Permanent$800raisesOK’dfor West FelicianaSchoolBoard employees
BY JAMES MINTON
Contributing writer
The West FelicianaParish School Board voted Aug. 20 to give all 400 school employeesa permanent $800 raise and also abreak on health insurance premiums.
Superintendent Hollis Milton proposed,and the board agreed, to give the raise in alump-sum payment around Thanksgiving Milton said the payment in one check, rather than in monthly increments, is abetter way of letting employees know the boardappreciates their dedication and service. The state Legislature, rather
Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Artshow coming Friday in Jackson
The East Feliciana Council on Aging will host aSenior ArtShow at the Jackson siteFriday, Aug. 30. Director of Arts Education Leea Russell,ofthe LouisianaDivision of Arts, Office of Cultural Development with Lt. Gov.Billy Nunguesser’soffice,will be the special guest.
OLLI Fall Coffee eventset
OLLI Fall Coffee, whichwill highlight new fall classes, as well as ahorticulture speaker,Jessie Hoover,from the LSU AgCenter Felicianas Chapter of OLLI will hold its fall coffee at 10 a.m. Sept. 16 in Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church, 12404 La. 10, St. Francisville. Hoover will share fall gardening tips and talk about Louisiana Super Plants. Guests over theage of 50 are welcome. Registration for OLLI runs through Oct.2.Classes begin Sept.23and end Nov.2
Visit OLLI in the Felicianas on Facebook, ce.lsu.edu/olli or contactollifelicianasmembership@ gmail.com for information Loyaltothe RoyalDay
St. Francisville has declared Sept. 6as“Loyal to the Royal Day,” and encourages residents and businesses to wear and displaythe royalblue and whiteto cheer on the West Feliciana High School Saints football team as they take on the Alexandria Senior High Trojans. Angola Prison Rodeotickets
Tickets are available for the October Angola Prison Rodeo. Reserved seating is $20 per ticket The event includesmusicby inmate bands, food, and prisonermade arts and crafts. Children’s activities include pony rides, carnival games and an antiquecarousel. Admission to the Louisiana Prison Museum and Cultural Center is free for ticket holders each Sunday.Purchase at angolarodeo. com/tickets.
4-Harchery tournament
East Feliciana Parish 4-H will hold its first Archery 3D Invitational on Sept. 14 at the Bob R. Jones IdlewildResearch Station, 13248 Gross Road, Clinton. This event invites all current 4-H members, 4-H alumni,4-H shooting sportscoachesand parentsto participate. The invitational will have both individual and team divisions. Team member score will also qualify as an individual competition.
Cost is $25 for individual entries and $40 for team entries.Square invoice will be sent once regis-
ä See AROUND, page 2G
than giving school employeesa permanent raise during the last legislativesession, decided to give one-time payments of $2,000 to educatorsand $1,000tosupport workers. Business Manager Misty Cook said the state has not yet sent themoney to bedistributed to employees
The local raise will be built into salary schedules, however Board memberSarah Wilson Rogers asked the board to wait until the Septembermeeting to considerthe raise,saying shewanted to look over the budget for the current school year
“I’m fuzzy on afew things,” she
said. Milton said, however,that the budget won’tbeany clearer next month “I feel like we can do it,” he said. “In a$35 million budget, it’s not a gigantic wave.” Cook saidthe pay raisewill cost approximately$418,000 in salaries and board-supported benefits, but she said a$450,000 budget increase she will present at an upcoming meeting will offset the salary increase. The budget revision will include a$200,000 increaseinsales taxesover the amount budgeted, $100,000 moreininterest income
anda $150,000 federalaward for computer purchases.
The School Board pays 51% of an employee’shealth insurance premium, but the board accepted Milton’sproposal to also cover a 12.7% increase in premiumsfrom theinsurance carrier forthe coming year Cook said the increase will cost theboard an additional$210,000 for theyear, but she said the current budget included an expected increase of 15%.
The school system pays about $3.2 million per year foremployee healthinsurance. Hadthe boardnot agreed to ab-
sorb theincrease, it would have negatedthe $800 payincreasefor someemployees, board members said. In other action, the board: n Approved an $87,184 price increase for the Julius Freyhan renovation project to cover the costofreplacing two beams supporting the second story that were found to have termite damage. The wooden beams will be replaced with steel beamsina delicate operation, said Lee Hammer,who is monitoring the workfor the board n Raised adult meal prices to $3.55 for breakfast and $5.50 for lunch.
