Local News
Amite Library volunteer Jaime Barrilleaux and her mother Kay delight kids in the Childrens Section Saturday, Nov. 17. Kids wore their new balloon creations throughout two floors of the new library. Photo by Mark Mathes.
OCT. 19 TAX RENEWAL Evolving Tangi Library System looks ahead
By Don Ellzey AMITE -- From free music downloads to free movie nights, the Tangipahoa Parish Library System offers an incredible number and variety of free programs for persons who have a library ...
Apr 22, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend
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SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER Free consultations for small business operators in Amite and North Shore
HAMMOND – The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southeastern Louisiana University is working with its partners in the region to offer outreach counseling sessions throughout the north...
Apr 21, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend
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Benefit trail ride April 27 for ailing Connor Corkern, 6, of Amite
AMITE--There will be a trail ride benefitting Connor Corkern and his family on April 27. It will begin at 60584 Smilin' Acres Road, Amite. The ride will leave at 9 a.m. and return for lunch. Th...
Apr 18, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
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AMITE--April 17 is a grand day for retirement. Celebrating are Alicia Fussell of Kentwood (left) with her father John Ballard and mother Lana Ballard. John is retiring from First Bank and Trust Amite after 27 years with the bank and 35 years in the industry. Photo by Mark Mathes.
RETIREMENT: John Ballard retiring after several decades with First Bank and Trust Amite
AMITE--John Ballard of First Bank and Trust Amite greeted maybe a hundred customers and friends at noon April 17. This day is different. It's his last day. Ballard retired after  27 years with Firs...
Apr 18, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend
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AMITE--Chamber member Mike Mobley accepts a Southeastern Lions ball cap from coach Ron Roberts as a door prize April 10 at the Chamber monthly meeting at The Boston. Photo by Mark Mathes.
CHAMBER: Tangi Cattlemen's Blood Drive Friday at Florida Parishes Arena. Get free catfish dinner.
AMITE--The Amite Chamber has a full calendar of business and community events, according to president Renee Molland and manager Ashley Adamson. --April 19: Stop by the Florida Parishes Arena bet...
Apr 18, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend
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AMITE--From left: Fabian Mumme of Amite; Louis "Nick" Joseph of Independence; Norman Alkazin of Amite and Tommy Munster of Loranger. They are speaking April 16 at the Amite Library. Photo by Mark Mathes.
VIETNAM VETERANS Agent Orange Town Hall meeting for veterans May 11 at AHS Auditorium
AMITE-The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 1052 is hosting an Agent Orange Town Hall Meeting on Saturday May 11 in Amite, according to Tommy Munster. The Amite High School auditorium has...
Apr 17, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend
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INDEPENDENCE--Sicilian Heritage Festival Queen Amy Henderson (left) greets Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival King Mark Landry and Queen Heather Gonzalez April 12 at the Independence train station. Photo by Mark Mathes.
BERRY TIME: Charter bus with partiers gets escort to Independence by IPD Capt. Chappell
Check back for updates INDEPENDENCE--A charter bus packed with Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival partiers was picked up by Independence Police Capt. Chris Chappell at the city limits around 10 a.m...
Apr 12, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
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TANGI SCHOOLS: Wireless headsets considered for Amite High music department
By Don Ellzey INDEPENDENCE -- A low bid of $900 for two sets of wireless headsets for Amite High School was recommended for approval Friday, April 12, by the Amite delegation of the Tangipahoa Pari...
Apr 12, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
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TANGI SCHOOLS: Loranger football field lighting bid comes in low; Elementary painting nearly complete
By Don Ellzey INDEPENDENCE -- The low bid for lighting at the Loranger High School football field came in about $12,000 under budget and was recommended for approval by the Loranger delegation of ...
Apr 12, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
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AMITE--Bret Schnadelbach explains the upcoming May 4 elections for Tangipahoa Parish school tax questions parishwide and for the Hammond area at the Amite Chamber of Commerce meeting April 10 at The Boston restaurant. Photo by Mark Mathes.
TANGI SCHOOLS: Sumner High baseball field improvements near completion
By Don Ellzey INDEPENDENCE -- Sumner High School's baseball field press box and concession stand should be completed by the end of the school year, the Sumner Delegation of the Tangipahoa Parish S...
Apr 12, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend
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CAREER TRAINING: Independence High welding program expands
By Don Ellzey INDEPENDENCE -- A low bid of $57,250 for subsurface drainage improvements at Independence Elementary School was recommended for approval by the Independence delegation of the Tangipa...
