AMITE — The Tangipahoa Parish school system may soon change auditing firms for the first time in 18 years. Of the seven firms responding to a request for proposals, Harris CPA of Baton Rouge fell to the middle of the pack in scoring, Chief Financial Officer Bret Schnadelbach told the School Board’s Financial Advisory Committee … Continue reading →

A woman who wasn’t wearing a seat belt and is suspected of being impaired died about 2 a.m. Sunday when she drove her pickup off a road and crashed into several large trees, State Police said. April Rock, 36, Pine Grove, was pronounced dead at the scene on La. 1042 in St. Helena Parish, about one-and-a-half miles … Continue reading →

Educator a finalist for Teacher of the Year Walker High School English teacher Margaret Westmoreland has been named a finalist for the Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year award. Westmoreland is one of eight high-school teachers to advance to the final round of competition. All finalists will be honored at the sixth annual Cecil J. … Continue reading →

HAMMOND — Michael James, of Slidell, a sophomore at Southeastern Louisiana University, stopped by Sims Memorial Library May 3 to pet one of several dogs playing outside. “I think it’s pretty cool,” James said of the dogs, who jumped at the chance for some love. The idea of bringing the animals to campus, was … Continue reading →

D arrow — Deputies recovered a white male’s dead body from the Mississippi River on Saturday morning, an Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman said. Investigators were “95 percent sure” it was the body of a Russian cargo ship crew member who jumped overboard when the vessel was under way near White Castle on … Continue reading →

CONVENT — Investigators arrested and booked three men Saturday accused of being “mid to high-level” drug dealers, according to a St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office news release. The arrests resulted from a months-long joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said they arrested the three … Continue reading →

NATALBANY — The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated a shooting early Friday that left a Mississippi resident in critical condition. The shooting occurred around 3:15 a.m. at Roy’s Lounge in Natalbany, Sheriff Daniel Edwards said. The 46-year-old victim was shot while … Continue reading →

GREENSBURG — Among the 140 or so letters the St. Helena school system mailed out last week, three carried word that their recipients would not have a job for the 2012-13 school year. The School Board sent letters to all system employees notifying them of their status for next year, due to a reduction in … Continue reading →

WALKER ­— Area seniors gathered at a crime expo to get crime prevention, health care and other information to help them live happier, healthier lives. More than 24 vendors, everyone from home health and hospice agencies to the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, provided information May 3 to more than 200 seniors, said Sandra Cavalier a … Continue reading →

“Lee’s Generals” is the theme of the annual Deep Delta Civil War Symposium on June 1 and June 2 at Southeastern Louisiana University. Sponsored by Southeastern’s Department of History and Political Science, the symposium will be in the War Memorial Student Union. Now … Continue reading →

Aunny side up book club: 10 a.m., Watson Library Branch, 36581 Outback Road. The club reads inspirational fiction and is led by Toni Terral. Call (225) 664-3693. Preschool story time: 10 a.m., Albany-Springfield Library Branch, 26941 La. 43. Call (225) 567-1441. Book club: 10:30 a.m. to noon, Livingston Library Branch, 13986 Florida Blvd. Call … Continue reading →

GYM WALKING: 8:30 a.m., Michael J. Kenney Recreation Department, 601 W. Coleman Ave. Also Friday and Monday through May 17. (985) 277-5906. STORY TIME: 11 a.m., Ponchatoula Library Branch, 380 N. Fifth St. (985) 386-6554. MOTHER'S DAY SALAD BAR SOCIAL: 1 p.m. Michael J. Kenney Recreation Department. The speaker and entertainer will be … Continue reading →

Livingston Parish Council on Aging and TangipAhoa Voluntary Council on Aging: Meal site menus. For meal site locations, call (225) 664-9343 in Livingston Parish or (985) 748-7486 in Tangipahoa Parish. Ham with white beans, brown rice, steamed spinach, fruit punch, corn bread, applesauce, milk. Mother’s Day special: baked … Continue reading →

The Third annual Carter Plantation Community Association golf tournament will be at 1 p.m. May 21 at Carter Plantation, 23475 Carter Trace, Springfield. The entry fee for the shotgun four-man scramble is $600 for a team of four. Registration for the event begins at 11:30 a.m. For more information and an entry form, … Continue reading →

Turkey or pork roast with gravy, rice, black-eyed peas, fruit, homer fun bar or spice cake, roll, milk. Manager’s choice, milk. Hamburger or cheeseburger, sandwich salad cup, oven fries, apple or orange, milk. Jambalaya, baked beans, … Continue reading →

