Posts by Chris Moreno

Media Sources of Lafayette, LA

February 3, 2020 News 0 Comments

Media Sources of Lafayette
  • The Acadiana Advocate

The Acadiana Advocate is a daily newspaper serving the Lafayette and Acadiana region. The publication covers general news, crime, politics, government, education, sports, business, entertainment, food, culture, and features. The Advocate has additional editions in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans. 

  • The Daily Advertiser

The Daily Advertiser is a daily newspaper that covers international, national, state, and local news in the parishes of Lafayette, Acadia, Iberia, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermillion. It is a division of the Gannett Company, Inc., who also publishes USA Today and other local newspapers. 

  • The Independent

The Independent is a news website whose mission is to provide a forum for educated, involved readers who care deeply about Acadiana to help shape the community’s vision for it. The newspaper covers the news, art, culture, style, and sports of Acadiana. It launched in 2003. 

  • The Vermillion 

The Vermillion is the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s student-run newspaper that has been in operation since 1904. It publishes university news, student opinion pieces, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun sports news, and more. New issues are distributed across campus and to local businesses every Wednesday, and the website is updated daily.  

  • The Current

The Current is a nonprofit, independent, digital-first publication that reports on politics, policy, development, business, art, music, food, technology, and more in the Lafayette area. The publication is non-partisan and seeks to get to the truth about Lafayette’s civic and cultural affairs. 

  • Downtown News & Media 

Downtown News & Media produces digital blogs and newsletters to inform readers of local news and coming events in Downtown Lafayette. It reports on arts and culture, business news, developer news, downtown news, and events.  

  • KLFY

KLFY-TV is a CBS-affiliated television and digital news source broadcast throughout the South Central Louisiana area. It aired its first show in 1955 and is the oldest television station serving the Lafayette area. Nexstar Media Group owns the station. Local shows include “Passe Partout” and “Meet Your Neighbor.” 

  • KATC

KATC is a television and digital news source serving viewers in the parishes of Lafayette, Acadiana, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermillion. The station is affiliated with ABC and is owned by Scripps Media. KATC produces shows like Good Morning Acadiana and Friday Night Football. 

  • KADN-TV

KADN (News15) is a Fox-affiliated television station licensed to Lafayette, Louisiana. It is owned by Allen Media Broadcasting. Programs include News15 Today, News15 at 5, and News15 at 10. 

  • KPEL-FM

KPEL is a news/talk radio station serving the Lafayette community. The station’s show line-up includes “Acadiana’s Morning News” with Rob Kirkpatrick, “Offsides” with Brandon Comeaux, “The Moon Griffon Show,” and “The Ross Report” with Carol Ross. KPEL is owned by Townsquare Media. 

Your Lafayette Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been in a car, motorcycle, or truck accident and are looking for a local Lafayette, Louisiana attorney, call Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers at 888-GET-BART. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers will provide you with the help that you need. 

The Seven Sister Cities of Lafayette

January 30, 2020 News 0 Comments

Lafayette, Louisiana has seven sister cities. The sister program, introduced by President Eisenhower in 1956, allows cities, counties, and states to link up with the citizens of other countries to promote cultural and commercial ties. Below is a list of Lafayette’s seven sister cities. 

The Seven Sister Cities of Lafayette
  • Le Cannet, Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France

Le Cannet is a commune located north of Cannes in the French Riviera. The cities celebrated their relationship with the exhibit Pierre Bonnard: Landscapes from Lannet at The Paul and Lulu Hillard University Art Museum.  Le Cannet, twinned with Lafayette on May 26, 1967, was Lafayette’s first sister city. 

  • Longueuil, Quebec, Canada

Longueuil is located in Quebec on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River directly across from Montreal. It is the fifth most populous city in Quebec. Longueuil was twinned with Lafayette on December 3, 1968. 

  • Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

The cities celebrated there twinning with the unveiling of a mural on a Moncton building created by Lafayette artist Robert Dafford and commissioned by the city of Moncton and the Lafayette Consolidated Government.  Moncton was twinned with Lafayette on October 19, 1971. 

  • Poitiers, Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

Poitiers is located in west-central France on the Clain River. Lafayette and Poitiers have a closely linked culture and history. Most of the Acadians left the Poitou-Charentes region in the 17th century. In 1998, Poitiers and Lafayette created an annual international golf competition, The Acadiana Cup, to link the sister cities and promote exchanges in culture and trade. Poitiers was twinned with Lafayette on April 22, 1975. 

