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• Jindal orders review of Texas Brine permits Play Video

  May 20, 2013 3:13 PM

  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... more »

• Insurance company blamed for sinkhole buyout holdup

  May 20, 2013 1:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The company which owns land a massive sinkhole appeared on blamed their insurance carrier today for the holdup in buyouts for nearby property. Texas Brine, LLC released a statement which said their carrier hasn't approved any money for buyouts just yet, and they're working with the... more »

• Governor to discuss sinkhole response efforts

  May 20, 2013 11:38 AM

  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. ... more »

• Parish still waiting for sinkhole payments

  May 17, 2013 5:17 PM

  BAYOU CORNE- In Assumption Parish, cashing in is a lot harder as parish leaders try to collect money from a company blamed for a massive sinkhole. Parish president Martin Triche says Texas Brine owes the parish more than $130,000 for operating a command post and patrolling the evacuated area.... more »

• Breaches reported in sinkhole berm

  May 10, 2013 1:12 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - Assumption Parish officials reported a berm around the western side of the Bayou Corne sinkhole breached in five places during strong storms overnight. The parish police jury reported two breaches have been repaired, but one small breach and two larger breaches have yet to be repaired.... more »

• Company says land around sinkhole stable

  April 23, 2013 4:10 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - The company which owns land a sinkhole appeared on in Assumption Parish said recent 3D imaging shows the area around the sinkhole is stable, and not in danger of forming another hole. Sonny Cranch with Texas Brine LLC said the survey showed the western side of... more »

• Buyout process begins in Bayou Corne Play Video

  March 26, 2013 5:50 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - Inspections continued today in Assumption Parish as the buyout process for people affected by a nearby sinkhole moves forward. The Parks have lived in Bayou Corne for more than 20 years, and said they hate to leave. "This has changed everyone of our lives and... more »

• Jindal travels to sinkhole, says buyouts progressing Play Video

  March 19, 2013 3:56 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - Governor Bobby Jindal said today he met with people in Bayou Corne who'd been "uprooted" from their lives because of a sinkhole in the area, and received the latest information about work being done to deal with it. Jindal said Texas Brine, the company which owns... more »

• Buyouts begin for people living near sinkhole Play Video

  March 18, 2013 5:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Assumption Parish President Marty Triche says buyouts and settlements being offered by Texas Brine are not all that needs to be done. The company operates a cavern that is believed to be the cause of a sinkhole. Evacuations in the area started last August. Triche... more »

• DNR to appoint sinkhole commission

  March 18, 2013 7:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Secretary Stephen Chustz will appoint the members of a "blue ribbon commission" by the end of this week to determine when Bayou Corne residents can safely return home. The sinkhole led to evacuation of about 150 homes in August. Patrick Courreges,... more »

• Jindal to meet with Texas Brine over buyouts

  March 13, 2013 10:28 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor Bobby Jindal said he plans to push for quick buyouts of property affected by the Assumption Parish sinkhole when he meets with Texas Brine officials today. Jindal met with parish officials to discuss the sinkhole Monday. He said then he planned to push Texas Brine,... more »

• Property value going down in Bayou Corne Play Video

  March 12, 2013 5:52 PM

  BAYOU CORNE- People in Bayou Corne say they fear more than a massive sinkhole, that forced hundred of people to evacuate. Since it formed last year, the property value in the mandatory evacuation area plunged. Last year, the Assumption Parish Tax Assessor's Office, gave residents living in the... more »

• Concerns mount in Bayou Corne

  March 8, 2013 10:22 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - Preparing for a worst-case scenario is what residents are cautious of in the homes surrounding a massive sinkhole in Assumption Parish. Residents are wondering why a remedy is taking so long and are faced with a tough reality. The mess has already cost Texas Brine... more »

• Brockovich gets involved with Assumption sinkhole

  March 6, 2013 8:10 AM

  NAPOLEONVILLE - Environmental activist Erin Brockovich and a California attorney are coming to Louisiana to discuss legal options for residents evacuated from the Bayou Corne area due to a giant sinkhole. Los Angeles personal injury lawyer Thomas V. Girardi says he and Brockovich will attend a community meeting Saturday at... more »

• People evacuated by sinkhole ask lawmakers for help Play Video

  February 19, 2013 4:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE - People evacuated 200 days ago by a sinkhole in Assumption Parish asked lawmakers today to help them get buyouts for their homes. Residents and parish officials packed a Senate committee hearing today to tell lawmakers about what the past months have been like. They said the... more »

• 3D work to be performed at sinkhole site

  January 14, 2013 11:25 PM

  BAYOU CORNE- The company blamed for a sinkhole in Assumption Parish will perform 3D imaging on the cavern, deep underground, to get a 21st Century look at its integrity. The state ordered Texas Brine to do the new tests, instead of drilling new test wells. The company said Monday... more »

