GROSS TETE - Drivers believe a jolt from a bump caused a runaway trailer on I-10 East near the Gross Tete Wednesday.

Denham Springs resident Mike Dutcher caught the incredible video with his dash cam recorder.

"We were both cruising along about 70 miles-per-hour and I slowed down because I knew the bump was coming that's why I was about to get that in the video. So I slowed down or I would have been right next to it," Dutcher said.

The bump's been on the road for years,according to drivers.

"It'll knock the steering wheel out of your hand," veteran truck driver James Hurst said. He believes the bump has hassled drivers for at least six years.

No one was ticketed for the loose trailer incident.

The Department of Transportation doesn't agree that the trailer got away because of the roadway. But, the agency admitted the stretch of interstate is not up to standard.

DOTD plans to resurface 6.3 miles of I-10 from Ramah to the West Baton Rouge line, which includes the bump.

The project is estimated to cost between $2.5 million and $5 million. It will get bids this December.

But, Dutcher wants something done much sooner.

"I'm telling you. People need to hang on to their wheel in Louisiana until they do something," he said. "And a lot sooner than one year."

Permalink| Comments

BATON ROUGE - Two dozen members of a local realtor's office who put together a lottery pool claimed their $1 million Powerball prize today.

The group received $700,000 to split after state and federal taxes were withheld. They said each member of the pool would receive more then $29,000 from the winnings.

The group said the win makes them feel closer to one another.

"Sharing this with each of you as friends makes this day even better," said Inex Shelton Jr. Of Greenwell Springs. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing that we will always remember, and we will be bonded together because of it."

The office pool was put together for the May 18 drawing, which had a record-setting $590.5 million jackpot. Their ticket matched all five white balls but missed the red Powerball.

News 2 spoke to the winners and will have reactions from their celebration tonight at 6 p.m.

Permalink| Comments

BATON ROUGE - Governor Bobby Jindal today ordered a review for all permits given to Texas Brine, the company which owns land a massive sinkhole appeared on last year, after he accused the company of dragging its feet in paying costs associated with the cleanup.

"It has become clear that Texas Brine is trying to run out the clock on the citizens of Bayou Corne and Grand Bayou by hiding behind insurance companies, lawyers and lobbyists. That is unacceptable," Jindal said at a press conference today. "We've heard every excuse in the book, and enough is enough."

Earlier this year the state ordered Texas Brine to start buying out property affected by the sinkhole, which is near the community of Bayou Corne. According to the governor's office, 110 residents signed up for the buyouts and most of their properties inspected.

Texas Brine agreed to offer settlements within 45 after the inspections, but hasn't issued any offers to homes even though dozens are outside the 45-day window. Last week the company said legal issues were holding up the buyout process, then today said their insurance carrier hadn't approved paying out any money for the buyouts.

In response, Jindal issued an executive order today instructing the Commissioner of Conservation to review all of the company's state permits to see if they should be changed, reissued, or ended.

"Texas Brine needs to offer settlements to the residents who want them, and their failure to do so brings into serious question the company's ability to operate in Louisiana moving forward," Jindal said.

News 2's Adrian Pittman will have more from Bayou Corne tonight.

 

Permalink| Comments

BAYOU CORNE - Buyouts and outstanding costs for dealing with a sinkhole in Assumption Parish could be on Governor Bobby Jindal's agenda for a press conference scheduled for this afternoon.

The governor scheduled the event for 1:20 p.m. at the Bayou Corne Sportman's Landing on Hwy 70 South.

Buyouts are still pending for homes near the sinkhole, which apppeared on land owned by Texas Brine LLC. The company said last week legal issues were holding up the process, and didn't have an estimate when it would be resolved.

Assumption Parish leaders also claim Texas Brine hasn't reimbursed them for costs to maintain a command post and presence at the sinkhole, which is part of their agreement with the state. A spokesperson for the company said the parish had been paid, but parish leaders countered that it only covered costs for two months.

News 2 will have more on the sinkhole situation tonight.

Permalink| Comments

IBERVILLE PARISH - A man who evaded Baton Rouge Police Friday was captured by Iberville Sheriff's deputies Sunday, according to BRPD Cpl. Tommy Stubbs.

The pursuit began Friday night when officers tried to stop a car. The driver, Louis Northern, failed to stop and headed west on I-10.

Eventually, Northern exited in Iberville Parish and made his way into West Baton Rouge where he abandoned the car in a field near Hwy. 413 and Hwy. 76.

