I live in Iowa on Ava Lane, but when we get our mail or when we call a business and get mail back, they list it as “Ava Drive.” When UPS of FedEx come out they have trouble finding us and have to call for directions. Ava Lane isn’t listed on the GPS. Could you look into that for me?

The road’s proper name is Ava Lane, said Owen Cormier, Jefferson Davis Parish road supervisor.

The street, which runs through the Haylie Ridge subdivision off Pousson Road south of U.S. 90, lies in Jeff Davis Parish between Iowa and Lacassine, but uses an Iowa address.

One way to remedy the absence of Ava Lane from GPS databases is to visit the websites of Tele Atlas and Navteq, the two major providers of information for navigation devices. Both sites — mapinsight.teleatlas.com and navteq.com — allow users to enter corrections, but those who do should be patient.

“Once you submit a map or route correction, the content providers typically verify and implement it through a map update. This can take weeks, months, or years, depending on the provider,” reads a U.S. government website about the Global Positioning System.

“The change won’t show up in your device until you download and install the update. Likewise, it won’t show up on anyone else’s device unless they also apply the update or buy a brand new device.”

• Online: www.gps.gov/support/user/mapfix.

Manual addresses trash can times

Does Calcasieu Parish have an ordinance on how long people can leave their trash cans at the roadside?

Yes.

Allen Wainwright, Calcasieu Parish public works director, said Chapter 11 of the parish code adopts the latest version of the Calcasieu Parish Solid Waste Management Manual, which contains a provision on roadside trash cans.

“Containers, bags, and bundles shall be placed at curbside by 5:00 a.m. on the designated collection day,” reads the manual. “Residents are encouraged to remove the wheeled container(s) from the Parish right-of-way by 7:00 p.m. on their scheduled day of collection, provided that the containers have been emptied by that time.”

Wainwright said violations, which are subject to misdemeanor penalties, can be reported to the parish public works office at 721-3700.

Online: www.cppj.net/index.aspx?page=213.

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com

(mgnonline.com)