DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
THE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA
ADVOCATE T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, au g u s t 7, 2024
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‘Political grandstanding at the expense of this court’
Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Author Jones to sign book at Cavalier House Books Former Livingston Parish librarian Amanda Jones is signing copies of her book, “That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America,” Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. at Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs. “That Librarian” is the story of Jones’ fight against book banning in the small Louisiana town she was born and raised in and her unwavering commitment to defending intellectual freedom, a news release said. The book also tells other stories of librarians and towns embroiled in this national issue that has touched the lives of librarians, educators, authors and parents and children in both big cities and small towns across the country. Jones has made headlines over the past two years as one of the first librarians in the country to file a lawsuit for defamation against her detractors, attracting support from around the world from fellow librarians, educators, authors, publishers and celebrities including from Oprah Winfrey who mentioned her in her speech at the 2023 National Book Awards. For more information, visit www.cavalierhousebooks.com/ event/librarian-book-launchdenham-springs.
Livingston Parish scrutinized by judge BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT
Staff writer
In July, the Livingston Parish government settled a lawsuit in federal court, allowing a controversial new subdivision with around 1,880 new lots near Denham Springs to move forward. At the time, parish officials said the government could be forced to pay millions if it lost the case. And it was clear that a federal judge was skeptical of parish leaders, according to court records recently obtained by The Advocate. On July 16 — just days before the settlement — Chief Judge Shelly Dick of the Middle District Court of Louisiana held a pretrial conference in the case. Dick said such meetings are normally not held in open court, but she wanted this one on the record because “the court doesn’t have any confidence that the parish government will follow through with its commit-
standing at the expense of this court.” The February lawsuit by Ascension Properties Inc., the developer of the Deer Run subdivision, alleged a “continuing pattern” of illegal actions by parish leaders “purposefully designed to disrupt, delay and block” the project. At the hearing, Dick noted that Delatte and some council members, who took office this year, had campaigned on reining in “out-oftown megadevelopments.” She then listed the steps Ascension Properties had taken to get approvals for the project. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that everything came to an end when the election occurred and STAFF PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS new council members and a new Livingston Parish President Randy Delatte speaks during a council president was voted in,” she conmeeting. tinued. “And the court does not want to be used as your political ments.” Dick told Parish President Randy whipping person.” “I had to simply tell you and Delatte, according to a transcript. ä See JUDGE, page 4G your colleagues how this appears,” “This appears like political grand-
It’s back-to-school time It’s time to open the classrooms and fire up the computers as Livingston Parish Students return Aug. 8. Tangipahoa public schools start on Aug. 9. That means buses are rolling and traffic will be heavy around campuses. Slow down when driving near schools and watch out for those children who walk or ride bicycles to campus. The first holiday of the new school year is Sept. 2 when we celebrate Labor Day.
Breast imaging visits Woman’s Hospital brings breast imaging to Livingston Parish with its mobile mammography coach. The coach makes mammograms more accessible than ever offering advanced 3D mammogram technology at convenient times and locations across Louisiana. Physician’s orders are required and appointments are strongly encouraged. The mammography coach is stopping in Walker Aug. 7 at Sage Specialty Hospital, 8375 Florida Blvd., Walker. Call (225) 396-5367 to schedule. A stop is planned for Aug. 15 at RKM Primary Care, 27124 Highway 42, Springfield. Call (225) 395-8022 to schedule.
ä See AROUND, page 3G
PHOTO BY VIC COUVILLION
Courtney, Andrea and Kate, members of the Victory Belles, offer a lively, energetic patriotic themed show for a large audience at the Hammond Branch of the Tangipahoa Parish Library System on July 29. The trio sings tunes that were popular during the World War II years in the 1940s.
COMMUNITY SALUTE Victory Belles lead patriotic program honoring veterans at the Hammond library branch
BY VIC COUVILLION
finally had their opportunity to be entertained at the library July 29, when the Victory During the past few months, Belles, entertainers at the Nalarge crowds of children have tional World War II Museum filled the branches of the Tanin New Orleans, offered a gipahoa Parish Library System rousing, highly spirited show featuring songs popular eight for a half-dozen live performances as part of the Summer decades ago. The evening performance Reading Program. was billed as a salute to miliAdults in the community Contributing writer
tary veterans in the community and former soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen were sprinkled throughout the huge crowd that filled the Hammond Branch of the library system in numbers that one library staffer said was the largest gathering in the branch’s history. The audience was not disappointed as three songstresses,
who identified themselves by their first names only as Courtney, Kate and Andrea, presented a stirring tribute to the World War II generation in song and dance. The three women, dressed in 1940s outfits and sporting hairdos coifed to match the
ä See SALUTE, page 2G
Yellow Jackets ready to improve on last year’s record Denham Springs football had a frustrating season last year, but with fall practice beginning this week and the season only weeks away, hope will be renewed. Despite finishing 3-7 last season, the Yellow Jackets flashed stretches of solid play. It was enough to instill a belief that the Jackets can contend for a district title again, something they did in 2022 when they grabbed a share
Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP
of the District 4-5A title. Was Denham Springs perhaps
a little better than its record indicated last year? The final tally is what it is, but, looking at the nuts and bolts of how it was achieved, Denham Springs coach Brett Beard sees a team that competed hard. More times than not, they gave themselves a chance to win. “Last year we were 3-7,” Beard said recently. “To the naked eye that looks bad, but if you look at
everything we were probably 20 plays away from being 7-3 or 6-4. Outside of two bad losses (Mandeville and Dutchtown), we were in every other game and had our chances.” A key part of those chances was defense. Two of the best defensive backs in Denham Springs’ football history, DaShawn McBryde and Mason Vorise, have moved on to collegiate ball, but
there are other players ready to step up. Among those are returning safety Rancher Miller as well as the entire defensive line. “We really feel good about where we’re heading defensively,” Beard said. On offense, there are two quarterbacks returning. Senior Jerry Horne suffered a high
ä See SALZER, page 3G