New Cohn Elementary opens Sept. 2 but permanent cabinets are delayed. The school board also switched to twice-monthly payroll, approved new student promotion rules and discussed funding $1.4 million in teacher stipends with local money.
July 17, 2026
Former West Side Bulldogs players and coaches relaunched youth football in Port Allen as the Jr Pels. About 80 kids ages 5 to 12 practice three nights a week at Port Allen High School. The team needs equipment before their first game Aug. 14
July 16, 2026
The Port Allen City Council voted down a rezoning request for the former West Side Journal building after a packed public hearing. Former CAO Lance Joseph's bid failed 3-2.
July 15, 2026
Brusly's sewer contractor still hasn't finished the punch list, and the town has stopped paying its engineer to wait. Plus: a new police hire from the sheriff's office, surplus equipment headed to Port Allen, a rezoning request, and a parish drainage project.
July 13, 2026
The West Baton Rouge Parish Council adopted two rewrites of the parish land-use code Thursday, tightening rules for signs and billboards and redefining how the parish classifies subdivisions. The council also honored Brusly golfer Maci Williams
July 10, 2026
Louisiana's top pipeline regulator says the WBR Parish Council's amended pipeline ordinance could create an authority the parish lacks the capability to enforce — raising costs for taxpayers without improving safety. The state was never sent the amended version.
July 09, 2026
Evidence in the death of seven-year-old Paris Williams was tampered with and concealed, the Addis Police Department revealed at a press conference. A 911 hang-up call from the child's mother came more than two hours before a second call reported the child unresponsive.
July 08, 2026
Port Allen's sewer system is getting some long-needed upgrades, and the price tag is coming in under budget. Here's what else happened at last Wednesday's committee meetings.
July 08, 2026
The WBR Parish Council approved its largest millage rollback in parish history, but rising property values from the 2024 reassessment tell a more complicated story. Officials say they've returned $20 million to taxpayers since 2020.
July 07, 2026
Darren Dorman Jr., 46, a federal detainee, was pronounced dead at the West Baton Rouge Parish Detention Center on Sunday night after being found unresponsive in a cell. Sheriff Jeff Bergeron ordered an investigation. The death is the fifth at the facility in just over two years.
July 07, 2026
Christopher Butler surrendered to the West Baton Rouge Parish jail Thursday afternoon on charges including second-degree murder. Both suspects in the death of a seven-year-old Addis girl are now in custody.
July 06, 2026
A rezoning request for the former West Side Journal building turned into a confrontation over due process, city staff conduct, and the future of a residential neighborhood. The council will vote this week.
July 06, 2026
A Port Allen man is facing five charges, including possession of a machine gun, after police say he discarded a Glock handgun equipped with an illegal automatic conversion device during a brief vehicle pursuit near Avenue C and S. 12th Street on July 2.
July 03, 2026
The mother of a seven-year-old girl who died following a domestic violence incident in Addis has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Addis Police Chief Jason Langlois confirmed Dorsey is the child's mother. A second suspect remains at large on related charges.
July 03, 2026
West Baton Rouge Parish residents won't have to go far to celebrate America's 250th birthday this Fourth of July. The annual Port Allen July 4th Fest returns Saturday with Rockin' Mozart School of Music, Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition, and fireworks at 9 p.m. Here's what you need to know.
July 03, 2026
The Addis Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for Christopher Butler in connection with the death of a seven-year-old girl following a domestic violence incident Wednesday evening. Butler is charged with second-degree murder and two counts of felony domestic abuse battery.
July 02, 2026
A Port Allen family lost everything in a Tuesday house fire on Louisiana Avenue. No one was hurt, and the community is rallying with donations and a GoFundMe to help them rebuild.
July 01, 2026
A manufactured home on Myhand Street in Addis was destroyed in an early morning fire Monday, the third structure fire in West Baton Rouge Parish in three days. All occupants escaped safely. No injuries were reported.
June 29, 2026
