The Baton Rouge Weekly Press Week of 9-12-19

BATON

ROUGE,

LOUISIANA

SERVING BAKER, CENTRAL, AND ZACHARY A PEOPLE’S PUBLICATION

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2019

Graves Announces US Dept. Of Justice Grant To Curb Crime In Baton Rouge

VOL. 42 • NO.51• FREE

18 Years Later, Americans Vow to

‘NEVER FORGET’ 9/11 S E E S T O R Y O N PA G E 2

Congressman Garret Graves WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Garret Graves announced that the City of Baton Rouge would receive a federal, Strategies for Policing Innovation (SPI) grant through the U.S. Department of Justice. The $699,831 reward will help Baton Rouge law enforcement implement new tactics and emerging technology to fight crime and improve safety across our community.

“Right now in Baton Rouge, the statistics show you have a 1 in 96 chance of becoming the victim of violent crime compared to 1 in 180 statewide, and a 1 in 17 chance of becoming a victim of property crime – that’s not okay,” said Graves. “This funding is going to provide the Baton Rouge Police Department additional resources to help enhance their operations, allow them to use new, strategic and data-driven approaches and social media to prevent and fight violent crime, and support our law enforcement in the work they do every single day to make Baton Rouge safer.”

The City of Baton Rouge will use award funds to test the utilization of risk terrain modeling as a mechanism for reducing violent crime risks in Baton Rouge; utilize emerging social media technology to engage the community, enhance community/police relations, and elicit investigative support by residents.

Project Description: Strategies for Policing Innovation (SPI), Purpose Area 1: Innovative Approaches provides resources to support projects to implement and test innovative approaches to operational challenges and violent crime reduction. SPI grant recipients will develop innovative, data driven approaches to challenges See GRAVES, on page 2

Liberty State Park, 9-11 Memorial, New Jersey, North America

New Food Stamp Rules Could Kick Entire Schools off Free Meals By: Morgan Baskin WASHINGTON — Thousands of public schools across the country could be automatically disqualified from a federal free breakfast and lunch program as a result of new policy proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, agency insiders and policy experts told VICE News.

A new rule proposed last month by the department would force applicants for food stamps to disclose all the benefits they receive from both the federal and state government. If the sum of their income and assets exceeds 130% of the poverty

line — just under $33,000 annually for a family of four — applicants will no longer automatically qualify for food assistance.

It will also affect schools in the country’s poorest neighborhoods, which offer free, and low-cost breakfast and lunch to every student. Schools where at least 40% of students’ families receive food assistance or other federal welfare benefits can opt to automatically provide all students with free breakfast and lunch as part of the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision, which served 9.7 million children nationwide at the end of the 2017 school year.

See FOOD STAMP, on page 3

RELIGION

STATE & LOCAL

NFC’S SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

The change at the Department of Agriculture could impact millions of children attending thousands of schools in poor districts.

BUSINESS

STATE & LOCAL NEWS

Send your news to the news department at the Baton Rouge Weekly Press by emailing it to: brweeklypress@yahoo.com

INDEX State & Local.....................2 & 3

WHITFIELD RUN FOR EBR CORONER New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz has been named the NFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week....See Page6

Dr. Rani G. Whitfield, a board-certified Family Medicine Physician, has officially announced his candidacy for Coroner of East Baton Rouge Parish...See Page 2

PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY

Words are but a small part of parental communication. Now let's look at two types of messages we should purposefully model for our kids...See Page 4

$14 MILLION IN FEMA GRANTS

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced $14.2 million in federal funding has become available for several statewide projects in FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). ...See Page 6

Religion....................................4 Business....................................5 Classifieds.................................5 Sports.......................................6

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Weekly Press • September 12-18, 2019 •www.brweeklypress.com

STATE & LOCAL READER INFORMATION

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Dr. Rani G. Whitfield Announces Run For EBR Coroner Dr. Rani G. Whitfield, a board-certified Family Medicine Physician, has officially announced his candidacy for Coroner of East Baton Rouge Parish.

As coroner, Whitfield would conduct or oversee death investigations, orders of protective custody, Coroner Emergency Certificates, and sexual assault investigations throughout the parish.

