Baton Rouge news

• Deputies searching for missing 13-year-old girl last seen five days ago in LaPlace

  14-11-2024 15:50 via wbrz.com
  
  LAPLACE — The St. John the Baptist Parish deputies are searching for a missing 13-year-old girl who has been missing for five days.Jokaia Polk was last seen on Nov. 9 around noon on Canterbury Drive in LaPlace.Polk is a Black girl, approximately 5’ 1” tall and weighs approximately 110 lbs. She has waist length “Faux-Locs” extensions
  in her hair. She is a student at Langston Hughes Academy in New Orleans.Permalink| Comments
  
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• High water in Livingston Parish has caused water closures for more than a week

  14-11-2024 20:46 via wbrz.com
  
  FRENCH SETTLEMENT — Waterways in Livingston Parish are still closed after strong winds pushed river water close to homes and businesses, declaring an emergency more than a week ago. Parish officials say they’re working to find solutions.Living on the water comes with its own unique set of challenges. Last Tuesday when storm winds started pushing water and flooding waterways, Livingston Parish officially declared an emergency. A week later the winds and water have stuck aroun
  
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• Domestic abuse shelter renovating to allow pets at the beginning of 2025

  14-11-2024 20:12 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The Iris Domestic Abuse Center is set to open its doors to those seeking shelter from their attackers while allowing some new residents. Greater Good Charities, the organization behind the renovation, is a global nonprofit aiming to see 25 percent of domestic shelters become pet-friendly by 2025. "To serve people, you have to serve their pets -- pets are their family. When survivors are going through trauma and they are trying to leave their abuser, you are just
  
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• Report: Baton Rouge district attorney proposes property tax to combat funding woes

  14-11-2024 20:01 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore is proposing a property tax on voters' ballots this spring to bolster his office, according to The Advocate.The Advocate reported that a  notice was posted for a public hearing to consider taking action on a new ad valorem tax. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday on the fifth floor of City Hall.The amount to be proposed has not yet been determined, but Moore intends to have it on voters' ballot for the May 3, 2025 e
  
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• Single-vehicle crash at Gummers Lane and La. 327 results in fire, downed power lines

  14-11-2024 19:29 via wbrz.com
  ST. GABRIEL - A single-vehicle crash at Gummers Road and La. Highway 327 resulted in a transformer and power lines falling Thursday, according to the St. Gabriel Police Department.Police say around 4:35 p.m., a vehicle traveling into the city limits on Gummers Lane from East Baton Rouge left the roadway and struck a pole. The driver was unharmed.The SGPD asks people to detour and avoid using this route.Image credit to St. Gabriel Police Department.Permalink| Comments
  
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• One vehicle crash at Gummers Lane and La. 327 results in fire, downed power lines

  14-11-2024 19:29 via wbrz.com
  
  ST. GABRIEL - A one vehicle crash at Gummers Road and La. Highway 327 resulted in a transformer and power lines falling Thursday, according to the St. Gabriel Police Department.Police say around 4:35 p.m., a vehicle traveling into the city limits on Gummers Lane from East Baton Rouge left the roadway and struck a pole. The driver was unharmed.The SGPD asks people to detour and avoid using this route.Image credit to St. Gabriel Police Department.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Deer hunting with firearms begins in southeast Louisiana Saturday

  14-11-2024 19:07 via wbrz.com
  
  ST. FRANCISVILLE - Deer hunting season with rifles begins Saturday for many in Southeast Louisiana. From Avoyelles to Plaquemines parishes, it will be still hunting only, which means that hunters must creep and use stealth not to alert a deer while hunting it.Parishes to the west and north began deer hunting with rifles in October.
  Two parishes that are big spots for hunting season are East and West Feliciana.While state regulations require hunters to move quietly as not to alert the deer, thin
  
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• Plaquemine mayoral candidate left out of run-off election claims voter fraud

  14-11-2024 18:02 via wbrz.com
  
  PLAQUEMINE - A Plaquemine mayoral candidate who was 34 votes shy of making the run-off election has contested the results of the race, claiming voter suppression by poll workers.Mayoral candidate Tonya Harmason filed the petition. She won 950 votes, Timmy Martinez won 983 and JB Barker won 1,560. Harmason's petition says that more than 30 registered voters showed up to their polling location only to be told to leave."Several active voters at two polling locations notified various poll watchers
  
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• Thursday's Health Report: How less sunshine affects your mood and energy

  14-11-2024 17:55 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The end of daylight saving time earlier this month means getting used to it getting darker earlier in the evening.Less sunshine can affect mood and level of energy."People can feel more tired with less light due to the neurochemical or brain hormonal changes that occur with a change of season or less light. A common chemical that regulates that is called serotonin," Doctor of Family Medicine at the Mayo Clinic Jesse Bracamonte said.But what happens when you have less exp
  
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• One Tank Trips: Louisiana Renaissance Festival

