June 25, 2004
Reported by Danner Evans
Linda Young bought the property to build her dream house from 14th District Judge Wilford Carter back in December 2003. But she says she got the surprise of her life when they started to build. "My contractor calls and says they went out there in the morning and there is a sign on the poll saying stop, no building. No work can be done. He calls me at home, I'm hysterical and I'm asking what is going on and he says, you need to come out here right now."
When Linda called the Corps of Engineers, she found out this land, according the Corps, is Wetlands, "He tells me they have a cease and desist order where you can't build anything in this subdivision--in fact, the subdivision isn't supposed to be there. So this is where I've been ever since--I've been trying to talk to him and ask him would he please just give us our money back. We can't build on this lot and we are all ready to build somewhere else. I just want my money back."
But Carter says he doesn't owe any money because he is in compliance with the law. He also says the whole idea of this land being wetlands didn't come into play until well after he developed this area in 2002--in fact, he says it took the Corps of Engineers a year to contact him. Carter tells 7-News he is convinced he is in compliance with the law and he has federal court cases to back his story up.
He plans on taking his own case to federal court. Judge Carter has also submitted an "after the fact" wetlands permit application with the corps of engineers. And he says he's only applying because of problems with corps and to protect the homeowners in the subdivision. Carter says he will likely have to buy wetlands acreage to replace land being used for the subdivision.
Lake Charles residents will get a chance to get rid of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Lake Charles Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration will hold a drug take back event on Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your pills for disposal to the Lake Charles Civic Center at 900 Lakeshore Dr. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions as...
More >>Lake Charles residents will get a chance to get rid of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Lake Charles Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration will hold a drug take back event on Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your pills for disposal to the Lake Charles Civic Center at 900 Lakeshore Dr. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions as...
More >>Louisiana's senators have agreed to allow the state's riverboat casinos to move on land. The Senate voted 22-14 Tuesday for the proposal by Sen. Ronnie Johns, a Lake Charles Republican. The measure would allow Louisiana's 15 riverboat casinos to conduct gambling activities within 1,200 feet on land from where the riverboat is berthed and remove the requirement the riverboats have an operable paddlewheel. It also would redefine the limits on gambling space.
More >>Louisiana's senators have agreed to allow the state's riverboat casinos to move on land. The Senate voted 22-14 Tuesday for the proposal by Sen. Ronnie Johns, a Lake Charles Republican. The measure would allow Louisiana's 15 riverboat casinos to conduct gambling activities within 1,200 feet on land from where the riverboat is berthed and remove the requirement the riverboats have an operable paddlewheel. It also would redefine the limits on gambling space.
More >>Dreams Come True is a nonprofit that was founded to help provide dreams to children facing life-threatening illnesses. Their mission is to restore the beauty found in the dreams of children by providing happiness, support, and encouragement to children and their families. Founded in 1982 in Denham Springs, Louisiana, Dreams Come True is a mostly volunteer-based organization. They are now able to grant around 50 to 60 wishes every year throughout the state. If you would like to lea...
More >>Dreams Come True is a nonprofit that was founded to help provide dreams to children facing life-threatening illnesses. Their mission is to restore the beauty found in the dreams of children by providing happiness, support, and encouragement to children and their families. Founded in 1982 in Denham Springs, Louisiana, Dreams Come True is a mostly volunteer-based organization. They are now able to grant around 50 to 60 wishes every year throughout the state. If you would like to lea...
More >>When you think of a typical school day, you may think of only books, writing, and tests, but, Tanner Simon's day as a senior at Sulphur High is not one that you would expect. He is earning credentials and valuable experience at school thanks to the Jump Start program. Jump Start director Tony McCardle believes this is an exciting opportunity for students. He says, "Business and industry are always contacting our department and looking to hire these students and they have alread...
More >>When you think of a typical school day, you may think of only books, writing, and tests, but, Tanner Simon's day as a senior at Sulphur High is not one that you would expect. He is earning credentials and valuable experience at school thanks to the Jump Start program. Jump Start director Tony McCardle believes this is an exciting opportunity for students. He says, "Business and industry are always contacting our department and looking to hire these students and they have alread...
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