Baton Rouge news

• Utah 1st state to try limiting teens access to social media

  23-03-2023 20:16
  
  SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah became the first state Thursday to sign into law legislation that attempts to limit teenagers’ access to social media sites.Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed a pair of measures that aim to limit when and where children can use social media and stop companies from luring kids to the sites.Other states, such as Arkansas, Texas, Ohio and Louisiana have similar bills in the works.The laws requires companies to give parents access to their children&
  
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• City-parish proposes project to extend Sherwood Forest Boulevard

  23-03-2023 19:17
  
  BATON ROUGE - A project proposed by the city-parish aims to extend Sherwood Forest Boulevard from Greenwell Springs Road to Joor Road.As part of the MOVEBR program, plans call for a new two-lane roadway to be constructed with accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists.According to the project’s concept report, the project is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and identified as being within an “estimated inundation area” from the 2016 floods.A spok
  
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• Man convicted of sexually assaulting 2 children, facing life in prison

  23-03-2023 17:43
  
  WEST BATON ROUGE - A man faces two life sentences after a jury convicted him of aggravated rape and sexual battery against children.According to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Tyrone M. Sajna, 52, was convicted Thursday of two counts of aggravated rape and one count of sexual battery against two children. The victims were between the ages of eight and 12 at the time of the assaults.18th JDC Judge Tonya Lurry set sentencing for Sajna for April 24. Aggravated rape of a child under
  
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• Man convicted of sexually assaulting 2 children, faces life in prison

  23-03-2023 17:43
  
  WEST BATON ROUGE - A man faces two life sentences after a jury convicted him of aggravated rape and sexual battery against children.According to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Tyrone M. Sajna, 52, was convicted Thursday of two counts of aggravated rape and one count of sexual battery against two children. The victims were between the ages of eight and 12 at the time of the assaults.18th JDC Judge Tonya Lurry set sentencing for Sajna for April 24. Aggravated rape of a child under
  
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• Ascension water plant worker fired, arrested after video showed him urinating in water supply

  23-03-2023 17:02
  
  DONALDSONVILLE - A parish worker has been fired and faces criminal charges after he apparently urinated in the water supply at an Ascension water plant. The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office identified the worker as 57-year-old Michael Mastin of Baton Rouge. He was arrested on two counts of contaminating water supplies and two counts criminal damage to a critical infrastructure. The incident happened March 19 at the parish's water plant in Donaldsonville. Video shared by paris
  
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• Pair accused of stealing 2 catalytic converters from same vehicle in Port Allen

  23-03-2023 16:42
  
  WEST BATON ROUGE - A pair is accused of stealing two catalytic converters from the same vehicle in a Port Allen parking lot.The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office said Nathan Dean, 39, and Megean Allen, 35, cut a catalytic converter from a Toyota Sequoia parked in an unspecified parking lot. The duo then returned to the same location two days later and stole a second converter from the same vehicle. It's unclear when the crimes took place.Dean and Allen were also caught on surveillance vi
  
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• Police looking for suspected prostitutes linked to Nathan Millard's death

  23-03-2023 15:58
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police have filed arrest warrants for a pair of suspected prostitutes who were allegedly present when Nathan Millard overdosed and died at a run-down drug house in old south Baton Rouge.Police identified the women as Tabitha Barner and Tiffany Guidry, both wanted on charges of prostitution and failure to seek assistance. Guidry faces an additional charge of unlawful disposal of remains. This is a developing story. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Man pleads guilty to operating massive drug ring out of lavish home on University Lake

  23-03-2023 15:38
  
  BATON ROUGE – A man who led a prolific drug ring out of a mansion around the LSU lakes pleaded guilty Thursday to several drug and gun crimes.In a news release, U.S. Attorney Ronald Gathe Jr. said that Francisco Palma, 43, admitted to buying cocaine from Mexico and selling it in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and other cities.He pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking cri
  
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• Former WBR sheriff's office employee arrested for lying during traffic stop, allegedly tried to intimidate officers

  23-03-2023 14:54
  
  BRUSLY - A former West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office employee was arrested on three felony charges this week after she told a fictitious story during a traffic stop that led to an emergency response.Watch live newscasts hereAngela Clayton Chelette was pulled over last week for speeding, specifically driving 58 in a 45. Chelette's mouth got the best of her, and when the Brusly Officer pulled her over, she's heard on his body camera telling him, "there's people out of their cars at the ligh
  
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• Emergency roadwork to narrow traffic on I-12 Thursday night

  23-03-2023 14:44
  
  LIVINGSTON PARISH - Emergency maintenance work on a bridge will mean a partial lane closure on eastbound I-12 near Albany Thursday night.Traffic on the highway will be limited starting at 8 p.m. from LA  43, the Albany exit, to LA 1249, the Baptist Pumpkin Center exit. Officials hope to restore normal access by midnight.During the closure, crews will be working to repair a damaged bridge joint.Those seeking an alternate route can take LA 43 north to US 190, then drive east to I-55 befo
  
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• Metro Council member loses property dispute case, ordered to pay $57K in restitution

  23-03-2023 14:27
  
  BATON ROUGE - After failing to show up for court twice, an East Baton Rouge Metro councilman has been ordered to pay restitution and remove property in violation of parish code.A judge has ordered Councilman Cleve Dunn to pay his neighbor, Eugene Michelli, $57,000 in restitution. The property in violation of parish code includes a driveway, a fence and a pool house kitchen. The fence that was built over the property line is now Michelli's, since it was built on Michelli's property."We're excite
  
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• LSU baseball series opener against Arkansas moved up on Friday due to weather

