Baton Rouge Press Releases

Recycled Art Show to benefit Habitat for Humanity

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

For more information contact:

Lynn Clark, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge: (225) 927-6651

Susan Boudreaux, Mayor�s Office: (225) 389-5101

Scott Dyer, Mayor�s Office: (225) 389-7957

Recycled Art Show to Benefit Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, the East Baton Rouge Recycling Office, and the Arts Council of Baton Rouge are joining forces to host the first annual Recycled Art Show and Silent Auction.

The rules are simple: competing artwork must be constructed from at least one recycling component from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. All items will be on display for a silent auction at the Arts Council Gallery at 427 Laurel Street from Friday, Nov. 6 through Thursday, Nov. 12. A closing reception is scheduled to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, with refreshments provided by BJ�s Restaurant and Brewhouse.

Artwork will include jewelry, wall art d�cor, folk artwork and other items. All proceeds from this event will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge.

Bids may be made in person during gallery hours from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Artwork can be viewed at the Habitat ReStore web site starting November 6 at http://www.habitatbr.org/restore/auction.php.

For more information on the event, Habitat for Humanity or the ReStore, please visit: http://www.habitatbr.org/

Mayor�s Neighborhood Expo slated for Saturday

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Mayor Melvin �Kip� Holden invites neighborhood leaders and community activists to join him and other City-Parish representatives at the Mayor�s Neighborhood Expo on Saturday, Nov. 7. The event will be held from 8 a.m. until noon at the BREC Administration Building at 6201 Florida Boulevard, and will feature presentations on a variety of city-parish services.

Topics will include crime prevention, enforcement of zoning laws and the new litter court program, as well as advice about how to address sewer, drainage and road problems.

The Department of Public Works, the Baton Rouge Police Department, the Parish Attorney�s Office, the Mayor�s Office and the Planning Commission staff will each hold workshops to inform residents about the ways that the City-Parish can assist neighborhoods and to answer any questions.

The Expo will also include informational booths provided by organizations involved with area neighborhoods, including the Mayor�s Office of Neighborhoods, the Downtown Development District and Baton Rouge Green.

Copies of the �Organize Your Neighborhood Now� booklets will also be distributed.

More information a about the Mayor�s Neighborhood Expo is available on the Expo�s Web site at www.brgov.com/dept/Mayor/expo.

Registrar of Voters Office Announces the Dates for Early Voting for the November 14, 2009 Election

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Early voting for the November 14, 2009 election will be conducted at the Registrar of Voters Office�s beginning Saturday, October 31, 2009 thru Saturday, November 7, 2009. Early voting hours are 8:30AM to 6:00PM.

Main Office: Governmental Building � 222 St Louis St � Rm 201

Southeast Office: Court Plaza Building � 10500 Coursey Blvd Rm 203

Baker Office: Motor Vehicle Building � 2250 Main St, Baker, LA

Satellite Office: SOS Archives Building � 3851 Essen Ln, BR, LA

Early voters should bring a Louisiana driver�s license; a Louisiana special identification card or some other recognized photo identification and their voter registration card.

Additional information may be obtained by calling the Registrar of Voters Office at (225) 389-3940.

Council OKs Landfill Methane Gas Contract

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

The Metro Council approved a contract Wednesday that is projected to net taxpayers $33 million over the next 20 years by selling methane gas from the North Baton Rouge Landfill.

The contract with Siemens Building Technology Inc. and Baton Rouge Renewable Energy LLC will collect methane gas that is currently being flared at the North Landfill and deliver it to ExxonMobil�s Baton Rouge Polyolefins Plant and Novolyte Technologies Chemical Plant. The methane gas will be used as a substitute for natural gas as a boiler fuel at both plants.

City-parish Public Works Director Pete Newkirk said the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the North Baton Rouge area equal to removing 59,000 cars from the road or planting 73,000 new acres of pine forests.

Under the 20-year contract, Siemens and Baton Rouge Renewable Energy will rebate a portion of the royalties � which figures to average about $1.65-million per year � back to the city-parish.

In 2007, Siemens won the right to develop the project after a competitive bidding process. Baton Rouge Renewable Energy will finance and own the project, while Siemens will design and build it.

The goal of the project, according to Newkirk, is the design, construct and operate a plant to extract methane gas from the landfill at no cost to the city-parish, and to provide the city-parish with a revenue stream.

