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A SUNSET MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER AUTHORITIES SAY THEY FOUND HIM WITH ENOUGH FENTANYL TO KILL MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE.  DANIELLE JOHNSON REPORTS.

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TRASH IS ILLEGALLY BEING DUMPED AND SET ON FIRE ALONG BEAU BASSIN ROAD IN LAFAYETTE PARISH.  FIRE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON ALTON TRAHAN SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN RESPONDING TO THE FIRES BECAUSE NEIGHBORS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SMOKE.  HE SAYS FIREFIGHTERS HAVE TO PUT OUT THE FIRES BECAUSE OF THE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO HOMES.  TRAHAN SAYS ANYONE CAUGHT DUMPING THE TRASH OR SETTING IT ON FIRE WILL RECEIVE A MISDEMEANOR SUMMONS AND A JUDGE WILL DETERMINE THE PENALTY.

A JEFF DAVIS PARISH MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER HIS WIFE ACCUSED HIM OF HITTING HER.  THE WOMAN SAID HER HUSBAND, FORTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD BRANDEN FURAY, WAS UPSET WITH HER FOR ALLOWING HER OLDEST DAUGHER TO STAY THE NIGHT.  SHE SAYS, DURING AN ARGUMENT, HE THREW HER TO THE GROUND AND HIT HER BEHIND THE EAR.  FURAY WAS FOUND BY DEPUTIES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THREE NINETY-FIVE, WHERE HE WAS STOPPED AND ARRESTED FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY WITH CHILD ENDANGERMENT, AND ON AN OUTSTANDING CONTEMPT OF COURT WARRANT.

A CAR CAUGHT FIRE SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE SONIC RESTAURANT IN CROWLEY.  CROWLEY FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED TO REPORTS OF A FIRE AT SONIC AND QUICKLY REALIZED IT WAS A CAR ON FIRE.  ONE WITNESS, PATRICK SCHULTZ, TELLS KLFY TV THE CAR WAS DESTROYED.  ASHLEY RODRIGUE WITH THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE SAYS THEY ARE INVESTIGATING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT WILL TAKE ACTION TO GET REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS TO THE I-TEN OVERPASS IN LAFAYETTE, ACCORDING TO SPOKESPERSON DEIDRA DRUILHET.  BACK ON JANUARY FOURTH, THE DRIVER OF A TRUCK HIT THE OVERPASS, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FOUNDATION, WHICH IS STILL BEING REPAIRED NEARLY THREE MONTHS LATER.  THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK, ANTHONY MOREAU, WAS CITED BY LAFAYETTE POLICE FOR VIOLATING TRAILER HEIGHT REGULATIONS.  THE D-O-T-D WILL BE TAKING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE OWNER OF THE TRUCK, BEBE THRASHER, AND THE OWNER OF THE TRAILER, ELE CONSTRUCTION.

A STUDENT AT BELL CITY HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY MADE THREATS TO SHOOT UP THE SCHOOL.  DEPUTIES WITH THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE LEARNED OF THE THREATS FRIDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE THREE.  THE THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD STUDENT ALLEGEDLY TOLD OTHER STUDENTS HE HAD A GUN IN HIS BACKPACK AND WAS GOING TO SHOOT UP THE SCHOOL.  WHEN DEPUTIES SEARCHED THE STUDENT, THEY FOUND HE DIDN’T HAVE A GUN, BUT HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE JUVENILE DETENION CENTER FOR TERRORIZING.

THE VERMILLION PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE ASSISTED THE IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IN ARRESTING A MAN WITH OUTSTANDING WARRANTS.  THE IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE REQUESTED THE ASSISTANCE OF THE VERMILLION PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE WHEN IT WAS LEARNED THAT TREVOR GUIDRY WAS LOCATED IN A RESIDENCE IN VERMILLION PARISH.  GUIDRY WAS WANTED FOR ACCESSORY TO AGGRAVATED ASSAULT BY DRIVE-BY SHOOTING IN BROUSSARD AND FOR SIMPLE ROBBERY IN ERATH.  DEPUTIES HAD LEARNED THAT GUIDRY HAD TOLD SOMEONE HE WOULD NOT PEACEFULLY SURRENDER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT VERMILLION PARISH DEPUTIES NEGOTIATED A SUCCESSFUL SURRENDER AND GUIDRY WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT.

A PERSON WAS SHOT AND KILLED JUST AFTER TWO-THIRTY YESTERDAY AFTERNOON IN OPELOUSAS.  THE SHOOTING HAPPENED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF FRANKLIN AND UNION STREETS.  WHEN POLICE ARRIVED THEY FOUND THE VICTIM LYING IN THE ROADWAY SUFFERING FROM SEVERAL GUNSHOT WOUNDS AND TOOK HIM TO THE HOSPITAL, WHERE HE LATER DIED.  THE IDENTITY OF THE VICTIM HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.  NO ARRESTS HAVE YET BEEN MADE.

A LAFAYETTE MAN IS IN JAIL, ACCUSED OF ARMED ROBBERY.  DANIELLE JOHNSON REPORTS.

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ON SATURDAY, CAROL BRO BOURGEOIS WAS RE-ELECTED AS MAYOR OF JEANERETTE.  HE FACED A CHALLENGE FROM MAYOR PRO-TEM AND ALDERMAN CLARENCE CLARK.  BOURGEOIS RECEIVED ALMOST SIX HUNDRED VOTES COMPARED TO LESS THAN FIVE HUNDRED FOR CLARK.  BOURGEOIS, WHO WAS ELECTED TO A SECOND TERM IN OFFICE, SAYS HE WANTS TO INCREASE THE BUDGET FOR THE TOWN TO BRING MORE IMPROVEMENTS TO FACILITIES, RECRUIT MORE POLICE OFFICERS AND MAKE JEANERETTE MORE ATTRACTIVE TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

