The Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate 02-11-2026

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Doyle plans to bring football field back

Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON

Check out Livingston libraries’ schedule

Check out some of the programs planned at branches of the Livingston Parish Library Main Branch in Livingston

Contact the Main Branch in Livingston at (225) 686-4160 or visit www.mylpl.info for more details on any event at the branch.

Feb. 12, 5:30 p.m.: Lego Club (ages 5-12). Each month the library hosts Lego Club with a different theme. Legos are provided.

Feb: 13, 10:30 a.m.: Wiggle Worms, Music & Movement (ages 0-5). 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.

Denham Springs-Walker Branch

Contact the Denham SpringsWalker Branch at (225) 6864140 for more details.

Feb. 12, 10:30 a.m.: Bilingual Storytime, La hora del cuento bilingue (ages 0-8). This interactive bilingual storytime is for children and caretakers. The program combines stories, songs and activities in both Spanish and English.

Feb. 12, 6 p.m.: Venus Flytrap Chomper (ages 5-8). This Venus Flytrap craft is designed for children to creatively express themselves with an art project that doubles as a catching game. How many times can you trap a fly? Registration is not required.

Feb. 14, 1 p.m.: Afternoon Board Games (ages 18+) Board gaming is exploding as a hobby. Stop by the library to try out its collection There’s something for everyone: traditional, casual and strategy Space is available for tabletop role-playing. Student rodeo coming

The Southeast Louisiana Junior and High School Rodeo will be Feb. 27-March 1 at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

Action starts at 7 p.m. Feb 27, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 28, and 9 a.m. March 1. Rodeo athletes in fifth through 12th grades from all of Louisiana will compete Admission is $10. A weekend pass is $15. Kids 5 and under are free.

Sicilian festival seeks vendors

The Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival is March 1315. The festival is looking for food and craft vendors. Visit indysicilianfest.com to see forms.

Learn something new

Be sure to visit southeastern nbsstore.net/life-long-learninglivingston-center to find and register for classes such as chair yoga and Zumba, watercolor, stained glass and technology subjects.

Cornhole in Walker

Play cornhole every Friday at the Walker Community Center

The weekly tournaments are $10 for the lower division and $20 for the upper division. For information, call (225) 305-7183.

Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 388-0731.

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer

For the first time in nearly 40 years, students wearing Doyle Tigers jerseys played football.

The brand-new team comprised of 40 seventh graders was a culmination of years of conservations, community involvement and fundraising after school football in the town of Livingston disappeared 39 years ago.

But revitalizing football in this small town didn’t stop there.

The Livingston Parish School Board on Thursday unanimously approved naming Ziler Architects as the professional of record for the Doyle High School Football field and fieldhouse project.

This marks one of the first official steps into an ambitious project: bring-

ing a football field back to Livingston.

Four decades ago, the Doyle football teams would play home games down the street at a field where Jonny Sartwell Memorial Park now sits.

Constructing a new football field is a part of the plan for creating a high school junior varsity program in about two years, with a high school varsity team competing by 2030, school administration said.

Doyle Principal Ashley Sharp said that seeing community and school involvement was “very reassuring” in moving forward with the plan.

“The program was very successful, in our opinion, last year,” she said. “There was a lot of community involvement and student interest. There continues to be more and more

CELEBRATING ARTISTS

BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer

Four artists featured in Hammond art show

Hammond artist Shayla Kelly stood to the side, her anxiety spiking, triggering a desire to clean anything within arm’s length.

Kelly was minutes away from debuting a collection of her art at the Hammond Regional Arts Center on Jan. 23. Downstairs at the downtown Hammond building, three New Orleans area artists had their works displayed but the mezzanine was exclusive to nearly 25 of Kelly’s original pieces.

“I have been in group shows but this is my first solo exhibition,” she said as guests began to wander into what was her studio for the night. “I am so nervous; I am a cleaner when I get nervous so if I could be cleaning now …”

Kelly’s collection, which was titled “A Heart’s Cry for Creative Space,” highlighted the arts center’s inaugural opening reception that, along with Kelly’s pieces, included colorful works from artists Cheryl Anne Grace, Dominick Navarra and Josh Wingerter Jordan Kenning, president of the arts center board, initiated the idea for the reception, explaining that although the center often hosts solo exhibitions his goal was to showcase several artists at one show

“Part of our mission is to gain accessibility for art to our community and what this allows us to do is go beyond our conceived notion (of art),” he said. “We went a little further than that.”

