January 2021

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Calendar Guidelines

Easy Ways to Enjoy Life’s Everyday Moments

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For many people across the country, carving out time from busy schedules to spend with loved ones can be difficult. However, when opportunities arise to experience bonding activities together, the results can be fond mem ­ ories and a deeper sense of security.

Rethink Dessert for Better-for-You Moments

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Special moments and gatherings often revolve around food. With some simple (and tasty) adjustments, you can still savor every moment, including dessert, without overindulging.

Lines blurred between free speech and censorship

What exactly is freedom of speech? According to the First Amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Note that this guarantees us free speech without government control. However, when we look for this freedom elsewhere, we are not guaranteed to find it.

Our Democracy was pushed to the brink

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The madness and treason that’s consumed the Party of Trump has a face: And it belongs to a former Pennsylvania state lawmaker.

Last Wednesday, on a day that thugs and domestic terrorists bent on overthrowing the results of a lawful election stormed the United States Capitol with laughable ease, Rick Saccone, who once swore an oath to uphold the law and the constitution, tried to justify the unjustifiable.

Edwards steers vaccine rollout, owns consequences

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Distributing the coronavirus vaccine is a tricky math equation for states to manage, with a limited supply of vaccine and the federal government notifying states of their weekly dose allotment only days before it will arrive.

By putting himself front and center as the decider of who will receive the vaccine first and how it will flow to hospitals, pharmacies and clinics across Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards will own the consequences of how well — or how poorly — the vaccine rollout goes.

Man poses as Secret Service agent

The Secret Service visited Jennings Tuesday after a driver stopped for a traffic violation claimed to be an agent.

Adentunji Adesola Elegbede, 34, of Katy, Texas, was being held in the parish jail as of press time Wednesday, charged with false impersonation of a peace officer and failing to use turning movements and required signals.

Jennings Police Department Chief Danny Semmes said an officer working traffic enforcement detail spotted a vehicle that failed to use a turn signal. On top of this, the vehicle appeared to be a semi-marked police unit.

City seeking water, sewer grants

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The city is seeking two grants from the governor’s office for water and sewer improvements here.

On Tuesday, the city council voted to introduce and adopt two resolutions requesting up to $100,000 from the Governor’s Office of Community Development for the repairs.

The first grant would provide funds from the Community Water Enrichment Fund (CWEF) for valve replacements along the main water line.

State eyes Fast Forward initiative for schools

The state Board of Regents and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education have a new goal in sight beginning with the freshman class of 2025.

A Great Year for Gators

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Despite being closed for part of the year for the pandemic, the Gator Chateau in Jennings brought in 22,600 visitors to the parish in 2020. Handler Ethan Fontenot and Magnolia are ready to welcome even more visitors this year.