LSU AgCenter Will Hold Watermelon Growers Meeting

The LSU AgCenter will hold a meeting for watermelon growers from 6:00 to 8:20 PM on Thursday,

February 6, 2020 at the AgCenter’s Washington Parish office (1104-B Bene St., Franklinton). Speakers will address disease, weed, and feral hog management and will include Drs. Raj Singh, Ron Strahan, and Mary Helen Ferguson, as well as a representative of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

While this meeting will be held in Washington Parish, growers from Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, and other parishes are invited.

Please RSVP to Horticulture Agent Mary Helen Ferguson (mhferguson@agcenter.lsu.edu, 985-277-1850, or 985-839-7855) if you plan to come. For accommodations for persons with disabilities, please contact her at least one week before the event.

Four Slidell Teens Indicted for Second Degree Murder

District Attorney Warren Montgomery's Office reported yesterday (January 16, 2020) that a St. Tammany Parish grand jury indicted Nicholas Ordogne (19), Jawaun Wilson (18), Revonte Charles (18), and Jaydin Charles (16) for Second Degree Murder of a Slidell resident on October 18, 2019. Additionally, Nicholas Ordogne, Jawaun Wilson, and Revonte Charles were indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery with a Firearm.

File photo. The juvenile Jaydin Charles is not pictured

The four are accused of murdering Andre Johnson (33) at Johnson's apartment at the Slidell Housing Authority during a planned robbery in an attempt to obtain illegal drugs and money from Johnson. The four teenagers (all from Slidell) fled the scene but were later captured on the outside perimeter of the Slidell Housing Authority.

The Slidell Police Department investigated the case and Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover presented the case to the Grand Jury.

Click here for our previous related story.

Today in History for January 17th

AP Top Stories January 17, 2020

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff on LSA Sheriff's Scholarship Award

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards announces the opening of the application process for the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association Scholarship Program. The LSA Scholarship Program will award scholarships providing assistance to worthy Louisiana students in furthering their education and training with resources made available through the Louisiana Sheriff’s Honorary Membership Program.

“Education is so important, “states Edwards. “The LSA Scholarship Program demonstrates the level of commitment we have for the students of Louisiana.” Each year Sheriff Edwards matches the LSA’s Scholarship Award. This means that a scholarship of $500 will be awarded to (2) two graduating high school students in Tangipahoa Parish.

There are no restrictions on the purposes for which the scholarship may be spent. The scholarship will be awarded as a gift to the recipients to defray the rising costs of tuition and related expenses in higher education. The only stipulations are as follows:

Slidell Caregiver Arrested - Are You a Victim?

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested Rosalin Harrison (60) of Slidell after it was discovered she has been stealing from two of the people she was hired to care for, and detectives are looking for other potential victims. Harrison was arrested Wednesday (January 15, 2019) on arrest warrants for two counts of Exploitation of Persons with Infirmities and 10 counts of Bank Fraud.

Harrison, who was the caretaker for two intellectually disabled adults in Slidell, was found to have utilized the two subjects' bank accounts to pay multiple bills for herself. As part of her job, Harrison was a responsible for handling the subjects’ day-to-day needs, which included paying their household bills.

STPSO detectives believe Harrison may have other victims. If Harrison was a caregiver for you or a family member, and you believe you may be a victim, please contact Detective Plaisance with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Financial Crimes Unit at (985) 276-1356.

“It is absolutely appalling that an individual entrusted by a family with the care of a loved one would violate that trust for their own personal gain,” said Sheriff Randy Smith.  “My office will aggressively investigate and arrest anyone who preys on our citizens.”

City of Bogalusa Baseball & Softball Sign-ups

Antique Theft Suspect(s) Sought by TPSO

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office is currently investigating a burglary that occurred at a residence on Highway 51 in Amite on January 4, 2020. Suspect(s) are accused of stealing valuable antiques including five dinning room chairs and two sets of silverware.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards is asking for the public's assistance in gathering information related to this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers, at 800-554-5245. Detective Wayne Stewart is the lead investigator, (985) 748-3336.

STPSO Releases 2019 Crime Statistics

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith yesterday (January 15, 2020) released the 2019 crime statistics for unincorporated St. Tammany.

The agency once again reported a clearance rate for violent crimes that is nearly twice the national average and a clearance rate for non-violent crimes that is more than two and a half times the national average.

Sheriff Smith said this is a testament to the agency as a whole’s determination to keep St. Tammany Parish safe and hold criminals accountable for their actions, by making arrests. STPSO’s clearance rate for violent crimes in 2019 was an impressive 90.1 percent as compared to a 45.5 percent national clearance rate. STPSO’s clearance rate for non-violent crimes is even more impressive, with 45.5 percent of non-violent crimes being cleared in 2019. This is compared to a 17.6 percent national clearance rate.

