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• Zachary Fire captain arrested for allegedly molesting juvenile

  08-04-2025 15:12 via wbrz.com
  
  ZACHARY - A Zachary Fire Department captain and another person were arrested Tuesday on child molestation charges connected to a report that was made last week. The Zachary Police Department said Capt. Jonathan Knight and Tara Bizette were both arrested for molestation of a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Sources tell the WBRZ Investigative Unit that Knight and Bizette are in a relationship and the alleged victim is a teenager.Chief Darryl Lawrence said the
  
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• Missing person search ends in tragedy after man takes own life after police find him

  24-04-2025 12:15 via wbrz.com
  ZACHARY — After a two-day search, Zachary Police said that they found a missing person before he took his own life after dozens of law enforcement units responded to his home.Zachary officers said that Rohn Ashley, 56, went missing on Tuesday after police received reports of a domestic disturbance at a home in Zachary. This prompted a search using drones, helicopters, dogs and multiple agencies, including the Baton Rouge Police Department, East Baton Rouge Parish Sherriff's Office, We
  
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• District Attorney Hillar Moore discusses proposed tax on the ballot in May

  24-04-2025 12:06 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE — East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore stopped by 2une In on Thursday to discuss a proposed tax on the May 3 ballot. Moore is asking voters to approve a new property tax that would charge taxpayers an additional four mills over the next 20 years. A mill is $1 of tax on every $1,000 of assessed property.Moore says this will address budget issues for his office."It's been chronically underfunded and understaffed for years, decades really, compared
  
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• Water levels rising across the capital region, roads begin flooding after Thursday morning rain

  24-04-2025 09:48 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE — Water levels across the capital region are rising and roads are flooding after a deluge of rain Thursday morning. In West Baton Rouge Parish, Addis specifically, streets have begun to flood and high water signs have been placed out to encourage people to stay off the roads. Several roadways are not visible as a result of the high water. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Power outages reported in Baton Rouge

  24-04-2025 07:47 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Over a thousand people are without power in Baton Rouge.DEMCO reported outages near Shenandoah.Permalink| Comments
  
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• 18-Wheeler Fire on I-12 at Millerville

  24-04-2025 06:12 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The Baton Rouge Fire Department responded to an 18-wheeler on fire along I-12 westbound at Millerville.The incident has caused two right lanes on the interstate to shut down. Delays continue to build for miles, reaching past I-12 at Range. An alternate route option is US 190, Florida Blvd. The truck was carrying mulch, and it's not clear how the fire started.No injuries reported.Permalink| Comments
  
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• 18-wheeler catches fire on I-12 at Millerville

  24-04-2025 06:12 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE — The Baton Rouge Fire Department responded to an 18-wheeler fire along I-12 westbound at Millerville Road on Wednesday morning around 5:30.Officials say the fire was caused by a mechanical malfunction or failure.The incident caused two right lanes on the interstate to shut down and caused heavy delays.The truck was carrying mulch.No injuries were reported.Permalink| Comments
  
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• 2une In Previews: 10th annual Bob Jackson Crawfish Boil-Off

  24-04-2025 05:29 via wbrz.com
  
  GONZALES — The 10th annual Bob Jackson Crawfish Boil-Off kicks off this weekend.The event was started by Jackson's children in honor of his legacy. Proceeds from the event go towards scholarships for students in Ascension Parish.Jackson's son, now Police Chief of Gonzales said " It is the legacy of our dad who was known to help people. He believed in education, so we just wanted to keep that legacy going."Permalink| Comments
  
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• Metro Council approves plan to give St. George more agency over city works

  23-04-2025 21:52 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Metro Council signed off on Mayor Sid Edwards' plan outlining the hand off of tax revenue and oversight of services from the city parish to the city of St. George.The agreement passed in a 10-2 vote, with Darryl Hurst and Cleve Dunn voting against it. It included a transfer of services and tax revenue, but the two against it said it was incomplete.Before the measure can go into effect, the City of St. George will have to approve the agreement at their next cou
  
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• 2 Your Health: Importance of organ donation highlighted by liver health

  23-04-2025 21:32 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - April is National Donate Life Month, which aims to bring awareness about the importance of organ donation.Around four and a half Americans are diagnosed with chronic liver disease each year. A transplant may be needed when the liver can no longer function.The liver is the largest internal organ of the body. It is essential for metabolism, digesting food and ridding the body of toxic substances.Liver failure can happen quickly, or over time."Once liver disease advances, the only wa
  
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• State senate bill aims to address gaps in child safety, handling of child sexual abuse cases

