Ricky "Little Rick" Applewhite
December 31, 1988 - May 20, 2026
July 16, 2026
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for July 15, 2026
Roy King (age 59 with a Angie, La. address) was booked on the charge of Disturbing the Peace/Drunkenness by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Mastin Myrick (age 45 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Theft 1000-5000 by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Malcom Haley (age 50 with no address listed) was booked on the charge of Convicted Felon in Possession of Firearm by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
Friday Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph after midnight.
Tropical Disturbances Today
Disturbance 1. A tropical wave is located southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands. Some slow development is possible during the next day or two while the system moves generally west-northwestward at about 10 mph. By this weekend, the system is forecast to move into a less conducive environment, and further development is not expected. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...10 percent.
Disturbance 2. An area of low pressure in the Northeastern Gulf of America and offshore of the Southeastern U.S. is forecast to form this weekend over the northeastern Gulf of America. Some gradual development of this system is possible while it moves slowly northeastward over the northeastern Gulf and near the coast of the southeastern United States early next week. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...20 percent.
July 15, 2026
St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for July 14, 2026
Quinelle Tyson (age 28) was booked on the charges of Illegal Carrying of Weapon, Possession of Drug
Paraphernalia, Ignore Traffic Signal, Illegal Window Tint, and Possession of Schedule I by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Anthony Hardy (age 57) was booked on the charges of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Failure to Stop/Yield, Simple Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce, Improper Lane Use, and Aggravated Flight From Officer by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Paige McKay (age 36) was booked on the charge of Prohibited Acts/Schedule
IV by the Pearl River Police Department.
Averi Faust (age 20) was booked on the charges of DWI, Negligent Injury, Intentional Littering Prohibited, Careless Operation, and Open Container in Motor Vehicle by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Richard Munster (age 55) was booked on the charges of Prohibited Acts/Schedule II, Possession of Schedule IV, Possession of Schedule III CDS, Possession of Schedule II, and Habitual Offender Law/Sentences for Second and Subsequent by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Thomas Puckett (age 44) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule I, Possession of Schedule II, Possession of Schedule IV, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the Slidell Police Department.
Michael Piazza (age 43) was booked on the charges of Operating While Intoxicated (2nd Offense), Failure to Stop/Yield, and Driving Under Suspension by the Louisiana State Police.
Jacolby Dotey (age 31) was booked on the charges of Unauthorized Entry of a Place of Business and Simple Burglary by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Antonio Ward (age 33) was booked on the charges of Manufacture/Distribution of Schedule I CDS, Domestic Abuse Battery/Child Endangerment, Domestic Abuse Battery/Pregnant Victim, Illegal Use of CDS in Presence of Persons Under, and Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Antonio Miller (age 28) was booked on charge(s) not listed by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Laqwenta Deamer (age 32) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court (2 counts) by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Dwayne Cousin (age 35) was booked on the charges of Operating While Intoxicated (2nd Offense), Fugitive (2 counts), Contempt of Court (2 counts), and Surrender of Defendant/Bondsman Off Bond (2 counts) by the Louisiana State Police.
Candace Pierron (age 42) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by Agency not listed.
Zyrone Lopez (age 24) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by Agency not listed.
Sajay Stevenson (age 20) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by Agency not listed.
Brandi Davis (age 40) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by Agency not listed.
Jared Knox (age 46) was booked on the charge of Contempt of Court by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Preston Blair (age 45) was booked on the charge of Contempt of Court by the Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Darren Singletary (age 56) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery by the Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Jermaine Burns (age 45) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II, Driving Under Suspension, Improper Turn, and Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear (2 counts) by the Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Horace Stewart (age 82) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the Folsom Police Department.
John Erwin (age 72) was booked on the charges of Theft Less Than 1000 and Theft 1000-5000 by the Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Alesha Bergens (age 35) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II, Drug Paraphernalia, Improper Turn, and Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Carlon Black (age 46) was booked on the charges of Operating While Intoxicated (2nd Offense) and Careless Operation by the Louisiana State Police.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Parish Council Hears More on Solar Facility Issues
The Washington Parish Council meeting on July 13, 2026 had nothing on the Agenda related to any solar issues, with the exception of comments by Austin Magee, Candidate for Louisiana's Congressional District 5. However, most of the meeting consisted of questions and comments regarding just that. See the video of the meeting below. Austin Magee's comments begin at 7:00 into the video. Questions and comments regarding solar begins at about 30:50 into the video.
