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

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

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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

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

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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

Walker police chief prevents drowning after person falls into swimming pool

WALKER - The Walker police chief preventing a drowning after retrieving a person who fell into their backyard swimming pool Friday.According to the Walker Police Department, Chief David Addison was approached by three young girls who told him their father fell into their swimming pool and was unresponsive.Addison said he jumped into the pool, grabbed the victim, and pulled him to the pool steps. The man was not breaking and was a bluish-grey color.Additional medical personnel arrived at the sce

Fewer than 400 tickets remain for Baton Rouge St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway

BATON ROUGE - Less than 400 tickets remain for the Baton Rouge St. Judge Dream Home Giveaway.The winner will be announced live on WBRZ’s television special on Sunday, June 12.For more information, visit St. Jude's website or call 1-800-726-6409.Permalink| Comments

Livingston deputies recover stolen Baton Rouge vehicle after interstate pursuit between Walker, Juban

WALKER — Livingston Parish deputies recovered a stolen Baton Rouge vehicle after a Wednesday morning pursuit on I-12 West between Walker and Juban.The pursuit started on the overpass at Walker and ended on the interstate close to Juban, deputies said.Two arrests were made and no injuries were reported. Detectives are currently working the scene.Permalink| Comments

LSU baseball departing for NCAA Regional tournament in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

BATON ROUGE — LSU's baseball team is leaving at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday for Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to face Wofford College in the NCAA Regionals this weekend.WATCH THE LIVESTREAM HERE.The Tigers, the No. 2 seed in the bracket, will face the Terriers on Friday at 11 a.m. on ESPNU. The winner of the regional, which also features a matchup between North Carolina and Long Island University in the opening round, will advance to a super regional with a chance to go to the College World Se

Tangipahoa Parish deputies contact two men with knowledge of inmates who escaped jail over weekend

AMITE — The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office has identified and contacted two subjects believed to have knowledge of the two inmates still on the run from authorities after escaping the parish jail over the weekend.Sheriff Daniel Edwards said that the two white males were caught on security footage and are believed to hold valuable information related to the escaped inmates, although they are not suspects themselves. The Sheriff's Office did not reveal where the footage was captured

Ponchatoula officer found dead in cruiser had suffered from significant heart issues, chief says

PONCHATOULA — A Ponchatoula city police officer found dead in her patrol car had an 80 percent blockage in an artery and two additional contributing factors that led to her death, the city's police chief said Wednesday, citing autopsy results.Cpl. Pricilla Dean Pierson had just turned 44. She was found unresponsive in her unit outside a Rouses grocery store on the west side of Ponchatoula on Tuesday morning. Foul play was not suspected, and in an interview with WBRZ Chief Bry Layrisso

Capital area PALS hosting 2nd annual Pop-Up BBQ

BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Police Activities League is getting ready to host its 2nd Annual pop-up BBQ hoping to bridge the gap between law enforcement and community youth.The event is happening Saturday June 1 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Howell Park. There will be free food, games and activities."Times are changing, and our approach can't be the same," said Corporal Brandon Jones with the Baton Rouge Police Department. "We have to come up with creative ways to reach out. To me, it's super imp

Houma man arrested for attempted arson after allegedly dousing home, resident with lighter fluid

HOUMA — A Houma man was arrested for allegedly dousing a house and its occupant with lighter fluid in an attempt to set them ablaze.Hunter Lirette, 18, was booked by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office for attempted aggravated arson.Deputies were called to the Ja Don Drive residence around noon on Monday after receiving a disturbance complaint. Lirette was threatening set the home on fire after spraying it with lighter fluid, the complainant told deputies. Deputies later discovered

LSU Police promotes interim chief to campus' top cop, effective this week

BATON ROUGE — The LSU Police Department on Wednesday named its interim chief of police as its permanent campus law enforcement head.Marshall Walters' tenure as LSUPD chief of police, effective June 1, comes after he served more than 21 years in various roles at the department. He was eventually named interim chief to the approximately 60 officers in the department's employ last spring. “It has been my privilege to serve the LSU community for the past 21 years, and I

Third arrest made in retail check forgery ring out of Pierre Part grocery store

PIERRE PART — A Morgan City man was arrested for an alleged check cashing scheme at a Pierre Part grocery store, marking the third arrest in an investigation that started in February.Justin Dale Adams, 46, was booked earlier in May by the Berwick Police Department before being transferred to the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. He was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on identity theft, bank fraud, access device fraud, forgery and monetary inst

