KAJN Jesus FM 102.9

A THIRTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD MAN DIED IN A HOUSE FIRE IN ABBEVILLE THAT HAPPENED JUST BEFORE TWO-THIRTY A-M YESTERDAY.  AUTHORITIES SAY THE HOMEOWNER, A WOMAN, NOTICED THE FIRE AND ALERTED THE MAN, WHO WAS A FRIEND WHO OFTEN STAYED AT THE HOME.  THE WOMAN ESCAPED THROUGH A WINDOW BUT THE MAN DIED IN THE FIRE.  STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S DEPUTIES ARE INVESTIGATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE FIRE, THOUGH THEY HAVE DETERMINED THE FIRE BEGAN IN THE LIVING ROOM.

A LAFAYETTE FIREFIGHTER JUMPED OFF A BRIDGE MORE THAN TWENTY FEET HIGH ON INTERSTATE TEN TO AVOID BEING STRUCK BY AN EIGHTEEN-WHEELER.  FIREMEN WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE OF A CRASH ON I-TEN AT AROUND EIGHT-THIRTY LAST NIGHT AND THE FIRE TRUCK WAS STRUCK BY THE EIGHTEEN-WHEELER.  THE FIREFIGHTER WAS ON THE TRUCK AND LEAPT FROM IT ON IMPACT, LANDING BELOW THE ELEVATED PORTION OF THE INTERSTATE.  HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND IS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edward’s decision to veto a congressional redistricting plan that didn’t create a second majority-Black district drew praise from voting rights advocates. But they also criticized the Democratic governor for not vetoing legislative district maps that don’t increase minority representation in the state House and Senate. GOP leaders now face a decision on whether to attempt an override of the Democratic governor’s Wednesday night veto of the new congressional maps. Lawmakers could attempt an override in the upcoming regular legislative session that opens Monday.

GREENBERRY INDUSTRIAL IS GOING TO CONVERT THE FORMER GULF ISLANDS SHIPYARDS ON THE MERMENTAU RIVER NEAR JENNINGS INTO A MANUFACTURING PLANT.  THEY WILL BE PRODUCING HEAVY INDUSTRIAL MODULES FOR THE PETROCHEMICAL, MARITIME, ENERGY, PULP AND PAPER, AND HIGH-TECH SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRIES.  THE COMPANY WILL CREATE ONE HUNDRED JOBS PAYING AN AVERAGE OF SIXTY-TWO-THOUSAND DOLLARS PLUS BENEFITS.  LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES THE PROJECT WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL ONE HUNDRED FORTY-FOUR INDIRECT JOBS.

A POSTAL WORKER IN JEANERETTE IS BEING CREDITED WITH SAVING A FAMILY THAT WAS ASLEEP WHEN THEIR HOUSE CAUGHT ON FIRE.  NOAH PULLIN WAS MAKING HIS DELIVERIES WHEN HE SAW FLAMES COME FROM A HOUSE ON BAYSIDE STREET, SO HE KNOCKED ON THE DOOR.  WHEN HE DIDN’T GET A RESPONSE, PULLIN USED A PIECE OF WOOD TO KNOCK OUT WINDOWS AND FORCE A DOOR, AND HE AND A NEIGHBOR HELPED AWAKEN THE FAMILY AND GET THEM OUT.  WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED, PULLIN PICKED UP WHERE THE ROUTE HE WAS FILLING IN FOR LEFT OFF.  HE SAYS HE WAS GLAD TO BE IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME TO HELP SOMEBODY OUT.

A GO FUND ME PAGE HAS BEEN STARTED FOR A DUSON FAMILY THAT LOST EVERYTHING IN A HOUSE FIRE.  MIKE AND JODIE ANDRUS HAD LIVED IN THE HOME FOR THIRTY-FIVE YEARS BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE ON SUNDAY.  HE SAYS THE BIGGEST LOSS IS THE MEMORIES, NOT THE MATERIAL THINGS, BUT HE’S GRATEFUL NO ONE WAS HOME WHEN THE FIRE HAPPENED.  ANDRUS’ DAUGHTER STARTED THE GO FUND ME PAGE, WHERE MORE THAN TWENTY-TWO THOUSAND HAS BEEN RAISED SO FAR.

