KAJN Jesus FM 102.9

LAFAYETTE POLICE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE MAN SHOT AND KILLED ON JUSTIN STREET SUNDAY NIGHT AS THIRTY-YEAR-OLD KENDRICK GREEN.  GERALD GRUENIG REPORTS.

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VERMILLION PARISH HAS A NEW ALERT SYSTEM TO KEEP RESIDENTS INFORMED DURING A HURRICANE OR OTHER EMERGENCY.  THE DIGITAL MEDIA ASSISTANT FOR ABBEVILLE, CRISTIAN LEJEUNE, SAYS THE NEW SYSTEM, CALLED RAVE, ALLOWS AN APP THAT CAN BE DOWNLOADED TO A PHONE.  RESIDENTS CAN ALSO SIGN UP TO GET PARISH-WIDE ALERTS BY TEXTING VERMILLION TO 77295.  IT ALSO PROVIDES TOWN-SPECIFIC ALERTS SUCH AS LETTING RESIDENTS KNOW OF A BOIL ADVISORY.

Civil liberties groups have filed a lawsuit challenging Louisiana’s new law mandating that the Ten Commandments must be displayed in every public school classroom. Plaintiffs in the suit filed Monday include parents of Louisiana public school children, represented by attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Opponents argue that the law is a violation of separation of church and state and that the display will isolate students, especially those who are not Christian. Proponents say the measure is not solely religious and has historical significance.

THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS SEARCHING FOR AN INMATE WHO WAS INADVERTENTLY RELEASED ON JUNE TWELFTH.  ON THAT DAY, THIRTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD XAVIER JOHNWELL OF LAKE CHARLES WAS RETURNED TO THE CALCASIEU CORRECTIONAL CENTER FROM EAST CARROLL PARISH FOR A COURT HEARING.  CALCASIEU PARISH CORRECTIONAL DEPUTIES RELEASED HIMI IN ERROR AND HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING SEVERAL LEADS IN ORDER TO FIND HIM AND RETURN HIM TO CUSTODY.  JOHNWELL HAS BEEN SERVING TIME FOR POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A CONVICTED FELON AND ILLEGAL CARRYING OF WEAPONS.

A MOTORCYCLIST WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER LOSING CONTROL OF THE BIKE ON I-TEN AT UNIVERSITY AVENUE IN LAFAYETTE JUST AFTER SEVEN A-M.  THE MOTORCYCLE CRASH LED TO A TRUCK HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED IT TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN ANOTHER LANE.  SERGEANT ROBIN GREEN SAYS A PERSON IN ONE OF THOSE VEHICLES WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND IS IN STABLE CONDITION.  TRAFFIC ON I-TEN WAS BACKED UP FOR MILES FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENTS.

A SUSPECT WANTED FOR QUESTIONING IN THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A VILLE PLATTE WOMAN IS IN CUSTODY.  KEKE DOUCET HAS BEEN MISSING FOR MORE THAN A WEEK AFTER SHE DIDN’T ARRIVE TO PICK UP HER DAUGHTER FROM A SLEEPOVER ON JUNE FIFTEENTH.  THE SUSPECT, JERRY VERRETTE, WAS ARRESTED BY VILLE PLATTE POLICE AND HE’S BEING HELD IN THE EVANGELINE PARISH JAIL ON A CHARGE OF SOLICITING FOR PROSTITUTES.  KEKE’S COUSIN, RENEE GRIFFITH, TELLS KLFY TV THAT THEY ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR HER AND THEY HAVE SOME LEADS.

THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS LAUNCHED SOME NEW RESOURCES AT THEIR WEBSITE TO HELP LOUISIANA RESIDENTSSTAY SAFE DURING THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS.  THOSE RESOURCES INCLUDE AN EXPANDED HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS DASHBOARD WHICH KEEPS TRACK OF EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS BROKEN DOWN BY REGION, PARISH, AGE, SEX AND RACE.  LAST SUMMER THERE WERE MORE THAN SIX THOUSAND EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS DUE TO HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES AND THE DEPARTMENT TRACKED EIGHTY-EIGHT HEAT-RELATED DEATHS.  THERE IS ALSO A COLLECTION OF NEW HEAT-RELATED HEALTH GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE AT LDH-DOT-LA-DOT-GOV.

IBERIA PARISH FIRE CHIEF GUY BONIN SAYS HIS DEPARTMENT IS STRUGGLING WITH LOW RECRUITMENT, A PROBLEM THAT IS A NATIONAL ISSUE.  HE SAYS THE TREND OF LOW RECRUITMENT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS THAT GOT WORSE AFTER THE PANDEMIC.  BONIN SAYS HIS DEPARTMENT IS CAPABLE OF HOLDING UP TO THIRTY-TWO FIREFIGHTERS, BUT NOW THEY ONLY HAVE TWENTY-SEVEN.  HE TELLS KLFY TV THAT, DESPITE THE RECRUITMENT PROBLEM, THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TIME AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY MORE THAN MAKES UP FOR IT.