“My mission is not just documenting death, but preserving life,” said Dr. Whitfield whose campaign has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO and the Louisiana Democrats. The election is Oct. 12, 2019. Whitfield is a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge. After graduating from University High Laboratory School,

Dr. Rani G. Whitfield he went on to earn a bachelors of science degree from Southern Uni-

TRAINING CENTER LLC

versity. He completed his medical school training at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, his residency in Dayton, Ohio, at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, and a Sports Medicine Fellowship at The Ohio State University. He has a certificate of added qualification in sports medicine.

He is deputy coroner in East Feliciana and an active member of the American Academy of Family Practice, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society of Sports Medicine, Louisiana State Medical Association, and East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Society. He is also an ambassador/national spokesperson for the American Heart Association, a board member for the organization’s Southeastern Affiliates, and a member of the American Stroke Association’s Advisory Committee. He is a sought-after lecturer and educator, addressing healthrelated issues in front of local and national audiences.

As “Tha Hip-Hop Doc,” Dr. Whitfield shares health messages to people across the globe. What started as a simple nickname from students has become a persona that allows him to connect with a generation that needs a deeper understanding of the health issues they face. “Young people respond when they feel that you are sincere and actually care about them,” he said.

“To be easily accessible to young people makes a big difference.”

Dr. Whitfield said he will continue to use his grass-roots and hands-on approach as Coroner for the people of East Baton Rouge See WHITFIELD, on page 4

Graves from page 1 currently confronting law enforcement agencies. Recipients must: 1) describe the innovative, data-driven approach to be implemented; 2) create an action plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the approach, for which an applicant may engage a

18 Years Later, Americans Vow to ‘NEVER FORGET’ 9/11 NEW YORK — People who were too young on 9/11 to even remember their lost loved ones, and others for whom the grief is still raw, paid tribute with wreath-layings and the solemn roll call of the dead Wednesday as America marked the 18th anniversary of the worst terror attack on U.S. soil.

“As long as the city will gift us this moment, I will be here,” Margie Miller, who lost her husband, Joel, said as she attended the ground zero anniversary ceremony, as she has every year. “I want people to remember.”

President Trump laid a wreath at the Pentagon, telling victims’ relatives there: “This is your anniversary of personal and permanent loss.”

“It’s the day that has replayed in your memory a thousand times over. The last kiss.

The last phone call. The last time hearing those precious words, ‘I love you,’” the president said.

Near Shanksville, Pa., the third site where planes crashed on Sept. 11, 2001, Vice President Mike Pence credited the crew and passengers who fought back against the hijackers with protecting him and others in the U.S. Capitol that day.

“I will always believe that I and many others in our nation’s capital were able to go home that day and hug our families because of the courage and selflessness of your families,” said Pence, who was an Indiana congressman at the time. Officials concluded the attackers had been aiming the plane toward Washington.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed when terrorist-piloted planes slammed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the field in Pennsylvania.

For families like Mary Ann Marino’s, “18 years has not lessresearch partner to create the plan; 3) identify a specific violent crime problem to address; 4) develop a prevention, mitigation, or response strategy to address the problem; 5) evaluate the project; and 6) assess and report the results to BJA for public availability.

The evaluation design must include outcome measures capable of informing a credible assessment

ened our loss,” she told those gathered at ground zero after she read part of the long list of victims’ names. She lost her son, firefighter Kenneth Marino.

Parboti Parbhu choked up as she spoke from the podium about her slain sister, Hardai. Even after nearly two decades, “There’s no easy way to say goodbye,” she said.

By now, the heritage of grief has been handed down to a new generation, including children and young adults who knew their lost relatives barely or not at all.

Jacob Campbell was 10 months old when his mother, Jill Maurer-Campbell, died on 9/11.

“It’s interesting growing up in a generation that doesn’t really remember it. I feel a connection that no one I go to school with can really understand,” Campbell, a University of Michigan sophomore, said as he attended the ceremony.

Like the families, the nation is still grappling with the aftermath of 9/11. The effects are visible from airport security checkpoints to Afghanistan, where the post-9/11 U.S. invasion has become America’s longest war. The aim was to dislodge Afghanistan’s then-ruling Taliban militants for harboring Al Qaeda leader and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.