  • Namur, Wallonia, Belgium

Namur is located in Belgium, where the Sambre and Meuse rivers meet. In October of 2015, a delegation from Namur visited Lafayette and presented on their approach to public parks and offered their expertise in the planning of Moncus Park.  More recently, a delegation from Namur visited Lafayette to celebrate their sister city status in April 2018. Namur was twinned with Lafayette on June 19, 1979. 

  • Agnibilékrou, Ivory Coast

Agnibilékrou is a town located in the eastern Ivory Coast. The Ivory Coast was a French colony until it achieved independence in 1960. Agnibilékrou was twinned with Lafayette on October 5, 1999. 

  • Centla, Mexico

Centla is a municipality located in Tabasco in south-eastern Mexico. Centla and Lafayette have been working together as sister cities, especially in the areas fields of education and oil. For example, in 2015, officials from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette joined leaders from the Instituto Technologico Superior de Centla to sign an agreement to collaborate in the areas of higher education with a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Centla, twinned with Lafayette on November 4, 2013, is Lafayette’s most recent sister city.  

If you live in Lafayette and are looking for a personal injury attorney, call Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers. The attorneys at Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers are experts in personal injury law, including car, motorcycle, and 18-wheeler accidents. Call or visit our website to schedule your free, private consultation with The People’s Trial Lawyer™.   

Cost of Living in Lafayette, LA

January 27, 2020 News 0 Comments

Lafayette is an affordable place to call home. The total cost of living in Lafayette is about four percent lower than the national average. Based on the national average of 100%, Lafayette is 95%. Compared only to other metropolitan areas, Lafayette is considerably more affordable. For example, San Francisco’s cost of living is 167.5% , and Seattle’s cost of living is 126.9%. Lafayette does have a higher cost of living as compared to nearby cities, like St. Martinville, Duson, and Arnaudville. 

Cost of Living in Lafayette, LA

Cost of living is calculated based on a variety of indicators each having a different weight, including housing (30%), goods and services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), transportation (9%), and utilities (10%). In addition to the above factors, the combined sales tax rate for Lafayette is 8.45%, and the income tax rate for Lafayette is 6%. 

Housing

Housing is one of the greatest factors in the cost of living calculation. Lafayette’s cost of living index for housing is 93. This is higher than the state housing index of 81. According to Zillow, the median home value in the Lafayette metropolitan area is $134,200, and the median rent price is $1,100.  

Goods and Services

Lafayette’s cost of living index for everyday goods and services is 93. It is 4 points lower than the state index for goods and services. It takes into account things such as the average price for a haircut, toothpaste, and going to see a movie. 

Groceries

Lafayette’s cost of living index for groceries is 98. It is equal to the grocery index for the entire state of Louisiana. With the low cost of groceries and many options for dining out, it is easy for Lafayette residents to find delicious food at an affordable price. The region is known for its filling and inexpensive plate-lunch specials where you can get a meat, gravy covered starch, pair of vegetable sides, and a piece of bread.  

Health Care

Lafayette’s cost of living index for health care is 87. It is 10 points lower than the state health care index of 97. With 17 hospitals and over 800 physicians in the region, Lafayette residents have easy access to affordable, quality health care. 

Transportation

Lafayette’s cost of living index for transportation is 96. Lafayette has a wide range of transportation options. For drivers, Interstate 10 and Interstate 49 meet north of the downtown area, and Route 90 and 167 intersect in the center of downtown. The Lafayette Regional Airport offers direct flights to nearby hubs, and Amtrak has a train station. Biking is another affordable option. 

Utilities 

Lafayette’s cost of living for utilities, including electric and gas, is 109. This is higher than the state utility index of 94. 

 Your Lafayette Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been in a car, motorcycle, or truck accident and are looking for a local Lafayette, Louisiana attorney, call Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers at 888-GET-BART. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers will provide you with the help that you need. 

Colleges and Universities in Lafayette, LA

January 23, 2020 News 0 Comments

Lafayette, Louisiana is home to many colleges and universities, each with diverse programs and offerings.

