Members of the EdwardLivingston Historical Association on Jan. 4went on ajourney via afilm featuring some of the highlights of Livingston Parish as it was in the late 1990s.
The documentary,filmed in midyear 1997, served as arefresher course of what has pretty much stayed the same in primarilythe eastern portion of the parishand
what has changed. The film was narratedbyRube Rogers, apopular radio commentator on Hammondstations for several decades
The story follows agroup of touristsand members of thethen-Livingston Parish TourismBureau on abus trip through theparish. At key points along the way,the bus stops and the riders are givena presentationonthe sitethey are visiting The film emphasizes arosy future for Livingston Parishwith
continued anticipated growth; and in realitythe parishhas indeed seen itspopulationflourish over thepast 25 years. Asecond theme was the anticipation of Tickfaw State Park,anattraction that at the time presaged aboom in tourism in theparish. Thepark was eventually built and it has become abeacon for visitors who enjoy spending time in the outdoors.
The day’sjourney begins in Denham Springs and thefirst stop is at the Macedonia Baptist Church, the
oldestBaptist Church in Livingston Parish. Clark Forrest, current president of thehistorical association and asecondguide on the trek, saidthe church, asimple,all-wooden building, was built in 1898 and thecongregation had been formed in 1866. Forrest said the church still meets today and he commended thegroupfor preserving the historical original structure. Nearby is aclear spring that Forrest saidslakedthe thirst of the church’s parishioners morethan
Update on Livingston Parish hoop teamsasregular season windsdown
100 years ago. Thechurch,which remains atourist destination at present, is just south of Holden. In response to aquestion from Rogers as to why he wrote ahistory book about Livingston Parish, Forrest replied, “I kept hearing tales about what was referred to as the ‘Free State of Livingston Parish’soI decidedtofind out if the tales Iwas hearing were true.” Clark said he was also inspired
PowerSchool data breach affects multiple Louisiana school districts
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
Several Louisiana school districts were affected by apotential data breach after a popular education software program was hacked, the districts said Jan. 8. Ascension, Livingston and St. Charles school districts said Jan. 8onFacebook that they hadbeen notifiedthattheir districts were involved in “cybersecurity incident” last month targeting PowerSchool, aprogram school systems across the country use to store student and employee data. The AscensionSchoolspost stated thedistrictwas notified late on Jan. 9.
The incident involved an unauthorized user gaining access to data in the software’s Student Information System,according to the districts’ public messages. The data may have included personal information such as names, addresses, contact information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, select health and grade information, and parent or guardian names, the posts stated.
The investigationisongoing, andthe districts will provide updates as more information becomes available.
In astatementtothe Advocate, aPowerSchool spokespersonsaidthe companybelieves the compromised data has been deleted.
“Wehave taken all appropriate steps to prevent the data involved from further unauthorized access or misuse,” the statement said. “The incident is contained andwedo not anticipate the data being shared or made public.”
PowerSchool,whichwas acquiredbythe private investment firm Bain Capital for $5.6 billioninOctober,supports morethan 60 millionstudents through 18,000 customers.
After PowerSchool becameawareofthe data breach on Dec. 28, it notifiedlaw enforcementand used“the services of aprofessional adviser with experience in negotiating withthreat actors,” accordingtothe Livingston Parish Public Schools post.
With the end of thehighschool basketball season roughlya month away,the girlsplayoffs begin aweek earlier than the boys, andLivingstonParish is poised to have astrongpostseason presence. Theteamsare set to focuson district play and movingupin the powerratings
For theboys teams, Denham Springs has kept itself near the top of the Division Inonselect power ratings all season. The Yellow Jackets improved to 20-1 last week with ahard-fought 60-55 win over McKinley,one of thebest teams in Baton Rouge. There have also been some big things going on at Albany,where
theHornets boys have been stacking up win after win. They defeated St. Thomas Aquinas Friday to pick up their 12th consecutive win. The team has been rated just outside the Division II top five, and has achance to moveinto the top four,aspot that would give
“PowerSchool states that they have received‘reasonable assurances fromthe threat actor that the data has been deleted and that no additional copies exist,’ ”itadded.
The company also told districts it is safeto continue using PowerSchool accounts, adding that it will provide additional services to thoseaffected,according to theAscension Public Schools post.
“While we are unaware of and do not
“The Greatest Show.” For registration information and parade rules,visit tinyurl.com/ zdwrstv8. KrouxofBarkustotakeover Walkerpark In Walker,the Kroux of Barkus/Bark in thePark is planned for Feb.22inSidney
PHOTO BY PATRICK DENNIS
Denham Springs’ PatNelson takes ajump shot as Parkview’sAinsleyBarnhard
Beebe
45 win Jan. 6, in Denham Springs.
