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Port Allen Wastewater Plant Down to Two of Five Blowers, Engineer Warns of Failure
News

Port Allen Wastewater Plant Down to Two of Five Blowers, Engineer Warns of Failure

Port Allen's wastewater plant is running on two of five blowers. The engineer told the council one more failure means raw sewage discharges. The council approved a $175,000 emergency transfer to start replacing equipment.

John Summers February 05, 2026
Port Allen Hires Hometown CAO, Approves Pay Raises in January Meetings
Meeting Coverage

Port Allen Hires Hometown CAO, Approves Pay Raises in January Meetings

Port Allen hired a new CAO — a Port Allen native with a finance background — raised salaries for elected officials, and overhauled a longevity pay policy unchanged since 1962, all in its January meetings.

John Summers February 04, 2026
Local Nonprofit Honors MLK Legacy With Winter Essentials Drive for West Baton Rouge Organizations
Community

Local Nonprofit Honors MLK Legacy With Winter Essentials Drive for West Baton Rouge Organizations

The Vision Project turned MLK Day into action, collecting winter essentials for shelters, senior centers, nursing homes, and a trafficking survivor facility serving West Baton Rouge Parish.

John Summers February 03, 2026
Fact-Check: Manola's State of the Parish Leaves Out Key Context
Meeting Coverage

Fact-Check: Manola's State of the Parish Leaves Out Key Context

WBR Independent checked the claims in Parish President Jason Manola's State of the Parish address. Some hold up. Others are missing documentation, omit key context, or haven't been independently verified.

John Summers February 03, 2026
Brusly Council Puts Sewer Project Contractor on Notice for $500-Per-Day Penalties
News

Brusly Council Puts Sewer Project Contractor on Notice for $500-Per-Day Penalties

Brusly's $3.7 million sewer lagoon project is more than a year behind schedule. The council voted 4-1 to start hitting the contractor with $500-per-day penalties after rejecting another extension request.

John Summers February 02, 2026
WBRSO: Check fraud investigation leads to multiple arrests, four still wanted
Emergency Services

WBRSO: Check fraud investigation leads to multiple arrests, four still wanted

A WBRSO investigation into a check fraud scheme targeting two local businesses ended in five arrests and warrants for four more suspects. The group is accused of cashing roughly $10,000 in fraudulent payroll checks across the Baton Rouge area.

John Summers January 30, 2026
Addis VFW Takes Over Relief Fund for Port Allen Veteran
Community

Addis VFW Takes Over Relief Fund for Port Allen Veteran

https://www.wbrindependent.com/addis-vfw-takes-over-relief-fund-for-port-allen-veteran/

John Summers January 27, 2026
Addis Council Approves First Baptist Church Land Subdivision
Meeting Coverage

Addis Council Approves First Baptist Church Land Subdivision

Editor's Note: This story reported on the unanimous preliminary plat approval in January 2026. The final plat was approved at the following month's meeting, with Councilwoman Bliss Bernard casting the lone dissenting vote. This story has been updated to reflect that clarification. April 16, 2026 The

John Summers January 27, 2026
UPDATE: Fatal Fire 1,600 Feet from a Fire Station Follows December Blaze That Killed Two Pets
Emergency Services

UPDATE: Fatal Fire 1,600 Feet from a Fire Station Follows December Blaze That Killed Two Pets

A mother and son died in a house fire 1,600 feet from the Erwinville Volunteer Fire Department — the second structure fire near that station in less than two months. Fire officials had previously acknowledged a volunteer shortage.

John Summers January 26, 2026

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© 2025 WBR Independent. Published by West River Solutions LLC. Port Allen, Louisiana. Principle, not politics.

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