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
Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Holidays are coming Please remember to let The Watchman and The Democrat know about events the community can attend. You are also invited to send us photos and information about events you host. Remember to identify people in photos and to include all the basic information about what is happening. And since it is the holidays, there are several early deadlines. The first one is the Nov. 27 Thanksgiving edition. All stories for it must be to us by noon Nov. 19. Stories for the Dec. 3 edition need to be to us by 5 p.m. Nov. 25.
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W e d n e s d ay, N ov e m b e r 12, 2025
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Police Jury accepts state funds EAST FELICIANA
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
The East Feliciana Parish Police Jury wrote the final chapter Nov. 3 in a failed bid to bolster the jury’s general fund finances, but accepted a one-time infusion of cash from state coffers. In a special Oct. 11 election, voters turned down the Police Jury’s attempt to redistribute proceeds from a property tax that funds the Health Unit, general fund and road and bridge fund. According to the official election
proclamation jurors approved in their regular monthly meeting, 676 voters favored the proposition on the special election ballot, while 756 opposed it. Turnout for the election was only 10.5 percent of the parish’s eligible voters, and in two of the parish’s 23 precincts no one showed up to cast a ballot. The jury had hoped voters would allow them to use surplus
revenues from a 3-mill property tax that funds the Health Unit for any legitimate purpose, instead of splitting the surpluses on a 90-10 basis between the road and bridge fund and the general fund, respectively, as the last renewal proposition requires. Jurors said the general fund needs more revenue to avoid cuts to services and agencies the jury supports but is not required by law to do so. At one time, the surpluses were split 50-50 between the two funds. In a separate motion, the jury voted to enter into a cooperative
endeavor agreement with the state Treasury Department to accept a legislative appropriation of $100,000 that was included in a spending bill the Legislature approved earlier this year. A number of other East Feliciana agencies and municipalities also received cash appropriations from the Legislature. The money will help offset costs for the special election, which were estimated at more than $37,000 prior to the vote.
ä See FUNDS, page 2G
Growing Health Fair moves to Trinity Church’s campus BY JAMES TAYLOR FOREMAN
Contributing writer
Just north of Jackson, Trinity Church’s campus hosted this year’s Health Fair, sponsored by Our Lady of the Lake. It’s in its fourth year, but the first year outside of town. “For one, it’s my home church,” said Rebecca Heinz, the nurse who organized the fair. “Second, we just have more room out here. At the Lions Club, where we normally do it, we don’t have room for live music, bouncy houses, the booths, and to cook all this free food.” The pastor of Trinity Church, Phillip Mitchel added, “You can’t reach people if you just tell them to come to church. But, if you give people access to food, music, and information about how to stay healthy, you can reach them.”
Celebrating West Feliciana school head The community is invited to join in celebrating Superintendent Hollis Milton for his outstanding leadership, accomplishments and steadfast commitment to West Feliciana Parish schools, a news release said. The event is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at The Freyhan School, 4727 Fidelity St., St. Francisville. Guests will have light refreshments and an opportunity to recognize Milton.
Sock it to the library All branches of the Audubon Regional Library will be participating in the “Sock It To Me” sock drive. The library will be accepting new socks through the first week of December. Socks will be donated to local organizations to give to those in need this holiday season. Boxes are set up at each branch for donations.
Save the date n The West Feliciana Chamber of Commerce announced Chamber Uncorked! will be March 8 at The Mallory in St. Francisville. n The 21st annual Feliciana Family and Friends Mardi Gras Parade is planned for Jan. 31 in downtown Clinton.
Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate.com.
PHOTOS BY TAYLOR FOREMAN
Trinity Church’s Health Fair Organizer Rebecca Heinz speaks to a visitor on Nov. 1. Mary Reese, Dr. Amy Cangelosi, and Atlas the Dog are at their Health Fair booth for the Humane Society of the Felicianas
St. Francisville woman arrested in alleged six-year abuse of adopted daughter BY AIDAN MCCAHILL Staff writer
A St. Francisville woman faces charges after years of alleged physical abuse of her adopted daughter, who recalls being struck with sticks, firewood and metal baseball bats, according to court records. Gretchen Hanchey, 50, was arrested on Sept. 26 and booked into the West Feliciana Parish Jail on one count each of cruelty to juveniles and second-degree battery. According to court records, Hanchey and her husband, Glenn, are the girl’s aunt and biological uncle and adopted her in 2018 when she was 4 years old. In February 2024, the couple brought her to the Tupelo Children’s Mansion, a children’s group home in Mississippi, according to a report filed by the Mississippi Department of Child Family Services.
ä See ABUSE, page 2G
Keith Babin and his mother, Mary, run a booth for FirstFitness Nutrition at the Health Fair.
Feliciana football ends regular season
Kaden Wilson helps cap off his senior night by celebrating as he crossed the goal line and gives the Tigers a lead over the Vikings that they never relinquished.
BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
East Feliciana High secured second place in District 8-2A and a playoff spot with a 58-14 rout of Northeast on Friday as the curtain dropped on the regular season. The Tigers finished the regular season 7-3, 5-1 in District 8-2A, in solo second and one game behind district champ Dunham, who zipped through district play 6-0. East Feliciana led 52-0 at the half, scoring 36 points in the second quarter. Ryan Moore returned a punt for a touchdown and the Tigers returned two fumbles for scores in the decisive period. For the season, Moore led the district with six interceptions and was second in receiving with 877 yards. Matthew King led the district with 10 sacks. Quarterback Markus Cannon Jr. passed for 1,470 yards to finish the season ranked second, and running back Kayden Wilson rushed for 644 yards, which was also second in the district.
Slaughter falls to Dunham
PHOTO BY DAVID THOMAS JR.
yards, with the Knights’ outstanding rushing game stymied to 61 yards. Ford finished as the leading scorer in the district with 70 points and was third in rushing yards with 575. Slaughter’s Keller Spinks finished the season with a district-high 91 tackles and teammate Kaden Oakley recorded 66 tackles.
6-4A behind Plaquemine and Brusly in coach Terry Minor’s first season. East Feliciana ended the season on a three-game winning streak and won four of its final five games.
Silliman prepares for playoffs Silliman had a bye week, finishing the regular season 4-5, 2-3 in district play. The Wildcats open the playoffs Friday against Brookhaven Academy at a neutral site. Silliman defeated Brookhaven 7-4, 38-21 in the season opener for both teams Sept. 1.
Slaughter Community Charter closed out its regular season with a 49-14 loss to Dis- West Feliciana closes out season with trict 8-2A champion Dunham High. shutout The Knights, 7-3, 3-3, struggled ofWest Feliciana closed out the season fensively, with standout quarterback Ty’Kimion Ford completing four of 14 Thursday with a 48-0 shutout of winless Tara. passes for 72 yards. Email Richard Meek at livingston@ The Saints, 6-4, finished third in District theadvocate.com Slaughter was held to 144 offensive