Motorized Bicyclist Killed in Tangipahoa Parish

On August 16, 2026, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop L began investigating a fatal crash involving a motorized bicycle on US Highway 51 at Old Genessee Road in Tangipahoa Parish. The crash claimed the life of 52-year-old Robert L. Peterkin of Tickfaw.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Peterkin and his motorized bicycle were lying in the roadway, partially within the northbound lane and facing south. At the same time, a 2019 Nissan Sentra was traveling north on US Highway 51. For reasons still under investigation, the Nissan struck Peterkin in the northbound lane.

Peterkin, who was wearing dark colored clothing and not wearing a helmet, sustained critical injuries and died on scene. The driver of the Nissan, who was properly restrained, was uninjured. A routine toxicology sample was obtained from all drivers for analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.

Troopers remind bicyclists that, under Louisiana law, bicycles are considered vehicles and riders must follow the same traffic laws as motorists. Never assume a driver can see you—stay visible with proper lighting and reflective clothing, especially in low-light conditions. Cyclists should ride as close to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when passing or turning left. Additionally, Louisiana law requires proper lighting equipment when riding at night.

Obituary

Ned John Cerniglia

January 10, 1935 – August 15, 2026

Help Shine-Up Washington Parish Boat Launches

Washington Parish Government is teaming up with Love Our Waterways and Keep Louisiana Beautiful for a Shoreline Shine-Up on Friday, September 18, from 9–11 a.m.

We’re looking for volunteers to help clean up the land areas around several of our local boat launches. Whether you can bring a friend, a coworker or a whole group, we’d love to have you join us!

Cleanup locations will be based on the number of volunteers and may include Poole’s Bluff Boat Launch, the Franklinton Town Boat Launch at the end of Pearl Street, and Richardson Landing.

To volunteer, contact Bobbi Jo Breland at 985-335-1334 or email bjbreland@wpgov.org.

A couple of hours can make a big difference. Let’s work together to keep Washington Parish beautiful and our waterways clean!

New Transit Bus for Rural Washington Parish

Washington Parish Government is proud to add a new transit bus through the FTA Section 5311 Rural Transportation Program, which supports public transportation in rural communities.

The bus will be utilized by the Washington Parish Council On Aging as part of its continued work providing rural transit services throughout Washington Parish.

Parish President Ryan Seal recently had a chance to check out the new addition. 

Investments like this help strengthen transportation resources and ensure our rural communities remain connected.

Working together to keep Washington Parish moving! 

Obituary

Nicholas Wayne Hillman 

November 20, 2000 — August 13, 2026

Obituary

Charles "Charlie" Frank Nickel, Sr.

October 18, 1938 - August 16, 2026

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 2pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 110. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight   Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph after midnight.

Tuesday   A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 110. West wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night   Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday   A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. West wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night   Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind.

St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for August 15, 2026

Billy McDougal (age 65) was booked on the charges of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Careless Operation by the Mandeville Police Department.

Kenneth Adams (age 49) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II, Drug Paraphernalia, and Improper Turn by the Covington Police Department.

Amanda Garner (age 39) was booked on the charge of DWI by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Mary Mason (age 49) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery/Dangerous Weapon by the St.
Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Roy Labat (age 22) was booked on the charge of Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Isaiah Boudreaux (age 25) was booked on the charges of DWI and Failure to Stop/Yield by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Caleb Luquette (age 32) was booked on the charges of DWI and Failure to Stop/Yield by the Covington Police Department.

Jose Paz-Ramos (age 28) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Jamion Anderson (age 20) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Tonia Ryals (age 50) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule III CDS and Parole Violation by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Leann Simon (age 40) was booked on the charge of Second Degree Cruelty to Juveniles by the 22nd Judicial Court.

Hilmon Stigler (age 42) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Rodney London (age 67) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery/Strangulation by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Anthony Knox (age 63) was booked on charge(s) not listed by Probation and Parole.

