Kenneth Carroll McCain
June 22, 1943 - September 12, 2026
September 20, 2026
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Monday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Tuesday A 10 percent chance of thunderstorms before 7am. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for September 18, 2026
Monty Fontenot (age 60) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Patrick Alexis (age 47) was booked on the charges of Theft Less Than 1000 (3 counts) by the Mandeville Police Department.
Rebecca Steiner (age 50) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II and Improper Turn by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Charles Brown (age 40) was booked on the charges of Obstruction of Justice and Possession of Schedule II by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Emma Spence (age 35) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II and Improper Turn by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Christopher Harris (age 44) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II and Improper Turn by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Tommy Nguyen (age 20) was booked on the charge of Second Degree Murder by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Israel Burkhalter (age 36) was booked on the charges of Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear (2 counts) by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Joshua Kelly (age 19) was booked on the charge of Battery of a Dating Partner by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Miguel Ahumada (age 21) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Arkel Williams (age 31) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole.
Suzanne Thomas (age 42) was booked on the charge of Aggravated Battery by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Brandon Every (age 38) was booked on the charge of Violation of Protective Orders (2nd Offense) by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Denise Cavanaugh (age 38) was booked on the charge of Possession of Schedule II by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Leann Simon (age 40) was booked on the charge of Second Degree Cruelty to Juveniles by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Julia Tynes (age 42) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Bless Hornsby (age 34) was booked on the charges of Resisting an Officer by Refusing to Identify and Disturbing the Peace/Drunkenness by the Covington Police Department.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
September 19, 2026
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LSU AgCenter's Weekly Message
Native and Oriental Persimmons are Low-Maintenance Fruit Trees
I remember both my first common persimmon and my first oriental persimmon.
My grandmother and I were out walking in her neighborhood when I was about four years old, when we came across a native persimmon tree. I bit into an unripe one. If you’ve ever done this, you’ll understand why I still remember it.
I tried my first oriental persimmon when I was home from college at the time of the Washington Parish Fair. My grandparents’ neighbors shared some oriental persimmons from the tree in their yard. I was immediately taken with this fruit that could be eaten with a spoon, like pudding.
My appreciation for persimmons was further supported by my introduction to persimmon pudding – a delicious dessert that can be made with either native or oriental persimmon pulp – when I lived in North Carolina.
Common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) trees are native to much of the eastern US and can reach 50 feet high and 35 feet wide. A given tree typically produces either female or male flowers but not both. Only female-flowered trees produce fruit, but the fruit does not develop without pollination, so a male-flowered tree must be in the area.
Female-flowered varieties of common persimmon can be purchased. Or, if you know of one that produces good fruit, another option is to propagate it by root cuttings, whip grafting, or chip budding. If you grow a tree from a common persimmon seed, you won’t know whether it will have male or female flowers until it gets older.
As alluded to at the beginning of the article, the fruit of common persimmons is astringent due to a high tannin content before it’s ripe, so be sure to wait until it’s soft before you eat it. Also be aware that the plant tends to produce root suckers, so be prepared to remove them from nearby flower beds, etc., from time to time.
Oriental persimmon (D. kaki) trees are smaller than native persimmon trees, but the fruit is larger. The fruit of many oriental persimmon varieties can develop parthenocarpically, or without pollination.
The mature size of oriental persimmon trees varies among varieties, with some reaching up to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. Others only grow to around 6 to 8 feet wide. It takes about three years for them to produce fruit and eight to ten to reach their full potential.
While common persimmons are astringent until ripe, some oriental persimmons are considered non-astringent and can be eaten, like an apple, while still fairly firm. Non-astringent varieties include Fuyu, Fuyu Imoto, Hana Fuyu, Jiro, and Suruga.
As with common persimmons, you’ll need to wait until fruit is soft before eating astringent varieties like Eureka, Hachiya, Saijo, and Tanenashi. (There are some astringent varieties that, if pollinated and thus seeded, are non-astringent prior to fully ripening. However, we often grow oriental persimmons without a pollinizing variety nearby.)
Persimmon trees are sold in both containerized and bare-root forms. Fall is a good time to plant containerized plants, although with enough care they can be planted year-round. Only plant bare-root plants while they’re dormant.
Oriental persimmons are often grafted onto common persimmon rootstock. When planting a grafted plant, make sure the graft union is at least 2 inches above the soil line.
Like most fruit trees, I’d advise planting persimmons on a well-drained site and, for maximum fruit production, in full sun. With that said, common persimmon trees and rootstocks do have more tolerance for less-than-ideal drainage than many fruit species.
During late winter, cut back newly planted oriental persimmons trees to about 2.5 to 3 feet, or approximately 6 inches above wherever you want the lowest branches to be. This begins the process of training the tree in either a modified central leader or open center form.
Fertilize trees each year around the time of budbreak with 0.5 pound (1 cup) of 8-8-8 (or equivalent, such as 0.3 pound 13-13-13) per year of tree age, up to a maximum of 5 pounds 8-8-8 per tree. Spread fertilizer around the drip line.
Keep turfgrass and weeds away from the base of the trunk so that they won’t compete with the tree for nutrients and water.
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).
Washington Parish Stem Gets $10,000 Grant
Lynne’s Legacy Outreach dba Washington Parish STEM has been awarded a 2026-2027 Healthy Communities Grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) to support local efforts that improve the environment through litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, education and other community beautification initiatives.
