22-year-old Holden Matthews, son of a Sheriff’s Deputy, pleads guilty to setting fire to three Baptist churches last spring in St. Landry Parish in a hate crime targeting the religious character of the buildings. He’s copped to three counts of violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, and one count of using fire to commit a federal felony. He faces up to 70 years in jail and still has state charges to deal with.
A nasty mix of weather has put the northern half of the state under a flash flood watch until Wednesday night. There’s also a slight risk for severe weather for central and northeast today and National Weather Service Meteorologist Jason Hansford says more severe weather will roll into the Bayou State on Wednesday.
Cut 4 (12) “…Wednesday evening.”
12 LSU students are believed to be infected with the mumps, up from five who were reported last week. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says there’s been a nationwide string of mumps outbreaks on college campuses. He says college dorm rooms, parties, and sporting events are perfect places to spread the virus.
An LSU tennis match over the weekend was canceled when it was discovered a tennis player had been infected.
A science teacher at Northwestern Middle School in Zachary, 34-year-old Ellarea Silva, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student. Sheriff David McDavid is asking parents to talk to their children to see if Silva’s actions extended beyond this one child.