Big Easy Beat – 4/23/10

Oil rig explodes off coast

The Deepwater Horizon caught fire Tuesday 50 miles off the Louisiana coast and sank Thursday, increasing the chance the rig could become a major oil spill and diminishing rescuers’ hopes of finding the missing rig workers alive. The rig could dump more than 300,000 gallons of oil into the gulf daily, which may create a major ecological disaster if the spill reaches the Louisiana coast.

NOPD releases names of copper thieves

The thieves allegedly stole more than $1 million in copper from local buildings in 2008. NOPD believes that at least five people worked together to rob businesses late at night and illegally sell the copper to local scrap yards. The thieves targeted businesses, partially rebuilt homes and schools. They robbed a number of establishments more than once.

Vitter targets Army Corps of Engineers

Louisiana Senator David Vitter placed a hold on General Michael Walsh’s promotion, claiming that the Army as a whole failed to adequately protect the Gulf Coast. Other U.S. senators warned Vitter that his hold will not change the Army Corps’ decision to go with a coastal rebuilding plan that is less expensive than the plan Vitter supports.

Orleans Parish deputy arrested for trading weed for cash

The deputy in training admitted to giving an inmate a cell phone and marijuana for $500 in cash. The deputy, who was fired immediately, is being held on $30,000 bail and faces three charges, including intent to distribute marijuana.