Editor's Note: This story was delayed while WBR Independent assisted in coordinating community support for local veteran Theodore Melancon. The council vote took place January 22, 2026. January 22 meeting also brings new bridge requirements, water quality notice for Erwinville area PORT ALLEN, LA — The West Baton Rouge
February 12, 2026
Social media reaction to one property sparks outside attention, but city says work has been ongoing for years PORT ALLEN — A viral moment from a recent council meeting drew outside attention to a blighted property at 626 Gladiolus Street, but Mayor Terecita Pattan told the Public Safety Committee on February
February 11, 2026
Editor's Note: This is Part 1 of WBR Independent's coverage of the Fire District No. 1 Civil Service Board. Part 2 will dig into the details — what led to the termination, the legal questions surrounding it, and what it means for the department going forward. Fire
February 10, 2026
Council weighs granting mayor emergency contract authority while land negotiations advance on Allendale property PORT ALLEN — The city's sewer treatment system is running on just two of five needed blowers, City Engineer Tony Arikol told the Public Works Committee on February 5, calling the situation critical as the
February 10, 2026
By John Summers | WBR Independent Published: February 9, 2026 BRUSLY — The Brusly Town Council's Feb. 2 committee meeting laid bare a growing dispute with a defaulted sewer lagoon contractor, revealed that road overlay bids have exceeded state thresholds, and previewed a residential variance request headed for formal action
February 09, 2026
A hit-and-run in Port Allen led to a vehicle pursuit that ended in a sugar cane field near Brusly High School Saturday night, according to media releases from both the Port Allen Police Department and the Brusly Police Department. Christian Gordon, 20, was arrested and transported to the West Baton
February 07, 2026
A West Baton Rouge Parish school bus driver and aide were captured on video berating students and confronting parents who were on the phone with their children, with multiple recordings now circulating on social media. In the videos, the driver can be heard using explicit profanity in front students and
February 06, 2026
Council approves $175,000 emergency transfer as treatment plant nears breaking point PORT ALLEN – The city's wastewater treatment plant is running on two of five blowers, and engineer Tony Arikol told the city council January 7 that if another one fails, the plant goes septic. That means raw
February 05, 2026
Council fills long-vacant administrative post, overhauls employee pay, and addresses audit improvements PORT ALLEN – Editor's note: WBR Independent continues to follow the situation at 626 Gladiolus Street. We are working to bring all sides of the story together for a follow-up to our earlier coverage. This article covers
February 04, 2026