If you have not seen the previous meeting, you may want to view video of the July 9, 2026 meeting that was called to consider a moratorium on solar and other related projects. Click here to see video of that meeting
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for July 14, 2026
Daquay Cerigny (age 48 with a Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II Drugs and Prohibited Acts by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $7500.00.
Sharday Williams (age 24 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Nonconsensual Disclosure of Private Picture and Cyberstalking by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $12000.00.
Jaquan Brumfield (age 31 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule I/Principle, Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule I/Ecstasy, and Introduction of Contraband to Correctional Facility by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Craig Anderson (age 42 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Protective Order Violation by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
D. A. Collin Sims Reports Guilty Plea and 22-Year Sentence of New Orleans Man
District Attorney J. Collin Sims reports that on July 13, 2026, Kevin L. Carr, age 39 and of New Orleans, pled guilty and was sentenced to 22 years in prison by the Honorable Judge Vincent J. Lobello. Judge Lobello sentenced Carr to serve 20 years in prison on the narcotics and weapons charges, plus an additional 2 years to be served consecutively for the stolen firearm charge. Assistant District Attorney Shelby Stoop prosecuted the case.
The felony charges to which Carr pled guilty are listed below:
- Possession of 2 grams or more but less than 28 grams of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance (Tapentadol)
- Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance (oxycodone)
- Possession with intent to distribute a Schedule III CDS (Buprenorphine)
- Illegal possession of stolen firearms
- Illegal carrying of weapons while in possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
- Illegal carrying of weapons while in possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
- Illegal carrying of weapons while in possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
- Possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies
- Possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies
- Possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies
- Transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses
The charges stem from a multi-agency investigation that began on July 13, 2023 when Slidell Police Department Narcotics Detectives identified Carr as a primary distributor or narcotics in the Slidell area. Following surveillance, detectives observed Carr conducting an apparent hand-to-hand narcotics transaction in Slidell. After attempting to elude officers, Carr was stopped and detained. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed ripped baggies containing drug residue, drug residue on the floorboard, a digital scale, and $1,921 in cash.
Following the traffic stop, a search warrant was executed at Carr’s residence by the Slidell Police Department, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, and the FBI Gang Task Force. Law enforcement recovered a host of illicit narcotics – including oxycodone, suboxone, and tapentadol - alongside three firearms in a bedroom accessible to two juveniles. One of the recovered firearms had been previously reported stolen out of New Orleans. The narcotics were found in the family kitchen, stored near the children’s snacks. Furthermore, incriminating text messages requesting narcotics and referencing transactions were visible on the home screen of Carr’s cell phone.
“Illicit narcotics and firearms are a deadly combination that compromises the safety of our neighborhoods and puts innocent lives, including children, at risk," District Attorney Collin Sims said. "Thanks to the collaboration between the Slidell Police Department, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, and the FBI Gang Task Force, a source of dangerous narcotics has been removed from our streets. This 22-year sentence reflects our unwavering commitment to hold drug dealers accountable and protect our community."
Following his guilty plea, Carr was remanded to the custody of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Tropical Disturbances Today
An area of low pressure is expected to form during the weekend over the northeastern Gulf of America. Subsequent slow development of this system is possible while it moves slowly northeastward over the northeastern Gulf and or near the southeastern coast of the United States by early next week. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...20 percent.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Friday Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
July 14, 2026
STPSO Joins Fentanyl Overdose Response Team
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office has joined the DEA Fentanyl Overdose Response Team, strengthening a statewide partnership dedicated to investigating fentanyl-related overdose deaths, dismantling drug trafficking networks and holding those responsible accountable.
