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
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W e d n e s d ay, M a r c h 18, 2026
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West Feliciana land-use plan defeated Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Shop the market St. Francisville Farmers Market is available on Thursdays, including March 19 and March 25 at 9961 ä Farmers Wilcox Market photos. Street. The next St. PAGE 7G Francisville Community Market will be March 28 at the same address. Spring vegetables should be available in a few weeks. On April 24-26, several vendors will set up at the Tunica Hills Yard Sale Trail.
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
A three-member majority killed a proposed zoning map before the West Feliciana Parish Council at its March 9 meeting, the fourth time in three years that a new plan for land use went down to defeat. The three were backed by a crowd opposed to the plan that would have completed a land development code and zoning regulations approved in 2023. “The room looks like an anthill that’s been kicked,” one speaker remarked. The parish is operating under an older zoning map that already was in effect in 2023. Council member Justin Metz proposed the latest map to clear
up the lingering confusion. But before a public hearing opened, Metz attempted to defer the issue until the Planning and Zoning Commission could make a recommendation. But, after opponents spoke for about 40 minutes, Metz and Tab Ballard were outvoted by John Thompson, Jerry Tanner and Dwight Pate on the motion to send the map to the Planning and Zoning panel. Thompson, Tanner and Pate then prevailed on a motion to kill the proposal outright. The principal complaints from the 13 residents who spoke during a public hearing is that the zoning classifications and land development code hurt residents with small tracts of land who would like
to divide it among their children. “Everybody is not able to pay for two acres of land and put a house on it,” Curtis Wilson told the council. Former Parish Manager Ambrose Sims said the zoning map should have been presented with the land development ordinance as a single package and questioned whether council members have read it thoroughly. Regarding the property restrictions, Sims said he would use the “G-word.” “Gentrification. That’s what it’s all about,” he said. Eric Cavalier said some people can afford 3 to 5 acres for a residence but others can’t. “Let’s get it affordable,” he said. Later in the meeting, Ballard in-
Preparing for the ‘big dance’ through history
Autism awareness in Clinton East Feliciana Public Schools invites the community to participate in the second annual Autism Awareness Walk at 5p.m., April 2, beginning at East Feliciana Middle School, 10410 Plank Road, Clinton. In addition to a 2K walk, the event will feature music, a photo area and giveaways. Complimentary registration is required at bit.ly/efautismwalk. For information, contact the East Feliciana Public Schools Exceptional Student Services Department at (225) 683-8582.
BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
Adopt a pet in St. Francisville St. Francisville Tractor Supply, 7327 U.S. 61, is inviting customers to attend a Pet Adoption Event from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., March 21. The event will include a bake sale. “As an active advocate and supporter of pet rescue and adoption, Tractor Supply strives to inform our customers of the pet adoption process by providing a safe and comfortable space for placing adorable animals in welcoming homes,” said Kevin Shifflett, manager of the St. Francisville store. “Through this and other yearround adoption events, our goal at St. Francisville store is to connect adoptable pets with interested owners.” The pet adoption event for Happy Tails Rescue is open to the public and friendly, leashed pets. During the event, community partners will be on hand with dogs and cats looking for homes.
Show your talent in East Feliciana East Feliciana’s Got Talent, the March 28 fundraiser/festival/talent show for the Council on Aging, continues to develop. The contact persons about the second audition date, March 21, or for vendor info or for the presale raffles tickets are Clover Stephenson at (225) 2432140 and Caroline Harrell at (225) 719-1912. Several items will be raffled including a painting of magnolias. Money raised by the event will go toward the funding for seniors on the waiting list for home meal delivery. The March 28 event at the Jackson site for the COA, 3699 La. 10, Jackson, will include a festival outside with vendors selling arts, crafts and such from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. along with Cajun music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. inside, the talent contest with refreshments will benefit the Council on Aging. Admission will be a $20 donation.
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troduced an ordinance that he said would establish a process for landowners to get variances that would allow them to give smaller tracts to their children. A hearing is set for the April 13 meeting. On another matter, the council decided that Hospital Board member Olton Scott is eligible to serve another term on the board and reappointed him. The home-rule charter sets term limits for boards and commissions, but the council decided, in Scott’s case, that a partial term does not count against the limit. After meeting behind closed doors, the council voted to appeal a district court ruling that a prior administration violated its zoning ordinance in rezoning land on U.S. 61 north of St. Francisville.
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY ROBIN MILLER
St. Francisville’s Market Hall, built in 1819 and restored in 1984, was a public market with a magistrate office upstairs. It stands on Royal Street.
St. Francisville’s old Market Hall gets new management after town agrees to arrangement BY JAMES MINTON
Contributing writer
The town of St. Francisville is moving to transfer control of a local landmark to a nonprofit foundation in order to cut costs. The Board of Aldermen agreed March 10 to give Mayor Andy D’Aquilla the authority to enter into an agreement to allow the St. Francisville Area Foundation to manage the old Market Hall on Royal Street. Built in 1819, the building originally had an open-air market area with a magistrate’s office upstairs. The building was constructed to allow farm wagons to pass through it, but was later closed and used for a variety of purposes, including the town hall. The town has rented the facility for local events, such as wedding receptions, for years. D’Aquilla said he wants to lease the building to the foundation for a token annual payment. In return, the foundation would agree to cover
the costs of property and liability insurance and maintain the building. He said leasing the building would help the town in lowering its costs for insurance, noting that the town also recently spent $250,000 to repair the building’s sewer system. The building will continue to be used for public purposes, and the foundation may charge fees for renting the facility. On another matter, the board authorized D’Aquilla to apply to the state Bond Commission for approval to issue $425,000 in sales tax revenue bonds to pay for a new fire truck, although the mayor said the town may pay for it instead with funds in a state-operated savings account. The truck has been built and the manufacturer “is getting antsy” for its payment, D’Aquilla said. The board also recognized town maintenance employee Albert Davis and Main Street program manager Laurie Walsh with service awards. Davis has been with the town for 37 years and Walsh, 24.
They dance, they inform and they entertain, but before the dancers don historically accurate attire, they practice. The Lagniappe Historic Dance & Pastime Society puts in the work and research that brings foregone eras to life. PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER O r g a - Roxanne Struppeck leads nizer and a practice session of the dance in- Lagniappe Historic Dance & structor Pastime Society on Feb. 26. Roxanne S t r u p peck said the group performs 18th- and 19th-century routines wearing clothing unique to the periods. “We share our love of history and dancing at various living history events around Baton Rouge, St. Francisville, Destrehan and New Orleans,” she said. There are several big dances on the group’s agenda. They will take part in the Port Hudson Civil War reenactment on Saturday, March 28, and teach dance at the Heritage Day at Destrehan Plantation on Friday, April 10. “One of our favorite places to dance is the Audubon Historic Site/Oakley Plantation,” Struppeck said. “Their Revolutionary war event is Saturday, April 25. This year is particularly special since it is the 250th anniversary of America.” The group learns historic dance Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Pride-Chaneyville branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. The class is taught by Struppeck and is free and open to the public.
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Inmate dies at East Feliciana Parish prison, foul play not suspected, officials say BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer
An inmate of the East Feliciana Parish prison found unresponsive in his singleman cell shortly before 7 a.m. Friday was pronounced dead by the coroner. On Monday, the Sheriff’s Office identified the inmate as Raymond Gerard Dunn, 45, of Jackson. Deputies and EMS took life-saving measures when Dunn was found, but failed to revive him, according to the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office. An investigation into his death, which will include an autopsy has begun. “Based upon preliminary investigative findings, foul play is not suspected,” the Sheriff’s Office said.