Baton Rouge-based aviation academy to take over former charter school campus on Plank Road - Louisiana news - NewsLocker (2024)

BATON ROUGE — The former campus of IDEA University Prep will be acquired by a Baton Rouge-based aviation charter school, IDEA announced Wednesday.Helix Community Schools' acquisition of IDEA's Plank Road campus for its Helix Aviation Academy comes a little more than a month after IDEA announced its University Prep campus would shut down at the end of the school year. Helix Aviation's current campus on Airpark Boulevard is a mile north of the former IDEA University Prep.Helix will repu

Sheriff: Black bears becoming increasingly common in Pointe Coupee neighborhoods

NEW ROADS - Residents in Pointe Coupee Parish say black bears are creeping a little too close to home. Last Saturday night, a hungry bear helped itself to a few stalks of corn from Gus May's corn patch in his yard. May, a longtime resident of Ventress, says this was never an issue before. "It's not a big bunch of damage it's just a strange occurrence for us in this area," May said. Another resident in Fordoche lost all the honey from the bee hives in his yard after a

17-year-old arrested for attempted murder after May shooting in Tickfaw that injured 11-year-old girl

TICKFAW - A 17-year-old involved in a Tickfaw shooting that left an 11-year-old injured back in May was arrested Thursday, the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office.Ja'den James, 17, of Tickfaw, was arrested for attempted first-degree murder, illegal use of weapons, and illegal possession of a handgun.The 11-year-old girl has recovered and is doing well.Permalink| Comments

Three Baton Rouge natives among 200 indicted by DOJ in nationwide fraud scheme

WASHINGTON (AP) — Three Baton Rouge natives were among the nearly 200 people charged in a sweeping nationwide crackdown on healthcare fraud schemes with false claims topping $2.7 billion, the Justice Department said on Thursday.Kevin Andre Hills, Devin Tyrone Stampley Jr. and Asia Deshan Guess were all indicted in federal court for conspiracy to acquire and obtain promethazine with codeine and hydrocodone-acetaminophen, court filings show.The DOJ says they allegedly used nearly 100 fa

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NFL ordered to pay over $4.7 billion to customers after jury rules against them in Sunday Ticket case

LOS ANGELES - A jury in the U.S. District Court ruled that the NFL violated antitrust laws in distributing out-of-market Sunday afternoon games on a premium subscription service and has awarded more than $4.7 billion in damages Thursday, according to ESPN.The jury ordered the league to pay $4.7 billion in damages to the residential class and $96 million in damages to the commercial class.The lawsuit covered 2.4 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses who paid for the package of ou

Grand jury indicts second person in 2012 death of man found in trunk; case delayed over jurisdiction

CLINTON — A grand jury in the Felicianas has indicted a man on first-degree murder in the 2012 killing of a man whose body was found in the trunk of a car in Baton Rouge. There was a yearslong delay in proceedings amid questions over which prosecutors had jurisdiction.Christopher Harris, 29, was indicted May 6 and arrested this month. A co-defendant, Demarcos Gross, 31, was initially charged 11 years ago, but Louisiana's 1st Circuit Court of Appeals didn't let the case go forward as i

Former Regions Bank manager pleads guilty in embezzlement of $250,000 from Plank Road branch

BATON ROUGE - A Plaquemine man pled guilty bank fraud charges after more than $250,000 was taken from customer accounts at a Regions Bank branch, according to the United States Department of Justice.Eric Schouest, 53, received convictions for embezzlement and bank fraud after managing Regions Bank Plank Road branch. He moved customers' money into his own accounts and using it to pay personal expenses, including his house and car. The thefts happened in 2020 and 2021. He was an employee from 201

Variety of Independence Day events planned across Greater Baton Rouge area through July 4 weekend

BATON ROUGE — The capital region has no shortage of events ahead of the celebration of the nation's 248th birthday.Here's a list of the events leading up to Independence Day across multiple parishes, including WBRZ's Fireworks on the Mississippi at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 4:Ascension ParishStars and Stripes: A Celebration at Conway
June 27 (6-9 p.m.); 7900 La. 44, Gonzales
A family-friendly, free event featuring kids' activities, music by Dustin Guedry and a fireworks show.Fireworks

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New pictures from fire at car dealership believed to have been caused by electrical malfunction

NAPOLEONVILLE - Six fire crews worked for hours Wednesday evening to put out a fire at a car dealership. Investigators believe the cause was electrical. Napoleonville Fire Chief Don Blanchard said his department got a call that the Barbera Chevrolet was on fire around 6 p.m. When his crew got to the scene, flames were already through the roof of the building. Due to wind conditions and a large fuel supply inside the building, the fire spread and grew quickly. Blanchar