The project will install a methane gas collection system at the landfill, along with a 3.75-mile long pipeline to transport the methane gas to ExxonMobil and a 1.5-mile pipeline to carry it to the Novolyte Technologies plant.

Construction is slated to begin on the landfill gas collection system and pipelines in November. The project is expected to be fully operational in the summer of 2010.

As part of the arrangement, the city-parish is slated to receive a $100,000 good-faith advance on the methane royalties in February of 2010.

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ANNUAL BACKYARD COMPOST BIN SALE

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009

ANNUAL BACKYARD COMPOST BIN SALE

RAIN BARREL SALE

MULCH GIVE AWAY

Baton Rouge residents can buy a discounted backyard compost bin or rain barrel, plus pick up some free mulch on Saturday November 7th from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Stadium, located at 1702 Foss Street. Residents should enter from Scenic Highway. Compost bins that retail for $100.00 will be sold for $30.00 and Rain Barrels that retail for $120 will be sold for $50.00. Nature�s Best Organics will offer free mulch, one scoop per pick-up truck or load-your-own container, while supplies last.

Twelve hundred of the �Earth Machine� compost bins and 1,035 Systern Rain Barrels will be sold while supplies last in this city-subsidized program. The Earth Machine is made of black recycled plastic, has an 80-gallon capacity, 10-year warranty, snaps together easily, and can fit into most cars. The Systern Rain Barrel has a 55-gallon capacity, is made of recycled plastic, has a 5-year warranty, and comes partially assembled. Residents who wish to purchase both a compost bin and rain barrel will need to bring a pick up, SUV, or hatchback.

A family can produce up to 1,000 pounds of yard waste annually. �Keeping yard waste off the curb through composting, grass cycling, and mulching saves landfill space, valuable resources, and money, states Susan Hamilton, Recycling Director for the City-Parish. �In as little as ten minutes a week, residents can convert leaves and grass into an abundant supply of organic matter for use in gardens, reduce curbside trash set outs by 30, and reduce gardening water bills by up to 30,� she said. According to Hamilton, the Systern rain barrel reduces household water bills and is an excellent, chemical-free water source for lawns, plants and gardens.

The LSU Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners and the EBRP Recycling Office will offer an Education Expo to teach residents how to use the compost bins, as well as how to practice grass cycling and mulching. ExxonMobil ExC!TE and LSU AED volunteers will be on hand to distribute the bins and barrels, and AT & T Pioneers will act as cashiers.

Sponsors and partners for this event are: the City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge Department of Public Works: Recycling Office, the Baton Rouge Police Department: Traffic Division, the Baton Rouge City Constable�s Office, ExxonMobil ExC!TE, Nature�s Best Organics/Natural Resources Recovery, Inc., the Recycling Foundation of Baton Rouge, The Advocate, LSU Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, Baton Rouge Coca Cola Bottling Company, the AT & T Pioneers, LSU AED, and BREC.

NO HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE OR ELECTRONIC WASTE WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS EVENT.

More Road Closures for �Battle: Los Angeles� Filming

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Filming for the motion picture, �Battle: Los Angeles,� will require road closures this week in the City Park area, underneath the Interstate 110 between Laurel and North streets, and on several local streets near the Choctaw Drive-Plank Road intersection.

The production involves numerous special effects, so residents and passing motorists should not be alarmed to see smoke and pyrotechnics at times.

Beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, the production will be shooting scenes beneath I-110 between Laurel and North streets for 12 hours, which will necessitate the closing of two Interstate 110 ramps in that area.. A third ramp will be subject to intermittent closures by police during that period.

The Main Street entrance ramp onto northbound I-110 will be closed from 6 p.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Thursday, as will Main Street between 9th and 10th streets.

The I-110 northbound exit ramp onto North Street will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Thursday, and the southbound I-110 exit ramp onto Laurel Street will be subject to intermittent closures by police during those same hours.

In addition, North Street between 9th and 10th streets will be closed from 6 p.m. Wednesday until 6 p.m. Thursday, as will 10th Street between Florida Boulevard and North Street.

Adjacent streets may be subject to police-controlled, short-term intermittent closures.

That same evening, crews will be filming near intersection of Plank Road and Choctaw Drive, necessitating the closing of three local streets from 5 p.m. Wednesday until 7 a.m. Thursday. The local roads to be closed include Monroe Avenue from Scenic Highway to Plank Road, Hiawatha Street from Monroe Avenue to Adams Avenue, and Tecumseh Street from Monroe to Adams Avenue. Alternate routes include Choctaw Drive, Scenic Highway, Plank Road and Adams Avenue.

