BATON ROUGE - LSU softball's offense continues to really struggle.

The No. 7 Tigers just pushed across one run on three hits in Friday night's 2-1 loss at home to No. 15 Arkansas. LSU has scored just two runs in their last four SEC games.

Sydney Berzon pitched seven innings for the Tigers and allowed two runs.

LSU is now 35-12 overall and 11-11 in SEC play. The Tigers host Arkansas on Saturday at 4 p.m.

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BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Pirate Festival Pageant's crown and sashes were stolen from a car around East State Street and the Lakeview Apartment area, according to the organizers' Facebook.

The post says that the items were locked in the trunk of a vehicle and that a scanner was used to gain entry into the vehicle.

"I hope this will be a PSA for all our queens, that be aware of your surroundings and even though it was locked and secured, someone with bad intentions still gained access," the post said.

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BATON ROUGE - LSU baseball defeated Auburn 5-0 at Alex Box Stadium Friday night after a strong game from their pitching.

Gage Jump, the starter, posted six strikeouts and only two hits in seven innings.

LSU continues their series with Auburn Saturday at 6 p.m.

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LAFAYETTE - Spring means festival season here in Louisiana, and just across the basin, a cultural celebration is happening in downtown Lafayette -- that being Festival International de Louisiane.

It’s a five-day festival that started Wednesday and will go until Sunday night.

“I enjoy it, I love it," Mark Rotolo from Jambalaya by Shake, a caterer for the festival, said. "It’s fun meeting people, seeing all of the different foods and all of the different crafts that’s out here, it’s a really good time especially when the weather is nice like today.”

With its roots deeply entrenched in Cajun, Creole, and French cultures, Festival International offers a melting pot of musical genres, from traditional zydeco to global sounds like rock, jazz, reggae, and more.

But it's not just about the music, as Festival International is a celebration of culture in all its form, including some good food.

Festival International draws people from all over the country and all over the world.

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BATON ROUGE - With only a few days to spare, doctors and staff at Prairieville ER and Hospital, also known as Prairieville Family Hospital, will have to find new jobs. 

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) decided to revoke the hospital's license after the facility failed to meet the minimum requirements for an average patient's length of stay. The facility is also breaking state regulations by operating a free-standing emergency room, according to documents from the LDH. 

"In October when they came and pulled a site visit, our average length of stay was 1.3 days. Obviously did not meet criteria. In February when they came back, it was 1.9 and we were on trajectory. And since then, our average length of stay has been around 3 days," said Dr. Stewart Cayton, M.D. with the Prairieville Family Hospital. "If they would consider the new numbers, we would meet criteria."

The hospital has only been open since 2019. Dr. Cayton believes he and his colleagues weren't given a fair chance, because their business is still growing. 

The Prairieville Family Hospital is privately-funded and owned. Doctors and staff believes the state is only doing the community a disservice by taking away this facility, which provides quick and easily-accessible medical assessments and care to hundreds of people per day.

What is hurting their numbers, says Dr. Jodi Mcgee, is that they are not equipped to treat patients for long periods of time. They focus on short term illnesses, such as dehydration and kidney stones or broken bones, and that should be accepted as a necessary form of care in the eyes of the state.

"We're actually being penalized because people are getting better too quick and going home. And I thought that's the way things are supposed to be these days, people are supposed to get better faster. Not trying to milk a hospital stay to keep them here longer," Dr. Cayton said.

Operations will cease on Sunday evening at the Prairieville ER and Hospital. 

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Hunter McCann has the best bets for the NBA playoffs, college baseball, MLB and NHL!

Friday

NBA:

Clippers @ Mavericks: Mavericks -4.5

Timberwolves @ Suns: Timberwolves +4

MLB:

Athletics @ Orioles: Orioles -1.5

Dodgers @ Blue Jays: Dodgers ML

Cubs @ Red Sox: Cubs ML

College Baseball:

Georgia @ Texas A&M: Texas A&M -2.5

Tulane @ Wichita State: Tulane +1.5

Auburn @ LSU: LSU -1.5

NHL:

Rangers @ Capitals: Rangers ML

Canucks @ Predators: Over 5.5 Total Goals

Jets @ Avalanche: Avalanche ML

Saturday

NBA:

Cavaliers @ Magic: Magic -2.5

Thunder @ Pelicans: Thunder -1

Celtics @ Heat: Celtics -9.5

Nuggets @ Lakers: Nuggets -3

NHL:

Hurricanes @ Islanders: Hurricanes ML

Panthers @ Lightning: Lightning ML

Stars @ Knights: Knights ML

MLB:

TBD

College Baseball: 

 TBD

Sunday

NBA:

TBD

NHL:

TBD 

MLB:

College Baseball: 

TBD

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PORT ALLEN — Port Allen's 19th annual Kite Fest Louisiane' is this weekend.

