DOC employee alleges widespread drug problem at Elayn Hunt, DOC investigating - Louisiana news - NewsLocker (2024)

ST. GABRIEL - A Department of Corrections employee is choosing to remain anonymous, but blowing the whistle on what they claim are relaxed drug policies at Elayn Hunt Correctional."The drug problem is off the charts," they said. The employee says recently a large part of officers' duties at the prison have been resuscitating overdosing inmates."The intoxication is off the charts. You might see anywhere from five to 10 intoxications in any day."They say the drugs are mainly coming from

Supreme Court keeps new rules about sex discrimination in education on hold in half the country

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Friday kept on hold in roughly half the country new regulations about sex discrimination in education, rejecting a Biden administration request.The court voted 5-4, with conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch joining the three liberal justices in dissent.At issue were protections for pregnant students and students who are parents, and the procedures schools must use in responding to sexual misconduct complaints.The most noteworthy of

$$$ Best Bets: Angel in the Sky! $$$

Hunter McCann has this weekend's best bets for the Paris 2024 Olympics and the MLB!FridayMLB:Nationals @ Phillies: Phillies -1.5Mariners @ Pirates: No Run First InningRed Sox @ Orioles: Orioles MLMarlins @ Mets: Mets -1.5White Sox: Astros: Astros -1.5Padres @ Rockies: Padres MLWNBA:Storm @ Dream: u157.5Mercury @ Fever: Fever -2.5Sun @ Wings: Suns -5.5Saturday MLB:Yankees @ Tigers: Yankees MLBlue Jays @ Cubs: Cubs MLRoyals @ Reds: o9 Total RunsGiants @ Athletics: Giants MLWhite Sox @ As

Woman charged in brazen plot to extort Elvis Presley's family and auction off Graceland

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Missouri woman has been arrested on charges she orchestrated a brazen scheme to defraud Elvis Presley’s family by trying to auction off his Graceland mansion and property before a judge halted the mysterious foreclosure sale, the Justice Department said Friday.Lisa Jeanine Findley, 53, of Kimberling City, falsely claimed Presley’s daughter borrowed $3.8 million from a bogus private lender and had pledged Graceland as c

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Deputies investigating food trailer theft in Erwinville

ERWINVILLE - Deputies with West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office are investigating a theft of a food trailer that took place between August 5 and August 6. The trailer is a yellow 2002 model, and was stolen along U.S. 190 near Poydras Bayou Road. Anyone with information that can assist detectives, please give them a call at 225-382-5200.Permalink| Comments

Former Tangipahoa Parish Jail maintenance employee arrested; allegedly took inmate off-site to buy weapons

AMITE — A former maintenance worker who worked in the Tangipahoa Parish Jail was arrested Friday for taking an inmate out of the jail to buy weapons from him, deputies said.Donald Hammons, 56, was arrested on one count of malfeasance in office.Hammons was a Tangipahoa Parish Government employee assigned to conduct maintenance at the parish jail from 2010 until the sheriff’s office administration change in July.After the new leadership took over, it was learned that Hammons a

Deputies searching for man who stole $600 in laundry detergent from Gonzales Dollar General

GONZALES — Deputies are searching for a man accused of stealing about $600 worth of laundry detergent from a Gonzales Dollar General.Deputies said the man was seen near a black Buick sedan at the Dollar General on La. 74. Anyone with information that could help identify this the man is asked to call the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office anonymously at 225-621-4636.Permalink| Comments

'Showdown on the Bluff' football jamboree at A.W. Mumford stadium to take place August 29-30

BATON ROUGE - A football jamboree called "Showdown on the Bluff" featuring East Baton Rouge high schools will take place at Southern University's A.W. Mumford Stadium on August 29 and 30, according to EBR Schools.The release called it "the start of a historic athletic partnership" between EBR Schools and Southern.The games begin at 6 p.m. both days and will be broken into 12-minute halves. Here are the matchups:Thursday, Aug. 29
· Game 1: Capitol vs. Collegiate
· Game 2: N

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LSU's summer graduation ceremony the largest in school's history; beats previous year's record

BATON ROUGE – LSU's summer commencement ceremony on Friday was the largest in the school's history, the university said.LSU awarded 1,061 degrees to graduates, beating a previous record of 1,037 set during the summer 2023 commencement.According to LSU, 26 students graduated with honors. The graduating class also represents 41 Louisiana parishes, 47 states and 36 countries. Women comprise nearly 60 percent of the class, and men comprise about 40 percent.The youngest graduate is 19, whi

Baton Rouge man sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for possession, distribution of meth

BATON ROUGE - A U.S. district judge sentenced a 47-year-old Baton Rouge man to 16 years in federal prison after the man was convicted for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.Allen Ambrose was arrested in June 2022 after a search warrant. Ambrose fled when he saw agents and discarded about three ounces of methamphetamine over a fence during the pursuit. Agents located over two pounds of meth alongside suspected marijuana, LSD and MDMA. He was questioned after his arrest