A SHOOTING EARLIER THIS WEEK AT SHADY OAKS HOMES IN CROWLEY LEFT ONE PERSON IN THE HOSPITAL.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

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AFTER SEVEN YEARS AS THE COACH OF U-L RAGIN’ CAJUN SOFTBALL, GERRY GLASCO IS LEAVING.  U-L OFFICIALS CONFIRMED YESTERDAY THAT GLASCO IS TAKING OVER AS THE COACH OF THE TEXAS TECH RED RAIDER SOFTBALL TEAM.  HE COLLECTED THREE HUNDRED WINS AS U-L SOFTBALL COACH AND HAS THE FIFTH BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE AMONG DIVISION ONE COACHES.  DOCTOR BRYAN MAGGARD, U-L’S VICE PRESIDENT FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS, SAYS ASSISTANT COACH SHELLIE LANDRY WILL SERVE AS ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOFTBALL WHILE THEY SEARCH FOR A NEW HEAD COACH.

CONSTRUCTION ON HIGHWAY NINETY MAY CAUSE ISSUES FOR TRAVELERS TRYING TO EVACUATE IN THE CASE OF A HURRICANE.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

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A DRUG DEALER FROM FENTON IN JEFF DAVIS PARISH, WHO PLED GUILTY TO DRUG AND WEAPONS CHARGES IN FEBRUARY, WAS SENTENCED TO TWELVE-AND-A-HALF YEARS IN PRISON.  THIRTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DEXTER JAMONE ALLEN OF FENTON WAS PULLED OVER FOR A TRAFFIC VIOLATION IN FEBRUARY OF TWENTY-TWENTY-TWO.  A SEARCH OF HIS VEHICLE LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF NEARLY FIFTY GRAMS OF HEROIN AS WELL AS FENTANYL, A LARGE AMOUNT OF CASH AND AMMUNITION FOR A FIREARM.  THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE GOT A SEARCH WARRANT FOR ALLEN’S HOME WHERE THEY FOUND MORE DRUGS, A DIGITAL SCALE, MORE CASH AND FIVE FIREARMS, INCLUDING TWO THAT WERE REPORTED STOLEN.

THE OWNER OF ABSHIRE BROTHER’S LAWN AND LANDSCAPE SAYS A RECENT THEFT IS THREATENING HIS LIVELIHOOD.  CHRISTIAN ABSHIRE TELLS KLFY TV THAT SOMEONE DROVE OFF IN HIS TWO THOUSAND THREE WHITE CHEVY SILVERADO PICKUP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, TOWING HIS TRAILER AND ALL HIS LAWN EQUIPMENT.  ABSHIRE IS OFFERING A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE RECOVERY OF THE STOLEN ITEMS.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION OR WHO SEES THE STOLEN ITEMS IS ASKED TO CALL THE SAINT LANDRY PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE.

A GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED FOUR PEOPLE IN THE MURDER OF O’SHAY BREAUX.  HE WAS FOUND BY CARENCRO POLICE AT AROUND TWO A-M ON JANUARY SECOND SUFFERING FROM MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS AND HE LATER DIED AT THE HOSPITAL.  EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD JADEN GARLOW OF OPELOUSAS HAS BEEN INDICTED ON A CHARGE OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.  THREE OTHER PEOPLE WERE INDICTED FOR PRINCIPAL TO SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.

Just months into office, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has gained national attention for his push for groundbreaking conservative policies. This week the 53-year-old Republican signed the nation’s first law requiring that the Ten Commandments be posted in every public classroom — right on the heels of another new law classifying abortion pills as dangerous controlled substances. The moves and others have firmly embedded Louisiana in the conservative movement on practically every issue. Democrats are appalled at the message Landry is sending but conservatives in Louisiana see the moves as a bold and powerful first step as he raises his national profile.

THE FAMILY OF TWENTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD KEKE DOUCET OF VILLE PLATTE IS HOLDING A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR HER TONIGHT.  DOUCET HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE SATURDAY WHEN SHE WAS SCHEDULED TO MEET WITH HER DAUGHTER BUT NEVER SHOWED UP.  HER AUNT, KIMBERLY DOUCET, SAYS IT’S NOT LIKE KEKE TO AT LEAST CALL SOMEONE AND THEY ARE DEVASTATED, ESPECIALLY HER YOUNG DAUGHTER.  ANYONE WHO KNOWS HER WHEREABOUTS IS URGED TO CALL VILLE PLATTE POLICE.

A STANDOFF IN RAYNE WITH ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES ENDED WITH AN ARREST YESTERDAY.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

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THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE WORKED WITH THE IBERIA, VERMILLION AND ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICES TO CAPTURE A MAN WANTED FOR ALLEGED CRIMES AGAINST A JUVENILE.  THIRTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DAMONE CAMPBELL WAS ARRESTED TUESDAY ON A CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.  THE DETAILS OF THE CRIME WERE NOT RELEASED DUE TO THE SENSITIVE NATURE OF THE INVESTIGATION.  LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF MARK GARBER SAYS THE ARREST WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE THOROUGH INVESTIGATIVE LEG WORK AND EVIDENCE GATHERING OF IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S DETECTIVES.

Louisiana has become the first state to require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public-school classroom. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry on Wednesday signed the bill mandating the displays. The GOP-drafted legislation requires a poster of the Ten Commandments in “large, easily readable font” in all public classrooms, from kindergarten to state-funded universities. Classrooms must display the Ten Commandments by the start of 2025.

