KAJN Jesus FM 102.9

VILLE PLATTE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A HOMOCIDE.  A WOMAN CALLED POLICE TO EAST GENERAL BEAUREGARD STREET WHERE HER HUSBAND WAS UNRESPONSIVE.  POLICE HAVE NOT RELEASED THE MAN’S NAME OR THE CAUSE OF DEATH.  KLFY TV IS REPORTING THAT THEY WERE TOLD THE VICTIM IS A BLACK MAN IN HIS LATE FORTIES.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAFAYETTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAS RESPONDED TO THE GROWING NUMBER OF VACANT RETAIL SPACES ALONG AMBASSADOR CAFFERY.  IN THE AREA WHERE THE OLD NAVY STORE USED TO BE, THERE ARE SIX EMPTY SPACES.  LEDA PRESIDENT MANDI MITCHELL SAYS LAFAYETTE IS A RETAIL AND ENTERTAINMENT HUB FOR THE REGION AND AMBASSADOR CAFFERY REMAINS AT THE HEART OF LAFAYETTE’S RETAIL SECTOR.  SHE SAYS IN A STATEMENT THAT, IN RECENT MONTHS, THERE’S BEEN SOME SHUFFLING ALONG THE CORRIDOR WITH MOST RETAILERS DESIRING TO BE NEAR THE KALISTE SALOOM INTERSECTION BECAUSE OF THE HIGH TRAFFIC COUNT.

A LAKE CHARLES MAN WAS ARRESTED LAST WEDNESDAY ON A NEARLY THIRTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD RAPE CASE.  ON JULY THIRD, NINETEEN EIGHTY-EIGHTY, DETECTIVES INVESTIGATED A COMPLAINT FROM A WOMAN WHO SAID SHE WAS RAPED BY A MAN WHO BROKE INTO HER HOUSE THROUGH A WINDOW AND KNOCKED HER UNCONSCIOUS.  BECAUSE OF UPGRADES IN TECHNOLOGY, THE SOUTHWEST CRIME LAB RECENTLY RESUBMITTED DNA EVIDENCE TO THE COMBINED D-N-A INDEX SYSTEMS, WHICH IDENTIFIED FIFTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DARTANYAN BREAUX AS A DNA MATCH.  HE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED RAPE AND HIS BOND WAS SET AT NINE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

IDENTITY THEFTS IN LOUISIANA HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE TWENTY-NINETEEN, ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE COMPARISON WEBSITE, QUOTE WIZARD.  LOUISIANA HAS SEEN ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE PERCENT INCREASE IN IDENTITY THEFTS SINCE TWENTY-NINETEEN, THE THIRD HIGHEST INCREASE OF ANY STATE IN THE NATION.  LAST YEAR, LOUISIANA HAD ALMOST TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND IDENTITY THEFT REPORTS.  LOUISIANA ALSO HAD THE SECOND HIGHEST RATE OF REPORTED IDENTITY THEFTS.

SAINT LANDRY PARISH PRESIDENT JESSIE BELLARD WAS IN COURT MONDAY FOLLOWING AN INJUNCTION HE FILED AGAINST THE PARISH COUNCIL.  DANIELLE JOHNSON HAS THE DETAILS.

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THE YOUNGSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THEY WILL BE SCALING BACK CALLS TO THE UNINCORPORATED PARTS OF LAFAYETTE PARISH.  MAYOR KEN RITTER SAYS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MADE THE DECISION LAST WEEK BECAUSE OF A LACK OF FUNDING COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE CITY.  HE SAYS THIRTY PERCENT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLS ARE FROM THE UNINCORPORATED PARTS OF THE PARISH BUT ONLY A LITTLE OVER THREE PERCENT OF THEIR FUNDING COMES FROM OUTSIDE YOUNGSVILLE CITY LIMITS.  RITTER SAYS, BEGINNING MAY THIRTY-FIRST, THE YOUNGSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL NO LONGER BE RESPONDING TO LARGELY MEDICAL CALLS LIKE CARDIAC ARRESTS AND HEART PROBLEMS.

JENNINGS POLICE HAVE IDENTIFIED AN AUTO THEFT SUSPECT WHO WAS BELIEVED TO BE PROVIDING A FALSE NAME.  THE SUSPECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS JESSIE RAY COLLINS.  ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON, A VEHICLE WAS STOLEN IN JENNINGS.  IT WAS LATER RECOVERED BY VERMILLION PARISH DEPUTIES.

THE LOUISIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WILL HOLD ITS MONTHLY BUSINESS AND EXECUTIVE SESSION WEDNESDAY AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE OF THE SOUTH IN CROWLEY.  VICE CHAIRMAN MIKE FRANCIS, WHOSE DISTRICT INCLUDES CROWLEY, ENCOURAGES HIS CONSTITUENTS TO ATTEND THE MEETING, WHICH BEGINS AT TEN A-M TOMORROW.  HE SAYS THIS WILL GIVE ATTENDEES A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE COMMISSION DOES.  THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TRAVELS TO VARIOUS PARTS OF THE STATE OCCASIONALLY TO GIVE THE PUBLIC A CHANCE TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE.

THE MAYOR OF DUSON HAD A HEART ATTACK SATURDAY DURING EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES.  POLICE CHIEF KIP JUDICE SAYS MAYOR JOHNNY THIBODEAUX HAD THE HEART ATTACK WHILE PICKING UP LITTER.  HE WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL WHERE TWO SEVERE BLOCKAGES WERE REMOVED FROM HIS HEART AND HE IS NOW RECOVERING IN THE I-C-U.  MAYOR PRO-TEM CARROLL PEPPER IS HANDLING THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS UNTIL THIBODEAUX RETURNS.