Stop &Shopthe ChoctawTrail to feataure
BY MELINDARAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
TheStop &Shop the Choctaw Trail has grown in the number of participants and, for the first time this year,intoatwodayevent set from 8a.m. until 3p.m.Sept. 6-7.
Setinthe gently rolling hills of the Felicianas along LA. 10, the trail of garagesales follows aroute which long ago was used fortrade by the Choctaw tribe of Native Americans. The “25-mile-garage sale” began last yearand is sponsored by the Jackson Tourism EnhancementCommittee, Town of Jackson.Itgrew from the “townwidegarage sale that began seven years ago,” accordingtoevent coordinator Ginger Goudeau.
Expanding even moreinits secondyear,the Stop &Shop theChoctaw Trail garage sales andvendors will be in and aroundthe town of Clinton in East Feliciana, which also has its Community Market Day on Saturday. Then going west the sales will continue on the La. 10 route, with afew participants accessed bydetours on La. 19 and LA. 68. Goingfarther west will be Jackson’s numerous offerings followed bythe shopping opportunities continuing along La.10and into thetown of St. Francisville.
In Jackson,which serves as the hub according to JTEC President Smitty Schmidt,tables, tents and booths will be set up this year inside and outside the Lions’ Civic Center.Approximately 25vendors areexpected there with over45booths down the hill and insidethe Jackson Vintage Village flea market. Any private garage sales at homes along or near the Stop & Shopthe Choctaw Trail’sroute can get an official Stop &Shop sign by contacting coordinator Goudeau. When going along the
BYJAMES MINTON Contributing writer
PHOTOSBYMELINDARAWLS HOWELL
Looking over plans for the 2024 Stop &Shop the ChoctawTrail set for Sept. 6-7 are Ginger Goudeau, event coordinator;and Smitty Schmidt, president of the sponsoring organization, the Jackson Tourism Enhancement Committee.
scenic trail, she said, “keep an eye open for marauding garage sales along the road and on side streets.”
There will be several in Jackson on College Street in addition to those set up along the highway in between thetowns, Goudeau added.
Food trucks will be set up in Jackson in thedowntown/ historic district on La. 10 near Old Centenary Inn. Restrooms are located in the Jackson town plaza near thegazebo.
Seven “hospitality spots” will be located as shoppers drive along their way and will offer free water,restrooms and some
ASt. Francisville man whowas the object of awidespread missing-person searchearlierthismonth diedWednesday after being hospitalized for more than aweek.
William “Butch” Kerr,81, was reported missing fromhis residence on Aug. 11 after having been seen aday earlier, St. Francisville PoliceChief Randy Metz said. Kerr was featured in aLouisiana State Police “Silver Alert” as several agencies began looking for him.
Metz said officerslearned thatKerr’s cellphone had last establishedcontact with an AT&T towerinneighboring Wilkinson County,Mississippi. Police, sheriff’s deputies, family and friends of Kerr began searching that area.
Metz said more information was obtainedAug. 12 from the phone company through asearch warranttohelp narrow
air-conditioning, Goudeau says. The spots begin in Clinton at The Green DooronLa. 10 in town.Other spots will be at Em &Lizzie’sonLa. 19 in Slaughter, at the Louisiana Veterans Home near Jackson,the Vintage Village in Jackson, Blue Frog Antiques in Jackson, Poppin’ Up Plants on La 10 in West Feliciana, and Findings in St. Francisville.
Most of these sights will also have sidewalk sales, garage sales and someadjacent tents set up.
For more information contact Goudeau at (225) 933-4911 or ging130@yahoo.com.
thesearch area, and an area resident correctly identified alocation on private propertyhethought should be checked.
The police chiefsaidKerr hadentered Mississippi from thePinckneyville Road, which runs north off La. 68 between Angola and U.S. 61 in West Feliciana Parish.
Fromthere, Kerr apparently traveled on severalrural WilkinsonCountyroads whose conditionbecame progressively worse, and he was found where his vehicle became mired at alow-water crossing on aprivate road.
Kerr was transported to aCentreville, Mississippi, hospital suffering from extreme dehydration and other medical issues, the police chief said. He was later airlifted to aBaton Rouge hospital.
