Repairsto Midway Road over BlackCreek approved
BY JAMES MINTON
Contributing writer
The East Feliciana Parish Po-
lice Jury met in aspecial session July 24 in an effort to open amajor traffic link before, or soon after,school starts.
The jury closed abridge on Midway Roadover Black Creek on July 9after state bridge inspectorsfound serious problems with some of the pilings that support the concrete span.
Midway Road is amajor traffic artery connecting areas around Ethel to Slaughter,where two
School orientations set
Parents and guardians are encouraged to check schools website for details on school orientation days and times.
East FelicianaPublicSchools
The first dayofschool for East Felicianapublic school is Aug.12. East Feliciana STEAM Academy: grades 6-8, 2p.m. Aug.7 East Feliciana Enrichment Academy: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 9; each family will be prescheduled Clinton Elementary School: grades Pre-K through 6, 9a.m Aug. 9 Jackson Elementary School: grades Pre-K through 6, 9a.m to 11 a.m. Aug. 9 East Feliciana High School: grades 9-12, 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 9 Slaughter Elementary School: grades Pre-K through 6, 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Aug.9 East Feliciana Middle School: grades 7-8, 1p.m. to 3p.m., Aug. 9 Visit www.efschools.net/ documents/i’m-a-parent/20242025-school-supply-lists/667164 to find supply lists.
West FelicianaPublic Schools
The superintendent said most students report to class on Aug. 9. He asked that parents visit school websites for dates, times andinstructions for school orientations where fee payments can be made and schedules can be picked up.
Mammographycoach visiting Woman’sHospital brings lifesaving breast imagingto East Feliciana Parish with its mobile mammography coach.
The coach makes mammograms more accessible offering advanced 3D mammogram technology at convenienttimes and locations acrossLouisiana. Physician’sorders are required and appointments are strongly encouraged. Call (225) 634-3517 to schedule. The coach is stopping in Jackson Aug. 19 at East Feliciana Primary Care, 3050 Charles Drive, Jackson.
Backpack giveaway
Happi Landiers and the BackpackProject willhold aBack to School Drive-Thru from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Aug. 3at West Feliciana MiddleSchool,
ä See AROUND, page 2G
schools are located at its southern end, Juror Richard Oliveaux said.
The firstday of school at Slaughter Elementary and Slaughter Community Charter School is Aug. 12. Declaring the bridge closure an emergency,the jury accepted the lone bid of $184,731from Richard Price Contracting Co., of Walker, to repair the bridge to the extent that parish engineers believe the statehighway officials will allow traffictouse it again.
The bridge is about 3miles northofits intersection with La 412 in Slaughter
The company’sprice did not include the cost of obtaining a performancebond, which the jury insistedthe companymust provide. It will boost thecostby $2,300.
Parish ManagerDavid Amrhein said engineeringfees will make thetotal cost about $192,000.
Price’soffer says thework will take four to five weeks.“We will do our best to complete it sooner, if possible,” the statement says.
Another contractor has recently repairedsome parts of
Children focus on servingothers
Children from the Pre-Kthroughsecond gradeclasses performatthe
program.
Students attendingFirst BaptistChurchofJackson’s vacation Bibleschoolcollect moneyfor charity
BY MELINDARAWLS HOWELL
Contributing writer
Childrenand teens took ajourney via the book“ThePilgrim’sProgress” during vacationBible schoolatFirst Baptist Church of Jackson
Thecampers collected money for Joni and Friends Louisiana at part of theirvacation Bible school held July 8-12.
Following the narrow and often treacherouspath taken byChristian,from the City of Destruction to theCelestial City, students delved into the story,which was adapted to suit the ages of thestudentsinthe different classes. They rangedfrom age 4toseniors in high school
Written by John Bunyan in the1600s,the book is an allegory and full of symbolism. Usingprops, scenery, handmade models, drawings and other decorations, thescripture-filledstoryofChristian’s serious and sometimes very scary journey was told.
