BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017 PEOPLE’S PUBLICATION VOL. 41 • NO. 21 • FREE Black History Tornadoes Rip Through Louisiana, 2017 Baton Rouge Month 2017 Events For Baton Destroying Homes And Cutting Power And Surrounding Area Rouge And Mardi Gras Parades Surrounding Area BATON ROUGE, LA - Black History Month is a celebration of the achievements of black Ameri- cans. The origin of the month-long celebration began in 1915 as the brainchild of historian Carter G. BATON ROUGE, La - Mardi Gras season is here, and with Woodson. Every U.S. president it, all the parades we love! Here is the list of Baton Rouge area has officially designated February parades, along with their routes. Click the different Krewe names as Black History Month. for more information on each parade route. “Black History Month is an To have your parade listing considered for inclusion, send an annual opportunity to recognize the email to [email protected]. central role of African Americans in our state’s economic, cultural, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11 social and political history,” said o Krewe of Orion - Baton Rouge - 6:30 p.m. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards. “We take this time to celebrate and FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17 learn more about the many achieve- n Krewe of Artemis - Baton Rouge - 7 p.m. ments and contributions of those who have fought for justice, equal- Linda Pierre, left, and April Williams look around the east New Orleans neighborhood after a tornado touchdown, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18 ity and freedom to make Louisiana Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017. n Krewe of Diversion (Boat Parade) - noon a better place for everyone to call n Krewe Mystique de la Capitale - Baton Rouge - 2 p.m. home.” n Krewe of Denham Springs - Denham Springs - 3 p.m. River Road African Ameri- BATON ROUGE, LA - At At least 13 people were hurt, University Medical Center can Museum: The museum will least six tornadoes tore through hospital officials said. in New Orleans also received five SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 n present a live, on-site telling with New Orleans and other parts of Governor John Bel Edwards injured people but details on their Mystic Krewe of Mutts - Baton Rouge - 10 a.m. the author of The Thibodaux Mas- Louisiana on Tuesday, injuring 13 declared a statewide state of emer- conditions were unknown, hospi- FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 sacre: Racial Violence and the people as the storm roared across gency that said at least six torna- tal spokeswoman Siona LaFrance n Krewe of Southdowns - Baton Rouge - 7 p.m. 1887 Sugar Cane Labor Strike. highways and streets, tearing down does damaged dozens of homes said. The tour will begin at 10 a.m. on trees, power lines and homes, of- and left thousands without power. Nearly 50,000 customers Saturday, February 18 at the mu- were without power in Louisiana, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 ficials said. Eight people were treated for n Krewe of Spanish Town - Baton Rouge - Noon seum, located at 406 Charles St. The storm system destroyed minor injuries at New Orleans East with more than 10,000 of them in in Donaldsonville. The tour will numerous buildings and homes Hospital on Tuesday including a New Orleans, according to Entergy continue down Bayou Lafourche New Orleans Inc. spokeswoman SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 in New Orleans and in suburban woman who was nearly seven n to Thibodaux, returning to Don- Kacee Kirschvink. Krewe of Comogo - Plaquemine - 7 p.m. areas of Baton Rouge, according months pregnant and was in stable n aldsonville at 3 p.m. The museum Nancy Malone, communica- Livonia Carnival Association Parade - Livonia - 1 p.m. to the National Weather Service condition, hospital spokeswoman See EVENTS, on page 2 website. Caryn Battiste said. See TORNADOES, on page 2 See MARDI GRAS, on page 2 AKA Sorority, Gamma Eta Omega Chapter Host Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast Alpha Kappa Alpha Soror- Joseph, Assistant Pastor Neely campus of Howard University ity, Incorporated®, Gamma Eta United Methodist Church and in Washington, DC in 1908. It Omega Chapter and L’Auberge Reverend Glorious Wright, As- is the oldest Greek-lettered or- Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge sistant Pastor Saint Mark United ganization established by Afri- partnered to host the Second Methodist Church. can-American, college-educated Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Southern University Army women. Alpha Kappa Alpha is Unity Breakfast on Monday, Jan- ROTC performed presentation comprised of more than 290,000 uary 16, 2017 in the L’Auberge of colors. The John Gray Band members in approximately 993 Event Center. The breakfast provided entertainment along graduate and undergraduate was attended by elected offi- with National Anthem sang by chapters in the United States, Mavis Henderson-Lewis. cials, community and business Liberia, the Bahamas, the US leaders, local law enforcement LaChondria Holder and Pa- Virgin Islands, Germany, South officers, community members, mela Honoré served as committee Korea, Bermuda, Japan, Canada, L’Auberge staff, high school and