Charles Salzer
Livingston Parish Chamber names Deric Murphy as 2025 board chair
Deric J. Murphy was sworn in as the 2025 Board chair of the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce by Judge Erica Sledge.
The ceremony was attended by several of his employees, his wife, children and parents along with chamber members and influencers.
Murphy, who was born and raised in French Settlement and is an LSU alum with a degree in civil engineering, shared his journey with the chamber Chamber president April Wehrs said she shared her vision of his involvement which was aimed at representing the French Settlement
area and the southern part of the parish. “The vision was not only to cover each part of the parish, but also to assure the Chamber represented a diverse range of businesses, from large employers to small enterprises,” Murphy said. “We’ve seen that vision play out, and its been beneficial to the entire business community of the parish particularly with the increased representation of our independent, small business owners.”
This is Murphy’s first board position. Inspired by his parents, Vallerie and Darryl, who owned their own business, Murphy and his wife Vanissa started Quality Engineering
in 2009 Today, their companies Quality Engineering and Surveying and Landco Construction employ more than 75 people.
“The relationships and network of talented professionals I have met through the chamber has been second to none,” Murphy said. “I credit the chamber for putting me in the room with other business owners and professionals, from varying sizes and industries. We share the same goals for our businesses and our parish.”
Murphy said the chamber’s serves as a catalyst for the business community, fostering relationships and solving common business challenges collectively
Free trees giveaway to Hammond residents on Jan. 17
Community news report
Mayhaw, southern crab apple, sweet pecan, southern magnolia and native fringe trees will be distributed from 10 a.m to noon Friday at the city of Hammond maintenance facility, 18104
U.S. 190 East. There will be 100 free Louisiana native trees available in a drive-thru distribution celebrating Arbor Day
DATA
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expect any actual or attempted misuse of personal information or any financial harm to impacted individuals as a result of this incident, PowerSchool will be providing credit monitoring to affected adults and identity protection services to affected minors in accordance with regulatory and contractual obligations,” the company added, according to the school district’s online message.
Large cyberattacks on districts in recent years
According to online information maintained by the K12 Security Information Exchange, a nonprofit focused on helping schools prevent cyberattacks, there have been 17 reported separate cyberattacks on Louisiana school systems.
In 2016, the East Baton Rouge Parish school system lost $46,500 via a “phishing” fraud when the system’s top business manager wired the money to someone claiming via email to be then-Superintendent Warren Drake A problem with a thirdparty vendor exposed 86 Jefferson Parish public school students’ confidential student portal log-in information in 2020, though a school spokesperson said no personal student information was compromised. And in 2022, KPLC reported thieves stole more than $1.5 million from the Calcasieu Parish School Board using compromised emails. More recently, the St. Landry Parish School Board failed for five months to notify thousands of teachers and students that their sensitive information was made public in a July 2023 cyberattack.
Hammond residents can get one tree per adult in attendance, while supplies last. This event is organized by the Keep Hammond Beautiful committee and the City of Hammond. For more information please call (985) 277-5955. Trees are donated by Apache Corporation and TreeLife Farms from Jenkins Farm and Nursery LLC.
cording to the rule, failure to notify can be punishable via a fine up to $5,000 per violation.
Ongoing lawsuit over student data
Amid the hack, PowerSchool faces an ongoing lawsuit for allegedly selling student data without the consent of parents or kids.
Brought by two separate parents and on behalf of their children, who are represented by attorney Shana Scarlett, the lawsuit was filed last May in California. In the complaint written by Scarlett, the parents allege the company uses student data to train its artificial intelligence product and create predictions about a child’s life, which it then uses for commercial purposes.
“The information PowerSchool takes from students is virtually unlimited. It includes everything from educational records and behavioral history to health data and information about a child’s family circumstances,” she wrote. “PowerSchool collects this highly sensitive information under the guise of educational support, but in fact collects it for its own commercial gain.”
The company says on its website it does not sell student data and has rejected the claims in court, including filing a motion to dismiss in July Written by Olivia Adendorff, the attorney for the company, the document asserts the company follows all laws regarding its collection and use of student data.
