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Wilson goes for 31 in Bulldogs rout of Westminster

Wednesday’s showdown between Iota and Westminster in the final game of the night of the Basile Tournament was over pretty ...

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ASSIST has emergency funds for Acadia

The ASSIST Agency has funds available for qualified applicants to help with rent/mortgage and/or utilities in Acadia Parish. “Applicants must be ...

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$2.7M business expansion set in Acadia Parish

Gov. John Bel Edwards and Richard’s Cajun Foods, Inc., President Ronnie Doucet have announced that Richard’s will invest $2.7 million ...

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High-speed I-10 chase results in Rayne accident

RAYNE - A Louisiana State Trooper was conducting stationary radar on I-10 east bound near mile marker 82.5 on Sunday, Dec. 9, when he observed a vehicle with a burnt head light traveling east bound.
The trooper attempted to approach the vehicle when he observed the vehicle traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph; afterwhich, the trooper activated his emergency lights in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop.
During the chase, the vehicle traveled off the roadway onto the south shoulder of I-10 to avoid other vehicles all while turning off his headlights to avoid detection.
The vehicle continued to travel east bound on I-10 and exited in Rayne (exit 87) where the driver then lost control, traveled through a ditch and rammed through a fence where he entered a private parking lot. He then crashed into the Popeye’s building located just south of I-10 along highway 35.
The crash caused damage to the business’ water line, gas line and both exterior and interior structure areas.
The driver, Audrin Winton, 33, of Lafayette, who was driving a 2013 Chevrolet Impala, sustained moderate injuries in the crash and was transported to Lafayette General Medical Center.
A warrant is being sought on multiple charges.
The local business was closed for business on Sunday for repairs.

Sheriff issues warrant, Police make local arrests

Rayne Police Officers are continuing to search for Paul Wheeler who is wanted for his involvement in two recent shooting incidents.
Chief Carroll Stelly advised the investigation into the November shootings on Ann Drive and East A School Street is continuing.
An arrest warrant for Paul Wheeler has been issued for multiple counts of attempted second degree murder.
Frank Leopaul is also being charged for his involvement in the November shooting with four counts of attempted second degree murder and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Leopaul has been incarcerated since the November 8 shooting.
Chief Stelly advised that several other individuals will be charged for their involvement in the incident. The investigation is on going and detectives anticipate having the investigation completed this week.
Chief Stelly asks anyone with information on the whereabouts of Paul Wheeler to please contact the Rayne Police Department or the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Department at 789 - TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous and can receive up to a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest in these cases.
Anyone with information related to either shooting is as to contact Detective Richard Gray at 393-2930.
On the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 27, Rayne police detectives arrested James Lee Doucet, 72, for molestation of a juvenile under thirteen.
Doucet was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail without incident.
On Monday, Nov. 19, at 2:49 a.m. Rayne police officers responded to a call about “shots fired” in the 400 block of Ann Drive.
Officers determined the victim was in process of recovering his vehicle from his ex-girlfriend, Conkichi Senegal. The victim was driving away in the vehicle when Conkichi fired one shot at the vehicle.
Senegal was arrested for one count of attempted second degree murder offense.
Senegal was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail without incident.
The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office has conducted an investigation in regards to a complaint of sexual abuse involving juveniles. The investigation revealed that Joseph Menard, 42, of Rayne, was involved in a sexual relationship with two minor children who were visiting the household.
Menard was charged with two counts of molestation of a juvenile and two counts of first degree rape. Bond was set at $700,000.
Menard is a convicted tier two sex offender. He was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail in Crowley.

