William D. "David" Sellers
September 10, 1950 - October 19, 2025
From a post by Washington Parish Government
This February, the Washington Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness was awarded a grant through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). With this funding, we’ve purchased 7 trailer-mounted portable generators and transfer switches to provide back-up power for critical facilities when it’s needed most.
The new equipment includes:
🔹 4 generators at 65 kw
🔹 1 generator at 25 kw
🔹 2 generators at 181 kw
These resources strengthen our ability to respond during emergencies, ensuring that essential services remain available to our community.
Washington Parish is investing in preparedness today, so we can be ready for tomorrow.
Submitted by Colleen Bateman, President of Washington Parish School Bus Operators Association
SUPPORT PERSONNEL
CAFETERIA STAFF, CUSTODIANS & MAINTENANCE, OFFICE STAFF,
PARAPROFESSIONALS, SCHOOL BUS ATTENDANTS, SCHOOL BUS OPERATORS
It is VERY IMPORTANT that ALL SUPPORT PERSONNEL attend the School Board Meeting on OCTOBER 23rd at Central Office.
Please be there for 5:30 PM!! WE WANT TO BE SEEN!!!
Ask the parents of students and any other citizens of Washington Parish to
COME AND SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR SUPPORT PERSONNEL!!
TAX STIPEND DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN ALL EMPLOYEES of the Washington Parish School System!!
WE ARE ALL EQUAL when it comes to making it possible for all the students of Washington Parish to receive the free and appropriate EDUCATION that they deserve and that is also MANDATED BY THE STATE OF LOUISIANA!!
WITHOUT ANY OF US, A SCHOOL DAY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE!!
WITHOUT SCHOOL BUS OPERATORS - many students would not have transportation to and from school; WITHOUT SCHOOL BUS ATTENDANTS - the special needs school buses could not operate, WITHOUT THE CAFETERIA STAFF - there would be no breakfast or lunch to feed the students (for many students this may be the only decent meals they have), WITHOUT THE CUSTODIANS - there would be nobody to clean our school - WITHOUT THE MAINTENANCE STAFF - there would be no upkeep and repair at our schools - WITHOUT THE PARAS - many classroom could not be held - WITHOUT THE OFFICE STAFF - it would be chaos at the schools!!!
WE ARE ALL IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM!!!
If WE DON’T STAND TOGETHER in this FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT and WIN WHAT IS RIGHT …. SUPPORT STAFF will always be CONSIDERED LESS THAN!!!
One thing for sure … SHOW UP and you can SAY WITHOUT A DOUBT THAT all of the SUPPORT PERSONNEL TRIED as a TEAM!!
THERE IS ALWAYS POWER IN NUMBERS!!
Several of the School Board Members will not be running FOR ELECTION due to term limits … therefore they HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BY VOTING AGAINST US EXCEPT THEIR INTEGRITY!!
ALL OTHER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE UP FOR RE-ELECTION!!!
BE LOUD AND PROUD OF THE JOB THAT YOU DO!!
Let the School Board Members know, THE ONLY RIGHT THING TO DO IS TO VOTE- EQUAL ACROSS THE BOARD!!
SHOW UP!!! - DON’T GIVE UP WITHOUT TRYING!!!
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!!!
Caribbean Sea (AL98): The only disturbance in the tropics again today is a tropical wave located over the eastern Caribbean Sea. The system is moving westward at 15 to 20 mph towards the central Caribbean Sea and is expected to slowdown over the next few days. Environmental conditions are forecast to become more conducive for development, and a tropical depression or storm is likely to form over the next few days. Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...50 percent and formation chance through 7 days...high...80 percent.
Kristy Wilkerson (age 29 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court (2 counts) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
James Rasberry (age 26 with Sontag, Ms. address) was booked on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated, Negligent Injuring, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, No Proof of Insurance, and No Proof of Insurance in Vehicle. No bond set at this time.
