Repairsto Midway Road over BlackCreek approved
BY JAMES MINTON
Contributing writer
The East Feliciana Parish Police 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
Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
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
RAWLSHOWELL Children from the Pre-Kthroughsecond gradeclasses performatthe closing 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
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
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the
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.
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
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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.
COMMUNITY NEWS REPORTER Leila Pitchford extra@theadvocate.com (225) 388-0731 CLASSIFIEDS CALL:(225) 383-0111 ONLINE: classifieds. theadvocate.com
225) 388-0128
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.
the music at vacation Bible school at First Baptist Church in Jackson.
Bennett Branch, left,and Larry Miller hold the flags at 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.