The City of Alexandria has notified Q93 of two road closures: 

There will be a lane closure beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2, for approximately one month of the northbound travel lanes of Masonic Drive. Signage and barricading will be installed to reduce traffic to one lane in each direction shifting all traffic flow to the southbound lanes. The lane closure/traffic shift will begin immediately north of the traffic signal at the intersection of Masonic Drive and the South MacArthur Drive Service Road (mall entrance) and extend north to between the two entrance drives at Mid State Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine.
 

There will be a road closure beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, until 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 2602 to 2616 Overton St. The Alexandria Utility System Water Department will be making repairs. Drivers are urged to be alert and follow all signs and barricades. Please use caution and allow extra time for your commute

The following has been released to Q93 from FEMA:

FEMA has added two parishes, Grant and Rapides, to its program for direct temporary housing units for hurricane survivors whose homes were made unlivable due to Hurricane Laura.

Those who have already registered with FEMA for assistance need not register again.

FEMA determines if applicants are eligible and pairs them with the best available housing solution to meet their needs. Options can include:
• Manufactured housing units or recreational vehicles (RVs) placed on a private, commercial or group site;
• Direct Lease, which is the leasing of existing ready-for-occupancy housing; and
• Multi-Family Lease and Repair, where FEMA enters into a lease agreement with the
owner of multifamily rental properties and makes repairs in order to provide temporary housing for applicants.

An occupant’s need for housing assistance will be re-evaluated on a regular basis to determine continued eligibility.

The following has been released to Q93 from the State Fair of Louisiana:

SHREVEPORT, LA. 

As many already know, the State Fair of Louisiana was originally scheduled to kick off this week but had to be rescheduled because of COVID-19, however, all is not lost for this year. This Thursday, October 29^th, the State Fair of Louisiana will host “Taste of the State Fair” at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds and will run through November 8^th.  Over a dozen of the top State Fair food vendors will be set up and selling some of your favorite fair food items including, Corn Dogs, Funnel Cakes, Chicken on a Stick, Turkey Legs, Philly Cheesesteak, Polish and Italian Sausage, Gyros, Tacos, Pork Tenderloin, Cotton Candy, Candy Apples, and much more. The hours are from 11am to 8pm daily with free parking and admission.
 
In conjunction with the “Taste of The State Fair”, the Jr. Livestock Show is also set to begin this week. 4-H and FFA youth from all over the state will bring their animals to compete at the State Fair of Louisiana Junior Livestock Show which will also begin this Thursday, October 29^th and will end with the Jr. Livestock Sale on Wednesday, November 4^th.   
 
Other events taking place during the “Taste of the State Fair” are the National Brahman Cattle Show (Nov. 5 – Nov.7), Sunday Funday Market (Nov. 1 & Nov. 8), and the Taste of Louisiana Car Show (Nov. 7, 10am-2pm).  The Social Circle is also bringing Drive-In Movies back to the fairgrounds on Saturday, October 31^st.  “A Spooky Night at The Drive-In Movies” will feature three movies including: Hocus Pocus at 5pm, Halloween (2018) at 8pm and Us at 10pm.  Admission is $20 per vehicle and tickets can be pre-purchased online at universe.com or purchased at the gate.
 
The dates for the 114^th State Fair of Louisiana are April 29 - May 9, 2021. The eleven-day run will feature food, rides, live music, free shows and attractions.  Once this Fair is over, organizers will begin working on the 115^th State Fair scheduled to open on October 28, 2021.

For more information on the State Fair of Louisiana, you can visit: www.statefairoflouisiana.com.   
 

The following has been released to Q93 from the City of Alexandria: 
 

Alexandria, La. (Oct. 22, 2019) — Applications are now being accepted for the 2020-2021 Alexandria Mayor’s Youth Council. High school juniors and seniors at public as well as private Alexandria high schools are eligible to participate.

