The St. Francisville Democrat 02-25-2026

DEMOCRAT

Leila Pitchford

AROUND THE FELICIANAS

‘Talent’ is coming

The “East Feliciana’s Got Talent” showcase and festival fundraiser for the East Feliciana COA is evolving. The March 28 event will include a festival outside with vendors selling arts, crafts and such from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. along with Cajun music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m and raffle drawings throughout the day From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. inside, the talent contest with refreshments will benefit the Council on Aging. Admission will be a $20 donation.

MORE AUDITIONS: Another day of auditions for the show has been set for March 21 from 9 a.m. until noon. Singers, dancers, musicians and other performers from East Feliciana are encouraged to audition to participate in the talent contest

The winner to be chosen by the audience at the March 28 event

The location for the auditions is at the Jackson site for the COA, 3699 La. 10, Jackson Local markets

The Clinton Community Market is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 8 in downtown Clinton The St. Francisville Farmer’s Market is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday at 9961 Wilcox St., St. Francisville.

Yard Sale Trail returns

The Tunica Hills Yard Sale Trail is from 8 a.m. April 24 to 4 p.m. April 26. Deadline for signing up is April 1. The trail for the multifamily progressive yard sale will follow Angola Road, Old Tunica Road and the Greenwood area. A Facebook group is available at www.facebook.com/ groups/832172577337930 to see details as they are posted.

Art and music event set for April

From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. April

25 Clinton is Home will host An Evening of Art and Music on St. Helena Street and surrounding area

Annual reenactment coming

The Siege of Port Hudson Battle Reenactment is March 28-29 at the state historic site, 236 U.S. 61, Jackson.

It starts at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday Gates open at 9 a.m.

Concessions and sutlers/ vendors will be on-site. Living history and weapons demonstrations will be throughout the day Reenactor camps will be on tour Admission is $6 adults, $4 seniors 62 and above, $3 activeduty military and free for children under 6. Call (225) 654-3775 for information.

Walk in the Park set for March 7

Walk in the Park will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7 at Parker Park, St. Francisville. Live music will be by Ben Bell and the Stardust Boys from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Gazebo.

Need a bed? Help the band The West Feliciana High School Band is hosting its third annual Mattress & Adjustable Bed Sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 8 at the high school gym.

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Joining in the fun at the Council on Aging party Feb 13 in Jackson, from left, are

Bond, Ben Dart and Hadley Hudnall, of Clinton.

Seniors celebrate Mardi Gras, Valentine’s

BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer

The East Feliciana Parish Council on

Aging’s Mardi Gras and Valentine Feb. 13 celebration included the crowning of royalty representing members from the two sites in Clinton and Jackson — a king and queen from each.

Representing Clinton was King John Coleman and Queen Gwen Stewart In Jackson, King Sam Rayford and Queen Helen Creed were selected to reign.

The seasonal gathering was at the Jackson site where colorful costumes, smiles and happy conversation were abundant Mardi Gras music and decorations dominated the room but the Valentine’s Day spirit was apparent, too. Some of the partygoers dressed themselves with half-and-half outfits or accessories — one part in Valentine red with the other part in Mardi Gras green, purple and gold.

Staff members handed out Mardi Gras beads.

As usual, there was line-dancing, and the group composed of members from both classes held at the two sites announced they had officially named their dance group the One Step at a Time.

Donated door prizes were handed out and guest had a pastalaya, nachos and king cake.

The party included a Mardi Gras Mambo dance/parade around the center

As part of her announcements, director Cyndi McManus thanked all who helped and donated items. Attendees were also reminded of the upcoming COA fundraiser titled “East Feliciana’s Got Talent” showcase and festival set for March 28 in Jackson.

Mom Helen Creed, and Melissa Pope, modeling her half-Valentine-half-Mardi-Gras hat at the COA party ä More photos from the

EAST FELICIANA

Is carbon capture safe?

Police jurors consider resolution opposing the process

BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer

Two local legislators want the East Feliciana Parish Police Jury to adopt a resolution opposing carbon-capture and sequestration projects in Louisiana including carbon dioxide injection wells and pipelines.