“I am very humbled at the amount of support from our law enforcement partners in Wilkinson County, and from friends and family who helped with the search,” Metz said in astatement.
Signs likethiswill be up Sept. 6-7 along the 25-plusmiles of garagesales and hospitality spots in the Felicianas near and along La. 10 for the community garagesale.
EAST FELICIANA
Building once used as a voting precinct to be sold
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
The East Feliciana Parish
PoliceJury votedAug. 19 to sell the site of aformervoting precinct building to the highest bidder.
The half-acre at 8550 La. 955 East near Ethel was appraised at $20,000, but localsurveyorJeffMoody offered to buy the land for $38,501, Parish Manager David Amrhein said.
The owner of land near the site hadasked forachance to bid on it, but Moody’sbid toppedthreeother offers, Amrhein said.
Jury President Louis Kent said voting precinct had been moved to anearby fire
station yearsago andthe building is in disrepair, including acollapsed roof. In other action during the brief meeting, the jury votedtoallowemployees to trade their Oct. 14 ColumbusDay holidayfor Tuesday,Nov.5,which is ElectionDay Jurors also wentbehind closed doorswithDistrict AttorneySam D’Aquillla to discuss arecent lawsuit againstthe juryand employee John Rouchon, who was driving aparish-owned coroner’s vehicle that collidedwithanothervehicle in Zacharyearlierthis year The jury took no action upon returning to an open session.
Jackson police arrestman on drug,weapons courts
Community news report
Jackson police arresteda local man on drug and weapons counts after a two-day investigation that began with an Aug. 21 traffic stop, Town Marshal Mitch Harrell said. Harrell said Milan Timothy George, 33, 3813 Church St., wasbookedfor driving under suspension,possession of astolen handgun, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Thefollowing day, police served a search warrant at the Church Street residence, where he lived with his 60-year-old mother,and recovered additional suspected illegaldrugs and two more firearms, Harrell said In all, officers seized approximately 4pounds of marijuana, 5ouncesof THC gummies, four grams of THC resin, 7grams of “shrooms,” or suspected hallucinogenic mushrooms, assorted drug paraphernalia andtwo 12-gauge shotguns,Harrell said In addition to drug charges, George was booked withillegal possession of afirearm with acontrolled, dangeroussubstance. Officersdetermined
PROVIDED PHOTO
Jackson police arrested alocal man on drug and weapons counts after atwodayinvestigation that began with an Aug. 21 trafficstop, Town Marshal Mitch Harrellsaid.
the handgun was reported stolen in Michigan, and an investigation is continuing into the origin of the shotguns. Officers issued asummons to Mor-
ris to appear in court to answer charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, Harrell said.
EAST ANDWESTFELICIANA COUNCILONAGING
The schedules for West andEastFeliciana CouncilonAging facilities areasfollows:
WEST FELICIANA
n 12292 Jackson Road, St. Francisville,(225) 635-6719
n Start time for all activities is10a.m
FIRST AND THIRD MONDAY: Line dance
FOURTH MONDAY: Religious service
TUESDAYS: Nutritioneducation
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, Aug. 28
ARTCLASS: 9a.m.
DEVOTIONAL: 11:15 a.m.
LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 29
BINGO: 10:30 a.m.
LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 30
TAICHI: 10:45 a.m.
LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Monday, Sept. 2 CLOSED FORLABOR DAY
Tuesday, Sept. 3
BINGO: 10:30 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Transportation Transportation is provided to East Feliciana Parishresidents of anyage for appointments in East Feliciana, West Feliciana and East Baton Rouge parishes Mondaythrough Friday.Call (225) 683-9862 to schedule atransportationappointment.
WEST FELICIANAPARISHBOOKINGS
Thefollowing people were booked into the West Feliciana Parish DetentionCenter between Aug. 12-18:
AUG. 14
SPENCER, ADAM: 50; 3690La. 964, St. Francisville; hit-and-run, domestic
The following people were booked into the East Feliciana Parish Jail by Clinton, Jackson, Norwood, Slaughter or Wilson police departments, the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office or Louisiana State Police from July 17-Aug.16.