Visit the Washington Parish STEM Facebook page to learn more.
The $10,000 grant, made possible through funding from the State of Louisiana and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, will allow Washington Parish STEM efforts to provide engaging educational experiences focused on litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, environmental stewardship, and water quality. Through the project, youth will participate in hands-on STEM activities that connect science and technology with real environmental challenges affecting their communities. Grant funding will support educational resources, environmental learning materials, water-quality activities, litter-prevention tools, recycling education, and other hands-on learning experiences designed to help young people understand the role they can play in protecting Louisiana’s environment. The initiative will allow Washington Parish STEM to bring environmental education directly to youth and families throughout Washington Parish. This year, Keep Louisiana Beautiful awarded 22 Healthy Communities Grants totaling more than $177,735 to eligible organizations across the state, including parishes, municipalities, schools, universities, nonprofit organizations, state agencies and KLB Affiliate organizations.
“We are extremely grateful to Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the Office of Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser for investing in Washington Parish and supporting our efforts to make environmental STEM education accessible to youth and families in our rural communities,” said Taryn Spikes-Webb, MSIS, Founder/Executive Director of Washington Parish STEM. “This grant gives us an opportunity to combine STEM education with environmental stewardship in a meaningful, hands-on way. Our students will not only learn about litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, and water quality, but they will also learn how science, technology, and their own actions can help create cleaner, healthier communities.” Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser said the Healthy Communities Grant program empowers local organizations to take meaningful action against litter while improving quality of life across Louisiana.
"The best ideas for making Louisiana cleaner and more beautiful come from the people who know their communities best," said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. "These grants give local organizations the resources to turn those ideas into action, creating cleaner neighborhoods, stronger community pride and lasting results that benefit everyone."
Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell said the Healthy Communities Grant program is designed to support projects that inspire long-term behavioral change while encouraging community collaboration. “Projects focus on litter removal; litter prevention, education and practices; waste management and reduction; recycling, reusing, and refusing; litter enforcement and other related efforts. KLB seeks projects that have diverse community support, volunteer involvement, collaboration with stakeholders and benefit the community at large.”
Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB), is a state program under the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism that promotes a personal, corporate, and community responsibility for a clean and beautiful Louisiana. KLB supports local communities through programs and resources for litter education, prevention, removal, enforcement, beautification, recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability initiatives. KLB is affiliated with the national organization, Keep America Beautiful, and is supported by a robust statewide network of Community Affiliates and University Affiliates. Learn more at KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org.
St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for September 17, 2026
Blake Cook (age 35) was booked on the charges of Fugitive, Possession of Schedule I, Driving Under Suspension, License Plate Must Be Illuminated, Contempt of Court, and Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the Mandeville Police Department.
Joshua Lincoln (age 48) was booked on the charge of Battery of a Correctional Facility Employee by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Catherine Juneau (age 36) was booked on the charge of Court Sanction by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Destiny Lokey (age 33) was booked on the charges of Theft and Possession of Burglary Tools by the Slidell Police Department.
Jordan Penton (age 21) was booked on the charge of Simple Criminal Damage Less Than 1000 by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Cher Massett (age 47) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II (2 counts), Prohibited Acts/Schedule IV Penalties, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle by the Mandeville Police Department.
Trey Lafrance (age 31) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse Battery/Child Endangerment, Contempt of Court, and Fugitive by the Slidell Police Department.
Labrandon Enclade (age 19) was booked on the charge of Battery of a Dating Partner With Strangulation by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Terrence Noel (age 52) was booked on the charges of Housed for Court, Contempt of Court (2 counts), and Surrender of Defendant/Bondsman by Agency not listed.
Quincy Penn (age 52) was booked on the charge of Failure to Register and Notify as a Sex Offender by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Kennedy Simms (age 27) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the Mandeville Police Department.
Mary Jeanfreau (age 56) was booked on the charges of Court Sanction and Failure to Honor Written Promise by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Shauna Broussard (age 47) was booked on the charge of Court Sanction by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Grace Rodrigue (age 28) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery (2nd Offense) by the Slidell Police Department.
Jason Hammerstone (age 29) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse Battery/Child Endangerment (2 counts) and Domestic Abuse Battery/Strangulation (2 counts) by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Noah Bridges (age 38) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II, Improper Turn, and Surrender of Defendant/Bondsman Off Bond by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Leslie Spiers (age 52) was booked on the charges of Prohibited Acts/Schedule II Penalties and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
***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 Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tonight Clear, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Sunday Increasing clouds and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind.
Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Monday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
September 18, 2026
Empty Chair Project Represents Lives Lost to Overdose
Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith spoke this morning (September 18, 2026) in support of the Empty Chair Project, an initiative by Mandi Boyd with Hope Alive Recovery.
Twenty-four empty chairs, each representing a life lost to a drug overdose in Washington Parish since last September’s Empty Chair Event, are currently displayed in front of the Washington Parish Courthouse. The chairs will remain on display through September 25, 2025 serving as a visible reminder of the devastating impact of drug use and the lives lost in our community.
Sheriff Smith joined other local and state officials for the event, including District Attorney Collin Sims, Parish President Ryan Seal, State Representative John Wyble, and Washington Parish Coroner's Office Paul Thibodeaux.
