New details revealed on weekend's fatal Tickfaw River boat crash; charges could potentially be filed - Louisiana news - NewsLocker (2024)

SPRINGFIELD — The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said Tuesday that it is treating the weekend's fatal boat crash on Tickfaw River as a criminal investigation.Sgt. Randy Lanoux said a 25-foot Sea Fox boat crashed into a 25-foot pontoon boat shortly after midnight Sunday morning. “The Sea Fox hit the pontoon boat what we consider to be mid-vessel. (For) lack of a better term, it T-boned it. The Sea Fox ramped the pontoon boat, slid back off and rolled

3 newly freed Americans are back on US soil after a landmark prisoner exchange with Russia

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, with Moscow releasing journalist Evan Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan, along with dissidents including Vladimir Kara-Murza, in a multinational deal that set two dozen people free.Gershkovich, Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist with dual U.S.-Russia citizenship, arrived on American soil shortly before mid

State Police issue missing child advisory for 8 year old girl last seen in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS— Louisiana State Police issued a child endangerment alert for an 8-year-old girl last seen in New Orleans believed to have been taken by her non-custodial parent.Troopers say Alessandra Leonor Bruno was last seen at the Rock-N-Sake Sushi Bar off Fulton Street in New Orleans. Her biological mother, 36-year-old Alejandra Gutierrez is suspected of taking her Wednesday around 7:00 p.m.Gutierrez is believed to be driving a dark gray 2023 Lexus R350. Troopers say Gutierrez has a

Two injured in shooting on Government Street and South 15th Street

BATON ROUGE - Two people were injured in a shooting on Government Street and South 15th Street Thursday, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department.BRPD officials said two victims went to the hospital as a result of the shooting. Their condition is unknown.No other information is available at this time.Permalink| Comments

Advertisement

Two injured in shooting on Government Street

BATON ROUGE - Two people were injured in a shooting on Government Street Thursday, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department.BRPD officials said two victims went to the hospital as a result of the shooting. Their condition is unknown.No other information is available at this time.Permalink| Comments

LSU Tiger football starts fall practice strong

BATON ROUGE - Brian Kelly and his 2024 Tiger football team got their preseason practices started on Thursday morning on the right foot according to the head coach. Kelly was pleased with his teams ability to handle the opening round of work and is excited about the prospects for this upcoming season."The work that you do in the offseason and all the preparation and you know, to watch your process take place over a period of time is what excites me. It's the development of your team and

Amazon facility opens at former Cortana Mall-turned fulfilment center

BATON ROUGE - The highly anticipated Amazon facility in Baton Rouge opened its doors Wednesday.The brand new Amazon Fulfillment Center in what was formerly Cortana Mall, also known as BTR1, is a big building with a big economic impact to match. The new facility is encouraging more businesses to open in the area."Family Dollar [opened], I need to be at Planet Fitness which has opened their doors nearby, and of course, a site work has begun to work on an Aldi store to set up to open by the end of

LSU Scientists, EBR Mosquito Control seeking new ways to battle mosquitos and West Nile virus

BATON ROUGE - Mosquitos carrying the West Nile virus have become the main target of the East Baton Rouge Parish Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control. 
The mosquito is called the most dangerous animal in the world because it spreads diseases like malaria, yellow fever, the Zika virus and West Nile.Scientists at LSU and the crews at the parish office of mosquito control are seeking ways to fight them. This week, the mosquito control crews took their planes out to spray syntheti

Advertisement

Iberville Parish teachers hoping Grosse Tete bridge closure won't affect students' education

PLAQUEMINE - With just one week before the start of the school year, teachers and staff at Plaquemine High School gathered for a staff development day. A hot topic on everyone's minds: the Grosse Tete bridge closure. "It's a bad situation no matter which way you look at it," Hunter Markins, Athletic Director at PHS, said. Markins is more than just a coach. He also represents District 8 on the Iberville Parish Council. He said, while the parish is working to cooperate with affe

Voter registration law now in effect, some organizations believe the law could hurt voter turnout

BATON ROUGE — A law went into affect August first that sets guidelines for voter registration drives.Act 701 requires those wishing to conduct voter registration drives to fill out a contact form in person with either the Secretary of State's Office or their parish Registrar of Voters.There is also an option to register your drive by emailing [emailprotected] who are conducting an electronic drives will not have to register if they are registering voters through the Secretary

