SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
The
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T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, M a r c h 11, 2026
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East Feliciana hires state elections official as registrar Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Paint with marbles Children ages 6-11 are invited to try marble painting at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 14, at the Jackson Branch of the Audubon Regional Library, 2637 La. 10, Suite B. Participants will roll marbles in paint, then on paper. All supplies are provided.
BY JAMES MINTON
interviewed five candidates for the post. Ross retired as registrar effective Dec. 31.Blanchard, a parish East Feliciana Parish’s next reg- resident, works for the Secretary istrar of voters is a veteran state of State’s elections division, assistelections official who wants to ing local elections officials. work closer to home. He said he hopes to begin the The Police Jury, at its March 2 parish job within the next two meeting, named Paul Blanchard to weeks, noting that he had to be in succeed Bobbie Gayle Ross as the New Orleans the next day to assist registrar after a special committee elections workers there prepare
Contributing writer
for a special March 14 election. Thanking the jury for his selection, Blanchard said, “It will be an honor to come home to help out my parish.” Jury Vice President Chrissie O’Quin, who served on the interview committee, said although the jury “had some people who are really qualified; he is very, very qualified.”
On another matter, jurors argued at length over a proposal to give 10 employees varying “stipends” for extra work they are said to be doing because the jury does not have a full-time parish manager. Juror Kristin Chasteen moved to table the proposal, saying she wanted to know what extra duties
ä See REGISTRAR, page 2G
SPRINGING ALIVE
West Feliciana trivia coming The West Feliciana Education Foundation is hosting “Whadda Ya Know, West Fel?” at Bayou Sara Brewing to fund grants and scholarships for area schools on March 26. The competition will have local flavor and is for local history buffs or pop-culture pros. Prizes will be given. Between rounds, a full taco and slider bar will be available. Doors open at 6 p.m. Trivia starts at 7 p.m. Adult tickets are $50 and includes the buffet and two beer tokens for ages 21+. Tickets are $45 for those who register by March 24. Youth tickets are $15 for ages 12 and under.
Storytime with Peter Rabbit The West Feliciana Parish Library will host Peter Rabbit Storytime with games, coloring sheets and photos with Peter. Participants must register in advance. A waitlist is open at https://westfeliciana-la.whofi. com/calendar/event/408878.
Inmate art for sale
PHOTOS BY SONYA GOSS
St. Francisville hosted its annual Walk in the Park on March 7 in Parker Memorial Park.
St. Francisville hosts Walk in the Park to celebrate season
An arts and crafts show will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 21 at Dixon Correctional Institute, 5568 La. 68, Jackson. Inmate-made items will include paintings, woodworking, furniture, jewelry, leatherwork and more. A pet adoption event will be going on as well. Entry is $5, ages 6 and under are free. All transactions are cash.
Easter Egg hunt slated The Rosedown Easter Egg Hunt starts at 2 p.m., March 28. Bring a basket for the hunt. Refreshments are provided, and 19th-century games will follow the hunt. Arrive 20 minutes early to check in. Garden admission fees apply.
‘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. to 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 residents are encouraged to audition to participate in the talent contest. The winner to be chosen by the audience at the March 28 event.
ä See AROUND, page 2G
Maria Ramirez is the owner of Maria Christina Designs, a vendor at the Walk in the Park selling handcrafted jewelry.
Ali Rogillio, owner of Rogillio Homestead, sells homemade bath and body products.
Sandra Webb and Selby Boriel stopped by the Walk in the Park to browse and do a little shopping. Ben Bell and the Stardust Boys performs during the Walk in the Park.
High school basketball season winds down
BY RICHARD MEEK
ä A look to the future of East Feliciana girls basketball. PAGE 4G
Here’s an update on Feliciana sports.
The Tigers, who finished the season 20-11 and 5-0 in district play, had defeated Lakeview 38-20 and Jeanerette 53-43 on their way to the semifinals. East Feliciana, which earned its second district title, also beat rivals Dunham and Episcopal for the second consecutive season.
Contributing writer
Girls East Feliciana’s magical season that included a District 8-2A championship ended with a 73-43 loss to top-seeded Midland on March 2 in the state semifinals.
Dunham and Episcopal finished second and third, respectively, in the district. “A lot of hard work and dedication has been put in,” East Feliciana coach Tyrese Chambers, who was selected the district’s Coach of the Year by his coaching peers, said.
Kariah Dunn scored 18 points, grabbed three rebounds and doled out three assists in the semifinals. Kemani Coleman added eight points and grabbed a team-high six rounds and also recorded two steals. Dunn, selected the district’s Most Valuable Player, ended the season as the Tigers’ leading
ä See BASKETBALL, page 4G