The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 17-year-old Ryan Brown Jr. of Hammond after he allegedly brought drugs to school and attempted to flee from deputies. According to TPSO, a tip about suspicious activity among students led school resource officers to search Brown’s belongings, but he ran and jumped into a car driven by another student. A deputy blocked the vehicle, and before being taken into custody, Brown threw several packets of pills from the car. Field tests indicated the pills contained opiates, heroin, and possible fentanyl, with further lab analysis pending. Brown faces charges including Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Violation of Drug Free Zones, Resisting an Officer, and Obstruction of Justice. The other student was cleared of involvement but received an unrelated summons. TPSO thanked the community for reporting suspicious activity and reminded residents that anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa at 1-800-554-5245 or www.tangicrimestoppers.com.
–A Slidell preschool teacher, Leslie Smith, received the Slidell Police Department’s Citizenship Award Tuesday, Nov. 4, for her quick thinking during a shoplifting incident at Dillard’s in Fremaux Town Center last weekend. When two suspects fled in a getaway vehicle and Sgt. Jeff Kahrs was forced to pursue on foot, Smith offered him a ride in her SUV, allowing him to continue tracking the suspects while relaying information to responding officers. Body camera footage shows Smith carefully navigating crowded streets as Kahrs coordinated the pursuit. Her timely assistance helped police apprehend the suspects without incident, and officials, including Metropolitan Crime Commission president Rafael Goyeneche, praised her actions as a demonstration of community trust and civic responsibility. Chief Randy Seuzeneau jokingly called Smith his newest recruit but noted her bravery reflects the strong partnership between Slidell citizens and law enforcement.
–The St. Tammany Parish Public School System is inviting community stakeholders to review proposed new high school science instructional materials as part of the district’s adoption process. The materials will be available for public review from November 17, 2025, through January 7, 2026, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Harrison Curriculum Center in Covington and the Brooks Educational Complex in Slidell. They will also be accessible at all parish high schools during regular school hours. For more information, contact Katie Fuller at 985-898-3309.
–North Oaks Health System has earned two major national honors from Forbes for 2025, being named one of America’s Best-in-State Employers—ranking No. 11 in Louisiana—and one of America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals, ranking No. 83 nationwide. The recognition places North Oaks among Louisiana’s top healthcare systems and highlights its commitment to employee satisfaction and community care. President and CEO Michele K. Sutton credited the achievement to the compassion and professionalism of North Oaks’ team members, noting that the awards reflect their dedication to excellence. Forbes, in partnership with Statista, based its rankings on surveys of more than 160,000 employees nationwide, evaluating workplace culture, career advancement, and overall satisfaction. Chief Human Resources Officer Jeff Jarreau said the dual recognition reinforces North Oaks’ focus on creating a supportive and inspiring environment for its workforce. Career opportunities are available at www.northoaks.org/careers.
–The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating two runaway 15-year-old girls, Ceniya Davis and Skylar Baker, who left a group home in the Hammond area and have not returned. Both teens have ties to New Orleans and Houston, Texas. Ceniya is described as 5’5″, 167 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, while Skylar is 5’5″, 133 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact the TPSO Juvenile Division at 985-902-2031 or submit an anonymous tip to CrimeStoppers of Tangipahoa at 1-800-554-5245 or online at www.tangicrimestoppers.com.
–The City of Hammond invites the community to the 15th Annual Veterans Luncheon on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Hammond Recreation Department, 601 W. Coleman Ave. The event honors the brave men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and pays special tribute to Gold Star Families, Blue Star Mothers, and all who have worn the uniform. The luncheon serves as a heartfelt reminder that freedom isn’t free and brings the community together to recognize the sacrifices made by service members and their loved ones.
–Southeastern Louisiana University has once again been recognized for its dedication to military students and their families, earning the distinction of Military Friendly® School for the 13th consecutive year and being named a Top Ten Military Friendly Spouse School for 2025-2026. Awarded Gold Status—the highest in Louisiana—Southeastern ranked No. 6 nationally among spouse-friendly institutions. Viqtory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs, presents the honor to schools that excel in supporting service members, veterans, and their families. President William S. Wainwright said the designation reflects Southeastern’s deep commitment to those who have served the nation. The university currently enrolls 620 veterans, dependents, and military service members and offers extensive support through its Office of Military and Veteran Success, Veterans Upward Bound program, and LaVetCorps initiative. Southeastern also proudly holds the title of Purple Heart University and supports its veteran community through the Southeastern Student Veterans and Military Interest Association and ROTC program.
–Local historian Jim Perrin will present a free PowerPoint discussion on the history of Ponchatoula from 1877 to 1919 at the Ponchatoula Branch of the Tangipahoa Parish Library on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 6 p.m. The presentation will explore the city’s post-Civil War recovery, the strawberry boom of the 1890s, and the rapid development that followed World War I as Northern lumber companies began harvesting local cypress forests. Perrin will also highlight key economic, political, and cultural events that shaped Ponchatoula’s growth during this transformative era. For more information, visit www.tangilibrary.com.
–Keep Hammond Beautiful and the City of Hammond invite volunteers to join the next Great American Cleanup on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Martin Luther King Park Pavilion, 600 Martin Luther King Ave. Participants will be provided with pick-up sticks, vests, gloves, and trash bags to help clean up the community. The event is open to everyone and is a great opportunity for students to earn service or community service hours. For more information, call (985) 277-5955 or follow Keep Hammond Beautiful on Facebook at facebook.com/KeepHammondBeautiful.
–Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller is encouraging residents to vote in the upcoming election on Saturday, November 15, which includes the renewal of a 4-mill tax that funds the parish’s health units. The long-standing tax supports critical public health services provided through the Amite and Hammond health units, including vaccinations, health screenings, and care for infants and children. It also funds parishwide sanitary and sewer inspections, private water system testing, rabies control, and the Tangipahoa Reshaping Attitudes for Community Change (TRACC) Coalition’s substance abuse prevention efforts. The measure is homestead exempt, protecting the first $75,000 of property value from taxation. Miller emphasized that renewing the tax will ensure these vital services continue for the next decade. Early voting runs through November 8 at the Registrar of Voters offices in Hammond and Amite from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
–Need to get rid of furniture, home décor, appliances, tools, or building materials? Don’t dump it—donate it! Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West’s ReStore will even pick it up for free. Whether you’re remodeling, moving, or upgrading, schedule your free pickup at www.habitatstw.org/restore or make a quick drop-off Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Your donations help keep usable items out of landfills, support local families through Habitat’s mission, and are tax deductible.
–Bohnings Bedico Supermarket invites shoppers to a special “Perfect Party Pairings” tasting event on Thursday, November 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. Guests can sample new holiday items, including imported cheeses, fresh pasta, and fine wines from Prima Après. The event is part of Bohning’s Markets’ efforts to help customers discover delicious combinations perfect for festive gatherings this holiday season.
