The Hammond Police Department is investigating a deadly shooting that claimed the life of a man Wednesday night. Police say the victim arrived at North Oaks Medical Center with a gunshot wound after the incident, which happened near Apple Street and King Ard Street. Despite medical efforts, the man died shortly after arriving at the hospital. Officers secured the scene and began collecting evidence, while detectives continue to follow several leads. Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. condemned the violence, saying it will not be tolerated in Hammond and urging anyone with information to come forward. If you know something, you’re asked to contact the Hammond Police Department at 985-277-5701 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-554-5245. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
–The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a 17-year-old Ponchatoula High School student Thursday after a firearm was discovered in his vehicle on campus. Deputies say they received a report of a gun sitting on the front passenger seat of a car in the school parking lot, and with the help of school administrators and the on-campus School Resource Officer, identified the driver as Thomas Sharp. He was taken into custody without incident and booked on one count of Possession of a Firearm on School Property. Officials stressed that at no point were students in danger and the school was not placed on lockdown. Both TPSO and the Tangipahoa School System thanked the community for its vigilance and reminded residents that suspicious or concerning activity can be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa.
–Southeastern Louisiana University is celebrating new national recognition after earning four rankings from U.S. News and World Report, moving up in three key areas. The university was named among the top 50 public schools and top 100 universities in the South, ranked as a top national performer in social mobility, and saw its Nursing Program earn a national ranking. Southeastern climbed from 82nd to 74th for Regional Universities in the South, from 118th to 100th in social mobility, and from 455th to 294th in Nursing, while holding steady at 37th among Top Public Schools. University President William S. Wainwright praised the achievement, saying it reflects the strong support students receive from faculty and staff. Each year, U.S. News ranks schools based on measures like graduation rates, retention, and social mobility, with this year’s methodology again factoring in the success of first-generation college students and Pell Grant recipients. Rankings can be viewed at www.usnews.com.
–Southeastern Louisiana University announced that Friendship Circle will be closed from October 3 through October 12, 2025, to accommodate construction. During the closure, all parking and vehicle traffic will be prohibited in the area.
–The Slidell Police Department invites the community to Olde Towne on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, for Chief Randy Fandal’s Wild Game, Seafood, and BBQ Cook-Off benefiting Community Christian Concern of Slidell. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., cooking teams will compete in six categories for trophies and bragging rights while guests enjoy live music from Rhythm Chasers and DJ Cowboy, a live auction, and an Artisan Alley craft fair. Advance tickets are $30 for adults and $5 for children ages 6–12 (free for children under 6), with day-of admission $35 for adults and $10 for children. Proceeds support Community Christian Concern’s four-decade mission to provide food, clothing, and housing assistance to those in crisis. For details or to become a sponsor, cook team, or vendor, visit www.cccslidell.org/wild-game-seafood-bbq-cook-off.
–The sixth annual Bluesberry Music + Art Festival, presented by Gulf Coast Bank & Trust, will return to Covington’s Bogue Falaya Park on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., showcasing a powerhouse lineup of regional and national blues talent headlined by Texas blues-rock artist Casey James, with performances by Jared Daws, JJ Muggler, Julian Primeaux, and Kevin & The Blues Groovers. Alongside the music, the festival will feature 20+ regional artists, live art demonstrations, interactive painting, a Children’s Village, and the popular Food Truck Roundup offering local cuisine with a blueberry twist, plus craft cocktails, wines, and brews in the Abita Beer Garden. General admission is $25 online or $30 at the gate (free for kids 10 and under), with trolley service available from the St. Tammany Justice Center; details and tickets are at www.thebluesberryfest.com.
–Traffic remained heavily congested for hours Thursday on I-12 Westbound near Mile Marker 52 between the Goodbee and Robert exits after a major accident. The left lane was closed, and backups extended up to five miles, leaving many drivers stranded for over an hour during the evening rush. Both lanes were reportedly blocked at times, though no official details have been released regarding the number of vehicles involved or injuries. Motorists were advised to use alternate routes while emergency crews worked on the scene. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office urged drivers to remain patient and avoid calling 911 for non-emergency inquiries, and authorities continued to monitor the situation as traffic slowly cleared.