Earlier this week, Trump called off a secret meeting at Camp David with Taliban and Afghan government leaders and declared the peace talks “dead.”

As the 9/11 anniversary began in Afghanistan, a rocket exploded at the U.S. Embassy just after midnight, with no injuries reported.

The politics of 9/11 flowed into the ground zero ceremony too.

See NEVER FORGET, on page 3

of the effectiveness of the strategies.

SPI is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Suite of Programs, which is focused on reducing violent crime. These initiatives will coordinate proactively with the PSN team in the respective district of the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) to enhance collaboration and strengthen the commitment to reducing violent crime.

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www.brweeklypress.com • Thursday, September 12-18, 2019 • The Weekly Press • Page 3

Food Stamp from page 1 But once that number dips below the 40% threshold, federal funds for free breakfast and lunch disappear.

“It impacts all the kids in that school,” said Crystal FitzSimons, director of the Food Research & Action Center’s child nutrition programs. “[Families] are going to be impacted with less food at home for everybody, and their kids are going to come to school and not be eligible for free school meals anymore.”

The USDA estimated that 500,000 children will lose automatic eligibility for free meals at school as a result of the change, but that does not included entire schools that could be removed from the Community Eligibility Provision.

“It impacts all the kids in that school.”

Of the nearly 29,000 schools across the country that participate in the program, 22 percent are very close to the cutoff threshold, with 40% to 49% of students on public assistance, the Food Research & Action Center’s research shows.

A few families bumped off food stamps literally mean an entire school can become ineligible.

It’s these schools, right on the cusp of qualifying for the Community Eligibility Provision, that will likely see their eligibility rates drop first, FitzSimons said.

Federal agencies are required by law to complete a regulatory impact analysis for proposed rule changes, which tell the public exactly how their proposed rule changes will affect the targeted population. The USDA’s regulatory impact analysis does not address how its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP proposal will affect participation in the Community Eligibility Provision.

But the USDA’s own data shows where the program is popular: Many participating schools

are located in conservative states with high levels of poverty, in large school districts that have more than 20,000 enrolled students. There are 984 participating schools in Kentucky, for example, which was one of the earliest states to adopt it. More than 1,000 schools in Louisiana opted in.

Larger states also rely on the program. In Texas, over 2,700 schools opted into the program, and over 3,500 schools in New York participate.

Critics of the new policy say the USDA is vastly underestimating the number of children that could be affected by this rule as a result of having their schools disqualified from free breakfast and lunch.

In a July letter sent by Bobby Scott (D-Va.), chair of the House Education & Labor Committee, to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, Scott asked Perdue to clarify how his staff arrived at the 500,000 figures, but has not yet received an answer. A committee aide tells VICE News that the committee staff is highly skeptical of USDA’s estimate.

“The proposed rule does not in any way modify the school meals eligibility standards Congress has provided in statute,” the USDA told VICE News in a statement. “All children who qualify for school meals under the standards Congress provided would continue to receive free or reduced price meals based on those respective standards.”

The department also argues that the SNAP program is being abused. “This rule ensures SNAP benefits go to those who meet the eligibility criteria as outlined by Congress, not millionaires or those who simply received a referral to a non-working 800 number,” the statement continued.

Never Forget from page 2 After reading victims’ names, Nicholas Haros Jr. used his turn at the podium to tear into Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota over her recent “Some people did something” reference to 9/11.

“Madam, objectively speaking, we know who and what was done,” Haros, who lost his mother, Frances, said as he reminded the audience of the Al

B

Green's Quarterly Meeting Invites Build Baton Rouge to Address Ongoing Projects

L to R: BREC Supt. Corey Wilson; Geno McLaughin, Build Baton Rouge Community Engagement Specialist; and Jarwanda Harris, Partnership Specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau.

BATON ROUGE - As an extension of our outreach strategy and to better inform the public of agency functions and programs, Build Baton Rouge Community Engagement Specialist, Geno McLaughin; spoke at Glen Oaks Baptist Church, for the District

Qaeda attackers.

“Our constitutional freedoms were attacked, and our nation’s founding on Judeo-Christian values was attacked. That’s what ‘some people’ did. Got that now?” he said to applause.