The skies over Port Allen will be filled with kites of all shapes and sizes from 11 a.m. to dusk on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. A kite-making workshop and kite designing activities will be available for kids. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for the kites and a fireworks display to end the night Saturday.

Attendees can also expect Louisiana food booths and indoor flying performed by indoor flying champions. Attendance to the festival is free.

More information is available here.

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BATON ROUGE — The '90s are back at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church this weekend for its annual Mercy Fair.

The fair, running from Friday to Sunday, will feature games, carnival rides, food, a Sunday crawfish boil and even a talent show.

The festivities start Friday from 5 to 10:30 p.m. The festival continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More information about the festival and activities are available at OLOM's website.

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BATON ROUGE - The BR Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is hosting their third annual Women's Empowerment Summit Saturday.

The summit takes place from Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Baton Rouge Marriott, 5500 Hilton Avenue. 

For more information and registration, check out their website.

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DENHAM SPRINGS — Festivalmania continues over the weekend in Denham Springs.

The annual Spring Festival is being held Saturday in Denham Springs' antique district. Festival visitors can expect a celebration of local art and antiques with more than 150 vendors set up along Range Avenue. The festival expects 10,000 visitors.

"Our festival is known all over," said Kim Bye, one of the festival's organizers. "People who have been with us for 15, 20 years say that this is their favorite festival to come to here in Denham Springs."

For more information about the festival, www.denhamspringsantiquedistrict.net or the antique village's Facebook page

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BATON ROUGE - A developer says he purchased a lot to build someone an affordable house. The company hired crews to start building but stopped when someone else said they were the real owners.

Christopher Guillory is the owner of Kingdom Builders Developments of Louisiana. His attorney Sharon Kyle says her client is a victim and they're hoping to get this unfortunate situation resolved quickly.

"Like I told you earlier, I'm not happy about it," said Guillory.

Last fall, Guillory says his real estate agent found several lots for sale online. After making offers, Guillory says his agent heard back from one seller and they moved forward with purchasing the land for $15,000. His name is on the paperwork.

"I used all the appropriate channels to make sure we purchased the property legally and obviously that didn't protect us from this particular situation," he said.

He started building the house in February. Guillory says he had interested buyers and people working for a paycheck.

"Those guys, they don't have income now," said Guillory.

Soon after the crews started building they stopped. Someone had spoken with the crew saying the land was theirs. On Thursday, 2 On Your Side spoke with Sam Glasper Pleasant who has detailed records saying the lot has been in her family since the 1980s. The lot was donated to herself and her brother by their dad in 2006. Now Glasper Pleasant and Guillory say they're victims of an elaborate scam.

"This is the first time I've heard of it," said Guillory.

Attorney Sharon Kyle says Guillory did what any builder would have done.

"He relied on his agents and the title company and the professionals that he hired and here we are," said Kyle.

Court documents show some red flags. In those documents, it shows that the Glaspers are married instead of brother and sister. Glasper Pleasant's name is misspelled and the power of attorney paperwork has an invalid notary seal from Florida.

"A little due diligence could have gone a long way," said Kyle.

Now Guillory says he's stopped work until the details have been sorted out. After investing about $80,000 into the project, he's trying to stay positive.

"I'm not going to be angry about it," he said.

Guillory does have title insurance but that does not cover the lot improvements. Both Guillory and Glasper Pleasant are looking for more answers.

Title company Phoenix Title provided the following statement to 2 On Your Side.

The incident is on par with the recent trend and enormous uptick in fraudulent scenarios in the real estate industry. Fortunately for Phoenix Title, they were able to catch the fraud and seize the moment to attempt to repair the situation but also alert others in the industry of the purported fraudulent seller and their actions of deceiving all parties involved, including them.