College or Universities in Lafayette, LA

University of Louisiana at Lafayette 

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is by far the largest university in Lafayette and has become a large part of the community. The public research university enrolls over 18,000 students and offers over 80 majors and more than 30 graduate programs. UL Lafayette leads the nation in the areas of:

  • Louisiana arts, culture, and heritage programs and research;
  • Computing, informatics, and smart systems development;
  • Nursing and health care systems and support; and
  • Environment, energy, and economics programs.

UL Lafayette fields 16 NCAA Division I athletic teams, and the Rajun’ Cajuns is the school’s mascot. The university is located at 104 E. University Circle, Lafayette, LA 70503.

South Louisiana Community College

South Louisiana Community College  (SLCC) is one of Louisiana’s largest and most comprehensive community colleges with more than 7,000 students enrolled. The public community college offers technical diplomas, workforce training, high school dual enrollment, and two-year degree programs that can be transferred to four-year universities. Compared to for-profit colleges and four-year universities, SLCC is an affordable option that prepares its graduates for the workforce.

SLCC has campuses in Abbeville, Crowley, Franklin, Morgan City, New Iberia, Opelousas, St. Martinville, Ville Platte, and Lafayette. The Lafayette campus is located at 1101 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506.

Delta College of Arts and Technology

Delta College of Arts and Technology’s most popular program is its practical nursing program, which prepares students to take and pass the Louisiana Practical Nursing Exam. The other programs offered at the college include dental assistant, medical office and health information technician, and medical assistant. Students complete most programs within seven and a half to twelve months. The college is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Regents.

Delta College has campuses in Baton Rouge, Covington, Slidell, and Lafayette. The Lafayette campus is located at 200 Republic Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70508.

Unitech Training Academy

Unitech Training Academy is a private college that began with one program, the certified nursing assistant program. Now it also offers classes in the areas of dental assistant, early childhood, EKG/phlebotomy technician, IT support specialist, massage therapy, medical assistant, medical billing and coding, and pharmacy technician. Students complete most programs in two years. Unitech Training Academy is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Regents and is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.

Unitech Training Academy has campuses in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Houma, New Orleans, and West Monroe. The Lafayette campus is the main campus and is located at 3253 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette, LA 70506.

Remington College-Lafayette Campus

Remington College-Lafayette Campus offers professional training programs. Programs offered at the Lafayette campus include computer-aided design and drafting; cosmetology; facility maintenance; HVAC; medical office administration; nail technician; pharmacy technician; database management and administration; medical assisting; and restaurant, hospitality, and retail management. Remington College Lafayette Campus is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Remington College has campuses in nine states. The Lafayette campus is located at 303 Rue Louis XIV, Lafayette, LA 70508. 

Acadiana Area Career College

Acadiana Area Career College prepares its students for careers in the medical field. The college offers dental assistant, medical office assistant, phlebotomy technician, EKG technician, and medical insurance and coding specialist programs. Acadiana Area Career College has a family-friendly atmosphere, small class sizes, and opportunities for hands-on learning training.

Acadiana Area Career College is located at 505 Loire Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70507.

Air Travel to Lafayette, Louisiana

January 23, 2020 News 0 Comments

Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) provides a convenient option for air travelers flying into or out of Lafayette, Louisiana. It is located about two miles southeast of the city center at 200 Terminal Drive, Lafayette, LA 70508.

Air Travel to Lafayette, Louisiana

The airport, which originally opened in 1930, transports more than 400,000 travelers every year. In 2017, a record number of 411,818 passengers flew through Lafayette Regional Airport. The number of travelers flying through Lafayette will only continue to grow after LFT completes its new terminal in 2020.  

Airlines That Fly Out of LFT

Four airlines fly out of Lafayette Regional Airport: Delta, American Airlines, United, and Frontier. From Lafayette, travelers can fly to five nearby hubs, including Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Denver, and Orlando. Lafayette offers no international flights, but travelers can connect to cities across the globe from the airport hubs. At least 18 domestic flights leave the airport each day.

Amenities

Lafayette Regional Airport offers an array of amenities to make the flying experience more enjoyable for its travelers. For its business fliers, the airport has a business center with free Wi-Fi. Additionally, a Visitor Information Center is located in LFT, which offers local information about Lafayette and the surrounding area.

Lafayette Regional Airport also has dining options available; The Acadiana Tap House is the airport’s restaurant and bar. Baggage porters are available throughout the terminal and curbside to assist with luggage, and there is an ATM located on the first floor of the airport near the baggage claim area.

