KAJN Jesus FM 102.9

THE LAFAYETTE CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP, VILLAGE THREE-THREE-SEVEN, HELD A MEETING LAST NIGHT TO DISCUSS CRIME AND OTHER ISSUES IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY.  SOME CITY LEADSERS WERE THERE ALONG WITH PASTORS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.  JUDGE ROYAL COLBERTY SAID THE MEETING SHOULD HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH PEOPLE AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE AND CRIME.  THE GROUP IS SEEKING TO ACHIEVE A GOAL OF NO KILLINGS FOR TWENTY-FOUR HOURS BY HOSTING A HEALING EVENT AT HEYMANN PARK THIS FRIDAY AT THREE P-M.

A LARGE FIGHT BROKE OUT SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT AROUND FIVE NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTH LYMAN STREET AND EAST LAFAYETTE STREET IN ABBEVILLE.  ONE WOMAN SUFFERED A STAB WOUND BUT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, WHERE SHE WAS TREATED AND RELEASED.  POLICE CHIEF MIKE HARDY SAYS THEY HAVE OBTAINED WARRANTS FOR A WOMAN SEEN STABBING ANOTHER WOMAN IN A VIDEO THAT SURFACED ON SOCIAL MEDIA.  HE SAYS AROUND TWENTY PEOPLE, RANGING FROM TEENAGERS TO ADULTS IN THEIR THIRTIES, WERE INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT AND HE’S SURPRISED NO ONE ELSE WAS HURT.

A STARKS MAN WAS ARRESTED SUNDAY FOR SHOOTING AT CHILDREN WHO WERE PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK ON HIS PROPERTY.  RESPONDING DEPUTIES FROM THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE FOUND A FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL HAD A GUNSHOT WOUND IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD BUT IT WAS NOT LIFE THREATENING.  FIFTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD DAVID DOYLE TOLD DETECTIVES HE SAW SHADOWS OUTSIDE HIS HOME, RETRIEVED HIS FIREARM AND, WHEN HE WENT OUTSIDE AND SAW PEOPLE RUNNING FROM HIS PROPERTY, HE BEGAN SHOOTING AT THEM.  HE’S BEEN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BATTERY AND FOUR COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED ASSULT WITH A FIREARM.

REPLUBICAN LAWMAKERS IN THE LOUISIANA HOUSE HAVE ADVANCED A  BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE TEACHERS TO USE A STUDENT’S NAME AND PRONOUNS THAT ALIGN WITH THEIR SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH.  REPUBLICAN REP. RAYMOND CREWS AUTHORED AND PITCHED THE BILL.  A SUTDENT CAN RECIVED PARTNEAL PERMISSION TO USE PRONOUNS THAT DO NOT CORRELATE WITH THEIR SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH UNDER THE BILL  HOWEVER, TEACHERS CAN REJECT THE PARENT’S CHOICE IF IT IS CONTRARY TO THE EDUCATOR’S “RELIGIOUS OR MORAL CONVICTIONS.”

AFTER YEARS OF DEBATE AT THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE, YET AGAIN A BILL DESIGNED TO HELP FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE FIND HOUSING AFTER THEIR RELEASE HAS FAILED.   SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

VOICE H  :34

A SHOOTING AT HEYMANN PARK IN LAFAYETTE ON SUNDAY HAPPENED AT A PARTY IN WHICH MORE THAN A HUNDRED PEOPLE ATTENDED.  THE POLICE LEARNED IT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF A SOCIAL MEDIA POST AND THE ORGANIZERS DID NOT HAVE A PROPER PERMIT.  THREE PEOPLE WERE WOUNDED BUT ALL ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY.  SPOKESPERSON SERGEANT ROBIN GREEN SAYS ONE OF THE RESPONDING POLICE OFFICERS DISCHARGED HIS GUN BECAUSE OF A SUSPECT WHO WAS ARMED AND SHOOTING THE CROWD, BUT THEY HAVE NOT EVIDENCE THAT ANYONE WAS SHOT BY THE OFFICER.

LONG-TIME SAINT MARY PARISH CLERK OF COURT CLIFF DRESSEL IS ANNOUNCING HIS RETIREMENT.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS THE DETAILS.

VOICER  I  :19

A LAKE CHARLES MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR ATTACKING FAMILY MEMBERS WITH A KNIFE SUNDAY NIGHT.  TH CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD DYLLAN VILLA GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH A FAMILY MEMBER.  HE ALLEGEDLY GRABBED A KNIFE AND STABBED THE VICTIM IN THE CHEST AND CUT ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER, NEITHER OF WHOM WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED.  VILLA HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED BATTERY.

THREE PEOPLE WERE WOUNDED AFTER A SHOOTING AT HEYMANN PARK SUNDAY EVENING.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

VOICER G :39

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CONFIRMED AN E-F-ONE TORNADO STRUCK MORSE IN ACADIA PARISH EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.  SOME RESIDENCES ALONG SALLY ROAD SUFFERED DAMAGE INCLUDING GARY DAVIS, WHO TELLS KLFY TV THAT HIS CAMPER WAS PUSHED ON ITS SIDE, THE FRONT AWNING IS MISSING AND THEIR BACK FENCE WAS TORN DOWN.  RED CROSS REPRESENTATIVE HARRY MURPHY SAYS THEY IDENTIFIED FOUR RESIDENCES THAT QUALIFIED FOR ASSISTANCE.  ANYONE WHO NEEDS HELP CAN CALL ONE- EIGHT-HUNDRED-RED-CROSS AND SEE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE.

LIGHTNING STRIKES ARE BEING BLAMED FOR TWO HOUSE FIRES SATURDAY MORNING IN THE THREE HUNDRED BLOCK OF NORMAN DRIVE IN LAFAYETTE.  THE FIRE STARTED IN AN ATTIC IN ONE HOME CAUSING HEAVY DAMAGE TO THE ATTIC, BUT THE FAMILY MADE IT SAFELY OUTSIDE.  WHILE FIREFIGHTERS WERE PUTTING OUT THAT BLAZE, ANOTHER NEARBY HOMEOWNER NOTIFIED THEM OF A FIRE IN HIS BREAKER PANEL IN THE GARAGE.  THEY WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THAT FIRE WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE.