He sought out established artists who were also provocative and visually exciting. And even a bit outside of his own comfort zone.

“On a personal level, (the works) are way brighter than

Jackets

any exhibition I would ever put together, more vivid and very saturated, very bright,” Kenning said. “But it was a great exercise to get all of the artists together.”

He said the featured Crescent City artists had never met or were ever featured together at a show

Arts center director Melissa Griffin said each of the artists brought their own eclectic style and also credited Kenning for planning the reception.

“He has a passion for bringing different styles of works to Hammond,” she said. “He wanted to bring a fresh, vibrant look to the center.”

“This is a great crowd and we are excited to have everybody

girls soccer has another chance to beat Northshore

It’s not often that a team gets a chance for a do-over when it loses a game, but that’s just what the Denham Springs girls soccer team will get this week in the regional round of the LHSAA’s Division I playoffs. The fourthseeded Yellow Jackets are 16-3-0 this season, but the last of those three losses came Dec. 20 when Northshore of Slidell took a 2-1 win at Denham Springs. The Jackets face Northshore again at Denham Springs on Wednesday with a quarterfinal berth on the line.

Northshore (15-6-1) is seeded 13th, but the Panthers have a program accustomed to deep playoff runs, and they bring a wealth

“I believe they’re the last public school to win a state title (in 2020) so they expect to win. They’re senior-heavy, physical, and they’ve won a lot. Its going to be a tough match, but it’s a good opportunity for us to try and avenge one of our three losses.”

Denham Springs played well for most of the first match with Northshore. It led 1-0 late in the match, but the Panthers scored twice in the last seven minutes, and the game-winner came in stoppage time.

of experience into the rematch. Denham Springs will be making its fourth consecutive playoff appearance, but the Yellow Jackets didn’t make it past regionals in any of those seasons.

“There a really good program that has been there before,” Denham Springs coach Jeff Klug said.

“To (Northshore’s) credit, they kept grinding and coming at us,” said Klug, whose team has won 10 straight since the Northshore loss.

“We made a mistake in the last 30 seconds of the game on a corner kick and they made the play It was what it was, but I believe that game was a big turning point for us mentally and maturity-

wise. We’re hoping to come out with a little more confidence and a little more vigor this time.”

Denham Springs was without its second leading scorer, Chloe Whitton, in its first round home game against No. 28 Haughton. Senior Julianna Williams provided the spark with four goals in an 8-0 win.

Northshore advanced with a convincing win of its own by defeating No. 20 Dutchtown 5-0.

“We love playing at home,” Klug said. “We don’t get to do it enough, but the surroundings, the surface — its all good for us. The girls are looking forward to playing Wednesday.”

Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports for the LivingstonTangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@ theadvocate.com.

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out,” she said, noting the center annually hosts 14 solo exhibits.

Kelly, who works for the center part-time and is a full-tine arts instructor at Southeastern Louisiana University, admittedly was vulnerable about exhibiting her work in her hometown, where she has spent her entire life except for attending college in San Francisco

“This is like a full circle moment,” she admitted.

“Being home, it hits hard because people know you here.”

Describing her art as not having a specific style, “however I see it in my head is how it comes out,” Kelly was not familiar with the process of selecting what works to exhibit

“I kind of just started pulling stuff,” she said “To be honest, I was working on new stuff and revitalizing old stuff.”

There was no limit on the

number of works she could exhibit although the recommendation was around 20.

But with a smile she admitted that number was closer to 25.

“I am actually in a gallery right now,” she said with excitement in her voice, as if trying to convince herself the day she had long awaited had

finally arrived

“You don’t have to be a specific type of artist to be in a place like this,” she said.

“It is a big deal because it opens eyes, touches hearts.

“And show what (artists) want to showcase.”

Kenning said Kelly is the art center’s educator and an expert in her field. He added she is now at a place in her career to start producing more art than in the past

“This is a perfect time to exhibit some of her work,” he said.

