August 2019

Dems strangely quiet about guns

Article Image Alt Text

Thoughts and prayers, we are often reminded, only go so far. And politicians’ attention spans are alarmingly short.

On July 31, just three days after four people died in Gilroy, California, and three days before at least 31 more would be killed in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, none of the 10 Democrats on the debate stage in Detroit said a word about gun violence. And none of CNN’s three moderators bothered to ask about what is unquestionably a national nightmare.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Calendar Guidelines

Taxpayers winner in bond deal

Extra funds, lower millage anticipated in Ward II

Ward II will see an additional $3.5 million at no cost to taxpayers thanks to a low-interest deal that provides for the purchase of bonds that will fund a new school in Jennings.

School board members at a Tuesday afternoon meeting accepted a bid for an interest rate of 2.501899 percent from Citigroup for the $29.5 million bonds. Three other bids were submitted with interest rates ranging from 2.508 percent to 2.57 percent.

Candidates line up on first day of qualifying in parish

Article Image Alt Text

Local candidates signed up Tuesday to run in the Gubernatorial race set for Oct. 12 during the first day of qualifying in Jeff Davis Parish.

According to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office (SOS), on Tuesday, 26 candidates from the parish began their bids for election this fall.

In the race for District 25 State Senator, Republicans Mark Abraham, Kevin Berken and Johnny Guinn signed up to run Tuesday at the Jeff Davis Parish Clerk of Court's Office in Jennings.

BACK IN CLASS

Article Image Alt Text

School is set to begin Friday, Aug. 9 in Jeff Davis Parish. Officials are reminding motorists to use care while driving through school zones.

“With school starting soon, I would like to inform all residents of the city that we will have additional officers patrolling and crossing guards in each school zone,” said Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes. “It is very important for drivers to follow the directions of the crossing guards for the safety of all students and faculty.”

Students may be distracted during the first few weeks of school, Semmes said.

Delta Waterfowl chapter to host annual banquet

The Jennings and Lake Arthur Chapter of the Delta Waterfowl Organization is gearing up for their annual fundraising banquet. The event is slated to take place on Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Lake Arthur Community Center. Doors are set to open at 6 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.

“Tickets are still available at this time,” said organizer Rusty Benson. “They can call to purchase tickets in advance or they can buy them at the door on the night of the event.”

STATE BRIEFS

Federal grand jury indicts 22 in prison drug smuggling bust

Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office seeking livestock trailer thief

Detectives with the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating the theft of a livestock trailer that occurred the night of July 30 off La. 35, south of Branch.

The stolen trailer is described as a light in color four-horse bumper pull trailer without a license plate. It was captured on video surveillance being pulled by a silver four-door Chevy Silverado and followed by a dark color midsized sedan.

Trump faces protests as he visits Dayton, El Paso

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Protesters greeted President Donald Trump’s arrival in Dayton Wednesday, blaming his incendiary rhetoric for inflaming political and racial tensions in the country, as he visited survivors of last weekend’s mass shootings and saluted first responders.

The president and first lady Melania Trump began their visit at the hospital where many of the victims of Sunday’s attack were treated. The White House said Trump would be thanking first responders and hospital staff, as well as meeting with victims and their families.

Stocks slide as rate cuts stoke fear of an economic slowdown

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks fell broadly in midday trading Wednesday as central banks around the world cut interest rates and increased fears that global growth is being crimped by the U.S.-China trade war.

Every major U.S. index fell and put stocks back on a course for losses after briefly breaking a six-day losing streak on Tuesday. The losses eased as the day progressed, though investors remained in a defensive mode and headed for relatively safe holdings.