Festival of the Lake will return to Mandeville for a three-day celebration from October 24–26, 2025, offering a weekend packed with food, live music, games, and a craft show. The annual event, held on the lakefront, draws families and visitors from across the Northshore for its mix of entertainment, local vendors, and community spirit. More details, including schedules and performer lineups, can be found at www.FestivalOfTheLake.com.
–The City of Slidell will host an inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, October 21, to swear in newly elected Mayor Randy Fandal and Interim Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau. Fandal, who previously served as Slidell’s police chief, won a special election to complete the unexpired term of former Mayor Greg Cromer. City officials said they look forward to Fandal’s leadership and to Seuzeneau’s continued service in his new role. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium.
–The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 has detailed its ongoing cleanup efforts in Tangipahoa Parish following the August fire at Smitty’s Supply Inc. In a Letter to the Editor published in the Tangi Times, Regional Administrator Scott Mason said more than 450 EPA personnel and contractors have worked nearly two months to restore the area—removing over 11 million gallons of oily material from the Tangipahoa River, nearby ponds, and the Roseland facility. On October 15, the EPA entered into a consent order requiring Smitty’s Supply to take responsibility for cleanup and reimburse federal costs, while the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality will continue waterway restoration under EPA oversight. Mason praised residents for their “remarkable cooperation and resilience,” pledging that the EPA will remain a long-term partner in protecting Tangipahoa Parish’s land, water, and way of life.
–Independence High Magnet School will dedicate its football field to legendary coach Charles “Bags” Baglio, on Friday, October 31, at the 6:30 pregame, honoring his 34 years of leadership, over 200 wins, nine district titles, and back-to-back state championship games. Baglio later worked at Louisiana State University and passed away in 2024. The field naming, approved in 2025, will serve as a lasting tribute to his impact on student-athletes and the community, with all who knew him invited to the ceremony celebrating his enduring legacy.
–St. Tammany Parish Government is teaming up with Coastal Environments, Inc. and NOAA to remove abandoned and sunken vessels from local waterways. More than 20 boats are already scheduled for removal, and officials are asking residents to help identify additional ones through a new interactive map available at www.sttammany.gov/boats. The initiative aims to improve safety, protect the environment, and restore the health of the parish’s coastal areas.
–The Hammond Regional Arts Center has announced the winners of the Hammond Art Guild’s 63rd Annual Judged Exhibition, a long-standing showcase of creativity and craftsmanship in Tangipahoa Parish and beyond. Cindy Grega earned Best of Show for her oil painting “Waiting.” Other top honors include Bobby Calandro (“The Date”) and Teresa Miller (“Free Parking”) in the 2-Dimensional categories, Tyler Vance for “Storm” in Image Development, Jim Creel Uwohali for “Sham-an” in 3-Dimensional works, and Liam Ochs for “Old Soul” in Fine and Functional art. Judged by Covington artist Robyn Kennedy, the exhibition highlights diverse mediums including painting, photography, and ceramics. The show remains on display through November 6 at the Hammond Regional Arts Center, 217 East Thomas Street, with free admission Wednesday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m.
–The Hammond Downtown Development District will host a Partners In Place community workshop on Saturday, November 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First Christian Church, 305 E. Charles St. Residents are invited to help envision how arts and culture can revitalize Hammond’s public spaces as part of a statewide initiative supporting Louisiana cultural districts. The free event, which includes lunch, is open to the public and is hosted in collaboration with the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and the Hammond Regional Arts Center.
–Mandeville will honor local heroes with its Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 9, 2025, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Mandeville Boat Launch and concluding at Pat’s Rest Awhile around 4 p.m. The event will feature a performance by Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters, adding a lively Louisiana flair to the celebration. Sponsored by Old Mandeville Business Association and Pat’s Rest Awhile, the parade invites the community to come out, enjoy live music, and show appreciation for veterans’ service and sacrifice.
–The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office is once again seeking community support through donations of dog and cat food to help feed strays and pets belonging to families in need. Deputies regularly use the donated food while caring for animals found in the parish, aiming to reduce pet abandonment and prevent starvation as the number of strays continues to grow. All types of pet food—dry, wet, canned, bagged, or even recently expired—are welcome and can be dropped off at the Sheriff’s Office locations in Bogalusa (302 Mississippi Ave.) or Franklinton (1002 Main St.). Officials thanked residents for their past generosity and encouraged continued participation to help protect the welfare of animals and the community.
–St. Tammany Parish officials will host an open house on October 22, to gather public input on the proposed Emerald Forest Boulevard–LA 59 Connector Road. The event will take place from 5–7 p.m. in the Parish Council Chambers on Koop Drive in Mandeville, where residents can view maps and exhibits, speak with engineering staff, and share feedback on the project. Additional details about the proposed connector road will be posted soon on the parish website.
–The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approved changes to reduce high school state assessments, cutting the total from six to four. Beginning with students entering ninth grade in 2026-2027, high schoolers will take a single comprehensive exam in English language arts and math at the end of tenth grade, replacing two exams in each subject. The move, led by State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley, aligns with new Louisiana Student Standards and reflects the state’s ongoing effort to streamline testing while maintaining academic rigor, building on recent reductions in middle school assessments and social studies testing.