SIX SCHOOLS IN CALCASIEU PARISH WILL BE OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED NEXT MONTH AS STATE OF LOUSIANA CERTIFIED WORLD LANGUAGE IMMERSION SCHOOLS.  THE SCHOOL BOARD SAYS THE CERTIFICATION IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT HELPS THE DISTRICT ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN HIGH QUALITY DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAMS LEADING TO BILITERACY FOR THE STUDENTS.  THREE OF THE SCHOOLS OFFER FRENCH LANGUAGE IMMERSION:  HENRY HEIGHTS AND PRIEN LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND S-J WELSH MIDDLE.  THE OTHER THREE OFFER SPANISH IMMERSION:  FRASCH ELEMENTARY AS WELL AS OAK PARK AND W-W LEWIS MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

Louisiana state Rep. Mandie Landry as of Friday is part of the Democratic Party again, after registering as a political independent last year to protest decisions made by the Democratic Party’s leadership. Landry is the second state representative to switch political parties this month. Francis Thompson, the state’s longest serving legislator, switched parties from Democrat to Republican. With Thompson’s switch, Republicans gained a two-thirds supermajority in the Louisiana House — they already had a two-thirds supermajority in the Senate — giving them the power to override gubernatorial vetoes if they all vote in bloc.

A GOAL OF NEARLY TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS HAS NEARLY BEEN RAISED FOR A LAFAYETTE WOMAN, WHO HAS DAYS TO LIVE.  KATHRYN LOUISE SMITH BUCK, WHO HAS STAGE FOUR CERVICAL CANCER, IS NOW IN HOSPICE CARE.  HER SISTER-IN-LAW, MINDY BUCK, WHO HELPED CREATE A GOFUNDME PAGE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE FUNERAL, SAYS KATHRYN AND HER BROTHER DO NOT HAVE LIFE INSURANCE AND HER BROTHER’S JOB DOES NOT PROVIDE HEALTH CARE.  MINDY TELLS KLFY TV THAT IT’S HEARTBREAKING THAT THE TIME IS ALMOST UP FOR HER SISTER-IN-LAW AND BEST FRIEND, AND SHE DOESN’T WANT HER TO SUFFER ANYMORE.

A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT FROM BERWICK WAS ARRESTED THURSDAY AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY MADE A THREAT AGAINST A TEACHER ON SNAPCHAT.  EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD DRAVIAN MORRIS WAS BOOKED INTO THE SAINT MARY PARISH JAIL ON A CHARGE OF ASSAULT ON A SCHOOL TEACHER.  HE WAS RELEASED ON A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR BAIL.  A FOOTBALL RECRUITING WEBSITE SAYS MORRIS WAS A FORMER FOOTBALL PLAYER AT MORGAN CITY HIGH SCHOOL.

THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCED HAIL IN PARTS OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.  A TORNADO WARNING WAS ISSUED FOR BEAUREGARD PARISH AT MIDAFTERNOON BECAUSE OF A THUNDERSTORM MOVING ACROSS DERIDDER CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  SOME RESIDENTS REPORTED HAIL THE SIZE OF PING PONG BALLS.  THE SHERIFF’S OFFICES IN BEAUREGARD AND ALLEN PARISHES SAY THEY DID NOT RECEIVE ANY REPORTS OF DAMAGE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE HAS PARTNERED WITH THE LOUISIANA SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE FREE CHILD I-D KITS TO PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN, WHICH IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE CHILD’S SCHOOL OR THE LOCAL SHERIFF’S OFFICE UPON REQUEST.  ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF LANDRY SAYS THEY HAVE ENOUGH KITS TO PROVIDE ONE FOR EACH CHILD IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIFTH GRADE.  THE KITS ALLOW PARENTS TO GATHER INFORMATION ON THEIR CHILD SUCH AS THEIR FINGERPRINTS, D-N-A, AND OTHER IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION.  LANDRY SAYS THE INFORMATION GATHERED WILL NOT GO INTO A DATABASE, BUT THE PARENTS WILL HOLD ONTO IT IN CASE THEIR CHILD GOES MISSING.

A MAN WAS SHOT IN THE EIGHT HUNDRED BLOCK OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR DRIVE.  LAFAYETTE POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO REPORTS OF SHOTS FIRED IN THAT AREA JUST AFTER EIGHT P-M AND LOCATED THE MAN WHO WAS SHOT.  HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE SHOOTING IS ASKED TO CONTACT AUTHORITIES.

AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY AFTER A SHOOTING CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A TEENAGER IN SAINT MARTIN PARISH.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

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MORE THAN A HUNDRED LOUSIANA OFFICIALS WERE IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL THIS WEEK TO LOBBY FOR THE LOWER ENERGY COSTS ACT.  THE ADVOCATE REPORTS THAT THE ACT COMBINES ABOUT TWENTY BILLS THAT WOULD CLEAR HURDLES FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION AND INCREASE FEDERAL OFFSHORE ROYALTIES FOR LOUISIANA AND OTHER STATES.  IT’S LIKELY TO CLEAR THE U-S HOUSE NEXT WEEK BUT FACES HURDLES IN THE U-S SENATE.  THE MAJORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE, CHUCK SCHUMER, SAYS BOTH PARTIES ARE INFORMALLY TALKING COMPROMISES THAT COULD LEAD TO SOME FORM OF THE LEGISLATION PASSING IN THE SENATE.

A LAKE CHARLES MAN, WHO WAS ONE OF THE CITGO SIX OIL EXECUTIVES WHO WERE HELD FOR NEARLY FIVE YEARS IN VENEZUELA, HAS SUED HIS COMPANY FOR ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.  TOMEU VADELL CLAIMS CITGO LURED HIM AND THE OTHER FIVE TO BE USED AS POLITICAL PAWNS.  VADELL ALSO CLAIMS CITGO REFUSED TO PAY HIS LEGAL FEES WHILE HE WAS TRIED AND CONVICTED IN VENEZUELA AND DID NOT PAY HIS SALARY WHILE HE WAS ARRESTED AND IMPRISONED.  VADELL WAS FREED IN OCTOBER AS PART OF A PRISONER EXCHANGE.

ALL THE INFORMATION FROM A MONTHS-LONG INVESTIGATION INTO MAYOR PRESIDENT JOSH GUILLORY BY THE LAFAYETTE CITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE STATE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR.  THE INFORMATION WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL UNLESS THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR DECIDES TO RELEASE IT.  THE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO LAUNCH THE INVESTIGATION IN TWENTY-TWENTY-ONE FOLLOWING GUILLORY’S RETURN FROM REHAB AND AMIDST A REPORT ABOUT A CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT RENTAL COMPANY STARTED BY GUILLORY AND HIS WIFE.  THE ADVOCATE REPORTS THE INVESTIGATION FOCUSED ON THE LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT’S DRAINAGE PROGRAM AND GUILLORY’S USE OF RESOURCES, INCLUDING ON HIS SECURITY DETAIL.

YESTERDAY EUNICE POLICE ARRESTED A SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD FOR THE MURDER OF FORTY-YEAR-OLD CARL VIGERS ON MONDAY.  VIGERS WAS SHOT WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE AN APARTMENT COMPLEX NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTH BEULAH AND EAST MAPLE AVENUE, AND HE LATER DIED AT THE HOSPITAL.  THE SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD FACES A CHARGE OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.  EUNICE POLICE HAVE ALSO ARRESTED TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD LEROY FREEMAN OF EUNICE AND A FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD FOR PRINCIPAL TO FIRST DEGREE MURDER.

More than 100 abandoned oil wells, which can leak cancer-causing chemicals and threaten the environmental health of an area, have been plugged during the last two months in Louisiana. Most of the state’s orphaned wells, nearly 70% of them, are located in northern Louisiana. Biden administration officials joined their state counterparts in the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge recently to tout the efforts. Louisiana was awarded $25 million in initial federal grant funds to address the problem.

THE ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS DEPUTIES HAVE CONTINUED THEIR AGGRESSIVE STANCE TOWARD STREET-LEVEL PROBLEMS AROUND THE PARISH.  THE CRIME SUPPRESSION UNIT AND PATROL DEPUTIES MADE TWENTY-EIGHT ARRESTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF MARCH, SIXTEEN OF WHICH WERE FOR FELONIES.  DEPUTIES SEIZED VARIOUS NARCOTICS INCLUDING FENTANYL, METH AND HEROIN, AS WELL AS TWO FIREARMS AND MORE THAN THIRTY-FIVE HUNDRED IN SUSPECTED DRUG MONEY.  SHERIFF K-P GIBSON SAID IN A NEWS RELEASE THEY WILL CONTINUE WITH THEIR FOCUS ON REDUCING CRIME IN THE PARISH.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT HAS CANCELLED PLANNED CLOSURES FOR I-TEN AND I-FORTY-NINE IN LAFAYETTE THIS WEEKEND.  THEY PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED LANE REDUCTIONS AND CLOSURES FOR I-FORTY-NINE NORTH AT THE I-TEN OVERPASS BEGINNING TODAY.  THEY HAD PLANNED TO CONTINUE MAKING REPAIRS TO THE OVERPASS THAT WAS STRUCTURALLY DAMAGED WHEN HIT BY AN EIGHTEEN-WHEELER AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.  THERE’S NO WORD YET WHEN IT WILL BE RESCHEDULED.

FREDERICK WILTZ HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED AS THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SAINT MARTIN PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM.  HE REPLACES AL BLANCHARD, WHO RETIRES JUNE THIRTIETH AFTER OVER THIRTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE DISTRICT.  WILTZ, A GRADUATE OF BREAUX BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, HAS SPENT TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS IN THE SAINT MARTIN PARISH SCHOOL DISTRICT.  MOST RECENTLY HE SERVED AS DESEGREGATION COMPLIANCE OFFICER.

THE BEAUREGARD PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS A NEW SUPERINTENDENT.  A SPECIAL MEETING WAS HELD TUESDAY IN WHICH LARRY HOLLIE WAS SELECTED AS THE NEXT SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.  HE HAD BEEN THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT AND, MOST RECENTLY, HAD BEEN THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT.  HOLLIE REPLACES TIMOTHY COOLEY, WHO RETIRED IN JANUARY.

EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY AT THE STATE CAPITAL TO HELP WITH THE FENTANYL CRISIS.  SYLVIA MASTERS EXPLAINS.

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THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING FOR THE LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT SAYS THEY HAVE MADE A STRONG EFFORT TO FOCUS ON BURNED PROPERTIES FOR REHABILITATION.  MARY SLIMAN SAYS THEY HAVE PRESENTED THIRTEEN BURNED PROPERTIES AT RECENT COUNCIL MEETINGS.  SHE SAYS THEY ARE EASY TO QUALIFY FOR CONDEMNATION BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THEY ARE IN A STATE OF DISREPAIR WITHOUT EVEN WALKING ON TO THE PROPERTY.  SLIMAN SAYS THEIR GOAL IS TO RID BLIGHT FROM THE CITY AND UNINCORPORATED PARTS OF THE PARISH, WHICH SHE CALLS AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY CONCERN.

THE LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL HAS DECIDED IT WOULD BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR EVANGELINE PARISH DISTRICT ATTORNEY TRENT BRIGNAC TO PROSECUTE VILLE PLATTE COUNCILWOMAN CHRISTINA SAM.  SHE WAS ARRESTED TEN DAYS AFTER THE PRIMARY ELECTION AND INDICTED LAST MONTH ON FRAUD AND FORGERY CHARGES RELATED TO HER ELECTION.  SAM’S ATTORNEY, ROSHELL JONES, FILED THE MOTION TO RECUSE BRIGNAC FROM THE CASE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE HE HAS A PERSONAL INTEREST IN THE PROSECUTION.  THE COURT OF APPEAL AGREE TO ORDER HIS RECUSAL BECAUSE HE LIKELY WOULD HAVE TO SERVE AS A WITNESS TO ESTABLISH IF SAM WAS PRESSURED TO CONFESS TO VOTER FRAUD.

