PORT ALLEN — A West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury charged a Port Allen man Thursday with second-degree murder in the May 13 fatal shooting of an 18-year-old Brusly High School student. Assistant District Attorney Tony Clayton said Marcus Richardson, 22, could face life in prison without the benefit of parole if convicted of … Continue reading →

PORT ALLEN — Residents living within a one-mile radius of the Air Liquide Speciality Chemicals plant were given the OK to return home, and a portion of U.S. 190 reopened Wednesday morning following Monday’s explosion and chemical fire at the Port Allen site. However, what caused the fire remained under investigation, officials said. Continue reading →

PLAQUEMINE — Four Georgia Gulf contract employees underwent hospital treatment Tuesday night after being exposed to chlorine at the company’s plant in Plaquemine, a spokesman said Wednesday. Alan Chapple, spokesman for Georgia Gulf, said the four were working near a railcar they didn’t know was leaking chlorine around 9 p.m. Tuesday. Chapple said … Continue reading →

On Friday, the Pointe Coupee Historical Society will present “King Creole,” starring Elvis Presley, as the fifth movie in its Louisiana Film Series. The film was shot in New Orleans. Show time begins at 7 p.m. at the Julien Poydras Museum and Arts Center, 500 W. Main St., in New Roads. The … Continue reading →

Officials are investigating the cause of a chlorine gas leak at the Georgia Gulf plant in Plaquemine, according to the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s deputies are on standby, but it appears the leak did not escape the facility’s grounds on La. 405 and will not be a threat to the public, Maj. Johnny Blanchard said. Continue reading →

PORT ALLEN — Emergency service crews hope to have a better handle Wednesday on site clean-up and damage assessment after Monday’s explosion and chemical fire at Air Liquide Speciality Chemicals in West Baton Rouge Parish, authorities said Tuesday. Until that happens, U.S. 190 between Port Allen and Erwinville will remain closed, State Police spokesman Stephen … Continue reading →

• Area evacuated after chemical fire

PORT ALLEN — The cause of an Air Liquide Speciality Chemicals plant fire and explosion Monday that sent hundreds of cylinders into the air and forced scores of evacuations will not be known until after firefighters can secure the site, authorities said. George Smalley, a spokesman for Air Liquide, said the fire … Continue reading →

NEW ROADS — The Pointe Coupee Parish School Board on Thursday unanimously decided to post a reduction in force notice to district employees in the event that layoffs may be necessary to balance the 2012-13 fiscal year budget. But Superintendent Linda D’Amico said the board’s action was simply a “just in case” … Continue reading →

PORT ALLEN — Ann Stelly and Kari Stentiford proved schoolteachers truly are heroes of the community. The Port Allen Elementary School faculty members recently taught the community a valuable lesson in emergency response and rescue when they charged into a home in danger of burning to evacuate its occupants. On May 1, … Continue reading →

PLAQUEMINE — Employees of the parish’s Head Start program may reapply for their positions at an upcoming job fair, an official told the Iberville Parish Council on Tuesday. The Head Start chief administrative officer, Edwards “Lucky” Songy, told councilmen during their regular council meeting that the event, open only to current Head Start employees, … Continue reading →

NEW ROADS — The City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance Tuesday night that will increase court costs in Mayor’s Court from $45 to $65. The measure was passed after a public hearing during which no one spoke in opposition of the change. Mayor Robert Myer said the city is not trying to … Continue reading →

The West Baton Rouge Museum and LSU’s Division of Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising will showcase the works of select graduate students as part of a fashion showcase titled “Turning Eco-Friendly Fashion Inside Out.” The first student’s work to be shown in this series is that of Kate Daniel. Daniel has designed an eco-friendly … Continue reading →

PLAQUEMINE — Iberville Parish sheriff’s deputies on Tuesday arrested a second suspect in connection with a March 30 fatal shooting at a Plaquemine motel. Jason Banks, 41, of Allen Street in Plaquemine, was arrested at 10 a.m. and booked into the Iberville Parish Jail on conspiracy and drug counts related to the slaying in … Continue reading →

PLAQUEMINE — A proposal by Iberville Parish School Superintendent Ed Cancienne to reverse start times of the district’s elementary and high school students in the upcoming school year got a lukewarm reception from several School Board members Monday night. Cancienne told the board he wants to bump up the start time … Continue reading →

PORT ALLEN –– The West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office have arrested a 22-year-old man in the fatal shooting of a Brusly man at the La. 1 Exxon Truck Plaza Sunday night. Marcus Richardson, of Port Allen, was arrested around 8:50 a.m. Monday and booked into the West Baton Rouge Parish Jail on a count of second-degree … Continue reading →

