DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
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W e d n e s d ay, Au g u s t 19, 2026
1GN
Three vie to succeed Denham Springs mayor BY GIGI LIMAN
Staff writer
A bookstore owner, a city councilman and the head of the city’s water department are running to become the next mayor of Denham Springs, as Mayor Gerard Landry prepares to step down after 12 years in office. With the qualifying period now over, the field of candidates hoping to replace Landry is set: John
Darlene Denstorff
ELECTION
and Ben Harris, 43. Landry was first elected in 2014 and said that, at the time, he expected to only serve a single term. H H H H H H Two years later, the disastrous August 2016 flood swept the region. Many of Denham Springs homes and businesses were ravaged, along with much of the city’s core fabric. Landry’s tenure has largely Cavalier, 42, a no-party candidate, been defined by the flood recovery and Republicans Jim Gilbert, 60, and his Denham Strong initiative to
rebuild the city. Landry has not yet made an endorsement in the race but said the most important thing voters should weigh is experience. “What qualifies you to run a budget that’s $24 million a year? What qualifies you to give direction to 170 diverse employees?” he said. Whoever wins will inherit a city ever changed by the flood, which hit on Aug. 12, 2016. Asked how
he would want to be remembered from his time as mayor, Landry said, “As someone who cared,” choking up as he recalled pulling people out of the water in the midst of the disaster. The election is Nov. 3. If no candidate wins a majority, the top two finishers will meet in a December runoff.
ä See MAYOR, page 2G
HOME-TOWN PROJECT DEBUTS IN HAMMOND
AROUND LIVINGSTON
At the library
Check out some of the programs planned at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch of the Livingston Parish Library. Contact the branch at (225) 686-4140 or visit www.mylpl. info for more details on any events at the library. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2 p.m., Hooks & Loops Crochet Club (ages 18+): Get hooked on making loops into cool things. Swap ideas, work on your latest creation, and share your knowledge. Whatever level you are, come by and have fun crocheting. Bring your supplies and spin a yarn with like-minded crafters. Thursday, Aug. 20, 2 p.m., Box of Chocolates Book Club (ages 18+): Are you an avid reader or are you just looking for some great new titles to try? Join the library at the Box of Chocolates Book Club, because you never know what you’re going to get. Thursday, Aug. 20, 6 p.m., Lego Club (ages 5-12): Calling all Lego lovers. Each month the library hosts Lego Club with a different theme. Legos will be provided. Friday, Aug. 21, 10:30 a.m., Wiggle Worms: Music & Movement (ages 0-5): Enjoy a variety of songs and rhythms that will have your child dancing, clapping and singing along. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join in the fun and share in the joy of music with their little ones.
PHOTO BY RICHARD MEEKS
Winnie Hughes, left, discusses a photograph with Melanie Story at an exhibit by Hammond photographer Robby Klein on Aug. 7 at the Hammond Regional Arts Center. The work focuses on Klein’s home town after his return. ä Story and photos. PAGE 3G
Poll commissioner training 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.
Students start school with tools supplied by Assess the Need
St. Jude, Shriners fundraiser
Community news report
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 cook-off; car, truck and Jeep show; and other activities. For additional information, contact (225) 615-6637.
Hungarian Festival plans 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.
ä See AROUND, page 4G
PROVIDED PHOTO
South Fork Junior High Principal Jeffery Watts speaks to school and community leaders in the school library prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony at his new campus.
School leaders cut ribbon on new junior high school Community news report South Fork Junior High School School and Livingston Parish Public Schools leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to celebrate the opening of the district’s newest campus, South Fork Junior High School, at 23312
Walker South Road. The ceremony began in the school library, with remarks from Principal Jeffery Watts, Assistant Principal Brandy Hoch, Superintendent Jody Purvis and Walkerarea school board members Jeff
ä See SCHOOL, page 2G
More than 3,000 Livingston Parish students begin the 2026-27 school year with the supplies they need to learn thanks to the 26th annual Assess the Need campaign. The program is lead by Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff PROVIDED PHOTO Taylor and volunLivingston Parish Public School Superintendent teers. More than 100 Jody Purvis joins Assess the Need volunteers at volunteers took do- the Suma Conference Center earlier this month nations outside the to load school supplies into vehicles to be Associate Groceries across the parish distributed to campuses across the parish. over two weekends, and upon purchasing and receiv- Satsuma to be distributed at every ing the needed supplies, they campus across the parish. “The magnitude of the effort is loaded them into cars that drove through a staged loading area at ä See TOOLS, page 2G the Suma Conference Center in