THERE WERE ALSO REPORTS OF DAMAGE TO HOMES AND BUILDINGS IN NEW IBERIA DURING THE SATURDAY STORMS.  THE NEW IBERIA FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS HIGH WINDS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE.  THE REPORTS CAME FROM CAROLINE STREET AND JEFFERSON ISLAND ROAD AS WELL AS FROM AN UNSECURED CONSTRUCTION SITE.  POWER LINES WERE DOWNED ON L-A FOURTEEN AT AVERY ISLAND ROAD.

A JEFF DAVIS PARISH GRAND JURY INDICTED A COUPLE ON SECOND DEGREE MURDER CHARGES IN THE DEATH OF A BOY WHO WAS YOUNGER THAN FIFTEEN.  THE BOY WAS FORTY-TWO INCHES AND TWENTY-EIGHT POUNDS AND AN AUTOPSY FOUND HE DIED OF COMPLICATIONS FROM MALNUTRITION.  THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES CALLED THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE, WHO LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATON IN OCTOBER.  FORTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD ADAM DUHON AND FORTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD JENNIFER DUHON FACE MANDATORY LIFE PRISON SENTENCES, WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE IF CONVICTED.

A BILL TO INCREASE THE AGE TO ENTER A BAR IS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN A SENATE COMMITTEE TOMORROW.  STATE SENATOR BETH MIZELL SPONSORED THE BILL THAT WOULD RAISE THE AGE TO TWENTY-ONE TO BE ALLOWED IN A BAR.  SHE SAYS THE MINIMUM AGE TO DRINK ALCOHOL IS TWENTY-ONE, SO THERE’S NO POINT FOR ANYONE YOUNGER THAN TWENTY-ONE IN A BAR.  MIZELL SAYS SHE BELIEVES IF THE BILL PASSES, IT WILL HELP PREVENT UNDERAGE DRINKING AND FUTURE TRAGEDIES.

REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE STUART BISHOP OF LAFAYETTE IS INTRODUCING A BILL IN THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE THAT WOULD ELIMINATE MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED INCOME AND SALES TAX CREDITS, EXCLUSIONS AND EXEMPTIONS.  THEY COULD EACH BE SAVED BUT THEY WOULD HAVE BE VOTED ON BY THE LEGISLATURE ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS BY JANUARY TWENTY-FIRST, TWENTY-TWENTY-SEVEN.  BISHOP ADMITTED HIS BILL IS VERY UNPOPULAR AND A SIMILAR MEASURE WAS VOTED DOWN TWO YEARS AGO.  HE TELLS THE ADVOCATE WE CAN’T KEEP SAYING WE PAY TOO MUCH IN TAXES UNTIL WE LOOK AT ALL THE GIVEAWAY PROGRAMS.

THE HEAVY RAINS LAST WEEK IN SAINT LANDRY PARISH CAUSED FLOODED ROADWAYS AND DAMAGE TO A BARN ROOF.  PARISH PRESIDENT JESSIE BELLARD SAYS CANALS NEED TO BE DUG OUT TO HELP REDUCE ROAD FLOODING.  HE TELLS KLFY TV THEY’VE HAD ISSUES IN THE WEST PART OF THE PARISH AND BY WASHINGTON.  BELLARD SAYS THEY ARE IN THE BID STAGE OF A PROJECT TO DIG OUT CANALS AND SOME BAYOUS, AND THE PROJECT SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST.

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL SUFFERED A GUNSHOT WOUND IN THE PARKING LOT OF A RACEWAY CONVENIENCE STORE ON CENTER STREET IN NEW IBERIA YESTERDAY MORNING.  SERGEANT DAESHA HUGHES WITH NEW IBERIA POLICE SAYS THE GIRL’S MOTHER WENT INTO THE STORE, LEAVING HER KIDS IN THE CAR.  THE CHILDREN FOUND A GUN AND THE FIVE-YEAR-OLD WAS SHOT IN THE LEG.  THE CHILD IS IN STABLE CONDITION AND POLICE ARE STILL INVESTIGATING.

AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IS BEING BLAMED FOR A CAMPER FIRE IN THE TWO HUNDRED BLOCK OF MARIE STREET IN LAFAYETTE.  THE CAMPER IN THE BACKYARD OF A HOME WAS DESTROYED BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED IN TIME TO PROTECT THE HOME.  FIRE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ALTON TRAHAN SAYS THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTAL AND HAPPENED WHEN BREAKERS ARCED AND IGNITED COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.  THE OWNER’S BROTHER WAS LIVING IN THE CAMPER AND ESCAPED WITH A MINOR BURN.

A THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS ARRESTED FOR MAKING THREATS TOWARDS A LAKE CHARLES SCHOOL.  THE BOY ATTENDS SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA CHARTER ACADEMY.  DEPUTIES WITH THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE ARRESTED THE BOY AFTER LEARNING WEDNESDAY HE HAD ALLEGEDLY MADE THREATS TO SHOOT UP THE SCHOOL AND STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL.  HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER ON A CHARGE OF TERRORIZING MENACING.

The Louisiana House has advanced a budget plan to the Senate that does not include a $2,000 teacher pay raise sought by the governor. Instead, it would steer a windfall of hundreds of millions of dollars in extra state revenue toward paying down retirement debt. Republicans say the plan is financially responsible and would save school districts money in the long run by letting them spend funds as they best see fit, including possible wage increases for educators. Democrats counter that without the Legislature specifically allocating money for pay raises, there is no guarantee that districts will do so on their own.