Phoenix Title says it has reported the incident to the local authorities and the FBI. The title company says the agent representing the fraudulent seller only had communications via email, text, and phone. The sellers also presented a false and manufactured Power of Attorney that allowed them not to be present.

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BATON ROUGE - The Drug Enforcement Administration is holding the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day for people to dispose of unneeded medications anonymously on Saturday, April 27.

For Baton Rouge, the collection will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Baton Rouge Police Headquarters.

The DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription drugs. Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, or illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain tightly sealed in its original container. They will also continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges, provided the lithium batteries are removed.

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BATON ROUGE — With the Louisiana Supreme Court favoring St. George's incorporation, the list of the state's largest cities will change. Here's what the new list will look like, with St. George's approximate population from the time voters considered its creation.

     1. New Orleans, 369,749

     2. Baton Rouge, 221,453

     3. Shreveport, 180,153

     4. Lafayette, 121,389

     5. St. George, 86,000 - approximate at time of 2019 vote.

     6. Lake Charles, 79,113

     7. Kenner, 64,007

     8. Bossier City, 62,635

     9. Monroe, 46,820

     10. Alexandria, 44,004

Figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau. Current No. 10 Houma drops off the list, which includes only incorporated areas.

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BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Supreme Court laid out a series of questions and answers as it ruled Friday in favor of the incorporation of a new city of St. George in the southeastern corner of East Baton Rouge Parish. The entire decision can be read here.

Here's a verbatim of key parts of the justices' decision:

Does the proposed area have definite characteristics of a village?
The record establishes that St. George is an identifiable area with a thriving business community and its own fire  department. The area also desires its own school district, which is largely the impetus of the incorporation effort. A single
issue, like schools, can support incorporation. Schools are often the hallmark of a community. The desire for a separate school district evidences St. George’s distinct identity from Baton Rouge.

Further, the area boasts economic and population growth unique to St. George and not connected to or dependent on Baton Rouge. As explained by Incorporators’ expert, Dr. Will Heath, Baton Rouge contains its own “fixed assets”: the state capitol, universities, the river front. Those are wholly separate from the business and residential interests of St. George, giving both St. George and Baton Rouge their separate identities. This factor favors incorporation.

Have the residents of the proposed area for incorporation taken initial steps toward incorporation?
The residents of St. George petitioned and voted for incorporation by a 54% vote. This factor favors incorporation.

Has a nearby city initiated preliminary proceedings toward annexation?
In 2014, businesses and government interests within the proposed area for incorporation successfully petitioned for annexation into Baton Rouge. The people in those areas decided how they would associate and which local government would govern them. The rights of the remaining citizens of St. George are no less important. The annexations, which  included portions of the LSU campus, the Mall of Louisiana, and L’Auberge Casino, created significant economic value for Baton Rouge. They also reduced any adverse impact of St. George’s incorporation. This factor favors incorporation.

Have there been any financial commitments toward incorporation or annexation proceedings?
The incorporation effort began in 2013, after two failed attempts to form a school district. The initial petition to incorporate failed. The current incorporation attempt began in 2018. For over a decade, substantial money has been expended on legal and expert fees to form an independent school district and to incorporate. This factor favors incorporation.

Does a neighboring city have the prerogative to contest incorporation, although consent of such city is not required? 
An elected official of Baton Rouge has exercised his individual right to contest incorporation. Notably, Baton Rouge did not contest the incorporation. This factor favors incorporation.

Does incorporation affect an existing city within three miles? 
The statute recognizes this factor as part of the reasonableness test: “In determining whether the incorporation is reasonable, the court shall consider the possible adverse effects the incorporation may have on other municipalities in the
vicinity.” La. R.S. 33:4(D). The effect of incorporation on a neighboring city is usually one of restricted geography. In other words, does the incorporation adversely affect the ability of a neighboring municipality to grow, annex and expand? If the geographic boundaries for incorporation impinge on another area’s potential for growth, incorporation may be unreasonable.

In contrast, adjoining municipalities are not usually funded by a surrounding unincorporated area. Their tax base is within their municipal limits. This case is different. The City-Parish’s fund-allocating agreements that result in shared tax revenues between the incorporated and unincorporated areas is not typical. So, Baton Rouge makes the argument that incorporating St. George will decrease its funding. Thus, an adverse impact or effect.

