Baton Rouge news

• Convicted sex offender sentenced to 24-years in federal prison

  08-06-2021 06:44 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - As of Tuesday, June 8, a Livingston Parish man convicted of the attempted enticement of a minor has been sentenced to 24-years in federal prison. Officials say 46-year-old Jonathan Kimbrell will spend 292 months behind bars followed by five years of supervised release and an obligation that he register as a convicted sex offender. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles handed down the sentencing after Kimbrell was unanimously convicted by a jury on February 13 o
  
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• Exhibit exploring architecture and history of Mississippi River bridges opens Saturday at Old State Capitol

  08-06-2024 09:47 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — An exhibit featuring photographs of bridges that cross the Mississippi River opens Saturday at the Old State Capitol, which is practically in the shadow of the Interstate 10 bridge at Baton Rouge.Architectural photographer Philip Gould explores the various spans, including how they were built and their history.The exhibit runs through Oct. 5.Gould will discuss the exhibit on June 25 at 6 p.m. Details are available at https://louisianaoldstatecapitol.org/exhibits-events/b
  
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• Livingston Parish librarian writes of death threats, lawsuits in forthcoming book

  07-06-2024 18:13 via wbrz.com
  
  LIVINGSTON PARISH - Livingston Parish librarian Amanda Jones wrote a book that is part memoir, part manifesto that will be released in August called "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America."Jones says writing a book was never on her radar."I went through some really dark times and I journaled about it. One thing led to another and now I have a book," Jones said.Jones was the subject of criticism and threats after she spoke at a public meeting about book censorship. Because of
  
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• Livingston Parish librarian received death threats after a public meeting, upcoming book release

  07-06-2024 18:13 via wbrz.com
  
  LIVINGSTON PARISH - School librarian Amanda Jones wrote a book that is part memoir, part manifesto that will be released in August called "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America."
  Jones says writing a book was never on her radar."I went through some really dark times and I journaled about it. One thing led to another and now I have a book," Jones said.
  Jones was the subject of harsh comments and threats after she spoke at a public meeting about book censorship. Because of the
  
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• LSU running back John Emery Jr. withdraws from transfer portal to stay at LSU

  07-06-2024 17:59 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - LSU running back John Emery Jr. has announced that he will stay at LSU for a final season after recently entering the NCAA Transfer Portal.Emery entered the portal during the Spring window in April. He publicly took a visit to UCLA a few weeks before making the decision to withdraw his name from the portal and remain at LSU.Emery, who will be a sixth-year senior in 2024, tore his ACL in LSU's game against Florida in 2023. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season, b
  
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• Baton Rouge's Catholic community joins national celebration of faith as pilgrimage group comes to town

  07-06-2024 17:47 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A Catholic pilgrimage stopped at multiple churches in Baton Rouge on Friday as part of its journey to 65 Roman Catholic dioceses across the country.t's called the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and it's put on by the National Eucharistic Revival. "This is part of a three-year initiative in the Catholic Church to inspire a deeper devotion to the eucharist in the hearts of Catholics and to expose that love for the eucharist," Shayla Elm, a member of the NER, said
  
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• 'It's very heartbreaking:' Neighbor speaks out after BRPD releases body camera footage of May arrest

  07-06-2024 17:20 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - After repeated requests by the WBRZ Investigative Unit, body camera footage from May was released Friday morning showing exactly what happened when a Baton Rouge man said he was beaten by police during an arrest.Officers said the arrest was made early on the morning of May 21 on West Roosevelt Street. Law enforcement was called to the area due to multiple reports of gunshots. When they arrived, the officers found Rodrick Veal asleep or unconscious in a car that was running and fac
  
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• Louisiana drivers facing fines for lapsed insurance getting some relief

  07-06-2024 16:34 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - For years, people have been facing large fines for lapsed insurance. Pending the governor's signature, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is making some changes intended to help people who owe large fines.The purpose of the fines is to encourage people to get and retain car insurance. The fines have sent many people into serious debt and never-ending payment plans. Thousands of people owe anywhere from $125 to $30,000."I think it may have gotten out of control," said OMV Commi
  
