Inmate Dies at St. Tammany Parish Jail

An inmate at the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center died Saturday (August 22, 2026) following an apparent medical emergency.

The inmate was being housed in a medical observation dorm at the time of the incident due to known medical conditions. Shortly after 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Corrections deputies observed the inmate experiencing a medical emergency and immediately began life-saving measures. Those efforts, along with intervention from emergency medical personnel and personnel with the company contracted to provide medical services at the jail, were unsuccessful, and the inmate was pronounced deceased.

At this time, no foul play is suspected, and the death is believed to be the result of natural causes.

The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office took possession of the body, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the official cause and manner of death.

The identity of the inmate is not being released at this time so that family can be properly notified.

The investigation into the death is ongoing.

Washington Parish Council Agenda for August 24, 2026

The Washington Parish Council will meet at 5:30 PM on Monday (August 24, 2026) in Council Chambers at the Courthouse in Franklinton. The meeting will  be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/mthermonwebtv  Note: Video of the meeting will be immediately available on the Facebook page. All meetings of the Washington Parish Council are archived here.

Preceding the Regular Meeting will be a Public Hearing on an ordinance to  “Adopt an Ordinance to Amend the 2026 Annual Operating Budget for the Washington Parish Government.

On the Agenda for the Regular Meeting are the following: 

Rusty Fornea: ADAPT

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/DISCUSSION ITEMS

• Ordinance No. 26-790: Adopt an Ordinance to Amend the 2026 Annual Operating Budget for the Washington Parish Government

• Resolution No. 26-1526: Adopt a Resolution Amending Resolution No. 26-1506, Placing a Moratorium on the Approval and/or Permitting of All Solar Panel Farms, Commercial Solar Power Plants, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and Similar Energy Generation or Storage Facilities

• Resolution No. 26-1527: Adopt a Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement Between Washington Parish Government and the City of Bogalusa for Animal Shelter and Animal Control Services; Authorizing the Parish President to Execute Said Agreement; and Providing for Related Matters

• Resolution No. 26-1528: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Filing of an Application With the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for a Grant Under Any of the Following FTA Programs Managed Through the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

• Resolution No. 26-1529: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Holding of an Election in Washington Parish Fire Protection District No. 1, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, December 12, 2026, to Authorize the Renewal of Special Taxes Therein

• Resolution No. 26-1530: Adopt a Resolution by the Washington Parish Council to Authorize the Use of Opioid Settlement Funds for the Purchase of Resuscitation Equipment for Use at the Washington Parish Jail

• Resolution No. 26-1531: Adopt a Resolution by the Washington Parish Council to Amend Resolutions No. 26-1476 through 26-1486, to Increase the Amount of Opioid Settlement Funds Authorized for the Purchase of Resuscitation Equipment for the Respective Washington Parish Fire Protection Districts

• Resolution No. 26-1532: Adopt a Resolution by the Washington Parish Council Accepting the Lowest Responsible and Responsive Bid for the Purchase of Resuscitation Equipment for Washington Parish Fire Protection Districts No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Bogalusa Fire Department and Franklinton Fire Department, utilizing Opioid Settlement Funds, and Authorizing the Parish President to Execute All Necessary Documents

Following Public Participation, the Council will hear reports from the Parish President and his staff before adjourning 

Local Forecast for the Next Few Days

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

Today   A 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2pm and 5pm. Increasing clouds and hot, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight   A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 73. Calm wind.

Tuesday   A 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night   Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Calm wind.

Wednesday   A 60 percent chance of  showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. 

Wednesday Night   A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind. 

Tropical Disturbances Today

Disturbance 1. Central Subtropical Atlantic (AL95): An area of low pressure is located a few hundred miles southeast of Bermuda. This system could become a short-lived tropical depression or storm during the next couple of days while it moves northward and north-northeastward, well northeast of Bermuda. Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...50 percent and formation chance through 7 days...medium...50 percent.

Disturbance 2. Eastern Tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave is expected to move off the west coast of Africa later today. A tropical depression could form by the middle to latter portions of the week while the system moves generally westward at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent and formation chance through 7 days...medium...50 percent.

Obituary

Betty Jo Peacock Richard

October 4, 1932 - August 22, 2026

St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for August 21, 2026

John Stewart (age 37) was booked on the charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction of Justice/Simple Assault by the Covington Police Department.

