It’s almost time to let the good times roll! 🥳
🎭 MARDI GRAS PARADE
📅 Saturday, February 7
🕛 Parade starts at 12PM
📍 Hwy 38
👑 Featuring King & Queen Congressman Cleo and Debra Fields
🎺 Special appearances by the Southern University Band, Bogalusa High School Band, and Amite County Band
Bring the family, grab your beads, and come celebrate Mardi Gras Kentwood-style! 💜💛💚
On Wednesday (January 28, 2026), detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office Narcotics Unit conducted an investigation into illegal drug activity by 51-year-old Wilfred James Deas, a suspected drug dealer residing in the 59000 block of North Preachers Oak Lane in Slidell. Contact was made with Deas, who has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1993 that includes convictions related to violent felonies, narcotics, and weapons offenses.
A search warrant was obtained for Deas’s residence, which led to the discovery and seizure of the following items: 53 grams of marijuana, 35 grams of crack cocaine, 1 gram of powder cocaine, 11 unlawfully possessed Suboxone strips, 53 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl designed to resemble 30mg Oxycodone, a stolen Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun, a digital scale used to weigh illegal narcotics, and an assortment of baggies used for street-level drug distribution.
Deas was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on the appropriate charges.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
It has been a cold week for Louisiana agriculture, and that’s the theme of this week’s show. A stretch of unusually cold weather has brought freezing temperatures, ice, and sleet, impacting livestock, farm infrastructure, crawfish production, and specialty crops from north to south. From how farmers are protecting animals and crops to what the cold could mean for the weeks ahead, we take a closer look at agriculture across the state.
Managing Winter Weeds in Lawns
Good cultural practices are the foundation of good weed management. If turfgrass isn’t healthy, bare or thin spots provide openings for weed growth. Healthy turfgrass is better able to compete with weeds.
For lawns, good cultural practices include applying fertilizer at the recommended times and rates, mowing at an appropriate height, and having the soil pH (acidity or alkalinity) within the optimum range for the type of turfgrass that you have. It also involves avoiding or reducing soil compaction by, for example, core aerating from time to time.
People sometimes wait until weeds are really obvious to do something about them, but if you’re going to use an herbicide, it’s better to do it while weeds are small. Post-emergence herbicides are more effective at this stage. (Post-emergence herbicides are what we use once weeds are present. Pre-emergence herbicides are used to prevent seed germination.)
Not only are weeds easier to kill when they’re small, but it’s important to kill them before they flower and produce seed. Annual weeds and many perennial weeds come back from seed. (Seeds of cool-season weeds generally begin germinating around October in southern Louisiana.) If weeds are allowed to go to seed, there is more potential for problems in the future.
The winter weed I probably get the most questions about is lawn burweed, or “stickers.” Lawn burweed produces spines as it produces seeds. Once the spine is there, even if you manage to kill the plant with an herbicide, this spine will still be there to stick in feet that run barefoot around the yard.
Lawn burweed is a broadleaf annual weed, as are chickweed and henbit. There are a number of tools in the in the toolbox for managing cool-season broadleaf weeds in turf.
Herbicides containing the combination of 2,4-D, dicamba, and mecoprop are commonly available and effective on a wide range of broadleaf weeds. Combinations of penoxulam, sulfentrazone, 2,4-D, and dicamba have become available in home lawn herbicides, as well. Metsulfuron is likewise effective on a wide range of broadleaf weeds.
There are herbicides with the above-mentioned ingredients can be used on most of the warm season turfgrasses that we grow, including centipedegrass, zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and St. Augustinegrass. (Some products cannot be used on the St. Augustinegrass variety Floratam.) Check the label of a product to make sure it's labeled for the type of turfgrass you have before using it.
Besides broadleaf weeds, we have some weeds that are grasses. Annual bluegrass is a common cool-season annual weed that tends to be a problem in areas with compacted soils.
It can be hard to kill a grassy weed that is growing in turfgrass, and there are more pre-emergence than post-emergence herbicide options for managing annual bluegrass in centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass. However, atrazine is an option in some cases. It has both pre-emergence and post-emergence activity on annual bluegrass and is effective on many broadleaf weeds, as well.
At least one home lawn atrazine product is only labeled for use on centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass, but some commercial atrazine-containing herbicides are labeled for use on zoysiagrass and bermudagrass, also. Do not use atrazine over the root zones of trees or shrubs.
When using post-emergence herbicides, it’s important to use them on weeds that are actively growing. Warm days (temperatures above 60 degrees F) in January and February are generally good times to use a post-emergence herbicide for winter weeds, if needed.
Be sure to read and follow label instructions when using any herbicide or other pesticide.
Let me know if you have questions.
