Wednesday, August 20, 2008
   
 
NEWS

HOSPITAL TAX RENEWAL SET FOR VOTE
At their meeting last week, the Lafourche Parish Council approved a tax renewal measure for central Lafourche voters to consider on the October ballot. On October 4, voters in Hospital District No.2 will consider a renewal for Ochsner St. Anne Hospital in Mathews. The ten year tax, if approved ... click here for more on this story

NEW LAROSE BRIDGE DELAYED AGAIN
Project to be bid again in September Bids for a new bridge in Larose connecting Louisiana Highway 3235 and the “Larose Link” connector road to Louisiana Highway 308 have been delayed again. For the second time, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is set to reject ... click here for more on this story

TRIVIA NIGHT COMING TO THIBODAUX
Like playing trivia? Can’t wait until the next time it’s held at the Cut Off Youth Center? Well, you won’t have to. Trivia’s coming to Thibodaux. The Lafourche Mayors Committee on Disability Issues will present their version of Trivia Night, Saturday, August 23 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The ... click here for more on this story

LOCAL LEVEE AND RESTORATION PROJECTS TO RECEIVE FUNDING
Several local levee and coastal restoration projects will see addition cash infusions into their budgets as the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and Governor Bobby Jindal announced last week. Some $300 million of the state’s budget surplus is being dedicated to coastal and ... click here for more on this story

John Brady.jpgPROMENENT LAROSE BUSINESSMAN DIES OF APPARENT HEART ATTACK
Services Monday in Larose for John Brady, Jr. A man instrumental in the telecommunications evolution of the south Lafourche community passed away Wednesday afternoon. John Brady, Jr., a longtime owner of Lafourche Telephone Company, better known as “Latelco”, died of an apparent heart atta ... click here for more on this story

PSC RULING GIVES CONSUMERS BRIEF RELIEF ON UTILITY BILLS
A ruling Tuesday from the Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC) gives Entergy customers a new option for helping to manage their high utility bills. The Commission declared the state's first-ever "energy emergency," which will allow for deferred billing programs for low-income customers. ... click here for more on this story

Darrel Charles.jpgGRAND JURY CONSIDERS TRIPLE-HOMICIDE CASE
A Lafourche Parish grand jury heard testimony yesterday in connection to a triple homicide in the Raceland area last May. Three men, who were sitting inside a Ford Mustang on May 12, were found shot to death from close range by AK-47s. Darrel Charles, 19, whose lists his address as 11 K ... click here for more on this story

HUNTER SAFETY CLASS SCHEDULED FOR THIS MONTH
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre has announced the next scheduled Hunter Safety classes will be held this month at the LPSO Training Academy located @751 Goode Street, Thibodaux, La. This Hunter Safety class will take place on Saturday, August 16th, from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. The next da ... click here for more on this story

Paul Dufrene Sex Offender.jpgLAROSE MAN FACING LIFE SENTENCE FOR CHILD MOLESTATION
Larose native, 57-year-old Paul Edward Dufrene, faces a possible life sentence after a district judge found him guilty last Thursday of molesting a 7-year-old-girl. Dufrene, a registered sex offender, was the first person tried in Lafourche Parish under a new state law that makes a life sen ... click here for more on this story

SUMMER LEAP SCORES RELEASED
Nearly 8,000 fourth and eighth graders advanced to the next grade level based on summer LEAP test scores released by the Louisiana Department of Education. The students passing the summer exam joined more than 68,000 students statewide who passed the test in the spring. Education leaders sa ... click here for more on this story

SCHOOLS GET $1.3 MILLION MORE IN TAXES
Board members cite a variety of rising costs, as well as a pay raise for employees, among reasons This article appeared in the Friday, August 8, 2008 edition of the Daily Comet, written by staff writer Matthew Pleasant. Lafourche schools expect to reap nearly $1.3 million more in property ... click here for more on this story

2008 LOUISIANA FALL SHRIMP SEASON TO OPEN
The fall inshore shrimp season will open in Shrimp Management Zones 1, 2 and 3 at noon Monday. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved the season dates at its Aug. 7 meeting, based upon recommendations presented by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Marine Fish ... click here for more on this story

Steve Carter.jpgTEXAS MAN ARRESTED FOR EXPOSING HIMSELF IN RESTAURANT
A Texas man was arrested Wednesday for exposing himself at a Galliano restaurant. Steve W. Carter, age 44, of 2495 Van Zandt County Road, Wheeler, Texas, was charged with Obscenity (felony) and Disturbing the Peace. Just before 5:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s deputie ... click here for more on this story

