East Baton Rouge Coroner Dr. William “Beau” Clark explained to members of the Baton Rouge Early Risers Kiwanis, at a recent meeting, that the investigation of deaths is not like that which is seen on television.  Dr. Clark said the investigation of deaths is the most popular jurisdiction, and it takes a lot of man hours to perform.   

During an investigation, people must be identified.  “This can include proof of dental, DNA, photographs and fingerprints, if necessary. I must also look at the cause of death, whether it is a homicide, suicide or accidental.”

Investigation of mental health and sexual assaults are two other jurisdictions the coroner office performs, but he said the most important role he has is to take care of the people.   On the average, the coroner said he works approximately 55 hours a week and he continues to practice medicine, which the law allows.

BATON ROUGE – The free Louisiana Resiliency Assistance Program, or LRAP, run by the LSU College of Art & Design’s Coastal Sustainability Studio, or CSS, has launched a website, www.resiliency.lsu.edu, which provides village, town, city and parish governments with a profusion of informational resources, access to professional experts, a platform for networking between jurisdictions and a webinar and workshop series, “Planning for a Resilient Future.”

The purpose of the new website is to serve as a tool to help Louisiana municipalities prepare for an uncertain future in the dynamic coastal environment.

Louisiana communities face serious vulnerabilities related to natural disasters and climate change: sea level rise land subsidence, changes in rainfall patterns, wetlands loss, storm surge and increased storm strength, to name but a few. Most of these communities, however, do not have access to the resources or expertise needed to adequately address these serious issues. The new LRAP website fills this gap.

BATON ROUGE – On Saturday, Aug. 18, an anticipated 750 students, faculty and staff will engage in community service projects in 10 area schools, as well as the Old Lutheran Cemetery. The projects are part of the annual Volunteer LSU Community Bound Program, a day of service for primarily first-year students to address the needs of the East Baton Rouge Parish School District and the local community. In 2011, 520 students, faculty and staff participated.