Click here for previous LSU AgCenter's Weekly Messages
Dr. Mary Helen Ferguson is an Extension Agent with the LSU AgCenter, with horticulture responsibilities in Washington and Tangipahoa Parishes. Contact Mary Helen at mhferguson@agcenter.lsu.edu or 985-277-1850 (Hammond) or 985-839-7855 (Franklinton).
On Friday (January 30, 2025), the Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit (LSP/SVU), working in conunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Covington Police Department, concluded a multi-day investigation into child exploitation that resulted in the arrest of five individuals on charges related to child sexual exploitation.
Arrested by LSP SVU detectives were 26-year-old Kevin M. Pierre of Folsom and 44-year-old Mayfield J. Lee of Metairie. Each was charged with Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Computer-aided Solicitation of a Minor, and Attempted Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile. Both were booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
The other three arrests were handled by the Covington Police Department and have yet to be identified.
This investigation highlights the continued collaboration among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in combating sexual crimes that threaten the safety of Louisiana children.
The Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit works to rescue and seek justice for victims of child exploitation and human trafficking through partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as public education. The public plays a crucial role in identifying suspects and reporting criminal or suspicious activity. An anonymous reporting form is available online at http://la-safe.org/ by clicking the “Suspicious Activity” link. Your vigilance helps protect vulnerable members of our communities and supports the fight against exploitation and trafficking.
From the Washington Chamber of Commerce
The Washington Chamber of Commerce is excited to bring the Mardi Gras Decorating Contest to Bogalusa, and we cannot wait to see our businesses and community show off their creativity. Businesses, individuals, medical offices, and window displays are invited to participate. Registration is required by February 2 at 5:00 pm, and entry numbers will be provided once your form is submitted. Click here to register. Email washingtonchamberofcommerce@gmail.com with any questions.
Source: Riverside Medical Center
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness, but the good news is that early detection can make a big difference. Glaucoma happens when pressure builds up inside the eye and damages the optic nerve. Most people don’t notice symptoms at first, which is why it’s often called the “silent thief of sight.”
What you can do:
👁️ Get regular eye exams, especially if you’re over 40 or have a family history of eye disease.
🩺 Talk with your doctor if you notice changes in your vision.
💊 Follow treatment plans if you've been diagnosed—early care can help protect your sight.
Taking small steps now can help keep your eyes healthy for years to come. Let’s spread awareness and encourage our community to make eye health a priority! 💙👓
What to Do After the Cold Weather, and Tips for Future Cold Events
As I prepare this, we’re getting ready for the coldest temperatures we’ve had so far this winter. It doesn’t look like they’ll get close to the low teens or single digits that we had last year, but the anticipated low 20s are still cold by our standards.
Parts of herbaceous (non-woody) plants that are brown and obviously dead can be cut back soon, though there doesn't need to be a rush to do so, and leaving some of the plant tissue may help protect them from cold weather later in the season. Research has found that pollinators and other beneficial insects often live in perennials’ dead stems that have been allowed to remain in place for the following growing season. Based on this, it’s been suggested to leave the first 1 to 2 feet of dead stems for insect habitat.
For woody plants and palms, waiting is advised.
On citrus trees, you may not be able to tell the full extent of cold damage until sometime in the summer. Branches or trunks that look damaged may end up putting out new growth. At the same time, cold-damaged trees may put out flushes of new growth that later collapse. Waiting until July or August, after the second annual flush of growth has occurred, gives you more time to see the full extent of cold damage. At that time, you can remove dead wood.
Also remember to remove rootstock growth from below the graft union as citrus plants recover. Most rootstocks have trifoliate leaves (leaves with three leaflets), so their foliage looks different than that originating from the scion (top part of the grafted tree).
When the time comes to fertilize citrus trees in late winter or early spring, if it appears that you have cold injury, you can reduce the amount of fertilizer in proportion to the part of the tree that appears damaged and, instead of applying it all at once, divide the total amount of fertilizer up into several smaller applications. Be sure not to fertilize after the end of June, though, since late fertilizer application can predispose citrus trees to cold damage the following winter.
On cold damaged palms, it’s recommended to let brown leaves remain until no further hard freezes are likely to occur. Survival of palms depends on survival of the growing tip (meristem) at the top of the plant. Dead or injured leaves can still help protect the growing tip from remaining cold events. Since palms do not put out new growth until later than many other plants, wait until July to make the call about whether or not a palm is dead.
When you buy new plants, remember to choose ones that are cold hardy in your area, if you don’t want to have to protect them. Since the 2023 update to the USDA Hardiness Zone map, most of Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes have been in Zone 9A. There are still some patches of Zone 8B in northern Tangipahoa Parish and western and north-central Washington Parish.
Hardiness Zone 9A indicates average minimum temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees F. Since hardiness zones are based on average minimums, we occasionally experience temperatures lower than that range, as we did last year. If you want to play it safe, you can continue to select plants that are hardy enough for Zone 8B.
