Front Page

By PAUL KEDINGER
Managing Editor

The directors of the Rayne Chamber of Commerce voted during their board meeting Wednesday, July 1, to rescind permission for a local private pageant organizer to use the “Rayne Frog Festival” registered trademark.
The pageant organizer reportedly used the term “Rayne Frog Festival” in registering her pageant’s trademark in 2003. The Chamber board recently became aware of the pageant trademark when the City of Rayne logo was incorporated into the pageant, an action denied by Mayor Jim Petitjean.

A new water conservation plan has been adopted by the North of Crowley Water Corporation (NCWC).
As of July 1, 2009, water users will no longer be allowed to water gardens or lawns by hose or sprinklers between the hours of 5 and 10 p.m. from June 1 to Sept. 15. Also, they will no longer be allowed to fill pools or use water for recreational purposes. This policy will be in effect each year between June I - Sept.15.

By PAUL KEDINGER
Managing Editor

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Department is embarking on a innovative program to assist prisoners nearing the end of their jail term to succeed in the workplace once they are released or placed on probation.
In conjunction with Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, Workforce Investment Area #40 Board and Goodwill Industries, the Sheriff’s Office is finalizing details to provide soon-to-be released inmates career development, and appropriate vocational rehabilitation.

With the increase in the number of complaints for loud music violations, Rayne City Court Judge James M. Cunningham, III would like to make the public aware of the penalties for these offenses.
The court’s policy on a first offense loud music violation is $200.00 plus costs of court or to serve 60 days in the city jail.
On a second offense, the fine is $300.00 plus costs of court, as well as serving a minimum of 15 days in the city jail to a maximum of 60 days in the city jail.

Father Benoit Drapeau, CJM, a former pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, returned to Rayne and celebrated the 10 a.m. Mass of Thanksgiving to share his 50th jubilee anniversary on Sunday, June 28.
A member of the Eudist of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, Father Drapeau served as pastor from May 1979 to November 1989.
Following the Mass, a reception and memory lane display were hosted by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas in the parish center.

By PAUL KEDINGER
Managing Editor

A section of Highway 35 South in Rayne buckled at about 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon when temperature readings stood at 101 degrees.
A segment of concrete and a blacktop patch buckled on the center north and south traffic lanes on The Boulevard in front of O’Reilly Auto Parts store.
City public works crews set up metal barriers across the street’s inside lanes and police squad cars turned on their flashing emergency lights to alert passing motorists.
A DOTD work crew was called out to patch the two damaged lanes.