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LAFAYETTE POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A HOMELESS MAN THAT THEY BELIEVE ROBBED A CHASE BANK BRANCH IN LAFAYETTE ON MAY 16^TH.  POLICE SAY 57-YEAR-OLD REGINALD MORRIS, ALSO KNOWN AS ABDUL UDIN, WENT INTO THE BANK AND DEMANDED MONEY FROM THE EMPLOYEES.  THE POLICE WERE IN THE 900 BLOCK OF GORDON STREET LAST NIGHT TO SHOW PHOTOS OF MORRIS TO RESIDENTS IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIND HIM, WHEN THEY SPOTTED HIM WALKING IN THE AREA.  HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON A CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY.

THE NEW TEN MILLION DOLLAR JAIL FOR JEFF DAVIS PARISH IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN JULY.  IT’S TAKEN ALMOST TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.  CHIEF DEPUTY CHRIS IVEY SAYS THEY WILL GO FROM THE CURRENT 64 BED FACILITY TO ONE THAT HAS NEARLY 200 BEDS.  IVEY SAYS THAT MEANS THEY WON’T HAVE TO KEEP PAYING OTHER PARISHES TO HOUSE INMATES BECAUSE OF A LACK OF ROOM.  IVEY TELLS KPLC TV THAT HE HOPES THE NEW JAIL WILL MEAN KEEPING THAT MONEY IN THE PARISH AND SPENDING IT TO HIRE MORE OFFICERS.

TWO ST. LANDRY PARISH TEENAGERS ARE ACCUSED OF THEFT AND CRUELTY TO HORSES.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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Negotiations over taxes to fill gaps in Louisiana’s budget have started off tensely between Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration and House lawmakers.  The Democratic governor is trying to heighten pressure to win support for $648 million in taxes to replace some temporary taxes that expire when the budget year begins July 1. On Wednesday, he rallied leaders and employees of Louisiana’s safety-net hospitals to buttonhole lawmakers and press for tax votes, saying the facilities are threatened with cuts.  But in the House tax committee, Republican lawmakers criticized Edwards’ approach, questioning why he vetoed a budget for next year and whether he’s done enough to find government savings.

Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed into law Louisiana’s first government-wide policy against sexual harassment.  The law requires state and local government agencies to enact anti-sexual-harassment policies that include a process for handling complaints, a ban against retaliation when someone files a complaint and mandatory prevention training each year. The requirements will take effect Jan. 1, though agencies are encouraged to enact them sooner.  Agency heads will have to compile annual reports documenting the number of employees who have completed the training requirements and the number of sexual harassment complaints received over the last year.

LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ELROY BROUSSARD SAYS ADMINISTRATORS NEED TO MAKE AN APOLOGY TO LAFAYETTE HIGH STUDENT SKYLAR JOSEPH, WHO WAS DENIED HER DIPLOMA LAST WEEKEND BECAUSE OF UNPAID BAND FEES.  WHEN HER FAMILY MEMBERS ARRIVED AT THE SCHOOL WITH RECEIPTS SHOWING NO BALANCE, THEY SAID STAFF MEMBERS WERE VERY UNPROFESSIONAL.  JOSEPH’S MOTHER SPOKE WITH PRINCIPAL DR. DONALD THORNTON JUNIOR WHO, SHE SAYS, AGREED ERRORS WERE MADE, BUT OFFERED NO APOLOGY.  SKYLAR FINISHED WITH A FOUR-POINT-OH GRADE POINT AVERAGE AND RECEIVED A FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO XAVIER UNIVERSITY.

YESTERDAY LAKE CHARLES JURORS WATCHED THE VIDEOTAPED CONFESSION OF JOHNNIE HARDMAN, WHO IS ACCUSED OF SHOOTING AND KILLING JOSHUA TOUCHET LAST JULY AT THE TWELVE PALMS R-V PARK.  HARDMAN WAS SHOWN MAKING NUMEROUS DENIALS BEFORE FINALLY ADMITTING TO THE CRIME.  HE SAYS IN THE VIDEO THAT TOUCHET REFUSED TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AS HE TRIED TO ROB HIM, SO HE SHOT HIM.  CORONER DR. TERRY WELKE TESTIFIED THAT TOUCHET WAS SHOT IN THE SHOULDER BUT THE BULLET TRAVELED THROUGH HIS BODY, DAMAGING THE HEART AND LIVER, WHICH CAUSED HIS DEATH.

THE VERMILLION PARISH LIBRARY’S SUMMER READING PROGRAM IS SET TO BEGIN ON JUNE FIRST AND CONTINUE THROUGH JULY 13^TH.  THEY WILL BE HOSTING NEARLY FIFTY PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO KEEP CHILDREN ACTIVE AND READING DURING THE SUMMER.  DR. NATHAN ROBERTS OF THE U-L COLLEGE OF EDUCATION SAYS THAT PART OF THE BRAIN THAT GROWS BASED ON READING WILL START TO SHRINK IF STUDENTS DON’T KEEP IT ACTIVE, JUST LIKE MUSCLES SHRINK WITHOUT EXERCISE.  THE SUMMER READING PREREGISTRATION BEGAN THIS PAST MONDAY.

A LAFAYETTE SOFTWARE DEVELOPER PLANS TO ADD 400 NEW JOBS IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.  GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY IN A SPEECH AT U-L LAFAYETTE.  BY THE YEAR 2023, C-G-I WILL EMPLOY 800 PEOPLE WITH A PAYROLL EXPECTED TO EXCEED 480 MILLION DOLLARS.  WILLIAM LABAR WITH C-G-I SAYS THEY HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE STATE AND THEY ARE EXCITED TO MAKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

A NEW WEATHER ALERT SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES REAL TIME FLOOD COVERAGE IN CALCASIEU PARISH COULD BE COMING SOON.  THE WEATHER SYSTEM WOULD COST AROUND 100 THOUSAND DOLLARS AND IT WOULD COST ANOTHER FIFTY THOUSAND TO ADD VISUAL ANIMATION.  THE SYSTEM WOULD ALERT RESIDENTS IN AN AREA WITH POTENTIAL STREET FLOODING THROUGH THE PARISH’S WEBSITE OR ALERTS ON THE PHONE.  A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WILL BE VOTED ON IN THE COMING WEEKS BY THE PARISH POLICE JURY, THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL AND THE PORT OF LAKE CHARLES BOARD.

IBERIA PARISH DEPUTIES ARRESTED A MAN FOR CARRYING A RIFLE AT A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL IN NEW IBERIA MONDAY NIGHT.  WHEN DEPUTIES ARRIVED, THEY APPROACHED A GROUP OF PEOPLE GATHERED AROUND A VEHICLE, WHO THEN LEFT THE AREA.  THE DEPUTIES FOUND IN PLAIN SIGHT TWO A-R 15 RIFLES, AN AK-47 RIFLE WITH THE STOCK REMOVED AND A .22 CALIBER REVOLVER IN A VEHICLE.  A FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED ILLEGAL NARCOTICS AND MORE THAN 200 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION ALSO IN THE VEHICLE.  THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WAS THE MAN CARRYING A RIFLE AT THE VIGIL, DERRICK ADAMS, WHO WAS ARRESTED ALONG WITH A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE.

Louisiana lawmakers have started yet another special session about state finances, the sixth such gathering in three years.  The House and Senate opened the 14-day session Tuesday afternoon.  Gov. John Bel Edwards called the session, hoping to persuade lawmakers to replace some temporary taxes expiring July 1.  The Democratic governor wants to keep $648 million out of about $1.4 billion in expiring taxes. He says without that money, deep cuts could fall across critical government services, hitting health, education and public safety programs.

Edwards is recommending renewal of half the expiring 1 percent state sales tax, along with reductions to sales tax breaks to raise most of the money. But House lawmakers haven’t yet reached any agreements.  A February special session on taxes failed to raise any money for the budget.

IN LAFAYETTE, A MAN IS ACCUSED OF STABBING A WOMAN SEVERAL TIMES ON MONDAY.  JEFF HORCHAK REPORTS.

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THE FIRST DEGREE MURDER TRIAL OF JOHNNIE PAUL HARDMAN JUNIOR BEGAN YESTERDAY IN LAKE CHARLES.  HE’S ACCUSED OF THE MURDER OF JOSHUA TOUCHET LAST JULY.  JURORS SAW POLICE BODY CAMERA VIDEO OF TOUCHET’S LAST MOMENTS BEFORE HE WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL AND DIED.  A 14-YEAR-OLD CO-DEFENDANT HAS ALREADY PLEADED GUILTY IN CONNECTION TO THE CASE AND ANOTHER CO-DEFENDANT, DESMOND ORPHEY, IS SET TO GO TO TRIAL NEXT YEAR.

A 13-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY FOR TAKING A HANDGUN TO A RAYNE SCHOOL.  AN OFFICER RECEIVED A TIP THAT THE BOY HAD BROUGHT THE HANDGUN ON THE CAMPUS OF ARMSTRONG MIDDLE SCHOOL.  THE BOY WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY  ON CHARGES OF CARRYING A CONCEALED WEAPON, ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A HANDGUN BY A JUVENILE, POSSESSING A FIREARM IN A FIREARM FREE ZONE, AND POSSESSION OF A STOLEN FIREARM.  STATE LAW DOES NOT ALLOW THE BOY’S IDENTITY TO BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC.

LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL BRIAN POPE WAS BACK IN COURT ON MONDAY.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS THE DETAILS.

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A NEIGHBOR AND A POSTAL CARRIER ARE CREDITED WITH HELPING SAVE AN ELDERLY WOMAN IN CALCASIEU PARISH.  80-YEAR-OLD MAGGIE ARCEMENT COLLAPSED NEAR HER BED ON MONDAY AND MANAGED TO CRAWL TO THE FRONT DOOR SO ANYBODY APPROACHING MIGHT HEAR HER.  SHE WENT TWO DAYS AND TWO NIGHTS BEFORE THE POSTAL CARRIER, LENA MORRIS, NOTICED THE MAIL PILING UP AND WENT TO A NEIGHBOR TO ASK ABOUT HER.  MAGGIE NOW USES A WALKER AND CAN’T STAY BY HERSELF, BUT SHE SAYS SHE’S THANKFUL FOR HER NEIGHBOR AND LENA, WHO, IF NOT FOR HER BEING ON HER ROUTE, SHE SAYS, SHE MAY NOT BE HERE.

EUNICE POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A WOMAN WHO CLAIMED SHE INJURED HERSELF BY BITING INTO A RAZOR BLADE IN A  SANDWICH AT A MAJOR FAST FOOD RESTAURANT CHAIN.  POLICE CONDUCTED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CLAIMS BY 29-YEAR-OLD CORRILL BRADLEY THAT WERE MADE ON MARCH 15^TH.  POLICE LATER FOUND SECURITY FOOTAGE AT A LOCAL STORE THAT SHOWED BRADLEY STEALING A RAZOR BLADE FROM A PACKAGE, WHICH HAPPENED MINUTES BEFORE SHE WALKED INTO THE RESTAURANT.  BRADLEY WAS ARRESTED FRIDAY ON CHARGES OF CRIMINAL MISCHIEF AND THEFT.

