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PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

9/11 LAKEFRONT MEMORIAL SERVICE
September 12, 2011

LOCAL OFFICIALS AND AREA RESIDENTS GATHERED ON THE LAKEFRONT FOR THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION OF SEPTEMBER 11. THE FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS WERE IN ATTENDANCE REMEMBERING THEIR FELLOW OFFICERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES ON THAT SEPTEMBER DAY. TWO LAKE AREA NATIVES WHO LOST THEIR LIVES ON THAT DAY WERE PAYED TRIBUTE AND REMEMBERED.THE FAMILY OF PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS KEVIN YOKUM WHO LOST HIS LIFE WHILE IN THE PENTAGON WAS REMEMBERED THROUGH SHARED WORDS BY HIS MOTHER BEULAH YOKUM WHO SENT WORDS OF TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE WHO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY. RUSSELL KEENE THE THIRD WHO LOST HIS LIFE WHILE IN THE SOUTH TOWER OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER WAS REMEMBERED BY HIS UNCLE ED NELSON. CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHN IEYOUB WHO LED THE COMMEMORATION SERVICE SAID "WE WILL NOT ONLY REMEMBER AND HONOR, BUT WE WILL NEVER FORGET. CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY PRESIDENT GUY BRAME EXPRESSED WORDS OF CONFIDENCE AND A CLOSER COUNTRY SAYING "ONE NATION UNDER GOD, WINS ALL.

ALLEN PARISH FIRE VIOLATION
September 12, 2011

DURING A ROUTINE AUDIT ALLEN PARISH DISTRICT 3 DID NOT RECEIVE BIDS WHEN PURCHASING MATERIAL AND SUPPLY THAT COST MORE THAN THE $30,000 LIMIT. THE FIRE DISTRICT DID RECEIVE QUOTES, BUT NO BIDS. STATE LAW REQUIRES ALL PURCHASES OF SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS COSTING MORE THAN $30,000 TO BE ADVERTISED AND THEN CONTRACTED TO THE LOWEST BIDDER. THE AMENDED BUDGET ALSO WAS NOT RECORDED IN ITS OFFICIAL MINUTES. DISTRICT OFFICIALS PLEDGED TO TAKE STEPS TO CORRECT THE FINDINGS.

DEQUINCY DRUG CHARGE ARRESTS
September 12, 2011

INVESTIGATORS WITH THE LOUISIANA STATE POLICE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS AND THE DEQUINCY POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED TWO DEQUINCY RESIDENTS ON DRUG CHARGES THURSDAY. THESE ARRESTS ARE THE RESULT OF AN ONGOING JOINT INVESTIGATION BETWEEN THE LOUISIANA STATE POLICE AND THE DEQUINCY POLICE DEPARTMENT. INVESTIGATORS ARRESTED 34-YEAR-OLD JEREMY D. BRUMMETT OF DEQUINCY FOR ATTEMPTING TO ILLEGALLY OBTAIN A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE. BRUMMETT IS CURRENTLY ON PROBATION IN LOUISIANA AND IS WANTED BY AUTHORITIES IN OREGON FOR DRUG OFFENSES. BRUMMETT WAS BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER. INVESTIGATORS ALSO ARRESTED 24-YEAR-OLD ANTOINE E. ZENO, JR. OF DEQUINCY FOR DISTRIBUTING METHAMPHETAMINE. ZENO SOLD METHAMPHETAMINE TO AN UNDERCOVER POLICE OFFICER. ZENO WAS BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER. INVESTIGATIONS INTO ILLEGAL DRUG MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION IN THE DEQUINCY AREA CONTINUE.

GOVERNOR'S COASTAL ANNOUNCEMENT
September 9, 2011

GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL ANNOUNCED DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE IN LAKE CHARLES ON THURSDAY THAT THE STATE HAS INVESTED MORE MONEY FOR DREDGING AND SEDIMENT USE IN CALCASIEU AND CAMERON PARISHES THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN LOUISIANA, AND IT IS PAYING OFF IN MARSH CREATION AND INCREASED HURRICANE SURGE PROTECTION. GOVERNOR JINDAL SAID, ?WITH MORE THAN $83 MILLION IN DREDGING PROJECTS, CALCASIEU AND CAMERON ARE LEADING THE STATE IN THE BENEFICIAL USE OF SEDIMENT, THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL AND ESSENTIAL MATERIAL WE HAVE FOR SAVING OUR LAND FROM EROSION, SUBSIDENCE AND RISING SEA LEVELS. LAKE CHARLES MAYOR RANDY ROACH SAID, "PROTECTING THE COASTAL MARSHES AND BEACHES OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE LONG-TERM VITALITY OF OUR REGION AND OUR STATE." CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY PRESIDENT GUY BRAME SAID, "THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY DEEMS LOUISIANA'S COASTAL ISSUE AMONG OUR HIGHEST PRIORITIES IN LONG-TERM PLANNING, AND WE ARE PROUD OF THE CONTINUED PROGRESS OUR REGION IS MAKING IN TERMS OF REMEDIATION.

WRONG AIRPORT LANDING
September 9, 2011

AN AIRPLANE LANDS AT THE WRONG AIRPORT. COLGAN FLIGHT 3222 ACCIDENTALLY LANDED IN CARLYSS'S SOUTHLAND FIELD ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. SAM LARSH, SOUTHLAND FIELD MANAGER SAYS THAT THE CARLYSS AIRPORT HAD NO ONE ON DUTY, HOWEVER THE LIGHTS WERE OWN. THE PILOT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN FLYING BY SIGHT. LARSH ADDED "I'M SURE HE WAS FOLLOWING HIS INSTRUMENTS, BUT YOU LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND THERE'S THE AIRPORT. LARSH WENT ON TO SAY "EIGHT MILES IS NOT MUCH WHEN YOUR'E TRAVELING 175 TO 200 MILES PER HOUR." LAKE CHARLES' RUNWAYS ARE 6,500 FEET AND 5,200 FEET. SOUTHLAND'S RUNWAY IS 5,000 FEET. THE PLANE WAS SCHEDULED TO LAND AT THE 6,500 FOOT MAIN RUNWAY IN LAKE CHARLES. IN 1996 AND 1997 PLANES BOUND FOR LAKE CHARLES LANDED AT SOUTHLAND FIELD WITH SIMILAR WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE FLIGHT HAD 23 PASSENGERS ABOARD, WHO WERE BUSED TO LAKE CHARLES. THE FLIGHT WAS TO ARRIVE IN LAKE CHARLES FROM HOUSTON.

MAJOR BUST FOR DEPUTIES
September 9, 2011

A LOCAL BUSINESS WAS RAIDED BY THE VICE AND NARCOTICS DEPARTMENTS OF THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE. ORGANIC SOLUTIONS LOCATED AT 2106 ENTERPRISE BOULEVARD WERE SELLING SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA PRODUCTS. TWO UNDERCOVER BUYS TOOK PLACE BY DEPUTIES WHICH LED TO DEPUTIES RECEIVING WARRANTS. FOLLOWING GOVERNOR JINDAL SIGNING HOUSE BILL 12 ON JULY 15 WHICH MADE THE SALE OF ANY SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS ILLEGAL AND INCREASED CONSEQUENCES, SHERIFF TONY MANCUSO SAID THAT THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR BUST IN CALCASIEU PARISH. THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS, TOMMIE BLOOD WAS ARRESTED AT THE SCENE AND IS EXPECTED TO BE CHARGED WITH POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE.

SWLA SUPPORTS HAYDEN
September 8, 2011

A BENEFIT IS BEING HELD THIS WEEKEND TO HELP WITH MEDICAL EXPENSES FOR A THREE-YEAR-OLD LONGVILLE BOY WHO PASSED AWAY LAST WEEK FROM A RARE DISEASE CALLED H-L-H. KYKZ 96 FIRST BROUGHT YOU THE STORY OF HAYDEN MCQUISTION WHEN THE FAMILY WAS SEARCHING FOR PLATELET DONORS IN A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO SPARE HIS LIFE. THE TRAGIC NEWS OF HIS PASSING HAS THE COMMUNITY RALLYING AGAIN. THIS TIME TO HELP HIS PARENTS IN THEIR TIME OF NEED. A FULL DAY OF EVENTS IS SCHEDULED FOR THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10. CONTACT HAYDEN'S AUNT, SHERRI EDER FOR MORE INFORMATION AT 337-401-6998.

CITY COUNCIL ADDRESSES DEFICIT
September 8, 2011

THE CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSED THE LAKE CHARLES PROJECTED DEFICIT AT WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S COUNCIL MEETING. ACROSS THE BOARD, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AGREED THAT THEY DID NOT WANT TO RAISE FEES OR REDUCE CITY EMPLOYEES TO ASSIST IN OFF SETTING THE BUDGET DEFICIT. RODNEY GEYEN, DISTRICT C CITY COUNCILMAN COMMENTED ON HIS STATEMENTS MADE AT THE PREVIOUS MEETING IN REGARDS TO POSSIBLE FEES FOR GARBAGE COLLECTION SAYING " I DO NOT ADVOCATE ANY FEE ON ANY CITIZEN."DANA JACKSON, DISTRICT F CITY COUNCILMAN EXPRESSED THE PUBLIC WANTING THE CITY TO CUT THE BUDGET. JACKSON SAID "THEY'VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND, WE HAVE AN EMPLOYEE DRIVEN BUDGET. YOU HAVE TO FIRE PEOPLE TO CUT." JACKSON ADDED THAT THE CITY HAS $20 MILLION IN RESERVES THAT COULD BE USED TO COVER THE DEFICIT. JACKSON SAID "WE'LL TAKE $3 MILLION NOT TO FIRE ANYBODY. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT." MAYOR ROACH SAID "WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO KEEP SERVICES. WE ALSO HAVE TO DISCUSS OPTIONS". THE MAYOR TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THERE WAS A DECREASE OF SALES TAXES TOTALING $800,000 IN THE CITY BUDGET FROM 2009-2012 RESULTING IN THE BUDGET SUFFERING. THE 2011-2012 BUDGET WILL BE VOTED ON BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON NEXT TUESDAY.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY INCREASES
September 8, 2011

MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY POLICE CHIEF SAYS THAT DECREASING THE TRAFFIC LIMIT HAS ASSISTED IN PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ON CAMPUS. CINNAMON SALVADOR, MCNEESE POLICE CHIEF SAID THE DECREASE "HAS INCREASED THE AWARENESS OF MOTORISTS TO WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS CROSS THAT STREET. SHE ADDED THAT "EXTENDING THE SIDEWALK FROM THE STADIUM PARKING LOT ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO WALK TO THE INTERSECTION AND CROSS WITH THE PROTECTED LIGHT RATHER THAN CROSS IN THE MIDDLE OF MCNEESE STREET. CAMPUS OFFICERS MONITOR THE INTERSECTIONS TO ENSURE THAT PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORISTS ARE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC LAWS. A WREATH WAS PLACED ON A CROSSWALK SIGN AT THE CORNER OF COMMON AND MCNEESE STREETS IN MEMORY OF ASHLEA RICHARD WHO DIED AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A CAR AT THE INTERSECTION LAST YEAR.

CANDIDATES FILE FOR ELECTION
September 8, 2011

CANDIDATES SIGNING UP FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONS HAVE UNTIL 5 PM TODAY TO ENTER. CANDIDATES WILL FILE WITH THE PARISH CLERKS TO HAVE THEIR NAMES PLACED ON THE BALLOTS. VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE ON OCTOBER 22. THE PARISHES HOLDING ELECTIONS ARE ALLEN, BEAUREGARD, CALCASIEU, CAMERON AND JEFF DAVIS PARISH.

NEWLY PROPOSED LAKEFRONT PROJECT

September 7, 2011

THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL, HAS RECEIVED A PROPOSAL REGARDING A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ON THE LAKEFRONT PROPERTY DONATED BY PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT. THE PROPOSAL WAS SUBMITTED BY LUTRICIA COBB REAL ESTATE, ON BEHALF OF AN UNDISCLOSED INVESTOR. IN THE PROPOSAL, THE INVESTOR DESCRIBED THAT THEY WERE BORN IN LAKE CHARLES, HOWEVER HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE CITY IN ALMOST 20 YEARS. THE TITLE OF THE PROPOPSAL WAS "ORGANIC BEACH ISLAND - SPRING BREAK. THE INVESTOR MENTIONED HOW IMPRESSED THEY WERE WITH THE CITY'S GROWTH ON BOTH CORPORATE AND ENTERTAINMENT LEVELS. THE INVESTOR NOTICED A SURPLUS IN YOUNG ADULTS ON THE BEACH TANNING AND FELT THAT WAS ONE OF THE FEW THINGS TO DO THE IN THE CITY. THE INVESTOR THEN SAID "I AM PROPOSING TO HAVE BUILT A FAMOUS AND FABULOUS BEACH CLUB ON INTERSTATE 10 BEACH." THE DESIGN OF THE BEACH CLUB IS DESCRIBED TO HAVE A MEXICAN INFLUENCE AND HAWAIIAN LOOK ALONG WITH OTHER FEATURES. ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSAL IS A HOTEL, SWIMMING POOL, FOOD, BAR AND RAISED PATIO. THE CITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON THE PROPOSAL AT THE REGULAR SCHEDULED WEDNESDAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 5:30 IN CITY HALL.

AMERICAN RED CROSS FACES CUTS

September 7, 2011

THE LAKE CHARLES DIVISION OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA IS EXPERIENCING CUTS. THE LAKE CHARLES OFFICE'S STAFF HAS BEEN CUT IN HALF. TWO OF THE STAFF MEMBERS HAVE BEEN LAID OFF. BOBBI ZAUNBRECHER, RED CROSS REGIONAL CEO, SAYS THAT THE TWO STAFF MEMBERS ARE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RALPH WRIGHT AND BECKI DERISE, HEAD OF HEALTH AND SAFETY SERVICES. ZAUNBRECHER SAYS THAT THE LAY OFFS ARE OCCURRING NATIONWIDE. RED CROSS REPORTEDLY HAS LET GO 1,500 TO 1,600 EMPLOYEES IN THE PAST 8 MONTHS.

METER SERVICE COMPANY FOR WELSH

September 7, 2011

THE TOWN OF WELSH IS TAKING STEPS WITH THE HOPES OF SAVING RESIDENTS MONEY. THE TOWN HAS ENTERED INTO A ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITH REYNOLDS, AN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA BASED METER READING SERVICE. THE SERVICE COULD INCREASE UTILITY BILLS ACCURACY FOR CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES. THE COMPANY WILL SERVICE THE TOWN'S 1,700 ELECTRIC AND 1,500 WATER METERS THIS MONTH. MAYOR CAROLYN LOUVIERE SAID "THE SERVICES ARE WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR TO OFFER THE BEST SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN." IN THE PAST, THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH MISREAD METERS. RICK MATTE, TOWN SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THAT THE NEW SERVICE WILL SAVE THE TOWN MONEY 50 PERCENT COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS METER COMPANY. METER READERS WILL BE IDENTIFIED BY PHOTO IDENTIFICATION BADGES AND UNIFORMS. THE REYNOLDS COMPANY LOGO WILL ALSO BE ON THEIR VEHICLES.

DOUBLE HOMICIDE IN SULPHUR
September 6, 2011

CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF, TONY MANCUSO, SAID THAT TWO WOMEN WERE FOUND DEAD IN A TRAILER IN SULPHUR ON SUNDAY NIGHT UPON DEPUTIES ARRIVAL. A NEIGHBOR OF THE MOBILE HOME SAID THAT HE HEARD A GUN SHOT WHILE SITTING OUTSIDE HIS HOME. AND THEN SAW 31-YEAR-OLD JULIA ANN LANDRY CLUTCHING HER CHEST. THE NEIGHBOR THEN SAYS HE SAW THE SUSPECT, 50-YEAR-OLD MAURICIO G. CUMBRERA GET INTO A 1980S SILVER NISSAN SENTRA AND DROVE IN REVERSE ON TOP OF LANDRY BEFORE FLEEING. LANDRY'S MOTHER ANN CUMBRERA WAS IN THE MOBILE HOME. CUMBRERA IS BELIEVED TO HAVE LIVED WITH THE WOMEN AT THE MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 2343 U.S. 90 WEST . CUMBRERA CALLED 911 AND TOLD THE OPERATOR AND THAT HE WAS WAS ARRESTED BY LAKE CHARLES POLICE AROUND 8:30PM IN THE KROGER PARKING LOT ON 12TH STREET. CUMBRERA AND IS FACING CHARGES FOR SECOND DEGREE MURDER. DETECTIVE JASON GERTZ ASKS THAT ANYONE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THE INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CALL HIM 491-3605.

NEW PROGRAM IN LEESVILLE
September 6, 2011

THE TOWN OF LEESVILLE WILL MEET TODAY WITH THE PUBLIC. LEESVILLE WAS CHOSEN IN 2008 AS THE TENTH CITY IN THE NATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ARMY COMMUNITY HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM WILL FOCUS ON PROMOTING HISTORIC PRESERVATION AS WELL AS MAKING THE LEESVILLE AREA MORE ATTRACTIVE TO ARMY FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM ASSISTS ARMY COMMUNITIES IN CREATING PLANS TO INCREASE ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR THOSE THAT LIVE IN ARMY COMMUNITIES AND TO POTENTIAL RESIDENTS. COURTNEY CHRISTIAN, CITY CLERK EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT SAID " THIS IS DEFINITELY A SIGN THAT LEESVILLE HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER NOT ONLY THE SURROUNDING AREAS, BUT THE STATE AS WELL. CHRISTIAN ADDED THAT 35,000 MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS ALONG WITH THEIR FAMILIES LIVE ON POST AND THROUGHOUT THE LEESVILLE AREA. FORT POLKS ECONOMIC IMPACT TOTALED $1.7 BILLION DURING THE AREA'S LAST FISCAL YEAR.THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE OLD VERNON PARISH COURTHOUSE LAWN AT 9AM ON THIS MORNING.

DEFICIT FOR SULPHUR
September 6, 2011

THE CITY OF SULPHUR REPORTS A DEFICIT OF $750,000 ENDING OUT THE 2010-2011 FISCAL YEAR. THE LATEST BUDGET REPORT SHOWS THE DEFICIT IN WHICH MAYOR CHRIS DUNCAN GAVE COPIES OF THE REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. THE FINAL AUDIT MUST BE REPORTED BEFORE DECEMBER 31. A DEFICIT OF $1.3 MILLION WAS INITIALLY EXPECTED BY CITY OFFICIALS, HOWEVER MONEY IN THE CITY'S RESERVE HELPED TO COVER THE NEGATIVE BALANCE IN RESERVES. RETIREMENT COSTS WERE THE BIGGEST INCREASE IN FUNDING, PAYING $1.9 MILLION DURING THE 2010-2011 FISCAL YEAR. KEVIN ALLEY, SULPHUR'S FINANCE DIRECTOR SAYS "THERE ARE SOME ENTRIES THAT STILL NEED TO BE MADE TO GET ACCURATE NUMBERS, BUT THIS STILL IS NOT FAR OFF. ALLEY HOPES TO HAVE THE FINAL AUDIT COMPLETED BY NOVEMBER.

SEPTIC TANK INSPECTIONS
September 1, 2011

30,000 MECHANICAL SEWER SYSTEMS WILL SOON FACE INSPECTION BY THE PARISH.

LAST WEEK 7000 RESIDENTS IN WARDS 1,3 AND 4 WERE MAILED INSPECTION NOTICES. THE PARISH'S ASSISTANT DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, WES CRAIN SAID THAT SOME RESIDENTS HAVE ARGUED, THE INSPECTIONS VIOLATE THEIR PROPERTY RIGHTS. PARISH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, JIMMY VICKERS SAID THAT THE INSPECTION OF SEPTIC TANKS WERE ALLOWED IN 2005 BY STATE LEGISLATION. INSPECTIONS SHOULD BEGIN BY SEPTEMBER 6. THE POLICE JURY WILL DISCUSS THE INSPECTIONS AT TODAY'S MEETING AT 5:30PM.

REVISED COASTAL MASTERPLAN
September 1, 2011

COASTAL PROTECTION RESTORATION AUTHORITY HELD AN OPEN HOUSE TO GET INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. THE PUBLIC SHARED THEIR OPINION ON A STATEWIDE FIVE-YEAR COASTAL MASTER PLAN. THE MASTER PLAN IS REQUIRED TO BE REVISED EVERY FIVE YEARS. NUMEROUS MEETINGS WERE HELD THROUGHOUT THE STATE IN COASTAL PARISHES. A PLANNER WITH THE COASTAL PROTECTION AND RESTORATION AUTHORITY, NATALIE SNIDER SAID "WE CAN'T DO EVERY PROJECT. WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE BEST FOR OUR DOLLARS. THE REVISED MASTER PLAN WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR. MAYOR RANDY ROACH AND TINA HORN, THE CAMERON PARISH ADMINISTRATOR WERE IN ATTENDANCE AND OFFERED OPINIONS TO STATE OFFICIALS DURING A DISCUSSION. UPON THE FINALIZATION OF THE UPDATED PLAN, ANOTHER MEETING WILL BE HELD IN JANUARY.

ARRESTS IN MOSS BLUFF CASINO HEIST
September 1, 2011

TWO BROTHERS, 29-YEAR-OLD BENJAMIN WEAVER AND 36-YEAR-OLD DAGIEL MATTHEWS JR. WERE ARRESTED FOLLOWING A CASINO HOLD UP IN MOSS BLUFF. THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPOKESWOMAN, KIM MYERS SAID THAT WEAVER, ENTERED THE LUCKY STAR CASINO ON U.S. 171 JUST AFTER 3:30 AM WITH A FIREARM AND DEMANDED THAT THE EMPLOYEE AND TWO CUSTOMERS GET ON THE GROUND. WEAVER THEN STOLE MONEY AND USED THE BACK EXIT TO FLEE. MATTHEWS PICKED WEAVER UP NEAR CRAWFORD AND VICTORIA DRIVE AND THE TWO THEN WENT TO MATTHEWS' MOBILE HOME. SHERIFF DEPUTIES LATER FOUND CLOTHING WORN BY WEAVER DURING THE HEIST ALONG WITH THE STOLEN CASH IN THE MOBILE HOME. WEAVER WAS CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE ROBBERY AND MATTHEWS WAS CHARGED WITH ACCESSORY AFTER THE FACT TO FIRST-DEGREE ROBBERY.

LAKE CHARLES BUDGET DEFICIT
August 31, 2011

THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE 2011-2012 FISCAL YEAR. THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDED A PROJECTED $3.6 MILLION DEFICIT. THE ADMINISTRATION ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL EXPLAINING THAT WITH THE $129 MILLION OPERATING AND CAPITAL SPENDING PLAN, THE MONEY WOULD BE SPLIT. INCREASED RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS TO POLICE, FIRE AND PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES MADE UP THE MAJORITY OF DEFICIT.MARK ECKARD, DISTRICT G CITY COUNCILMAN DID NOT SIT WELL WITH THE DEFICIT SAYING "I CAN'T SUPPORT THE BUDGET WITH A DEFICIT LIKE THAT. HE WENT ON TO SAY "WE NEED TO REVISIT SOME THINGS AND LOOK AT WHERE WE SPEND MONEY." AN INCREASE IN GARBAGE AND TRASH COLLECTION FEES WERE DISCUSSED ALONG WITH AN EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT PROPERTY TAX.THE BUDGET IS EXPECTED TO BE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL ON SEPTEMBER 15. THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND RESERVES COULD BE USED TO ASSIST IN COVERING THE SHORTFALL.THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING.

COASTAL MASTERPLAN PUBLIC HEARING
August 31, 2011

COASTAL PROTECTION RESTORATION AUTHORITY WILL HOLD AN OPEN HOUSE TODAY. THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE THEIR OPINION ON A STATEWIDE FIVE-YEAR COASTAL MASTER PLAN. THE CURRENT MASTER PLAN IS UNDER REVISION. CALCASIEU PARISH'S ASSISTANT PLANNING DIRECTOR, PAM MATTINGLY SAYS THAT THE MASTER PLAN IS REQUIRED TO BE REVISED EVERY FIVE YEARS. TODAY'S MEETING IS ONE OF MANY HELD THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE LAKE CHARLES CIVIC CENTER'S CONTRABAND ROOM AT 5:30 TODAY AUGUST 31.

JEFF DAVIS RECEIVES APPROVAL
August 31, 2011

THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH POLICE JURY WILL NOW FOLLOW THEIR NEW REDISTRICTING PLAN. THE UNITED STATES JUSTICE DEPARTMENT GAVE APPROVAL OF THE PLAN WITH CONFIRMATION BEING MADE ON MONDAY. THE PLAN REMAINS A 13 MEMBER DISTRICT WITH THE MOVE OF SIX POLLING LOCATIONS. THE LAKE ARTHUR COMMUNITY CENTER WILL SERVE VOTING PRECINCTS 01, 02, 4A AND 4B. THE ELTON FIRE STATION WILL SERVE PRECINCTS 12 AND 13. A RECENT CENSUS SHOWED A POPULATION SHIFT FROM JENNINGS TO RURAL AREAS. EVERY 10 YEARS FOLLOWING A NEW CENSUS BEING RELEASED, THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS MUST TAKE PLACE. ELECTIONS IN OCTOBER WOULD HAVE BEEN DELAYED UNTIL 2012 IF THE PLAN HAD NOT RECEIVED APPROVAL.

PUBLIC VOICES CONCERNS AT HEARING
August 30, 2011

THE POLICE JURY PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE FOR CALCASIEU PARISH HAD MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE. THE MEETING WAS HELD AT HARBOR'S EDGE PAVILION AT PRIEN LAKE PARK. THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE WOULD CREATE ONE DOCUMENT BY COMBINING 19 EXISTING PARISH ORDINANCES. SOME CONCERNS INCLUDED RESIDENTS THINKING THERE WOULD BE LOST PROPERTY RIGHTS AND POSSIBLE HARM TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY WITH THE NEW DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS. THE ASSISTANT PARISH PLANNING DIRECTOR, JENNIFER WALLACE SAID "WE'RE VERY OPEN TO MAKING CHANGES IF YOU WANT TO SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS YOUR CONCERNS." THE DOCUMENT WILL BE REVIEWED ON SEPTEMBER 20 AT THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD'S MEETING, BUT NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN.

MOSS BLUFF CASINO ROBBERY
August 30, 2011

A MOSS BLUFF CASINO WAS ROBBED BY A MAN WITH A FIREARM. THE LUCKY STAR CASINO ON U.S. 171 WAS ROBBED JUST AFTER 3:30AM. SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPOKESWOMAN KIM MYERS SAID THAT NO ONE WAS HARMED AND THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS SEARCHING FOR THE MAN. THE MAN IS BETWEEN 5'10" AND 6 FEET TALL, WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 180 POUNDS. HE WAS REPORTEDLY WEARING A GRAY HOODIE WITH BLACK WARM-UP PANTS AND BLACK SNEAKERS WITH WHITE STRIPES. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ARE ASKED TO CONTACT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AT 491-3605 OR CRIMESTOPPERS AT 439-2222.

SENIOR ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
August 30, 2011

FANS WILL BE DONATED ALONG WITH ASSISTANCE BEING OFFERED WITH PAYING ELECTRICITY BILLS. THE CALCASIEU COUNCIL ON AGING HAS TEAMED UP WITH ENTERGY TO ASSIST OLDER RESIDENTS. THESE EFFORTS ARE APART OF THE COUNCIL'S "BEAT THE HEAT CAMPAIGN." ENTERGY CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER, CLYDE MITCHELL SAID THAT ENTERGY PARTNERED WITH STINE LUMBER COMPANY AND RECEIVED A DISCOUNT ON FANS TO BE PURCHASED FOR THE COUNCIL ON AGING. THE MORE THAN 100 FANS ARE AVAILABLE AT NO COST TO CALCASIEU PARISH SENIOR CITIZENS. CALCASIEU RESIDENTS AGE 60 OR OLDER WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE ON THEIR UTILITY BILLS OR TO RECEIVE A FAN CAN CONTACT THE COUNCIL ON AGING AT 474-2583.

POSSIBLE WATER DISCOLORATION
August 29, 2011

DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, THE LAKE CHARLES FIRE DEPARTMENT (LCFD) WILL BE CONDUCTING ITS SEMI-ANNUAL TESTING OF WATER HYDRANTS. CITIZENS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE FLUSHING OF HYDRANTS – WHICH STIRS UP IRON PARTICLES AND OTHER SETTLED MATERIAL -- MAY RESULT IN A TEMPORARY RUST-COLORED CONDITION IN THE WATER LINES OF RESIDENCES OR BUSINESSES WHEN THEY USE THE WATER.

RUSSELL BUCKELS, GEORGE WEST PLANT SUPERINTENDENT SAYS "THIS IS A TEMPORARY CONDITION AND THE WATER IS SAFE FOR DOMESTIC USAGE." CITIZENS EXPERIENCING DISCOLORATION IN THE WATER, ARE RECOMMENDED TO TRY FLUSHING THEIR LINES FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. IF THE WATER DOESN’T CLEAR UP, CUSTOMERS ARE ASKED TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AND TRY FLUSHING AGAIN. IF THE WATER CONTINUES TO BE DISCOLORED, CITIZENS SHOULD CALL 491-1598 OR 491-1599, OR AFTER HOURS AT 491-1483. RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING DISCOLORATION IN THEIR WATER MAY PICK UP A CLEANING DETERGENT AVAILABLE AT THE LCFD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AT 4200 KIRKMAN ST., LCFD FIRE TRUCKS, OR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD FIRE HOUSE. CITIZENS MAY ALSO CALL 491-1598 OR 491-1599.

LAKE CHARLES BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
August 29, 2011

THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 30 TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE 2011-2012 FISCAL YEAR. THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SCHEDULED 5:30 P.M. CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 326 PUJO ST.

SULPHUR MAN SENTENCED
August 29, 2011

IN STATE DISTRICT COURT, A SULPHUR MAN PLEADED GUILTY TO SIMPLE ROBBERY INVOLVING A SHOOTING DURING A 2007 HOME INVASION. 23-YEAR-OLD BENJAMIN SMITH ENTERED THE VICTIM'S HOME ALONG WITH FOUR OTHERS IN DECEMBER OF 2007. DURING THE HOME INVASION, ITEMS WERE STOLEN AND ALVIN VOSHELL WAS SHOT TWICE. FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF VOSHELL, THE GRAND JURY UPGRADED THE ORIGINAL CHARGES OF ARMED ROBBER AND ARMED ROBBERY WITH FIREARM TO INLCLUDE FIRST-DEGREE MURDER FOR SMITH. PROSECUTOR RICK BRYANT SAID THAT SMITH WAS NOT THE SHOOTER. HE ALSO ADDED THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT SMITH HELPED WITH APPRENHENDING THE THREE OTHERS INVOLVED. THE THREE OTHERS HAVE ALREADY BEGAN SERVING TIME. THEY PREVIOUSLY PLEADED GUILTY TO ROBBERY CHARGES. SMITH'S SENTENCING IS SET FOR NOVEMBER 16. HE FACES UP TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR SIMPLE ROBBERY.

TWO DEQUINCY WOMEN ARRESTED
August 25, 2011

LAST NIGHT, INVESTIGATORS WITH THE LAKE CHARLES FIELD OFFICE OF THE LOUISIANA STATE POLICE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS AND THE DEQUINCY POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED TWO DEQUINCY WOMEN FOR DRUG RELATED OFFENCES AS THE RESULT OF A JOINT INVESTIGATION INTO A MAJOR DISTRIBUTOR OF METHAMPHETAMINE IN THE DEQUINCY AREA. EARLIER THIS SUMMER, INVESTIGATORS RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT 38-YEAR-OLD TONYA FREEMAN OF DEQUINCY WAS MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTING METHAMPHETAMINE. A CHECK OF AREA STORES SHOWED THAT FREEMAN WAS PURCHASING LARGE AMOUNTS OF A KEY INGREDIENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METHAMPHETAMINE. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, FREEMAN SOLD METHAMPHETAMINE TO AN UNDERCOVER STATE TROOPER.AS THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUED, IT WAS LEARNED THAT FREEMAN HAD ASSISTANCE WITH VARIOUS PARTS OF HER OPERATION. ON AUGUST 23 INVESTIGATORS ARRESTED FREEMAN AS WELL AS 26-YEAR-OLD JESSICA ALEXANDER OF DEQUINCY FOR DISTRIBUTION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE AND CREATION OF A CLANDESTINE LABORATORY USED FOR THE UNLAWFUL MANUFACTURE OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE. BOTH SUBJECTS WERE BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER. THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

TOWN HALL MEETING
August 25, 2011

SENATOR DAVID VITTER DISCUSSED THE COUNTRY'S BUDGET, DURING A TOWN HALL MEETING ON YESTERDAY. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, CHARLES BOUSTANY, WHO REPRESENTS THE LAKE CHARLES REGION WAS NOT IN ATTENDENCE. VITTER SAID THAT HE DID NOT INVITE BOUSTANY TO THE EVENT SAYING "HE DISAGREED WITH EM ON THE DEBT BILL." VITTER'S COMMENT WAS IN RESPONSE TO BOUSTANY SUPPORTING THE DEBT CEILING INCREASE. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE JEFF LANDRY OF NEW IBERIA DID ATTEND AND OPPOSED AN INCREASE IN THE DEBT CEILING.

JEFF DAVIS PLANNED PROJECTS
August 25, 2011

ROADS AND GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS IN JEFF DAVIS PARISH COULD SOON RECEIVE SOME MUCH NEEDED UPDATES. THE PARISH LOOKS TO RECEIVE $100,000 TO FINANCE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. THE JEFF DAVIS POLICE JURY AGREED TO SEEK FINANCING FROM THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. IF THE REQUEST IS GRANTED, RURAL ROADS AND ROADS THAT NEED THE UPGRADE THE MOST WILL BE PLACED ON A PRIORITY BASIS. THE DEADLINE FOR THE PARISH TO APPLY IS SEPTEMBER 15 AND NEXT YEAR THE RECIPIENT WILL BE ANNOUNCED. THE POLICE JURY ALSO APPROVED A $1.7 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT THAT WILL PLACE SHUTTERS ON 18 GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS TO PROECT THE BUILDINGS DURING STORMS. THESE ADDITIONS WILL BE FINANCED BY A GRANT FROM THE GOVERNORS OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.

STATE WIDE BURN BAN ISSUED
August 24, 2011

DUE TO THE EXTREMELY DRY CONDITIONS IN CERTAIN PARISHES WITHIN THE STATE, STATE FIRE MARSHAL, BUTCH BROWNING AND, AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY COMMISSIONER, MIKE STRAIN HAVE ISSUED A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER FOR ALL PRIVATE BURNING. PRIVATE BURNING SHALL ONLY BE ALLOWED BY PERMISSION OF THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THIS ORDER IS EFFECTIVE AS OF 9AM TODAY AND SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL THE BAN IS LIFTED FOR A NUMBER OF PARISHES INCLUDING: ALLEN, ACADIA, BEAURGARD, CALCASIEU, CAMERON, JEFFERSON DAVIS AND VERNON. THIS BAN SHALL NOT APPLY TO PRESCRIBED BURNS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY, BY THOSE TRAINED AND CERTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY, OR BY THOSE WHO CONDUCT PRESCRIBED BURNING AS A ?GENERALLY ACCEPTED AGRICULTURE PRACTICE? AS DEFINED BY THE LOUISIANA RIGHT TO FARM LAW.VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER COULD RESULT IN CIVIL PENALTIES.

RIVER BLUFF PARK UNVEILED
August 24, 2011

MOSS BLUFF RESIDENTS WHO ATTENDED THE RIVER BLUFF PARK ADVISORY TASK FORCE MEETING AT THE MOSS BLUFF PUBLIC LIBARY ON YESTERDAY, WERE ABLE TO SEE PLANS FOR THE PROPOSED PARK. RIVER BLUFF PARK WOULD SURROUND THE OLD U.S. 171 BOAT LAUNCH ALONG THE CALCASIEU RIVER AND COVER 26 ACRES. A SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER WITH THE PARK'S DESIGN TEAM, JEFF BELL SAYS THAT A MAJORITY OF THE PLANS WERE BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC AND THE TASK FORCE. WHILE THE PROPOSED PLAN IS HAS NOT BEEN FINALIZED, BELL SAID THAT THE MAIN DIRECTION FOR THE PARK WAS ECOTOURISM. THE 26 ACRES WOULD BE MADE UP OF 35% OF SPACE WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR POTENTIAL BUILDINGS AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION WITH THE REMAINING PROPERTY BEING WETLANDS. AMENITIES LIKE NATURE TRAILS, PLAY GROUND AREAS AND PAVILIONS. ALONG WITH EXTENDED DOCK SPACE, FLOATING PIERS AND WALKWAYS. CONSTRUCTION COULD BEGAN AS EARLY AS NEXT YEAR FOLLOWING A REVIEW BY THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY AT ITS SEPTEMBER 29 MEETING, THEN REVIEWED BY THE ENTIRE POLICE JURY.

VOTER REGISTRATION/EDUCATION WEEK
August 24, 2011

THE CALCASIEU PARISH REGISTRAR OF VOTERS OFFICE IS ECOURAGING VOTERS TAKE STEPS IN PREPARATION FOR UPCOMING FALL ELECTIONS. THE ANNUAL VOTER REGISTRATION/EDUCATION WEEK TAKES PLACE FORM AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 2. EVENTS WILL HELP WITH THE REGISTRATION PROCESS, VERIFYING CORRECT ADDRESSES AND ANY CHANGES IN PARTY AFFILIATION. TO HELP VOTERS GET FAMILIAR WITH THE VOTING PROCESS, DEMONSTRATION VOTING WILL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE. YOU MAY REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE BY VISITING WWW.GEAUXVOTE.COM. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SUCH AS EVENT LOCATIONS AND TIMES, YOU MAY CALL THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE AT 721-4000.

ALABAMA/DERIDDER ROBBERY SUSPECT
August 23, 2011

A MAN ACCUSED OF ROBBING A MOTEL, STORE AND CHURCH IN DERIDDER WAS CAPTURED WHILE ROBBING A STORE IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA. AUTHORITIES SAY 23-YEAR-OLD SPENCER M. WILLIAMS WAS CAPTURED AFTER LEAVING THE STORE AND POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. WILLIAMS IS WANTED FOR THE ARMED ROBBERY OF A MOTEL WHICH OCCURRED ON AUGUST 3 AND FOR BURGLARIZING A CHURCH AND DOLLAR GENERAL SIX DAYS LATER. WILLIAMS HAS BEEN CHARGED IN MONTGOMERY AND WILL LIKELY RETURN TO DERIDDER WHERE HE FACES CHARGES OF BURGLARY, ROBBERY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. HIS BOND REPORTEDLY HAS BEEN SET AT OVER $300,000.

PORT GRANTS CASINO REFUND
August 23, 2011

A NEW AGREEMENT HAS BEEN MADE BETWEEN CREATIVE CASINOS AND THE PORT OF LAKE CHARLES. UPON THE OPENING OF MOJITO POINTE, CREATIVE CASINO'S WILL BE REFUNDED THEIR $5 MILLION DEPOSIT. DAN LEE, CREATIVE CASINO'S CEO REQUESTED THAT THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR THE PORT OF LAKE CHARLES AGREE TO THE $5 MILLION REFUND BECAUSE THE STATE GAMING CONTROL BOARD REQUIRED A $25 MILLION DEPOSIT. LEE SAYS THAT ON TOP OF THE $25 MILLION, THE PORT'S ORIGINAL DEPOSIT REQUEST OF $15 MILLION WOULD MEAN A TOTAL OF $40 MILLION NEEDED. LEE POINTED OUT THAT THE PORT DEPOSIT WAS NO LONGER NECESSARY AND THE STATE MADE A SLIGHT OVERLOOK. CONSTRUCTION FOR MOJITO POINT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN OCTOBER AND FINISH COMPLETION SOMETIME IN 2013.

SECOND-DEGREE MURDER CHARGE
August 23, 2011

A LAKE CHARLES MAN ACCUSED IN THE SLAYING OF HIS WIFE ON JUNE 7 PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO SECOND-DEGREE MURDER IN STATE DISTRICT COURT ON MONDAY. 38-YEAR-OLD DALE WINTERS ALLEGEDLY SHOT 30-YEAR-OLD MICHELLE MITCHELL DURING AN ARGUMENT AT A HOME ON PRIEN LAKE ROAD. WINTERS WAS INDICTED ON A CHARGE OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER ON JULY 7. WINTERS IS SET TO STAND TRIAL ON DECEMBER 12. IF CONVICTED OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER, WINTERS WILL FACE LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE.

SULPHUR ONLINE TRAFFIC REPORTS
August 22, 2011

MAYOR CHRIS DUNCAN HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE SULPHUR POLICE DEPARTMENT NOW HAS TRAFFIC REPORTS ONLINE. THIS WILL REDUCE THE INCONVENIENCE FOR BOTH CITIZENS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES BY ALLOWING THE FLEXIBILITY OF GETTING THE REPORTS AT THEIR LEISURE. REPORTS GENERATED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2011, CAN BE ACCESSED 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK THROUGH WWW.SULPHUR.ORG OR SULPHURLA.POLICEREPORTS.US. THESE REPORTS CAN BE PRINTED FOR AN 11 DOLLAR FEE. PLEASE ALLOW 3-5 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO ACCESS THE REPORTS. HIT AND RUN ACCIDENTS MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL TIME.

HOME INVASION SENTENCING
August 22, 2011

A HOME INVASION WHICH OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER 2009 HAS LED TO THE CONVICTION OF TWO MEN. 21-YEAR-OLD RONALD JAMES LAZARO AND 19-YEAR-OLD ZACHARY ENGLAND WERE REPORTEDLY CAUGHT BREAKING INTO A SULPHUR RESIDENCE BY THE OWNER ROYER LOOP. THE TWO MEN FIRED SHOTS AT LOOP AS HE LEFT THE RESIDENCE TO CALL POLICE. AUTHORITIES SAY THAT LAZARO AND ENGLAND WERE PICKED UP IN A VEHICLE DRIVEN BY TONY WASHINGTON. AS THEY FLED FROM POLICE, A NUMBER OF STOLEN ITEMS WERE THROWN FROM THE WINDOW, INCLUDING TWO HAND GUNS. A .38 CALIBER REVOLVER WAS REPORTEDLY NEVER RECOVERED. WASHINGTON PLEAD GUILTY TO BURGLARY AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE. HE IS SERVING 10 YEARS IN PRISON. LAZARO WAS SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS AND WAS ACQUITTED OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER FOR SHOOTING THE HOMEOWNER, BUT WAS CONVICTED OF AGGRAVATED BURGLARY AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE. ENGLAND PLEADED GUILTY TO BURGLARY AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE. HE WAS ORDERED TO SERVE THREE YEARS AND PAY $8,000 RESTITUTION TO THE HOME OWNER.

