Officials have released updated safety guidance following the recent fire at the Smitty’s Supply Facility, reporting that environmental testing shows no evidence of an imminent health threat from soot or smoke residue in surrounding areas. Out of caution, residents are urged to wash outdoor surfaces that may have been affected, avoid ingesting or directly touching concentrated soot, and practice good hand hygiene after outdoor activities, though no restrictions on activities like washing cars are in place. The Louisiana Department of Health, Department of Environmental Quality, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will continue monitoring air and water quality, with EPA leading the cleanup and material recovery efforts. Officials also clarified that the boil water advisory for the Roseland Water System was precautionary due to pressure drops from heavy firefighting water use, not contamination, and that the system’s deep well remains unaffected. Residents with property or insurance questions may contact the Smitty’s Supply Claim Line at 877-891-2276.
–Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller said Wednesday the parish is “standing with our residents and pushing for answers” following the August 22 fire at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland, while acknowledging frustration over the slow release of validated information. After meeting with Gov. Jeff Landry, EPA and DEQ officials, and other experts, Miller confirmed the fire is 98% contained with only small hot spots remaining, air quality is within acceptable levels, and containment efforts continue along the Tangipahoa River to mitigate oil contamination. He urged residents to report impacted wildlife at (832) 514-9663 and noted assistance is available through Smitty’s Hotline at 1-877-891-2276. Updates will be posted on Tangipahoa.org and the parish’s social media channels.
–Hundreds of workers at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland were laid off following Friday’s massive explosion and fire, according to WBRZ. A letter sent to employees on August 26 stated that “almost all employees are being laid off” effective immediately, with no expectation of recall, leaving most of the plant’s roughly 450 workers jobless. The company said staff would only be compensated for unused vacation time, and the facility will remain closed indefinitely due to extensive damage. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called the job losses a “tragedy” while stressing cleanup as the state’s top priority, and the Louisiana Workforce Commission has scheduled re-employment resource sessions to assist affected workers.
–Keep Hammond Beautiful has announced its upcoming fall cleanup events for 2025, inviting volunteers to help beautify the community. The cleanups are scheduled for Saturday, September 27, from 8–10 a.m. at the “Welcome to Hammond” sign and railroad tracks at 401 SW Railroad Ave. and E. Coleman St.; Saturday, October 25, from 8–10 a.m. at Clarke Park, 801 S. Holly St.; and Saturday, November 22, from 8–10 a.m., with the location to be determined. For updates and more information, follow Keep Hammond Beautiful on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KeepHammondBeautiful.
–A Slidell business owner has been arrested after authorities say he was selling large quantities of Kratom, which was recently classified as a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance in Louisiana. On Saturday, August 23, detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, assisted by the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, executed a search warrant at Smoke AZ 3 on Gause Boulevard West, seizing more than 25,000 Kratom capsules, 1,800 grams of powder, and over 100 Kratom-infused beverages. The store’s owner, 30-year-old Saqr Ali, was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center for possession with intent to distribute under Louisiana’s new law, which took effect August 1, 2025, prohibiting the possession or sale of Kratom statewide.
–Northshore Humane Society is taking part in the national Clear the Shelters campaign this week, offering drastically reduced adoption fees from August 25–30 to help more pets find loving homes. Adult cats and dogs are available for $25, kittens for $45, and puppies for $100, with all animals fully vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped. The shelter encourages families to visit in person or browse adoptable pets online at www.northshorehumane.org, noting that some adoptions may require additional parish tags or preventive care purchases.
–The Covington Police Department is inviting families to its Kidz Block Party on Friday, August 29, from 5–8 p.m. at the Covington Trailhead, where children can meet local heroes from the police and fire departments as well as Acadian Ambulance Service. The free community event will feature music, food, games, treats, kids’ activities, a Touch-a-Truck experience, and local nonprofit groups. A donation drive for Kiddo Kindness will also be held, with attendees encouraged to bring toys, puzzles, crafts, gift cards, comfort items, or self-care products for children in hospitals — and every five donated items earns a free snowball from Izzy’s SnoShack.
–Slidell pet owners now have a new resource to help bring lost animals home, thanks to a partnership between Slidell Fire/St. Tammany Fire District #1, the Slidell Police Department, and Slidell Animal Control. Through a grant awarded to police and animal control, three fire stations have been equipped with PetLink microchip scanners, allowing residents who find stray pets to quickly check for an owner’s information. The self-service scanners, located outside Fire Station 11 on Bouscaren Street, Fire Station 12 on West Hall Avenue, and Fire Department Headquarters on Robert Boulevard, provide simple instructions for use. While the stations cannot house lost pets, residents who cannot reach an owner are urged to call Slidell Animal Control at (985) 646-4267. Officials say the initiative aims to increase pet reunions and reduce the number of animals entering shelters.
–The Advocate writes that for the first time in more than 30 years, Louisiana is preparing to replace its aging voting machines, with six companies set to demonstrate new systems that must meet strict security and transparency requirements established by lawmakers in 2021. The Secretary of State’s Office launched the demonstration series Tuesday at the Louisiana Old Governor’s Mansion, showcasing options that combine electronic speed with auditable paper ballots, a key feature aimed at ensuring postelection accuracy. Vendors must also provide tamper-evident seals, avoid internet connectivity, and certify compliance with rules ranging from accessibility for voters with disabilities to prohibitions on overvoting. Demonstrations continue through mid-September, featuring systems from Hart Inter-Civic, Clear Ballot, ES&S, Democracy Live, Dominion Voting Systems, and Voting Works, after which bids will be evaluated by a procurement committee before a final recommendation is made to the secretary of state.
