Tagged News

• Central nonprofit gave illegal $1000 campaign donation to police chief candidate Play Video

  October 9, 2026 2:23 PM

  CENTRAL — A local nonprofit tied to the East Baton Rouge Mayor-president Sid Edwards gave an illegal campaign donation to a candidate for Central police chief. Campaign finance reports show Central City Autism Awareness Inc., a 501c3, donated $1,000 to candidate Larry Walters in September. By law,... more »

• DA says photo of him with family of teen being prosecuted for hate crime does not show favoritism

  October 8, 2026 12:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE — East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore said a recent photo that was taken of him alongside the parents of a 13-year-old who was arrested for hate crimes earlier this year is not an indication of personal favoritism toward the teen's family. "I had never met... more »

• Several metal vases allegedly stolen from graves at Blackwater United Methodist Church Cemetery

  October 4, 2026 12:19 PM

  CENTRAL — Several metal vases were allegedly stolen from headstones at the Blackwater United Methodist Church Cemetery on Saturday, according to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office. At least 10 vases were discovered to have been stolen from various graves, church officials said. It is currently unknown when... more »

• Central Police Department: Traffic congested near Hooper Road due to protest

  October 2, 2026 1:40 PM

  CENTRAL — The Central Police Department said Friday that traffic has become congested near Hooper Road due to a protest. The "large but peaceful protest" is happening along Hooper Road near the intersection of Sullivan Road in front of Covers Unlimited. "Law enforcement is monitoring the situation, but... more »

• Central mayor's race draws 4 candidates ahead of November vote Play Video

  September 30, 2026 6:15 PM

  CENTRAL — Four candidates are running to replace Mayor Wade Evans, who is not seeking re-election, in Central's mayoral race. Lifelong Central resident and businessman Geno Guercio believes focused growth is key to the city's future. "To be a city, you have to grow, and I think as... more »

• 1 person injured after crash on Lovett Road near Bronco Avenue in Central

  September 29, 2026 2:25 PM

  CENTRAL — Lovett Road near Bronco Avenue in Central re-opened after a crash that left one injured. The crash happened around 1:05 p.m. on Tuesday, a Central government alert says. By 1:55 p.m., one direction of traffic was open, and officials said that Lovett Road re-opened around 2:13 p.m.... more »

• Westbound traffic along Hooper Road reopens at Blackwater Road after crash leaves 4 injured Play Video

  September 25, 2026 8:09 AM

  CENTRAL — Westbound traffic along Hooper Road was blocked at Blackwater Road after a Friday morning crash. The crash injured four people, who were taken to a local hospital by Baton Rouge EMS, Central Fire officials said. The crash happened around 6:35 a.m. The roadway has since... more »

• Central Police searching for person they say stole hundreds of dollars' worth of merchandise from ALDI

  September 21, 2026 2:54 PM

  CENTRAL — Police are trying to identify a suspect accused of stealing hundreds of dollars' worth of merchandise from ALDI in Central. According to Central Police, the theft happened on Sept. 10 around 5:30 p.m. The suspect then left in a white Toyota RAV4; no license plate information... more »

• Hooper Road reopens at Greenwell Springs Road in Central after crash; 1 person injured

  September 17, 2026 9:08 AM

  CENTRAL — Hooper Road at Greenwell Springs Road was closed Thursday morning due to a crash that left one person injured. The crash was first reported around 8 a.m. on Thursday, with Baton Rouge EMS responding shortly afterwards. By 9:05 a.m., the roadway reopened. Officials said that... more »

• Pastor Tony Spell in court for bond review, defends actions that led to arrest Play Video

  September 15, 2026 1:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Pastor Tony Spell appeared in court Tuesday for a bond review and defended his actions that led to his arrest in June. "When you come to church, you come to worship God. It's a sanctuary. It's a sanctified, safe place where you shouldn't be called racial... more »

• Former wrestling coach accused of molesting 16-year-old student pleads guilty to obscenity charge Play Video

  September 9, 2026 1:09 PM

  CENTRAL — A former volunteer wrestling coach who was accused of molesting a 16-year-old student avoided prison time and will not have to register as a sex offender after pleading guilty to a lesser charge. Aujyri Harris, 23, of Addis, was arrested in February 2025 after a 16-year-old girl... more »

• U.S. military hits 3 Iranian oil tankers after saying Navy warships were targeted with missiles Play Video

  September 5, 2026 10:56 AM

  CAIRO (AP) — The U.S. military on Saturday said it struck three Iranian oil tankers after Navy warships were targeted with missiles, warning that it would “if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.” The strikes — a day after President Donald Trump sought to minimize the... more »

• U.S. strikes Iranian rocket launchers on the Strait of Hormuz in first military action in weeks

  August 30, 2026 6:57 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on the Strait of Hormuz in their first military action in a month on Sunday, breaking a lull in fighting during an intermittent war that has lasted more than six months. Iran swiftly vowed to retaliate for what it called a... more »

• 3 people hospitalized after Wednesday afternoon crash along Hooper Road in Central

  August 27, 2026 8:10 AM

  CENTRAL — A two-car crash along Hooper Road at Shady Bluff Drive left three people hospitalized. According to Central Fire officials, the crash, which happened around 4 p.m. Wednesday, also resulted in a small fire under the hood of one of the vehicles. The crash briefly closed the... more »

• Central is getting new rules on guns, fireworks, smoking, and even spitting

  August 26, 2026 5:27 PM

  CENTRAL - Residents in Central will soon have a few new guidelines to follow after the city council voted Tuesday to adopt East Baton Rouge Parish criminal law ordinances. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran said most things will not change because many ordinances are already enforced through state law,... more »

• One person taken to hospital after crash along Hooper Road in Central; roadway briefly closed Play Video

  August 19, 2026 8:15 AM

  CENTRAL — A crash on Hooper Road in Central caused both lanes of traffic to be blocked Wednesday morning. According to a city alert system, the crash happened just east of Devall Road around 7 a.m. By 7:45 a.m., the crash was cleared... more »

• Central Kiwanis Club marks 3 years of community service Play Video

  August 18, 2026 11:18 PM

  CENTRAL — The Kiwanis Club of Central marked its three-year anniversary tonight. The nonprofit held a meeting where organizers talked about how far the group has come and what they have planned going forward. The club recruits volunteers to help with service projects that mainly focus on children... more »

• Crash in Central results in driver stuck in vehicle Play Video

  August 17, 2026 3:58 PM

  CENTRAL — A crash was reported in Central on Friday night, resulting in the driver being trapped inside the vehicle. The crash occurred in the 13100 block of Lovett Road. The Central Fire Department responded and safely extracted the driver. The driver was transported by EMS to a... more »

• 2 people hospitalized after pickup truck overturns along Frenchtown Road in Central Play Video

  August 17, 2026 9:00 AM

  CENTRAL — A truck overturned along Frenchtown Road in Central overnight on Sunday. According to Central Fire Department officials, all five of the department's stations, as well as St. George Fire Department rescue, responded to find the truck overturned in a canal between Country and Planchet roads. After... more »

• EBRSO: Man killed in single-vehicle crash on Greenwell Springs Road in Central

  August 15, 2026 7:36 PM

  CENTRAL - A man was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Greenwell Springs Road, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office said. The crash happened around 5:10 a.m. on Saturday morning. Initial investigations show that the driver, Travis Blaine Guidry, of Denham Springs, was traveling southbound when the vehicle ran... more »

• 21-year-old man's body pulled from pond along Wax Road, coroner says Play Video

  August 12, 2026 2:00 PM

  CENTRAL — A 21-year-old man's body was pulled from a pond along Wax Road in East Baton Rouge Parish. According to the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner's Office, Colby Riles' body was found floating in a pond along Wax Road near the Northwoods subdivision on Tuesday. East Baton... more »

