Amanda Johnson
Digital Producer
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Amanda Johnson is a digital news producer at KPLC. As a native of Lake Charles, she loves writing about the Southwest Louisiana area. She has been writing stories since she learned to hold a pen.
Amanda fell in love with newswriting at McNeese State University, where she majored in journalism and attended conferences with the Society of Professional Journalists. She graduated in 2020. When outside the newsroom, Amanda enjoys traveling, reading, baking and writing fiction.
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The 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 15 through Monday, Jan. 17, with the parade rolling through downtown Lake Charles Monday.
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The Allen Parish School Board announced that five schools will hold virtual classes Friday, Jan. 14 due to increased COVID cases and staffing shortages.
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In addition to hurricane recovery assistance, the event will offer vaccines, health screenings and financial assistance, according to SWLA AHEC.
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A 5-year-old boy was pronounced dead after being found unresponsive in a pool at a home on South Savannah Lane, according to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.
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The 40-foot Mardi Gras float reported stolen Saturday was found abandoned in St. Martin Parish, according to the Lafayette Police Department.
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The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury elected Tony Stelly as its 2022 president and Anthony Bartie as its vice president at the Jan. 6 regular meeting, said CPPJ spokesperson Tom Hoefer.
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The Lake Charles Police Department advises motorists that all lanes are blocked on I-210 near Broad Street due to a flipped truck and trailer.
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The Louisiana Travel ‘Feed Your Soul’ float won the Wrigley Legacy Award for the “most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design and entertainment” at the Pasadena Rose Parade, said Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser.
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Three local health systems are limiting monoclonal antibody infusions to individuals with certain risk factors.
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A 43-year-old woman was struck by lightning while lying in the grass in Moss Bluff during Saturday’s storm, according to Ward 1 Fire Department.
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Companion Care of SWLA asks the community to donate new blankets and electric heaters for local seniors in need.
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The victim of a fatal two-vehicle crash on I-210 in Lake Charles Wednesday afternoon has been identified.
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A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle near Hwy 26 in Jefferson Davis Parish Saturday night, police say.
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The driver was fatally injured when their vehicle was struck from behind by an 18-wheeler.
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Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2 a.m.
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A precautionary boil advisory has been lifted in Moss Bluff, according to Waterworks District 1.
A precautionary boil advisory has been lifted for part of north Lake Charles
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The LCFD responded to house fires on Rose Street and Tulip Street early Sunday morning.
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Police say that child was a 7-year-old little girl.
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The Town of Welsh says the boil advisory for water repairs has been lifted.
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The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office has taken several measures to manage the increased traffic volume due to plant construction in the parish.
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One woman is dead following a vehicle-pedestrian crash on Hwy 171 north of Lake Charles, police say.
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Several flea market locations will be open Friday and Saturday along the 60-mile trail.
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A single-vehicle accident Sunday morning claimed the life of a 21-year-old from DeRidder.
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The Lake Charles Police Department was assigned to the 2700 block of General Patton Street to investigate a double homicide at 1:22 a.m. Saturday, according to Lt. Jeffrey Keenum.
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Businesses in downtown Lake Charles are joining forces to encourage Southwest Louisiana residents to “shop local, eat local, and enjoy local artists.”
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A Sulphur man was found deceased after being struck by a vehicle Saturday in Orange, Texas, according to the City of Orange Police Department.
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“President Biden’s remarks and direct public commitment to supplemental disaster recovery aid for our area is a gigantic leap forward towards an equitable federal response for our community in the wake of four federally declared natural disasters in less than one year’s timeframe,” Mayor Hunter said.
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Ward 5, Ward 6, Ward 7 and Houston River Fire Departments extinguished a residential fire on Second Street in Starks Sunday, according to the Ward 6 Fire Department.
The Louisiana DOTD warns motorists to expect heavier than normal congestion in Lake Charles and the surrounding areas due to Hurricane Ida evacuations.
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The current track of Hurricane Ida has it making landfall in East Louisiana, but Calcasieu officials said the fragile state of many structures in Calcasieu Parish following hurricanes Laura and Delta factored into their decision.
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A look back at some of the destruction southwest Louisiana faced after Hurricane Laura one year ago.
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Funeral services for local musician Chester Daigle Jr. will be held Saturday, Aug. 28 in Lake Charles.
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Lake Charles Memorial Health System is requiring all employees to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 29 or be required to submit to weekly COVID tests, said Matt Felder of Lake Charles Memorial.
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Calcasieu Parish Mosquito Control is reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquitoes after mosquitoes collected from the parish tested positive for the West Nile Virus.
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Lake Charles Councilwoman Marry Morris’ family will host a community “Celebration of Life” memorial service open to the public on Friday, Aug. 20, said Tasha Guidry on behalf of Morris’ family.
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Region 5 residents can call local doctors and ask questions about COVID-19 during two telephone town halls Aug. 12, said Matt Felder of the Lake Charles Memorial Health System.
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Ochsner CHRISTUS Health Clinic has several upcoming clinic opportunities beginning Aug. 9 for people who need a COVID-19 vaccine, said a spokesperson for CHRISTUS Health.
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Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a news conference Friday at 1:30 p.m. on the current rise of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across Louisiana.
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Local and state officials, along with medical personnel, will update the media and the public on the latest COVID-19 statistics and vaccine information during a briefing set for 3 p.m. on Aug. 5, according to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury.
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Zydeco musician Chris Ardoin was shot in the back while performing on stage at the Louisiana Mudfest event in Colfax Friday night, said his wife.
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FEMA is granting over $2 million to the Society of the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Lake Charles as reimbursement for the cost to construct and lease temporary classrooms after Hurricane Laura devastated St. Louis High School, said U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA).
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The Lake Charles Police Department recently honored the service of a retired member of their K9 Division, K9 Jocko, Sgt. Brenda Desormeaux of LCPD said.
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To help stop the spread of COVID-19, facial coverings will be required inside all Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles locations beginning Monday, July 26, said Louisiana OMV spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux.
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A motorcyclist was ejected from his motorcycle and killed in a single-vehicle accident Saturday on Hwy 190 in Beauregard Parish, according to Louisiana State Police.
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Stakeholder groups in Calcasieu Parish have created a long-term plan for the full recovery of the area and its community, said Calcasieu Parish Police Jury spokesperson Laura Heller.
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The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury invites job seekers and employers to participate in the West Calcasieu Job Fair, hosted by the American Job Center - Reigion V and the West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce, on Thursday, July 29.
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The Better Business Bureau of Southwest Louisiana warns residents to beware of scams impersonating the IRS using phone calls, text messages and email.
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The City of Lake Charles Partners in Parks and the Junior League of Lake Charles invite the community to “enjoy a tasty treat while learning how to harness the power of the sun” on July 22 at Drew Park, said a spokesperson for the Junior League.