March 19, 2024
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
March 18, 2024
Convicted Sex Offender Arrested for Pornography in Tangipahoa Parish
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Cyber Crime Unit arrested 58-year-old David Hollingsworth, a previously convicted sex offender, of Hammond, last Thursday (March 14, 2024) for violating LA R.S. 14:81.1 Pornography Involving Juveniles (7 counts)
The investigation began as a result of cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
This arrest was a result of a joint investigation with General Murrill’s Cyber Crime Unit, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.
Hollingsworth was booked into Tangipahoa Parish Jail.
The investigation is ongoing.
Rep. John Wyble Unveils Legislative Priorities & Agenda for the 2024 Regular Legislative Session
Franklinton, LA — The first regular legislative session of the year is underway, and Representative John Wyble stands ready to represent the interests of Washington Parish with dedication and vigor. Throughout the preceding special sessions focusing on crime and redistricting, Representative Wyble continuously championed the priorities of Washington Parish, ensuring that the voices of families and communities were heard loud and clear.
In this regular session, Representative Wyble pledges to continue his advocacy for Washington Parish, focusing on critical issues affecting residents' daily lives. His legislative priorities encompass a wide range of concerns, including insurance affordability, economic and workforce development, high-quality education, and support for Louisiana's agricultural sector. Moreover, he is committed to being a steadfast advocate for rural communities, recognizing their unique strengths, needs, and challenges.
Representative Wyble is proud to unveil his legislative agenda for the 2024 Regular Legislative Session, which includes several impactful bills aimed at addressing pressing issues in education, governance, and campaign finance:
House Bill 112: If we want our children to succeed, accountability in education is critical at every level. Under HB 112, we’re requiring superintendents' contracts to be subject to evaluation, and one-third of the evaluation must be focused on growth in student achievement after third grade in math and literacy.
House Bill 115: The bill allows teachers to get back to the basics by removing certain instructional requirements for younger students that are not centered around reading, writing, or mathematics. These instructional requirements will still be taught, but to older students in Louisiana schools. This allows for a more age-appropriate curriculum alignment and potentially reduces the burden on younger students and teachers while maintaining important educational components for older students.
House Bill 188: This bill enhances the qualifications of our local elected school board members by ensuring they must have a minimum educational qualification and do not have certain criminal backgrounds that might be considered incompatible with their responsibilities in overseeing educational matters.
House Bill 664: This bill amends existing laws by increasing the qualifications for United States senators and representatives in Congress. These amendments aim to establish stricter qualifications and certification requirements for individuals seeking to run for United States senator or representative in Congress from Louisiana.
House Bill 675: These amendments aim to provide greater accountability in compliance with campaign finance laws by streamlining the enforcement process, ensuring fairness in determining penalties, and maintaining confidentiality where necessary during legal proceedings related to campaign finance violations in Louisiana.
As these legislative initiatives progress, Wyble encourages constituents to stay informed by following his social media channels for regular updates or by visiting legis.la.gov/Legis/BillSearch and selecting "Search by Author" > "Wyble, John E. (H)." Constituent feedback is invaluable, and Wyble welcomes questions, concerns, or suggestions for new legislation, underscoring the importance of collective engagement in shaping the future of Washington Parish.
Vulture Gang Members Arrested in St. Tammany
Several suspected members of a locally based criminal organization known as the Vulture Gang “VG” and some of their associates are back in jail following a three-month-long joint investigation by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Narcotics Division and Homeland Security Investigations.
On Thursday (March 14, 2024), STPSO detectives and HSI agents executed search warrants at the following residences:
- The home of 22-year-old Jaylon Terry Carter at the Pinecrest Apartments in Covington
- The home of 28-year-old Malik Deshawn Anderson, which was being utilized for criminal activity by both Anderson and 25-year-old Diego Montez Smith, in the 800 block of N. Filmore Street in Covington
- The family residence of 28-year-old Rico Alonzo Bedford, which was being utilized for criminal activity by both Bedford and 30-year-old Mikail Omar Washington, in the 20000 block of Bogue Falaya Avenue in Covington
- The primary residence of Rico Bedford and his girlfriend, 30-year-old Angelique Monique Domino, in the 100 block of Marylin Drive in Slidell
During their investigation into the VG organization, detectives and agents seized the following illegal items:
- Approximately 5,700 counterfeit oxycodone tablets containing fentanyl (nearly 2 pounds)
- Approximately 3 pounds of marijuana
- 37 Alprazolam tablets (Xanax)
- 6.1 grams of psilocybin
- 1.8 grams of amphetamine powder1 oxycodone tablet
- 1 bottle of promethazine
- $5,128 in cash
- Assorted drug paraphernalia indicative of the street level distribution of illegal drugs
As a result, several arrests were made.
- Jaylon Terry Carter, who is currently on supervised probation for a previous conviction of possession of a schedule IV controlled dangerous substance and illegal carrying of weapons.
- Diego Montez Smith, who is currently on supervised probation for attempted illegal carrying of weapons, possession of stolen firearms and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.
- Rico Alonzo Bedford, who is currently on supervised probation for possession of cocaine and was out on bond for Racketeering (previous Vulture Gang case), attempted possession of a firearm by convicted felon and possession of a firearm by convicted felon.