Every studentinthe youth class received a copyof“Pilgrim’sProgress In Today’sEnglish” retold by James Thomas,according to VBS director Carla Brown.
The younger childrenenjoyedthe music time, singingand signing led by Joni Owens visitingfrom the First Baptist Church in St. Francisville. Mark Branch, musicdirector at the Jackson church,led thelargeyouth class.
Approximately50students and about 50 adult helpers, with various responsibilities, attended eachday.Activitiesalsoincluded funcrafts and an evening meal was served.
Thecollectiontaken each daywenttoward this year’schosen mission, which was Joni and Friends Louisiana. Alldonations are used in Louisiana. An international Christian ministrythat works to bring “the Good News of JesusChrist to theworld’sone billion people affected by disability” was created by CEO and founder Joni Eareckson Tada.She becameparalyzed as ayouth in 1967 after a diving accident
Rhonda Craig of theBaton Rouge office spoke each day at assembly telling howthe Louisiana organization helps families here. Shesharedvideosclips andpicturesofsome of the services provided such as respitecare, family retreats and getaways and spoke of other services, such as providingwheelchairs. Craig shared some of herpersonal
The main character from the book ‘Pilgrim’s Progress In Today’sEnglish’ at the assembly of the First Baptist Church’sPilgrim’s Progress vacation Bible school and told students about himself and his journey.
experiences at camps serving children with disabilities and their families.The VBS
St.Francisville aldermen correcterror in settingproperty taxrates
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
Audubon Hills resident Collin Howell joined four other members July 23 forhis first meeting as aSt. Francisville alderman. The board appointed Howell, aDEMCO employee,tofinish thetermbegun by Al Lemoine, whodied June 22. Howelllater joined five other candidates in qualifying to runat-largefor four seatsonthe board in the Nov.5election. The other five are incumbent Abby Temple Cochran and Alden Daniel, Jerad “Cody” Powell, Edgar “Tommy” WheelerJr. and John Wilson. Gigi Robertson, who represents amajorityBlackdistrict, won reelection when no onesigned up to run against her during the July 17-19 qualifying period.
Twoother incumbents will not return foranother term: Alderman Andy D’Aquilla is running against incumbent Robert “Bobee” Leake forthe mayor’sjob, while Alderman Rucker Leake did not seek reelection.
Rucker Leake noted before the meeting that he is finishing up 44 years of service on the board and decided against trying foranother term
Aportion of the meeting was spent correcting an error madeJuly 9when the board voted to set the2024 propertytax rate at 5.66 mills without strictly adhering to acomplicated procedure set out in state law
ä See TAX, page 3G
BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer
Threepeopleaccused of luring Southern University student Steven Harris IV to Mississippi and killinghim there will face first-degree murder charges in Wilkinson County,the local sheriff’soffice said.
Arrest warrants have been issued forthe three suspects, Allyah Martin, 21, of Zachary,and CalajiaJack, 20, and Derek TerrellHollinsJr.,21, both of St. Francisville, said Wilkinson County Investigator O.J. Packnett.
Thethree are in theWest Feliciana Parish jail after they werearrested on acount of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder; Hollins was also arrested on acount of possession of amachine gun, West Feliciana Sheriff Brian Spillmansaid last week.
Thethree are awaiting extradition to Mississippi, Packnett said in anews release.
West Feliciana SheriffBrian Spillman said in a statement Thursday that West investigators “developed strong evidence that DJ Hollins, Calajia Jackson and Allyah Martin conspired to lure Steven Harris from West Feliciana Parish to Mississippi, where he was shot and killed.”
“Webelieve DJ Hollins used aGlockhandgun with aswitch that madeitcapable of firing in full auto modetokill Mr.Harris,” Spillman said in the newsrelease. Harris was reported missing by his family on the night of July 17. His body was found July 23. Packnett saidhemet withHarris’ family in
PHOTO BY JAMES MINTON
Aclosed bridgeonMidwayRoad over BlackCreek is set for emergency repairs.
