Holiday: Cost of Turkey Day feast lower in Baton Rouge than rest of country, p. 3
Women’s Basketball: Lady Tigers dominate University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 80-28, p. 5
Reveille The Daily
CATS en route to
CRISIS
www.lsureveille.com Bus system facing for 2012. Brian Marshall, CATS CEO, said the system had two different $2.1M shortfall funding sources, one state and one Morgan Searles Staff Writer
The Capital Area Transit System narrowly avoided closing down this year, but the transportation system is still staring down the barrel of a $2.1 million deficit
federal, but the money “dried up” in 2011 and will definitely not be a part of the 2012 budget. Marshall said most public transportation systems in cities the size of Baton Rouge spend about $85 per rider, whereas CATS spends $35 per rider. “We recognize people now
Art: Mignon Faget’s 41-year career on display at La. State Museum, p. 9
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 • Volume 116, Issue 64
have to wait an hour for the bus,” Marshall said. “That’s unreasonable. We recognize that. We recognize the routes don’t make a lot of sense. It would not make good sense for us to cut services.” East Baton Rouge MayorPresident Kip Holden found $1 million from outside sources for CATS a few months ago — a temporary solution to the CATS, see page 15
80 percent of CATS riders are working people CATS spends $35 per rider, compared to $85 in other cities comparable to Baton Rouge CATS employs 150 people
CATS buses make about 10,000 trips a day
Information courtesy of CATS CEO Brian Marshall and Scott Dyer, spokesman for Kip Holden’s office
Band Hall sees more move-in delays Laura Furr
Capital Area Transit System By the numbers
CONSTRUCTION
Contributing Writer
The new Tiger Marching Band Hall is still not approved to be occupied, though the move-in date was originally set for Oct. 1. Construction was completed at the beginning of the month, and the building passed inspection Nov. 11, according to Louisiana Office of Facility Planning and Control project manager David Van Alstine. But the University’s Office of Facility Services is waiting on the approval of a few minor changes to the contract to be processed by the state office before move-in, said Facility Development construction manager Jerry Landry. The architect can then recommend the final acceptance of the building to the state office, Landry said. As of Friday, Landry said he anticipates the final approval will be issued “in the next few working days.” Facility Services has not yet received information on the approval. Landry also said there could be another delay of up to 45 days once final approval is granted to organize payments to those involved in the project.
Budget timeline
CATS lost a $2.1 million contract with the University in 2009 CATS requested $5,445,600 from the city for 2011 The city gave CATS $2,949,330 from the general fund for 2011 2011 deficit assisted by $1 million from sh e Pari y outside sources R B stat m E uthorit d from o r f A nted nce tche ity gra Fina ma mun ,000 rtgage ,000 of Com nt 0 0 0 0 o $5 $5 ffice lopme M O eve D
CATS requested $5,445,600 from the city for 2012 The city proposes to give CATS $2,949,330 from the general fund for 2012 (depending on Metro Council)
CATS faces a $2.1 million shortfall for 2012
infographic by MELISSA RUSHING / The Daily Reveille photo by MORGAN SEARLES / The Daily Reveille
Contact Laura Furr at lfurr@lsureveille.com
CRIME
Inconsistencies surround stabbing Brian Sibille Staff Writer
Splattered blood stained a Highland Plantation Apartments unit and the area surrounding it this weekend after a 30-year-old resident was stabbed, but reports of the incident are conflicting. Sgt. Don Kelly, Baton Rouge Police Department spokesman, said BRPD officers were called to the Highland Road apartment around 3 a.m. on Saturday morning. He said the unidentified victim sustained non-fatal stab wounds to the upper chest and arm. Kelly said the victim initially told officers he was stabbed
near Florida Street and Jasmine Boulevard, but later changed his story to say the stabbing occurred at Sherwood Forest and Coursey boulevards. The apartment complex is no longer a crime scene, but no further information regarding the investigation is available because it is still ongoing, Kelly said. But residents say the victim’s story does not match up with events on Saturday. Jake LeBas, painting and drawing sophomore and Highland Plantation resident, said he saw the victim, his neighbor, walking around the apartment complex earlier in the day,
knocking on other residents’ doors. Later that night, the man was again walking around the complex but covered in blood, according to another resident, Roland Parker, graphic design sophomore. LeBas said he, Parker and friends then called the police. After assessing the situation, an officer told the group the man claimed he was stabbed on Florida Street and walked back to the apartment, but the officer expressed doubt in the man’s story, saying the blood stains did not match up with reports, LeBas said. STABBING, see page 15
photos by CHRISTOPHER LEH / The Daily Reveille
Blood trails are seen on the sidewalk (left) and inside the bathroom (right) of an apartment in Highland Plantation. Conflicting reports surfaced regarding a resident being stabbed early Saturday.