Local CPA, Jeromy Bourque, stopped by News15 at Noon virtually to share the details on what you need to know when hiring your first employee.
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Jason French, Executive Director of the McNeese LNG Center of Excellence, stopped by News15 at Noon to share the details on the LNG Center of Excellence ground breaking and what this means for students who want to go into the Liquefied Natural Gas Field.
Bently Senegal with Our Lady of Lourdes, Paul Molbert with Ochsner Lafayette General, and Marissa Winters of United Way of Acadiana stopped by News15 First at Four o share the details on how they are joining forces to help make the community healthier...but they need your help to do so and time is running out.
Amanda Blanco, Public Information Officer with Lafayette Parish Public Schools, stopped be News15 at Noon to share the details on registration opening for
Pre-K and Kindergarten.
Jeromy Bourque, a local CPA, stopped by News15 at Noon virtually to share the details on a handful of free tax filing programs.
Youngsville Police Chief under fire as meth found at police department, new complaint petition filed
Multiple sources confirmed to "NEWS 15 Investigates" that Youngsville Police Chief Rickey Boudreaux is the target of an investigation involving meth use.
As temperatures climb, it is a reminder that many people don’t always have a way to beat the heat. amid record-high temperatures, The Eunice City Marshal’s Office has been helping residents in need stay cool this summer.
The Lafayette Parish School Board has announced the appointment of Francis Touchet as the new interim superintendent, following the departure of Irma Trosclair.
Touchet, a seasoned educator with a passion for student welfare and educational excellence, received the keys to Lafayette School from Trosclair, who commended him for his dedication and tremendous work within the school district.
"Francis is an educator at heart. He worries about children and wants the best education possible for them. He's dedicated to our staff and Lafayette Parish," Trosclair said.
Touchet was the assistant superintendent.
Accepting the responsibility as the interim superintendent, Touchet shared his vision for the future.
"We pledged to continue focusing on students and making decisions that prioritize their well-being in every respect. I am honored to step into this role and build upon the foundation laid by Irma Trosclair," Touchet said.
The selection process for a permanent replacement for Trosclair comes with a slight complication due to the upcoming school board's reelection this fall. However, the board has voted to proceed with the selection process.
According to the board's timeline, the fastest decision that can be made for selecting a permanent superintendent to a two-year contract is 45 days.
"We are currently in a refining period where we're not starting over with things. We're just making them better. The future is very bright for Lafayette Parish," Trosclair said.
Aside from the superintendent appointment, the school board also discussed the Southside Sports Stadium special taxing district during the meeting. A vote on the bond issue related to the stadium is scheduled for Wednesday, August 9th. This comes in the wake of the Lafayette Parish Republican Executive Committee openly opposing the bond measure.
Tensions ran high at the Lafayette City Council meeting as officials grappled with the issue of regulating short-term rentals within the city limits.
Currently STRs are allowed in various zoning designations, the proposition has sparked a polarizing debate among residents. Supporters argue that STRS contribute positively to the local economy and enhance neighborhoods, while opponents express concerns over the intrusion of commercial operations in residential areas. With strong arguments presented by both sides, the City Council remains undecided, scheduled to vote on potential restrictions in two weeks.
At least 36 individuals attended the meeting to voice their support for short-term rentals, emphasizing the economic benefits they bring to the city. Patrick Mould, a long-time short-term rental operator, shared his positive experience.
"I've been a short-term rental operator for ten years. I've never had to call the police, and I've had to shut down one party in that ten years," Mould said.
Contrarily, 38 attendees passionately expressed their opposition to short-term rentals in residential areas, citing concerns over neighborhood disruption and encroachment.
Alison Scheftler was an opponent of short-term rentals.
"These mini-hotels opened up long after we bought our home. We would have never knowingly purchased a home in-between two internet hotels that literally look into our backyard," Scheftler said.
The economic impact of STRS was a significant point of contention. Last year the hotel motel tax brought in nearly $4 million to the city last year. Money contributing to that sales tax comes from hotels and STRs like the 548 currently listed on Airbnb.
"The facts are we enhance neighborhoods, we pay our taxes, we spend money fixing up our houses. We are an economic engine in the city of Lafayette," Mould said.
Gordon Scheftler, another opponent of short-term rentals, underscored the intrusion of commercial activity in residential areas.
"We have genuine concerns about our privacy and the changing character of our neighborhoods," Schefter said.
The conflicting viewpoints presented during the meeting left the City Council with a complex decision to make.
The Lafayette City Council is currently deliberating on the matter and plans to vote on potential restrictions in two weeks. The outcome of the vote will shape the regulatory landscape surrounding short-term rentals and could have far-reaching implications for both homeowners and the local economy. As the debate continues, the council members face the challenging task of finding a balance between economic growth and preserving the integrity of residential neighborhoods.
Irma Trosclair, who has led the Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) for the past four and a half years, has announced her decision to step d…