DECLINE IN ALCOHOL RELATED ACCIDENTS
August 22, 2011

LOUISIANA HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMISSION STATISTICS HAVE SHOWN THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND INJURIES FROM ALCOHOL RELATED VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. IN CALCASIEU PARISH IN A SPAN OF THREE YEARS FROM 2008-2010 THE NUMBER OF DEATHS HAVE BEEN CUT IN HALF, FROM 24 TO 12. DURING THE SAME TIME INJURIES DECREASED FROM 249-167 THROUGHOUT THE PARISH. SAFETY COMMISSION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JOHN LEBLANC SAYS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A DECREASE THROUGHOUT THE STATE AS WELL. LEBLANC SAYS HE BELIEVES THE REDUCTION CAN BE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF MEDIA CAMPAIGNS AND EFFORTS BY STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES ALONG WITH DRIVER BEHAVIOR. CHECKPOINT DETAILS HAVE ALSO ASSISTED IN CATCHING IMPAIRED DRIVERS.

CASINO LICENSE SELL APPROVED
August 19, 2011

A PROPOSED CASINO IN BOSSIER CITY IS GETTING THE GREEN LIGHT. THE LOUISIANA GAMING CONTROL BOARD YESTERDAY UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE SALE OF A RIVERBOAT IN LAKE CHARLES TO THE BOSSIER CASINO VENTURE GROUP. PLANS INCLUDE A ONE-FLOOR GAMING BARGE, HOTEL AND MARGARITAVILLE-THEMED RETAIL SPACE JUST NORTH OF THE LOUISIANA BOARDWALK. IF BOSSIER PARISH VOTERS APPROVE THE PROPOSAL IN NOVEMBER, CONSTRUCTION WOULD BEGIN EARLY NEXT YEAR WITH COMPLETION SET FOR MAY 2013.

SULPHUR FIREFIGHTER RESIGNS
August 19, 2011

THE CITY OF SULPHUR FIREFIGHTER HAS RESIGNED. RICHARD FABACHER WAS ARRESTED LAST MONTH ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES. ON JULY 13 HE WAS CHARGED WITH DRUG POSSESSION AND PORNOGRAPHY INVOLVING JUVENILES. FABACHER RESIGNED ONE DAY BEFORE HIS PREDISCIPLINARY HEARING.

LAFAYETTE'S BIG WIN
August 19, 2011

LAFAYETTE WINS ITS DEBUT IN THE 65TH LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES. REPRESENTING THE SOUTHWEST REGION, LAFAYETTE DEFEATED WARNER ROBINS OF GEORGIA 2-0 IN WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA LAST NIGHT. LAFAYETTE TAKES THE FIELD AGAIN 2 P.M. SUNDAY AGAINST BILLINGS BIG SKY LITTLE LEAGUE OF MONTANA.

LAKE CHARLES BUDGET DEFICIT
August 18, 2011

THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL WAS PRESENTED THE 2011-2012 BUDGET AT MONDAYS MEETING. THE BUDGET INCLUDES $129 MILLION FOR THE OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET ALONG WITH $61.5 MILLION FOR GENERAL FUND OPERATIONS. THE 2010-2011 FISCAL YEAR SHOWED A DEFICIT OF $2.4 MILLION. DURING THE 2011-2012 BUDGET YEAR AN EXPECTED DEFICIT OF $3.6 MILLION. MAYOR ROACH SAID IN A CITY HALL NEW RELEASE THAT "DUE TO OUR ONGOING COMMITMENT THROUGH THE YEARS TO MAINTAIN A STRONG GENERAL FUND BALANCE RESERVE, ALONG WITH SOUND MEASURES TAKEN BY OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS TO CONTAIN COSTS WHEREVER POSSIBLE, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WEATHER THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

MARDI GRAS BOARDWALK EXTENSION
August 18, 2011

THE PROPOSED LAKEFRONT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT KNOWN AS MARDI GRAS BOARDWALK HAS REQUESTED ADDITIONAL TIME. THE MARDI GRAS BOARDWALK PROJECT WILL HAVE TO RECEIVE APPROVAL FROM THE CITY COUNCIL TO ENTER A PROPERTY OPTION OR LEASE AGREEMENT. IN AUGUST OF 2010, MARDI GRAS BOARDWALK PROPOSED BUILDING A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR DEVELOPMENT. THE DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE LOCATED NEAR THE CIVIC CENTER AND WOULD SERVE AS A MULTI-USE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER. STUART WEATHERFORD, DISTRICT E CITY COUNCILMAN ENCOURAGED THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO GRANT THE EXTENSION. MANY COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE SPEED THE COMPANY PRESENTING THE PROPOSED PROJECT WERE MAKING. WEATHERFORD SAID "EVERYBODY WANTS TO MAKE SURE THE PROJECT CONFORMS WITH THE SMART CODE. HE ADDED THAT EVERYONE WANT SO BE SURE THAT THE PROJECT IS OF HIGH QUALITY AND IS SUCCESSFUL. THE CITY ATTORNEY SAYS THAT BOTH CITY HALL AND MARDI GRAS ATTORNEYS HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE AGREEMENT.

SURPLUS FOR WESTLAKE
August 18, 2011

THE CITY OF WESTLAKE HAS MORE THAN $500,000 IN THE CITY'S BUDGET IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30. JIMMY ASHWORTH, THE CITY'S DIRECTOR OF FINANCE SAID THAT SEVERAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO THE SURPLUS. WESTLAKE'S SALES TAX INCOME WHICH DID BETTER THAN THE CITY EXPECTED, WISE SPENDING PRACTICES, THE USE OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT SUCH AS GRANTS AND THE CITY HAVING FEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT NEEDS. ASHWORTH ADDED THE CITY COUNCIL SHOULD BE PRESENTED THE AMENDED BUDGET IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS. IN THE 2010-2011 FISCAL YEAR THE CITY BUDGETED $10.7 MILLION TO BE SPENT WITH $11.7 MILLION THE YEAR BEFORE. ALL ACCESS MONEY WILL BE PLACED IN THE CITY'S FUND BALANCE.

PARK VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
August 17, 2011

MILLENNIUM PARK IS SET TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION DURING THE LAST WEEK IN OCTOBER. IN ORDER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION TO BE COMPLETED ON TIME, THE PARK NEEDS VOLUNTEERS. REBUILDING COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN, KAY BARNETT SAYS THAT MORE THAN 3,000 RESIDENTS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REBUILD THE PARK. BOTH SKILLED AND UNSKILLED VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED. CONSTRUCTION FOR THE 20,000 SQUARE FOOT PARK WILL BE FROM OCTOBER 26-30 AND RESUME FROM NOVEMBER 2-6. ON NOVEMBER 6, A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD. THE ORIGINAL PARK THAT WAS BUILT OVER 11 YEARS AGO IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN VICTIM TO ARSON. SETH ARCENEAUX WHO WAS 17-YEARS-OLD FOLLOWING THE FIRE WAS ARRESTED AND INDICTED BY A GRAND JURY FOR SIMPLE ARSON. ARCENEAUX'S TRIAL IS SET TO BEGIN SOMETIME IN DECEMBER. COMMITTEEWOMAN, KAY BARNETT SAYS THAT THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE PARK SAYING "IT WILL INCORPORATE THE HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA INTO ALL OF THE PLAY COMPONENTS. WE WILL HAVE A HISTORY WALL AT THE PARK THAT EXPLAINS THE HISTORY OF THE AREA. RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING CAN FILL OUT A VOLUNTEER FORM ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AT WWW.CITYOFLAKECHARLES.COM ALONG WITH THE TIMES THEY WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER.

ADDED TRAFFIC AS SCHOOLS OPEN
August 17, 2011

TODAY, MANY OF CALCASIEU PARISH'S PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS ARE SET TO OPEN TODAY. BECAUSE MANY OF THE SCHOOLS DO NOT PROVIDE BUS SERVICE FOR STUDENTS, IT MEANS ADDED TRAFFIC THROUGHOUT THE AREA. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS REMIND MOTORISTS TO PLEASE BE PATIENT AND PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO SCHOOL ZONES.

LAFAYETTE AIRPORT ADDS AIRLINE
August 17, 2011

DISCOUNT AIRLINER ALLEGIANT AIR IS ADDING LOUISIANA TO ITS DESTINATION LIST. THE LAS VEGAS-BASED ALLEGIANT WILL BEGIN NON-STOP SERVICE FROM VEGAS TO LAFAYETTE ON NOVEMBER 3RD. THE ROUTE WILL BE FLOWN TWICE A WEEK, ON THURSDAYS AND SUNDAYS. TO CELEBRATE THE NEW ROUTE, ALLEGIANT IS OFFERING A 90-DOLLAR INTRODUCTORY FARE.

PROPOSED SMOKING BAN AT PARKS
August 16, 2011

AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD BAN SMOKING AND TOBACCO USE IN ALL CITY PARKS IN DERIDDER IS IN LIMBO. THE DERIDDER CITY COUNCIL FAILED TO REACH A COMPROMISE ON THE PROPOSAL, WHICH HAS SPARKED HEATED DISCUSSIONS. THE ORDINANCE CALLS FOR VIOLATORS TO BE FINED 25 DOLLARS THE FIRST TIME THEY'RE CAUGHT, THEN A 50-DOLLAR FINE, FOLLOWED BY A 100-DOLLAR FINE THE THIRD VIOLATION. THERE'S NO WORD WHEN, OR IF, THE COUNCIL PLANS TO VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE.

BOYS TRAGIC DEATH
August 16, 2011

POLICE IN THIBODAUX SAY A MAN HAS CONFESSED TO DECAPITATING HIS SEVEN-YEAR-OLD SON WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. INVESTIGATORS SAY 30-YEAR-OLD JEREMIAH LEE WRIGHT ADMITTED HE WAS TAKING CARE OF THE BOY, WHO HAD CEREBRAL PALSY AND WAS BOUND TO A WHEELCHAIR, AND MAY HAVE KILLED HIM TO GET BACK AT THE MOTHER. SEVEN-YEAR-OLD JORI LIRITTE'S HEAD WAS FOUND ON THE SIDE OF A CITY STREET ON SUNDAY AND HIS BODY WAS FOUND IN A GARBAGE BAG NEARBY.

CAMERON MAP RULING
August 16, 2011

CAMERON PARISH WILL RESUME WITH THE FALL ELECTIONS. THIS FOLLOWING THE DEBATE OF WHETHER DISTRICTS OUTLINED IN THE PARISH'S REDISTRICTING PLAN WERE LEGAL. JUDGE PATRICIA MINALDI FILED AN OPINION ON YESTERDAY STATING THAT THE PLAN WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE CAMERON PARISH POLICE JURY IN MAY WILL BE UPHELD. IN A LETTER TO THE PANEL AND COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL MASTER, JUDGE MINALDI ADVISED THAT NEXT YEAR THE PLAN SHOULD BE REVIEWED TO BETTER BALANCE THE POPULATION LEVELS INVOLVING THE SEVEN DISTRICTS IN THE PARISH. THE CAMERON PARISH POLICE JURY WAS SUED BY A GRAND LAKE RESIDENT ARGUING THAT THE MAP SUBMITTED BY THE POLICE JURY VIOLATED THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOLS BEGIN
August 15, 2011

STUDENTS IN CALCASIEU PARISH WILL START THEIR FIRST DAY OF THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR TODAY. ON FRIDAY THE SCHOOL BOARD WENT OVER EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGAN SMOOTHLY. ONE PART OF ENSURING THAT EVERYTHING GOES WELL INCLUDES THE BUS ROUTES BEING UNAFFECTED BY CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER ROAD CLOSURES. THE CALCASIEU PARISH BUS SYSTEM HOUSES ANYWHERE BETWEEN 16,000-17,000 STUDENTS WITH ALMOST 300 BUS ROUTES. THE SCHOOL BOARD SAYS SOME OF THOSE ROUTES HAVE EVEN DOUBLES. THE SCHOOL BOARD SAYS THAT CLOSE TO 32,000 STUDENTS WILL BEGAN THE SCHOOL YEAR TODAY SPREAD THROUGHOUT 59 CAMPUSES.

PORT NEGOTIATES WITH CREATIVE CASINOS
August 15, 2011

CREATIVE CASINO'S MOJITO POINTE PROJECT WILL SEE A REDUCTION IN THEIR INITIAL DEPOSIT TO THE PORT OF LAKE CHARLES. ON THURSDAY AT THE PORT'S SPECIAL BOARD MEETING THE COMMISSIONER, JOHN LEBLANC MADE A RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CASINO COMPANY MAKE A DEPOSIT OF $5 MILLION. THE DEPOSIT WAS A COUNTER OFFER TO THE CASINO COMPANY'S REQUEST TO DECREASE THEIR PAYMENT FROM $15 MILLION TO $1.5 MILLION.

PARTY MAJORITY SHIFTS
August 15, 2011

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER FIVE DECADES, DEMOCRATS NO LONGER HOLD THE MAJORITY OF REGISTERED VOTERS IN LOUISIANA. THE BATON ROUGE "ADVOCATE" REPORTS NEW VOTER STATISTICS SHOW DEMOCRATIC REGISTRATION HAS DROPPED BELOW 50-PERCENT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1957. REPUBLICAN AND OTHER PARTY REGISTRATIONS NOW MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF AROUND TWO-POINT-EIGHT-MILLION ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN THE STATE, BUT JUST BARELY. HEADING INTO THE FALL ELECTIONS, DEMOCRATS MAKE UP 49-POINT-EIGHT-PERCENT OF THE STATE'S VOTERS, WHILE REPUBLICANS MAKE UP 26-POINT-75-PERCENT.

L.C. POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED
August 12, 2011

INVESTIGATORS WITH THE LAKE CHARLES FIELD OFFICE OF THE LOUISIANA STATE POLICE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS, THE LAKE CHARLES CITY POLICE, AND U.S. HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED A SEARCH WARRANT AT THE RESIDENCE OF 35-YEAR-OLD BENJAMIN WILD OF LAKE CHARLES. THE WARRANT WAS THE RESULT OF AN OPERATION CHILD WATCH INVESTIGATION INITIATED EARLIER THIS YEAR INVOLVING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY DOWNLOADED ONTO WILD?S COMPUTER. A SEARCH OF WILD?S LAPTOP COMPUTER REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY. WILD WAS ARRESTED FOR PORNOGRAPHY INVOLVING JUVENILES AND BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER ON YESTERDAY. WILD IS EMPLOYED AS A LAKE CHARLES CITY POLICE OFFICER. ONCE NOTIFIED, LAKE CHARLES CITY POLICE IMMEDIATELY OFFERED ASSISTANCE TO STATE POLICE DETECTIVES AND PROVIDED VALUABLE SUPPORT WITH THE INVESTIGATION.

LAKEFRONT PARKING GARAGE USABLE
August 12, 2011

THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL TOURED THE FORMER HARRAH'S CASINO PARKING GARAGE. THE GARAGE WAS DETERMINED TO BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND. A FEW RENOVATIONS WOULD NEED TO BE MADE, SUCH AS ELECTRICAL WORK AND STRIPPING. REBUILDING A PARKING GARAGE WOULD COST AN ESTIMATED $7 MILLION. MOST OF THE COUNCILMEN BELIEVE THAT THE PARKING GARAGE IS POSITIVE ADDITION TO THE LAKEFRONT. THE GARAGE WOULD HOPEFULLY ENTICE DEVELOPERS INTERESTED IN BUILDING ON AND NEAR THE FORMER HARRAH'S PROPERTY. THE PARKING GARAGE CONTAINS CLOSE TO 500 PARKING SPACES.

CAMERON REDISTRICTING MAP DISPUTE
August 12, 2011

CAMERON PARISH CONTINUES SORT OUT THEIR REDISTRICTING MAP. A GRAND LAKE RESIDENT, RICHARD TOERNER, SUED THE POLICE JURY FOR HOW THE DISTRICT WAS SPLIT UP. TOERNER SAID HE BELIEVES THE SUBMITTED MAP VIOLATES THE 14 AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION. THE TOERNERS ATTORNEY SAYS THAT MORE THAN 6,500 RESIDENTS MAKE UP THE PARISH MEANING THAT 977 RESIDENTS SHOULD BE DIVIDED INTO EACH DISTRICT. TOERNER BELIEVES THE MAP SUBMITTED BY THE POLICE JURY DISPLAYED UNFAIR REPRESENTATION OF THE DISTRICT. BY AUGUST 29 A DECISION MUST BE MADE TO RECEIVE PRE-CLEARNCE BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE OTHERWISE ELECTIONS FOR POLICE JURORS COULD BE PUSHED BACK UNTIL OCTOBER 22.

WANTED SIBLINGS CAPTURED
August 11, 2011

THE DOUGHERTY GANG IS IN POLICE CUSTODY IN COLORADO. THE WOMAN AND HER TWO BROTHERS WANTED FOR A CRIME SPREE IN MULTIPLE STATES WERE ARRESTED YESTERDAY FOLLOWING A HIGH-SPEED CHASE. THE SIBLINGS ARE ACCUSED OF ROBBING A BANK IN GEORGIA AND SHOOTING AT A POLICE CAR IN FLORIDA EARLIER THIS MONTH. AUTHORITIES SAY LEE GRACE DOUGHERTY HAD TO BE SHOT IN THE LEG YESTERDAY AFTER PULLING A GUN ON AN ARRESTING OFFICER. TWO AK-47S AND OTHER WEAPONS WERE FOUND INSIDE THE CAR DOUGHERTY AND HER TWO BROTHERS WERE USING NEAR PUEBLO. POLICE WOULDN'T RELEASE WHY THEY WERE IN THE STATE, ONLY SAYING THEY WERE ON THE RUN.

UNITED WAY FUNDRAISING
August 11, 2011

2011 FUNDRAISING FOR UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA BEGAN WITH A BIG OPEN. THE ORGANZATION HELD A KICK OFF BREAKFAST ON YESTERDAY THAT FEATURED LOCAL SCHOOL MARCHING BAND ALONG WITH A GUEST SPEAKER. JON MANNS, GUEST SPEAKER AT THE KICK OFF BREAKFAST REPORTED GOOD NEWS FOR THE ORGANIZATION. FOR ITS 2011 FUNDRAISING, UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA HAS RAISED CLOSE TO $470,000. THE GROUPS FUNDRAISING GOAL IS $4 MILLION. UNITED WAY HAS 32 MEMBER AGENCIES.

MILLENIUM PARK
August 11, 2011

AT THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING, COOPER CARES PRESENTED A CHECK FOR $5,000 TO THE CITY AND REBUILDING MILLENNIUM PARK COMMITTEE. LAURA OLINDE, MOTHER OF COOPER, SAYS THAT HER SON CAME UP WITH THE IDEA OF COOPER CARES BECAUSE OF A DESIRE TO VOLUNTEER AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. COOPER WANTED TO GET INVOLVED BUT KNEW MOST CHARITIES DID NOT NEED THE HELP OF YOUNGER PEOPLE SO HE CREATED A GROUP WHERE KIDS WOULD HAVE MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER. ACCORDING TO KAY BARNETT, REBUILDING MILLENNIUM PARK CHAIR, AS OF NOW, ABOUT 65 PERCENT OF THEIR GOAL HAS BEEN RAISED.

AIRSTRIKE KILLS INSURGENTS
August 10, 2011

PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE TALIBAN INSURGENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING 30 U.S. TROOPS OVER THE WEEKEND IN AFGHANISTAN ARE DEAD. GENERAL JOHN ALLEN SAID THE INSURGENTS WERE KILLED IN AN AIRSTRIKE CARRIED OUT AROUND MIDNIGHT ON AUGUST 8TH. THE INSURGENTS WERE BLAMED FOR SHOOTING AN RPG AT A CHINOOK HELICOPTER CARRYING NAVY SEALS INTO A COMBAT ZONE.

POLICE SPEED ZONE REMINDERS
August 10, 2011

THE LAKE CHARLES POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE REMINDING DRIVERS THAT SCHOOLS WILL BE OPENING SOON AND THAT MOTORIST SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE SCHOOL ZONES SURROUNDING OUR SCHOOLS. OFFICERS WILL BE HANDING OUT FLIERS TO MOTORIST ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2011. THESE REMINDER FLIERS CONTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE SCHOOL SPEED ZONES AND OTHER INFORMATION. OFFICERS WILL BE AT AREA SCHOOLS HANDING OUT THE REMINDER FLIERS.

LAKE STREET PROJECT MEETING
August 10, 2011

THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES WILL HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING THE LAKE STREET PROJECT THIS THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 AT 5:30 P.M. IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL ON 326 PUJO STREET. THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING IS TO UPDATE THE PUBLIC ON THE PROJECT AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL

LOUISIANA PAYS TRIBUTE
August 9, 2011

ON THE ORDERS OF GOVERNOR JINDAL, FLAGS WILL BE FLYING A HALF-STAFF AT STATE OFFICE BUILDINGS THROUGH SUNSET FRIDAY TO HONOR TWO NAVY SEALS FROM LOUISIANA WHO DIED IN THE SHOOT DOWN OF A HELICOPTER IN AFGHANISTAN OVER THE WEEKEND. BOTH LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JONAS KELSALL AND CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT REEVES OF SHREVEPORT WERE KILLED.

STUDENTS CHARGED IN SHOOTING PLOT
August 9, 2011

BOND IS SET AT A HALF-MILLION DOLLARS CASH EACH FOR THREE STUDENTS CHARGED IN AN ALLEGED PLOT TO SHOOT UP LAKESHORE HIGH SCHOOL NORTH OF MANDEVILLE YESTERDAY ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES. THE NAMES OF THE THREE 15-YEAR-OLDS HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED. SECURITY HAS BEEN BEEFED UP AT LAKESHORE AND OTHER NORTH SHORE SCHOOLS AS A PRECAUTION.

STATE LAUNCHES FOOD SAFETY WEBSITE
August 9, 2011

THE STATE OF LOUISIANA'S DEAPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HOSPITALS HAS LAUNCHED A NEW WEBSITE. THE WEBSITE, WWW.EATSAFE.LA.GOV ALLOWS LOUISIANA RESIDENTS TO VIEW RESTAURANTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE ALONG WITH THEIR INSPECTION REPORTS. ALMOST 34,000 RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS ARE INCLUDED ON THE SITE INCLUDING SERVICE STATIONS. BRUCE GREENSTEIN, SECRETARY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SAID THAT THE PUBLIC HAS ALWAYS HAD ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION, BUT PRIOR TO THE SITE, IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SIMPLE TO GATHER THE INFORMATION. AN EARLIER EFFORT TO MAKE THE INSPECTION REPORTS AVAILABLE ONLINE WERE TAINTED BY PROGRAM GLITCHES.

TWO LOUISIANA NAVY SEALS KILLED
August 8, 2011

AT LEAST TWO OF THE 30 U.S. FORCES KILLED IN THE SHOOTING DOWN OF AN ARMY HELICOPTER IN AFGHANISTAN WERE FROM LOUISIANA. TWO NAVY SEALS FROM SHREVEPORT, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT REEVES AND LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JONAS KELSALL, WERE BOTH KILLED. BOTH OF THEM GRADUATED FROM CADDO MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL. THE NAVY SEALS WHO DIED IN THIS INCIDENT WERE IN THE SAME UNIT THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING BIN LADEN. NONE OF THESE MEN TOOK PART IN THAT MISSION.

PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTING
August 8, 2011

THE ST. TAMMANY PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE WILL HAVE EXTRA PERSONNEL IN PLACE THIS MORNING FOR THE OPENING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AT LAKESHORE HIGH SCHOOL NORTH OF MANDEVILLE. THE PRECAUTION IS BEING TAKEN FOLLOWING THE ARRESTS LAST WEEK OF THREE 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS WHO WERE ALLEGEDLY PLOTTING TO SHOOT UP THE SCHOOL ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES.

ST. MARTIN PARISH OIL SPILL
August 8, 2011

EFFORTS ARE CONTINUING TO CLEAN UP AN OIL SPILL IN ST. MARTIN PARISH. KATC-TV REPORTS ABOUT 250 BARRELS OF OIL SPILLED INTO THE PENATEC CANAL LAST WEEK IN THE CATAHOULA AREA. IT SAYS THE COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SPILL HAS HAD DOZENS OF PEOPLE AT THE SITE EACH DAY WORKING TO CLEAN UP THE MESS AND MINIMIZE CONTAMINATION.

LAKESIDE DEVELOPMENT NOT APPROVED
August 4, 2011

THE PROPOSED LAKESIDE DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WAS TO BE BUILT ON THE LAKEFRONT IN DOWNTOWN LAKE CHARLES WAS REJECTED AT LAST NIGHT'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTED 5-2, WITH ALMOST TWO YEARS OF CYPRESS GROUP WORKING TO RESOLVE ISSUES TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY. ROGER LANDRY, SPOKESMAN FOR LAKESIDE DEVELOPMENT SAID HE FELT "SORRY" FOR THOSE WHO ARE HOPING THAT THE LAKEFRONT DEVELOPMENT WILL PROMPT A REVITALIZATION IN THE CITY. FOLLOWING THE VOTE, LANDRY SAYS THAT HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN DOING ANYTHING UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.

OUTCOME OF WELSH TOWN MEETING
August 4, 2011

FOLLOWING THE RECENT SLAYING'S OF TWO MEN AND VIOLENCE RELATED CRIMES, WELSH RESIDENTS PARTICIPATED IN A TOWN MEETING BY THE HUNDREDS. ONE RESIDENT SAID THAT "SOMETIMES WE DON'T HAVE THE COURAGE TO REPORT WHAT WE KNOW BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID". WELSH'S POLICE CHIEF, TOMMY CHAISSON ALSO ADMITTED THAT THE CRIME IN THE TOWN WORRIES HIM.

LICENSE REVOKED
August 4, 2011

THE ABRAMSON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER WILL OPEN ITS NEW SCHOOL YEAR AS PART OF THE RECOVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN NEW ORLEANS. THE BOARD OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION VOTED 7-TO-1 YESTERDAY TO REVOKE THE CHARTER SCHOOL LICENSE OF PELICAN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION AFTER THE ORGANIZATION FAILED TO PROPERLY REPORT SEXUAL INCIDENTS AMONG STUDENTS. THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PELICAN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION SAID 'PLEASE DO NOT RUSH TO JUDGEMENT AND DESTROY THIS SCHOOL.' OLLIE TYLER, ACTING SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION RECOMMENDED TERMINATION OF THE CHARTER CONTRACT. HER SUGGESTION WAS BASED ON THEIR INVESTIGATION. PELICAN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION HAS FILED A LAWSUIT SEEKING THE DECISION TO BE OVERTURNED.

WELSH TOWN MEETING
August 3, 2011

THIS YEAR, THE TOWN OF WELSH HAS HAD TWO UNSOLVED SLAYINGS OF YOUNG MEN ALONG WITH PROBLEMS OF DRUGS, ROBBERIES AND GUN-RELATED VIOLENCE. FOLLOWING THE RECENT VIOLENCE OUTBREAKS IN WELSH, RESIDENTS ARE WANTING TO DISCUSS THEIR CONCERNS. MEMBERS OF THE WELSH CITIZENS CONCERNED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP, A GROUP ON FACEBOOK REQUESTED A TOWN MEETING. THE GROUPS WEBSITE HAS A MESSAGE FROM THE GROUP'S FOUNDER STATING "WE ARE DEDICATED TO SOLVING THE CRIME PROBLEM IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHATEVER IT TAKES." A MEETING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR TODAY AT 6PM AT THE WELSH COMMUNITY CENTER. CRIMESTOPPERS PROGRAM WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE DISCUSSION.

LA SENTATOR'S ON DEBT LIMIT
August 3, 2011

BEFORE PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNED THE MEASURE, THE U.S. SENATE GAVE A THUMBS-UP TO RAISING THE NATION'S DEBT LIMIT WHILE ALSO AIMING TO SLASH FEDERAL SPENDING SIGNIFICANTLY. LOUISIANA'S TWO U.S. SENATORS DISAGREED ON WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO THE BILL. REPUBLICAN DAVID VITTER VOTED AGAINST THE LEGISLATION, WHILE DEMOCRAT MARY LANDRIEU VOTED YES.

LOUISIANA TAX HOLIDAY
August 3, 2011

THERE'S A TAX BREAK IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR SHOPPERS IN THE STATE. THE 2011 LOUISIANA ANNUAL SALES TAX HOLIDAY IS SET FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. ON THOSE TWO DAYS CONSUMERS WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY THE FOUR-PERCENT STATE SALES TAX ON INDIVIDUAL ITEMS WITH A PURCHASE PRICE OF UP TO 25-HUNDRED-DOLLARS.

SULPHUR CASINO HOTEL THEFT
August 2, 2011

A 24-YEAR-OLD SULPHUR MAN IS ACCUSED OF ENTERING A ROOM AT A LOCAL CASINO HOTEL HE USED TO WORK AT ... AND STEALING A LAPTOP COMPUTER AND OTHER ITEMS. THE HOTEL GUEST CONTACTED AUTHORITIES ABOUT THE THEFT FRIDAY AND AFTER REVIEWING HOTEL SURVEILLANCE VIDEO THE SUSPECT WAS IDENTIFIED AS JOSHUA LEWIS . THE DAY BEFORE THE THEFT LEWIS, HAD BEEN TERMINATED FROM THE HOTEL. HE WAS ARRESTED AT A HOME IN SULPHUR. THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS HE ADMITTED TO THE CRIME. THE ITEMS, ALONG WITH SEVERAL KEY CARDS BELONGING TO THE HOTEL WERE RECOVERED. HIS BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 102-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
August 2, 2011

COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE GEARING UP TO TAKE PART IN TONIGHT'S 28TH ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME. MORE THAN 37-MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL 50 STATES. THE GOAL OF THE YEARLY EVENT IS TO SEND A MESSAGE TO CRIMINALS THAT COMMUNITIES ARE TAKING A STAND AGAINST CRIME. THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE WILL HOST AN EVENT FROM 4-9PM IN THE INDIAN BAY PAVILION AT PRIEN LAKE PARK. LAKE CHARLES POLICE WILL HOST EVENTS AT THE DIXY DRIVE COMMUNITY CENTER, ST. MARY DRIVE, ANITA DRIVE, 2405 DEMAREST STREET, 110 PITHON STREET AND THE LAKE CHARLES CIVIC CENTER'S JEAN LAFITTE ROOM. THE EVENTS BEGIN BETWEEN 5 AND 6PM. SULPHUR WILL HOST AN EVENT AT THE WEST-CAL ARENA FROM 6-9.

POSSIBLE IMPACT ON LOUISIANA
August 2, 2011

NEWLY-FORMED TROPICAL STORM EMILY IS BEING CLOSELY WATCHED BY LOUISIANA AS IT MAKES ITS WAY ON A WEST-NORTHWEST TRACK ACROSS THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN. THE CENTER OF THE FORECAST TRACK TAKES THE EYE OF THE STORM UP FLORIDA'S EAST COAST, BUT THE MARGIN OF ERROR ALLOWS FOR THE POSSIBILITY THE STORM COULD MAKE ITS WAY INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO.

CHILD DRIVING ON INTERSTATE
August 1, 2011

A MISSISSIPPI FATHER IS FACING CHARGES AFTER ALLOWING HIS EIGHT-YEAR-OLD SON TO DRIVE A PICKUP ON INTERSTATE 12 IN LOUISIANA WHILE ENROUTE TO DALLAS, TEXAS. POLICE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AFTER A MOTORIST REPORTED THE TRUCK BEING DRIVEN ERRATICALLY. TROOPERS DETERMINED THAT THE FATHER, BILLY JOE MADDEN OF HATTIESBURG, WAS INTOXICATED AND SLEEPING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. MADDEN WAS ARRESTED AND BOOKED ON TWO COUNTS OF CHILD DESERTION, PARENT ALLOWING A MINOR TO DRIVE, OPEN CONTAINER, TWO COUNTS OF NO CHILD RESTRAINT AND NO SEATBELT. MADDEN'S BOND IS SET AT $1,474.00.

CITY COUNCIL LAKEFRONT PROJECTS
August 1, 2011

THE CITY COUNCIL'S PLANNED MEETING ON WEDNESDAY HAS THREE LAKEFRONT RELATED ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. THE FIRST CONCERNING THE FATE OF LAKESIDE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY'S BORD DU LAC DRIVE PROJECT. THE PROJECT INCLUDES PLANS TO BUILD A RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS MIXED DEVELOPMENT AT A COST OF $30 MILLION. THE SECOND IS IN REGARDS TO THE USS ORLECK. THE NAVAL MUSEUM RELOCATION TO THE WEST SIDE OF NORTH BEACH WOULD REQUIRE A VOTE TENTATIVELY SET FOR NOVEMBER 19. THE SHIP IS CURRENTLY DOCKED ON THE CALCASIEU RIVER. THE THIRD ITEM IS THE LAKEFRONT'S MOST RECENT PROPOSAL INVOLVING THE FORMER HARRAH'S HOTEL. WINDSTAR HOSPITALITY GROUP HAS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY. THE POSSIBILITY OF BUILDING A HOTEL WITH A SEAFOOD RESTAURANT WAS MENTIONED. THE FORMAL PROPOSAL WILL BE MENTIONED AT THE COUNCIL MEETING. THE COUNCIL WILL MEET AT CITY HALL ON PUJO STREET THIS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3, AT 5:30 PM FOR ITS REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING.

A WEEK OF HEAT
August 1, 2011

THIS PROMISES TO BE ONE HOT WEEK IN LOUISIANA. FOR ABOUT THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE STATE, AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IS IN EFFECT. THERMOMETER READINGS ARE EXPECTED TO EXCEED 100-DEGREES AND THE REAL-FEEL TEMPERATURE MORE THAN 110. IN SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA, A HEAT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR REAL-FEEL TEMPERATURES OF 105 TO 110.

CHANGE IN SCHOOL'S GRADING SCALE
July 29, 2011

SCHOOL'S THROUGHOUT CALCASIEU PARISH CAN EXPECT TO SEE A CHANGE IN THE GRADING SCALE FOR THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR. THE GRADING SCALE WILL CHANGE FROM A 10 POINT SCALE TO A SEVEN POINT SCALE. MEANING RECEIVING AN A WOULD RANGE FROM 100-93, B 92-85 C 84-75, AND D 74-67. THE GRADING SCALE WILL PLACE CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL'S ON PAR WITH STANDARDS AROUND THE COUNTRY. THIS CHANGE HAS BEEN MANDATED BY THE STATE DUE TO LAST YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE ACT. THE ACT REQUIRES ALL GRADES, FROM KINDERGARTEN TO 12TH TO USE THE 7 POINT SCALE. STUDENTS WHO MOVE TO OR FROM ANOTHER STATE WILL NOW NO LONGER HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH CONVERTING GRADING SCALES. AN EXCEPTION HAS BEEN MADE FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES AND DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENTS. THOSE CLASSES WILL CONTINUE USING THE 10 POINT SCALE WHICH IS USED BY UNIVERSITIES. REPORT CARDS WILL NOW BE ISSUED ONCE EVERY NINE WEEKS AS OPPOSED TO EVERY SIX WEEKS.

LOUISIANA ON TOP
July 29, 2011

NEW JERSEY-BASED RONPAK, INCORPORATED SAYS IT WILL BUILD A NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY AT THE PORT OF SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER. THE 16.8-MILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT WILL CREATE 175 NEW JOBS. GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL SAID THAT LOUISIANA COMPETED WITH THREE OTHER STATES TO WIN RONPAK'S SITE SELECTION. THE STATE MADE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE NEW JERSEY BASED COMPANY THAT WILL ALLOW THE COMPANY TO RECEIVE A PERFORMANCE BASED GRANT WORTH A LITTLE OVER $3 MILLION ALONG WITH OTHER PERKS. THE GRANT WOULD BE USED FOR EQUIPMENT PURCHASES BASED UPON THE COMPANY MEETING ITS PAYROLL TARGETS. RONPAK BILLS ITSELF AS A LEADING MANUFACTURER OF CUSTOM-PRINTED PAPER BAGS, PACKAGES AND FOOD WRAPS. THE 155,000 SQUARE FOOT MANUFACTURE PLANT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BEING CONSTRUCTED AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

CHIEF OF POLICE SENTENCED
July 28, 2011

THE U.S. ATTORNEY ANNOUNCED THAT THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF WINNFIELD, WAS SENTENCED TODAY. EARLIER THIS YEAR JOHNNIE RAY CARPENTER WAS CONVICTED. AN FBI TASK FORCE WENT TO WINNFIELD TO ARREST A WOMAN WANTED ON A FEDERAL ARREST WARRANT IN D.C. WHO WAS ALSO BEING INVESTIGATED IN SEATTLE. FBI AGENTS ARRIVED AT THE WOMAN'S APARTMENT. SHORTLY AFTER A CROWD GATHERED OUTSIDE AND SEVERAL MALES SHOUTED TO "GET THE CHIEF". A MALE LATER IDENTIFIED AS CARPENTER EMERGED FROM THE CROWD, DEMANDED TO KNOW WHY THE ARRESTS WERE BEING MADE, THEN YELLED TO THE CROWD FOR THEM TO FOLLOW HIM AND THE CROWD PUSHED FORWARD AROUND THE ARREST TEAM. CARPENTER DID NOT IDENTIFY HIMSELF OR HAVE ANY BADGE OR MARKINGS. CARPENTER WILL SERVE 6 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON, PAY A FINE OF $4,000 AND ONE YEAR OF SUPERVISED RELEASE OF OBSTRUCTING A MARSHAL AS HE ATTEMPTED TO SERVE A FEDERAL ARREST WARRANT.

EFFECTS OF TROPICAL STORM
July 28, 2011

FOR NOW IT APPEARS THAT TROPICAL STORM DON WILL NOT POSE A THREAT TO LOUISIANA. BUT KATC-TV REPORTS THAT UPWARDS OF 70 NONESSENTIAL OIL AND GAS RIG WORKERS IN THE GULF ARE BEING EVACUATED AT THE REQUEST OF SHELL. THEY ARE BEING FERRIED BY PHI AND OTHER HELICOPTER COMPANIES TO LAFAYETTE UNTIL THE STORM PASSES.THE TEXAS COAST FROM THE MOUTH OF THE RIO GRANDE RIVER TO WEST OF SAN LUIS PASS IS UNDER A TROPICAL STORM WATCH. TROPICAL STORM DON IS FORECAST TO APPROACH THE TEXAS COAST TOMORROW. IT'S PACKING MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS NEAR 40 MILES AN HOUR. FORECASTERS SAY THE STORM COULD GAIN SOME STRENGTH DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

DEVELOPMENT OF HARRAH'S PROPERTY
July 27, 2011

A COMPANY INTERESTED IN THE FORMER HARRAH'S CASINO HOTEL IS SET TO PRESENT A PROPOSAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL. THE ATTORNEY FOR WINDSTAR HOSPITALITY GROUP SENT A LETTER ANNOUNCING THE COMPANY'S INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY TO CITY HALL, INCLUDING THEIR PLANS TO MAKE AN OFFER. THE COMPANY MENTIONED THE POSSIBILITY OF A SEAFOOD RESTAURANT BEING INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT. MAYOR ROACH ASKED THE CITY COUNCIL FOR A RESOLUTION ALLOWING THE CITY'S ADMINISTRATION TO HEAR THE PROPOSAL, SAYING "I THINK IT COULD BE AN OFFER WE OUGHT TO AT LEAST CONSIDER." THIS COMES AFTER THE COUNCIL ANNOUNCED ITS PLANS TO DEMOLISH THE VACANT HOTEL PROPERTY. DEMOLITION PLANS COULD NOW BE DELAYED. THE CITY HAS UNTIL AUGUST 15 TO HAVE PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT DEMOLISH THE PROPERTY BEFORE THE DONATION AGREEMENT EXPIRES. OTHERWISE THE CITY WILL HAVE TO PAY THE DEMOLITION COSTS.

POSSIBLE POST OFFICE CLOSURES
July 27, 2011

THE MOSS BLUFF POST OFFICE STATION FACES EVALUATION. THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE ON TUESDAY BY THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE. ALONG WITH THE MOSS BLUFF STATION, OVER 3,500 OTHER STATIONS COULD BE SHUT DOWN. THE DECISION WOULD BE BASED ON IF THE FACILITY IS UNDER-PERFORMING OR FACING A FINANCIAL LOSS. A DALLAS POSTAL SERVICE SPOKESMAN, SAID THAT 51 FACILITIES THROUGHOUT LOUISIANA ARE TO BE REVIEWED OVER THE NEXT FOUR TO FIVE MONTHS. INCLUDED IN THE EVALUATION ARE FACILITIES IN LEBLANC, GRANT, FENTON AND RURAL PARTS OF ALLEN PARISH. THE SPOKESMAN SAID "WE'RE IN DIRE FINANCIAL CONDITION AND ADDED, "WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE".

BUSINESSES DISCUSS RYAN STREET
July 26, 2011

THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES OFFERED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BUSINESS OWNERS TO MEET AND DISCUSS THE RYAN STREET PROJECT CONSTRUCTION THAT IS TO TAKE PLACE. DAN SCHAAD, THE OWNER OF PUJO STREET CAFE SAID THAT HE THINKS THE CITY IS HANDLING THE CONSTRUCTION WELL. HE ADDED THAT HE HOPES ONCE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS NEAR HIS BUSINESS, WORK WILL GO SMOOTHLY. TEMPORARILY ADDING TWO LANES ON PUJO STREET TO ASSIST IN TRAFFIC FLOW IS ALSO BEING DISCUSSED. THE FOURTH PHASE OF RYAN STREET'S CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN TOWARDS THE END OF AUGUST. THE FOURTH PHASE INCLUDES STREET PAVING, NEW UTILITIES, DECORATIVE LAMPS, LANDSCAPING AND STREET FURNITURE. THIS PHASE IS EXPECTED TO LAST 60 DAYS.

SEARCHING FOR TWO SUSPECTS
July 26, 2011

FOLLOWING A HOME BURGLARY IN SULPHUR THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR TWO SUSPECTS. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE RECEIVED AN EARLY MORNING PHONE CALL REPORTING A BURGLARY IN PROGESS. THE CALLER REPORTED THAT AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM WALKING HIS DOG, HE FOUND A BURGLAR IN HIS HOME. THE BURGLAR THEN FLED AND WAS PICKED UP BY THREE PEOPLE IN A VEHICLE. THE HOMEOWNER FOLLOWED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THE BURGLAR EXIT THE VEHICLE AND RUN ON FOOT. THE HOMEOWNER CONTINUED TO FOLLOW THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR THEN LOST CONTROL AND FLIPPED OVER AFTER RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER AND ONE PASSENGER WAS CAPTURED. THE TWO WERE BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU CORRECTIONAL CENTER AND CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF OVER $1,500 IN STOLEN ITEMS. ADDITIONAL CHARGES ARE PENDING. $60 IN CASH WAS RETURNED TO THE HOME OWNER. THE TWO ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS HAVE NOT BEEN LOCATED.