When a freeze is expected, make sure that plants have adequate water. Moist soil retains more heat than dry soil. Also, if the water around a plant’s roots freezes, the plant will not be able to take it up while it’s frozen, so it needs to have sufficient water beforehand.
Mulch is desirable in many situations and can help protect plant roots from cold temperatures, if the roots are the part of concern. However, with citrus trees, the rootstock is very cold hardy. It’s the scion that’s more cold sensitive. Bare soil heats up more during the day than soil that is covered with mulch and therefore can provide more heat at night. For marginally hardy citrus trees, one thing you can do to provide a small amount of cold protection is to remove weeds, grass, and mulch under the plant. For this to be useful, the soil needs time to heat up, so don’t wait until late afternoon of the day before the freeze to do it.
When temperatures are expected to get colder than a particular plant can withstand, covering plants is sometimes an option. The cover should extend to the ground. A variety of materials can be used, but try to avoid having direct contact between the plant and the cover, especially if it’s plastic. Also, if you use a plastic cover, make sure to take it off or vent it during the day so that the plant won’t get too hot.
For additional cold protection, an incandescent light bulb can be placed under the cover. Make sure the light won’t get wet, and avoid direct contact between the light and either the tree or the cover.
For citrus in particular, a final thing you can do is to protect the trunk from the base to some point above the graft union with an insulating material. If part of the scion survives, the tree is likely to be able to regrow from it.
Let me know if you have questions.
Click here for previous LSU AgCenter's Weekly Messages
Dr. Mary Helen Ferguson is an Extension Agent with the LSU AgCenter, with horticulture responsibilities in Washington and Tangipahoa Parishes. Contact Mary Helen at mhferguson@agcenter.lsu.edu or 985-277-1850 (Hammond) or 985-839-7855 (Franklinton).
Franklinton, LA — Judge William H. “Billy” Burris, a conservative jurist and lifelong Republican, announced his campaign for the Louisiana Supreme Court, District 1. Judge Burris brings decades of legal experience on the bench and in private practice, has a proven record of judicial leadership, and a firm commitment to the rule of law and judicial restraint. Judge Burris said his judicial philosophy reflects the tough-minded respect for law and order that conservative voters demand, adding that he will enforce the law as written, protect communities, advocate for victims’ rights, and reject judicial activism.
“Like President Trump’s judicial appointees, I believe the role of a judge is not to make law, but to apply it faithfully,” Judge Burris said. “Louisiana deserves justices who are firm, fair, and unafraid to uphold the Constitution, even when it’s unpopular. I prioritize public safety, insist on personal responsibility, and treat every litigant with equal respect under the law. I will bring that same steady, principled approach to the Supreme Court.”
Judge Burris has served as District Judge, Division E, of the 22nd Judicial District Court, covering Washington and St. Tammany Parishes, since 2018. A native of Franklinton, he is an LSU alumnus and graduated magna cum laude from Southern University Law Center. During his time on the bench, Judge Burris has overseen both civil and criminal dockets and has presided over 49 jury trials. He routinely handles some of the court’s most complex matters, including nine life without parole cases and three major sex-offender trials, resulting in sentences ranging from 80 to 200 years. In addition, Judge Burris has played a key role in launching specialty courts focused on accountability and rehabilitation, and he has earned statewide respect through his leadership on multiple judicial committees.
Judge Burris’s record on the district court has earned the confidence of Louisiana’s leading job creators and business advocates. His proven commitment to fairness and stability has earned him the endorsement of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s SouthPAC, the Louisiana Motor Transport Association’s TruckPAC, the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association’s LOGPAC, and the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association’s MCPAC. These organizations represent thousands of employers and workers across the state.
“As a faithful conservative and originalist, I believe judges must respect the proper role of the Legislature and resist attempts to legislate from the bench,” Judge Burris added. “My judicial philosophy is rooted in common sense, restraint, and fidelity to the Constitution.”
Judge Burris is active in his community and Christian faith. He is a member of the Federalist Society, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, a former president of the Washington Parish Bar Association, and an ordained deacon at First Baptist Church of Franklinton. He and his wife, Lacy, are raising two daughters in Franklinton.
The Republican primary is scheduled for Saturday, May 16. Learn more about Judge Billy Burris at www.JudgeBurris.com
UPDATE: TPSO advised at 11:14 PM on January 30, 2026 that Brandon Patrick is in custody.
Original Story
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office is asking the public to be on the lookout for 31-year-old Brandon Patrick, a dangerous suspect who is wanted in connection with a gruesome domestic violence case that occurred Tuesday (January 27, 2026).Patrick is wanted for biting off a portion of a female victim’s face during a domestic dispute. According to the TPSO report, the victim had been held against her will for days. The injury occurred during her escape. The victim is still hospitalized and undergoing treatment for her extensive injuries.
