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Farmer The St.Tammany
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S T TA M M A N Y FA R M E R.N E T
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W e d n e s d ay, S e p t e m b e r 17, 2025
50¢N
151ST YEAR, NO. 49
Council OKs North Shore Square purchase City will issue $27.6M in bonds to buy old mall
opted a resolution on Sept. 9 supporting the issuance of $27.6 million in revenue bonds for the city to purchase the mostly shuttered North Shore Square Mall. The council’s 4-3 vote on the controversial issue followed a BY KIM CHATELAIN heated public hearing during Contributing writer which opponents urged the city Against the backdrop of a bois- to pump the brakes on buying the terous crowd of opponents, the 621,000-square-foot mall at InSlidell City Council narrowly ad- terstate 12 and Northshore Bou-
SLIDELL levard. Council members Trey Brownfield, Leslie Denham and David Dunham voted no. Most of those in the council chamber audience appeared opposed to the resolution, which marks the latest step in the city’s long-discussed plan to buy and redevelop the mall site. While the
exact use of the property is yet to be determined, a public/private partnership has been discussed. Even with the council’s approval, the state Bond Commission still must approve the issuance of any bonds. Speaking in favor of the resolution, council member Nick DiSanti said its passage does not mean that the city is committed to purchasing the mall; rather, it simply rep-
resents the city’s efforts to “explore the possibility.” Among the opponents to address the council was Police Chief Randy Fandal, who is a candidate for mayor in the Oct. 11 election. His lone opponent, Mayor Bill Borchert, has pushed for the mall purchase but did not speak on the issue during the meeting.
ä See BONDS, page 3A
COVINGTON
It’s Wild Out There
City Council OKs hospital parking garage Five-story garage to include offices, helipad and sky bridge BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer
An overflow crowd packed the Covington City Council chambers on Sept. 9 as the board voted 6-1 to allow St. Tammany Parish Health System to build a five-story parking garage that has been the subject of complaints by the neighborhood’s residents for months. Former Covington mayors Keith Villere and Candace Watkins were among residents who have voiced concerns about the location of St. Tammany Health System’s planned garage at the busy intersection of 11th Avenue and Tyler Street. The garage would have more than 400 parking spots, medical offices, a helipad and a sky bridge connecting to the hospital.
ä See GARAGE, page 2A
Emily Claire Soileau, the 2024-25 St. Tammany Parish Fair Queen, greets some other stars of the parish fair in Covington.
PHOTOS BY MATT DOBBINS
The Hickory Creek Ranch TNT Western Show in Pearl River featured some fast horses and fine riding. Two teams raced out and back in a foursome relay, and this rider is making the 180 degree turn for home.
Show held at home of the Clydesdales BY SHEILA GRISSETT Staff writer
The Hickory Creek Ranch in Pearl River — home to the only Clydesdale hitch team in the southern United States — hosted a TNT Wild West Show on Sept. 6 that pulled in families and other fans of cowboys, cowgirls and ä More photos from all their wizardry, from the event. PAGE 2A trick rop ing and riding, to barrel and chuck wagon racing and even a staged barroom fight. This first Western show at the ranch is a big step in owner Clay Harper’s expansion plan to develop a small village of Western-style buildings for special events. He already converted a paddock at the Milton Craddock Road ranch into a rodeo arena and installed the bleachers, as well building as a new traditional style barn for the big horses. Harper said the expansion will also provide a way for more members of the public to get a look at — and even to meet — his six magnificent
PROVIDED PHOTO
St. Tammany Parish Fair pageant still reigns BY JESSICA SAGGIO Contributing writer
Dianne Morgan Baham can still remember exactly which song she lip-synched as her talent for the St. Tammany Parish Fair pageant in 1964. “It was a song by Brenda Lee,” she said, beginning to hum the tune. “Dum dum a diddly dum.” It was a family tradition to participate in the fair each year, and that was the year Baham, then Morgan, threw her name in the ring for a chance to become St. Tammany Parish Fair royalty. She, along with her best gal pals, strutted their stuff in an evening gowns, answered interview questions and performed a talent for the panel of judges.
Champion rope trick artist Chris McDaniel pays tribute to the Buffalo Bill Cody shows of the 1800s during the Hickory Creek Ranch TNT Western Show. all, when you stand 6 feet high and weigh about 2,000 pounds, there are only certain places that these Clydesdales can meet their fans.
Honey Island Clydesdales — which are generally seen only during more than a dozen Mardi Gras parades and at a few other special events. After
ä See PAGEANT, page 3A
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