In the City Park area, the movie will require closing two sections of East Lakeshore Drive from 10 a.m. Thursday until 9 a.m. Saturday. The closure will include the portion of E. Lakeshore Drive east of Dalrymple Drive between the City Park Golf Course and City Park Lake, as well as the section of East Lakeshore Drive that runs along the east side of City Park from Robert Street near the railroad tracks to the lake.

In addition, the section of Dalrymple Drive from East Washington Street to East Lakeshore Drive will experience police-controlled intermittent closures for the filming Thursday and Friday evening. (Please see the map below.) Alternate routes will include Dalrymple Drive and Lake Hills Parkway.

For additional information, contract the city-parish Department of Public Works Traffic Engineering Division at 389-3246.

Policed Controlled & Intermittent Closures

Complete Closure

Note to editors: The producers of "Battle: Los Angeles" have a very strict protocol for local media coverage.

All media inquiries about set visits, interviews, etc. should be sent writing to Brooke Ensign. Her email is brooke@tribeca111.com.

Your cooperation is appreciated.

South Harrell�s Ferry Road Project to Break Ground

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Baton Rouge, LA � Mayor-President Melvin L. �Kip� Holden will host a groundbreaking for the South Harrell�s Ferry Road � Segment 1 Project in the Green Light Plan at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2009 in the project right-of-way with parking at 11930 South Harrell�s Ferry Road, marking the start of construction on the twentieth Green Light Plan roadway project.

�As we break ground on another key project within the Green Light Plan, we are again reminded of the purpose of the Green Light Plan: to upgrade our streets and roads so that our citizens spend less time in traffic and get to work and home quicker,� said Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden. �When combined with the Southeast Area Group project and other projects within the Green Light Plan, the South Harrell�s Ferry Road � Segment 1 project will expand a key roadway in southeast Baton Rouge and becomes yet another important component in our effort to build high-quality road systems within major growth areas of the parish.�

With a construction cost of $13.2 million and an anticipated completion date of August 2011, the South Harrell�s Ferry Road � Segment 1 project will add two additional through lanes, sidewalks, and a raised median from Sherwood Forest Boulevard to Millerville Road. The project will require two bridges (one eastbound lane bridge and one westbound lane bridge) crossing Jones Creek, and will extend the improvements on South Harrell's Ferry Road east to Millerville Road. When combined with other projects in the Plan, it will provide an improved east-west connection in the area.

Groundbreaking Participants

From East Baton Rouge Parish:

Mayor-President Melvin L. �Kip� Holden, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

Representative Hunter V. Greene, District 66, Louisiana House of Representatives

Mayor-Pro Tem Mike Walker, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

Mike Futrell, Chief Administrative Officer, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

From the Department of Public Works:

Peter Newkirk, P.E., Director

Bryan Harmon, P.E., Deputy Director / Chief Engineer

Ingolf Partenheimer, P.E., Deputy Director / Chief Traffic Engineer

Jose Alvarez, P.E., Chief Construction Engineer

From the Green Light Plan; CSRS, Inc.:

Michael Songy, P.E., Program Director

Brad Ponder, P.E., Program Manager

From the Engineering Consultant; ABMB Engineers, Inc.:

Mr. Mike Bruce, P.E.

Mr. Gary Heitman, P.E.

Ms. Cindy Hall, P.E.

From the Contractor; James Construction Group, LLC:

Mr. Scott Ashmore

###

Governor to Help Resolve Alive! Site Dispute

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden issued the following statement in response:

�Our Administration has said all along that this issue could be resolved.

�I want to thank the Governor and his Administration for working with our office to acquire the use of DeSoto Park for the Alive! project.

�We have said repeatedly that we had not seen any issue that would prevent us from moving forward with the project. This statement backs up our position.�

Chinese medical firm plans EBR manufacturing plant

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

The Chairman and CEO of China-based Huiheng Medical Inc. announced Tuesday that his company plans to build a manufacturing plant in Baton Rouge to produce cutting-edge equipment in the fight against cancer.

Xiaobing Hui said through an interpreter that his company has an application for FDA approval of the revolutionary Whole Body Gamma Knife in the U.S., and expects to begin building the proposed Baton Rouge plant in mid-2010. No site has yet been selected, he said.

The plant�s initial phase is expected to create 100 to 200 jobs that would pay an average of $65,000 to $75,000 per year, Hui said. The equipment will be sold in the global market, and is expected to generate revenues of $300 million per year.

