Riding electric bicycles and most other motorized vehicles on Mandeville’s sidewalks will be il-
legal, the Mandeville City Council decided March 13, citing the danger they pose to pedestrians.
Council member Cynthia StrongThompson pushed the measure, saying the issue came to the fore
last August after a man was nearly hit by an e-bike, which she said can reach speeds of 35 mph and can come up on an unwitting pedestrian very quickly.
The measure was adopted by a 4-1 vote, with Council member Kevin Vogeltanz casting the lone dissenting vote. But it sparked some discussion over whether the matter should be addressed instead in the ongoing rewrite of
the city’s master plan and whether regular bicycles also should be prohibited from sidewalk use.
“When I was raised, bikes had to ride on the street,” Council member Jason Zuckerman said, adding that they also must follow the same rules of the road as vehicles.
Strong-Thompson said that neither the state nor Mandeville have laws against bicycles or motorized vehicles using sidewalks.
The ordinance calls for a warning on first offense and a fine of not more than $50 for each subsequent violation.
The new restrictions do not apply to mobility devices used by people who are disabled and do not apply to children 10 years old and younger using motorized conveyances as long as they travel no faster than 5 mph.
Strong-Thompson said that ex-
ception is aimed at motorized toys designed for younger children.
Vogeltanz questioned whether the city should ban all bicycles from sidewalks. But others were reluctant to go that far. StrongThompson said such a prohibition would have an impact on the lakefront, and Council member Jill Lane said that some people use their bicycles as a primary means of transportation and to get to and from work.
Slidell to buy 51 acres adjacent to municipal airport
Residents divided sharply on project
BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer
After a contentious appeal meeting on March 11, the Covington City Council gave St. Tammany Health System the green light to build a new five-story parking garage with hundreds of parking spots, medical offices, a helipad and sky bridge. The council gave the hospital the go-ahead after hours of speeches from residents concerned about traffic and garage supporters who argued the garage was critical to increase pedestrian safety.
The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit for the garage last month in a 4-1 vote, with one abstention.
But area residents appealed the commission’s decision to the City Council, arguing the garage would exacerbate traffic problems and that the council should send the plan back to the commission for further review, something the city’s lawyer said wasn’t legal.
The parking garage will border Tyler and Harrison streets between 11th and 12th avenues and will replace an existing 120car parking lot and medical office building at the existing site. An
BY KIM CHATELAIN
Contributing writer
The Slidell City Council has authorized the purchase of almost 51 acres of land near its municipal airport for the relocation of power lines — a project the city has tried to accomplish since a 2016 accident killed two pilots flying a plane for the parish’s mosquito control district.
The council voted unanimously on March 11 in favor of an ordinance to purchase the land adjacent to the city-owned airport from private owners that include P&F Lumber Co., St. Tammany Land Co., PF Monroe Properties and Markle Interests.
The exact cost of the land pur-
chase has not been determined, but the ordinance spells out that the sale price “shall not be less than $4,500 per acre and greater than $6,500 per acre.”
The city also will be responsible for the costs associated with the release of any timber lease of record on the land, according to the ordinance.
There was no discussion by the council or audience before the vote.
Two experienced pilots, Wayne Fisher and Donald Pechon, perished in 2016 when their twin-engine plane crashed into the woods north of the runway after hitting the top of 80-foot towers that carry transmission lines while returning to the airport from aerial
spraying.
After the crash, late city council member Val Vanney and other Slidell officials began a push to move the lines. In 2017, the council passed a resolution that said moving the lines would mean an extended and safer landing path at the airport and would allow for expansion to accommodate larger corporate clients.
Two years later, the city announced that Cleco and Entergy will pay to move power lines, a project that would allow the airport to eventually extend the runway another 1,000 feet to accommodate additional aircraft.
Slidell Municipal Airport is lo-
PHOTO BY BOBBY GILBOY
MANDEVILLE
Continued from page 1A
“Mandeville wants to be a biking community,” she said. Zuckerman said that focusing on e-bikes is a “no-brainer first step.”
But audience members weighed in, saying that the city needs to do more for its biking infrastructure.
Paul Branch said that there needs to be better access to the Tammany Trace trailhead from West Causeway Approach and said the
SLIDELL
Continued from page 1A
cated on about 350 acres four nautical miles northwest of the city’s central business district.
In other action, the council authorized Mayor Bill Borchert to renew a lease agreement with the St. Tammany Council on Aging for use of a city-owned building that houses the Slidell Senior Center.
The approximately 11,700-square-foot building at 610 Cousin St. serves as “home base” for the council’s activities in Slidell, according to the lease agreement approved by the City Council.
The Council on Aging will be charged an initial fee of $2,000 per month for use of the building, an amount that will increase by 10% at the end of the first year. The new lease commences July 1.
Email Kim Chatelain at kchatelaintp@gmail.com.
city needs to upgrade its bike paths “to actually do what you say we’d like to do.”
Glen Runyon said that the city might want to carve out an exception for West Causeway Approach, suggesting that a lawsuit might result “the first time someone gets hit on one of those trips because you pushed them off the sidewalks.”
But Strong-Thompson disagreed. They can go up to 35 mph, they can go with the flow of traffic,” she said. In other action, the council
voted to increase the number of short-term rentals allowed in the city from 10 to 20, a move that includes upping the amount of liability insurance owners must carry from $500,000 to $1 million.
The ordinance setting the original limit of 10 was adopted five years ago and was a hot issue at the time, with residents raising alarms that short-term rentals would overtake neighborhoods. Lane said that constituents were furious and concerned about the prospect of short-term rentals overrunning neighborhoods.
The council excluded areas zoned R-1 residential and limited the total number to 10 in an effort to assuage those fears. “I haven’t heard much this time,” Lane said. “More are in favor. We don’t have a hotel in Mandeville, so it’s a nice option to have.”
Strong-Thompson said St. Tammany Parish saw a 196% increase in overnight visitors during last year’s Taylor Swift concerts. “It does provide a revenue source,” she said.
The city had four owners on a
waiting list, city attorney Elizabeth Sconzert said, but that number has doubled to eight since the potential change was broached.
Brian Rhinehart, chairman of the Mandeville Zoning Commission, said the initial limit was a trial balloon, and the fact that eight owners are on a waiting list shows that there is a demand for short-term rentals. He also noted there have been no complaints with existing short-term rentals.
The measure was adopted by four votes with Vogeltanz abstaining.
Written in script on the nose of a St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Control District’s twin-engine airplane is its nickname — Skeeterbomber.
The name and script are derived from the email address and signature of Wayne Fisher, one of two pilots killed when the Skeeterbomber’s predecessor crashed in April of 2016 while returning from an aerial spraying run. Co-pilot Don Pechon also died in the crash near Slidell Municipal Airport.
“At the end of the day, the council did go out of its way to work with the residents and the hospital to try to improve the project. This is going to be a project that benefits all of the city of Covington and the surrounding area.”
COVINGTON
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urgent care facility current-
ly at the site will remain.
“This idea did not start yesterday. In fact, it probably started seven or eight years ago,” said Jeff Schoen, a lawyer for the hospital, at the March 11 meeting.
Hospital officials say the garage will increase pedestrian safety by allowing staff and visitors to pass safely between the parking garage and the hospital via the sky bridge, adding that two traffic accidents in recent years involving hospital staff prompted a greater attention to traffic safety. Travel time between the new helipad and the hospital will also be cut in half, according to the hospital, and the new helipad will no longer have to deal with flight obstructions, as is the case with the current helipad, which is on the ground level.
Schoen said the hospital also commissioned a traffic study even though the state Department of Transportation and Development, which owns Tyler Street, did not require it, and the study found the garage would not be a “traffic generator.” But some residents strongly disagreed.
At the Planning and Zoning meeting in February, Matt Hardey argued Covington should require the hospital to add two right turning lanes to the intersection to alleviate the congestion, which he described as a “bottleneck.” There, Tyler Street narrows from four lanes to two.
Schoen said the traffic study commissioned by the
A rendering of St. Tammany Hospital System’s planned 5-story garage that will have 403 parking spaces, medical offices, a helipad and a sky bridge.
hospital showed right turning lanes were not necessary. He said peak traffic will happen around hospital shift changes, which are outside of rush hour times.
Schoen announced at the meeting that in response to residents’ concerns, the hospital would commit to pay for a new right-turn lane on westbound 11th Street and related utility and traffic light modifications, which he estimated would cost the hospital
some $500,000. He also announced the hospital would pay for additional signage at South Polk Street and West 11th Avenue to alleviate pressure on the latter.
“We think it’s the right thing to do,” Schoen said about the alterations, saying it would add another level of protection.
The concession from the hospital did not satisfy some of the residents in attendance. But the council members appeared to take
notice.
“What I’ve heard today is a lot of concern about traffic. And you’re right,”
Council Chair Mark Verret told the standing-room-only crowd, before going on to note the additional conditions offered by the hospital in response to residents’ concerns.
“At the end of the day, the council did go out of its way to work with the residents and the hospital to try to improve the project,” Verrett
said in an interview March 12, pointing to the additional conditions. “This is going to be a project that benefits all of the city of Covington and the surrounding area.” Verret, along with Council members Peter Lewis, Joey Roberts, Todd Burrall and John Botsford, voted to approve the plan with the added conditions. Blaine Stanga and Jimmy Inman opposed. It would have taken five dissents for the commission’s decision to
be overturned.
“Election’s coming, kids,” someone shouted after the 5-2 vote. The hospital, meanwhile, thanked the city for supporting the “critically needed infrastructure” in a news release a day later.
“We respect the process which consisted of public hearings, free exchange of information and everyone having an opportunity to voice their opinion,” the news release stated.
PROVIDED BY ST. TAMMANY HEALTH SYSTEM
MARK VERRET, Covington City Council chair
Pastor John Raymond gets jail in child cruelty cases
BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer
Slidell pastor John Raymond, convicted on charges of cruelty to juveniles after a high-profile trial last year, was handed a five-year sentence on March 13 by a judge who said Raymond’s testimony during a recent appeal hearing displayed a lack of remorse.
In handing down the sentence during a three-hour hearing at the courthouse in Covington, state District Judge John A. Keller said Raymond must serve two years in prison. The other three years are suspended and he will be on probation for that time.
Raymond, the founder of Lakeside Christian Academy in Slidell and a former contestant on the reality TV show “Survivor,” was found guilty in September of three felony charges of cruelty to juveniles for taping students’ mouths shut at the school. He was also found guilty of a second-degree child cruelty charge for placing his hand over another student’s mouth until the student
Abita
Springs water and sewer rates to rise 15%
BY KIM CHATELAIN Contributing writer
Residents and businesses in Abita Springs will see a 15% increase in water and sewer rates under a resolution recently approved by the Town Council..
The council voted 4-0 on March 11, with one member abstaining, on a resolution to raise rates in accordance with recommendations of a study by Waggoner Engineering of Jackson, Mississippi.
“I’m doubtful about it, so I really didn’t vote,” council member E.J. Boudreaux said. “I’m going to abstain.”
Water and sewer rates in Abita Springs were last raised in 2017. Since then, the cost of operating the utility systems has risen dramatically, forcing the town to transfer $382,000 from its general fund to help pay for water and sewer operations in 2024, according to the Waggoner study.
The rate study was funded by the Louisiana Water Sector Program, which provides state money for repairs and improvements to water and sewer systems. The program requires such utility systems to be self-sustaining to qualify for certain grants.
The program awarded the town a grant of about $5.7 million to replace its wastewater treatment plant and associated infrastructure, but that money is contingent upon the town implementing the rate increase recommended by the Waggoner study.
“We don’t have a lot of options because if we don’t (raise rates), we have to pay back the $5 million,” Town Clerk Janet Dufrene said. To qualify for the grant, Waggoner recommended increasing the basic residential water rate from $12 to $13.80 per month, a rate based on a maximum use of 2,000 gallons of water usage a month.
Also, consultants said, the base residential rate for sewer services needs to rise from $28 to $32.20 monthly to hit the self-sustaining mark.
The average residential customer uses 4,290 gallons per month for water and sewer services, according to the study. The average residential bill for water and sewer would increase from $56.03 per month to $64.43, for a total yearly increase of $100.80.
Commercial customers, who use an average of 10,750 gallons a month, would see a monthly increase of $22.99 for an annual rise in cost of $275.88, according to the study.
“went limp,” according to witness testimony. During the three years of probation, Raymond may not serve as a headmaster of Lakeside Christian Academy or any school, nor may he work with children, Keller said.
Raymond
Northshore District Attorney Collin Sims, who tried the case alongside Assistant District Attorney Christina Fisher, had requested five years in prison. “I think we were pretty close,” Sims said afterward. “I respect the sentence. I respect the analysis.”
Keller said that at one point he considered giving no jail time to Raymond due to mitigating factors, including that Raymond was a first-time offender, had caused no long-term physical injuries to victims and had shown criminal negligence, as opposed to intent.
But Raymond’s testimony last month during a hearing on a motion for a new trial apparently influenced Keller’s decision to ultimately give jail time. There
had been a question as to whether Raymond would testify during the six-day trial in September. In the end, he did not.
But represented by a new lawyer at last month’s hearing seeking a new trial, Raymond did take the stand and testify. He argued he deserved a new trial because the lawyer who had represented him during his trial last year, Joseph Long, had not allowed him to testify in his defense.