While the argument may be correct, it is not complete. A decrease in funding to the City-Parish does not necessarily result in an unreasonable adverse impact. Cost-savings must also be considered to determine the full economic impact of incorporation.

Challengers’ evidence shows only expected lost tax revenue. They failed to offer evidence of any corresponding advantage to Baton Rouge of not providing services to St. George. If Baton Rouge currently provides no services to St. George, that weighs in favor of incorporation: St. George citizens pay taxes but receive no services. If the only impact of incorporation is a reduction in tax revenue paid by St. George citizens to Baton Rouge, with no reciprocal services, a windfall results for Baton Rouge. Incorporation will reasonably rectify that inequity.

On the other hand, if St. George citizens receive services for the taxes they pay, incorporation brings cost-savings to Baton Rouge, which will no longer be required to provide those services. Challengers failed to address that. Without evidence of the full economic impact of incorporation, denying incorporation because of an unreasonable economic impact on Baton Rouge is error.

Challengers’ economic expert, James Richardson, did not consider the cost effect of Baton Rouge not providing services after incorporation. He used per capita and comparative city approaches to determine St. George’s expenses. These accounting methods do not actually establish what the City-Parish is spending on St. George.

Linda Hunt, Finance Director for the City-Parish, conceded there will be cost savings if St. George assumes financial responsibility for services currently provided by the City-Parish. However, she admitted to not quantifying or determining the
amount. The City-Parish has discretion in allocating revenues between Baton Rouge and the unincorporated areas. Evidence of that allocation is critical to determining reasonableness here and is totally absent from the record.

The only evidence put forth by Challengers that arguably relates to cost savings is St. George’s estimated operating cost: $51 million. In other words, if St. George’s services cost $51 million, Baton Rouge will save that amount by not providing those services. If the amount is $47.81 million, which accounts for the correct pension liability, that nearly neutralizes the  lost revenue claimed by Baton Rouge, which is roughly $48 million.

But, Incorporator’s expert, Mr. Jean-Paul Tujague, testified cost-savings to Baton Rouge lessens the financial impact to $32 million, not $48 million. $32 million lost revenue results in an approximate 10% cut to a $320 million budget*. Ultimately, Challengers bear the burden of proving an unreasonable adverse effect on Baton Rouge. But, their evidence was either incomplete (failed to show the net impact) or showed no financial impact due to a complete cost offset. Relying on Incorporators’ evidence, a 10% budget reduction is not an unreasonable adverse effect.
Also, the statute does not limit the adverse impact factor to economics. Evidence shows that Baton Rouge can actually be positively affected by St. George’s growing population. Those people and their money will stay in the parish. This increases revenues and improves quality of life across the parish. This factor favors incorporation.

*-footnote: The City-Parish’s general fund is $320 million. Richardson and the trial court found $214 million of that fund cannot be cut because certain expenses are either “mandated” or “difficult to be reduced.” That leaves $106 million in the budget that “can be reduced.” The trial court found that taking $41.4 million ($48 million in lost tax revenue minus St. George’s $6.6 million contribution towards constitutional offices) from that $106 million budget amounted to an “approximate” 35% reduction of Baton Rouge’s budget. Reducing the amount of the budget from $320 to $106 million but keeping the tax loss the same (roughly $42 million), inflates the adverse impact. First, all amounts in the general fund are discretionary to a limit. That requires setting spending priorities. The approach by Richardson and the trial court to determine the impact on Baton Rouge’s general fund assumes all City-Parish budget decisions are reasonable and should be funded. Because every municipality must develop its own budget priorities (by making cuts in spending, not incurring capital projects when funds are limited, and raising funds), it is unreasonable to compare the reduction caused by the loss of St. George’s contribution in sales tax to a reduced budget. Any projected impact should be calculated from the full budget. Thus, even using Challengers’ numbers, the budget is reduced by only 12.9%.

Does the population of the area show an increase and continuity of settlement?
The record establishes the population of St. George is increasing. Conversely, the population of Baton Rouge is declining. If allowed to incorporate, St. George’s population will stay in East Baton Rouge Parish, thus benefitting Baton Rouge because of shared funds. Testimony established that without incorporation, an outmigration is possible. St. George residents can relocate to neighboring parishes with more shared interests, including more desirable school districts. Should an out-migration occur, the City-Parish’s general fund will be adversely impacted even without incorporation.

