February 2020

Senate only a Roman emperor could love

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The next time someone tells you the U.S. Senate is the world’s greatest deliberative body, your answer should be no longer than two words: Marco Rubio.

Here’s what the Republican senator from Florida, and one-time Leader of the Free World aspirant, had to say about the impeachment trial that wrapped this week with President Donald Trump’s acquittal on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Hunting, fishing banned on parish right of ways

Hunting or fishing off parish roads is no longer allowed in Jeff Davis.

The Jeff Davis Police voted recently to ban hunting and fishing in parish road right of ways.

According to Police Jury President Donald Woods, the ordinance in its previous form was outdated.

“The ordinance had not been updated since 1966 and only addressed bridges, not roads,” he said.

The penalty for violating the ordinance is up to a $100 fine, imprisonment for up to 30 days or both.

Welsh Animal Shelter in need of donations

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WELSH - Animal Control Officer Keeley Pitre shared the news that eight newborn puppies were recently born at the shelter. With so many mouths to feed, Pitre said she has to make sure the mother is receiving enough nutrition to provide nourishment for her puppies.

“I was told I should feed her puppy food instead of normal adult dog food,” she said. “Puppy food is higher in fat, calories and nutrients that she will need while she is nursing the pups.”

Donations of canned puppy food are being requested at this time.

LA moves forward with golf cart ordinance

LAKE ARTHUR - Town residents may soon see approval on an ordinance that will allow electric and gas-powered golf carts to be driven on roadways within the city limits. The council considered the idea late last year and will soon decide to make the move official.

“We’ve had several requests to make the use of golf carts legal on the streets,” said Mayor Sherry Crochet. “It will make it easier for some residents to get around.”

Only drivers age 16 and over with a valid driver’s license would be allowed to operate the golf carts.

CAST YOUR VOTE

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Students at Lake Arthur Elementary cast their ballots for their favorite book to receive the Louisiana Young Reader’s Choice Award. The Jeff Davis Parish Library System partners with the Registrar of Voters (ROV) Office to bring the voting machines into schools each year.

Above: Fourth graders (from left) Emily Maples, Karissa Landry, Jace Landry, Haden Fontenot and Brantley Simon weigh their options as they wait for their turn to vote.

Right: Third grader Braydon Guillory takes a second to review the choices before making his selection.

LDEQ: Landfill permit renewal available for public review

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), Office of Environmental Services, has determined that a permit renewal application for Louisiana Waste Solutions LLC, P.O. Box 122, Reeves, Louisiana 70658-0122, for the Jennings C&D Facility Type III Landfill is technically complete and acceptable for public review.

The facility is located at 9410 Louisiana Highway 102 in Jennings.

Starting pitching strong suit for 2020 LSU baseball

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BATON ROUGE - After advancing to the NCAA Super Regional round in 2019, the LSU Fighting Tiger Baseball team is primed for another great season in 2020. For Tiger fans, this is something to be expected because of the success the program has had since Skip Bertman took over in the early 1980’s and brought the Tigers to prominence.

State helping Puerto Rico with earthquake recovery

BATON ROUGE (AP) — More than 20 Louisiana state fire marshal employees headed to Puerto Rico on Thursday to help with earthquake recovery efforts.

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the plans Wednesday after signing off on the deployment request from Puerto Rico’s governor.

“We have our fair share of natural disasters in Louisiana, and because of our experience with destruction and devastation, our first responders are second to none,” Edwards said in a statement.

Governor’s budget plan will include rejected $103M

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards will propose a budget to lawmakers Friday that is a wish list of sorts, based on income projections that aren’t included in Louisiana’s official revenue forecast because Republican legislative leaders wouldn’t adopt them.

The Democratic governor will submit a 2020-21 spending plan that anticipates another $103 million will eventually be added to next year’s revenue forecast, and he’ll use that money to help pay for education financing increases he wants.

Officials urged to prepare for cyberattacks

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards called on Louisiana’s local government leaders Wednesday to protect their data, reminding them of recent cyberattacks across the state and saying they’re likely to face such a strike in the future.

“You may not have been hit yet in your town or in your city. But it’s a question of when, not if,” the Democratic governor told a luncheon crowd of the Louisiana Municipal Association.