Crime Stoppers Luncheon

–The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deadly shooting incident that unfolded Friday afternoon on Jasmine Street near Mandeville. Deputies responded to a report of a female being shot and were met with gunfire from a male subject as they arrived. Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, the man continued shooting at deputies, prompting them to return fire. The woman was found deceased inside the home, and the male suspect, initially transported to a local hospital, later died from his injuries. The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office has taken custody of both bodies, and autopsies are pending as the investigation continues.

–Asphalt patching, shoulder dressing, and striping operations are scheduled across Tangipahoa Parish during the week of June 23, weather permitting. According to Parish President Robby Miller, Barriere Construction will begin preliminary patching on North Duncan Avenue on Monday, while shoulder dressing will take place on several roads including Old Covington, Arbordale, and Whiskey Lane. Striping operations are also set for streets such as Wadesboro, Dennis, and Crisp Lane. Motorists are advised to expect intermittent delays in work zones, and to check www.Tangipahoa.org or the parish’s social media for the latest road closure updates.

–St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a fatal stabbing in Slidell after a woman reported she acted in self-defense during an attempted rape. On Saturday afternoon, June 21, deputies responded to a 911 call from a residence on Talbot Lane, where they found a distraught woman outside covered in blood and a deceased man with apparent stab wounds inside. The woman claimed the man, an acquaintance, tried to rape her before she stabbed him. The investigation remains ongoing, and no further details have been released.

–AN17’s Richard Meek spoke with Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker, who has finalized his first departmental budget, projecting a modest surplus of $128,500—an encouraging sign as he closes in on a year in office. The $26 million budget reflects cost-saving efforts including the renegotiation and cancellation of contracts, and the recovery of unused grants left behind by the previous administration. One such grant enabled the purchase of standardized weapons for deputies, replacing the previous policy that required officers to supply their own sidearms. Despite the balanced budget, no raises are included, and none are expected without new revenue sources. Sticker is also contending with leadership instability at the parish jail, having lost two wardens in less than a year. He is currently seeking a third replacement following the resignation of Terry Lane after a work release participant walked off the job. Sticker also addressed future plans to revive a previously failed sales tax proposal that would help increase deputy pay, expand staffing, and fund school resource officers across the parish. While no date has been set, the sheriff confirmed he intends to return the measure to voters.

–St. Tammany Parish Government has partnered with Community Development Strategies (CDS) to launch a Housing Needs and Market Assessment Study aimed at identifying current and future housing challenges across the parish. In collaboration with the St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation (St. Tammany EDC), the Parish invites residents, business owners, and other community members to participate in a brief public survey to share their experiences and perspectives on housing issues such as affordability, availability, and accessibility. Your input will help shape future housing solutions that support a wide range of residents, from young professionals to retirees. To participate in the survey, visit: https://hubs.ly/Q03syF1k0.

–At the Miss Louisiana pageant over the weekend, Southeastern Louisiana University delegates Eva Delatte and Samantha Kapoulas were honored for their achievements beyond the stage. Delatte, Miss Southeastern, received both the Glenda Moss Memorial Passion for Dance Scholarship and the Women in Education Scholarship, totaling $2,000. Kapoulas, Miss Jazzland, was awarded the $500 STEAM Scholarship in recognition of her accomplishments in science and the arts. These awards highlight the academic excellence, talent, and commitment Southeastern’s representatives bring to the competition.

–Tangipahoa Parish Government is alerting residents to an uptick in mosquito activity and West Nile Virus (WNV) cases as summer thunderstorms bring increased rainfall and standing water. The Tangipahoa Mosquito Abatement District reports that seven mosquito samples from southern Tangipahoa have tested positive for WNV this week, prompting additional treatments in the Hammond area, weather permitting. With over 13 inches of rain in the past seven weeks, environmental conditions are fueling mosquito growth. Of the 858 samples tested so far in 2025, 15 have tested positive. For more on how to protect yourself, visit the CDC’s WNV page: https://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/about/index.html.

