Tropical Disturbances Today

Disturbance 1. Tropical Storm Gabrielle is expected to pass east of Bermuda Sunday night and Monday. Gabrielle is located about 685 miles SE of Bermuda moving NW at 13 MPH with 50 MPH maximum sustained winds. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Disturbance 2. Eastern Tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave remains over the eastern Atlantic and is producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity well southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Some slow development of this system is possible through the middle to latter part of next week while it moves west-northwestward across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...20 percent.

Magnolia, MS. Couple Arrested by AG Murrill's Office for Defrauding Medicaid Program

Attorney General Liz Murrill's Louisiana Bureau of Investigation has arrested a couple for defrauding the Medicaid program of more than $59,000 and filing or maintaining false public records. Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) agents received a criminal referral from Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) regarding allegations that Johnathan and Janice Fore, both Medicaid recipients, had concealed their place of residence and other information for purposes to receive Medicaid benefits. 

During this investigation, LBI agents learned that in the period between September 2023 and June 2025, Johnathan and Janice Fore, of Leblanc Road in Magnolia Mississippi, presented false information by failing to accurately report their place of residence and other information. Agents learned the couple had moved to Mississippi approximately 3 years before their scheme was discovered. As a result, the couple defrauded the Medicaid program of more than $59,000. 

On Tuesday (September 16, 2025), the couple was arrested by authorities in Magnolia, MS on an arrest warrant secured by LBI agents through the 19th Judicial District Court. On Thursday (September 18, 2025), agents traveled to MS and extradited the couple back to Louisiana. 

The couple was booked without incident at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of L.R.S. 14:70.9 Relative to Government Benefits Fraud and L.R.S. 14:133 Filing or Maintaining False Public Records. 

Their bond information is unknown and the investigation is ongoing.

***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***

Burn Ban Ordered by Washington Parish President

Executive Order 09-2025

WHEREAS, the parish is experiencing abnormally dry conditions; due to lack of rainfall and prompt attention is required to protect health, safety and property;

and

WHEREAS, there is no significant rain forecast to relieve the abnormal dry conditions in the foreseeable future.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, I, Ryan Seal, Washington Parish President by this executive order, do hereby proclaim effective today, the 19th day of September 2025 an

IMMEDIATE BURN BAN BE ENFORCED

IN AND THROUGHOUT WASHINGTON PARISH

This proclamation is effective immediately and shall remain in effect for 30 days or until the Parish President deems it unnecessary.

Washington Parish Council Recognizes Library Card Sign-Up Month

On September 8, 2025, the Washington Parish Library joined the Washington Parish Council meeting to showcase the vital role libraries play in strengthening communities across the parish. During the meeting, Parish President Ryan Seal signed an official proclamation declaring September as Library Card Sign-Up Month in Washington Parish, underscoring the importance of connecting residents with library services and resources.

Director Sonnet Ireland presented the library’s Economic Impact Statement, demonstrating how public libraries contribute to the local economy, support workforce development, and provide essential services to rural and underserved residents.

Highlights from the presentation included:

• “Check Out Louisiana” Program – library cardholders can access free passes to state parks and museums.

• Technology Access – the library offers laptops, tablets, and Wi-Fi hotspots for checkout, along with free “Tech Time” assistance to help residents use personal devices. All branches provide free Wi-Fi, with passwords posted on the front doors for 24/7 access.

• Community Value – the library offers a wide variety of free programs and clubs for all ages, fostering learning, creativity, and social connection within the parish.

The Washington Parish Library encourages all residents to sign up for a free library card this September and take advantage of the many services available.

For more information about library resources, visit washingtonparishlibrary.info or call 985-839-7805.

This Week in Louisiana Agriculture

Former Covington PD Deputy Chief of Police Indicted for Possession of Child Pornography and Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile

District Attorney Collin Sims reports that on September 17, 2025, a St. Tammany Parish grand jury indicted 41-year-old Randall Joseph “Trey” Mahon III for 17 counts of Possession of Pornography Involving Juveniles along with 1 count of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile under the age of 13. 

Mr. Mahon, the former Deputy Chief of Police with the Covington Police Department, had previously been charged with 5 counts of Possession of Pornography Involving Juveniles and 1 count of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile under the age of 13. Through further investigation conducted by the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office’s Special Victim’s Unit Task Force, the Covington Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security, along with substantial assistance from the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, additional child sexual abuse material was discovered on Mr. Mahon’s electronic devices as well as on a cloud storage platform he had subscribed to. 

