Around The State 05/17/24 - By Greg LaRose, Louisiana Illuminator ( Louisiana Illuminator) - Louisiana is closer to becoming the first state that requires all schools that receive state money to display the Ten Commandments in each classroom. Legislation with that edict gained approval Thursday from the Louisiana Senate and is on its way to the House for apparent final approval. The bill’s proponents believe a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that reinstated a coach who had been fired for leading prayer after high school football games would apply to House Bill 71 if it becomes law. But the American Civil Liberties Union is still expected to challenge the measure if Republican Gov. Jeff Landry approves it. (MORE) |
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Obituary Of Area Interest 05/16/24 Andrew Andrepont, a resident of Ventress, passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the age of 90. He was born on March 28, 1934, in St. Landry, Louisiana, to Mark Luke and Elsie Richard Andrepont. Andrew's life was characterized by his unwavering dedication to serving his community and his country. He was a proud Marine from 1951-1954 and fought in the Korean War. As the Captain of the Baton Rouge City Police Department, he exemplified leadership, integrity, and compassion in all aspects of his work. His commitment to upholding justice and protecting others was truly commendable. (MORE) |
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Around The State 05/16/24 - By Steve Wilson, The Center Square ( The Center Square) — A bill in the Louisiana House that would prohibit the sharing of driver information recorded by vehicles without their consent is headed to the floor for a vote. The House Insurance Committee approved House Bill 957 by Rep. Edmond Jordan unanimously Wednesday. Jordan offered some amendments to his bill, including one that would prohibit an insurer from obtaining telematic data from a vehicle without the owner's consent. The bill was also amended to remove automakers and dealerships. (MORE) |
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 | Maureen Gaudin will share her recent training in Florida to enhance her skills as an artist during Conversation with an Artist on June 1. |
Pointe Coupee 05/15/24 Preparation for this year’s Treasures of Pointe Coupee Exhibit is in the final stages and organizers are excited to welcome fifty-five artists to this year’s exhibit of two- and three-dimensional artwork. Fourteen new artists will be participating. The Treasures exhibit is open to the public at the Poydras Center in New Roads May 31 – June 2, and June 7 - 9, 2024. The opening reception on Friday, May 31 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm will include food, drink, music, the Treasures and Petite Gallerie exhibits, as well as a silent auction. Saturday events include workshops for children and adults, art markets, conversations with an artist, and the popular treasure hunt. Exhibits are also open on the two Sundays during the Treasures time frame. The board of directors for the Arts Council of Pointe Coupee encourages the public to attend the free opening reception or visit during the six days of the exhibit. Treasures of Pointe Coupee has something for everyone! (MORE) |
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Pointe Coupee 05/15/24 In a significant development for the local real estate community, Commerce Title of Baton Rouge has successfully acquired WestPointe Title, a New Roads title company established by Joseph “Jody” Thibaut, Jr. almost three decades ago. While Jody Thibaut has announced his retirement from the company, it will continue to have a Pointe Coupee connection as New Roads native and attorney, Ryan Laurent, will head the team. Key to the acquisition is the retention of WestPointe Title's esteemed Escrow Officer, Jill Maggio who will ensure a seamless continuation of catering to the real estate needs of Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge communities. (MORE) |
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Pointe Coupee 05/15/24 The Pointe Coupee Parish Courthouse is set to undergo significant repair and renovation work for an extensive period, lasting until sometime in 2025. As a result, the offices of the Assessor, Clerk of Court and Sheriff will be relocating to temporary accommodations during this period of construction. (MORE) |
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Around The State 05/15/24 - By Wesley Muller, Louisiana Illuminator ( Louisiana Illuminator) - Louisiana House lawmakers approved a bill Wednesday to outlaw ranked-choice voting, a method of elections some claim is too susceptible to fraud even though thousands of military members have used it for decades. Senate Bill 101, sponsored by Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, passed the House in a 74-22 vote and will return to the Senate for concurrence before heading to Gov. Jeff Landry, who is expected to sign it into law. (MORE) |
