Burn Ban Issued for Most Parishes in Louisiana

Due to the extremely dry conditions within the state, State Fire Marshal, H. Butch Browning and, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner, Mike Strain have issued a cease and desist order for all private burning, pursuant to authority under R.S. 40:1563. Private burning shall only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or local government. This order is effective as of 2:00pm, November 5, 2016 and shall remain in effect until rescinded.

This burn ban order DOES NOT include the following parishes: Bossier, Iberville, St. Landry, St. Mary.

This ban shall not apply to prescribed burns by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, by those trained and certified by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, or by those who conduct prescribed burning as a “generally accepted agriculture practice” as defined by the Louisiana Right to Farm Law

(R.S. 3:3601 et seq.).

Violation of this Fire Marshal order could result in criminal and/or civil penalties.

Elderly Man Hit with Hammer - Tied to Tree in Loranger

Source:  Robert Rhoden, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune  

Glenn Castle Jr., (28) of Roseland man is wanted by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office for robbing an elderly Loranger resident, hitting him in the head with a hammer and tying him to a tree. Authorities say Castle robbed and kidnapped the man Wednesday at the victim's home on Louisiana 1062. After hitting the man in the head, the robber tied him up, stole guns from the home and left with the victim in the victim's pickup truck.

The crime was discovered after a neighbor called 911, a Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said. The victim was still in a hospital Thursday, she said.

Castle is wanted on charges of aggravated second-degree battery, armed robbery and second-degree kidnapping. He was thought to be driving a bluish-gray 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, with Louisiana license plate C402966.

The Sheriff's Office asked that anyone who has seen Castle or knows his whereabouts call the agency at 985.748.8147 or Tangipahoa Parish Crime Stoppers at 800.554.5245.

Bogalusa AARP Chapter Highlights “Take A Stand” Campaign

The biggest agenda topic at the Bogalusa AARP meeting October 27 was the National

AARP “Take A Stand” Campaign which urges the presidential candidates to share their position on Social Security.

Why is it important?   Because 60 million Americans rely on Social Security benefits and 170 million are paying in now and counting on it for their retirement. Social Security keeps 22 million Americans out of poverty.  Particularly affected are 15 million elderly, minority families, and 1.1 million children.  These facts make Social Security and possible cuts a major issue of concern for AARP.

Emma Dixon, president of the Bogalusa Chapter of the AARP, shared a letter from U. S. Senator Bill Cassidy addressing his support of Social Security.  

In other business, the chapter recognized the late Roy Dale Freeman, longtime former president of the Bogalusa Chapter and provided information on Caregiving and support for Caregivers.

Free Trapping Workshops Scheduled for Dec. 3 & 10

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and the Louisiana Trappers and Alligator Hunters Association will hold trapping workshops Dec. 3, in Abbeville, and Dec. 10, in Benton.

The Dec. 3 workshop will be held at Palmetto State Park in Abbeville, located at 19501 Pleasant Road. The Dec. 10 event will be held at Cypress Black Bayou in Benton, located at 135 Cypress Park Drive.

Both workshops, which are free, will begin at 8 a.m. with a meet-and-greet and run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Anyone age 14 and older interested in learning the basics of trapping is invited to attend. Lunch will be provided.

To register for either event or for more information, contact LDWF biologist supervisor Jennifer Hogue at 337-373-0032. The registration deadline is Nov. 20.

Washington Parish Jail Booking Information

Brandon Miller was booked 11/03 on the charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia,

Possession of Schedule IV Drugs, Possession of Schedule III Drugs, and Failure to Appear

Shelia Nathan was booked 11/03 on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction

Marshall Yvonne was booked 11/03 on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated and Careless Operation

Jessica Slade was booked 11/04 on the charge of Simple Battery

Trio Arrested in Mini-Storage Burglaries

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a trio of men responsible for a rash of mini-storage burglaries which occurred earlier this year.  

Detectives arrested John Paul Corter (31) of Pearl River, Jeffrey Applewhite (53) from Slidell, and Randall Durham, Jr. (25) of Abita Springs on numerous burglary and theft charges. Detectives believe these men may be responsible for burglarizing other self-storage businesses in St. Tammany Parish, Washington Parish, and Mississippi. Approximately $4,000 in stolen property has been recovered thus far. The investigation is still on-going, and more charges are expected to follow.

If you have information about these crimes or other unreported mini-storage thefts or think you may have been a victim of these individuals, please call Detective Matt Bauer at 985-726-7844.