“Chairs are designed to carry your weight so that you can rest. Addiction is a weight that never lets up and anyone addicted, or anyone who has an addicted family member, knows the importance of being able to rest. Thank you to Mandi and Hope Alive for giving people an outlet and helping them find some rest, even if only for just a bit.” -Sheriff Smith
For more information about the Hope Alive program, contact 985-335-0713.
TPSO Seeking Identities, Locations of Several Suspects
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) is asking the public for assistance identifying and locating several suspects wanted in a variety of crimes.
- On the first of the month, TPSO began investigating a residential burglary on West Hoffman Road in Hammond where the back door was forced open and several items stolen. Around Noon, a neighbor’s camera caught the suspect vehicle described as a blue and/or silver, 4-door sedan. The make and model are unknown as are suspect descriptions. If you have information about where this vehicle could be located, or who may have been in it, contact our Criminal Investigations team at 985-902-2088.
- On Tuesday, June 16th, a black female in a white gown is seen on surveillance video at the Sibley Road Dollar General in Tickfaw stealing laundry detergent and leaving the business in a brown four-door Honda. This is a republication at the request of Retail Crimes Detective Earl McFarland, who has recently returned from retirement. If anyone can identify this suspect, please contact 985-514-8181.
- Angela Clayton Schwicardi, 48, is wanted in connection
with two cases over the summer involving Domestic Abuse Battery, Illegal Possession of Stolen Things and Unauthorized Use of Access Card. Detectives have been unable to locate Clayton who is known to stay in the Pasqua Road area of Ponchatoula. If you have information about where Clayton is, contact our Criminal Investigations team 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***
Former St. Tammany Correctional Officer Arrested
Jamyranesha Williams, age 24 and a former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s correctional officer, has been arrested after striking an inmate at the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. Williams was terminated after admitting Thursday (September 17, 2026) night to a supervisor that she hit an inmate who had been taunting her. Following an investigation into the incident, Williams was issued a summons for Simple Battery Friday (September 18, 2026) afternoon.
Williams had been employed as a correctional officer with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office since July 2024.
“Our employees are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times, regardless of the circumstances,” Sheriff Bret Ibert said. “When someone fails to meet those standards, we will address it immediately and hold them accountable.”
Slidell Man Convicted of Attempted Armed Robbery
District Attorney J. Collin Sims announces that on Thursday, September 17, 2026, a St. Tammany Parish jury found 43-year-old Robert Chase Revere of Slidell, Louisiana, guilty as charged of attempted armed robbery. The guilty verdict was returned following a trial before the Honorable Judge Alan M. Black. Assistant District Attorneys Alex Alexander and Iain Dover prosecuted the case.
The charges stem from an incident on February 25, 2025, when officers with the Slidell Police Department responded to an attempted armed robbery at Times Bar and Grill. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim, who reported that while riding his bicycle to work at the establishment, a silver pickup truck attempted to cut him off twice in the parking lot. The driver exited the vehicle, confronted the victim, and demanded cash. When the victim refused, the driver threatened to take his backpack. The driver then pulled a black baseball bat from his vehicle, made a simulated swing at the victim, and again threatened to take his belongings before fleeing the scene toward Pontchartrain Drive. Using license plate information provided by the victim, Slidell Police Officers identified the vehicle - a 2004 Nissan Frontier - and recognized it as being operated by Revere. Shortly thereafter, officers spotted the vehicle traveling northbound on Front Street. Officers conducted a traffic stop, during which they observed Revere manipulating a baseball bat inside the cab. Due to safety concerns and Revere’s initial refusal to comply with verbal commands, officers conducted a felony stop. Revere was ultimately taken into custody without further incident, and officers recovered the baseball bat from behind the front seat.
"Our citizens deserve to go to work and walk through our communities without facing violent threats or intimidation," said District Attorney Collin Sims. "Thanks to the swift, decisive action of the Slidell Police Department and the hard work of our prosecution team, a dangerous repeat offender has been brought to justice. Violent behavior will not be tolerated in St. Tammany Parish."
Judge Black has scheduled sentencing for November 4, 2026.
DA Collin Sims on Bogalusa Operation Linked to Overdose Fatalities
District Attorney J. Collin Sims announced today (September 18, 2026) that on Thursday, September 17, 2026, a synchronized, multi-agency operation in Bogalusa led to the execution of four search warrants and six arrest warrants targeting a major drug distribution network linked to lethal overdoses in Washington Parish. The operation resulted in the arrest of ten individuals, including two facing second-degree murder charges tied to fatal overdoses. Law enforcement personnel seized over one kilogram of suspected fentanyl, electronic devices, and firearms. Laboratory analysis also revealed counterfeit pills containing cychlorphine - a dangerous synthetic opioid estimated by forensic experts to be approximately ten times more potent than fentanyl – were seized during the investigation.
Earlier today, September 18, 2026, the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office held a joint press conference alongside the District Attorney's Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Slidell Police Department, and the Bogalusa Police Department at the Washington Parish Courthouse to discuss the details of the arrests and takedown operation.
"Operations of this scale do not happen in a silo, and no single agency can tackle an enterprise like this alone," said District Attorney Collin Sims. "This operation succeeded because of seamless collaboration across local, state, federal, and parish borders. From the initial detective work by the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office and our task force investigators to the tactical, investigative, and logistical support provided by over a dozen agency partners, every single team member played a vital role in protecting our community and holding these violent networks accountable."
