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• LSU to investigate a pretty 'sweet' alternative fuel Play Video

  March 8, 2013 10:17 PM

  ST. GABRIEL - Thanks to the Audubon Sugar Institute, one day you could be filling up your with gas made from sugar. "This is a green fuel, this is something that's renewable, this is something that we can grow very readily in the southeastern part of the United States,... more »

• Parents, leaders consider another breakaway school district

  March 1, 2013 10:40 PM

  ST. GABRIEL- There is talk of a split from the Iberville Parish School District among people who live on the east bank of the Mississippi River. Also joining the discussion, city leaders. They are looking at the possibility of forming their own municipal system. St. Gabriel Mayor Lionel... more »

• Breakaway school district proposed in Iberville Parish

  March 1, 2013 8:20 AM

  ST. GABRIEL - Some residents and city leaders in St. Gabriel are looking to break away from the parish's school district to form their own municipal system. St. Gabriel Mayor Lionel Johnson said Thursday the community wants to opt out of the parish's school system because of "years of frustration"... more »

• Prison officials dismissed after inmate escape

  February 12, 2013 9:32 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Authorities say one prison official has been fired and another has resigned in lieu of termination in the wake of a convicted killer escaping last month from the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in St. Gabriel. Angela Whittaker, assistant to the secretary of the state Department of... more »

• Reward increased in search for fugitive

  January 4, 2013 10:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE - State prison officials upped the reward today for information leading to the capture of an escaped fugitive they say should be considered armed and dangerous. The state Department of Public Safety and Corrections offered $2,500 in their search for leads to find Keana Barnes, 33, who... more »

• Search expands to other cities for escapee

  January 2, 2013 3:16 PM

  ST. GABRIEL - Authorities expanded search efforts for a woman convicted of manslaughter who escaped from a state prison in St. Gabriel. State corrections officials said they've called in U. S. Marshals to help find Keana Barnes, 33, after her escape from the La. Correctional Institute for Women early... more »

• Residents lock down while escapee still on the loose Play Video

  January 1, 2013 8:57 PM

  ST. GABRIEL - Residents are locking up for the night while an escapee from the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women is still on the loose. Keana Barnes escaped early Tuesday morning. She was serving a 25-year-sentence for killing her boyfriend and running from the police. Some long-time residents... more »

• Woman who escaped prison has run before Play Video

  January 1, 2013 5:56 PM

  ST. GABRIEL- Authorities said the woman who escaped overnight from a state prison in St. Gabriel was serving a 25-year sentence for manslaughter, and offered a reward for information leading to her capture. St. Gabriel Police Chief Kevin Ambeau said 33-year-old Keana Barnes climbed over a fence at the... more »

• Escaped prisoner was serving manslaughter sentence

  January 1, 2013 11:45 AM

  ST. GABRIEL - Authorities said the woman who escaped overnight from a state prison in St. Gabriel was serving a 25-year sentence for manslaughter, and offered a reward for information leading to her capture. St. Gabriel Police Chief Kevin Ambeau said 33-year-old Keana Barnes climbed over a fence at... more »

• Female prisoner escapes from St. Gabriel prison

  January 1, 2013 10:35 AM

  ST. GABRIEL - A woman escaped overnight from the Elayn Hunt Correctional Institute for Women in St. Gabriel, according to authorities. Prison chase teams are out searching the area, but the prisoner's identity has not been released at this time. It is the second escape in less than... more »

• Elayn Hunt Correctional Center escapee apprehended

  December 28, 2012 1:43 PM

  ST. GABRIEL - A man is back behind bars after attempting to escape from the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center early Friday morning. Joshua Kelly, 38, worked as an infirmary orderly at EHCC and was working on a night cleaning crew when he escaped. Officials say Kelly overpowered a... more »

• Two die in wreck after police chase Play Video

  December 18, 2012 12:20 PM

  ST. GABRIEL - A wreck at the end of a police chase this morning killed two people in the vehicle authorities were pursuing, according to State Police. Troopers said Kevdrinka Williams, 25, of Baton Rouge and Tremaine Wickem, 20, of New Orleans died in the wreck. A spokesperson... more »

• New affordable housing in Iberville Parish

  October 26, 2012 4:45 PM

  ST. GABRIEL - A $6.1 million loan means Iberville Parish can move ahead with plans to build affordable housing. City Council approved the measure Tuesday night. The parish's loan goes to Mississippi's New Horizons Group. The loan is part of $40 million in federal grants under the Disaster... more »

