Baton Rouge

The first ‘fry-day’ of Lent kicks off in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE As the first Friday of Lent is upon us, churches around the area are putting together their fish fry events. Religious or not, it’s a time where everyone can participate in the act of fasting. Down here in Cajun country, staying away from meat on Fridays leading up to Easter isn’t too difficult — mostly because of all the seafood options we have right here in the city. Churches and organizations around the area are getting prepped and ready for dine-in, pick-up, and take-out. Below is a list of upcoming fish fry events. MARCH 4, 11,18, 25, APRIL 1 & 8 Fried Fish or Fried Shrimp Dinners Most Blessed Sacrament Church Bishop Ott Center 8033 Baringer Rd., Baton Rouge 5-7:30 p.m. orders to go 6-7:30 p.m. for dine in $8 per plate Each week a special entrée will be served Gil Brassard 225-400-5052 Mbsmensclub@yahoo.com Fried Fish Suppers Knight of Columbus Holy Family Church KC Hall 670 N. Jefferson Ave. Port Allen 5:30 – 7 p.m. $10 per plate, includes fish, potato salad, bread and dessert Adrian Genre 225-387-9667 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church 11486 Ferdinand St. St. Francisville 6 p.m. $12 per plate includes grilled or fried fish, potato salad or french fries, coleslaw, bread, drink and dessert Lenten Fish Fry Dinner Knight of Columbus St. Patrick Church 12424 Brogdon Lane Baton Rouge 5:30 – 7 p.m. $10 per plate includes fried fish, french fries, coleslaw and roll Jessica Lawrence 225-753-5750 Lenten Dinners St. Jean Vianney Church 16166 S. Harrell’s Ferry Rd. Baton Rouge 5 – 7 p.m., take out only $8 – $10 Church office 225-753-7950 Lenten Meals St. Mark Church 42021 Hwy. 621 Gonzales 4:30 – 6 p.m $10 Cecile Haley 225-450-9469/ 225-647-8461 Men’s Club Lenten Fish Fry St. Alphonsus Church 14041 Greenwell Springs Rd. Greenwell Springs 4 – 6 p.m. $8 includes fried fish, fries, coleslaw and a roll Church office 225-261-4650 MARCH 4, 11, 25, APRIL 1 Lenten Fish Fry Knights of Columbus Holy Rosary Church 44450 Hwy. 429 St. Amant 5:30 p.m. $10 per plate includes fish, french fries, coleslaw and bread Drinks and dessert sold separately by Ladies Auxiliary 225-647-5321 MARCH 4, 11, 25, APRIL 1 & 8 Lenten Suppers Immaculate Conception Church 865 Hatchell Ln. Denham Springs 5–7:30 p.m., drive through only $10 per plate, ticket available at office or door Icc-msh.org Church office 225-665-5359 MARCH 4, 18, APRIL 1 Fish Fry Knights of Columbus 1702 Pecan Ct. Ponchatoula 4:30 – 7 p.m. $10 per plate Dine in or take out Durald Pinion 985-386-6834 MARCH 4, 18, 25, APRIL 1, 8 Fish Fry Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Mercy Church Family Center 445 Marquette Ave. Baton Rouge 5 – 7 p.m. dine in or take out $10 per plate includes fish, fries, coleslaw and garlic bread Credit cards accepted Deacon Richard Grant 225-926-1883 MARCH 4, 11, 18, 25, APRIL 1 & 15 KPC Council #116 Fish Fry Meals Immaculate Conception Church 1565 Curtis St. Baton Rouge 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $10 per plate including fried catfish, sweet peas, potato salad, sweet treat Gerald Berzat 225-276-4674/ Jessica Semien Oliver 225-270-5454 MARCH 11 Fish Fry Knight of Columbus St. Mary of False River Church 348 West Main St. New Roads 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. $12 per plate Lisa Chutz 225-638-9665 MARCH 11, 18, 25, APRIL 1 & 8 Men’s Club Fish Fry St. George Church 7808 St. George Dr. Baton Rouge MARCH 18 Lenten Dinner Catholic Daughters Holy Rosary Church 44450 Hwy. 429 St. Amant 5:30 p.m. $10 per plate includes shrimp stew, corn, salad and bread Drinks and dessert sold separately 225-647-5321 MARCH 25 SACCC Annual Fish Fry St. Aloysius Care Care Center Cafeteria and Parish Hall 2025 Stuart Ave., Baton Rouge 4 p.m. drive through; dine in 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Pre-sale lunch and dinner $10 in advance, $12 at the door includes fried fish, french fries and coleslaw Entertainment and raffle Ticket available from SACCC family or online sacccfishfry.org Katelyn Hodges SACCCfishfry@gmail. com APRIL 8 Lenten Dinner Holy Rosary Youth Ministry Holy Rosary Church 44450 Hwy. 429 St. Amant 5:30 p.m. $10 per plate includes shrimp fettucine, salad and bread Drinks and dessert sold separately 225-647-5321 Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/the-first-fry-day-of-lent-kicks-off-in-baton-rouge/)

Top three state agency officers get lucrative raises; Everyone else? ‘No,’ boss tells Nakamoto

BATON ROUGE State Civil Service allowed leaders of the agency to help themselves to extraordinary raises last year, the WBRZ Investigative Unit uncovered. Stream WBRZ newscasts here In a recent inquiry from the WBRZ team, documents showed one of the top executives received 11 pay increases in three years; Another leader received nine pay bumps in four years. “Whether they did something wrong or not, it looks like they did,” State Treasurer John Schroder said. “If it smells bad, it is bad. That’s a problem with the system.” Schroder is tasked with overseeing how state money is spent. He said the upper echelon of state government should not be taking raises if there is not enough to go around for everyone else. State Civil Service acts as the central human resources division for state agencies. According to its website, “As both a regulatory and consultative agency, we provide systems and services that will enable state agencies to make merit-based, quality decisions regarding the hiring, development and retention of skilled and capable individuals.” The WBRZ Investigative Unit found Byron Decoteau, Chris Deer and Nicole Tucker received lucrative, high-dollar raises. The increases they received would not pass at other agencies Civil Service oversees. Some of the raises were doled out through a complicated process called compression while others were given after a position wasn’t filled and the leaders helped themselves to what was budgeted. RAISES FOR A CHOSEN FEW Decoteau, the leader of Civil Service, was making $154,000 September 2021. His salary ballooned to $175,006 within the month. The way his raise was doled out was hidden from the public. “I did approach the commission for a pay increase. my chairman to have it considered,” Decoteau said. “It was considered at a public meeting and they decided to grant it.” However, the pay issue was never on the agenda. WBRZ found in the meeting minutes, the agenda was amended after commissioners voted unanimously to change it during the meeting. ” The meeting agenda was changed probably because we were in executive session and we adjourned to hear personnel matters,” Decoteau said. That brought up additional questions about why Decoteau’s raise needed to be held in a secretive session to address a pay issue that he could not explain. “It’s demoralizing to the ranks,” Schroder said. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the money. That whole building is all about the money. We spend a lot of time watching that. You can’t reward the managers without rewarding the rank and file. If anything, the managers should be awarded last, not first.” The situation gets more interesting for Decoteau’s underlings. Chris Deer is the Deputy Director. He was making $101,000 in 2017. He received nine pay increases in four years. He’s now earning nearly $144,000. That’s a $43,000 raise in three years. Nicole Tucker’s salary is the most egregious. She was making $62,000 in 2018. Tucker received 11 pay increases in three years and is now making $125,000, a 100-percent increase. Tucker is the agency’s chief operating officer. NO MONEY FOR ANYONE ELSE WBRZ asked Decoteau if he was looking at giving raises to the rest of the staff of State Civil Service. “No, I don’t have the funding to do it,” Decoteau said. During the interview, Chief Investigative Reporter Chris Nakamoto noted that Decoteau had money for the the top three to receive raises, including himself. “That’s how you’re phrasing it,” Decoteau responded. Two years ago, the WBRZ Investigative Unit exposed alarming raises that were given at the State Office of Motor Vehicles in a similar way. Following the WBRZ investigation, State Civil Service said it revoked those raises because they weren’t handed out correctly. “We did pull the agency’s authority to make those payments,” Decoteau said. “We issued proposed notices to those employees saying it would be rescinded. Then, we worked with the agency to give them the opportunity to explain what they were trying to do.” WBRZ asked how Decoteau could help himself to a raise and find money for his other top two, but take action against another agency for doing the same. “I disagree,” Decoteau said. “I don’t think we did the same thing OMV did.” MONEY GIVEN TO THE HARDEST WORKERS Decoteau noted that part of the reason why he took the raise and gave them to Deer and Tucker is because they are the agency’s hardest workers. “Limited with funds and have to retain staff, that is critical,” Decoteau said. “Limited to funds and have to recognize top performers especially in the time we are in now.” Decoteau acknowledged that it does not look fair but claimed they have given payments to other employees outside of market adjustments. The WBRZ Investigative Unit requested salaries for dozens of other employees at Civil Service. Documents show they did not receive the level of pay raises Decoteau, Deer and Tucker did. With others not getting the luxury of extra money, some believe the clever way to fatten their checks, doesn’t pass the smell test. “It’s a different set of rules, and it’s wrong,” Schroder said. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/top-three-state-agency-officers-get-lucrative-raises-everyone-else-no-boss-tells-nakamoto/)

