The St. Tammany Farmer 04-16-2025

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St. Tammany schools seek support of $325M bond issue

BY ANDREW CANULETTE

Staff writer

The St. Tammany Parish Public School system,

in an effort to fast-track capital improvement projects and potentially save millions of taxpayer dollars, is asking voters to support a May 3 bond issue that would be the largest in the district’s history

The proposal, given the tagline

“Building Futures, Securing Tomorrow,” is a $325 million bond issue that involves no tax increases

Rather, it would continue a 13.7mill property tax that would back the bonds needed to pay for the work.

Superintendent Frank Jabbia said the proposal addresses “critical needs,” including some $251 million to fund major renovations at 23 of the district’s 55 schools. Some of the schools due for upgrades have not seen substantive physical improvements since they were built, a handful of them more than half a century ago. A major thrust of the upgrades would be elimination of portable classrooms that long have been the bane of teachers, students and school leaders.

Jabbia has said he wants every class conducted in a suitable and permanent school building, not the portables that have been used, in some cases for decades, due to spikes in student population The district now has more than 36,000 students and 6,000 employees.

The remaining $74 million on the May 3 bond issue would go to one of three areas.

Approximately $32 million would fund upgrades to school safety and security systems, including alarms, intercoms, electronic door access points and cameras. The money would also provide new computers to teachers and students, software licensing and more. Another $12 million would finance district transportation, including purchase of new buses for regular education and special needs populations. The district has prioritized the transition from the owner/operator bus driver system to an in-house fleet.

The plan also earmarks $30 million to create a STEM Discovery Center in Lacombe adjacent to Northshore Technical Community College. Programming there initially would be open to high school juniors and seniors from throughout the

VOICES COMMUNITY

Slidell singers gather to sing for the joy of it

BY SARA PAGONES Contributing writer

“I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony,” the refrain rang out from a choir of 32 men and women, from teenagers up, who had gathered at Slidell Little Theatre to be taught to sing that song and four others in as close to perfect harmony as they and their four directors

Actor shares his story of abuse with Hope House supporters

BY KADEE KRIEGER Contributing writer

Acclaimed actor and director Anthony Edwards, known for his portrayal as Goose in the 1986 hit “Top Gun” and his Emmy-nominated role as Mark Greene in the NBC dramatic series “ER,” has spent the past eight years in front of different types of audiences while sharing his story as a child sexual abuse survivor and advocate for other survivors.

He brought his story to more than 300 supporters of St. Tammany’s Hope House Children’s Advocacy Center during its annual Champions for Children fundraiser on April 9, encouraging those attending to continue their work helping abuse victims come forward so

their healing can begin.

“There are 1 in every 6 men who are sexually abused or assaulted by the time they are 18, and the average time it takes for them to talk about the trauma is 30 to 50 years,” Edwards told the group gathered at the Fleur de Lis Center in Mandeville. “We need to create communities where they feel that they can tell someone without a stigma, without fear It’s all of our responsibilities to make this happen — it should be a national effort.”

Edwards told the group he knew he was “preaching to the choir” about the issue of child abuse.

Hope House conducts forensic interviews,

could manage in just five hours of rehearsal.

Director Pam Lisotta beamed as she conducted the selection, exhaling a sigh of relief as the final notes sounded and then breaking into an exuberant grin as the audience burst into applause.

She had every reason to smile. Her brainchild Slidell Sings! had pulled off its inaugural event, a one-day choir that culminated in a free concert. The idea that the self-professed lover of choral singing had come up with had worked beautifully

for

event April 9 honoring those who support children and families. It also helped raise money for a second interview facility on the northshore.

It began as a conversation with musically inclined friends sitting around a table at a wedding reception. The conversation turned to the wealth of vocal talent in the Slidell area, and the concept was

Jabbia

PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN Actor and activist Anthony Edwards addressed the Champions

Children Hope House

PHOTOS BY MATTHEW DOBBINS

ABOVE: Slidell Sings! voices on March 29

TOP: Pam Lisotta, who dreamed Slidell Sings! into reality, exults as the concert came to a successful finale.

that brings faith to the felons at the medium-security prison located north of Bogalusa in Washington Parish

Two-by-two, the men visit the state prison to offer bimonthly religious services in a chapel they had a hand in building on the prison grounds. They conduct services that involve readings, responsorial psalm, Communion and the gospel for the coming Sunday — all the elements of a Catholic Mass except for the Consecration.

But along with the prayers and the Eucharist, they bring hope and companionship to souls hungering for people who care about them

Conception of a ministry

It was December of 2004 when retired Navy captain and business executive Mike Holland of Mandeville was approached by an acquaintance with a strange request.

“He said ‘Mike, I want you to come with me to the prison,’” remembers Holland, now 82. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but this friend was God’s agent.”

His Protestant friend said that Rayburn inmates had access to other faith services, but not Catholic ones since a Catholic deacon serving there had retired, leaving a void at the 1,100-plus inmate penal facility in a state where nearly a quarter of adults identify as Catholic.

Holland prayed about it and agreed to visit Rayburn, knowing immediately upon his arrival that it would not be his last time behind the razor wire-wrapped prison.

“We were in a classroom that was used for faith-based activities, and one guy stood up and said, ‘We prayed you’d come,’” Holland said.

“That’s how it all started.”

The inmate who stood was one of only eight attending that first gathering, while today, two decades later, 90 or so men participate in Wednesday night services that reverberate through a 200-seat chapel that cost $600,000 to build.

It took years to raise the money, but Holland and members of other denominations pulled it off, thanks to perseverance and what might be construed as a little help from above.

A shortfall and a long shot

By 2006, 35 to 40 inmates were cramming into the prison classroom for the Catholic prayer service, a makeshift venue woefully too small and severely lacking in spiritual ambience

Around that time, Holland became the prison’s representative on the Louisiana Chapel Prison Foundation, whose mission is to raise money to build or upgrade worship facilities at all Louisiana state prisons.

Before long, Holland found himself involved in a drive to raise $600,000 for a chapel at the Rayburn Center He was one of three chairpersons heading up the fundraising drive, along with representatives of Christ the King and First Baptist Church. Despite the worthiness of the cause, the effort was hampered by poor timing.

Holland and others pursued donations from all denominations in the region since all would be allowed to use the chapel. But, fundraising can be challenging, even in prosperous times. Many prospective donors were simply tapped out, having generously contributed to relief efforts associated with Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

After a few years, it seemed all sources had exhausted, and the drive was still $92,000 short But in one last “Hail Mary” attempt, a letter soliciting donations was sent to people on a mailing list of potential donors. The letter explaining that the shortfall was jeopardizing the project, landed in the mailbox of a woman in the Beau Chene subdivision.

The letter was still on the woman’s table when a friend came over for

breakfast. As the two chatted, the friend saw the letter on the kitchen table and was moved by the cause.

