In the news

Short on cash? Parish will help you pay rent and utilities if you live on the east bank

St. Charles Parish Department of Community Services has funds available now for East Bank residents that need assistance paying utility bills, mortgage, or rent beginning June 4, 2007.

Residents can apply for the Emergency Food and Shelter Federal Funds at 14564 River Road, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“We will give out all of the funds available to us until all the funds are exhausted,” Barbara Dorsey, administrative assistant for the community services office told the Herald-Guide.

Funds are only available for residents living in the areas beginning at Montz and ending at St. Rose.

“Residents who live on the west bank side of the parish need to check with the Social Concerns office to see if they have funding available,” Dorsey said.

East bank residents who applied for and received assistance in 2006 are not eligible for the June 2007 funds.

Eligible residents must meet the following criteria to qualify:

– Must be facing an emergency crisis, such as loss of income due to illness, reduction of worker hours, etc…

– Must be a resident of St. Charles Parish.

– Residents must provide their current bill including disconnect notice to be considered for utility assistance.

– Mortgage foreclosure statements or an eviction notice must be submitted in order to qualify for rental assistance funds.

Free lunch for seniors who attend community safety meeting

Sheriff Greg Champagne invites senior citizens in Luling, Ama and Boutte to his regional Triad community meeting at the Bible Center Church in Luling on June 14th. Following the 10 a.m. meeting, free lunch will be served.

“We will be presenting valuable crime prevention and safety tips to our senior citizens,” the parish’s top lawman said in an e-mail to citizens.

The Triad program is a non-profit organization sponsored by the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Council on Aging, and other organizations.

“The program promotes crime prevention, citizen awareness and victim assistance.”