Aaron Johnson (age 47) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II and Improper Lane Use by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Ashleigh Singh (age 35) was booked on the charge of Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Kenyatta Collins (age 29) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the Slidell
Police Department.

Jordan Kaiser (age 29) was booked on the charges of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Careless Operation by the Causeway Bridge Police.

Dernell Jynes (age 35) was booked on the charge of Violation of Protection Order by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Jamll Williams (age 20) was booked on the charges of Possession of Firearm or Carrying Concealed Weapon, Unlawful Sale/Possession of Tobacco by Person Under 18 YOA, and Pedestrian on Hwy/Interstate by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Gerald Snyder (age 41) was booked on the charges of Sale Distribution or Possession of Legend Drug Without Prescription and Violations of Registration Provisions by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Edward Aiello (age 62) was booked on the charge of Fugitive by the Slidell Police Department.

Robert King (age 46) was booked on the charge of Aggravated Obstruction of Highway of Commerce by the Slidell Police Department.

Thomas Bailey (age 58) was booked on the charge of Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Quentin Leday (age 39) was booked on the charge of Contempt of Court by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Christopher Tanner (age 45) was booked on the charges of Manufacture/Distribution Schedule II CDS (2 counts), Manufacture/Distribution Schedule I CDS, Possession of Schedule II (2 counts), Possession of Schedule IV (2 counts), Transactions Involving Proceeds From Drug Offenses, Possession of Marijuana, and Driving Under Suspension by the 22nd Judicial Court.

Justin Smith (age 20) was booked on the charges of Disturbing the Peace/Simple Assault and Aggravated Assault by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Kali Kreger (age 30) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole.

Rene Parker (age 40) was booked on the charges of Simple Battery, Disturbing the Peace/Simple Assault, and Resisting a Police Officer With Force or Violence 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.

Brittney Smith (age 40) was booked on the charge of Cruelty to Juveniles by the Slidell Police Department.

Khristy Ridgel (age 48) was booked on the charges of Windshields Required, Expired License Plate, and Possession of Schedule II by the Slidell Police Department.

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

Local Forecast for the Next Few Days

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

Today   A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 109. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.

Tonight   A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Calm wind.

Monday   A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Increasing clouds and hot, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday Night   Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 73. Calm wind.

Tuesday   A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. 

Tuesday Night   Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Calm wind.

Tropical Disturbances Today

Disturbance 1. Northeastern Atlantic: A non-tropical area of low pressure is located a few hundred miles west of the coast of Portugal. This system has only a slight chance of acquiring subtropical characteristics later today. By tonight, the low will encounter unfavorable environmental conditions, and further development is not expected. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...10 percent.

Disturbance 2. Central Subtropical Atlantic (AL95): A broad area of low pressure is located a few hundred miles southeast of Bermuda. Some development of this system is possible during the next few days as it drifts northwestward today and then accelerates northward early this week. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...20 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...30 percent.

Disturbance 3. Eastern Tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave is expected to move off the west coast of Africa on Monday. Environmental conditions are forecast to be marginally conducive for development, and a tropical depression could form by the middle to latter portions of the week while the system moves generally westward at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent and formation chance through 7 days...medium...50 percent.

Washington Parish Jail Bookings for August 20-21, 2026

Caleb Newman (age 26 with an Angie, La. address) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse/Child Endangerment (7 counts) and Domestic Abuse Battery (2 counts) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Duane Whitney (age 45 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Parole Violation by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.

Jarvis Blackmon (age 35 with no address listed) was booked on the charge of Introduction of Contraband to Correctional Facility by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Jackie Brister (age 29 with an Angie, La. address) was booked on the charge of Aggravated Second Degree Battery by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.

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

Derrick Braxton (age 45 with a Tangipahoa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse/Child Endangerment, Failure to Appear, and Home Invasion/Aggravated Assault/Battery by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond information incomplete at this time.

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

St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for August 20, 2026

Heather Vilcan (age 44) was booked on the charge of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Christopher Buelle (age 38) was booked on the charges of Manufacture/Distribution Schedule II CDS (2 counts), Possession of Schedule I, Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS, Possession of Schedule III CDS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Contempt of Court (2 counts), Simple Assault, Criminal Conspiracy, Manufacture/Distribution Schedule I CDS, and Fugitive by the Slidell Police Department.