PHOTOSBYMELINDA RAWLSHOWELL
closing
9559 Baines Road, St. Francisville. Students must be in the vehicle to receive supplies, which are for residents of West Feliciana Parish. Identification will be required.
Bicentennial bake sale
Abake sale is opens at 8a.m. Aug. 3atMarket Day in Clinton. All proceeds go to Clinton is Home, thegroup planning bicentennial activities.
The winner of the design contest for official artwork will be announced at the bake sale
Visit the Facebook page Clinton is Home for information about other related activities, including acall for recipes for a cookbook.
Visithistoriccemetery
The Dead of Locust Grove will be from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Aug. 10. Learn about theinhabitants of this historic cemetery of Locust Grove Plantation. The plantation was owned by Luther Smith and Anna Davis Smith, sister of Jefferson Davis. It became the final resting place for many figures important in the early history of Louisiana, including Sarah Knox Taylor,the daughter of President Zachary Taylor and wife of Jefferson Davis.
See the grave of Major Gen. Eleazar Ripley,one of the earliest generals of the young country and who invaded Canada during the Warof1812.
Locust Grove StateHistoric Site, Bains-Ristroph Road, St. Francisville, will be open free of charge. The park has no facilities and no site staff. For information, call Audubon State Historic Site at (225) 635-3739.
Flag football
Registration is open through Sept. 1for flag football in West Feliciana Parish. Register at www wfprec.com.
Fees are $75. The season runs Sept. 9-20for preseason practice and Sept. 23-Oct. 31 for games
Practices are 5p.m. to 8p.m., Monday-Thursday Games are 8p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at West Feliciana Sports Park. Coaches and referees are also needed. If interested, contact mpatten@ wfparish.org or (225) 7848447.
Send news and events for East and West Feliciana parishes to extra@ theadvocate.comby noon Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
REPAIRS
Continued from page1G
ags at
overlay where thesurface had deteriorated. JurorChrissieO’Quinpointed out that although the parish has some bridges thathave been closed for years, theMidway span is apriority because of its traffic count.
DEMOCRAT
REPORTER Leila Pitchford extra@theadvocate.com(225) 388-0731
CLASSIFIEDS CALL:(225) 383-0111 ONLINE: classifieds. theadvocate.com
Public Works Director Derrick “Frosty” Hill said thebridge is in atwo-year state replacementprogram funded with federal money, but must be repairedenough to allowittobeused until the state replaces it
He estimated that 500 vehicles use the road each day,but some jurors said it mayhave ahigher traffic count when school is in session.
Amrheintold jurors he will meet soon with representatives of the jury’snew financial advisory firm,
RhondaCraig, from Joni and Friends Louisiana, speaks at the vacation Bibleschool’s assemblyabout the organization’sministers and included some personal stories about the respite activities offered through the organization.
CHILDREN
Continued from page1G
childrenand youth were given information to take home and share with their parents. Aclosingprogram was held on the last daywith students’ family members welcomed by the Rev.Joe Newsom. After the closing program,Joni and Friends representative Craig offered brochures and spoke to interested individuals. Fellowship andrefreshments followedinthe church social hall.
Faulk and Winkler,todetermine if thejury could borrowasufficient amount of money,without raising taxes, to address somelong-standing road and bridge needs instead of doing themonapiecemeal basis.