SECURITY FOLLOWING SHOOTING
July 26, 2011

MARK KRAUS, DEPUTY CHIEF OF THE LAKE CHARLES POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT THERE ARE ADDITIONAL PATROL UNITS IN AREA OF THE ROSS DRESS FOR LESS DEPARTMENT STORE ON PRIEN LAKE ROAD. THE ADDED PATROL IS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE FOLLOWING TWO EMPLOYEES BEING SHOT ON FRIDAY. KRAUS SAID THAT AFTER LEARNING THE SHOOTING WAS CONNECTED TO DOMESTIC DISPUTE AND NOT A RANDOM SHOOTING THE INFORMATION WAS RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC. FRIDAYS INCIDENT BEGAN WHEN 26 YEAR OLD SHARONDA OBEY ENTERED THE DEPARTMENT STORE AND SHOT TWO PEOPLE. OBEY'S MOTHER HAD DRIVEN HER TO THE STORE UNDER "FALSE PRETENSES." FOLLOWING THE SHOOTING OBEY WENT TO WHITNEY BANK ON RYAN STREET WHERE SHE TURNED HERSELF IN MINUTES LATER. ONE OF THE PEOPLE SHOT WAS, 24 YEAR OLD TRACEY RANKINS AN EMPLOYEE AT ROSS, WHO IS REPORTED TO BE IN STABLE CONDITION. THE OTHER VICTIM WAS A BYSTANDER AND WAS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. OBEY IS CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND IS BEING HELD ON A $300,000 BOND.

CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN FEDERAL TRIAL
July 25, 2011

CLOSING ARGUMENTS ARE SET FOR TODAY IN THE FEDERAL CORRUPTION TRIAL OF FORMER NEW ORLEANS CITY COUNCILWOMAN RENEE GILL PRATT. "THE TIMES-PICAYUNE" SAYS SHE'S ACCUSED OF HELPING FAMILY MEMBERS OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM JEFFERSON LOOT MORE THAN ONE-MILLION DOLLARS FROM SHAM TAXPAYER SUPPORTED CHARITIES. GILL PRATT'S FIRST TRIAL ENDED WITH A HUNG JURY.

MCNEESE RECEIVES FURTHER ACCREDITATION
July 25, 2011

THE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS WITHIN THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY HAVE RECEIVED ADDITIONAL ACCREDITATIONS. THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ACCREDITATION OF TEACHER EDUCATION'S DECISION SHOWS THAT THE COLLEGE SUCCEEDED IN MEETING THE DIFFICULT STANDARDS REQUIRED. ALSO REPRESENTED ARE THE HIGH PERFORMANCE LEVELS OF THE UNIVERSITY'S QUALITY STAFF AND FACULTY OF THE COLLEGE.

SHOOTING IN WELSH
July 25, 2011

POLICE IN THE TOWN OF WELSH CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE EARLY SATURDAY MORNING SHOOTING OF LORENZO HORNE. HE WAS GUNNED DOWN IN A WILLARD STREET HOME AROUND 2:30 WHILE HIS GIRLFRIEND AND THREE CHILDREN SHE WAS BABYSITTING WERE ASLEEP. THEY WERE NOT HARMED. AT LAST REPORT, POLICE DID NOT HAVE A MOTIVE FOR THE CRIME OR A SUSPECT IN CUSTODY.

SHOOTING AT LAKE CHARLES STORE
July 22, 2011

CLICK HERE FOR UNEDITED AUDIO FROM THE SCENE

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO A SHOOTING AT THE ROSS DRESS FOR LESS STORE IN LAKE CHARLES. LAKE CHARLES POLICE RECEIVED A 911 CALL FROM AN ARMED, OFF-DUTY, POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS INSIDE THE STORE WHEN THE SHOOTING BEGAN AROUND 12:15 FRIDAY AFTERNOON. ONE EMPLOYEE AND A CUSTOMER WERE SHOT. AT LAST WORD, THEIR CONDITIONS WERE UNKNOWN. THE SUSPECT WAS ARRESTED A SHORT TIME LATER AT A NEARBY BANK.

IOWA MAN FACES RAPE CHARGES
July 22, 2011

AN IOWA MAN IS CHARGED WITH FORCIBLY RAPING A 16-YEAR-OLD RUNAWAY. THE GIRL TOLD IOWA POLICE, 58-YEAR-OLD STEVE GUILLORY HAD TAKEN HER INTO HIS HOME AND FORCED HER INTO HAVING SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WITH HIM ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION DURING THE THREE WEEKS SHE WAS MISSING. FOLLOWING A MONTH-LONG INVESTIGATION BY THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE, GUILLORY WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY THIS WEEK. BOND IS SET AT 30-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

PARISH BURN BAN LIFTED
July 22, 2011

RAINFALL ACROSS CALCASIEU PARISH WAS SUBSTANTIAL ENOUGH FOR THE BURN BAN TO BE LIFTED. DICK GREMILION, DIRECTOR OF THE CALCASIEU OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNTS OF RAINFALL, OFFICIALS DECIDED TO LIFT THE 30 DAY BURN BAN. EVEN THOUGH THE BAN HAS BEEN LIFTED, THE PARISH CONTINUES TO FACE SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITIONS. GREMILION ADDED THAT THE REGION HAS NOW RETURNED TO REGULAR SUMMER WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A FEW "POP-UP SHOWERS". IF THOSE SHOWERS DO NOT CONTINUE, THERE COULD EASILY BE A REPEAT OF WHAT HAPPENED A FEW WEEKS AGO. BASIC RULES WHEN BURNING STILL NEED TO BE FOLLOWED WITH EXTRA PRECAUTION, INCLUDING HAVING WATER NEARBY IN CASE A FIRE WERE TO GET OUT OF HAND. THE DECISION TO LIFT THE PARISH WIDE BURN BAN WAS MADE ON THURSDAY AT THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY MEETING.

NEW ROAD CONNECTION PROJECT
July 22, 2011

LAKE CHARLES IS EXPECTED TO SEE A SPURT IN GROWTH IN THE CITY'S SOUTHEASTERN SECTION. THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ROAD THAT WILL CONNECT GERSTNER MEMORIAL DRIVE WITH LA 397 HAS MANY OFFICIALS ANTICIPATING COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL GROWTH IN THAT AREA. THE NEW ROAD IS ALREADY ONE THIRD OF THE WAY FINISHED. THE COMPLETED $6 MILLION SECTION WAS THE CITY'S PORTION OF THE ROAD PROJECT. THE ROAD WILL BE THREE MILES LONG UPON COMPLETION. THE $10.9 MILLION ADDITIONAL UTILITIES AND ROUNDABOUT INCLUDED IN THE REMAINING TWO SECTIONS OF THE ROAD PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY. A ROUNDABOUT IS A CIRCULAR INTERSECTION EXPECTED TO REDUCE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS SUCH AS CRASHES THAT OCCUR AT STANDARD INTERSECTIONS. THE ENTIRE ROAD PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE BY 2013.

COUNCIL APPROVES DEVELOPMENT
July 21, 2011

THE PROPOSED 76 ACRE DEVELOPMENT TO BE LOCATED OFF OF NELSON ROAD HAS RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM THE CITY COUNCIL. DEREK DEVELOPMENTS IMPERIAL POINTE, WILL INCLUDE A HOSPITAL, PARKING GARAGE, MEDICAL OFFICES, RETAIL AND RESIDENTIAL SPACES. THE COMPANY'S PRESIDENT, ROLAND ROBIN SAID THAT THEIR GOAL IS TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN DONE IN LAKE CHARLES BEFORE. THE PROJECTS ARCHITECT REPORTS A $6 MILLION COST FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE ALONE. OVERALL COST HAVE NOT YET BEEN RELEASED. THE MEDICAL FACILITY WILL BE OPERATED BY HOUSTON BASED, HOSPITAL INVESTMENT GROUP. CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT WILL BE BASED ON MARKET CONDITIONS. THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE ANNEXATION OF LAND WHERE THE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE LOCATED AND ALSO RE-ZONED THE LAND AS BUSINESS AND RESIDENTIAL.

SENTENCING FOR DRIVE BY SHOOTER
July 21, 2011

THE DIXY DRIVE SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED IN MARCH OF 2010 NEAR THE PRIEN LAKE MALL RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF 14 YEAR-OLD ALEXUS RANKINS. THE SHOOTING SUSPECT, SEAN NEWTON HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE. ON WEDNESDAY, JUDGE CLAYTON DAVIS SET THE SENTENCING FOR NEWTONS INVOLVEMENT. MAXIMUM SENTENCING WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE STATE. EVIDENCE POINTED TO NEWTON AS THE SHOOTER. PRIOR TO SENTENCING, NEWTON'S DEFENSE ATTORNEY FILED A MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL DUE TO INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO CONVICT NEWTON OF THE CRIMES INCLUDING NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE POINTING AT NEWTON AS THE SHOOTER. A MAJORITY OF THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED WERE CAPTURED ON CAMERA. THE FOOTAGE SHOWED THAT NEWTON AND HIS BROTHER WERE NOT BEHAVING AGGRESSIVELY PRIOR TO THE SHOOTING. NEWTON HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE AND INCITING TO RIOT.

STATE WIDE BURN BAN ENDS
July 21, 2011

THIS IS THE DAY THAT STATE FIRE MARSHAL BUTCH BROWNING SAYS MARKS THE END OF THE STATE WIDE BURN BAN IMPOSED BY HIS OFFICE. THE BAN OFFICIALLY ENDS AT EIGHT THIS MORNING. HOWEVER, CALCASIEU PARISH ALONG WITH SOME OTHER PARISHES AND MUNICIPALITIES WILL STILL HAVE BURN BANS FOR THEIR PARTICULAR AREAS STILL IN EFFECT BECAUSE OF THE DRY CONDITIONS THAT STILL EXIST.

$6 BILLION PROJECT IN CAMERON
July 20, 2011

GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL JOINED OFFICIALS WITH CHENIERE ENERGY YESTERDAY TO ANNOUNCE THAT ONE OF THE FIRST NATURAL GAS LIQUEFACTION FACILITIES IN NORTH AMERICA WILL BE CONSTRUCTED AT THE COMPANIES SABINE PASS TERMINAL IN CAMERON PARISH. CHENIERE WILL INVEST $6 BILLION TO EXPAND ITS EXISTING FACILITY, WHICH WILL BE ONE OF THE LARGEST CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN LOUISIANA HISTORY. GOVERNOR JINDAL SAYS THE NEW PROJECT WILL CREATE 148 NEW JOBS AND RETAIN 77 EXISTING JOBS, WITH A TOTAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGE THAT WILL EXCEED AN AVERAGE OF $100,000 A YEAR. THE NEW JOBS WILL SUPPORT ANOTHER 589 INDIRECT JOBS IN THE AREA AS WELL AS 3,000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS. CHENIERE WILL BUILD ITS NEW FACILITY NEAR THE LOUISIANA-TEXAS BORDER IN CAMERON PARISH TO HANDLE THE SHIPMENT OF LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS FROM THE COMPANY'S INTERNATIONAL LNG TERMINAL.

FATE OF BURN BAN
July 20, 2011

THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY WILL SOON DECIDE THE OUTCOME OF THE PARISH WIDE BURN BAN. CALCASIEU PARISH EMERGENCY OFFICIALS WILL SUBMIT A RECOMMENDATION ON WHETHER THE BURN BAN EXTENSION SHOULD STAY IN PLACE. THE RECOMMENDATION IS EXPECTED TO BE SUBMITTED ON THURSDAY. THE STATE WIDE BURN BAN WAS ISSUED ON JUNE 1 AND WAS LIFTED BECAUSE OF A DECREASE IN FIRES STATE WIDE. THE PARISH EXTENSION WAS PLACED ON JULY 15. DICK GREMILION, DIRECTOR OF THE CALCASIEU OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SAID THAT RAIN HAS LOWERED MUCH OF THE FIRE DANGERS, BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE BAN WILL BE EASILY LIFTED. THE PARISH LISTED A DROUGHT INDEX OF 700 LAST WEEK, WHICH WAS CONSIDERED HIGH FIRE DANGER. THIS WEEK THE INDEX HAS DROPPED BELOW THAT OF THE PREVIOUS WEEK.THE POLICE JURY MUST RATIFY THE BURN BAN FOR IT TO BE LIFTED.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE GRANT
July 20, 2011

THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS APPLIED FOR A $41,898 GRANT. THE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT WOULD HELP PURCHASE ITEMS TO FURTHER SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. THE GRANT MAKES POSSIBLE NO COSTS BEING ATTACHED TO TAXPAYERS. THE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD ASSIST IN THEFT INVESTIGATIONS, SECURITY WITHIN COURTS AND OFFICER SAFETY. INVESTIGATIVE SOFTWARE WORTH $15,000 WILL BE PURCHASED ALONG WITH OTHER TOOLS TO BETTER EQUIP THE DEPUTIES. SHERIFF TONY MANCUSO SAID THAT THE GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE AND THEY TRY TO APPLY FOR MANY OF THEM TO AVOID SPENDING MONEY FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL FUND. HE ENCOURAGES THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO OFFER INPUT ON THE GRANT TO CONTACT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. IN THE FALL, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WILL KNOW IF THEY HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE GRANT.

POSSIBLE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR PRESIDENCY
July 19, 2011

FORMER LOUISIANA GOVERNOR BUDDY ROEMER IS EXPECTED TO FORMALLY ANNOUNCE THURSDAY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE THAT HE WILL SEEK THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION. THAT WORD COMES FROM "POLITICO" WHICH CITES ROEMER'S CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR, CARLOS SIERRA. ROEMER WAS AMONG THE FIRST OF THE CANDIDATES TO FORM AN EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE.

SHERIFF MADE CLEAR
July 19, 2011

THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS MADE CLEAR THEIR STANCE ON SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA AND BATH SALTS THAT WAS BEING SOLD AT CONVENIENCE STORES. AT A PRESS CONFERENCE YESTERDAY, SHERIFF TONY MANCUSO EXPRESSED THAT CONVENIENCE STORE OWNERS AND CLERKS WHO SELL THE NOW ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE OR EVEN HAVE IT IN THEIR POSSESSION, WILL BE ARRESTED AND PROSECUTED. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE COMPLETELY BACKED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. PRIOR TO HOUSE BILL 12 BEING PASSED BY GOVERNOR JINDAL THERE WAS ONLY A SHORT TERM EXECUTIVE ORDER WHICH COULD NOT COVER ALL THE NECESSARY BASES, LEAVING MANY OF THE SUBSTANCE USERS FREE OF CONSEQUENCES.

CITY COURT CUTS COSTS
July 19, 2011

THE PLANNED CITY COURT IS EXPECTED TO SAVE MONEY AS ORIGINALLY INTENDED. RANDY GOODLOE, ARCHITECT FOR NEW COURTHOUSE SAID THAT THE BUDGET IS NOW DOWN TO ITS ORIGINAL $4.5 MILLION. THE REDUCTION IN SPENDING IS A DIRECT CAUSE OF USING PARTICULAR ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SYSTEMS. WITH THIS CAREFUL PLANNING, AN ESTIMATED $1.5 MILLION DOLLARS WILL BE SAVED IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS. GOODLOE AND PLANNERS MADE A FEW CHANGES SUCH AS DECREASING THE SIZE OF THE BUILDING WITH THE USE OF AN ELEVATOR SYSTEM THAT REQUIRED MINIMAL SPACE TAKING THE COURTHOUSES SIZE FROM 21,000 SQUARE FEET TO 20,000 SQUARE FEET. GOODLOE DID EXPRESS THAT THE STRUCTURES QUALITY IS NOT BEING COMPROMISED. DUE TO SMART AND CAREFUL PLANNING, COSTS WERE CUT. THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AFTER A CONTRACTOR IS SELECTED.

BACK TO SCHOOL SHOTS AVAILABLE AT NO COST
July 18, 2011

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HOSPITALS:

Back-to-School Shots Available at No Cost
Immunizations will be Available at Parish Health Units
in the Lake Charles Area

To help parents in Southwest Louisiana prepare their children for school and day care this fall and to protect them from preventable diseases, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Office of Public Health is hosting back-to-school immunization events at parish health units and clinics throughout the area.

Immunization has proven to be a safe and effective way of preventing illness and death from many infectious diseases. Having kids vaccinated keeps them healthy and in school, protects other children and even other family members from getting sick. The low cost and high effectiveness of vaccination ensure that every dollar spent on vaccination is repaid many times over because of reduced hospital costs, in addition to lives that remain productive.

Parents or caregivers who take advantage of the no-cost immunizations should bring their children's shot records for updating.

The following health units in Southwest Louisiana will hold back-to-school events at the dates and times noted.

Allen Parish Health Unit
145 Hospital Drive
Oakdale, LA 71463
Aug. 2, 2011, 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Please call for appointment.
318-335-1147

Beauregard Parish Health Unit
216 Evangeline Street
De Ridder, LA 70634
July 27, 2011, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Please call for appointment.
337-463-4486

Calcasieu Parish Health Unit
3236 Kirkman Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Aug. 1, 3, 8, 9, 10, and 11, 2011,
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Aug. 5, 2011, 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Aug. 12, 2011, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
No appointment necessary.
337-478-6020

Cameron Parish
Cameron Parish Health Unit
107 Recreation Center Lane
Cameron, LA 70631
Aug. 4, 2011, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Please call for appointment.
337-775-5368

Jefferson Davis Parish Health Unit
403 Baker Street
Jennings, La 70546
Aug. 9, 2011, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Please call for an appointment.
337-824-2193

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow DHH's blog, Twitter account and Facebook.

CALCASIEU BURN BAN EXTENSION
July 15, 2011

CALCASIEU PARISH'S DRY CONDITIONS HAVE NOT ENDED JUST YET. AND AS A PRECAUTION, THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SAID THAT EMERGENCY OFFICIALS ARE PLANNING TO EXTEND THE CURRENT PARISH-WIDE BURN BAN FOR AN ADDITIONAL 30 DAYS. THE DIRECTOR ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH RAIN WAS FELT JUST BEFORE THE JULY 4TH WEEKEND, THERE HAS NOT BEEN SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS SINCE THAT TIME. SMALL FIRES ARE CONTINUOUSLY BEING REPORTED TO LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS. THROUGHOUT THE PARISH THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY MAJOR FIRES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MARSH FIRES IN CAMERON PARISH. THAT 640 ACRE MARSH FIRE HAS EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. CAMERON PARISH EXTENDED THEIR BURN BAN. A VOTE ON APPROVAL TO EXTEND THE BAN, WILL BE VOTED ON JULY 21 BY THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICY JURY.

CONOCO PHILLIPS SPLIT
July 15, 2011

CONOCO PHILLIPS ANNOUNCED THAT THE OIL COMPANY WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO COMPANIES. ONE OF THE COMPANIES WILL FOCUS ON PRODUCING OIL AND THE OTHER COMPANY WILL FOCUS ON REFINING OIL INTO GASOLINE ALONG WITH OTHER FUELS. FOR INVESTORS THIS COMES AS GOOD NEWS, WITH SMALLER MORE FOCUSED OPERATIONS BEING THE CURRENTLY PREFERRED AVENUE FOR BUSINESS. SHARES EVEN SAW AN INCREASE IN RESPONSE TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT WITH A GAIN OF $1.53 ABOUT A 2.1% INCREASE TO $75.93 PER SHARE. OVER THE PAST DECADE CONOCO PHILLIPS HAS GROWN TO BECOME THE THIRD LARGEST OIL COMPANY IN AMERICA. JIM MULVA, COMPANY CEO WILL BE RETIRING FOLLOWING THE SPLIT. A LOCAL COMPANY SPOKESPERSON SAID THAT THE SPLIT IS NOT EXPECTED TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE LAKE AREA. THE WESTLAKE FACILITY EMPLOYS AROUND 800 WORKERS.

EXPANSION FOR DEQUINCY AIRPARK
July 15, 2011

FUNDING FOR DEQUINCY'S INTERNATIONAL AIRPARK COULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES. FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS HAVE MADE POSSIBLE THE EXTENSION OF THE AIRPARK'S TAXIWAY. MARY JO BAYLES, CITY PLANNER, SAID "I BELIEVE THE IMPROVED AIRPARK WILL PUT US IN A BETTER GAINING POSITION WHEN BUSINESSES WANT TO LOCATE IN DEQUINCY". THE $2.5 MILLION DOLLAR EXTENSION WILL DOUBLE THE LENGTH OF THE TAXIWAY. CURRENTLY THE TAXIWAY RUNS FROM THE SOUTH END OF THE RUNWAY TO ITS MIDDLE SECTION. THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 6 MONTHS. OTHER RECENT ADDITIONS HAVE PROVEN SUCCESSFUL. AREA PILOTS THROUGHOUT THE REGION ENJOY THE NEW FUEL FARM AND THE CITY PLANNER SAYS THE NEXT STEP IS ADDING NEW HANGARS. NO CITY MONEY IS BEING USED FOR THE TAXIWAY EXPANSION.

DEMOLITION OF LAKEFRONT HOTEL
July 14, 2011

THE FORMER GAMING AND HOTEL COMPLEX OWNED BY HARRAHS CASINO IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT. PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT PURCHASED THE 9 ACRE PROPERTY AND GAVE IT TO THE CITY FOLLOWING ITS CLOSURE AFTER HURRICANE RITA. CITY COUNCILMAN MARSHALL SIMIEN WOULD LIKE PINNACLE TO DEMOLISH THE HOTEL, LEAVING THE PARKING GARAGE FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE USE. THE DISTRICT A COUNCILMAN HAS SPONSORED A RESOLUTION FOR THE ACTION TO TAKE PLACE. THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES AND PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT HAD AGREED WHEN THE PROPERTY WAS GIVEN TO THE CITY, THAT FOR 180 DAYS THE CITY WOULD MARKET THE PROPERTY TO POTENTIAL BUYERS. HALF A DOZEN COMPANIES HAVE SHOWN INTEREST. STUART WEATHERFORD, DISTRICT E CITY COUNCILMAN ASKED MAYOR ROACH TO CONTACT THE COMPANIES INTERESTED IN THE PROPERTY AND LET THEM KNOW OF THE HOTELS PLANNED DEMOLITION. THE PARKING STRUCTURE WAS EXAMINED AND IS STRUCTURALLY SOUND, SMALL RENNOVATIONS SUCH AS RESTRIPING NEED TO BE MADE.

INCIDENT INVOLVING CITY ATTORNEY
July 14, 2011

A LEGAL MEMBER OF THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES COULD FACE CHARGES. LAKE CHARLES CITY ATTORNEY, BILLY LOFTIN WAS INVOLVED IN A BAR FIGHT, IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR. THE FIGHT OCCURRED AT FRED'S LOUNGE LOCATED AT 9080 BIG LAKE HIGHWAY. LOFTIN RESPONDED TO THE INCIDENT SAYING IT WAS "UNAVOIDABLE". MAYOR RANDY ROACH ISSUED A STATEMENT REGARDING LOFTIN'S INVOLVEMENT SAYING "THIS IS AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED. MR. LOFTIN UNDERSTANDS THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION AND SINCERELY REGRETS THAT IT OCCURRED." LOFTIN WAS ADVISED TO SPEAK WITH MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL INDIVIDUALLY REGARDING THE INCIDENT. THE CALCASIEU DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS NOT DECIDED WHETHER TO CHARGE THE SEVERAL MEN AND WOMEN INVOLVED IN THE 2010 BAR FIGHT.

DEQ OPEN BURN WORKSHOPS
July 14, 2011

RECENTLY, THE STATEWIDE DROUGHT HAS BROUGHT ATTENTION TO BURNING WOOD WASTE AND ALSO THAT THERE ARE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AGAINST MANY TYPES OF BURNING. BURNING LEAVES, LIMBS AND TREES IS OFTEN AGAINST THE LAW. THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY IS SPONSORING FREE WORKSHOPS TO HELP IN UNDERSTANDING THE AIR QUALITY REGULATIONS CONCERNING OPEN BURNING. THESE WORKSHOPS ARE FREE AND WILL GIVE A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS INFORMATION ABOUT OPEN BURNING DO?S AND DON?TS. DEQ SECRETARY PEGGY HATCH SAYS MANY TIMES PEOPLE ARE BURNING THEIR WOOD WASTE AND DON?T KNOW THEY ARE BREAKING THE LAW. AS THE STATE STRIVES FOR CLEANER AIR, EVERYONE MUST TAKE STEPS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY. THE FIRST OF THESE WORKSHOPS ARE BEING HELD IN THE SHREVEPORT AND MONROE AREA. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND. FUTURE WORKSHOPS WILL BE HELD IN MANDEVILLE, LAFAYETTE, PINEVILLE, LAKE CHARLES, HOUMA AND BATON ROUGE. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER GO TO WWW.DEQ.LOUISIANA.GOV

SULPHUR FIRE FIGHTER CHARGED
July 13, 2011

A SULPHUR FIRE FIGHTER, 29-YEAR OLD RICHARD FABACHER WAS ARRESTED FRIDAY FOR DOWNLOADING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND FOR THE POSSESSION OF NARCOTICS. STATE POLICE FOUND PORNOGRAPHIC IMAGES INVOLVING JUVENILES ON HIS COMPUTER. FABACHER ADMITTED TO DOWNLOADING THE IMAGES. DURING AUTHORITIES SEARCH, THEY LOCATED NARCOTICS IN THE FIRE FIGHTERS HOME. A SHERIFF SPOKESPERSON SAID THAT FABACHAR HAD NO CRIMINAL HISTORY. FABACHAR WORKED AS A SULPHUR FIRE FIGHTER FOR SEVEN YEARS AND SERVED A RESERVE DEPUTY FOR THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE. FABACHAR HAS BEEN CHARGED FOR POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND PORNOGRAPHY INVOLVING JUVENILES. FABACHAR IS BEING HELD ON A $10,000 BOND.

FORMER POLICE CHIEF INDICTED
July 13, 2011

AN ADDITIONAL COUNT HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE FORMER POLICE CHIEF OF LEESVILLE, BOBBY HICKMAN. UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, STEPHANIE A. FINLEY SAID HICKMAN RECEIVED TWO INDICTMENTS ON JUNE 15 STATING THAT HE HAD A .357 MAGNUM REVOLVER AND A .38 SPECIAL CALIBER REVOLVER BOTH WITH OBLITERATED SERIAL NUMBERS. A GRAND JURY ISSUED A THIRD FIREARMS COUNT FOR AN UNREGISTERED 12-GAUGE SAWED OFF SHOTGUN. THE INDICTMENT SPECIFIES THAT ALL GUNS AND AMMUNITION BE FORFEITED BY HICKMAN. THE CASE WAS INVESTIGATED BY THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES INVESTIGATED THE CASE. HICKMAN WAS ARRESTED ON JUNE 24 AFTER THE SHOTGUN WAS FOUND IN HIS HOME BY THE FBI.

DEQUINCY BOIL WATER ADVISORY
July 13, 2011

THE DEQUINCY AREA HAS BEEN ISSUED A PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER ADVISORY. LOUISIANA WATERING COMPANY IS REPORTING LOW SYSTEM PRESSURE. EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, BILLY EDRINGTON SAID A VALVE ON A LEAKING FIRE HYDRANT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, CAUSING THE NEED FOR THE WATER SYSTEM TO BE SHUT DOWN. REPAIR WORK IS BEING DONE BETWEEN 6 AND 10PM. THE BOARD OF HEALTH REQUIRES A PRECAUTIONARY BOIL ADVISORY BE ISSUED DURING A SHUTDOWN. TESTS WILL BE CONDUCTED AT 7 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. LABORATORY TESTS ARE BEING COMPLETED AND THE COMPANY IS AWAITING CONFIRMATION THAT WATER SOURCES MEETS ALL PURITY AND SAFETY STANDARDS. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO BOIL YOUR WATER PRIOR TO CONSUMPTION FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS FOR 1 MINUTE UNTIL THE ADVISORY HAS RESCINDED.

UNO TO JOIN LOUISIANA SYSTEM
July 13, 2011

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS IS NOW OFFICIALLY PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA SYSTEM. GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL SIGNED LEGISLATION YESTERDAY THAT TRANSFERS THE SCHOOL OUT OF THE LSU SYSTEM. A 14-MEMBER TRANSITION TEAM IS OVERSEEING THE SWITCH, WHICH WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE LEGISLATURE. JINDAL HAD SOUGHT TO MERGE UNO WITH SUNO.

BOIL WATER ADVISORY
July 12, 2011

RESIDENTS IN THE DEQUINCY AREA ARE UNDER A BOIL WATER ADVISORY. THE WATER COMPANY IS REPORTING LOW SYSTEM PRESSURE BETWEEN 6 AND 10 TUESDAY EVENING DUE TO EMERGENCY WORK BEING DONE IN THE CITY. THEY ARE ALSO ISSUING THE ADVISORY DURING THE INTERIM PERIOD UNTIL LABRATORY TESTS CAN BE COMPLETED AND CONFIRM THE WATER MEETS ALL PURITY AND SAFETY STANDARDS. OFFICIALS SUGGEST BOILING WATER BEFORE HUMAN CONSUMPTION FOR THE NEXT 48 HOURS. ANYONE WITH QUESTIONS CAN CALL 1-800-375-3792 AFTER HOURS OR CONTACT THEIR LOCAL OFFICE DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.

DCFS LAUNCHES NEW HOTLINE
July 12, 2011

THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES HAS LAUNCHED A NEW TOLL-FREE NUMBER FOR THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT. 1-855-4LA KIDS REPLACES ALL PREVIOUS LOCAL D-C-F-S NUMBERS USED IN THE PAST TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE CASES. THE HOTLINE WILL BE MANNED 24-HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK. AGAIN, THE NUMBER IS 1-855-4LA-KIDS.

STATE LOOKS TO BP
July 12, 2011

GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL IS LOOKING FOR BP TO MAKE GOOD ON ITS EARLIER PROMISE OF A ONE-BILLION-DOLLAR ADVANCE PAYMENT TO FUND RESTORATION OF STATE NATURAL RESOURCES DAMAGED BY LAST YEAR'S MASSIVE OIL SPILL. GOVERNOR JINDAL SAID, "WE ARE WORKING AGGRESSIVELY TO GET OUR FISHERMEN AND OUR COASTAL COMMUNITIES BACK ON THEIR FEET FOLLOWING THE CATASTROPHIC BP OIL SPILL LAST YEAR. WE FOUGHT HARD TO CUT THE RED TAPE AND GET BP'S COMMITMENT TO FUND EARLY RESTORATION WORK SO WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT 10 OR MORE YEARS BEFORE DAMAGE PAYMENTS WERE MADE TO GULF STATES. ON YESTERDAY HE UNVEILED A LIST OF LOUISIANA PROJECTS THAT CARRY A PRICE TAG OF 533-MILLION-DOLLARS. JINDAL ADDED "THIS ?LOUISIANA PLAN? WE ARE ANNOUNCING TODAY WILL JUMP START WORK ON CRITICAL RESTORATION PROJECTS INCLUDING THE PLACEMENT OF FISH HATCHERIES, OYSTER RE-SEEDING AND COASTAL RESTORATION WORK ALL ALONG OUR COAST."

ANOTHER ATTEMPT FOR CYPRESS
July 11, 2011

CYPRESS GROUP THAT HAD PROPOSED A DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE LAKE FRONT MAY GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR APPROVAL. THE GROUP SOUGHT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR PUTTING A HOLD ON THE PROJECT. THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES, MIGHT HELP IN THE GROUPS APPEAL. CYPRESS GROUP REQUESTED $25 MILLION IN ASSISTANCE FROM THE FEDERAL PROGRAM. ROGER LANDRY, CYPRESS GROUP SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE COMPANY IMMEDIATELY APPEALED HUD'S DECISION IN JUNE. HUD'S EXPLANATION FOR THE REJECTION INVOLVED UNFAVORABLE MARKET CONDITIONS. ANOTHER KEY FACTOR WAS THE CITY'S STRONG PREFERENCE TO NOT CONTINUE THE PROCESS IF PROJECT FUNDING FELL THROUGH. AT TONIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING, THE ORDINANCE WILL BE INTRODUCED ALLOWING FOR A RE NEGOTIATION OF THE NOW EXPIRED AGREEMENT BETWEEN CYPRESS GROUP AND THE CITY.

WEBSITE CONTRACT FOR SULPHUR
July 12, 2011

THE CITY OF SULPHUR HAS FOUND A WAY TO GET MORE FOR THEIR BUCK. THE CITY HAS AGREED TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH A BROADCASTING COMPANY WHICH WILL SAVE $6,000 A YEAR. THE CITY'S MEETINGS WILL NOW BE MADE AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE. THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT CONSISTS OF THREE PARTS. UPDATES WILL BE MADE TO THE COMMUNITY VIDEO ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE, TAPINGS OF THE CITY MEETINGS WILL CONTINUE BEING TAPED FOR THE PARISH GOVERNMENT CHANNEL AND SOON LIVE STREAMING VIDEO OF MEETINGS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE. MAYOR CHRIS DUNCAN SAYS THAT THIS MONEY HAS ALREADY BEEN BUDGETED IN THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND. TAPED MEETINGS CURRENTLY COST THE CITY $400 EACH MONTH. CITIZENS HAVE REQUESTED THE COUNCIL MEETINGS BE PLACED ON THE WEBSITE. SPONSORS WILL BE SOUGHT TO PAY THE $500 MONTHLY FEE.

NEW WATERWAY LAW
July 11, 2011

GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL HAS PASSED A NEW STATE LAW THAT HOPES TO DECREASE ACCIDENTS ON WATERWAYS ALONG WITH UNDERAGE DRINKERS. THE LAW ALLOWS $300 FINES AND ALMOST ONE MONTH OF JAIL TIME IF VIOLATED. OVER THE YEARS BOATING ACCIDENTS DUE TO DRINKING HAVE OCCURRED LEADING TO THESE PRECAUTIONS. STATE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES CAPTAIN JUBAL MARCEAUX SAID "I THINK ITS GOING TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT WHETHER YOU'RE POSSESSING ALCOHOL ON THE ROAD OR ON THE WATER, IT'S THE SAME CONSEQUENCES. CALCASIEU PARISH SHERRIFFS OFFICE'S CHIEF DEPUTY, GARY "STITCH" GUILLORY SAID THAT HE AND HIS AGENCY ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THE NEW CHANGES. HE ADDED THAT IT HELPS SAFETY FOR FAMILIES WHILE ON THE WATER. SUMMER TIME SHOWS AN INCREASE OF UNDERAGE DRINKERS. THE NEW LAW ALLOWS MORE LEVERAGE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO APPLY CONSEQUENCES.

POLICE INVESTIGATE ROBBERY AND SHOOTING
July 11, 2011

A ROBBERY AND SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED ON SUNDAY MORNING HAS LAKE CHARLES POLICE CONTINUING THERE INVESTIGATION. AT 2:34 AM AT TWO KINGS TRAILER PARK AT 1740 6TH STREET THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. TWO MEN WERE ROBBED, WHICH LED TO ONE BEING SHOT. HE IS NOW IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. DEPUTY CHIEF MARK KRAUS SAID THAT POLICE CONSIDER THE SHOOTER ARMED AND DANGEROUS.

LOUISIANA CELEBRATION PLANNED
July 11, 2011

LOUISIANA IS PREPARING FOR ITS BICENTENNIAL BASH. $1.9 MILLION DOLLAR IS NEEDED TO DO THE CELEBRATION RIGHT AND ONE THIRD OF THE GOAL HAS BEEN RAISED. ON APRIL 30, 1812 LOUISIANA BECAME THE 18TH STATE. THE BICENTENNIAL WILL RUN FROM SEPTEMBER UNTIL THE END OF 2012. THE LOUISIANA BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION'S RANDY HAYNIE, A STATE LOBBYIST IS IN CHARGE OF FUND-RAISING AND SAYS HE ALREADY HAS RECEIVED $700,000 IN CASH AND COMMITMENTS. THE ONLY PUBLIC MONEY PUT TOWARD THE CELEBRATION IS THE $200,000 IN TOURISM AND MARKETING FUNDS COURTESY OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS OFFICE. THE COMMEMORATION IS EXPECTED TO BE INCLUDED IN LESSON PLANS FOR SCHOOLS.

ABUSE REPORTED IN MOSS BLUFF
July 8, 2011

CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF TONY MANCUSO SAYS THAT TWO WOMEN, A MOTHER AND GRANDMOTER WERE ARRESTED FOR CHILD ABUSE WHEN NEIGHBORS REPORTED THAT THEY HAD SEEN TWO YOUNG GIRLS EATING FROM A TRASH CAN. THE GRANDMOTHER LIVED IN THE HOME AND DID NOT REPORT THE ABUSE. ON MAY 25, THE 7 AND 13 YEAR OLD GIRLS WERE REMOVED FROM THE HOME AFTER THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES STEPPED IN. SHERIFF INVESTIGATORS FOUND THAT THE GIRLS HAD BEEN UNDERFED AND BEATEN UNTIL THEY BLED ON MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS. 56 YEAR OLD MOTHER, VERNA KENNERSON WAS CHARGED WITH 13 COUNTS OF CRUELTY TO A JUVENILE FOR ALLEGEDLY ABUSING THE GIRLS. 77 YEAR OLD MARY KENNERSON, THE GRANDMOTHER WAS CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF CRUELTY TO A JUVENILE. EACH OF THEIR BONDS WERE SET AT $10,000.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE REAPPLYS FOR GRANT
July 8, 2011

THE CRACK DOWN ON STREET CRIMES THROUGHOUT CALCASIEU PARISH HAVE BEEN FUNDED THROUGHOUT A GRANT WHICH IS SET TO EXPIRE THIS YEAR. REAPPLYING FOR THE $60,000 GRANT IS THE THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE INTENTION. SHERIFF TONY MANCUSO SAID "THEY ARE GIVING US THE MONEY TO ENHANCE OUR PATROLS AND MAKE OUR STREETS SAFER." THE GRANT ALLOWS FOR HIS OFFICE TO ONLY PAY FOR DEPUTIES MILEAGE. THE FUNDING ALSO HELPED ESTABLISH THE STREET CRIME INTERDICTION TEAM. THE FOCUS FOR THE TEAM WHICH WAS CREATED IN 2007 IS ON HIGH CRIME AREAS WITH THE GOAL OF PUTTING AN END TO STREET CRIMES, DRUG ACTIVITY AND TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS. THE INFORMATION USED BY THE TEAM IS PROVIDED FROM COMMUNITY MEETINGS WHEN COMPLAINTS ARE VOICED BY CITIZENS ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

POLICE JURORS SELECT WASTE MANAGMENT
July 8, 2011

THE GARBAGE COLLECTION COMPANY THAT WILL SERVICE CALCASIEU PARISH WILL CONTINUE TO BE WASTE MANAGEMENT OF LOUISIANA. POLICE JURORS VOTED 10-4 TO RENEW THE CONTRACT WHICH WILL START IN 2012 AND LAST FOR 5 YEARS. THE OTHER OPTION THAT WAS ACTUALLY CHEAPER WAS SDT WASTE & DEBRIS SERVICES WHICH IS BASED IN NEW ORLEANS. THE DECISION TO STAY WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT COSTS $700,000 MORE THAN THE NEW ORLEANS COMPANY, TOTALING $22 MILLION. FROM AN INDIVIDUAL PERSPECTIVE, CURRENTLY EACH HOUSEHOLD PAYS $16.68 PER HOME. WITH THE NEW AGREEMENT, HOUSEHOULDS WILL PAY $15.24 WHERE AS $14.23 WOULD BE THE COST WITH NEW ORLEANS COMPANY. THE DECISION WAS BASED ON A RECOMMENDATION BY THE SOLID WASTE REVIEW PANEL MADE UP OF PARISH STAFF MEMBERS THAT ADDRESSED THE ESTIMATED $2.2 MILLION THAT WOULD BE SAVED FROM THE PARISHS EXISTING RATE AND THE 100 POINT SCALE THAT RANKED WASTE MANAGEMENT OVER SDT IN NUMEROUS CATEGORIES.

LANDRIEU ANNOUNCES EDUCATION GRANT
July 8, 2011

SENATOR MARY L. LANDRIEU, ANNOUNCED THAT THE TRIO TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM HAS AWARDED MORE THAN $4 MILLION IN GRANTS TO NINE UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES IN LOUISIANA. THE GRANTS WILL BE USED TO IDENTIFY AND ASSIST MORE THAN 9,000 STUDENTS FROM DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS WHO HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SUCCEED IN HIGHER EDUCATION. SENATOR LANDRIEU SAID "THE PROGRAM WILL SERVE MORE THAN 9,000 LOW-INCOME COLLEGE STUDENTS WILL MAKE SURE THAT OUR CHILDREN CAN ACCESS HIGHER EDUCATION AND OBTAIN THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO COMPETE IN A 21ST CENTURY JOB MARKET." THE TRIO TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM PROVIDES ACADEMIC, CAREER AND FINANCIAL COUNSELING TO LOW-INCOME STUDENTS AND ENCOURAGES THEM TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND CONTINUE ON TO AND COMPLETE THEIR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.

BEAUREGARD'S FOURTH CRASH IN A WEEK
July 7, 2011

LOUISIANA STATE POLICE TROOPERS RESPONDED TO A TWO-VEHICLE CRASH IN BEAUREGARD PARISH. THE CRASH CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A DERIDDER WOMAN. AROUND 4:30PM ON YESTERDAY INVESTIGATING TROOPERS REPORTED THAT A TOYOTA VAN DRIVEN BY 55-YEAR-OLD CATHY DOVE LAMBRIGHT OF DERIDDER WAS TRAVELING WEST ON LA 112 WHEN LAMBRIGHT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SHE WAS DRIVING IN A CURVE AND CROSSED THE CENTER LINE. HER VEHICLE THEN COLLIDED WITH AN ONCOMING PICKUP DRIVEN BY 37-YEAR-OLD JOHN H. STIEFER OF DERIDDER. THE VEHICLE LAMBRIGHT WAS DRIVING BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES SHORTLY AFTER THE CRASH. LAMBRIGHT DIED AT THE SCENE. STIEFER ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE CRASH BUT WAS UNABLE TO. HE WAS TRANSPORTED BY AIR AMBULANCE TO LAKE CHARLES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH MODERATE INJURIES. THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

USS ORLECK RELOCATION
July 7, 2011

THE USS ORLECK'S MOVE TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA MUST APPROVED BY VOTERS. WHILE THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE PREPARED TO INCLUDE THE PLAN FOR THE SHIPS RELOCATION ON THE NOVEMBER 19 BALLOT. THE DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEUM, RON WILLIAMS INFORMED COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT A COUPLE OF ADDITIONAL WEEKS WOULD BE NEEDED DELAYING THE PROCESS FOR A THIRD TIME. USS ORLECK ORGANIZERS MUST PRESENT AN OFFICIAL PLAN TO THE COUNCIL TO BE SUBMITTED AS A CITY WIDE REFERENDUM. DISTRICT A COUNCIL MEMBER, MARSHAL SEMIEN VOICED CONCERN SAYING THAT HE WANTED TO ENSURE THE ORLECK HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GET ON THE BALLOT WITHOUT THE CITY BEING AT FAULT. THE SHIP WOULD BE MOVED FROM ITS BERTH ON FIRST AVENUE OF THE CALCASIEU RIVER TO THE WEST END OF NORTH BEACH ON THE LAKE FRONT. AUGUST 16 IS THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER WITH THE LOUISIANA BOND COMMISSION.

