The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged a 10-year-old Loranger Middle School student and their parent after the child was seen waving a gun from a car window in the school’s morning drop-off line on the first day of classes. Witnesses reported the student pointing the weapon toward another vehicle around 7:15 a.m., prompting immediate action from school officials and a TPSO School Resource Officer, who confirmed the gun was a BB gun and confiscated it. The student was booked into the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center on charges of carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon on school property and terrorizing, while the parent, 35-year-old Kristin Hutchinson, faces charges of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and improper supervision of a minor. Sheriff Gerald Sticker emphasized the parish’s zero-tolerance policy for threats on school campuses, warning that “we will hold anyone accountable who violates the safety of our schools and communities.”
–The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will host an open house public meeting on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, to discuss the US 190W Roundabouts project in Slidell, which will replace three signalized intersections on West Gause Boulevard—at Westminster Drive, Sunset Drive/Carroll Road, and Maris Stella Street—with roundabouts. DOTD officials said the meeting, scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium, will provide details on the planned improvements and give residents an opportunity to share feedback. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions, and oral or written comments can be submitted at the meeting or mailed to DOTD by September 2, 2025.
–A 21-year-old Mandeville man is facing multiple felony charges after deputies say he was caught with a large stash of marijuana, THC vapes, edibles, and other high-potency cannabis products while driving with his 6-year-old sibling in the car. On August 1, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives arrested Lane Roberts at a Mandeville carwash, finding more than two pounds of marijuana, over 100 THC vapes, and THC edibles in his vehicle. A search of his Forest Loop residence uncovered even more illegal drugs, including over 745 pre-rolled joints, 700 THC vapes, 3.25 pounds of THC crumble, nearly a pound of THCA crystals, and $81,249 in suspected drug proceeds, along with drug paraphernalia and a Glock 9mm pistol. Roberts was booked into the parish jail on numerous felony drug, weapons, and child cruelty charges.
–Southeastern Alumni has announced the date for its annual Alumni Awards Evening, set for Friday, October 17, 2025, celebrating the achievements of distinguished graduates in their respective fields. The 2025 award recipients will be revealed soon, and tickets are now available at www.southeastern.edu/alumni/recognition/registration.
–The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 40-year-old Johnathan Newman of the Kentwood area, accused of blocking a rural highway and then chasing a woman and her child at speeds over 100 mph. Deputies say the victim was driving on Highway 38 when she encountered a vehicle parked across both lanes. After the man approached her car, she turned around to leave, but he allegedly pursued her in his vehicle until she was able to escape and call authorities. Newman, who investigators say has no connection to the victim, was identified and arrested the following day on charges of stalking, reckless operation of a vehicle, and obstructing highways of commerce. TPSO is investigating whether he may be connected to similar recent incidents in the area.
–The Tangipahoa Mosquito Abatement District has confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus in 2025, reported in the western part of Hammond. Officials said additional mosquito treatments have been carried out in the area and noted that the parish is currently in peak season for the virus. They emphasized that while most people infected do not experience symptoms, some can develop serious illness, and prevention measures such as removing standing water, using insect repellent, and avoiding peak mosquito activity times remain essential. So far this season, the district has tested 1,310 mosquito samples, with 125 testing positive for the virus.
–St. Tammany Parish government announced that the Bayou Lacombe Bridge on the Tammany Trace will be closed for repairs on August 12 and 13, preventing boaters and trail users from passing through the area. The bridge, located between 1st Street and South Oaklawn Drive in Lacombe, is set to reopen to all users by 7 a.m. on August 14. Officials noted that no detour will be available during the closure.
–AN 17 reports that control tower hours at Hammond Northshore Regional Airport will be reduced nearly by half starting Sunday due to ongoing personnel shortages faced by the Army National Guard, which staffs the tower. Airport Director Tony Michelli said the tower will now operate weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., down from the current 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. plus weekend coverage, cutting weekly hours from 70 to 40. Michelli emphasized the importance of the tower for managing diverse air traffic, including helicopters, flight training, and jets, but noted that funding additional controllers isn’t feasible since the FAA pays the National Guard for staffing and won’t reimburse the airport directly. Airport officials are working with Congresswoman Julie Letlow’s office and FAA representatives to address the issue. Despite the reduced hours, hangar rates will remain unchanged. The tower, which opened in 2014, plays a key role in flight safety and attracting businesses that prefer a controlled airspace.
–St. Tammany Parish President Cooper, Chairman Impastato, Councilwoman Seiden, and the Parish Council recently recognized Chris Masingill for his leadership in driving economic growth as CEO of the St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation since 2018. During his tenure, the organization has generated 2,299 new and retained jobs and secured major business recruitment and expansion projects totaling more than $291.9 million in capital investment.
–The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying three men believed to be connected to recent violent crimes, including one involving rifles. On August 7, deputies responded to a vehicle crash at a Wardline Road gas station in Hammond, where witnesses reported three Black males fleeing the scene with what appeared to be “machine guns.” Investigators later learned the vehicle had been stolen from Independence a year ago, and surveillance footage showed one suspect leaving an AR pistol in a Reddy Ice machine. Drugs and firearm accessories were also recovered from the vehicle. Detectives believe the men may be linked to a separate shots-fired incident in Independence last month. Anyone with information is urged to call TPSO at 985-402-2088 or share tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-554-5245 or www.tangicrimestoppers.com.
–AN17 reports that Hammond developer Darryl Smith was denied for the second time by the Hammond Historic District Commission in his attempt to demolish the 110-year-old building that once housed historic Guy’s Grocery Store. During a unanimous 6-0 vote at a special meeting, commissioners cited an independent engineering report that found portions of the building deteriorated but overall retaining enough historic integrity to warrant repair rather than demolition. The report noted severe canopy damage and partial roof collapse but emphasized the structure’s significance as a unique commercial building tied to the adjacent railroad, recommending selective demolition and repairs. Despite a prior report from Smith’s engineer labeling the building unfeasible to repair, commission members referenced guidelines stating demolition should only occur if a building is unsalvageable or a safety hazard. Historic preservation experts also affirmed the building’s status as a contributing element to the Hammond Historic District, encouraging alternative solutions to demolition.
–Alternating lane closures are scheduled on both northbound and southbound LA 21 at the I-12 bridge overpass in St. Tammany Parish from Sunday night, August 10, through Saturday morning, August 16, 2025, for roadwork. One lane will remain open at all times, but motorists should expect moderate delays. Work will take place nightly, weather permitting, with varying hours through the week. Emergency vehicles will have access. Meanwhile on Thursday, August 14, 2025, from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Friday, partial lane closures will affect the two right lanes of westbound I-12 between LA 21 and LA 1077 in St. Tammany Parish for roadwork. One lane will remain open at all times, and message boards will provide updates on lane and ramp closures.
–Sebastian L. Rogers was arrested after a firefighter from WPFD5 spotted him using flashing lights and sirens to illegally pass vehicles on northbound LA-21 on August 7. The firefighter confirmed with neighboring departments and Mississippi contacts that the truck Rogers was driving, leased from a Poplarville firefighter who hadn’t removed the emergency equipment, was not authorized for such use. After investigators located Rogers near Angie, LA, he was charged with false personation of a peace officer or firefighter and reckless operation of a vehicle.