Omar, one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, has said she didn’t intend to minimize what happened on 9/11, and accused critics of taking her words out of context. She tweeted Wednesday that “September 11th was an attack on all of us.”

C T E R OU

THIS MONTH September

First Free Sundays Magnolia Mound

Sept. 1 | 1-4 p.m.

Summer’s End Night Hike + Campfire Manchac Park

Sept. 6 | 7-9 p.m.

Hearts + Hooves Volunteer Orientation + Fun Day! Farr Park Equestrian Center

Sept. 7 | 9 a.m.-noon Participant Ride: 10:30 a.m.-noon

Zoo & Me Morning Baton Rouge Zoo

Sept. 10 | 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Hairspray, Jr. Auditions Independence Park Theatre

Sept. 12 | 5:30-7 p.m.

Movie in the Park Independence Community Park

Sept. 13 | 6 p.m.

Summer’s End Night Hike + Campfire Zachary Community Park

Sept. 13 | 7-9 p.m.

Geaux Velodrome Day! Perkins Road Extreme Sports Park

Sept. 14 | 6-9 p.m.

Kayaking 101 Greenwood Community Park

Adaptive Sunshine Social: Swing in Septemeber Milton J. Womack Park

Sept. 20 | 6-9 p.m.

Girl Scout Painting Badge – Louisiana Style Milton J. Womack Park

Sept. 21 | 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Ride N’ Roll Perkins Road Extreme Sports Park

Sept. 21 | 2-6 p.m.

Dog Day at the Swamp Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

Sept. 21 | 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Multicultural Bash Saia Park

Sept. 21 | 5 p.m.

Swamp Fine Art Show Artist Reception Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

Sept. 22 | 2:30-4:30 p.m.

BRECFlix Teen Movie Night North Sherwood Forest Community Park [Inside Theatre]

Sept. 28 | 6 p.m.

Sept. 17 | 6-7 p.m.

TO VOLUNTEER AT THESE OR OTHER EVENTS

VOLUNTEER@BREC.ORG

brec.org/thismonth

5 Quarterly Meeting hosted by Councilwoman Erika Green.

As the Plank Road Project nears completion, we continue to find ways to garner input from residents and report back our findings. Many of the questions fielded were in regards to

blight, our popular Roof Reset Program, and plans for the Plank Road Corridor including the Glen Oaks/ Zion City neighborhoods.

Also in attendance were BREC Superintendent Corey Wilson, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer to the Mayor, Dr. Pamela

The dead included Muslims, as Zaheda Rahman underscored after reading names at ground zero. She called her uncle, Abul Chowdhury, a “proud Muslim American man who lived his life with a carefree nature, a zeal for adventure and a tenacity which I emulate every single day.”

Others made a point of spotlighting the suffering of firefighters, police and others who died or fell ill after being exposed to the smoke and dust at ground zero.

A compensation fund for people with potentially

Ravare-Jones, and Assistant Chief Administrative Officer to the Mayor, Kelvin Hill.

McLaughin will present the final draft of the Plank Road Masterplan at the District 5 Quarterly meeting on November 7 at 6 p.m.

9/11-related health problems has paid out more than $5.5 billion so far. More than 51,000 people have applied. Over the summer, Congress made sure the fund won’t run dry. The sick also gained new recognition this year at the World Trade Center site, where a memorial glade was dedicated this spring.

Sept. 11 has become known also as a day of service. People around the country volunteer at food banks, schools, home-building projects, park cleanups and other community events around the anniversary.

Page 4 • The

Weekly Press • September 12-18, 2019 •www.brweeklypress.com

RELIGION

PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY Luke 3:22 (NIV) and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Words are but a small part of parental communication. Now let's look at two types of messages we should purposefully model for our kids.

First, boys and girls need affirmation that they are loved, accepted, and competent. In today's passage, God the Father spoke those very things to His Son. It is essential that our chil-

dren gain a sense of security and belonging at home so they won't seek acceptance elsewhere. And the way we care and provide for them will help them grasp the heavenly Father's love.

Second, parents are responsible for presenting the principles needed for living a godly life.

One way to do so is by reading Scripture aloud and sharing stories of the Lord's involvement in our lives. But actions must match what we say. For example, we cannot expect children to truly understand the golden rule if we act with selfishness, arrogance, or insensitivity.