DeRidder mayor who resigned last week accused of raping juvenile

DeRIDDER — Beauregard Parish law officers said the former mayor of DeRidder was arrested Thursday and accused of having sex with a juvenile.Lake Charles-area media reported that Misty Roberts Clanton resigned last Saturday, two days after saying she planned to take a two-week leave of absence. The Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office said Roberts was arrested Thursday and released on bond a short time later. A bond amount wasn't immediately available through jail booking records.The she

One dead after shooting in Gonzales; deputies investigating as homicide

GONZALES - One person died after a shooting in Gonzales early Thursday morning, according to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office.Deputies responded to reports of a shooting at an apartment along LA Highway 44 in Gonzales around 1 a.m. Detectives found a deceased male with apparent gunshot wounds, who was identified asMark Johnson Jr., 26, of Gonzales.This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office anonymously at 225-62

Belle of Baton Rouge to host career fairs throughout August

BATON ROUGE - The Belle of Baton Rouge will host a series of career fairs throughout August to fill immediate openings for table games, security and casino operations positions.The event is taking place on the first floor of the Belle of Baton Rouge administrative offices at 103 France Street. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and bring their resume or information. Below are all dates and times for each fair:August 3 from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.August 8 from 9:00 a.m.

LSU cornerback suspended for video voyeurism investigation back on team; charge remains

BATON ROUGE — LSU said Thursday it had reinstated cornerback Javien Toviano to the football team while he still faces a video voyeurism charge.Coach Brian Kelly said Toviano was present as LSU opened practice Thursday."He's back in football activities, and we'll kind of get him going again, back in the mix," Kelly said. "Obviously, he's going to be a competitive player for us. He played for us last year, and we'll get him going as he works through his legal matters."The East Baton Rou

Dusty situation goes before council, hundreds of acres to be covered with dirt

DONALDSONVILLE - A plan to cover acres of red dust in Ascension Parish is another step closer to moving forward. Ascension Parish Government says the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement has been signed by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and LAlumina and was approved by the parish council Thursday night.The agreement must be signed by all three parties to move forward and cover the red dust, which has been plaguing Ascension Parish communities for years.The dust is bauxite, a byprod

St. Vincent de Paul Baton Rouge CEO selected as CEO of National Council of St. Vincent de Paul

BATON ROUGE - Long-time Society of St. Vincent de Paul Baton Rouge CEO Michael Acaldo has been selected as the CEO of the National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul.Alcado began his tenure as the chief executive of St. Vincent de Paul in Baton Rouge in 1990. According to St. Vincent De Paul Baton Rouge, the organization has significantly expanded its services since Acaldo's tenure, adding five shelters with a capacity to house over 200 people. Additionally, they added a dining

New Roads police chief to leave department; leaves five months after taking position

NEW ROADS — The New Roads Police are once again searching for new leadership, as Police Chief Cedrick Epps has only three more weeks on the job, Mayor Theron Smith told WBRZ on Thursday.Epps remains in good standing with the department and city, Smith said. "However, out of respect for his privacy I am unable to provide a reason for his departure," Smith added.Epps' departure from the office of chief comes less than five months after he took the position in March.A former Poi

New Roads police chief to leave department; departs five months after taking position

NEW ROADS — The New Roads Police are once again searching for new leadership, as Police Chief Cedrick Epps has only three more weeks on the job, Mayor Theron Smith told WBRZ on Thursday.Epps remains in good standing with the department and city, Smith said. "However, out of respect for his privacy I am unable to provide a reason for his departure," Smith added.Epps' departure from the office of chief comes less than five months after he took the position in March.A former Poi

Man pleads guilty to May bank robbery, leading deputies on interstate pursuit in stolen delivery car

BATON ROUGE — A man arrested in May for armed bank robbery and fleeing deputies in a stolen delivery driver's car pleaded guilty, a federal judge said Thursday.Jonathan Wayne Lanaute, 40, pleaded guilty to robbing a Bluebonnet Boulevard branch of the United Community Bank on May 3.Lanaute admitted to walking into the bank and passing a handwritten note to the bank teller demanding that they give him "all the money in the cash register...before everybody die(s) in here." The teller com

'Keep away from cops' law takes effect Thursday; mandates 25-foot buffer around police activity

BATON ROUGE — A new state law took effect Thursday that requires that people stay at least 25 feet away from police officers who are working.The attorney general's office said Thursday that the law was needed to protect cops and that the restrictions were reasonable. Critics fear the law could make it more difficult to monitor police activity. “If you have to be 25 feet away, you're not going to be able to help bring some type of change. You need to see and

