Three Slidell Teens Indicted in Death of St. Tammany Parish Police Officer

District Attorney Collin Sims reports that on June 3, 2025, a St. Tammany Parish grand jury indicted three Slidell teens in connection with the March 23, 2025, death of Sergeant Grant Candies with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sergeant Candies was struck and killed while deploying a spike strip in an attempt to stop a vehicle during a high-speed pursuit. Indicted were 17-year-old Adrian Waughtal, 17-year-old Mason Fischer and 18-year-old Michael Lanier. Assistant District Attorneys Ronnie Gracianette and Gary Tromblay presented the case to the grand jury. Detectives Sean Scott and Jacob Schwebel with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office led the investigation.

• Waughtal (pictured left) was indicted for Second degree murder, Aggravated assault with a motor vehicle upon a peace officer, Aggravated flight from an officer, Aggravated obstruction of a highway, Obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence and Conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

• Fischer (pictured middle) was indicted for Second degree murder, Aggravated flight from an officer, Aggravated obstruction of a highway, Obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence and Conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

• Lanier (pictured right) was indicted for Manslaughter, Obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence and Conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Click here for previous reporting

Louisiana law provides for the potential imposition of the death penalty with regard to the murder of a police officer. However, in 2005, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled the Eighth Amendment forbids the imposition of the death penalty for any offender who was under the age of 18 at the time of the homicide. (See Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551.) In this particular case, all three defendants were 17 years old at the time of the alleged offense. Consequently, the State is precluded from pursuing the death penalty in this matter.

The defendants are tentatively scheduled for arraignment on July 14, 2025.

Obituary

Tori Lynette Stevens

October 19, 1972 - April 25, 2025

Thoughts on the June 3, 2025 City of Bogalusa Meetings from The Silent Lantern

A good read! Clarity regarding the Fiscal Administrator's responsibilities, authority, and actions. And, thoughts on political drama, chaos vs. leadership, and more. See the meetings referred to: Finance Committee meeting is at https://www.mthermonwebtv.com/2025/06/bogalusa-city-council-finance-committee.html and the Council meeting at https://www.mthermonwebtv.com/2025/06/bogalusa-city-council-meeting-of-june-3.html

 

Washington Parish Jail Bookings for June 3, 2025

Jodi Bergeron (age 33 with Baton Rouge, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.

David Stewart (age 46 with Mt. Hermon, La. address) was booked on the charge of Protective Order Violation by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Vivian Graves (age 40 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Bond Surrender and Failure to Appear (4 counts) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $25000.00.

***All persons are innocent until proven guilty***

Obituary

Joyce Irvine

August 24, 1929 - May 18, 2025

Obituary

Hershel Lee Stevens

November 24, 1943 - June 1, 2025

Obituary

Christina Lynn Andras

November 23, 1980 - June 2, 2025

Local Forecast for the Next Few Days

For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page. 

Today   A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southeast wind around 5 mph. 

Tonight   Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday   A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. 

Thursday Night   Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Calm wind.

Friday   A 30% chance of showers after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night   Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph.

Tropical Disturbances Today

Near the Southeastern U.S. Coast: Showers and thunderstorms located over the Florida peninsula, the southeastern U.S. coast, the northwestern Bahamas, and the adjacent Atlantic and Gulf waters are associated with a broad trough of low pressure.  A non-tropical low pressure area is forecast to form from this system on Thursday, but it is becoming increasingly likely that this development will occur inland over South Carolina and North Carolina.  As a result, the low's chances of acquiring subtropical or tropical characteristics have diminished.  Regardless of development, heavy rainfall could cause some flash  flooding along portions of the southeastern U.S. coast today and on Thursday. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...near 0 percent.

Bogalusa City Council meeting of June 3, 2025

The meeting begins at 5:30 PM with an Agenda that includes 

• guest speaker Leslie Durham: LITA Corp (Louisiana Infrastructure Technical Assistance), 
• no adoptions of Resolutions, 
• introduction of two Ordinances: 1) to amend Chapter 4-Alcohol Beverages and 2) to contract Dempsey Pardon Property Tax Services, 
• no Public Hearings, 
• Public Participation, Administrative Remarks, Council Remarks

Bogalusa City Council Finance Committee meeting of June 3, 2025

On the Agenda is 

• Financial Statements 

• Financial Resources 

• 2025 Budget 

• 2022 Close Out Updates

Tropical Disturbances Today

Offshore of the Southeastern U.S. Coast: A non-tropical area of low pressure is forecast to form near or offshore of the southeastern U.S. coast during the next two to three days. If the system remains offshore, the low could gradually develop some subtropical or tropical characteristics later this week while moving northeastward at 10 to 15 mph. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...10 percent.

Washington Parish Jail Bookings for June 1-2, 2025

Travis Beauvais (age 39 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Contempt of Court by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $6000.00.

Katy Toney (age 39 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II Drugs and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $5000.00.

Katie Canavan (age 46 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Introduction of Contraband to Correctional Facility, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.

Dylan Crain (age 31 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Speed Restrictions, Convicted Felon in Possession of Firearm, and Fugitive Other Jurisdiction by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.

Dustin Waller (age 31 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Aggravated Obstruction of Commerce/Roadway, Aggravated Flight From An Officer, No Motorcycle Endorsement, and Contempt of Court by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.