Keller was not convinced by those arguments and denied the motion for a new trial last month. And last week, he said Raymond’s testimony at the hearing influenced the sentence.
“Mr. Raymond did not appear remorseful,” Keller said. “He came across as somewhat arrogant. He still believed he did nothing wrong,” Keller said, adding that Raymond attacked the credibility of some of the witnesses — witnesses that Keller said he found credible.
State, local groups ramp up litter battle
BY SHEILA GRISSETT Contributing writer
A second litter boom and more float lines have been installed in Mile Branch to further clean up the Covington watershed, an ongoing initiative of the nonprofit Keep Covington Beautiful. The new devices will work in concert with the first boom and line previously installed as a demonstration project. Both Osprey booms and two float lines were paid for by a pair of Healthy Communities Grants from Keep Louisiana Beautiful totaling about $17,000, clearly reflecting the mission of beautification groups to seriously tackle litter reduction on multiple levels.
Project directors say wildlife, canoes and kayaks are able to navigate over or under the booms at both sites.
The newest boom and line were installed in late December on Mile Branch, a major tributary of the Tchefuncte River, at West 22nd Avenue. The first boom and line went in about four years ago near North Collins Boulevard and Pine View Middle School. Also in December, another float line was added at the Collins site.
The booms intercept and trap floating litter from stormwater runoff into Mile Branch, litter that would otherwise move downstream and into the river. Meanwhile, float lines help the collection process by slowing down fast-moving water during heavy rain, which is how most landside litter routinely lands into adjacent water bodies.
Litter and trash captured by the booms are periodically removed by project volunteers and Osprey personnel, thereby taking it out of the litter stream and
keeping it away from the river and smaller outlets that feed into it.
In addition to the grants, Baldwin Subaru, through its “Subaru Loves the Earth” program, provided donations used to buy additional float lines, supplies for maintaining the booms, a tactical cleanup by Osprey personnel of areas that volunteers could not reach, and the proper recycling of collected materials removed from the waterway about twice each month.
During the December installation, Osprey and Keep Covington Beautiful volunteers on foot and in kayaks removed more than 300 pounds of litter and debris from Mile Branch.
“This funding will help us move forward with one of our most important litter prevention projects. Please do your part by disposing of trash responsibly so it does not end up in our waterways,” a Covington Beautification statement read.
“Keep Covington Beautiful is setting an example for the Covington community and the entire state of Louisiana,” said KLB Executive Director Susan Russell has said of the project. “We must take care of our waterways, as they are vital to the health of our people, land and wildlife. I hope the litter booms, float lines, and cleanups bring attention to the issue of litter and inspire people to do better.”
The Covington beautification group’s primary projects focus on beautification, litter prevention, recycling activities and environmental education. To become a member or volunteer, contact the group at info@ keepcovingtonbeautiful. org or visit www.keepcovingtonbeautiful.org.
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“And so I started to rethink where on the spectrum and the scale the defendant’s sentence should be placed,” Keller said, adding that Raymond’s sentence was also based on the “seriousness of the offense,” the fact that it involved children and the need to send a message that this “type of criminal behavior (is) not to be tolerated.”
Raymond’s three children and wife spoke and asked the judge for mercy, as Raymond faced up to 70 years in prison for the charges. Raymond himself also spoke, this time expressing regret to the victims for the pain he caused them.
Jane Hogan, Raymond’s new lawyer who specializes in post-trial criminal defense, argued Raymond deserved a minimal period of incarceration. She said that although in every other child cruelty case that she could find the perpetrator had been sent to prison, this was a case like no other in that there was no “objective evidence of injury.”
The sentence hearing also in-
cluded emotional testimony from family members of kids whose mouths Raymond taped, as well as the child whose mouth Raymond placed his hand over.
“Who does it? Would you? Would anybody do that? It’s just unthinkable,” said Debbie Schimmeck, the parent of one of the children. Other family members testified their children now struggled to trust adults and people in leadership roles.
“I’m very glad that justice is being served for the awful abuse that he committed upon my child,” Schimmeck said outside the courtroom.
After court adjourned, Raymond was remanded to jail. But since he was sentenced to less than five years, he has the opportunity to post bail as he appeals the sentence.
“We believe that we have a strong chance on appeal,” said Raymond’s daughter, Monica Lynch. “We’re glad that the judge saw some good qualities that led to somewhat of a lighter sentence.”
2025 NORTHSHORE
Boudreaux
Osprey litter booms and float lines were installed at a second point in Mile Branch about three months ago.
PHOTO
PARTY ON THE GREEN
The seventh annual Covington Celtic Club St. Patrick’s Day parade was postponed by a day because of foul weather that rocked the area, but the group was able to hit the streets on March 16 to celebrate all things Irish. The club, which features everything from traditional Irish musicians to colorfully clad marchers handing out paper flowers, follows a short course from the Columbia Street Tap Room to Gibson Street, Lee Lane and finally Rutland Street where it ends with that street’s intersection with North New Hampshire Street. The traditional block party at that spot was canceled this year, but that (nor the previous day’s dangerous weather) could dampen the spirits of the Covington Celts’ annual romp through their city’s historic district. After all, rain and rainbows go hand in hand and there are pots of gold to be found at the end of each. Covington Celtic Club says rain won’t
without
No worry. The
BY ANDREW CANULETTE
Staff writer
PHOTOS BY GRANT THERKILDSEN
The party band Four Unplugged — whose musicians helped put the bam into the famed Flora-Bama beach bar for years — brought their high-energy music to Covington on March 13 for a St. Patrick’s Day concert.
The Covington High School Brass Band makes any parade better!
PHOTOS BY BOBBY GILBOY
start of the Covington Celtic Club’s 2025 procession.
Slidell will offer drop-off glass recycling
Garbage bills on the rise in Folsom
BY ANDREW CANULETTE
Staff writer
The city of Slidell has announced the April launch of a glass recycling program for residents.
“For more than five years, the citizens of Slidell have been asking for a glass recycling program,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert. “City administration, City Council members, and Keep Slidell Beautiful have worked together to create a plan to bring glass recycling back to Slidell. This exciting initiative reflects our commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation.”
The city of Slidell and Keep Slidell Beautiful have partnered with Coastal Environmental Services, Glass Half Full and Lemon Tree Recycling to deliver this voluntary glass recycling drop-off service at no cost to residents. Starting April 12 and continuing every second Saturday of the month, residents can drop off their recyclable glass at the designated recycling site in the Heritage Park parking lot at the corner of Bayou Lane and Pennsylvania Avenue.
Drop-offs must be made between 9 a.m. and noon.
The glass collected will be transported to a new recycling facility that Glass Half Full operates in St. Bernard. In that $6.5 million-
dollar state-of-the-art facility, glass will be processed for coastal restoration projects and will produce crushed glass cullet that can be remelted into new glass products.
Glass Half Full and Lemon Tree Recycling will also provide subscription-based pickup services, and more details about these services will soon be available on their websites.
“Our efforts are not only about reducing waste, but also about contributing to important initiatives like coastal restoration. This is a win for Slidell and for the environment,” Borchert said.
For more information about the program, contact Keep Slidell Beautiful at (985) 6464371 or info@keepslidellbeautiful.org.
Garbage contract extended in Folsom, prices will be higher
The Folsom Board of Aldermen adopted an ordinance on March 10 to extend by five years its municipal garbage collection contract with Waste Pro of Louisiana.
Cost for garbage service will increase, too, which is a reality facing all communities as business costs shot up almost universally following the COVID pandemic in 2020.
The new contract sets the price at $26 per month for twice-weekly home pickup. Folsom residents have been paying $20 per
Pro wrestling at Franco’s will benefit charity
BY DARREN COOPER Contributing writer
It’s Mayhem in Mandeville.
Franco’s Health Club and Spa near Man deville will be transformed into a 300-seat profes sional wrestling arena as the stars of UEW (United Elite Wrestling) bring their unique style of hard-hit ting action March 29 for a sevenmatch card.
The 6 p.m. show is the brainchild of part-time promot er, part-time wres tler and full-time chief operating officer at Franco’s, “Double K” Kris Keith. All proceeds will benefit the JoJo’s Hope charity and its adaptive swim program at Franco’s for people with special needs. It is run by aquatics director Robbie Fritscher.
“Some of these people need help getting in and out of the water, maybe they need lifts, maybe they need adaptive equipment, every bit of the proceeds will go toward them,” said Keith.
South Louisiana has long been a professional wrestling hotbed, with New Orleans as the center of the Mid-South territory in the ‘70s and ‘80s and shows bringing thousands into the Superdome for matches.
The WWE recently announced that WrestleMania, its signature event, will return to the Superdome in April 2026.
“The shows I have wrestled in Louisiana are packed houses,” said Keith. “The fans are awesome. The crowds are hot, and they are all into the whole thing. They’re bought in.”
The event at Franco’s will feature former twotime NXT Tag Team champion and WWE superstar Bobby Fish, and the pride of Morgan City, fan favorite Mustang Mike.
“He is the Hulk Hogan of the independent scene. He is genuinely one of the most ‘over’ wrestlers I have ever seen,” said Keith, using the wrestling term for a wrestler who provokes a fan reaction.
Keith said there will be five singles matches, a tag match and a triple threat battle. Double K will also be putting on the boots and getting in the ring.
“I want this night to be special because of the cause,” said Keith, 47. “I am here every day and see what our aquatics program does, and I have met people who participate in the program, and they are huge wrestling fans. When they found out we were doing a show, they were so excited. That’s what makes this show so special.”
Keith grew up in a small town in Virginia and became a wrestling fan at a young age. He created UEW in 2019 and put on regional shows with wrestlers from WWE and the NWA. He brought the idea to Jacksonville when he and his family moved there, and now is bringing it to St. Tammany. “It’s a classic wrestling retirement storyline, every time I think I am done, they pull me back,” laughed Keith. “Robbie had been talking to me about doing something like this for the last two years and finally it hit me — let’s just do it and we kind of rolled with it.”
Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $40 for front row and a preshow meet and greet with the wrestlers; general admission seats, $25.
“It’s a great cause, and this is less about what you will see in the ring then what the event is all about,” said Keith. “It will be action-packed, nonstop professional wrestling for two and a half hours, and fans will be able to get up close and personal with the wrestlers. We may introduce a whole new crowd to wrestling in Mandeville. I promise, you will be entertained and your kids will have a good time.”
month as part of a contract between the village and the company adopted in November 2019. Village officials noted the increase but said the offer from Waste Pro still was less expensive than any offered by competing companies.
The new contract runs through the final day of 2029.
In other business, Folsom resident Paulette Lee petitioned aldermen to ban fireworks in the village. The board tabled the matter and called for public input at the board’s next meeting, scheduled for April 14 at 6 p.m.
An administrative fee collected by the village makes up part of the monthly bill. That fee will be reduced incrementally throughout the life of the contract, from a high of $2 per month for the remainder of 2025 to 18 cents per month in 2029.
Landry stumps for amendments
BY BOB WARREN Staff writer
Gov. Jeff Landry was in St. Tammany Parish on March 11, urging a pro-business audience to back four amendments to the Louisiana Constitution on the March 29 ballot.
But of the four, the governor especially touted Amendment 2, the linchpin of the tax reform package hammered out by the governor and Legislature in a special session.
“It will lock in tax reform” and send “a clear message to the world we are ready to do business,” Landry told a lunchtime gathering at Tchefuncta Country Club put on by the St. Tammany Parish Chamber of Commerce’s political arm, St. Tammany ChamberPAC.
During a wide-ranging speech of nearly 40 minutes, Landry ran through a list of government actions since he became governor in January 2024, ranging from his criminal justice overhaul to the LA GATOR scholarship program to his push to have the Ten Commandments posted in public school classrooms.
But it was clear that pushing for support of Amendment 2, which he touted as “the largest tax cut in the history of the state,” was foremost in his thoughts.
The Legislature on its own was able to reduce income taxes, raise the sales tax and abolish the corporate franchise tax. But for the rest of the tax overhaul to be written into the Constitution, the state’s voters must give their blessing at the polls.
Among other things, the amendment would lower the maximum rate of the state’s income tax and increase income tax deductions for residentss over 65. It also provides for a “government growth limit” that restricts how much lawmakers can increase spending from one year to the next and gives parishes the option of repealing the property tax on business inventory.
One of the highest-profile components of the amendment would give teachers a $2,000 pay raise and school support workers a $1,000 raise. But the money for those raises would come at the expense of other educational programs, which has prompted some criticism.
Landry told the audience near Covington that the tax code changes have been embraced by big business. He noted the recent announcements of a multi-billion-dollar artificial intelligence center from Facebook parent Meta and an $18 billion expansion of the Venture Global liquefied natural gas terminal in Plaquemines Parish.
Landry said the dramatic changes to Louisiana’s tax policies will help it compete for business investment. He
noted that much of the tax overhaul architecture was the work of state Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson, a former Mandeville-based legislator.
Landry said the overhaul would improve Louisiana’s ranking from the Tax Foundation, a Washington-based think tank favored by fiscal conservatives, from 42nd in the U.S. to 25th.
“I tell you, business is coming to Louisiana,” the governor said.
