April 17, 2025
Reward Offered: Missing Man Last Seen in Angie
Six months ago, the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office made a series of posts asking for the public’s help in locating Carl Logan, Jr.
After responding to an abandoned vehicle in the area of Singley Rd. in Angie on October 23, 2024, investigators with WPSO discovered that it belonged to the immediate family of Logan and had been borrowed by him to travel to Louisiana. Logan’s family members report that they have not heard from him since October 22, 2024.
Logan was last seen on the morning of October 26, 2025 leaving Stuart’s Café in Angie on foot. Sadly, Mr. Logan is still missing. His family is now offering a $2,000 cash reward for information that leads to Logan being located.
If you have any information about the whereabouts of Carl Logan, Jr., or have seen him or spoken to him since October 26 of last year, please contact Captain Terry Harris with the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office at 985-205-5637.
Firearms Safety Taught at Enon Elementary
On Wednesday (April 16, 2025), Lieutenant Geoff Crowe of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office
visited Enon Elementary School to teach firearms handling and safety to over 100 students. The presentation was part of Progressive Agriculture Safety Day, which included other short classes including ATV safety, common poisons, 911 procedures, and much more.
According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 5,000 juveniles are injured or killed by firearms each year. Classes like the one taught by Lt. Crowe aim to curb these numbers by teaching children the dangers of unsafe firearms storage, handling, and use.
Thanks to the students and staff at Enon Elementary for this fun-filled and educational day, and we look forward to seeing you next year.
Sheriff Jason Smith Speaks to Northshore Business Council
On Wednesday, April 16, Sheriff Smith attended the Northshore Business Council Luncheon along with a small group of representatives from Washington Parish, including Parish President Ryan Seal, several members of the Parish Council, and two Chiefs from the Sheriff’s Office.
The Northshore Business Council Luncheon brings together local business owners and government officials to share information and collaborate on positive economic growth in the Tri-Parish area. Attendees included St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith, and Major Alex Richardson of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Speaking to the group of about 45 members, Sheriff Smith said, “Washington Parish is going through a transformation right now. In the past, the status quo was Politics over Professionalism, but we’re working on changing that as we grow along with our neighbors to the South and West.”
“We have all the same problems as they do in St. Tammany and Tangipahoa as far as substance abuse and crime, and we’re starting to deal with these problems with an eye toward the future so that the conditions are set for healthy and sustainable growth. Everyone in Washington Parish can feel the changes happening around them, people and businesses moving in, and providing safety and peace for the community is a big piece to that puzzle.”
When asked about the Sheriff’s Office’s involvement in Bogalusa, Sheriff Smith said, “I think Bogalusa is suffering from the same problems as a lot of other industrial Midwest towns whose footprint has gotten smaller in the last few generations. Moving forward, we’re doing what we can to include Bogalusa in the growth that the rest of the Parish is experiencing and working closely with the Bogalusa Police Department to provide safety for the people who live there.”
Sheriff Smith also provided updates on the new 911 Dispatch Center in Sheridan, set to be fully operational by the end of the month, and on the status of his plans to construct a much-needed new Washington Parish Jail facility.
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Angie Man Arrested for Sex Crimes More Than Decade Later
On Sunday, April 13, 2025, 39 year-old Preston James Downs of Angie, LA was arrested on four counts of 1st-degree rape/vaginal, two counts of sexual battery-victim under 13 years old, two counts of crimes against nature-aggravated incest, two counts of indecent behavior with Juvenile(s), and one count of trafficking of children for sexual purposes.
Just after 2:00 PM on Sunday, Washington Parish Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a residence in Angie, LA in reference to sexual crimes that had allegedly occurred more than a decade before. At the scene, deputies received statements from two female victims, now 23 and 26 years old, that they had been sexually assaulted by Downs on several occasions when they were children.
During the initial contact, Downs acknowledged knowing why deputies were there to arrest him, and subsequently gave voluntary statements to investigators referencing the aforementioned crimes. According to the victims and family members, it is possible that other victims were assaulted by Downs during the same time frame.
Downs is currently being held on a $750,000 bond at the Washington Parish Jail pending trial.
