Iberian Free Press

11/04/2024

CRIMINAL JUSTICE “Irvin was charged with failure to report a missing child and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

Iberia Parish court records show she is scheduled for a pre-trial conference Jan. 7 with a trial date of Feb. 3 before 16th Judicial District Judge Curtis Sigur.”

Janet Irvin, a woman charged with not reporting the 2020 disappearance of teen Quawan "Bobby" Charles, who was found dead near Loreauville, is scheduled to stand trial in February.

11/03/2024

ECONOMY “International companies like SeaDrill from England, Global Riser from South Africa and E-Crane from Belgium have set up shop in the port, furthering the economic engine of Acadiana. The dredging, along with the port's ability to fund improvements and be nimble to accommodate its businesses, were integral to getting these companies to locate to Iberia Parish.”

International companies like SeaDrill from England, Global Riser from South Africa and E-Crane from Belgium have set up shop in the Port of Iberia in anticipation of the deeper channel.

11/02/2024

INFRASTRUCTURE “New Iberia officials said the intersection of East St. Peter Street and Center Street is closed.

They added emergency road repairs are underway.

They noted that DOTD cones are out and drivers should avoid the area.”

NEW IBERIA, La. (NEWS 15) — New Iberia officials said the intersection of East St. Peter Street and Center Street is closed.

11/01/2024

ELECTIONS & VOTING “The FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public in Shreveport at 318-861-1890, Monroe at 318-387-0773, Alexandria at 318-443-5097, Lafayette at 337-233-2164 and Lake Charles at 318-433-6353.”

Voters have the right to cast their ballots free from interference or discrimination, and poll workers have the right to carry out their duties without threats, Brandon B. Brown said.

11/01/2024

Free rides to the polls in Iberia, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion Parishes

Need a ride to go vote? Free rides to the polls are being offered in Iberia, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion Parishes.

10/31/2024

ECONOMY “The $1 billion First Solar manufacturing plant under construction in Iberia Parish is one of the largest economic development projects in Acadiana in years.”

New Iberia; Louisiana; $1 billion; First Solar; manufacturing plant; under construction; Iberia Parish; economic development project; Acadiana; First Solar Supplier Day; Tuesday, October 29;

10/31/2024

COMMUNITY “The Iberia Parish Medical Center is celebrating its restoration after it was devastated by a tornado in 2022.

CEO Dionne Viator said it was a team effort to rebuild.

“It took the entire community to help rebuild. But especially with our employees, our physicians, everybody who went through so much on that day and others to just kind of get closure and celebrate,” Viator said.”

The Iberia Parish Medical Center is celebrating its restoration after it was devastated by a tornado in 2022.

10/26/2024

CRIME “The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of scam emails sent to citizens, including a IPSO deputy.

Katherine Breaux, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, said the department started getting reports about the emails earlier this week.

Breaux said the emails are being used as a scare tactic to demand money.”

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of scam emails sent to citizens, including a IPSO deputy.

10/25/2024

EDUCATION “Students at Iberia Middle School in New Iberia received medical attention after eating THC-laced gummies, according to a school district statement.

The Iberia Parish School District confirmed the incident happened Monday as the school day was beginning. Officials said one student gave the ma*****na-laced edibles to several other students. The child is facing disciplinary action from the school.”

Officials said one student gave the ma*****na-laced edibles to several other students.

10/24/2024

INFRASTRUCTURE “The bridge is between Freetown Road and Broken Arrow Road is closed effective immediately, the Iberia Parish president announced.

According to a news release, the bridge will be closed until maintenance is complete. No thru traffic is allowed.”

The bridge is between Freetown Road and Broken Arrow Road is closed effectively immediate, the Iberia Parish president announced.

10/24/2024

LOCAL GOVERNMENT “The Iberia Parish Mosquito Control District will conduct aerial operations Wednesday (10/23) and Thursday (10/24) evenings to address persistent mosquito populations.

It is imperative that citizens follow these simple guidelines recommended by the mosquito district and the CDC. Wear repellent as the label directs, avoid activity at Dawn & Dusk, wear light colored clothing to cover exposed skin and eliminate mosquito breeding sites near the home!”

IBERIA PARISH, La. — The Iberia Parish Mosquito Control District will conduct aerial operations Wednesday (10/23) and Thursday (10/24) evenings to address persistent mosquito populations. It is imperative that citizens

10/24/2024

COMMUNITY “In Iberia Parish, access to transportation is a critical issue for survivors of domestic violence. With zero options for public transportation in the city, many women rely on cabs or rides from acquaintances, which can often be unreliable.

