Editor’s note: This post has been changed to reflect the correct the address Lowe’s at 9460 Cortana Blvd. and to reflect all of the sites that will have FEMA mitigation specialists.
A word of advice: The Federal Emergency Management Agency and local home improvement stores are teaming up to provide free home repair and rebuilding advice to those affected by the August flood. According to a news release, FEMA mitigation specialists will be stationed at the Home Depot at 10300 Coursey Blvd. and at the Lowe’s at 9460 Cortana Blvd. and at 10303 S. Mall Drive today through Saturday, Oct. 29. The specialists will be available to answer questions, offer home improvement tips, and explain methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Free reference booklets on protecting your home from flood damage also will be available. More information can be found online.
Getting money back: More than $2.7 million in refunds have been going out to people in Louisiana’s health insurance program for state workers and public school employees who were overcharged for coverage. Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration tells The Associated Press that nearly 1,200 retirees enrolled in both Office of Group Benefits coverage and Medicare were charged a higher premium rate than they should have been. Division of Administration spokesman Cody Wells says that all refund checks should be sent by the end of December. The average refund is $2,336. State agencies and school systems that were overcharged for premiums received $17.5 million in reimbursements. Wells says the full $20.2 million cost of the refunds is being paid from the Group Benefits reserve fund.
Now open: The Salad Station, a self-service, purchase-by-the-pound salad bar concept, has officially opened its first Baton Rouge location at 10608 Coursey Blvd. The restaurant was founded in Hammond, and has two locations in Hammond and one each in Mandeville, Covington and Amite. The Baton Rouge location is the sixth The Salad Station restaurant to open in south Louisiana.