  23-03-2023 12:59
  
  BATON ROUGE – Game 1 of the LSU-Arkansas baseball series will start at 12 p.m. CT Friday in Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field due to the forecast of inclement weather in the Baton Rouge area on Friday afternoon/evening. Television coverage for Friday’s game is to be determined and will be announced once a decision is made. The game will be broadcast on affiliates of the LSU Sports Radio Network.LSU officials will continue to monitor weather patterns in o
  
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• Arson ruled cause of fire that scorched apartment off Plank Road Thursday night

  23-03-2023 12:21
  
  BATON ROUGE - A fire that scorched the inside of an apartment Thursday night was intentionally set, investigators say.The Baton Rouge Fire Department said the fire happened at an apartment on Pampas Street, just off Plank Road, around 8:15 p.m. Thursday.Upon arrival, crews found light smoke coming from the residence before finding flames coming from one of the bedroom walls. They were able to extinguish the fire before it could cause significant damage.Fire investigators later determined the ca
  
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• Three arrested, pounds of drugs seized after months-long narcotics investigation, State Police says

  23-03-2023 12:11
  
  BATON ROUGE - Three people were arrested Wednesday after a months-long, multiple-agency investigation into a drug ring operating out of the capital city.State Police said it worked with the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office to carry out the investigation over two months. During the investigation, Juan Adrian Banks, 42, was identified as a person of interest who was allegedly distributing drugs out of two Baton Rouge residences.In a search of the homes, authorities found 1.4 pounds of methamphe
  
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• Officials investigating reported shooting off Highway 190

  23-03-2023 09:43
  
  BATON ROUGE - Officials responded to a reported shooting off Highway 190 Thursday morning. Sources say the shooting happened at 155 Marilyn Drive off U.S. Highway 190 around 9:40 a.m.. No further information was immediately available. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Woman hurt in shooting on Lorraine Street Thursday morning

  23-03-2023 08:57
  
  BATON ROUGE - A woman was injured in a reported shooting on Lorraine Street Thursday morning, according to police. The Baton Rouge Police Department said the woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting around 7:15 a.m.. No further information was immediately available. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Vehicle hit by over a dozen bullets in late-night drive-by

  23-03-2023 08:34
  
  INDEPENDENCE - Deputies are investigating a late-night report of shots being fired in Tangipahoa Parish that left a car riddled with bullet holes. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said the shots were fired late Tuesday night near the intersection of E. Blackcat Road and Highway 1095. Deputies reported approximately 15 shots were fired, hitting another vehicle multiple times. Deputies did not say if anyone was hurt. Surveillance footage caught the vehicle alleged
  
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• La. Congressman comments on long overdue Comite River Diversion Canal project

  23-03-2023 07:30
  
  ZACHARY - We're getting new updates on the highly anticipated Comite River Diversion Canal Project, with a lot of work currently underway right now. That progress is coming along, and drivers can even see it, but just how long could it take?Congressman Garret Graves spoke with WBRZ this week, stressing that this project is long overdue. It's been in the works since the 1980s and probably won't be completed for another two years."There were all sorts of obstacles including funding and legal issu
  
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• EBR school district bringing back random K9 searches

  23-03-2023 07:22
  
  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge school district is bringing back K9 searches in partnership with the parish sheriff's office. The district recently announced the safety protocols will resume on all campuses.Two weeks ago, 2 On Your Side spoke directly to an EBR teacher who said they felt unsafe in the classroom. Following that interview, several teachers showed up to a school board meeting last week to express their frustration with some students' behavior and the lack of help from the distr
  
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• One injured in overnight shooting off Plank Road, officials say

  23-03-2023 06:30
  
  BATON ROUGE - Law enforcement is investigating a reported shooting on Dayton Street overnight Wednesday. Officials say one person was taken to a hospital after being found on Dayton Street off Plank Road. The person was reported to be in stable condition, but officials did not specify the severity of their injuries. WBRZ has reached out to law enforcement for more information. Permalink| Comments
  
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• One injured after fight led to overnight shooting outside bar, officials say

  23-03-2023 06:30
  
  BATON ROUGE - Law enforcement is investigating a reported shooting on at a bar off Plank Road early Thursday morning. The Baton Rouge Police Department said a man was leaving Romeo's Old School Bar and Lounge when he got into a fight. The fight reportedly led to a shooting. Police said the man was shot in the "upper torso area." He was found on Dayton Street, and officials say he was in stable condition, but did not specify the severity of his injuries. The BRPD has n
  
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• St. James Parish School System hosting Health and Wellness Fair Thursday

  23-03-2023 05:37
  
  LUTCHER - The St. James Parish School System is hosting a Health and Wellness Fair Thursday, offering several classes and information about various physical and mental health topics. The fair is being held at the St. James Public Relations Building from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will offer information on hygiene health, fitness, mental health, and several other topics as well as free health screenings. The fair is open to the public and admission is free.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Police searching for man last seen in downtown Baton Rouge; phone, wallet found in vehicle left behind

  23-03-2023 05:08
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police are searching for a man last seen downtown early Wednesday morning dropping off his family at a hotel. The Baton Rouge Police Department is searching for Jody Bert, 44, who was last seen Wednesday at 12:45 a.m.. Police say Bert and his family were visiting relatives in Oklahoma and driving back home to Florida when they stopped in Baton Rouge for the night."After dropping the family off at a local hotel here in the downtown area, Mr. Bert went to park his car, fami
  
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• Police searching for man last seen in downtown Baton Rouge

  23-03-2023 05:08
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police are searching for a man last seen downtown early Wednesday morning. the Baton Rouge Police Department is searching for Jody Bert, 44, who was last seen Wednesday at 12:45 a.m.. He is said to be 6'0" and 220 pounds with short black hair and tattoos on his left arm. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a dark-colored hoodie, and red and white shoes. Anyone with information on Bert's whereabouts is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.&nbsp
  
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