Launched in 2019, the mission of the Alexandria Mayor’s Youth Council is to provide ongoing and direct input on government policies and practices that may affect young people; recommend and foster initiatives for and by youth; act as a communication link between the local government and the young people of the City of Alexandria; promote and recognize the abilities, accomplishments and contributions of young people in the community; and plan and conduct service projects that benefit local citizens.

To apply, students may download an application from the Mayor’s Office page on the City of Alexandria website at https://www.cityofalexandriala.com/office-mayor.
 

Students may also get applications from their school. Deadline to apply is Nov. 6. At least one representative from each Alexandria high school will be selected to serve on the council, with a minimum of 8 members and a maximum of 12.

The following has been released to Q93 from Cleco:

PINEVILLE, La. – Oct. 21, 2020 – Scammers are at it again, and Cleco wants customers to be on alert and know the signs to protect themselves.

“We’ve received reports of fraudulent phone calls and text messages to our customers by scammers claiming to be from Cleco and threatening service disconnection if customers don’t make an immediate payment,” said Ron Smith, director of customer experience.  “Cleco will never demand immediate payment or ask customers to pay with a pre-paid card.  Customers should always contact Cleco directly if they have questions about their bill or payment due date.”

Customers who are unsure of their account status can visit a customer service office, call 1-800-622-6537, use the Contact Us form on cleco.com, direct message Cleco on Facebook at @ClecoPower, or verify their account information through Cleco’s online customer account management service, MyAccount, at cleco.com.

“Scammers use multiple tactics to contact customers, so we want customers to be on alert for fraudulent phone calls, text messages, emails and in-person scammers posing as Cleco personnel,” said Smith.

Customers should be aware of these common utility scams:

• Disconnection Deception
Scammers call threatening disconnection of your service unless you make an immediate payment with a pre-paid card.

• Overpayment Tactic
Scammers call claiming you overpaid your bill, and you need to provide your personal bank account information or a credit card number to facilitate a refund.

• Vacate Your Home
Scammers claim there is a need to replace your meter or other equipment, and you must leave your home for 72 hours.

• Power Restoration Charge
Scammers call offering to restore your electricity more quickly for a fee after a severe storm.

• Identification Attack
Rather than directing victims to call a 1-800 number, the scammers direct callers to press 1 to collect more data in an attempt to get your personal information.

Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud, or who feel threatened during contact with one of these scammers, should contact Cleco and local law enforcement authorities. 

The following has been released to Q93 from the City of Alexandria:

Alexandria, La. (October 19, 2020) — The City of Alexandria has established 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, as the official Trick-or-Treat times.

“With COVID-19 concerns, we understand that some people may choose not to participate in traditional trick-or-treat activities this year, and that is fine. But we believe those who want to participate should have the opportunity to do so as long as they follow Phase 3 guidelines as far as the number of people in groups, wearing protective face masks – not just decorative costume masks – and practicing social distancing,” said Alexandria Mayor Jeffrey W. Hall. “Residents who do not want children coming to their door should simply turn off their porch lights and those who are participating should do their best to maintain a safe distance from the children as they come by to receive their candy or treat.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating a “high risk” activity. However, that risk drops to “medium” when social distancing efforts are established, including having a one-way flow of traffic and the ability to have individual packets of candy placed in such a way that children don’t touch pieces they don’t take for themselves.Suggestions include creating individual “grab bags” of candy or placing candy on platters or baking sheets rather than in bowls. Anyone who is feeling ill, is currently positive for COVID-19 or has been in contact with someone who is positive or is showing signs of COVID-19 infection should not participate nor should those at heightened risk of infection.

On Oct. 30, from 6-8 p.m., the City of Alexandria will host a Halloween Candy Stop for children 18 and younger. The drive-thru event will be held at the Alexander Fulton Mini Park on Murray Street across from City Hall. Children may remain safely in vehicles as they pass by to collect pre-packaged candy. Sponsors of the event include the Rapides Parish School Board, Central Louisiana Technical and Community College, Louisiana State University of Alexandria, Cenla Juvenile Officer’s Association, Cenla Area Agency on Aging, Arna Bontemps African American Museum, Hotel Bentley, Holiday Inn Convention Center, Aetna, Demar Dotson and Alexandria City Marshal Jerome Hopewell.

