Ahead of busy weekend on the water, LDWF encouraging safety among boaters - Baton Rouge news - NewsLocker (2024)

MAUREPAUS - The Diversion Canal was calm on Friday afternoon, but it's the beginning of a busy Memorial Day weekend on the water. Just feet away from the launch at the Hilltop Inn restaurant, a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent was putting his boat in the water, preparing to look for signs of trouble."If you're going to be out here, expect to see us," Sgt. Carl Armstrong said.According to the LDWF, 107 people died in boating accidents between 2019 and 2023. The depar

EBR interim superintendent proposes new pay raises for all staff on teacher salary schedule

BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge School System proposed a pay raise for all staff on the teacher salary schedule, according to a statement on Thursday.According to the statement, Interim Superintendent Adam Smith proposes a permanent raise of $2,200 for all staff on the teacher salary schedule, increasing the starting salary for beginning teachers from $47,800 to $50,000. Additionally, a raise of $1,500 is proposed for all principals and assistant principals, and $1,300 for all other staff.Pe

'A total disgrace:' Louisiana Republicans criticize New York's conviction of ex-president Trump

BATON ROUGE — Former president Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts against him in his New York hush money trial Thursday.The reactions to the landmark jury verdict from Louisiana politicians were largely predictable, with many in Trump's camp decrying the guilty verdict as a "disgrace," as well as calling the trial rigged.Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, called the trial a "perversion of justice" and declared that Trump will "win on appeal and again in November."The New York tr

NY jury convicts Trump in fraud case stemming from sex scandal involving p*rn star from Baton Rouge

NEW YORK — Donald Trump was convicted Thursday on all 34 counts against him in his New York hush money trial, a landmark jury verdict making him the first former American president to be found guilty of felony crimes in the nation’s nearly 250-year history.The jury’s judgment Thursday caps a trial centered on lurid claims of sex involving a p*rn star from Baton Rouge, along with financial coverups. It also exposes Trump to prison time.Trump will be sentenced on Jul

Advertisem*nt

Louisiana lawmakers OK plan to have state taxpayers pay students' private school tuition

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana lawmakers on Thursday gave final approval to a bill that would let parents of children educated in private and parochial schools direct taxpayer money to advance their education.The Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise bill, also known as LA GATOR, is headed to Gov. Jeff Landry's desk. He is expected to sign it.The funding will be part of education scholarship accounts for K-12 students. Landry's office has billed it as a way to empower parents to scho

17-year-old arrested for murder after April shooting on Florida Street

BATON ROUGE - A 17-year-old was arrested for murder after an April shooting on Florida Street, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department.BRPD said Micah Bell, 17, was arrested for his involvement in the shooting death of Tedrick Davis.Bell was booked for second-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon.Permalink| Comments

Louisiana health department shares tips on how to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses this summer

BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Health issued a statement on Thursday reminding the public to take precautions against mosquito bites that can expose people to West Nile virus and dengue virus.In Louisiana, there is typically more mosquito activity in the warmer summer months, increasing the risk for mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile and dengue, LDH said. LDH advised wearing EPA-registered mosquito repellent on exposed skin when outside and always foll

BRPD: One dies in hit-and-run on Nicholson Drive Wednesday night

BATON ROUGE - Police are seeking information after one person died in a hit-and-run on Nicholson Drive around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department.BRPD says Shelton Morgan, 42, was standing in the raised median at the 3000 block of Nicholson Drive between the north and southbound lanes of travel. Morgan stepped onto the southbound lane and was struck by a vehicle, leading to him being transported to a local hospital and dying.Police do not know the identity of the

Advertisem*nt

Tangipahoa temporarily lowers jail head count while addressing recent escapes

HAMMOND — The sheriff-elect of Tangipahoa Parish said Thursday that the inmate population at the parish jail has been reduced temporarily as guards deal with the aftermath of two escapes.Four prisoners broke out in separate incidents last weekend. Two were apprehended within a day, but two others were still at-large Thursday. "We have a fair number of incarcerated individuals that are being housed outside the parish, simply because we do not have enough room for them," Sherif

Drew Brees honored by Saints Hall of Fame, says 'Geaux Tigers' on raising family in Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Saints announced former quarterback Drew Brees was inducted into their Hall of Fame, where Brees held a press conference after detailing how living in Louisiana impacted his life.Brees, who was initially drafted by the now Los Angeles Chargers before going to New Orleans as a free agent, finished second all-time in NFL passing yards with 80,358 passing yards, only behind Tom Brady. Brees is also second in career touchdown passes at 571 and won the Super Bowl 44 Mos

