jan. 31. Gee’s successor wasn’t immediately named.

LAFAYETTE POLICE CHIEF TOBY AGUILLARD SUBMITTED HIS RESIGNATION YESTERDAY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.  THE NEW MAYOR PRESIDENT JOSH GUILLORY UNEXPECTEDLY ASKED FOR HIS RESIGNATION LAST MONTH AND, AT THE TIME, AGUILLARD SAID HE WOULD FIGHT IN COURT TO KEEP HIS JOB.  IN A STATEMENT, AGUILLARD SAID HE CHANGED HIS MIND BECAUSE A FIGHT BETWEEN A POLICE CHIEF AND A NEW MAYOR WOULD CAUSE STRESS FOR HIS OFFICERS, THE PARTIES INVOLVED AND THE PUBLIC, SOMETHING HE DID NOT WANT TO BE A PART OF.  IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT LIEUTENANT SCOTT MORGAN, A TWENTY-FIVE YEAR VETERAN IN THE DEPARTMENT, WILL TAKE OVER ON AN INTERIM BASIS.

TONIGHT JOSH GUILLORY WILL TAKE PART IN HIS FIRST COUNCIL MEETING AS THE MAYOR PRESIDENT.  HE WAS SWORN IN TO OFFICE YESTERDAY ALONG WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY AND PARISH COUNCILS.  IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME IN 28 YEARS THAT SEPARATE COUNCILS WILL WORK WITH A SINGLE MAYOR PRESIDENT.  GUILLORY PLANS TO PROPOSE SPLITTING THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTO THREE DEPARTMENTS AT TONIGHT’S MEETING.

JENNINGS POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR THE OWNER OF A TRAILER THAT WAS FOUND IN THE CITY.  IN A FACEBOOK POST, THEY SAY THE TRAILER HAS NO SERIAL NUMBER OR PLATE NUMBER.  THEY SAY THE OWNER WILL BE DETERMINE BY WHETHER THEY CAN IDENTIFY A MARK THAT WAS FOUND ON THE REAR OF THE TRAILER.  THEY’VE ASKED WHOEVER HAS FILED A CASE FOR THEFT AND CAN CONFIRM THE TRAILER BELONGS TO THEM TO COME AND GET IT.

BRAD PRUDHOMME HAS BEEN NAMED THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE VERMILLION PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM.  HE REPLACES JEROME PUYAU, WHO RESIGNED LAST MONTH AFTER REACHING A SETTLEMENT WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD.  PRUDHOMME HAD BEEN SERVING AS THE SUPERVISOR OF CHILD WELFARE AND ATTENDANCE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.  PUYAU WILL REMAIN AS A CONSULTANT FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT IN SEPTEMBER.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT WILL BEGIN PUTTING UP ARMS AND LIGHTS AT RAILROAD CROSSINGS IN NEW IBERIA.  THE D-O-T-D HAD SET ASIDE THREE MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE PROJECT BUT HAD NOT SET A TIMETABLE TO BEGIN.  CITY OFFICIALS WERE EXCITED WHEN THE D-O-T-D ASKED FOR THE CITY TO DONATE LAND TO THEM SO THEY CAN PUT UP THE CROSSING ARMS AND LIGHTS, WHICH THEY SAW AS A SIGN OF PROGRESS.  THEY WILL VOTE TOMORROW ON WHETHER TO DONATE THE LAND.

ONE MAN IS DEAD AFTER BEING HIT BY A TRUCK IN JEFF DAVIS PARISH.  CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.

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ONE PERSON WAS KILLED AND ANOTHER SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT SUNDAY AFTERNOON ON L-A 103 IN ST. LANDRY PARISH.  STATE POLICE SAY 57-YEAR-OLD STEPHANIE SOILEAU OF VILLE PLATTE DROVE ACROSS THE CENTER LINE AND HIT AN ONCOMING PICKUP TRUCK.  SOILEAU WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE LATER DIED AND THE DRIVER OF THE PICKUP WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.  STATE POLICE TOOK TOXICOLOGY SAMPLES FROM BOTH DRIVERS TO DETERMINE IF EITHER WAS IMPAIRED.