The opposite is also true. Dr. Heath explained that St. George has proven its ability to attract business, generate trade, and create wealth. If incorporated, St. George’s economic and population growth creates a positive impact on Baton Rouge because it increases tax dollars in the parish and promotes parish population retention. Population and continuity of settlement are beneficial to both St. George and Baton Rouge. This factor favors incorporation.

Does a community have a separate identity?
This is largely repetitive of the first factor regarding the municipality’s unique identity as a village. However, we note Challengers’ argument that St. George has no separate identity, and that major thoroughfares will be split in half by imaginary city lines, without natural geographic delineation. But, that fact is inherent in any map-drawing. Abutting an area already incorporated and recently annexed into Baton Rouge is an unavoidable reality and not determinative. This factor is neutral and does not weigh in favor of or against incorporation.

Do natural geographical boundaries separate an area from other municipalities?
Major water ways (the Mississippi River, the Amite River, Bayou Manchac), as well as locally known creeks, act as some boundaries. Other areas are marked by major highways. And, as discussed above, other areas are delineated only by map lines and pre-existing boundaries. This factor is neutral and does not weigh in favor of or against incorporation.

Is transportation affected? 
There is no evidence of any impact on transit costs. However, the evidence relative to public works shows that St. George will privatize most, if not all, of those services.*

That should have been reflected as a reduction of the adverse impact to Baton Rouge, which will not bear that responsibility. This factor favors incorporation.

*- footnote: As represented by the Incorporators, these services include, but are not limited to drainage maintenance, minor street  repairs, traffic control issues, street sign maintenance, litter control, and weather-related emergency services.

Will incorporation affect the interest of landowners in the affected area?
Landowners and residents of St. George will benefit by their sales tax revenue being used on needs specific to St. George. Again, because of the nature of the consolidated City-Parish government, Baton Rouge has arguably experienced a windfall by collecting taxes in St. George without returning proportionate money and services. Incorporation will allow the money paid by St. George citizens to stay in St. George. This factor favors incorporation.

Is the cost of operating the municipality prohibitive?
This factor is previously analyzed under the ability to provide public services within a reasonable period of time. We find St. George’s revenue will cover its operating costs. This factor favors incorporation.

Will an estimated tax base of the proposed area support incorporation?
After incorporation, and if approved in an election, the 2% sales tax now paid to the City-Parish will be paid to St. George. A majority of electors in St. George already voted to incorporate. According to Incorporator Chris Rials, “one would reasonably expect that if 54% of voters wanted to have St. George, 54% would approve what they’re already paying for.” We agree.

Thus, there is a tax base of roughly $48 million to support services proposed by St. George. The sufficiency of that amount is previously addressed in the section regarding the ability of St. George to provide public services within a reasonable  period of time. This factor favors incorporation.

Is the overall welfare of the residents of the affected area improved by incorporation?
This factor addresses the benefits to St. George if it is incorporated. Instead of solely determining whether there is an adverse effect on a neighboring city, reasonableness requires that we address the other side of the scale: the advantages to the proposed municipality. Financially, the residents of St. George will receive local services for their taxes. Incorporation improves the general welfare of the people and empowers self-determination. The people will decide what is in their best interest and govern accordingly. That is consistent with our constitutionally described purpose of government. La. Const. art. I, § 1; La. Const. article I, §26.

Self-determination allows a community to protect, promote, and prioritize what is uniquely important to them. It should be favored. This factor favors incorporation.

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BATON ROUGE — A nonbinding resolution to oppose a state bill that could allow for the creation of a school district in the proposed City of St. George was passed by the East Baton Rouge School Board at their Thursday meeting.

The resolution passed with a vote of 5-2, with two board members abstaining. The yes votes included the four members who developed the resolution — Mike Gaudet, Dadrius Lanus, Cliff Lewis and Shashonnie Steward — and Carla Lewis.

"Having this type of resolution on behalf our board says we support our system...We send our own message, and that message is we support East Baton Rouge Parish schools," said Lanus, who represents District 2. "Anybody who is willing to vote no on this, you send a clear message to our whole entire community that you don't stand for it."

