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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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.
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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.
The Louisiana DOTD advises motorists that multiple lanes will be closed for construction on US 90 at the I-210 interchange from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 6 .
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The surface transportation bill that the House passed Thursday includes project funding requests for the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge and the I-49 Lafayette Connector, designated by Rep. Clay Higgins.
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Local residents are encouraged to sign up for a free series of virtual stress management programs presented by the LA Spirit Crisis Counseling Program and the Calcasieu Parish Public Library, says CPPL Public Information Officer Christy Comeaux.
I-210 W is blocked at the Lake Street overpass.
A multiple vehicle accident has blocked both westbound lanes of the I-210 Lake Street overpass.
A traffic accident has blocked both eastbound lanes of the I-10 bridge.
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The investigation revealed that an unknown vehicle traveling westbound struck a pedestrian from behind between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m., Public Information Officer Kayla Vincent said.
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Albert Willis, Jr., 71, of St. Martinville has been missing since June 18.
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The body of a Zwolle fisherman was found in Toledo Bend Reservoir Friday after he reported having problems with his boat, says the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
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Tuten Park reopens to celebrate National Pollinator week.
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City and parish officials and the Louisiana Watershed Initiative will offer two informational sessions for Greinwich Terrace residents about the neighborhood’s buyout program Tuesday, June 22.
The Louisiana Department of Health says medical professionals from across Louisiana will address concerns about the COVID vaccine in children in a virtual conference Thursday, June 17.
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The Louisiana State Police have issued a missing person advisory for Robert Lightfoot, 81, of Austin, Texas.
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Monday, June 14, is World Blood Donor Day. While LifeShare dedicates the day to celebrating donors, they say they are in desperate need of more blood donations.