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, A p r i l 29, 2026
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Broadband work, mental health facility lawsuit discussed EAST FELICIANA POLICE JURY
BY JAMES MINTON
Contributing writer
A state official asked East Feliciana Parish police jurors April 20 to cooperate with contractors working on the second phase of a federally funded program to extend broadband internet access in the parish. Jurors, a water district representative, and District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla replied, however, that cooperation is a two-way street. Veneeth Iyengar, head of the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity, said a program called GUMBO 1.0 is nearing completion to provide 1,500 households and businesses with fiber optic internet service. The work has been mostly in towns
and along state highways, he said. The second phase, GUMBO 2.0, will have Swyft Fiber obligated to reach into the more rural areas of the parish, along parish roads, Iyengar said. He urged parish officials to meet often with Swyft contractors to minimize damage to buried water and gas lines, saying the two sides need to “overcommunicate.” “We’ve met with them,” D’Aquilla said of the fiber optics contractors. “They’re busting lines, and they don’t respond. We’ve been cooperating.” Juror Chrissie O’Quin said part of the problem is that the crews installing the fiber cable begin digging before the time limit ex-
pires for utility workers to mark the underground pipes. Jury President Louis Kent agreed that the jury needs to be proactive in working with the crews, but the discussion ended without a clear plan to eliminate future problems. On another matter, a nearly three-year-old lawsuit over a proposed mental health inpatient facility south of Clinton may be nearing a resolution. Harmony Behavioral Health Services, headed by political heavyweight Collins Temple Jr., filed a federal suit against the jury and other officials in June 2023 after the jury refused to give the firm a permit to renovate
the former Grace Nursing Home to house involuntarily committed mental health patients into the facility. Jurors balked after Temple had workers erect a security fence and make other improvements to the facility without obtaining a building permit. Residents in the area also rose in opposition to the proposal. State health officials later proposed a compromise: to house Villa Feliciana state nursing home patients in the Harmony location and move civilly committed patients to the Villa Feliciana site near Jackson, but Harmony never got a permit. Jurors met behind closed doors with an attorney provided by the jury’s insurance company and emerged after several minutes
Visitors to an Evening of Art & Music walk pass event sponsor Buz ’N Bee Florist and Nursery on Saturday on St. Helena Street in Clinton.
to approve a proposed settlement with Harmony. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but officials said it would not require the jury to issue the building permit sought in the lawsuit. The plaintiffs in the case must also sign the agreement, D’Aquilla said. The jury also named Arlene Culpepper to a seat on the Tourist Commission and voted to advertise for a health unit director. The director, according to a job description circulated among jurors, would plan, direct and coordinate medical and health services at the Health Unit in Clinton. A college degree is not required for the position, but applicants should have prior office management and clinical healthcare experience, the job description says.
PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Clinton charm, culture front and center BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
Downtown Clinton was transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity this past weekend as the Clinton Is Home Foundation hosted its first Evening of Art and Music. The event successfully brought the community together to celebrate local talent and foster a renewed sense of unity and town pride. The foundation’s debut event, held Saturday, April 25, was designed to do more than just showcase pretty
Karen Ott and Robyn Valiant, of Karen’s Kreations, a catering business, offer a variety of food and snack items at their booth.
pictures; it was a strategic effort to support the nonprofit’s mission of strengthening community spirit. Residents and visitors alike strolled through the downtown area, enjoying live musical performances while browsing unique offerings from local artists and vendors. A highlight of the evening was the highly anticipated Artist Showcase. The competition was overseen by guest judge Robert Rector, a distinguished artist known
ä See CLINTON, page 2G
Safe sales spot available in St. Francisville Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
On Facebook last week, a reminder was given for those selling through social media. The St. Francisville Police Department has a safe location to transfer items. The area is under video surveillance, and officers patrol around the clock. So always use caution, and designate a safe meeting location.
Comedy night coming Galvez Rum Distillery & Tasting Room presents Mother’s Day Comedy Night featuring Donna Lee Lamendola and Magen King,
at 7 p.m. May 10 at 1848 Charter St., Jackson. These pair is joined by Lunchbox Comedy’s Jamie Lynn Spears, Jeff Vance and Tee-Ray Bergeron. Tickets are available at www. lunchboxcomedy.com.
WEST FELICIANA
School Board discusses Hut 8 data center money BY JAMES MINTON
Library tax renewal coming
Contributing writer
Early voting for the renewal of the existing 2.5 mill tax for Audubon Regional Library is May 2-9. The regular election day is May 16. An information flyer is available
The West Feliciana Parish School Board’s strategic planning session on Tuesday, April 21, included a discussion of how the school system should use a financial windfall from the operation of the Hut 8 data center now un-
ä See AROUND, page 2G
der construction off La. 964. Parish officials have said Hut 8 has agreed to pay the parish approximately $90 million per year for 15 years in lieu of property taxes on the facility, which is expected to include a date center.
ä See HUT 8, page 3G