THE U-S SUPREME COURT WILL CONSIDER A LOUISIANA STATE LAW THAT REQUIRES ABORTION DOCTORS TO HAVE ADMITTING PRIVILEGES AT A HOSPITAL WITHIN THIRTY MILES OF THEIR CLINIC.  IT WILL BE THE FIRST MAJOR ABORTION DECISION SINCE PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP APPOINTED TWO CONSERVATIVE JUSTICES ON THE SUPREME COURT.  THE U-S SOLICITOR GENERAL HAS REQUESTED TIME DURING ORAL ARGUMENT TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE STATE LAW AND RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTIONISTS.  THE CASE IS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD BY THE JUSTICES ON MARCH FOURTH.

JOSH GUILLORY WILL BE SWORN IN TODAY AS THE NEW MAYOR PRESIDENT FOR LAFAYETTE.  GUILLORY AND THE INCOMING PARISH AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL BE SWORN IN THIS AFTERNOON AT THREE AT THE HEYMANN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.  DARLA MONTGOMERY, THE KLFY NEWS TEN ANCHOR, WILL HOST THE CEREMONY WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  BISHOP J. DOUGLAS DESHOTEL WILL DELIVER THE INVOCATION AND THE FAMILY OF SLAIN POLICE OFFICER CORPORAL MICHAEL MIDDLEBROOK WILL LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LAFAYETTE N-DOUBLE-A-C-P ARE RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT INCOMING MAYOR PRESIDENT JOSH GUILLORY’S DECISION TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION WITH THE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT.  THEY HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE YESTERDAY AT THE IMANI TEMPLE ON WILLOW STREET.  LAFAYETTE N-DOUBLE-A-C-P PRESIDENT MARJA BROUSSARD SAYS AFRICAN AMERICANS IN LAFAYETTE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAD SOLVED ALL HOMOCIDES IN 2019 AND HELPED CREATE AN OVERALL LOWER VIOLENT CRIME RATE.  GUILLORY ASKED CURRENT POLICE CHIEF TOBY AGUILLARD TO SUBMIT HIS RESIGNATION OR BE FIRED WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE.

LAKE ARTHUR RESIDENTS ARE UNDER A BOIL ADVISORY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  THERE WAS A WATER LINE BREAK YESTERDAY MORNING WHICH CAUSED LOW WATER PRESSURE IN CERTAIN AREAS.  IF YOU WERE WITHOUT WATER, RUN FAUCETS UNTIL THE WATER IS CLEAR AND BOIL WATER BEFORE CONSUMING IT.  THE BOIL ADVISORY WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HOSPITALS LIFTS IT.

A BUNKIE MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED DURING A CONCERT AT AROUND ONE A-M YESTERDAY MORNING IN OPELOUSAS.  THE 28-YEAR-OLD WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL IN A PRIVATE CAR WHERE HE LATER DIED.  THE SHOOTING HAPPENED ON THE YAMBILEE GROUNDS.  HIS NAME HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT ST. LANDRY CRIME STOPPERS AT 948-TIPS.

The 2019 Louisiana governor’s race that saw Democrat John Bel Edwards win reelection to a second term was the most expensive gubernatorial competition in state history. Candidates, their allies and their foes spent about $73 million. The three major candidates alone — Edwards, Republican U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham and GOP businessman Eddie Rispone — spent about $47 million. Major political action committees accounted for the rest of the dollars.