Postal dilemma solved in neighborhood where mail delivery stopped

BATON ROUGE People living in and moving into a new Baton Rouge neighborhood haven’t been getting their mail delivered. It appears a miscommunication that happened a long time ago put them in this situation. They reached out to 2 On Your Side for help and finally got answers. That miscommunication may have started with a phone call between the developer and someone at the post office. Fast-forward a few years, and the neighborhood was no closer to a resolution until they contacted Brittany Weiss. Rafael DeCastro moved into the Inniswylde subdivision earlier this year. It’s an area off of Bluebonnet Blvd near I-10 that’s still being developed. When complete, it will be a neighborhood of about 70 homes. As homes are being built and people move in, there’s a big question: Why isn’t mail being delivered? “For about a year, everyone had been receiving mail at their mailbox and then all of the sudden on January 28, all of that stopped happening,” said DeCastro. “We no longer receive mail.” DeCastro says the only explanation he has is a note left in his mailbox. The note was left in late January from Commerce Park Management. It says, “Centralized delivery should be the mode of delivery for all new and expanded growth. The developer is required to obtain postal approval, prior to installing boxes.” The note also says that the USPS will deliver packages but will no longer deliver letters of any new housing developments. That’s not what DeCastro says he was told when he first moved into the neighborhood. “When we first moved in, they told us we had to purchase a mailbox,” he said. That mailbox has sat cold and empty for the last few weeks. His mail is being held at the post office, and he says he’s been told he can only pick it up on Fridays. He’s concerned, as a resident, that he’s caught in the middle. “We’ve done everything we were asked to do, and now we’re the ones suffering,” said DeCastro. In 2012, the United States Postal Service approved central delivery, or cluster boxes, as the preferred mode of delivery for new residential and commercial developments. There are rare exceptions, but developers and builders request the mode of delivery approval in the early planning stages. This week, 2 On Your Side heard from the original developer who says individual mailbox delivery was verbally approved. That’s why people living in Inniswylde have been purchasing mailboxes. “Someone moved in two Fridays ago, and they made them put in a mailbox,” said DeCastro. Now the neighborhood and the new developer are wondering where the cluster boxes would go. A dead-end street has been discussed, but that dead-end has no public area for cars to drive up and turn around. “It’s going to be crazy when you have to get in there and pull out of there,” he said. DeCastro is asking the post office to hear them out. “They’re saying we need centralized mail, but there’s no place to put the boxes.” When the feds didn’t listen, he called us. Thursday, a complete reversal from the United States Postal Service was enacted when 2 On Your Side got involved. While the preferred method of delivery for new developments is still centralized delivery, in this specific case, curbside delivery previously provided will resume starting Friday, March 11. Below is the statement provided by the USPS: The Postal Service is proud to continue its vital role in today’s changing mail environment. We are directed by statute to provide reliable and efficient service. The Postal Service’s preferred method of delivery for new residential and commercial developments is centralized delivery, utilizing Cluster Box Units. However, in this specific instance, curbside delivery previously provided to current residents of the Inniswylde development will resume starting tomorrow, March 11, 2022. Customers who had been picking up mail and packages at the Commerce Park Station no longer need to do so. We apologize for any inconvenience that may have been caused. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/postal-dilemma-solved-in-neighborhood-where-mail-delivery-stopped/)

Abandoned infant found alive after massive search near Hooper Road

BATON ROUGE An abandoned baby was found alive after a sprawling hours-long search involving dogs, drones and a helicopter Wednesday morning. The search unfolded off Hooper Road, just east of Plank Road, after first responders learned the boy had been left out there sometime Tuesday evening. Sources told WBRZ a woman had the 8-month-old when she was last seen at an apartment building. She did not have the baby when she arrived at a nearby fire station. That woman, who may have a mental illness, was reportedly taken into custody. A woman who identified herself as the baby’s nanny was speaking to WBRZ when she learned the child had been found alive. Officials said the baby was spotted from a helicopter after the mother told first responders where to search. Police said there are no charges pending at this time for the mother, citing apparent medical issues. An EMS spokesperson said the infant appeared to be “very healthy” when found by paramedics. “I’m keeping his mother and other siblings up in a prayer because he was the youngest,” said Angel Hawkins, the baby’s godmother. Nigel Jackson is the youngest of seven children, who are now being looked after by other family. As for Nigel he’s spending the night in the hospital only as a precaution. “He’s doing Nigel. He’s acting like Nas. He’s drinking, and he’s talking and he’s playing,” said Hawkins. The god mother recalls the hours leading up to the search. “I wake up, and i get a call and they ask me do i have nigel or have i talked to nigel’s mother, and i was like no. a couple days ago. and i go back to bed. I got another call and then i got on Facebook, and they had the search and then I just put on my clothes, wash my face, and brush my teeth and went on and helped them with the search,” she said. The godmother shared with WBRZ more information about the baby’s mother. “I know she’s a single parent and she has three or four jobs,” Hawkins said. As of now, the focus is on moving forward. “Go to church Sunday, check on his mom whenever they are letting us, make sure the kids are okay and ready for school and stuff and just wait for answers to come to us,” Hawkins said. The mayor’s office released the following statement urging those suffering from mental health problems to seek help. Thank you to our emergency responders and community members whose quick coordination led to the recovery of the missing infant this morning in Baton Rouge. The Lord guided your efforts today. Should anyone be experiencing a mental health crisis, organizations like Capital Area Human Services are available to the public. Locations are available to walk-ins throughout the area including: Baton Rouge Behavioral Health at 2751 Wooddale Blvd Children’s Behavioral Health at 422 Colonial Drive North Baton Rouge Behavioral Health at 7855 Howell Boulevard Capital Area Recovery Program at 2455 Wooddale Boulevard Capital Area Human Services can be contacted at 225-925-1906. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/abandoned-infant-found-alive-after-massive-search-near-hooper-road/)

