Louisiana news

• New Tangipahoa Parish sheriff details plan to fix parish jail, gives update on high-profile murder case

  29-06-2024 16:46 via wbrz.com
  
  AMITE - The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office is getting ready for a leadership transition amid ongoing challenges, including a multi-state murder investigation and a search for an escaped inmate.Sheriff Elect Gerald Sticker was sworn in Saturday morning. Tangipahoa Parish residents still have worries about recent escapes from the parish jail and are looking to their new leader to fix the issue."There are a lot of improvements that have been made to the jail already, as we all know with the es
  
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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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• One lane blocked on US 61 south near LA 10 after truck catches fire on shoulder

  02-12-2024 14:58 via wbrz.com
  
  JACKSON — One lane was blocked going south on US 61 near the exit of LA 10 near Jackson after an 18-wheeler caught fire Monday.Fire fighters, law enforcement and other emergency officials responded to the scene and the road was briefly blocked as the truck's fire was extinguished. The truck was on the shoulder of the road.WBRZ reached out to multiple law enforcement agencies to get additional information about the crash and will update this story as new information becomes available.&
  
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• BRPD: Siblings of eight-year-old killed in drive-by shooting near Southern expected to recover

  02-12-2024 14:42 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The two siblings of an 8-year-old boy who was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting last week are expected to recover from their injuries from the shooting after being hospitalized, Baton Rouge Police said Monday.According to Baton Rouge Police, the shooting happened around 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday near Lofton Hair Care, just off Southern University’s campus. Courtlyn Daniels was driving a Honda Accord with her five children inside when more than 20 shots were f
  
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• BRPD: Siblings of eight-year-old killed in drive-by shooting expected to recover

  02-12-2024 14:42 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The two siblings of an 8-year-old boy who was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting last week are expected to recover from their injuries from the shooting after being hospitalized, Baton Rouge Police said Monday.According to Baton Rouge Police, the shooting happened around 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday near Lofton Hair Care. Courtlyn Daniels was driving a Honda Accord with her five children inside when more than 20 shots were fired at the car. Diellon Daniels and two of his s
  
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• East Baton Rouge voters accounted for 40% of state's early voting numbers ahead of Dec. 7 election

  02-12-2024 13:43 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — East Baton Rouge Parish voters cast around 40% of the state's early ballots, more than any other parish in the state, ahead of the Dec. 7 election, Secretary of State data released Monday shows. Of 93,893 early votes cast, 37,251 — 39.67% — came from East Baton Rouge Parish. The second-highest turnout was Jefferson Parish with 5,240 early ballots cast.East Baton Rouge Parish has multiple important measures on the ballot for the Saturday elect
  
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• Police searching for missing woman with epilepsy, schizophrenia

  02-12-2024 13:24 via wbrz.com
  
  WALKER - Police are searching for a 30-year-old woman with severe epilepsy who was last seen Nov. 23. Patricia Gardner, 30, was last seen Nov. 23 wearing a pink shirt, jeans, a baseball hat, and pink flipflops around 1 p.m.. Gardner has been diagnosed with severe epilepsy and schizophrenia. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Walker Police Department or Gardner's mother at (850) 461-0560.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Central High School will close Friday for semifinals preparation

  02-12-2024 12:41 via wbrz.com
  
  CENTRAL - The Wildcats football team has made it to the state semifinals!The school system posted to social media Monday saying that since so many students, parents, and teachers will be traveling to Monroe for the game to support the team, officials made the decision to close the high school Friday, December 6 in preparation. "This will allow all members of our school community the opportunity to travel safely and participate in this important event," the school system wrote.&nbsp
  
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• Berwick residents asked not to use hot water during morning, early afternoon on Tuesday

  02-12-2024 12:35 via wbrz.com
  
  BERWICK — Berwick residents are being asked not to use hot water on Tuesday as a water line is repaired. The town government said the low water pressure will last from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. as the main water line on Snead Street is repaired. "Please do not use hot water due to a potential risk to burn the element," officials said.Permalink| Comments
  
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• US 90 westbound entrance, exit ramps in Baldwin closing for construction lasting through June