Mass demonstrations at the Capitol, petitions to lawmakers and a statewide strike are among the actions a majority of teachers who answered a union’s survey said they are willing to take in a quest for pay raises.  The Louisiana Federation of Teachers released the results of its online survey Monday. The union said 3,832 teachers responded. Sixty-one percent said they would be willing to take part in a statewide walkout.

The largest financial institution headquartered in Louisiana says it’s closing or consolidating 22 branch locations this year.  News outlets reported Monday that Lafayette-based IberiaBank will have less than 300 locations across the southeastern U.S. following the closure or consolidation at the branches during the second and third quarters of 2018.  IberiaBank Corp. said in a statement that the move is part of its strategy to improve efficiency, especially as it progresses toward digital banking.  IberiaBank President and CEO Daryl Byrd says the new closures are intended to optimize the bank’s branch and ATM network.

LAKE CHARLES POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING YESTERDAY.  IT HAPPENED IN THE 11-HUNDRED BLOCK OF TWELFTH STREET.  A PERSON WAS SHOT AT MULTIPLE TIMES BUT WAS NOT INJURED.  POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR A SUSPECT.

A VERMILLION PARISH MAN DIED WHILE BOATING IN THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY NEAR INTRACOASTAL CITY OVER THE WEEKEND.  A GOOD SAMARITAN FOUND AN EMPTY BOAT EARLY SATURDAY AND NOTIFIED AUTHORITIES.  THEY FOUND THE BODY OF 67-YEAR-OLD ARNOLD PETE LEGE OF MOUTON COVE AT AROUND 5:40 SATURDAY EVENING.  INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY DON’T KNOW HOW HE ENDED UP IN THE WATER, BUT HE WASN’T WEARING A LIFE VEST WHEN THEY FOUND HIS BODY.

Gov. John Bel Edwards is backing a plan for the special session starting today that favors sales taxes to fill Louisiana’s budget gap.  The Democratic governor is supporting renewal of up to half the 1 percent sales tax that expires in six weeks. He’s also proposing to permanently get rid of some sales tax breaks and continue charging sales taxes on business utilities.  The question is whether the House will break through its partisan gridlock in the upcoming 14-day session after a February special session on taxes cratered.

A LAFAYETTE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF SETTING AN ABANDONED BUILDING ON FIRE.  THE LAFAYETTE FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A CALL JUST BEFORE SEVEN LAST NIGHT ABOUT A FIRE AT A VACANT BUILDING IN THE 400 BLOCK OF GUIDRY STREET, AND WERE ABLE TO PUT IT OUT QUICKLY.  44-YEAR-OLD DAVID PAUL OLIENYK WAS ON THE SCENE WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED AND HE WAS ARRESTED FOR SIMPLE ARSON AND BOOKED INTO THE LAFAYETTE PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER.  FIRE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ALTON TRAHAN SAYS THE FIRE WAS THE SECOND ONE AT THE SAME ADDRESS IN THE PAST WEEK.

A MAN IN JENNINGS BARRICADED HIMSELF INSIDE A HOME ON SOUTH CUTTING AVENUE AND HELD A HOSTAGE EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING.  THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE RESPONDED TO THE SITUATION AT AROUND 5:50 AND THE MAN LET THE HOSTAGE GO TWENTY MINUTES LATER.  HE STAYED IN THE HOME THREATENING SUICIDE OR TO COME OUT SHOOTING, BUT DEPUTIES FORCED HIM OUT BY FIRING PEPPER SPRAY IN THE HOME AT ABOUT NINE A-M.  35-YEAR-OLD FREDERICK KELVIN MIXON, WHO HAS A CRIMINAL HISTORY, WAS ARRESTED ON NUMEROUS CHARGES, INCLUDING VIOLATION OF A RESTRAINING ORDER, AND HE’S BEING HELD IN THE PARISH JAIL WITHOUT BOND.

A VIGIL WAS HELD LAST NIGHT TO REMEMBER THE THREE VICTIMS OF A HEAD ON CAR CRASH IN ST. MARTIN PARISH FRIDAY MORNING.  TWO OF THE PEOPLE KILLED WERE JUNIORS AT ST. MARTINVILLE HIGH SCHOOL…18-YEAR-OLD KENNETH J. EAGLIN THE SECOND AND 18-YEAR-OLD DAJANEE OLIVIER.  THE OTHER PERSON KILLED WAS THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE, 37-YEAR-OLD LATRICIA L. SAVOY, ALSO OF ST. MARTINVILLE.  STATE POLICE SAY EAGLIN WAS TRAVELING EAST ON L-A 96 WHEN, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, HE CROSSED THE CENTER LINE HITTING SAVOY’S VEHICLE.

Louisiana will not be enacting a ban on hand-held cellphone use while driving.

A House-backed proposal stalled in the Senate, and the regular session ended Friday without action on the bill, killing it.  Rep. Mike Huval, a Breaux Bridge Republican, wanted state laws that already prohibit texting or posting to social media sites while driving to be extended to manually using the phone in any way.

Opponents said speaking hands-free would give drivers a false sense of security, and they argued that’s no different than many types of distracted driving.