NEW DEVELOPMENT BY PORT
July 7, 2011

A NEW DEVELOPMENT NEAR THE PORT OF LAKE CHARLES IS IN THE WORKS. THE WALNUT GROVE PROJECT WILL CONSIST OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND IS LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF WEST SALLIER STREET BETWEEN LAKE STREET AND MARINE STREET. THE SUBDIVISON IS A TOTAL OF 58 ACRES. 10 ACRES ARE PLANNED WITHIN THE FIRST PHASE WHICH WILL INCLUDE ALMOST 40 HOMES, A DOZEN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND THREE GREEN SPACES. THE SUBDIVISION IS PLANNED TO BE A TRADITIONAL STYLE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH HOMES, BUSINESSES, RETAIL AND PARK AREAS. THE ARCHITECTURE WILL BE AN AUTHENTIC LOUISIANA CREOLE STYLE. 44 ACRES OF THE LAND CAN SUSTAIN DEVELOPMENT WITH 14 ACRES MADE UP OF MARSHLAND. THE PROJECT WAS APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION TWO YEARS AGO.

REGIONAL AIRPORT ADDITIONS
July 7, 2011

THE LAKE CHARLES REGIONAL AIRPORT HAS PARTNERED WITH WESTGATE HOLDINGS OF NEW IBERIA TO BUILD HANGARS. THE LAND FOR THE HANGARS COVERING 6,250 FEET OF THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN CLEARED. THE AIRPORT ADDITION IS AT NO COST TO THE AIRPORT. WESTGATE HOLDINGS, A PRIVATE COMPANY WILL BUILD THE HANGARS AND SUBLEASE THEM TO A THIRD PARTY. AIRPORT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HEATH ALLEN SAID "IT'S VERY HARD TO GET MONEY OUT OF THE STATE FOR A COMMERCIAL AIRPORT TO DEVELOP HANGARS. WE JUST CAN'T MAKE IT FEASIBLE." PARTNERING WITH THE PRIVATE COMPANY MAKES THAT POSSIBLE. THE AGREEMENT INCLUDES A 50 YEAR LEASE AND THE AIRPORT WILL COLLECT 15 CENTS PER SQUARE FOOT EACH YEAR. AT THE END OF THE LEASE THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY WILL OWN THE HANGARS. A MINIMUM INVESTMENT OF $300,000 IS REQUIRED TO BUILD THE HANGARS.

DRY CREEK MAN DIES IN CRASH
July 6, 2011

A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A DRY CREEK MAN. ON MONDAY, JUST SOUTH OF DERIDDER, 59 YEAR OLD JAMES M. JACKSON WAS EJECTED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF A GMC TRUCK. THE STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE SAYS THE TRUCK HAD RAN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A CONCRETE CULVERT. STATE POLICE SPOKESMAN SARGEANT JAMES ANDERSON SAYS THAT THE DRIVER, 42 YEAR OLD MARTIN LOREN SNYDER OF DERIDDER WAS ALSO UNRESTRAINED. HE WAS TREATED FOR MINOR INJURIES. SARGEANT ANDERSON SAID THAT ALCOHOL MOST LIKELY PLAYED A ROLE IN THE CRASH. SNYDER WAS CHARGED WITH VEHICULAR HOMICIDE, SECOND OFFENSE DRUNKEN DRIVING AND OTHER NUMEROUS CHARGES. AUTHORITIES SAY THIS IS THE THIRD DEATH INVOLVING A LACK OF SEAT BELT USE IN BEAUREGARD PARISH IN LESS THAN A WEEK.

ALTERNATIVE FUELING STATION
July 6, 2011

CALCASIEU PARISH COULD SOON RECEIVE AN ALTERNATIVE FUELING STATION. THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP OF MULTIPLE LOCAL AGENCIES THE PARISH WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO NUMEROUS FUELING OPTIONS. THE CITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER PARTNERING WITH THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY, THE CITIES OF SULPUR AND WESTLAKE, ALONG WITH THE CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD. THE COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS HOW TO GET SUCH A PROJECT OFF THE GROUND. THE LAKE CHARLES PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, MISTER EDWARDS SAID THE CITY WANTS TO BE ON THE "CUTTING EDGE" OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS. LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS, PROPANE OR OTHER FUEL SOURCE WOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE PLANNED STATION. THE STATION WOULD SERVE ENOUGH GOVERNMENT VEHICLES TO JUSTIFY THE PROJECT.

LAFAYETTE ANNEXATION PLANS
July 6, 2011

THE CITY OF LAFAYETTE IS CONSIDERING ANNEXING OVER 100 ACRES. THE ANNEXATION WOULD ADD THE CITY'S EFFORT TO EXTEND LAFAYETTES BOUNDARIES WHICH HAVE BEEN LIMITED FOR YEARS. THE CITY BEGIN THE INCREASE IN ANNEXATION LAST YEAR, BY ADDING MORE THAN 1,400 ACRES.THE CITY-PARISH COUNCIL BEGAN CONSIDERATION ON YESTERDAY OF FIVE DIFFERENT ANNEXATIONS EQUALING 128 ACRES. THE VOTE WILL BE HELD LATER THIS MONTH. MOST ANNEXATIONS HAVE BEEN DUE TO INCREASED NEEDS OF BUSINESSES OR RESIDENTS SEEKING CITY AMENITIES.

HOUSE ARREST ENDS FOR FORMER GOVERNOR
July 6, 2011

HOUSE ARREST FOR FORMER GOVERNOR EDWIN EDWARDS ENDS TODAY. EDWARDS SERVED EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON FOLLOWING THE 2002 BRIBERY AND EXTORTION CASE FOR A SCHEME TO RIG RIVERBOAT CASINO LICENSES. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH HIS POPULARITY HAS NOT DECREASED BY MUCH, CONSIDERING THE HIGH NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO FRIENDED HIM ON HIS FACEBOOK PAGE. MANY ARE ENCOURAGING HIM TO RETURN TO OFFICE AND POSTING THAT THEY MISS HIM. ONLY AFTER 15 YEARS FOLLOWING EDWARDS' SENTENCE IS HE ABLE TO RUN FOR ELECTED OFFICE UNLESS HE IS PARDONED. EDWARDS WILL SOON BEGIN TOURING TO MARKET HIS AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY AND IS IN TALKS TO DEVELOP A REALITY SHOW. EDWARDS WILL BE ON PROBATION FOR THREE YEARS.

HOUSE MEMBER TO RUN FOR SENATE
July 5, 2011

A MEMBER OF THE LOUISIANA HOUSE IS EYEING A SENATE SEAT AS HE MAKES HIS FUTURE POLITICAL PLANS. REPRESENTATIVE MACK "BODI" WHITE HAS CALLED A NEWS CONFERENCE WHERE HE'S EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE HIS CANDIDACY FOR THE NEWLY DRAWN DISTRICT SIX STATE SENATE SEAT THAT REPRESENTS PARTS OF EAST BATON ROUGE, LIVINGSTON, ST. HELENA AND TANGIPAHOA PARISHES.

INTENTIONAL FIRE ON JULY 4TH
July 5, 2011

EIGHT PEOPLE WERE TREATED AND RELEASED FOR SMOKE INHALATION AFTER FIREWORKS CAUGHT THE HOME THEY WERE IN ON FIRE. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED SUNDAY NIGHT IN LAPLACE. THE "TIMES-PICAYUNE" SAYS THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING. IT'S BELIEVED THE FIREWORKS WERE INTENTIONALLY AIMED AT THE SUGAR RIDGE SUBDIVISION RESIDENCE.

DROPPED CHARGES FOR FRENCH DIGNITARY
July 5, 2011

RAPE CHARGES AGAINST FORMER INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND CHIEF DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN MAY BE DROPPED SOON. THE "NEW YORK POST" CITES A TOP INVESTIGATOR AS SAYING PROSECUTORS WILL AGREE TO DROP THE CHARGES ON HIS NEXT COURT DATE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS OR POSSIBLY BEFORE. THE SOURCE SAYS THE CREDIBILITY OF THE HOTEL MAID WHO HAS ACCUSED STRAUSS-KAHN OF RAPE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE PROSECUTION'S CASE FORWARD.

SENATOR LANDRIEU SECURES FUNDS
July 1, 2011

SENATOR MARY LANDRIEU, SECURED $99.8 MILLION FOR MILITARY INSTALLATIONS THROUGHOUT LOUISIANA AND $60 MILLION TO HELP FINANCE THE PERMANENT CONSTRUCTION OF A VA HOSPITAL IN NEW ORLEANS. THE FUNDING IS PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2012 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS BILL THAT THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE PASSED TODAY."WITH SOME OF THE HIGHEST DEPLOYMENT RATES IN THE COUNTRY, LOUISIANA'S TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE CARRYING A HEAVY LOAD ON THEIR SHOULDERS. AS PART OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS, SEN. LANDRIEU SECURED $60 MILLION TO FINANCE THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION PHASE OF A PERMANENT, REGIONAL NEW ORLEANS VA HOSPITAL. THE NEW FACILITY WILL IMPROVE VETERANS CARE, CUT OVERALL COSTS AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICES NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO VETERANS IN NEW ORLEANS." THE LEGISLATION NOW PROCEEDS TO THE FULL SENATE FOR DEBATE AND PASSAGE.

DISASTER AREAS IN LOUISIANA DECLARED
July 1, 2011

SIX PARISHES HAVE BEEN DECLARED DISASTER AREAS DUE TO DROUGHT CONDITIONS. STATE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER, MIKE STRAIN SAID THE JUNE 24TH DISASTER DECLARATION INCLUDED CALCASIEU, CAMERON, VERNON, BEAUREGARD, DESOTO AND RED RIVER PARISHES.THE USDA'S SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE FOR FARMERS SUFFERING FROM THE DISASTER ALONG WITH OTHER PROGRAMS AND FARM LOANS.

A SINGER MAN DIES IN VEHICLE CRASH
July 1, 2011

A VEHICLE CRASH INVOLVING A FORD PICKUP TRUCK JUST 3 MILES SOUTH OF DERIDDER ENDED IN TRAGEDY. THE VEHICLE DRIVEN BY 21 YEAR OLD CODY BLACK SHIVE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND ROLLED ON ITS SIDE ON THURSDAY. STATE POLICE SAY AROUND 2PM SHIVE WAS DRIVING ON LA 27 WHEN FOR UKNOWN REASONS HIS TRUCK RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF ROAD. THE TRUCK TRAVELED ALMOST 120 FEET AFTER ROTATING AND THEN ROLLED ONTO ITS ROOF. SHIVE WAS PARTIALLY EJECTED FROM THE TRUCK AND DIED AS A RESULT. SHIVE WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT. THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

MAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH CHILD'S DEATH
June 30, 2011

24 YEAR OLD EFREM "JAY" OGWIN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR SECOND DEGREE MURDER. ON MONDAY, AN 18 MONTH OLD CHILD WAS BROUGHT TO MOSS REGIONAL HOSPITAL BY HIS MOTHER AND HER LIVE-IN BOYFRIEND. THE CHILD THEN PASSED AWAY WHILE IN THE HOSPITAL. THE CPSO WAS CONTACTED ON TUESDAY WITH A POSSIBLE HOMICIDE. OGWIN WAS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CHILDS DEATH. BRUISES AND SCRAPES WERE VISIBLE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CHILD. DR. TERRY WELKE, THE PARISH CORNER SAID THE AUTOPSY REVEALED SIGNS OF "FOUL PLAY."

SULPHUR RECEIVES TWO GRANTS
June 30, 2011

THE CITY OF SULPHUR WILL SOON BE THE RECIPIENT OF TWO GRANTS. MAYOR CHRIS DUNCAN SAID "THE GRANTS ARE VERY COMPETITIVE AND WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AS RECIPIENTS. THIS SAID IN A SULPHUR NEWS RELASE, AFTER RECEIVING ONE GRANT WORTH A LITTLE OVER $23,000 WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND A 2ND GRANT WORK $20,960 PROVIDED BY THE COMMUNITY WATER ENRICHMENT FUND PROGRAM. THE GRANTS TOTALING MORE THAN $40,000 WILL GO TOWARD THE WOODLAND TERRACE WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. JANUARY IS THE EXPECTED START DATE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.

SHAW GROUP TO BUILD ENTERGY PLANT
June 30, 2011

ENTERGY LOUISIANA, THE NEW ELECTRICITY GENERATING UNIT IN WESTWEGO AT THE NINEMILE POINT PLANT WILL BE BUILT BY THE SHAW GROUP INC. THE COMPANY WON THE CONTRACT TO BUILD THE MASSIVE PLANT. ONCE THE LOUISIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION APPROVES THE PROJECT, THE $721 MILLION PROJECT WILL BE UNDERWAY. THE PLANT WILL BURN NATURAL GAS AND SERVE AS THE REPLACEMENT OF TWO GENERATORS BUILT IN THE 1950'S. THE PLANT SHOULD BEGIN GENERATING ENERGY BY THE MIDDLE OF 2015.

COUNCIL MEMBERS DECISION FOLLOWING REDISTRICTING
June 30, 2011

A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER MAY NO LONGER BE ABLE TO REMAIN ON THE COUNCIL. THE COUNCILMAN HAS THE OPTION MOVE INTO ANOTHER DISTRICT OR NO LONGER BE A COUNCIL MEMBER.THE REDRAWING OF DISTRICT LINES IS BEING DECIDED BY A SPECIAL COMMITTEE WHICH IS WAITING TO RECEIVE THE COUNCILMANS DECISION. WHILE THE NAME OF THE MEMBER IS NOT BEING RELEASED, BILLY LOFTIN, CITY ATTORNEY SAID THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS DECISION WILL NOT PREVENT THE REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF CREATING NEW VOTING DISTRICTS. THIS COMES AFTER THE LOUISIANA SENATE APPROVED THE REMAPPING OF 39 DISTRICTS.

RYAN STREETSCAPE PROJECT FACES DELAYS
June 29, 2011

THE REMOVAL OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS COULD CAUSE DELAYS IN THE COMPLETION OF THE RYAN STREET STREETSCAPE. THE CITY'S DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, LORI MARINOVICH, SAID THE PROJECT WAS DELAYED WHEN AN UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK WAS DISCOVERED AND HAD TO BE REMOVED, COSTING THE CONSTRUCTING CREWS A WEEK OF WORK. CREWS ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON ONE END OF THE ROAD, REPLACING A SIDEWALK AND UTILITIES. NEXT THEY WILL BEGIN WORKING ON THE FOUR MAIN INTERSECTIONS. THE PROJECT STRETCHES FROM THE INTERSECTION OF CLARENCE AND RYAN TO THE INTERSECTION OF PINE AND RYAN. MARINOVICH SAYS THEY ARE LOOKING AT 18 MONTHS, MEANING THE ENTIRE PROJECT SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY EARLY SUMMER OF NEXT YEAR.

FEDERAL APPROVAL GIVEN TO SENATE REMAPPING
June 29, 2011

THE 39 DISTRICTS THAT MAKE UP THE LOUISIANA SENATE HAVE BEEN GIVEN APPROVAL FOR REMAPPING. AS OF YESTERDAY THE LOUISIANA SENATE RECEIVED FEDERAL APPROVAL TO REDESIGN THE SEATS IN THE FALL ELECTION ALONG WITH THE 105 HOUSE DISTRICTS THAT HAD ALREADY WON APPROVAL LAST WEEK. UNDER THE 1965 VOTING RIGHTS ACTS LOUISIANA ELECTION DISTRICTS REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM FEDERAL OFFICIALS. THIS IS TO MAKE CERTAIN THERE IS NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MINORITIES. WHILE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DID NOT OBJECT TO THE CHANGES, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL INFORMED THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENTS CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISON THAT THIS DOES NOT ELIMINATE POSSIBLE LAWSUITS THAT ARE ATTEMPTING TO PREVENT THE NEW REDISTRICTING PLAN. THE NEW PLAN IS TO GO INTO EFFECT WITH THE OCTOBER 22 PRIMARY.

FARMERS HOT CROP COMMODITY
June 29, 2011

LARGE AMOUNTS OF RICE FARMERS ARE GROWING SOYBEANS THIS YEAR, DUE TO HISTORICALLY HIGH MARKET PRICES FOR THE CROP. DIRECTOR OF LOUISIANA FIELD SERVICE FOR USA RICE FEDERATION IN KINDER, RANDY JEMISON, SAID THAT MOST RICE GROWERS TYPICALLY HAVE SOYBEANS IN THEIR CROP ROTATION. BECAUSE OF THE PRICING OF SOYBEANS, RICE GROWERS ARE WORKING TO INCREASE THEIR PROFIT AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE MARKET. THERE IS NOT AS MUCH DEMAND FOR RICE THIS YEAR DUE TO LARGE SUPPLYOF RICE BEING GROWN WORLDWIDE.

DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION FOUND GUILTY

GUILTY PLEAS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO REMAINING DEFENDANTS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN A DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION PERTAINING TO THE POSSESSION OF ANABOLIC STEROIDS. 12 DEFENDANTS WERE INDICTED IN OCTOBER 2010. YESTERDAY 5 RING MEMBERS PLEAD GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT. THE INDICTMENT SHOWED THAT THE GROUP OF 12 BROUGHT IN THE SUBSTANCE FROM GERMANY AND CHINA AS A POWDER AND THEN DISTRIBUTED IT AS AN INJECTABLE LIQUID FORM THROUGHOUT LOUISIANA AND TEXAS. ALL THE DEFENDANTS PLEADED GUILTY TO ONE COUNT OF CONSPIRACY TO POSSESS WITH THE INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANABOLIC STERIODS. ALLEGED ORGANIZERS OF THE GROUP ARE JORDAN BLAKE BERZA AND CHRISTOPHER KEITH GASS. BOTH MEN WERE CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO POSSESS WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE AND MONEY LAUNDERING. AUTHORITIES SAY SOME OF THE DRUG MONEY WOULD BE DEPOSITED IN THE ACCOUNT OF THEIR LAKE CHARLES BUSINESS, JORDAN AND CHRIS NUTRITION.

DRUG RING MEMBERS PLEAD GUILTY
June 28, 2011

IN FEDERAL COURT, 5 MEMBERS OF A RING PLEAD GUILTY TO NUMEROUS CHARGES ON YESTERDAY. THE 5 WERE INVOLVED IN IMPORTING AND DISTRIBUTING ANABOLIC STEROIDS. THE INDICTMENT SHOWED THAT THE GROUP OF 13 MEMBERS BROUGHT IN THE SUBSTANCE FROM GERMANY AND CHINA AS A POWDER AND THEN DISTRIBUTED IT AS A LIQUID INJECTABLE FORM THROUGHOUT LOUISIANA AND TEXAS. ALLEGED ORGANIZERS OF THE GROUP ARE JORDAN BLAKE BERZA AND CHRISTOPHER KEITH GASS. BERZA RECEIVED 17 PACKAGES OF THE SUBSTANCE AT HIS LAKE CHARLES HOME BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR. BOTH BERZA AND GASS WERE EACH CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO POSSESS WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE AND MONEY LAUNDERING. AUTHORITIES SAY SOME OF THE DRUG MONEY WOULD BE DEPOSITED IN THE ACCOUNT OF THEIR LAKE CHARLES BUSINESS, JORDAN AND CHRIS NUTRITION. THE TRIAL CONTINUES TODAY.

SULPHUR MILLAGE INCREASE
June 28, 2011

THE SULPHUR CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. AT MONDAYS MEETING THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE TAX INCREASE, UP TO 15.52 MILLS. THIS AMOUNT IS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT ALLOWED BY VOTERS. SULPHUR MAYOR, CHRIS DUNCAN EXPLAINED THIS INCREASE WAS DONE TO PROTECT THE MAXIMUM RATE. THE CALCASIEU PARISH TAX ASSESSOR REASSESSES ALL OF THE CITY'S PROPERTY EVERY FOUR YEARS. THE MILLAGE RATE HAS TO BE RAISED TO ITS MAXIMUM ONE OUT OF THE FOUR YEARS. THE CITY'S FINANCE DIRECTOR, KEVIN ALLEY SAID THAT " WE ARE BASICALLY DOING WHAT IS CALLED A ROLL FORWARD, WHICH ALLLOWS US TO INCREASE OUR MILLAGE RATE TO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT THAT WAS VOTED ON BY THE VOTERS. ALLEY ALSO ADDED THAT THE INCREASE WILL HAVE LITTLE AFFECT ON PROPERTY OWNERS. THE TAX WILL GO INTO THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND AND IS THEN APPLIED TO THE BUDGET. THE CITY CURRENTLY HAS A $1.2 MILLION DEFICIT.

TOBACCO COMPANIES TO FUND PROGRAMS
June 28, 2011

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT ISSUED A RULING MONDAY THAT REQUIRE TOBACCO COMPANIES TO FORK OVER 278-MILLION DOLLARS FOR SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAMS IN LOUISIANA. THE "TIMES-PICAYUNE" REPORTS THE COMPANIES' REQUEST THAT THE 2009 ORDER BE VACATED WAS DENIED WITHOUT COMMENT.

STATE NEARS NEW DROUGHT RECORD
June 27, 2011

UNLESS THE STATE RECEIVES ANOTHER SEVEN-TENTHS OF AN INCH OF RAIN BY THURSDAY, THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WILL GO ON RECORD AS THE DRIEST SUCH PERIOD EVER IN THE STATE. THE STATE CLIMATOLOGIST SAYS LOUISIANA HAS RECEIVED ONLY 17-POINT-TWO INCHES OF RAIN FOR THE PERIOD SO FAR. THE NORMAL RATE IS JUST OVER 30 INCHES.

MASTER PLAN IN WORKS FOR LAFAYETTE UNIVERSITY
June 27, 2011

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE IS CURRENTLY UNDER GOING NEW DEVELOPMENT EXPECTED TO STEER GROWTH OVER THE NEXT 15 YEARS. THE PROJECT SET FOR A MID-DECEMBER COMPLETION FOCUSES ON DEVELOPING THE CAMPUS' MAIN ACADEMIC AREA AS WELL AS STUDENT COMMONS AREAS. NEIGHBORING OUR LADY OF LOURDES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IS ALSO EXPECTED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PLAN. THE HOSPITAL WAS TO BE VACATED DUE TO THE OPENING OF A NEW SOUTH LAFAYETTE LOCATION. THE UNIVERSITY WOULD PURCHASE THE PROPERTY ON SALE FOR $36 MILLION WITH GOALS OF BRINGING THE MAIN CAMPUS AND ITS SOUTH CAMPUS CLOSER TOGETHER. HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ARE APART OF THE OF THE MASTERPLAN.

DEADLY CALIFORNIA TRAIN CRASH
June 27, 2011

SEARCH CREWS CONTINUE COMBING THROUGH THE WRECKAGE OF A DEADLY AMTRAK TRAIN CRASH IN NORTHERN NEVADA TODAY. FRIDAY'S CRASH BETWEEN THE CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR AND A BIG RIG LEFT AT LEAST SIX PEOPLE DEAD AND MORE THAN 20 INJURED. AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE REPORTEDLY REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR TODAY. THE TRAIN WAS HEADING TO THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA FROM CHICAGO. INVESTIGATORS WITH THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD WILL REMAIN AT THE CRASH SITE FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER WEEK. A REPORT ON THE CAUSE WON'T BE RELEASED FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS.

LAKE CHARLES FIRE DESTROY LOCAL GROCERY
June 24, 2011

CORMIE'S GROCERY ON BIG LAKE ROAD CAUGHT FIRE EARLY THIS MORNING. THE LAKE CHARLES FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THE CALL AROUND 2 AM THIS MORNING. THE ENTIRE BUILDING WAS EMFLAMED. AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THE FUEL PUMPS AT THE GAS STATION WERE NOT ON. AUTHORITORIES ARE STILL NOT CERTAIN AS TO HOW THE FIRE STARTED. RESIDENTS AS FAR AWAY AS SULPHUR REPORTED SMELLING THE FIRE AND SMOKECOULD BE SEEN FROM I-210. WE WILL HAVE MORE FOR YOU AS INFORMATION IS MADE AVAILABLE.

NEW POLICE JUROR APPOINTED
June 24, 2011

THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURORS HAVE APPOINTED A TEMPORARY MEMBER TO FILL THE SEAT OF RECENTLY RESIGNED ELLIS HASSIEN. MR. BRENT CLEMENT HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM. ELLIS HASSIEN SUBMITTED HIS RESIGNATION ON JUNE 17TH. MR. CLEMENT PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS POLICE JUROR FOR DISTRICT 12, WHICH COVERS THE CARLYSS AND VINTON AREAS OF THE PARISH. MR. CLEMENT TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE AT THE POLICE JURY MEETING. MR. CLEMENT IS LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING IN THIS CAPACITY, AND SAYS, "I AM HAPPY TO REPRESENT THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 12, AND AM EAGER TO WORK WITH MY FELLOW JURORS AND THE POLICE JURY STAFF REGARDING ONGOING PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES THAT CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY."

LEGISLATIVE SESSION COMES TO A CLOSE
June 24, 2011

THE LEGISLATURE CLOSED OUT ITS CURRENT SESSION AT SIX LAST NIGHT, BUT BEFORE IT DID IT APPROVED HAVING VOTERS DECIDE A TAX RENEWAL QUESTION. THAT QUESTION IS WHETHER TO RENEW A FOUR-CENT PORTION OF THE STATE'S TAX ON CIGARETTES. THE ISSUE IS ATTACHED TO A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOCATE MORE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT DOLLARS TO TOPS.

SHRIMPERS PROTEST AT STATE CAPITOL
June 23, 2011

SHRIMPERS WHO GATHERED ON THE STEPS OF THE STATE CAPITOL YESTERDAY ARE POINTING THE FINGER OF BLAME AT BP FOR LOWER PRICES THEY ARE RECEIVING FOR THEIR CATCHES THIS YEAR. THEY SAY THAT PRICES WERE CLIMBING BEFORE LAST YEAR'S OIL SPILL IN THE GULF AND THAT BP HAS FAILED TO PAY FOR LOSSES THEY HAVE INCURRED SINCE THEN. THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE 2011 SPRING INSHORE SHRIMP SEASON IN A PORTION OF SHRIMP MANAGEMENT ZONE 2 WILL CLOSE ON SATURDAY EVENING. THE DECISION TO CLOSE THIS AREA WAS MADE IN AN EFFORT TO PROTECT DEVELOPING SHRIMP.

LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE TO CLOSE SESSION
June 23, 2011

STATE LAWMAKERS WILL BE BACK AT WORK TODAY, THE FINAL DAY OF THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION. FINAL ACTION IS EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN ON DOZENS OF PIECES OF LEGISLATION BEFORE THE SESSION IS GAVELED TO A CLOSE AT 6 P.M. THE SENATE BEGINS ITS DAY AT 9:30 THIS MORNING, WHILE THE SENATE CONVENES AT 10.

GAS PRICES
June 23, 2011

MOTORISTS ARE ENJOYING ANOTHER DROP IN GAS PRICES TODAY. THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE PRICE OF REGULAR FELL ANOTHER PENNY OVERNIGHT TO THREE-50 A GALLON. THAT'S SIX-CENTS LOWER THAN A WEEK AGO AND 22-CENTS BELOW THE WEEK-AGO AVERAGE PRICE. GASBUDDY.COM REPORTS A HANDFUL OF STATIONS IN THE TERRYTOWN AND ALGIERS AREAS ARE SELLING REGULAR FOR THREE-17 A GALLON.

STABBING AT LC APARTMENT COMPLEX
June 22, 2011

A LAKE CHARLES WOMAN IS CHARGED IN THE STABBING DEATH OF 22-YEAR-OLD LAWRENCE EDWARD BRYANT. IT HAPPENED AROUND 7-30 LAST NIGHT AT THE TRACE APARTMENTS ON LOUIE STREET. LAKE CHARLES POLICE SAY THE VICTIM GOT INTO AN ALTERCATION WITH 20-YEAR-OLD JESSICA ANN LOVE AT LOVE'S APARTMENT AND SHE STABBED HIM IN THE CHEST. BRYANT WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL. LOVE WAS BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU CORRECTIONAL ON A CHARGE OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER.

LINGERIE THEFT
June 22, 2011

THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A BIZARRE THEFT CASE. IT STARTED WITH A CALL FROM AN APARTMENT COMPLEX ON WEST MCNEESE STREET. A TENANT SAID HER PANTIES HAD BEEN STOLEN OUT OF A DRYER IN THE COMPLEX LAUNDRY ROOM... SHE ALSO TOLD DEPUTIES ABOUT ANOTHER TENANT THAT ALSO HAD UNDERGARMENTS STOLEN FROM THE DRYER.... AND SHE SAID ...SHE KNEW WHO DID IT... 51-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL KOHL. A SEARCH OF KOHL'S APARTMENT TURNED UP OVER 40 PAIRS OF WOMEN'S PANTIES. HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU CORRECTIONAL CENTER FOR THEFT UNDER 500 DOLLARS.

SCHOOL LUNCHES
June 22, 2011

THE CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD IS CONSIDERING A MOVE TO CUT COSTS AND INCREASE EFFICIENCY IN SCHOOL CAFETERIAS. MOTHER SCHOOLS WOULD BE APPOINTED AND FOOD PREPARATION WOULD BE CONSOLIDATED TO JUST THOSE LOCATIONS, THEN IT WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED TO SATELLITE SCHOOLS TO BE SERVED TO STUDENTS. SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR, CAFETERIA'S WILL BEGIN PREPARING THEIR OWN FOODS FROM FRESH INGREDIENTS, RELYING LESS ON PROCESSED FOODS. IF APPROVED, THE REORGANIZATION WILL BEGIN IN THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR ON A TRIAL BASIS.

SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH CLAIMS ONE LIFE
June 21, 2011

HEAVY RAIN MAY HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN A FATAL ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY-12 ---FOUR MILES EAST OF THE TEXAS STATE LINE. IT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER 8 THIS MORNING. STATE POLICE SAY 39-YEAR-OLD MISTEE GREER CAMPBELL, OF STARKS, LOST CONTROL OF THE EASTBOUND PICK-UP TRUCK SHE WAS DRIVING AND STRUCK A TREE. IMPAIRMENT IS NOT SUSPECT. THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

SPENDING PLAN APPROVED
June 21, 2011

THE LEGISLATURE GAVE FINAL APPROVAL TODAY TO A 25-BILLION-DOLLAR SPENDING PLAN FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR THAT BEGINS JULY 1ST. THE HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE BUDGET PLAN, EVEN THOUGH IT CONTAINED 200-MILLION-DOLLARS IN SPENDING THE HOUSE SOUGHT TO CUT, BUT WOUND UP BEING RESTORED BY THE SENATE.

VITTER CAUGHT UP IN "WEINER GATE"
June 21, 2011

A NEW CALL FOR REPUBLICAN LOUISIANA SENATOR DAVID VITTER TO RESIGN. THE "TIMES-PICAYUNE" SAYS THE HEAD OF THE CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE FAMILY POLICY NETWORK SAYS VITTER, WHO ADMITTED TO SEXUAL INDISCRETIONS FOUR YEARS AGO, SHOULD FOLLOW CONGRESSMAN ANTHONY WEINER IN STEPPING DOWN TO AVOID THE GOP BEING ACCUSED OF HYPOCRISY.

TRAIN/CAR COLLISION IN EUNICE
June 20, 2011

A WOMAN IS DEAD AND A MAN FACING SEVERAL CHARGES FOLLOWING A TRAIN-CAR COLLISION IN EUNICE. IT HAPPENED SUNDAY NIGHT. POLICE SAY 40-YEAR-OLD LARRY GALLIEN OF LAKE CHARLES WAS DRIVING IMPAIRED WHEN HE FAILED TO HEED A RAILROAD SIGNAL REMAINED IDLING ON THE TRACK AS THE TRAIN APPROACHED. 44-YEAR-OLD LEONA WITHERS OF LAKE CHARLES DIED IN THE CRASH. GALLIEN FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING VEHICULAR HOMICIDE, FIRST OFFENSE D-W-I, AND DISOBEYING A RAILROAD SIGNAL.

POT BUST ON I-10
June 20, 2011

A HOUSTON MAN IS BUSTED WITH NEARLY 90 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA DURING A TRAFFIC STOP ON I-10. A MEMBER OF THE CONBIMED ANTI-DRUG TASK FORCE STOPPED THE EASTBOUND S-U-V NEAR MILE MARKER 11. WHEN HE SPOKE TO THE DRIVER, 46-YEAR-OLD LIONELL WILLIAMS JR... HE DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF MARIJUANA COMING FROM THE CAR. THE STASH, WORTH AN ESTIMATED STREET VALUE OF 35-THOUSAND DOLLARS WAS FOUND WRAPPED IN CLEAR PLASTIC CELLOPHANE IN TWO CARDBOARD BOXES AT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. WILLIAMS WAS BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU CORRECTIONAL CENTER ON A 30-THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

STABBING
June 20, 2011

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO AN EARLY MORNING STABBING IN SULPHUR. IT HAPPENED AROUND 2-35 A-M AT A HOME ON FOWLER DRIVE. A DEQUINCY MAN WHO HAD BEEN STABBED SEVERAL TIMES... WAS TRANSPORTED TO WEST CAL CAM WHERE HE IS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION. THE SUSPECT, 36-YEAR-OLD GABRIEL ROBERT OF BEAUMONT WAS PICKED UP A SHORT TIME LATER BY VINTON POLICE.

TWO DIE IN SEPERATE CRASHES
June 17, 2011

THE WEEKEND GOT OFF TO A TRAGIC START AFTER TWO FATAL CRASHES HAPPENED JUST MINUTES APART FRIDAY MORNING. THE FIRST OCCURED AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 171 AND NORTH PERKINS FERRY ROAD AROUND 7:50 AM. LOUISIANA STATE POLICE SAY A PICKUP TRUCK FAILED TO YIELD TO A MOTORCYCLE AND THE TWO CRASHED. THE DRIVER OF THE MOTORCYCLE, 56-YEAR-OLD JERRY GEORGE ESTAVILLE, OF REEVES, WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. AT 8 AM THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE RESPONDED TO A CRASH AT THE INTERSECTION OF HOUSTON RIVER ROAD AND MAURINE DRIVE IN SULPHUR. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH AND HIT A CULVERT. NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER WERE WEARING SEATBELTS AND BOTH WERE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER, 18-YEAR-OLD RAYVEN N. ADAMS, OF IOWA, DIED FROM HER INJURIES. STANDARD TOXICOLOGY REPORTS ARE PENDING IN BOTH ACCIDENTS.

POT BUST ON I-10
June 17, 2011

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM LA STATE POLICE

WELSH--This morning, at 8:35 a.m., troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop D stopped a 2005 Dodge Durango for a traffic violation on Interstate 10 eastbound near Welsh in Jefferson Davis Parish. Troopers requested and received permission to search the vehicle from the driver, 44-year-old Patricia Lopez Decruz of Pharr, Texas. Over 24 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of approximately $24,000 was located in the vehicle.

Decruz was arrested for following too closely, no driver’s license, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. She was booked into the Jefferson Davis Parish Jail. No one else was in the vehicle.

Detectives with the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations have determined that the marijuana was intended for delivery to a recipient in Alexandria, Louisiana. The recipient has been identified and an additional arrest is imminent.

REWARD OFFERED IN SEARCH FOR ALLEGED KILLER
June 16, 2011

A THREE-THOUSAND DOLLAR REWARD IS NOW BEING OFFERED FOR INFORMATION ON THE WHEREABOUTS OF JOE CONSTANCE. HE'S BEEN ON THE RUN SINCE JUNE 5TH ... WHEN HE ALLEGEDLY BROKE INTO THE HOME OF HIS ESTRANGED WIFE AND FATALLY SHOT HER. CRIMESTOPPERS IS PUTTING UP A THOUSAND DOLLARS OF THE MONEY AND THE OTHER 2-THOUSAND IS BEING OFFERED BY THE U-S MARSHAL'S OFFICE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL CPSO AT 491-3605 OR CRIMESTOPPERS AT 439-2222.

NATIONAL HURRICANE MUSEUM
June 16, 2011

ORGANIZERS FOR THE NATIONAL HURRICANE MUSEUM ARE PREPARING FOR A VOTE ON THEIR PROPOSED 68 MILLION DOLLAR FACILITY. YESTERDAY, THE CITY COUNCIL MADE THE DECISION TO PUT THE PROPOSAL ON THE OCTOBER 26TH BALLOT, TO LET LAKE CHARLES VOTERS HAVE THEIR SAY IN THE MATTER. ASIDE FROM PREPARING FOR THE ELECTION... ORGANIZERS ARE RASING MONEY AS THEY BEGIN A MAJOR FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN WITH A GOAL OF 250 THOUSAND DOLLARS. SOME CONTRIBUTION PLEDGES HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE.

LAWMAKERS DECIDE AGAINST OVERRIDE
June 16, 2011

THE LOUISIANA HOUSE HAS VOTED NOT TO OVERRIDE GOVERNOR JINDAL'S VETO OF HOUSE BILL 591 THAT WOULD HAVE RENEWED A FOUR-CENT PORTION OF THE STATE'S 36-CENT CIGARETTE TAX. THE VOTE WAS 58-TO-44 AGAINST THE VETO OVERRIDE. THE GOVERNOR CONSIDERED THE RENEWAL A NEW TAX, AND VOWED EARLIER TO VETO ANY SUCH MEASURES.

RISE IN COLLEGE TUITION
June 16, 2011

LOUISIANA COLLEGE STUDENTS WILL SOON BE SHELLING OUT MORE MONEY FOR THEIR EDUCATION. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATE WON LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL YESTERDAY TO HIKE TUITIONS BY UP TO TEN-PERCENT THIS FALL. THE PROPOSAL WON BOTH THE SUPPORT OF HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS ON THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET. WITHOUT THE APPROVAL, COLLEGES WOULD HAVE HAD TO CUT THEIR BUDGETS BY ABOUT 37-MILLION-DOLLARS.

YMCA DONATIONS PALE IN COMPARISON TO NEEDED REPAIRS
June 15, 2011

THE PLANNED RENNOVATION FOR THE YMCA IN DOWNTOWN LAKE CHARLES HAS BEEN SCRAPPED. THE YMCA PROPERTY AT 618 KIRBY STREET RECEIVED DAMAGE FROM HURRICANE RITA IN 2005. THE REPAIR COST WERE ESTIMATED AT $7MILLION. DUE TO LITTLE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ONLY RECEIVED $20,000 IN DONATIONS. ALL DONATIONS WILL BE RETURNED TO DONORS.

LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOL BACK ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK
June 15, 2011

A CLOSURE PLAN FOR REYNAUD MIDDLE SCHOOL HAS BEEN SENT TO THE LOUISIANA RECOVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT. THAT DECISION WAS VOTED ON BACK IN MAY AT THE CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WITH HOPES OF DECREASING COSTS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM'S 2011-2012 BUDGET. SUPERINTENDENT, WAYNE SAVOY IS TELLING THE PUBLIC THAT THE DECISION IS THAT OF STATE EDUCATION OFFICIALS OR THE FEDERAL COURTS. SAVOY SAID, ACCORDING TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, CLOSING THE SCHOOL WOULD SAVE ABOUT 1.4 MILLION DOLLARS.

INVESTIGATION INTO FATAL CRASH CONTINUES
June 10, 2011

SHORTLY BEFORE 10 MONDAY NIGHT, LA STATE POLICE RESPONDED TO A TWO-VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY 27 JUST SOUTH OF DEQUINCY. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A MOTORCYCLE DRIVEN BY 26-YEAR-OLD JOHN FRUGE OF DEQUINCY WAS TRAVELING SOUTH WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO PASS AN 18-WHEELER.... AND DROVE INTO THE PATH OF AN ONCOMING PICKUP TRUCK. BOTH DRIVERS THEN VEERED TOWARD THE EAST SHOULDER OF THE ROAD BUT DID NOT AVOID THE CRASH. FRUGE WAS EJECTED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AND PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE DRIVER OF THE PICKUP WAS UNINJURED. STANDARD TOXICOLOGY TESTS ARE PENDING.

BENEFITS FOR INSURANCE INVESTIGATORS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
June 10, 2011

AN EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO WIN LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL OF BENEFITS FOR THE FAMILY OF TWO INSURANCE FRAUD INVESTIGATORS. BOTH WERE SHOT TO DEATH THIS WEEK IN A CONFRONTATION WITH A VILLE PLATTE BUSINESS OWNER. THE PUSH WILL BE FOR THE SAME BENEFITS PAID TO FAMILIES OF POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

CONTRABAND BAYOU BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
June 10. 2011

A HEADS UP FOR LAKE STREET MOTORISTS. LAKE CHARLES CITY OFFICIALS HAVE ANNOUNCED THE CONTRABAND BAYOU BRIDGE ON LAKE STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR FOUR TO SIX MONTHS TO REPLACE THE EXISTING BRIDGE. THE CLOSURE GETS UNDERWAY AT 8 MONDAY MORNING. ACCESS TO BUSINESSES AND RESIDENCES WILL BE MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT.

THE LATEST ON THE SEARCH FOR A LAKE CHARLES MURDER SUSPECT
June 7, 2011

THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS AROUND 3 THIS AFTERNOON THEY CONCLUDED A SEARCH OF THE 3 MILE RADIUS SURROUNDING THE AREA WHERE THE TRUCK OF 43-YEAR-OLD JOE CONSTANCE WAS LOCATED ON SUNDAY, JUST MINUTES AFTER HE FATALLY SHOT HIS ESTRANGED WIFE. 49-YEAR-OLD MARY JEANETTE DUHON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. CPSO SAYS EVERY RESOURCE AVAILABLE INCLUDING MANPOWER, AIR SUPPORT, A-T-V'S, AND BOATS HAVE BEEN USED IN THEIR SEARCH FOR CONSTANCE. THEY SAY THEY FEEL CONFIDENT HE IS NO LONGER IN THAT AREA AND HE IS STILL CONSIDERED TO BE ALIVE, ARMED, AND DANGEROUS AND HE REMAINS ON THE RUN. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON HIS WHEREABOUT IS ASKED TO CALL 911.

MANHUNT
June 6, 2011

THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR A 43-YEAR-OLD LAKE CHARLES MAN ACCUSED OF FATALLY SHOOTING HIS ESTRANGED WIFE IN HER SOUTH LAKE CHARLES HOME. IT HAPPENED AROUND 7-30 YESTERDAY MORNING IN A MOBILE HOME ON RUSTIC VIEW DRIVE. FOUR OTHERS WERE INSIDE THE HOME WHEN JOE CONSTANCE ALLEGEDLY ENTERED THE RESIDENCE AND SHOT 43-YEAR-OLD MARY JEANETTE DUHON THEN FLED THE SCENE IN HIS PICKUP TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS DISCOVERED A SHORT TIME LATER. CALCASIEU AND CAMERON PARISH AUTHORITIES ARE CONDUCTING AN INTENSE SEARCH FOR CONSTANCE. HE IS CONSIDERED TO BE ARMED AND DANGEROUS.

FOUR YEAR OLD CRITICALLY INJURED
June 6, 2011

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD GIRL IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION IN A SHREVEPORT HOSPITAL FOLLOWING A WEEKEND WRECK IN DEQUINCY. IT HAPPENED IN THE FOUR-THOUSAND BLOCK OF EDGERLY ROAD AROUND 2-30 SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS 50-YEAR-OLD STEVE DAVIS WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND WHEN HE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND IN CURVE AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED TWICE. THE CHILD WHO WAS NOT RESTRAINED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS AIRLIFTED TO LSU-SHREVEPORT HOSPITAL. AT LAST WORD, DAVIS WAS LISTED IN STABLE BUT CRITICAL CONDITION.

