December 2019

City looks ahead to 2020 projects

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(Editor’s note: This is the second of two in a series of stories highlighting the previous calendar year for the City of Jennings.)

Jennings Mayor Henry Guinn recently sat down with the Jennings Daily News to reflect on highlights from 2019, as well as talk about projects on the horizon for 2020.

Financial Health

The 2019-2020 fiscal year includes $2.8 million in capital outlay projects and significantly more in cash reserves. In 2017, the city held around $6.1 million in cash versus $10.4 million in 2019.

Elton adopts budget, shows healthy finances

ELTON - The Elton Town Council adopted their budget for the 2020 fiscal year.

The town council held a special meeting Friday, Dec. 20 at the council meeting chambers at Elton City Hall. No public comments were made on the matter.

Certified Public Accountant Casey Ardoin said the town is in good financial shape.

“There is nothing out of the ordinary and the budget is pretty much in line with last year,” he said.

According the budget, total revenues are projected to be up by 2.5 percent, coming in at $1,150,115.

Guilty without a doubt

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According to the Jennings Optimist Club, it is considered a crime to pass through Jeff Davis Parish without taking the time to enjoy some southern hospitality. A couple from Texas experienced the consequences first-hand.

Beaumont residents Rev. Lee E. Fields Jr. and his wife Kim were pulled over on their way to visit family for the holidays and were brought in to face the charges.

DARE Officer Tyler Breaux made the stop at a local convenience store.

Escape from Santa’s Naughty List

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Odessa Marshal, Malachi Lewis and Indalecia Torres took part in the Jennings Library’s escape room Monday. They were given 30 minutes to unlock clues to escape Santa’s Naughty List.

Americans want a real trial in the Senate

To hear some people tell it, House Democrats are like the dog that finally caught the car. Voting to impeach Donald Trump could turn out to be politically suicidal. Essentially because voters turned against Republicans for impeaching Bill Clinton -- the GOP lost five seats in the 1998 midterms, ending the political career of Speaker Newt Gingrich -- conventional wisdom assumes that Democrats will pay a similar price for acting against Trump.

Finding hope during a chaotic 2019

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It was a week before Christmas, and I found myself anxious and angry. I was paying more attention to minute-byminute politics than I had on any other day of the year.

It was impeachment day, and I was seeing all kinds of “Impeachmas” references and merrymaking. At the Mass I went to that day, the Franciscan friar nonpartisanly prayed during the petitions about the “grave” matters in Washington. The priest called upon St. Joseph to intercede so that there might be wisdom there. That seemed like a countercultural act of faith at a time of such cynicism.

Pitfalls to avoid as you try to lose weight

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New Year’s resolutions run the gamut from the simple to the complex. Some people resolve to make small changes that don’t affect their daily lives all that much, while others aim to make significant changes in the hopes of dramatically improving their quality of life. Resolving to lose weight, which often tops annual lists of the most popular resolutions, falls into the latter category.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Calendar Guidelines

Quitting vaping may be a life-saving resolution

Electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices were once described as potentially “safer” and “healthier” methods of smoking, even by leading health organizations. Many former tobacco smokers even turned to e-cigarettes as a method to quitting traditional cigarettes. However, recent research into vaping and a rash of mysterious lung illnesses and deaths recently linked to vaping has led many to question if vaping is safe. Those who suspect it’s not may be wise to quit.

The illness toll rises

Top 10 travel destinations to start the new decade

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For many, traveling offers an opportunity to disconnect from the everyday and experience new places and cultures. With the beginning of a new decade, it is the perfect time to start deciding your next travel adventures.

When booking your future destinations, consider these spots and tips recommended by travel expert and Bank of America ambassador, Lee Abbamonte, the youngest American to visit every country plus the North and South Poles.

England, Germany, Scotland, Azerbaijan and more