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maintain the buildings, services and salaries, although there were some proponents of cutting funding. “This system is not a community service apparatus,” resident and former board member Larry Davis said during the public comment period, criticizing some of the extra programs and services the library offers. Davis is running to represent Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. “If we all type into Google what the purpose of a library is, it is a collection of books and resources,” he said. Board member Rebecca Howze Morgan called that view outdated. Libraries have evolved into the third most important hub in a community behind the home and the workplace, she said. She got emotional describing what libraries offer children. “It is no longer just a book-lending institution,” she said. Central to the vote were the wages of the library employees. The millage discussion followed a labor report presentation showing how far Livingston’s pay lags behind neighboring parishes. Its library assistants have a starting wage of between $9.95 and
$11.31 an hour, and the system’s associates make between $14.97 and $16.30 — less than the wages in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville and St. Tammany parishes. Meeting the average pay across the parishes would cost about $352,470 over five years. The library board will vote on the raises in the fall, but the pay hikes would not be possible without the higher millage. “I have a really hard time doing anything that would not allow our library staff to have a livable wage,” board member Kristan Whann said. “As a teacher, I consciously understand that our library staff getting paid $11 an hour is not OK.” Whann voted for the 8.2mill rate after her own proposal for a more modest increase was rejected. Among the three members who voted against the final rate was board president Jonathan Davis, who had floated a separate resolution to hand the decision to the Parish Council instead. There were “too many opinions for us to declare as a volunteer board,” he said. The idea drew comments from the audience that the board was not doing its job. District Attorney Scott M. Perrilloux told members the move might not be illegal but would be neglecting their responsibilities. Davis withdrew the proposal and later said he was glad people voiced their opinions.
AROUND
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Continued from page 1G Traveling north on La. 16, take La. 1034 to La. 3002 to U.S. 190 East, back to La. 16. Allow extra travel time, especially during the morning and afternoon commute. Follow all posted detour signs and use caution in work zones to help keep everyone safe.
Learn to be a poll commissioner People interested in becoming an Election Day Poll Commissioner are invited to a New Commissioner class at 6 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Livingston Parish Courthouse, 20300 Government Blvd., Livingston. Sign-up is not necessary, just show up on Aug. 31. This is only for people wanting to become a commissioner. Current commissioners do not have to attend.
Disc Golf Park open daily in Walker The Walker Disc Golf Park, 13620 Aydell Lane, next to City Hall, is open daily. Stop by for a game of disc golf, or set up a game by using the disc golf app. Get information at walker.la.us/sites/default/
St. Jude, Shriners community fundraiser Support the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Baton Rouge and the Shriners Burn Unit on Aug. 29 at the Livingston Parish Fairgrounds at a community fundraiser hosted by Sheri’s Daiquiris. There will be live music; a barbecue cookoff; car, truck and Jeep show; and other activities. For additional information, contact (225) 615-6637.
Hungarian Festival plans underway Celebrate Hungarian heritage with a weekend of family fun, food, music and entertainment at Fayard Field in Springfield with traditional Hungarian dancing and entertainment Sept. 25-27. The Hungarian Harvest Festival will include authentic Hungarian foods and pastries. For more information, call (985) 974-6883, (225) 278-3770 or email albanymagyars@gmail.com.
Livingston Parish Library databases will help students with studies to essay writing, all from the comfort a news release said. Take a look at a few of the library’s of home. As summer winds down and back- most popular educational resources — packs get dusted off, there’s no better or visit www.mylpl.info/books-more/ Scholastic Teachables time to remember one of your library databases/educational to explore the Offers unlimited access to 25,000card’s most valuable assets: access full collection. plus searchable and printable educato powerful educational databases, lition materials, including lesson plans, ABCmouse minibooks and activity sheets for a vabrary leaders reminded students. Whether you’re a student tackling a An early learning platform built for riety of grade levels and subjects. Perresearch paper, a parent helping your children ages 2-8 that covers reading, fect for teachers, busy parents looking child with homework or a lifelong math, science and art through colorful to support their child’s learning and learner brushing up on a new skill, the games and activities. Kids earn tickets homeschooling families. Livingston Parish Library’s digital col- and rewards as they complete lessons, World Book Online lection puts trustworthy, high-quality making learning feel like playing. resources right at your fingertips — A comprehensive suite of online refree with your library card, no sub- Homework Louisiana search tools designed for all ages and scription required. Connects K-12 students and adult abilities. Users can access articles, From early learning games for young learners with free, live online tutoring videos, eBooks, research guides and readers to live tutoring for students of from real tutors, available every day more. It’s a safe, reliable alternative all ages, these databases offer some- from 1 p.m. to midnight. Students can to random internet searches when stuthing for every member of the family, get help with everything from algebra dents need accurate information fast. Community news report
COUNCIL
Continued from page 1G was developing Deer Run, a planned 2,000-lot subdivision at 4-H Club Road across from Hillon Hood Road, sued the council, claiming it hadn’t followed the proper procedures when enacting its Zone 5 map and that it had unfairly targeted Deer Run. The parish settled in 2023 in an agreement that slightly reduced the number of Deer Run lots, voided District 5’s zoning map and required the parish to pay Ascension Properties more than $100,000. The council then started over, partnering with the global engineering and infrastructure consulting firm WSP to design an updated master plan, implement parishwide zoning and craft the Unified Development Code. “I’d like to congratulate Livingston Parish government and all the individuals that worked to make this a success,” said WSP Senior Vice President Max Nassar. “We believe that Livingston has one of the best master plans, unified development codes and zoning codes in the state.” The Unified Development Code will now head to Parish President Randy Delatte’s office for his signature.
Historical market unveiling ceremony, documentary screening Aug. 1 in Arcola Community news report Mount Canaan Missionary Baptist Church will be honored Saturday with a historical marker recognizing its legacy of faith, leadership and community impact. The Arcola church, founded in 1869, was the location of the Mount Canaan Negro School which provided educational opportunities for Black children in the area. The unveiling ceremony also will celebrate the legacy of Robert “Free Bob” Louis Vernon Jr., a formerly enslaved man whose land donation made possible
the establishment of the church, school and cemetery. “His vision and commitment to education and community development continue to inspire generations in Tangipahoa Parish,” a news release said. The evening will include the premiere of a documentary produced by Untold History Foundation LLS, featuring the historical research of Antionette Harrell, a local historian, genealogist, filmmaker and founder of the foundation. The documentary explores the history of the church and Vernon’s legacy. The program starts at 5 p.m. at the church, 15727 La. 10, Arcola.
Ponchatoula students recognized with Mississippi State College of Education Graduate Research Symposium award Community news report Malerie Partain, of Ponchatoula, is among three Mississippi State University graduate students receiving awards for innovative research on display during the College of Education’s 2026 Graduate Research Symposium. Partain, a doctoral student studying school psychology, won second place for the poster presentation “WCPM Gains Following BEA-Selected LPP Intervention.” More than 30 students presented their faculty-guided research during the annual event, with poster presentations
formally judged by a panel of faculty. “Each year, our graduate students demonstrate the strength, creativity and impact of research taking place across the college,” said Daniel Gadke, College of Education associate dean of research and Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology, and Foundations head. “The Graduate Research Symposium gives us an important opportunity to highlight their work, celebrate their accomplishments and recognize the faculty mentorship that helps prepare them to contribute meaningfully to their fields and communities.”
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