For Immediate Release, Thursday, November 17, 2005, 1:30 PM
Contact:  Suzanne Parsons Stymiest @ 985-898-5243

Cold Weather Shelters To Open

             The National Weather Service has advised St. Tammany Parish government that freezing conditions may be present in the parish each night from tonight through the night of November 22^nd.  Because many citizens are living in abnormal conditions as a result of the past hurricane season, Parish President Kevin Davis asked the American Red Cross and the St. Tammany Parish Office of Social Services to open two shelters to assist citizens who may be in need of warm, safe places to sleep.

            The Pearl River Town Hall Center and the Covington Senior Citizens Center (Hadden Hall) will open each night, beginning tonight, at 6:00 PM.  The shelters will remain open for occupants until 7:00 AM the following mornings.  Should no one be at a shelter by 9:30 PM, that shelter will close for that day and not reopen until 6:00PM the following night. 

             Citizens need to bring their own bedding and other necessities.  No food will be available.  Citizens will need to take their possessions with them when they leave the following morning.              

             The Pearl River Town Hall is located at 39460 Willis Alley, off the Highway 41 spur, in Pearl River.  The Covington Senior Citizens Center (Hadden Hall) is located at 106 Jahncke in downtown Covington.

 These shelters will open each night through the 22^nd of November if conditions warrant.

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