The amendments have been challenged in court. New Orleans attorney William Most, representing a pastor and two teachers, argues in a lawsuit challenging the tax overhaul in Amendment 2 that wording of the ballot measure is illegally slanted in favor of the proposition. And Voice of the Experienced, a statewide advocacy group, has filed a suit challenging the constitutionality of Amendments 1 and 3. A Baton Rouge church
leader has also argued that Amendment 2 could lead to the elimination of some church property tax exemptions. Amendment 1 would give the Louisiana Supreme Court authority to discipline lawyers from out of state who do legal work in Louisiana. Amendment 3 would expand the list of crimes in the Constitution for which juveniles could be prosecuted as adults. Amendment 4 would require using the earliest election dates to fill judicial openings.
Landry
FILE PHOTO BY SOPHIE GERMER
A bin of glass bottles awaits recycling.
MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE: 1501 W. Causeway Approach in Mandeville, will hold dinners on March 21, 28, April 4 and 11, 5-7:30 p.m. “The Coop” seafood combo platters are $20; adult plates, $12; child plates, $6; lalberts119@gmail.com, maryqueenofpeace.org.
MOST HOLY TRINITY: Knights of Columbus, 501 Holy Trinity Drive, Covington, will have dinners March 21, 28, April 4 and 11. Dinein or drive-thru 4 p.m. thru 7 p.m.
Fried catfish, shrimp, crawfish pies or combo plates, $15 each; and boiled shrimp salad, $12.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES: The Men’s Club will hold dinners at the church, 345 Westchester Place in Slidell, on March 14, 21, 28 and April 11, 5-8 p.m., dine-in or drive-thru. Fish or shrimp plates are $12-14. (504) 905-8527, ollparishslidell.com.
SACRED HEART OF JESUS: Drivethru fish dinners will be served at the church, 28088 Main St. in Lacombe, on March 21 and April 14, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6:30 p.m. Plates are $12. (985) 882-5229, sacredheartofjesusonline.org.
ST. ANSELM: Drive-thru dinners will be available, 306 St. Mary St. in Madisonville, on Fridays in Lent from 4-8 p.m. Menu varies. (985) 845-7342 or secretary@stanselmparish.org, https://stanselmparish.org.
ST. BENEDICT: Drive-thru dinners March 28 and April 11, 4-7 p.m., at the church, 20370 Smith Road in Covington. Fish or shrimp plates are $12. (985) 892-5202 stbenedictchurchcovington.com.
ST. GENEVIEVE: Dine-in or takeout at the church, 59203 Louisiana 433 in Slidell, on March 21, 28, April 4 and 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Plates are $10. stgenevieve.us.
ST. JANE DE CHANTAL: Take-out dinners will be sold at the church, 72040 Maple St. in Abita Springs, every Friday in Lent except Good Friday, 4-7 p.m. Fish, shrimp or combo plates are $12. Side dishes of gumbo are $6. (985) 710-0153, stjaneabita.org.
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST: The Knights of Columbus will sell fish dinners in Jonathan Hall at the church, 11345 St. John Church Road in Folsom, on March 14, 21, 28, April 4 and 11, 4-7 p.m. Plates are $12. (985) 276-0509, stjohnbaptistfolsom.org.
ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS: Fish, shrimp and combo dinners will be served at the church, 61030 Brier Lake Drive in Lacombe, on March 14, 28 and April 11, 4:30-7 p.m. Plates are $12. (985) 707-6599, stjohnofthecrosslacombe.org.
ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST: Drivethru dinners on Lenten Fridays through April 11, 5-8 p.m., at the church, 910 Cross Gates Blvd. in Slidell. Fried or baked fish plates are $12. (985) 641-6429, saintlukeslidell.org.
ST. PETER: Dine-in fish and shrimp dinners will be served in the school cafeteria at 125 E. 19th Ave. in Covington on March 21, April 4 and 11, 5:30-7 p.m. Plates are $12. (985) 892-2422, stpeterparish.com.
Tour de Lis(a) will ride again along the Tammany Trace
BY DARREN COOPER Contributing writer
To most, it’s the Tour de Lis, but for a special group of old friends, it’s the Tour de Lisa.
The fifth annual Tour de Lis begins and ends at the great lawn in Fountainebleau State Park on March 29 and rolls down the Tammany Trace through Mandeville, giving community members time to join the noncompetitive ride. It’s all about trying to raise cancer awareness, get important medical screenings and recall friends and family members taken by cancer. No need to be in world-class shape to ride. Participants can choose either a 10-, 25-, 40- or 62mile path, and there’s no prizes for the fastest time. The important thing is to do it together and for each rider to remember a friend or family member who fought, or is fighting, the disease
All proceeds of the Cancer Association of Louisiana event will be turned over to local cancer charities.
PET OF THE WEEK
Nola Lady 2 is a 3-year-old large breed mix transferred to the Northshore Humane Society from a partner shelter that ran out of space, and now she’s waiting for a forever home and owner. Nola is a joyful, energetic pup who loves to take long walks and play fetch. She’s affectionate and loves attention, but is never too clingy. Meet her or any of the adoptable pets at Northshore Humane Society by emailing rescue@ nshumane.org or visit https://www. northshorehumane.org.
PROVIDED PHOTO
TOUR DE LIS BIKE RIDE
WHAT: A ride to benefit cancer warriors.
WHEN: Saturday, March 29, check-in starts at 7 a.m.; ride lineup at 7:45 a.m.
WHERE: Fontainebleau State Park; riders have four route options.
WHY: Riders are encouraged to honor a family member or friend who has experienced cancer.
WHAT ELSE: All proceeds to cancer charities.
Debbie Cobb is the captain of Team Lisa, a 40-strong group that rides in memory of beloved friend and family member Lisa Comeaux, who died from cancer after a short illness in 2020.
“We had a group of 10 friends who got together every month for birthdays and went on trips every year. She was the most beautiful, athletic, vibrant, lovely person,” said Cobb, who lives on the lakefront in New Orleans. “I can’t say
one negative thing. We all loved her dearly.”
Team Lisa adds little a’s to their Tour de Lis shirts, wears bunny ears as decorations and also visits Lisa’s grave.
“We do the 10-mile ride,” said Cobb. “And we play music, and we have a wonderful time. We try to raise as much money as we can. Everyone can relate to this. It’s really so special.”
The Tour de Lis also has a deep meaning to Covington native Brett Pellissier. A few years ago, he and some friends were trying to get his mother Renee to participate to honor his Uncle Dennis. Renee was undecided, but went at the last minute.
While in the park, she stopped and got a skin check and a problem was spotted. It was so serious that doctors called Renee’s house the following day to make sure she got it examined further.
“She had a spot on her arm and they took a biopsy and it came back as pre-melanoma,” said Brett. “She had it cut out by the
end of the week. It was really an act of God that she went, because she wasn’t going to go and if she hadn’t it would have spread like wildfire.”
Renee remains an avid tennis player and gets regular screenings now. The opportunity to ride in the Tour de Lis again is emotional for Brett.
“This event saved my mom’s life,” he said. “That’s why I am passionate about it. We are all impacted by cancer in some way, shape or form. My mission, and my goal, is to get as many people to that skin cancer screening station as possible. If just one person does it, then I am doing my job.”
The race is also recognizing longtime WWL news anchor Eric Paulsen, who died in October from cancer.
Rider fees are $75, but there are also specials for nonriders and for cancer survivors willing to ride. Event director Mary Fontana said last year’s Tour de Lis had 250 riders, but this year’s registrations already have that number beaten.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Team Lisa members from left, Tracie Gravolet, Debbie Cobb, Sunnie Kern, Kim Favaloro and Diane Graves.
Abita Springs celebrates street performers
BY SHEILA GRISSETT Staff writer
The Abita Springs Busker Festival is back on March 30, and it remains the laid back family affair first captured by hometown artist Kimberly Berkely in the event’s debut promotional poster a dozen-plus years ago.
The admission-free festival continues to showcase Louisiana roots music and some of the region’s most unique music-makers in one place, providing eight hours of live music and dancing at the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum and grounds starting at 11 a.m.
Busker Fest origins are rooted in the Abita Springs Opry; the two even share some crossover musicians. Years ago, Opry producer/president Bryan Gowland envisioned giving buskers a northshore venue and introducing them to a new audience. At first, buskers began to be included in the Opry and other events at the town’s trailhead, a practice that grew into this one-day festival exclusively featuring traditional street entertainers, or buskers.
“Some of the finest music that can be heard anywhere is being played on the streets of New Orleans daily, and the Busker Festival was developed to provide them with exposure to audiences other than tourists on Royal Street,” the Abita Springs Opry writes of fest history.
Gowland calls New Orleans’ busking musicians “often the most engaging entertainers to be found,” and in a just-released lineup, there are a half-dozen bands scheduled to perform March 30. They either began their music journeys busking or continue to incorporate it into their musical lives.
n 11 a.m.: No Limit Brass Band, jazz and brass band music;
n 12:15 p.m.: Five Quarter String Band, unique jug band music;
n 1:30 p.m.: Saddlebag Serenaders, traditional honky tonk country;
n 2:45 p.m.: Sally Babby’s Silver Dollars, swamp pop;
n 4 p.m.: Sabine McCalla, rhythm and blues; and
n 5:15 p.m.: Shake ’Em Up Jazz Band.
Despite the festival’s name, Busker Fest is not an opportunity for unsolicited busking, so don’t show up planning to do that. Buskers interested in performing in a future festival should instead contact Gowland to discuss. Busking, or entertaining on street corners or other public spots outdoors for tips only, is an ancient tradition long practiced in the French Quarter, where
music is the lifeblood. It experienced a resurgence after Hurricane Katrina flooding destroyed or closed so many venues, and grew even more after the COVID pandemic shuttered most businesses and disrupted most public gatherings for more than a year. A grant from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Foundation helps the Abita Springs Opry Foundation pay the festival buskers who perform, and the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum and town of Abita Springs co-host the fest.
Chris Thomas King brings blues and more to the Dew Drop
BY SHEILA GRISSETT Staff writer
Blues-influenced guitarist, singer, songwriter, author and producer Chris Thomas King will take over the Dew Drop Jazz Hall stage on March 22, and his show could strike any number of notes. King, 62, is not a musician to be pigeonholed.
He grew up around some of the finest blues musicians of the time in his bluesman father’s well-known Baton Rouge juke joint, Tabby’s Blues Box & Heritage Hall. As a teen, King was making music with artists like Buddy Guy and B.B. King, and in 1981, he played his first European blues gig in such heady company. He is a folk-blues artist, yes, but his music is also influenced by early hip-hop and country, musical styles he fuses to create his own. Last year, he assembled a bluesrock band, while also touring as a solo acoustic guitarist. King writes, arranges, sings and plays all instruments on most of his recordings, then produces them as well in his New Orleans recording studio.
DEW DROP JAZZ HALL SHOW
WHAT: Chris Thomas King in concert. WHEN: March 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m; doors open at 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: 430 Lamarque St., Old Mandeville
HOW MUCH: Cost is $10/adult (cash preferred) to enter the grounds; kids and students free. No advance tickets sold.
WHAT ELSE: At the bar, buy beer, wine, sodas and water (cash only). Hot plates dinners of fried chicken, fried fish and all the fixins’ are sold next door by The First Free Mission Baptist Church. (cash preferred).
SEATING: Inside is first come/first serve for about 100 people, but most people sit outside, so bring a lawn chair. No smoking, no ice chests, no outside food/drinks and no pets allowed.
PARKING: In the lot across the street or on neighborhood streets — but don’t block driveways.
In “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” he played American Delta blues musician Tommy Johnson alongside George Clooney and earned early fame playing traditional acoustic blues (chopping off his dreadlocks and leaving behind his heavy blues-rocker style at the time to do the movie) in the film. Later, in the Ray Charles biopic “Ray,” he played bandleader and blues guitarist Lowell Fulson and, during production, collaborated with Charles in scoring the film. King also accompanied the film’s band, The Soggy Bottom Boys, on guitar, and his rendition of Skip James’ “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues” was recorded live during filming and was on the film’s Grammy Award-winning soundtrack. “Breaking all the rules is fun,” King told music writer Keith Spera in a 2023 interview. “People that I admire, like Miles Davis, don’t let people define you. You’re the artist. You’re painting that picture. You have to go out on a limb, because that’s where the fruit is. That’s where you’re going to get the good stuff.” Time will tell what fruit King decides to pick in his Dew Drop appearance.
for those who love traditional Louisiana roots music.
ABITA SPRINGS BUSKER FESTIVAL
ABITA SPRINGS BUSKER FESTIVAL
WHAT: A music concert and festival of busking New Orleans street performers.
WHEN: March 30, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
WHERE: Abita Springs Trailhead & Museum, 22044 Main St.
WHO: Jazz & brass, jug band, honky tonk country and swamp pop genres..
HOW MUCH: Free admission, but Abita Springs Art & Farmers Market vendors will sell food and drinks, cold beer and unique gifts; restaurants and small grocery a short walk away.
WHAT ELSE: Bring lawn chair and sun screen, but no food, drinks or dogs. Parking in Abita Springs is free, but limited; parking permitted at Abita Springs Middle School and throughout neighborhoods; or park outside town and bike or walk to fest on the Tammany Trace FOR MORE: See www.trailheadmuseum.org/busker-festival.
FILE PHOTO PROVIDED BY GEORGE H. LONG
The annual Abita Springs Busker Festival provides great live music and dancing
PROVIDED PHOTO
Chris Thomas King, far right, in a scene from the movie ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?, which was set in Mississippi during the Great Depression and starred George Clooney.