Kenilworth Charter School remembers beloved student killed in car accident

BATON ROUGE Teachers, staff, and the student body at Kenilworth Charter School are grieving the loss of one of their own, and they took time Friday to do so together. Zashawn Dawson was killed Monday morning after a car accident, which resulted in three deaths. “I miss him a lot,” Zashawn’s mom Tawanna Dawson said. Tawanna made her way to Kenilworth on Friday as the school came together to remember the 14-year-old student. “We celebrate ours. We give our babies their roses when they’re here and even when they ain’t because that’s what life is about,” Zashawn’s teacher Patricia Lundy said. Which was what Friday’s memorial gathering at the school was about. “You see nothing but love,” Lundy said. Emmanuel Ruiz, 24, is currently in jail for charges including vehicular homicide relating to the accident. “With my child being killed, I’m going to serve and get justice for him,” Tawanna said. The family along with his school chose to remember their favorite parts about him. “He was funny, and everyone loved him,” one of his classmates said. “His smile lit up a room,” Lundy said. “Every time we used to ride the bus, we used to be on the bus laughing and everything,” another classmate recalled. He’ll also be remembered by what he spent a lot of time doing. “Him being on his game. he loved playing his video game,” Tawanna said. School leaders wanted to take the opportunity to remind students of a valuable lesson. “Continue to love each other. Continue to love your brothers, your sisters, your classmates, your parents. Learn to forgive each other. Say everything you would like to say now and not wait until something happens and wish you had said it,” Principal Hazel Regis said. Despite the circumstances, it did bring the family some comfort to come out and see the support from the school. “It felt good that he was loved. He was really loved,” Tawanna said. But the family says it doesn’t take away the hurt from his death. “He was a good kid, and his life was taken short,” she said. Tyler Melancon, 22, and Cartara Johnson, 18, were also arrested after the accident. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/kenilworth-charter-school-remembers-beloved-student-killed-in-car-accident/)

As some states mull gas tax suspension, La. expert warns of mixed results

BATON ROUGE As the cost to fill up your tank continues to rise, more and more states are considering suspending state gas taxes aimed at providing drivers some relief. Louisiana, though, is not among them. Maryland became the latest state Thursday to take action, moving to suspend its $0.37 gas tax for thirty days. In total, nearly two dozen states are looking at the idea of a temporary suspension, tax freeze, or tax reduction. In Louisiana, as lawmakers prepare to return to the State Capitol for the legislative session beginning Monday, it does not appear there will be much of a conversation about suspending the state’s $0.20 gas tax, among the lowest in the country. “You can think, ‘alright, we can suspend this gasoline tax for a while, maybe we’re gonna see prices go down at the pump,'” Cody Nehiba, an assistant professor of research at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, said. “But you do kind of run this risk, maybe, of seeing oil prices increase further and then gas prices, again, increase. Then people can’t really notice that you suspended the gasoline tax at all.” Nehiba researches and analyzes the gas tax and its impact on Louisiana’s economy and transportation sector. He says attempts to temporarily halt state gas taxes likely won’t prove to be fruitful. “It might seem like a moral victory, almost, that isn’t really going to have significant effect on our pocketbooks,” Nehiba said. Most of the revenue generated from Louisiana’s gas tax goes towards the Transportation Trust Fund within the state’s Department of Transportation. That money can be used for a handful of things, including trying to whittle down the state’s roughly $15 billion backlog for construction projects and maintenance. Multiple efforts to raise the $0.20 tax have failed during recent legislative sessions. “Over time, what we’re actually getting from that gasoline tax has been eroded by inflation,” Nehiba said. In Louisiana’s case, should a gas tax suspension somehow gain support, Nehiba warns it could do more harm than good. “Suspending the gasoline tax probably isn’t going to have a huge effect on the price we’re seeing at the pump currently,” Nehiba explained. “Really, it’s going to deplete that fund that Louisiana can draw on to fund road infrastructure.” Another effort to suspend the $0.184 federal gas tax has also gained support amid skyrocketing fuel costs. Earlier this week, governors of six states Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin urged congressional leaders to suspend the federal gas tax through the end of the year. Though he did not co-sign the letter, WBRZ asked Gov. John Bel Edwards Wednesday if he would support a pause of the federal gas tax. In a statement, a spokesperson said, ‘we’re aware of the letter, and we’re sensitive to the cost of increased fuel prices for drivers across Louisiana and the nation. That is exactly why we are working to diversify our energy alternatives including electric vehicles and climate change initiatives.’ WBRZ again reached out to Edwards’ office Thursday afternoon, inquiring about a state gas tax suspension, and if any discussions were underway or likely, but did not receive a response. Ultimately, Nehiba says, there aren’t too many options available to wrangle rising prices. “In the short term, it’s going to be hard to get prices down,” Nehiba said. “I think this is something that we’re going to be looking at for a while.” Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/as-some-states-mull-gas-tax-suspension-la-expert-warns-of-mixed-results/)

Ukraine crisis not entirely to blame for steeper fuel prices

BATON ROUGE The price for a gallon of gas in the capital city continues its daily climb. According to AAA, the average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded gas Thursday in East Baton Rouge parish was $3.53, above the statewide average of $3.48. Thursday’s Baton Rouge average climbed $0.06 overnight and is up $0.20 from one week ago. Regular unleaded gas at many stations in the capital city, including B-Quik on Perkins Road, rang in at $3.79 per gallon Thursday, a price that’s likely to rise again. “We get a load every day, of gasoline,” Justin Alford, an owner of B-Quick and Benny’s, said. “So our price is much more volatile. We’re having to change our price every day. Whereas a smaller station may get a load or two once a week, they may not have the fluctuations that we have.” The high prices that only seem to be getting higher are not just something drivers are having to deal with. This week alone Alford says he’s seen wild increases per gallon on his end when buying for the station. “Our first big increase was about $0.14, I believe that was Monday,” Alford said. “Then the following day we got an $0.18 increase. We got a $0.21 increase yesterday. I think we got a $0.06 increase tonight. Diesel was even wilder, that was $0.40 yesterday.” That makes for a jump of about $0.60 per gallon this week. Typically, Alford sees a $0.02 to $0.04 swing day-to-day. Before this week, he considered a big increase to be $0.06 to $0.08 daily. “Right before or after a hurricane, when the supply is interrupted, we tend to get big swings like this,” Alford explained. “But not these kind of swings. This is kind of abnormal for us. We’re not used to it.” Add in credit card fees and increasing freight costs to the high fuel costs for stations, and it only means more drivers will have to pay. And these prices that might be sticking around. “Right now, futures markets are projecting that gasoline prices for consumers will stay at about this level for the next month or so,” said Greg Upton, an associate research professor in LSU’s Center for Energy Studies. Upton says while the growing crisis in Ukraine is pushing prices at the pump even higher, much of the high costs were evident before. That’s because as the world recovered from the pandemic and demand for oil has returned, production has been slow to do the same. “Even if this Russian-Ukraine crisis was not occurring right now, we would still likely have upward pressure on oil prices and upward pressure on gasoline prices that consumers are paying for the pump,” Upton said. As prices in Baton Rouge creep closer to the area-record for the average cost per gallon of regular unleaded fuel, set in July 2008 at $3.99, Upton says a $4 price tag is not out of the question. “The probability of consumers seeing $4 gas in the next week, few weeks coming up, is likely,” Upton said. “That could occur.” Any additional increase, Upton says, will likely depend on Russia’s ongoing escalation, the impact of international sanctions and the level of energy purchased from Russia. Neither Upton nor Alford has a crystal ball to predict future prices, meaning, like everyone else, they can only watch and react. “I hope it levels off,” Alford said. “No one really knows. I hope next week is not like this one because that really hurts people in their pockets, that’s for sure.” Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/ukraine-crisis-not-entirely-to-blame-for-steeper-fuel-prices/)