  14-11-2024 17:52 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND, LA - This week, we're trading our gas tank for a horse and carriage to travel back in time to the 16th-century village of Albright. For 24 years, the Louisiana Renaissance Festival (LRF) has been an escape from reality for many Lords and Ladies who are seeking an adventure like no other.Set in the 1500s, the LRF has successfully attracted thousands of people each year with entertaining acts, beautiful artisan jewelry and crafts, music, games, food and fun! “
  
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• 'It's really a window to the world:' West Baton Rouge Museum hosts first French book festival

  14-11-2024 17:43 via wbrz.com
  
  PORT ALLEN - On Thursday, students from West and East Baton Rouge parishes visited the West Baton Rouge Museum for My French Book Fest.This is the first time the festival was held at the West Baton Rouge Museum. It was organized by the Consulate General of France in Louisiana and Villa Albertine and they also worked with the Alliance Française de la Nouvelle-Orléans.During the festival, students learned about French-influenced music, art and books."We kind of think of Loui
  
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• Roman's Cafe on Government Street closing after 36 years in business

  14-11-2024 17:39 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Customers were shocked to see a "Closed for good" sign on the door of longtime Mid-City staple Roman's Cafe on Thursday afternoon.In an email to WBRZ, owner Moe Roman explained his reasoning for the closure after 36 years in business. He said it has been a "rough few years" for the safety of his employees, and that his business had been burglarized four times in six months. He also detailed instances of his employees being held up at gunpoint while walking to their cars and car br
  
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• Baton Rouge woman receives car during Progressive, Enterprise giveaway honoring veterans

  14-11-2024 17:24 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A Baton Rouge veteran was given a new car on Thursday thanks to Progressive's Keys to Progress program. The program is part of an annual effort in partnership with Enterprise Rent-a-Car to recognize veterans and provide them with reliable transportation.Nearly 100 military families are getting a new vehicle this year, including Baton Rouge's Erika Hanson."I just want to say thank you very much for everything you are doing. You guys are a big community and thank
  
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• Car fire shuts down traffic on North Ardenwood

  14-11-2024 17:15 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A furniture truck caught fire Thursday afternoon in a North Ardenwood Drive intersection. The truck caught on fire at North Ardenwood Drive and Renoir Avenue. White smoke filled the air as firefighters put out the flames. Crews got the situation under control by 4:30 p.m.Officials at the scene told WBRZ that no one was injured and the driver was able to get out of the vehicle unhurt. Baton Rouge Police officers were re-directing traffic in the area.&
  
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• Woman sentenced 37 months in federal prison after Highland Road Chase Bank robbery

  14-11-2024 16:59 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE -  A woman was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison after an October 2023 bank robbery that took place at the Chase Bank on Highland Road, according to the United States Department of Justice.Jazmine Johnnie, 23, of New Iberia, admitted to attempting to rob the bank of $45,000 on Oct. 10, 2023. According to the admissions, Johnnie went to the location in a rented Dodge Challenger on Oct. 9 and told a teller she would return the next day.The next day, s
  
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• GM recalling big pickups and SUVs because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing risk of a crash

  14-11-2024 16:30 via wbrz.com
  
  DETROIT (AP) — General Motors is recalling nearly 462,000 pickup trucks and big SUVs with diesel engines because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing the risk of a crash.The recall in the U.S. covers certain Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups from the 2020 through 2022 model years. Also included are the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.Documents posted Wednesday on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration websi
  
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• Man accused of using social media to solicit minors arrested by Livingston Parish deputies

  14-11-2024 16:15 via wbrz.com
  
  LIVINGSTON — A man was arrested by Livingston Parish deputies for using social media to solicit minors. Marcus Davis, 33, was arrested on one count each of indecent behavior with juvenile and computer-aided solicitation after an investigation by Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force deputies in October.According to arrest records, Davis was booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on Oct. 17. Davis' bond is set at $200,000.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Attorney Unglesby alleges former Central Police Lt. arrest was politically motivated

  14-11-2024 15:51 via wbrz.com
  
  CENTRAL - Prominent Baton Rouge defense attorney Lewis Unglesby alleges his client, former Central Police Lt. Huey Haley, was unjustly targeted."The charges in Central against my client Huey Haley are ill-founded," Unglesby said. "We don't agree that he did anything improper whatsoever."Haley was arrested at the end of October for allegedly falsifying pay records over a year. According to the arrest warrant, Haley reported nearly 350 hours he did not work and took home an extra $7,600 for it.Un
  
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• LSU student government urges school to keep tigers out of Tiger Stadium, even if they aren't Mike

  14-11-2024 15:49 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Members of LSU's student government have passed a resolution asking the school to bar the display of live tigers during sporting events, regardless of whether the governor wants to restore a tradition, the university's student newspaper reported.The Student Senate resolution was sponsored by 15 senators and passed unanimously Wednesday night, The Reveille said. The non-binding resolution will be forwarded to LSU President William F. Tate IV, LSU athletic director Scott W
  
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• Patterson Police K9 receives bulletproof vest donation

