Baton Rouge news

• Pedestrian struck by vehicle on Plank Road

  31-10-2016 21:54
  
  BATON ROUGE- A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Plank Road Monday evening.It happened just before 9:30 p.m. Monday evening. The individual was struck near the Auto-Zone located on Plank Road.More information will be added to this story as it becomes available. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Woman dies after car overturns, catches fire on LA 449

  31-10-2016 21:13
  
  LIVINGSTON – A single-vehicle crash on LA 449 in Livingston took the life of one woman early Monday evening after her car overturned and caught fire. On Monday, Oct. 31, around 6 p.m. Louisiana State Police responded to a crash on LA 449 north of LA 63 in Livingston Parish. 30-year-old Jana Cornette of Greensburg was traveling northbound on the road in a Chevrolet Silverado when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle crossed the center line and ran off the left side of the road int
  
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• Jack-o'-lantern lighting sends Florida girl to burn center

  31-10-2016 20:25
  
  ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Authorities say a 7-year-old girl ended up at a north Florida burn center after her grandmother attempted to light their jack-o'-lantern with green flames using household chemicals.The Florida Times-Union reports that 62-year-old Wanda Michelle Reyna called 911 Sunday evening, saying that fire had splattered on her granddaughter, so she threw the girl into the St. Augustine home's pool. The girl's father was already driving the girl to the hospital, but dispatchers diverted
  
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• Colonial shuts down gas pipeline after blast

  31-10-2016 20:18
  
  HELENA, Ala. - Colonial Pipeline says in a statement that it has shut down its main pipeline in Alabama after an explosion in a rural part of the state outside Birmingham.The Georgia-based company said in the brief statement Monday evening that its top priorities are the health and safety of its work crews at the scene and protecting the public.Authorities say at least seven workers have been injured in the explosion on the gas pipeline.Gov. Robert Bentley said the explosion happened about a mil
  
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• Louisiana early voting ahead of Nov. 8 election ends Tuesday

  31-10-2016 19:34
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's early voting period is wrapping up.Voters have until 6 p.m. Tuesday to cast their ballots in advance of next week's election, to choose the nation's next president, to fill congressional seats and to select local elected officials around the state.Secretary of State Tom Schedler's office says turnout has been "extremely high," breaking early voting records from the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, with nearly 73,000 people voting each day.In addition to the preside
  
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• Last big burn Tuesday at Camp Minden; small burn Wednesday

  31-10-2016 19:32
  
  CAMP MINDEN - The Louisiana National Guard says a bunker holding many tons of both potentially explosive artillery propellant and dangerously unstable nitrocellulose will be set afire Tuesday morning, if weather allows.A bunker full of nitrocellulose, also called "clean-burning igniter," exploded Sept. 29. Two of the three remaining bunkers holding that compound were torched Friday and Saturday to destroy it.The National Guard said Monday that Saturday's burn in a bunker holding about 57 tons of
  
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• Audit: Nearly $1M misspent on Medicaid enrollees who moved

  31-10-2016 19:28
  
  BATON ROUGE - Auditors say Louisiana's health department paid nearly $1 million in Medicaid fees for people who no longer live in the state and weren't eligible for health services through the program.The Legislative Auditor's Office found that $943,000 in monthly fees were improperly paid from February 2012 through May 2016 for 160 people who had moved away from Louisiana.Based on auditors' sampling, the report released Monday suggests another $1.5 million could have been paid in error.The fees
  
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• Flood-damaged homes targeted by thieves overnight

  31-10-2016 18:13
  
  BATON ROUGE - Flood-damaged homes being repaired were targeted by thieves overnight.Homeowners on Proxie Drive in the Old Jefferson area said they found windows open and things missing when they showed up to do work around construction sites Monday. At least six homes were burglarized but there could have been more and homeowners just have not realized it yet."When I came in, I noticed the kitchen window as open. At first, I thought the contractor had done it, but on further investigation I real
  
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• Louisiana early voting ends Tuesday; turnout already a record

  31-10-2016 17:31
  
  A little more than 366,600 people have cast ballots through early voting in Louisiana. That's 10,000 more than participated in early voting 2012.
  
