DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
ADVOCATE THE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA
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, J a n u a ry 15, 2025
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History buffs take a trip of memories BY VIC COUVILLION Contributing writer
Members of the Edward Livingston Historical Association on Jan. 4 went on a journey via a film featuring some of the highlights of Livingston Parish as it was in the late 1990s. The documentary, filmed in midyear 1997, served as a refresher course of what has pretty much stayed the same in primarily the eastern portion of the parish and
what has changed. The film was narrated by Rube Rogers, a popular radio commentator on Hammond stations for several decades. The story follows a group of tourists and members of the then-Livingston Parish Tourism Bureau on a bus trip through the parish. At key points along the way, the bus stops and the riders are given a presentation on the site they are visiting. The film emphasizes a rosy future for Livingston Parish with
continued anticipated growth; and in reality the parish has indeed seen its population flourish over the past 25 years. A second theme was the anticipation of Tickfaw State Park, an attraction that at the time presaged a boom in tourism in the parish. The park was eventually built and it has become a beacon for visitors who enjoy spending time in the outdoors. The day’s journey begins in Denham Springs and the first stop is at the Macedonia Baptist Church, the
oldest Baptist Church in Livingston Parish. Clark Forrest, current president of the historical association and a second guide on the trek, said the church, a simple, all-wooden building, was built in 1898 and the congregation had been formed in 1866. Forrest said the church still meets today and he commended the group for preserving the historical original structure. Nearby is a clear spring that Forrest said slaked the thirst of the church’s parishioners more than
100 years ago. The church, which remains a tourist destination at present, is just south of Holden. In response to a question from Rogers as to why he wrote a history book about Livingston Parish, Forrest replied, “I kept hearing tales about what was referred to as the ‘Free State of Livingston Parish’ so I decided to find out if the tales I was hearing were true.” Clark said he was also inspired
ä See HISTORY, page 3G
PowerSchool data breach affects multiple Louisiana school districts BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
the Hornets 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 a chance to move into the top four, a spot that would give
Several Louisiana school districts were affected by a potential data breach after a popular education software program was hacked, the districts said Jan. 8. Ascension, Livingston and St. Charles school districts said Jan. 8 on Facebook that they had been notified that their districts were involved in “cybersecurity incident” last month targeting PowerSchool, a program school systems across the country use to store student and employee data. The Ascension Schools post stated the district was 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 investigation is ongoing, and the districts will provide updates as more information becomes available. In a statement to the Advocate, a PowerSchool spokesperson said the company believes the compromised data has been deleted. “We have taken all appropriate steps to prevent the data involved from further unauthorized access or misuse,” the statement said. “The incident is contained and we do not anticipate the data being shared or made public.” PowerSchool, which was acquired by the private investment firm Bain Capital for $5.6 billion in October, supports more than 60 million students through 18,000 customers. After PowerSchool became aware of the data breach on Dec. 28, it notified law enforcement and used “the services of a professional adviser with experience in negotiating with threat actors,” according to the Livingston Parish Public Schools post. “PowerSchool states that they have received ‘reasonable assurances from the threat actor that the data has been deleted and that no additional copies exist,’ ” it added. The company also told districts it is safe to continue using PowerSchool accounts, adding that it will provide additional services to those affected, according to the Ascension Public Schools post. “While we are unaware of and do not
ä See SALZER, page 3G
ä See DATA, page 2G
PHOTO BY PATRICK DENNIS
Denham Springs’ Pat Nelson takes a jump shot as Parkview’s Ainsley Barnhard and Lauren Beebe defend in Parkview’s 4745 win Jan. 6, in Denham Springs.
Update on Livingston Parish hoop teams as regular season winds down Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP
With the end of the high school basketball season roughly a month away, the girls playoffs begin a week earlier than the boys, and Livingston Parish is poised to have a strong postseason presence. The teams are set to focus on district play and moving up in the power ratings.
For the boys teams, Denham Springs has kept itself near the top of the Division I nonselect power ratings all season. The Yellow Jackets improved to 20-1 last week with a hard-fought 60-55 win over McKinley, one of the best teams in Baton Rouge. There have also been some big things going on at Albany, where
Find the Rougarou at Tickfaw State Park Do you want to find the Rougarou in Tickfaw State Park? The park is hosting a contest on the second Saturday of each month encouraging park visitors ages 9-14 to look for the Rougarous on the park trails. Prizes will be given for the first person to take and return a photo of the Rougarou. According to Cajun folklore, the creature, described as a human body with the head of a wolf, is said to prowl the swamps around Acadiana and Greater New Orleans, and the sugar cane fields and woodlands of the regions.
Mardi Gras parade Feb. 15 The Krewe of Denham Springs rolls Feb.
15 through Denham Springs. The parade rolls through the city starting at 3 p.m. This year’s theme is “The Greatest Show.” For registration information and parade rules, visit tinyurl.com/ zdwrstv8.
Kroux of Barkus to take over Walker park
Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
In Walker, the Kroux of Barkus/Bark in the Park is planned for Feb. 22 in Sidney Hutchinson Park. The event includes a farmers and vendor market, Zumba demonstration, pet parade and music with the
Cajun Roots Band. The half-mile parade begins by Challenger Field’s parking lot and follows the park’s walking path. This year’s grand marshal will be an adoptable pet representing the Walker Animal Shelter. All proceeds benefit the Walker Animal Shelter. The pet parade rolls at 11 a.m. For information, call (225) 6653755.
At the library Join the Livingston Parish Library staff at its Denham Springs-Walker Branch at the Box of Chocolates Book Club, because
you never know what you’re going to get. Book club members will discuss a variety of books throughout the year, and meet on the third Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. For ages 18 and older. Calling all Lego lovers. Each month the library will host Lego Club with a different theme. Legos will be provided. For ages 5-12. This month’s club meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Albany-Springfield branch. Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 388-0731.