Stephanie Sword (age 39 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse Battery and Domestic Abuse/Child Endangerment by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Jeremy Blow (age 45 with Ponchatoula, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Improper Equipment, and Improper Display of Temporary License Plate by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Shelbie Hoffman (age 32 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II Drugs, and Contempt of Court by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

***All persons are 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 89. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Tonight   Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday   A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night   Mostly clear, with a low around 70. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday   A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers after 4pm. Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night   Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Obituary

Pauline "Polly" Viola Coleman Carter

December 13, 1942 - May 31, 2025

Louisiana State Police Troop L Welcomes New Troopers

After 24 weeks of intense mental, physical, and academic training, these Troopers were among the 46
individuals who graduated from Cadet Class 106 on May 30, 2025.

The cadets began their 24-week training at the Louisiana State Police Training Academy on December 15, 2024. During this period, they received comprehensive instruction in areas such as crash investigation, emergency vehicle operations, impaired driving detection, fair and impartial policing, legal updates, advanced firearms training, leadership skills, and a rigorous physical training regimen. 

They will now participate in a 10 to 14-week field training program under the guidance of a veteran Louisiana State Trooper.

Pearl River Man Gets Life in Prison For Domestic Violence

District Attorney Collin Sims reports that on May 29, 2025, 50-year-old Angelo Russo of Pearl River was sentenced by Judge Tara Zeller to life in prison after a St. Tammany jury found Russo guilty in March on multiple domestic violence charges.  Russo received a total of four life sentences on the charges of Domestic abuse battery with a dangerous weapon, Domestic abuse battery by strangulation, Domestic abuse aggravated assault and False imprisonment with a dangerous weapon.  He was also sentenced to 20 years in prison for Obstruction of justice by witness tampering.  The sentences all run concurrent with each other.  Russo faced enhanced sentencing due to his extensive and dangerous criminal history, which includes seven prior convictions for second degree battery, three for stalking, seven for violation of protective orders, three for unlawful and harassing communications, four for driving while impaired, and one for unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.

Assistant District Attorneys Gary Tromblay and Iain Dover presented the case to the jury.  According to trial testimony, shortly after midnight on March 17, 2023, Deputy Santos Aviles with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Office went to a Pearl River residence in response to a 911 call of domestic violence.  Upon arrival, Deputy Aviles made contact with the 44-year-old victim at the residence of a relative of the victim.  The victim had visible bruises, lacerations and abrasions on her neck, face and forearms.  The victim told Deputy Aviles that her live-in boyfriend, Angelo Russo, had viciously beaten her at their residence following an argument.  She said he struck her repeatedly with his fists, dragged her from one room to another room, beat her with a curtain rod, and strangled her with a shirt he had wrapped around her neck.  He also sprayed hairspray at her and as he did so, used a lighter to ignite the mist – making the hairspray can into a flame-thrower. After beating her for several hours, Russo locked the victim in their bedroom and told her “You will not leave this room alive.”  When Russo eventually fell asleep, the victim escaped from their residence and fled on foot to her relative’s house.  Once there, the victim called the police.  Russo was arrested and transported to jail.  He posted bond a week later.

After charges were filed and a trial date was scheduled, concerned family members of the victim contacted the District Attorney’s Office and reported the victim and Russo had moved to Mississippi and were again residing together.  The relatives said Russo had resumed beating the victim and they provided photographs of injuries the victim sustained from recent beatings.  Specifically, Russo had slammed the victim’s head against a sink – badly gashing her head; he hit her in the forehead with an ashtray – cutting her; and he hit her head with a nightstand drawer – blackening her eye.  Prosecutors filed a motion to revoke the defendant’s bail which the court granted after a hearing.  After being returned to jail, Russo called the victim and told her to contact the District Attorney’s Office and tell them she lied about everything and that she had in fact attacked him.  He also told her to leave the country so that she wouldn’t be available to testify against him.  These communications formed the basis for the witness tampering charge.

During the trial, ADA Iain Dover described Russo as a classic example of a domestic abuser imposing his power and control over a victim, even after being confined to a jail cell.  ADA Gary Tromblay said the defendant refuses to accept any responsibility for his actions, and instead blames the victim herself and various inanimate objects as the causes of her injuries.  Tromblay called Russo a serial abuser and “a homicide waiting to happen.”

Tropical Disturbances Today

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 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight   Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday   Sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Tuesday Night   Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday   A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night   Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Washington Parish Jail Bookings for May 30-31, 2025

Spencer Collins (age 35 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Failure to Appear (2
counts) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

David Stewart (age 46 with Mt. Hermon, La. address) was booked on the charge of Aggravated Battery by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Bendrick Fortenberry (age 32 with Tylertown, Ms. address) was booked on the charges of Driving Without Headlights, Resisting an Officer/Flight on Foot, Obstruction of Justice/Evidence Tampering, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Simple Battery, and Criminal Trespass by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $2250.00.

***All persons are innocent until proven guilty***

Obituary

Mrs. Claudell Talley

June 14, 1924 - May 21, 2025

Obituary

Dorothy Dell (Milton) Blades

February 17, 1936 - May 31, 2025

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 87. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Tonight   A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind.

Monday   Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.

Monday Night   Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday   Sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Tuesday Night   Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening.