Local academy celebrating Louisiana culture through food festival - Baton Rouge news - NewsLocker (2024)

BATON ROUGE - Get a taste of Louisiana through the Second Baptist Christian Academy's new event Friday. The event, aptly named "A Taste of Louisiana," will showcase southern culture through what we're best known for: food. "'A Taste of Louisiana' is part of our ongoing commitment to integrating local culture into our curriculum, ensuring that our students from ages 1 to 12 appreciate and understand the state they call home," SBCA said. "The event will feature a variety of Loui

Tangipahoa Parish swears in first new sheriff in 20 years

HAMMOND - The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office will see a new sheriff sworn in for the first time in 20 years. Saturday morning, Sheriff Elect Gerald Sticker was sworn in ahead of his term start date, scheduled for July 1. According to Sticker, he believes change is vital for the parish. "It's incumbent upon me as the leader of this organization that starting July 1, I make sure my employees are well-equipped, mentored, and educated in the tenets of doing the job,"

Former LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell fired as coach, accused of stealing $74,000 check

MOBILE - Former LSU quarterback and number one overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft JaMarcus Russell was fired as a volunteer assistant coach and faces a lawsuit accusing him of taking a $74,000 check meant as a donation to the school.According to ESPN, a local business owner wrote the check and said Russell approached him about a donation to help the Williamson High School football team purchase weight room equipment. The school said they never received the check, and Russell reportedly deposite

Vacant house fire on Mulberry Street determined to be arson

BATON ROUGE - A vacant house on Mulberry Street caught fire as a result of arson early Saturday morning, fire investigators say.According to the Baton Rouge Fire Department, the fire was first called in by 1:54 a.m. and firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and fire on the front of the home. A powerline burned as a result and fell into the backyard, preventing firefighters from access to the back of the structure.The fire was contained by 2:28 a.m.Permalink| Comments

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EBR superintendent finalists chosen; interim superintendent not among them

BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board chose three finalists Friday for the superintendent's job, and interim Superintendent Adam Smith was not among them.Smith, who has worked in the school system for 28 years, has vied for the role twice before.The only local finalist is Kevin George, director of the LSU Lab School.The other finalists are Krish Mohip, chief education officer for the Illinois State Board of Education, and Andrea Zayas, who was previously the chief academic offi

EBR board stuns packed room; selects 3 finalists for superintendent but rejects interim

BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board chose three finalists Friday for the superintendent's job, and interim Superintendent Adam Smith was not among them. Smith, who has worked in the school system for 28 years, has vied for the role twice before but will not be the next leader of the state's second-largest traditional school system."Almost 70 comments were submitted (to the board before the vote). Over 90 percent overwhelmingly put their support behind interim Superin

Sports2-A-Days Preview: Central Wildcats

BATON ROUGE - The Central Wildcats are returning plenty of starters from last years 9-4 team, and they're hoping with a little bit more of team-first mentality they will be able to get to the Superdome.Head coach David Simoneaux has good numbers back on both sides of the ball, led on offense by returning starting quarterback Jackson Firmin the Wildcats will take advantage of an experienced offensive line and solid run game. Firmin is a run threat from the position as well and will keep defenses

Local bike shop holds trash pick-up event for kids on Terrace Street

BATON ROUGE — Front Yard Bikes in Baton Rouge held a trash pick-up event Friday afternoon in the area around Terrace Street Community Center.Students divided into teams for the annual Trash Pick-Up Grand Prix where they competed to see who could pick up the most litter in the neighborhood.“We were so impressed last year that we couldn’t wait to come back this year. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen,” guest judge Jennifer Richardson wi

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Some residents concerned with state of Baker police department; chief says all is well

BAKER — As Baker Police Chief Carl Dunn enters his third term as top cop, he has a plan for the city."To continue to make Baker the safest city in Louisiana," he said Friday.Dunn considers the reported crime rate in his city as one of the lowest, especially for this year."A couple of shootings and only one homicide for the entire year," he said.But not everyone believes in the validity of that achievement."They said that and I chuckled. I figured it was a joke or a mistake or somethin

$$$ Best Bets: Is it Futbol or Soccer? $$$

Hunter McCann has this weekend's best bets for MLB matchups, Copa América and the WNBA! FridayMLB:Yankees @ Blue Jays: u8.5 RunsAstros @ Mets: Astros MLReds @ Cardinals: Reds MLCopa América:Colombia vs. Costa Rica: Colombia -1.5Paraguay vs. Brazil: Brazil -1.5WNBA:Dream @ Suns: u150 Total PointsSparks @ Mercury: Mercury -10SaturdayMLB:Marlins @ Phillies: Phillies -1.5Pirates @ Braves: No Runs in First InningAthletics @ Diamondbacks: u8.5 Total RunsCopa Am&eacu

