Tagged News

• 'Jingle Jeepin' parade and market set for Saturday in Port Allen

  December 1, 2023 10:59 PM

  WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH - The 2023 "Jingle Jeepin'" parade and market will bring dozens of decked out Jeeps to the streets of Port Allen on Saturday. The festivities begin at noon with the opening of the craft market inside the West Baton Rouge Convention and Visitors Bureau. ... more »

• Police looking for burglars who stole guns from Addis subdivision, fired shots near officers

  November 17, 2023 1:38 PM

  ADDIS - Law enforcement officials launched extra patrols in some West Baton Rouge subdivisions after officers were greeted with gunfire when they went to investigate reports of car burglaries this week. The Addis Police Department says it's working with the West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office to investigate the string... more »

• West Baton Rouge Parish warns residents after reports of payments via unauthorized third party

  November 9, 2023 11:47 AM

  WEST BATON ROUGE - West Baton Rouge Parish officials are warning of a concern involving the payment of utility bills via an unauthorized service. In a warning being shared with area residents, the parish said reports have been filed by those who have been directed to a website called... more »

• Arrival of heavy gear signals progress on LA-1 bridge stabilization Play Video

  October 30, 2023 1:28 PM

  WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH - After months of stalled progress, construction crews are preparing to resume work on the new Intracoastal Bridge on LA-1 in West Baton Rouge Parish. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says crews are delivering and assembling equipment that will be used to address... more »

• After killing at high school football game, West Baton Rouge leaders call for teens to give up their guns Play Video

  September 19, 2023 6:34 PM

  PORT ALLEN - District Attorney Tony Clayton said detectives have pinpointed several gangs that are operating out of West Baton Rouge that are posting videos to social media and causing problems. One of those groups, TMS, posted videos to YouTube that are now under investigation. The videos, which are... more »

• After WBRZ report, deputy arrested for shooting into fleeing car Play Video

  August 30, 2023 12:02 PM

  PORT ALLEN - The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office confirmed to the WBRZ Investigative Unit Wednesday that fired reserve deputy Shawn Pardazi was booked into jail. It comes a week after WBRZ reported that a warrant was filed in the wake of an Investigative Unit report which featured... more »

• Some West Baton Rouge Parish properties to lose natural gas service temporarily

  July 24, 2023 11:23 AM

  WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH - Properties along Rougon Road from Section to Burnside will lose natural gas service for much of Tuesday, parish officials said. Utility crews will be lowering the gas line on that section of Rougon Road. The interruption will affect about 40 houses in the area.... more »

• 'Unexpected settlement' to delay bridge project in West Baton Rouge Parish Play Video

  January 25, 2023 4:26 PM

  WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH - Construction of the new LA 1 bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway in West Baton Rouge Parish will drag on up to 10 months longer than planned due to "unexpected settlement" of the structure. Engineers say the issue concerns the piles under each of the... more »

• Expert says officer arrested in deadly crash did not follow state, federal pursuit policies Play Video

  January 2, 2023 5:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A law enforcement expert with decades of experience — who also helped write pursuit policies for some local law enforcement agencies — says the Addis police officer who killed two teen girls in West Baton Rouge violated state and national pursuit protocols. Watch live newscasts here... more »

• Sources: WBR sheriff's office employee took cash for ticket but never cleared it Play Video

  November 29, 2022 5:41 PM

  PORT ALLEN - A West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office employee who admitted to stealing tens of thousands of dollars remains on paid leave and there are new details about the scheme. Sources told the WBRZ Investigative Unit in at least one instance, an individual received a traffic ticket and... more »

• Family of murdered woman offering $10K reward for info leading to arrest Play Video

  January 11, 2022 6:23 PM

  ERWINVILLE – The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office said it anticipates taking the case of a woman found dead last year to a grand jury amid the bright spotlight of a popular true crime podcast. In a series of podcasts from Woody Overton, the former detective questioned the... more »

• Taxpayers doling out thousands to house teenage troublemakers out of state Play Video