PLAQUEMINE — The Iberville Parish School System on Friday marked a major expansion of its Math, Science and Arts Academy-West campus with opening ceremonies for its $2.4 million Science, Technology, Engineering and Math learning center. The new 11,000-square-foot center took a little more than a year to construct and adds five additional classrooms to the … Continue reading →

NEW ROADS — Pointe Coupee Parish residents are going to have to become more responsible when it comes to keeping track of their parish-issued garbage cans if they want to avoid being charged replacement fees in the near future. The Pointe Coupee Parish Police Jury approved a resolution Tuesday stating residents will have to pay … Continue reading →

PORT ALLEN — A couple scheduled to stand trial in the 2007 fatal beating of the woman’s 16-month-old daughter pleaded guilty to amended lesser charges and were sentenced in 18th Judicial District Court. A West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury indicted Jeremy Jordan, 27, of Addis, and Shaelsie Jason, 27, of Baton Rouge, … Continue reading →

PORT ALLEN — West Baton Rouge Parish officials have taken what they say is an important next step in building a toll road linking La. 415 to La. 1 by hiring a consulting engineering firm to produce a highly accurate picture of the project’s revenue potential. Parish President Riley “Peewee” Berthelot said Tuesday the … Continue reading →

PORT ALLEN ­­— While the city’s 2012-13 budget still needs tweaking, officials said one thing appears to be certain: Port Allen will be running a nearly $300,000 deficit, which may lead to residents paying increased fees for some municipal services. Mayor Roger Bergeron delivered the forecast to the City Council on Wednesday night in … Continue reading →

The West Baton Rouge Senior Spirit is sponsoring a two-night trip to north Louisiana from May 31 to June 2. The cost of the trip is $230, which includes transportation, six meals, overnight accommodations and admissions. The trip will feature tours of the 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base, American Rose Gardens, … Continue reading →

The outside northbound lane of La. 1 at the Intracoastal Canal in West Baton Rouge Parish will be closed from Wednesday until Thursday across the length of the bridge, according to the state Department of Transportation and Development. The lane is being closed at 8 p.m. Wednesday while DOTD crews perform … Continue reading →

Iberville Parish sheriff deputies arrested a Houston man Thursday and booked him into Parish Jail with possession of more than 33 pounds of cocaine. Sheriff Brent Allain said the department’s Interstate Criminal Enforcement Division was conducting a traffic stop Thursday near the corporate limits of Grosse Tete along Interstate 10 when they pulled over … Continue reading →

PORT ALLEN –– Nightclubs and bars may be permitted to stay open just a little longer in the near future should the City Council approve a proposal by Councilman Irvrie Johnson. But the extended hours won’t be used to sell alcoholic beverages; instead the extra time will be used by employees to … Continue reading →

Starting Monday night, a segment of Interstate 10 in West Baton Rouge Parish will be reduced to one lane eastbound every night until Saturday so that crews can patch pavement, according to a Department of Transportation and Development news release. The lane closures will start just east of Exit 139 at Grosse Tete and end at … Continue reading →

PORT ALLEN — Mayor Roger Bergeron is asking the City Council to approve his plan to recreate a department of public works aimed at establishing better communication within the administration and improving efficiency of the city’s public services divisions. The mayor wants to hire a new department director tasked with … Continue reading →

PORT ALLEN — Police officers and sheriff’s deputies arrested an 18-year-old Port Allen man in connection with a residential burglary in the 600 block of Maryland Avenue, authorities reported Wednesday. Tyrone Thomas Jr., of 509 Azalea St., was booked Tuesday at the West Baton Rouge Detention Center on one count of simple burglary of an … Continue reading →

New Roads will present a three-day shopping extravaganza, “Market at the Mill,” from Friday through Sunday at the historic cotton mill three blocks north of Main Street, off Oak Street. Local vendors, craftsmen and artists will be selling antiques, gifts and handcrafted wares. Architectural pieces, collectibles and country furniture will be on display. Continue reading →

NEW ROADS — A state judge granted a reprieve Tuesday to a wolf dog hybrid he ordered destroyed for aggressive behavior, instead “sentencing” the animal to serve a life term as a guard dog in the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Judge James Best of 18th Judicial District Court signed an order releasing custody of Chief to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections at the request of prison officials who want to use the animal as a guard dog at Angola. Continue reading →

PLAQUEMINE — Shintech Louisiana announced Monday plans to build a multimillion-dollar plant in Plaquemine that could create more than 300 direct and indirect jobs. During a news conference at the Iberville Parish Courthouse, Shintech Vice President Ervin Schroeder said SE Tylose, a sister company of Shintech, is set to build a hydroxyethyl … Continue reading →

