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THE LAFAYETTE PUBLIC LIBRARY YESTERDAY ANNOUNCED THAT A DRAG QUEEN STORY TIME EVENT PLANNED FOR SATURDAY HAS BEEN POSTPONED.  THAT’S BECAUSE THE SOUTH LOUISIANA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, WHICH AGREED TO HOST THE EVENT, PULLED ITS OFFER.  THE COLLEGE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIALLY LARGE CROWDS PROTESTING THE EVENT AND NOT HAVING ENOUGH SECURITY.  LIBRARY OFFICIALS IN A NEWS RELEASE ANNOUNCED THEIR INTENT TO HOST THE EVENT AT A LATER TIME WHEN THEY CAN SECURE A NEW VENUE.

YESTERDAY A LAKE CHARLES WOMAN WAS ARRESTED FOR AIDING AND ABETTING HER HUSBAND IN THE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A YOUNG GIRL.  35-YEAR-OLD SARAH JOI LAIRD WAS INDICTED ON A CHARGE OF PRINCIPLE TO FIRST DEGREE RAPE, WHILE HER HUSBAND, 41-YEAR-OLD JEREMY KEITH LAIRD, WHO WAS ARRESTED IN AUGUST, FACES CHARGES OF FIRST DEGREE RAPE AND SEXUAL BATTERY.  SARAH LAIRD WAS ARRESTED ON THE SAME CHARGE TWO YEARS AGO WHEN SHE WAS THEN SARAH BREAUX.  SHE WAS ACCUSED OF KNOWING THAT HER THEN HUSBAND, ERIC BREAUX, WAS ASSAULTING AN UNDERAGE GIRL.

A FORMER BREAUX BRIDGE CITY JUDGE, WALTER GLENN SOILEAU, SURRENDERED TO AUTHORITIES YESTERDAY FOR HIS ALLEGED INVOLVMENT IN EMBEZZLEMENT OF A LOCAL BUSINESS.  SOILEAU FACES 14 COUNTS OF CONSPIRACY AND 14 COUNTS OF THEFT OF FRAUD OF OVER 25 THOUSAND DOLLARS.  HIS TWO SONS, JACQUE PIERRE AND JEAN SOILEU, AND JEAN’S WIFE, KENDRA DUPLECHAIN SOILEU, WERE ARRESTED WEDNESDAY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SAME SCHEME.  WALTER SOILEAU HAD BEEN ARRESTED BACK IN MARCH IN AN UNRELATED CASE FOR ALLEGEDLY OVERSEEING DRUG SALES AND PROSTITUTION AT A LOCAL MOTEL ROOM.

When Louisiana shopped for new voting machines, the state told vendors it wanted to double its number of machines, to as many as 20,000 for its elections inventory.

That decision wasn’t publicized and helped drive up the price tag of contract proposals. Winning bidder Dominion Voting Systems estimates the work will cost up to $95 million.  Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says his office thinks more machines are needed because large Election Day machines will be replaced with smaller screens requiring voters to scroll through multiple pages.

LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL BRIAN POPE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED WITHOUT PAY UNTIL ALL OF HIS APPEALS ARE EXHAUSTED. POPE WAS CONVICTED WEDNESDAY ON FOUR FELONY COUNTS AND STATE LAW REQUIRES PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO BE SUSPENDED WITHOUT PAY WHEN THEY HAVE A FELONY CONVICTION.  NOW, THE LAFAYETTE CITY COURT WILL HAVE TO APPOINT AN INTERIM REPLACEMENT.  POPE WAS CONVICTED ON THREE COUNTS OF MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE AND ONE COUNT OF PERJURY.

A CIRCLE K ON HIGHWAY 90 AND MAPLE STREET IN SULPHUR SHUT DOWN THEIR PREMIUM GAS SUPPLY AFTER A COMPLAINT FROM A CUSTOMER.  THERE WAS WATER IN THE GAS AND THE CUSTOMER DIDN’T MAKE IT A MILE FROM THE STORE.  THE CUSTOMER COMPLAINED TO THE GAS STATION WHICH REPORTED IT TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY.  THE COMMISSIONER MIKE STRAIN SAYS THAT, FROM WHAT HE UNDERSTANDS, A CAP WAS NOT PUT BACK PROPERLY ON THE HIGH OCTANE TANK.

THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS LOOKING FOR A MAN FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF EUNICE, WHO HASN’T BEEN SEEN SINCE LAST FRIDAY.  THE FAMILY OF 38-YEAR-OLD ISREAL JACOB BORDELON LAST HEARD FROM HIM ON SATURDAY.  HE’S WHEELCHAIR-BOUND AND MAY BE IN THE AVOYELLES PARISH AREA.  HIS TRUCK IS A DARK 2013 TOYOTA TUNDRA S-R-5 WITH POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER FENDER.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS URGED TO CONTACT THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE BY PHONE OR THROUGH FACEBOOK.