chairmen. college students, and members of Following the breakfast, South Africa and the Middle East. the Panhellenic Council which Gamma Eta Omega Chapter Led by International President encompasses nine historically AKA cutline pictured from left to right is Gwendolyn Thomas, Gamma Eta Omega Chapter President, South Central members participated in two Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, Black Greek- lettered organiza- Regional Director Katina Semien, Esq., Mickey Parenton, L’Auberge Senior Vice President of Operations and General community service projects – L.H.D., Alpha Kappa Alpha is tions. Manager, guest speaker was State Representative Patricia Haynes Smith, LaChondria Holder and Pamela Honoré Hope Ministries and The Walls often hailed as “America’s pre- Gwendolyn Thomas, Gamma served as committee chairmen. Project. mier Greek-lettered organization Eta Omega Chapter President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Soror- for African-American women.” and Mickey Parenton, L’Auberge comed over 300 attendees. Alpha Regional Director Katina Semien, Smith. Also, attendees enjoyed a ity, Incorporated® (AKA) is an For more information on Alpha Senior Vice President of Opera- Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. ex- Esq., and guest speaker was State full course breakfast then united international service organiza- Kappa Alpha Sorority and its pro- tions and General Manager wel- tended greetings® South Central Representative Patricia Haynes in prayers by Reverend Linda tion that was founded on the grams, visitwww.aka1908.com. SALUTE TO THE FIRST ALL-BLACK BOY SCOUT TROOP STATE & LOCAL BUSINESS SPORTS GOSPEL NEWS Send your news to Lela Kelly about gospel events happening in Baton Rouge. brweek- [email protected] INDEX State News ..............................2 Religion ...................................4 Business ...................................5 CASA WELCOMES TOSHIBA RECEIVES PELICANS PREPARE Classifieds ................................5 Black History ............................6 NEW VOLUNTEERS HIGH BIDS FOR STRETCH Sports ......................................8 Toshiba Corp has received bids Considering the position the New Capital Area Court Appointed Special Advocates Association ranging from 200 billion yen to as Orleans Pelicans were in going into welcomes 18 individuals who much as 400 billion yen ($1.8-3.6 the game, their 127-94 loss to the were officially sworn in as CASA billion) for a 19.9 percent stake in Utah Jazz on Wednesday night may CLASSIFIED Ranger Joe Dorsey is wearing Boy Scout splendor as he greets 9News in his volunteers by Juvenile Court Judge its flash memory business, a person be one of the team’s most disap- Buying or selling a service, look- yard. A camp is set up to remember a friend, Albert Carter, who recently died... Adam Haney...Page 2 directly involved in the deal told pointing outings of the season. ing for a good job? Check out the See Page 3 Reuters on Thursday....See Page 5 ...See Page 8 classifeds . THEWEEKLYPRESS.COM Celebrating 41 Years Of Service To The Baton Rouge Community 225.775.2002 Educate, Engage and Inspire Our Readers by Sharing Your Message of Diversity or Community Initiatives CALL TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE 225.775.2002 Page 2 • The Weekly Press • Thursday, February 9, 2017 Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge Celebrate Podcast’s 100th Episode STATE & LOCAL BATON ROUGE, La - Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge is celebrating their pod- cast’s upcoming 100th episode. CASA Welcomes New Volunteers The Pawcast is a weekly READER podcast that features two adopt- able dogs per week, offering INFORMATION education and entertainment for listeners who are interested in adopting a dog or learning more about the issues of homeless dogs in Baton Rouge. A frequent topic on the Pawcast is the importance ‘ridiculously happy’, and I’m of spaying or neutering dogs. proud of that label. We’ve put How to Reach Us Other topics include heartworm on a show every week for 100 General Information 225-775-2002 treatment and prevention for weeks, and we’re looking forward Fax . 225-775-4216 Louisiana dogs. The Pawcast to 100 more. Our goal is to use has also interviewed local orga- podcasting to save dogs, using Email Address nizations, including Companion this new media format to get as brweeklypress@yahoo .com Animal Alliance and Cat Haven. many dogs adopted as possible.” According to Friends of the More information can be The office is open 9:00 a .m . to 5:00 Animals Baton Rouge Director found at itsthepawcast.org. p .m . Monday - Friday and located Paula Schoen, “The Pawcast is Friends of the Animals a fun way to get the public in- Baton Rouge strives to rescue, at 1283 Rosenwald Road, Baton terested in our adoptable dogs, rehome, and otherwise save as Rouge, Louisiana . but it also provides information many dogs and puppies from the and education about the issues of Correction Policy Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statis- rescue dogs in our community.” The Baton Rouge Weekly Press Catherine O’Brien, Friends tical Area (MSA). Since 2010, the Newly trained Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers included, from left, Karen Morman, Bridgette Dembowski, strives to be fair and accurate .