December 2021

No. 19 LSU thumps Northwestern State, improves to 10-0

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BATON ROUGE (AP) — Tari Eason led a balanced attack with 18 points and No. 19 LSU beat Northwestern State 89-49 on Tuesday night, improving to 10-0 for the first time in 22 years.

Eason scored all but five of his 18 points in the second half, when LSU already had a big lead. Three Tigers starters also scored in double figures. Xavier Pinson had 15 points and four assists, Efton Reid had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Darius Days had 13 points.

Carlton, Shead lead No. 14 Houston past Louisiana, 71-55

HOUSTON (AP) — Josh Carlton had 17 points and nine rebounds, Jamal Shead added 16 points and No. 14 Houston beat Louisiana-Lafayette 71-56 on Tuesday night.

Taze Moore had 14 points and 10 rebounds, Fabian White Jr. finished with 12 points and nine rebounds and Kyler Edwards had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Cougars (9-2). Houston shot 39 percent and struggled on 3-pointers, making just two of 21 attempts.

“It was a good win,” Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. “Matter of fact, it might be the best win we have had all year considering the circumstances.”

Edwards, lawmakers reach deal on Superdome renovation plan

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration and Louisiana’s legislative leaders appear to have struck a deal to use $27 million in federal pandemic aid to help pay for a portion of the renovations to the New Orleans Superdome, two months after lawmakers stalled a prior financing proposal.

The Edwards administration describes a state contribution to the Superdome upgrades as critical to reaching an agreement with the Saints that keeps the NFL team in the state for decades.

LA reports successful 2021 despite pandemic

LAKE ARTHUR — This year proved to be a very positive and productive year for the Town of Lake Arthur.

Mayor Sherry Crochet recently reported how well 2021 went and her vision for the town in 2022.

With the COVID-19 pandemic putting a stop to many public gatherings, Crochet said she was excited to be able to once again host events for the community.

“It’s been nice to see people come out and enjoy themselves,” she said. “Our halloween event, ‘Boo on the Avenue’ did very well and ‘Glitter and Garland’ had over 50 vendors.”

JPD: ‘Very busy year for us altogether’

After hardships from 2020’s pandemic restrictions, 2021 thus far has been a year of pulling things back together for the Jennings Police Department (JPD).

According to Police Chief Danny Semmes, criminal activity is on the rise in the community with increased shootings and drug traffick ing. The parish jail is also at capacity, which adds a great amount of pressure to the shoulders of JPD officers.

COA looks ahead to brighter 2022

Jeff Davis Parish Council on Aging’s (COA) director said she has a positive outlook for the future.

At the beginning of 2021, COA Director Helen Langley said the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the agency from opening its doors to the public.

“It was a hard time for everyone,” Langley said. “We couldn’t have many of the things we usually offer, like educational classes for the elderly. That is such an important service.”

Langley said the loss of so many of the agency’s patrons was also a hard hit this year.

OLHC, Catholic Charities Distribute Food

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Frank Angelle (left) directs traffic while Tommy Dennis (below, at left) sorts through food during Our Lady Help of Christians (OLHC) Catholic Church’s monthly food distribution. OLHC partners with Catholic Charities to distribute goods the third Tuesday of every month. Daily News photos by Erin Hargrave

LWC: JDP job growth down in May

Parish unemployment figures released this week revealed job growth in the parish was down in May.

According to preliminary estimates released by the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC), the unemployment rate in Jeff Davis Parish for October was 3.6 percent, down from 3.9 percent in September.

Occupations with the highest employment wages were dentists, chief executives, nurse anesthetists, geoscientists and architectural and engineering managers.

Senators request hearing on US crime wave

Senator John Kennedy joined Senator Chuck Grassley and nine other Republican senators on the U.S. Judiciary Committee in writing to Chairman Dick Durbin requesting a full committee hearing in Washington, D.C. to address the rising crime wave.

The senators wrote the letter after Durbin held a hearing titled “Combating Gun Trafficking and Reducing Violence in Chicago” in Chicago, Ill. on Dec. 13. The senators previously requested that Durbin allow virtual or phone participation in that hearing, but the chairman denied this request.

Biden visiting Kentucky to console tornado victims

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the fifth time since taking office less than a year ago, President Joe Biden is taking on the grim task Wednesday of visiting an area ravaged by natural disaster to offer comfort and condolences.

Biden was headed to Kentucky to survey damage and offer federal support for the victims of devastating tornadoes that killed dozens and left thousands more in the region without heat, water or electricity.