  14-11-2024 15:25 via wbrz.com
  
  PATTERSON - Patterson Police's K9 officer Zoey will be outfitted with a bulletproof vest after a charitable donation to the department from an organization that makes protective vests for four-legged officers. Zoey's vest was donated from "Vested Interest in K9s Inc.," a national organization that has provided more than 5,800 K9 officers the life-saving protection they need in the field. K9 Zoey's vest will be ready in ten weeks and embroidered with the words "In honor of thos
  
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• Napoleonville man arrested for third DWI offense in Plattenville

  14-11-2024 15:21 via wbrz.com
  
  PLATTENVILLE - A 24-year-old man was arrested for his third driving while intoxicated offense after deputies noticed his vehicle stopped in a traffic lane.According to the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office, a special operations unit was traveling at La. Highway 1 and Spur 70 bridge when they observed a vehicle stopped in the traffic lane and the driver hanging out the open door.The drivers was identified as Hunter M. Ponvelle, 24, and he was described as incoherent and walking poorly. He faile
  
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• Trump names Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Department of Health and Human Services

  14-11-2024 15:10 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says he will nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, putting him in charge of a massive agency that oversees everything from drug, vaccine and food safety to medical research and the social safety net programs Medicare and Medicaid.“For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformati
  
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• Trump expected to name Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Department of Health and Human Services

  14-11-2024 15:10 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, according to two people familiar with the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity.HHS is a massive Cabinet agency that oversees everything from drug, vaccine and food safety to medical research and the social safety net programs Medicare and Medicaid.Kennedy, a former Democrat who ran as an indepe
  
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• FBI searching for man connected to underage sexual exploitation investigation

  14-11-2024 15:06 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS — The FBI is searching for a man who may have information on the identity of a victim of an ongoing underage sexual exploitation investigation. The man, identified by the FBI New Orleans field office as John Doe 49, is believed to be between 45 and 65 years old. He is bald, has a dark goatee and has at least five tattoos — the word "Dabby" on his right chest, "197" followed by additional text on his left bicep and additional tattoos on his left and right
  
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• East Baton Rouge Parish Assessor's Office investigating website malfunction

  14-11-2024 14:28 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Parish Assessor's Office website malfunctioned Thursday and investigators are trying to determine what happened. It's unclear what caused the website, ebrpa.org, to go down. After clicking on the website, the home page is no longer there. Instead, a GoDaddy website appears, offering the domain name for $120. The assessor's office says they are hoping to have the website back up and running by the end of the day. Tax notices will be mailed out
  
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• I-12 west scheduled for right lane closures from I-10/I-12 Merge to College Drive on Friday

  14-11-2024 14:25 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Alternating right lane closures will happen on Interstate 12 west from the I-10/I-12 Merge to College Drive on Friday, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said.The closures will happen from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. as workers install temporary stripping onto the road as part of the College Drive Flyover project.The right lane will be closed from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., and both right lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.Permalink| Comments
  
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• New center set to open in January to help people of all ages cope with grief

  14-11-2024 13:20 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A new center near The Hospice of Baton Rouge is opening soon to help people of all ages deal with their grief. The Retreat at Quarters Lake hosted a media tour Thursday at its grounds just off Essen Lane. The 15,000 square foot campus is designed as a grief support center for children, teens, and adults alike. The center will host group therapy sessions, seminars, educational resources, and conferences on grief and healing. "After 40 years of service in
  
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• Maringouin man accused of stealing crossbow scope from sportsman's store arrested

  14-11-2024 11:56 via wbrz.com
  
  MARINGOUIN — A Maringouin man accused of stealing a crossbow scope from a sportsman's store in West Baton Rouge Parish was arrested Thursday. Hunter Gunn, 37, was arrested on felony theft charges by the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office.Gunn is accused of going into the sportsman's store on Oct. 25 and removing the scope from a crossbow, placed it in his pocket and leaving without paying. He then left in a truck, deputies added.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Man accused of stealing crossbow scope from sportsman's store in Maringouin arrested

  14-11-2024 11:56 via wbrz.com
  
  MARINGOUIN — A man accused of stealing a crossbow scope from a Maringouin sportsman's store was arrested Thursday. Hunter Gunn, 37, was arrested on felony theft charges by the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office.Gunn is accused of going into the sportsman's store on Oct. 25 and removing the scope from a crossbow, placed it in his pocket and leaving without paying. He then left in a truck, deputies added.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Satire publication The Onion buys Alex Jones' Infowars at auction with help from Sandy Hook families

  14-11-2024 11:12 via wbrz.com
  
  CHICAGO (AP) — The satirical news publication The Onion won the bidding for Alex Jones’ Infowars at a bankruptcy auction, backed by families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims whom Jones owes more than $1 billion in defamation judgments for calling the massacre a hoax.“The dissolution of Alex Jones’ assets and the death of Infowars is the justice we have long awaited and fought for,” Robbie Parker, whose daughter Emilie was killed
  
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