LOUISIANA’S CATHOLIC BISHOPS HAVE THROWN THEIR SUPPORT BEHIND AMENDMENT TWO ON THE NOVEMBER SIXTH BALLOT.  THAT AMENDMENT WOULD REQUIRE UNANIMOUS JURY VERDICTS IN ALL CRIMINAL CASES.  CURRENTLY LOUISIANA LAW ALLOWS TEN OUT OF 12 JURORS TO CONVICT.  IN A STATEMENT, THE LOUISIANA CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS SAYS UNANIMITY OF A JURY ENSURES THE LEGAL STANDARD OF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT AND BRINGS THE LEGAL SYSTEM MUCH CLOSER TO THE CARDINAL VIRTUES OF PRUDENCE AND JUSTICE.

A JURY HAS FOUND LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL BRIAN POPE GUILTY ON FOUR OF SEVEN MALFEASANCE AND PERJURY CHARGES.  EACH OF THE CHARGES CARRY A MAXIMUM FIVE YEAR SENTENCE.  HE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF MALFEASANCE FOR PAYING A LAWYER WITH OFFICE FUNDS TO GET COURT RECORDS OF SHERIFF MARK GARBER’S DIVORCE UNSEALED WHEN GARBER WAS RUNNING FOR SHERIFF.  HE WAS ALSO FOUND GUILTY OF USING PUBLIC FUNDS TO HIRE A DEFENSE ATTORNEY FOR HIS EMPLOYEES AND TO APPEAL A CONTEMPT OF COURT CONVICTION.

A PITKIN MAN BROKE INTO AND STOLE ITEMS IN ORDER TO BUY AN EIGHTH BALL OF METH, THEN BURNED THE HOME TO THE GROUND WHILE WEARING THE HOMEOWNER’S CLOTHES.  THAT’S ACCORDING TO THE ALLEN PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE, WHICH FOUND 31-YEAR-OLD NATHAN DEAN MARTIN SITTING IN THE HOMEOWNER’S VEHICLE IN A NEARBY FIELD.  THE HOMEOWNER WAS AWAY ON A HUNTING TRIP WHEN THE FIRE HAPPENED EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.  A NEIGHBOR CALLED 9-1-1 AFTER HEARING AN EXPLOSION AT THE HOUSE AND WHEN INVESTIGATORS ARRIVED, ONLY THE ROOF OF THE HOUSE REMAINED.

AN EMBEZZLEMENT COMPLAINT FROM A BREAUX BRIDGE BUSINESS ENDED IN THE ARREST OF THREE PEOPLE.  MEANWHILE AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR ONE OTHER PERSON.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

VOICER W :40

A Louisiana congressman says the trade disputes with China are hurting the state’s soybean farmers at a time when rain during harvest season has also hit them badly. U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham is asking the federal government for help.  Abraham says many soybean shipments are coming down the Mississippi River instead of going to the West Coast, filling storage silos and leaving little space for Louisiana’s big but damaged crop.  Soybeans were a big target of tariffs imposed by China in response to those imposed by the Trump administration.

President Donald Trump has tapped a Lafayette man to lead the U.S. Marshal Service.  Donald Washington, a former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, has been nominated for the Marshal Service director’s job.  Louisiana’s two U.S. senators, Republicans Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, praised the pick in a joint statement Wednesday. The U.S. Senate must confirm Washington before he can take the job.

BUFFI’S PO-BOY SHOP IN THE SOUTH PLAZA ON L-A 14 IN LAKE CHARLES WAS BURGLARIZED EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.  IT WAS THE THIRD TIME OVERALL THAT THE SHOP HAS BEEN BURGLARIZED AND THE FOURTH BURGLARY IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS IN THE BUSINESS PLAZA.  GENERAL MANAGER KADDIE LEJEUNE TELLS KPLC TV THEY ARE NOT GOING TO LET THIS INCIDENT GET THEM DOWN, AND THEY WILL CONTINUE PUSHING.  LAKE CHARLES POLICE SAY THE INVESTIGATION IS IN THE EARLY STAGES AND ARE ASKING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION TO COME FORWARD.

PLAISANCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN OPELOUSAS IS CLOSED TODAY DUE TO A RUPTURED PIPE.  AS OF LAST NIGHT, THE PIPE HAD NOT BEEN LOCATED OR REPAIRED.  OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND INFORM THE PUBLIC OF ANY CHANGES.  THE STAFF OF THE SCHOOL IS REQUIRED TO REPORT TO WORK TODAY.

Legislation headed to President Donald Trump’s desk could help thousands of Louisiana flood victims.  The U.S. Senate gave final passage Wednesday to a package of federal disaster policy changes, included in a bill authorizing spending for federal aviation programs.  Federal policies have kept thousands of victims of the 2016 Louisiana floods from being able to access a federally-financed homeowner grant program because they already received Small Business Administration loans.  Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy says the bill will eliminate those restrictions so homeowners with flood damage who received SBA loans can get grants through the Restore Louisiana program.

THE JURY IN THE FELONY TRIAL OF LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL BRIAN POPE COULD BEGIN DELIBERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON.  POPE IS FACING FIVE COUNTS OF MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE AND TWO COUNTS OF PERJURY.  THE PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE CLOSED THEIR CASES YESTERDAY AND CLOSING ARGUMENTS ARE PLANNED FOR THIS MORNING.  THE PROSECUTION CALLED TWELVE WITNESSES OVER THREE DAYS WHILE THE DEFENSE ONLY CALLED ONE , AND POPE DID NOT TESTIFY.