LEGAL ADVERTISING CALL:(225) 388-0128 EMAIL: weeklylegals@ theadvocate.com
Notice is herebygiven pursuant to Article 7, Section 23(C) of the LouisianaConstitution and R.S. 47:1705(B) that apublic hearingof the Parish Council of the Parish of West Feliciana will be heldatits regular meeting place, the Parish Council Meeting Room,2nd Floor of the Courthouse Annex, located at 4785 Prosperity St., St. Francisville, LA 70775 on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 5:30 P.M. to consider levying additional or increased millage rateswithout further voter approval or adopting theadjusted millage ratesafter reassessment and rolling forwardtorates not to exceed the prioryear’s maximum The estimatedamountoftax revenues to be collected in thenext year forGeneral Alimonyfromthe increased millage is $1,608,235.52 and the amount of increase in taxes attributable to the millage increase is $58,563.20. The estimated amount of tax revenues to be collected in the next year forRoads, Bridges, Buildings, Parksfrom the increased millage is $4,004,821.78 and the amount of increase in taxes attributable to themillage increase is $144,155.57.The estimated amount of tax revenues to be collected in the next year forHealth, Animal, Mosquitoes, Waste, Coroner from the increased millage is $450,486.14and the amount of increase in taxes attributable to the millageincrease is $18,019.45.The estimated amount of tax revenues to be collected in the next year forLibrary from the increased millage is $675,729.21 and the amount of increase in taxes attributable to the millage increase is $22,524.31.The estimated amount of tax revenues to be collected in the next year forHospital District from the increased millage is $225,243.07 and theamount of increase in taxes attributable to the millage increase is $9,009.72.
Performing at vacationBible school is the youth group led by March Branch, music director at the First Baptist Church in Jackson.
Bible school at First Baptist Church in Jackson.
Bennett Branch, left,and Larry Miller hold the fl
assemblyfor the pledgeofallegianceduring vacation Bible school
Thirdthrough sixthgraderclasses performatthe closing program of vacation Bible school at FirstBaptist Church of Jackson.
Enjoying craft time at vacationBible school are, from left, Olivia Smith, FlaviaArron, Lily Weller,Sara Grezaffi and EvelynStevens.
Continued from page1G
Every four years,the parish assessor is required to revalue taxable properties, which can mean an increase in revenues if the total assessed value increases.
State law requires an elaborate series of advertisements, apublic hearing on two ordinancesand a two-thirds vote of approval to garnerthe extra tax revenue,however
The law requires taxing bodies to first set the millage rate at afigure that would raise the same amount of money as in 2023,or5.18 mills in St. Francisville’scase.
Then, the board may set the rate at the same as it was in 2023,5.66
mills, byatwo-thirds majority
Thus, apublichearing and votes on thetwo ordinances areset for 5:30 p.m.onSept. 10 Theestimated increaseintax revenuesisonlyabout $13,800, however,but the failure to set the millage rate at thehigher figure would lock in the lower amount.
On another matter,the board accepted engineer Bianca Hillhouse’srecommendation to install 500 feet of new 8-inch water main from thecorner of Feliciana Street and Princeville Road to the new sewage treatment plant for $43,700.
Hillhouse said theold existing line had to be cutduring the ongoing construction of the plant, but the oldline should be replaced because “it’samatter of time” before it fails.
MURDER
Continued from page1G
Centreville, Mississippi, on Satur-
day
On July 23, the sheriff’s departments in both Louisianaand Mississippi “formed asearch team and successfully found the remainsof who we believe to be Harris, in Wilkinson County,Mississippi,” Packnett said.
“Due to the conditions of the body at the time of recovery,I cannot positively ID the body,but there was very detailing evidence that the family made me aware of
at the time Harris went missing, that Icould confidently say that these remains are thoseofHarris,” Packnett said in thenews release.
“This is an ongoing investigation and there are possibly additional charges to be added against the three,” he said.
“This is ahorrific tragedy and my thoughts and prayers go immediately to the Harris family after sucha tragic loss,” Packnett said.
Bail amounts in East Feliciana Parish forthe suspectsare: Hollins, $450,000; Martin, $350,000, andJack,$365,000, Spillman said.
Email Ellyn Couvillion at ecouvillion@theadvocate.com.
Moratorium on developmenttabled afterpolicejurorsquestionneed
BY JAMES MINTON Contributingwriter
The East Feliciana Parish Police Jury almostadopted asix-month or one-year moratorium on large new subdivisions during its July meeting.
Jurors tabled the proposal after it raised numerous questions.
The jury did, however,finally agree to hire aBaton Rouge accounting firm to assist in switching to new accounting software, rewriting financial policies and procedures and offering monthly financial advice.