‘We didn’t think that the baby would’ve survived’: flight crew recounts search for abandoned baby

BATON ROUGE The two Baton Rouge Police officers searching for an abandoned eight-month-old Tuesday morning by helicopter didn’t always anticipate a happy ending but credit a multi-agency response for the positive end result. Stream WBRZ newscasts here Cpl. David Poirrier and detective Dustin Conde searched the wooded area around Hooper Road, just east of Plank Road, from above as crews with the Baton Rouge Fire Department, EMS, and East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office, among other agencies, scoured the area from the ground. “It wasn’t frustrating, it was just a large area and wanting to find the child in the quickest possible time for him to have the best effort to stay alive,” Poirrier said. At first, Poirrier was searching from the sky alone. After a lack of success, initially, he landed and had Conde join him to add another pair of eyes. One piece of information may have made the difference. “The first thing we did was find out what clothing the child was wearing, and if that would stand out in the background of the landscape,” Poirrier explained. “We were informed the child was wearing a blue onesie.” Spotting something blue among the brown and green vegetation was all the pair became focused on. “We started flying very low, with airplanes flying overhead,” Conde said. “We started looking in the field, in the general area. The onesie kind of stood out.” From there, everything seemed to happen in an instant, the pair recounts. Poirrier, flying between 50 and 100 feet from the ground, quickly landed. At that point, Conde got out of the helicopter and headed towards the baby. “We didn’t think that the baby would have survived,” Conde said. “The position the child was in, it just didn’t look good. We flew right over him as we were landing and the child never moved. It wasn’t relief. It was sadness.” That sadness, however, quickly evaporated when Conde, expecting the worst, went to check for a pulse. “When I touched his neck for a pulse, and I saw his hand start to move, the shock, the happiness, it turned out really well,” Conde recalled. “Even now, it doesn’t seem real. We’re so used to bad news.” Hours after the search ended, Conde still had trouble putting the episode into words. “It’s hard to even explain,” he said. “I don’t understand the feeling I had. All I could think about. was to get the baby help.” Having already alerted medics at the scene, Poirrier and Conde handed off the baby so he could be rushed to a local hospital. Though they first spotted the baby, the pair says the rescue was a group effort. “Everything just fell into place,” Poirrier said. “From the very beginning, the hospital, the fire department, all the way through search and rescue, K-9, all they way through, we wouldn’t have had a successful outcome.” Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/we-didn-t-think-that-the-baby-would-ve-survived-flight-crew-recounts-search-for-abandoned-baby/)

Bipartisan legislative committee meets Tuesday to uncover truth about Ronald Greene death

BATON ROUGE A group of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle will meet at the capitol Tuesday tasked with uncovering the truth about the cover-up and lies that were told tied to the death of Ronald Greene. Greene was beaten by Louisiana State Troopers in May of 2019 after leading them on a high-speed chase through Monroe. When he was pulled from his car, body camera videos showed he was alive and apologizing. Then, the cameras captured a brutal beating. Initially, State Police told his family that he died in a car crash. The WBRZ Investigative Uni’t began exposing the cover-ups and lies about a year and a half ago. Last month, Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder announced a special committee that would look into the truth. “Something does not add up,” Committee Chairman Tanner Magee said. “Something is off here. This happened May 10, 2019, and no one has been arrested. Fast forward, Jefferson Parish had a brutality incident and someone was arrested a week later. Something is off when it’s taking so long to get to the bottom of this. That’s what the public feels, and it’s the sentiments that I share with them.” Through our reporting, WBRZ uncovered cell phones of top leaders at State Police were also wiped. “That to me is the main question, why are you wiping phones,” Magee said. “I know they will say it’s procedure. It does not add up and does not pass the smell test Chris. As a lawyer, I know you want to build a paper trail on everything you are doing to show you did it correctly. The opposite of that is destroy evidence. That’s what you do when you think there’s a criminal act you are trying to hide.” Magee said he expects the first meeting to primarily be organizational. “I think we will work on rules for the committee and discussing who we want as witnesses and what records we need to get,” Magee said. The next week you will see us get into a deep dive of witnesses and getting into documents.” Magee said he expects months worth of hearings and they’ll continue digging for the truth. He said the committee will also determine what the Governor knew and when. Text messages showed an extraordinary level of communication about the Greene case between his staffers and state and federal prosecutors. “There are definitely some question marks there,” Magee said. “What time did the governor identify things, and when was there follow up conversation with him and where did it go from there. At the end of the day the governor is in charge of state police. That’s how it works. He’s like the sheriff of state police. He appoints these people and they answer him.” See more of WBRZ’s years-long investigation into Ronald Greene’s death here. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/bipartisan-legislative-committee-meets-tuesday-to-uncover-truth-about-ronald-greene-death/)

LSU softball senior Shelbi Sunseri had amazing weekend; head coach is making sure everyone notices

BATON ROUGE LSU softball senior Shelbi Sunseri had an amazing weekend leading her team, and head coach Beth Torina isn’t letting it go unnoticed. “I think the performance by Shelbi Sunseri was one of the most incredible things that I’ve seen in my time here,” Torina said. “And I’m not sure if it’s going unnoticed, but I’m not sure if it’s getting what it truly deserves.” ” Two homeruns, 11 strikeouts, just led the team. It’s almost like a switch flipped for her,” Torina said. The senior pitcher and slugger had an undeniable shift in mentality leading to her success over the weekend. “I think I just told myself like enough was enough. My team needs me as much as like I need them,” Sunseri explained. “If I can give them an opportunity when I’m on the mound, then like, they’re going to be fine behind me.” “It was like, ‘you know what, I’m done messing around. I’m here, I’m good,'” Torina said of the senior’s performance. “‘I’m gonna lead this team,’ and then said, ‘I’m gonna do it myself with one big swing in the tenth.'” And Sunseri did just that. She rallied from a rough start to her season. Before her switch flipped, her bat was ice-cold — just six hits in the Tigers’ previous 12 games. “My brain is always going. we always talk about slowing the game down and slowing it to our pace. And I’ve learned like over the years that I’m much better when I play slower and not faster,” Sunseri said. Sunseri has learned that she needs to get out of her own head. An impromptu visit by national pitching coach Tom House helped to crystallize that point. “‘Smart people are dumb hitters.’ That was one of the things he kind of said,” Sunseri explained. “And we’re so smart, and we overthink so much that like if we just like played, if we would just like stop trying to think so much about the game, then like we would probably do better.” Sunseri has developed a unique declutter technique that helps her keep in rhythm at the plate. “I’ll sing a song, like I’m very much like, I’ll sing a song when I’m in the batter’s box because if you’re seeing a song and thinking about the chorus and the lyrics, then I’m not able to think about what the pitcher is gonna do.” So what’s on the playlist to success? It might surprise you, but it probably shouldn’t. “They are all Christian songs, so one of my go-to’s is ‘I Can Only Imagine.’ That, and ‘Amazing Grace.’ Those are kind of the two that really just kind of replay in my head. There’s something that’s kind of slow, slow little melodies.” Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/lsu-softball-senior-shelbi-sunseri-had-amazing-weekend-head-coach-is-making-sure-everyone-notices/)