Deputies searching for suspect in early morning homicide that left 26-year-old dead in Gonzales

GONZALES — Deputies are searching for the suspect in a Thursday morning homicide that left a 26-year-old Gonzales man dead.Mark Johnson Jr. was found shot dead shortly after 1 a.m. inside a Gonzales apartment along La. 44, deputies said. Anyone with information is urged to call the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office anonymously at 225-621-4636.Permalink| Comments

Man missing from Baton Rouge assisted living center; public's help sought in search

BATON ROUGE — Sheriff's deputies asked for the public's help in the search for a man who walked away from an assisted living center in Baton Rouge.James Bowman, 76, was last seen Wednesday night at Holly Court Assisted Living on Summa Avenue. Bowman was wearing black pants and a black-and-white striped shirt, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office said. The sheriff's office said Bowman had been diagnosed with dementia. Permalink| Comments

Deputies locate man missing from Baton Rouge assisted living center

BATON ROUGE — Sheriff's deputies asked for the public's help in the search for a man who walked away from an assisted living center in Baton Rouge.James Bowman, 76, was located safely on Burbank Drive.The sheriff's office said Bowman had been diagnosed with dementia. Permalink| Comments

Brian Kelly shares updates on LSU football as team starts fall training camp before Vegas opener

BATON ROUGE — LSU head football coach Brian Kelly provided updates about LSU football on the first day of fall training camp on Thursday.Kelly spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club on Wednesday ahead of the first day of camp. LSU will kick off its season against the University of Southern California in Las Vegas at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 1. Watch the Tigers' 2024 season kickoff on WBRZ.Permalink| Comments

Simone Biles becomes oldest Olympic women's gymnastics champ since 1952.

UPDATE: Simone Biles holds off Brazil's Rebeca Andrade in all-around, becomes oldest Olympic women's gymnastics champ since 1952.--------------------Olympics gymnastics latest: Simone Biles narrowly leads Rebeca Andrade entering final rotationAbstract:
Simone Biles, fresh off leading the U.S. women’s gymnastics team back to the gold medal in team competition, is back on the mat today for the Paris Olympics all-around finals. The 27-year-old is attempting to become the oldest women&amp

A former fire chief turned to pickleball after a health scare; now he's eyeing a national championship

BATON ROUGE - Former Baton Rouge Fire Chief Edwin Smith worked over forty years helping save lives.But over the last five years, he found something helping save him after having a heart attack: pickleball.In 2018, Smith experienced a cardiac emergency and was rushed to the emergency room where he was told that his liver had stopped functioning, and his kidneys and heart were working at less than 10%.He was transferred to Ochsner where doctors implanted him with a first-of-its-kind heart pump ca

East Baton Rouge School Board finalizes Superintendent LaMont Cole's contract

BATON ROUGE - Thursday, the East Baton Rouge School Board voted unanimously in a special meeting to approve newly-chosen superintendent LaMont Cole’s contract. Just one week after LaMont Cole was chosen unanimously to serve as district superintendent, the school board also wasted no time writing a hiring document. Cole’s proposed contract outlined a base salary of $285,000. Taking a look at the numbers, Cole's contract also allows incentive pay of up to $68

Proposed Cole contract goes to EBR school leaders Thursday; how will council replacement be picked?

BATON ROUGE — East Baton Rouge Parish School Board members Thursday will consider paying its new superintendent a base salary of $285,000 — a figure 12 percent higher than the amount paid to his predecessor.The board last week voted unanimously to hire Metro Council member LaMont Cole as the 41,000-student district's new leader. Cole has given up his council re-election bid but has not yet resigned his current seat on the panel. Council officials believe that will occur afte

Massive prisoner swap involving the US, Russia is underway; sources say American reporter among prisoners

WASHINGTON (AP) — A massive prisoner swap involving the United States and Russia was underway Thursday, a person familiar with the matter said.The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because details had not been publicly disclosed, did not specify who's included in the deal. But Americans considered by the U.S. to be wrongfully detained in Russia include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan.Both had bee

American reporter held in Russia was among prisoners released in biggest prisoner swap since Cold War

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, with Moscow releasing journalist Evan Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan in a multinational deal that set some two dozen people free, according to officials in Turkey, where the exchange took place.The trade followed years of secretive back-channel negotiations despite relations between Washington and Moscow being at their lowest point since the Cold War af