Baton Rouge news

• Cajun Navy looks to aid flood victims still struggling to rebuild

  01-04-2017 21:56
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - During the flood, Burney Morgan's home in Denham Springs was hit by four feet of water.To he get back into his house, he applied for the state's Shelter at Home program. The program allows victims to stay in their homes while they try to rebuild."I though they did great. They come in fast and did it," Burney Morgan said.But not every one's experience with government emergency programs have been quite as positive."It's been a nitghtmare."Krysta Oliszewski had to move int
  
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• 96-year-old woman killed in Deville fire

  01-04-2017 19:08
  
  DEVILLE - Fire marshals are investigating a residential fire that killed a 96-year-old woman Friday night.Crews responded to the fire on Truman Cole Road around 7 p.m. Friday. Upon arrival, firefighters found the home completely engulfed in flames with the roof collapsed.After suppressing the fire, crews discovered the body of 96-year-old Lela Cole in the remains of the home. Cole's son 68-year-old David Cole was transported to Cabrini Hospital with second and third degree burns to his
  
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• Woman abandons 2-year-old for nearly 15 hours to do drugs

  01-04-2017 18:45
  
  ZACHARY - A woman was arrested Friday after she left a 2-year-old child alone for more than 14 hours to do drugs with a friend.Deputies responded to a home on Samuels Road after receiving a report that a child had been left alone at the residence when child's grandfather visited the home around 12:45 p.m. Friday. According to arrest records, deputies discovered 24-year-old Wendy Jackson had left the child alone in the home a
  
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• IPSO: Suspect killed in deputy-involved shooting

  01-04-2017 17:08
  
  NEW IBERIA - A deputy with the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office was involved in a fatal shooting during an altercation with a suspect Saturday.The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office says one deputy was involved in the shooting that left one suspect dead Saturday afternoon. According to a report from KATC, the deputy was responding to a domestic disturbance on Spencer Loop. When the deputy arrived, he found the suspect brandishing a knife and an altercation ensued which ended with the suspect
  
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• IPSO: Deputy involved in shooting in New Iberia

  01-04-2017 17:08
  
  NEW IBERIA - A deputy with the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office was involved in a shooting during an altercation with a suspect Saturday afternoon.According to the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office, one deputy was involved in the shooting on Spencer Loop. The sheriff's office says the deputy was not injured, however one suspect was hurt in the shooting.Louisiana State Police are investigating the shooting. This is a developing story, we will update it with more information as it bec
  
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• Russian government offering "election interference" for April Fools' Day

  01-04-2017 16:49
  
  MOSCOW - Need some election interference? The Russian Foreign Ministry is ready to help - or so it says on April Fools' Day.On Saturday, the ministry posted on its Facebook page an audio file of the purported new automated telephone switchboard message for Russian embassies."To arrange a call from a Russian diplomat to your political opponent, press 1," the recording begins, in Russian and English. Press 2 "to use the services of Russian hackers," and 3 "to request election interference."A minis
  
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• WATCH: Professor pulls mind-bending April Fools' prank on class

  01-04-2017 16:11
  
  LA MIRADA, Cali. - Students had no trouble paying attention in a Biola University class when a professor pulled an impressive prank Friday afternoon.A video uploaded Friday shows Matthew Weathers, a math professor at the university, pulling off the elaborate prank.Weathers starts by "accidentally" writing on his projector screen with a marker. He then goes about trying to remove the mark using any means necessary, this includes fire,
  
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• Teen killed by carbon monoxide leak at Michigan hotel pool

  01-04-2017 15:13
  
  NILES, Mich. - Authorities in southwestern Michigan have identified a 13-year-old boy who died after a carbon monoxide leak in a hotel pool area that also sickened about a dozen people.Employees at the Quality Inn & Suites in Niles called 911 around 10 a.m. Saturday after seeing six unresponsive children on the pool deck. Police say a seventh child was found unresponsive in a first-floor room.Police Chief Jim Millin says Bryan Douglas Watts of Niles was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
  
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• One dead after 6 children found unconscious at Michigan hotel pool

