LAFAYETTE — A federal judge on Wednesday ended the federal desegregation lawsuit against the Evangeline Parish School Board, drawing to a close years of federal oversight of the parish’s public school system. The desegregation case has spurred major changes over the past decade, including a $6 million makeover of Ville Platte High School and … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — Local educators received recognition from the Louisiana Association of Educators during the organization’s 2012 Image Awards on April 28 in Baton Rouge. The awards are given to outstanding educators who have advanced the image of teachers, education support professionals and administrators, according to a news release. Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — The Lafayette Parish School Board ended its budget review of $244 million in educational and operational expenses Tuesday with a small surplus: $300. “It’s basically a break-even budget,” said Billy Guidry, the district’s chief financial officer. The balanced budget is made possible with $583,856 from the board’s reserve or rainy … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — A 29-acre site in the 1900 block of West Willow Street for the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office’s planned public safety complex gives the office an opportunity to expand its corrections footprint outside downtown, authorities said Tuesday. Sheriff Mike Neustrom and other public officials gathered near a grove of live oaks Tuesday … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — Lafayette’s traffic camera enforcement program will remain in place. The City-Parish Council on Tuesday voted 6-3 against a proposal by councilmen Jared Bellard, Andy Naquin and William Theriot to end the automated enforcement program. They were the only council members to vote in favor of taking the cameras down. Continue reading →

NEW IBERIA — Two New Iberia man are accused of stealing more than $20,000 worth of jewelry and valuables from a home while working under the guise of a house washing company, the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a news … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — City-Parish President Joey Durel said Tuesday that Lafayette will immediately stop providing new water connections within the neighboring city of Broussard and he plans to eventually end a wholesale water agreement with the smaller city. The move comes amid an ongoing feud between the administrations of the two cities, which have … Continue reading →

A 51-year-old Ville Platte man died in an early morning fire in the 100 block of West Hickory Street, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Ville Platte Fire Department responded to the fire shortly after 2 a.m., State Fire Marshal Butch Browning said in a news release. One person escaped the home without injuries, … Continue reading →

The Vermilionville living history museum and Lafayette Parish Master Gardeners have launched a gardening exhibit that explores the traditional use of plants for healing in south Louisiana. The “Healer’s Garden” project was guided largely by local home remedies that were documented in the 1930s, according to information from Vermilionville. Vermilionville, located off … Continue reading →

A Lafayette Parish work-release inmate who escaped from custody in September was captured Friday in Nevada, according to the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. Lyon County sheriff’s deputies in Nevada spotted Marcus Dupuis with two other men at a truck stop, said Capt. Kip Judice, spokesman for the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, in a news release … Continue reading →

MEGAN BROWNE & FRIEND: Prejean’s Restaurant, 3480 Interstate 49 N., Lafayette (337) 896-3247 BAYOU BOYS: Randol’s, 2320 Kaliste Saloom Road, (337) 981-7080 JIM GASPARD & SCOTT RAMBLER: Prejean’s Restaurant CAJUN JAM: Blue Moon Saloon, 215 E. Convent St., (337) 234-2422 LAFAYETTE RHYTHM DEVILS: Randol’s

OPELOUSAS — The St. Landry Parish School Board voted 10-1 on Monday to temporarily revise the district’s reduction in personnel policy so the system’s support workers have the same opportunity as certified personnel to apply for positions they previously held if they are laid off. Support staff are in positions … Continue reading →