LOUISIANA IS IN SEARCH OF HOW TO ADDRESS THE INSURANCE CRISIS.  ALONG WITH INCENTIVIZING INSURANCE COMPANIES TO WRITE POLICIES, LEGISLATORS ARE LOOKING TO FORTIFY ROOFS AS A WAY TO LOWER COSTS AND MITIGATE DAMAGE.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

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JEANERETTE VOTERS HAVE A MAYOR’S RACE TO DECIDE THIS SATURDAY.  MAYOR CAROL BOURGEOIS IS SEEKING A SECOND TERM IN OFFICE.  HIS OPPONENT IS MAYOR PRO TEM AND DISTRICT ONE ALDERMAN CLARENCE CLARK.  THE POLLS OPEN SATURDAY AT SEVEN A-M AND CLOSE AT EIGHT THAT NIGHT.

CROWLEY POLICE CHIEF TROY HEBERT SAYS HE’S PREPARING TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR MORE MONEY TO PAY OFFICERS.  HEBERT SAYS HE HAS LOST NINE OFFICERS THIS YEAR ALONE AND HE DOESN’T WANT TO LOSE ANYMORE.

THE ABBEVILLE CITY COUNCIL HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A CURFEW FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN.  THE CURFEW LASTS FROM EIGHT-THIRTY P-M TO FIVE A-M SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHTS AND IT BEGINS AT TEN ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS.  COUNCILMAN FRANCIS TOUCHET SAYS PARENTS WILL BE FINED FIFTY DOLLARS FOR A FIRST OFFENSE, SEVENTY-FIVE FOR THE SECOND OFFENSE AND, ON A THIRD OFFENSE, THE FINE GOES UP TO A HUNDRED DOLLARS PLUS COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS.  POLICE CHIEF MIKE HARDY IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE CURFEW, SAYING IT WILL HELP DECREASE JUVENILE CRIME.

NEGOTIATIONS TO PURCHASE LAND FOR A NEW NORTHEAST REGIONAL LIBRARY BRANCH IN LAFAYETTE HAS COLLAPSED.  ESD INVESTMENTS WANTED SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR PROPERTY ON LOUISIANA AVENUE NEXT TO INFINITY COLLEGE, BUT LIBRARY DIRECTOR DANNY GILLANE SAYS THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PAY ABOVE THE ASSESSED VALUE, WHICH WAS THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY-ONE THOUSAND.  GILLANE SAYS THEY SET A DEADLINE OF MARCH FIFTEENTH FOR A RESPONSE AND, SINCE THEY DIDN’T GET ONE, HE TAKES IT AS THEIR OFFER WAS REJECTED.  SHERICA DAVIS, MANAGER OF ESD INVESTMENTS, SAYS THEY PAYED FOR THEIR OWN APPRAISAL, WHICH WAS SIX HUNDRED TEN THOUSAND.

BEGINNING THIS MORNING, THE LOUISIANA RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION WILL CONDUCT LEAK TESTS IN THE SANITARY SEWER SYSTEMS OF ELTON.  MAYOR KESIA LEMOINE SAYS THEY WILL BE BLOWING A NON-TOXIC SMOKE INTO THE PIPES, WHICH COULD GET INTO THE HOMES, BRINGING WITH IT GASES AND ODORS FROM THE SEWER.  ANY DEFECTS IN THE PIPES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER.  LEMOINE SAYS THE TESTING IS EXPECTED TO LAST BETWEEN TWO AND THREE WEEKS.

CONGRESSMAN CLAY HIGGINS IS TAKING NEW STEPS TO HELP THE LOUISIANA SHRIMPING INDUSTRY’S FIGHT AGAINST IMPORTED SHRIMP.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

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SAINT LANDRY PARISH PRESIDENT JESSIE BELLARD HAS MET WITH THE THREE AMBULANCE SERVICES IN THE PARISH TO DISCUSS THE VALUE OF COMMUNICATION SO THAT RESPONSE TIMES ARE AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE.  BELLARD SAYS HE LEARNED THAT THE AMBULANCE GROUPS, ACADIAN AMBULANCE, MEDEXPRESS AND SAINT LANDRY EMS, HAVE NOT MET AS A GROUP.  BELLARD PLANS ON PUTTING AN ORDINANCE BEFORE THE PARISH COUNCIL TO ENSURE ALL AMBULANCE SERVICES WORK TOGETHER EFFICIENTLY AND WITHOUT OTHER COMPANIES BIDDING IN.  HE SAYS HE PLANS TO INTRODUCE THE NEW ORDINANCE AT THE MAY MEETING.

A HEARSE FROM THE SYRIE FUNERAL HOME IN LAFAYETTE WAS STOLEN MONDAY NIGHT AND FOUND ABANDONED IN A FIELD ON TUESDAY.  FUNERAL DIRECTOR BRYAN SYRIE SAYS THE GARAGE WAS BROKEN INTO AND THE GRAY, CHEVY SUBURBAN HEARSE WAS STOLEN.  HE SAYS IT APPEARS THE THIEF OR THIEVES TOOK IT FOR A JOY RIDE, AS THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF MARIJUANA THAT WAS DETECTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RECOVERED.  SYRIE SAYS SOMEONE REPORTED SEEING THE HEARSE AROUND NINE TUESDAY MORNING NEAR GLORIA SWITCH WITH AN UNKNOWN MALE INSIDE.

THE MISSING PERSON’S CASE OF ELLA GOODIE HAS BEEN TURNED OVER TO THE CALCASIEU PARISH DISTRICT ATTORNEY, ACCORDING TO KPLC TV.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

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THE CROWLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT IS DEALING WITH A SHORTAGE OF OFFICERS.  NEW POLICE CHIEF TROY HEBERT TELLS KLFY TV ONE SOLUTION IS TO OFFER COMPETITIVE PAY TO ENTICE APPLICANTS AND TO HIRE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE CROWLEY AREA.  HEBERT SAYS HE RECENTLY PULLED TWENTY-ONE RESIGNATION LETTERS AND NINETEEN OF THEM SAID THEY LOVE THE JOB BUT THEY HAVE TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES.  HEBERT SAYS HE ALSO PLANS MORE COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO IMPROVE TRUST BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND POLICE.

A MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX IN EUNICE MONDAY AFTERNOON.  THE VICTIM WAS IDENTIFIED AS FORTY-YEAR-OLD CARL VIGERS, WHO WAS SHOT NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTH BEULAH AND MAPLE AVENUE.  WHEN POLICE ARRIVED THEY FOUND VIGERS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AND HE LATER DIED AFTER BEING TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.  NO SUSPECTS HAVE YET BEEN IDENTIFIED.

