🌱 Hotel Evacuated For Mace Scare + Pride Fest At River Center Jun. 24

Hello, Baton Rouge! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this Thursday started off right with a quick dive into the most important things happening these days in town.

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Now, your local weather:

• Thursday: Partly sunny with a t-storm. High: 95 Low: 72.
• Friday: Partly sunny, a stray t-storm. High: 92 Low: 74.

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Here are the top three stories today in Baton Rouge:

1. A Baton Rouge hotel was evacuated Tuesday evening after mace was sprayed into the facility's air conditioning vents. Crews from the St. George Fire Department responded to the Trident Inn around 7:30 p.m. after hotel guests reported having a hard time breathing. Nobody was transported to the hospital as a result of the incident. (WBRZ)
2. Celebrate Pride in Baton Rouge at the Raising Cane's River Center Exhibition Hall this Saturday, Jun. 24. The 2023 Pride Fest is expected to draw more than 10,000 people for its fifteenth annual celebration. The event runs from 12:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and will feature live musical performances, Drag Queen Storytime, and more. (The Advocate)
3. One person is dead following a crash in East Baton Rouge on Wednesday. The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. on Nicholson Drive near Ben Hur Road. Officials have not publically identified the victim but say the accident involved a pedestrian. (WAFB)

Today and tomorrow in Baton Rouge:

Thursday, June 22

• Sunflower Storycraft For Kids At Scotlandville Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Social Bike Tour At Geaux Ride Bicycle Boutique (7:30 PM)

Friday, June 23

• Beginner Badging Class - Video Recording And Camera Techniques At River Center Branch Library (2:00 PM)
• The Grunch: A New Children's Musical At Independence Park Theatre (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Plenty of cats and dogs are still waiting to be adopted from Baton Rouge animal shelters. Visit the link to meet Lacie the two-year-old pup, and learn how you can apply for her adoption. (Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge via Facebook)
• Looking to level up your serve? The Highland Road Community Park Tennis Center is offering four weeks of beginner adult tennis lessons. Visit the link to view all available dates and times. (BREC)
• Theatre Baton Rouge will hold auditions for "Grease" on Jul. 8-9. Click here to complete the audition form. (Theatre Baton Rouge via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with your next 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.