Elections, championships big stories in 2014 locally

Throughout 2014, Acadia Parish has had some interesting headlines.

From a hospital acquisition to championship seasons, the news – good and bad – spread throughout the parish.

These are some of the biggest stories to hit the parish this year. At the turn of the new year (tomorrow, Jan. 1, 2015), The Post-Signal will feature all the big stories from 2014, month by month.

For now, here are some of the biggest headlines from 2014:

Mayor, chief re-elected; district judge heads to runoff

(Nov. 4) – Mayor Greg Jones and Chief of Police K.P. Gibson were re-elected to another term in office to serve the people of Crowley. 

Also elected were Dr. Ezora Proctor and Tim Monceaux to the Crowley City Council to replace outgoing alderwomen Laurita Pete and Mary Melancon, respectively.

Across the parish, voters also chose school board representatives. In those races, Israel Syria, David Lalande and Gene Daigle were re-elected to another term in office and Delo Hebert was elected to replace outgoing board member Lynn Shamsie.

In other elections, Keith Stutes was elected to serve as district attorney and Rep. Charles Boustany Jr., M.D., was easily re-elected to Congress. 

Meanwhile, Mike Goss and David Smith could not garner a clear majority in the 15th Judicial District judge race so both headed to a runoff. The same occurred in the U.S. senate race with incumbent Mary Landrieu and former U.S. representative Bill Cassidy.

Smith elected judge; Cassidy heading to Senate

(Dec. 6) – In the parishwide runoff election, David Smith defeated Mike Goss to be elected the new 15th Judicial District judge for the area.

In the statewide race, Republicans earned another seat in the senate when Bill Cassidy defeated incumbent Mary Landrieu in the senatorial runoff election. 

City, chief, officers sued

(Dec. 16) – A Crowley woman filed a lawsuit against the city, the police chief and two officers based on the admission in October by the city council that steps mandated by state law for the hiring and promotion of police officers had not been taken.

The 11-page complaint was filed by Lafayette attorney L. Clayton Burgess on behalf of Theresa Richard, who was arrested twice within the span of a year for recording police officers on the job.

Richard is seeking a jury trial and monetary damages from the four defendants for “mental anguish” related to her claims of “false arrest, malicious prosecution and false imprisonment.”

MHS Rebels take state basketball title

(March 14) – After a drought of 37 years, Midland High claimed ownership to the title “state champions” once more after defeating the Fairview Panthers for the Class B LHSAA state championship.

Lady Warriors earn runner-up softball title

(May 3) – While it wasn’t exactly the hardware that they were hoping for, the Northside Christian Lady Warriors walked away with the state runner-up trophy if Class C softball.

The championship game appearance was the first in the school’s history for the Lady Warriors and followed the school’s first semifinals appearance in 2013.

NCS Warriors earn first-ever baseball state title

(May 17) – The Northside Christian Warrior baseball team earned the school’s first baseball state title after outlasting Claiborne Christian for the Class C championship in a 7-6 thriller on the diamond.