St.Francisvillewithout firechief for8 months
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
The town of St. Francisville has beenwithout adesignated fire chief for eight months, but officials said during an Aug. 27 meeting they are opentoappointingan interim chief.
FireChief Tommy Robinson retired on Dec. 31.
MayorRobert Leake, who noted that Alderman Andy D’Aquilla had recently asked about the depart-
Organizers
BY MELINDARAWLS
HOWELL Contributing writer
JenniferAbraham, director of the T. HarryWilliams Center of Oral History Center at LSU, met with Audubon Regional Library staff and residents Aug. 29 as the first step toward recording oral historiesfor Clinton, East Feliciana Parishand, possibly,beyond.
Community members planning the Oct. 5Clinton Bicentennial Celebration are credited as being instrumental in reigniting the interest in such aproject —topromote and pursue the idea of collecting oral histories.
Working with the local library,which hadoffered its resources, an invitation was recently issued to the public to attend Cramer’s talk.
Cramer explainedthe center’smission, some of its achievementsand eventstouching upon some of the many ways she and her students might be of assistance. Sheofferedtraining, tips for interviewers, examples of forms needed, advice on the use of timelines, use of topics versus questions and other helpful information and guidelines.
Early in Cramer’spresentation she asked the group to think about what they hoped to achieve and asked how the center could help, saying “What do you want?”
Library Director Trevor Collings said, “Oral history is incredibly important to preserving our community’spast… containing voices and experiences that written records often miss.” He continued, “by documenting these personalstories,weensure that our collective heritage remains accessible for future generations.”
Formore information about upcoming plans for the oral histories project contactthe Audubon Regional Library at (225) 683-8753.
ment’s leadership structure, said theFireDepartment’sbudgetcalls for four paidfirefighters, but only two are currently employed.
D’Aquilla is running formayor against Leakeinthe Nov.5election
When Robinson left, the department had three paid firefighters, andone of them “stepped up” to assume aleadership role, Leake said. But thatemployee later left the department.
Of the tworemaining employees, one has said hedoes not want to be
thefire chief, themayor added.
In addition to the full-timeemployees,the department is served by agroup of volunteer firefightersand can call on theparish fire departmentfor assistance.
Leakesuggested puttinganinterimfire chief’sappointment on the next meeting’s agenda,saying thenext group of aldermen should name apermanent chief.
“I think we can wait afew more months,”the mayor said. With D’Aquilla running for may-
or and Aldermen Rucker Leake notseeking reelection, the board will have at least two new members after theelection.Member GiGi Robertson waselected withoutopposition after qualifying ended in July Rucker Leakesaidhefavorsnaming someone as theinterimleader In government, “youhave to have someone in charge,” the alderman said. On another matter,the board approvedArbourConstruction Co.’s
bid of $347,650 foranerosion control project off Cypress Street in the Audubon Hills neighborhood. Adrainage pipe that directs runoffwater overa bluff at thebackto the subdivision is causing erosion of residentiallots.The project, supportedbya legislative appropriation, will include anew catch basin, piping and aconcrete channel to carry water to the bottom of the hill. Engineer Bianca Hillhouse said the slope of the bluffalso will be altered to control the erosion.
East Feliciana Tigers freshman quarterback Jayden Matthews prepares to unload adeep ballbefore the Shark defense could gettohim.
PHOTOSBYDAVID THOMAS JR.
East Feliciana Tigers quarterback J’Maekus Cannon Jr.tucks the ball and movesup field forabig gain againt the Sharks defense.
EAST ANDWEST
FELICIANA
COUNCILONAGING
n
n
635-6719.
EAST FELICIANA
n 11102 Bank St., Clinton
n 3699 La. 10, Jackson
Wednesday, Sept. 4
ARTCLASS: 9a.m
DEVOTIONAL: 11:15 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 5
BINGO: 10:30 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 6
TAICHI: 10:45 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Monday, Sept. 9
EXERCISE CLASS: 10:45 a.m LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 10 BINGO: 10:30 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Transportation Transportationisprovided to EastFeliciana Parish residents of anyage for appointments in East Feliciana, West Feliciana and East Baton Rouge parishes Mondaythrough Friday. Call (225) 683-9862 to schedule atransportation appointment.
WEST FELICIANA PARISH BOOKINGS
The following people were booked intothe West Feliciana Parish Detention Center between Aug. 19-25:
AUG. 19
DAWSON, DAMON: 55; 4778 Camelia St., St. Francisville; disturbing the peace
AUG. 20
DAVIS,ANDRE: 48; Tunica Trace, St. Francisville; attempted second-degree murder, simple escape
AUG. 21
SULLIVAN, KENNY: 38; 5181 Commenas Drive, St. Francisville; theft of utility service, resisting an officer, battery of apolice officer
AUG. 22
TAYLOR, REBECCA: 63; 3074 Myrtle Ave., Baton Rouge; improper telephone communications
Aug. 23
AXTON, GARY: 44; 7024 La. 10, Jackson; fugitivewarrant
AUG. 24
ANTHONY,DYNELL: 25; 10843 BrownDrive, Wakefield; contempt of court
AROUND
Continued from page1G
LouisianaMainStreetannounces 2024 communities
Community news report
Lt. Gov.Billy Nungesserand Louisiana Main Street announcethe 24 Louisianacommunities designated as Accredited Main Street America programs for 2024 These Main Street organizations have met performance standards set by the National Main Street Center and recognized fortheirexemplary commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main StreetApproach, according to anews release. Towns in the regions include: n Denham Springs, Livingston Parish n Donaldsonville,Ascension Parish n Hammond, Tangipahoa Parish n St. Francisville, West Feliciana Parish.
