Baton Rouge news

• Vehicle fire reported on Plank Road near Baton Rouge airport

  17-03-2017 13:47 via WBRZ
  
  BATON ROUGE – Firefighters worked to extinguish a vehicle fire on Plank Road near the Baton Rouge Airport Friday afternoon.The fire happened after 12 p.m. Friday. Video from the scene showed dark smoke billowing from the vehicle. First responders closed two the roadway and diverted traffic around the incident.Sources tell WBRZ News 2 that no one was hurt.WATCH: firefighters working to put out a burning truck near the airport. Traffic is backed up in the area, along Plank Rd. @WBRZ pic.
  
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• Peaceful candlelight vigil moves through campus

  16-08-2017 21:24 via WBRZ
  CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Hundreds of people have gathered on the University of Virginia campus for a candlelight vigil against hate and violence days after Charlottesville erupted in chaos during a white nationalist rally.
   Marchers Wednesday peacefully assembled in the same place where hundreds of torch-carrying white nationalists marched Friday, when several fights broke out. That was followed Saturday by clashes between rally attendees and those protesting them in the city's streets.
  
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• WBRZ says farewell to Kylie Dixon, welcomes Malary Pullen

  16-08-2017 19:11 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE - A new face officially joined the WBRZ team Thursday morning as journalists and viewers bid farewell to a familiar one.Beginning Thursday, Malary Pullen became the new co-anchor of WBRZ's long-running morning news program, 2une-In. Pullen joins John "JP" Pastorek on the news desk and interact daily with Meteorologist Josh Eachus, live traffic reporter Ashley Fruge and live news reporter Michael Vinsanau.Pullen 
  
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• Intersection of Airline and Siegen to undergo maintenance Sunday morning

  16-08-2017 17:35 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE - Traffic signals on Airline Highway near Siegen Lane will flash early Sunday morning for repairs. The repairs will take place from 6:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Louisiana State Police will be at the site to control traffic. Louisiana DOTD says drivers should expect moderate delays. Permalink| Comments
  
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• LSU, SU students move in for 2017 school year

  16-08-2017 17:20 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE - The is luggage rolling in, beds are being lofted and students at LSU and Southern University are moving in.Another move-in day is in the books for Baton Rouge's two major college campuses. Despite heavy rains and muggy conditions, most parents and their children had smiles on their faces — especially the freshmen. "I'm looking forward to being independent ... being able to grow on my own," incoming LSU freshman Joseph Miraben 
  
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• Woman says company collecting her MHU destroyed her yard

  16-08-2017 17:04 via WBRZ
  FRENCH SETTLEMENT - Recovery from the flood drags on for one French Settlement woman. She says the crew that hauled off her FEMA Manufactured Housing Unit destroyed her property.Kimberly Blom-Roemer says it's gone on long enough and wants her yard fixed. After trying to get someone to take responsibility for two months, she called 2 On Your Side to help solve the issue.The damage incudes 60 ft. ruts, some over 10 in. deep. Blom-Roemer walks around her yard Wednesday morning pointing to various
  
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• WWII vet gets Bronze Star he earned more than 70 years ago

  16-08-2017 15:32 via WBRZ
  CRANSTON, R.I. - A World War II veteran who was formally presented with the Bronze Star he earned more than 70 years ago is quick to point out that all of the men he fought with deserve credit.  U.S. Sen. Jack Reed hosted a medal presentation ceremony Wednesday in Cranston for 91-year-old James Coppola, of North Smithfield, Rhode Island.  Reed thanked Coppola for risking his life fighting in Germany as a U.S. Army combat infantryman.  Coppol
  
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• Louisiana will help Michigan deal with that crawfish 'problem' (obviously)

  16-08-2017 15:18 via WBRZ
  LAFAYETTE – Remember how the Detroit, Michigan, area was going crazy over “invasive crayfish” found up there?To help, it's Louisiana to the rescue (we saw this coming). Thursday, Louisiana experts are headed to Michigan. A group organized by Lafayette Travel, the Acadiana area's tourism department, will drive from South Louisiana to Michigan. The crawfish team will bring traps and frozen crawfish tails to host a crawfish boil Saturday."Once [the Department of Natur
  
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• Two school buses collide at Woodlawn Middle; No injuries reported

  16-08-2017 15:11 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE - Officials say two school buses loaded with students collided at an area middle school Wednesday.According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, two buses carrying students from Woodlawn Middle were involved in a crash at the school around 3 p.m. Wednesday.The sheriff's office says the buses were carrying 83 students in total.No injuries were reported.Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Police: Suspect wanted for indecent behavior with a minor

  16-08-2017 14:47 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE - Detectives are looking for 23-year-old Zachary Hughes after receiving a report that he convinced a 15-year-old female to engage in multiple sex acts in late May. According to police documents, the victim was staying with family members in downtown Baton Rouge when she decided to run away.Hughes encountered the victim and walked her to a parking garage before making advances on her. After repeatedly sexually assaulting her, Hughes gave the victim his phone number
  
