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• Thousands owed to City of Sorrento Play Video

  May 23, 2013 9:30 PM

  SORRENTO - Several dozen people owe thousands of dollars to the City of Sorrento for city services like water, trash, sewer and even for the demolition of condemned properties. Some of the bills add up to more than $1,000. "We are operating a lot in the red," said Councilman... more »

• Truck wreck closes highway near I-10

  May 13, 2013 2:53 PM

  SORRENTO - An 18-wheeler wreck shut down an intersection just off I-10 at Sorrento, according to emergency responders. The wreck happened around 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of LA 77 and Hwy. 20 south of Sorrento. According to the Sorrento Fire Department the truck was carrying topsoil and... more »

• 16-year-old dies in crash

  May 4, 2013 6:00 PM

  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... more »

• Sorrento Mayor's race goes to runoff Play Video

  April 8, 2013 5:34 PM

  SORRENTO - The mayor of Sorrento's father could have a shot at taking his son's spot. Wilson Longanecker Sr. will face Mike Lambert in a runoff next month after this weekend's election yielded no majority winner. Wilson Longanecker Jr., the current mayor, lost his bid for a spot... more »

• Sorrento chief defaults to 4th term

  March 5, 2013 9:55 PM

  SORRENTO- The town's police chief will serve a fourth term, since his only opponent left the race. The election was set for April. Earl Theriot has been in the spotlight recently for making bizarre comments to WBRZ News 2 reporters, asking questions about the department's spending. Those reports... more »

• Third suspect wanted in "ZIP Code Thugs" murder

  January 31, 2013 5:43 PM

  SORRENTO - Ascension Parish deputies listed a third suspect today wanted in an execution-style murder. Investigators are looking for Darryl "Hoop" Jones in connection with the death of Gerald "Butta" Wilkins, who was found shot on Jan. 12. Cecil "Unc" Beals and Calvin "Dirt" Williams were already arrested... more »

• "ZIP code thug" arrested, accused of murder

  January 29, 2013 6:16 PM

  SORRENTO - Sheriff's deputies said a Baton Rouge man has been arrested in connection with a murder earlier this month in Sorrento. Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley said Calvin "Dirt" Williams, 37, surrendered to U. S. Marshals in Baton Rouge. He was wanted for second-degree murder in the death... more »

• Sorrento council approves cop's verbal resignation

  January 17, 2013 6:35 AM

  SORRENTO- The Sorrento Town Council has voted to accept the verbal resignation of police officer Tige Scott because Scott had failed for more than a month to respond to requests for his formal written resignation. Police Chief Earl Theriot told council members during their meeting Tuesday that Scott turned in... more »

• Highway back open after tanker rollover

  January 9, 2013 3:18 PM

  SORRENTO - State Police said a tanker truck rolled over onto two other vehicles this afternoon south of Sorrento. It happened around 1 p.m. at La. 22's intersection with La. 70 just south of I-10. The road was closed until just before 5 p.m. State Police said there... more »

• Sorrento hires 2 new police officers

  December 31, 2012 8:35 AM

  SORRENTO - The shorthanded Sorrento Police Department will get some much-needed help soon. The Town Council unanimously approved during a special meeting Friday the hiring of two new police officers. James Bell, who Police Chief Earl Theriot said had worked previously for the Scott Police Department, and former... more »

• Boat comes off trailer, ties up traffic on I-10

  November 14, 2012 11:56 AM

  SORRENTO - State Police said a boat came loose from its trailer while traveling on I-10 near Sorrento today, but caused no injuries. It happened this morning on I-10 just west of the Airline Highway exit near Sorrento. A State Police spokesperson said the boat came free from... more »

• Sorrento police claim harassment by chief

  November 12, 2012 12:05 PM

  SORRENTO - Three Sorrento police officers have threatened to file suit against the town and its Police Department, alleging harassment and retaliation by Police Chief Earl Theriot. An attorney for the three officers - Catherine Gil, Tige Scott and Kermit Givens - tells The Advocate he faxed a letter to... more »

• Flood water forces interstate closure in Ascension Parish

  August 31, 2012 1:03 PM

  SORRENTO - Rising water from Hurricane Isaac forced eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 to be closed at LA 22 in Ascension Parish. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says traffic is being diverted off the interstate at LA 22. Westbound lanes of I-10 are closed between I-55... more »

• Sorrento's mayor missing in action Play Video

  July 16, 2012 5:59 PM

  SORRENTO - Mayor Wilson Longanecker, Jr., who won his seat by one vote, has not stepped foot in his office for 145 days. His extended leave began in February when he took a medical absence citing a foot surgery, but since then hasn't returned any phone calls, text messages... more »