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• Former fire station on S. 15th Street to become community center

  31-10-2016 17:04
  
  BATON ROUGE – The East Baton Rouge Metro Council announced that the old 15th Street Fire Station on South 15th Street will become The Destiny Center.The center will be an outreach center to enhance the community.
  "People can come and be happy and treated good and learning different things as well," Kenya Jarmon, founder of The Destiny Center, said.The building that was once a home for firemen, will become a place for sports, cultural and academic activities for both adults and children
  
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• Third suspect arrested in murder at event rental hall

  31-10-2016 16:57
  
  BATON ROUGE - The third suspect in a murder at the Renaissance Center earlier this month was arrested after being identified by other suspects.Alvin Donahue, 19, was booked into jail on murder charges. Investigators said Donahue was the one that fired the shots, killing Youlanda Hunter. Already, Marquise Bailey and Donnie Tyler were arrested in connection with the case.Donahue's arrest provided more information about the attack that happened October 5 at the business on Plank. Police said the gr
  
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• Mayor blames the news for town's negative financial audit

  31-10-2016 16:40
  
  WHITE CASTLE- A scathing report released by auditors hired by the Town of White Castle details a host of problems the town needs to fix immediately.
  Some of the problems have been highlighted in reports from the WBRZ Investigative Unit over the past year.
  We tried to get Mayor Jermarr Williams to respond to our questions regarding the audit. Town Clerk Monica Hamilton read a text message from her phone instead.
  "You are the one that built this bridge, and you don't state facts," Hamilton read fr
  
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• Facebook users checking in at pipeline protest to confuse law enforcement

  31-10-2016 16:33
  
  CANNON BALL, North Dakota - It's unlikely all the people Facebook users see check in at Standing Rock Indian Reservation are actually there; instead, they're part of a social media force in an on-going fight over a pipeline.Hundreds of thousands of people have checked in - a Facebook feature allowing users to post their location - at the reservation. Demonstrators are protesting a pipeline that will span four states. The $3.7 billion project will connect oil deposits in North Dakota to Illinois
  
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• Louisiana's 1st West Nile death of 2016 reported

  31-10-2016 16:05
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting the state's first death this year from West Nile virus, and says six cases have been reported to the state since Oct. 14.That brings the total number of cases to 36, including 21 dangerous infections of the nervous system.The department says in a news release that it does not report the parish of death to protect patient privacy.The number of dangerous "neuroinvasive" infections rose by four from mid-October. A department news release
  
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• Man arrested after chase with East Feliciana police, deputy shoots at truck

  31-10-2016 13:57
  
  EAST FELICIANA – A man has been arrested after a high-speed chase with East Feliciana police that led to deputies shooting at the car while two children were inside.On Sunday, Oct. 30 around 7 p.m. an East Feliciana deputy saw a truck, driven by 28-year-old Lenon Sanders, speeding south on Plank Road. The deputy tried to pull the truck over, however Sanders did not stop and a chase ensued in between East Baton Rouge and East Feliciana.The chase eventually got to the intersection of Hwy
  
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• Bond denied for murder suspect in 25-year-old cold case

  31-10-2016 13:36
  
  IBERVILLE - A judge has denied bond for a man who was arrested for two counts of second degree murder in a 25-year-old cold case.Bond was denied for 61-year-old Tommy Francise who was arrested in Lafayette around 4 a.m. last Thursday. He was transported to Iberville Parish and was later booked with two counts of second-degree murder.Francise allegedly killed Curtis Smith in 1991 and placed his body in a 55-gallon barrel and sank it in a body of water in Iberville Parish after the two had a confr
  
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• Survey says Louisiana's favorite Halloween candy is...

  31-10-2016 11:51
  
  Louisiana's favorite Halloween candy is Swedish Fish, according to a survey that looked at Halloween candy preferences by state.Influenster.com, a retail review web site, surveyed more than 40,000 web site users to find out which Halloween candies are the most popular in each state.The candy that had the highest total number of votes was Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. The candy voted in the most number of states was the traditional Halloween staple, candy corn.See below for the full list of favorite
  
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• Public fear of voter fraud high this year

  31-10-2016 11:33
  
  BATON ROUGE- It seems like the phones at the Secretary of State's Office have been ringing with greater ferocity this election season. The agency reports public concern about voter fraud is through the roof, probably thanks to Donald Trump insisting the election is rigged."It's been extremely busy especially this election cycle," said Meg Casper with the Secretary's office. "Lots of calls from concerned individuals but we've been able to keep up and get everyones questions answered."When Louisia
  
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• Star receiver Andre Johnson retires after 14 year-career

  31-10-2016 11:23
  
  NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Star wide receiver Andre Johnson is retiring after 14 seasons in a career mainly spent with the Houston Texans.The 35-year-old Johnson is a seven-time Pro Bowl player now with Tennessee. Titans general manager Jon Robinson said in a statement Monday that Johnson "in my opinion is one of the best to have played the game."Johnson ranks among the top 10 receivers in NFL history in career catches and receiving yards. He had 1,062 catches for 14,185 yards and 70 touchdowns.After 12
  
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• FEMA offering free tips for repairing post-flood homes

  31-10-2016 11:20
  
  BATON ROUGE – FEMA is offering free information at area home-improvement stores about repairing or rebuilding homes damaged in the August flood. Representatives will answer questions and offer home-improvement tips to prevent and lessen damage from disasters.Most of the information is aimed at people who prefer "do-it-yourself" projects and general contractors.Mitigation specialists will be in the following home improvement stores from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday
  
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• LSU moves up in national polls

  31-10-2016 09:43
  
  BATON ROUGE – LSU moved up to number 14 in the Amway Coaches Top 25 Poll and number 15 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll.LSU moved up five spots in the coaches poll and four spots in the AP poll after the team's open date. The team sits as one of five SEC teams in the top 15 of each poll.The improved rankings are just ahead on this weekend's anticipated match up between the Tigers and Alabama's Crimson Tide. The game is set for Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in Tiger Stadium.Alabama is r
  
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• Car sharing program to launch in downtown Baton Rouge

  31-10-2016 08:54
  
  BATON ROUGE - Workers and residents in downtown Baton Rouge will soon have a new way to get around.Zipcar, a company that rents vehicles by the hour and day, is beginning a four-car pilot program following the success of its business at LSU, where it began operations earlier this year.Officials hope the new endeavor will benefit individual drivers and local government.John Price, the mayor's assistant chief administrative officer, says city-parish government may be able to save local taxpayers m
  
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• In dawn assault, Iraqi special forces near Mosul from east

  31-10-2016 06:52
  
  BAZWAYA, Iraq - Iraqi special forces are advancing on the Islamic State-held city of Mosul from the east under heavy fire, inching closer to the city's limits.Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil says car bombers are trying to stop the advance, but that his troops aim to enter Mosul's eastern outskirts today and that they're just 3 kilometers (2 miles) from that position now.The Monday dawn assault saw armored vehicles, including Abrams tanks, move on the suburb of Bazwaya as allied artillery and airstrikes
  
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• Pope visits Sweden

  31-10-2016 06:51
  
  MALMO, Sweden - Pope Francis traveled to secular Sweden today to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. It was a remarkably bold gesture given his very own Jesuit religious order was founded to defend the faith against Martin Luther's "heretical" reforms five centuries ago. The Vatican and Lutheran church both insist the event is no celebration of Luther's revolt but rather a rejoicing that relations have improved.Permalink| Comments
  
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• 3 bodies in front of home in rural Kansas

  31-10-2016 06:47
  
  NEWTON, Kan. - Police in Kansas say the bodies of three people have been found in front of a home in a rural area near Newton, in Harvey County.Police say a person driving by called police about the bodies.An 18-month-old child was also found, but was not harmed.Police say they have no suspects and are not yet releasing the names of the victims.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Officials: Trooper fled as drunken driver hit patrol vehicle

  31-10-2016 04:46
  
  HAHNVILLE - Authorities say a Louisiana State Trooper had to run out of the way as a drunken driver rear-ended his patrol vehicle in St. Charles Parish.News outlets report the incident happened early Sunday morning on the Bonnet Carre Spillway bridge.Officials say the trooper was investigating a single-vehicle crash and had pulled over in the left lane with his emergency lights on when he saw a speeding Nissan Altima approaching the crash scene. He then ran out of the way as the car smashed into
  
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• China state media: 33 coal miners trapped following blast

  31-10-2016 03:49
  
  BEIJING - Chinese state media say 33 miners are trapped after a gas explosion ripped through the shaft in which they were working.The Xinhua News Agency says the condition of those underground isn't known.Citing local officials, it says the blast ripped through the mine in the sprawling western region of Chongqing shortly before noon Monday.China's mining industry has long been among the world's deadliest, although safety improvements and the closure of smaller, more dangerous mines have reduced
  
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• Cubs live to play another game

  31-10-2016 03:12
  
  CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs have earned themselves a return trip to Cleveland by extending the World Series to a sixth game.Aroldis Chapman finished what Jon Lester started as the two were magnificent in the Cubs' 3-2 victory over the Indians in Game 5. But Chicago also needed a three-run fourth inning to keep alive their quest to end a 108-year championship drought.Lester was reached for two runs and four hits while striking out five over six innings. He served up a solo home run by Jose Ramirez
  
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• More tremors in Italy

  31-10-2016 03:09
  
  ROME - Italy's Civil Protection agency says it expects to help about 3,000 residents overnight in the central and southern part of the country following the latest tremor.Sunday morning's quake was 6.6 in magnitude and was centered in the mountains of central Italy.There or more people sleeping in their own tents, cars and campers, or have found other places to stay.Numerous tremors have following an Aug. 24 quake that killed nearly 300 people.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Manhunt ends with Oklahoma suspect dead

  31-10-2016 03:05
  
  HAMMON, Okla. - Authorities in Oklahoma have ended the search for a man accused in a string of violent crimes.They say 38-year-old Michael Dale Vance Jr. was shot and killed last night by a state trooper near Leedey.Vance was wanted for allegedly killing two relatives, shooting and wounding to police officers and other crimes. Vance even posted himself on social media.Permalink| Comments
  
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