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S T TA M M A N Y FA R M E R.N E T
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W e d n e s d ay, Au g u s t 20, 2025
151ST YEAR, NO. 45
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Budgeting for Mandeville’s future subject of debate
BY KIM CHATELAIN AND BOB WARREN Staff writers
The long and arduous process to determine how the Mandeville government plans to spend public money during the upcoming fiscal year reached a crescendo Aug. 14 with a chorus of opposition chiming in. The City Council approved separate ordinances for capital and operational spending during a marathon meeting that featured questions about the city’s future financial health. Much of the debate centered around Mayor Clay Madden’s approximately $29 million operating budget for 2025-2026. While they acknowledge that the spending plan is “balanced,” critics say the city’s operational expenses are outpacing revenues.
ä See MANDEVILLE, page 2A
Slidell asks what should replace the North Shore Square Mall?
PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN
Avery Blood, of the Boots squad, is tagged out by the Badges’ Ariel Leboeuf in the annual Boots vs. Badges Softball Tournament — held this year on Aug. 16 at Coquille Sports Complex near Madisonville. Police and fire personnel from throughout the area play to raise money for Miracle League Northshore.
HELPERS TURN RIVALS TO RAISE MONEY FOR A CAUSE BY ANDREW CANULETTE Staff writer
Law enforcement officers usually are on the lookout for the “bad guys,” just as firefighters remain on constant call to help extinguish blazes in the area. But on Aug. 16, some police and firefighters were out for each other in a pair of benefit events that raised money for local children’s charities.
Slidell Police Capt. Kevin Swann celebrates a winning shot.
At Coquille Sports and Recreation Complex north of Madisonville, the annual Boots vs. Badges tournament was held to raise money for Miracle League Northshore, which provides disabled children the chance to play league sports and enjoy the emotional and physical benefits of team sports. The round-robin event on
PHOTO BY MATTHEW DOBBINS
City hopes to purchase site, put back into commerce BY BOB WARREN Staff writer
A group of 75 or so people gathered Aug. 13 in Slidell, lured in by a simple question: What should go in the spot where the beleaguered North Shore Square Mall now sits? Think big, one of the discussion moderators, Keith Espadron of the St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation, told the group. “If you could dream your dream.” The answers were all over the place. A film production facility. A trade school or college campus. An entertainment district. “Indoor sports. It’s hot outside,” one person said. “Laser tag — that’s fun,” said a teenage girl. “Or go-karts. Stuff like that.”
ä See RIVALS, page 2A
ä See MALL, page 3A
Three St. Tammany start-ups win in pitch competition BY KADEE KRIEGER
Contributing writer
Three St. Tammany entrepreneurs this month edged out more than 70 applicants to claim spots in The Launchpad, a “Shark Tank”-style competition where they pitched the potential of their growing businesses to investors from across the region. The Launchpad competition, held Aug. 6 at the North Star PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN Theater and Cultural Center in Mandeville, earned each of the Pitch winner Christopher Andry, of WSPER, left, is congratulated by three finalists both funding and runners-up Alexander Cotant, center, and Chance Kettrill, during the exposure. recent Launchpad competition for early-stage startups in Mandeville. WSPR, a panic button and sen-
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“Our goal is to make a place where dreamers can succeed and we can shine a light on great minds. We envision a place where entrepreneurs have a place to plug in and become a core part of St. Tammany’s economic development.” CHRIS MASINGILL, CEO of St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation sor technology company, won the competition, along with $3,000.
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$ 48
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ä See PITCH, page 3A
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Runners-up Alexco Media, an AI-generated film company, and Whatgradewillitget.com, which analyzes sports trading cards, received $1,000 each. The Launchpad pitch competition is part of the St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation’s three-year pilot program called STartUP Northshore, a mentorship and training network that offers those starting businesses the opportunity to learn from others as they go, get help with challenges and find resources for success in St. Tammany.
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Prices good at all New Orleans, Gretna, Kenner, Metairie, Marrero, Slidell, Mandeville and Covington stores August 20th - 27th, 2025.
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