Lafayette

Court upholds murder conviction

Posted 8:58 AM 11/8/2012 by AP

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - An appeals court has upheld the murder conviction of a man accused in a 1989 beating that left a woman in a coma until her death in 2001. Louis Joseph George is serving a life sentence in the death of Michelle Steven. The investigation became a "cold (More)

Lafayette

Comments sought in police accreditation process

Posted 8:43 AM 11/7/2012 by AP

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A public meeting is set Monday for residents to comment on the Lafayette Police Department as part of the agency's efforts to achieve national accreditation. The meeting is required as part of a yearslong accreditation process under which the department must show (More)

Acadia

Acadiana Woman Helps Bring Voters to Polls

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Posted 6:04 PM 11/6/2012 by Chris Welty

An Acadiana woman is making sure everyone in her community exercises their right to vote.

Delores Handy, better known as Mrs. Dee is armed with her candy red pick-up truck and her megaphone.

"Let's clear the road, we've got some voters coming in," said Mrs. Dee through her megaphone (More) • Video (1)

Lafayette

Lafayette school board to discuss repair projects

Posted 8:11 AM 11/6/2012 by AP

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - The Lafayette Parish School Board meets this week to discuss what major construction and repair projects to fund with $30 million from a bond sale. The school board authorized the sale of $30 million in bonds to fund school improvement projects Oct. 24. The (More)

Election Coverage 2012

Answering Your Questions Before Heading to the Polls

Posted 6:32 PM 11/5/2012 by Chris Welty

CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE BALLOT

Across the state, polls will open at six am and close at 8pm.

Since it's a presidential election and there's a heated congressional (More)

Lafayette

Bookkeeper gets prison time for theft

Posted 8:12 AM 11/5/2012 by AP

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A former bookkeeper at a Lafayette spa who embezzled more than $187,000 has been sentenced to 37 months in prison and ordered to repay the money. Angie C. Normand was accused of writing checks to herself for cash, secretly increasing her own salary and then (More)

UL

Free concert night of Presidential Election

Posted 4:13 AM 11/5/2012 by AP

The UL Lafayette Chorale and Chamber Singers will perform on Election Day, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Burke-Hawthorne Theatre.

The concert is FREE.

The theme of this performance is "Travel," and the choirs will take you on a journey around the world as they sing exciting music in languages like Spanish, Russian, Hungarian, Taiwanese, German, Maori, and, of course, English and Cajun French.

St. Landry

Early Morning Fatal Crash I-49 Southbound

Posted 3:58 AM 11/5/2012 by Cecilia Stevenson

Police and emergency officials are on the scene of a fatal accident at milemarker 15 southbound on I-49 in Opelousas. The accident happened around 2am Monday morning. There are reports of one fatal victim. There were two other people with injuries, but there is no information on their current conditions.

The southbound lanes are closed. Officials suggest drivers take an alternate route. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

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News - Local

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office and Opelousas Police Stepping Up Security this Weekend

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Posted 5:56 PM 11/2/2012 by Jenise Fernandez

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's deputies and Opelousas police officers are stepping up security this weekend. Two events, the creole festival and Step-N-Strut, are expected to attract thousands to the parish. Step-N-Strut is an event rich in tradition, it's been going for 14 years. Last year, changes (More) • Video (1)

_Continuous News

Public relations pro Amy Jones shares personal experience with weight loss surgery

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Posted 9:28 AM 11/2/2012 by Elizabeth Hill

"Your whole life is going to change. Nothing will be the same"

On the day of one of the biggest events of her life, Amy Jones made one of the biggest decisions of her life.

"I looked up one day in the mirror and said this is not the way you're going to live the rest of your life. (More) • Video (1)

Calcasieu

New Louisiana job search website

Posted 8:09 AM 11/2/2012 by AP

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) - The Louisiana Workforce Commission has launched a new job search website, making it easier for the unemployed to seek and apply for jobs in state. Louisiana Star Jobs is an interactive search tool that (More)

Lafayette

City-parish halts Broussard animal control service

Posted 7:50 AM 11/2/2012 by AP

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Lafayette city-parish government has stopped providing animal control services for the city of Broussard in a dispute over annexations in southern Lafayette Parish. City-Parish President Joey Durel announced earlier this year that he wanted to end the animal (More)

St. Landry

Indicted school official attends board meeting

Posted 6:39 AM 11/2/2012 by AP/CS

OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) - A St. Landry Parish School Board member attended his first meeting following his indictment by a federal grand jury last month in a conspiracy to extort money in exchange for his vote for a new school superintendent. Board member Quincy Richard Sr., who was (More)

Vermilion

House Fire North of Kaplan

Posted 3:26 AM 11/2/2012 by Cecilia Stevenson

An early morning fire happened just North of Kaplan around 1am this morning. Fire and police officials were on the scene of a house fully engulfed in flames on the 5000 block of Percy Road. The scene of the incident has been cleared, and there are no injuries to report. Vermilion parish fire officials are investigating the cause.