WEEKEND CRASHES PROVE DEADLY
Two separate crashes this past weekend left a Golden Meadow man dead and a Lockport man critically injured. On Saturday, August 2 at 2:20 p.m., Troop C troopers were notified of a serious injury traffic crash on LA 1 near West 201st Street, just north of Golden Meadow. A 76-year-old Gold ... click here for more on this story

WHEN THE NEXT STORM SURGE HITS LAFOURCHE PARISH
How the next hurricane storm surge could affect Lafourche Parish will be the focus of upcoming exhibits and three public talks. The Next Storm Surge will be held: Thursday, August 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jean Lafitte National Park/Lafourche Parish Public Library, 314 St. Mary St., Thibodau ... click here for more on this story

Graft.jpgYOUR TAX BILL MAY SOON RISE
You won’t get to vote on it, but there is a way you can make your voce heard This article appeared in the August 2, 2008 edition of The Daily Comet, written by staff writer Ben Lundin and Naomi King. Lafourche Parish taxpayers could be saddled with about $4.5 million more in combined prope ... click here for more on this story

Clifton Bell.jpgFORMER SUSPECT ARRESTED BY NARCOTICS AGENTS
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported the arrest of Clifton Bell, age 29, of 128 West 49th Street, Cut Off, La. on July 31, 2008 at 11:10 pm. Bell was charged with Following Too Close; Flight from an Officer; and Possession of Schedule II Drugs (Crack Cocaine). Clifton Bell was init ... click here for more on this story

RULES FOR ADDRESSING COUNCIL EXPLAINED
By: Alces P. Adams Freelance Writer Rules do exist to govern the “Public Wishing to Address the Council” part of Parish Council meetings. Through the combined efforts of a citizen and the chairman, both the Council and the public were informed of those rules. The lesson wouldn’t have been ... click here for more on this story

BUILDER’S & HOMEOWNER’S WORKSHOP FOR GI CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
A Builder’s and Home Owner’s Workshop for Grand Isle Construction Projects, open to the public and free of charge will be held on Saturday, August 2 at the Grand Isle Community Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsors and guest speakers will be: Mark Plaisance-Simpson Strongtie District Representa ... click here for more on this story

DOMESTIC ABUSE & ARMED ROBBERY LANDS GM MAN IN JAIL
A Golden Meadow was arrested Monday after reportedly abusing his girlfriend. Patrick A. Billiot, age 35, of 118 Jacob Dr., Golden Meadow, was arrested Monday, and charged with Domestic Abuse (by strangulation), and Armed Robbery. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office was contacted in referen ... click here for more on this story

LAROSE LIBRARY TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY; NEW LIBRARY TO OPEN SOON
The Larose Branch of the Lafourche Parish Public Library will close temporarily in early August as workers relocate the library into its new building. The library is set to close briefly from Monday, August 4, through Wednesday, August 6. The new Larose Branch, built on the grounds of the La ... click here for more on this story

GALLIANO MAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE SEX CHARGES
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office reported the arrest of a Galliano man who has been charged with various sex offenses. Scottywade Gisclair, age 22, of 161 Roxy Drive, Galliano, was arrested last week and charged with the following: Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile (one count per wa ... click here for more on this story

STATE SALES TAX HOLIDAY THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
Buying a new washing machine or a new sofa? You might want to wait until Friday or Saturday. Louisiana consumers are getting another break from paying state sales taxes. The Louisiana Department of Revenue announced that most consumer purchases for tangible personal property will be exempt from ... click here for more on this story

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES TO $6.55 AN HOUR
Increase Marks Second Hike in Three-Step Minimum Wage Increase Enacted by Congress In 2007 The federal minimum wage increased this week from $5.85 to $6.55 an hour, the second hike in a three- step minimum wage increase. In May 2007, Congress enacted the first minimum wage increase in a decade ... click here for more on this story

CONFESSION TO KILLING KIDS BARRED FROM TRIAL
This article appeared in the July 19, 2008 edition of The Daily Comet, written by staff writer Robert Zull. Child-like and faint, the voice on the recording sounds far away. During an interview with Lafourche sheriff’s detectives one day after she allegedly murdered her 9- year-old daughter ... click here for more on this story

