47°
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
7 Day Forecast
Follow our weather team on social media

2 On Your Side with Brittany Weiss is here for you.

Watch 2 On Your Side reports on all WBRZ News 2 newscasts: morning, noon, afternoon and evening.  Brittany Weiss is the 2 On Your Side anchor/reporter.  Check this page daily for helpful information and On Your Side reports.

Send tips to OnYourSide@wbrz.com

Gymnastics center abruptly closes, owner posts doomy message online

BATON ROUGE - A gymnastics center suddenly closed last week leaving parents with questions about why and what's next. One parent reached out to 2 On Your Side looking for more information.

Ginnipher Spencer has a gymnast at home who has been taking classes at Valor Gymnastics on Bluebonnet Boulevard for two years.

"She's loved her time at gym, that's her day of the week. She loves going there every Saturday morning," Spencer said.

Except this Saturday she won't be able to attend class. The place closed - temporarily - on April 28. Spencer got an email about it last week.

"The lack of information and the suddenness of everything is what really has us concerned," she said.

The message is also posted to the website and signed by owner Bryan Kiser. Kiser says he's suspending operations, mentioning rumors and "flat out lies." The message says all matters surrounding the gym have been reported to state and local law enforcement, USA Gymnastics, and the U.S. Center for Safe Sport. It goes on to say that "it's time for the authorities and the courts to sort things out."

Spencer is concerned about the message and says she's looking for more transparency about what the accusations and rumors are.

"The parents have just been left in the dark about what's going on," Spencer said.

Court documents have been filed against Bryan Kiser, including an eviction petition for non-payment of rent and property taxes totaling nearly $55,000. There's also a lawsuit for damages. An attorney representing Kiser says the allegations predate his client's ownership and operation of the gym and that his reporting of those allegations are what led to the legal actions pending against him.

Below is the full statement:

Bryan & Prince represent Bryan Kiser and Valor Gymnastics in all matters connected to participation and compliance within the Olympic sports movement. While we are unable to address the ongoing litigation, I can assure you that Mr. Kiser’s actions have been to protect the health and safety of the athletes that are under his care. The allegations of misconduct that were brought to his attention were immediately reported to USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Center for SafeSport, and local law enforcement. It’s important to note, the allegations predated Mr. Kiser’s ownership and operation of the club. Nevertheless, the allegations triggered Mr. Kiser’s on-going reporting duty under federal law. These same rules do not allow the gym to investigate the allegations, and Mr. Kiser has no opinion on the allegations beyond his required reporting. Unfortunately, it seems clear Mr. Kiser’s compliance with the law and actions in fulfilling his mandatory reporting obligations related to sport are what ultimately gave rise to the legal actions currently pending against him. Mr. Kiser will shortly be take advantage of all legal remedies available to him in order to address the harm he, Valor Gymnastics, and his athletes have suffered in connection to his good-faith reporting.

Mr. Kiser has been participating within the sport of artistic gymnastics for over thirty-five years, and he continues to hold state and nationally recognized offices within gymnastics. His reputation within the gymnastics community is beyond reproach, and his commitment to protecting athlete welfare and providing them with a safe environment to train is unwavering. It’s unfortunate the impact that the litigation has had on the Valor athletes and families, and it is unknown as to the future operation of the gym. Valor will be addressing any issues with the impacted families on a case-by-case basis and hopes to return to normal operation as soon as possible.

Spencer is looking for more transparency and also hoping for a refund, as are others.

Radoslav Stefanov is the owner of the building on Bluebonnet Boulevard. He regrets the announcement of the temporary closure of the gymnastics facility and hopes to reopen another gymnastics facility at the same location as soon as possible. Stefanov says he is currently engaged in legal action against Mr. Kiser due to his failure to make payments under the agreement they had and as a result had no choice but to terminate the agreement and pursue eviction.

"We want to clarify that our legal action is solely related to the breach of contract by Mr. Kiser and is not related to any other legal proceedings he or others may be involved in," said Stefanov.

In a courtroom Tuesday, the eviction hearing was pushed back to later this month in order to combine it with another lawsuit and preserve resources.