  October 28, 2021 6:36 PM

  PLAQUEMINE- There are hardly any beds in the state of Louisiana available for juveniles who commit violent crimes in parishes that don't have stand alone juvenile detention centers, according to law enforcement in our area. Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi said his parish is having to spend nearly $300... more »

• Storm evacuee returning home killed in fiery I-10 crash Thursday; truck driver charged Play Video

  September 9, 2021 4:25 PM

  GROSSE TETE - A man who fled southeast Louisiana to escape Hurricane Ida died in a fiery wreck while driving back home on I-10. The wreck happened Thursday afternoon I-10 East near the West Baton Rouge-Iberville Parish line. Authorities said an 18-wheeler slammed into multiple stopped vehicles on the... more »

• Republic suspends curbside recycling service in West Baton Rouge

  September 1, 2021 9:59 AM

  WEST BATON ROUGE - Officials in West Baton Rouge announced Wednesday that due to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) being without power and without the ability to process materials, Republic has suspended its curbside recycling service, effective immediately. Once the MRF’s power has been restored and is operating as normal,... more »

• West Baton Rouge shelters of last resort closing

  August 30, 2021 11:37 AM

  WEST BATON ROUGE - Shelters of Last Resort in West Baton Rouge are closing Monday morning. According to a news release from Parish leaders, the following three shelters are closed as of 10 a.m.: -Port Allen Community Center -Erwinville Community Center -VFW Hall Addis Parish leaders are... more »

• Local school districts reported heightened failure rates amid pandemic Play Video

  August 10, 2021 5:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Even some of the top-ranked school districts in our area logged increased failure rates among K-12 students amid online learning forced by the pandemic. Only East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana were transparent enough to release information to the WBRZ Investigative Unit. Ascension... more »

• State Police: Driver dies after Saturday night crash in Port Allen

  August 5, 2021 5:07 AM

  PORT ALLEN - A 33-year-old man from Leesville who sustained injuries in a Saturday night crash passed away Wednesday due to health complications associated with the wreck, Louisiana State Police say. Troopers identified James Brogdon as the man who lost his life. According to authorities, the crash involved... more »

• Former prosecutor among handful indicted in money laundering scheme Play Video

  July 9, 2021 5:39 PM

  PORT ALLEN – A former military judicial officer and state fraud prosecutor was among a handful of people indicted in a corruption investigation Friday. A West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury indicted a group of people on charges related to allegations they funneled more than $800,000 in government money... more »

• West Baton Rouge Council refuses tax break for solar panel project Play Video

  April 24, 2021 9:08 PM

  WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH - A solar plant project in west Baton Rouge is now in jeopardy after the parish council refused to give the project a tax break. Carey Denstel, vice-chairman for the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, said $22 million in tax exemptions was too high a... more »

• EBR Sheriff's Office warns of increase in carjackings across outlying communities

  April 14, 2021 6:52 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Across the nation, a number of large cities are reporting an increase in theft and violent crimes, including a significant increase in carjackings. During 2020 New Orleans reported carjacking calls to 911 increased by 126 percent. But large cities aren't the only areas that have been... more »

• Protesters demand for removal of Confederate statue in Port Allen Play Video

  June 28, 2020 10:02 PM

  PORT ALLEN - Dozens of residents and some elected officials marched to the West Baton Rouge Parish Courthouse on Sunday, demanding that the statue of a former Governor of Louisiana and slave owner be removed. "I don't see no Jews celebrating no Hitler. I don't want this nowhere. Not... more »

• Two fleeing drivers take troopers on separate, wild police chases overnight Play Video

  May 30, 2020 10:37 AM

  PRAIRIEVILLE - An eyewitness shared video of what may be two separate pursuits involving law enforcement and fleeing suspects late Friday and into early Saturday. Authorities have not released information connected to the incidents captured by a WBRZ viewer and video recorded from a network of traffic cameras. ... more »

• Capital Area parishes meeting state testing goals Play Video

  May 29, 2020 9:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - As a part of the state's comprehensive COVID-19 testing plan for May and June that's being submitted to the federal government Saturday, parishes in the capital area are meeting the necessary requirements. The plan focuses on increasing testing across the state, especially in areas and... more »