• St. Gabriel shooting blamed on jealous ex Play Video

  June 19, 2012 5:10 PM

  ST. GABRIEL- Two men are in jail after police say they ambushed another pair of men at their St. Gabriel home. Police arrested Keith Johnson and Gabriel King in connection with the Monday night shooting. Investigators said the men knocked on the door and then waited in some nearby... more »

• Two injured in St. Gabriel shooting

  June 18, 2012 11:42 PM

  IBERVILLE PARISH - St. Gabriel Police say two people are recovering in a hospital Monday night after the city's first shooting in at least six years. Chief Kevin Ambeau says it happened at an apartment complex in the 3600 block of Bank Drive just before 10 p.m. Ambeau... more »

• Judge may interview jurors in Grace trial

  March 2, 2012 7:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE-- Judge Maurice Hicks may interview jurors in George Grace's trial about issues that have caused contempt in the deliberation room. Grace is charged with racketeering, fraud, extortion, and bribery. The feds say Grace took bribes in exchange for completing official acts as mayor. Grace said on the... more »

• Jury has more questions in Grace trail

  March 2, 2012 12:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE-- Jurors in former St. Gabriel mayor George Grace's federal corruption trial sent judge Maurice Hicks a question Friday morning at 10:07. They wanted to know if they all must agree on all paragraphs in count 8 of Grace's indictment. Grace faces 13 counts of extortion, bribery, fraud... more »

• Prosecution begins closing arguments in Grace trial

  February 29, 2012 11:08 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Closing arguments have finally begun in the corruption trial of former St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace. Prosecution brought their last rebuttal witness to the stand this morning, as visiting Judge Maurice Hicks demanded a wrap-up. Prosecution estimated their initial closing argument to take a little... more »

• Grace takes stand last time to defend himself Play Video

  February 28, 2012 5:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE-- Former St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace took the stand one last time in federal court Tuesday to defend himself before the defense rested their case. Grace said he never exchanged his official position as mayor for bribes, something rebuttal witnesses denied. Grace is charged with racketeering, fraud,... more »

• Jurors laugh while George Grace testifies Play Video

  February 27, 2012 5:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Jurors laughed aloud while Grace testified in his own defense on the stand Monday morning. Grace avoided prosecutor Corey Amundson's questions over and over, but eventually testified he exchanged official acts as mayor for benefits. Amundson showed video of Grace talking with an undercover FBI operative... more »

• Grace says he advocated for Libya's Gadhafi

  February 27, 2012 3:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Former St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace claimed in federal court today he visited with Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi while the man was designated as a state-sponsored terrorist. Grace said he went to Africa to speak with Uganda's President about a water company Grace wanted to start.... more »

• George Grace admits he lied to FBI agents Play Video

  February 23, 2012 6:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Former St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace admitted today in federal court he lied to FBI agents and even kept things from his wife during an investigation into his activities as mayor. Grace faces extortion, fraud, racketeering and bribery charges stemming from the FBI's undercover sting, "Operation:... more »

• Defense witnesses might as well have been prosecution's

  February 16, 2012 6:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Ever since prosecution rested their case and defense picked it up, all of the defense witnesses in the corruption trial of former mayor of St. Gabriel actually scored points for team prosecution Thursday. Defense first called in Phil Canova, city attorney for St. Gabriel. Lewis O.... more »

• Corruption trial enters its 4th week in Fed Court

  February 13, 2012 8:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The corruption trial of former St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace starts back up today as the trial goes into its fourth week. Prosecution brought Shreveport Mayor Cedric B. Glover to the stand Thursday, testifying that Grace asked him to meet at Baton Rouge Metro Airport sometime... more »

• Jury selected in George Grace trial

  January 25, 2012 3:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Attorneys selected four men and 11 women to be on the jury for former St. Gabriel mayor George Grace's corruption trial. Judge Maurice Hicks dismissed the jury after they were selected, telling them not to discuss the case with anyone or do any research on it.... more »

• Trial to begin for former mayor of St. Gabriel

  January 23, 2012 6:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The trial of former St. Gabriel Mayor George L. Grace opens Monday with jury selection. Grace was charged in September 2010 with several charges, including racketeering, extortion, obstruction of justice, bribery, mail and wire fraud as part of the FBI's "Operation Blighted Officials" sting. Five other area... more »

• Neighbors near St. Gabriel apartment fire upset with city leaders

  January 20, 2012 10:32 PM

  ST. GABRIEL- People who live near an under-construction apartment complex that caught fire Friday say they warned the city about dangers like this. The complex, which had five, four-plex buildings already built, started going up in the Fall. Neighbors say they asked the city to reconsider approving the project... more »

