News

DRAG QUEENS CAN READ TO KIDS AGAIN AT LAFAYETTE LIBRARY

LAFAYETTE(AP) — An agreement has been reached between a Louisiana library and the American Civil Liberties Union to allow Drag Queen Story Time at the library.

An agreement was reached Thursday between the Lafayette Public Library and the ACLU allowing anyone to reserve library meeting space for any constitutionally protected purpose.

‘DUKES OF HAZZARD’ STAR’S SEIZED LAND TO BE SOLD

HOLDEN (AP) — A 58-acre tract of Louisiana land seized from “Dukes of Hazzard” star and country singer John Schneider is set to go on sale this month.

News outlets report the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office seized the Holden land housing John Schneider Studios in November after the actor defaulted on his mortgage.

 

Parish flood threat remains

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Self-service sandbag locations announced

Despite sunny weekend weather, due to heavy rainfall over the last few weeks, flood threats have been issued in some areas of the parish through Tuesday.

MLK Day celebration planned

WELSH - Communities are gearing up to observe a day of remembrance, honor and togetherness.

Welsh will soon see the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration sponsored by the Bethune and Richmond Park LTD social club.

The event will take place Monday, Jan.

21.

“This is a day of remembrance for people in general,” said club President Eddie Achan. “King wasn’t just for white or black, he was a man of many colors.”

The day’s festivities will begin at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The church is located at 310 N. Sarah St.

PJ adopts budget, prepares for 2019

The Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury recently adopted the budget for the 2019 year, as well as amended the budget for the 2018 year.

The 2018 budget was updated with actual totals, which Secretary Renee Hicks says is standard operating procedure.

The 2019 proposed budget was adopted Wednesday after a hearing was held to receive public comments. No public comments were presented.

'THIS WAS NOT MY PLAN'

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(Editor’s note: January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. In each of this month’s weekend editions, Jennings Daily News is featuring an article that aims to educate women on the facts of this disease.)

Mechelle Manuel of Jennings always wanted to

be a mom. When she was 21 she gave birth to son Jaycen and dreamed of making him a big brother somewhere down the road. Cervical cancer changed that plan.

Friends Supporting Friends to host fundraiser for repairs

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A local nonprofit organization that has for years helped others in the community is now seeking the public’s assistance.

The Friends Supporting Friends Event Center on US 90 west of Jennings is in need of a new roof.

“We knew the building was old when we purchased it from the Veterans of Foreign Wars,” said President Keith Stutes. “It is time to replace the roof. When it rains, we have to put buckets to catch water from several leaks.”

Stutes said the roof is in dire need of repairs as soon as possible.

Stocks pull a U-turn and soar after jobs report, trade talks

NEW YORK (AP) — Global stocks are soaring Friday and reversing the big losses they suffered just a day ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared almost 600 points in the latest twist in a wild three months for markets.

Hopes for progress in the U.S.-China trade dispute, a strong report on the U.S. jobs market and comments from the head of the U.S. central bank about its interest rate policy all combined to cheer investors.

Five children heading to Disney killed in fiery Fla. crash

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Five children heading to Disney World in a church van from Louisiana died along with two truck drivers in a fiery crash on Interstate 75 in north Florida, the Florida Highway Patrol said Friday.

The children were traveling in a large passenger van from Avoyelles Parish, Lt. Patrick Riordan said during a news conference on Friday morning in Alachua, which is south of Gainesville.

Outgoing US Interior secretary defends legacy

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — As former U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke exits Washington still chased by ethics investigations and criticism of his actions favoring industry, he told The Associated Press he’s lived up to the conservation ideals of Teddy Roosevelt and insisted the myriad allegations against him will be proven untrue.

The former Montana congressman also said he quit President Donald Trump’s cabinet on his own terms, despite indications he was pressured by the White House to resign effective Wednesday.