THE FAMILY OF A RAYNE WOMAN, WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED WEDNESDAY AT A HOME ON BENOIT STREET, ARE TRYING TO RAISE FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR FUNERAL EXPENSES.  THEY SET UP A GO FUND ME PAGE FOR ALESSIA JOY MALONE WITH ANY REMAINING MONEY GOING TO HER TWO DAUGHTERS.  HER BOYFRIEND, TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD TRENDEN MYLAR MCGUIRE, IS THE ACCUSED SHOOTER.  HE IS BEING CHARGED WITH SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.

EARLY VOTING FOR THE MARCH TWENTY-SIXTH ELECTION IN LOUISIANA BEGINS TOMORROW.  CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.

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A RAYNE MAN IS NOW FACING CHARGES FOR THE DEATH OF HIS GIRLFRIEND.  CAROLINE MARCELLO REPORTS.

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THE LAFAYETTE LIBRARY’S RECONSIDERATION BOARD DECIDED TO NOT BAN A D-V-D ON THEIR SHELVES THAT WAS AN L-G-B-T-Q DOCUMENTARY.  KATHERINE LAFLEUR MADE THE REQUEST TO BAN THE D-V-D WHICH SHE SAID HAD SCENES THAT BELONGED IN PORN, NOT A DOCUMENTARY.  SEVERAL PEOPLE SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE BAN, CALLING IT CENSORSHIP.  THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS YEAR THE RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE HAS REVIEWED AN L-G-B-T-Q BOOK OR D-V-D AND CONSIDERED BANNING IT.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards says he has vetoed a new congressional redistricting plan for the state because it lacks a second majority-Black district. The Democratic governor’s office issued a news release announcing the veto Wednesday night. The new maps approved in a recent special session of the Republican-dominated Legislature are similar to existing maps, with boundary changes made to account for population shifts reflected in the 2020 census. The congressional seats are now held by five white Republicans and one Black Democrat.

LOUISIANA’S LARGEST AND MOST SPECTACULAR EASTER EGG HUNT IS COMING BACK TO JENNINGS ON SATURDAY, APRIL NINTH.  THIS WILL BE THE SEVENTH YEAR OF THE OUR SAVIOR’S CHURCH EGGDROP WHICH WILL LAST FROM ELEVEN TO TWO AT THE JENNINGS PARKS AND RECREATION.  A HELICOPTER WILL DROP MORE THAN FIFTY THOUSAND EASTER EGGS ON THE FIELDS FOR THE EGG HUNT.  THE LAST TIME THE EVENT HAPPENED IN TWENTY-NINETEEN, AROUND TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED CHILDREN PARTICIPATED.

A EUNICE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH A FATAL SHOOTING THAT HAPPEN IN EVANGELINE PARISH ON FEBRUARY FIFTEENTH.  TJUAN AUGUST WAS SHOT AT THE INTERSECTION OF WOODSTONE ROAD AND SAINT JULIEN ROAD AND WAS TAKEN TO A EUNICE HOSPITAL, WHERE HE LATER DIED.  NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD JUSTIN OWENS WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER BEING QUESTIONED BY POLICE.  HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE EVANGELINE PARISH JAIL ON A CHARGE OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.

LAFAYETTE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A TWO VEHICLE CRASH THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AT THE INTERSECTION OF LOUISIANA AVENUE AND SOUTH STERLING STREET.  SENIOR CORPORAL MATTHEW BENOIT SAYS A MAN TRAVELING SOUTH ON SOUTH STERLING HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING ON LOUISIANA AVENUE TOWARD THE EVANGELINE THRUWAY.  THE MAN IN THE SOUTHBOUND VEHICLE WAS EJECTED FROM THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE ON IMPACT.  HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH SEVERE INJURIES AND IS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

THIS IS THE THIRD DRYEST WINTER IN RECORDED HISTORY FOR LOUISIANA.  CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.

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A federal judge in Lafayette has ordered an Alabama boat captain to serve 160 years in prison for exploiting a girl to make child pornography, and to pay the girl more than $200,000. U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown says District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. also ordered lifetime supervised release if 46-year-old William Malone of Mobile gets out of prison. A jury in Lafayette convicted Malone in October on five counts of producing child pornography and two related charges. Prosecutors say Malone was captain of a vessel that sailed out of Abbeville and the images were on his phone and laptop, found in a search of that vessel.

THE FORMER MAYOR OF JEANERETTE, APRIL FOULCARDE, HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF THREE CHARGES: MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE, BANK FRAUD AND THEFT.  CAROLINE MARCELLO REPORTS.