Judge dismisses lawsuit against infamous contractor over employees’ unpaid health insurance premiums

BATON ROUGE A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against a troubled contractor who had his license revoked by an oversight board amid a series of WBRZ Investigative Unit reports. Former employees had sued Kelly Sills and his company Coastal Bridge after they learned their medical expenses would not be paid by the company health insurance plan because the company had not paid the premiums and the plan had been canceled. Judge Shelley Dick ruled that the employees had waited too long to file the lawsuit, but left open the possibility of an amended filing in the case. The former employees said they owe hundreds of thousands of dollars in hospital bills. Their lawsuit claimed they were informed by Blue Cross Blue Shield “several months” after their procedures that the insurance plan was retroactively canceled and that their payment was denied. Luis Nieves-Rivera, one of Sills’ former employees who was a plaintiff in the suit, shared paperwork with WBRZ showing that Coastal Bridge was deducting health insurance from their paychecks. But that money was never paid to Blue Cross. “First, I was told Blue Cross Blue Shield would not pay the claim because my employer did not pay the premium,” Nieves-Rivera said. Despite that, the judge ultimately ruled in Sills’ favor after finding the two employees missed the window for filing a claim under the company’s policy, which requires filing within 90 days of a medical procedure and no later than 15 months after the fact. “Plaintiffs do not make allegations that explain why, during the several months before they received the letter, it was not reasonably possible to file a claim,” the decision read. The ruling also argued the timeline of “several months” laid out in the suit was too ambiguous and could “arguably” extend through the duration of the 90-day period during which they were supposed to file a claim. WBRZ has reported extensively on Sills, including a drunk-driving arrest and another arrest at Disney World in 2021 during which he was charged with trespassing after refusing to comply with COVID safety precautions. Body camera video of the arrest went viral after Sills, who still had unpaid bills in Louisiana —including $900,000 owed to State Police for a security detail—repeatedly shouted at workers over the $15,000 he claimed to have spent on his family’s trip. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-against-infamous-contractor-over-employees-unpaid-health-insurance-premiums/)

Louisiana man who killed wife released to sister in Nevada

BATON ROUGE — A man caught on video killing his estranged wife may leave prison early to live with his sister in Las Vegas, the Louisiana Parole Board has decided. The board voted unanimously Wednesday to release Anthony Knox, 59, of Leesville even though he denied killing Army Staff Sgt. Angela Knox, 32, in 1997 and said he was coerced into pleading guilty to manslaughter, the American Press reported. Knox has served 24-and-a-half years of a 40-year sentence. Police said when he was arrested that a security camera showed him knocking her to the ground, then standing over her and shooting her point-blank in the head and chest. He must keep taking psychiatric medications and regularly see mental health professionals in Nevada, the board said. All three members said they approved Knox’s early release largely because psychiatric professionals testified that he recently had requested a change from a daily pill to a bi-monthly injection. After his arrest, Knox was placed in the state psychiatric hospital for defendants found mentally incompetent for trial, and later diagnosed with schizophrenia. He was found competent in 2001 and pleaded guilty in 2005 to manslaughter. Knox said he did not have schizophrenia and had only been diagnosed with delusions. And, he said, “I was abused and forced into a plea agreement under false charges.” “Actually I’m not guilty of the crime,” he told the parole board. He said he was present but did not know what happened. Nobody mentioned the security footage, the newspaper reported. Mental health professionals testified they considered Knox would do best in a group home in Louisiana, but Knox’s sister said she could care for him. Board member Tony Marabella asked Knox if he would take his medication as prescribed and listen to mental health professionals as they diagnose and treat him, and Knox answered he would. Arrest reports said Knox was served with divorce documents and a restraining order July 30, 1997, and followed her to a Walmart in Leesville two days later, waiting in his vehicle while she went in. When she began loading bags into her vehicle at 4:55 a.m., Knox came up from behind and hit her in the face with the pistol, authorities said. Vernon Parish District Attorney Terry Lambright wrote to the parole board in January, strongly opposing Knox’s request for release. “Our state should not be releasing individuals that intentionally kill another person, except in very exceptional cases. This case is not exceptional. Anthony Knox should have remained in prison to serve his prison sentence,” Lambright told the newspaper Wednesday. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/louisiana-man-who-killed-wife-released-to-sister-in-nevada/)

‘It feels like a terrible dream’: LSU’s Ukrainian students rally support from campus community

BATON ROUGE There wasn’t an empty seat inside the International Cultural Campus on LSU’s campus Friday evening as students, staff and community members rallied around the university’s Ukrainian population, hearing more about what led to the ongoing conflict with Russia. “It feels like a terrible dream, really,” LSU freshman and event organizer Daria Antonovskaya said. “It feels like we’re on the border of a terrible, world war crisis.” Antonovskaya, who is studying biochemistry, had never been to the U.S. before arriving for school last fall. Now, she’s watching her native country be bombed from social media feeds. “It’s very hard to be very far away from the hometown, from the friends, family,” Antonovskaya said. “I’m very concerned.” Blue and yellow streamers, signs and flowers signifying the colors of the Ukrainian flag decorated the room where speakers gathered, including LSU professor Daniel Tirone, who focuses on international politics and economics and whose current research focuses on civil conflict. Other Ukrainian students shared personal reflections from the past eight days since Russia first invaded Ukraine. “It’s been terrible,” Oleh Hrushetskyi, an LSU senior from Ukraine, said. “I’m struggling to sleep. I’m waking up every one or two hours. Right after I wake up, I check the news, calling my family to make sure everything is fine.” Homemade posters reading “#NoWar,” “Praying for Ukraine” and “Peace” dotted the walls, as some Ukrainian students chose to express their feelings through art. Antonovskaya implored those on campus and elsewhere in Baton Rouge to educate themselves on the conflict, what sparked it, and the consequences of inaction. When it comes to getting educated on the issues, she says, it’s critical to get facts from reliable sources. “It is important to understand that this war is not just the actual war with weapons, it’s an informational war,” Antonovskaya said. “I’m just trying to find credible information.” Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/it-feels-like-a-terrible-dream-lsu-s-ukrainian-students-rally-support-from-campus-community/)

