Baton Rouge news

• Son of homeowner arrested for aggravated arson after Cable Street house fire causes $20K in damages

  01-05-2025 20:18
  BATON ROUGE - The son of a man whose home caught fire in February on Cable Street was arrested for aggravated arson after a dispute with his mother, fire officials said.Jermar Lee Crawford was booked for aggravated arson after allegedly setting fire to multiple areas of his father's home.The incident caused about $20,000 in damages and another occupied structure was nearby.Permalink| Comments
  
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• LSU freshman Derek Curiel makes quick corrections to start new on-base streak

  01-05-2025 19:16
  BATON ROUGE - LSU freshman Derek Curiel is having a tremendous opening year in college, and head baseball coach Jay Johnson says that is in part due to his ability to make quick and concise corrections.Curiel had a 43-game on-base streak with the Tigers to start the season, however that came to a close this past weekend against Tennessee."He's just one of those guys. The good thing about those types of guys, too is they don't stay down for very long. And again, that goes back to the confidence,
  
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• Man out on bond in domestic abuse of pregnant woman arrested in unrelated rape

  01-05-2025 18:55
  BATON ROUGE - A man arrested in a Hanks Drive burglary and rape Wednesday was out on bond at the time in an unrelated domestic violence case, arrest and court records show. Jacob Campbell, 31, was booked with second-degree rape, simple burglary and related charges Wednesday. On Thursday a judge in the domestic abuse case blocked his potential release.An arrest affidavit said the victim left the front door of her Hanks Drive apartment unlocked when her cousin went out around 1:55 a.m. f
  
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• Mayor-President says city has 'bullet problem' after deadly shootings, talks prevention strategy

  01-05-2025 18:21
  BATON ROUGE— Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards this week described the city as having a "bullet problem" in the wake of several recent deadly shootings.Edwards, referencing his previous profession, stated, "In my old profession I used to count touchdowns... now I count bodies."The mayor's comments follow a string of recent incidents, including two killings in recent days. One occurred at The Reserve at White Oak apartment complex, and another took place at the Amazon fulfillment
  
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• Father shot while defending daughter speaks out after warrant issued for suspect

  01-05-2025 18:17
  BATON ROUGE - A father who was shot multiple times outside of home has been out of the hospital for weeks. Corey Breaux said he was defending his daughter from a group of teenagers who were bullying her.Wednesday, BRPD released the identity of the shooter 18-year-old Jerry Huggins.Breaux says while he is back on his feet and walking, he is still trying to get back to normal and says all his family wants now is justice. "I am just trying to adjust to where I was, especially in the begin
  
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• Central leaders continue push to separate from BREC

  01-05-2025 18:17
  CENTRAL - The city of Central made a move in creating its own parks and recreation department separate from BREC after a bill passed the Committee on Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs ten to five Wednesday and heads to the state House of Representatives.Splitting up BREC isn’t a new concept. In 2021, then State Sen. Bodi White tried creating an independent parks system for St. George, Zachary, and Central.Now, State Rep. Lauren Ventrella, R-Greenwell Springs, and Mayor of Cen
  
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• City of Plaquemine using AI technology to advance city services, provide grant opportunities

  01-05-2025 18:08
  PLAQUEMINE - The city of Plaquemine is partnering with multiple organizations to use AI technology to advance city services, provide grant opportunities, and more.The two organizations involved in this partnership are the South Central Planning and Development Commission and obney.ai.The three involved say that this innovative partnership is new to Louisiana and they feel that it will serve as a model to other cities and municipalities.obney.ai was founded by Justin Obney, who became enamored w
  
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• Deputies looking for man who allegedly violated protective order; believed to be in Kentwood

  01-05-2025 17:38
  KENTWOOD — The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is searching for a domestic violence suspect accused of repeatedly violating a protective order.Dexter Viverette, 36, is wanted for two new counts of violation of a protective order in addition to five outstanding warrants on the same charge. Deputies said that Viverette also has outstanding warrants for resisting an officer and aggravated flight.Viverette is believed to be either in the Kentwood area or just over the state l
  
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• This week in history: St. George officially incorporates