Due to damage to The Alexandria Zoo from Hurricanes Laura and Delta the annual Zoo Boo event will not be held this year.

The following has been released to Q93 from Cleco: 

PINEVILLE, La. – Oct. 15, 2020 (8 a.m. update) – As of 8 a.m. today, Cleco had restored power to over 99 percentof customers impacted by Hurricane Delta.  

Crews continue working scattered outages in Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Iberia, Rapides and St. Landryparishes to restore service, and expect all customers who can accept power to have power restored today.  

For additional information on Cleco’s storm response, follow the company on Facebook @ClecoPower or visit Cleco’s Storm Center page at cleco.com.  

The following has been released to Q93 from Cleco: 

PINEVILLE, La. – Oct. 15, 2020 (8 a.m. update) – As of 8 a.m. today, Cleco had restored power to over 99 percentof customers impacted by Hurricane Delta.  

Crews continue working scattered outages in Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Iberia, Rapides and St. Landryparishes to restore service, and expect all customers who can accept power to have power restored today.  

For additional information on Cleco’s storm response, follow the company on Facebook @ClecoPower or visit Cleco’s Storm Center page at cleco.com.  

The following has been released to Q93 from Cleco:

PINEVILLE, La. – Oct. 13, 2020 (7 p.m.) – As of 7 p.m., Cleco had restored power to 126,692, or 96 percent, of the more than 132,000 customers who lost power due to Hurricane Delta.  

Below is restoration information by parish as of 7p.m.:

Percentages are based on total customers affected by Hurricane Delta (132,198); 
not Cleco’s total customer base.

The following has been released to Q93 from Cleco:

PINEVILLE, La. – Oct. 12, 2020 (7 p.m. update) – As of 7 p.m., Cleco had restored power to 114,823, or 87percent, of the more than 132,000 customers impacted byHurricane Delta.  

Below are customer outages by parish as of 7 p.m. 

Percentages are based on total customers affected by Hurricane Delta (132,198); not Cleco’s total customer base.

For additional information on Cleco’s storm response, follow the company on Facebook @ClecoPower or visit Cleco’s Storm Center page at cleco.com.  

The following has been released to Q93 from Cleco:

PINEVILLE, La. – Oct. 11, 2020 (7 p.m. update) – As of 7 p.m., Cleco had restored power to 91,460, or 69 percent,of the more than 132,000 customers impacted byHurricane Delta.  

Below are customer outages by parish as of 7 p.m. 

Percentages are based on total customers affected by Hurricane Delta (132,198); not Cleco’s total customer base.

For additional information on Cleco’s storm response, follow the company on Facebook @ClecoPower or visit Cleco’s Storm Center page at cleco.com.  

The following has been released to Q93 from Cleco:

PINEVILLE, La. – Oct. 10, 2020 (7 p.m. update) – As of 7 p.m., Cleco had restored power to 40,012, or 30 percent,of the more than 132,000 customers who lost power due to Hurricane Delta.

Below are customer outages by parish as of 7 p.m. 

Percentages are based on total customers affected by Hurricane Delta (132,198); not Cleco’s total customer base.

For additional information on Cleco’s storm response, follow the company on Facebook @ClecoPower or visit Cleco’s Storm Center page at cleco.com.  

The following has been released to Q93 from the City of Alexandria:

Alexandria, La. (October 10, 2020) — Utility Director Michael Marcotte reports power has been substantially restored to all city customers who lost service during Hurricane Delta that are able to receive power. An estimated 3,100 customers lost power as a result of the storm, which brought hurricane-force wind gusts and torrential rainfall.

“If your power has not yet been restored, please call and report it again,” Marcotte said. “We anticipate completing restoration this evening to everyone who can accept it.”

