Residents want liquor store closed, Entergy offers $150 to select customers, and prison reform coalition meets on solidary confinement

Councilwoman Banks plans a meeting with residents who are calling for Vince's Liquor Store to close. Entergy Louisiana-United Way partnership offers $150 bill credit on a first-come basis.

Entergy Louisiana-United Way partnership offers $150 bill credit on a first-come basis

Capital Area United Way has partnered with Entergy Louisiana to provide utility bill assistance to qualifying Entergy electric customers within our 10-Parish service area that includes: Ascension, Iberville, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana Parishes.  

Qualifying customers can apply online at www.cauw.org/entergy for a one-time, $150 credit on their Entergy electric bill on a first-come, first serve basis.

Entergy Louisiana customers who qualify for the credit will receive information via text, email, and phone calls. If customers suspect a scam, they should call Entergy at 1-800-ENTERGY or visit entergy.com/scams for more information.

To qualify, customers must meet eligibility requirements by the below household size and income:

The following documentation will be required to apply for the one-time credit:

• Photo ID (driver’s license or state-issued ID, passport)

• One of the following income options for each income earner age 18 or older:

  • First page of 2021 tax return(s)

  • 2021 W2(s)

  • Last paystub(s)

  • Social Security Administration 1099 or 1042S form(s)

For additional details regarding bill assistance or the one-time credit, contact Entergy at 1-800-ENTERGY or visit www.entergy-louisiana.com/bill-help/

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Coalition hosts meeting on solitary confinement and torture documentary

The East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Reform Coalition is hosting its monthly virtual general meeting at 6pm, Thursday, August 18, on Facebook. This month's topic will be Solitary Confinement and honoring Albert Woodfox, co-founder of the Louisiana Stop Solitary Coalition. The group will also premiere "Torture in Our Name,” the National Religious Campaign Against Torture’s new film. In this compelling 35-minute documentary for faith audiences, filmmaker Matthew Gossage showcases the tenacity and resilience of people who have faced the torture of solitary confinement first-hand and are working to end it once and for all. The film traces the stories of campaigns in Louisiana, New Jersey, and New York in which survivors of solitary and their allies have mounted successful legislative campaigns in their respective states, with New Jersey and New York being the first two states in the nation to legislate bans on long-term isolated confinement. The East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Reform Coalition, Together Baton Rouge, VOTE, and the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana are some of the organizations featured in the documentary.

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Community calls for liquor store closure

In response to residents’ and business owners’ calls for the closure of Vince’s Liquor Store, located at 8556 Scotland Avenue, Baton Rouge Councilwoman Chauna Banks will host a District 2 community meeting Tuesday, August 23, at Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 1414 Sora Street.

The meeting will begin at 5:30pm.

According to Banks, CATS removed the corner bus shelter last year due to homeless people sleeping on the benches and allegations of prostitution and drug sales. The number of concerns has escalated since the two killings earlier this year. Most calls are related to loitering and drug activity in front of the liquor store, she said.

Baton Rouge Police Department Chief Murphy J. Paul and Christopher Cranford of the Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control will be on hand to give a presentation and answer questions.

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Ride CATS using contactless pay

The Capital Area Transit System has begun accepting contactless pay across the entire fleet following a recent partnership with UMO. Riders now have two contactless pay options: new reloadable CATS x UMO pass cards or a smartphone app.