Latest news with #BREC
West Australian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
BREC championing access to the arts for children in the South West through fundraiser
The Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre are championing the right for all children in the South West to experience programs which facilitate creativity and the arts through their annual fundraiser. To carry out their vision, BREC are fundraising through an Annual Giving Campaign in the hope of raising $30,000 by June 30. With the haul sitting at just over $11,600, they are appealing for the community for donations — which would fund programs and experiences for children and families across all socio-economic brackets. BREC relationship development committee chair Jackie Ross said she was excited to continue BREC's mission with the campaign. 'Our focus for this year's Annual Giving Campaign is supporting young people to experience the performing arts firsthand, through attendance at subsidised and age-appropriate performances at BREC,' she said. 'The BREC team, staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to make this vision a reality. 'Financial support from the community will give the team increased flexibility and leverage to obtain high quality productions and offset the cost to schools and patrons. 'We have set ourselves the goal of raising $30,000 and getting 3000 young people to experience all that BREC has to offer in the next 12 months.' As BREC is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity, all donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
BREC Commission appoints interim superintendent
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The BREC Commission announced Janet Simmons as the park system's interim superintendent. According to BREC, Simmons brings over 40 years of leadership experience and most recently served as the president and CEO of HOPE Ministries of Baton Rouge. She is set to take over as interim superintendent on June 1. The commission appointed Simmons on May 23 after current Superintendent Corey K. Wilson announced he would not be seeking a contract renewal in March. Wilson's final day with the agency as its top leader is May 31. According to BREC, he will work with the agency in a contracted advisory role through January 2026. 'I remain fully committed to BREC's continued success and to ensuring a seamless leadership handoff,' said Wilson. 'While I had anticipated serving through January 2026, I respect the Commission's decision to begin the next chapter sooner. I am proud of what we've accomplished together and will continue supporting the organization in every way I can during this transition.' The leadership transition allows the commission to start its national search for a permanent superintendent. Baton Rouge recreation agency audit finds payroll errors, theft, and financial mismanagement State Department restructuring scraps office dedicated to relocating Afghan allies Shakira, Jason Aldean concerts canceled at Boston's Fenway Park over 'structural' issue Ernst responds to jeers on Medicaid cuts: 'Well, we're all going to die' Smoke from Canadian wildfires to affect air quality, visibility in parts of US: What to know Kenner Police make third arrest in connection to drugging death of news reporter Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flash flood warnings for West and East Baton Rouge after storms
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Flash flood warnings are in effect until 11:15 a.m. for West and East Baton Rouge parishes Thursday after a morning cluster of thunderstorms and rain moved through the area. Reports of flash flooding came in from Plaquemine, Addis and Brusly. Before sunrise, the Baton Rouge area only had light rain and sprinkles before the cluster of rain moved closer, increasing rainfall. While East Baton Rouge Parish received some spots of heavier rain, the hardest rain primarily impacted West Baton Rouge Parish. Showers nearly stalled over the area, before the amount of rain decreased. A few showers are still expected later this afternoon and evening, but it should not be as much rain as we've received this morning. Truck carrying mulch catches fire on I-12 in Baton Rouge, causing delays Enjoy the wildlife at BREC Baton Rouge Zoo's 'Roar and Pour' event Pastor calls for 'full Target boycott' over DEI rollback Louisiana bill that would ban fluoride in public drinking water passes Senate committee Flash flood warnings for West and East Baton Rouge after storms Firefighter Challenge Series brings regional classic to Baton Rouge Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Superintendent of Baton Rouge recreation agency won't seek contract renewal
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — BREC Superintendent Corey Wilson announced he will not be seeking a renewal of his contract with the agency at a Thursday commission meeting. Wilson was unanimously voted in as the superintendent for BREC in January 2019. He previously served as the agency's in-house attorney and administrative executive. His contract will expire on Jan. 31, 2026. According to Chief Operating Officer Andrea Roberts, Wilson will answer staff questions at a Monday town hall meeting. Roberts said the commission would hold off on discussing hiring a new superintendent until after the town hall meeting. Two bills filed by State Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, for the upcoming legislative session could significantly change the agency's operations. In a statement issued by Chief Operating Officer Andrea Roberts, the agency said it is 'unaware' of McMakin's goal in filing the bills. 