Estimated read time: 13-14 minutes
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Good evening, Louisiana and Mississippi editors.
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NEW THIS DIGEST:
LOUISIANA: Tarpley-5th District; Cold Case Arrest; Oil Waste Disposal; New Orleans Shootings
LOUISIANA SPORTS: UALR-Louisiana-Lafayette
MISSISSIPPI: Cold Case Arrest; Oil Waste Disposal; Missing Memphis Man; Washington County Roads
LOUISIANA NEWS
LOUISIANA TOP STORIES
TARPLEY-5TH DISTRICT
PINEVILLE, La. — Former Grant parish District Attorney Ed Tarpley says he will run for the U.S. House seat currently held by Republican Vance McAllister of Swartz. The Alexandria attorney's long announcement Saturday did not mention that the faith-and-family McAllister was caught on video in a long kiss with an aide married to one of his friends. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: About 300 words by 7 p.m.
COLD CASE ARREST
JACKSON, Miss. — A man accused in southwest Louisiana of killing his first wife reportedly kept surgical saws in a secret compartment in his car. The Jackson Clarion-Ledger (http://on.thec-l.com/Q3QWJT ) says that's in a police statement by an ex-wife of 74-year-old Felix Vail, who is charged with killing Mary Vail in 1962 in Calcasieu (KAL-kuh-shoo) Parish. He's being investigated in two disappearances — his common-law wife Sharon Hensley in 1973, and his wife Annette in 1984. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: About 500 words by 7 p.m.
OIL WASTE DISPOSAL
LIBERTY, Miss. — Amite County supervisors are hesitating over a plan to allow a landfill to bury oilfield waste and inject brine wastewater underground. Supervisor Max Lawson wants to amend the county solid waste plan for the landfill proposed in February. It also would include an oil recycling plant. SENT: 370 words.
KINDER-POLICE CHIEF CASE
KINDER — The theft and malfeasance case against Kinder Police Chief Gary Pelican is expected to be turned over to the state attorney general's office. Allen Parish District Attorney Todd Nesom said he will ask to be recused from the case because of a conflict of interest. Nesom says an attorney in his office represents a Pelican family member in a private matter. Pelican, 52, was arrested by state police in January on theft and malfeasance charges after an audit turned up what appeared to be excessive fuel purchases by the Police Department. He is accused of using town credit cards to buy more than $6,500 in fuel, some of which was used to fuel vehicles belonging to family members, according to police. SENT: 310 words.
BRENNAN'S-FRENCH QUARTER
NEW ORLEANS — Ralph Brennan's new and as-yet unnamed French Quarter restaurant will open around Labor Day rather than in the spring as originally planned. The restaurant will open in the former location of Brennan's at 417 Royal St. The pink building was constructed in 1795 and became Brennan's restaurant in 1956. After foreclosure, the building was sold at a sheriff's auction in May 2103 for $6.85 million. Brennan and businessman Terry White bought the property. Brennan and White have not yet hired a chef for the new restaurant. A name for the restaurant also has not been chosen. SENT: 250 words.
PRESERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR
SHREVEPORT — Jean Sayres of Shreveport has been honored as Louisiana preservationist of the year. She was cited recently at the 2014 Louisiana Culture Awards. Lt. Gov. Dardenne will formally present the award to Sayres on April 22 at the Culture Connection in Baton Rouge. SENT: 152 words.
LOUISIANA NEWS IN BRIEF
NEW ORLEANS SHOOTINGS
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans police say a 23-year-old man was killed and a 22-year-old woman critically injured in separate shootings that wounded two other men and a 1-year-old girl. Police say a drive-by shooting shortly in the 7th Ward shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday killed the man, seriously wounding two other men and grazing the toddler. Police say they were sitting on a porch. All three men were hit in the body. A bullet grazed the girl's leg. SENT: 130 words.
JAIL INTERNET
NEW ORLEANS — Orleans Parish Prison inmates will have to file grievances on paper because authorities discovered they were using grievance computers to use the Internet. Sheriff Marlin Gusman's office said Friday that it had notified the company that provides the computer kiosks of the problem. Spokesman Phillip Stelly said the vendor plans to upgrade the software on all the kiosks to prevent future problems. SENT: 130 words.
BALD EAGLE KILLING
VERRET, La. — Authorities are offering up to $7,500 for information about whoever killed a bald eagle near Verret in St Bernard Parish. The eagle was found April 4 near the parish fire station on Highway 300. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Humane Society of the United States are offering the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. SENT: 130 words.
LOTTERY RESULTS
NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Lottery Corp. says a ticket bought in West Monroe won the $148,323 jackpot in the Easy 5 game. It says nobody got all the numbers drawn Saturday for Powerball or Lotto. That means those jackpots will rise Wednesday to an estimated $110 million for Powerball and $325,000 for Lotto. SENT: 120 words.
THIBODAUX-BRIDGE OPENING DELAYED
THIBODAUX — The new Tiger Drive Bridge in Thibodaux probably won't open until the end of summer, city officials say. Completion of the bridge had been projected for May, but delays in the delivery of pilings and from bad weather pushed back the timetable. SENT: 99 words.
