The Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate 03-19-2025

Rural Livingston Parish bogged down by drainage woes

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD

Cecil Coates enjoyed sitting on his front porch in Holden. Now, doing so is only a painful reminder of the swampy eyesore in front of his house. Ongoing problems with stormwater drainage have caused the ditches along Coates’ street to be filled to the brim and coated with a bright green residue or algae. They’ve taken on a life their own.

Coates said the ditches and their culverts’ inability to properly drain water started after Hurricane Ida in 2021 It has only gotten worse, and every time it rains water overflows into his front yard, he said. Across the street is Coates’ son’s house, which is nearly hidden behind unruly shrubbery that’s a byproduct of the drain situation.

“If we can put a man on the moon, why can’t we get water out of a ditch,” the elder Coates said.

Coates called his Parish Councilman Joe Erdey about a year ago about the issue. Erdey, who covers part of the eastern side of the parish that is predominately rural, said he could name about 30 roads and ditches with drainage problems — but he thinks the area where Coates lives is the worst of them.

”It keeps growing because it never goes away,” he said about Coates’ problem

Erdey said roughly 75% of the things he handles are drainage problems that can take a while to solve. “It’s a tough situation over here that I deal with,” the councilman said

ä See DRAINAGE, page 4G

Momentum builds to extend pause on solar farm development

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer

Livingston Parish loves its farms as long as they aren’t the solar kind.

While solar energy development has surged in Louisiana over the past few years, Livingston Parish halted developing solar panel farms and plants in May 2024. Now parish council members want to extend it further

Councilwoman Erin Sandefur is asking the council to extend the existing 12-month moratorium on large-scale solar panel farms and commercial solar power plants. The moratorium does not include residential solar panels on homes.

The moratorium could have ended before its expiration date depending on pending studies or new ordinances, the council said last year when it put the pause in place. No new ordinances have since come to fruition.

Compared to neighboring parishes, Livingston Parish is behind on enacting any regulations to

ä See SOLAR, page 2G

Candies, cookies and breads made by parishioners make

Altar held at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs.

St. Joseph’s Altar attracts visitors to Denham Springs Church

Community news report

The Friends of St. Joseph at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denham Springs honored St Joseph with a Mass dedication and blessing of the elaborate St Joseph’s Altar on Friday and a communal meal at Saturday in the main church hall.

Members of the society prepared for weeks for the multitiered creation featuring a wide variety of food items including cakes, cookies, vegetable dishes, seafood and other treats, statues, candles, and special breads created to represent significant aspects of the life of St. Joseph the carpenter and his son Jesus.

The volunteer cooks prepared, among other items, thousands and thousands of cookies of various types all with connections to the Sicilian experience in the United States.

Among those assisting in preparations for the altar are members of

ä See ALTAR, page 2G

Jackets fall short in semifinal game after successful season

It was a season to remember for the Denham Springs boys basketball even before they took the floor last Thursday at Lake Charles’ Burton Complex for its Division I nonselect semifinal game against Central. The Yellow Jackets were back at the state championship tournament for the first time since 2003 and, not coincidentally came in with their best record since the glory years of Tasmin Mitchell in the early 2000s.

The semifinal paired up teams that had met in the regular season on Jan. 25, a game that Central won 78-64. On this night, second-seeded Central used a late run to secure a 62-56 win over the third-seeded Yellow Jackets. Denham Springs trailed 45-38 after three quarters, and then rallied to tie the game with a 7-0 surge to start the fourth. It wasn’t to be.

Central put together a 10-3 run to give itself enough of a cushion to hold on in the final minute.

Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP

Afterward, Denham Springs coach Kevin Caballero talked about what playing in the state tournament meant for his players and the program. “I wanted my players to experience this,” he said. “It’s been a long time since Denham Springs has experienced

it and the future is bright. The sad part, the flip side, is I’ve got five seniors that will be in the stands if we’re here next year.” Including 14 points from Da’Sean Golmond and 13 from Jeremy Williams, four Jackets’ players scored in double figures. Denham Springs had chances at the foul line, but made only 4 of 14 free throws.

“I thought in the second half we gave it everything we’ve got,” Caballero said. “In the

rein in development of solar projects. Tangipahoa, West Baton Rouge and St. James parishes have enacted either temporary halts or new regulations for solar power in the past few years.