TONY TRUMPS, 49 WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE RAPE AND FALSE IMPRISONMENT. CROWLEY CHIEF OF POLICE JIMMY BROUSSARD CONFIRMED THAT AFTER GETTING A CALL ABOUT AN ALLEGED RAPE AT THE 400 BLOCK OF EAST JEANETTE STREET, THEY FOUND A 37 YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO WAS BEING HELD CAPTIVE AND BEING FORCED TO HAVE RELATIONS WITH TRUMPS. CHIEF BROUSSARD SAID “TRUMPS HAD BEEN HOLDING HER AT A MAKESHIFT BARN/RESIDENCE AGAINST HER WILL AND WOULD NOT ALLOW HER TO LEAVE”. TRUMPS WAS BOOKED INTO THE ACADIA PARISH JAIL ON A $135,000 BOND.

CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE DETAILS ON THE GRAND COTEAU POLICE THAT WAS SHOT NEW YEAR’S DAY.

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BRETT J. BURNS, 56 OF WALKER, LA DIED AFTER WRECKING HIS TRUCK INTO AN EMBANKMENT NEAR SINGER ON NEW YEAR’S NIGHT. STATE POLICE TROOP D TROOPERS WERE CALLED TO INVESTIGATE THE CRASH THAT HAPPENED WEDNESDAY NIGHT AROUND 8:30, NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF HWY 110 AND BEEHIVE LOOP. STATE TROOPERS FOUND BURNS WITH SERIOUS INJURIES AND HAD HIM TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL WHERE HE LATER DIED. STATE POLICE BELIEVE BURNS RAN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN HE FAILED TO NAVIGATE A LEFT HAND CURVE, CAUSING  HIM TO RUN INTO THE EMBANKMENT, VAULTING HIS TRUCK OVER THE ROAD AND STOPPING IN A DITCH. POLICE SUSPECT THAT IMPAIRMENT CAUSED BURNS TO CRASH. A TOXICOLOGY SAMPLE WAS TAKEN AND THE ACCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATIION.

FUNERAL SERVICES WERE HELD FOR THE MOTHER AND SON THAT WERE KILLED BY THE TRAGIC PLANE CRASH SATURDAY.  CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.

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CHRIS LANDRY, 42 OF BERWICK HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR TRYING TO PASS FAKE MONEY. POLICE WERE CONTACTED BY A BUSINESS IN BAYOU VISTA WITH A COMPLAINT OF FAKE MONEY BEING USED. ACCORDING TO A DEPUTY, THE BUSINESS OWNER CLAIMED THAT LANDRY TRIED TO EXCHANGE A COUNTERFEIT BILL FOR SMALLER BILLS. THE INVESTIGATION LED POLICE TO ANOTHER BUSINESS IN BAYOU VISTA WHERE LANDRY TRIED THE SAME THING. WITH THE HELP OF THE BERWICK POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE ST. MARY PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPTUY MADE CONTACT WITH LANDRY ON THIRD STREET IN BERWICK, WHERE HE WAS ARRESTED AND BOOKED ON A CHARGE OF MONETARY INSTRUMENT ABUSE. LANDRY WAS LATER RELEASED ON A $3,000 BOND.

(AP) — McNeese State University has a new leader at the helm of its girls’ volleyball program. Kristee Porter has been named head coach after serving similar stints at Navarro Junior College and Henderson State. Director of Athletics Bruce Hemphill made the announcement Monday. Porter replaces Ashleigh Fitzgerald, whose contract was not renewed in 2019. Fitzgerald compiled an 80-109 record in six seasons at the helm, including a 42-54 Southland Conference record.

(AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards has named his three appointees to Louisiana’s top public school board for the upcoming term. He’s keeping two picks from his first four years in office and replacing the third on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Democratic governor announced yesterday that Doris Voitier and Thomas Roque will remain on the board. Voitier is superintendent of St. Bernard Parish public schools, while Roque is superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Alexandria. Edwards is replacing Grambling State University professor Lurie Thomason Jr. with Louisiana State University professor Belinda Davis. Edwards’ spokeswoman says Thomason resigned from the education board last month, citing health concerns.

