Baton Rouge news

• One dead, dozens affected by salmonella outbreak

  20-10-2017 18:10
  CALDWELL PARISH - The Louisiana Department of Health said one person is dead and dozens more have been hospitalized following a salmonella outbreak.Officials said 125 people have been identified suffering with gastrointestinal illness, with more cases expected.37 people have been hospitalized.An autopsy will be performed on the patient who died to determine whether or not the death can be attributed to the outbreak.The latest information follows a "mass sickness" in Columbia, south of Monroe, w
  
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• House bid on at parish tax sale after homeowner's mail issues

  20-10-2017 17:05
  BATON ROUGE - A woman living in Texas says her mail was not delivered on time and her property went up for tax sale.Debe Goree says the whole thing could have been avoided if she'd been able to pay her fees online.For years, Goree has owned a home on Stutgart Avenue in Baton Rouge. For the past decade, her stepdad has been living in it under one condition, that he pays the property taxes.This year, it slipped his mind and Goree didn't find out until very recently. It left her scrambling to pick
  
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• Body of missing oil platform worker found on Lake Pontchartrain shoreline

  20-10-2017 17:00
  NEW ORLEANS - Police have found the missing oil platform worker after an explosion in Lake Pontchartrain.Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said a JPSO helicopter spotted 44-year-old Timothy Morrison around 1 p.m. Friday about three miles west of the canal that separates Jefferson and St. Charles parishes, according to WWL.
  Morrison is the only fatality from Sunday's explosion. Seven other workers were on scene when the explosion occurred, three of whom are still hospitalized.Permalink| Co
  
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• Man injured in Choctaw Drive shooting

  20-10-2017 16:25
  BATON ROUGE - First responders are on the scene of a reported shooting near Choctaw Drive.The shooting was reported around 4:30 p.m. in the 2000 block of Choctaw near Lobelia Ave.Authorities said a male victim was injured in what may have been a drive-by shooting. The victim was transported from the scene with serious injuries but was stable.WBRZ News 2 has a crew on scene.This is a developing story. Check back for details.Permalink| Comments
  
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• WANTED: Laundromat thief helps himself to a TV

  20-10-2017 16:03
  ASCENSION- Deputies are searching for a suspect who stole a television from a laundromat. The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office is actively searching for a white male who took a TV from Suds and Tubs store on Highway 44 around 2am Friday morning.If you have any information regarding the theft, please contact the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office at (225) 621-4636 or text an anonymous tip line at 847411.Permalink| Comments
  
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• January trial set in shooting death of ex-NFL player

  20-10-2017 15:40
  GRETNA- A Jan. 16 trial date has been set in Louisiana for the suspect in last year's shooting death of former NFL player Joe McKnight.  Fifty-five-year-old Ronald Gasser faces a second-degree murder charge in McKnight's 2016 death.  Authorities have said McKnight and Gasser drove erratically and yelled at each other in a traffic confrontation before the Dec. 1 shooting. The confrontation took place as they traveled over a Mississippi River bridge in New Orle
  
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• Claycut bridge to reopen Friday after almost ten months of construction

  20-10-2017 15:15
  BATON ROUGE- The Claycut Bridge is set to reopen today after being closed for almost ten months.Located west of S. Foster Drive between Bienville Street and Moore Street, the bridge was originally closed in late January with construction beginning February 6th. Initial plans had promised a reopening in June.According to the City-Parish Department of Public Works, the contractor, Diamond B. Construction, ran into utility issues along with weather impacts, which changed the comp
  
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• After WBRZ report, principal facing more allegations of locking kids in closet

  20-10-2017 14:59
  BATON ROUGE – The former principal and founder of a charter school faces additional charges of false imprisonment following a WBRZ report last month.Two, new arrest warrants were filed for Shafeeq Shamsid-Deen, 31, the WBRZ Investigative Unit learned Friday. WBRZ previously reported on Deen's arrest in September for similar charges.In all cases, kindergartners reported being locked in a dark closet as punishment.In the two most recent arrest documents, kids reported being put
  
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• Children participate in Big Buddy Day of Mentor

  20-10-2017 14:09
  EAST BATON ROUGE- Some lucky children got the chance to hang out with deputies from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office Friday morning during their 19th annual Big Buddy Day of Mentor.Children got to use official law enforcement radios and call dispatch with a 10-8. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Government Street to close for RxR repairs this weekend

  20-10-2017 13:47
  BATON ROUGE - Government Street will be closed at the railroad tracks near downtown this weekend.The closure will be from 7 a.m. Saturday until 5 p.m. Sunday.  Crews are doing work on the tracks at the crossing.Click HERE to monitor traffic conditions. **********************Follow the publisher of this post on Twitter: @treyschmaltzPermalink| Comments
  
