In observance of Juneteenth, both St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parish Government offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19. Business will resume on Friday, June 20, at 8 a.m. Juneteenth commemorates the historic day in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of all enslaved people. It stands as a powerful reminder of equality and the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. While Tangipahoa Parish offices will be closed, the Tangipahoa Parish Landfill will remain open to the public from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to serve residents during the holiday.
–District Attorney Collin Sims announced that 23-year-old Alvin Laurant Jr. of Covington has been sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in the fatal Fentanyl overdose of a 15-year-old girl. Judge Tara Zeller handed down the sentence on June 18, 2025, following Laurant’s conviction for second-degree murder. A St. Tammany Parish jury took just 35 minutes in May to return the guilty verdict after a four-day trial prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Iain Dover and Gary Tromblay. The investigation, led by Detective Matthew Morrison of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, began on July 12, 2022, when first responders were called to Felisia Grantham’s Bush residence and found the teen unresponsive and without signs of life. Despite emergency efforts, the victim could not be revived. Deputies observed drug paraphernalia and blue pills at the scene, later confirmed to contain Fentanyl—13 times the lethal dose was found in the girl’s system. Text messages retrieved from Grantham’s phone revealed communications with Laurant arranging the drug transaction earlier that day. Laurant was arrested by U.S. Marshals and the Sheriff’s Office, and further evidence—including pills matching those found at the scene, incriminating internet searches, and videos showing Laurant with drug proceeds—was recovered from his phone and residence. Grantham, who facilitated the deal, was convicted in December 2024 and sentenced to life in April. In response to both convictions, DA Sims stated that those who sell drugs to children should expect to face murder charges.
–Get ready to kick off Independence Day early at Covington’s annual “Sparks in the Park” celebration on Saturday, June 28, at Bogue Falaya Park. This free, family-friendly festival begins at 5:30 p.m. and wraps up with a dazzling fireworks display at dusk. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy an evening packed with live music, delicious food from local food trucks, and fun activities for all ages—including a hot dog eating contest hosted by the Kiwanis of Covington. The Rotary Club will provide lemonade and water, while the Covington Business Association offers wine for purchase. While picnics and beverages are welcome, coolers might be unnecessary with so many tasty options available. Be prepared for post-event traffic, and consider lingering a while to let the crowds ease.
–Detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Narcotics Division, working in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, arrested 31-year-old Wilfred Cousin of Slidell after executing a search warrant on June 12 at a residence on Willie Mearis Street, where they seized over 4,000 illegal Tapentadol pills and more than $900 in suspected drug proceeds. Cousin was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on multiple drug-related charges, including possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance and transactions involving drug proceeds. Tapentadol, a potent opioid known on the street as “Pandas” or “200s,” is being dangerously marketed as a party drug, often disguised in packaging resembling over-the-counter medications. Sheriff Randy Smith warned the public about the life-threatening risks of illicit drug use, emphasizing that the only safe medications are those prescribed by medical professionals and obtained from licensed pharmacies.
–Need legal help? The Louisiana State Bar Association’s Justice Bus is making a stop at the Hammond Library Branch on Tuesday, July 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., offering completely free legal advice and services to the community. Local attorneys will be on hand to provide guidance on civil legal matters such as family law, housing, employment, and more—no appointments necessary. Just stop by to speak one-on-one with a legal expert. This event is presented by the Tangipahoa Parish Library in partnership with the Louisiana State Bar Association.
–The Keep Hammond Beautiful committee has announced that there will be no meeting on Thursday, June 19, 2025. The next scheduled meeting will take place on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 11:45 a.m., with the location to be confirmed at a later date.
–Get ready for a morning of fun and excitement at the Big Wheels Bash in Slidell! On Wednesday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., families are invited to the Fritchie Park Gym to explore the impressive lineup of vehicles and equipment used by the city’s Public Operations team. This hands-on event offers a unique opportunity for kids and adults alike to get an up-close look at the big machines that help keep Slidell running smoothly every day. Don’t miss this chance to learn, play, and celebrate the hardworking crews behind the scenes!
–The St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating Ronald Floyd Lee, a 59-year-old Black male who was last seen on June 8, 2025, near Rohner Road in Greensburg, Louisiana. Reported missing by his family, Mr. Lee is considered a vulnerable individual due to mental and physical impairments. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office at 225-222-4413. Sheriff Clay Chutz encourages the community to remain vigilant and assist in bringing Mr. Lee home safely.
–Southeastern Louisiana University’s Supply Chain Management program is experiencing a surge in enrollment, growing over 31% in the past three years and solidifying its position as the only dedicated supply chain degree in Southeast Louisiana. This growth is fueled by high job placement rates, competitive starting salaries—averaging $77,520 annually—and a booming demand for logistics professionals, with employment in the field projected to grow 18% by 2032. The program offers students hands-on learning through internships and partnerships with major regional employers, leading to careers in industries such as manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and technology. Instructor Jonathan Emas emphasized the program’s alignment with workforce needs and its role in preparing students for high-demand, well-paying careers. Southeastern also offers scholarships to help make the degree more accessible. For more information, visit southeastern.edu or contact the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management at 985-549-2277 or marketing@southeastern.edu.
–The NAACP Greater Tangipahoa Branch invites the community to its 2025 Bow Tie Gala, a night of celebration and purpose under the theme “Know Your Purpose.” The Advocacy and Image Awards Dinner and Gala will honor trailblazers and champions of justice on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at JRuckers Event Center, located at 140 North Baronne Street in Ponchatoula, LA. The formal event will begin at 6:00 p.m. and conclude at 8:00 p.m., followed by a celebratory mixer from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Individual donations are $50, or $500 for a reserved table of eight. For more information, please contact Sister Rhonda Coins at NAACP Greater Tangi.