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Modeling a godly life is oftentimes an intentional pursuit, like reading Scripture or serving as a family on a mission trip. It

can also be as simple and unplanned as picking up a piece of trash on a neighbor's lawn. But keep in mind that actions and words aren't always perceived correctly. Check that your children's understanding matches the message you hope to communicate.

Your words and actions are teaching lessons. Do your children know, beyond any doubt, that they're treasured and capable? Are you giving them the tools they need to follow Christ?

Remember, God doesn't expect perfection. He will guide the willing heart—and cover missteps with His grace.

St. Mark United Methodist Church to Celebrates 130th Church Anniversary BATON ROUGE, La - On Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 3:00 p.m., St. Mark United Methodist Church will celebrate their 130th Church Anniversary. St. Mark United Methodist Church is located at 6217 Glen Oaks Drive in Baton Rouge, LA. Our Anniversary theme is “Connecting and Celebrating 130 Years of God’s Amazing Grace!” Our speaker for this occasion is the Reverend Darril Prout, Pastor of St. Vermon and Wesley United Methodist Churches in the Acadiana District. The pastor of St. Mark United Methodist Church, Rev. Simon Chigumira will introduce the speaker. The Anniversary coChairpersons are Trudy Wickham and Anita Lewis.

Our Church Anniversary weekend activities will include the following:

• Friday, September 13, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. – Male Choir Musical • Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. – Men’s Health Seminar • S unday, September 15, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. – Church Anniversary Program.

We are excited about these Anniversary events and look forward to the Baton Rouge community helping us celebrate 130 years of “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.”

Following the program on Sunday, a Reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall. Please come out and help us celebrate this historic occasion.

For additional information, call the church office at 357-6150.

The public is invited to attend.

Whitfield from page 2

SUNDAY OCT. 10th 2019 • 2575 Michelli Dr.

Parish, actively engaging the public, conducting outreach to citizens, and working to address the many challenges facing citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish.

He has served on the boards of educational and civic organizations including the Southern University Board of Supervisors and has received multiple awards. He served as a physician volunteer and medical director of the National Association of Free Clinics Communities are Responding Everywhere (C.A.R.E) which

MUSICAL APPEARANCES BY • Alana Buckley • Jerris Cade • Charles Chenier • Jarmon Dunn • Alicia Montgomery-Handy • Renisha Lawson • Karen Mire • Meshak Muyaka • Cathy Toliver • Winter Dance Co.

provides free health care to the underserved patients across the USA. Married to registered nurse Kiara and the father of two children, Dr. Whitfield is also a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc and a bass player in the band U4ria.

For additiona information call candace j semien, Managing Editor, Jozef PA of Louisiana LLC at (225) 926-5693 ext. 103, @JozefSwww.jozefsyndicatela. com or at @jozefsyndicate.

VISIT US ONLINE @ www.brweeklypress.com

Tickets Available @ Eventbrite COME DRESSED TO IMPRESS Door Prizes For Best Dressed Lady & Gentleman

CHURCH DIRECTORY Advertise Your Church Services In The Weekly Press Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of CHURCH DIRECTORY some; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. - Hebrews 10:25

Church directory ads starting at $10 per week call us for details 225.775.2002 CAMPHOR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

8742 Scenic Highway – Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70807 Telephone: (225) 775-4106 - Fax: (225) 615-8359 Rev. Elenora Mackey Cushenberry, Th.D, Senior Pastor Rev. Tiffanie C. Postell, Associate Pastor

Rev. Elenora Mackey Cushenberry, Th.D.

Sunday School................................................................. 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service............................................................ 10:55 a.m.

Youth Sunday & Contemporary Worship........ 2nd Sun. 8:00 a.m.

Bible Study..................................Wed. 12:00 Noon and 5:00 p.m.

Prayer Ministry ...................................................... Tues 6:00 p.m.

Advertise with us for as little as $10 each week!

Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church OF SCOTLANDVILLE

1414 Sora Street • Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70807 Telephone: 225-775-7372 • Fax: 225-774-1767 Website: www.gmcbc.org Reverend Clee E. Lowe, Pastor

Hour of Power ..............................................12 Noon Each Wednesday Sunday School............................................................................ 8:00am Church Service ........................................................................... 9:00am Communion Service .............................................. 2nd Sunday 9:00am Bible Study Wednesday .............................................................7:00pm Sister/Brotherhood Meeting...................................................... 6:00pm

Sunday Morning Worship................................................10:45am Lord’s Supper..............................................................4th Sunday Sunday School..................................................................9:30am Mid-Morning Prayer Service.................................. Wed. 10:30am Prayer Service......................................................... Wed. 6:00pm Bible Study.............................................................. Wed. 6:30pm

NEW BIRTH FULL GOSPEL MINISTRIES 1283 Rosenwald Road Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70807 Bishop I. J. Payne, Pastor

'THE NEW LIFE' Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

— 2 Corinthians 5:17

SUNDAY WORSHIP Every Sunday at 11:30 A.M.

HOLY COMMUNION

Every 3rd Sunday at 11:30 A.M.

SUNDAY SCHOOL Every Sunday at 9:30 A.M.

HOUR OF POWER

Every Friday at 12 NOON

Bishop Ernest Mills Dr. Donald Ruth, & Evangelist Yvonne MillsPastor

Radio Broadcast 1st and 3rd Sunday WXOK at 8:00am

NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH 5856 Greenwell Springs Road • Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806 Telephone: (225) 926-0246 • Facsimile: (225) 925-8022 Toll Free: 888-700-6174 Websites: www.newhopebr.com Rev. Leo Cyrus Sr., Pastor

www.brweeklypress.com • Thursday, September 12-18, 2019 • The Weekly Press • Page 5

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

A Guide to Local Businesses Serving the Community To Advertise your Business in the Business Directory, Please Call (225) 775-2002 TODAY!

Email: cjw7@att.net www.cjwdistributors.com 2303 West Highmeadow Ct. Baton Rouge, LA 70816 Ph: 225-292-0305 Cell: 225-405-3427 Fax: 225-292-0307 Toll Free: 800-240-9507

BUSINESS

Gov. Edwards Announces More Than $14 Million in FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants BATON ROUGE — Gov. John Bel Edwards announced $14.2 million in federal funding has become available for several statewide projects in FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The dollars were initially allocated in 2017 and the projects are now being approved by the federal government to be implemented.

A total of $300 million is being divided among each parish impacted by the 2016 floods.

Within the past 30 days, four additional projects have now been designated as fully funded while funding for 16 additional projects will be phased, allowing engineering and design work and environmental studies to begin.

To date, 74 projects have been approved, totaling $67.6 million.

“These projects are crucial to providing increased protection to our citizens during severe weather,” said Gov. Edwards. “I first announced that funding had been allocated for the projects in 2017, and now we are starting to see a wave of approval for them to begin. It has been tremendous having FEMA Region 6 Regional Administrator Tony Robinson work with my office and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to expedite the funding process. About a month ago, while meeting with us during Hurricane Barry, Tony agreed to help prioritize this effort and since then these 20 projects have been approved. I’m also thankful to our congressional delegation for assisting in making the process simpler and faster. We appreciate this collective effort and look forward to additional approvals as we move forward.”

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a Major Disaster Declaration.

Gov. John Bel Edwards HMGP was created to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters. The program enables mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster. For communities without FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plans, the program also provides funding to help develop plans.

The four fully funded projects include: 1. Fire District 5 Safe Rooms, Livingston Parish ($981,718.50) Constructs two (2), 1500 square foot, dual-use safe rooms to provide protection for nearly 50 critical services personnel.

The facilities will serve as the fire station’s living quarters and serve as a hurricane safe room.

Property locations are District 5 Fire Station #1 located at 31747 Myers Road in Denham Springs and District 5 Fire Station #2 located at 25500 LA Highway 16 in Denham Springs.

2. Home Elevation Project, Livingston Parish ($5,356,533.75) This project provides for the elevation of up to 51 residential structures located throughout the parish to finished floor elevations (FFEs) that are one foot above the base flood elevation (BFE) associated with each property.