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• Police investigating person seen wearing 'Scream mask' in Zachary

  20-10-2017 13:41
  ZACHARY – Police are investigating a reported sighting of someone wearing a mask from the movie “Scream” who was seen standing in a field, looking at people recently.There was only one report, police told WBRZ Friday, but officers are looking into the situation.Police said a woman reported her daughter seeing the individual with the mask on in a field near an ATM Tuesday. The person was seen getting in a white SUV and driving off.Police responded and did not see an
  
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• Louisiana commissioners vote 7-5 to oust Confederate monument

  20-10-2017 13:38
  SHREVEPORT- Local officials have voted to remove a Confederate monument from the courthouse grounds in a northwest Louisiana parish.  News media report that the Caddo Parish Commission voted 7-5 for the measure on Thursday after hearing nearly two hours of opinions about the monument erected 111 years ago in Shreveport. A motion to have voters decide the matter failed 5-7.  American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana executive director Marjorie Esman says the
  
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• White nationalist undeterred by boos on latest college stop

  20-10-2017 13:31
  BATON ROUGE- White nationalist Richard Spencer was once an obscure figure in a fringe movement.  But he has become a household name thanks in part to his infamous "Hail Trump!" toast, a videotaped punch to his head and the bloodshed at a Virginia rally where he was a headliner.  His notoriety far exceeds his modest following. Protesters vastly outnumbered Spencer's supporters at the University of Florida on Thursday, his first campus appearance since the dead
  
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• Police: Decomposed body found near park likely hit by a vehicle causing death

  20-10-2017 13:31
  BATON ROUGE – A man found dead near a park off Spanish Town Road this summer was likely killed after being hit by a car, police said in an update on the case Friday.It's the newest information since the man's body was found August 21. Then, police had little information about the discovery. Also new Friday, police were able to identify the man as Kermit Hamilton, 57, of Earl Gros Avenue.Hamilton was found miles away from his Tigerland address – near the Spanish Town Park at
  
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• Homeowner claims trailer installed incorrectly

  20-10-2017 13:09
  BATON ROUGE-Money spent, and not a lot to show for it. That's what a homeowner in Baton Rouge is dealing with.The homeowner, Ronnie Stephens, said his trailer was not installed correctly. Stephens said the trailer isn't blocked, leveled or strapped correctly. The out-of-state construction company, said their work was done and left the area. The long list of issues with the trailer makes it impossible for Stephens to move in. Unfortunately, Stephens said he is unable t
  
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• Ryan says GOP working on 4th tax bracket

  20-10-2017 13:01
  WASHINGTON-House Speaker Paul Ryan says the tax plan pushed by President Donald Trump and Republican leaders will add a fourth tax bracket for high-income people to the three originally proposed.Ryan isn't yet saying what the tax rate would be for the fourth income-tax bracket. The GOP blueprint, which would overhaul the tax system and cut taxes for corporations and potentially for individuals, reduces the number of brackets from the current seven to three - with rates of 12 percent, 25 percent
  
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• Louisiana jobless rate improves, but September payrolls fall

  20-10-2017 12:54
  NEW ORLEANS- Unemployment improved in Louisiana in September, but payrolls gave back some earlier gains.  The jobless rate fell to 5.1 percent in September from 5.2 percent in August, as more people entered the labor force and more found jobs. Louisiana's unemployment rate was 6.1 percent a year ago.  A total of 106,000 Louisianans were jobless, down slightly from August.  Louisiana's jobless rate tied for sixth-highest among states, with Al
  
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• Three arrested after shooting following white nationalist speech

  20-10-2017 12:48
  GAINESVILLE, Fla.- Police say three men were arrested after a shot was fired at a group of people following the appearance of white nationalist Richard Spencer at the University of Florida.The Gainesville Police Department said in a news release Friday that 28-year-old Tyler Tenbrink, 30-year-old William Fears and 28-year-old Colton Fears, all from Texas, were arrested on attempted homicide charges.Police say the three were in a vehicle Thursday after Spencer's speech and began making Nazi salu
  
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• 'You are my slave:' School ends Civil War dress-up activity

  20-10-2017 12:27
  KENNESAW, GA- School officials say there will be no more Civil War-related student dress-up activities at a Georgia elementary school after its "Civil War Day" sparked conflict among students, parents and others.  Big Shanty Elementary School last month invited fifth-graders to dress up as characters from the war.  The mother of a 10-year-old black child says a white student dressed as a plantation owner approached him and said, "You are my slave." &
  
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• Well known Baton Rouge surgeon has died; services this weekend