A GRAND COTEAU POLICE OFFICER WAS SHOT YESTERDAY WHILE MAKING A  TRAFFIC STOP ON LA. 182. THE UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE POLICE OFFICER WAS SHOT IN THE SHOULDER BY THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE SHE HAD STOPPED FOR A ROUTINE TRAFFIC VIOLATION. THE SUSPECT DROVE AWAY AND HIT A DITCH ON MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE AND THEN FLED ON FOOT AND WAS CAPTURED AFTER A SHORT FOOT PURSUIT. GRAND COTEAU POLICE CHIEF WILTON GUIDRY SAID THE SUSPECT ISN’T FROM THE AREA AND SAID HE HAD A RECORD. CHIEF GUIDRY ALSO CONFIRMED THE OFFICER IS BEING TREATED AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AND IS EXPECTED TO RECOVER.

THERE WERE A COUPLE OF HOUSE FIRES IN THE AREA TO START THE NEW YEAR.  GERALD GRUEING REPORTS.

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THE OTHER FIRE HAPPENED AROUND SIX YESTERDAY MORNING, THE CARENCRO FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A CALL OF A HOUSE FIRE ON THE 300 BLOCK OF ELWICK DRIVE. WITH THE HELP OF THE LAFAYETTE AND SCOTT FIRE DEPARTMENTS, CARENCRO FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITHIN ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES. ALL THE PEOPLE INSIDE MADE IT OUT OF THE HOME SAFELY WITHOUT ANY INJURIES. THE HOME HAD HEAVY FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGE.

A FORMER UL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR PASSED AWAY NEW YEAR’S EVE.  GERALD GRUEING REPORTS.

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FORMER LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT BURNELL F. LEMOINE, WAS ARRESTED NEW YEAR’S EVE AND CHARGED WITH OBSCENITY. THE LAFAYETTE POLICE BOOKING DEPARTMENT REPORTED THAT LEMOINE WAS ARRESTED AROUND 12:40 NEW YEAR’S EVE AFTERNOON AFTER HE INTENTIONALLY EXPOSED HIMSELF TO AN UNDERCOVER AGENT. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT THE 1400 BLOCK OF ST. JOHN STREET. LEMOINE BONDED OUT OF JAIL AT $5,000. LEMOINE SERVED AS THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM’S SUPERINTENDENT FROM JULY 2007 TO DECEMBER 2011.

THE FIRST 2020 BABY BORN IN ACADIANA, WAS BORN AROUND 12:30 JANUARY 1^ST AT OUR LADY OF LOURDES WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. THE HEALTHY BABY GIRL WAS GIVEN THE NAME MYA DERANAE WARDLAW BY HER PARENTS DELALE WARDLAW 21 AND DEYA JONES, 20. MYA WAS DUE TO BE BORN JANUARY 8^TH,  BUT SHE DECIDED TO COME A WEEK EARLY. MYA WAS THE FIRST OF THREE BABIES BORN YESTERDAY MORNING AT WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL.

A VIDEO OF THE AIRPLANE CRASH SATURDAY MORNING JUST A MILE OR SO FROM THE LAFYETTE AIRPORT HAS BEEN RECOVERED.                                             AT TV 10 GIVE US DETAILS:

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A CROWLEY MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE HIT AND RUN OF AN 11YR OLD RIDING HIS BIKE SUNDAY MORNING IN CROWLEY.  POLICE CHIEF JIMMY BROUSSARD SAID JUSTIN DUHON WAS ARRESTED IN ORLEANS PARISH.  DUHOM FACES CHARGES OF FELONY HIT AND RUN, HIS BOND WAS SET AT $100,000.  HE WILL BE EXTRADUTED BACJJ TI CROWLEY TO FACE THE CHARGES.

THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS AND THE DIOCESE OF  LAFYETTE IS FACING A FEDERAL LAWSUIT THAT CLAIMS THEY BOTH COVERED UP A DECADES OLD CONFESSION OF CHILD SEX ABUSE BY THE LATE KENNETH MORVANT.  MOVANT WAS ACCUSED  OF REPEATEDLY ABUSING ADOLECENT BOYS IN THE RECTORY OF ST MARTIN DE TOURS CHURCH IN ST. MARTINVILLE.

ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT LOUISIANA RANKS #9 AS THE MOST DANGEROUS STATE FOR IMPAIRED DRIVING.  THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS IN PARTICULAR A DANGEROUS TIME ON THE ROADS. LAST YEAR THERE WERE  285 DRUNK DRIVING DEATHS ACROSS THE NATON BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS ALONE.  IF YOU OUT SEEING THE NEW YEAR IN OFFICIALS ARE URGING ALL DRIVERS TO EXERCISE CARE ON THE ROAD.

A RECORD SETTING DRUG BUST WAS MADE IN LAFAYETTE.  MEGAN KELLY RETURNS WITH THAT STORY:

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PERSONAL INCOME IN LOUISIANA GREW SLOWER THANT THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IN THE THIRD QUARTER.   BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS IN THE REPORT AS THE STATE INCOME DID GROW BY 3.4% COMPRED TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 3.8%.  FOR AN OVER THE YEAR METRIC, PERSONAL INCOME IN LOUISIANA GREW BY 3.7%.  MOST EARNINGS FROM THE VARIOUS JOB CATAGORIES GREW INCLUDING GROWTH IN MINING AND QUARRYING INDUSTRY, WHICH INCLUDES OIL AND GAS EXTRACTION JOBS INCREASED BY $32 MILLION.

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LAFAYETTE PARISH IS BUCKING THE NATIONAL TREND  OF OPIOID OVERDOSING.  FATAL OVERDOSES INVOLVING OPIOIDS ROSE IN LAFAYETTE PARISH IN 2019 EVEN AS THE NATIONAL RATE APPEARED TO BE SLOWING.  OPIOID INVOLVED DEATHS ALSO ROSE ACROSS THE PELICAN STATE AS WELL, BUT NOT AS  QUICKLY AS IN LAFAYETTE PARISH.  THERE WERE 19 FATAL OVERDOSES INVOLVING FENTANYL IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF  2019, WHICH REPRESENTS A 46% INVTRSDR OVER THE ENTIRE PREVIOUS YEAR.  ACCORDING TO THE LAFAYETTE PARISH CORONERS OFFICE HEROIN INVOLVED DEATHS NUMBERED 21 THRU OCTOBER, SURPASSING THE 2018 FIGURE OF 18.

THE BAGGAGE PROBLEM AT THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG NEW ORLEANS AIRPORT NEW TERMINAL HAS AGAIN RESULTED IN DELAYED FLIGHTS AND ANGERING PASSENGERS WHOSE BAG ARE LEFT BEHIND.  THE FLIGHT TRACKING WEBSITE FLIGHTAWARE SAID THERE WERE 43 DELAYED FLIGHTS OUT OF THE AIRPORT AS OF 4PM THURSDAY.  THE NEW AIRPORT WAS BUILT AT A COST OF $1BILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH BAGGAGE PROBLEMS SINCE THE RECENT OPENING.

WITH THE DEPARTURE OF LSU PRESIDENT F. KING ALEXANDER THE LSU BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SAY THEY WILL CONDUCT A  SWEEPING NATIONWIDE SEARCH , THEN CHOOSE THE BEST AVAILABLE CANDIDATE.  IN THE MEANTIME COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION JAY DARDENNE HAS CONFIRED HIS INTEREST IN THE POSITON.  ACCORDING TO DARDENNE THIS IS THE ONLY OTHER JOB IN GOVERNMENT THAT HE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN.

