George Mickey Mitchell
August 20, 1947 - February 27, 2024
February 29, 2024
Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office and Bogalusa Police Department Crack Down on Underage Drinking
On February 28th, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Bogalusa Police
Department, conducted a targeted operation aimed at curbing underage drinking within the community.
The Juvenile Underage Drinking Enforcement (JUDE) operation saw law enforcement deputies and officers visit a total of 13 establishments across Washington Parish. Of these, 9 were found to be in compliance with regulations pertaining to the sale of alcohol to minors.
Sheriff Randy “Country” Seal expressed gratitude towards the compliant establishments, acknowledging their commitment to upholding laws safeguarding youth from the dangers of underage drinking. Among the commendable businesses are Bogalusa Powerball, C Store, Discount Store #2, General Dollar Store on Avenue F, CVS in Bogalusa, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, JZ Quick Stop, and Varnado Texaco.
However, the operation also revealed areas of non-compliance. Four establishments were found to have sold alcohol to minors, including the Chevron at Marshall Richardson Road, Chevron at Varnado, Main Street Grocery, and JR Food Mart.
This operation underscores the joint efforts of law enforcement and local businesses to promote responsible alcohol sales practices and protect the well-being of young individuals within the community.
For further inquiries, please contact the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office Candice Carona Sledge, Public Information Officer.
Slidell Man Found Guilty in Domestic Violence Case
Collin Sims, Interim District Attorney, reports that on February 28, 2024, Slidell City Court Judge Bryan D. Haggerty found Karl Evans, age 62 and of Slidell, guilty as charged of domestic abuse battery. Assistant District Attorney Heather Stephens, assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit under the Supervision of Roy Burns III, prosecuted the case. “Domestic violence can be so easy for people to ignore, as it often happens without any witnesses and it is sometimes easier not to get involved,” said D.A. Sims. “Together we can challenge attitudes towards violence in the home and show that domestic violence is a crime and not merely unacceptable.”
Testimony at trial established that on August 12, 2023, the victim reported to the Slidell Police Department that her husband, Karl Evans, had physically assaulted her at their residence earlier that day. She said she was standing at the stove cooking eggs for herself when the defendant told her she was not allowed to use the stove. He grabbed her right wrist and dug his fingernails into her skin, causing her to drop the skillet to the floor. He then picked up the skillet and struck her with it, causing significant bruising to her arm.
Officer Devon Ferguson observed bruising and cuts to the victim’s body and documented them via photographs. The victim provided police with a video she was able to record with her cell phone during the altercation. The camera was directed at the floor so it did not capture the actual assault but it did record the defendant saying “I’ll f*** your a** up, you don’t know me.”
The victim and Officer Ferguson testified at the trial. The defendant testified that the victim was the aggressor in the matter.
In cross-examination of the defendant, Assistant District Attorney Heather Stephens pointed out several inconsistencies in his testimony and the defendant eventually admitted that the victim never physically harmed him.
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for February 27-28, 2024
Tatum Davis (age 25 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
Monica Traux (age 52 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Obstruction of Justice/Evidence Tampering, Resisting an Officer (3 counts), and Possession of Schedule II Drugs by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Jordon Smith (age 41 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Distribution of Schedule 1 Drugs, Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule 1 Drugs, Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II Drugs, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
John Brice (age 42 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Resisting Arrest by Flight, Obstruction of Justice/Evidence Tampering, No Taillight, Failure to Use Turn Signal, and Possession of Marijuana (3rd Offense) by the Bogalusa Police Department. Released on $5000.00 bond.
Boswell Magee (age 22 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Possession of Marijuana (2nd Offense) by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Gregory Dunaway (age 42 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Failure to Appear (2 counts) by the
Donald Rogers (age 65 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Failure to Appear and Contempt of Court by the Washingtn 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 cloudy, with a high near 59. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight A 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Low around 47. East wind around 10 mph.
Friday A 80% chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. High near 64. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
February 28, 2024
Murder Suspect Found at Kentwood Area Residence
Marrio Haynes, Jr., age 25 and supposedly of Abita Springs, was located and arrested at a Kentwood area residence Wednesday (February 28, 2024) morning. Haynes, Jr. was wanted for a fatal shooting which occurred December 26, 2023, outside a Lacombe-area gas station.
Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force responded to the Kentwood-area residence after investigators with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office obtained information that Haynes, Jr. was possibly staying at the home. His co-defendant and girlfriend, 21 year-old Megan Coleman, who was previously arrested for her role in the murder but had since bonded out of jail, was also located at the home. Coleman now faces an additional charge of Accessory After the Fact for aiding Haynes in avoiding capture. She was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail. Haynes, Jr. was also booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail as a fugitive and is awaiting extradition to St. Tammany.