The joint investigation coincided with a series of fatal overdoses in Washington Parish during the summer of 2026. Investigators traced illicit drug supply routes from street-level distribution up through mid-level suppliers and out-of-state pipelines moving synthetic opioids from Texas, California, and Mississippi into Washington Parish.
Six primary targets were arrested on warrants stemming directly from the joint illicit drugs and homicide investigation.
- Savannah Stephens was arrested for Second-Degree Murder, Distribution of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Conspiracy.
- John Stewart was arrested for Second-Degree Murder (as a Principal), Distribution of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Conspiracy.
- Whitney Sykes, Randy King Jr. ("Weezy"), and Joshua King ("MoneyMakinJosh") were each arrested for Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Conspiracy, and Money Laundering.
- Brandon Lotts was arrested for Criminal Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I, II, and IV Controlled Dangerous Substances, Conspiracy, and Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses.
Click here for an earlier story with more information
Additionally, four individuals were taken into custody during the operation on separate drug and outstanding warrant violations: Brian L. McCrory, Jeffrey Cullen Maddox, Rodney Rayleigh Stewart, and Albert Joseph Stewart.
The execution of this coordinated operation was made possible through the direct participation and shared resources of numerous partner law enforcement and public safety agencies. Participating entities included the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Office of the District Attorney for the 22nd Judicial District, the Drug Enforcement Administration Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Slidell Police Department, the Bogalusa Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection – New Orleans Air and Marine Branch, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Division of Probation and Parole, the Louisiana State Police, the Harrison County Sheriff's Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the United States Secret Service, and the Louisiana Army Reserve and National Guard.
"When public safety agencies align their resources and expertise, we send a clear message: those who profit off poison and devastation in our neighborhoods will be brought before a court of law," Sims added. "Our office is committed to working alongside every partner agency to ensure these cases are thoroughly prosecuted."
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty before a court of law
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for September 17, 2026
Savannah Stephens (age 33 with a Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Second Degree Murder, Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Conspiracy by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Whitney Sykes (age 39 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Money Laundering, Criminal Conspiracy, Transactions Involving Proceeds From Drug Offenses, Distribution of Schedule I CDS, and Distribution of Schedule II CDS by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Joshua King (age 35 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Money Laundering, Criminal Conspiracy, Transactions Involving Proceeds From Drug Offenses, Distribution of Schedule I CDS, and Distribution of Schedule II CDS by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Randy King (age 33 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Money Laundering, Criminal Conspiracy, Transactions Involving Proceeds From Drug Offenses, Distribution of Schedule I CDS, and Distribution of Schedule II CDS by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Brandon Lotts (age 40 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Money Laundering, Criminal Conspiracy, Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II Narcotics, Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Narcotics, Transactions Involving Proceeds From Drug Offenses, and Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule IV Narcotics by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
John Stewart (age 38 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Money Laundering, Principal to 2nd Degree Murder, Criminal Conspiracy, Transactions Involving Proceeds From Drug Offenses, Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Narcotics, and Distribution of Schedule II CDS by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
James Bossier (age 47 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked In From Court.
Leslie Davis (age 56 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked In From Court.
Wendi Holmes (age 45 with a Franklinton, La. address) was booked In From Court.
Maya Morales (age 21 with a Youngsville, La. address) was booked on the charges of Criminal Conspiracy and Introduction of Contraband to Correctional Facility by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Jeffrey Maddox (age 30 with a Slidell, La. address) was booked on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Rodney Stewart (age 39 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Possession of Heroin by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Albert Stewart (age 43 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Possession of Heroin by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Brian McCrory (age 44 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Possession of Schedule II Drugs by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Nicky Emmons (age 42 with a Franklinton, La. address) was booked In From Court.
***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 Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight Clear, with a low around 68. Calm wind.
Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind.
Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 70. Calm wind.
Sunday Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Tropical Disturbances Today
Disturbance 1. Eastern Subtropical Atlantic: A trough of low pressure is located several hundred miles southwest of the Azores and is showing some signs of organization. Environmental conditions appear marginally favorable for additional development over the next couple of days while the system moves slowly over the eastern portion of the Subtropical Atlantic. By early next week, environmental conditions are forecast to become less favorable for development. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...20 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...30 percent.
Disturbance 2. Central Subtropical Atlantic (AL98): An area of low pressure is located a few hundred miles east of Bermuda. Development of this system is no longer expected as it drifts slowly over the subtropical Atlantic during the next day or so. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...near 0 percent.
September 17, 2026
Ten Arrested in Bogalusa Stemming from Three Overdose Deaths
Press Release from Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith
Ten people were arrested and booked into the Washington Parish Jail this morning (September 17, 2026) following simultaneous arrest and search warrants executed at multiple locations in Bogalusa. Two of those arrested are charged with second degree murder. Four of the people were arrested for various violations unrelated to this investigation.
The investigation began with three overdose deaths in Washington Parish. Our deputies did not close those cases as overdoses. They worked them as homicides.
Over the course of that work, deputies developed intelligence identifying six people and multiple locations tied to a drug distribution network operating in and around Bogalusa. As the scope grew beyond what my office could carry alone, we brought in partners. This morning, those partners delivered.
Dozens of electronic devices, firearms, and records that were seized during these searches are now being examined, and that work is just beginning. Among the seized items, more than one kilogram of suspected fentanyl was recovered.
