Volunteers prepare for St. Joseph’s Altar
BY VIC COUVILLION
Contributing writer
The Friends of St. Joseph at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denham Springs will once again honor St. Joseph, the father of Jesus, with a special Mass, dedication and blessing of the elaborate St. Joseph’s Altar, and a communal meal at noon March 15 in the main church hall.
Preparations for the altar, a multitiered creation featuring a wide variety of food items including cakes, cookies, vegetable dishes, seafood and other treats, statues, candles, and special breads created to represent significant aspects of the life of St. Joseph the carpen-
ter and his son Jesus, are already underway Cooking for the altar started on Feb. 6, and other sessions were held on the subsequent Thursdays. Final cooking dates are scheduled for Feb. 27, March 4 and March 6. The altar will be set up during work days scheduled for March 9-13. The volunteer cooks prepare, among other items, thousands and thousands of cookies of various types all with connections to the Sicilian experience in the United States.
The St. Joseph Mass will be held at 6 p.m. March 14 at the church and the blessing of the altar will follow at 7 p.m. The annual dinner will be preceded by the ritual of
IN THE KNOW
Denham Springs students develop carbon-capture monitoring app
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
the feeding of the saints. Following this tableau, the doors to the hall will be opened and the public will be invited to come in for the dinner
All are invited regardless of their faith affiliation, according to Rosie Moak, who has spearheaded the altar for many years. She is assisted in preparing for the observance by dozens of volunteers who dedicate their time and cooking talents to building the altar and preparing food for the traditional meal.
Among those assisting in preparations for the altar are members of the Knights of Columbus, who
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As the carbon capture and sequestration industry grows in south Louisiana, a group of Denham Springs students is developing an innovative way to keep the community informed about it. Called the Denham Springs High School Sharks, the student STEM group has spent the past few months monitoring Lake Maurepas using sensors and relaying the information to a mobile app. The idea is to keep area residents in the know about what is
Comic Con back on schedule after board OKs funding
Community news report
Get ready for Livingston Parish’s biggest celebration of comic books, movies, television, video games and all things pop culture.
The Livingston Parish Library will host the annual Comic Con from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025 Comic Con is at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch, at 8101 U.S. 190, Denham Springs. The announcement came after the library’s governing board restored money for the event and other library activities to the budget. People of all ages are invited to celebrate their favorite fandom at this free event, which is open to the public. Inspired by the mega-event that takes place annually in San Diego, Livingston’s Comic Con invites
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The Young Adult section at the Denham Springs-Walker library branch in Livingston Parish after the board of control unanimously approved to temporarily relocate YA materials to the Adult section while they are under review.
eligibility guidelines, other information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.cauw.org/VITA or call (225) 923-2114.
DSHS Athletic Hall of Fame The Denham Springs High School Athletic Hall of Fame and title sponsor Hood Dental Care are accepting nominations for its next class of inductees
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
After months of turmoil, the Livingston Parish Library Board of Control restored the libraries’ 2025 budget at its Feb. 18 meeting, bringing back from the chopping block multiple programs, events and access to online services hosted by the library system. The majority of the board, along with Parish
See BUDGET, page 2G
through March 31. Hall of Fame nomination guidelines are available on the high school’s website at www.denhamspringshs.org or by picking up a copy at the school office. For information, contact Julie Jacobsen at julie.jacobsen@lpsb.org or (225) 405-6838.
its facility In the spring, players in the league will be able to compete on five new turf fields with new LED lights. Anyone interested in coaching can email jkinchen@townoflivingston.com. To register, visit form.
PHOTO BY VIC COUVILLION
The St. Joseph’s Altar erected at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denham Springs in 2024 honors a tradition brought to the United States by immigrants from Sicily more than a century ago.
PHOTOS BY DAVID NORMAND
Denham Springs High Stem Center teacher Mark Zweig talks to students Mohamed Henni center and Juan Rendon-Garces. They were discussing details of the phrase of the carbon capture project.