In addition to power outages, the city experienced street flooding in neighborhoods across the city. As of 5 p.m., water levels had decreased significantly but there were some neighborhoods with street flooding that was still slowly receding. Residents are reminded not to drive into areas with high water on the streets for their safety as well as to prevent pushing water into homes.

“Fortunately, the wind damage with Hurricane Delta was not as significant as what we received from Hurricane Laura and we have been able to restore power throughout the city,” said Alexandria Mayor Jeffrey W. Hall. “I want to commend the employees of the City of Alexandria for their tremendous response today. We had people working to prepare for the storm, we had first responders with fire and police out in the storm and then we had crews out in the field as soon as it was safe to start work this morning to restore power, clear debris and start the recovery and cleanup process. I appreciate the hard work of our employees as well as the municipal aid crews and others who assisted us today. And I want to thank the citizens of Alexandria for their assistance and patience. It takes all of us working together to move forward, and that’s what we did today.”

The following has been released to Q93 from FEMA:

Now that Delta has made landfall and weakened to a Tropical Storm, continue to take precautions to keep you and your family safe from the many hazards associated with the aftermath of a storm:

• Turn around, don’t drown. Do not drive through floodwaters. Remember just one foot of water can sweep your vehicle away.  Also, stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Floodwater poses a drowning risk for everyone, regardless of your ability to swim. Do not walk, swim, or dive through flood waters, just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down.

• As of the morning, 517,114 Louisiana residents are without power due to hurricanes Laura and Delta. Do not use a generator inside your home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Keep them outside of your living spaces and away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come inside. Place generators at least 20 feet away from your home, downwindaway from open doors, windows and vents.

• Never touch a fallen power line. Call the power company to report any seen. Do not drive through standing water if downed power lines are in the water. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or you are standing in water.

• Be on the lookout for debris. Take refuge in a designated storm shelter, or an interior room to avoid potential flying debris. If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic as you could be trapped by rising flood water.

• All FEMA drive-thru Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) and Mobile Registration Intake Centers (MRICs) in Louisiana are closed until further notice.

• The Emergency Declaration for the State of Louisiana (EM-3547) has been amended to include the parishes of Grant, La Salle, Natchitoches, Sabine, Vernon, and Winn for reimbursement for eligible emergency protective measures (already designated for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct Federal assistance).

Hurricane Laura – Deadline to register is Oct. 27, 2020:

• To date, FEMA has put nearly $162 million in the hands of survivors, more than $110 million for housing assistance and $52 million for other needs assistance. FEMA has registered 182,932 households.Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved nearly $273 million in low interest loans to help Louisiana hurricane survivors recover.
   
• Visit disasterloanassistance.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 for more information.

The following has been to Q93 from Cleco:

Pineville, La., Oct. 10, 2020 (6 a.m. update) – Hurricane Delta made landfall yesterday and moved across the stateovernight, leaving nearly 125,000 Cleco customers without power, according to initial reports.   

In addition to Cleco personnel, the company has a storm workforce of roughly 2,100 contractors, which includes damage assessors, distribution line mechanics, distribution and transmission vegetation specialists and transmission contractors, ready to assess damage, clear debris and restore power.  

“The safety of our crews, contractors and customers is priority in everything we do.  Now that the storm has passed and conditions are improving, damage assessments will begin by land and air, and crews will begin making any necessary system repairs and restoring power,” said James Lass,” director of distribution operations and emergency management.  “We follow our storm restoration plan, focusing our efforts on critical infrastructure such as water and sewage systems, hospitals and medical facilities, and then moving to the circuits with the largest number of customers until power is restored to all customers.”

Below are customer outages by parish as of 6 a.m.

“One of the most dangerous parts of a storm is oftentimes right after it passes,” said Lass.  “Downed power lines and areas of debris should be avoided.”  

Customers are encouraged to follow the safety tips below after a storm:

• Operate generators in well-ventilated areas, away from combustible material and keep free of oil, mud and other foreign matter. Plug appliances directly into portable generators with grounded extension cords that can handle the load. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. It could back feed electricity through your home's wiring to the entire Cleco circuit and cause injury or death to a worker attempting to repair that circuit. Don't exceed the rated capacity of the generator and only refuel when the engine is off and cool.