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN LAFAYETTE YESTERDAY, GOVERNOR JEFF LANDRY SIGNED A PACKAGE OF EDUCATION BILLS, WHICH HE SAYS FULFILLS HIS PROMISE OF DRASTIC REFORM TO THE STATE’S EDUCATION SYSTEM.  HE SIGNED THE L-A GATOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM INTO LAW, WHICH PROVIDES THE USE OF TAX DOLLARS TO HELP PAY FOR A STUDENT TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE, INCLUDING PRIVATE SCHOOL.  ANOTHER BILL LANDRY SIGNED MANDATES SCHOOLS NOT ADOPT POLICIES REQUIRING THE USE OF NAMES AND PRONOUNS THAT DON’T MATCH THE GENDER ON THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE.  LANDRY ALSO SIGNED H-B-THREE-THREE-FOUR, ALLOWING SCHOOL BOARDS TO ACCEPT VOLUNTEER CHAPLAINS INTO SCHOOLS.

SOWELA TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS BRINGING ONE OF ITS MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS TO ITS JENNINGS CAMPUS.  THE CLINICAL MEDICAL ASSISTANT TRAINING PROGRAM STARTS IN AUGUST.  STUDENTS CAN EARN THEIR CERTIFICATION IN JUST FIVE MONTHS.  THE PROGRAM COST FOR STUDENTS IS JUST UNDER FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS, BUT THE SCHOOL OFFERS MULTIPLE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

TWO PEOPLE, INCLUDING A TEENAGER, WERE VICTIMS OF A SHOOTING LAST NIGHT IN OPELOUSAS.  POLICE RESPONDED TO REPORTS OF SHOTS FIRED ON KIM DRIVE JUST BEFORE NINE P-M.  THE TWO VICTIMS WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH NON-LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE SHOOTING IS URGED TO CALL NINE-FOUR-EIGHT-TIPS.  UP TO A TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR CASH REWARD IS BEING OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO AN ARREST.

MEMBERS OF THE LGBT-PLUS COMMUNITY AND THEIR ALLIES HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED IN THEIR ATTEMPTS TO GET THE LAFAYETTE CITY COUNCIL TO ISSUE A PROCLAMATION DECLARING JUNE AS PRIDE MONTH.  MAYOR-PRESIDENT MONIQUE BOULET AND HER ADMINISTRATION HAD NOT RESPONDED TO EMAILS FROM P-FLAG LAFAYETTE MEMBERS SO THEY SHOWED UP AT TUESDAY’S COUNCIL MEETING TO ASK IN PERSON.  THE ADVOCATE REPORTS THAT BOULET AND COUNCIL MEMBERS DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE REQUESTS AND BOULET DECLINED COMMENT AFTER THE MEETING.  BOULET’S PREDECESSOR, JOSH GUILLORY, REFUSED TO SIGN PRIDE MONTH PROCLAMATIONS BUT SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS ISSUED THEIR OWN PROCLAMATIONS.

IT’S BEEN THREE YEARS SINCE SEVENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD ALBERT WILLIS JUNIOR OF SAINT MARTINVILLE DISAPPEARRED.  MULTIPLE SEARCH PARTIES ATTEMPTED TO FIND WILLIS BUT IT WASN’T UNTIL OVER A YEAR LATER THAT HIS BODY WAS FOUND BY HUNTERS IN THE WOODS NEAR WHERE HE WAS LAST SEEN.  SAINT MARTINVILLE POLICE CHIEF RICKY MARTIN SAYS THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE INDICATING HOW WILLIS DIED AND HOW HE GOT TO WHERE HE WAS FOUND.  MARTIN SAYS THE CASE REMAINS OPEN AND WILLIS’ BROTHER, DAVID, IS URGING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION TO CONTACT CHIEF MARTIN.

TWO PEOPLE, INCLUDING A TEENAGER, WERE VICTIMS OF A SHOOTING LAST NIGHT IN OPELOUSAS.  POLICE RESPONDED TO REPORTS OF SHOTS FIRED ON KIM DRIVE JUST BEFORE NINE P-M.  THE TWO VICTIMS WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE SHOOTING IS URGED TO CALL NINE-FOUR-EIGHT-TIPS.  UP TO A TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR CASH REWARD IS BEING OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO AN ARREST.

A MAN SHOWED UP AT A LAFAYETTE HOSPITAL WITH A STORY ABOUT BEING HELD CAPTIVE FOR TWELVE YEARS IN PHILADELPHIA, THE CITY HE IS FROM.  THE MAN, WHO HAD DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, TOLD SOCIAL WORKERS THAT HIS CAPTORS TOOK HIS SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CHECKS.  THE LOUISIANA OFFICE FOR CITIZENS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES CONTACTED THE FBI.  AGENTS WITH THE BUREAU ARE INVESTIGATING THE CLAIMS.

GOVERNOR LANDRY HAS VETOED A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE LIMITED THE AMOUNT OF INSURANCE PAYMENTS A PERSON COULD RECEIVE AFTER A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS THE DETAILS.

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GOVERNOR JEFF LANDRY IS HEADING TO LAFAYETTE TODAY TO SIGN SOME EDUCATION BILLS.  HERE’S SYLVIA MASTERS AGAIN WITH MORE.

