Members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation express concern as Russian forces show signs of invading Ukraine. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

A Lake Charles man is behind bars; accused of sexual contact with a minor. The female victim, who is under 15, came forward to authorities with a complaint about 46-year-old Bobby Treaster, who’s facing 7 counts of sexual battery and one count of rape. His bond was set at just over a half-million dollars.

Former St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain will spend the rest of his life behind bars as a judge sentenced Strain to four life sentences, plus another 30 years on top of that. Strain was convicted in November on aggravated rape and incest charges. A mother of one of Strain’s victims spoke with reporters after the sentencing hearing..:

CUT 13(08)      “…Jack hurting him.”

The 60-year-old Strain served as the top lawman in St. Tammany Parish from 1995 to 2016. He also faces another sentencing on federal bribery charges.

Two Jefferson Parish deputies face manslaughter charges after investigators say their use of lethal force in the February 16^th shooting of Daniel Vallee in Marrero was not justified. Sheriff Joe Lopinto…:

CUT 03(10)      “…point in time.”

The officers spent several minutes trying to get an armed Vallee out of his car. When he sounded the horn suddenly they fired; killing him.

Two Jefferson Parish Sheriff deputies are charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Daniel Vallee in Marrero last Wednesday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain was sentenced to four life terms plus 30 years following Strain’s November conviction on aggravated rape and incest charges. Each of the life sentences were mandatory for the aggravated rape charges. Strain was also found guilty on two counts of aggravated incest, one count of sexual battery, and one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile.

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Lake Charles is ready to revitalize its lakefront. 2022 has seen a number of new businesses announce their intentions to open locations on the lakefront, bringing food, entertainment, and recreational activities to the long underdeveloped area. It’s been 17 years since talks began on how to bring the area back, and Mayor Nic Hunter is glad that things are finally in motion.

Cut 6 (12) “…on our lakefront.”

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U-S Senator Bill Cassidy supports strong economic sanctions against Russia as reports indicate Russian forces have moved into eastern Ukraine. He says sanctions worked against Russia when President Ronald Regan was in office.

Cut 9 (12) “…you name it.”

Cassidy says Louisiana can help play a role in weakening Russia financially as that country relies heavily on revenues from natural gas.

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Two Jefferson Parish Sheriff Deputies, Issac Hughes and Johnathan Louis face manslaughter charges after investigators say lethal force was not justified in the February 16^th shooting death of Daniel Vallee in Marrero. Sheriff Joe Lopintto says the deputies turned themselves in Monday night and were booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Facility.

Cut 5 (06) “…defense here.”

Lopinto says that force was justified in the incident but not lethal after Valle refused to exit his car and then started the vehicle.

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy supports strong economic sanctions against Russia as reports indicate Russian forces have moved into eastern Ukraine. Cassidy says Louisiana can help play a role in weakening Russia financially as that country relies heavily on revenue from natural gas…

Cut 10 (12)  “…less money.” 

Governor Edwards says Louisiana has an action plan in place for spending $600 million in federal funds to aid in Hurricanes Laura and Delta recovery. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

Two Jefferson Parish Sheriff deputies, Issac Hughes and Johnathon Louis face manslaughter charges after investigators say lethal force was not justified in the February 16^th arrest of Daniel Vallee in Marrero. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says Valle was repeatedly asked to get out of his car, but he didn’t cooperate and started the car.

Cut 4 (10) “…this case.”

Lopinto says the two deputies have cooperated with investigators and their testimony matched body cam footage.

Grand Isle Councilman Elgene Gary, faces sexual battery charges related to the assault of two minors. Louisiana State Police Trooper Ross Brennan 78-year old Gary turned himself in Monday and they are asking for assistance.

Cut 14 (11)  “…these families.”

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy supports strong economic sanctions against Russia as reports indicate Russian forces have moved into eastern Ukraine and Cassidy says this establishes Russian President Vladimir Putin as an enemy of freedom. He says sanctions worked against Russia when President Ronald Regan was in office

Cut 9 (12) “…you name it”

President Biden is expected to announce new sanctions against Russia this afternoon. But Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson blames the Biden Administration for not doing more sooner…

Cut 11 (11)   “..this dilemna”  

Johnson says it’s probably too late to avoid a conflict at this point and that the U-S should have supplied Ukraine anti-tank missiles and defense systems.