Community news report In November, several members of Wednesday Volunteers for Family and Community gathered at the home of club secretary Gloria Messenger to stuff Christmas gift bags with personal care items purchased in advance with club funds. On Nov. 25, Messenger, along with members Millie Meyers, Jean Johnson, Carla VanVrancken and Sharon Miano, took the bags to Belle
Maison Nursing Home in Hammond and distributed them to the 34 residents in attendance at the club sponsored bingo activity Millie Meyers is WVFC’s chair for the monthly activity After the activity, the
club members served refreshments to the residents. Wednesday Volunteers for Family and Community is one of two organizations that make up the Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community organization.
Louisiana law requires any company that licenses computerized data to notify affected individuals if their data has been affected by a breach “without unreasonable delay” and no later than 60 days of the breach.
Additionally, the state Administrative Code requires written notice of the breach to the Louisiana Attorney general within 10 days of notifying state citizens. Ac-
“Where Plaintiffs do attempt to tie their allegations to PowerSchool in a concrete way, they ignore the operative legal framework,” she wrote. “... Yet nowhere in the Complaint do Plaintiffs cite or even acknowledge FERPA or the California Education Code, which expressly authorize schools to hire contractors to receive student data without having to obtain individual student or parent consent.”
Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher cartwright@theadvocate. com.
Community news report
PROVIDED PHOTO
Deric J. Murphy is sworn in as the 2025 board chair of the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce by Judge Erica Sledge.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Gathering around gift bags are, from left, Sharon Miano, Julie Desselles, Gwen Domiano, Donna Bouterie, Sue Nelson, Susan Melacon and Jamie McDonald
by the celebration of the nation’s Bicentennial Celebration in 1976 and that for Livingston Parish to be named a bicentennial parish certain conditions had to be met so he was eager to contribute to that effort.
A seldom visited historical curiosity, the Old Turnpike Road, also known as the, “Sunken Road,” was the next stop on the tour The road, which was originally carved out of the wilderness of several hundred years ago, connected with the royal Spanish Road that joined South Louisiana to Spanish possessions in West Florida. Forrest said the road dates back to 1810 and gained its sunken feature through many years of horse, mule and oxen pulled carts and wagons tearing dirt from the crude road
Another stop on the tour was the Hungarian Harvest Winery in Albany The visitors were treated to the often-told story of how farmers from Hungary and parts of the United States were attracted to the area through the huge Brackenridge Lumber company that operated between Albany and Springfield into the late years of the 19th Century and early years of the 20th Century Rogers pointed out that Hungarian names are still relatively common in the area. Nearby is the Hungarian Presbyterian Church which dates back to 1907. St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in the same area also served Hungarian families in the early days of the settlement’s formation. Both churches continue to served congregations today
A visit to Springfield followed with a stop at the Old Parish Courthouse, a two-story cypress and heart pine edifice that was originally build in 1838 for use as a bank. Rodgers explained that as Springfield’s prominence as a port on the Natalbany River waned, the bank closed and it was donated to Livingston Parish to serve as the parish courthouse. Plans to form a museum in the building were discussed at one time but the building, one of the most historic in Livingston Parish, remains empty Quick stops were made at the Culldum Landing on the Natalbany River and the adjacent plantation house that is still occupied today Rogers explained that the house has been used in several movies.
The Carter Plantation, one of the oldest such enterprises in Livingston Parish, was visited next.
A final stop was in French Settlement, one of the oldest communities in the parish The group visited the Creole House Museum that now fills the Creole style cottage that was built in 1898. One of the members of the French Settlement Historical Society, Mercy Lobell, led a tour of the museum which features many items of historical interest donated by local citizens.
At the end of the day, Rogers summed up the day of discovery by again extolling what he termed the uniqueness of Livingston Parish and ticking off reasons why the parish is a place of promise and prosperity with a rich history that all should take the time to enjoy
During the group’s meeting, David Wall, treasurer of the Edward Livingston Historical Association, presented Carol Scivicque Lamm with the organization’s “Citizen Researcher of the Year.” Lamm edits the association’s quarterly “ELHAgram,” which features the results of original research into Livingston Parish’s history
Continued from page 1G
them a first-round playoff bye. For the parish girls, the number of teams rated in the top 10 of their respective power ratings is nothing short of impressive. Led by Walker and French Settlement, which were rated first in Division I and Division III last week, there are six schools in the top 10. Walker leads the way in Division I with a 23-0 record. The Wildcats have a team that appears capable of again challenging for the state title that has eluded them in recent seasons under coach Korey Arnold. Walker improved to 23-0 last Friday with a 59-32 win at Glen Oaks.
French Settlement, which advanced to the finals of the parish tournament before losing to Walker, has been at the top of Division III. The Lions split a pair of games last week against two 5A teams, St. Amant and Dutchtown, and also lost to Doyle, a team with its own top 10 Division III rating.
