January 2020

DOTD recommends winter weather safety

With recent wet and wintry weather coming into the parish, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) advises motorists to use caution while driving, especially on bridges and overpasses.

DOTD has personnel and equipment prepared to address any roadways that are affected by the weather conditions.

DOTD will continue to monitor the forecast and current conditions to make appropriate decisions to ensure the safety of the traveling public.

During winter weather, motorists should adhere to the following driving safety tips:

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

vents run in the order

China shuts down more cities in bid to contain deadly virus

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese authorities Thursday moved to lock down three cities that are home to more than 18 million people in an unprecedented effort to contain the deadly new virus that has sickened hundreds and spread to other parts of the world during the busy Lunar New Year travel period.

ON YOUR MARK

Article Image Alt Text

Runners are encouraged to get their sneakers ready for another dash around the pond at the Louisiana Oil and Gas Park. The Mainly Marathons Gulf Coast Series is returning to Jennings on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

“We are very excited to welcome back this event,” said Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission’s Graphics and Communications Coordinator Jamie Lee. “We look forward to seeing the event staff and meeting runners from all over the United States that follow the series.”

Runners can take part in a number of races that span over five states in five days.

CPSO: Sulphur woman charged in children’s rape

SULPHUR (AP) — A Louisiana woman has been arrested on rape charges after a local sheriff’s office said Instagram conversations revealed she had inappropriate sexual contact with young children.

Lakien D. Perry, 18, of Sulphur, was charged with seven counts of first-degree rape, 20 counts of sexual battery and pornography involving a juvenile, multiple news outlets reported Tuesday.

Trump meets Iraqi counterpart, first since drone strike

BAGHDAD (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump hinted that sanctions on Iraq were still a possibility in a bilateral meeting with Iraq’s president Wednesday, the first since a U.S. drone strike on Iraqi soil killed a top Iranian general, straining Washington-Baghdad ties.

Iraq’s President Barham Saleh met with Trump on the sidelines of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland amid threats from Iran-backed militia groups promising to exact revenge should he sit down with the American president.

Air bag woes force Honda, Toyota to recall 6 million vehicles

DETROIT (AP) — Two different air bag glitches have forced Toyota and Honda to recall over 6 million vehicles worldwide, and both problems present different dangers to motorists.

The Toyota recall affects about 3.4 million vehicles globally and is being done because the air bags may not inflate in a crash. The cars have air bag control computers made by ZF-TRW that are vulnerable to electrical interference and may not signal the bags to inflate.

US seeks to tighten rules covering service animals on planes

(AP) - Airlines might soon be able to turn away cats, rabbits and all animals other than dogs that passengers try to bring with them in the cabin.

The U.S. Transportation Department on Wednesday announced plans to tighten rules around service animals. The biggest change would be that only dogs could qualify.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Calendar Guidelines

DOTD: I-10 lane to close for bridge repairs

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) recently announced a lane closure near Jennings.

The inside lane of I-10 westbound at milepost 66.5 at the Bayou Nezpique Bridge near Jennings. The lane closure will take place, weather permitting, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Thursday.

The outside lane was closed Wednesday.

The lane closures are necessary to allow crews to make repairs to the bridge, according to DOTD Public Information Officer Tammy York.