Mardi Paws happiest game in downtown Covington
Mardi Paws got its game on March 9, hoofing it through downtown Covington to celebrate Carnival and canine-human love while dressed as board games, video games, card games and much more. This northshore canine Carnival krewe has walked for more than 31 years to have fun and raise money for Scott’s Wish, a nonprofit that provides financial help to families struggling to cover costs while dealing with life-threatening diseases, as well as causes related to animal welfare, including homeless or abused pets and retired military K9s. The parade featured pups and their people dressed and decorated to the theme “Mardi Paws Gets in the Game.”
Mardi Gras and animal enthuiast Lizette Alvarado waves to the crowd.
PHOTOS BY BOBBY GILBOY
This Mardi Gras lover rolled merrily along the parade route, bringing a field of flowers with her.
Rolling along in the Mardi Paws parade tossing dog biscuits to the furry crowd.
Serving as parade grand marshal was Neuty the nutria, who lives as a pet in Metairie and has his own TikTok and Instagram accounts that chronicle his many adventures.
The Mardi Paws’ 2025 Queen Sage was a queen of hearts, beloved of her subjects.
King of Mardi Paws XXXI Ziggy, dressed as the King of Hearts, looks with happiness at his subjects and friends.
EVENTS
LIGHTHOUSE: The annual Maritime Music & Art Festival is set for March 29 in Madisonville, and Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers will headline nine hours of live music, local art, food and family fun. The festival at Madisonville Park, 1007 Pine St., from noon to 10 p.m., includes six musical acts playing 90-minute sets from 1-8:30 p.m. (Dopsie performs from 5:30-7 p.m.). Proceeds from the event will help save the Tchefuncte River Lighthouse. Tickets $20; kids 12 and under, free. For more information, see the complete lineup and buy tickets or event sponsorships, visit the event page at www.maritimemuseumlouisiana.
org.
LOBBY: The next “Up Close and Musical” concert in the Harbor Center’s intimate listening room, the Lobby Lounge, welcomes back Nanci Zhang (aka Nanci Zee), a jazz chanteuse artist who also interprets Great American Songbook favorites with wit and warmth. Tickets range from $22 to $108 (larger tables) and are sold only in advance at eventbrite. com. The March 27 show, from 7 p.m. to 9:30, takes place at 100 Harbor Center Blvd.; doors open at 6:30 p.m. These intimate concerts in the Bohemian-styled Lobby Lounge generally features acoustic or lightly amplified music to a limited audience of 124 guests.
SUNSET: The spring season of Sunset at the Landing Concerts begin Mar. 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the foot of Columbia Street in Covington. The concert is free, and everyone is invited to come and bring chairs, blankets and refreshments. The show features Music Without Borders’s Yusa and Cecilia Zabala with Martin Masakowski.
NPAS: The Northlake Performing Arts Society will present two concerts honoring area first responders, an evening performance on March 21 and a matinee on March 23 in Covington. The “United in Song” concerts on stage in the Covington High School Theater, 73030 Lion Drive, will admit first responders free with ID. Tickets for those 13 years and up are $15. Get them online at NPAS.ticketleap.com or in person at Downtown Drugs in Covington and C&C Drugs in Mandeville.
CIRCLE: The Abita Springs Songwriters’ Circle is scheduled to meet March 20 at the Abita Springs Opry/ Town Hall, 22161 Level St., from
participants must bring their own acoustic instruments (keyboard, equipment and cords.) Check the Abita Springs Songwriters Circle Facebook Page to confirm the meetup or contact Todd Lemoine at forkarmabooking@gmail.com.
ON STAGE
PROMISES: In honor of Women’s History Month, Playmakers Theater presents “They Promised Her the Moon,” the story of America’s almost-first female astronaut based on the true story of real-life flyer Jerrie Cobb and her dream of becoming an astronaut in the 1960s. Despite testing better than many of her male astronaut counterparts, NASA passed over Cobb and instead selected John Glenn. This is Cobb’s story of reaching for the stars, only to hit the glass ceiling. The play, written by Laurel Ollstein, is being directed by Van Turner. Nicole Barwick plays Jerrie Cobb; Jennifer Patterson plays influential female flyer Jackie Cochran; and Allen Bryant plays Dr. Randolph Lovelace, medical chief for the all-female Mercury 13 astronaut program. A final two weeks weekend March 21-30, Friday and Saturday curtain times at 7:30 p.m.; 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Note: There will be no performance Friday, March 28, but there will be two performances on Saturday, March 29. Tickets are $20 at BonTempsTix.com.
LET’S DANCE: Enjoy the music you miss from the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s by seeing “I Love the Nightlife,” written by local theater veterans Brian Fontenot, Sara Pagones and
big dreams. Performances at 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, March 21-29, at Cutting Edge Theater in Slidell. Get tickets at cuttingedgetheater. com or online at eventbrite.com.
WRONG: See a farcical 1920s whodunit in which everything goes wrong. An unconscious leading lady; a corpse that can’t play dead; and actors who trip over everything, including their lines. See “The Play that Goes Wrong” on stage at 30 by Ninety Theatre in Mandeville.
It’s part Monty Python and part Sherlock Holmes, an Olivier Awardwinning comedy guaranteed to leave audiences laughing. Evening and matinee performances March 21-23 & 28-30 at 880 Lafayette St. Visit 30byninety.com.
ART ART HOUSE: Join the St. Tammany Art Association’s annual fundraiser, Art House Live, on March 22 from 6-10 p.m. An evening of artistry, live music, delectable food, an open bar, and a silent auction of artworks, unique experiences and treasures donated by local artists and businesses It’s all in support of the Art House — and held in the Art House — at 320 N. Columbia St. in Covington. See www.sttammany. art/arthouselive2025 for tickets for sponsorship info.
ATRIUM: Artist Robert Joseph Warrens’ “Many Realities” exhibit will hang through April 21 in the Atrium Gallery on the Christwood campus near Covington. The show of Warrens’ provocative, humorous and whimsical storytelling art that
SAVE THE DATE
IN THE AIR: The 16th Plein Air Art Exhibit will take place at the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum, 22044 Main St., April 11-13, with 29 artists displaying almost 100 paintings created out of doors in St. Tammany Parish. Artists will donate 30% of their profits (from sales) to the museum, its only fundraiser. April 11, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., reception with artists and the sponsor; April 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., display hours; and April 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., display hours. All events free of charge. For more, contact Lynnette Soules (985) 264 0528/lynnabita@hotmail.com or Ron Blitch (504) 452-1738/ronblitch@ msn.com.
JOY: The Joy 2025 Spring Fling takes place April 11-12 at Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 57210 Allen Road, near Slidell. From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. each day, members will sell unique crafts, one-of-a-kind quilts, plants and home baked sweets and treats. Proceeds will benefit two local charities, Community Christian Concern and STARC. For more info, see www.logslidell.com or call (985) 847-1877.
COMMUNITY GUMBO
CONTEMPLATION: A waterside Lenten season labyrinth on the Christwood Retirement complex is open to residents and visitors wanting to walk it in prayer or meditation. Special events include a labyrinth sound bath walk on March 23 at 2 p.m. and a labyrinth bereavement walk on March 30 at 2 p.m. The complex at 100 Christwood Blvd. near Covington can be accessed via the Brewster Road entrance.
FRA: The Fleet Reserve Association Branch 222 will meet March 19 at 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 374 at 2233 Carey St. in Olde Towne
Advance Care Planning and Education event on April 16 at noon, a Healthcare Decisions Day “donuts and documents” event at the St. Tammany Health System Palliative Care Clinic, 1010 S. Polk St. in Covington The public is invited. For more information, contact the STHS Palliative Medicine team at (985) 871-5975.
TEE OFF: The New Orleans chapter of the Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Association will hold its sixth annual Charity Golf Tournament at Oak Harbor Golf Club near Slidell on March 28. Prizes for various categories, including best team score, longest drive and closest to the pin. For more information, including registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit www. cgtleanola.com. Event raises money to support the tactical law enforcement community and their families.
FLOWERS: The Northshore Garden and Plant Sale takes place March 28-29 at the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington, hosted by the St. Tammany Master Gardeners Association from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Vendors will sell roses, native plants, day lilies, vegetables, shrubs and trees. There will also be educational speakers, activities for children and concessions. An expert from the St. Tammany Master Gardeners will be available for plant questions. Admission $5 for ages 18 and up and free for those younger. For
FILE PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER
Zydeco musician Dwayne Dopsie, performing last year with Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones at the New Orleans Jazz Fest, will headline the Maritime Music & Art Festival on March 29 in Madisonville. PROVIDED PHOTO
16th Plein Air Art Exhibit will take place at the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum April 11-13. Zhang
CHAMPIONSHIP FINISH
Hannan holds off Shaw to win second state crown
BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer
LAKE CHARLES — What could have been a lopsided state championship game between Hannan and Shaw went back and forth in the fourth quarter.
But it was second-seeded Hannan that outlasted top-seeded Shaw in a 59-55 victory that gave the Hawks the LHSAA Division II select state title at Burton Coliseum on March 15.
Outstanding player selection Drew Timmons scored 22 points on 10-of-16 shooting and ended his high school career as a state champion for the second time. He was the high scorer and outstanding player the first time as a freshman.
“It helps when you have the best player on the court,” Hannan coach Errol Gauff said. “Other guys can relax and play their game.” Hannan (24-6) led by 15 points in the third quarter. Shaw (29-3) went on a 14-0 run, and after a basket by Hannan, 6-7 Jackson State commitment Noah Butler completed a 3-point play that made the score 41-all before the period ended.
The lead changed four times in the fourth quarter. Junior Bryce Daniels scored the basket that put Hannan ahead for good at 49-48. Daniels scored five points — all in the fourth — and had nine rebounds and three assists.
The 6-6 Timmons, a Navy signee, scored the final two baskets for Hannan, including a 3-point play with 54.4 seconds remaining that made the score 56-50.
Timmons had the ball on the perimeter more than he usually would so he could have more room to work against the quick and athletic Butler.
“I kind of tired to get to the goal from the outside,” Timmons said.
The Shaw trio of Butler, senior guard Khalil Awogboro and sophomore guard Allen Shaw each scored 14 points. Sophomore Tristian Naquin had eight points and 10 rebounds.
Drew
is
Allen Shaw made a 3-pointer that cut the lead to three in the final minute. Hannan went 3 of 4 from the line to seal the win.
The lead changed four times in the first quarter, and Allen Shaw made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it a one-point game.
In the second quarter, Hannan stretched the lead to six points before halftime. Timmons scored eight points in the period, his last basket a contested floater off the backboard that made the score 30-24.
Sophomore Paul Hoyt made a 3-pointer off an outlet pass from senior Zach Lauro during a 9-4 run that closed the half. Lauro made 3 as Timmons scored three baskets during a 9-0 run that started the third quarter.
This game played out differently than when the teams met twice in the regular season and Shaw won both times.
“We let them punch us first,” Butler said. “We didn’t punch back until midthird quarter. That was the main difference between this game and the last two contests.”
Gauff said the first two games were
St. Paul’s basketball coach Stephen Dale explains why he is stepping down
BY MIKE GEGENHEIMER
Contributing writer
St. Paul’s basketball coach Stephen Dale announced last week he is stepping down from the program after nine years at the helm of the Wolves to focus on a different role within the school.
Dale is stepping back from coaching to focus on his role as director of development where he leads the school’s fundraising efforts. Dale will continue teaching business electives on top of the administrative position. Under Dale’s watch, the Wolves climbed to the most successful run in school history for the sport, reaching the state tournament three times (2018, 2021 and 2022) and becoming the first SPS team to ever reach the state final in 2018. Dale amassed a 216-92 record during his tenure and won four district titles (2017, 2018, 2021 and 2022).
an aggressive strategy on the court.
“He is one of the best coaches in the area,” Francis said. “His discipline that he brings to the team, the amount of effort he gets out of each and every player, is incredible and one of a kind. You can see that when you watch the games. Even when they’re out matched size-wise, they compete every game.”
A Rummel graduate, Dale came to St. Paul’s in 2016 after three seasons as head coach at Christian Life Academy in Baton Rouge. Prior to that he was an assistant coach at University Lab in Baton Rouge for five years.
“It was such a great run of not just success on the court but a great run of players and families who we got to be part of their lives,” Dale said. “The program was very successful when I got there, and hopefully over these last nine years we’ve been able to elevate it beyond that.”
St. Paul’s Athletic Director Sam Francis said the Wolves are thankful for Dale’s time leading the program and are sad to see him step down. Francis said the school will open the hiring search to all candidates as there is no assumed replacement as of yet. He added that he’d like to find someone with a similar demeanor and coaching style as Dale, emphasizing strong discipline and
Dale assumed the Director of Development position in the spring of 2024 and performed both roles during the 2024-25 season. But he ultimately decided to step down, citing a desire to let someone else take the reins who can devote the total focus needed to run the basketball program the way it deserves while he gives his full commitment to his new role. He also said he hoped to spend more time with his family.
Dale said his lasting memory of the program will be all the players he coached along the way and how he was able to develop individual relationships with them.
“If there’s a way to encapsulate the last nine years, sure you remember big wins and big losses, but what you take away from all of it is the people and the coaches,” Dale said.
“That’s what makes the job special and makes St. Paul’s special. You don’t have that everywhere with a community that is supportive and an environment where you can develop those relationships.”
the
played more in half-court sets. He encouraged his players this time to keep a quicker pace against Shaw.
