Washington Parish Animal Shelter Reports Incredible Numbers

For the full post, go to https://www.facebook.com/Washingtonparishanimalshelter/

From January 1st 2022- December 31st 2022, the WPAS along with the WHS has spayed and neutered....587 CATS!!!!!!! and 160 Dogs!!!!!!!

These animals are all from Washington Parish: some privately owned, some shelter based, and some feral/ strays. 

Behind the numbers are those who should be proud: all cat owners, cat trappers, cat colony providers, rescue owners, and shelter staff members. 

WPAS Manager Kelsey Knight posted, “And a massive THANK YOU to the amazing Vet behind it all, I could not be more thankful, YOU are incredible, YOU are a force, through rain, tornadoes, a few broken windows, and so much more, YOU were always ready to go and willing to help.

Also THANK YOU to the Washington Parish Government and the Washington Parish. Without these amazing people behind us, supporting our dreams, and showing us how proud they are we could not have achieved theses goals. 

Thank you to the WPAS shelter staff, with most days starting at 8 AM and too many days running until 7-8 PM just to turn around and be back at work the next day solving problems and taking care of the community and shelter pets. You girls are amazing and I am so proud of the work and heart you put in.”

Obituary

Richard Bert Newman, Jr.

August 11, 1955 - January 22, 2023

Human Remains Found in Washington Parish

On January 19, 2023, a citizen searching for arrowheads in a field on the east end of Chadell Road (see map below) discovered what he believed to be human bones. He notified the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office and detectives were dispatched to the scene.

Washington Parish detectives determined the bones were likely human and began to process the scene. The following morning, crime scene technicians from the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab and the LSU Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services (FACES) laboratory arrived on the scene and worked to process all evidence. The bones were removed by FACES technicians and taken to their lab for further analysis.

Although the crime scene was on the border with St. Tammany Parish and there was some question about which parish the bones were in, Washington Parish detectives took the lead in the investigation. Since that time, after a determination that the bones were indeed located in St. Tammany Parish, the investigation has been turned over to investigators from the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. That office, along with FACES, continues with forensic procedures in an attempt to identify the male individual whose bones were located.

If anyone has any information about the possible identity of the deceased individual whose remains had been at that location for an extended period of time, they are asked to contact Detective Captain Raymond Meyers at (985) 661-2024.

“There are still many unanswered questions concerning this death,” stated Sheriff Randy Seal. “Although the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office has taken the lead in this investigation, our detectives are still actively involved. Anyone who knows of a male who has been unaccounted for during the past few months is asked to contact Captain Myers. The person could have been local, but it is possible he was from a nearby parish or Mississippi county.”

Local Forecast for the Next Few Days

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

(click image below for a clearer picture)

Washington Parish Jail Bookings for January 20-21, 2023

Kejuanna Mingo (age 38 with New Orleans, La. address) was booked on the charges of Theft of
Firearm and Contempt of Court (2 counts) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $9250.00.

Kevin Hartfield (age 29 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court, Failure to Pay Fine, and Theft 5000-25000 by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $10575.00.

Gabriel Johnson (age 18 with Pine Grove, La. address) was booked In For Court

Earl Scott (age 44 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Aggravated Assault With a Firearm (2 counts) and Domestic Abuse Battery by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released on $7500.00 bond.

Christopher Ramsey (age 31 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of 1st Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Armed Robbery With Firearm, Distribution of Schedule 1 CDS, Drug Free Zone Violation of Uniform CDS, and Bond Surrender by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $230000.00.

Robert Westmoreland (age 32 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated, Negligent Vehicular Injuring (2 counts), Failure to Yield/Driveway Road or Alley, and No Drivers License by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $3500.00.

Felicia Boswell (age 58 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Introduction of Contraband to Penal Institute by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Local Forecast for the Next Few Days

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

(click image below for a clearer picture)

Obituary

Joseph “Jody” Columbus Abbott

October 31, 1949 - January 20, 2023

Kentwood Cafeteria Worker Arrested for Narcotics Sale to Juvenile

Tymetrica Cohn, age 45 and of Kentwood, was arrested Friday (January 20, 2023) on narcotics charges following a Crime Stoppers tip claiming she was selling drugs to a student, says Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office Chief Jimmy Travis.

Earlier this week, the TPSO received an anonymous tip that a student purchased "edible Marijuana" from a school employee. TPSO Narcotics agents began investigating the complaint and soon identified Cohn as the suspect.

While Cohn was not an employee of the Tangipahoa Parish School System, she was working as a substitute cafeteria worker at Sumner High School at the time of her arrest. According to Superintendent Melissa Stilley, Cohn was employed by ESS, a staffing service used to place substitute employees in schools.

Cohn was charged with Possession/Distribution of CDS I and Distribution of a CDS in a Drug-Free Zone.

**All persons accused of a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty**

Bogalusa Mayor Requests State Police and National Guard to Help Address Violent Crime

Local Forecast for the Next Few Days

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

(click image below for a clearer picture)

No Criminal Charges in the In-Custody Death of Eric Nelson of Bogalusa

Statement from 22nd JDC District Attorney Warren Montgomery Regarding the Investigation of the Death of Eric Nelson

“Eric Nelson died a tragic and unfortunate death. My heart goes out to his family, friends and the entire Bogalusa community.

