KAJN Jesus FM 102.9

ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF K-P GIBSON SAYS A BODY FOUND IN BAYOU QUEUE DE TORTUE IS FEMALE, WHO IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN BETWEEN TWENTY AND FIFTY YEARS OF AGE.  THEY HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE RACE BECAUSE OF LENGTH OF TIME THE BODY WAS IN THE WATER.  IT WAS FOUND FRIDAY BY TWO MEN WHO WERE FISHING.  THE BODY WAS LOCATED NEAR HIGHWAY THIRTEEN IN SOUTHERN ACADIA PARISH.

FORMER LAFAYETTE MAYOR PRESIDENT JOSH GUILLORY TOLD KADN TV HIS ARREST LAST WEEK WAS “THE MOST SHAMEFUL THING HE’S SEEN IN THE HISTORY OF OUR LEGAL PROFESSION AND IN THE HISTORY OF PUBLIC SERVICE.”  A SAINT MARTIN PARISH GRAND JURY INDICTED GUILLORY ON FOUR COUNTS OF MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE BECAUSE OF THE REMOVAL OF SPOIL BANKS IN SAINT MARTIN PARISH FOUR YEARS AGO.  GUILLORY SAYS HE’S INNOCENT.  HIS ATTORNEY, KEVIN STOCKSTILL, SAYS HE THINKS THE GRAND JURY DID NOT HEAR ALL THE EVIDENCE AND IT’S EASY TO GET AN INDICTMENT.

THE FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS HAS ISSUED A RULING IN FAVOR OF A LOUISIANA LAW REQUIRING POSTER-SIZED DISPLAYS OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN LOUISIANA PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOMS.  THE COURT VOTED TWELVE-TO-SIX TO LIFT A BLOCK PUT ON THE LAW IN TWENTY-TWENTY-FOUR BY A LOWER COURT.  ATTORNEY GENERAL LIZ MURRILL SAYS HER OFFICE HAS ISSUED CLEAR GUIDANCE TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON HOW TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW.  SHE SAYS LOUISIANA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHOULD FOLLOW THE LAW.

A BICYCLIST WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH YESTERDAY AFTERNOON IN LAKE CHARLES.  THE BICYCLIST AND A CAR COLLIDED ON RYAN STREET NEAR THE SONIC DRIVE-IN.  THE BICYCLIST WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.  THERE’S NO WORD ON THE CONDITION OF THE BICYLIST.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BILLY NUNGESSER AND THE LOUSIANA SEAFOOD PROMOTION AND MARKETING BOARD WILL BE IN OPELOUSAS TOMORROW TO HOST THE TENTH ANNUAL PARDONING OF THE CRAWFISH.  GEORGE FAUST HAS DETAILS.

VOICER E :19

A FATHER AND SON FROM LAFAYETTE WERE ARRESTED FOLLOWING A SHOOTING ON EAST PONT DES MOUTON.  TWENTY-YEAR-OLF MYKKEAN TURKI IS ACCUSED OF SHOOTING SOMEONE FROM A CAR WHICH, INVESTIGATORS SUSPECT, HAPPENED AFTER AN ARGUMENT.  TURKI HAS BEEN CHARED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER.  HIS FATHER, FORTY-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL TURKI, WAS ARRESTED ON OUTSTANDING DRUG CHARGES.

ATTORNEY GENERAL LIZ MURRILL WAS IN ACADIANA LAST WEEK AND SHE’LL BE BACK IN OUR AREA AGAIN TOMORROW FOR A LEGAL HEARING.  GEORGE FAUST EXPLAINS.

VOICER D :28

A LOREAUVILLE HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR RECEIVED A PERSONAL RESPONSE FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP.  CARSON MALLET SAYS HE WROTE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP ABOUT HIS WORK IN IBERIA PARISH’S TEEN COURT PROGRAM AND WAS EXCITED TO RECEIVE A LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM HIM.  MALLET SAYS HE CAN SEE IT IS THE PRESIDENT’S ACTUAL PERSONAL SIGNATURE BECAUSE THE INK BLEEDS THROUGH THE BACK OF THE LETTER.  MALLET SAYS HE’S ALWAYS HAD AN INTEREST IN POLITICS AND HISTORY AND HE DECIDED TO WRITE THE LETTER AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THE BODY OF A MAMOU MAN WAS FOUND NEAR HIS HOME IN THE AREA OF RAILROAD AVENUE TUESDAY NIGHT.  THIRTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD ALAN THOMAS JUNIOR HAD A SINGLE GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE NECK, ACCORDING TO HIS FAMILY.  THEY SAY MAMOU POLICE TOLD THEM THEY FOUND SHELL CASINGS AT THE SCENE.  INVESTIGATORS TOLD THE FAMILY THEY HAVE VIDEO EVIDENCE THAT THEY ARE REVIEWING.

