Walk forLife in the Felicianas
Register for Walk for Life in the Felicianas at 8a.m., Saturday, Oct. 5. The walkbegins at 9a.m. For information contact (225) 683-3371 or acs@landmarkbankla.com. The route is between Landmark Bank and Feliciana Bank. Cost is $25 a person or $250 for ateam.
Blessing of theanimals
Bring your animals to be blessed in honor of the Feast of St. Francis at 4p.m. Oct. 5 at Parker Park Pavilion in St. Francisville. Animals must be leashed or caged. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Donations for the animal shelter will be accepted: Purina Adult Dog Chow,Puppy Chow,Canned ClassicGround, medium Milk Bones, Kong Goodie bones, Temptations cat treats, kitten collars (small to medium), sliprope dog leashes, paper towels, bleach, laundry pods and large garbage bags.
Walk-in flushots available Lane Rx, located in front of the hospital at 6400 Main St., Zachary,isoffering free walkin flu shots Monday-Friday from 9a.m. to 7p.m., and Saturday from 9a.m. to 3p.m.The vaccinations are free with most insurance plans.
The standard Fluzone, for ages 6months to 64 years, is $32 for cash pay,and the Fluzone High Dose for ages 65 and older is $92 for cash. For information, call (225) 658-4022.
Mammograms available
Woman’sHospital bringsits mobile mammography coach to East Feliciana PrimaryCare, 3050 Charles Drive, Jackson, on Oct. 21. Physician’sorders are required and appointments are strongly encouraged. Call 225-683-5292 to schedule.
Trunk-or-Treat
Atrunk-or-treat starts at 6p.m. Oct. 17 at West Feliciana Sports Park in the circle parking lot by the ball fields. Adonation of $1 donation per car is asked.Trunk contest categories are scariest,favorite movie and most original. The concession stand willbeopen. Call the park office at (225) 784-8447 to reserve aspot.
Register to vote
The deadline to register to vote in the Nov.5Open Primary/Presidential/CongressionalElection in person or by mail is Oct. 7, and the deadline to register to vote throughthe GeauxVote Online Registration System is Oct. 15. Citizens with avalid Louisiana driver’s license or Louisiana ID card can register online24hours aday,seven days aweek by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov
Louisiana residents can also register in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office, when they applyfor or renew their driver’slicenseatany OfficeofMotor Vehicles, or when obtaining services at public assistance agencies and Armed Forcesrecruitment offices
Angola Prison Rodeotickets
Tickets are available for the Angola Prison Rodeo in October.Reserved seating is $20
ä See AROUND, page 2G
DEMOCRAT
Mayorvetoesmillage rate changes
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
With Hurricane Francine bearing down onthe Louisiana coast, three of thefive St. Francisville Board of Aldermen met Sept.10to enact acomplicated pair of ordinances to set the town’s 2024 property tax millage.
With new,and higher,property assessmentsdeterminedbythe parish assessor,the quorum of the
ST.FRANCISVILLE
board first voted to roll back the town’s property tax from 5.66 mills to 5.18 mills. The effect would be to collect aboutthe same amount of revenue as the town collected last year
Then, after apublic hearing, the three votedto“rollforward”with the tax levy to the full 5.66 mills, which would have resulted in an increaseofabout $18,000 because
of thetown’shigherproperty values.
Theboard needed afourth vote, however Statelaw requires at least atwothirds vote of themembership, or fourvotes fora five-member governing body,toadopt the higher millage.
Mayor RobertLeake explained duringaSept. 24 meeting that he was forced to veto the ordinance rolling forward to the maximum
levy because the state Legislative Auditor will notcertify the board’s action.
Four,orall five members would have hadtovotefor the measure forittobecome effective.
Board members Abby Cochran, Rucker Leake and Gigi Robertson attendedthe Sept. 10 session, while Andry D’Aquilla and Collin Howell were absent.
See MILLAGE, page 2G
Time to celebrate Clinton’s200th
BY MELINDARAWLS HOWELL Contributing
writer
Clintoniscelebrating its 200th
birthday Saturday with music, historytalks,vendors, food and a car show
Organizers of Clinton’sBicentennial Celebration are fine-tuning last minute details.
The residents of the historic town, East Feliciana Parish and more will come together with local,parish and state officialsand special guests to recognize the town’s historicmilestone and to enjoy the official celebratory activities andofferings from 2p.m to 9p.m
Thenonprofit groupClinton Is Home, which servedasthe planning committee, invites all to commemorate the town’s200th birthday —tohear someofthe history andstories about the parish, town and people—indowntown Clinton near and in the historic EastFelicianaParish courthouse and mostly inthe St. Helena Street area.
