Baton Rouge news

• East Baton Rouge residents make food and hardware preps before storm

  24-08-2017 21:22
  BATON ROUGE - Residents are stocking up on storm-related items at the local grocery and hardware stores.Sue Conran says she and her husband aren't taking any chances purchasing lanterns just in case the power goes out."Well we're getting batteries, we got water already and we got some new lanterns since we're down one from last year," Conran said.Generators, flashlights, and batteries are big selling items at hardware stores like Home Depot. Lexie Penigar is a sales associate at the Home Depot
  
  Read more

• Mandatory evacuation ordered in Cameron Parish

  24-08-2017 20:36
  CAMERON PARISH - The Cameron Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness has issued a mandatory evacuation in parts of the area.Residents in all areas south of the Intracoastal Waterway are ordered to evacuate as of 6:00 a.m. Friday, August 25, due to Hurricane Harvey. That includes the communities of Hackberry, Johnson Bayou, Holly Beach, Cameron, Creole, Grand Chenier, and Big Lake.Officials are also warning residents not included in the mandatory evacuation, but are in areas prone to flooding, t
  
  Read more

• Hurricane Harvey likely to boost gas prices for US drivers

  24-08-2017 19:32
  Hurricane Harvey could cause U.S. gasoline prices to rise, with the storm expected to hit a refinery-rich stretch of the Gulf Coast.
   Some refineries are expected to shut down until the storm passes, possibly disrupting gasoline supplies.
   Wholesale gasoline futures rose Thursday by 5 cents, or 3 percent, to $1.66 per gallon, and experts say that will quickly show up on service-station signs.
   Patrick DeHaan, an analyst with GasBuddy, says Harvey could show up in reta
  
  Read more

• Substitute motion will delay relocation of Baton Rouge Zoo

  24-08-2017 18:26
  BATON ROUGE - Officials voted not to immediately approve BREC's plans to move forward with plans to move the Baton Rouge Zoo.
  On Thursday, a board of commissioners decided BREC Superintendent Carolyn McKnight would not immediately be given the authority to choose the new location for the zoo.
  Instead, the board passed an alternative motion, which will require officials to gather more information from the public before deciding whether the zoo would be moved or not, and to where the zoo would be
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Officials to vote on proposed relocation of Baton Rouge Zoo

  24-08-2017 18:26
  BATON ROUGE - Officials will vote Thursday night on whether or not BREC will move forward with plans to move the Baton Rouge Zoo. On Thursday, a board of commissioners will decide if BREC Superintendent Carolyn McKnight will be given the authority to choose the new location for the zoo. McKnight believes moving the zoo closer to a major corridor like I-10 or I-12 will bring more people to the $110 million zoo. But supporters of keeping the z
  
  Read more

• BREC to search for new zoo location

  24-08-2017 18:26
  BATON ROUGE- Commissioners on the public parks board voted Thursday to identify "alternative" locations for the Baton Rouge Zoo.The decision waters down the original search proposal because it now directs BREC Superintendent Carolyn McKnight to give more consideration to keeping the zoo in Baker.Relocating the zoo has galvanized many in North East Baton Rouge Parish who fear losing a major economic driver in the area. At the same time, many citizens support moving the zoo to another part of the
  
  Read more

• Undocumented immigrant accused of fatally shooting teen pleads not guilty

  24-08-2017 17:48
  BATON ROUGE - An undocumented immigrant accused of fatally shooting a 16-year-old boy in March has pleaded not guilty.Court records show 49-year-old Octavio Bringas pleaded not guilty to the charge of negligent homicide in the death of Darius Plummer. Darius PlummerDocuments say that several individuals told detectives that Bringas was the only other person inside the apartment at the time of the shooting on March 13. Bringas' family said th
  
  Read more

• Sandbag locations announced for East Baton Rouge, Ascension parishes

  24-08-2017 17:15
  Officials in East Baton Rouge and Ascension parishes have released locations where residents can pick up sand and sandbags in preparation for Hurricane Harvey.Though Hurricane Harvey is currently unpredictable when it comes to how it will affect Louisiana, officials are urging residents to stay prepared ahead of whatever may come.Sand and sandbags are currently available at the following BREC Park locations in East Baton Rouge Parish:BREC Airline Highway Fairgrouns - 16072 Airline HighwayBREC A
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Police arrest suspect in shooting death of 19-year-old woman

  24-08-2017 17:04
  BATON ROUGE - Police arrested a man accused of accidentally killing a woman while playing with a gun in the back of a car.According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, 20-year-old James Seymore was charged with negligent homicide, obstruction of justice, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain felonies, and illegal use of a weapon. He is accused of killing 19-year-old Briana Hornsby.Officers say Seymore was playing with a hand gun while sitting in the back seat of a vehicle o
  
