The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Traffic Division will host two free back to school events to help prepare local children and parents for the upcoming school year.
The first event will be held Saturday, July 27 from 10 a.m. To 2 p.m. In the Covington Sam’s Club parking lot, and a second event will be held Saturday, August 3 from 10 a.m. To 2 p.m. In the Fremeaux Town Center’s Dillards parking lot (look for the STPSO tent).
Both events will include a meet and greet with the local traffic enforcement deputies and some of the school resource officers. The agency’s school crossing guard supervisor will also be on hand to answer questions and provide information about laws and safety issues in school zones.
Certified child safety seat technicians will be at both events to check child safety seats to make sure the right seats are being used and they are installed correctly. This is especially important as the state child safety seat laws are changing as of August 1.
The STPSO bicycle deputies will provide information about bicycle safety, and the bicycle deputies and motorcycle deputies will be giving demonstrations throughout the events. Operation Sneaux is expected to stop by both events with free snoballs for the children.
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith’s Statement on Strain Arrest
The following statement is from St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith regarding the arrest of former sheriff Jack Strain. Correspondence with the Sheriff’s Office was initiated by Covington Weekly to clarify the Sheriff’s statement regarding the changes made within the department. On a secondary note, CW also asked if headway is being made in any of the unsolved murders in St. Tammany Parish re: Sara Pagones article in the New Orleans Advocate (“Who Killed Nanette Krentel?)
As of this writing, CW is waiting for a response from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
“Since first taking office, I have been actively involved in seeking justice for the atrocities alleged by victims on this parish’s former sheriff. The information I learned throughout the investigation was deeply disturbing especially because of the severity of the alleged crimes. Not only did we assist in the criminal investigation of the former sheriff, but I was also duty-bound to determine if any of the sheriff’s associates or colleagues were complicit or aware of any of the information that we learned upon investigating. The revelations led me to make several changes in the upper ranks of the Sheriff’s Office. There is no room for a good ol’ boys’ network in law enforcement, especially one that may be willing to put friendship over law. The actions alleged against the former sheriff are disgraceful and shocking. Today’s indictment of the former sheriff should illustrate St. Tammany’s disdain for corruption or criminal actions of all kinds. I would like to commend the State Police and District Attorney Warren Montgomery’s office for their thorough investigation. In the coming days, I am sure more facts will come to light to further explain Jack Strain’s behavior and the depth of corruption within Jack Strain’s administration. I can assure the citizens of this Parish that not only have we rebuilt this agency as a no-nonsense law enforcement division that takes its role in our community seriously, but today’s news only further motivates us to continue reinforcing our mission to protect and serve with the highest integrity.” Sheriff Randy Smith www.stpso.com
Property Tax Sale To Be Held Monday – It’s Not Too Late To Pay Delinquent Taxes
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith reminds the public that the annual tax sale of properties within St. Tammany Parish will occur Monday, July 29, 2019, starting at 10 a.m.
It is not too late for property owners to settle delinquent tax bills prior to the sale. Property tax payments may be made Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. And 4:30 p.m. At the Sheriff’s Office in the Covington Justice Center or the Sheriff’s Slidell Administrative Complex at 300 Brownswitch Road in Slidell.
Payments must be made by certified check, cash or money order.
The sale will be held at the Justice Center, 701 N. Columbia Street, Covington, in the misdemeanor courtroom on the first floor. More than 1,200 properties are presently slated to be auctioned.
Buyer registration begins at 8 a.m., but those interested in bidding are encouraged to pre-register online at www.stpso.com/how-do-i/property-tax/
The list of overdue 2018 property tax bills relating to the upcoming sales has been posted for public viewing on the Sheriff’s Office website at the web address listed above. The list is also published in the July 24 edition of the St. Tammany Farmer/Advocate.
If property owners with to speak with someone directly about their taxes, the Property Tax Division may be reached by phone at 985-809-8217.
