State

Avoyelles Courthouse courtrooms lighting, a/c project nears completion

As the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse prepares to turn 90 this month, minor renovations to the courtrooms are being finished. The $100,000 project isn’t as extensive as parish officials had hoped it would be when a 3rd floor renovation project was envisioned a few years ago.

Ex-girlfriend of convicted killer gets probation in 2013 shooting

The ex-girlfriend of a defendant convicted of manslaughter has been sentenced to serve probation for helping to dispose of bullets from a gun she believed he used and clothes he wore in a 2013 fatal shooting in Morgan City.

LFP cabins, campsites still closed

It’s been almost 15 months since the torrential rains of August 2016 flooded many parts of Acadiana. The record-breaking rainfall inundated many facilities at the Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, shutting down the popular RV campground and visitor cabins.

Abbeville City Council presents 2018 budget

As many municipalities around Louisiana continually trend toward further tightening of finances, a city’s proposed operating budget that does not cut services, does no raise taxes and provides employees with raises would have to be considered pretty favorable.

Changes coming with state school merger

St. Mary Industrial Group members heard Monday about ways the merger of state community and technical colleges can help them. The merger will combine the South Central Louisiana Technical College with South Louisiana Community College systems.

Sheriff: Suspect bit woman, threatened another person

A 30-year-old Amelia man allegedly bit a woman, threatened another person and damaged a cellphone and door during a Sunday incident, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release. —Huey Comeaux II, 30, of Beadle Street in Amelia, was arrested at 12:39 p.m.

Vermilion Parish Teachers of the year announced

During the same week students went through the interview process for their top yearly accolades, the Vermilion Parish School System announced the honorees who help make those students so successful.

Fire destroys Henderson landmark

An early morning fire on Sunday, Nov. 19 destroyed Robin’s Hardware, a landmark in this small community. Henderson police officer Jordan Noel sounded the alarm around 1 a.m., Henderson, Breaux Bridge, Cecilia and Arnaudville fire departments responded to the blaze.

DOTD closes bridge on South John Hardy Drive in Abbeville

Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza received a surprise phone call from the Department of Transportation (DOTD) about the closing of a bridge in Abbeville. DOTD informed the mayor that the small bridge on South John Hardy Drive, near the Lafitte Shopping Center, will be closed indefinitely.

Sales tax collection in Vermilion Parish dips year after flood

There was a drop in sales tax collection for the month of September but it may not be because the economy is dipping. It could be due to the 2016 August flood.