THE SULPHUR POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED SEVEN PEOPLE AFTER A DRUG BUST AT A HOME ON WEST VERDINE STREET.  FOUR MINORS WERE AT THE HOME WHILE THEY EXECUTED THE SEARCH WARRANT AND THEY WERE HANDED OVER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES.  TWO OF THE SEVEN WHO WERE ARRESTED FACE A CHARGE OF POSSESSION WITH THE INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE METHAMPHETAMINE.  LATER INSPECTORS WITH THE CITY OF SULPHUR PLACED AN UNSAFE STRUCTURE NOTICE ON THE HOME BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.

OPELOUSAS PUBLIC WORKS AND CONSTRUCTION CREWS HAD TO REPAIR A DAMAGED WATER LINE LOCATED ON COLLEGE AVENUE IN THE GREENWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AREA.  A BOIL ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED AS A PRECAUTION FOR RESIDENTS ALONG COLLEGE AVENUE AND ANY HOME THAT HAD NO WATER OR LOW WATER PRESSURE.  WATER SAMPLES ARE BEING SENT TO THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HOSPITALS FOR TESTING.  ONCE THEY GET A GOOD RESULT, THE BOIL ADVISORY WILL BE LIFTED.

A SERIES OF LAFAYETTE CITY PARISH COUNCIL TOWN HALL MEETINGS BEGINS TODAY FOCUSING ON THE LAFAYETTE RURAL FIRE DISTRICT MILLAGE PROPOSAL.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS THE DETAILS.

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A Louisiana sheriff says someone used gasoline to burn the body of a woman found dead alongside a Cameron Parish road.  Sheriff Ron Johnson tells the American Press someone likely tried to set 32-year-old Mitzie B. Galimidi’s body on fire to destroy evidence. He says the state fire marshal’s office says rain likely prevented the fire from burning the woman’s corpse.  A school bus driver spotted Galimidi’s body Wednesday morning.

AN ABBEVILLE MAN WAS SENTENCED TO A YEAR AND A DAY IN PRISON AND THREE YEARS PROBATION FOR ILLEGALLY POSSESSING A GUN.  38-YEAR-OLD CARLIN JERRID MONTGOMERY PLED GUILTY IN JULY.  IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR, HE WAS FOUND TO HAVE A GUN AND AMMUNITION INSIDE A STEREO TUNER IN HIS BEDROOM.  HE WAS PROHIBITED FROM OWNING A GUN BECAUSE OF A FELONY CONVICTION IN 2002 FOR POSSESSION OF CRACK COCAINE.

HUSBAND AND WIFE FROM JENNINGS WERE FOUND DEAD YESTERDAY.  THEY HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 46-YEAR-OLD KEVIN JOHN MELERINE AND 40-YEAR-OLD COURTNEY JENAY MELERINE.  THE MOTHER OF COURTNEY FOUND THE TWO UNRESPONSIVE AT A RESIDENCE ON SOUTH CUTTING STREET.  IT’S A POSSIBLE OVERDOSE BUT THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING.

THE EVANGELINE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD HAS RECEIVED A 150 THOUSAND DOLLAR FEDERAL GRANT TO IMPROVE SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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THE LAFAYETTE PARISH ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS IS DISPELLING RUMORS OF A WALKOUT BY TEACHERS.  THE ORGANIZATION’S PRESIDENT JONATHAN COLE TELLS KLFY TV THAT THEY HAVE NO PLANS TO INITIATE A WALKOUT AT THIS TIME.  HE SAYS A TEACHER SHORTAGE IN THE PARISH CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE BUREAUCRACY THAT THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPECTED ENOUGH TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE KIDS WITH WHICH THEY WORK.  THE ASSOCIATION, WHICH REPRESENTS MORE THAN A THOUSAND SCHOOL SYSTEM EMPLOYEES, DOES PLAN ON ENTERING IN TO TALKS TO FIND A SOLUTION.

THE CALCASIEU PARISH AND BEAUREGARD PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICES ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO TRENT PERKINS, A MAN WHO LIVED IN BOTH PARISHES, AND WHO HAS BEEN MISSING FOR 13 YEARS.  LAST WEEK, THEY RECEIVED A TIP THAT HUMAN REMAINS WERE IN A WELL IN SINGER.  MARK HERFORD, THE CHIEF DETECTIVE WITH THE BEAUREGARD PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE, SAYS THEY BROUGHT IN HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND EXCAVATORS BUT FOUND NOTHING.  HE SAYS THEY HAVE RECEIVED DOZENS OF TIPS OVER THE YEARS AND WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON ANY TIP THEY RECEIVE SO THE FAMILY CAN HAVE CLOSURE.

A MAN WANTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER IN PATTERSON WAS ARRESTED ON MONDAY IN LAFAYETTE AFTER WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING HIM SWIMMING IN THE AIRPORT LAKE NEAR THE U-L MARINE SURVIVAL TRAINING CENTER.  JEFF HORCHAK REPORTS.

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Louisiana is receiving a $3.6 million, five-year federal grant to help schools develop emergency operation plans and perform school safety training.  Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office announced the grant Monday. The money comes from the U.S. Department of Education.  The governor’s office says Louisiana’s education department and Louisiana State University’s counter-terrorist education academy will use the money to offer schools technical assistance and training on how to respond to disasters and emergencies.