Jurors heard from Reps. Roy Adams, D-Jackson, and Robby Carter, D-Greensburg, at their Feb. 16 meeting but tabled the resolution, saying they need more information on the process of storing carbon dioxide deep underground as a means of improving air quality

In other action, the jury renewed a tax exemption for local first responders, despite no one taking advantage of it last year

Jurors also introduced a proposed ordinance regulating so-called “solar farms” that produce electricity from large arrays of photovoltaic cells.

Adams, who represents East Feliciana Parish in the state House of Representatives, deferred to Carter for most of the carbon-capture presentation, although Adams said Shell Oil Co. representatives had approached him for support and he has heard from constituents who are against the concept.

Carter, who once represented part of East Feliciana, said carbon-capture represents a health and safety danger to rural areas like St. Helena and East Feliciana parishes.

St. Helena has three proposed injection well sites on land owned by the Weyerhaeuser Co. If put into operation, the carbon dioxide pumped into the ground would spread out in the underground formations to an area of 45,000 acres, he said.

“How do they know that when you’re saying it’s under Weyerhaeuser land that it’s not going under your land?” Carter said.

Meanwhile, St. Helena has 50 to 60 abandoned oil wells from which the pressurized carbon dioxide could escape and endanger the public and local drinking water, Carter said. He said the wells were dry holes that were capped with concrete years ago and the material used to cap them may not be able to hold the pressure.

The gas would be converted to a liquid under high pressure to move it through pipelines to the well sites, and Carter said an explosion on such a pipeline already has occurred in Mississippi.

The proposed resolution asks the state Legislature and appropriate state agencies to impose an immediate moratorium on permits for the wells, pending further scientific review and “robust public engagement.”

Tax exemption

The jury adopted a property tax exemption of $250 of the assessed value of a first responder’s property, which would be added to the $7,500 assessed value exemption for Louisiana homesteads.

The jury could have exempted up to $2,500 in additional assessed value, but stuck with the $250 figure it adopted last year

The exemption, which must be renewed every year, is available for law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency dispatchers and other personnel who respond to public service calls.

Feliciana basketball action continues in playoffs for

BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing

writer

Here’s a look at sports around the Felicianas.

BOYS

West Feliciana West Feliciana ended its season with a 54-50 playoff loss to Tara on Feb. 20. The Saints had defeated McKinley 44-37 on Feb. 18 in their playoff opener Travis Lathers finished the season as West Feliciana’s leading scorer averaging 23 points a game.

The Saints finished 24-12.

East Feliciana The Tigers’ season ended with a 59-35 first round playoff loss to Capitol on Feb. 18.

The second half plagued East Feliciana, 9-22, throughout the season, as the Tigers averaged 16 points in the final two stanzas, including seven in the fourth quarter

Slaughter Charter

The Knights got off to a slow start in their playoff opener against Northeast and ended a 63-43 loss to Northeast on Feb. 19. Slaughter, 10-18, scored only four points in the first quarter and trailed 31-16 at the half, a deficit from which they were unable to recover

GIRLS

West Feliciana

The Saints advanced out of the first round of the playoffs with a 50-37 victory over Cecilia. West Feliciana, 22-6, and the District 6-4A champs, led 28-21 at the half and outscored the

some

Bulldogs 15-5 in the third period. The Saints defense held Cecilia to 16 secondhalf points.

Sanaya Berry led West Feliciana with 14 points and Jaterriona Johnson added 13. Berry leads West Feliciana in scoring, averaging 14 points game. Johnson is averaging 13 points and Ariannah Smith 11 points a game.

East Feliciana

The Tigers opened the playoffs with a 38-20 win over Lakeview on Feb. 17. Kariah Dunn is averaging 13.2 points a game for the Tigers, 18-10.

Slaughter

The Knights ended their season with a 60-39 loss to Amite in the opening round of the playoffs. Slaughter finished 10-10.

2026 Louisiana Conservation Champion Award recipient announced

Community news report

Each year, the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts awards a distinguished member of the conservation community the Louisiana Conservation Champion Award.

This year’s recipient is Ronald Ard, of West Feliciana Parish

The honor was bestowed upon him at the annual LACD conference Jan. 8 in Alexandria.