  01-05-2025 17:14
  ST. GEORGE — This week in WBRZ history, the City of St. George officially incorporated after years of legal battles.On April 26, 2024, the Louisiana Supreme Court cleared the way for the incorporation of St. George as its own entity, joining Zachary, Central and Baker as East Baton Rouge Parish cities that started their own governments separate from the city of Baton Rouge.This movement started in 2010 with talks of a Shenandoah neighborhood breaking out of the East Baton Rouge Parish
  
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• Pointe Coupee Parish 911 lines back in service after outage

  01-05-2025 17:10
  NEW ROADS - The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff's Office 911 and administrative lines are back in service after an outage took place at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Plaquemine man arrested after allegedly stealing four-wheeler

  01-05-2025 16:34
  PLAQUEMINE - A man was arrested after a stolen four-wheeler was recovered, according to the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office.Dontrell Wesley, 26, was booked for illegal possession of stolen things as well as two outstanding warrants for the same charge.Officials said an anonymous tip was given regarding the location of a stolen four-wheeler, leading to the vehicle's recovery and deputies linking Wesley to the crime.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Keep it clean for Mike: LSU warns grads against tossing confetti, corks near tiger habitat

  01-05-2025 16:18
  BATON ROUGE - As graduation season kicks off at LSU, students are flocking to campus landmarks for the perfect photo — but one popular spot near Mike the Tiger’s habitat comes with a warning. Every morning, veterinary student caretakers walk through Mike's habitat, checking fences and picking up litter. During the final weeks of the semester, they've noticed an uptick in champagne corks and confetti.“It seems to be a pretty decent pile of it every few days
  
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• Mayor-President kicks off 'Pray for the Parish' initiative on National Day of Prayer

  01-05-2025 15:42
  BATON ROUGE — East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards kicked off his "Pray for the Parish" initiative Thursday morning. The initiative is meant to encourage unity and hope through the Christian faith, Edwards said at the River Center Ballroom. The mayor added that he wants to promote peace in the streets as summer approaches. Several faith leaders marked the occasion which coincided with the National Day of Prayer. Permalink| Comments
  
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• High priority project completed to address 'engineering failure'

  01-05-2025 15:33
  PRAIRIEVILLE - One family in Ascension Parish complained of water pooling in their front yard and sewage backing up in their home for over two years. After contacting 2 On Your Side, a crew addressed their issues and created a path for water to drain and sewage to flow.Maudie Lewis emailed 2 On Your Side in March about their trouble. She said they contacted the parish several times, but later learned their work order got lost in the shuffle during a software update. Soon after, Lewis received a
  
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• West Feliciana Parish deputies arrest man accused of cattle theft

  01-05-2025 15:29
  WEYANOKE — A man accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of cattle was arrested by West Feliciana Parish deputies.Eric Harris, 38, allegedly purchased six cows on behalf of the alleged theft victim. Deputies say that after Harris bought the cattle with the victim's funds, he allegedly sold the livestock without the victim's permission.The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Livestock Brand Commission investigation also found that Harris kept the funds f
  
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• Two more arrested after Tickfaw man's overdose; one arrested for murder

  01-05-2025 13:45
  TICKFAW - Two more people were arrested in a fentanyl overdose death, with one being arrested for murder, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office.Joshua Thompson, 45, was booked for second-degree murder, distribution of fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and obstruction of justice. Mary Kate Fitzsimons, 21, was booked for possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamines and failure to seek medical assistance.Deputies with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office were call
  
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• Judge grants restraining order keeping LSU basketball player away from domestic violence accuser

  01-05-2025 12:29
  BATON ROUGE — A judge granted a restraining order temporarily keeping a former LSU basketball player removed from the team away from a woman who accused him of domestic violence.Family Court Judge Pamela Baker signed a temporary restraining order on Wednesday against LSU guard Adam Benhayoune, who was suspended from the team on Feb. 26 after "allegations were brought to the attention of LSU Athletics," a spokesperson said.The temporary restraining order expires May 14, the same day as
  
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• Pointe Coupee deputy hit by car while working fire scene released from rehabilitation hospital

  01-05-2025 12:20
  BATON ROUGE - A Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff's deputy was released from a rehabilitation hospital after being hit by a car while working a fire scene.PCPSO congratulated Deputy Robert Williams for his recovery process after he was released earlier Thursday."His recovery is still ongoing," PCPSO said in a Facebook post. "Please join us in welcoming him home and thanking him for his service and sacrifice."Permalink| Comments
  
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• LDEQ holds hearing for ammonia plant in Ascension Parish