The U.S. Center for Safe Sport cannot confirm or deny an investigation into Valor Gymnastics. USA Gymnastics says it's prohibited from discussing allegations within the U.S. Center for Safe Sport's jurisdiction. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office says it does not have an open investigation involving Valor Gymnastics.

Grid
List
BATON ROUGE - A gymnastics center suddenly closed last week leaving parents with questions about why and what's next. One... More >>
1 year ago Friday, May 05 2023 May 5, 2023 Friday, May 05, 2023 5:38:00 PM CDT May 05, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - To some it might be a sign of spring, sprucing up landscaping and trimming trees. When one... More >>
1 year ago Thursday, May 04 2023 May 4, 2023 Thursday, May 04, 2023 5:54:00 PM CDT May 04, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - A Tigerland tenant says the system is broken after being evicted from her apartment Tuesday. It... More >>
1 year ago Tuesday, May 02 2023 May 2, 2023 Tuesday, May 02, 2023 6:36:00 PM CDT May 02, 2023 in News
ALSEN - There's a blame game involving utility companies and a garbage company after the garbage truck pulled down some... More >>
1 year ago Monday, May 01 2023 May 1, 2023 Monday, May 01, 2023 5:34:00 PM CDT May 01, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - An innocent bystander found herself caught in the middle of a police chase. The chase ended when... More >>
1 year ago Friday, April 28 2023 Apr 28, 2023 Friday, April 28, 2023 7:15:00 PM CDT April 28, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - It's been about 11 years since Octavius Fitzpatrick was involved in a bus accident in East Baton... More >>
1 year ago Wednesday, April 26 2023 Apr 26, 2023 Wednesday, April 26, 2023 6:29:00 PM CDT April 26, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - The Army Corps of Engineers says it knew there was going to be a cost increase to... More >>
1 year ago Tuesday, April 25 2023 Apr 25, 2023 Tuesday, April 25, 2023 7:18:00 PM CDT April 25, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - There's more development in a case involving a lawyer-legislator, an East Baton Rouge Metro councilman and that... More >>
1 year ago Monday, April 24 2023 Apr 24, 2023 Monday, April 24, 2023 7:00:00 PM CDT April 24, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - Imagine having a house taken over by squatters. It happened to one Baton Rouge couple who now... More >>
1 year ago Thursday, April 20 2023 Apr 20, 2023 Thursday, April 20, 2023 4:18:00 PM CDT April 20, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - A business owner says she's frustrated with having to clean up after a homeless group daily. ... More >>
1 year ago Tuesday, April 18 2023 Apr 18, 2023 Tuesday, April 18, 2023 8:08:00 PM CDT April 18, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - State Representative Edmond Jordan has filed a bill to change the power of a lawyer-legislator when it... More >>
1 year ago Monday, April 17 2023 Apr 17, 2023 Monday, April 17, 2023 5:33:00 PM CDT April 17, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - A troubled apartment complex in Tigerland is having more issues. The power's been out since Tuesday, and... More >>
1 year ago Thursday, April 13 2023 Apr 13, 2023 Thursday, April 13, 2023 7:02:00 PM CDT April 13, 2023 in News
UPDATE As of May 5, the elevator has been repaired. Family of loved ones thanks 2 On Your Side for... More >>
1 year ago Wednesday, April 12 2023 Apr 12, 2023 Wednesday, April 12, 2023 6:13:00 PM CDT April 12, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - A man's yard is still sinking several weeks after 2 On Your Side met him. David Coco... More >>
1 year ago Tuesday, April 11 2023 Apr 11, 2023 Tuesday, April 11, 2023 6:46:00 PM CDT April 11, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - Balloon releases could soon be banned in East Baton Rouge Parish. One council member is trying to... More >>
1 year ago Monday, April 10 2023 Apr 10, 2023 Monday, April 10, 2023 9:55:00 PM CDT April 10, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - An Ascension Parish fence dispute could be over with after council members did not have a unanimous... More >>