Doyle and French Settlement have split two games this season, and play for a third time this week. Doyle improved to 11-7 last Friday defeating St. Scholastica 62-46 for its sixth consecutive win.
Denham Springs, a Division I finalist last season, is 15-7 and eighth in the power ratings. The Yellow Jackets have been fearless in their scheduling and have already faced five of the teams rated above them posting a 1-4 mark.
At Albany, the Hornets girls defeated Lakeshore 47-32 last Friday to push their winning streak to four games. Former longtime assistant and firstyear head coach Rebecca Buisson has her team rated sixth in Division II.
The playoffs are always an exciting time, but the next few weeks will bring plenty of drama as teams jockey for the best playoff seedings.
Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports for the Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@theadvocate. com.
David Wall, treasurer of the Edward Livingston Historical Association, presents Carol Scivicque Lamm with the organization’s ‘Citizen Researcher of the Year’ award during a Jan. 4 meeting of the group Lamm edits the association’s quarterly ELHAgram, which features the results of original research into Livingston Parish’s history.
Sunshine Ladies bring Christmas gifts to residents at Lighthouse Ranch for Boys
Community news report
Sunshine Ladies voted to make the Lighthouse Ranch For Boys in Loranger one of its Christmas projects this year
The residents provided club members with a list of a variety of items they would like to receive for Christmas, including both individual and group gifts.
Club members went shopping, and on Wednesday, Dec 11, members Freda Arbogast, Ginny Shartle and President Ann Bourliea visited the Lighthouse Ranch to help make their Christmas a little bit brighter, a news release said.
The group purchased and donated personal items like shower sandals, crew socks, mouthwash and throw blankets one for each boy living there.
Several sheet sets were donated for the resident’s use. In addition, numerous games the boys specifically asked for, including 3D Puzzles, Expandable Breathing Balls, UNO Attack Card Game, Monopoly, Phase 10 Card Game, Harry Potter Board Game, Clue Classic Mystery Board Game, Classic UNO Card Game, Hedbanz, Yahtzee and Lego Classic Building Toy Set with 484 pieces were donated.
“We also bought three Shakespeare Alpha Baitcasting Reel and 6’ Fishing Rod Combo for some of the older boys, as well as 100-foot Smart LED Strip Lights with remote controls that sync to music,” the release said. “And not to neglect their spiritual health, we supplied ‘Teen to Teen: 365 Daily Devotions’ devotionals for their personal use.”
The Lighthouse Ranch for boys has been in operation in Loranger for over 40 years. It is a licensed residential facility designed for boys aged 12-17 who are in need of a stable environment. More than 1,000 boys have lived at the Ranch and benefitted from its educational and therapeutic programs, the release added.
To learn more, about the ranch, visit www.lighthouseranch.com.
This is just one of the many projects Sunshine Ladies adopts each year to benefit the parish. The club is part of the Tangipahoa Volunteers For Family And Community, which is the allvolunteer arm of the LSU Ag Center Extension Service.
For information on its community service projects, contact Bourliea at abourliea79@gmail.com or visit www facebook.com/TVFCSunshineLadies
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Group presents gift card to scholarship raffle winner
Community news report
Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community announced the winner of its 2024 Scholarship Fundraiser Raffle.
Bryan Shartle won a $250 Walmart gift card. Shartle is the son of TVFC and Sunshine Ladies’ club member Ginny Shartle. On Nov 25, TVFC Scholarship Chair Jean Hebert presented the prize to Ginny Shartle, who accepted it on behalf of her son. TVFC conducts a fundraiser raffle each year to support its scholarship pro-
gram, which offers a $1,000 scholarship to a Tangipahoa Parish graduating high school senior Applications are available in all of the Tangipahoa high schools, in the 4-H handbook, and at the LSU Ag center in Amite. For information about TVFC’s scholarship program, contact Hebert at (504) 259-1412. Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community is an all-volunteer arm of LSU Agriculture Extension Service. It consists of two clubs: Wednesday Volunteers for Family and Community and Sunshine Ladies.
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PROVIDED PHOTO
Ginny Shartle, left, picks up a $250 gift card from Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community member Jean Hebert won by Shartle’s son in the club’s annual scholarship raffle.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Danny Smith, CEO of the Lighthouse Boy’s Ranch, and Sunshine Ladies Freda Arbogast, Ginny Shartle, and President Ann Bourliea stand behind toys and gifts donated to youths at Lighthouse Ranch for Boys.
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