The friend, for whom the letter was not intended, went home and wrote out a $92,000 check to finish construction The shortfall was history, and the project that had become a long shot moved forward.

“We all felt that this was the Holy Spirit at work,” Holland said of the large donation from an unsolicited donor Chapel construction finished in 2011, and attending the opening ceremony were New Orleans Archbishop Alfred Hughes and other religious leaders, along with convicted felons and prison staffers. Holland was master of ceremonies.

The program began with a St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy walking down the center isle of the new prison chapel playing “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes.

“There wasn’t a dry eye in the place,” Holland said.

Build it and they will come

The chapel opening fueled the momentum of the Mary, Queen of Peace prison ministry, and attendance increased, along with the spirituality of the prayer services.

The six prisoner ministers take turns proclaiming the gospel and offering a spiritual reflection on the Scripture readings. Two members attend each session, but it is the inmates who make it happen: organizing and announcing services; setting up the altar and sound system literally setting the stage for worship.

A seven-piece band made up of incarcerated musicians provides spiritual music and an inmate choir sings.

Holland and others say they are amazed at the reverence displayed by the inmates, most of whom are serving sentences ranging from 5 to 30 years.

He said the inmates come of their own volition “The don’t have to do any of this or even be there.”

The right stuff

Holland considers himself a cofounder of the Mary, Queen of Peace prison ministry, along with fellow parishioner John Maloney who died in 2021 at the age of 88. Of today’s six members, most are retirees. While other ministries at the Mandeville Catholic church welcome new participants, the prison ministry functions differently, recruiting only members who have special skills needed to connect with the prisoners.

“We don’t mean to be exclusionary,” Holland said, “but prison ministry is not for everybody It can be daunting because you’re in a different environment than what you’re

School system cuts $6.4M

in sta

No employees terminated, but some pending retirees won’t be replaced

BY SARA PAGONES Staff writer

The St. Tammany Parish School Board agreed April 10 to bring back the position of associate superintendent, part of a central office staffing revamp that Superintendent Frank Jabbia said will free money for an employee raise.

with exceptionalities and one of two internal auditors, among other cuts.

That process yielded $2.3 million in savings in central office staffing costs and $6.4 million in staffing costs districtwide.

“I was willing to take a hard look at what we’re doing and give it a shot. I’m taking a chance,” Jabbia said, adding that he still needs to be able to run the system.

used to, and you have to be selfconfident in what you’re doing. The last thing you want is for the guys (inmates) to think you’re a nambypamby.”

The two other longest serving members — Tom Schwaner and Jimmy Dykes are retired coaches. The other members are Gordon Cain, Sam Burguieres and Neal Hightower Schwaner’s wife, Janet, said her husband, who was the head baseball coach at the University of New Orleans for 14 years, showed little interest in the ministry when he was first approached by Maloney to join. She said Maloney even sought her help in luring the former coach into the prison ministry

“You’ll never get him to do that, not in a million years,’” Janet Schwaner recalls telling Maloney “And he said ‘No, but he will,’ and he pointed to the crucifix over the altar.”

Schwaner, 86, eventually decided to join the group on a trial basis. That was about 15 years ago.

“It was the last thing I thought I would ever do, but after two years of encouragement John (Maloney), Mike (Holland) and Jimmy (Dykes), the Lord finally showed the way, and I agreed to give it a try,” he said. “And I have loved it.

“I started seeing that my faith was growing deeper in my efforts to explain the readings of the Bible in a way that inmates could relate to considering their incarceration.”

Schwaner said his athletic background has helped him in the ministry

“The fact that I was a coach, and former pro player, allows me to throw things into the meanings of some readings that perk their (inmates’) interests and make it somewhat fun for them,” he said. “There are a lot of connections between religion and athletics.”

The Rev Robert Cooper, pastor of Mary, Queen of Peace, said he is grateful for the work of the prison ministers.

“They are living out the Gospel mandate to care for the least of our brothers,” he said “They are bringing the love of Jesus into a world that desperately needs it.”

Holland said watching the inmates’ faith evolve is a feeling like no other Last year, nine inmates were baptized into the Catholic faith.

“It’s mind-boggling how it’s all worked out over the years,” Holland said. “And, sometimes I wonder if we (ministry members) get more out of it than they do. It’s such a feeling of accomplishment.

“Some of these guys become like brothers to us. They trust us. We trust them.”

Youth Fishing Rodeo at Bogue Chitto registration opens

Staff report

Registration has opened for kids 4 to 15 to sign up for the Youth Fishing Rodeo at Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge on June 7. The rodeo, taking place at the Jim Schmidt Boardwalk Trailhead/fishing access site at Exit 11 on I-59 North nearPearl River, is open for beginning to experienced anglers. Fishing mentors will be on hand to help with casting, answer questions and share helpful hints. Children will enjoy a morning of bank fishing at the refuge’s fishing pond and the chance to win prizes. The cost is only $10 per child, but space is limited. Registration is required, and it closes on May 31 or when all spots are filled Only children registered by May 14 will be guaranteed a T-shirt. Rodeo fishing will start at 7:30 a.m. and finish at 11 a.m. Young anglers must be accompanied by an adult and be able to hold their own fishing pole Registered children receive a Tshirt, bait, and lunch for the whole family Fishing poles rigged with tackle will also be available to borrow, or fishers can bring their own gear Register and pay online at www.flwr.org/. Phone registrations are not accepted, but to request that a registration form be mailed, call (985) 882-2025.

Jabbia described his efforts to reduce costs and streamline the administration at the board’s committee meetings earlier this month, eliminating one of four assistant superintendent positions with the retirement of Mary Hart, who is assistant superintendent of administration, a savings of $150,000.

Steve Alfonso, who is assistant superintendent over human resources, will add Hart’s duties to his as the new associate superintendent effective July 1. He is slated to receive a $15,000 raise, which the School Board will have to approve at a later date.

Jabbia said the board asked him to take a “deep dive into everything,” and while he did not terminate any employees, he evaluated every position that became vacant through attrition “to provide you guys with as much leeway as possible to give our employees every penny we can.”

Staffing reductions included not replacing three central office secretaries and two production specialists for Channel 13. Other positions that were not replaced included a supervisor for human resources, an assistant director of students

BOND

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parish who are interested in jobs in the medical field, though it would eventually be available to provide expanded STEM and robotics education for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Jabbia said the centralized location of the Discovery Center, in addition to collaborations with the community college, local health care providers, and other corporate stakeholders, will be invaluable to the school district.

“There’s no way we could find the financing to do this at eight different high schools around the parish, nor could we find the financing,” Jabbia said. “Bringing it under one roof, using our own people and our own buses, we can give every school an opportunity to have access to these hightech STEM activities.”