• Sorrento mayor, town attorney resigns

  April 19, 2011 3:34 PM

  SORRTENTO - Mayor Brenda Melancon, who was named interim mayor of Sorrento in October, has resigned from her post according to town officials. The town attorney, Erin Lanoux, has also stepped down according to town officials. Melancon reportedly resigned because of the recent news of irregularities in the... more »

• Judge orders election for eight people in Sorrento

  April 18, 2011 11:23 AM

  GONZALES - An Ascension Parish judge has ordered a restricted election to let eight people who weren't able to vote in the Sorrento mayoral election cast their ballots. Wilson Longanecker, Jr. was originally declared the winner of the April 2 election, beating Randy Anny by just eight votes. ... more »

• Sorrento still fighting over mayor race

  April 15, 2011 10:23 PM

  SORRENTO- There is still no clear answer to who is Mayor of Sorrento. Wilson Longanecker Junior beat Randy Anny by only eight votes in the election earlier this month. But there are questions about whether a part of town should have been allowed to cast ballots at all. ... more »

• Wrecked truck, grounded helicopter ties up traffic

  January 19, 2011 6:45 PM

  SORRENTO - A two-vehicle crash and a broken-down helicopter called out to help caused chaos for in Ascension Parish Wednesday morning. Police Chief Earl Theriot Jr. said a pickup rear-ended an 18-wheeler on Airline Highway as the truck was turning into Sorrento Lumber Co. Inc. Theriot said the driver of... more »

• Student identified in safety equipment accident

  October 29, 2010 4:37 PM

  SORRENTO – The student from River Parish’s College Ascension Campus who authorities said died in a training accident earlier today has been identified. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala with the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office said 19-year-old Joshua Wallace was climbing a utility pole this morning as part of the electric... more »

• Student killed in accident at an Ascension community college

  October 29, 2010 10:32 AM

  SORRENTO - A student from River Parish's College Ascension Campus has died in a training accident, according to authorities. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala with the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office said the student was climbing a utility pole this morning as part of the electric line technician course when the... more »

• Community reacts after Sorrento mayor resigns

  October 20, 2010 7:12 PM

  The mayor of Sorrento resigned during a town council meeting last night. Blake LeBlanc said he’s done because of stress and friction within the council. As News 2’s Michael Shingleton found out, many in Sorrento are shocked after LeBlanc resigned. Tuesday night, LeBlanc refused to go into detail about his... more »

• Sorrento mayor resigns

  October 19, 2010 9:42 PM

  The mayor of Sorrento has resigned. Blake LeBlanc told the city council he’s resigning because of stress and friction with the council. LeBlanc refused to go into detail and wouldn’t give a statement. Instead, he hung up the phone when News 2 tried to get a comment from him. Mayor... more »

• Woman recovering after saved from burning car

  October 18, 2010 10:32 PM

  A woman pulled from a burning car is recovering in the hospital. After four days in intensive care, 21-year-old Laura Hall believes she's lucky to be alive. "I remember falling asleep there and waking up here and thinking vaguely, 'Man, I have no idea where I am,'" said Hall.... more »

• Man saves woman stuck inside burning car

  October 13, 2010 6:43 PM

  A rescue tools salesman is being hailed as a hero after police said he used his own merchandise to cut a woman free from her burning car this morning. Sorrento Police Chief Earl Theriot said 21-year-old Laura Hall drove off the road and hit a tree near the Sorrento... more »

• Ascension Parish bus clipped by 18 wheeler

  August 26, 2010 4:15 PM

  Road construction led to some frightening moments for school kids on their way home today in Ascension Parish. According to State Police, just after 3:30 p.m. a bus belonging to the Ascension Parish School District was clipped by an 18-wheeler at the intersection of state highways 22 and 70 south... more »

• Sorrento cooks up a plan to help oil-affected families

  July 21, 2010 9:40 PM

  A small town in Ascension Parish hopes to rally people on Grand Isle hit hard by the spill. Town leaders say they don't have much to bring to the table when it comes to clean-up efforts and cash donations. But what they can put on the table can help... more »

• Oiled trash dumped in Ascension Parish

  June 17, 2010 6:14 PM

  So far, 1,900 tons of oiled trash are being dumped in Sorrento. Things such as used boom and protective suits for workers cleaning the soiled marshes are finding their final resting places at the BFI-Colonial Landfill. People who live nearby, like Harris Martinez, don't like it. "Anything hazardous, and they... more »

• One killed, three injured in Ascension Parish crash

  June 4, 2010 10:17 PM

  Update: Louisiana State Police said one person is dead after a multiple vehicle crash near Sorrento earlier this afternoon. 55-year-old Ola Williams, Colfax, was killed after the van she was travelling was struck on Interstate 10. Authorities said 27-year-old Kellie Wilson, Metairie, was driving a 2006 Acura westbound when she... more »