Search crews found the body of a missing Baton Rouge man on Lake Maurepas shortly after 7:30 a.m. Monday. Taylor Russell, 26, was reported missing around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesman Adam Einck said in a news release. Search crews from the Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s … Continue reading →

LIVINGSTON — The Louisiana Federation of Teachers has asked the Livingston Parish School System to rescind the furloughs of 3,600 teachers and support staff this school year. The School Board voted last July to freeze district salaries and eliminate three non-instructional work days for all employees, including administrators, in order to save the system nearly … Continue reading →

John Watkins has been selected to serve as the Telethon 2012 “Let’s Work Together” Ambassador. Watkins, 50, has received services from OPTIONS for 30 years. Watkins was born on Aug. 26, 1961, in Amite, and is the youngest son of Joan Watkins and the late R.P. “Buddy” Watkins. Watkins received a certificate of … Continue reading →

WALKER — Meagan Ashley’s body lay lifeless on the hood of a car Friday at Walker High School. The teen, who had just been involved in a “mock crash,” was “thrown” from the vehicle when the car she was riding in hit another car head on. Ashley, who was not wearing her seat belt at the … Continue reading →

HAMMOND — Members of the Southeastern Louisiana University group Reconnect are continuing their mission to bring locally grown food to campus. One of the ways they’re accomplishing their goal is to host Farmers Markets twice a semester so that students can have access to locally grown fruits and vegetables. On April 25, two … Continue reading →

THURSDAY --SENIOR CRIME EXPO: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Revival Temple Recreation Hall, 28521 Walker South Road, Walker. Livingston Parish S.A.L.T. Council will host a Senior Crime Expo, which will have information from local vendors and lunch. Call (225) 686-3811. --ADULT PAINTING AND DRAWING CLASS: 10 a.m. to noon, Livingston Parish Arts Council, 133 Hummel St., Denham Springs. The class is open … Continue reading →

THURSDAY --CAR SEAT FITTING STATION: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., North Oaks Diagnostic Center, 15790 Paul Vega, MD Drive, Hammond. Certified child-passenger safety technicians are available by appointment to install child-passenger safety seats and boosters and provide instruction to ensure the safe transport of children of all ages. Call (985) 230-7777. --PUPPY THERAPY: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., SELU Sims Memorial Library, … Continue reading →

LIVINGSTON PARISH COUNCIL ON AGING AND TANGIPAHOA VOLUNTARY COUNCIL ON AGING: Meal site menus. For meal site locations, please call (225) 664-9343 in Livingston Parish or (985) 748-7486 in Tangipahoa Parish. --Meatball sandwich with Creole sauce on a hoagie bun, green beans with peppers, chuck wagon corn, strawberry/vanilla swirl pudding. Continue reading →

North Oaks Walk-In Clinic — Ponchatoula will open Monday at 530 W. Pine St., Suite 1. Members of the North Oaks Physician Group team will provide treatment for most illnesses and minor injuries for infants ages 3 months and older to senior adults. No appointment is … Continue reading →

--Pasta with meatballs or meat sauce or lasagna, green beans, fruit, wheat Italian bread, milk. --Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli, orange sections, wheat roll, milk. --Corn dog, oven fries, baked beans, fruit, cake or cookie, ice cream cup or fruit ice … Continue reading →

Crowds gathered in downtown Denham Springs Saturday as the city celebrated Spring Fest. Continue reading →

AMITE — The Tangipahoa Parish School Board will seek court approval to resume collecting two millages supporting Hammond accelerated and alternative school programs. The board voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the Hammond delegation’s recommendation to reinstitute the pair of ad valorem taxes previously approved by Hammond-area voters. Neither millage was collected in 2011. Continue reading →

WALKER — A Denham Springs man died and four other people were injured in a wreck Wednesday morning on Walker South Road, State Police reported. Stanley Williams Sr., 64, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office. The one-car wreck occurred shortly after midnight on La. 447 when the vehicle … Continue reading →

HAMMOND — Tangipahoa Parish sheriff’s deputies have arrested a man accused of having 40 pounds of marijuana in the pickup he was driving this weekend. Joseph Fairweather, 27, of Hudson, Fla., was stopped Saturday morning after deputies observed a red pickup swerving on and off eastbound Interstate 12, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Dawn Panepinto said … Continue reading →

The Livingston Parish Chamber will host a Business and Community Expo and Job Fair from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 8 at Forrest Grove Plantation, Denham Springs Food vendors will offer samplings of their favorite dishes and health-care providers throughout the parish, including North Oaks Health System and Our Lady of the Lake, … Continue reading →

