Pearl River police say a six-hour standoff ended peacefully Sunday after an individual fired shots at a man walking along Spur 41 near the bridge around 8 a.m. Officers responded to the scene and reported the suspect fled into his residence and refused to come out, prompting activation of the Pearl River Police Special Response Team and assistance from Louisiana Division of Probation and Parole SRT negotiators. Authorities said Jack Polk was taken into custody without incident and booked on multiple charges, including aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal discharge of a firearm, resisting an officer with force or violence, possession with intent to distribute a legend drug, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm with narcotics. Police thanked the Louisiana Division of Probation and Parole SRT, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Police for their assistance in resolving the incident safely.
–A passenger was killed late Friday night in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish, according to Louisiana State Police. Troopers with LSP Troop L responded around 11:40 p.m. on Dec. 19 to the westbound lanes of I-12 near La. Highway 434, where investigators say a 2018 Ford Transit van struck the rear of a 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van for reasons still under investigation. Both vehicles became entangled, left the roadway and struck a tree. The unrestrained passenger in the Mercedes-Benz died at the scene, while that driver suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a local hospital; the unrestrained driver of the Ford sustained minor injuries and was cited for following too closely and additional traffic violations. Routine toxicology samples were collected from both drivers as the investigation continues, and findings will be forwarded to the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review. State Police emphasized that wearing a seatbelt and following traffic laws significantly reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a crash.
–Southeastern Louisiana University is once again asking area residents to recycle their Christmas trees to support local wetland restoration efforts through its long-running Turtle Cove program. Now in its 31st consecutive year, the initiative repurposes discarded trees to rebuild marshland in the Manchac Swamp Wetlands, helping reduce landfill waste, control erosion and create wildlife habitat, according to Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station Manager Rob Moreau. Despite the end of state grant funding years ago, local partners and volunteers have sustained the effort, with students and community members deploying the trees each spring; more than 45,000 trees have been used over the past three decades. Drop-off locations will be available beginning Jan. 6 across Hammond, Ponchatoula, St. John the Baptist Parish and at Southeastern’s Sustainability Center, with additional sites at Middendorf’s Restaurant and municipal facilities. Flocked trees are not accepted, and all decorations and hardware must be removed. The city of Hammond will again transport collected trees to Manchac for storage and deployment, and donations to support the program are accepted through the Southeastern Foundation or the Turtle Cove website.
–Emergency responders were on the scene Sunday morning of multiple vehicle crashes on eastbound Interstate 10 across the Twin Span near Slidell at mile marker 259, according to St. Tammany Fire Protection District #1, which urged drivers to exercise extreme caution and stay alert in the area. While specific details about injuries have not yet been confirmed by official news outlets, at least one person was reported transported from the scene, and traffic was affected as crews worked to clear the separate collisions; authorities continue to monitor conditions and have not released further information on causes or possible fatalities.
–President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he is appointing Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as the United States Special Envoy to Greenland, saying in a post on Truth Social that Landry “understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security” and will work to advance U.S. interests in the region. A Special Envoy is a diplomat appointed to handle a specific issue or mission, according to the National Museum of American Diplomacy, historically ranking below an ambassador. Trump did not provide details about the scope of Landry’s duties or how the role would intersect with his responsibilities as governor. In a social media post later Sunday night, Landry thanked Trump for the appointment, calling it an honor to serve in what he described as a volunteer position and stating that it would not affect his role as Louisiana’s governor.
–As Southeastern Louisiana University’s centennial year draws to a close, the university marked the occasion with a dedication ceremony Thursday, Dec. 18, for Friendship Grove in Friendship Circle. Long a gathering place at the heart of campus, Friendship Oak has served for generations as a site where students formed lasting friendships and celebrated milestones, including marriage proposals. The new Friendship Grove features young live oaks—some grown from acorns and others cloned directly from Friendship Oak—symbolizing the transformation of the historic space into a living tribute honoring Southeastern’s 100th anniversary. University leaders said the blend of heritage and renewal reflects Southeastern’s commitment to continuity, shared history and growth as it looks ahead to its next century.
–St. Tammany Fire Protection District #11 is addressing community concerns about the recent increase in woods fires on the west and northwest sides of the district, where dense wooded areas allow fires to spread rapidly, especially during dry and windy conditions. Officials say there is no evidence of intentional fires, noting that recent incidents—including a fire earlier today—began when neighbors’ burn piles spread into the woods. The district emphasizes adherence to the parish burn ordinance, which limits fire size, requires constant supervision, mandates water access, and prohibits burning household trash. Residents are reminded to exercise caution, consider weather conditions, and immediately report all fires and emergencies by dialing 9-1-1.
–The Youth Service Bureau announced a raffle connected to its 2026 Chef Soirée fundraiser, offering participants a chance to win either a 2026 Banner Ford Mustang or a Bronco Sport. Raffle tickets cost $50 each, with only 1,500 tickets available for sale, and proceeds will support Youth Service Bureau programs. The raffle is proudly sponsored by Banner Ford, with the winner to be drawn on Sunday, March 15, 2026, or an alternate date if necessary, and winners do not need to be present to win. Additional information and ticket purchases are available through the Youth Service Bureau website.
–North Oaks Health System is hosting its Employee & Community Blood Drive on Dec. 29 and 30 to help save lives this holiday season. The drive will take place at the North Oaks Diagnostic Center’s E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center on Dec. 29 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at the North Oaks Rehabilitation Hospital on Dec. 30 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with walk-ins welcome. Donors will receive a meal ticket, swag, a T-shirt, and more, while North Oaks employees also have the chance to win a paid day off. Appointments can be scheduled online.
–St. Tammany Parish Government offices will be closed from Dec. 24 through Dec. 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday, parish officials announced. In addition, the Department of Animal Services will remain closed on Dec. 27. Regular business hours for all parish offices are scheduled to resume on Dec. 29 at 8 a.m.
–Southeastern Louisiana University offices will close for the annual holiday break beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 19 and will reopen at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 5. During the closure, university police officers will continue to patrol campus buildings and will request identification from anyone found inside facilities that are officially closed. The University Police Department will remain open 24 hours a day throughout the break to assist with inquiries and address any special needs.
–U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) has introduced the Shelter Act, legislation aimed at helping families and small businesses protect their properties from natural disasters while reducing rising insurance costs by creating a first-of-its-kind federal disaster mitigation tax credit. The bill would allow taxpayers in disaster-prone areas to deduct 25 percent of qualifying mitigation expenses, up to $3,750, for improvements that strengthen homes and businesses against hazards such as flooding, wildfires, hail and wind. Cassidy said the measure would give families another tool to reduce losses, particularly from flooding, while encouraging investments in resilience that could lower the hundreds of billions of dollars spent annually on disaster recovery. The legislation is supported by a broad coalition of housing, insurance and building organizations and was introduced with bipartisan backing from Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and U.S. Reps. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.).