VILLE PLATTE — The Evangeline Parish Police Jury agreed Monday to move Police Jury offices from the courthouse to the parish-owned Medicaid building in order to free up space in the courthouse for the Evangeline Parish district attorney. Parish Engineer Ronnie Landreneau estimated the moving expenses would amount to $41,000. The jury legal adviser, … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — Northside High Principal Melinda Voorhies may get the chance to hand-pick her staff for the next school year if the School Board approves a recommendation to “reconstitute” the low-performing school. The board will consider the reconstitution recommendation, which would enable Voorhies to choose her own staff, at … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — The City-Parish Council is set to vote Tuesday on whether to do away with the city’s traffic camera enforcement program, but even if it’s kept alive, some council members are pushing for changes in the scope of the program and how it is managed. Councilmen Jared Bellard, Andy Naquin and William Theriot have … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Alumni Association will honor eight students as Outstanding Graduates during Saturday’s spring commencement ceremonies. Deans from each academic college nominate a student for the honor based on leadership, scholarship and service. One of the eight will be selected for an overall Outstanding Graduate award … Continue reading →

SCOTT — It’s an audacious move to stake a claim to the title of “Boudin Capital of the World” in south Louisiana, where scores of meat markets, grocery stores and gas stations crank out their own versions of the pork-and-rice snack. But Scott Mayor Purvis Morrison confidently defended the “boudin capital” title at a … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — The regional electric company, SLEMCO, has asked for the Lafayette Parish School Board’s help in expanding its services in the Youngsville area. But some board members may need more convincing based on their initial reaction to the proposal. At the board’s May 2 meeting, Glenn Angelle, a SLEMCO rights-of-way agent, asked the … Continue reading →

State Police are investigating the Friday morning death of a 33-year-old Baldwin man who was shot with a stun gun by a Baldwin police officer after he escaped from the Police Department there. State Police spokesman Trooper Stephen Hammons said the man’s identity is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin. Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — High school students in four school districts in Acadiana will have the option to become trained and job-ready in a field ripe with opportunities — the oil and gas industry. Two new career and technical education courses, an introduction to oil and gas production and a safety systems course, prepare students for entry-level … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — The Louisiana Housing Finance Agency awarded the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority a $1 million grant to transform a brick warehouse near downtown into loft-style apartments for artists. The 15-unit development at 114 Olivier St., is estimated to cost about $2.2 million and construction could start in October, said … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — An elaborate show-and-tell of the visual and performing arts talents of Lafayette Parish School System students will be on display from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at downtown Lafayette venues. The Lafayette Parish School System 2012 Arts Expo is produced in collaboration with … Continue reading →

A Carencro police captain recently became the state’s first law enforcement officer to receive the FBI’s Trilogy Award for completing three management-level training courses offered by the agency. Capt. Ronnie Richard completed the last of the three weeklong sessions in April. He and 22 other officers from around the country were honored for their … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — This fall will mark the first time the school system gathers a key piece of information that will help it ensure that more of its students are ready for kindergarten — the name of where they received child care. Lafayette Parish School Superintendent Pat Cooper said knowing what … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel said he hopes to sign papers this summer that will formally transfer the former Louisiana-Lafayette Equine Center, nicknamed the Horse Farm, to Lafayette Consolidated Government to be converted into a public park. Durel said university leaders and government officials have worked around legal obstacles that have stalled … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — Lafayette Parish Assessor Conrad Comeaux said his office plans to wrap up its four-year review of property values next month, setting the stage for property taxes to rise or fall based on new assessments. Comeaux said there seems to be no trend up or down in the reassessments, which are generally … Continue reading →

A St. Martin Parish grand jury on Wednesday indicted a St. Martinville man on one count of first-degree murder in the Jan. 18 shooting death of his pregnant fiancée. Assistant District Attorney Chester Cedars said Joshua McKeel, 21, could face a possible death penalty if convicted in the slaying of Hannah Parker, … Continue reading →

NEW IBERIA — The Iberia Parish Council in an 11-3 vote Wednesday passed a resolution setting May 30 for a special meeting to investigate a conflict between Parish President Errol “Romo” Romero and the 16th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Council members David Ditch, Glenn Romero, Troy Comeaux, Thomas Landry, Bernard Broussard, Roger Duncan, … Continue reading →

