Louisiana news

• Baton Rouge Police warn of porch pirates stealing packages this Cyber Monday

  02-12-2024 17:04 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - People are filling their online carts with all their Christmas gifts this Cyber Monday, which unfortunately makes it easier for porch pirates to snatch those packages from people's homes.Delivery drivers will start working overtime to get customers' online orders safely to their doorstep. But porch pirates, who steal those packages, can swoop in moments later and make off with your holiday cheer. Baton Rouge Police warn buyers to keep delivery security in mind when placin
  
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• Community prayer held for victims of gun violence after Swan Avenue shooting

  03-12-2024 21:21 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Grieving families and community members came together for a "Prayer in the Street" in support of victims of gun violence Tuesday evening.Activist Cathy Toliver decided to bring the street prayer to the corner of Scenic Highway and Swan Avenue where eight-year-old Diellon Daniels was shot and killed the day before Thanksgiving. "All of us out here tonight, we can come together on one accord and win our city back. I say if we get it right the first time, we don't have to wo
  
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• Chad Chronister, Donald Trump's pick to run the DEA, withdraws name from consideration

  03-12-2024 20:21 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to run the Drug Enforcement Administration, said Tuesday he was withdrawing his name from consideration, becoming the second person selected by the president-elect to bow out quickly after being nominated for a position requiring Senate confirmation.Sheriff Chronister, the top law enforcement officer in Hillsborough County, Florida, said in a post on X that he was backing away from the opportunity, which he called &ldq
  
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• Police looking for trespassers who caused over $400,000 in damages at Lane Regional Medical Center

  03-12-2024 18:39 via wbrz.com
  
  ZACHARY - The Zachary Police Department is seeking the identities of people who caused over $400,000 in damages at the construction site of Lane Regional Medical Center after they accessed heavy machinery.Police say the trespassers entered the construction site Sunday without authorization. Three people are pictured at the site.Anyone with information is urged to contact the Zachary Police Department at 225-654-1921.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Zachary Police Department to open new $8 million facility in January despite construction delays

  03-12-2024 17:21 via wbrz.com
  
  ZACHARY - Despite setbacks in construction, the Zachary Police Department is expanding into a new facility, expecting to open doors January 1st. The police department has shared city hall with other agencies for around 37 years, and Mayor David McDavid says the population has doubled since then. The new facility sits on Old Slaughter Road with a price tag of eight million dollars.The department currently employs 42 full-time officers, and the chief says this new building will
  
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• Proposition on Saturday's ballot could determine Pointe Coupee Parish fire district's fate

  03-12-2024 17:17 via wbrz.com
  
  MORGANZA - Pointe Coupee Fire District 2 said the fire department will see cuts to services if a proposition on the Dec. 7 ballot fails to pass."This could make or break the fire department," Pointe Coupee Fire District 2 Chief Aaron Edwards said.Edwards said the proposed property tax would cover hiring more part-time paid firefighters. This would let District 2 have three people on duty at all times."We are still operating a paid combination fire department of a volunteer budget," Edwards said
  
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• Class action suit against Baton Rouge for red-light ticket program moving forward

  03-12-2024 15:33 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A six-year-old civil suit against the City of Baton Rouge for its red-light ticket program has received the green light to move forward.If the suit goes the way similar litigation in the state has, Baton Rouge could be on the hook for tens of millions of dollars. New Orleans attorney Joe McMahon is representing the plaintiffs suing the city."These camera companies come in, they pitch a bill to a councilman and other government reps and say 'Hey, we have this great program,' and sa
  
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• Man's body found in waters of Capitol Lake near pumping station behind the state Capitol building

  03-12-2024 15:31 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A man's body was removed from the water close to the shore of Capitol Lake behind the state Capitol building, Baton Rouge Police said Tuesday afternoon.Baton Rouge Police — including homicide detectives — are working the scene and have marked the area near a pumping station on North Third Street off. A Baton Rouge Police spokesperson said a groundskeeper reported the body to Capitol Police."We can't determine if there was any foul play at this point,"
  
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• Body found in waters of Capitol Lake near pumping station behind the state Capitol building

  03-12-2024 15:31 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A body was found Tuesday afternoon in the water close to the shore of Capitol Lake behind the state Capitol building, Baton Rouge Police said. Baton Rouge Police are working the scene and have marked the area near a pumping station on North Third Street off. Baton Rouge Fire, Louisiana State Police and the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner were also dispatched to the scene.No other information was immediately available, but a WBRZ reporter is on the scene.&nbs
  
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• 20 people displaced after devastating duplex fire Monday morning; here's how you can help

  03-12-2024 15:23 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A group of families consisting of 13 children and seven adults are now without a home after a fire tore through a duplex at the beginning of the week. The fire happened early Monday morning along Tracy Avenue off of Joor Road in Baton Rouge. Bonnie Pellegram says she woke up to her room filling with smoke and alerted everyone that the building was on fire.There were eight children and five adults on Pellegram's side of the duplex, which took the most damage. She opened up
  
