September 2019

LAPD adds reserve commander

LAKE ARTHUR - Police Chief Kobi Turner has made the move to expand his department by adding a reserve commander to the force. Turner has asked the town council to approve the new position.

“The chief would like to have a reserve commander,” said Mayor Sherry Crochet. “It will be a volunteer position therefore it will not cost the Town of Lake Arthur anything.”

Turner said it is a position that the department has been in need of.

Romero in run for District 37 State Rep seat

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Conservative businessman Troy Romero is officially running to become the next state representative for House District 37.

“If I am fortunate enough to get elected to the state legislature, I have a bold and specific plan I want to pursue for the people of our area,” Romero said. “It all starts with ensuring our taxes are lowered, our state government is smaller, and our car insurance rates are decreased.”

Fourth and final crewman pulled alive from capsized ship

JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Coast Guard rescuers pulled four trapped men alive from a capsized cargo ship Monday, drilling into the hull’s steel plates to extract the crew members more than a day after their vessel overturned while leaving a Georgia port.

All four were described as alert and in relatively good condition and were taken to a hospital for further evaluation.

“Best day of my 16-year career,” Lt. Lloyd Heflin, who was coordinating the effort, wrote in a text message to The Associated Press.

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Online database compares state’s debt

The state treasurer’s office launched an online searchable database last week so citizens here can now get a glimpse of how Louisiana’s debt stacks up against other states.

The online tool shows where the state is spending its money on construction projects or what areas are getting the most state-financed road and bridge work. You can even see how the governor and lawmakers spent last year’s surplus.

Local entities are missing out on art grant

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Irecently had the experience of serving on a panel to help to determine where grant funds for the arts would be dedicated. It was surprising to me how few entities submitted applications.

The Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana (AHC) serves as a regranting agency for cultural funds provided by the Louisiana Division of the Arts, the Calcasieu Parish Police Police Jury, the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Lake Charles.

August jobs report omits key data about future challenges

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Shortly after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its August report - which showed that the economy had created a middling 130,000 new jobs - the White House issued an effusive statement.

Pointing to record low unemployment rates for black Americans (5.5 percent) and Hispanics(4.2 percent), the White House report boasted, “The Trump Administration’s pro-growth policies continue to move workers off the sidelines and develop an even more prosperous economy.”

Turn It Up Tuesdays returns Oct. 1

Founders Park will soon see live music and town residents dancing from 6-8 p.m. each Tuesday afternoon as the popular Turn It Up Tuesdays concert series returns.

The event, sponsored by the City of Jennings, Joy Lebleu and the Jeff Davis Art’s Concil, is free and open to the public. The family-friendly atmosphere provides fun for people of all ages.

City Events Organizer Lin Fake has released this year’s band line-up and said everyone is looking forward to an exciting season with returning crowd favorites.

La. voter registration deadline for fall election nears

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Deadlines for Louisiana residents to register to vote for the Oct. 12 statewide election are nearing. The secretary of state’s office says people who want to register or who want to make changes to their registration have until Wednesday to mail in the forms or make changes in person. They can register online at www.GeauxVote.com through Sept. 21.

People can register in person at parish registrar of voters offices, Office of Motor Vehicles locations, public assistance agencies, public schools, colleges and libraries.

Keagan Charles Shell

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LAKE ARTHUR - Funeral services for Keagan Charles Shell, 23, of Lake Arthur will be held Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Miguez Funeral Home in Lake Arthur, with Pastor Jerry Snider officiating.

Visitation for Mr. Shell will begin at noon Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, and will close at 10 p.m. Visitation will resume Thursday from 8 a.m. until time of service at 2 p.m.

Burial will follow in St. Anthony Cemetery.