LSU football announces Week 2 and 3 times and channels

BATON ROUGE - LSU football's first three games of the 2024 season now have confirmed starting times and networks.LSU will face USC in Las Vegas on September 1 on ABC at 6:30 p.m. LSU announced today that their Week 2 game against Nicholls will take place 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+ and their Week 3 game at South Carolina will start at 11 a.m. on ABC.LSU will play Nicholls September 7 and South Carolina September 14. LSU games against USC and South Carolina can be watched on WBRZ.Permalink| Comments

Two juveniles arrested for attempted murder, vehicle burglary of Zachary woman on Tuesday

ZACHARY — Two juveniles were arrested Thursday in the attempted vehicle burglary and attempted second-degree murder of a Zachary woman that took place early Tuesday morning.A woman was reportedly shot multiple times after she confronted a suspected burglar early Tuesday morning. Zachary Police Chief Darryl Lawrence said two women saw the man pulling on a car door handle at their neighbor’s home on East Central Avenue near Church Street around 3 a.m. One of the women confront

Two juveniles arrested for attempted murder, vehicle burglary of Zachary woman

ZACHARY — Two juveniles were arrested Thursday in the attempted vehicle burglary and attempted second-degree murder of a Zachary woman that took place early Tuesday morning.A woman was reportedly shot multiple times after she confronted a suspected burglar early Tuesday morning. Zachary Police Chief Darryl Lawrence said two women saw the man pulling on a car door handle at their neighbor’s home on East Central Avenue near Church Street around 3 a.m. One of the women confront

LSU hosts memorial service on campus, honors former students, staff that served

BATON ROUGE — LSU held a Memorial Day service Thursday for veterans — including former students, faculty and staff — who died in service of their country.The ceremony was held at noon on the Parade Ground at the LSU War Memorial. The public "Ceremony in Silence" observance will include a wreath-laying ceremony and "Taps," the traditional military bugle march. LSU's memorial service is being held on the traditional date for Memorial Day — May 30 &mdash

Services set for Saturday for Ponchatoula police officer who died outside supermarket

PONCHATOULA — A funeral service has been set for Saturday for a Ponchatoula police officer found dead in her cruiser.Cpl. Priciilla Pierson, 44, died Tuesday morning while her police car was parked outside a Rouses supermarket. Survivors include her husband, a 25-year veteran of the department.Chief Bry Layrisson said Thursday that visitation will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Harry McKneely and Son Funeral Home in Hammond. A chapel service will be held at 11 a.m.

74-year-old found dead on his front porch; deputies declare his death a homicide

PEARL RIVER - Deputies declared a 74-year-old man's death a homicide after he was found dead on his front porch Sunday evening. According to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, deputies found Douglas LaFrance dead on his porch Sunday just after 5 p.m.. A cause of death was not immediately known, but deputies declared his death a homicide and said that the death was "suspicious."Deputies said an autopsy "confirmed suspicions" but did not specify what those suspicions were.&nbsp

2une In Previews: Miss Louisiana 2024

BATON ROUGE - The Miss Louisiana 2024 competition is just around the corner!2une In got to speak with the 2023 winner Makenzie Scroggs about what goes into the contest and what Miss Louisiana means. "This has been the best year of my life, but it has gone by way too fast," Scroggs said. "This year, I've been able to travel over 25,000 miles across our state, learned all of Louisiana. I've been able to go to 25 schools, talk to 10,000 students and talk about my confidence build

BREC assures the public Liberty Lagoon is family friendly despite Sunday's brawl

BATON ROUGE - This week, Liberty Lagoon has been a big topic of conversation after the Mayor's Pool Party on Sunday evening became violent due to multiple fights.However, despite the night of brawls and commotion, BREC wants to assure people that Liberty Lagoon is still a family-friendly place."Liberty Lagoon is one of our safest facilities that we have," said Corey Wilson with BREC. "We always have law enforcement here and that's a fun family event. We've been open well over 10 years now, (and

Current situation is 'no surprise:' Tangipahoa Parish sheriff-elect to speak on continuing search for missing inmates

AMITE - The search continues for two inmates who escaped from the Tangipahoa Parish Jail over the weekend, and the parish sheriff-elect says the situation law enforcement is facing comes as no surprise. Four inmates escaped from the Tangipahoa Parish Jail over the weekend and deputies were not aware they were gone until a family member of one of the inmates that escaped Saturday called the jail Sunday afternoon. Two of the inmates, Travon Johnson, 21, and Avery Guidry, 19, were taken b

BRPD arrests man accused of posing as officer

BATON ROUGE- A man who was allegedly posing as a law enforcement officer was arrested Wednesday.The Baton Rouge Police Department said 46-year-old Ray Charles Ayo repeatedly made false claims that he was an officer and had fake credentials. Anyone who had an interaction with the man while he was posing as a police officer can call (225) 389-2000. Permalink| Comments