The team brings together experienced investigators, prosecutors and public safety partners to share intelligence, coordinate investigations and target the people responsible for bringing fentanyl into Louisiana communities.
Under Louisiana law, anyone who distributes fentanyl or other illegal drugs that result in a fatal overdose can be charged with murder.
"Fentanyl continues to devastate families in St. Tammany and across Louisiana, and we are committed to doing everything we can to stop it," Sheriff Bret Ibert said. "Having one of our investigators serve on this team strengthens our ability to send a clear message that there is no place for this dangerous drug in St. Tammany Parish."
By having an investigator assigned to the Louisiana Fentanyl Overdose Response Team, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office gains access to additional investigative resources, specialized expertise and real-time intelligence from law enforcement agencies across the state. That collaboration will help connect cases that cross parish lines, identify larger drug trafficking organizations and strengthen overdose investigations.
"Our community expects us to work together to protect them, and that's exactly what this partnership allows us to do," Ibert said. "When agencies combine resources and intelligence, we're better equipped to identify the people responsible for bringing fentanyl into our communities, hold them accountable and help prevent future overdose deaths."
The partnership has the support of prosecutors and federal law enforcement leaders, who say it will strengthen efforts to investigate overdose deaths and bring those responsible to justice.
“The addition of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office to the DEA Fentanyl Overdose Response Team further strengthens the collaborative network of law enforcement and prosecutors committed to combating the fentanyl crisis,” District Attorney Collin Sims said. “Working together, we can build stronger cases, share critical intelligence, and ensure those who distribute this deadly drug are held accountable under Louisiana law. Our office remains committed to seeking justice for victims and their families while doing everything we can to prevent future overdose deaths.”
“By welcoming the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office to the Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT), we are tearing down jurisdictional walls to share real-time intelligence and target the drug trafficking organizations driving this epidemic,” added Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott, of the New Orleans Field Division. “We are fully committed to working alongside Sheriff Ibert and his team to investigate these poisonings as homicides and bring justice to the families devastated by these crimes."
Ibert stressed that the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office has zero tolerance for anyone who sells fentanyl in our community.
"If you're dealing fentanyl in St. Tammany Parish, we're going to do everything we can to find you and hold you accountable," he said. "If your actions cost someone their life, we're going to pursue every legal avenue available, including second-degree murder charges when the law allows. There is no place for fentanyl in St. Tammany Parish.”
St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for July 13, 2026
Hope Paquette (age 44) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery/Child Endangerment by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Gustavo Lopez (age 38) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by Agency not listed.
Cody Crouch (age 36) was booked on the charges of Housed for Court, Violation of Protection Order, Telephone Communications/Improper/Harassment, and Stalking by Agency not listed.
Homero Garcia (age 34) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Kenneth Wagner (age 45) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by Agency not listed.
Corey Procop (age 39) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court (2 counts) by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Evan Heintz (age 35) was booked on the charge of Exploitation of the Infirmed by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Kerry Isidore (age 28) was booked on the charge of Court Sanction by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Mario Aguirre (age 28) was booked on the charge of Theft 5000-25000 by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Juan Gutierrez (age 37) was booked on the charge of Surrender of Defendant/Bondsman Off Bond by Bondsman.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for July 13, 2026
Darren Baham (age 33 with a Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Contempt of Court by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $50.00.
Jamie McNeese (age 26 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Cruelty to Juveniles by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Chance Turner (age 23 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse/Child Endangerment (2 counts), Domestic Abuse Battery, Simple Assault, and Resisting an Officer by the Bogalusa Police Department. Bond information is incomplete at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Arrests Made in Tangipahoa Parish Copper Thefts
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested five suspects in at least three separate recent copper theft cases.
- The first case involved two stolen A/C units and a third unit stripped from a church on Highway 1065 in three separate incidents. Thanks to the neighbors around the church sharing their tips and home surveillance cameras, the two suspects were caught right across the street with one of the stolen units still on site. Arrested were 47-year-old Robert Myrick, 46-year-old Jeremy Thompson, and 45-year-old Robert Magee. Myrick and Thompson were each booked on one count each of Burglary of a Religious Building, Theft, and Simple Criminal Damage to Property. Magee was booked on one count each of Simple Criminal Damage to Property and Theft. At the time of Magee's arrest, he was already in the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on a different copper theft case from earlier this month and, since this arrest, has been booked in a third copper theft case from the last week of June.
