🌱 What investigators say happened before shots rang out at Tasker Park

Coffee in hand, Ponchatoula? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What investigators say happened before shots rang out at Tasker Park
• How this year’s Strawberry Festival boosted Ponchatoula farmers and small businesses
• Ponchatoula’s playoff run ends; see which nearby teams advanced

Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 84 and low of 65 degrees.
• Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 82, low: 55.
• Sunday: A couple of morning showers, with a high of 73 and low of 49 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• Authorities detail events that led up to shooting that injured 2 people at Tasker Park in Ponchatoula (wbrz.com) — Police are sharing more details after two people were shot in the legs during a Sunday evening disturbance at Tasker Park in Ponchatoula, where officers were already working security. Investigators say a fight near the park’s southeast corner led to gunfire that also hit several vehicles, and they’re asking anyone with information or video to contact Ponchatoula detectives.
   

• Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival: Sweet Success for Local Farmers (lsureveille.com) — Ponchatoula’s signature Strawberry Festival just wrapped up, drawing big crowds downtown and giving local farmers and small businesses a strong boost. Vendors say the weekend helped them sell lots of berries and connect with new customers. If you missed it, organizers have already set next year’s festival for April 9–11, 2027.
   

• Baseball Playoffs: Fontainebleau, Mandeville, Northshore, Northlake Christian among winners Thursday (crescentcitysports.com) — Ponchatoula’s baseball team fell 11-0 to Lafayette in Thursday’s Select Division I playoff opener, ending the Green Wave’s postseason hopes. The wider slate saw Northshore, Mandeville, Fontainebleau and Northlake Christian notch key game-one wins, with several decisive game twos set for Friday across southeast Louisiana.
   

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📸 Around Ponchatoula

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Ponchatoula

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday April 18

• Ponchatoula Proud - Love The Boot Week
  Ponchatoula Memorial Park , 301 N 6th St , Ponchatoula
  10:00 am

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📣 Ponchatoula Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday April 17

• Bill Evans Jazz Festival: LAJE State Jazz Festival - Day 3 — Downtown Hammond
  Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts , 220 E Thomas St , Hammond
  1:30 pm
• Singo at Deadbeat Brewing — Downtown Hammond
  Deadbeat Brewing Co , 14258 W Club Deluxe Rd , Hammond
  7:00 pm

Saturday April 18

• Saturday Night Karaoke — Downtown Hammond
  Brady's , 110 SW Railroad Ave , Hammond
  10:00 pm

Monday April 20

• Kajun 107.1 Member Guest Radio Appearance
  Northshore Media Group , 200 E Thomas St , Hammond
  8:30 am

Thursday April 23

• After Hours sponsored by Crescent Title
  Crescent Title , 220 W Thomas Street , Hammond
  4:30 pm

Friday April 24

• Tangipahoa Chamber Birdies & Business
  Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce , 400 NW Railroad Ave , Hammond
  8:00 am
• The Italian Festival
  Tickfaw City Hall , 50081 US-51 , Tickfaw
  9:00 pm

Saturday April 25

• 2026 Family Fest
  Chappapeela Sports Park , 19325 Hipark Blvd , Hammond
  9:00 am

Wednesday April 29

• Karaoke & Music Trivia — Downtown Hammond
  The Red White & Brew Inc. , 120 E Thomas St , Hammond
  6:00 pm
• Game Night — Downtown Hammond
  Slices Pizza , 118 N Cate St , Hammond
  6:00 pm

Friday May 1

• Fridaze with J. Queue — Downtown Hammond
  Benny's Place , 204 W Thomas St , Hammond
  9:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• I just love foxes!
  And i adore black ones! Night shots are amazing! Contact me for prices! (Nextdoor Bedico)
• Are there any mobile groomers in ponchatoula area?
  Our rescue is heart worm positive on treatment and regular groomers won’t accept. She’s a golden retriever mix with long shedding coat and needs… (Nextdoor Blue Bayou)

• Integrated Dermatology posted a job opening for Cosmetic Dermatologist - Part-Time in Ponchatoula. Apply here.
• Southeastern Louisiana University posted a job opening for Police Officer 3 in Hammond. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ponchatoula here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Hammond

• Bergeron selected Police Chief of the Year (an17.com)
• Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa hosts "Rockin' Out Crime: Battle of the Bands" fundraiser on May 2 (an17.com)
• TRACK: SLU hosts Strawberry Relays Friday (an17.com)

Albany

• Live Pro Wrestling 225 returns to Albany on May 2 (an17.com)

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Ok Ponchatoula! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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