SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
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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, M a r c h 4, 2026
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Basketball season winding down for Feliciana teams
Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Local markets offer variety
BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
Here’s the latest in Feliciana basketball results.
East Feliciana
The Clinton Community Market is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 8 and every first Saturday in downtown Clinton. Vendors, local shop, restaurants and the Cruisin’ to Clinton car show will be available. The St. Francisville Farmer’s Market is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday at 9961 Wilcox St., St. Francisville.
East Feliciana defeated Logansport 55-53 in a regional playoff game on Feb. 24, advancing to a semifinal matchup against Midland that was scheduled for March 2. The Tigers, 21-10, defeated Jeanerette 53-43 in a regional matchup Feb. 20. Kariah Dunn is averaging 13.2 points a game for the Tigers.
Walk in the Park on March 7
West Feliciana
Walk in the Park will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7 at Parker Park, St. Francisville. Arts and crafts will be for sale from vendors. Live music will be by Ben Bell and the Stardust Boys from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Gazebo.
The Saints closed out a 20-pluswin season with a 70-28 home loss to Sterlington in the state quarterfinals. Ariannah Smith and Laterriona Johnson each scored eight points for West Feliciana, which finished 23-7. The Saints had earned the quarterfinal berth with a 59-57 victory over Iota on Feb. 24. West Feliciana rallied from a 19-15 first quarter deficit by outscoring Iota 20-13 in the second to take a 35-32 halftime lead. The Saints expanded the lead to 48-42 at the end of three quarters and were able to hold off the Bulldogs. Smith scored 19 points and Johnson 14 in the victory. West Feliciana was also aided by a breakout performance from Maddy Collins, who scored 15 points. Collins had entered the contest averaging five points game. The Saints appeared to be wellpositioned for the future as the current roster features two sophomores and three freshmen.
Meet the marshals The Jackson Lions Club is hosting Meet Your Jackson Deputy Marshals at 6 p.m. March 10 at the Jackson Civic Center, 2084 Charter St. Marshal Mitch Harrell will discuss accomplishments over the past two years and goals for the next two years. Det. Sgt. Chance Davis will provide guidance on what to expect if you are pulled over and what your rights are. For information, call (225) 634-5900 or email jmo@jacksonla.gov.
Breast scans available Woman’s Hospital mobile mammography coach makes 3D scanning more accessible. A physician’s order is required, and appointments are strongly encouraged. The coach will be at Curry Pharmacy, 6216 La. 10, Greensburg, Call (225) 222-6111 to schedule. It will be at United Methodist Church, 4205 Church St., Zachary, on March 11. Call (225) 924-8268 to schedule.
Need a bed? Help the band The West Feliciana High School Band is hosting its third annual Mattress & Adjustable Bed Sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 8 at the high school gym.
Inmate art for sale An arts and crafts show will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 21 at Dixon Correctional Institute, 5568 La. 68, Jackson. Inmate-made items will include paintings, woodworking, furniture, jewelry, leatherwork and more. A pet adoption event will be going on as well. Entry is $5, ages 6 and under are free. All transactions are cash.
PHOTO BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
Master Gardener Jan Pourciau shows one of the recommended books about camellias that she referenced at the recent Wednesday Club meeting.
DREAMS REALIZED Camellias in the countryside
BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
Jan Pourciau fulfilled a dream to live in the country in 2015 when she and her husband, Nolen, moved to Edgewood, the 1890 farmhouse in West Feliciana Parish built by Nolen Pourciau’s great-grandparents. Jan Pourciau shared some of the couple’s dream-come-true story and the ongoing restoration at the farmhouse and garden during the Feb. 11 meeting of Jackson’s Wednesday Club at the home of Julie Wicker. Pourciau especially focused on the numerous and well-established camellias on the farmhouse’s landscape. A Louisiana native and Master Gardener who had a 40-year career in Baton Rouge before the move north to the countryside, Pourciau is a member and former president of the Feliciana Country Gar-
deners as well as participates in a number of other gardening, civic, patriotic and service organizations in the region. The Pourciau’s cherished camellias were featured in her presentation with visuals of distant scenes and closeup photos. She and her husband “work diligently to restore and preserve the treasured garden collection,” she said at the meeting. There are over 150 camellias, representing 60 identified varieties, many of which are historical varieties dating before 1900. She also brought along and referenced three books offering them as great resources. Pourciau said she has learned much but wants to learn to do grafts. She said her father-in-law, who didn’t believe in pruning, did some grafting. She said some visitors to their 1.3 acres
ä See CAMELLIAS, page 2G
Easter Egg hunt slated The Rosedown Easter Egg Hunt starts at 2 p.m., March 28. Bring a basket for the hunt. Refreshments are provided, and 19th century games will follow the hunt. Arrive 20 minutes early to check in. Garden admission fees apply.
‘Talent’ is coming The “East Feliciana’s Got Talent” showcase and festival fundraiser for the East Feliciana COA is evolving. The March 28 event will include a festival outside with vendors selling arts, crafts and such from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. along
ä See AROUND, page 2G
East Feliciana High School mascot, 2 others indicted on rape charges BY JAMES MINTON
Contributing writer
An East Feliciana Parish grand jury Tuesday indicted three men on one count each of first-degree rape in two cases involving victims under the age of 13, 20th Judicial District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla said. The grand jurors returned indictments against Rinaldo B. Robinson, 43, of Clinton, and Desmond Wilson, 45, of Jackson, after hearing from officers who investigated complaints that the men had improper sexual contact with children at different times and locations, the district attorney said.
Robinson, known as “Rah Rah,” has been a popular figure in Clinton for his portrayal of Clinton High School’s Tiger mascot and for the colorful costumes he wore at various community events, such as parades. He was arrested Feb. 5 after an investigation by the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office. While investigating a Dec. 28 complaint against Robinson, detectives also received a complaint that Wilson had molested one of the same two children in Jackson, D’Aquilla said. Wilson has been jailed since Sept. 8 as a result of a conviction in another case that arose later, the district attorney
said. Although the reported misconduct involved two children in Robinson’s case, prosecutors elected to seek only one first-degree rape indictment. In a separate case, the grand jury indicted Michael Harrell, 41, of Clinton, after the Sheriff’s Office received information from authorities in Mississippi about reported sexual misconduct involving an East Feliciana child. The resulting investigation led to Harrell’s indictment on a firstdegree rape count, D’Aquilla said. The three men remained in the East Feliciana Parish Jail on Wednesday.
Landry wants to change Angola’s federal court after immigration rulings BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer
WASHINGTON — Gov. Jeff Landry is seeking to move West Feliciana Parish — where the state penitentiary at Angola is located — into a different federal judicial district after criticizing “liberal judges” in the Baton Rouge area for letting immigration detainees out of the “Louisiana Lockup” there. In a letter to Louisiana members of Congress on Landry Thursday, Landry asked to move the parish from the U.S. Middle District of Louisiana to the Western District. In the letter, he cited an increase in cases, much of it driven by prisoners at Angola. “The Middle District has seen a 35.2% increase in total filings since 2020 and currently has 25% more new filings per judge than the Western District,” Landry wrote. “Moving West Feliciana Parish into the Western District will improve judicial efficiency and better address public safety needs in East Baton Rouge Parish and the State of Louisiana.” Congressional action is necessary to effect the Landry proposes. But Landry showed another reason for the request Thursday when he blasted a federal judge in the Middle District over an immigration case. “ALERT! The Liberal Judges of the Middle District of Louisiana are at it again,” Landry wrote Thursday afternoon on X. “Judge
ä See LANDRY, page 2G