KAJN Jesus FM 102.9

AN INTERNAL AUDIT OF L-U-S FIBER FOUND SEVENTEEN MILLION DOLLARS IN QUESTIONABLE PAYMENTS BY L-U-S TO SUPPLEMENT THE FIBER DIVISION.  LAFAYETTE MAYOR PRESIDENT JOEL ROBIDEAUX SAYS THAT THE POSSIBLE RULES VIOLATION WILL BE REPORTED TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.  HE SAYS OTHER PATTERNS OF REVENUE MANIPULATION WERE ALSO FOUND IN THE INVESTIGATION THAT ARE HARD TO IGNORE BUT DO NOT RISE TO THE LEVEL OF NEEDING TO BE REPORTED TO THE COMMISSION.  ROBIDEAUX TOLD THE CITY PARISH COUNCIL THAT, IF YOU SUBTRACT REVENUES FROM L-U-S OPERATIONS AND THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT, L-U-S FIBER LOST 83-POINT-SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS IN ITS FIRST DECADE.

IT’S ESTIMATED THAT THREE HUNDRED HOMES IN BEAUREGARD PARISH WERE AFFECTED BY A TORNADO  ON MONDAY.  THE AMERICAN RED CROSS HAS A DISASTER RECOVERY TEAM IN THE PARISH CONDUCTING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE.  MANY FAMILIES LOST EVERYTHING SO THE RED CROSS SET UP A DONATION COLLECTION POINT AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH GYM IN DERIDDER.  THEY’VE ASKED ANYONE WHO HAS SUFFERED DAMAGE TO CONTACT THE BEAUREGARD PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE WITH THE SPECIFICS.

A WOMAN POSTED A VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA OF A BLACK BEAR THAT SHE SPOTTED CREEPING AROUND IN AN IBERIA PARISH NEIGHBORHOOD.  MEGAN KELLY HAS MORE.

VOICER I :15

Louisiana’s transportation department says it is boosting safety measures at its roadwork sites. Agency secretary Shawn Wilson announced the upgrades at a ceremony Monday honoring West Monroe area employee Johnny Cole, who was killed on the job this summer. Wilson says his department will require a “spotter” on two-person crews to watch traffic. A cone will be placed further back from a work zone, equipped with an alarm that sounds if hit.

LAST NIGHT WAS THE FINAL LAFAYETTE CITY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING AS NEXT YEAR THERE WILL BE SEPARATE CITY AND PARISH COUNCILS.  AT LAST NIGHT’S MEETING, THE COUNCIL APPROVED GIVING THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE ONE-POINT-TWO-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FOR HOUSING CITY PRISONERS.  THEY TRANSFERRED JUST OVER FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE JUVENILE JAIL BUDGET TO THE JUVENILE ASSESMENT CENTER, WHICH HAD BEEN SUSPENDED EARLIER THIS YEAR BY SHERIFF MARK GARBER BECAUSE OF A LACK OF FUNDING FROM THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT.  ALSO THE COUNCIL APPROVED A FIVE PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR LAFAYETTE CITY COURT EMPLOYEES.

A LAKE CHARLES MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR TAKING INAPPROPRIATE VIDEOS OF A FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL.  46-YEAR-OLD DAMON P. LECHTENBURG IS ACCUSED OF PUTTING CAMERAS IN THE GIRL’S BATHROOM AND BEDROOM WITHOUT HERE KNOWLEDGE.  HE ALLEGEDLY ADMITTED TO DETECTIVES THAT HE HAD BEEN FILMING THE GIRL SINCE JULY.  DETECTIVES FOUND VIDEOS AND STILL PHOTOS OF THE GIRL ON LECHTENBURG’S COMPUTER.

SOME CROWLEY POLICE OFFICERS TOOK SOME UNDERPRIVILEGED KIDS SHOPPING AT WALMART FOR CHRISTMAS.  DURING THE ANNUAL SHOP WITH A COP DAY, THE KIDS ARE GIVEN CASH AND OFFICERS HELP THEM SHOP FOR THEIR FAMILY TO HELP THEM HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS.  POLICE CHIEF JIMMY BROUSSARD LAUDED HIS OFFICERS WHO TOOK OF THEIR FREE TIME TO HELP THE KIDS.  HE TOLD KATC TV THAT HE’S HUMBLED WHEN HE LOOKS AT WHAT HIS OFFICERS DO FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.

THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS WARNING PARENTS NOT TO GIVE LOTTERY TICKETS OR SCRATCH OFF GAMES TO THEIR CHILDREN AS STOCKING STUFFERS.  THEY SAY THE ODDS OF WINNING ARE SMALL IN COMPARISON OF YOUR CHILD DEVELOPING A GAMBLING HABIT.  THE DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED STUDIES THAT SHOW ONE IN FIVE STUDENTS BETWEEN SIXTH AND TWELFTH GRADE PARTICIPATE IN SOME FORM OF GAMBLING SUCH AS SPORTS BETTING OR BINGO.  THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE EARLIER A PERSON STARTS GAMBLING, THE HIGHER THE ODDS OF DEVELOPING A GAMBLING PROBLEM AS AN ADULT.

TWO ACADIANA SCHOOLS HAVE ANNOUNCED CLOSURES.  MEGAN KELLY HAS THE DETAILS.

VOICER H :22

SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE WERE ON HAND AT A CALCASIEU PARISH COURTROOM FOR THE OFFICIAL SWEARING IN OF JAMES D. CAIN AS A FEDERAL JUDGE.  CAIN, WHO WAS CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE LAST SUMMER, IS A GRADUATE OF MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY.  HE THANKED SENATOR BILL CASSIDY OF LOUISIANA FOR PUSHING HIS CONFIRMATION.  CAIN SAYS HIS TWO GOALS AS A FEDERAL JUDGE ARE TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY AND TO APPLY THE LAW AS WRITTEN AND THE CONSTITUTION AS WRITTEN BY THE NATION’S FOUNDERS.

