SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
DEMOCRAT THE ST. FRANCISVILLE
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, S e p t e m b e r 10, 2025
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Former parish manager trades jabs with jurors Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Visit renovated Freyhan School
EAST FELICIANA
BY JAMES MINTON
Contributing writer
A routine East Feliciana Parish Police Jury meeting Sept. 2 ended with a jury-watcher’s complaints about the jury’s hiring practices and his accusations of financial improprieties. John “J.R.” Rouchon, a former parish manager and current Coro-
ner’s Office employee, stormed out of the meeting after trading verbal jabs with several jurors and interim Parish Manager Yamesha Harris. Before leaving, Rouchon also criticized the jury for not taking
action to hire a parish manager after interviewing five candidates for the post given up early this year by David Amrhein. Rouchon was one of the applicants for the position and criticized the jury for not telling the applicants what action it intended to take to either fill the position or continue with Harris serving in an interim capacity.
Jury President Louis Kent said Harris is the parish manager, but Rouchon replied, “You don’t have one.” Rouchon then said he would take his complaints to the state Inspector General. “I’ll start the criminal charges. I’m talking about the
ä See JURORS, page 3G
The Julius Freyhan Foundation invites the community to an open house from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 11 at the renovated building, 4727 Fidelity St., St. Francisville.
Meet dogs to adopt Happy Tail Rescue will host the Happy Tales for Happy Tails adoption event Saturday, Sept. 13, at Tractor Supply, 7327 U.S. 61, St. Francisville. Visitors are invited to meet dogs in need of homes. For information about adoptable dogs, contact Michelle Hamilton at (225) 2454123 or thehappytailrescue@ outlook.com.
Humane Society to host fundraiser The Humane Society of the Felicianas will hold its first fundraiser and garage sale. The group is seeking garage sale items to be donated for the spay and neuter clinic cause. All proceeds will go to the clinic and its completion. The event is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 4 at 5080 La. 68, next to the fire station. A jambalaya dinner, drinks, dog washing, bounce house, live music and sno-ball truck will be on hand. Santa will even make an appearance from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The group invites vendors to participate with no cost to set up and sell. Donations are welcome. Visit www.facebook.com/ events/1285900903173252 for information. Donations for the garage sale can be left at the shelter. No furniture or electronics. Grocery bag donations are also needed for the sale. Garage sale price will be $10 for whatever the customer can get in a grocery bag
Backyard Blues to host live music Eric Johanson, with supporting acts Josh Garrett Band and Lil’ Ray Neal Blues Band, will perform Sept. 19 at Backyard Blues at The Mallory, St. Francisville. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Hunter Ed classes coming Hunter Education classes are planned for the Felicianas. These include a 10-hour classroom course and cover firearm and hunting safety, wildlife management principles, ethics, game identification and outdoor survival. Students must complete a live-fire exercise with both formats. Firearms and ammunition are provided for the live-fire exercise, so students should not bring their own. Participants must be at least 10 years of age by the final day of the course to be eligible for certification. Participants are advised to bring their own food, snacks and beverages. Water is available on site. Visit www.wlf.louisiana. gov/page/hunter-and-trappereducation for information and registration links.
PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Organizer Amanda Moorer and the West Feliciana High graduating class of 2001 celebrate Aug. 30 during the Inaugural Alumni Picnic of Schools in West Feliciana Parish.
Reunion ties West Feliciana generations, schools together
BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
They represent different school systems, span more than 60 years, and were rooted on different sides of desegregation, but already blurring lines were decimated Aug. 30 when one reunion united graduates of all of West Feliciana Parish. A line of cars creating a traffic jam rivaling a parade drew a crowd of more than 1,500 attendees to the Inaugural Alumni Picnic of Schools in West Feliciana Parish and representatives of three historic high schools. Tents, tables and food trucks covered the West Feliciana Sports Park venue. Amanda Moorer organized the event with representatives of the more than 60 graduating classes. “This incredible event commemorates the ties that bind our community and honors the legacy of our alumni, with roots stretching back over six decades,” she said. “We anticipated a large gathering celebrating the rich history and achievements
James London represents the Class of 1974 while espousing the health benefits of
ä See REUNION, page 2G watermelon rind during the Inaugural Alumni Picnic of Schools in West Feliciana Parish.
Feliciana football teams kick off season BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
ä See AROUND, page 2G PHOTO BY DAVID THOMAS JR.
East Feliciana receiver Ryan Moore catches a pass and out runs the Bengal defense as he scores his first offensive touchdown during the team’s August jamboree.
Markus Cannon’s touchdown pass to Ryan Moore and two-point conversion with less than one minute remaining gave East Feliciana a 32-26 road victory over Kentwood on Friday night and a 1-0 record to open the season. The win also avenged East Feliciana’s loss to Kentwood a year ago. The Kangaroos, 0-1, had taken a 2624 lead with two minutes remaining on a rushing touchdown before Cannon, who completed 12 of 20 passes for 180 yards, engineered the final drive and
his lone touchdown toss. “The thing that stood out is that our kids learned how to overcome adversity,” East Feliciana coach Darius Matthews said, citing the final drive. He said moving forward the Tigers need to limit turnovers and penalties. “Kentwood has a great program and history and you can’t afford to make mistakes and turnovers to win,” Matthews said. “We have to play more sound football on the little things to win.” Kayden Wilson led the Tigers with 75 yards on 11 carries.
ä See FOOTBALL, page 3G