The Iberville Parish Head Start program is accepting applications for Children born between October 2007 and December 2009 for the 2012-2013 school year. Applications are available at Iberville Parish Head Start centers in Plaquemine and Bayou Sorrel, and at Dorseyville Elementary School, North Iberville School and East Iberville School. Call Mary Butler at (225) 685-5200 … Continue reading →

ADDIS — Relatives of a woman killed in a wreck at an intersection that area residents describe as hazardous sued the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development on Monday. The lawsuit was filed in 18th Judicial District Court on behalf of the daughters of Ann Hope Browne, the sister
of LSU football coach … Continue reading →

NEW ROADS — An aggressive wolf-dog hybrid known to escape frequently from its owners’ property and terrorize neighbors and smaller dogs must be euthanized, state District Judge James Best ordered during a court hearing Friday. After the hearing and away from the courthouse, authorities said, the 17-year-old owner was arrested after he allegedly yelled, … Continue reading →

PLAQUEMINE — The Community Development Institute, a federally appointed Head Start program manager, will start running Iberville Parish’s Head Start program on May 31, said Edward “Lucky” Songy, the parish’s chief administrative officer. “Our program will terminate on May 30. There will be a total separation between Iberville Parish Council and Community Development Institute … Continue reading →

Dow Chemical Corp. is taking applications for its annual Community Gives grant program for charitable organizations, nonprofits, and municipal and government agencies. Qualifying organizations that support science, technology, engineering, math, education, economic development and other criteria will share in the $100,000 award. Applications will be accepted online only through May 31. Visit http://www.Dow.com/Louisiana for applications … Continue reading →

More than 40 years after suffering severe injuries inflicted by a mob who kicked and beat him during a Jan. 10, 1972, riot downtown, television newsman Bob Johnson was honored posthumously Tuesday at LSU for his bravery. The attack left him physically and mentally disabled until his death on Jan. 30, 2011, at the age of 77. … Continue reading →

ADDIS — Relatives of three people killed in a wreck at an intersection described by area residents as dangerous sued the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development on Tuesday. The lawsuit asserts state engineers had evidence the crossing was unsafe but failed to address it in a timely manner. DOTD spokesperson Jodi Conachen referred … Continue reading →

PORT ALLEN — West Baton Rouge voters will decide April 21 whether to approve for a third time a property tax to fund future art and historical exhibits, children’s programming and teaching seminars at the West Baton Rouge Museum. The 2-mill, 10-year tax first approved in 1993 and renewed in 2003 for another 10 … Continue reading →

PLAQUEMINE — Iberville Parish voters face decisions in the April 21 election on propositions to fund parks and recreation services, to maintain public buildings and whether to increase homestead exemption for disabled veterans. Under one proposition, voters can choose to double the state’s homestead exemption for 100 percent disabled veterans and their spouses. Continue reading →

VENTRESS — A Ventress woman was airlifted to a Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center with a punctured lung Wednesday afternoon after being shot three times with a BB gun, Pointe Coupee Parish sheriff’s Capt. Steven Juge said. Detectives arrested Leslie Aguillard, 23, of Michael Lane in Ventress, on a count of … Continue reading →

PORT ALLEN — A 6-foot alligator showed up at the front door of a Super 8 Motel on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said. A motel employee said the alligator bit a guest. About 4 p.m., the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about an alligator at the motel at 821 … Continue reading →

The Elayn Hunt Correctional Center’s Job and Community Resource Fair is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 in St. Gabriel. More than 250 skilled and semi-skilled offenders eligible for release within six months will attend the fair. Tax credits and salary reimbursements are available for qualified participating businesses and agencies. Continue reading →

PLAQUEMINE — Port Allen police on Friday captured a suspect wanted in a March 30 fatal shooting at a motel just south of Plaquemine. Jerome Harden, 21, 58770 Allen St., Plaquemine was arrested without incident at a home on Atchafalaya Street in Port Allen around 11:30 a.m., Iberville sheriff’s Detective Hosea Anderson said. Continue reading →

NEW ROADS — A state district judge ruled Thursday that a Kansas woman may no longer hold up nearly 300 residents of the Pecan Acres and Pleasantview subdivisions from collecting a $2 million insurance settlement reached after their homes flooded during Hurricane Gustav. During a lively hearing in 18th Judicial District Court, Judge James Best … Continue reading →

PLAQUEMINE — The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office has identified a suspect in the March 30 fatal shooting at a motel on La. 1. Jerome Harden, 21, 58770 Allen St., Plaquemine, is accused of killing Ryan Daley, 31, at the Relax Inn, just south of Plaquemine, sheriff’s Detective Hosea Anderson said. Anderson said a witness … Continue reading →