Updated at 2:40 p.m. – WALKER - Both lanes of Interstate 12 eastbound just west of Walker were reopened just after 2 p.m. Friday after an overturned 18-wheeler forced the closure of one lane, according to the Walker Police Department. Traffic remains slow through the area. The accident occurred around noon approximately one quarter mile west of the Walker interchange, Walker … Continue reading →

PONCHATOULA — Police investigated a bomb threat called into the United Medical Rehab Hospital on Wednesday, authorities reported. At about 5 p.m., a man called 911 and said a bomb would go off at the hospital “in 58 minutes,” Ponchatoula Police Chief Bry Layrisson said in a news release. Ponchatoula Police, Ponchatoula Fire … Continue reading →

HAMMOND ­— More than 50 businesses participated in the Hammond Chamber Community and Business Expo at Southeastern Louisiana University’s University Center in Hammond on April 18. For Stephanie Fendlason, of Yum Yum Bakery in Ponchatoula, the expo was a chance for her to promote her Ponchatoula business. Since opening six months … Continue reading →

Hammond recently hosted its Art in April art walk.

TICKFAW — Not surprisingly food was a big item at last weekend’s Italian Festival. Likewise, selling food was a big chance for organizations and for one mom to make money for special causes. Paige Knight sold ribs and barbecue to raise money for her 8-year-old son’s next trip to St. Jude Children’s Research … Continue reading →

WALKER — Jude Barker, of South Live Oak, was ready to take the stage in front of more than 1,000 Livingston Parish students Friday to perform “Can’t Buy Me Love,” by the Beatles. Jude, 10, had performed the hit at a talent show last month and was chosen as one of several acts to perform … Continue reading →

Southeastern Louisiana University students recently participated in the Habitat For Humanity Restore during the Big Event, a community service initiative sponsored by the Student Government Association.

More than 3,000 Explorers, representing 80 law enforcement agencies from across the country, met in Gatlinburg, Tenn., for the 2012 Winterfest Competition in February. The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office brought 13 Explorers and six advisers. Those attending the conference were Deputy Darryl Arceneaux, senior adviser; Deputy Patrick Bedwell; Deputy Robbie Ellis; Deputy Gene Higginbotham; Deputy Tate … Continue reading →

Molly McGraw, associate professor of geography at Southeastern Louisiana University, has been asked to serve on the board of directors of the U.S. Permafrost Association. A member of the SLU faculty since 2005, McGraw had been conducting geomorphologic research in the Colville River delta in the Alaskan arctic with LSU professor Jesse Walker for more than a … Continue reading →

Beth Stahr, head of reference at Southeastern Louisiana University’s Sims Memorial Library, received the 2012 Louisiana Library Association’s Outstanding Academic Librarian Award. The award, which was presented at the association’s annual conference last weekend in Shreveport, is given to someone who has made contributions to further the development of academic librarianship in the state. Continue reading →

THURSDAY --Gym Walking: 8:30 a.m., Michael J. Kenney Recreation Department, 601 W. Coleman Ave. Also on Friday and Monday-May 3. (985) 277-5906. --Mobile Apps Seminar: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Southeast Louisiana Business Center, 1514 Martens Drive, Hammond. The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southeastern Louisiana University will offer a seminar on mobile apps that can benefit businesses. The seminar is … Continue reading →

THURSDAY --Adult Painting and Drawing Class: 10 a.m. to noon, Livingston Parish Arts Council, 133 Hummell St., Denham Springs. The class is open to ages 18 and up and is limited to 10 participants. The cost is $25. Call (225) 664-1168. --Preschool Story Time: 10 a.m., Albany-Springfield Library Branch, 26941 La. 43. (225) 567-1441. --Public Utility Meeting: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Old … Continue reading →

THURSDAY Livingston Parish --Turkey sausage gumbo or chicken stew, steamed rice, potato salad or green salad, fruit, oatmeal raisin cookie, wheat roll, milk. Tangipahoa Parish --Spaghetti, combination salad, apple crisp, wheat garlic bread, milk. FRIDAY Livingston Parish --Barbecue turkey or sloppy Joe, school-made bun, oven fries, baked beans, peach slices, milk. Tangipahoa Parish --Manager's special, milk. MONDAY Livingston Parish --Chicken or turkey quesadilla, steamed corn, refried beans, salsa, sour cream, oatmeal raisin … Continue reading →

Perrin Early Learning Center held their March Pandarific Program, which honors students that had demonstrated good behavior at school. Parents joined in the celebration as the administration presented the students with a certificate and a free kid’s meal from Raising Canes. The students also participated in an Easter egg hunt and decorated egg-shaped cookies with icing and sprinkles.