Luther Kent, blues musician and WBRH radio host, dies at age 76

DENHAM SPRINGS — Luther Kent, whose began singing the blues as a teenager and most recently hosted a popular radio program on Baton Rouge High School's WBRH radio station, died Friday of congestive heart failure. He was 76.Fellow musician Johnny Palazzotto said Friday no formal funeral arrangements were planned. He said Kent's family had notified him about the death Friday morning. According to Kent's website, he began singing professionally at age 14, recording "I Wanna Know

Subaru Baton Rouge gives EBR Parish elementary school $10k for classroom supplies

BATON ROUGE - As part of the Subaru Loves Learning initiative and a partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, Subaru of Baton Rouge surprised teachers at Woodlawn Elementary School on Friday morning with a gift.According to Subaru, 92% of teachers nationwide have students from families who can't afford any school supplies. This leads to teachers spending an average of $860 out of their own pockets each year to equip their classrooms. To remedy this, Subaru of Baton Rouge "adopted" classroo

The Investigative Unit: Officer suspended after domestic violence arrest fired by St. Gabriel Police

ST. GABRIEL — A St. Gabriel Police officer arrested for allegedly pulling a gun on a woman has been fired from the force after previously being suspended without pay by the department, St. Gabriel Police said Friday.Ronald Monroe Jr. was fired from the department after Police Chief Kevin Ambeau advised the St. Gabriel City Council of his plans to fire the officer at their Thursday meeting. Monroe was arrested on July 29 for aggravated assault domestic abuse, as well as domest

Detectives: In 3-minute attack, man killed ex's new boyfriend at Hanks Drive apartment

BATON ROUGE — Deputies said Friday that a man arrested for murder drove to the mother of his child's home and shot her new boyfriend.Tyrus Watson, 22, was arrested for second-degree murder Thursday evening after a shooting at a Hanks Drive apartment complex that morning. Watson killed Kedrick Glasper, 31, according to deputies.According to an arrest warrant, Glasper was found shot dead outside of the second-floor apartment. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office said Watson was at the

BRPD: Man picked up 150 pounds of meth from strip club, had fentanyl delivered to Baton Rouge home

BATON ROUGE — A man arrested by the Baton Rouge Police Department after they seized nearly 5 pounds of fentanyl had drugs delivered to at least one Baton Rouge home and picked up 150 pounds of meth outside a West Baton Rouge Parish strip club as part of a large-scale drug dealing operation, arrest records show. Cendy Sammy Keophimanh, 42, was arrested Wednesday on multiple drug and gun possession charges, including possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphet

Man deliberately crashed car through Baptist church, said he was 'riding with demons'

BATON ROUGE - A man arrested Thursday for crashing nearly through an entire church on Scenic Highway reportedly told officers he had been "riding with demons" prior to the crash. Tervont Johnson, 26, was arrested Thursday after he crashed his car through Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church on Scenic Highway. His vehicle also caught on fire immediately after the crash.The Baton Rouge Police Department said Johnson appeared to be incoherent at the time of his arrest. He waived his rights to couns

Prairieville home's garage catches fire early Friday morning; cause unknown

PRAIRIEVILLE — A home caught fire early Friday morning in Prairieville, fire officials said.Prairieville Fire Department crews were dispatched to the residential structural fire on JD Broussard Road around 12:35 a.m. According to fire officials, the fire started in the home's garage and the occupants had already left the building when firefighters arrived.The fire was contained by 1:10 a.m. and no injuries were reported, fire officials said. The cause of the fire is still under invest

Hours being extended for Grosse Tete pedestrian ferry as bridge continues repairs

GROSSE TETE - The hours for the pedestrian ferry are being expanded as repairs on the Grosse Tete drawbridge continue. Starting Aug. 19, the pedestrian ferry will offer extended hours seven days a week, including holidays. Additionally, a captain has joined the pedestrian ferry team with a "100-ton" license. The new member has allowed the team to expand the ferry service. The new hours will be Saturday-Wednesday 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday-Friday 4 a.m. to 11 p.m..P

EBR School Board approves contract of deputy superintendent Adam Smith

BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge School Board voted to finalize deputy superintendent Adam Smith's contract Thursday.The board voted 7-0 in favor of the contract with two members abstaining. His contract would give him a $235,000 per year salary.Smith's contract is set to expire after December 2028; Superintendent LaMont Cole's contract is set to expire at the end of July 2028.Permalink| Comments

Experts explain 112% increase in child solicitation cases in Louisiana over past three years

