This update was originally scheduled for Friday but was delayed as the editor was on site assisting with ongoing work at the property. PORT ALLEN – Progress continues at Theodore "Mr. Teddy" Melancon's home on Gladiolus Street as a new contractor takes the lead, a local business
March 05, 2026
Excerpt: Congressman Cleo Fields says he strongly opposes any ICE detention facility in his district. Port Allen is drafting a formal opposition letter. Residents are organizing. And parish officials say ICE still hasn't made formal contact.
March 04, 2026
The West Baton Rouge Museum hosted the National History Day regional competition in February, with students presenting projects on everything from MKUltra to factory fires. Brusly High's Ireland Adams took first place in the exhibit category and is headed to state.
March 03, 2026
WBR Parish approved a $133,000 change order for the Erwinville fire and sheriff substation — because the site was scraped months before construction started, sat exposed, collected water, and became unstable. The geotechnical consultant said it could have been avoided.
March 03, 2026
A box truck and 18-wheeler collision on I-10 eastbound near Grosse Tete killed one person and shut down traffic for miles during the early morning commute. Mechanical extrication was required.
March 03, 2026
A grass fire burned several acres near homes in Erwinville on Monday — four days after the parish president publicly defended his decision not to issue a burn ban while more than 20 other Louisiana parishes had already done so.
March 02, 2026
Two juveniles were hospitalized with moderate to severe injuries after an ATV flipped multiple times behind the levee in Brusly. The police chief says private landowners are fed up — and parents need to know where their kids are riding.
February 28, 2026
WBR Parish Council members with industry experience pushed back hard on a $133K change order for the Erwinville fire substation, calling lime pricing that hit $500 per ton "crazy excessive." The council tabled the item and demanded competitive bids.
February 26, 2026
More than 20 Louisiana parishes issued burn bans as wildfires burned across the state. WBR Parish was not among them — and when WBR Independent asked parish leaders why, the response was largely silence.
February 25, 2026