–A Lacombe man, 47-year-old Michael Daigrepont, was arrested on June 10 after leading St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies on a dangerous high-speed chase in an attempt to evade drug-related charges. Detectives tried to stop Daigrepont near the Lacombe traffic circle, but he fled, driving recklessly through a neighborhood and ditch before abandoning his vehicle and fleeing on foot through woods and a bayou. While running, he discarded syringes and Fentanyl tablets before being apprehended following a struggle. Daigrepont now faces multiple charges, including possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, aggravated flight from an officer, obstruction of justice, and resisting arrest.

–Scientists at Southeastern Louisiana University have discovered dangerously high levels of toxic metals and other pollutants in Lake Maurepas, linking the contamination primarily to industrial and human activities. Led by chemistry professor Fereshteh Emami, the research team analyzed 400 water and sediment samples collected from various locations between June and December 2023, revealing alarming concentrations of arsenic, lead, cadmium, nickel, and other metals—some reaching thousands of percent above Environmental Protection Agency safety limits. Using newly developed tracing methodologies, the team identified Pass Manchac and three rivers—the Blind, Amite, and Tickfaw—as key pollution sources. A spike in contaminants was also observed following the October 2023 “super-fog” pileup on I-55, suggesting runoff from vehicle combustion contributed to the toxic load. The findings raise serious public health concerns and underscore the urgent need for upstream sampling and tighter pollution controls.

–As families gear up for peak swim season and the high-risk July 4th holiday, Goldfish Swim School in Covington is stepping up to promote water safety by participating in The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL) on Thursday, June 26, from 1:00–2:30 PM. This global, synchronized event aims to equip children with life-saving swim skills at a time when drowning risk is at its highest. Hosted at 50 Park Place in Covington, the free event requires advance registration due to limited space. With drowning ranked as the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1–4 and Louisiana among the states with the highest rates, Goldfish Swim School’s initiative underscores the urgent need for water safety education. “We’re not just teaching swimming—we’re saving lives,” said owner Rachelle Nurse, emphasizing that swim lessons can reduce drowning risk by up to 88%. Parents can RSVP at www.goldfishswimschool.com/covington/events.

–The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, has arrested a convenience store owner and two employees after uncovering a large-scale narcotics operation during a routine inspection. Sunny Mehra, 20, Paras Khullar, 20, and Sat Pal, 47, were booked on multiple charges including Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, THC, and hallucinogenic compounds, with Khullar and Pal also facing Obstruction of Justice charges. The investigation began when illegal products such as marijuana gummies, THC vapes, Kratom, and opioid-mimicking substances were found at Stop & Shop on Happywoods Road. Shortly after, deputies intercepted Khullar and an employee fleeing a nearby store, Best Stop Quick Mart #1, with arms full of merchandise. A search of their vehicle and Khullar’s home revealed over $72,000 in cash and a trove of illegal substances. Sheriff Gerald Sticker thanked the ATC for its vital role in the investigation.

–Last week, State Fire Marshal deputies arrested 42-year-old Joshua John Lucas of Ponchatoula on outstanding warrants related to a March 5 arson that endangered three lives. Lucas is accused of intentionally setting fire to a mobile home on East Hoffman Road while three individuals were inside; all occupants managed to escape unharmed. An investigation determined the blaze originated on the exterior of the home and was deliberately set. Lucas has been booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on charges of Aggravated Arson and Violation of a Protective Order.

–Livingston Parish President Randy Delatte is urging parents to talk to their teens about the deadly risks of fentanyl and other opioids through his “One Pill Can Kill” awareness message. Highlighting the powerful effects these drugs have on the brain’s dopamine system, Delatte warns that what may begin as a chemical high can quickly become a life-threatening addiction—or worse, a fatal overdose. Just two grains of fentanyl can be enough to stop a person’s breathing. Delatte emphasizes that addiction is not a moral failing, but a dangerous neurological trap, and that even one conversation between parents and teens could be life-saving.

–This weekend, 51 men and women of Cadet Class 107 began their journey to become Louisiana State Police Troopers, embarking on a rigorous 24-week academy designed to prepare them for careers in public service. Training will include areas such as defensive tactics, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, ethics, and de-escalation, with graduation set for December 5, 2025. As they follow in the footsteps of troopers dating back to 1922, these cadets are taking the first step toward serving the people of Louisiana. For more information on joining the Louisiana State Police, visit www.JoinLSP.org or text “JoinLSP” to 225-777-8162.