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• Frmr CATS leader: system neglected; read resignation letter

  April 22, 2013 6:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The public transit czar has quit; Brian Marshall resigned from the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) Monday. Marshall alerted board members that he would be leaving immediately in a 426-word letter. Marshall called the system neglected, but that there have been positive changes. Marshall said the... more »

• Bus system leader out

  April 22, 2013 5:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The CEO of the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) quit Monday. Brian Marshall resigned after being at the helm during recent controversial decisions, including a parish-wide tax that increased property rates to fund the struggling system. Marshall also was in charge when CATS asked the city... more »

• CATS releases $15 million dollar improvement plan Play Video

  March 6, 2013 6:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Capital Area Transit System will make $15 million dollars in improvements over the next three years, according to CEO Brian Marshall. The office has drawn criticism for not making the changes fast enough. Marshall says improvements have to deliberate to avoid other problems. Marshall says... more »

• CATS CEO to unveil transit revamp

  March 6, 2013 10:24 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The CEO for the Capital Area Transit System is set to reveal his plans to overhaul Baton Rouge's public transit system today. Brian Marshall will present the plans at the CATS board committee meeting Wednesday morning. It will include how he plans to spend the 10.6... more »

• CATS call consultant's report worthless

  February 25, 2013 11:07 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Capital Area Transit System managers are fighting back against a consulting firm's report that recommended the transit system use outsource managers from a transit management firm. The Advocate reports CATS management provided written responses to the CATS board members calling the TMG Consulting firm analysis "useless" and... more »

• CATS members blast management

  February 1, 2013 6:51 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The parish bus system's governing board began a series of meetings Thursday to discuss how to move the system forward following a recent report that recommended replacing CATS' top managers with contracted employees from a transit management firm. The Advocate reports some members of the Capital Area... more »

• CATS bus-tracking app launched Play Video

  January 29, 2013 5:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System unveiled its new tracking system today, designed to give passengers more information about their bus and route. The free application for iPhone and Android devices, called "RouteShout," tracks up-to-the-minute arrival times of buses for each stop. CATS also launched a map-tracking... more »

• Rep. rides bus, calls for CATS stop near hospital Play Video

  January 17, 2013 5:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE- State Representative Regina Barrow boarded a bus around 9 a.m. at Earl K Long headed to Woman's Hospital. She ended up on on Siegen Lane and Industriplex Blvd, the closest bus stop to the hospital. "I cannot imagine a woman, pregnant or not pregnant to get... more »

• CATS told to outsource key positions

  January 15, 2013 9:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Consultants want the bus system to outsource its high-level managers. TMG Consulting suggested to Capital Area Transit System leaders Tuesday to hire mangers on a contract basis. The group was quick to defend the plan and said it is not a type of privatization. The... more »

• Activists push for information after cats were killed

  December 21, 2012 10:11 PM

  CLINTON- People went door-to-door Friday, talking about the investigation over some cat killings. A number of felines have bee found dead. Some were shot at point blank range, others hanged. The group of activists handed out fliers. They're hoping to get information about who might be killing the... more »

• Property owners shell out hundreds more for CATS Play Video

  December 6, 2012 5:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Property tax assessments are going out in East Baton Rouge Parish, and owners living in the city limits of Baker and Baton Rouge can expect much larger overall contributions compared to years past. To see what you owe, click here . In the Riverbend neighborhood... more »

• EBR shelter director resigns Play Video

  December 5, 2012 5:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Animal Shelter is looking for a new director after Kim Sherlaw resigned Tuesday. Sherlaw left as director of Companion Animal Alliance after seven months, replacing other short-term directors who quit. CAA Interim Director and current President of Friends of the Animals... more »

• CATS looks at next budget Play Video

  November 13, 2012 10:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System has a plan it believes will fund the system into the future. System board of directors reviewed the initial draft of the 2013 budget at a meeting on Tuesday night. The budget takes into account revenue in 2012, before a... more »

• First CATS budget with new tax money to be revealed next week

  November 9, 2012 8:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE- For the first time since voters approved a controversial tax in the spring to fund city public buses, leaders with the Capital Area Transit System will present its full operating budget for 2013. The budget will include the full tax revenue and could amount to $18 million,... more »