Tiffany Deroche (age 44) was booked on the charges of Possession With Intent to Distribute of a Schedule II CDS (2 counts), Possession of Schedule III CDS, Possession of Schedule I, and Drug Paraphernalia by the Slidell Police Department.

Sarah Vogel (age 31) was booked on the charges of Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (2 counts), Possession of Schedule III CDS, Possession of Schedule I, and Drug Paraphernalia by the Slidell Police Department.

Domingo Sanchez (age 55) was booked on the charges of Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (2 counts), Possession of Schedule III CDS, Possession of Schedule I, Drug Paraphernalia, and Contempt of Court by the Slidell Police Department.

Orlando Rascon-Bernon (age 31) was booked on the charges of Operating While Intoxicated (2nd Offense) and Improper Lane Usage by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Michael Shannon (age 62) was booked on the charge of Court Sanction by the 22nd Judicial Court.

Brody Evans (age 18) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by the 22nd Judicial Court.

Robert Paulhus (age 64) was booked on the charges of Manufacture/Distribution Schedule II CDS (2 counts), Possession of Schedule I, Possession of Schedule III CDS, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the Slidell Police Department.

Irwin Savoye (age 49) was booked on the charges of Violation of Protective Orders (2nd Offense) and Fugitive by the Slidell Police Department.

Clint Cooper (age 42) was booked on the charges of Theft of Motor Vehicle $25000 or More, Bank Fraud, and Fugitive by the Pearl River Police Department.

Christian Bourgeois (age 21) was booked on the charges of Fugitive, Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear (2 counts), and Contempt of Court (2 counts) by the Mandeville Police Department.

Timothy Noel (age 33) was booked on the charge of Violation of Protection Order by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Christy Parks (age 52) was booked on the charge of Bank Fraud by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Gelila Neitzel (age 32) was booked on the charge of Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Cleandrew Oliver (age 42) was booked on the charge of Disturbing the Peace by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Chelsey Alderman (age 21) was booked on the charge of Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Trenton Byrd (age 31) was booked on the charge of Court Sanction by the 22nd Judicial Court.

Sarah Ballay (age 41) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole.

Landon Woodside (age 23) was booked on charge(s) not listed by the Louisiana State Police.

Marcus Schech (age 18) was booked on the charge of Pornography Involving Juveniles With Age Restrictions by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Damien Washington (age 45) was booked on the charges of Bank Fraud, Access Device Fraud Over $25000, Theft Over $25000, and Identity Theft by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Jacque Carr (age 24) was booked on the charges of Simple Burglary of an Inhabited Dwelling, Simple Criminal Damage to Property 1000-50000, and Telephone Communications/Improper Language/Harassment by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Terry Jones (age 30) was booked on the charge of Court Sanction by the 22nd Judicial Court.

Kayden Taylor (age 29) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse Battery Committed With Dangerous Weapon, Resisting a Police Officer With Force or Violence, Simple Battery, and Battery of a Police Officer.

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

Federal Officer Arrested by St. Tammany Parish S.O.

A federal officer, 58-year-old Thomas Bailey of Lecompte, was arrested Friday (August 21, 2026) morning after he entered his ex-girlfriend’s Covington-area apartment without permission. The ex-girlfriend was not home at the time Bailey entered the apartment.

Bailey, employed at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Oakdale, was arrested by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and taken into custody. He was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center for one count of L.R.S. 14:62.3 Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling.

“Regardless of where you work or what position you hold, the law applies equally to everyone,” Sheriff Bret Ibert said. “When someone enters another person’s residence without permission, we are going to investigate the circumstances and take the appropriate action based on the facts of the case.”

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 99. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight   Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Calm wind.

Sunday   A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 108. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.

Sunday Night   Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.

Monday   A 40 percent chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon. 

Monday Night   Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind.

Tropical Disturbances Today

Disturbance 1. Northeastern Atlantic: A strong non-tropical area of low pressure is located over the northeastern Atlantic several hundred miles west of the coast of Portugal. This system could acquire some subtropical or tropical characteristics later today or on Sunday but the opportunity for tropical or subtropical development should end Sunday night when the system encounters unfavorable environmental conditions. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...20 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...20 percent.

Disturbance 2. Central Subtropical Atlantic: A trough of low pressure is located over the central subtropical Atlantic a few hundred miles east of Bermuda. Development of this system, if any, is expected to be slow to occur while it drifts westward through Sunday and then accelerates northward early next week. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...20 percent.

Disturbance 3. Eastern Tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave is expected to move off the west coast of Africa on Monday. An area of low pressure could form and subsequent development will be possible while the system moves westward at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic through the end of next week. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...30 percent.

Local Forecast for the Next Few Days

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

Today   A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 111. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight   A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 73. Calm wind. 

Saturday   Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night   Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Calm wind.

Sunday   A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Sunday Night   Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Calm wind.

Tropical Disturbances Today

Disturbance 1. Northeastern Atlantic: A non-tropical area of low pressure has developed over the northeastern Atlantic several hundred miles north-northeast of the Azores. This system could acquire some subtropical or tropical characteristics on Saturday or early Sunday while it moves east-southeastward at 10 to 15 mph toward Portugal and northwestern Spain. The opportunity of tropical or subtropical development should end by Sunday night when the system moves into unfavorable environmental conditions. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...20 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...20 percent.

Disturbance 2. Central Subtropical Atlantic: A weak area of low pressure is located over the central subtropical Atlantic a few hundred miles east-southeast of Bermuda.  Development of this system, if any, is expected to be slow to occur while it drifts west-southwestward through Sunday and then turns northward early next week. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent and formation chance through 7 days...low...20 percent.

LSU AgCenter's Weekly Message

It’s Time to Think About Fall Vegetables

Recent temperatures may make it hard to believe, but it’s time to start preparing to plant a fall vegetable garden.

You also still have time to plant a last round of some fast-maturing warm-season vegetables so that they can produce before the first freeze. Cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, and bush snap beans can be planted until mid-September. Pole snap beans take a little longer to produce than bush beans do, so it’s recommended that they be planted by the end of August.

While white (“Irish”) potatoes are considered a cool-season crop rather than a warm-season one, you can plant them between August and mid-September for a fall harvest.

Some cool-season vegetables can be planted earlier and some later, but almost all can be planted between mid-September and mid-October. These include cabbage, kohlrabi, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, greens (collard, kale, mustard, turnip), radishes, beets, carrots, lettuce, shallots, garlic, and green (“English”), sugar snap, and snow peas.

Wait till between mid-December and January to set out transplants of the types of bulb-forming onions that grow well in Louisiana. Fava beans aren’t a very common crop here, but I understand that the time for sowing these is October through November.

If you want to give the garden a rest, you might consider planting a fall cover crop. Cover crops can be used to build up soil organic matter, take nitrogen from the air and put it in the soil (in the case of plants in the bean family, or legumes), prevent loss of nutrients from the soil during the off-season (after adding compost or manure to the garden, for example), suppress weed growth, and prevent erosion. The first half of October is a time when many cool-season cover crop species – such as cereal rye, annual ryegrass, wheat, oats, hairy vetch, and crimson clover – can be planted.

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).

WPSS is Hiring: Food Service Workers & Bus Driver

For more information, go to https://www.wpsb.org/careers

Obituary

Spencer Gregory Torrence, Sr.

September 6, 1969 — August 14, 2026

Washington Parish Burn Ban Extended

Washington Parish President Ryan Seal today (August 20, 2026) extended to burn ban previously ordered. The extension is for at least 15 days or until the Parish President deems it unnecessary.

Click Read more below for the Proclamation

Louisiana Adopts Physical Education Standards

K-12 standards focus on student movement, emphasize fit and healthy lifestyles

Louisiana students will spend more of their physical education class moving, starting with the 2027-2028 school year. The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approved revised K-12 physical education standards during its meeting Wednesday (August 19, 2026). The standards were developed by a committee of educators and stakeholders through a review the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) began over a year ago.

“Research consistently shows the positive impact of personal fitness on a healthy life,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “These fitness-based standards equip students with knowledge and skills they'll use the rest of their lives to remain active.”

Along with BESE approval, the standards have also been endorsed by the Physical Education Content Standards Steering Committee and the Superintendents' Advisory Council.

Click here to view the revised physical education standards.

Click here for the full press release and to learn more.