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FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN GUINN OF JENNINGS DIED MONDAY AT THE AGE OF SEVENTY-ONE.  GUINN WAS ELECTED TO THE THIRTY-SEVENTH DISTRICT HOUSE SEAT IN TWO THOUSAND EIGHT AND SERVED UNTIL TWENTY-TWENTY.  HE ALSO SERVED AS A JEFF DAVIS PARISH POLICE JUROR FOR EIGHT YEARS.  A MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL WILL TAKE PLACE AT OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS CATHOLIC CHURCH ON FRIDAY AT ONE P-M.

A KIA FORTE OWNED BY DANNY AND DELORIS BOUDREAUX OF NEW IBERIA WAS BROKEN INTO BY THE SHATTERING OF A BACK WINDOW AND THEY SAY THE STEERING COLUMN WAS TORN UP.  DANNY SAYS HE CALLED POLICE WHO TOLD HIM THAT KIAS WERE BEING TARGETED BECAUSE THEY ARE EASIER TO BREAK INTO.  NEW IBERIA POLICE SAY THIS IS THE THIRD VEHICLE BREAK-IN IN THAT AREA IN THE PAST MONTH.  DANNY TELLS KLFY TV HE ADVISES RESIDENTS GET CAMERAS TO CATCH THE THIEVES, WHICH HE CALLED A SMALL INVESTMENT.

THE LAFAYETTE CITY COUNCIL NARROWLY APPROVED A NEW GAS STATION THAT WILL GO UP AT THE CORNER OF UNIVERSITY AND AGNES STREET, IN THE FOUR CORNERS AREA.  MANY RESIDENTS SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE GAS STATION CITING SEVERAL CONCERNS INCLUDING INCREASED TRAFFIC, WHICH COULD HARM THE ABILITY FOR WALKING IN THE OAKLAWN NEIGHBORHOOD.  THE LAFAYETTE ZONING COMMISSION AND THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT PLANNING DEPARTMENT CAME OUT AGAINST THE GAS STATION IN RECENT WEEKS.

AN INJURED DOG LAID ASIDE CHIOT PARK ROAD IN VILLE PLATTE FOR THREE DAYS WITH NO MOTORISTS STOPPING TO HELP IT.  FINALLY SOMEONE CALLED MATTEW AND BRE OF HEROES EVERYDAY ANIMAL RESCUER WHO ENLISTED THE HELP OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF LOUISIANA.  THEY BROUGHT THE DOG TO A LOCAL VETERINARIAN, WHO DIAGNOSED A BROKEN KNEECAP PROBABLY FROM BEING HIT BY A VEHICLE.  THE HUMANE SOCIETY PAID FOR THE VISIT AND SET UP A GOFUNDME ACCOUNT TO PAY FOR THE DOG’S TREATMENT AND AFTERCARE.  MORE THAN A THOUSAND DOLLARS HAS BEEN RAISED.

LAFAYETTE POLICE BUSTED AN ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT RING THAT INCLUDED A GROUP OF FOUR THAT WENT FROM STORE-TO-STORE TO STEAL TARGETED ITEMS.  THE RING FIRST BEGAN STEALING FLAME-RETARDENT CLOTHING FROM THE ACADEMY SPORTS STORE ON LOUISIANA AVENUE, BUT DROPPED THE ITEMS AND LEFT AFTER BEING CONFRONTED.  THEY WERE LATER FOUND BY POLICE ATTEMPTING THE SAME THING AT THE ACADEMY STORE ON AMBASSADOR CAFFERY.  PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER SERGEANT ROBIN GREEN SAYS AN INVENTORY OF ITEMS FROM THEIR VEHICLE REVEALED THEY HAD STOLEN ITEMS FROM THE LAKE CHARLES ACADEMY SPORTS STORE AS WELL.

THERE WILL BE AN INCREASE IN POLICE PATROLS DURING LARGE EVENTS AT

A-A COMEAUX PARKS AND RECREATION IN ABBEVILLE.  EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSED TAKING PROACTIVE MEASURES AFTER AN ARGUMENT BETWEEN TWO ADULTS AT A GAME CREATED CHAOS AND PANIC.  COUNCILMAN BRADY BROUSSARD SAYS, AFTER THEY MET WITH POLICE CHIEF MIKE HARDY, INCREASED PATROLS FOR THE AREA WERE WELCOMED.  HARDY SAYS THIS IS FOR THE KIDS, MAKING IT SAFER FOR EVERYONE.

TWO SEPARATE SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS ON GREEN MOORE ROAD IN STARKS CLAIMED THE LIVES OF TWO PEOPLE, BOTH OF WHOM ARE FROM ORANGE, TEXAS.  TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD SHAWN DREYER WAS KILLED WHEN HE DROVE HIS TRUCK OFF THE ROAD AT AROUND THREE A-M AND STRUCK A TREE.  AT AROUND ONE THAT AFTERNOON, A MOTORCYCLIST, THIRTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD RICK HAMPTON, WAS EJECTED WHEN HE LEFT THE ROADWAY AT A CURVE AND WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.  SPEED IS BELIEVED TO BE A FACTOR IN BOTH CRASHES.

