🌱 Fallen Officers Memorialized + Art Night At Smiling Dog Tavern

Morning, Baton Rouge. I'm here with your fresh copy of the Baton Rouge Patch newsletter, filled with all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny. High: 90 Low: 68.
• Friday: Nice with sun and some clouds. High: 92 Low: 70.

From our sponsor:

Today’s Baton Rouge Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Baton Rouge Patch newsletter possible.

Here are the top three stories in Baton Rouge today:

1. This past Tuesday, the Baton Rouge Police Department etched three new names on the law enforcement memorial plaque in front of its headquarters, including two of the officers who were killed in a helicopter crash on duty. On Tuesday afternoon, the names of Lt. Michael Godawa, Sgt. David Poirrier, and Cpl. Scotty Canezaro were forever memorialized on the plaque. Godawa retired back in 2021 and passed shortly after due to COVID-19 complications, while Poirrier and Canezaro were involved in a crash while pursuing a vehicle. (WBRZ)
2. This Saturday, the Smiling Dog on Sherwood Forest Blvd. will be hosting a free art show at the tavern, featuring the work and talents of about 45 local artists. It is expected there will be several different forms of art, from dancing, singing, and poetry to painting, pottery, woodwork, and much more. The event will be Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.; the first three hours of the event are open for all ages, and from 10:00 p.m. to midnight the audience must be 21 and older. (BRProud.com)
3. Pedro's Tacos and Tequila bar opened its doors for the first time in Baton Rouge back in March, offering authentic Mexican cuisine for the city. With a wide range of Mexican favorites from tacos and enchiladas, to nachos and burritos, there are many options that food lovers may gravitate to and that isn't included the handcrafted alcoholic beverages and desserts also on the menu. You can find Pedro's at 7655 Andrea Drive near Siegen Lane seven days a week as early as 11:00 a.m.; you can even order your food to-go in the restaurant or online through food delivery apps. (BRProud.com)

Calling Baton Rouge business owners: reach local readers, attract a crowd, and make a splash with your events this summer! We have a limited number of sponsorships available to amplify your events and increase attendance among your target audience. Click here to learn more about our sponsorships.

Today and tomorrow in Baton Rouge:

Thursday, June 1

• Crafting For A Cause At East Baton Rouge Parish Library (1:00 PM)
• Teen Afternoon Movie Matinee: Men In Black At Eden Park Branch Library (2:00 PM)
• Summer Reading Kickoff Party At East Baton Rouge Parish Library (5:00 PM)

Friday, June 2

• Casey Saba At Agile Brewing (5:30 PM)
• Original Music Gathering At La Divina Italian Cafe (6:00 PM)
• Family Fridays At Tin Roof (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• If you have any interest in working with the Louisiana State Police, you have until Jun. 15 to apply for Cadet Class 103. In order to apply, you must visit the website provided to download and complete the application and then electronically submit it; the anticipated start date is Sept. 24, 2023. (Louisiana State Police via Facebook)
• The Baton Rouge Police Department's Street Crime Detectives responded to a Crime Stoppers tip and conducted a drug investigation on Cristy Dr. After an investigation was completed on the residence officers found a Glock pistol with a switch as well as various different drugs. (Baton Rouge Police Department via Facebook)
• If you are in Louisiana this weekend and are looking for a nice activity to fill up your Saturday, you should check out the Louisiana Peach Festival! Make your way down to downtown Ruston and experience a day filled with music and activities; for more information click here. (Explore Louisiana via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (June 6)

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be in your inbox soon with another 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.