Is moratorium needed?
Juror Richard Oliveaux, who lives in the Port Hudson area, suggested the six-month moratorium to give the Planning and Zoning Commission and the jury time to update itslanddevelopment codes to better regulate residential growth.
Most of the recent subdivision developments have been in Oliveaux’sdistrict, and he said more are likely coming. The new residents in his area arenot contributing much to the parish’s sales tax revenues because they tend to shop in Zachary,hesaid.
Uncheckedgrowth will overwhelm the parish’sinfrastructure, Oliveaux and other jurors
have warned. The Planning Commissionand jury are working with an engineering firmtoupdate the parish’sordinances on subdividing land.
Oneofthe ideasunder consideration is requiring subdivision lots to be aminimum of 2acres.
Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Josh O’Quin said he is not afan of development moratoriumsbecausetheycan cause economic harm, but he said apause in accepting new subdivisionsmight be helpfulwhilethe regulations are being revised.
Surveyor Jeff Moody cautioned jurors against adopting avaguely wordedmotion,notingthat the terms “large” or “major” subdivisions are not usedordefined in the current regulations.
Afterconsiderable discussion, jury President Louis Kent called for amotion to table the matter, saying,“We have no understanding of what’sgoing on here.”
In otherbusiness
Jurors voted to hire the Faulk &Winkleraccounting firm of Baton Rouge as the jury’sfinancial adviser.The company will assist jury employees in converting to anew computer accounting program, reviewing andupdating current financial policies and procedures, assist with monthly bank
account reconciliations, prepare reports and assist with the annual financial audit and budget preparation.
In other action, the jury:
n Adopted anew floodplain management ordinance that Building Inspector Jeff Williams said Federal Emergency Management Agency officials had rewritten from theparish’sold ordinance Adoption was required in order for parish residentstobuy flood insurance, he said.
n Received anew job description for the parish manager which Kent said the jury will consider at its next meeting. The Personnel Committee, headed by Vice President Chrissie O’Quin, prepared the description after the jury hired David Amrhein to the post earlier this year
n Named Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Cox to replace Tiffany Taylor on the parish’sEmergency Communications Commission Board. Sheriff Jeff Travis requested the move.
n Discussed, but tabled for more study,a proposal to seek bids from firmsinterested in providing meals to Police Jury “essential workers” involved in the recovery from anatural disaster, such as ahurricane thatwould knock out power to large areas of the parish.
EAST ANDWESTFELICIANA COUNCILONAGING
The schedules for West and East Feliciana Council on Aging facilities areasfollows: WEST FELICIANA
n 12292 Jackson Road, St. Francisville, (225) 635-6719
n Start time for all activities is 10 a.m.
FIRST AND THIRD MONDAY: Line dance
FOURTH MONDAY: Religious service
TUESDAYS: Nutrition education
WEDNESDAYS: Exercise/yoga
THURSDAYS: Bible study
FRIDAYS: Bingo/movie/excursion
n All people 60 and older in West Feliciana Parish areinvited to join. n Fortransportation to the center
or questions, call (225) 635-6719.
EAST FELICIANA
n 11102 Bank St., Clinton n 3699 La. 10, Jackson
Wednesday, July 31
ARTCLASS: 9a.m.
DEVOTIONAL: 11:15 a.m.
LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 1
BINGO: 10:30 a.m.
LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 2
TAICHI: 10:45 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Monday, Aug. 5
TAICHI: 10:45 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 6
BINGO: 10:30 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Transportation Transportation is provided to East Feliciana Parish residents of any age for appointments in East Feliciana, West Feliciana and East Baton Rouge parishes Mondaythrough Friday. Call (225) 683-9862 to schedule atransportation appointment.
Beforethe bell rings...
PROVIDED PHOTO BY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
StevenHarris graduated from West Feliciana High School and wasa member of the SouthernUniversityHuman Jukebox Marching Band, according to West Feliciana Sheriff Brian Spillman.
