Lafayette moves central park plan forward

Planned park

The Lafayette City-Parish Council on Tuesday approved an agreement that calls for a nonprofit group to take over fundraising, development and management of a planned central park at the 100-acre “Horse Farm” on Johnston Street. City-parish government bought the large, undeveloped tract last year from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to … Continue reading →

Faith-based volunteers help school turnaround program

Advocate staff photo by BRYAN TUCK -- Lafayette Parish Schools Superintendent Pat Cooper conducts a meeting of local pastors for their involvement in his school turnaround plan Tuesday at the The Family Church in Lafayette.

A group of interfaith churches and faith-based organizations met Tuesday to organize a plan to volunteer in Lafayette Parish public schools as mentors and tutors in support of the district’s turnaround plan. The goal is to help “every child have a fighting chance at success,” said Carlos Harvin, … Continue reading →

Weekend crash in St. Landry claims life of girl, 11

An 11-year-old girl has died from injuries she received in a traffic crash on Saturday in St. Landry Parish, State Police said Tuesday. Anna Trahan, 11, of Leonville, was a passenger in a vehicle that was rear-ended as the driver slowed in preparation to make a left turn about 8:22 p.m. Saturday … Continue reading →

Abbeville man dies Tuesday from injuries

A 44-year-old Abbeville man died early Tuesday from injuries he received when his car ran off the road and into a ditch Monday evening, State Police said. Darren Mouton was driving a Chevrolet Corvette south on La. 82 near Marlin Road about 6:51 p.m. when, for unknown reasons, he ran … Continue reading →

Lafayette toddler believed sexually abused before death

LAFAYETTE — DNA analysis of human fluids from 3-year-old Julian Madera’s body strongly suggests a 21-year-old man charged with his murder also had sexual contact with him, according to evidence prosecutors have filed in court. The report by Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory stated, “it can be concluded that to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty Landon Broussard is … Continue reading →

Lafayette, Broussard reach accord in land dispute

Festering litigation between Lafayette and Broussard over annexations along Ambassador Caffery in southern Lafayette Parish has been tentatively settled, an attorney in the case said. The settlement, if finalized, calls on Lafayette to void its annexation of one tract and for Broussard to agree to restrictions on future annexations along … Continue reading →

Head Start Early Learning registration starts Tuesday

Registration for summer openings begins Tuesday for the United Way of Acadiana’s Early Head Start Early Learning centers in Vermilion Parish and Lafayette. The centers provide free early childhood education programs for qualifying families with infants and toddlers up to 3 years old. The program also offers prenatal services to pregnant … Continue reading →

Around Acadiana for June 18, 2013

From left, Richard Burgess, Marsha Sills and Billy Gunn.

The Lafayette Young Lawyers Association will offer a series of free legal seminars from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Lafayette Bar Association’s office on Johnston Street in Lafayette. Topics include estate planning, divorce, child custody and child support, protective orders, small claims, city court lawsuits and criminal defense. Space is limited. To … Continue reading →

Child dies Saturday after falling into pool in Lafayette

A 3-year-old boy who wandered outside his grandparent’s home Saturday night fell into a swimming pool and drowned, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office said. Efforts to revive Cullen Guilbeaux were unsuccessful after the boy was pulled from the pool shortly before 9 p.m. Sheriff’s spokesman Capt. Kip Judice said deputies arrived at … Continue reading →

Teen dies after ATV hit early Sunday

A teenager was killed and another injured after their four-wheeler was struck by a truck on La. 757 in Evangeline Parish early Sunday, State Police said. Matthew Neal, a 15-year-old from Basile, died at a hospital before 1 p.m. Sunday, State Police Troop I said in a news release. Neither … Continue reading →

Horse riders, St. Landry officials prep for party

Advocate staff photo by BRYAN TUCK -- Tyrone Alexander aims floodlights on a mobile rig on Friday in an empty field in Washington in prepartation for this weekend's Kountry Bunnies Fourth Annual Trail Ride.

PLAISANCE - Members of Kountry Bunnies, an organization whose Memorial Day weekend trail-riding event was halted for fear of violence, on Friday prepared to host hundreds of people for a three-day party expected to include up to 400 horse riders Sunday on a five-mile jaunt. Law enforcement officers working security at what's now billed as a Father's Day event also prepared … Continue reading →

Durel: Lafayette needs “better conversation” about finances

Advocate staff photo by BRYAN TUCK. Photo shot on 2/16/11.    Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel delivers his

City-Parish President Joey Durel’s plan for a “blue ribbon” committee to research solutions to Lafayette city-parish financial problems appears to have been shelved. Durel announced the proposed committee in front of a large crowd of business and community leaders during his annual State of the Parish speech in February, … Continue reading →

One-stop registration available for Lafayette students

The Lafayette Parish school system will offer one-stop registration services for parents and guardians beginning June 26 at the former Lerosen Elementary School. Centralized registration is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the following dates: June 26-27, July 17-18 and Aug. 7-8 at the school, 516 E. Pinhook Road. Continue reading →