Gov. John Bel Edwards has vetoed a $28 billion-plus budget that would slash education, social services and public safety spending next year to account for expiring temporary taxes.  The Democratic governor says the cuts would devastate services. Instead, he wants lawmakers to craft a new spending plan as they consider taxes in the special session starting Tuesday.  Edwards announced his decision Friday, shortly after lawmakers had adjourned their regular session and left for a long weekend.

LAFAYETTE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING TWO SHOOTINGS OVER THE WEEKEND.  ON SATURDAY NIGHT AFTER TEN, A PERSON WAS WOUNDED AND A HOME AND VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED IN THE ONE HUNDRED BLOCK OF LACOBIE STREET.  A LITTLE MORE THAN FOUR HOURS LATER, TWO PEOPLE WERE SHOT AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.  IT’S BELIEVED THAT SHOOTING HAPPENED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF CAJUNDOME BOULEVARD AND REINHARDT DRIVE.

A TEXAS MAN LED FOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ON A HIGH SPEED CHASE THROUGH VINTON AND SULPHUR SATURDAY THAT LASTED 33 MINUTES.  SERGEANT JAMES ANDERSON WITH STATE POLICE SAYS THE CHASE BEGAN WHEN A TROOPER ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER 26-YEAR-OLD TRAVIS SALVADOR CHAVIRA OF VICTORIA, TEXAS FOR A TRAFFIC VIOLATION.  THE CHASE GOT UP TO SPEEDS OF OVER 100 MILES AN HOUR, AND IT ENDED WEST OF SULPHUR WHEN SPIKE STRIPS WERE PUT ON THE INTERSTATE.  A TROOPER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TREATED AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL.

A MAN WAS SHOT TO DEATH YESTERDAY ON DEMOURELLE STREET IN VILLE PLATTE.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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BETWEEN 15 AND 20 POLICE DEPARTMENTS FROM AROUND ACADIANA GATHERED AT ST. BARNABAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN LAFAYETTE TO REMEMBER 22 ACADIANA OFFICERS WHO WERE KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY OVER THE YEARS.  THIS YEAR’S CEREMONY HAD SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE AS LAFAYETTE POLICE CORPORAL MICHAEL MIDDLEBROOK WAS MEMORIALIZED.  MIDDLEBROOK WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ON OCTOBER FIRST.  JEFF HORCHAK TELLS US WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE SUSPECT IN MIDDLEBROOK’S DEATH.

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A company that works on the interiors of luxury and commercial aircraft plans a $17.6 million facility in Lake Charles that will employ 250 people.  Gov. John Bel Edwards and officials with Citadel Completions LLC announced plans Thursday for an interior jet airplane completions and maintenance facility.  It will occupy two hangars at the Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles. The economic development agency’s news release says state incentives include a $7 million performance-based grant to defray the cost of facility modifications, payable in seven consecutive yearly installments.

A YOUNGSVILLE MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN NEW IBERIA YESTERDAY.  AT 8:57 YESTERDAY MORNING, DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO REPORTS OF A BLACK MALE LYING IN THE YARD OF AN ABANDONED HOME ON EDNA STREET.  WHEN THEY ARRIVED THEY FOUND THAT 22-YEAR-OLD TYLON KERLEGAN (keer uh LAY GUHN)APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN SHOT.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE CRIME IS ASKED TO CALL THE IBERIA CRIME STOPPERS TIPS LINE AT 364-TIPS.

Convicted felons in Louisiana still serving probation and parole, but out of prison for five years, will be able to get their voting rights restored, after years of fighting for the change.  A 54-42 House vote gave final passage Thursday to the bill by Rep. Patricia Smith, a Baton Rouge Democrat who faced repeated defeat for the proposal until now.  It took three votes this session before Smith could even get the measure out of the House. But ex-felons seeking passage of the legislation spent hours talking to lawmakers and walking the halls of the Louisiana Capitol, building support.

It would be clear that concealed carry permit holders in Louisiana are allowed to bring their firearms up to the edge of a school campus under a measure heading to the governor’s office.  The House on Thursday gave final passage to the proposal by a vote of 88-6.  Republican Rep. Blake Miguez says his proposal is intended to clarify current law that lets concealed carry permit holders have their guns within 1,000-feet of the edge of a school campus.  A previous version of his bill would have allowed school visitors with concealed carry permit holders to bring their guns onto campuses, but that provision was stripped from the measure.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF 232-HELP, RAE LOGAN, HAS ANNOUNCED HER RETIREMENT AFTER SIX YEARS ON THE JOB, BUT WILL REMAIN AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMERITUS.  CHRIS M. ROY, WHO IS THE SON OF THE FOUNDER OF THE LAFAYETTE NONPROFIT, WILL TAKE ROWE’S PLACE.  ROY TELLS THE ADVERTISER THAT ATTRACTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO SERVE WILL BE PART OF HIS MISSION.  232-HELP WAS FOUNDED IN 1965 TO CONNECT THE PEOPLE OF ACADIANA WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN HELP THEM IN TIMES OF CRISIS.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT BILLIONAIRE TILLMAN FERTITA PURCHASED WAITR, THE ONLINE BASED RESTAURANT DELIVERY SERVICE THAT BEGAN IN LAKE CHARLES, FOR 300 MILLION DOLLARS.  WAITR FOUNDER AND

C-E-O CHRIS MEAUX TELLS KPLC TV THAT ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE DEAL IS THE COMPANY HEADQUARTERS WILL REMAIN IN LAKE CHARLES.  HE CALLED THE PURCHASE A GREAT DEAL FOR THE COMPANY EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS FOR LAKE CHARLES AND THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.  MEAUX STARTED WAITR AFTER PITCHING THE IDEA AT THE SEED CENTER INCUBATOR IN LAKE CHARLES.

