DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
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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 22, 2025
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Shelter needs dog fosters for the cold weather BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
As Louisiana braced for a rare winter weather event last week, one animal shelter rushed to find homes for its furry residents before the temperatures drop. The Denham Springs Animal Shelter in Livingston Parish for the last week has sent out a call for help across social media: It needs people to foster dogs from the overcrowded shelter ahead of the freezing temperatures. Since posting, the shelter has received quite a few new fosters, shelter secretary Angel Guy said. “Of course, there’s still a few more we would like to get out, if possible,” she said. As of Friday morning, 21 dogs still needed to be fostered. If the shelter can’t get all the dogs fostered, it will set up kennels inside the cat building to house the remaining dogs so they at least can be indoors. But getting more fosters is more ideal, Guy said.
How you can help
PHOTO BY VIC COUVILLION
Dori St. Cyr, right, Hammond city employee and member of Keep Hammond Beautiful, explains the choice of trees available for area residents to Gail Guidry, left and Kay Robinson. The two were among area residents who came to the free tree giveaway on Sept. 17, to claim a tree. The free trees were donated to Hammond through the Apache Tree Grant Program.
Hammond residents pick up 100 free trees BY VIC COUVILLION
Contributing writer
Arbor Day was celebrated in Hammond on Friday with the distribution of 100 free trees for residents. The trees, donated by the Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program, were quickly claimed at the distribution location, the city’s maintenance facilities. The tree giveaway program was sponsored by the city of Hammond and the Keep Hammond Beautiful Committee. Dori St. Cyr, city employee and member of Keep Hammond Beautiful, said this year’s tree donation program marked a return of the event which was
halted for several years following the pandemic year. “We were happy to once again offer trees that are specifically chosen because of their ability to thrive in Louisiana,” St. Cyr said. “Over the years our tree donation program has been very well received by the community. The city and Keep Hammond Beautiful were excited to once again offer this gift to residents of our area.” Gina Anthon, president of Keep Hammond Beautiful, echoed St. Cyr’s sentiments observing, “throughout the year Keep Hammond Beautiful pursues various activities all with the aim of making our city more free of litter, making
it more beautiful, and supporting activities that are beneficial to the environment. Every tree planted marks one more step in giving the environment a little boost.” Visitors claiming trees could choose between sweet pecan, native fringe tree, mayhaw, southern magnolia, and southern crabapple. St. Cyr said this year the magnolia was the most popular choice of those claiming trees. Mayhaw was the second quickest tree to be claimed. In the past, she said, mayhaw was the most popular choice. Mayhaws produce large red berries that are prized as the source of preserves and jellies. All the trees were in plastic
containers and ready for planting. Those who accepted trees were also given printed instructions on how to properly plant and care for the tree. The Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program is a subsidiary of the APA Corporation, a firm that has petroleum drilling interests in New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana. The company’s website notes that since 2005 the program has partnered with more than 1,000 nonprofit organizations and government agencies across the company’s U.S. operating areas. The company’s website notes, “the program helps ensure that
ä See TREES, page 2G
If you are interested in having a four-legged friend for the next week — ideally at least from Saturday to Thursday — there are a few simple qualifications to meet. Potential fosters must be able to provide legal identification, a working phone number and be able to verify where you live. Those looking to foster do not need to be living in Livingston Parish, just a reasonable distance from the shelter. Also depending on the dog, it might have to be the only animal in the foster’s home. The shelter also said if a resident has a heated barn, it could supply kennels to put in the barn to house dogs. The shelter has only 26 indoor kennels, and the rest of the facility is outside. The facility, which is the first municipal no-kill shelter in Louisiana, typically reaches out to the community for help during drastically changing temperatures. The shelter is at 600 Bowman St. and is open every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Animal groups in the state also are advising Louisiana residents to take care of their pets during cold weather. The Humane Society of Louisiana released a video earlier in the month warning pet owners of how drop temperatures impact animals. Director Jeff Dorson said pets should not be left outside by any means. “They’re cold if you’re cold,” Dorson said. Rescue Rehome Repeat of South Louisiana, a dog fostering program, said that dogs are susceptible to frostbite, especially on the tips of their ears and tails. Owners should weigh the dog’s age and health conditions before deciding how long the animal can be outside
ä See SHELTER, page 2G
Junior Bassmasters meeting set 2 La. parishes get grants Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
The Junior Southwest Bassmasters meeting is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 5 in the Seminar Room at Bass Pro Shops, Denham Springs. Boys and girls age-group bass tournaments are for ages 7-10, 11-14 and 15-18 anglers. For more information, call Jim Breaux (225) 772-3026.
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 pa-
rade rules, visit tinyurl.com/zdwrstv8.
Kroux of Barkus to take over park 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
ä See AROUND, page 2G
for electric school buses BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
More federal money is coming to Louisiana to help school districts add electric buses to their fleets — keeping up with a national trend that has schools replacing diesel with a cleaner alternative The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Jan. 8 that Jefferson and Livingston parishes were the
latest Louisiana recipients of federal funds to replace buses with electricpowered ones. The state was reported to have nearly 300 electric school buses as of this past summer. Livingston Parish was granted $5.6 million to get rid of 20 diesel school buses and then replace them with 20 zero-emission, battery electric school buses, and it was also granted charging
ä See BUSES, page 2G