Shane Maiaro (age 42) was booked on the charges of Violation of Protection Order, Stalking, and Criminal Trespass by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Daquinta Thompson (age 31) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court and Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Christopher Eberhart (age 49) was booked on the charges of Criminal Mischief, Resisting an Officer, Simple Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce, Disturbing the Peace/Drunkenness, and Contempt of Court (3 counts) by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

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

Obituary

Charles Mathers, Sr.

December 6, 1946 - August 3, 2026

Obituary

Dianne Sutherland Deevers Jayroe

August 11, 2026

Washington Parish Jail Bookings for August 13-15, 2026

Shane Davis (age 26 with a Poplarville, Ms. address) was booked on the charges of Following Too Close With or Without Accident, Driving While Intoxicated, and Failure to Pay Fine by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond information not available.

Alyshia Estrade (age 44 with no address listed) was booked on the charges of Hit and Run, Criminal Damage to Property Under 1000, and Driving Under Suspension by the Franklinton Police Department. Bond set at $5000.00.

Dane'Nycole Spears (age 37 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked In From Court.

Eddie Roberts (age 50 with a Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Stop Signs and Yield Signs Violations, Prohibited Acts, and Contempt of Court by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $5000.00.

Darnell Brock (age 36 with no address listed) was booked on the charges of Possession of Marijuana, Prohibited Acts, and Contempt of Court by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $5000.00.

Michael Godwin (age 75 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Careless Operation and Stalking by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Charles Nickel (age 58 with a Denham Springs, La. address) was booked on the charges of Molestation of Juvenile/Rape, Indecent Behavior With Juvenile(s), and Crime Against Nature/Aggravated Incest by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

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

St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for August 14, 2026

Elizabeth Hannan (age 34) was booked on the charge of Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle by the Mandeville Police Department.

Brandi Jarrow (age 34) was booked on the charge of Rehoming of a Child by the Louisiana State Police.

Mark Hunt (age 33) was booked on the charge of Taking Contraband to and from a Penal Institution by the 22nd Judicial Court.

Braxton London (age 27) was booked on the charges of Fugitive and Contempt of Court by the Covington Police Department.

Isabella Misenheimer (age 21) was booked on the charges of Taking Contraband to and from a Penal Institution, No Safety Belts, No Brake Lights/No Turn Signals, Improper Turn, Possession of Schedule II (2 counts), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Fugitive by the Slidell Police Department.

Rashad Lindsey (age 23) was booked on the charges of Surrender of Defendant/Bondsman Off Bond and Contempt of Court by Bondsman.

James Roberts (age 28) was booked on the charge of Second Degree Murder by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Justin Allen (age 44) was booked on the charges of Sexual Abuse of an Animal and Obstruction of Justice/Simple Assault by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Brandi Davis (age 40) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by Agency not listed.

Diamond Stevenson (age 27) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by Agency not listed.

Matthew Michael (age 61) was booked on the charge of Contempt of Court by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Zyrone Lopez (age 25) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by Agency not listed.

Sara Ford Burge (age 43) was booked on the charges of Theft and Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Gavan Robertson (age 22) was booked on the charges of Simple Burglary of an Inhabited Dwelling, Illegal Possession of Stolen Things, Resisting an Officer, and Flight From Officer/Aggravated Flight From Officer by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Brad Lato (age 41) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse Battery/Aggravated Assault, Interfering With Emergency Communication, and Resisting an Officer by the Covington Police Department.

Junior Perez Rosales (age 24) was booked on the charges of DWI, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Driver Must Be Licensed, and Open Container in Vehicle by the Louisiana State Police.

Victor Trenchard (age 55) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II, Careless Operation, No Safety Belts, and Drug Paraphernalia by the Slidell Police Department.

