April 2020

State withholds data on virus in nursing homes

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Nursing homes, where many medically fragile patients spend their days, have become a hot spot in the coronavirus outbreak around the country, but details that could help families understand the scale of Louisiana’s problem at those facilities aren’t released.

Nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to the virus, because of their close confines of elderly people with the underlying health conditions that put them at a higher risk to infection and death from the COVID-19 disease caused by the virus.

No distance learning for JDP

Jeff Davis Parish schools will not be participating in distance learning.

Monday Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that schools would remain closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 year. In his announcement, he said distance learning would continue. However, local Superintendent of Schools Kirk Credeur said Jeff Davis has not been utilizing online distance learning due to a number of factors.

Water meter project enters final phase

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Despite the chaos surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the city is still moving forward on a major project.

The final phase of the $750,000 Advanced Meter Reading System Project is currently underway according to Jennings Mayor Henry Guinn.

In January, the city declared the second phase of the project complete. Now they are moving on to the final phase of the project, which includes replacing the remaining half of the city’s outdated water meters with digital ones.

Pipeline company requests air permit renewal

LAKE ARTHUR — A pipeline company in Lake Arthur is requesting an air permit renewal from the state.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), Office of Environmental Services, is accepting written comments on a proposed Initial Part 70 Air Operating Permit for ANR Pipeline Company for the Mermentau Compressor Station.

The facility is located at the corner of Dugas Road and Broadmore Road in Lake Arthur.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

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ELTON - Born on April 14, 1920, Louise “Sammie” McClelland celebrated turning 100 years old on Tuesday.

“I sure didn’t think I’d live to see this,” McClelland said. “I didn’t think I would make it to see the 2000’s even.”

She said she has seen many changes over those years, things she never imagined she would see.

“I had no idea that I would see us put people out in space,” she said.

McClelland said she owes it all to God’s blessings.

“I have a lot to thank him for,” she said.

Jeff Davis 4-H recognizes Honor Cord recipients

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The 4-H Honor Cord Award recognizes graduating seniors, who as 4-H members, have met certain criteria and devoted time participating in 4-H programs during their high school years.

“Six seniors from across Jeff Davis Parish have been chosen to receive the award this year,” said 4-H extension agent Frances Guidry. “Each will be given green and white cords to wear for graduation. Since we likely will not be able to have our annual awards banquet, where these seniors are normally recognized, we have acknowledged their achievements on our Facebook page.”

Storms tear through South, killing more than 30

CHATSWORTH, Ga. (AP) — Storms that killed more than 30 people in the Southeast, piling fresh misery atop a pandemic, spread across the eastern United States on Monday, leaving more than 1 million homes and businesses without power amid floods and mudslides.

Edwards: ‘Too early to know’ when state can relax orders

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — “It’s just too early to know” when Louisiana can begin relaxing stay-at-home orders that have devastated the state’s economy to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday.

NATIONAL BRIEFS

Sheriff: Woman busted son’s nose, abandoned him at a store

Confirmed cases of coronavirus surpass 2M worldwide

WASHINGTON (AP) — New York’s coronavirus death toll topped 10,000 even as the lack of fresh hot spots in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world yielded a ray of optimism and fueled discussions Monday about how some places might begin to reopen.