<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">If someone is starting fires in their backyard in the city limits to burn yard debris and cardboard boxes, is this legal?</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">If it’s illegal, then who should be called and what will be the outcome?</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Residents of Ward 3 — which includes the city of Lake Charles — must get a permit to conduct outdoor burning, said city spokesman Matt Young.</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">“A burn permit may be obtained from the Lake Charles Fire Prevention Bureau for burning approved materials such as tree limbs, branches, leaves and land clearing,”</span> <span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Young wrote in an email.</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">“Prohibited materials include tires, roofing, building materials and lumber.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">He said permittees must ensure their burns are attended at all times and that the fires are put out before dusk. Those who conduct outdoor burns without a permit can be fined, Young said.</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">To report outdoor burns — or for more information on permits — call 491-1368.</span>

<a href="http://www.cityoflakecharles.com" target="_blank"><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">www.cityoflakecharles.com</span></a>

<hr /><h3><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Work at Iowa schools to begin this year</span></h3>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Does the Calcasieu Parish School Board have any plans to expand or enlarge or build any new schools in the Iowa area? There are at least six new subdivisions being built north and south of the town.</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">School system spokeswoman Holly Holland said the board has approved construction of two restroom-equipped, six-classroom buildings — one</span> <span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">for Iowa High and one for Iowa Middle.</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Gambling revenue will fund the projects, she said.</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">“Bids have been awarded on the project, with construction scheduled to begin in 2017,” Holland wrote in an email.</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">“Even with the documented growth in the area, the district has a fairly limited tax base, making it necessary to wait a while before proceeding with another bond-funded capital program.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">She said the last bond issue for the Iowa-LeBleu Settlement area, which is District 25, was $13.2 million in April 2013 for the new Iowa Middle School and the gym at LeBleu</span> <span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Settlement.</span>

<a href="http://www.cpsb.org" target="_blank"><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">www.cpsb.org</span></a>

<hr /><h3><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">48K eligible to vote in mayoral election</span></h3>

<strong><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">How many people were eligible to vote for Lake Charles mayor?</span></strong>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office, 48,340 residents were eligible to vote in the April 29 mayoral election, but only 22,035 did.</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">A breakdown of those eligible voters:</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Party</span>

<ul><li><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Democrats — 25,234.</span></li><li><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Republicans — 11,036.</span></li><li><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Other —12,070.</span></li></ul>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Race</span>

<ul><li><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">White — 23,449.</span></li><li><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Black — 22,794.</span></li><li><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Other — 2,097.</span></li></ul>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Gender</span>

<ul><li><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Male — 21,118.</span></li><li><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Female — 27,221.</span></li><li><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Unknown — 1.</span></li></ul>

<a href="http://www.geauxvote.com" target="_blank"><span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">www.geauxvote.com</span></a>