DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson continues to urge drivers to not drive distracted.  Wilson says of the three deaths with DOTD road workers under his leadership since 2016, distracted driving was to blame for two of them.
Cut 3 (07)  “…have driver responsibility. 
Distracted driving is blamed for injuries sustained by another DOTD employee, Dwayne Pitre, who was seriously injured while picking up litter earlier this month.

A DeSoto Parish deputy is killed in a two-vehicle crash.  Trooper Brent Hardy says a Jeep driven by 33-year-old Richard Wimer of Stonewall was entering a curve while traveling east on US Highway 84 while at the same time, an unmarked patrol unit was traveling westbound driven by Deputy Donna Richardson-Below.
Cut 11 (11) “…and Mr. Wimer’s.”
Deputy Richardson-Below was 43.

A Lafayette man is in jail for allegedly defrauding a Shreveport man over tickets to the National Championship game in New Orleans.  Caddo Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the victim bought a pair of near field level tickets from Michael Simmons for 3,600 dollars, but…
Cut 6 (11) “less”
The actual value of the tickets for his nosebleed seats was 525 dollars, and Simmons refused to refund the money.
Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing is releasing a limited edition beer called Cajun Breakfast Stout.  Brewery founder Karlos Knott says brewers utilize Steen’s cane syrup, boudin made with ground pork, rice, onion, green peppers, and Cajun spices and seasoning, as well as organic coffee from Art’s Coffee Roasters.
Cut 8 (13) “…with some sweetness.”