• I-10 West traffic diverted to US 190 due to overturned semi

  March 20, 2020 1:07 PM

  WEST BATON ROUGE - An overturned semi-trailer on I-10 began causing severe traffic delays in West Baton Rouge, Friday morning. As of 12:08 p.m., the semi-trailer is still in the westbound lane, near Grand Point Highway (113), blocking the right lane. Traffic is being diverted to U.S. 190... more »

• Intruder carrying gun prompts lockdown at Port Allen High

  February 28, 2020 3:17 PM

  PORT ALLEN - Authorities say a suspicious person carrying a gun on campus forced Port Allen High School to go on lockdown Friday afternoon. Around 2 p.m., officials say students spotted the man with what appeared to be a gun tucked in his waistband. When the school's resource... more »

• Traffic citation scam alert

  December 3, 2019 9:43 AM

  WEST BATON ROUGE - The West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office says scammers are behind a scheme that involves traffic citations, and officials are warning Louisiana residents not to fall for the trick. If you receive a text message like the one below, you should NOT open any links or... more »

• Deputy made daring save 175 feet above the river as pregnant woman threatened to jump Monday Play Video

  July 29, 2019 5:12 PM

  PORT ALLEN - Almost 200-feet above the Mississippi River Monday, a well-known West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's deputy convinced then rescued a pregnant woman from jumping to her certain death. WATCH THE NEWS AND THIS STORY LIVE HERE Lt. Ken Albarez is usually the face of the ongoing... more »

• Large Conn's warehouse planned for budding shipping development in West Baton Rouge

  April 29, 2019 4:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Conn’s will build a giant, 250,000-square-foot warehouse along I-10 in West Baton Rouge as part of the company’s expansion in Louisiana. The announcement of the distribution center came Monday afternoon. Company officials said the facility will serve multiple states in Conn’s HomePlus growing furniture, appliance... more »

• Despite punching cop and pulling gun on civilian, man gets sweetheart deal Play Video

  March 7, 2019 5:43 PM

  PORT ALLEN - Serious questions are being raised in West Baton Rouge Parish about how a man received what some are calling a sweetheart deal after he pulled a gun on a driver and punched a police officer who arrived on the scene to help. Offord Daley, who was described... more »

• Disgraced deputy promises to turn himself in after parking lot run-in with Nakamoto Play Video

  February 8, 2019 4:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Less than 30 minutes after the WBRZ Investigative Unit aired a report about a disgraced former West Baton Rouge deputy who was arrested for malfeasance and now faces a theft charge, Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto ran into him on his way home Thursday night at a store. Nakamoto... more »

• Man arrested after callers report he was driving on I-10 while fondling himself

  December 27, 2018 11:58 AM

  PORT ALLEN – A man was arrested after passing drivers noticed him fondling himself while driving on I-10. State Police said James Toomey, 47, of Spring, Texas, was arrested near the Port Allen exit after complaints from drivers. Complaints started more than 30 miles away – on the I-10... more »

• Mystery stench strikes West Baton Rouge Parish Play Video

  December 18, 2018 11:33 PM

  PORT ALLEN - Many residents were inundated at times Tuesday by a strong industrial odor from an unknown source. "It smelled rotten, like rotten eggs," said West Baton Rouge Museum tour guide Karen Marionneaux. "At the museum the doors are open with people in and out all the time.... more »

• I-10 widening project comes to West Baton Rouge Parish Play Video

  August 30, 2018 12:35 AM

  ADDIS - Dozens of West Baton Rouge Parish residents filled the community center Wednesday evening to view proposals for the I-10 widening project through Baton Rouge. The plan is to add an additional lane in each direction from Hwy 415 in the west to the I-10/12 split in the east,... more »

• Another deadly crash on I-10 'Devil's triangle'

  March 29, 2018 6:51 PM

  PORT ALLEN – Yet another deadly wreck has occurred in a notorious area of I-10. Emergency crews were on the scene of the crash on I-10 East just before the La. 415 exit. The crash happened shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday. One person died, sources said, and two... more »