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THE SCOTT FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A FIRE AT A BUSINESS ON NORTH AMBASSADOR CAFFERY SHORTLY BEFORE MIDNIGHT LAST NIGHT.  THE FIRE AT WESTPORT LINEN WAS BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL QUICKLY, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO BINS OF LINENS AND TWO COMMERCIAL LINEN PRESSES.  FIRE CHIEF CHAD SONNIER SAYS THE FIRE STARTED BECAUSE OF PIECES OF LINEN BEING REMOVED FROM A DRYER AND LEFT SMOLDERING IN A BIN FOR SEVERAL HOURS, EVENTUALLY IGNITING THE FIRE.  NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

THE STATE BOARD OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION APPROVED ITS FUNDING REQUEST TO THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD GIVE TEACHERS A FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLAR ANNUAL PAY RAISE WHILE KEEPING SCHOOL BUDGETS THE SAME.  THE PAY RAISE PROPOSAL MIRRORS THE ONE OFFERED BY GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS, THOUGH HE SAID HE’D LIKE TO BOOST IT BY TWO THOUSAND IF THE REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE RECOGNIZES MORE STATE REVENUE WHEN IT MEETS IN MAY.  THE STATE LEGISLATURE WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO APPROVE OR REJECT THE FUNDING REQUEST BUT CANNOT CHANGE IT.  LARRY CARTER OF THE LOUISIANA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS WANTED BESE TO ASK FOR A TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED A YEAR RAISE FOR TEACHERS, SAYING THE FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLAR A YEAR AMOUNT IS NOT ENOUGH.

A STARKS MAN WAS ARRESTED BY THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE FOR KIDNAPPING AND ATTEMPTED MURDER.  DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED TO A RESIDENCE IN STARKS ABOUT AN UNCONSCIOUS WOMAN AND LEARNED SHE HAD BEEN TAKEN AGAINST HER WILL BY TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD MATTHEW D. ESTRIDGE.  DETECTIVES SAY ESTRIDGE ADMITTED TO TAKING THE WOMAN AGAINST HER WILL AND BEATING HER.  ESTRIDGE WAS BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU CORRECTIONAL CENTER AND IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND PENDING A HEARING.

A BURN BAN HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE FOR ACADIA PARISH.  POLICE JURY PRESIDENT CHANCE HENRY MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT LAST NIGHT FOR ACADIA PARISH AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS.  HE SAYS ALL OUTDOOR BURNING ACTIVITIES ARE PROHIBITED EXCEPT FOR PRESCRIBED BURNS BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY.  THE ORDER GOES INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY AND REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL IT IS RESCINDED.

THE CITY OF CARENCRO WILL BE BUILDING A NEW FIRE STATION WITH TWO ADDITIONAL TRUCKS AND SQUAD UNITS.  THE FIVE MILLION DOLLAR COST WILL BE FUNDED THROUGH BONDS AND A SEWER TAX.  THE ADDED FIRE STATION WILL IMPROVE THE FIRE RATING SCORE FOR THE CITY, WHICH COULD BRING DOWN HOME INSURANCE RATES.  FIRE CHIEF DAVID MOUTON SAYS THEY COULD ALSO ADD THREE MORE FULL TIME POSITIONS IF A FEDERAL SAFETY GRANT IS APPROVED.

YESTERDAY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCED A BAN ON RUSSIAN OIL IMPORTS BECAUSE OF THAT COUNTRY’S INVASION OF UKRAINE.  MIKE MONCLA OF THE LOUISIANA OIL AND GAS ASSOCIATION SAYS IT COULD IMPACT GAS PRICES BUT IT’S NOT THE CAUSE OF HIGH PRICES AT THE PUMP.  HE BLAMED BIDEN’S RESTRICTIONS ON THE OIL INDUSTRY FOR CAUSING SKY HIGH PRICES INCLUDING THE TERMINATION OF THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE AND OFFSHORE LEASES, AS WELL AS A BAN ON FEDERAL PERMITS TO DRILL.  MONCLA SAYS GAS PRICES WERE THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN A YEAR-AND-A HALF AGO BEFORE THE RUSSIAN INVASION HAPPENED.