• CATS CEO fires back about broken promises Play Video

  October 17, 2012 4:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The head of the Capital Area Transit System is firing back tonight about promises that were allegedly broken after voters approved a tax to keep the bus system running this year. Some of the promises included adding extra routes and express service to populated areas if the... more »

• CATS suspends service ahead of storm

  August 28, 2012 10:37 AM

  BATON ROUGE -The Capital Area Transit system is suspending service ahead of Hurricane Isaac. CATS will suspend service at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, and buses will not run on Wednesday. Officials say they expect to resume regular schedule on Thursday, but will reassess when the storm moves through. more »

• CATS details 2012 LSU game day shuttle service

  August 13, 2012 5:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The LSU football season kicks off in less than three weeks, and the Capital Area Transit System wants to give you a lift to Tiger Stadium. Fans can ride the Touchdown Express Service to and from the stadium every home game. The service runs a continuous... more »

• Cats and Robin

  June 18, 2012 7:42 PM

  Birds and cats are supposed to be enemies but a baby robin in Michigan is spending some quality time with its new best friends, some friendly cats. Karin Caston found the robin she calls Peeps in her yard and now it spends time nestled in the fur of two of... more »

• SPCA: NYC vet dumped euthanized pets along highway

  May 30, 2012 12:38 PM

  HARRISON, N.Y. - A New York veterinarian has been charged with dumping 35 euthanized pets alongside a highway. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Westchester tells the Journal News that Andrew Manesis took payments to properly dispose of 26 euthanized cats, eight dogs and a lizard.... more »

• Rent could go up because of CATS property tax Play Video

  April 26, 2012 6:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Due to rising property taxes, landlords that own property in the city limits may pass those costs onto renters. On a $100,000 property, owners will pay an additional $106 a year in property taxes which could send rent up just as high. Property owners we... more »

• Landlords: Rent could go up because of CATS tax

  April 26, 2012 10:18 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Due to rising property taxes, landlords that own property in the city limits may pass those costs onto renters. On a $100,000 property, owners will pay an additional $106 a year in property taxes which could send rent up just as high. Tonight on News... more »

• Metro Council likely to cut CATS funding in 2013 Play Video

  April 23, 2012 5:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The majority of the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council said it will pull funding from the Capital Area Transit System starting in 2013. CATS CEO Brian Marshall said the annual operating budget for the transit system is roughly $12 million, and $3 million of that... more »

• CATS Tax: Passes in Baton Rouge and Baker Play Video

  April 21, 2012 9:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A tax to pay for public transit has passed in Baton Rouge and Baker. It was turned down in Zachary. That means millions of dollars for the Captial Area Transit System or CATS. In Baton Rouge, voters favored the tax by a 54% to 46% margin. The... more »

• Voting set to begin on CATS tax issue

  April 20, 2012 10:53 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Voting day is tomorrow in parishes across Louisiana. More than 100 tax proposals and renewals, as well as bond initiatives will be decided by voters. A 10-year, 10.6-mill property tax proposal to serve as a dedicated funding source for the struggling Capital Area Transit System one... more »

• Both sides of CATS property tax debate speak Play Video

  April 19, 2012 11:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Sides fighting for and against Saturday's 10.6 mills property tax proposed to fund the declining Capital Area Transit System buses joined 2uneIn this morning, but not at the same time. A debate was planned to feature representatives of Taxbusters and CATS during the same interview but... more »

• CATS tax debate heats up Play Video

  April 17, 2012 6:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - You practically have to shut your eyes to avoid a sign about the tax intendend to keep the Capital Area Transit System running. CATS says it needs $2 million to fill a deficit. On Saturday voters will decide whether to approve or deny a tax that... more »

• Baton Rouge man says CATS vote could affect his place of worship Play Video

  April 15, 2012 8:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Next Saturday's election is decision day for public transit. One man tells News 2 it will affect where he goes to worship. Richard McClorin says he hasn't had a car in years and hasn't missed it because the bus takes him where he needs to go. ... more »

• Early voting begins Saturday

  April 6, 2012 2:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Early voting for the April 21 elections begins Saturday, April 7 and runs until April 14. Voting is held at the Registrar of Voters office in each parish from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. A photo ID is required. One of the biggest items... more »

• Together BR rallies for CATS tax Play Video

  March 20, 2012 10:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Hundreds of people from Together Baton Rouge, a community advocacy group, packed Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church Tuesday night. This group is trying to breathe life back into they city's dying bus system. And, they support the 10.6 millage tax proposed to save the Capital Area Transit... more »