Jabbia noted the school district has partnered with St. Tammany Health System, Ochsner Slidell Memorial Hospital, and Chevron to help grow the vision should the public vote in favor of the May 3 bond issue.

“Our partners are committed to helping us staff this building, to operate this building, provide resources, human capital, whatever it takes,” he said. “They want to show the community how much they want our kids to stay in St. Tammany and if they do leave for higher education, to have those connections to come back.”

Not everyone is convinced the Discovery Center is the

The belt-tightening moves were needed because of several factors, Jabbia said, including a drop in enrollment of 650 students, much of which he attributed to home schooling. He also alluded to uncertainties in federal funding that have led the system to put a pause on filling open positions.

“We do not want to put this system in a bind to where we commit monies that are federal monies and then the federal government at the last minute backs out on us,” he said The decisions were tough, Jabbia said. “We have to think globally to maximize the ability to give employees a pay raise.” Board members thanked Jabbia for what member Roslyn Hanson called a “good faith effort,” and member Dennis Cousin called the steps necessary in the face of unpredictable funding from the state and federal level.

Also at the April 10 full board meeting in Slidell, an overflow crowd at the Brooks Curriculum Center was on hand for the announcement of six new principals: Shalone LaCosta, Alton Elementary School; Jamie Mills, Brock Elementary; Amie Guttuso, Little Oak Elementary; Melanie White, Pine View Middle School; Zachary Butler, Pontchartrain Elementary, and Michelle Cassidy, Tchefuncte Middle School.

most pressing need for parish public schools, though. Brant Osborn, president of the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees, said a majority of union members favor spending more to upgrade school campuses before embarking on an ambitious effort like the STEM Center

“My guess is that $30 million (for the Discovery Center) will only scratch the surface of the cost needed to complete that facility,” Osborn said. “Our members are telling us we’ve neglected the current school buildings we have for way too long. They’re much more interested in getting their campuses fixed.”

Jabbia said the May 3 vote could go a long way to doing that. He added that a recent debt service millage (which only can be used on capital projects) allowed significant improvements to 19 other school campuses.

“It’s a 20-year millage but we’re always done (with the improvements) in five or six years,” he said. “We want to make the upgrades as timely as we can rather than stretch it over 10 years or so. It saves money The quicker we can get things done, that helps, because the price of construction is only going to go up year after year.”

Osborn said the Federation will address the May 3 ballot at its regularly scheduled executive meeting on April 23. He suspects union members will not take a formal position for or against the bond issue.

Email Andrew Canulette at acanulette@ sttammanyfarmer.net

Alfonso

PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

Jimmy Dykes, Gordon Cain, Mike Holland, Tom Schwaner and Neal Hightower of the Mary, Queen of Peace prison ministry. Not pictured is Sam Burguieres.

move

PROVIDED PHOTOS

and STW Habitat employees and

and her

It was a day for hugs, happy tears and shared blessings.

Habitat STW starts building 290th home

Staff report

Habitat for Humanity

STW, operating in the western half of St. Tammany Parish, recently raised a symbolic first wall of a new house in Covington to kick off the nonprofit’s fourth annual Community Partners Build.

The new structure going up now will become the home of Dawn Sanchez and her family and Sanchez is working with Habitat to prepare herself to be a good owner-steward of the home that once complete, will belong to her and the mortgage company

Habitat, an ecumenical Christian ministry, works in partnership with local residents who need a hand to become the owners of a decent, affordable home that has either been renovated from existing stock or built from the ground up. The houses are then sold to qualifying families, such as Sanchez and her two children, at no profit and zero interest mortgages to keep monthly notes as low as possible.

Sponsors, Habitat STW board members and staff,

volunteers and guests were on hand April 1 to raise the first wall of the new Sanchez home. Habitat STW CEO and President Terri Gage began with a brief overview of the organization before the project was blessed by the Rev Jeff Sims, of Covington Presbyterian Church. Hope Builder sponsor Netchex, represented by Brian Laiche, spoke of the company’s commitment to serving the community by getting involved in opportunities like this.

Sanchez — officially Habitat’s 2025 Community Partner Build homebuyer — thanked all who turned out for the celebration. Her son then fired off a confetti cannon, and guests signed the studs of the home. Learn more about Habitat STW or get involved by going to habitatstw.org/cpb Since Habitat STW was founded 1981 as the 10th Habitat affiliate in the United States and the first in Louisiana, 289 new home construction projects have been completed and sold to local partner families with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages.

Construction begins on $34M bypass road near Mandeville

Public asked to choose from 4 proposed names

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

Construction is underway on a longanticipated bypass road near Mandeville that St. Tammany Parish officials say will connect two state highways, improve access to Pelican Park and ease traffic congestion in the area.

Coming in at $34 million, the divided two-lane, 3.5-mile road is for now simply called the “Mandeville Bypass,” until residents pick a new name. It will link La. 1088 to U.S. 190, with roundabouts at each intersection, and ease traffic on La. 59, parish officials say

A multi-use path for bikers and pedestrians will run parallel to the bypass and connect to the Tammany Trace bike trail.

“We have promised real roadway solutions to ease traffic and to boost safety Today, these promises have been delivered,” said Parish President Mike Cooper on April 7 during a rainy groundbreaking ceremony, held in a muddy, tree-enclosed area the road will cut through.

About 3,500 vehicles are expected to use the road daily, Cooper said. The project is expected to be complete in two years. But the idea, which is decades old, has long been an ambition of many in the parish.

Discussion about a north entrance to Pelican Park, the 500-acre hub of St. Tammany Parish Recreation District No. 1 between La. 1088 and U.S. 190, dates back to the late 1990s, according to Nixon Adams, who has been involved with the park since its inception in the 1980s and is chairman of the recreation district.

The park’s south entrance off U.S. 190 is “overwhelmingly crowded,” Adams said, with more than 1 million visitors per year utilizing 32 athletic fields, seven indoor basketball courts, a convention center, an 18-hole disc golf course, pickleball courts and more.

Eventually, the Mandeville Bypass will serve as the primary entrance and exit for the park, Cooper said

“We’re sure happy to see it coming,” Adams said of the new road.

Engineering work on the project started about 10 years ago, Cooper said. Much of the land was in private hands and had to be purchased, according to St. Tammany Parish Council member Joe Impastato, who was at the groundbreaking.

In 2022, Cooper proposed setting aside

$24.5 million to build the road. But the Parish Council at the time didn’t take him up on it, instead opting to wait it out and see if the state would take the costs

Then, in February 2024, with state money not coming through, a newly elected Parish Council decided to push the project forward, setting aside revenue collected through a 2% sales tax in unincorporated St. Tammany (On March 29, residents voted against re-

newing the sales tax, which will be collected until 2031.) The Mandeville City Council and Recreation District No. 1 have also contributed funding.

