News

Graphic video shown in trial of nightclub shooter’s widow

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Jurors in the trial of the wife of the man who shot and killed 49 people inside a Florida nightclub watched graphic videos of the massacre Thursday.

The video shown in federal court included footage of Noor Salman’s husband, Omar Mateen, as he stalked the nightclub, spraying bullets.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that Salman shielded her face from the graphic content when prosecutors showed it to the jury.

US says Russia hacked energy grid, punishes 19

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pushing back harder on Russia, the Trump administration accused Moscow on Thursday of a concerted hacking operation targeting the U.S. energy grid, aviation systems and other infrastructure, and also imposed sanctions on Russians for alleged interference in the 2016 election.

Man gets 30 years for road rage killing of ex-NFL player

GRETNA (AP) — The man convicted of manslaughter in the 2016 road rage shooting death of former NFL running back Joe McKnight was sentenced to 30 years in prison Thursday.

Ronald Gasser, 56, had faced up to 40 years in prison. Defense lawyers argued that Gasser fired in selfdefense when McKnight walked up to his car following a 5-mile confrontation that began on a bridge spanning the Mississippi River in New Orleans and ended with gunfire in neighboring Jefferson Parish.

Mueller witness is convicted pedophile with shadowy past

WASHINGTON (AP) — How did George Nader — Lebanese-American businessman, globe-trotting “fixer,” convicted child molester — get caught up in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation?

The answer, it seems, can be found in the shadows, where Nader has long operated.

Seven years on, Syrians despair over a country in pieces

BEIRUT (AP) — For Syrians marking seven years of war, their country has never looked as helpless or fragmented.

President Bashar Assad has decimated the rebellion, thanks to massive military aid from Russia and Iran, but foreign powers have carved out zones of influence across the country. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians are trapped in besieged areas, and heavy fighting is underway in the suburbs of Damascus and in the north, where al-Qaidalinked militants are clashing with rival insurgents and Turkish troops are battling a Syrian Kurdish militia.

Girl Scouts to hold fundraiser

This year the Easter Bunny’s job will be a little easier in Jeff Davis Parish thanks to Girl Scouts Troop 72.

The girls will be filling plastic eggs and hiding them in yards across Welsh, Jennings and Lake Arthur as part of their Operation Easter Egg Drop to raise money for their upcoming trip to New York in June.

Troop Leader Kim Myers said the event will take some of the hassle out of Easter egg hunts.

Dumped tires the latest report of parish littering

Jeff Davis deputies were called to check on an early morning report of tires dumped in a ditch and on a roadway Tuesday, March 13.

Deputies discovered about 30 tires in various conditions discarded about a quarter mile east of the Lauderdale highway on Leonard Road. Deputies contacted the police jury, which later removed the tires.

Randy Ringuet, parish road administrator for the Jeff Davis Parish police jury, said dumping tires like this causes unnecessary trouble.

Jeff Davis Parish Library to host art classes

The Jeff Davis Parish Library will be hosting two tweens and teens art classes. The first will held Wednesday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m. and the second will be held April 12 at the same time.

Iris Holland, secretary and organizer of several adult classes taught at the library, said these classes have been frequently requested.

“I listened to people in the community’s requests and was able to ask if we could set something up,” she said. I got it cleared and was able to organize it.”

Jennings man jailed for drug trafficking

A Jennings man was arrested Wednesday after witnesses claimed he was trafficking drugs out of his home.

Shannon Levi, 38, of 406 Syers Street was arrested and charged with possession of Schedule II drugs with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses.

Man facing cruelty charges

Baby will require surgery following abuse

WELSH - A man is facing cruelty charges after an 8-month-old was discovered to have two broken bones and several bruises.

Welsh Police Chief Marcus Crochet said the department responded to a 911 call Monday on N. Kennedy Street regarding an injured baby. The child was immediately transported to an area hospital. Officers at the scene were given conflicting stores about who was with the baby when the injuries occurred.