VEHICULAR ACCESS TO FOURCHON BEACH CLOSED DUE TO HIGH TIDES
The Beachfront Development District has closed vehicular access on Fourchon Beach due to high tides from the tropical Storm in the Gulf of Mexico. It is anticipated that vehicular access will be open again once the tides have receded. ... click here for more on this story

LAFOURCHE NARCOTICS OFFICERS BUSY ON THE STREETS
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported members of the Lafourche Parish Drug Task Force have been busy making multiple arrests and issuing summons for local illegal narcotics activity in the parish. Through narcotic’s investigations, surveillance and street operations, 22 people have been p ... click here for more on this story

PARISH VOTERS REJECT CHARTER CHANGE
Two renewals and new tax for Council on Aging approved A proposed change to the Lafourche Parish Charter that would have given council members the right to speak with engineers, architects and other parish contractors outside of a council meeting was voted down by a convincing margin. With a ... click here for more on this story

FLORIDA MAN DIES IN LAFOURCHE PARISH CRASH
On July 17, 2008 at approximately 1 a.m., a single vehicle crash on LA 308 in Cut Off claimed the life of a Florida man. James Baggett (W/M, 54, of Englewood, Florida) was traveling north on LA 308 in a 2003 Hyundai Elantra when his vehicle left the roadway to the right and entered a ditch. B ... click here for more on this story

APPARENT FEUD LEADS TO SHOOTOUT
Apparently a war of words between rival groups in Thibodaux and Raceland led to a recent shootout that left a 30-year-old man in intensive care. Tensions between young residents of Raceland and Marydale, a neighborhood located just outside the city limits of Thibodaux, have been escalating, w ... click here for more on this story

NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME WILL BE ON AUGUST 5TH THIS YEAR
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre has announced his office will participate in the “America’s Night Out Against Crime” program for the twelfth year in a row. “Each year the numbers of neighborhoods and participants increase in this program,” stated Sheriff Webre. The purpose is to heighten d ... click here for more on this story

TUITION INCREASE A NECESSITY FOR NICHOLLS
Beginning in the fall 2008 semester, tuition at Nicholls State University will be increased by $90 per semester for full-time students. “Although the university does not like to raise tuition, the increase is critical to help maintain the level of education and service Nicholls provides to t ... click here for more on this story

MAJORITY OF SEATS GO UNCONTESTED
Qualifying ends quietly for fall elections Qualifying for fall elections ended with a whimper Friday as many seats saw only incumbents qualify with no challengers in sight. U.S. Representative Charlie Melancon was automatically re-elected to a third two-year term in office as no one qualifie ... click here for more on this story

TAXES, CHARTER CHANGE ON SATURDAY BALLOT
Decisions on three property taxes and a change to the parish charter await voters on Saturday. The four propositions include a change to the charter that would allow parish council members the right to speak to parish engineers and other contractors. Under the current charter, council memb ... click here for more on this story

COMPANY CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL STORAGE OF WASTE
Vizier pleads to resisting arrest The legal case against south Lafourche businessman Donald Vizier and Tidewater Docks, Inc. of Golden Meadow, appeared to reach an end this week when the company agreed to a charge of one count of illegal storage of solid waste and Vizier pled guilty to one ... click here for more on this story

CUT OFF’S DRAINAGE PROBLEMS FAR FROM OVER
By Alces P. Adams Freelance Writer Rumors of a long and exciting July 8 Parish Council meeting proved to be false. Without the three citizen speakers, the meeting would have only lasted about half of its two hours. Once the Council got past those public comments, it cruised toward the moti ... click here for more on this story

air soft rifle.JPGASSAULT WEAPON LOOK-ALIKES ARE DISCOURAGED
Three juveniles walking in dark clothing with air soft rifles look like assault weapons recently were charged with curfew violations. One was charged with criminal mischief and resisting an officer by flight. At about 11:35 p.m. on July 2nd, Sgt. Todd Prevost, an off-duty officer working a pa ... click here for more on this story

NEW LAFOURCHE THEATRE COMPANY & PLAYHOUSE TO OPEN IN LOCKPORT
Theatrical director Perry Martin is coming home to Bayou Lafourche to open South Louisiana’s first cultural and historical Performing Arts Theater. Martin’s newly formed company, Theatre HALIFAX, will open the Bayou Playhouse’s premiere season this fall with the Louisiana fundraising preview ... click here for more on this story

Paul Callais.jpgSERVICES TO HONOR LOCAL BUSINESSMAN LOST AT SEA
The family of a local businessman who disappeared after reportedly falling off a yacht, has announced it will hold two memorial services for Paul Callais, a native of Golden Meadow. Callais, who was 39-years-old and the son of the late Harold and Gloria Callais, has been missing since June 25 ... click here for more on this story