Toppublicschools in BatonRouge area by 2024 LEAP scores
BY PATRICK WALL and JEFF ADELSON Staff writers
The results are in.
This week, the Louisiana Department of Education releasedscores from the state LEAP tests, which students in grades 3-8and high school take each spring. The results show that students’ post-COVID rebound in math and science stalled last school year, but they’ve mostly made up lost ground in English.
Statewide, 43% of students in grades 3-8 reached “mastery” or above, the cutoff score that state officials say indicates students are ready to advance tothe next grade level. Just 31% of studentshit that markin math,and only28% did so in science.
Below we’ve rounded up schools inthe BatonRouge areawith the highest percentages of students in grades 3-8achieving mastery in math andEnglish. We also ranked high schoolmastery rates,which combine student scores on six state tests: English I and II, algebra, geometry,biologyand U.S. History
This year we added anew set of lists: The top-performing schools where most of the students are economically disadvantaged —which we’re calling overcoming-the-odds schools. Under state guidelines, students fall into that category if they’re eligible for food assistance for low-income families, Medicaid, reduced-price school meals or other assistance programs, or they are English learners, homeless or in statecustody.For our lists, we included schools where the share of disadvantaged studentsexceeded the statewide ratein2023-24,which was72.5%.
Decades of research show that poverty and test scores are closely linked:Schools that serve more poor students tend to have lower scores.
In Louisiana, the correlation isstriking. Just look at this year’sgrades 3-8 math test. In the fifth of schoolswiththe highest mastery rates, the median share of disadvantaged students wasabout 60%,according to aTimes-Picayune |Advocate analysis. But in the fifth of schools with the lowest scores, the median disadvantaged rate was more than 90%.
Poverty often overlaps with other hardships —food insecurity,housing instability,health challenges andmore —thatcan make showing up to school, much less preparing for astandardized test, exceptionally difficult. So schoolsthat help disadvantaged students beat the odds deserve to be celebrated.
Included in the Baton Rouge area arethe following parishes:Ascension, Assumption,
East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St.Helena, St. James, Tangipahoa, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana. Most public schools are open to all students intheir attendance zone or district. But some —suchasmagnetschoolsor those withspecialized programs— admit students based on test scores, grades, or other criteria. Those schools are indicated with an asterisk.
Top10schools —English (overall)
1. LSU Laboratory School (LSU Laboratory School)*: 95% of grades 3-8 students met “mastery” or above
2. Mayfair Laboratory School (EastBaton Rouge Parish)*: 92%
3. Westdale HeightsAcademicMagnet School (East Baton Rouge Parish)*:91%
4. Sherwood Middle Academic Academy (East Baton Rouge Parish)*:89%
5. B. R. Foreign Language Acad.Immersion Magnet (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 87%
6. Oak Grove Primary School (Ascension Parish): 83%
7. Dutchtown Primary School (Ascension Parish): 79%
8. Forest Heights Academy of Excellence (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 78%
8. Bluff Middle School (Ascension Parish): 78%
9. SouthLive Oak Elementary School (Livingston Parish): 77%
9. Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts (East Baton Rouge Parish): 77%
9. Bullion Primary School (Ascension Parish):77%
10. Bluff Ridge Primary (Ascension Parish): 76%
Top10schools —English (overcoming theodds)
1. Mayfair Laboratory School (EastBaton Rouge Parish)*:92%
2. Westdale HeightsAcademicMagnet School (East Baton Rouge Parish)*:91%
3. Sherwood Middle Academic Academy (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 89%
4. B. R. Foreign Language Acad.Immersion Magnet (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 87%
5. Forest Heights Academy of Excellence (East Baton Rouge Parish)*:78%
6. Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts (East Baton Rouge Parish): 77%
7. Belfair Montessori School (EastBaton Rouge Parish)*: 73%
8. McKinley Middle Magnet School (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 71%
PROVIDEDPHOTO
West Feliciana environmental scienceteacher LeahNapoli attendsprofessional development with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, LSUSea Grant and CPRA, where shestudiedcoastal restoration andeffect of Louisiana wetland loss.