Outdated technology no longer works; medical alert company trying to reach customers

BATON ROUGE Last week, AT&T began its 3G network sunset. It didn’t just affect phones, but everyday appliances. Some of that technology may be in your house, and you might not know it. Acadian On Call has been supplying medical alert systems for the last 25 years. The system is an electronic device that sends a signal anytime a person is in a state of emergency. It connects that person to someone who can help. Two years ago, Acadian On Call says it had about 4,000 customers that had been utilizing 3G technology. A year ago, and as recently as a month ago, Acadian On Call says it started mailing letters letting customers know what is happening regarding 3G technology. Those letters encouraged customers to call Acadian so that a new unit can be delivered, free of charge. Brandon Niles is the Senior Director of Acadian On Call, and he says there are still customers who have not responded. “About 400 of them we’re trying to get in touch with,” Niles said. “We’re still sending letters, still calling each and every day.” Acadian is asking customers to reach out to them so that the new units can be delivered. That goes for other devices, too. “If you have a security system or a medical alert device, and you’re not sure if it’s 3G, you need to call your local alarm company right away,” Niles said. At the end of 2020, the Alarm Industry Communications Committee estimated there were six million alarm systems with 3G technology that needed to be replaced. Four million have been swapped out with the new technology, but that means there are still two million out there. “This might be impacting them, and they just might not know it,” Niles said. Which is why Acadian is trying to get the word out to check your system. The 3G networks for T-Mobile and Verizon are still up and working, but those are scheduled to shut down later in 2022. Sunsetting older infrastructure makes room for the new and frees up bandwidth for faster signals. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/outdated-technology-no-longer-works-medical-alert-company-trying-to-reach-customers/)

Father ‘relieved’ after arrest in daughter’s hit-and-run killing

BATON ROUGE Quality police work and tips from the public led to Leah Tatman’s family getting a sense of closure. “I was relieved,” said her father, Jay Tatman. In January, 30-year-old Leah Tatman was walking along Jefferson Highway near Highland Road when she was struck by a vehicle and left for dead. The only evidence found at the scene was the side mirror from a truck, and it’s all state troopers had to work with to track down the person responsible. “When the investigating trooper arrived on scene, the only evidence he had was Ms. Tatman and the mirror fragments. He was able to obtain a serial number from the mirror,” State Trooper Taylor Scrantz said. After narrowing down the make and model of the truck, police then asked the public to help them narrow down their search for the suspect. It eventually led them to Jarrett Rachal. “Mr. Rachal did admit that he was driving the vehicle during that crash, but we’re not going to get too far into the weeds into what he said because this is an ongoing investigation,” Scrantz explained. According to an affidavit, Rachal told police he stopped after hearing a noise and saw his mirror was broken. He claimed he didn’t see anything and thought he may have struck “an owl or a sign.” The victim’s father, Jay Tatman, doesn’t believe that. “In a truck that size, I think he was afraid after he hit her. He had a bunch of options. He could have turned, and that’s what’s unfortunate. He chose not to,” Tatman said. Regardless, for Tatman’s family, finding the man who left their daughter to die has brought some relief. “I think justice is that people take this. It was an accident. Leah was in the wrong place at the wrong time. This guy was in the wrong place he shouldn’t have been driving,” Tatman said. “His license was suspended. He really was crossing a couple lines. So I hope people take this and better their selves for it and learn from it.” Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/father-relieved-after-arrest-in-daughter-s-hit-and-run-killing/)

Juban’s Restaurant prepares for April 2022 grand reopening

BATON ROUGE Renovations are well underway for one of the most iconic Baton Rouge restaurants. Juban’s Restaurant shut down at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, and used that downtime to plan out a major rebranding. A new logo, menu and color scheme are among the features being added to the restaurant of 40 years. “Even when you look at it, you might think we’re far away, but it comes together really quickly,” executive chief Peter Sclafani said. On the outside, construction materials inhabit the spot where a new outdoor dining area will be. The new patio is among one of the features the owners are excited to reveal to the public. “One of the things we’re most excited about is outdoor dining here. You can see we’re on our new patio, and we’re gonna add a lot of seating here, and it’s going to be connected to something new called the Hallelujah bar,” Sclafani said. The upgrades are a mix of modern and classic, incorporating some of the elements from the old Juban’s that customers are familiar with. The Atrium bar and wine room remain intact, along with menu items such as the Hallelujah crab and fish Adrian. “So the big question is… what about the Atrium bar? Well, as you can see, we did not get rid of the Atrium bar. It’s probably the most popular part about Juban’s Restaurant,” co-owner Michael Boudreaux said. Originally set for the beginning of the year, the reopening has been slightly delayed, but the owners are confident everything will be in order for a grand opening on April 4. Juban’s is hiring staff for all positions and taking reservations for private events. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/juban-s-restaurant-prepares-for-april-2022-grand-reopening/)

2022 St. Jude Dream Home tickets on sale next week

BATON ROUGE Tickets for chances to win the St. Jude Dream Home go on sale Tuesday. The 2022 St. Jude Dream Home is one of the nicest yet. Built by Alvarez Construction, the $700,000 home is in the Pointe-Marie planned community off River Road south of LSU. The up-and-coming enviable neighborhood is a eleven miles from downtown Baton Rouge, nestled at the end of a windy and picturesque drive from the city. Tickets to win the St. Jude Dream Home are $100. Purchase tickets online by clicking HERE. Purchase tickets via phone by calling 800-726-6409. The home is located at 3118 Pointe-Marie Drive, Baton Rouge, La., 70820. In its 3,200 square feet are four bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms and a half-bath, a lavish master bathroom with steam shower, radiant and modern kitchen for a family and a walk-in closet featuring an island in the master bedroom. Tickets are on sale Tuesday, March 8. Upcoming deadlines for additional prizes are: March 18 tickets on sale prize deadline/ $2,500 AMEX gift card from Dream Day Foundation and the early bird prize deadline of April 22 for a $10,000 gift card from Assurance Financial. All tickets are also entered into a drawing for a new car: A 2022 Genesis G70 from All Star Automotive. Baton Rouge-area sponsors of the Dream Home are WBRZ, Alvarez Construction, 101.5 WYNK, All Star Automotive, Assurance Financial, Dream Day Foundation and Pointe-Marie. The Dream Home will be given away, live, on WBRZ Channel 2 June 10. Proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a no-cost hospital for children. Stream WBRZ newscasts here. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/2022-st-jude-dream-home-tickets-on-sale-next-week/)

Parking and parade route information for Wearin’ of the Green Parade

BATON ROUGE The official countdown for the 35th Wearin’ of the Green Parade has begun. With just two days to spare, preparation is key. “It can be chaotic, streets are closed so we’re telling our folks to get here a little early,” said Cliff Mount, who lives along the parade route. Residents living in the Garden District were out and about Wednesday afternoon decorating their homes and yards for a warm welcome to parade-goers this weekend. “The neighbors are really friendly. The whole neighborhood is really excited and just really welcoming of people attending the parade so don’t hesitate to say hello and watch the parade wherever you find a good spot along the route even though these are all personal homes,” said Rachel Stewart, who lives along the parade route. The city was also busy at work posting “No parking” signs in certain areas. That’s why, parade veterans suggest arriving early to find a good spot. “All throughout the neighborhood, in City Park, there’s a lot of parking right next to the tennis courts in relative to here other than that though it’s scattered throughout the neighborhood. Anywhere that is not the parade route,” said Stewart. “There’s also parking at Saint Joseph’s Academy, that we tell our family and friends to utilize. I believe it’s 10 dollars a ticket,” Mount said. Police will begin closing roads at 7:30 a.m. for the Shamrock Run. After 8 a.m., South Acadian Thruway and the rest of the parade route will be closed. The Wearin’ of the Green Parade rolls at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/parking-and-parade-route-information-for-wearin-of-the-green-parade/)