Rayne welcomes Lions District 8-0 for cabinet meeting

RAYNE - For his first duty as the newly appointed District Governor, Roy Credeur welcomed Lions during the International Association of Lions Club District 8-0 2018-2019 Agenda First Cabinet Meeting held at the Civic Center Mural Room.
Credeur called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and introduced the head table including local Rayne Lions Club committee members and special guests.
Cabinet Secretary Belinda Arceneaux called the roll and added comments, with Cabinet Treasurer Kathy Harrison presenting the treasurer’s report.
J.W. Harrison gave a report of the Louisiana Lions Children’s Camp, with Lion Belinda Arceneaux reporting on the Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation and the LCIF report presented by William Arceneaux.
Belinda Arceneaux also gave a report of the USA/Canada Forum and the MD 8 Convention.
Reports were heard from zone chairs, followed by announcements of area Lions’ events and programs.
Lunch was then enjoyed by all.
Among those in attendance for the meeting were Gerard Credeur, Kim Raymond, Linda Credeur, Madeleine Deville, Ali Delahoussaye, Belinda Arceneaux, Williams Arceneaux, Norma Theall, Sissy Faul, Fred Landry, Michael Guidry, Cordelia Pizzalotto, Ann Mire, Jan Lawrence, Ethel Rob, Claude Ledet, Red Medica, Jeremy LeBlanc, Sandra Guidry, Kathy Harris, Lucien Marks Jr., John Marcello, Cathy
Comeaux, Rachel Guidry, Joshua Hardy, Byron Foote, Frank Urias, Donald Miller Jr., Maxine Hardy, Bob Bennett, Elaine Hebert and Russell LeBlanc.
Members and guests attended the meeting from Rayne, Crowley, Lafayette, Jennings, DeRidder, Carencro, Kaplan, Port Barre, Youngsville, Abbeville, Scott, Duson, Iota-Egan, Maplewood and Lake Charles.

City Council approves lease for new fire station

Rotary plaque presented for Rayne Veterans Park

RAYNE - A rather routine City Council meeting was held Monday evening at City Hall by the Rayne City Council.
The light agenda included the monthly financial update presented by City Clerk Annette Cutrera and accepted by the Council as the new fiscal year begins.
The main item considered and approved by the Council was a 50-year lease between the city and Fire District #9 of Acadia Parish (Rayne) of city-owned property for the future construction of a new fire station to serve Rayne and the surrounding areas.
The property, located between The Boulevard and Section Street, behind the Chamber of Commerce office (240 feet by 85 feet), will be leased for a term of 50 years commencing Jan. 1, 2019, for $1 per year.
Fire District #9 of Acadia will maintain all improvements, pay all utilities associated with its use of the premises and construct the new fire station using funds attained through millage funds derived from property taxes.
The new North Rayne Fire Station will have street access on both streets (Boulevard/Section) with a six-bay capacity. The new station will add to the Rayne fire protection including the South Rayne Fire Station (Standard Mill Road) and Main Fire Station (South Adams).
Once the new station is completed and equipped (with construction scheduled to begin late next year at a cost of $600,000), the smaller northern fire station now located behind the Rayne Police Department will be delegated for use by the police for car details, upgrades and repairs as part of the trade transfer between the city and the fire department.
“This project, which we have worked on for two years now, is a win-win for both the city and fire department,” said Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux during the meeting. “Not only will this benefit the city and rural areas with better fire protection, it will also help with our fire rating for home owners.”
Rayne is presently at a “level 5” rating, with hopes for a lowered “level 4” rating once the new fire station is completed and operational.
“This location is prime for our firemen,” Robichaux continued. “If you think about it, where are most of the fires and accidents? On the north side of the city — including I-10.”
The Council also approved a request by the Krewe of Kings and Queens Extraordinaire for the second annual Mardi Gras Parade/Celebration on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.
Chairman Ryan Breaux announced the parade will begin at 3 p.m. and follow the same route as last year’s.
The Council also approved the reappointment of Lee Seilhan as a member of the Planning and Zoning Board for a five-year term effective Dec. 10, 2018.
Bob Landry of the Rotary Club of Rayne was in attendance and presented a special plaque to the city to be placed at the Rayne Veterans Park. Landry also gave a report of the park, in addition to an update of the upcoming projects planned at the site and other city-wide programs.
Tim Mader of Mader Engineering, Inc., updated the Council of the dotd Road Transfer Project, specifically the Edgewood Subdivision overlay project, one of five street projects the city has plans for repair and new overlay.
Mader explained that, since the streets in the subdivision are “culvasac” and not continuous, DOTD decided to move forward with the process of directly granting the city of Rayne the $281,000 for improving the Edgewood streets. The grant was formally approved in November by the Office of State Procurement and the city has since received the check.
During the meeting, the Council approved a request to authorize Mader Engineering, Inc., to prepare the plans and specifications for street improvements in Edgewood.
The other street projects included with the Road Transfer Project are West Jeff Davis, North Polk Street, Seventh Street and South Eastern Street.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

CHS Ladies upend Abbeville; Wildcats blow out Gents

Defense was the name of the game Tuesday for the Crowley Ladies. The Ladies (3-5) pressured Abbeville into countless turnovers, blocked ...

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