🌱 Woman Found Dead + Residence Inn Marriot ADA Lawsuit

Hello all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Baton Rouge Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 93 Low: 79.
• Sunday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm. High: 93 Low: 78.

Here are the top three stories today in Baton Rouge:

1. On Monday, Jun. 3, around 10:30 a.m., a 42-year-old woman, Rachel Johnson, was found dead in her home due to being beaten and undergoing blunt force trauma. According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, the suspect, 35-year-old Cedrick Lang, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The police also stated that Lang has had multiple protective orders filed against him from women in his past relationships due to physical abuse. (WBRZ)
2. Due to a complaint from a guest at the Residence Inn Marriot in Towne Center, the hotel is making renovations to accommodate those with disabilities as well as to agreeing to a lawsuit settlement claim made against them under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by the United States Attorney’s Office Middle. The renovations that will be made include changes in their parking lots, exterior routes, public restrooms, and guest rooms. According to the guest’s complaint, most of the issues appeared when it came to mobility in the bedroom that was provided for her. (WAFB)
3. The Baton Rouge independent film industry is suffering due to the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. According to Katie Pryor, the director of the Baton Rouge Film Commission, since “Re-Election,” an indie-comedy film has finally finished with production, there have not really been any new local film projects that have been picked up. The hope is that there will be an increase in activity and availability once the strike is over since producers are still interested in showing new projects to the local film industry. (225 Baton Rouge)

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Today and tomorrow in Baton Rouge:

Saturday, July 8

• Launch Time Grab & Geaux At Central Branch Library (All Day)
• Crochet For A Cause At East Baton Rouge Parish Library (3:00 PM)

Sunday, July 9

• Soulful Sunday At The Park At Beauvoir Park (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Baton Rouge, Louisiana Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets wants you to spread the word that they found a male Australian Shepard on Jul. 5 near Harry Drive. If you have any information at all or know the family, you can contact the finder here. (Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets via Facebook)
• The Louisiana Children's Museum is hosting a free Kindergarten Kickoff event on Aug. 4 for incoming kindergarten students and families! Registration for this event will begin on Jul. 20! (Louisiana Children's Museum via Instagram)
• The Baton Rouge Zoo is a nominee for the Favorite Family Entertainment Venue! Vote for them today and show your support here! (BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. I'll see you back 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.