• VIDEO: Dog rescued from salon that caught fire along Greenwell Springs Road Play Video

  August 12, 2026 10:20 AM

  CENTRAL — A dog was rescued from a salon that caught fire along Greenwell Springs Road. According to the Central Fire Department, fire crews responded just before 8 p.m. on Tuesday to Entourage Salon near the intersection of Greenwell Springs Road and Bellingrath Lakes Avenue. Greenwell Springs Road... more »

• 4 candidates run for mayor, 3 run for police chief in Central Play Video

  August 11, 2026 7:45 PM

  CENTRAL - Election Day is months away, but we already know Central will have a new mayor soon and possibly a new police chief. Four candidates qualified for mayor. Three candidates, including the incumbent, are running for police chief. Current Chief Roger Corcoran seeks a third term, pointing... more »

• Central Police searching for person accused of breaking glass window at Circle K along Hooper Road

  August 11, 2026 2:56 PM

  CENTRAL — Police are trying to locate and identify a person accused of breaking a glass door at a Circle K in Central. According to Central Police, the person is accused of causing heavy damage to the entrance door of the Circle K at 9530 Hooper Road. This happened... more »

• EBRSO: Foul play not suspect after man's body is pulled from pond along Wax Road Play Video

  August 11, 2026 9:14 AM

  CENTRAL — A man's body was pulled from a pond along Wax Road in East Baton Rouge Parish, Central Police told WBRZ on Tuesday morning. The body was found floating in a pond along Wax Road near the Northwoods subdivision, Central Chief Roger Corcoran said. The East Baton... more »

• Central has poured millions into flood prevention in the 10 years since 2016 Play Video

  August 9, 2026 8:12 PM

  CENTRAL — Ten years after the 2016 flood, the city of Central has poured millions of dollars into flood prevention efforts, and Mayor Wade Evans says he is not waiting on the state to keep that work going. Evans told WBRZ that city leaders have requested funding from the... more »

• Central Police assistant chief dies after brief battle with illness; department announces funeral details Play Video

  August 6, 2026 12:23 PM

  CENTRAL — Central Police Department Assistant Chief Clifton Ivey has died, the department said Thursday. According to the department, he died after a "brief illness." Ivey started at the department in October 2020. "He was paramount in growing the Department, upgrading equipment, and implementing policies and procedures... more »

• When is school back in session in the Capital Region? Play Video

  August 3, 2026 6:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE — School is officially back in session, with the first schools in the Capital Region returning for the new academic year on Monday. St. Helena Parish public schools are the first in the region to return to the classroom. Here are the dates for the start... more »

• EBR mayor-president's office won't fill chief of staff role while Lon Vicknair runs for Central mayor Play Video

  August 3, 2026 11:36 AM

  BATON ROUGE — Mayor-President Sid Edwards' Chief of Staff position will remain unfilled after Lon Vicknair announced he would be taking a leave of absence as he runs for mayor of Central, a spokesperson for Edwards' office said Monday. "However, the projects and duties will be handled by other... more »

• Rollins Place closed in Zachary due to a water leak repair

  July 31, 2026 11:53 AM

  ZACHARY — The City of Zachary announced on Friday that Rollins Place is closed due to a water leak repair. According to officials, the roadway will be closed from Rollins Road to East Central Avenue until 5 p.m. Drivers in the area should use an alternate route. more »

• Councilmembers, EBR Chief of Staff announce campaigns to succeed Mayor Wade Evans in Central Play Video

  July 30, 2026 10:20 AM

  CENTRAL — After Central Mayor Wade Evans announced that he is not running for re-election, multiple other public officials have announced their candidacy to succeed Evans. Evans announced that he would not be running for a second term earlier this week. In a statement, Evans noted that public service... more »