Team USA's beach volleyball uniforms for 2024 Paris Olympics designed by Baton Rouge artist

BATON ROUGE - Former LSU duo Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth will make their Olympic debut in Paris for Team USA in Women's beach volleyball.The blue uniforms they'll be wearing are designed by a graphic designer from right here in Baton Rouge. The designer is Kenneth Hilliard, who started his graphic design page on social media called Hilliard Creative.Growing up, Hilliard loved playing sports video games and creating custom uniforms for the athletes. He's turned that passion into a career.This y

Lost grave marker found, covered by grass at historic cemetery

BATON ROUGE - During a quest to find the grave of her family member, one woman is helping to draw focus to an area of the Capital City where history is buried.Sue Howes called 2 On Your Side's Brittany Weiss after visiting Magnolia Cemetery and discovering that her late baby brother's plot was nowhere to be found. Howes had suspected that the headstone was covered by dirt and grass had grown on top of it.It turns out that's exactly what happened. Howes found the disguised headstone while walkin

Gonzales man accused of killing wife has history of domestic abuse, murder allegations dating back to 1990s

GONZALES — A Gonzales man arrested in the shooting death of his wife has been arrested twice before in killings -- including a triple murder with two child victims -- but was not convicted in those cases, court records show.He was acquitted in one case and had the triple murder charges dropped by prosecutors.Sean Morris, 50, was arrested Wednesday for second-degree murder after a shooting on Garcon Road in Gonzales left his wife, 44-year-old Brenda Morris, dead, Ascension Parish deput

Man now facing federal charges after death of Loranger woman and her kidnapped daughter

NEW ORLEANS — Federal prosecutors formally lodged kidnapping and other charges Friday against the man accused of killing a Loranger woman and one of her two daughters.At a hearing in New Orleans federal court, prosecutors accused Daniel Wayne Callihan, 36, of kidnapping and transporting minors for the purpose of criminal sexual activity.Louisiana prosecutors have already accused Callihan of killing Callie Brunett, 35, and Erin Brunett, 4. Callie Brunett's body was found in her Lorange

Man arrested in Loranger woman's death discussed plan to keep one of her daughters

NEW ORLEANS — Federal prosecutors in Louisiana formally lodged kidnapping and other charges Friday against the man accused of killing a Loranger woman and one of her two young daughters, and documents filed by a New Orleans FBI agency detail the accused man's intent to keep the other girl alive for sexual purposes.At a hearing in New Orleans federal court, prosecutors accused Callihan, 36, of kidnapping and transporting minors for the purpose of criminal sexual activity. An FBI agent

FBI: Man arrested in Loranger woman's death discussed plan to keep a daughter 'as a sex slave'

NEW ORLEANS — As federal prosecutors in Louisiana formally brought charges Friday against the man accused of killing a Loranger woman and one of her two young daughters, documents filed by a New Orleans FBI agent detail the accused man's intent to keep one girl alive for sexual purposes.At a hearing in New Orleans federal court, prosecutors accused Daniel Callihan, 36, of kidnapping and transporting minors for criminal sexual activity. An FBI agent assigned to the case said in an affi

LSU Board of Supervisors extends softball coach Beth Torina's contract

BATON ROUGE - The LSU Board of Supervisors approved a contract extension for LSU head softball coach Beth Torina as well as other athletic contract moves on Friday with no objections.Torina's contract was extended for two more years and will now run through August 31, 2028, with no change in annual salary or supplemental pay.Torina had two years remaining on her existing contract that was set to expire in 2026.LSU head gymnastics coach Jay Clark also received a four-year contract extension and

Police searching for identity of alleged car burglar

BATON ROUGE - Police are searching for the identity of an alleged car burglar. Police posted the picture above and said the pictured person is believed to be connected to a vehicle burglary that happened on June 22 on Corporate Boulevard. A firearm was also stolen. Anyone with information on this person's identity is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.Permalink| Comments

PETA can obtain wild bird stress records from LSU researcher, state Supreme Court says

BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled Friday that LSU must turn over a song bird researcher's records that an animal rights group has been trying to obtain from the university for years.The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has sought records related to Christine Lattin's research since 2019. At various times, LSU has said it had no pertinent records, or that that records PETA sought were not covered by Louisiana's public records law. In a 4-3 vote, the ju

Baker Chief of Police Carl Dunn sworn in for third term

BAKER — Baker's Chief of Police Carl Dunn was sworn in for his third term on Friday.Dunn was sworn in at a ceremony at the Baker Municipal Center.Dunn, a father of six, is a Marine Corps Veteran and has a career in law enforcement spanning 35 years. According to Baker's website, he is the first Black Police Chief the city has elected.Permalink| Comments