Grand Isle Bridge.jpgGRAND ISLE IS COMING BACK STRONG FROM STORMS
This article appeared in the Monday, July 7, 2008 edition of The Daily Comet, written by staff writer Perry Pitre. Nearly three full years after crippling hurricanes devastated south Louisiana, the state’s only inhabited barrier island appears well on the rebound. Tourists are back, busine ... click here for more on this story

FOURCHON BEACH WORKING WELL
It is widely known that after recommendation from the Lafourche Parish Council, along with Parish President Charlotte Randolph, pilings that blocked vehicular access to the Fourchon Beach were removed. After that was removed and other issues, such as insurance, were covered, the Fourchon Beach ... click here for more on this story

LA1 TO BE BLOCKED WITH BARRIER IF HURRICANES APPROACH: FLOODING THREAT HOPING TO BE AVERTED
Recent improvements to the Larose to Golden Meadow hurricane levee protection system have elevated the system in critical areas back to its original design height. However, where the southern portion of the ring levee crosses Louisiana Highway 1 south of Golden Meadow, the levee currently stand ... click here for more on this story

LOCALS TO HAVE LEAD ON STATE COASTAL COMMITTEES
Two local men with significant experience in coastal restoration efforts will soon lead statewide panels looking at levee standards and flood maps through new regulations implemented in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Jerome Zeringue, who recently stepped down as the head of the Terrebonne L ... click here for more on this story

AUTO INSURANCE COVERAGE LIMITS TO RISE
Higher minimum coverage starts in 2010 In a bill passed recently by the Louisiana Legislature and expected to be signed by Governor Bobby Jindal, Louisiana motorists will have to increase the amount of minimum automobile insurance coverage they carry. Currently, motorists are required by ... click here for more on this story

GUIDRY RESIGNS FROM LEVEE DISTRICT BOARD
Joining what is expected to be a significant number of other appointees to boards and commissions statewide, former State Representative Richard “Dick” Guidry resigned from the South Lafourche Levee Board on Monday. As expected, Guidry’s reasoning for stepping down dealt with new and increased ... click here for more on this story

JINDAL VETOES LEGISLATIVE PAY RAISE
Governor changes course after public pressure After enduring more than a week of a white hot public firestorm for standing virtually silent on the issue, Governor Bobby Jindal announced on Monday that he will veto the recently passed pay raise for members of the Louisiana Legislature. The ra ... click here for more on this story

LOCKPORT TO LAROSE LEVEE TAKING SHAPE
This article appeared in a recent edition of The Daily Comet, written by staff writer Ben Lundin. A central Lafourche levee project designed to bolster flood protection north of the Intracoastal Waterway and west of Bayou Lafourche is taking shape after months of bureaucratic delays. Crews h ... click here for more on this story

GOLDEN MEADOW – FOURCHON INTERNATIONAL TARPON RODEO SET FOR UPCOMING WEEKEND
Fishing rodeos have long been part of Cajun culture with men, women and children of all ages participating in these uniquely southern sporting events which rely on a combination of south La. heritage the skills associated with fishing as well as prime waterways filled with an abundance marine- ... click here for more on this story

COUNCIL: NO MORE POLITICAL SIGNS ON ELECTRIC POLES! PARISH BOARD MEMBERS MUST BE TOLD IN ADVANCE OF DISMISSAL
By: Alces P. Adams Freelance Writer If you like heated debates, contests with uncertain outcomes, and excitement in general, you would have been disappointed at the last Parish Council meeting. If you like them fast, you would have loved this one, which clocked in at just under three hours ... click here for more on this story

FEMA PROJECT SEES LIGHT OF DAY
By: Kayla Annette Callais Contributing Writer Although the Greater Lafourche Port Commission is still waiting for Stranco, Inc. to officially accept the offer amount given to them for the Front Marina Bulkhead Phase I FEMA project, the outlook is positive. Port administrators met with officia ... click here for more on this story

FIREWORK SAFETY, ORDINANCES DURING THE 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY
Most injuries and deaths from fireworks in the United States, 66 percent, occur around the 4th of July holiday. There were an estimated 9,600 people treated nationally for fireworks-related injuries in 2004, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Fireworks injuries have ... click here for more on this story