TPSO Detective Picked as Lafayette’s New Chief of Police

Sheriff Daniel Edwards reports that Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Detective Toby Aguillard has been appointed by Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Joel Robideaux as Lafayette's new Chief of Police.  

Aguillard served TPSO for eight years as Director of the Internet Crimes Against Children Division and Supervisor of the TPSO Sex Offender Registration Office.  Aguillard previously served Cameron Parish as a deputy sheriff right out of high school, worked his way through college and law school, and served as both an assistant district attorney and assistant attorney general.

Aguillard will lead the department of 320 employees with an average annual budget of over $32, 000,000.

Fire Danger Increasing

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., urges citizens to use caution as wildfire risk remains elevated due to dry conditions across much of our state.

“Nearly two dozen parishes have already instituted burn bans as dry weather continues,” Strain said. “Fortunately, we have had very little wind but that is about to change as a cool front is predicted to move through the state bringing lower humidity and increased wind. It is a recipe for potentially dangerous wildfires.”

Strain said everyone needs to do their part to help prevent wildfires.

• Don’t park vehicles or equipment on dry grass
• Re-fuel machinery in areas void of vegetation
• Never throw lit cigarettes on the ground, use an ashtray.

“Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) firefighting crews stand ready to take action if needed,” Strain said. “Our surveillance planes fly routes daily looking for smoke from wildfires.”

Help Mandeville Police Identify This Person

The Mandeville Police Department needs your assistance in identifying this subject. The subject was involved in an incident at Bed, Bath, and Beyond Mandeville on November 3. If you have any information please contact MPD at 985-626-9711.

Discord Evident at Bogalusa Council Meeting

The Bogalusa City Council met on Tuesday (November 1) and, as usual, the meeting was well-attended.  But also, as usual, the Council and Mayor were on the receiving end of complaints and accusations.  Issues contributing to a lengthy meeting included improvement of North Roosevelt Street, vandalism at the Bogalusa Cemetery, the selection process for the next Police Chief, police mistreatment of black residents, and Mouton community issues.

In addition to hearing from all who wanted to speak, the Council accomplished the following:

• presented a resolution to the family of Former Councilman Randy Hodges
• approved a resolution for the Capital Improvement Plan for 2016
• approved a resolution requesting Administration to blacktop the 1400 block of North Roosevelt Street
• introduced five ordinances: (1) accept the lowest bid to blacktop the 1400 block of North Roosevelt Street, (2) to authorize the purchase of property at 1041 Avenue D, (3) to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Washington Parish Tourism Commission to change zoning in the triangle at Louisiana and Virginia Avenues, (4) to approve rezoning at 423 Carolina Avenue in order to open a home care/sitting service, and (5) to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract for the Runway 18 Obstruction Removal, Part 1 at the airport.  Public Hearings will be held on the ordinances on November 15.

(Video of the meeting is provided in two parts below)

17th Annual City of Bogalusa Christmas Parade Nov. 24

The 17th Annual City of Bogalusa Lighted Christmas Parade will be November 24, 2016. The parade, with a theme of "Christmas in Bogalusa", will begin at 5pm on Columbia Street at First Bank and end in the old Bogalusa High School parking lot.

Ya'll come!

Former Bogalusa Councilman Randy Hodges Recognized

Randy Hodges, who represented District E on the Bogalusa Council for eight years and who died October 26, 2015, was recognized for his service Tuesday (November 1) evening.  Mayor Wendy Perrette, who served on the Council with Hodges, presented the Resolution to his wife Sondra. Mrs. Sondra remarked how Randy loved serving on the Council and the Mayor said that he had took his service seriously.

In addition to his service on the Bogalusa City Council, Hodges had served Bogalusa as a Police Officer and Washington Parish as a Sheriff's Deputy.

Sheriff Seal Expresses Hope for Juvenile Drug Dealer

In a press release today (November 3), Sheriff Randy Seal expressed his hope that a

juvenile drug dealer would change his ways.  “I am hopeful that this young person will face the consequences of his decision and turn away from a life of crime. This young person has time to make amends and live life within the law.” 

Seal was referring to a October 31 incident in which a WPSO Criminal Patrol Deputy stopped a vehicle and detected a strong odor of marijuana.  The driver and four passengers were instructed to exit the vehicle and a “pat down” search of one revealed a small bag of suspected marijuana.  After receiving permission to search the vehicle, the deputy confiscated a large plastic bag containing approximately 24 individually wrapped bags of suspected marijuana, as well as a grinder believed to be used to grind up the suspected marijuana.  

