October 2020

Epic scale of Calif. wildfires continues to grow

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The staggering scale of California’s wildfires reached another milestone Monday: A single fire surpassed 1 million acres.

The new mark for the August Complex in the Coast Range between San Francisco and the Oregon border came a day after the total area of land burned by California wildfires this year passed 4 million acres, more than double the previous record.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the amount of land scorched by the August Complex is larger than all of the recorded fires in California between 1932 and 1999.

CDC says virus can spread indoors in updated guidance

NEW YORK (AP) — The top U.S. public health agency said Monday that the coronavirus can spread more than 6 feet through the air, especially in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials maintained that such spread is uncommon and current social distancing guidelines still make sense.

Hundreds of Regal, Cineworld movie theaters to close

LONDON (AP) — In the latest blow to the beleaguered film industry, the second-largest movie theater chain in the U.S. is temporarily shuttering its locations Thursday due to a lack of blockbusters on the calendar and major domestic markets like New York remaining closed.

Cineworld Group Plc said Monday that it would close 536 Regal cinemas in the U.S. and 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse venues in the U.K. this week, affecting some 45,000 employees.

“This is not a decision we made lightly,” said Cineworld CEO Mooky Greidinger.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Calendar Guidelines Items for Community Calendar must be submitted during regular weekday business hours at least two weeks prior to the day of the event. Events run in the order of their posted dates and ONLY AS SPACE ALLOWS. Events more than two weeks away may not run until closer to the event. Community Calendar is offered as a public service bulletin for Jeff Davis Parish community and non-profit events. Send entries to editor@jenningsdailynews.net.

Junior high could return to normal schedule

Students in grades 6-8 could be returning to school five days a week starting Oct. 19.

Superintendent of Schools Kirk Credeur released information this weekend stating that officials are working on a district-wide Phase III plan that would go into effect the beginning of the second nine weeks. Currently, students in grades 6-12 are attending classes twice a week while working from home virtually on Fridays.

LC man arrested for molestation of Iowa juvenile

A Lake Charles man was arrested on multiple sex offenses Friday.

According to Jeff Davis Sheriff’s Office (JDSO) Chief Deputy Chris Ivey, on July 31, deputies were called to a residence on Foreman Road in Iowa about a man molesting a juvenile girl.

Deputies obtained information from the parent of a juvenile female that inappropriate conduct had occurred during a sleepover on June 28.

The suspect, James Gray Morado Jr., 22, of 2322 A South Weaver Road, Lake Charles, was also wanted by Calcasieu Parish and Sulphur Police on other sex offense charges.

Watch Your Speed

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The city recently purchased this new portable radar, aimed at curbing speeding. It can also help with traffic studies. Mayor Henry Guinn said the purchase was made after many complaints were made about speeding through neighborhoods. 

Fenton Housing Authority audit reveals healthy finances

At state audit of the Fenton Housing Authority showed healthy finances and one instance of noncompliance for the current fiscal year for filing a late audit.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office recently released an audit report for the entity for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2019. The 35-page independent auditor’s report was completed by certified public accountant William Daniel McCaskill, of Mandeville.

Food distribution set for Wednesday

United Way of Southwest Louisiana and Second Harvest Food bank are teaming up with District 37 State Representative Troy Romero to offer free groceries this week.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, free groceries will be handed out at the Jeff Davis Parish multipurpose building located at 810 S. Lake Arthur Ave. in Jennings.

These free, contact-less distributions require no preregistration and food distribution is on a first come, first served basis.

In the two hours allotted, the group hopes to serve 700 cars with fresh groceries.

TIGERS MUCH IMPROVED IN 41-7 THRASHING OF VANDERBILT

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(lsusports.net) - It wasn’t perfect.

LSU made mistakes in its 41-7 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday in Nashville. They dropped passes, lost control of gaps, and left plays on the field on both sides of the ball.

Perfection wasn’t the goal on Saturday, though. Improvement was the primary mission. And LSU was better across the board against Vanderbilt.

Mission accomplished – for now.

“All week, guys wanted to get better,” head coach Ed Orgeron said. “There were a lot less mistakes in this football game than the first.”