NEW IBERIA POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A SUSPECT IN CONNECTION TO A SHOOTING ON WALTON STREET.  POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE OF THE SHOOTING AT AROUND SIX-THIRTY YESTERDAY MORNING.  A SHOOTING VICTIM WAS TRANSPORTED IN A PRIVATE VEHICLE TO A HOSPITAL IN LAFAYETTE, WHERE HE IS IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION.  TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD TAEKWON WILLIAMS WAS ARRESTED ON SEVERAL CHARGES INCLUDING ATTEMPTED SECOND-DEGREE MURDER AND POSSESSION OF A SCHEDULE ONE CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE.

A STUDENT AT F-K WHITE MIDDLE SCHOOL IN LAKE CHARLES WAS ARRESTED THURSDAY MORNING FOR POSSESSING A WEAPON IN SCHOOL.  THE FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS FOUND TO HAVE AN AIRSOFT GUN ALONG WITH A KITCHEN KNIFE, THREE-EIGHTY AMMUNITION AND ACCESSORIES FOR THE AIRSOFT GUN.  INVESTIGATORS WITH THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAY THAT AT NO TIME DID THE STUDENT MAKE THREATS.  THE BOY WAS BOOKED INTO THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER ON A CHARGE OF CARRYING A DANGEROUS WEAPON BY A STUDENT ON SCHOOL PROPERTY.

REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR STEWART CATHEY IS SPONSORING A BILL THAT WOULD DRAMATICALLY SCALE BACK HEMP LAWS THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.  CATHEY TELLS THE ADVOCATE THE LEGISLATURE UNKNOWINGLY GREENLIT A T-H-C MARKET IN WHICH GAS STATIONS, SMOKE SHOPS AND CANNABIS STORES SELL PRODUCTS THAT GETS USERS HIGH.  HIS LEGISLATION WOULD REDUCE THE T-H-C LIMITS TO TWO MILLIGRAMS PER PACKAGE, DOWN FROM THE CURRENT LIMIT OF EIGHT MILLIGRAMS.  HOUSE SPEAKER CLAY SCHEXNAYDER IS SPONSORING ANOTHER BILL THAT HE SAYS WOULD TIGHTEN HEMP RULES WHILE KEEPING THE INDUSTRY ALIVE, AND IT WOULD KEEP THE EIGHT MILLIGRAM LIMIT PER SERVING.

FIREFIGHTERS IN LAFAYETTE RESPONDED TO A FIRE AT THE WENDY’S RESTAURANT ON AMBASSSADOR CAFFERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON.  THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE FIRE BEGAN IN A DEEP FRYER IN THE KITCHEN.  THE RESTAURANT SUSTAINED SMOKE, FIRE AND WATER DAMAGE BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES.  THE WENDY’S RESTAURANT WILL BE CLOSED A FEW DAYS FOR CLEANUP.

OPELOUSAS POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

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A MAN WANTED IN CONNECTION TO TWO RECENT SHOOTINGS IN MAMOU HAS TURNED HIMSELF IN.  TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD VINDEZZ THIBODEAUX FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING TWO COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.  ON APRIL FIFTEENTH, THIBODEAUX AND TWO OTHERS ALLEGEDLY OPENED FIRE ON A VEHICLE IN THE FOUR HUNDRED BLOCK OF EAST STREET.  THE NEXT DAY, MAMOU POLICE SAY THIBODEAUX FIRED SHOTS AT ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING EAST ON MULBERRY.

THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS RELEASED A PHOTO OF A BURGLARY SUSPECT ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE.  THE SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY TOOK TWO WEAPONS AND A PURSE FROM TWO VEHICLES PARKED AT A HOME ON HIGHWAY THREE EIGHTY-TWO IN WELSH ONE WEEK AGO.  THE SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY WITHDREW CASH FROM AN A-T-M AT A CHEVRON STATION IN LAKE CHARLES.  THE SUSPECT ALSO ATTEMPTED TO MAKE PURCHASES WITH STOLEN CARDS AT A JENNINGS DOLLAR GENERAL STORE ON WEDNESDAY.

A THREE-YEAR-OLD GIRL WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN VILLE PLATTE.  POLICE CHIEF AL PERRY THOMAS TELLS KLFY TV THAT THE GIRL WAS SHOT UNINTENTIONALLY AT THE PARK VIEW APARTMENT COMPLEX.  SHE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.  THE GIRL’S IDENTITY OR THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SHOOTING HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.

THE YOUNGSVILLE CITY COUNCIL HAS APPOINTED A REPLACEMENT FOR KAYLA REAUX, WHO RESIGNED LAST MONTH OVER ALLEGATIONS OF SPECIAL TREATMENT BY THE POLICE.  THE COUNCIL ANNOUNCED THAT LOGAN LANOO WILL TAKE HER SEAT ON THE COUNCIL.  HE IS A NATIVE OF NEW IBERIA WHO HAS LIVED IN YOUNGSVILLE FOR SEVEN YEARS.  LANOO WAS CHOSEN FROM AMONG ELEVEN CANDIDATES.

A BILL HAS ADVANCED IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD CRACK DOWN ON ALLEGED SLUM LORDS.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS THE DETAILS.

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A SERIAL DINE AND DASHER HAS HIT MULTIPLE RESTAURANTS IN THE LAKE CHARLES AREA.  THAT MEANS HE ORDERS A MEAL, DINES AND LEAVES BEFORE PAYING.  THE DINE AND DASHER HAS VICTIMIZED MORE THAN TWENTY RESTAURANTS INCLUDING NINA P’S TWICE.  A SERVER AT NINA P’S, KAYLEIGH SEMAR, TOLD KPLC TV THAT SHE WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE THE MAN LOOKED LIKE AN AVERAGE GUY WHO CAME IN ACTING LIKE HE WAS WAITING FOR A FRIEND.