• Commission to discuss CATS tax proposal

  February 16, 2012 11:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana Bond Commission will discuss the Capital Area Transit System's proposed 10.6-mill property tax during a meeting Thursday. The tax would generate around $18.4 million from property owners inside Baton Rouge, Baker and Zachary. In October 2010, voters rejected a 3.5-mill property tax for CATS,... more »

• Dozens of pets rescued from Ohio fire find home

  February 10, 2012 12:33 PM

  MOUNT HEALTHY, Ohio - Several dozen animals rescued from a house fire in a Cincinnati suburb have found temporary shelter with one Ohio family. WCPO-TV reports that a family in Colerain Township has offered to take in almost three dozen of the more than 70 pets rescued from the burning... more »

• Facebook page saves "last chance" animals Play Video

  February 7, 2012 6:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A Facebook page is helping to save the lives of hundreds of animals on Companion Animal Alliance's "last chance" list. Since CAA began posting a list of animals slated to be euthanized at the end of each week, not a single one has been put down,... more »

• CATS funding goes to voters Play Video

  January 11, 2012 6:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Voters will decide whether or not to increase property taxes to bail out the struggling bus system. The proposed plan raises property taxes within the city limits of Baker, Zachary and Baton Rouge. For a property valued at $150,000, owners would pay an additional $159 a... more »

• CATS to run out of money by July Play Video

  December 21, 2011 8:22 AM

  BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge Parish's public transit board says that if it doesn't find more financing, buses will stop rolling next summer. The Advocate reports that the CATS 2012 operating budget of $9.5 million only covers half the year. Board members pledged to try to find more... more »

• CATS may delay budget cuts

  December 7, 2011 3:13 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The CEO of the Capital Area Transit System says managers may suggest to metro council members that they allow the system to operate at full capacity until it runs out of funding in July. Brian Marshall and CATS board members are searching for ways to deal... more »

• Baton Rouge bus system needs financial help

  November 30, 2011 10:57 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The frequently cash-strapped bus system for East Baton Rouge Parish does not anticipate finding a revenue source to fill its projected $2.1 million budget gap next year. Capital Area Transit System board member Jared Loftus told the East Baton Rouge Metro Council Tuesday night they will... more »

• CATS requests budget talks with council

  November 7, 2011 10:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Capital Area Transit System reached out to the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council Monday to talk numbers. The bus system wants to discuss with members, "the CATS budget realities for 2012." The proposed budget leaves the system's bottom line at almost $3 million. It... more »

• Animals on euthanization list rescued from shelter

  October 31, 2011 5:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A dozen dogs and two dozen cats on the list to be euthanized this morning were saved from the East Baton Rouge Animal Shelter. Companion Animal Alliance created the Facebook page Last Minute Hope for Baton Rouge Animals where pictures of animals on the "Last Chance List"... more »

• Shelter hasn't reached "no kill" status just yet

  September 1, 2011 6:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - There are too many animals coming into Companion Animal Alliance, and not enough leaving. That means the non-profit that took over the shelter from Animal Control in August may not become a "no-kill" shelter as soon as it had hoped. About 25 dogs are dropped off... more »

• CATS transports LSU fans to Tiger Stadium for home games

  August 31, 2011 2:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Capital Area Transit System will launch this year's Touchdown Express service for LSU home football games starting Saturday, Sept. 10. Touchdown Express helps fans avoid traffic by providing continuous service beginning four hours prior to kickoff and ending one hour after the game ends. The service is... more »

• Woman admits to dumping animals at CAAWS

  July 27, 2011 6:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A woman who runs an animal rescue organization in Mississippi admitted to News 2 that she and another woman dumped animals at Capitol Area Animal Welfare Society in Baton Rouge. Jean Norton, President of Choctaw Ridge Farms, said she and Beverly Greenwood, Vice President of the... more »

• Holden: More money found to keep CATS rolling

  July 25, 2011 11:13 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System will keep rolling in East Baton Rouge, thanks to a combination of grants and federal dollars. EBR Mayor-President Kip Holden announced today that $500,000 in Disaster Recovery grants will be given to CATS from the state Office of Community Development. ... more »