TONIGHT THE BROUSSARD POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL HOST THE 35^TH NATIONAL NIGHT OUT ON CRIME AND DRUG PREVENTION.  HERE’S JEFF HORCHAK WITH THE DETAILS.

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A PROPERTY TAX THAT FUNDS THE CALCASIEU LIBRARY SYSTEM IS ON THE BALLOT NOVEMBER SIXTH.  THE TEN YEAR, 5-POINT-9-9 MILL TAX GENERATES 12-POINT-8 MILLION DOLLARS, WHICH IS ABOUT 96 PERCENT OF THE LIBRARY SYSTEM’S FUNDING.  SOME RESIDENTS ARE QUESTIONING WHY THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A SERVICE THAT THEY DON’T USE.  KAY ANDREWS, PRESIDENT OF FRIENDS OF THE CALCASIEU LIBRARY, SAYS THAT WITHOUT THE TAX, THE LIBRARY WOULD CLOSE OR THEY WOULD HAVE TO STOP CERTAIN SERVICES.

A 16-YEAR-OLD HAS BEEN CHARGED FOR ALLEGEDLY DESTROYING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF PROPERTY IN A CEMETARY IN KAPLAN.  POLICE CHIEF JOSHUA HARDY SAYS, EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, SPUN OUT OF CONTROL ON AMERICAN LEGION ROAD AND CRASHED INTO SOME GRAVES.  THE DRIVER, BELIEVED TO BE THE 16-YEAR-OLD, THEN FLED THE SCENE.  THERE WAS AN ESTIMATED TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE CEMETARY, WHICH IS OWNED BY THE HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH.

A conservative organization funded by the Koch network has launched a digital ad aimed at ending Louisiana’s law allowing split juries to convict people of serious felony crimes.  Americans for Prosperity-Louisiana announced Monday the online advertising campaign will be combined with direct mail and other outreach in support of the constitutional change on the Nov. 6 ballot.  Currently, some serious felony trials in Louisiana can be resolved when 10 out of 12 jurors agree on a person’s guilt. Amendment 2 would require jury verdicts to be unanimous in all felony cases.

A visitor to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola is in custody after a new body scanner detected contraband and helped officers block a drug smuggling attempt.  The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, in a news release, says the scanner detected a foreign object Friday inside of 22-year-old Brittany Alexus, of Lafayette.  When officers questioned Alexus, authorities say she rapidly headed to her vehicle in the parking lot. The prison’s shakedown team searched her vehicle and discovered a plastic bag containing several water bottles with hidden compartments, one of which contained 58.3 grams of synthetic marijuana.

AN OAKDALE MAN WAS KILLED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH ON L-A 112 EAST OF DERIDDER SATURDAY AFTERNOON.  STATE POLICE SAYS IT APPEARS THE PICKUP TRUCK DRIVEN BY 29-YEAR-OLD STEVEN HENDRICKS WENT OFF THE ROAD AT A CURVE AND STRUCK A TREE BEFORE OVERTURNING.  HENDRICKS, WHO WASN’T WEARING A SEATBELT, WAS EJECTED AND PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.  A PASSENGER WHO WAS ALSO NOT WEARING HIS SEATBELT, JEFFREY BUTLER, WAS TAKEN FROM THE SCENE WITH SERIOUS INJURIES.

BREAUX BRIDGE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED SUNDAY JUST AFTER FOUR P-M AT THE INTERSECTION OF ARNAUD AND MARTIN STREETS.  POLICE CHIEF ROLLIE CANTU SAYS ONE PERSON WAS SHOT IN THE LEG AND WAS TAKEN TO THE ST. MARTIN PARISH HOSPITAL.  POLICE HAVE NO SUSPECTS IN THE SHOOTING AT THIS TIME.  THEY ARE ASKING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION TO CALL THE BREAUX BRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 332-2186.

Candidates running against Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin are objecting to a letter he wrote elderly participants in an absentee voting program.  The contenders, both Republican and Democrat, say the letter sought to promote Ardoin at state taxpayer expense as the November election nears.  Ardoin’s campaign spokesman Lionel Rainey says the Sept. 20 letter sent by the Republican elections chief to people allowed to vote absentee by mail educates voters about their rights.  In the letter, Ardoin outlines that state law prohibits voter harassment and offers a number to report concerns.

THE FIRST MEDICAL MARIJUANA HEALTH CLINIC IN LAFAYETTE WILL BE OPENING TODAY.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

VOICER R :23

THE BODY OF A MISSING MONROE WOMAN WAS FOUND ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE I-210 BRIDGE IN LAKE CHARLES FRIDAY AFTERNOON.  LATE LAST TUESDAY, A VOLKSWAGON TIGUAN BELONGING TO 58-YEAR-OLD DEBRA KAY HUGHES WAS FOUND ON THE BRIDGE UNOCCUPIED.  CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES BELIEVE SHE JUMPED OFF THE BRIDGE.  FAMILY MEMBERS SAY THEY LAST TALKED TO HER ON TUESDAY EVENING.

THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS SEEKING HELP FROM THE PUBLIC IN FINDING THOSE WHO STOLE TWO BLACK AND GRAY AIR COMPRESSORS ON AUGUST 27^TH.  SUSPECTS BROKE THROUGH A SECURITY FENCE TO GAIN ENTRY TO A JOB SITE ON BAYOU MALLET HIGHWAY JUST NORTH OF ACORN HILLS ROAD IN NORTHERN ACADIA PARISH.  THE SUSPECTS USED VEHICLES TO REMOVE THE COMPRESSORS, WHICH ARE VALUED AT 22 THOUSAND DOLLARS.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL CRIME STOPPERS OF ACADIA PARISH AT 789-TIPS, WHERE UP TO A THOUSAND DOLLAR CASH REWARD IS BEING OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO AN ARREST.

Louisiana is using a $1 million federal grant to help local communities start new mosquito control programs.  The state health department received the one-time grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state agency says it will divide the money among four parishes or municipalities that don’t have an in-house mosquito abatement district and want to start one.  The spending will bolster control efforts aimed at combatting threats from mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and Zika.

LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL BRIAN POPES TRIAL CONCLUDED ITS FOURTH DAY ON THURSDAY.  HERE’S JEFF HORCHAK WITH WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY.

VOICER P :27

A GRAND REOPENING WAS HELD LAST NIGHT FOR A HISTORIC BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN LAKE CHARLES THAT HAD SAT EMPTY FOR DECADES.  IN 2014, JEROME KARAM PURCHASED THE DETERIORATING BUILDING BECAUSE HE SAID HE SAW POTENTIAL IN IT.  FOUR YEARS LATER IT IS NOW THE KARAM LOFTS WITH ELEVEN LOFTS FOR LEASE, ALTHOUGH SOME HAVE BEEN SIGNED ALREADY.  KARAM TELLS KPLC TV THAT IT TOOK LONGER THAN EXPECTED BECAUSE OF MULTIPLE DELAYS, BUT HE FEELS IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT.

AN ARREST HAS BEEN MADE IN A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED AT A DOLLAR GENERAL STORE ON L-A 14 WEST OF NEW IBERIA.  23-YEAR-OLD JOEL SAENZ HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING ANOTHER MAN IN THE HEAD LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.  IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SPOKESMAN WENDELL RABORN SAYS INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THERE HAD BEEN AN ON GOING DISPUTE BETWEEN THE VICTIM AND SAENZ.  THE VICTIM IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT A LAFAYETTE HOSPITAL.

Superintendent of Education John White says annual letter grades for Louisiana’s public schools will be released Nov. 8.  The grades, along with accompanying school performance scores, spell out how students fared on key tests, graduation rates and other measurements.  This year, students and their parents will see changes in the rating system that make it harder for schools and districts to land an A. The changes are aimed at making students more competitive with their counterparts nationally.

THE DRAG QUEEN STORY TIME PLANNED FOR NEXT SATURDAY, OCTOBER SIXTH, HAS BEEN MOVED FROM THE LAFAYETTE PUBLIC LIBRARY’S MAIN BRANCH TO THE SOUTH LOUISIANA COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS.  LIBRARY DIRECTOR TERESA ELBERSON SAYS THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT OVERFLOW CROWDS AND THE ACCOMPANYING SAFETY CONCERNS.  THE EVENT WILL TAKE NOW PLACE AT S-L-C-C’S HEALTH AND SCIENCES AUDITORIUM.  THE BOOKS TO BE READ WERE SELECTED BY LIBRARIANS.

A 42-YEAR-OLD JENNINGS MAN WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY FOR VIOLATING A PROTECTIVE ORDER.  DEPUTIES FOUND BARRY PAUL COLE INSIDE THE VICTIM’S HOUSE.  AUTHORITIES SAY HE WAS ON THE BED WITH A SMOKING PIPE AND A GREEN LEAFY SUBSTANCE IN A BAG SUSPECTED TO BE MARIJUANA.  HE IS BEING HELD WITH NO BOND.

THE KAPLAN CITY COUNCIL VOTED FOR A FIVE PERCENT PAY INCREASE FOR ALL PART TIME FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

VOICER Q :15

Louisiana’s top higher education board will audit university admissions across the state, to make sure campuses are following the required minimum standards.  Wednesday’s announcement from the Board of Regents comes after Louisiana State University reworked its admissions approach. The state’s flagship university has lessened its reliance on standardized test scores and grade point averages.

Regents expect to start its audit process in January and issue a report in the spring.

THE TRIAL FOR LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL BRIAN POPE CONTINUED ON TUESDAY.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

VOICER K :20

LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS RAMPED UP SECURITY AT CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOLS AFTER TWO SEPARATE THREATS WERE MADE BY JUVENILES.  CHIEF DEPUTY GARY STITCH GUILLORY WITH THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS THE TWO WERE BOOKED INTO THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.  HE SAYS THEY WERE FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO TRACK DOWN THE PERSONS AND MAKE THE ARRESTS.  IF FOUND THE GUILTY, THEY COULD GET ANYWHERE FROM PROBATION TO JAIL TIME UNTIL THEY TURN 21 AND A 15 THOUSAND DOLLAR FINE.