Obituary

Cathryn Kay Willis
August 06, 1944 - January 15, 2020

Washington Parish Jail Bookings January 15, 2020

Genista Nutt was booked on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction
Dayon Dyson was booked on the charges of Distribution of Schedule 1 CDS, Failure to Appear (4 counts), and Battery of a Dating Partner
Joshua Foster was booked In From Court and on the charges of Contempt of Court and Failure to Appear (2 counts)
Daytona Dykes was booked on the charges of Attachment and Interfering With a Law Enforcement Investigation
Willie Bickham was booked on the charges of Distribution of Schedule II CDS, Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II Drugs, and Possession of CDS With Weapon Present
Laken Harris was booked on the charges of Introduction of Contraband into Penal Institute, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Sale Distribution or Possession of Legend Drugs Without Prescription or Order
Anthony Lucas was booked on the charge of Distribution of Schedule II CDS
Lacorte Cooley was booked on the charges of Distribution of Schedule II CDS, Distribution of Schedule 1 CDS, and Failure to Appear (2 counts)
Keithen Ishman was booked on the charges of Distribution of Schedule II CDS (2 counts)
Jonathan Lowery was booked on the charges of Distribution of Schedule 1 CDS, Distribution of Schedule II CDS, and Fugitive Other Jurisdiction

Today in History for January 16th

Mt. Hermon Man Dies in Fire

Ashley Rodrigue, the State Fire Marshall's Office Public Affairs Director, today (January 15, 2020) provided additional information about a fire death that occurred in Mt. Hermon on the morning of January 13, 2020. Initially, the only information released was that there was a fire at the 36000 block of Hwy. 1055 in Mt. Hermon, a victim had been found and SFM deputies were on scene. 

The State Fire Marshal's Office has not released the name of the deceased or the cause of death, stating “We do not identify victims as that is the role of the local Coroner's Office.” (Editor's note: The victim is presumed to be the resident at the Hwy. 1055 scene of the fire, Michael Gonzales.)

The fire department was called at 9:45 a.m. on the morning of January 13, 2020 after a social worker arrived to the camper to check on the occupant due to his health conditions and identified smoke in the air. Firefighters located a small, smoldering fire alongside the victim, which was extinguished.

State Fire Department investigators identified the interior damage as limited variations of minor to moderate heat and smoke damage. The victim was located between the kitchen counter and two recliners. The origin of the fire is believed to be where the victim's body was located. At this time, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined; however, two electric heaters and a blow torch were found either beside, touching or very near the victim's body.

The investigation into the cause is ongoing at this time. An autopsy was conducted today and identification, as well as cause of death, is pending with the Washington Parish Coroner's Office.

Arrest Made in Over $100,000 Scam of Elderly Amite Man

In August 2019, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit received a report of an elderly man in Amite being scammed for several thousands of dollars in a home improvement scheme. TPSO Financial Crimes Detective Michael D'Amato and Louisiana Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs Investigator Christina Delgado began a joint investigation into several people cashing checks issued to a 86 - year old Amite man who suffers from diminished mental capacity.

It was discovered the victim had been scammed of over $100,000, after the suspects would claim to have performed work on the victim's residence and charged the victim exorbitant amounts of money with either little or no work performed. None of the alleged suspects have been found to be properly licensed contractors.

On January 13, 2020, one of the alleged suspects, Joshua B. Stokes (24) of Ponchatoula was brought in for questioning about his role in the scheme. Stokes was subsequently booked in the parish jail for (39) counts for charges related to Exploitation of the Infirm, Home Improvement Fraud and Criminal Conspiracy.

Sheriff Edwards reminds the public to always check the credentials for contractors soliciting jobs for large home improvement projects. Louisiana law requires contractors to be properly licensed with the state for home improvement projects over $7,500, and for plumbing, electrical and HVAC projects over $10,000. Contractor credentials can be searched and verified online at the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors at http://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov.

The TPSO Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit recommends consumers follow three simple rules of home improvement:
1. Always check contractor references and credentials
2. Always obtain a detailed written estimate of the work to be performed
3. Never agree to pay the full cost of the project until the work is at least 50% complete

Suspect Wanted for Hammond Trailer Fire Arrested

The State Fire Marshall's Office announced today the arrest on Tuesday (January 14, 2020) of Mark “Tookie” Lee (18) of Ponchatoula. Lee was wanted in connection with the intentionally set fire of a manufactured home in Hammond on October 14, 2019, which threatened several other occupied trailers.

Hammond Fire Department responded to the fire call in the 43000 block of Baham Lane. The State Fire Marshall's Office was contacted for assistance in the investigation after firefighters learned new information about the case suggesting it was suspicious in nature.

Video evidence and witness statements led to the identification of Lee as the individual who set the trailer on fire. Lee, who had been difficult to locate since the fire, was taken into custody by Hammond Police who arrested him on unrelated charges prior to his booking on the State Fire Marshal’s outstanding warrant for Aggravated Arson.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office would like to thank the public as well as Hammond Police and Hammond Fire for their assistance with this case.

Mandeville Police Make Arrest in Reported Accidental Shooting

On January 15, 2020, Officers with the Mandeville Police Department responded to what was reported as an accidental shooting at 639 Village Lane South. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment but is expected to fully recover.

Mahmoud Sirbil (30) was arrested and booked into St. Tammany Parish Jail for possession of schedule I narcotics, illegal use of a weapon and illegal discharge of a weapon.

The investigation is still ongoing at this time and additional charges are pending.

Obituary

Darius Paul Johnson
February 12, 1968 - January 09, 2020

Obituary

Carolyn Sue Jones
October 12, 1961 - January 14, 2020

Washington Parish Jail Bookings January 14, 2020

Estley Barber was booked on the charge of Driving While Intoxicated (2nd Offense)
Courtney Badeaux was booked on the charge of Theft 1000-5000
Crystal Williams was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery
Dominique Dykes was booked on the charges of Distribution of Schedule 1 Drugs (2 counts) and Contributing to Delinquency of Juveniles
Jasmine Trotter was booked on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction
Brittnie McClendon was booked on the charges of Attachment (4 counts) and Failure to Provide Proper Info

Today in History for January 15th