Political

Fact-Check: Did Paul Ryan Endorse Congressman Boustany?

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Posted 1:27 AM 11/2/2012 by Jim Hummel

At Wednesday night's debate among the front-runners in the district 3 congressional race, U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, mentioned an endorsement he says he received from Wisconsin Rep. and GOP vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan.

"I have a consistent, conservative voting (More) • Video (1)

News - Local

Changes could be in Store for Pre-K Schools Across the State

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Posted 5:33 PM 11/1/2012 by Jenise Fernandez

Parents listen up: changes could be in store for Pre-K schools across the state. Louisiana's education superintendent, John White has a new plan to hold these schools accountable, or put them at risk of losing state funds. White wants Pre-K schools and centers to get letter grades. Those grades (More) • Video (1)

Lafayette

Acadiana Remembers Adrian Vega

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Posted 9:14 AM 11/1/2012 by Chris Welty

A longtime Acadiana businessman and owner of several car dealerships loses his battle with cancer.

Adrian Vega was 63 years old. KATC's Chris Welty spoke with those who knew him best and has more on his legacy.

Adrian Vega was born in Havana, Cuba to a wealthy family who was (More) • Video (1)

News - Local

Newly widened stretch of US 90 opens

Posted 7:39 AM 11/1/2012 by AP

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A newly widened stretch of U.S. 90 has opened, expanding the heavily traveled route from four to six lanes for the seven miles between Pinhook Road in Lafayette and Broussard. The $20 million widening project is the latest in a series of upgrades along U.S. 90 in (More)

News - Local

Election after huge storm? La has the know-how

Posted 3:03 AM 11/1/2012 by AP/CS

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Election officials from states hit by Hurricane Sandy had a phone conference with Louisiana's top elections official about preparing for elections after a devastating hurricane. Secretary of State Tom Schedler tells The Advertiser (More)

Spirit of Acadiana

Spirit of Acadiana: Marcello's Bemefit "For Profit"

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Posted 8:57 AM 10/30/2012 by Scott Brazda/ CS

The Spirit of Acadiana... Supports the spirit of life! This segment of Spirit of Acadiana Scott Brazda introduces us to a different side of Marcello's Wine Market and café. For the past four years... Marcello's' on Kaliste Saloom road has held an anniversary party that includes wine tasting, food and music. This Sunday, November 4, 2012, there will be a celebration to help fight for life.

• Videos (3)

Acadia

"Stop The Violence" Campaign Picks Up Steam in Crowley

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Posted 9:45 PM 10/29/2012 by Steven Albritton

The city of Crowley is fed up with the violence. After another homicide last weekend, Vicky Cormier is leading the charge for change.

"We're just tired because we all have kids. We all have kids growing up in Crowley. And it's just time for this to end. Somewhere somebody has to take a (More) • Video (1)

News - Local

An Acadiana Woman Braces for Hurricane Sandy in NYC

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Posted 5:40 PM 10/29/2012 by Jenise Fernandez

An Acadiana woman is bracing for Hurricane Sandy in New York City, while her family watches from home. Justine Sutely's daughter Eden has been living in New York City for a year in a half. Justine was with her daughter last year when Irene hit, but this time around, Eden is by herself.

(More) • Video (1)

Lafayette

Lasalle Structure Fire

Posted 3:05 AM 10/29/2012 by Cecilia Stevenson

There was a structure fire at 212 Lasalle street in Lafayette early this morning. There are no injuries to report. Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.

News - Local

Tech Talk: Before And After You Cast Your Ballot

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Posted 10:53 PM 10/28/2012 by Alex Labat

Acadiana will have the Presidential candidates and local positions on the ballot November 6th, but with all those amendments, do you really know what you're voting for? With a lot of important decisions to be made on Election Day, you want to be sure you know exactly who, and what you're voting (More) • Video (1)

News - State

Trooper Training: Preps Before Troopers Hit the Road

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Posted 7:53 PM 10/28/2012 by Chris Welty

Within the past month, State Police have investigated two fatal accidents in Acadiana involving police officers.

In Morgan City, investigators say Saint Mary deputies were chasing a car driven by a Morgan City man who was wanted in a drug investigation. Troopers say the man crashed into (More) • Video (1)

News - State

Part One: Rare Inside Look at Trooper Training

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Posted 7:05 PM 10/26/2012 by Chris Welty

Everyday officers put their lives on the line protecting our community. KATC's Chris Welty was given a rare inside look at how state police train at their facility in Zachary.

"Nothing can prepare a police officer for what he or she is going to see day in or day out when they come to (More) • Video (1)

News - Local

St. Landry Parish Residents React to the Indictments of Two School Board Members

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Posted 5:47 PM 10/26/2012 by Jenise Fernandez

St. Landry Parish is abuzz with news of two school board members indicted on bribery charges. The indictment charges Quincy Richard and John Miller each with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and two counts of bribery. Both are accused of selling their votes for $5,000 in the (More) • Video (1)

News - Local

Lafayette steps up blight fight

Posted 8:05 AM 10/26/2012 by AP/CS

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Lafayette city-parish government has condemned about three abandoned and dilapidated homes a month over the past year under a new initiative dubbed "Operation Blight Out." The condemnation process, which must be approved by the City-Parish Council, clears the way (More)

News - Local

University of Phoenix Lafayette Campus is Closing

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Posted 6:14 PM 10/25/2012 by Jenise Fernandez

The Lafayette campus of the University of Phoenix is one of more than a hundred nationwide closing its doors. Thirteen thousand students will be affected by this. That's about 4-percent of its student body nationwide. The university is also laying off about 800 employees nationwide, 16 employees (More) • Video (1)

Lafayette

Man Reportedly Behind "Busted In Acadiana" Sues Lafayette Police Department

Posted 5:01 PM 10/25/2012 by Jim Hummel

KATC has learned Chris Hebert, the man reportedly behind the Facebook page "Busted In Acadiana," has filed a civil lawsuit against the Lafayette Police Department.

In the suit, filed on October 11, 2012, Hebert alleges he is the victim of a conspiracy, and that there was no probable cause (More)

Election Coverage 2012

U.S. Reps. Boustany & Landry Tentatively Agree To Debate Next Week

Posted 3:58 PM 10/25/2012 by Jim Hummel

Campaign representatives for U.S. Reps. Charles Boustany and Jeff Landry both confirm to KATC the candidates will debate one another next Wednesday, October 31st on KPEL 96.5 FM. The details of the debate are still being discussed. We'll have more information as it becomes available.

News - Local

Migratory game bird violations net 5

Posted 6:28 AM 10/25/2012 by AP/CS

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Two 23-year-old Vermilion Parish men have pleaded guilty in federal court for various migratory game bird violations. The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said Wednesday that Ryan Frederick, of Kaplan, and Dustin Fontenot, of Abbeville, entered the (More)

Lafayette

Customized New Orleans Saints Themed Motorcycle to Be Raffled Off

Posted 9:26 PM 10/24/2012 by Sharlee Barriere

Cajun Harley Davidson in Scott unveiled its customized New Orleans Saints themed motorcyle. The bike is fully customized with a hand-paint job, custom leather work and is autographed by Michael Lewis. It will be raffled off at the Lafayette World of Wheels car show being held at the Cajun Dome Convention Center on April 12-14, 2013 in support of the Michael Lewis Striding for Your Dreams Foundation. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased during the event.

News - Local

Ragin' Cajuns Ready for Big Game Against Arkansas State

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Posted 6:53 PM 10/23/2012 by Jenise Fernandez

After losing to North Texas last week, the Ragin' Cajuns are hoping to pull off a big conference win. With ESPN broadcasting to a national audience, the pressure is on and fans are pumped up

Everywhere you looked on campus, students sported their Ragin' Cajun pride. Even though game days (More) • Video (1)

News - State

Shreveport Times: Police Believe Winnsboro Woman Set Herself On Fire

Posted 4:51 PM 10/23/2012 by Jim Hummel

The Shreveport Times is reporting that police are expected to announce that a Winnsboro woman set herself on (More)

News - Local

Two Shootings in Crowley Over the Weekend Leaves One Dead, the Other in the Hospital

Posted 6:10 PM 10/22/2012 by Jenise Fernandez

One person is dead, the other in the hospital, after two shootings in Crowley over the weekend. Those two shootings happened within a 2-block radius of each other. The first shooting happened Friday just after 4 o'clock at the intersection of Hutchinson and Jacobs Avenue. Police identified the (More)

News - Local

3 seek St. Martin Parish school job

Posted 8:05 AM 10/22/2012 by AP/CS

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education member Lottie Beebe is in the small pool of three educators seeking the superintendent of St. Martin Parish School's job. Applicants also include former Pointe Coupee Parish Superintendent Daniel Rawls and Charles (More)