A FORMER SERGEANT IN THE IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE’S K-9 UNIT WAS SENTENCED TO 30 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR ABUSING A PRETRIAL INMATE.  PROSECUTORS SAY THAT DURING A SHAKEDOWN IN 2012 AT THE IBERIA PARISH JAIL, SERGEANT DAVID PREJEAN BECAME ENRAGED BY A COMMENT MADE BY AN INMATE AND ORDERED HIS DOG TO BITE HIM.  THEY SAY PREJEAN THEN PUNCHED THE INMATE IN HIS UPPER BODY AND KNEED HIM IN THE SIDE.  PROSECUTORS SAY HE THEN TRIED TO COVER UP THE ABUSE BY FILING A FALSE REPORT.

The Louisiana Legislature’s chief economist sought to temper suggestions that an estimated $300 million-plus state surplus is the sign of a booming economy or an indication the state will be awash in extra cash this year.  Greg Albrecht told the Board of Regents, the top higher education board, Tuesday that Louisiana’s economy has seen “modest improvement.” But he doesn’t expect economists to recommend this year’s income forecast be boosted by anywhere close to a similar $300 million amount.  The surplus is left over from the budget year that ended June 30, tied to better-than-expected personal income and corporate tax collections and a slight uptick from oil prices.

YOUNGSVILLE POLICE CHIEF RICKY BOUDREAUX SAYS THE DEPARTMENT PURCHASED 21 NEW IN-CAR AND BODY CAMERAS.  HE SAYS THAT MEANS EVERYTHING THEY DO IS NOW RECORDED.  BOUDREAUX SAYS OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE THE NEW CAMERAS HAVE SEEN A DRAMATIC DROP IN THE NUMBER OF CITIZEN COMPLAINTS.  THE FUNDS FOR THE NEW CAMERAS HAVE COME FROM THE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AROUND CALCASIEU PARISH WORKED TOGETHER TO HAVE AN OFFICER ON THE TRAIN DETAIL.  THE DETAIL GIVES OUT TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS TO DRIVERS WHO IGNORE THE WARNING SIGNALS FOR ONCOMING TRAINS.  THE GOAL IS TO GET DRIVERS TO TAKE WARNING SIGNALS MORE SERIOUSLY.  THE OFFICER ON THE TRAIN DETAIL HAS GIVEN OUT 47 TICKETS REGARDING RAILROAD CROSSING VIOLATIONS.

A CONSTRUCTION CRANE FELL ON AN S-U-V YESTERDAY MORNING ON I-TEN NEAR HENDERSON.  THE CRANE WAS BEING USED IN THE WIDENING OF THE INTERSTATE TO THREE LANES.  THE DRIVER OF THE S-U-V SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES.  AS SOON AS THE DRIVER WAS SAFELY REMOVED, ANOTHER CONSTRUCTION CRANE WAS USED TO REMOVE THE COLLAPSED CRANE AND TRAFFIC, THAT HAD BACKED UP FOR MILES, CLEARED IN ABOUT 45 MINUTES.

The U.S. Interior Department says the next Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sale will offer about 78 million acres— about the same amount as the sale in August.

The sale will be held in March, and will be livestreamed from New Orleans. It’s the fourth such sale under an Obama administration plan for 2017 through 2024.  Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke wants to expand offshore drilling starting next year, but his plan may not affect Gulf lease sales.

THE MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE AND PERJURY TRIAL OF LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL BRIAN POPE BEGAN YESTERDAY.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS THE DETAILS.

VOICER J :22

A TEXAS WOMAN DIED YESTERDAY FROM INJURIES SHE RECEIVED IN A CRASH THAT HAPPENED LAST THURSDAY.  STATE POLICE SAY 68-YEAR-OLD BRENDA L. MANUEL OF VIDOR WAS TRAVELING IN A PICKUP TRUCK ON I-TEN JUST WEST OF WESTLAKE WHEN, FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON, SHE WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.  THE TRUCK WENT INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN AND OVERTURNED.  MANUEL WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SHE WAS TAKEN TO LAKE CHARLES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT.

NEW IBERIA POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A 16-YEAR-OLD IN CONNECTION TO A SHOOTING.  THE SHOOTING HAPPENED YESTERDAY SHORTLY BEFORE NOON AT THE ST. EDWARDS APARTMENTS ON CLETUS DRIVE.  A MAN WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR A GUNSHOT WOUND.  A SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE LINKED THE 16-YEAR-OLD BOY TO THE SHOOTING.

Thousands of Louisiana flood victims who have been barred from homeowner rebuilding grants because they borrowed money through the federal Small Business Administration could soon see that change.  A deal to rework federal disaster-relief policy was included in a compromise struck by congressional leaders Saturday on an unrelated reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration.  The Advocate reports the bipartisan agreement is expected to be passed into law within weeks without significant additional changes.  Gov. John Bel Edwards and Louisiana congressional delegation members praised the agreement after seeking the policy change for two years since flooding devastated the Baton Rouge and Lafayette regions in August 2016.

