Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS — Residents are asking a judge to hold the city of New Orleans in contempt for allegedly demolishing structurally sound houses without notice and for allegedly failing to maintain an accurate demolition list, in violation of a consent decree.

The request, on behalf of residents with pending demolitions in the city post-Hurricane Katrina, was filed late last week.

It also seeks to have all demolitions in the city halted pending a revision of listing procedures.

It is the continuation in a long-running dispute over the city’s identification and noticing of properties to be razed following the storm, which hit in August 2005.

The filing claims a number of homes are on the list wrongfully, including that of a prominent local civil rights attorney who’s home, it says, wasn’t damaged.

A city spokesman did not immediately comment. (Read the full post about ‘Group Wants City Held In Contempt For Demolitions’…)

Some Louisiana leaders were on the fence about the economic bailout plan on Sunday.

Louisiana lawmakers in Washington said they still have more questions than answers about the bailout agreement as it stands.

U.S. Reps. Steve Scalise and Charlie Melancon said they still have concern that the measure does not go far enough to protect taxpayers.

Scalise also said he would like to see more private investors to help out with Wall Street’s money trouble.

In its current form, Scalise said he does not know if he could support the measure, but he said it’s still too early to make a final decision.

Melancon said that, while they’re getting closer to an agreement, there is still work to be done.

“I don’t know if I will vote for it,” Melancon said.

The House of Representatives plans to vote on the rescue bill on Monday. (Read the full post about ‘Local Lawmakers React To Bailout Plans’…)

BATON ROUGE, La. — Gov. Bobby Jindal issued a statement on Sunday on the U.S. Senate’s final passage of the federal spending bill, which contained $23 billion in disaster assistance for the Gulf Coast and the Midwest.

The statement is as follows:

“This funding is a positive step toward addressing our overall recovery needs, but there is more work to be done. (Read the full post about ‘Jindal Responds To Senate’s Passage Of Federal Spending Bill’…)

RUSTON, La. — A Louisiana Tech University student is charged with negligent injury and illegally discharging a firearm after an alleged accidental shooting that sent another student to a hospital.

Ruston police said 19-year-old Samuel Breen, of Greenwood, accidentally fired a gun early Friday in his room at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house on the Louisiana Tech campus.

The bullet ricocheted and police said a fragment hit 18-year-old freshman Chelsea Wilder, of Shreveport, in her wrist and forearm. (Read the full post about ‘Accidental Shooting At La. Tech Frat House’…)

NEW ORLEANS — The principal of Bunche Accelerated Academy for High School Preparation delights in telling the story of Tewan Leonard.

After making mostly Ds and Fs on his report card and failing the Louisiana Education Assessment Program test, Tewan had to return to the school in Metairie. He was 15 years old.

Principal Jan Somoza said the second time around, Tewan had a new attitude. He ended the year with a 4.0 grade point average, the Principal’s Award and the honor of speaking at the school’s graduation ceremony.

Tewan is now a freshman at Grace King High School. He’s one of 163 over-age students who made it to high school after successful stints last year at Bunche or St. (Read the full post about ‘Remedial Schools Promote More Kids’…)

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Police Department asked for the public’s help on Saturday in locating a missing teenager.

Tereska Wright, 17, of New Orleans, disappeared just before 12 a.m. Friday.

According to investigators, Wright was last seen by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Weston, leaving their residence on the 6000 block of Burgundy Street in a late-model, white sport utility vehicle.

The Westons said that was uncharacteristic of their daughter and they said they’ve not seen or heard from her since.

Wright is described as a 17-year-old black girl, approximately 5 feet tall, weighing 110 pounds, and she was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information that can help locate Wright should contact the New Orleans Police Department at 504-821-2222. (Read the full post about ‘Girl, 17, Reported Missing In New Orleans’…)

NEW ORLEANS — A federal appeals court says neither the Libertarian Party nor the Socialist Party USA turned in completed paperwork on time to get on Louisiana’s presidential ballot this year.

Mark R. Brown, a professor at Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio, says he will file an expedited appeal for the Libertarians to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Presidential candidate Brian Moore says the Socialists are considering an appeal.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court on Friday overturned U.S. District Judge James Brady’s order to add the Libertarian candidate to the presidential ballot on November 4th. (Read the full post about ‘Court: Libertarians, Socialists Not On La. Ballot’…)

BATON ROUGE, La. — Collection letters went out Friday to nearly 22,000 people who received more disaster food stamp aid than they were entitled to get after Hurricane Gustav.

The Louisiana Department of Social Services is seeking repayment of more than $700,000 in duplicate aid that was spent before the problem could be corrected.

Department spokeswoman Cheryl Michelet says 21,851 letters were mailed.

More than 90 percent of the overpayments, or about $8 million, were removed from people’s food stamp cards before they were used.

Computer errors caused the mistake, and similar glitches were blamed for slowing aid in the problem-plagued program that was overwhelmed with applications after Gustav and Hurricane Ike. (Read the full post about ‘Food Stamp Collection Letters Sent Out’…)

NEW ORLEANS — The San Francisco 49ers donated $35,000 to Warren Easton High School as part of the school’s 95th anniversary celebration on Saturday.

The money will help the school paint lockers and will benefit the future school-based health center.

Warren Easton High School is the oldest public high school in New Orleans. The 49ers’ team owner, Dr. John York, is a member on the Warren Easton Board.

A press conference and pep rally was held on Saturday to celebrate the school’s 1913 opening in mid-city New Orleans. (Read the full post about ‘NFL Team Donates $35,000 To Oldest New Orleans H.S.’…)

NEW ORLEANS, Lou. — While Congress continues to debate the pros and cons of the president’s bailout plan, many are realizing their adjustable mortgage payments are growing at a rate they just can’t afford and that has them turning to banking alternatives.

“I use it to pay bills, my telephone bills, because it’s convenient,” said Van Marie Jackson.

Jackson said she uses check cashing and payday advance services despite high finance rates and she said more of her friends are doing the same.

“I know people will refer to it that may be in foreclosure and need of money — desperate need of money,” Jackson said.

From the comfort of your home you can find thousands of cash advance Web sites promising easy money with the click of a mouse.

So will people turn to these companies if credit markets seize up? (Read the full post about ‘Bank Alternatives A Solution For Some During Tough Times’…)