Deputies arrest 13 people in series of Livingston Parish fentanyl, drug raids; two still at large - Louisiana news - NewsLocker (2024)

LIVINGSTON — Thirteen people were arrested and two remain at large for dealing fentanyl out of Livingston Parish following eight raids by narcotics agents, deputies said Wednesday.The following people were arrested after the raids:- Bob Nolan, 44
- Trystan McMillion, 26
- Ronnie Crowe, 45
- Sandra Meyeyrs, 66
- Wade Hutchinson,34
- John Peters, 42 
- Ryan Richard, 46
- Nicholas Stout, 22
- Ragan Sharp, 24
- Jeremy Stevens, 49
- Jayden Ragusa, 21Deputies said they raided six l

Comite River Diversion Canal hits another snag as project now eyes 2027, 2028 completion date

ZACHARY — The completion of the Comite River Diversion Canal Project has once again been pushed back, this time to the end of 2027 or the start of 2028, the Army Corps of Engineers said.The Comite River Diversion is a flood risk management project that will connect the Comite River to the Mississippi River via a 12-mile diversion channel to reduce the risk of rain and river flooding.The project has six contracts left up for grabs, with one of the previously reported five being split i

I-12 eastbound to close at the split Thursday through Saturday nights

BATON ROUGE - As part of the ongoing College Flyover Project, I-12 eastbound will be closed at the 10/12 split three nights this week. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, the Interstate will be closed from 10 p.m. that night until 5 a.m. the next morning so crews can install bridge girders for the project. I-12 eastbound traffic will divert onto I-10 east to Essen Lane north where they can re-enter I-12 eastbound. Officials said the flyover project is estimated to

Police searching for armed robbery suspect who stole $445 from Zachary Dollar General

ZACHARY — Zachary Police are searching for a person accused of robbing a Dollar General at gunpoint.The suspect was seen on security footage brandishing a gun and taking around $445 in merchandise. According to police, the suspect also threatened to shoot an employee before driving away in a burgundy Honda Accord.Anyone with any information regarding this incident or the pictured individual is recommended to send a message or contact Detective Minor directly at [emailprotected] or

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Baton Rouge reproductive rights activist speaking at opening night of Democratic National Convention

CHICAGO — A Baton Rouge reproductive rights activist is set to take the stage Monday evening as the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago less than 80 days before a presidential election where issues like abortion will be key talking points for both candidates.Kaitlyn Joshua is one of three women traveling the nation with the Harris for President Campaign's Reproductive Rights Tour.Joshua said that she took up her stance as an activist after she was denied care in two ho

Zachary woman harvests 111-pound watermelon; hopes to share with granddaughter's school

ZACHARY — A Zachary woman harvested a colossal watermelon she had been growing for three months that weighs over 100 pounds.The watermelon, which Jeanie Buell nicknamed Big Momma, grew to 111 pounds before being harvested on Sunday. During the three months the abnormally large melon grew, Buell said she had multiple visitors see the progress as "she grew and grew.""Feel free to share the joy she brought to all of us," Buell said.The melon hasn't been eaten yet, but Buell said she hope

Louisiana joins US Department of Justice's lawsuit against Ticketmaster

BATON ROUGE— Louisiana is now one of 40 states that has joined the U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster.In May, U.S. DOJ officials filed the suit alleging Ticketmaster holds a monopoly over the live concert industry. They claim the company engages in anticompetitive behavior. Attorney General Merrick Garland says the company's monopolistic control over the industry harms fans, artists and venue operators.“The result is that fans pay

Local car club, 'Mustang Mafia,' hosts car show and donated school supplies at Glen Oaks Elementary

BATON ROUGE - A local car club, "Mustang Mafia," donated school supplies to Glen Oaks Elementary for the new semester Friday.The muscle cars pulled in one by one, while students at the school jumped and screamed in excitement when the cars revved their engines."This is something that means the world to these kids and myself," Principal Bernard Williams said. "It will never be forgotten and it was really appreciated by the kids and the staff," he said. The Mustang Mafia has been doing t

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Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched an indelible television genre, has died

Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched an indelible television genre that made household names of Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others, has died. He was 88.NBC’s “Today” show, citing family members, said Donahue died Sunday after a long illness.Dubbed “the king of daytime talk,” Donahue was the first to incorporate audience participation in a talk show, typically during a full hour with a single gues

Governor Landry announces expanded grant program to strengthen internet infrastructure

BATON ROUGE— Governor Jeff Landry announced a nearly $1.5 billion dollar investment in broadband internet infrastructure. Landry says the project, dubbed the Grant Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) 2.0, will increase internet access around the state and support thousands of households and businesses. The program uses federal funding awarded to the state from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act  passed by Congress in 2021. &nb