GOLDEN MEADOW NATIVE MISSING IN BAHAMA WATERS
Since late Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard has been searching for Paul Callais, a native of Golden Meadow and the son of the late Harold and Gloria Callais. According to reports, Callais has been on a diving trip in the Caribbean Sea and was reported missing early Wednesday evening by the cre ... click here for more on this story

PASS FOURCHON BID MISTAKE MAY COST THE PORT
By: Kayla Annette Callais Contributing Writer The Pass Fourchon dredging FEMA project sent out bids, with Southwind Construction, Inc. coming in with the lowest bid. However, after reviewing the bid form, an error in the amount of the bid was found. There was a discrepancy between the bid pr ... click here for more on this story

STORM DEDUCTIBLE RATES APPEAR SET FOR CHANGE
A bill awaiting action by Governor Bobby Jindal would allow insurance companies to set named storm deductibles for homeowners insurance based on the property or home’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. For several years, Louisiana has been the only state in the nation that requires insurance c ... click here for more on this story

TUITION HIKES LIKELY FOR STATE UNIVERSITIES
Students attending universities and community colleges in Louisiana can expect to see a rise in tuition in the coming years if legislation passed by the legislature is signed into law as expected. Under the proposal, public colleges and universities would be able to raise tuition from three to ... click here for more on this story

CELL PHONES AND TEXT MESSAGES BANS APPROVED
Should the pieces of legislation be signed into law as expected by Governor Bobby Jindal, Louisiana will become the third state to ban text messaging while driving. In addition, legislation passed Monday and also awaiting the governor’s signature is a ban on using cell phones by drivers sevente ... click here for more on this story

BEACH OPEN TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC
A resolution adopted by Lafourche Parish Police Jury on September 8, 1971 concerning a 4,000’ right of way also adopted by the Greater Lafourche Port Commission on September 7, 1971. This is State Project #713-32-48 Route LA. 3090 Lafourche Parish signed by the Caillouet Land Company. If Mr. T ... click here for more on this story

LEGISLATURE APPROVES NEARLY $30 BILLION BUDGET: BILL AWAITS JINDAL'S SIGNATURE
The Louisiana Legislature approved a $29.9 billion state operating budget this past weekend, sending the massive document on to Governor Bobby Jindal for his likely signature. Approximately half of the state budget is actually federal monies that must be classified as state revenue. The fiscal ... click here for more on this story

ECONOMIST OFFERS WAYS TO COMBAT RISING FOOD COSTS
Increases in fuel and transportation prices continue to hit consumers hard at both the gas pump and at the grocery store. Over the last 12 months, the food and beverages index advanced 5.2 percent led by a 6.3 percent rise in prices for food at home, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ ... click here for more on this story

BE CAREFUL ON THE WAY TO THE BEACH: HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION MAKES DANGEROUS ROADWAY WORSE
By Alces P. Adams Freelance Writer Now that pilings no longer block vehicular traffic to the beach, more people will be heading to Fourchon to frolic in the waves. Beachgoers who haven’t been down the bayou in a while might not realize that speed limits between Golden Meadow and Fourchon ha ... click here for more on this story

LAW APPROVING IN HOUSE LEVEE WORK EXTENDED
A law allowing levee districts to do up to $1 million of work “in house” without having to go through the public bid process was given an extension this week when Governor Bobby Jindal signed Senate Bill 14 into law. The bill by Senator Reggie Dupre (D-Bourg) is actually an extension of the sam ... click here for more on this story

Postal Sign.jpgLAROSE RURAL ROUTE ISSUE SURFACES ONE MORE TIME: RESIDENTS ASKED TO VOTE AND RETURN BALLOTS BY JULY 8
The United States Postal Service has issued a new survey concerning the support for a change in address that could result in rural mail delivery routes in the Larose area. The initial ballots, issued back in September 2007, were sent out to residents in the Valentine, Larose and some Cut Off ... click here for more on this story

Sheldon Bouvier.jpgGALLIANO MAN CRITICALLY INJURED IN EARLY MORNING SHOOTING
A shooting that took place on East 139th Street in Galliano early Wednesday morning left a Galliano man in critical condition. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a 911 call at about 5:40 a.m. to 112 East 139th Street where they found a man in the street with a bullet wound to the ... click here for more on this story

 


Click for Larose, Louisiana Forecast

Advertisements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Untitled Document

Home | News | Search | Classified Ads | Community Calendar | Contact Us

© 2007 The Lafourche Gazette - All rights reserved
Website designed and hosted by MobileTel Internet