A CARENCRO WOMAN WAS KILLED IN A TWO VEHICLE HEAD-ON COLLISION ON THE I-FORTY-NINE NORTHWEST FRONTAGE ROAD EARLY MONDAY MORNING IN LAFAYETTE PARISH.  FIFTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD MARIA FELTON WAS TRAVELING NORTH WHEN A SOUTHBOUND VEHICLE DRIVEN BY BRANDEN LUNDY OF MORGAN CITY CROSSED THE CENTER LINE, CAUSING THE COLLISION.  FELTON WAS TAKEN TO THE WHERE SHE LATER DIED WHILE LUNDY AND HIS PASSENGER SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES.  THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND CHARGES ARE PENDING.

EARLY VOTING FOR THIS WEEKEND’S ELECTION HAS WRAPPED UP BUT THERE ARE STILL SOME DEADLINES TO KEEP IN MIND BEFORE THE POLLS OPEN.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS THE DETAILS.

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A JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR FIRING SHOTS FROM HIS VEHICLE AT AN EIGHTEEN-WHEELER NEAR WELSH.  COMMANDER RAMBI CORMIER OF THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS THE EIGHTEEN WHEELER HAD TWO PEOPLE IN IT AND FIVE ANIMALS.  HE SAYS DEPUTIES LOCATD THE SUSPECT VEHICLE AND CONDUCTED A TRAFFIC STOP IN JENNINGS.  DETECTIVES GOT INVOLVED AND ARRESTED TWENTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD MONTERIO GATES ON SEVERAL CHARGES INCLUDING AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A FIREARM.  IT’S CONSIDERED A SUSPECTED ROAD RAGE INCIDENT.

CROWLEY POLICE HAVE MADE AN ARREST IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING ONE WEEK AGO IN THE TWO HUNDRED BLOCK OF EAST OAK STREET.  TYLER ESQUIVEL WAS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MANSLAUGHTER.  WITNESSES TOLD CROWLEY POLICE THAT ESQUIVEL GOT INTO A PHYSICAL ALTERCATION WITH ANOTHER PERSON WHICH LED TO THE SHOOTING.  THE VICTIM WAS TAKEN TO A LAFAYETTE HOSPITAL WITH LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES, ACCORDING TO THE CROWLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT.

CHEVRON’S GULF OF MEXICO BUSINESS UNIT HAS DONATED A SIX-ACRE TRACT OF LAND NEAR HEYMANN PARK TO THE LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT.  L-C-G PLANS TO INCORPORATE WALKING TRAILS.  L-C-G SAYS THIS WILL ENHANCE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, INCREASE PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE VERMILLION RIVER AND CONNECT TOGETHER HEYMANN, BEAVER AND  LIL’ WOOD PARKS.  MAYOR-PRESIDENT JOSH GUILLORY CALLED CHEVRON’S DONATION GENEROUS, SAYING IT WILL BENEFIT GENERATIONS TO COME AND BE A LASTING SYMBOL OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

SNAP RECIPIENTS IN LOUISIANA WILL SOON HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR BENEFITS RIGHT AT THEIR FINGERTIPS.  SYLVIA MASTERS EXPLAINS.

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REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE BLAKE MIGUEZ HAS ANNOUNCED HE WILL BE RUNNING FOR THE STATE SENATE SEAT CURRENTLY HELD BY FRED MILLS.  BECAUSE OF TERM LIMITS, MILLS WILL NOT BE RUNNING AGAIN.  MIGUEZ DESCRIBES HIMSELF AS A PRO-LIFE FISCAL CONSERVATIVE AND HE HAS BEEN COMMENDED BY THE LOUISIANA FAMILY FORUM, THE LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY AND BY THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.  THE PRIMARY ELECTION TAKES PLACE ON OCTOBER FOURTEENTH.

A CHURCH POINT MAN WAS ARRESTED THURSDAY AFTER THERE WERE REPORTS OF GUNSHOTS FIRED IN THE AREA OF WILSON STREET.  A CHURCH POINT POLICE OFFICER PULLED OVER A VEHICLE THAT WAS QUICKLY LEAVING THAT AREA.  THE DRIVER, NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER DUGAS JUNIOR, TOLD THE OFFICER HE WAS THE ONE SHOT AT BUT HE WAS ARRESTED AFTER THE OFFICER FOUND A HANDGUN WITH AN EXTENDED MAGAZINE AND NEARLY ONE-AND-A-HALF GRAMS OF SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA IN HIS VEHICLE.  IT WAS LATER LEARNED DUGAS HAD ACTIVE WARRANTS FROM CROWLEY POLICE FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE AND HOME INVASION.

MANY SCOTT RESIDENTS ARE BACK IN THEIR HOMES TODAY AFTER AN ACID SPILL LED TO AN EVACUATION ORDER.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS THE DETAILS.

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ELIMINATING THE STATE PERSONAL INCOME TAX IS EXPECTED TO BE A SIGNIFICANT TOPIC OF DISCUSSION DURING THE LEGISLATURE’S UPCOMING SESSION.  THAT’S ACCORDING TO BEVERLY HAYDEL, THE LEAD CONSULTANT FOR THE LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, WHO SPOKE DURING A LEGISLATIVE OUTLOOK EVENT THURSDAY.  REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD NELSON OF MANDEVILLE, A GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, IS EXPECTED TO CHAMPION THE ISSUE DURING THE SESSION.  HAYDEL SAYS SHE ALSO EXPECTS FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO CENTRALIZE SALES TAX COLLECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE DURING THE SESSION.

A FIFTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD PONCHATOULA MAN WAS KILLED FRIDAY MORNING IN A CRASH ON I-TEN WEST OF L-A TWENTY-SIX IN JEFF DAVIS PARISH.  STATE POLICE SAY THE DRIVER OF A CHEVY PICKUP LOST CONTROL WHEN IT HYDROPLANED DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM.  THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL, TRAVELED THROUGH A DITCH AND HIT A TREE.  PHILLIP COOPER THE THIRD, WHO WAS IN THE REAR SEAT, WAS KILLED WHILE THE DRIVER AND TWO OTHER PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.