  01-04-2017 15:13
  
  NILES, Mich. - One child is dead and at least five other children have been hospitalized for apparent carbon-monoxide poisoning after they were found unconscious at a hotel pool Saturday.According to the Niles Fire Department, staff at the local Quality Inn and Suites called 911 after they found six, unresponsive and unconscious children lying on the pool deck Saturday.Fire Department Captain Don Wise said it was unclear how long the children, who range in ages 10 to 14, were unconsciou
  
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• Record-breaking coin auction fetches $106.7 million

  01-04-2017 14:57
  
  BALTIMORE - A rare 1804 silver dollar fetched almost $3.3 million dollars in what officials say is a record-breaking coin collection auction.A five-part sale of the D. Brent Pogue coin collection that ended Friday netted a total of almost $106.7 million.The five auction events were held over the past two years by Stack's Bowers Galleries of Santa Ana, California, in conjunction with Sotheby's in Baltimore.Friday's final auction yielded about $21.4 million, including the 1804 dollar, an 1811 half
  
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• Gulf Coast oil lease sale public meetings scheduled

  01-04-2017 14:30
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The federal government will hold five public meetings around the Gulf Coast to get comments about air quality modeling and analysis for proposed region-wide oil lease sales next year.The Bureau of Ocean Energy management says the modeling results have not yet been reviewed.The open house-style meetings April 25 through May 1 also will take comments on other aspects of a draft environmental impact statement .They'll run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 25 outside New Orleans, April 27
  
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• 2 small planes collide mid-air in Florida, killing 2 people

  01-04-2017 14:14
  
  EDGEWATER, Fla. - Authorities say two people are dead after their single-engine airplanes collided midair over the central Florida coast.The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports that the planes crashed into a wooded area near Edgewater on Saturday morning.The Federal Aviation Administration says one of the planes was a Cessna 170 and the other an "unidentified experimental aircraft."A witness told the newspaper that she saw the planes collide around 8:45 a.m. while flying in formation with several
  
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• Delgado counselor accused of offering tuition break for sex

  01-04-2017 14:10
  
  NEW ORLEANS - A Delgado Community College admissions counselor has been arrested for allegedly demanding sexual favors from a student in return for reducing her tuition.Rashad Harold was arrested Thursday on one count of misdemeanor sexual battery. The New Orleans Advocate reports a magistrate judge set the 36-year-old's bail at $5,000. He is due back in court on Tuesday.The victim, who had just started her first semester at Delgado, said the alleged incident occurred in Harold's office March 3.
  
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• Rep. Marcelle to hold press conference on alleged Council on Aging attacks

  01-04-2017 13:56
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana State Representative C. Denise Marcelle will hold a press conference on Monday to address the alleged attacks that have been made against the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging and its Executive Director.Marcelle announced the press conference on Saturday after reportedly receiving numerous calls of concern from constituents.The press conference will "address the attacks and microaggressions on the agency and its director Tasha Clark-Amar," according to a press release.At
  
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• Victim identified in fatal crash on Choctaw Drive

  01-04-2017 13:42
  
  BATON ROUGE - A late morning crash involving two vehicles killed one person and left another person injured.According to BRPD, an officer tried to pull over Dan Spland for a traffic stop around 11 a.m. Saturday morning. Spland reportedly tried to evade the officer and swerved into the opposite lane on Choctaw Drive near Dougherty Drive.Spland lost control of his 2002 Lexus ES300 and the passenger side of his vehicle was struck by a 2003 Chevy Suburban.Spland was confirmed dead at the sc
  
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• 3 arrested in Atlanta fire and overpass collapse

  01-04-2017 13:29
  
  ATLANTA - The man suspected of starting a raging fire that collapsed a portion of Interstate 85 a few miles north of downtown Atlanta has been charged with arson.The Fulton County Sheriff's Office says bond was set at $200,000 for 39-year-old Basil Eleby during a hearing Saturday.He faces charges of first-degree arson and first-degree criminal damage to property. The arson charge is new. Eleby's next court appearance is set for April 14.Deputy Insurance Commissioner Jay Florence said Eleby was a
  
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• Ford recalling 53,000 trucks that can roll away while parked

