The algae bloom in Lake Pontchartrain has taken a toll on recreational pursuits in St. Tammany Parish, with the parish's public fishing pier and Northshore Beach, both closed until further notice.
The St. Tammany Parish Fishing Pier is located at 54001 E. Howze Beach Road south of Slidell. Northshore Beach is located off Carr Drive, just off U.S. 11 south of Slidell. The City of Mandeville also barred swimming in Lake Pontchartrain recently as a precautionary measure.
The algae bloom is the result of the Bonnet Carre Spillway being opened, allowing Mississippi River water to flow into Lake Pontchartrain. The move is designed to prevent flooding along portions of the river downstream, though the bloom is an unwanted side effect.
The Louisiana Department of Health has urged people to avoid contact with algae and the water it's in, as well as advising not to eat fish from the lake during the bloom. Pet owners are encouraged to keep their animals away from the water, as well.
According to the LDH release, the algae "can cause rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. People who are very sensitive to smells can have respiratory irritation. Sometimes, high exposures of toxins associated with the algae can affect the liver and nervous system."
Covington recycling changes
In an effort to maintain recycling services to all residents and to keep current rates in place, the City of Covington has chosen to make several changes to its recycling program.
All recycling will now be picked up on Thursdays citywide. Glass will no longer be included in the recycling plan.
The changes are effective as of July 4. The city's garbage collection schedule will not be affected.
Coastal Environmental Services is contracted to provide both recycling and garbage collection services to Covington. Only recyclable material will be collected on Thursdays. If any regular household waste is included in the recycle cart, it will not be picked up.
To determine what is and is not included in the recycle plan, residents can go online to the Coastal Environmental Services website at www.ces-la.com/recycling/recycling-covington.
The city announced that informational brochures detailing the recycling program also will be included in the round of water bills.
Walter Reed's appeal snuffed by Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the last-gasp appeals of former 22nd Judicial District Attorney Walter Reed and his son Steven, who was convicted alongside him, according to court records and Walter Reed’s attorney, Richard Simmons.
Reed reported in May to the federal prison in Morgantown, West Virginia, to begin serving his four-year sentence. Since then, he has entered into a treatment program for alcohol addiction, Simmons said.
Participation in the program could shave a year off his sentence, Simmons said. He said Reed may also qualify for a reduction in sentence under the federal First Step Act of 2018, which implemented a number of reforms to the federal penal system.
Reed is doing “pretty well, in terms of adjusting,” Simmons said.
Reed was convicted on 18 counts that included accusations that he misused campaign funds and took payments that were intended for the District Attorney’s Office for himself.
Steven Reed was convicted on three counts and sentenced to probation.
Reed, who spent 30 years as the top law enforcement officer in St. Tammany and Washington parishes, was convicted in May 2016. But U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon allowed him to remain out on bail while his appeals played out.
Faimon Roberts
