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 25, 2026
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Efforts underway to revive Tourist Commission EAST FELICIANA
BY JAMES MINTON
Contributing writer
East Feliciana Parish police jurors said at a March 16 meeting they will look into reviving the parish’s Tourist Commission. “Is it dormant or what?” one juror asked when jurors reached an item on the agenda labeled “Tourist Commission Appointments.” District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla said the commission’s status came up when
he was notified by Jonathan Loveall, the School Board’s sales tax collector, that one bed-and-breakfast is charging customers a Tourist Commission occupancy tax but other similar businesses are not. Tourist commissions in Louisiana are authorized to promote local tourism through advertising and other promotions funded by an occupancy tax collected by busi-
Branch on Billy Goat Road east of Wilson. Public Works Director Derrick Hill said bridges on Midway, Shady Grove and Line roads are scheduled for new structures under the state-federal bridge replacement program. The Shady Grove and Line Road bridges will be replaced with box culverts, while a new concrete bridge will be built at the Midway Road site, he said. No timetable for the work has been announced.
nesses serving overnight guests. D’Aquilla said about $25,000 is being held for the commission’s use, but jurors said the commission has not met for several years. They said they will contact the last known members and advertise for applicants to fill vacancies in an attempt to revive the panel. On another matter, the jury approved a design change to allow the state highway department to install a box culvert as a replacement for a bridge over Palmer’s
STAFF PHOTOS BY LEILA PITCHFORD
A family fishes on the banks of the Mississippi River with the Audubon Bridge and Big Cajun in the background on March 14 at the old ferry landing in St. Francisville.
Old ferry landing sports yellow wildflowers under bright sunshine
BY LEILA PITCHFORD Staff writer
Butterweed, Packera glabella, near the old Mississippi River Ferry landing in St. Francisville
While the past few weeks of weather have been jumping between extremes, Saturday, March 14 was a gorgeous day in St. Francisville. People were fishing on the banks of Bayou Sara’s overflow and on the side of the former Mississippi River ferry landing. The landing was also covered in wildflowers, including Packera glabella, known commonly as butterweed. Wildflower.org says it is a mem-
ber of the aster family, and it prefers moist-to-wet areas. “This species can bloom in sun or shade, as long as it is situated in a moist site. The leaves emerge in the fall and add low winter green to the landscape. Blooms are profuse, filling its colonies with yellow throughout the spring months,” the site said. The Louisville Nature Center said, “Butterweed serves as an early food source for pollinators, including butterflies and bees. Birds, especially goldfinches, eat the seeds that will follow the flowers.”
Butterweed is abundant near the old Mississippi River Ferry
Angola officer dies in vehicle incident Former owner Goff dies on prison grounds, officials say Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
I saw the obituary for David M. Goff last week. He died Feb. 28. Goff and his then wife were the owners of The Watchman for 25 years. Toward the end of his ownership is when my father was hired to run The Watchman and is when my ties to Clinton started. Goff still has family in the area, and we send our condolences to them.
Area markets The Clinton Community Market at the Courthouse Square will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 4
ä See AROUND, page 2G
BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer
An officer at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola died March 17 on the prison grounds in what officials describe as a “vehicle incident,” the Department of Public Safety and Corrections said. The department said, it was “deeply saddened to share the unexpected passing of one of our valued team members, Master Sgt. Tyler Grezaffi.” The sergeant “was an integral part of our team, known for her professionalism,
commitment and positive spirt,” the Department of Corrections said in a statement. Grezaffi previously worked for the Pointe Coupee and Iberville parish sheriffs’ offices, the department said. “Since joining our department more than a year ago, her dedication, energy and kindness have left an unforgettable mark on everyone she encountered,” Gary Westcott, secretary of the department, said. Louisiana State Police are investigating the incident.