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BUDGET CUTS
June 6, 2011

STATE LAWMAKERS HEAD BACK TO WORK TODAY AND AMONG THE PROPOSED BILLS UP FOR CONSIDERATION IN COMMITTEE IS LEGISLATION PUSHING FOR THE SALE OF THREE OF THE STATE'S PRISONS TO HELP OFFSET LOUISIANA'S BUDGET WOES. THE BILL, BEING PUSHED BY GOVERNOR JINDAL, MAKES ITS FIRST STOP BEFORE COMMITTEE MEMBERS THIS MORNING.

INDICTMENTS IN TWO HIGH PROFILE CASES
June 3, 2011

INDICTMENTS HAVE BEEN HANDED DOWN IN TWO HIGH PROFILE CASES. THE FIRST, INVOLVES THE BURNING OF MILLENIUM PARK. CALCASIEU PARISH GRAND JURORS YESTERDAY DECIDED THERE WAS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO BRING 17-YEAR-OLD SETH ARCENEAUX TO TRIAL FOR SIMPLE ARSON. THE TEEN WAS ARRESTED JUST WEEKS AFTER THE JANUARY FIRE THAT DESTROYED THE PARK. IF CONVICTED, HE FACES UP TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON. THE SECOND CASE BEFORE GRAND JURORS THIS WEEK STEMS FROM AN APRIL 13TH DRIVE-BY SHOOTING IN SULPHUR. STEPHIN BERGERON WAS FATALLY WOUNDED AND HIS FRIEND SHOT... AS THEY WALKED ALONG HIGHWAY 27 SOUTH IN CARLYSS. 20-YEAR-OLD DAVID CALEB FONTENOT AND 18-YEAR-OLD DEVIN BLAKE BADON WERE INDICTED ON CHARGES OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER. BADON WAS ALSO INDICTED ON DISTRIBUTION OF ECSTASY. A THIRD PERSON ARRESTED IN THE CASE WAS NOT INDICTED.

SULPHUR WATER REGULATIONS
June 3, 2011

MAYOR CHRIS DUNCAN IS REMINGING RESIDENTS THERE ARE SOME RESTRICTIONS TO OUTSIDE WATERING DURING THESE PEAK SUMMER MONTHS... TO SEE THE SCHEDULE AND REGULATIONS, AS OUTLINED IN THE WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE, YOU CAN VISIT THE CITY OF SULPHUR WEBSITE AT WWW.SULPHUR.ORG.

WETLAND LOSS
June 3, 2011

THE STATE OF LOUISIANA IS LOSING ALMOST A FOOTBALL FIELD OF WETLANDS PER HOUR. THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IS UNVEILING A NEW REPORT AND MAP THAT CLEARLY SHOWS WHERE WETLANDS HAVE BEEN LOST ALONG WITH THE TIME THEY DISAPPEARED. THE INFORMATION ALSO CONCLUDED THAT THE TOTAL LAND LOST EQUALS NEARLY 19-HUNDRED SQUARE MILES. THAT IS THE NET LOSS OF OVER THE PAST EIGHT DECADES.

ARREST IN LAKE CHARLES SHOOTING
June 2, 2011

A 23-YEAR-OLD MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING AT A LAKE CHARLES APARTMENT COMPLEX. IT HAPPENED TUESDAY NIGHT AT THE SUNLIGHT MANOR APARTMENTS ON BRICK STREET. LAKE CHARLES POLICE SAY 32-YEAR-OLD COREY DEMOND THOMAS WAS FATALLY WOUNDED... A SECOND VICTIM WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. CEASAR JAMES WILLIAMS OF MAMOU HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

FORT POLK SOLDIER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN
June 2, 2011

A FORT POLK SOLDIER HAS BECOME THE LATEST CASUALTY OF WAR. THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IS CONFIRMING THE DEATH OF 22-YEAR-OLD ARMY SPECIALIST RICHARD EMMONS THE THIRD. EMMONS, OF NORTH GRANBY, CONNECTICUT, AND FROM THE TENTH MOUNTAIN DIVISION BASED IN FORT POLK WAS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN MONDAY WHEN HIS UNIT WAS ATTACKED BY ENEMY FORCES WITH A ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE.

LATEST ON FLOODING
June 2, 2011�@

THE MASSIVE FLOODING PREDICTED AFTER THE OPENING OF THE MORGANZA SPILLWAY HASN'T MATERIALIZED AND YESTERDAY THE LAST OF THE MANDATORY EVACUATIONS FOR ST. LANDRY AND ST. MARTIN PARISHES WERE LIFTED. "THE ADVOCATE" REPORTS WHILE FLOODWATERS MADE THEIR WAY TO 900 CAMPS, FEWER THAN 60 HOMES TOOK ON WATER.

HURRICANE SEASON 2011
June 1, 2011

TODAY MARKS THE OFFICIAL START OF THE 2011 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON. FOR THE NEXT SIX-MONTHS FORECASTERS WILL BE KEEPING A SPECIAL WATCH OVER THE TROPICS. THIS YEAR'S LIST OF HURRICANE AND TROPICAL STORM NAMES RUNS THE GAMUT FROM THE CHILDLIKE TO THE INTIMIDATING. THEY INCLUDE DON, CINDY, NATE AND SEAN, AS WELL AS ARLENE, GERT, IRENE AND OPHELIA. EACH YEAR, 21 NAMES ARE CHOSEN BY THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR FORECASTERS, MARINERS AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES TO TRACK THE PROGRESS OF TROPICAL WEATHER. OFFICIALS ARE REMINDING RESIDENTS NOW IS THE TIME TO GET PREPARED.

FATAL ACCIDENT
June 1, 2011

ONE PERSON IS DEAD FOLLOWING A LATE-NIGHT CRASH IN SULPHUR. IT HAPPENED AT THE INTERSECTION OF KOONCE ROAD AND GILL DRIVE AROUND 11-30 LAST NIGHT. WE'RE TOLD THE DRIVER LEFT THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO SOME TREES. NO OTHER DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY AND BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

JENNINGS MURDER
June 1, 2011

A JENNINGS WOMAN AND HER UNBORN CHILD ARE DEAD AND THE WOMAN'S BOYFRIEND IS CHARGED IN THE BRUTAL CRIME. JENNINGS POLICE SAY 31-YEAR-OLD SHAWNTELL GEORGE WAS BEATEN TO DEATH WITH A PIPE EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED IN THE FRONT YARD OF A RESIDENCE ON SOUTH MAIN STREET. 43-YEAR-OLD VILLNON BOTLEY, JR IS CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND SECOND DEGREE FETICIDE.

RESULTS IN FROM SEATBELT CHECKPOINT NEAR WESTLAKE

May 31, 2011

THE RESULTS ARE IN FROM A SEATBELT CHECKPOINT HELD NEAR WESTLAKE -- STATE POLICE TROOP D SET UP THE CHECKPOINT ON HWY 378 JUST NORTH OF WESTLAKE YESTERDAY AND ISSUED A TOTAL OF 42 CITATIONS -- 8 TICKETS WERE GIVEN FOR NO SEATBELT, 20 WERE ISSUED FOR EXPIRED INSPECTION STICKERS AND 5 FOR EXPIRED LICENSE PLATES.... THE OTHER CITATIONS ISSUED WERE FOR VARIOUS VIOLATIONS.... TROOPERS IN OUR AREA WILL CONTINUE PARTICIPATING IN THE NATIONAL SEATBELT ENFORCEMENT EFFORT KNOWN AS CLICK IT OR TICKET UNTIL JUNE 5TH...

BATTLE OVER BUDGET CONTINUES IN BATON ROUGE

May 31, 2011

LOOK FOR LAWMAKERS AND THE JINDAL ADMINISTRATION TO BATTLE IT OUT IN THE COMING DAYS OVER FINALIZING THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR BUDGET…THE LEGISLATURE IS BACK AT WORK AND INSTEAD OF THE CUTS PROPOSED BY THE HOUSE, THE ADMINISTRATION CLAIMS IT’S SPENDING PLAN IS MORE PRUDENT AND BALANCED….THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE LOOKS AT THE PROPOSAL TODAY…

CHANGES AHEAD FOR THE JDSO

May 27, 2011

JEFF DAVIS SHERIFF, RICKY EDWARDS HAS ANNOUNCED HE WILL NOT SEEK A 6TH TERM IN OFFICE. EDWARDS SAYS HE HAS BEEN BLESSED TO SERVE SOME OF THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD HOWEVER HE WILL ACCEPT A POSITION WITH THE LA SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION AT THE END OF HIS CURRENT TERM... JUNE 30TH.

CLICK IT OR TICKET

May 27, 2011

STATE POLICE SAY THEY WILL BE OUT IN FULL FORCE FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THE ROADWAYS SAFER FOR TRAVEL…THE SEATBELT VIOLATION PROGRAM, “CLICK IT OR TICKET” WILL BE PART OF ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS AS WELL AS BEING ON THE LOOKOUT FOR IMPAIRED DRIVERS

MEMORIAL DAY TRAVEL

May 26, 2011

The following is a press release from the DOTD:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DOTD issues Memorial Day travel advisory

BATON ROUGE, La.– The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) today advised drivers of upcoming work schedules for interstate and major road projects throughout Louisianafor the Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 28 through Monday, May 30).

DOTD Secretary Sherri H. LeBas, P.E., urged drivers to use extra caution when traveling on the roadways during the upcoming holiday weekend, especially at railroad crossings.

Below is the regional listing of work schedules and road closures for interstate construction and major road projects.

Southeast Louisiana

In the New Orleansarea, all lanes of I-310, I-510 and I-610 will remain open during the holiday. On Sunday, May 29, through Monday, May 30, I-10 eastbound and westbound will have alternating ramp closures in New Orleans East from I-510 to Franklin Avenue. The eastbound closures will be from 8:00 p.m.to 6:00 a.m.and the westbound closures will be from 7:00 p.m.to 5:00 a.m.

In the Slidellarea, all lanes of I-10, I-12 and I-59 will remain open.

In the Hammondarea, all lanes of I-12 and I-55 will remain open.

In East Baton Rougeand Livingstonparishes, all lanes of I-10 and I-12 will remain open. Drivers should note that the speed limit has been reduced to 50 mph within the construction zones on I-10 and I-12.

Southwest Louisiana

In the Lafayettearea, all lanes of I-10 and I-49 will remain open to traffic.

In the Lake Charlesarea, all lanes of I-210 will remain open to traffic. Construction continues on I-10 near Sulphur, with one lane closed in each direction.

Central Louisiana

In the Alexandriaarea, all lanes of I-49 will remain open to traffic.

In Natchitoches Parish, LA 6 at the GrandEcoreBridgewill continue to be reduced to one lane. Temporary traffic lights are in place to control the flow of traffic. Drivers may experience minor delays because of construction activity in this area.

Northeast Louisiana

In the Monroearea, all lanes of I-20 will remain open to traffic.

Northwest Louisiana

In the Shreveport-BossierCityarea and surrounding parishes, all lanes of I-20, I-220 and I-49 will remain open.

Oversize/overweight vehicle movement

Secretary LeBas announced that all oversize and overweight vehicle movement on all state highways will be prohibited on Monday, May 30.

LeBas said the decision was made in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Office of State Police, to provide maximum safety for motorists traveling on state highways during this holiday.

The Department’s Truck Permit Office will also be closed on Monday, May 30. Please call 1-800-654-1433 for information on permits.

LA Swift Bus Service

LA Swift, the bus service that provides coach bus rides between Baton Rougeand New Orleans, will run its Saturday schedule on Monday, May 30.

Schedules and further details are available at www.laswift.comand through LA Swift’s CustomerServiceCenterat (877)-94-SWIFT (1-877-947-9438). The center’s hours of operation are 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The bus service makes stops in Baton Rouge, Gonzales, Sorrento, LaPlace, Kennerand New Orleans.

Further information

Travelers can access up-to-date information about weather-related road conditions, construction activities and other critical incidents by dialing 511 from their telephone.

The voice-activated 511 Traveler Information System is available to most wireless and landline telephone users. Out-of-state travelers can access the system by calling 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Travelers can also access this information by visiting the 511 Traveler Information System Web site at www.511la.org.

Traffic cameras for the Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Hammond/Northshore, Houma, Lake Charles, Monroe/West Monroe, New Orleans Shreveport/Bossier and surrounding areas also may be viewed from the 511 site.

DOTD’s CustomerServiceCenterrepresentatives can answer questions about road closures not listed above or any other DOTD-related questions. Please call (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683) with questions. The center’s business hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The CustomerServiceCenterwill be closed Monday, May 30.

Finally, drivers are encouraged to tune in to local radio stations for current traffic and incident information prior to traveling.

Drivers who notice road hazards, such as potholes or debris in the road, are urged to call DOTD’s statewide, toll-free Highway Safety Hot Line at 1-800-259-HWAY (4929). The automated system operates 24 hours a day and routes callers to the appropriate field office to report hazardous conditions.

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POT BUST ON I-10

May 26, 2011

A TRAFFIC STOP ON I-10 EASTBOUND LEADS TO THE DISCOVERY OF 62 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA. A DETECTIVE WITH THE COMBINED ANTI DRUG TASK FORCE MADE THE STOP NEAR VINTON AROUND 10 TUESDAY NIGHT. WHEN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE, 39-YEAR-OLD IVORY WILLIAMS OF FRANKLINBEGAN ACTING SUSPICIOUS THE DEPUTY OBTAINED PERMISSION TO SEARCH THE VEHICLE.THE POT, WITH AN ESTIMATED STREET VALUE OF OVER 25-THOUSAND DOLLARS WAS FOUND IN TWO TRASH BAGS IN THE TRUNK. WILLIAMS IS CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE.

JOBLESS RATE GOES DOWN IN LA

May 26, 2011

SOME GOOD NEWS ON LOUISIANA’S JOB FRONT. THE LOUISIANA WORKFORCE COMMISSION SAYS THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DECREASED IN ALL METRO AREAS OF THE STATE LAST MONTH BY FACTIONS OF A PERCENT…THE STATE’S JOBLESS RATE DROPPED FROM EIGHT PERCENT TO JUST OVER SEVEN PERCENT…

SOME OF MORGANZA FLOODGATES CLOSING

May 26, 2011

THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS CLOSED THREE OF THE OPEN MORGANZA SPILLWAY FLOODGATES…SEVENTEEN GATES HAD BEEN OPENED…. THEY DETERMINED MORE WATER THAN EXPECTED WAS FLOWING FROM THE SPILLWAY INTO THE ATCHAFALAYABASIN…BACKWATER FLOODING SOUTH OF THE SPILLWAY IS EXPECTED TO RISE ANOTHER ONE TO TWO FEET…

JURY FINDS NEWTON FAMILY GUILTY OF MURDER

May 25, 2011

FOUR FAMILY MEMEBERS ARE AWAITING SENTENCING AFTER BEING FOUND GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES RELATED TO THE DEATH OF 14 YEAR OLD ALEXIS RANKINS...19 YEAR OLD SEAN NETWON WAS CONVICTED OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER WHILE HIS BROTHER, MOTHER AND FATHER WERE FOUND GUILTY OF ACCESSORY AFTER THE FACT TO FIRST DEGREE MURDER.....SENTENCING IS SET FOR JULY 20TH....

ARREST MADE IN LC MURDER

May 25, 2011

AN ARREST IS MADE IN A MURDER THAT CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A 19 YEAR OLD -- LAKE CHARLES POLICE SAY 21 YEAR OLD JEREMY LAVERGNE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOR THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 19 YEAR OLD LEONARD CARNELL...THE SHOOTING TOOK PLACE AROUND 1 O'CLOCK YESTERDAY MORNING ON GENERAL PERSHING STREET....LAVERGNE WAS BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU CORRECTIONAL CENTER, CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER....

SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING MAN IN CAMERON

May 25, 2011

IT'S BACK TO WORK THIS MORNING , AFTER SEARCHING EFFORTS FOR A MISSING BOATER IN CAMERON PARISH WERE PUT ON HOLD YESTERDAY DUE TO BAD WEATHER -- SEARCH CREWS HAVE BEEN SEARCHING THE WATERS OF GRAND LAKE SINCE LATE MONDAY MORNING, WHEN 32 YEAR OLD LEIGHTON THERIOT WENT UNDER AFTER THE SMALL VESSEL HE AND ANOTHER MAN WERE FISHING FROM BEGAN TAKING ON WATER -- SEVERAL AGENCIES ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE SEARCH INCLUDING, THE CALCASIEU, CAMERON AND VERMILLION SHERIFF'S OFFICES --- AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES.....

PROVISIONAL POLICE CHIEF NAMED IN SULPHUR

May 24, 2011

THE SPOKESMAN FOR SULPHUR POLICE HAS BEEN NAMED PROVISIONAL POLICE CHIEF....AT A SPECIAL MEETING YESTERDAY, MAYOR CHRIS DUNCAN APPOINTED MEL ESTESS TO SULPHUR POLICE CHIEF SAYING ESTESS WAS THE MOST LOGICAL CHOICE...ESTESS WILL BEGIN HIS NEW DUTIES ON SATURDAY AT 3:01 PM.

MURDER IN LAKE CHARLES

May 24, 2011

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO A HOMICIDE IN LAKE CHARLES -- ACCORDING TO SOURCES THE MURDER TOOK PLACE AT A HOME IN THE 2900 BLOCK OF GENERAL PERSHING DRIVE AROUND 1:30 THIS MORNING.... THE LAKE CHARLES POLICE DEPARTMENT IS HANDELING THE INVESTIGATION....

ROBBERY AT CIRCLE K

May 24, 2011

LAKE CHARLES POLICE ARE ASKING FOR THE PUBLICS HELP IN LOCATING A ROBBER -- OFFICERS SAY AROUND 3:45 AM ON MAY 17TH A BLACK MALE WENT INTO THE CIRCLE K ON PRIEN LAKE ROAD WHERE HE WAS GOING TO PURCHASE A BEER -- HE PUT THE BEVERAGE ON THE COUNTER AND WHEN THE CLERK OPENED THE REGISTER, HE SNATCHED AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF MONEY.... THE SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS BEING BETWEEN 6’0 AND 6’2 AND WEIGHING 180 TO 200 POUNDS.... ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE LAKE CHARLES POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 491-1311..

11-YEAR-OLD DISCOVERS BODIES IN LAKE CHARLES HOME
May 23, 2011

NEW DETAILS ARE EMERGING IN AN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE IN LAKE CHARLES. SHERIFF TONY MANCUSO SAYS DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED TO A HOME AT 6008 SOUTHERN WOODS DRIVE AROUND 7:05 MONDAY MORNING AFTER AN 11-YEAR-OLD SON OF ONE OF THE DECEASED DISCOVERED THE BODIES. MANCUSO SAYS DEPUTIES ENTERED THE HOME BUT WEREN'T ABLE TO RENDER AID SO THEY BACKED OUT TO AWAIT A SEARCH WARRANT. THE SHERIFF SAYS IT APPEARS BOTH INDIVIDUALS DIED FROM GUNSHOT WOUNDS.

TWO BODIES FOUND IN LAKE CHARLES HOME
May 23, 2011

THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ON THE SCENE OF A POSSIBLE MURDER SUICIDE IN A HOME OFF HIGHWAY 397 IN LAKE CHARLES. FEW DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THE BODIES WERE DISCOVERED THIS MORNING AND ITS TOO EARLY TO KNOW FOR SURE WHAT LEAD TO THE DEATHS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY AND BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

DEATH TOLL RISES IN MISSOURI TORNADO
May 23, 2011

MUCH OF THE TOWN OF JOPLIN, MISSOURI IS IN RUINS TODAY. A MILE-WIDE TORNADO CARVED A PATH THROUGH THE CENTER OF TOWN SUNDAY AND DEALT HEAVY DAMAGE TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. AT LEAST 89 PEOPLE ARE CONFIRMED DEAD. OFFICIALS WARN THAT NUMBER IS LIKELY TO RISE AS THE FULL EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION BECOMES MORE CLEAR.

EVANGELIST BEHIND FAILED APOCALYPSE PREDICTION SURFACES
May 23, 2011

CALIFORNIA EVANGELIST HAROLD CAMPING SAYS HE'S LOOKING FOR ANSWERS AFTER HIS PREDICTION OF THE APOCALYPSE FAILED TO MATERIALIZE OVER THE WEEKEND. THE 89-YEAR-OLD HEAD OF OAKLAND-BASED FAMILY RADIO SWORE THAT JESUS WOULD RETURN TO EARTH SATURDAY. CAMPING TELLS THE SAN FRANCISCO "CHRONICLE," QUOTE, "I'M LOOKING FOR ANSWERS ... BUT, NOW I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY."

TAX FREE WEEKEND
May 23, 2011

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN LOUISIANA RESIDENTS ARE, OR SHOULD BE, SEEING JUST HOW PREPARED THEY ARE FOR THIS YEAR’S HURRICANE SEASON. THE STATE IS LENDING A HAND IN EASING THE FINANCIAL STRAIN OF REPLENISHING BATTERIES, FLASHLIGHTS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL STORM SUPPLIES BY NOT CHARGING SALES TAX ON SUCH ITEMS THIS COMING SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

TRAGEDY AT LA CHEMICAL PLANT
May 23, 2011

AUTOPSIES WILL BE PERFORMED TODAY ON TWO WORKERS WHO DIED SUNDAY NEAR PLAQUEMINE WHEN THEY WERE APPARENTLY OVERCOME BY NITROGEN GAS. STATE POLICE SAY ONE OF THE WORKERS PASSED OUT IN A SHINTECH PLANT VESSEL WHILE RETRIEVING HIS TOOLS. THE OTHER WAS OVERCOME WHEN HE WENT TO THE MAN’S ASSISTANCE.

MANDATORY EVACUATION
May 23, 2011

THE THREAT FROM BACKWATER FLOODING PROMPTS A MANDATORY EVACUATION FOR BUTTE LAROSE EFFECTIVE AT NOON TOMORROW. THE ST. MARTIN PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAID SUNDAY THAT BACKWATER FLOODING WAS APPROACHING SOME STRUCTURES. THE SITUATION IS FORCING AN END TO BELLE RIVER AREA SANDBAGGING OPERATIONS IN FAVOR OF RESIDENTS FILLING THEIR SANDBAGS.

NEWTON TRIAL
May 20, 2011

AFTER DAYS OF JURY SELECTION, TESTIMONY GOT UNDERWAY THURSDAY IN THE SEAN NEWTON MURDER TRIAL. PROSECUTORS ARE EXPECTED TO SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY IN THE CASE, SAYING 14-YEAR-OLD ALEXUS RANKINS WAS AT THE PRIEN LAKE MALL WITH FRIENDS CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY WHILE SEAN NEWTON AND HIS BROTHER WENT IN SEARCH OF TROUBLE. ON HER WALK HOME, RANKINS WAS FATALLY WOUNDED BY A BULLET FIRED INTO A CROWD. SEAN IS CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER IN THE CASE. HIS BROTHER, MOTHER, AND FATHER ALL FACE LESSOR CHARGES.

RISING FLOOD WATERS
May 20, 2011

AUTHORITIES SAY FLOODING WILL BE GETTING WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER FOR THOSE LIVING SOUTH OF THE MORGANZA SPILLWAY. THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER WATER IS ENCROACHING INTO MORE PLACES THAT NORMALLY ARE HIGH AND DRY. BUTTE LAROSE IS A NEAR GHOST TOWN AS FOLKS THERE AND IN TWO OTHER AREAS HEED A MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER TO BE OUT BY 8 A-M SATURDAY MORNING.

MCNEESE SPRING COMMENCEMENT
May 20, 2011

OVER 700 STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE THEIR DIPLOMAS AT THE MCNEESE SPRING COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY TAKING PLACE AT 10 SATURDAY MORNING IN THE BURTON COLISEUM. DR. JEAN DABOVAL, PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AT MCNEESE WILL SERVE AS MASTER OF CEREMONIES. STUDENTS REPRESENTING PARISHES ACROSS LOUISIANA, AS WELL AS 22 STATES, AND 18 COUNTRIES MAKE UP THE 2011 GRADUATING CLASS.

TWO MEN ARRESTED FOR THEFT OF CASINO

May 19, 2011

TWO MEN ARE ARRESTED AFTER THEY WERE CAUGHT CHEATING AT THE ROULETTE TABLES AT L'AUBERGE DU LAC.......LOUISIANA STATE POLICE SAY CASINO SURVEILLANCE PERSONNEL USED THEIR ADVANCED CAPABILITIES TO EXPOSE THE CRIME..... THE DEALER 42 YEAR OLD DERRICK WELDON OF LAKE CHARLES WAS ARRESTED FOR CHEATING AND SWINDLING -- IT'S BELIEVED HE STOLE OVER 255 THOUSAND DOLLARS -- 33 YEAR OLD CARBEL TANNOUS OF HOUSTON IS BELIEVED TO HAVE SWINDLED OVER 143 THOUSAND DOLLARS AND FACES THE SAME CHARGES AS WELDON......IF CONVICTED EACH FACES UP TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON....

OPENING STATEMENTS IN RANKINS MURDER TRIAL

May 19, 2011

OPENING STATEMENTS ARE TO BEGIN TODAY IN THE ALEXIS RANKINS MURDER TRIAL -- THE 14 YEAR OLD GIRL WAS WALKING HOME FROM THE PRIEN LAKE MALL IN MARCH 2010, WHEN SHE WAS SHOT AND KILLED -- PROSECUTORS SAY SEAN NEWTON IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FATAL SHOOTING AND THEY INTEND ON SEEKING THE DEATH PENALTY...MEANWHILE NEWTON'S BROTHER AND PARENTS ARE ALSO FACING CHARGES IN THE MURDER..

15 GATES OF THE MORGANZA SPILLWAY NOW OPEN
May 18, 2011

MORE WATER IS FLOWING THROUGH THE MORGANZA SPILLWAY AS SOME OF THE SWOLLEN WATERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI TAKE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE TO THE GULF OF MEXICO. GOVERNOR JINDAL SAYS A TOTAL OF 15 BAYS OF THE MORGANZA ARE NOW OPEN, OR ABOUT HALF THE TOTAL NUMBER EXPECTED TO BE OPENED. ALL 350 BAYS OF THE BONNET CARRE SPILLWAY ARE OPEN.

"FLAME OF HOPE" TRAVELS THROUGH LAKE CHARLES
May 18, 2011

THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE TODAY HOSTS THE 2011 LA LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN. IT BEGINS ON THE CIVIC CENTER STEPS AT 8-30 THIS MORNING AND ENDS AT THE CPSO OFFICE ON EAST BROAD STREET. IN ADDITION TO THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE.... LA STATE POLICE TROOP D, LAKE CHARLES AND SULPHUR POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND THE F-B-I WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE FIVE MILE RUN... HELPING THE "FLAME OF HOPE" ON ITS TREK THRU CALCASIEU PARISH ENROUTE TO THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONIES IN HAMMOND. THE TORCH WILL BE PICKED UP BY ADJOINING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO CONTINUE ITS JOURNEY ACROSS THE STATE.

SULPHUR MAN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED INCEST
May 18, 2011

A SULPHUR MAN IS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED INCEST OF A FOUR YEAR OLD FAMILY MEMBER. CPSO SAYS 31-YEAR-OLD DARRELL LEGER OF WEST HIGHWAY 108 WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY THIS WEEK AFTER A GRAND JURY HANDED DOWN AN INDICTMENT IN THE CASE AND AN ARREST WARRANT WAS ISSUED. THE CHARGES STEM FROM A COMPLAINT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES IN JULY OF LAST YEAR. BOND HAS BEEN SET AT $450,000.

BODY OF MISSING WELSH TEEN FOUND

May 17, 2011

LT. RAMEY BROUSSARD WITH THE DEPT OF WILD LIFE AND FISHERIES TELLS KYKZ 96 THE SEARCH FOR 19 YEAR OLD RAY LEE VITAL OF WELSH CAME TO AN END AROUND 6:30 THIS MORNING WHEN CREWS LOCATED HIS BODY IN THE LAKE UNDER THE I-10 BRIDGE...VITAL WAS ON A RAFT WITH HIS PARENTS SATURDAY AFTERNOON WHEN HE WENT OVERBOARD.....THE PARENTS AND VITAL WERE NON-SWIMMERS AND THE MOTHER ALMOST DROWN TRYING TO SAVE HER SON…

JURORS BEING SELECTED FOR RANKINS MURDER

May 17, 2011

THE JURY SELECTION PROCESS CONTINUES THIS MORNING FOR THE CASES OF FOUR FAMILY MEMEBERS CHARGED WITH THE DEATH OF A 14 YEAR OLD GIRL -- YOU MAY RECALL, IN MARCH OF 2010, ALEXUS RANKINS WAS WALKING HOME FROM THE PRIEN LAKE MALL WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK BY A STRAY BULLET ALLEGEDLY FIRED BY 19 YEAR OLD SEAN NEWTON -- NEWTON IS FACING FIRST DEGREE MURDER , WHILE HIS BROTHER, BRANDON IS CHARGED WITH INCITING A RIOT, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE AND ACCESSORY AFTER THE FACT -- THE BOYS PARENTS, RODNEY AND NINA NEWTON ARE ALSO FACING ACCESSORY AFTER THE FACT CHARGES....PROSECUTORS SAY THEY WILL SEEK THE DEATH PENATLY FOR SEAN NEWTON, THE ALLEGED TRIGGERMAN..... JUDGE CLAYTON DAVIS WILL BE PRESIDING OVER THE CASE...

SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING SWIMMER IN LC

May 16, 2011

19 YEAR OLD RAY LEE VITAL OF WELSH REMAINS MISSING -- VITAL WAS AT THE I-10 BEACH FOR A FAMILY OUTING SATURDAY WHEN HE WENT UNDERWATER AND DISAPPEARED....VITAL’S MOTHER TRIED TO RESCUE HIM BUT TO NO AVAIL... SEVERAL AGENCIES INCLUDING THE CALCASIEUSHERIFF'S OFFICE, LAKECHARLES POLICE, THE WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES AND COAST GUARD WILL BE BACK IN THE WATER TODAY, COMBING THE AREA IN HOPES OF LOCATING VITAL....

ACCIDENT ON HOUSTON RIVER RD

May 16, 2011

AN EARLY MORNING ACCIDENT ON HOUSTON RIVER ROAD LEAVES ONE MAN HOSPITALIZED WITH CRITICAL INJURIES -- THE SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH TOOK PLACE AROUND 1:15 THIS MORNING, NEAR WESTLAKE -- LOUISIANA STATE POLICE TROOP D SAY THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A TREE.... THE INVESTIGATION IN ONGOING.

DEADLINE TODAY TO FILE STATE TAXES

May 16, 2011

THIS IS DEADLINE-DAY FOR YOU TO FILE YOUR 2010 STATE TAX RETURNS WITH LOUISIANA…NORMALLY, IT WOULD BE ON MAY 15^TH BUT SINCE THE 15^TH FELL ON A SUNDAY, PROCRASTINATORS GET AN EXTRA DAY TO GET THE FORMS IN THE MAIL…IF YOU’RE STILL NOT READY TO FILE, YOU CAN FILE FOR AN EXTENSION. HOWEVER, ANY TAXES YOU MAY OWE MUST BE PAID TODAY TO AVOID A PENALTY…

VINTON MAN TICKETED FOR MAJOR ACCIDENT IN TX

May 13, 2011

A VINTON MAN IS TICKETED IN VICTORIA TEXAS FOR AN ACCIDENT THAT LEFT ONE MAN DEAD -- ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES IN TEXAS, 30 YEAR OLD LARRY MARCEAUX WAS DRIVING ON HWY 77 WHEN HIS PICKUP TRUCK SIDE SWIPED A GREYHOUND BUS.... THE BUS HAD 24 PASSENGERS ON BOARD, 1 OF THE PASSENGERS WAS KILLED WHILE 21 OTHERS WERE SENT TO THE HOSPITAL WITH NON LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.....MARCEAUX WAS ISSUED A CITATION FOR FAILURE TO YIELD, THE D.A. IN VICTORIA COUNTY WILL NOW DECIDE IF ADDITIONAL CHARGES SHOULD BE FILED...

NEW ADDITION AT SOWELA

May 13, 2011

SOWELA TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE WILL BREAK GROUND THIS AFTERNOON ON A NEW 9 MILLION DOLLAR ARTS AND SCIENCESBUILDING. THE ADDITION WILL BE ALMOST 45 THOUSAND SQUARE FEET OF ACADEMIC SPACE TO THE MAIN CAMPUS. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY AT 1:45THIS AFTERNOON... A RECEPTION WILL BE HELD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AT THE CULINARY ARTSTRAININGCENTER..

LC WOMAN ARRESTED FOR STEALING BANK CARD

May 13, 2011

A LAKECHARLES WOMAN IS ARRESTED FOR MAKING UNAUTHORIZED CASH WITHDRAWALS FROM A FAMILY MEMBER'S BANK ACCOUNT. 51 YEAR OLD CATHERINE WEBSTER WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODYONMAY THIRD BY THE CALCASIEUPARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE... AFTER BANK RECORDS WERE REVIEWED, WEBSTER WAS ARRESTED ON 34 COUNTS OF UNAUTHORIZED USE OF AN ACCESS CARD. WEBSTER ALSO HAD AN OUTSTANDING WARRANT FOR HER ARREST AFTER FAILING TO APPEAR IN COURT IN MARCH FOR TRAFFIC VIOLATION CHARGES.

MOTORCYCLE CRASH ON HWY 109

May 12, 2011

A MERRYVILLE MAN IS IN SERIOUS CONDITION THIS MORNING AT A LAKE CHARLES HOSPITAL AFTER CRASHING HIS MOTORCYCLE ON HWY 109 NEAR FIELDS --- STATE POLICE TROOP D SAYS 58 YEAR OLD STANLEY E. SMITH WAS ON HIS 2006 KAWASAKI MOTORCYCLE LAST NIGHT, WHEN THE BIKE RAN OFF THE ROAD CAUSING HIM TO BE EJECTED.....SMITH, WHO WASN'T WEARING A HELMET SUSTAINED SERIOUS HEAD INJURIES AND WAS LIFE LIGHTED TO LAKE CHARLES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL....THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRASH CONTINUES...

CPSB APPROVES CLOSING REYNAUD

May 12, 2011

WITH AN 8-7 VOTE -- CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS HAVE APPROVED THE CLOSURE OF REYNAUD MIDDLE SCHOOL -- THE SCHOOL CURRENTLY SERVICES APPROXIMATELY 150 STUDENTS AND CLOSING THE FACILITY IS BELIEVED TO SAVE MONEY FOR THE 2011-2012 FISCAL BUDGET... HOWEVER ONE EXPERT SAYS THE BUDGET WOULD LIKELY BALANCE WITHOUT THE CLOSURE OF THE SCHOOL....THE PROPOSAL NOW MOVES TO THE LOUISIANABOARD OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION WHERE IT WILL NEED TO GET A FINAL APPROVAL BEFORE THE SCHOOL IS CLOSED…

LSU STUDENT PLANS ON BURNING FLAG

May 12, 2011

AN LSU GRAD STUDENT WHO PLANNED TO BURN AN AMERICAN FLAG ON CAMPUS AROUND NOONYESTERDAY WAS STOPPED IN HIS TRACKS WHEN HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GREETED HIM AT THE UNIVERSITY’S PARADE GROUNDS CHANTING QUOTE “USA! USA!” BENJAMIN HAAS PLANNED TO BURN THE FLAG IN SUPPORT OF ANOTHER STUDENT ARRESTED EARLIER FOR BURNING AN AMERICAN FLAG ON CAMPUS.

TAYLOR OLIVER NAMED CMN CHAMPION
May 10, 2011

A LAKE AREA 10-YEAR-OLD WILL WALK THE RED CARPET THIS MORNING AS SHE'S INTRODUCED AS THE CHILDRENS MIRACLE NETWORK CHAMPION FOR THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. TAYLOR OLIVER, WHO SURVIVED A RARE FORM OF CANCER WILL SERVE AS AN AMBASSADOR FOR 17 MILLION CHILDREN TREATED AT CMN HOSPITALS. AS SUCH, TAYLOR AND HER FAMILY WILL JOIN OTHER AMBASSADORS FROM ACROSS THE U-S TO TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON D-C AND ORLANDO FLORIDA TO HIGHLIGHT THE VITAL WORK OF CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS. SHE'LL BE INTRODUCED AT A CEREMONY AT THE WAL MART SUPER CENTER ON NELSON ROAD AT 10 WEDNESDAY MORNING.

MISSIPPI CONTINUES TO RISE

May 09, 2011

THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI IS LIVING UP TO ITS NAME, AS MORE THAN A MONTH OF RAINY WEATHER HAS CAUSED THE RIVER TO CLIMB WELL PAST THE NEARLY 46-FOOT LEVEL OF THE HISTORIC 1927 FLOOD. ALREADY, MILLIONS OF ACRES OF LAND IN EIGHT STATES ARE COVERED BY FLOODWATERS FROM THE RIVER AND IT’S BACKED-UP TRIBUTARIES…IN LOUISIANA THE BONNET CARRE SPILLWAY WILL OPEN TODAY TO EASE PRESSURE ON LOCAL LEVEES AND REDUCE THE CHANCES OF FLOODING IN MORE POPULATED AREAS…THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS IS AWAITING THE GO-AHEAD TO OPEN THE MORGANZA SPILLWAY…

LSP RELEASE SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT RESULTS

May 09, 2011

THE RESULTS ARE IN FROM A SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HELD BY LOUISIANA STATE POLICE TROOP D ON FRIDAY -- 336 VEHICLES PASSED THROUGH THE CHECKPOINT THAT WAS SET UP ON HWY3020.... 5 PEOPLE WERE ISSUED CITATIONS FOR DWI.... THE CALCASIEUSHERIFF'S OFFICE AIDED IN THE CHECKPOINT...

JINDAL RELEASES BIRTH CERTIFICATE

May 09, 2011

GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL IS PUTTING HIS OWN PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP ON PUBLIC DISPLAY…HOPING TO WARD OFF THE SAME KIND OF SCRUITNY PRESIDENT OBAMA AS RECEIVED FROM SO-CALLED “BIRTHERS”, JINDAL, WHO IS OF INDIAN HERITAGE, RELEASED HIS OWN BIRTH CERTIFICATE FRIDAY…ACCORDING TO “THE TIMES-PICAYUNE”, THE GOVERNOR DECIDED TO MAKE HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE PUBLIC, KNOWING THAT HIS OWN STATUS WOULD BE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE SHOULD HE MAKE A RUN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE…THE DOCUMENT STATES JINDAL WAS BORN IN BATON ROUGE, ON JUNE 10, 1971, JUST MONTHS AFTER HIS PARENTS ARRIVED IN THE U.S. FROM INDIA ON GREEN CARDS….

SULPHUR MAN ARRESTED FOR CRUELTY TO JUVENILE

May 06, 2011

AN ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT LANDS A SULPHUR MAN BEHIND BARS FOR ABUSING A TODDLER -- CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES SAY ON APRIL 30TH THEY GOT A CALL STATING 33 YEAR OLD BILLY WINFORD WAS BEATING A FIVE YEAR OLD FAMILY MEMBER....DEPUTIES SAY THE CHILD WAS WHIPPED WITH A BELT AND BRUISES ALL OVER HIS BODY ON HIS LEGS, ARMS AND HIS FACE.....WINFORD ADMITTED TO CAUSING THE INJURES AND WAS BOOKED ON A CHARGE OF CRUELTY TO A JUVENILE....BOND IS SET AT 5,000 DOLLARS...IF YOU SUSPECT VIOLENCE IN ANY HOUSEHOLD, YOU ARE URGED TO CONTACT AUTHORITIES WERE YOU CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS....

LCPD GETS TOP HONOR

May 06, 2011

THE LAKE CHARLES POLICE DEPARTMENT SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM TOOK TOP HONORS AT THE LA TACTICAL POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION COMPETITION HOSTED BY THE OUACHITA PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE. 15 AGENCIES ACROSS THE STATE PARTICIPATED IN THE EVENT HELD TUESDAY IN WEST MONROE. LCPD RECEIVED 1ST PLACE AWARDS IN EVERY EVENT INCLUDING 1ST PLACEOVERALL... SGT MARK KRAUS SAYS THE DESIGNATION MAKES THEM THE NUMBER ONE SWAT TEAM IN THE STATE.

TWO SWLA TEACHERS IN RUNNING FOR AWARD

May 06, 2011

TWO CALCASIEUPARISH TEACHERS HAVE BEEN NAMED FINALISTS FOR TEACHER OF THE YEAR. CARLA CRADDOCK OF LEBLANC MIDDLE SCHOOLAND CHRISTOPHER MILLER OF BARBEHIGH SCHOOLARE AMONG 24 TEACHERS RECOGNIZED STATEWIDE. THEY WILL BE HONORED DURING THE 5TH ANNUAL CECIL PICARD EDUCATOR EXCELLENCE SYMPOSIUM AND CELEBRATION ON JULY 22ND IN BATON ROUGE WHERE THE STATE LEVEL WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED.

WESTLAKE BOY PASSES AWAY FROM CANCER

May 05, 2011

AFTER A LENGTHY BATTLEWITH CANCER, 10 YEAR OLD BRENNAN DAIGLE HAS PASSED AWAY… IN 2009, BRENNAN WAS DIAGONSED WITH A FAST GROWNING CANCEROUS TUMOR AND EARLIER THIS MORNING THE NEWSROOM GOT WORD THAT HE PASSED AWAY...DOCTORS TOLD BRENNAN BACK IN FEBUARY THE HE HAD ONLY TWO WEEKS TO LIVE BUT HE STILL CONTINUED TO FIGHT UNTIL HIS DEATH THIS MORNING.....ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US HERE AT CUMULUS BROADCASTING, OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE DAIGLE FAMILY……

LC MAN ARRESTED FOR RASH OF ROBBERIES

May 05, 2011

A LAKE CHARLES MAN IS ARRESTED ON FOUR COUNTS OF BURGLARY -- CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED TO A HOME ON CONSTANCE ROAD IN LAKE CHARLES MONDAY AFTERNOON -- WHILE IN ROUTE TO THE HOME , DEPUTIES NOTICED THE HOMEOWNER AND THE SUSPECT IN A FOOT PURSUIT....DEPUTIES APPREHENDED THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS 24 YEAR OLD ANDREW THIBODEAUX.....UPON ARREST THIBODEAUX HAD MULTIPLE MEDICATION BOTTLES, JEWELRY AND ELECTRONICS...BASED UPON THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES LISTED ON THE PILL BOTTLES, DEPUTIES DETERMINED THIBODEAUX HAD ROBBED AT LEAST FOUR OTHER HOMES.....NO BOND HAS BEEN SET YET...

