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Mild & Muggy with a Few Showers, Strong Storms Tomorrow Afternoon

Jesse Gunkel / Chief Meteorologist — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:30:15 -0600

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

EMS to pay for new $7.5 million facility

Tyler Gamble, Reporter — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:12:10 -0600

Many public agencies are trying to figure out how to do more with less, but Baton Rouge EMS officials say they've been saving up for a rainy day, and hope to build a new facility.

The agency has shared a building with the city police department downtown for the past 20 years.

During that time, EMS expanded, and officials say, they've outgrown the building.

Plans for the new facility are underway.

Officials say it would cost an estimated $7.5 million.

Disabled man demands a more "handicap-friendly" Baton Rouge

Emily Turner / NBC33 News — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:35:34 -0600

A disabled man is giving city officials one month to make Baton Rouge more handicap-friendly…or he's taking them to court.

G. Washington Eames claims the downtown area is in total non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, federal regulations designed to give handicapped people full access to public goods, services and facilities.

Eames says over the past three years he's written multiple letters to city officials pointing out the problems with handicap parking and restroom access. He says he hasn’t gotten a response back yet.

LSU athletes cited for fighting outside a bar

Kelsey Scram — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:04:27 -0600

LSU Men's Basketball Coach Trent Johnson says Dennis Harris will be on the court for this Thursday's SEC Tournament. Harris and LSU wide receiver Terrence Toliver were involved in an early morning brawl outside of Fred's Bar Sunday. Police say Toliver was cited for disturbing the peace by public intoxication and resisting an officer in a scuffle.

Harris, a redshirt freshman on the men's basketball team, was cited for interfering with a police officer.

Investigators say Toliver was tased after he refused to comply with officers' commands.

Wet Week: Rain with Strong Storms Expected Until Thursday Morning

Jesse Gunkel / Chief Meteorologist — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:10:02 -0600

Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Bayou Goula Fire Station helps cut insurance rates

Emily Turner / NBC33 News — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:54:21 -0600

Folks in Bayou Goula can thank local firefighters for an expected drop in fire insurance rates.

That's because Iberville Parish's Fire District 8 received a Class 6 ranking by the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana.

The Bayou Goula department had held a Class 10 ranking— the lowest possible.

Parish leaders claim newly updated equipment and fire hydrants led to the improvement.

Bayou Goula homeowners like Dorothy Jackson say the community can benefit from lower insurance rates, however, she's more relieved to know firefighters are better prepared for emergencies.

State troopers seize 800lbs of pot

Tyler Gamble, Reporter — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:42:33 -0600

Louisiana State Police recovered nearly 800 pounds of marijuana Sunday morning.

Troopers stopped 38 year old Aaron Major on I-12 around 7:30.

During the traffic stop, they found three large duffle bags with nearly 200 pounds of packaged marijuana.

Later in the morning, Troopers arrested 22 year old Stacey Hopper on I-12.

Troopers found more than 500 pounds of marijuana hidden in various pieces of furniture in the U-Haul truck he was driving.

Body found in Zachary

Tyler Gamble, Reporter — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:02:17 -0600

Zachary Police are investigating a murder.

Detectives say Department of Public Works employees found a man's body while working on McHugh road early Monday morning.

The victim is described as a black man in his 30s.

Police say they have identified the victim but are waiting for autopsy results to be sure.

The body was found in a rural part of Zachary on one of the few remaining gravel roads in town.

Capt. David McDavid says the discovery was shocking.

"It's definitely tough coming in on a Monday morning," said David.

Drivers license fees up

Tyler Gamble, Reporter — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:51:55 -0600

Driving in Louisiana comes with a price, and today the price went up 70%.

License fees for class "D" and "E" drivers now cost $36.50.

That's up $15.00.

The extra money covers a fee for the National Driver Registry--a federal program that provides driver history to Motor Vehicle offices nation wide.

The state has covered the cost of the fee for the past two years, but budget cuts are forcing the fee on to Louisiana drivers.

Mostly Cloudy & Warmer Overnight, Cloudy, Warm, & Showers PM/Late Tomorrow

Natalie Noah — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:38:35 -0600

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming southeast between 5 and 10 mph.

Monday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Mostly Cloudy & Warmer Overnight, Cloudy, Warm, & Showers PM/Late Tomorrow

Natalie Noah — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:31:07 -0600

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming southeast between 5 and 10 mph.

Monday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Offenders need better transitions from jail back to community

Kelsey Scram — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:13:45 -0600

People in the capital city worked together with state officials today to make communities safer. Corrections officials focused on how to help prison inmates stay out of trouble once they get out of jail.

For more information on how you can get involved, or just to see what measures are being taken to help offenders re-enter society, check out their website.

http://www.corrections.state.la.us/

Mostly Clear & Cool Overnight, Warm & Becoming Partly Cloudy Tomorrow

Natalie Noah — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:38:43 -0600

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. East wind around 5 mph.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Monday Night: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.

Gorgeous Weekend: Sunny, Warm, & Comfy!

Jesse Gunkel / Chief Meteorologist — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:21:28 -0600

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. East wind around 5 mph.

Monday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.

LA lawmaker pushes for saggy pants ban

Emily Turner / NBC33 News — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:58:41 -0600

A Lafayette lawmaker is hoping the third time's a charm when it comes to a proposed bill that would ban saggy pants across the state of louisiana.

Democratic Rep. Rickey Hardy will bring House Bill 103 to the upcoming legislative session.

