DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
ADVOCATE THE LIVINGSTON -TANGIPAHOA
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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Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Student rodeo coming in February The Southeast Louisiana Junior and High School Rodeo will be Feb. 2-March 17 at the Lamar Dixon Center in Gonzales. Action starts at 7 p.m. Feb. 27, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 28, and 9 a.m. March 1. Rodeo athletes in fifth through 12th grades from all of Louisiana will compete. Admission is $10. A weekend pass is $15. Kids 5 and under are free.
Sicilian festival seeks vendors The Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival is March 13-15. The festival is looking for food and craft vendors. Visit indysicilianfest.com to see forms.
Learn something new Be sure to visit southeastern. nbsstore.net/life-long-learninglivingston-center to find and register for classes such as chair yoga and Zumba, watercolor, stained glass and technology subjects.
Krewe of Denham Springs sets to roll It’s Mardi Gras time and the Krewe of Denham Springs’ Mardi Gras parade will roll starting at 3 p.m. Jan. 31. The parade will start at Denham Springs High and travel down Range Avenue through the Antique Village to Veterans Boulevard. For information, email kreweofdsparadecaptain@ gmail.com
Gumbo cook-off planned The Watson Bird and Sausage Gumbo Cook-off is set for Jan. 31 at Livingston Fairgrounds. Gates open at 10 a.m. and opening ceremonies are at 11 a.m. A $15 donation gets you samples of the gumbo. Entertainment starts at noon, and awards will be presented at 4 p.m. All proceeds donated to Honor Flight Louisiana, Baton Rouge Soldier Outreach and Books for Boots. For information, call (225) 337-0041.
Cornhole in Walker Play cornhole every Friday at the Walker Community Center. The weekly tournaments are $10 for the lower division and $20 for the upper division. For information, call (225) 305-7183. Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Charles ‘Chuck’ and Susan Hazleton are Krewe of Denham Springs king and queen 2026.
‘Ghostly Gala’ haunts grand ballroom Krewe of Denham Springs celebrates 46th Mardi Gras The Krewe of Neaux Klu presented “A Ghostly Gala” for the Krewe of Denham Springs, transforming North Park Recreation Center into a haunted grand ballroom for its 46th annual Mardi Gras ball on Saturday. Outgoing royalty were Maurice “Scooter” Keen and Kay Keen, the 2025 king and queen. Crowned as the 2026 king and queen were Susan Hazleton and Charles “Chuck” Hazleton. The Hazeltons have been members of the Krewe of Mystic Summer for 15 years and have served the krewe in numerous capacities, most recently as float captains. She has also served as ball captain and currently serves as treasurer for the krewe. Susan Hazleton has worked as controller and office manager for Blount General Contractors in Walker for the past 20 years. Together, the couple owns Hazleton Automation & Machine, a valve automation company based in Denham Springs, which they have operated for 20 years.
Eagle 98.1 radio personality Scott Robb, master of ceremonies, introduced the ball captains, parade captains and Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry. Float captains included: n Billie and Joy McCartney – Krewe of Bras Moi Chue n Cody and Kaley Crotwell – Krewe of Fleur de Lis n Glen and Linda Forbes – Krewe of Hullabaloux n Steve Carpenter and Lori Schmitz – Krewe of Klassy Cajuns n Clay and Michelle Morris – Krewe of Misfits n Alton and Tricia Cambre – Krewe of Mystic Summer n Will and Kellie Benton – Krewe of Neaux Klu n Joe and Gretchen Galindo – Krewe of Roux n Julie Mayeaux – Krewe of Who n Brad and Brittany Marcotte – Krewe of Friends The outgoing king and queen bestowed Krewe of Denham Springs silver medal-
lion necklaces upon the newly crowned royalty. The mayor read a proclamation and presented the new royal couple with a key to the City of Denham Springs. Members of the mayoral and royal courts, along with guests, toasted the new king and queen. The royal couple closed the evening’s ceremonies by leading everyone in a traditional Mardi Gras second line. Phat Hat brought the dance floor to life throughout the evening. The 46th annual Krewe of Denham Springs parade will roll at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. The family-friendly parade will begin at Denham Springs High School on Yellow Jacket Boulevard and proceed down Range Avenue to Veterans Boulevard. In remembrance of years past and the 10-year anniversary of the historic 2016 flood in Denham Springs, this year’s grand marshal will be the United Cajun Navy 2016, represented by President Jon Bridgers Sr. and Vice President Robert Pearson.
Doyle versus Holden basketball Denham Springs family loses three in Saturday morning fire matches prove dramatic but it wasn’t nearly enough because The high school basketball Doyle was even better from behind doubleheader last Friday between the arc. Class 3A Doyle and visiting Holden Eight Tigers made 3-pointers as of Class B provided plenty of drama they canned 14 for the game. On for local fans proving that the size a night when even a 20-point lead of the school doesn’t determine its Charles didn’t feel safe, Cooper Yuratich ability to compete. Salzer scored 20 points to lead five Tigers The excitement began with a in double-figure scoring. SPORTS back-and-forth girls contest that ROUNDUP Great offense or bad defense? saw a balanced Tigers squad hold Doyle coach Daniel Kennedy didn’t off the Rockets 58-53. The game mince words after his team scored provided an exciting finish, but it more than 100 points for the first time was only an appetizer for the boys contest since a 103-58 win over St. Helena on Dec. that followed. 15, 2020. Holden’s boys got six 3-pointers and 26 “Neither team really wanted to play a lot points from Aidan Hutchinson as it posted its second highest point total of the season. ä See SALZER, page 2G As a team, the Rockets made 12 3-pointers,
BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer
After a tragic house fire the morning of Jan. 17, a tight-knit Denham Springs family spent the day mourning three lost loved ones and recovering family mementos from the home’s still-warm ashes. James Garrett, 96, his great-granddaughter, 22-year-old Kirsten Vidrine, and her best friend, 20-year-old Danielle Ricard, died in the blaze. Amanda Broussard, Vidrine’s aunt and Garrett’s granddaughter, said the three were trapped as the house burned. “There was no way for them to physically
STAFF PHOTO BY QUINN COFFMAN
A car chassis sits completely charred in the driveway of James Garrett’s house on Wanda Avenue, seen Saturday. The home burned down around 6 a.m. Saturday morning, killing Garrett, his greatä See FIRE, page 7G granddaughter and her best friend.