HOME SALES IN ACADIANA SPIKED LAST MONTH INDICATING A REBOUND IN THE MARKET.  THERE WERE FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY HOUSES SOLD, TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY-SEVEN OF WHICH WERE IN LAFAYETTE PARISH, A TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT INCREASE OVER FEBRUARY.  TOTAL SALES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER WERE THIRTY PERCENT BELOW LAST YEAR, WHICH WAS THE LARGEST FIRST QUARTER EVER, ACCORDING TO BILL BAQUE OF MARKET SCOPE CONSULTING.  THE NUMBERS WERE JUST BELOW THE FIGURES OF TWENTY-NINETEEN, BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, AND HIGHER THAN IN TWENTY-EIGHTEEN.

A DUSON WOMAN IS OFFERING A TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR REWARD IN AN EFFORT TO FIND THE PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR SHOOTING HER TWO DONKEYS THAT SHE NAMED FRED AND ASHLEY.  KELLI BRISCOE TELLS KLFY TV THAT WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT HER FIFTY ACRE PASTURE OFF OF RICELAND ROAD IN ACADIA PARISH, SHE FOUND THE MALE DONKEY DEAD AND THE FEMALE DONKEY ALIVE BUT SUFFERING A BULLET WOUND TO THE HEAD.  THAT DONKEY WAS TAKEN TO THE L-S-U VETERINARY HOSPITAL WHERE THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE SWELLING TO GO DOWN BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE BULLET, WHICH IS BLINDING HER LEFT EYE.  ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF K-P GIBSON SAYS IT MAKES NO SENSE TO SHOOT AT ANIMALS THAT POSE NO THREAT, AND THOSE RESPONSIBLE COULD BE CHARGED WITH CRUELTY TO ANIMALS AND ILLEGAL DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM.

EARLY VOTING FOR THE APRIL TWENTY-NINTH MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION IS ALMOST OVER.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

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CHURCH POINT POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING TWO SHOOTINGS THIS WEEK.  ONE HAPPENED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AT THE CORNER OF ROSELLA AND BEAUGH STREETS WHERE SPENT SHELL CASINGS WERE FOUND BUT NOTHING OR NO ONE APPEARED TO BE HIT BY THE BULLETS.  THE OTHER SHOOTING HAPPENED ON SOUTH BROADWAY NEAR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WHERE A PERSON SHOT SEVERAL ROUNDS AT A VEHICLE.  THE CHURCH POINT POLICE ISSUED A STATEMENT ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC’S HELP TO STOP “THESE RIDICULOUS ACTS OF VIOLENCE BEFORE A CHILD OR FAMILY MEMBER GETS SERIOUSLY HURT.”

IAN HOWARD, THE MAN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING AND KILLING LAFAYETTE POLICE CORPORAL MICHAEL MIDDLE BROOK IN TWENTY-SEVENTEEN, HAS BEEN FOUND COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL, ACCORDING TO MIDDLEBROOK’S MOTHER.  SHE POSTED ONE WORD ON FACEBOOK, “COMPETENT.”  MIDDLEBROOK’S WIDOW ALSO POSTED ON THE DEVELOPMENT SAYING EVERYTHING IS MOVING FORWARD AND TRIAL DATES WOULD BE SET AT A HEARING ON MAY TWENTY-FOURTH.  IN DECEMBER OF TWENTY-TWENTY-ONE, A JUDGE RULED HOWARD WAS NOT COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL BASED ON TESTIMONY FROM DOCTORS AND ORDERED HIM SENT TO A MENTAL HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

AN S-U-V CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO A SCHOOL BUS YESTERDAY AFTERNOON IN VILLE PLATTE.  EVANGELINE PARISH SHERIFF CHARLES GUILLORY SAYS IT APPEARS THE S-U-V CROSSED THE CENTER LINE, STRIKING THE SCHOOL BUS THAT HAD TWENTY CHILDREN AS PASSENGERS.  ONE OF THE CHILDREN WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MINOR TO MODERATE INJURIES.  THE TWO ADULTS AND THREE CHILDREN IN THE S-U-V WERE ALSO TREATED FOR MINOR TO MODERATE INJURIES.  CHARGES ARE PENDING.

A RUSSIAN TANK CAPTURED IN UKRAINE WAS PARKED AT PETO’S TRUCK STOP IN ROANOKE FOR TWO DAYS.  IT WAS BEING TRANSPORTED ALONG I-TEN TO THE ABERDEEN TEST CENTER IN MARYLAND WHEN THE TRUCK BROKE DOWN.  A PENTAGON SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE TANK WAS NOT ARMED OR DANGEROUS AND POSED NO THREAT TO THE PUBLIC.  THE TANK WAS CAPTURED FROM RUSSIA BY UKRAINE LAST SEPTEMBER.

A STATE HOUSE PANEL HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD DIVERT ROUGHLY EIGHT HUNDRED EIGHTY MILLION DOLLARS FROM A TEMPORARY SALES TAX.  THE MONEY WOULD BE USED TO PAY OFF DEBT TIED TO THE TEACHER PENSION SYSTEM.  THE BILL’S SPONSOR, RUSTON REPUBLICAN CHRISTOPHER TURNER, SAYS THIS WOULD FREE UP MONEY TO PAY FOR TEACHER PAY RAISES REQUESTED BY GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS.  EDWARDS HAD PROPOSED THE STATE COVER THE TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR ANNUAL PAY RAISE OUT OF ITS OWN POCKET, WHICH WOULD COST ONE HUNDRED NINETY-SEVEN MILLION ANNUALLY.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE VINCENT PIERRE HAS WEIGHED IN ON THE ONGOING CONVERSATION REGARDING PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK SAFETY SAYING IT IS A MATTER OF ENFORCEMENT.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

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HERE’S SYLVIA MASTERS AGAIN WITH NEW INFORMATION ON AN OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING IN LAFAYETTE.