Huiheng Medical Inc. specializes in large-scale radiotherapy equipment and has developed a Stereotactic Gamma-Ray Treatment system that has been successfully used for head, body and whole-body cancer treatment. The company is applying for a U.S. patent for a device that has already been used in many hospitals all over the world to treat millions of cancer patients.

Hui told reporters Tuesday that his decision to invest in Baton Rouge was the direct result of Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden�s visit to China last April.

�You�ve got a great mayor � he came to my office in China, and personally invited me to come to Baton Rouge,� Hui said.

Hui said he considered other American cities, including Houston and San Francisco, but decided on Baton Rouge Tuesday after visiting Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center and Pennington Cancer Center at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center.

Holden said Baton Rouge already has one of the strongest job markets in the U.S., and noted that the Huiheng announcement is another feather in the city�s cap.

Holden said he was warmly received by Huiheng officials during his trip to China.

�This company was very excited about the possibility of coming here, and they opened their arms and we spent a day an a half in meetings,� Holden said.

Huiheng is the only company in the world today capable of producing Whole Body Gamma Knife that treats cancer tumors with radiation from different directions.

Unlike its Swedish competitor whose treatment is only for the head, Huiheng is for both the head and body tumor treatment.

The company already has global patents for its core technology and recently received CFDA approval.

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City-Parish to Break Ground on Largest Green Light Project To-Date

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Baton Rouge, LA � Mayor-President Melvin L. �Kip� Holden will host a groundbreaking for the Southeast Area Group Project in the Green Light Plan at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2009, marking the start of construction on the nineteenth Green Light Plan roadway project.

�The Southeast Area Group Project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the history of our city-parish to reach the groundbreaking stage and signifies yet another monumental achievement within the highly successful Green Light Plan,� said Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden. �With over $130 million in Green Light projects currently under construction, the Green Light Plan continues to be a national model for efficient and effective road improvement programs as it maintains an unparalleled standard for success in city-parish government.�

With a construction cost of $28.4 million and an anticipated completion date of September 2011, the Southeast Area Group Project consists of the three separate projects located in southeast Baton Rouge: South Harrell�s Ferry Road � Segment 2, O�Neal Lane (LA 3245) Improvements � Segment 1 and O�Neal Lane Embankment for Knox Branch and Jones Creek.

The South Harrell�s Ferry Road � Segment 2 project will add two additional through lanes, sidewalks, and a raised median from a point west of the Millerville Intersection to a point east of the O�Neal Lane Intersection, including a new intersection with Jones Creek Road. The project will require a new drainage crossing and raised roadway at the Knox Branch crossing (between Jones Creek Road and O'Neal Lane). When combined with other projects included in the Green Light Plan, it will provide an improved east-west connection for the area, as well as an improved north-south connection between Jones Creek Road and Interstate 12.

The O�Neal Lane � Segment 1 project will add two additional through lanes, sidewalks and a raised median from a point south of the South Harrell's Ferry Road Intersection to 1,250 feet south of Interstate 12. When combined with other projects included in the Green Light Plan, this project will provide the city-parish with an improved north-south connection extending from Nicholson Drive to Hooper Road.

The O�Neal Lane Embankment (between George O�Neal and S. Harrell�s Ferry Road) project consists of the clearing and grubbing and placement of embankment for the Jones Creek and Knox Branch crossings in preparation for roadway and bridge construction on the O�Neal Lane project. The final design for the O�Neal Lane project is currently underway and is scheduled to receive construction bids in early 2010.

Groundbreaking Participants

From East Baton Rouge Parish:

Mayor-President Melvin L. �Kip� Holden, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

Representative Hunter V. Greene, District 66, Louisiana House of Representatives

Mayor-Pro Tem Mike Walker, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

Metro Councilmember Joel Bo�, District 9

Mike Futrell, Chief Administrative Officer, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

From the Department of Public Works:

Peter Newkirk, P.E., Director

Bryan Harmon, P.E., Deputy Director / Chief Engineer

Ingolf Partenheimer, P.E., Deputy Director / Chief Traffic Engineer

Jose Alvarez, P.E., Chief Construction Engineer

From the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development:

Guy Leonard, P.E.

Debbie Guest, P.E.

From the Green Light Plan; CSRS, Inc.:

Michael Songy, P.E., Program Director

Brad Ponder, P.E., Program Manager

From the Engineering Consultant; Shaw Group:

Ms. Mary Danka, P.E.