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• Baton Rouge Catholic Diocese will remain in senior food program even while New Orleans drops out

  07-06-2024 16:33 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge says it will continue taking part in a food-distribution program for seniors run by the state Department of Health even though the Archdiocese of New Orleans is stopping its participation.The diocese said Friday it wanted to ensure people knew that the Baton Rouge-based program would continue. When Feeding Louisiana said it would begin administering the program, the archdiocese said it would drop out.The Faith-Full Mobile Food Pa
  
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• Volunteer coach arrested for molestation of a juvenile, other charges

  07-06-2024 16:29 via wbrz.com
  
  ADDIS - A former volunteer coach at Christian Academy of Louisiana was arrested for molestation of a juvenile, according to officials.Dennis Kennamer was booked on two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile, two counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, one count of computer-aided solicitation for sexual purposes and one count molestation of a juvenile.Christian Academy of Louisiana issued a statement saying that the school began an immediate investigation and banned Kennamer from t
  
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• $$$ Best Bets: NBA and Stanley Cup Finals $$$

  07-06-2024 16:20 via wbrz.com
  
  Hunter McCann has the best bets for NBA Finals, college baseball, MLB and Stanley Cup Finals!FridayMLB:Dodgers @ Yankees: Dodgers -1.5Cubs @ Reds: Cubs MLRed Sox @ White Sox: Red Sox -1.5College Baseball:West Virginia @ UNC: UNC -2.5Kansas State @ Virginia: Virginia -2.5SaturdayStanley Cup Finals:Oilers @ Panthers: Panthers MLMLB:Phillies @ Mets @ Phillies -1.5Blue Jays @ Athletics: Athletics -1.5Mariners @ Royals: Royals MLCollege Baseball: TBDSundayNBA Finals:Mavericks @ Celtics: Mav
  
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• Popular vacation spot for Louisianans shuts down beach after two shark attacks injure woman, teens

  07-06-2024 16:14 via wbrz.com
  
  DESTIN, Fla. — Beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast were closed to the public Friday following two shark attacks within two hours that left a woman with an amputated leg and two teenagers injured, Walton County deputies said.The attacks happened between Destin and Panama City Beach, popular destinations for Louisianans' summer vacations.One attack occurred around 1:15 p.m. A woman was brought to a hospital by the South Walton Fire District. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said
  
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• Popular vacation spot for Louisianans shuts down beach after two shark attacks injure woman, teen

  07-06-2024 16:14 via wbrz.com
  
  DESTIN, Fla. — Beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast were closed to the public Friday following two shark attacks within two hours that left a woman and a teenager injured, Walton County deputies said.The attacks happened between Destin and Panama City Beach, popular destinations for Louisianans' summer vacationsOne attack occurred around 1:15 p.m. A woman was brought to a hospital by the South Walton Fire District. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said that double red flags &am
  
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• Gonzales Police searching for person of interest in December 2023 homicide

  07-06-2024 15:33 via wbrz.com
  
  GONZALES — Gonzales Police are searching for a person of interest in a December 2023 homicide investigation.Police identified Jalon Tyrone Brown, 20, as having information about the death of Craig Haynes Jr. on Dec. 9. Haynes was shot at 11 p.m. on Dec. 8 while driving on Burnside Hwy in the area between the Gonzales Post Office and East Worthy Road. His car then crashed into a parking lot, succumbing to his injuries the next day.Brown has family in Ascension Parish but is currently s
  
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• White Castle cop arrested in Brusly for using badge to intimidate, menace a woman