- The second case began when TPSO received a call from a local scrap yard about a white male and white female having tried to sell a large amount of suspected stolen copper. Detectives who had been working several ongoing copper theft investigations quickly found the suspect vehicle, with all of the materials piled in the back of the pickup truck, and arrested the two suspects. Chrystal Watson, age 37 of Roseland, was arrested on an outstanding Felony Failure to Appear charge while Adam Warren, age 39 of Roseland, was booked on a Theft warrant out of Mississippi. At this time, it is believed that the recovered property is connected to multiple thefts here in Tangipahoa Parish and in Mississippi and detectives are actively working to connect the items to the pending and possibly unknown cases.
- The third case is an open copper theft investigation that detectives are currently asking the public’s help with. The theft was caught on camera on June 28, 2026 and involves an A/C condenser stolen from an 82-year-old man’s shop on Crapanzano Road in Hammond that is costing him $20,000 to replace.
Sheriff Gerald Sticker encourages anyone with information about who this suspect is, or their whereabouts, to contact the TPSO Criminal Investigations Division at 985-902-2088.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today A 50 percent chance of showers with thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
July 13, 2026
St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for July 12, 2026
Brandon Brooks (age 36) was booked on the charges of Bicycles/Front Lamps, Side and Rear Reflectors
Required and Refusing to Provide Correct Identity by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Christopher Franke (age 23) was booked on the charges of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Improper Turn by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Laura Martin (age 42) was booked on the charges of DWI and Improper Lane Use by the Louisiana State Police.
Shannon Crowell (age 56) was booked on the charges of DWI and Possession of Schedule II by the Slidell Police Department.
Chelsea Luckett (age 33) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Clint Bowley (age 45) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Vicki Vaughn (age 43) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Kelden Barnes (age 34) was booked on the charge of Battery of a Dating Partner by the Covington Police Department.
Sheila Stanga (age 70) was booked on the charge of Tampering With Surveillance Accounting Inventory or Monitor by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Braydon Pierre (age 19) was booked on the charges of Illegal Use of Weapon and Illegal Carrying of Weapon During Crime of Violence by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Rayburn Correctional Welcomes Six Cadets
On Friday, July 10, 2026, Rayburn Correctional Center celebrated the graduation of Academy Class 289,
marking the successful completion of the training program by six cadets. Warden Keith Bickham, Deputy Warden Kevin Luper, and the staff of Rayburn Correctional Center extend a warm welcome to these new graduates. We look forward to observing their growth and achievements as they embark on their careers.
Congratulations to Angela Galloway, Bianca Goddard, Marcus Harry, Da’Marion Newkirk, Breanna Riley, and Jacob Stogner.
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for July 11-12, 2026
Nautica Miner (age 23 with a Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Obstruction of Justice, and Contempt of Court by the Franklinton Police Department. Bond set at $10000.00.
Joseph Graves (age 51 with a Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation. No bond set at this time.
Thomas Bernard (age 47 with a Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated and Blocking of Private Driveways, Highways, and Right of Ways by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $2500.00.
Calvin Reed (age 62 with a Carrollton, Ga. address) was booked on the charge of Battery of a Dating Partner by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Jacob Burr (age 24 with an address not listed) was booked on the charge of Video Voyeurism by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today A 90 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 5pm. High near 84. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday A 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. .
Wednesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
July 12, 2026
St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for July 11, 2026
Marshall Keelen (age 31) was booked on the charges of DWI and Improper Lane Use by the Louisiana State Police.
Tahj Lewis (age 22) was booked on the charge of Possession of Schedule I by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Tangie Davis (age 43) was booked on the charges of Driving Under Suspension and Sale Distribution or Possession of Legend Drug Without Prescription by the Mandeville Police Department.
Darren Leboeuf (age 47) was booked on the charges of DWI and Improper Lane Use by the Louisiana State Police.