Anthony Cornish (age 26 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction by the Franklinton Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Deonco Bridges (age 22 with Gulfport, Ms. address) was booked on the charge of Aggravated Assault With a Firearm by the Franklinton Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Brandon Bridges (age not shown with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Aggravated Assault With a Firearm by the Franklinton Police Department. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Near the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea (AL98): The only disturbance in the tropics today is a tropical wave currently located near the Windward Islands. The system is moving quickly westward at 20 to 25 mph into the eastern Caribbean Sea. Additional development is forecast to be limited over the next day or two, due to the fast forward motion of the wave. The system is then expected to slow down over the central Caribbean Sea during the middle portion of the week, where environmental conditions could become more conducive for development. A tropical depression could from over the central Caribbean Sea by the middle to latter portion of this week. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent and formation chance through 7 days...medium...60 percent.
Rodney Abrams (age 51 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Failure to Appear (2 counts) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $30424.00.
Jasmin Pacheco (age 37 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Criminal Damage (2 counts) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Dennis Pierre (age 28 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Criminal Trespass and Disturbing the Peace/Drunkenness by the Franklinton Police Department. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
UPDATE at 11:27 AM on October 18, 2025: Tips from the public have helped locate Brittany. She is safe and being medically evaluated.
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance locating a St. Helena Parish woman who is now believed to have last been located in Tangipahoa Parish.Brittany Travasos (Barlow), age 37, is from the McDaniel Road area. Relatives reported her missing to the St. Helena Sheriff’s Office on September 29th after not hearing from her since the 25th. The investigation into her whereabouts has turned up several locations in the Ponchatoula area where Brittany was last known to have been and/or seen.
Brittany is 5’2”, weighing 125 lbs, with blue eyes and had recently dyed her hair brown. She relies on medication for a condition that can become critical to her health and well-being if she is without it.
Sheriff Gerald Sticker asks anyone with information regarding Brittany’s whereabouts to contact our Investigations Division at 985-771-1161. You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3Tips icon or Submit A Tip! Tips submitted directly through Crimestoppers may be eligible for a cash reward.
Disturbance 1. East of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea: A tropical wave is located about 800 miles east of the Windward Islands. Gradual development of this system is possible during the next several days while it moves generally westward at around 20 mph. This system is expected to move across the Caribbean Sea through much of next week. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...30 percent.
Disturbance 2. North Atlantic: A non-tropical area of low pressure is located several hundred miles east-northeast of Bermuda. There is a slight chance that the system could develop some subtropical characteristics through tonight before it turns northeastward over cooler waters on Sunday. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...10 percent.
From the classroom to the countryside, this week’s TWILA dives into the stories shaping Louisiana agriculture. Farmers are feeling the pinch from record-low cotton acres, a federal shutdown, and shifting global trade. Meanwhile, students across the state are getting a firsthand look at where their food comes from through Farm City Day and the Farm to School Conference. We’ll also explore Louisiana’s forestry roots in Longleaf and stop by Champagne’s Marché for a taste of Cajun tradition.
Disturbance 1. East of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea: A tropical wave is located over the central tropical Atlantic more than 1000 miles east of the Windward Islands. Gradual development of this system is possible over the next several days while it moves generally westward at 15 to 20 mph. This system is expected to move across the Caribbean Sea much of next week. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...30 percent.
Disturbance 2. North Atlantic: A non-tropical area of low pressure is located well off the coast of the Northeast United States. There is a slight chance that the system could develop some subtropical characteristics during the weekend before it turns northeastward over cooler waters by early next week. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...10 percent.
Slidell Police are investigating a shooting that left 18-year-old Chance’lor Parker of Lacombe dead near Possum Hollow Park in Slidell on Wednesday (October 15, 2025) evening.
Shortly after 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Slidell Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire in the area of Possum Hollow Park. Upon arrival, officers located a male victim in the parking lot suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics immediately began life-saving efforts before transporting the victim to a nearby hospital. Despite those efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was later pronounced deceased.
The identity of the victim was released by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office and the release stated Parker died of gunshot wounds to his torso and a lower extremity and the manner of death is homicide.
This investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Slidell Police Department at 985-643-3131 or email PIO@slidellpd.com. You may also contact Crime Stoppers at 504-822-1111. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Jalissa Watson (age 27 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Second Degree Robbery and Contempt of Court by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released October 15, 2025
Christopher Keating (age 21 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Carrying Firearm/Weapon on School Property by the Franklinton Police Department. Bond set at $5000.00.