***All persons are innocent until proven guilty***
Finance Director - Job Opportunity
From: Washington Parish Government, 909 Pearl St., Franklinton, LA 70438
Position: Director of Finance/Personnel: Full-time position offering a competitive salary, including a complete benefit package.
Overview:
The Director of Finance provides oversight and guidance to the Administrative Finance Department for the Washington Parish Government. The Director ensures proper administration of all financial functions, oversees the disbursement and receipt of parish funds according to applicable state statutes and parish policies and procedures, and prepares financial reports in accordance with generally accepted governmental accounting principles. The Director develops and maintains proper internal controls for all accounting systems within the parish government.
Responsibilities:
- Supervises the Administrative Finance and Personnel departments.
- Aids the Parish President in preparation of the annual operating and capital outlay budget.
- Exercises oversight in coordinating the administration of the annual budget.
- Receives and disburses parish funds according to law and applicable restrictions.
- Prepares a monthly statement of revenues and expenditures available for public inspection within 30 days of month end.
- Oversees procurement of all personal property, materials, supplies and services required by the Parish Government, utilizing a centralized accounting system.
- Reviews and oversees administrative activities including intergovernmental grants, inventory of real and personal property, risk management, technology hardware and software applications, and acts as a liaison with sub agencies and component units of the parish.
- Invests idle parish funds, as permitted by law.
- Performs general administrative services as directed by the Parish President.
Requirements: The Director of Finance, at the time of appointment, shall have at least a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, public administration or a related field from an accredited college or university, and at least two (2) years’ experience in a responsible managerial or administrative fiscal position or, in lieu of the preceding, have at least five (5) years’ experience in a responsible managerial or administrative fiscal position. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is preferred.
Interested candidates may obtain further information by contacting Human Resources at 985-335-1304. Resumes and two (2) professional letters of reference may be emailed to Patrick J. Galivan at pgalivan@wpgov.org or delivered to 909 Pearl Street Franklinton, LA 70438, until May 05, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
Washington Parish Government provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Highlights of Bogalusa District A 11th Annual Clean Up Day
Submitted by Councilwoman Kates
I would like to share that our 11th Annual District A Clean Up Days, in conjunction with Keep Louisiana Beautiful - Love the Boot week April 05-13, was on on Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12 and was a success. A special thank you to our participates: Larry Brown, Tim Burris , Gabrielle A. Hopkins, Kaiden C. Hopkins, Gloria Kates, Thomas Kates, Andrew Laurent, Karyn Magee, Edward Magee,, Jerry, Patrick Rhodes, Stephanie Yarbrough. The City Of Bogalusa public works concentrated on work orders submitted and fulfilling ditch cleaning tasks. As a result, along with WCI, on Saturday (the 12th) the Washington Parish Sheriff Office Keep Washington Parish Clean: Love the boot (Chad Cassard & team) concentrated on the Joseph Bailey playground/park, replacing swings, two new park benches, clearing debris from the sidewalks, new side fence post, and sponsored power washing of the playground slides and Playhouse.
There was a concentration in District A in the areas of high litter around Ann St., Austin St, Bayer St, Carolina St., Church St., City Limit, College St., Convenience St., Dauphine St., Davis St., North Border Dr., North Royal St., Poplas St, Redmond St, Seal St., Lexington, public housing areas, just to name a few of the many areas visited.
Many residents adopted a block and adopted their own property to clean up. Reportedly, Terrence May and Joel Miller, Jr. started early on in volunteering to clean up their property in the Poplas Area.
A special thanks again to Coastal Management for dumpsters. (Trash was full on Redmond and Poplas and Austin and Bayer Streets dumpsters (30 ft roll-off dumpsters), the dumpsters was available throughout Monday.
The event was from 08:30 to Noon with lunch following. All are appreciated for this much needed and on going task
Suspect Sought in Rash of Tangipahoa Parish Vehicle Burglaries
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) needs the public’s help identifying and locating the suspect in a vehicle burglary investigation. On March 29, 2025, multiple vehicles were broken into in the Jesse Bickford Road area of Tickfaw. Various items were stolen including at least one gun. Surveillance video captured the suspect, believed to be a white male standing 6’0” tall and weighing around 250 lbs., committing the crimes.