Getting To and From LFT

There are several convenient options available for getting to and from Lafayette Regional Airport. Several taxi companies serve the airport, and Uber and Lyft drivers are permitted to both pick-up and drop-off at the airport.

Parking is also available nearby. Lafayette Regional Airport offers hourly, daily, and economy options. There is no charge for drivers that leave short-term parking after less than thirty minutes after picking up passengers. Drivers can earn miles parking at Lafayette Regional Airport through a rewards program offered by Republic Parking System and THANKS AGAIN. For those looking to rent a car, multiple major car rental companies, including Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, and Avis, have locations at the airport.

There are over twenty hotel options within four miles of Lafayette Regional Airport for arriving travelers that need a place to stay in the area. Nearby hotels include Courtyard by Marriott, Wingate by Wyndham, Staybridge Suites Lafayette, and Days Inn by Wyndham.

Directions to LFT

From I-10: Take exit 103-A to merge onto US-167 S/NW Evangeline Throughway toward US-90/Morgan City. Merge onto NW Evangeline Thruway. Drive 3.8 miles and turn left on to Surrey St. The airport entrance will be on your right. Turn right on Terminal Drive.

From I-49 South: Start on I-49 South/US-167 South. Continue straight under I-10 where the highway becomes NW Evangeline Thruway. Drive 3.8 miles and turn left on to Surrey Street. The airport entrance will be on your right. Turn right on Terminal Drive.

From Hwy 90 West: Drive west on US-90 West. Turn right on Surrey Street after you pass Verot School and Kaliste Saloom. The airport entrance will be on your right. Turn right on Terminal Drive.

Downtown Lafayette, LA

January 20, 2020 News 0 Comments

Downtown Lafayette LA has a bustling downtown district with plenty of exciting shopping, dining, art, and music options. Here are ten fun things to do and see in Downtown Lafayette. 

Downtown Lafayette, LA
Downtown Lafayette, LA
  • Poupart Bakery 

You will feel as though you have been transported across the globe to a village bakery in the French countryside when you visit Poupart Bakery in Downtown Lafayette. Since 1967, Poupart Bakery has been serving French pastries, old-world French bread, sweet treats, savory soups, and sandwiches. Poupart Bakery’s downtown shop is located at 100 East Vermillion Street. 

  • Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe 

Established in 1940, Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Downtown Lafayette is the last standing Borden retail ice cream shop in the United States. Generations of Lafayette locals continue to enjoy the rich and creamy ice cream that is still made the old-fashioned way. Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe is located at 1103 Jefferson Street. 

  • Johnson’s Boucaniere

Johnson’s Boucaniere is a locally owned and operated smokehouse that serves smoked meats, boudin, and barbeque. Although the restaurant opened in 2008, it carries on the traditions and serves many of the same recipes as Johnson’s Grocery, which was a staple of Lafayette dining community from 1937 until 2005. Johnson’s Boucaniere is located at 1111 Saint John Street. 

  • Pop’s Poboys

Pop’s Poboys serves traditional poboys together with modern twists on the classic sandwich in a relaxed and casual setting. Adventurous eaters can order poboys with red bean falafel, meatball, or Nashville hot chicken. Pop’s Poboys is located at 740 Jefferson Street. 

  • Children’s Museum of Acadiana

Bring your children for a day of fun and learning at the Children’s Museum of Acadiana in Downtown Lafayette. The museum has interactive exhibits and workshops for children that cover a broad range of topics, including farming, anatomy, politics, bubbles, and television. The Children’s Museum of Acadiana is located at 201 East Congress Street. 

  • Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is the third church that has been built on the land donated by Jean Mounton in 1821 when Lafayette was still the town of Vermilionville. Visitors are awed by the Dutch-Romanesque architecture, stained glass windows, and immense 500-year-old oak tree outside the church. The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is located at 515 Cathedral Street. 

  • Acadiana Center for the Arts

A cultural hub in Downtown Lafayette, the Acadiana Center for the Arts is a multi-purpose arts center with five galleries, a 300-seat theatre, an arts education center, and bright open lobby spaces. The Acadiana Center for the Arts is located at 101 West Vermillion Street. 

  • Alexandre Mouton House

Learn about the history and culture of Lafayette at the Alexandre Mouton House. Originally built in the early 1800s by the founder of Vermilionville, Jean Mouton, the house was later the residence of Alexandre Mouton, Louisiana’s 12th governor. The Alexandre Mouton House is located at 1122 Lafayette Street.  