Sheriff Randy Smith would like to thank both the U.S. Marshal’s Service and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in locating and taking Coleman and Haynes into custody.
“We are grateful for the working relationship we have with our neighboring agencies and the U.S. Marshal’s Service, who assisted us in locating and arresting Haynes,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “I would also like to thank the detectives with our Major Crimes Division who worked countless hours and ran down numerous leads to track down and arrest this dangerous criminal.”
Click here for previous stories related to Marrio Haynes, Jr.
LSU AgCenter's Weekly Message
Training and Other Care of Apple Trees
In the last article, which addressed apple variety selection and planting, I promised that the next one would address training and care.
Apple trees are usually trained in the central leader form. If there are multiple upright-growing shoots at the top of the tree at the time of planting, remove all but one. If there are outward-growing branches below the leader, you can leave one to several of these spread out around the trunk to be the first whorl of “scaffold” branches. These branches should have wide angles with the trunk instead of growing upright. You’ll likely need to spread these limbs, so that they’re slightly above horizontal. (Don’t spread them so much that they dip below horizontal.) A variety of methods can be used to do this. Toothpicks (for very young shoots), clothes pins, wooden spreaders, or homemade weights can be used. If you use string or rope, be sure to remove it before it girdles the limb.
If no good candidates for scaffold branches are present, newly planted apple trees can be cut off at approximately 2.5 to 3 feet from the ground during the dormant season, shortly before growth begins, to encourage branching. During the growing season, several shoots will likely arise from just below the cut, and several more will grow within the space 4 to 12 inches below the cut. You can then select one of the upright growing shoots arising just below the cut to be your new leader and up to four of the lower, outward growing shoots to train as the first whorl of scaffold branches.
A process of cutting the central leader approximately 2 to 2.5 feet above the highest scaffold limb during the dormant season to encourage branching and then selecting one new leader and one to several scaffold branches during the growing season can be repeated for several years. When the tree gets so tall that pruning is impractical, you can cut the central leader at about 10 feet tall, just above where a lateral branch emerges.
Wait until new growth begins on recently planted trees to apply any nitrogen-containing fertilizer. In the first few years, you can use the equivalent of 1 ounce nitrogen per year age per tree. Spread out fertilizer under the drip line of the tree, placing it no closer than about 10 inches from the trunk. Examples of fertilizer rates that supply 1 ounce of nitrogen include 0.5 lb (1 cup) 13-13-13, 0.6 lb (1.2 cups) 10-10-10, and 0.8 lb (1.6 cups) 8-8-8. After the tree has been in the ground for a year, this fertilizer application can be made while the tree is still dormant, just before buds begin to swell.
After trees start to bear fruit, adjustments to the fertilizer rate can be made based on shoot growth and other factors. In some years, no fertilizer may be needed. A fertilizer rate such as 3 lb calcium nitrate, 4 lb 13-13-13, 5 lb 10-10-10, or 6 lb 8-8-8 that provides 0.5 lb nitrogen per tree is about the most that would generally be needed in a year. Split the fertilizer between applications made just before bud break and after fruit set. If flowers are killed by a late freeze, skip the second application.
Even when you choose an appropriate apple variety for our area, disease and insect management are still likely to be a challenge. Dormant oil applications for scale insects, streptomycin sulfate or copper product applications for fire blight during bloom, and a combination of insecticide and fungicide applications to protect developing fruit may be needed.
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).
Jury Finds Slidell Man Guilty of Multiple Offenses Including Filing a False Lien Against a Law Enforcement Officer
Interim District Attorney Collin Sims reports that on February 26, 2024, a St. Tammany Parish jury found Ferdinand Branch, Jr., age 42 and of Slidell, guilty of Filing a false lien against a law enforcement officer, First-degree injuring of public records, and Attempted forgery. Assistant District Attorneys Christina Fisher and Casey Allen led the prosecution and Ad Hoc Judge Paul Bonin presided over the one-day trial.
Testimony at trial established that the defendant, who identifies as a sovereign citizen under the guise of a fictitious indigenous tribe, filed a lien against the personal property of Sergeant Grant Candies as retaliation for Sgt. Candies having previously arrested him on various charges. Sergeant Candies arrested the defendant in March of 2018 after a routine traffic stop revealed the defendant to be in illegal possession of a firearm and a large amount of marijuana. The defendant later pleaded guilty in that case.
After his arrest, the defendant mailed a letter to Candies’ personal residence threatening to file a lawsuit and lien against Candies. Around the same time, personal information and photographs of Candies, including his family, were posted to a Facebook page purported to be run by the defendant’s fictitious indigenous tribe. Sgt. Candies turned the information over to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office-FBI Joint Task Force, who determined that the defendant had forged documents using a fictitious indigenous name. At trial, the defendant argued that his own rights were violated by his initial arrest and that he had acted within his rights.
In closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney Christina Fisher told the jury that “the defendant believes that the laws of our state do not apply to him except when it conveniences him” and urged that they send him a message that he cannot use our laws or our court system to harass a deputy for doing his job.
The defendant is scheduled for sentencing on March 8, 2024. Lieutenant Johnny Morse with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office led the investigation in the case.
Coincidentally, Sgt. Candies was recently named 2023 St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Deputy of the Year. The District Attorney’s Office congratulates Sgt. Candies on this well-deserved honor.
Slidell Couple Sentenced to Life in Prison for the Rape of 6 Year-Old
Collin Sims, Interim District Attorney, reports that on February 27, 2024, District Judge Tara Zeller sentenced Brandy Seal, age 36, and Derek Polk, age 38, both of Slidell, to life in prison without parole after a jury found them guilty in January of raping a 6-year-old child. The Judge also issued a lifetime protective order in favor of the victim. Assistant District Attorneys Iain Dover and Tiffany Dover led the prosecution. D.A. Sims said, “This Office will continue to vigorously pursue those that seek to harm our children and continue to seek the maximum penalties allowed by the law. We could not obtain these results without the hard work and partnerships between our Office, law enforcement, and the Hope House.”
Testimony at last month’s trial established that on December 16, 2021, Detective Matt Bauer from the Special Victims Unit of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office was notified by an investigator with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) of a case involving the sexual abuse of a child. The DCFS investigator learned of the alleged abuse while working a case involving a sibling of the child. The sibling told the DCFS investigator she had witnessed Brandy Seal sexually abuse the 6-year-old child.
The DCFS investigator immediately went to the child’s school and interviewed him. He told her that he and Brandy Seal "had sex."
An emergency forensic interview was conducted at Hope House later that same day. In the interview, the victim gave graphic and detailed descriptions of various sexual acts the woman performed in his presence and on him. He also told the interviewer he had seen the woman use “sexy toys” on herself, as he mimicked her actions on himself. According to the victim, he and the woman "had sex" countless times and the incidents took place “in her truck” while the woman was on the telephone with her incarcerated boyfriend.
On December 21, 2021, detectives arrested Brandy Seal and obtained a search warrant for her residence and vehicle. During the execution of the search warrant, detectives found three sex toys as described by the victim. Later that day, during a post-Miranda interview, Brandy Seal admitted to performing sex acts in front of the victim. She also admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with the victim on approximately twelve occasions. Detectives located Seal's boyfriend, Derek Polk, who was incarcerated at Rayburn Correctional Center.
In his opening statement, Assistant District Attorney Iain Dover described how “the defendants used the victim as a living, breathing sex toy surrogate.”
Prosecutors played for the jury the forensic video interview of the victim as well as an audio interview conducted during his medical evaluation at Children Hospital’s Audrey Hepburn CARE Center. The State called the detective and the DCFS investigator to testify. The jury also heard the phone calls between Polk and Seal, which were automatically recorded by the prison’s phone system. The jury listened to Polk and Seal plan the sexual assaults of the victim and could hear the actual sex acts as they were occurring.
Prosecutors also presented a recording of a phone conversation between Polk and his mother held after Polk had been charged with rape. During the conversation, she asked him if he “did these things” and he responded “yes.” He also said that he knew enough about the law to know that he was “going down for this.”
The now 8-year-old victim took the stand during the trial. Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover asked him about his experiences and he repeatedly said, “I don’t remember.” ADA Dover then asked him, “Did your grandmother tell you to say that?” He said, “yes.” He said that he now lives with his maternal grandmother and that she did not want him to tell anyone in court what happened and that he didn’t want to get anyone in trouble.
Defense counsel for Brandy Seal told the jury in his closing argument that Seal was “only a puppet master for Polk” and he urged the jury to “cut her some slack and find her guilty of a lesser charge.” Defense counsel for Derek Polk asked the jury to also give him a lesser charge because “this doesn’t warrant a life sentence.” He then pointed blame back on Seal, telling the jury that Seal had “introduced’ this to Polk.
In their closing arguments, Assistant District Attorneys Iain Dover and Tiffany Dover told the Jury, “you have seen evil here today. It didn’t come in horns and hooves waving a pitchfork, it came in a prison uniform; it came disguised as love.” “This victim will be sitting with a life sentence; he will live with this for the rest of his life. They should never be in this victim’s life again, so they must forfeit theirs.”
Detective Matthew Bauer of the Special Victims Unit of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division investigated the case, the Children’s Advocacy Hope House performed the forensic interview, the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center performed the medical forensic interview, the Department of Public Services investigated the case, and the Rayburn Correctional Center recovered the recordings of the sexual contact and testified at trial.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today A 40% chance of showers between noon and 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to near 75 by noon, then falling to around 60 during the remainder of the day. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.
Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Thursday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night A 50% chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 49. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday A 90% chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 64. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind around 5 mph.
February 27, 2024
Driver Killed in Crash Near Folsom
Last night (February 26, 2024), shortly after 7:30 p.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L
began investigating a single-vehicle crash on LA Hwy 1078 near LA Hwy 1077 in St. Tammany Parish. The crash claimed the life of 41-year-old Lance Husser of Ponchatoula.
The initial investigation revealed that Husser was westbound on LA Hwy 1078 in a 2010 Dodge Avenger. For reasons still under investigation, the Dodge traveled off the roadway and impacted a large tree. After impacting the tree, the Dodge became engulfed in flames.
Despite the driver being properly restrained; Husser sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash. Husser was transported to a local hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. As part of the ongoing investigation, a toxicology sample was obtained from Husser for analysis.
Troopers wish to remind motorists to always make good decisions while in a motor vehicle. Never drive impaired, fatigued, or distracted; follow all traffic laws, and always ensure every occupant is properly restrained. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death.
Your Latest Washington Parish Council Meeting
Watch the latest meeting (February 26, 2024) of the Washington Parish Council. The Council
- heard from Darrell Lavender, CEO of Riverside Medical Center
- heard from Vincent Wynn, candidate for District Attorney
- heard from others during Public Participation
Parish President Ryan Seal and his staff provided reports and the meeting adjourned.
STOP! LOOK! LISTEN!
Northshore Charter School’s Washington Parish Youth Coalition members joined forces with the Bogalusa Police Department and local business owner, James Barber, to implement the National Sticker Shock Campaign on Thursday, February 22, 2024.
This campaign is aimed at educating, informing, and reminding the public that it is against the law to purchase alcohol for underaged individuals. Stickers were placed on windows and walls at the Club Car Lounge in Bogalusa, LA.
We would like to thank Mr. James Barber for his compliance and support of Louisiana law RS 14:93.11, the Bogalusa Police Department, and Northshore Charter School students for helping enforce this program.
If your business would like to participate in the National Sticker Shock Campaign, please contact Jana Pounds at ADAPT: 985-735-0160.
Pedestrian Killed While Walking on I-12 in St. Tammany Parish
Monday (February 26, 2024) afternoon, shortly after 1:00 p.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L began investigating a single-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on Interstate 12 near U.S. Hwy 190 in St. Tammany Parish. The crash claimed the life of 47-year-old David Brassieur of Madisonville.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the crash occurred as Brassieur was walking on the roadway on Interstate 12 westbound. At the same time, a 2022 Mercedes-Benz motorhome was westbound on Interstate 12. For reasons still under investigation, the Mercedes-Benz struck the pedestrian on the roadway.
Brassieur sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash. Brassieur was transported to a local hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Mercedes-Benz was properly restrained and uninjured. As part of the ongoing investigation, toxicology samples were obtained from Brassieur and the driver of the Mercedes-Benz for analysis.
Pedestrians and motorists are urged to remain vigilant while on roadways and pay close attention to their surroundings. Crashes involving pedestrians can often be avoided by following some basic safety guidelines. Pedestrians should wear light-colored or reflective clothing and should avoid walking on the roadway in dark areas. Pedestrians must assume that approaching motorists cannot see them, especially at night. Pedestrians should cross roadways in well-lit, designated areas and should always walk facing traffic. These simple steps can enhance safety for pedestrians.
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for February 26, 2024
Tatiana Mitchell (age 18 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of 2nd Degree Murder. Bond set at $150000.00.
Cody Martin (age 21 with Angie, La. address) was booked In From Court
Kenyatta Scott (age 26 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Racketeering by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $250000.00.
Michelle Jenkins (age 49 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charges of Resisting Arrest by Providing False Booking Info, Resisting an Officer/Flight on Foot, Resisting an Officer, Fugitive Other Jurisdiction, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Marijuana (3rd Offense). No bond set at this time.
Markus Mark (age 28 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charge of Racketeering by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $250000.00.
Christopher Robinson (age 46 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked In From Court
Taylor Corona (age 24 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Failure to Appear (2 counts) and Bond Surrender by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $7500.00.
Brittany Mayes (age 37 with Jonesboro, Ga. address) was booked on the charge of Racketeering by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released on $250000.00 bond.
***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 81. Breezy, with a south wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tonight Increasing clouds, with a low around 64. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph.
Wednesday A 20 % chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to near 74 by 11am, then falling to around 63 during the remainder of the day. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph.
Thursday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 52. East wind around 10 mph.