• CATS saved until 2012

  July 19, 2011 10:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge Mortgage Finance Authority stepped in to help the Capital Area Transit System Tuesday with $500,000. It's a one-time grant the bus company would pay back as a loan, if it comes up with long-term funding in five years. The system needed the... more »

• Animals dumped at CAAWS in Baton Rouge

  June 28, 2011 5:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Capitol Area Animal Welfare Society wants your help identifying two women who were caught on camera dumping dogs and cats on the property. Surveillance video from Friday night shows two women in a white car unloading dogs, puppies and kittens inside the entrance gate at CAAWS.... more »

• Baton Rouge bus system seeks to plug deficit

  June 13, 2011 6:09 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The CEO of the East Baton Rouge Parish bus system says he's "very confident" that enough money will be found to ensure the Capital Area Transit System gets through the remainder of the year without having to shut down. Brian Marshall tells The Advocate money provided by an... more »

• Commission gives public transit recommendations

  June 2, 2011 11:24 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A commission put together to find public transit solutions in Baton Rouge gave their recommendations to local leaders today. The Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Together Baton Rouge gave a presentation to city stakeholders this morning on suggestions to improve public transportation. The commission was... more »

• Elderly man stabs neighbor in fight over cats

  April 2, 2011 5:38 PM

  SAN DIEGO- Authorities say an elderly San Diego man stabbed his neighbor in a dispute over cats and dogs. The Los Angeles Times reports that the fight broke out late Friday when the 74-year-old man said his kittens were being harassed by his neighbor's dog. Investigators say the... more »

• Commission created for Baton Rouge transit

  March 24, 2011 11:37 AM

  BATON ROUGE- A new commission has been created to address the parish's public transit challenges. 17 community members will be tasked with the following: -Gather community input to prioritize future projects -Estimate costs of the projects and consider alternative and sustainable revenue services to fund the projects... more »

• Former CATS CEO reacts to transit system dilemma

  January 27, 2011 6:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE- No magic bullet has emerged in the effort to save the Baton Rouge transit system, as time ticks toward its end in nine months. CATS is short more than $1 million to operate in 2011. It wanted to cut routes, including weekend service, and raise rates to make... more »

• BR Council says buses still roll, CATS budget still short

  January 26, 2011 10:23 PM

  BATON ROGUE- A fare hike and route cut-backs were denied Wednesday night by the Metro Council. That means the transit system has to come up with ways on its own to fill a budget gap. But riders were mostly ecstatic about the hold on services. "I am so... more »

• Metro Council votes down CATS rate, route changes

  January 26, 2011 7:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Metro Council members in Baton Rouge voted against proposed rate hikes and route changes meant to close a budget gap and keep the program funded for the rest of the year. The Council voted 7-to-5 to not approve the changes, which would have cut weekend bus... more »

• CATS cuts could affect BR businesses

  January 18, 2011 10:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Users of Baton Rouge's transit system say if major changes are made to routes and services, they could get fired. And business owners argue, the city can't run without a bus service. Employers and employees say you may not ride the bus, but many people who work... more »

• CATS bus riders counting on new proposal

  January 17, 2011 5:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE - People who normally take the bus may be left at the station if CATS doesn't come up with a new plan to fill a $1 million budget hole. The Capitol Area Transit Board meets Tuesday to discuss a new plan to give to Metro Council next... more »

• Metro Council puts off CATS vote, asks for more options

  January 12, 2011 10:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge Metro Council told Baton Rouge transit leaders they want to hear new ideas to fix the bus system. CATS has two weeks to come up with alternatives to cutting services and raising fares. The department's budget deficit is more than $1 million. A... more »

• CATS and NxGen hope to save capital bus system

  January 11, 2011 5:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A new mass transit advocacy group hopes to "raise awareness" in order to the increase the number of bus riders in the capital area. NxGen Mass Transit formed from local business and community leaders. Through public forums and social media, the groups plans to get the... more »

• CATS board approves plan to cut routes, raise rates

  January 5, 2011 9:46 PM

  Route changes and fare increases were approved Wednesday night by the Baton Rouge transit system. It'll cost more to ride and CATS buses won't roll on weekends or holidays. Regular fares will go up a quarter to $2-a-ride, and a number of routes will be cut. The system is... more »