THE LAFAYETTE LIBRARY BOARD OF CONTROL HAS VOTED TO RESTRICT LIBRARY CARDS FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN TO CHILD-LEVEL ACCESS.  THEY WOULD BE GRANTED ACCESS TO ADULT SECTIONS IF PARENTS SIGN A PERMISSION FORM.  SUPPORTERS OF THE RULE SAY IT WILL PROTECT CHILDREN FROM ACCESS TO AGE-INAPPROPRIATE MATERIALS.  THOSE OPPOSED TO THE RULE CLAIM IT IS CENSORSHIP.

AS REPORTED YESTERDAY, A SKIMMING DEVICE WAS FOUND AT A DOLLAR TREE STORE CASH REGISTER IN EUNICE.  THE POLICE CHIEF IS TELLING BUSINESSES HOW THEY CAN SAFEGUARD AGAINST THESE KINDS OF ATTACKS.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

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THE TANGIPAHOA PARISH CORONER’S OFFICE HAS DETERMINED THAT THIRTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD CALLIE BRUNETT OF LORANGER WAS KILLED BY MULTIPLE SHARP-FORCE INJURIES.  CORONER DOCTOR RICK FOSTER SAYS BRUNETT HAD MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS INCLUDING DEFENSIVE WOUNDS ON HER ARMS.  BRUNETT’S DEATH AND THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HER YOUNG DAUGHTERS PROMPTED AN AMBER ALERT LAST THURSDAY, WHICH WAS LIFTED WHEN THE DAUGHTERS WERE FOUND AND THIRTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD DANIEL CALLIHAN WAS ARRESTED FOR MURDER AND THEFT.  ONE OF THE DAUGHTERS, THREE-YEAR-OLD ERIN BRUNETT, WAS FOUND DEAD IN A WOODED AREA NEAR JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.

A NEW O’REILLY AUTO PARTS STORE IS COMING TO JEANERETTE, NEXT TO CITY HALL.  MAYOR CAROL BOURGEOIS SAYS O’REILLY OFFICIALS APPROACHED HIS OFFICE LAST YEAR ABOUT BRINGING A STORE TO JEANERETTE AND THEY ANTICIPATE THE STORE WILL BE FINISHED BY LATE NEXT YEAR.  HE SAYS IT WILL BE A HUGE BOOST TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, WHO WON’T HAVE TO DRIVE TO NEW IBERIA OR FRANKLIN.  BOURGEOIS POINTED TO THE NEW O’REILLY STORE AND A COMING RAINTREE MARKET AS SIGNS HIS ADMINISTRATION IS DOING ITS PART TO HELP CONTINUE THE GROWTH OF JEANERETTE.

A RAYNE MAN WAS ARRESTED SATURDAY AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPTED TO STAB HIS GIRLFRIEND.  THIRTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD BLAKE BROWN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE ON PEAL STREET IN RAYNE.  HE ALLEGEDLY RESISTED ARREST AND HAD DRUGS ON HIM.  HE FACES NUMEROUS CHARGES INCLUDING ATTEMPTED SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.  THE GIRLFRIEND WAS NOT INJURED.

EUNICE POLICE ARE WARNING OF A SKIMMING DEVICE FOUND AT A CASH REGISTER AT A LOCAL DOLLAR TREE STORE.  GEORGE FAUST HAS MORE.

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A FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD IS IN STABLE CONDITION AFTER BEING SHOT FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE ONE HUNDRED BLOCK OF VAN BUREN DRIVE IN LAFAYETTE.  POLICE HAVE ARRESTED SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD LLOYD COURVILLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING.  HE IS BEING CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.  ANYONE WHO HAS INFORMATION ON THE SHOOTING IS ASKED TO CALL LAFAYETTE CRIME STOPPERS AT TWO-THREE-TWO-TIPS.

THE FIRST HORIZON BANK ON RYAN STREET IN LAKE CHARLES WAS ROBBED FRIDAY MORNING.  THE F-B-I IS ATTEMPTING TO IDENTIFY THE SUSPECT, WHO IS A BLACK MAN WHO WAS WEARING A BLUE SPECKLED HAT WITH PGA TOUR, PRO SERIES WRITTEN ON IT, A BLUE DRESS SHIRT AND A MEDICAL FACE MASK.  THE F-B-I BELIEVES THE SUSPECT MAY BE THE SAME PERSON WHO ROBBED A FIRST HORIZON BANK IN LAFAYETTE IN MAY OF LAST YEAR.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS URGED TO CALL ONE-EIGHT-HUNDRED-CALL-FBI.

THE FBI HAS SET UP A DIGITAL TIPS LINE FOR PEOPLE TO SUBMIT PHOTOS AND VIDEOS IN THE CASE OF THIRTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD DANIEL CALLIHAN, WHO WAS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING THIRTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD CALLIE BRUNETT OF LORANGER AND HER THREE-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, ERIN.  CALLIHAN IS ACCUSED OF KIDNAPPING HER TWO DAUGHTERS AND JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI POLICE CHIEF JOSEPH WADE SAYS THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING INCLUDING SMALL ANIMAL CAGES AT THE SCENE OF THE ARREST.  EVIDENCE SUCH AS PHOTOS AND VIDEOS CAN BE UPLOADED AT TIPS-DOT-FBI-DOT-COM.

