News for Monday 091018
Compiled by Dave Graichen
Authorities have arrested and charged a woman with shooting her husband in the parking lot of the Hwy 28 west Walmart Saturday morning, in front of her three children. 31 year old Kayla Coutee was at the store meeting her husband to exchange custody of the children. 30 year old Thomas Coutee was pronounced dead at the scene. The three children, none whom were injured, were later turned over to members of the family. Kayla Coutee was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder.
A crash involving two vehicles has killed two, including a Montgomery, LA police officer. Troopers responded to the crash Friday night around 6:30 p.m. on Hwy 71, in Montgomery. The crash involved a police vehicle driven by 24 year old Kirt R. Ricks III and a Ford pickup, driven by 65-year-old Gary W. Pinder. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
An Alexandria gym trainer who was arrested for placing cameras in a women’s restroom has been released on $95,000 bond. Police were able to trace the electronic devices found at the Southbank Crossfit Gym to 29 year old Shane Carruth, who was charged with 95 counts of video voyeurism, eight of which were of victims under 17 years of age. No court dates have been set in the case at this time.
Authorities in Avoyelles parish have arrested and charged 32 year old Brandon Whiddon of Vick after he reportedly threw his 2 day old son into a trash can at a 5th ward convenience store. Witnesses, who intervened, say Whiddon pinned the mother of the child to a pole by the throat when she attempted to rescue the child.
After several statements and a video of the incident provided by the stores security cameras, Whiddon was arrested for attempted first degree murder and second degree battery. The newborn was transported to Avoyelles Hospital where he was checked and is currently in a healthy condition.
Today marks the statistical peak and the midpoint of the Atlantic hurricane season and there are three named storms forecasters are watching. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this is directly linked to the sea surface temps in the storm breeding grounds in the Atlantic basin. Keim says the higher temps feed into the storms and that is why right now we are seeing lots of activity, including Hurricane Florence, which could hit North Carolina later this week.
The nightmare begins again for a Desoto Parish family. Louisiana’s Supreme Court has overturned the conviction and death sentence of a man who prosecutors say lured a 12 year old boy to his death by sending text messages in which he pretended to be a teenage girl. The high court says Brian Horn’s rights were violated when his lawyer conceded at the 2014 trial that Horn killed Justin Bloxom. The case will now go back for a new trial.
The Louisiana Department of Health reports 47 women died from pregnancy-related causes in a six-year span starting in 2011, one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the nation. L-D-H Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee says those numbers do reflect the previous administration, and they’re hoping for better results from the Medicaid expansion that substantially increased insurance coverage levels statewide.
After four days of hearings, Lousiaina Senator John Kennedy says will vote to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh as the newest member of the US Supreme Court. Democrats are upset the White House has yet to release documents from Kavanaugh’s time as a top White House aide to President George W Bush. But Kennedy says committee chairman and Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley already released 450-thousand pages of documents about Judge Kavanaugh. Democrats argue the pages were released the day before the hearings began and did not allow enough time to read them over.
In a related story.. An announcement from Senator John Kennedy on his intentions to run for governor next year may be coming soon. According to senior campaign staffers, Kennedy has met with advisors and gave the OK for media consultant Fred Davis, who has worked with the governor in the past, to begin work on the 2019 cycle. When asked, Kennedy didn’t deny that talks have happened.
Southeastern Louisiana University students graduate with less debt than any other university in Louisiana, that according to a report from LendEDU. The Lions didn’t just top the state, they pulled in at 46th lowest debt load in the nation. The average Louisiana student’s debt clocks in at 26,800 dollars, but South Easters President John Crain says his university’s average is thousands of dollars lower.
The hard alcohol ban at fraternities was put into place as a result of the hazing death of Maxwell Gruver last September. LSU Dean of Students Mari Fuentes-Martin says it will take a lot of effort to undo the boozing cultures in frats, where even mentorship interactions involve liquor.
The culture wars hit Kenner over the weekend, with a bang heard ’round the social media world. A memo from Mayor Ben Zahn banning booster clubs at Kenner recreational facilities from buying Nike products, apparently in response to new Nike ads featuring quarterback Colin Kaepernick, produced a quick backlash, with some officials and public figures taking to social media to denounce the move.
Sports…
There are concerns about LSU’s offensive line heading into Saturday’s SEC opener against Auburn. For the second straight week, the Tigers had trouble protecting quarterback Joe Burrow, who was sacked twice and completed just 10 passes in a 31-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says they got a lot of work to do…
ULM is 2-0 on the season thanks to a great defensive effort on Saturday in Hattiesburg that resulted in a 21-20 win over Southern Miss. The Warhawk defense produced five sacks and four turnovers.
Louisiana tech is off to a 2-0 start as they defeated Southern Saturday night 54 to 17. Their next opponent may not be quite so easy to beat. They take on LSU at Death Valley a week from this Saturday.
For the fifth straight season, the Saints lose their season opener as Tampa Bay came into the Mercedes Benz Superdome and shocked New Orleans 48-40. Bucs journeymen quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had a career passing day with 417 passing yards and four touchdowns, he also rushed for 36 yards and a touchdown. The Saints came into the game as a 9.5 point favorite. Coach Sean Payton agreed with everyone else, the defense played poorly…
