News

Plaquemines to Receive $2.9 Million in Hazard Mitigation Funding

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On the afternoon of Friday, February 11, the office of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards published a press release that announced $100 million in “Hazard Mitigation Funding” has been dedicated for parishes affected by the many natural disasters of the previous couple years. Parishes that dealt with impacts from “Hurricane Zeta, the severe winter weather event in 2021, the May 2021 flooding event, and Hurricane Ida” will be receiving money for projects that will better prepare them for these types of disasters in the future. In total, this money will be spread out across 33 different parishes—with some parishes, like Grant Parish, only receiving around $300,000 while others, like Terrebonne Parish, will get over $17.6 million in funding.

Tensions Grow as Elected Officials Rush Through Redistricting Plan

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After a prolonged period of relative silence on the redistricting issue, tensions—and a significant amount of confusion—around the redistricting process erupted when district 9 council member Mark “Hobbo” Cognevich introduced a potential district plan at the February 11 Plaquemines Parish Government council meeting.

Turlich Gives Presentation on Car Burglaries, General Crime at PABI Luncheon

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At the February 16 Plaquemines Association of Business & Industry monthly luncheon, Plaquemines sheriff Jerry Turlich gave a presentation to a crowd of local business owners and a few parish government officials. The presentation given by Turlich was similar—nearly identical, in fact—to the one he gave at a February 1 “Public Forum” held in the Belle Chasse High School Auditorium.

Get the Politicians Out of Reapportionment!

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There’s a lot of wrangling, wheeling and dealing going on down at the state capital in Baton Rouge. State legislators are presently meeting in a special session to redraw the districts they represent. Such action is required to take place every ten years under federal law.

Tips for Spring Citrus Fertilization

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It’s February and time to fertilize our citrus trees to give them a boost before blooming this spring. Hopefully your trees are pruned up and in good shape after my column last week. Citrus trees are known for being “heavy feeders,” meaning they have relatively high nutrient requirements to thrive and be resilient compared to some other crops. Trees of course don’t eat fertilizer, but rather take it up from the surrounding soil through root hairs, which flow into feeder roots, and up into the tree to be utilized in growth processes, photosynthesis, and fruit production.

Councilman Cognevich Introduces Districting Ordinance as Alternative Plan has yet to be Considered

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While the Plaquemines Parish Government has until May to adopt a new districting plan (and the school board until June) that complies with the 2020 census numbers, district 9 council member and council chairman Mark “Hobbo” Cognevich introduced a potential district plan during the February 11 meeting. This plan will be considered at the February 24 council meeting unless Cognevich defers it at that time.