A RAYNE MAN, WHO WAS SHOT BY AN ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTY, HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A POLICE OFFICER.  ACCORDING TO LOUISIANA STATE POLICE, DEPUTIES SAW FIFTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD JACOB RICHARD, WHO WAS WANTED ON MULTIPLE FELONIES, AND THEY CHASED AFTER HIM TO ARREST HIM.  RICHARD ALLEGEDLY STABBED TWO DEPUTIES WHICH LED ONE OF THEM TO PULL HIS SERVICE WEAPON AND FIRE IT.  RICHARD WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH A NON-LIFE-THREATENING INJURY WHILE THE DEPUTIES WERE TREATED FOR NON-LIFE-THREATENING STAB WOUNDS.

A PETITION TO RECALL IOWA MAYOR NEAL WATKINS IS UNDERWAY. THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE CONFIRMED ORGANIZERS FILED PAPERWORK TO COLLECT SIGNATURES FOR THE RECALL.  IN ORDER FOR THERE TO BE A RECALL ELECTION, ORGANIZERS WILL HAVE TO COLLECT SIGNATURES FROM AT LEAST SIX HUNDRED FOUR QUALIFIED VOTERS IN IOWA.  THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RECALL IS ALLEN MATHIS AND DALE ROMERO IS THE VICE CHAIR.

NEW IBERIA POLICE ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR A HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER WHO STRUCK TWO BICYCLISTS.  IT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY ALONG WEST WASHINGTON STREET.  POLICE SAY THE SUSPECT VEHICLE WAS A WHITE SEDAN THAT SHOULD HAVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END.  ANYONE WHO HAS INFORMATION ON THE HIT-AND-RUN IS URGED TO CALL IBERIA PARISH CRIME STOPPERS AT THREE-SIX-FOUR-TIPS.

THE CITY OF OPELOUSAS IS LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK ON AN EIGHTY-PAGE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN, WHICH WAS COMPILED WITH THE HELP OF THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT.  THE TOP CONCERNS IN THE CITY IS THE NEED FOR MORE BIKE LANES, ACCORDING TO THE PLAN, AS WELL AS IMPROVEMENTS TO ROADS AND BRIDGES.  THE MOST CONGESTED AREA IN OPELOUSAS IS CRESSWELL LANE WHILE VINE STREET IS THE BIGGEST CONCERN FOR SAFETY.  PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH JUNE TWENTY-FIFTH.

LAST NIGHT THE LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT BOARD OF ZONING APPROVED ZONING REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPERTY THAT BUC-EE’S IS CONSIDERING.  THE POPULAR CONVENIENCE STORE IS LOOKING AT BUILDING A NEW STORE AT THE CORNER OF I-TEN AND LOUISIANA AVENUE.  THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING FOR BUC-EE’S, SCOTT RATCLIFFE, GAVE THE BOARD A LIST OF VARIABLES THAT HE SAID ARE NEEDED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE STORE’S LAYOUT, ALL OF WHICH WERE APPROVED.  RATCLIFF SAYS CONSTRUCTION PLANS ARE WELL UNDERWAY AND IT WILL TAKE ABOUT THIRTEEN MONTHS TO BUILD.

AN OPEN GRAVESITE WAS DISCOVERED YESTERDAY AT THE WEST CROWLEY CEMETARY ON FOURTH STREET.  A MAN MOWING FOUND A COLLAPSED GRAVE WITH SOME OF THE REMAINS REVEALED, INCLUDING A SKULL.  OFFICIALS TELL KADN TV THAT THE GRAVESITE IS ROUGHLY ONE HUNDRED TWENTY YEARS OLD AND EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS ROTTED THE WOOD FRAME, EXPOSING THE GRAVE.  THE OFFICIALS SAY THE AREA IS CORDONED OFF AND WILL BE FIXED WITHIN A DAY OR TWO.

The Biden administration’s new Title IX rule expanding protections for LGBTQ+ students has been temporarily blocked in four states after a federal judge in Louisiana found that it overstepped the Education Department’s authority. In a preliminary injunction granted Thursday, U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty called the new rule an “abuse of power” and a “threat to democracy.” His order blocks the rule in Louisiana, which filed a challenge to the rule in April, and in Mississippi, Montana and Idaho, which joined the suit. The Education Department did not immediately respond to the order.

THE CALCASIEU REPUBLICAN PARTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HELD A RECEPTION AT THE LAKE CHARLES COUNTRY CLUB YESTERDAY TO WELCOME THE NEW PRESIDENT OF MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY.  DOCTOR WADE ROUSSE OFFICIALLY STEPS INTO THE POSITION ON JULY FIRST.  ROUSSE, WHO HAS WORKED AT MCNEESE SINCE TWENTY-NINETEEN IN VARIOUS POSITIONS, SAYS HE IS EXCITED TO ENTER HIS NEW ROLE.  HE SAYS HE’S BEEN IN DIFFERENT EDUCATION SYSTEMS IN LOTS OF PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND WILL BRING BACK SOME OF THE BEST PRACTICES AND IMPLEMENT THEM AT THE UNIVERSITY THAT GAVE HIM HIS START.

POST-STORM DEBRIS PICKUP CONTINUES IN LAFAYETTE PARISH.  GEORGE FAUST HAS MORE.