The board's decision opposes HB6, which would set a statewide vote this fall on what could ultimately permit the creation of a new district in an area that largely corresponds to the long-proposed City of St. George. As it stands now, new districts need to be tied to municipalities — such as how Central opened a separate district in 2007.

"If this constitutional amendment succeeds, school districts state-wide could be created and/or existing districts redrawn solely by a majority vote the Legislature and signature of the Governor, without any vote by the impacted local parents and tax paying citizens," the resolution said.

The bill's author, Rep. Emily Chenevert (R-Baton Rouge), attended the meeting. She explained her intention with the bill was not to facilitate the creation of a school district in southeast Baton Rouge. Chenevert's district covers much of what would become St. George.

"But as Mr. Lanus said, it would be the result as originally written," Gaudet said.

Newly elected District 8 board member Emily Soulé and District 9 board member Patrick Martin abstained. The motion was opposed by Mark Bellue and Nathan Rust, Republican board members from districts 1 and 6.

"I don't think we should be in the position where we oppose or support legislation," Bellue said. "Our proper role is to provide information."

The Southeast Baton Rouge Community School District would take land from Bellue's District 1, as well as districts 6 and 9.

Despite the decision on Thursday, HB6 and its implications could be in limbo following the Louisiana Supreme Court's ruling Friday in favor of the incorporation of the City of St. George. If the city is incorporated, a school district and a city council would likely be established, similar to what happened when Central was incorporated in 2005. 

The bill, HB6, is set for debate Monday in the House of Representatives.

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BATON ROUGE - Have we done it? Have we finally weathered the storm?

The average price for a pound of crawfish in the capital region this weekend is another low for the season: $5.34.

With every passing week, it becomes more jarring to look back at the double digits behind the dollar sign from the beginning of the season. 

As we look ahead to the end of the season, it's all we can do to wonder whether we'll face the same plight next year as we did in February. Barring an extreme drought, perhaps this week's average will provide a good baseline for early prices come 2025. 

For the full price index, visit the Crawfish Tracker here. 

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NEW ORLEANS - Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is offering his own money as a reward for any information that leads to the arrest of a person caught on camera vandalizing a church in New Orleans early Friday morning. 

The person was seen on camera between 2 and 2:15 a.m. spray painting The Presbytère in Jackson Square. 

“We have worked hard over the last few years to restore The Presbytère," Nungesser said. "It’s a shame that some coward felt the need to deface this historic building in the middle of the night.

"Someone knows who this person is. We will do everything we can to make sure this person is not only caught, but justice is served. I am offering $5,000 of my own money to anyone who has information that leads to an arrest and conviction of this person who committed this crime.”

The graffiti has since been removed from the building. 

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LIVINGSTON PARISH - The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office is searching for two people suspected of shoplifting over $4,000 worth of merchandise from local stores.

According to the LPSO, the two suspects targeted businesses operating within Livingston Parish this month. Deputies later identified the two as Lori Pinkney and Larrion Wagner of the Baton Rouge area. 

Both Pinkney and Wagner are wanted for two counts each of felony theft.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call LPSO at 225-686-2241 x1.

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ST. MARTINVILLE — A Breaux Bridge bicyclist was killed when he was struck by a car.

Shelton Edmond, 66, was struck by a car around 9 p.m. Thursday while riding his bike on Zin Zin Road near C Huval Road.

St. Martin Parish Sheriff's deputies, along with Breaux Bridge Police and State Police, responded to the scene and learned that a car was driving down the road going the same direction as Edmond when the driver struck Edmond, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies said Edmond's bike was not equipped with a rear light or reflector and he was wearing dark clothing. The driver is not believed to have been impaired.

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BATON ROUGE - The EBRSO Gang Intelligence and Enforcement Unit arrested a suspected drug dealer and seized multiple types of drugs. 

Deputies enacted a search warrant Wednesday at an address on Aliquippa Street. The home was reportedly being used by K-Shon Ringo to conceal and distribute narcotics. 

During the course of the warrant, agents seized fentanyl, crack cocaine, marijuana, amphetamine, and hydrocodone, as well as drug paraphernalia and over $70,000 from his residence on North Harco Drive. 

Ringo was arrested for drug- and firearm-related charges as well as for the operation of a drug lab. 

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