A GROUP OF TWENTY CYCLISTS, GOING ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY, MADE SEVERAL STOPS IN ACADIANA YESTERDAY.  THE MONEY THEY RAISE IS FOR THE FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING, A CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION THAT BUILDS AND REPAIRS HOMES FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS.  THE GROUP HAD THEIR FIRST BIKE RIDE IN TWO THOUSAND EIGHT AND, OVER THE YEARS, HAVE RAISED THREE-POINT-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS AND WORKED ON NEARLY TWO HUNDRED FIFTY HOMES.  ONE OF THE MEMBERS, JIM BRIEN, SPEAKING TO KLFY TV AT A REST STOP IN PORT BARRE, SAYS IT’S A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE HELPING OUT ALL THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE WHO NEED THE HELP.

THE JEANERETTE CITY MARSHAL’S OFFICE MAY HAVE VIOLATED STATE LAW, ACCORDING TO A STATE AUDIT.  CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.

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A MAN IS IN STABLE CONDITION AFTER BEING SHOT IN LAFAYETTE JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT SUNDAY NIGHT.  POLICE RESPONDED TO REPORTS OF A FAMILY DISTURBANCE IN THE ONE HUNDRED BLOCK OF AMBROISE STREET AND FOUND A MAN SUFFERING A GUNSHOT WOUND.  FIFTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD PAMELA JOINER WAS ARRESTED AND HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.  AN INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.

Americans paid a combined $561 million in late payment fees to electrical utilities in 2019, but how much you pay depends on where you live. An AP analysis of federal regulatory data found that several major utility companies in states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Florida and Maryland are charging late fees that are much higher than the national average. Late fees typically punish customers who are least able to afford their utility bill to begin with. The fees account for a small part of major energy companies’ overall revenue, but for the people who must pay them, they can be crushing.

A MAN WANTED FOR A SHOOTING AT A LAKE CHARLES WALMART STORE WAS FOUND AND ARRESTED IN OPELOUSAS FRIDAY.  DEPUTY CHIEF FRANKLIN FONDEL SAYS NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD COTRELLIS LAQUINCY HENRY GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH AN EMPLOYEE AT THE WALMART STORE ON GERSTNER MEMORIAL ON FEBRUARY EIGHEENTH AND SHOT THE EMPLOYEE, WHO HAS SINCE RECOVERED.  FONDEL SAYS HENRY FLED ON FOOT AND LEFT HIS VEHICLE BEHIND IN THE PARKING LOT.  U-S MARSHALS AND THE LAKE CHARLES POLICE DEPARTMENT SWAT TEAM ARRESTED HENRY WITHOUT INCIDENT LATE FRIDAY NIGHT IN OPELOUSAS FOR AGGRAVATED SECOND DEGREE BATTERY AND POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A CONVICTED FELON.

AN ABBEVILLE MAN WAS ARRESTED SUNDAY FOR ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING A WOMAN IN THE NECK DURING AN ARGUMENT.  WHEN POLICE RESPONDED TO REPORTS OF SHOTS FIRED AT THE COUNTRY VILLAGE APARTMENTS, THEY FOUND THE VICTIM OUTSIDE THE APARTMENT, WHO TOLD THEM THE SUSPECT, DEMONTREVON CHAVIS, WAS INSIDE.  THEY SEALED OFF THE APARTMENT AND EVENTUALLY TOOK CHAVIS INTO CUSTODY AS HE EXITED THE APARTMENT.  POLICE ALSO FOUND THE WEAPON INVOLVED AND LATER LEARNED IT HAD BEEN STOLEN.

The Italian owners of a Switzerland-based helicopter company have backed out of plans to build a new model in Lafayette, and the state is looking for a new tenant. Leonardo Helicopters bought Kopter Group AG in 2020, the year after Kopter announced plans to use a manufacturing plant in Lafayette. News outlets report that Leonardo now plans to build the SH09 single-engine helicopters in Philadelphia. Lafayette Economic Development Authority president and CEO Mandi Mitchell says the agency and state have been marketing the facility to potential clients, and the agency was planning to continue doing so at a trade show this week in Dallas.

