Kaley Willis

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Fire Marshall's Office are investigating a boat explosion that happened Sunday morning, according to Lt. Beau Robertson. Robertson says the explosion happened early Sunday morning near the west fork of the Calcasieu River when three men were working on a boat on a private dock. Two men received second and third-degree burns while one man received first and second-degree burns. Robertson says they were rushed to the hospital in c...

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office has added six high-water vehicles to their department, according to a press release. The vehicles will be used for search and rescue operations as well as personnel deployment during emergency flooding incidents. They are able to drive through three feet of water. “This is a substantial investment for our department but we feel it is a necessary investment because of all the flooding incidents we have been experiencing the last several yea...

SOWELA Technical Community College will host its iCamp for the second time this summer. iCamp is a free camp that introduces rising sixth, seventh, and eighth graders to science, technology, engineering, and math-based career fields. The four-day camp allows students to experience different STEM programs including: Drafting: Basic drafting concepts will be introduced along with 3D printing concepts and creation Chemical Laboratory Technology: Experiment with laboratory exercises...

A Singer man pled guilty on Wednesday to robbing a DeQuincy bank of almost $16,000 in December, according to U.S Attorney David C. Joseph's office. Gordon Scott Cooper, 56, Singer, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of bank robbery. The guilty plea states that Cooper entered a bank with an air-powered BB gun that looked like an automatic pistol and stole $15,999 from two teller drawers. Police later learned that a maroon Honda Pilot had been s...

A list of qualifying candidates for the Nov. 6 is now available. For a full list of who has qualified in each parish, click HERE. Mayoral Races: Westlake Robert "Bob" Hardey (REP) Iowa Paul Hesse (NOPTY) DeQuincy James B. Harris (NOPTY) Heather Royer (REP) Riley Smith (REP) Kinder Wayland Lafargue (DEM) Oberlin Joseph "Moochie" Manuel (DEM) Marilyn G. Robinson (DEM) Elton Cathy Hollingsworth (DEM) Roger ...

Ronald G. McLain has been extradited to the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center for the second-degree murder of John Michael Deville on I-10 in Sulphur.

A Lafayette man was arrested Thursday after robbing a motel on Broad Street, according to Commander James McGee with Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office. McGee says at approximately 7 a.m., CPSO deputies responded to a call in reference to a robbery. Upon arrival, they spoke with the owner of the motel who said a man entered the business, walked into the kitchen, and then approached the check-in counter before reaching over and taking an undisclosed amount of cash from the register. Th...

A Jennings man has been arrested for possession of crystal methamphetamine, according to Chief Deputy Chris Ivey with Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff's Office. Ivey says deputies observed a male subject cross the intersection near North Main Street and 3rd Street in Jennings Friday afternoon, nearly causing an accident. Deputies spoke with the suspect and asked to check his backpack. Queling Curtis Duhon, 40, Jennings, gave deputies permission to search and they discovered a small amount ...

A DeRidder man serving time for the second-degree murder of his four-year-old nephew in Angola Prison was one of two inmates found dead in their cells Wednesday evening, according to officials. According to WAFB, the Louisiana Department of Corrections (DOC) says it's waiting on toxicology reports, but it's believed the deaths were the result of overdoses. DOC officials say on Wednesday, July 18 around 6:45 p.m., John Hatfield, 31, was found dead in his cell. Then aro...

Statewide 2017-2018 LEAP test scores are in, showing an overall improvement from last year's scores. The number of students in the state who scored mastery and above for any subject increased from 33% in 2017 to 34% in 2018. This improvement was reflected in most Southwest Louisiana parishes, with four out of six parishes improving on their scores. Allen Parish: 2 percent decrease in students performing mastery or better on the LEAP test since 2017 Beauregard Parish: 2 percent in...

Lake Charles Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred Saturday on I-10, according to Senior Corporal Larry Moss. Moss says at approximately 4:48 p.m., LCPD received a call about a shooting on I-10 eastbound near the Enterprise Boulevard exit. Their investigation revealed that the drivers of two separate vehicles who had been waiting in traffic west of the I-10 bridge became involved in a dispute. As the drivers continued to travel eastbound on the interstate, the ...

A Jennings man is wanted after a shooting early Saturday morning, according to Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes. Semmes says a male was shot at a residence in the 1200 block of West Street. He was transported to a hospital out of town and was in surgery as of 4 a.m. A warrant for attempted first-degree murder was issued for Anthony "TJ" Duhon, 33, of Jennings. Semmes says Duhon should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on the location of Duh...