• Once jailed in Iran for being Christian, murder victim's son now facing drugs and weapons charges here

  March 29, 2018 6:15 PM

  PORT ALLEN – A man at the center of a high-profile murder plot and a mysterious incarceration in Iran was arrested on drugs and weapons charges in West Baton Rouge, WBRZ has learned. Hamed Ghassemi was arrested last Friday after deputies stopped the vehicle he was driving for speeding... more »

• Brusly looking for missing traffic ticket money Play Video

  March 19, 2018 7:55 PM

  BRUSLY- More than $40,000 vanished from a West Baton Rouge Parish town hall, according to its mayor. Scot Rhodes said he's embarrassed that some of the misappropriations happened on his watch. "It was multiple cash deposits that went missing. Some weeks it was a lot, some it was a... more »

• State Police: Person walking on La. 415 hit, killed

  January 21, 2018 10:44 AM

  LOBDELL - A pedestrian died after being hit by a car on a busy West Baton Rouge highway Saturday night. Jamie Tabolinksy, 22, of Denham Springs, was killed. State Police said Tabolinksy was walking on La. 415 south of La. 76 around 8 o'clock and, for unknown reasons,... more »

• Dashcam video shows 100 mph chase down La. 1; Suspect run over by deputy Play Video

  November 28, 2017 11:32 AM

  ADDIS - Authorities say a police chase ended with the suspect being struck by a police unit Tuesday morning. > WATCH: Authorities released dash cam video of the chase; CLICK HERE to watch Sources told WBRZ Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto there was a pursuit down LA 1 and... more »

• WBRZ suggests stronger safety measures on I-10, La. DOTD agrees to consider more signage Play Video

  September 27, 2017 4:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE – In an afternoon conference call with the WBRZ Investigative Unit, the state's traffic czar agreed to look into new ways to warn drivers of gridlock on I-10 approaching Baton Rouge. The call with La. Dept. of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson came a day after a handful... more »

• Deputies searching for 15-year-old girl missing from Addis

  July 26, 2017 3:49 PM

  ADDIS – The Addis Police Department and the West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance in finding a missing 15-year-old girl. The girl has been identified as LeeAnn Tyson, who was last seen July 25 around 10 a.m. in Addis. She is described as... more »

• Four arrested on I-10 during drug bust

  July 6, 2017 4:22 PM

  PORT ALLEN – An overnight drug bust on I-10 netted the arrests of four people and prescription pills and marijuana being confiscated. State Police said troopers stopped an SUV for a traffic violation and became suspicious. After being told they could search the vehicle, the troopers found 15,000 dosage... more »

• Deputies looking for missing mother and son

  June 30, 2017 3:14 PM

  PORT ALLEN – Sheriff's deputies in West Baton Rouge are asking for help locating a woman and her young son. Shanniah Snell and her child, Darryl Branch III, were last seen on Friday, June 16 th . It was not immediately clear the circumstances around their disappearance, but authorities... more »

• Woman recalls terrifying encounter with WBR work release inmate Play Video

  June 29, 2017 11:36 AM

  PLAQUEMINE- A West Baton Rouge Parish work release inmate is under arrest Thursday morning in Iberville Parish, after investigators say he broke into a house and beat up a woman. The incident occurred around 9 a.m., according to Plaquemine Police Chief Kenny Payne. Investigators said... more »

• Deputies searching for missing man last seen on Saturday

  June 26, 2017 4:06 PM

  WEST BATON ROUGE – The West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office and the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office is seeking assistance from the public in finding a man last seen on Saturday. According to the agencies, the man missing has been identified as Bryan Manriquez. He was last seen at... more »

• WBRSO: Man wanted for robbing truck stop in Port Allen

  May 31, 2017 4:45 PM

  PORT ALLEN – Deputies in West Baton Rouge Parish are searching for a man who they say robbed a truck stop. The robbery occurred on May 28 around 4:25 a.m. when a man entered the Lucky Louie's truck stop located on North River Road in Port Allen. According to... more »