• More fines connected to sinkhole

  December 17, 2012 10:24 PM

  BAYOU CORNE- The state fined the Texas-based company blamed for a sinkhole in Assumption Parish $160,000 for failing to comply with clean-up requirements. But, Texas Brine disputes the claims. The company said it has been acting - and working- in good faith to meet requirements set by the state.... more »

• Bayou Corne residents want buyout for homes Play Video

  December 12, 2012 5:19 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - A massive sinkhole in Bayou Corne got even bigger overnight, and there are more reports of bubbling in the bayou. The sinkhole grew on the southwest side of the sinkhole near the Texas Brine facility. Residents in the area have been under a mandatory evacuation since... more »

• Bayou Corne residents weigh in on Texas Brine $100k fine

  December 2, 2012 5:32 PM

  ASSUMPTION PARISH- The company blamed for the growing sinkhole in Assumption Parish faces hefty fines from the state. "There needs to be more urgency to get things done. It's been quite some time since the event started. ," says John Bordreaux, Director of Assumption Parish Office of Homeland Security... more »

• State orders Texas Brine to take further sinkhole steps

  November 12, 2012 6:41 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - State conservation officials issued a series of orders today for Texas Brine to follow as they continue to clean up a sinkhole which formed on their property in Assumption Parish. State Commissioner of Conservation James Welsh ordered the company to install a network of observation and... more »

• State bills Texas Brine $3.5M for sinkhole costs

  November 9, 2012 5:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state has sent a $3.5 million bill to the Texas company it blames for a massive sinkhole that has swallowed more than 5 acres of land in Assumption Parish and contaminated an aquifer. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell sent a letter this week to lawyers for Texas... more »

• Texas Brine billed $321,000 for sinkhole

  October 26, 2012 7:15 AM

  BAYOU CORNE- Assumption Parish officials have asked Texas Brine Co. of Houston to reimburse the parish for about $321,000 spent in its response to a sinkhole now believed to have been caused by the company's failed salt cavern. The 5.5-acre sinkhole near Bayou Corne was found early Aug. 3,... more »

• Tremor reported at Bayou Corne sinkhole

  October 25, 2012 1:46 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - Authorities in Assumption Parish reported seismic activity happened this week near the large sinkhole on property owned by Texas Brine. The parish police jury said U. S. Geological Survey monitors recorded a sharp tremor around 9:06 p.m. Tuesday night near one of the company's caverns. ... more »

• More air monitors going up in Bayou Corne

  October 1, 2012 10:15 AM

  BAYOU CORNE - Officials in Assumption Parish are waiting for test results pulled from a damaged Texas Brine cavern which could shed more light on what caused a massive sinkhole near Bayou Corne. The tests should indicate what could have caused the cavern to fail. Texas Brine, which owns... more »

• Sinkhole grows, damages road in Assumption Parish Play Video

  September 26, 2012 1:10 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - A sinkhole in Assumption Parish swallowed part of a work road as more land sloughed off into it. Parish officials said a 30 foot by 50 foot section of land on the southeast side of the sinkhole near Bayou Corne collapsed overnight. The slough in took... more »

• Parish to hold sinkhole update tonight Play Video

  September 25, 2012 1:52 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - Parish authorities scheduled a briefing tonight to update people in the Bayou Corne community about recent developments concerning a large sinkhole which prompted an evacuation. The meeting is tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the unified command post at the Sportsman's Landing in Bayou Corne. Last... more »

• Cavern damaged, now crews have to figure out what happened

  September 25, 2012 12:18 AM

  BAYOU CORNE- Scientists discovered a salt brine cavern, deep under Assumption Parish, has been damaged. Seismic activity in the area is blamed. "The cavern damage was caused by an external source," a spokesperson for Texas Brine said in a news release late Monday. Texas Brine operated a brine... more »

• Exploratory well into sinkhole almost complete

  September 20, 2012 8:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Officials say they are one step closer to figuring out the cause behind the massive sinkhole that has been plaguing Assumption Parish for over a month. State Commissioner of Conservation James Welsh said Wednesday that Texas Brine Co., the company that owns the brine cavern believed... more »

• Evacuees denied Texas Brine evacuation money Play Video

  September 18, 2012 5:08 PM

  ASSUMPTION PARISH- A family in Bayou Corne that was forced to evacuate due to the sinkhole, is looking for a new place to live and was denied evacuation payments from Texas Brine. Viki Arnold and her husband received three payments from Texas Brine to help with their evacuation, but... more »