GOV. JINDAL REQUESTS FED HELP IN RESPONSE TO MISSISSPPI RIVER

May 05, 2011

GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL IS ASKING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ROBERT GATES TO APPROVE FUNDING TO PAY FOR THE USE OF NATIONAL GAURD TROOPS IN THE STATE'S RESPONSE TO MISSISSIPPI RIVER FLOODING...JINDAL TOURED THE AFFECTED AREAS BY HELICOPTER YESTERDAY. HE SAYS HE WANTS THE FUNDING FOR THE GAURD TO COVER A 45 DAY PERIOD AND INVOLVED UPWARDS OF 1,500 ACTIVE DUTY GAURD SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN...JINDAL SAYS TWO MAJOR SPILLWAYS WILL LIKELY HAVE TO BE OPENED EARLY NEXT WEEK TO EASE THE FLOODING POTENTIAL FROM THE RECORD-RIVALING RIVER CRESTS EXPECTED....

REYNAUD MIDDLE SCHOOL IN JEOPARDY OF CLOSING

May 04, 2011

MAJOR CHANGES COULD BE AHEAD FOR STUDENTS AT REYNAUD MIDDLE SCHOOL -- AT A MEETING YESTERDAY, CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS DISCUSSED OPTIONS OF CLOSING REYNAUD TO HELP BALANCE THE BUDGET.... APPROXIMATELY 150 STUDENTS ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED AT REYNAUDMIDDLE SCHOOLAND MEMBERS SAY, FINANCIALLY, IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO SEND THOSE STUDENTS TO MOLO MIDDLE AND OAKPARK....DURING THE MEETING, MEMEBERS ALSO PROPOSED CUTTING NEARLY 130 JOBS.... THEIR PROPOSALS WILL GO BEFORE THE FULL BOARD NEXT TUESDAY....

LSP INVESTIGATE ACCIDENT ON HWY 27

May 04, 2011

AN OVER NIGHT CRASH ON HWY 27 SOUTH SENDS ONE TO THE HOSPITAL --- LOUISIANA STATE POLICE SAY THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED A MOTORCYCLE AND A VEHICLE...THE UNIDENTIFIED MOTORCYCLIST WAS LIFE FLIGHTED TO A LAFAYETTE HOSPITAL WITH UNKNOWN INJURIES....DETAILS SURROUNDING THE ACCIDENT ARE SKETCHY, BUT KYKZ 96 WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE STORY AND BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

STATE TROOPER SHOT DURING TRAFFIC STOP

May 04, 2011

A LOUISIANA STATE TROOPER IS IN STABLE CONDITION THIS MORNING AFTER HE WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD DURING A TRAFFIC WATCH IN PORT ALLEN PARISH......STATE POLICE SAY EARLY THIS MORNING THE TROOPER STOPPED A MAN HE SUSPECTED WAS IMPAIRED BEHIND THE WHEEL -- THE TROOPER WAS ABOUT TO MAKE AN ARREST WHEN THE SUSPECT OPENED FIRE...THE BULLET GRAZED THE TROOPERS HEAD...COL. MIKE EDMONDSON SAID THE SUSPECT WAS ABOUT TO SHOOT THE OFFICER AGAIN WHEN DEPUTIES ARRIVED ON SCENE.....SEVERAL SHOTS WERE FIRED AND IT'S UNKNOWN HOW MANY TIMES THE SUSPECT WAS HIT.... AS FOR THE TROOPER, WE'RE TOLD HE'S EXPECTED TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY...

LA BOY SCOUT TROOP MAY BE FOUND

May 03, 2011

AS THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR A LAFAYETTE BOY SCOUT TROOP LOST IN ARKANSAS -- HELICOPTER CREWS SAY THEY'VE SPOTTED A CAMPFIRE WITH APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AMOUNT OF TEENAGERS AND ADULTS NEARBY.....THE 2 ADULT LEADERS AND 6 TEENAGE SCOUTS WENT TO THE NATIONAL FOREST THURSDAY FOR A LONG WEEKEND OF BACKPACKING AND CAMPING -- THEY WERE DUE TO RETURN TO LOUISIANA SUNDAY BUT NO ONE HAS HEARD FROM THEM......HEAVY RAIN AND HIGH WINDS HAMPERED THE SEARCH YESTERDAY... KYKZ 96 WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS DEVELOPING STORY AND WE'LL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE..

ANOTHER MAJOR DONATION TOWARDS REBUILDING MILLENNIUM PARK

May 03, 2011

A THIRD MAJOR DONATION WILL BRING THE REBUILDING MILLENNIUM PARK FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN OVER THE HALFWAY POINT. THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES AND THE REBUILDING COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 10 O’CLOCK THIS MORNING AT THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY CHAMBERS TO ANNOUNCE THE DONATION…

GOV. JINDAL MAINTAINS POPULARITY

May 03, 2011

SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED TODAY BY SOUTHERN MEDIA AND OPINION RESEARCH FINDS GOVERNOR JINDAL JUST AS POPULAR WITH THE PUBLIC NOW AS LAST NOVEMBER. A LITTLE OVER SIX MONTHS AHEAD OF THE GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY, SOUTHERN MEDIA’S BERNIE PINSONAT SAYS THE GOVERNOR HAS AN OVERALL APPROVAL RATING OF 55-PERCENT. SO FAR, HIS BID FOR A SECOND TERM HAS NO OPPOSITION.

HEROES FOR HOLDEN VOLUNTEER MEETING
May 2, 2011

A MANDATORY MEETING IS BEING HELD AT COWBOYS NIGHTCLUB ON COMMON STREET AT 6:30 TUESDAY EVENING FOR THOSE WANTING TO VOLUNTEER AT THE HEROES FOR HOLDEN BENEFIT. THE EVENT IS BEING HELD SUNDAY, JUNE 5TH AT BURTON COLISEUM. ITS AN ALL-STAR CONCERT EVENT WITH PERFORMANCES BY JERRY JEFF WALKER, TRACY BYRD, WAYNE TOUPS, ZONA JONES, DAMON TROY, FORET TRADITION, AND GENE BOURGEOIS. HEROES FOR HOLDEN MUST RAISE A HALF MILLION DOLLARS WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO PROVIDE SURGERY TO REPAIR SEVERE DAMAGES, 4-YEAR-OLD HOLDEN GAUTHIER RECEIVED AS AN INFANT AT THE HANDS OF HIS MOTHER WHO WAS IN A DRUG-INDUCED STATE AT THE TIME OF THE ATTACK. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOLDEN AND HIS INJURIES YOU CAN CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW. TUESDAY'S MEETING IS THE FINAL OPPORTUNITY FOR VOLUNTEERS TO SIGN UP FOR THE JUNE 5TH EVENT.

Click here to watch Heroes for Holden Video!

BIN LADEN IS KILLED

May 02, 2011

Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is dead. President Obama announced from the White House that bin Laden was killed by a U.S.-led operation in a mansion outside the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. According to Obama, he was briefed on bin Laden's possible whereabouts last August. Obama said he felt the White House had enough intelligence last week to stage an attack. He said a firefight took place with U.S.forces in which bin Laden was killed. The al-Qaeda leader's body was reportedly buried at sea.

The U.S.offered a reward of 25-million dollars for information leading to Osama bin Laden after he was implicated in the 9-11 attacks. He was suspected of being involved in the attack on the USS Cole in 2000 and the 1996 bombing of a U.S.military barracks in Saudi Arabiathat killed 19 American soldiers. He was indicted for the 1998 bombings of the U.S.embassies in Tanzaniaand Kenya.

Born in Saudi Arabiain 1958, bin Laden was the 17th of 57 children of a Saudi construction magnate. Bin Laden attended college in Saudi Arabia. He was 23 when he arrived in Afghanistanto join the jihad against the Soviet Union. Bin Laden used his family's fortune to help the mujahideen. After the Soviets were defeated in 1988, bin Laden decided to form what would become al-Qaeda as a potential general headquarters group for future jihads.

In August 1990, Iraqinvaded Kuwaitand bin Laden proposed to the Saudi monarchy that he summon his fighters for a jihad to retake Kuwait. The Saudis turned him down and joined the U.S.-led coalition. Bin Laden publicly spoke out about Saudi Arabia's decision to allow U.S.troops to be based there. Saudi Arabiaeventually froze all of bin Laden's assets and revoked his citizenship. Bin Laden moved to Sudanin 1991 to set up a large and complex set of businesses and terrorist enterprises. Al-Qaeda issued a call for jihad against the West, especially the U.S., and that became a theme of lectures from bin Laden.

Bin Laden eventually returned to Afghanistan, where its Taliban government was overthrown by U.S.-backed forces in 2001. Since then, he was believed to be hiding in the mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Estimated to have about 300-million-dollars in personal assets, bin Laden was rumored to have been suffering from kidney ailments and receiving dialysis treatment.

CPSO LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION OF WESTLAKE MAN'S MURDER

May 02, 2011

The following is a news release from The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office:

CPSO LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION OF WESTLAKE MAN’S MURDER

Lake Charles, LA–

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 601 Phillips Rd. in Westlake yesterday evening after receiving a call from the homeowner who stated the renter in the home was unresponsive. After arriving at the home, deputies discovered John R. Comeaux, 52, deceased in his room. It appears Comeaux sustained trauma to the head. Comeaux’s death has been ruled a homicide. The investigation, lead by Deputy Brent Young, is continuing.

If anyone was in contact with Comeaux prior to Saturday evening or has any information regarding Comeaux, please call Crimestoppers at 439-2222 or CPSO at 491-3605. Callers can choose to remain anonymous.

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VOTERS APPROVE MOJITO POINTE

May 02, 2011

MOJITO POINTE RECEIVED THE GREENLIGHT SATURDAY FROM VOTERS IN CALCASIEU PARISH – 77% OF VOTERS CAST THEIR BALLOTS TO ALLOW CREATIVE CASINOS TO BUILD NEXT TO L’AUBERGE DU LAC IN LAKE CHARLES… ARCHITECTS AND CONTRACTORS WILL BE MEETING TODAY TO FURTHER DISCUSS THE PROJECT….WORK IS SLATED TO BEGIN THIS FALL AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY 2013…

SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE DISCOVERED AT LOCAL INDUSTRY
April 29, 2011

CREWS ARE ON THE SCENE AT CONOCO PHILLIPS WHERE A SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE WAS DISCOVERED FRIDAY AFTERNOON. CPSO SPOKESPERSON, KIM MYERS SAYS THE LA STATE POLICE BOMB SQUAD HAS BEEN CALLED IN TO INVESTIGATE AND ONLY THE UNIT WHERE THE PACKAGE WAS DISCOVERED HAS BEEN EVACUATED. OLD SPANISH TRAIL IN FRONT OF CONOCO PHILLIPS HAS BEEN CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.

SECOND ARREST MADE IN BEATING AT GAS STATION

April 29, 2011

A SECOND ARREST HAS BEEN MADE IN THE ATTACK OF A MAN AT A LAKE CHARLES GAS STATION -- THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS 22 YEAR OLD TAMESUERA JACK OF LAKE CHARLES FACILITATES THE FIGHT BETWEEN THE VICTIM AND 28 YEAR OLD WILFORD JACK THE THIRD ON APRIL 24TH....THE VICTIM WAS LEFT HOSPITALIZED AFTER BEING BEATEN AND LEFT AT THE MURPHY USA FUEL STATION ON HWY 14... JACK IS CHARGED WITH PRINCIPLE TO 2ND DEGREE BATTERYFOR THE ALTERCATION.....

NATIONAL TAKE BACK DAY IN SWLA

April 29, 2011

The following is a news release from Louisiana State Police:

State Police to Participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

The Louisiana State Police, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will participate in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 30, 2011, in an effort to help local residents rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Medications may be brought for disposal between 10:00 a.m.and 2:00 p.m.on April 30 to the Louisiana State Police troop location nearest you. This service is free and anonymous and is a great opportunity for those who have accumulated unwanted or unused prescription drugs to safely dispose of them.

The first national initiative was conducted last September, when Americans brought approximately 121 tons of prescription drugs to nearly 4,100 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners. This effort was extremely successful in removing and safely disposing prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances.

This project addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion and misuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses.

Studies show the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. Louisianans are also advised the usual methods for disposing of unused medicines -- flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash -- pose potential safety and health hazards.

Controlled (those substances which require a doctor’s prescription) non-controlled, and over the counter substances will be collected.
This program is anonymous and every effort will be made to protect the anonymity of participants. No questions or requests for identification will be made.
All participants must retain possession of their own medication during the surrender process. Law enforcement personnel will not handle the medications at any time.
Participants may dispose of medication in its original container, or by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into the disposal box. If an original container is submitted, the individual should remove any identifying information from the prescription label.
All solid dosage pharmaceutical product and liquids in consumer containers may be accepted. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The depositor should ensure the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.
Items that will not be accepted include:

o a) Syringes, intravenous solutions, injectibles

o b) Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative, and should not be placed in collection containers.

Directions to the troop location nearest you may be obtained by visiting our website, www.LSP.orgor by dialing *LSP (*577) from your cellular telephone.

MOJITO POINTE VOTING SATURDAY

April 29, 2011

VOTING FOR THE MOJITO POINTE PROJECT WILL TAKE PLACETOMORROW --- ON THURSDAY, THE SWLA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU BECAME THE LATEST BUSINESS GROUP TO THROW THEIR SUPPORT BEHIND MOJITO POINTE.. C-V-B BOARD MEMBERS SAY THE OUTCOME IS VITAL TO THE LAKEAREA AS THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY PROVIDES IN EXCESS OF 334-MILLION DOLLARS TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY ANNUALLY. IF APPROVED, CONSTRUCTION ON THE PROJECT WILL GET UNDERWAY LATER THIS YEAR...

PEEPING TOM GETS MORE CHARGES

April 28, 2011

MORE CHARGES ARE FILED AGAINST THE MOSS BLUFF PEEPING TOM -- 18 YEAR OLD CHRISTOPHER SZCZEPANIAK WAS ORIGINALLY ARRESTED APRIL 14TH CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF PEEING TOM AFTER HE ADMITTING HE LOOKED THROUGH A 16 YR OLD GIRLS WINDOW NUMEROUS TIMES TO SEXUALLY SATISFY HIMSELF…..AFTER HIS ARREST THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONTINUED THEIR INVESTIGATION AND FOUND THAT HE HAD RIDDEN HIS BIKE TO AT LEAST 6 OTHER HOMES IN THE MOSS BLUFF AREA...18 ADDITIONAL CHARGES WHERE FILED AGAINST SZCZEPANIAK....BOND IS SET AT 320 THOUSAND DOLLARS...

SEARCH CONTINUES FOR ATTEMPTED SMASH AND GRAB SUSPECT

April 28, 2011

CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES ARE SEARCHING FOR THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ATTEMPTED SMASH AND GRAB AT THE WALGREENS STORE ON HIGHWAY 171. IT HAPPENED AROUND 4 TUESDAY MORNING. A DEPUTY CAME ACROSS THE SCENE AND DISCOVERED AN A-T-M MACHINE LAYING ON ITS SIDE IN THE PARKING LOT. SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWED A BLACK MALE WEARING A YELLOW HOODIE ... WRAPPING A CHAIN AROUND THE A-T-M AND PULLING IT OUT OF THE STORE BEFORE THE CHAIN CAME LOOSE, LEAVING THE MACHINE IN THE PARKING LOT. THE TRUCK IN THE VIDEO WAS REPORTED STOLEN BY THE LAKE CHARLES PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT THAT MORNING AND HAS SINCE BEEN RECOVERED. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT DETECTIVES AT 491-3725.

JOEL BAILEY SENTENCED

April 28, 2011

ITS OFFICIAL... JOEL BAILEY HAS RECEIVED THE MANDATORY SENTENCE FOR FIRST DEGREE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER... A BEAUREGARD PARISH JUDGE HANDED DOWN THE SENTENCE OF LIFE IN PRISION PLUS FORTY YEARS. DESPITE INSANITY PLEAS, BAILEY WAS FOUND GUILTY BY A JURY FOR KILLING HIS FATHER AND TRYING TO KILL HIS MOTHER.

BURN BAN ISSUED FOR CAMERON PARISH

April 27, 2011

IT LOOKS LIKE YESTERDAY'S RAINFALL WASN'T ENOUGH TO KEEP CAMERON PARISH OFFICIALS FROM ISSUING A BURN BAN -- OFFICIALS CALLED FOR THE BAN TUESDAY CITING A LACK OF RECENT AND PROJECTED RAINFALL AND HIGH WINDS THAT COULD CREATE A DIFFICULT ENVIRONMENT FOR FIGHTING FIRES.....ANYONE WITH QUESTIONS ON THE BAN SHOULD CONTACT THE O.E.P AT 775-7048….ALSO, JUST A REMINDER IN CALCASIEU PARISH, A BURN BAN REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE LAKE CHARLES AREA....

TWO LAKE CHARLES CASINOS JOIN FORCES

April 26, 2011

TWO COMPANIES FIGHTING OVER LAND IN LAKE CHARLES APPEAR TO HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT --- AT THE LAKE CHARLES PORT BOARD MEETING YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, AND CREATIVE CASINOS HAVE RESOLVED THEIR DIFFERENCES AND REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON A PIECE OF LAND NEXT TO L’AUBERGE DU LAC -- THE TWO COMPANIES WERE AT ODDS OVER LAND THAT IS BEING LEASED TO CREATIVE CASINOS TO BUILD THE NEW MOJITO POINT RESORT....OFFICIALS FOR MOJITO POINTE AND L'AUBERGE SAY NOW THE WILL WORK TOGETHER IN A PARTNER SHIP TO SHARE FESTIVAL GROUNDS, ROADWAYS AND LOCATIONS FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS....

REMODELING TUTEN PARK

April 25, 2011

A GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW FOR NEW IMPROVEMENTS AND ADDITIONS TO A PARK IN LAKE CHARLES -- CITY OFFICIALS SAY AT 2:30 TUESDAY AFTERNOON, THEY WILL BREAK GROUND FOR THE TUTEN PARK, PHASE 1 RENOVATION PROJECT...NEW ADDITIONS TO THE PARK WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE CEREMONY AND PARTNERS IN THE PROJECT WILL BE RECOGNIZED... THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND....

A SWLA SNAKE BREEDER ARRESTED IN TX

April 22, 2011

A FUGITIVE SNAKE BREEDER WANTED IN SWLA IS NABBED IN TEXAS ----- 45 YEAR OLD DAVID BEAUCHEMIN HAS BEEN RUNNING FROM THE LAW IN ALLEN PARISH SINCE SEPTEMBER 2010 BUT HIS LUCK RAN OUT WHEN TEXAS AUTHORITIES CAUGHT HIM IN QUITMAN -- BEAUCHEMIN WAS WANTED IN LOUISIANA ON ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES FOR ILLEGALLY BREEDING SNAKES AND MAY FACE SIMILAR CHARGES IN TEXAS AS HE WAS APPREHENDED WITH OVER 75 SNAKES ON HIS PROPERTY.....

VINTON WOMAN KILLED BY TRAIN

April 21, 2011

The following is a press release from the CalcasieuParish Sheriff’s Office:

CPSO INVESTIGATES TRAIN/PEDESTRIAN FATALITY IN VINTON

Lake Charles, LA –

Around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to an accident near the intersection of Hwy. 109 and Hwy. 90 in Vinton. Upon arrival it was discovered five people were walking on the railroad tracks when a train headed westbound struck and killed one of them.

The pedestrian killed has been identified as Kristal S. Lapoint, 36, Vinton. The four other people were not harmed.

The investigation is continuing.

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ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF DEEPWATER HORIZON TRAGEDY

April 20, 2011

TODAY MARKS THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL RIG EXPLOSION THAT KILLED ELEVEN WORKERS AND CAUSED THE LARGEST OIL SPILL IN U.S.HISTORY. FIVE MILLION BARRELS OF OIL WERE RELEASED INTO THE GULF OF MEXICOIN THE DISASTER. THE SPILL TRIGGERED UNPRECEDENTED FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL CLEAN UP EFFORTS INVOLVING GULF STATES FROM TEXASTO FLORIDA. THE U.S.GOVERNMENT HELD BP RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CATASTROPHE. OFFICIALS SAY THE BRITISH OIL GIANT HAS PAID VICTIMS LESS THAN FIVE BILLION DOLLARS FROM IT'S TWENTY BILLION DOLLAR COMPENSATION FUND. MEANWHILE -- FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS WILL MARK TODAY'S ANNIVERSARY BY FLYING OVER THE SITE OF THE DISASTER OFF THE LOUISIANA COAST. LATER THEY'LL BE FLOWN TO HOUSTON TO TAKE PART IN A PRIVATE MEMORIAL SERVICE AT TRANSOCEAN'S HEADQUARTERS. FALLOUT OVER THE MASSIVE SPILL LEAD TO THE OUSTER OF BP CEO TONY HAYWARD AND TIGHTER FEDERAL REGULATION OF THE DRILLING INDUSTRY. LAWSUITS AGAINST BP AND OTHER COMPANIES INVOLVED WITH THE RIG WILL BE HEARD EARLY NEXT YEAR IN FEDERAL COURT IN NEW ORLEANS. EXPERTS SAY THE FULL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE DISASTER IS STILL BEING ASSESSED.....

CHAMBER ENDORSES MOJITO POINTE PROJECT
April 19, 2011

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE CHAMBER SWLA TODAY ENDORSED THE MOJITO POINTE RESORT AND CASINO PROJECT GOING TO VOTERS APRIL 30TH. CHAMBER PRESIDENT, GEORGE SWIFT CALLED THE PROJECT AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE CONSTRUCTION AND PERMANENT JOBS TO KEEP OUR AREA STRONG AND INCREASE SWLA'S APPEAL AS A VISITOR DESTINATION. EARLY VOTING FOR THE APRIL 30TH ELECTION CONTINUES AT THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS OFFICE IN LAKE CHARLES AND THE SULPHUR CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:30 AM AND 6 PM THROUGH THIS SATURDAY, EXCLUDING GOOD FRIDAY.

THREE MEN ARRESTED FOR DRIVE BY IN LC

April 19, 2011

YOU MAY REMEMBER IN MARCH, KYKZ 96 REPORTED ON A DRIVE BY SHOOTING WHERE SHOTS WERE FIRED INTO A HOME IN THE 1600 BLOCK OF LEGION STREET...THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT LAKE CHARLES POLICE SAY THEY'VE RECENTLY MADE THREE ARRESTS IN THE CASE... 19 YEAR OLD JEREMY RANKINS AND 21 YEAR OLD TERRANCE CAESAR ARE CHARGED WITH ASSAULT BY DRIVE BY AND 21 YEAR OLD JONATHON RANKINS IS CHARGED WITH ACCESSORY TO ASSAULT BY DRIVE BY -- ALL THREE MEN ARE FROM LAKE CHARLES.

TEACHER ARREST
April 18, 2011

A BEAUREGARD PARISH TEACHER IS BEHIND BARS FOR ALLEGED INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT WITH STUDENTS. THE BEAUREGARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS 50-YEAR-OLD RORY HOLLIER, OF PORT SULPHUR, IS CHARGED WITH 2 COUNTS OF INDECENT BEHAVIOR WITH A JUVENILE. THE MERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER WAS PROCESSED INTO THE PARISH JAIL WHERE, AT LAST WORD, HE REMAINS UNDER AN 80-THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

FIRE DESTROYS HUNDREDS OF ACRES

April 18, 2011

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO WHAT SPARKED A FIRE THAT SCORCHED 300 ACRES OF LAND BETWEEN DEQUINCY AND SULPHUR -- THE FIRE BROKE OUT AROUND NOON, SUNDAY, ON PROPERTY LOCATED ON HOLBROOK PARK ROAD AND DAVID HENAGAN ROAD --- WHILE SEVERAL NEARBY HOMES WERE THREATENED, THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF ANY STRUCTURE DAMAGE.....THE WARD 6 FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO FULLY CONTAIN THE BLAZE WITHIN 4 HOURS AND WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THAT AREA ...

MAJOR DRUG BUST ON I-10

April 15, 2011

A GEORGIA WOMAN IS ARRESTED AFTER CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES FIND OVER 100 POUNDS OF POT IN HER CAR --- DEPUTIES SAY AROUND 9 O'CLOCK LAST NIGHT, THEY STOPPED 36 YEAR OLD KASONDA WHITLOCK FOR A TRAFFIC VIOLATION ON I-10 WHEN SHE BEGAN TO ACT SUSPICIOUSLY -- WHILE SEARCHING THE VEHICLE, A K-9 NAMED "MAKO" HIT ON THE SMELL OF DRUGS COMING FROM THE TRUNK -- IT WAS THERE DEPUTIES LOCATED THREE DUFFLE BAGS OF MARIJUANA WITH A STREET VALUE OF 239 THOUSAND DOLLARS.....

BATTLE OVER BOUNDARIES
April 15, 2011

REDISTRICTING BILLS APPROVED IN THE JUST ENDED SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION ARE NOW LAW. GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL AFFIXED HIS SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION THAT REDRAWS THE BOUNDARIES FOR LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS. HOWEVER, THE NEW POLITICAL MAP HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND SOME BLACK LAWMAKERS SAY THEY WILL CHALLENGE THE MEASURE THEY BELIEVE WEAKENS MINORITY VOTING STRENGTH.

BONDS SET FOR THREE SUSPECTS IN SULPHUR MURDER
April 15, 2011

BONDS HAVE BEEN SET ON THREE SUSPECTS IN A SULPHUR MURDER. THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS IT HAPPENED AROUND 10 WEDNESDAY NIGHT ON HIGHWAY 27. SHERIFF TONY MANCUSO SAYS 20-YEAR-OLD STEPHAN BERGERON AND ANOTHER MAN WERE WALKING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN TWO VEHICLE APPROACHED AND SEVERAL SHOTS WERE FIRED OUT OF ONE OF THEM, STRIKING BERGERON. THE OTHER MAN WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE UNHARMED. 2O-YEAR-OLD DAVID FONTENOT IS CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER. HIS BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 750-THOUSAND DOLLARS. 18-YEAR-OLD DEVIN BADON AND 17-YEAR-OLD NAKITA JULIAN ARE CHARGED AS PRINCIPALS TO THE CRIME. THEIR BONDS ARE SET AT 375-THOUSAND DOLLARS EACH.

DRIVE BY SHOOTING IN SULPHUR

April 14, 2011

THREE PEOPLE ARE REPORTEDLY NOW IN CUSTODY FOR A DRIVE BY SHOOTING IN SULPHUR -- THE SHOOTING TOOK PLACE AROUND 10:30 LAST NIGHT ON HWY 27 NEAR EARTH STREET.....A 20 YEAR OLD MAN WAS SHOT AND TAKEN TO AN AREA HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD UPON ARRIVAL.. THE CALCASIEU CORONER'S OFFICE IS CONDUCTING AN AUTOPSY THIS MORNING TO DETERMINE THE EXCAT CAUSE OF DEATH AS WE'RE TOLD THE VICTIM ALSO SUFFERED FROM SEVERAL OTHER INJURIES INCLUDING HEAD TRAUMA.....NO NAMES HAVE BEEN RELEASED AT THIS TIME..

FORMER CPPJ DIES

April 13, 2011

THE COMMUNITY IS MOURNING THE LOSS OF A MAN THAT SERVED CALCASIEU PARISH AS A POLICE JUROR FOR OVER 15 YEARS…DON MANUEL REPRESENTED THE MOSS BLUFF AND GILLIS ARES IN DISTRICT ONE AND PASSED AWAY FROM AN ILLNESS YESTERDAY-- POLICE JUROR HAL MCMILLIN WORKED ALONG SIDE MANUEL FOR 12 YEARS AND HAD THIS TO SAY ABOUT HIS FRIEND AND FORMER COLLEAGUE...

"WE'LL ALL MISS DON, HE WORKED VERY HARD FROM THE BUDDY BALL TO THE SENIOR CITIZENS , HE HAD A LOT OF REAL SPECIAL PROJECTS THAT HE ENJOYED DOING. HE'LL BE SORELY MISSED BY ALL OF US BUT I AM SO HONORED TO HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO HAVE HIM IN MY LIFE, WE'LL ALL MISS HIM...MY CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY. WHAT A GREAT MAN.....A GREAT MAN DON WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE IN MY EYES..."

VISITATION FOR MANUEL WILL TAKE PLACE TODAY AT THE MOSS BLUFF BIBLE CHURCH FROM 2 THIS AFTERNOON UNTIL 9 THIS EVENING -- THEN CONTINUING TOMORROW FROM 9 AM UNTIL THE FUNERAL SERVICES BEGIN AT 2:30 PM ......

SULPHUR MAN CHARGED WITH DEATH OF ALLEN PARISH FAMILY

April 12, 2011

The following is a press release from LouisianaStatePolice Troop D:

News Release – Troop D

**UPDATE--April 11, 2011**

LAKE CHARLES--This evening, troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop D arrested 33-year-old Freddy Lynn Bohler of Sulphur for his role in a fatal car crash that resulted in the deaths of three people including a 3-year-old on April 1, 2011, in Allen Parish. Based upon follow-up investigation, eyewitness accounts, and forensic evidence, an arrest warrant was obtained on Bohler for three counts of vehicular homicide, DWI 1^stoffense, reckless operation, obstruction of justice, no seatbelt, criminal mischief, filing a false public record, no head lamps, two counts of negligent injuring, and interfering with the duties of a state trooper.

The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations and the Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory partnered with Troop D on this investigation. Bohler was booked into the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center without bond and will subsequently be transferred to the Allen Parish Jail. The Allen Parish District Attorney’s Office will handle the case.

STANDARDIZED TESTING BEGINS IN CALCASIEU

April 11, 2011

STANDARDIZED TESTING BEGINS TODAY IN CALCASIEU PARISH -- FIRST GRADE TO 11TH GRADE STUDENTS WILL BE TAKING VARIOUS TESTS FROM THE I-LEAP AND LEAP TESTS TO A LOCALLY ADOPTED ITBS TEST....PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE SURE THEIR CHILDREN GO TO BED EARLY THIS WEEK, EAT A BALANCED BREAKFAST AND ARRIVE AT SCHOOL ON TIME EACH DAY......TESTING WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FRIDAY... FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN GO TO THE SCHOOL BOARD’S WEBSITE AT http://www.cpsb.org/

ROBBERY AT LOCAL CASINO

April 8, 2011

THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR THE MAN THAT ROBBED AN AREA CASINO -- CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES SAY ON SUNDAY, A MAN WALKED INTO THE CASHIER'S BOOTH OF THE STARKS SILVER DOLLAR CASINO AND TOOK AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF MONEY -- ANYONE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THE ROBBERY OR IDENTIFYING THE SUSPECT IS ASKED TO CALL CRIME STOPPERS AT 439-2222

BAILEY FAMILY SPEAKS OUT ABOUT GUILTY VERDICT

April 6, 2011

IT'S BEEN AN EMOTIONAL WEEK FOR THE BAILEY FAMILY IN BEAUREGARD PARISHASJURORS YESTERDAY RETURNED A GUILTY VERDICT IN THE FIRST DEGREE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER TRIAL OF JOEL BAILEY -- KYKZ 96 SPOKE WITH PAULA BAILEY ABOUT THE VERDICT AGAINST JOEL, WHO SUFFERS FROM THE MENTAL ILLNESS SCHIZOPHRENIA......

PAULA SAYS, QUOTE, “ON THE BAILEY SIDE OF THE FAMILY, EVERYBODY HAS FORGIVEN JOEL AND WE LOVE HIM….WE WISH HE THAT WOULD HAVE NOT GOT THE SENTENCE THAT HE GOT, WE KNOW HE NEEDS HELP.....WE KNOW THAT HE DOESN’T NEED TO BE ON THE STREETS….BUT HE DOESN’T NEED TO BE IN PRISON….”

DEFENSE ATTORNEY'S HAD ARGUED THAT BECAUSE OF BAILEY'S ILLNESS, HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING THE NIGHT HE FATALLY SHOT HIS FATHER AND CRITICALLY INJURED HIS MOTHER, DOROTHY BAILEY...MRS. BAILEY, WHO SURVIVED A GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE HEAD, TOOK THE STAND EARLIER THIS WEEK AND TESTIFIED THAT HER SON WAS NOT HIMSELF WHEN THE CRIME WAS COMMITTED IN 2007...BAILEY WILL BE SENTENCED TO A MANDATORY SENTENCE OF LIFE IN PRISON NEXT WEEK....

CPSO SEARCHING FOR SUSPECTS
April 6, 2011

THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS SEARCHING FOR TWO MEN IN REFERENCE TO AN ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND 5:30 AM ON FEBRUARY 27TH IN A LOCAL BUSINESS PARKING LOT. A COUPLE FROM TEXAS SAYS THEY WERE APPROACHED BY A MAN ARMED WITH A KNIFE. THE SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY DEMANDED MONEY THEN FLED THE SCENE IN A VEHICLE DRIVEN BY A SECOND SUSPECT WHEN THE COUPLE TOLD THEM THEY HAD NO MONEY. THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS DESCRIBED AS A RED LEXUS IS300. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE IDENTITY OF THE SUSPECTS IS ASKED TO CALL CRIMESTOPPERS AT 439-2222.

LAKE ARTHUR WOMAN ARRESTED FOR FALSE RAPE ACCUSATION

April 6, 2011

OFFICIALS WITH THE LAKE CHARLES FIELD OFFICE OF THE LOUISIANA STATE POLICE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS ARRESTED 17 YEAR OLD MEGAN FRANKS OF LAKE ARTHUR -- LAST MONTH, FRANKS TOLD THE LAKE ARTHUR POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT ONE OF THEIR OFFICERS HAD RAPED HER.......STATE TROOPERS SAY PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AND INCONSISTENT STATEMENTS FROM FRANKS INDICATED A RAPE DID NOT TAKE PLACE -- DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH DETECTIVES FRANKS ADMITTED TO MAKING UP THE RAPE ALLEGATIONS AND EVEN INJURING HERSELF TO BE MORE CREDIBLE.....SHE'S CHARGED WITH FALSE SWEARING FOR THE PURPOSE OF VIOLATING PUBLIC HEALTH OR SAFETY... SHE'S FACING 5 YEARS IN JAIL IF CONVICTED....

CAST NETTING MEETING IN LC

April 5, 2011

THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE WILL HOLD A MEETING THIS EVENING REGARDING THE FUTURE OF CAST NETTING AT THE SABINE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010, SERVICE OFFICIALS CLOSED THE HOG ISLAND GULLY RECREATION AREA DUE TO SEVERAL FACTORS INCLUDING HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES, HIGHWAY SAFETY ISSUES AND EXCESSIVE LITTER…THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE MEETING THAT STARTS AT 6 O’CLOCK THIS AFTERNOON IN THE CONTRABAND ROOM OF THE LAKE CHARLES CIVIC CENTER.

BODY FOUND IN JEFF DAVIS PARISH
April 4, 2011

THE JEFF DAVIS SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THE BODY OF 73-YEAR-OLD JOHN AMBROSE RYAN WAS DISCOVERED FLOATING IN WATER AT HOUSSIERE'S PARK NEAR JENNINGS THIS MORNING. WORKERS FOR THE JEFF DAVIS POLICE JURY WERE CLEANING THE PARK WHEN THEY MADE THE DISCOVERY. NO TRAUMA WAS NOTICED ON THE BODY AND NO FOUL PLAY IS SUSPECTED AT THIS TIME. SHERIFF RICKY EDWARDS SAYS AN AUTOPSY IS BEING CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH.

TX MAN DIES IN ACCIDENT NEAR JENNINGS

April 1, 2011

LOUISIANA STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING AN ACCIDENT THAT CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A TEXAS MAN -- TROOPERS SAY YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, 41 YEAR OLD JOSEPH COTTON OF ORANGE WAS TRAVELING ON HWY 26 JUST SOUTH OF JENNINGS WHEN HIS VEHICLE RAN OF THE ROAD, BECAME AIRBORNE, ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES AND CAUGHT FIRE....COTTON WHO WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE -- ROUTINE TOXICOLOGY TESTS ARE PENDING...

MAJOR DONATION MADE TO REBUILD MILLENNIUM PARK

March 31, 2011

THE CITY OF LAKECHARLESAND THE REBUILDING MILLENNIUM PARK COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW TO ANNOUNCE A GENEROUS DONATION HAS BEEN MADE TOWARDS REBUILDING THE MILLENNIUMPARK.... THE CONTRIBUTION WILL OFFICIALLY KICK OFF THE "MAJOR SPONSOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN"…. MEANWHILE -- OFFICIALS STILL WANT YOUR INPUT ON THE DESIGN OF THE NEW PARK -- TO LOOK AT VARIOUS PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND OPTIONS FOR THE DESIGN, YOU CAN GO TO THE CITYOFLAKECHARLES.COM AND EMAIL YOUR FAVORITES TO MILLENNIUM@CITYOFLC.US.....

ACCUSED LAKE AREA KILLER UNFIT FOR TRIAL

March 30, 2011

TRIAL HAS BEEN POSTPONED FOR AN ACCUSED LAKE AREA MURDERER -- JUDGE MIKE CANADAY HAS ORDERED 23 YEAR OLD JAMES LEE RICHARD BACK TO A STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL SAYING HE IS UNFIT TO STAND TRIAL FOR FIRST DEGREE MURDER AND ARMED ROBBERY CHARGES -- RICHARD IS ACCUSED OF STABBING A SULPHUR CONVENIENCE STORE CLERK TO DEATH WITH A SCREW DRIVER IN 2009....

HEAVY RAIN POUNDS THE LAKE AREA
March 30, 2011

RESIDENTS ARE REPORTING DAMAGE FROM HEAVY RAINS AND HAIL THAT POUNDED THE LAKE AREA LATE LAST NIGHT AND EARLY THIS MORNING. THE 24-HOUR NEWS CENTER HAS RECEIVED REPORTS OF POWER OUTAGES ACROSS THE AREA. THERE'S NO WORD YET ON HOW MANY HOMES WERE AFFECTED. STAY TUNED TO KYKZ 96 FOR THE LATEST ON THE FORECAST.

JURY SELECTION UNDERWAY
March 29, 2011

JURY SELECTION IS UNDERWAY IN THE CASE OF A BEAUREGARD PARISH MAN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING HIS PARENTS. EUGENE AND DOROTHY BAKER WERE SHOT IN THEIR DRY CREEK HOME BACK IN 2007. EUGENE DIED OF HIS INJURIES. DOROTHY, WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD, BUT SURVIVED THE ATTACK. THE COUPLE'S SON, JOEL BAILEY HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY AND NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY.

SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING LA BOATER

March 28, 2011

A LOUISIANA NATIVE REMAINS MISSING THIS MORNING AFTER A BOATING TRIP IN TEXAS -- ACCORDING TO THE TRINITY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, 66 YEAR OLD CLARENCE VERRETT JUNIOR WAS LAST SEEN FRIDAY ON LAKE LIVINGSTON IN HIS BOAT....A WHILE LATER -- A BOATER CALLED 9-1-1 AFTER NOTICING VERRETT'S BOAT WAS UNMANNED AND SPINNING IN CIRCLES..... THE CALCASIEUSHERIFF'S OFFICE IS REPORTEDLY HELPING TRINITY COUNTYOFFICIALSIN THE SEARCH, AS VERRET HAS FAMILY IN THE PARISH...

CHEVRON USA WINS PERMIT TO DRILL NEW SITE IN GULF

March 25, 2011

WITH MORE STRINGENT SAFETY STANDARDS IN PLACE, THE FEDERAL GOVERNEMTN APPROVES THE FIFTH DEEPWATER DRILLING PERMIT FOR THE GULF OF MEXICO SINCE LAST APRIL’S DEEPWATER HORIZON DISASTER….WHILE IT’S THE FIFTH PERMIT ISSUED – IT’S THE FIRST ONE THAT ALLOWS A COMPANY TO DRILL IN A NEW OIL FIELD….OFFICIALS WITH CHEVRON USA SAY THE WILL BEGIN LOOOKING FOR A NEW DEEPWATER DRILL SITE APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES OFF THE LOUISIANA COAST….

FREE CHILD SEAT SAFETY CHECK TO BE HELD IN LC

March 25, 2011

The following is a press release from LouisianaStatePolice:

Free Child Safety Seat Checks in Lake Charles

Currently, 4 out of 5 child safety seats in vehicles are not used correctly. In an effort to keep children safe, the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force will be holding a free child safety seat check event on Saturday, March 26, from 12 noonuntil 3:00 p.m.in the parking lot of Prien Lake Mall in Lake Charles.

Plenty of nationally certified child passenger safety technicians will be on hand to provide caregivers with information regarding the proper installation of their child’s safety seat. In addition, potentially life-saving guidance will be provided as to what type of child safety seat should be used considering the age, weight, and height of the child. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to take advantage of this free event that is open to everyone.

The Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force is focused on raising awareness about occupant protection and provides widespread community education and coordinated child safety seat checks throughout Louisiana. This statewide network of child safety seat advocates endeavors to minimize serious and fatal injuries from motor vehicle crashes.

Date: Saturday, March 26, 2011
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Prien Lake Mall in Lake Charles
Cost: FREE!

SULPHUR MAN RE-ARRESTED FOR RAPE AND INCEST…

March 24, 2011

A SULPHUR MAN IS RE-ARRESTED FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE….30 YEAR OLD LESTER GOLDEN IS ALREADY INCARCERATED FOR 1 COUNT OF AGGRAVATED RAPE FOR HAVING SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH A 12 YEAR OLD FAMILY MEMBER.... UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS LEARNED THAT GOLDEN HAD MORE ENCOUNTERS WITH THE VICTIM -- GOLDEN WAS RE-ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH AN ADDITIONAL 4 COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED RAPE AND 8 COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED INCEST....HIS BOND WENT FROM 250 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO ONE MILLION, 650 THOUSAND DOLLARS....

ELIZABETH TAYLOR DEAD AT 79

March 23, 2011

Legendary Hollywoodactress Elizabeth Taylor has passed away at the age of 79. Taylorhad been in failing health. She had been hospitalized for congestive heart failure at Cedars-SinaiMedicalCenterin Los Angeles. Taylorwon two Academy Awards for "Butterfield 8" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" Taylorbegan as a child star in films like "National Velvet" and became known for her acting talent and beauty. She also was married a number of times, including her two separate marriages to British actor Richard Burton. In 1960 she became the highest paid actress at that time by signing a one-million-dollar contract to play the title role in "Cleopatra."

OBAMA APPROVES OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION IN GULF

March 22, 2011

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE DEADLY DEEPWATER HORIZON EXPLOSION, FIRE AND MASSIVE OIL SPILL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS GIVING ITS APPROVAL TO A DEEPWATER OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION PLAN…SHELL OFFSHORE HAS WON APPROVAL TO SEEK DRILLING PERMITS FOR THREE NEW WELLS 130 MILES OFF THE LOUISIANA COAST…

JOHNS TO RUN FOR STATE SENATE
March 21, 2011

LOCAL BUSINESSMAN AND FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE, RONNIE JOHNS, IS ANNOUNCING HIS CANDIDACY FOR STATE SENATE IN DISTRICT 27. A PRESS CONFERENCE HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR NOON TUESDAY ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE LAKE CHARLES CIVIC CENTER. THE SULPHUR NATIVE IS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE LAKE AREA COMMUNITY, HOLDING A SEAT ON THE BOARD OF THE OF DIRECTORS AT CHRISTUS ST PATRICKS HOSPITAL. HE'S ALSO INVOLVED WITH THE CALCASIEU COMMUNITY CLINIC, SALVATION ARMY OF LAKE CHARLES, AND ORGANIZATIONS TO SERVE SENIOR CITIZENS.