“I just told them, ‘Go be you,’ ” Gauff said. “And as the game got going, I was like, I don’t think they like that we’re running it right back at them. Maybe they weren’t expecting it. I don’t know.”
Shaw has been to state four years in a row. The Eagles throttled Madison Prep in the semifinal to reach the state final for the first time since 2001.
Shaw coach Wesley Laurendine said the loss was on him.
“Errol did a great job of getting his team prepared to play us,” Laurendine said. “Maybe I didn’t do as good a job as I need to do to get my guys ready to play.”
SCORE BY QUARTERS
HANNAN | 15 | 15 | 17 | 14
LAKE CHARLES — As the entire Hannan boys basketball team filed into the postgame interview room, it seemed fitting. The second-seeded Hawks had just completed a thrilling 59-55 Division II select championship game victory over top-seeded Shaw on March 15 at Burton Coliseum.
For the final time in his Hannan career, Hawks’ center Drew Timmons sat down at the interview table with the most Outstanding Player trophy at his side.
“This one is a lot better,” said Timmons when asked if his second championship was better than the first that he won as a freshman. It certainly was different. When Hannan won its first state title in 2022, the Hawks shot 82% for the game to set a new state record. Saturday’s game was a defensive slugfest. “I’ve been in the moment before, so I was calm and ready to step up for my team,” Timmons said.
Timmons made some key baskets down the stretch as he finished with 22 points on 10-of16 shooting, while senior AJ Thompson had 11 points and five rebounds.
But in both championship games, the Hawks did two things well — lean on their best player and come together as a team.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the team,” Hannan coach Errol Gauff said. “They said back in April that they wanted to get back to Lake Charles. They went to work, and look where they are. They have weathered storms to get here and never stopped believing in themselves. They never gave up on themselves.” It was a total team effort from senior Zach Lauro’s corner 3 for Hannan’s first points to Lauro’s steal on the final Shaw possession to seal the game as the Hawks held off a secondhalf comeback.
“Ever since we got on the bus Friday coming up here, everyone was focused on this game,” Lauro said. “I feel like everybody had the right mindset. Everybody wanted to play, and it worked out. We had to finish the story.”
That story also included a full-circle moment for Timmons, who played with his brother, Luke, on the state championship team as a
Senior steals home for winning run during the Slidell-St. Paul’s showdown
BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer
St. Paul’s designated hitter Brennan Keim likes to call his shot.
During football season, Keim plays quarterback, and his playcall in the fourth quarter against Covington allowed the Wolves to pull away for a second straight district crown.
Fast forward to baseball season, and Keim was standing on third base with two outs during the top of the seventh inning of a tied game at Slidell.
“I always watch the catcher every game because I think about things like that,” Keim said. “I had seen earlier in the game that he was being lazy (on his throws back to the pitcher), so I told coach that I wanted to take a shot if he gave me the green light.”
Keim got that green light and stole home as the Wolves scored three runs in the seventh to rally for a thrilling 4-3 nondistrict victory on March 14.
“We’ve been in a lot of tight games,” St. Paul’s coach Kristian Gibbe said. “We’ve had two walk-off wins already. I think our guys thrive in these types of situations. They believe in themselves. This is the exact type of momentum that we needed going into district.”
Slidell starter Troy Green had retired 16 straight batters before St. Paul’s Brennan Villa reached on a dropped third strike to open the seventh inning. Cameron Caime poked a single to right field to put runners on first and third with no outs. Then, St.
home to score the winning run in the seventh inning during a 4-3 victory at Slidell on March 14.
Paul’s got creative. Keim drove in a run on a bunt single up the first base line as he avoided the tag. Aidan Ankerson reached on a bunt single between the mound and first base before Caime scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. Despite the defensive miscues, it looked like Green would get out of the inning with the game still tied at three, but Keim had other ideas.
After a called strike with the bases loaded and two outs against Andrew Iennusa, Keim stole home for the winning run on the throw back to the pitcher.
“We just found a way to get on base in the seventh,” Gibbe said.
“Once we had the first and third situation, we’ve been in that situation before, so it’s something that we’ve been battle-tested.
The guys just found a way.” Slidell tried to rally in the bot-
tom of the seventh. Cory Rushing opened the inning with a double and moved to third on Junior Burdett’s sac bunt. But reliever Jude Reason got the next two outs to seal the win.
“Sometimes you just need a gritty win like this to get on a roll,” Keim said.
It was a gritty win for the Wolves, who had just one hit outside of the seventh inning — a first-inning two-out home run by Caime. St. Paul’s (7-11) came into the game with just one victory in its last eight contests against a demanding schedule of Lakeshore, Sam Houston, Rummel and Brother Martin.
While St. Paul’s celebrated a momentum-building win, Slidell (12-7) had its eight-game win streak snapped. Green (4-3) took
PHOTO BY KIRK MECHE
Hannan’s
Timmons
named most valuable player during
LHSAA Division II Select State Basketball Championship game at The Burton Complex in Lake Charles on March 15.
PHOTO BY MATT DOBBINS
St. Paul’s senior Brennan Keim steals
Dale
Joseph Halm
BASEBALL
Pitching, defense power Mandeville victory
BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer
Baseball is a simple game at its core. If a team can pitch and play defense, they will likely win more games than not.
The Mandeville Skippers proved that notion true once again as the visitors benefitted from two unearned runs to win a 3-0 nondistrict game over Northshore at Ned Eades Field on March 11.
“Pitching and defense has carried us through all season,” Mandeville coach Brady Benoit said. “I can’t say enough about Arden (Calegan) and the job he did. As a freshman to come in against a club of this caliber and keep us in the game is incredible. Then, (Jacob Berniard) came in and closed the door. It was an impressive effort.”
It was a pitchers’ duel between Mandeville freshman Ardan Calegan and Northshore freshman Cale Bricker. Calegan was just a little better as he allowed four hits and three walks in 51/3 innings with three strikeouts. Senior Jacob Berniard threw 12/3 innings of hitless relief to earn the save.
“I felt all my pitches early,” Calegan said. “I really felt my slider and was working it for strikes early. I felt the fastball too. I knew my defense had it behind me. I knew if I threw strikes, good things would happen.”
The Skippers (11-8) took the lead in the second but stranded three
Falcon,
BY MIKE PERVEL Contributing writer
It was a start that might have derailed most softball teams. Pearl River was on the road against District 7-4A rival St. Scholastica when the Doves took a threerun lead after four innings. Pearl River, which is counting on 10 freshmen to contribute, could have folded, but the Rebels reeled off eight straight runs to rally for a 9-5 district win on March 11.
“Our kids showed focus, staying in it. It’s a good, solid win, and this can be a momentum builder for us. They battled, getting the bats going late in the game when they had to,” Pearl River coach Courtney Labourdette said.
“Our youngsters are contributing, and that’s good to see with our three seniors helping guide them. It’s all about them playing with joy and supporting each other.”
SSA (3-4) pushed across three runs in the bottom of the fourth, with Ava Gassen and Sydnee Shoultz connecting for back-to-back singles off Rebels’ starter McKenzie Blappert, who went three-plus innings.
Following a 2-0 count on the next hitter, Labourdette pulled Blappert
runners. Cooper Todd opened the inning with a line-drive double to left center. Mandeville loaded the bases as Reagan Touchstone was hit by a pitch, and Sam Marse turned a sacrifice attempt into a bunt single. Bricker nearly worked out of the jam, but Touchstone scored on a two-out error on Nathan Woodward’s slow grounder to the right side.
The Panthers (14-3) tried to answer in the bottom of the inning as Aydan Strecker singled, followed by a Kole Brackman double down the left-field line to put runners on second and third with no outs. But Calegan sandwiched a pop-up between strikeouts to end the threat.
In the fourth inning, Northshore’s Connor Smith opened the inning with a bunt single, but a crisp 5-4-3 double play killed the threat. Mandeville also turned a double play to end a sixth-inning threat.
The Skippers put their first two runners on in the fifth without the ball leaving the infield. Woodward opened the inning with an infield single to deep short. Mason Hickman reached on a perfect drag bunt up the first baseline. Brody Hatchett was intentionally walked after both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Woodward scored on a ground ball to short to make it 2-0, while the final run scored on an error.
Bricker (2-1) pitched well in the loss, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four.
Ethan Freeman threw 2 1/3 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief.
Northshore coach Jay Hodges said the Panthers simply couldn’t overcome their three errors and six runners stranded on base.
“We didn’t play well, but we were still in the baseball game,” Hodges said. “We feel good about that. We got good pitching from both of our guys. It was just a couple of errors that cost us, and we just weren’t able to get the hits when we needed.”
Tuesday’s win was another example of Mandeville coming through in the clutch. Through their first 19 games, the Skippers have competed in six one-run games and 10 games decided by three runs or less.
“We’re 5-1 in one-run games, so that speaks to the toughness of these guys,” Benoit said. “If you can throw it and catch it, you’ll be in every game you play. We just find a way to win those games, so I’m pleased with that. But I would like us to find a way to be better throughout the game and stretch the lead a little bit. I think that will come with this young team.” LINESCORE
BY MIKE PERVEL Contributing writer
Mandeville softball’s early-season success continued on March 13 as the Skippers cruised to a 16-6 nondistrict win in six innings over Albany.
It was Mandeville’s eighthstraight victory after a close season-opening loss to Destrehan, and the Skippers (8-1) have done it with solid pitching and timely hitting.
“I’m the third head coach in three seasons, so these players have had to adjust. They’ve worked extremely hard and have bought in. Our coaching staff puts them in the best possible position to be successful. They’re self-motivated, continuing to work hard and push through with great results,” first-year coach Jason Helmstetter said.
“They continue to believe in each other. Offensively, they’ve done a great job. We preach being aggressive at the plate, but at the same time, we want them to be patient. When they can work deep into the count, they usually see better pitches.”
Against Albany, Mandeville’s lineup was both aggressive and patient, collecting 16 hits and pushing across five first-inning runs.
The Skippers paraded nine batters to the plate in the first frame. Mandeville’s Blair Ezell doubled to open the game, eventually walking three times and scoring three runs.
Junior Lindsay Berniard, who finished 2 for 5 with three runs scored, walked before sophomore shortstop Savannah Windham laced a two-run double to center.
“We like to come out early, hitting aggressively to set the tone,” Windham said. “We try to be selective swinging at strikes. We’re continuing to work hard, and we’re learning from our play.”
Freshman designated player Ava Swift, who shined offensively, going 3 for 4 with a walk and four RBIs, started her day with an RBI single in the first. Swift added a two-run double in the Skippers’ three-run fifth.
“We like to try to jump out early,” Swift said. “It’s about making good contact and just doing what we do. With our hitters, we always feel we’re in the game. We have a great team bond, lifting each other up.”
Mandeville added three runs in the second to push the lead to 8-0 en
route to the dominating victory.
Skippers’ senior catcher Grace Richard delivered a standout twoway performance, going 3 for 5 with an RBI while effectively handling Mandeville’s young pitching staff.
“Our offense has been good, getting out to early leads. We’re meshing well and continuing to work hard to succeed. We have a strong team bond, and we’re all very close,” Richard said.
Mandeville freshman starter Zoe Burg (2-0) went five innings to pick up the win, scattering eight hits and six runs. She struck out seven.
“Zoe (Burg) did a fine job pitching with the lead, only struggling in that one inning because she probably got a little tired. A good quality so far with this team is we’re getting good pitching, and we can hit, showing nice team balance,” Richard said.
The Skippers have gotten contributions from several freshmen in the circle this season. Freshman pitchers Mia Baham (4-0) and Corinne Stein (2-1) have also thrown well. Baham threw a no-hitter with 12 Ks against Belle Chasse on March 7; that was her second 12-strikeout game this season. Stein threw five quality innings of relief to get the win against Holden on March 11.
Those quality options in the circle have been another key to Mandeville’s hot start.
For Albany (4-7), third baseman Katie Landry hit a 3-run home run, while the Hornets took advantage of seven walks to generate offense. Second-year coach Whitney Sessions said the slow start proved too much to overcome.
“We do our best to battle, but we need our entire team to buy in on what we’re trying to do,” she said. “They need to get on the same page early in games. It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the team thus far. Once our sticks come around and the timely hitting improves, we’ll be more competitive.”
LINESCORE
and called on freshman Riley Falcon to enter a tight situation. After issuing a walk, SSA’s Abby Hickman drove home Gassen with a groundout to second, and senior Addison Pontiff delivered a clutch two-out, two-run bloop single to right to make it 4-1.
That adversity ignited the comeback as the Rebels pushed across two runs on four hits and a walk in the fifth inning. Senior catcher Emersen Blanchard laced a two-run double to center field.
“I was looking for a high fastball out of the zone, but their pitcher
missed getting too much of the plate,” Blanchard said. “I was able to take advantage of that mistake.
We did a good job making the late comeback, scoring those runs when we needed to.” Falcon settled in as the Rebels’ offense surged. The 4-foot-11, 90-pound Falcon retired the Doves in order in the sixth inning after Pearl River turned a 4-6-3 double play to end the fifth.
“I came in ready and focused,” Falcon said. “It’s a good day when my teammates need me, and I can come in to get the job done. I love Emerson (Blanchard) behind the plate. She’s smiling all the time and is so ‘peppy.’ She always tells me to believe in myself. She’s so positive and helpful, keeping me focused.”
Blanchard praised Falcon’s poise.