Mr. Mahon is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment and to address his bond on September 25, 2025.

***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***

Washington Parish Jail Bookings for September 16-18, 2025

Dwyne Morgan (age 17 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Simple Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools by the Bogalusa Police Department. Bond set at $10000.00.

Dustin Byrd (age 36 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Probation Violation and Failure to Appear (2 counts) by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.

Toby Crain (age 23 with New Orleans, La. address) was booked on the charge of Theft of a Motor Vehicle 5000-25000 by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***

St. Tammany Coroner Locates Next of Kin in Two Cases

After asking for media assistance, St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape has successfully made contact with the family of two women who died recently with no local family members.

Case 1. On July 15, 2025, 67-year-old Dale Serene Martin was found deceased in her home on Cedarwood Drive, Mandeville. All indications are that Ms. Martin died of natural causes, but despite exhaustive efforts the Coroner had been unable to locate her next of kin. Martin was born a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, but the government of the Caribbean nation had no record of her. Yesterday (September 18, 2025), Martin’s sister in Ohio contacted the STPCO after randomly Googling her sister’s name, and investigators were able to deliver proper notifications.

Case 2. On August 5, 2025, investigators recovered the body of Julia Elaine Brown, age 74, at her home in Abita Springs. Ms. Brown also apparently died of natural causes, but investigators were unable to locate her next of kin. Ms. Brown was born in Central Europe and was adopted by a U.S. military serviceman and his wife, who had no other children. After news coverage yesterday (September 18, 2025), a local genealogy expert contacted the STPCO and was able to locate a probable relative in California.  Investigators were able to make contact and provide information about Brown’s passing to her cousin.

“News media play an important role in solving crimes and mysteries of all types,” Tape said. “I’m very grateful to those who helped spread the word about these women, and to those who came forward with vital contact information.”  

Local Forecast for the Next Few Days

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

Today   A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. 

Tonight   A 10 percent chance of thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Calm wind. 

Saturday   Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Saturday Night   Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Calm wind.

Sunday   Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night   Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Tropical Disturbances Today

Disturbance 1. Tropical Storm Gabrielle is forecast to strengthen and become a hurricane by Sunday. Gabrielle is located about 945 miles SE of Bermuda moving WNW at 12 MPH with maximum sustained winds of 50 MPH. On the forecast track, the center of Gabrielle is expected to pass east of Bermuda Sunday night and Monday. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Disturbance 2. Eastern Tropical Atlantic:  A tropical wave is just off the west coast of Africa. Some slow development of this system is possible through the middle to latter part of next week while it moves west-northwestward across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...20 percent.

Armed and Barricaded Man Arrested in Bogalusa

Jeromy Lamar Gabbard, age 37 and of Bogalusa, was arrested Monday (September 15, 2025) by Washington Parish Sheriff's Office Deputies and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal use of a weapon, convicted felon in possession of a firearm and felony criminal damage. Gabbard was booked into the Washington Parish Jail. Bond has been set at $150,000.00.

Deputies had received a call at 1:30 PM about a domestic incident and arrived at 1:34 PM at the residence, finding Gabbard barricaded and armed with a firearm inside the residence. Bogalusa Police Officers arrived at the scene soon after providing support.

Gabbard eventually exited the residence and was taken into custody. 

There were no injuries as a result of this incident.  

Sheriff Jason Smith commends the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Deputies and Bogalusa Police Officers on their continued successful collaboration. “We are very fortunate in Washington Parish to have such a good relationship between the Bogalusa Police Department and my office,” Sheriff Smith said.  

***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***

Obituary

James William “JW” Brumfield

October 29, 1944 - September 17, 2025

Obituary

Susan R. Haynes

June 6, 1969 - September 15, 2025

Obituary

Debra Lott Taylor

March 19, 1953 - September 12, 2025

Obituary

James Mitchell Tate

September 28, 1983 - September 14, 2025

St. Tammany Coroner Seeks Help in Finding Next of Kin

St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape is asking for help in locating and contacting the families of two women who died of natural causes recently in unrelated incidents.