AN ORDINANCE PASSED RECENTLY IS DESIGNED TO REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN OPELOUSAS.  RENA CHARLES FROM THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TELLS KLFY TV THAT MORE THAN SIXTY-FIVE BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN OUT OF COMMERCE AND BUSINESS HAS BEEN ALMOST NON-EXISTENT FOR THIRTY-FIVE YEARS.  SHE SAYS THE NON-RESIDENTIAL VACANT PROPERTY ORDINANCE WILL GIVE THE COMMUNITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO START GETTING VIABLE AND WALKABLE AND HELP INCREASE THE CITY’S TAX BASE.  CHARLES SAYS REVITALIZATION IS IN THE EARLY PLANNING STAGES SINCE THE ORDINANCE JUST PASSED IN APRIL BUT THEY’VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BUSINESS AND PROPERTY OWNERS WHO SHARE THEIR ENTHUSIASM.

A FORMER SAINT THOMAS MORE TEACHER WAS ORDERED TO STAY IN JAIL BY A FEDERAL JUDGE AT A COURT HEARING YESTERDAY.  JACOB DE LA PAZ WILL STAY IN THE SAINT MARTIN PARISH JAIL WITH NO BOND UNTIL HE APPEARS BEFORE A FEDERAL GRAND JURY.  DE LA PAZ WAS ARRESTED LAST WEEK IN YOUNGSVILLE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ON A CHARGE OF ENTICING A MINOR TO PRODUCE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.  THE ALLEGED CRIME REPORTEDLY OCCURRED IN MID-JANUARY.

RESIDENTS OF IOTA SHOULD EXPECT THEIR WATER TO BE SHUT OFF PART OF TODAY.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS THE DETAILS.

VOICER F :20

LAFAYETTE POLICE HAVE MADE AN ARREST IN A HOMOCIDE THAT HAPPENED WEDNESDAY EVENING ON EAST SIMCOE STREET.  THE VICTIM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD RASHEED CARMOUCHE OF LAFAYETTE, WHO WAS SHOT WHILE WALKING IN THE TWENTY-SEVEN-HUNDRED BLOCK OF EAST SIMCOE.  TWENTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD THOMAS WOODS OF LAFAYETTE WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH SECOND-DEGREE MURDER AND ILLEGAL DISCHARGE OF A WEAPON.  HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE LAFAYETTE PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER.

LAFAYETTE POLICE SAY ONE MAN IS DEAD AFTER A SHOOTING LAST NIGHT IN THE TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED BLOCK OF EAST SIMCOE STREET.  DANIELLE JOHNSON REPORTS.

VOICER E :37

NEW IBERIA POLICE HAVE RELEASED THE IDENTITY OF THE BICYCLIST WHO WAS KILLED IN A HIT-AND-RUN MONDAY.  FORTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD JEREMIAH WOOD WAS STRUCK BY A CAR IN THE SEVENTEEN-HUNDRED BLOCK OF CENTER STREET.  THE CAR ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN THE HIT-AND-RUN WAS FOUND AT A BODY SHOP IN BALDWIN TUESDAY NIGHT BUT THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF ARRESTS.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THE INVESTIGATION IS ASKED TO CALL IBERIA CRIMESTOPPERS AT THREE-SIX-FOUR-TIPS.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING POSSIBLE VOTING IRREGULARITIES IN THE TOWN OF ELTON.  PROPERTY OWNER RODERICK WILLIAMS TOLD KPLC TV HE FOUND A NUMBER OF PEOPLE REGISTERED WITH DIFFERENT LAST NAMES AND ADDRESSES BUT RECEIVING MAIL AT ONE P-O BOX.  KPLC TV CONDUCTED THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION AND FOUND DOZENS OF QUESTIONABLE VOTERS, SOME OF WHICH HAVE SINCE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE VOTING ROLLS IN JEFF DAVIS PARISH.  THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS AND TAX ASSESSOR JOANN BLAIR TELLS KPLC TV THAT THEY ARE WORKING TO DILIGENTLY REMOVE ALL VOTERS WHO CANNOT PROVE THEY LIVE WHERE THEY SAY THEY LIVE.

A BILL THAT WOULD ADD PROTECTIONS IN THE WORKPLACE FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE FAILED IN A HOUSE COMMITTEE.  THE BILL WOULD HAVE BANNED NOT HIRING, FIRING OR DISCRIMINATING AGAINST SOMEONE BASED SOLELY ON THEIR GENDER IDENTITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.  THE LOUISIANA FAMILY FORUM WARNED THAT IT WOULD HAVE BARRED EMPLOYERS FROM MAINTAINING SEPARATE SHOWERS, CHANGING AREAS AND RESTROOMS ON THE BASIS OF SEX.  THE VOTE AGAINST THE BILL WAS SEVEN-TO-FIVE.

A Republican-controlled legislative committee is rejecting efforts to increase Louisiana’s minimum wage, which currently aligns with the federal rate of $7.25 an hour. The bill failed Wednesday. The bill would have gradually increased the state’s minimum wage to $10 an hour in 2024 and to $14 an hour in 2028.

STATE AUDITORS IDENTIFIED TWO DOZEN POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS IN TWENTY-TWENTY-ONE- AND TWENTY-TWO.  THE GUILLORY ADMINISTRATION AGREED WITH SOME OF THE FINDINGS AND LAID OUT PLANS TO ADDRESS THEM. HOWEVER, THEY DISAGREED WITH SOME FINDINGS INCLUDING THE CONTROVERSIAL SPOIL BANK REMOVAL IN SAINT MARTIN PARISH AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF DETENTION PONDS.  THE AUDITORS WITH KOLDER, SLOVEN AND COMPANY SUGGESTED L-C-G MAY HAVE VIOLATED THE STATE’S PUBLIC BID LAW THREE TIMES, ALL RELATED TO DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

SAINT MARTINVILLE POLICE, USING D-N-A EVIDENCE, HAVE IDENTIFIED HUMAN REMAINS FOUND BY HUNTERS IN DECEMBER.  IT WAS DETERMINED THEY BELONGED TO SEVENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD ALBERT WILLIS, WHO WAS REPORTED MISSING IN JUNE OF TWENTY-TWENTY-ONE.  HIS FAMILY SAYS WILLIS SUFFERED FROM DEMENTIA.  THIRTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD PORSCHE CALAIS WAS ARRESTED ONE YEAR AGO ON OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE CHARGES AND FAILURE TO COOPERATE IN THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO THE DISAPPEARANCE OF WILLIS.

THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS SEEKING THE PUBLIC’S HELP IN IDENTIFYING THE SUSPECT IN AN ARMED ROBBERY IN MORSE ON SATURDAY.  AT AROUND SEVEN-THIRTY THAT NIGHT, A MAN IN A BLACK SKI MASK APPROACHED THE VICTIM, STEALING HIS WALLET AND SHOOTING HIM IN THE ARM BEFORE FLEEING.  THE SUSPECT WAS LAST SEEN IN A BLUE SEDAN HEADING SOUTH ON SOUTH JACKSON AVENUE.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS URGED TO CALL SEVEN-EIGHT-NINE-TIPS, WHERE UP TO A TWENTY-FIVE-HUNDRED DOLLAR CASH REWARD IS BEING OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO AN ARREST IN THE CASE.

A LAFAYETTE MAN WAS KILLED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH IN SAINT JAMES PARISH.  STATE POLICE SAY NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD DRAKE UPTON WAS NAVIGATING A LEFT TURN ON L-A FORTY-FOUR WHEN HE WENT OFF THE ROADWAY, OVERCORRECTED AND WENT OFF THE ROAD AGAIN, HITTING A TREE.  THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED AND UPTON, WHO WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT, WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE.  HE WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL WHERE HE LATER DIED.  THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

A VILLE PLATTE WOMAN AND A SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD JUVENILE WERE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING ON KIM DRIVE IN OPELOUSAS ON APRIL TWENTY-THIRD.  TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD SIERRA MORRIS AND THE JUVENILE ARE EACH CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND THREE COUNTS OF ASSAULT BY DRIVE-BY SHOOTING.  INVESTIGATORS LEARNED THE SHOOTING STEMMED FROM MESSAGES EXCHANGED ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND VIA THE PHONE.  AT LEAST ONE MORE ARREST IS EXPECTED.  THE VICTIM WAS TREATED FOR HIS INJURIES AND RELEASED.

AN IOWA MAN WAS AGAIN CONVICTED FOR ENTERING A HOME WITHOUT PERMISSION AND KIDNAPPING AN EIGHT-MONTH-OLD CHILD.  MARCEL DUGAR WAS PREVIOUSLY CONVICTED ON THE CHARGES BUT THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL OVERTURNED THE CONVICTION BECAUSE HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO REPRESENT HIMSELF.  DUGAR WAS ORIGINALLY SENTENCED TO THIRTY-SIX YEARS IN PRISON ON THE TWENTY-TWENTY-ONE CONVICTION AND THE SENTENCING FOR THE RECONVICTION WILL TAKE PLACE JULY FIFTH.  IN TWENTY-TWENTY, DUGAR ENTERED A HOME THROUGH A KITCHEN WINDOW AND TOOK THE CHILD FORCIBLY FROM ITS GRANDMOTHER AND LEFT THE HOME. THE CHILD WAS LATER FOUND UNHARMED.

A bill that would prohibit doctors from performing gender transition procedures on anyone under the age of 18 in Louisiana, received bipartisan support in a legislative committee Tuesday. The measure will advance to the Republican-controlled House for debate. Proponents say the bill will protect kids from life-altering medical procedures until they are mature enough to make such serious decisions. Opponents argue that the procedures are life-saving for transgender youths.

A BILL INTENDED TO HOLD PEOPLE AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR BRINGING FENTANYL INTO LOUISIANA ADVANCED OUT OF A HOUSE COMMITTEE MONDAY.  THE BILL KNOWN AS JAJA’S LAW, NAMED AFTER A TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO DIED AFTER TAKING A DRUG SHE DIDN’T KNOW WAS LACED WITH FENTANYL, WOULD ALLOW VICTIMS TO SUE PEOPLE OR FOREIGN STATES FOR DAMAGES RELATED TO THE UNINTENDED INGESTION OF FENTANYL.  THE PROPOSED LAW SPONSORED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN STEFANSKI OF CROWLEY WOULD PUT THE BURDEN OF PROOF ON THE PERSON OR FOREIGN COUNTRY.  STEFANSKI HAS ALSO SPONSORED A BILL THAT WOULD CREATE HARSHER PENALTIES FOR THOSE CONVICTED IN TRAFFICKING FENTANYL.

YOUNGSVILLE POLICE SERGEANT BRIAN BAUMGARDNER HAS RESIGNED FROM THE CITY’S CIVIL SERVICE BOARD IN ANTICIPATION OF AN UPCOMING HIGH PROFILE TERMINATION APPEAL HEARING.  THE APPEAL IS BY SERGEANT JUSTIN ORTIS, WHO WAS ONE OF THE RESPONDING OFFICERS IN THE CRASH OF FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER KAYLA REAUX IN NOVEMBER.  LAST MONTH POLICE CHIEF RICKEY BOUDREAUX FIRED ORTIS FOR ALLEGEDLY VIOLATING DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES.  BAUMGARDNER WROTE IN A LETTER THAT HE IS RESIGNING BECAUSE OF THE PROBABILITY OF RETALIATION BASED ON HIS VOTE IN THE TERMINATION APPEAL.