Luis Carbajal (age 21 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $15000.00.
Keaira Pinter (age 26 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Aggravated Domestic Violence Battery and Domestic Abuse/Child Endangerment by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $3000.00.
Jasmine Magee (age 33 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Battery of Infirm and Theft Less Than 1000 by the Franklinton Police Department. Bond set at $3000.00.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
We Can Grow Bunch Grapes with Good Variety Selection and Some Effort
When you think about bunch grapes, wine grape varieties like Chardonnay and Merlot or table grapes like Thompson Seedless may come to mind. There are reasons that we don’t grow these (at least not for long) here in the Deep South. Something called Pierce’s disease, which is caused by the bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa, limits what types of grapes we can grow.
As you might imagine, muscadines are resistant to Pierce’s disease. Some bunch grape varieties have this characteristic, too.
While resistance to Pierce’s disease is the first hurdle to overcome, a number of other diseases also cause problems on bunch grapes. These can be managed to some extent, but choosing varieties that are less susceptible to them is also important.
Blanc du Bois is probably the variety most widely grown for white wine production in the Deep South. It is, however, highly susceptible to the fungal disease anthracnose and requires regular fungicide applications not only to produce high quality fruit but to survive in the long-term.
A grape that tends to survive without quite as much care is Black Spanish or Lenoir, though disease management will still be necessary. This is grown primarily for making red wine.
Another red wine grape is MidSouth (pictured right). Grape expert Dr. Eric Stafne of Mississippi State University is a fan of this one. He’s found that it’s one of the best as far as survival goes. A downside of this one is that it’s not very easy to find to purchase.
Norton or Cynthiana is widely grown as a red wine grape in some parts of the South, but it’s better suited to north Louisiana than south Louisiana.
Even with good variety selection, bunch grapes still require more effort (especially fungicide applications) to produce healthy fruit than muscadines do.
Plant grapes in a well-drained, sunny location. Bunch grapes are not quite as vigorous as muscadines, so while a 20-foot within row spacing is typically recommended for muscadine vines, you can space bunch grapes about 7 to 8 feet apart.
A trellis with a single 9 or 10-gauge galvanized steel wire 6 feet from the ground is appropriate. Another wire can be placed 1 foot from the ground so that you can attach a drip irrigation line, if desired. Posts can be spaced approximately 21 to 24 feet apart so that there are three vines between each pair.
Plant bare root plants in the winter, while they’re dormant. You have more flexibility when planting containerized plants, but late winter is good time to plant them, too, if they’re dormant. Place plants at the same depth they were at in the nursery or container. If they’re grafted, make sure that the graft union is about 2 inches above the soil.
You can use a stake (e.g., of bamboo) or string suspended from the trellis wire to guide the vine towards the wire during the first growing season. When the vine begins to grow, choose one healthy shoot and remove the others. (Continue removing other shoots as the season goes on.) Gently attach the vine to the stake or string as it grows.
If the vine reaches the top wire during the first growing season, you can allow it to send a shoot in each direction along the wire. You may need to pinch or cut it a couple of inches above the wire to encourage it to send out lateral shoots. If it does not reach the wire during the first season, cut it back while it’s dormant and repeat the process of training up a trunk during the second season.
How to prune mature vines is beyond the scope of this article, but be aware that vines need to be pruned every winter, while they’re dormant.
Keep grass and other weeds away from the trunks, especially while vines are young. One-quarter pound of a fertilizer such as 10-10-10 can be spread after vines begin growing in the spring and again in 6 weeks. Keep fertilizer about 1 foot away from the plant. The amount of fertilizer can be increased the second year.
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).
District Attorney Collin Sims reports that on October 15, 2025, Judge Richard Swartz sentenced 47-year-old Calvin Ulyessa Brown of Slidell to 57 years in prison following his conviction for attempting to kill his estranged wife. In August, a St. Tammany Parish jury found Brown guilty of attempt second degree murder, attempt simple burglary and stalking at the conclusion of a 4-day trial. Assistant District Attorneys Christina Fisher and Heather Stephens prosecuted the case. Detective Scott O’Shaughnessy of the Slidell Police Department led the investigation.