FUNNY MONEY HAS TURNED UP IN ACADIANA…MEGAN KELLYFROM TV 10 GIVES US DETAILS:

       (VOICER                         “ MEGAN KELLY”)

NOAA IS NOW GOING TO REQUIRE SHRIMPERS TO INSTALL METAL GATES TO ALLOW SEA TURTLES TO ESCAPE.  THE NEW RULE IS GETTING MIXED REACTIONS FROM CONSERVATION GROUPS.  ONE GROUP PRAISED THE NEW RULE ANOTHER SAID IT DID NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.  THE RULE WAS DEVELOPED IN RESPONSE TO A 2015 LAWSUIT THAT ALLEDGED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS VIOLIATING THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT BY FAILING TO MONITOR THE SHRIMPING INDUSTRY’S IMPACT ON SEA TURTLES. LOUISIANA SHRIMPERS HAVE LONG BEEN REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL TED REGULATIONS.  FIVE OF THE WORLD’S 7 SPECIES OF SEA TURTLES LIVE IN THE GULF.

AN ANGOLA INMATE HAS DIED OF WHAT OFFICIALS REPORT WERE SELF INDLICTED BURNS.  62 YR OLD JOEL BAKER WAS FOUND BEHIND THE MAIN PRISON CAMP IN CRITICAL CONDITION FROM SIGNIFICANT BURNS ABOUT 8AM ON SUNDAY.  HE WAS TAKEN TO A BATON ROUGE HOSPITAL WHERE HE DIED ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

YOUNGSVILLE CITY POLICE ARE ON PATROL LOOKING FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE OBEYING THE TRAFFIC LAWS.  THE CITY COPS ARE HANDING OUT GIFT CARDS TO DRIVERS WHO THEY OBSERVE OBEYING SPEED LIMITS, USING TURN SIGNALS, STOPPING AS STOP SIGNS.  MOST MOTORISTS THINK THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING WRONG WHEN STOPPED BY THE POLICE AND ARE SURPRISED WHEN INSTEAD OF A TRAFFIC TICKET ARE GIVEN A GIFT CARD. 

ISRAEL PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU YESTERDAY SCORED A LANDSLIDE VICTORY IN A PRIMARY RACE FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF THE LIKUD PARTY, GIVING HIM AN IMPORTANT BOOST AHEAD OF THE COUNTRY’S THIRD ELECTION IN LESS THAN A YEAR.

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ACADIAN AMBULANCE HAS ENTERED INTO AN EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BROUSSARD.  ACADIAN AMBULANCE WANTS TO PARTNER WITH CITIES ON EXCLUSIVE AMBULANCE SERVICE AGREEMENTS, AND BROUSSARD IS THE FIRST CITY WITH AN AGREEMENT THAT GOES INTO EFFECT ON FEBRUARY FIRST.  AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT, ACADIAN AMBULANCE WILL PROMISE TO A RESPONSE TIME OF UNDER ELEVEN MINUTES ON EIGHTY PERCENT OF THEIR CALLS.  THAT’S TWO MINUTES FASTER THAN THE AGREEMENT WITH LAFAYETTE PARISH AND WILL REQUIRE MORE RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL IN BROUSSARD.

A FOURTH PERSON HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A LAKE CHARLES MAN EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.  17-YEAR-OLD D’ATAVIOUS JEFFERSON IS BEING CHARGED WITH PRINCIPLE TO SECOND DEGREE MURDER, ARMED ROBBERY AND CARRYING A WEAPON DURING A CRIME OF VIOLENCE.  24-YEAR-OLD BRACKUS GUILLORY WAS FOUND SHOT AT AROUND ONE A-M SATURDAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF BRENTWOOD AND TENNESSEE STREETS AND HE LATER DIED AT THE HOSPITAL.  INVESTIGATORS WITH THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE BELIEVE THE SHOOTING HAPPENED DURING AN ILLEGAL DRUG TRANSACTION AND THE VICTIM WAS AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER WHO HAPPENED TO BE IN THE PARK.

ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING THAT INJURED ONE PERSON MONDAY AFTERNOON.  CAROLINE MARCELLO REPORTS.

