News

By K. Wesley White

At the close of last week’s three-day qualifying period, four candidates signed up for a state representative seat that covers portions of St. James Parish and two threw their name in the hat to become St. James Parish’s next Clerk of Court.

Sen. Ed Price, (Democrat, Gonzales) recently won a May 27th runoff election and moved from the Louisiana House of Representatives to the Senate.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition

By Pam Folse

Thirty-six percent of the students in the St. James Parish School System scored Mastery and above on the 2017 LEAP assessment test combining English/Language Arts (ELA), Math and Science, according to results posted recently by the state Department of Education. That score represents an 8 percent increase since 2015 when 28 percent scored at Mastery. Statewide, an average of 33 percent scored at Mastery in 2017, the same as last year, while St. James Parish experienced a 4 percent growth since 2016.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition

By Pam Folse

After quickly moving through a scant agenda Tuesday, July 11th, St. James Parish School Board President George Nassar called for comments from his fellow board members.

Called upon first, District 5 member Dianne Spencer said she had prepared a statement but there weren’t enough people in the audience to hear it.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition

By David Reynaud

Cristy Vicknair, who resides at 2191 Lucky Street in Paulina, addressed the St. James Parish Council last Wednesday and said she is frustrated with the Parish’s failure to extend and pave Lucky Street to service her driveway.

According to Vicknair, over 20 years ago the Parish paved Lucky Street to service several homes located on the street and that the paved section of the street stopped at the last house.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition

By Pam Folse

Some people have a knack for certain things. Some can remember baseball scores, others all the members of a Super Bowl team. Some recall recipes and others addresses or phone numbers.

Well, Jay Schexnaydre has the mind of a historian. He remembers names and dates.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition https://www.etypeservices.com/NewsExaminer(Lutcher,%20La.)ID134/

Those wishing to become a candidate for either St. James Parish Clerk of Court, District 58 of the Louisiana House of Representatives, or for Louisiana Treasurer must qualify between Wednesday, July 12th and Friday, July 14th.

An Open Primary Election to replace former St. James Parish Clerk of Court Edmond Kinler, who resigned on June 30th, and Representative Ed Price, who was recently elected to serve as the District 2 Senator, has been called for October 14, 2017. Also, if no candidate garners 51% of the vote in the Open Primary, a General Election will be held on November 18, 2017.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition https://www.etypeservices.com/NewsExaminer(Lutcher,%20La.)ID134/

By David Reynaud

On Tuesday, the Lutcher Aldermen amended the Town’s ordinance governing small commercial water rates on who pays what and how much when there is more than one business using the same water meter.

The change in the ordinance became necessary when it was discovered that the Town was not properly following what was previously on the books and that what was on the books was not clearly nor fairly implemented.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition https://www.etypeservices.com/NewsExaminer(Lutcher,%20La.)ID134/

By K. Wesley White

The Town of Gramercy approved new fees that cover new buildings and other items constructed in the local municipality.

The costs range from $50 to several thousand and cover inspections and permits for everything from cellular antennas to residential housing. Each permit has a set number of inspections.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition https://www.etypeservices.com/NewsExaminer(Lutcher,%20La.)ID134/

By Pam Folse

The St. James Parish Council, meeting Wednesday, June 28th, in Vacherie, decided to pull from its agenda a proposed resolution requesting that the District Attorney dismiss all counts of Malfeasance in Office against St. James Parish Director of Operations Blaise Gravois.

At the previous Council meeting, District 6 Councilman Ken Brass asked the Council to consider the resolution after learning how much the Parish will have to reimburse Gravois’ attorneys.

According to information in the proposed resolution, Gravois has already paid approximately $80,000 in attorney fees with an additional $24,000 of unpaid legal fees.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition https://www.etypeservices.com/NewsExaminer(Lutcher,%20La.)ID134/

Well, if you are looking for a little relief from the blistering heat we have been experiencing recently, look no further than the Lutcher Park.

On Tuesday, July 4th, the brand new Splash Park officially opened and the new park is a great way to cool off while still enjoying being outdoors.

The Splash Park will be open everyday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. throughout the Summer and will close for the winter beginning October 1st.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition https://www.etypeservices.com/NewsExaminer(Lutcher,%20La.)ID134/