Donald Cyprian (age 22) was booked on the charge of Battery of a Dating Partner by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Courtney Payton (age 36) was booked on the charges of Aggravated Flight From Officer, Expired License Plate, Possession of Schedule I, and Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule I CDS by the Slidell Police Department.
Kernell Jolla (age 32) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Adrian Andre (age 32) was booked on the charges of DWI, Driving Under Suspension, and Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle by the Causeway Bridge Police.
Chase Farrell (age 24) was booked on the charge of Aggravated Assault With Firearm by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Donald Brooks (age 32) was booked on the charges of Theft 1000-5000 and Fugitive by the Mandeville Police Department.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today A 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday A 90 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 84. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night A 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday A 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
July 11, 2026
One Arrested, One Critically Injured in Amite-Area Crash
An Amite woman has been arrested following an early Saturday (July 11, 2026) morning, one-vehicle crash in the Amite area that critically injured one of her passengers.
Just before 7 a.m. Saturday morning, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office was notified of a one-vehicle crash on Seibert Road in Amite. Deputies learned there were four people in the vehicle at the time. One passenger, a 21-year-old male, was critically injured and is currently hospitalized in a local ICU. Two others, a 22-year-old male and a 30-year-old female, were treated for minor injuries.
The driver, 27-year-old Dusti Brown of Amite, was arrested for DWI, Reckless Operation, and Vehicular Negligent Injury.
During this investigation, a driver was discovered passed out in his vehicle on the same road as the crash scene. Mason Simpson, age 18, was subsequently arrested for DWI. This incident is not believed to be related to the first.
The TPSO wants to remind all drivers that while not all crashes are survivable, wearing seat belts correctly can be the difference between life and death and can significantly reduce the severity of injuries sustained in a crash.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for July 10, 2026
Alana Jackson (age 44) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule IV and Improper Turn by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Sunnie Whitaker (age 36) was booked on the charges of Fugitive and Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the Mandeville Police Department.
Jerry Wicker (age 48) was booked on the charges of Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear (3 counts) by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Joshua Bruhn (age 38) was booked on the charge of Violation of Protection Order by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Dwayne Cousin (age 35) was booked on the charges of Operating While Intoxicated (2nd Offense) and Fugitive (2 counts) by the Louisiana State Police.
Kevin Jones (age 37) was booked on the charge of Possession of Schedule III CDS by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Joseph West (age 67) was booked on the charge of Contempt of Court by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Gerard LeBlanc (age 27) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II, Obstructing Public Passages, Driving Under Suspension, and Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Grant Masterson (age 33) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse Battery/Child Endangerment, Interfering With Emergency Communication, and Contempt of Court by the Covington Police Department.
Roderick McCray (age 42) was booked on the charges of Housed for Court and Contempt of Court (2 counts) by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Curtiece Boykin (age 32) was booked on the charge of Theft Less Than 1000 by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Jaylen Lewis (age 19) was booked on the charges of First Degree Murder, Illegal Carrying of a Firearm Used in the Commission of a Crime, and Simple Criminal Damage to Property by the Covington Police Department.
Daniel Hebert (age 37) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse Battery/Child Endangerment (2 counts) and Interfering With Emergency Communication by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Payton Butler (age 26) was booked on the charge of Court Sanction by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Amber Seifert (age 31) was booked on the charges of Theft, Possession of Schedule I, Possession of Schedule II, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Sale Distribution or Possession of Legend Drug Without Prescription by the Slidell Police Department.
David Mercer (age 72) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Leann Simon (age 40) was booked on the charge of Second Degree Cruelty to Juveniles by the 22nd Judicial Court.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Folsom Youth Pastor Arrested
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office reported Friday (July 10, 2026) that STPSO assisted another law enforcement agency with the arrest of 72-year-old David Mercer and the execution of a search warrant at a residence owned by First Baptist Church of Folsom.
Mercer, a youth pastor at the church, was arrested for sexually abusing multiple children during the 1990s and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center as a fugitive. No bond has been set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
At the request of the investigating agency, investigators with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Special Victim’s Unit assisted with the search of the church-owned residence in Folsom.
