DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
THE LIVINGSTON -TANGIPAHOA
ADVOCATE T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Back to school for students, traffic
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W e d n e s d ay, J u ly 30, 2025
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Board members who ‘quit’ could return LIVINGSTON PARISH LIBRARY
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
Four Livingston Parish library board members announced that they quit the board and walked out after the library director was ousted during a tumultuous board meeting July 15. But the people who walked out could be walking back to their seats the next time the parish library system’s governing body meets — as active board members. A verbal “I quit” isn’t technically an official way to resign, a parish attorney said Thursday at the Livingston Parish Council meeting. Ad-
ditionally, the parish council didn’t have any official written resignations from the four board members to accept, making it seem more than likely that those same library board members would be returning. One parish council member even confirmed his appointee was going back. This development marks the latest political twist on a board that recently forced out its library director — a fallout from a yearslong battle sparked by complaints about youth ac-
cess to sex and gender related books. At a meeting earlier this month, library board members Jennifer Dorhauer, then-board president, Becky Morgan, then-board vice president, Rodlyn Hammond and Patricia Wilson all verbally quit the library board. This move was directly after Parish President Randy Delatte and the rest of the board voted to not renew Michelle Parrish’s library director contract. During the allocated time to vote on and discuss board appointments and resignations item at the parish council meeting Thursday,
ä See BOARD, page 3G
Livingston and Tangipahoa parish public school students return to class Aug. 8. Drivers are encouraged to exercise caution when approaching school zones and at stopped buses. For more information, visit school websites.
Assess the Need The Livingston Parish Assess the Need school supplies drive is underway. Volunteers will be at Livingston Parish Associated Groceries from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 1 and Aug. 8 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 2 and Aug. 9. Drop off locations include Carter’s Supermarkets in Denham Springs and Walker; Cain’s Family Supermarkets in Livingston, Albany and Springfield; Oak Point Fresh Market in Watson; and Village Markets in Port Vincent and Head of Island. Checks or money orders can be mailed to: Assess the Need, P. O. Box 1802, Denham Springs, LA 70727-180
Women’s Leadership Conference, Expo date set The Livingston Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Conference and Expo is set for 10:45 a.m. Sept. 18 at Abundant Life Outreach Center in Denham Springs. The event brings together women from across the region for a day of connection, inspiration and growth. The event features an expo with a variety of vendors showcasing products and services tailored to women, plus speakers covering topics like personal development, wellness, leadership and more. For more information, visit https://www.livingstonparishchamber.org/womens-leadership-event/.
FEAST
Author Corvina Sweeney, left works the room, spending time with family and friends attending a book-signing party.
Author draws on family experiences for latest horror novel
Contributing writer
The Southeastern Livingston Center in Walker is hosting several classes in August. Check out the Walker site’s ACT prep class Aug. 19 and Aug. 26. The classes are $195. Interested in learning about a sound bath? A one-hour class is designed to move energy gently and prepare the body and mind for a relaxing journey into sound. The session is from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Aug. 20. The session is $25. For a complete schedule or to register for any program, visit southeastern.nbsstore.net/lifelong-learning-livingston-center.
Sam Cuti was looking forward to horror-genre author Corvina Sweeney’s paganistic Yule dinner this past December. As it turns out, he was the entree. Fortunately for the Amite native, it was only in the literary, but perhaps a bit uncomfortable, sense. “I have had a lot of experiences in my life, but I can’t say that has been one,” Cuti, a native of Amite, said July 19 during the release party and book signing of Sweeny’s latest novel, aptly named “Sam for Dinner,” in Hammond. “I went blank at first; I did not know, say or what to think. I was kind of yea but no,” the unsuspecting Cuti said of being today’s special for the holiday feast. The idea for Sam’s alleged “cooking” came from Sweeney’s
Four Seasons Farmers Market opens every Saturday morning at 116 North Range Ave., Denham Springs. The event includes fresh produce and crafts items. For more information, call (225) 366-7241 or email thefourseasonsfarmersmarket@gmail.com.
Walker disc golf park open The city of Walker Disc Golf Park is open daily at 13620 Aydell Lane, next to City Hall. Parking is at City Hall. To download the city’s disc golf app, visit walker.la.us/ sites/default/files//Disc%20 Golf%20app.jpg. Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
FOR THE IMAGINATION
BY RICHARD MEEK
Classes planned in Walker
Farmers Market Saturday
PHOTO BY RICHARD MEEK
Corvina Sweeney and her husband, Sean Sweeney, in front of a poster of the cover of her book during a
ä See NOVEL, page 2G reception July 19 in Hammond.
Drug tests to vape detectors: Opioid settlement funds get direction BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
Livingston Parish school officials have plans to expand counseling services for students, install more vape detectors and fund drug tests once they receive opioid settlement funds from the Livingston Parish Council. The Livingston Parish Council voted Thursday to allow the parish to execute a formal agreement
to give government opioid funds to Livingston Parish Public Schools. The school system would receive around $220,000, said Brandon Browning, deputy chief administrative officer. LPPS Superintendent Jody Purvis said these funds would essentially expand programs the schools already use. For example, the schools have an agreement with a telehealth provider that offers some counseling services
for students, and they have vape detectors installed in the majority of middle and high schools. These detectors are placed in the bathrooms, and an alarm goes off when it detects someone vaping. “Once this is done, all of our middle schools and our high schools will have vape detectors in the restrooms,” Purvis said. A portion of the funds would be used for testing students who are expelled for drugs and go to the
Pine Ridge Alternative Program. Purvis said that when the students finish the alternative program, the school district would work with parents to conduct drug testing “to have that student on a road to success for moving forward.” The last part of the agreement also includes an administrative assistant at the alternative program.
ä See OPIOD, page 3G