THE FAMILY OF AN OPELOUSAS WOMAN WAS FINALLY ABLE TO HAVE A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR HER REMAINS, WHICH WERE HELD IN A D-N-A LAB FOR YEARS.  ERICA NICOLE HUNT WENT MISSING AFTER A FAMILY GATHERING ON JULY FOURTH, TWENTY-SIXTEEN AND HER REMAINS WERE FOUND IN DECEMBER OF TWENTY-EIGHTEEN NEAR VILLE PLATTE.  SHE’S BEEN THE FOCUS OF A HOMOCIDE INVESTIGATION LED BY STATE POLICE WITH THE HELP OF THE EVANGELINE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE.  HER MOTHER, SHANNON ISAAC, TELLS KLFY TV IT WAS A GOOD FEELING TO PUT HER REMAINS TO REST EVEN THOUGH THEY STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED JUSTICE YET.

THE SECOND PHASE OF THE I-TEN OVERPASS REPLACEMENT PROJECT HAPPENED OVER THE WEEKEND.  I-FORTY-NINE NORTHBOUND AT THE I-TEN OVERPASS WAS CLOSED OVER THE WEEKEND AND WAS SCHEDULED TO END AT FOUR THIS MORNING.  NEWLY CONSTRUCTED GIRDERS AND A BRIDGE DECK WERE INSTALLED.  A CONCRETE CLOSURE POUR WAS THEN PERFORMED TO TIE IN ALL THE NEW COMPONENTS TO THE EXISTING BRIDGE OVERPASS.

NEW RESEARCH SHOWS LOUISIANA RANKS NEAR THE TOP WHEN IT COMES TO HIGH UTILITY BILLS.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

VOICER G :27

A TURKEY CREEK WOMAN WAS ARRESTED BY EVANGELINE PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES AFTER SHE ALLEGEDLY MADE PURCHASES USING A CO-WORKER’S CREDIT CARDS.  MEGAN MAHAFFEY WAS CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF FELONY THEFT AND TWO COUNTS OF MONETARY INSTRUMENT ABUSE.  THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE RECEIVED A COMPLAINT ON FEBRUARY FOURTEENTH ABOUT THE THEFT OF TWO CREDIT CARDS.  DURING THE INVESTIGATION, MAHAFFEY ALLEGEDLY ADMITTED TO TAKING THE CREDIT CARDS AND MAKING MULTIPLE TRANSACTIONS WITH THEM.

CGI ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THE CREATION OF MORE THAN SEVEN HUNDRED JOBS AT ITS U-S ONSHORE DELIVERY CENTER IN LAFAYETTE.  ACCORDING TO A COMPANY PRESS RELEASE, CGI’S WORKFORCE IN ACADIANA SUPPORTS FEDERAL AND COMMERCIAL CLIENTS ACROSS THE NATION UNDERTAKING CRITICAL DIGITAL TRANFORMATION PROJECTS.  CGI ESTABLISHED A BASE OF OPERATIONS IN LAFAYETTE EIGHT YEARS AGO AND HAD NEARLY DOUBLED ITS ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF FOUR HUNDRED DIRECT JOBS, ACCORDING TO LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY DON PIERSON.  MANDI MITCHELL WITH THE LAFAYETTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SAYS THE SEVEN HUNDRED-PLUS JOBS CREATED BY CGI HAS HAD A TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT ON THE REGION’S ECONOMY AS THEY SEEK TO DIVERSIFY THE LOCAL BUSINESS BASE.

OPELOUSAS POLICE HAVE RELEASED THE IDENTITY OF A SHOOTING VICTIM ON JEROME LOOP WEDNESDAY EVENING.  TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD XAVIER BRYANT OF OPELOUSAS WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.  OPELOUSAS POLICE HAVE MADE AN ARREST IN THE SHOOTING.  TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD LENTRELL GENTRIS OF OPELOUSAS WAS BOOKED INTO THE SAINT LANDRY PARISH JAIL FOR SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND OTHER CHARGES.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said he has regretfully accepted the resignation of the head of Louisiana’s Department of Environmental Quality. In a press release, Edwards announced the resignation of DEQ Secretary Chuck Carr Brown who has led the department since Edwards took office in 2016. Brown’s departure is effective March 31. Edwards says DEQ Assistant Secretary for Assessment Roger Gingles was named interim secretary.

A JENNINGS MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE WAS FOUND HIDING UNDER A BED WEDNESDAY.  THIRTY-YEAR-OLD DANIEL RISTER WAS WANTED ON SEVERAL DRUG POSSESSION CHARGES.  DEPUTIES WITH THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE WENT TO A RESIDENCE ON WEST PLAQUEMINE STREET TO SERVE A WARRANT AND FOUND RISTER ATTEMPTING TO HIDE UNDER A BED.  RISTER REFUSED TO COME OUT AND DEPUTIES HAD TO GET HIM FROM UNDER THE BED TO MAKE THE ARREST.

AUTHORITIES SAY A LAFAYETTE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER CAUSING A CRASH THURSDAY MORNING ON JOHNSTON STREET.  DANIELLE JOHNSON HAS MORE.

VOICER E :33

A HOMOCIDE INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY IN THE DEATH OF TWENTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD DEVONTE JAMAL COLAR OF NEW IBERIA, WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND ON PRAIRIE HIGHWAY IN BREAUX BRIDGE SATURDAY.  POLICE DO NOT HAVE A PERSON OF INTEREST IN THE CASE.  KLFY TV IS REPORTING THAT A SOURCE TOLD THEM COLAR’S BODY WAS APPARENTLY BURNED.  HE WAS LAST SEEN BY FAMILY ON FEBRUARY TWENTY-SECOND AND REPORTED MISSING ON FEBRUARY TWENTY-EIGHTH.