A CHURCH POINT MAN FACES CHARGES IN A DEADLY HIT-AND-RUN IN SAINT LANDRY PARISH.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

VOICER D :23

NEW IBERIA POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING ANOTHER FATAL HIT-AND-RUN CRASH INVOLVING A BICYCLIST THAT HAPPENED IN THE SEVENTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF CENTER STREET JUST AFTER NOON ON MONDAY.  THE MALE BICYCLIST WAS FOUND LYING ON THE GROUND BY POLICE AND HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.  BALDWIN POLICE CHIEF ANTHONY GIBSON SAYS THE SUSPECT CAR WAS FOUND LATE YESTERDAY AT A BODY SHOP THERE BUT, SO FAR, NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE.  VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AND DEBRIS FROM THE VEHICLE LEFT AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH HELPED POLICE TO IDENTIFY THE SUSPECT VEHICLE.

A FORMER TEACHER AT SAINT THOMAS MORE HIGH SCHOOL IN LAFAYETTE, WHO FACES A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT FOR ATTEMPTED PRODUCTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, HAD HIS FIRST DAY IN COURT YESTERDAY. IN A CLOSED VIDEO CONFERENCE, JACOB DE LA PAZ WAS TOLD WHAT THE CHARGES ARE, WAS READ HIS RIGHTS AND THE NEXT COURT DATE WAS SCHEDULED. DE LA PAZ WAS ESCORTED OFF THE CAMPUS OF SAINT THOMAS MORE HIGH SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY, AND THEN ARRESTED IN YOUNGSVILLE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. HE’S BEING HELD IN THE SAINT MARTIN PARISH JAIL WITH NO BOND.

VILLE PLATTE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED LATE SUNDAY NIGHT. SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

VOICER C :16

Louisiana lawmakers passed a bill in the House Monday that would extend the state’s motion picture tax credit program until 2035. The legislation, which advances to the Senate next, would allocate $150 million a year to film tax breaks. Opponents say that it is time for the incentive program to expire, slamming it for returning only pennies on the dollar to the state treasury. Critics say the money to fund the film tax breaks would be better spent in financially struggling sectors of the state budget, including education, infrastructure and law enforcement positions.

A LAKE ARTHUR MAN WHO WAS REPORTED MISSING HAS BEEN FOUND. FORTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD JUSTIN PARSLEY HAD NOT BEEN SEEN BY HIS FAMILY SINCE LAST AUGUST. PARSLEY WAS IN CALIFORNIA. HE WAS FOUND BY AUTHORITIES THERE AND WAS REPORTED SAFE.

LAFAYETTE POLICE DETECTIVES DO NOT BELIEVE A SHOOTING EARLY SUNDAY MORNING NEAR UNIVERSITY AVENUE AND WEST CONGRESS STREET INVOLVED GANG ACTIVITY, ACCORDING TO SERGEANT ROBIN GREEN. ONE PERSON WAS KILLED AND FIVE OTHERS WERE INJURED IN THE SHOOTING. GREEN SAYS DETECTIVES HAVE FOUND NO LINK BETWEEN IT AND ANOTHER FATAL SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED SATURDAY MORNING NEAR SIMCOE STREET. THE FAMILIES OF THE SHOOTING VICTIMS ON SUNDAY MORNING HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BUT THE NAMES HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED DUE TO THEIR AGE.

A MOBILE HOME FIRE IN FRANKLIN LATE SUNDAY NIGHT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND SUSPICIOUS IN NATURE, ACCORDING TO FIRE CHIEF CHUCK BOURGEOIS. THE FIRST RESPONDING UNITS REPORTED HEAVY FIRE THROUGHOUT THE MOBILE HOME, WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE FIFTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF RAILROAD AVENUE. THE MOBILE HOME WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE STRUCTURE IS A TOTAL LOSS.

THE LAFAYETTE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS RELEASED FINAL GRADES FOR NINE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE. SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

VOICER B :29

TO FIND OUT HOW YOUR WATER SYSTEM GRADED, GO ONLINE TO L-D-DOT-L-D-H-DOT-GOV AND GO DOWN THE PAGE TO RECENT NEWS.

A BICYCLIST WAS KILLED IN A HIT-AND-RUN CRASH ON L-A NINETY-THREE IN THE SUNSET AREA. FIFTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD RANDY THIBODEAUX WAS FOUND DEAD IN A DITCH BY A FAMILY MEMBER, WHO HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR HIM SINCE FRIDAY NIGHT. STATE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED ABOUT THE HIT-AND-RUN SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND ARE LOOKING FOR A METALLIC GREY TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN TO TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN HONDA ACCORD THAT WOULD BE MISSING A RIGHT-SIDE MIRROR AND HAVE DAMAGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS URGED TO CALL STATE POLICE TROOP I AT TWO-SIX-TWO-FIFTY-EIGHT-EIGHTY.

One person was killed and five others wounded in a drive-by shooting early Sunday in Lafayette. Police say unidentified people in a vehicle began shooting at people in another vehicle at around 3 a.m. just west of downtown Lafayette. Police arrived to find five people shot, one of whom later died. A sixth person with a gunshot wound later arrived at a hospital by private vehicle and was in critical condition.

An Acadiana teacher has been arrested after a video surfaced that appears to show him saying suggestive things to someone he says he tutors. Thirty-three-year-old Jacob de la Paz was arrested Thursday. and has been charged with the federal crime of enticing a minor to produce child pornography or child sexual assault material. De la Paz was a math teacher and track coach at St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette. Before that, he taught in Vermilion Parish schools from 2017 to 2022.