Case 1. On July 15, 2025, 67-year-old Dale Serene Martin was found deceased in her home on Cedarwood Drive, Mandeville. All indications are that Ms. Martin died of natural causes, but despite exhaustive efforts the Coroner has been unable to locate her next of kin. Martin was born a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, but the government of the Caribbean nation has no record of her. Anyone with knowledge of Ms. Martin’s family ties – no matter how remote – is asked to contact Investigator Chris Knoblauch at 985-781-1150.

Case 2. On August 5 2025,  investigators recovered the body of Julia Elaine Brown, age 74, at her home in Abita Springs. Ms. Brown also apparently died of natural causes, but investigators have been unable to locate her next of kin. It appears Ms. Brown was born in Central Europe and was adopted by a U.S. military serviceman and his wife, who had no other children. Anyone with information about Ms. Brown’s lineage and next of kin, whether in the U.S. or abroad, is asked to contact Investigator Chris Knoblauch at 985.781-1150.

“I believe all people deserve appropriate and responsible disposition of their remains,” Tape said. “Usually, identifying next of kin is not difficult, even when it takes some time. In these two cases, we have had no success and are asking for help. In a region as multicultural as southeast Louisiana and as cosmopolitan as the New Orleans area, there may be family or friendship ties that will help us notify the appropriate family members.”  

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 92. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight   Mostly clear, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday   Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.

Friday Night   Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Calm wind.

Saturday   Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.

Saturday Night   Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind.

Tropical Disturbances Today

Disturbance 1. Tropical Storm Gabrielle is no threat to our part of the world. Gabrielle is located about 845 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands, moving WNW at 15 MPH with maximum sustained winds of 50 MPH. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 240 miles from the center. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Disturbance 2. Eastern Tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave is forecast to move off the west coast of Africa by Friday morning. Some slow development of this system is possible over the weekend through the middle of next week while it moves west-northwestward across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...20 percent.

Obituary

Patricia Ann Thomas

September 15, 1949 - September 16, 2025

Bogalusa Rebirth and International Paper Join Forces to Remove Blight and Improve Neighborhoods

Today (September 17, 2025), leaders from Bogalusa Rebirth, dedicated to community revitalization, joined with representatives from International Paper to tour the Richardsontown neighborhood where blighted properties are being removed through a blight remediation initiative.

The Health & Wellness through Blight Remediation Fund, supported by International Paper, is helping clear structures across Bogalusa. The investment also serves as a funding match with Bogalusa Rebirth’s own resources, allowing the organization to expand its efforts in the city’s inner neighborhoods.

“Blight discourages investment.   This partnership is about more than tearing down buildings—it’s about restoring safety, pride, and opportunity in our community,” said Wendy Dupont, Executive Director of Bogalusa Rebirth. International Paper’s continued commitment helps us accelerate the progress we’ve already started, then the construction of new homes expands the property tax base that did not previously exist. Once these homes are occupied, the owners begin paying property taxes. In turn, these new tax revenues collected by the Parish and the City create additional funding for essential community needs such as infrastructure improvements, street repairs, and other vital public projects.”

Board members of Bogalusa Rebirth: Chairman Derek Danton, Tracey Williams, Kay Kay Catleberry Dawhone Smith joined by ED Dupont, with International Paper representatives, Mill Manager Scott Dinkel and Kalisa Hobbs-Hyman walked local streets today to see firsthand the impact of the program.

Heavy equipment is now on site, and demolition work is actively underway on removing seven structures. Once cleared, the lots will pave the way for healthier, safer neighborhoods and future redevelopment opportunities.

“International Paper is proud to support Bogalusa Rebirth’s mission,” said Scott Dinkel.

Bogalusa Rebirth is a nonprofit organization focused on community revitalization, affordable housing, and improving quality of life for residents of Bogalusa, Louisiana. They are responsible for the demolishing of fourteen structures and building seventeen new homes which are made available to homeowners earning less than 80% area median income.

The housing development arm is funded by U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and Louisiana Housing Corporation.

International Paper is a global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp, and paper, and a committed partner in supporting sustainable communities. Funding for this project was made by their contribution through IP Foundation Community Giving grants.

Bogalusa Rebirth is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. If you would like to contribute to the fund by making a tax-deductible donation, please email SaveBogalusa@bellsouth.net. For more information about housing services, to apply or donate, please visit BogalusaRebirth.com or visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SaveBogalusa