A DeQuincy man has been indicted on one count of first-degree rape. According to public records, a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office deputy was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of Boone Street in reference to a simple rape in February 2018. The resident told authorities that Elvin John McGlothlin, 37, DeQuincy, raped her juvenile daughter two years prior. McGlothlin was indicted on Thursday by a Grand Jury. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

A grand jury has indicted a Texas man in a kidnapping case after a woman was found bound on Highway 14 in Lake Charles on May 24. DeQuinta Jamal Jack, 19, Baytown, was indicted on one charge of second-degree kidnapping. The grand jury report says that Jack forcefully attacked and bound the victim with tape before dragging her to a vehicle and placing her inside. Jack then drove the victim around with the intent to get items of value from her before eventually dumping her in an abando...

A Beaumont man charged with second-degree murder in connection to a killing on I-10 in Sulphur has been extradited to Calcasieu Correctional Center. Kenneth Dawayne "Fat Rat" Williams, 32, Beaumont, turned himself in to Beaumont Police July 3, according to Kim Myers, spokesperson for Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office. Williams was transferred to Calcasieu Parish Wednesday morning.  The Sheriff's Office issued a second-degree murder arrest warrant for Willi...

A car caught fire in the parking lot of Jennings Hospital Thursday afternoon. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says the driver of the car was removed from the vehicle and is currently in the emergency room. 7News will update the story as more information becomes available. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office responded to a house fire in Ragley Sunday evening, according to Sheriff Ricky Moses. Sheriff Moses says the fire occurred at a residence on Trinity Lane while nobody was home. Beauregard Fire Department, Meadow Village Volunteer Fire Department, Broadlands VFD, Texas Eastern VFD, and Ragley VFD are also on the scene. The cause of the fire is unknown. 7News will update the story as more information becomes available. Copyright 2018 KPL...

Lake Charles Police Department is investigating a homicide after a shooting on Fifth Avenue, according to Lt. Richard Harrell. Harrell says LCPD officers responded to a shooting in the 4400 block of Fifth Avenue at approximately 11:18 p.m. Saturday. Carlos Ross Jr., 19, of Lake Charles, was shot and transported to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital before officers' arrival. Harrell says Ross succumbed to his injuries while being treated in the emergency room. LCPD detectives urge a...

The Lake Charles Grand Garage Sale will take place Saturday, according to its Facebook page. The citywide garage sale, featuring countless items for sale, will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Buccaneer Room of the Civic Center. The Facebook page says it will feature everything from vintage clothing, vinyl records, tools, glassware, electronics, and more. The entry fee is $3. For more information, visit their Facebook page below. The Lake Charles Indoor GRAND Garage ...

A boil advisory has been issued for Garland Street off of Nelson Road, according to Matt Young, spokesman for the City of Lake Charles. Young says water to the area had to be cut off due to damage caused by a contractor installing another line. All customers affected by the advisory will be contacted when the boil advisory has been lifted either in person or by door hangars. Young says the contractor is working now to repair the line and water should be restored in the next few...

The Spartan Mosquito Eradicator, a product that claims to completely eliminate mosquitoes, is flying off the shelves all around the south. Southwest Louisiana is no exception. Their website says the product works by catching hunting mosquitoes by emitting the same attractant triggers that draw mosquitoes to people and animals. Once trapped in the Eradicator, the website says "mosquitoes that feed will perish." The company claims the mosquito population will drop ...

The Lake Charles Fire Department responded to a house fire in the 1800 block of Medora Street Sunday evening. District Chief Christopher Carroll, Sr. says at approximately 6:30 p.m., LCFD received a call in reference to a house fire with multiple children and an adult inside. Upon LCFD's arrival, the children were safe and out of the home. Firefighters had to rescue the adult from the living room. According to Carroll, it took about 30 minutes to put out the fire. The home did ...

Ronald G. McLain has been arrested for the second-degree murder of John Michael Deville, according to Kim Myers, spokeswoman for Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office. McLain was wanted for the murder of Deville, 68, after his body was found near his truck on the shoulder of I-10 westbound near Sulphur Tuesday morning. Myers says CPSO Violent Crimes detectives began tracking McLain through Southeast Texas. Through interviews, surveillance, and other investigative techniques, they t...

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office is searching for a suspect after an armed robbery at a convenience store in Lake Charles, according to Kim Myers, spokeswoman for CPSO. Myers says CPSO deputies were dispatched to a convenience store on Gulf Highway at approximately 5:00 a.m. Saturday. Upon arrival, deputies learned a man entered the store with a gun and demanded money. After stealing an undisclosed amount of money, he fled in a small four-door car. Myers says the car was dark colore...

