Baton Rouge news

• Man dead in shooting on E. Polk Street

  29-06-2017 21:15
  
  BATON ROUGE - Emergency crews responded to a fatal shooting on E. Polk Street.Baton Rouge Police Department officials say the shooting happened at 620 E. Polk Street near Thomas H. Delpit Drive just after 9 p.m.Police say 37-year-old Donald Ely was shot multiple times and found dead when emergency crews arrived on scene.Police have not released any information on any suspects.Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call the BRPD Violent Crimes Unit at 38
  
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• EBRSO: Fraud contractor paid thousands, never finished flood repairs

  29-06-2017 20:38
  
  BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge sheriff's deputies say an unlicensed contractor is accused of making shoddy repairs to a flood victim's home and taking thousands of dollars.EBRSO deputies say Michael Hartford Jr. was paid $11,800 by a flood victim to make repairs to damages caused by the August flood. The homeowner said he paid him in December, but Hartford stopped showing up after three days of work.The victim told investigators he asked Hartford for receipts for repair items bought, but he neve
  
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• Alabama, Mississippi drought-free for first time since 2016

  29-06-2017 20:12
  
  BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Alabama and Mississippi are completely free from drought for the first time in more than a year.
   A federal assessment released Thursday shows rains have eliminated a dry spell that began in April 2016, the last time Alabama was totally drought-free.
   Days of heavy rains from Topical Storm Cindy helped, and now only slivers of northwest Alabama and northeastern Mississippi are considered abnormally dry. That's a step below being in a drought.
   The wo
  
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• Potentially deadly amoeba found in Louisiana water system

  29-06-2017 19:37
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana health officials say a potentially deadly amoeba has been detected in a Terrebonne Parish water system.
   The Louisiana Department of Health says the presence of Naegleria fowleri has been found in the Schriever Water System. Officials said Thursday the tap water is safe to drink but residents are urged to avoid getting water in their noses.
   The state notified the water system and town officials Thursday after routine testing confirmed the amoeba's prese
  
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• Residents say drainage project is source of flood concerns

  29-06-2017 16:56
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - The Livingston Parish Department of Public Works is investigating a culvert issue following a 2 On Your Side inquiry.Residents say three culverts that go under Dunn Road near Rustic Road Drive are the source of their flood fears and blame them for the August Flood.William Ballard says 30 homes in Summer Run Subdivision flooded in August. Drainage ditches run behind the houses from North to South. Ballard says on August 12 the rainwater backed up into the subdivision, pipes clogg
  
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• APSO: Women wanted for shoplifting $100 worth of items from Walgreens

  29-06-2017 16:53
  
  ASCENSION – The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office is asking the public's help in identifying and locating two women wanted for shoplifting. According to the sheriff's office, two women entered Walgreens located on Highway 42 on April 11 and shoplifted $100 in merchandise from the store. The women were seen driving a white Toyota Corolla. One suspect is described as a black woman, wearing blue jean shorts, an orange and white shirt and purple crocheted baseball cap. Th
  
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• Women arrested for allegedly posing as dentists, providing services to illegal immigrants

  29-06-2017 16:21
  
  NEW ORLEANS – A New Orleans woman was arrested for practicing dentistry without a license and providing services to illegal immigrants. Attorney General Jeff Landry announced that 51-year-old Nancy Brown was arrested following an investigation by the Louisiana Bureau of InvestigationIt was discovered that Brown was operating a fraudulent practice in an apartment on Iberville Street. Brown is a naturalized citizen from Honduras. According to the attorney general's office, Brown
  
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• Master P, volunteers help revive New Orleans' senior homes

  29-06-2017 16:02
  
  NEW ORLEANS - From its start in 1994, the Essence Festival has been billed as a "party with a purpose." That continues 23 years later as it partners with rapper Master P's Team Hope NOLA Foundation for a day of service in his hometown.  Volunteers helped revitalize the Guste Homes Senior Residences in New Orleans Thursday, with support from sponsor Walmart. Projects included painting as well as installation of computers, televisions and furniture in the residence's media room.&
  
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• Blood donations needed for July 4 weekend