LOUISIANA PROSECUTORS HAVE, AT TIMES, REQUESTED AND BEEN GRANTED POSTCONVICTION DEALS TO REDUCE VERDICTS AND TRIM PRISON SENTENCES FOR VARIOUS REASONS.  IN TWENTY-TWENTY-ONE, THE STATE LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL GRANTING THAT POWER, BUT ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF LANDRY BELIEVES IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE IT GRANTS JUDGES THE POWER OF CLEMENCY THAT IS RESERVED FOR THE GOVERNOR UNDER THE STATE CONSTITUTION.  TOMORROW THE STATE SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR A CASE THAT CHALLENGES THAT LAW.  THE CASE INVOLVES WILLIAM WAYNE LEE, WHO WAS CONVICTED OF MURDER IN SAINT TAMMANY PARISH BUT WAS GRANTED A REPRIEVE LAST YEAR BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

THE NATION IS STRUGGLING WITH A SHORTAGE OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND IT’S AN ISSUE IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA AS WELL.  HOUSTON RIVER FIRE CHIEF DEAN LAPPE TELLS KPLC TV THAT THE HEART OF THE VOLUNTEER IS NOT THERE ANYMORE IN THIS DAY AND AGE AND HE DOESN’T KNOW WHY THERE ARE NOT MANY LEFT WHO WANT TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY.  WARD SIX FIRE CHIEF TODD PARKER SAYS HE BELIEVES THE PROBLEM IS THE ECONOMY AND PEOPLE NOT BEING WILLING TO WORK FOR FREE.  IF YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER AS A FIREFIGHTER, REACH OUT TO YOUR LOCAL FIRE DISTRICT.

LAFAYETTE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A DRIVE BY SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED SATURDAY EVENING.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

VOICER A :23

A GUEYDAN MAN WAS KILLED LATE FRIDAY NIGHT IN A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH IN ACADIA PARISH.  STATE POLICE SAY FORTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD CHAD ANDREW BREAUX WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON L-A NINETY-ONE NEAR SANDPIPER ROAD WHEN HE WENT OFF THE ROADWAY INTO A DITCH, STRUCK A CULVERT AND OVERTURNED.  BREAUX WAS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND WAS PARTIALLY EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.  A TOXICOLOGY SAMPLE WAS TAKEN FOR ANALYSIS AND THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

LOUISIANA IS ONE OF FOUR STATES THAT REQUIRE JURIES THAT BEGIN DELIBERATIONS TO BE SEQUESTERED OR CONTINUE UNINTERRUPTED UNTIL THEY REACH A VERDICT.  THE LOUISIANA HOUSE HAS PASSED A BILL ALLOWING JUDGES TO SEND DELIBERATING JURORS HOME.  BACKERS OF THE BILL BY REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD NELSON OF MANDEVILLE SAY IT ENSURES MORE VIGOROUS DELIBERATIONS AND FAIRER VERDICTS.  THE VOTE FOR THE BILL WAS EIGHTY-SEVEN TO SEVENTEEN AND IT NOW GOES TO THE LOUISIANA SENATE.

DETECTIVES WITH THE IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAVE MADE TWO ARRESTS IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED FRIDAY EVENING IN THE EIGHT HUNDRED BLOCK OF WEST END DRIVE IN NEW IBERIA.  TWO PEOPLE WERE TRANSPORTED TO AN AREA HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.  EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD DAMIEN JAMES HARDING JUNIOR AND A JUVENILE WERE ARRESTED AND EACH WERE CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, ILLEGAL USE OF A WEAPON AND AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.  THE ABBEVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE VERMILLION PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE ASSISTED THE DETECTIVES IN IDENTIFYING THE SUSPECTS.

A LAFAYETTE TEACHER WAS ESCORTED OFF A HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS AFTER A SUGGESTIVE VIDEO SURFACED ON SOCIAL MEDIA.  DANIELLE JOHNSON HAS MORE.

VOICER Y :18

A SAINT LANDRY PARISH GRAND JURY YESTERDAY INDICTED TWO PEOPLE ON MURDER CHARGES.  JASON LADAY IS ACCUSED OF SHOOTING AND KILLING HARRISON BORDENAVE ON MARCH TWENTY-EIGHTH OUTSIDE AN ANYTIME FITNESS CLUB IN OPELOUSAS.  HE WAS INDICTED ON CHARGES OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER AND FELON IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM.  THE GRAND JURY ALSO INDICTED SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD SA’DAVIAN GEORGE ON ONE COUNT OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER FOR THE DRIVE-BY SHOOTING OF RODERICK AARON JUNIOR NEAR BENNY’S SUPERMARKET IN OPELOUSAS.

CONTRACTORS, DESIGNERS, AND OTHERS COMPETING TO BUILD THE I-TEN CALCASIEU RIVER BRIDGE HAVE FORMED A GROUP TO DEVELOP A WINNING PROPOSAL.  THEY HELD A COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENT AT THE WEST CAL AREAN TO GIVE LOCAL BUSINESSES A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE.  ONE OF THE COMPANIES COMPETING TO GET THE PROJECT IS THE I-X-B BRIDGE GROUP.

I-X-B PROJECT MANAGER TOM MADISON TELLS KPLC TV THAT, THOUGH IT MAY NOT BE UNTIL LATE NEXT YEAR WHEN DECISIONS ARE MADE, THE PROJECT IS COMING, AND NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO CONSIDER IF YOUR BUSINESS CAN PARTICIPATE.

STATE HOUSE SPEAKER CLAY SCHEXNAYDER ABRUPTLY PULLED HIS BILL THIS WEEK, INTENDING TO TWEAK CURRENT HEMP RULES, AFTER GETTING A CHILLY RECEPTION FROM HIS COLLEAGUES, WHO WANT A STRICTER SET OF RULES.  SCHEXNAYDER AMENDED HIS BILL TO LIMIT HEMP-DERIVED T-H-C FROM EIGHT MILLIGRAMS PER SERVING TO FIVE MILLIGRAMS.  HE’S NOW HAMMERING OUT FURTHER LIMITS AND A BILL WILL BE HEARD NEXT WEEK, ACCORDING TO THE ADVOCATE.  TWENTY-SEVEN HUNDRED HEMP RETAILERS HAVE POPPED UP IN LOUISIANA AFTER NEW HEMP LAWS WERE PASSED OVER RECENT YEARS AND MANY OF THEM SELL GUMMIES AND TINCTURES THAT CAUSE PSYCHOACTIVE EFFECTS.