1 year ago Friday, April 07 2023 Apr 7, 2023 Friday, April 07, 2023 5:45:00 PM CDT April 07, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - For the past 40 years, John Genola has been pulling the garbage to the curb by his... More >>
1 year ago Wednesday, April 05 2023 Apr 5, 2023 Wednesday, April 05, 2023 3:28:00 PM CDT April 05, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - A business owner is in a much better position after reaching out to 2 On Your Side... More >>
1 year ago Wednesday, March 29 2023 Mar 29, 2023 Wednesday, March 29, 2023 8:04:00 PM CDT March 29, 2023 in News
PRAIRIEVILLE - There's more to the story about a fence in Ascension Parish. A parish official told 2 On Your... More >>
1 year ago Tuesday, March 28 2023 Mar 28, 2023 Tuesday, March 28, 2023 7:38:00 PM CDT March 28, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - After failing to show up for court twice, an East Baton Rouge Metro councilman has been ordered... More >>
1 year ago Monday, March 27 2023 Mar 27, 2023 Monday, March 27, 2023 6:27:00 PM CDT March 27, 2023 in News
PRAIRIEVILLE - A civil matter has escalated to a potential lawsuit involving the Ascension Parish government and a Prairieville resident.... More >>
1 year ago Friday, March 24 2023 Mar 24, 2023 Friday, March 24, 2023 7:28:00 PM CDT March 24, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - A business owner says she has been paying for a security light that she hasn't had since... More >>
2 years ago Tuesday, March 14 2023 Mar 14, 2023 Tuesday, March 14, 2023 9:28:00 PM CDT March 14, 2023 in News
BRUSLY - Mailboxes that some say were installed too close to the road have been moved farther away from the... More >>
2 years ago Monday, March 13 2023 Mar 13, 2023 Monday, March 13, 2023 7:03:00 PM CDT March 13, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - A dry cleaner on Gus Young Avenue closed abruptly last month, and customers are looking for answers... More >>
2 years ago Friday, March 10 2023 Mar 10, 2023 Friday, March 10, 2023 7:29:00 PM CST March 10, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - An East Baton Rouge Parish School System teacher fears that teachers and students haven't been given the... More >>
2 years ago Thursday, March 09 2023 Mar 9, 2023 Thursday, March 09, 2023 7:15:00 PM CST March 09, 2023 in News
BRUSLY - Some mailboxes are getting the attention of a driver in West Baton Rouge Parish after a sidewalk construction... More >>
2 years ago Wednesday, March 08 2023 Mar 8, 2023 Wednesday, March 08, 2023 10:49:00 PM CST March 08, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - Retail theft is a problem all over the country. It's no secret, it also happens in and... More >>
2 years ago Tuesday, March 07 2023 Mar 7, 2023 Tuesday, March 07, 2023 10:00:00 PM CST March 07, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - There's a lot of work happening in East Baton Rouge Parish's waterways. They haven't been cleaned out... More >>
2 years ago Friday, March 03 2023 Mar 3, 2023 Friday, March 03, 2023 6:46:00 PM CST March 03, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - A homeowner in Shenandoah says a storm drain near his driveway is causing him trouble and the... More >>
2 years ago Friday, March 03 2023 Mar 3, 2023 Friday, March 03, 2023 8:31:00 AM CST March 03, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - The new City-Parish garbage, recycling, and trash contracts go into effect March 1. Starting this month, East... More >>
2 years ago Wednesday, March 01 2023 Mar 1, 2023 Wednesday, March 01, 2023 9:24:00 PM CST March 01, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - All Krystle Woods is asking for is a resolution to the erosion problem behind her house. ... More >>
2 years ago Monday, February 27 2023 Feb 27, 2023 Monday, February 27, 2023 9:28:00 PM CST February 27, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - A tool trailer that was stolen from a job site Tuesday morning has been found. A viewer... More >>
2 years ago Friday, February 24 2023 Feb 24, 2023 Friday, February 24, 2023 8:25:00 PM CST February 24, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - A trailer full of tools was taken from a job site in Baton Rouge Tuesday morning. The... More >>
2 years ago Wednesday, February 22 2023 Feb 22, 2023 Wednesday, February 22, 2023 7:21:00 PM CST February 22, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - It's something one woman never thought would happen to her. Brandy Robertson's car was shot at while... More >>
