Top ten stories of 2012 - Part 1
By: Nick Lafave
Updated: December 31, 2012
Number 10. The next big thing in Shreveport-Bossier gaming moves forward. Financing of the nearly 200 million dollar the Margaritaville Casino-Resort is completed in Feburary and construction begins immediately. Jimmy Buffet himself shows up for some of the celebrations. The facility will feature a 30-thousand square foot gaming floor with 396 guest room in its 18 story hotel.
Number 9. Camp Minden goes boom. In October, an underground bunker at Camp Miden blows with a force that breaks wiindows at nearby Minden businesses. Originally thought by some to be a meteorite hitting the Earth, it was actually an underground bunker where explosives are kept. The blast could have been much worse... as the bunkers - built in the 1950's - are designed to blow upwards instead of out... minimizing the damage. It would not be the last time Camp Minden would make our list.
Number 8. School reform in Louisiana takes effect. Governor Bobby Jindal's signature education plan allows public funding to pay for students to attend private school. Limited spots are available for students to apply for statewide. In the ArkLaTex that limit comes nowhere near being reached... as scant few parents sign their children up for the program. The measure would head to courts.
Number 7. The Shreveport General Motors plant produces its last car. At its height, the GM plant employed more than three thousand auto workers. When the last truck rolled of the line in late August, there were only 800. The city tried to do what it could to keep the plant open.
Now, it's efforts are geared towards finding a new entity to occupy the building... and bring jobs back to town.
Number 6. Rick Seaton is guilty. On all counts. In January the former Shreveport city chief administrative officer is convicted on forcible rape and abuse of office charges. The rape ocurred after the 2010 Independence Bowl when he assaulted a Georgia woman in the mayor's office.
Seaton received 18 years at hard labor.
Number 9. Camp Minden goes boom. In October, an underground bunker at Camp Miden blows with a force that breaks wiindows at nearby Minden businesses. Originally thought by some to be a meteorite hitting the Earth, it was actually an underground bunker where explosives are kept. The blast could have been much worse... as the bunkers - built in the 1950's - are designed to blow upwards instead of out... minimizing the damage. It would not be the last time Camp Minden would make our list.
Number 8. School reform in Louisiana takes effect. Governor Bobby Jindal's signature education plan allows public funding to pay for students to attend private school. Limited spots are available for students to apply for statewide. In the ArkLaTex that limit comes nowhere near being reached... as scant few parents sign their children up for the program. The measure would head to courts.
Number 7. The Shreveport General Motors plant produces its last car. At its height, the GM plant employed more than three thousand auto workers. When the last truck rolled of the line in late August, there were only 800. The city tried to do what it could to keep the plant open.
Now, it's efforts are geared towards finding a new entity to occupy the building... and bring jobs back to town.
Number 6. Rick Seaton is guilty. On all counts. In January the former Shreveport city chief administrative officer is convicted on forcible rape and abuse of office charges. The rape ocurred after the 2010 Independence Bowl when he assaulted a Georgia woman in the mayor's office.
Seaton received 18 years at hard labor.