  Read more

• Driver jumps out of vehicle, dodges oncoming train in Plaquemine

  24-08-2017 16:09
  PLAQUEMINE - Authorities say a person jumped out of their vehicle before it collided with an oncoming train Thursday.According to the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office, the crash occurred in the 58000 block of Bayou Road. Sheriff Brett Stassi tells WBRZ that the driver managed to get out of their vehicle before the collision.Authorities say the victim was taken from the scene in a private vehicle. There is currently no word on the extent of
  
  Read more

• Teenage girl killed in hit-and-run; Six arrested

  24-08-2017 15:44
  ST. HELENA PARISH - A 17-year-old girl is dead after a fight led to a fatal hit-and-run in St. Helena Parish Wednesday.According to the St. Helena Parish Sheriff's Office, 17-year-old Shlarencya Jackson was struck by a vehicle after a fight involving numerous females broke out in the 2900 block of Leonard Chapel Road. After the fight was over, Keshunta Selders and five others left the residence. The sheriff's office says they later returned to the home, where several people, i
  
  Read more

• 'Cheers' actor Jay Thomas is dead at 69

  24-08-2017 15:21
  Actor Jay Thomas has died, ABC News has confirmed.A representative for the actor said Thomas had been battling cancer.He was 69 years old.“Jay was one of a kind, never at a loss for words and filled with so much fun and wonderfully wacky thoughts and behavior," his agent, Don Buchwald, said.Thomas' best known-roles were on the small screen. He played Rhea Perlman's husband, Eddie LeBec, on "Cheers," and won the best guest actor Emmy in 1990 and 1991 for his portrayal of the character
  
  Read more

• Man jailed after beating 70-year-old mom when she changed TV channel

  24-08-2017 15:09
  EASTON, Pa. - A Pennsylvania man who became so enraged when his 70-year-old mother changed the TV channel that he beat and choked her has been sentenced to 11 to 23 months in jail.  Northampton County prosecutors tell The Morning Call newspaper in Allentown that 42-year-old David Cantrell was upset about missing "Cool Runnings," a comedy about a Jamaican bobsled team.  Wednesday's minimum sentence was four months longer than prosecutors and defense attorneys
  
  Read more

• Charleston Mayor: 1 shot, hostages being held

  24-08-2017 14:44
  CHARLESTON, S.C. - Authorities say a disgruntled employee shot one person and is holding hostages in a restaurant in an area of Charleston, South Carolina, that is popular with tourists.Mayor John Tecklenburg said at a news conference that the shooting Thursday at Virginia's in downtown Charleston was not an act of terrorism or racism. Tecklenburg did not have the condition of the person shot, and said he didn't know how many hostages remained inside the restaurant.Witnesses said a man emerged
  
  Read more

• $2M, $200K Powerball tickets sold in Louisiana

  24-08-2017 14:13
  Some residents in Louisiana became big winners in the national Powerball drawing overnight.The Louisiana Lottery Corporation says that a $2 million winning ticket was sold at a Tiger Mart in Lake Arthur. The winner matched five out of five numbers, as well as the Power Play.A second winner purchased a $200,000 ticket from Miller's Mart on West Club Deluxe Road in Hammond. That winner matched four of the five numbers, the Power Ball and the Power Play.An additional $200,000 tic
  
  Read more

• Dad warns of potential privacy dangers for children in popular music app

  24-08-2017 14:06
  ILLINOIS, Batavia- An Illinois father is speaking out and warning other parents about the potential privacy risks of the popular app Musical.ly, after he says a stranger asked his 7-year-old daughter to send shirtless pictures of herself through the app's messaging feature."She came to us and let us know that there was someone asking her to remove clothing for pictures, and she knew it wasn't right," Brad Frakes told ABC News.He says his daughter Madison had a run-in with the stranger
  
  Read more

• Photo of woman helping her elderly father experience the eclipse is pulling heartstrings

  24-08-2017 13:42
  NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A photo of a woman experiencing the recent eclipse with her dying father is making the rounds on the internet and tugging at heartstrings.“There were four generations of us there watching. It was a really special moment,” Hedy Morrison, 66, told ABC News of the surreal moment. “I’m so thrilled my dad was alive long enough to see his first total eclipse ever.”Her father, Will Roberts, celebrated his birthday o
  
  Read more

• St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office K-9 gets new tactical vest

  24-08-2017 13:39
  ST. MARY PARISH- A St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 has a new tactical vest donated by a non-profit organization.Thanks to donations from around the country, Canine Wounded Heroes was able to give K-9 Buddy a vest at no cost to law enforcement. The organization’s mission is to protect police dogs from gunshots, stabbing injuries and death by providing vests to agencies who want to protect their K-9’s.“We are appreciative of the generosity of
  
