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Brusly's sewer contractor still hasn't finished the job, and the town's done paying to wait
Meeting Coverage Featured

Brusly's sewer contractor still hasn't finished the job, and the town's done paying to wait

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.

John Summers July 13, 2026
Parish Council rewrites its sign and subdivision rules
Meeting Coverage Featured

Parish Council rewrites its sign and subdivision rules

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

John Summers July 10, 2026
WBR Parish Pipeline Ordinance Could Cost Taxpayers Without Improving Safety, State Regulator Warns
Meeting Coverage Featured

WBR Parish Pipeline Ordinance Could Cost Taxpayers Without Improving Safety, State Regulator Warns

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.

John Summers July 09, 2026
Addis police: Evidence tampered with in death of 7-year-old Paris Williams
Emergency Services

Addis police: Evidence tampered with in death of 7-year-old Paris Williams

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.

John Summers July 08, 2026
Good News for Port Allen: Sewer Upgrades Coming in Under Budget
Meeting Coverage

Good News for Port Allen: Sewer Upgrades Coming in Under Budget

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.

John Summers July 08, 2026
WBR Parish Council Rolls Back Millages, But Rising Property Values Tell a Different Story
Meeting Coverage

WBR Parish Council Rolls Back Millages, But Rising Property Values Tell a Different Story

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.

John Summers July 07, 2026
Darren Dorman Jr. Is Fifth Inmate to Die at WBR Detention Center Since 2024
Emergency Services

Darren Dorman Jr. Is Fifth Inmate to Die at WBR Detention Center Since 2024

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.

John Summers July 07, 2026
Second suspect surrenders in death of 7-year-old Addis girl
Emergency Services

Second suspect surrenders in death of 7-year-old Addis girl

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.

John Summers July 06, 2026
Used Car Dealership Bid Ignites Heated Debate at Port Allen Council
Meeting Coverage

Used Car Dealership Bid Ignites Heated Debate at Port Allen Council

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.

John Summers July 06, 2026
Port Allen police arrest man with machine gun conversion device after chase
Emergency Services

Port Allen police arrest man with machine gun conversion device after chase

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.

John Summers July 03, 2026
Mother arrested on murder charge in death of 7-year-old Addis girl
Emergency Services

Mother arrested on murder charge in death of 7-year-old Addis girl

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.

John Summers July 03, 2026
Red, White and 250: Your Guide to Fourth of July in West Baton Rouge Parish
Community

Red, White and 250: Your Guide to Fourth of July in West Baton Rouge Parish

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.

John Summers July 03, 2026
Man wanted for second-degree murder in death of 7-year-old girl in Addis
Emergency Services

Man wanted for second-degree murder in death of 7-year-old girl in Addis

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.

John Summers July 02, 2026
Port Allen family loses everything in Louisiana Avenue house fire; community rallies to help
Community

Port Allen family loses everything in Louisiana Avenue house fire; community rallies to help

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.

John Summers July 01, 2026
Manufactured Home Destroyed in Early Morning Fire in Addis
Emergency Services

Manufactured Home Destroyed in Early Morning Fire in Addis

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.

John Summers June 29, 2026
Two Families Displaced After Duplex Fire on Avenue B
Emergency Services

Two Families Displaced After Duplex Fire on Avenue B

A Sunday evening fire at a duplex on Avenue B in Port Allen displaced two families. The preliminary cause was traced to an air conditioning unit in the attic. No injuries were reported

John Summers June 28, 2026
What the WBR Parish Council Did on June 11: Roads, Fire Funding, and Three New Ordinances
Meeting Coverage

What the WBR Parish Council Did on June 11: Roads, Fire Funding, and Three New Ordinances

The West Baton Rouge Parish Council awarded a road rehabilitation contract, secured $1.5 million in state fire funding, and introduced three development code ordinances — including a pipeline permit ordinance now facing state preemption concerns.

John Summers June 25, 2026
She didn't know anyone in Port Allen. So she started a run club.
Community

She didn't know anyone in Port Allen. So she started a run club.

Gwen Riviere moved to Port Allen in 2015 and didn't know a soul. Seven years later, the run club she co-founded at Jack's Place is still going strong every Thursday — rain, heat, or shine.

John Summers June 24, 2026

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