Denham Springs High Stem Center Design Sharks members Khadija Henni, left, and Adalyn Farrell work on editing app code
STAFF PHOTO BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD
Is football returning to Doyle High?
Here’s the plan to bring back
the sport
For those old enough to remember, a distinguished subset I am happy to still be a part of, 1986 was a year that had its share of memorable occurrences.
Among them, Halley’s Comet made its once-every-75-years visit to our inner solar system; “Phantom of the Opera,” the longest running musical in Broadway history debuted in London; and the LSU baseball team made its first trip to the College World Series.
In Livingston Parish, that was also the last year that Doyle High fielded a football team, but that is slated to change in the near future.
BUDGET
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Doyle High administrator Blane Westmoreland, formerly the head football coach at Albany and Live Oak high schools has been tasked with overseeing a plan that will take three to five years to develop.
“The plan is to implement this in phases,” Westmoreland said last week. “We want to bring little league (Livingston Parks & Recreation) back and, as these guys get older, we’ll play junior high football. Then we’ll start adding some high school stuff.”
Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP
With Doyle providing schooling for grades six through 12, the transition in playing levels from junior high to junior varsity and, finally, to varsity competition will be a natural one.
President Randy Delatte using his ex-officio status to vote, approved restoring the 2025 budget. The former library board in December had approved an amended budget that cut or decreased funding across multiple areas.
The former board’s cuts were met with backlash from parish residents and ultimately led the parish council to wipe the board clean in January and reappoint mainly new members. Since then, the majority of new board members have worked to restore parts of the budget and on Tuesday restored it in its entirety
The public comment period for the budget proposal lasted over an hour, with some residents urging the board to bring back the full allotted money and others saying that the library wastes taxpayer money Two members of the former board also gave comment in support of cutting back library spending
Jordan Gonzalez, who has spoken against the amended budget in several previous meetings, said that if the budget was not restored that people who love the libraries would continue to advocate for its restoration
“I think it’s important we go ahead and put this behind us I think it’s clear this is a continuation of a very loud, vocal small minority of people in this parish who really just have an issue with public goods, no matter what they are going to try to take anything out of this budget that they possibly can,” he said.
Board member Trey Cowell wanted to only restore a select number of line items from the budget, but his substitute motion was voted down by the majority.
“I think it sets a precedent to taxpayers that we are striving to be accountable,” he said.
At its last meeting in January, the board in a similar move voted down restoring the whole budget. It instead restored specific line items including eMusic, eVideo and eMagazines in order to bring back media streaming platform hoopla, which was deactivated at the beginning of the year and met with a large outcry on social media
The library system will be able to start using funds immediately that had been decreased, library director Michelle Parrish said after the meeting
Aside from the budget, the board also tackled other issues as well.
The board unanimously approved creating a sexually explicit material checklist that summarizes the state law to make it easier to understand while reviewing books.
After years of public concerns there might be sexually explicit content in children’s books available at the libraries, the board moved all young adult content at its five branches into the adult sections while its under review
The board also elected Jennifer Dorhauer as its new president after previous president Tori Hymel resigned from the board completely after one meeting in the position.
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attendees to participate in games and activities, interact with local authors, illustrators and graphic novelists, and cosplay as their favorite characters.
Held at the system’s largest branch, the library’s Comic Con has grown into one of the system’s most popular events. Last year’s Comic Con drew more than 2,000 visitors, a record.