Patrick is currently wanted on one count of Domestic Abuse Battery with Serious Bodily Injury and False Imprisonment. This investigation is ongoing with additional and/or increased charges pending.
Note: Patrick is an identical twin, but has several distinctive marks and tattoos to help correctly identify him, including an old stab wound on his right hand and a left arm half-sleeve of tattoos with a house and scroll. His right arm has a full sleeve of tattoos. Patrick is a convicted felon with a known local-gang affiliation and is considered dangerous. Patrick does not have a vehicle and may attempt to request transportation from strangers.
If you know where Patrick is, please contact TPSOs Criminal Investigations Office at 985-902-2088. If you’d prefer to share information anonymously, you can do so through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip! Tips submitted directly through Crimestoppers may be eligible for a cash reward.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
On January 27, 2026, Louisiana State Police Troopers and Criminal Investigators assigned to the Louisiana State Police Narcotics / Violent Crime Task Force, along with personnel from Troop L and Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, participated in a joint narcotics investigation in Tangipahoa Parish targeting members of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) involved in the interstate distribution of cocaine.
Coordinated enforcement actions resulted in the seizure of approximately twenty (20) kilograms of cocaine, valued at an estimated street value of $1,500,000.00 one Glock handgun, and approximately $7,150.00 in United States currency.
As a result of the investigation, three individuals were arrested and booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on state narcotics and firearms violations. Arrested were 19-year-old Jorge Lira, 38-year-old Eliberto Guajardo, and 44-year-old Brice Strain, Jr., all from Texas.
This investigation highlights the continued collaboration among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in disrupting large-scale drug trafficking operations that threaten the safety of Louisiana communities.
The Louisiana State Police Narcotics / Violent Crime Task Force is comprised of Louisiana State Police Troopers and Criminal Investigators, along with law enforcement personnel from the Saint Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Hammond Police Department, the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The Louisiana State Police remains the lead investigative agency in this ongoing case. Additional arrests are possible as the investigation continues.
The Louisiana State Police urges anyone with information related to illegal narcotics activity to report it through the secure online reporting system at www.lsp.org or by contacting the Louisiana State Police Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.
District Attorney Collin Sims announces that today, George Starks, 32, of Pearl River, Louisiana, was sentenced to a mandatory term of life imprisonment for the brutal rape and sexual battery of a child. The sentencing follows a December 2025 conviction where a St. Tammany Parish jury took only 19 minutes to return a unanimous guilty verdict. Judge Tara Zeller of Division B handed down the following sentences:
Count 1: First-Degree Rape of a Child Under Thirteen – Life imprisonment at hard labor, without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
Count 2: Sexual Battery Involving a Victim Under Thirteen – 50 years at hard labor, without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
The court ordered that these sentences be served concurrently.
The conviction stems from a July 2022 incident in Slidell. Evidence presented by Assistant District Attorneys Iain Dover and Tiffany Dover detailed how Starks lured the victim into his vehicle before driving her to a secluded area at the dead end of Bull Run. There, he forcibly removed her from the car and committed the rape and assault.
Click here for previous related stories
The investigation, led by Detective Patrick Rigney of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, was bolstered by surveillance footage from a local Shell station and definitive DNA evidence from the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. Despite Starks’ evolving and contradictory claims during the trial – including a claim that the victim forced his DNA into her possession – the jury found the evidence of his guilt overwhelming.
District Attorney Collin Sims issued the following statement regarding today’s sentencing:
“Today’s sentence ensures that a dangerous predator will never again have the opportunity to harm a child in our community. The victim’s bravery throughout this process remained the foundation of this case. This life sentence is the only just outcome for such heinous acts.”
DA Sims again extended his gratitude to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office, Hope House, and the Morgan Rae Center for Hope for their roles in securing this conviction and supporting the victim.
Travis Parrott (age 38 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Failure to Appear by the
Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released on $768.00 bond.
Jace Crosby (age 30 with Kentwood, La. address) was booked on the charges of Protective Order Violation, Terrorizing, and Unlawful Disruption of a School Operation by the Franklinton Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Cletis Parson (age 64 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Eugine Tyson (age 43 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II
Drugs (2 counts) and Possession of Contraband in Correctional Facility by the Bogalusa Police Department. Bond set at $12000.00.
Tommy Lewis (age 29 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charge of Indecent Behavior With Juvenile(s) by the Bogalusa Police Department. Bond set at $50000.00.
Didnell Howard (age 46 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Entry/Remain on Premises After Being Forbidden and Possession of Schedule III Drugs by the Bogalusa Police Department. Bond set at $12000.00
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