• Mayor race in St. Gabriel a challenge for candidates

  March 31, 2011 10:21 PM

  ST. GABRIEL- Two candidates are feuding over campaign rallies and who can be the best mayor for St. Gabriel. Current Mayor George Grace is running for re-election against Lionel Johnson, Jr. Grace says he wants to keep turning cow pastures into progress like the community center. Johnson says... more »

• "Operation Blighted Officials" agent convicted of federal crimes

  January 17, 2011 10:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - One of the FBI agents involved in "Operation Blighted Officials," that led to the indictment of six area public officials, has been convicted of federal crimes. The agent, Darin Lee McAllister, committed wire and bankruptcy fraud in a personal matter in Tennessee. The investigation here focused... more »

• Worker dies after being found in nitrogen trailer

  January 11, 2011 4:22 PM

  ST. GABRIEL – A truck worker has died after passing out in a tanker trailer that had contained nitrogen, according to city police. St. Gabriel Police had been called out around 3:45 p.m. Monday to Quality Carriers on LA Highway 30. The victim was taken to a Baton Rouge hospital... more »

• St. Gabriel subdivision aims at first-time homebuyers

  December 29, 2010 5:56 PM

  ST. GABRIEL - First-time home buyers in St. Gabriel are getting help to achieve the American dream. A subdivision geared toward affordable housing has opened up off River Road in Iberville parish. The homes come complete with kitchen appliances, vaulted ceilings, and 100% financing; each cost just over $100,000.... more »

• Postal workers accused of tampering with mail

  December 6, 2010 4:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Four postal workers have been indicted by a federal grand jury, accused of tampering with the mail in their care. All four are accused of opening, delaying or detaining mail that was intended to be delivered. If convicted they could face a five-year prison sentence, a $250,000... more »

• Funeral arrangements announced for Price LeBlanc

  November 21, 2010 8:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Funeral arrangements have been announced for prominent businessman Price LeBlanc. Visitation will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Government Street in Baton Rouge, Monday, from 3:30-8pm. A second visitation will be held Tuesday at St. Gabriel Catholic Church from 8:30am until 11am. LeBlanc passed... more »

• Car dealer, TV icon Price LeBlanc, Sr., dies at 88

  November 19, 2010 8:50 PM

  ST. GABRIEL - V. Price LeBlanc, Sr., died peacefully at his home in St. Gabriel, La. tonight surrounded by family. He was 88 years old. Early on LeBlanc had dreamed of being a cattle farmer, and bought his first cow and calf for only $25 dollars. In 1954, LeBlanc... more »

• LA 30 closed after tanker truck tips over

  November 10, 2010 12:10 PM

  ST. GABRIEL - State Police have shut down a state highway in Ascension Parish after an 18-wheeler carrying a hazardous chemical turned over and released some of its contents this morning. LA 30 at LA 3115 south of St. Gabriel has been closed while LSP and other agencies deal... more »

• St. Gabriel mayor pleads not guilty in federal court

  September 30, 2010 5:05 PM

  The mayor of St. Gabriel pleaded not guilty in federal court today following a wide-ranging racketeering and corruption investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Baton Rouge unsealed an indictment against George Grace yesterday for 11 counts of racketeering, bribery and mail fraud, among other charges. The indictment alleged Grace took... more »

• George Grace: 'I'm not devastated by this'

  September 29, 2010 10:56 PM

  St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace said he can defend himself against the charges he's facing. Grace is indicted on 11 counts with consequences ranging from almost two centuries in jail to $3 million in fines. Grace said he predicts he can get out of charges related to schemes to make... more »

• Mayor of St. Gabriel indicted in federal corruption case

  September 29, 2010 3:28 PM

  Federal authorities have indicted the mayor of St. Gabriel in a wide-ranging racketeering and corruption investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Baton Rouge today unsealed an indictment against George Grace for 11 counts of racketeering, bribery, and mail fraud among other charges. The indictment alleges that Mayor Grace took bribes... more »

• More subpoenas issued in federal corruption case

  September 24, 2010 2:29 PM

  A federal racketeering and corruption investigation has apparently moved on to city officials in St. Gabriel. Council members there were recently served with subpoenas to appear before a federal grand jury on September 29, according to Councilman Ralph Johnson. Johnson said he and other members of the city... more »

• UPDATE: Man killed in car crash near St. Gabriel

  August 29, 2010 9:44 AM

  UPDATE: Louisiana State Police identified the victim as 37-year-old Daniel Parker, of Baton Rouge. Investigators believe Parker drove off the road, hit a culvert causing the vehicle to flip and land on its roof. Officials say Parker was not wearing his seat belt properly, causing him to... more »