Democrats open their convention transformed by Harris ascendance but facing lingering questions

CHICAGO (AP) — A refreshed Democratic Party reintroduces itself to a divided nation this week, having been transformed by the money, momentum, relief and even joy that followed Vice President Kamala Harris ' rise to the top of its ticket.The whiplash of the last month culminates in a convention that begins Monday in Chicago. Above all, the four-day gathering of thousands of activists and party leaders from across the nation is designed to celebrate and strengthen Har

Sunday Journal: 19 years since Hurricane Katrina

BATON ROUGE - This week on Sunday Journal, join WBRZ's John Pastorek as he recounts the devastating Hurricane Katrina, 19 years after it made landfall in Louisiana. Permalink| Comments

Locals react to President Biden giving up to $23 million to Tulane for cancer research

BATON ROUGE - Three locals shared their opinion about the Biden Administration granting $23 million dollars to Tulane University to fund a new technology that will help doctors detect cancerous tumors during surgery. This sparked a conversation about 'Cancer Alley'. The 85 mile stretch of land between New Orleans and Baton Rouge is home to more than 200 chemical plants."You throw money at it and then next year, you'll throw more money at it, thinking we're coming up with solution. But

Perdue recalls frozen breaded chicken breasts after foreign material found in some packages

SALISBURY, MD - Perdue Foods LLC, in conjunction with the USDA, has voluntarily recalled 167,171 pounds of frozen breaded chicken breast tenders and nuggets after a foreign material was identified in a limited number of consumer packages.There are no reports of illness or injury associated with the products. According to the senior vice president of food safety and quality Jeff Shaw, a very thin strand of metal wire was inadvertently introduced during manufacturing.The recall is isolated to the

Dorseyville Elementary School closing Monday due to power outage, lack of A/C

WHITE CASTLE - Dorseyville Elementary School will close Monday due to a power outage and subsequent air conditioning outage.According to a statement, the school experienced a power outage Sunday that caused a short in the chiller system, resulting in the school not having any air conditioning.The school plans to issue packets that will be delivered by bus or picked up by car. For children on busses, the packets will be delivered between approximately 7:00 a.m. and 7:40 a.m.; car riders can pick

Capitol High School Alumni Association holds roundup and cookout

BATON ROUGE - The Capitol High School Alumni Association invited the community to its campus this Saturday afternoon to celebrate the school's legacy.The parking lot was packed with cars when everything kicked off at noon for the alumni round up and cookout. Councilman Cleve Dunn Jr. says at least 500 people come out evert year to enjoy music, food, and fun."I just want them to to know people from Capitol High are ready to perform... professionally, and there's some great people who came from t

Sunday service proceeds after car crashed through Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church

BATON ROUGE - After a car crashed through the sanctuary of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, the congregation showed up to Sunday worship as usual, just in a different location. The church held their Sunday service inside of the building's family life center after Tervont Johnson was arrested for crashing through the church on Scenic Highway and reportedly told officers he had been "riding with demons" prior to the crash. The damage to the church totaled around $100,000."We didn't

Worker's body found after explosion in Plaquemines Parish

SOUTH PASS - The body of a pipeline worker who went missing after an explosion Saturday evening was found, according to WWLTV.The New Orleans Coast Guard said they received a report of an explosion and that a "contractor aboard a 17-foot mud boat was working on a pipeline in the area and was reported missing."The contractor's body was found near the explosion site around 10 a.m. Sunday. The contractor has not been identified and the cause of the explosion is unknown at this time.Permalink| Comm

APSO: One shot on I-10 after alleged road rage altercation

BATON ROUGE - Detectives are investigating a shooting on I-10 after one person was injured near the Ascension Parish and East Baton Rouge Parish line, according to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office.According to deputies, the victim advised law enforcement that he and the driver of an 18-wheeler were involved in a road rage altercation, which led to the victim receiving a gunshot wound. The victim then said the shooter fled the scene and the victim drove himself to a nearby location to call

Officer Manager for EBR Mayor-President dies, mayor confirms

BATON ROUGE - A staffer with the East Baton Rouge Office of the Mayor President died, according to a statement from Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome.Simone Pillette, the Office Manager for the mayor-president, died. She also played an in the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs, according to the statement. No information was given on how she died."As we mourn this tremendous loss, we remember her as a colleague and dear friend who made every day brighter," Broome said. "Le

