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• West Feliciana sewer system nears completion

  April 19, 2013 10:08 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - A $3.8 million project to provide sewer service to a rural area of West Feliciana Parish is nearing completion after a struggle of more than 10 years. Contractors and parish employees tested the sewage treatment portion of the project on Thursday. The new system will serve... more »

• Mayor calls arrests "political," employees still working

  April 2, 2013 9:56 PM

  INDEPENDENCE- Four city employees, arrested Tuesday, returned to work after getting out of jail. John Henson, Reginald Jefferson, Jeffers Cook, and Charles Garafola are charged with unauthorized use of an access card. Henson is also charged with theft under $500. The arrests are related to an investigation by... more »

• Four city workers accused of illegal fuel-ups

  April 2, 2013 3:35 PM

  INDEPENDENCE- Four town employees were arrested Tuesday, accused of using a city credit card to put fuel in personal vehicles. John Henson, Reginald Jefferson, Jeffers Cook, and Charles Garafola are charged with unauthorized use of an access card. Henson is also charged with theft under $500. All work... more »

• Statue of Liberty to reopen by Independence Day

  March 19, 2013 3:04 PM

  NEW YORK- The Statue of Liberty is scheduled to reopen by Independence Day, about eight months after it was closed because of Superstorm Sandy, that's according to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. The statue itself was spared damage from the late October storm, but Liberty Island, where the statue... more »

• Tangipahoa may sell bonds to close landfill

  February 13, 2013 7:15 AM

  AMITE - The Tangipahoa Parish Council has introduced and set for public hearing an ordinance that would authorize the issuance of $2.4 million in bonds to pay for improvements to the parish landfill near Independence. If the measure meets with final approval at the council's next meeting, set for Feb.... more »

• Students accused of making threats against

  February 7, 2013 11:02 AM

  INDEPENDENCE - Security was beefed up at Independence High School after two students were arrested and accused of making threats against the school. Tangipahoa Parish Schools Superintendent Mark Kolwe said Principal Hugh Wallace said the students' grandmother called the sheriff's office Tuesday after finding written threats in the boys' room... more »

• Ohio whips ULM 45-14 to win Independence Bowl

  December 28, 2012 4:40 PM

  SHREVEPORT - Tyler Tettleton threw for 331 yards and two touchdowns, Beau Blankenship ran for four scores, and Ohio cruised to a 45-14 victory over Louisiana-Monroe at the Independence Bowl on Friday. Chase Cochran caught three passes for 162 yards and a touchdown as the Bobcats (9-4) won their second... more »

• ULM playing in Independence Bowl today

  December 28, 2012 10:27 AM

  SHREVEPORT - The first of three more college bowls today is the Independence Bowl where Louisiana-Monroe plays Ohio in a matchup of 8-4 teams. Louisiana-Monroe is playing a postseason game for the first time since moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 1994. more »

• Ethics Board cites mayor-loan conflict

  December 5, 2012 7:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Board of Ethics has levied conflict of interest charges against Independence Mayor Michael Ragusa. The allegations stem from Ragusa's involvement in a loan application to the Town of Independence Historic District Fund that financially benefitted his sons and his daughter-in-law. Under state law,... more »

• D.A. leaves case against mayor

  October 18, 2012 9:41 PM

  INDEPENDENCE- The district attorney in Tangipahoa Parish has recused his office from prosecuting Mayor Michael Ragusa. Ragusa faces charges of battery on a police officer and resisting arrest. District Attorney Scott Perrilloux said his office is connected to Ragusa through open cases, and shouldn't prosecute the case. ... more »

• Area mayor booked into jail

  September 27, 2012 8:04 PM

  INDEPENDENCE- The mayor of this Tangipahoa Parish town was booked into the parish jail on several charges Thursday. Michael Ragusa was booked on intimidation, battery, and resisting arrest. WBRZ News2 partner, ActionNews17.com , reports "the charges came from an affidavit filed by an Independence police officer who, several... more »

• Cancer patients told budget cuts may close clinics

  September 18, 2012 9:22 PM

  INDEPENDENCE- Some cancer patients at the state-run Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center are being notified about clinics potentially closing because of budget cuts. 600 patients are being notified through the mail. "We are working with our patients to find them a new cancer treatment home," said Sherre Pack-Hoofkin,... more »

• Obama thanks military at July Fourth celebration

  July 4, 2012 6:23 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is marking the Fourth of July by thanking service members and their families, who he said "represent what is best in America." The president, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, hosted a barbecue and concert Wednesday for the families on the White House South Lawn.... more »

• Baking with red, white and blue Play Video

  July 4, 2012 6:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Celebrate Independence Day with red, white and blue desserts. Fairy Dust Cakes from Denham Springs shared baking and cake decorating tips with WBRZ anchor Rosa Flores. Check out more from Fairy Dust Cakes by visiting their Facebook page . more »