Arrested and booked into the Washington Parish Jail:
- Savannah Stephens — Second-Degree Murder, Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Conspiracy
- John Stewart — Second-Degree Murder (as a principal), Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Conspiracy
- Whitney Sykes — Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Conspiracy, Money Laundering
- Randy King Jr., also known as "Weezy" — Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Conspiracy, Money Laundering
- Joshua King, also known as "MoneyMakinJosh" — Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Conspiracy, Money Laundering
- Brandon Lotts — Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I, II, and IV Controlled Dangerous Substances, Conspiracy, and Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses
What today means
Over this summer, three families in this parish have buried someone. Today, two people are charged with murder.
That is the change everyone should understand. A fatal overdose is no longer a closed file in this parish. It is a homicide investigation, and it will be worked like one.
Today's charges reflect what we can prove today, but the investigation is open and ongoing. We will continue to look for anyone who did business with these individuals. People who come to us first will have options that the people we come to later will not.
Our partners
We achieved this level of cooperation because we worked on building relationships before we needed them. We’ve made these relationships a priority for the last two years and I am grateful for the assistance of the Fentanyl Overdose Response Team of the DEA’s New Orleans Division; District Attorney Collin Sims of the 22nd Judicial District; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Slidell Police Department; the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; the Bogalusa Police Department; Customs and Border Patrol, New Orleans Air and Marine Branch; the Division of Probation and Parole under the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections; the Louisiana Army Reserve and National Guard; the Harrison County Sheriff's Office; Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office; U.S. Secret Service; and the Louisiana State Police.
Our deputies
This started with our deputies, and it should be said that they made this happen. They developed the information, built the relationships that produced it, and turned it into intelligence a federal task force could act on. That is difficult work, done over months, mostly without anyone watching, and I am proud of them.
Going forward
Bogalusa is worth the effort. The people who live there are entitled to the same expectation of safety as anyone else in this parish, and I intend to keep working until they have it. We are not finished in Bogalusa, and we are not doing it alone. Any agency, any pastor, any business owner, any neighborhood association, any parent, and any person with information who wants the same things I do has me on their team. I do not care who gets credit for a safer Bogalusa. I care that it gets safer and my door is open to anyone who shares that goal.
All charges are accusations. Every person named in this release is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Press conference
Media will have the opportunity to ask questions at a press conference at 11:00 a.m. On Friday, September 18, 2026 at the Washington Parish Courthouse in Franklinton.
Sheriff Jason Smith
St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for September 16, 2026
Paul Hart (age 63) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Johnathan Dixon (age 39) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Yogesh Patel (age 32) was booked on the charges of DWI and Improper Lane Use by the Louisiana State Police.
Braylyn Kitchens (age 25) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse Battery/Child Endangerment and Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Jacoby Caldwell (age 43) was booked on the charges of Illegal Possession of Stolen Things and Fugitive by the Slidell Police Department.
Kaitlin Haydel (age 35) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule I (2 counts) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the Pearl River Police Department.
Joshua Broom (age 53) was booked on the charges of Manufacture/Distribution Schedule II CDS, Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS, Illegal Carrying of Weapon, Possession of Firearm or Carrying Concealed Weapon, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Blade Karcher (age 31) was booked on the charges of Armed Robbery and Theft Less Than 1000 by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Henry Abernathy (age 39) was booked on the charge of Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Henry James (age 35) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court and Child Desertion by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Margarito Bernardez (age 38) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the Mandeville Police Department.
Michael Day (age 59) was booked on the charges of First Degree Rape and Registration of Sex Offenders by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Michael Malloy (age 34) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court (2 counts) by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Michael Ballentine (age 46) was booked on the charges of Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms, Possession of an Unidentifiable Firearm Due to Obliterated Serial Number, Possession of Firearm or Carrying Concealed Weapon, and Contempt of Court by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Roy Lee (age 25) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole.
Joseph Morello (age 49) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery by the Covington Police Department.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for September 15-16, 2026
Levin Soliz (age 38 with no address listed) was booked on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated (2nd Offense), Open Container in Vehicle (2 counts), Aggravated Assault (2 counts), and Operating a Vehicle Without Lawful Presence in the U.S. by the Franklinton Police Department.
Crescent Vogt (age 42 with a Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court (2 counts) and False Communication With Intent to Cause an Emergency Response (Misuse of 911) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $868.00.
Asaad Brown (age 39 with no address listed) was booked on the charge of Second Degree Battery by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Kimaya-Nickalia James (age 25 with a Ponchatoula, La. address) was booked on the charges of Entry on or Remaining in Places or on Land After Being Forbidden and Criminal Damage by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Paul Hart (age 63 with a Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court and Failure to Appear by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Thaddeus Bickham (age 29 with a Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Battery of a Dating Partner/Simple Battery, Criminal Damage, and Failure to Appear by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Tropical Disturbances Today
Central Subtropical Atlantic (AL98): A low pressure area is located about 350 miles east of Bermuda. Environmental conditions could support gradual development of the system during the next day or two, and a tropical depression could form during that time. The system is forecast to move slowly today, and then possibly turn southward on Friday over the subtropical Atlantic. By Sunday, environmental conditions are forecast to become less favorable for development. Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...40 percent and formation chance through 7 days...medium...40 percent.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today Sunny, with a high near 93. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight Clear, with a low around 67. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night Clear, with a low around 68. Calm wind.
Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
September 16, 2026
John Wyble Announces Candidacy for Louisiana State Senate District 12
Franklinton, LA — State Representative John Wyble (R-Franklinton) announced his candidacy for Louisiana State Senate District 12, a seat currently held by term-limited Senator Beth Mizell (R-Franklinton). District 12 covers all of Washington Parish along with portions of St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes.
Wyble was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2023 to represent District 75 and has spent his career fighting for rural communities from a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, where he has secured funding for towns, schools, and infrastructure across District 75. He enters the Senate race with more than $75,000 in contributions from supporters, community leaders, and like-minded industry leaders dedicated to unlocking our state’s potential.
The results speak for themselves. Louisiana now ranks number one in the nation for capital investment. Our state has become one of the few in the country getting creative with workforce development and training. As a result, Louisiana workers have the opportunity to capitalize on the jobs that investment is bringing home. Louisiana students are reaching new heights in education growth, and the Legislature passed historic tort reform while expanding the Fortified Roof Program to open up real opportunities for homeowners to lower their insurance premiums.
"When I asked the people of Washington Parish to send me to Baton Rouge, I told them our best days were still ahead,” said Rep. John Wyble. “We proved it, but we’re nowhere close to finished."
"I have always believed our children and grandchildren should have every reason to stay right here at home," Wyble said. "We laid the foundation to bring good jobs, improve our schools, roads and water systems. Now, I am ready to build on it and deliver for every community across District 12."
Visit www.TeamWyble.com to learn more about the campaign.
About John Wyble
Dr. John Wyble was elected in 2023 to serve as State Representative for Louisiana House District 75 and was sworn into office in January 2024. He serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and previously served as President of the Washington Parish School Board.
Wyble is an accomplished, nationally certified executive leader with more than 30 years of service as an advocate for education, healthcare, quality of life, and economic independence for all citizens. As a leader, strategist, and collaborator, John brings diverse experience and has demonstrated success leading complex organizations to sustained and strategic growth. His expertise includes executive leadership, organizational growth and development, building collaborations and alliances, and community advocacy.
As CEO of The Center for Literacy & Learning, John advanced a vision where all students are provided a strong foundation for lifelong learning through literacy comprehension and fluency, beginning with quality programming and support in early childhood development. As President of the Washington Parish School Board, John championed transparency for voters, parents, and the community, and ensured our students returned to the classroom long before many other school districts in Louisiana.
His vision, leadership, and genuine regard and care for all people are core strengths that distinguish him as an exceptional community advocate. John has created, expanded, and led organizations on national, state, and local levels. He has worked for more than 30 years advocating for rural communities, education reform, and economic development in Washington, DC, Baton Rouge, LA, and many states across the country. In 2009, he founded Leadership Concepts with a mission to help organizations and individuals who do good, do good BETTER.
Honors and distinctions include: Certified Chief Executive, a distinction earned by less than 2% of nonprofit executives nationally; Gulf Coast Region (U.S.) Service-Learning Leadership; Leadership and Service Award for Louisiana Children and Families; and Outstanding Service Award for developing programs for students with special abilities.
He served on the Louisiana Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board for three Governors, including three years as Chair. He also served as Chair of the Louisiana Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Council as well as numerous task forces and committees appointed by the Legislature and Governor.
John earned his doctoral degree in Leadership and Research from the University of Southern Mississippi. Before that, he earned a Master of Science degree in Vocational Education from Louisiana State University. His undergraduate studies were at the University of Louisiana Lafayette, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business.
John believes that individuals, not institutions, are the key to improving outcomes for all communities. As a lifelong conservative Christian, John and his family worship at Holy Family Catholic Church in Franklinton, Louisiana.
St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for September 15, 2026
John McCain (age 46) was booked on the charge of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Edin Montez-Lopez (age 36) was booked on the charges of Aggravated Flight From Officer, Unlawful Entry or Reentry Into the State of Louisiana, and Failure to Stop/Yield by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Joshua Eagan (age 33) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule I, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Fugitive by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Tirrell Wright (age 25) was booked on the charges of Manufacture/Distribution of Schedule I CDS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Violation of Controlled Substance Within 2000 Ft. of School by the Covington Police Department.
Kellie Bennett (age 49) was booked on the charge of Theft by the Slidell Police Department.
Danny Parker (age 71) was booked on the charges of Theft and Contempt of Court by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Adrian Haynes (age 36) was booked on the charges of Illegal Possession of Stolen Things, Improper Lane Use, and Driver Must Be Licensed by the Louisiana State Police.
Amani Abu Zenah (age 28) was booked on the charges of Theft Over $25000 and Government Benefits Fraud by the LBI.
Iman Srour (age 29) was booked on the charges of Theft Over $25000 and Government Benefits Fraud by the LBI.
Mohammad Adhami (age 32) was booked on the charges of Government Benefits Fraud and Theft Over $25000 by the LBI.
Jason Goux (age 52) was booked on the charges of Theft 1000-5000 and Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Randy Darby (age 48) was booked on the charges of Resisting an Officer, Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle, Driver Must Be Licensed, Taking Contraband to and from a Penal Institution, Aggravated Flight From Officer, Aggravated Obstruction of Highway of Commerce, Aggravated Criminal Damage, Illegal Possession of Stolen Things 5000-25000, and Obscenity by the Louisiana State Police.
