The latest report on COVID-19 numbers was delayed today due to network issues impacting the database that powers the coronavirus reporting system. 52 additional fatalities are being reported bringing the death count to 2094. Total cases: 30,399, up by 403. Hospitalizations, down by 47 to 1,465 and ventilator usage, down by seven to 187.
The operating manager of Zeke’s snowball stand in Plaquemine is in jail charged with 537 counts of video voyeurism. Authorities say 31-year old Clinton Brocksmith placed a pinhole camera in the bathroom of the snowball stand and recorded images of girls and then uploaded them to an iPad. Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi is urging parents to contact the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s office if their child was an employee of the snowball stand during the last two and a half years while Brocksmith was the manager.
Last weekend the Grand Isle beaches were packed as visitors flocked to the southernmost tip of the state. Tourism Commissioner Louise LaFont says beaches are open to the public but they’d appreciate it if people would space out a bit more.
Murder hornets have captured the spotlight after the giant Asian insect was detected in northern parts of the state of Washington, but experts say the level of concern is still relatively low. LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healey says the few that have been found were contained in Washington.
While human deaths have been attributed to the murder hornet, Healey says those are normally linked to an allergic reaction. It’s the ability to kill mass amounts of honeybees rapidly that is the most concerning.