LOUISIANA IS ONE OF TWENTY-FIVE STATES EXPECTED TO EXCEED THEIR FORECASTED REVENUES.  THE REVENUE FORECAST FOR LOUISIANA IS UP ONE BILLION DOLLARS FROM NINE-POINT-NINE BILLION TO TEN-POINT-NINE BILLION DOLLARS.  THE STATE’S CHIEF ECONOMIST MANFRED DIX TOLD THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE MONDAY THAT THE INCREASE IS DUE TO AN UNEXPECTED RISE IN INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX AND GENERAL SALES TAX COLLECTIONS.  INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX COLLECTIONS INCREASED UNEXPECTEDLY BY FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY MILLION ABOVE THE FORECAST AND SALES TAX COLLECTIONS ARE FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS ABOVE PROJECTION.

A RAYNE MAN WAS ARRESTED SUNDAY IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED ON MAY TWENTY-FIFTH LAST YEAR.  RAYNE POLICE SAY TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD MARKEL CORMIER FIRED A WEAPON AT TWO INDIVIDUALS IN A VEHICLE ON LYMAN AND WEST JEFF DAVIS AVENUES, THOUGH NEITHER INDIVIDUAL WAS HIT.  AFTER THE SHOOTING, ARREST WARRANTS WERE ISSUED FOR CORMIER ON TWO COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER.  HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE ACADIA PARISH JAIL SUNDAY.

ONE PERSON FELL OFF THE I-TEN BRIDGE INTO WHISKEY BAY AFTER AN EIGHTEEN-WHEELER STRUCK A VEHICLE PARKED ON THE SHOULDER.  A PRIVATE FISHERMAN WAS ABLE TO RESCUE THE PERSON, WHO WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN SERIOUS CONDITION.  TWO OTHER PEOPLE WERE ALSO INJURED IN THE CRASH.  THE ATCHAFALAYA BASIN BRIDGE IS CLOSED ON THE EASTBOUND SIDE AT AROUND MILE MARKER 130.

STUDENTS IN LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOLS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS ON SCHOOL BUSES.  THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM CONFIRMED THAT THEY ARE FOLLOWING REVISED C-D-C GUIDELINES THAT NO LONGER REQUIRES MASKS ON BUSES OR VANS OPERATED BY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL SYSTEMS.  MEANWHILE MASKS ARE OPTIONAL ON SCHOOL BUSES AND IN SCHOOLS IN SAINT LANDRY PARISH.  THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY LAST NIGHT TO CHANGE THE POLICY AND END THE MASK REQUIREMENT.

AUTHORITIES ARE SEARCHING FOR A MISSING OPELOUSAS MAN BELIEVED TO BE IN IMMINENT DANGER.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

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HERE’S SYLVIA MASTERS AGAIN WITH THE LATEST COVID NINETEEN NUMBERS FOR LOUISIANA.

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THERE WAS A WATER OUTAGE IN OAKDALE BUT IT HAS BEEN RESTORED.  CITY OFFICIALS TELL KPLC TV THAT A CLAMP ON THE MAIN WATER LINE FAILED LAST NIGHT, CAUSING A BREAK IN THE LINE.  CITY RESIDENTS ARE NOW UNDER A BOIL ADVISORY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. OAKDALE PUBLIC SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED TODAY BECAUSE OF THE OUTAGE.

A LAFAYETTE MAN WAS ARRESTED IN BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA AFTER HE TRAVELED THERE TO ENGAGE IN ILLICIT RELATIONS WITH A CHILD.  IT TURNED OUT FIFTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD PIERRE CHRISTOPHE HAD BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH AN UNDERCOVER AGENT POSING AS A CHILD.  HE TRAVELED MORE THAN EIGHT HUNDRED MILES AND ARRIVED AT A PREARRANGED LOCATION, WHERE HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.  CHRISTOPHE WAS CHARGED WITH USE OF A COMPUTER TO FACILITATE UNLAWFUL TRAVEL TO MEET A MINOR AND USE OF A COMPUTER TO SOLICIT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN, AND HIS BOND WAS SET AT ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

WORK HAS BEGUN ON THE FIRST MAJOR ROAD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN IBERIA PARISH IN NEARLY TWO DECADES.  THE ACADIANA ACCESS ROAD WILL INCLUDE SEVERAL ROUNDABOUTS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO GET TO THE ACADIANA REGIONAL AIRPORT.  IBERIA PARISH PRESIDENT LARRY RICHARD SAYS THE PROJECT IS A BIG STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF BRINGING MAJOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO THE PARISH.  THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE FINISHED IN AUGUST BUT THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS PROJECTED TO TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE AND COST ABOUT THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has canceled dozens of oyster leases because the owners haven’t paid their rent. There are 44 leases, which had been held by 19 people or groups. The rent is supposed to be paid by the end of January. The department says it must revoke leases for people who haven’t paid before March 1.