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The Louisiana Department of Education has won a three-year grant totaling more than $33 million to make preschool more available to low-income children from birth to age 3. A news release Monday said starting in 2020 the federal Preschool Development Grant will create at least 600 free openings for young children. It also will double the number of pilot program networks to increase access to high-quality early childhood education and pay for community-based helpers to recruit and support families to apply for child care help. It also will establish and strengthen regional networks of people who provide approved child care services in their homes.

DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE HOSTED MORE THAN SIXTY EVENTS THIS YEAR AND SAW THEIR MEMBERSHIP ALMOST DOUBLE.  THOSE NUMBERS HAVE DOWNTOWN OFFICIALS OPTIMISTIC FOR 2020.  C-E-O ANITA BEGNAUD TELLS THE ADVOCATE THAT NOW HAVING ALMOST TWO HUNDRED MEMBERS IS HUGE WITH MORE VOICES AT THE TABLE WITH IDEAS ON THE DIRECTION DOWNTOWN SHOULD GO.  DOWNTOWN ENDED THE YEAR ON A HIGH NOTE WITH THE PENDING CONSTRUCTION OF THE 24 UNIT VERMILLION LOFTS ON VERMILLION STREET AND THE 34-UNIT BUCHANON HEIGHTS TOWNHOMES ON WEST SECOND STREET.

CAMERON L-N-G’S EXPORT FACILITY IN HACKBERRY HAS BEGUN GENERATING LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS FROM ITS SECOND UNIT.  THREE UNITS WERE PLANNED FOR THE SITE AND THE FIRST UNIT BEGAN OPERATION IN MID-AUGUST.  OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THEY HAVE BEGUN STARTING UP THE SECOND UNIT WHICH, ONCE COMPLETE, WILL BE ABLE TO EXPORT UP TO TWELVE MILLION TONS OF L-N-G PER YEAR.  CAMERON L-N-G IS THE FOURTH LARGEST L-N-G EXPORT FACILITY IN THE COUNTRY.

A Roman Catholic church in Vermillion Parish decided to disperse some blessings to a local town via crop dusters. A Facebook post from the Diocese of Lafayette on Sunday says members of St. Anne Church in Cow Island called upon crop duster pilots to help spread their blessing to the community. KATC-TV reports the Rev. Matthew Barzare and parishioners of the church loaded 100 gallons of holy water into the planes. The pilots sprayed the water onto the town and the nearby farms.

GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS IS ONE OF MORE THAN THIRTY GOVERNORS WHO HAVE AGREED TO ACCEPT REFUGEES IN THEIR STATE.  PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ALLOWING STATES TO OPT OUT OF THE FEDERAL REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROCESS.  LAST FRIDAY,  GOVERNOR EDWARDS SENT IN THE PAPERWORK CONSENTING TO REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT AT THE URGING OF THE LOUISIANA CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS.  EDWARD’S SPOKESWOMAN, CHRISTINA STEPHENS, SAYS THIS WILL ALLOW CATHOLIC CHARITIES TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE VALUABLE SUPPORT AND LAWFUL REFUGE TO THESE PEOPLE IN THEIR TIME OF NEED.

ONE MAN WAS WOUNDED WHEN GUNFIRE BROKE OUT AT THE BEAU SOLEIL APARTMENTS ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR DRIVE IN LAFAYETTE BEFORE 1:30 A-M SUNDAY MORNING.  THE 28-YEAR-OLD MAN, WHOSE NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED, WAS STRUCK MULTIPLE TIMES.  HE IS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL.  CORPORAL BRIDGETTE DUGAS OF THE LAFAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE VICTIM DID NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON SUSPECTS AND NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE.