• False River celebrates freedom with boats, water balloons

  July 4, 2012 5:55 PM

  NEW ROADS- The False River Boat Parade drew hundreds to the oxbow lake to celebrate Independence Day with friends and family. The traditional celebration's theme for this year was 'Save Our Saints,' something that had people decorating their piers and boats with 'Bounty-Gate' references. "I just decided to... more »

• Deputies: Three caught stealing scrap

  August 24, 2011 3:13 PM

  INDEPENDENCE - Deputies in Tangipahoa Parish arrested three men they said were caught stealing scrap metal from a building. Major Ginny Higgins with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said they got a tip Monday that three men were inside a gated building on S. Fontana Rd. in Independence. When detectives... more »

• Gas leak closes portion of street, park in BR

  April 21, 2011 7:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A construction crew digging at Independence Park in Baton Rouge hit a gas line this afternoon and caused a significant leak, according to the city fire department. Robert Combs with BRFD said they've shut down Independence Street north of the park between East Airport Drive and... more »

• Hit and run victim's family hopes case doesn't go cold

  February 9, 2011 5:34 PM

  INDEPENDENCE - After six months with little to no answers, friends and family members of 20-year-old Jamin Robinson are fearful the case could go cold. Robinson was killed last July less than 200 yards from his home on Kemp Street, when investigators believe he was hit by a slow... more »

• Accused thief nabbed after running out of gas

  January 21, 2011 4:32 PM

  TANGIPAHOA PARISH- An accused thief from Tickfaw is behind bars after running out of gas while trying to get away from police. 20-year-old Aaron Davidge was arrested after a busy night of burglarizing homes and vehicles in the Loranger/Independence area. Deputies were dispatched to Simmons Road in Loranger... more »

• 2 men arrested for burglaries in Tangipahoa Parish

  January 3, 2011 12:52 PM

  INDEPENDENCE - Two men are in jail in connection with a string of burglaries in Tangipahoa Parish. The first suspect, 20-year-old Desmond Cook, was arrested shortly after deputies received a burglary call December 31st. 17-year-old Ike Strickland was arrested the next day. Investigators say two men ran into... more »

• State, Shell team up for coastal reef project

  December 14, 2010 11:14 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor Bobby Jindal announced today that Shell was donating $1.5 million to the state for coastal conservation projects, including a reef project due to begin this spring. The donation was made to the Coastal Conservation Association, and will be used first for reef restoration projects on... more »

• Livingston, Tangipahoa SO involved in manhunt

  October 20, 2010 12:08 PM

  UPDATE 4:25 p.m. - One person has been arrested in Independence as part of the search, and another is at large. Original story - Sheriff's deputies from Livingston and Tangipahoa Parish are out searching for two men that tried to break into a Livingston Parish home this morning,... more »

• One lane of I-55 North reopens

  September 21, 2010 10:18 AM

  UPDATE: 4:30 p.m. One lane of I-55 Northbound has been reopened near Independence in Tangipahoa Parish. Hazmat crews are cleaning chemicals off the highway after a tanker truck started leaking. Dispatchers said the truck driver pulled over around 9 a.m. when he discovered the truck was leaking a... more »

• Lawsuit dismissed in doctor lawsuit case

  September 6, 2010 10:46 AM

  A judge has dismissed a lawsuit against a doctor convicted of molesting a 13-year-old Mississippi boy during a trip to the Independence Bowl football game in Louisiana in 2002. Hinds County Circuit Judge Swan Yerger in Mississippi said there's been no action in the suit since 2008. The victim's attorney... more »

• Family ups reward in hit-and-run investigation

  August 17, 2010 5:45 PM

  A reward has doubled as a family in Tangipahoa Parish seeks information on a deadly hit-and-run. Investigators say the hit-and-run may have been an accident, but the driver could have some answers for Jamins Robinson’s relatives. The reward for that information is $2,000. Robinson was alone on Kemp Street one... more »

• Former Independence police chief sentenced in federal court

  July 16, 2010 1:36 PM

  The former Independence police chief will serve two years of probation after pleading guilty to tampering with his election in 2008. A federal judge in New Orleans handed down the sentence Thursday. Anthony Maurer admitted he had two of his officers provide false information on their voter registration... more »

• Tangipahoa leaders may close crossing

  June 23, 2010 5:43 PM

  Tangipahoa leaders may call for public hearings on dangerous railroad crossings. Four young people from the same family died last Friday when a van they were traveling in was struck by an Amtrak train. The accident happened a few miles north of Independence on Capace Road. The 18-year-old driver... more »

