LRN PM Newscall Friday October 17

A close call for one South Louisiana sheriff, as he was shot at by a suspect during a call. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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An assistant police chief in Richland Parish finds himself on the other side of the law after allegedly selling firearms that belonged to the police department. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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With its famous namesake on hand, Southeastern Louisiana University officially opens its new Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center. President Dr. William Wainwright says it includes a newsroom, a film studio and a multimedia studio, giving students experience in all facets of broadcasting.

Cut 3 (13) “…also digital media.”

Wainwright says the university is proud to have the name of one of its most prominent graduates affixed to its new broadcast media center, and she’s a main catalyst behind its construction.

Cut 4 (11) “…state facility renovation.”

The Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center is part of the renovation and expansion of D. Vickers Hall, adding an additional 33-thousand square feet to the 80-thousand-square-foot facility. Wainwright says it’s a building for the entire student body.

Cut 5 (15) “…Broadcast Media Center.”

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A close call for the sheriff of Assumption Parish, as he’s shot by a shooting suspect he was confronting. Sheriff’s spokesman Lonny Cavalier says Sheriff Leland Falcon was close to the scene when the call for assistance came down, so he responded and encountered the suspect.

Cut 6 (08) “…the left torso.”

While Sheriff Falcon never fired his weapon, one of his deputies returned fire and hit the suspect. Cavalier says that suspect and the victim of the original shooting that led to the 911 call were taken to hospitals.

Cut 7 (14) “…with moderate injuries.”

Cavalier says one deputy suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene, while Falcon was grazed by the suspect’s bullet and was briefly hospitalized.

Cut 8 (08) “…of the process.”

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You can vote for America’s Best Haunted Destination on The 64-dot-com. Site founder Jason Woo says two Louisiana destinations are among the 64 in the field – The Myrtles in St. Francisville and the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans.

Cut 9 (04)  “…and different things.”

The Myrtles has long been recognized as one of the spookiest places in Louisiana, and Woo says he’s not at all surprised at that.

Cut 10 (05) “…quite a bit.”

Woo says the voting is in the form of a six-round single-elimination tournament, until one emerges as the most haunted destination in the country. 

Cut 11 (07) “…the next round.”

First round voting is underway right now, and it ends Saturday.

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A northeast Louisiana assistant police chief finds himself on the other side of the law. State Police arrested Rayville Assistant Police Chief Czyz (“chizh”) Williams for theft and malfeasance in office. Trooper Ryan Davis says Williams was selling department property and pocketing the money.

Cut 12 (08) “…for personal gain.”

Davis says all those police department firearms Williams had sold have since been recovered. And Davis says that’s not all Williams allegedly did.

Cut 13 (12)  “…crime prevention programs.”

Davis says none of the money that Williams collected for these nonexistent crime prevention programs went to the Rayville Police Department – he kept the money himself. He says it’s unclear whether any of that money has been recovered and returned to the donors. Davis says having a member of the law enforcement community do these things erodes trust.

Cut 14 (04) “…we’re held to.”

According to the Rayville Police Department’s website, Williams is still employed by the department.