Louisiana Supreme Court settles challenges involving 2 Port Allen city government races - Louisiana news - NewsLocker (2024)

PORT ALLEN — The Louisiana Supreme Court on Thursday upheld lower court rulings that said candidates for Port Allen mayor and a city council seat cannot seek those offices because they failed to meet residency guidelines.West Baton Rouge Parish judges had removed City Administrator Lance Joseph from the race for mayor and said Shelton Berry couldn't run for a city council seat.The judges determined that Joseph's true residence is in Plaquemine, where he enjoys a property tax break on

EBR School Board approves contract of deputy superintendent Adam Smith

BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge School Board voted to finalize deputy superintendent Adam Smith's contract Thursday.The board voted 7-0 in favor of the contract with two members abstaining. His contract would give him a $235,000 per year salary.Smith's contract is set to expire after December 2028; Superintendent LaMont Cole's contract is set to expire at the end of July 2028.Permalink| Comments

Vehicle in river at Highway 22 in Maurepas

MAUREPAS - A vehicle was in a river at Highway 22 near Falcon Road, according to the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office.Images showed the black vehicle off the roadway and slightly into a nearby river.No injuries were reported.Permalink| Comments

DOC employee alleges widespread drug problem at Elayn Hunt, DOC investigating

ST. GABRIEL - A Department of Corrections employee is choosing to remain anonymous, but blowing the whistle on what they claim are relaxed drug policies at Elayn Hunt Correctional."The drug problem is off the charts," they said. The employee says recently a large part of officers' duties at the prison have been resuscitating overdosing inmates."The intoxication is off the charts. You might see anywhere from five to 10 intoxications in any day."They say the drugs are mainly coming from

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Thousands without power after outages in Livingston, St. Helena parishes

WALKER - Thousands of people in Livingston and St. Helena parishes are experiencing power outages, according to both DEMCO and Entergy maps.According to DEMCO maps, 9,965 people in Livingston Parish and 5,013 people in St. Helena Parish experienced outages as of 5:30 p.m.Entergy had 3,174 people experiencing power outages in the city of Walker.The Walker Police Department said traffic lights are not functioning and advised residents to stay off roadways until the weather clears.According to DEM

Power outages affecting Livingston, St. Helena parishes

WALKER - Thousands of people in Livingston and St. Helena parishes are experiencing power outages, according to both DEMCO and Entergy maps.According to DEMCO maps, 7,745 people in Livingston Parish and 5,011 people in St. Helena Parish experienced outages; Entergy had 2,246 people experiencing power outages in the city of Walker.The Walker Police Department said traffic lights are not functioning and advised residents to stay off roadways until the weather clears. No estimated time has been gi

Exact timeline for Comite River Diversion Project still undefined; DOTD says it is mostly complete

BATON ROUGE — The Comite River Diversion Canal Project is fully funded and more than ¾ of the way complete, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said at the State Capitol on Thursday.The Comite River Diversion is a flood risk management project that will connect the Comite River to the Mississippi River via a 12-mile diversion channel to reduce the risk of rain and river flooding.Legislators wanted a more concrete timeline for when the project will be

4 from BRPD's Street Crimes Unit plead not guilty to obstruction and malfeasance charges

BATON ROUGE — Four members of the defunct Baton Rouge Police Department's Street Crimes Unit waived their formal arraignment on obstruction of justice and malfeasance charges Thursday and pleaded not guilty.The four were accused in the 19th Judicial District Court on a complaint that they were involved in beating, tasing, and strip-searching a man in 2020. The case came to light after revelations about the "BRAVE Cave," a building where investigators believe that police would interrog

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BREC Memorial Stadium undergoing renovations, removes seating

BATON ROUGE — BREC Memorial Stadium is currently undergoing renovations.Director of Operations Raharold Lawson said BREC noticed the seating at the stadium was in a decomposing state, so they took safety measures and removed them.“Because of construction, up costs and things of that nature, it wasn’t feasible for us to put that money back into the seating of the bleachers, but to remove them for our onlookers,” said Lawson.Lawson said that the idea of ren

Local cleanup group teams with debris removal service to sweep Baton Rouge streets

BATON ROUGE — For the first time, street sweepers joined the efforts of Keep Tiger Town Beautiful to clean the community Thursday."Today is like Santa Claus came today! But even better than a three-carat diamond ring because we got Chris Nkadi with Elite Waste (and Construction Services, a debris removal service)," Keep Tiger Town Beautiful Founder Jennifer Richardson said.Nine trucks were on Perkins Road on Thursday morning, seven of which were street sweepers.Elite Waste told WBRZ t