American Kennel Club hosting working group dog show in Ascension Parish this weekend

GONZALES - See your favorite working breeds in action this weekend at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center. The American Kennel Club and its Mississippi Gulf Coast Working Group Club is hosting a working group-only dog show in Gonzales this weekend. The working group, which includes dogs like the Akita, the Great Dane, and the Samoyed were bred to assist humans with tasks such as protecting livestock, hunting large game, and pulling sleds. The dog show will be held at Lamar Di

One person taken to hospital after crash involving probation and parole unit

BATON ROUGE - One person was taken to the hospital in unknown condition after a crash involving a parole vehicle. Officials said one person was injured in the crash on Wooddale Boulevard and Tom Drive, but the severity of their injuries was not clear. Video from the scene showed a red car with heavy damage to its side, and the parole unit with heavy damage to its front. It seemed the two vehicles were involved in a T-bone crash, but it was not immediately clear who was at faul

Gov. Landry signs bill mandating public stay 25 feet away from law enforcement officers

BATON ROUGE - In the package of bills Gov. Jeff Landry signed Tuesday, one makes it a crime to stand within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer if they ask you to stand back. Landry says the measure aims to keep officers safe while they are working. Republican State Representative Bryan Fontenot carried HB173 through the capitol and to the governor’s desk. “I think you see across America that violence on police officers continues to rise, and it was a delicate bala

Baby kidnapped in Laplace found in good health

LAPLACE - Law enforcement is still searching for a person who sexually assaulted a woman and kidnapped her baby Tuesday. The St. John Parish Sheriff's Office said a woman told deputies that she was driving through Laplace on May 28 around 3 a.m. when she was sexually assaulted and removed from her vehicle. She said her attacker took off with the car. Her 8-month-old son Phil Baker was inside.The baby was recovered by New Orleans police officers around 8 p.m. and is in good hea

Tangipahoa Parish residents concerned after inmate escapes; 2 still on the run

TANGIPAHOA PARISH - In the last four days, four inmates have escaped Tangipahoa Parish Jail. So far, only two inmates have been caught and the other two remain at large.The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said Avery Guidry and Trayvon Johnson escaped from the jail Saturday and were captured Monday. Both men were arrested in 2022 with Omarion Hoofkin in a home invasion killing.The trio is accused of forcing their way into the Hammond home of Donte Perry, who was shot and killed during the inv

St. George's interim mayor working for free for now; doesn't regret years-long effort

BATON ROUGE — The interim mayor of the new city of St. George said Tuesday he's not sure how long he'll serve in the role. Gov. Jeff Landry appointed Dustin Yates as temporary mayor this month, tapping him to serve until the state's newest city can hold elections. When Central went through this nearly 20 years ago, interim mayor Shelton "Mac" Watts served for nearly a year as interim before being elected to the job April 1, 2006."We've asked how long this transition is going

Denham Springs firefighter hurt in wreck Tuesday

DENHAM SPRINGS - A Denham Springs firefighter was taken to a hospital from a crash on Tuesday afternoon. The Denham Springs Police Department said the wreck, which involved a fire truck and a tractor trailer, happened at the intersection of Hatchell Lane and Jason Drive at 2 p.m.The firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries. As of 5 p.m., Hatchell Lane was still closed. Permalink| Comments

Gov. Landry declares Tuesday as 'Not on Herb Day' to celebrate Pelican player's achievements

BATON ROUGE - After signing multiple bills into law Tuesday, Governor Jeff Landry proclaimed that May 28, 2024, will be known as "Not on Herb Day" to celebrate the sporting achievements of Pelicans guard Herb Jones. Jones was born in Alabama and played for the Crimson Tide during college before being drafted by the Pelicans in the early second round in 2021. During his first NBA season, Jones ranked third for steals, fourth for blocks and was in the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.&nbsp

East Baton Rouge child p*rn suspect to move to New Iberia pending trial, judge says

BATON ROUGE — A former East Baton Rouge Parish contractor pleaded not guilty to distribution of child p*rnography Tuesday and a federal magistrate said he could go live with his father in New Iberia pending a trial.Blake Steiner can have no contact with children, including his own, and will be not be able to travel or go onto the internet, Magistrate Judge Erin Wilder-Doomes said. Steiner can be released to his father's custody Wednesday, the judge said.A trial was set for Aug. 5.Acco