Around thefields in theFelicianas
The East Feliciana Tigers came up short and fellto0-1 to open 2-A district play
The Tigers, who losttoEpiscopal 2043, will host Capitol on Friday in its homecoming game. Slaughter Charter won big against Capitol 49-0. They take on Northeast Friday
Despitescoring 37 points, West Feliciana was outscored by Woodlawn, 57-37. It’s homecoming at West Feliciana as the Saints face Plaquemine. Silliman Institute traveled to Adams County Christianfor a41-25 win. Silliman hosts Cathedral at home at 7p.m. Friday
PHOTO BY MELINDARAWLS HOWELL
Organizers of the Clinton 200th celebration discuss plans for the event in the historicEast Feliciana Parish courthouse.
PHOTOSBYDAVID THOMAS JR. East Feliciana Tigers kicker MatthewKing drives the opening
The mayor said the board would not have enough time to run the necessary publicnotices and meet to set the millage at the maximum rate before thetax rollsbecome final.
“My advice is the try again next year,” the mayor said.
The Sept. 10 vote was set after the boarderred on July 9byvoting to set the higher millage withoutthe series of public notices required by law.Leake had to veto the July 9measure as well.
The board introduced an ordinance proposed by the Planning andZoning Commission that would allow cafes to operate as a“conditional use” in amixed use zoning district. The cafes couldnot sell alcoholic beverages, have drivethrough window service or have commercial kitchens under the termsofthe ordinance,which will be set for apublic hearing andvote on Oct. 22.
The Sept. 24 session was livestreamed on Facebook with a handheld iPhone, while the officials discussed whether their meetings should aired on social media.
D’Aquilla has made livestreaming the meetings part of his campaign in the mayor’srace, which will be decided Nov.5 Leake said he put the item on the agenda, sayingD’Aquilla had never brought up the idea before.
“Wehave talked aboutit,” D’Aquilla replied, adding, “Iwish more people would attend.” Leake estimated that microphones, acamera and related equipment could cost $15,000 to $20,000 and suggestedadding thenecessary equipment when the meeting room is reconfigured from its present three tables where the officials now sit. Robertson pushed for adelay in deciding whethertovideo the proceedings, sayingshe wanted to see “what’sbest for oursmall town.”
AROUND
Continued from page1G
per ticket.The event includes music by inmate bands, food,and prisoner-madearts and crafts. Children’sactivities includepony rides, carnival games and an antique carousel. Admission to the Louisiana Prison Museum and Cultural Center at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola is free for ticket holders each Sunday.Purchaseatangolarodeo.com/tickets.
Free cancer screening
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is holding breastand 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, butwalkins welcome. Call (225) 425-8034 foranappointment. Through donations, screenings are free if you have not been screened within the past 12 months. Insurance will be billed formammograms. Colorectal screenings will be atake-home kit.
Save thedate
n Yellow Leaf Festival is agreat way to get ahead of your holiday shopping while supportinglocal artists. The Yellow Leaf Arts Festival will be Oct. 28-29 in Parker Park in DowntownSt. Francisville. More information, www. artsforallwestfeliciana.com.
n Christmas in the Country in St. Francisville is set for Dec. 6-8.
n The Southern Garden Symposium is Oct. 18 at Rosedown in St. Francisville. Speakers areMarianne Willburn and Scott Beuerlein. Visit www.thesoutherngardensymposium.org for detailsand registration.
n The Feliciana Wildflower Festivalwill be June 7and the group is seeking applications for vendors and guest speakers. Visit www.facebook.com/FelicianaWildflowerProjectfor information.
Send news and events for East and West Feliciana parishes to extra@theadvocate.com by noon Friday or call (225)388-0731.
East Feliciana20, Episcopal43
East Feliciana Tigers senior lineman Treveon Green provides pass protection as he takes on Episcopal Knight’sSeniordefensivelineman J.B. Sessums
ABOVE: East Feliciana Tigers head coach Darius Matthews Sr.prepared to lead his Tigers into district playagainst the Episcopal Knights LEFT: East Feliciana Tigers sophomore, two-waystandout Ryan ‘Bug’ Moore takes the Tiger’s first kickoff and goes 75 yards to put the Tigers on the board early in the first quarter.Moore was the spark of the Tigers offense but theystill fellshort43-20 to the Episcopal Knights
East Feliciana Tigers senior lineman Robert Washington III prepares to rush the Episcopal lineman MatthewBoagni.The Knights prevailed over the Tigers to go 1-0 and district play.