  23-04-2025 21:10 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A Louisiana senate bill to address gaps in child safety and oversight in early learning centers, especially when it comes to child sexual abuse cases, was brought before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.The author of the bill, State Sen. Regina Barrow (D-Baton Rouge), says Louisiana has gaps in its systems for handling child sexual abuse investigations."It started out as a resolution looking at child sexual abuse, trying to ensure who would be the proper persons to ensure t
  
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• LSU Day at Capitol gives students, faculty opportunity to showcase successes to lawmakers

  23-04-2025 20:49 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Leaders, faculty, staff and students from across LSU's system celebrated LSU Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.$543 million dollars in combined research activity across all campuses is one of many achievements highlighted by student and faculty as they interacted with lawmakers.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Saints general manager Mickey Loomis meets with media on NFL Draft eve

  23-04-2025 18:56 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Saints general manager Mickey Loomis met with the media on Wednesday afternoon in advance of the NFL Draft starting on Thursday.Loomis was brief when discussing the status of his quarterback Derek Carr and his shoulder injury and how it might impact the direction that the Saints go in the upcoming draft.“He does have an issue with his shoulder,” Loomis said. “We're hoping to get a resolution and clarity on that in the near future. When we do, I'll rep
  
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• Two men accused of shipping fentanyl from California to Baton Rouge

  23-04-2025 18:52 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Two men are accused of shipping Fentanyl from California into Baton Rouge, recently filed court documents show.An affidavit from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says that Decorey London and Kenterrius Kelly paid $300 for a seven-pound package to be shipped through the UPS from a town in California that is seventeen miles from the Mexican border to an address on Royalwood Drive in Baton Rouge. Officials said the package, which was addressed to James Johnson, stopp
  
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• Two men accused of shipping fentanyl disguised as protein powder from California to Baton Rouge

  23-04-2025 18:52 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Two men are accused of shipping Fentanyl from California into Baton Rouge, recently filed court documents show.An affidavit from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says that Decorey London and Kenterrius Kelly paid $300 for a seven-pound package to be shipped through the UPS from a town in California that is seventeen miles from the Mexican border to an address on Royalwood Drive in Baton Rouge. Officials said the package, which was addressed to James Johnson, stopp
  
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• WBRZ RETRO WEEK: Former Station Manager John Spain looks back on his time at WBRZ

  23-04-2025 18:14 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - John Spain wore many hats during his tenure at WBRZ, moving from weatherman to reporter and then manager of the station. In 1973, he started doing the weather on the weekends and reporting three days during the week. He said it was the only job that was open when he applied but it helped him get his foot in the door. "I said I didn't know anything about weather, [the news director] didn't care. So, it started out and I did weekend weather for Saturday and Sunday
  
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• Two Louisiana men killed in Port Arthur boat explosion

  23-04-2025 17:22 via wbrz.com
  
  PORT ARTHUR, Texas - One man from Abbeville and another from Houma died Wednesday when the work boat they were on exploded in Port Arthur, Texas, officials said. WWL reported that the explosion happened around 7 a.m. near a boat launch at the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area. There was a four-man crew, but one person left the boat to get something from his truck when the explosion happened. The two Louisianians and another man were taken to a hospital, where the two were pronounc
  
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• House fire on Fox Run Avenue displaces two; no connection so far to Friday fire on same street

  23-04-2025 17:10 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - Two people were displaced after a house fire on Fox Run Avenue, Baton Rouge Fire Department officials said.No injuries resulted from the fire and the fire is out, officials said. Another fire took place on the same street April 18, although officials say there is no connection between the fires thus far.The fire is under investigation.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Bright Lights Awards presented for contributions to understanding Louisiana history

  23-04-2025 16:08 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - The 40th annual Bright Lights Awards will be presented by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser at Capitol Park Museum.The ceremony will happen around 7 p.m. The Bright Lights Award is presented to people who are recognized for "significant contributions to the understanding of Louisiana's history and culture in the humanities field."Recipients include former Xavier University of Louisiana President Dr. Norman Francis and Louisiana Center for the Book and Louisiana Book Festival exe
  
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• Tangipahoa school leaders say only 1 topic remains before district leaves court supervision

  23-04-2025 16:02 via wbrz.com
  AMITE — The Tangipahoa Parish School Board said Wednesday that it is close to resolving a 60-year-old discrimination lawsuit after a federal judge approved agreements between the district and plaintiffs over how staff, teachers and students are assigned.The sole item left to settle covers facilities, the school board said in a statement.Superintendent Melissa Stilley said that, in her seven years, she has sought "unitary" status for the parishwide school system. The change would give
  
