Update: La. State Police say another man has died from Thursday’s chemical plant explosion in Ascension Parish. The man has been identified as 47-year-old Scott Thrower of St. Amant.

Meanwhile, a lawsuit has already been filed by a man working near the Williams Olefin plant fire.  Galen Mitchell works at BASF nearby, and says he was downwind, and exposed to noxious and harmful chemicals.  He complains of throat and sinus irritation, suffering fear and fright, and emotional and mental anguish.

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Update: Of the 77 people taken to area hospitals four of the victims are still being treated for serious burns.   According to Dr. Flip Roberts, Ascension Parish’s chief medical officer, the next few days will be critical  for those patients.

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Update: The man person who died in Thursday’s explosion has been identified as 29-year-old Zachary C. Green of Hammond. La. State Police say his next of kin has been notified by Troopers and a company representative.

The fire has been extinguished. All employees have been accounted for.

Department of Health and Hospitals will be assisting with family reunification at Lamar-Dixon.  There is a hotline that has been set up by the parish to help with family reunification. That number is 866-380-2303.

United Blood Services is taking blood donations as the need for blood, especially O Negative blood types, are needed.

If you are blood type O Negative, you are the universal donor and your blood donation is extremely important during this tragedy. However, all blood types are needed as well.  Donating blood in cities other than Baton Rouge can and will help out with needs, as blood is often transported to where it’s needed most. Go to www.bloodhero.com to make an appointment to donate or call 225-769-7233.

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Update: Gov. Bobby Jindal, who held a press conference near the scene of the explosion and fire, says one person has been confirmed dead and 73 people are now reported injured.

Governor Jindal said, “This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Geismar and everyone who’s been affected by the explosion. That includes the workers and individuals who were in the plant at the time of the explosion and their families, and we wish those with injuries a safe and speedy recovery. We want to thank the brave work of our first responders who ran toward danger instead of away from it to help evacuate folks.

“We wanted to come down here to survey the scene and meet with local officials and first responders, and the people of Geismar need to know that they have every resource of state government working for them right now.

“We have a lot of folks who are still working within the plant to assess the situation there. There will be further investigations afterward to determine what happened and to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Right now, our focus is on the recovery, the rescue efforts within the plant, and on making sure that folks in the surrounding communities are safe.

“There were over 300 people evacuated from the plant site.  Of the evacuees, eight people were taken by helicopter. At this time, the Department of Health and Hospitals report that 73 people from the plant site have been taken to local hospitals. There are 10 people in a safe room in the plant. This is part of emergency protocol for shutting down the plant.

“At this time, there is unfortunately one confirmed fatality.  Ascension Parish has lifted the shelter-in-place order in a 2-mile radius. There are four additional plants in the area that have shelter-in-place orders, including Honeywell, Univer, Innophos and PCS Nitrogen.”

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One person has died in an explosion and fire Thursday morning at the Williams Companies Olefins Plant in the town of Geismar in Ascension Parish that has also put at least 30 people in the hospital with at least five of them reportedly in critical condition.

La. State Police and emergency responders have been on the scene. LSP Captain Doug Cain says “there are some people that have been transported to the Burn Unit of Baton Rouge General. I do not know the extent of those injuries.” Jean Kelly, spokeswoman for the Department of Environmental Quality, says 30 victims were taken away by ground ambulances, while three or four victims were taken away by helicopters. Personnel are still trying to account for all 600 people who work in the plant.

Thick plumes of black smoke are rising from the facility, and police have closed roads in the vacinity of LA 74 and LA 30 at La. Highway 3115. Cain says the plant makes highly flammable products, so travel near the sight must be contained. Residents in the Geismar and St. Gabriel areas are being asked to shelter in place. They are being told, once inside, to close all windows and doors. “We are asking the people to stay in their homes until teams have responded,” says Lester Kenyon with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.

According to Kelly, no dangerous levels of chemicals have been found in the air so far. Geismar is located about 20 miles southeast of Baton Rouge.

