🌱 Local Man Injured In Hwy 117 Crash + Vibrant New BR Crosswalks

Morning, neighbors! Nicole Fallon-Peek here with the latest copy of the Baton Rouge Daily.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and very warm. High: 82 Low: 65.

Here are the top three stories in Baton Rouge today:

1. A Baton Rouge man was injured on Thursday night after his SUV hit some trees off Louisiana Highway 117. Eric Citizen, 36, was reportedly driving southbound near Jerry Boles Road when his vehicle left the roadway, traveled down an embankment, and struck several trees. Authorities say 25-year-old Deranesha Walker of Texas and a one-year-old were in the vehicle with Citizen. All three were taken to a hospital after the crash and are expected to survive. (BRProud.com)
2. There's a nationwide shortage of police officers, and the Baton Rouge Police Department is feeling the effects as the city deals with a record spike in violence. Officials estimate that the BRPD is currently short 115 people, but there’s "a major push right now to fill these spots," according to Sgt. Darren Ahmed, a recruiter for the department. If you’re interested in joining BRPD, call (225) 389-3906 or send an email at BRPDRecruiting@brla.gov. (WAFB)
3. Have you noticed the vibrant new crosswalks in downtown Baton Rouge? They're more than just an aesthetic upgrade: They're meant to improve safety, too. The Downtown Development District (DDD) is repainting crosswalks at four intersections along Third Street (Convention Street, Florida Street, Laurel Street, and Main Street) to complement the one that was painted on Florida Street in 2020. DDD spokesperson Casey Tate with the DDD said the Celtic-style design is inspired by "historic buildings and other elements of downtown" and offers high visibility for motorists and pedestrians. A community walk will be planned to show off the completed crosswalks. (WBRZ)

Today in Baton Rouge:

• One Book One Community Kickoff Party At East Baton Rouge Parish Library (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• BREC summer camp registration opens for East Baton Rouge Parish residents at 9 a.m. today, Mar 5. Get the details here! (WAFB)
• Have you seen the Jerichau exhibition at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art? This weekend is your last chance! Stop by to view the works of Jens Adolf Jerichau (1890-1916), a Danish artist "with one of the most promising, but unfortunately also shortest careers in all of Danish art history." (Instagram)
• Applications to participate in the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge's Ebb & Flow are now open! Feature your art, performance, craft, expertise, and much more by submitting your application here by Mar. 18. (Facebook)
• Catch a sedimentation table demonstration at the Louisiana Children's Museum Dig Into Nature gallery every Wednesday through Sunday at 1:30 p.m.!⁠ ⁠Learn more at lcm.org. (Instagram)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early Monday with a new update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.