• More gas bubbling up in Assumption Parish

  September 4, 2012 1:02 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - Gas is bubbling up in new spots near a massive sinkhole in Assumption Parish. Pockets of gas are roiling the water in Bayou Corne, Grand Bayou and Triche Canal. Gas has been bubbling up in other locations in the area for months. Investigators believe the... more »

• Bayou Corne residents meet with Parish officials Play Video

  August 24, 2012 6:14 PM

  BAYOU CORNE- Tonight people who live near Bayou Corne attended a meeting with Assumption Parish officials and Texas Brine to find out what's going on with the sinkhole and relief well. James Bergeron is one of the few in his neighborhood who stayed behind. He said many come back... more »

• Assistance location for sinkhole evacuees changed Play Video

  August 21, 2012 6:30 PM

  NAPOLEONVILLE - Texas Brine today said they're changing where and when assistance checks will be given out to people evacuated from an area near a sinkhole on their property in Assumption Parish. Spokesperson Sonny Cranch said because of overcrowded conditions they changed the location to the St. Joseph the... more »

• Drilling begins in Bayou Corne Play Video

  August 20, 2012 5:48 PM

  ASSUMPTION PARISH - Workers with Texas Brine LLC began drilling an exploratory well today to hopefully get some answers about the cause of a giant sinkhole on their property in Assumption Parish. Today engineers started drilling to get to the 300 foot thick caprock that sits on top of... more »

• Drilling begins in Bayou Corne

  August 20, 2012 10:27 AM

  ASSUMPTION PARISH - Drilling could be underway as soon as today to get to the bottom of what caused a sinkhole and bubbles in the Assumption Parish bayous. Crews with Texas Brine will have to get into a 300-foot-thick caprock that sits on top of a salt dome which... more »

• Texas Brine begins cutting checks, state says it's not enough Play Video

  August 17, 2012 4:48 PM

  PIERRE PART- Today contractors for Texas Brine handed out checks to families evacuated from Bayou Corne after a massive sinkhole appeared on the company's property. However, state officials said the company's not doing enough. Candy Blanchard and her family were among those who fled the area after the evacuation... more »

• Texas Brine offering aid for evacuated residents Play Video

  August 16, 2012 6:05 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - Texas Brine LLC announced that starting tomorrow they'll provide financial assistance to people who evacuated the Bayou Corne area because of a large sinkhole. The area grew by 50 ft. this morning, and swallowed a boat. Two men were rescued when a huge chunk of land... more »

• Sinkhole growing as drill arrives in bayou Play Video

  August 15, 2012 5:32 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - As dozens of trucks arrived with drilling equipment to take a look beneath a sinkhole in Assumption Parish, authorities said the hole has continued to increase in size. Christina Stephens, a spokesperson with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said the surface of... more »

• Residents near sinkhole voice relief well concerns Play Video

  August 14, 2012 6:08 PM

  ASSUMPTION PARISH - A company that owns an operation blamed for a massive sinkhole in Assumption Parish is expected to begin drilling an exploratory well by the end of the weekend. The well drilled by Texas Brine LLC, will investigate a salt cavern experts believe is behind a massive... more »

• Permit approved for Texas Brine relief well

  August 13, 2012 12:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Drilling of a new well into an abandoned brine cavern could begin in a few days. The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources has approved Texas Brine LLC's permit to drill the well. The purpose is to determine the structural status of the cavern and determine... more »

• Texas Brine promises cooperation over sinkhole Play Video

  August 10, 2012 5:56 PM

  GONZALES - Representatives from Texas Brine said today the company is doing everything it can to ease concerns about a sinkhole on their property in Assumption Parish. Experts believe an unused brine operation in a salt dome beneath the sinkhole is the cause. Parish leaders said the company had... more »

• State orders Texas Brine to drill well Play Video

  August 9, 2012 5:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE - This afternoon state officials ordered Texas Brine Company to drill a well to a salt cavern in Assumption Parish as part of their efforts to see what caused a sinkhole and bubbles in the bayou. The Department of Natural Resources said Commissioner of Conservation Jim Welsh... more »

• Hundreds evacuate while agencies monitor sinkhole Play Video

  August 6, 2012 6:06 PM

  ASSUMPTION PARISH - Nearly 200 people left the Bayou Corne and Grand Bayou area after a sinkhole caused officials to order a mandatory evacuation. The massive sinkhole, the size of a football field, is located about 2,000 feet behind Shelly Hernandez's house. "We don't know what's going to... more »

• Scientists to examine sinkhole

  August 6, 2012 10:14 AM

  BAYOU CORNE - The company which owns land a massive sinkhole appeared on sent in experts today to see if they could connect it to bubbles that had been popping up in the nearby Assumption Parish bayous. A mandatory evacuation is still in affect for people living near Bayou... more »