• West Baton Rouge inmate captured after walking off job site Play Video

  April 26, 2017 2:26 PM

  WEST BATON ROUGE – A West Baton Rouge work release inmate who walked off his job this week was captured Wednesday morning. The inmate, Michael Allen, was working at Fluker Farms when he walked off the job around 6 :30 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the West Baton Rouge... more »

• Port Allen man ejected from pickup in deadly LA 983 crash

  April 21, 2017 8:42 AM

  PORT ALLEN – Louisiana State Police say a Port Allen man died in an early morning single vehicle crash in West Baton Rouge Parish Friday morning. According to Louisiana State Police, the crash happened around 4 a.m. on LA 983 north of LA 620 in West Baton Rouge Parish.... more »

• WBR work release inmate captured after escape, car chase

  February 27, 2017 11:09 AM

  WEST BATON ROUGE – Authorities say a West Baton Rouge work release inmate is back in custody after an escape and car chase overnight. According to the sheriff's office, Rickey Lake, 34, went missing after 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. Lake did not appear for the 12:30 a.m. headcount and... more »

• Nightly lane closures of I-10E in WBR, Iberville start next week

  February 16, 2017 9:35 AM

  PORT ALLEN – Crews will be closing lanes of I-10 east in between Ramah and Gross Tete overnight starting next week. According to DOTD, the nightly lane closures will be from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting the Feb. 20. The closures will start at mile marker 135 and... more »

• Child killed, mother hurt after deadly crash in West Baton Rouge

  February 8, 2017 3:36 PM

  WEST BATON ROUGE - Deputies say a 4-year-old child was killed and her mother was injured in a crash in West Baton Rouge Parish Wednesday afternoon. The crash happened near the intersection of La. 415 and Arbroth Road around noon Wednesday. According to WBRSO Lt. Ken Albarez, 26-year-old Brittany... more »

• Second suspect arrested following shooting at Port Allen truck stop

  November 29, 2016 12:28 PM

  PORT ALLEN – A second suspect has been arrested following a shooting at a West Baton Rouge truck/stop casino on Friday that left one man wounded. Samuel Tullos was arrested in Tangipahoa Parish, the West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office confirmed on Tuesday. The shooting happened on Friday around... more »

• One arrested, one wanted in WBR truck stop shooting

  November 25, 2016 8:06 PM

  PORT ALLEN - The usually quiet westside was a flurry with activity Friday night after a person was shot at a truck stop/casino and deputies searched for the suspects in a sugarcane field. Just before 6 p.m. Friday, West Baton Rouge Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to 1680 N. Lobdell... more »

• All lanes back open on I-10 EB

  October 11, 2016 9:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE - All lanes are back open on I-10 eastbound. Tuesday morning, there was an overturned vehicle blocking the two right lanes on I-10 eastbound at LA 415. The delay from this incident is still one to two miles long. News 2's Ashley Fruge is monitoring... more »

• Disaster recovery center opens for flood-impacted residents in West Baton Rouge Parish

  September 9, 2016 5:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE – A disaster recovery center is opening in West Baton Rouge Parish to assist Louisiana flood victims. The center is set to open on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. The center is located at 210 Turner Drive at... more »

• FEMA urges St. James, West Baton Rouge flood survivors to register for assistance

  September 1, 2016 9:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - St. James and West Baton Rouge parish disaster survivors may now be eligible for federal disaster assistance, according to FEMA. They join the list of 22 parishes in which survivors may be eligible for FEMA assistance. FEMA lists three ways to apply for assistance: ... more »

• Fire reported overnight at chemical plant

  July 2, 2016 9:47 AM

  ADDIS - Emergency responders reported an overnight fire at a plant, but could not provide much information about the incident Saturday. Fire crews and ambulances were sent to a plant on La. 1 near the West Baton Rouge/Iberville Parish line around midnight. An emergency preparedness official reached later Saturday... more »

• New digital sign gives WBR commuters leg up on travel time Play Video

  May 3, 2016 3:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Travelers who commute into the Metro area from West Baton Rouge across the Mississippi River are very familiar with just how bad traffic can be. Now, the State Department of Transportation is hoping to give motorists a leg up on which routes will take the least amount... more »