A SEARCH COMMITTEE IS MAKING PROGRESS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO FIND A NEW PRESIDENT FOR U-L LAFAYETTE.  THEY HAVE TWELVE CANDIDATES TO FILL THE POSITION.  IT INCLUDES THE INTERIM PRESIDENT, DOCTOR RAMESH KOLLURU.  THE COMMITTEE WILL MEET IN BATON ROUGE TODAY TO NARROW DOWN THE LIST TO FOUR AND WILL INTERVIEW THE REMAINING CANDIDATES NEXT WEEK IN LAFAYETTE.

AUTOMATIC FILING AND PAYMENT EXTENSIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUAL AND BUSINESS TAXPAYERS IN LOUISIANA WHO WERE AFFECTED BY SEVERE WINTER WEATHER LAST MONTH.  THE EXTENSIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL SIXTY-FOUR PARISHES, WHICH WERE INCLUDED IN A FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION.  THE EXTENSIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR EXCISE, SALES, SEVERANCE AND WITHHOLDING TAXES AS WELL AS W-2, L-3 AND 1099 FORMS.  THE EXTENSIONS APPLY TO RETURNS AND PAYMENTS DUE BETWEEN JANUARY TWENTY-THIRD AND FEBRUARY TWENTY-FIRST AND THE EXTENSION DEADLINE IS MARCH THIRTY-FIRST.

A LAKE CHARLES MAN, WHO WAS SHOT BY A CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTY IN SULPHUR, WILL FACE CHARGES WHEN HE IS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL.  TWENTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD LAUDRICK PATE WILL BE ARRESTED ON NUMEROUS CHARGES INCLUDING FLIGHT FROM AN OFFICER AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON A PEACE OFFICER.  ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, PATE FLED ON FOOT FROM A TRAFFIC STOP AND, WHEN THE DEPUTY CAUGHT UP TO HIM, PATE GRABBED THE DEPUTY’S TASER AND ATTEMPTED TO USE IT ON HIM.  THAT’S WHEN THE DEPUTY SHOT PATE.

TWELVE INMATES AT THE SAINT LANDRY PARISH JAIL HAVE GRADUATED FROM AN INMATE ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAM.  SHERIFF BOBBY GUIDROZ SAYS THE TWELVE STEP PROGRAM EMPHASIZES EDUCATION, SELF-AWARENESS AND PERSONAL GROWTH TOWARD A SUSTAINED RECOVERY.  HE SAYS THE PROGRAM WAS INITIATED LAST YEAR TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION AND THIS SECOND SESSION WAS EQUALLY SUCCESSFUL.  GUIDROZ SAYS THEY ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING REHABILITATION OPPORTUNITIES THAT HELP INMATES HAVE THE TOOLS NEEDED FOR LONG-TERM RECOVERY AND SUCCESSFUL REINTIGRATION IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTM IS CONTINUING A SERIES OF COMMUNITY MEETINGS REGARDING PLANS FOR A NEW SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT.  GEORGE FAUST HAS MORE.

VOICER B :34

A BILL IN THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE PROPOSES REMOVING THE STATE BOARD OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION FROM THE LIST OF OFFICES INCLUDED IN PARTY PRIMARY ELECTIONS.  CLOSED PARTY PRIMARIES BEGIN THIS YEAR FOR SELECT OFFICES INCLUDING CONGRESSIONAL RACES.  IF THE BILL BY REPUBLICAN ALAN SEABAUGH OF MANY IS APPROVED, IT WOULD GO INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST FIRST, AFTER THIS YEAR’S PARTY PRIMARIES.  THE REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION FOR THIS YEAR BEGINS MARCH NINTH.

A RAYNE MAN, WHO WAS ARRESTED ON AN OUTSTANDING DRUG WARRANT, HAD DRUGS ON HIM WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES.  FORTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD JOSHUA CORMIER WAS ARRESTED ON A WARANT FROM THE DUSON POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR DISTRIBUTION OF FENTANYL.  AN OFFICER WHO ARRESTED CORMIER FOUND SEVERAL BAGGIES OF METH LACED WITH FENTANYL.  AS A RESULT, HE WAS CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF METH LESS THAN TWENTY-EIGHT GRAMS, WHICH IS A FELONY.

A SAINT MARTIN PARISH GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED FORMER LAFAYETTE MAYOR PRESIDENT JOSH GUILLORY ON MALFEASANCE CHARGES.  IN AUGUST, AN AUDIT BY THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR DETERMINED GUILLORY’S DECISION TO REMOVE SPOIL BANKS IN SAINT MARTIN PARISH VIOLATED FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.  GUILLORY WAS BOOKED INTO THE SAINT MARTIN PARISH JAIL ON FOUR COUNTS OF MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE.  HIS BOND WAS SET AT THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

THE SAINT LANDRY PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS REPORTING DRAMATIC DECREASES IN SPEEDING WHERE THEY HAVE PLACED MONITORING TRAILERS.  THE TRAILERS HAVE BEEN PLACED ON ROADWAYS WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT TRAFFIC COMPLAINTS FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS.  THE SPEEDING RATES IN MONITORED ARES HAS DROPPED FROM AS HIGH AS NINETY-FIVE PERCENT IN TWENTY-TWENTY-THREE TO LESS THAN THREE PERCENT THIS YEAR.  THOSE WHO LIVE ON BUSY ROADS THAT HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT SPEEDING CAN CONTACT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO REQUEST MONITORING.

