January 2020

Militiamen breach US Embassy in Baghdad; Trump blames Iran

BAGHDAD (AP) — Dozens of Iraqi Shiite militiamen and their supporters broke into the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad on Tuesday, smashing a main door and setting fire to a reception area, angered over deadly U.S. airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed militia. U.S. guards fired tear gas and palls of smoke rose over the grounds.

China has pain pill addicts too, but no one’s counting them

SHANGHAI (AP) — Wu Yi was supposed to die. At age 26, his cancer was spreading.

His doctor gave him five years to live and a prescription for OxyContin.

Six years later, he was still alive. And still taking OxyContin. Wu said his doctor told him that OxyContin is not addictive, but when Wu tried to stop, he couldn’t.

“This drug is addictive,” Wu said. “One hundred percent addictive.”

Lacassine man dies from injuries

LACASSINE - A Lacassine man that was shot after refusing to drop his weapon during an incident in November has died.

Louisiana State Police (LSP) confirmed this week that 56-year-old Jeffery Smiley did not recover from his injuries sustained in November in an officer-involved shooting.

“We can confirm that the subject is deceased,” said Louisiana State Police (LSP) Public Affairs Trooper Derek Senegal. “The investigation is still ongoing, so that is all the information we can release at this time.”

New year , new life

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Who will be Jennings Daily News’ 2020 New Year Baby? Time will tell.

The annual contest is underway as the newspaper awaits the call that its latest Jeff Davis Parish resident has entered the world.

“Prizes are being awarded to the first baby born in 2020 whose parents reside in Jeff Davis Parish,” said Paula Bonin, Jennings Daily News general manager. “Whether you deliver your baby in Jennings, Lake Charles or Lafayette, it does not matter as long as the parents reside in this parish.”

In case of a tie, hospital records will determine the winner.

Operation Kuddlez to benefit area children

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ELTON - Student council members are doing their part to help others in their surrounding community. As part of Operation Kuddlez, local youth collected donations of stuffed animals to give to children affected by traumatic situations.

“This drive was created to provide soft, plush toys for deputies of the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Department (JDSO) to carry in their units,” said Elton High School teacher and Student Council director Jessica Guillory. “The toys are then distributed to children the officers encounter during calls throughout the year.”

Love Birds

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These lovebirds are the tiniest residents of the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home, welcoming guests to the facility.

VVA chapter provides gifts for veterans

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The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 1058 recently did its part to give back to the community they serve. After acquiring funds from a grant offered by Wal-Mart, the organization provided gifts to needy veterans.

“My sister, Ginger Reiley applied for the grant,” said VVA associate Sue Dirks. “She was ecstatic to hear the news when the application was approved.”

Edward Nixon

Funeral services for Edward Nixon, 82, will be announced by Semien-Lewis Mortuary. Mr. Nixon entered into eternal rest Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, at his residence.

STATE BRIEFS

Two 19-year-old men dead in 1-car wreck

CROWLEY (AP) — Louisiana State Police say two 19-year-old men are dead after a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro went off an interstate off-ramp. Kylan Mier and Dante Lacomb, both of Morse, died Sunday night at the scene about four miles (6.5 kilometers) west of Crowley on Interstate 10, Trooper First Class Thomas Gossen said in a news release Monday. He said Mier was driving the car, which ran off the off-ramp and hit a bridge embankment while starting to overturn. Mier was wearing his seat belt; Lacomb was not.

With births down, U.S. had slowest growth rate in a century

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The past year’s population growth rate in the United States was the slowest in a century due to declining births, increasing deaths and the slowdown of international migration, according to figures released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The U.S. grew from 2018 to 2019 by almost a half percent, or about 1.5 million people, with the population standing at 328 million this year, according to population estimates.