• One dead after multi-vehicle crash on I-10

  June 4, 2010 9:48 PM

  Update: WBRZ is hearing one person is dead after a multiple vehicle crash near Sorrento earlier this afternoon. A red Acura, travelling westbound, lost control and crossed the median. The car struck an eastbound travelling van head-on, then struck another vehicle. Earlier authorities said three people were injured.... more »

• I-10 eastbound open after multi-vehicle crash

  June 4, 2010 6:38 PM

  Update: Louisiana State Police say Interstate 10 is now open. Troopers have one lane open after a multiple vehicle crash, near Sorrento. A red Acura, travelling westbound, lost control and crossed the median. The car struck an eastbound travelling van head-on, then struck another vehicle. Authorities say three people... more »

• I-10 eastbound at a standstill

  June 4, 2010 5:56 PM

  Update: Travelers on Interstate 10 eastbound should take the Sorrento exit, Highway 22, to Highway 61. News 2 is hearing reports that traffic is at a standstill, and the Sorrento exit is travelers' best option to avoid accident-related traffic. Witnesses say two wreckers and an ambulance just arrived at... more »

• DOTD issues lane closure advisories for I-10 widening project

  April 8, 2010 3:39 PM

  The Department of Transportation and Development has announced several scheduled lane closures due to the Interstate 10 widening project. The following closures are scheduled for Thursday, April 8, and Sunday, April 11, weather permitting: Westbound I-10 from Siegen Lane to the I-10/12 split will reduce to one... more »

• Driver killed in interstate crash, impairment suspected

  March 25, 2010 1:37 PM

  Update: A single-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 near Sorrento left one man dead Thursday morning. Louisiana State Police confirmed that Merle Reed, 48, of Mamou, died when he ran off the road to the left, over-corrected, then reentered the interstate and crossed it and hit several trees off the... more »

• Two killed in crash near Sorrento

  March 1, 2010 4:43 AM

  A three car crash on Highway 70, south of Sorrento, killed two people and sent four others to the hospital. It happened Sunday evening on LA 70 near LA 22. Louisiana State Police say 18-year-old Thomas Walker of Robert crossed the center line and side swiped another car before... more »

• LSU cancer center gets $50,000 outreach grant

  February 18, 2010 5:08 AM

  Louisiana State University's cancer center gets a $50,000 grant to provide information about breast cancer screening and breast health to women in rural parishes between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. This is the third grant from the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Fund to the LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans... more »

• Residents seek help with Sorrento sewer problems

  January 28, 2010 5:01 PM

  Residents in Sorrento say the town's sewage problems are only getting worse. They claim manholes overflowed with sewage over a week ago, and it seeped into their homes. Many have been dealing with the problems for months. "They claim they are going to do something, but then every... more »

• Sorrento council approves adult business laws

  January 7, 2010 7:24 AM

  The Sorrento Town Council has unanimously approved two ordinances placing restrictions on sexually oriented businesses. The two laws, one pertaining to licensing and the other to zoning, regulate adult bookstores, novelty stores, video stores, cabarets and motels. The zoning-related law prohibits adult-oriented businesses from operating within 1,000 feet of a... more »

• Ascension Parish to accept Christmas trees in January

  December 30, 2009 11:36 AM

  Ascension Parish residents may drop off their discarded Christmas trees at the Ascension Civic Center in Sorrento during the month of January. Trees will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Friday, Jan. 1 and running through Jan. 31. No artificial trees will be accepted, and the trees... more »

• Road closures in Ascension Parish

  December 8, 2009 10:13 AM

  Heavy rain caused numerous road closures in Ascension Parish. As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, the following roads/intersections were closed because of standing water: -Pelican Crossing, Darrow -Beau Douglas at Pelican Point, Darrow -LA 308, Donaldsonville -Evangeline Ave., Donaldsonville -Tiggy Duplessis at LA 621, Duplessis -Louis White at McDaniels, Dutchtown -South... more »

• Sorrento council meeting ends peacefully

  November 6, 2009 10:30 PM

  The Sorrento Town Council held a special meeting Friday night to discuss the town's ongoing sewer problems and behavior issues during council meetings. On Tuesday, a meeting was shut down early because of shouting between council members and people in the audience. Police Chief Earl Theriot said there was... more »

• Meeting set to discuss council members' behaviour

  November 6, 2009 4:57 PM

  The Sorrento town council is holding a special meeting tonight after this week's original meeting ended in a shouting match. There are only two items on tonight's agenda and one of them deals with council member behavior. The other item has to do with the town's ongoing sewer... more »

• Sorrento sewer problems

  October 21, 2009 9:55 AM

  Despite improvements made to stop sewer ponds from flooding in Sorrento, sewage has backed up into homes and now the town could be forced to pay for the damage. Residents voiced their concerns at a town council meeting Tuesday night. Mayor Blake LeBlanc said the problem stems from... more »