• Community gives CATS feedback on route/rate plan

  January 4, 2011 4:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System, or CATS, heard from the public Tuesday night about its plan to fill a budget deficit by cutting routes and adding rates. The agency is facing a $1.2 million hole in its 2011 budget, and are proposing to get rid of... more »

• CATS bus cuts outrage riders

  December 20, 2010 5:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE- After the Capital Area Transit System's recent announcement of a $1.2 million budget shortfall for 2011, many bus riders are livid with the system's plan to balance the books. Monday, CATS detailed the ways they will keep the company out of the red. The plan calls to... more »

• CATS approves budget with $1.2 million deficit

  December 14, 2010 10:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System has approved a budget that's short more than $1 million. CATS Board Member and Metro Councilwoman Donna Collins-Lewis says she abstained from the vote because public hearings on the budget weren't held yet. Lewis says CATS plans to go to the... more »

• CATS tax proposition on the ballot

  September 30, 2010 10:29 PM

  You vote on a tax to raise cash for the bus system Saturday, and it could mean better buses, more jobs and less traffic. The tax would put millions into vehicles, facilities, and people-power. While some said it's a benefit, others said it's a financial burden the city won't be... more »

• Overcrowded shelter gets relief from '9 lives drive'

  August 10, 2010 6:00 PM

  Animals are flowing into animal shelters even though oil has stopped flowing out of the well. 27 cats and two dogs are on a trip to Norfolk, Virginia to reduce overcrowding at the Denham Springs Animal Shelter. "People have lost their jobs, people are having to move, people... more »

• Family gets more time to clean woman's home

  July 7, 2010 8:52 AM

  The Webster Parish Police Jury has approved giving an elderly woman's family until Sept. 1 to clean her mobile home or see it condemned. Betty Johnson's home was targeted for condemnation after an ambulance call during which ammonia from cat urine caused one crew member to faint and made another... more »

• CATS approves resolution for property tax increase

  June 10, 2010 11:05 PM

  The cash-strapped Capital Area Transit System is looking for more money. The CATS board approved a resolution for citizens to vote on a property tax increase. It would cost about $43 a year for a $200,000 home. CATS would stand to gain $10 million more a year. The tax would... more »

• Leaders push for final Census push

  June 3, 2010 1:32 PM

  Baton Rouge leaders joined forces this morning at the CATS terminal on Florida Blvd. to urge any residents who have not been counted in the 2010 census to cooperate with census takers as the final count takes place. Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden said $400 billion dollars in federal... more »

• CATS drivers complain of unfair punishments

  May 18, 2010 10:24 PM

  Recent suspensions and firings prompted about a dozen drivers to sound-off to the board of commissioners in Baton Rouge. More than a dozen city bus drivers told the CATS Board of Commissioners about harsh punishments, including termination, for issues, like mistakenly missing bus stops and taking days off for... more »

• City bus up in flames

  April 4, 2010 12:30 PM

  A Capital Area Transit System bus caught on fire in transit today. It happened at the corner of Highland Road and South Stadium in Baton Rouge. All passengers on board got off the bus unharmed. Another CATS bus came to the scene to pick up the passengers. ... more »

• Pets disappearing in a Denham Springs neighborhood

  November 16, 2009 10:15 PM

  The King family believes something is eating the pets in their neighborhood on Pete's Highway in Denham Springs. Their nine-year-old cat CoCo went missing two weeks ago. The only trace of him they could find was several tufts of fur in the midst of very large paw prints. Two... more »

• CATS to hold public meeting about route and schedule changes

  October 30, 2009 4:46 PM

  The Capital Area Transit System will hold a public hearing to receive public input and decide on changes in routes and schedules. The changes would take effect on Sunday, November 29, 2009. The public hearing will also address a fare increase for paratransit services from $1.00 per trip to $1.75... more »

• State animal response team gets emergency vehicle

  September 18, 2009 6:25 AM

  Louisiana's Animal Response Team has acquired an animal emergency response vehicle, a heavy duty truck and 36-foot long trailer to use in disasters like hurricanes, floods and tornadoes. LSART plans to use the vehicle as an operations command center or a mobile veterinary clinic during emergencies. Officials unveil... more »

• Feral cat colony out of control

  September 4, 2009 1:00 PM

  A colony of close to 100 feral cats is causing concerns for a business owner in Baton Rouge. He says his business and the area around it has been infested with cats for at least a year. He says someone is feeding the cats at night, close to 20 pounds... more »