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St. Tammany Picayune 06-03-2026

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COVINGTON • FOLSOM • LACOMBE • MADISONVILLE • MANDEVILLE • SLIDELL

ST. TAMMANY ä High school graduates PAGE 8A

N O L A.C O M

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W e d n e s d ay, J u n e 3, 2026

SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE

Man alleges sheriff attacked him in restaurant

Stormy weather canceled plans for a formal gathering to observe ä More photos. PAGE 2A Memorial Day 2026 at the SELA Veterans Cemetery near Slidell, but loved ones still made their pilgrimages between storms or walked this resting place for vets and their families in the rain. It is a decades-old tradition on Memorial Day PHOTO BY MATT DOBBINS to commemorate America’s Barbara Powell makes a visit in the rain to honor her parents, Harold and Janice Schwartz, in military dead. the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery on Memorial Day.

Randy Smith’s lawyer says they’re cooperating with AG investigation

BY WILLIE SWETT and MISSY WILKINSON Contributing writers

A day after St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith was accused of attacking a St. Tammany parish man in a steakhouse near Madisonville, an attorney for Smith said the sheriff is cooperating with Louisiana AttorSmith ney General Liz Murrill in her investigation of the matter. Murrill launched the probe late on May 29, after receiving a report from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office about the incident, which surfaced after Robert “Bobby” Couvillion, a frequent online

Memorial Day gathering moves under cover in Covington Staff report

ä See SMITH, page 4A

Not even the inclement Memorial Day weather could stop military veterans and their supporters from gathering at the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center for the annual Robert H. Burns American Legion Post 16-hosted ceremony in Covington to remember deceased military veterans. Rain forced relocation to the courthouse side of the Justice Center, where a crowd of about 150 gathered under cover to pay their respects. A cross section of the community was well represented in the annual observance, with participation by members of the Mandeville JROTC and Boy Scout Troop 160; members of the American Legion, its Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion. Martin Desmond Jr. gave the invocation and benediction; the St. Tammany Parish Honor

Slidell intersection may get long-needed roundabout Council OKs $3.6M to match grants to build traffic circle and replace panels

PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

WWII and Korea veteran Maj. Jim Robinson, 104, receives a flag in honor of his brother, Wesley, a bombardier who was shot down and died during his fifth mission over Germany. Robinson was ä See COVINGTON, page 2A presented the flag after it was ceremonially folded by Frank Tridico and Ignatius Desandro.

BY KIM CHATELAIN

Contributing writer

There is widespread agreement in Slidell that a roundabout is needed at the intersection of Robert and Country Club boulevards to eliminate a dangerous traffic hazard. However, there is significant disagreement on exactly when to start the project, how much it will cost and how to pay for it. The rift surfaced during the May 26 City Council meeting as members discussed amendments to the city’s capital budget. The testy debate centered on the allocation of about $3.6 million in state money for upgrades to Robert Boulevard. The council in a 6-2 vote ended up earmarking the funds to be used to “match” federal grants.

ä See SLIDELL, page 3A

1AN

Pirogues racing back to Bayou Liberty BY SUZIE HUNT

Contributing writer Pirogues, laughter and tradition are set to return to Bayou Liberty on June 7 with the 69th running of the Bayou Liberty Pirogue Races. Held for the first time in 1951, the races were an annual event for dePHOTO BY SUZIE HUNT cades, bringing families and friends for a day celebrating the Bayou Liberty Heritage Foundation co-founder and pirogue race together iconic boats that are a lasting part committee member Craig Sollberger stands with his pirogue of the bayou’s heritage. The annual along Bayou Liberty. event missed a few years due to

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Hurricane Katrina, COVID and the death of founder Junior Pichon, but it is back, according to race coordinator Craig Sollberger. “During the years when there was no race, Will (Walsten) and I would get together on the first Sunday in June and paddle the course. People would see us and talk to us about the old days. We missed the races and decided to try and bring them back,” he said.

ä See PIROGUES, page 4A

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