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SAINT MARTIN PARISH PRESIDENT CHESTER CEDARS HAS ANNOUNCED HE WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION.  HE BEGAN AS PARISH PRESIDENT IN MARCH OF TWENTY-EIGHTEEN AND WILL FINISH OUT HIS TERM, WHICH EXPIRES IN JANUARY.  CEDARS CALLED HIS TENURE IN OFFICE BOTH CHALLENGING AND REWARDING AND EXPRESSED THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.  BEFORE HIS TIME IN OFFICE, CEDARS WAS LEAD PROSECUTOR FOR THE PARISH FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS.

FOUR PEOPLE WERE INSIDE A HOUSE ON BUNCHE STREET IN LAFAYETTE WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE BUT ALL GOT OUT SAFELY.  FIRE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON ALTON TRAHAN SAYS, WHEN CREWS ARRIVED, FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE ROOF AND QUICKLY SPREAD TO THE ATTIC AND A LARGE SECTION OF THE ROOF.  BECAUSE OF THE FIRE DAMAGING ELECTRICAL LINES, L-U-S SHUT OFF POWER, AFFECTING HOMES IN THE AREA, AND IT WAS RESTORED ONCE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED.  OFFICIALS DETERMINED THE FIRE BEGAN ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE BUT THE CAUSE IS STILL BEGIN INVESTIGATED.

THE ANNUAL CROWLEY FLOWER SHOW IS TAKING PLACE TODAY AND TOMORROW AT BANK OF COMMERCE AND TRUST ON EAST THIRD STREET.  YOU CAN COME SEE THE EXHIBIT AND PICK UP A FREE PLANTING.

THE ACTIVIST GROUP, VILLAGE THREE-THREE-SEVEN, WERE AT LAST NIGHT’S LAFAYETTE CITY AND PARISH COUNCIL MEETING TO REQUEST BODY CAM FOOTAGE FROM A POLICE-INVOLVED SHOOTING BE RELEASED.  THE OFFICER, WHOSE NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED, WAS WORKING A SECURITY DETAIL AT LA BAMBA WHEN HE ALLEGEDLY SHOT AND KILLED TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD DEIONDRE SOLOMON.  THE GROUP’S PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR, DEVON NORMAN, ASKED THE COUNCIL TO SUPPORT AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING BODY CAM FOOTAGE BE RELEASED WITHIN FORTY-EIGHT HOURS OF AN OFFICER-INVOLVED INCIDENT.  NORMAN SAYS HE ALSO BELIEVES AN OFFICER’S NAME, DISCIPLINARY HISTORY AND MENTAL HISTORY SHOULD ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC IF THEY ARE INVOLVED IN A PHYSICAL ALTERCATION OR DEATH.

AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING TO DETERMINE IF TWO PEOPLE ARRESTED BY OPELOUSAS POLICE ARE CONNECTED TO TWO SHOOTINGS.  ONE OF THE SHOOTINGS HAPPENED LATE TUESDAY NIGHT ON PAVY ROAD IN WHICH A WOMAN WAS WOUNDED AFTER MULTIPLE SHOTS WERE FIRED AT A HOME.  TWO MILES AWAY ON MIA STREET A MAN WAS SHOT IN THE LEG AND AN OFFICER CHASED A SUSPECT’S VEHICLE, ARRESTING THE TWO MEN, WHO EXITED THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO FLEE ON FOOT.  SEVERAL FIREARMS WERE FOUND IN THE VEHICLE AND A CRIME LAB IS SEEING IF THEY ARE A MATCH TO BOTH SHOOTINGS.

Campaign finance reports published Tuesday show Louisiana gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Jeff Landry has amassed more than $6.3 million, far more than any other candidate in the state. GOP State Treasurer John Schroder reported $2.4 million cash on hand. Trial attorney Hunter Lundy had one-point-eight million dollars cash on hand.  Republicans Stephen Waguespack, state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, state Rep. Richard Nelson and Democrat Shawn Wilson all reported less than $1 million in cash on hand.

JENNINGS MAYOR HENRY GUINN SAYS HE AND THE COUNCIL HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE OLD JAMES WARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHICH CLOSED IN TWO THOUSAND FIVE.  GUINN SAYS HE AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CURRENT OWNER ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE BUILDING IF IT REMAINS ABANDONED.  THE BUILDING COULD BE DEMOLISHED IF FIFTY PERCENT OF REPAIRS ARE NOT MADE BY JANUARY FIRST, ACCORDING TO KLFY TV.  THE COUNCIL PLANS TO DISCUSS FURTHER THE FUTURE OF THE BUILDING AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MAY NINTH.

THE DEATHS OF TWO PEOPLE FOUND INSIDE A LAFAYETTE PARISH HOME HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED AS A MURDER SUICIDE.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

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LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES AGENTS, PATROLLING THE ATCHAFALAYA BASIN IN SAINT MARTIN PARISH, ARRESTED A GRAMERCY MAN, WHO THEY FOUND IMPAIRED WHILE COMMERCIALLY FISHING FOR CRAWFISH.  SIXTY-YEAR-OLD BOBBY MCCLUNG WAS FOUND TO HAVE MARIJUANA IN HIS VESSEL.  HE ALSO DID NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED LICENSE FOR COMMERCIAL HARVESTING OF CRAWFISH AND SIX BAGS OF LIVE CRAWFISH WERE PUT BACK IN THE WATER.  MCCLUNG FAILED A FIELD SOBRIETY TEST AFTER BEING ESCORTED BACK TO THE BELLE RIVER PUBLIC BOAT LAUNCH AND WAS CHARGED WITH D-W-I ON THE WATER AND OTHER CHARGES.