“Riley (Falcon) came in and did a great job,” she said. “She doesn’t throw with much speed, but she’s accurate, hitting her spots. She pitches with confidence and her performance gave us a boost, helping get a very big momentum win.”
The Rebels’ offense put the game away with three runs each in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, Falcon drew a walk, and senior Hallie White produced a
run-scoring hit. Elsensohn singled and with two outs, Laikyn Jeffrey pushed the lead to 6-4 with a tworun single.
With two outs in the seventh, Falcon singled in a run, plating Rockie Graves, who walked and stole second. White ripped a run-scoring double, and Blappert drove in the final run.
SSA first-year coach Emily Borne said the Doves, who start four eighth-graders, will learn from the loss.
“Things got away from us a little bit after leading 4-1. It’s a learning experience for them, and they must benefit from it. The entire team must keep an open mind, pushing through games like this. We must learn to recover, stay strong and
ish games,” Borne said.
LINESCORE
PHOTOS BY MATT DOBBINS
Mandeville freshman Ardan Calegan threw 51 3 innings of shutout baseball against Northshore on March 11.
PHOTO BY JOE TROMBATORE
Mandeville’s Blair Ezell slides under the tag at second against Albany on March 13.
Blanchard ignite Pearl River’s 9-5 win over SSA
PHOTO BY MIKE PERVEL
Pearl River freshman Riley Falcon, left, and senior Emersen Blanchard helped lead the Rebels to a 9-5 District 7-4A win over St. Scholastica on March 11.
Fontainebleau’s Ellis picks the University of Mobile
BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer
Fontainebleau senior Hannah Ellis had a simple goal when she joined the Bulldogs’ volleyball program as a freshman: to play in college.
Ellis is living out that dream after signing with the University of Mobile for indoor and beach volleyball on March 12.
“It’s hard to describe,” Ellis said. “It is satisfying because all my hard work has paid off. It’s a little bittersweet because the journey to get here is kind of over. But overall, it’s just an amazing feeling to know that I’m here now.”
The 5-foot-10 setter and District 6-I MVP finished last season with 1,027 assists, 309 digs, 49 blocks and 33 aces for the district champions. Ellis racked up 3,565 assists
over her career as a four-year starter.
“When she came in as a freshman, she said she wanted to play in college,” Fontainebleau coach Kacie Mulé said. “This is her dream, and she’s getting to live her dream. This is always something that she’s seen herself doing, so today is a special day.”
Ellis’ commitment to the sport during the club season also made her special day possible. Northlake Christian’s Abigail Bailey (a Southeastern signee), Covington’s K.K. Sharp, Hannan’s Riley Schubert and Mandeville’s Hanna Hunter were all in attendance at the signing. Ellis said her club teammates helped her develop as a player.
“All of these people helped me get to where I am,” Ellis said.
“Playing club with so many different players has definitely helped
me grow as a player and a person, and it’s a big reason why I’m here today.”
Mulé agreed: “Hannah has played at every level with all kinds of student-athletes, and she has grown from it. She leaves her mark on any team she’s on. For us, she did a great job of guiding the younger kids, and that was a big reason for our success. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”
As for why Ellis excelled at being a setter, the answer is simple.
“I love watching people succeed,” Ellis said. “I’m kind of awkward when it comes to getting my own points and celebrating that and craving that. Watching other people succeed is something that I’ve always liked to do, and setting allows me to do that all the time.
I’m just excited to keep competing at the next level.”
Mandeville Junior High shows district dominance in winter sports
BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer
Mandeville Junior High recently defended three of its district championships during the winter sports season. Those back-to-back titles came in boys soccer, girls soccer and girls basketball.
Boys soccer team members include Asher King, Will Boegel, Montgomery Sobol, head coach Craig Camus, Moss Falterman, AJ Martin, Brady Upton, Patrick Wells, Dutch Dwight, JP Richardson, Lynnton Ethridge, Max Kercher, Matthew Vekic, Drew Licata, Parker Chapotel, Luke McCoy, Krew Collura, Davis Drott, Lucas Casey and Justin Schnei-
derhan.
Girls soccer team members include Trinity Lauga, Alice Smith, Allie Morris, Sophia Pate, Morgan Johnson, Harper Lawson, Roselle Daniel, Bree Upton, Marigny Ferran, head coach Barbara Liddell, Addi Patron, Leah Collier, Olivia Grasperge, Katelyn Doyle, Lainey Tassin, Mia Hardy, Hailey Vaughn, Stella Lancaster, assistant coach Justin Sullivan, Lucia Laborde, Ellie Brocato and Ryan Rudiger. Girls basketball team members include Adriana Benoit, Izzy Wilkins, McLaurin McBee, head coach Melanie Gaines, assistant coach Janice Evans, Harper Lawson, Sofia Johnson, Allison Tarabour, Hailey Vaughn and Kylie Touchstone.
HALM
Continued from page 1B
freshman. Now, Timmons was the senior as sophomore brother, Gabe, experienced his first championship.
“I got Luke a ring, so I had to get my other brother a ring to keep it fair; otherwise, there would have been arguments,” Timmons said, with a laugh as the brothers posed for photos after the game.
The eldest Timmons said it was fun to watch from the stands as his brother won a second title.
“This is what you work for,” Luke Timmons said. “To be able to turn Hannan basketball into what it is today is incredible. This is what you start off working for in June. All this dude does is work.”
The tongue-in-cheek moment belies the fact that this Hannan team took on a very family-like feel — just like when the entire squad came to
the postseason press conference.
Just like when family and friends shared high-5s after the game as the team readied to board the bus. Just like when Gauff pointed to player after player when recounting key moments in the game.
“We all love each other,” Timmons said. “All the stuff that we go through at practice and workouts, this is our family. We spend as much time with our teammates as we do with our family. We lay it on the line for each other.” Hannan senior AJ Thompson agreed: “We just came together and did what we needed to do. We had some sloppy turnovers, but we just settled down and got the win. Everyone was working hard on both ends.”
And that hard work paid off with Hannan’s second-ever state championship.
Contact Joseph Halm at jhalm@ sttammanyfarmer.net.
ST. PAUL’S
Continued from page 1B
the loss despite striking out 14 and giving up just one hit before the seventh inning.
After St. Paul’s took the early lead, the Tigers answered in the bottom of the inning, thanks to back-to-back one-out walks to Green and Brayden Calamari. Eli Strahan drove in a run with a single to right, but the Wolves threw out the trail runner at third to limit the damage.
From there, Green and St. Paul’s starter Easton LeBlanc (five innings, three runs, two hits and five walks) were locked in a battle until Slidell took the lead in the fifth.
Brody Lupo opened the fifth inning with a walk, and Rushing reached as he was hit by a pitch during a bunt attempt. The Wolves got the first out on a popped-up bunt, and both runners advanced on a swinging bunt by Green for the second out. Calamari’s two-run single to shallow center gave the Tigers a 3-1 lead. It was short-lived. Slidell coach Cameron Lewis said his team simply didn’t execute in the seventh.
“That is a great team that we played, and their record does not indicate it because they have played a heck of a schedule,” Lewis said. “They went out and executed the seventh better than anybody we have played. It just comes down to the little things. We botched two bunts and a dropped third strike. Hopefully, this makes us lock in a little more on the little things, like bunt coverages. I’m hoping that’s the positive that comes out of it.”
STAFF PHOTO BY JOSEPH HALM
Fontainebleau’s Hannah Ellis was all smiles as she signed to play indoor and beach volleyball at the University of Mobile on March 12. With Ellis are her parents, Kara and Sam Ellis.
Mandeville Junior High celebrates after winning its second straight district girls basketball title. Team members include, kneeling from left, Adriana Benoit, Izzy Wilkins, McLaurin McBee, head coach Melanie Gaines; standing from left, assistant coach Janice Evans, Harper Lawson, Sofia Johnson, Allison Tarabour, Hailey Vaughn and Kylie Touchstone.
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Mandeville Junior High claims its second straight girls soccer district title. Team members include, kneeling from left, Trinity Lauga, Alice Smith, Allie Morris, Sophia Pate, Morgan Johnson, Harper Lawson, Roselle Daniel, Bree Upton, Marigny Ferran; standing from left, head coach Barbara Liddell, Addi Patron, Leah Collier, Olivia Grasperge, Katelyn Doyle, Lainey Tassin, Mia Hardy, Hailey Vaughn, Stella Lancaster, assistant coach Justin Sullivan, Lucia Laborde, Ellie Brocato and Ryan Rudiger.
Mandeville Junior High won its second straight boys soccer district soccer title. Team members include, first row from left, Asher King, Will Boegel, Montgomery Sobol, head coach Craig Camus, Moss Falterman, AJ Martin, Brady Upton, Patrick Wells, Dutch Dwight; top row from left, JP Richardson, Lynnton Ethridge, Max Kercher, Matthew Vekic, Drew Licata, Parker Chapotel, Luke McCoy, Krew Collura, Davis Drott, Lucas Casey and Justin Schneiderhan.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Hannan swimmer Iris McNamara was all smiles as she signed to swim at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark., on March 11. With McNamara are her parents, Janie and Aaron McNamara.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Northshore soccer standout Kendal Drezins signed to play at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass., on March 11. With Drezins are her parents, Shannon and Nick Drezins.
PHOTO BY KIRK MECHE
Hannan’s Zach Lauro drives past Shaw’s Kobe Butler during the LHSAA Division II Select State Basketball Championship in Lake Charles on March 15.
Obituaries
Bienert, Nadyne
Nadyne Elizabeth (Wil‐son) Bienert, age 82, of Covington, LA passed away on March 7, 2025. She was born on January 17, 1943, in New Orleans, LA to Robert James and Ellen (Ro‐driguez) Wilson. Nadyne is survived by her longtime companion Norman Bourque, Sr.; her children Marc J. Cantrelle, Suzanne C Frosch (Mark) and Wendy E. Norlin (Kevin); her grandchildren Ashley Smith (Michael), Hannah Frosch, Casey Norlin and Andrew Norlin; and her great-grandchildren Jack
son P Smith and Grant T Smith. She is also survived by her siblings Gordon Wil
son (Linda), Robert Wilson III (Cheryl), and Christine Pleshinger (John), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Nadyne is pre‐ceded in death by her for‐mer husbands Frederic J Cantrelle and Thomas H Bienert. Grace Funeral Home were entusted with the arrangements.
CLASSIFIEDS
tation of sanitary sewer collection
11767.05 Sealed Bids shall be addressed to the Town of Madis‐onville and deliv
Bid # 25-11-2 –Justice Center Boilers
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF ONLINE AUCTION
On March 28, 2025 the St Tam
many Parish Sher
iff ’s Office is plac
ing the following up for auction through electronic bid: One (1) 2016 Dodge Challenger Coupe 2-Dr, estimated mileage 25,160. VIN# 2C3CDZC90GH29
Interested parties may participate in the bidding process starting March 12, 2025 by visiting http://www govdeals.com/ STPSO
The St Tammany Parish Sheriff s Of‐fice reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
ered to the Town Hall, 209 Hwy 22 West, Madisonville, LA 70447 not later than 2pm , on the 15th day of April , 2025_. Any bid re‐ceived after the specified time and date will not be considered. The sealed bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at 2:00 pm on the 15th day of April , 2025_, at the Town of Hall located at 209 Hwy 22 West, Madisonville, LA 70447.
Complete Bid Doc‐uments, Instructions to Bidders, Bid Form, Contract, Plans, Specifica‐tions, and Forms of the Bid Bond, Per‐formance Bond and Payment Bond, and other bidding docu
ments may be downloaded from the Professional En
gineering Consul‐tants (PEC) Plan Room as hosted by Central Bidding https://www central bidding.com (sub
PUBLIC NOTICE City of Slidell INVITATION TO BID
SEALED BIDS will be received until April 16, 2025, 10:00 A.M CST, in the Director of Fi‐nance Office, lo‐cated at the Slidell City Council & Ad‐ministrative Center, 2045 Second Street, second floor, Suite 214, Slidell, LA. 70458 and there‐after opened and publicly read for the following annual use bid items for de‐livery as required during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Any bid received after closing time will be returned unopened
Each bid must be contained in a sealed envelope and each envelope must be clearly marked as applica‐ble:
Each paper bid must be submitted in a sealed envelope. The outside of the envelope shall show the Name and Ad‐dress of the Bidder the State Contrac‐tor ’s License Num‐ber of the Bidder (if the work is esti‐mated at $50k or more), the Bid Name and the Bid Number
The project classification is: Building Construction or Mechanical Work
SEALED BID: Water & Sewer Materials—Bid # 26-B005 OPENING: April 16, 2025 – 10:00 AM CST
By: Deputy Penny Vance, Purchasing Agent Randy Smith, Sheriff St. Tammany Parish 131080MAR12-192T $68.50
ject to fees and con‐ditions). For any questions regarding the website call Central Bidding at 225-810-4814. Prospective Bidders are solely responsi‐ble for obtaining the most up-to-date bid
ding Documents from the designated website. Bids will not be accepted through the online bidding portal. Bids will be received by mail and/or hand de
livery to the location as stated above.
Bid Documents may be picked up in the Purchasing Depart‐ment, 1329 Bayou Lane, Slidell, LA (985) 646-4250.