–The Environmental Protection Agency announced it is expanding its response efforts at the Smitty’s Supply site by conducting additional sampling of the Tangipahoa River, nearby ponds, and surrounding ditches to determine the extent of pollutants in the water and sediment. Results are expected by October 21. EPA officials say they continue to work closely with the State of Louisiana to accelerate cleanup operations and bring in additional expertise to ensure the safety of the surrounding community, after many local residents complained that the clean up was not moving fast enough. During a press conference on Wednesday, the EPA announced that it has recovered more than 4 million gallons of oily material from the Tangipahoa River and nearby ponds.
–Abita Springs is celebrating the completion of a series of murals by artist Dave Kelsey, made possible through a Visit the Northshore Grant. The murals, located at Abita Middle School and Mama D’s, feature a subtle, aged design that blends seamlessly with their surroundings, reflecting the town’s character and charm. After 18 months of planning, Kelsey’s vision has turned into a reality, supported by partners including Abita Trailhead, Abita Café, Mama D’s, the school, and the St. Tammany Parish School Board. The town thanked Kelsey and his wife Michelle for their creativity, noting that their work continues to enrich the community and leave a lasting mark on Abita Springs.
–Firefighters in Washington Parish spent the afternoon battling a large woods fire in the Angie area that quickly spread and threatened multiple homes and properties. Officials say the fire, which started as a preventable blaze, grew into a major incident requiring assistance from departments across the region. Crews from Walthall, Marion, and Pearl River counties in Mississippi, along with St. Tammany Parish and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry, joined District 5 firefighters to bring the flames under control. Fire officials stressed the importance of observing the statewide burn ban, reminding residents that burning during a ban is dangerous and puts entire communities at risk. District 5 expressed gratitude to all agencies that responded, crediting their teamwork with helping protect lives and property.
–Two people were arrested after detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Proactive Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop on Highway 59 near North Lane in Mandeville on Saturday, September 27. Detectives say a search of the vehicle, a blue 2009 Kia Sorento, turned up 24.5 grams of methamphetamine near passenger Sherie Quave, 3.5 grams of methamphetamine near driver Robert Giraldi, and various items of drug paraphernalia. Quave was booked on possession with intent to distribute meth and paraphernalia charges, while Giraldi was booked on possession of meth, paraphernalia, and multiple traffic violations. The Proactive Enforcement Unit focuses on disrupting narcotics and firearms-related crimes in high-crime areas.
–A major water infrastructure project is coming to eastern St. Tammany Parish. Parish President Mike Cooper announced that state funding has been approved for a multi-million-dollar upgrade in the Alton community, which will include a new water tank, 1.5 miles of new water main, and other improvements. The project will benefit hundreds of families served by the Alton and St. Joe water systems. Cooper says the investment is part of more than $100 million already dedicated to upgrading parish water infrastructure, renewing his administration’s promise to deliver safe drinking water to residents. The improvements, funded through the Resilient Communities Infrastructure Program and the Water Sector Program, will consolidate the systems and strengthen resiliency. District 14 Councilman Jimmy Strickland called the project a “long-awaited day” for residents, while Council Chairman Joe Impastato said the investment marks another step toward addressing long-neglected infrastructure needs.
–A 63-year-old man was killed Thursday morning after being struck by a Canadian National cargo train in LaPlace. The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office reports that Luciano Rodriguez was riding his bicycle southbound when he attempted to cross the railroad tracks on Cardinal Street and was hit by the train at around 11:15 a.m. Rodriguez died at the scene, and no other injuries were reported. Authorities are investigating the incident.
–The City of Mandeville’s “ReLeaf Mandeville” program is now open for the fall season, offering residents the chance to receive up to two free trees to be planted on their property. The program is available to anyone living within the city limits. Residents interested in participating must complete the online request form by Friday, November 1, 2025. The form can be accessed through the city’s website or social media.
–Cruisin’ The Coast kicks off Sunday, and with visitors already arriving, Biloxi officials are reminding property owners to follow the city’s Special Events Ordinance if they plan to allow RVs to park on their property. For those offering free parking during Tier 1 events like Cruisin’ The Coast, an affidavit for RV parking must be obtained from the Community Development Department or downloaded from biloxi.ms.us/specialevents. Property owners renting or leasing RV spaces are required to purchase a $50 permit and meet standards such as one RV per 750 square feet, eight feet of separation between vehicles and structures, and a $10 per space nightly fee. More details and guidelines can be found on the city’s Special Events webpage.
