SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
The
W atchman
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
|
W e d n e s d ay, N ov e m b e r 5, 2025
$1.00N
Data center money to fund jail, raises in West Feliciana
agreement with a data cen- recently approved revenue property taxes on the center the billions of dollars worth revenue. Hut 8 agreement ter The revenue could have developer that could gen- structure, earnings from the after construction wraps, of sophisticated electronic erate up to $90 million in an- center are coming sooner to but the meeting cleared the equipment that will fill up a significant impact. The could bring $90M nual revenue for the parish. fund priorities for parish way for the parish to collect the data center. The data school system had total revin yearly revenue Construction is underway agencies. payments in lieu of taxes, re- center will be about the size enues of $36.5 million in fis-
at the $2.5 billion data center stewarded by Hut 8, a Miami-based company that Staff writer will lease the computing West Feliciana Parish may services to an undisclosed get better roads, a new jail client, providing thousands and pay raises for teachers of construction jobs and at and sheriff’s department least 50 maintenance and employees thanks to an technician jobs. Thanks to a
BY IANNE SALVOSA
Before an Oct. 28 meeting of the Industrial Development Board, it was unclear how much the parish would be able to reap from the center since the state exempted data centers from paying sales and use taxes. The parish could collect
ferred to as PILOT. Instead of paying property taxes on the facility, Hut 8 will donate its 611-acre site to the IDB. The board will then lease the property back to the company, charging rent equal to what sales and use taxes would be on
of four Walmart Supercenters. The IDB is comprised of West Feliciana Sheriff Brian Spillman, School Superintendent Hollis Milton and former council member Clay Pinson, each of whom will administer a third of the
cal year 2025, while the parish adopted a $3.3 million budget for the current fiscal year. The Sheriff’s Office had more than $12 million in revenue for fiscal 2024. “We want to make sure
ä See DATA, page 5G
A successful spooktacular strikes again BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
Postponed from Oct. 25 due to a dire weather forecast, Spooktacular successfully delivered lots of Halloween fun Oct. 30 in Jackson. A variety of costumed children and adults turned out for trick-or-treating at houses or businesses and trunk-or-treating at designated stations. The event was held mostly on College Street which was blocked off to traffic. It was organized by the Jackson Tourism Enhancement Committee under the Historic District Commission, which is under the town of Jackson. Last year it was decided that the last Saturday in October would annually be the official date for trick-or-treating in Jackson. The main reasons/benefits were to not have it on a school night and to not conflict with
PHOTO BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
Pausing for a picture as they head up College Street are a variety of Spooktacular attendees. From the left are sisters Harper and Faith ä See SPOOKTACULAR, page 5G Veillion with mom Rebecca and standing are Gabe, Cooper, Sawyer, Hudson, Mae Mae, Sawyer and Bayleigh Crawford.
Homecoming theme blends nightmares and tigers Community news report
PHOTO BY DAVID THOMAS JR.
Baker running back Marques Gordon tries to elude the East Feliciana High Tiger defense.
East and West Feliciana teams easily win homecomings BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
The homecoming games in the Felicianas brought large wins.
East Feliciana
thwarted Capitol, 29-14, in a league contest. Coming up next, the Buffaloes confront the Belaire Bengals in a non-league contest, on Nov. 7. Baker will attempt to upgrade on its 3-6 season record. The Bengals go into the bout with a 4-6 record after their 38-0 league win over Tara. East Feliciana led 22-3 at the half. M. Cannon Jr.: 10-16, 169 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions Kayden Wilson: 7 carries, 86
East Feliciana defeated Baker 28-9. The Baker Buffaloes football squad was outscored 28-9 in Friday’s league contest with the host East Feliciana Tigers. The Tigers (7-3) will now prepare for their contest against Northeast. The Vikings enter the ä See TEAMS, page 4G 2A District 8 contest with a 5-4 record. In its last contest, Northeast yards, 2 touchdowns
From spirited dress-up days to dazzling coronation ceremonies that fused East Feliciana High School’s fierce tiger mascot with a spooky, Halloween-inspired atmosphere, East Feliciana Public Schools embraced its hauntingly festive homecoming theme Nightmare in the Tigers Den with creativity, unity, and unmistakable East Feliciana flair. The weeklong celebration showcased both school spirit and the district’s unwavering commitment to excellence every day, culminating in a commanding Friday night football victory over the Baker Buffaloes that left no doubt that East Feliciana Tigers embrace excellence in every endeavor.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Miss and Mr. Jackson Elementary School 2025: De’Liyah Smith and Jaiden Jolla ä More Homecoming photos. PAGE 4G
PROVIDED PHOTO BY KARA MAGEE
Mr. and Miss East Feliciana STEAM Academy 2025: Emanuel Dominic, Jr. and Makayla Jarrell
Veterans to be honored in the Felicianas Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
n “Honor Our Veterans Program” is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Masonic Cemetery, La. 10 E., Clinton, sponsored by the Alexander Stirling Chapter, DAR. The program includes placing American flags on all veterans’ graves. Organizers suggest bringing lawn chairs. n Retired Lt. Gen. Russell Hon-
oré will be the guest speaker Nov. 8 at the Veterans Day Program beginning at 10 a.m. at the Feliciana Veterans Park on La. 10 in Jackson. n Clinton is Home Foundation hosts Meet the Veterans from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Green Door at H Mercantile, 12408 St. Helena St., Clinton.
n Plans for a memorial park for Clinton are developing and interest and support have been shown, according to spokesperson Marsha Kemp. She said Clinton Mayor Mark Kemp and Jim Parker discussed various things with her at a recent meeting. Plans are to form a committee of veterans, their family members, and people from
the community to further pursue the project. If interested, call or text (225) 439-9705.
Food for families with children RKM Primary Care and Aetna Better Health of Louisiana are hosting a Community Food
ä See AROUND, page 2G