The LaPlace Rotary Club handed a check for over $5,000 to the St. John Sheriff’s Office this past week at their regular meeting, as proceeds from a car wash held recently. The benefit was geared at raising the money to purchase bulletproof vests for the K-9 dogs on the force. The vests originally cost near $1,000 each, but thanks to a special price from the manufacturer, officials with the Sheriff’s Office said the money from the Rotary Club will not only outfit all the dogs, but also provide special units for the cars that the dogs are in. These units will automatically open the windows of the car to let air in, if the car accidentally goes off while the officer is not in the car, providing protection for the dogs. On hand for the donation were (from left) Capt. Chuck Bazile, Sgt. Brian Bertrand, and Car Wash Director Melanie Basile. (Staff photo by Kevin Chiri.)