News

COA to offer educational seminars

During the month of June, the Council on Aging (COA) will offer opportunities to learn more about different health-related topics.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, a preventative healthcare presentation presented by Health Screeners will inform seniors on the benefits of genetic testing for hereditary cancer and adverse drug reactions.

“The class is for informational purposes only,” said Activities Director Kim Benoit. “We want to make the public aware that this testing is available and the benefits of such screenings.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Most experts in the field agree that children learn from the example of others close to them. However, some children are just innately kind.

An example of this type of child is Landon LaBouve, soon to be a third grader at Welsh Elementary. He is eight years old now but his world of compassion and generosity began when he was just a baby, his mother Brandy Hammons LaBouve said.

Young Landon has learned the principle of compassion early on. When asked why he does such kind things for others, he expressed that it was his faith in God.

BAYOU COUNTRY SUPERFEST DREW ABOUT 50K TO B.R.

BATON ROUGE (AP) — The return of Bayou Country Superfest to Louisiana’s state capital drew about 50,000 people over the Memorial Day weekend. The Advocate reports the attendance in Tiger Stadium was less than half the crowd that showed up in 2016 — the last time the event was held in Baton Rouge. It was also smaller than crowds attending the event in New Orleans.

‘Death on the Bayou’ to air

An Investigation Discovery (ID) Channel series, “Death on the Bayou: The Jennings 8,” will be airing in four, one-hour segments the weekend of June 15-16.

The series will focus on the eight unsolved deaths of Jeff Davis women that took place from between 2005 and 2009, commonly referred to as the “Jennings 8.”

While the causes of death were varied - some with their throats slashed while many were too decomposed to determine - all were connected to one another, often seen with the same people in their final hours, said Director of Publicity Debbie Sullivan.

VETS HONORED

The Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home (SWLVH) recognized six retired heroes with the Louisiana Honor Medal on Thursday at a monthly meeting.

SWLVH Administrative Manager Sam Doucet announced the recipients.

“We pay honor to these men who bravely answered the call and earned the dignity for their discipline and bravery,” said Doucet. “Louisiana appreciates their service to our country.”

Benefit planned Sunday

IOTA — The “little town with a big heart” is pulling together to help a family with medical and funeral costs that were incurred following the death of their 3-year-old son in late April.

Carson Brown, 3, died in a Lafayette hospital April 27 after being discovered unconscious in a Hathaway pond. His parents are Alejandra and Zack Brown.

City’s public pool to open for summer season

The public pool in Jennings offers a place to beat the summer heat. It is set to open on Monday, June 3.

“The pool will be open for general swim from 2-5 p.m. Monday through Friday,” said manager Lisa Charles. “Admission is $1.50 per person.”

Charles reminds pool visitors that children must be at least three years of age and must be potty trained. Also, children under eight must be accompanied by someone 13 years old or above.

The public pool offers a learning opportunity.

Quick response logged for Elton rollover

ELTON - Fire Dist. 6 Chief John Richer says having a second ambulance service in the parish is already helping to drastcially decrease response times in the northern parts of the parish.

In May, the Jeff Davis Police Jury approved a permit application from the company to operate in the parish. The company has located home offices in both Jennings and Elton.

NATIONAL BRIEFS

La. man charged with abducting, raping Indiana tourist

Storm season brings new dread while forgotten towns rebuild

(AP) - The annual start of hurricane season casts a shadow of dread over coastal sections of the United States. People fret over the next Big One, even as communities struggle to recover from the last one.

For some communities, the devastation remains an open wound, as in Florida’s Panama City, slammed by Hurricane Michael in October.

Even years later, many towns still bear the scars, physical or psychological.

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA