News

STATE BRIEFS

London choir to mark 60th anniversary of chapel

Trump builds on Obama opioid policy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Deep within President Donald Trump’s plan to combat opioid abuse, overshadowed by his call for the death penalty for some drug traffickers, is a push to expand the use of medication to treat addiction.

It’s a rare instance in which Trump isn’t trying to dismantle Obama administration policies, and where fractious Republicans and Democrats in Congress have come together.

S.C. inmate: Bodies stacked up during riot, 7 slain

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Inmates armed with homemade knives fought each other for more than seven hours inside a maximumsecurity prison, leaving seven of them dead, officials said. An inmate who witnessed the riot told The Associated Press that bodies were “literally stacked on top of each other.”

At least 17 prisoners were seriously injured as inmates fought uninterrupted before authorities regained control of Lee Correctional Institution about 3 a.m. Monday, South Carolina prisons spokesman Jeff Taillon said.

White House weighing more Russia sanctions

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says a decision on new economic sanctions against Russia will be made soon — not committing to an announcement Monday that U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley had said to expect.

In a statement, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said: “We are considering additional sanctions on Russia and a decision will be made in the near future.”

Chemical weapons team kept from alleged attack site in Syria

BEIRUT (AP) — Independent investigators were prevented by Syrian and Russian authorities Monday from reaching the scene of an alleged chemical attack near the Syrian capital, an official said, days after the U.S., France and Britain bombarded sites they said were linked to Syria’s chemical weapons program.

The lack of access to the town of Douma by inspectors from the watchdog group, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, has left questions about the April 7 attack unanswered.

NATIONAL BRIEFS

WiFi network named ‘remote detonator’ prompts gym evacuation

ASSIST meeting to nominate area representative

Residents of Jennings and Lake Arthur who wish to help the economically challenged in the parish will have the opportunity to do so in two weeks.

The ASSIST Agency is holding a nomination meeting Tuesday, May 1, at the Jennings Outreach Center on 107 East Nezpique Street.

Head Start accepting applications for upcoming school year

Head Start, which operates pre-school classes for lowincome children in Jennings and Elton, is now accepting applications for the next school year.

The school teaches children ages three to five school readiness and helps them reach social and emotional goals, said Head Start Family and Community Partnership Manager Terry Fontenot.

From the Pond to the Pot

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Second graders from M.J. Kaufman Elementary in Lake Charles got to experience firsthand how crawfish travel from the pond to the pot at a tour hosted by the Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission Friday morning.

The tours, which are held from March to May for students in the surrounding area, start at a 65-acre crawfish pond in Roanoke owned by crawfish farmer Burt Tietje before traveling to the I-10 Crawfish Cooperative, where crustaceans from farms like Tietje’s are processed before making their way to grocery stores and restaurants.

VVA receives $5K donation to help replace stolen trailer

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1058 in Jennings received a $5,000 donation to help replace items that were missing or damaged when the group’s utility trailer was stolen late last year.

Jeff Davis Bank read about the theft in Jennings Daily News and decided to help the group. Boyd Boudreaux, president and CEO, said the company aims to help important groups like Vietnam Veterans of America.