• Central Police arrest woman accused of dragging clerk across road, helped steal mini liquor bottles Play Video

  July 29, 2026 11:44 AM

  CENTRAL - On Wednesday, Central Police officers arrested a woman accused of helping steal miniature liquor bottles from a Circle K and then dragging the store's clerk across the parking lot in her car. Around 1:30 a.m. on July 19, Brittany Wilson and a passenger, later identified as Destani... more »

• Central Police Department searching for person who stole pipe from Central City Steak and Seafood Play Video

  July 16, 2026 2:49 PM

  CENTRAL — The Central Police Department is investigating after a pipe was stolen from Central City Steak and Seafood earlier this week. According to Central Police, a person driving a black truck and pulling a utility trailer stopped at the steakhouse along Hooper Road around 2:07 p.m. on Tuesday.... more »

• Central Police Department searching for vehicle involved in hit-and-run Play Video

  July 13, 2026 2:27 PM

  CENTRAL — The Central Police Department asked the public for help on Monday with identifying a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run. Officers said they would like to speak to the driver about a hit-and-run that occurred on July 9 around 11 p.m. The vehicle officers are searching... more »

• Central Fire Department: 4 people displaced after early Friday morning fire along Devall Road Play Video

  July 10, 2026 9:30 AM

  CENTRAL — Firefighters put out a fire at a mobile home along Devall Road in Central early Friday morning. Central Fire Department crews responded to the fire around 4:25 a.m. According to fire officials, all four occupants made it out of the home, and no one was injured. ... more »

• Central pastor, neighbor and police chief speak day after attack, arrest across street from church Play Video

  June 24, 2026 11:12 AM

  CENTRAL - Pastor Tony Spell addressed the media Wednesday, saying threats from his neighbor compelled him to run across a four-lane highway and attack the man. Spell, the main pastor of Life Tabernacle Church on Hooper Road, was arrested by deputies after the altercation. He said he was working... more »

• 1 person injured after shed catches fire in Central's Morgan Place West subdivision

  June 17, 2026 9:27 AM

  CENTRAL — A shed at a home inside the Morgan Place West subdivision caught fire Wednesday morning in Central. Firefighters from the Central Fire Department, alongside Baton Rouge Fire and District Six Fire units, responded to the fire around 6:10 a.m. One person was injured in the fire,... more »

• Lawsuit filed following arrest of 13-year-old accused of vandalizing woman's home with vulgar graffiti Play Video

  June 7, 2026 11:03 AM

  CENTRAL — A lawsuit has been filed in the 19th Judicial District Court following the arrest of a 13-year-old charged with criminal damage to property by defacing with graffiti, criminal trespass and hate crimes. The teen was arrested after a woman's home was vandalized with photos of the home... more »

• Central leaders weigh in on AG's opinion about the future of law enforcement in the city Play Video

  June 5, 2026 5:37 PM

  CENTRAL — City leaders in Central are considering a partnership with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office designed to boost law enforcement coverage. The move comes after Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill released an official opinion saying the city can contract with the sheriff's office for services without... more »

• Photos of home allegedly vandalized by 13-year-old depict sexual imagery along with racial slur Play Video

  June 1, 2026 1:16 PM

  CENTRAL — Images of a home in Central show vulgar graffiti spray-painted across the garage and front door after a 13-year-old was arrested in connection with a vandalism investigation. Pictures of the home depicted sexually explicit imagery along with slurs spray-painted along the entryway and garage door. During... more »

• 13-year-old arrested in connection with vandalism investigation in Central Play Video

  May 29, 2026 1:21 PM

  CENTRAL — A 13-year-old was arrested in connection with a vandalism investigation in the Central area, according to the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office. During the execution of a search warrant of the juvenile's residence, deputies discovered items seen in surveillance footage along with other materials consistent with... more »