Louisiana Department of Health, Well-Ahead Bureau hosting health fair Saturday

BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Health and its Well-Ahead Bureau will host a health fair at the Louisiana State Museum on North Fourth Street in Baton Rouge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.Well-Ahead was created by the LDH to provide no-cost health access and benefits. They organized the fair to promote disease prevention and community access to health resources."It's our role to address it and to bring these resources to the communities. Our goal is to meet them where they are and

Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office searching for man suspected of stealing two vehicles from dealership

GONZALES — The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office is searching for a man suspected of the theft of two vehicles from a local car dealership.The man was seen on security footage entering a convenience store and in the suspected vehicle, a four-door Buick.Anyone with information that could help detectives in this investigation is urged to call the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office anonymously at 225-621-4636.Permalink| Comments

LSU board votes to extend president's contract by three years

BATON ROUGE — LSU's governing board has approved a three-year contract extension for its president.The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Friday afternoon to extend William F. Tate IV's contract for three years. Tate started at LSU three years ago next week, under a five-year deal.Board member John Carmouche said before his vote that the pact didn't include any "punishment or penalty" for Tate if he didn't achieve the board's goals, but that he was satisfied the board could end Ta

EBRSO shows what Gang Intelligence Unit seized during June arrests

BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Gang Intelligence and Enforcement Unit made a handful of arrests in the past week, resulting in the seizure of 13 guns and hundreds of lethal doses of fentanyl. Deputies said they were investigating multiple reported overdoses, which tied back to "poly-drug dealers" in the community. On Wednesday and Thursday, the GIE and Homicide Units executed six search warrants on Lorraine Street, Brandy Avenue in Zachary, and Gwenadele Avenue. Three peop

Man arrested for using fake ID to bond friend out of jail, who was arrested for using fake IDs

COVINGTON - A man was arrested Monday after he allegedly used fake IDs and information to make purchases at several St. Tammany Parish stores. Later that same day, his believed accomplice was also arrested for using a fake ID to try and bond him out of jail. St. Tammany Parish deputies were called to a Covington-area store to arrest a man, later identified as Renandson Parfait, 34, of New York. Parfait is accused of having made several purchases around the parish using fraudul

LSU women's basketball star Flau'Jae Johnson releases debut rap album featuring Lil Wayne

BATON ROUGE — LSU women's basketball star and rapper Flau'jae Johnson released her debut album on Friday, which features a collaboration with Lil Wayne and Baton Rouge-based lyrics.In addition to the track with Lil Wayne, entitled "Came Out a Beast," the nine-track album, "Best of Both Worlds," also includes collaborations with rappers NLE Choppa and 2Rare.Lil Wayne previously narrated a hype video for LSU women's basketball's Final Four appearance in 2023.Johnson's new album comes co

Suspect arrested for attempted robbery, sexual assault at Gonzales supermarket; store's neighbor heartbroken

GONZALES — Police have a person of interest suspected of attempting to rob and sexually assault an employee of a Gonzales supermarket outside the store early Friday morning in custody, Gonzales Police said.Around 4 a.m., a female employee at Lamendola's Supermarket was assaulted by an unidentified Black man wearing a grey hoodie and blue Dickies-style work pants while she was feeding some cats outside the store. According to police, he demanded money from the woman and she then threw

Police seek to identify man suspected of attempted robbery, sexual assault at Gonzales supermarket

GONZALES — Police are searching for a man suspected of attempting to rob and sexually assault an employee of a Gonzales supermarket outside the store early Friday morning, Gonzales Police said.Around 4 a.m., a female employee at Lamendola's Supermarket was assaulted by an unidentified Black man wearing a grey hoodie and blue Dickies-style work pants while she was feeding some cats outside the store. According to police, he demanded money from the woman and she then threw him her walle

Police have suspect accused of attempted robbery, sexual assault at Gonzales supermarket in custody

GONZALES — Police have a person of interest suspected of attempting to rob and sexually assault an employee of a Gonzales supermarket outside the store early Friday morning in custody, Gonzales Police said.Around 4 a.m., a female employee at Lamendola's Supermarket was assaulted by an unidentified Black man wearing a grey hoodie and blue Dickies-style work pants while she was feeding some cats outside the store. According to police, he demanded money from the woman and she then threw

Former Uvalde police chief indicted over response to Robb Elementary shooting

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The former Uvalde schools police chief was indicted over his role in the slow police response to the 2022 massacre at a Texas elementary school that left 19 children and two teachers dead, the local sheriff said Thursday.Pete Arredondo was indicted by a grand jury on 10 counts of felony child endangerment/abandonment and briefly booked into the county jail before he was released on bond, Uvalde Sheriff Ruben Nolasco told The Associated Press in a text message Thur