2 years ago Tuesday, February 21 2023 Feb 21, 2023 Tuesday, February 21, 2023 3:40:00 PM CST February 21, 2023 in News
DENHAM SPRINGS - Several homes along the Amite River are at risk of being swallowed up by the fast-moving current.... More >>
2 years ago Tuesday, February 21 2023 Feb 21, 2023 Tuesday, February 21, 2023 11:09:00 AM CST February 21, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - Several properties in Mid City are being given a second chance. An investment group is renovating them... More >>
2 years ago Thursday, February 16 2023 Feb 16, 2023 Thursday, February 16, 2023 5:25:00 PM CST February 16, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - Last week, 2 On Your Side met a man who has flooded three times in five months... More >>
2 years ago Wednesday, February 15 2023 Feb 15, 2023 Wednesday, February 15, 2023 7:07:00 PM CST February 15, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - A man sought help from the city-parish about a broken sidewalk in front of his home and... More >>
2 years ago Friday, February 10 2023 Feb 10, 2023 Friday, February 10, 2023 5:44:00 PM CST February 10, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - The delay in repairing the Airline Highway and Florida Boulevard interchange has dragged on. It was damaged... More >>
2 years ago Thursday, February 09 2023 Feb 9, 2023 Thursday, February 09, 2023 7:33:00 PM CST February 09, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - The storm that dumped a few inches of rain in the Baton Rouge area on January 29,... More >>
2 years ago Tuesday, February 07 2023 Feb 7, 2023 Tuesday, February 07, 2023 6:44:00 PM CST February 07, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - One man has flooded three times in five months. Now he's considering doing the parish's work himself.... More >>
2 years ago Monday, February 06 2023 Feb 6, 2023 Monday, February 06, 2023 8:30:00 PM CST February 06, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - Hours after 2 On Your Side started asking why an apartment complex was without water, the management... More >>
2 years ago Friday, February 03 2023 Feb 3, 2023 Friday, February 03, 2023 3:51:00 PM CST February 03, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - When Janet Junot reached out to 2 On Your Side last week, she had just wrapped up... More >>
2 years ago Thursday, February 02 2023 Feb 2, 2023 Thursday, February 02, 2023 5:30:00 PM CST February 02, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - A woman answered an online ad for a nanny job but it turned out to be a... More >>
2 years ago Wednesday, February 01 2023 Feb 1, 2023 Wednesday, February 01, 2023 5:25:00 PM CST February 01, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - More people are driving electric vehicles in the capital area, like Glen Dupas, who got his on... More >>
2 years ago Friday, January 27 2023 Jan 27, 2023 Friday, January 27, 2023 7:31:00 PM CST January 27, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - The new parking kiosks in downtown Baton Rouge were installed October, but they haven't been activated yet.... More >>
2 years ago Thursday, January 26 2023 Jan 26, 2023 Thursday, January 26, 2023 10:42:00 PM CST January 26, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - An intersection with a lot of traffic is concerning to one Metro Councilwoman. Now the two intersections... More >>
2 years ago Wednesday, January 25 2023 Jan 25, 2023 Wednesday, January 25, 2023 7:13:00 PM CST January 25, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - The City-Parish will soon be making a big investment in parish waterways. It's all part of keeping... More >>
2 years ago Friday, January 20 2023 Jan 20, 2023 Friday, January 20, 2023 8:20:00 PM CST January 20, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - We all knew we'd be paying for it eventually. The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved... More >>
2 years ago Thursday, January 19 2023 Jan 19, 2023 Thursday, January 19, 2023 4:45:00 PM CST January 19, 2023 in News
BATON ROUGE - One woman who has recently invested a lot into her home to make it more energy-efficient, says... More >>
2 years ago Wednesday, January 18 2023 Jan 18, 2023 Wednesday, January 18, 2023 9:26:00 PM CST January 18, 2023 in News

News tip form