• Four kids killed in train accident

  June 18, 2010 10:16 PM

  Four brothers and sisters are dead after a crash between a train and a van. The kids were 12, 13, 16 and 18. The 18-year-old was the driver and was seven months pregnant. The crash happened along Highway 51, north of Independence, on an Amtrak line that's had multiple... more »

• Four identified in van, Amtrak accident

  June 18, 2010 7:38 PM

  The four people who died after an Amtrak train hit a Ford van earlier today have been identified. 18-year-old Emelia Alfaro, 16-year-old Eduardo Paz Alfaro, 13-year-old Joel Angel Paz Alfaro and 12-year-old Israel Paz Alfaro, Independence, La, were siblings. Emelia Alfaro was also around seven months pregnant. The accident happened... more »

• Four dead after train hits van

  June 18, 2010 2:55 PM

  Four people are dead after an Amtrak train hit a Ford van on Capace Road between Amite and Independence, La. The accident happened around 1:30 p.m. today. The Amite Fire Department has confirmed two passengers were thrown from the van, and the other two were pinned inside the van.... more »

• Audit finds billing problems

  April 6, 2010 6:57 AM

  A legislative auditor's report has found medical billing problems at three LSU operated hospitals. The audit report released Monday finds that Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans, University Medical Center at Lafayette and Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center at Independence failed to adequately bill and record certain hospital professional... more »

• Independence police officer arrested for misconduct

  March 24, 2010 3:29 PM

  A police officer in Tangipahoa Parish is in trouble with the law. Independence Police Officer Floyd Cooksey has been arrested for allegations of past misconduct. Cooksey is charged with three counts each of felony carnal knowledge and aggravated incest. Cooksey is currently suspended without pay and Police Chief... more »

• Former Independence police chief pleads guilty

  March 16, 2010 4:44 PM

  Former Independence police chief Anthony Maurer pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to deprivation of rights under color of law, according to U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. Maurer, 60, caused his deputies to provide false information on their voter registration forms to indicate they lived in the voting district so... more »

• Man drowns near Independence

  February 27, 2010 12:18 PM

  A man from Hammond drowned after falling out of a boat Thursday. Tangipahoa Parish sheriff deputies say 47-year-old Lucius Drake was fishing on a pond near Independence when the accident occurred. Witnesses saw Drake swimming toward shore and went under the water about 50 feet from shore.... more »

• Money stolen from Independence church

  February 19, 2010 6:24 PM

  A church in Independence is out hundreds of dollars after someone stole from the collection basket. Lee Adrian Barker, 22, has been charged with theft. Church leaders say Barker asked for a help on a night when temperatures dropped. News 2's Lori Steele gets answers on what happened. more »

• Deadly crash investigated in Livingston Parish

  February 2, 2010 11:44 AM

  A man from Independence is dead after a car crash in Livingston Parish. It happened Monday night on Mary Kinchen Road north of Albany. Deputies say 20-year-old Brooks Newell's vehicle hit a tree. They say he was trapped inside until first responders arrived. Newell was pronounced dead at the scene.... more »

• Suspect arrested in shooting in Independence

  January 13, 2010 8:42 AM

  Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Joshua M. Charrier for Attempted Second Degree Murder. Deputies responded to a disturbance at 53154 South Carson Road in Independence. While en-route, deputies learned another call was received through 911 stating that the female involved had been shot and the suspect had fled the... more »

• Interim police chief appointed for Independence

  January 12, 2010 7:17 AM

  The Independence Town Council has appointed the older brother of the Tangipahoa Parish sheriff as police chief in the wake of a federal prosecutor filing charges against the former elected chief. In a unanimous vote Monday, the council voted to appoint 50-year-old Frank Edwards III as police chief to serve... more »

• Independence mayor says police chief resigning

  January 7, 2010 9:17 AM

  Independence Police Chief Anthony Maurer will step down from office. That's the latest this morning from Mayor Mike Ragusa. Maurer is at the center of a federal investigation by U.S Attorney Jim Letten's office. Chief Maurer is charged with arranging for unqualified voters to cast ballots in a February 2008... more »

• Officials to call for Independence police chief's resignation

  January 6, 2010 3:23 PM

  Independence Mayor Mike Ragusa said he and members of the town council will call for Chief Anthony Maurer's resignation at a meeting Monday night. Maurer is accused of arranging for unqualified voters to cast ballots in a February 2008 election. Maurer beat opponent Leonard "Tank" Genco by 122 votes.... more »

• Boil order lifted in Independence

  December 2, 2009 11:25 AM

  A boil order was lifted for the town of Independence in Tangipahoa Parish. It was put in place Tuesday after an old water well broke down. The boil order forced schools and businesses to shut down and it impacted operations at the Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center. Emergency... more »