AFTER NUMEROUS REPORTS OF DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGS ACROSS THE STATE, CLAIMING THE LIVES OF INNOCENT PEOPLE, ONE LEGISLATOR IS LOOKING TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

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CROWLEY POLICE ARE ASKING THE PUBLIC’S HELP IN IDENTIFYING THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR A SHOOTING ONE WEEK AGO IN WHICH TWO PEOPLE WERE WOUNDED, ONE CRITICALLY.  MULTIPLE SUSPECTS EMERGED FROM A WOODED AREA AND FIRED ON A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THE SIX HUNDRED BLOCK OF WEST TENTH STREET AT AROUND ELEVEN P-M ON APRIL THE ELEVENTH.  THE SUSPECTS, WHO ARE BELIEVED TO BE JUVENILES OR YOUNG ADULT BLACK MALES, WERE LAST SEEN BEING PICKED UP BY SOMEONE DRIVING A GREEN SEDAN, BELIEVED TO BE A GRAND MARQUIS.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED 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.

BREAUX BRIDGE POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR A SUSPECT WANTED IN CONNECTION TO A SHOOTING ON WEST PATIN STREET.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

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TWO PEOPLE WERE FOUND DEAD INSIDE A HOME IN LAFAYETTE PARISH YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.  DEPUTIES RESPONDING TO A SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES CALL FOUND THE BODIES IN A HOME ON NORTH GIROURD ROAD.  A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS THE INCIDENT APPEARS TO BE DOMESTIC IN NATURE.  NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS MADE AVAILABLE.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD NELSON OF MANDEVILLE HAS PULLED HIS PLAN TO ELIMINATE LOUISIANA’S INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.  HE CONCEDED THAT THE PLAN WAS TOO COMPLICATED AND UPSET TOO MANY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS TO GET PASSED.  THE PLAN WOULD HAVE REPLACED THE INCOME TAX WITH A HIGHER PROPERTY TAX AND SALES TAXES ON ITEMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE NOW EXEMPT.  NELSON IS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR AND WILL PRESENT HIS PLAN TO VOTERS AS PART OF HIS CAMPAIGN.

A WATER OUTAGE IS SCHEDULED FOR THE TOWN OF ELTON TOMORROW.  A WATER VALVE WILL BE REPAIRED.  THE OUTAGE IS EXPECTED TO LAST ABOUT FIVE HOURS.  ONCE THE WATER IS TURNED BACK ON, RESIDENTS WILL BE UNDER A BOIL WATER ADVISORY.

ANIMAL HOARDING IS ON THE RISE IN ACADIA PARISH WHICH IS LEADING TO OVERCROWDING IN THE PARISH’S SHELTERS.  LISA PRIMEAUX, WHO’S BEEN RESCUING ANIMALS FROM EUTHANIZATION, TELLS KATC SHE WAS ON THE SCENE OF A HOARDING CASE THIS PAST SATURDAY INVOLVING THIRTY-THREE DOGS.  SHE SAYS IT WAS THE FOURTH HOARDING CASE SHE’S BEEN ON THIS MONTH.  BRYAN BORILL WITH THE ACADIA PARISH POLICE JURY SAYS THEY ARE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF REVISITING PLANS TO EXPAND THE PARISH SHELTER.

THE YOUNGSVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL APPOINT SOMEONE TO FILL THE SEAT OF COUNCILMEMBER KAYLA MENARD REAUX AT A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT.  REAUX RESIGNED AT THE END OF MARCH FOLLOWING NEWS REPORTS ABOUT HER BEHAVIOR AT THE SCENE OF A NOVEMBER CRASH.  ELEVEN PEOPLE HAVE APPLIED FOR THE INTERIM COUNCIL POSITION.  A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR A PERMENANT REPLACEMENT WILL BE HELD IN OCTOBER.

Adult websites that don’t require their users in Louisiana to present proof of their age could face fines of $5,000 a day under a bill advancing in the House. Lawmakers in the state House overwhelmingly approved the measure on Monday and sent it to the Senate. The legislation would allow the state’s Attorney General to investigate and fine adult websites that do not comply with the state’s recently enacted age verification law. The bill is a companion to a law that went into effect at the start of the year that requires adult websites to screen their visitors using “reasonable age verification.”

NINETY-FOUR SHOTS WERE FIRED AT A HOME IN OPELOUSAS LAST NIGHT.  THE HOME WAS LOCATED IN THE ONE HUNDRED BLOCK OF PAVY ROAD.  A THIRTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN THE HOME WAS TAKEN TO LAFAYETTE GENERAL BECAUSE OF A GUNSHUT WOUND TO THE ELBOW.  AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE SHOOTING IS ONGOING.

THE FAMILY OF A MAN SHOT AND KILLED BY A LAFAYETTE POLICE OFFICER IS DEMANDING THE RELEASE OF BODY CAM FOOTAGE.  TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD DEIONDRE SOLOMAN WAS SHOT BY AN OFF DUTY LAFAYETTE POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS WORKING A SECURITY DETAIL AT LA BAMBA BAR AND LOUNGE SUNDAY NIGHT, APRIL THE NINTH.  ON FRIDAY EVENING,  THE FAMILY OF SOLOMAN GATHERED IN FRONT OF LA BAMBA BAR WHERE A CROWD CHANTED, “NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE”.  A SPOKESPERSON FOR STATE POLICE, WHICH ARE HANDLING THE INVESTIGATION, SAYS IT’S UP TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO RELEASE THE BODY CAM FOOTAGE.

AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY AFTER A BODY WAS FOUND IN BREAUX BRIDGE OVER THE WEEKEND.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

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A STATE SENATOR FROM FRANKLINTON HAS INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WOULD BAN ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF TWENTY-ONE FROM ENTERING A BAR.  REPUBLICAN SENATOR BETH MIZELL’S BILL WOULD ALSO KEEP ANYONE UNDER TWENTY-ONE FROM WORKING AT A BAR.  IF APPROVED, BARS WOULD BE FINED BETWEEN A THOUSAND TO FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS DEPENDING ON HOW MANY VIOLATIONS THEY RECEIVE.  MIZELL SAYS THERE ARE TOO MANY UNDERAGE STUDENTS THAT ARE ABLE TO DRINK ILLEGALLY AFTER BEING ALLOWED INTO A BAR UNDER CURRENT LAWS.

KYLE MIERS ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY FOR JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF AT THE WELSH COMMUNITY CENTER THIS WEEKEND.  MIERS IS AN ARMY NATIONAL GUARD VETERAN AND FOUNDER OF THE “STAY ALERT, STAY ALIVE” PROGRAM.  MIERS SAYS HIS PASSION FOR PEOPLE AND KNOWING HE IS CALLED TO SERVE ARE THE REASONS FOR ANNOUNCING HIS CANDIDACY.  HE SAYS ONE OF HIS MAIN GOALS IS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY SO THERE IS TRUST.

FIFTY-THREE TENANTS AT THE RIVERSIDE APARTMENT COMPLEX NEAR OAKBOURNE IN LAFAYETTE WILL BE DISPLACED BECAUSE OF A MAJOR RENOVATION.  PROPERTY MANAGER SHAWN JOHNSON SAYS THE LIVING CONDITIONS HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE OF YEARS OF NEGLECT.  HE TELLS KLFY TV THAT THEY’VE HELD A HANDFUL OF ROOMS AT ACADIAN CROSSING FOR THOSE DISPLACED AND THEY’LL HONOR THE SAME RATE.  MANY OF THE TENANTS HAVE EXPRESSED SHOCK TO KLFY TV AFTER RECEIVING THEIR EVICTION NOTICES.

THE CITY OF JEANERETTE SUFFERED SOME DAMAGE FROM STORMS THAT HIT ACADIANA SATURDAY NIGHT.  WINDS BLEW THE ROOF OFF OF THE WARD EIGHT RECREATION CENTER ON NORTH HUBERTVILLE ROAD.  MAYOR CAROL BOURGEIOS JUNIOR TELLS KATC TV THAT THE STORM APPEARED TO PACK PRETTY STRONG WINDS.  SEVERAL TREES THROUGHOUT THE CITY WERE KNOCKED DOWN AND THERE WERE POWER OUTAGES.

EARLY VOTING FOR THE APRIL TWENTY-NINTH MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION BEGAN THIS WEEKEND AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS THE DETAILS.

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THE SAINT MARY PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS RELEASED THE IDENTITY OF A HOMOCIDE VICTIM THAT WAS SHOT EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.  TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD TATRAVIA RASHANNITA BRYANT OF NEW IBERIA WAS BROUGHT TO A MEDICAL FACILITY IN FRANKLIN WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND AND SHE LATER DIED.  DETECTIVES HAVE LEARNED THE SHOOTING HAPPENED IN THE SAINT JOSEPH AREA.  ANYONE WHO HAS INFORMATION ON THE SHOOTING IS ASKED TO CALL THE SAINT MARY PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE.

FEDERAL PROSECUTORS IN LAFAYETTE SAID TUESDAY THAT A HIGH RANKING OFFICIAL WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES TOOK A PAYOFF FROM A YOUNGSVILLE MAN FOR A CONTRACT THE DEPARTMENT SIGNED WITH A  PRIVATE COMPANY IN OCTOBER OF TWENTY-TWENTY-ONE.  THE ADVOCATE OBTAINED RECORDS THROUGH A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST THAT SHOWED THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE AGENCY’S SECRETARY, JACK MONTOUCET.  THE YOUNGSVILLE MAN IS DUSTY GUIDRY, WHO WAS INVOLVED IN WORK FOR THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND WHO PLED GUILTY TO BRIBERY AND CONSPIRACY.  MONTOUCET HAS NOT COMMENTED ON THE REPORT AND GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS SAYS THEY ARE DOING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE AND THEY DON’T YET HAVE ANY SUBSTANTIVE COMMENT.

THE SEARCH FOR FORTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DARREL SINGLETON JUNIOR ENDED AFTER HIS BODY WAS FOUND SUBMERGED IN WATER.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

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In Louisiana, a Republican lawmaker has filed legislation that would make all adult criminal court records and certain juvenile court records and case information available to the public online, at no-cost. Currently, juvenile court records are confidential. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is running for governor this year, said he hopes the legislation will bring “truth and transparency” to the state’s criminal justice system. Advocates for incarcerated youths oppose the bill — some describing it bluntly as racist — saying it could have unnecessary generational effects on juvenile delinquents.

STATE POLICE LEARNED YESTERDAY THAT A LAKE CHARLES MAN, INVOLVED IN A TWO-VEHICLE CRASH MONDAY, HAS DIED.  SIXTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD DANIEL WAYNE MYERS WAS TRAVELING ON L-A THREE-SEVENTY-EIGHT WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE AND REAR-ENDED A PICKUP TRUCK THAT WAS SLOWED DOWN TO TURN INTO A BUSINESS.  MYERS LATER DIED AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH.  THE DRIVER OF THE DODGE RAM PICKUP THAT WAS REAR-ENDED SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.

LAFAYETTE POLICE HAVE MADE AN ARREST IN CONNECTION WITH A HOMOCIDE ON SOPHIE STREET THAT HAPPENED MONDAY.  THE VICTIM, WHO WAS FOUND LYING IN THE ROADWAY WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND, WAS IDENTIFIED AS TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD KENTREVON GALLIEN OF LAFAYETTE.  POLICE ARRESTED THIRTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD BRYSON BROUSSARD OF LAFAYETTE.  HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE LAFAYETTE PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER ON A CHARGE OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.