This year’s event will feature many entertainers and activities, including the Dinosaur Experience, Glinda and Elphaba (from the Petite Princess Company), vendors, a Minecraft scavenger hunt, crafts, concessions, an escape room, giant games and tabletop games Comic Con will also feature the popular cosplay contest, which is open to all ages. Applicants aged 17 and under must register with guardian consent. Vendor registration
Registration is open for local vendors and community organizations that would like to participate in Comic Con. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m on Wednesday, March 19
To submit an application, visit www mylpl info/ComicCon. For the latest information on the Library’s Comic Con, visit www.mylpl.info/ComicCon
The school will work with the LHSAA to find its district home. Doyle’s boys currently compete in District 8-3A in basketball and baseball. This is something that a lot of community people want,” Westmoreland said. “What I’ve told everyone is that this is a marathon, not a sprint. We have to do it in phases and we have to be intentional in how we do it in order for it to grow and last.
“We had football for 25 years and had a little success, eventually leading to us dropping football after the ‘86 season. We’re going to give this our full attention. We are all on board with this as an administrative team as far as pushing this and getting it going.”
Nothing has been finalized as far as playing sites, but for now the plan is to utilize local fields that would be nearby the school. Long term, Doyle would like to build a stadium at Johnny Sartwell Memorial Park, site of the old stadium and the current home of Tigers’ softball and baseball teams. “The town’s ready for it,” Westmoreland said. “We’ve got a lot of plans for the future of Doyle High both athletically and academically It’s an exciting time for our town.”
Perhaps Halley’s Comet will pass over Doyle’s stadium when it returns in 2061 Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports for the Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@ theadvocate.com.
Denham Springs High Stem Center Design Sharks
Sanders, Adalyn Farrell and Juan Rendon-Garces
APP
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manufacturing fuel with zero carbon emissions. The company expects to capture 95% of the carbondioxide emissions from the production process, send the gas 35 miles north by pipeline and then inject it permanently underground beneath Lake Maurepas. Residents, crabbers and others have opposed the plans over concerns about carbon-dioxide leaks and aquifer damage.
Khadija Henni, president of the Sharks group of science, technology, mathematics and engineering students,
ALTAR
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said they wanted to do a project to help their community The students are using different technologies and computer coding platforms, like JavaScript and Python, to meet their goal.
“We might not be able to do anything to affect the progress of the (Air Products) project, but we might at least be able to help the community around and help them be a little more aware about what’s happening to their lake,” Henni said Mark Zweig, teacher and adviser for the group, said the students have been able to get guidance and data from other organizations like Southeastern Louisiana University, which has been independently monitoring the
will be cooking at the KC Hall March 11-13. The tradition of building the St. Joseph’s altars started in Sicily many, many years ago. The island was suffering from a drought, and many people were facing a famine. Prayers were made to St Joseph, the patron saint of Sicily, and promises to build an altar in his name were made in supplication for an end to the drought. When the drought broke and the rains came with a bountiful harvest, the grateful residents began the practice of building altars on his traditional feast day, which is March 19.
The custom was brought to Louisiana by Sicilian immigrants in the late 1800s and has been continued until this day by groups throughout Louisiana.
The meal will feature spaghetti and gravy boiled eggs, stuffed artichokes, a variety of casseroles, and an ar-
lake for the same reasons.
Zweig said the group already has made a lot of progress and plans to have the app functional for demonstration by March and fully ready by April. He said the students are also looking at the “sustainability” of the app and how to keep it running for years to come.
Adalyn Farrell, Sharks secretary, said the students want to help people potentially feel less concerned about the carbon capture process.
“There’s not a lot of information on carbon capture to this extent,” Farrell said.
“We wanted to give the people living on the lake a sense of ownership and security.”
In December, the students
reached out to Dr Katherine Romanak, a researcher at University of Texas and its Gulf Coast Carbon Center, after reading one of her papers. The state geologist has since been providing support and information to the students.
“I think it’s an amazing cutting-edge project,” Romanak said. “It has the potential to be used as a real thing worldwide.”
The Sharks were the state winner for the national Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition. The school won a $12,000 technology prize package and advanced to the next national round of the competition for the group’s work on the carbon capture project.
ray of many desserts. Meat is never served at a St. Joseph’s meal. The Friends of St.