  01-04-2017 13:25
  
  NEW YORK - Ford is recalling 53,000 2017 F-250 trucks because they can roll away even when they are parked due to a manufacturing error.Ford says drivers should use the parking break to make sure that parked cars don't move.Dealers will also replace the defective part for free, but Ford doesn't have the replacement parts yet. It will notify owners when the parts are available.The recalled trucks have 6.2-liter engines. They were built at a Kentucky plant from October 2015 through Thursday and so
  
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• Roof issues threaten to delay Atlanta Mercedes-Benz Stadium opening

  01-04-2017 13:22
  
  ATLANTA - The Atlanta Falcons hope to have an update soon on whether issues regarding its new stadium - notably, its roof - will again delay its projected opening day.The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that challenges in building the retractable roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium also raise questions about whether the Falcons could play in the stadium before the roof is operable.If not, would they have to play some home games elsewhere?The Falcons say they'll have an update on the construction
  
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• State wants applicants for its annual seafood cook-off

  01-04-2017 13:14
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana is looking for its best seafood chefs.Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board are inviting chefs from across the state to apply to participate in the 10th annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off.The event will be held June 20 in Lafayette, the first time it's been held outside of New Orleans. The application deadline is April 28.The winner of the cook-off represents Louisiana at other events, like the Great America Seafood Cook-Off in Au
  
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• Mississippi couple arrested in death of man found in car

  01-04-2017 13:14
  
  AMITE - A Mississippi man and his girlfriend have been arrested in the shooting death of a man found in a car parked alongside Interstate 55.The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said deputies Friday arrested 36-year-old Rodney Reynold, of Tylertown, Mississippi, on charges of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. He's accused in the death of 35-year-old Alphonse Reid, whose body was found March 15. He died of multiple gunshot wounds.The Advocate reports Reynold's girlfriend, 43-year
  
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• French Quarter Festivals Inc. gets new president & CEO

  01-04-2017 13:08
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The organization that puts on the French Quarter Festival and the Satchmo Summer-Fest is getting a new leader.French Quarter Festivals Inc. says Emily Madero is joining the organization as the president and CEO.Madero comes to the organization from The Idea Village where she was acting CEO.The Idea Village is a New Orleans-based nonprofit designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the city. Madero joined The Idea Village in 2006.The chairman of the board of French Quarte
  
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• St. Pius X to ceases functioning as parish in diocese

  01-04-2017 13:07
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Diocese of Baton Rouge announced Saturday that St. Pius X Parish has ceased functioning as a parish in the diocese as of May 31, 2017.The decision was made by Diocesan Bishop Robert W. Muench after several months of deliberation and consultation with St. Pius’ pastor, parish and finance councils, its trustees and the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, which consists of member priests of the diocese.St. Pius’ current parish boundaries will be incorporated into St.
  
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• Diocese to close BR church

  01-04-2017 13:07
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Diocese of Baton Rouge announced Saturday that St. Pius X Parish has ceased functioning as a parish in the diocese as of May 31, 2017.The decision was made by Diocesan Bishop Robert W. Muench after several months of deliberation and consultation with St. Pius’ pastor, parish and finance councils, its trustees and the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, which consists of member priests of the diocese.St. Pius’ current parish boundaries will be incorporated into St.
  
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• Police investigating early morning fatal shooting on N. Ardenwood Drive

  01-04-2017 12:59
  
  BATON ROUGE - Detectives with the Baton Rouge Police Department are investigating a fatal shooting that claimed the life of one person early Saturday morning.The shooting claimed the life of Djuandrek Allen, 20, of Baton Rouge, according to BRPD.Allen was reportedly found lying in the roadway near the 1200 block of North Ardenwood Drive around 2:15 a.m.Allen suffered from multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.Anyone having information on this incident is urged to contact the Violent Crim
  
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• Two hurt in shooting on Highland Road

  01-04-2017 12:52
  
  BATON ROUGE - Authorities are investigating a shooting that occurred on Highland Road Saturday night.Sources say two victims were shot on Highland Road near East Buchanan Street. The two victims were reportedly transported to the hospital in stable condition.There are currently no details on a possible suspect.This is a developing story. We well update it with new information as it becomes available.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Colombia: 112 dead after rivers overflow, toppling homes