Man dies from injuries after being shot Wednesday evening

BATON ROUGE - A man died from his injuries after being shot Wednesday evening.Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting death of 29-year-old Patrick White. White was found on North Acadian Thruway near Bogan Walk Wednesday shortly after 6 p.m..White was taken to a hospital where he died Thursday morning. There was no further information regarding a motive or a possible suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.Permalink| Comments

Man arrested for armed robbery of Plattenville business after threatening employee, customer

PLATTENVILLE - A Bertrandville man was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly threatened two people at gunpoint and robbed from a business. The Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office said its deputies responded to a business on Spur 70 on May 24. Deputies found that a masked person had brandished a firearm and threatened an employee and another customer, demanding money. The suspect then fled the area. Divone Davis, 33, was identified as a suspect after an investigation. D

TEAM 2 TRAFFIC: Vehicle fire on I-10 EB closes one lane near Lobdell; traffic backed up to Grosse Tete

LOBDELL — A vehicle fire on Interstate 10 eastbound near Lobdell closed one lane and caused congestion approaching four miles, LaDOTD said Thursday.The left lane is now open, but traffic is backed up as far back as Grosse Tete. Expect major delays.Permalink| Comments

TEAM 2 TRAFFIC: Vehicle fire on closes I-10 EB near Lobdell

Update at 2:30 p.m. :  I-10 east is closed once again. ------------------------------LOBDELL — A vehicle fire on Interstate 10 eastbound near Lobdell closed one lane and caused congestion approaching four miles, LaDOTD said Thursday.The left lane is now open, but traffic is backed up as far back as Grosse Tete. Expect major delays.Permalink| Comments

TEAM 2 TRAFFIC: Right lane blocked after vehicle fire on I-10 EB near Lobdell

Update at 4:30 p.m.: The right lane remains blocked on I-10 East at Mile Marker 149 due to a vehicle fire. Congestion is approaching LA-3000 (Ramah). ------------------------------LOBDELL — A vehicle fire on Interstate 10 eastbound near Lobdell closed one lane and caused congestion approaching four miles, LaDOTD said Thursday.The left lane is now open, but traffic is backed up as far back as Grosse Tete. Expect major delays.Permalink| Comments

TEAM 2 TRAFFIC: One land open after vehicle fire closes I-10 EB near Lobdell

Update at 3:30 p.m.: I-10 Eastbound is back to one lane open near Lobdell.------------------------------LOBDELL — A vehicle fire on Interstate 10 eastbound near Lobdell closed one lane and caused congestion approaching four miles, LaDOTD said Thursday.The left lane is now open, but traffic is backed up as far back as Grosse Tete. Expect major delays.Permalink| Comments

TEAM 2 TRAFFIC: All lanes open after vehicle fire on I-10 EB near Lobdell

Update at 6:30 p.m.: All lanes are now open on I-10 East at Mile Marker 149. Congestion remains approaching LA-3000 (Ramah).------------------------------LOBDELL — A vehicle fire on Interstate 10 eastbound near Lobdell closed one lane and caused congestion approaching four miles, LaDOTD said Thursday.The left lane is now open, but traffic is backed up as far back as Grosse Tete. Expect major delays.Permalink| Comments

Baton Rouge Police searching for man accused of groping a 12-year-old

BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge Police are searching for a man who eluded capture after he allegedly groped a pre-teen, an arrest warrant says.Kelvin Carter, 31, is wanted by officers for indecent behavior with a juvenile, as well as criminal damage to property and resisting an officer, the warrant signed Tuesday says.Carter was staying at the Lee Drive home of a woman he knew when the sexual assault occurred. According to an affidavit, Carter groped the girl around 2 a.m. on Tuesday for ab

Higgins, Carter introduce legislation giving FDA authority to destroy contaminated imported seafood

BATON ROUGE — Clay Higgins and Troy Carter, congressmen from opposite sides of the aisle, have introduced a new bill that would give the Food and Drug Administration authority to destroy imported products that pose a significant public health concern, specifically contaminated seafood, the pair said in a release Thursday.The Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act would expand the FDA's authority to destroy hazardous items to food products. They are currently only responsible for destroy

Two alleged drug dealers arrested during traffic stop near Slidell

SLIDELL - A traffic stop led to the arrests of two alleged drug dealers Tuesday night. As deputies with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office attempted to pull over a vehicle on Highway 11 Tuesday night, they saw the driver and passenger throw something out the the window, which was later determined to be an ounce of methamphetamine. The driver, 44-year-old Kasey Johnson, and the passenger, 43-year-old Jason Hotard, were taken into custody. Deputies found the two men to have