Mr. Alan Krouse, P.E.

From the Engineering Consultant; Evans-Graves Engineers, Inc.:

Mr. C.J. Roth, P.E.

Mr. Gerry Menard, P.E.

From the Contractor; Barber Brothers Contracting Company, LLC:

Mr. Hilliard Barber

Mr. Louis Wittie

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Brightside Lane Project to Break Ground

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Baton Rouge, LA � Mayor-President Melvin L. �Kip� Holden will host a groundbreaking for the Brightside Lane project in the Green Light Plan at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2009, marking the start of construction on the eighteenth Green Light Plan roadway project.

�As we break ground on yet another Green Light project, we remind the citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish of our commitment to clearing up congestion on our most bottlenecked roadways as we work to get traffic moving,� said Mayor-President Kip Holden. �These projects were voted on overwhelmingly by the citizens of our great city-parish, and we continue to press forward in breaking ground on projects and completing them with speed and efficiency.�

With a construction cost of $7.1 million and an anticipated completion date of June 2010, the Brightside Lane project will provide a two-lane roadway with a continuous center turn lane from River Road to west of Nicholson Drive. The project will include sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes on both sides of the road and new turning lanes on River Road at Brightside Lane.

Groundbreaking Participants

FromEast Baton Rouge Parish:

Mayor-President Melvin L. �Kip� Holden, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

Representative Hunter V. Greene, District 66, Louisiana House of Representatives

Mayor-Pro Tem Mike Walker, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

Metro Councilmember Chandler Loupe, District 3

Metro Councilmember R.J. �Smokie� Bourgeois, District 12

Mike Futrell, Chief Administrative Officer, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

From the Department of Public Works:

Peter Newkirk, P.E., Director

Bryan Harmon, P.E., Deputy Director / Chief Engineer

Ingolf Partenheimer, P.E., Deputy Director / Chief Traffic Engineer

Jose Alvarez, P.E., Chief Construction Engineer

From the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development:

Guy Leonard, P.E.

Debbie Guest, P.E.

From the Green Light Plan; CSRS, Inc.:

Michael Songy, P.E., Program Director

Brad Ponder, P.E., Program Manager

From the Engineering Consultant; URS Corporation, Inc.:

Ms. Suzanne McCain

Mr. Craig Gardner

From the Contractor; F.G. Sullivan, Jr. Contractor, LLC:

Mr. Steve Strickland

Mr. Jessie Spence

###

Open House Forum to discuss City of Baker Emergency Disaster Plan

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Baker Fire Chief Danny Edwards and Baker Police Chief Mike Knaps, co-directors of Baker�s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security and in partnership with the EBR Parish Mayors Office of Emergency Preparedness and Councilmen Trae Welch�s office would like to invite the public and our media friends to attend an open house forum discussing the

City of Baker�s emergency disaster plans on Thursday August 27th 2009, at 6pm till 7pm at the Baker Municipal Building.

A representative from the EBR Parish Mayors Office of Emergency Preparedness will show a 20 minute video presentation followed by a brief discussion from the Baker Fire Chief, Police Chief and Mayor.

New EBR Litter Court Aimed at Trash, Debris

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

July 31, 2009

For release: IMMEDIATELY

For more information contact:

Irma Plummer, Mayor�s Assistant Chief Administration Officer: (225) 389-5108

Susan Boudreaux, Mayor�s Office: (225) 389-5101

Scott Dyer, Mayor�s Office: (225) 389-7957 Cell (225) 892-8754

New EBR Litter Court Aimed at Trash, Debris

Program also targets Illegal signs, overgrown lots and neglected pools

Property owners who let trash and debris accumulate on their property could find themselves in Litter Court under Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden�s new program to clean up East Baton Rouge Parish.

Under the new program, slated to kick off on August 1, city-parish workers will take photos of violations and feed them into a computerized system that will generate warning letters and hearing notices. Property owners who refuse to correct the problems will go before an administrative hearing officer, who can assess a $117 fine for each violation.

The program targets trash and debris, overgrown weeds and grass more than 12 inches in height, swimming pools that are neglected or lack proper security, illegal signs, and garbage bins that are left on the curb for extended periods of time.

The new program will have at least one inspector assigned to each of the 12 Metro Council districts.

City-Parish Complaint Resolution Manager, Neal Bezet, applauded the extra manpower, noting that he previously had only four code enforcement personnel to cover all of East Baton Rouge Parish,

In addition to code enforcement officers, some workers from the Mayor�s Office of Neighborhoods will also serve as inspectors for the new blight enforcement program.