The rest of the communities are Abbeville,VermilionParish; Crowley,Acadia Parish; Franklin, St. Mary Parish; Homer,Claiborne Parish;Houma, Terrebonne Parish; Leesville, Vernon Parish; Monroe, Ouachita Parish; Morgan City, St.
“Loyal to the Royal Day” andencourages residents and businesses towear and display the royal blue and white tocheer on the West Feliciana High School Saints football team as they take on theAlexandria Senior High Trojans. Angola Prison Rodeotickets
Tickets are available for theAngola Prison RodeoinOctober.Reserved seating is $20 per ticket. The eventincludes music by inmate bands, food andprisoner-
Mary Parish; Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish; New Iberia, Iberia Parish; Old Algiers, New Orleans, Orleans Parish; Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans, Orleans Parish; New Roads, Pointe Coupee Parish; Opelousas, St. Landry Parish; Ruston, Lincoln Parish; Springhill, Webster Parish; St. Martinville, St.Martin Parish; Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish; West Monroe, Ouachita Parish; and Winnsboro, Franklin Parish.
“The historic downtowns and neighborhoods in our state give each area asense of uniqueness, place, and character that sets one apart from the other.These commercial districts are the heart and soul of the communities in which theyare located,” Nungesser said.
“The revitalization of these areas provides small businesses with great locations to set up shop, help increase taxrevenue for their local governments, and draw more visitors to the downtown area. It’s an honor to be able to recognizethese 24 Louisiana communities who have worked diligently to revitalize their social cohesion and economic sustainability,” he
madearts and crafts. Children’sactivities includepony rides, carnival games and an antiquecarousel. Admission to the Louisiana Prison Museumand Cultural Center at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola is free for ticket holders each Sunday.Purchase at angolarodeo.com/tickets.
4-Harchery tournament
East Feliciana Parish 4-H will hold itsfirst Archery 3D Invitational on Sept. 14 at the Bob R. Jones Idlewild Research Station, 13248 Gross Road, in Clinton. This event invites 4-H members, 4-H alumni, 4-H shooting sports coaches and parents to participate. The invitational will have both individual
said. The Louisiana Main Street program has documented impact, reaching a historic investmentmilestoneof$1 billion in public and private investment in 2022, according to the release. Of that investment, $520 million was private investments with the remaining $527 million in public investments. Other key statistics during that time include: n Creation of 15,502 net new jobs n 3,713 net new businesses n Morethan $461 million in new construction or rehabilitation of buildings n More than 2million volunteer hours.
In 2023, the Main Street America programs generated $5.68 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,630 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 35,162 netnew jobs, catalyzed therehabilitation of 10,556 historic buildings, andleveraged 1,664,763 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that aMain Street program spenttosupport their operations, it generated$18.03 of new investment backinto their
and team divisions. Team member scorewill also qualify as an individual competition. Cost is $25 for individual entries and $40 for team entries. Square invoice will be sent once registration is received. Visit tinyurl.com/yj4hy2mv to register 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 Jury Office building, 12064 Marston St., in Clinton. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins welcome. Call (225) 425-8034 for an appointment. Through donations, screenings are free if you have not been screened within the
downtown and commercial corridor communities. LouisianaMainStreet annually evaluates each state organization’s performance, workinginpartnership with the National Main Street Center, to identify local programs that meet rigorous national community evaluation standards. These standards providethe Main StreetAmerica network withastrong foundational framework to review progress, recognizestrengths, understand trends, and identify strategies that move Main Street programs forward. To quality for Accredited status —MainStreet America’stop designation tier —communities must demonstrate aproven trackrecord of achieving outcomes in alignment with theMainStreetApproachand exceptional performance in six areas: broad-based community commitment to revitalization; inclusive leadership and organizational capacity; diversifiedfunding and sustainable program operations; strategy-driven programming; preservation-based economic development; and demonstrated impact and results.
past 12 months. Insurance will be billed for mammograms. Colorectal screenings will be atake-home kit.
Animal sheltervolunteers
West Feliciana Animal Humane Society announced on Facebook that it is looking forvolunteers. 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.
Sendnewsand events for East and West Felicianaparishes to extra@theadvocate. com by noon Friday or call (225) 3880731.
PHOTOSBYDAVID THOMAS JR