February 26, 2024
Library Offers Litter Cleanup Kits
The Washington Parish Library is providing litter cleanup kits for checkout, courtesy of a grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful!
Whether doing community service hours for an organization or just trying to keep our community clean, residents can now turn to the library for the necessary equipment. These kits are only available at the Bogalusa Branch (304 Avenue F) and the Franklinton Branch (825 Free Street).
Each litter kit includes one trash picker, two safety vests, and garbage bags. These kits can be checked out for one week and renewed once with a valid Washington Parish Library Card.
So help us Keep Washington Parish Beautiful–one checkout at a time!
For more information about Keep Louisiana Beautiful, visit www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org.
Booze Bandits Wanted in Amite Shoplifting
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office is asking the public's assistance in identifying four shoplifting suspects, in connection with the theft of alcohol from the Walmart in Amite.
Sheriff Daniel Edwards says on January 31, 2024, four subjects entered the Walmart and proceeded to the luggage department. After each subject acquired one large piece of luggage each, they proceeded to the liquor department and began concealing bottles of liquor inside the luggage. The subjects then left the store, passing all points of sale, failing to render payment for any of the merchandise, which was valued at over $2,000.
Two of the suspects were seen entering a white SUV, while the other two were seen entering a gray sedan. At this time, the make, model and license plate numbers for both vehicles are unknown.
Sheriff Edwards asks anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspects to contact Detective Earl McFarland at 985-902-2043, OR Crime Stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous. To submit an anonymous tip, call 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip! You may be eligible for a cash reward.
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for February 24-25, 2024
Loretta Easterling (age 38 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court, Driving While Intoxicated, and No Taillight by the Louisiana State Police. Released on $3550.00 bond.
Callie Painter (age 37 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court (2 counts) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond seet at $10000.00.
Milton Williams (age 21 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated, Possession of CDS With Weapon Present, Prohibited Acts/Schedule II, Possession of Schedule IV Drugs, Possession of Schedule V Drugs, Improper Lane Usage, License Plate Light Required, No MVI, and View Outward or Inward Through Windshield or Windows (Tint, etc) by the Louisiana State Police. No bond set at this time.
Bianca Pittman (age 33 with Sandy Hook, Ms. address) was booked on the charges of Aggravated Assault 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***
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 79. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight Increasing clouds, with a low around 61. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 65. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph.
Wednesday A 20% chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph.
February 25, 2024
Today's Message from ADAPT
Learn more and "Like" ADAPT's Facebook page and visit their website.
- To prevent child abuse and neglect before it happens by delivering research based prevention programs.
- To provide child abuse prevention and direct services to victims which includes a variety of programs and services.
- To provide sexual assault prevention and direct services to assault victims which includes: operating a 24/7 crisis hotline; providing hospital and law enforcement victim advocates 24/7; providing sexual assault information, prevention education, professional training, awareness campaigns, inter-agency collaboration, and victim support and counseling.
- To provide prevention and educational services targeting substance abuse.
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 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight Clear, with a low around 51. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Monday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 61. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
February 24, 2024
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for February 23, 2024
Jennifer Pope (age 42 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charges of Resisting an Officer,
Possession of Schedule II Drugs, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Ike Roberts (age 64 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charges of Distribution of Schedule II CDS, Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II Drugs, Possession of Marijuana, and Contributing to Delinquency of Juvenile by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Julie Pierce (age 44 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Failure to Use Turn Signal 100 FT Prior to Turn, Driving Under Suspension, and Contributing to Delinquency of Juvenile by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Aaron Blackwell (age 31 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation and Parole Hold. No bond set at this time.
Jennifer McDaniel (age 51 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked In From Court
Anna Seals (age 31 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court (3 counts) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Rasheed Moss (age 37 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Resisting an Officer, Illegal Carrying of Weapon, Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities, and Contempt of Court (2 counts) 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 Sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
Tonight Clear, with a low around 42. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday Sunny, with a high near 75. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 51. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
February 23, 2024
Paralyzed St. Tammany Deputy's Service Dog to Serve as Grand Marshall of Krewe Du Pooch
Deputy Mary Mayo’s former service dog, 🐾𝙒𝙄𝙇𝙇𝘼🐾, will be serving as Krewe Du Pooch 2024 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐋 which rolls Saturday on the Mandeville Lakefront at 12:00.
She was born to serve… 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖 served her “1st mom”, 𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙤 of the STPSO, as a dedicated and gentle service dog. Deputy Mayo’s life was changed forever on June 13, 2007 when she was participating in a funeral procession for fellow fallen Deputy Hilary Mayo, when a violent storm swept across the area. A large pine tree fell onto the cruiser, instantly killing her fiancée, Sgt. Beau Raimer. The accident left Mary paralyzed from the chest down. Years following, Mary underwent years of physical therapy as her community rallied around her.