This suspect is also believed to be connected to at least 20 other vehicle burglaries in the Tickfaw and Natalbany areas.
Sheriff Gerald Sticker encourages anyone with information about who this suspect is, or his whereabouts, to contact the Criminal Investigations Office at 985-402-0214.
If you’d prefer to share information anonymously, you can do so through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 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 April 16, 2025
Ralph Tate (age 51 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charge of Failure to Comply With Sex Offender Registration Requirements by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Glen Jenkins (age 38 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Protective Order Violation/Possessing or Carrying a Firearm and Stalking by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
John Weakland (age 39 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery by the Franklinton Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Artie Terrell (age 64 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of No Turn Signals, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Possession of CDS With Weapon Present, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Non-Sufficient Check by the Franklinton Police Department. 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 83. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tonight Increasing clouds, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 66. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
April 16, 2025
Three Arrested in Roseland Shooting with One Dead, One Injured
On behalf of the Roseland Police Department, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) has arrested three people in connection with a shooting that claimed one life and injured another. Arrested were Keydrann Tate, 21 of Independence, Javion Kidd, 19 of Fluker, and a 16-year-old boy from Independence have been charged with 1st Degree Murder, Attempted 1st Degree Murder and Armed Robbery.
Tate is pictured left, Kidd is pictured right, the 16-year-old is not pictured
Just after midnight on Wednesday (April 16, 2025), a 911 call reported a shooting in the 63000 block of Commercial Street inside the town limits of Roseland. When Roseland Police arrived, they found two males shot. An 18-year-old male died on scene while a 17-year-old male was taken to an area hospital where he was treated and released. The deceased victim’s identity is being held pending family notification.
Roseland Police requested TPSO take the lead on the investigation which led detectives to identifying the three suspects and then attempts to locate them began. Tate turned himself in to authorities while the other two were located as they were arriving at school before classes began. They were taken into custody without incident.
At this time, detectives believe this incident stemmed from a firearm transaction among this group.
While no additional suspects are anticipated, this joint investigation remains ongoing.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Ponchatoula Man Indicted For Lacombe Murder
District Attorney Collin Sims reports that on April 16, 2025, a St. Tammany Parish grand jury indicted 20-year-old Osmer Noel Villalta-Lopez for second degree murder and obstruction of justice relating to the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Yelson Hernan Banegas-Garcia on December 28, 2024, in Lacombe.
Detective Katie Darby with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office headed the investigation. Assistant District Attorney Ronnie Gracianette presented the case to the grand jury.
Kentwood Man Killed in Tangipahoa Parish Crash
Shortly before 10:00 p.m. on April 15, 2025, Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop L began investigating a single-vehicle crash on LA 10, just west of LA 1054 in Tangipahoa Parish. The crash claimed the life of 46-year-old Chad Easley of Kentwood.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 1999 Dodge Ram, driven by Easley, was traveling eastbound on LA 10. For reasons still under investigation, the Ram traveled off of the roadway to the right and impacted a tree.
Easley was properly restrained, suffered fatal injuries, and was pronounced deceased on the scene. Impairment is not suspected, but a standard toxicology sample was obtained and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Troopers urge all motorists to drive responsibly by avoiding impairment, fatigue, and distractions, obeying traffic laws, and ensuring everyone is properly restrained. While not all crashes are preventable, simple precautions like these can save lives.
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for April 15, 2025
Eric Causey (age 40 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by
Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
Alica Mixon (age 52 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked In From Court and on the charge of Failure to Appear by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Evan Nelson (age 28 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the chage of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
Shelton Luneau (age 25 with Mt. Hermon, La. address) was booked on the charges of Improper Lane Usage, Prohibited Acts/Schedule II, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of CDS With Weapon Present by the Franklinton Police Department. Bond set at $1250.00.
***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 79. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tonight Clear, with a low around 53. Calm wind.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 82. Light southeast wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
April 15, 2025
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