The plant manufactures ethylene (1.3 billion pounds) and polymer grade propylene (90 million pounds), which are basic building blocks in the petrochemical industry.

Source: Update – Two Men Now Confirmed Dead In Chemical Plant Explosion

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL) — The funeral for the Lafayette Police officer who was killed while riding his motorcycle over the weekend started at 10 a.m. this morning.

Funeral services for Richard “Ricky” Rees were held at the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers on Bertrand Drive.

Rees had two children, 18-year-old Anna Rees and 17-year-old Jacob Rees.

“Anna and Jacob had a relationship with their dad that was more than that of a parent and his children,” the obituary stated. “He was their best friend.”

According to his obituary, Rees was the youngest of twelve children. He was nicknamed “Slick Rick” because of his ability to charm everyone he met.

Here is the video of today’s procession

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Teurlings Catholic High School, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or the charity of your choice.

Rees was driving his Harley Davidson motorcycle Saturday on Highway 3000 when he went off a sharp curve and into a ditch. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Iberville Parish coroner.

The crash remains under investigation.

Source: Lafayette Police Officer Richard “Ricky” Rees Laid To Rest Today

Before that, he was serenaded at his hometown of Breaux Bridge as the day was proclaimed “Hunter Hayes Appreciation Day”. Many dignitaries were on hand including Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, Breaux Bridge mayor Jack Dale Delhomme, St. Martin Parish Parish President Guy Cormier and countless others.

If there was a proclamation from a local or state government body, it was awarded to Hunter at the special presentation at Bayou Boudin & Cracklin in Breaux Bridge.

Congrats to Hunter and also his wonderful parents Lynette and Leo for the time they shared with everyone yesterday.

Here are a few pics and videos from yesterday’s event and a snapshot or two from Hunter’s performance at the Cajundome.

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Keiosha Felix has been missing since April 30. On Wednesday, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office held a media briefing, along with members of Keiosha’s family, to talk about the case.

Keiosha’s mother, Kiera Thibodeaux, as well as her aunt Keona Lewis and her grandfather all spoke. Her grandfather talked about how much he appreciated the efforts made by all departments involved to find Keiosha. These departments include the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, the Lafayette District Attorney’s Office, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office and the FBI, which still has a $5,000 reward for locating the missing teen who recently turned sixteen on April 8. All of her family members expressed how much they miss her, and how much they want her returned home safely. Captain Kip Judice with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office says their mission has been, since the beginning, to bring Keiosha home. “It has been the goal and the priority of the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office to find Keiosha, bring her home and determine what was the cause of her disappearance for this period of time,” says Capt. Judice.

Captain Judice says “there is no forensic evidence that anything bad has happened to her.” He says they have not yet been able to locate Keiosha.  They say they are not ruling out any possibilities, including human trafficking or that she may have run away. “We hope that we are a lot closer,” says Judice. “We have eliminated some things.”

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office assumed the lead role in the case after it was being handled by the Duson PD, which was a source of controversy. There were different leads that popped up in the case, even a “potential witness” that “purchased a device that was later used to communicate with Keiosha, or at least with Keiosha’s phone,” according to Captain Kip Judice. Capt. Judice says the device was bought at the Lafayette AT&T store on Louisiana Avenue. Police say he is not a suspect but may have some helpful information related to this case.

Numerous people have been arrested in the Duson teen’s case, including her cousin Portia Felix, her aunt Patricia Andrus, Andrus’ boyfriend Leon Wilkerson and his brother Ronald Wilkerson. Portia Felix was charged with obstruction of justice while Andrus was charged with accessory to rape and improper supervision. Leon Wilkerson was charged with second-degree kidnapping and simple rape in Keiosha’s case while Ronald’s charges were not released. He was being treated as a fugitive by the Duson Police Department and was arrested in Baton Rouge on a warrant. Capt. Judice says those cases “are no longer active” as they were arrested before the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office took over the case and no official charges have been filed by the Lafayette District Attorney’s Office.