A FLORIDA MAN WAS KILLED IN ACADIA PARISH WHEN HIS VAN BROKE DOWN ON I-TEN EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING.  MASTER TROOPER BROOKS DAVID OF THE STATE POLICE SAYS THE VAN BROKE DOWN ON THE INSIDE LANE EAST OF L-A 91 AND 40-YEAR-OLD ROBERT OGREN OF PENSACOLA GOT OUT AND WALKED AROUND IN THE LANE OF TRAFFIC.  HE WAS STRUCK AND KILLED BY A VAN DRIVEN BY 56-YEAR-OLD JUDA ESPREE OF OPELOUSAS.  ESPREE AND THE EIGHT OCCUPANTS IN THE VAN WERE NOT INJURED.

AN UNIDENTIFIED PERSON DROWNED IN IBERIA PARISH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS ARRESTED A KINDER MAN FOR SEVERELY BEATING A WOMAN LAST MONTH.  CHIEF DEPUTY CHRISTOPHER IVEY SAYS THAT WHEN THE WOMAN TRIED TO LEAVE, 66-YEAR-OLD DARRELL PAUL COMEAUX FOLLOWED HER, TACKLED HER AND BEAT HER IN THE HEAD.  IVEY SAYS THE WOMAN SUFFERED SEVERE HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED BRAIN SURGERY.  LAST THURSDAY, WHILE AT OUR LADY OF LOURDES HOSPITAL, SHE ADMITTED THAT COMEAUX BEAT HER, LEADING TO HIS ARREST ON A CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MANSLAUGHTER.

LAFAYETTE PARISH VOTERS WILL BE VOTING ON A SALES TAX ON DECEMBER EIGHTH THAT WOULD HELP FUND THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND THE LAFAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  CURRENTLY THERE’S A ONE CENT SALES TAX THAT APPLIES ONLY IN THE UNINCOPORATED PARTS OF THE PARISH.  UNDER THE PROPOSAL FROM SHERIFF MARK GARBER, IF APPROVED, THE SALES TAX WOULD BE REDUCED TO THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENT, BUT APPLY TO THE WHOLE PARISH.  IT WOULD RAISE AN ADDITIONAL 34 MILLION DOLLARS, ALLOWING BOTH DEPARTMENTS TO HIRE MORE OFFICERS AND DEPUTIES.

Lawmakers in the Louisiana House have refused to pass a measure that could allow school employees to pray with students during the class day.  With a 68-21 vote Wednesday, they gutted the proposal from Republican Sen. Ryan Gatti.  As passed by the Senate, the measure would have allowed teachers and other workers to pray with students during the workday, if parents of every student in attendance submit a signed request and the prayer is student-initiated.  House lawmakers stripped that language, urged by conservative members who said the change likely would provoke a lawsuit that could undermine existing “religious freedom” laws.

Efforts to rework Louisiana’s free college tuition program have fizzled in the legislative session.  The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday rejected two bills to expand the TOPS program, killing the final TOPS-related legislation still pending. One measure by Sen. Bodi White, a Baton Rouge Republican, would have created a new award for TOPS students who attend community college, get an associate degree and enroll in a four-year university.  The other by Sen. Wesley Bishop, a New Orleans Democrat, would have offered TOPS awards to students who weren’t initially eligible when they started a four-year university but meet certain criteria after two years in college.

IMPAIRMENT AND EXCESSIVE SPEED ARE BELIEVED TO BE FACTORS IN A FATAL CRASH ON L-A 92 IN ACADIA PARISH EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING.  AT AROUND 6:30 A-M, 21-YEAR-OLD JOHNATHAN PATIN OF MORSE RAN HIS PICKUP OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A DITCH.  A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WHO WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT, 32-YEAR-OLD KRISS STOUTE OF MORSE, WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE, AND PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.  THE DRIVER AND FIVE OTHER OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MODERATE TO MINOR INJURIES.

A JUDGE HAS ORDERED CONFESSED CHILD KILLER RICKEY LANGLEY TO BE HELD WITHOUT BOND WHILE THE CALCASIEU PARISH DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE APPEALS HIS CASE.  THE U-S FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS OVERTURNED LANGLEY’S SECOND DEGREE MURDER CONVICTION BECAUSE THEY SAID THE PROSECUTION FAILED TO PROVE HE HAD A SPECIFIC INTENT TO KILL SIX-YEAR-OLD JEREMY GUILLORY IN 1992.  PROSECUTOR RICK BRYANT SAYS THAT IN HIS CONFESSION, LANGLEY SAID THAT HE FOUND PLEASURE IN KILLING THE BOY AND HE WOULD DO IT AGAIN IF HE WAS TO BE RELEASED.  BRYANT SAYS HE’S RECEIVED MANY LETTERS FROM LANGLEY AND IN THE MOST RECENT HE SAID HE WANTS TO STAY IN PRISON.