A FEDERAL GRAND JURY IN LAFAYETTE HAS INDICTED A LAKE CHARLES MAN FOR ALLEGEDLY THREATENING A MINOR WHO HAD POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF INTERRACIAL RELATIONSHIPS.  NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD CARTER MILES LEDOUX IS ACCUSED OF CONSPIRING WITH A NIHILIST VIOLENT EXTREMIST GROUP TO OBTAIN THE FAMILY’S CONTACT INFORMATION AND SENDING THREATENING MESSAGES THROUGH ANONYMOUS SERVICES.  HE ALSO REPORTEDLY SENT A HOAX CALL ABOUT PIPE BOMBS AT THEIR HOME.

U-S ATTORNEY ZACHARY KELLER SAYS N-V-E GROUPS ARE A SERIOUS THREAT TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL LIZ MURRIL WAS IN NEW IBERIA TO SPEAK TO THE KIWANIS CLUB ABOUT HER OFFICE’S LAWSUIT AGAINST THE U-S FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.  SHE WANTS THE COURT TO REINSTATE A RULE THAT REQUIRES ABORTION DRUGS TO BE DISPENSED IN PERSON BY A DOCTOR.  MURRILL SAID THERE ARE OVER NINE HUNDRED ABORTIONS A MONTH OCCURRING IN LOUISIANA DIRECTLY RELATED TO ABORTION PILLS, WHICH ARE ILLEGAL IN THE STATE.  THE FEDERAL HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK IN LAFAYETTE AND MURRILL SAYS SHE EXPECTS THE OUTCOME TO HAVE A STATEWIDE AND POSSIBLY A NATIONAL IMPACT.

THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT U-L PRESIDENT KICKED INTO HIGH GEAR YESTERDAY AS THE SEMIFINALISTS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY MEMBERS OF THE THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA SYSTEM.  GEORGE FAUST HAS THE DETAILS.

VOICER C :42

THE CITY OF ABBEVILLE ISSUED A BOIL WATER ADVISORY FOR ALL RESIDENTS.  THAT’S BECAUSE OF A MINOR REPAIR THAT WAS NEEDED TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE SYSTEM.  THE BOIL WATER ADVISORY WILL BE LIFTED ONCE THE WATER IS TESTED AND FOUND TO MEET ALL LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STANDARDS.

A SUSPECT IN A HOUSE FIRE IN MAMOU LAST MONTH HAS BEEN ARRESTED.  THIRTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD DANIEL FONTENOT OF TURKEY CREEK HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ARSON AND SIMPLE BURGLARY.  THE MAMOU FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE HOUSE FIRE ON RAILROAD AVENUE ON THE AFTERNOON OF JANUARY THIRD.  IT WAS LATER DETERMINED TO BE DELIBERATLY SET.

A LAKE CHARLES MAN HAS BEEN INDICTED BY A FEDERAL GRAND JURY FOR THREATENING FEDERAL OFFICERS.  TWENTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD ALEX FONTENOT REPORTEDLY POSTED A VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA THREATENING AGENTS WITH IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.  IN THE VIDEO, HE ALLEGEDLY STATED THAT IF ICE AGENTS ENTER HIS HOME, THEY’LL LEAVE IN BODY BAGS.  FONTENOT COULD GET UP TO A FIVE-YEAR FEDERAL PRISON SENTENCE IF HE’S CONVICTED.

A PERSON ASLEEP AT A HOME ON HERDSMAN LANE IN DUSON WAS AWAKENED BY A NEIGHBOR, WHO SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE STRUCTURE.  THE SCOTT, JUDICE, AND DUSON FIRE DEPARTMENTS WORKED TOGETHER TO DOUSE THE BLAZE AND THE MILTON FIRE DEPARTMENT BROUGHT ADDITIONAL WATER BECAUSE OF A LACK OF FIRE HYDRANTS IN THE AREA.  IT’S BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS STARTED BY AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION.  NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

TRAFFIC WAS BROUGHT TO A STANDSTILL YESTERDAY AFTERNOON ON A PORTION I-FORTY-NINE SOUTH OF OPELOUSAS, ON THE NORTHBOUND SIDE.  THE RAMP TO JUDSON WALSH DRIVE WAS BLOCKED DUE TO A CRASH.  THE CLOSURE BEGAN AT THREE-TWENTY IN THE AFTERNOON.  IT OPENED LESS THAN THREE HOURS LATER.

LOUISIANA SNAP RECIPIENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BUY CERTAIN SUGARY ITEMS WITH THEIR E-B-T CARDS.  GEORGE FAUST HAS THE DETAILS.

VOICER Y :30

THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING AFTER A MARDI GRAS PARADE ON RYAN STREET IN LAKE CHARLES.  THE SHOOTING HAPPENED AT AROUND SEVEN LAST NIGHT AT A PARKING LOT NEAR RYAN AND ALAMO STREETS.  ONE PERSON WAS WOUNDED IN THE ARM AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.  SHERIFF STITCH GUILLORY SAYS THEY HAVE ARRESTED ONE PERSON OF INTEREST.

LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ASK THAT YOU KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE CITY’S RECYCLING BINS.  GEORGE FAUST HAS MORE.

VOICER A :22

A FIFTH PERSON HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED NEAR THE SHADY OAKS APARTMENTS IN CROWLEY ON DECEMBER TWENTY-FIRST.  NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD DESHAWN TEZENO IS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED SECOND-DEGREE MURDER AND HIS BOND WAS SET AT TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.  POLICE SAY TEZENO WAS SEEN ON SURVEILLANCE VIDEO FIRING SHOTS FROM A VEHICLE’S PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW.  POLICE CHIEF TROY HEBERT THANKED COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR THEIR HELP IN RESOLVING THE CASE.

A PROPOSED BILL IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE WOULD CREATE A STATEWIDE REGISTRY FOR PEOPLE CONVICTED OF CERTAIN FELONY CRIMES INVOLVING ANIMALS.  THE BILL IS PROPOSED BY REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE BAYHAM OF CHALMETTE.  UNDER THE BILL, OFFENDERS WHO FAIL TO REGISTER WOULD FACE FINES UP TO ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND IMPRISONMENT UP TO ONE YEAR WITH OR WITHOUT HARD LABOR.  THE REGULAR LOUISIANA LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS ON MARCH NINTH.

A LAFAYETTE HOMEOWNER ALLEGEDLY SHOT A PERSON WHO WAS TRYING TO BREAK INTO HIS VEHICLE.  IT HAPPENED AT AROUND TWO-THIRTY SUNDAY MORNING ON STARLIGHT DRIVE.  INVESTIGATORS SAY THE HOMEOWNER CAUGHT SOMEONE ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO BREAK INTO HIS VEHICLE.  THE SUSPECT THEN REPORTEDLY BRANDISHED A FIREARM AND WAS SHOT BY THE HOMEOWNER.  THE SUSPECT WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL WHERE HE IS IN STABLE CONDITION.  POLICE ARE CONTINUING TO INVESTIGATE.

A MAN WAS FOUND DEAD THURSDAY MORNING AT A HOME ON SOUTH CORINNE STREET IN NEW IBERIA.  THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO FOUND THE BODY WERE RESPONDING TO A WELFARE CONCERN CALL INVOLVING A POSSIBLE MEDICAL EMERGENCY.  PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER CAPTAIN LELAND LASSETTER SAYS DETECTIVES ARE TREATING THIS CASE AS A HOMOCIDE.  CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATORS WITH THE LOUISIANA STATE POLICE HELPED PROCESS EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE.

THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS PARTNERING WITH FAITH HOUSE TO EXPAND CRITICAL SERVICES TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  THE SHERIFF’S OFFFICE SIGNED A CONTRACT ALLOWING FAITH HOUSE TO OPERATE OUT OF DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE OFFICE SPACE OWNED BY THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE.  IT’S HOPED THIS ENDEAVOR WILL HELP SURVIVORS GET MORE QUICKLY AND SAFELY TO SHELTER, ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT.  SHERIFF MARK GARBER SAYS THIS COLLABORATION SUPPORTS THEIR MISSION TO REDUCE REPEAT INSTANCES OF VIOLENCE BY CONNECTING SURVIVORS WITH RESOURCES THAT PROMOTE LONG-TERM SAFETY AND STABILITY.

A LAKE CHARLES MAN WAS ARRESTED FOLLOWING A SEARCH OF HIS HOME BY AUTHORITIES.  THEY FOUND DRUGS WITH A STREET VALUE OF OVER FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.  AUTHORITIES ALSO RECOVERED THREE STOLEN FIREARMS AND OVER TEN THOUSAND DOLLAS IN CASH.  THIRTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD DARREN CARTER WAS BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU PARISH JAIL AND HIS BOND WAS SET AT NEARLY NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

LOUISIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL LIZ MURRILL IS PLANNING ON SUING THE STATES OF NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA OVER ABORTION PILLS BEING SENT THROUGH THE MAIL.  SHE HAS ALREADY INDICTED A CALIFORNIA DOCTOR FOR PRESCRIBING THE PILLS AND MAILING THEM TO PATIENTS IN LOUISIANA, WHERE IT IS AGAINST THE LAW.  MURRILL SAYS GOVERNORS GAVIN NEWSOM AND KATHY HOCHUL ARE NOT ABOVE THE CONSTITUTION AND THEY WILL HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.  SHE SAYS DATA FROM ABORTION RIGHTS GROUPS SHOW NINE HUNDRED ABORTIONS TOOK PLACE EACH MONTH IN LOUISIANA LAST YEAR.