ON WEDNESDAY, A MAN ROBBED THE SAINT LANDRY BANK MAIN OFFICE IN OPELOUSAS AND THEN GAVE THE MONEY TO ANOTHER EMPLOYEE AND WAITED FOR POLICE.  THE FORTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD MAN DEMANDED MONEY FROM A TELLER AND HAD HIS HAND IN HIS POCKET, INDICATING HE HAD A GUN, BUT HE WAS, IN FACT, NOT ARMED.  WITNESSES INDICATED THE MAN MAY HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.  HE WAS TAKEN TO A MEDICAL FACILITY FOR EVALUATION AND, WHEN CLEARED, WAS TAKEN TO THE SAINT LANDRY PARISH JAIL WHERE HE WAS BOOKED ON A CHARGE OF FIRST-DEGREE ROBBERY.

Environmentalists and government watchdog groups have released a study estimating that Louisiana lost more than $82 million of natural gas in 2019 due to leaks, venting or flaring at production sites. The Environmental Defense Fund’s study was released Thursday. The state is looking into developing new rules governing venting and flaring. It said state fossil fuel producers wasted more than 27 billion cubic feet of gas in 2019.

TWO MEN WERE ARRESTED IN ACADIA PARISH BY ENFORCEMENT AGENTS WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES ON DRUG AND WEAPON CHARGES.  ON WEDNESDAY, THE AGENTS MADE CONTACT WITH THE MEN WHO WERE ON A FOURTEEN FOOT VESSEL AND SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF ALCOHOL FROM THE OPERATOR, THIRTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD ANTHONY MARTIN OF MORSE.  AFTER DETERMINING HE WAS IMPAIRED, THEY DISCOVERED HE WAS IN POSSESSION OF COCAINE AND HAD A CONCEALED HANDGUN.  THE PASSENGER, A MAN FROM PASADENA, TEXAS, WAS ALSO ARRESTED AFTER HE WAS FOUND TO HAVE MARIJUANA AND A CONCEALED HANDGUN.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY DON LANDRY SAYS HIS OFFICE WILL CONTINUE TO COOPERATE WITH A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM.  DUSTY GUIDRY PLED GUILTY LAST MONTH TO CONSPIRACY AND BRIBERY CHARGES, ADMITTING THAT HE AND AT LEAST TWO OTHER UNNAMED OFFICIALS EXTRACTED BRIBES FROM VENDORS WHO CHARGED DEFENDANTS FOR CLASSES AND OTHER REQUIRED PROCESSES.  LANDRY ISSUED A STATEMENT YESTERDAY SAYING HE LEARNED OF THE CHARGES AGAINST GUIDRY AND THE PLEA AGREEMENT TUESDAY.  HE SAYS THEIR ACTIONS WERE A SERIOUS BETRAYAL OF THE PUBLIC TRUST.

AT A SPECIAL MEETING LAST NIGHT, THE SAINT LANDRY PARISH SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO APPOINT DWANETTA SCOTT AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT AS IT SEARCHES FOR A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT.  SUPERINTENDENT PATRICK JENKINS ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY THAT HE WOULD NOT SEEK AN EXTENSION OF HIS CONTRACT WHEN IT ENDS IN JUNE AND, LAST WEEK, THE BOARD VOTED TO BUY OUT THE REMAINDER OF HIS CONTRACT.  THE NEW INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT WAS THE SUPERVISOR OF CHILD ATTENDANCE AND WELFARE.  ALSO DURING THE SPECIAL MEETING, THE BOARD VOTED TO MOVE ON WITH FIVE OF THE SEVEN APPLICANTS SEEKING TO BECOME THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT.

YESTERDAY THE LOUISIANA SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED WITHOUT OBJECTION A BILL THAT WOULD GIVE POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS A SLIGHT PAY RAISE.  UNDER THE PLAN, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FIRE FIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS WOULD RECEIVE A ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR A MONTH PAY INCREASE.  THE DECISION CAME AFTER HEARING FROM THREE LOUISIANA SHERIFFS WHO TALKED ABOUT THE STRUGGLES THEY HAVE HIRING DEPUTIES.  THEY SAY THE BILL, IF APPROVED, IS A GOOD FIRST STEP TOWARD HELPING THEM IN THEIR EFFORTS TO FILL JOB OPENINGS.

THE JEFF DAVIS POLICE JURY LAST NIGHT REJECTED A REZONING REQUEST FOR ONE HUNDRED ACRES ALONG PINHILL CEMETARY ROAD IN IOWA.  THE POTENTIAL BUYER, DAMON OATES, WAS WANTING TO PUT UP A CRAFTING SUPPLY BUSINESS THAT WOULD INCLUDE A FIFTY THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT FACILITY.  HE ASKED FOR THE PROPERTY TO BE REZONED FROM AGRICULTURAL TO COMMERCIAL.  DOZENS OF RESIDENTS ATTENDED THE MEETING EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC, AS A RESULT OF THE BUSINESS, TRAVELING ON THE NARROW ROAD.

A FORMER LAFAYETTE POLICE OFFICER WAS DENIED THE RIGHT TO APPEAL HIS TERMINATION BEFORE THE FIRE AND  POLICE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD.  DANIELLE JOHNSON HAS THE DETAILS.

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A PERSON FLEEING FROM SAINT MARTIN PARISH DEPUTIES MANAGED TO ESCAPE BY JUMPING INTO THE WATERS AT THE PORT OF IBERIA.  A DEPUTY ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE DRIVER OVER MONDAY EVENING FOR A MOVING VIOLATION, WHICH LED TO THE PURSUIT FROM SAINT MARTIN PARISH TO THE PORT OF IBERIA.  THE DRIVER OF THE SILVER TWENTY-TEN TOYOTA CAMRY IS BELIEVED TO BE A BLACK MALE.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE SAINT MARTIN PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE.

