Slidell Inauguration Set for Tuesday

–Smitty’s Supply, Inc. has filed a lawsuit in Tangipahoa Parish accusing two companies of responsibility for the catastrophic explosion and fire that destroyed its Roseland plant earlier this year. The blaze, which started in a natural gas-powered boiler, leveled the lubricant manufacturing facility, caused millions in environmental cleanup costs, and forced mass layoffs. In the suit, Smitty’s alleges that a defective thermal fluid heater made by New York-based Fulton Thermal Corp. sparked the fire, and that Louisiana company J&M Boiler Combustion Control Services improperly installed and maintained it. The company accuses Fulton of negligence and product defects under the Louisiana Products Liability Act and faults J&M for poor workmanship. Cleanup costs have reportedly exceeded $39 million, all paid by Smitty’s, which is seeking damages for property loss, business interruption, and reputational harm in a jury trial.

–Fourteen Southeastern Louisiana University students have been named to the 2025 Centennial Homecoming Court and will preside over Homecoming festivities Oct. 13–18. Members of the queen court include seniors Kaylie Anderson of Lafayette, Shaina Keller of Kentwood, Emily Lidikay of Hammond, Mackynzie Mannino of Tickfaw, Magnolia McCarty of St. Amant, Ina Pegues of Jackson, Miss., and sophomore Nevaeh Armstrong of LaPlace. Representing the king court are seniors Mekhi Batiste of Lacombe, Walker Peyton of Denham Springs, and Daniel Sinclair of Pearl River; juniors Ethan Benton of Denham Springs, Gregory Binder of Metairie, and Jacob Matherne of Franklinton; and sophomore Zachary Edwards of Franklinton. Anderson, a psychology major, serves as chair of the “Empower our Families” initiative and assistant secretary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Keller, majoring in communication sciences and disorders, is a member of NSSLHA and Alpha Omicron Pi. Lidikay, a psychology major, serves as an SGA senator and co-owns the EmilyCarolineCollective art business. Mannino, a strategic communication major, is president of Greek Intervarsity and an Admissions Ambassador. McCarty, a criminal justice major, was named 2024 Panhellenic Woman of the Year. Pegues, a business administration major, serves as a College of Business Senator and Orientation Leader. Armstrong, a nursing major, is vice president of Code Green and promotes her platform “Embracing Your Crown Within.” On the king court, Batiste, a psychology major, is president of Alpha Phi Alpha and owns MSTR MND Designs. Peyton, an accounting and finance major, leads Delta Tau Delta and serves on the SGA Outreach Board. Sinclair, an accounting major, is president of the Southeastern Accounting Society. Benton, a kinesiology major, mentors for Lions Connected and is active in Campus Outreach. Binder, an occupational safety major, is a member of Delta Tau Delta and SGA. Matherne, a computer science major, serves on the Campus Outreach Leadership Team. Edwards, a chemistry major, is SGA director of financial affairs and conducts undergraduate research. The 2025 Homecoming king and queen, chosen from the top junior or senior vote-getters, will be crowned Saturday, Oct. 18.

–The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced that its next POST Academy will begin in January 2026 and is now accepting applications from those seeking a rewarding career in law enforcement. Officials said the department is looking for candidates “who want more than just a job,” offering competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. Academy recruits will start at $47,411 beginning July 1, 2025, plus $7,200 annually in state supplemental pay when eligible, while lateral transfers with at least three years of experience will start at $50,085. Additional pay incentives are available for college degrees, and benefits include paid medical coverage, retirement plans with matching contributions, tuition reimbursement, paid leave, and take-home units. Applicants can live within 25 miles of the parish line, including parts of Mississippi. For more information or to apply, visit www.stpso.com/jobs.  