• Assume all downed power lines are live and stay away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 1-800-622-6537 and 911. Don't step in nearby puddles or attempt to move any object that comes in contact with a downed power line.

• If water is rising, turn off electricity at the main breaker, evacuate and stay away until waters have completely receded. Have a licensed electrician check the wiring before using electricity.     

Customers can find the latest storm updates on the company’s Storm Center page at cleco.com and Cleco’s Facebook page @ClecoPower.

The following has been released to Q93 from Cleco: 
 

Pineville, La., Oct. 9, 2020 (7 p.m. update) – Hurricane Delta made landfall this evening along the coast of southwest Louisiana.  As the storm moves across the state, over 41,000customers are without power.  

In addition to Cleco personnel, the company has a storm workforce of roughly 2,100 contractors, which includes damage assessors, distribution line mechanics, distribution and transmission vegetation specialists and transmission contractors, ready to restore power after the storm passes.  

“The safety of our crews, contractors and customers is priority in everything we do.  Once conditions are safe, damage assessments will begin by land and air, and crews will begin restoring power,” said James Lass,” director of distribution operations and emergency management.  “We follow our storm restoration plan, focusing our efforts on critical infrastructure such as water and sewage systems, hospitals and medical facilities, and then moving to the circuits with the largest number of customers until power is restored to all customers.”

Below are customer outages by parish as of 7 p.m.

Customers are encouraged to follow the safety tips below during and after a storm:

• Listen to local radio and television stations for power outage and restoration status reports.

• Operate generators in well-ventilated areas, away from combustible material and keep free of oil, mud and other foreign matter. Plug appliances directly into portable generators with grounded extension cords that can handle the load. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. It could back feed electricity through your home's wiring to the entire Cleco circuit and cause injury or death to a worker attempting to repair that circuit. Don't exceed the rated capacity of the generator and only refuel when the engine is off and cool.

• Assume all downed power lines are live and stay away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 1-800-622-6537 and 911. Don't step in nearby puddles or attempt to move any object that comes in contact with a downed power line.

• If water is rising, turn off electricity at the main breaker, evacuate and stay away until waters have completely receded. Have a licensed electrician check the wiring before using electricity.     

Customers can find the latest storm updates on the company’s Storm Center page at cleco.com and Cleco’s Facebook page @ClecoPower.

The following has been released to Q93 from

the City of Alexandria:

Alexandria, La. (October 8, 2020) — With anticipated landfall expected Friday night, City of Alexandria workers spent Thursday making final preparations for the possibility of high winds and heavy rain from Hurricane Delta.

“We have taken every precaution we can in advance of this storm,” said Alexandria Mayor Jeffrey W. Hall. “We just went through a significant challenge with Hurricane Laura, and I was pleased with our overall response. My hope is the damage from this storm will not be as severe, but we are prepared and ready to respond. Just as we have prepared as a city, I encourage residents to do all they can to take the proper precautions to protect their safety and their property.”

The current projected storm path from the National Weather Service forecasts has the storm center passing over the Alexandria area bringing 5-10 inches of rain from the storm as well as wind gusts of more than 70 miles per hour.

Self-serve sandbag locations for Alexandria residents will remain open Friday at the Johnny Downs Sports Complex, Bringhurst Field, Frank O. Hunter Park, Cheatham Park and the park by the 911 Center in Martin Park. Pre-made sandbags will be available for elderly and infirm residents from 9 a.m. and will be available as long as weather permits.

The lobby of the Utility Customer Service building on Murray Street will be closed Friday. Customers wishing to make payments may use the drive-thru window or other payment options, including online and the drop box. City buildings will close at 1 p.m., at which time all non-essential personnel will be sent home. ATRANS bus service will conclude at 3 p.m. Friday. Service is expected to resume at noon Saturday, depending on weather and street conditions.