Shelby Miles (age 20) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery by the Covington Police Department.
Marcel Perrie (age 27) was booked on the charge of Contempt of Court by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Brian Norris (age 46) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery/Child Endangerment by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Louann Johnson (age 22) was booked on the charges of Aggravated Battery, Simple Criminal Damage to Property, and Theft 1000-5000 by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for September 14, 2026
Kennon Suarez (age 54) was booked on the charges of Theft Less Than 1000 (4 counts) by the Mandeville Police Department.
Kaleb Case Falcon (age 23) was booked on the charge of Theft Less Than 1000 by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Jeremy Beard (age 47) was booked on the charge of Theft by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Rachel Garrett (age 41) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse Battery/Child Endangerment and Home Invasion by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Erick Miller (age 33) was booked on the charges of Theft 1000-5000, Possession of Schedule II (2 counts), Possession of Schedule III, Possession of Schedule IV (2 counts), Illegal Carrying of Weapon, Possession of Kratom, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Sale Distribution or Possession of Legend Drug Without Prescription, and Possession of Firearm or Carrying Concealed Weapon by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Carlton Vannor (age 27) was booked on the charge of Surrender of Defendant/Bondsman Off Bond by Bondsman.
Jeremy Penton (age 40) was booked on the charge of Parole Violation by Probation and Parole.
Christopher Harris (age 37) was booked on the charge of Parole Violation by Probation and Parole.
Robert Vanbrunt (age 22) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole.
Zachary Estopinal (age 37) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Harly Walker (age 46) was booked on the charge of Contempt of Court by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Leonard Fowler (age 42) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Fowler (2nd Offense) With Child Endangerment by the 22nd Judicial Court.
Christian Montana (age 28) was booked on the charges of Fugitive, Second Degree Battery, and Disturbing the Peace/Simple Assault by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Clement Harris (age 21) was booked on the charges of Manufacture/Distribution Schedule I CDS, Taking of Contraband to State Owned Hospitals, False Communication With the Intent to Cause an Emergency Response, Prohibited Acts/Schedule II Penalties, and Taking Contraband to and from a Penal Institution by the Slidell Police Department.
Stephan Clark (age 24) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery/Child Endangerment by the Slidell 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 Increasing clouds, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 93. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 66. Calm wind.
Friday Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night Clear, with a low around 69. Calm wind.
Tropical Disturbances Today
Central Subtropical Atlantic: A trough of low pressure is located several hundred miles east of Bermuda. Environmental conditions could become a little more conducive for development in the next few days while the system moves slowly westward to west-northwestward over the subtropical Atlantic. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...30 percent.
September 15, 2026
Abita Springs Man Accepts 50-Year Prison Sentence
District Attorney J. Collin Sims announces that on the second day of jury selection, 31-year-old Allen Edward Tate, Jr. of Abita Springs, Louisiana, abruptly pleaded guilty before the Honorable Judge Vincent J. Lobello who sentenced Tate to 50 years in prison without the possibility of parole, probation, or a suspended sentence.
Tate pleaded guilty to
- Second-Degree Rape
- Sexual Battery Involving a Victim Under the Age of Thirteen (13)
- Conspiracy to Distribute a Narcotic Drug to Persons Under Age Eighteen (2 counts
- Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile
- Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule III Controlled Dangerous Substance
- Illegal Carrying of a Weapon While in Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
The charges stemmed from an investigation launched in September 2024 by the Covington Police Department after a mother discovered a written disclosure from her 13-year-old daughter detailing sexual abuse that occurred in March 2024. Investigators determined Tate met the victim and her older sister on Snapchat under the username "Slimeydude," offering to supply them with vapes. When Tate arrived at the victim's Covington home in the early morning hours, he lured the 12-year-old girl into his vehicle, locked the doors, and committed multiple acts of felony sexual abuse against her. Mere hours after the abuse, the defendant was arrested by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in possession of numerous narcotics and booked into the jail. Covington Police Department detectives obtained the defendant’s clothing from booking and processed it for DNA. The victim’s DNA from the sexual assault was recovered from the defendant’s shorts he wore at the time of the offense.
At the time of the sexual assault, the defendant was on bond for two other cases involving felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and possession with intent to distribute narcotics. The felony carnal knowledge stemmed from similar circumstances which involved the defendant forcing a 15-year-old to perform oral sex on him in exchange for a marijuana vape pen. While in custody following his arrest on October 2, 2023, Tate was recorded on jail phone calls admitting to the sexual encounter while claiming it was consensual.
Tate’s October 2, 2023, arrest followed a traffic stop and search warrant executed by STPSO Narcotics detectives on his vehicle and his Abita Springs residence. Search warrants yielded six firearms, body armor, cash, and substantial quantities of illicit narcotics, including over 450 fentanyl dosage units, ecstasy, MDMA, liquid LSD, methamphetamine, cocaine, Adderall, and hundreds of THC cartridges and edibles.
During today’s court proceeding, the victim’s mother delivered an emotional victim impact statement directly addressing the defendant: "You're exactly where you deserve to be - you did this to my daughter - I know she's not the only one. You'll never be able to do this to another kid again."
