News

Christmas in Elton

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The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana and Town of Elton hosted their annual Christmas parade Saturday, welcoming participants and visitors from around the state. See more images from the holiday event on page two of today’s edition.

City to upgrade interstate lighting

The city of Jennings is looking to upgrade the lighting along the I-10 corridor.

“This resolution will begin the process to acquire a federal grant to replace and upgrade all of the lights along the I-10 corridor,” Guinn said.

According to the resolution, the city would enter into an agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) obligating the city to pay 10 percent of construction costs and assume all legal liability for and all maintenance operating costs of the lighting system.

Mallett reappointed to state board

Gov. John Bel Edwards has reappointed an Iowa man to the State Licensing Board for Contractors. Chester “Lee” Mallett is the owner and president of Mallett Buildings.

According to a press release from the governor’s office, Mallett will serve on the board as a subcontractor in the construction industry in a field other than electrical or mechanical construction. He will represent the Third Congressional District of Louisiana.

VISIT A VETERAN this holiday season

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The Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home (SWLVH) is inviting volunteers to visit the retired military heroes who reside there during this holiday season, which can sometimes be a lonely time for veterans who may not have a lot of family around.

Visitors are encouraged to stop by at anytime.

“Our home, like all veterans homes, welcomes visitors, their kind words and visitation time during the holidays,” said administrative manager Sam Doucet. “It makes residents happy to meet, greet and converse with their new friends, both young and old.”

NATIONAL BRIEFS

Trump food stamp changes loom, impact on Louisiana unclear

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana officials don’t yet know how many of the state’s food stamp recipients could be at risk of losing their benefits because of a new Trump administration rule that will tighten work requirements on the program.

Here Come the Holidays

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The Town of Elton celebrated the holidays with a parade on Saturday.

South Louisiana diocese to close elementary school

HOUMA, La. (AP) — A Catholic elementary school that has operated for more than 50 years is closing in south Louisiana.

Catholic diocese officials said Maria Immacolata Elementary in Houma will close at the end of the current school year.

LA mayor to sign lease agreement for internet service

LAKE ARTHUR - Faster internet service is one step closer for citizens here. Mayor Sherry Crochet was given the approval to sign a lease agreement with Faster Cajun Networks, LLC, a new service provider that began working in the area this past May.

“We’ve built out almost the entire Lake Arthur area, not just in town but all around the west side of the lake and to the north as well,” said owner Johnny Oneillion. “There are some key areas that we have limited coverage in that we cannot reach at this time.”

He said there is a gap in services midway through town.

US Catholic priests beset by overwork, isolation, scandals

CHICOPEE, Mass. (AP) — More than a century ago, waves of Catholic immigrants from Ireland, Poland and Quebec settled in Chicopee and other western Massachusetts mill towns, helping build churches, rectories and schools to accommodate their faith. Today the priests leading those churches are under siege due to stresses, challenges and sex abuse scandals complicating their lives and those of their fellow priests across the United States.

Accidental shootings by police expose training shortfalls

SEATTLE (AP) — When an Iowa mother tried to take her child from her husband during an argument on a snowy sidewalk in 2015, an officer stepped in to stop the scuffle, but he accidentally fired his weapon as a dog approached. The bullet went through the woman’s arm and into her chest, killing her as her family watched in horror.

When a Minnesota sergeant stopped a motorcyclist after a 2015 high-speed chase, he stepped out of his patrol car with his firearm drawn, flush with adrenaline, and accidentally shot the man in the arm.