Into early Saturday morning, authorities were using helicopters and manpower to locate Northern.

Northern will be expedited to Baton Rouge sometime early this week, according to Stubbs.

Permalink| Comments

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. - Some lucky person walked into a Publix supermarket in suburban Florida over the past few days and bought a winning Powerball ticket now worth an estimated $590.5 million.

On Sunday, Zephyrhills residents wondered who the winner of Powerball's highest jackpot in history might be. The ticket-holder hadn't come forward yet. The store and parking lot were abuzz with activity and TV live trucks. A Publix spokeswoman said there are rumors about who won, but the store doesn't know.

Zephyrhills is a small city in Pasco County, about 30 miles northeast of downtown Tampa. Once a farming town, it's now known for skydiving and retiree mobile home parks. It's also home to Zephyrhills bottled water.

A lottery official said the ticket-holder would be Florida's sixth Powerball winner.

Permalink| Comments

BATON ROUGE - An 8-year-old boy was accidentally shot by his 12-year-old brother in Baton Rouge, according to East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks.

Hicks says the boys were at their grandparents' house on the 400 block of Old Rafe Meyer Rd. when the 12-year-old accidentally shot the 8-year-old in the shoulder.

He was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Hicks says the gun was allegedly put away in the top of a closet before the accident.

The 12-year-old will be booked into juvenile detention and charged with negligent injuring. The investigation is ongoing, according to Hicks.

Permalink| Comments

DES MOINES, Iowa - Powerball is a game of numbers, and lottery officials say the majority of possible combinations have already been purchased ahead of Saturday night's near-historic $600 million drawing.

The odds of winning the game's largest jackpot remain astronomically high: 1 in 175.2 million.

But since about 80 percent of the possible combinations have been purchased, lottery officials say it's likely the winning ticket could be selected.

People lined up at gas stations and convenience stores Saturday for their chance at striking it rich.

South Carolina resident Benjamin Richardson says the few bucks he spends for every drawing are worth it. He also reasons that "it's all luck anyway."

The latest jackpot is the world's second largest overall, just behind a $656 million Mega Millions jackpot in March 2012.

Permalink| Comments

BATON ROUGE- Reaction is mixed after the city's top cop released a statement concerning the attack on a family in the northern part of town.

Police Chief Carl Dabadie said there were serious errors in judgment after a husband, wife, and their daughter were beaten at a gas station on Mother's Day.

"It's something I feel sorry about. I hate to see," said Joe Temple, who lives near the gas station on Scenic Highway. "People just pulling off the interstate to the local service station... so horrible to happen to them."
Another person told WBRZ News 2, the attack might force her to move.

"It's not me being safe, it's for my children," Renee Thibodeaux said.

"I would hate to lose my one-year-old child to stupidness."

The victims of the attack are white, and the three people accused of jumping them are African American. They told police before the incident, they were told: "you're in the wrong neighborhood."

Donald Dickerson was arrested and charged with battery. Devin Bessey, 24, and Ashley Simmons, 22, were issued summons.

The investigation has been controversial, and many have asked why Simmons and Bessey were not arrested and why there are not more charges.

"If we think the charges should be enhanced there is a possibility that they could be re-booked on a felony charge or we would just file the charge of second degree battery, assuming that's the charge or cruelty to a juvenile, assuming that's the charge," District Attorney Hillar Moore told WBRZ News 2 Friday evening.

Dickerson is a registered sex offender, and has also been charged with failing to register a new address with authorities.

Click HERE to read more about the chief's statement.

 

Permalink| Comments

CENTRAL- A man is distraught after the animal shelter in Baton Rouge euthanized his 18-year-old Calhoun Collie mix Friday.

Bowwow ran away last week and was picked-up by animal control agents on a street away from home. Patrick Morris said he spent the last seven days looking for him, and eventually found him at the animal shelter.

But, he did not have his driver's license with him Friday morning when he was at the shelter, which is required before taking Bowwow home. He promised to return later with what he needed, pay a fine, and leave with the dog. That was cleared through the shelter.

When he returned less than an hour later, the dog had been killed.

Morris said someone should be held accountable.

Companion Animal Alliance runs the shelter.

**********
Follow the publisher of this post on Twitter: @treyschmaltz

 

Permalink| Comments

New Orleans, La.- The NOPD is investigating a shooting near the intersection of Frenchmen and North Villere Streets that left 19 people injured during a Mother's Day second line.