'Transitioning BREC under City-Parish could potentially jeopardize the funding that citizens have endorsed. We see no compelling reason to restructure, as our existing format effectively channels investments throughout East Baton Rouge Parish, resulting in significant initiatives in varied communities across the parish,' Roberts said. HB 86 would reduce the number of BREC commission members from nine to five. The proposed bill would replace the current structure with a commission made up of mayors. Currently, the commission consists of nine members, including: Six appointed members chosen by the Metro Council. Three ex officio members: the mayor-president or a designee, an East Baton Rouge Parish school board member, and a planning commission member. If passed, this change would terminate the terms of all current commissioners and replace them with the mayors of the specified municipalities. Three members would constitute a quorum, making decisions easier to reach with fewer participants. The second bill, HB 87, would repeal all existing statutes governing BREC, effectively eliminating the agency as an independent political subdivision of the state. Instead, the bill would transfer all obligations, property, records, and employees of BREC to the city-parish government. The push for restructuring BREC's leadership and transferring control to the city-parish government comes just weeks after a 2022 audit revealed significant financial and operational concerns within the agency. The audit found: Payroll errors: Three employees were paid twice for their final termination payments, resulting in overpayments totaling approximately $42,000. Untimely reconciliations: The agency failed to reconcile bank accounts, payroll benefit liabilities, and inventory accounts in a timely manner, increasing the risk of financial mismanagement. Equipment theft: Multiple instances of theft totaling approximately $29,000 were reported, including stolen catalytic converters, power tools, and electronic equipment from various BREC facilities. BREC management responded to the findings by hiring additional accounting staff and improving financial oversight. The agency also said it is reviewing internal controls and enhancing security measures to prevent further thefts. No longer Sour Patch Kids, company says Alina Habba sworn in as interim US attorney for New Jersey What to know about the 2025 Taste of Mid City: Date, ticket prices, food Louisiana's top-rated seafood restaurant is in New Orleans, Yelp says Body of missing fisherman found by dive team, East Baton Rouge sheriff says Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bills filed could restructure BREC's leadership, transfer control to city-parish
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Two bills filed for the upcoming Louisiana legislative session could bring significant changes to the operations of BREC, the agency that manages parks and recreational facilities in East Baton Rouge Parish. The bills, House Bill 86 and House Bill 87, were both filed by State Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, on Thursday, March 20. The 2025 legislative session is set to convene on Monday, April 14. Under HB 86, the number of BREC commission members would be reduced from nine to five. Currently, the commission consists of nine members, including: Six appointed members chosen by the Metro Council. Three ex officio members: the mayor-president or a designee, an East Baton Rouge Parish school board member, and a planning commission member. The proposed bill would replace the current structure with a commission made up of the mayors of the following municipalities: Baker Baton Rouge Central St. George Zachary If passed, this change would terminate the terms of all current commissioners and replace them with the mayors of the specified municipalities. Three members would constitute a quorum, making decisions easier to reach with fewer participants. The second bill, HB 87, would repeal all existing statutes governing BREC, effectively eliminating the agency as an independent political subdivision of the state. Instead, the bill would transfer all obligations, property, records, and employees of BREC to the city-parish government. If enacted, this would place BREC under the direct control of the city-parish, rather than as a separate entity created under the Louisiana Disaster Act of the 1940s. BREC has operated independently for decades, managing recreational and park facilities as a political subdivision of the state. Proponents of the bills argue that greater local control and oversight could lead to more efficient operations. However, opponents may raise concerns about politicizing the agency's leadership and potentially impacting BREC's ability to maintain its award-winning parks and programs. The push for restructuring BREC's leadership and transferring control to the city-parish government comes just weeks after a 2022 audit revealed significant financial and operational concerns within the agency. The audit found: Payroll errors: Three employees were paid twice for their final termination payments, resulting in overpayments totaling approximately $42,000. Untimely reconciliations: The agency failed to reconcile bank accounts, payroll benefit liabilities, and inventory accounts in a timely manner, increasing the risk of financial mismanagement. Equipment theft: Multiple instances of theft totaling approximately $29,000 were reported, including stolen catalytic converters, power tools, and electronic equipment from various BREC facilities. BREC management responded to the findings by hiring additional accounting staff and improving financial oversight. The agency also said it is reviewing internal controls and enhancing security measures to prevent further thefts. While the audit is not mentioned in the two bills, the findings could play a role in shaping legislative conversations as the proposed bills move through the 2025 session. Louisiana First News has reached out to BREC for comment. BREC 10-year plan wants to improve East Baton Rouge parks, recreation centers White House: 'Critical functions' will stay under Department of Education Nearly all Cybertrucks recalled in latest blow to Tesla Family of 3 missing in Arizona after Grand Canyon visit Third juvenile arrested in fatal hit-and-run crash that killed bicyclist in New Mexico St. Gabriel police investigate after man found near fertilizer supplier dies Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