THREE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A LAKE CHARLES MAN.  TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD BRACKUS GUILLORY WAS FOUND AFTER HE HAD BEEN SHOT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF BRENTWOOD AND TENNESSEE STREETS AT AROUND ONE A-M SATURDAY AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE LATER DIED.  CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES HAVE ARRESTED 21-YEAR-OLD KASHEEL TOMLINSON, TWENTY-YEAR-OLD HAKEEM SMITH AND 18-YEAR-OLD MARKEYA JACKSON.  A FOURTH PERSON, 24-YEAR-OLD TYLER GUILLORY OF LAKE CHARLES, WHO HAD NO CONNECTION TO THE SHOOTING, WAS ALSO ARRESTED AFTER MARIJUANA, METH, CRACK AND STOLEN GUNS WERE FOUND IN HIS HOUSE.

AUTHORITIES IN IBERIA PARISH HAVE MADE TWO ARRESTS IN CONNECTION WITH A MAN WHO WAS SHOT TO DEATH.  CAROLINE MARCELLO REPORTS.

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Louisiana utility regulators are studying ways to handle a coming increase in monthly electric bills tied to Entergy’s building of new electricity generating plants. The Louisiana Public Service Commission directed its staff to look at enlarging use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency assistance programs. The commission’s staff also will review the implications of allowing industrial customers to fend for themselves by seeking better electricity prices on the open market or letting plants and refineries make their own power. Entergy says it needs to eventually spend an estimated $10 billion to $12 billion to replace its units, costs passed on to customers.

WHEN STUDENTS RETURN FROM CHRISTMAS BREAK TO MARTIAL F. BILLEAUD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BROUSSARD, THEY WILL NOTICE NO CONSTRUCTION CREWS.  THE SCHOOL WAS OPENED LAST AUGUST BUT THE CREWS WERE STILL WORKING ON A NEW CLASSROOM WING AS WELL AS THE LIBRARY, THE AUDITORIUM AND ON A PERIMETER FENCE.  PRINCIPAL CHRISTY HAYES SAYS THE CREWS WRAPPED UP MAJOR CONSTRUCTION EARLIER THIS MONTH AND ARE NOW PUTTIN ON THE FINAL TOUCHES.  THE NEW WING HAS FOUR CLASSROOMS, TWO FOR PRE-K AND THE OTHERS NOT YET DESIGNATED.

ACADIAN AMBULANCE WILL BE REVITALIZING THE FORMER DIMMICK SUPPLY COMPANY BUILDING ON ENTERPRISE BOULEVARD IN LAKE CHARLES AND TURNING IT INTO A NATIONAL E-M-S BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE FACILITY.  ACADIAN AMBULANCE VICE PRESIDENT MIKE BURNEY SAYS THEY WILL BE TRAINING A LOT OF PEOPLE AS MEDICS AND PARAMEDICS AT THE FACILITY.  LAKE CHARLES MAYOR NIC HUNTER ANNOUNCED THAT THE BUILDING WILL BE THE HUB FOR OVER ONE HUNDRED LOCAL JOBS AND AN INCUBATOR OF WORKFORCE TRAINING FOR HUNDREDS AND MAYBE THOUSANDS OF LOCAL JOBS TO COME.  THE BUILDING IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THIS SUMMER.

A historical marker is planned for the community of Henry. The Acadian Museum of Erath says the marker will be installed Dec. 29 in front of land where Henry High School stood from 1896 until 2009. It was the first accredited high school in Vermilion Parish. The marker’s front describes the history of the community and the school.

LOUISIANA IS NUMBER NINE ON ANOTHER BAD LIST, THIS TIME CONCERNING DRUNK DRIVING DEATHS.  ACCORDING TO SAFEWISE-DOT-COM, LOUISIANA IS NINTH AMONG STATES FOR MOST DRUNK DRIVING DEATHS, WITH FOUR-POINT-SIX-FOUR DEATHS PER ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE.  NUMBER ONE ON THE LIST IS MONTANA, WHICH HAS SEVEN-POINT-FOUR-FOUR IMPAIRED DRIVING DEATHS PER ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE.  SAFEWISE SAYS THAT DURING THE NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAY, AN AVERAGE OF FORTY-THREE-POINT-FIVE PERCENT OF THE U-S POPULATION BINGE DRINKS.