The one passenger confessed to owning the marijuana and paraphernalia and was placed in the custody of the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center.

WPSO Deputies Respond to Fatal Motorcycle Crash

Washington Parish Sheriff's Office Press Release 

On Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Jean P. Rohrer was traveling on Fisher Road near CC Road off of Highway 25 South at a high rate of speed. According to a witness, the motorcycle accelerated and passed her. As she continued on Fisher Road she saw the motorcycle in the ditch. It appears that the driver of the motorcycle lost control and crashed. Jean P. Rohrer was pronounced dead by the Washington Parish Coroner’s Office.

Sheriff Seal said “Motorcycles are less stable and less visible than cars. When motorcycles crash, their riders lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle, so they're more likely to be injured or killed. The federal government estimates that per mile traveled in 2014, the number of deaths on motorcycles was over 27 times the number in cars. Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. 

We wish to express our heartfelt sympathy to the family of Mr. Rohrer.”

Washington Parish Jail Booking Information

Vennette Foster was booked 11/02 on the charges of Aggravated Domestic Violence

Battery, Domestic Abuse: Child Endangerment, and Contempt of Court

Chase Breland was booked 11/02 on the charge of Simple Arson

David Landry was booked 11/02 on the charges of Failure to Appear and Failure to Pay Fine (2 counts)

William Kennedy was booked 11/02 on the charge of Probation Violation

Kellie Brown was booked 11/02 on the charges of Attachment (2 counts), Issuing Worthless Checks 100-300 (2 counts), and Issuing Worthless Checks 0-100-300

Entergy Warns of Energy Bill Scams

Entergy Louisiana reminds customers to be wary of a scheme whereby the con artist calls and tells the customer their electric bill payment is past due, and that service will be disconnected if payment isn’t made. Frequently the scammer directs the customer to transfer funds through “MoneyPak”, “Green Dot” or other third party card or transfer system.

While you may pay your Entergy bill by phone or credit card, it is ONLY through BillMatrix, a third-party vendor Entergy uses use for this purpose.

You should never give your personal information to strangers. If a call sounds suspicious, call 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) to speak with an Entergy customer service representative.

If you believe you are a victim of this scam, you should notify the proper authorities, such as the local police or the state attorney general’s office. 

Time Change Reminder from Sheriff Randy Seal

Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal reminds all parish residents to set their clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night.  Also,

• This is also a perfect time to check all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make certain they are working properly and to replace batteries if needed.
• Time settings on home security alarms may need to be adjusted also if they are not automatically self-adjusting.
• Any residents or business owners who have time sensitive lighting features should adjust them to make certain that lights come on at the proper time.
• Since the end of daylight savings time means it gets dark earlier in the evening, all drivers should be alert for pedestrians and anyone else who might be on our parish roadways.

Sheriff Seal stated, “Although this has become a routine event for the first Sunday in November, it is always good to be reminded of the time change. Remember, our deputies will be patrolling throughout the parish at all times. If you need us, call us.”

Washington Parish Jail Booking Information

Reginal Crosby was booked 11/01 on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated, Open Container, and Improper Lane Useage

Trent Brown was booked 11/01 on the charge of Domestic Abuse:  Child Endangerment

Bradford Forrest was booked 11/01 on the charge of Attachment

Vennette Foster was booked 11/01 on he charges of Aggravated Domesstic Violence Battery and Domestic Abuse:  Child Endangerment

Emmanuel Hatcher was booked 11/01 on the charges of Issuing Worthless Checks 100-300, Issuing Worthless Checks 0-100, and Contempt of Court

Riverside Medical Center Designated a WellSpot

Riverside Medical Center has been designated a Level Two WellSpot by Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals for its commitment to making healthy choices easier. WellSpots are organizations or companies that have made small, sustainable changes toward improving health and wellness.

“We are extremely proud of our team for achieving this designation. As a provider of health-care in our parish, health and wellness are our top priority”, states Kristina Knight, Community Outreach Director.

All WellSpots are required to implement either a smoke-free or tobacco-free policy, depending on WellSpot category. Other examples of healthy designation benchmarks include breastfeeding friendly policies, work-site wellness programs, and consistent health messaging. 

Washington Parish Jail Booking Information

Daniel Jenkins was booked 10/31 In From Court

Vickie Sue Dugan was booked 10/31 on the charge of Protective Order Violation

Reginal Crosby was booked 11/01 on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated, Open Container, and Improper Lane Useage