Lake Charles city departments, including Lake Charles City Hall, will be closed on July 4 in observance of Independence Day, according to Matt Young, spokesman for the city. The City Council meeting on July 4 has also been rescheduled for July 5. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at 326 Pujo Street. Young says ordinance number 18132 calls for the reschedule and was passed and adopted on April 4. All city departments will resume regular working hours on July 5. Young says there ...

Sheriff Tony Mancuso says a suspect has been identified in connection with the death of a man who was found dead on the side of I-10 Tuesday.

A vehicle fire broke out at a local business on Highway 171 on Thursday. Firefighters were seen putting out the fire at Big A Jewelry Pawn Shop. 7News will update the story as information becomes available. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

Jennings Mayor Henry Guinn has announced his appointment for Chief of Police Guinn said he is choosing current interim Chief Danny Semmes. Semmes has served as interim chief since December. The appointment will be brought before the Jennings City Council at its meeting at 5:30 p.m. on July 10.

Lake Charles Police Chief Donald D. Dixon has announced the retirement of Operations Commander Captain Nathan Troy Keller. Keller has worked for LCPD since March 28, 1988. He began as a police officer, eventually becoming a patrol officer. He was transferred to the Investigation Division in 1991 and was later promoted to sergeant. He took on the role as patrol shift sergeant in 2002 where he supervised uniformed patrol officers. In 2006, he was assigned to the Community Policin...

An arrest has been made after a two-vehicle crash on I-10 milepost 53.5 west of Welsh, according to Sgt. James Anderson with Louisiana State Police. Anderson says preliminary investigation revealed the driver of a Honda Accord lost control while heading west on I-10, crossing the median onto the eastbound side of the interstate. The driver of a Chevrolet Trax traveling east struck the driver's side of the Accord, causing the Accord to break in half. A passenger in the Accord had mod...

I-10 EB is blocked near Welsh due to a vehicle accident. Please take an alternate route. 7News will update the story as information becomes available. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

There was much excitement around KPLC today as Vice President/General Manager John Ware duked it out in a tap dancing battle with Antoine Aaron, KPLC photographer. John is participating in the 2018 Mad Hot Ballroom dance competition alongside partner Gambrelle DiGiglia on August 4. The competition raises funds for The Whistle Stop's dancing classrooms and DanceSport program. Since John and Gambrelle's Facebook page reached 400 likes, John...

A DeRidder man has been arrested for possession and distribution of child pornography after an undercover child exploitation investigation, according to Sgt. James Anderson with Louisiana State Police. Anderson says in early June, LSP Special Victims Unit began an undercover investigation involving images of children being sexually abused. A search warrant was served Friday at a residence in DeRidder by LSP, Louisiana Probation and Parole, and the Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office. ...

A mother and son have been arrested for attempted first-degree murder, according to Chief Chris Wilrye with Westlake Police Department. Chief Wilrye says on June 7, Westlake Police Department received a call in reference to a red Ford SUV attempting to run over two males on Shafer Street twice. Both victims said they had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by the vehicle. The victims identified the driver of the vehicle as Kaelan Blaine Prater, 18, and the passenger as Devi...

Two suspects have been arrested in connection to over 45 vehicle burglaries around Calcasieu Parish, according to Kim Myers, spokeswoman for CPSO. Myers says CPSO began responding to multiple reports of vehicle burglaries of mostly unlocked cars on June 5. During the investigation, detectives reviewed video surveillance and were able to identify two of the suspects upon further investigation. The two men identified were Treveen D. Carter, 18, and David M. Deruso, Jr., 19, ...

The City of Lake Charles will present their annual Red White Blue & You celebration on Wednesday, July 4, according to Matt Young, spokesman for the city. A parade will begin on Mill Street, traveling down Ryan Street to Dr. Michael Debakey Drive at 6 p.m. Young says Commander Daniel Cost of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles will serve as Grand Marshal in the parade. A patriotic program will follow the parade at 6:45 at the Lake Charles Civic Center Arcad...

Today is National Selfie Day

An armed robbery occurred Friday night at the More 4 Less convenience store on Common Street, according to Lt. Kevin Kirkum with the Lake Charles Police Department. The robbery happened at approximately 11:04 p.m. The investigation is ongoing and we will update the story as information becomes available. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

Lake Charles Police Department is on the lookout for three suspects in connection to a shooting on June 3, according to Lt. Kevin Kirkum with LCPD. Kirkum says officers responded to a call at approximately 8:25 p.m. in reference to a shooting at a residence in the 2700 block of Guy Street. Upon arrival, officers found a 73-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers learned that three suspects entered the residence, shot the man, and took an undisclosed amount of cash from ...

