Southeastern Louisiana University is urging graduates and their families to arrive early for the university’s two commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 13, citing mandatory bag checks and significantly increased traffic around campus. A clear bag policy will be enforced at all entrances, with express lanes at Gate 3 for attendees carrying no bags or clear bags, and Gate 4 designated for those with medical or diaper bags. Heavy congestion is expected along University Avenue between I-55 and North Oak Street, and officials recommend carpooling and early arrival for the 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. ceremonies. Parking near the University Center is expected to reach capacity an hour before each event, with overflow traffic redirected to lots accessible via North General Pershing Street and SGA Drive. Lion Traxx shuttle buses will run before and after both ceremonies to assist those parking farther away or needing mobility support, while designated handicapped parking will be available. Students returning rental textbooks are asked to wait until after 3 p.m. to avoid additional congestion.
–NAMI Southeast Louisiana is thanking the community for an outpouring of support following the St. Tammany Parish Council budget vote, which included funding cuts affecting the Safe Haven Campus. In a message to residents, the organization said the response from the public has been overwhelming, with a surge in calls, messages, and comments underscoring how deeply the community values Safe Haven and the mental health services NAMI provides. NAMI leaders said they have spent the past week meeting with members of the St. Tammany legislative delegation and community leaders across the Florida Parishes, receiving strong assurances that protecting NAMI’s programs remains a priority. The group is also in active discussions with Parish Council members and Safe Haven partners as they work to prevent service disruptions. While the budget outcome was disappointing, NAMI emphasized that it is pursuing multiple avenues to safeguard its operations and will share updates as soon as decisions become clearer.
–The St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abatement District has withdrawn its November lawsuit against the Parish Council after the Council voted to end the Government Efficiency Committee’s investigation into the agency. District leaders said the months-long review reaffirmed that STPMAD’s financial management and operational practices are both sound and professionally executed, with no findings of wrongdoing. In recent weeks, the agency has adopted a 2026 budget that cuts operating costs by 5 percent, launched interagency efforts to share equipment and services, approved a one-time millage reduction expected to save taxpayers $2.4 million, and identified nearly $900,000 in assets to sell next year—including an airplane—to further streamline operations. Director Kevin Caillouet said ending the inquiry makes the lawsuit unnecessary and allows the District to refocus on protecting public health through mosquito control. As STPMAD prepares a 2026 millage proposal, officials said they remain committed to transparency, collaboration with parish leaders, and providing high-quality service to St. Tammany residents.
–Richard Meek of AN17 writes that after two years of legal wrangling between Hammond developer Daryl Smith and the Hammond Historic District Commission, long-delayed repairs to the former Guy’s Grocery Store building are finally set to begin following the commission’s recent approval of a stabilization plan. At a special meeting, commissioners signed off on Smith’s application to repair the deteriorating roof structure, install a new roofing membrane, and remove the hazardous awning—moves aimed at preventing the historic structure from collapsing. Architect James Chauvin outlined a plan to temporarily shore the aging walls, install new I-beam supports, and replace the entire roof while repairing or reconstructing the canopy to preserve the building’s character. The approval came after tense exchanges in which Smith’s attorney, Frank DiVittorio, urged the commission to allow critical repairs to proceed and noted past disagreements over redevelopment proposals, including an abandoned plan for a third story. Commissioners also voted unanimously that the building meets the criteria for Demolition by Neglect, triggering a 90-day deadline for Smith to stabilize the structure or face potential misdemeanor charges, though Chauvin assured the needed work will be completed in time. The building, purchased by Smith in 2016, has deteriorated further since Hurricane Ida, and competing engineering assessments earlier this year split on whether the structure should be demolished or saved. Despite ongoing disputes over responsibility and oversight, both parties signaled a willingness to collaborate, raising hopes that the long-blighted site can be restored and eventually returned to commerce.
–The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is ramping up enforcement this holiday season as part of the state’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, with Sheriff Randy Smith urging residents to make responsible choices and avoid impaired driving. Beginning Dec. 12 and continuing through New Year’s, the agency will deploy additional deputies in saturation patrols funded by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission to identify and remove impaired drivers from parish roadways. Smith said the heightened patrols are intended both to deter dangerous behavior and to reinforce that deputies are watching for impaired drivers year-round. To further reduce risk, the Sheriff’s Office is again offering its Safe Ride Home program, providing parish residents who find themselves impaired with a free ride home if they cannot secure a sober driver. Officials emphasized that anyone planning to drink should arrange transportation in advance, but that deputies will ensure a safe return home when all other options are exhausted. Smith said the department’s goal is to prevent any fatal crashes during the holiday season. Residents may request Safe Ride Home assistance by calling the non-emergency line at 985-898-2338.