Office Manager for EBR Mayor-President dies, mayor confirms

BATON ROUGE - A staffer with the East Baton Rouge Office of the Mayor President died, according to a statement from Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome.Simone Pillette, the Office Manager for the mayor-president, died. She also played a role in the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs, according to the statement. No information was given on how she died."As we mourn this tremendous loss, we remember her as a colleague and dear friend who made every day brighter," Bro

Office Manager for EBR Mayor-President dies after car struck tree, caught fire

BATON ROUGE - A staffer with the East Baton Rouge Office of the Mayor-President died, according to a statement from Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome.According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, Simone Pillette was driving her vehicle on I-12 eastbound around 1 a.m. Sunday when the front driver side tire of her vehicle collided with the rear tire of a Jeep. Pillette's vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a tree and caught fire.Pillette was Office Manager for the mayor-president and also

Fire at tire yard still ongoing in Jackson, Mississippi after over twelve hours

JACKSON, Ms. - Jackson firefighters continue to work an ongoing fire that began Saturday afternoon, according to WAPT.Large amounts of smoke and fire could be seen from the tire facility on East McDowell Road, which is where the fire originated.Firefighters say the fire was contained around 10:40 p.m. Saturday night, but fire units will be on scene for days until the fire is completely put out.Below is a video of the fire burning during the night:There are no reported injuries at this time.Perm

Two arrested after Ponchatoula narcotics investigation

PONCHATOULA - A man and a woman were arrested in connection to a two-month-long drug investigation in Ponchatoula, according to Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office. Jasmane Jones, 36, and Mayha Tucker, 26, were booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on Friday. A search warrant at a home on 4th Street led to the discovery of six pounds of marijuana, ecstasy and hydrocodone as well as two handguns, $4000 in cash and several iPhones, TSPO said. Additionally, TPSO said all of the items were

1 dead in shooting along I-110 near Government Street exit; no motive given, no suspects named

BATON ROUGE — Police said Sunday a 22-year-old man was killed while driving along Interstate 110 near the Government Street exit when shots were fired from a nearby vehicle.Baton Rouge Police said the shooting occurred in the northbound lanes of I-110 about midnight Saturday. Antoine Bowie was pronounced dead at the scene and a passenger was injured. The passenger is expected to survive.Police did not say whether they have determined a motive or have suspects.Permalink| Comments

Homeowner catches possum chasing fox on security camera

KENILWORTH - A Kenilworth man discovered a small possum chasing a larger fox in his front yard when he went to check his security camera Friday evening."The chase just continued for so long and the fox just looked like it was trying to get away. It never could get away, which was hilarious because it's so much bigger than the possum," Marcel Dupre said. Dupre is not sure why or what the possum was protecting, but what he does know is the possum that was chasing the fox usually frequent

Three arrested after alleged heroin, marijuana sales operation in Independence

INDEPENDENCE - Three people were arrested after a search warrant where police seized packaged marijuana and heroin, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office.TPSO says Justin Cannon, 40, Lorenzo Jones, 27, and Rodrica Jones, 30, were all booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on August 14. A search warrant at a home on Adelante Street led to the discovery of packaged marijuana, heroin, scales and a gun reported stolen out of the Baton Rouge area, TPSO said. Additionally, TPSO said all

Independence Italian Cultural Museum hosts annual Cucuzza Day celebration

INDEPENDENCE - Sicilian families in Independence who have been growing cucuzza, also known as Italian squash, for generations have been sharing them with the community for the last several years at Cucuzza Day at the Independence Italian Cultural museum."It's basically a family day and to introduce people to the cucuzza, and promote the cucuzza," said Donnie Orlando, president of the museum.The seeds of a cucuzza are passed down for generations in Sicilian culture. No two cucuzza are the same,

Varsity Sports to host Run/Walk cancer fundraiser Aug. 29 to raise money for Zeeland Street Market owner

BATON ROUGE -- The owner of Zeeland Street Market, a longtime community fixture on Perkins Rd, was recently diagnosed with stage 3A lung cancer.Varsity Sports Baton Rouge, which is in the same block, has scheduled a run/walk fundraiser on August 29th to help Stephanie Phares cover the costs of treatment and of running her business as she begins treatment.Phares and her family have been serving the Baton Rouge community for more than 30 years. She arrived in the city as an LSU student back in th

Ex-Rep. George Santos expected to plead guilty to multiple counts in fraud case, AP source says

WASHINGTON - Former U.S. Rep. George Santos is expected to plead guilty to multiple counts in his federal fraud case, according to a person familiar with the matter.Santos, a Republican from New York, is expected to enter the plea at a court hearing planned for Monday on Long Island, the person said.The person could not publicly discuss details of the plea and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.Messages were left seeking comment from Santos and th