Livingston Parish News

Livingston Parish Awaits FEMA Decision in Gustav Cleanup Costs Dispute

Livingston Parish officials are weighing their options as they await the outcome of a $59 million arbitration case with the Federal Emergency Management Agency over Hurricane Gustav cleanup costs. The Louisiana parish and FEMA presented their arguments over unpaid bills …

Arbitration Set to Hear Hurricane Gustav Case Against FEMA

Livingston Parish officials have a date with a three-judge panel that will hear the parish’s arbitration case against FEMA for $59 million in unpaid cleanup costs from Hurricane Gustav. Parish President Layton Ricks tells The Advocate the U.S. Civilian Board …

Louisiana Parish Denies Allegations Over Gustav Cleanup

Attorneys say the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s threat to have Livingston Parish’s Hurricane Gustav debris removal monitors investigated for fraud is “gratuitous” and “improper.” FEMA has alleged that monitors hired by the parish to oversee the removal of leaning trees …

Secret Benefactor Aiding Louisiana Parish in Gustav Claims Fight

A financial institution is paying lawyers $700 per hour to help Louisiana’s Livingston Parish fight the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s denials of $60 million in claims for Hurricane Gustav-related cleanup costs. But its identity is shrouded in secrecy. The Advocate …

Louisiana Parish DA to File Charges Against Cleanup Contractor

The Livingston Parish district attorney says he will file charges against a former parish contractor after a grand jury fell one vote short of indicting him on allegations he falsified billing invoices for work related to Hurricane Gustav cleanup. District …

Ex-Parish President’s Sons Charged With Arson

Two sons of former Livingston Parish, La., President Mike Grimmer have been charged with arson after they allegedly broke into a storage container in Grimmer’s backyard and set fire to his wife’s property. Fire Marshal Butch Browning tells The Advocate …

Influx of Volunteers Aids Louisiana Fire Department’s Rating

Louisiana residents should see their fire insurance rates drop as a result of an improved rating awarded to Fire Protection District 8’s improved rating, officials say. The Advocate reports the all-volunteer department protects nearly 4,000 residents in a 22-square-mile area …

Louisiana Parish Officials Expect 75 Percent Restitution

Livingston Parish, La., officials are still putting together bills for their costs from Hurricane Isaac but say they only expect to be reimbursed for about 75 percent. Parish President Layton Ricks tells The Advocate getting 75 percent rather than 90 …