REPUBLICAN MIKE FRANCIS OF CROWLEY HAS ANNOUNCED HE PLANS TO RUN FOR SECRETARY OF STATE, TAKING ON THE INCUMBENT KYLE ARDOIN.  FRANCIS, WHO IS A PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER, TELLS THE ADVOCATE HE DOES NOT PLAN ON RESIGNING FROM HIS SEAT ON THE COMMISSION WHILE HE RUNS FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.  FRANCIS HAS BEEN MEETING WITH CLERKS OF COURT AND HE SAYS MANY HAVE ASKED HIM TO RUN.  IF ELECTED, FRANCIS SAYS HE WILL RUN THE OFFICE IN A BOTTOM-UP STYLE, SUPPORTING THE CLERKS WHO ADMINISTER ELECTIONS.

THE MORGAN CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED PHOTOS OF A SUSPECT IN A THEFT THAT HAPPENED ON TUESDAY.  PHOTOS SHOW THE SUSPECT STEALING FROM A BUSINESS LOCATED NEAR L-A ONE-EIGHTY-TWO.  HE MADE OFF WITH MORE THAN SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS IN MERCHANDISE AND FLED IN A DARK-COLORED DODGE CHARGER WITH ALUMINUM RIMS.  ANYONE WHO CAN IDENTIFY THE SUSPECT OR WHO HAS INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT MORGAN CITY POLICE.

A MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN OPELOUSAS YESTERDAY AT AROUND FIVE P-M.  THE SHOOTING HAPPENED IN THE FIVE HUNDRED BLOCK OF JEROME LOOP WHERE THE VICTIM ALSO DIED.  POLICE HAVE DETAINED SEVERAL PERSONS IN CONNECTION TO THE SHOOTING.  NO OTHER INFORMATION HAS BEEN RELEASED.

THE LAFAYETTE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD HAS OVERTURNED A SEVEN DAY SUSPENSION FOR THE NORTH REGIONAL BRANCH LIBRARIAN AND MANAGER.  CARA CHANCE INSTEAD WILL RECEIVE A LETTER OF REPRIMAND.  SHE WAS ORIGINALLY SUSPENDED BY LAFAYETTE PARISH LIBRARY DIRECTOR DANNY GILLANE OVER THE TONE OF SOME EMAILS AND HER ALLEGED DISRESPECTFULNESS WHEN MANAGEMENT TRIED TO ENGAGE HER IN TWO COACHING SESSIONS REGARDING HER EMAILS.  THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD DETERMINED, WHILE CHANCE MAY HAVE HAD A NEGATIVE TONE, SHE DID NOT EXHIBIT INSUBORDINATION.

LOUISIANA HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST JOBLESS RATES IN THE COUNTRY.  EMELIE SIMONS, THE WHITE HOUSE DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY, SAID MONDAY THAT LOUISIANA’S THREE-POINT-FOUR PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS A HISTORIC LOW FOR THE STATE.  MEANWHILE, U-S SENATOR JOHN KENNEDY OF LOUISIANA IS CONCERNED THAT THE FIGHT TO LOWER INFLATION WILL RESULT IN JOB LOSSES.  IN A SENATE BANKING COMMITTEE HEARING LAST WEEK, HE SAID THE FED’S MONETARY POLICY REPORT SHOWS THAT TWO MILLION JOBS ARE LOST NATIONWIDE FOR EVERY PERCENTAGE POINT INFLATION DROPS.

A MISSOURI MAN WAS ARRESTED IN MISSOURI FOR LIVESTOCK THEFT IN ALLEN PARISH AND IS AWAITING EXTRADITION TO LOUISIANA.  L-D-A-F BRAND INSPECTORS OBTAINED THE WARRANT AGAINST SIXTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD BOBBIE G. SMITH OF THAYER, MISSOURI AND HE WAS ARRESTED BY THE MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL’S RURAL CRIMES INVESTIGATIVE UNIT.  AN INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT SMITH OBTAINED A TOTAL OF SEVENTY HEAD OF CATTLE ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND FAILED TO GIVE PROPER PAYMENT TO THE LOCAL LIVESTOCK MARKET.  THE ALLEGED THEFTS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.

A FEDERAL MAGISTRATE HAS RECOMMENDED DISMISSAL OF THE FOURTH VERSION OF A LAFAYETTE CITY-PARISH LAWSUIT OVER A SAINT MARTIN PARISH DRAINAGE PROJECT.  THE RECOMMENDATION WAS FILED IN FEDERAL COURT YESTERDAY AND NOW GOES BEFORE A FEDERAL JUDGE FOR A FINAL RULING.  THE SUIT IS OVER THE REMOVAL OF DECADES-OLD LEVEES ON PROPERTY PARTIALLY OWNED BY THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT.  SAINT MARTIN PARISH OFFICIALS SAY THE PROJECT WAS DONE IN THE DARK OF NIGHT WITHOUT PERMITS FROM SAINT MARTIN PARISH OR THE U-S ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.

A LAFAYETTE MAN, WHO ADMITTED IN FEDERAL COURT TO LURING A GAY MAN TO AN ISOLATED HOME WHERE HE ATTEMPTED TO MURDER HIM, REACHED A PLEA AGREEMENT IN STATE COURT.  CHANCE SENECA WAS SENTENCED TO FORTY YEARS IN PRISON WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF PAROLE, PROBATION OR SUSPENSION OF SENTENCE ON A CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED SECOND-DEGREE MURDER AND AN ADDITIONAL FIVE YEARS FOR COMMITTING A HATE CRIME.  THE SENTENCE WILL RUN CONCURRENTLY WITH A FORTY-FIVE YEAR SENTENCE THAT HE WAS GIVEN IN FEDERAL COURT.  SENECA ALSO ADMITTED TO INVESTIGATORS THAT THE DAY BEFORE THE ATTACK ON HOLDEN WHITE IN JUNE OF TWENTY-TWENTY, HE HAD TARGETED TWO OTHER MEN BUT WAS UNABLE TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THOSE PLANS.

THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCED A PROGRAM THAT WILL FUND SINGLE-POINTS OF ENTRY ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES.  SINGLE POINTS OF ENTRY ARE CONSIDERED SCHOOL SAFETY BEST PRACTICES AMONG EXPERTS.  THE PROJECTS MAY INCLUDE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS, METAL DETECTORS AND OTHER PHYSICAL SECURITY EQUIPMENT OR CONSTRUCTION RENOVATIONS TO ENHANCE THE SECURITY AT THE SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY.  TWENTY-ONE MILLION DOLLARS WILL BE DIRECTED INTO THE STRONGER CONNECTIONS GRANT PROGRAM.

