On June 12, Sheriff Randy Smith adopted the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget for the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, set to take effect July 1, with a focus on increasing employee compensation to support recruitment and retention efforts. The budget includes a 4 percent raise in starting pay for deputies, a 4 percent raise for current deputies, a 3.5 percent raise for corporals, sergeants, and lieutenants, and a 3 percent raise for captains and higher ranks. Additionally, the agency will absorb an 8 percent increase in health insurance costs, ensuring no added expense to employees and their families. The full budget is available to the public at www.STPSO.com under Financial Reporting.
–Southeastern Louisiana University has announced it has surpassed its ambitious $100 million fundraising goal for its centennial campaign, “Get There Together,” the largest in the university’s history. Launched last year in honor of Southeastern’s 100th anniversary and led by honorary chair and Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, the initiative aims to shape the university’s next century through strategic investments in student opportunities, faculty support, access to education, and workforce development. Despite exceeding its target, the university will continue fundraising throughout its centennial year to bolster its mission and long-term impact. President William S. Wainwright and Vice President for University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale emphasized the campaign’s role in honoring Southeastern’s legacy while laying the foundation for future growth and community enrichment. Learn more at www.southeastern.edu/get-there-together.
–The $16 million Amite Solar Energy Center is now fully operational in Tangipahoa Parish, delivering clean, low-cost energy to DEMCO customers as part of a long-term partnership with NextEra Energy Resources. The 100-megawatt facility, which began commercial operations in March 2025, is owned and operated by a NextEra subsidiary, with DEMCO purchasing all energy and capacity produced under a 25-year, fixed-price agreement. DEMCO CEO Randy Pierce emphasized the cooperative’s commitment to long-term energy stability and affordability, while NextEra Vice President Stuart McCurdy highlighted the project’s role in creating local jobs and boosting the regional economy. The solar center supported over 200 construction jobs and is projected to contribute $16 million in tax revenue to Tangipahoa Parish over the next 30 years, enhancing local services such as education and emergency response.
–The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group and the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group have released the Draft Joint Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment #1 for public review, proposing to use $247 million from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement to restore habitats and fisheries in and around the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana’s largest remaining barrier island chain. Located within the Breton National Wildlife Refuge, the Chandeleur Islands provide vital habitat for fish, birds, sea turtles, and other wildlife, and serve as a crucial natural buffer protecting coastal communities. The draft plan includes four design alternatives for island expansion and habitat restoration, with the preferred option—Habitat Restoration Alternative 5—offering the most substantial long-term ecological benefits and resilience by enhancing beach, dune, and marsh systems using features like pocket marshes, feeder beaches, and sand reservoirs. In addition, the plan proposes FWCI Restoration Alternative 2, a fisheries engagement and restoration effort aimed at equipping local fishing communities with tools and strategies to promote sustainable fish populations. The restoration work builds on prior engineering and design funded through the Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group’s earlier plan. The estimated total cost of implementing the preferred restoration alternatives is $360 million, with the state seeking additional funds beyond the $247 million allocated from the settlement. This plan represents a significant step toward restoring damage caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill and reflects years of scientific collaboration and coastal stewardship. More details, including the full draft plan and opportunities for public comment, can be found at https://coastal.la.gov/chandeleur-island-restoration-project.
–The Tangipahoa Chamber, the leading business organization in Tangipahoa Parish for over 75 years, is now accepting nominations for its 2026 Board of Directors. Chamber President and CEO Melissa Bordelon is calling on engaged business leaders with strong leadership and strategic vision to help advance the Chamber’s core values of leadership, unity, advocacy, and innovation. Led by Incoming Chairman Matt Emmons of Crescent Title, the nomination committee will review all submissions and present a slate at the September board meeting. Open positions include incoming chairman, treasurer, and five three-year board seats. Interested members in good standing can learn more or submit nominations at www.tangipahoachamber.org/board or contact Melissa Bordelon directly.
–The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will hold its annual tax sale on July 29, with approximately 1,690 delinquent properties up for tax title sale across the parish and the municipalities of Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Pearl River, Abita Springs, and Madisonville. In advance of the sale, a list of properties will be published in the June 25 edition of The St. Tammany Farmer and posted under “Public Notices” at www.STPSO.com, with an updated notice set for July 23. The online auction, conducted through SRI, Inc.’s platform at www.zeusauction.com, will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 29. Interested participants must register between June 25 and July 18. Property owners are urged to settle delinquent taxes by noon on July 28 to avoid inclusion in the sale, which auctions tax titles—not the property itself—and allows a three-year redemption period. For more information, contact the STPSO Property Tax Department at (985) 809-8217.
–As of late yesterday, the Hammond Police Department was seeking the public’s help in locating 15-year-old Ja-de Bagent of Hammond, La., who was last seen on June 15 around 11 p.m. leaving her residence on foot at 1107 Lavanner Brown Dr. Bagent is described as approximately 4’5” tall, weighing 100 pounds, with a dark complexion, black hair styled in puff pigtails, and dark brown eyes. She was last seen wearing all black with a pink shirt underneath. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the Hammond Police Department at 985-277-5701 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-554-5245 (JAIL), where tips may be eligible for a cash reward.
— St. Tammany Parish Fire District 4 marked a milestone moment last night as Albert “Bert” Norton was officially sworn in as the new Fire Chief of Mandeville Fire/EMS. The department also honored retiring Chief Kenneth Moore, whose leadership was instrumental in achieving a Class 1 rating and earning International Accreditation. Mandeville Fire/EMS expressed deep gratitude for Chief Moore’s years of dedicated service, guidance, and compassion, while looking ahead with optimism under Chief Norton’s leadership. The community is encouraged to join in celebrating Chief Moore’s retirement and welcoming Chief Norton to his new role.
–The bond for Shawn Robertson Jr., the man accused in the New Year’s Day 2024 crash that killed Walker High School senior Blakeleigh Weems, has been revoked after he failed three court-ordered drug tests, a Livingston Parish judge ruled. Robertson is now back in jail and will serve 18 months in contempt of court while awaiting trial on vehicular homicide charges. Despite repeated warnings from the court to remain drug-free, Robertson allegedly appeared in a social media video smoking marijuana in a moving vehicle, prompting drug testing at a June 9, 2025 hearing. He failed the initial test and was told to present a medical marijuana card at the next court date but failed to do so and failed another test, leading to his detention.
–A Slidell man previously out on bond for drug charges has been arrested again after detectives uncovered his ongoing role in distributing fentanyl throughout St. Tammany Parish. William Perry, 35, was the focus of a months-long investigation that led to the seizure of over 250 grams of fentanyl, other illegal drugs, a firearm, and cash from properties in Slidell and Abita Springs. Perry and two accomplices—Abita Springs residents Brishad Johnson, 32, and Stephanie Badeaux, 36—were taken into custody following the execution of search warrants. All three face multiple felony charges, including drug trafficking and illegal use of controlled substances in the presence of juveniles.
–Nunez Community College proudly announced that 230 students earned Dean’s List honors for the Spring 2025 semester, including standout students from across the region. From Covington, Samantha Adams and Marcus Newfield achieved the distinction, while Folsom’s Skylar Byers and Lacombe’s John Fruge, Dirk Holmgren, and Caroline Olsen were also honored. Madisonville students Troy Beaujeaux and Michael Norris made the list, along with Mandeville’s Ethan Dardar. Pearl River celebrated Morgan Autry, Tyler Burlett, Spencer Granger, Danielle Hernandez, and Cole Kilburn. Picayune, Miss. student Chad Dudenhefer and Slidell students Quin Barbay, Judah Barbetta, Carson Boriskie, Shanna Buzbee, and many others also earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher while completing at least 12 hours of coursework. Fall 2025 registration is open now at Nunez.edu, with classes beginning Aug. 19. Course listings and advising help are available at Nunez.edu/Schedule and Nunez.edu/Advising.
— St. Tammany Parish Government announced the completion of upgrades to the Davis Landing Canal in Slidell, a $2.2 million project aimed at improving safety and protecting the local environment. As part of the work, crews dredged the canal and installed sheet piles around the boat launch to help prevent erosion and safeguard boaters near the Old Pearl River. The project is one of 16 coastal protection initiatives spearheaded by Parish President Mike Cooper’s administration and funded through federal resources to enhance infrastructure and resilience across the region.
–Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) is hosting a free Career Expo and Open House at its Livingston Campus on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 4:30 to 7:00 PM at 11640 Burgess Ave. in Walker. Open to the public with no registration required, the event will feature campus tours, program and financial aid information, and a career expo where attendees are encouraged to bring their resumes to connect with potential employers. Participants can also enjoy refreshments and receive a free NTCC T-shirt while supplies last.
–Forgot your life jacket? The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division has teamed up with the Sea Tow Foundation to launch free Life Jacket Loaner Stations at three locations across the state, including Hill Top Marina in Maurepas. These stations allow boaters to borrow U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets if they find themselves short on safety gear before hitting the water, with the simple expectation to return them after use. “This is a great program that we hope people will utilize,” said Col. Stephen Clark, head of LDWF’s Enforcement Division, noting its importance in helping boaters comply with safety regulations and avoid tragedies. Regulations require that all vessels carry properly fitted life jackets for every occupant, and children 16 and under must wear one when underway on boats under 26 feet. With 81% of Louisiana’s boating fatalities between 2020 and 2024 involving individuals not wearing life jackets, officials urge the public: Don’t become a statistic. Find more loaner stations at Sea Tow Foundation.