  01-04-2017 12:43
  
  BOGOTA, Colombia - An avalanche of water from three overflowing rivers swept through a small city in Colombia while people slept, destroying homes and killing at least 112 unsuspecting residents in their sleep, authorities said Saturday.The incident triggered by intense rains happened around midnight in Mocoa, a city of about 40,000 located near Colombia's southern border with Ecuador that is tucked between mountains at the crux of two rivers.Muddy water and debris quickly surged through the cit
  
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• 24 dead after river overflows, destroying homes in Colombia

  01-04-2017 12:43
  
  MOCOA, Colombia - Authorities say 24 people are dead after a river overflowed in Colombia, triggering an avalanche of water that destroyed homes and killed people in their sleep.The incident triggered by intense rains left at least 65 people injured in Mocoa, a city of 350,000 people located near Colombia's border with Ecuador.Carlos Ivan Marquez with Colombia's national disaster agency says the river flooded around midnight, catching unsuspecting residents off guard in the early Saturday hours.
  
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• 3 siblings killed in a car wreck

  01-04-2017 12:39
  
  LUCEDALE, Miss. - A grieving community has held a candlelight vigil and funeral services for three siblings who died in a car crash.The Sun Herald reports that the three were passengers in a car that slammed into a sign off a highway on Sunday, March 26. The driver, 23-year-old Jesse Edward Dickerson, is under arrest for four counts of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.The children killed were 7-year-old Sierra Jean Dixon, 9-year-old Terra Dixon and 16-year-old Spencer Havard. Their mother,
  
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• 'Cooking in Central' returns to help flood victims

  01-04-2017 12:37
  
  CENTRAL - It's been more than 10 years since hurricane Katrina struck, but the 'Cooking in Central' fundraiser has returned to help disaster victims once again. Whether you're in the mood for delicious eats, an auction or you just want to play, you can find it all at the celebration off Blackwater Road. This particular festival has been 11 years in the making, first debuting to raise money for St. Bernard parish in 2005 after hurricane Katrina ravaged south Louisiana."The first
  
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• Soybean and cotton acres rise in Mississippi, as corn dips

  01-04-2017 12:36
  
  JACKSON, Miss. - Soybeans are reinforcing their place as Mississippi's king crop, but cotton is at least back to being the prince.The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Friday that soybean acreage is expected to rise 10 percent to 2.25 million acres. That's more than half the land that Mississippi farmers expect to plant this spring.Farmers plan to plant 26 percent more acres in cotton, boosting the total of 550,000 acres to the highest since 2011.Corn acreage is projected to fall 29 percen
  
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• More aggressive US strikes in Somalia said to risk civilians

  01-04-2017 12:32
  
  MOGADISHU, Somalia - Experts say President Donald Trump's approval of greater U.S. military authority to pursue al-Qaida-linked extremists in Somalia will put civilians at further risk, especially as drought displaces thousands of people in areas that now will be considered a war zone.Trump has approved a Pentagon request to allow more aggressive airstrikes against al-Shabab as parts of southern Somalia will be considered areas of active hostilities.U.S. special operations forces can move closer
  
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• Spanish police arrest 38, dismantle fake credit card ring

  01-04-2017 12:30
  
  MADRID - Spanish police say they have arrested 38 people and dismantled a criminal organization dealing in credit card fraud on an international scale.Authorities said Saturday those arrested were in a ring that specialized in the counterfeit and fraudulent use of credit cards from international banks, which were scammed up to 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million).The victimized banks were mainly based in Italy, Britain, the United States, Australia and Germany.Police say the ring created a virtual t
  
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• Wisconsin man suspected of killing 4 dies of wounds

  01-04-2017 12:28
  
  MADISON, Wis. - A man suspected in a string of fatal northern Wisconsin shootings that ended in a shootout with police has died.State Department of Justice spokesman Johnny Koremenos says 45-year-old Nengmy Vang died about 1:28 a.m. Saturday. Investigators say Vang got into a domestic incident with his wife and went to the Rothschild bank where she worked on March 22. He shot two bank employees to death and then traveled to nearby Schofield, where he shot and killed his wife's divorce attorney.H
  
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