  07-06-2024 15:11 via wbrz.com
  
  WHITE CASTLE — A White Castle cop who was hired as a police officer despite a criminal record was arrested and accused of stalking after a woman complained he had threatened her several times, including in the middle of the night, White Castle Police Chief Harold Brooks said Friday.Joseph Jordan Sr., 61, was arrested by Brusly Police on Thursday, and booked on charges of stalking, intimidation by an officer, cyberstalking and menacing. According to an arrest warrant, Jordan w
  
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• Baton Rouge-based sports equipment company Marucci becomes official bat provider of MLB

  07-06-2024 15:04 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE -  Baton Rouge-based sports equipment company Marucci Sports LLC announced today that it has entered into a license agreement with Major League Baseball for its Marucci and Victus brands to exclusively be the official bats of MLB. Marruci Sports was launced in 2009 by former LSU and MLB pitcher Kurt Ainsworth. It took over Marucci Bats, which was founded by LSU athletic trainer Jack Marucci.Marucci Sports was purchased by Fox Factory Holding Corp. in November for $
  
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• Pair toss drugs from speeding car in Assumption-to-Ascension chase; numerous charges filed

  07-06-2024 14:09 via wbrz.com
  
  PLATTENVILLE — Assumption Parish officials said Friday they had arrested a Pierre Part man and a Belle Rose woman on drug-related charges — but not littering — after watching them toss methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia from their speeding car during a chase. Sheriff Leland Falcon said a deputy had tried to pull over Tyler James Everett, 26, and his passenger Kaitlyn Marie Landry, 28, for a traffic violation on La. 70 Thursday afternoon. During a pursu
  
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• Once again, I-12 eastbound to be closed Friday night at split from I-10

  07-06-2024 14:00 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Once again, the eastbound lanes of Interstate 12 will be closed between I-10 and Essen Lane as crews work on an overpass as part of the College Drive flyover project.Crews are building a new I-10 bridge over the eastbound lanes of I-12. To accommodate the work, I-12 will be closed between 10 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Saturday.As a detour, drivers will have to continue on I-10 eastbound and exit at Essen Lane, make a left turn onto Essen and take the I-12 entrance ramp to co
  
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• CATS striving to improve service, but problems persist

  07-06-2024 13:28 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Lynn Mearidy gets around Baton Rouge using CATS on Demand, a service provided by the city-parish bus system that schedules trips in accessible vehicles for riders with certain disabilities.She said it's sometimes less on-demand, and more waiting for a ride that arrives late or doesn't arrive at all.The service is part of the Capital Area Transit System, which has nearly 1,500 bus stops around the parish. More than 100,000 people a month use CATS.Mearidy said she finished work at 4
  
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• Food contractor working for the St. Martin Parish jail arrested for smuggling contraband to inmates

  07-06-2024 13:20 via wbrz.com
  
  ST. MARTINVILLE — Deputies say a contractor that prepared meals in the St. Martin Parish's jail delivered more than meals to inmates. She was booked into the parish jail herself on Friday.Tynequa Lynkel Leopold, 26, was booked into the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center on charges of criminal conspiracy and introduction of contraband to a penal institution. Leopold, from Lafayette, was also booked on drug charges and has no bond set.The conspiracy is under investigation and may lea
  
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• Nine-year-old was in home during EBRSO raid that resulted in one dead, two deputies shot

  07-06-2024 12:48 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A drug raid carried out by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office Wednesday that resulted in a death and two deputies being shot raised questions about how the raid was done.According to attorney Ron Haley, Tyquarius Armstrong, who died as a result of the raid, had his 9-year-old niece in the room as police shot him. Following the raid, the child was returned to the family.Additionally, there were questions following the raid regarding whether it was a no-knock warrant, as the East
  
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• One wanted after person killed in Plaquemine homicide Friday

  07-06-2024 12:17 via wbrz.com
  
  PLAQUEMINE - One person is wanted after a homicide in Plaquemine Friday, according to the Plaquemine Police Department.Officials say Balize Mitchell Jr. died as a result of the homicide. Deandre Devon Dorsey is wanted for one count of obstruction of justice and one count of failure to report certain felonies.No other information is known at this time.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Mayor Pro Tempore Lamont Cole hosts 7th annual Pedaling for Peace