PORT BARRE POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR A BLACK TRUCK AND THE DRIVER IN CONNECTION TO A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED LATE MONDAY NIGHT.  POLICE CHIEF DEON BOUDREAUX SAYS THE SHOTS WERE FIRED AT A HOME ON BRUNER STREET AND AT LEAST ONE PERSON WAS INSIDE THE HOUSE.  BULLET HOLES WERE FOUND IN A BEDROOM WINDOW, A DESK CHAIR AND A MATTRESS, BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED.  SURVEILANCE VIDEOS HELPED INVESTIGATORS IDENTIFY A DARK COLORED, LATE MODEL FORD TRUCK AS A SUSPECT VEHICLE.

THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM IS HOLDING A COMMUNITY MEETING IN NORTH LAFAYETTE ABOUT A NEW K THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE SCHOOL.  GEORGE FAUST HAS MORE.

VOICER O :12

A TWO-POINT-ONE MILLION DOLLAR ANIMAL SHELTER FOR JEFF DAVIS PARISH IS NEARING COMPLETION BUT THERE IS NO FUNDING TO OPERATE IT.  THE PLAN WAS TO USE SURPLUS FUNDS FROM THE PARISH JAIL BUT VOTERS REJECTED THE TAX-FREE REAPPROPRIATION.  OFFICIALS PLAN TO REINTRODUCE THE MEASURE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.  THEY NOW ARE WORKING TO EXPLAIN BETTER THAT THE MEASURE IS NOT A NEW TAX BUT THE REALLOCATION OF AN EXISTING TAX.

AN ABBEVILLE MAN WAS CONVICTED BY A JURY OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND ARMED ROBBERY.  NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD ZYLON ZENON FACES MANDATORY LIFE IMPRISONMENT WHEN HE IS SENTENCED.  ZENON SHOT AND KILLED NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL WALKER AT THE ROBIE CIRCLE TRAILER PARK TWO YEARS AGO.  ZENON WAS WEARING AN ANKLE MONITOR AT THE TIME AND DETECTIVES TRACKED THE G-P-S, WHICH CONFIRMED HE WAS AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME.

A BREAUX BRIDGE MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING A CRASH IN IBERVILLE PARISH.  GEORGE FAUST REPORTS.

VOICER T :35

THERE WAS A REPORTED SHOOTOUT IN LAFAYETTE LAST NIGHT.  IT HAPPENED IN THE PARKING LOT OF LITTLE CEASAR’S PIZZA NEAR EVANGELINE THRUWAY AND MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE.  WITNESSES SAY SEVERAL SHOTS WERE FIRED BUT THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF ANYONE BEING HIT IN THE EXCHANGE.  LAFAYETTE POLICE HAVE NOT ANNOUNCED ANY ARRESTS.

HUNDREDS OF LOUISIANA RESTAURANTS WERE CITED AND FINED FOR FAILING TO DISCLOSE THAT THEY WERE SERVING IMPORTED SEAFOOD.  LOUISIANA LAW REQUIRES RESTAURANTS TO CLEARLY INDICATE ON THEIR MENUS OR ON A SIGN AT THE ENTRANCE WHEN THEY ARE SERVING IMPORTED SEAFOOD.  ACCORDING TO RECORDS FROM THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, NINE HUNDRED NINETEEN RESTAURANTS WERE CITED LAST YEAR AND THREE HUNDRED NINETEEN WERE FINED.  FINES COLLECTED TOTALLED ABOUT ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN THOUSAND, WHICH INCLUDED FINES IN JANUARY.

LAKE CHARLES POLICE HAVE RELEASED THE IDENTITY OF A MAN WHO FIRED SHOTS AT OFFICERS SUNDAY NIGHT DURING A STANDOFF.  LANCE CHIASSON IS CHARGED WITH FOUR COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.  NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE STANDOFF.  SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS SHOWED POLICE EVACUATING A MOTHER AND HER SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER TO SAFETY.

MANY RESIDENTS IN GRAND COTEAU MAY BE EXPERIENCING A GAS OUTAGE.  THAT’S BECAUSE OF A GAS LINE LEAK.  MAYOR PATRICK RICHARD ANNOUNCED THE LEAK AT LAST NIGHT’S TOWN HALL MEETING.  HE SAYS A GRINDING MACHINE STRUCK THE GAS LINE ALONG PERSIAN HIGHWAY.  CREWS ARE WORKING TO REPAIR THE LEAK.

LAFAYETTE COULD BE CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF A NEW NORTHEAST REGIONAL LIBRARY BRANCH BY TWENTY-TWENTY-EIGHT, ACCORDING TO THE ADVOCATE.  RACHEL GODEAUX OF THE LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT TOLD THE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD THEY ARE NEARING AN AGREEMENT ALLOWING THEM TO LEASE LAND ON LOUISIANA AVENUE FOR THE NEW LIBRARY.  SHE SAYS THIS SPRING THEY WILL BEGIN DESIGN AND SITE PLANNING.  THEN BIDS FOR CONSTRUCTION ARE EXPECTED TO GO OUT EARLY NEXT YEAR WITH CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR.

GOVERNOR JEFF LANDRY HAS ANNOUNCED THAT JULIE EMERSON WILL SERVE AS HIS CHIEF OF STAFF REPLACING KYLE RUCKER.  GEORGE FAUST HAS MORE.