LAFAYETTE POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR A MAN WHO ROBBED A BANK YESTERDAY MORNING.  AT AROUND 11:50, POLICE RECEIVED A CALL ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY IN PROGRESS AT CHASE BANK IN THE OIL CENTER ON PINHOOK ROAD.  A TALL BLACK MAN WITH A THIN BUILD BRANDISHED A SILVER FIREARM AND WAR A WHITE CLOTH OVER HIS FACE AS HE DEMANDED MONEY FROM A TELLER.  HE FLED THE BANK ON FOOT

LAST NIGHT THE LAFAYETTE CITY PARISH COUNCIL VOTED 5-TO-4 TO PUT TWO NEW PROPERTY TAX PROPOSALS ON THE NOVEMBER SIXTH BALLOT.  A PROPOSED TWO-POINT-94 MILL PROPERTY TAX WOULD RAISE ABOUT 6-POINT-7 MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY FOR THE PARISH JAIL, WHILE A TWO MILL PROPERTY TAX WOULD PROVIDE 4-POINT-6 MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR FOR THE COURTHOUSE.  A THIRD TAX PROPOSAL TO FUND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE WAS PULLED.  COUNCIL CHAIRMAN KEVIN NAQUIN TELLS THE ADVOCATE THEY IDENTIFIED OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP PAY FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE.

1. MARTINVILLE POLICE CHIEF RICKEY MARTIN SAYS A SUSPECT WANTED FOR FIRST DEGREE MURDER HAS BEEN ARRESTED. JAQUALIN HENRY IS ACCUSED OF SHOOTING AND KILLING CHOSEN WASHINGTON ON MAY NINTH ON WEST BRIDGE STREET. HENRY TURNED HIMSELF IN TO POLICE YESTERDAY AND WAS BOOKED ON THE FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE.  EARLIER IN THE DAY, POLICE ARRESTED TRADELL DEMOUCHET IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING.

THE U-S FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL HAS REVERSED THE SECOND DEGREE MURDER CONVICTION OF RICKEY LANGLEY.  LANGLEY CONFESSED TO KILLING SIX-YEAR-OLD JEREMY GUILLORY NEAR IOWA IN 1992 AND HAS BEEN THROUGH THREE TRIALS WHERE HE HAS BEEN CONVICTED EACH TIME.  THE FIFTH CIRCUIT RULED THAT IN THE LATEST TRIAL, THE STATE DID NOT PROVE THAT LANGLEY WAS MENTALLY CAPABLE OF FORMING SPECIFIC INTENT TO KILL THE BOY.  THE CALCASIEU DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE IS PLANNING TO APPEAL AND THEY HAVE VOWED TO MAKE SURE LANGLEY IS NEVER RELEASED.

Louisiana lawmakers have agreed to let the state’s riverboat casinos move onshore and rework their gambling space.  A 54-41 House vote Tuesday sent the bill by Republican Sen. Ronnie Johns to the governor. Gov. John Bel Edwards is expected to sign the changes into law.  Riverboat casinos will be allowed to conduct gambling activities within 1,200 feet on land from their licensed berth and will no longer need an operable paddlewheel.

Louisiana is moving to ban abortions after 15 weeks if a federal court upholds a similar ban in Mississippi.  The House approved the measure by a vote of 78-9 Tuesday.  Sen. John Milkovich, the bill’s sponsor, has said he wants to see Louisiana outlaw all abortions.  The Senate approved the proposal last month but must accept minor tweaks before it goes to the governor’s office.

A LAFAYETTE MAN WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE 2015 MURDER OF HIS GIRLFRIEND.  JEFF HORCHAK REPORTS.

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NEXT MONTH THE CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD WILL VOTE ON MOVING THE UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS AT WASHINGTON MARION AND LAGRANGE HIGH SCHOOLS TO THE LAKE CHARLES BOSTON ACADEMY.  LAST NIGHT THE CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE VOTED NINE TO TWO TO RECOMMEND THAT OPTION.  THE UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS WERE DESIGNED TO HELP THE BRIGHTEST STUDENTS AT WASHINGTON MARION AND LAGRANGE HIGH SCHOOLS TO EXCEL, BUT ENROLLMENT IN THE PROGRAMS ARE LOW.  BOAR MEMBERS INDICATED MOVING THEM TO LAKE CHARLES BOSTON ACADEMY WILL HELP WITH THE TEACHER SHORTAGE AND OFFER SPACE AND LABS THAT BOTH SCHOOLS NEED.

ALL 14 INMATES AT THE OPELOUSAS CITY JAIL HAVE BEEN MOVED, BUT ONLY FIVE OF THEM ARE NOW AT THE ST. LANDRY PARISH JAIL.  OPELOUSAS MAYOR REGGIE TATUM SAYS SOME WERE PUT ON WORK RELEASE, OTHERS WERE SENT HOME TO DRUG COURT AND SOME WERE STATE PRISONERS.  WITH THE REMOVAL OF THE INMATES, THE CITY CAN NOW ADDRESS THE PLUMBING PROBLEMS WHICH FORCED THE CLOSURE OF THE JAIL.  TATUM TELLS KLFY TV THAT WITH THE JAIL NOW EMPTIED, THEY’LL HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO BRING THE JAIL UP TO CODE AND POSSIBLY REOPEN IT.

A CHEMICAL PIPELINE LEAK IN THE BALDWIN AND FRANKLIN AREAS PRODUCED A DANGEROUS VAPOR CLOUD.  IT HAPPENED AFTER A TRACTOR HIT AN ABOVE GROUND VALVE IN A FIELD CONNECTED TO AN UNDERGROUND PIPELINE.  ABOUT 45 RESIDENTS IN THE AREA WERE EVACUATED AND HIGHWAY 90 IN BOTH DIRECTONS WAS CLOSED FOR A FEW HOURS UNTIL THE PIPELINE COULD BE SEALED.  LAGRANGE ELEMENTARY AND FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOLS CLOSED EARLY BECAUSE THE ELECTRICITY HAD BEEN SHUT OFF AS A PRECAUTION.