The investigation is ongoing, and investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Mercer, or who has information that could assist investigators, is encouraged to contact the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office at (985) 898-2338 or their local law enforcement agency.
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office will continue working with its law enforcement partners as this investigation continues.
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for July 9-10, 2026
Jonathon Huy Vo (age 21 with a Baton Rouge, La. address) was booked on the charges of Attempted Pornography Involving Juveniles, Indecent Behavior With Juvenile(s), and Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Timothy Mizell (age 31 with a Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of No License Plate, Improper Equipment, No Seat Belt, Possession of Schedule II Drugs (2 counts), Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of CDS With Weapon Present, and Convicted Felon in Possession of Firearm by the Franklinton Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Steven Crenshaw (age 53 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of General Speed Law, Prohibited Acts, and Possession of Schedule II Drugs by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 3pm and 5pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday A 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. High near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday Night A 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday A 90 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 84. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night A 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
July 10, 2026
Mt. Hermon Ruritan Club Hunter Safety Course
The two day course is July 31st @ 5:00pm- 9:00pm and August 1st @ 8:00am - 2:00pm. Note: The Course is free and you must attend both days! To register, go to https://louisianaoutdoors.com/events/196289
St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for July 9, 2026
Margeaux Murray (age 35) was booked on the charge of Court Sanction by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Shannon Foster (age 57) was booked on the charge of Simple Battery by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
John Bourgeois (age 33) was booked on the charges of DWI and Ignore Traffic Signal by the Louisiana State Police.
Kyila Lormand (age 23) was booked on the charges of Prohibited Acts/Schedule IV by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Randall Wallace (age 52) was booked
on the charges of Contempt of Court (2 counts) by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Marcus Navarre (age 25) was booked on the charge of Simple Escape by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Kevin Parker (age 55) was booked on the charges of Parole Violation, Theft Less Than 1000, and Illegal Possession of Stolen Things Less Than 1000 by Probation and Parole.
Danielle Elkins (age 42) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II and Possession of Schedule III by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Bregette Manton (age 44) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II and Driving Left of Center by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Jamie McNeese (age 26) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Robert Blevins (age 23) was booked on the charges of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Contempt of Court, and Illegal Possession of Stolen Things 5000-25000 by the Slidell Police Department.
Heidi Hoffman (age 42) was booked on the charges of Fugitive and Contempt of Court (3 counts) by the Slidell Police Department.
Jeremy Sheridan (age 38) was booked on the charges of Manufacture/Distribution Schedule I, Drug Paraphernalia, and Riding on Roadways and Bicycle Paths by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Joseph Impastato (age 32) was booked on the charges of Fugitive, Child Sexual Abuse Material, and Unlawful Deep Fakes of a Minor by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Jonathan Hooge (age 47) was booked on the charge of Court Sanction by the 22nd Judicial Court.
John Singletary (age 51) was booked on the charge of Court Sanction by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Nicholas Rodi (age 31) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court and Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
AG Liz Murrill's LBI Arrests Slidell Man For using AI to Create Child Sexual Abuse Material
Attorney General Liz Murrill's Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) agents arrested a Slidell man for using AI to create Child Sexual Abuse Material. The suspect, 32-year-old Joseph Impastato III, of Hayes Road in Slidell, was identified after agents received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The NCMEC CyberTip reported a user on an AI platform uploaded an image of child sexual abuse material to his account for the purpose of creating sexual content of a juvenile through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Impastato was identified as the user and a search warrant executed at his residence this date.
Impastato was subsequently arrested on the charges of Child Sexual Abuse Material under the Age of Thirteen - 1 count and Unlawful Deepfakes Involving a Minor - 2 counts.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Homeland Security Investigations, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, the 22nd JDC SVU Task Force, and the Covington Police Department assisted LBI in this investigation.
Impastato was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail.