  02-12-2024 12:29 via wbrz.com
  
  BALDWIN — The US 90 westbound entrance and exit ramps at LA 83 in Baldwin will close Tuesday at 7 a.m. for about six months. The closure, which will last until June 30 at 5 p.m., is to allow crews to perform bridge repairs, base construction, concrete pavement and asphalt pavement operations on the ramps. Emergency vehicles will not have access to the area, the Baldwin Volunteer Fire Department said. A detour for the US 90 westbound exit ramp to LA 83 will be availab
  
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• Mailing of West Baton Rouge property tax bills will be delayed; deadline to pay extended

  02-12-2024 12:09 via wbrz.com
  PORT ALLEN — West Baton Rouge Parish taxpayers can expect a delay in the mailing of their 2024 property tax bills. The bills are delayed due to "unexpected circumstances," the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office said Monday.The delay was caused by a delay from a third-party data collection company that the parish uses to create the tax bills, representatives from the sheriff's office, who serves as the parish's tax collector, said.Bills are expected to be mailed out in t
  
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• Report: 4 years after bombshell reports, most Title IX complaints go nowhere in understaffed LSU office

  02-12-2024 11:50 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Four years after LSU was embroiled in scandal following multiple reports that the university mishandled numerous cases of sexual misconduct, there are still vacancies and dead-end investigations in the university's Title IX office, the Louisiana Illuminator and Tiger Rag reported Monday.The Illuminator's report showed that most Title IX complaints go nowhere, with many stalling when complainants don’t respond when the office contacts them.LSU’s most r
  
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• Deputies confirm identity of inmate who died in Ascension Parish jail Sunday

  02-12-2024 11:31 via wbrz.com
  
  DONALDSONVILLE - Deputies confirmed the identity of a 40-year-old man who died in custody at the Ascension Parish jail Sunday. The inmate was identified as 40-year-old Darvin Mumphrey of Donaldsonville. He was booked into the jail Saturday morning but later passed away. His cause of death is pending an autopsy. Mumphrey was booked for domestic abuse and resisting an officer. Jail records show he has been booked in Ascension before for several bench warrants as well as
  
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• Coroner: 69-year-old man died in fatal mobile home fire last week; no foul play suspected

  02-12-2024 11:24 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Parish coroner said Monday that a 69-year-old man died in a mobile home fire last week. Johnny Norton died in a Nov. 26 mobile home fire on Hooper Road. The fire started around 5 p.m., Baton Rouge Fire told WBRZ last week.The trailer was engulfed in flames when fire fighters arrived and found Norton unresponsive outside. He ultimately died from his injuries after being taken to a hospital.Baton Rouge Fire officials also said Monday that the
  
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• 2une In Previews: The Nutcracker with Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre

  02-12-2024 07:18 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - What better way to get into the holiday spirit than to attend the classic Nutcracker performance?The Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre is putting on its 31st annual production of the musical this December. There will be four showings of the production on Dec. 14 and 15 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Raising Cane's River Center. Tickets can be purchased from the River Center through Ticketmaster here. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Elton John says he has lost his eyesight and struggles to see his new stage musical

  02-12-2024 07:06 via wbrz.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — Elton John says he struggled to watch his new musical because he has lost his eyesight after contracting an infection.The singer-songwriter attended the opening night of “The Devil Wears Prada” in London on Sunday and told the audience that “I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I have lost my eyesight.”“So it’s hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it and, boy,
  
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• Man with chainsaw fatally shot by police inside senior-living facility in Illinois, officials say

  02-12-2024 06:43 via wbrz.com
  
  A man wielding a chainsaw inside a senior-living facility in St. Charles, Illinois, was shot and killed by police early Sunday, state and local law enforcement said.The man, whom police have not publicly identified, was allegedly attempting to cut down a tree on the facility's property at about 8:45 a.m. on Sunday. He was "shirtless" when police arrived at the facility, on the 900 block of North 5th Avenue, the St. Charles Police Department said in a press statement."Just before police arrival,
  
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• Santa helps Livingston Parish get into the Christmas spirit during food drive parade

  01-12-2024 21:14 via wbrz.com
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - A special guest helped Livingston Parish get into the spirit of giving for the holidays. Instead of riding in a sleigh, Santa climbed aboard a truck with Livingston Parish Fire District 4 to host their food drive parade. St. Nick rode from La. 16 to Parker's Supermarket throwing candy and collecting non-perishable food items for children along the way. Officials said Santa will make another early trip back to the Port Vincent Community Center for a Ch
  