Investigation of multi-parish drug ring leads to 12 raids, 3 arrests

BATON ROUGE Law enforcement executed 12 search warrants after a months-long investigation into a drug operation spanning at least three different parishes. The raids were primarily carried out Thursday in East Baton Rouge, with two targeting locations in Livingston Parish and West Baton Rouge. According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, undercover agents bought fentanyl and crack cocaine on several occasions from a pair of drug dealers, identified as D’Mon “Big Mon” Spears and Derrick Washington, over the course of two months. The pair was arrested this week along with Travis “Trap” Carroll, the suspected ring leader of the drug operation. Agents seized the following items during the raids: $34,645 ¼ pound of Crack Cocaine ¾ pound of Powder Cocaine ¼ ounce of Fentanyl 1 pound of marijuana 1 Pint of Promethazine 2 fully automatic handguns 3 semiautomatic hand guns BRPD, Louisiana State Police, HSI, ATF, Zachary Police, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office participated in the seizures. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/investigation-of-multi-parish-drug-ring-leads-to-12-raids-3-arrests/)

New program giving Glen Oaks High students a taste of college

BATON ROUGE This year, one capital area school is changing up its curriculum by introducing college courses at a younger age. Glen Oaks has partnered with Baton Rouge Community College to give ninth-graders a chance to take part in a new program: Pathways to Brighter Futures. Initially, the courses will be mandatory for ninth-graders to try out, but they’ll be able to opt out of the program if it does not suit them. To ensure student success, four-week checkpoints will monitor their performance. If a student is failing out, they will be pulled from the program. The college courses will not affect a student’s grade if it is dropped within the grace period, before April 1. The program is paid for by the school district. Any high schooler is welcome to take courses at BRCC, but the paid program is only available to those starting the program in ninth grade. While it may seem like a young age to start higher education classes, it gives students the opportunity to receive an associate’s degree while receiving their high school diploma. So far, feedback from students has pointed toward a positive impact. “It’s a blessing to me. You know, most kids don’t get this opportunity,” ninth-grader Jamarcus Young said. Officials from the district say that 83 percent of ninth-graders who participated in the program this year received one or more college credits. With the positive impact it’s having on students, Glen Oaks High is sharing the positive feedback and encouraging other high schools to develop similar programs. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/new-program-giving-glen-oaks-high-students-a-taste-of-college/)

Man charged with killing pregnant girlfriend and toddler relocated for his safety, now charged with feticide

BATON ROUGE A man who admitted to throwing a 2-year-old from a bridge after killing his pregnant girlfriend and dumping her body is now charged with the unborn baby’s death. Brynnen Murphy, 20, was booked on an additional charge of first-degree feticide in the killing of Kaylen Johnson, who family members said was six months pregnant with Murphy’s child. Sources said Murphy was relocated Wednesday to the West Baton Rouge jail for safety reasons. Murphy was arrested Monday after he led police to two different locations where they found the bodies of Kaylen and her son Kaden. Johnson and her son had been missing for over a week before Murphy led police to their bodies. He told investigators that he shot Kaylen during an argument and then disposed of her body in a wooded area near Burbank Drive. He also pointed detectives to a spot along Central Thruway, near Frenchtown Road, where he allegedly tossed her 2-year-old son off the side of a bridge. Murphy said the toddler was still alive at the time and that he heard the child crying as he drove off. The coroner believes the child likely died of hypothermia after being left out in the cold. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/man-charged-with-killing-pregnant-girlfriend-and-toddl-relocated-for-his-safety-now-charged-with-feticideer/)

Homeowner sues over sewer repair debacle, city responds

BATON ROUGE Following a 2 On Your Side story last October, a woman sued the city. Barbara Davis said it was one of two choices she had after she felt she wasn’t getting any help. The lawsuit was filed soon after the WBRZ story aired last year and the city-parish has now responded. The suit alleges the city failed to correct ongoing problems caused by its sewer lines, resulting in worsening damages to Davis’ property. The city-parish denies the allegations. Davis said her property problems go back to 2017. A sewer pipe under her driveway is where the city-parish found leaks. The parish tore up the concrete driveway, replaced the pipe, and poured new concrete. Ever since then, Davis said she’s had trouble. She said her home is now sinking and there’s “extreme structural damage.” Last year, Davis told 2 On Your Side that she feared the dirt under her driveway wasn’t compacted properly, causing the ground to shift and sink. With the sinking came flooding concerns. Sandbags have become an everyday fixture in her backyard to help keep the water from entering her house. There are also feet of piping connected to pumps that pump the water out of her yard when it rains. The city-parish told 2 On Your Side that it washed its hands of this and that Davis has a “history of foundation issues.” There are no court dates set yet for this case. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/homeowner-sues-over-sewer-repair-debacle-city-responds/)

Man allegedly shot woman, threatened to kill her children as they fled his home

BATON ROUGE Sheriff’s deputies responded to the same home twice in one night after a man living there allegedly shot a woman and threatened to do further harm to her and her children. Deputies were initially called to a home on W Wendover Drive sometime Wednesday evening after the victim reported a domestic dispute. There deputies learned that Curtis Jarvis, 58, had gotten into an argument with his live-in girlfriend. Arrest records said the pair agreed to cease arguing, but the confrontation continued once law enforcement left the home. When the victim tried to call for help again, a struggle ensued and Jarvis allegedly fired five shots at the woman while her children were in the room. The victim was struck in the hand and fled the home with her two small children. The victim alleged that Jarvis shouted after her as she left, threatening to kill her “and those damn kids.” Jarvis initially refused to come out of his home when deputies showed up for the second time, but he was eventually taken into custody without further incident. Arrest documents said he previously pleaded guilty to domestic abuse battery by strangulation in 2019. Jarvis was booked on charges of attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and illegal use of a weapon. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/man-allegedly-shot-woman-threatened-to-kill-her-children-as-they-fled-his-home/)

Two arrested in string of vehicle burglaries across LSU

BATON ROUGE Two men were arrested in a string of vehicle burglaries across LSU’s campus Monday and Tuesday. The LSU Police Department arrested Daminya Milligan, 18, and Elijah White, 19, on Thursday. Police also referenced a third suspect who was not booked into the East Baton Rouge jail as of Friday morning. Police first received reports of individuals approaching a vehicle in a parking lot behind the Delta Gamma sorority around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday. Upon arriving, officers saw the three suspects running away. Milligan was captured after a foot pursuit but was only issued a misdemeanor summons at the time for simple possession of marijuana and resisting an officer. However, detectives later discovered Milligan used a debit card stolen from a vehicle in the parking lot of LSU’s East Campus Apartments. Police said the card was used at a vending machine inside a Southern University dorm Tuesday morning. After further investigation, authorities said surveillance footage showed the three suspects pulling on vehicle door handles across LSU’s campus, including the North Hall parking lot. LSU Police and Southern University detectives located Milligan and White on Southern’s campus, where they were arrested Thursday. Milligan and White were booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on burglary charges. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/two-arrested-in-string-of-vehicle-burglaries-across-lsu/)