Ard is the owner of Freeland Farms Forestry Consulting, a forester and Army veteran. He holds a degree in wildlife management from LSU.

During his career as a forester, Ard contributed to soil and water conservation, including educating his clientele on the positive outcomes achieved by practicing solid conservation initiatives For decades, he has helped to foster conservation initiatives in the

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Deep South. This included facilitating a sale of a 40-acre natural area for conservation purposes around the largest tree east of the Rocky Mountains.

For many years, Ard also managed 155 acres of Plum Creek property for Georgia Pacific.

He belongs to various forestry associations within Louisiana and Mississippi. He also chaired the logging and harvesting committee for the Logger of the Year Award for conservation-minded loggers.

He managed a large hunting lodge, has been involved in managing wildlife and planting trees, building and installing duck boxes, nominated and won Tree Farm of the Year, participated in programs offered by the NRCS-USDA (including CSP contracts on land he owns in West Feliciana and Vermilion parishes). Ard puts his knowledge to work on his own properties.

However, Assessor Jeff Gardner said no one signed up for the extra exemption last year, although four or five people asked about the exemption.

In one case, he said a first responder after

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Apply for Leadership North Leadership North is an annual leadership development program for the north Baton Rouge region. The Zachary Chamber of Commerce hosts the program. Participation in the program is open to people living or working in Baton Rouge, Zachary, Central, Baker, Pointe Coupee and East and West Feliciana parishes who have the full support of the organization or business they represent The program is designed to engage emerging leaders in the region and prepare them to meet the future needs of their communities. Through the exchange of viewpoints and experiences, participants are exposed to the challenges, opportunities and vital issues affecting the northern Baton Rouge region. The application is

West Feliciana Middle student Olivia Norris makes finals

WEST FELICIANA PARISH BOOKINGS

The following people were booked into the West Feliciana Parish Detention Center between Feb. 9-15:

FEB. 9

RIVAS MARCIA, JOSE: 23; 07185 Greenwell St., Baton Rouge, owner to secure registration, driver must be licensed, proper equipment

paying to have two required notarized signatures on the application, would have only saved about $16 in property taxes. The potential applicant did not follow through on getting the exemption, Gardner said.

Solar farms

Building official Jeff Williams presented jurors with a copy of a proposed ordinance

at forms.office.com/ r/7feLGC5qtF Deadline is Feb 27.

Bird art displays coming

The Art of Birds will be from noon Feb. 28 at 5689 Commerce St., St. Francisville. Bird-themed art will be displayed in three galleries at the 3V Tourist Court. Refreshments and shopping will also be available.

Update pesticide certifications

A private pesticide applicator recertification training session will be at the Zachary Branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, 10 a.m. to noon March 12, 1900 Church St., Zachary

Attendees needs to bring a current pesticide card and two checks — one made to the LSU AgCenter for $15 and one made to LDAF for $25.

To reserve a spot call Donna Gentry at (225) 683-

DEMOCRAT

3101 or dsgentry@agcenter lsu.edu.

Tunica Music Festival scheduled

The Tunica Music Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. March 28 in Parker Park, in the amphitheater across the street on Chris and Cherie Fry’s property, and in Bayou Sara Brewing in St. Francisville. The event is free to attendees. Food vendors will be available. It will feature 30 bands on three stages. Bring an instrument and join some jam sessions. Chairs, blankets and coolers are allowed.

Save the date The West Feliciana Chamber of Commerce announced Chamber Uncorked! will be March 8 at The Mallory in St. Francisville.

Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate. com.

required, display of plate

FEB. 11

MIZE, MEGAN: 33; 08305 Muscadine Lane, St. Francisville; violation of protective order

FEB. 12

HARRIS, DOUGLAS: 58; 11744

regulating solar farms, which he said had been adopted from regulations in effect in St. Helena Parish.

The law, if adopted, would require traffic and drainage plans for the generating sites,

Havenwood Lane, St Francisville; driving under the influence second offense, careless operation, open container GARRETT, NELSON: 44; 08953 Reech Road, St. Francisville; driving under the influence, possession Schedule IV, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts possession Schedule II narcotics

along with buffer zones and decommissioning plans. Jurors sent the proposal to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a public hearing and possible action.

