KAJN Jesus FM 102.9

A LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED SEEKING TO STOP THE CLOSURE OF COMEAUX HIGH SCHOOL IN LAFAYETTE.  THE SUIT BY SUZANNE LAJAUNIE CLAIMS THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD VIOLATED STATE ETHICS LAWS AND OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS.  THE BOARD VOTED ON MARCH TWELFTH TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL AND REOPEN IT IN THE TWENTY-TWENTY-EIGHT-TWENTY-NINE SCHOOL YEAR AS A WORKFORCE INNOVATION ACADEMY.  A COURT HEARING WILL BE HELD MONDAY IN WHICH THE JUDGE WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO ISSUE A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER TO PREVENT THE CLOSURE.

THE GROUP, PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS, IS ASKING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DEFUND U-L’S RESEARCH FACILITY IN NEW IBERIA OVER ALLEGAIONS OF MISTREATMENT OF MONKEYS.  PETA CITED A VIDEO THAT ALLEGEDLY SHOWS DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS AT THE FACILITY.  THEY SAY IT CAME FROM A WHISTLEBLOWER BUT DID NOT IDENTIFY WHEN IT WAS RECORDED.  U-L OFFICIALS SAY THE VIDEO WAS A COLLECTION OF IMAGES FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES AT DIFFERENT TIMES THAT WAS EDITED TO MISREPRESENT CONDITIONS AT THE RESEARCH CENTER.

A NINETEEN MILLION DOLLAR STATE OF THE ART FACILITY FOR CALCASIEU PARISH ANIMIAL SERVICES IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.  WORK BEGAN A YEAR AND A HALF AGO ON THE BUILDING, WHICH WAS FUNDED THROUGH BONDS.  IT WILL HAVE THREE, FORTY-FOUR-HUNDRED SQUARE FEET KENNEL BUILDINGS, A SEPARATE FELINE FACILITY AND A MASSIVE THIRTEEN THOUSAND SQUARE FEET INTAKE BUILDING.  THE NEW FACILITY IS DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS OF UP TO ONE HUNDRED FIFTY MILES AN HOUR.

A BILL IN THE STATE HOUSE WOULD REVISE SAFETY LAWS FOR AMUSEMENT RIDES.  THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE A FLAT FEE FOR INSPECTIONS AND ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR GENERATORS AND HEAVY OPERATING EQUIPMENT.  IT ALSO WOULD REQUIRE INSPECTIONS AT EVERY NEW SETUP LOCATION, NO MATTER HOW RECENTLY THE RIDE WAS INSPECTED.  CRITICS SAY INCREASED INSPECTION FEES AND OPERATIONAL COSTS COULD MAKE IT MORE EXPENSIVE FOR FESTIVALS TO PARTNER WITH CARNIVAL COMPANIES, AND THE COST COULD BE PASSED ON TO ATTENDEES.

A BILL BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE BAYHAM HAS ADVANCED OUT OF THE HOUSE TO THE STATE SENATE.  IT WOULD IMPOSE A TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLAR FINE FOR USING THE SHOULDER OR TURN LANES TO BYPASS A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT.  IF THEIR ACTION RESULTS IN INJURIES OR DEATH, THE FINE COULD GO UP TO FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS WITH POSSIBLE JAIL TIME AND A SUSPENSION OF THEIR LICENSE.  BAYHAM SAYS BAD DRIVERS DO NOT ALWAYS GET INTO ACCIDENTS BUT THEY DO CAUSE A LOT OF THEM.

LAFAYETTE POLICE FOUND THE BODY OF A SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD LYING IN THE ROAD WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND.  GEORGE FAUST REPORTS.

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FIRE INVESTIGATORS SAY A MOBILE HOME THAT CAUGHT FIRE EARLY SATURDAY MORNING DIDN’T HAVE WORKING SMOKE ALARMS.  FIFTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD DARRELL RIGMAIDEN WAS KILLED IN THE FIRE.  THE KITCHEN CAUGHT FIRE AND SMOKE AND FIRE RACED THROUGH THE HOME.  THEY SAY RIGMAIDEN WAS ASLEEP AND UNAWARE OF THE FIRE.

A BICYCLIST WAS KILLED SATURDAY AT AROUND FIVE-THIRTY P-M IN OPELOUSAS.  POLICE SAY THE BICYCLIST, WHOSE NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED, WAS ATTEMPTING TO CROSS SOUTH BULLARD STREET FROM PUJO AVENUE WHEN HE WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE.  HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE LATER DIED.  THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IMPAIRED AND IS NOT CONSIDERED AT FAULT BY AUTHORITIES.