THE VERMILLION PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS ASKING THE PUBLIC’S HELP IN FINDING A MAN WANTED FOR SEXUAL BATTERY THAT HAPPENED IN TWENTY-NINETEEN.  THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE SECURED AN ARREST WARRANT FOR SIXTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD GARY LEE HAMILTON, WHOSE LAST KNOWN LOCATION WAS ABBEVILLE.  HE IS FIVE-ELEVEN AND TWO HUNDRED SIXTY POUNDS WITH GREEN EYES AND GREY HAIR.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON HAMILTON’S LOCATION IS ASKED TO CALL SEVEN-FOUR-OH-TIPS WHERE A CASH REWARD IS BEING OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO AN ARREST.

A MISSING NEW IBERIA TEENAGER HAS BEEN FOUND SAFE, ACCORDING TO POLICE.  NEW IBERIA POLICE HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD BAILEY FREDERICK, WHO WAS PICKED UP BY SOMEONE IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE SUNDAY.  IT WAS FEARED SHE WAS IN IMMINENT DANGER.  NO DETAILS HAVE BEEN RELEASED INTO WHAT HAPPENED TO HER.

A MAN WAS INJURED TRYING TO PUT OUT A FIRE AT A HOME IN THE THREE HUNDRED BLOCK OF PINTAIL DRIVE IN LAFAYETTE JUST BEFORE TWELVE THIRTY YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

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HERE’S SYLVIA MASTERS AGAIN WITH THE LATEST COVID-NINETEEN NUMBERS FOR LOUISIANA.

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RESIDENTS ON SUNDALE DRIVE IN LAKE CHARLES ARE STILL DEALING WITH PILES OF DEBRIS FROM HURRICANE LAURA A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AFTER IT HIT.  ONE OF THE RESIDENTS, DYLAN OLIVIER, TELLS KPLC TV THAT THE PARISH DID NOT PICK UP ON SUNDALE DRIVE DURING THE SECOND AND THIRD SWEEPS.  CALCASIEU PARISH OFFICIALS SAY MISTAKES HAVE BEEN MADE WITH A FEW AREAS MISSED.  THEY RECOMMEND HOMEOWNERS CONTACT THE PARISH DIRECTLY TO HAVE HURRICANE DEBRIS PICKED UP.

THE SAINT LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL VOTED LAST NIGHT TO REMOVE A CONFEDERATE MONUMENT IN FRONT OF THE PARISH COURTHOUSE.  DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES CRAVINS ASKED THE PARISH COUNCIL TO REMOVE THE STATUE.  HE SAID EVERYDAY IT STANDS, IT REPRESENTS THE IDEA OF WHITE SUPREMACY.  THE UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY PUT UP THE MONUMENT IN NINETEEN-TWENTY.

THE CITY OF YOUNGSVILLE IS MOVING FORWARD WITH DRAINAGE CONTROL PROJECTS THAT WILL INCLUDE THE CREATION OF A NEW VETERAN’S MEMORIAL PARK, WHICH WILL PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES.  A DRAINAGE POND WILL BE THE CENTERPIECE OF THE NEW PARK, WHICH WILL BE PLACED ON DONATED PROPERTY ON EAST MILTON AVENUE.  MAYOR KEN RITTER SAYS CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN THIS YEAR AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR.  HE SAYS THEY ARE TRYING TO PREVENT THE DAMAGING FLOODING THAT HAPPENED IN YOUNGSVILLE IN TWENTY-SIXTEEN.

Republican elected officials across the U.S. are criticizing President Joe Biden over his energy policies and want to ramp up domestic production to help wean the nation and its allies off oil from Russia. Governors, senators and state attorneys general from oil- and gas-producing states, including Louisiana, urged his administration to do more to boost production. The sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies on Russia for its war with Ukraine so far do not include oil and gas exports from the country.