Chief Serpas announced in a press conference that the youngest victim is believed to be a 10-year-old girl. Police say she suffered a graze wound. A police spokeswoman later stated that many of the victims suffered graze wounds by ricocheting bullets. As of Sunday evening, there are no fatalities and most of the gunshot wounds are non-life threatening.

Police say about 300 people were attending a second line when gun shots rang out.

Police are looking for three suspects in this incident.

Around 12:30 p.m., police responded to a separate shooting the 2400 block of South Saratoga Street in Central City where another man was shot. His condition is unknown at this time.

 

Permalink| Comments

GONZALES, La. - The Gonzales Planning and Zoning Commission has been asked to rezone more than 340 acres along Louisiana Highway 44 and Interstate 10 that could become a major development.

The Advocate reports the commission has set a public hearing for June 3 to discuss rezoning the M.P. Evans property, which carries the city's most-restrictive residential zoning designation.

The city annexed the land in March 2012, along with a 63-acre portion of the property previously sold to the Ascension Parish School Board.

Gary Binns, a real estate broker representing the estate of Merritt P. Evans Jr. and Ruth Walker Evans, told the commission that deals have been reached to sell a 127-acre segment for single-family housing and another 20 acres for apartments, pending approval of the zoning changes.

Permalink| Comments

BATON ROUGE, La. - Westbound lanes of I-10 were closed for about an hour Friday evening after a police car overturned during a pursuit.

Sources told WBRZ News 2 the officer was not injured in the crash.

Video from state traffic cameras show the cruiser on its side in what is called "Dead Man's Curve," just before the foot of the Horace Wilkinson Bridge where I-10 and I-110 merge.

Police say the officer chased the suspect because of a traffic violation. The unknown suspect was driving a red Nissan vehicle. The suspect crashed as well and then fled on foot. Police have the vehicle in custody, but the suspect got away.

*****
Follow the publisher of this post on Twitter: @treyschmaltz

 

Permalink| Comments

BATON ROUGE- The city finally has everything completed to demolish a house infamous for the homeowner's arrest last year.

It's located in a neighborhood off of Starring Lane. People who live near it have complained of a giant mess that's emptied out into the front yard.

The owner, David Burke, is in jail on child pornography charges.

Wednesday evening, WBRZ News 2 was taken inside the home. It's filled with trash, books, and other items that appear to have been hoarded over the years. The video shows piles of materials that have led to the city removing the structure and everything in it.

Crews are set to demolish the house Thursday.
*******
Follow the publisher of this post on Twitter: @treyschmaltz

 

Permalink| Comments

SORRENTO, La. - A 16-year-old died in a single-vehicle crash around noon Saturday on I-10 westbound in Ascension Parish, according to Louisiana State Police.

State Troopers say Gary Clark, Jr. was a passenger in a 2006 Cadillac CTS westbound on I-10 when the car ran off the roadway and struck several trees in the median. Clark, Jr. was not wearing a seatbelt and died as a result of his injuries in the crash.

The driver of the vehicle was another 16-year old that did not have a driver's license.

The crash remains under investigation.

Permalink| Comments

DUTCHTOWN, La. - A 21-year-old Gonzales resident died in a two-vehicle crash on LA Hwy 74 near Bluff Rd. shortly before 6:45 p.m. Saturday, according to Louisiana State Police Tpr. Jared Sandifer.

Sandifer says Adam Lambert was driving a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer eastbound on LA Hwy 74 when he failed to negotiate a left hand curve near Bluff Rd. Lambert's Mitsubishi crossed the centerline into the westbound lane and struck a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse head-on.

Lambert was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and sustained fatal injuries from the crash, according to Sandifer.

Suzette Newman, 49, of Prairieville, was driving the Chevrolet and received minor injuries in the crash. Newman's two teenage passengers also received minor injuries.

Permalink| Comments

NEW ROADS- Family and friends of an elderly woman, beaten to death, joined each other in a somber memorial service.

Beulah Morris, 91, was found dead in her home nearly two weeks ago. Authorities said her grandson murdered her, left her in a pool of her own blood, and covered her with a quilt.

A week after her death, Brandon Battley was arrested. He faces murder charges.

Friday night, a group gathered on the street near Morris' house for a candlelight vigil.

"It's good for the family, for the community, for the morale of the neighborhood... we are down here [as a] family," neighbor Harold Terrance said.

"When one loses a family member, we all lose a family member," he added.

Morris' funeral is set for next weekend.
*********
Follow the publisher of this post on Twitter: @treyschmaltz

 

Permalink| Comments