“This is adding to our toolbox, to our roads that we’re going to maintain,” said council member Arthur Laughlin at the groundbreaking. He noted the highway will be owned by the parish, not the state, and highlighted the drainage improvements that will come with the road, which will have ditches running alongside it.

The parish government says the roadway will be the most expensive built by parish government.

The road’s permanent name will be decided by a vote on the parish’s website between four proposed names. The options are: n Adrien Rouquette Parkway n Brown Pelican Parkway n Buchawa Boulevard n Coyote Crossing

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

A man from Abita Springs was arrested April 10 in connection with a nonfatal shooting of an acquaintance on the Tammany Trace earlier in the week, authorities said. In a press release that was sparse with details, the St Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office said Jermaine Powell, 39, was arrested on two counts of second-degree battery and one count of obstruction of justice and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center On April 8, Powell was driving a vehicle and he and a cyclist got into an altercation near the intersection of East Third Street and the Tammany Trace bike trail near Covington. During the course of the altercation, Powell pulled a gun on the cyclist and shot him, the Sheriff’s Office

MAP PROVIDED BY ST. TAMMANY PARISH GOVERNMENT

The planned route for the new bypass in Mandeville connecting La. 1088 to U.S 190. Construction began April 7 and is expected to be complete within two years.

Friends, the project sponsor

volunteers joined Dawn Sanchez

children to symbolically raise a wall of the new home that will be theirs in Covington.

Dawn Sanchez and her two children will

into the new Habitat STW home now under construction

Claims dismissed against Mandeville elected official in Sucette Harbor suit

BY BOB WARREN Staff writer

A federal judge has dismissed claims from the developers of the controversial Sucette Harbor residentialretail development that Mandeville City Council member Jason Zuckerman worked outside his official duty to shoot down the project slated for a plot of lakefront land. The developers, Woodward Harbor LLC and LSU Health Foundation New Orleans, had sued the city of Mandeville and Zuckerman, individually,

SING

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born. “Let’s just get together and just sing,” Lisotta recalled.

Lisotta said she wanted to keep it simple — no solos, no juggling schedules to accommodate singers or weeks of rehearsal. She talked it over with friends. “We decided four songs, a quick concert, and then go off to do your thing on a Saturday We chose songs that were familiar,” she said. Lisotta, the theater director at Our Lady of Lourdes and music director for the monthly Special Needs Mass, enlisted three other directors — Theresa Sharp-Jones, who directs choir at Northshore High School; Jennifer Baptiste, who helps direct at her church and is a Slidell Little Theatre board member; and Melanie St. Cyr, choir director at Slidell High. She also secured the services of accompanist Carol Cline. Lisotta was geared up and ready as participants

after the City Council nixed their development proposal in 2023. But U.S. District Judge Brandon Long ruled on March 27 that the developers had failed to make their case against Zuckerman and dismissed him as a defendant. Days later, on March 31, Long issued a spate of rulings in the developers’ suit, dismissing many of the claims they had made against the city Where Long’s rulings leave the suit against the city remains unknown. The develop-

ers and the city both declined comment. Meanwhile, a group of Mandeville residents continues to seek permission to intervene in the suit. Magistrate Judge Eva Dossier heard oral arguments in that petition on April 8 but hadn’t issued a ruling as of press time for this story

Sucette Harbor was proposed as a $150 million development with 178 apartments for people ages 55 and older, an 84-room hotel, and shops, restaurants and a refurbished marina on 15 acres of land just east of the Lake

Pontchartrain Causeway But the project roiled the city’s politics for months in 2023 before the council unanimously voted it down.

The developers said the council improperly denied the development, criticizing the monthslong process and contending that the nine public hearings run by the council devolved into a “constant, uncontrollable, irrational ‘debate.’”

The developers singled out Zuckerman — he was the lone council member named in the lawsuit — claiming he acted

The men and women of Slidell Sings! stand shoulder to shoulder to give their first concert.

began arriving on the final

Saturday in March, and she checked off the list of those who had preregistered “I’m a little nervous,” one singer confided upon entering the lobby “We all are,” Lisotta replied. As the group assembled,

Lisotta reassured the singers. “We know Slidell has a ton of talent,” she assured them. “We just wanted to get everybody together and sing, because that’s community.” Then the marathon rehearsal began, with the group sight-reading each

song: a medley of “The Age of Aquarius” and “Let the Sun Shine,” “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.” Then the choir spent an hour working on each selection with the

outside his proper role as an elected official and attacked the project based on his personal preferences.

Zuckerman, an architect, had used his own density calculation to determine that 90 apartments should be the maximum allowed, a calculation that the council backed but one the developers said would ultimately financially doom the project.

Long ruled that the developers were not able to present sufficient facts to overcome Zuckerman’s qualified immunity defense.

individual directors.

By the time 5 p.m. rolled around and the doors to the auditorium opened, the 32 singers were the community that Lisotta had envisioned.

Participants were drawn to the event for a variety of reasons.

“I thought it would be fun,” said Rickie Malasovich, who has sung in a band and in a number of theatrical productions, but not a choir “I thought I’d give it a try,” he said, adding what he tells young theater performers, “They can’t eat you.”

Hayden Patzer, a medical assistant, said he loves to sing, but since graduating from high school in 2022, his singing has mainly been confined to the car “I was hesitant; it’s been a minute,” he said. But he was excited to sing under St. Cyr, who was his choir director at Slidell High. “I’m glad I did it. I’ve always loved music and being part of a group,” he said.

Kaya Elbaz Welsh, a voice student who’s been in numerous musicals, said she was drawn by the opportunity to work under four dif-

Qualified immunity shields public officials from civil lawsuits unless their actions violate constitutional rights or they act maliciously or recklessly “There’s a reason why qualified immunity is in place for public officials,” Zuckerman said in a recent interview “So they can do their jobs without fearing lawsuits.” While Mandeville Mayor Clay Madden declined to comment pending the ongoing suit, Zuckerman said, “I feel confident in the city’s case.”

ferent choir directors. “It’s a good opportunity to grow As a singer, you can always learn more, and it’s nice to be with others who do what I like to do.”

For Lisa Meredith, the prospect of a choir close to home was a plus. “I saw it as a post on Facebook and got really excited because we don’t have a community choir here,” she said. That might be about to change.

“I want to continue to build community through singing, so I hope to continue to plan single events like this first one,” Lisotta said. “It will involve fewer rehearsals, open to everyone, with different styles to suit different people.”

She’s considering an event for children that would feature Disney songs and the possibility of a “Messiah” singalong before Christmas among other ideas.

“This model isn’t meant to create perfect music and award-winning performances,” she said. “It’s about sharing the joy of singing with others.”