Val Magee (age 40) was booked on the charges of Resisting an Officer, Bicycles/Front Lamp/Side and Rear Reflectors Required, and Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Mario Granado (age 72) was booked on the charge of Violation of Protection Order by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

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

Tropical Disturbances Today

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 3pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 111. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tonight   A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 76. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Monday   Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 111. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Monday Night   Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday   A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. West wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night   A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph. 

Local Forecast for the Next Few Days

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

Today   Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Heat index values as high as 110. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tonight   Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.

Sunday   Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Heat index values as high as 112. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday Night   Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.

Monday   A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. West wind around 5 mph.

Monday Night   Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tropical Disturbances Today

Disturbance 1. Southeastern Caribbean Sea (AL92): A tropical wave is over the southeastern Caribbean Sea but is not expected to develop further due to strong upper-level winds and dry air. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...near 0 percent.

Disturbance 2. Central Tropical Atlantic (AL94): A tropical wave is over the central tropical Atlantic about midway between the Cabo Verde Islands and the Lesser Antilles. Limited development of this system is possible over the next day or two before the system encounters strong upper-level winds to the east of the Lesser Antilles. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...10 percent.

Obituary

Carrie Lee Garrett

January 11, 1938 — August 1, 2026

Covington Man Arrested for Murder by Fentanyl of Bush Woman

James Roberts, Jr., age 28 and of the Covington-area, was arrested today (August 14, 2026) for murder after it was determined he sold the fentanyl that resulted in the death of a 38-year-old woman from Bush in September of 2025. 

In September of 2025, detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit were called in to investigate the suspicious death of a 38-year-old Bush-area woman. During the investigation, it was learned the woman had died of a fentanyl overdose. Through evidence collected during their lengthy investigation, detectives learned that prior to her death, the woman had purchased the fentanyl from James Roberts Jr.

On Thursday (August 13, 2026), detectives obtained a warrant for Roberts’ arrest for one count of Second-Degree Murder. Roberts was located this morning (August 14, 2026) at a residence in Covington and he was taken into custody. He is being booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center.

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

“Fentanyl continues to take lives in our community, and we will continue to investigate these deaths and hold those responsible for distributing this deadly drug accountable,” Sheriff Bret Ibert said.

“Cases like this require a tremendous amount of time and detailed investigative work,” Sheriff Ibert added. “Our Major Crimes detectives worked diligently to trace the fentanyl back to its source and gather the evidence needed to make this arrest. I commend them for staying with this case and continuing to seek accountability for the victim and her family.”

Obituary

Aaron Laquintus Donnell (Meathead) Bickham

January 1, 1988 — August 8, 2026

St. Tammany Parish Student Arrested Following Altercation

A student has been arrested following an altercation at a St. Tammany Parish area high school. At approximately 11 a.m. Friday (August 14, 2026), a St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s School Resource Officer assigned to a local high school was made aware of an altercation taking place in the school’s cafeteria. While attempting to break up the altercation, the School Resource Officer was elbowed in the face, and four teachers were kicked or hit. One teacher sustained minor injuries and transported herself for medical care. 

The SRO identified the aggressor in the altercation and a 14-year-old male student was taken into custody and booked into the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center on the following charges:

• 1 Count of L.R.S. 14:108.2 Resisting a Police Officer with force or violence.-- (Felony)
• 1 Count of L.R.S. 14:103/A1 Disturbing the Peace/ Simple Assault (Misdemeanor)
• 1 Count of L.R.S. 14:34.3 C(3) Battery of a School Teacher; Injury required Medical (Felony)
• 3 Counts of L.R.S. 14:34.3 Battery of a School Teacher (Misdemeanor)
• 1 Count of  L.R.S. 14:34.2 Battery on a Police Officer

“Violence of any kind will not be tolerated in our schools,” Sheriff Bret Ibert said. “Our students, teachers and staff deserve a safe environment to learn and work, and anyone who chooses to disrupt that environment with violence will be held accountable.”

The school was placed on a temporary lockdown during the incident. The lockdown was lifted once the incident was under control, and there is no ongoing threat to students or staff.