June 2019

LSU AgCenter announces spring rice meetings

CROWLEY — The LSU AgCenter has scheduled a series of meetings for AgCenter experts to inform rice farmers about the latest research findings.

“These meetings are a good opportunity for farmers to learn from our studies what they can do to make their operations more efficient,” said Don Groth, resident coordinator of the AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station.

Presentations will include controlling insect pests, weeds and diseases, Groth said. Fertilizer recommendations and an economic outlook will be included in the presentations.

New Provisia rice variety approved for release

CROWLEY — A new Provisia rice variety recently approved by the LSU AgCenter Rice Variety Release Committee should be available for farmers next year.

The new variety, PVL02, is a long-grain variety, with typical Southern U.S. long-grain cooking characteristics, said AgCenter rice breeder Adam Famoso, who developed the variety with Steve Linscombe, retired AgCenter rice breeder.

This is the second variety to be released for use with the Provisia system.

”It has very good yield potential, very low chalk and excellent milling,” Famoso said.

MISS. RIVER SPILLWAY OPENING POSTPONED TO JUNE 6

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Plans to open a Mississippi River spillway in Louisiana for the third time ever have been put off for four days because the river’s rising more slowly than expected.

The Army Corps of Engineers said in a news release Thursday that it wants to open the Morganza Spillway only when it becomes necessary. The delay will avoid putting additional water into the Atchafalaya Basin.

BAYOU COUNTRY SUPERFEST DREW ABOUT 50K TO B.R.

BATON ROUGE (AP) — The return of Bayou Country Superfest to Louisiana’s state capital drew about 50,000 people over the Memorial Day weekend. The Advocate reports the attendance in Tiger Stadium was less than half the crowd that showed up in 2016 — the last time the event was held in Baton Rouge. It was also smaller than crowds attending the event in New Orleans.

‘Death on the Bayou’ to air

An Investigation Discovery (ID) Channel series, “Death on the Bayou: The Jennings 8,” will be airing in four, one-hour segments the weekend of June 15-16.

The series will focus on the eight unsolved deaths of Jeff Davis women that took place from between 2005 and 2009, commonly referred to as the “Jennings 8.”

While the causes of death were varied - some with their throats slashed while many were too decomposed to determine - all were connected to one another, often seen with the same people in their final hours, said Director of Publicity Debbie Sullivan.

VETS HONORED

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The Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home (SWLVH) recognized six retired heroes with the Louisiana Honor Medal on Thursday at a monthly meeting.

SWLVH Administrative Manager Sam Doucet announced the recipients.

“We pay honor to these men who bravely answered the call and earned the dignity for their discipline and bravery,” said Doucet. “Louisiana appreciates their service to our country.”

Benefit planned Sunday

IOTA — The “little town with a big heart” is pulling together to help a family with medical and funeral costs that were incurred following the death of their 3-year-old son in late April.

Carson Brown, 3, died in a Lafayette hospital April 27 after being discovered unconscious in a Hathaway pond. His parents are Alejandra and Zack Brown.

City’s public pool to open for summer season

The public pool in Jennings offers a place to beat the summer heat. It is set to open on Monday, June 3.

“The pool will be open for general swim from 2-5 p.m. Monday through Friday,” said manager Lisa Charles. “Admission is $1.50 per person.”

Charles reminds pool visitors that children must be at least three years of age and must be potty trained. Also, children under eight must be accompanied by someone 13 years old or above.

The public pool offers a learning opportunity.

Quick response logged for Elton rollover

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ELTON - Fire Dist. 6 Chief John Richer says having a second ambulance service in the parish is already helping to drastcially decrease response times in the northern parts of the parish.

In May, the Jeff Davis Police Jury approved a permit application from the company to operate in the parish. The company has located home offices in both Jennings and Elton.

NATIONAL BRIEFS

La. man charged with abducting, raping Indiana tourist