“(Kelly) has been doing art for a very long time and has used as a coping mechanism for going through hard times,” Griffin said “Art is a to process those feeling and emotions overtime.

The exhibit runs through Feb. 19.

Livingston Parish Chamber honors 2025 award winners

Community news report

The Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 22 honored outstanding local businesses and business leaders during its annual meeting and awards luncheon.

The Chamber presented Business of the Year, Women’s Leadership and Livingston Future 5 awards to honor individuals and organizations whose leadership, innovation, and service have made a significant impact on the Livingston Parish community

“This year’s Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon provided an opportunity to recognize 15 outstanding award recipients,” Livingston Parish Chamber President and CEO April Wehrs said.

“We are proud to celebrate the individuals and businesses whose

DOYLE

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students who want to sign up every day.”

Sharp said there is not a lot of available land by the school, so ideally the field would be near Doyle Elementary and the memo-

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achievements and dedication continue to make a meaningful impact across Livingston Parish.”

The 2025 Businesses of the Year are: Legacy Business of the Year: James Drug Store Large Business of the Year: Metal Fab Guys Small Business of the Year: French Settlement Roasting Company New Business of the Year Large Category: Off the Hook New Business of the Year, Small Category: Aim Physical Therapy Community Impact (Non-Business): Dog People of Livingston Member of the Year: Restoration 1 of East Baton Rouge 2025 Women’s Leadership Award Winners are: Shelley Simmons: Elevate Real Estate

rial park, where the school baseball team also plays.

After the school board’s decision the school will now work with Ziler Architects on creating a preliminary blueprint for the field and fieldhouse. The timeline on the field’s arrival depends on the cost, but the goal is a two-year project.

Michelle Southern: Guaranty Media/ Eagle 98.1 FM

Barbara Walker: Livingston Parish Children’s Choir 2025 Livingston Future 5 Winners are: Dakota Sparks: Pipe & Steel Industrial

Landon Collins: Olivier Group Paije Lopez: ATA Lopez Foundation Natasha Miller: Natasha Marie Bridal Justin Barksdale: Barksdale Safety Solutions/Barksdale Leadership Solutions For more information

The school will now work on a budget using savings, grants and hopefully sponsorships to pay for the project, Sharp said.

Because the field would be potentially at the park, the school is looking at ways to have agreements for local recreational leagues to also use the proposed area.

“It’s exciting for the town too,” Sharp said. Sharp said to build the field, Doyle will need business and community sponsorships and support and encouraged anyone interested to reach out to the school.

Email Claire Grunewald at claire.grunewald@ theadvocate.com.

Kinchen named chair of Livingston Chamber board

Community news report

Ross Kinchen, president and CEO of the Kinchen Group, is the new chair of the board of Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce for the 2026 term

Kinchen is a Louisiana licensed professional land surveyor and licensed real estate agent. He graduated from Nicholls State University

in 2016 with a bachelor of science degree in geomatics and a minor in business administration.

As a small business owner, Kinchen credits the chamber with playing a pivotal role in his professional journey and development as a leader, a news release said.

Kinchen, 33, emphasized the importance of consistency, collaboration and relationship-building as keys to long-term success for both businesses and the chamber

me and proud to serve alongside a board, staff, and membership so dedicated to the success of our local business community.”

“My message is simple: work hard, build relationships, and stay consistent,” Kinchen said. “Success doesn’t happen alone, and the chamber proves what’s possible when our business community comes together as one voice.”

Kinchen Community news report

“Starting a business is exciting, running a business is hard, but sustaining a business is the real challenge,” Kinchen said. The chamber provides the relationships, resources, and support that remind business owners they don’t have to figure it out alone.”

“Leadership at this level isn’t about one person it’s about collaboration,” Kinchen added. “I’m grateful for the trust placed in

As board chair, Kinchen’s goal is to support the chamber’s mission while ensuring continued growth, relevance and engagement across Livingston Parish, the release said. He looks forward to building on the chamber’s strong momentum and working with members to make the coming year a meaningful one for businesses throughout the parish.