In addition to taking photos of trash and debris, overgrown weeds and grass, illegal signs and unsafe swimming pools, the inspectors will enforce limits how long garbage bins can remain on the curb.

Irma Plummer, the Mayor�s assistant chief administrative officer, said that garbage bins are not supposed to be placed on the curb until 4 p.m. the day before regularly scheduled garbage pickup. Additionally, the garbage bins are to be retrieved from the curb by 6 a.m. the day after pickup, she said.

�There are people who put their cans out on the curb and never bring them back,� Plummer said.

In addition, the program targets illegal signs. Signs are prohibited in medians and roadside right of way, and on utility poles, Plummer said.

�Garage sale signs are okay, as long as they aren�t abandoned,� Plummer said. �They can put them up a couple of days before the garage sales, but they need to be taken down by the day after the garage sale.�

Bezet said that under the new program, violators can be fined $117 for each illegal sign that is confiscated.

�We believe that $117 per sign will get their attention. Under the old system, we�d remove the signs during the morning, and they�d put more back up that same afternoon,� Bezet said.

Property owners with swimming pools can also be cited for failure to properly maintain them, Bezet said.

Pools with stagnant or dirty water, vegetation and other conditions that could harbor reptiles, pests or mosquitoes can be cited for violations. The pool owners can also be cited for failing to keep the pool secure with a fence that�s at least five feet high and a self-latching gate.

The violations include homes that are vacant and abandoned, and also target any conditions that attract rodents, mosquitoes or other pests.

Instead of going to state district court to get permission to clean up blighted property, the new system will channel the violation to an administrative hearing officer with the authority to order the clean-up.

Bezet said that East Baton Rouge residents can file a complaint about blighted property, illegal signs or other violations by calling 3-1-1.

The cases will be handled in a new streamlined process under an administrative hearing officer who has the authority to give city-parish employees legal access to clean up blighted property, and assess the clean-up costs on the owner�s annual property bill.

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West Nile Virus Activity Increasing

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

West Nile Virus (WNV) Infection Rates in mosquitoes increased significantly in EBR Parish and some other south Louisiana parishes recently. And three (3) wild birds from EBR Parish tested positive for WNV last week. In addition, there have been cases of WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in horses in south Louisiana in recent weeks. WNV and EEE cycle between wild birds and mosquitoes and can be transmitted to horses and people by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Mosquito control personnel are advising people to protect themselves from biting mosquitoes and empty water filled containers around the home. Horse owners should also work with their veterinarian to have their horses vaccinated for both WNV and EEE.

EBR Parish mosquito control workers advise that the WNV infection rate among Southern House Mosquitoes increased to 6.4 infected mosquitoes per 1000 mosquitoes tested. Matthew Yates, Director of EBRPMARC, says that infection rates of 5 or more in Southern House Mosquitoes during July has historically preceded human cases of WNV in EBR Parish. Twenty (20) mosquito samples collected from sixteen (16) separate locations around the parish tested positive for WNV, so virus activity is widespread. Samples of the Asian Tiger Mosquito, which is a day time biter, and the Southern House mosquito, which bites at night both tested positive last week. These species breed in water filled containers around homes and businesses and can transmit WNV.

Mosquitoes become infected with WNV, EEE, Saint Louis Encephalitis (SLE) and other mosquito borne viruses when they bite wild birds, such as Cardinals and House Sparrows, infected with these diseases. Some of the 47 mosquito species in the parish can then transmit WNV, EEE or Saint Louis Encephalitis (SLE) to a person when it bites. One Cardinal, one House Sparrow and one Chickadee, from two separate locations, tested positive for WNV last week. People do not get WNV, EEE or SLE from contact with wild birds or horses, only from the bite of a mosquito which has bitten an infected bird.

Wild birds frequently visit bird feeders and often seek water in bird baths and other items around homes. The Southern House Mosquito and Asian Tiger Mosquito both like to lay eggs in containers around homes and both these species can transmit mosquito borne disease. Recent rain events have provided numerous mosquito breeding sites around homes and businesses. Mosquito control personnel are urging citizens to check around their home and locate and empty water filled containers every week when they take the trash can to the curb for garbage pickup. Other precautions include:

Remember to use these steps to protect yourself:

�

Dump standing water � tires, buckets, birdbaths, flowerpots, and even soda cans can become �mosquito nurseries�.