Ascension Parish deputies make additional arrests in Prairieville shooting

PRAIRIEVILLE - On Wednesday, Ascension Parish deputies made two additional arrests in connection to a shooting that left two people injured May 10.The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office said deputies arrested 19-year-olds Jarvis Hasten and Marvis Ransom in connection with the shooting that happened at an event hall on Airline Highway. The pair was booked into the Ascension Parish Jail Wednesday.WBRZ previously reported that Keelan Irvin Jr., 17, was arrested in the shooting.All three were charge

Man accused of New Year's Day crash that claimed life of Walker High senior pleads not guilty in court

LIVINGSTON - The man accused of the New Year's Day crash that claimed the life of 17-year-old Blakeleigh Weems pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday.Weems family says Shawn Robertson has shown no remorse for his actions."His actions have led to the un-timely death of our daughter and we'll have to live with that hurt and that grief for the rest of our lives," Nelson Weems, Blakeleigh's father, said.The Weems family says this has been a long time coming. Robertson was not arrested in the crash f

Police looking for information on two unsolved homicides in 2023

BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department is searching for more information on two unsolved homicides from 2023.On Feb. 25, 2023, 17-year-old Nykobia Keller's body was found inside a vehicle located near the Hollywood exit ramp on North I-110. Police believe Keller was followed and targeted by another vehicle before being shot."They were riding in their vehicle, and a second vehicle pulled alongside them, started shooting, struck the driver. She was able to pull over, they called for medi

Police looking for information on two unsolved homicides from 2023

BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department is searching for more information on two unsolved homicides from 2023.On Feb. 25, 2023, 17-year-old Nykobia Keller's body was found inside a vehicle located near the Hollywood exit ramp on North I-110. Police believe Keller was followed and targeted by another vehicle before being shot."They were riding in their vehicle, and a second vehicle pulled alongside them, started shooting, struck the driver. She was able to pull over, they called for medi

More than 30 cats rescued from horrible living situation, brought to Baton Rouge shelter

BATON ROUGE - More than 30 cats were rescued from a hoarder in Rayne and brought to a Baton Rouge animal shelter. One week ago, non-profit animal organization Cat Haven went to the house that was said to be hoarding over 50 cats. Director of Development Amber Harrell described the scene as a cat frenzy."When we got there, there were cats running in the roads, cats running under the car and things like that," Harrell said. "There were cats everywhere."Out of the 50 cats they found, resc

Seven arrested after year-long 'Operation Hellcat' investigation face rare racketeering charges

PORT ALLEN — Seven people arrested in March in a car heist ring that stole new vehicles from a railroad yard in Port Allen were formally charged Wednesday with racketeering, as well as theft charges, a state prosecutor said.District Attorney Tony Clayton said members of the group were charged with five counts of simple burglary, three counts of theft, four counts of attempted theft, principal to simple burglary, accessories after the fact and racketeering, a rarely used criminal charg

Two dead after boat capsizes on Toledo Bend Lake

SABINE PARISH - Two people died after a boat capsized on Toledo Bend Lake Thursday, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.Officials recovered the bodies of Macy Richard, 27, and Jerilyn Hebert, 57 after the search and rescue teams arrived to the incident. Both were from Opelousas.According to the survivors, five customers chartered a fishing boat with a fishing guide on Toledo Bend Lake. The wind and waves quickly picked up around 11:50 a.m. and a wave hit the pontoon

Bill removing meal break requirement for teenage workers receives final passage, awaits Landry's signature

BATON ROUGE — The State House of Representatives gave final passage Wednesday to a bill that would eliminate the regulation requiring employers to give teenagers at least a 20-minute meal break if they work at least five hours.HB156 received 63 yea votes and 28 nay votes in the final House vote. It passed with 26 yeas and 11 nays in the Senate.The House also agreed to changes the Senate made to have the bill’s newly changed policy only apply to 16 and 17-year-old workers.The

Bill removing meal break requirement for teenage workers granted final passage, awaits Landry's signature

BATON ROUGE — The State House of Representatives gave final passage Wednesday to a bill that would eliminate the regulation requiring employers to give teenagers at least a 20-minute meal break if they work at least five hours.HB156 received 63 yea votes and 28 nay votes in the final House vote. It passed with 26 yeas and 11 nays in the Senate.The House also agreed to changes the Senate made to have the bill’s newly changed policy only apply to 16 and 17-year-old workers.The

Central Police looking for owner of lost bike

CENTRAL - According to a social media post on Wednesday, the Central Police Department is looking for the owner of a bike they found on the Central Thruway under the overpass. The department said the owner must be able to provide authorities with proof of ownership of the property. Anyone with any information on the owner can contact the department at (225) 367-1254 for assistance.Permalink| Comments