The Alexandria Megashelter is open for evacuees. Utility System Director Michael Marcotte reminds residents that due to COVID-19 concerns and social distancing requirements shelter operations have been modified. “Whenever possible, we are encouraging those residents who may need to evacuate or seek shelter to make arrangements to stay with friends or family members rather than going to a group shelter.” 

Marcotte confirmed drainage pumps have been inspected and utility crews are on alert to respond to any power outages or utility service interruptions.Additional temporary drainage pumps are scheduled to be placed on Prescott Street Friday. 

Trash collection is scheduled as usual for Friday. Residents are reminded not to place any tree debris or loose trash curbside that could block storm drains and to secure any debris that has not been collected.

If power outages occur as a result of the storm, customers may report outages online through the AlexConnects app or by calling (318) 473-1301. Downed wires, poles, and other equipment should be reported to the Electric Distribution Department at (318) 473-1301. Residents are also reminded to avoid downed lines as they may still be energized. Residents are also encouraged to exercise caution while driving as crews and equipment are clearing debris and making repairs along many roads throughout the city.  

The Mayor’s Office will provide updates on the Alexandria City Government Facebook page as well as the city website at www.cityofalexandriala.com.

The following has been released to Q93 from FEMA:

BATON ROUGE, La. – The drive-thru Disaster Recovery Centers in the cities of Alexandria, Dry Prong, Jena, Leesville, Many and Winnfield will close at noon Oct. 8 due to a shift in the predicted path of Hurricane Delta.

All centers will reopen Oct.12 weather and ground conditions permitting. The Winn Parish center is closed permanently. Centers are open from 7:00am to 5:00pm CDT Monday – Sunday, except where noted below.

The centers are located at:

Grant Parish (open 8:00am – 6:00pm)

Zig Slater Ball Park

Dry Prong, LA

LaSalle Parish

Recreational Center

Jena, LA

Rapides Parish (open 8:00am – 6:00pm)

Rapides Coliseum

Alexandra, LA

Sabine Parish  (closed Sunday)

Sabine Parish Courthouse

Many, LA

Vernon Parish

Vernon Parish Sherriff Office

Leesville, LA

Winn Parish

Winn Parish Library

Winnfield, LA

Several other centers remain open in Louisiana. Survivors may visit any open center. To locate the closest center, call the FEMA Helpline, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov or egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator or download the FEMA Mobile App at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/app.

The following has been released to Q93 from Cleco:

Pineville, La., Oct. 7, 2020 – In addition to Cleco personnel, the company has secured 1,861 contractor workers, including distribution line mechanics, vegetation specialists, damage assessors and transmission resources, ahead of Hurricane Delta’s expected landfall along the Louisiana coast on Friday.   

“While there’s still a good deal of uncertainty on how strong Hurricane Delta will be, it continues to track towards the Louisiana coast.  It’s looking more likely that it will impact much of our service territory,” said James Lass, director of distribution operations and emergency management.  “As of this afternoon, the storm is projected to make landfall Friday afternoon with winds as strong as 100 mph which could cause widespread power outages.”

Hurricane Delta threatens to be the second hurricane to hit Cleco’s service territory in less than six weeks.  Cleco wrapped up restoration work from Hurricane Laura in mid-September.  

“Having two major hurricanes back-to-back in much of the same area that was impacted by Hurricane Laura can be challenging, but Cleco is ready to respond,” said Lass.  “We encourage our customers to be ready as well.  Prepare now and be mindful of the COVID-19 pandemic when developing your plan.  Take the necessary steps to protect your family and your property.”

Customers are encouraged to:

• Prepare a storm kit.  Gather supplies you might need for an outage, including a flashlight, batteries, canned food, manual can opener, bottled water, medication and a first aid kit.

• Clear patio furniture and other objects that could move in high winds and cause damage or injury. 

• Charge cell phones, tablets and laptops.

• Test run portable generators.  Do not connect portable generators to your home’s electrical wiring and never operate a generator in an enclosed space like a garage.

