The St. Francisville Democrat 03-26-2025 by The Advocate

Amrhein leaves parish manager job earlier than expected Police Jury extends

development moratorium

BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer

The East Feliciana Parish Police Jury severed all ties with parish manager David Amrhein, agreeing March 17 to pay him for 160 hours of unused vacation time.

Although Amrhein announced in January that he would be leaving March 27, jury President Louis Kent announced that Amrhein departed earlier and that the jury should pay him for the unused leave time.

Former parish manager John Rouchon pounced on the recommendation, saying he has been at the jury ofﬁce in his role as a coroner’s investigator but Amrhein was seldom seen since he announced he was leaving.

Rouchon said the jury had no documentation

ä See MANAGER, page 2G

West Feliciana School Board closes deal on sale of old St. Francisville site

BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer

A group of St. Francisville investors closed a deal Friday with the West Feliciana School Board to buy the old St. Francisville High School site near the Pecan Grove neighborhood School Superintendent Hollis Milton said Feliciana Prosperity Partners LLC bought the 18.97acre tract for $630,000, or $30,000 above the last appraisal the School Board got for the property

The corporation includes Carter Leake IV, Charles Perdue, Stuart Maginnis and Christophe Levasseur, Milton said.

The School Board decided to enter into a purchase agreement with Maginnis in April 2021, but plans for developing the site and adjoining property owned by the St. Francisville Area Foundation were stymied by a town-imposed moratorium on new major subdivisions while a new sewage treatment plant was being built The treatment plant began operating earlier this month, and moratorium will expire March 31. Milton said School Board officials learned Wednesday that they buyers wanted to close the deal on Friday, which resulted in the board scrambling to legally call a special board meeting Thursday night to name the representatives who would sign the sale documents.

To meet the legal requirement of giving 24 hours notice before a meeting, the board had to meet at 8:30 p.m. Thursday

“We’re very happy to get a price above the appraised value and to sell it to some local people,” Milton said. “I think we put it into the hands of some good people.”

He said he hopes the development that results from the sale will complement the Pecan Grove neighborhood.

| Wednesday, March 26, 2025 $1.00N

MUSIC APPRECIATION

Area musicians lend support, sprinkle songbird seeds

BY FRANCES Y SPENCER

Contributing writer

Some of the region’s musical artists joined forces at the Magnolia Café to honor the life of popular educator and musician Alan Morton while raising money to support music enrichment. Proceeds from the fundraiser held March 16 will be used to support scholarships for music arts initiatives including the Verlon Thompson Songwriting weekend, Songbird Music School weekend and Young Songbirds.

Arts For All, an organization for artists of all kinds in West Feliciana Parish, began hosting the Songbird events more than a decade ago. Two camps, one for children and one for adults, were held for years, and the weekend dedicated to songwriters was recently added.

The lineup of musicians included Adrian Percy, Michael Holmes, Melissa Wilson, Heather Feierabend, David Hinson, Nancy Roppolo, Jodi James and Clay Parker That number included both alumni, organizers and teachers from the weekends.

Hinson, a teacher at the Songbird Music School, said he focuses on teaching basic music principles mixed with the foundations of collaborative music-making.

ä See MUSIC, page 3G

The Feliciana Wildﬂower Project and Festival announced its festival art on Facebook. The art is by local artist Meredith Smith. Other artists will have work displayed at the festival. The group also announced its Adopt-a-Plot program.

“We want to have as many plots planted and looking their best before our festival on June 7th! Join us in making this vision a reality,” the group said on Facebook. They are looking for people to maintain wildflower and native plant plots by planting and caring for native flowers; removing invasive species and weeds; watering and maintaining the health of the plot; and learning about native ecosystems and wildlife. Volunteer days will start soon around Clinton. Sign up at felicianawildflowerproject@ gmail.com or (225) 921-4634.

Annual Port Hudson event coming The reenactment of the 162nd anniversary of the Siege of Port Hudson, 236 U.S.

61, Jackson, is planned for March 29-March 30 Visitors will have access to reenactors from both the Union and Confederate armies with campsites opening to the public starting at 9 a.m. both days. The battle reenactments are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday

Demonstrations of other Civil War activities will be held at scheduled times throughout both days, and sutlers selling Civil War era goods and wares will be present. Concessions will be available for purchase from the Zachary High School JROTC program. For information, call the site at (225) 6543775 or (888) 677-3400 or email porthudson@ crt.la.gov

Duo Clay Parker and Jodi James perform at the benefit concert.

PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER

Regional band favorite Day Trip performs March 16 at a concert to benefit music event scholarships in St. Francisville. Members are, from left, Susan Aysen, Robert Hartner, Don Snaith, Michael Holmes and Nancy Roppolo.