Lane Regional Medical Center has earned aprestigious 4-Star Rating from the Centers forMedicare&Medicaid Services (CMS) placing usinthe toptier of hospitals nationwide and making us the only hospital inour region with this distinction

Out of 157 hospitals in Louisiana, only 11 received 4stars Lane is one of them.

When it comes to your health, choose afacility thatiscommitted toexceptional patientcare, safetyand outcomes Choose Lane.

Despite the bad weather, canine Mardi Gras exceeds goals with the good and furry

BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL

Contributing writer

The second annual Krewe de Canines

Mardi Gras Dog Parade and Costume Contest held Jan. 24 raised over $27,000 to support the animal shelter in West Feliciana Parish, according to Courtney Miller spokesperson for the nonprofit organization that organized the festivities.

Miller said they “were shocked” when early on they determ ined they had collected over $26,000. She added the amount has grown. Adding in the most recent donations it is now over $27,000, she said. Explaining the shockingly good news she immediately gave credit to “the generosity of local residents, small businesses and individual donors.”

Last year was the first year for the Krewe de Canines fundraiser, she said In 2025, they were “incredibly grateful” when they exceeded their goal of $5,000 by raising over $13,000, Miller said. So, for 2026 they “aimed higher” and set a goal of $20,000, she explained. Again, they exceeded their goal raising what now totals more than $27,000 from the 2026 canine Mardi Gras celebration in St. Francisville.

The success was due to “the everyday dog-loving people who stepped up to support a cause they care about including individuals who donated without recognition and local businesses that supported the effort simply because it mattered,” she said

Money was raised by going to businesses; approaching friends, family and the public in person; through the mail; emails; texts; and using online

Members of the Krewe des Cannes present a check for the fund raised from the event to help the area animal shelter Initially, $20,000, the krewe raised another $7,000.

links for payment, Miller said.

They received donations from locals and from friends in Austin, Texas, she added. Time and services were donated by volunteers, she said.

Students at the Bains Lower Elementary, Bains Elementary and West Feliciana Middle schools as well as students at Slaughter Community Charter School, where Miller teaches, also contributed. In exchange for their donation, they got a free-dress up day at school.

A registration fee of $25 was collected to participate in the parade and festivities. All proceeds will go to the shelter Miller said.

Miller said she is “one of seven founding members of a small, volunteer nonprofit formed here in St. Francisville to support the West Feliciana animal shelter.” None had prior experience running a

nonprofit or organizing the dog parade and festivities, but they “saw the need and wanted to help,” she said.

The 2026 board members of the Krewe de Canines nonprofit are Joe Malara, Pam Malara, Shannon Shaffer, Celeste Coarsey, Michelle Wilcox, Dale Ray Blachard and Courtney Miller

The shelter that will receive the funds was founded in August 2012 and named the James L. “Bo” Bryant Animal Shelter and West Feliciana Animal Humane Society

Bryant’s legacy donation funded the beginning of the shelter’s construction, according to their website. The WFAHS has grown with the support of the area’s people and business partnerships making it possible.

The Mardi Gras dog parade and festivities — which included a tableau, kissing booth costume contest and more — were scheduled in the after-

At the Krewe de Canine Kissing Booth, Buck was reported to be very cuddly and cooperative. He nuzzles Courtney

noon at Parker Park on Commerce Street in St. Francisville.

The theme was western: The Good, the Bad, and the Furry Then came the forecast for extremely cold and wet weather which threatened to cancel the festivities for the furry four legged participants and their humans. Instead, the fundraising Mardi Gras celebration was moved across the street to inside Bayou Sara Brewing Company Miller said that co-founder of the brewery, Steve McKinney, saved the day by offering that location.

For information about the nonprofit group that organized the dog parade and costume contest and other festivities, go to www.krewedecanines or call 225-721-0782 or contact jpmalara@ gmail.com. A list of the group’s sponsors is also on the site. To contact the West Feliciana Humane Society call 225-635-5801 or email them at WFAHS@gmail.com. Detailed information including their mission statement, services, goals, how to donate, how to foster or adopt, fees and much more is available at www.WFAHS.ORG. An appointment is required.