LOUISIANA - The state of Louisiana has seen a dramatic increase in cases involving sexual predators pursuing children online.In 2021 there were 3,478 reported incidents, in 2022 there were 6,128, reported, and then in 2023 it skyrocketed to 13,644 reported cases in the state. That is a 112% increase in three years, with officials telling WBRZ that 2024 is looking to match or surpass that number.The increase in reported incidents has led to a surge in arrests as well. David Ferris, the Cyber Cri

University Lakes meeting addressed community concerns after over a year of the project

BATON ROUGE - The University Lakes project has been progressing for more than a year, and yet those leading construction say getting to the finish line could take a couple more years.On Thursday, project leaders met with those who like along the lakes to talk next steps. Posters displayed future plans, and project leaders guided conversations about the improvements and fielded concerns from residents.Mark Goodson, the project's manager, says the lake will get deeper and healthier as the dredgin

Vehicle in river at Highway 22 in Maurepas

MAUREPAS - A vehicle was in a river at Highway 22 near Falcon Road, according to the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office.Images showed the black vehicle off the roadway and slightly into a nearby river.No injuries were reported.Permalink| Comments

Thousands without power after outages in Livingston, St. Helena parishes

WALKER - Thousands of people in Livingston and St. Helena parishes are experiencing power outages, according to both DEMCO and Entergy maps.According to DEMCO maps, 9,965 people in Livingston Parish and 5,013 people in St. Helena Parish experienced outages as of 5:30 p.m.Entergy had 3,174 people experiencing power outages in the city of Walker.The Walker Police Department said traffic lights are not functioning and advised residents to stay off roadways until the weather clears.According to DEM

Power outages affecting Livingston, St. Helena parishes

WALKER - Thousands of people in Livingston and St. Helena parishes are experiencing power outages, according to both DEMCO and Entergy maps.According to DEMCO maps, 7,745 people in Livingston Parish and 5,011 people in St. Helena Parish experienced outages; Entergy had 2,246 people experiencing power outages in the city of Walker.The Walker Police Department said traffic lights are not functioning and advised residents to stay off roadways until the weather clears. No estimated time has been gi

Exact timeline for Comite River Diversion Project still undefined; DOTD says it is mostly complete

BATON ROUGE — The Comite River Diversion Canal Project is fully funded and more than ¾ of the way complete, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said at the State Capitol on Thursday.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.Legislators wanted a more concrete timeline for when the project will be

4 from BRPD's Street Crimes Unit plead not guilty to obstruction and malfeasance charges

BATON ROUGE — Four members of the defunct Baton Rouge Police Department's Street Crimes Unit waived their formal arraignment on obstruction of justice and malfeasance charges Thursday and pleaded not guilty.The four were accused in the 19th Judicial District Court on a complaint that they were involved in beating, tasing, and strip-searching a man in 2020. The case came to light after revelations about the "BRAVE Cave," a building where investigators believe that police would interrog

BREC Memorial Stadium undergoing renovations, removes seating

BATON ROUGE — BREC Memorial Stadium is currently undergoing renovations.Director of Operations Raharold Lawson said BREC noticed the seating at the stadium was in a decomposing state, so they took safety measures and removed them.“Because of construction, up costs and things of that nature, it wasn’t feasible for us to put that money back into the seating of the bleachers, but to remove them for our onlookers,” said Lawson.Lawson said that the idea of ren

Local cleanup group teams with debris removal service to sweep Baton Rouge streets

BATON ROUGE — For the first time, street sweepers joined the efforts of Keep Tiger Town Beautiful to clean the community Thursday."Today is like Santa Claus came today! But even better than a three-carat diamond ring because we got Chris Nkadi with Elite Waste (and Construction Services, a debris removal service)," Keep Tiger Town Beautiful Founder Jennifer Richardson said.Nine trucks were on Perkins Road on Thursday morning, seven of which were street sweepers.Elite Waste told WBRZ t

LPSO: Denham Springs man allegedly solicited child p*rn from 20 children across multiple states

DENHAM SPRINGS - Deputies discovered a total of 20 juvenile victims of an 18-year-old allegedly soliciting child p*rnography across multiple states, according to the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office.LPSO says Glenn Walter, 18, of Denham Springs was initially arrested in April on several counts of computer aided solicitation of 10 total minors and juveniles across seven other states, as well as possession of p*rnography involving juveniles.As the investigation continued, the total victims jump

Hunters for the Hungry asks the capital region to 'Clean Out Your Freezer' with food bank drive Sunday

BATON ROUGE — Louisianans love to hunt. They also love to serve, with the two coming together this weekend with an event designed to fill food banks across the capital area with frozen meat and other foodSunday's "Clean Out Your Freezer Day" is hosted by Hunters for the Hungry and accepts all properly packaged and labeled frozen goods, going beyond protein. Last year's event brought in 21,881 lbs., Hunters for the Hungry said.The only stipulation are that the items need to be frozen a