Two Jefferson Parish Sheriff deputies face manslaughter charges after Sheriff Joe Lopinto says lethal force was not justified in the fatal shooting of Daniel Vallee in Marrero last week. Lopinto says deputies surrounded Vallee’s S-U-V as he refused to get out. He says shots were fired at Vallee when his hands dropped and hit the horn
Cut 3 (10) “…point and time.”
Officers encountered Vallee as they answered a noise complaint at a known crack house.

A 78-year-old Grand Isle man who serves on the coastal town’s city council has been arrested for felony sexual battery. State Police say they believe Elgene Gary sexually assaulted two minors over the span of many years. Trooper Ross Brennan says they encourage other possible victims to come forward…
cut 15 (09) “….right now”
Brennan says if you have more information on Gary, contact the State Police Special Victim’s Unit

Louisiana has submitted its action plan to the feds for spending $600 million in federal disaster aid for Hurricanes Laura and Delta. The state proposes using the grant money for homeowner assistance, creating affordable housing, and other programs. Nearly $200 million would be dedicated to infrastructure. Pat Forbes, executive director of the Office of Community Development, says those dollars remove a tremendous burden for local governments.
Cut 10 (11) “…that match instead.”

Six seniors on the Menard High School Baseball team served as pallbearers for 94-year-old Ralph Lambert. Lambert served in the Air Force from 1950 to 1974 and there were no nearby relatives around to use as pallbearers. So Menard Baseball Coach Jordan Marks says his players stepped up and the reaction has been very positive…
cut 8 (10) “…worth reading”

Governor Edwards announced that Louisiana has an action plan in place for spending $600 million in federal funds to aid in the recovery from Hurricanes Laura and Delta.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office charges two of its deputies in the fatal shooting of a man inside a vehicle last week. 29-year-old Isaac Hughes and 35-year-old Johnathan Louis have been booked with manslaughter. They were involved in the shooting of Daniel Vallee. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says their investigation has determined that lethal force was not needed.

A major project to widen Interstate 10 through Baton Rouge calls for even more lane closures and congestion for an already-busy stretch of highway. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says advance planning work begins soon and heavy construction is projected for 2024. In the meantime, he says DOTD is advancing plans to offer commuters in Ascension Parish the option of a commuter train with park-and-ride…:

Cut 6 (04)  “…certain time.”

The I-10 widening project in Baton Rouge is expected to be completed in 2027.

When an Alexandria funeral home was unable to locate nearby relatives of a 94-year-old Air Force veteran who passed away earlier this month, they contacted the baseball coach at Holy Savior Menard High School to see if he could help. Coach Jordan Marks says six members of the team served as pallbearers for Ralph Lambert.

Cut 9 (10)  “…for sure.”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of two of its deputies in the shooting death of Daniel Vallee last week. Vallee was not armed but refused to get out his S-U-V. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the use of force in this situation was not justified. The officers charged have been identified as 29-year-old Isaac Hughes and 35-year-old Johnathan Louis.

In 2024, a heavily congested portion of I-10 in Baton Rouge will be reduced to two lanes as part of a plan to widen the interstate to four lanes each way. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The state has published its proposed action plan for spending 600 million dollars in community development block grant funds that will be used in the recovery from Hurricanes Laura and Delta. It’s another bureaucratic step Louisiana must take in order to distribute the money. Meanwhile, the push continues for more federal hurricane recovery dollars…
cut 12 (12) “….a full recovery’
That’s Pat Forbes, the executive director for the Office of Community Development.