PHOTO BY DAVID NORMAND
members Alexa Rodriguez, left, Khadija Henni, Mohamed Henni, Madison
who are working on the carbon capture project.
North Oaks providers elect medical executive committee
Community news report
Ten area providers have been elected to serve on the North Oaks Medical Center Medical Executive Committee for 2025. They were selected by their peers to serve as liaisons between the hospital’s medical staff, senior leadership and the North Oaks Health System Board of Commissioners. Emergency Medicine Physician Dr John Krieg is chief of staff. From 2021 to 2023, he served as chair of the emergency department. Before that, he was vice chair of the department from 2018 to 2020 Certified through the American Board of Emergency Medicine, Krieg also participated on the hospital’s bylaws and credentials committee in 2020. He earned his medical degree through the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans and joined the North Oaks medical staff in 2015. Ear, nose and throat physician Dr Jacques Peltier, is chief of staff-elect. Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, Peltier joined the North Oaks medical staff in 2007 and was named the health system’s Physician of the Year in 2015. He earned his medical degree through LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport. Previous medical executive committee leadership roles include service as surgery department chairman from 2020 to 2021 and member-atlarge from 2013 to 2014. Peltier also participated on the hospital’s professional practice evaluation committee from 2010 to 2011 and the surgery steering committee from 2008 to 2009. Beginning two-year terms as members-at-large are anesthesiologist Dr Kathryn Dorhauer and hospitalist Dr. Casey Steen. Dorhauer joined the North Oaks medical staff in 2012. She graduated from LSUHSC in New Orleans with her medical degree. Dorhauer completed her internship and residency in anesthe-
siology through the Tulane University School of Medicine. Dorhauer also serves as the hospital’s anesthesiology department medical director and the anesthesiology delegate to its trauma multidisciplinary committee.
Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Steen joined the North Oaks medical staff in 2018. After Steen earned his medical degree from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, he completed his internship and residency through LSU’s internal medicine program at Ochsner University Hospital and Clinics in Lafayette. He also serves on the medical staff’s bylaws and credentials committee and the hospital’s committees for antimicrobial stewardship and performance improvement. Family medicine physi-
cian Dr Hugo A. “Rowdy” Valdes returns as family practice chair Valdes also continues to represent his peers as a member-at-large on North Oaks Rehabilitation Hospital’s medical executive committee. Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, he is a graduate of the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. Valdes completed both an internship and residency at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and joined the North Oaks medical staff in 1999. Hematologist and oncologist Tanios Georges was reappointed as chair of the medicine department. Tanios is certified by the American Board of Hematology, American Board of Internal Medicine and American Board of Oncology He joined the North Oaks medical staff in 2022.
Tanios earned his medical degree and completed both a residency in internal medicine and fellowship in hematology and oncology through Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Sciences School of Medicine in Beirut. He completed a second residency in internal medicine through East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City Dr Jaime Edwards, an obstetrician and gynecologist, returns as chair of the department of obstetrics/ gynecology and pediatrics. Board certified through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edwards earned her medical degree from the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport. She then completed both an internship and residency through the University of Texas Southwestern Medi-
cal Center in Austin. General surgeon Dr Daniel Linarello, returns as chair of the surgery department. A fellow of the American College of Surgeons and board certified through the American Board of Surgery, Linarello is the 2024 North Oaks Health System Physician of the Year and has served on the North Oaks medical staff for 22 years. Linarello earned his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. Emergency medicine physician Dr Brandon Cambre was reappointed to chair the emergency department. Cambre earned his medical degree from LSUHSC in Shreveport and completed an internship and residency through the LSU Emergency Medicine Program at the former Earl K. Long Memorial Hospital in Baton Rouge. Cambre joined the North
Oaks medical staff in 2005.