Music fills the air during Tunica Hills Music Festival

Music wafted through downtown St. Francisville Saturday for the Tunica Hills Music Festival.

Bands performed on more than four stages around town for the ninth annual festival.

Jackson marshal gets new cruiser thanks to grant

BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer

The Jackson Marshal’s Ofﬁce has a new police cruiser thanks to a grant from the Daryl and Mary Pennington Family Foundation, which is located in Ethel in East Feliciana Parish.

Marshal Mitch Harrell said he requested and received a budget of $65,000 from the foundation.

Harrell said he was able to work with the Gerry Lane Chevy GMC dealership and get a 2024 Chevy Tahoe PPV with the appropriate conversion features added for a law

enforcement vehicle. Harrell continued that the foundation’s grants have “served the community well” including the town and ﬁre department. Continuing, he said two of the Marshal Office cars had recently “gone down” and that “the town had bought only one vehicle in the past 15 years.” Jessica Dye, CEO of the foundation, said it is glad to assist East Feliciana Parish and the surrounding parishes. Working with the Marshal’s Ofﬁce to get the needed vehicle for them has been a positive collaboration, she said.

MANAGER

Continued from page 1G

regarding Amrhein’s alleged absences, suggesting he should have used leave time when he was not at work.

Juror Richard Oliveaux bristled at Rouchon’s criticism, saying the jury should send Amrhein a letter thanking him for his service.

DEMOCRAT

“The man came, he served, he’s gone,” Oliveaux said, adding that Amrhein had done more in “eight or nine months” than other parish managers had done over longer periods.

The jury hired Amrhein at an annual salary of $82,500 on Feb. 19, 2024, after going for about a year without a parish manager Kent said the jury will not be in a hurry to hire a replacement.

“We will wait until we get our finances in order,” he said, adding that jury Secretary-Treasurer Yamesha Harris again will be the interim manager The jury is working with the Faulk and Winkler accounting firm of Baton Rouge to make some changes in its accounting procedures, a move that Amrhein initiated late last year

Five people have applied for the parish manager’s position: Rouchon, Rick Harvey, Stacey Holley, Michael Amond and James Boyd Kent said the five will be interviewed, but he declined to set a timetable for naming a replacement. On another matter the jury extended a moratorium on new subdivision developments, following recent confusion over what version of proposed new land development regulations was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission The 90-day extension will begin April 1 Rouchon, who is a commission member and its secretary blamed Amrhein for the confusion

He said Amrhein had distributed copies of a document submitted by the parish’s engineers that the commission used to develop a final recommendation, but not the final product. He said the jury had copies of the commission’s final version before it canceled a scheduled public hearing on the new regulations.

When Kent said the jury wanted the ﬁnal version as approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, Rouchon pulled out his phone and emailed a copy to a jury employee for its distribution.

FILE PHOTO BY JAMES MINTON

Former Zachary Mayor David Amrhein left his job as East Feliciana parish manager effective March 17.

PHOTOS BY DAVID NORMAND

Dennis Michael Forman, left Buddy McClure and Bruce Schultz sit in on a jam session during the ninth annual Tunica Hills Music Festival in St. Francisville on Saturday

Ariel Butterworth, feeds her 1-and-a-half-year-old daughter Anne Austin Butterworth a hamburger during the festival.

Margret Butterworth, 4 and Zach Butterworth join in the fun.

right, with the

Robert Chaney performs with the group Red Stick Bluegrass.

Ruth Theriot and Tim Husband dance to the music.

St. Francisville artist and musician Cheri Frey does a watercolor sketch painting of the band Traveling Dive Bar as they perform.

MUSIC

Continued from page 1G

“I teach people how to play bowed string instruments and how to play them with other people,” he said “The teachers coordinate the weekend and make sure that we can all play some music together.”

The events focus on conﬁdence leading to comfortable collaboration “The big picture is that we’re trying to take people who play music by themselves, or learning, and want to go with the next step, either getting better at playing by themselves or getting the experience of playing with some other people,” Hinson explained. “Very casual, very friendly.” Morton, being equal parts educator and artist, was crucial to the development of the local arts community. He, with his trademark mandolin, was a

part of local favorite Fugitive Poets band. The group served as mentors and instructors for the music gatherings. He was also a teacher and visual arts educator in East Baton Rouge schools.

Arts For All organizer Lynn Wood remembered Morton’s passion for ﬁnding undiscovered talents “Alan used to always encourage students who had never played music, but wanted to,” she said. “Alan was always ready to teach someone to play while also being a constant source of encouragement.”