JULY17
BENJAMIN BAILEY: 32; 697 La. 61, Jackson; proper equipment required on vehicle maximum speed limit, driving on roadway laned for traffic, flight from an officer aggravated, aggravated assault with amotor vehicle upon apeace officer, evidence of compulsorymotor vehicle contained, secretary to requireperiodical inspections, resisting an officer, failuretoregister as asex offender, probation and parole hold
JULY18
MARK GUILLORY: 38; 2816 North St., Jackson; illegal possessionofstolen things, illegal carrying of aweapon, simplecriminal damage to property,loads on vehicles carerequired
JULY21
ANTHONY SMITH: 45;10414 Old Plank Road, Clinton; DWIfirst, careless operation
JULY22
OTIS GALMON: 4343 Denham St., Baton Rouge; probation warrant
JULY23
JERMEY MATTHEWS: 32;4390 Felix LeeRoad,Ethel; resist-
abuse battery strangulation
AUG. 15
HARRIS,ANTONIO: 27; 8845 Melinda Lee Lane, St. Francisville; domestic abuse battery
HENDERSON,KAYLER: 30; 110000 Buddy
Ellis Road, Denham Springs; domestic abuse battery
AUG. 17
LONDON KARNESHIA: 28; 6115 Greenwood Road, St. Francisville; driving under the influence-first offense, improper lane usage, expired license plate
EAST FELICIANAPARISHBOOKINGS
inganofficer by flight
JULY24
MICHAELSHIVELY: 36; no address listed; fugitive
DERRICK JENKINS: 47; 2337 Violet St., Jackson;possession of Schedule Iand II drugs, distribute/possession legend drug sales,turning movement and requiredsignals license-emergency vehicle exception
JULY27
COLBYI.BREAUX: 48; 2262 La 10, Jackson;domestic abuse battery
DIONEL D. SPANN: 40; 2254 La. 10. Jackson; twocounts resisting an officer, domestic abuse battery
JULY30
TARRICK WILLIAMS: 31; 10835 Wilson St., Clinton;drivingon roadway laned for traffic, no insurance, DWI-first offense, open container, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, rolling vehicle
AUG. 1
LOUIS TAPLIN: 52;1102 WillowCreek Drive, Zachary; DWI-first offense, drivingon right side of road exceptions, possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicle
LISACOCKERHAM: 55; 9800 Plank Road, Clinton;two counts bench warrant
DASHA HOLMES: 29; 7556 Smith Road, Clinton;aggravated battery
ALVIN WILLIAMS: 31; 11427 Grant St., Wilson;domestic abuse battery-child endan-
germent
LOUIS BROWN: 23; 10835 Wilson St., Clinton; fugitive warrant
LOUIS TAPLIN: 52; 1102 WillowCreek Drive, Zachary; DWI-first offense, driving on right side of road exceptions possession of alcoholic beverage in motor vehicles, driver must be licensed
BERNARD TELSA: 33; 1185 Americana Blvd., Zachary; attempted second-degree murder, attempted simple damage to property,two counts resisting arrest of officer
AUG. 5
JEFFERYDANIELS: 46; 2927
Race St., Jackson; bench warrant
REBECCAHENDERSON: 37; 36473 Rosalie Ave.,Denham Springs; prohibited acts, resisting an officer, simple obstruction of highwayof commerce
AUG. 6
KAYLA SEYMORE: 22; 745
WoodhavenSt., Baton Rouge; violation of protected order, introduction to contraband
AUG. 9
CHARLES TAYLOR JR.: 24; 452
AOld Rafe MayerRoad, Baton Rouge; fugitivewarrant
CHRISTOPHER EVANS: 51; 4057 Cooper Lane, Jackson; DWIfirst offense, driving on roadway laned for traffic, possession of alcoholic beverages in vehicles motor
AUG. 10
MARLON SMITH: 42; 1624 N.
tration is received. Visit tinyurl.com/yj4hy2mv to register
Shelterseeks volunteers
West Feliciana Animal Humane Society announced on Facebook that it is looking for volunteers. People at least 18 years of age who can work afew hours one or two days aweek can reply in the comments at the West Feliciana Animal Humane Society Friends page.
Soccerregistrations
West Feliciana Parish Parks and Recreation has opened registration forfall soccer.Deadline is Sept. 16 for ages 3-12. Fee is $75. Preseason practices are Sept. 15-Oct. 4, and games are Tuesdays and Thursdays Oct. 8-Nov.21. Flag football registration is open through Sept. 1. Fees are $75. The season runs Sept. 9-20 forpreseason practice and Sept. 23-Oct. 31 for games. Register for either at www.wfprec.com. People interested in serving as a coach or referee should contact mpatten@wfparish. org or (225) 784-8447.
