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Tornadoes ravaged portions of central Oklahoma on Sunday, reducing portions of a mobile home park to rubble and killing a 79-year-old man whose body was found out in the open.more>> Tornadoes ravaged portions of central Oklahoma on Sunday, reducing portions of a mobile home park to rubble and killing a 79-year-old man whose body was found out in the open.more>> Hundreds gathered for a second line honoring the victim's of last Sunday's Mother's Day shooting. Participants say last weekend's violence won't keep them from doing what they love. more>> Hundreds gathered for a second line honoring the victim's of last Sunday's Mother's Day shooting. Participants say last weekend's violence won't keep them from doing what they love. more>> In just a matter of weeks uptown residents who live near the Arabella Fire Station will lose a special piece of firefighting equipment.more>> In just a matter of weeks uptown residents who live near the Arabella Fire Station will lose a special piece of firefighting equipment.more>> One of several tornadoes that touched down Sunday in Oklahoma turned homes in a trailer park near Oklahoma City into splinters and rubble and sent frightened residents along a 100-mile corridor scurrying for shelter.more>> One of several tornadoes that touched down Sunday in Oklahoma turned homes in a trailer park near Oklahoma City into splinters and rubble and sent frightened residents along a 100-mile corridor scurrying for shelter.more>> Amtrak officials say a train departing from New Orleans derailed not far from Chicago's Union Station.more>> Amtrak officials say a train departing from New Orleans derailed not far from Chicago's Union Station.more>> A government report says construction of a new Veterans Affairs hospital in New Orleans is $370 million over budget and 14 months behind schedule.more>> A government report says construction of a new Veterans Affairs hospital in New Orleans is $370 million over budget and 14 months behind schedule.more>> The State Fire Marshal's Office is asking for assistance in the investigation of a series of fires in St. Charles Parish.more>> The State Fire Marshal's Office is asking for assistance in the investigation of a series of fires in St. Charles Parish.more>> Authorities say a 12-year-old boy accidentally shot his 8-year-old brother with a gun he found in a closet at his grandparents' Baton Rouge home.more>> Authorities say a 12-year-old boy accidentally shot his 8-year-old brother with a gun he found in a closet at his grandparents' Baton Rouge home.more>> The Tangipahoa Parish School Board will use rededicated sales tax revenue, cuts to transportation services, elimination of a perfect-attendance salary bonus and a one-time reduction in the board-mandated minimum fund balance.more>> The Tangipahoa Parish School Board will use rededicated sales tax revenue, cuts to transportation services, elimination of a perfect-attendance salary bonus and a one-time reduction in the board-mandated minimum fund balance.more>> Police are investigating a fatal accident Sunday morning that left an unidentified man dead.more>> Police are investigating a fatal accident Sunday morning that left an unidentified man dead.more>>
Slidell, La. - Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith says despite aggressive DWI patrols, the city saw no DWI arrests and no accidents involving drunk drivers over the New Year's holiday weekend. Smith is crediting his new Safe and Sober program that began Friday night which offers free rides to people taking part in the New Year's celebrations.
Smith says 16 people took advantage of the new program including 11 on New Years Eve. Due to the positive response from the public, Chief Smith is considering expanding the program to include more holidays, but that will be determined on an holiday by holiday basis.
Although the program has been in effect in neighboring parishes for years, this was the first time it was offered by the Slidell Police Department, and was implemented last week, after a man died early Friday in a wreck on Front Street. Police believe alcohol was a factor in that crash.
The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says alcohol was a factor in 41 percent of all fatal crashes in Louisiana last year.