A WELL-KNOWN ACADIANA BUSINESSMAN DIED SATURDAY.  WALTER BROUSSARD WAS THE OWNER OF NUNU’S, WHICH STARTED AS A NEIGHBORHOOD GROCERY STORE AND BECAME A POPULAR BRAND FOR ITS UNIQUE PRODUCTS.  THE FAMILY ISSUED A STATEMENT ANNOUNCING BROUSSARD’S PASSING.  THEY SAID HIS LIFE AND LEGACY WILL CONTINUE TO BE CELEBRATED AND REMEMBERED BY ALL WHO LOVED HIM.

A TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM NEW IBERIA DIED EARLY SATURDAY AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A PICKUP TRUCK.  GEORGE FAUST REPORTS.

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ONE PERSON WAS KILLED IN A HOUSE FIRE THAT BROKE OUT AT AROUND ONE-THIRTY SATURDAY MORNING IN EUNICE.  THE VICTIM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FIFTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD DARRELL RIGMAIDEN.  WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED AT THE HOME ON MILL STREET, FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE HOME.  FIRE CHIEF CHAISE BROWN SAYS THE FIRE WAS TRACED TO THE KITCHEN STOVE BUT THE EXACT CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.

A HOUSE ON PAUL FRANK ROAD IN OBERLIN WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE SATURDAY.  TWO VEHICLES WERE ALSO DAMAGED OR DESTROYED.  EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE MANAGED TO GET OUT SAFELY.  THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BUT FIRE CHIEF LES KOLB SAYS IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE INTENTIONALLY SET.

THE STATE SENATE IS SET TO VOTE ON A BILL THAT WOULD CRIMINALIZE PROTESTS AT PLACES OF WORSHIP IN LOUISIANA.  SENATE BILL THIRTY-FIVE WOULD ESSENTIALLY BAN PROTESTING WITHIN FIFTY FEET OF A CHURCH IF IT INTERFERES WITH WORSHIP.  VIOLATERS COULD BE FINED UP TO FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND GET UP TO FIFTEEN DAYS IN JAIL.  IF APPROVED, IT WOULD GO NEXT TO THE HOUSE FOR DEBATE.

A BILL WAS INTRODUCED IN THE STATE HOUSE WHICH SEEKS TO PREVENT SUICIDES AMONG STUDENTS.  THE BILL BY DEMOCRAT DELISHA BOYD OF NEW ORLEANS WOULD REQUIRE HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN LOUISIANA TO POST THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE NUMBER, NINE-EIGHT-EIGHT, ON THE SCHOOL’S WEBSITE.  IT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE IT TO BE PRINTED ON STUDENT I-D’S IF APPLICABLE.  IN TWENTY-TWENTY-THREE, THIRTY-SIX LOUISIANA STUDENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF TEN AND NINETEEN COMMITTED SUICIDE.

A DRIVER CRASHED HIS VEHICLE INTO A HOME ON NOTRE DAME DRIVE NEAR WESTGATE ROAD IN SCOTT ON SATURDAY JUST BEFORE ELEVEN.  ONE PERSON INSIDE THE HOME WAS PINNED BENEATH THE VEHICLE, SUFFERING LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES, AND WAS FREED BY THE SCOTT FIRE DEPARTMENT USING A WINCH AND AIR BAGS TO REMOVE THE CAR.  THE CRASH IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE DRIVER HAVING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY WHICH CAUSED HIM TO LOSE CONTROL.  THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BUT HIS INJURIES ARE NOT CONSIDERED LIFE-THREATENING.

A SAINT MARTINVILLE MAN WAS CONVICTED THURSDAY OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.  THIRTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD JOSHUA DAVIS CONFESSED TO SHOOTING JORDAN BULLIARD THREE TIMES BEFORE LEAVING THE AREA.  THE MURDER WEAPON WAS FOUND IN DAVIS’ HOTEL ROOM AND HIS D-N-A WAS FOUND ON IT.  DAVIS FACES MANDATORY LIFE IMPRISONMENT WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE WHEN HE IS SENTENCED ON MAY TWENTY-SIXTH.

AN OPELOUSAS TEENAGER HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR MAKING MULTIPLE BOMB THREATS TO NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL.  SHERIFF BOBBY GUIDROZ SAYS THE THREATS DATE BACK TO JANUARY SIXTEENTH.  HE SAYS THEY OBTAINED SUFFICIENT PROBABLE CAUSE TO ARREST EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD LYAM GARCIA.  HE IS CHARGED WITH FIVE COUNTS OF TERRORIZING AND FIVE COUNTS OF COMMUNICATING FALSE INFORMATION OF A PLANNED BOMBING ON SCHOOL PROPERTY.