LAKE CHARLES POLICE CHIEF DON DIXON ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT HE WILL RETIRE EFFECTIVE IN JANUARY.  DIXON HAS BEEN THE CITY’S POLICE CHIEF FOR 17 YEARS.  MAYOR NIC HUNTER, ALONG WITH THE HELP OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE, WILL APPOINT A NEW POLICE CHIEF THROUGH A PROCESS THAT COULD TAKE UP TO SIX MONTHS.  HUNTER SAYS THAT HE HOPES THE NEXT POLICE CHIEF WILL HAVE THE FORTITUDE AND KNOWLEDGE THAT DIXON HAS TO KEEP THE CITY MOVING FORWARD.

TONIGHT THE LAFAYETTE CITY PARISH COUNCIL WILL TAKE UP THE ISSUE OF NEW PROPERTY TAXES.  COUNCILMEN JAY CASTILLE, BRUCE CONQUE, KENNETH BOUDREAUX AND KEVIN NAQUIN HAVE ALL SPOKEN OUT IN FAVOR OF PUTTING THREE NEW PROPERTY TAXES ON THE NOVEMBER SIXTH BALLOT.  THEY WOULD RAISE ALMOST 16 MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, DISTRICT COURTS AND THE PARISH JAIL, AND LESSEN THE STRAIN ON THE GENERAL FUND.  HOWEVER, AS OF YESTERDAY IT WAS UNCLEAR IF THEY COULD PERSUADE ONE OTHER COUNCILMEN TO JOIN THEM IN MOVING FORWARD WITH THE BALLOT PROPOSALS.

YESTERDAY GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS CALLED A SPECIAL SESSION.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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LAST NIGHT A GROUP OF PEOPLE PRAYED OVER CROWLEY.  IT’S BEEN HAPPENING ON THE SECOND MONDAY OF EACH MONTH.  THE MONTHLY PRAYERS WERE STARTED BY COUNCILWOMAN EZORA PROCTOR AND IT’S CALLED PUSH, OR PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS.  THE AIM IS TO BRING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TOGETHER TO PRAY BELIEVING PRAYER CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

THE LAKE CHARLES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE VOTED FOUR TO ONE AGAINST A REZONING REQUEST THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED A MANSION ON SHELL BEACH DRIVE TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO A RESTAURANT AND EVENT CENTER.  RESIDENTS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD CAME OUT IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSAL.  REALTOR DAN FLAVIN, REPRESENTING THE APPLICANT MAZEN HIJAZI, SAYS THE MANSION WOULD SEAT UP TO 150 PEOPLE WITH PARKING IN THE BACK AND IT COULD HOST BANQUETS OR WEDDING RECEPTIONS.  THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE’S VOTE IS FINAL BUT THE DECISION COULD BE APPEALED AND THE PROPOSAL VOTED ON BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF ACADIANA IS WARNING OF A SCAM TARGETING DESPERATE HOMEOWNERS.  THE SCAMMERS TELL THE HOMEOWNERS THAT THEY CAN GET THEM MORE AFFORDABLE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS THAT WILL HELP PREVENT FORECLOSURE.  THE BUREAU SAYS THAT, ONCE A PERSON IS HOOKED, THE SCAMMER WILL CONFIRM THE MORTGAGE PAYMENT REDUCTION AND DIRECT THEM TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN CLOSING COSTS.  THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU SAYS A LENDER MAY NOT AGREE TO MODIFY A LOAN.

It appears likely that Louisiana voters will have a chance this fall to strike a Jim Crow-era law that lets divided juries settle criminal cases.  The House on Monday approved the constitutional amendment by a vote of 82-15, putting the proposal one small step from a public vote.  Currently, serious felony trials in Louisiana can be decided when 10 of 12 jurors agree on a person’s guilt.  The Senate has already backed the proposal but must approve minor amendments before the measure can go to the public in November.

A HOME ON HOLT AVENUE IN RAYNE WAS FIRED UPON TWICE IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD, ONCE SATURDAY NIGHT AFTER NINE AND AGAIN SUNDAY AFTERNOON AROUND 2:45.  THE SECOND SHOOTING HAPPENED WHEN CHILDREN WERE OUTSIDE PLAYING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.  NO ONE WAS INJURED IN EITHER OF THE SHOOTINGS.  ANYONE WHO WAS A WITNESS OR WHO HAS INFORMATION ON THE CRIMES IS ASKED TO CALL THE RAYNE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR CRIMESTOPPERS OF ACADIA PARISH AT 789-TIPS.

THE FAMILY OF THE LATE BILLY NAVARRE RECEIVED HIS POSTHUMOUS DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS DEGREE AT MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY SUNDAY NIGHT.  MCNEESE PRESIDENT DR. DARYL BURCKEL SAYS THE DEGREE IS THE HIGHEST HONOR THE UNIVERSITY CAN BESTOW ON AN INDIVIDUAL.  HE SAYS NAVARRE DESERVES THE HONOR FOR ALL OF HIS SUPPORT FOR THE UNIVERSITY.  NAVARRE, WHO DIED IN 2016, HAD AN AUTO DEALERSHIP THAT WAS THE SECOND LARGEST LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESS IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA.