LPSO: Denham Springs man allegedly solicited child p*rn from 20 children across multiple states

DENHAM SPRINGS - Deputies discovered a total of 20 juvenile victims of an 18-year-old allegedly soliciting child p*rnography across multiple states, according to the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office.LPSO says Glenn Walter, 18, of Denham Springs was initially arrested in April on several counts of computer aided solicitation of 10 total minors and juveniles across seven other states, as well as possession of p*rnography involving juveniles.As the investigation continued, the total victims jump

Hunters for the Hungry asks the capital region to 'Clean Out Your Freezer' with food bank drive Sunday

BATON ROUGE — Louisianans love to hunt. They also love to serve, with the two coming together this weekend with an event designed to fill food banks across the capital area with frozen meat and other foodSunday's "Clean Out Your Freezer Day" is hosted by Hunters for the Hungry and accepts all properly packaged and labeled frozen goods, going beyond protein. Last year's event brought in 21,881 lbs., Hunters for the Hungry said.The only stipulation are that the items need to be frozen a

Fire department responds after car crashes into church on Scenic Highway

BATON ROUGE - Officials are responding after a car reportedly crashed into a church on Scenic Highway. The crash happened at the Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church on Scenic Highway Thursday morning. It was not immediately clear what the extent of the damages was, nor whether there were any injuries. This is a developing story. Permalink| Comments

New documentary series highlighting LSU's NIL athletes releases next month; executive produced by Shaq

BATON ROUGE — A new documentary series focusing on LSU's NIL athletes is releasing next month with a focus on Livvy Dunne, Jayden Daniels and Angel Reese.The new series, "Money Game," will air on Amazon Prime and is being executive-produced by Shaquille O'Neal.A trailer released for the series highlights the rapidly changing landscape of Name, Image and Likeness deals that shook the world of college sports over the last few years. LSU's athletes like Dunne, Reese and Daniels became so

American Idol makes its way to the capital region for first round of auditions

BATON ROUGE - The first round of virtual American Idol auditions made their way to the capital region this week.Addis native Dylan Reaux has a dream as big as the Mississippi River to be a contestant on American Idol. That is why he went through the first round of virtual auditions for the fifth time on Monday. However, he says this is his year."I've had a lot of practice. I think it was confidence and vocal strength. You work every day at it and get better. If this happens for me I know it wil

Man accused of drug dealing arrested after police seize almost 5 pounds of fentanyl, 150 pounds of meth

BATON ROUGE — A man was arrested after police seized a massive amount of drugs—including more than 4½ pounds of fentanyl and 150 pounds of meth—from three Baton Rouge addresses, Baton Rouge Police said Thursday.Cendy Sammy Keophimanh was arrested on multiple drug and gun possession charges, including possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin. He was also arrested for possessing stolen guns, as well as Adderall, cocaine

At least 1 arrest made in connection to Matthew Perry's death, law enforcement source says

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities have arrested at least one person in connection with Matthew Perry’s death from an accidental ketamine overdose last year, a law enforcement official tells The Associated Press.The official was not authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. Authorities have scheduled a news conference in Los Angeles to announce details in the case later Thursday morning.Los Angeles police said in May th

5 people, including 2 doctors, charged in investigation into Matthew Perrys death

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A prosecutor says five people have been charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death from a ketamine overdose last year, including the actor’s assistant and two doctors.U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada announced the charges Thursday, saying the doctors supplied Perry with a large amount of ketamine and even wondered in a text message how much the former “Friends” star would be willing to pay.“These

Man dead after domestic dispute led to shooting Thursday morning; suspect in custody

BATON ROUGE - A man suspected of a fatal shooting following a domestic dispute on Thursday morning surrendered to the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office.The sheriff's office responded to an apartment complex on Hanks Drive around 9 a.m. Thursday in response to a shooting. Deputies said early information indicated that a domestic dispute led to a man being shot inside one of the apartments. The man died on the scene. Multiple people have been detained as deputies continue

Man dead after domestic dispute led to shooting Thursday morning

BATON ROUGE - Multiple people are in custody after a domestic dispute led to a fatal shooting Thursday morning. The sheriff's office responded to an apartment complex on Hanks Drive around 9 a.m. Thursday in response to a shooting. Deputies said early information indicated that a domestic dispute led to a man being shot inside one of the apartments. The man died on the scene. Multiple people have been detained as deputies continue the investigation. This is a developi

