News for Wednesday 112713
By Dave Graichen
Today is one of the busiest days on the roads and state police and other local law enforcement agencies around the state will be stepping up checkpoints for the Holidays. The Louisiana
Highway Safety Commission says the increased patrols will be looking out for suspected impaired drivers, those who aren't buckled up and speeders.
The state has unveiled its new "I'm Cajun...and Proud" specialty license plates. The plates feature a fleur-de-lis on the left side with a crawfish playing an accordion, and the words, "I'm Cajun...And Proud." The cost to motorists, an extra $15.00, with $11.50 of that going to the Council for the Development of French In Louisiana (CODOFIL), the help train teachers for French immersion education. Another program allows motorists to have the same slogan on their individual driver’s license.
A man has reportedly come forward and said he was abused by a woman who was arrested last week amid allegations she molested one of her students 10 years ago. 25 year old Phillip LeBourgeois says he was sexually abused by his teacher at Catholic High-New Iberia when he
was 15. 48 year old Paula Latiolais was booked Friday into the IBeria Parish Jail and released on $35,000 bail.
Bond has been set for seven men accused of setting fire to the historic LeBeau Plantation in St. Bernard Parish early Friday completely destroying it. The suspected leader in the incident, 31 year old Dusten Davenport, had the highest bond set -- $450,000. The Judge also set bonds of at least $75,000 for the other six.
Following a 3-month investigation, a total of 26 establishments that sell alcohol in the Acadian region have been cited with violations for selling adult beverages to underage drinkers. The State Office
of Alcohol and Tobacco Control says they will be cracking down on other problem areas in the state as well. They says now might be a good time for bar and club owners to talk to their employees about the rules.
State Police are seeking a man and woman from Lafayette in an investigation into child sex trafficking. 22 year old Darneesha Martin and 19 year old Alcoby LaSalle are wanted on counts of trafficking children for sexual purposes and promoting prostitution. State Police say the investigation is ongoing.
Caddo Parish deputies report one person killed at a brand new I-49 interchange at US Highway 71. A traffic light had just been installed there. An SUV stopped for the light, but was
rear-ended by a Ford pickup. No one in the pickup was hurt, but three passengers in the Jeep SUV were taken to a hospital, where one passed away. The crash is under investigation.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is warning residents of FAKE black panther sighting photos that are circling social media. They say when these incidents are investigated they almost always turn out to be house cats, bobcats, otters, dogs or feral hogs.
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's office says a 13 year-old is facing attempted 2nd degree murder charges for allegedly stabbing his mother's fiancé. They say the man was trying to discipline the
teen, and the young suspect grabbed a large kitchen knife and stabbed the victim in the back. The fiancé was taken to a New Orleans hospital.
An elderly woman in West Baton Rouge parish was killed when her mobile home went up in flames yesterday morning. Authorities believe a space heater to close to the bed caused the blaze.