Lafayette considers city-parish employee raise

City-parish government employees could be in line for a raise in next year’s budget — their first pay adjustment in two years. The city-parish administration has not made a definite decision but is considering some form of employee raise in the proposed budget to be sent to council members later … Continue reading →

Youngsville council allows development to proceed

The City Council voted unanimously Thursday to allow the Cypress Gardens development to continue despite its inability to comply with an ordinance mandating 60-foot lots. The action was taken in accordance with several conditions brought forth by Youngsville city engineer Dax Douet. The council found itself in an unusual position because developer … Continue reading →

New surgery offered in Lafayette

Advocate staff photo by BRYAN TUCK -- Chester Alleman holds up his 17-month-old grandson Collin Landry at Women's and Children's Hospital's Media Day Thursday in Lafayette. Collin underwent cranial surgery at the hospital.

A new specialty team at Women’s & Children’s Hospital has begun operating on infants and toddlers who need surgery to correct the premature closure of their soft spots that could lead to developmental delays or even blindness. The condition is called craniosynostosis, and though it’s rare, the hospital has performed 11 … Continue reading →

Teachers receive more training on Common Core standards

Advocate staff photo by BRYAN TUCK -- Lafourche Parish Elementary School teachers Stephanie Lee, left, and Angela Wunstell take part in a education seminar on Thursday at the Lafayette Convention Center in Lafayette.

Teachers charged with training colleagues on how to implement new and more rigorous curriculum standards have another audience for their outreach — parents. More nonfiction reading and more of an analytical focus on English and math homework will be sent home in students’ backpacks, Laurie Carlton, curriculum coordinator in Plaquemines Parish, … Continue reading →

Acadiana Police and Fire briefs for June 14, 2013

One Lake Charles resident was arrested this week and another is being sought on counts of fraud tied a November vehicle fire in Acadiana Park on East Alexander Street that investigators said was intentionally set. Ashley John, who reported her vehicle stolen after the … Continue reading →

Acadiana briefs for July 13, 2013

The future of charity hospital care in Acadiana is the focus of the Acadiana Press Club’s “June Newsmaker Forum” scheduled at 11:45 a.m. Monday at South Louisiana Community College, Ardoin Building Cafeteria, 1101 Bertrand Drive. New University Hospital and Clinics CEO Jared Stark, … Continue reading →

School Board yanks funding for teen-mom program

A program for teen moms and their young children will start in the fall despite the School Board’s recent decision to take back $200,000 earmarked for the renovation of portable classroom buildings for it. Renovations to the portable buildings for the Family and Child Development Center planned for the … Continue reading →

Takeover to expand University Medical Center services

Advocate Staff Photo By BRAD BOWIE -- Gerald Meyers has his heart rate monitored by first year resident Leslie Birdsong at University Medical Center on Tuesday morning in Lafayette. Lafayette General Medical center will take over operations of UMC on June 24 and expand residency training starting July 1.

As soon as July, University Medical Center patients will have access to orthopedic services, and over the next year, an expansion of clinical services as Lafayette General Medical Center takes over operations of the public hospital, said LGMC’s President and Chief Executive Officer David Callecod. Many of the clinical services that had … Continue reading →

Judge orders school board member removed

Quincy Richard

A state district judge on Tuesday ordered that St. Landry Parish School Board member Quincy Richard Sr. be removed from office immediately. The ruling by Judge James Doherty Jr. came a day after he listened to arguments from Richard’s attorney and an assistant prosecutor from the St. Landry Parish District Attorney’s Office, … Continue reading →

University Common bike path extension planned

Bike path extension

Construction is scheduled to begin next spring on an extension of the University Common bike path that now runs along Johnston Street and Cajundome Boulevard, city-parish planners and university officials said Tuesday. The new construction will add 1.25 miles of bike paths, extending the existing 2-mile path through Youth Park and into … Continue reading →

Worker at Cargill Salt killed Saturday

A superintendent working on a piece of equipment at Cargill Salt in Breaux Bridge died in an industrial accident Saturday evening, a Cargill official said. Cargill spokesman Mark Klein said Tuesday that Steve Rodrigue, a longtime employee, was found about 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The St. Martin Parish Coroner’s Office, in … Continue reading →

Motorcyclist dies following Sunday collision

A Lafayette motorcyclist who crashed into another motorcycle south of Duson over the weekend died Monday from his injuries, State Police said. James Feazell, 32, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition Saturday after the accident at 3:45 p.m. on La. 720 west of La. 343, State Police Troop I … Continue reading →

Nonprofit breaks ground on development in Iberia Parish

Advocate staff photo by BRYAN TUCK -- A groundbreaking ceremony takes place Monday for the Teche Ridge traditional neighborhood development in New Iberia.