PHOTOSBYDAVID THOMAS JR.
East Feliciana Tigers senior lineman Aumari Barnes takes on an Episcopal lineman and he provides protection for hisquarterback. The Tigers fellto the Knightsinthe opening of 2-Adistrict competition 43-20.
Mayor Mark Kemp issued astatementsaying,“Serving this community as mayor has been an incredible honor and opportunity for me,” andthe “upcoming bicentennialisaonce-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us.”
“Small communities have large hearts,” he added. “Allofusbenefit fromour mutual support and efforts in this endeavor.Knowing the community throughout my life has created so many good memories and deep friendships.”
The opening ceremony will begin at 2p.m. on the front portico of the East Feliciana Courthousewith state Rep. Roy Daryl Adams acting as master of ceremonies.
The program will include remarks by Lt. Gov. William H. “Billy”Nungesser andU.S Rep. Julia Letlow
Following soon after and locateddownstairsinthe courthouse therewill be limited seating for two special presentations. V. Elaine Thompson, assistant professor ofhistory at LouisianaTechUniversity anda native of Clinton, will talk about some of the history ofClinton including some of the former Jewish residents.
Thompson attended Centenary College and later Rice University where she specialized in southern and early American history and earned her Ph.D. Followingher talk will be aliving history re-enactment about noted members of the Williamand Minder Hansberry family,African Americans with roots in East Feliciana, and some of theiraccomplishments.
An introduction will be given with background informationand then two Hansberry family members will be portrayed as they tell about themselves and some of their remarkable endeavors and accomplishments.
Aportion ofSt. Helena Street will be blocked off and there will be various vendors, including food
vendors, in the surrounding area. Live music is planned nearby forthe lateafternoon/evening. Also taking place that day nearby will bea blood drive, bicyclists coming through town, acar show andmore.
Another opportunity that dayfor visitorsisthe historic St. Andrews Episcopal Church, circa1971, located at11015 Church Street,will be open to tour from9 a.m. to3 p.m.
Attendees are reminded that blankets on the grounds of the courthouse and ice chests are prohibited. There will be restrooms available at designated areas. For more information gotothe Facebook page for Clinton Is Home.
Welcoming Van-Vi Richardson,MD to
Dr.Richardson specializes in Family Medicine. From cold/flu/COVID symptoms to management of chronic health issues such as migraines,hypertension and diabetes,Dr. Richardson is heretohelpwith all of your healthcareneeds.
Services include:
Dr.Van-Vi Richardson has joined the staff of Lane Family Practice and is nowaccepting new patients!
For asame-day appointment, please call 225-654-3607. “Itismyprivilege
• Annual Wellness Exams
• PreventativeCheck-ups
• Blood PressureManagement
Diabetes Management Immunizations
• FluShots
• OnsiteX-ray and LaboratoryTesting
Scan QR code to learnmoreabout the
Looking at the lot across the street from the courthouse and discussing the tent or booths that might be placed there, from left, are Marsha Kemp, chair of the Clinton Is Home, and Arlene Culpepper,publicist.
PHOTOSBYMELINDARAWLS HOWELL
The historic East Feliciana Parish Courthouse will be the setting of the opening ceremonyfor Clinton’sthe 200th birthday celebration.
EAST ANDWEST
FELICIANA COUNCIL ON AGING
The schedules for West and East Feliciana Council on Aging facilities areas follows:
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: Nutritioneducation
WEDNESDAYS: Exercise/ yoga
THURSDAYS: Bible study
FRIDAYS: Bingo/movie/ excursion
n All people 60 and older in West Feliciana Parishare invited to join. n Fortransportationtothe center or questions, call (225) 635-6719.
EAST FELICIANA
n 11102 Bank St., Clinton n 3699 La. 10, Jackson
Wednesday, Oct. 2 ARTCLASS: 9a.m DEVOTIONAL: 11:15 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 BINGO: 10:30 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4
Oct. 7
11:30 a.m.
Transportation Transportation is provided to East Feliciana 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.
TwoSt. Francisvillerestaurantsshine at theLouisiana Food &WineFestival
Community news report
Restaurant 1796 and Big River Pizza Co.havebeen recognized for outstanding culinary excellence at the Louisiana Food &WineFestival, winning top awards.
Restaurant 1796 took home the “Best BBQ”and “Best Dessert” awards, while Big River Pizza Co.claimedthe title of “Best Chicken ” Restaurant1796 impressed festivalgoers with its BBQ dish, using traditional techniques and unique ingredients, anews release said. Known for its commitment to farm-to-tabledining, the restaurant’s smoked pork loin al pastor over a cilantro rice salad was cel-
ebrated for its balanced smoky and savory notes, beingvotedbythe festivalgoersfor “Best BBQ” during the Friday event, “Fire on the Lake.”