�

Defend your house � make sure screens on windows and doors are tight fitting and in good repair.

�

Defend yourself � when outdoors at dusk and dawn, use a mosquito repellent. The active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, IR 3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus are the longest lasting and most effective.

Citizens may call EBRMARC at 356-3297 for assistance between 7:00 AM � 3:30 PM Monday - Friday. The service is free. For more information contact Matthew Yates or Rod Wells at 356-3297 or 356-3318 or email myates@brgov.com or Rwells@brgov.com

H1N1 Infuenza Information

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

H1N1 Influenza and You

What is H1N1 flu? H1N1 Influenza (H1N1 flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get H1N1 flu, but human infections can and do happen. H1N1 flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Baton Rouge Fire Dept. - Ground Breaking Ceremony - July 21, 2009

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

On Tuesday, July 21, 2009, the Baton Rouge Fire Department will conduct the �Ground Breaking Ceremony� for new Fire Station #7. The ground breaking will take place at (Claycut at Jefferson) at 11:00 a.m.

This new station will replace the current Fire Station #7 which was constructed in 1951 (58 years) at 112 N. Foster Drive. The building will be slightly less than 10,000 square feet in size, having room for four bays for Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) equipment and personnel manning each unit.

If you have any questions, contact the Baton Rouge Fire Department Public Information Office at (225) 354-1410.

District 7 Back to School Uniform and Supply Giveaway

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Councilwoman C. Denise Marcelle will be hosting the Back to School Uniform and Supply Giveaway on Saturday, August 1, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center, 4000 Gus Young Ave. The giveaway is sponsored by Councilwoman C. Denise Marcelle, Attorney Gail Horne-Ray, BREC, Coca Cola, Every Child Matters in Louisiana, Community Health and Rehab Clinic, Exclusive Restaurant and Bar, Set Free Indeed Ministries, New Look Neighborhood Grocery and Organized Vietnam-Era Veterans Association. Hearing and vision testing will be provided by the Baton Rouge Fire Department, EMS and Health Care In Schools. Free food, entertainment and door prizes will be provided. Representatives from the Big Buddy Program will also be in attendance. Donations are being accepted for school uniforms and supplies at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center located at 4000 Gus Young Avenue. All monetary donations are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to The Organized Vietnam-Era Veterans Association, and can be mailed in care of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 4000 Gus Young Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.

For more information please contact Councilwoman C. Denise Marcelle at 389-3182

Pecue Re-Alignment at Perkins Road Project to Break Ground

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Baton Rouge, LA � Mayor-President Melvin L. �Kip� Holden will host a groundbreaking for the Pecue Re-Alignment at Perkins Road project in the Green Light Plan at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2009, marking the start of construction on the seventeenth Green Light Plan roadway project.

�The Green Light Plan continues to move forward with the construction of yet another project, and the seventh to reach the construction phase in less than a year�s time,� said Mayor-President Kip Holden. �Improvements like the ones included in the Pecue Re-Alignment project are critical to the sustainable growth and future of our city-parish as we work within the Green Light Plan to widen roadways, improve intersections, synchronize traffic signals, and spur our local economy by continuing to create jobs and move projects ahead.�

With a construction cost of $2.2 million and an anticipated completion date of January 2010, the Pecue Re-Alignment at Perkins Road project will realign the existing Pecue Lane at Perkins Road into the existing Pecue Lane at the Kansas City Southern railroad. Currently, the north and south legs of Pecue Lane are offset approximately 400 feet at their respective intersections with Perkins Road. The project also includes new traffic signalization at the new Realigned Pecue Lane and Perkins Road intersection. When combined with the existing Stumberg Lane project, the Stumberg Lane Extension, and proposed Pecue Lane and I-10 Interchange, a south-north connection will be provided that extends from Perkins Road to Coursey Boulevard. The project will provide an alternative to both Siegen Lane and Highland Road once the I-10 diamond interchange is constructed.

Groundbreaking Participants

From East Baton Rouge Parish:

Mayor-President Melvin L. �Kip� Holden, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

Representative Hunter V. Greene, District 66, Louisiana House of Representatives

Mayor-Pro Tem Mike Walker, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

Metro Councilmember Chandler Loupe, District 3

Metro Councilmember Joel Boe, District 9

Mike Futrell, Chief Administrative Officer, East Baton Rouge City-Parish

From the Department of Public Works:

Peter Newkirk, P.E., Director

Bryan Harmon, P.E., Deputy Director / Chief Engineer

Ingolf Partenheimer, P.E., Deputy Director / Chief Traffic Engineer

Jose Alvarez, P.E., Chief Construction Engineer

From the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development:

Guy Leonard, P.E.