LC MAN CHARGED WITH HOME INVASION

March 18, 2011

A LAKE CHARLES MAN IS CHARGED WITH HOME INVASION AND ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY. EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE RESPONDED TO A CALL AT A MOBILE HOME ON TALLOW ROAD. THE VICTIM SAID 29-YEAR-OLD FREDDIE BROWN HAD KICKED IN THE DOOR OF HER HOME ARMED WITH A KNIFE AND DEMANDED MONEY. THE VICTIM WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE OUT THE BACK DOOR AND CALL FOR HELP. BROWN WAS LOCATED AT A FAMILY MEMBERS HOME WEDNESDAY AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY... BOND IS SET AT 22-THOUSAND-FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.

METH LAB EXPLOSION LANDS 3 BEHIND BARS

March 17, 2011

THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING AN EXPLOSION AT AN ALLEGED METH LAB IN MOSS BLUFF. IT HAPPENED EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING AT A HOME ON ESTHER DRIVE. DETECTIVES WITH THE COMBINED ANTI DRUG TASK FORCE SAY 26-YEAR-OLD RACHAL GRAHAM... 44-YEAR-OLD JOHN DUNN... AND 18-YEAR-OLD STEVEN WILLIS WERE IN THE PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING METHAMPHETAMINES WHEN AN UNEXPECTED CHEMICAL REACTION OCCURRED... WHEN THEY THREW THE CHEMICALS OUT OF THE RESIDENCE CAUSING AN EXPLOSION AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE. MILLER ENVIRONMENTAL WAS CALLED TO DISMANTLE THE LAB. NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE WERE REPORTED. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THE TRIO WAS BUSTED FOR A CLANDESTINE LAB... CPSO SAYS THEY WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BACK IN NOVEMBER FOR MANUFACTURING DRUGS IN THE SAME RESIDENCE.

LC WOMAN ACCUSED OF MOLESTATION OF A JUVENILE

March 16, 2011

DETECTIVES WITH THE LAKE CHARLES FIELD OFFICE OF LOUISIANA STATE POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A WOMAN FOR MOLESTATION OF A JUVENILE...35 YEAR OLD MELISSA MOREAU WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED SHE HAD A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A 14 YEAR OLD FROM DECEMBER 2007 -- TO SEPTEMBER 2008.......MOREAU WAS BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU CORRECTION CENTER -- BOND IS SET AT 100 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

MISSING TEEN FOUND

March 15, 2011

THE SEARCH FOR 15 YEAR OLD CHELSEY WHITE OF SULPHUR HAS COME TO AN END – THE FAMILY TELLS KYKZ 96 THEY RECEIVED A TIP AROUND 5 YESTERDAY AFTERNOON THAT CHELSEY WAS IN THE MOSS BLUFF AREA – AFTER FOLLOWING THE LEAD, FAMILY MEMBERS FOUND CHELSEY UNHARMED….THE 9TH GRADE SULPHUR HIGH CHEERLEADER HAD BEEN MISSING SINCE THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS OPPOSES SUNO-UNO MERGER

March 14, 2011

THE REVEREND JESSE JACKSON IS URGING THE USE OF SOCIAL ACTIVISM BY THOSE OPPOSED TO THE PROPOSED MERGER OF HISTORICALLY BLACK SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY NEW ORLEANS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS…JACKSON ADDRESSED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED A RALLY LAST NIGHT AT A BATON ROUGE CHURCH AS SAID THE IDEA IS AN EXAMPLE OF MODERN DAY RACIAL INEQUALITY -- GOV. JINDAL PROPOSED MERGING THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AS A WAY TO SAVE MONEY AS THE STATE FACES OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT...

MISSING TEEN
March 13, 2011

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN SULPHUR CANVASSED NEIGHBORHOODS OVER THE WEEKEND, SEARCHING FOR MISSING 15-YEAR-OLD CHELSEY WHITE. THE 9TH GRADE SULPHUR HIGH STUDENT WAS LAST SEEN AROUND 3PM THURSDAY IN THE AREA OF THE SULPHUR PUBLIC LIBRARY. THE FAMILY HAS RECEIVED CONFLICTING REPORTS ON WHAT MAY HAVE LEAD TO HER DISAPPEARANCE. SOME CLAIM CHELSEY RAN AWAY, HOWEVER, SHE LEFT WITH NOTHING BUT HER BOOKSACK AND HASN'T BEEN SEEN OR HEARD FROM SINCE. CHELSEY'S FATHER SAYS SHE IS ON THE SCHOOL'S CHEERLEADING TEAM AND AN EXCELLENT STUDENT WITH DREAMS OF A COLLEGE DEGREE. SHE ALSO HAS A CLOSE BOND WITH HER GRANDMOTHER AND THEY SAY IT ISN'T LIKE CHELSEY TO NOT BE IN CONTACT WITH HER. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON CHELSEY'S WHEREABOUTS IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE FAMILY AT 337-287-8798 OR THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE AT 491-3700.

DEQUINCY MAN ARRESTED ON NUMEROUS ABUSE CHARGES

March 11, 2011

A DEQUINCY MAN IS ARRESTED FOR RAPE, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY -- CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES SAY 52 YEAR OLD JOHN STALEY -- GOT INTO AN ALTERCATION WITH TWO FAMILY MEMBERS ON MONDAY -- ACCORDING TO THE VICTIMS, STALEY POINTED A PISTOL AT THEIR HEADS AFTER THE VERBAL DISPUTE.... UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, DEPUTIES SAY STALEY FORCEFULLY RAPED ONE OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS IN OCTOBER....STALEY WAS BOOKED INTO THE CORRECTIONALCENTER, HIS BOND IS SET AT 303 THOUSAND DOLLARS

LOUISIANA PARISHES TO SPLIT BP COMPENSATION

March 10, 2011

WE NOW KNOW HOW COMPENSATION FROM BP WILL BE ALLOCATED -- FOLLOWING THE DEEPWATER HORIZON TRAGEDY, BP PROMISED TO PAY LOUISIANA 30 MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP COUNTER NEGATIVE PERCEPTION THAT COULD AFFECT TOURISM....SECRETARY OF STATE JAY DARDENNE SAYS THE PARISHES IMPACTED THE MOST BY THE OIL SPILL ARE IN LINE TO RECEIVE MORE MONEY.... IN SWLA -- CALCASIEUPARISH WILL RECEIVE A LITTLE OVER 210 THOUSAND DOLLARS, CAMERON PARISH WILL RECEIVE HALF A MILLION DOLLARS AND JEFF DAVIS PARISH WILL GET 35 THOUSAND DOLLARS....

BIG CHANGES AHEAD FOR DOWNTOWN LAKE CHARLES

March 9, 2011

THE CITY OF LAKECHARLES WILL HOLD A GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY TOMORROW AT 2 PM FOR THE RYAN STREETSTREETSCAPE PROJECT.....THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE INTERSECTION OF RYAN AND PUJO STREETS...THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF 15 PHASES THAT ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE AT LEAST A YEAR TO COMPLETE.....

TORNADO VICTIM TO BE LAID TO REST FRIDAY
March 8, 2011

A 21-YEAR-OLD MOTHER, KILLED WHEN A TORNADO TORE THRU HER HOME IN RAYNE THIS WEEKEND, WILL BE LAID TO REST ON FRIDAY. JALISA GRANGER, HER MOTHER, AND HER 15-MONTH OLD SON WERE TRAPPED UNDER RUBBLE WHEN A TREE FELL ON THE HOUSE SATURDAY MORNING. OFFICIALS SAY JALISA DIED WHILE SHIELDING HER CHILD. FAMILY MEMBERS TELL KYKZ 96 HER FUNERAL WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE NORTHSIDE ASSEMBLY CHURCH IN CROWLEY WITH VISITATION GETTING UNDERWAY AT 9 FRIDAY MORNING FOLLOWED BY AN 11 A-M FUNERAL SERVICE. AN ACCOUNT HAS BEEN SET UP AT ST MARTIN BANK. IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION YOU CAN CALL THE CROWLEY BRANCH AT 337-788-2465 AND TELL THEM YOU'D LIKE TO DONATE TO THE JALISA GRANGER FUND.

WEATHER FORCES CHANGES TO LC MARDI GRAS PLANS
March 8, 2011

OFFICIALS WITH THE O.E.P, THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES AND MARDI GRAS SWLA ARE ALL WORKING IN CONJUNCTION TO MONITOR THE WEATHER SITUATION AND DETERMINE WHAT WILL HAPPENED TO PLANNED PARADES... KATIE HARRINGTON WITH THE SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA VISITORS CONVENTION AND BUREAU SAYS AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE ONLY CHANGES MADE HAVE BEEN TO THE KREWE OF KREWE’S PARADE, THAT WILL NOW TAKE PLACE AT 5:00 PM INSTEAD OF 5:30 PM…HARRINGTON SAYS WE SHOULD KNOW MORE ABOUT RESCHEDULING OR CANCELING PARADES AROUND NOON…BE SURE TO TUNE INTO KYKZ 96.1 FOR THE LATEST ON POSSIBLE CHANGES.

LAKE CHARLES CITY OFFICES CLOSE FOR FAT TUESDAY
March 4, 2011

THE CITY OF LAKECHARLES SAYS THEY WILL NOT BE COLLECTING TRASH ON FAT TUESDAY -- GARBAGE USUALLY COLLECTED ON THAT DAY WILL BE PICKED UP ON WEDNESDAY -- THURSDAY AND FRIDAY ROUTES WILL REMAIN ON THE REGULAR SCHEDULES.... ALSO ALL OTHER PUBLIC AND CITY DEPARTMENTS IN LAKE CHARLES WILL BE CLOSED TUESDAY IN OBSERVANCE OF THE MARDI GRAS HOLIDAY...

ARREST IN LAKE CHARLES BANK ROBBERY
March 3, 2011

IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG AFTER LAKE CHARLES POLICE RELEASED A PICTURE OF THE SUSPECT AND VEHICLE USED IN A LAKE CHARLES BANK ROBBERY FOR DETECTIVES TO RECEIVE A BREAK IN THE CASE. CHIEF DON DIXON SAYS THEY RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WHO HAD DRIVEN 42-YEAR-OLD PAUL STANLEY OSTEEN TO THE BANK WITH NO IDEA HE WAS GOING TO ROB IT. WHEN THE OWNER SAW THE VEHICLE AND SUSPECT PHOTOS ON THE NEWS, HE CALLED DETECTIVES WHO LATER TRACKED DOWN OSTEEN IN A LAKE CHARLES HOTEL. OSTEEN IS CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE ROBBERY FOR INDICATING TO THE TELLER HE HAD A GUN ALTHOUGH HE NEVER BRANDISHED A WEAPON AND NONE WAS RECOVERED. DIXON SAYS OSTEEN HAS A LONG CRIMINAL RECORD DATING BACK TO THE EARLY 80'S WITH 24 ARRESTS IN CALIFORNIA AND THREE IN LOUISIANA. CALCASIEU DISTRICT ATTORNEY, JOHN DEROSSIER SAYS THIS TIME HE IS LOOKING AT HARD TIME WITH THE CRIME CARRYING A SENTENCE OF ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 40 YEARS WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF PROBATION, PAROLE, OR SUSPENSION OF SENTENCE.

ARMED ROBBERY AT CHASE BANK
March 2, 2011

AROUND 9 THIS MORNING, LAKE CHARLES POLICE RESPONDED TO AN ARMED ROBBERY AT CHASE BANK ON NORTH HIGHWAY 171. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, A BLACK MALE ENTERED THE BANK, INDICATED HE HAD A GUN... AND DEMANDED MONEY FROM THE TELLER. HE THEN FLED THE SCENE IN A DARK COLORED AMERICAN-MADE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE WITH AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF CASH. THE SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS BEING IN HIS 20'S... 6' TO 6'2, 145-160 LBS WITH BROWN EYES AND A DARK COMPLEXION. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT LAKE CHARLES POLICE AT 491-1311.

CARLYSS FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BLAZE NEAR SOUTHLAND FIELD
March 2, 2011

A LARGE GRASS FIRE THAT BURNED NEARLY 10 ACRES OF LAND KEPT FIREFIGHTERS IN THE CARLYSS AREA BUSY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. ACTING FIRE CHIEF, JAMES STANLEY SAYS A MAN WAS BURNING CUTTING SCRAP IRON AROUND 11:30 WEDNESDAY MORNING WHEN HE SPARKED THE BLAZE THAT QUICKLY SPREAD DUE TO LOW HUMIDITY AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF DEBRIS ON THE PROPERTY. STANLEY SAYS, TWO HOMES WERE IN DANGER, BUT WITH THE HELP OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS THEY WERE ABLE TO KNOCK DOWN THE BLAZE BEFORE IT REACHED THE STRUCTURES. IT TOOK FIREFIGHTERS NEARLY FOUR HOURS TO FULLY EXTINGUISH THE BLAZE.

REBUILDING MILLENNIUM PARK BIGGER AND BETTER

March 2, 2011

THE CITY OF LAKECHARLES HAS UNVEILED SOME ADVENTUROUS DESIGNS TO REBUILD MILLENNIUM PARK.... THE PLANS THAT WERE PRESENTED AT A MEETING YESTERDAY INCLUDE SEVERAL DIFFERENT THEMED CASTLES, A PIRATE SHIP, AND AN AIRPLANE...ALSO -- OFFICIALS SAY AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION, THE NEW PARK WILL HAVE ONE ENTRANCE THAT WOULD BE MONITORED BY SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.... CONSTRUCTION ON THE PARK COULD BEGIN AS EARLY AS JULY... THE PARK WILL COST ABOUT 600 THOUSAND DOLLARS WITH MOST OF THE FUNDING COMING FROM DONATIONS....

MONITORED BURN
March 1, 2011

THE 24-HOUR NEWS CENTER RECEIVED SEVERAL CALLS TUESDAY AFTERNOON REGARDING LARGE PLUMS OF SMOKE IN THE LAKE AREA. WE DID SOME CHECKING AND FOUND OUT ITS COMING FROM A MONITORED BURN FOR CLEARING LAND. OFFICIALS TELLS US THE BURN WILL AFFECT ABOUT 100 ACRES IN THE AREA OF NORTH PERKINS FERRY AND JOE MILLER ROADS, BUT THERE IS CURRENTLY NO CAUSE FOR ALARM.

GOOD NEWS FOR THE GULF

March 1, 2011

IT'S BEEN ALMOST ONE YEAR SINCE THE DEEPWATER HORIZON ACCIDENT AND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE APRIL 2010, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HAS ISSUED A DEEPWATER DRILLING PERMIT FOR THE GULF OF MEXICO -- THE PERMIT ALLOWS HOUSTON BASED -- NOBLE ENERGY TO DRILL A WELL IN 6,500 FEET OF WATER THAT'S LOCATED ABOUT 70 MILES OFF THE LOUISIANA COAST... GOV. BOBBY JINDAL SAYS THE ISSUANCE IS A GOOD FIRST STEP -- BUT ALSO NOTES THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS NEEDS TO REACH A LEVEL OF CRITICAL MASS SO OIL AND GAS WORKERS CAN GET BACK TO FUELING AMERICA... MEANWHILE -- SENATOR DAVID VITTER SAYS HE'LL CONTINUE A HOLD ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S NOMINATION OF DAN ASHE TO HEAD THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE UNTIL 15 DEEPWATER DRILLING PERMITS ARE ISSUED...

LAKE AREA TOPS THE LIST
February 28, 2011

SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE HAS NAMED THE LAKE CHARLES/SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA REGION, AS ITS TOP METROPOLITAN AREA WITH A POPULATION BETWEEN 50 AND 200-THOUSAND. IN THE DEMOGRAPHIC CATEGORY, THE LAKE CHARLES AREA HAD THE MOST NEW AND EXPANDED CORPORATE FACILITIES FOR 2010. SOME OTHER LOUISIANA CITIES ALSO MADE THE TOP OF THE LIST, INCLUDING MONROE AND ALEXANDRIA. GEORGE SWIFT, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE SAYS THE DESIGNATION WILL ENHANCE THE MESSAGE THAT OUR REGION IS QUOTE "OPEN FOR BUSINESS."

CPPJ ANNOUNCES HOUSING PROGRAMS

January 5, 2011

FATAL SHOOTING IN WELSH

February 23, 2011

FATAL SHOOTING IN WELSH

February 23, 2011

DETECTIVES WITH THE WELSH POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING A DEADLY SHOOTING --- AUTHORITIES SAY SHORTLY AFTER 7 LAST NIGHT, A MAN WAS SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE SITTING ON HIS MOTHER'S FRONT PORCH… AFTER ARRIVING AT LAKE CHARLES MEMORIAL HOPISTAL, THE UNIDENTIFIED VICTIM DIED OF HIS INJURIES.... NO WORD YET AS TO A MOTIVE FOR THE SHOOTING AND NO SUSPECT HAS BEEN ARRESTED....WE WILL CONTINUE TO BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION AS IT'S RELEASED....

LC CHARTER SCHOOL ACCEPTS APPLICATIONS

February 22, 2011

A NEW CHARTERSCHOOLTO BE BUILT IN LAKECHARLESIS RECEIVING BUS LOADS OF APPLICATIONS....IN JUST 4 DAYS, SOME 550 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR THE LAKECHARLESCHARTERACADEMY..... THE SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT ON POWER CENTER PARKWAYAND WILL BE OPEN NEXT SCHOOL YEAR FOR GRADES K THRU 6......IN 2012, OFFICIALS WILL ACCEPT 7TH GRADERS AND IN 2013 THEY WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE 8TH GRADERS..... IF YOU'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THE CHARTER SCHOOL OR TO FILL OUT AN ONLINE APPLICATION FOR YOUR CHILD VISIT WWW.LAKECHARLESCHARTER.ORG

ARSON FIRE DESTROYS OVER 400 ACRES IN BEAUREGARD PARISH

February 21, 2011

A REWARD IS BEING OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST OF THE PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR A FORESTFIRE IN BEAUREGARD PARISH.... ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SOME 416 ACRES OF PINE AND HARDWOOD TIMBER ALONG HWY 389 AND SNYDER BEND ROAD IN BIVENS WAS DESTROYED ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH.....THE FIRE RESULTED IN A LOSS OF OVER 100 THOUSAND DOLLARS AND THREATENED A NUMBER OF HOMES IN THE AREA.....AN AWARD OF UP TO 13 THOUSAND DOLLARS IS BEING OFFERED....ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL 462-8918

LC WOMAN BEATS TEEN WITH PIPE

February 18, 2011

A LAKE CHARLES WOMAN IS CHARGED WITH CRUELTY TO A JUVENILE AFTER SHE ALLEGEDLY BEAT A 14 YEAR OLD WITH A PIECE OF PVC PIPE.....THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THEY WERE TIPPED OFF WHEN THE YOUNG BOY WAS TAKEN TO AN AREA HOSPITAL WITH NUMEROUS BRUISES, WHELPS AND CUTS ON HIS BODY.....DETECTIVES SAY DURING QUESTIONING, 24 YEAR OLD LASHAWNDA PITRE ADMITTED TO CAUSING THE INJURIES...BOND IS SET AT ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS..

BREAKING NEWS – 15^TH GAMING LICENSE IS AWARDED

February 17, 2011

THE LOUISIANA GAMING CONTROL BOARD HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE 15TH AND FINAL GAMING LICENSE IS BEING AWARDED TO DAN LEE WITH CREATIVE CASINOS LLC...THE DECISION GIVES LEE APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH HIS PLANS TO BUILD MOJITO POINTE NEXT TO L’AUBERGE DU LAC CASINO AND RESORT IN LAKE CHARLES…MOJITO POINTE IS EXPECTED TO COST AROUND 440 MILLION DOLLARS… CONTINUE TO MONITOR KYKZ.COM AND KYKZ 96.1 FOR MORE DETAILS ON THIS STORY.

VICTIM CHASES SUSPECTS ON I-10

February 16, 2011

TWO MEN FROM HOUSTON ARE BEHIND BARS IN JEFF DAVIS PARISH THIS MORNING AFTER A VICTIM OF AN ARMED ROBBERY IN ROANOKE CHASES THE SUSPECTS DOWN I-10 AND CAUSES THEM TO CRASH IN THE MEDIAN NEAR MILEPOST 59. THE SUSPECTS, 39-YEAR-OLD FRANCISCO CAMACHO AND 22-YEAR-OLD CRUZ MARTINEZ THEN FLED THE SCENE ON FOOT. THEY WERE LOCATED IN A FIELD FOLLOWING A SEARCH BY JEFF DAVIS SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, LA STATE POLICE, AND THE JENNINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT. NEARLY 8-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CASH AND FOUR SEMI-AUTOMATIC HANDGUNS WERE RECOVERED FROM THE SUSPECTS AT THE TIME OF THEIR CAPTURE.

DOMESTIC DISPUTE IN DERIDDER TURNS DEADLY

February 15, 2011

BOND IS SET AT 750 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A DERIDDER WOMAN CHARGED WITH THE DEATH OF HER FATHER --- POLICE SAY 24 YEAR OLD ASHLEE SIMMONS WAS ARRESTED SUNDAY NIGHT AT A HOME IN DERIDDER WHEN A DOMESTIC DISPUTE TURNED DEADLY......SIMMONS IS BELIEVED TO HAVE SHOT HER 60 YEAR OLD FATHER, JOHN SIMMONS WHILE HER MOTHER, TWO SIBLINGS AND HER INFANT CHILD WERE INSIDE THE HOME.....SIMMONS IS CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER...HER CHILD HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO PROTECTIVE CUSTODY....

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO BIRD DEATHS IN SWLA

February 11, 2011

JUST WEEKS AFTER AUTHORITIES IN ARKANSAS AND SOUTHERN LOUISIANA LAUNCHED INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE DEATHS OF HUNDREDS OF BIRDS....MORE BIRDS ARE DROPPING FROM THE SKY -- THIS TIME IN LAKE CHARLES -- ACCORDING TO REPORTS, SOME 200 TREE SWALLOWS WERE FOUND YESTERDAY MORNING ALONG LAKE STREET AND LINCOLN ROAD.... A BIOLOGIST FROM THE LOUISIANA WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES WAS DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE TO INVESTIGATE -- AUTOPSIES WILL BE PERFORMED TO LEARN HOW THE BIRDS DIED....

LAKE CHARLES MAN KILLED IN BATON ROUGE

February 9, 2011

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO A DOUBLE HOMICIDE IN THE STATE'S CAPITAL -- INVESTIGATORS WITH THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH VIOLENT CRIMES UNIT HAVE IDENTIFIED THOSE KILLED AS 28 YEAR OLD JARRETT STANLEY OF LAKE CHARLES, AND 27 YEAR OLD LATONYA WRIGHT....THEIR BODIES WERE FOUND IN THE TRUNK OF AN ABANDONED CAR WITH APPARENT GUNSHOT WOUNDS.....A SUSPECT HAS BEEN ARRESTED…29 YEAR OLD KENDRICK JOHNSON OF BATON ROUGE IS CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER...

ENDANGERED BIRDS TO BE SENT TO SWLA

February 8, 2011

A SMALL FLOCK OF ENDANGERED BIRDS ARE BEING SENT TO SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA -- GOV. BOBBY JINDAL SAYS THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES HAVE CLEARED THE WAY FOR AN EXPERIMENTAL POPULATION OF WHOOPING CRANES -- 10 OF THEM WILL BE LOCATED LATER THIS MONTH AT THE WHITE LAKES WETLANDS CONSERVATION AREA IN ABBEVILLE.....JINDAL SAYS THE LAST RECORD OF A WHOOPING CRANE IN THE STATE DATES BACK TO 1950 IN VERMILLION PARISH...

FATAL FIRE CLASSIFIED AS "SUSPICIOUS"
February 7, 2011

BEAUREGARD CRIME STOPPERS IS NOW OFFERING A REWARD FOR INFORMATION IN A FATAL FIRE IN BEAUREGARD PARISH. 40-YEAR-OLD PATRICIA KREUZBERGER AND HER DAUGHTERS, 10-YEAR-OLD MYA AND 5-YEAR-OLD NICHOLE DIED IN THE BLAZE AT THEIR HOME ON KING ROAD IN DRY CREEK. FUNERAL SERVICES ARE SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS ONGOING AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL 337-462-8918. NO DETAILS ARE BEING RELEASED AT THIS TIME AS TO WHY THE FIRE IS CONSIDERED SUSPICIOUS.

LA TREASURER TO VISIT SWLA

Feburary 7, 2011

STATE TREASURER JOHN KENNEDY IS SCHEDULED TO MAKE A TRIP TO LAKE CHARLES TOMORROW TO SPEAK TO THE KIWANIS CLUB...KENNEDY WILL DISCUSS WAYS TO BALANCE THE STATE'S BUDGET WITHOUT DAMAGING HEALTHCARE AND HIGHER EDUCATION... HE'LL ALSO PRESENT MEASURES THAT COULD SAVE THE STATE NEARLY THREE BILLION DOLLARS..... THE MEETING TAKES PLACE TOMORROW AT NOON AT REEVE'S UPTOWN CATERING...

DONATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR KREUZBERGER FAMILY

Feburary 4, 2011

DONATIONS ARE BEING COLLECTED FOR A DRY CREEK MAN WHO LOST HIS WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS IN A TRAGIC HOUSE FIRE WEDNESDAY MORNING -- SCOTT KREUZBERGER WAS WORKING OFFSHORE WHEN HE GOT A CALL THAT HIS HOME ON KING ROAD BURNED DOWN WITH HIS FAMILY INSIDE -- DONATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED AT THE DRY CREEK BAPTIST CAMP AND MONETARY DONATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED AT ANY BRANCH OF CITY SAVINGS BANK....FUNERAL SERVICES FOR 40 YEAR OLD PATRICIA KREUZBERGER AND HER DAUGHTERS, 10 YEAR OLD MYA AND 5 YEAR OLD NICHOLE WILL BE HELD TUESDAY...THE CAUSE OF FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION...

SCHOOLS, DAYCARES, AND BUSINESSES ACROSS SWLA CLOSED

Feburary 3, 2011

The following schools and daycares have announced they will be CLOSED for Thursday.

All Acadia Parish Public Schools

Angels and Babies Daycare

All About Kids Daycare Center

Allen Parish 33rd Judicial District Court

Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School

Bethel Christian School

Beau Ver’ Christian Academy (Closed Thursday and Friday)

Beau Care Head Start (Closed Thursday and Friday)

All Calcasieu Parish Public Schools

All Cameron Parish Public Schools

Cameron State Bank

CDI Headstart

All Diocese of Lake Charles Schools

Delta Tech

No schools or daycares beginning with the letter “E” have announced closures…

First Baptist Christian Academy

First Methodist School

First Pentecostal Church of Westlake Mothers Day Out

First Baptist Deridder Daycare

Glad Tidings Pre-school

Hayleigh’s Child Care and Development Center

It’s A Small World Daycare

All public schools in Jeff Davis Parish

Jam Learning Center

Kids 360 Learning Center

All Public Schools in Lafayette

Little Learners Montessori School

Little Lee’s Child Daycare

Little Scholar’s Pre-School

Little Thinkers Learning Campus

Little Learner’s Pre-school

Lighthouse Learning Daycare

Literacy Council

McNeese State University

My Little Apples Daycare

No schools or daycares beginning with the letter “N” have announced closures…

Our Lady Queen of Heaven

Precious Playhouse

Precious Treasures Child Care Learning Center

No schools or daycares beginning with the letter “Q” have announced closures…

Ready Set Grow Daycare

Sowela

St. Landry parish public Schools

St. Thomas Moore Catholic High School

St. Luke-Simpson Child Care Center

Stepping Stones Daycare

Theresa’s Learning Center

United Christian Fellowship Daycare

No schools or daycares beginning with the letter “V” have announced closures…

Wee Wisdom Pre-School

No schools or daycares beginning with the letter “X” have announced closures…

No schools or daycares beginning with the letter “Y” have announced closures…

No schools or daycares beginning with the letter “Z” have announced closures…

ARMED AND DANGEROUS
FEBRUARY 2, 2011

THE COMBINED ANTI DRUG TASK FORCE IS SEARCHING FOR TWO PEOPLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPERATION OF A METH LAB ON ANDREW LANE IN LAKE CHARLES. THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS, 34-YEAR-OLD DANIEL R. ROME AND 31-YEAR-OLD HEATHER R. OWEN ARE EACH BELIEVED TO BE ARMED WITH A .357 REVOLVER AND ROME ALLEGEDLY ISSUED THREATS SAYING HE WOULD SHOOT TO KILL ANY OFFICER WHO ATTEMPTED TO ARREST HIM. ANYONE WHO COMES INTO CONTACT WITH EITHER ROME OR OWEN IS URGED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION, AVOID CONTACT, AND CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THEIR WHEREABOUTS IS ASKED TO CALL CRIMESTOPPERS AT 439-2222.

FATAL HOUSE FIRE IN BEAUREGARD PARISH

Feburary 2, 2011

AN EARLY MORNING HOUSE FIRE IN DRY CREEK CLAIMS THE LIVES OF A MOTHER AND HER TWO SMALL CHILDREN -- JOE TOLER WITH THE BEAUREGARD PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THE FIRE BROKE OUT AROUND 6:30 THIS MORNING AT A HOME ON 272 KING ROAD....THE HUSBAND AND FATHER OF THE VICTIM WAS WORKING OFF SHORE AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE AND HAS BEEN NOTIFIED...OFFICIALS WITH THE LOUISIANA STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE FIRE....

SUSPECT WANTED IN LAKE CHARLES HOME INVASION

February 1, 2011

THE LAKE CHARLES POLICE ARE ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC'S HELP IN LOCATING A SUSPECT INVOLVED IN A DISTURBING HOME INVASION --- ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, OFFICERS WERE DISPATCHED TO A HOME IN THE 23 HUNDRED BLOCK OF 18TH STREET -- IT WAS THERE, OFFICERS MET TWO ELDERLY FEMALE VICTIMS, ONE IN HER EIGHTIES, THE OTHER IN HER NINETIES.... THEY VICTIMS STATED A BLACK MAN WITH A LIGHT TO MEDIUM COMPLEXION FORCED HIS WAY IN THE HOME, AND PROCEEDED TO PUSH THEM AROUND... NO SERIOUS INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AS A RESULT OF THE ATTACK AND NO ITEMS WERE TAKEN FROM THE HOME....THE ACTUAL INTENT OF THE INCIDENT REMAINS UNKNOWN....THE MAN POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR IS DESCRIBED AS BEING 18 TO 20 YEARS OLD --- 5 FOOT 8 , 150 TO 170 POUNDS WITH SHORT DARK HAIR...ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL DETECTIVE GREGORY SINGLE AT 491-1311

METH LAB BUSTED IN MOSS BLUFF

January 31, 2011

A MOSS BLUFF MAN IS ARRESTED FOR CREATION/OPERATION OF A CLANDESTINE LAB.....THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THEY RECEIVED A TIP YESTERDAY AFTERNOON THAT ILLEGAL DRUG ACTIVITY WAS TAKING PLACE AT A HOME ON EAST PINE MEADOWS DRIVE --- UPON INVESTIGATION, DETECTIVES FOUND A METH LAB THAT WAS BEING OPERATED IN A SHED BEHIND THE HOUSE...34 YEAR OLD MICHAEL SILVA WAS ARRESTED AND AUTHORITIES SAY AT LEAST ONE MORE ARREST IS EXPECTED....

NEW ORDINANCE AGAINST SEX OFFENDERS IN LAKE CHARLES COULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL

January 28, 2011

A NEW ORDINANCE AIMED AT CONVICTED SEX OFFENDERS LIVING IN LAKE CHARLES IS GOING UP FOR REVIEW --- THE ORDINANCE REQUIRES SEX OFFENDERS TO PAY 600 DOLLARS AND TO REVEAL MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AGE AND GENDER OF THEIR VICTIMS, IF THEY WISH TO LIVE IN LAKE CHARLES...LEGAL EXPERTS CLAIM THE ORDINANCE COULD BE IN VIOLATION OF THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, WHICH MEANS STATE LAWS MUST TREAT AN INDIVIDUAL IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHERS IN SIMILAR CONDITIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES....THE REVIEW WILL TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY THIRD AT 11 AM AT THE LAKE CHARLES CITY HALL...

CPSB ANNOUNCES CYPRESS COVE ELEMENTARY ATTENDANCE ZONES
January 27, 2011

THE FOLLOWING IS FROM A PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD:

THE CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD HAS DETERMINED ATTENDANCE ZONES FOR CYPRESS COVE ELEMENTARY. ALL STUDENTS AFFECTED BY THE RE-ZONING OF CYPRESS COVE (FORMERLY D.S. PERKINS), FRASCH, W.T. HENNING AND VINCENT SETTLEMENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY MAIL IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE OF THEIR NEW SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS.

ZONE DESCRIPTIONS AND A LINK TO A MAP ON THE CPSB WEBSITE ARE LISTED BELOW:

Cypress Cove Elementary Zone Descriptions

North Boundary

From the intersection of Choupique Road and Highway 90 West, East on Highway 90 West to Stegal Road; Stegal Road North to West Burton Street; East on West Burton Street to the City Limit Line; North along the City Limit Line to Sim Portie Road; Sim Portie Road East to North Claiborne; North Claiborne to just North of North Majestic Oak Drive; East to Live Oak Street

East Boundary

From the North end of Live Oak Street; South to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks; West along the tracks to just West of Kim Street; South along the West end of Tana Street to Parish Road; East along Parish Road to just West of Todd Street; South to Carlyss Dr. excluding Wanda and Boice Streets; Carlyss Drive to West Dave Dugas Road

South Boundary

From the intersection of West Dave Dugas Road and Carlyss Drive, North side of Dave Dugas Road West to Choupique Road; Choupique Road to the intersection of Gum Island Road

West Boundary

From the intersection of Gum Island Road and Choupique Road; Choupique Road North to Highway 90 West

* Wanda and Boice Streets will remain W.T. Henning zone

Descriptions and a map may also be found on the www.cpsb.org website.

SULPHUR MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING FROM A SOLDIER

January 27, 2011

A SULPHUR MAN IS ARRESTED FOR STEALING FROM A LOCAL SOLDIER WHILE HE WAS SERVING OVERSEAS -- DETECTIVES WITH THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAY BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2010 -- THEY WERE CALLED TO A HOUSE IN SULPHUR BY A SOLDIER WHO STATED HE RETURNED HOME TO FIND HIS TRUCK HAD BEEN BROKEN INTO, THE DASHBOARD RIPPED OUT AND THE STEREO AND SPEAKERS STOLEN --AFTER A LENGTHY INVESTIGATION, DETECTIVES ARRESTED 19 YEAR OLD KEVIN DUPLECHIN IN CONNECTION TO THE ROBBERY --- DUPLECHIN ADMITTED TO COMMITTING THE BURGLARY AND WAS BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU CORRECTIONAL CENTER ON SEVERAL THEFT RELATED CHARGES.....THE STOLEN ITEMS WERE RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO THE OWNER....

WESTLAKE WOMAN ARRESTED FOR CRUELTY TO THE INFIRMED

January 25, 2011

A WESTLAKE WOMAN IS ARRESTED FOR CRUELTY TO THE INFIRMED -- THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS 69 YEAR OLD RITA NASH WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING CARE TO A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED MAN -- DEPUTIES ALLEGE NASH WOULD LEAVE THE MAN ALONE FOR SEVERAL HOURS AT A TIME AND BEAT HIM WITH A WOODEN BOARD WRAPPED IN DUCT TAPE.....TWO BOARDS MATCHING THE ONE DESCRIBED IN THE ALLEGATION WERE FOUND IN THE HOME.. NASH WAS BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEUCORRECTIONAL CENTER AFTER SHE REPORTEDLY CONFIRMED THE ALLEGATIONS TO DETECTIVES.

DEQ ACCEPTS NOMINATIONS FOR GULF GAURDIAN AWARDS

January 25, 2011

The following is a press release from the Department of Environmental Quality:

DEQ Seeks Nominations for 2011 Gulf Guardian Awards by March 15

BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is seeking entries for the Gulf Guardian Awards Program. As a member of the Gulf of Mexico Program and Gulf of Mexico Alliance, DEQ is encouraging Louisiana residents to nominate citizens, companies and organizations that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf of Mexico and associated coastal water habitats healthy, beautiful and productive.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program partnership created the Gulf Guardian Award in 2000. The award was developed as a way to honor individuals, businesses and groups who are striving to make an environmental difference in the Gulf of Mexico. For 2011, first, second and third place awards are given in Seven categories: Business and Industry, Bi-National partnership efforts, Civic/Nonprofit, Youth Environmental Education, Partnerships, Individual and Environmental Justice/Cultural Diversity

The Gulf of Mexico Program partnership is underwritten by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and is a non-regulatory, inclusive consortium of state and federal government agencies and representatives of the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, scientists, and community leaders from all across the five Gulf Statesand Mexico.

Entry forms for the 2011 Gulf Guardian Award are available online at www.epa.gov/gmpo, in both English and Spanish. The deadline for nominations is March 15. Please complete the form and email it to gulf.guardian@epa.gov. For assistance with the application process or for more information call Dugan Sabins with DEQ at 225-219-3188.

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NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN MILLENNIUM PARK FIRE

January 24, 2011

LAKE CHARLES POLICE WILL MEET WITH REPORTERS TODAY TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE INTO THEIR INVESTIGATION OF A FIRE THAT DESTROYED MUCH OF MILLENNIUM PARK….ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, SOMEONE SET FIRE TO THE 20 THOUSAND SQ FT PARK THAT WAS BUILT WITH THE HELP OF MORE THAN 5,000 VOLUNTEERS…..THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS THAT A 17 YEAR OLD WAS BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU CORRECTIONAL CENTER CHARGES WITH SIMPLE ARSON – HE’S BEING HELD ON 60 THOUSAND DOLLARS BOND HOWEVER THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE CONFIRMATION IF THE ARREST WAS IN CONNECTION TO THE PARK FIRE --- KYKZ 96 WILL HAVE A CREW AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE AND WE'LL HAVE MORE INFORMATION FOR YOU AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE...

EPA INSISTS MOSSVILLE IS NOT TOXIC

January 21, 2011

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HAS RELEASED THE RESULTS FROM THEIR YEAR LONG INVESTIGATION INTO MOSSVILLE -- MANY RESIDENTS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT POLLUTION FROM THE AREA INDUSTRIAL PLANTS ARE TO BLAME FOR SICKNESS AND EVEN DEATHS IN THEIR FAMILIES...OFFICIALS SAY THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT WIDESPREAD CONTAMINATION AND THAT THE COMMUNITY DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR LISTING AS A SUPERFUND SITE….THE RESULTS ARE BASED ON FINDINGS FROM GROUND AND TAP WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN MOSSVILLE...

LIGHTING PROJECT FOR I-10 BRIDGE STALLS

January 20, 2011

IT'S BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD FOR THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES AS MAYOR RANDY ROACH ANNOUNCED THERE WILL BE NO LIGHTS INSTALLED ON THE INTERSTATE 10 CALCASIEU RIVER BRIDGE ANYTIME SOON....THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT REFUSED TO ALLOW THE PROJECT TO GO FORWARD -- SAYING THE LIGHTING SYSTEM CHOSEN FOR THE BRIDGE, WAS NOT ADEQUATE... MAYOR ROACH SAYS WHILE THEY ARE BACK AT SQUARE ONE WITH THE PROJECT, THEIR EFFORTS ARE FAR FROM OVER AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO MEET WITH THE DOTD TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM......

2 MS WOMEN ARRESTED IN LAKE CHARLES

January 19, 2011

A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP ON 1 10 IN LAKE CHARLES TURNS UP OVER 80 THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF COCAINE.....CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES SAY AFTER PULLING OVER THE CAR, THE DRIVER, 30 YEAR OLD AYANNA MCIVER OF MISSOURI BEGAN ACTING SUSPICIOUSLY -- A K-9 WAS BROUGHT TO THE SCENE AND HIT ON THE ODOR OF NARCOTICS COMING FROM THE TRUCK OF THE CAR.... IT WAS THEN DEPUTIES FOUND OVER 80 THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF COCAINE... MCIVER AND A PASSENGER IN HER CAR WERE ARRESTED, BOTH CHARGED WITH POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE ALSO -- BOND IS SET AT 8 THOUSAND DOLLARS EACH...

STAND OFF IN LAKE CHARLES ENDS PEACEFULLY

January 17, 2011

DETECTIVES AT THE LAKE CHARLES POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING AN OVERNIGHT STANDOFF -- THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A HOME IN THE 600 BLOCK OF NORTH CHERRY STREET -- LAKE CHARLES POLICE SGT. MARK KRAUS SAYS THEY WERE CALLED OUT IN RESPONSE TO A COMPLAINT -- UPON ARRIVAL THE MAN WAS UNCOOPERATIVE AND REFUSED TO COME OUT OF THE HOUSE....THE SWAT TEAM WAS CALLED IN AND AFTER A 3 HOUR STANDOFF,--- THEY USED TEAR GAS, ENTERED THE HOME AND TOOK THE UNIDENTIFIED MALE INTO CUSTODY....HE WAS BROUGHT TO THE POLICE STATION FOR QUESTIONING....SGT. KRAUS SAYS MORE DETAILS ON THIS STORY SHOULD BE RELEASED LATER TODAY. WE'LL OF COURSE KEEP YOU POSTED....

CRASH ON RYAN STREET

January 14, 2011

A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT THE INTERSECTION OF RYAN AND CLARENCE STREETS IN LAKE CHARLES SENDS TWO PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL --- THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND 7 THIS MORNING, AND INVOLVED A CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S DEPUTY PATROL CAR AND WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SINGLE CAB TRUCK -- THE TRUCK WAS COMPLETELY OVERTURNED AND THE PATROL CAR RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END... OUR SOURCES TELL US ONE PERSON WAS TAKEN TO ST. PATRICK'S HOSPITAL -- THE OTHER TO LAKECHARLESMEMORIALHOSPITAL-- THEIR CONDITIONS ARE UNKNOWN, WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY AND WE'LL BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE...

EDWARDS RELEASED FROM JAIL

January 13, 2011

AFTER SERVING 8 AND A HALF YEARS OF HIS 10 YEAR SENTENCE -- FORMER LOUISIANA GOV. EDWIN EDWARDS HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM THE OAKDALE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY -- EDWARDS ARRIVED EARLIER THIS MORNING IN BATON ROUGE WHERE HE WILL HAVE TO REGULARLY CHECK IN WITH A HALF-WAY HOUSE -- ACCORDING TO REPORTS, DUE TO HIS GOOD BEHAVIOR IN JAIL -- EDWARDS, WHO IS NOW 83 YEARS OLD, WILL BE ALLOWED TO LIVE WITH HIS DAUGHTER IN BATON ROUGE FOR THE NEXT 6 MONTHS AS OPPOSED TO ACTUALLY STAYING AT THE HALF-WAY HOUSE... ALSO AS PART OF HIS EARLY RELEASE, EDWARDS WILL HAVE TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT AND BE ON TWO YEARS PROBATION.