THE LOUISIANA SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A BILL BY STATE SENATOR HEATHER CLOUD OF TURKEY CREEK THAT WOULD LIMIT ACCESS TO SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONTENT IN LIBRARIES.  THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE LIBRARIES TO ADOPT CARD SYSTEMS IN WHICH PARENTS COULD SELECT A CARD ALLOWING THEIR CHILD TO CHECK OUT SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIALS.  CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS DO NOT SIGN OFF ON THE CARD WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ACCESS TO THAT MATERIAL.  TESTIMONY WAS CUT SHORT BY THE COMMITTEE EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE SEVERAL PEOPLE WAITING TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINION ON THE BILL.

A LAFAYETTE GRAND JURY HAS UPGRADED THE CHARGES AGAINST A LAFAYETTE MAN IN THE DEATH OF A ONE-YEAR-OLD CHILD LAST SEPTEMBER.  IN DECEMBER THE GRAND JURY INDICTED THIRTY-YEAR-OLD DILLON WAYNE CORMIER ON A SECOND-DEGREE MURDER CHARGE.  THIS WEEK, THEY UPGRADED THE CHARGE TO FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.  THE GRAND JURY AT THE SAME TIME INDICTED TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD DEZIREE SUTTOON ON A CHARGE OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AS WELL.

EXPECT DELAYS IF YOU’RE TRAVELING EAST ON THE I-TEN ATCHAFALAYA BASIN BRIDGE TODAY.  THE RIGHT LANE AND SHOULDER AT MILE MARKER ONE-TWENTY-ONE-POINT-TWO NEAR LAKE PELBA WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL AROUND THREE P-M.  ROAD CREWS ARE CONDUCTING EMERGENCY BRIDGE REPAIRS.  MOTORISTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE BECAUSE OF THE EXPECTED TRAFFIC DELAYS.

VILLE PLATTE POLICE MADE AN ARREST IN CONNECTION TO A SHOOTING DEATH THAT HAPPENED MONDAY AFTERNOON.  JAWASKI THOMAS WAS FOUND IN THE SIX HUNDRED BLOCK OF EAST BEAUREGARD STREET WHERE HE HAD DIED FROM A SINGLE SHOT TO THE BACK.  AN INVESTIGATION LED TO A WARRANT BEING ISSUED FOR JAMES JIMBO FONTENOT OF VILLE PLATTE, WHO WAS FOUND AND ARRESTED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF EVANGELINE PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES.  FONTENOT WAS BOOKED INTO THE PARISH JAIL ON A CHARGE OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND HIS BOND WAS SET AT ONE-POINT-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS.

A NINE-YEAR-OLD GIRL, WHO WAS UNRESTRAINED IN THE BACK SEAT OF AN

S-U-V, DIED IN THE CRASH THAT HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY ONE-NINETY IN SAINT LANDRY PARISH TUESDAY.  DANIELLE JOHNSON REPORTS.

VOICER X :29

THE YOUNGSVILLE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD HAS AGREED TO HEAR AN APPEAL OF THE TERMINATION OF A POLICE OFFICER, WHO RESPONDED TO A NOVEMBER CRASH INVOLVING FORMER COUNCILWOMAN KAYLA MENARD REAUX.  A REPORT BY THE ADVOCATE OVER HOW THE CRASH WAS HANDLED LED TO THE RESIGNATION OF REAUX AND A DECISION TO INVESTIGATE POLICE CHIEF RICKEY BOUDREAUX.  ON APRIL FOURTEENTH, BOUDREAUX FIRED SERGEANT JUSTIN ORTIS FOR ALLEGEDLY VIOLATING DEPARTMENT POLICIES RELATED TO RECORDS, CELLPHONE USAGE, INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND INSUBORDINATION.  HIS ATTORNEY WROTE A LETTER TO THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD SAYING ORTIS FIRING WAS NOT IN GOOD FAITH FOR CAUSE AND A VIOLATION OF A LOUISIANA LAW PROTECTING CIVIL SERVICE OFFICERS.

A TEXAS MAN WAS KILLED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE I-TWO-TEN BRIDGE IN LAKE CHARLES YESTERDAY MORNING AT AROUND FOUR-THIRTY.  FORTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD HENRY MILLER WAS TRAVELING EAST WHEN HIS CAR BECAME DISABLED ON THE ROADWAY.  HIS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER’S SIDE BY A PASSING MOTORIST WHO WAS DRIVING A TOYOTA CAMRY.  MILLER WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE WHILE THE OTHER DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.

Louisiana lawmakers have advanced a bill that would ban K-12 public school staff from teaching or discussing gender identity and sexual orientation, including in extracurricular activities. The legislation advanced in a House committee, 7-5 on Wednesday and moves to the Republican-controlled House floor for debate. Republicans argue that parents should broach these subjects with children on their own. Democrats say that the law demonizes and isolates LGBTQ people by excluding them from classroom lessons.

A BILL BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE DODIE HORTON OF HOUGHTON WOULD REQUIRE THE POSTING OF “IN GOD WE TRUST” IN EVERY CLASSROOM IN THE STATE.  IN TWENTY-EIGHTEEN, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A LAW REQUIRING THE MOTTO IN EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL.  IF HOUSE BILL EIGHT IS APPROVED, SCHOOL DISTRICTS WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO USE THEIR OWN FUNDS TO PURCHASE THE POSTER BOARDS.  THEY CAN ACCEPT DONATIONS FOR THE DISPLAYS.