St. Helena bus driver carrying two students on board avoids serious collision

GREENSBURG - The St. Helena Parish School District congratulated one of its bus drivers for avoiding a potentially-serious car crash Thursday morning. The district said bus driver Antionette Davis was on her route with two students already on board when a driver traveling in the opposite direction appeared to have fallen asleep at the wheel, swerving into Davis' lane. The vehicle side-swiped the bus but Davis was able to avoid a more serious incident. All who were inv

White House says deals struck to cut prices of popular Medicare drugs that cost $50 billion yearly

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is taking a victory lap after federal officials inked deals with drug companies to lower the price for 10 of Medicare’s most popular and costliest drugs, but shared few immediate details about the new price older Americans will pay when they fill those prescriptions.White House officials said Wednesday night they expect U.S. taxpayers to save $6 billion on the new prices, while older Americans could save roughly $1.5 billion on thei

St. George leaders respond to Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome's letter to leaders

ST. GEORGE - Tuesday, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broom sent a letter to the leaders of the city of St. George, and in the letter, Broome pointed out questions and concerns for the growing city.Broome’s multi-page letter detailed a transition plan. However, the letter was not received with support from St. George leaders, who say many of her questions have already been addressed.Broome outlines concerns about how the transition district will decide on an incorporation date and map.

Dutchtown Middle student dies after medical emergency at school Wednesday

GEISMAR - An eighth grader at Dutchtown Middle died after having a medical emergency at school Wednesday. A spokesperson for Ascension Parish Schools said the student had a medical emergency while on campus and was taken to a hospital where they later passed away. In a letter sent to parents, Dutchtown Middle Principal Douglas Walker said there will be grief counselors on campus Thursday for students.Dear Dutchtown Middle Families,It is with profound sadness that we inform you

Active week of gun violence puts continues alarming rate of homicides in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - The first three months of 2024 were the deadliest in Baton Rouge in 25 years and it doesn't seem to be slowing.Since last Wednesday there have been six shootings.The first on Quivera Street, where 19-year-old Malik Mills was found lying in the middle of the street, shot to death. Then on Thursday, 14-year-old Travez Washington was shot multiple times and found dead on Dayton Street.There were two non-fatal shootings on Saturday: one on Clayton Street, where police arrested 21-year

Active week of gun violence puts Baton Rouge back on pace to surpass homicide record

BATON ROUGE - The first three months of 2024 were the deadliest in Baton Rouge in 25 years and it doesn't seem to be slowing.Since last Wednesday there have been six shootings.The first on Quivera Street, where 19-year-old Malik Mills was found lying in the middle of the street, shot to death. Then on Thursday, 14-year-old Travez Washington was shot multiple times and found dead on Dayton Street.There were two non-fatal shootings on Saturday: one on Clayton Street, where police arrested 21-year

'We do not have any answers:' Killian leaders unsure why town's water turned black

KILLIAN - The Town of Killian issued a statement regarding the quality of the town's water after residents experienced dark-colored water of the weekend.After a meeting Tuesday where residents showed frustration over the lack of communication, the town said it received a letter from the Louisiana Department of Health regarding water test results from samples collected Tuesday showing no coliform or E. coli findings.Additionally, no boil water advisory is being issued and the town "does not have

Town of Killian leaders do "not have any answers" for black water over weekend

KILLIAN - The Town of Killian issued a statement regarding the quality of the town's water after residents experienced dark-colored water of the weekend.After a meeting Tuesday where residents showed frustration over the lack of communication, the town said it received a letter from the Louisiana Department of Health regarding water test results from samples collected Tuesday showing no coliform or E. coli findings.Additionally, no boil water advisory is being issued and the town "does not have

Raising Cane's owner donates $100,000 to install coral reef in Grande Isle; pledges to build four more

BATON ROUGE - Raising Cane's owner and founder Todd Graves donated $100,000 to CCA Louisiana to build an artificial coral reef in Grande Isle while pledging to donate an additional $400,000 to install four more off the Louisiana coastline.Graves joined representatives from CCA Louisiana, Danos, Natrx, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at the Grand Isle Marina to commemorate the installation of CCA Louisiana’s largest inshore artificial reef in years.Accor

Baton Rouge Food Bank employees say inventory needs replenishing ahead of colder months

BATON ROUGE — The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank needs to replenish its inventory ahead of higher demand during fall and winter.President and CEO Mike Manning said that the food bank has struggled to secure food during the summer.“Inventory has been going down since the past several months, and it’s probably going to continue that way until we can find a way to right that ship and get more food in here. That’s an ongoing challenge that we’ve been