VOICER S :18

STATE AND FEDERAL WILDLIFE OFFFICIALS ARE STILL SEEKING TO FIND THE PERSON WHO SHOT A BALD EAGLE IN VERMILLION PARISH.  IT HAPPENED ON DECEMBER FIFTH NEAR THE ROBERT AND WILMER ROADS INTERSECTION IN ERATH AND THE EAGLE DIED FROM THE GUNSHOT.  AUTHORITIES HAVE UPPED THE REWARD FOR INFORMATION THAT LEADS TO A CONVICTION TO FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.  THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE COULD FACE FINES UP TO TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS AND AS MUCH AS TWO YEARS IN PRISON.

AN ACADIA PARISH PRIEST HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON THREE COUNTS OF INDECENT BEHAVIOR WITH A JUVENILE.  FATHER KOREY LAVERGNE, WHO IS THIRTY-SEVEN-YEARS-OLD, IS THE PASTOR AT SAINT EDWARD CATHOLIC CHURCH IN RICHARD.  HE HAS BONDED OUT OF THE ACADIA PARISH JAIL.  THE DIOCESE ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING THEY WILL CONTINUE TO ASSIST LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THEY CALLED FOR PRAYERS FOR THOSE INVOLVED.

STATE POLICE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE IDENTITY OF A PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS STRUCK AND KILLED BY A CAR IN LAFAYETTE PARISH.  GEORGE FAUST HAS MORE.

VOICER U :19

A SULPHUR MAN IS IN CUSTODY AFTER SHOOTING AND WOUNDING A MAN EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.  THE VICTIM WAS IN HIS VEHICLE ON CHRISTY LANE WHEN SEVENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD LARRY HARDY BEGAN SHOOTING AT HIM.  WHEN CALCASIEU PARISH DEPUTIES ATTEMPTED TO ARREST HARDY, HE BARRICADED HIMSELF INSIDE HIS RESIDENCE AND, AT ONE POINT, REPORTEDLY FIRED A SHOT AT THE DEPUTIES.  HE WAS EVENTUALLY DETAINED WITH THE HELP OF THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE’S K-NINE UNIT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP URGED LOUISIANA CONGRESSWOMAN JULIA LETLOW TO RUN FOR THE U-S SENATE THIS YEAR.  HE SAID ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT SHE WOULD HAVE HIS ENDORSEMENT IF SHE DID.  LETLOW THANKED TRUMP FOR HIS ENDORSEMENT BUT GAVE NO INDICATION IF SHE WAS CONSIDERING A RUN.  SENATOR BILL CASSSIDY, WHO IS RUNNING FOR REELECTION, SAID IN RESPONSE THAT, IF LETLOW DECIDES TO RUN, HE IS CONFIDENT HE WOULD WIN.

THE UTILITY BILLING COORDINATOR FOR THE CITY OF RAYNE WAS ARRESTED FRIDAY ON SUSPICION OF THEFT AND RECORDS MANIPULATION.  TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD DYLAN KANE MENARD IS ACCUSED OF MANIPULATING METER READINGS WITHIN THE CITY’S BILLING SYSTEM BETWEEN MAY OF TWENTY-TWENTY-TWO AND THIS MONTH, JANUARY TWENTY-TWENTY-SIX.  MENARD IS ACCUSED OF MISAPPROPRIATING MORE THAN THIRTY THOUSAND KILOWATT HOURS OF ELECTRICITY AND TWENTY-SEVEN THOUSAND GALLONS OF WATER AND SEWAGE ON HIS ACCOUNT.  HE FACES CHARGES OF MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE, INJURING PUBLIC RECORDS AND THEFT OF BETWEEN A THOUSAND AND FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS.

AN ABANDONED HOME IN SCOTT WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE.  THE SCOTT FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE HOUSE FIRE IN THE SIXTY-EIGHT-HUNDRED BLOCK OF CAMERON STREET AT AROUND NINE SATURDAY NIGHT.  IT TOOK THEM ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES TO BRING IT UNDER CONTROL.  THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE BUT AUTHORITIES BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE BEEN STARTED BY A HOMELESS PERSON TRYING TO WARM UP IN THE COLD.

THE EVANGELINE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS ARRESTED TWO MEN IN CONNECTION TO A DECEMBER ELEVENTH TRAFFIC STOP.  ILLEGAL DRUGS WERE FOUND IN THE CHEVY TAHOE THAT WAS PULLED OVER.  THE TWO MEN IN THE VEHICLE, MARCUS DEWAYNE ROBERTS AND DAMIAN DUPLECHAIN, BOTH FOURTY-FOUR-YEARS-OLD, WERE ARRESTED.  THEY FACE CHARGES OF POSSESSION WITH THE INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE METH, COCAINE, CRACK COCAINE AND MARIJUANA.