By the grace of God, Willa came into Mary’s life and touched her world in a way she never knew she needed. Willa was a stray found in Washington Parish….𝙐𝙉𝙏𝙄𝙇 𝙎𝙃𝙀 𝙒𝙀𝙉𝙏 𝙏𝙊 𝙋𝙍𝙄𝙎𝙊𝙉🥴. I can explain🤣. “Doggone Express” is a local non-profit that trains shelter dogs to be service dogs. Willa was found by this organization in a shelter where she entered the “prison-dog” service program. Willa was then gifted to Mary and so their journey began. Willa did her job, and she did it well. She went 𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙔𝙒𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙀 with Mary. She was a perfect fit for Mary. Mary passed away in September 2023 as a result of her injuries she sustained 16 years earlier in the line of duty.
Shortly after Mary passed and seeing Willa’s pics on social media, Melissa Seal of Metairie knew she needed to be Willa’s “new mom.” Melissa has been involved in rescue for 20+ years, and she wanted to provide Willa the retirement life she deserved.
“𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳. 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦," Melissa said.
Willa immediately bonded with Melissa’s St. Bernard, 𝙂𝙐𝙈𝘽𝙊. Sadly… Gumbo recently crossed the rainbow bridge 🌈, and Willa had to deal with another loss, but she continued to be resilient. Willa is honored to serve at the Grand Marshal and according to Mary’s mother, “𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙇𝙊𝙑𝙀𝘿 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨." 💜💚💛
Abita Springs Area Man Found With 100 Fentanyl Tablets
An Abita Springs-area man was arrested after approximately 100 fentanyl tablets were located inside his vehicle during a traffic stop near Covington on Thursday (February 22, 2024) afternoon.
A criminal patrol deputy with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s 4th District conducted a traffic stop on a BMW in the Claiborne Hill area of Covington. The driver’s behavior and statements during that traffic stop prompted the deputy to conduct a search of his vehicle where the deputy located approximately 100 (24.3 grams) of fentanyl tablets and 1.4 grams of crack cocaine.
The driver, 32 year-old Benjamin Fogarty of Abita Springs, was arrested and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on the charges of Turning Improper at Intersection, Failure to Have Proper Equipment on Vehicle, Distribution of Schedule II CDS, and Possession of Schedule II CDS.
“Fentanyl is a very dangerous drug, and it is no secret that it is in our community,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “I applaud this alert patrol deputy who noticed something suspicious during a routine traffic stop and acted, resulting in a large quantity of this deadly drug being taken off our streets.”
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for February 22, 2024
Kenyon Moore (age 44 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Stalking (2 counts), Principle to Burglary of Inhabited Dwelling, Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II Drugs, and Principle to Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule 1 Drugs by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released on $25000.00 bond.
Michael Greely (age 55 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Bond Surrender and Contempt of Court by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Durwood Brumfield (age 36 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Open Container in Vehicle, and No Taillight by the Louisiana State Police. Released on $3500.00 bond.
Branikin Crain (age 39 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Disturbing the Peace/Drunkenness, Possession of Marijuana, and Prohibited Acts by the Franklinton Police Department. Released on $4000.00 bond.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Active Shooter Training Conducted in Washington Parish
(A Message from the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office)
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This week, the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office (WPSO), in an initiative to safeguard our community,
spearheaded an extensive 2-day active shooter training program. Collaborating closely with the Bogalusa Police Department, Franklinton Police Department, Varnado Police Department, and Rayburn Correctional Center, we focused on a scenario that is every parent’s nightmare.
Sheriff Randy “Country” Seal emphasized, “This kind of training is crucial to ensure that all agencies are prepared to respond to high-risk incidents. Training for events such as this can help first responders prepare to play essential roles in mitigating the impacts of violent acts. Protecting all members of our community, particularly our children, is our top priority.”
Through this rigorous training, our deputies and police officers are now better equipped to respond effectively to any such threats, demonstrating our commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents.
We stand united, ready to protect and serve, ensuring a safer tomorrow for everyone in our parish.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 72. North wind around 15 mph.
Tonight Clear, with a low around 46. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday Sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 50. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
February 22, 2024
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for February 21, 2024
Fredricka Brister (age 28 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II Narcotics by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Antoine Hubert (age 31 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule 1 Drugs by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Lawrence Fowler (age 45 and homeless in Bogalusa, La.) was booked on the charges of Prohibited Acts, Possession of Marijuana, Sale Distribution or Possession of Legend Drugs Without Prescription or Order, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting an Officer, and Bicycle Operators Will Keep to Extreme Right of Roadway by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Talage Ratliff (age 42 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
Jared Sarver (age 37 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Prohibited Acts/Schedule II by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Ronald Willette (age 53 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked In For Court
Randall Lott (age 53 with Sun, La. address) was booked In For Court
Matthew Swindle (age 25 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of No Seat Belt, Possession of CDS in Presence of Juvenile, and Possession of Schedule 1 Drugs by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Dereck McNabb (age 39 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court (2 counts) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
John Davidson (age 34 with Kentwood, La. address) was booked In For 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 Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph.