Sandefur, the Livingston Parish councilwoman, is asking to extend the halt on solar farms so that the parish’s policy can be written in alignment with the state legislation’s goals.

She has a letter from the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources saying lawmakers were planning to create a comprehensive regulatory program for solar developments during the upcoming legislative session, which begins in April.

The letter says it would potentially create statewide requirements for wildlife protection and site plans for solar industry development, which is why she is asking the parish to extend the moratorium.

Sandefur said waiting to get feedback from the master zoning plan survey also plays a role in this move. The parish is developing a new master plan for land development.

“We’re cautiously looking at this to figure out what’s best for the parish,” she said Tuesday at the parish’s ordinance committee meeting.

The solar moratorium extension was introduced at the Thursday parish council meeting and a public hearing for it was set for March 27.

The only solar panel field under development in Livingston Parish is outside of Springfield in Councilman Joe Erdey’s district, but Hurricane Ida damaged it in 2021. New Orleans-based solar energy company Joule is working to restart construction.

Erdey said he isn’t sure how he will vote on extending the solar moratorium.

“I can’t support it yet, until I know everything I need to know about it,” Erdey said.

Erdey has questions about safety of developing the solar farms related to the land and wildlife to build these projects. Similar questions from other council members prompted putting the moratorium in place last May

ALTAR

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the Knights of Columbus, who cook for the food for the community meal. The tradition of building the St. Joseph’s Altars, which are meatless, started in Sicily many, many years ago. The island was suffering from a drought, and many people were facing a famine Prayers were made to St Joseph the patron saint of Sicily, and promises to build an altar in his name were made in supplication for an end to the drought. When the drought broke and the rains came with a bountiful harvest, the grateful residents began the practice of building altars on his traditional feast day, which is March 19.

The custom was brought to Louisiana by Sicilian immigrants in the late 1800s and has been continued until this day by groups throughout Louisiana. The meal will feature spaghetti and gravy, boiled eggs, stuffed artichokes, a variety of casseroles and an array of many desserts. The Friends of St. Joseph in Denham Springs have been building the altars for 30 years.

use address at left COMMUNITY NEWS REPORTER Leila Pitchford livingston@theadvocate.com 225-388-0731

Livingston Parish president’s chief of staff resigns after 16 months

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer

The Livingston Parish president’s chief of staff abruptly resigned March 12 after 16 months in the job.

Jim Gilbert said he is leaving the position to pursue other career endeavors. He said working with Parish President Randy Delatte and the transition team has been a “life changing experience” and that many people in the office have become like family to him.

“Many of the endeavors we began will continue to fruition,” Gilbert said in a statement announcing his resignation I plan to take a little time off in the interim as the last few years have been exhausting.” In the past 16 months, the parish government has dealt with issues such as the contentious Deer Run lawsuit, implementing interim zoning and updating the decadeold master plan for development.

Krewe of Erin crowns royal court

SALZER

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crucial moments we hit some big threes, but we missed some big layups and some free throws down the stretch.”

If past results are an indicator then Denham Springs will again be a team to watch next season. After posting a losing record in 2021, the Jackets have improved their record every season and have made the playoffs the last four years

AROUND

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Baton Rouge Audubon Society

Proceeds from the plant sale help support the community educational activities of the members of the Livingston Parish Master Gardener program

The LSU AgCenter’s training for the program provides a balanced, integrated, practical course in gardening and develops volunteers who have a fun, educational experience while serving the community

For more information about the plant sale or becoming a master gardener, email Clark Robertson, Master Gardener coordinator and assistant county agent/horticulture, at crobertson@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Mammograms offered

Woman’s Hospital is bringing breast imaging to Livingston Parish with its mobile mammography coach, which offers advanced 3D mammogram technology at convenient times and locations across Louisiana.

Physician’s orders are required and appointments are strongly encouraged

On March 24, the coach will visit Mandy’s Primary Healthcare, 35701 La. 16, Denham Springs. Call (225) 791-2400 to schedule

For more information including the full mammography coach schedule, visit Womans.org.

Amite art workshop, exhibition planned

The Amite Arts Council is sponsoring an adult art workshop Saturday, April 12

Registration is underway at Amite City Hall. There is a $10 registration fee

The Workshop will be held in the Amite Community Center from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday through Friday There will be a display of the students’ work at 1 p.m. on Friday. Admission to the display of the students’ work is free.