Construction on I-10 smoother than the pavement

Supply shortages continue to cause headaches for a variety of industries, including road construction. The Louisiana Department of Transportation has a long list of projects across the state that they’re working on, but supply-chain issues may affect how expensive those projects are, and if they can get done. “There are no issues right now, but what happens in the future, I can’t predict that,” DOTD communications director Rodney Mallet said. In December, DOTD rejected two bids: one to improve I-20 through Bossier City, another in Calcasieu Parish. The estimated cost for construction was higher than anticipated. “Some of these projects, to move forward at an acceptable cost, they may have to be delayed. We may have to give the contractor extra days, so we do not incur a larger cost for these projects,” Mallet said. So far in Baton Rouge, it’s smooth sailing for the biggest project: the widening of the I-10. “Now we are in the process of moving utilities,” Mallet said, “In 2023 you’ll see some of the construction begin. 2024 will be the lane shift.” The I-10 College flyover ramp is nearing completion without any delays or extra cost. “If you get a chance to drive by there, you can see them working on that just about every day. The I-10 widening, we should see shovels in the ground early next year,” Mallet said. The first part of the I-10 widening project should be done by 2027. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/construction-on-i-10-smoother-than-the-pavement/)

Week after ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill gains passage in Florida, similar law proposed in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE Just over a week after Florida legislators passed a controversial bill regulating the discussion of sexual orientation in classrooms, a Louisiana lawmaker has submitted a similar proposal. The bill, submitted by Representative Dodie Horton, would “prohibit discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels” and keep instructors from discussing their own sexual orientation or gender identity with students. Watch live newscasts here The proposal echoes recent legislation passed in Florida —coined the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by its opponents—that stirred up controversy nationwide and was harshly criticized by pro-LGBTQ groups. Governor John Bel Edwards’ office released the following statement in response to the bill, which reiterates comments made by the governor this past week. “Some of the bills being brought up this session do nothing to make lives better. Nothing to continue moving us forward. They only serve to divide us. And frankly, some are reminiscent of a dark past that we should learn from, not relive.” Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/week-after-don-t-say-gay-bill-gains-passage-in-florida-similar-law-proposed-in-louisiana/)

No end in sight as fuel prices continue to skyrocket

BATON ROUGE Many people were stunned on Monday when they saw that gas had risen to almost $4 a gallon at a Shell station on Evangeline Street. “Something needs to be done immediately, because you got to decide if you want to eat or if you want to drive. So that’s a hell of a choice to make these days,” Davis said. According to economist Loren Scott the already-high fuel prices are only expected to continue skyrocketing. “There’s not only no sign of it stopping, but it’s getting ready to go up even more. It may be going up as much as a dollar a gallon,” Scott said. The main reason this is happening, Scott said, is because of Russia’s ongoing invasion in Ukraine, which is driving up the cost of a barrel of oil, which now costs around $130. According to Gas Buddy, which tracks gas prices, the national average is now north of $4 a gallon, the highest ever. Unfortunately there is not much that can be done, but according to Scott “the worst is still to come.” “There is nothing you can do except adjust your spending patterns the best you can,” Scott said. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel in Baton Rouge is $3.87, according to AAA. That represents a $0.50 jump in one week. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/no-end-in-sight-as-fuel-prices-continue-to-skyrocket/)

LSU women’s hoops clinches No. 2 seed in SEC tournament with road victory over No. 16 Tennessee

In a typical top 25 SEC matchup, No. 8 LSU clinched the number 2 seed in next week’s SEC Tournament with a narrow victory 57-54 over No. 16 Tennessee in the final game of the regular season. Someone needed to step up in the absence of Alexis Morris who did not play after suffering a sprained MCL during Thursday’s game. Autumn Newby did just that with 10 first quarter points and was a menace in the paint grabbing nine rebounds and drawing multiple offensive fouls against the Lady Vols. The Tigers fended off a ferocious Lady Vols team from stealing the contest at the death. With 5 seconds remaining, Hannah Gusters forced a miss from Tennessee’s Tamari Key which Khayla Pointer rebounded. After making a free throw to put LSU up 3, Pointer stole the inbound pass to clinch the contest for the Tigers. LSU will head home to Baton Rouge to recuperate before heading to Nashville, Tennessee for the SEC Tournament. The team is slated to play on Friday, March 4th at 6 p.m. CT in the Bridgestone Arena against an opponent to be determined. The game will be televised on SEC Network. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/lsu-women-s-hoops-clinches-no-2-seed-in-sec-tournament-with-road-victory-over-no-16-tennessee/)

Vigil held for slain Southern University student

BATON ROUGE Students, faculty and friends gathered at Southern University’s union to pay tribute to 22-year-old Jovonte Barber. Barber was shot multiple times and killed during a carjacking at his apartment complex last weekend. “He bothered no one. Nobody. He wasn’t a threat to anybody. He didn’t pose a threat to anybody. He would give you the clothes off his back if you needed it,” his friend Phyllicia Woods said. Keon Veal was his roommate. “I met him in 2017. Since day one, he’s been a great man. Of course, we were in college so, if I was broke he had my back. If he was broke I had his back,” he said. Veal was home at the time the shooting happened. “He had got off the couch. We were just watching Netflix. I told him I was sleeping. He went in his room, I went in mine. Last time I saw him. I heard some shots, I texted him, ‘hey bro you heard that?’ Never text back. I didn’t think it would be him so I just went back to sleep and his family start blowing up my phone at like 4 a.m., and they told me, and when I answered I said’stop playing’.” A 16-year-old and 17-year-old were arrested for his murder. Veal says Barber had big dreams. “We had the same major. He was in school for finance. I graduated in finance. He had dreams of opening up a firm. We talked about everything.” Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/vigil-held-for-slain-southern-university-student/)

Baby in great condition after being recovered from field, family says

BATON ROUGE Emergency crews rushed eight-month-old Nigel Jackson to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital after he was found in a vacant field Wednesday afternoon. After the first night there, his family says he’s doing great. “He’s moving around, he’s playing, he’s talking, he’s eating his food. He’s just a blessing,” godmother Angel Hawkins said. The infant was abandoned by his mother Tuesday evening when she went to a nearby fire station for medical help. Family members reported Nigel missing early Wednesday, and a frantic search began on the ground and in the air. “They was on it. They didn’t waste no time. They kept positive and were strong. They kept their energy up,” Hawkins said. “Command called us, we responded to the scene, got a plan, and put it in motion,” said Paul Stockstill, Search and Rescue Coordinator for East Baton Rouge Parish. Twenty-five specially trained first responders were on that crew, equipped with drones, all-terrain vehicles, and boats. “We go through structural collapse classes. We have guys go all over the country for specialized training,” Stockstill said. Baby Nigel’s family is just thankful for the quick response. “Miracles. I seen miracles right before my eyes,” Hawkins said. Permalink Comments (https://www.wbrz.com/news/baby-in-great-condition-after-being-recovered-from-field-family-says/)