The Hammond Star

06/11/2026

*ZO'A sells lemonade to fund cancer research*

The ZO'A summer student program chose for this year's service project to support Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which helps fund childhood cancer research.

Students in the program staffed a lemonade stand in MLK Park in Hammond on Wednesday, June 10, to successfully raise $50 to donate an hour of research.

ZO'A aims to keep local kids in school by identifying their gifts and challenges and promotes reading readiness. Last year's summer project was a clothing drive.

ALSF was founded on the front-yard lemonade stand of 4-year-old Alex Scott who was fighting cancer and wanted to raise money to find cures for children and had raised $1 million when she passed away at the age of 8. The foundation bearing her name has turned into a national fundraising movement.

Photos and information courtesy of ZO'A founder Debra McQueen.

06/11/2026

Ollie’s is now open in Hammond!  Come and visit us today! 

06/10/2026

**Persons of interest identified in Chevron homicide**

HAMMOND - In the course of their investigation into the June 4, 2026 homicide at the Chevron at 3123 Highway 190 West, detectives with the Hammond Police Department Criminal Investigations Division have developed two persons of interest: Jarvis Steptoe, 26 years old of the Hammond area and Reginald Steptoe, 21 years old from the Hammond area.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of these persons is asked to contact Detective Dustin Williams with the Hammond Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 985-277-5755 or [email protected], via the Hammond Police Department’s page, or through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s anonymous tip line at 1-800-554-5245. Be a part of the solution, and you may be eligible for a cash reward.

In this investigation, the identified vehicle was a white 2008 4-door Honda Civic bearing Mississippi License Plate PJY050 that was carjacked from Mississippi on June 2.

At approximately 1:15 am on June 4 the Hammond Police Department responded to a reported homicide in the parking lot of Chevron, located at 3123 Highway 190 West.

Upon arrival, HPD officers located a female victim who had been shot multiple times. She was pronounced dead at the scene and later identified as 50-year-old Patricia Sheppard.

Reviewing security camera footage, officers observed a gray sedan parked at a gas pump along with a white sedan parked at a neighboring gas pump. The footage showed two suspects wearing dark clothing exit the front and rear passenger side of the white sedan. The suspects were armed with what appeared to be AR-style pistols and began firing at the rear passenger side of the gray sedan. The female victim was seated inside the gray sedan at the time.

The suspects then re-entered the white sedan while continuing to fire at the gray sedan before fleeing the parking lot westbound on Highway 190 toward I-55.

06/10/2026

**Be on the lookout: Runaway juvenile from Ponchatoula**

PONCHATOULA - The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance with locating a runaway juvenile.

Qiyonna Weaver, 16, was last seen on Saturday, June 6 at her home on River Oaks Drive in Ponchatoula. She was reported missing today, Monday, June 8.

Qiyonna is described as a black female with black hair with a red patch, brown eyes, standing 5'7” and weighing 105 lbs. She may be in the Rufus Bankston area of Hammond.

Sheriff Gerald Sticker asks anyone with information regarding Qiyonna’s whereabouts to contact us at 985-345-6150.

If you’d prefer to share information anonymously, you can do so through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip.

Tips received directly through Crimestoppers are eligible for a cash reward.

06/10/2026

**HPD reports passing of Perry Lane shooting victim**

On June 10, 2026, the victim, Kendrick Nixon Sr., 60 years old of Baton Rouge, died at North Oaks Medical Center.

Nixon was shot on May 27 by Kemlyn Lomas, 58, of Gonzales.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the official cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing.

Upon arrival on May 27, officers located a male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. Officers rendered aid until Acadian Ambulance Services arrived and transported him to North Oaks Medical Center.

Witnesses identified Lomas, who had left the scene. While detectives were investigating the incident, Lomas arrived at the Hammond Police Department to turn herself in.

After being advised of her Miranda rights, Lomas agreed to speak with detectives. Lomas stated that she confronted the victim at a residence on Perry Lane, believing he was there with another woman. During the confrontation, Lomas stated a physical altercation occurred and she deployed a taser on the victim. Lomas stated she then retrieved a firearm from her vehicle and during a struggle over the firearm, it discharged, striking the victim in the chest.

Kemlyn Lomas, at the time, was charged with one count of attempted manslaughter, one count of illegal use of a weapon, and one count of aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon.

06/10/2026

*Parish councilman speaks on health unit tax*

Tangipahoa Parish Councilman Louis Joseph had this to say Tuesday night on the matter of tax renewals for parish health units:

“To all Tangipahoans,

“As a resident of Independence, I urge my fellow citizens to support the upcoming tax renewal for the parish health units. This measure is "NOT" a new tax, but a continuation of an essential investment in the health and safety of our communities. Here in Tangipahoa Parish, the health units operate crucial facilities in both Hammond and Amite. These locations provide a vital safety net for our families, friends, and neighbors. From routine infant and child immunizations and health screenings to infectious disease tracking and vital statistics, these health units ensure that preventive care remains accessible to everyone regardless of their financial situation. They also provide WIC services to over 3,400 families across the parish monthly. Moreover, this millage also pays for restaurant inspections, school and daycare inspections, sewer inspections, rabies protection, as well as funding for our TRACC program.

“This millage is an incredibly cost-effective investment that is homestead exempt. The continuation of this millage guarantees that our local public health professionals will have the resources needed to respond to health emergencies, promote wellness, and maintain a high standard of care over the next decade. Funding our health units means protecting our most vulnerable populations and keeping our communities strong. Lastly, I ask my fellow voters to join me in voting "FOR"/YES" on the Health Unit renewal. Early voting begins on June 13th through June 20th. The general election occurs on June 27th.”

06/09/2026

**Parish road closures in Natalbany area this week**

NATALBANY — Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller said pavement preservation work will continue across the parish during the week of June 8.

Miller said Material Resources, Inc., will perform pavement preservation operations, including crack sealing and patching on the following roadways during the week of June 8:

Randall Road
Giluso Road
Booker II Road
North Thibodeaux Road
Drude Road

Motorists are asked to use alternate routes, if possible, while crews are working. Intermittent delays are possible during construction periods, and all work is weather-permitting.

For updates on road work in Tangipahoa Parish, consult the Tangipahoa.org website and the TPG social media channels.

06/08/2026

**Hammond road closures for a month**

Please be advised the following road will be closed, starting today, June 8, 2026 until July 8, 2026.

N.W. Railroad Ave. will be closed between W. Thomas St. and W. Charles St. for bollard installation.

06/06/2026