NUNEZ-ART SHOW
CHALMETTE — Nunez Community College's 15th annual spring art show opens April 24 and will be on display through April 30. Original drawings, paintings, photographs, sculptures and other art can be submitted by students and the public until 7 p.m. on April 16. SENT: 61 words.
OUTDOOR EXPO
HOUMA — Reality TV stars Jeff Danker and Matt Duff of the cable television series "Major League Bowhunter" will be special guests at the Bayou Outdoor and Adventure Expo on April 26-27 in Houma. The expo will be at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. SENT: 55 words.
MOVED IN ADVANCE FOR MONDAY EDITIONS
LOUISIANA SPOTLIGHT-ANALYSIS
BATON ROUGE — A year has elapsed since Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration started turning over the operations of Louisiana's university-run public hospital system to outside companies, and lawmakers are complaining they still have unanswered questions about the implications of the deals and the impact on local communities. They're asking why federal officials haven't signed off on the financing arrangements, what happens if the federal approval never comes and how the state will compensate hospitals that have been inundated with uninsured patients who once went solely to the LSU-run hospitals. An AP News Analysis. By Melinda Deslatte. SENT IN ADVANCE: 720 words.
LOUISIANA MEMBER EXCHANGES
MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM RENOVATION
SHREVEPORT — Shreveport's grand old lady has received a $5.3 million face-lift befitting its age and stature. The Municipal Auditorium's makeover includes air conditioning, a new Grand Arena entrance and other work to meet American with Disabilities Act requirements, handicap-accessible seating and a good cleaning to make the historic venue sparkle and shine. Some non-working historic parts, such as steam radiators and a stage light board, remain so viewers can see what was there before. "I'm proud as a peacock of this project," architect Mike McSwain said as he walked halls once home of the Louisiana Hayride and graced by the likes of Elvis Presley. By Maggie Martin, The Times. SENT IN ADVANCE: 923 words. With photo.
EDIBLE SCHOOLYARDS
NEW ORLEANS — After Hurricane Katrina, Alice Waters wanted to do a service project for New Orleans. Now, the first Edible Schoolyard at Samuel J. Green Charter School, just off Freret Street, is a lush and lovely space that just hosted the fifth annual Edible Evening fundraiser. And Green is no longer the only Edible Schoolyard in New Orleans. Five Edible Schoolyard gardens exist on the five campuses in the FirstLine Charter School Network, all different. One has goats, rabbits and chickens, so the kids learn animal husbandry as well as gardening. One has high-tech hydroponic growing towers due to lack of space. A garden has been in the works at Arthur Ashe Charter School's new school since August 2012, said Claudia Barker, executive editor of Edible Schoolyard New Orleans. Located on an 11-acre tract owned by the city, the K-8 school shares the tract with a playground as well as a beautiful stand of live oaks. By Judy Walker, Nola.comThe Times-Picayune. SENT IN ADVANCE: 750 words.
LOUISIANA SPORTS
BKN--PELICANS-ROCKETS
HOUSTON — James Harden and the Houston Rockets look to get back on track against New Orleans after a loss to Minnesota. The Pelicans have dropped six in a row. By Kristie Rieken. UPCOMING: 750 words. Starts at 7 p.m. CT.
UALR-LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Louisiana-Lafayette got strong starting pitching and timely hitting to hold off Arkansas-Little Rock 6-3 in Sun Belt Conference baseball in Lafayette, La. ULL's Cody Boutte gave up one run over six innings of the Sunday game to pick up the win and improve to 5-0 on the season. UALR's Cameron Allen took the loss and falls to 3-3. UALR's Austin Pfeiffer had a solo home run for the Trojans.
MISSISSIPPI NEWS
MISSISSIPPI TOP STORIES
COLD CASE ARREST
JACKSON, Miss. — A man accused in southwest Louisiana of killing his first wife reportedly kept surgical saws in a secret compartment in his car. The Jackson Clarion-Ledger (http://on.thec-l.com/Q3QWJT ) says that's in a police statement by an ex-wife of 74-year-old Felix Vail, who is charged with killing Mary Vail in 1962 in Calcasieu (KAL-kuh-shoo) Parish. He's being investigated in two disappearances — his common-law wife Sharon Hensley in 1973, and his wife Annette in 1984. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: About 500 words by 7 p.m.
OIL WASTE DISPOSAL
LIBERTY, Miss. — Amite County supervisors are hesitating over a plan to allow a landfill to bury oilfield waste and inject brine wastewater underground. Supervisor Max Lawson wants to amend the county solid waste plan for the landfill proposed in February. It also would include an oil recycling plant. SENT: 370 words.
MISSING MEMPHIS MAN
WALLS, Miss. — A daylong search for a man missing nearly a year turned up bones, but investigators don't know whether they're human or animal — let alone those of James Irby Jr. Master Sgt. Charles Hale of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation tells The Commercial Appeal (http://bit.ly/1p0l5JN ) that authorities hope to know by Monday evening whether they're human. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: About 250 words by 7 p.m.