–The Slidell Independent wrote that after months of debate, the St. Tammany Parish Council advanced a long-discussed ordinance to begin inspecting the parish’s 36,000 septic tanks in an effort to address widespread water pollution, with a final vote set for November. The measure, introduced by Councilman Jeff Corbin and co-authored by Councilman Joe Impastato, initially faced opposition over concerns about costs for low-income families, property access, and enforcement. Corbin added a last-minute amendment exempting about 40 percent of parish properties north of the Urban Growth Boundary—roughly 9,600 treatment plants—to secure enough support for passage. While the change drew criticism for perceived deal-making, Corbin said the compromise was necessary to get the plan started, noting his goal remains to eventually inspect every system parishwide. If approved, inspections will begin January 1 and take about three years to complete, with grants available to assist low-income residents and fines of up to $500 per month for noncompliance.

–The Advocate writes that federal environmental officials say recent reports of an oil sheen possibly linked to the August Smitty’s Supply fire have not been verified, and no oily runoff has been found reaching Lake Pontchartrain. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said reconnaissance teams inspected the Tangipahoa River after the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality reported seeing weathered oil near Lee’s Landing, but the sheen turned out to be biological material caused by high, fast-moving water. The EPA, Coast Guard, and DEQ used aerial drones to investigate but found no evidence of oil beyond containment booms. Cleanup continues at the Roseland site, where the fire destroyed tanks holding oily products and chemicals; officials say crews have collected more than 10 million gallons of liquid waste so far.

–St. Tammany Parish Government has announced the return of the Holiday of Lights, celebrating its 26th year on Koop Drive in Mandeville on December 5, 6, 12, and 13. The beloved Northshore tradition will once again feature thousands of twinkling lights, carnival rides, and performances from local schools and community groups. The free family event is organized in partnership with the Tammany Trace Foundation, with all proceeds supporting its ongoing projects. Officials are also inviting sponsors and food truck vendors to participate in this year’s celebration.

–Roomie’s Pride Pantry at Southeastern Louisiana University has received a $10,000 Food Love Grant from the Popeyes Foundation to expand its services for students and staff facing food insecurity. Serving nearly 300 individuals each month with more than 500 pantry visits, the pantry also provides emergency food bags during school breaks and hosts shared meal events to build community. Coordinator Thais Lindemayer Gomes said the grant will strengthen the pantry’s mission of promoting well-being and supporting every Lion in need. Operated within the Office for Student Engagement, the pantry is sustained by professional staff, student workers, volunteers, and partners.

–The Blood Center is urging donors to schedule platelet donations as patient demand continues to exceed available supplies. Because platelets have a shelf life of only five days and are often used within 48 to 72 hours, the center says consistent daily donations are essential to meet ongoing medical needs. Officials expressed gratitude for the community’s continued support and emphasized that every donation helps save lives. Donor centers are located throughout the Northshore.

–WWL-TV says nearly two weeks into the federal government shutdown, air travelers are beginning to feel its impact, though operations at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport remain steady. Passengers like Blake Houston, who arrived Monday with his family, said TSA lines at MSY appeared fully staffed, unlike at other airports such as Baltimore, where skeleton crews slowed screenings. Nationwide, air traffic controllers and TSA agents—deemed essential—continue working without pay, raising concerns about fatigue and morale. Travelers and veterans alike say the shutdown’s effects are deeply felt, recalling past hardships when federal employees missed paychecks. Despite the strain, Houston praised the dedication of workers keeping flights moving safely, saying, “You can tell they want to serve, and we appreciate what they do for our country.”

–Fox 8 says Louisiana is once again at the center of a national debate over voting rights as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear a challenge to the state’s newly redrawn congressional map, which added a second majority-Black district for the first time in decades. The map, signed into law by Gov. Jeff Landry in 2024 after court pressure to better reflect the state’s one-third Black population, is being contested by a group of white voters who claim it amounts to unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. State officials, including Attorney General Liz Murrill, now joined by Trump administration lawyers, will argue that the redistricting was politically—not racially—motivated. The case could have sweeping implications: if the plaintiffs prevail, both Democratic Reps. Troy Carter of New Orleans and Cleo Fields of Baton Rouge could see their majority-Black districts dismantled. Political experts like Tulane’s Dr. Brandon Davis say the ruling could reshape representation not only in Louisiana but across the South, where similar redistricting battles are unfolding.