On July 15, 2025, Hammond Police conducted a traffic stop that led to the arrest of three men, all identified as members of the local gang “Most Turnt Youngins” (MTY). Passenger Brennon Thompson, 18, of Hammond, was found to have multiple felony warrants, and was arrested along with Dejon Warner, 24, and Jacorey Brumfield, 23, who were both on parole for prior weapon charges. A search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded Anderson Manufacturing assault pistol, a stolen Glock 19 handgun, suspected marijuana, a digital scale, and a camouflage backpack. All three were booked into Hammond City Jail.
–District Attorney Collin Sims announced that on July 21, 2025, Judge William H. Burris sentenced 25-year-old Christian Cartez Myers of Bogalusa to life in prison for the 2022 second degree murder of 50-year-old Veronique Allen, who was fatally shot during a family gathering when Myers and others opened fire on a Main Street residence; a Washington Parish jury found Myers guilty in June after just one hour of deliberation, also convicting him of assault by drive-by shooting and illegal use of weapons, for which he received additional concurrent sentences of ten and two years, respectively; prosecutors Le’Anne Malnar and Christina Fisher presented evidence including surveillance footage and Myers’ own admission that he orchestrated the drive-by due to a personal conflict with a relative of the victim, who had once welcomed him into her home as a child.
–AN 17 writes that the Hammond City Council has tabled two proposed ordinances related to alcohol regulations—one concerning access for 18- to 20-year-olds to standalone bars and the other involving alcohol sales in downtown parks during special events—after receiving input from residents, business owners, and the police chief; Council Chairman Kip Andrews said he will work with the city attorney to revise the language, and Councilwoman Carlee Gonzales requested that the updated ordinances be posted online with hyperlinks so the public can clearly view the revisions before the items return for council consideration.
–Hammond native and world-renowned BMX Flatland athlete Terry Adams is returning home for the premiere of his new documentary The Road Home on Saturday, September 20, in Downtown Hammond, where the $15 ticketed event includes a red carpet screening at the Columbia Theatre followed by a Q&A and an after party at Gnarly Barley Brewing; the day also features a free Flatland Jam at Zemurray Park Skate Area from 11 AM to 4 PM with pro riders, a live DJ, giveaways, and family fun—all part of a celebration honoring Adams’ global BMX career and hometown roots. Tickets are available now at www.downtownhammondla.com/theroadhome.
–Daniel Callihan, the man indicted in the brutal murders of a Loranger mother and her daughter, may not face trial next week as scheduled, as federal prosecutors are expected to file a motion to delay the trial originally set for Monday, July 28—a move the defense plans to oppose, according to court records; Judge Lance Affrick, who is presiding over the case, is expected to rule on the matter this week, while Callihan faces multiple federal and state charges, including kidnapping resulting in death, transporting minors across state lines, and first-degree murder, with potential penalties ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment or death, and his alleged accomplice, Victoria Cox, remains jailed in Mississippi awaiting a December trial on related charges.
–St. Tammany Parish has completed the first phase of the Tchefuncte Habitat Restoration Project, installing a new rip rap shoreline to protect the area around the historic lighthouse from further erosion, with future phases including a 300-foot access pier set to begin construction later this year; the project is the first of three planned efforts to shield Madisonville from storm surge and erosion, alongside breakwater construction and marshland restoration, all part of 16 coastal protection initiatives launched under President Cooper’s administration with federal funding.
–A Satsuma man will be sentenced August 4 after being found guilty of six counts of video voyeurism following a 2022 investigation by the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. District Attorney Scott Perrilloux said Christopher Lee Johnson, 41, was convicted on July 10 after a jury deliberated for under two hours. The case began when a victim discovered a memory card containing over 300 hidden-camera bathroom videos, leading detectives to identify two victims. Further evidence recovered from Johnson’s password-protected cell phone revealed four additional victims, including one juvenile. Assistant District Attorney Brett Sommer prosecuted the case before Judge Erika Sledge.