His bond information remains unknown.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Washington Parish Council Agenda for July 13, 2026
The Washington Parish Council will meet at 5:30 PM on July 13, 2026 in Council Chambers at the Courthouse in Franklinton. The meeting will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/mthermonwebtv
Before the Regular Meeting, a Public Hearing will be held on the following:
- Ordinance No. 26-789: Adopt an Ordinance Establishing "No-Thru Truck Routes" on Certain Parish Roads as per Ordinance No. 13-577.
On the Agenda for the Regular Meeting are the following:
Austin Magee: Candidate for Louisiana's Congressional District 5
ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/DISCUSSION ITEMS
- Ordinance No. 26-789: Adopt an Ordinance Establishing "No Thru Truck Routes" on Certain Parish Roads as per Ordinance Number 13-577.
- Resolution No. 26-1507: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing a Workforce Development Stipend for Washington Parish Government Employees who Successfully Complete the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Training Through Geaux Jobs.
- Resolution No. 26-1508: Adopt a Resolution by the Washington Parish Council to Authorize the Parish President to Sign an Intergovernmental Agreement with Tangipahoa Parish Government for the Rehabilitation of Cecil Painter Road.
- Resolution No. 26-1509: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Washington Parish President to Execute an Agreement with RCL Architecture, LLC for Schematic Site Planning and Conceptual Design Services for the Varnado Recreation Center, and to Utilize Opioid Settlement Funds for Said Project.
- Resolution No. 26-1510: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Washington Parish President to Execute an Entity/State Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) for State Project No. H.015433 / Federal Aid Project No. H015433, George Jenkins Road Over Berrys Creek
- Resolution No. 26-1511: Adopt a Resolution of the Washington Parish Council Authorizing the Parish President to Execute an Entity/State Agreement, Funding Commitment Letter, and any Related Documents with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) for State Project No. H.016879 / Federal Aid Project No. H016879, LA 25: Washington Parish Sidewalk Segment A2.
Following Public Participation, the Council will hear reports from the Parish President and his staff before adjourning
New Washington Parish Jail Update
Press Release from Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith
Washington Parish needs a new jail. That is not a recent conclusion — it is one that has been documented, deferred, and handed from one administration to the next for longer than it should have been. This past year, that changed. We took concrete steps toward replacing the current facility with one built to meet the demands of modern correctional operations, and those steps are worth explaining.
The current jail was not designed for what it is being asked to do. Age, layout, and infrastructure limitations create daily operational challenges for the deputies and staff who work there, and they create compliance pressures that are not going away. Maintaining a facility past its useful life is not a savings — it is a cost that compounds quietly, in repairs, in liability, in the toll it takes on the people who report for work there every day. The question has never been whether to replace it. The question has been when, and how.
This year produced real answers to both.
In December last year, the Sheriff acquired property along Highway 10, near the Veterans Memorial Park and the parish Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The location is a deliberate choice. Proximity to the EOC supports coordinated response during major incidents, and the site in the center of the parish provides the access and expansion capacity a facility of this scale requires. Securing that land was a necessary first step, and it is done.
Funding has been the historic obstacle to this project, and this year brought meaningful movement on that front. The State of Louisiana dedicated $27 million toward construction of the new facility. Those funds are currently designated as priority 5 appropriations, which means they are not available for expenditure this year. The path forward is straightforward: we will either use that commitment to bond the construction of the project or work to move the appropriation into priority 1 status next year. Either way, the money is identified and the state's commitment is on record.
What is available now — and already at work — is $500,000 in cash provided to begin the design process. Grace Designs will be the project's architectural firm, and work with that team begins within the next month. Design is where intention becomes a building and starting that process is the most consequential near-term step this project can take.
The new facility will address what the current one cannot: adequate separation of inmate populations, modern medical and mental health capacity, improved sight lines and staffing ratios, and infrastructure built to current code. A modern jail also means better working conditions for the people who staff it every day.
Washington Parish is not a wealthy parish. Large capital projects do not come easily here. What has been accomplished this year — the property, the state funding, the design contract — represents real and sustained effort. There is more work ahead, and it will take time. But the foundation is in place, and this administration intends to see it through.
The people of Washington Parish deserve a jail that works. We will build one.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday A 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night A 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
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