LAFAYETTE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED LATE SUNDAY NIGHT IN THE 800 BLOCK OF CAJUNDOME BOULEVARD.  POLICE FOUND A 21-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE UPPER BODY.  SHE WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL IN CRITICAL CONDITION BUT WAS UPGRADED TO STABLE YESTERDAY.  POLICE SUSPECT THAT THE SHOOTING MAY HAVE STEMMED FROM A DOMESTIC DISPUTE.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Monday a 15-year-old was arrested Thursday and a 16-year-old was arrested Friday following separate threats at schools. The 15-year-old allegedly threatened to kill everyone at LaGrange High School after he was kicked out of class. The 16-year-old allegedly made a social media post threatening a bombing or shooting at Washington Marion High School and Molo Middle School. The Calcasieu Parish School Board posted Friday on Facebook that any threats face law enforcement and maximum school board discipline.

A CHURCH POINT TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS ARRESTED IN CALCASIEU PARISH EARLY SATURDAY AFTER 63 POUNDS OF COCAINE WAS FOUND IN HIS VEHICLE.  DURING A TRAFFIC STOP IN SULPHUR, CORPORAL CHAD BOOTH ASKED IF HE COULD SEARCH THE VEHICLE AFTER 42-YEAR-OLD ELTON J RICHARD ACTED SUSPICIOUSLY.  RICHARD REFUSED SO A K-9 OFFICER WAS BROUGHT IN AND PROVIDED A POSITIVE RESPONSE TO A POTENTIAL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.  27 BUNDLES OF COCAINE WITH A STREET VALUE OF OVER 800 THOUSAND DOLLARS WAS DISCOVERED INSIDE THE TRUCK.

Visitors to the Louisiana Capitol will soon be able to walk through the building’s front doors again, after nearly three years of closure, but the entrance will look different.  WBRZ-TV reports the 86-year-old building is getting a new covered walkway.  The walkway likely will clash with the Capitol’s heralded Art Deco architecture, but it will allow people to safely walk up the front steps protected from the threat of bits of mortar falling from the 34-story facade.  A team of workers spent months this year repairing mortar and restoring limestone on the building’s first six floors.

The Daily Advertiser reports Samuel Oliver will lead Acadiana Center for the Arts in Lafayette. He is a native of the city.  Oliver replaces Gerd Wuestemann, who resigned in February to become president and CEO of Scottsdale Arts in Arizona.

Oliver previously served as assistant director for operations and administration at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans.

A NEW PLAQUE HAS BEEN PLACED AT VETERAN’S PARK IN DOWNTOWN LAKE CHARLES TO REMEMBER THOSE IN THE VIETNAM WAR WHO ARE MISSING IN ACTION OR WERE PRISONERS OF WAR.  THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA NOTICED THAT OUT OF ALL THE PLAQUES AND MEMORIALS THERE WAS NONE FOR THE M-I-A AND P-O-W.  A CEREMONY WAS HELD WHERE A BELL WAS RUNG 24 TIMES FOR LOUISIANA SERVICEMEN CONSIDERED M-I-A OR P-O-W.  VIETNAM VETERAN LARRY REGAN SAYS THE PURPOSE OF THE CEREMONY AND PLAQUE IS TO REMIND PEOPLE OF THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE THAT THESE SOLDIERS MADE.

THE NEW IBERIA POLICE DEPARTMENT’S FIRST HOMOCIDE INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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Louisiana residents with 2016 flooding damage who took a survey expressing interest in the state’s homeowner aid program have only days remaining to complete applications for assistance.  The Restore Louisiana homeowner aid program says 3,000 people with damage from the March and August 2016 floods filled out an initial survey and were invited to apply for a grant, but haven’t done so.  The deadline to finish the application, with supporting documentation, is Oct. 1.  More than 14,000 homeowners have been awarded grants totaling $480 million so far through the federally-financed program.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is considering moving a greenhouse to make room for a big Montezuma cypress. Workers have removed four concrete parking spaces, and university officials are planning for a deck with seating around the tree.  Montezuma cypress are native to Mexico and Guatemala and are found in south Texas and south New Mexico, but they’re not native to Louisiana, and nobody’s certain how this one came to be planted at the Lafayette campus.  The Louisiana Forestry Association declared it the state’s largest of its species late last year.

THE WELSH HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM WILL HAVE TO FORFEIT ITS FIRST TWO GAMES OF THE SEASON AGAINST RAYNE AND KAPLAN.  THAT’S BECAUSE THEY USED AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER IN THOSE TWO GAMES.  THE SCHOOL REPORTED THE VIOLATION AFTER THEY DISCOVERED IT.  THE LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PUT THE PROGRAM ON ONE YEAR’S PROBATION AS WELL.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED LATE LAST WEEK THAT DONNA SHETLER CORLEY WAS NAMED THE PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR FOR ACADIA PARISH.  CORLEY, WHO MANAGES SHETLER CORLEY MOTORS AND DON SHETLER CHEVROLET, HAS BEEN GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS.  HER FOCUS HAS BEEN ON YOUNG PEOPLE AND EDUCATION, INCLUDING RAISING THE FUNDS TO BUILD A NEW GYMNASIUM AT ST. MICHAEL’S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN CROWLEY.  SHE WILL BE PRESENTED WITH THE AWARD AT A NOVEMBER 15^TH LUNCHEON THAT WILL BE HELD AT THE CAJUNDOME CONVENTION CENTER.