A MOBILE HOME IN RURAL LAFAYETTE PARISH CAUGHT FIRE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.  WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED AT THE HOME ON LEBESQUE ROAD NEAR OSSUN, FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT THE BACK BEDROOM.  NO ONE WAS AT HOME AT THE TIME FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED.  THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

A JEFF DAVIS PARISH JUDGE AGREED TO POSTPONE A TRIAL FOR TERENCE DAVIS AFTER HE APPROVED A CHANGE IN THE DEFENSE COUNSEL.  IT HAD BEEN SCHEDULED FOR TRIAL TUESDAY AND HAS NOT YET BEEN RESCHEDULED.  DAVIS WAS ARRESTED LAST APRIL FOR POSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A CONVICTED FELON AND FACES UP TO TWENTY YEARS IN JAIL IF CONVICTED WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE OR PROBATION.  DISTRICT ATTORNEY LAUREN HEINEN CRITICIZED JUDGE STEVE GUNNEL’S DECISION SAYING THE DELAY DISRUPTS THE COURT SYSTEM AND POSTPONES ACCOUNTABILITY.

THE STATE SENATE HAS APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE IT A CRIME TO FRAUDULENTLY CLAIM MILITARY SERVICE OR HONORS.  THE BILL BY STATE SENATOR CALEB KLEINPETER OF PORT ALLEN PROPOSES THAT ANYONE WHO FALSELY CLAIMS TO BE A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES COULD BE FINED UP TO ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND GET JAIL TIME UP TO SIX MONTHS.  ALSO, A PERSON WHO FALSELY CLAIMS MILITARY AWARDS COULD BE FINED UP TO FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND GET UP TO A YEAR IN JAIL.  THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE STATE HOUSE.

LEGISLATION SPONSORED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE ECHOLS OF MONROE SEEKS TO MAKE SURE LOUISIANA’S INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES GET PAID FAIRLY FOR THE DRUGS THEY DISPENSE.  ECHOLS SAID IN A PUBLIC HEARING, HIS BILL WOULD REQUIRE PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS REIMBURSE INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES FOR DRUGS AT A MINIMUM RATE SET BY LAW.  THOSE OPPOSED TO THE BILL SAY IT WILL DRIVE UP DRUG COSTS AND, IN TURN, HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS.  BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN AGAINST ECHOL’S BILL, LEADING ECHOLS TO ASK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO LOOK INTO THEIR ADVOCACY.

IBERIA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER RAYMOND SHOE-DO LEWIS SAYS HE HAS WON A DEFAMATION LAWSUIT HE FILED AGAINST ROSALIND ROBB.  HE ACCUSED ROBB OF SPREADING LIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT DAMAGED HIS REPUTATION AS WELL AS THE REPUTATON OF HIS FOUNDATION.  LEWIS WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE MISSUSED MONEY FROM HIS FOUNDATION, CLAIMS WHICH HE SAYS WERE FALSE.  LEWIS SAYS THAT, AS PART OF A SETTLEMENT, HE RECEIVED HER EIGHTY-TWO CORVETTE, A MOBILE HOME, PROPERTY AND THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

THE FIRST MEETING OF THE LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT’S DRAINAGE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SERIES TOOK PLACE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE SOUTH REGIONAL LIBRARY.  IT’S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT ONGOING PROJECTS AND OFFER INPUT ON THE PARISH’S LONG-TERM STORMWATER PLAN.  MAYOR-PRESIDENT MONIQUE BOULET SAYS DRAINAGE REMAINS ONE OF THEIR MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES.  THE NEXT MEETING TAKES PLACE APRIL NINTH AT SOUTH LOUISIANA COMMUNITY COLLEGE WITH ANOTHER MEETING ON MAY TWELFTH AT THE DUPUIS RECREATION CENTER.

THE GRAVESITE OF DEIONDRE BENJAMIN AT THE QUEEN OF PEACE CEMETARY IN SAINT MARTINVILLE WAS DESECRATED THIS WEEK.  BENJAMIN WAS SHOT AND KILLED TWO YEARS AGO AT A HOMECOMING GAME AT SAINT MARTINVILLE SENIOR HIGH.  HIS FAMILY SAYS THEY BECAME AWARE OF THE DESECRATION WHEN SOMEONE ON SOCIAL MEDIA CLAIMED TO HAVE COMMITTED THE ACT.  SAINT MARTIN PARISH SHERIFF’S DETECTIVES WERE CALLED OUT WEDNESDAY TO INVESTIGATE THE DAMAGE.

A MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO A CAR CRASH THAT INJURED A DUSON POLICE SERGEANT.  GEORGE FAUST REPORTS.

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GOVERNOR LANDRY AND OTHER STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS ATTENDED A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR A MAJOR ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT ALONG RICELAND ROAD IN ACADIA PARISH.  THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT AIMS TO CREATE A SMOOTER RIDE FOR DRIVERS ALONG A TWO-POINT-SIX MILE STRETCH OF THAT ROADWAY.  IT WILL FEATURE A COMPLETE RECONSTRUCTION INCLUDING NEW PAVEMENT AND THE ADDITION OF SOLID AGGREGATE SHOULDERS.  THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE SIXTY DAYS TO COMPLETE.

GOVERNOR JEFF LANDRY POSTED A VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA TELLING PEOPLE TO NOT TRUST STATE TREASURER JOHN FLEMING, WHO IS RUNNING FOR THE

U-S SENATE.  FLEMING SAYS HE’S ALWAYS BEEN ONE HUNDRED PERCENT AGAINST CARBON CAPTURE AND SEQUESTRATION PROJECTS.  LANDRY SAYS FLEMING, WHEN HE WAS A CONGRESSMAN, VOTED SIX TIMES TO FUND AND EXPAND CARBON CAPTURE PROJECTS.  FLEMING RESPONDED BY CALLING LANDRY A LIAR, SAYING HE NEVER VOTED FOR ANY BILL THAT WOULD BRING CARBON CAPTURE AND SEQUESTRATION PROJECTS TO LOUISIANA.

A LAKE CHARLES MAN WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR THE KILLING OF TWENTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD DEMARCUS ARDOIN OF WESTLAKE.  ARDOIN WAS ROBBED AND KILLED IN HIS HOME IN TWENTY-TWENTY-THREE.  TWENTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM DENNIS WAS CONVICTED IN JANUARY OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.  IN JUNE, KEVIN WILLIAMS OF EUNICE WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON ON THE SAME CASE, WHILE ANOTHER SUSPECT, JUSTIN NED, IS AWAITING TRIAL FOR SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.

A VEHICLE FIRE YESTERDAY ON THE NORTHSIDE OF LAFAYETTE CREATED A PLUME OF SMOKE THAT WAS VISIBLE FOR MILES.  IT WAS A TRUCK THAT CAUGHT FIRE ON BELLEAU STREET NEAR PERSHING AVENUE.  FIREFIGHTERS MANAGED TO PUT OUT THE BLAZE BEFORE IT SPREAD TO A NEARBY HOME.  NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

THE CITY OF BREAUX BRIDGE HAS ISSUED A BOIL WATER ADVISORY BEGINNING TODAY AT NOON.  THAT’S BECAUSE THE WATER PLANT IS UNDERGOING MODIFICATIONS STARTING TODAY.  THE ADVISORY WAS ISSUED BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL OF MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION DURING THE MODIFICATIONS.  THE ADVISORY WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE WERE HONORED FOR ACTS OF KINDNESS THAT WENT BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY.  THE BEYOND THE BADGE AWARDS HIGHLIGHTED OFFICERS WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY, NOT BECAUSE THEY HAD TO BUT BECAUSE THEY CHOSE TO.  THE RECIPIENTS INCLUDED TWO OFFICERS FROM DUSON, ONE EACH FROM THE EUNICE AND LAFAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICERS FROM OTHER PARISHES INCLUDING CALCASIEU PARISH.  ORGANIZERS OF THE EVENT SAY THEY HOPE THESE STORIES WILL STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN OFFICERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.

TWO SUSPECTS IN A DRIVE BY SHOOTING AT A MOBILE HOME ON EAST COURTABLEAU ROAD IN PORT BARRE SATURDAY HAVE TURNED THEMSELVES IN.  SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD BRAYDEN BROWN WAS BOOKED ON SEVERAL CHARGES INCLUDING ATTEMPTED SECOND-DEGREE MURDER WHILE TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD KOBY LEVIER FACES CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A FIREARM AND PRINCIPLE TO ATTEMPTED SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.  FIVE OTHERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ARRESTED AND POLICE ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR A FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD BOY IN CONNECTION TO THE SHOOTING.  POLICE CHIEF DEON BOUDREAUX SAYS THE SHOOTING STEMMED FROM AN EARLIER ARGUMENT.