OPELOUSAS — Bringing a bag of marijuana to a police station is not a smart idea, police say. An Opelousas woman has been arrested and booked with possession of marijuana. Police Chief Perry Gallow said Jernita Williams, 31, went … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — Lafayette Parish Schools Superintendent Pat Cooper will discuss his turnaround plan in a public forum at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Scott Middle School Gym and at noon May 17 at AOC Community Media, 1010 Jefferson St. in Lafayette’s Rosa Parks Transportation Center. Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration is taking applications for its new executive MBA program, officials announced. The new Master of Business Administration program targets business leaders in senior-level positions with at least seven years of experience, said Joby John, dean of the Moody … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — Federal prosecutors allege the owner of a Lafayette herbal supplement business sold products containing a prescription diet drug that was taken off the market in 2010 on health concerns, bringing in more than $350,000 over two years. Thuy Thikim Nguyen faces federal charges related to the marketing of unapproved drugs in … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — City-parish department heads are being asked to comb their budgets for cuts as the administration prepares to trim at least $5 million from next year’s budget. The administration is just beginning to prepare the proposed budget, but under a best-case scenario, $5 million in cuts will be needed to bring expenses … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — The St. Mary Parish school system plans to open a new virtual school in August as a way to draw home schoolers back into the school system. The virtual school would enroll students in grades 6-12 and is open to any student in the parish. However, the school … Continue reading →

Healing herbs discussed Vermilionville celebrates the opening of its new healing garden filled with local herbs traditionally used by traiteurs, or healers, at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The event will be followed by a guided tour and a 6:30 p.m. discussion with local master gardeners and historians on the topic of “Herbal Lore in the Rural … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — Retired Lt. General Russel Honoré will be the keynote speaker for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s spring commencement at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Cajundome. Honoré, the former commander of Joint Task Force Katrina and a global preparedness expert, will speak to graduates during the General Assembly ceremony. There will … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — The United Way of Acadiana was recognized as a finalist for the United Way Common Good Awards at the United Way Community Leaders Conference in Nashville for its work with the Lafayette Parish Public Education Stakeholders Council, the organization announced in a news release Monday. The inaugural Common Good … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — A former radio dispatcher with the Mamou Police Department has filed a federal lawsuit against the city’s police chief alleging she was arrested without a warrant in May 2011 and held in the town’s jail for three days without food, running water and access to her respiratory inhaler. Pamela … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — The stars shine a bit brighter at the Lafayette Science Museum’s Planetarium thanks to recent renovations including new $500,000 digital technology. The renovated planetarium reopened to visitors Tuesday. One change replaced the planetarium’s 42-year-old equipment, including the “star machine” that projected constellations onto the overhead viewing dome. Gone, too, are the … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — By the end of the next school year, all schools in the district will have after-school cleaning crews working to prepare halls and bathrooms for next day’s business of learning. The switch from custodial staff keeping school hours began earlier this year at 11 schools for the district to test Superintendent Pat … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — A former bookkeeper accused of stealing more than $184,000 from Cocolare Spa entered a guilty plea in federal court Friday. Angie C. Normand pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge C. Michael Hill, who will now forward Normand’s plea and his recommendation to U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote. Normand’s guilty plea will not … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — City-Parish Director of Community Development Ben Berthelot is shifting to head of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission. The LCVC board voted unanimously Friday to select Berthelot as the new executive director for the area’s tourism agency. “I’m sad to leave behind my position (in community development), but this is an opportunity … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — A U.S. Postal Service plan to scale back operations at its regional mail processing center on Moss Street could be halted or at least postponed under pending federal legislation, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., said Friday. Landrieu and several local officials toured the Moss Street facility on Friday and held a news … Continue reading →

LAFAYETTE — The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is no longer accepting students who need remedial classes. That means starting this fall, freshmen who need extra help must go to another college first. University officials said enrollment numbers will drop but they are not concerned. Carolyn Bruder, provost and vice president of Academic … Continue reading →