Because of the circumstances of his death, I conducted a thorough review of the facts surrounding his arrest. I reviewed a special death investigation report by the Louisiana State Police. I then reviewed the hospital records, autopsy report, videos and other materials regarding his death. I then engaged the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s office to review the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s autopsy report. Finally, I presented the case to a Washington Parish Grand Jury on January 17, 2023.

I reviewed every relative criminal charge to this case and determined that the evidence does not meet the standard needed for criminal prosecution. Based on all the information known to me involving the death of Eric Nelson while in police custody, no criminal charges will be brought at this time against law enforcement personnel involved in the incident on December 19, 2021.

My decision is based on the presently available information and I remain open to review any additional new information presented to me. My decision is independent of any current or future administrative actions by law enforcement or civil litigation.

The Louisiana State Police report and other materials in a redacted form will be made available on my website at https://www.DAMontgomery.org/Eric-Nelson on Monday, January 23, 2023.”

Click here for previous related stories.

Obituary

Dora Jean Miller Edwards

August 15, 1935 - January 20, 2023

Obituary

Patsy Ruth Foster Fornea

May 19, 1936 - January 19, 2023

Obituary

Mother Ester Lee Bickham Warren

February 8, 1930 - January 18, 2023

Obituary

Douglas Henry Sykes

January 5, 1946 - January 19, 2023

Washington Parish Jail Bookings for January 19, 2023

Smith Warren (age 46 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Distribution of Schedule II CDS (5 counts), Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II Drugs (2 counts), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Transactions Involving Proceeds From Drug Offenses by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Betty Warren (age 69 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II Drugs (2 counts), Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Transactions Involving Proceeds From Drug Offenses by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Keshun Warren (age 21 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II Drugs (2 counts), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Transactions Involving Proceeds From Drug Offenses by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Ersel Hunt (age 31 with New Orleans, La. address) was booked In From Court

Local Forecast for the Next Few Days

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

(click image below for a clearer picture)

Bogalusa Council Meeting on January 17, 2023

In a well-attended meeting Tuesday (January 17, 2023) evening, the Bogalusa Council held Public Hearings and approved two ordinances, heard from several residents, and heard from by Mayor Truong.

Ordinances approved were (see the video beginning at 3:45)

• an ordinance to amend and re-enact Ordinance 2555 to update to the year 2021 the Comprehensive Building Regulations for the City of Bogalusa, State of Louisiana, relative to the Building Code; and to provide for related matters
• an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between the City of Bogalusa and Local Union 483 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO

Residents addressed the Council during Public Participation (beginning at 18:25 into the video) on matters that included dilapidated buildings, recognizing efforts and achievements regarding civil rights, status of the methadone clinic issue (nothing to report at this time), the need to clean up the city, the need to repair streets, the need for a trash bin at Ponemah Cemetery, and issues of asbestos in buildings.

During Administrative Remarks (beginning at 42:10 into the video), Mayor Truong referred to ethics problems he will be addressing soon, spoke of recent shootings and efforts he is making to STOP THE VIOLENCE (to include curfews, crime cameras, and a request he will be making to the Governor for manpower from State Police or National Guard). The Mayor nominated (and the Council approved) Chiletra Brown as Director of Administration and James Patterson as Director of Public Works.

The next meeting of the Bogalusa Council was changed from February 7, 2023 to February 9, 2023. 

Bogalusa Council 01172023.wmv from Mt. Hermon Web-TV on Vimeo.

Sheriff Smith releases STPSO Crime Stats for 2022

Sheriff Randy Smith has released the 2022 crime statistics for unincorporated St. Tammany Parish, noting that the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to report a clearance rate for both violent and non-violent crimes that is much higher than the national average.

Overall violent crime is down in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish, with 983 violent crimes reported in 2022 compared to 1,063 reported in 2021. The clearance rate for those same nationally reported crime categories, murder, manslaughter, sex offenses, robbery and assault, is also up from 89 percent in 2021 to an impressive 91 percent in 2022.  That is compared to the national average of 41 percent. 

In 2022, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office handled nine homicides, one of which was ruled to be justifiable and therefore not included in the national reporting.  The remaining eight of those homicides have been cleared by an arrest, with the exception of a murder/suicide where the responsible party took her own life. The STPSO also investigated one negligent manslaughter case, which was a fatal hit and run crash. An arrest has been made to clear that case as well.

The number of non-violent crimes reported saw a slight increase from the previous year thanks to a jump in the number of fraud cases reported. However, the other nationally reported classifications for non-violent crimes, burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft, all saw decreases from 2021 to 2022. STPSO’s clearance rates for non-violent crimes all increased in 2022. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office reported a clearance rate for non-violent crimes in 2022 of 41 percent, that is more than three times the national average of 12 percent.

“I am pleased with the hard work of our deputies and our detectives which resulted in very high clearance rates for both violent and non-violent crimes,” Sheriff Randy 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.”

“Keeping crime rates down is a partnership between law enforcement and the community we serve,” Sheriff Smith added, “and we are blessed to live and serve in an area that respects, appreciates and works with law enforcement.”

Obituary

Ray Ann Wheat

October 27, 1938 - January 18, 2023