A VERMILLION PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTY HAS BEEN INDICTED BY A GRAND JURY FOR ALLEGED SEXUAL MISCONDUCT WITH AN INMATE AT THE VERMILLION PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER.  ELEVEN-YEAR VETERAN ROICEY TRAHAN, WHO IS EIGHTY, WAS FIRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INDICTMENT.  THE ALLEGATION AGAINST TRAHAN WAS REPORTED BY AN INMATE TO THE WARDEN WHO REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION AND FORWARDED THE INFORMATION TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.  TRAHAN WAS BOOKED INTO THE VERMILLION PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER AND LATER RELEASED ON BOND.

THE DEATH OF THREE PEOPLE AT A RESIDENCE NEAR YOUNGSVILLE IS NOW BEING CALLED A DOUBLE-MURDER SUICIDE BY LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF’S DETECTIVES.  THEY SAY, BASED ON THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION, THIRTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD BRETT RICHARDSON SHOT AND KILLED HIS WIFE, THIRTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD KASIE RICHARDSON, AND HIS SIX-YEAR-OLD SON.  HE THEN TURNED THE GUN ON HIMSELF.  THE BOY WAS A STUDENT AT GREEN T. LINDON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM SAYS ADDITIONAL COUNSELORS AND SUPPORT STAFF WILL BE ON HAND THIS WEEK TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND STAFF WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE.

A MOTHER AND HER ADULT SON WERE FOUND SHOT TO DEATH SUNDAY BY JENNINGS POLICE.  THE OFFICERS WENT TO A HOME ON ALICE STREET AFTER RECEIVING A WELFARE CHECK REQUEST FROM THE FAMILY AND FOUND THE TWO HAD BEEN SHOT AND EACH HAD GUNS NEAR THEM.  POLICE CHIEF DANNY SEMMES SAYS THEY BELIEVE THE SHOOTING STEMMED FROM A DOMESTIC DISPUTE AND THERE IS NO THREAT TO THE PUBLIC.  THE NAMES OF THE TWO HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.

SAINT LANDRY PARISH PRESIDENT JESSIE BELLARD IS GOING INTO DETAIL ABOUT PLANNING FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS.  GEORGE FAUST HAS MORE.

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A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS DISMISSED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT OVER A BAN ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES.  JUDGE DAVID JOSEPH GRANTED L-C-G’S MOTION TO DISMISS THE LAWSUIT WITH PREJUDICE, WHICH MEANS THE CASE IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED AND CANNOT BE FILED AGAIN.  THE ORDINANCE LIMITED SHORT-TERM RENTALS, SUCH AS AIR BNB AND VRBO, TO PROPERTIES NOT ZONED AS SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL.  THE LAWSUIT CLAIMED THE ORDINANCE VIOLATED TWO CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS.

A FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-THOUSAND DOLLAR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT ON AIRPORT ROAD IN ACADIA PARISH WILL BEGIN SOON.  THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE REMOVAL OF THE EXISTING BRIDGE STRUCTURE AND INSTALLATION OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE LONG-TERM DURABILITY AND DRAINAGE.  AIRPORT ROAD WAS CLOSED NINE-TENTHS OF A MILE WEST OF SIDNEY RICHARD ROAD AND IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN CLOSED THROUGH MAY.  THE PROJECT IS PART OF A PROGRAM BY THE D-O-T-D TO MAKE SURE LOCALLY OWNED BRIDGES ACROSS THE STATE REMAIN SAFE, RELIABLE AND CAPABLE OF HANDLING EVERYDAY TRAFFIC AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

A LAFAYETTE WOMAN WAS ARRESTED LAST WEEK FOR ALLEGEDLY MAKING THREATS AGAINST A CHURCH POINT POLICE OFFICER.  THIRTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD ALANNA BROUSSARD HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH CYBERSTALKING, FILING A FALSE COMPLAINT AGAINST A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND THREATENING A LAW OFFICER.  BROUSSARD ORIGINALLY MADE A COMPLAINT THAT THE OFFICER WAS HARASSING HER.  POLICE SAY SHE THREATENED TO SHOOT THE OFFICER WHILE LEAKING THE OFFICER’S HOME ADDRESS.

NEW, NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN DOCUMENTS ABOUT THE ASSASSINATION OF FORMER GOVERNOR HUEY P. LONG ARE BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, ACCORDING TO SECRETARY OF STATE NANCY LANDRY AND THE LOUISIANA STATE ARCHIVES.  THE PAPERS WERE DONATED BY AUTHOR JACK B. MCGUIRE.  HE’S WRITING A BOOK CALLED “KILLING THE KINGFISH” WHICH HE IS HOPING WILL BE THE FINAL WORD ON THE LONG ASSASSINATION.  THE DOCUMENTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING AND RESEARCH AT THE STATE ARCHIVES.

THREE PEOPLE WERE FOUND SHOT TO DEATH YESTERDAY IN LAFAYETTE PARISH JUST OUTSIDE YOUNGSVILLE.  LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES DISCOVERED THE THREE BODIES WHEN THEY RESPONDED TO REPORTS OF A SHOOTING.  AN ADULT MAN AND WOMAN AND A SIX-YEAR-OLD BOY WERE FOUND INSIDE A RESIDENCE LOCATED IN THE FIVE HUNDRED BLOCK OF BRAXTON STREET.  NO OTHER DETAILS HAVE BEEN RELEASED.

SAINT MARTINVILLE POLICE ARE TRYING TO FIND A PERSON, WHO WAS SHOT WHILE HE WAS IN BED.  IT HAPPENED FRIDAY MORNING AT AROUND FOUR-FORTY-FIVE AT A RESIDENCE ON WEST BRIDGE STREET WHERE SHOTS WERE FIRED THROUGH A BEDROOM WINDOW.  THE VICTIM WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH WOUNDS THAT WERE CONSIDERED NOT LIFE-THREATENING.  POLICE SAY THE SHOOTER MAY HAVE KNOWN THE VICTIM.

A BILL MOVING THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE WOULD ADD A NEW SECTION TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION CREATING A STATE LIVEABLE WAGE.  THE BILL BY STATE SENATOR REGINA BARROW WOULD RAISE LOUISIANA’S MINIMUM WAGE BY THREE DOLLARS TO TEN DOLLAR, TWENTY-FIVE CENTS PER HOUR EFFECTIVE JANUARY FIRST.  IT WOULD ALSO BE READJUSTED FOR INFLATION ON SEPTEMBER THIRTIETH EVERY YEAR.  IF THE BILL MAKES IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, VOTERS WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE OF IT IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

STATE POLICE HAVE BEEN CALLED IN TO INVESTIGATE A SHOOTING INVOLVING CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES FRIDAY AFTERNOON.  THEY HAD RECEIVED A CALL ABOUT A DISTURBANCE ON MILLER AVENUE IN WESTLAKE AND, WHEN THEY ARRIVED, FORTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD KRISTOPHER HANKS REFUSED TO COME OUT OF THE HOME OR LET AN ELDERLY PERSON AND TWO JUVENILES LEAVE.  PUBLIC AFFAIRS TROOPER ROY JONES SAYS THAT, AFTER SEVEN HOURS, HANKS CAME OUT OF THE HOME ARMED WITH A HANDGUN AND WAS SHOT BY MULTIPLE DEPUTIES AND HE WAS KILLED.  NO DEPUTIES WERE INJURED.

A MOTORCYCLIST WAS KILLED FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN LAFAYETTE PARISH WHEN THE DRIVER OF A PICKUP TRUCK TURNED IN FRONT OF HIM.  IT HAPPENED ON DUHON ROAD NEAR LAGNEAUX ROAD.  STATE TROOPERS SAY THE DRIVER OF A PICKUP TRUCK FAILED TO YIELD AND THE MOTORCYCLIST WAS THROWN FROM HIS VEHICLE IN THE COLLISION.  THE MOTORCYCLIST, TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD GAVIN RECKTENWALD OF DUSON, WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IS SPREADING AMONG DEERS IN NORTHERN LOUISIANA.  AS A RESULT, DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES SECRETARY TYLER BOSWORTH ISSUED AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION THURSDAY EXPANDING THE STATE’S DISEASE CONTROL AREA TO INCLUDE ALL OF OUACHITO PARISH AND PORTIONS OF SIX NEIGHBORING PARISHES.  CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IS FATAL TO DEERS, ATTACKING THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM.  THERE HAVE BEEN FIFTY-FIVE CONFIRMED CASES IN LOUISIANA.

AN ACADIA PARISH PRIEST PLED NOT GUILTY LAST WEEK TO THREE COUNTS OF INDECENT BEHAVIOR.  FATHER KOREY LAVERGNE SUBMITTED HIS PLEA IN WRITING MEANING HE WILL NOT HAVE TO APPEAR IN COURT THIS WEEK FOR AN ARRAIGNMENT.  A BOY CLAIMED THAT LAVERGNE INAPPROPRIATELY TOUCHED HIM ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS LAST YEAR AT SAINT EDWARD CATHOLIC CHURCH IN RICHARD.  ANOTHER PRIEST FILED A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST LAVERGNE IN EARLY DECEMBER AND LAVERGNE WAS ARRESTED IN JANUARY AFTER A SIX WEEK INVESTIGATION.

THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD VOTED FIVE-TO-TWO TO CLOSE COMEAUX HIGH SCHOOL AT THE END OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR.  THE CAMPUS WILL HOUSE THE W-D AND MARY BAKER SMITH CAREER CENTER AND THE E-J SAM ACCELERATED SCHOOL.  THE CAMPUS IS EXPECTED TO REOPEN FOR THE TWENTY-TWENTY-EIGHT-TWENTY-NINE SCHOOL YEAR AS THE OVEY COMEAUX WORKFORCE INNOVATION ACADEMY.  THE STUDENTS WHO CURRENTLY ATTEND COMEAUX HIGH WILL BE REZONED FOR ACADIANA, SOUTHSIDE AND LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOLS FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

A CHURCH POINT WATER DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE WAS FOUND DEAD FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.  GEORGE FAUST REPORTS.

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A NEW LOUISIANA LAW HAS GONE INTO FULL EFFECT REQUIRING CAMERAS IN SELF-CONTAINED CLASSROOMS.  ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS MUST INSTALL, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN CAMERAS IN SELF-CONTAINED CLASSROOMS THAT RECORD BOTH VIDEO AND AUDIO.  THE NEW LAW SEEKS TO PROTECT VULNERABLE STUDENTS AND ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY.  THE LAW REQUIRES PARENTS OF AFFECTED STUDENTS BE NOTIFIED IF THE CAMERA IS OUT OF SERVICE FOR MORE THAN TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS.

A HOMOCIDE TRIAL IN LAKE CHARLES WAS HALTED AFTER DRUGS WERE FOUND IN THE COURTROOM AND A MISTRIAL WAS DECLARED.  THREE DEFENDANTS WERE ON TRIAL IN THE TWENTY-NINETEEN DEATH OF JAVID DUHON.  A DEPUTY IN THE COURTROOM SPOTTED A NOTE BEING PASSED TO ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS AND A SUBSTANCE ON THE PAPER TESTED POSITIVE FOR SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA.  THE DEFENDANT, DEMI FONTANA, WAS ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION WITH THE INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE MARIJUANA AND INTRODUCTION OF CONTRABAND INTO A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

A CRASH IN YOUNGSVILLE JUST AFTER THREE-FORTY-FIVE YESTERDAY MORNING SNAPPED A UTILITY POLE AND DAMAGED ANOTHER.  ENTERGY SHUT OFF THE POWER IN THE AREA IN ORDER FOR EMERGENCY CREWS TO REPLACE THE UTILITY POLES.  YOUNGSVILLE HIGHWAY BETWEEN COPPER MEADOWS BOULEVARD AND ROMERO ROAD WAS CLOSED FOR MOST OF THE DAY.

KADN TV IS REPORTING MORE DAMAGE THAT CAME FROM WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S STORMS THAT PASSED THROUGH ACADIANA.  A HOUSE ON TEXAS LANE IN EUNICE WAS DESTROYED BY A LARGE TREE THAT FELL ON IT AND THE FAMILY HAS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM THE RED CROSS.  A TREE BLOCKING L-A THREE-SIXTY-ONE JUST EAST OF MORROW IN SAINT LANDRY PARISH HAS BEEN REMOVED.  ANOTHER TREE WAS REMOVED FROM L-A THIRTY-FIVE IN LAWTELL.

A BILL IN THE STATE SENATE WOULD EXPAND ALLIGATOR HUNTING BY ADDING A RECREATIONAL SEASON.  CURRENTLY THERE IS A THREE-MONTH COMMERCIAL SEASON FOR LICENSED HUNTERS TO HARVEST ALLIGATORS ON THEIR OWN LAND OR DESIGNATED PUBLIC LAND AND WATER BODIES.  IF THE BILL BY STATE SENATOR ROBERT ALLAIN OF FRANKLIN PASSES, TEN THOUSAND TAGS WOULD BE ISSUED FOR RECREATIONAL HUNTERS WHICH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH A LOTTERY.  ALLAIN SAYS HIS BILL WOULD HELP REDUCE THE OVERPOPULATION OF ALLIGATORS WITHOUT DISTURBING THE COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY.

