What is the oldest business in Lake Charles still in business at the same location?

According to R.B. Smith, vice president of business and workforce development for the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, Entergy — previously known as Gulf States Utilities — has had a facility at 303 North Ryan St. since 1926.

Outside the city limits, Smith said, Farmer’s Rice Mill has operated in the same place since 1917.

He said Lake Charles Coca-Cola Bottling Co. has operated continuously since 1907 but has changed locations, as has the American Press, which dates from 1895.

Companies that are among the oldest members of the Chamber Southwest Louisiana, along with the years they joined:

• American Press — 1900.
• Lake Charles Coca-Cola Bottling Co. — 1907.
• Christus St. Patrick Hospital — 1908.
• PWK Timberland — 1920.
• Lacassane Co. — 1929.
• Lonza — 1934.
• The Bel Group — 1935.
• Capital One — 1935.
• Entergy — 1935.
• Louisiana Companies — 1935.
• Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock — 1935.
• Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky, Gallaugher & Landry — 1935.
• Insurance Unlimited — 1936.
• CenterPoint Energy — 1936.

www.allianceswla.org

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OEP, other agencies talk to one another

Do our local agencies not communicate with each other?

At the same time the notice goes out from LCPD and one hour after the notice from OEP to stay off the streets/roads, the School Board says they are closing the schools.

Perhaps it would have been better to keep the kids in school until the water goes down and the roads clear.

Dick Gremillion, director of the Calcasieu Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness, said local agencies do communicate with one another — including the School Board and the OEP.

He said the OEP wasn’t directly involved with the school system’s decision but that officials with each group did talk. And the rationale for the early dismissal that Gremillion offered jibes with what Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus has told KPLC-TV.

“Essentially, the forecast called for a small window of no rain from about 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday,” Gremillon wrote in an email.

“From our perspective, the situation was this — let school out early and drive in flood conditions without heavy rain, thereby increasing visibility for the driver and letting the children out in dry weather. The other, less desirable option in my opinion, was to wait until later and drive in worse conditions and put children off the bus in a downpour.”

He noted that a break in the heavy rain did last from about 2 to 4 p.m., coincident with the Calcasieu school system’s 2:30 p.m. dismissal.

As for the driving advice, Gremillion said authorities always advise residents to stay off the roads during heavy rains. Heedless drivers who become trapped in high water can tie up emergency officials, preventing them from responding to other, more serious calls, he said.