Baton Rouge news

• DA discusses precedent set by mom's murder conviction for son's fatal OD

  18-09-2024 17:10 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Whitney Ard will be serving an automatic life sentence for the death of her 2-year-old son."I can't remember a mother being convicted of the death of a child with regard to fentanyl, but certainly not the first murder charge for someone who distributed fentanyl and somebody died," said EBR District Attorney Hillar Moore. While the defense tried to blame drug addiction, it took the jury less than an hour to convict her on murder charges."People have had enough of overdoses
  
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• Man arrested on murder charges related to fatal shooting outside of Uncle Moe's Food Mart

  19-09-2024 13:58 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A man was arrested Thursday and booked on murder charges related to a fatal shooting that happened outside of Uncle Moe's Food Mart in August.The Baton Rouge Police Department said 22-year-old Martrelle Hamilton was fighting in the parking lot with 23-year-old Sakyron Taylor on Aug. 29 around 5:30 p.m. Officers said Hamilton was heading to his vehicle to leave when Taylor grabbed a gun and shot him multiple times. He died in the parking lot. Taylor was arrested Sept. 19 a
  
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• Prosecutors, Callihan seek another delay for formal charges after death of Loranger woman and daughter

  19-09-2024 13:39 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS — Federal prosecutors and lawyers for a man accused of killing a Loranger woman and one of her daughters said Thursday they need more time to settle on which charges should go before a judge.Daniel Callihan, 36, is accused of killing Callie Brunett, 35, at her Loranger home in June. Her daughter Erin, 4, was found dead the next day near Jackson, Mississippi.Twice before, a federal judge waived court deadlines and gave prosecutors and Callihan time to negotiate which charge
  
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• Man awaiting trial for 2022 murder returned to custody after escaping from Wilkinson County Jail

  19-09-2024 13:39 via wbrz.com
  
  WOODVILLE, Miss. — A man on trial for murder and aggravated assault who escaped Wilkinson County deputies was back in custody Thursday morning.Jacary Carr, 26, escaped custody Wednesday night around 7:30 during his pre-trial detention. Carr was awaiting trial for a 2022 murder in Centerville, after which he fled and eventually shot his girlfriend after she refused to help him, WBRZ reported.Shortly after his escape, deputies issued a notice warning residents of Carr, who they describe
  
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• Bridge in Zachary to be closed until further notice

  19-09-2024 09:42 via wbrz.com
  
  ZACHARY - The bridge on Lower Zachary Road running over White Bayou and connecting Plank Road and McHugh will be closed until further notice. The East Baton Rouge DOTD said starting Thursday the Lower Zachary Road Bridge will be closed until further notice. The DOTD did not give an immediate reason for the closure. WBRZ has reached out to DOTD for more information. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Two workers taken to hospital after reported gas explosion at Geismar plant; one in serious condition

  19-09-2024 09:17 via wbrz.com
  
  GEISMAR - Two people were taken to the hospital with burns after a reported hydrogen gas explosion at a chemical plant, officials said Thursday.The explosion happened at the Chevron plant on La. 30 on Thursday around 8:30 a.m. Officials said no hazmat teams were called and it appeared the scene was under control with no danger to the public. Airmed was called to transport the two victims to Baton Rouge General. According to a Baton Rouge General spokesperson, one of the fire victims is
  
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• Two plant workers taken to hospital after reported hydrogen gas explosion at Geismar plant

  19-09-2024 09:17 via wbrz.com
  
  GEISMAR - Two people were taken to the hospital with minor burns after a reported hydrogen gas explosion at a chemical plant. The explosion happened at the Chevron plant on Hwy. 30 Thursday morning. Officials said no hazmat teams were called and it appeared the scene was under control with no danger to the public. Airmed was called to transport the two victims. They had minor burns. This is a developing story. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Small Business Administration setting up recovery center in Morgan City

  19-09-2024 09:10 via wbrz.com
  
  MORGAN CITY - The federal small business administration is setting up a recovery center Thursday to help business owners recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Francine. “Due to the severe property damage and economic losses inflicted on Louisiana businesses, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Sm
  
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• What the Fed's rate cut could mean for you

  19-09-2024 08:05 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate from its 23-year high, with consequences for debt, savings, auto loans, mortgages and other forms of borrowing by consumers and businesses.On Wednesday, the Fed announced that it reduced its key rate by an unusually large half-percentage point, to between 4.75 and 5 percent, the first rate cut in more than four years.The central bank is acting because, after im
  
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• One person in critical condition after shooting on Coursey Boulevard

  19-09-2024 07:22 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - One person was taken to the hospital in critical condition after a shooting on Coursey Boulevard. The shooting happened Thursday morning near a cafe in the 12000 block of Coursey Boulevard. Officials said one person was in critical condition. WBRZ has reached out to law enforcement for more information. Permalink| Comments
  
