In the news 2-28-2007

Suspect still at large after Luling bank robbery, says sheriff’s office

… plus, airport-expansion and fiery 18-wheeler crash in our “high-speed news” section.

A masked man entered the Whitney National Bank in Luling, pointed a gun at one of the bank’s tellers, demanded money – and got it.

Sheriff Greg Champagne says deputies are looking for a black male who was wearing a sweatshirt, jeans and a camoflauge-colored mask at the time of the robbery.

The suspect reportedly fled the scene in a green car.

According to official reports, a short time later, a deputy discovered a gym bag containing some of the money covered with red dye, and the gun used in the robbery.

St. Charles Parish sheriff’s officials urge businesses to be lookout for money with red dye on it and alert authorities if they see any. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $2,500 reward for tips thatlead to the arrest of the suspect. Call: 877-903-7867.

Nobody injured in fiery big-rig crash on I-10, say State Police

The I-10 in St. Charles heading eastbound over the Bonne Carre Spillway was reopened after an accident involving an 18-wheeler that caught on fire shut the roadway down for several hours, according to State Police.

Both drivers, whose identities were not available, escaped the crash with no injuries. The accident occurred Wednesday, Feb. 21 around 5:30 a.m., leaving eastbound traffic traveling along the I-10 through St. Charles and LaPlace backed up well into the afternoon, according to State Police spokesman Joseph Piglia.

The 18-wheeler was carrying a load of groceries traveling eastbound on the interstate when it collided with a dump truck parked on the shoulder of the roadway.

Traffic had to be diverted to Airline Highway causing delays on another major roadway in a day where traffic was stopped or slowed due to multiple accidents in various parts of the I-10, two occurring near the same time at the Bonnabel exit on both east and west bound lanes.

Louis Armstrong Airport expansion on ice for now, says official

The proposed expansion of the Louis Armstrong International Airport into St. Charles Parish has been postponed indefintely, sources tell the Herald Guide.

Plans were discussed in 2005 to build a new airport near Montz in the Bonne Carre Spillway but Interim Director Sean Hunter said Monday that they’ve put plans for expansion on hold while other options are explored.

The current east-west runway of the airport is located in St. Charles.

 

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