Six seniors on the Menard High School Baseball team served as pallbearers for 94-year-old Ralph Lambert. Lambert served in the Air Force from 1950 to 1974 and there were no nearby relatives around to see pallbearers so Menard Baseball Coach Jordan Marks says his players stepped up and the reaction has been very positive…
cut 8 (10) “…worth reading”

Louisiana has submitted its action plan to the feds for spending $600 million in federal disaster aid for Hurricanes Laura and Delta. The state proposes using the grant money for homeowner assistance, creating affordable housing, and other programs. Nearly $200 million would be dedicated to infrastructure. Pat Forbes, executive director of the Office of Community Development, says those dollars remove a tremendous burden for local governments.
Cut 10 (11) “…that match instead.”

Grand Isle Councilman Elgene Gary faces sexual battery charges related to the sexual assault of minors over the span of several years. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says the alleged incidents happened at Gary’s Grand Isle home..
Cut 13 (10) “…Jefferson Parish.”
78-year old Gary turned himself in and was booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on two counts of felony sexual battery.

Two Jefferson Parish Sheriff deputies are facing a manslaughter charge for fatally shooting a man who refused to leave his parked car in Marrero on February 16th. Sheriff Joe Lopinto announced the charges last night and said the use of force in this situation was not justified. 34-year-old Daniel Vallee was not armed and the deputies arrested have been identified as 29-year-old Isaac Huges and 35-year-old Johnathan Louis.

When an Alexandria funeral home could not find nearby relatives to assist with a 94-year-old Air Force veterans’ funeral, the baseball team at Menard High School stepped up. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office has charged two of its deputies in the fatal shooting of a man inside a vehicle last week. 29-year-old Isaac Hughes and 35-year-old Johnathan Louis have been booked with manslaughter. They were involved in the shooting of Daniel Vallee. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says their investigation has determined that lethal force was not needed as Valee refused to step out of his vehicle in Marrero on February 16th.

The state has published a 189-page report that details how it plans to spend 600-million dollars in federal disaster recovery funding for Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Executive Director of the Office of Community Development Pat Forbes says the state is seeking public input and they’ll also conduct a series of forums to get more input from the public…
cut 11 (12) “….what they think”
The first meetings will take place on March 9th in Lake Charles and Alexandria.

A major project to widen Interstate 10 through Baton Rouge calls for even more lane closures and congestion for an already-congested stretch of highway. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says work will begin soon on Phase 1 of the 5-phase project, and when fully underway motorists will have to endure long periods of lane closures through the construction zone…:
Cut 4 (12) “…for about 14 months.”
The lane reductions will take place in 2024 and the expansion will extend from LA 415 in West Baton Rouge Parish to the I-10–I-12 split.

When an Alexandria funeral home was unable to locate nearby relatives of a 94-year-old Air Force veteran who passed away, they contacted the baseball coach at Holy Savior Menard High School to see if he could help. Coach Jordan Marks considered it an honor and volunteered six seniors on his team to serve as pallbearers for Ralph Lambert’s service.
Cut 7 (10) “…happy to do it.”
And since the funeral, Marks says he heard from several members of the community thanking him and his players for stepping up.

The New Orleans Police Department is investigating the mysterious death of a UNO student who died hours after getting into an Uber after spending Friday night attending parades in Metairie. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A shooting at a club rental in Alexandria kills a 17-year-old male and injures two others. Alexandria Police spokesperson Lt. Lane Windham says they were called to Club 318 just before midnight Saturday after shots were fired inside the building. Police are also investigating why so many people were in attendance at the club that night.

Cut 5 (09) “…that many.”

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In just six weeks the NCAA men’s Final Four returns to New Orleans. The Superdome has hosted more Final Fours than any other venue, but this is the first since 2012. Today, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, and Governor John Bel Edwards started the unofficial countdown to the championship and touted the impact of the return of one of the nation’s biggest sporting events.

Cut 6 (11) “…for our economy.”

The Final Four is expected to bring more than 75-thousand visitors to The Crescent City, generating an economic impact of $170 million.

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Authorities say no fatalities or major injuries are reported after an explosion at the Marathon Refinery plant in Garyville this morning.  St. John Parish President Jaclyn Hotard says it happened shortly after 9 am and they’ve received several calls from those in the community that heard the explosion of the unit at the refinery.

Cut 10 (07) “…our residents.”

Hotard says Marathon is monitoring air quality in the area.

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