TOMORROW NIGHT THE LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER PUTTING THREE NEW PROPERTY TAXES ON THE NOVEMBER SIXTH BALLOT.  THE THREE TAXES COMBINED WOULD RAISE MORE THAN 15 MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO FUND THE PARISH JAIL, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT COURTS.  THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT IS MANDATED TO FUND THOSE ENTITIES, WHICH IS PUTTING A STRAIN ON THE CITY PARISH GENERAL FUND.  FOUR COUNCILMEN HAVE ALREADY SAID THEY WILL SUPPORT PUTTING THOSE TAXES ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT, BUT THEY NEED ONE OTHER COUNCILMAN TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

As they unveiled a spending proposal with steep reductions, senators also offered ideas about what taxes lawmakers should consider in a special session expected later this month to fill budget gaps.  The Senate Finance Committee advanced a resolution Friday outlining the tax types senators suggest should be included by Gov. John Bel Edwards for review during a special session.  The list includes renewing part of an expiring 1 percent state sales tax, removing existing sales tax breaks and trimming back some tax incentive programs for business.  Sen. Jack Donahue, a Mandeville Republican, described the proposal as “possibilities.”

STATE POLICE HAVE WORKED THREE CRASHES IN THREE SEPARATE ACADIANA PARISHES.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS THE DETAILS.

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THE LOUISIANA FIRE MARSHAL IS TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED A HOUSE FIRE SATURDAY IN SULPHUR.  ONE PERSON WAS KILLED IN THE FIRE.  THE HOME WAS LOCATED ON ALICE STREET.  THE SULPHUR FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED THE CALL ABOUT THE FIRE AT AROUND 4:45 SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

KAJN IMPACT NEWS       PAGE TWO

THERE’S A NEW INITIATIVE TO STUDY HOW THE TRIBUTARIES OF THE VERMILLION RIVER, BAYOU TECHE AND MERMENTAU RIVER INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER.  THE INSTITUTE FOR COASTAL AND WATER RESEARCH AT THE U-L LAFAYETTE IS CONDUCTING THE RESEARCH WITH GRANT MONEY.  IT’S HOPED THE DATA GATHERED FROM THE PROJECT WILL HELP WITH EFFORTS TO MANAGE WATERSHEDS IN THE AREA AND HELP PREVENT DISASTROUS FLOODS.  THEY ALSO ARE LOOKING AT WAYS TO USE EXCESS SURFACE WATER TO REPLENISH THE CHICOT AQUIFER, THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF GROUNDWATER FOR THE REGION.

Louisiana lawmakers have created a study group to recommend ways to prevent sexual harassment in and around the Legislature.  Lawmakers will mainly comprise the 19-member Special Legislative Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment, along with members of their staff and lobbyists.  The task force will look at sexual harassment issues involving lawmakers, lobbyists and other people who come to the Louisiana Capitol to interact with lawmakers.  Task force findings and recommendations will be due on Feb. 15.

A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE JUDICE AREATHURSDAY NIGHT IN THE TWO THOUSAND BLOCK OF DENAIS ROAD.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES HAS ADDED TWO NEW TRANSIT BUSES TO THE FLEET THAT ARE POWERED BY PROPANE FUEL.  MAYOR NIC HUNTER SAYS PROPANE FUELED VEHICLES ARE LESS COSTLY TO OPERATE AND ARE BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.  THE CITY HAS BEEN PURCHASING MORE PROPANE POWERED EQUIPMENT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.  IN ADDITION TO THE BUSES, THEY HAVE 34 PROPANE POWERED MOWERS, FOUR FORKLIFTS, AND THREE LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS.

THE OPELOUSAS CITY JAIL IS BEING SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT VIOLATIONS.  THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS GIVEN THE JAIL SEVERAL NOTICES BECAUSE OF SINKS THAT DON’T WORK AND TOILETS THAT NEED REPAIRS.  MAYOR REGGIE TATUM AND POLICE CHIEF DONALD THOMPSON DECIDED TO SHUT DOWN THE JAIL UNTIL REPAIRS COULD BE MADE OR A NEW JAIL IS BUILT.  THE FOURTEEN INMATES AT THE JAIL WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE PARISH JAIL.

A ban on hand-held cellphone use while driving is advancing in the Louisiana Legislature, steps from final passage.  Rep. Mike Huval, a Breaux Bridge Republican, had to bring the proposal up twice to get the 53 House votes needed to pass it. The Senate transportation committee continued advancing the measure Thursday, sending it to the full Senate for debate without objection.  State laws that already prohibit texting or posting to social media sites while driving would extend that prohibition to manually using the phone in any way.

A Louisiana private investigator is appealing his 18-month prison sentence for repeatedly trying to access Donald Trump’s federal tax information several weeks before the 2016 election.  Jordan Hamlett filed an appeal notice on Wednesday with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.  U.S. District Judge John deGravelles sentenced Hamlett last month and ordered him to report to prison by May 28.  The 32-year-old Lafayette resident had faced a maximum of five years in prison after pleading guilty in December to misusing Trump’s Social Security number.

THERE WAS A SHOOTING YESTERDAY EVENING AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 171 AND HAGAN STREET IN LAKE CHARLES.  ACCORDING TO INITIAL REPORTS THE SHOOTING WAS SPARKED BY AN ARGUMENT BETWEEN NEIGHBORS.  A MAN AND A WOMAN WERE SHOT AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.  POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING.

LAST NIGHT THE CROWLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HELD THEIR ANNUAL MEETING.  SUPREME RICE MILL WAS PRESENTED THE 2018 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD.  THE RECOGNITION WAS GIVEN BECAUSE OF THE COMPANY’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.  THE HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD WAS GIVEN TO STELLA GUIDRY.

State education officials say the percentage of Louisiana students graduating from high school in four years has hit an all-time high.  It was 78.1 percent in 2017, up from 77 percent a year earlier. The national average is 84 percent.  According to a news release Thursday from the state education department , the graduation rate has increased by nearly 6 percentage points since 2012, and by more than 12 percentage points since 2008.