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• NFIP policyholders have two weeks to submit Proof of Loss forms

  16-08-2017 14:43 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE — The National Flood Insurance Program policyholders affected by the August 2016 floods have until Friday, Sept. 1 to submit a Proof of Loss form.More than 29,600 NFIP claims have been filed for the August 2016 floods. To date, there are less than 135 claims left to process.A Proof of Loss form is a sworn statement made by the policyholder that substantiates the insurance claim. FEMA urges policyholders to submit Proff of Loss forms as soon as possible.Th
  
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• Overturned sewage truck closes Highway 74 in Ascension Parish

  16-08-2017 14:39 via WBRZ
  PRAIRIEVILLE - Authorities say an overturned sewage truck caused blockage on Highway 74 in Ascension Parish Wednesday.The crash occurred on Highway 74 between Bluff Road and Highway 30 around 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office says a man was taken from the scene with non life-threatening injuries. According to the sheriff's office, a portion of the roadway was closed until crews cleared the scene after 4 p.m.The sheriff'
  
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• Entire town of Greensburg under boil order for water

  16-08-2017 14:29 via WBRZ
  GREENSBURG – This entire St. Helena Parish town is under a boil order as of lunchtime Wednesday.There was a water failure along the water system earlier in the day, prompting the boil order once the water service was restored. The cause of the failure was still being investigated as of this post.Typically, a boil order is issued for 24 hours until the water is tested and deemed safe for use.Customers who are on the "town water system" are impacted by the boil order. Water sho
  
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• LSU Football unveils new ticket package, will sell wine and beer

  16-08-2017 14:25 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE - Tiger Stadium is offering a new ticket package to fans including a chance to purchase alcohol inside Death Valley. According to a news release, the new Skyline Club will feature an all-you-can eat special menu. Wine and beer will be available for an additional cost. Tickets for the club range from $45 to $120 depending on the game. The Skyline Club will be open-air seats, located in the south deck of Tiger Stadium. Below is a view from the Skyli
  
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• Maryland judge denies DC sniper's bid for new sentence

  16-08-2017 14:09 via WBRZ
  ROCKVILLE, Md.  - A man convicted of taking part as a teenager in deadly sniper attacks that terrorized the Washington area has lost a bid for a new sentence in Maryland.  Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Robert Greenberg said in a ruling dated Tuesday that Lee Boyd Malvo's "physical, mental and emotional state" was given full consideration before he was sentenced to life without parole.  Malvo was convicted in Maryland and Virginia of playing a
  
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• Southern University stands by decision to fire Dumas

  16-08-2017 13:51 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE - The Southern University Board of Supervisors say they made the right decision after voting to uphold the firing of former Vice Chancellor Brandon Dumas. Last week, Dumas filed a lawsuit saying his firing was a violation of due process according to court documents.Southern stands by their procedure, saying Dumas was provided with the "appropriate notice of termination."Dumas was abruptly suspended in June following a week of controversies which included a sex tape
  
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• Restore La. task force to discuss Governor's request for program expansion

  16-08-2017 13:41 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE - The Restore Louisiana Task Force is meeting Friday morning to consider Governor Jon Bel Edwards' request to expand the homeowner assistance program. Edwards is asking for those who received damage in the March and August 2016 floods to be included. The Governor is also asking task force members to increase the grant amount given to those eligible for construction and reimbursements. That meeting will be held in Denham&
  
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• Eclipse 2017: what to expect, how to view

  16-08-2017 12:42 via WBRZ
  On Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, the U.S. will be treated to a total eclipse of the sun. The eclipse will be visible—weather permitting—across all of North America. The entire continent will experience a partial eclipse lasting two to three hours. Anyone within a 70-milewide path that stretches through 14 states from Oregon to South Carolina will experience a total eclipse.During those brief moments—when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face for about
  
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• Arrest made in Assumption burglary case

  16-08-2017 12:30 via WBRZ
  BAYOU L’OURSE – An arrest has been made in the case of a burglary that took place at in May.Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported the arrest of Ryan Vaughn, 33, in connection with a residential burglary on May 19 in Bayou L’Ourse.On the day of the indecent, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home burglary at a location in a residential subdivision. In their investigation, deputies interviewed witnesses and also reviewed video surveillance.During
  
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• Soccer league contract approved, goes before council tommorrow

  16-08-2017 12:23 via WBRZ
  GONZALES - Parents and players packed the Ascension Parish council chamber to fight for soccer to stay at the multi-sports complex at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center.The Ascension Parish Recreation Committee approved a motion to extend the league's contract to five years, and in return the club will maintain the state-of-the-art multi-sports complex. More than 50 parents and players packed the council chambers in support of the agreement.The league has been in negotiations with the committ
  
