The Lions Camp Road and Elizabeth wildfires, in Vernon and Allen parishes, are now 100 percent contained. Teiko Foxx has more…
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Sixty-six fewer people died on Louisiana roadways last year, compared to 2021 according to the LSU Center for Analytics and Research and in Transportation Safety. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Two of the four fires that have damaged more than 40,000 of woodlands in Louisiana are under control, according to the Southern Area Complex Incident Management Gold Team. The Lions Camp Road and Elizabeth wildfires are 100 percent contained. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says fire crews have spent nearly a month trying to get the Lions Camp Road fire controlled.
Cut 3 (11) “…nobody’s residence.”
Authorities have confirmed that the cause of the Lions Camp Fire was arson. The fire started at the end of Vernon Park Road near the Lions Camp neighborhood. Craft says the fire began to burn really slow but within minutes was out of control.
Cut 4 (07) “…so dry.”
Craft says rain prevented any jumps or hot spots from reigniting. He says firefighters from across the country were amazed at the intensity of the wildfires in Louisiana
Cut 5 (11) “ …west maybe.”
Anyone with information about the Tiger Island fire or any other arson-related wildfires should call the State Fire Marshal, or local law enforcement.
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Amendment 2 on the October 14th ballot would grant the highest level of protection to worship in a church. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says COVID restrictions prompted the amendment and that both US and state constitutions already protect the freedom to worship.
Cut 6 (11) “…of protection.”
Procopio says if you believe not only should individuals have the right to worship but the right to do so in a church, or any other religious facility you would be in favor of the amendment.
Cut 7 (06) “…against it.”
During the pandemic, Central Pastor Tony Spell was cited for continuing to hold church services for more than 50 people during Phase I COVID protocols in Louisiana.
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Last year 906 people died on Louisiana roadways, that’s almost a seven percent decrease from 2021 which had 972 fatalities. That’s according to the LSU Center for Analytics and Research and in Transportation Safety. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Greg Fischer says more people returned to work in 2022 which increased traffic…
Cut 8 (11) “…DWI stops.”
In 2022 Fischer there was a bigger effort to stop drunk and impaired drivers and it paid off.
Cut 9 (11) “…(x2) fewer fatalities.”
DWI arrests in 2022 increased eight percent and there was an eight-percent decrease in drunk-driving fatalities.
Sadly, fatalities among pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists remained near or above 2021 levels. Fischer encourages pedestrians to walk against traffic so they can see oncoming vehicles and move out of harm’s way. And to also make yourself more visible…
Cut 10 (06) “…see you.”
Fischer says the majority of traffic fatalities are caused by four things, lack of seatbelt usage, aggressive, impaired, and distracted drivers.
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President Biden has approved Louisiana’s request for an emergency declaration in the state’s battle against saltwater intrusion moving up the Mississippi River. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says steps are being taken to protect the drinking water in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines parishes
Cut 11 (10) “…with that event.”
The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts. Steele says the emergency declaration unlocks federal assistance to help impacted parishes that are taking steps to make sure the salt water doesn’t get into the drinking water facilities…
Cut 12 (12) “…along the river”
Steele says the emergency declaration is set to last for 90 days, but Steele says it can be extended….
Cut 13 (13) “…some point.”
You can find more information under the Saltwater Intrusion tab at emergency-dot-la-dot.gov.