THERE WAS A FIVE VEHICLE CRASH ON I-TWO-TEN IN LAKE CHARLES SATURDAY AFTERNOON.  LAKE CHARLES POLICE SPOKESMAN SERGEANT JOHN RUSSELL SAYS THAT, FOR REASONS NOT KNOWN, A WESTBOUND DRIVER WENT THROUGH THE MEDIAN AND STRUCK ONE VEHICLE BEFORE ROLLING INTO OTHER VEHICLES IN THE EASTBOUND LANES.  FOUR PEOPLE WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MINOR INJURIES.  BOTH LANES OF TRAFFIC WERE SHUT DOWN AFTER THE CRASH FOR ABOUT AN HOUR.

THREE PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN A CRASH ON JOHNSTON STREET IN LAFAYETTE YESTERDAY MORNING.  IT HAPPENED AT APPROXIMATELY FIVE-THIRTEEN AT THE E BROUSSARD INTERSECTION.  THE CRASH CLAIMED THE LIVES OF THIRTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD CHERITA WASHINGTON, SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD CHASE WASHINGTON, BOTH OF WHOM WERE FROM DUSON, AND TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH PREJEAN OF LAFAYETTE.  CHASE WAS A STUDENT AT LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL.  INVESTIGATORS ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE IF LOW VISIBILITY FROM FOG PLAYED A FACTOR IN THE CRASH.

THE LOUISIANA SUGAR CANE INDUSTRY HAD A VERY PRODUCTIVE SEASON, WHICH ENDED DECEMBER TWENTY-SEVENTH.  THE MILL IN SAINT MARTIN PARISH SURPASSED ITS GOAL OF FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY MILLION POUNDS.  TWO YEARS AGO, SOME GROWERS EXPERIENCED DECLINES OF UP TO FIFTY PERCENT DUE TO SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITIONS.  CONSISTENT WEATHER PATTERNS IN TWENTY-TWENTY-FIVE CONTRIBUTED TO A REMARKABLE RECOVERY.

A PROPOSAL BY THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND ENERGY WOULD LOWER OIL AND GAS ROYALTIES ON STATE-OWNED LEASES FOR FIVE YEARS.  SUPPORTERS OF THE PROPOSAL SAY IT WOULD ENCOURAGE NEW DRILLING AND REVIVE INACTIVE WELLS.  CRITICS WARN IT COULD REDUCE STATE REVENUES IN THE SHORT TERM.  STATE OFFICIALS ARE ACCEPTING PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSAL UNTIL JANUARY TWENTY-EIGHTH.

A SPEEDING VIOLATION ON I-TEN LED TO A HIGH-SPEED CHASE THAT WENT INTO SULPHUR.  THE SUSPECT PARKED HIS VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY OF A HOME AT THE CORNER OF LORETTO AND ARGIN STREETS AND FLED ON FOOT.  POLICE USED DOGS AND DRONES IN THE MANHUNT BUT NEVER FOUND THE SUSPECT.  TWO SCHOOLS, VINCENT AND HENNING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, WERE PUT ON TEMPORARY LOCKDOWN AND IT WAS LATER LIFTED.

A FORMER YOUNGSVILLE POLICE CHIEF HAS BEEN CITED FOR TWO VIOLATIONS OF THE LOUISIANA CODE OF GOVERNMENTAL ETHICS.  GEORGE FAUST REPORTS.

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THE CITY OF NEW IBERIA REMOVED A SPEED CAMERA ON DASPIT ROAD LAST MONTH.  THAT’S BECAUSE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ROADWAY IS NOT WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.  SEVERAL AREA RESIDENTS WANT THE CAMERA TO REMAIN IN PLACE OVER SAFETY CONCERNS.  LAST NIGHT THE CITY COUNCIL DRAFTED A LETTER TO BE SENT TO IBERIA PARISH OFFICIALS ASKING THEM TO CONSIDER MAINTAINING SPEED ENFORCEMENT ON DASPIT ROAD.

U-S SENATOR BILL CASSIDY OF LOUISIANA SAYS HE SUPPORTS PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ACTIONS TO TAKE CUSTODY OF THE PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA. HE PRAISED THE OPERATION BY U-S ARMED FORCES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO EXTRACT THE HEAVILY GUARDED NICOLAS MADURO WITHOUT THE LOSS OF AMERICAN LIFE.  CASSIDY SAYS HE’S COMFORTABLE WITH THE TARGETED EXTRACTION OF SOMEONE WHO’S COORDINATING CRIMINAL AND NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES AGAINST THE U-S.  HE SAYS LOUISIANA COULD SEE A NET BENEFIT WHEN OIL BEGINS GETTING PRODUCED IN VENEZUELA, AS IT NEEDS TO BE REFINED.

A PARK IN FRANKLIN HAS RECEIVED NATIONAL RECOGNITION FROM THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF PRESERVATION COMMISSION.  THE ORGANIZATION’S OFFICIAL QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, THE ALLIANCE REVIEW, HIGHLIGHTED TWENTY PROJECTS NATIONWIDE THAT TRANSFORMED ONCE BLANK OR UNDERUTILIZED AREAS INTO VIBRANT COMMUNITY ASSETS.  FRANKLIN’S POCKET PARK WAS SELECTED AS A MODEL FOR HOW THOUGHTFUL PRESERVATION AND COMMUNITY DRIVEN VISION CAN RESHAPE A DOWNTOWN.  MAYOR EUGENE FOULCARD SAYS THIS SHOWS THE EXTRAORDINARY THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER WITH PURPOSE AND PRIDE.