The charges stem from a February 26, 2022, incident in which Brown ambushed his estranged wife and shot her four times as she sat in her vehicle. The shooting occurred just after 2:00 a.m. on Joseph Street in Slidell. Officers responded to a report of gunfire and found the victim in the driver’s seat of her parked vehicle, unconscious and bleeding profusely. As officers assessed her gunshot wounds, the victim stopped breathing. Officers began applying emergency treatment to the victim and she regained consciousness. (Slidell Police Officer Rachel Harris was later presented a lifesaving award for her commendable conduct.) Prior to being loading into an ambulance, the victim named her husband, Calvin Brown, as the shooter. Surveillance footage and forensic evidence collected by the Slidell Police Department, including phone records and data from the defendant’s Apple Watch, supported her account. Earlier that evening, Brown had called the victim more than 50 times and was captured on surveillance video breaking into her apartment. At the time of the shooting, their 7-year-old son was in Brown’s car and witnessed the attack.
The victim testified at trial, describing a 21-year history of abuse and harassment by the defendant. The victim continues to deal with the physical effects of the shooting. Prosecutor Christina Fisher credited the bravery of both the victim and the son in coming forward, stating, “If it were up to Calvin Brown, this would have been a murder.”
At the sentencing hearing, the victim and the son both made statements prior to the imposition of sentence. The victim described the hurt she feels knowing their son will grow up without a father but that she will make certain “not to raise him to put his hands on a woman.” The now 10-year-old son said he often feels sad and wants his father to explain “why you did this to us.”
After the statements concluded, Judge Swartz imposed the maximum penalty on each of the charges: 50 years in prison for the attempt murder, six years for the attempt burglary and one year for the stalking. He then ordered the three sentences to run consecutive to each other, meaning Brown will serve a 57-year prison term.
A man accused of shoplifting from Dick’s Sporting Goods led Slidell Police on a multi-city vehicle pursuit Monday (October 13, 2025) evening before being taken into custody.
Shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, Slidell Police officers responded to Dick’s Sporting Goods regarding a reported shoplifting in-progress. As officers arrived in the area, they were advised that the suspect had fled the store and entered a white Nissan Altima. Officers quickly located the vehicle as it sped recklessly through the parking lot. Upon seeing marked police units, the driver immediately fled. The suspect led officers on a lengthy pursuit through various areas of Slidell, into New Orleans East, and back toward Slidell via Interstate 10 and Interstate 12. During the chase, the suspect was observed throwing several items out of the vehicle along the interstate.
Unfamiliar with the area, the suspect exited I-12 onto Airport Road and drove toward the Slidell Municipal Airport, where he struck a chain-link fence after reaching a dead end. Despite the impact, he continued attempting to flee. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, who assisted with the chase, successfully deployed spike strips which deflated the suspect vehicle’s front tires. Trooper's with the Louisiana State Police deployed a second set of stop sticks, which prompted the suspect to stop and surrender. The driver, identified as 51-year-old Shawn LeBlanc of Houma, was taken into custody without further incident.
Officers later recovered the items discarded along the interstate, which were determined to be stolen merchandise from Dick’s Sporting Goods. Also recovered was a device designed to defeat security sensors on retail products.
LeBlanc is believed to be connected to a series of shoplifting incidents across Louisiana and Mississippi, primarily targeting high-end sporting equipment from various retailers.
LeBlanc was booked into the Slidell City Jail on the charges of Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce, Hit and Run, Theft by Shoplifting, and Possession of Burglary Tools
This investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are possible.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Donavan Forbes (age 57 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Charles Wallace (age 53 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Malfeasance in Office and Simple Battery by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released on $10000.00 bond.
Jessica Virgil (age 41 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Mary Potter (age 54 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Simple Burglary and Disturbing the Peace/Drunkenness by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Elizabeth Fowler (age 54 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Criminal Damage to Property Under 1000, Indecent Exposure, Resisting a Police Officer With Force or Violence, Driving While Intoxicated (2nd Offense), Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Driving Under Suspension by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Kevin Penton (age 55 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Parole Violation by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
For the third day, the only disturbance in the tropics is Tropical Storm Lorenzo, which is no threat to our area.