83 posts
Port Allen's 20-year search for a new sewer plant site is narrowing. Two properties are now in play — one a football field from Westside Village homes, the other offering 300 more feet of buffer but sitting outside city limits.
February 19, 2026
WBR Fire District fired Deputy Chief James Hartley for attending his son's football game and a casino while on sick leave. His attorney says it was retaliation. The full 66-page disciplinary file is published.
February 18, 2026
Dwayne Cedotal, 41, walked off a North Street job site in Baton Rouge while on work release from the West Baton Rouge Parish detention center. He's originally from the Plaquemine area and is serving time for simple burglary.
February 16, 2026
West Baton Rouge Parish Council approved 4.7% raises for all parish employees, adopted new bridge construction standards, and tightened junk vehicle rules at its January 22 meeting — while a water quality notice went out for the Erwinville area.
February 12, 2026
WBR Fire District No. 1 fired Deputy Chief James Hartley, accepted his appeal, and made five provisional leadership appointments — all within two weeks. Part 1 of WBR Independent's ongoing investigation into Fire District No. 1.
February 10, 2026
Videos show a WBR Parish school bus driver and aide cursing in front of students and confronting parents. A student was later told to delete the recordings or face suspension.
February 06, 2026
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.
February 05, 2026
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.
February 02, 2026
Residents near River Road reported a heavy petroleum smell. The Port Director says a vapor recovery system malfunction at Apex Oil Terminal was the cause — south winds carried the vapors toward Port Allen before the system was shut down.
January 12, 2026