THIS YEAR WILL MARK THE OPENING OF THE BRAND-NEW EVANGELINE PARISH JAIL, WHICH HAS BEEN IN DEVELOPMENT SINCE TWENTY-TWENTY-TWO.  GEORGE FAUST HAS MORE.

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THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW WING AT ACADIANA HIGH SCHOOL IS RESULTING IN SOME MAJOR CHANGES.  PRINCIPAL JASON SAINT PIERRE SAYS STUDENTS WILL PARK AT THE FOOTBALL FACILITY OR THE FOOTBALL FIELD WHILE TEACHERS WILL PARK IN THE GYM AREA.  ALL ENTRY TO THE CAMPUS WILL BE THROUGH THE SOUTH DRIVE WITH BUSES IN THE LEFT LANE AND CARS IN THE RIGHT LANE.  IT’S RECOMMENDED THAT DRIVERS SHOULD GIVE THEMSELVES AN EXTRA TEN TO FIFTEEN MINUTES TO NAVIGATE THE NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN.

GOVERNOR JEFF LANDRY HAS SIGNED A PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING JANUARY AS HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH IN LOUISIANA.  IT CORRESPONDS TO A NATIONAL OBSERVANCE TO RAISE AWARENESS AND STRENGTHEN EFFORTS TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING.  AS PART OF THE INITIATIVE, SUNDAY IS NATIONAL WEAR BLUE DAY IN LOUISIANA.  RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO WEAR BLUE TO SHOW SOLIDARITY AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

A PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE ON L-A FOURTEEN IN LAKE CHARLES HAS DIED.  THE PEDESTRIAN HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS SIXTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD JOHN HENRY TAYLOR JUNIOR OF LAKE CHARLES.  HE WAS HIT BY THE VEHICLE ONE WEEK AGO ON L-A FOURTEEN NEAR BROAD STREET.  NO SUSPICION OF IMPAIRMENT WAS OBSERVED FROM THE DRIVER THOUGH THE RESULTS OF A STANDARD TOXICOLOGY TEST ARE PENDING.

AN INMATE AT THE SAINT LANDRY PARISH JAIL ATTEMPTED TO COMMIT SUICIDE FRIDAY USING PART OF METAL CEILING TILES THAT HAD BECOME RUSTED AND DAMAGED.  SHERIFF BOBBY GUIDROZ CREDITED A SUICIDE WATCH PLAN THAT OPERATED AS PLANNED FOR PREVENTING LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.  HE SAYS THE DAMAGED TILES WERE LISTED ON LAST MONTH’S BUILDING MAINTENANCE INSPECTION REPORT CONDUCTED BY CORRECTIONAL STAFF.  GUIDROZ AND PARISH PRESIDENT JESSIE BELLARD HAVE HAD AN ONGOING DISPUTE OVER THE MAINTENANCE OF THE JAIL.

FIRST BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL CELEBRATED THEIR EXPANSION WITH A RIBBON-CUTTING AND DEDICATION CEREMONY.  THE EXPANSION IS LOCATED ON CONVENT STREET NEXT TO THE CHURCH.  PASTOR JAMES PRITCHARD SAYS THE ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR-OLD BUILDING THEY WERE USING WORKED GREAT BUT, AS THEY GREW AND DEVELOPED, THEY NEEDED MORE AND BETTER UPDATED SPACE.  PRITCHARD THANKED THE LORD’S FOR HIS PROVISION AND SAID THEY ARE EXCITED.

LOUISIANA SECRETARY OF STATE NANCY LANDRY ANNOUNCED CHANGES TO THE STATE’S ELECTION PROCESS FOR THIS YEAR AS KEY RACES SWITCH FROM AN OPEN TO A CLOSED PRIMARY SYSTEM.  THE SWITCH WILL AFFECT U-S HOUSE AND SENATE RACES AS WELL AS RACES FOR SEATS ON THE LOUISIANA STATE SUPREME COURT, THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND THE BOARD OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.  UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, THOSE REGISTERED AS REPUBLICANS WILL VOTE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY PRIMARY WHILE DEMOCRATS WILL VOTE IN THE DEMOCRAT PRIMARY.  THOSE WHO REGISTER AS NO PARTY, WILL CHOOSE WHICH PRIMARY TO VOTE IN.

A MAN WANTED FOR REPORTEDLY SETTING A HOUSE ON FIRE WITH PEOPLE INSIDE HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER SURRENDERING HIMSELF TO THE SAINT MARY PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE ON SATURDAY.  THE HOUSE, LOCATED IN THE SIX HUNDRED BLOCK OF ROBERT STREET IN FRANKLIN, WAS SET ON FIRE DECEMBER TWENTY-SEVENTH.  THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE FROM THE HOME WITH NO INJURIES.  THE SUSPECT, TWENTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD JREVON ANDERSON, FACES THREE COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND ONE COUNT OF AGGRAVATED ARSON.