CROWLEY POLICE HAVE MADE AN ARREST IN CONNECTION TO THE MURDER OF TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD STEPHON WILLIAMS AND THE WOUNDING OF ANOTHER PERSON LAST SATURDAY.  LAST NIGHT, FORTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH “CRIP” GUIDRY SURRENDERED TO POLICE AND FACES CHARGES OF FIRST-DEGREE HOMOCIDE AND ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE HOMOCIDE.  AT AROUND NOON SATURDAY, POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE OF THE SHOOTING ON DR. F-L JOHNSON AVENUE NEAR THE WEST HUTCHINSON AVENUE INTERSECTION.  WILLIAMS WAS ALREADY DEAD AND A SECOND PERSON, WHO WAS SHOT TWICE IN THE LEG, IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY.

THE OWNERS OF THE OLD TRAPPEY’S CANNING PLANT IN LAFAYETTE HAVE BIG PLANS TO TURN IT INTO A RIVERWALK CONNECTING TO THE VERMILLION RIVER.  STEHEN ORTEGO SAYS THE CITY IS WORKING ON DESIGNS FOR TWO PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES THAT CONNECT HEYMANN, LITTLE WOODS AND BEAVER PARK WITH TRAPPEY’S.  ORTEGO SAYS TRAPPEY’S WILL BECOME A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE FIRST PHASE COSTING A HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS.  HE SAYS THE PROJECT WILL BE A HUGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOOST AND A PLACE THAT PEOPLE IN LAFAYETTE CAN BE PROUD OF.

THIS SATURDAY, IBERIA PARISH VOTERS WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO RENEW A PROPERTY TAX THAT FUNDS PARISH SCHOOLS.  IT’S PART OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN THAT FUNDS IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR CLASSROOMS.  IN ACADIA PARISH, A LIBRARY TAX RENEWAL IS ON THE BALLOT.  LIBRARY DIRECTOR CLAIRE DORE SAYS THIS IS THE ONLY TAX THAT PROVIDES FUNDING FOR EVERY LIBRARY BRANCH IN THE PARISH.

HIGHWAY NINETY WEST OF PARKERSON AVENUE IN CROWLEY IS CLOSED FOR ABOUT THREE BLOCKS.  THAT’S BECAUSE OF A FIRE AT A BAR IN THE AREA.

STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A FATAL CRASH YESTERDAY NEAR LAWTELL.  THE CRASH HAPPENED JUST AFTER FIVE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON WEST OF LAWTELL.  PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, TROOPER THOMAS GOSSEN, SAYS ONE PERSON WAS KILLED IN THE CRASH.  THE IDENTITY OF THE VICTIM OR THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CRASH HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.

THERE WAS ANOTHER FATAL CRASH LATE YESTERDAY MORNING ON MOSS STREET IN LAFAYETTE.  POLICE SAY SEVENTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD THOMAS GREEN WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS CAR, VEERING ACROSS FIVE LANES OF TRAFFIC.  HIS VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND GREEN DIED FROM HIS INJURIES.  THE OTHER DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF MINOR INJURIES.

THE CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO APPROVE A SECURITY SERVICES CONTRACT WITH STRATIGOS DYNAMICS.  BECAUSE OF A RECENT WAVE OF SCHOOL SHOOTINGS NATIONWIDE, SUPERINTENDENT SHANNON LAFARGUE PROPOSED HIRING THE LAKE CHARLES-BASED COMPANY TO PROVIDE SECURITY AT SCHOOL CAMPUSES THAT DO NOT HAVE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.  LAFARGUE SAYS THAT, ACCORDING TO THE DATA, THE PROBLEMS WITH SCHOOL SHOOTINGS IS NOT GOING TO STOP.  THE CONTRACT WITH STRATIGOS GOES INTO EFFECT ON MONDAY AND WILL LAST THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

A proposed bill to decriminalize marijuana in Louisiana was short-lived, swiftly dying in committee Tuesday before ever reaching the House floor for debate. Democratic state Rep. Candace Newell briefly argued that her bill to decriminalize the possession and distribution of marijuana would provide opportunity for economic gains in the state. But a committee hearing the bill voted 9-4 along party lines to involuntarily defer the bill. That move Tuesday effectively killed the bill this legislative session.

From simple burglary to fentanyl-related crimes, a slew of bills that seek larger fines and longer jail time advanced in the Legislature this week. On Tuesday, lawmakers passed a bill in the Senate, 33-2, that would toughen penalties against people who produce fentanyl — a powerful opioid that is driving the country’s deadly overdose crisis. The bill will next be heard before a House committee.

WORK TO REPAIR DAMAGES TO IBERIA MEDICAL CENTER IN NEW IBERIA CAUSED BY A TORNADO IN DECEMBER IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR, ACCORDING TO PRESIDENT DIONNE VIATOR.  SEVERAL AREAS OF THE BUILDING HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, ACCORDING TO VICE PRESIDENT OF OUTPATIENT SERVICES, JACOB FREYOU, AS WELL AS MUCH OF THE EXTERIOR WINDOWS.  HE SAYS THEY DID A STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS WITH ENGINEERS AND WENT WITH RECOMMENDED WINDOW PANELS THAT ARE THREE TIMES STRONGER THAN WHAT THEY HAD.  FREYOU TELLS KLFY TV THAT THE REBUILDING IS EXCITING BECAUSE THEY’RE GOING TO BE STRONGER AND BETTER.

BEGINNING MAY THIRTY-FIRST, THE YOUNGSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS EXPECED TO SCALE BACK ITS RESPONSE TO MEDICAL CALLS OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS.  MAYOR KEN RITTER SAYS THEY ALSO NEED TO RECONSIDER ITS CONTRACT WITH THE LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT FOR FIRE PROTECTION OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS.  UNDER THE CONTRACT, WHICH EXPIRES IN NOVEMBER, L-C-G CONTRIBUTES SEVENTY-ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND RITTER SAYS THAT’S NOT GOING TO WORK.  IN AN EMAIL TO THE LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, RITTER SAYS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BOARD PROPOSED A MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION OF THREE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

OPELOUSAS POLICE ARE ASKING THE PUBLIC’S HELP IN FINDING THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR A SHOOTING EARLIER THIS MONTH.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

VOICER W :28