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• LSU Police hosts Take Back the Night Event in front of Memorial Tower

  23-04-2025 15:41 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department will host "Take Back the Night" for survivors of interpersonal violence to speak in front of Memorial Tower Wednesday.The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Assumption Parish man arrested, named fifth suspect in aggravated burglary and theft of firearms

  23-04-2025 15:35 via wbrz.com
  BELLE ROSE — An Assumption Parish man was arrested Monday and identified as the fifth suspect in an aggravated burglary of firearms.Deandre McBride, 21, turned himself in to the Assumption Parish Detention Center on Monday and was booked on the charges of aggravated burglary and three counts of theft of firearms. Arrione Davis, Calvin Patterson, Jr., Sintrell Franklin and Alexius McBride were previously arrested for the same charges.The arrest came two weeks after deputies re
  
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• YMCA of the Capital Area announces Sean Elliott as new president and CEO

  23-04-2025 15:24 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - The YMCA of the Capital Area announced Sean Elliott as the new president and CEO on Wednesday. Elliott will be taking the position left behind by Christian Engle, who accepted a CEO position with Suncoast YMCA. The organizations said Elliott has YMCA experience in Philadelphia and Green Bay during his 25-year career with the Y. His official start date is May 27, 2025. Permalink| Comments
  
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• One dead after Kentwood shooting Wednesday morning

  23-04-2025 15:20 via wbrz.com
  KENTWOOD - One person died in a shooting Wednesday morning, the Kentwood Police Department said.Police said they were dispatched to a shooting around 10:30 a.m. to the 700 block of Ida Temple Street. A male victim suffering from gunshot wounds was declared dead on the scene. The victim's name was not given as the family has not yet been notified.Police are still determining a motive. Anyone with information is asked to call the Kentwood Police Department at (985) 229-6305.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Former DCFS employee indicted in 2022 malfeasance in office case

  23-04-2025 14:57 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - A former Department of Children and Family Services employee was indicted Wednesday for malfeasance in office dating back to a 2022 complaint. The indictment says that Eddriene Sylvester committed computer tampering and malfeasance in office on June 14, 2022, while she was employed at DCFS. District Attorney Hillar Moore's office said that Sylvester deleted important DCFS files while she was employed there. According to a 2022 records request from WBRZ, Sylvester was susp
  
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• Deputies searching for information after neighborhood homes filled with bullet holes

  23-04-2025 14:54 via wbrz.com
  
  SORRELL - Detectives are trying to find more information after multiple homes were riddled with bullet holes. The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office said the investigation started Wednesday morning when multiple homes around Desonier Road were found to be filled with bullet holes. The road was shut down while deputies began the investigation. The roadway has since been reopened, and detectives found that no one was hurt amid the apparent gunfire. Anyone with information
  
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• Bally's in Baton Rouge is officially open as of Wednesday

  23-04-2025 14:34 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - The casino in downtown Baton Rouge formerly known as The Belle has been rebranded and reopened as of Wednesday. The casino and 10-story hotel, now a Bally's branch, has been fully renovated and refurbished. A grand opening ceremony was held Wednesday to celebrate the business returning to the capital city. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Man arrested after stolen motorcycles from Gonzales found in New Orleans

  23-04-2025 14:33 via wbrz.com
  GONZALES - A man was arrested after multiple motorcycles stolen from Gonzales were found in New Orleans, the Gonzales Police Department said.Officials said three separate thefts happened beginning on April 16 at a Gonzales apartment complex. A suspect was linked to a New Orleans address, and thanks to help from multiple agencies, officials located the suspect vehicle and the trailer believed to be used in the thefts.Stolen motorcycles were recovered at a North Galvez Street residence and a Wern
  
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• DOTD public meeting Monday about new traffic signals in Livingston Parish

  23-04-2025 14:27 via wbrz.com
  
  LIVINGSTON - Livingston Parish residents are getting new traffic signals and the Department of Transportation and Development is holding a public meeting to make sure drivers know what they mean. DoTD said they are upgrading traffic signals throughout the parish and will include new flashing yellow arrow signals to replace a solid green light for drivers making left turns. The public meeting will be Monday, April 28 from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Livingston Parish Council
  
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• BRFD hosts 'urgent' blood drive to replenish stores used to help two public servants

  23-04-2025 14:26 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Fire officials are hosting an "urgent" blood drive to help a Baker Fire Chief fighting leukemia and a Pointe Coupee deputy who was hit by a car. The blood drive will be held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the Baton Rouge Fire Department Headquarters. All eligible donors are encouraged to come out and give the gift of life!Permalink| Comments
  
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