“We are excited to have Ross

step into this leadership role,” said April Wehrs, president of the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce. “What began as an accidental introduction to the Chamber years ago quickly grew into deep engagement and service. Ross has been a vital part of our Young Professionals programming and a graduate of the Leadership Livingston program, consistently demonstrating his enthusiasm for leadership and community involvement. We are confident that 2026 will be a strong year under his guidance.”

Community fishing sites stocked with rainbow trout

Rainbow trout are swimming in some Louisiana ponds across the state, thanks to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Ponds at Sidney Hutchinson Park in Walker and Zemurray Park in Hammond were stocked in January with adult-size rainbow trout

This is the only time of year rainbow trout are stocked at these locations.

While rainbow trout are native to rivers and lakes of western North America, their popularity as a sport fish has led to stocking programs across the country LDWF stocks this cold-water species during the winter months when water temperatures are cool enough for them to thrive. Anglers are encouraged to keep their catch, as the trout are meant to be harvested before temperatures begin to rise.

Other locations include: Check out the list below to find a community fishing site near you:

n Joe Brown Park New Orleans n BREC Burbank Baton Rouge n Bayou Country Sports Park — Houma

n Southside Regional Park (Fabacher Field) — Youngsville n Oil and Gas Park (I-10 Park) — Jennings

Student named among top 40 young women in computing

Community news report

Brooklynn Warner, a junior at Hammond High Magnet School, has been named a 2026 National Center for Women & Information Technology Aspirations in Computing High School Award National Winner, placing her among the top 40 young women in the nation selected from more than 2,700 applicants across the United States.

Warner was first selected as the 2026 Louisiana State Winner, and her application advanced to the national level, where she was chosen as one of 40 students nationwide. She is the third student in Louisiana and the first student from Tangipahoa Parish to receive this national honor, a news release said.

The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award is presented by the National Center for Women and Information Technology and is sponsored by Apple, Bank of America, Jane Street, and Microsoft.

The award recognizes high school students who demonstrate exceptional aptitude, leadership and impact in computing and technology

As part of the award, Warner will attend an all-expenses-paid national awards celebration in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she will be recognized alongside other national winners later this month.

Brooklynn’s accomplishments reflect years of dedication to robotics, computing, leadership and community outreach. Her journey began in seventh grade when she wanted to join an all girls robotics team but did not know where to begin. After learning about the opportunity through Girl Scouts, she encouraged her mother to help start a team alongside four of her fellow Girl Scout sisters. That experience became her entry point into robotics and helped ignite her passion for technology

In addition to her academic and technical achievements, she is the founder of the Pink

Potion Society, a nonprofit organization that provides free STEM workshops for young girls. To ensure that no girl ever has to pay for a STEM opportunity, Warner self published her own children’s book and used the proceeds to fund the nonprofit, removing financial barriers to participation.

The Pink Potion Society is also part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project, which is currently in progress, reflecting her long term commitment to leadership, service, and expanding access to STEM education.

“Brooklynn’s story shows what happens when girls are supported early and encouraged to pursue their interests without limits,” said her mother Evelyn Warner “This recognition represents an entire community believing in her.” She will represent Hammond High Magnet School Tangipahoa Parish Schools, Girl Scouts, and her nonprofit at the national awards celebration.

Registration opens for Love the Boot Week 2026

Community news report

Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Lt. Gov Billy Nungesser announced Jan. 12 that online registration is open at lovetheboot.org for the fifth annual Love the Boot Week, Louisiana’s largest statewide litter removal and beautification effort.

The event is April 18–26 and celebrates America’s 250th birthday Louisianans across the state are encouraged to show their pride in their communities – and their country – by participating in a local cleanup or beautification effort during Love the Boot Week.

The first 800 groups reg-

istering their litter cleanup or beautification event will receive a supply box with volunteer T-shirts, gloves and trash bags. Nungesser said, “I challenge people in every parish to sign up, pitch in and help pick up at least 250 pieces of litter as a tribute to our nation and a commitment to the future of our state.”

The people of Louisiana can participate in Love the Boot Week by:

n Registering a litter cleanup or beautification event.

n Volunteering for an event in your area.

n Picking up 250 pieces of litter in celebration of America’s birthday

n Sharing on social media how much you #LovetheBoot.

n Donating to the KLB Foundation to support Love the Boot Week.