For additional storm preparation and safety tips, visit cleco.comand follow us on Facebook at @ClecoPower.   

The following has been released to Q93 from the City of Alexandria:

Alexandria, La. (October 7, 2020) — Workers with the City of Alexandria are actively preparing for the possibility of high winds and heavy rain Friday from Hurricane Delta, currently projected to make landfall south of Lafayette midday Friday.

National Weather Service forecasts indicate Alexandria could get 4-8 inches of rain from the storm as well as wind gusts of more than 70 miles per hour, with wind activity expected to start increasing overnight Thursday. In preparation, city workers are clearing storm drains and picking up tree debris ahead of the storm. Residents are asked to refrain from placing any remaining debris from Hurricane Laura curbside until after Hurricane Delta has passed to reduce the risk of clogging storm drains. 

Self-serve sandbag locations for Alexandria residents opened at 3 p.m. at the Johnny Downs Sports Complex, Bringhurst Field, Frank O. Hunter Park, Cheatham Park and the 911 Center in Martin Park. Pre-made sandbags will beavailable for elderly and infirm residents from 9 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

“We are still recovering from Hurricane Laura and now we have another major hurricane expected to pass through Central Louisiana,” said Mayor Jeffrey W. Hall. “Like Laura, this storm is still expected to be at hurricane strength when it gets here. Unlike Laura, which passed to our west, the current forecast brings the center directly over Alexandria, which means we could see hurricane force winds. The time to prepare is now. We saw with Laura the devastation that can come from high winds, and residents need to take the proper precautions to ensure their safety.”

As part of preparations, residents should secure loose items around their house that could be blown in the wind, have gas available for generators, make sure you have working flashlights, ensure cell phone batteries are charged and that you have a way to monitor weather conditions so you are ready to react if an emergency arises.

Utility System Director Michael Marcotte reminds residents that shelter procedures will be very different due to COVID-19 concerns and social distancing requirements. “As we noted with Hurricane Laura, sheltering this season is not being done like it has been in the past,” Marcotte said. “As part of their preparations, residents who live in vulnerable areas, particularly those in mobile homes and in low-lying flood-prone areas, should consider making arrangements for sheltering through a friend or relative as part of their personal plan.”

Marcotte said city drainage pumps have been inspected and utility crews are on alert to respond to any power outages or utility service interruptions.Temporary drainage pumps will also be utilized in flood-prone areas. “Alexandria is a gravity drainage area, and we have pumps in place to assist with the flow of water,” Marcotte said. “When we get very heavy rain in a short period of time, some streets will get high water. Residents are urged not to go out during the storm and to avoid driving through high water after the storm to avoid getting trapped or pushing water into homes.” 

Marcotte also reminds residents that if power outages occur as a result of the storm, customers may report outages online through the AlexConnects app or by calling (318) 473-1301. Downed wires, poles, and other equipment should be reported to the Electric Distribution Department at (318) 473-1301. Residents are also reminded to avoid downed lines as they may still be energized. Residents are also encouraged to exercise caution while driving as crews and equipment are clearing debris and making repairs along many roads throughout the city.  

The Mayor’s Office will provide updates on the Alexandria City Government Facebook page as well as the city website at www.cityofalexandriala.com.

The following has been released to Q93 from Cleco:

PINEVILLE, La. – Oct. 1, 2020 – Today, Cleco announcedapplications are being accepted for its new Power of a Promise Scholarship which includes full tuition, books, a stipend for incidentals and a paid internship at the company’s Brame Energy Center near Boyce, La.

The Power of a Promise Scholarship is part of Cleco’s$1.0 million commitment to Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC), which was announced last year, to help fund training, curriculum development and scholarships.

It’s designed to help economically disadvantaged, female and minority students who plan to attend CLTCC in Alexandria.