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• Santa helps Livingston, Ascension parish get into the Christmas spirit during food drives

  01-12-2024 21:14 via wbrz.com
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - A special guest helped residents in Livingston and Ascension parish get into the spirit of giving for the holidays. Instead of riding in a sleigh, Santa climbed aboard a truck with Livingston Parish Fire District 4 to host their food drive parade. St. Nick rode from La. 16 to Parker's Supermarket throwing candy and collecting non-perishable food items for children along the way. Then, he helped out the Ascension Parish 5th Ward Fire Department spread
  
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• Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to

  01-12-2024 18:44 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family members.The Democratic president had previously said he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence after his convictions in the two cases in Delaware and California. The move comes weeks before Hunter Bi
  
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• Kids museum offers free health resources to families Sunday

  01-12-2024 17:24 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Knock Knock Children's Museum offered free admission and health services for families during their Children's Health Expo on Sunday.The museum offered health screenings, flu shots, and dental hygiene products at no cost to parents. Matthew and Ashley Carrol said this event came at perfect timing.“It’s getting a little colder, we’re seeing our first freezes, so everybody bundled up all together, spreading those germs a little more. Having hea
  
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• Montrell Jackson Foundation hosts eighth annual toy drive to honor fallen officer's legacy

  01-12-2024 17:03 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Montrell Jackson Foundation held its eighth annual toy drive for children in the community in memory of the fallen officer.Sunday morning, cars lined up along Greenwell Springs Road to receive free toys for their families this holiday season, courtesy of the Montrell Jackson Foundation.Officer Montrell Jackson, along with three other first responders, was killed in an ambush attack along Airline Highway in 2016. When he died, Jackson left behind his wife and four-month-old son
  
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• LSP investigating inmate death at Ascension Parish Jail

  01-12-2024 16:43 via wbrz.com
  
  DONALDSONVILLE - State troopers are investigating the death of an Ascension Parish inmate.State Police offered little details, only saying that they were requested by the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office to investigate. A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said an inmate was found dead Sunday morning and deputies contacted troopers. The sheriff's office said they are not releasing the cause of death or identity of the deceased. WBRZ has reached out to the Ascension Parish
  
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• Holiday festivities around the Greater Baton Rouge area

  01-12-2024 15:38 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — It's the start of December, which means it's time for holiday season events. Here's a list of festive events to kick off the season. Monday, Dec. 2
  - Town of Springfield's annual Christmas Parade at 7 p.m. Parade will start at Amvets (26890 LA-42, Springfield, LA 70462) and end at Springfield Fire Department. 
  - Santa Claus is coming to the 5th Ward series: Santa will be traveling with the Ascension Fire District through neighborhoods
  
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• La. 44 to close one lane for roadwork starting Monday

  01-12-2024 14:54 via wbrz.com
  
  GONZALES - La. 44 between West Edenborne Parkway and La. 30 will be dropped down to one way in both directions for roadwork starting Monday. The Department of Transportation and Development said one lane will still be open, so detours are not necessary. Crews will be patching the concrete, paving the road and removing guardrails. Both lanes are set to open back on Feb. 3.Permalink| Comments
  
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• AP Top 25: Ohio St, Miami, Clemson drop; Texas, Penn St, Notre Dame, Georgia in line behind Oregon

  01-12-2024 13:12 via wbrz.com
  
  Ohio State, Miami and Clemson plunged in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll Sunday following their losses during a wild weekend, eight of the top 10 teams moved up one spot and Oregon was No. 1 for the seventh straight week.The shakeup creates two top-five matchups in conference championship games coming up on Saturday, a day before the College Football Playoff bracket is announced. Oregon, the nation’s only unbeaten team, will face No. 3 Penn State in the Big Ten game
  
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• Police identify victim of fatal car crash on I-10 West at Essen Sunday morning

  01-12-2024 12:07 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Police have identified the person killed in a car crash on I-10 West at Essen Lane, Sunday morning.According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, the victim is 34-year-old Kathryn Templet.The crash happened around 10:40 a.m.Officials say Templet was driving a Nissan and lost control of her vehicle, causing it to hit a Mercedes. After hitting the Mercedes, her vehicle rolled onto its side where she was partially ejected. Detectives say Templet was not wearing he
  
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