SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
DEMOCRAT THE ST. FRANCISVILLE
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
Leila Pitchford
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W e d n e s d ay, Au g u s t 5, 2026
$1.00N
SUMMER FELLOWSHIP
AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Qualifying opens for the Felicianas Last week’s edition had incorrect dates for qualifying. Candidates for a variety of offices in the Felicianas will qualify Aug. 5-7 to run in the H H H H H H Nov. 3 election. In the twoparish 20th Judicial District, elections for two judgeships and district attorney will be on the ballot. Several school board spots are open. In East Feliciana, four justice of the peace positions and four constable posts are open. Qualifying is open for the regular elections for mayor and three aldermen in the village of Wilson, along with special elections for the remainder of terms begun as Jackson mayor, two Jackson Board of Trustees members and one Slaughter alderman. In West Feliciana Parish, candidates may qualify for the regular elections of parishwide justice of the peace and constable. A special election also will be held to complete the term on the St. Francisville Board of Aldermen begun by Collin Howell, who resigned earlier this year. Cameron DeLaney is serving as an interim alderman. Candidates may qualify for the races at their respective clerks of court offices in St. Francisville and Clinton.
ELECTION
PHOTO BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
The largest group, the vacation Bible school youth, with leader Mark Branch performing at the closing program held on the last evening at First Baptist Church of Jackson.
Bible verses, singing, signing highlight First Baptist Church of Jackson’s vacation Bible school BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
Marching into the sanctuary to the hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers,” as is their tradition, vacation Bible school students ranging from pre-school through high-school age began their journey to learn more about Jesus recently at the First Baptist Church
of Jackson. The Vacation Bible School 2026 theme was “Illumination Station — Shining a Light on Who Jesus Really Is.” Each day lessons illuminated Jesus’ story through Bible verses, with songs, signing, and singing with prayers, crafts and other activities. The fellowship and learning event was July 13-17 with each
evening session including supper. Director Carla Brown welcomed everyone each day and the Rev. Joe Nesom offered a prayer and remarks as part of the initial gatherings and the closing in the sanctuary. Brown announced the offering collected that week for missions would be given to The Gideons International organization. She shared that the
gift would be in memory of the late Bruce Bellingham, a FBCOJ member who was also a Gideon. Part of the beginning activities each day included a presentation by another church member and Gideon Ernie Beier. He talked about the organization, its history and its purpose to “share God’s
ä See SUMMER, page 2G
Breast screening coming Woman’s Hospital mobile mammography coach will be at United Methodist Church, 4205 Church St., Zachary, on Wednesday. A physician’s order is required, and appointments are strongly encouraged. Call (225) 924-8268 to schedule.
Soccer registration open Deadline for 2026 fall soccer is Sept. 15. The program is for ages 3-12, and the fee is $75. Register online at www.wfprec. com.
Corey Elizabeth Gilfoil
Pop and Shop coming
West Feliciana teacher honored as division level winner at educator awards
Downtown St. Francisville will host an evening of shopping, music, cocktails and fun starting at 4 p.m. Aug. 22. Shops will be open all day.
Nominate West Feliciana High’s best athletes The West Feliciana Royal Blue Club is seeking nominations for the West Feliciana High School Athletics’ Hall of Fame. Male and female student-athlete nominees must be a graduate of West Feliciana High School (Class of 1980 or later), have graduated at least 5 years before the nomination date, and be nominated by Sept. 1. Saints stakeholder nominees must have graduated at least 5 years before the nomination date and be nominated by Sept. 1. Complete nomination forms at pdfs-of-qr-codes. s3.amazonaws.com/Ayz0HU. pdf. Contact West Feliciana Athletics Director Shelley Genre at genres@wfpsb.org with questions.
ä See AROUND, page 2G
Community news report
PHOTO BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
The children and adults get a close to view and touch the skulls, skins and pelts of Louisiana wildlife at the end of a recent library presentation.
Wildlife visits Jackson library BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
Jackson Branch of the Audubon Regional Library. The educational and enterAn enthusiastic crowd of taining program was presentabout 60 viewed, talked about, ed the same day at each of the and touched the skins, skulls three Audubon branches. It and pelts of wildlife native to was one of the last special proLouisiana — including a live grams offered as part of the baby alligator — July 15 at the Plant a Seed, Read — Summer
Contributing writer
Reading 2026 program. Tanya Sturman, with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, led the program. At the conclusion of her presentation, the eager children and other audience members
ä See WILDLIFE, page 3G
The Louisiana Department of Education, in partnership with Dream Teachers, honored the state’s most outstanding educators on July 25 at the 20th annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Corey Elizabeth Gilfoil, of West Feliciana Parish, was the Elementary Teacher of the Year DivisionLevel honoree. Louisiana Teacher of the Year is Alisha Butler, of the Louisiana Special School District. Butler teaches dual enrollment English and intermediate Braille at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge “Each of these educators represents the significant impact one dedicated professional can have on students and our state,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley. “Louisiana’s continued success depends on educators who refuse to settle, take pride in their craft, and keep pushing students toward the future they deserve.”