DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
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W e d n e s d ay, F e b r u a ry 19, 2025
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Walker outlaws ‘gas station heroin’ Selling kratom to be banned in city limits BY VIC COUVILLION Contributing writer
Kratom, sold as an herbal supplement, has been banned from the city of Walker after the council voted Feb. 10 to end its sale in city limits. Kratom is known to have potential negative side effects including addiction and other problems with regular usage, officials said. The scientific name for Kratom is Mitragyna Speciosa Korth. In asking the council to halt sales of Kratom within the city’s lim-
its, the city’s Chief of Operations Jamie Etheridge said Kratom is known as “gas station heroin and has been determined to be a dangerous substance. Kratom is a plant-based product, but it can still be dangerous to those who abuse it, especially young people.” City attorney Bobby King explained that in 2023 the Louisiana Legislature discussed banning sale of the substance throughout the state but instead agreed to allow the sale of Kratom to anyone over the age of 21. At the same time, King said, the legislation allowed
local governmental entities to ban the sale of Kratom. He said that in the past year the Centers for Disease Control and the Federal Drug Administration, have raised concerns abbot the use and abuse of Kratom, and there are cases where some have died from its use. Mayor Jimmy Watson said city leaders have been talking about the ban for more than a year. “We have consulted with other communities and more and more are banning the sale of this stuff. I just think it is time that we stop the sale of Kratom in Walker,” Watson said.
Walker Police Department Assistant Police Chief Kenneth Black said that while a person must be at least 21 years old to purchase Kratom, it still reaches users under that age. “This is dangerous stuff … in the past two years we have learned that Kratom has been somehow related to about 800 incidents that our Police Department has worked. We have had some overdoses on the stuff and have confiscated some Kratom. We have had to destroy a good amount of the stuff that was confiscated. It is not regulated so there are no suggested levels of doses by those who choose to use it. This is dangerous stuff that is getting to our young people and we should do what we
can to stop it.” Pam Dieken, who told the council that she is an emergency room nurse, said, “kids don’t know what they are getting into when they start using Kratom.” She said it can cause seizures and psychotic behavior. “We have had to deal with overdoses and serious illness from Kratom and we need to keep it out of the hands of our citizens,” she said. On the other side of the issues, Adam Peak, who said that he is a small-business owner, cautioned that if Walker decides to stop the sale of Kratom, it will not halt the use of the substance.
ä See WALKER, page 3G
Darlene Denstorff
Charles Salzer
Kroux of Barkus to take over Walker park
Here’s a look at Livingston Parish basketball as the regular season comes to an end
AROUND LIVINGSTON
The Walker Parks and Recreation Department’s fourth annual family-friendly Mardi Gras-themed Bark in the Park and Kroux of Barkus pet parade are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 22 in Sidney Hutchinson Park. The half-mile parade will begin by the amphitheater and follow the walking path in the park. Kroux of Barkus will start at 11 a.m. This year’s grand marshal will be an adoptable pet representing the Walker Animal Shelter. Registration is free. Donations will be accepted benefiting the Walker Animal Shelter. Bark in the Park will continue until 2 p.m. The activities will include live Cajun/zydeco music with the band Capital City Cajuns, art and food vendors, and pet-themed booths, including a professional photographer for pet portraits. For a pet or vendor entry form, call (225) 665-3755 or email parksandrecinfo@walker-la.gov.
SPORTS ROUNDUP
PHOTOS BY DAVID NORMAND
A float rider hands a Mardi Gras colored umbrella down to the crowd during the annual Krewe of Denham Springs Mardi Gras parade Saturday.
BEADS, STUFFED ANIMALS, TRINKETS FLY AS KREWE OF DENHAM SPRINGS ROLLS
Krewe of Diversion Boat parade Feb. 22 The 30th annual Krewe of Diversion Mardi Gras boat parade floats starting at noon Feb. 22. All proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Registration will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 21 at Manny’s, and the cost will be $35 a boat.
Masquerade Gala planned The Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce is planning a Masquerade Gala on March 28 at Carter Plantation in Springfield. The gala includes live music, casino games, prizes and silent and live auctions. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/88f6trkf.
Volunteers provide free income tax help The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is providing free tax preparation assistance at the Southeastern Livingston Center, in Walker through April 15. For eligibility guidelines, other information or to schedule an appointment, visit www. cauw.org/VITA or call (225) 923-2114.
ä See AROUND, page 4G
King Maurice ‘Scooter’ Keen watches as Queen Kay Keen throws a stuffed bear to the crowd.
ä More photos. PAGE 2G
The Doyle girls basketball team wrapped up its regular season Thursday with a 73-24 home win over Jewel Sumner, an expected win but still a cause for celebration. The win officially clinched the District 8-3A title for coach Sam White’s Tigers as they prepare for the LHSAA’s Division III nonselect playoffs this week. Shelby Taylor, Allie Savant and Kassidy Rivero all scored in double figures for Doyle (22-6, 6-0), which will bring a 14-game winning streak into the playoffs. Albany lost at Doyle 52-45 on Feb. 4, and played Pine last Saturday in a game that determined second place in district. Speaking of district championships, it was another strong year overall for Livingston parish girls basketball with a total of four teams claiming at least a share of their respective district titles. In District 9-2A, French Settlement (23-9, 6-0) clinched their title with a showdown win on the road over St. Thomas Aquinas 57-31. Both teams were undefeated in district prior to the game. Walker and Denham Springs have jostled back and forth in District 5-5A. The Wildcats (302, 5-1) have been at the top of the Division I non select power ratings most of the season, but they split two games with the Yellow Jackets. The loss, 60-50 at Denham Springs on Jan. 24, was the one that counted in the district standings. Denham Springs (21-9, 5-1) lost 37-26 at East Ascension leaving the Yellow Jackets and Wildcats tied for the district title as the teams prepare for the playoffs. Per the LHSAA’s unofficial power ratings, eight of Livingston’s nine parish girls teams were in position to make the state playoffs as of last week including No. 2 Walker and No. 9 Denham Springs in Division I. Live Oak (12-11) needed to move up four spots to make it in. In Division III, there were No. 3 French Settlement, No. 4 Doyle (21-6) and No. 11 Springfield (17-11). Albany (19-11) was at No. 7 in the Division II ratings while Holden (15-9) was No. 12 in Class B. Maurepas (6-11) rated No.
ä See SALZER, page 4G