Myah Nicholas, a representative from Chez Hope, is advocating for a bike program to enhance mobility for those at New Iberia’s only domestic violence shelter.”

Helping survivors get back on their feet, Chez Hope Domestic Violence Shelter in New Iberia is looking for bike donations so they can provide transportation.

10/23/2024

AGRICULTURE “To the untrained eye, a burned field may look like a wildfire may have passed through it. What you may not realize is that burning the field is part of the sugarcane farming process.

Mike Strain, the Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, said burning cane fields has been a common practice for more than 200 years. Its purpose is to make the land ready for the next harvest.”

To the untrained eye, a burned field may look like a wildfire may have passed through it. What you may not realize is that burning the field is part of the sugarcane farming process.

10/23/2024

ENVIRONMENT “A new round of federal grants announced Monday seeks to address environmental justice concerns in Louisiana by empowering communities, potentially paying for projects related to flooding, drinking water quality or pollution concerns.”

The program is part of the EPA's focus on environmental justice, with the agency's leader having visited Louisiana twice to highlight communities he says have been overburdened by pollution.

10/22/2024

JUDICIAL "A federal judge in Lafayette has ruled that the Iberia Parish district attorney who jailed a murder witness for six months has prosecutorial immunity and dropped most, but not all, of the charges levied against him in a civil lawsuit.

David Joseph, U.S. judge for the Western District of Louisiana, dropped many of the claims against Bo Duhé, district attorney for the 16th Judicial District that includes Iberia, St. Martin and St. Mary parishes."

An Iberia Parish woman, who prosecutors say was a murder witness, was jailed for six months without the opportunity to post bond, which is legal in Louisiana.

10/22/2024

LOCAL GOVERNMENT “Residents of Iberia Parish are expressing growing concerns over the quality of their tap water, particularly high levels of chlorine. Local resident Brooke Armstrong reported an overwhelming chlorine smell and taste in her water, first noticing it while making coffee."I could smell it," said Armstrong. "It's just a very, strong, chlorine taste and smell."

Iberia Parish woman reports high levels of chlorine in her water after experiencing 'strong tastes and odors.'

10/18/2024

https://x.com/techeridgeent/status/1846914601717276921?s=46&t=B-Lo-7-O2kKyhYqb6x3tTQ

10/18/2024

As a long-time attorney with years of experience in title work and the Clerk of Court’s office, David Groner believes now is his time to take over the position as the Iberia Parish Assessor.

10/18/2024

Iberia Parish School Board Member Raymond “Shoe-Do” Lewis said his experience in local government and ties to the community give him an edge over his opponents in the assessor race.

10/18/2024

ELECTIONS

Jeanerette native Ashlie Spiker hopes to continue her role as the Iberia Parish Tax Assessor, saying she’s excited about the possibility of bringing new ideas to the parish.

10/17/2024

LOCAL GOVERNMENT “After receiving more than $10 million in ARPA funding back in 2021, the New Iberia City Council has started selecting recipients of several grant funds.”

After receiving more than $10 million in ARPA funding back in 2021, the New Iberia City Council has started selecting recipients of several grant funds.

10/14/2024

ELECTIONS “Today, we're introducing you to the three candidates for Iberia Parish Tax Assessor. We've asked each candidate the same questions, and their complete unedited responses are posted on our website in video and written form.”

Three candidates are vying for the position of Iberia Parish Tax Assessor. We have interviews with each of them.

10/11/2024

COMMUNITY “Acadiana is a region rich in diverse languages and cultures, and many newcomers have made sacrifices to adapt, including learning English to better integrate into their communities.”

Two instructors with the Iberia Parish School District are helping parents navigate these challenges through free English language lessons.

10/10/2024

OIL & GAS CORRUPTION “Months before allegations of corruption involving a Louisiana Office of Conservation employee came to light, high-ranking officials raised concerns that the company at the heart of that investigation had violated its state contract to plug abandoned oil wells.”

A state employee is accused of receiving favors from the company.

10/10/2024

GOVERNMENT ETHICS “Rep. Beau Beaullieu, R-New Iberia, is chairman of the Louisiana House and Governmental Affairs Committee that oversees the ethics agency. He expressed concern that elected officials and public officials being investigated don’t have enough tools to push back against an investigation into their affairs before it starts. He also said he thinks the board’s rulings on political action committee activity have been too restrictive.

“Y’all are the watchdog for ethics in Louisiana, but I guess, to his point, who watches over you all?” Beaulieu asked at the hearing.”

A personal attorney for Gov. Jeff Landry delivered sweeping criticism this week to the Louisiana Board of Ethics for what he called “abusive” investigations into elected officials’ conduct.