Hardy is reviving former Sen. Derrick Shepherd's push to make the wearing of low-riding bottoms illegal.

The proposal was mocked by lawmakers around the country. The bill was first shot down in 2004 by the House, and in 2008 by the Senate.

The Weather Continues to Improve

Jesse Gunkel / Chief Meteorologist — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:05:31 -0600

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 41. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 72.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 56.

LSU firefighter trainer accused of stealing state property

Emily Turner / NBC33 News — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:15:51 -0600

LSU's Fire and Emergency Training Institute received a generous gift from FEMA--a few thousand fire extinguishers for the program.
But investigators say 41-year-old Willie Landry did not use them for training.

LSU Students Concerned Over Cuts

Andrew Capasso — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:04:25 -0600

LSU students and faculty met at a rally to protest recent cuts and tuition hikes at the State's flagship university.

Students we spoke with say they're seeing the school move in the wrong direction - and they're concerned about the quality and value of education they get at LSU.

Earlier this year, jobs and programs were cut from LSU. It's in response to the State's budget crisis.

One theatre major we spoke says he's already looking at transferring to another school.

Hold the tomatoes!

Tyler Gamble, Reporter — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:56:49 -0600

It's a popular ingredient in salads and sandwiches, but if you want to use tomatoes these days, it's going to cost you.

Freezing temperatures this winter ruined much of Florida's tomato crop, and sent prices up significantly.

Even here in Louisiana.

Gustav damaged home finally repaired

Kelsey Scram — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:43:07 -0600

Nearly a year and a half after Hurricane Gustav ravaged the Capital City, one woman gets a second chance.

A local church banded together to fix her damaged home over the weekend.

As Kelsey Scram reports now she wants to reach out to others in the same situation.

More Great Weather on the Way

David D'Aquin / NBC33 News — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:13:46 -0600

Today: Sunny, with a high near 61. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 35. Calm wind.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 63. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 67. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 68.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.

NBC33 Special Investigation: Legalizing Medical Marijuana

Andrew Capasso — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:00:00 -0600

It's legal in 14 states - now a group of Louisiana citizens is trying to make medical marijuana legal in the Bayou State.

Donnie Griffith and Toashia Monaghan are the two behind the latest effort. They say they're getting lots of support - but there's also lots of roadblocks.

Folks in the medical and political fields have lots of questions about how an issue like this could be taken seriously in such a conservative state. Representative Bodi White from Denham Springs says any medical marijuana law would never even make it to the floor for a debate.

Wonderful Weather Ahead, Temperatures Continue to Climb

Jesse Gunkel / Chief Meteorologist — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:28:15 -0600

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 61. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 65.

Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 42.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 70.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Monday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.

Central woman speaks out against drunk drivers

Emily Turner / NBC33 News — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:54:04 -0600

An NBC 33 report on a Gonzales man who was busted on his 6th suspected DWI charge has a Central woman demanding answers.

52-year-old Debra Crafton says two years ago she was nearly killed by a driver who had been arrested 4 times for drinking and driving.

She says 29-year-old Robert Nobles left her for dead after crashing into her head on.

Authorities say Nobles turned himself in 5 days later and has been charged with felony hit and run.

St. Gabriel Police Chief Facing Ethics Charges

Andrew Capasso — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:12:12 -0600

Many in St. Gabriel are standing by their Chief of Police.
This, as he faces ethics charges.

The State Ethics Board says Chief Kevin Ambeau shouldn't be running a private security business while he's the head of the Police Department.
The Board announced the charges earlier this week, citing a conflict of interest.

Community members say they need to proof that Chief Ambeau did something wrong.

Nice, Spring-Like Weather on the Way

David D'Aquin / NBC33 News — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:35:29 -0600

Today: Sunny, with a high near 57. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 62. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 39.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 65.

Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 42.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 70.

Getting Serious About Competition

Andrew Capasso — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:40:24 -0600

Officials at Baton Rouge Airport say they've not serving the people who could use the place well.

Now - they've formed a task force to see what they can do about fares, connections, and keeping folks in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas from using airports like New Orleans.

The task force is made up of 12 business leaders in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. They'll have the first meeting in a few weeks. They're set to meet for a year. No word on when the first recommendations will first come out.

Chilly Tonight, Beautiful & Much Warmer the Rest of the Week

Jesse Gunkel / Chief Meteorologist — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:53:20 -0600

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60. North wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 62.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 65.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Gonzales man arrested on suspicion of 6th DWI

Emily Turner / NBC33 News — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:54:27 -0600

A Gonzales man back on the streets after posting a $30,000 bond for his sixth suspected DWI arrest.

Authorities say 34-year-old John C. Massey was busted after he failed a field sobriety test. It's the sixth time Massey has been arrested for drinking and driving since 2000.

Deputies say so far he's been convicted on three seperate DWI charges--one has been thrown out and he still has to go to court on the arrest prior to Saturday's booking.

Officials say most likely pack of dogs killed flamingos

Kelsey Scram — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:33:37 -0600

Animal Control officers believe a pack of dogs is responsible for killing seventeen flamingos at the Baton Rouge Zoo. Zoo officials found the birds, dead, Monday morning. They say footprints in the exhibit point to dogs.

Animal control officers are convinced there is a dog pack problem in the area near the zoo. They say dog owners don't always obey leash laws and sometimes their dogs will pack up and hunt smaller animals at night.

Animal control has been patrolling the perimeter of the zoo, looking for the dogs that might have done this, but they're tough to find.