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy wants federal officials to release billions in unclaimed retirement benefits to states to try to locate people owed the money.  The Republican senator met with U.S. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta on Wednesday to pitch his idea. Kennedy’s pushing for the uncashed and undistributed retirement benefits to be returned to their rightful owners through states’ unclaimed property programs.  Kennedy administered Louisiana’s unclaimed property program when he was state treasurer.

FORMER U-L SOFTBALL COACH MICHAEL LOTIEF HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OVER HIS FIRING LAST NOVEMBER.  THE UNIVERSITY CLAIMED LOTIEF VERBALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY ABUSED HIS PLAYERS.  IN HIS LAWSUIT, LOTIEF CLAIMS THE UNIVERSITY FIRED HIM FOR SPEAKING UP ABOUT ILLEGAL GENDER DISCRIMATION AGAINST THE PROGRAM, AND COOKED UP THE OTHER ALLEGATIONS AS AN EXCUSE FOR HIS FIRING.  THE UNIVERSITY IN A STATEMENT SAYS THE LAWSUIT IS EVIDENCE THAT LOTIEF REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ABUSIVE ACTIONS AND MANIPULATIVE BEHAVIOR THAT LED TO HIS TERMINATION.

THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY GAVE THE GO-AHEAD TO A NEW CONVENIENCE STORE ON NORTH PERKINS FERRY ROAD IN MOSS BLUFF DESPITE PUSH BACK FROM RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.  ON TUESDAY THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD VOTED TO RECOMMEND AGAINST THE NEW CONVENIENCE STORE.  JUROR CHRIS LANDRY SAYS THAT IT’S A FACT THAT A CONVENIENCE STORE WILL BE BUILT THERE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER AND THAT IT’S A COMMERCIAL STREET THAT IS GOING TO GET BUSIER.  RESIDENTS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE KIND OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE HANGING OUT AT A CONVENIENCE STORE.

THE VERMILLION PARISH SCHOOL BOARD IS AT A STALEMATE OVER WHAT TO DO ABOUT SUPERINTENDENT JEROME PUYAU.  ON AUGUST SIXTH, HE WAS PUT ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE BECAUSE OF COMPLAINTS OVER HIS BEHAVIOR AND JOB PERFORMANCE.  EARLIER THIS WEEK, A HEARING OFFICER DETERMINED THERE WAS NO BASIS FOR THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST HIM AND SAID PUYAU SHOULD BE REINSTATED.  LAST NIGHT A RESOLUTION TO DO THAT FAILED ON A 4-TO-4 VOTE.

A federal appeals court decision means authorities in Louisiana still cannot enforce a state law setting 21 as the minimum age for exotic dancers.  Thursday’s ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans was a victory for three women who were ages 18, 19 and 20 when their lawsuit challenging the law was filed last year. The three-judge appeals court panel upheld a federal district judge’s injunction blocking enforcement.  Supporters said the law was meant to keep young women from falling prey to human trafficking at strip joints.

A GROUP CALLED WARRIORS FOR CHRIST HAS FILED A FEDERAL LAWSUIT TO STOP THE DRAG QUEEN STORY TIME EVENT AT THE LAFAYETTE PUBLIC LIBRARY.  GERALD GREUNIG HAS MORE.

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A KICKER FOR THE ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM IN LAKE CHARLES IS DEDICATING HIS SENIOR SEASON TO KIDS WITH CANCER.  ANDREW KILPATRICK IS COLLECTING DONATIONS FOR EVERY FIELD GOAL AND EXTRA POINT MADE THIS SEASON, WITH THE MONEY GOING TO CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH.  HIS GOAL IS TO RAISE ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS, WHICH WOULD FUND TWO DAYS OF RESEARCH, AND HE’S ALREADY MORE THAN HALFWAY TO HIS GOAL AFTER JUST THREE GAMES.  KILPATRICK LEARNED ABOUT THE KICK IT CHAMPION PROGRAM AT A FOOTBALL CAMP AND WAS INSPIRED TO JOIN AFTER THE CHEER COACH AT HIS SCHOOL DIED FROM CANCER.

A FORMER POLICE CHIEF FOR THE VILLAGE OF ESTHERWOOD HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY SELLING NARCOTICS FROM HIS HOME.  THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE RECEIVED A TIP THAT LED TO A SEARCH WARRANT BEING SERVED AT THE HOME OF JAMES BURNETT SENIOR ON WEDNESDAY.  DEPUTIES FOUND NINETY VARIOUS PILLS IN THE SEARCH, ALONG WITH TWO-AND-A-HALF GRAMS OF METH AS WELL AS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.  BURNETT FACES A NUMBER OF DRUG CHARGES AND HIS BOND WAS SET AT 75 THOUSAND DOLLARS.  HIS HOME ON JEFFERSON AVENUE WAS LOCATED IN A DRUG FREE SCHOOL ZONE.

Gov. John Bel Edwards hailed news Louisiana will have an estimated $300 million surplus from the last budget year. Edwards says the money comes from better-than-expected personal income and business tax collections.  The Democratic governor said Thursday the surplus is a sign of Louisiana’s improving economic conditions, with more people gaining jobs. Some conservative Republican lawmakers have suggested the excess revenue shows Edwards exaggerated the need for taxes to plug budget gaps.