–NOLA.com wrote recently about an unusual alliance at the St. Tammany Parish Council meeting in May, where longtime environmental advocate Matthew Allen and developer attorney Jeff Schoen both supported a new ordinance aimed at reducing flood risks in coastal areas. The council unanimously approved the measure, which creates a “coastal resilience” zoning area south of Highway 190 between Mandeville and Slidell. The ordinance requires new homes to be built three feet above base flood elevation, prohibits most use of fill, and limits storage of large equipment. While the move drew praise from both environmental and development advocates, homebuilders have raised concerns about the potential impact on housing affordability—a broader issue the parish is also examining. In August, the council will consider creating a second resilience zone in Councilman Arthur Laughlin’s district north of Highway 190 and south of I-12, with a third area in Councilman Joe Impastato’s district possibly following by the end of the year. The new zoning rules are based on a study commissioned by the parish and conducted by Desire Line, a Metairie-based planning firm, in response to building moratoriums in parts of the parish. The study, launched in January 2024 and finalized in the spring, found that the low-lying region faces serious flood threats from Lake Pontchartrain and rivers such as Bayou Lacombe, with most of the area located in FEMA-designated flood zones and about a third of the parish’s repetitive loss structures located there. The study also identified inadequate infrastructure and widespread slab-on-fill construction as contributing to the flood risk, and recommended lowering housing density and requiring more resilient construction practices. The first zoning overlay, Resilience Overlay District One, is now in effect in areas south of Highway 190, while a second, less restrictive overlay—Resilience Overlay District Two—has not yet been adopted but would still require raised homes while allowing more flexibility with fill. Parish officials say the study has guided their approach to more informed development regulation, but the Northshore Homebuilders Association, which represents construction professionals in St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes, has expressed concern and disappointment over the second proposed resilience zone.
–City Court of Hammond Judge C. Britain Sledge, III, and City Court Administrator Dr. Tony Licciardi have received a national technology integration award from the National Center for State Courts and the National Association for Court Management. The recognition highlights the City Court’s innovative use of Licciardi’s creation, The Fair Pay App, which enables a more equitable approach by objectively calculating a defendant’s ability to pay fines and court costs, helping the court work more fairly and efficiently with defendants.
–Livingston Parish has been awarded $476,423 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to install nine weather stations as part of an Early Warning System Project aimed at improving storm preparedness; the stations, which will track real-time data such as rainfall and windspeed, will be located at schools and key sites including Live Oak High, Walker High, Juban Parc Junior High, Frost Elementary, Maurepas High, Albany High, Springfield High, LIGO Livingston, and Livingston Fire Station District 11, with Parish Homeland Security Director Chris Anderson noting the system will enhance the accuracy and speed of emergency updates and help monitor weather for school events like football games.
–The New Orleans Steamboat Company christened its newest riverboat, the City of New Orleans—a running mate to the iconic Steamboat Natchez—with a ceremonial event led by third-generation steam boater Matt Dow, director of marine operations, followed by a reception and cruise; cheers rang out across all four decks as retired food and beverage matriarch Edna James, known as “Miss Edna,” broke a bottle of champagne across the bow, and the vessel’s captain, Skyler Nicoulin, continues the family tradition as the nephew and grandson of longtime Natchez master captains Steven M. and Steven P. Nicoulin.
–Covington American Legion Post 16 is launching its inaugural Yellow Tie GALA, a dinner dance fundraiser set to kick off the excitement ahead of the highly anticipated 5th Annual Great American Legion Banana Split Celebration. Featuring live 1940s–60s music by the 20-piece Swing 101 Big Band, the event promises an evening of nostalgia and entertainment, complete with a catered buffet, open bar, and dancing. Tickets are $50 per person, with VIP table sponsorships ranging from $250 to $500. Proceeds will benefit Post 16’s scholarship programs for local high school students through its 501(c)(3) Charitable Giving Fund.
–TerraBella Village in Covington will debut its newest community event, Canvas & Chords, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Inspired by beloved regional traditions like White Linen Night, this vibrant evening will feature juried art vendors, live music from Jake Gunter and 8 Track Acoustic, local food trucks, drinks, and open houses along Terra Bella Boulevard. Hosted in the walkable, mixed-use development known for its strong sense of community, the event aims to celebrate and support the Northshore arts scene, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the St. Tammany Art Association. For more information, visit www.terrabellavillage.com.