Tonight Patchy fog between 2am and 5am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Friday Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 46. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Bogalusa City Council SPECIAL MEETING on Feb. 22nd
A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE Bogalusa City Council is scheduled for February 22, 2024 at 5:30 PM in the City Courtroom.
One item is on the Agenda: "A Resolution authorizing the hiring of Becky Hammond, Carr Riggs & Ingram Firm as our Certified Public Accountant to do the auditing for the year ending December 31, 2023. "
February 21, 2024
LSU AgCenter's Weekly Message
You May be Better Off Buying Your Apples
Some fruit species are better suited to our climate than others. Rabbiteye blueberries, muscadines, blackberries, persimmons (native and Japanese), figs, and cold-hardy citrus are often grown successfully in the Florida Parishes with appropriate variety selection, good site selection and preparation, and adequate care. Apples fall in the harder-to-grow category, along with peaches, plums, and most pears.
Few apple varieties are suited to the number of chilling hours that we reliably get. We’d like to have varieties that get enough chilling to come out of dormancy but don’t bloom so early that their flowers are often killed by late freezes.
Another important consideration for the warm, wet southeastern US is resistance to the bacterial disease fire blight. The bacteria infect through open flowers when appropriate temperatures and wet conditions exist. Fire blight can spread through the tree and severely damage or kill susceptible varieties of apples, pears, and mayhaws.
Even with appropriate variety selection, a good deal of attention is needed to training/pruning and management of diseases and pest insects.
Apple varieties recommended for the Florida Parishes area of Louisiana include Anna, Dorsett Golden, and Ein Shemer. Nominally, some of these require too few chilling hours for most of the region, and they do indeed flower too early in some years, but they remain among the better choices. Apple trees typically need cross-pollination (i.e., more than one variety) to produce, but Anna is partially self-fertile.
Most apple trees are grafted. Many rootstocks exist, and they affect the size of the tree. In some places, apples are grown commercially on rootstocks that reduce the trees’ size to such an extent that they are supported by trellises, similar to how grapes are grown. These trees typically bear earlier in their life, and it’s easier for workers to harvest them. However, trees on very dwarfing rootstocks do not tend to perform well in Louisiana. Trees grafted onto seedling rootstocks or ones like MM.111 or MM.106 are expected to perform better here than more dwarfing rootstocks. Trees should be planted so that the graft union (where the rootstock and scion join) is at least 2 inches above the ground.
People are sometimes tempted to buy larger, older trees, thinking they will produce fruit earlier. However, larger trees are often hard to train into a desirable form. Planting trees that are 4 to 5 feet tall and have trunks about 0.5 to 0.75 inch in diameter is recommended.
As when planting almost any type of fruiting plant, choose a well-drained site that gets direct sun exposure for most of the day (at least 8 hours).
I’ll follow up next week with more information on apple tree training and care.
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 Jail Bookings for February 19-20, 2024
Gregory Honaker (age 54 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation. No bond set at this time.
Colby Johnson (age 23 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
Brittany Moses (age 34 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Possession of Stolen Property. Released on $5000.00 bond.
Timothy Williams (age 66 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, and Distribution of Schedule II Drugs. No bond set at this time.
Anna Jones (age 26 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Resisting an Officer and Contempt of Court by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Oliver Thornton (age 60 with Mt. Hermon, La. address) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery 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 Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Tonight Increasing clouds, with a low around 52. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Friday Sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Friday Night Clear, with a low around 44. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
February 20, 2024
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today Areas of frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 70. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tonight Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 74. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 53. South wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.
Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southwest wind around 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
February 19, 2024
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for February 17-18, 2024
David Bonnette (age 34 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Unauthorized Entry of
an Inhabited Dwelling by the Bogalusa Police Department. Bond set at $15000.00.
Nicholas Miller (age 27 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked In For Court
Entre Dillon (age 36 with Tylertown, Ms. address) was booked on the charges of Resisting an Officer, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Schedule 1 Drugs, Possession of Schedule IV Drugs, Speeding 11-20 Over Limit, and No Drivers License by the Louisiana State Police. Released on $7500.00 bond.
