Shreveport Sues Firetruck Manufacturers Over Alleged Price-Fixing
The City of Shreveport has filed a lawsuit against Ferrara Fire Apparatus — a Livingston Parish manufacturer — and other firetruck makers, accusing the companies of colluding to artificially inflate the price of fire apparatus. The city claims it purchased at least 24 firetrucks from Ferrara or its dealers since 2016 at a cost exceeding $18 million and alleges prices were driven up through anti-competitive behavior coordinated in part through the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association. Shreveport joins Baton Rouge and other cities statewide in similar litigation. The city is represented by Fishman Haygood LLP and Pettiette, Armand, Dunkelman, Woodley and Cromwell LLP.
Caddo Parish Commission Holds Regular Meeting Today; Data Center Resolutions on Agenda
The Caddo Parish Commission holds its regular monthly meeting today at Government Plaza. Two resolutions tied to the region’s growing data center industry are expected to be addressed — one calling for a two-year moratorium on new tax incentive agreements for data center projects in unincorporated Caddo Parish, and one requiring environmental studies on current projects. Both were referred from Monday’s work session. The meeting follows Amazon Web Services’ announcement Tuesday that it is expanding its Northwest Louisiana investment from $12 billion to $18 billion with a third campus at Resilient Technology Park in west Shreveport.
Caddo Grand Jury Returns Three Indictments in Homicide and Rape Cases
A Caddo Parish grand jury returned three indictments Wednesday charging a teenager and two Shreveport men in connection with two separate homicides and a sexual assault.
Noah Allen Wilson, 15, was indicted on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the April 26 fatal shooting of Taylor Geter, 23, near Waterside Park in Shreveport. The shooting stemmed from a fight between two adults in the 200 block of East Dudley Drive.
Shirdamion Edwards, 28, was indicted on second-degree murder in connection with the May 20 slaying of Jeremy Singer, 38, of Shreveport.
Damien Demon Mills, 36, was indicted on first-degree rape. Details of the offense were not released as the indictment was filed under seal. Mills had been booked into Caddo Correctional Center in April on a $2 million bond.
Caddo Parish Schools Facing Bus Driver Shortage as School Year Begins
Caddo Parish Schools is dealing with a bus driver shortage affecting families across the district as the new school year gets underway. Some parents report receiving notification just minutes before their child’s scheduled bus arrival that a driver is unavailable. The district is actively seeking to fill open bus driver positions. Residents interested in applying can contact the Caddo Parish Schools Transportation Department.