Nurse anesthetist
Brigette Pennington begins a twoyear term as advanced practitioner appointee. She joined the North Oaks medical staff in 2023. After graduating with an associate degree in nursing from the St. Mary’s School of Nursing at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, Pennington earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville. She received her doctorate in nurse anesthesia from Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
North Oaks Medical Center is a level II trauma center and primary stroke center with 330 beds. The hospital is at 15790 Paul Vega, MD, Drive in Hammond For provider referrals, visit the “Find a Provider” link at northoaks.org.
Livingston Parish Chamber honors 2024 award winners
Community news report
The Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 12 recognized local businesses and business leaders for Business of the Year, Women’s Leadership and Livingston Future 5 awards at its annual meeting and awards luncheon. Winners were chosen for their contributions and impact in the Livingston Parish community
“We acknowledged the achievements of 16 deserving award winners at this year’s event,” said Livingston Parish Chamber President/CEO April Wehrs. “We are always excited to showcase the accomplishments of these deserving individuals and businesses, highlighting their noteworthy contribu-
tions to Livingston Parish.”
The 2024 Businesses of the Year are: n Legacy Business of the Year: Denham Springs Radiator & Glass n Main Street Business of the Year: Cavalier House
Books n Large Business of the Year: Martin Brower n Medium Business of the Year: Baton Rouge Physical Therapy – Lake n Small Business of the Year: Alvin Fairburn & As-
PROVIDED PHOTOS BY LIVINGSTON CHAMBER
Honored at the Livingston Parish Chamber’s awards luncheon from left, are Livingston Future 5 winners Justin Bryson, Dr Celeste DiCarlo, David Hofstetter Jenny Richardson Fore and Kevin Triche.
sociates n New Business of the Year: Marlie’s Restaurant n Community Impact (Nonbusiness): Sheriff Jason Ard’s Christmas Crusade.
2024 Women’s Leadership Award Winners are: n Shayna Landry: The Family Village n Bobbi Jo Guerin: Livingston Parish Assessor’s Office
n Nancy David: The Livingston Parish News n Maurice Durbin: Livingston Parish Animal Control.
2024 Livingston Future 5 Winners are: n Kevin Triche: Our Lady of the Lake Livingston n Jenny Richardson Fore: Attorney at Law
n David Hofstetter: Restoration 1 of East Baton Rouge n Dr Celeste DiCarlo: Louisiana Eye Care n Justin Bryson: Level Industries LLC. For more information about Business of the Year, Women’s Leadership or Livingston Future 5 awards, visit the Livingston Parish Chamber’s website at livingstonparishchamber.org/ awards-programs or call the Chamber at (225) 665-8155.
Hugo Valdes Georges Tanios
Casey Steen
Brigette Pennington Jacques Peltier
Daniel Linarello
John Krieg
Jamie Edwards Kathryn Dorhauer Brando Cambre
Livingston Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Award winners, from left, are Shayna Landry, Maurice Durbin, Nancy David and Bobbi Jo Guerin.
Broadwater appointed to North Oaks board
Community news report
The Tangipahoa Parish Council has appointed Chris Broadwater to the Board of Commissioners for North Oaks Health System.
The council made the appointment during its Sept. 23 meeting in response to the retirement of the health system’s Board of Commissioners Chairman Ron Macaluso, effective Dec. 31.
Broadwater was elected vice chair by his fellow commissioners at the board’s Jan. 29 meeting.
its steadfast commitment to excellence and investing in the lives of the people of Tangipahoa Parish and beyond.”
Broadwater
Broadwater, an attorney and former Louisiana state representative for Tangipahoa Parish (District 86), currently serves as vice president and deputy general counsel for CSRS, a development advisory and program management consulting firm with offices in Louisiana, Texas and California.