ONE PERSON WAS KILLED IN A TWO VEHICLE CRASH IN ST. MARTIN PARISH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT.  THE DRIVER OF A HONDA ACCORD WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN FROM L-A 347 ONTO CLAYTON CASTILLE ROAD AND WAS STRUCK BY A NORTHBOUND DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK.  A PASSENGER IN THE REAR SEAT OF THE ACCORD, 26-YEAR-OLD CHAYCE GOBERT OF BREAUX BRIDGE, WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT AND WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.  THE DRIVERS OF THE ACCORD AND PICKUP TRUCK, WHO WERE WEARING THEIR SEATBELTS, SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.

Powerful storms have smashed buildings, splintered trees and downed power lines around the Deep South, leaving one person dead as a dangerous mix of thunderstorms and suspected tornadoes raked the region. Forecasters issued multiple tornado watches and warnings Monday as a cold front collided with warmer air in the severe weather outbreak. The sheriff’s office in Vernon Parish says one person died when an apparent tornado struck a home yesterday. Other damage was reported in parts of Mississippi and Alabama.

LAFAYETTE PARISH DISTRICT ATTORNEY KEITH STUTES HAS SUGGESTED THAT CITY AND PARISH FUNDS BE BLENDED TOGETHER.  HE SAYS THAT WOULD MAKE UNDEDICATED CITY REVENUES AVAILABLE FOR THE PARISH.  SEVERAL OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THAT CAN’T BE DONE BECAUSE THE CHARTER PROHIBITS IT.  STUTES SAYS THAT RESTRICTION APPLIES ONLY TO DEDICATED MONEY BUT CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER LORRIE TOUPS SAYS CITY PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS CANNOT BE USED FOR THE PARISH.

A BIG NAME WILL BE HEADLINING THE NEXT CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW IN LAKE CHARLES.  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARY JO BAYLES ANNOUNCED THAT THE U-S NAVY’S BLUE ANGELS WILL BE PERFORMING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEVERAL DECADES.  THE CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW IS HELD EVERY OTHER YEAR.  THE NEXT SHOW IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE FOURTH TO SIXTH IN 2021.

TWO ANIMAL SHELTERS IN ACADIANA HAVE CONFIRMED CASES OF DISTEMPER AND HAVE STOPPED TAKING IN ANIMALS AND ADOPTIONS FOR NOW.  ACADIANA ANIMAL AID IN CARENCRO HAS TWO CASES AND ST. LANDRY ANIMAL RESCUE IN OPELOUSAS HAS ONE.  CANINE DISTEMPER IS A CONTAGIOUS AND SERIOUS DISEASE THAT ATTACKS A DOG’S RESPIRATORY, GASTROINTESTINAL AND NERVOUS SYSTEM.

The head of the Louisiana National Guard is retiring after 37 years in the military. Maj. Gen. Glenn Curtis will leave his position as adjutant general on Jan. 10. He’s led the National Guard for eight years during the state’s response to disasters including massive floods, hurricanes and cyberattacks on government. Gov. John Bel Edwards’ announced Curtis’ retirement Monday at an event honoring Curtis and announcing Brig. Gen. Keith Waddell will take over the job upon Curtis’ retirement.

Lafayette’s first community electric vehicle charging station has been installed.   The Advocate reports the new station is in the downtown area. Charging is free but has a two-hour time limit. The charging unit has a plug used by most electric vehicles with the exception of Tesla vehicles, which would need an adapter.

THE SULPHUR CHAPTER OF SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE HAS ALREADY MADE FORTY BEDS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED, AFTER STARTING JUST ONE MONTH AGO.  THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION CREATES AND DONATES BEDS FOR CHILDREN THAT DON’T HAVE THEM.  TEAM COORDINATOR BOBBIE MURPHY SAYS THE DONATION INCLUDES THE BED, MATTRESS, SHEETS, PILLOW CASES AND COMFORTORS.  THEY ARE MAKING THEIR FIRST DELIVERY ON MONDAY.  THE SULPHUR CHAPTER OPERATES OUT OF HENNING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING THE SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF A WOMAN WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND IN A LAKE IN ST. MARTIN PARISH.  MEGAN KELLY REPORTS.

VOICER G :20

Louisiana education leaders are pushing for all high school graduates by 2029 to leave school with college credit or an industry-based credential. The state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and its Board of Regents adopted the goal Wednesday during a joint meeting. If accomplished, the goal would double the current achievement level. The education department says half of the high school graduating class of 2018 earned at least one course of college credit or an industry credential.

LAST WEEK, THE BROUSSARD CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A CONTRACT WITH ACADIAN AMBULANCE.  MAYOR RAY BOURQUE SAYS ACADIAN AMBULANCE WOULD HAVE TO IMPROVE RESPONSE TIMES BY TWO MINUTES UNDER THE AGREEMENT.  HE SAYS THE CONTRACT GIVES ACADIAN AMBULANCE A GUARANTEE TO FURTHER INVEST EQUIPMENT AND MANPOWER IN THE CITY.  BROUSSARD IS THE FIRST MUNICIPALITY IN LAFAYETTE PARISH TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ACADIAN AMBULANCE.

TEN CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES UNDERWENT TRAINING OVER THE LAST WEEK TO PREPARE THEM FOR ANY SITUATION.  COMMANDER JAMES MCGEE SAYS THE TRAINING, WHICH HAS PROVEN VERY SUCCESSFUL, IS HELD ANNUALLY.  HE SAYS THEY WANT THEIR PATROL OFFICERS TO HAVE ADVANCED TRAINING BECAUSE THEY ARE THE FIRST TO THE SCENE OF ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATIONS.  MCGEE TELLS KPLC TV THE GOAL OF THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS FOR THEIR DEPUTIES TO KEEP GETTING BETTER AND BETTER.

