After years of anticipation and delays, Amazon says it plans to begin hiring this weekend for its long-awaited $40 million delivery station in Slidell, with an opening expected sometime this fall. The 140,000-square-foot facility on Town Center Parkway was first announced in 2021 with an initial target date of 2022, but that timeline was pushed back multiple times. The company said the Slidell center, like similar delivery stations, will employ between 100 and 200 people, excluding drivers, with a starting wage of $18.50 per hour and benefits, including health insurance, a 401K with company match, and up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave. Job seekers can text NEWJOB to 31432 or visit Amazon’s hiring site for more information. Local officials and economic leaders, including St. Tammany Economic Development CEO Chris Masingill, have closely tracked the project and now say the opening appears imminent. Once operational, the Slidell site will expand Amazon’s presence in Louisiana, where the company says it has created 6,000 full-time jobs since 2010, including positions at a massive $200 million facility in Baton Rouge.
–Downtown Hammond’s beloved end-of-summer celebration, the Hot August Stroll, is set to return Saturday, August 23, bringing an evening of art, music, wine, and community spirit to the heart of the city. Local businesses are invited to participate in the popular Wine & Cheese Stroll or host special events in their storefronts, while artists, vendors, and food trucks can showcase their creations to hundreds of attendees. The Listening Local Stage will once again spotlight live music from local performers, with sound provided and paid gigs available. Volunteers are also needed to help make the event a success, with opportunities to earn service hours or gain experience. The deadline to apply for all roles is Friday, August 1, and more information is available at www.downtownhammondla.com/hotaugust.
–As of last night the Hammond Police Department was seeking the public’s help in locating 14-year-old Zoey Arline, who was reported as a runaway. Zoey was last seen around 10:50 p.m. on July 23 near Wilbert Dangerfield and E. Robinson Street, close to her brother’s residence. She is described as approximately 5’6” tall, weighing around 115 pounds, with black braided hair, a scarf tied around her head, and carrying a black and white checkered backpack. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the Hammond Police Department at 985-277-5701.
–A 14-year-old has been arrested and booked into the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center on a felony count of motor vehicle theft in connection with a June 25 incident in Independence, where a 2022 black GMC Sierra Denali was stolen from the 54000 block of North Railroad Avenue around 3 a.m. The teen is also linked to at least two other recent cases, including another vehicle theft in the same area. Surveillance footage from a Tickfaw business later that day showed two male suspects with the stolen truck, one wearing a black hoodie, black pants, and sporting short dreads. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is still working to identify and locate the second suspect and is asking anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigations Office or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa.
–District Attorney Collin Sims announced that a Washington Parish grand jury indicted two Bogalusa city employees, 58-year-old James Morris and 64-year-old James Patterson, on July 23, 2025, for malfeasance in office. The men are accused of unlawfully performing their official duties or knowingly allowing another employee to neglect their responsibilities, as part of an ongoing multi-agency investigation. Arrest warrants have been issued but had not yet been executed at the time of the announcement, and arraignment dates are pending. The case was presented to the grand jury by Chief of Criminal Division Doug Freese and Assistant District Attorney Butch Wilson.
–The Southeastern Alumni Association is inviting graduates and supporters to the St. Tammany Alumni Happy Hour next week at Whiskey Tavern in Covington, set for Thursday, July 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees can look forward to an evening of good drinks, great company, and a chance to reconnect with fellow alumni while celebrating their Lion pride. The event is part of the association’s ongoing efforts to strengthen connections with Southeastern Louisiana University graduates across the region. For more details or to stay updated on future events, visit the Southeastern Alumni Association’s website at www.southeastern.edu/alumni.
–The Slidell Police Department has proudly welcomed its newest crime-fighting partner, K-9 Loki, an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois from the Netherlands who has joined forces with Officer Chance Foltz. After completing an intensive six-week training course, the duo is now certified through the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association (N.N.D.D.A.) as a dual-purpose K-9 team, trained in criminal tracking, apprehension, narcotics detection, article retrieval, and handler protection. Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Slidell Police Foundation and a kennel donation from Mike’s Hardware, Loki is now fully equipped and ready to serve. Chief Randy Fandal praised the addition, calling the K-9 Division an invaluable asset and expressing excitement about the future accomplishments of Officer Foltz and Loki as they work together to keep Slidell safe.
–The Advocate reports that American and Delta Airlines are boosting service to and from Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport with seven additional flights to accommodate fans traveling for LSU football games this season. Delta will add a flight to Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Aug. 29 ahead of the Tigers’ matchup against Clemson, and another from Columbia, South Carolina, on Oct. 10 for fans attending the LSU-South Carolina game. Both American and Delta will offer flights to Nashville on Oct. 17 for the LSU-Vanderbilt game, while American will provide service to Birmingham on Nov. 7 for the showdown against Alabama. Delta will also add a flight to Oklahoma City on Nov. 28 for LSU’s game against Oklahoma.
–Earlier this week a road rage incident on I-12 near the Holden exit ended with a suspect in custody after multiple shots were fired between vehicles around 5 p.m., according to the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Jason Ard confirmed no injuries were reported, but the victim’s vehicle was struck several times and a window was shattered. Responding officers from LPSO, Albany PD, and Killian PD located and seized the discarded handgun and arrested the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Trent Matthews of Ponchatoula. Matthews will face charges including Attempted Second Degree Murder, Illegal Use of Weapons from a Roadway, Obstruction, Aggravated Damage to Property, DUI, and related traffic offenses. The suspect’s white Dodge Ram truck was also recovered, and the investigation remains ongoing.
–The St. Tammany Parish Library Board of Control will hold its regular meeting on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Tammany Parish Council Chambers, located at 21490 Koop Drive in Mandeville. The public notice for the meeting was posted by July 24 at the Library Administrative Office, Council Chambers, and all library branches. Residents may submit comments related to agenda items or general matters to the board via email at lboc@stpl.us by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