Richard Wayne Barras has been indicted today on two counts of attempted first-degree rape. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso said they received a call on May 25 at around 7:30 a.m.about an attempted rape on Leon Drive, just south of Country Club. Mancuso said Barras attacked an older woman who was outside but fled when a neighbor heard her screaming and intervened. Around 8 a.m., Lake Charles police responded to a similar call, LCPD Chief Don Dixon said. The woman was ou...

A Texas man was arrested for fourth-offense DWI Sunday, according to Sgt. James Anderson with Louisiana State Police. Anderson says a trooper conducted a traffic stop after observing a vehicle being driven erratically on La. 108 south of I-10. Luis F. Rubio, 46, of Laredo, Texas, showed obvious signs of impairment, says Anderson. He was arrested and transported to Louisiana State Police Troop D for processing. Anderson says Rubio refused to provide a toxicology sample and remained ...

The 12th annual Patriot's Ball will be held by Mayor Nic Hunter and the City of Lake Charles Mayor's Armed Forces Commission on Saturday, June 30, according to Matt Young, spokesman for the city. The ball will begin at 6 p.m. with a social half-hour with a program and dinner to follow at 6:30. Four individuals will be awarded Civilian Patriot of the Year, Emergency Responder Patriot of the Year, Military Patriot of the Year, and posthumous Patriot of the Year. Young says ...

Saturday was the 11th annual National Get Outdoors Day, and Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point celebrated in a special way. For the fourth year, Adventure Point in Sulphur held activities for people of all ages to celebrate Southwest Louisiana and all of its outdoor adventures. "We're thrilled to invite locals and everyone out here to just enjoy everything that's going on," said Amos Orr, digital marketing strategy manager for the Creole Nature Trail. Orr moved to S...

They grow up so fast! Baby Cullen is only five weeks old, but his mom Ashlyn Lonidier says that he's already trying to walk. "Starting when he was two weeks old, he started fighting us to stand up in our laps when we had him sitting down," Lonidier says. "Josh was holding him up letting him stand on the bed and all of a sudden he just started moving his legs trying to walk away basically." "We thought there is no way he's trying to walk, so we put...

The Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Team made an arrest following a consensual search of property. The suspect in custody, Mark Anthony Washington, was found to be in possession of illegally modified weapons, including a sawed-off shotgun and a stolen hand gun.

A Sulphur woman has been arrested after a deceased dog and an emaciated dog were found in her care, according to Kim Myers, spokeswoman for Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office. Myers says in December 2016, CPSO's animal cruelty detective and Calcasieu Parish Animal Services responded to a call at a residence on Burton Street in Sulphur in reference to a deceased dog and an emaciated dog at the home. The dogs appeared to have not been fed recently and also appeared to have been eating ...

Four inmates have escaped from St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center, according to Detective Whytley Jones. Jones says St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office, along with other agencies, is searching the area for the following four inmates: William Deans, 39, white male, 5'6, 160 pounds Jamie Scarbrough, 28, white male, 5'9, 150 pounds, tattoos on neck and facial area Tanner Scarbrough, 18, white male, 5'11, 150 pounds. Elias Todd, 24, white male, 5'8, 17...

The precautionary boil advisory along Ryan Street has been lifted, according to Matt Young, spokesman for the city. The advisory was placed on May 31 following a break in a 6-inch water line between Sale Road and East and West Claude Streets on Ryan Street. Young says the break has been repaired and full pressure has been restored to the area. Bacteriological samples taken from the affected areas were negative for any contamination. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

Jun. 1 is National Donut Day, so it's time to get some good deals on donuts. A few restaurants around Lake Charles are participating in the celebration. Here's a list of Donut Shops participating around SWLA:  Happy Donuts (Gulf Hwy): $6 for a dozen, $3 for a half-dozen if you mention National Donut Day.

Senator John Kennedy stopped by KPLC today to speak on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, tariffs on steel, and the Muller investigation. Kennedy says that he shares the public's concern about the I-10 Calcasieu river bridge and whether it will be a priority in infrastructure plans. "The bridge is 60 years old," Kennedy said. "I don't want to scare anybody, but it's listed at the top of most of the lists of unsafe infrastructure." "It's entirely up to ou...