Wood said selﬂess community spirit yielded great results. “The turnout was great, and we raised close to $2,500 to be used for scholarships for those needing some help with the cost of joining any of the music camps,” she said. “Arts For All is very thankful to the Magnolia Cafe for the use of their patio and the food provided by Sysco and the BirdMan Coffeehouse.”

PHOTOS BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER

Several musicians who participated in a benefit concert March 16 fill the stage area for a sing-a-long that concluded the event held at the Magnolia Café.

Alden Morton and Skyler Page attend a benefit concert honoring Morton’s father Alan Morton and raising money for music event scholarships Alan Morton, a local visual arts educator, musician, and longtime member of the Fugitive Poets Band, died last month in Tennessee.

the

and Janice Armstead.

Program honors past, recognizes service

Community news report

The theme was “Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future” at the Greater New Zion Baptist Church in Wilson as the church presented its Black history program.

The church also paid tribute to the services rendered by six selected honorees as part of a Feb. 23 special program.

For their different roles, contributions and leadership, the honorees were Bennie Jones, “former mayor of Wilson”; Jannie Hollins, “former bus driver”; Harriet Sensley, “retired Norwood and Jackson teacher”; Artis

Pinkney retired principal and “high school football and basketball coach”; Kenneth Stewart, former chief of police Norwood and Wilson; and Janice Armstead, retired captain of security at Forensics, according to spokesperson and associate minister the Rev Brenda A. Hawkins.

Other associate ministers of the church are the Rev DayShawn K. Harris and Jermey Minor

The service was called to order and began with Lift Every Voice and Sing” and later other musical selections by the church’s senior choir

Jackson Elementary and East Feliciana Middle students visit Educational Ag Expo

Expo on Feb. 26 as part of Southern University Ag Center’s 82nd annual State Livestock and Poultry Show They explored agricultural stations, participated in demonstrations and met animals

Brother Kyren Stinson welcomed attendees and a music selection “Hey Black Child” was sung by Sister Jasmine Carter of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.

Brother Amir Lee of Hickory Grove Baptist Church spoke giving his address, “Who is Dr King?” Brother Zaiah Fields, of the church’s youth ministry, presented “I Have a Dream” during the offertory period followed by a solo from Brother Moses Young. Words of inspiration and the invitation to Christian discipleship were given by Minor Special presentations were given by Hawkins. Words of thanks were given by

Sister Lillie Pickney Dunn and remarks followed by the Harris along with the blessings of food and benediction were included. The vision statement for the church is “Exalt the Savior, Evangelize the Sinner, Equip the Saints, Empower the Society.” Its mission statement is “The Greater New Zion Baptist Church is to be a Worshipping, Witnessing and Welcoming congregation. We endeavor to accomplish this by spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, winning souls to Jesus Christ, changing and liberating lives, and establishing the presence of the Lord in the world.”

WEST FELICIANA PARISH BOOKINGS

The following people were booked into the West Feliciana Parish Detention Center between March 10-16:

MARCH 10

HALL, JOSEPH: 39; 3734 Sholar Court, Baton Rouge; violation of protective order

MARCH 12

DECAY SR., RENE: 57; 17531 Tunica Trace, Angola; contraband to/from penal institution

MARCH 13

SULLIVAN III, LAWRENCE: 22; 5244 Blackmore Road, St. Francisville; trafﬁcking of children for sexual purposes, carnal knowledge of a juvenile

WASHINGTON, RENODE: 51; 5945 Street A, St. Francisville; aggravated assault, aggravated battery

MARCH 15

WHITAKER, CHRISTOPHER: 36; 1554 Tommy Whitaker Road, Woodville, Mississippi; probation violation

ROLLINS, ROBERT: 47; 9704 Royal St., St. Francisville; entry or remain in places after forbidden

MARCH 16

BROWN, BRANDON: 42; 6239 Greenwood Road, St. Francisville; simple assault

PARISH OF EAST FELICIANA MARCH29, 2025 ELECTION POLLING PLACES

NewPrecincts Locations

Precinct 1Slaughter Town Hall 3337 Church St., Slaughter (InsideTownLimits)

Precinct 2Hwy 68 Voting BoothLindsey Precinct 2527 Hwy 68, Jackson

Precinct 3Slaughter Town Hall 3337 Church St,Slaughter

Precinct 3A Ethel Fire Station9320 Hwy 955 E, Ethel

Precinct 4OliveBranchFireDept 9028 Hwy 959, Slaughter

Precinct 4A OlivebranchFireDept 9028 Hwy 959, Slaughter

Precinct 4B ClintonMaintenanceDept 12305 JacksonSt, Clinton

Precinct 4C ClintonMaintenanceDept 12305 JacksonSt, Clinton

Precinct 5Bluff Creek Fire Dept 15456 Hwy 959, BluffCreek

Precinct 6JacksonCivic Center 2084 Hwy 10, Jackson

Precinct 6A JacksonCivic Center 2084 Hwy 10, Jackson

Precinct 7McManus Fire Station5270 Hwy 10, Jackson

Precinct 8Ethel Fire Station9320 Hwy 955 E, Ethel

Precinct 9ClintonMaintenanceDept 12305 JacksonSt (InsideTownLimits)