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LAFITTE PARK ON SOUTH JOHN HARDY DRIVE IN ABBEVILLE IS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, JUST IN TIME FOR THE FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND.  MAYOR ROSLYN WHITE SAYS THE PARK ALLOWS FISHING AT THE FISHING PIER AND HAS WALKING TRAILS WITH NEWLY ENHANCED ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES.  WHITE SAYS THEY ARE PLANNING TO MOVE THE DOG PARK TO AN AREA WITH MORE SHADE FROM TREES.  SHE SAYS PEOPLE CAN BRING DOGS TO THE PARK NOW AS LONG AS THEY ARE ON A LEASH AND THEY ARE ASKED TO PICK UP AFTER THE DOGS AND PROPERLY DISPOSE OF THE WASTE.

Police say a Louisiana woman has been found dead in her home and her two young daughters were abducted and found hours later in Mississippi. One was dead and the other alive. Investigators say a Louisiana resident suspected in the deaths and abduction was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi. Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Office in Louisiana says the suspect had a car belonging to Callie Brunett and had the woman’s 6-year-old daughter. The body of the woman’s 4-year-old was found near the car in a wooded area in Jackson. Louisiana State Police issued an Amber Alert for the girls after their mother’s body was found in her home.

THE OPELOUSAS POLICE CHIEF WAS UNHURT AFTER AN ATTACK DURING A TRAFFIC STOP.  AN OFFICER ON THE SCENE CALLED FOR BACKUP AND CHIEF GRAIG LEBLANC WAS ONE OF THE RESPONDING OFFICERS.  AT SOME POINT A SCUFFLE HAPPENED.  KADN TV IS REPORTING THAT THE SUSPECT IN QUESTION WAS NOT ARRESTED.

TWO WOMEN AT THE GREEN SPA ON CRESSWELL LANE IN OPELOUSAS WERE ARRESTED AFTER THE SAINT LANDRY PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE EXECUTED A SEARCH WARRANT.  SHERIFF BOBBY GUIDROZ SAYS THEY HAD RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT WOMEN AT THE BUSINESS ENGAGING IN PROSTITUTION.  THE TWO WOMEN WERE NOT COOPERATIVE WITH DEPUTIES AND CLAIMED TO SPEAK VERY LITTLE ENGLISH.  THEY HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH MONEY LAUNDERING, OPERATION OF PLACES OF PROSTITUTION AND SOLICITING PROSTITUTION, AND BONDED OUT AFTER THEIR ARRESTS.

STARTING TODAY, DRIVERS WILL HAVE TO TAKE DETOURS AS THE WEST CONGRESS STREET BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED FOR REPAIRS.  GEORGE FAUST HAS MORE.

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Louisiana’s highest court is giving childhood victims of sexual abuse a renewed opportunity to file damage lawsuits. The state Supreme Court issued a 5-2 ruling Wednesday upholding a so-called look-back law that was passed in 2021 and amended in 2022. The law gave victims of past abuse, whose deadlines for filing civil lawsuits had expired, renewed opportunities to file lawsuits. The court had ruled 4-3 in March that the law couldn’t stand because it conflicted with due process rights in the state constitution, but the court agreed last month to reconsider the case.

LAST NIGHT THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH POLICE JURY AGREED TO HIRE BEAZLEY AND LONGO SHELTER DESIGN FOR THE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN OF A NEW PARISH-WIDE ANIMAL SHELTER.  POLICE JURY PRESIDENT STEVE EASTMAN SAYS THE COMPANY HAS AN IDEA OF WHAT THE PARISH WANTS IN A SHELTER THAT WILL PROBABLY HAVE BETWEEN SEVENTY AND ONE HUNDRED PENS FOR THE ANIMALS.  HE’S HOPING THE DESIGN ELEMENT WILL BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.  EASTMAN SAYS THEY ARE CONSIDERING A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT LOCATIONS FOR THE SHELTER, INCLUDING THE CURRENT PARISH JAIL.

AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CITY MARSHAL’S OFFICE IN JEANERETTE HAS COME TO AN END.  THAT AGREEMENT WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN IN FEBRUARY WHEN THERE WERE TWO OR THREE OFFICERS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  POLICE CHIEF DUSTY VALLOT SAYS THE AGREEMENT IS NO LONGER NEEDED BECAUSE THEY NOW HAVE SIX OFFICERS IN THE DEPARTMENT INCLUDING HIMSELF.  THE CHIEF AND CITY MARSHALL SAID AT THE RECENT BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING THAT THEY WERE HAPPY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND LOOKED FORWARD TO ANY ADDITIONAL WORK IN THE FUTURE.

THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM WILL PAY LESS IN DAMAGES TO THE PARENTS OF A STUDENT AT L-J ALLEMAN WHO WAS ALLEGEDLY MOLESTED BY ANOTHER STUDENT.  A TRIAL COURT HAD ORDERED THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO PAY FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.  YESTERDAY, AN APPEALS COURT CUT THAT AMOUNT BY SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR’S OFFICE WILL BE CONDUCTING A REVIEW OF THE WORKPLACE CULTURE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.  SEVERAL HIGH LEVEL EMPLOYEES AT THE AGENCY QUIT IN JUST A FEW WEEKS AFTER AURELIA GIACOMETTO TOOK OVER LEADERSHIP AFTER HER APPOINTMENT BY GOVERNOR JEFF LANDRY.  THE NEW SECRETARY HAS COME UNDER HARSH CRITICISM BY THOSE WHO WERE WITH THE AGENCY IN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.  THE LANDRY ADMINISTRATION DEFENDED GIACOMETTO SAYING THE NEEDED CHANGE IN THE DEPARTMENT WAS BOUND TO STIR UP OPPOSITION.