Debbie Guest, P.E.

From the Green Light Plan; CSRS, Inc.:

Michael Songy, P.E., Program Director

Brad Ponder, P.E., Program Manager

From the Engineering Consultant; Evans-Graves Engineers, Inc.:

Mr. C.J. Roth, P.E.

Mr. Gerry Menard, P.E.

From the Contractor; Boone Services, Inc.:

Mr. Tracy Boone

Mr. Dustin Bouey

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Mayor: Stand up and Make a Difference in War on Crime

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Mayor Melvin �Kip� Holden urged local residents Tuesday night to stand up and make a difference by working with law enforcement officers to solve the recent rash of murders.

�We have to make this story known across this city and parish, that we will not be intimidated by those who choose the wrong path,� Holden said at a press conference at the Living Faith Christian Center in North Baton Rouge.

The Mayor asked residents with information about the five recent murders in the nearby Brookstown area to contact authorities through the local Crime Stoppers hotline at 344-STOP. Tipsters can give the information anonymously, and they don�t have to fear being seen talking to police.

�Right now, I firmly believe in my heart that somebody knows who shot and killed that lady on her front porch last night. Somebody knows who did the killing of the three individuals last week,� Holden said.

The Mayor issued a special plea to parents with youngsters who might be involved in criminal activities.

�Parents, you cannot allow your children to play two roles � that of loving son or daughter, and that of criminal,� Holden said.

The victims may be strangers today, but could be family or friends tomorrow, the Mayor said.

He said everyone in East Baton Rouge parish should be concerned about the recent murders, even though the most recent killings may have taken place in another neighborhood, or even on the other side of town.

# # # # #

MOSQUITO BORNE DISEASE ALERT

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

West Nile Virus (WNV) Infection Rates in Southern House mosquitoes are increasing in the area and there have been several Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) cases in horses in southern Louisiana recently. Both WNV and EEE cycle between wild birds and mosquitoes and can be transmitted to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Because of the increase in WNV and EEE activity in mosquitoes and horses, mosquito control personnel are advising people to protect themselves from biting mosquitoes and empty water filled containers around the home to reduce potential mosquito breeding sites. Horse owners should also work with their veterinarian to have their horses vaccinated for both WNV and EEE.

East Baton Rouge Parish Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control workers advise that the parish wide West Nile Virus infection rate among Southern House Mosquitoes recently reached 3.1 infected mosquitoes per 1000 mosquitoes tested. They point out that a mosquito infection rate of 5 or more during July has historically preceded human cases of West Nile Virus in EBR Parish. Twenty three (23) mosquito samples collected recently from ten (10) separate locations around the parish tested positive for West Nile Virus. The director, Matthew Yates is advising citizens to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites and mosquito borne disease.

Mosquitoes become infected with WNV, EEE, Saint Louis Encephalitis (SLE) and other mosquito borne viruses when they bite wild birds, such as Cardinals and House Sparrows infected with these diseases. If a mosquito bites an infected bird and later bites a person the mosquito can transmit WNV, EEE or Saint Louis Encephalitis (SLE) to the person. People do not get WNV, EEE or SLE from contact with wild birds or horses, only from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Wild birds frequently visit bird feeders and often seek water in bird baths and other items around homes. The Southern House Mosquito and Asian Tiger Mosquito both like to lay eggs in containers around homes and both these species can transmit mosquito borne disease. Recent rain events have provided numerous breeding sites around homes and businesses. Mosquito control personnel are urging citizens to check around their home and locate and empty water filled containers every week when they take the trash can to the curb for garbage pickup. Other precautions include:

* Avoiding activity around dusk and dawn whenever possible, this is when many mosquito species are most active;

* Wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors during peak mosquito activity periods;

* Wearing repellents with DEET or other approved ingredients when outdoors during times when mosquitoes are active (See the CDC Web Site for More Information; and,

* Keeping mosquitoes out of the home by repairing torn window screens and eliminating cracks around doors and windows.

Citizens may call EBRMARC at 356-3297 for assistance between 7:00 AM � 3:30 PM Monday - Friday. The service is free.

For more information contact Matthew Yates or Rod Wells at 356-3297 or 356-3318 or email myates@brgov.com or Rwells@brgov.com