A MAN WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A SHOOTING IN OPELOUSAS EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING.  THE VICTIM WAS SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES AND WAS FOUND IN A PARKING LOT ON SOUTH ACADEMY STREET AT AROUND FIVE A-M, THOUGH THE SHOOTING MAY HAVE HAPPENED AS MUCH AS AN HOUR EARLIER.  THE VICTIM, WHOSE NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED, WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND IS IN SERIOUS CONDITION.  POLICE DID NOT HAVE A SUSPECT OR MOTIVE AS OF LAST NIGHT.

THE ACADIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM IS ONCE AGAIN THE STATE CHAMPIONS.  THEY CAPTURED THEIR FIFTH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FIRST SINCE 2014 BY DEFEATING DESTREHAN EIGHT TO THREE SATURDAY NIGHT IN THE SUPERDOME.  JENNINGS HIGH SCHOOL LOST IN THEIR STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SATURDAY.  THEY WERE DEFEATED BY ST. JAMES 51-TO-14.

INCOMING LAFAYETTE MAYOR PRESIDENT JOSH GUILLORY HAS ASKED THE HUB CITY’S POLICE CHIEF TO RESIGN.  MEGAN KELLY HAS MORE.

VOICER F :30

THE DEFENSE FOR AN ACCUSED MURDERER WANTS THE DISCIPLINARY RECORDS OF SOME LAKE CHARLES POLICE OFFICERS TO BE UNSEALED.  THOSE POLICE OFFICERS MAY BE WITNESSES IN THE TRIAL OF JOEY JULIAN, WHO IS ACCUSED OF THE MURDER OF ERNEST MILLER IN DOWNTOWN LAKE CHARLES TWO YEARS AGO.  JUDGE RON WARE HAS AGREED WITH THE DEFENSE THAT THEY SHOULD BE UNSEALED, BUT WILL KEEP THEM SEALED UNTIL THE PROSECUTION HAS A CHANCE TO APPEAL TO THE THIRD CIRCUIT.  JULIAN’S TRIAL IS SET FOR APRIL.

IN A SURPRISE MOVE, THE VERMILLION PARISH SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF TERMINATING THE CONTRACT OF SUPERINTENDENT JEROME PUYAU.  THEY NOTIFIED PUYAU THAT HIS SERVICES AS SUPERINTENDENT WOULD END ON MARCH THIRTEENTH.  PUYAU AND THE BOARD HAVE BEEN IN CONSTANT CONFLICT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WITH INVESTIGATIONS LAUNCHED AGAINST PUYAU AND HE’S BEEN PUT ON LEAVE TWICE.  PUYAU’S ATTORNEY SAYS HE WILL ADVISE HIS CLIENT TO SUE THE BOARD.

Louisiana’s income forecasting battles are continuing into Gov. John Bel Edwards’ next four-year term. The House’s Republican budget committee chairman Cameron Henry refused Thursday to boost the state’s revenue projections as sought by the Democratic Edwards administration. Henry says the state faces too much financial uncertainty. The three other members sought to increase this year’s forecast by $170 million and next year’s by $103 million, but decisions by the conference must be unanimous.

ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT, THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD VOTED FIVE-TO-THREE TO ADD TWO PORTABLE BUILDINGS TO THE SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS.  THE TWO BUILDINGS WILL ADD FOUR NEW CLASSROOMS.  THE PRICE TAG FOR THE BUILDINGS IS 735 THOUSAND DOLLARS, MOST OF WHICH WILL BE COVERED BY U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FUNDS THAT WERE EARMARKED FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT SOUTHSIDE HIGH, WHICH MUST BE USED BY 2021.  THE CURRENT STUDENT ENROLLMENT AT SOUTHSIDE IS NEARLY SEVENTEEN HUNDRED AND THE SCHOOL WAS BUILT TO ACCOMMODATE FOURTEEN HUNDRED STUDENTS.

A LAKE CHARLES MAN WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY AFTER TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF DRUGS WERE FOUND IN HIS HOME.  A SEARCH WARRANT WAS EXECUTED AT THE HOME OF 33-YEAR-OLD LANCE WILSON ON CLOVER DRIVE BY THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE COMBINED ANTI-DRUG TASK FORCE.  THEY FOUND SEVEN-AND-A-HALF POUNDS OF HIGH GRADE MARIJUANA, FOURTEEN PINTS OF PROMETHAZINE AND SEVERAL HYDROCODONE PILLS.  THEY ALSO SEIZED TWO FIREARMS, ONE OF WHICH WAS REPORTED STOLEN BY THE SULPHUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY BO DUHE AGREED TO DISMISS HUNDREDS OF MOTIONS FILED TO RECUSE IBERIA PARISH JUDGE LORI LANDRY FROM CASES HIS OFFICE WAS PROSECUTING.  DUHE’S OFFICE HAD FILED MORE THAN THREE HUNDRED RECUSAL MOTIONS AGAINST LANDRY FOR CRIMINAL CASES IN IBERIA, ST. MARTIN AND ST. MARY PARISHES, AND A HEARING ON THE MOTIONS BEGAN THIS WEEK.  DUHE AND JUDGE LANDRY BOTH RECOMMITTED TO WORKING TOGETHER AND THEN HUGGED.  THE MOTIONS WERE FILED BECAUSE DUHE AND HIS ASSISTANT D-A’S CLAIMED JUDGE LANDRY WAS BIASED AND PREJUDICED AGAINST THE OFFICE AND COULD NOT BE FAIR OR IMPARTIAL.

