State Briefs for Nov. 30, 2008

• By ASSOCIATED PRESS
• Published: Nov 30, 2008 - Page: 3B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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THIBODAUX — Eager for a glimpse of Hollywood filmmaking, a small number of devoted onlookers have been watching a movie being shot in downtown Thibodaux.

City officials, downtown workers and housewives were among those who waited near the Lafourche Parish Courthouse earlier this week for a glimpse of actress Renée Zellweger during the filming of “My Own Love Song.”

The motion picture is billed as a comedy-drama also starring Forest Whitaker and Nick Nolte.

Scenes in Thibodaux were shot Monday and Tuesday. City officials are hoping the filming will result in more productions coming to Thibodaux.

Man killed in truck trying to beak train
BROUSSARD — A 36-year-old man was killed Friday afternoon when an Amtrak passenger train struck the pickup truck he was driving, the Broussard Police Department reported.

Witnesses said the victim had tried to beat the approaching train across the tracks, Decou said.

Police Chief Brannon Decou said Shawn Robicheaux, a Texas resident with relatives in New Iberia, was killed about 4 p.m. on South Eola Road near the intersection with First Street in Broussard.

Decou said the Amtrak train needed another two blocks to stop.

Decou added that Robicheaux was the only occupant of the four-door truck, and that one train passenger reported a minor injury.

Highway crash kills N.O. reserve officer
SLIDELL — Louisiana State Police reported a one-car wreck killed a 74-year-old reserve officer in the New Orleans Police Department early Saturday.

Troopers said a New Orleans police patrol car driven by Curtis Jones, of Slidell, left the highway just before the Oak Harbor exit and kept going about 149 feet before it hit a tree.

Troopers said they don’t suspect alcohol or drugs, but routine blood tests are being done.

New permit process may bar some locals
A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries official said new $15 permits meant to keep out-of-state harvesters away from Louisiana’s oyster beds may be barring some Louisiana residents from the business.