NEW IBERIA MAYOR FREDDIE DECOURT HAS GATHERED COMMUNITY LEADERS TOGETHER IN A CAMPAIGN TO TACKLE GUN VIOLENCE.  THEY’VE STARTED A CAMPAIGN CALLED “NO MORE SILENCE…STOP THE GUN VIOLENCE.”  DISTRICT TWO COUNCILMAN MARLON LEWIS TELLS KLFY TV THAT THERE’S A SLOGAN THAT INFLUENCES MANY PEOPLE, WHICH IS “SNITCHES GET STITCHES.”  HE SAYS IT’S SAD THAT PEOPLE WILL SEE SOMEONE DIE BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO TELL ON ANYBODY ANYMORE.

JUDE PELTIER OF CECILIA WAS WITH A GROUP OF THIRTY AT WALK-ON’S IN BROUSSARD SATURDAY NIGHT, INCLUDING CHILDREN FROM A YOUTH BASEBALL TEAM, WHEN A FIGHT BROKE OUT AND A MAN PULLED OUT A GUN.  PELTIER TELLS KLFY TV HE THOUGHT AT FIRST THE NOISE WAS CREATED BY KIDS PLAYING UNTIL HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW SCREAMED “A GUN, GET DOWN,” AND HIS GROUP GOT UNDERNEATH THE TABLE.  THEY EVENTUALLY MADE THEIR WAY TO THE KITCHEN WHILE OTHERS WENT OUTSIDE TO GET AWAY.  BROUSSARD POLICE ARRESTED TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD LATAVIAN LOCKS OF NEW IBERIA FOR ILLEGAL CARRYING OF A FIREARM AND TERRORIZING.

A BODY FOUND OVER THE WEEKEND IN BREAUX BRIDGE TURNED OUT TO BE THE MAN WHO WAS THE FOCUS OF A SEARCH PARTY IN NEW IBERIA SATURDAY.  THE BODY OF TWENTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD DEVONTE COLAR OF NEW IBERIA WAS FOUND ON PRAIRIE HIGHWAY SHORTLY BEFORE ONE SATURDAY.  SHERIFF BECKET BREAUX SAYS THE DEATH IS BEING INVESTIGATED AS A HOMOCIDE.  COLAR WAS REPORTED MISSING BY HIS FAMILY ON FEBRUARY TWENTY-SECOND.

A TWO-YEAR-OLD BOY, WHO WAS PLAYING AT THE END OF HIS DRIVEWAY ON BOWERS STREET IN WELSH, WAS STRUCK BY A PASSING PICKUP TRUCK MONDAY EVENING.  THE BOY WAS AIRLIFTED TO A LAFAYETTE HOSPITAL WHERE HE IS IN STABLE CONDITION WITH A LACERATED LIVER AND A FRACTURED PELVIS.  POLICE MADE CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER OF THE PICKUP, WHO SAID HE WAS UNAWARE HE HAD HIT ANYONE.  A FULL REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE TO DETERMINE IF ANY CHARGES WILL BE FILED.

Longtime Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced that he will not seek reelection in October. Donelon, a Republican, has been thrust into the spotlight during the state’s ongoing property insurance crisis. The announcement came during an update on an incentive program designed to entice more insurers to Louisiana. A dozen homeowners insurance companies have fled Louisiana and another dozen went insolvent following devastating hurricanes in 2020 and 2021.

THE BODY OF A SEVENTY-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS FOUND AFTER FLAMES ERUPTED IN HER SOUTH REFINERY STREET HOME.  DANIELLE JOHNSON REPORTS.

VOICER D :16

FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, THE CITY OF CROWLEY’S FINANCIAL AUDIT, DUE AT THE END OF FEBRUARY, WILL BE LATE.  MAYOR CHAD MONCEAUX TELLS KATC TV THE AUDITORS HAD TROUBLE ACQUIRING THE INFORMATION THEY NEEDED FROM THE CITY TO DO THE AUDIT, BECAUSE OF RECORD-KEEPING ISSUES.  MONCEAUX SAYS HE AND THE NEW CONTRACT C-P-A ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AND AUDITORS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION.  HE SAYS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS THE HEAVY TURNOVER IN THE CITY CLERK’S POSITION, AS THEY’VE GONE THROUGH SIX CITY CLERKS IN A YEAR’S TIME.

A POWER OUTAGE IS PLANNED FOR SOME JEFFERSON DAVIS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CUSTOMERS TODAY BEGINNING AT NINE A-M.  THE OUTAGE WILL ALLOW ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE WORK TO BE DONE AT THE MICHIGAN WISCONSIN SUBSTATION, ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS.  THEY EXPECT THE OUTAGE TO LAST APPROXIMATELY SIX HOURS.  THE AREAS AFFECTED INCLUDE CREOLE, OAK GROVE AND LITTLE CHENIER.

WARRANTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR FOUR ADULTS AND A JUVENILE, WHO WERE ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN A SHOOTING LAST MONTH AT THE FAMILY DOLLAR STORE AND ZAZA’S HOOKAH LOUNGE ON VETERAN’S MEMORIAL DRIVE IN ABBEVILLE.  WHEN OFFICERS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE OF THE SHOOTING, THEY FOUND PEOPLE YELLING AND SCREAMING, ATTENDING TO GUNSHOT VICTIMS AND CARS LEAVING.  THE FIVE ARE EACH WANTED FOR FOUR COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER AND ONE COUNT OF ILLEGAL USE OF WEPONS OR DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTALITIES.  THE FOUR ADULTS THAT ARE WANTED ARE TWENTY-YEAR-OLD KALEN CHRISTOPHER CORMIER, TWENTY-YEAR-OLD KIRBY JARMALL WOODS, TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD RODERICK KEITH GUIDRY JUNIOR, AND TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD TRE’VON TYREEK ARDOIN.