  01-05-2025 12:14
  DONALDSONVILLE - On Thursday, LDEQ, Ascension residents, Donaldsonville City officials and plant leaders discussed a proposed ammonia plant at a hearing.Clean Hydrogen Works is the group developing the Ascension Clean Energy project, an ammonia plant that would be based near Modeste. According to its website, the plant will produce 7.2 tons of ammonia annually. The plant is to be part of the RiverPlex MegaPark, outside Donaldsonville's city limits. Other projects in that area include CF Industr
  
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• Local artists featured at new installation in Perkins Rowe

  01-05-2025 12:04
  BATON ROUGE - A handful of local artists are being featured by a new installation in Perkins Rowe. The display, which is located in the corner space next to Body Sculpt Barre Studio, shows four local artists' work in the windows for shoppers to see. The featured artists are Jordan Hefler, David Losavio, Loveday Funck and Emily Seba of Fat Cat Designs. The display will remain up through July and many of the pieces on display can be purchased. Permalink| Commen
  
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• Coast Guard working oil spill near Garden Island Bay

  01-05-2025 12:02
  NEW ORLEANS - The United Stated Coast Guard is working an "uncontrolled oil and natural gas discharge" near Garden Island Bay.According to the Coast Guard, the Unified Command has more than 180 responders supporting response efforts. Responders have recovered approximately 32,718 gallons of oily water mixture. Aerial surveys are ongoing, and air monitoring has not indicated any immediate concerns in the response area, according to officials. The cause of the incident is under investiga
  
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• Victim in shooting at east Baton Rouge apartment complex dies from injuries

  01-05-2025 09:36
  BATON ROUGE - A man who was shot at an apartment complex on South Harrell's Ferry Road died from his injuries, deputies said. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office said the victim, who was later identified as David Turley III, died in the hospital after he was shot at The Reserve at White Oak, an apartment complex in east Baton Rouge. Detectives said the shooting was still under investigation and that no arrests have been made. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Police say man who died after being hit by truck outside BRPD HQ likely did so intentionally

  01-05-2025 09:33
  BATON ROUGE - A crash that happened Wednesday afternoon just outside Baton Rouge Police Headquarters may have been a suicide, police said Thursday. BRPD said the crash happened around 1:45 p.m. at the intersection of Goodwood Boulevard and Airline Highway. A truck was passing through the intersection with a green light when it hit a pedestrian in the right lane. The pedestrian, who died from his injuries at the hospital, was identified as 20-year-old Julius Torres. Ca
  
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• This week in history: The flood of 1977

  01-05-2025 09:09
  BATON ROUGE - This week in WBRZ's history, coverage continued of the 1977 flood that swept through the city. The 1977 flood is the third-worst flood event on record as of May 2025. At the time, it was one of the worst floods on record and many compared it to a similar flood from the 1920s. Areas that were dry at 8 a.m. the day of the rains were underwater by noon. Neighborhoods along the Amite River suffered severe water damage. Watch more of WBRZ’s celebrat
  
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• 2une In Previews: Inspiration Day to celebrate new resource center coming to BR

  01-05-2025 08:07
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Boys and Girls Club is hosting Inspiration Day this Saturday!Inspiration Day is a way to celebrate the new Inspiration Center coming soon to North Baton Rouge. The Inspiration Center will be a place for youth in the community to receive resources and have a safe place to be themselves. There will be a full-time cafeteria, a gym, a computer lab and other resources that are integral to thriving. Inspiration Day on Saturday is a way for the community
  
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• 2une In Previews: Special Olympics Louisiana

  01-05-2025 07:10
  HAMMOND - Lace up your running shoes and get ready - the Special Olympics of Louisiana is back for another run this month!This year's Olympics are being held in Hammond from May 23 to 25. Thursday morning, athletes and coaches spoke on 2une In about how you can compete or even volunteer!You can find more information at SOLA's website here. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Detectives searching for alleged vehicle burglary suspect

  01-05-2025 06:21
  BATON ROUGE - Detectives are searching for a person believed to be connected to several vehicle burglaries that happened early Monday morning. Capital Region Crime Stoppers posted a picture of the person detectives believe to be responsible for multiple vehicle burglaries that happened early Monday morning in the area of Nicholson Drive and Bluebonnet Boulevard. Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call (225) 344-7867.Permalink| Comments
  
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