SOME RESIDENTS OF ERATH ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF A WINDSTORM THAT HAPPENED ON JUNE SECOND.  JOEY AND HARLEY DARBY ARE STILL NOT SURE IF THEIR MOBILE HOME IS SALVAGEABLE AFTER A LARGE TREE FELL ON IT.  HARLEY SAYS THEY ARE HOPING FEMA WILL DECLARE IT A DISASTER SO THEY CAN GET HELP SINCE THEY HAD NO INSURANCE.  SHE SAYS THAT THEY HAD INVESTED MORE THAN TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS TO IMPROVE THEIR HOME.

THE LAFAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT STILL HAS AN OFFICER SHORTAGE.  GEORGE FAUST HAS MORE.

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THE GRAND COTEAU POLICE CHIEF PLEADED GUILTY YESTERDAY MORNING TO FELONY CHARGES OF MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.  JEFFREY CARL GUILBEAU WAS SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN PRISON AT HARD LABOR, WHICH WAS SUSPENDED, ONE YEAR PROBATION AND HE MUST DO REMEDIAL COUNSELING.  LAST JULY, GUILBEAU WAS ARRESTED ON THE MALFEASANCE AND OBSTRUCTION CHARGES AS WELL AS TWO COUNTS OF DISTRIBUTION OF SCHEDULE ONE NARCOTICS.  ONE YEAR AGO, HE SUBMITTED A LETTER OF RESIGNATION BUT, A SHORT WHILE LATER, HE RETRACTED THE RESIGNATION AND RESUMED HIS DUTIES.

MEMBERS OF THE STATE BOARD OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION VOTED YESTERDAY IN FAVOR OF CHANGES TO THE STATE’S ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM.  THE PROGRAM SETS GOALS FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, IDENTIFIES STRUGGLING SCHOOLS AND GIVES EVERY SCHOOL AN A TO F LETTER GRADE.  THE FULL BOARD IS EXPECTED TO APPROVE THE CHANGES TODAY WHICH WOULD TAKE EFFECT IN TWENTY-TWENTY-SIX.  THE REVAMPED RATING SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BE EASIER FOR EDUCATORS AND PARENTS TO UNDERSTAND AND PLACES AN EMPHASIS ON THE ACADEMIC GROWTH OF STUDENTS.

THE I-TEN BRIDGE IN LAKE CHARLES WAS REOPENED LAST NIGHT.  BOTH LANES ON THE BRIDGE HAD BEEN CLOSED FOR EMERGENCY REPAIRS.  CREWS FIXED A BROKEN FINGER JOINT.

MAYOR PRESIDENT MONIQUE BLANCO BOULET AND LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF MARK GARBER ARE WORKING ON AN APPLICATION TO GET STATE FUNDING FOR A NEW PARISH JAIL.  BOULET SAYS THE CURRENT JAIL IS OUTDATED AND IT DOES NOT ACCOMMODATE THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT THE JAILERS ARE DEALING WITH.  SHE TELLS KLFY TV THAT SHE DECIDED TO APPROACH GOVERNOR LANDRY ABOUT THE JAIL PROBLEMS BECAUSE HE HAS MADE CRIMINAL JUSTICE A PRIORITY.  BOULET SAYS LANDRY TOLD HER AND GARBER THAT HIS OFFICE IS INTERESTED IN MAKING A NEW JAIL A REALITY.

THE ACADIANA READING CENTER IN BREAUX BRDIDGE SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE FROM A RECENT FLOOD.  THE FOUNDER OF THE SCHOOL, MELISSA BEGNAUD ARDOIN, SAYS ALL THE WORK THEY PUT IN OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS WERE BASICALLY WIPED OUT IN AN HOUR.  SHE TELL KLFY TV THAT SHE FELT LIKE QUITTING BUT THE BACKING OF STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND WORKERS REMINDED HER OF WHAT HER PURPOSE WAS IN THE BEGINNING.  A GOFUNDME ACCOUNT HAS BEEN SET UP TO HELP THE SCHOOL RECOVER.

GOVERNOR JEFF LANDRY SIGNED INTO LAW MAJOR CHANGES TO THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. AMONG THE CHANGES INCLUDES THE ELIMINATION OF THE UNDERSECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY POSITIONS.  IT ALSO ESTABLISHES AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICH WILL HELP DEVELOP A LONG-TERM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE STATE.  A DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE SAYS THE CHANGES MODERNIZES THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO BETTER ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES AND MORE EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT BUSINESSES INVESTED IN LOUISIANA.

THE HISTORIC QUEEN CINEMA IN EUNICE IS FOR SALE.  IT WAS BUILT IN THE NINETEEN THIRTIES AND MAINTAINS THE FEEL OF OLD HOLLYWOOD WITH MODERN DAY PERKS. THE THREE AUDITORIUMS AT THE THEATRE WERE RECENTLY RENOVATED.  THE QUEEN CINEMA IS LISTED FOR ONE HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.