3. Elevation/Acquisition of Flood-Prone Structures, Tangipahoa Parish ($2,104,006.50) Tangipahoa will elevate 13 repetitive losses and/ or substantially damaged homes above the base flood elevation (BFE) and acquire

Louisiana's Uninsured Rate Drops Again, Even As National Uninsured Rate Increased

Baton Rouge — Today, the United States Census Bureau released new statistics showing that Louisiana’s uninsured rate dropped to 8 percent in 2018, falling further below the national rate of 8.9 percent. Thanks in large part to Medicaid expansion, 19,000 fewer Louisianans were uninsured in 2018 compared to 2017. There are now more people with health insurance than at any point in the state’s history, according to the U.S. Census data.

Louisiana was one of only 15 states in the nation to see a drop in the uninsured rate in 2018. Nationally, the uninsured rate increased from 2017 to 2018, according to the U.S. Census. In 2013, prior to Medicaid expansion, the Census Bureau reported that Louisiana’s uninsured rate was 16.6%. As a result of expansion, that number has been cut by more than half.

“For years, we have fought to get Louisianans access to health care and to decrease the number of uninsured people,” said Gov. Edwards. “That our state has an uninsured rate lower than the national rate shows we are moving in the right direction when it comes to the quality of health – and life – of our people.

“The impact of Medicaid expansion is clear. It is affording thousands of citizens the opportunity to access affordable, quality health care. That means our people can see a doctor when they’re sick, better manage their See RATE, on page 6

See GRANT, on page 6

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Page 6 • The

Weekly Press • September 12-18, 2019 •www.brweeklypress.com

SPORTS

The People's Publication | Baton Rouge

Saints Kicker Named NFC’s Special Teams Player Of The Week

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Saints Kicker Named NFC’s Special Teams Player Of The Week BATON ROUGE, LA - New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz has been named the NFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week.

Lutz is currently in his fourth season with the Saints out of Georgia State. He made

the 58-yard game-winning field goal Monday night against the Texans in the season-opening victory in the Superdome.

Earlier in the game, Lutz made 32-yard and 47-yard field goals. He also converted all three

September 26

extra-point attempts. The gamewinning field goal was the longest of Lutz’s career.

Next up for the Saints the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, September 15 at 3:25 P.M. in Los Angeles.

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Rate from page 5 chronic conditions and, ultimately, live healthier and more productive lives. Fewer have to suffer needlessly because they can’t afford their medications and more have a successful chance of beating serious diseases like cancer because they are getting diagnosed earlier. Expansion is truly saving and improving lives in Louisiana.”

A recent study by Tulane University also showed fewer Louisianans report they have to put off seeing a doctor or are unable to take their medications as prescribed thanks to Louisiana’s Medicaid expansion.

Governor Edwards expanded Medicaid on his first day in office in 2016, calling it the easiest big decision he has made as governor. Around 460,000 working adults receive coverage through the Medicaid expansion.

For data about coverage and care provided by the expansion, visit http://www.ldh.la.gov/HealthyLaDashboard/.

A brighter energy future starts with advanced meters.

At Entergy Louisiana, we’re always looking for new ways to make energy delivery more reliable and affordable. That’s why we’re upgrading your current meter to bring you great benefits like energy-saving tools, better customer service and faster outage identification. Together, we power life. energyfuturelouisiana.com/wepowerlife

Grant from page 5 and demolish 4 repetitive loss structures. The acquired properties will be deed-restricted and converted to green space in perpetuity.

4. Coulee Ile des Cannes Detention/Retention Outfall Structure, City of Scott/Lafayette Parish ($2,400,000) Lafayette will improve approximately 2500 linear feet of the Coulee Ile des Cannes in Scott, LA from just north of Dulles Drive to Fenetre Road.

The project includes deepening and widening the existing channel. The purpose of the project is to increase the overall capacity of the channel, thus reducing base flood elevations throughout the watershed and increasing flood protection during heavy rain events.

16 additional projects in seven parishes have been approved for Phase 1 funding.

Those parishes are East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, Tangipahoa, Vermilion and Washington.

The combined total approved in Phase 1 funding is $3,406,139. In some circumstances, it is beyond the local applicant’s technical and financial resources to provide complete information required for full HMGP eligibility.

Phase 1 funding allows a local applicant to develop a complete body of technical data needed for project approval before construction (Phase 2 approval).

Once Phase 1 project information is submitted to FEMA and approved, it would be eligible for construction funding under phase 2.

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