Continued from page 1A

counseling sessions, and provides prevention training and crisis response for abuse victims in St. Tammany and Washington parishes. In 2024, the organization served 618 children conducting 525 interviews, more than 3,000 counseling sessions and trained nearly 1,100 individuals to recognize abuse. Edwards’ story sounded all too familiar to the detectives, first responders, therapists, forensic examiners, investigators and volunteers who work with Hope House, and it brought several attendees to tears as Edwards detailed the abuse that began at age 14 by his trusted mentor and manager He and a group of friends dubbed “Gary’s Gang” lived in fear of speaking out against the abuser who was the leader of a young acting troupe. At first, the man made the small group feel special, but he was carefully grooming and manipulating the young men so that he held ultimate power and control.

As age 19, Edwards began his acting career in earnest, finally moving away from the abusive environment. “I realized later that I also ‘aged out’ of the particular sickness my abuser held,” he said.

But it wasn’t until 2014 that he finally reached out to a friend and began his healing process. It took 37 years for him to speak of his abuse. That initial conversation led to his involvement with the 1in6 organization and the Zero Abuse project, which serve as support networks for survivors, especially men. Edwards said he meets once a week virtually with other survivors who share stories and assist each other with their continued healing.

He said through these meetings of “incredible conversations and fellowship.” he’s been shocked to learn of both the varied kinds of abuse and profiles of abusers. He said it’s crucial for abused children to know that “it’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help.”

“The stigma against speaking out emboldens the abusers, allowing them to hide in plain sight and maintain power,” he said. “We all need to get a little uncomfortable to change the statistics. People will keep hurting children. Many of the abused are just one conversation away from beginning to heal.” Hope House Executive Director Thomas Mitchell said the comfortable setting that Hope

House provides allows abused children to feel safe enough to start that conversation.

He detailed a recent case where a young girl shared her abuse with a friend during a sleepover, and that conversation brought her to Hope House and the full scope of services it provides, including the recording of her testimony during a forensic interview and a subsequent warrant for detectives to collect vital evidence in the wee hours of the same night.

Mitchell, a licensed professional counselor, assisted in the early stages of the case. He said he helped the victim pick a shiny, lavender “button of bravery” from a drawer and place it in a bowl filled with similar buttons.

“It shows her strength, bravery and courage. It represents that she is now on a path toward justice, healing and safety.”

During the event, Mitchell detailed the need for a second Hope House site since only one forensic interview can be held at a time. He said in the past five years, demand for forensic interviews increased by more than 50%

Plans are in place for Brooke’s Place, a new building which will be located next door to the existing Hope House. Part of the proceeds of the breakfast fundraiser will go toward building Brooke’s Place, named for the late Brooke Erin Posey

“It will allow us to provide more therapy, more community training and a seamless integration for simultaneous forensic interviews,” he said The project is expected to begin this year through the donations of the In Jesus’s Name Foundation, which has provided a dollar-for-dollar match up to $130,000.

He also honored the eight recipients of the Champions for Children award, which honors individuals in St. Tammany and Washington parishes who improve the quality of life and safety of children They are legacy champion Caitlin Hunter; Rahcel Adair, of Northlake Crisis Pregnancy Center; Brian Brown, detective and forensic examiner at the Covington Police Department; Judge David Merlin Duke, of Bogalusa City Court; Allie Harris, investigator with the state Department of Children and Family Services; Ann Ollendike, founder of Basket of Hope; Tyler Pathoumthong, detective with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office; and youth champion Ayushi Purohit For information on Brooke’s Place or any of the services that Hope House provides, visit support.cachopehouse.org.

HOPE

PHOTO BY MATTHEW DOBBINS

Erin McCall-Sturiale and Jennifer Batian

STPPS Superintendent Frank Jabbia, Sophia Baker Mary Hart, Bonnie Brister and Deborah McCollum

Abbie Groeger and Dorothy Garcia

Shannon Capouch, Dana Major

Carolyn Giannobile, Jennifer Rousseau

Rachel Adair and Jay Adair

PHOTOS BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

Marie Gregory, Lorrie Brennan, Stephen Tujague and Lucy Tujague at the Children’s Advocacy Center’s Champions for Children fundraiser on April 9.

Michal Wascom, Gia Baker

Alexis Baker and Patricia Wascom

Slidell Memorial seeks millage extension to expand

BY KIM CHATELAIN

Contributing writer

Slidell Memorial Hospital is seeking voter approval on a millage proposition that would slightly lower the property tax rate being paid to the hospital while extending it by four years.

A vote in favor of the proposal on the May 3 ballot would drop the current millage rate from 6.75 to 5.99. It would also move its expiration from 2041 to 2045.

A “no” vote will keep the current millage rate at 6.75 and maintain its expiration in 2041.

Slidell Memorial officials stressed that the proposal does not represent a new tax. However, its approval would enable the hospital to extend the life of the tax and purchase general obligation bonds to pay for $51.5 million in capital improvements. The funds would be used exclusively for construction and equipment, not operational costs, officials said Taxpayers residing in St. Tammany Parish wards 6 7, 8 and 9, which encompasses Slidell Memorial’s service

district, are eligible to vote on this millage proposition. The district includes the southeastern section of the parish, extending north-

ward to Talisheek and west to Lacombe.

“This investment ensures that SMH continues to provide top-tier health care, ex-

pand services and maintain cutting-edge facilities while reducing the financial burden on taxpayers,” the hospital states in its informa-

tional material. “Supporting this proposition helps secure the future of quality medical care close to home.”

If voters approve the proposition, the hospital will build a new pediatric and primary care center and upgrade the Comprehensive Cancer Care Center It will also improve the emergency room by building out more clinical space in its existing footprint.

A “no” vote will maintain the current millage rate of 6.75 and keep its 2041 expiration date. While the hospital will still work toward improving the services outlined in the bond proposal, officials said it will take 15 to 20 years to accomplish without the millage extension.

Also, on May 3 ballots in St. Tammany: n Voters in the Abita Springs area are being asked to renew three separate property taxes for the parish’s 8th Fire Protection District. They are a 9.75mill renewal, a 9.80-mill renewal and a 14.63-mill renewal. Each of the taxes would run for 10 years, starting in 2029.

n In the Covington area, a 20-year, $2.4 million bond issue for Recreation District 6 (Lee Road Recreation) is on the ballot. The bonds would be paid via property taxes collected in the district with an interest rate not to exceed 7%.

n Residents of the Meadowbrook subdivision near Mandeville will decide whether to impose a $490 annual parcel fee for 20 years to finance drainage improvements for the neighborhood. The fee would

Shelter in ‘mayday mode’ as dog population surges

Adoption fees will be waived for some dog adoptions, officials say

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

Following a wave of recent arrivals, St. Tammany Parish government’s longovercrowded, no-kill animal shelter system is way over capacity for dogs and is now in “mayday” mode, the parish said last week.