While all this was happening, Captain Judice said tips led deputies to believe Keiosha was still alive and was possibly in the Baton Rouge area. But they have also gotten tips, 27 in all, from numerous states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Florida, Minnesota, Maryland, Oregon and California. Investigators have conducted 72 interviews, issued 20 subpoenas and executed 4 search warrants. Over 2,000 flyers have been distributed and countless electronic missing person flyers have been distributed. Nearly 1500 investigative hours have been dedicated by the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office to finding Keiosha. This is in addition to 500 hours being put in by State Police, 400 hours by the Department of Child and Family Services, 200 hours by the FBI and 80 hours by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office.

Some good news has come out of this investigation. An endangered teen that police say resembled Keiosha was found as police were following up on a tip. The girl had run away from her northeast Texas home and was returned home before Thanksgiving 2012.

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Source: Latest Developments In The Case Of Missing Keiosha Felix

OK, there may have been an exception or two. Check out our gallery of pictures from the red carpet last night and give us your thoughts. Who looked stunningly beautiful and who is going to hear it from Joan Rivers and the cast of Fashion Police!

But you say you didn’t get to go? Well, look who’s here with pictures from the No Shoes Nation tour stop in Lafayette starring Kenny Chesney, Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves.

Enjoy!

We are always excited when new country music artists come through on their radio tours – which basically introduces them to us, and you, the country music fans. Last night was no exception, as we welcomed someone who is relatively new to country music, but is a 9 time Grammy Award winner. Seagayle / Warner Bros superstar Sheryl Crow dropped by 97.3 the Dawg to play ‘Live in the Lobby’, and it was a wonderful time for all who attened.

She not only sang her new country music single ‘Easy’, but a few of her #1 pop hits as well. For someone who has sold over 67 million albums, she was one of the nicest artists we’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, and so excited to be playing for the country music fans.

Check out some of the pictures from Sheryl Crow’s visit here in Lafayette, and be listening for her new song ‘Easy’ right here on 97.3 The Dawg!

Share your photos at the Patty in the Parc Facebook page! And, please take a minute to fill out a short survey so we can provide an even bigger and better show in 2014.

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Boy, did you guys deliver! Thanks for the great entries. We did a random drawing of all the entries and our winner is Malinda Clause. She wins the Bud N’ Boilin’ prize package which includes the pot, burner, paddle, ice chest, table, seasonings and beer. All of this made possible by Schilling Distributing and Railside Feed & Supply in Broussard.

Here are the fantastic entries. Again, thanks to everyone who submitted a pic:

Grab some Buds so you can Show Us Your Bud! We have another chance for you to win a fantastic Bud N’ Boilin’ prize package courtesy of Schilling Distributing and Railside Feed & Supply.

First, here’s what up for grabs in the crawfish boiling kit: pot, burner, paddle, ice chest, table, seasonings and beer.

Second, we need you to send us a picture with you and your “Buds” having a good ole time, south Louisiana style. This could be a cookout, ball game, at the camp…basically anywhere you enjoy Budweiser. The crazier, the better! You’ll just need to have a Bud beverage in the picture. It could be anything from a bottle in your hand to a huge logo in the background.

We’ll feature all the entries in a gallery here at 973thedawg.com. The winner will be selected at random and announced Monday, March 18th on the Bruce & the Kennel Club show. So get to snapping a pic and sending it in.

Oops! We could not locate your form.

This will mark the third Patty in the Parc event and features local favorites such as the Molly Ringwalds, Grammy winner Wayne Toups along with The Steve Adams Network.  Gates will open at 5:00pm.

Advance tickets will be made available for purchase for $10.00 at Schlotzsky’s on Johnston or Pinhook in Lafayette and Lucky Deuces Casino in Duson. Tickets at the Gate are $15.00.  Children 12 years old and younger are free.  Tickets will be on sale Monday, February 25th.

Keep up with all things Irish facebook.com/PattyInTheParc.

Patty in the Parc is produced by the Theatre League of Louisiana.

