The Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts and Southeastern Louisiana University are continuing their annual back-to-school tradition with a screening of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on August 22 at 7 p.m. at the Columbia Theatre in downtown Hammond. The event includes free popcorn and a Harry Potter swag bag with each ticket, and attendees are encouraged to come in costume for a chance at a surprise. With themed photo ops and costumed characters expected in the lobby, this year’s celebration promises to be even bigger than before. Tickets are $20 and available now at www.columbiatheatre.org or by calling 985-549-2787.
–District Attorney Collin Sims announced that on July 16, 2025, a St. Tammany Parish grand jury indicted 27-year-old Paige Andrews of Lacombe for second degree murder in connection with the December 5, 2024 fentanyl overdose death of 26-year-old Dustin Banks. Also indicted was 25-year-old Dustin Carver of Slidell on a charge of distribution of fentanyl. The indictments follow a six-month joint investigation by the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office Opioid Initiative and the DEA’s Fentanyl Overdose Response Team. The case was led by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Detective Gerard Simone and DA Investigator Darrell Marcev, Jr., with prosecution presented by Assistant District Attorneys Ronnie Gracianette and Angelina Valuri. DA Sims emphasized the importance of interagency collaboration in combating overdose-related deaths, stating the enhanced investigative resources were critical in securing the indictments. Andrews and Carver are set to appear in court before Judge John Keller on July 31.
–Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the State Library of Louisiana have launched the new Check Out Louisiana Museums initiative, allowing library cardholders in select parishes to visit participating museums free of charge by reserving electronic passes through their local libraries. Expanding on the State Library’s existing program that offers free access to state parks, this second phase includes cultural attractions such as the National WWII Museum, Louisiana Civil Rights Museum, the Cabildo, and more. Library systems in Iberville, Livingston, Tangipahoa, Rapides parishes, and the State Library are currently participating in the pilot, with more to be added. The program aims to make Louisiana’s cultural and historical institutions more accessible and promote lifelong learning through public libraries. Passes are limited, and patrons are encouraged to plan visits in advance at www.CheckOutLouisiana.org.
–James Wood remains missing after another week of intensive searching by Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives, who have focused efforts on the area around his home in the 40000 block of River Road in Ponchatoula—where his cell phone last showed activity. Search operations have included foot patrols, drone surveillance, and aerial support from a partner agency’s helicopter. Wood was last confirmed seen on June 19 at the LA 22 Mart in Ponchatoula, captured on surveillance wearing all black and walking down Lee’s Landing away from Highway 22. His car, keys, and other personal items were found at his residence, where he lives alone. While the investigation remains active, Sheriff Gerald Sticker urges anyone with information on Wood’s whereabouts to contact the Investigations Division at 985-902-2045.
–Nearly 20 years after Hurricane Katrina devastated Slidell with 160 mph winds, a 20-foot storm surge, and widespread flooding that left nearly 40% of the city underwater, the community will mark the anniversary with a special exhibition titled “Katrina: Then and Now,” opening August 29, 2025, at the Slidell Cultural Center’s George Dunbar Gallery at City Hall. Organized by the Northshore Cultural Economy Coalition in partnership with the City of Slidell, the exhibition will showcase photographs comparing the immediate aftermath of the storm to present-day scenes, illustrating both transformation and resilience. Community members are encouraged to submit personal stories and images through the NorthshoreCEC Facebook page, with selected contributions to be featured in the exhibition and archived at the Slidell Museum. The gallery will offer extended hours during commemorative events, and admission is free through the exhibition’s close on September 26.
–Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker has announced a public meeting to be held Thursday, August 7, at 10:00 a.m. at the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, located at 15475 Club Deluxe Road in Hammond, where he plans to consider adopting a resolution to call an election to authorize the levy of a sales and use tax. This marks the second attempt by the newly elected sheriff to secure additional funding for his office through a proposed tax measure.
–The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) needs the public’s help gathering information about a vehicle theft that recently occurred in the Independence area. Around 3 a.m. on June 25, a 2022 black GMC Sierra (Denali edition) with license plate “Z40 7891” was stolen from a home in the 54000 block of North Railroad Avenue. Later that day, the vehicle was seen on surveillance video at a business in Tickfaw. In that video, two male suspects are seen involved with the vehicle. The driver, who goes into the store, is dressed in a black hoodie with no shirt underneath, along with black pants and short dreads. Sheriff Gerald Sticker encourages anyone with information about who these suspects are, or this vehicle’s whereabouts, to contact the Criminal Investigations Office at 985-902-2088. If you’d prefer to share information anonymously, you can do so through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip! Tips submitted directly through Crimestoppers may be eligible for a cash reward.
–NOLA.com writes that President Donald Trump has nominated Paul Hollis, a longtime coin collector, former Louisiana state representative, and current member of the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, to lead the U.S. Mint. A Mandeville resident, Hollis traces his passion for coins back to childhood, when his grandmother gave him a Peace Dollar from the Great Depression—an item he plans to carry to his Senate confirmation hearing. If confirmed, Hollis would become the first U.S. Mint director from Louisiana and the only numismatist to hold the position. A Republican who served three terms in the Louisiana House and won a BESE seat in 2023, Hollis has also built a career in rare coins, founding Paul Hollis Rare Coins and authoring a book on American numismatics. Governor Jeff Landry is expected to appoint a replacement to the BESE board should Hollis be confirmed.
–Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced a four-count federal indictment on June 26, 2025, charging eight individuals from Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, and Washington parishes with conspiracy and drug trafficking offenses following their arrests by local law enforcement and DEA agents. Larry G. Turner, Elmo Franklin, Regginald Henry, Jyston Dantzler, Wayne Long, Garrett McClain, Jr., Roy Short, and Tawan Anthony were indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including methamphetamine and fentanyl. McClain faces additional charges for possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Henry and Anthony are also charged with possessing a mixture of methamphetamine and fentanyl, while Short is separately charged with possessing over 40 grams of fentanyl. Henry and Short face sentencing enhancements due to prior drug trafficking convictions.
–The State of Louisiana, through its Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), has reached an agreement with the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group to officially terminate the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project. The decision follows CPRA’s determination, as the Lead Implementing Trustee for the construction of the sediment diversion, that the project is no longer viable due to multiple factors, including costs, permitting concerns, and ongoing litigation. Based on CPRA’s determination, the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group signed a resolution to reduce the project budget to match funding that has already been dispersed. Originally planned as a large-scale restoration project, the sediment diversion was designed to reconnect the Mississippi River to the Barataria Basin, with the intention of rebuilding marshes in Plaquemines Parish. However, CPRA determined that construction of the project as approved in the Final RP 3.2 is no longer viable at this time based on a totality of the circumstances. CPRA is now pivoting to reinstate the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA) Medium Diversion Myrtle Grove with Dedicated Dredging project, which offers similar restoration benefits. CPRA’s team will continue working to protect our communities and restore Louisiana’s disappearing wetlands for future generations.
–This summer, the welding bay at Nunez Community College has been buzzing with activity as students take part in the college’s annual Welding Summer Internship, led by Welding Program Chair Jesús Melendez. Running Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the program offers hands-on training in a real-world welding shop environment. Each year, students complete a service project—previously building artificial oyster reefs for coastal protection, and this year fabricating bike racks, benches, and bleachers for St. Bernard Parish trails and parks. For the first time, the internship also welcomed students from Bridge City Center for Youth through a partnership with the Office of Juvenile Justice, giving them practical experience and a chance to contribute to the community. Fall classes at Nunez begin August 19, and applications are open at www.Nunez.edu.
–U.S. Navy Seaman Kentrell Razier of Slidell, Louisiana, was recently spotted in action aboard the USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) in the Pacific Ocean on July 14, 2025, where he singled up all lines on the ship’s forecastle as part of Pacific Partnership 2025. Now in its 21st year, Pacific Partnership is the Indo-Pacific’s largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness mission, bringing together host and partner nations to strengthen disaster response coordination, bolster regional security, and build lasting international relationships.
–Joshua David Patterson, 32, of Bogalusa has been charged with aggravated arson after allegedly setting fire to a home in the 800 block of Avenue G early Wednesday, according to the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office. Investigators determined the blaze was intentionally set, and while the resident escaped unharmed, Patterson—who did not live at the home—sustained burns to his arms and legs and suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. He remains hospitalized under custody and is expected to be booked into the Washington Parish Jail upon his release.
–Lonnie Yancy III, 27, of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on July 10, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, in violation of federal drug laws, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. Prosecutors say Yancy and seven others conspired to traffic drugs throughout Tangipahoa Parish using wire and electronic communications between an unspecified date and at least September 10, 2024. Yancy faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million and at least four years of supervised release.