• St. Gabriel Mayor under federal investigation

  July 7, 2010 4:56 PM

  St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace tells News 2's Mike Steele that he is under a federal investigation. Grace would not give many details about the investigation but did say the feds have asked for city records involving the Cifer 5000 product. Grace says any other information will have... more »

• Burned body near St. Gabriel identified

  June 11, 2010 2:17 PM

  The body found in St. Gabriel earlier this week has been identified as the missing woman from Baton Rouge, Kasey Ann Eackels. Eackels had been missing since June 3, when she was last seen at the Triple A bar in Baton Rouge. The circumstances of her death under investigation... more »

• EBR DA says joint investigation until body identified

  June 9, 2010 5:18 PM

  Update: News 2's Kristy Davis spoke to East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore. He said that he has been out to St. Gabriel to look at the body. Moore said it's a joint investigation between Baton Rouge and St. Gabriel authorities until the body is identified. The... more »

• Police find body near St. Gabriel

  June 9, 2010 4:04 PM

  The St. Gabriel Police Department told News 2 they found a woman’s body badly burned in a ditch off Highway 141. A man from the area found the body when he was looking for his horses. News 2 will update when more information is available. more »

• St. Gabriel barge accident injures two

  April 24, 2010 5:27 PM

  5:32pm News 2 has learned that at least two people were hurt Saturday afternoon, after a barge explosion along the Mississippi river in St. Gabriel. According to officials with the U.S. Coast Guard, the barge was empty at the time, but residual benzene fumes within the barge caught... more »

• St. Gabriel rejects truck stop casinos

  April 16, 2010 3:47 AM

  The St. Gabriel City Council rejected plans Thursday for a truck stop casino. Three companies submitted separate proposals to build along La. 30 between Bayou Paul Lane and the border with East Baton Rouge Parish. The council refused to change zoning in a city ordinance to allow the casino.... more »

• Truck stop casino bashed at St. Gabriel public hearing

  April 6, 2010 10:39 PM

  Homeowners took to the microphone during a public hearing concerning a truck stop casino in St. Gabriel. More than a hundred people showed to voice their concerns to the City Council about safety, quality of life and future growth. Many residents do not want the truck stop in their back... more »

• Casino-truck stop proposal raises questions

  March 30, 2010 5:47 PM

  People in St. Gabriel have mixed opinions on a casino truck stop that could be built near their backyards. Bob Lemoine is concerned about the community's image. "We're sincerely concerned that it will devalue the cost of our homes for one thing," he said. "But even more importantly... more »

• Ethics charge filed against St. Gabriel police chief

  March 2, 2010 6:24 AM

  The Police Chief of St. Gabriel is facing conflict on interest charges filed by the Louisiana Board of Ethics. The board says Police Chief Kevin Ambeau may have violated the state ethics laws by operating a private security business in St. Gabriel while serving as chief of police. The Ethics... more »

• Grand jury indicts man in October killing

  February 19, 2010 7:22 AM

  A grand jury has indicted a 21-year-old man in the Oct. 15 shooting death of a Baton Rouge man. An East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury charged Larondric Christopher Johnson of St. Gabriel on Thursday with second-degree murder in the slaying of 24-year-old Wesley Johnson. The Johnsons are not related.... more »

• Deadly hit and run in Iberville Parish

  November 13, 2009 4:47 PM

  Authorities in Iberville parish are looking for Randy Wallace, 23, who allegedly fled the scene of a crash in St. Gabriel. more »

• Police accused of stealing from dead man resign

  November 10, 2009 10:12 PM

  Two St. Gabriel police officers accused of stealing money from a man after he died in a car crash resigned Monday morning. At Tuesday's city council meeting, the the council voted to accept thier resignation. Keith Snowten and Rodrick Wesley allegedly stole $2,000 from the dead man's wallet... more »

• Police officers admit stealing from man after crash

  November 5, 2009 1:01 PM

  UPDATE: Two St. Gabriel police officers surrendered to Louisiana State Police Thursday after investigators say they admitted stealing money from a man after he died in a car crash. Keith Snowten and Rodrick Wesley are charged with theft and malfeasance in office. The crash happened in August. State Police say... more »

• State audit grades St. Gabriel bookkeeping a C

  October 16, 2009 10:33 PM

  State legislative auditors found some discrepancies in the City of St. Gabriel's financial paper work. Among other things, the city failed to update its books for the past year. The mayor also let the city clerk sign checks drawn on the city's account. The issue that jumped out... more »