the independent

The alternative news source based in Lafayette is ending publication after 14 years.

Gerald "Jerry" Reaux, Jr., a bank executive, and founding media partner of The Independent newspaper here in Acadiana has died at the age of 53.

This information is just in courtesy of KPEL-FM. An article from the Independent, a Lafayette-based weekly newspaper, is increasing speculation that foul play may have had something to do with the disappearance of Mickey Shunick, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette student who has been missing since May 19.

The stories have made their way around about the ongoing public 'battle' between Dr. Glenn Stewart and Cherry Fisher May, co-publisher of The Independent. According to eye witnesses, it got disturbingly nastier when Stewart jumped from his float and punched Erin May Fitzgerald in the face twice for tearing down a banner Stewart had on his float.

KATC is reporting that Lafayette police have arrested Christopher Hebert, charging him with stalking and cyberstalking. The report states that the charges stem from complaints received from a woman from Lafayette Parish who claimed that Hebert "threatened her via the internet and over phone messages dating back to November, 2010."