  29-06-2017 14:56
  
  BATON ROUGE – Blood donations are needed as July 4 nears. United Blood Services says that the holiday weekend brings an increase in travel and activity, which can bring an increase in blood usage. All blood types are needed, especially type O-negative.Those who wish to donate can do so at the donor center located at 8234 One Calais, the service road at I-10 and Essen Lane. Visit www.bloodhero.com or call 877-827-4376 to schedule an appointment. Donor center h
  
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• Bar at center of underage drinking sting has license pulled

  29-06-2017 13:53
  
  BATON ROUGE – The liquor license for a popular bar was suspended, WBRZ has learned, as authorities investigate possible underage drinking and rowdy behavior around the establishment.The license allowing Reggie's to serve beer and liquor was pulled. Reggie's, a Tigerland bar, was the focus of a sting by numerous agencies recently that resulted in nearly forty arrests – many of those arrested were under the drinking age.WBRZ.com first reported details of the sting Wednesday. Po
  
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• APSO: Woman turns self in after stealing purse from Walmart

  29-06-2017 13:42
  
  ASCENSION – A woman has turned herself in to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office after she was wanted for stealing a purse from Walmart. According to the sheriff's office, 47-year-old Leah Brown of Praireville turned herself in on June 27 after seeing a post on the sheriff's office Facebook page, stating that a woman was wanted for theft. Brown was wanted for stealing a purse from the self checkout line of the Neighborhood Walmart on Airline Highway on June 10. Acco
  
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• Deputies searching for man who allegedly used duplicated debit card at area Walmarts

  29-06-2017 13:34
  
  BATON ROUGE – East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office detectives are searching for a man that used a duplicated debit card at Walmart.The purchases were made in the on May 4 and 5th. According to the sheriff's office, an unauthorized purchase was made on May 4 at the Walmart on North Mall Drive. The same suspect was seen at local Walmart Neighborhood stores on May 5, purchasing soap, deodorant, hair mousse and toothpaste. The suspect is described as a man wearing a black ba
  
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• Report: Vandals cause power outages in French Quarter

  29-06-2017 13:09
  
  NEW ORLEANS – Vandals caused power outages to many buildings in downtown New Orleans and in the French Quarter on Thursday. According to Entergy, equipment was stolen and damaged at a substation that services the downtown area and the French Quarter, WWL reports. The damage was done overnight and Entergy says that power should be restored by 1 p.m. on Thursday. The outages caused the Orleans Parish Civil District Court and 1st and 2nd City Court to close at noon.&
  
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• Walgreens ends attempt to buy Rite Aid

  29-06-2017 13:05
  
  NEW YORK - Walgreens has ended its takeover pursuit of rival Rite Aid following resistance from U.S. regulators and will instead now buy stores, distribution centers and inventory in a new deal.  The proposed merger, first announced in 2015, was initially for about $9.4 billion but was whittled down to about $6.8 billion earlier this year.  Walgreens Boots Alliance will pay Rite Aid Corp. a $325 million termination fee. It will pay Fred's Pharmacy an additiona
  
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• APSO tells residents to stay vigilant after recent burglaries

  29-06-2017 12:47
  
  ASCENSION PARISH - APSO deputies are telling residents to stay on high alert, after a series of thieves were caught on video across the parish.Two separate incidents showing hooded burglars rummaging through cars, caught on surveillance cameras, have residents in some neighborhood worried."They actually had guns out," Bun Hood subdivision resident Louis LeBlanc said, describing one of the videos. "It's not like they were concealed guns, they were out and ready to use. That's the part that concer
  
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• Dogs attack woman at South Baton Rouge apartment

  29-06-2017 12:40
  
  BATON ROUGE- A woman says two pitbulls attacked her in the middle of the day outside her apartment late last week. Viola Davis said the animals weren't wearing leashes when they rushed her."At first, the pitbulls were playing in the grass and the owner was sitting off to the side," said Davis. "They both attacked me. She [the owner] didn't get the pitbull off me until it bit my arm." said Davis.It happened last Friday at the Jefferson Lakes Apartments off Jefferson Highway. Davis has only lived
  