During Love the Boot Week 2025, 26,935 volunteers contributed 81,852 hours across 1,408 events in all 64 parishes, resulting in the removal of 514 tons of litter Volunteers also diverted 16,503 aluminum cans and plastic bottles from landfills through recycling efforts. In addition to litter removal, participants planted 1,204 trees and 3,672 plants and refurbished 477 community gardens. Organizers anticipate an even greater impact in 2026.

Online training available to become a wildlife rehabilitator

siana:

series that covers: wildlife rehabilitation program rules and regulations; standards for general wildlife rehabilitation; the rehabilitation process; and veterinary medicine and wildlife rehabilitation. Visit www.wlf.louisiana.

gov/page/approved-wildliferehabilitation-courses to see the course. Upon completion of the training series, individuals will be required to complete the department’s Wildlife Rehabilitation and Basic Skills Course exam online and achieve a minimum passing score of 80% or

The addition of this new course will give residents three options for approved online training courses in order

become a permitted wildlife rehabilitator in Loui-

n Rehabilitation and Basic Skills course (free) n International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council’s Foundations of Wildlife Rehabilitation course (fee) n National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association’s Principles of Wildlife Rehabilitation Basic Skills course (fee) For information regarding the rehabilitation program, contact the department’s Wildlife Permits Office at wildlifepermits@wlf.la.gov or (225) 763-5499.

n Purple Heart Memorial Park — Ragley

n Parc Natchitoches — Natchitoches n Forts Buhlow & Randolph — Pineville n Kiroli Park — West Monroe

n Elmore D. Mayfield Park — Ruston

n Grambling City Park — Grambling

n Turner’s Pond — Minden

n Stuart Lake — Catahoula

Ranger District, Kisatchie National Forest Anglers 18 and older must possess a valid Louisiana fishing license when fishing in public waters. Licenses can be purchased online. By purchasing a fishing license, Louisiana receives matching funds from the Sport Fish Restoration Program, which supports public fishing and boating access, fishing programs, education and fisheries management.

February’s Livingston Parish Library book club selections announced

Community news report

The Livingston Parish Library has announced this month’ book club selections.

Book club members dive into the pages of stories, meet new friends and discover themes together, according to a news release

All Livingston Parish branches host monthly book clubs for adults, and each club features a different “Book of the Month.”

For more information on a particular book club, pleas call the branch.

ASB Book Club: 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 23, at the AlbanySpringfield Branch. February selection is “Funny Story” by Emily Henry A new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong

thing in common. Box of Chocolates Book Club: 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Denham SpringsWalker Branch. February selection is “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles. A transporting novel about a man who is ordered to spend the rest of his life inside a luxury hotel. Main Branch Book Club: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Main Branch in Livingston. February selection is “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston. The book tells the story of “fair and long-legged, independent and articulate, Janie Crawford” who sets out to be her own person and embarks on a quest for identity that takes her through

three marriages and into a journey back to her roots, according to the release South Branch Bookies: 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb 26 at the South Branch. February selection is “Counting Miracles” by Nicholas Sparks. From the author of “The Longest Ride” and “The Notebook” comes an emotional, novel about wondering if we can change — or even make peace with — the path we’ve taken. Sunny Side Up Book Club: 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Watson Branch. The February selection is “Just A Kiss” by Denise Hunter. Riley Callahan’s plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are derailed when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.

Livingston Parish Library event attendance exceeds 70,000 in 2025

Community news report

Event attendance at Livingston Parish Library programs in 2025 saw a 26% rise in 2025 over 2024.

Records show the libraries had a total 70,343 attendees at 2025 events, a figure that represents an increase of 14,536 in event attendance from the previous year The increased attendance

underscores the role the library plays in the Livingston Parish community and the growing popularity of its services, a news release said.

The Livingston Parish Library offers an assortment of events, workshops and classes designed for every age and interest throughout the year, all aimed at fostering a lifelong love for reading and learning. “Whether you’re looking to dive into a new hobby, enhance your skills, create a work of art, or enjoy quality time with friends, the library has something for everyone,” a news release said. For more information about upcoming events and workshops, visit www.mylpl.info.

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