SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
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W e d n e s d ay, s e p t e m b e r 4, 2024
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St. Francisville without fire chief for 8 months BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
The town of St. Francisville has been without a designated fire chief for eight months, but officials said during an Aug. 27 meeting they are open to appointing an interim chief. Fire Chief Tommy Robinson retired on Dec. 31. Mayor Robert Leake, who noted that Alderman Andy D’Aquilla had recently asked about the depart-
ment’s leadership structure, said the Fire Department’s budget calls for four paid firefighters, but only two are currently employed. D’Aquilla is running for mayor against Leake in the Nov. 5 election. When Robinson left, the department had three paid firefighters, and one of them “stepped up” to assume a leadership role, Leake said. But that employee later left the department. Of the two remaining employees, one has said he does not want to be
the fire chief, the mayor added. In addition to the full-time employees, the department is served by a group of volunteer firefighters and can call on the parish fire department for assistance. Leake suggested putting an interim fire chief’s appointment on the next meeting’s agenda, saying the next group of aldermen should name a permanent chief. “I think we can wait a few more months,” the mayor said. With D’Aquilla running for may-
or and Aldermen Rucker Leake not seeking reelection, the board will have at least two new members after the election. Member GiGi Robertson was elected without opposition after qualifying ended in July. Rucker Leake said he favors naming someone as the interim leader. In government, “you have to have someone in charge,” the alderman said. On another matter, the board approved Arbour Construction Co.’s
bid of $347,650 for an erosion control project off Cypress Street in the Audubon Hills neighborhood. A drainage pipe that directs runoff water over a bluff at the back to the subdivision is causing erosion of residential lots. The project, supported by a legislative appropriation, will include a new catch basin, piping and a concrete channel to carry water to the bottom of the hill. Engineer Bianca Hillhouse said the slope of the bluff also will be altered to control the erosion.
Organizers of Clinton Bicentennial work on collecting oral histories BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
Jennifer Abraham, director of the T. Harry Williams Center of Oral History Center at LSU, met with Audubon Regional Library staff and residents Aug. 29 as the first step toward recording oral histories for Clinton, East Feliciana Parish and, possibly, beyond. Community members planning the Oct. 5 Clinton Bicentennial Celebration are credited as being instrumental in reigniting the interest in such a project — to promote and pursue the idea of collecting oral histories. Working with the local library, which had offered its resources, an invitation was recently issued to the public to attend Cramer’s talk. Cramer explained the center’s mission, some of its achievements and events touching upon some of the many ways she and her students might be of assistance. She offered training, 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’s presentation 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’s past … containing voices and experiences that written records often miss.” He continued, “by documenting these personal stories, we ensure that our collective heritage remains accessible for future generations.” For more information about upcoming plans for the oral histories project contact the Audubon Regional Library at (225) 683-8753.
East Feliciana Tigers quarterback J’Maekus Cannon Jr. tucks the ball and moves up field for a big gain againt the Sharks defense.
PHOTOS BY DAVID THOMAS JR.
Tigers take jamboree win 32-0 over Mentorship Academy
East Feliciana Tigers freshman running back Makyle Cannon takes the opening handoff and goes 75 yards for a touchdown as the Tigers rolled over the Sharks 32-0.
East Feliciana Tigers freshman quarterback Jayden Matthews prepares to unload a deep ball before the Shark defense could get to him. ä More photos. PAGE 2G
Candidate forum in St. Francisville set for Sept. 17 Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
The West Feliciana Chamber of Commerce invites residents to the 2024 Mayoral and Alderman Candidate Forum at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at the West Feliciana High School Auditorium.
Mammograms in the area The Woman’s Hospital mammography coach is offering 3D mammograms in Clinton and nearby communities. Physician’s orders are required and appointments are strongly encouraged. Call (225) 683-5292 to schedule. The coach will be at RKM Primary Clinton,
11190 Jackson St., on Sept. 24. Visit womans. org to see the schedule for other communities, including Baker and Zachary.
OLLI Fall Coffee registration open OLLI Fall Coffee is hosting horticulture speaker Jessie Hoover, of the LSU AgCenter. The Felicianas Chapter of OLLI will hold its fall coffee at 10 a.m. Sept. 16 in Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church, 12404 La. 10, in St. Francisville. Hoover will share fall gardening tips and
talk about Louisiana Super Plants. Guests over the age of 50 are welcome. Registration for OLLI runs through Oct. 2. Classes are Sept. 23 to Nov. 2. Visit OLLI in the Felicianas on Facebook, ce.lsu.edu/olli or contact ollifelicianasmembership@gmail.com for information.
Loyal to the Royal Day St. Francisville has declared Sept. 6 as
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