9. Shenandoah Elementary School (East Baton Rouge Parish): 70%
10. Denham Springs Elementary School (Livingston Parish): 61%
Top10schools —math(overall)
1. Westdale HeightsAcademicMagnet School (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 94%
1. Mayfair Laboratory School (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 94%
2. LSU Laboratory School (LSU Laboratory School)*: 87%
3. Bullion Primary School (Ascension Parish): 75%
4. B. R. Foreign Language Acad. Immersion Magnet (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 73%
5. OakGrove Primary School (Ascension Parish): 72%
5. BASIS Baton Rouge Materra Campus (East Baton Rouge Parish): 72%
6. Spanish Lake Primary School (Ascension Parish): 69%
6. BluffRidge Primary(AscensionParish): 69%
7. Sherwood Middle Academic Academy (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 66%
7. Prairieville MiddleSchool (Ascension Parish): 66%
8. Dutchtown Primary School (Ascension Parish): 64%
8. Prairieville Primary School (Ascension Parish): 64%
9. Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts (East Baton Rouge Parish): 62%
9. BluffMiddle School (Ascension Parish): 62%
9. South Live Oak Elementary School (Livingston Parish): 62%
10. Bains Elementary School (West Feliciana Parish): 59%
Top10schools —math(overcoming the odds)
1. Westdale HeightsAcademicMagnet School (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 94%
1. Mayfair Laboratory School (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 94%
2. B. R. Foreign Language Acad. Immersion Magnet (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 73%
3. Sherwood Middle Academic Academy (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 66%
4. Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts (East Baton Rouge Parish): 62%
5. Forest Heights Academy of Excellence (East Baton Rouge Parish)*:58%
6. Belfair Montessori School (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 54%
7. Brownfields Elementary School (East Baton Rouge Parish): 49%
West
Feliciana environmental science teacher studies coastal restoration
Communitynewsreport
West Feliciana environmental science teacher Leah Napoli recently attended a professional development with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife andFisheries, LSU Sea Grant and CPRA.
She studied coastal restoration and effect of Louisiana wetland loss.
8. Parkview Elementary School (East Baton Rouge Parish): 48%
9. DenhamSprings ElementarySchool (Livingston Parish): 47%
9. Oak Grove Elementary School (West Carroll Parish): 47%
10. Freshwater Elementary School(Livingston Parish): 46%
Top10highschools (overall)
1. LSU Laboratory School (LSU Laboratory School)*: 85% of students across subjects met “mastery” or above
2. Baton Rouge Magnet High School (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 84%
3. Dutchtown High School (Ascension Parish): 67%
4. St. Amant High School (Ascension Parish): 61%
4. Holden High School (Livingston Parish): 61%
5. Slaughter Community Charter School (East Feliciana Parish): 58%
6. Live Oak High School (Livingston Parish): 52%
6. West Feliciana High School (West Feliciana Parish): 52%
7. Maurepas School (Livingston Parish): 50%
8. Liberty High School (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 48%
9. Lutcher High School (St. James Parish): 45%
9. Zachary High School (Zachary Community School District): 45%
9. Central High School (Central Community School District): 45%
10. French Settlement High School (Livingston Parish): 44%
Top10highschools (overcomingthe odds)
1. Baton Rouge Magnet High School (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 84%
2. Maurepas School (Livingston Parish): 50%
3. Liberty High School (East Baton Rouge Parish)*: 48%
4. Albany High School (Livingston Parish): 42%
5. Brusly High School (West Baton Rouge Parish): 40%
6. St. James High School (St. James Parish): 38%
7. Thrive Academy (Public boarding school)*: 33%
8. Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy (Online charter school): 31%
9. Southern University Laboratory Virtual School (Online public school): 30%
10. Madison Preparatory Academy (Community School for Apprenticeship Learning, Inc.): 25%
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Article 7, Section23©ofthe Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B) that apublic hearing of FireProtection District No.1 of West Feliciana Parish will be held at its regular meeting place located at 9892 West Feliciana Parkway,St. Francisville,LA70775 on September 16, 2024 at 6:00 p.m to consider levying additional or increased millage rateswithout further voter approval or adopting the adjusted millage rates after reassessment and rolling forwardtorates not to exceed the prior year’smaximum.The estimated amount of tax revenues to be collected in the next year from theincreased millage is $2,523,163.85 and the amount of increase in taxes attributed to the millage increase is $81,390.00.