“North Oaks Health System, nationally recognized for its delivery of high-quality health care services, is a treasure for Tangipahoa Parish and the surrounding Northshore region,” Broadwater said. “Whether it is providing care and comfort to our citizens, fantastic employment opportunities or support for valued community organizations, North Oaks Health System continues to demonstrate
Before joining CSRS, Broadwater was vice president of workforce policy and general counsel for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Other previous leadership roles include interim chancellor for Louisiana Delta Community College in Monroe and assistant secretary of labor for the Louisiana Workforce Commission He began his legal career with Forrester, Jordan & Dick in Baton Rouge and continued it with other firms in the capitol city before joining Cashe, Coudrain & Bass in Hammond.
Professionally, Broadwater belongs to the Louisiana State Bar Association and serves on the Louisiana Board of Regents’ Advisory Commission on Proprietary Schools.
Broadwater holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and family life studies from Louisiana Christian University in Pineville, a master’s degree in divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and both a bachelor’s degree in civil law and juris doctor from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center in Baton Rouge.
North Oaks Rehabilitation Hospital appoints medical executive panel
Community news report
North Oaks Rehabilitation Hospital
has appointed five area providers to its Medical Executive Committee for 2025. These committee members will serve as liaisons between the hospital’s medical staff and its board of managers.
Dr Rishi Pathak, a physiatrist, is the chief of staff and is board-certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He joined the North Oaks medical staff in 2018 as part of the North Oaks Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinic team
Previously, Pathak completed a fellowship in spinal cord injury medicine at The Johns Hopkins Hospital at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore. He earned his medical degree from St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine in the Cayman Islands
After that, he completed an internship in general surgery at Exempla St. Joseph’s in Denver and a residency at the Detroit Medical Center with the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan through Wayne State University
The members-at-large include Dr Rainier Batiste, a hospitalist; Dr. A Mannan Khan, an endocrinologist; Dr. Hugo A. “Rowdy” Valdes, a family
practitioner; and Dr. Susan Zacharia, an internist.
Batiste joined the Hospital Medicine Department at North Oaks Medical Center in 2017. She earned her medical degree from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and completed an internal medicine internship and residency at Danville Regional Medical Center in Virginia.
Khan, who is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, joined the North Oaks medical staff in 2017 and practices with North Oaks Endocrinology He graduated from Tulane School of Medicine and completed an internal medicine internship at LSU Medical Center in Shreveport.
Valdes is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and has belonged to the North Oaks medical staff since 1999. A graduate of the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, he
growth
completed both an internship and residency at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Zacharia has been part of the North Oaks medical staff since 1995, practicing with Northshore Internal Medicine Associates. She earned her medical degree from the Universidad Tecnologica de Santiago in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and completed her internship and residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
The hospital offers 27 private and barrier-free patient rooms, anchored by an 8,000 square-foot gym that includes a kitchen and laundry area for patients to practice daily life skills essential for independence.
To learn more about North Oaks Rehabilitation Hospital, visit www.northoaks.org/rehabhospital or call (985) 230-2678.
North Oaks welcomes internal medicine residency program director
Community news report
North Oaks Graduate Medical Education program announced the appointment of Dr John Wuthrich as program director of the internal medicine residency program at North Oaks Medical Center
With experience in medical education and a distinguished career in internal medicine, Wuthrich will lead the program into its next phase of excellence in training future providers, a news release said. Wuthrich joins North Oaks from Mountainview Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he most recently served as the internal medicine residency program director, as well as vice chair of medicine. He played a key role in advancing medical education, curriculum development and resident mentorship, earning respect for his commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment and dedication to evidence-based medicine and patient-centered care. In his new role, Wuthrich will oversee all aspects of the North Oaks Internal Medicine Residency program, including curriculum design, resident education and faculty development. Under his leadership, the program aims to continue producing highly skilled, compassionate providers prepared to
meet the evolving challenges of healthcare, the release said
Dr Wuthrich completed his medical training at the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine in Henderson followed by a residency at Mountain View Regional Medical Center
“I am excited to join the exceptional team at North Oaks and have the opportunity to work with such talented residents and faculty,” Wuthrich said
Wuthrich