  07-06-2024 09:27 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Friday night, nearly a hundred participants rode together for Pedaling for Peace, the 7th annual gun violence awareness bike ride in Baton Rouge. The event is hosted by Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broom and President Pro Tem Lamont Cole. It started at Shopper's Value parking lot on Government Street and went to Howell Park.The event honored the families of those lost to gun violence. As riders pulled into Howell Park, they were encouraged to pick up orange flags and write the na
  
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• Mayor Pro Tempore Lamont Cole hosting 7th annual Pedaling for Peace

  07-06-2024 09:27 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Friday night Mayor Pro Tempore Lamont Cole will host his 7th Annual Pedaling for Peace bike ride through Mid City. It's just one of many events to recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day."We've got to work together to promote community not only in our city but in this region and this state," Cole said. "If it starts with us, we can spread this energy around the city, spread around the state, spread it around the country, spread it around the world."The ride will start in the
  
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• 'I'm going to f*****g shoot you': BRPD releases body camera footage of May drug arrest

  07-06-2024 09:13 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Body camera footage of an arrest made in May was released Friday as an attempt to be more transparent with the public and address their concerns, the Baton Rouge Police Department said. Officers said the arrest was made early on the morning of May 21 on West Roosevelt Street. Law enforcement was called to the area due to multiple reports of gunshots. When they arrived, the officers found Rodrick Veal asleep or unconscious in a car the was running and facing the wrong dire
  
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• After 41 years, Pat Sajak makes his final spin as host of 'Wheel of Fortune'

  07-06-2024 08:54 via wbrz.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — After 41 years and over 8,000 episodes, Pat Sajak’s final turn as the renowned host of “Wheel of Fortune” will air on Friday.Sajak’s co-host and letter turner Vanna White paid an emotional tribute to her partner on Thursday’s episode, calling him “like a brother” and a “true lifelong friend.” In the pre-recorded video that featured clips and photos of their 41 years as co-worke
  
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• Winners announced for St. Jude Dream Home, other prizes in 2024 giveaway

  07-06-2024 08:42 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The 2024 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway is over and we have a winner!Over the last several weeks, you all have purchased thousands of tickets, the proceeds of which have gone toward supporting cancer treatments for children so their parents don't have to pay anything out of pocket. Linda Patterson from Baton Rouge won the 4-bed, 3 bath home built by Alverez Construction on Oak Colony Drive off Hoo Shoo Too Road.Additionally, a 2023 Genesis G70 courtesy of All-Star Automotiv
  
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• Early bird prize winners announced for St. Jude Dream Home, stay tuned for the big winners!

  07-06-2024 08:42 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The drawing for the winner of the 2024 St. Jude Dream Home giveaway is happening today!Over the last several weeks, you all have purchased thousands of tickets, the proceeds of which have gone toward supporting cancer treatments for children so their parents don't have to pay anything out of pocket. Today, the winners of the giveaways will finally be announced!At noon, the winners of the gift cards — one for $2,500 and one for $10,000 — were drawn live
  
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• Drawing for St. Jude Dream Home giveaway will take place TODAY!

  07-06-2024 08:42 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The drawing for the winner of the 2024 St. Jude Dream Home giveaway is happening today!Over the last several weeks, you all have purchased thousands of tickets, the proceeds of which have gone toward supporting cancer treatments for children so their parents don't have to pay anything out of pocket. Today, the winners of the giveaways will finally be announced!At noon, the winners of the gift cards - one for $2,500 and one for $10,000 - will be drawn live on WBRZ.&nbs
  
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• Southern University Law Center hosting expungement event this weekend

  07-06-2024 07:04 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Southern University Law Center is hosting an expungement event on Friday. The event will be held on Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Law Center on 2 Roosevelt Steptoe Drive. Residents can come to the event and have their criminal record cleared. Permalink| Comments
  
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