  Read more

• National organization donates tactical vest to area K-9

  24-08-2017 13:39
  ST. MARY PARISH - A St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 has a new tactical vest donated by a non-profit organization.Thanks to donations from around the country, Canine Wounded Heroes was able to give K-9 Buddy a vest at no cost to law enforcement. The organization’s mission is to protect police dogs from gunshots, stabbing injuries and death by providing vests to agencies who want to protect their K-9’s.“We are appreciative of the generosity of
  
  Read more

• Red Cross training residents to become volunteers ahead of Harvey

  24-08-2017 13:33
  BATON ROUGE - The Red Cross is offering classes over the weekend that will train local residents before they volunteer their help during Tropical Storm Harvey's impact.  Classes will be available Friday and Saturday as Harvey makes its approach toward the gulf coast. The primary focus of these lessons will be to teach volunteers how to operate a shelter. "We need your help now as we prepare for Harvey’s impact across the region, as your time and talent are essential
  
  Read more

• Mississippi celebrates 'Second Amendment Weekend': No sales tax on guns, ammunition

  24-08-2017 13:18
  JACKSON, Miss. - Shoppers in Mississippi can save money based on constitutional rights.  The Second Amendment weekend, taking place Friday through Sunday, exempts guns and ammunition from the state's 7 percent sales tax. Named for the constitutional right to bear arms, the exemption was signed into law by Republican Gov. Phil Bryant in 2014.  Even without a state law, a store in Oxford is offering a 7 percent discount on books the same three days. &a
  
  Read more

• Bullets and books: Shoppers get discounts in Mississippi

  24-08-2017 13:18
  JACKSON, Miss. - Shoppers in Mississippi can save money based on constitutional rights.  The Second Amendment weekend, taking place Friday through Sunday, exempts guns and ammunition from the state's 7 percent sales tax. Named for the constitutional right to bear arms, the exemption was signed into law by Republican Gov. Phil Bryant in 2014.  Even without a state law, a store in Oxford is offering a 7 percent discount on books the same three days. &a
  
  Read more

• Ascension Parish prepares for Tropical Storm Harvey

  24-08-2017 12:20
  ASCENSION- Ascension Parish is taking precautions in anticipation of inclement weather from tropical storm Harvey.The Department of Public Works and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness have begun filling and transporting sandbags to designated fire stations throughout the Parish.OEP will be conducting daily conference calls with the National Weather Service and the Governor's Office.The pumps at the Marvin Braud Pumping Station, the Henderson Bayou Pumping Statio
  
  Read more

• Charlottesville officials holding closed-door meeting after deadly Aug. 12 rally

  24-08-2017 09:50
  CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.- Charlottesville officials are planning to meet behind closed doors to discuss personnel matters in the wake of a deadly white nationalist rally.Mayor Mike Signer said in a statement posted on Facebook that the City Council decided to hold an emergency closed session with the city manager on Thursday.Signer said the events on Aug. 12 "raised serious questions about the city's handling of security, communications, and governance."He said those are questions that the city cou
  
  Read more

• US weekly requests for jobless aid up 2,000 to 234,000

  24-08-2017 08:45
  WASHINGTON- Slightly more Americans applied for jobless aid last week.Despite the small increase, the number of people seeking benefits remained close to historic lows.The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly unemployment applications rose by 2,000 to a seasonally-adjusted 234,000. The less volatile four-week average fell 2,750 to 237,750.The increase in claims followed a large drop the previous week. Applications closely reflect layoffs. Jobless claims have come in below 300,000 for 129
  
  Read more

• US rabbis protest Trump by dropping holiday conference call

  24-08-2017 08:14
  NEW YORK- American rabbis critical of President Donald Trump say they won't try to organize a conference call with him for the Jewish High Holy Days next month.The conference call for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur had been a tradition under President Barack Obama, though it was never planned under Trump.But rabbis representing the liberal and centrist branches of American Judaism say they wouldn't hold the call with Trump in protest of his response to the white nationalist rally in Charlottesvill
  
  Read more

• Largest jackpot won by single ticket

  24-08-2017 06:48
  DES MOINES, Iowa- Powerball Product Group Chair Charlie McIntyre says the $758.7 million jackpot claimed by a ticket sold in Massachusetts is the largest grand prize won by a single lottery ticket in U.S. history.In a statement early Thursday, McIntyre also says six other tickets won $2 million apiece, and 34 more are worth $1 million.The lucky numbers for the second largest lottery prize in U.S. history were 6, 7, 16, 23 and 26, and the Powerball number was 4.The Massachusetts State Lottery an
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!