• Applied Digital to build $3.6B AI facility in Rapides Parish Play Video

  May 26, 2026 3:22 PM

  ALEXANDRIA — Applied Digital Corporation is bringing a $3.6 billion artificial intelligence campus to Rapides Parish, Gov. Jeff Landry announced Tuesday. The facility, called Delta Forge 1, is built for "large-scale AI training and inference workloads," according to Louisiana Economic Development. It will initially be two facilities, which will... more »

• Central Police: Mayor Wade Evans' toxicology report shows no impairment after May crash Play Video

  May 26, 2026 1:50 PM

  CENTRAL — The Central Police Department has released the results of a completed investigation into a two-vehicle accident that Central Mayor Wade Evans was involved in on May 19. According to investigators, Evans was driving a city-owned Ford F-150 southbound on Blackwater Road after leaving a public event. He... more »

• Central's first City Hall in its history is now open to the public Play Video

  April 27, 2026 11:56 AM

  CENTRAL - The first City Hall in Central's history is finished and ready for public use! City leaders broke ground on the building February 2025. The public can visit the new City Hall on Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 11530 Sullivan Road. WBRZ's Abigail... more »

• Central High baseball coach suspended after stripping off top half of uniform during game, reports say

  April 20, 2026 8:20 AM

  CENTRAL — Central High School's head baseball coach has been suspended by the Louisiana High School Athletics Association after he began stripping off his uniform during a game, LouisianaSports.net reports. Coach Sham Gabehart was suspended for the rest of the season, including playoffs, after he came out of the... more »

• East Baton Rouge Parish constable arrested in hit-and-run crash in Walmart parking lot Play Video

  April 16, 2026 2:57 PM

  CENTRAL — An East Baton Rouge Parish constable was issued a summons for a misdemeanor in a hit-and-run crash that happened on Tuesday. Central Police said Constable Gordon Hutchinson hit a parked car while he was leaving the Walmart along Sullivan Road around 11 p.m. Hutchinson's photo, taken... more »

• After asking public for help, Central Police Department identifies man who connected to hit-and-run

  April 13, 2026 11:20 AM

  CENTRAL — The Central Police Department asked the public for help identifying a man who may have information related to a hit-and-run on Monday. The following picture was captured on April 8, around 5:30 p.m. at the Shell gas station on Joor Road. According to Central Police, the minor... more »

• Central mayor: Timing of insurance savings from increased flood rating doesn't match what FEMA said

  March 31, 2026 10:21 AM

  CENTRAL — Mayor Wade Evans says that, while Central received a FEMA rating intended to reflect reduced flood risk and provide corresponding insurance premium discounts, the timing of these savings does not match what they were previously told by FEMA. Evans said Tuesday that Central has made significant, measurable... more »

• Lovett Road partially closed due to gas leak, Central Police Department says

  March 24, 2026 2:45 PM

  CENTRAL — Part of Lovett Road in Central is closed due to a gas leak, the Central Police Department said Tuesday afternoon. Police closed the westbound lane of Lovett Road near Prairie Drive and said motorists should avoid the area. Central police did not say when they expect... more »

• Central High, first responders hosting crash simulation teaching students dangers of distracted driving Play Video

  March 20, 2026 7:50 AM

  CENTRAL — Residents in Central may notice a large presence of emergency response vehicles, including ambulances and Louisiana State Police troopers, at Central High School on Friday; this is part of a mock crash simulation teaching students about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. The event, hosted by... more »

• Grand jury chooses not to pursue charges against Central officer accused of malfeasance at this time Play Video

  March 18, 2026 8:10 PM

  CENTRAL - A grand jury decided not to formally charge a former Central Police Officer with payroll fraud and malfeasance in office at this time. Huey Haley was arrested back in October 2024 for allegedly stealing more than $24,000 in time from his former department. The grand jury... more »

• Central couple in their 80s without gas, power after tree falls on home Play Video