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Help Available For Pointe Coupee Residents Ahead Of New Round Of StormsPointe Coupee 05/15/24 - from www.wbrz.com As a new round of storms is set to roll in this week, some residents in Pointe Coupee Parish are just starting to clean up from the damage caused Monday. "We're still cleaning up, hopefully we don't have to clean up after the next one." Said Joe Lejeune, as resident in Livonia. Read the article and see the video at www.wbrz.com. |
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Supreme Court Conservative Wing Gives Louisiana Black Voters A VictoryAround The State05/15/24 - By Steve Wilson, The Center Square ( The Center Square) — The U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay order on Wednesday in a Louisiana congressional redistricting case. The decision means the latest maps, which created two majority Black districts, will be used in the upcoming elections. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed the request with the court on May 10, with state officials saying that they don't have enough time to draw new maps under a legal concept called the Purcell principle that requires courts to avoid changes to election rules close to an election. (MORE) |
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National Weather Service Verifies EF-0 Tornado Hit Pointe CoupeePointe Coupee05/14/24 - from www.wbrz.com A National Weather Service (NWS) survey team determined an EF-0 tornado, estimated to have peak winds of around 85 mph caused damage across portions of southern Pointe Coupee Parish. Read the article at www.wbrz.com. |
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Storm Delivers Heavy Damage In Parts Of LivoniaPointe Coupee 05/14/24 - from www.wafb.com Over in Livonia, a small town over in Pointe Coupee Parish, folks on Lejeune Road recalled how scary things got when Monday’s storm rolled through. Read the article and see the video at www.wafb.com. |
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Livonia Residents Building Back After Severe WeatherPointe Coupee 05/14/24 - from www.wbrz.com Generators buzzed in Livonia on Tuesday as residents, neighbors and friends cleaned up damage and debris from Monday night’s storm. Read the article and see the video at www.wbrz.com. |
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Pointe Coupee05/14/24 The Greater Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony of House of Travel's new location. Situated in a suite at the Smith-LBA Insurance building at 111 West Main Street in New Roads, this new branch marks an exciting milestone for House of Travel, a business that has been catering to the Baton Rouge community for over 35 years.
(From l to r) April LeJeune (Greater Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce), Paula Lambert (Greater Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce), Mayor Theron Smith (City of New Roads), Sydney Roussel (House of Travel), Cheree Scardina (House of Travel), Amy Lytle (House of Travel), Sierra Lytle (House of Travel), Bob Lobos (House of Travel), Summer Kidder, not pictured (House of Travel). Photo Courtesy: Greater Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce
Managed by Cheree Scardina, the New Roads location aims to extend its service to the residents of Pointe Coupee Parish and surrounding areas. (MORE) |
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Obituary Of Area Interest 05/14/24 Ruffin Peter Crochet, a native of LaBarre and a resident of Lakeland, passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 9:09 am at Lane Regional Medical Center in Zachary. He was the former owner of A&B Electronics, where he sold and serviced televisions and was a U.S. Army veteran. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Dianne Murray Crochet; son, Michael Crochet of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; stepson, Joseph Langlois (Addie) of Ventress and special nephew John Jarreau, Jr.; sister, Marie Crochet Swindler of Baton Rouge; brother, Welton Crochet of Lakeland; sisters-in-law, Audrey Chenevert Crochet of Erwinville, Joyce Pickering Crochet Cowart of Zachary. (MORE) |
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Obituary Of Area Interest 05/13/24 Melvin Arnold Bouy passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at The LaCour House in New Roads at the age of 90. He was a native of Maringouin and a graduate of Livonia High School where he was an outstanding athlete before enlisting in the US Army and serving in Korea. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. (MORE) |
