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2/1/2011 8:31:00 AM | Dangers of drunken driving to be emphasized by mock car crash in LaPlace today
With prom and graduation festivities on the horizon, high school students in St. John the Baptist Parish will pause today to witness firsthand the dangers of drunken driving and poor decision-making during a mock car crash in LaPlace.
Students from St. Charles Catholic in LaPlace, East St. John in Reserve, West St. John in Edgard and Riverside Academy in Reserve will participate in a staged crash resulting from impaired driving, said Trooper Melissa Matey of State Police.
The sobering event will take place at 9 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic High School, 100 Dominican Drive
"The cars don't actually crash," Matey said. "We get cars from a wrecker service, and on Thursday one of the cars will actually be flipped."
A tarp will be placed over the car, and at 9 a.m., Matey said, the tarp will be lifted and a smoke machine will go off, simulating a very recent crash.
A narration will explain what happened, and actors posing as students will be in place, Matey said.
"We will have a driver, passengers, fatalities and a DWI arrest," Matey said. "And this particular mock crash will actually have a critically injured person airlifted out."
A field sobriety test will be acted out, and someone will be placed in handcuffs and driven away, Matey said.
"The kids love it and they take a lot from it," Matey said. "We like to talk to them during their sophomore year, when many of them get their driver's license."
After the mock crash, students will participate in a mock trial that will illustrate the legal consequences of driving while impaired. St. John Parish Criminal Court Judge Sterling Snowdy will preside through a trial and sentencing, Matey said.
The mock crash will emphasize the dangers and consequences of drinking and driving, how seat belts can save lives and the emotional suffering families endure when a fatal crash occurs, Matey said.
"Parents of the students will also be playing parts in this scenario," Matey said.
State Police, Acadian Ambulance Service, LaPlace Volunteer Fire Department and the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office will participate in the project. Personnel from each agency will be available to answer students' questions.
"We hope to reduce the number of underage DWIs, serious injury crashes and fatal crashes through this education," Matey said.
Joy Hirdes can be reached at jhirdes@timespicayune.com or 985.652.0950.
Students from St. Charles Catholic in LaPlace, East St. John in Reserve, West St. John in Edgard and Riverside Academy in Reserve will participate in a staged crash resulting from impaired driving, said Trooper Melissa Matey of State Police.
The sobering event will take place at 9 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic High School, 100 Dominican Drive
"The cars don't actually crash," Matey said. "We get cars from a wrecker service, and on Thursday one of the cars will actually be flipped."
A tarp will be placed over the car, and at 9 a.m., Matey said, the tarp will be lifted and a smoke machine will go off, simulating a very recent crash.
A narration will explain what happened, and actors posing as students will be in place, Matey said.
"We will have a driver, passengers, fatalities and a DWI arrest," Matey said. "And this particular mock crash will actually have a critically injured person airlifted out."
A field sobriety test will be acted out, and someone will be placed in handcuffs and driven away, Matey said.
"The kids love it and they take a lot from it," Matey said. "We like to talk to them during their sophomore year, when many of them get their driver's license."
After the mock crash, students will participate in a mock trial that will illustrate the legal consequences of driving while impaired. St. John Parish Criminal Court Judge Sterling Snowdy will preside through a trial and sentencing, Matey said.
The mock crash will emphasize the dangers and consequences of drinking and driving, how seat belts can save lives and the emotional suffering families endure when a fatal crash occurs, Matey said.
"Parents of the students will also be playing parts in this scenario," Matey said.
State Police, Acadian Ambulance Service, LaPlace Volunteer Fire Department and the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office will participate in the project. Personnel from each agency will be available to answer students' questions.
"We hope to reduce the number of underage DWIs, serious injury crashes and fatal crashes through this education," Matey said.
Joy Hirdes can be reached at jhirdes@timespicayune.com or 985.652.0950.
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Fire mars LaPlace landmark
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LObservateurLAPLACE A two-alarm fire broke out in the smokehouse at LaPlace landmark Jacobs World Famous Andouille Monday afternoon sometime shortly before 3:30 p.m.According to employee Linda Logarbo, she and some of the other workers were meeting with owner Aaron Lions when a co-worker went to check on the smokehouse, something that is done every 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day. When she opened the door to the smokehouse, flames shot from the door, Logarbo said.
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By ROBIN SHANNONPublished/Last Modified on Saturday, October 2, 2010 1:10 AM CDT
LObservateurLAPLACE St. John the Baptist Parish leaders joined parish fire department officials Friday morning to celebrate the newly completed renovations to the Walnut Street fire station in eastern LaPlace.The renovations, which include expanded living and sleeping quarters, allow the station to be manned by parish firefighters 24 hours a day, said LaPlace Fire Chief John Snyder. Snyder said the Walnut Street station, located at 801 Walnut St., was the last of five stations in LaPlace to be configured for 24-hour staffing.
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2/1/2011 8:31:00 AM - With prom and graduation festivities on the horizon, high school students in St. John the Baptist Parish will pause today to witness firsthand the dangers of drunken driving and poor decision-making during a mock car crash in LaPlace. Students from St. Charles Catholic in LaPlace, East St. John in Reserve, West St. John in Edgard and Riverside Academy in Reserve will participate in a staged crash resulting from impaired driving, said Trooper Melissa Matey of State Police.The sobering event will take place at 9 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic High School, 100 Dominican Drive"The cars don't actually crash," Matey said. "We get cars from a wrecker service, and on Thursday one of the cars will actually be flipped."A tarp will be placed over the car, and at 9 a.m., Matey said, the tarp will be lifted and a smoke machine will go off, simulating a very recent crash.A narration will explain what happened, and actors posing as students will be in place, Matey said."We will have a driver, passenger
1/11/2010 11:14:00 AM - N e w s R e l e a s e
Office of the Louisiana State Fire Marshal 8181 Independence Blvd. Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806 www.lasfm.org
Date: January 6, 2010
EXTREME COLD WEATHER SAFETY TIPS
As all of us are keenly aware, the state of Louisiana is bracing for very uncommon extremely cold temperatures this week. All residents and citizens should prepare themselves, their families and their homes for the arctic winter blast heading to Louisiana.
The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities have caused many citizens to search for alternate sources of home heating. The use of wood burning stoves is growing and space heaters are selling rapidly, or coming out of storage. Fireplaces are burning wood and man-made logs. All these methods of heating may be acceptable. They a
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