  20-10-2017 12:22
  BATON ROUGE – Well known surgeon “Dickie” Robichaux has died.Robichaux, 65, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday. He was an orthopedic surgeon in Baton Rouge for more than 30 years.Dr. Robichaux graduated from LSU in 1973 and the LSU School of Medicine in 1979. Dr. Robichaux served many patients in his role at the Surgical Specialty Center of Baton Rouge on Bluebonnet.In addition to helping people get moving again, Dr. Robichaux also worked to train the next generation
  
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• New Roads Mayor Robert Myer sends in resignation

  20-10-2017 08:39
  PLAQUEMINE- New Roads Mayor Robert Myer has officially resigned.His resignation was submitted to the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office early Friday morning.The move comes after a Thursday evening hearing at a Plaquemine courthouse.  During the hearing, Myer plead no contest to felony malfeasance charges for using the city's credit card illegally for personal purchases. Myer will remain on probation for one year and will face no
  
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• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fishers stocking up ponds

  20-10-2017 08:03
  BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is stocking their community fishing ponds for their Get Out and Fish community program.The LDWF is stocking the ponds with adult-sized channel catfish. Locations include Girard Park in Lafayette, Zemurray Park in Hammond, BREC's Burbank Park in Baton Rouge, Kiroli Park in West Monroe, Turner's Pond in Minden and William T. Polk Park in Vidalia.In addition to those sites, LDWF al
  
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• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries stocking up ponds

  20-10-2017 08:03
  BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is stocking their community fishing ponds for their Get Out and Fish community program.The LDWF is stocking the ponds with adult-sized channel catfish. Locations include Girard Park in Lafayette, Zemurray Park in Hammond, BREC's Burbank Park in Baton Rouge, Kiroli Park in West Monroe, Turner's Pond in Minden and William T. Polk Park in Vidalia.In addition to those sites, LDWF al
  
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• $7.5M in tax rebates pledged to north Louisiana paper mill

  20-10-2017 07:52
  HODGE, La.- A north Louisiana paper mill is receiving $7.5 million in performance-based tax rebates over five years to help with facility upgrades.Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Wednesday that WestRock Company will get the aid as part of an improvement plan for the mill in Jackson Parish, aimed at retaining more than 400 jobs at the facility.WestRock is the parish's largest employer, with a yearly payroll of $28 million. The containerboard paper mill has been open for nearly 90 years, operatin
  
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• Festival celebration of all things brunch

  20-10-2017 06:58
  BATON ROUGE- A festival event dedicated to celebrating everything brunch will take place Saturday at the Baton Rouge Gallery.The venue is located at 1515 Perkins Road. Doors will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.Baton Rouge Brunch Fest is a family-friendly event that will feature food from local restaurants, live music, drink specials and more.Tickets for the event can be bought on Eventbite. Attendees can try dishes from 10-15 different vendors for $5-$10 per dish. Children 9-years-ol
  
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• Suspect in officer's death declared incompetent for trial

  20-10-2017 06:42
  NEW ORLEANS- A man on trial in the death of a New Orleans police officer has been declared incompetent to stand trial a day after he smuggled feces into the courtroom and smeared them on his face and mouth during jury selection.Prosecutors' experts said Travis Boys' action Wednesday was a stunt to delay prosecution in the 2015 shooting death of Officer Daryle Holloway.But State District Judge Karen Herman said she was declaring him incompetent out of an abundance of caution and based on testimo
  
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• More oil than initially believed spilled off Louisiana coast

  20-10-2017 06:38
  NEW ORLEANS- The Coast Guard says the amount of oil discharged into the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana's coast last weekend is substantially higher than initial estimates.The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement says oil spewed out of an underwater fractured pipe Saturday in the Gulf of Mexico about 40 miles (65 kilometers) southeast of Venice, Louisiana. The Coast Guard said in a news release Thursday that offshore oil and gas operator LLOG Exploration Offshore reports about 16,000 bar
  
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• Unsettled weekend weather, more cool temps to follow

  20-10-2017 06:05
  Humidity will return for a rather unsettled, wet weekend. Shower dodging will be rewarded by another punch of cool, dry, fall air for the middle of next week.THE FORECAST:Today and Tonight: Weather will start to transition on this final day of the workweek. High temperatures will still make it into the mid 80s. A slight shift in winds to the southeast will result in a touch of humidity coming back and skies will be partly sunny. A coastal shower is possible. Overnight low temperatures will be c
  
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• Man wanted for first-degree murder arrested at bus station

  20-10-2017 05:52
  BATON ROUGE- A man wanted for first-degree murder was arrested Thursday after officers from the Baton Rouge Police Department received a tip that he was at a bus station allegedly trying to leave town.Authorities received a tip that Brandon Davis was at the Greyhound Bus Station on Florida Boulevard.Davis was charged with first-degree murder for his involvement in a incident that took place in August that left one person dead and another injured.The tip said, that Davis was near the fr
  
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