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Obituary Of Area Interest 05/13/24 A native and resident of New Roads and former long-time resident of Houma, Gregory Lane “Greg” Garrett, 73, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at LaCour House Assisted Living in New Roads. Greg was born on June 4, 1950, to C.D. and Aline Talbot Garrett. He was a graduate of Poydras High School in New Roads and received degrees from Southeastern Louisiana University and LSU. He also served in the Louisiana National Guard. Greg retired as “Regional Director Emeritus” after more than 32 years with the South Central Louisiana Technical College System. (MORE) |
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Storm Related Tragedy In ErwinvilleAround The Area 05/13/24 - from www.unfilteredwithkiran.com A pregnant woman and her unborn child were killed after a tree fell on their home during the line of severe storms that moved through Monday night, UWK has learned. The tragedy happened just after 7 pm on May 13 on Rougon Rd. near Erwinville in West Baton Rouge Parish. Read the article at www.unfilteredwithkiran.com. |
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Pointe Coupee 05/12/24 In a heartfelt update, the proprietors of Robillard's, a local boucherie on Hospital Road in New Roads, announced through a Facebook post that their establishment narrowly escaped a major disaster Friday night thanks to local emergency services. The fire, which ignited in the smoke house located separately from the main building, was swiftly contained, preventing any significant damage to the main business operations. (MORE) |
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Fire At Robillard's Boucherie On Hospital RoadPointe Coupee05/11/24 - from www.wafb.com Two firefighters and one other person were treated for minor injuries following a fire at a meat market in New Roads late Friday night, May 10. Read the article and see the video at www.wafb.com. |
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Around The State 05/10/24 - By Steve Wilson, The Center Square (The Center Square) – The state of Louisiana is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to grant a stay in a congressional redistricting case because officials say they don't have enough time to draw new maps. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed the request with the court on Friday to request allowing the state to use the most recent map drawn by lawmakers, also at the behest of a federal court. (MORE) |
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Obituary Of Area Interest 05/10/24 - Update in italics Patricia Ann Gros, 68, a native of New Roads and a resident of Fordoche, passed away at her home surrounded by her family at 6:52 pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. She enjoyed spending time with her three grandsons, listening to Swamp Pop music and playing on Tik Tok. She is survived by the love of her life Gary Gros, who she married on July 13, 1974; son, Jeremy Gros (Dana); daughter, Lesley Gros; three grandsons, Joseph, Joshua and Jericho Colomb; mother, Ida Mae Pinsonat; and sister, Tina Langlois. (MORE) |
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Around The State 05/10/24 As the weather warms up, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission reminds all drivers to always watch out for motorcycles.  May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. LHSC Executive Director Lisa Freeman said that motorcycles have as much of a right to the road as any other motor vehicles, but motorcycles’ slim profiles often make them difficult for other drivers to see. “A motorcyclist is a vulnerable road user, and a car or truck driver can overlook them with only a cursory glance in the mirror,” Freeman said. “We’re urging everyone to take that extra second. Make sure the way is clear before you change lanes or enter the roadway.” (MORE) |
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Pointe Coupee 05/08/24 The Catholic of Pointe Coupee Hornet baseball team landed three players on the All-District First Team, two on the All-District Second Team and three players were selected Honorable Mention. False River had three selected as Honorable Mention. Catholic-PC sophomore sensation Jude Morrison was one of four pitchers selected for the 2024 District 6-1A All-District team along with upperclassmen Dontre Henry of Opelousas Catholic, Jackson Bruney of Sacred Heart and Ian Rider of St. Edmund. (MORE) |
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Around The State 05/07/24 - By Julie O'Donoghue, Louisiana Illuminator ( Louisiana Illuminator) - Backers of the proposed Louisiana constitutional convention are considering a new timeline for the event, one that doesn’t coincide with the state lawmakers’ ongoing legislative session. That’s according to four sources familiar with the effort who weren’t authorized to speak about the matter publicly. Supporters might push for a convention to be held in July or more likely August, instead of from May 20 to June 3 as called for in House Bill 800, the enabling legislation the Louisiana House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on Tuesday. (MORE) |
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