February 2020

Tourist Commission receives clean audit

The Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission showed healthy finances with no findings of noncompliance noted for the year ending June 30, 2019.

The 55-page audit report of the entity’s financial statements was released this week by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office (LLAO). The report was completed by certified public accountant J. Aaron Cooper, of Jennings.

The Tourist Commission is a component of the Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury, LLAO and the State of Louisiana.

LDH: No confirmed coronavirus in state

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that five patients in the United States have been diagnosed with 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019 nCoV), there are currently no confirmed cases of the virus in Louisiana. The CDC says that all of these patients have traveled from China. Health officials in Louisiana and other states are taking preliminary steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

Senior Crime Stoppers warns public about scams

Elderly citizens are often targeted by criminals looking to make them the victim of fraud scams. Fraudsters use different tactics to coax seniors out of their finances.

Senior Crime Stoppers is a nationwide crime prevention program that educates and safeguards against theft, abuse and neglect. The program is funded by the banking industry.

“Senior Crime Stoppers works in nursing homes and veterans homes,” said consultant Wilson Thibodeaux. “We are proud to announce that in the nursing homes and the senior housing that we are in, the crime rate has dropped 95 percent.”

Enhance meals with HOMEGROWN HERBS

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Nothing completes a great recipe better than fresh herbs straight from your garden. Have you ever pulled out a recipe that calls for a specific fresh herb, gone to the grocery and couldn’t find it? Or you find it but it’s not the quality you want? Homegrown herbs to the rescue.

It’s easy to grow herbs at home, and you don’t need a great deal of space to do it. Herbs grow well in containers on patios in partial to full sun as well as in landscapes and raised beds.

4-H Dairy Club excels at parish show

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The Jeff Davis 4-H Dairy Club competed in the Jeff Davis Parish Livestock Show held Jan. 19-30 at the Glenn Daigle Arena in Jennings. Youth participated in the dairy show, livestock judging and the premier exhibitor contest. Club members include Kyle Sonnier, Camille Sonnier, Wyatt Sonnier, Aubree Istre, Ella Istre, Marie Thibodeaux, Dani Thibodeaux and Averi Thibodeaux. Results from the show are as follows:

• AOB (any other breed)

Locally Led conservation meeting set for Feb. 18

A Locally Led conservation meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, at 9 a.m. at the USDA Service Center, located at 401 Virginia Street in Jennings, to identify resource concerns for your local Jefferson Davis SWCD.

Your involvement is significantly important to the locally led conservation process and all partners involved in conservation. At the Locally Led Conservation Meeting, you will be able to voice concerns, provide comments and help to identify conservation issues.

Wildfire creates state of emergency in Australian capital

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The Australian capital region declared a state of emergency on Friday because of an out-of-control forest fire burning erratically to its south.

It’s the first fire emergency for the Australian Capital Territory area since 2003 when wildfires killed four people and destroyed almost 500 homes in a single day.

The threat is posed by a blaze on Canberra’s southern fringe that has razed more than 21,500 hectares (53,000 acres) since it was sparked by heat from a military helicopter landing light on Monday, the Emergency Services Agency said.

Appeal against closing local black schools filed

THE JENNINGS DAILY NEWS Aug. 7, 1970

NEW ORLEANS – An appeal has been field in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, seeking to reverse a lower court order regarding the closing of two allblack schools in Jennings.

The suit, filed with the court July 19, seeks to allow Jeff Davis High School and James Ward Sr. Elementary School to remain open in Jennings, rather than allow closing the facilities as outlined in the integration plan of the Jeff Davis Parish School Board which was approved by the U.S. District Court in Lake Charles.

SHIP BY TRUCK ORGANIZATION

JENNINGS DAILY TIMES-RECORD May 17, 1920

A concerted movement is underway to establish a "ship by truck" line between Lafayette and Jennings at an early date. Only one impediment to the movement exists – the condition of the Mermentau ferry, and that obstruction may be removed soon as an attempt is being made to have this difficulty remedied.

Black soldiers entertained at school

JEFF DAVIS PARISH NEWS Sept. 18, 1941 

A division of the 93rd Engineer's Battalion stationed at Fenton was entertained at the black training school Thursday night.

The men were accompanied by their captain, sergeant and lieutenant, all white. Among the group were many black officers.

The white officers said they were treated better in Jennings than any place they had been and the morale of their men has improved since they have been here.