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 28, 2026
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Flood-control canal could be complete in 2 years BY DAVID J. MITCHELL
Staff writer
The Comite River Diversion Canal — federally approved in 1993 as a flood-protection measure for the Baton Rouge area and for over two decades under start-and-stop construction — should be done by mid-2028, officials say. When the latest round of work on the canal started in 2019, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials estimated the $908 million channel would take two years to finish. But the project, which will divert Comite River floodwater to the Mississippi River, hit roadblocks and repeatedly slipped past expected completion dates. The newest timeline was discussed recently with a legislative task force tracking the diversion’s construction. The disclosure prompted a now familiar airing of frustrations over the pace of work and questions about state and federal oversight
“My role in this is to stay committed to moving as fast as possible.”
COL. SCOTTY AUTIN, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District
of day-to-day construction and whether better contracting terms could motivate faster work. Another complaint centers on why federal officials can’t start the process of refashioning flood insurance rate maps before the canal is finished to account for how much it will reduce risk — which could save homeowners and other policyholders money. State Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, and Greenwell Springs builder Brandon Ivey raised the idea of adding performance incentives for bigger contracts that could put a dent in the timeline. “It would be tragic if we had an-
other event six months before it would … be open and have many millions of dollars worth of damage when maybe some performance incentives would have helped,” Ivey said. Among those fielding the questions was Col. Scotty Autin, the latest commander of the Corps’ New Orleans District to be handed responsibility for the long-running project. The Houma native who took over in July said the U.S. Army has “a bias for action” and, with the state highway department, would try to find ways to save time in the building contracts. “My role in this is to stay committed to moving as fast as possible,” he said, adding he would look to trim cushion days built into the contracts where possible. He said the contracts already contain some incentives, including financial penalties for delays.
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Rock lines the Comite River Diversion Canal just east of La. 964 in Zachary. The 300-foot-wide, 50-foot-deep canal will route flood water from the Comite and larger Amite River Basin to the Mississippi River, ä See CANAL, page 2G reducing risk for 700,000 people in the Baton Rouge region.
Walker High cracks down on hair dye
Hundreds of students answer with petition BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
PHOTO BY RICHARD MEEK
With parts already scattered, Denham Springs High School began tinkering with engineering ideas on a recent Saturday morning after learning the game for the upcoming competition season.
Robotics teams kick off season
RICHARD MEEK to attend a meeting explaining robotics on a Denham Springs High BY Contributing writer small scale. School hosts 20 teams Four years ago, Gabe Johnston, then a fresh- “It was on a whim, and I had nothing else to ä See ROBOTICS, page 4G for competition reveal man at Denham Springs High School, decided
After Walker High School officials enforced a dress code policy allowing only “natural colored” hair, students created a petition to change the rule, garnering over 400 signatures in a week. Students started the online petition after the Livingston Parish high school posted a “natural hair color notice” on social media on Wednesday, Jan. 14. “Per the student handbook for Walker High School, hair must be of a natural color,” the school said. “Beginning Jan. 26, any student with hair that is not a natural color will receive consequences.” According to the student handbook, dress code violations can result in a variety of consequences from detention to suspension. Livingston Parish Public Schools spokesperson Delia Taylor said in a statement that the districtwide dress code policy is not new and has been around since at least 2022.
ä See HAIR, page 3G
Krewe of Denham Springs Mardi Gras parade rolls Saturday It’s Mardi Gras time and the Krewe of Denham Springs’ Mardi Gras parade will roll starting at 3 p.m. Saturday. 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.
Krewe of Diversion 31st Mardi Gras Boat Parade planned
Darlene Denstorff
High School Rodeo will be Feb. 2-March 17 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo 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.
AROUND Troy Landry will roll Feb. 7 as LIVINGSTON grand marshal in the Krewe of Diversion Mardi Gras Boat Parade. The parade, hosted by Louisiana Friends Sicilian festival seeks vendors Fighting Childhood Cancer, starts at noon along Diversion Canal. Proceeds from the The Independence Sicilian Heritage parade benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Festival is March 13-15. The festival is looking for food and Student rodeo coming in February craft vendors. Visit indysicilianfest.com to see forms. The Southeast Louisiana Junior and
Learn something new
Be sure to visit southeastern.nbsstore. net/life-long-learning-livingston-center to find and register for classes such as chair yoga and Zumba, watercolor, stained glass and technology subjects.
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.