In an announcement, the parish said the shelter was 70% over capacity for canines, with 215 as of April 9. That’s nearly 100 more dogs than it was designed to hold The shelter is now waiving

adoption fees for dogs that have been in the shelter longer than six months.

In recent months, the Parish Council has taken steps to curb the parish’s unsheltered animal population, passing an ordinance requiring all cats and dogs in the parish be spayed or neutered and increasing funds for the program that helps people pay for the spay or neuter procedure. But there was a recent wave of owners dropping off pets and abandoned animals being found in the community, the news release said. At the same time, adoptions have slowed and rescue pulls have stopped.

The parish posted a message on its Facebook page saying: “100 fur babies need a miracle!”

A rescue pull is when a private organization takes

PET OF THE WEEK

an animal from the parish shelter and assumes control of it, Animal Services Director Rob Bremer said. That has decreased recently because those organizations’ shelters have been as full as the parish’s, he said.

“We reserve the ‘mayday’ call to our community only for these circumstances, and this should not be taken lightly,” said Bremer in a news release. He said the parish has worked hard to become a no-kill shelter but it “can only do that with our partners’ and community’s help and support.”

The shelter is encouraging members of the community to consider adopting an animal, though it emphasized that a pet is a long-term commitment and comes with significant financial cost. All shelter animals come vaccinated,

microchipped and spayed or neutered.

“We are at a critical point and must reduce the amount of animals in our system — as dog fights, disease spread, and other factors can affect the quality of life of the dogs in our wards. Our animals are our top priority and we will not keep them in inhumane conditions, but the numbers are against us,” Bremer said.

The St. Tammany Animal Shelter is at 31078 La. 36 near Lacombe Adoption hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday Appointments are preferred but not required. The phone number is (985) 871-4513. The email is STPASprograms@ sttammany.gov

Animals available for adoption can be viewed on the parish’s website: www sttammany.gov/pets.

At 21/2 years old and 75 pounds of pure love, Sarahfina is a beautiful bundle of joy who is also well-behaved, friendly, naturally protective and a quick learner She has a heart of gold and will make a perfect family pet. Come and meet her or other adoptable pets at Northshore Humane Society Just email rescue@ nshumane.org or visit northshorehumane.org

PROVIDED PHOTO

FILE PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD

Pups peer through a cage at the St. Tammany Parish Animal Services Shelter

FILE PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

Slidell Memorial Hospital celebrated the grand opening of its Surgical Services and Patient Care Tower in September of 2024

FROM THE FILES OF THE FARMER

25 years ago

The state is seeking bids to lease 50 acres at Fontainebleau State Park in which to build an 18-hole championship golf course, a state official said Monday.

“The state wants a bidder to build the championship course that can be played by all levels of competition, from the weekend golfer to the scratch player,” said Dr. Stuart Johnson, project manager for the state Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Office of State Parks.

Johnson said the state will accept the high bid on the project. He said the state will carefully screen all bidders to ensure the company or companies have the expertise to build a first-class facility

“We expect, barring unforeseen events, to have the course operating by 2003,” Johnson said. “Those unforeseen events include a delay in obtaining a wetlands permit from the Corps of Engineers or an archaeological find. If a Native American site is uncovered, we would have to delay until it can be sifted through by archaeologists,” Johnson said. “The land also is wet in spots, so a wetlands permit will be necessary.”

50 years ago

The town of Madisonville is moving ahead with its plans for a new modern town hall and community center, advertising for bids for the structure this week

The new one-story brick structure would replace a two-story frame building on the riverfront. The building will have 6,000 square feet of floor space, 3,500-square-feet for the auditorium portion, and 2,500-square-feet for town hall offices, storage space and a kitchen. Revised preliminary estimates give an approximate cost of over $120,000. All plans have been approved by the state Fire Marshal’s Office, it was said. The building is to be built of brick with a good deal of glass. The old community house will be demolished to make room for the new town hall. Bids are due at the May 15 council meeting.

75 years ago

With city officials of the seven incorporated towns in St. Tammany actively interesting themselves in the coming St. Tammany Parish Library demonstration, preparations are moving for launching the new parish agency designed to bring books to everybody in the parish.

Miss Sarah Irwin Jones, field worker for the Louisiana State Library director of the project in cooperation with the local Police Jury, is spending several days each week in the parish meeting with officials and groups to bespeak their understanding and active aid.

Miss Jones met with the City Council of Covington last week asking that they furnish attractively Covington branch which will be housed within the parish headquarters in the Lobdell building on New Hampshire St. She also talked with Mayor Homer Fritchie of Slidell who told her of the interest there in an outstanding library for that community, and with Mayor Luther Crawford of Pearl River, who thinks it might be possible to find quarters for the library branch there in the city building to be built soon.

If the building is not completed by June when the parish library is scheduled to open, people will use the parish bookmobile to get their books.

“The larger towns of the parish will have branch libraries, the smaller communities bookmobile services,” the organizing librarian says. “Preliminary plans include branches at Abita Springs, Covington, Madisonville, Mandeville, Pearl River and Slidell Folsom is incorporated but could be served by bookmobile Lacombe is a larger community than some of the incorporated places, but lacking an official governmental unit, quarters there would have to be provided by some civic club group if the people want a branch library 100 years ago

A double funeral conducted by Rev. R G. Stilwell, pastor of the First Baptist Church Slidell, was the final chapter in the double tragedy on Lake Pontchartrain where Fred L. Roselein and Albert Wall were drowned accidentally while fishing. 125 years ago

A very severe storm prevailed throughout Louisiana and Mississippi last Monday night and great damage was done to property and crops. Our parish came in for its share, but we have not yet learned the full particulars. Mr John West, of Pearl River, informs us that his stable, a very large one, was blown down, and several head of stock injured. The Methodist Church was blown off its blocks and suffered some damage. Owing to high water along the track, East Louisiana Railroad passengers will travel by way of Mandeville and the steamer New Camellia for a few days. Honey island is reported to be overflowed and there is doubtless much suffering among the inhabitants. We have not learned the particulars up to this time.

BY SHEILA GRISSETT Staff writer

The celebrated musicians of the New Orleans Guitar Masters held sway over a full house at the Dew Drop Jazz Hall in Mandeville on April 5, but each of the three men towers on his own as one of the city’s great guitarists. They are a who’s who of musical artists in a city known for its talent, and they present a master class when performing together, deftly weaving their three-way interplay into unique arrangements. Blues and jazz stylist Jimmy Robinson has traveled with some of the world’s best musicians, playing gigs and festivals throughout Europe, Mexico and the United States Meanwhile, in New Orleans, he has performed throughout the city; he founded the celebrated instrumental rock fusion band Woodenhead, among others; and he is applauded for his virtuoso approach to the guitar and his rich compositions.

Cranston Clements, once called by All About Jazz as perhaps “the most sought after guitarist in the last 30 years,” has long been in demand for gigs and session work. But despite that performance workload, Clements’ passion for composing and songwriting has never waned. He has also partnered in numerous original projects, from the Rockabyes and Sexdog to the New Orleans Guitar Quartet.

The versatile John Rankin is known for his diverse style: classical, jazz, blues, folk and more, all blended with his New Orleans feel for the music. He has played every Jazz Fest since 1981. Rankin is also applauded as a music educator teaching at Tulane (where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees), Xavier University and Loyola, where he taught for 30-plus years, specializing in guitar and songwriting.

Jimmy Robinson

A full Dew Drop Jazz Hall house

Guitar Masters perform.

Cranston Clements

PHOTOS BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

New Orleans Guitar Masters — Jimmy Robinson, Cranston Clements and John Rankin — perform April 5 at the Dew Drop Jazz Hall in Old Mandeville. The trio is sometimes described as ‘a quintessential masterclass of New Orleans musicology.

SHOWS

ROCKING: The next free Rockin’ the Rails concert, featuring rock-a-billy party band and fan favorites Christian Serpas & Ghost Town, will literally rock the Covington Trailhead stage on April 17 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets for seating. Another Rockin’ the Rails concert is scheduled April 24 with the Pontchartrain Shakers.

SUNSET: The next Sunset at the Landing free Friday concert is scheduled April 18 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the foot of Columbia Street in Covington, featuring David Bandrowski & the Rhumba Defense with John Fohl. Everyone is invited to bring chairs, blankets and refreshments. SOUL: The next free Bayou Jam concert, featuring Lauren Murphy and the Psychedelics, is scheduled on April 27 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. in Heritage Park, 1701 Bayou Lane, in Slidell. Concertgoers are invited to bring their chairs, blankets, ice chests and picnic baskets to the park if desired, but on-site catering will also be available for a nominal charge, the city says. Park regulations prohibit pets, as well as the use of skateboards, scooters, barbecue grills and glass.

GROOVE: The TerraBella Village community in Covington will host a free public concert in their square on April 25 featuring New Orleans blues singer and pianist Kevin “Sonny” Gullage and the Blues Groovers. The 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. concert will also include food trucks, beverage vendors, and lots of green space for families to spread out at 111 Terra Bella Boulevard. No outside food drinks or ice chests permitted. There will be another spring concert in the square in May. For more, see terrabellavillage.com/events.

FREE JAMS: A free Bluegrass Jam by the Northshore Traditional Music Society takes place April 25 at 6 p.m. under the Covington Farmer’s Market Gazebo, 609 N. Columbia St. All invited to sit in or enjoy. Jam is part of the night’s larger block party within walking distance in downtown Covington. On April 27, from noon-2 p.m. at St. John’s Coffee House 535 E. Boston St., there will be a Slow/Fast Session with Madeline Hill, especially for those interested in playing Celtic fiddle tunes. Music played slowly at first, then at normal speed. And on April 28, musicians of all ages and abilities invited to perform their own music before a supportive audience at Cilantros Mexican Cuisine, 321 N. Columbia St. Go online to ntms.org to get more details and find free music for the sessions.

ON STAGE

JUDAS: The 30 by Ninety Theatre will soon present the R-rated production “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.” The play by Pulitzer Prizewinning dramatist Stephen Adley Guirgis reexamines the plight and fate of Judas, perhaps the New Testament’s most infamous and unexplained sinner; it explores deep themes of faith, justice and the human condition. The play contains explicit language and questions religious perspectives, which some may find provocative or unsettling. For mature audiences only Directed by DeJuan “DJ” James. Shows April 25-27, May 2-4 and May 9-11 at 880 Lafayette St. in Mandeville; evenings and matinees. 30byninety.com.

Car show in Slidell to benefit firefighters

Staff report

The Northshore Mustang Club has partnered with the St. Tammany fire chiefs and Supreme Ford to host a Local First Responders show of cars, trucks, bikes and Jeeps from noon to 4 p.m. May 3 in Fritchie Park in Slidell Proceeds from event will benefit the St. Tammany Firefighters’ Benevolent Association.

Judging begins at noon and an awards ceremony is scheduled at 3 p.m. Awards will include Best Classic; Best Corvette; Best GM Car; Best (non-Mustang) Ford Car; Best Mustang; Best of Show; and more. Free vehicle registrations (donations encouraged) from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. or until the lot is full at the 905 W. Howze Beach Road park.

There will also be door prizes, music, a 50-50 raffle, silent and live auctions. Food will be available for purchase.

KIDS ONLY: Join 30 by Ninety Theatre for Pure Imagination, a one-week musical theater program for performers ages 7-17 directed by Joy Bosley. Participants will dive into Broadway magic as they work on a solo or duet and multiple group numbers, all culminating in a cabaret-style performance. No experience needed to join the May 26-30 workshop, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, with May 31 performances at 10 a.m. and noon. Tuition is $300 and comes with a camp T-shirt. There is also a special half-day program for ages 5-6 on June 2-13. Get more details or register at 30byninety.com.

ART

WOMEN: The St. Tammany Art Association will host “Girls Night Out — Artistic Journaling” April 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 320 N. Columbia St. All supplies included for $50, but participants are free to bring any personal painting tools or inspirational items, such as photos or mementos. Retired art therapist T.T. Rouse will lead. For more, see sttammany.art/GNO

SUBMIT: The St. Tammany Art Association will present its 55th annual National Juried Exhibition on July 12 through Sept. 12 in the Art House’s Miriam Barringer Gallery, and a call for submissions for artists at least 18 years of age has been issued nationwide. The deadline for submissions is midnight, April 26. See sttammany.art/upcomingexhibitions

EASTER EVENTS

COVINGTON: The city of Covington and the Kiwanis of Greater Covington invite area families to their annual Easter Egg Hunt and Youth Wellness Fair on April 19 from 10 a.m. till noon at the trailhead. Photos with the Easter Bunny, Easter crafts, petting zoo and more. Youth Fair vendors will focus on healthy lifestyles, nutrition activity as preventative medicine and more.

COMMUNITY GUMBO

GREASE: Get ready to sing along to the magic of “Grease” at the city of Covington’s special movie night in Bogue Falaya Park on April 16 from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bring blankets and snacks to enjoy a night of free classic tunes, romance and rock ‘n’ roll at 213 Park Drive.

EARTH: The Bayou Lacombe Museum will celebrate Earth Day on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a day of nature, culture and community engagement. Free, family event to showcase the area’s unique plant life by helping with the Bochokwa Garden, a scavenger hunt, Chahta games, arts and crafts for children, live music and raffle to support museum. See www.bayoulacombemuseum.com.