Participants will explore creating stilllife using the grid method as well as a review of oil pastel blending techniques.

The teacher will be talented visual art teacher Jennifer Wheeler

For more information, call Amite City Hall at (985) 748-8761.

Community news report

Southeastern Louisiana University’s Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts will present ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,’ a Tony Award-winning musical, this month. Presented in partnership with Southeastern Theatre and Southeastern’s Department of Music and Performing Arts, performances are scheduled March 21 and March 28 at 7:30 p.m. and March 22 and March 29 at 2 p.m.

“Put on your thinking caps as you stroll into the high school cafetorium for a spelling bee like you’ve never seen before,” Co-

lumbia Theatre Director Jim Winter said.

Directed by guest director Justin AmellioAshbrook the musical has been called “irresistible” and “adorable” by The New York

Each year has been a higher step. From a 21-13 record and No. 25 seeding to this year’s 29-4 mark that earned the program the No. 3 seed, the progression has been steady “It’s a start,” Caballero said. “We went to the quarterfinals last year and this year we went a step further Next year, we hope to stay for the whole thing.”

Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports for the Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@ theadvocate.com.

Lenten gumbo Fridays planned

Dine on seafood gumbo or chicken and sausage gumbo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

March 21, March 28, April 4 and April 11 at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 726 Maple St., Denham Springs.

The gumbo is $10 per plate. For information, call (225) 665-2707 or email stfrancisgumbo.square.site.

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.

DSHS Athletic Hall of Fame nominations

The Denham Springs High School Athletic Hall of Fame and title sponsor Hood Dental Care are accepting nominations for its next class of inductees through March 31. Hall of Fame nomination guidelines are available on the high school’s website at www.denhamspringshs.org or by picking up a copy at the school office.

For information, contact Julie Jacobsen at julie.jacobsen@lpsb.org or (225) 4056838.

Farmers market

The Four Seasons Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the city parking lot at Hummel Street and Railroad Avenue. Fresh vegetables, fruits and handmade items are on sale from vendors.

Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 388-0731.

DRAINAGE

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Livingston Parish is split into four Gravity Drainage Districts: 1, 2, 5 and 8. The first three are funded through property or sales taxes and cover the western and more developed half of the parish District 8 is unfunded and covers the eastern half of the parish, including Coates’ street. There were millage proposals on a 2017 ballot to fund drainage districts for the top and bottom halves of what is now drainage District 8. Voters shot down the proposals.

The three funded districts have employees who clean and maintain lateral ditches and canals in the areas, while the parish’s public works department serves the entire parish and District 8. There is a substantial gap in the number of employees per capita with the funded districts compared to the public works department.

Funded drainage District 5 has about 20 employees specifically for that area, meanwhile the public works department has about 50 employees working on the entire parish, the department director Robert Dugas said. This means the funded districts have more leeway to handle drainage projects and general maintenance.

“We need a true plan,” Delatte said of parish-wide drainage. “What’s not working — is the way we are doing it now.”

“We don’t have true maintenance care in District 8,” Dugas said. Dugas and Parish President Randy Delatte in the next few years want to update the gravity drainage plan with a parish-wide plan. It would be a similar move to what’s happening with zoning in the parish: only certain districts had zoning until the parish has worked, in phases, to draft a parish-wide zoning and master plan.

“Shell's RootsRun Deep in St.Charles Parish. To us,beingagood neighbor means morethan safely clocking in and out;itmeans actively supporting theplacesand communitiesthathavebeen thefoundation of our business fornearly acentury.”

TAMMYLITTLE | General Manager,ShellNorco

In honor of ShellNorco's 95thanniversary,ninety-fiveemployees partnered with thePontchartrain Conservancytoplant1,000 treesat Wetland Watchers Park in St.CharlesParish.

Thesetrees will help fortifythe Lake Pontchartrain shoreline,createnew wildlife habitat, and supportlocalair quality.Atthe event,Shell NorcoGeneral Manager Tammy Little announced a$175,000 donation to theSt. Charles Parish Parksand Recreation Department to helprebuild thepark’spier,which wasdamaged in Hurricane Ida.