  March 12, 2026 11:14 AM

  CENTRAL — A Central couple in their 80s is living without gas and electricity after a tree crashed into their home on Thursday morning. The nearly 90-foot tree fell on top of the roof around 8 a.m., breaking through most of the ceiling. The crash damaged a gas... more »

• Plaquemine Fire Department renames station to honor family that has served the community for over a century Play Video

  March 8, 2026 8:05 PM

  PLAQUEMINE — The Plaquemine Fire Department renamed its Central Fire Station on Sunday to honor a family with a history spanning over a century with the department. The fire station was renamed to the Yves G. Ramirez Central Fire Station in honor of Yves G. Ramirez, who worked his... more »

• Central police chief says city mayor exaggerating budget needed to make department full-time Play Video

  February 26, 2026 4:33 PM

  CENTRAL - The Central Police Department chief said Thursday the mayor's proposed budget overestimates how much money it would take to operate the agency full-time. Chief Roger Corcoran said he submitted three models for a full-time Central Police Department with budgets ranging from $3.2 million to $4.7 million, and... more »

• 35-year-old woman identified as person who died after swimming in BREC nature preserve; foul play not suspected Play Video

  February 24, 2026 6:04 PM

  CENTRAL - A 35-year-old woman was identified as the person who died after swimming in a pond at the Blackwater Conservation Area in Central. Emily Cain, 35, died after struggling to swim in the water of the BREC nature preserve and being brought to the hospital, officials said. ... more »

• WBR deputy, Central Police officer arrested for allegedly beating child with belt

  February 24, 2026 2:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A West Baton Rouge Parish deputy and Central Police officer was arrested over the weekend after he was accused of beating a 6-year-old with a belt. An arrest warrant says that Charles Evans Jr. hit the child with a belt on Sunday, Feb. 8. The victim... more »

• Woman swimming in BREC nature preserve dies after being hospitalized Play Video

  February 20, 2026 9:41 AM

  CENTRAL — A woman swimming in a pond at the Blackwater Conservation Area in Central died after being taken to the hospital in critical condition Friday morning. A spokesperson from the Central Fire Department told WBRZ that, around 6:45 a.m., the woman was swimming with another person in the... more »

• Lockdown at Central High School lifted after school received threatening phone call Play Video

  February 19, 2026 1:12 PM

  CENTRAL — Central High School was placed on lockdown Thursday after receiving a threatening phone call. The school was immediately placed on lockdown as a precaution, a message sent out by the school said. Within an hour, the lockdown was lifted. "Students and staff are safe and are... more »

• Sullivan road construction project pushed back to May Play Video

  February 9, 2026 4:20 PM

  CENTRAL- A long-running construction project on Sullivan Road will take at least another month to finish, renewing frustration for drivers who use the corridor daily. What was expected to be completed in April has now been pushed to May, Central Mayor Wade Evans confirmed this week. Evans said... more »

• Rouses Markets opens new location in Central along Joor Road Play Video

  January 12, 2026 10:29 AM

  CENTRAL — Rouses Markets opened its new store location in Central on Monday, following the company's acquisition of 10 Winn-Dixie stores in Louisiana and Mississippi back in November . The new Rouses location at 10974 Joor Road opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by President and CEO Donny Rouse,... more »

• Central Police Department hosts annual Drive-thru Toy Giveaway Play Video

  December 20, 2025 5:12 PM

  CENTRAL - The Central Police Department hosted its annual Drive-thru Toy Giveaway on Saturday at the Central Police Department. Cars lined up in the parking lot of the Central Police Department as Santa, accompanied by the Grinch, handed kids presents for the seventh year in a row. "It's... more »

• 87-year-old killed in Central wreck along Joor Road Play Video

  December 18, 2025 12:12 PM

  CENTRAL — One person was killed in a crash involving an 18-wheeler at the intersection of Joor and Lovett roads in Central. The crash happened shortly before 10 a.m. Two people were taken to a hospital where 87-year-old Gary Chapman of Baton Rouge passed away. According to Central... more »