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, J a n u a ry 21, 2026
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Land development code remains unsettled BY JAMES MINTON
oncile the planning and zoning portions of the code. The parish is operating under a West Feliciana Parish’s land de- land development ordinance apvelopment code remained in limbo proved in 2023, but a new zoning Jan. 12 after the Parish Council map had not been drawn at that shot down another attempt to rec- time and has yet to be approved. Contributing writer
WEST FELICIANA
Parish President Kenny Havard and council members Justin Metz and Tab Ballard have introduced The zoning map and its land-use either new zoning maps or changclassifications were intended to be es to the development regulations part of the overall land develop- without success since March 2023. Council member Jerry Tanner ment code.
took his turn at the January meeting with a two-pronged proposal, but he was voted down by the other four members. Tanner, who was elected council
ä See CODE, page 4G
Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Mardi Gras is coming Krewe de Canines presents “The Good, The Bad, The Furry” dog parade and costume contest from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 24 in Parker Park in St. Francisville. Pup registration fee is $25 and stuffed animal entry is $10. Event benefits West Feliciana Animal Humane Society. Visit krewedecanines.com for information. In Clinton, the 21st annual Feliciana Family & Friends Mardi Gras parade is at noon Jan. 31. The theme is “Boots on the Grounds.” Themed T-shirts may be ordered. Visit facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064329323928 for information. In Zachary, the city’s Zachary’s first Mardi Gras Parade, themed “Celebrating Everyday Heroes,” will be at 2 p.m. Feb. 15. Visit zmardigras.com for more information on related events.
Annual Morning of Reflection set in Zachary St. John the Baptist Catholic Church will host the annual Morning of Reflection from 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 31 in the Parish Activity Center, corner of 4727 McHugh Drive and Lee Street. Two speakers, Denny Charbonnet and Mike Fulmer are planned and the theme is “Thy Will be Done.” The event is free, but registration is required. Reserve a seat online at sjb-ola.org/ mor2026 by Jan. 23 or call the church office at (225) 654-5778. There will be door prizes and a raffle. The morning will include a light brunch. Free babysitting will be provided upon request and preregistration. The Handmaids of the Lord and Circle of Love Catholic Daughters of the America organizations at St. John’s are co-sponsoring the Morning of Reflection.
Apply for Leadership North 2026 Leadership NORTH is an annual leadership development program for the north Baton Rouge region. The Zachary Chamber of Commerce hosts the program. Participation in the program is open to people living or working in Baton Rouge, Zachary, Central, Baker, Pointe Coupee, East and West Feliciana Parishes who have the full support of the organization or business they represent. The program is designed to engage emerging leaders in our region and prepare them to meet the future needs of our communities. Through the exchange of viewpoints and experiences, participants are exposed to the challenges, opportunities and vital issues affecting the northern Baton Rouge region. The application is at forms. office.com/r/7feLGC5qtF.
ä See AROUND, page 2G
PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Gabe Ligon and his daughter, Molly, feed the ostriches drawn to the Magnolia Wild Safari tram driving through the facility Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Conservationist ready to sell
East Feliciana wildlife park open to buyer with similar mission
BY AIDAN MCCAHILL Staff writer
When he was 20 years old, Gabe Ligon bought an acre from his grandfather’s cattle farm, with the hope of one day turning it into something that would inspire future generations to protect Mother Nature. Fourteen years later, his wildlife preserve, known as Magnolia Wilds, contains 100 acres housing over 75 different species of animals, plus a safari and zipline park. It markets close-up encounters with wildlife, including swimming with otters, feeding sloths and holding baby kangaroos — a model that has helped it raise over $100,000 for conservation efforts, according to Ligon. Now the 34-year-old Clinton native is putting the park up for sale, including all animals, equipment, land, vehicles, social media accounts and branding. Ligon says he would prefer to sell the park as a whole, but is also open to serious offers for just the preserve, the safari park, or the combined safari and zipline park. “I want to thank the East Feliciana community for 14 years of support,” he wrote in a statement. “None of this would have been possible with-
Kangaroo Yoga is a special and popular event at the Barn Hill Preserve. out the community, supporters, staff, schools that visited, and families who believed in the vision and helped build it along the way.” Ligon cited a 2023 incident involving a giraffe that he says
changed “the trajectory of the park.” “As many of you know, there were events that occurred about two years ago that were completely outside of my control,” he announced Friday.
PHOTO BY JILL MOORE
“After a lot of reflection and effort, I’ve come to the point where it’s time to sell the park to a new owner.” In 2023, the park was known
ä See PARK, page 3G
Steib’s lens offers sights, excitement of world travel BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
Local travelers were able to follow a river winding past an ancient bridge in China, walk the cobblestone path through an Italian olive grove, and end in the tall PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER grasses of Africa as a trio of maJohn Steib discusses the historical and artistic significance of his photo jestic giraffes swayed, catching a cooling breeze. Though never of an ancient bridge in China on Jan. 8 during the Adventures Abroad leaving Louisiana, the travelers Photography Exhibition. Fuli Bridge is one of the three famous ancient were transported by the lens, bridges in Yangshuo and the site of one of Steib’s global adventures. canvas, and storytelling of John
Steib. Steib, a Baton Rouge native, is a landscape architect turned world travel photographer. He explored his work and passions Jan. 8 during the Adventures Abroad Photography Exhibition sponsored by the Arts for All organization. A picture is said to tell a thousand words, but Steib adds a thousand more to help transport exhibit-goers to exotic or ancient
ä See SIGHTS, page 2G