The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed last night that 17-year-old Katelynn Strate of Ponchatoula, a young mother critically injured in a recent road rage shooting, has become a donor hero after her family’s decision to give the Gift of Life; her 28-week-old baby remains in medical care and is doing well. Following her death, charges against 54-year-old Barry West were upgraded to include one count of second-degree murder, in addition to three counts of attempted second-degree murder, illegal use of a weapon, and obstruction of justice. Officials noted the release was timed out of respect for the family’s difficult end-of-life decisions, and urged anyone with past encounters involving the suspect to contact investigators.
–Smitty’s issued a statement expressing gratitude that no one was injured in last week’s massive fire at its Roseland facility and thanking first responders from Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana State Police, and regional agencies for their efforts in containing the blaze. Company officials said they are fully cooperating with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as it leads response and cleanup operations and pledged to support the process to ensure it is carried out safely and efficiently. Emphasizing their deep ties to the community, Smitty’s reaffirmed its commitment to rebuilding in Roseland, noting its role as one of the region’s largest employers.
–Tangipahoa Parish officials announced yesterday that the mandatory evacuation order for all areas surrounding the Roseland incident site has been fully lifted, allowing residents to safely return home. While recovery and containment operations continue, roadway closures remain in place on U.S. 51 from LA 1048 to just south of Smitty’s Supply and on LA 10 at the Tangipahoa River bridge, with access limited to residents showing proper ID. Parish leaders thanked the community for its patience and support as emergency crews work to ensure public safety and move recovery efforts forward.
–A drive-thru distribution site has been set up at the Florida Parishes Arena in Amite to provide water, drinks, cleaning supplies, and comfort items to Smitty’s employees and residents living within two miles of the plant. The site, located at 1301 NW Central Avenue, will operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the rest of the week, with individuals asked to bring a Smitty’s ID or driver’s license to receive supplies. The relief effort is being supported by Transport Ministries.
–A 19-year-old Covington man, Mario Avila, was arrested after allegedly passing a stopped school bus unloading children in the Tall Timbers Subdivision near Mandeville, striking a child who fortunately sustained only minor injuries. The incident occurred Monday, August 25, at Hector and Montaigne Streets while the bus’s lights and stop sign were activated. Following public tips, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies identified and arrested Avila the next day, booking him on charges including hit and run, reckless operation, driving under suspension with prior DWI, and overtaking a school bus. Sheriff Randy Smith urged drivers to obey school bus signals, stressing that ignoring them endangers children’s lives.
–St. Tammany Parish Government is inviting residents to share their input at the upcoming Home Rule Charter Advisory Committee meeting, set for Thursday, August 28 at 6 p.m. in the Parish Council Chambers, 21490 Koop Drive in Mandeville. Officials encourage the public to attend and provide feedback as the committee reviews and discusses potential updates to the parish’s governing document. More details are available at www.sttammany.gov/HRC.
–Washington Parish officials announced that Eagle Environmental has collected water samples from Mt. Hermon School, Franklinton Primary, Riverside Medical Center, Enon Elementary, several dairy farms in the Mt. Hermon area, and residences along Hwy. 25, with results expected late Wednesday. In the meantime, parish environmental staff have continued air monitoring in Stoney Point, Richardson, Mt. Hermon, and Franklinton, reporting no contaminants detected. Residents are urged to follow local, state, and federal updates, and anyone with concerns is encouraged to contact wpohsep@gmail.com.
–St. Tammany Fire District 8 announced that water service was restored following a main repair in Abita Springs, though a precautionary boil advisory was put in effect. Officials praised Public Works crews who worked through the night after their regular shifts to complete the $5,000 project, which included installing a valve to improve future repair capabilities and reduce system downtime. Residents are urged to monitor the Town of Abita’s website, social media, and email updates for more information.
–Elevator3, a custom software development and technology solutions firm, has officially graduated from the Southeastern Louisiana Business Center Incubator after eight years of growth and innovation. Founded in 2017, the company leveraged the incubator’s professional space, training resources, and access to Southeastern Louisiana University’s Computer Science talent to build a strong foundation, scale to more than 20 employees, and expand operations into Houston while earning recognition as one of Baton Rouge’s Best Places to Work. Now relocating to its own headquarters in Baton Rouge, Elevator3 departs the incubator with a proven track record of helping organizations harness technology, while SLBC leaders say its journey exemplifies the incubator’s mission to remove barriers, foster innovation, and strengthen the region’s economy.
–The Slidell Independent writes that St. Tammany Parish Council Chairman Joe Impastato is pushing forward with an ordinance to tackle one of the parish’s longest-running environmental issues: pollution from more than 36,000 septic tanks that drain into local ditches, bayous, and lakes. The proposal, introduced at a recent council meeting, would launch a comprehensive inspection program to identify and repair malfunctioning systems, with funding already secured from the Mosquito District and Department of Environmental Services to cover costs so homeowners won’t pay for initial testing. While questions about enforcement, penalties, and access to private property prompted Impastato to delay a vote for two months, he emphasized the urgency of the plan, noting that every parish waterway is currently listed as “impaired” by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. By eliminating high daily fines and exploring grant options for low-income residents, Impastato said the ordinance aims to bring homeowners into compliance without hardship while addressing a problem that has worsened for decades and continues to threaten public health and the environment.
–Acting U.S. Attorney Ellison C. Travis announced that 62-year-old Beverly Watson McNabb of Greensburg has pled guilty to theft of government funds after admitting she stole nearly $50,000 in Social Security benefits intended for her deceased family member. Federal prosecutors said McNabb continued withdrawing and spending the benefits for almost five years after her relative’s death in 2015, using the money on items including a wedding dress, restaurant meals, and prison commissary purchases for friends. She now faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and supervised release when sentenced. The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration and U.S. Treasury inspectors and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward H. Warner.
–Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport officials broke ground yesterday on the $84.5 million Express Shuttle Connector Road Project, a major infrastructure upgrade designed to streamline shuttle traffic between the Economy Garage, Employee Garage, Rental Car Center and the main terminal. The project, expected to ease congestion on public roads and shorten wait times for passengers, also lays the groundwork for future intermodal connectivity with the proposed Baton Rouge–New Orleans rail line. Construction will be completed in two phases: the first, set to finish by late 2026, will allow shuttles to bypass Veterans Boulevard traffic lights, while the second, scheduled for completion in 2027, will extend the roadway south toward the former terminal and Airline Highway.
–Northshore Technical Community College will host its Information Technology Career Fair on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hammond Campus, 111 Pride Drive. Designed to connect employers with top talent, the event will feature NTCC students, alumni, and current IT professionals seeking opportunities in technology and related fields. Businesses are encouraged to participate and meet job-ready candidates, while attendees can network, explore career paths, and engage with potential employers in the growing IT sector.
–The Al Copeland Foundation will host its 16th Annual Golf Fest, presented by Palmer Wealth Advisors, on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Beau Chene Country Club with a 10 a.m. tee time. More than just a golf tournament, the event raises funds to support the foundation’s mission of fighting cancer and saving lives, while offering participants chef-prepared meals, course contests, and special gifts. Organizers encourage golfers to register and join in a day of camaraderie and purpose as every swing helps fuel research, care, and hope for families impacted by cancer.