- Mikail Omar Washington, who was out on bond for Racketeering (previous Vulture Gang case), attempted second-degree murder and possession of a schedule I controlled dangerous substance.
- Malik Deshawn Anderson
- Angelique Monique Domino
This investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.
“We have a great partnership with Homeland Security, and the detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Narcotics Unit work closely with them to identify those individuals dealing illegal drugs in our community,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “These arrests are because of that strong partnership. Together we want to send a clear message that gang activity will not be tolerated in St. Tammany Parish.”
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for March 16-17, 2024
Donnie Magee (age 44 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Improper Lane Usage, Obstruction of Justice/Evidence Tampering, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, and Possession of Marijuana. No bond set at this time.
Kristin Warner (age 43 with Angie, La. address) was booked In From Court
Terion Partman (age 23 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Aggravated Assault With a Firearm by the Franklinton Police Department. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
March 17, 2024
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
March 16, 2024
LSU AgCenter's Weekly Message
Snap Beans Can be Planted in March
Snap bean plants are frost sensitive, but since they’re planted as seeds and it takes 7 to 14 days for them to emerge, planting in early to mid-March in the southern part of Louisiana will often allow them to escape our last frost. As when planting sweet corn, the soil temperature should be at least 60 degrees F.
Seeds can be planted till mid-May in the spring and can then be sown again between mid-August and mid-September for a fall harvest. Because snap bean flowers are sensitive to high temperatures, planting between mid-May and mid-August is not advised.
There are both bush and pole varieties of snap beans. Pole beans need a structure to climb and typically take a longer to start bearing than bush varieties do, but once they do, they produce for a longer period. To extend the harvest of bush beans, a new planting can be made every couple of weeks.
Pole bean varieties include Kentucky Blue, McCaslan, and Rattlesnake. Bush varieties include Bronco, Bush Blue Lake 274, Provider, Roma II, Royal Burgundy, and Strike.
Soil pH for snap beans should be between pH 5.5 and 6.8.
For every 100 feet of row or 300 square feet, 2.5 pounds (5 cups) of 8-24-24 or another complete fertilizer can be mixed into the soil before planting. Snap bean seed can be damaged by direct contact with fertilizer, so mix fertilizer into the soil well. Optionally, you can also side-dress plants three to four weeks after planting with calcium nitrate, at a rate of 1.5 pounds per 100 feet of row / 300 square feet.
Within each row, space bush bean seeds 2 to 3 inches apart. When planting pole beans, hills with 4 to 5 seeds can be spaced 6 to 12 inches apart. Plant seeds about 1 inch deep.
It will take approximately 50 to 55 days till the first bush beans are ready to pick and about 60 to 65 days for pole beans. Harvest beans before pods starts to bulge due to the growing seeds and while they’re still tender.
Lima or butter beans can be planted soon, too. Because they don’t tolerate cool soil as well as snap beans, wait till later in March, when the soil temperature is at least 65 degrees F.
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 March 14-15, 2024
Clayton Wilson (age 64 with Baton Rouge, La. address) was booked on the charges of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction and Possession of Stolen Property by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $7500.00.
Jennifer McDaniel (age 51 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked In From Court
William Robinson (age 50 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charges of Distribution of Schedule 1 CDS, Manufacture/Cultivation of Schedule 1 Drugs, and Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II Drugs by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
March 15, 2024
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
March 14, 2024
74 Year-Old Dies in House Fire North of Franklinton
State Fire Marshal Chief Bryan J. Adams is continuing to ask the people of Louisiana for fire safety awareness and diligence when it comes to smoking following the state’s latest home fire fatality.
Just after 3 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12, Washington Parish Fire District #4 responded to a call for a house fire located in the 31000 block of Highway 424 north of Franklinton. Unfortunately, firefighters located the body of the 74-year-old male homeowner in the home’s living room. The extent of the damage has deputies still working to determine where in the home this fire started as well as its cause. However, relatives report that the victim had a history of smoking in the home and while using oxygen equipment.
“Almost half of the lives lost to home fires this year have had some connection to unsafe smoking,” said Adams, “You should always smoke outdoors and fully extinguish and discard smoking materials in appropriate containers. These are just two simple prevention steps that can save your life and the lives of those who live with you.”Regarding smoking and medical oxygen, the SFM advises people to never smoke, and never allow anyone to smoke where medical oxygen is used. Medical oxygen can cause materials to ignite more easily and make fires burn at a faster rate because oxygen is fuel to fire. In addition:
• Candles, matches, wood stoves and even sparking toys can be ignition sources and should not be used in a home where medical oxygen is utilized.
• Keep oxygen cylinders at least five feet from a heat source, open flames, or electrical devices.
• Body oil, hand lotion, and items containing oil and grease can easily ignite. Keep oil and grease away where oxygen is in use.
• Never use aerosol sprays containing combustible materials near the oxygen.
In addition, while deputies did confirm the home had smoke alarms, they were not in working condition at the time of the fire. If you have smoke alarms in your home, ensure they are working by confirming effective batteries with a press of the test button today.
If you need assistance obtaining smoke alarms for your home, Operation Save-A-Life can help. To learn more about Operation Save-A-Life, or to register for a free smoke alarm installation, visit our website at lasfm.org or contact your local fire department to request a free smoke alarm installation.