The secrecy that shrouds competition for Louisiana’s legislative leadership jobs is drawing new criticism, as  deals are being brokered behind closed doors ahead of the new term. A secret ballot process to choose the Senate president is under fire from a government watchdog organization, and a private meeting among House Republicans to discuss the House speaker’s race is provoking disputes among GOP lawmakers. The majority-Republican Legislature is exerting newfound independence from a tradition that once gave governors a heavy hand in selections of legislative leaders, and that’s changing the dynamics of the backroom negotiating.

A JUDGE HAS ORDERED FIVE MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS IN LAFAYETTE TO TURN OVER ARTICLES, BROADCASTS AND INTERNET POSTS RELATED TO THE CASE OF IAN HOWARD, THE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING LAFAYETTE POLICE OFFICER MICHAEL MIDDLEBROOK IN OCTOBER 2017.  HOWARD’S LAWYERS MADE THE REQUEST AS THEY ARE SEEKING TO CONVINCE THE JUDGE TO MOVE HIS TRIAL OUT OF LAFAYETTE PARISH.  SUBPOENAS WERE ISSUED TO THE THREE TV STATIONS IN LAFAYETTE AS WELL AS THE TWO MAJOR DAILY NEWSPAPERS.  THE LAFAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO HAVE TO TURN OVER INTERNET POSTS RELATED TO THE CASE.

A MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY KILLED A HOUSTON-AREA POLICE OFFICER IS BELIEVED TO BE HEADED FOR LOUISIANA.  21-YEAR-OLD TAVORES HENDERSON WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING ARRESTED WHEN HE ESCAPED AND DROVE OFF IN HIS VEHICLE, STRIKING NASSAU BAY POLICE SERGEANT KAILA SULLIVAN, WHO LATER DIED.  HENDERSON IS DRIVING A RED BUICK WITH A TEXAS LICENSE PLATE AND THE BACK WINDOW BUSTED OUT.  HE WAS LAST SEEN AT AROUND TWO YESTERDAY AFTERNOON IN MISSOURI CITY WITH ANOTHER MAN.

A RECENT MASS SHOOTING ON CANAL STREET IN NEW ORLEANS HAS A ST. MARY PARISH CONNECTION.  CAROLINE MARCELLO REPORTS.

VOICER E :45

Louisiana’s Supreme Court has upheld a state law that automatically transfers 15-year-old suspects to adult court if they are indicted by a grand jury for certain violent crimes. Wednesday’s 4-3 ruling came in the case of a suspect who had just turned 15 when he was accused of raping a child. A lower court ruled that transferring him from juvenile court to a regular criminal court without a hearing was unconstitutional. The high court disagreed.

SOME ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENTS AT CAMELOT OF BROUSSARD GET TOGETHER EVERY TUESDAY TO KNIT BLANKETS FOR DIALYSIS PATIENTS.  ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS, MARY BASKIN, SAYS THE DIALYSIS UNITS ARE COLD AND THEY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING THAT WOULD HELP KEEP THEM WARM AND GIVE THEM A SMILE.  AS MANY AS THIRTEEN RESIDENTS HAVE SHOWN UP BUT ITS USUALLY ABOUT SEVEN WHO COME TOGETHER TO MAKE THE BLANKETS EVERY TUESDAY.  DEPENDING ON HOW MANY SHOW UP, THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE ABOUT TWO BLANKETS PER HOUR AND CAMELOT PROVIDES THE MATERIAL.

THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS ARRESTED A WELSH WOMAN AFTER SHE ASKED HER NEPHEW TO GET HER A FORTY-FIVE CALIBER GUN.  THEY SAY THE NEPHEW, A JUVENILE, STOLE A HANDGUN FROM A HOME ON NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD IN JENNINGS ON TUESDAY.  THEY FOUND A TEXT MESSAGE WITH THE REQUEST SENT TO THE JUVENILE FROM HIS AUNT, 38-YEAR-OLD KAY LYNN SIMON.  SHE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH PRINCIPAL TO THEFT OF A FIREARM, ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A STOLEN FIREARM, CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A JUVENILE AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.

CROWLEY POLICE ARE WORKING WITH THE F-B-I AND STATE POLICE TO TRY TO FIND THE CULPRITS WHO HAVE VANDALIZED CHURCHES SEVEN TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.  POLICE CHIEF JIMMY BROUSSARD SAYS THE F-B-I WILL TAKE OVER THE CASE IF IT’S DETERMINED THAT RACISM IS THE MOTIVE BEHIND THE CRIMES, AS THE CHURCHES ARE ALL IN AN HISTORICALLY BLACK PART OF CROWLEY.  INVESTIGATORS ARE FOLLOWING ALL LEADS, THOUGH THE FIRST LEAD DIDN’T WORK OUT, AND THEY MET WITH A GROUP OF CONCERNED CITIZENS LAST NIGHT.  PASTOR SHERRARD MARLON JOSEPH SAYS THEY WILL BE PUTTING UP SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AT MORNING STAR MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, WHICH WAS VANDALIZED TWICE, INCLUDING THIS PAST WEEKEND.

Louisiana’s Supreme Court says a state law that diverts a small percentage of motor vehicle sales taxes to a state board is unconstitutional. At issue in Wednesday’s ruling is a 2017 law establishing the Uniform Local Sales Tax Board. The panel was established to provide guidance to local sales tax officials on tax collection issues. It was to be funded with 0.2% of local sale taxes on motor vehicles,but the high court upheld a district court ruling that the state cannot divert a portion of locally approved motor vehicle taxes to the board.

LAFAYETTE POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR A SUSPECT BEHIND A CARJACKING THAT HAPPENED LATE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF PINHOOK AND EVANGELINE THRUWAY.  CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.

VOICER D :24

ANOTHER ARREST HAS BEEN MADE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 22-YEAR-OLD DAKOTA CHAISSON AT THE WARD EVENT CENTER IN JENNINGS ON NOVEMBER 29^TH.  IT HAPPENED DURING A PRIVATE PARTY WITH ABOUT ONE HUNDRED FIFTY IN ATTENDANCE.  EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD DAREN ZENO OF WELSH IS THE SEVENTH PERSON ARRESTED, AND POLICE ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR TWO OTHER SUSPECTS.  ZENO WAS BOOKED INTO THE JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH JAIL ON A CHARGE OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER ON MONDAY MORNING.

YESTERDAY AN APPOINTED JUDGE HEARD TESTIMONY AGAINST DISTRICT JUDGE LORI LANDRY, THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN JUDGE ELECTED IN IBERIA PARISH.  DISTRICT ATTORNEY BO DUHE HAS REQUESTED THAT LANDRY BE REMOVED FROM MORE THAN THREE HUNDRED CASES HIS OFFICE IS PROSECUTING BECAUSE OF HER ALLEGED BIAS AGAINST THEM.  PROSECUTORS AND STAFF IN THE D-A’S OFFICE TESTIFIED YESTERDAY BEFORE JUDGE HARRY F. RANDOW, WHO SAID HE’D NEVER SEEN A HEARING LIKE IT.  THE TESTIMONY INCLUDED CLAIMS OF INTIMIDATION AND ACCUSATIONS BY JUDGE LANDRY AGAINST ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy and Attorney General Jeff Landry are calling on Republican lawmakers in Louisiana’s state House to settle who will be their next speaker without involving Democrats. The two top Republican leaders sent the GOP House members a letter suggesting Democrats shouldn’t have a say in the House’s top leadership job for the new four-year term. Kennedy and Landry are co-chairman of a PAC that raised money to support conservative GOP candidates and helped elect several House members. The vote for new legislative leaders will be Jan. 13 as the new term starts.

THE FORMER OPERATOR OF THE ACADIANA MALL IN LAFAYETTE HAS FILED A LIEN AGAINST THE CURRENT OWNER OVER UNPAID BILLS.  SPINOSO MANAGEMENT GROUP ALLEGES THAT THEY HAD AN AGREEMENT TO BE PAID OVER THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS BY THE NAMDAR REALTY GROUP FOR MANAGING AND SUPERVISING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE H&M STORE,WHICH OPENED NOVEMBER 21^ST.  SPINOSO CLAIMS THEY STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED NEARLY 23 THOUSAND DOLLARS AND THEY ARE SEEKING THAT AMOUNT PLUS INTEREST.  REUTERS NEWSPAPERS HAS REPORTED THAT NAMDAR REALTY, WHICH IS BASED OUT OF NEW YORK, HAS A REPUTATION OF BUYING LOW PERFORMING PROPERTIES AND SQUEEZING MONEY OUT OF THEM.

SIX AMERICAN OIL EXECUTIVEs, INCLUDING TWO FROM LAKE CHARLES, HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM A VENEZUELAN PRISON AND PUT UNDER HOUSE ARREST.  THE SIX WERE ARRESTED JUST BEFORE THANKSGIVING TWO YEARS AGO ON CORRUPTION CHARGES AND HAVE BEEN AWAITING TRIAL.  ONE OF THE MEN, TOMEU VADELL, WAS THE PLANT MANAGER OF THE CITGO REFINERY IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA.  ANOTHER OF THE MEN, ALIRIO ZAMBRANO, HAD ALSO SPENT TIME MANAGING THAT REFINERY.

CROWLEY POLICE CHIEF JIMMY BROUSSARD HAS RELEASED INFORMATION ON WHY A TRAIN STOPPED IN THE CITY AT AROUND MIDNIGHT SATURDAY.  RESIDENTS CONTACTED THE CROWLEY POST SIGNAL NEWSPAPER AFTER THEY SAW THE TRAIN STOPPED AND A HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE.  BROUSSARD TELLS THE POST SIGNAL THAT THE TRAIN’S CONDUCTER HAD CALLED POLICE CONCERNED THAT HE HAD POSSIBLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN.  BROUSSARD SAYS THEY CONDUCTED A SEARCH BUT DID NOT FIND A VICTIM AND THE TRAIN CONTINUED ON ITS WAY.

Louisiana is broadening its efforts to combat hepatitis C in hopes of largely eliminating the deadly viral infection. The health department announced Tuesday that 10 Walmart locations around Louisiana will offer free screenings for the liver-damaging disease. Walmart will offer the no-cost hepatitis C screenings every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. until Feb. 1 at the pharmacies in ten store locations including Ville Platte, New Iberia, Opelousas and Morgan City. If the testing detects hepatitis C virus antibodies, people will be referred to their primary care doctors or a local health provider for further testing and treatment.

TWO WOMEN WERE STRUCK AND KILLED LATE SATURDAY NIGHT BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER ON L-A 749 IN OPELOUSAS AND A THIRD WAS INJURED.  NEIGHBORS IN THE AREA TELL THE ADVOCATE THAT ONE OF THE WOMEN HAD JUST RECEIVED NEWS THAT THE BODY OF HER SON WAS FOUND AND RAN OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY IN DISTRESS TRAILED BY TWO RELATIVES TRYING TO CONSOLE HER.  THE WOMEN KILLED WERE 42-YEAR-OLD KIZZY GREENE AND 41-YEAR-OLD ANGELA BROUSSARD, BOTH OF OPELOUSAS.  ANYONE WHO HAS INFORMATION THAT CAN HELP STATE POLICE IDENTIFY THE HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER IS URGED TO CALL 262-58-80.

A SIXTH PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A MAN AT THE WARD EVENT CENTER IN JENNINGS WAS ARRESTED FRIDAY.  FIVE OTHERS WERE ARRESTED THURSDAY AND POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR THREE OTHER SUSPECTS.  THE LATEST SUSPECT ARRESTED WAS 18-YEAR-OLD DYMOND BROWN OF WELSH, WHO FACES A CHARGE OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER.  22-YEAR-OLD DAKOTA CHAISSON WAS THE VICTIM WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED AT THE WARD EVENT CENTER, WHERE A PRIVATE PARTY WAS BEING HELD WITH ABOUT ONE HUNDRED FIFTY IN ATTENDANCE.

Louisiana officials don’t yet know how many of the state’s food stamp recipients could be at risk of losing benefits because of a new Trump administration rule that will tighten the program’s work requirements. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says about 49,000 of the 810,000 people in Louisiana who rely on the federal food stamp program meet the definition of work-eligible adults as outlined in the federal rule change that takes effect in April.  Agency officials say they still are examining the new USDA rules to determine their impact.

THE U-L RAGIN’ CAJUNS FOOTBALL TEAM HAS ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO PLAY IN THE LENDING TREE BOWL IN MOBILE, ALABAMA.  THE TEN-AND-THREE CAJUNS WILL TAKE ON THE CHAMPION OF THE MID-AMERICA CONFERENCE, MIAMI OF OHIO.  THE GAME WILL BE PLAYED ON MONDAY NIGHT, JANUARY SIXTH AT SEVEN P-M.  THE CAJUNS LOST THE SUN BELT CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ON SATURDAY TO APPALACHIAN STATE, WHICH IS GOING TO THE NEW ORLEANS BOWL.

TWO LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS ARE STATE CHAMPIONS.  LAFAYETTE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY DEFEATED ST. CHARLES CATHOLIC SATURDAY FOR THE DIVISION THREE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WHILE ST. THOMAS MORE IS THE DIVISION TWO CHAMPION AFTER WINNING OVER DE LA SALLE FRIDAY NIGHT.  THERE’S THE POTENTIAL FOR A THIRD CHAMPION FROM LAFAYETTE AS ACADIANA HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE PLAYING IN THE CLASS FIVE-A CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE SUPERDOME.  JENNINGS HIGH SCHOOL IS IN THE CLASS THREE-A CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY NIGHT.

THERE’S BEEN ANOTHER CHURCH VANDALISM IN CROWLEY, THE SEVENTH SUCH INCIDENT SINCE JULY.  A GLASS DOOR AT MORNING STAR MISSIONARY BAPTIST WAS BASHED IN AND WAS DISCOVERED BY CHURCH MEMBERS YESTERDAY MORNING.  THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT AT MORNING STAR.  IN ALL SEVEN INCIDENTS, A WINDOW OR GLASS DOOR HAS BEEN BROKEN BY A HEAVY OBJECT BEING FLUNG AT IT.

A DEPUTY IN THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE, WHO’S FROM LAKE CHARLES, WAS ARRESTED ON MALFEASANCE CHARGES AND HAS RESIGNED.  CALCASIEU DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOHN DEROSIER SAYS JAMES CLAY BARRETT ALLEGEDLY SUPPLEMENTED A REPORT IN A WAY THAT WAS NOT ACCURATE OR ACCEPTABLE.  HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH JAIL ON THREE COUNTS OF MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE AND EIGHT COUNTS OF FIRST DEGREE INJURING PUBLIC RECORDS.  OFFICIALS SAY A ROUTINE REVIEW OF BARRETT’S CASES SHOWED INCONSISTENCIES AND LATER LEARNED HE ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO COVER UP INCOMPLETE OR INCORRECT INVESTIGATIVE WORK IN TWO CASES.

POLICE IN NEW IBERIA ARE INVESTIGATING THE CITY’S LASTEST HOMOCIDE.  CAROLINE MARCELLO REPORTS.

VOICER A :19

A THIRD THREAT AT LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL HAS PROMPTED THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM TO TEACH PARENTS AND STUDENTS ABOUT THE SERIOUS NATURE OF MAKING THREATS.  MEGAN KELLY HAS MORE.

VOICER X :23

Nine people face charges in a shooting death at a private party last week. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says five suspects were in custody as of Thursday. They range in age from 17 to 20. Three face second-degree murder charges while two face charges of principal to second-degree murder.

A STUDENT AT PORT BARRE HIGH SCHOOL, WHO PASSED OUT AFTER EATING GUMMY BEARS LACED WITH T-H-C ON TUESDAY, FACES POSSIBLE EXPULSION.  THE PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDED EXPULSION AFTER ANOTHER STUDENT TOLD HIM THAT HE WITNESSED THE GUMMY BEARS BEING SOLD TO THE STUDENT WHO PASSED OUT.  THAT STUDENT’S FATHER, JOHNNY GUIDRY, TELLS KLFY TV THAT HIS SON IS A VICTIM WHO WAS GIVEN THE GUMMY BEARS WITHOUT REALIZING THEY HAD THE T-H-C IN THEM, AND HE WILL FIGHT THE EXPULSION.  A HEARING ON THE MATTER IS SCHEDULED BEFORE THE ST. LANDRY PARISH SCHOOL BOARD ON MONDAY.

Gov. John Bel Edwards told the board overseeing Louisiana’s largest university system that he will propose to again raise spending on public college campuses next year. Edwards made the pledge Thursday to the University of Louisiana System board. The Democratic governor is trying to steer more dollars to campuses that struggled through nearly a decade of state financing cuts. Edwards didn’t place a dollar figure on the increase he’ll propose to lawmakers in February, but he pledged that he’ll keep working to boost funding for higher education across his second, four-year term.

THE LESS PAY MOTEL AT THE FOUR CORNERS IN LAFAYETTE WILL BE TORN DOWN.  LAST TUESDAY, THE CITY PARISH COUNCIL GAVE THE GO AHEAD FOR THE DEMOLITION OF A PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED AN EYESORE.  THE DEMOLITION IS ONE PART OF A FIFTEEN MILLION DOLLAR REVITALIZATION PROJECT.  THE DATE HAS NOT YET BEEN SET FOR THE DEMOLITION BUT CITY OFFICIALS SAY THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION OF LETTING THE COMMUNITY PICK UP SLEDGEHAMMERS AND JOIN IN.

THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF’S IS TRYING TO FIND THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR BURGLARIZING AN ELTON BUSINESS.  KENJABRUCH AG AND EQUIPMENT WAS BURGLARIZED IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS LAST SATURDAY.  SEVERAL ITEMS WERE TAKEN INCLUDING TOOLS, E-C-F-O BRAND LAWN EQUIPMENT AND THREE PAIRS OF ARIAT BOOTS.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION AT 821-21-06.

A BREAUX BRIDGE MAN, WHO HAS BEEN WANTED FOR MONTHS ON AN ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER CHARGE, HAS BEEN ARRESTED.  POLICE CHIEF ROLLIE CANTU SAYS 33-YEAR-OLD TITUS NADIE TURNED HIMSELF IN TO AUTHORITIES.  OFFICIALS SAY THE CHARGE COMES FROM AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED EARLIER THIS YEAR IN BREAUX BRIDGE.  HE WAS BOOKED AND TRANSFERRED TO THE ST. MARTIN PARISH JAIL.

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY, A MEMBER OF THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, ANNOUNCED THE PASSAGE OF A FUTURE ACT.  MEGAN KELLY TELLS US WHAT THAT IS.

VOICER Y :21

LAFAYETTE HIGH DISMISSED CLASSES EARLY YESTERDAY AFTERNOON BECAUSE OF A BOMB THREAT THAT TURNED OUT TO BE FALSE.  CORPORAL BRIDGETTE DUGAS WITH LAFAYETTE POLICE SAYS A STUDENT AT THE SCHOOL REPORTED A BOMB THREAT TEXT TO SCHOOL STAFF.  AS OF LAST NIGHT, NO ARRESTS HAD BEEN MADE.  THIS IS THE THIRD BOMB THREAT THIS SEMESTER AT LAFAYETTE HIGH.

THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A RESOLUTION ASKING CITY STAFF TO LOOK INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF BROADCASTING ITS MEETINGS.  LAKE CHARLES RESIDENT CHARLOTTE WAYMIRE BROUGHT UP THE ISSUE AT LAST NIGHT’S MEETING SAYING IT’S A WAY TO BE TRANSPARENT.  SHE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY AND THE SULPHUR AND IOWA COUNCILS BROADCAST THEIR MEETINGS.  CITY SPOKESPERSON KATIE HARRINGTON TELLS KPLC TV THAT THE STAFF WILL IMMEDIATELY BEGIN LOOKING INTO THE COSTS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO BROADCAST THE MEETINGS AND BRING THEIR FINDINGS TO THE COUNCIL AT AN UPCOMING MEETING.

GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS AND PRESIDENT FREDERICK LAFLEUR OF SAVOIE’S ANNOUNCED A TWLEVE-POINT SEVEN MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION OF THE COMPANY’S FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY NEAR OPELOUSAS.  MEGAN KELLY HAS MORE.

VOICER W :24

GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS IS CANCELLING PLANS FOR A GOVERNOR’S BALL TRADITIONALLY HELD ON INAUGURATION DAY.  THAT’S BECAUSE THIS YEAR’S INAUGURATION DAY, JANUARY 13^TH, IS ALSO THE DAY OF THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, WHICH WILL BE HELD IN NEW ORLEANS.  A SPOKESWOMAN SAYS EDWARDS IS EXPECTING LSU TO PLAY IN THE GAME AND HE WILL ATTEND THE GAME AT A SUPERDOME SUITE.  TENTATIVE PLANS ARE FOR A GOVERNOR’S BALL TO BE HELD IN NEW ORLEANS LATE NEXT YEAR.

THE LAFAYETTE CITY PARISH COUNCIL VOTED DOWN A PROPOSED REZONING OF A PORTION OF GIRARD PARK DRIVE, WHICH WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF HIGH DENSITY APARTMENT BUILDINGS.  RESIDENTS IN THE AREA HAD OPPOSED IT.  THE REQUEST FOR REZONING WAS FOR TWO TO THREE STORY APARTMENT BUILDINGS WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN USED BY MEDICAL RESIDENTS AT LAFAYETTE GENERAL.  THE COUNCIL DID AGREE TO REZONE A PORTION OF COOLIDGE STREET TO COMMERCIAL MIXED, WHICH IS PART OF A REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE OIL CENTER.

THIS WEEK, JENNINGS CITY WORKERS ARE BUSY TEARING DOWN FIFTEEN DILAPIDATED PROPERTIES AND, NEXT WEEK, ANOTHER DOZEN DEMOLITIONS ARE PLANNED.  MAYOR HENRY GUINN SAYS THEY ULTIMATELY PLAN TO TEAR DOWN CLOSE TO ONE HUNDRED ABANDONED PROPERTIES WHICH DRAW ILLICIT ACTIVITY, SUCH AS DRUGS AND PROSTITUTION.  HE TELLS KPLC TV THAT THE GOAL IS TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR JENNINGS BY CLEANING UP NEIGHBORHOODS, BY ENHANCING PARKS AND KEEPING TAX RATES AT AFFORDABLE LEVELS.  ONCE THE STRUCTURES AND THE LOTS ARE CLEARED, THEY WILL BE SOLD FOR REDEVELOPMENT.

THE CITY OF NEW IBERIA IS STILL RECOVERING FROM A STATEWIDE HACK TWO-AND-A-HALF WEEKS AGO THAT AFFECTED THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEMS.  MAYOR PRO TEMP DAN DOERLE TELLS KATC THAT THE COMPUTER HACK DIDN’T STOP THEM BUT EVERYTHING HAS SLOWED DOWN.  FOR INSTANCE, BUILDING PERMITS AND OTHER REQUESTS ARE BEING HANDLED ON PAPER, LIKE IT WAS YEARS AGO.  NO TIMETABLE HAS BEEN SET FOR WHEN THE COMPUTERS WILL BE FULLY RESTORED.