Precinct 10 JacksonCivic Center2084 Hwy 10, Jackson

Precinct 10A JacksonCivic Center 2084 Hwy 10, Jackson

Precinct 11 McManus Fire Station5270 Hwy 10, McManus

Precinct 12 Norwood Village Fire Dept 13722 ElmStNorwood

Precinct 12A Wilson Fire Dept 6527 Sycamore St Wilson

Precinct 13 Hwy 67 Voting Booth (North)13180 Hwy 67, Clinton

Precinct 13A ClintonMaintenanceDept 12305 JacksonSt, C

Precinct 14 Magnolia Fire Station7351 SmithRd, Clinton

Honored at

Black History Program at the Greater New Zion Baptist Church, from left, are Bennie Jones, Jannie Hollins, Harriet Sensley,Artis Pinkney, Kenneth Stewart

PROVIDED PHOTO

Jackson Elementary student Gabriel Parker learns about rabbits.

Jackson Elementary student Tahmid Matthews makes a furry friend.

East Feliciana Middle School students Leon Armstead, Malaysia Sims, Kasei Matthews and Jameson Hills explore technology in agriculture.

Jackson Elementary School students Phoenix Underwood, Tylia Robinson, Aubree Jackson and Marlayjia Russ learn about animal care.

Jackson Elementary student Kentrellis Sanders meets a baby chick.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

East Feliciana Middle School students Lameeka Lee, Kyesha Armour, Kasei Matthews, Malaysia Sims, Jameson Hills, LaFaye Dunn and Reshonda Causey learn about agriculture technology.

The schedules for West and East Feliciana Council on Aging facilities are as follows:

WEST FELICIANA

n 12292 Jackson Road, St. Francisville, (225) 635-6719

n Start time for all activities is 10 a.m.

FIRST AND THIRD MONDAY: Line dance

FOURTH MONDAY: Religious service

TUESDAYS: Nutrition education

AROUND

Continued from page 1G

recycling.

For East Feliciana Parish, the truck will be at the Clinton branch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 10.

The truck will be at the Greensburg branch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 11.

Accepted items include computer hardware, including laptops; computer accessories like keyboards and mice; telephones and phone systems; security systems, cellphones; cable boxes; video game stations, networking equipment, including switches, routers, servers; circuit boards’ processors; only LCD monitors; telephone and computer cables, wires, adapters; uninterruptible power supplies (sealed lead acid batteries); and printers. Items not accepted include appliances; light bulbs; CRTs; furniture; media, including tapes, CDs, ﬂoppy disks; DVD and CD players; MP3 players; digital camera and video recorders; stereo equipment; speakers; toner and ink jet cartridges; navigation and GPS devices; TVs; and copiers.

Autism Awareness Walk

Autism Awareness Walk is planned for April 2 at Clinton Elementary School, 10701 Reiley St., Clinton

The 2K walk will start at 5:30 p.m. For information, call L. Smith or C. Lee at (225) 683-8582.

Polo event returns

The Azalea Polo Classic is from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. April

6 at West Feliciana Parish Park, 10226 W. Feliciana Parkway, in St. Francisville. The event beneﬁts the West Feliciana Historical Society. Event tickets are $125 per person and include admission to the event, hors d’oeuvres, house wine and beer and prepared cocktails. Must be 21 and older to purchase event tickets (18 and older to attend the event). General admission tickets went on sale Feb. 1. Visit www.azaleapoloclassic.com for information.

Lenten fish fry available

A ﬁsh fry fundraiser will happen at 6 p.m. every Friday in Lent except Good Friday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Hall.

The $13 plate includes fried or grilled catﬁsh, potato salad or fries, coleslaw, bread, desserts and soft drinks. Visit www.felicianacatholic.org for information.

Home and garden event

The Feliciana Master Gardeners and St. Francisville Beautiful will hold the St. Francisville Home & Garden Stroll on May 10. Proceeds from the open house, garden tours and afternoon workshops go to 4-H scholarships, school gardens and other community projects.

Send news and events for East and West Feliciana parishes to extra@ theadvocate.com by noon Friday or call (225) 3880731.

WEDNESDAYS: Exercise/yoga THURSDAYS: Bible study

FRIDAYS: Bingo/movie/excursion

n All people 60 and older in West Feliciana Parish are invited to join.

n For transportation to the center or questions, call (225) 635-6719.