Free cancer screening
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is holding breast and colorectal screenings from 9a.m. to 2p.m., Oct. 24 at the East Feliciana Police Just Office building, 12064 Marston St., Clinton.
Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins welcome. Call (225) 425-8034 for an appointment. Through donations, screenings are free is you have not been screened within the past 12 months. Insurance will be billed for mammograms. Colorectal screenings will be atakehome kit.
Save thedate
n St. Francisville Tractor Supply will hold aCommunity Market from 9a.m. to 3p.m., Sept. 21. If you are interested in being avendor,call Christa Wilcox at (225) 635-2223.
n Christmas in the Country in St. Francisville is set for Dec. 6-8. n Yellow Leaf Arts Festival is 10 a.m. to 5p.m., Oct. 26-27, in Parker Park, St. Francisville.
n The Southern Garden Symposium is Oct. 18 at Rosedown in St. Francisville. Speakers are Marianne Willburn and Scott Beuerlein. Visit www.thesoutherngardensymposium. org for details and registration.
n The Feliciana Wildflower Festival will be June 7and the group is seeking applications for vendors and guest speakers. Visit www.facebook.com/FelicianaWildflowerProject for information.
Send news and events for East andWestFeliciana parishes to extra@ theadvocate.com by noon Fridayorcall (225) 3880731.
PUBLISHEDEVERY WEDNESDAYUSPS NO.668-520 Onlineatwww.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/ communities/east_feliciana/ The
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24th St., Baton Rouge; DWI first offense, operating a vehicle under suspension for certain prior offenses, driving on roadway laned for traffic, bench warrant
CHARLES MOTEN: 41; 11699 Liberty St., Clinton; disturbing the peace by public intoxication
AUG. 11
BENJAMIN TURBEVILLE: 29; 936 GillsburgRoad, Liberty Mississippi; fugitivewarrant
MILLARD ANTHONY: 45; 7041 Springhill Road, Pollack; aggravated battery,bench warrant
AUG. 12
DENNY FONTENOT: 49; 8288 La. 101, Hays;probation warrant
AUG. 14
DONALD DWAYNE GUY: 35; 909 Folly BrownRoad, Clinton; bench warrant
TRAVIS HELM: 38; 5242 Jean St., Baton Rouge; fugitive for East Baton Rouge, two counts bench warrant
AUG. 15
GENECIA WILLIAMS: 20; 71 Highland Road, Centreville, Mississippi; contraband into state hospital-unlawfully bringing firearm
TONYANEAL: 41; La. 956, Ethel; twocounts possession of firearm by felon, possession of methamphetamine
AUG. 16
JASON WOOD: 50; 312 Weiland Drive, Baker; probation violation
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Noticeisherebygiven pursuant to Article7, Section23(C) of theLouisiana Constitution andR.S.47:1705 (B)thatapublichearing of theParishSchoolBoard of theParishofWest Felicianawill be held at itsregular meeting place, theParishSchoolBoard Office,located at 4727 Fidelity Street,St. Francisville, LA, on Monday,September 30,2024at5:00p.m to consider levyingadditionalorincreased millagerates withoutfurther voter approval or adopting theadjustedmillage ratesafter reassessment androlling forwardtorates nottoexceedthe prioryear’smaximum Theestimated amount of taxrevenuestobe collectedinthe next year forSchoolDistrict RegularConst.fromthe increasedmillage is $2,009,168.18and theamountofincrease in taxesattributable to themillage increase is $72,052.27.The estimatedamountoftax revenues to be collectedinthe next year for Consolidated School District No.1fromthe increasedmillage is $6,644,670.57and the amount of theincreaseintaxes attributable to themillage increase is $238,289.49. Theestimated amount of taxrevenuestobe collectedinthe next year forConsolidated School District No.1fromthe increased millageis$1,689,323.03 andthe amount of theincreaseintaxes attributable to the millageincreaseis$60,582.08. Theestimated amount of taxrevenuestobecollected in thenextyearfor Consolidated School District No.1fromthe increasedmillage is $4,955,347.54and theamountofthe increase in taxesattributable to themillage increase is $117,707.41
