Pineville
Youth Challenge program gains national recognition
Nine cadets from the Louisiana National Guard's Youth Challenge Program recently visited Washington to attend a gala celebrating the program at the 34 sites across the country. The 22-week residential program provides educational, leadership and life-skill training to at-risk youths. Full article.
Central State Hospital moves
Central State Hospital is packing up and moving. The state is planning to shut down the hospital in Pineville and build a new hospital next to Pinecrest. DHH Secretary Paul Greenstein reported that the two-phased plan preserves in-patient services, protects jobs and provides a new 6 million dollar facility for future mental health patients. Currently the state has no final decision on the final disposition of central’s campus. Full article.
Citizens Academy starts March 6 in Pineville
The Pineville Police Department will be present the third session of its Citizens Academy on March 6 at the Tudor Community Center. Topics to be covered included use of force, firearm safety and traffic investigation. Full article.
Louisiana College, S. Korea forge educational bonds
Louisiana College recently hosted the educational governor for the South Jeolla Province in South Korea to negotiate an educational exchange agreement. The hope is to have South Korean teachers come to LC and for LC to send some education students to South Korea to teach English. The South Korean government previously authorized funding to send students to study at LC. Full article.
LA Guardsmen return from deployment
The LA National Guard will welcome home soldiers of the 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group Feb 10 at Esler Field. The Hammond-based soldiers completed a 365-day deployment to Kuwait, with detachments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Full article.
Lawmakers meet in Pineville re: Regional road projects
LA lawmakers are meeting in Pineville to hear from residents regarding highway repairs and improvements. The Joint Highway Priority Construction Committee "road show," is a program where legislators travel LA to obtain public input on transportation priorities. Today’s meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. today in Pineville City Hall, 910 Main St. in Pineville. Full article.
Pineville mayor has vision to revitalize Main Street
Mayor Clarence Fields has a vision for the commercial center of downtown Pineville to become buildings occupied by healthy businesses where people shop, eat and bank. He knows accomplishing this won’t be easy, as Pineville isn't unique in its struggle to find a way to keep its downtown relevant in a business climate where retailers flock to shopping centers and big-box stores. Full article.
Pineville to get new housing for senior citizens
Pineville will get a new housing development for senior citizens. The project, located on Shamrock Street, is expected to take eleven months. Humanities Foundation, based in Mount Pleasant, S.C., will develop the project, along with commercial real estate developer James Doran Co. The development will feature one and two bedroom units, and will be available to residents 55 or older, with restricted incomes. Full article.
Pineville audit: Mostly good news, but surplus revenue won’t last forever
The good news: Lee Willis and Mark McKay from Rozier, Harrington and McKay CPA recently presented a "completely clean" audit to the Pineville City Council. However, the not-so-good news Pineville received: Audit projects revenues will not increase significantly next fiscal year, and the city won’t be able to count on surplus funds to pay for increasing costs. Full article.
Louisiana College earns honor
U.S. News & World Report recently recognized Louisiana College as being among the "Best Regional Colleges." In addition, American Registry has added Louisiana College to the "Registry of Business Excellence." Full article.