Restaurant1796 also won Best Dessert with the butterscotchpudding with whipped cream and candied hazelnuts.
“Weare thrilled and honored to receive these awards,” said Daniel Drehr executive chef of Restaurant 1796. “My team and I work hard to deliver on every dish we feature at our restaurant, and we are proud to be able to share them with others across the state. This recognition means the world to us.”
Big River Pizza Co. was celebrated forits outstanding Best Chicken dishduring the Grand Tasting event. Known for its wood-fired pizza and innovative approach to comfort food, Big River Pizza Co., one of the newest restaurants in St. Francisville, impressed the judges with their own buffalo chicken wing recipe over homemade ranch.
“Winning Best Chicken is atestament to our passion for curating amenu that has something for everyone,” said Nick Kent, executive chef and general manager of Big River PizzaCo. “We’re proudtoberecognized among so many talented chefs and restaurants.”
Big River Pizza Co. wonBest Chicken dish during the Grand Tasting event with abuffalo chickenwing recipeoverhomemade ranch
Big River Pizza Co. wonBest Chicken dish during the Grand Tasting event with its buffalo chicken wing recipe over homemade ranch.
Restaurant 1796 wonBest Dessert, with butterscotch pudding with whipped cream and candied hazelnuts,a recipe that has been in chef Daniel Dreher’sfamilyfor generations.
PROVIDED PHOTOS Daniel Dreher,executivechef of Restaurant 1796, and Nick Kent, executivechef and general manager of BigRiver Pizza Co.
LDWF agentsmake numerous dove hunting violation cases on opening weekend
Community news report
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agentscited 75 people resulting in 100 citations for alleged dovehunting violationsonthe opening weekend of the 2024-25 dove hunting season Sept. 7-8.
Agentsseized285 doves in connectionwith thesecases and donated them to local charities. Dove cases in the region on opening weekendinclude:
Livingston: Agentscitedseven subjects each for hunting migratory game birdsover abaited area and wrote onecitationfor placing bait to hunt migratory game birds.
St.Helena: Agents cited foursubjects each forhunting migratory game birdsovera baited area and wrote onecitation foraiding and abetting others in taking migratory game birds over abaited area.
Tangipahoa:Agents cited one personfor huntingmigratory game birdswithanunplugged gun.
East Feliciana: Agents cited 12 people each forhunting migratory game birdsovera baited area.
Pointe Coupee:Agents cited six people each for hunting migratory game birdsover abaited area and wrote another citationfor placing bait to hunt migratory game birds.
All migratory game bird baitingcases are filed with the U.S. Attorney’sOffice forprosecution in federal court.
WEST FELICIANA PARISH BOOKINGS
The following people were booked into the West Feliciana Parish Detention Center between Sept. 16-22:
SEPT.16
GREEN, ZEPHANIAH: 17; 5180 Burnett Road, St. Francisville; manslaughter
SEPT.17
BLACKS,EBONY: 50;5514 BlackmoreRoad,St. Francisville; exploitation of theinfirmed
FRANKLIN, AMONTE: 19; 8312 CarverRoad,St. Francisville; second-degree murder
BROWN, ATYSON: 17; 8312 Carver Road, St. Francisville; second-degree murder
SEPT.18
MIMS,SAMUEL: 22; 8247Carver Road, St. Francisville; second-degreemurder
class Aug. 23. Clinton Elementary School experiments with solar
IT’S TIMETOPAINT THE TOWN PINK
Join West Feliciana Hospital’s annual breastcancer awareness campaign to raise moneyfor Cancer Services of BatonRouge, whichserves a10-parishareathat includes West and East Feliciana andPointeCoupee.
Businesses and individuals areaskedtodecorate their homes orofficesboth inside and out, and enterour competition. For entry formsand moreinformationon PAINT THE TOWN PINK contact us at pttp@wfph.org or 225-635-3811 ext. 2304.
PAINTTHE TOWN PINK EVENTS
•Thursday,October 3: Pink Bake Sale at Audubon Market 11:00am-tillwerun out
• Thursday,October 10: Paint Party6p.m.atWestFeliciana Hospital. Includes paint instructor and door prizes Purchase tickets ahead of time from the Resources/Events page on our website, seating is limited
•Friday, October11: Schools,sports clubs,and the entire community is encouraged to wear pink!