***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.
Washington's Birthday Areas of frost before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 61. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Tonight Widespread frost, mainly after 5am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 36. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Tuesday Areas of frost before 7am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 69. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
February 17, 2024
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for February 16, 2024
Jennifer McDaniel (age 51 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked In From Court
Christian Foster (age 28 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Second Degree Battery by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Harold Hartfield (age 60 with Poplarville, Ms. address) was booked on the charge of Driving While Intoxicated 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 Cloudy, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph.
Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Sunday Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 29. North wind around 5 mph.
Washington's Birthday Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Monday Night Clear, with a low around 37. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
February 16, 2024
Gov. Landry Declares State of Emergency Due to Officer Shortage
Baton Rouge, LA- Today (February 16, 2024), Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order declaring a State of Emergency due to the police officer shortage across Louisiana. The Louisiana Sheriff’s Association estimates that Louisiana sheriffs’ offices were down approximately 1,800 deputies statewide resulting in record-low employment and an increase in response time.
“We applaud Governor Landry for highlighting the importance of the law enforcement profession and our state’s desperate need to fill valuable front line deputy positions,” said Michael Ranatza, Executive Director, Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association.
“As a former police officer and sheriff’s deputy, I understand the vital role our law enforcement officers play in our communities. Currently, our state is facing a shortage of officers, resulting in increased crime and less public safety. Today’s executive order, and the upcoming crime special session, will ensure our law enforcement officers are supported and we can begin to bring law and order back to our state,” said Governor Jeff Landry.
LSU AgCenter's Weekly Message
If You’re Going to Spray for Winter Weeds in the Lawn, Don’t Wait Too Late
Good cultural practices are the foundation of good weed management. If turfgrass isn’t healthy, bare or thin spots provide openings for weed growth. Healthy turfgrass is better able to compete with weeds.
For lawns, “good cultural practices” include applying fertilizer at the recommended times and rates, mowing at an appropriate height, and having the soil pH (acidity or alkalinity) within the optimum range for your particular type of turfgrass. It also involves avoiding or reducing soil compaction by, for example, core aerating from time to time.
People sometimes wait until weeds are really obvious to do something about them, but if you’re going to use an herbicide, it’s important to do it while weeds are small. Post-emergence herbicides are more effective at this stage. (Post-emergence herbicides are what we use once weeds are present. Pre-emergence herbicides are used to prevent seed germination.)
Not only are weeds easier to kill when they’re small, but it’s important to kill them before they flower and produce seed. Annual weeds and many perennial weeds come back from seed. So, if a weed is allowed to go to seed, there is more potential for problems in the future.
The winter weed I probably get the most questions about is lawn burweed, or “stickers.” Lawn burweed produces spines as it produces seeds. Once the spine is there, even if you manage to kill the plant with an herbicide, this spine will still be there to stick in feet that run barefoot around the yard.
Lawn burweed is a broadleaf annual weed, as are chickweed and henbit. There are a number of tools in the in the toolbox for managing cool-season broadleaf weeds in turf.
Herbicides containing the combination of 2,4-D, dicamba, and mecoprop are commonly available and effective on a wide range of broadleaf weeds. Combinations of penoxulam, sulfentrazone, 2,4-D, and dicamba have become available in home lawn herbicides, as well. Metsulfuron is likewise effective on a wide range of broadleaf weeds.
There are herbicides with the above-mentioned ingredients can be used on most of the warm season turfgrasses that we grow, including centipedegrass, zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and St. Augustinegrass. (Some products cannot be used on the St. Augustinegrass variety Floratam.) Check the label of a product to make sure it's labeled for the type of turfgrass you have before using it.
Besides broadleaf weeds, we have some weeds that are grasses. Annual bluegrass is a common cool-season annual weed that tends to be a problem in areas with compacted soils.
It can be hard to kill a grassy weed that is growing in turfgrass, and there are more pre-emergence than post-emergence herbicide options for managing annual bluegrass in centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass. However, atrazine is an option in some cases. It has both pre-emergence and post-emergence activity on annual bluegrass and is effective on many broadleaf weeds, as well.
Home lawn atrazine product are generally labeled only for use on centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass, while some commercial atrazine-containing herbicides are labeled for use on zoysiagrass and bermudagrass, also. Do not use atrazine over the root zones of trees or shrubs.
When using post-emergence herbicides, it’s important to use them on weeds that are actively growing. Warm days (temperatures above 60 degrees F) during February are generally good times to use a post-emergence herbicide for winter weeds, if needed.
Be sure to read and follow label instructions when using any herbicide or other pesticide.
Let me know if you have questions.
Click here for previous LSU AgCenter's Weekly Messages
Dr. Mary Helen Ferguson is an Extension Agent with the LSU AgCenter, with horticulture responsibilities in Washington and Tangipahoa Parishes. Contact Mary Helen at mhferguson@agcenter.lsu.edu or 985-277-1850 (Hammond) or 985-839-7855 (Franklinton).
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