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• Stretch of LA 44 in Gonzales conducting nightly lane closures through February

  03-12-2024 14:52 via wbrz.com
  
  GONZALES — A single lane will be closed in both directions on LA 44 from West Edenborne Parkway to LA 30 in Gonzales until February.The nightly lane closures on LA 44 — also known as Burnside Avenue — from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. started on Monday and will last until Feb. 3. No detour route will be implemented because one northbound lane and one southbound lane will remain open during the closure period. Asphalt concrete patching, paving and guardrail re
  
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• Sunrise Rotary Club of Baton Rouge gives gifts to children at EBR Schools

  03-12-2024 14:48 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Sunrise Rotary Club of Baton Rouge's Good Samaritans-Good Fellows program brought Christmas cheer to Baton Rouge families Tuesday morning at their annual holiday distribution event. Children from over 300 families were provided with gifts, clothes and books.Director of Counseling for the East Baton Rouge School System Beverly Tate says giveaways like these are critical for the holidays."It's a way to celebrate our students and have them have a happy Christmas, for tho
  
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• Hammond house fire near Smith Square extinguished by firefighters

  03-12-2024 14:30 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND — A Hammond house caught fire Tuesday morning near Smith Square.Firefighters responded to the JW Davis Drive house fire at 9:14 a.m.The fire in the single-story home was confined to one room and the attic. No injuries were reported, Hammond Fire said.Permalink| Comments
  
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• LSU OT Will Campbell declares for 2025 NFL draft

  03-12-2024 13:20 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Tigers offensive tackle Will Campbell has declared for the NFL draft, forgoing his final year of eligibility at LSU, he posted on social media Tuesday. Campbell announced his declaration on Instagram Tuesday with a post that thanked several people, among them the Tigers coaches and support staff, his teammates, Tiger nation, and his family, before saying that he would be declaring. Campbell ends his career at LSU highly decorated, being named to the AP All-Americ
  
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• Man arrested after shooting another person in ankle with rifle in Zachary backyard

  03-12-2024 13:06 via wbrz.com
  
  ZACHARY - A Zachary man was arrested after he accidently shot another man in the ankle, deputies said Tuesday. Korey Davis, 46, was arrested for illegal use of a weapon and negligent injury after shooting a man in the ankle. Davis fired the shot while sighting a rifle in his backyard, East Baton Rouge Parish deputies said. The incident happened shortly before 11:30 a.m. The gunshot wound to the ankle was reported to be non-life-threatening. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Man accidentally shoots self during target practice in Zachary

  03-12-2024 13:06 via wbrz.com
  
  ZACHARY - A man was injured after he shot himself during target practice Tuesday morning. The incident happened shortly before 11:30 a.m.. The man's injury - a gunshot wound to the ankle - was reported to be non-life-threatening. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Detectives searching for suspect in theft from Perkins Road business

  03-12-2024 12:49 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Officers are searching for a suspect in a theft from a business on Perkins Road that happened in October. Investigators with the Baton Rouge Police Department said the person pictured above is believed to be connected to a theft from a clothing store on Perkins Road on Oct. 29. The person left the store without paying for approximately $8,000 of merchandise. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.&
  
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• Southern head coach Terrence Graves talks about upcoming SWAC Championship against Jackson State

  03-12-2024 11:45 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Southern head coach Terrence Graves met with the media Tuesday to discuss the Jaguars and their upcoming SWAC Championship game against Jackson State. The two teams faced off in the big game in 2022, and Jackson State won, so the Jags are looking to take the title. Southern's last SWAC Championship was in 2013. The Jags capped off their regular season with a win over Grambling State in the annual Bayou Classic in New Orleans.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Local wing spot closing after 21 years of serving capital area

  03-12-2024 08:47 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A local wing spot and post-Tigerland favorite is closing down after 21 years of service.Both Baton Rouge Pluckers locations - the ones near the mall and near campus - closed this week. WBRZ was sent a screenshot of a text message sent to employees saying that Monday was the last day for both restaurants. Employees would be receiving their last paycheck as well as an additional check in two weeks as severance. Pluckers corporate released the following statement Tu
  
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• Foundation sponsoring adoption fees throughout December to help shelter pets go home for the holidays

  03-12-2024 06:08 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Throughout December, Bissell's Pet Foundation is sponsoring adoption fees in several local shelters to help homeless pets have a comfortable place to sleep and go home to this holiday season. The foundation is hosting the event from Dec. 1 through 17, but dates may vary between locations. The event is nationwide, so even if you're not reading this from Louisiana, you can still help! A full list of shelters participating can be found here. The Louisiana l
  
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• Springfield residents celebrate with holiday cheer at Christmas parade