•Wednesday,October 16: Paint the Town Pink Contest Judging forDecorated Establishments
•Thursday,October 24: Come hydrate at our water station during TheWitches Ride of St. Francisville
• Friday,October 25: KendraScott JewelryRaffleWinner Announced
Clinton Elementary School fourth grade students used solar energy to power motors during science
Ky’ren Norman and Jaden Brown examine their work.
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Sanilyha Williams encourages Kassidee Ferguson as theycollaborate on testing their device.
Fourth grader Carter Robinson tests his device.
West Felicianaannounces 2024 homecoming court
East Felicianapublicschools celebraterefurbished stadium
Community news report
The East Feliciana Public Schools community celebrated and commemorated new beginnings Sept. 6during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for therenovatedEast Feliciana High School stadium. In attendance for the ribbon cutting were board Vice President Joyce AKent; board members JD Dantzler,Melissa Davis, Lillian G. Drake, Patricia King,and Rufus Nesbitt;stateRep.Roy Daryl Adams, District Attorney Samuel D’Aquilla, superintendent Keisha Netterville, EFHS principal Mia Taylor-King, and EFHS head coach Darius Matthews.
“Wewant to thank each of these individuals as well as those who are unable to attend for their effortsinadvancing and enhancing experiences for our studentsat East Feliciana High School,” Taylor-King said.
The ribbon-cuttingceremony was part of the East Feliciana High Schoolfootball team’sregular season home opener against Kentwood. Kentwood won 46-28.
The next home footballgame for EFHS will be againstCapitol on Oct. 4incelebration of homecoming. The complete Tiger schedule is available at efschools.net/athletics
State Rep. RoyDaryl Adams; Superintendent Keisha Netterville; boardmembers Rufus Nesbitt, Lillian G. Drake, JD Dantzler,and Melissa Davis; District AttorneySamuel D’Aquilla;boardvice president JoyceA.Kent, and board member Patricia King cheer as Principal Mia Taylor-King cuts the ribbonofthe renovatedEast Feliciana Highstadium.
East Feliciana HighTiger Ronnie Harrell grabs asip of water during the first regular season game at the renovated EFHS stadium.
Zy’Kirriah
Kentwood.
West Feliciana High homecoming court2024 includes, from left, Harmony White, Chloe Doiron, TristenHarris, Caroline Stout,Libby
Kristen Cook and Victoria Williams.
The East Feliciana High cheer squad, includingatfront,
Dunn and Brianna Leggett, encourage the football team during their recentcontest against
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Anaerial view of the renovatedEast Feliciana High stadium
West FelicianaHighstudentshonored with CollegeBoard’s
The College Board’s National Recognition Awards celebrate the academic accomplishments of students from rural or small town areas, African American/Black, Hispanic/ Latino, Indigenous/Native American backgrounds, and first-generation students.
West Feliciana High students who recently received the award include Giselle El Bechir, Alex Gonzales, Rachael Gosserand, Brayden Jarrell, Amyria King, Elizabeth Levasseur, Nakiya Pittman and Nicholas Wadsack.
SlaughterCommunity Charternames homecomingcourt
Community news report
Slaughter CommunityCharterSpiritWeek isOct.1-4,withthe football gameat7 p.m., Friday,Oct. 4.
The homecoming king andqueenwill be announcedathalftime.
An alumni tent will be at the game; visit the school Facebookpage for registration details Theme days for the studentsinclude Bikers vs. Surfers, Decades Day,Generations Day and Knights Spirit Day
The pep rally is at 6p.m., Thursday,Oct. 3.
10th grade courtmembers, from
Slaughter Community Charter 11th grade homecomingcourt includes, from left, PaydenFletcher and Malachi Wyre.
Slaughter Community Charter seventh and eighth grade homecoming courtmembers, from left, seated,Joyree Thomas and BaileyStewart, and standing,MarleyPerry and Brock Washington.
Ninth and
left, seated, Rylee Maglone and Madison Easley, and standing, Albert Eubanks and Ace Vaughn
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Slaughter Community Charter seniors on the homecoming court, seated from left, are Shamira Thomas, Harliegh Hubbard, and Grace Weathersby, and standing,Sean Matthews, Michael Winfreyand TerranceArmstead
PROVIDED PHOTO
Alex Gonzales, Nicholas Wadsack, Amyria King,NakiyaPittman, Giselle El Bechir,Elizabeth Levasseur,Brayden Jarrell and Rachael Gosserand,ofWest
Feliciana High, arehonored with the College Board’s National Recognition Awards, whichcelebrate the academicaccomplishments of students from rural or small town areas, African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Indigenous/NativeAmerican backgrounds,and first-generation students