THE FEDERAL SNAP PROGRAM, WHICH HELPS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE GET ENOUGH TO EAT, IS ABOUT TO UNDERGO SOME CHANGES.  A NEW RULE WOULD TIGHTEN WORK REQUIREMENTS AND ONLY ALLOW STATES TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENTS IF UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE IS AT SIX-POINT-FIVE PERCENT OR HIGHER, RATHER THAN TWO-POINT-FIVE PERCENT, AS IT IS NOW.  THE NEW RULE TAKES AFFECT IN APRIL.  IT’S ESTIMATED THAT FIFTY-SIX THOUSAND SNAP RECIPIENTS IN LOUISIANA COULD LOSE THEIR BENEFITS.

THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS LAYING OFF 42 PEOPLE, WHO WILL BE RECEIVING THEIR FINAL PAYCHECK IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MONTH, AND REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PROGRAMS IT RUNS.  SPOKESMAN JOHN MOWELL SAYS THEY HATED TO LAY OFF PEOPLE DURING THE HOLIDAYS BUT FELT IT WAS BETTER TO LET THEM KNOW NOW BEFORE GOING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS AND POSSIBLY ACCUMULATING DEBT.  IT’S HOPED THAT THE SAVINGS FROM THESE MOVES WILL ENABLE THEM TO RAISE SALARIES FOR THE REMAINING STAFF AND DEPUTIES IN ORDER TO HELP WITH RETENTION.  THE STARTING SALARIES FOR DEPUTIES IS THE LOWEST IN THE PARISH.

LAFAYETTE GENERAL WILL BE TAKING OVER MANAGEMENT OF THE JENNINGS AMERICAN LEGION HOSPITAL.  THE TWO HAVE BEEN AFFILIATED SINCE 2016, BUT, UNDER THE NEW AGREEMENT, THE AMERICAN LEGION WILL RETAIN OWNERSHIP AND LEASE THE HOSPITAL TO LAFAYETTE GENERAL.  DOCUMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE FINALIZED NEXT YEAR WITH LAFAYETTE GENERAL TAKING OVER IN OCTOBER.  LAFAYETTE GENERAL ANTICIPATES INVESTING SIX MILLION DOLLARS IN TECHNOLOGY, INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES AND MORE.

AN OPELOUSAS MAN IS ACCUSED OF CARJACKING A WOMAN’S VEHICLE AFTER FIRING SHOTS AT THE VEHICLE, THEN CRASHING THAT VEHICLE LESS THAN A BLOCK AWAY.  MEGAN KELLY REPORTS.

VOICER V :19

A STUDENT AT CORPORAL MICHAEL MIDDLEBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN LAFAYETTE WAS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF A B-B GUN YESTERDAY.  PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER ALLISON DICKINSON SAYS PROPER PROCEDURES WERE FOLLOWED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES.  AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY.  DICKINSON TELLS KATC TV THAT THEY COULDN’T RELEASE ANY OTHER DETAILS AT THIS TIME.

I-TEN IN JEFF DAVIS PARISH WAS SHUT DOWN FOR AWHILE LAST NIGHT BECAUSE OF A FATAL ACCIDENT.  IT HAPPENED AT MILE MARKER 54 NEAR THE WELSH EXIT ON THE EASTBOUND SIDE AT AROUND 11:30 LAST NIGHT.  POLICE HAVE CONFIRMED THAT ONE PERSON WAS KILLED AND TWO PEOPLE WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL THOUGH THEIR CONDITIONS ARE NOT KNOWN.  BOTH LANES WERE OPENED THIS MORNING.  THE WELSH POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE CRASH.

MARTINVILLE CITY OFFICIALS RECEIVED AN ANONYMOUS LETTER CLAIMING POLICE CHIEF RICKY MARTIN’S HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA WAS FORGED, AND INCLUDED A COPY OF HIS G-E-D. MARTIN TELLS

KLFY TV THAT THE ALLEGATION IS UNTRUE AND HE’S WAITING FOR DOCUMENTATION FROM THE STATE THAT WILL PROVE HIS G-E-D WAS NOT FORGED.  MARTIN SAYS THEY ARE LOOKING AT SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS IN THE DEPARTMENT WHO MAY HAVE GOTTEN INTO HIS PERSONNEL FILES AND THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE WILL FACE REPERCUSSIONS.  MAYOR MELINDA MITCHELL SAYS THE POLICE CHIEF IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR G-E-D.

THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A RASH OF VEHICLE BURGLARIES THAT HAPPENED IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS LAST SATURDAY IN THE BAYOU PLAQUEMINE ROAD AREA NORTH OF CROWLEY.  ELEVEN VEHICLES WERE ENTERED WITH MONEY, GUNS AND ELECTRONICS TAKEN, PLUS A TWENTY-FIFTEEN CHEVY TRUCK WAS STOLEN BUT LATER RECOVERED IN FRONT OF A BUSINESS ON WEST SECOND STREET IN CROWLEY.  VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SHOWS THE SUSPECTS ARE TWO PEOPLE IN THEIR TEENS TO MID-TWENTIES WEARING HOODED SWEAT SHIRTS.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION THAT CAN HELP THE INVESTIGATORS IS ASKED TO CONTACT CRIMESTOPPERS AT 789-TIPS.

A Kaplan man has pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and causing a crash that killed two teens. KLFY-TV reports 22-year-old Tyler Meaux pleaded guilty Monday to vehicular homicide and vehicular negligent injury. Police said Meaux was traveling south in the northbound lane of U.S. 167 when he collided with 16-year-old Alana Duhon’s car in 2018. Duhon was properly restrained but suffered fatal injuries. Fifteen-year-old Sydney Colomb was a passenger and also died from her injuries.