Southeastern Louisiana University has deployed seven new chemical monitoring buoys in Lake Maurepas as part of its ongoing environmental research project. Six buoys are placed around the lake’s edges, with one in the center, providing real-time monitoring of water quality, including temperature, turbidity, refined fuels, coliforms, methane, and more. Director of the Lake Maurepas Monitoring Program, Kyle Piller, said the buoys may be small but add a powerful layer of insight to the study. Scientists will also track fish, crabs, shrimp, wetland plant life, and ecosystem changes. All data from the project will be publicly available at www.southeastern.edu/lakemaurepas.
–The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help after a shooting Monday left an 18-year-old man in critical condition. Deputies say shots were fired between two cars on Miley Niquiporo Road, and minutes later more shots rang out near Highway 1064 and Rufus Bankston Road. While no injuries were first reported, the victim later arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators are now seeking information on a newer model Volkswagen sedan driven by a young white male who may have been involved as a good Samaritan. Sheriff Gerald Sticker urges anyone with information to call TPSO’s Criminal Investigations Office at 985-902-2088, or provide an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-554-5245 or www.tangicrimestoppers.com. Tips through Crime Stoppers could be eligible for a cash reward.
–Mandeville Mayor Clay Madden announced an update on the Lakefront Seawall Repair Project, noting that work on the eastern end of Lakeshore is expected to accelerate and be completed by spring 2026. The second phase, covering the western end, will go out to bid later in 2026 with construction anticipated to begin that winter. Once finished, the project is designed to extend the seawall’s life by another 30 years. Madden thanked residents for their patience as the long-term improvements move forward.
–Hammond Police are searching for 24-year-old Alejandro Emmanuel Perez after he led officers on a dangerous pursuit Tuesday through a residential neighborhood near Magazine Street before abandoning his vehicle at a trailer park off East Cooper Road and fleeing on foot. Despite officers’ efforts, Perez escaped, but Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. vowed that “his actions will not be tolerated” and promised Perez “will be found and put in jail.” Authorities urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to call Hammond Police at 985-277-5701 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-554-5245; callers may remain anonymous.
–Southeastern Louisiana University’s 2025 Giving Day, hosted by the Southeastern Foundation, broke records last week with more than 2,300 donors contributing over $508,000—marking a 47% increase in participation and a 26% boost in funds raised compared to last year. President William S. Wainwright praised the “remarkable outpouring of support” during the university’s centennial celebration, noting the impact on students and the community. Donors could direct gifts to specific colleges, departments, or projects, and for the first time, contributions were accepted in cryptocurrency through a partnership with Bead and Envoc, positioning Southeastern among the first universities nationwide to embrace digital currency donations.
–A popular Slidell restaurant, Palmettos on the Bayou, was partially damaged by fire Tuesday night, September 30, when a side structure known as Palmettos Side Yard BBQ burned down. St. Tammany Parish Fire Protection District 1 reported that the blaze appeared contained to that area, though it was not immediately clear if the main dining room sustained any damage. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
–St. Tammany Parish Animal Services has announced a full lineup of community adoption and outreach events this October, offering residents several opportunities to meet pets and support local initiatives. Highlights include the Barktober Fest Adoption Event at Stone Creek Club & Spa in Covington on October 11, pop-ups at the St. Tammany Parish Fair October 4–5, National Night Out Against Crime in Slidell on October 7, and special adoption days at Petsmart on October 11 and Baldwin Subaru on October 18. Additional events include the Greater New Orleans Militaria Show in Mandeville on October 19 and a Halloween Havoc Pop-Up in Covington on October 25.
–The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced office hours this week across Tangipahoa Parish to provide updates and answer community questions regarding the Smitty’s Supply fire response. Sessions will be held at multiple locations including Lee’s Landing Marina, Independence Public Library, Amite City Hall, Ponchatoula Public Library, Hammond Public Library, Kentwood Public Library, and Amite Public Library from September 30 through October 4. Residents are encouraged to attend the sessions most convenient to them to receive the latest information and resources related to the ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts.
–The City of Mandeville is gearing up for one of its biggest annual events, Sunset Symphony: An Evening with the LPO, set for Saturday, October 18, 2025, on the Mandeville Lakefront. The evening begins at 4:30 p.m. with a performance by the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra, followed by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra at 6:00 p.m., offering residents and visitors a night of music and community under the stars.
–A federal judge has ruled that Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill can be sued in a challenge to a controversial new state law limiting attorney fees in veterans’ cases. Judge Bryan A. Jackson called it “nonsensical” to suggest that the Slidell-based Military-Veterans Advocacy, Inc. (MVA) had no standing, though he did dismiss the group’s claims against Governor Jeff Landry. MVA, a national nonprofit that represents veterans, argues that Senate Bill 159 is unconstitutional because it allows unlicensed groups to handle veterans’ legal matters while capping attorneys’ fees at $12,500—far below what complex cases often require. Executive Director Cdr. John Wells, USN (Ret.), said the law would block veterans from getting the quality legal help they need, citing MVA’s landmark case Procopio v. Wilkie, which secured benefits for 90,000 veterans. Wells said he hopes to resolve the issue in discussions with the Attorney General, but stressed that the Legislature’s approach would harm rather than protect veterans.
–The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is inviting the community to “Coffee With a Cop” on Wednesday, October 1, at 9 a.m. at Starbucks, 70383 Hwy 21 in Covington. Residents can enjoy a free cup of brewed coffee while meeting local deputies in a relaxed setting to build relationships, share concerns, and have open conversations.
–The Tangipahoa Parish Library, in partnership with North Oaks Health Systems, is offering a free Employee Preparation Series this fall to help residents build résumés, sharpen interview skills, and prepare for career opportunities. The two-hour workshops will be held at library branches in Amite on October 2, Kentwood on October 14, Ponchatoula on November 4, and Hammond on November 20, with children’s programs running at the same time so parents can focus on career development while their kids enjoy safe, fun activities.
–Northshore Technical Community College will host Advanced Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lacombe Campus. The event is open to alumni, students, and community members, offering a chance to explore programs in advanced manufacturing, supply chain management, logistics, aluminum and robotic welding, and more. Guests can connect with industry partners, hear from expert speakers, and see live mechatronics demonstrations, including collaborative robots. Registration is free.