TOWN OF ST.FRANCISVILLE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Mayor and BoardofAldermen of the Town of St. Francisville will hold aPUBLIC HEARING/MEETINGon September 10, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at 11936 FerdinandSt.,TownHall meetingroom, St. Francisville, Louisiana to adopt the following:
ORDINANCE 2024-8 &2024-9
Notice is herebygiven pursuant to Article 7, Section 23(C)ofthe Louisiana Constitution and R.S.47:1705(B) that apublic hearing of The Town of St. Francisville in West Feliciana Parish willbeheld at itsregular meetingplace Town Hall Meeting Room, located at 11936 Ferdinand St., St. Francisville, LA on Tuesday,September 10, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. to consider levying additionalorincreased millage rates without further voter approval or adopting theadjusted millagerates after reassessment and rolling forwardtorates not to exceed the prior year’s maximum.The estimated amount of tax revenues to be collected in the next yearfor General Alimony from the increased millageis $222,321.29 and the amount of increase in taxes attributabletothe millage increase is $18,854.10
The Publicisinvited to attend.
In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Stacy Orr at (225) 635-3688.
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4-H’erslearn aboutLouisiana commodities
Community news report
Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, Layne Langley,area nutritionand community healthagent with LSU AgCenter,served as project leader for the 4-H Mission Nutrition Cooking Club.
TheWestFeliciana4-H’ers met monthly and learned about the Louisiana“Harvestof theMonth.” The program showcases locally grown foods in Louisiana, Langleysaid.Each month the club focused on one locally grown item. The 4-H’ers learned about the food and then prepared arecipe using that food item.
In September,the 4-H’ers learned about cucumbers and prepared and sampled cucumber sandwiches and tzatziki.During the November project club meeting, the 4-H’ers learned about cooking skills andknifeskills. They practiced their new skills chopping carrots, onions and other veggies. January’smeeting featured lessons about Louisiana citrus. The studentsprepared and tasted orangecranberry oatmeal.
In February,the 4-H’ers made araspberry lime fizz. The harvestofthe month for February was strawberries. The group enjoyed making and tasting strawberry salsa. Broccoli was the Louisiana Harvestofthe Month for March. The 4-H’ers prepared two recipes: broccoli and cauliflowerbites and air fried broccoli.
To wrap up the projectclubfor the school year,Langley arranged forthe 4-H Mission Nutrition Club to use the West Feliciana High School Pro Start Lab for their April meeting and recipe prep.
The 4-H’ers were able to watch avideo on Louisiana catfish in the school’s Café’ and then divided into teams to prepare baja cream sauce and catfish tacos.
For more information on the 2024-25 4-H Mission Nutrition Cooking Club, contact Langley at (225)635-3614 or at lalangley@ agcenter.lsu.edu.
West Feliciana High School Pro Startteacher Delanea Buffalo helps Theo McEvers and AmeliaArd measure some of the ingredients for the BajaCream while ShaNiyaDavis waits to measure her ingredients.
Aubrea Hoyt measures sparkling water while ElizaGraham holds the measuring cup. LauraPownall is readywith the pitcher and Theo McEvers reviews the Raspberry Lime Fizz Recipe withhis team.
Nico Mendel, left, coats his team’s fish while IV Kendrick, middle, and Theo McEvers wait to complete their part of the recipe.
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Emmerson Brouillette, Blithe Mae Bryanand ElizaGraham practice peelingcarrots before chopping them.