“While Cleco has funded and continues to fund differenttypes of scholarships to help students from all backgrounds, this scholarship is part of our commitment tobuild a diverse workforce and create an inclusive work environment,” said Normanique Preston, chief human resources and diversity officer.  “A percentage of our donation will be used to award diversity scholarships to minority students which will create educational opportunities for women and other under-represented populations whose total household income is at or below the poverty level, provide hands-on training for successful entry into the workforce and provide a path to rewarding careers with competitive salaries.”

For the 2021-2022 academic year, scholarships will be awarded to two economically disadvantaged, female or minority high school students classified as a junior or senior who plan to attend CLTCC’s Alexandria Campusand pursue a diploma in industrial manufacturing technology.

“We are grateful to Cleco for this partnership and their support of our mission to provide the best in academic services, cutting-edge workforce development training and qualified skilled graduates for business and industry,” said Jimmy Sawtelle, chancellor of CLTCC.  “Cleco’s diversity scholarship program for female and minority students is unique because the selected students will be funded for their tuition and books, as well as gain valuable work experience through a paid internship, which can be a stepping-stone to a new career.” 

The application is available on the cltcc.edu website, and applications will be accepted Oct. 1, 2020, through Jan. 31, 2021.  Applicants can hand deliver, mail or email their application to CLTCC’s Alexandria Campus.  Cleco is unable to accept applications.  Scholarship recipients will be announced in April 2021.  

Where to submit a Cleco Power of Promise Scholarship application:
In-Person or By Mail:
CLTCC Alexandria Campus, 516 Murray Street, Alexandria, La. 71301

By Email:
powerofapromise@cltcc.edu

Eligibility requirements for a Cleco Power of Promise Scholarship:

• Resident within a 50-mile radius of the CLTCC Alexandria Campus.

• Admitted to CLTCC’s Alexandria campus (admission application must be on file with CLTCC, and you must be admitted prior to receiving funds).

• Interested in pursuing a Career & Technical Education in the Industrial Manufacturing Technology Program.

• Female and minority students (i.e., African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American or Native American) whose total household income is at or below the poverty level for the State of Louisiana.

• Eligible to work in United States (an active work visa is acceptable).

• Classified as a high school junior or senior in the State of Louisiana during the scholarship application year.

• On track to earn a high school diploma with a minimum 2.7 GPA and provide transcript and/or proof of diploma.

• Have a combination of attributes:  High academic performance, financial need, personal accomplishments, ACT WorkKeys, extracurricular activities, awards and recognition, community service, work history, desire to seek a Career & Technical Education from CLTCC and acceptance into the Industrial Manufacturing Technology Program.

To learn more about Cleco in the community, visit www.cleco.com or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/clecopower.

The following has been released to Q93 from the City of Alexandria:
 

Alexandria, La. (October 2, 2020) — Residents affected by Hurricane Laura who have not yet registered for FEMA disaster relief services will be able to do so next week at community centers across town. On Tuesday, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. a mobile center will be at the Bolton Avenue Community Center, located at 315 Bolton Avenue.

On Wednesday, residents may go to the Broadway/Dempsey Community Center at 712 Broadway Ave. and on Thursday the site will be at the Youth & Teen Center at 1801 Sylvester Street (Former Boy’s and Girl’s Club location). Hours will be 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.

“Hurricane Laura delivered a devastating blow to our area and we know there are many residents in need of federal disaster assistance,” said Alexandria Mayor Jeffrey W. Hall. “We understand not everyone can get to the central site at the Rapides Parish Coliseum, so we have arranged to host FEMA mobile registration sites at a number of our community centers to provide quick, easy access for our residents to register for these critical disaster relief services.”

To date, a little more than more than 15,800 people have registered with FEMA in Rapides Parish. FEMA assistance is available for a broad range of needs, including repairs to homes and businesses from damage caused by the hurricane, rental assistance and temporary housing for those who were displaced, a small business loan program and other services, including reimbursement for the purchase of generators and chainsaws in response to Hurricane Laura. Residents are able to register for disaster relief, ask questions and turn in required documents at the mobile registration centers. Residents visiting the registration site should have their address, social security number, contact information and insurance information if available.

Residents may also contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 to register for disaster assistance.