For $4 million, Lafayette students will get the top English curriculum the state has

March 14, 2019March 17, 2019 by katiegagliano

The Acadiana Advocate | March 14, 2019

The Lafayette Parish School Board agreed Wednesday to early release nearly $4 million in general fund money to pay for new elementary textbooks for the 2019-2020 school year, a move that will springboard the district’s elementary English curriculum into the state’s top ranks.

The board unanimously approved the motion, agreeing to use $3.989 million to purchase new English language arts, math and science textbooks, workbooks and activity books for the new school year. Board member Dawn Morris was absent for the vote.

Expenditures for elementary English language arts made up the bulk of the spending proposal, constituting $3.1 million of the overall $3.989 million price tag.

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Baton Rouge officer Shane Totty hailed as ‘special,’ ‘warrior,’ ‘hero’ as friends, family say goodbye

February 8, 2019March 17, 2019 by katiegagliano ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Shane Totty funeral — Baton Rouge Police Cpl. Gregory Anderson, center left, reads the Motorman’s Poem as Cpl. Micahel Domingue, center right, is overcome with emotion as they are joined by other members of the department’s motorcycle division during funeral services for fallen Baton Rouge Police Cpl. Shane Totty, Thursday, February 7, 2019, at Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate)

The Advocate | February 7, 2019

While illuminated by a portrait of his smiling family, law enforcement officers remembered the late Baton Rouge Police Cpl. Shane Totty as a motor man, family man and man of honor — someone driven by compassion and a warrior’s spirit.

Totty, 31, died last Friday when the police motorcycle he was riding during a funeral procession collided with a truck in the center lane of Jones Creek Road.

“When we lose young brothers like Totty, we are reminded that sometimes we take things for granted. It takes a special kind of person to do this kind of work,” Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul said during Thursday’s service at Healing Place Church.

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Terrica Williams assumes role as Baton Rouge city constable: ‘I kept God in the middle of my campaign’

January 1, 2019January 7, 2019 by katiegagliano ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

terricawilliams.image — Terrica Williams, right, her grandmother Ella Brooks, seated, and Baton Rouge City Court Division D Judge Yvette Mansfield Alexander, left, pose for a photo after Alexander swore in Williams as the new Baton Rouge City Council, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 in the City Court building. (Travis Spalding/The Advocate)

The Advocate | January 1, 2019

Five years after making a claim of gender discrimination against the Baton Rouge City Constable’s office, Terrica Williams returns to the agency on Wednesday, taking on the role of constable.

Williams, who previously worked in the constable’s office from 2009 to 2013, is taking the top spot from Constable Reginald Brown, who served in the office since 2001 and did not seek re-election. Williams, a Democrat, was elected Dec. 8 in a runoff against Republican candidate Gordon “Trey” Bargas.

“I’m excited. I’m so ready to get back to what I love doing,” said Williams, 46. “Just walking through the halls, I feel comfortable, at ease and know this is a great opportunity for myself and the employees.”

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FEMA scales back flood insurance underwriting that Congress thought it had fixed

December 27, 2018January 7, 2019 by katiegagliano ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

fema.image — Residents wade through high water on Catalina Street in Monticello subdivision as flood waters rise in August 2016. A new study shows private insurers could help reduce the cost of flood insurance. (Staff photo/The Advocate)

The Advocate | December 27, 2018

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says it will not issue new flood insurance policies or renew existing ones that lapse, upsetting members of Congress who believed they took steps last week to ensure continuation of the National Flood Insurance Program despite a partial government shutdown.

Claims made under NFIP policies in effect before midnight Dec. 21, when the federal shutdown began, will be honored for as long as funds are available, according to a statement on FEMA’s website.

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Joy, tears abound at East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office’s annual ‘Shop with a Cop’ event

December 11, 2018January 7, 2019 by katiegagliano ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

shopwacop.image — Tkiyah Hamilton, 6, left, makes a selection with Dep. Pashion Norman, right, in the toy section during the “Shop with a Cop” event at the Target store located on Millerville Road Tuesday Dec. 11, 2018, in Baton Rouge, La. (Bill Feig/The Advocate)

The Advocate | December 11, 2018

Mary Ransom was overwhelmed with tears watching her 6-year-old granddaughter, Tkiyah Hamilton, select Barbie dolls and Baby Alive accessories from the shelves of a Target store Tuesday during the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office’s annual ‘Shop with a Cop’ event.

It was a happy day after a year of hardship for Ransom and her five granddaughters. Ransom’s daughter, Laquana Whitfield, was killed Nov. 26, 2017. Whitfield’s ex-boyfriend, Taurus Ike Hamilton, the father of four of her daughters, is accused of killing her and three others in a two-parish shooting spree.

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