PRISONS-CONTRABAND CELLPHONES
JACKSON — Crime victims, soldiers and their families are benefiting from contraband that the Mississippi Department of Corrections is eager to find and get rid of — cellphones. SENT: 312 words.
SALTILLO-AUTO SALE RULES
SALTILLO — Saltillo officials are expecting to see fewer vehicles being sold along the city's main roadways beginning May 1. That's when a new ordinance takes effect banning individuals from parking vehicles with for-sale signs anywhere besides their own property. SENT: 257 words.
DESOTO-HOLIDAYS
HERNANDO — DeSoto County supervisors have decided to designate Good Friday — April 18 — as a holiday for county workers instead of the state's observance of Confederate Memorial Day on April 28. Mississippi recognizes 10 holidays, with Confederate Memorial Day one of several that can be swapped for a local holiday. In August 2013, DeSoto County officials released the findings of a worker survey in which 163 employees preferred Good Friday, 71 chose Confederate Memorial Day and nine checked "follow state holidays." SENT: 234 words.
MISSISSIPPI NEWS IN BRIEF
WASHINGTON COUNTY ROADS
GREENVILLE, Miss. — Things are looking up for Washington County residents living on roads torn up last year for repaving, only to have the county run out of money for the job. Washington County road manager Arthur Perry tells The Delta Democrat Times (http://bit.ly/1kVb4r6 ) that crews have begun laying down asphalt and aggregate on two of the roads. He says work is scheduled soon on five more roads. SENT: 130 words.
PARK SHOOTING
CANTON, Miss. — A Canton man has been shot to death. Canton Police Investigator Terence Ware tells WJTV-TV (http://bit.ly/1iFQ6d4 ) that the body of 21-year-old Cardell Wilson was found at Red Bud Park just before 7 a.m. Saturday. He says a caller had told police that someone was lying in the park. SENT: 86 words.
DESOTO-E-CIGARETTE BAN
HERNANDO — DeSoto County is seeking an opinion from the state attorney general's office on whether electronic cigarettes can be added to an existing ban on tobacco products in county buildings. Board of Supervisors President Lee Caldwell tells The Commercial Appeal (http://bit.ly/1g7lGmL) the county wants to what's best for public health and also do what's legal. SENT: 129 words.
PETAL HYDRANTS
PETAL — The Petal Fire Department will begin testing and refurbishing the city's hydrants on Monday. The work is expected to continue through May. Fire Chief Joe Hendry says the hydrants will be tested, cleaned and painted. Hendry says the annual inspections ensure the hydrants are operating properly and meet state rating bureau requirements. SENT: 57 words.
PRESLEY-COMMUNITY MEETING
HORN LAKE — Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley will hold a community meeting in Horn Lake on April 22. The meeting will be from 6-7 p.m. at City Hall, 3101 Goodman Road. The meeting is expected to focus on cellular and high-speed Internet service in north Mississippi. SENT: 55 words.
CLEVELAND AIRPORT
CLEVELAND — The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $300,000 through the Federal Aviation Administration to the city of Cleveland in Bolivar County to extend the taxiway at Cleveland Municipal Airport. SENT: 69 words.
MOVED IN ADVANCE FOR MONDAY EDITIONS
MISSISSIPPI ANALYSIS
UNDER THE CAPITOL DOME-ANALYSIS
JACKSON — Mississippi's state Capitol is quiet and empty now that the 2014 Legislature has gone home. But the grand spaces of the rotunda and House and Senate chambers can't hide it — the people's house has grown too small. Spectators routinely stand through committee meetings when the Legislature is meeting, and the lack of an office for every lawmaker leads to a constant tension over space. Leaders are trying to manage the room they have, but there's little discussion of long-term solutions. At the very least, lawmakers could have to disrupt longstanding traditions to better use limited space. And building more square footage would cost money. Veterans of the Capitol say committee meetings were not always as crowded as they are now. But as lobbyists have proliferated, rooms have filled. AP News Analysis. By Jeff Amy. SENT IN ADVANCE: 620 words.
MISSISSIPPI MEMBER EXCHANGES
JACKSON COUNTY-RETIREMENT
PASCAGOULA — The Legislature failed to protect retirees from a recent move by the state retirement system to cut pensions. The Public Employees Retirement System had gone back this year and reduced the pensions of a number of Jackson County employees whose retirements were based in part on unused sick and vacation leave. By Karen Nelson, The Sun Herald. SENT IN ADVANCE: 888 words.
CORINTH-ZONING QUANDARY
CORINTH — Margaret Bradley wants to comply with all of the city's regulations as she expands her business, but it's impossible for her to do so on annexed property that does not have city water service. Appealing a board of adjustment rejection of her application for a zoning variance, she took her dilemma before the Corinth Board of Mayor and Aldermen. By Jebb Johnston, The Daily Corinthian. SENT IN ADVANCE: 616 words.
MISSISSIPPI SPORTS
FBC--MISSISSIPPI ST-SPRING GAME
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State plays its annual Maroon-White Game on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium. The Bulldogs return 18 starters from last season and hope to compete at the top of the SEC Western Division next fall. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Kickoff is noon CT.
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