Bidders also have the option to review bid documents and submit bids elec
tronically by visit
ing www central bidding.com Elec
tronic bids will re
quire a digital signa
ture. You must reg
NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
The St. Tammany Parish School Board, Child Nutri‐tion Programs, 321 N. Theard Street, Covington, Louisiana 70433, will receive sealed bids until 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 14, 2025 for Storage and Delivery of USDA Commodity and Processed Commodity Food Items. Additional informa‐tion and specifica‐tions will be fur‐nished upon request at the address listed above. Bid docu‐ments can also be found on www stpsb.org/bids
Each bid shall be sealed in an enve‐lope clearly marked on the outside, “BID L277 FOR STORAGE AND DELIVERY OF USDA COMMOD‐ITY AND PROCESSED COMMODITY FOOD ITEMS –APRIL 14, 2025.”
The St. Tammany Parish School Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to increase or decrease items or quantities. The institution is an equal opportunity provider ST TAMMANY PARISH SCHOOL BOARD /s/ MATTHEW E. GREENE, President /s/ FRANK J. JABBIA, Superin‐tendent 132165MAR19-262T $62.76
PUBLIC NOTICE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Town of Madis‐onville (herein re‐ferred to as the "Owner") hereby solicits sealed bids for the Sewer Sys‐tem Rehabilitation & Improvements project described as follows:
STATEMENT OF WORK: Rehabili‐tation of sanitary sewer collection system. PEC Project No. 11767.05
Sealed Bids shall be addressed to the Town of Madis‐onville and deliv‐ered to the Town Hall, 209 Hwy 22 West, Madisonville, LA 70447 not later than 2pm , on the 15th day of April , 2025_. Any bid re‐ceived after the speci and date be consid The sealed be publicly opened and at 2:00 pm on the 15th day of April , 2025_, at the Town of Hall located at 209 Hwy 22 West, Madisonville, LA 70447. Complete Bid Doc‐uments, Instructions to Bidders,
This bid package is available online at www bidexpress. com or LaPAC https://wwwcfprd. doa.louisiana.gov/ osp/lapac/pubmain. cfm. It is the Ven‐dor ’s responsibility to check Bid Ex‐press, or LaPAC fre‐quently for any pos‐sible addenda that may be issued. The Parish is not respon‐sible for a Vendor ’s failure to download any addenda docu‐ments required to complete a submis‐sion. Bids will be re‐ceived at 21454 Koop Dr., Suite 2F, Mandeville, LA 70471 from each bidder or his agent and given a written receipt, by certified mail with a return receipt requested, or electronically at www bidexpress. com.
Complete Bid Doc
uments may also be examined by email‐ing info@pecla.com or at the Office of the Engineer for the contract; Profes‐sional EngineeringConsultants Corp. located at 7600 In‐novation Park Drive, Baton Rouge, La 70820; (225-769-2810). Hard copies may be obtained at this of
fice upon payment of a deposit of $150.00. This de
posit will be re
funded upon request in accordance with R.S. 38:2212.
Contractors submit‐ting bids shall be li
censed under LA R.S. 37:2150-2164, Municipal and Public Works. The bidder shall show his license number on the bid and on the sealed envelope submitting the bid.
The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause; such ac‐tions will be in ac‐cordance with Title 38 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (LA R.S. 38:2214 B, 1-5).
In accordance with R.S. 38:2212 (A)(1) (b), the provisions and requirements stated in the Bidding Documents shall not be waived by any entity
Each Bidder must deposit with his/her bid, security in the amount of at least five percent (5%) of the total bid price, provided on the specified form and subject to the condi‐tions provided in the Information for Bid‐ders. Sureties used for obtaining bonds must appear as ac‐ceptable on the U. S. Department of Trea‐sury Circular 570. No bidder may withdraw his/her bid within forty-five (45) days after the actual date of the opening thereof.
OWNER TOWN OF MADISONVILLE BY: /s/ JEAN PELLOAT, MAYOR
131741MAR19-26AP2-3T $283.72
ister directly with Central Bidding to utilize this service. You may also con
tact them at 833412-5717.
The signature on the bid must be that of an authorized repre
sentative of the cor
poration, partner
ship or other legal entity as defined by Louisiana Public Bid Law Revised Statute 38:2212.A. {l)(c) which dictates parties authorized to sign bids for public contracts. All re‐quired Certificates of Liability Insur
ance shall list the City of Slidell as "additionally in‐sured".
All applicable Fed
eral, State, Local laws, ordinances, and the rules and regulations of all au‐thorities having ju‐risdiction over sup‐ply and service of this type shall apply to the contract throughout.
The city encouragesparticipation by Mi‐nority, WomanOwned, and Disad‐vantaged Business Enterprises.
The City of Slidell reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
City of Slidell Blair Ellinwood Director of Finance 130930MAR19-26AP2-3T $204.31
A Mandatory prebid meeting will be held at the Justice Center located at 701 N. Columbia Street, Covington LA, 70433, loading dock entrance along Theard St. (across from the Covington Police Dept) on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Procurement Department 1311489MAR1219-26-3T $146.53 to: Sarah
PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Human Resource Policy Consulting For Salary Survey
The Board of Com‐missioners of the St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abate‐ment (STPMAD) seeks a human re‐sources consultant or firm to:
Scope of work: 1) Conduct a salary and benefits survey of peer agencies in Mosquito Abate‐ment or Control lo‐cally (in Louisiana) and nationally 2) Prepare a report to management on findings.
Proposals should in‐clude: • Statement of qualifications • Detailed cost estimate for the scope of work
• Timeline of activities for the completion of the scope of work
• Minimum of two professional refer‐ences from prior work
Delivery Proposals should be delivered by May 15, 2025 via email to smalasovich@ stpmad.org, hand delivered or mailed to: Sarah Malasovich St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abate‐ment 62436 Airport Rd. Slidell LA, 70460
A copy of the exist‐ing 2025 personnel policy handbook and job descriptions for each position will be furnished upon request for ref‐erence. For this and any other questions please contact Sarah Malasovich, Office Manager, via email smalasovich@ stpmad.org, or phone (985)6435050. 132194MAR19-1T $62.63
PUBLIC NOTICE SECTION 00 11 13 Advertisement for Bids
Sealed bids will be received until the hour of 2:00 P.M., local time, Thurs‐day, April 10, 2025 at City Hall, Cov‐ington, Louisiana, 317 N. Jefferson Av‐enue, Covington, LA 70433; for fur‐nishing all labor, materials, supervi‐sion, etc., and per‐forming all work necessary to com‐plete Project C0236 BOLLFIELD WATER WELL BUILDING, for the City of Louisiana.Covington, Bids will be opened and pub‐licly read aloud after 2:00 P.M. in the City Hall Confer‐ence Room, City Hall, Louisiana.Covington, Any bids received after 2:00 P.M will be re‐turned unopened.
The Contractor shall hold a Louisiana Contractor s license in Building Con‐struction. The work consists of Demolishing an existing structure and building new structure(s).
A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held Thurs‐day March 27, 2025. The meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. at City of Cov‐ington, City Hall Conference Room, Covington, Louisiana, 317 N. Jefferson Avenue, Covington, LA 70433.
A complete set of Contract Docu‐ments are available to download from our web site free of charge: https:// www covla.com/ city-departments/ finance A complete set of Bid Documents are also available at Central Bidding (www centralbidd ing.com). Elec‐tronic Bids may be submitted at Central Bidding (www cen tralbidding.com). For questions re‐lated to the elec‐tronic bidding process, please call Central Bidding at 225-810-4814. Each bid must be ac‐companied by a bid security in the form of certified check, cashier s check, or Bid Bond as pre‐scribed by LA RS 38:2218.A.C, in the amount equal to at least five percent (5%) of the total amount bid and payable without conditions to the Owner as a guaran‐tee that the Bidder if awarded the Con‐tract, will promptly execute a Contract in accordance with his proposal and all terms and condi‐tions of the Contract Documents. The outside envelope in which the bid is placed must be clearly marked as follows: Sealed Bid: CITY OF COVINGTON BOLLFIELD WATER WELL BUILDING Project No. C0236 Bid Due Date and Time: April 10, 2025, 2:00 P.M. INCLUDE: Con‐tractor’s name, ad‐dress, and Louisiana state contractor’s li‐cense number It is requested, but not mandatory that the entire package be mitted in du cate. Dupli copy can be a
PUBLIC NOTICE
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff ’s Office (“STPSO”) is ac‐tively seeking and accepting sealed proposals (“RFP”) for FISCAL AGENT for the St. Tammany Parish Fi‐nance department, located at 300 Brownswitch Rd. Slidell, LA 70458. Information and proposal packages may be obtained by contacting the STPSO Purchasing Department as fol‐lows: In person: Purchasing Depart‐ment, 300 Brown‐switch Rd., 2nd Floor Slidell, Louisiana 70458; Phone:April Harberson 985-7267734 or Penny Vance 985-7267735
Email: purchas‐ing@stpso.com Electronically: www bidnetdirect. com
Completed propos‐als must be received by the STPSO Pur‐chasing Depart‐ment, 300 Brown‐
com or LaPAC https://wwwcfprd. doa.louisiana.gov/ osp/lapac/pubmain. cfm. It is the Ven‐dor s responsibility to check Bid Ex‐press, or LaPAC fre‐quently for
the BOA and Plan‐ning and Zoning meetings coming up in reference to the hospital for a pro‐posal for a garage that's an extension of the hospital. He stated the public should be there by all means. He said that they're going to do a presentation which then the pub‐lic can ask questions if you have any questions about this please e-mail one of your Councilman and we will do our best to get the infor‐mation from the hospital for you.
5. District E Councilman Burrall stated we have a couple of events and some projects to mention. He stated first of all Old Cov‐ington neighbor‐hood Homeowners Association will be meeting on Monday the 10th at 6:30 at the Christ Episcopal Church. He stated we will be dis‐cussing projects in‐cluding the Colum‐bia St. Landing. He stated we've been talking about that one for a while and engineering is im‐minent and will be moving forward with that one hope‐fully very soon. He stated at the boat launch at 4th St. landing there is heavy equipment on sight, big sheets piles on site and he is excited for that project to get rolling and to be in place for summer He stated that he thinks it's going to be fantastic and enjoyed by many He stated to repeat his fellow Councilman thank you all to the first re‐sponders and all the city employees for everything you do. He stated ya’ll do a great job and help make our lives eas
ier so thank you. 6. Councilman At Large Councilman Bots
ford stated on Feb
ruary 22 is the Krewe of Olympia, and on March 3rd is going to
rots canned chicken grits and instant potatoes.
7. Councilman at Large –Councilman Verret stated the next coun‐cil meeting will be on March 11 the sec‐ond Tuesday of the month due to Mardi Gras so please make a note of that. He stated in a reminder that the Covington Business Associa
tion will be meeting tomorrow night he encourages if you have a business in Covington please join and please re‐member to shop local.
ADMINISTRA‐TIVE COM‐MENTS AND RE‐PORTS
Mayor Mark John‐son a. He stated the last couple of years the city has made some adjustments for Mardi Gras on Jef
ferson Ave. He stated public works has done a phenom
enal job of lime stoning the roads shoulders and if you ride down them, they look gorgeous. He stated they'll be bringing in barri
cades and every other block or so for a half a block so only pedestrians can be in that area. He stated it’s important that RV's, the trucks backed up to the road and all other vehicles need to be 8 feet off the edge of the road. He stated this also includes pop up tents. b. He stated He would like to con
gratulate chief Fer
rell and the Coving
ton Police Depart
ment for the incredi
ble investigative work they have done to arrest the al‐leged armed robber of our new Circle K on Collins Blvd. He stated the person was from out of town and you know they think they can come to Covington and commit a crime but remember we're going to track you down wherever you are and arrest you. He stated the Cov
ington Police De
partment Investiga
tion Unit worked with Slidell's crime lab and the St Tam
many Parish Sher
iff's Office crime lab and the City of Man
deville Police De
partment and Proba
tion and Parole. c. He stated on Feb‐ruary 13,our On Stage Performance at the Furman Audi‐torium is Lynn Tre‐fzger a ventrilo‐quist. He stated this is not your chil‐dren's ventriloquist she is an adult ven‐triloquist, and she has been voted the funniest person in on college cam‐puses previously d. He stated Regard‐ing the speeding throughout the city for which when I was campaigning several years ago this was the most often repeated com‐plaint and here, we are several years later and it's still the most often repeated complaint that we get. He stated that Covington PD wrote over 2000 ci‐tations last year and he stated he just doesn't know what it's going to take for people to get the message. e. He stated here's an update on a couple of little infrastruc‐ture updates. He stated concerning our small water meter replacements which has been going on for a few years now He said it wanted meters only last about 10 years and then they have to be replaced so we just completed a project of replacing over 4000 water me‐ters in the city of Covington. So that project is now wrap‐ping up which is a good thing for us. f. He stated another project that is wrap‐ping up is the lift station by Bogue Falaya Park.
g. He stated we are starting to do the smoke testing and the sewer repair in the Ozone which will be a 3 million Dollar Project and will be funded by Covid Funds, ARPA, which stands for American Res‐cue Plan Action.
h. Erin Bivona, CAO No Remarks. Rod Rodrigue , City Attorney No Re‐marks. There being no fur‐ther business, the meeting was ad‐journed at 6:35 PM. Video of this meet‐ing can be found on www covla.com.