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• House rejects temporary funding bill to avoid government shutdown

  19-09-2024 06:36 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday rejected Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposal that would have linked temporary funding for the federal government with a mandate that states require proof of citizenship when people register to vote.Next steps on government funding are uncertain. Lawmakers are not close to completing work on the dozen annual appropriations bills that will fund federal agencies during the next fiscal year, so they’ll need to approve a stopgap meas
  
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• Good 2 Eat: Tuscan chicken and Almond Joy cookies

  19-09-2024 05:44 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Welcome to Good 2 Eat, where every Thursday 2une In partners with a local chef to share a new recipe and keep things fresh in your kitchen!This week, Kevin Belton cooks up a Tuscan chicken with some Almond Joy cookies for dessert! You can find the recipe below:Tuscan Chicken6 chicken thighs, bonelessCreole seasoningkosher saltfreshly ground pepper2 tsp. Italian seasoning, divided3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided1 onion, sliced thin4 garlic cloves, minced1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, sliced
  
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• Locations around the state participating in National Seat Check Saturday

  19-09-2024 04:52 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Parents and caregivers can get their child safety seats installed by experts for free this Saturday to round off Child Passenger Safety week.Nine locations around the state will participate in National Seat Check Saturday, recognized by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force.Newborns through at least 2 years old should ride in the back seat facing the rear of the vehicle in an infant or convertible child safety seat.Children at least
  
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• Locations around the state participating in National Seat Check on Saturday

  19-09-2024 04:52 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Parents and caregivers can get their child safety seats installed by experts for free this Saturday to round off Child Passenger Safety week.Nine locations around the state will participate in National Seat Check Saturday, recognized by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force.Newborns through at least 2 years old should ride in the back seat facing the rear of the vehicle in an infant or convertible child safety seat.Children at least
  
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• Parents of East Ascension football player say they 'grateful' their son is okay after hit to chest

  18-09-2024 21:27 via wbrz.com
  
  GONZALES - Elijah and Regina Davis say they were fearful after seeing their son Daverion motionless on the football field after being hit in the chest during a football game against St. Amant High School on Tuesday. He was rushed to hospital, but is now back home and responsive."As of now, he's doing good. Everything looks great. Nothing to worry about. But we are taking precautions to make sure that it doesn't affect him in the long run," Elijah Davis said.Daverion's parents decided to reach o
  
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• Parents of East Ascension football player say they are 'grateful' their son is okay after hit to chest

  18-09-2024 21:27 via wbrz.com
  
  GONZALES - Elijah and Regina Davis say they were fearful after seeing their son Daverion motionless on the football field after being hit in the chest during a football game against St. Amant High School on Tuesday. He was rushed to hospital, but is now back home and responsive."As of now, he's doing good. Everything looks great. Nothing to worry about. But we are taking precautions to make sure that it doesn't affect him in the long run," Elijah Davis said.Daverion's parents decided to reach o
  
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• Grosse Tete Bridge set to reopen Sept. 24

  18-09-2024 20:48 via wbrz.com
  
  GROSSE TETE - Grosse Tete officials said the Grosse Tete Bridge is set to reopen seven days a week starting Tuesday, Sept. 24.The bridge was originally closed after a boat hit it on June 6.Officials said final testing is done and that the bridge is ready to reopen for "temporary vehicle traffic." The bridge will be open seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. The bridge will be closed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for barge travel.The ferry's last day of se
  
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• St. George leaders discuss creation of city charter, sales tax counteroffer

  18-09-2024 20:25 via wbrz.com
  
  ST. GEORGE - Wednesday night St. George leaders discussed the creation of a city charter, a guiding document for the new city's government.With the help of a demographer, city leaders decided on a five-person city council plus two at-large members to preside over the city, along with the role of a mayor and mayor pro tem.Late last month, East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Brome proposed an intergovernmental agreement with St. George, offering $600,000 a month to fund the city. Andre
  
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• Teenager hurt in shooting at Eaton Street apartment complex

  18-09-2024 18:28 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A teenager was hurt in a shooting at an Eaton Street apartment complex Wednesday night. The Baton Rouge Police Department said a 17-year-old was shot at the Fairwood Apartments around 5:45 p.m. The teen was taken to a hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. No more information about the shooting was immediately available. Permalink| Comments
  
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• EBR officials break ground on 'Restoring Plank Road' project set to begin in October

  18-09-2024 17:29 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — East Baton Rouge Parish officials broke ground Wednesday on their "Restoring Plank Road" project.It is the largest project in the MOVEBR's Bus Rapid Transit Project and will stretch from Interstate 110 to Airline Highway.Ever since launching in 2019, MOVEBR has been working on its goal to modernize public transportation and enhance connectivity from North Baton Rouge to Mid-City, Downtown and LSU. In October, they'll move forward with the largest of 60 projects MOVEBR ha
  
