The National Weather Service has confirmed that three tornadoes touched down in Tangipahoa Parish early Monday morning as a line of rotating thunderstorms swept through the area between 3 and 6 a.m. The strongest, an EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 90 mph, struck near Tickfaw, carving a 7.3-mile path from near Hammond Northshore Regional Airport to east of Independence, damaging trees and roofs along the way. Another EF-1 tornado hit just south of Robert around 5:15 a.m., traveling more than three miles and causing roof and tree damage near Highway 22 and Crown Drive. A weaker EF-0 tornado also formed north of Robert near Bailey Loop Road, producing scattered tree damage along its short 2.6-mile track. The NWS noted that these findings are preliminary and could be updated as further analysis continues.
–St. Tammany Parish Public Schools (STPPS) is inviting students and families to explore future opportunities at its annual Career and College Expo, set for Tuesday, October 7, at the Harbor Center in Slidell, and Wednesday, October 8, at the Castine Center in Mandeville. Both events run from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. and are free to attend. The Expo brings together representatives from colleges, universities, technical schools, military branches, and local industries, giving attendees a firsthand look at the many pathways available after high school. Participating organizations include Delgado Community College, LSU Health, Northshore Technical Community College, Paul Mitchell The School, Ochsner Health, Gulf Coast Aviation, the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office, and St. Tammany Fire District, among many others. Students can connect with employers offering internships or apprenticeships, learn about training programs in skilled trades, and explore scholarship and enrollment options at Louisiana and regional universities. Representatives from the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air National Guard will also be on hand to discuss military career opportunities. While walk-ins are welcome, attendees are encouraged to pre-register through StriveFair, which allows them to receive a personalized barcode for easy check-in and follow-up with exhibitors after the event. The Harbor Center in Slidell and the Castine Center in Mandeville both provide large, family-friendly venues ideal for the interactive setup, with dozens of exhibitors expected at each location. STPPS officials say the goal of the Expo is to help students discover what’s next — whether that means pursuing a four-year degree, entering a technical program, or starting a career right after graduation. For more information, exhibitor lists, and registration links, visit www.stpsb.org/expo.
–The Hammond Police Department has arrested six people and issued a warrant for a seventh in connection with the October 1 shooting death of 20-year-old Antonio Brister. Officers were called after Brister arrived at North Oaks Medical Center with a gunshot wound sustained near Apple Street and King Ard Street and later died from his injuries. Investigators say multiple suspects fired at Brister and his friends from a wooded area after feeling disrespected by the group’s music and dancing nearby. Arrested were Amarion Dupree Nelson (21), Darius Matthews (17), Zakarey Smith (18), Davonte Malik Hayes (22), Darius Ray Brown (18), and Ja’Ray Mitchell (21), all of Hammond, on charges including second-degree murder, obstruction of justice, and participation in criminal street gang activity. A warrant remains outstanding for Tykeem Washington (17). Police emphasize that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
–STartUP Northshore has announced the return of the NSpire Startup Slam business pitch competition, set for Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts in Downtown Hammond. Now in its third year, the event—presented by Chevron and supported by Capital One—offers one of the Gulf South’s largest non-dilutive prize packages, with over $100,000 in cash and in-kind awards, including $50,000 in funding from Capital One. Since launching in 2023, NSpire has distributed more than $170,000 to local entrepreneurs and earned national recognition for fostering innovation and growth across the Northshore. The 2026 event will feature a networking reception at 4:30 p.m. followed by live pitch presentations from rising startups. Applications are open to early-stage businesses based in or willing to relocate to the Northshore region; the deadline to apply is November 16, 2025. For details or to apply, visit www.startupnorthshore.com/nspire.
–The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating three active cases along River Road in Ponchatoula—the disappearance of James Woods, the discovery of unidentified human remains, and a fire at a nearby vacant house—though no connection between them has been confirmed, according to Sheriff Gerald Sticker. Detectives are working with multiple agencies as they pursue leads in Woods’ disappearance, which has spanned across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The coroner has not yet identified the remains, and the Louisiana Fire Marshal’s Office is handling the fire investigation, which may have ties to the other cases. Sticker said investigators have been active in the area and thanked the public for their patience and cooperation, urging anyone with information to contact the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.
–The St. Tammany Parish Government is inviting residents to share their input on plans to reduce traffic congestion in west St. Tammany at an open house meeting for the proposed LA 59–LA 1088 Connector Road project. The meeting will take place Thursday, October 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation office. Parish President Mike Cooper and the Parish Council say the connector, located north of I-12, is part of their ongoing effort to improve infrastructure and deliver long-term traffic solutions for the growing region.
–Southeastern Louisiana University’s Department of Computer Science will host its next Industry Connect Distinguished Lecture on Wednesday, October 16, at 4 p.m. in the Envoc Innovation Lab, room 2026 of the Computer Science and Technology Building. The free lecture, titled “Make It, Break It, Just Don’t Fake It: Problem Solving for Passion and Profit,” will feature Matthew Gill, lead site reliability engineer for Louisiana Blue, who brings nearly 20 years of experience solving complex problems in fields ranging from the U.S. Marine Corps and education to radio and the private sector. Guests can attend in person or join virtually via Google Meet. To RSVP and receive event details, email industryconnect@southeastern.edu.
–A Harvey man was arrested over the weekend after deputies found a large quantity of illegal drugs inside his impounded vehicle. According to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, 50-year-old Gino Monaco was taken into custody Sunday, October 5, after attempting to unlawfully remove his vehicle from a Slidell-area wrecker yard. Investigators with the Sheriff’s Narcotics Division discovered ketamine, psilocybin mushrooms, cocaine, Xanax, hydrocodone, amphetamine, marijuana, and $2,605 in cash inside the vehicle. Monaco was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on multiple charges, including possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, unlawful entry of a business, unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle, and drug paraphernalia possession.
–Downtown Hammond is gearing up for a fun and family-friendly night as the community kicks off Red Ribbon Week with the annual Downtown Trick ’R Treat and Night Out Against Crime on Wednesday, October 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will take place along the 100 block of North Cypress Street and at participating Downtown Hammond businesses, offering children and families a thrilling evening filled with treats, games, and safety awareness. Hosted in partnership with Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa and St. Helena, the Downtown Hammond Development District, the Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center, and the Tangipahoa Parish Government Prevention & TRACC Coalition, the event promotes community unity, fun, and crime prevention in a festive Halloween atmosphere.
–An evening of traditional Irish music is coming to Abita Springs as acclaimed fiddler Brian Conway, a master of the Sligo style, joins renowned guitarist Don Penzien for a live concert on Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 p.m. at the Abita Springs Town Hall (22161 Level St, Abita Springs, LA). Tickets are $25 and available through Eventbrite.
–WWL-TV reports that Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says her office will conduct an independent review of the evidence in a deadly crash that state troopers attributed to former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy, who was accused of negligent homicide and later died by suicide in April. Murrill’s announcement follows calls from the Louisiana Democratic Party for an outside investigation into how State Police handled the case, along with plans to introduce “The Lacy Law” to strengthen accountability for false reports or wrongful accusations by law enforcement. State Police have maintained that Lacy’s reckless driving caused the 2023 crash that killed 78-year-old Herman Hall of Terrebonne Parish, but Lacy’s attorney, Matthew Ory, has released video evidence he says shows Lacy’s car was nearly 100 yards behind the collision. Murrill said her office will review all witness statements and evidence to ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of the case.