–A Livingston Parish man will spend the next two decades in prison after pleading guilty to a series of sexual crimes involving juveniles, sparing his victims from having to endure a trial. District Attorney Scott Perrilloux said Thomas Mauldin, 69, admitted on Dec. 8 to aggravated crimes against nature, two counts of second-degree rape, sexual battery, and indecent behavior with a juvenile, stemming from offenses committed between 2013 and 2015. Prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Amanda Liotto, the case resulted in a 20-year sentence that also requires Mauldin to register as a sex offender for life, avoid all contact with his victims, and undergo chemical castration before any potential release. Perrilloux thanked the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office for its investigation and acknowledged Assistant District Attorney Brad Cascio, who handled the early stages of the case before transferring to the Tangipahoa office.
–St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 1 is using dramatic footage from a commercial blaze to warn residents about the dangers of improper electrical setups after firefighters responded to an electrical fire at the Hop-In on Brownswitch Road. The department released a video showing the exact moment an overloaded, daisy-chained series of power strips sparked and rapidly ignited, stressing that the incident underscores how quickly such fires can erupt. No injuries were reported, but fire officials said the cause—a preventable wiring hazard—should serve as a cautionary lesson. Along with the video, the district shared a safety checklist reminding the public never to plug power strips into one another, avoid overloading circuits, plug space heaters directly into wall outlets, keep heat sources away from flammable items, replace damaged cords, and regularly test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. District leaders said the Hop-In fire serves as a vivid reminder that one unsafe setup can escalate into a potentially catastrophic event.
–A St. Tammany Parish judge has sentenced 35-year-old Dwight Ambo of Slidell to 35 years in state prison without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence following his conviction for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, District Attorney Collin Sims announced Tuesday. Ambo was also found guilty of second-degree battery and attempted aggravated assault with a firearm, receiving concurrent five-year sentences on those charges. Prosecutors said the case stemmed from a July 17, 2023 incident in which Ambo forced his way into a residence, threatened to kill the victim while armed, and struck him in the face, breaking his nose. Video footage and consistent eyewitness accounts supported the charges, and investigators later learned Ambo had a lengthy criminal history, including a prior manslaughter conviction. Assistant District Attorneys Luke Lancaster and Jason Cuccia prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sims said the sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and his office’s commitment to pursuing violent offenders.
–On Thursday, Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, a Republican, publicly criticized the federal immigration enforcement operation in the New Orleans area, expressing concern that individuals with work visas, parents of young children, and those pursuing citizenship are being detained. While Nungesser supports targeting dangerous criminals, he questioned whether agents are attempting to meet a 5,000-arrest quota and “pick up everybody,” suggesting a more focused approach would be appropriate. His remarks stand out from other Louisiana Republican officials, and Nungesser also serves as head of the state’s Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
–Livingston Parish is highlighting major progress in its 2025 litter abatement efforts, reporting millions of pounds of debris collected, expanded volunteer engagement, and increased educational outreach across the community. According to the Parish President’s Office, crews and LPSO inmate work programs picked up more than 40,000 litter bags totaling over 1 million pounds, cleared 2,465 miles of roadway, and contributed 45,500 service hours valued at more than $1.29 million. The parish also disposed of 159 tons of waste debris, recycled 8,937 pounds of electronics, removed 2,028 waste tires, and planted 14 trees along with more than 100 flowers and plants. Volunteers logged 1,264 hours, and outreach programs reached 2,187 students and teachers. A total of 1,509 litter bags were filled through 21st Judicial District Court service hours, and the department received $60,000 in grant and in-kind funding. Additionally, crews collected more than 400 pieces of household furniture, including mattresses, couches, recliners and televisions, underscoring the department’s broad cleanup impact parishwide.
–The New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute is preparing to mark a major milestone with The Power of NORLI 25th Anniversary Gala, set for Friday, January 16 at The MISI on Decatur Street. The event will celebrate a quarter century of the organization’s work developing leaders and strengthening collaboration across the Greater New Orleans region, bringing together alumni, regional influencers, and community stakeholders for an evening of reflection and connection. Executive Director Stephen Reuther said the gala will honor NORLI’s legacy and the impact of its graduates while also looking ahead to new opportunities and partnerships that will shape the next chapter of the institute’s work. Tickets begin at $200, and sponsorships remain available. More information is available at norli.org. The event is supported by sponsors including Jones Walker, Breazeale Sachse & Wilson L.L.P., Chalmette Refining, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, Mendoza Med Spa, and Corcoran & Bernard CPAs.