A nonprofit group known for its work in rural community development is stepping into the private housing market in a big way. The Southern Mutual Help Association, of New Iberia, broke ground Monday on a 600-home River Ranch-style development planned for nearly 100 acres on the edge of New Iberia. Continue reading →

Judge to rule on whether to oust official

Quincy Richard

A state district judge is expected to issue a ruling sometime later this week on whether a St. Landry Parish School Board member should be removed from office. Lawyers squared off Monday during a hearing before state District Judge James Doherty over whether Quincy Richard Sr. should lose his position on … Continue reading →

Education chief talks about changing diploma options

Advocate staff photo by BRYAN TUCK -- State Superintendent of Schools John White speaks at a community forum Monday at South Louisiana Community College in Lafayette.

As the state moves to streamline high school diploma options to strengthen a career-training diploma track, it shouldn’t remove college as an option. That was the message South Louisiana Community College Chancellor Natalie Harder delivered to state Superintendent of Education John White during a Monday forum. “No matter the diploma you … Continue reading →

Around Acadiana for June 11, 2013

From left, Richard Burgess, Marsha Sills and Billy Gunn.

Cajun and Creole guitarists will demonstrate techniques and discuss their roles in bands playing South Louisiana music from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Vermillionville Performance Center. Christine Balfa, Randy Vidrine and Lil Buck Sinegal will be among the guitarists demonstrating their skills. They also will discuss the history of the guitar in the … Continue reading →

Lafayette bishop ordains six priests

The Diocese of Lafayette’s Bishop Michael Jarrell ordained six priests during a Mass on Saturday at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. The priests celebrated their first Mass in their home parishes over the weekend and will begin their appointments as associate pastors July 1. Ordained priests, … Continue reading →

Carencro man with AIDS charged in child’s rape

CORMIER, CONWELL   JUNIOR

A Carencro man has been charged with raping a 5-year-old boy and possibly giving the child AIDS, according to records with the Lafayette Parish District Attorney’s Office. Conwell Cormier, 29, was indicted by a Lafayette Parish grand jury this past week on one count of aggravated rape and one … Continue reading →

St. Landry may hire consultant for school facility needs

St. Landry Parish school officials are considering hiring a consultant to develop a comprehensive plan for repairing the school system’s aging structures. The School Board on Thursday authorized Superintendent Edward Brown to engage in preliminary discussions with Poche Prouet Associates Ltd. The consulting firm’s representatives presented a proposal for an initial physical … Continue reading →

Vigil held for missing mother

Crystal Dupuis Grebinger

Family and friends of Crystal Dupuis Grebinger will hold a candlelight vigil for the missing mother of four at 7 p.m. Saturday at Girard Park. Grebinger’s aunt Jeanne Savoy, of Baton Rouge, said there is a $10,000 reward for information that leads to finding the woman who was last seen leaving a … Continue reading →

St. Landry School Board OKs superintendent contract

The St. Landry Parish School Board on Thursday approved a contract with new school Superintendent Edward Brown after a failed attempt to delay action on it. Board member Randy Wagley said it would be “more prudent” to wait until a state district court judge rules on a petition filed in April by … Continue reading →

Scott City Council to extend Apollo Road

The City Council voted unanimously Thursday to adopt the right of way to begin the extension of Apollo Road to Rue de Belier. Scott Mayor Purvis Morrison said the city acquired a right-of-way agreement from the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government for the project. The agreement was needed because Apollo Road runs through … Continue reading →

N.P. Moss Preparatory considers admitting younger students

Advocate file photo by BRYAN TUCK -- Under a proposal presented Wednesday to the Lafayette Parish School Board, more students with discipline problems from lower grades would be served at N.P. Moss Preparatory Academy.

The Lafayette Parish school district’s new alternative site for students in grades five through 12 who are suspended or expelled from school may make room for younger students in the coming school year. At least 45 spots for students in grades kindergarten through 4 will be added to the N.P. Moss Preparatory … Continue reading →

School Board recognizes Lafayette students of the year

The Lafayette Parish School Board recognized the parish’s fifth-, eighth- and 12th-grade students of the year during its board meeting Wednesday. Selected as district winners were: Fiorella Contreras, fifth-grader at Prairie Elementary; Sarah Cagle, eighth-grader at Edgar Martin Middle; and Gina Biddick, a senior at Comeaux High School. Cagle was also selected … Continue reading →

Patterson woman involved in fatal April crash arrested

A woman whose April crash on U.S. 90 in Calumet killed her passenger was arrested Thursday on one count of driving under the influence of narcotics, State Police said. Tasha Boudreaux, 31, was arrested at her Patterson home on a warrant accusing her of careless operation of a vehicle, marijuana possession, vehicular … Continue reading →

Lafayette School Board reviews construction projects

Advocate staff photo by BRYAN TUCK -- During its meeting Wednesday, the Lafayette Parish School Board reviewed recommendations for architects for renovations at Youngsville Middle School in Youngsville, pictured, and L.J. Alleman Middle School in Lafayette.

The Lafayette Parish School Board on Wednesday reviewed a committee’s recommendations for architects to design renovation projects planned for L.J. Alleman and Youngsville middle schools. The board sold $30 million in bonds to fund the two projects, along with four more, for an expansion at Youngsville Middle and major renovations … Continue reading →