ABBEVILLE POLICE HAVE ARRESTED FOUR PEOPLE IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED LAST FRIDAY.  AN INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT PEOPLE IN TWO VEHICLES WERE SHOOTING AT EACH OTHER ON SOUTH WASHINGTON STREET, NEAR WEST LAFAYETTE STREET AT AROUND ELEVEN-ELEVEN A-M.  OFFICERS IDENTIFIED ONE OF THE SUSPECTS WHO WAS LATER FOUND IN A VEHICLE WITH SEVERAL OTHER OCCUPANTS.  OFFICERS RECOVERED TWO RIFLES AND THREE HANDGUNS, INCLUDING ONE THAT WAS REPORTED STOLEN.

A LARGE GRASSFIRE IN LAFAYETTE PARISH YESTERDAY AFTERNOON LED TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.  FIRE CREWS FROM LAFAYETTE, CARENCRO, SCOTT AND DUSON WERE ON HAND TO PUT OUT THE FIRE IN THE EIGHTEEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF GLORIA SWITCH.  OFFICIALS TOLD KATC TV THAT AROUND TWENTY-FIVE TO THIRTY TRAILERS AND TWO CAMPERS WERE BURNED, THOUGH THEY WERE ABANDONED.  THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED.

THERE WAS ANOTHER LARGE GRASS FIRE TUESDAY AFTERNOON NEAR CONRAD STREET AND OLLIE ROAD IN ERATH.  FIRE TRUCKS FROM KAPLAN, BROUSSARD, LEBLANC, ABBEVILLE AND DECLAMBRE ASSISTED THE ERATH FIRE DEPARTMENT IN PUTTING OUT THE BLAZE.  FIRE CHIEF CHAD SAVOY SAYS IT THREATENED SEVERAL HOMES BUT WAS PUT OUT IN TIME.  HE SAYS THE FIRE WAS STARTED BY A HOMEOWNER BURNING DEBRIS.

BOTH LOUISIANA SENATORS RESPONDED TO PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN’S STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH LAST NIGHT.  SENATOR JOHN KENNEDY WAS ESPECIALLY CRITICAL OF BIDEN’S STATEMENT THAT HE AIMS TO STAY THE COURSE, WHICH KENNEDY SAYS IS BAD NEWS FOR LOUISIANA FAMILIES.  KENNEDY SAYS BIDEN HAS MISMANAGED COVID, THE ECONOMY, AND THE SOUTHERN BORDER AND HAS CAUSED SKY-HIGH INFLATION AND THE FORFEITING OF AMERICA’S ENERGY INDEPENDENCE.  SENATOR BILL CASSIDY SAYS BIDEN’S ENERGY ISOLATIONISM HAS WEAKENED THE U-S AND OUR ALLIES, HURT AMERICA’S FAMILIES AND STRENGTHENED RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN.

LOUISIANA STATE POLICE HAVE ISSUED A MISSING CHILD ADVISORY FOR A THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL, WHO IS BELIVED TO BE IN IMMINENT DANGER.  BAILEY FREDERICK WAS LAST SEEN LEAVING HER HOME ON ZIP LANE AND WAS SEEN GETTING INTO A GRAY DODGE CHARGER OR CHRYSLER THREE HUNDRED ON ROBERTSON STREET WITH AN OLDER WOMAN.  SEVERAL WITNESSES SAY SHE APPEARED TO BE SCARED AND IT’S BELIEVED SHE IS BEING HELD AGAINST HER WILL.  A PICTURE OF BAILEY CAN BE SEEN AT THE IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE FACEBOOK PAGE.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION OR WHO KNOWS HER WHEREABOUTS IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE.

EUNICE POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD BOY IN CONNECTION WITH A HOMOCIDE LAST SUMMER.  IT WAS INITIALLY REPORTED THAT THE DEATH OF A TEENAGER ON JUNE TWENTY-FIRST WAS A SUICIDE.  IT WAS LATER LEARNED DURING AN INVESTIGATION THAT THE SUSPECT MISHANDLED A SHOTGUN AND ACCIDENTALLY KILLED THE TEENAGER.  THE FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD BOY IS BEING CHARGED WITH NEGLIGENT HOMOCIDE.  THE SUSPECT’S NAME IS NOT BEING RELEASED BECAUSE HE IS A JUVENILE.

The state of Louisiana currently has $900 million waiting to be claimed by its residents.  Kathleen Lobell runs the State’s Unclaimed Property division, and she is trying to get that money back into the hands of Louisianans.  Unclaimed property can be anything from forgotten bank accounts, utility deposit refunds, wages, or life insurance payouts. Last fiscal year, the state paid around $71 million back.

FREE DRIVE THROUGH COVID-NINETEEN TESTING WILL BE AVAILABLE TODAY AT THE LAFAYETTE, IBERIA AND ACADIA PARISH HEALTH UNITS FROM EIGHT A-M TO TWO P-M.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

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THE CITY OF SAINT MARTINVILLE IS UNDER A BOIL WATER ADVISORY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  IT WAS ISSUED BECAUSE THE WATER WAS SHUT OFF MONDAY NIGHT TO FIX A BROKEN WATER LINE.  THE WATER WAS TURNED OFF AT TEN THIRTY THAT NIGHT AND REMAINED CLOSED FOR THREE TO FOUR HOURS.

CHURCH POINT POLICE SEIZED FIVE HANDGUNS IN SEVERAL HOURS DURING ITS PARADE OVER THE WEEKEND.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

VOICER Y :19

STUDENTS IN VERMILLION PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS NOW HAVE THE OPTION OF NOT WEARING THEIR MASKS WHILE RIDING THE SCHOOL BUS.  THE DECISION WAS ANNOUNCED FRIDAY.  SUPERINTENDENT TOMMY BYLER SAYS THEY ARE FOLLOWING CDC GUIDELINES.  THE CDC, AS OF FRIDAY, NO LONGER REQUIRES THE WEARING OF MASKS ON BUSES OR VANS OPERATED BY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

A MAN KILLED IN A FIERY CRASH IN ALLEN PARISH ON FEBRUARY NINTH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED.  FIFTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD RICHARD TODD FONTENOT OF KINDER WAS KILLED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH AT THE INTERSECTION OF SHERMAN HOUSTON AND KINDER CEMETARY AT AROUND EIGHT-FIFTEEN THAT NIGHT.  AT THE TIME, THE STATE POLICE DID NOT IDENTIFY FONTENOT.  THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR THE ALLEN PARISH CORONER’S OFFICE FOR A POSITIVE I-D.

STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF LANDRY IS TRYING TO STOP A FEDERAL RULE THAT WOULD AFFECT THE TRANSPORT OF LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

VOICER A :25

MORGAN CITY POLICE ARRESTED A MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY STABBED ANOTHER PERSON IN THE NECK SUNDAY EVENING.  FORTY-YEAR-OLD JARRED WOMACK OF MORGAN CITY REPORTEDLY LEFT THE SCENE OF THE STABBING IN THE AREA OF PARK ROAD BUT WAS ARRESTED LATER THAT NIGHT.  WOMACK HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.  THE VICTIM WAS AIRLIFTED TO A HOSPITAL OUT OF THE AREA AND WAS IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION AS OF MONDAY MORNING.

THE OPELOUSAS FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A FIRE AT THE FORMER SOUTHWEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON BURR STREET.  FIRE CHIEF CHARLES MASON SAYS THE FIRE WAS LIMITED TO ONE CLASSROOM AND WAS EXTINGUISHED.  THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE IS TRYING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.  THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR YEARS BUT HAS BEEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

LAKE CHARLES POLICE HAVE MADE NO ARRESTS IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING IN A WALMART PARKING LOT.  IT HAPPENED ON THE EVENING OF FRIDAY, FEBRUARY EIGHTEENTH.  ONE PERSON WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH NON-LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.  DEPUTY CHIEF FRANKLIN FONDEL SAYS THEY ARE CONTINUING TO INVESTIGATE THE SHOOTING.

TWO PEOPLE FROM CROWLEY WERE KILLED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION SUNDAY NIGHT ON HIGHWAY THIRTY-FIVE NEAR POINTE NOIR ROAD.  ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE, TWENTY-YEAR-OLD DERRICK CEASAR WAS DRIVING A BUICK CENTURY WHEN HE CROSSED THE CENTER LINE.  THE DRIVER OF A FORD EXPEDITION COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY GOT ONTO THE SHOULDER TO TRY TO AVOID THE BUICK BUT WAS HIT HEAD-ON.  CEASAR AND A PASSENTER IN HIS VEHICLE, TWENTY-YEAR-OLD TWYON THORN, WERE BOTH KILLED WHILE THE PEOPLE IN THE FORD EXPEDITION SUFFERED MODERATE TO MINOR INJURIES.  THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND STATE POLICE AWAIT THE RESULTS OF TOXICOLOGY TESTS.