Nungesser to Lead Boat Parade

–The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation after 55-year-old inmate Eugene Hickerson was found unresponsive in his dorm Wednesday afternoon and later pronounced dead, despite immediate life-saving efforts by jail medical staff. Hickerson, who had been in custody since October on multiple Simple Burglary charges and a DOC parole violation, was discovered around 3 p.m. During the response, an unrelated minor medical incident occurred in another dorm. Deputies conducted a contraband sweep of both areas and reported finding no illegal narcotics. The TPSO Criminal Investigations Division is now reviewing the circumstances of Hickerson’s death, and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause.

–STartUP Northshore has named three innovative ventures as finalists for the 2026 NSpire Startup Slam, the Northshore’s premier pitch competition set for January 8 at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts in Downtown Hammond, where entrepreneurs will compete for more than $100,000 in cash and in-kind services. The finalists—BRUH. Skincare, WSPER, and !nService Inc.—represent emerging leaders in consumer products, safety technology, and public-safety intelligence platforms. Organizers say the event, presented by Chevron and supported by regional economic development agencies, showcases the talent and momentum driving the Northshore’s startup ecosystem, with finalists having advanced through a rigorous two-round review process and now preparing for professional pitch coaching ahead of taking the stage. Competitors will be judged on business model strength, scalability, market readiness, and regional impact as they vie for a $50,000 cash award provided by Capital One and a suite of growth-focused services from local partners. Admission is free and open to the public, with a networking reception at 4:30 p.m., the program beginning at 6 p.m., and registration available through STartUP Northshore.

–St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith met with courthouse officials for more than an hour Wednesday in an attempt to prevent what he described as an impending courthouse security crisis, warning that his office can no longer afford to staff front-door security at the Covington courthouse after Jan. 5 without increased funding. For over two decades, deputies have conducted daily screenings at the Justice Center, but Smith says chronic underfunding—combined with roughly $4 million the parish allegedly owes for jail security—has made the current arrangement unsustainable, prompting the parish to sue his office and Smith to call the legal action “unfortunate.” Parish President Mike Cooper said the parish has budgeted nearly $1.2 million for courthouse staffing in 2026, consistent with this year’s allocation, but the sheriff maintains the amount falls short given the need to supplement manpower for high-profile cases and overall courthouse operations. With voters repeatedly rejecting tax increases that could shore up public safety funding, Smith said both sides will continue meeting next week in hopes of finding a solution before front-door security operations are halted.

–The Tangipahoa Parish Library is inviting families to an after-hours holiday movie night at the Hammond Branch on Friday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., where guests can enjoy snacks, refreshments, and themed crafts along with a special seasonal film. The event will feature a visit from Santa Claus, who will take photos with attendees during the first hour, and library officials are encouraging families to arrive early to take advantage of all the festivities.

–The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is circulating an alert for Antonio “Raemone” Lewis Jr., who is believed to have contacts in the parish and is wanted by the Allen County, Indiana Sheriff’s Office on felony charges including rape by force with a firearm and promotion of child sexual trafficking. Authorities say Lewis has ties to Hammond, the greater New Orleans area, and the Fort Wayne, Indiana region, and his apprehension is part of the ongoing 2025 Operation Boo Dat fugitive roundup. Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to his arrest, and tips can be submitted anonymously by phone, through the CSGNO mobile app, or online.

–Epic Piping, LLC, a Bernhard Capital Partners portfolio company, announced a $25 million expansion of its advanced manufacturing operations in Livingston Parish, a project that will add a large-diameter, heavy-wall production line and upgraded material-handling systems to meet growing demand in natural gas, nuclear power, data centers, and other energy-related sectors. The investment is expected to create 76 new direct jobs with above-average regional wages, retain 370 existing positions, and generate an estimated 136 additional indirect jobs, bringing the project’s total potential impact to 212 new employment opportunities in the Capital Region. The expansion builds on the company’s 2015 establishment of its Louisiana fabrication facility, with construction beginning this month and commercial operations slated for early 2027. To secure the project, the state offered a competitive incentives package that includes LED FastStart workforce support, $900,000 in EDAP funding for infrastructure upgrades, and anticipated participation in Louisiana’s High Impact Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

–Washington Parish officials are inviting residents to a Parish Pulse community forum on Friday, Dec. 12, where local leaders will host a focused discussion about the parish’s future. The event will run from 8 to 9 a.m. at The Coke Plant, located at 213 Shenandoah St. in Bogalusa, and is sponsored by Donna Simmons and Bernie Brennan. Sheriff Jason Smith will serve as the featured speaker, and attendees will be welcomed with complimentary donuts and coffee.

–The Northshore Community Foundation has named Kara Mattingly and Erin Fiorello as the 2025 recipients of the Pat Brister Leadership Award, recognizing their exceptional commitment to service and community impact. Mattingly, Director of Program Impact at the Northshore Food Bank, will use the award to complete Results-Based Accountability certification to further strengthen the organization’s data-driven outcomes. Fiorello, a paraprofessional in the St. Tammany Parish Public School System who supports Pre-K and special-needs students, will apply the award toward advancing her teaching credentials in Elementary and Special Education. Foundation leaders say both honorees embody the leadership, compassion, and dedication that defined Pat Brister’s legacy.

–Student absences surged across New Orleans–area schools last week as families in immigrant communities reacted to Border Patrol sweeps by keeping children home, with several districts reporting sharp drops well beyond normal post-holiday fluctuations. Jefferson Parish, home to the state’s largest Hispanic student population, saw nearly 12% of its students absent the day after the crackdown began — more than double its typical rate — and attendance at its schools with the highest numbers of English learners fell to about 80%. New Orleans charter networks reported similar trends: KIPP New Orleans campuses dropped an average of 11 percentage points, InspireNOLA’s attendance fell six points, and several smaller operators saw rates dip below 80%. While some leaders noted that weather and seasonal patterns may have contributed, educators and advocates said the declines mirror those seen in other cities facing federal immigration actions and reflect heightened fear within immigrant communities.