Check out some photos from last year

We got to thinking, “hey, why don’t we get our boy to work us into his masterful productions?” He did. Boy, did he ever.

Before we start getting amped for the next big show, let’s relive some of the magic that was made Friday night. These photos are courtesy of our friend Barbara Crochet Theriot.

With the changing of the name, General Manager Bryan LeBlanc said they were trying to honor the heritage of the mall.  LeBlanc said,

We wanted to keep some of the history and the name Acadiana Mall was such a part of it from ’79 to 2004.  We felt that bringing it back was just something to keep those ties.  A lot of people still call it Acadiana Mall.

But the name is not the only thing that is changing.  LeBlanc mentioned that some big changes are coming that customers will definitely notice.  One of the big ones is happening in the center court area where LeBlanc says they are taking out the raised platform.  LeBlanc said,

It’s going to be more of a place where you can congregate and walk through it.  It’s going to be a lot easier to access, one for the two tenants there and two for the customers.  It will still have a seating area but it’s going to be a very dramatic change.  That’s going to be one of the bigger changes.

One of the other big changes that is coming is going to be a complete remodeling of the bathrooms.  LeBlanc mentioned that the restrooms will include some new family restrooms among other things.  Jason Perry, of Henry Douglas Thompson Architects, who is managing the project for the mall said that he felt the restrooms are going to be the biggest

If you are a current shopper now, the restrooms are huge.  It’s an area that customers have wanted to see improved for a while now.  So that’s going to be, functionally, the biggest thing.

Perry also mentioned that they will be building some new entrance towers that will provide a “wow factor.”  Perry said,

That’s going to really look like a new, polished addition to the mall that’s going to say a lot about what you’re going to find inside.

Other things that will see changes include removing some of the decorative columns and freshening up supporting columns in the mall.  A new seating area will be put into the food court that is more of a cafe style.  Also, you will find new seating areas throughout the mall.  Gone will be the hard benches and in will be soft, comfortable furniture that LeBlanc said would be more inviting.  In addition, there will be new signage coming all around the mall to reflect the new name and logo.

As to when the work will start, look for renovations to take place starting in March.  But will this be an inconvenience to customers?  Perry says they want to keep it to a minimum.  Perry said,

Construction will take place primarily overnight.  So, if you come shop during the day you will probably notice signs and some areas will be protected, but there won’t be work going on during the daytime.

The remodel is scheduled to be completed in November and when that happens, LeBlanc says there will be a “Grand Celebration” which will include prizes and fun activities for shoppers.  LeBlanc says that the timing is ideal for them,

Our goal is to wrap up the project just in time for the holiday shopping season.

Among other changes that are taking place effective immediately are a new website, a change to their Facebook page and a new change on Twitter.

In all of the changes, Perry and LeBlanc said they want to keep that link to the area so the mall will retain that local flavor as they freshen it up to make it more convenient for area shoppers.  LeBlanc also said that they hoped to see some more tenants see the changes and want to come be a part of it.

Source: Big Changes Coming For Acadiana Mall

UPDATE: The house is now moving. Traffic is being diverted by La. State Police down to Ambassador Caffery.

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There’s a house that was being moved on U.S. Highway 90 that has stalled on the highway. It’s near the Ambassador extension by the Zoo of Acadiana. Traffic has been backing up since around 1:00 p.m.

Source: House Stuck On Highway 90 In Lafayette Parish Back On The Move Again

Also, a huge thank you to Hampton Toyota for helping us put on the show.

Here some pictures from the show including some of our VIP meet-n-greet winners and shots from Gloriana’s VIP dinner performance.

Toups did the talking as the band received their award during the afternoon at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. Here are some pics of Wayne on the podium and on the red carpet.

Special thanks to Mrjokensons Films for taking the great photos.If you want higher resolution versions of any of these photos, contact Kent Sonnier with Mrjokenson Films, LLC. at 337-308-6042.

Mrjokenson Films, LLC. at 337-308-6042 specializing in Photography, Videography & Graphic Design. Like us on Facebook! the website is mrjokenson.zapd.us.