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• Coast Guard looking for Army helicopter that went down in Hawaii

  16-08-2017 09:37 via WBRZ
  HONOLULU- The U.S. Coast Guard and military crews are responding to a report that an Army helicopter with five aboard went down in the ocean off Hawaii.The Coast Guard says Wheeler Army Airfield reported losing communications late Tuesday with the crew of a UH-60 Black Hawk. Responding teams reported spotting a debris field about two miles (three kilometers) west of Kaena Point, Oahu, shortly before 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.Several aircraft and boats are being used in the search. Officials say two Bl
  
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• Police investigate shooting at apartment complex Wednesday morning

  16-08-2017 09:27 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE - Police are investigating a shooting in the Elm Grove Garden area.One person was reportedly shot in the chest around nine o'clock Wednesday morning at an apartment complex between Rosenwald and Fairchild.  Sources said the victim had non-life threatening injuries.Police have not released specific information about what happened but witnesses said a woman went into an apartment and opened fire on another woman. Check back for updates. ************
  
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• Suspect arrested in Erwinville shooting, attempted carjacking

  16-08-2017 09:16 via WBRZ
  ERWINVILLE - Multiple agencies assisted in the arrest of a man accused of shooting and trying to rob an Erwinville convenience store customer Wednesday morning. The West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office says 21-year-old Kevin Hamburg shot a 35-year-old man in the back at the LA Express Food Store on US 190. The gunman was trying to take his truck around 5 a.m.  Hamburg escaped to Pointe Coupee Parish where he hid in an apartment near a New Roads Walmart.
  
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• Better Transportation and Roads website launched

  16-08-2017 08:46 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE-Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome has announced the launch of the Better Transportation and Roads plan website.At www.brgov.com/btr, residents can view details on the BTR project list, project map and public meeting schedule. Constituents will also be able to provide feedback on the plan via the site or by emailing BTRPlan@brgov.com.“It is important that we provide real-time data and a convenient way for residents to relay comments and suggestions on the BTR plan,&r
  
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• Free child safety seat check event in Baton Rouge

  16-08-2017 08:30 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Child Passenger Safety Task Force, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, University Medical Center and Louisiana State Police are conducting a free child passenger safety seat check-up event on August 18 from 10:00 am. to 1:00 p.m.The event will take place at the East Baton Rouge Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Blvd. No appointment is necessary.The event will take place regardless of weather conditions. It is a proven fact that car seats and booster seats save lives.
  
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• Three Southeastern students received prestigious Emmy scholarships

  16-08-2017 08:14 via WBRZ
  HAMMOND – Three Southeastern Louisiana University students received prestigious Emmy scholarships.The students work for the Southeastern Channel and study television in the electronic media concentration of the Department of Languages and Communication. The three are the first-ever students attending a Louisiana university to receive scholarships by the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.Junior Amanda Kitch of Mandeville and senior Courtney Bruno
  
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• Three Southeastern students receive Emmy scholarships

  16-08-2017 08:14 via WBRZ
  HAMMOND – Three Southeastern Louisiana University students received prestigious Emmy scholarships.The students work for the Southeastern Channel and study television in the electronic media concentration of the Department of Languages and Communication. The three are the first-ever students attending a Louisiana university to receive scholarships by the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.Junior Amanda Kitch of Mandeville and senior Courtney Bruno
  
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• Tulane researchers get grant to study lead in mockingbirds

  16-08-2017 07:32 via WBRZ
  NEW ORLEANS- Tulane researchers have a $104,000 grant to study whether lead in polluted neighborhoods is making mockingbirds more aggressive than those in other neighborhoods.Tuesday's news release says Jordan Karubian and Renata Ribeiro have shown that mockingbirds in neighborhoods with high levels of lead in the dirt have more lead in their blood and eggs than those in other neighborhoods, and they tend to be even more aggressive than other mockingbirds.Ribeiro says high lead levels can make
  
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• Area students attend journalist convention

  16-08-2017 06:49 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE- There were seven area college students that recently attended the National Association of Black Journalists Convention.The students were sponsored by the Baton Rouge Area Association of Black Journalists. The convention took place in New Orleans August 9-13.This year there were over 3,000 journalist and media-related professionals gathered at the Riverside Hilton Hotel for the event. The BRAABJ has been sending students to the convention for five years.Students included Rae&rsq
  
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• Millions of state income tax refunds will become unclaimed property if not claimed by Sept. 6

  16-08-2017 06:18 via WBRZ
  BATON ROUGE – Millions of dollars in state income tax refunds will become unclaimed property if taxpayers don’t claim them by September 6.The Louisiana Department of Revenue sent letters to 9,500 taxpayers advising them to claim the refunds before they are transferred by law to the Unclaimed Property Division of the state treasurer’s office. The letters are dated July 21.The total amount of unclaimed refunds involved is $8.6 million. It includes refunds issued on o
  
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