  • Benoit Gallery

Benoit Gallery features the artwork of Bryant Benoit, a Lafayette native. His artwork, which layers smaller images of pictures together with acrylic paint, is focused on the indigenous culture. Benoit Gallery is located at 535 ½ Jefferson Street. 

  • The Omni Center

The Omni Center is a multi-use art space in Downtown Lafayette. The space includes a fine arts gallery, a large stage for productions, and a retail space for handmade artisan pieces. The Omni Center is located at 227 Jefferson Street. 

Law Enforcement in Lafayette

January 16, 2020 News 0 Comments

Lafayette Police Department 

Lafayette Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Chief of Police is Toby J. Aguillard, a veteran law enforcement officer and former prosecutor. Its jurisdiction includes the city of Lafayette, which the Police Department divides into four precincts. 

Law Enforcement in Lafayette

There are seven divisions within the Lafayette Police Department: 

  • SWAT: The Lafayette SWAT Team provides tactical support to Lafayette law enforcement agencies in critical situations, such as hostage situations, barricade situations, sniper situations, apprehensions, warrant service, and personal protection. 
  • K-9 Unit: The Lafayette Police Department has six dual purpose police dogs trained in narcotics detection and criminal apprehension and one single purpose narcotics dog. The K-9 unit responds to approximately 750 service calls a month. 
  • Mounted Police Unit: The Lafayette Mounted Police Unit currently houses five horses, which are used primarily to patrol the Downtown area during evening hours and events, like Mardi Gras festivities, festivals, parades, and community education events. 
  • Traffic Unit: The Lafayette Police Department Traffic Unit is deployed to problematic traffic areas in an attempt to curb traffic and prevent vehicle crashes. Additionally, the Traffic Unit investigates traffic crashes. 
  • Criminal Investigations: The Criminal Investigations Division investigates crimes and other incidents. It is divided into four sections: adult crimes, youth services, crime scene, and narcotics. 
  • Public Information Unit: The Public Information Unit serves as a liaison between the public and Police Department. They disseminate information to the public and media sources and assist the Neighborhood Watch programs. 
  • School Resource Officers: The Lafayette Police Department provides eight police officers to work at high schools and middles schools throughout the Lafayette Parish. 

Address: 900 East University Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70502

Phone number: 337-291-8600

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Police Department

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Police Department (ULPD) is responsible for all law enforcement services on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s property. ULPD has two divisions: Patrol and Investigations. 

ULPD provides several additional services to the University, including, but not limited to:  

  • 482-2TIP: Crime Stoppers Tip Line
  • Rave Guardian App
  • Lost and Found
  • Operation Safeguard
  • Code Blue Phones
  • C.U.S.P. Unit
  • Crime Prevention Programs, and 
  • See Something Say Something Campaign

Address: Bittle Hall, 210 Hebrard Boulevard, Lafayette, Louisiana 70504. 

Phone Number: 337-482-6447

Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office (LPSO) is the sheriff department in Lafayette county. Its jurisdiction includes the entire Lafayette parish. Mark Gerber was elected Sheriff on November 21,  2015. 

The LPSO Enforcement Division consists of multiple departments. 

  • The Uniform Patrol Unit responds to calls for assistance and provides criminal patrol throughout the parish. 
  • The LPSO Narcotics Unit works to remove illegal narcotics activity from the community. 
  • The Criminal Investigations Unit oversees follow-up investigations of primarily felony crimes. 
  • The Crime Prevention and Community Liaison Unit works to engage the whole community in crime prevention.  
  • The Victim Services Unit assists victims of homicides, felony offenses, sexual offenses, certain vehicular-related incidents, and domestic offenses. 

Address: 316 West Main Street, Lafayette, LA 70501

Phone Number: 337-232-9211

Lafayette City Marshal 

The Lafayette City Marshal executes all lawful orders and mandates of the Lafayette City Court and assists law enforcement agencies when called upon. Brian Pope is suspended City Marshal, and Michael Hill is the Interim City Marshal. 

Address: 105 East Convent Street, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501

Phone Number: 337-291-8789

Your Lafayette Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been in a car, motorcycle, or truck accident and are looking for a local Lafayette, Louisiana attorney, call Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers at 888-GET-BART. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers will provide you with the help that you need. 

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