FATAL ACCIDENT IN WELSH

January 12, 2011

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO A FATAL ACCIDENT INVOLVING A FREIGHT TRAIN AND A VEHICLE IN WELSH… THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 11 P.M. TUESDAY, AT THE CROSSING ON SOUTH ELM STREET AND INVOLVED A BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE FREIGHT TRAIN…AT LEAST ONE PERSON, WHO HAS NOT YET BEEN IDENTIFIED, WAS KILLED….DETAILS ON THE WRECK ARE EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED LATER TODAY…

A PILLAR IN LAKE AREA COMMUNITY DIES

January 11, 2011

THE LAKE AREA IS MOURNING THE DEATH OF JAMES "HAWK" HERFORD.....HERFORD SERVED AS WESTLAKE POLICE CHIEF FOR 20 YEARS AS WELL AS SERVING ON THE LAKE CHARLES PORT BOARD AND THE STATE PARDON BOARD......HERFORD DIED AT THE AGE OF 63 IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA WHILE ON VACATION....ACCORDING TO REPORTS, HE PASSED OUT AT THE HOTEL AND WAS UNABLE TO BE REVIVED....THE CAUSE OF DEATH REMAINS UNKNOWN AND FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE STILL PENDING...

ARSONIST(S) ATTACK LOCAL PARK

January 10, 2011

THE LAKE CHARLES FIRE DEPARTMENT AND STATE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE ARE INVESTIGATING AN ARSON FIRE AT THE SHIVER ME TIMERS MILLENNIUM PARK.... THE BLAZE BROKE OUT AT 5:30 YESTERDAY MORNING... LAKE CHARLES FIRE PREVENTION CHIEF T.A. JONES SAYS THE STATE MARSHALL ARSON DOG WENT OVER THE SCENE AND HIT ON SEVERAL PLACES... SAMPLES HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THOSE LOCATIONS AND SENT TO A LAB FOR TESTING...CHIEF JONES URGES ANYONE WITH INFORMATION TO CONTACT THE FIRE PREVENTION OFFICE AT 491-1368 OR LAKE CHARLES POLICE AT 491-1311....WE UNDERSTAND ABOUT HALF OF THE 20 THOUSAND SQ FOOT PARK WAS DESTROYED....

ROBERT WILKINS FOUND GUILTY

January 7, 2011

AFTER NEARLY 7 YEARS -- A VERDICT HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN TO THE MAN ACCUSED OF MURDERING 32 YR OLD ANTHONY FONTENOT -- IT TOOK JURORS 3 HOURS TO FIND 34 YR OLD ROBERT WILKINS GUILTY OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER, WHICH CARRIES A MANDATORY SENTENCE OF LIFE IN PRISON...FONTENOT WAS STABBED TO DEATH AND HIS BODY FOUND NEAR THE CHOUPIQUE BRIDGE IN CARLYSS IN SEPTEMBER OF 2004...

1^st ANNUAL SGT. ALAN INZER RUN TO BE HELD

January 6, 2011

THE FIRST ANNUAL SGT. ALAN INZER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND 5K RUN WILL BE TAKING PLACE THIS WEEKEND. IN 2007, WHILE OFF DUTY, SGT. INZER WAS KILLED TRYING TO STOP A BURGLARY IN PROGRESS -- IN HONOR OF SGT. INZER, HIS FAMILY HAS SET UP A SCHOLARSHIP FUND AT MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY IN THE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT FIELD OF STUDY…THE 5K RUN WILL BEGIN AT 8:00 SATURDAY MORNING AT THE LAKE CHARLES CIVIC CENTER REGISTRATION BEINGS AT 6:30 AND IS 20 DOLLARS... FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO REGISTER, YOU CAN CONTACT SHANNONCHESSON AT 337-348-2285 OR EMAIL HER AT SCHESSON@CPSO.COM

CPPJ ANNOUNCES HOUSING PROGRAMS

January 5, 2011

BEGINNING TODAY APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR TWO NEW PROGRAMS TO HELP FAMILIES IN CALCASIEU PARISH -- THE PARISH POLICE JURY'S HOUSING DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THE PROGRAMS YESTERDAY AT A PRESS CONFERENCE -- THE FIRST IS THE HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM THAT WILL OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO MAY BE FACING EVICTION....THE SECOND IS A PROGRAM AIMED AT OFFERING COUNSELING TO RESIDENTS OF ALL INCOME LEVELS....THE APPLICATIONS ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED AT THE POLICE JURY'S HOUSING DEPARTMENT OFFICE...

HUNDREDS OF DEAD BIRDS FALL FROM THE SKY IN LA

January 4, 2011

IT'S A MYSTERIOUS STORY THAT WAS FIRST REPORTED IN ARKANSAS -- THOUSANDS OF DEAD BIRDS FALLING FROM THE SKY - NOW THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE MIGRATED TO LOUISIANA -- THE ADVOCATE REPORTS THE SAME SITUATION WAS DISCOVERED ALONG A QUARTER MILE STRETCH OF HWY 1 IN POINTE COUPEE PARISH.....THE NEWSPAPER SAYS ABOUT 500 RED WINGED BLACKBIRDS AND STARLINGS WERE FOUND MONDAY.....SOME OF THE DEAD BIRDS ARE BEING SENT TO LABS IN GEORGIA AND WISCONSIN IN AN EFFORT TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED.....BIOLOGISTS SAY AT THIS TIME, THE SUDDEN BIRD DEATHS DO NOT APPEAR TO POSE A THREAT TO HUMAN LIFE...

CALIFORNIA MAN KILLED NEAR WELSH

January 3, 2011

A FREAK ACCIDENT ON I-10 WEST IN JEFF DAVIS PARISH EARLY NEW YEAR'S DAY COST A CALIFORNIA MAN HIS LIFE...LOUISIANA STATE POLICE SAY 41 YEAR OLD JOSEPH GAUSHELL OF PASADENA STRUCK A HORSE WALKING IN HIS LANE OF TRAVEL JUST BEFORE 12:30 SATURDAY MORNING...THE HORSE DIED AT THE SCENE WHILE GAUSHELL DIED OF HIS INJURIES AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL...THE HORSE'S OWNER, 52 YEAR OLD NATHANIAL LYONS OF WELSH WAS ARRESTED FOR NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE...TROOPERS SAY LYONS HAD RECEIVED A NUMBER OF WARNINGS IN THE PAST FOR NOT PROPERLY SECURING HIS HORSE...

STATE TROOPERS WILL BE IN OUT IN FULL FORCE FOR NEW YEARS

December 30, 2010

THIS SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE, BUT IT'S WORTH A REMINDER -- STATE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL EDMONDSON SAYS TROOPERS WILL BE OUT IN FORCE FOR THE NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY WEEKEND....HE SAYS MOTORIST WHO DON'T ALREADY DO SO, SHOULD MAKE A RESOLUTION TO BUCKLE UP IN 2011...HE SAYS FOUR OF THE FIVE FATAL ACCIDENTS IN LOUISIANA DURING CHRISTMAS WEEKEND INVOLVED UNRESTRAINED DRIVERS....

UPDATE TO AUTO PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT IN DEQUINCY

December 29, 2010

A 7 YEAR OLD LAKE CHARLES BOY CONTINUES TO MAKE PROGRESS IN HIS RECOVERY AFTER BEING HIT BY A CAR IN DEQUINCY ON MONDAY -- THE CHILD WAS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT AN ALEXANDRIA HOSPITAL BUT WE ARE TOLD THAT HIS CONDITION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO STABLE....THE BOY AND HIS GRANDFATHER WERE LEAVING DAIRY QUEEN WHEN HE RAN INTO THE ROAD AND WAS HIT....

BLACK BAYOU PONTOON BRIDGE HIT BY BARGE

December 28, 2010

The following is a press release from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development:

BLACK BAYOU PONTOON BRIDGE, LA 384

The Department of Transportation & Development advises that the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge on LA 384 (Big Lake Road) north of Deatonville, will be closed to vehicular traffic indefinitely for repairs after being struck by a barge overnight. A damage assessment will be made this morning. Repairs will begin soon thereafter. A follow-up release will be issued regarding the duration of the closure once a repair schedule can be made. The bridge will remain open to marine traffic only.

Motorist in the Deatonville & Big Pasture areas are advised to detour by way of the Grand Lake Pontoon Bridge and LA 385.

THE LAKE CHARLES MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS WIFE DIES

December 23, 2010

THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS NOW INVESTIGATING A MURDER-SUICIDE THAT TOOK PLACE TUESDAY AFTERNOON AT A HOME ON HEARD ROAD.....85 YEAR OLD GURFEY LEGER IS BELIEVED TO HAVE KILLED HIS WIFE, 82 YEAR OLD ETHEL LEGER, AND THEN TURNED THE GUN ON HIMSELF.....COMMANDER JAMES MCGEE WITH THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS MR. LEGER DIED AT 8:30 LAST NIGHT AFTER BEING LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION SINCE THE SHOOTINGS...THERE'S STILL NO WORD YET FOR A MOTIVE....

LATEST ON MURDER-ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN LAKE CHARLES

December 22, 2010

THE CALCASIEUSHERIFF'S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING AN APPARENT MURDER - ATTEMPTED SUICIDE INVOLVING AN ELDERLY LAKE CHARLES COUPLE --- 85 YEAR OLD GURFY JOSEPH LEGER REPORTEDLY CALLED HIS FAMILY AND SAID HE WAS "GOING TO DO SOMETHING."....THE FAMILY CALLED 9-11 BUT BY THE TIME DEPUTIES ARRIVED AT THE HOME ON HEARD ROAD, IT WAS TOO LATE.....DETECTIVES BELIEVE LEGER SHOT AND KILLED HIS 82 YEAR OLD WIFE ETHEL LEGER THEN TURNED THE GUN ON HIMSELF -- AT LAST CHECK MR. LEGER IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT AN AREA HOSPITAL...THERE'S NO WORD YET AS TO A MOTIVE FOR THE DEADLY SHOOTING BUT KYKZ 96 WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY AND BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE...

SEVERAL LAKE AREA SOLDIERS RETURN HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

December 21, 2010

DOZENS OF LOUISIANA NATIONAL GUARDS MEMBERS WILL RETURN TO SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA THIS MORNING AFTER A TOUR IN IRAQ.....65 MEMBERS OF THE 256TH INFANTRY BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM ARE SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AT THE INFANTRY BATTALION ARMORY IN LAKE CHARLES AROUND 11:30 THIS MORNING....THE SOLDIERS MISSIONS INCLUDED PERSONAL SECURITY ---- ENTRY CONTROL POINT OPERATIONS AND CONVOY SECURITY....

DONATIONS BEING COLLECTED FOR CARLYSS FAMILY

December 20, 2010

DONATIONS ARE NOW BEING COLLECTED FOR THE CARLYSS FAMILY WHOSE HOME BURNT DOWN OVERNIGHT -- THE HOUSE ON 824 DAVE DUGAS ROADWAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE THANKFULLY, THE MOTHER AND HER THREE CHILDREN MADE IT OUT SAFELY... OFFICIALS FROM CAMERON STATE BANK ARE COLLECTING DONATIONS FOR THE CORMIER FAMILY...IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE A MONETARY DONATION, YOU CAN DO SO AT ANY BRANCH OF CAMERON STATE BANK, JUST ASK FOR THE GAYE CORMIER FUND.... BELOW IS A LIST OF THE CHILDREN’S AGES AND CLOTHING SIZES…THE CHILDREN ARE ALSO IN NEED OF SCHOOL UNIFORMS…

GAYE

SIZE 6 PANTS

LARGE BLOUSE

SIZE 9 SHOES

MEGAN

AGE 11

SIZE 12 JEANS

SIZE 5 SHOES

LARGE SHIRT

MOLLY

AGE 10

SIZE 8 JEANS

SIZE 2 SHOES

MEDIUM SHIRT

MATT

AGE 6

SIZE 5 JEANS

SIZE 12.5 SHOES

SMALL SHIRT

SULPHUR MAN KILLED IN PLANE CRASH

December 20, 2010

AUTHORITIES ARE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE SATURDAY AFTERNOON CRASH OF A SINGLE-ENGINE CESSNA 182 IN ACADIA PARISH THAT KILLED THREE PEOPLE AND INJURED TWO OTHERS…AN OFFICIAL WITH THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION SAYS EYEWITNESSES SAW THE PLANE CARRYING GA GROUP OF SKYDIVERS LOSE POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF, ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE LEGROS MEMORIAL AIRPORT IN ESTHERWOOD, BUT MOMENTS LATER SLAM INTO THE GROUND WHERE IT BURST INTO FLAMES…. THE PILOT OF THE AIRCRAFT, 56 YEAR OLD JEFFERY DILLE OF SULPHURWAS AMONG THE THREE MEN KILLED IN THE CRASH…THE OTHER VICTIMS SUFFERED NON-LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES….

A RECALL PETITION IS FILED AGAINST GOV. JINDAL

December 16, 2010

AN OPELOUSAS COUPLE HAS FILED A RECALL PETITION AGAINST GOV. BOBBY JINDAL.....RONNIE CAESAR SAYS HE AND HIS WIFE JOYCE ARE TRYING TO HAVE THE GOVERNOR RECALLED DUE TO THE BUDGET CUTS THAT HAVE PUT A SIGNIFICANT STRAIN ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE..... THE COUPLE HAS 180 DAYS TO GATHER OVER 900 THOUSAND SIGNATURES FOR A SPECIAL RECALL ELECTION....SINCE JINDAL TOOK OFFICE, 4 ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO HAVE A RECALL ELECTION HOWEVER NONE WERE SUCCESSFUL....GOV. JINDAL SAYS THE BUDGET CUTS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID TAX INCREASES...

THE PORT SUES PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT

December 15, 2010

A BATTLE OVER LAND IN LAKE CHARLES HAS TURNED UGLY AS THE PORT HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT -- IN THE SUIT, THE LAKE CHARLES HARBOR AND TERMINAL DISTRICT SAYS PINNACLE IS BEING UNFAIR IN PREVENTING A CASINO OWNED BY ANOTHER COMPANY TO BE BUILT ON THE PROPERTY THAT WAS INTENDED FOR SUGAR CANE BAY, BEFORE THE PLANS WERE SCRAPPED.... YOU MAY REMEMBER EARLIER THIS MONTH, A JUDGE RULED THAT PINNACLE WAS IN VIOLATION OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT THAT STATES A CASINO MUST BE BUILT ON THE PROPERTY....PINNACLE FILED THE INITIAL LAWSUIT AFTER THE PORT ENGAGED IN LEASE NEGATIONS WITH CREATIVE CASINOS, WHICH IS OWNED BY A FORMER PINNACLE EXECUTIVE.....

LOCAL ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALIST UNDER INVESTIGATION
December 14, 2010

THE 24-HOUR NEWS CENTER HAS LEARNED THE FBI IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION AT THE OFFICE OF DR LYNN FORET. WE SPOKE WITH AN FBI MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE IN NEW ORLEANS, TUESDAY AFTERNOON, AND WHILE THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT YET GRANTING INTERVIEWS ON THIS CASE, HERE'S THE INFORMATION WE WERE ABLE TO CONFIRM: FOUR AGENCIES ARE INVOLVED IN THE SEARCH AT DR FORET'S OFFICE ON DR MICHAEL DEBAKEY DRIVE. THEY ARE, THE FBI, THE U-S FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION'S CRIMINAL DIVISION, THE LA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, MEDICAID FRAUD UNIT, AND THE UNITED STATES HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THE SEARCH IS IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN ONGOING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. KYKZ 96 WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY AND BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

MORE LANE CLOSURES ON I-210

December 13, 2010

AS WORK CONTINUES ALONG INTERSTATE 210 THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT HAS ANNOUNCED A CLOSURE IS SCHEDULED FOR THE I-210 BRIDGE.....BEGINNING AT 10 O'CLOCK TUESDAY MORNING THE I-210 EASTBOUND LEFT LANE WILL BE CLOSED FOR DRAINAGE REPAIRS...WE UNDERSTAND THAT LANE WILL REMAIN CLOSED TO TRAFFIC UNTIL NOON ON FRIDAY...

BREAKING NEWS – HIGH SPEED PURSUIT ON I-10

December 10, 2010

AUTHORITIES WITH THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND LOUISIANA STATE POLICE WERE INVOLVED IN A HIGH SPEED PURSUIT WITH A LEXUS THAT BEGAN NEAR IOWA AROUND 5 :40 THIS MORNING -- STATE POLICE TROOP D SGT JAMES ANDERSON SAYS THEY WERE ABLE TO LAY A SPIKE STRIP DOWN NEAR JENNINGS TO STOP THE VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH DURING SOME MOMENTS OF THE CHASE...DETAILS ARE LIMITED AT THIS TIME HOWEVER CONTINUE TO MONITOR KYKZ.COM AND LISTEN TO 96.1 AS WE WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE…

TWO DEAD, ONE IN CRITICAL CONDITION FOLLOWING TRAGIC ACCIDENT NEAR DEQUINCY

December 9, 2010

A SECOND PERSON HAS LOST THEIR LIFE DUE TO INJURIES SUSTAINED IN AN EARLY MORNING ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENED AROUND 7 THIS MORNING ON HIGHWAY 27 NEAR HOLBROOK PARK ROAD. STATE POLICE SAY ONE VEHICLE CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND STRUCK ANOTHER HEAD-ON. ONE PERSON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE... THE OTHER DIED LATER AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL. SGT JAMES ANDERSON WITH TROOP D SAYS THREE OTHERS REMAIN GHOSPITALIZED, ONE IN CRITICAL CONDITION. NO NAMES HAVE BEEN RELEASED. WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY AND BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

FATAL CRASH ON HWY 27

December 9, 2010

NEW DETAILS ARE EMERGING ABOUT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED JUST BEFORE 7 THIS MORNING ON HWY 27 NEAR HOLBROOK PARK ROAD IN DEQUINCY --- LOUISIANA STATE POLICE TROOP D SGT JAMES ANDERSON SAYS A FORD PICK UP TRUCK CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND STRUCK ANOTHER FORD PICK UP THAT WAS TRAVELING SOUTH... SGT. ANDERSON SAYS ONE PERSON WAS KILLED, TWO OTHERS ARE IN CRITICAL CONDITION AND TWO SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES...NO NAMES HAVE BEEN RELEASED AT THIS TIME...

CROSSING STATE LINES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE
December 8, 2010

CALCASIEU PARISH DISTRICT ATTORNEY, JOHN DEROSSIER, TODAY HOSTED A JOINT MEETING BETWEEN LOUISIANA AND TEXAS OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS ISSUES WITH CURRENT DRUG LEGISLATION. REPRESENTATIVES FROM BOTH STATES PARTICIPATED IN THE MEETING AT L'AUBERGE DU LAC. CALCASIEU LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THEIR TEXAS COUNTERPARTS TO STOP THE FLOW OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION ACROSS STATE LINES.

LSP INVESTIGATE SHOOTING INVOLVING LCPD OFFICER

December 8, 2010

LOUISIANA STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING INVOLVING A LAKE CHARLES POLICE OFFICER. IT HAPPENED AROUND 11-30 MONDAY NIGHT WHEN OFFICERS RESPONDED TO CALL OF A MAN WALKING AROUND AT AN APARTMENT COMPLEX ON MILL STREETWAVING A GUN. WHEN ONE OF THE OFFICERS ATTEMPTED TO TAZER THE SUSPECT, 71-YEAR-OLD LINCOLNFRANK, HE TURNED THE GUN ON HIM AND REFUSED TO DROP HIS WEAPON... THAT'S WHEN ANOTHER OFFICER FIRED. FRANK WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCALHOSPITALIN STABLE CONDITION.

ELIZABETH EDWARDS DIES AT 61
December 7, 2010

THE ESTRANGED WIFE OF FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER JOHN EDWARDS PASSED AWAY TUESDAY AT THE AGE OF 61. ELIZABETH EDWARDS BEGAN BATTLING BREAT CANCER BACK IN 2004 AND YESTERDAY IT WAS ANNOUNCED SHE WAS STOPPING ALL FURTHER TREATMENT ON THE ADVICE OF HER DOCTORS. THE EDWARDS FAMILY SAID ELIZABETH'S CANCER HAD SPREAD TO HER LIVER AND FURTHER TREATMENT, QUOTE, "WOULD BE UNPRODUCTIVE." SHE PASSED AWAY AT HER HOME IN CHAPEL HILL WHERE FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAD GATHERED OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS.

LAKE CHARLES MAN FACING ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES

December 7, 2010

JEFF DAVIS SHERIFF RICKY EDWARDS HAS ANNOUNCED THEY'VE MADE 2 ARRESTS IN THE SUNDAY MORNING BEATING AND STABBING OF A SILVERWOOD MAN ..20 YEAR OLD CHRISTOPHER MARSHALL OF LAKE CHARLES AND 17 YEAR OLD TIFFANY SAUCIER OF JENNINGS ARE BOTH CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER -- THE 20 YR OLD VICTIM WAS TAKEN TO LAKE CHARLES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH NUMEROUS STAB WOUNDS WERE HE IS SAID TO BE IN STABLE CONDITION....

CPSO INVESTIGATES MURDER IN MOSS BLUFF

December 6, 2010

THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING AN APPARENT HOMICIDE IN MOSS BLUFF -- DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED TO A HOME ON SAM HOUSTON JONES PARKWAY SHORTLY BEFORE MIDNIGHT WHEN A MAN CALLED 9-1-1 AND STATED HE HAD JUST MURDERED HIS WIFE....UPON ARRIVAL DEPUTIES FOUND THE WOMAN DEAD IN THE BEDROOM -- THE IDENTITY OF THOSE INVOLVED HAVE YET TO BE RELEASED PENDING NEXT OF KIN NOTIFICATION

HUNTING TRIP TURNS DEADLY

December 6, 2010

A HUNTING ACCIDENT IN BEAUREGARD PARISH CLAIMS THE LIFE OF A LAKE CHARLES MAN -- AUTHORITIES SAY 41 YEAR OLD PATRICK KYLE MOORE WAS HUNTING WITH HIS FATHER AROUND 6 P.M. WHEN THE SUN HAD SET HE WOUND UP IN HIS FATHER'S LINE OF FIRE…MOORE WAS SHOT ONCE IN THE CHEST AND DIED A SHORT TIME LATER….THE LACK OF SUNLIGHT CREATED LIMITED VISIBILITY FOR MOORE'S FATHER ULTIMATELY LEADING TO THE TRAGIC ACCIDENT...MOORE, AN ARMY VETERAN WILL BE LAID TO REST TOMORROW AFTERNOON....

KENNEDY OUTLINES PLANS FOR STATE'S BUDGET

November 30, 2010

SPEAKING AT THE HARLEQUIN RESTAURANT IN LAKE CHARLES WEDNESDAY, STATE TREASURER JOHN KENNEDY OUTLINED HIS PLANS TO RESTRUCTURE LOUISIANA'S BUDGET -- KENNEDY SAYS BY NOT RAISING TAXES AND SLOWLY CUTTING BACK ON STATE JOBS LOUISIANA COULD SAVE BETWEEN 400 AND 600 MILLION EACH YEAR -- IN HIS PLAN, NO LAYOFFS ARE NECESSARY SIMPLY AS PEOPLE RETIRE OR RESIGN FROM STATE POSITIONS, THAT POST WILL BE LEFT VACANT...TO VIEW KENNEDY'S 16 POINT PLAN TO BALANCE THE STATE'S BUDGET CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK..

http://www.treasury.state.la.us/Lists/SiteArticlesByCat/DispForm_Single.aspx?List=c023d63e-ac65-439d-af97-da71d8688dff&ID=652&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.treasury.state.la.us%2FHome+Pages%2FNewsRoom.aspx

VIDEO OF SUSPECTED TOYS FOR TOTS THEIF RELEASED

November 30, 2010

AS THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR THE GRINCH WHO STOLE DONATED CHRISTMAS TOYS -- SULPHUR POLICE HAVE RELEASED A DISCRIPTION OF THE MAN THEY BELIEVE IS BEHIND THE UPSETTING CRIME -- SURVEILLENCE FOOTAGE FROM WALGREENS SHOWS THE SUSPECT TAKING THE TOYS FOR TOTS DONATION BOX OUT OF THE STORE THEN BRINGING BACK INSIDE EMPTY-- THE MAN IS DESCRIBED AS BEING 22O POUNDS AND ABOUT 6 FOOT TALL -- ALSO, FOOTAGE RECOVERED FROM WALMART’S PARKING LOT SHOWS HIM AS DRIVING WHAT LOOKS LIKE A WHITE, G-M-C OR CHEVY CUSTOM VAN WITH A MAROON STRIPE.... ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE SUSPECT IS ASKED TO CALL SULPHUR POLICE AT 527-4550...

I – 210 RAMP CLOSURES

November 29, 2010

The following is a press release from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development :

I-210 NIGHTTIME LANE & RAMP CLOSURES

The following closures will occur on I-210 each night during the week of November 29^th from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. as follows:

· Monday Night, November 29, 2010: I-210 west bound will be closed at Lake Street and all west bound traffic must exit. West bound I-210 may be accessed beyond the Lake Street interchange by proceeding west on LA 1138-2 (Prien Lake Road) to Nelson Road.

· Tuesday Night, November 30, 2010: I-210 east bound will be closed at its junction with I-10 near Sulphur. Access to I-210 eastbound from I-10 west bound Exit 25 and the on ramp from Pete Manena Road will be closed also.

· Wednesday Night, December 1, 2010: I-210 east bound will be closed at Nelson Road and all east bound traffic must exit. East bound I-210 may be accessed beyond the Nelson Road interchange by proceeding east on LA 1138-2 (Prien Lake Road) to Lake Street.

· Thursday Night, December 2, 2010: I-210 east bound will be closed at Nelson Road and all east bound traffic must exit. East bound I-210 may be accessed beyond the Nelson Road interchange by proceeding east on LA 1138-2 (Prien Lake Road) to Lake Street.

Closures are necessary to install new overhead signs.

STARKS MAN ARRESTED FOR INCEST

November 24, 2010

A STARKS MAN IS ARRESTED ON AGGRAVATED INCEST CHARGES... 61 YEAR OLD ROBERT STANLEY WAS THE TARGET OF A NEARLY MONTH LONG INVESTIGATION BY THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE -- DURING THE INVESTIGATION, DETECTIVES LEARNED STANLEY HAD INAPPROPRIATELY TOUCHED AND HAD SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH A 14 YEAR OLD GIRL ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SINCE DECEMBER 2009...STANLEY IS ALSO ACCUSED OF STALKING THE TEEN -- HIS BOND IS SET AT 200 THOUSAND DOLLARS...

2 BODIES FOUND IN LAKE CHARLES

November 23, 2010

DETECTIVES WITH THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARE INVESTIGATING WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MURDER - SUICIDE IN SOUTHLAKECHARLES - THE BODIES OF 43 YEAR OLD DAVID AND 43 YEAR OLD MELISSA HOFFPAUIR WERE FOUND AROUND 1 O'CLOCK YESTERDAY AFTERNOON BY DEPUTIES WHO WENT TO THE HOME AFTER AN EMPLOYER STATED ONE OF HIS EMPLOYEES HAD NOT REPORTED TO WORK. INVESTIGATORS SUSPECT MR. HOFFPAUIR SHOT HIS EX WIFE AND THEN TURNED THE GUN ON HIMSELF...

11^TH ANNUAL CAMPOUT FOR A CAUSE UNDERWAY

November 22, 2010

CUMULUS BROADCASTING'S JUSTIN KASE IS ONCE AGAIN DOING HIS PART TO ENSURE NO ONE IN OUR COMMUNITY GOES HUNGRY THIS THANKSGIVING --- JUSTIN IS CAMPING OUT ON A FLAT BED TRAILER IN FRONT OF THE ASHLEY FURNITURE HOME STORE ON HWY 14 FOR THE 11^TH ANNUAL CAMP OUT FOR A CAUSE.....HE WILL BE THERE DAY AND NIGHT UNTIL WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON COLLECTING FOOD DONATIONS FOR ABRAHAM'S TENT..

CPPJ SLASHES 20 MILLION FOR 2011 BUDGET

November 19, 2010

CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURORS APPEAR TO HAVE TAKEN ON THE "DO MORE WITH LESS" ATTITUDE... AS THEY'VE ANNOUNCED THEY'VE CUT 20 MILLION DOLLARS FROM NEXT YEARS BUDGET --- PARISH ADMINISTRATOR BRYAN BEAM SAYS IN 2011 THE BUDGET FOR CALCASIEU IS 161.7 MILLION DOLLARS COMPARED TO THE 2010 BUDGET OF 180 MILLION.....BEAM SAYS THEY WILL STILL PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY SERVICES WHILE FOCUSING ON COST CONTAINMENT.....

HUNTERS DEATH UNDER INVESTIGATION
November 18, 2010

AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY INTO THE DEATH OF AN OAKDALE HUNTER. 55-YEAR-OLD BOBBY FONTENOT WAS REPORTED MISSING, TUESDAY, AFTER HE FAILED TO RETURN HOME FROM A HUNTING TRIP, MONDAY EVENING. FONTENOT WAS FOUND DEAD FROM A GUNSHOT WOUND. THE MAN HE WENT HUNTING WITH ALLEGEDLY TOLD DEPUTIES HE LEFT FONTENOT AT THE TRUCK AND WHEN HE RETURNED HE COULDN'T FIND HIM. ALLEN PARISH AUTHORITIES ARE AWAITING AUTOPSY RESULTS, BUT SAY AS OF NOW THE DEATH IS BEING INVESTIGATED AS A HOMICIDE.

INAUGURATION CEREMONY HELD FOR 6^TH PRESIDENT OF MSU

November 15, 2010

HE'S BEEN ON THE JOB SINCE JULY, BUT AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY WAS HELD SUNDAY FOR MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT DR. PHILLIP C. WILLIAMS...HE'S THE SCHOOL'S SIXTH PRESIDENT AND LIKE THE LEADERS OF MOST LOUSIANA COLLEGES, WILLIAMS IS FACED WITH HAVING TO MAKE BUDGET CUTS IN 2011....HE TOLD THOSE GATHERED YESTERDAY THAT HE PLANS TO PRESENT HIS RECOMMENDATIONS THIS WEEK FOR REORGANIZING THE UNIVERSITY'S ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL AND SERVICES.

PROPOSED HALFWAY HOUSE DRAWS OPPOSITION

November 12, 2010

A HALFWAY HOUSE TO BE BUILT IN LAKE CHARLES ISN'T GARNERING MUCH LOCAL SUPPORT...BUT IT’S NOT BECAUSE CITY OFFICIALS DON’T THINK SOME PEOPLE CONVICTED OF CRIMES DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE, IT’S THE LOCATION THAT HAS EVERYONE UPSET….KENTUCKY BASED COMMUNITY TRANSITIONAL SERVICES OF LOUISVILLE IS LOOKING TO BUILD THE HALFWAY HOUSE ON CLINE STREET AND HWY 171 JUST ABOUT 500 FEET AWAY FROM JOHNSON J. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL….LAKE CHARLES POLICE CHIEF DON DIXON SAYS HE IS ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO THE IDEA AND HAS SENT A LETTER TO THE COMPANY EXPRESSING THOSE FEELINGS….WE TRIED TO CONTACT CTS FOR A COMMENT BUT WERE UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH ANYONE…

AVE. OF FLAGS ON DISPLAY

November 11, 2010

OVER 700 FLAGS THAT COVERED THE CASKETS OF FALLEN U.S. SOLDIERS ARE FLYING ON DISPLAY THIS MORNING FOR THE AVENUE OF FLAGS IN DOWNTOWN LAKE CHARLES -- THE DISPLAY IS TO HONOR VETERANS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES SERVING OUR COUNTRY....THE FLAGS WILL BE HOISTED UNTIL 4 O'CLOCK THIS AFTERNOON AT THE ORANGE GROVE GRACELAND CEMETERY ON BROAD STREET....

SUSPECTS IN LAKE CHARLES HOME INVASION REMAIN AT LARGE

November 10, 2010

LAKE CHARLES POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A HOME INVASION ON GULF STREET -- ACCORDING TO THE VICTIM -- A MAN AND WOMAN CAME TO HER HOME MONDAY FOR A MASSAGE -- WHEN SHE WAS HELD AT GUNPOINT -- THE MAN GRABBED HER FROM BEHIND IN A CHOKEHOLD -- AND SHE WAS DUCT TAPED -- THE SUSPECTS WENT ON TO STEAL HER CELL PHONE, A 22 REVOLVER, AND AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF CASH AND THEN FLED IN A GOLD/TAN COLORED CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH A BLACK CONVERTIBLE TOP -- THE VICTIM DESCRIBED THE SUSPECTS AS A WHITE MAN -- 6 FOOT 1 SHORT HAIR, BROWN EYES AND MEDIUM BUILD...THE FEMALE IS ALSO WHITE -- ABOUT 105 POUNDS AND 5 FOOT FIVE WITH BROWN HAIR AND A LIP PIERCING..... ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THIS CRIME IS ASKED TO CALL THE LAKE CHARLES POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 491-1311

LEROY WILLIAMS PLEADS GUILTY

November 10, 2010

THE MAN ACCUSED OF A QUADRUPLE MURDER HAS PLEAD GUILTY TO FOUR COUNTS OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER -- DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOHN DEROSIER SAYS JUST HOURS AFTER THE GUILTY PLEA -- 51 YR OLD LEE ROY WILLIAMS WAS SENTENCED TO FOUR CONSECUTIVE LIFE TERMS IN PRISON WITHOUT POSSIBILITY OF PROBATION, PAROLE OR SUSPENSION OF SENTENCE....WILLIAMS ADMITTED TO MURDERING KENDRICK LAVERGENE, JESSICA EUGENE, TERRY BANKS AND CRYSTAL FRUGE WITH A GUN, KNIFE AND BASEBALL BATE BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO BE EVICTED FROM THE SOUTH LAKE CHARLES MOBILE HOME THAT HE AND THE VICTIMS SHARED...BY PLEADING GUILTY TO THE MURDERS --- WILLIAMS AVOIDED THE DEATH PENALTY....

RALLY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN BATON ROUGE

November 09, 2010

STUDENTS AND FACULTY ARE TAKING A STAND AGAINST HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET CUTS --- TOMORROW HUNDREDS OF PROTESTERS WILL GATHER IN THE STATE'S CAPITAL FOR A RALLY AGAINST 34 MILLION DOLLARS IN BUDGET CUTS TO COLLEGES ACROSS THE STATE -- LSU HAS TAKEN THE HARDEST HIT, SLASHING SOME 20 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THEIR BUDGET.. LOCALLY -- MCNEESE WAS FORCED TO CUT 431 THOUSAND DOLLARS......LOUISIANA STATE POLICE SAY THEY EXPECT THE RALLY TO BE PEACEFUL BUT SAY THEY'VE RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT SOME MAY ATTEMPT TO DISRUPT THE EVENT AND WARN THEY WILL ACT SWIFTLY TO DEAL WITH SUCH ISSUES....THE PROTEST WILL BEGIN AT 11:30 TOMORROW MORNING

TWO CLANDESTINE METH LABS DISCOVERED IN SULPHUR
November 8, 2010

IT WAS A BUSY WEEKEND FOR SULPHUR POLICE AFTER TWO METH LABS ARE DISCOVERED IN AS MANY DAYS. THE FIRST DISCOVERY WAS MADE AT THE CROSSLAND ECONOMY STUDIOS ON MALLARD DRIVE FRIDAY MORNING. CHIEF CHRIS ABRAHAMS SAYS OFFICERS FOUND SEVERAL MAJOR CLANDESTINE LAB PRODUCTS AND OTHER DRUG PARAPHENALIA AT THE SCENE. THEY SAY THE LAB WAS CLEANED UP BUT NO OTHER INFORMATION IS BEING RELEASED AT THIS TIME DUE TO AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION. THEY SAY NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. THE SECOND LAB WAS DISCOVERED SHORTLY BEFORE 8 SATURDAY MORNING AT A HOME ON NORTH HUNTINGTON IN SULPHUR. 38-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH PAUL O'QUAIN AND 43-YEAR-OLD DAVID ELLIS RAVIA WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON SEVERAL DRUG-RELATED CHARGES. EACH ARE BEING HELD ON A 21-THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.

DHH KICKS OFF FIGHT THE FLU CAMPAIGN

November 5, 2010

The following is a press release from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals:

It’s Time to Fight the Flu LA

DHH Encourages Citizens to Get Vaccinated

BATON ROUGE – The Department of Health and Hospitals Thursday officially kicked off its annual “Fight the Flu” campaign urging Louisianians in every corner of the state to get a flu vaccine.

Every year, millions of individuals contract the flu, with more than 36,000 people in the U.S. dying from this virus. The vaccine, which this year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending for anyone over 6 months of age, is the best protection against getting the flu. And medical professionals and officials from DHH gathered in every region with local leaders to stress the importance of vaccinations. .

"Vaccines are the best preventive measure we have to help fight the spread of this illness, and we encourage everyone to get their seasonal flu shot to help protect not only themselves, but their families and friends as well," said DHH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein. "And this year, it’s easier than ever with one vaccine available for both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus. There are no excuses. The flu vaccine has proven to be very safe and effective, and it’s time now for all of us to Fight the Flu, Louisiana."

Flu season began last month, but Louisiana’s flu activity doesn’t peak until January. This gives Louisianians enough time to get vaccinated. While everyone should get a flu vaccine, vaccination is especially critical for certain groups who are at higher risk of developing flu-related complications. Those groups include:

· Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old

· Adults 65 and older

· Pregnant women

· Also, last flu season, American Indians and Alaskan Natives seemed to be at higher risk of flu complications

· People who have a weakened immune system or chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease

“Vaccination is also important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk individuals to keep from spreading flu to people who may be especially susceptible to the virus’ effects.. This includes anyone who works with babies younger than 6 months of age, who are not eligible for the vaccine themselves,” said State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry. “This year’s vaccine is plentiful and available at many places like health care providers, pharmacies, some employers and Louisiana’s parish health units.”

DHH also encourages the public to take preventive actions to stop the spread of the flu.

· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

· Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

· If you are sick with flu–like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)

· While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visithttp://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow DHH’s blog atwww.myhealthla.org, Twitter at http://twitter.com/La_Health_Deptand search for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals on Facebook.

-end-

BOYSVILLAGE IN LAKECHARLES CATCHES FIRE

November 4, 2010

FIRE RIPS THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING AT BOYSVILLAGE, PHOTO PROVIDED BY KYKZ 96 LISTENER KYSHA HEBERT

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO WHAT STARTED A FIRE IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING OF THE BOYS VILLAGE LOCATED JUST EAST OF LAKE CHARLES ON HWY 90…THE FIRE WAS REPORTED TO THE CALCASIEU SHERIFF’S OFFICE AROUND 6:30 THIS MORNING….NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED FROM THE ACCIDENT… THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING COLLAPSED AND IS BELIEVED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS…

POLICE SEARCHING FOR POSSIBLE VICTIMS OF ACCUSED SEX OFFENDER
November 3, 2010

SULPHUR POLICE AND LOUISIANASTATE POLICE TROOP-D HELD A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE, WEDNESDAY, TO ANNOUNCE THE ARREST OF 25-YEAR-OLD ANDREW JOSEPH FUSILIER (ALSO KNOWN AS A.J) OF SHASTA STREET IN SULPHUR. FUSILIER REMAINS BEHIND BARSON BONDS TOTALLING ONE MILLION DOLLARS. HE'S CHARGED WITH SEVEN COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED INCEST AND ONE COUNT OF COMPUTER AIDED SOLICITATION OF A MINOR. HE'S ALSO BEING INVESTIGATED BY CPSO IN THREE ADDITIONAL CASES. DETECTIVES ARE SEARCHING FOR OTHER POSSIBLE VICTIMS. ANYONE WHO'S CHILD MAY HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH FUSILIER IS ASKED TO CONTACT SULPHUR POLICE AT 527-4500.

THE STATE SUES OVER A DOZEN PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES

November 2, 2010

LOUISIANA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL IS GOING AFTER 18 DRUG COMPANIES FOR ALLEGEDLY OVERCHARGING THE STATE'S MEDICAID PROGRAM....BUDDY CALDWELL ALLEGES IN A LAWSUIT FILE THAT THE COMPANIES DELIBERATELY MISREPORTED THEIR DRUG PRICES AS A WAY OF INCREASING PAYMENTS TO THEM FROM MEDICAID...CALDWELL SAYS IT'S BELIEVED THE STATE LOST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF TAX PAYER DOLLARS DUE TO THE COMPANIES....

LOUISIANA VOTERS GEAR UP FOR MID TERM ELECTIONS

November 1, 2010

IT'S A RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK FOR LOUISIANA POLITICANS LOOKING TO GARNER LAST MINUTE VOTES BEFORE TOMORROW'S MID TERM ELECTION – THERE ARE TWO STATEWIDE RACES, SEVERAL CONGRESSIONAL RACES AND TEN CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS THAT VOTERS WILL DECIDE THE FATE OF….THE KEYNOTE RACE IN THE STATE PITS REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATOR DAVID VITTER AGAINST A NUMBER OF CHALLENGERS INCLUDING DEMOCRAT CHARLIE MELANCON, ALL SEEKING TO BLOCK VITTER’S BID FOR ANOTHER TERM…

NORTHRUP GRUMAN EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

October 29, 2010

GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL WAS IN THE LAKEAREA THURSDAY TO CELEBRATE A MAJOR MILESTONE FOR NORTHRUP GRUMAN. JINDAL JOINED COMPANY OFFICIALS , ALONG WITH OFFICIALS FROM CHENNAULTINTERNATIONALAIRPORT, MAYOR RANDY ROACH, AND CONGRESSMAN CHARLES BOUSTANY... TO ANNOUNCE NORTHRUP GRUMAN HAD EXCEEDED ITS PROJECTED JOB CREATION LEVELS RELATED TO THE K-C 10 PROJECT. IN OCTOBER OF 2009 , THE COMPANY WAS AWARDED A NINE-YEAR 3-POINT-8 BILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT FROM THE U-S AIR FORCE TO PROVIDE LOGISTICS SUPPORT FOR THE K-C 10 AIR-TO-AIR TANKER AIRCRAFT. FROM THAT, THE COMPANY HAS CREATED 300 NEW, DIRECT JOBS AND 200 ADDITIONAL CONTRACTOR POSITIONS.

CRASH ON HWY 27 LEAVES 2 IN CRITICAL CONDITION

October 28, 2010

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO A CRASH ON HWY 27 JUST SOUTH OF DERIDDER THAT LEFT TWO PEOPLE IN CRITICAL CONDITION --- STATE POLICE TROOP D SAY AROUND 7:30 LAST NIGHT, 20 YEAR OLD KAYLA FONTENOT OF DERIDDER WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON THE HWY.....FOLLOWING BEHIND HER WAS 53 YEAR OLD GARY MCFATTER -- AS FONTENOT WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY -- MCFATTER STRUCK THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE....FONTENOT AND HER PASSENGER WERE TRANSPORTED TO AN AREA HOSPITAL IN CRITICAL CONDITION -- MCFATTER WAS ARRESTED FOR DWI AND TWO COUNTS OF VEHICULAR NEGLIGENT INJURY....

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