/s/_______________ /s/_______________
MARK VERRET JOANN RUCKER Council President Council Clerk 132248MAR19-1T $401.43
PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF COV‐INGTON STATE OF LOUISIANA
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-02
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COVINGTON EN‐LARGING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF COVINGTON, LOUISIANA, DE‐SCRIBING THE PROPERTY TO BE ANNEXED AND ADDED THERETO AS PARCEL B, SEC‐TION 38, TOWN‐SHIP 7 SOUTH, RANGE 11 EAST ST TAM‐MANY PARISH, LOUISIANA, AND ALSO CLASSIFY‐ING THIS PROP‐ERTY AS ZONING DISTRICT ML –LIGHT INDUS‐TRIAL AND CRREGIONAL COM‐MERCIAL UNDER THE ZONING LAWS OF THE CITY OF COV‐INGTON (Zoning Case No. 24-12-02 ANNEX)
WHEREAS, the boundary of the City of Covington is con‐tiguous and com‐mon to the boundary of the area to be an‐nexed, more fully described as: LEGAL DESCRIP‐TION:
A CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF GROUND, with all the buildings and improvements thereon, and all the rights, ways, means, privileges, servi‐tudes and appurte‐nances, thereunto belonging or in any‐wise appertaining,situated in Section 38, Township 6 South, Range 11 East, Greenburg District, St. Tam‐many Parish, Louisiana, and more fully described as follows, to-wit: Parcel B as more fully shown on the Minor Subdivision plat by Land Sur‐veying, LLC dated June 22, 2018 and being Map File 6019F of the records of St. Tammany Parish.
WHEREAS, the City of Covington desires to annex this property into the City of Coving‐ton pursuant to the provisions of Louisiana Revised Statute 33:172; and WHEREAS, the Zoning Commis‐sion of the City of Covington has rec‐ommended that the zoning classifica‐tion for the above described property be designated as fol‐lows: ML – Light Industrial and CRRegional Commer‐cial; and WHEREAS, the City of Covington has been submitted a certificate by the duly appointed Reg‐istrar of Voters for the Parish of St. Tammany State of Louisiana, showing that there are no reg‐istered voters resid‐ing within the prop‐erty described above as of the date of the certificate; and WHEREAS, notice of the filing of this petition by the above described property owner and opportunity for a public hearing was given by publication in the St. Tammany Farmer, the official journal for the City of Covington, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana; and WHEREAS, no written objection and/or opposition to the proposed annex‐ation has been re‐ceived; and WHEREAS, the City Council has found it is necessary for the purpose of protecting the health, safety and general welfare of the City of Coving‐ton, as well as to maintain the charac‐ter of the use of this property that will be
g. He stated we are starting to do the smoke testing and the sewer repair in the Ozone which will be a 3 million Dollar Project and will be funded by Covid Funds, ARPA, which stands for American Res‐pro wrap‐ping up is the lift station by Bogue Falaya Park.
ation has been re‐ceived; and WHEREAS, the City Council has found it is necessary for the purpose of protecting the health, safety and general welfare of the City of Coving‐ton, as well as to maintain the charac‐ter of the use of this property that will be annexed into the corporate limits of the City of Coving‐ton, the above de‐scribed property shall be designated in accordance with the zoning classifi‐cations recom‐mended by the Zon‐ing Commission as described herein‐above; and WHEREAS, the Home Rule Charter of the City of Cov‐ington requires that any property an‐nexed into the cor‐porate limits shall be designated in a specific voting dis‐trict and it has been determined that the hereinabove de‐scribed property shall be included in Council District A; and NOW, THERE‐FORE, BE IT OR‐DAINED by the City Council of the City of Covington, at its regular session convened, that the following described property to-wit: LEGAL DESCRIP‐TION:
A CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF GROUND, with all the buildings and improvements thereon, and all the rights, ways, means, privileges, servi‐tudes and appurte‐nances, thereunto belonging or in any‐wise appertaining,situated in Section 38, Township 6 South, Range 11 East, Greenburg District, St. Tam‐many Parish, Louisiana, and more fully described as follows, to-wit: Parcel B as more fully shown on the Minor Subdivision plat by Land Sur‐veying, LLC dated June 22, 2018 and being Map File 6019F of the records of St. Tammany Parish. shall be and is hereby incorporated into the municipal and corporate limits and boundaries of the City of Coving‐ton, Louisiana. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Covington, Louisiana, that: SECTION 1: The zoning classifica‐tion of the herein‐above described property shall be designated as ML –Light Commercial for the following portion of Parcel B, to wit:
From the Southwest corner of Section 45, Township 6 South, Range 11 East, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana go North 54 degrees 29 minutes East 1297.74 feet to the Point of Beginning.
From the Point of Beginning go North 54 degrees 29 min‐utes 00 seconds East 284.51 feet to an iron; thence South 31 degrees 08 min‐utes 50 seconds East 285.26 feet to an iron; thence South 60 degrees 23 min‐utes 01 seconds West 25.01 feet to an iron; thence South 31 degrees 08 minutes 50 seconds East 187.55 feet to an iron set on the north line of Poole Drive; thence along Poole Drive South 54 degrees 28 min‐utes 20 seconds West 233.95 feet to an iron; thence North 34 degrees 28 minutes 00 seconds West 439.07 feet to the Point of Begin‐ning. And CR – RegionalCommercial for the following portion of Parcel B, to wit:
SECTION 2: The official zoning map of the City of Cov
ington shall incor
ified in Section 1 hereof.
SECTION 3: The voting district of the hereinabove de‐scribed property shall be a part of Council District A of the City of Cov‐ington.
SECTION 4: If any provision of this or‐dinance shall be held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other pro‐visions herein which can be given effect without the invalid provision and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable.
This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after publication of same in the St. Tammany Farmer, the official journal of the mu‐nicipality
WHEREUPON, this ordinance hav‐ing been submitted in writing, having been read by title and adopted at a public meeting of the City Council of the City of Coving‐ton, State of Louisiana, was then submitted to an offi
cial vote as a whole, the vote thereon being as follows: MOVED FOR ADOPTION by Botsford , seconded by Roberts YEAS: 7 ABSENT: 0 NAYS: 0 AB‐STAIN: 0 PASSED AND ADOPTED this 11th day of March, 2025.
/s/_______________
MARK VERRET
COUNCIL PRESI‐
DENT /s/_______________
JOANN RUCKER
COUNCIL CLERK
Presented to the Mayor this 12th day of March, 2025, at 9:55 o'clock A.M. /s/_______________
JOANN RUCKER
COUNCIL CLERK
Approved X or Ve‐toed by the Mayor on this 12th day of March, 2025. /s/_______________
MARK JOHNSON
MAYOR Received from the Mayor on the 12th day of March, 2025, at 10:55 o'clock A.M. /s/_______________
JOANN RUCKER
COUNCIL CLERK
132242MAR19-1T $243.59
PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF COV‐INGTON STATE OF LOUISIANA
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-03 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COVINGTON AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SELL ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF COVINGTON A PORTION OF THE WEST 12TH AV‐ENUE RIGHT OF WAY, CITY OF COVINGTON, ST TAMMANY PARISH, LOUISIANA WHEREAS, the West 12th Avenue right of way is a public right of way owned by the City of Covington; and WHEREAS, the City of Covington has received an ap
plication for the pri
vate sale of a portion of the West 12th Av‐enue right of way, and WHEREAS, the City Council has re‐ceived the recom‐mendation of the City Planning Com‐mission approving said sale, and; WHEREAS, the Covington City Council has deter
mined that a portion of the West 12th Av
enue right of way described as: A certain parcel of ground being a por
tion of the right-ofway of West 12th Avenue, the City of Covington, St. Tam‐many Parish, Louisiana and more fully described as follows: Commence at the intersection of the southern right-ofway of West 12th Avenue and the westerly right-ofway of South Tyler Street and measure along the southerly right-of-way of West 12th Avenue, North 56 degrees 00 minutes 33 seconds West 140.0 feet to a cross cut in con
Commence at the intersection of the southern right-ofway of West 12th Avenue and the westerly right-ofway of South Tyler Street and measure along the southerly right-of-way of West 12th Avenue, North 56 degrees 00 minutes 33 seconds West 140.0 feet to a cross cut in con‐crete; thence North 34 degrees 10 min‐utes 50 seconds East 30.46 feet to a point; thence South 55 de‐grees 26 minutes 59 seconds East 139.92 feet to the west line up S. Tyler St.; thence along the west line of S. Tyler St. 29.09 feet in the Point of Commit‐ment. All as more fully shown on the survey by Land Sur‐veying LLC dated May 23, 2024 is no longer for public purposes, WHEREAS, sale of the is in the best of the City; NOW, FORE, BE DAINED City Coun City of Coving regular ses vened, Mayor of Covington hereby au execute sale be
NOW THERE‐FORE, BE IT OR‐DAINED by the City Council of the City of Covington, at its regular session con‐vened, that the Mayor of the City of Covington be and is hereby authorized to execute an act of sale on behalf of the City of Covington of the following de‐scribed property: A certain parcel of ground being a por‐tion of the right-ofway of West 12th Avenue, the City of Covington, St. Tam‐many Parish, Louisiana and more fully described as follows: Commence at the intersection of the southern right-ofway of West 12th Avenue and the westerly right-ofway of South Tyler
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the City of Coving‐ton shall appoint an expert appraiser who
and BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that
property sold for not less than praised value; BE IT ORDAINED the deed all mineral favor of the BE IT
The Boye swor
ORDAINED the City ton shall 15 foot drainage access along the 15 feet of be sold. BE IT
Ms. Greg Wilk
ORDAINED any provision of this ordinance shall be held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other pro‐visions herein which can be given effect without the invalid provision and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable. WHEREUPON, this ordinance hav‐ing been submitted in writing, having been read by title and adopted at a public meeting of the City Council of the City of Coving‐ton, State of Louisiana, was then submitted to an offi‐cial vote as a whole, the vote thereon being as follows: MOVED FOR ADOPTION by Botsford, seconded by Burrall. YEAS:7 ABSENT: 0 NAYS:0 ABSTAIN: 0 PASSED AND ADOPTED this 11th day of March, 2025. /s/_______________ MARK VERRET COUNCIL PRESI‐DENT /s/ JOANN RUCKER
ent: Kathy Lowrey Victoria Paz, Cody Bienvenu and Kelly Baudoin. There were no guests. There was no public comment.
2025. /s/_______________ MARK VERRET COUNCIL PRESI‐DENT /s/ JOANN RUCKER COUNCIL CLERK
Mr Myers asked for a motion to approve the agenda Mr Smith moved for approval Mr Ireton seconded, and the motion carried. Mr Myers asked for a motion to review and approve the Januar y 9 meeting minutes. It was noted that the year on the written minutes was incorrect. Mr Davis moved to approve the minutes with the amended date Mr Smith seconded, and the motion carried
Presented to the Mayor on this 12th day of March, 2025, at 9:55 o'clock A.M. /s/_______________ JOANN RUCKER COUNCIL CLERK
Treasurer’s Report: Mr Ireton gave an analysis of the previous year’s comparison report and went over profit and losses year to date He also gave a brief review of the current deficit. He then gave a brief explanation of the current Profit & Loss Full Year report Mr Davis motioned to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Mr Bozant The motion carried.
Old Business: None
Approved _X__ or Vetoed ___ by the Mayor on this 12th day of March, 2025. /s/_______________ MARK R. JOHN‐SON MAYOR
New Business: Ms. Lowrey requested to present a written resolution to the Board requesting the addition of Victoria Paz to all operational and financial accounts as an administrator. Mr Bozant motioned to have the resolution presented, Mr Smith seconded, and the motion carried Mr Myers then gave a formal reading of the resolution. Ms. Wilkin moved to accept the resolution Mr Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried. Ms. Lowrey then asked for permission to sign the letter of engagement to contract with Ericksen Krentel, LLP for the annual audit. Mr Bozant motioned to accept the request, Mr Davis seconded and the motion carried Ms. Lowrey then presented the Board with options for cost savings on electricity through either FES or Cleco.
Received from the Mayor on this 12th day of March, 2025, at 10:55 o'clock A.M. /s/_______________ JOANN RUCKER COUNCIL CLERK 132244MAR19-1T $156.86
General Manager’s Report: Ms. Lowrey let the Board know that the fan motor on the condenser was out on the office unit and that it would be replaced soon She also mentioned that she is reviewing the current health insurance policy to see if any cost-cutting can be done Ms. Lowrey then announced that tomorrow was the current Director of Operations Mr Art Baudoin’s last day and that interviews had been conducted, and a decision would be made soon Lastly Ms. Lowrey let the Board know that the Event Manager position had also been posted, and interviews would soon be scheduled.
Mr Bienvenu gave the sales report
COUNCIL CLERK
Presented to the Mayor on this 12th day of March, 2025, at 9:55 o'clock A.M.
Commissioner Comments: Ms. Larkin updated the Board on a few upcoming events including an ESTBA Luncheon the Bubbly on the Bayou fundraiser and an ESTBA Women’s Seminar Mr Myers gave an update on the Lobby Lounge Concert series and announced that dates for the budget committee to meet would be scheduled soon
/s/_______________ JOANN RUCKER
COUNCIL CLERK
Mr Myers asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr Smith moved to adjourn Mr Grant seconded and the motion carried.
Approved _X__ or Vetoed by the Mayor on this 12th day of March, 2025.
/s/_______________
MARK R. JOHN‐SON
Respectfully Submitted, Kelly Baudoin
MAYOR
Received from the Mayor on this 12th day of March, 2025, at 10:55 o'clock