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• Meet Frannie, the baby giraffe born at Global Wildlife Center the day before Hurricane Francine

  18-09-2024 17:24 via wbrz.com
  
  FOLSOM — During a rush to prepare more than 2,000 animals ahead of a Category 2 hurricane, a precious moment forced staff members at the Global Wildlife Center to take a break.The day before Hurricane Francine made landfall, a pregnant giraffe, Sarah, gave birth inside a barn. The newborn calf weighed 147 pounds and stood nearly six feet tall.Animal caregivers at GWC named the baby giraffe 'Frannie,' short for Francine."We had been waiting for this baby for a little while but it's har
  
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• Fire fighters save dog from Quebec Drive house fire

  18-09-2024 17:03 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A dog was rescued from a Wednesday afternoon house fire on Quebec Drive, fire officials said.The East Side Fire Department — as well as the Baton Rouge and Central fire departments — responded to the scene around 2 p.m. to find a blaze that had overtaken the Quebec Drive home. According to fire officials, flames and smoke were coming out of three sides of the house.The fire was contained within 10 minutes, fire officials said, adding that they saved t
  
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• EBR school introduces new agriculture initiative to turn farm skills into life skills

  18-09-2024 16:46 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Northdale Superintendent's Academy is taking the barnyard to the schoolyard with its new farm program.The farm is located in the center of campus between academic buildings. Two goats and two pigs live on the farm, as well as several chickens, including a rooster. This is the program's first year in action, with the animals arriving over the summer."When the kids came back in August, they came back to a whole new scenery, and a whole new smell!" Northdale agriculture science teach
  
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• Detectives working to identify men who stole push mowers from Zachary business

  18-09-2024 16:32 via wbrz.com
  
  ZACHARY — Zachary Police Department detectives are searching for two men accused of stealing two push-mowers from a local hardware store.Officials say the suspects fled in a white 4-door Chevrolet Silverado after the theft.Anyone with information on the identity of either man can email [email protected]| Comments
  
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• Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announces 2025 class; LSU tackle Andrew Whitworth among inductees

  18-09-2024 16:27 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Multiple LSU and Baton Rouge sports figures were inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame for 2025, according to the organization.The organization inducted former LSU national champion and Super Bowl Champion offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth after his 16-year NFL career in Cincinnati and Los Angeles. He played high school football at West Monroe, where he won three state titles and two national high school football championships.The class also features LSU gymnastics NCAA
  
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• Deadline to apply for Sun Bucks EBT program for low-income students is Friday

  18-09-2024 16:26 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Those looking to apply for EBT funds for low-income families with school-age children through the state's Sun Bucks program have until Friday before applications close.According to the state Department of Children and Family Services, the Sun Bucks application period that opened on Aug. 19 closes Friday. The EBT Sun Bucks program provides grocery-buying funds for students while schools are closed. Each student who qualifies will receive a $120 payment.Permalink|
  
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• North Iberville High School begins construction on new campus building

  18-09-2024 16:18 via wbrz.com
  
  IBERVILLE — North Iberville High School officially broke ground for a new two-story classroom building on Wednesday.The Iberville Parish School District has been working on revitalizing the school’s campus since it reopened in 2022.“Thank you to our school board members for making this project possible,” the school district said.North Iberville High School was reopened following a vote held by the Iberville Parish School Board. Before that, the school sat
  
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• Man previously accused of burglary at Ben Hur homes wanted for peeping Tom, criminal trespass charges

  18-09-2024 16:06 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A man who is wanted for burglary at multiple Ben Hur homes is also wanted for criminal trespass and peeping Tom charges that occurred in August, according to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office.According to an EBRSO affidavit, Ryan Devonta Williams, 32, was observed masturbating while peeping through a window of an occupied residence at 900 block of Shadow Bluff Drive on Aug. 23. The two victims were sitting in the living room when one of them checked their cell phone to see a s
  
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• Councilman, Companion Animal Alliance teaming up for free pet vaccination drive on Saturday

  18-09-2024 15:51 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A free pet vaccination clinic is coming up on Saturday from the city-parish government and Companion Animal Alliance, District 5 Councilman Darryl Hurst announced Wednesday.Hurst said that the drive comes after an overwhelming outpouring of constituents at the last vaccination drive where more than 100 pets had to be turned away. "It became clear that the need for these services is far greater than expected," Hurst said in a release.According to the release, Hur
  
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• Police searching for man accused of burglary at Mayhaw Drive home

  18-09-2024 15:34 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge Police are searching for a man accused of burglarizing a home on Mayhaw Drive.Police are attempting to identify the man who was seen in surveillance footage burglarizing a residence in the 1100 block of Mayhaw Drive on Aug. 26. Anyone with information on the identity of this individual is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867.Permalink| Comments
  
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