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• Woman recalls terrifying encounter with WBR work release inmate

  29-06-2017 12:36
  
  PLAQUEMINE- A West Baton Rouge Parish work release inmate is under arrest Thursday morning in Iberville Parish, after investigators say he broke into a house and beat up a woman. The incident occurred around 9 a.m., according to Plaquemine Police Chief Kenny Payne. Investigators said 45-year old Darrell Lawrence was a work release inmate in West Baton Rouge Parish and was working for a contractor in Plaquemine. He reportedly left his job, and broke into his girlfriend's home wh
  
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• California man admits his meth sent to Louisiana, Tennessee

  29-06-2017 12:25
  NEW ORLEANS - A California man faces at least 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in what federal prosecutors in Louisiana call a national drug conspiracy that shipped methamphetamine through the mail and United Parcel Service.  A news release Tuesday said the maximum sentence for 26-year-old Ernesto Moreno of San Fernando would be life in prison and $10 million in fines.  He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy Monday, the day his trial was schedule
  
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• Cars damaged by interstate pothole; Repairs made to highway

  29-06-2017 09:25
  BATON ROUGE – DOTD had to repair potholes on I-110 Thursday morning after numerous cars hit the holes and were damaged.The potholes were on southbound I-110 near Memorial Stadium. DOTD crews started patching bad spots around nine o'clock.One driver said she hit the pothole and lost two tires.“Next thing I know, four to five pulled over for the same reason,” driver Enjoli Reynolds told WBRZ.“Anything could have happened,” Reynolds said, frustrated
  
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• Wigged pharmacy burglar busted

  29-06-2017 09:18
  
  PRAIRIEVILLE -- A man suspected in a pharmacy break-in where the burglar wearing a wig and mask smashed the door with a hammer and stole drugs, Ascension authorities say.Aaron Beyl, 36, was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison as a fugitive and will be transferred to Ascension, Ascension Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Allison Hudson said.Surveillance video released from the June 18 crime shows a masked man repeatedly smashing a glass door with a hammer to get into the store before r
  
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• BRPD arrest man for teen's murder

  29-06-2017 08:52
  
  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Police detectives say they have arrested 18-year-old Deon Winsey for the shooting death of 15-year-old Au'Mircle Mcelwee on Oaklon Avenue earlier this year. According to police, Mcelwee was in her vehicle after a group she was with got into a disturbance that ended up in gunfire.No one else was injured during the incident.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Manslaughter plea offer rejected in 2015 slaying

  29-06-2017 06:30
  
  BATON ROUGE - A prosecutor has rejected a manslaughter plea deal for a man accused of fatally stabbing and strangling a man in 2015.
   The Advocate reports Assistant District Attorney Darwin Miller wouldn't accept a plea for 23-year-old Jace Crehan on Tuesday. The denial comes a day after the mother of his child, 19-year-old Brittany Monk, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and agreed to testify against Crehan. Crehan is scheduled to stand trial for second-degree murder in the death of 47-ye
  
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• New trial set for man accused of killing school board member

  29-06-2017 06:13
  
  BATON ROUGE - This week's scheduled trial of a 20-year-old Louisiana man accused in the robbery and slaying of an East Feliciana Parish School Board member has been pushed back.
   The Advocate reports that state District Judge Lou Daniel granted a defense motion moving the trial date to Aug. 7 for Jacquez Tremaine Griffin. Griffin's attorney, Jason Hessick, said Wednesday his client will claim self-defense.
   Griffin faces a second-degree murder charge in the May 2016 fatal shoot
  
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• US sets new visa rules for 6 mainly Muslim nations, refugees

  29-06-2017 06:07
  
  WASHINGTON - The Trump administration has set new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim nations and all refugees that require a "close" family or business tie to the United States. The move came after the Supreme Court partially restored President Donald Trump's executive order that was widely criticized as a ban on Muslims.
   Visas that have already been approved will not be revoked, but instructions issued by the State Department Wednesday say new applicants from Syria, S
  
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• East Baton Rouge DA to release findings in officers' shooting deaths: report

  29-06-2017 02:38
  
  A news conference will be held at 10 a.m. Friday.
  
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