News - Local

St. Martinville church bells temporarily silenced

Posted 8:04 AM 10/22/2012 by AP/CS

For the first time in a century and a half, the bells of St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church are not chiming out quarter-hours or ringing people to Mass in St. Martinville. The bell tower is empty. The oldest bell is cracked, one of the newest needs retuning and the tower is being (More)

Political

KATC Denies Boustany Request To Pull Landry Ad: Here's Why

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Posted 10:56 PM 10/17/2012 by Jim Hummel

Citing The Federal Communications Act, KATC has denied a request from U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany's campaign to pull an ad being run by his opponent, U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry.

The ad in question claims Boustany agrees with 80% of the so-called "Obamacare" and that he was the original sponsor (More) • Video (1)

Election Coverage 2012

Tax Renewals on the November 6th Ballot

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Posted 5:45 PM 10/17/2012 by Jenise Fernandez

Voters hold in their hands the salaries of Lafayette city police and firefighters. Voters will decide November 6th if they want to renew "two" 10-year property taxes, that generate money for the departments. The first tax renewal is a 10-year, 3-mill property tax. That would generate about $3.7 (More) • Video (1)

Lafayette

New Groundbreaking Procedure to Provide Sinus Relief

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Posted 8:56 AM 10/17/2012 by Chris Welty

Many in Acadiana, you might be one of them, suffer from chronic sinuses. It forces them to take antibiotics or use powerful nasal sprays.

Sometimes medicines don't work and extreme measures are taken to help clear your sinuses. Luckily there is a new groundbreaking procedure helping give (More) • Video (1)

News - Local

Update: Haz mat in Duson on Austria Road

Posted 6:24 AM 10/17/2012 by Cecilia Stevenson

Officials have confirmed an 18-wheeler jackknifed on interstarte 10, and it is leaking diesel fuel at the 'ON' ramp of the Austria Road exit. The I-10 westbound on -ramp in Duson at LA HIGHWAY 95 (exit 92) is closed. Please plan your routes accordingly.

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News - Local

Haz mat in Duson on Austria Road

Posted 4:04 AM 10/17/2012 by Cecilia Stevenson

There is a hazardous material leakage at 100 Austria Road in Duson. The incident was reported around 3:30am there are sheriff and fire officials on the scene.

News - Local

Eunice Couple Loses Home to Fire

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Posted 9:20 PM 10/16/2012 by Steven Albritton

It was a day that started out normal for the Smith's. Tim Smith was on his patio working when he heard his smoke detector go off.

"I started smelling smoke. So, I went down the hall and it was filled with smoke, and apparently the attic was on fire," Tim Smith said.

Tim Smith's wife (More) • Video (1)

News - Local

Employees at Two Acadiana Hospitals Hoping to Win Money for Miles Perret

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Posted 5:50 PM 10/16/2012 by Jenise Fernandez

Employees at two Acadiana hospitals are slipping on their dancing shoes and pink gloves. It's all part of a nationwide "Pink Glove Dance Competition" promoting breast cancer awareness. Although the two hospitals are competing against each other, they want to help the same cause. Sporting matching (More) • Video (1)

News - Local

New Smartphone App Helping to Fight Crime in Jennings

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Posted 5:33 PM 10/15/2012 by Jenise Fernandez

Want to help fight crime in Jennings?? Well, there's an app for that. Jennings Police are using what's called the "iWatch" app. It allows residents to help police fight crime in real time. City coordinator Michelle Hebert says, "iWatch Jennings" is a way for citizens to take an active, anonymous (More) • Video (1)

Acadia

Shooting Suspect Turns Himself In

Posted 11:17 AM 10/14/2012 by Chris Welty

The man wanted in connection with a Saturday afternoon shooting in Iota has turned himself in.

Twenty-three year old Jarrett M. Andrews was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail around 11:30 Saturday night and charged with first-degree murder. His bond is set at $350,000.

The victim is identified as twenty three year old Nathaniel Wiltz of Rayne.

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St. Landry

Double Fatal Accident in Eunice

Posted 11:11 AM 10/14/2012 by Chris Welty

Two people are dead after a motorcycle and another vehicle collide on US 190 in Eunice.

The accident happened around one o'clock Sunday morning near Cash Magic Casino. Saint Landry Parish Sheriff Deputies as well as troopers from State Police Troop I were on scene investigating the crash.

At this time there's no word on what caused the accident and the names of the victims have not been released.