LOUISIANA HOUSE SPEAKER CLAY SCHEXNAYDER ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY HIS DECISION TO RUN FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.  THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AFTER THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE KYLE ARDOIN ANNOUNCED HE WOULDN’T SEEK REELECTION.  SCHEXNAYDER SAYS HE WOULD SEEK TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE SECURE AND RESPECTED ELECTION DIVISION BUILT BY ARDOIN.  HE JOINS TWO FELLOW REPUBLICANS IN THE RACE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER MIKE FRANCIS AND BRANDON TROSCLAIR.

MORGAN CITY POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A BELLE ROSE WOMAN IN CONNECTION WITH THE OVERDOSE DEATH OF THIRTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD HAROLD SHEETS LAST AUGUST.  THE POLICE ALONG WITH THE SAINT MARY PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE RECEIVED INFORMATION OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS THAT ALLEGED FORTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD CHRISTEN BROWN ADMINISTERED THE DRUG THAT LED TO SHEETS’ DEATH.  SHE WAS BOOKED INTO THE MORGAN CITY JAIL ON A CHARGE OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.  HER BOND WAS SET AT TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND.

THE BODY OF A YOUNGSVILLE MAN WAS FOUND MONDAY IN A SUGARCANE FIELD OFF OF L-A THREE-THIRTY-EIGHT IN VERMILLION PARISH.  SHERIFF’S DETECTIVES HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR MOHOMED NABIL QASEM AFTER HIS TRUCK WAS FOUND ABANDONED AT LEBLANC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.  DEPUTIES FOUND THE BODY IN A DOWN DRAIN IN THE FIELD AND WAS POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED AS QASEM.  AN INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING BUT FOUL PLAY IS NOT SUSPECTED.

LAST NIGHT, THE OPELOUSAS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A NINETY CENTS PER HOUR INCREASE FOR FIREFIGHTERS.  THAT’S BRINGS THE PAY UP TO TEN DOLLARS, FORTY CENTS PER HOUR.  INTERIM FIRE CHIEF RICHARD JOSEPH SAYS IT’S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT ITS STILL NOT COMPETITIVE WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN SAINT LANDRY OR LAFAYETTE PARISHES.   HE TELLS KLFY TV THEY DESPERATELY NEEDED THE INCREASE AS TWO FIREFIGHTERS RESIGNED LAST MONTH.

Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says he will not seek reelection in October. Ardoin has overseen elections in the state for the last five years. His departure marks another major shakeup in government leadership, as there will be five vacant state office seats without an incumbent on October’s ballot — the governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer and insurance commissioner. So far, two Republicans — Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis and Brandon Trosclair, a grocery store owner — have entered the race.

THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE MADE AN ARREST AFTER EXECUTING A SEARCH WARRANT AT A RESIDENCE WHERE THEY FOUND NARCOTICS.  PLASTIC BAGS WITH HYDROCODONE AND A PURPLE GRINDER WERE SEIZED.  THIRTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD CHARLES WOODS FACES DRUG POSSESSION CHARGES AND HAD TWO OUTSTANDING WARRANTS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF FENTANYL.  TWO CHILDREN, AGED TWO AND FIVE, WERE IN THE RESIDENCE WHEN DEPUTIES EXECUTED THE WARRANT.

A MAN DESCRIBED AS AN AGENT FOR THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE HAS PLED GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY AND BRIBERY.  DUSTY GUIDRY OF YOUNGSVILLE IS ACCUSED OF CREATING TWO COMPANIES TO ACCEPT BRIBES FROM FOUR DIFFERENT VENDORS.  IN THE PLEA AGREEMENT, GUIDRY ADMITTED TO ACCEPTING MORE THAN SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS IN BRIBES.  GUIDRY HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO REMAIN FREE UNTIL HE IS SENTENCED IN JULY.

THE EUNICE CITY COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING EXTENDING A CURFEW FOR JUVENILES BY ONE HOUR.  THE CURFEW PROHIBITS JUVENILES FROM BEING ON THE STREETS FROM TEN P-M TO FIVE A-M.  MAYOR SCOTT FONTENOT TELLS KLFY TV THAT THE POLICE CHIEF TOLD HIM THERE’S BEEN A SLIGHT DECREASE IN CRIME SINCE THE CURFEW WAS IMPLEMENTED.  FONTENOT SAYS EVERYBODY’S ON THE SAME PAGE AS FAR AS GIVING THE CHIEF ANY TOOL NECESSARY TO FIGHT CRIME.

NINETY-SEVEN PERCENT OF TEACHERS AND NINETY-EIGHT PERCENT OF SCHOOL STAFF IN LOUISIANA SAY THEY ARE NOT PAID ENOUGH TO RAISE A FAMILY, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE LOUISIANA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS.  THIRTY-SEVEN PERCENT OF TEACHERS SAY THEY ARE WORKING AT LEAST ONE OTHER JOB.  THE AVERAGE STATEWIDE TEACHER SALARY IS ABOUT THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS LESS THAN THE AVERAGE PAY OF TEACHERS IN THE SOUTH.  THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE WILL BE ADDRESSING TEACHER SALARIES IN THE REGULAR SESSION THAT BEGAN MONDAY.

A CROWLEY MAN WAS ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING SEXUAL ASSAULT.  IT HAPPENED AFTER THE SUSPECT FORCED HIS WAY INTO A HOME WITH A WEAPON.  ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES EXECUTED A SEARCH WARRANT AT THE HOME OF TWENTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD RYAN WILLIAMS, WHERE THEY FOUND SEVERAL ITEMS TAKEN FROM THE HOME OF THE VICTIM.  WILLIAM’S BOND WAS SET AT EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS.