Recovery and environmental operations are ongoing at the site of the Smitty’s Supply fire in Tangipahoa Parish, where Louisiana State Police report that nearly 150 personnel from local, state, and federal agencies remain engaged in field work. The Tangipahoa River from LA 10 to LA 22 has been closed by parish officials to support emergency operations, while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency leads containment and cleanup efforts. Crews have recovered two frack tanks with 900 barrels of fluids, deployed more than 2,000 feet of containment boom, and conducted drone and aerial assessments to track progress. Air monitoring has shown no hazardous levels, and no injuries have been reported. Heavy equipment is removing debris, a containment berm is being constructed, and a wildlife hotline has been set up at 832-514-9663 for reports of impacted animals, which the public is advised not to handle directly.
–The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team and the GeauxJobs American Job Center are providing reemployment resources this week for displaced workers from Smitty’s Supply, Inc. A Worker Transition Center will be open August 25–29 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tangipahoa Parish American Job Center, located at 403 Market Street in Hammond. Services available include work registration, resume support, job applications, unemployment insurance claims filing, and training grant opportunities. The GeauxJobs Mobile Workforce Center will also be onsite to help workers quickly transition to new employment. For more information, call 985-902-4200.
–The Tangipahoa Parish School System announced Sunday that Roseland Montessori will remain closed Monday, Aug. 25, due to its proximity to the Smitty’s Supply explosion site, while all other schools and offices will operate as normal. District officials said students living within the one-mile evacuation zone will be excused from school until the order is lifted, and families in need of support under the McKinney-Vento Act can contact the district for help with uniforms and school supplies. School leaders emphasized that the safety and wellbeing of students and staff remain their top priority as they continue working with emergency officials.
–On August 29, 2025, St. Tammany Parish will mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with the dedication of a memorial at Camp Salmen Nature Park in Slidell, honoring the lives lost, families impacted, and the community’s enduring resilience. Hosted on behalf of Parish President Mike Cooper, the ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. and serve as a time of remembrance and reflection on the storm’s lasting impact while paying tribute to the unbreakable spirit that has carried St. Tammany forward over the past two decades.
–District Attorney Collin Sims announced that on August 20, 2025, a St. Tammany Parish jury found Dwight Ambo guilty of Second Degree Battery, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Attempted Aggravated Assault with a Firearm after a violent incident in which he entered his father’s home, threatened him at gunpoint, and fractured his nose during an attack. Prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Luke Lancaster and Jason Cuccia before Judge Alan Black, the case included Ring doorbell footage showing Ambo with a firearm before the confrontation. A previously convicted felon who served 10 years for manslaughter, Ambo now faces sentencing on October 8, 2025.
–Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller announced that Phase 2025 overlay work will continue the week of August 25 with crews focusing on soil cement operations and shoulder dressing in several areas, including South Lewiston, Lark, West Black Cat, Mandella, Perry, West Martin Luther King, Baytown Hills, Company Town, Brown Road in the Village of Tangipahoa, and Johnson Holton Road. All work is weather-dependent, and motorists should expect intermittent delays in construction zones. Updates are available at www.Tangipahoa.org and through TPG social media channels.
–STartUP Northshore is celebrating its three-year anniversary, marking the successful conclusion of its pilot program launched in 2022 to drive entrepreneurship and innovation across St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. Now formally integrated into the St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation’s long-term strategy, the initiative has released a Three-Year Impact Report highlighting service to more than 200 entrepreneurs, $75,000 in grant funding, over $250,000 in services delivered, 600 hours of mentorship, and partnerships with 20+ organizations. The program also announced its designation as a Technical Assistance Partner to Louisiana Economic Development under the U.S. Treasury–funded SSBCI Technical Assistance Program and the promotion of Cenzo Caronna to Executive Director. Since its creation, STartUP Northshore has fueled a culture of entrepreneurship on the Northshore, advancing economic growth and community impact.
–District Attorney Collin Sims announced that on August 21, 2025, a St. Tammany Parish jury found 47-year-old Calvin U. Brown III of Slidell guilty of attempted second-degree murder, attempted simple burglary, and stalking after he ambushed his estranged wife and shot her four times as she sat in her vehicle on Joseph Street in February 2022. Prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Christina Fisher and Heather Stephens before Judge Richard Swartz, the case was supported by surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and testimony from the victim, who detailed years of abuse. Brown’s 7-year-old child was present during the attack, which nearly claimed the victim’s life. Sentencing is scheduled for October 15, 2025, where Brown faces up to 50 years in prison.
–The Rotary Club of Amite has launched a major fundraising effort to purchase a state-of-the-art 3D mammography system for Hood Memorial Hospital, aiming to significantly expand access to breast cancer screening in northern Tangipahoa Parish. The new system would allow more than 4,300 mammograms annually, compared to fewer than 125 currently performed by a mobile unit that visits just four days a year. Hospital officials have already committed space and resources for the project, which is estimated to cost $400,000. With $150,000 in pledges secured from Rotarians worldwide, the club is seeking additional community support and donations before the October 30, 2025 deadline to help secure a Rotary Foundation Global Grant. Leaders say the project could play a vital role in saving lives by improving early detection and reducing breast cancer mortality rates in the region.
–The Tangipahoa Parish Library System is participating in National Voter Registration Week, August 25–29, 2025, with members of the Tangipahoa Registrar of Voters Office visiting each library to provide voter registration applications and important election information. Residents who have not yet registered are encouraged to do so, and additional details are available at www.tangivotes.gov.
–Last week, Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) Chairman Gordon “Gordy” Dove and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New Orleans District Commander Col. Scotty Autin signed a formal agreement to launch the design phase of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) Ecosystem Restoration Project, a long-awaited effort to repair decades of erosion, saltwater intrusion, and storm damage. Authorized by Congress in 2007, the project will restore more than 57,000 acres of wetlands and coastal habitat through shoreline and foreshore protection, marsh nourishment, dike repairs, and new recreation facilities, with early priorities focusing on vulnerable areas in Orleans and St. Bernard parishes. CPRA has committed funding for data collection to begin engineering and design, while USACE works to secure federal funding for construction, which is expected to improve coastal resilience, enhance fisheries, and protect communities across the MRGO ecosystem. –NAMI Southeast Louisiana is inviting the community to join NAMIWalks on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Audubon Park in New Orleans, a free, family- and pet-friendly event designed to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and fund essential mental health services. With nearly half of Louisiana residents reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression, the annual walk has become a vital gathering for hope and support, drawing more than 900 participants in 2024 and helping NAMI SELA serve over 83,000 individuals and families. This year introduces “NAMIPaws,” a celebration for pets featuring treats, games, and swag, alongside walking, kids’ activities, and free food. While registration is free, organizers aim to raise $200,000 to keep all local programs and services free of charge, with every dollar staying in Southeast Louisiana.