Morgan City man arrested on DWI charges while boating on Bayou Long

MORGAN CITY — Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents arrested a Morgan City man for operating a boat while impaired in St. Martin Parish, officials say. Brodie Anslum, 30, was arrested June 22 on DWI charges after agents saw him driving a boat while under the influence on Bayou Long. After they made contact with him, LDWF agents booked him into the Morgan City Police Department Jail.Anyone cited for a DWI on the water or the road will lose their driver's licens

US Supreme Court rejects nationwide opioid settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma that would have shielded members of the Sackler family who own the company from civil lawsuits over the toll of opioids but also would have provided billions of dollars to combat the opioid epidemic.After deliberating more than six months, the justices in a 5-4 vote blocked an agreement hammered out with state and local governments and victims. The Sacklers would have contrib

The Supreme Court rejects a nationwide opioid settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma that would have shielded members of the Sackler family who own the company from civil lawsuits over the toll of opioids but also would have provided billions of dollars to combat the opioid epidemic.After deliberating more than six months, the justices in a 5-4 vote blocked an agreement hammered out with state and local governments and victims. The Sacklers would have co

Gonzales man arrested for allegedly shooting, killing wife

GONZALES - A man was arrested for second-degree murder after he allegedly shot and killed his wife. The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office said Sean Morris, 50, was arrested Wednesday after a shooting on Garcon Road in Gonzales. When deputies arrived they found Morris' wife, 44-year-old Brenda Morris, dead from a gunshot wound.Morris reportedly shot Brenda during an altercation. He was arrested and booked for second-degree murder, illegal use of weapons, and eight counts of pos

Patterson man arrested for 11 counts of vehicle burglary since 2022

BAYOU L'OURSE - Deputies arrested a 21-year-old man for 11 counts of vehicle burglary at the end of an investigation going back to 2022. The Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office said it began investigating in January 2022 after there were multiple reports of vehicle burglary in the Griffin Court area. A suspect vehicle was also tied to a string of burglaries in Stephensville and Gibson. Gregory Payne, 21, was identified as a suspect and was arrested Wednesday at the end of the t

Local academy celebrating Louisiana culture through food festival

BATON ROUGE - Get a taste of Louisiana through the Second Baptist Christian Academy's new event Friday. The event, aptly named "A Taste of Louisiana," will showcase southern culture through what we're best known for: food. "'A Taste of Louisiana' is part of our ongoing commitment to integrating local culture into our curriculum, ensuring that our students from ages 1 to 12 appreciate and understand the state they call home," SBCA said. "The event will feature a variety of Loui

Metro Council approves next steps to revamping River Center

BATON ROUGE - A strategic plan made by Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome to revamp the River Center was approved Wednesday afternoon by the East Baton Rouge Metro Council.The Metro Council unanimously approved the measure to develop a project oversight committee with an end goal to redevelop the River Center to a conference hub with a hotel.Jill Kidder, the CEO of Visit Baton Rouge, was also put on the committee. She hopes this project will kickstart additional renovations downtown. Metro Co

Attorney disputes DA's insistence that former Street Crimes unit officer indictments are unrelated to BRAVE Cave

BATON ROUGE - Tuesday, two big developments involving the now-defunct Baton Rouge Police Department's Street Crimes Unit happened in federal and district court. The cases are different, but involve officers from the same unit.At the 19th JDC, four former "Street Crimes" unit officers were indicted on charges related to an incident where they are accused of beating, tasing, and strip-searching a man in a BRPD building, which is nearby the infamous "BRAVE Cave" It was a non-BRPD building where, i

Multiple fire departments work to put out flames at car dealership

NAPOLEONVILLE - Six fire crews worked for hours Wednesday evening to put out a fire at a Napoleonville car dealership. Napoleonville Fire Chief Don Blanchard said his department go a call that the Barbera Chevrolet was on fire around 6 p.m. When his crew got to the scene, flames were already through the roof of the building. Due to wind conditions and a large fuel supply inside the building, the fire spread and grew quickly. Blanchard called in help from firefighters in Painco

First responders working to put out fire at Napoleonville car dealership

NAPOLEONVILLE - First responders in Assumption Parish are working to put out a fire that sparked at a Napoleonville car dealership. The Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office said the Barbera Chevrolet in Napoleonville was completely engulfed in flames.            Crews are on the scene. No information about injuries has been released. No more information was immediately available. Permalink| Comments

Slidell teacher arrested for relationship with student

SLIDELL - Another Slidell High School teacher was arrested Wednesday after an investigation into her colleague's inappropriate conduct with male students. On April 30, Slidell police officers arrested 35-year-old teacher Alexa Wingerter after finding she had an inappropriate sexual relationship with an 18-year-old student. Police said she also exchanged lewd messages and explicit photographs with the students, as well as buying students alcohol at Slidell bars. Throug