Apr 12, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
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TANGI SCHOOLS: Al Link asks why so many teachers retiring, resigning
By Don Ellzey INDEPENDENCE -- Tangipahoa Parish School Board member Al Link expressed concern Friday, April 12, that the system seems to be losing a considerable number of teachers to retirement a...
Apr 12, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
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More Local News
The new Amite town organization chart unveiled by Mayor Buddy Bel Jan. 9 at the Amite Chamber meeting.
UPDATE: Amite Council to consider Mayor Bel's proposed hires Jan. 14 at 6 p.m.
AMITE-- After a controversial decision to not make any new appointments or hires for Amite during the town’s first council meeting on Jan. 8, a special session has been called for Monday, Jan. 14, ...
Jan 11, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 10 10 recommendations | email to a friend
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The driver of this log truck escaped serious injury when it rolled onto its side, sending a log into the cab.
Log goes into cab when truck overturns
Driver escapes serious injury
Jan 09, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 6 6 recommendations | email to a friend
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INDEPENDENCE--An emotional Mrs. Elizabeth Duhe asks the Independence town council for help with resolving her burned out house on LA 40 on the west side. She has until Feb. 8 to bring a written plan to the town. Photo by Mark Mathes.
Independence wrestles with bills and welcomes Sicilian Heritage Fest
INDEPENDENCE—The town council of Independence wrestled with continuing financial problems Jan. 8, debated pay for the mayor, hired its third town clerk in three months and tried to help Independen...
Jan 09, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend
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Kentwood Police Chief Greg Newton
State Police continues to investigate Kentwood Police
Louisiana State Police were seen leaving Kentwood Police Department Friday morning. LSP TFC Nick Manale confirmed that the investigation of the Kentwood Police Department and Police Chief Greg Ne...
Jan 04, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend
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UPDATE: State Police say Amite council member-elect Leonard may have drugs in system after DWI checkpoint test
AMITE-- Newly-elected Amite council member Arthur Leonard Jr. of District 1 has been arrested for DWI, 1st offense, in a large multi-agency checkpoint south of Amite. New information from State Po...
Jan 04, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 10 10 recommendations | email to a friend
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Driver with 4th DWI netted in Amite checkpoint. 3 arrested for DWI.
By Alissa Vilardo AMITE-- During a "no refusal" DWI checkpoint south of Amite on Thursday night, Dec. 27, a total of 367 vehicles were screened between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., announced State Trooper ...
Dec 28, 2012 | 1 1 comments | 7 7 recommendations | email to a friend
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Kentwood Police Dept. being investigated
Police Department under two separate investigations
Dec 23, 2012 | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend
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Travis Edwards
Sheriff's deputies arrest or issue warrants for 11 burglary suspects
HAMMOND – Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards reports that through investigative measures by the Criminal Investigations Burglary Unit, numerous arrests have been made and several warrants ha...
Dec 18, 2012 | 0 0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend
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A concrete angel was removed and stolen from this gravesite, despite being cemented to the base.
Thefts at cemetery make holidays even more difficult
Who would steal flowers and things from a cemetery? That is a question that many area residents and Kentwood Police are asking. There has been many reports in the past few weeks of flowers a...
Dec 13, 2012 | 0 0 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend
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Where the Tangi open jobs are: Winn-Dixie, Dollar General, Walmart, Family Dollar
HAMMOND--A Winn-Dixie job fair Dec. 9 in Hammond attracted over five dozen candidates for the grocer's west Hammond distribution center and licensed commercial drivers. Recruiters were pleased at ...
Dec 12, 2012 | 0 0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend
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Buddy Bel surrounded by supporters with his wife Claire on the phone. Photo by Alissa Vilardo.
ELECTION: Mayor of Amite. Buddy Bel wins with 52%
5 of 5 precincts reporting Buddy Bel............. 904 52% Walter Daniels III...823 48% Unofficial voter turnout 59.9% Precinct 15 Bel..........................................155 Daniels......
Dec 08, 2012 | 0 0 comments | 11 11 recommendations | email to a friend
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The restaurant was owned by sons of Mayor Mike Ragusa. Current owner Jimmy Gregory is current on loans to the historic district, said Ragusa. Photo by Mark Mathes.
Ragusa: Ethics board charges on Independence historic district loans may be politically motivated
INDEPENDENCE--The Louisiana Board of Ethics case looking into loans in Independence approved by Mayor Mike Ragusa involving his sons and council member Jimmy Gregory and others is politically moti...
Dec 06, 2012 | 0 0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
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