John Bridges

Sulphur

Anchor, 7 News Sunrise at KPLC-TV (Lake Charles, LA )

Anchor of 7News Sunrise on KPLC

Articles

Retired Green Beret to vets: “You’re not alone”

2 weeks ago | kplctv.com | John Bridges

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Right after 9/11 Army Green Beret William Howell, Jr. found himself overseas and ready to fight. “On October 19, 2001, 38 days after the towers fell, 6 Green Beret teams and 2 CIA teams were in field, into Afghanistan,” said Howell. “I was actually able to be a part of all that.”Howell says their mission was clear. “The purpose was to disrupt and destroy enemy, Period. Look for em, find em, kill em. Period.”But Howell says adjusting to civilian life back home was hard.
SWLA author celebrates his hometown of Dry Creek in new book of short stories

Dec 16, 2024 | kplctv.com | John Bridges

A local author takes readers on a journey to his beloved Beauregard Parish home in his new book.
Hometown Heroes: Cooling shelter volunteers

Aug 15, 2024 | kplctv.com | John Bridges

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A cooling center in Southeast Lake Charles has been lifesaving for many seeking refuge from the heat this summer. That’s why those who use the center consider the volunteers running it, Hometown Heroes. Pastor Tony Bourque says, "We define the word ministry with another word, help. So we just want to help.”Most weekdays this summer, the Waters Edge church facility on Power Center Parkway has been a literal God-send for those in need.
Hometown Hero - John W. Wait

Aug 8, 2024 | kplctv.com | John Bridges

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A small shovel used in World War Two has turned up a wealth of information on a young man from Southwest Louisiana. William Treseler of Virginia collects memorabilia from the war, and discovered an artifact for sale online. “I saw this shovel and I knew from the unit markings that it was connected to Iwo Jima or the Battle of Saipan, which they normally use these markings for.
SWLA Cyber Security Summit returning to L’Auberge Thursday

Jul 24, 2024 | kplctv.com | John Bridges

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Today is the last day to register for a free event in Lake Charles that will teach business owners, company executives and IT professionals about protecting their businesses’ technology against cyberattacks. The SWLA Cyber Club’s Cyber Security Summit is planned for 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25 at L’Auberge Casino Resort. You can get a free ticket HERE. Joshua Tannehill joined John Bridges on 7 News Sunrise this morning to talk about what the event has to offer.
Hometown Hero - Dewanna’s Closet

Jul 18, 2024 | kplctv.com | John Bridges

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Eight years ago, an idea was born to provide school supplies to children in need. It was October 2016 when DeWanna Tarver first created what would become DeWanna’s Community Closet. “After visiting in schools for a few years, actually years, I became aware that this was not a need that could be met once a year by a few people dropping off a few clothes,” recalled Tarver.
Hometown Heroes - Navy Sea Cadets

Jul 11, 2024 | kplctv.com | John Bridges

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A group of Navy Sea Cadets from Southwest Louisiana will wrap up their summer in a few weeks with a trip to the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi, TX. The cadets learn skills that could one day lead to a military career...or not. They are members of the Chennault Battalion and have been learning leadership, fire training and other life skills. “You can go to different trainings. I just got back from leadership training,” said Caden East.
Hometown Heroes - Patriots of the Year

Jun 27, 2024 | kplctv.com | John Bridges

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Four Lake Charles residents will be honored this weekend for their patriotism. They are KPLC Hometown Heroes we have honored in the past. For the last 16 years, the Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission has held its Patriot’s Ball, a chance for the City of Lake Charles to honor its military citizens. This year, four will be recognized for their patriotism to the community. James Johnson was severely wounded in 2005 by an IED in the Iraq War.
Hometown Hero - Kelly Miseles

Jun 20, 2024 | kplctv.com | John Bridges

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - You often find retired soldiers active in volunteer organizations. That’s the case of Kelly Miseles. “When I retired in 2015, it was my goal to be involved in the community. I didn’t want to go back to work, unless it provided an opportunity to really give back,” recalled Miseles. “So I chose volunteerism as my next path.”Miseles is a 23 year veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a platoon leader and company commander while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Hometown Hero - Jim McDermott

May 9, 2024 | kplctv.com | John Bridges

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A Lake Charles man’s military career carried him from the days after World War Two, all the way to Korea. Jim McDermott is a Bronx, NY native and served on board the USS Lejeune just after peace was declared in World War Two. The Lejeune was a German ship, captured during the war. Its engine room operated differently from U.S. ships. “They’d run down and grab a valve and say they can’t get it open,” recalled McDermott. “Turn it the other way.