A RAYNE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.  TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD WESLEY VENTERS WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY YESTERDAY MORNING AND BOOKED INTO THE LAFAYETTE PARISH JAIL.  THERE WERE NO DETAILS RELEASED ON HIS BOND.  THE ARREST CAME AFTER AN INVESTIGATION WAS LAUNCHED LATE LAST YEAR BASED ON A CYBER TIP.

ON THURSDAY, THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO CLOSE COMEAUX HIGH SCHOOL.  IF APPROVED, THE SEVEN HUNDRED STUDENTS WOULD BE RELOCATED TO OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS.  THE SCHOOL WOULD BE TRANSFORMED INTO THE DISTRICT’S NEW CAREER CENTER.  OFFICIALS SAY THE PLAN WOULD ADDRESS SPENDING CHALLENGES AND HELP REDUCE THE FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY STUDENT WAITLIST FOR THE CAREER CENTER.

AUTHORITIES HAVE IDENTIFIED A BODY FDOUND LAST MONTH IN ACADIA PARISH.  GEORGE FAUST REPORTS.

VOICER Y :31

HOME INSURERS WILL SOON BE REQUIRED TO GIVE DISCOUNTS TO HOMEOWNERS WITH FORTIFIED ROOFS.  INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TIM TEMPLE RELEASED A BULLETING ON FRIDAY TO INSURERS SPECIFYING THE LEVEL OF THE DISCOUNT, WHICH VARIES DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF FORTIFICATION AND THE REGION OF THE STATE.  IF THEY DON’T MEET THE THRESHOLD, THE INSURER WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE THE ACTUARIAL MATH JUSTIFYING THE LOWER DISCOUNT.  INSURERS WOULD HAVE TO GIVE A TWENTY-NINE PERCENT DISCOUNT ON THE HURRICANE PORTION OF THE PREMIUM FOR SOUTH LOUISIANA HOMEOWNERS WITH FORTIFIED ROOFS.

A LAKE CHARLES MAN, WHO ALLEGEDLY INAPPROPRIATELY TOUCHED A PRE-TEEN GIRL THREE TIMES, WAS ARRESTED.  TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD COLBI MAYERS ALSO ALLEGEDLY ADMITTED TAKING INAPPROPRIATE VIDEO OF THE  CHILD IN THE BATHROOM.  INVESTIGATORS WITH THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS THE GIRL SAID MAYERS HAD ABUSED HER.  HE HAS BEEN BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU CORRERCTIONAL CENTER AND HIS BOND WAS SET AT SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

A GOFUNDME ACCOUNT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD JULIE STEED.  SHE IS PERMANTLY PARALYZED AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A SUSPECTED DRUNK DRIVER WHILE SHE WAS RIDING A MOTORIZED SCOOTER ON PINHOOK ROAD.  HER MOTHER, JAMIE STEED, SAYS SHE’S ANGRY BECAUSE THE DRIVER WAS THREE TIMES OVER THE LEGAL LIMIT.  JAMIE SAYS HER DAUGHTER SAID SHE WAS SORRY FOR BEING HIT BY A CAR AND SHE TOLD HER IT WAS NOT HER FAULT.

TWO OTHER ACADIANA PARISHES HAVE LIFTED BURN BANS BECAUSE OF RECENT RAINFALLS AND IMPROVED CONDITIONS.  THEY ARE ACADIA AND IBERIA PARISHES.  THEY JOIN SAINT LANDRY, SAINT MARTIN AND VERMILLION PARISHES, WHICH ALREADY HAD CONFIMRED THEIR BURN BANS WERE NO LONGER IN EFFECT.  FIRE OFFICIALS REMINDED RESIDENTS TO BURN RESPONSIBLY, AVOID WINDY CONDITIONS AND NEVER LEAVE FIRES UNATTENDED.

LOUISIANA IS EXPECTED TO PAY FORTY-TWO MILLION DOLLARS IN MORE SNAP PROGRAMS COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS.  GEORGE FAUST EXPLAINS.

VOICER X :15

SAINT LANDRY PARISH SHERIFF BOBBY GUIDROZ SAYS A RAID ON A COCKFIGHTING EVENT WAS THE RESULT OF A TIP.  HE SAYS IT’S THE FIRST ONE THEY’VE EVER PLANNED AND IT WAS SUCCESSFUL.  THERE WERE SIXTY-THREE SPECTATORS AND ALL WERE DETAINED WHILE JOHN LACHAPELLE, AS THE PROPERTY OWNER AND THE ALLEGED EVENT ORGANIZER, WILL FACE THREE FELONY CHARGES.