"Our office is dedicated to removing sexual predators and dangerous drug dealers from our streets to protect the most vulnerable members of our community - our children," said District Attorney Collin Sims. "Whether poisoning our neighborhoods with lethal narcotics like fentanyl or targeting young girls, offenders who exploit children will face uncompromising prosecution. This sentence ensures that a dangerous predator is taken out of our community and locked away for five decades without any opportunity for parole. We hope this resolution brings a measure of justice and peace to the victims and their families."
Assistant District Attorneys Shelby Stoop and Tiffany Dover prosecuted the case on behalf of the State. District Attorney Sims extends gratitude to the Covington Police Department, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit, the St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office DNA Lab, and the Children's Advocacy Center - Hope House for their thorough investigative work and support for the victim throughout the process.
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for September 14, 2026
Hunter Addison (age 22 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Expired Vehicle Registration, Open Container in Vehicle, Contributing to Delinquency of a Juvenile, Aggravated Obstruction of Commerce/Roadway, Aggravated Flight From an Officer, and Obstruction of Justice by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Dwayne Morgan (age 18 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
William Hardin (age 34 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
Reginald Bingham (age 25 with no address listed) was booked on the charges of Criminal Damage to Property, Domestic Abuse/Aggravated Assault, and Domestic Abuse/Aggravated Assault/Child Endangerment by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Duo Arrested in Kentwood-area Drug Bust
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office has arrested two convicted felons in its latest narcotics investigation. Tedrick Lee, age 47, and Dashanae Harold, age 28, have been booked on three counts each of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Illegal Carrying of Weapons in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance, as well as one count each of Possession of a Legend Drug Without Prescription, Drug Paraphernalia, Violation of a Drug-Free Zone and Probation Violations.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Over the past few weeks, TPSO Narcotics detectives have been investigating suspicious activity at a home on Oak Ridge Church Road in the Kentwood area, which is located within 2,000 feet of a church. Following confirmation of a drug operation underway at that location, warrants were obtained to search the property.
With assistance from TPSO SWAT, detectives located almost 300 grams of suspected illegal narcotics including fentanyl, meth, powder and crack cocaine, marijuana and MOJO along with prescription pills as well as production and distribution-related materials. Two rifles and a handgun were also found in the home, two of which were loaded, along with cash hidden in a cigar box.
Lee and Harold, convicted felons who were under active parole supervision at the time of this operation, were taken into custody and booked in connection with this investigation. An additional individual present at the time of the operation was booked on several outstanding Failure to Appear warrants.
As a reminder, if you’ve got information about suspicious activity in Tangipahoa Parish, but you prefer to share that 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.
St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for September 13, 2026
Kent Heap (age 37) was booked on the charges of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Failure to Yield at Intersection by the Mandeville Police Department.
Matthew Roussel (age 24) was booked on the charges of DWI and Improper Lane Use by the Louisiana State Police.
Philippe Loustau (age 49) was booked on the charges of DWI and Improper Lane Use by the Causeway Bridge Police.
Christopher Byrd (age 35) was booked on the charges of Tampering With Surveillance Accounting Inventory or Monitoring and Contempt of Court by the Slidell Police Department.
Naron Mack (age 25) was booked on charge(s) not listed by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Eric Schindler (age 29) was booked on the charges of DWI (4th/Subsequent Offense), Improper Lane Use, and Driving Under Suspension by the Louisiana State Police.
Malik Warren (age 29) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery/Child Endangerment by the Covington Police Department.
Melvin Cox (age 31) was booked on the charges of Aggravated Battery of a Dating Partner, Aggravated Assault Upon a Dating Partner, Battery of a Dating Partner, and Contempt of Court by the Slidell Police Department.
Cody Abram (age 31) was booked on the charge of Theft 1000-5000 by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Kelly Raymond (age 53) was booked on the charge of Accessory After the Fact by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Shantell Thomas (age 49) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery/Aggravated Assault by the Slidell Police Department.
Eric Gaffney (age 53) was booked on the charges of Public Intimidation and Simple Battery by the Mandeville Police Department.
Horace Washington (age 57) was booked on the charge of Possession of Schedule II by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
***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 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 93. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 92. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 66. Calm wind.
Tropical Disturbances Today
Central Subtropical Atlantic: A trough of low pressure is located well east-southeast of Bermuda. Environmental conditions are forecast to become more conducive for development in a few days, and a tropical depression could form late this week as the system moves slowly westward to west-northwestward over the subtropical Atlantic. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent and formation chance through 7 days...medium...40 percent.
September 14, 2026
One Dead, One Injured in Independence Drive-By Shooting
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO), in collaboration with the Independence Police Department (IPD), is investigating a drive-by shooting that killed one man and injured another.
Around 9:30 p.m., IPD received a call for shots fired in the 200 block of Highway 40 in the city limits of Independence. Officers learned two victims were taken to a nearby hospital. Several hours later, 29-year-old Marquise Jackson from Independence was pronounced dead. A 20-year-old male victim was treated for his injuries and released.
TPSO detectives, along with Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigations troopers and the FBI Violent Crime Task Force, responded to assist IPD with the investigation. This law enforcement partnership has been in place since the beginning of summer and is dispatched following all violent crime investigations in Tangipahoa Parish.
Detectives have learned the incident occurred during a birthday party after-party where a vehicle pulled up and started firing into the group.
While the team is actively working several leads in this investigation, they are asking for any additional information the public may have. Tips can be shared with our Criminal Investigations Division 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.
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