  02-12-2024 21:49 via wbrz.com
  
  SPRINGFIELD - The Springfield Christmas parade kicked off Monday evening. Residents lined the streets, waiting for floats to pass by. Participants threw cups, candy and other treats to the crowds. Springfield Police Chief James 'Jimmy' Jones said the parade is a must-have for the community. "We try to have it whether rain, snow or sleet. We try to have it for the kids. I think since I've been here we've only had to postpone it twice," Jones said. This was the
  
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• Century-old building to be renovated into an affordable housing unit

  02-12-2024 21:10 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The century-old Prince Hall Masonic Temple will be turned into a mixed-income development with 46 units. It's one of the several projects in the capital area intended to add more affordable housing.It was built in 1924 and was a work and social spot for the Black community during the 1900s. It housed the Temple Roof Garden and Temple Theater, hot spots for social gatherings in Baton Rouge. Louis Armstrong, B.B. King and Ray Charles were among the musicians who performed there. The
  
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• Springfield officer arrested, accused of inappropriate online relationship with a juvenile

  02-12-2024 20:16 via wbrz.com
  
  SPRINGFIELD - A Springfield Police officer was arrested Monday after he was accused of having an inappropriate online relationship with a juvenile. The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said 31-year-old Taylor Lewis, from Hammond, was arrested following an investigation into a Department of Children and Family Services complaint. Deputies said Lewis maintained a relationship with the juvenile through different social media platforms. Details about the content of their message
  
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• Four propositions funding Iberville Parish Schools' salaries, facilities on December ballot

  02-12-2024 17:36 via wbrz.com
  
  PLAQUEMINE - The Superintendent of Iberville Parish Schools is urging people to vote in favor of four propositions on the Dec. 7 ballot."We're not getting a penny more of state funding and we're not getting a penny more of federal money, so it's critical and vital for us to have these tax revenues in place," Superintendent Louis Voiron said.The largest tax renewal proposed could generate $29 million annually and would go toward paying salaries, improving schools and building new facilities. Voi
  
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• Barbie Dreamhouse Truck making stop in Baton Rouge on Saturday

  02-12-2024 17:23 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Barbie Dreamhouse Truck will be making a stop in Baton Rouge on Saturday, Dec. 7. According to their website, the truck will be parked at the Mall of Louisiana between Soma and Columbia from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day. For more information, click here. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Man convicted of killing former BRPD officer during 2020 vehicle break-in sentenced to 25 years

  02-12-2024 17:06 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A man convicted of the shooting death of a former Baton Rouge Police officer who attempted to stop a vehicle break-in in his neighborhood in April 2020 was sentenced to 25 years in prison, the District Attorney said Monday. Craig Willis, 31, was sentenced after he was found guilty in August of manslaughter, burglary and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The mother of 41-year-old Ryan Hord, who was killed in the 2020 shooting, requested the court impose t
  
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• More than 100 employees to be laid off in St. Gabriel facility

  02-12-2024 16:56 via wbrz.com
  
  ST. GABRIEL — A company that contracts with a plant in St. Gabriel is preparing to lay off over 100 contract employees, The Louisiana Workforce Commission announced.Records show Brown Eagle Contractors administered warn notices in mid-November that 122 employees would be laid off in early 2025.The company said these layoffs will happen on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Lafourche Parish armed robbery suspect arrested in St. Gabriel

  02-12-2024 16:02 via wbrz.com
  
  ST. GABRIEL — A man wanted for armed robbery in Lafourche Parish was arrested by St. Gabriel Police on Monday.Clyde Leroy Hodge was arrested after police received an alert on cameras indicating a vehicle driven by Hodge had entered the city.Officers arrested Hodge after he was found hiding behind an 18-wheeler off Geigy Access Road, police said.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Gonzales man hurt in series of Canal Street altercations that left six injured in New Orleans

  02-12-2024 15:27 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS — A man from Gonzales was injured after a Saturday shooting in New Orleans, one of multiple shootings over the weekend along Canal Street, WWL reported.The Gonzales man was one of six people injured after the Saturday night and Sunday morning shootings that escalated from skirmishes, New Orleans Police said. The first incident was a brawl on Bourbon Street that caused a stampede of people. Among the chaos, a man involved in the fight shot a 15-year-old boy in the
  
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• Police: Driver of car that hit, killed man in front of Denham Springs restaurant not facing charges

  02-12-2024 15:09 via wbrz.com
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - Police said Monday they are not pursuing charges for the driver of a car that hit and killed a man outside of a local Denham Springs restaurant.Thomas Sapp, 53, of Bogalusa, died when a car hit him outside of Yellow Brick House on Nov. 22.Denham Springs Police said that the driver stayed at the scene after the crash that killed 53-year-old Thomas Sapp in front of Yellow Brick House. No signs of impairment were detected, police added.Sapp had walked into the restaurant, where he
  
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