A 4-year-old girl from the Covington-Abita Springs area has died from injuries authorities say were inflicted by her 21-year-old brother, who is now charged with first-degree murder. The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Janna Haynes, who lived at 21201 Gardenia Street in Covington. Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape ruled the manner of death as homicide, saying the child’s injuries “are not consistent with any sort of accident.” Tape said the cause of death remains under evaluation pending final autopsy results. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Davahn Alec Profit (DOB 10/14/2004) Wednesday evening after deputies responded to the family’s home for a report of an unresponsive child. Detectives determined that Haynes had sustained multiple life-threatening injuries allegedly caused by Profit. She was transported to a hospital in critical condition but later died from her injuries. Profit was initially booked with attempted murder and resisting arrest, but after the child’s death Thursday, a warrant was issued upgrading the charge to first-degree murder. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office at 985-898-2338.
–Southeastern Louisiana University is celebrating its 100th anniversary with the release of a commemorative book titled “Southeastern 100: The Story of Southeastern Louisiana University’s First Century.” The limited-edition volume, featuring more than 400 photographs, chronicles the university’s history, people, and milestones from its founding in 1925 through a century of transformation. Edited and co-written by Sheri Gibson, Southeastern’s Assistant Director of Marketing and Content, the $30 publication serves as both a keepsake and a fundraiser supporting the university and its students. A special launch event is planned for mid-November, with more details to come. Pre-orders are available at www.southeastern.edu/foundation/giving/centennial-book.
–St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper has announced the honorees for the 19th Annual President’s Arts Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the cultural landscape of the parish. This year’s recipients include Performing Artist of the Year Jonathan Sturcken, Visual Artist of the Year Bernard Mattox, Literary Artist of the Year Maurice LeGardeur, Musical Artist of the Year John Autin, Culinary Artist of the Year Patton’s Fine Food and Catering, Patron of the Arts Saladino Gallery, Outstanding Service Award winner the St. Tammany Parish Fair Board of Volunteers, President’s Award honorees Manuel and Patterson, Native Son Award recipient Theo Von, and Lifetime Achievement honoree the Slidell Art League. The invitation-only ceremony is set for Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the River Mill Center in Covington and will feature entertainment from the Mandeville High School Jazz Band. The annual event is presented by the St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs with support from the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
–Families are invited to enjoy a day of free fall fun at the Hammond Area Recreation District No. 1 Fall Fest on October 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mitchell Memorial Park, 44101 Millie Road in Hammond. The event will feature music, pumpkin and cookie decorating, crafts, carnival games, a bounce house, giveaways and free food, along with a visit from the North Oaks Mobile Health Unit, which will offer primary care and preventive services on-site. HARD #1, which serves most of Hammond and the Seventh Ward, says the festival is part of its mission to provide quality recreational activities and an exceptional family environment for the community.
–WWL-TV writes that a Wisconsin woman visiting New Orleans for a concert was killed early Tuesday on the Twin Span Bridge in what investigators believe was a hit-and-run, leaving her family desperate for answers the day before her 27th birthday. Edashia Caraway had traveled alone to see a show at the Smoothie King Center, reassuring relatives she would stay safe, but her mother, Tolamy Gray, says she later received a phone alert at 2:19 a.m. that read “Crash detected,” followed by a devastating call from Louisiana State Police. Authorities say Caraway was struck several miles from her hotel, and the case is being handled as a homicide until the driver’s intent is known. Gray remembers her daughter as quiet, sweet and devoted to her 6-year-old son, urging the person responsible to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Louisiana State Police.
–Keep Hammond Beautiful is inviting volunteers to Clarke Park this Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. for a community litter cleanup effort. Participants can come alone or with a group, and all necessary supplies, including safety vests, gloves, bags and litter grabbers, will be provided. Volunteers will walk the surrounding streets to help beautify the area and can leave filled bags in visible locations for pickup by truck crews. Registration and water will be available under the pavilion near the Keep Hammond Beautiful trailer. For questions or weather concerns, contact organizer Gina at 985-507-8983.
–The Lacombe Art Guild will showcase local talent at its 2025 Fall Art Show, “Brushstrokes & Beyond,” taking place November 1–2 at Abita Springs Town Hall. The show is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, with a special reception set for Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. Guests can explore a variety of artwork created by area artists and meet the creatives behind the pieces.
–Louisiana’s shift from an open-primary system to closed-party primaries for select state and federal races beginning in 2026 is drawing pushback from Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, who said earlier this week he believes the change will deepen political divisions rather than reduce them. Speaking ahead of a special legislative session focused on election laws and timelines, Nungesser argued that the open primary has helped Louisiana avoid the “bitter polarization” seen elsewhere and keeps candidates accountable to voters across the political spectrum. Under the new rules, Democrats and Republicans will only be able to vote within their own parties during primaries, while voters with no party affiliation may choose a ballot but Green, Libertarian and other minor-party members will be excluded. Nungesser voiced concerns about that exclusion, the cost of implementing closed primaries and the public’s lack of awareness about the shift, which was championed by Gov. Jeff Landry and narrowly applies to races including Congress, BESE and the Public Service Commission.
–The City of Gonzales is donating two surplus ambulances to St. Tammany Fire District #3 after purchasing its first new emergency vehicles since 2008, giving Lacombe-area responders critical backup units. Gonzales Fire Chief Preston Landry said the department recently added two modern ambulances funded through the city’s capital outlay, featuring updated safety technology such as power load stretcher systems that reduce strain on medics. With five ambulances now available and two in constant rotation, Gonzales will transfer the older units to St. Tammany, which currently has no spares and risks reduced service when a rig breaks down. One of the donated vehicles had previously been gifted to Gonzales by East Baton Rouge EMS, and Landry said the department is glad to pay forward that support, especially as nationwide manufacturing delays continue to slow the delivery of new fire and medical vehicles.
–The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding eligible Louisiana businesses and nonprofit organizations that Nov. 25 is the deadline to apply for low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans tied to the severe winter storm that hit Jan. 21–24, 2025. The declaration covers much of south Louisiana, including St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington, Livingston, Orleans, Jefferson, and many other parishes, as well as two counties in Mississippi and two in Texas. The loans offer up to $2 million in working capital for small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofits impacted financially by the storm, even if they did not sustain physical damage. Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses and 3.625 percent for nonprofits with terms up to 30 years, and no payments due for the first year. Applications can be submitted at sba.gov/disaster or by calling 800-659-2955, and SBA will accept late applications for 60 days after the deadline.