READ: Hometown author Suzie Bronk Hunt will sign copies of her newest release,

“50% Chance of Sunshine,” at Eclectic Finds by Artdecogirl, 888 Old Spanish Trail in Slidell on April 26 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.. This is Hunt’s second novel in her Louisiana-set Rienville Moments book series. Hunt, a freelance writer and former columnist, will also talk about books, writing and story creation with readers. Her previous novels included “Weathering the Storm,” the first book in the series, and “Rose Mary’s Run.” For more info, call (985) 768-6294.

RECYCLE: On April 26, Mandeville residents are invited to drop off glass for recycling by a new southeast Louisiana company that turns glass into sand for beach restoration projects. Residents may also drop off documents, junk mail and the like to be securely shredded by a bonded, licensed company. Drop those items by the Mandeville Community Center, 3090 E. Causeway Approach, between 9 a.m. and noon. For more info, see the Keep Mandeville Beautiful website or email kmb@ cityofmandeville.com.

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. The complex at 100 Christwood Blvd. in Covington can be accessed via the Brewster Road entrance.

SAVE THE DATE

RUN: The West St. Tammany YMCA will host its annual Healthy Kids Day 5K and 1-mile Fun Run at 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., respectively Immediately following the race, all Healthy Kids Day activities will begin, starting wth a special opening of the pool and waterslide, games, crafts and more. Register at RunSignUp (search YMCA HKD5K) before April 27 to save money and get a t-shirt. Proceeds will help the Y extend financial assistance to those who cannot otherwise afford services.

EVERYTHING IRISH: The Northshore Traditional Music Society will hold its second annual Shamrock Soiree in the Abita Town Hall on May 31. It will be a night of Irish culture: Irish music by local players and an international artist; a traditional Irish community celebration with jamming and dancing; and plenty of Irish food and drink. It all starts at 5 p.m. Visit NSTMS.org for ticket information and event details.

WALK: NAMIWalks, a fundraiser by the National Alliance on Mental Illness Southeast Louisiana, will host its Northshore Walk on May 17 at 9 a.m. on the Safe Haven Campus in Mandeville. Registration is free. Participants can walk as an individual or create a team to help reach the goal of $150,000. Register online now at www.namiwalks.org/ selanorthshore.

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Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet plays the Dew Drop Jazz Hall

BY SHEILA GRISSETT Staff writer

Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis has performed around the world and in all the great venues of his New Orleans home many times over, and now the NEA Jazz Master is bringing his Grammy-winning sound, stage panache and trademark humor (he’s the family wise guy) to the Dew Drop Jazz Hall. Marsalis and his quintet will perform two sets there on April 19. And it’s not as though this musician-educator-composer-producer had nothing else to do this month. On top of teaching some master classes and other daytime pursuits, he’s also playing five nights at the music landmark Snug Harbor, a few more at the Mahogany Jazz Hall, performing in an outof-state jazz festival, as well as playing the French Quarter Fest and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival back home.

As part of an acclaimed New Orleans jazz family, one of six sons of the late jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr including his music-making brothers Wynton, Branford and Jason — Delfeayo Marsalis has really never been away from the jazz that seems to be his family’s lifeblood.

In addition to performing from his very early years, he created the Uptown Jazz Orchestra in 2007 to keep alive such important jazz music traditions as riff-playing, spontaneous group improvisations, and collective New Orleans instrumental polyphony (simultaneous multiple melodies) At the time, Marsalis said that outside of its great brass band tradition, the New Orleans music community was lacking the infusion of young homegrown talent.

So he formed an orchestra that could present traditional, classic, and modern compositions with authenticity Since then, the Uptown Jazz Orchestra has grown into one of the world’s premier large ensembles, releasing CDs and touring nationally and internationally

He also founded the educational program “Swinging with the Cool School,” a soft introduction to jazz for hip tots and up, and it was used as an experimental form of music therapy at the then-Children’s Hospital New Orleans. The Cool School has since expanded to introduce live instrumental jazz to students around the country, with a mission to help young people develop a relationship with music that has gradually disappeared from mainstream radio and media at large. Through these performances, the Uptown Jazz Orchestra introduces students and the adults around them to the wide emotional range of instrumental music.

DEW DROP JAZZ HALL SHOW

WHO: Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet

WHEN: April 19, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m; doors open 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: 430 Lamarque St., Mandeville

HOW MUCH: Cost is $10/adult (cash preferred) to enter the grounds; kids and students free. No advance tickets sold.

WHAT ELSE: Beer wine,

Since 2021, UJO has produced the annual Jazz at Congo Square Festival to celebrate New Orleans culture by presenting live performances of musicians, poets, dancers and Black Masking Indians to local and visiting audiences. The festival also continues to feature local food, arts and craft vendors, while Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra continue using the great legacy of American music to engage and hopefully inspire the younger generations. But on April 19, Marsalis and his quintet will stop all else to cross the lake and perform on the Dew Drop stage in Old Mandeville from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. It will be a night.

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MR. BASKETBALL

Hannan standout Drew Timmons ends high school career with second state title, LSWA’s top honor

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

When Drew Timmons started as an eighth grader on the Hannan basketball team, the Hawks had never won a playoff game since moving to their current campus in Covington.

Fast forward five years and the 6-foot-6 standout finished his high school career as the leading player on a state championship team for the second time in four years, and for that, he has been selected as the Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance/Mr Basketball by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

It feels great knowing that I’ll leave a legacy behind at Hannan,” Timmons said. “Just finishing my high school career out doing stuff that no one has ever done at Hannan is special. Before I got here, we had never won a playoff game on this campus, so to build it up from that to two state championships is definitely something special.”

Timmons’ legacy goes beyond the state championships. He finished his prep basketball career with 2,910 points and 1,491 rebounds as a five-year starter As a senior he averaged 21.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game and capped his season with 22 points and four rebounds in a 59-55 win over Shaw in the Division II select championship game where he also claimed Most Outstanding Player honors. Hannan coach Errol Gauff credited Timmons’ work ethic and versatility — he also led the Hawks in steals — for his success.

“He’s able to affect the game as more than just a low-post player,” Gauff said “Whether it is as a driver, cutter or passer, the fact that he can do all those things is a big reason why I think he is garnering these postseason awards. I’m glad people are realizing just how versatile he is on the basketball court on offense and defense.”

The Hawks finished with a 26-7 record, including an 11-game winning streak en route to the title. But that road to the championship was challenging as the Hawks knocked off Kennedy, eventual Division I nonselect champion Zachary and Walker before rolling to the District 7-4A title.

Timmons took over in the playoffs, posting 25 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in a quarterfinals win over Vandebilt Catholic before recording eight points with 11 rebounds in an intense defensive battle during a 31-29 semifinals win over traditional power and defending champion Peabody

The state championship was also a special family moment for Timmons as he shared the court with his younger brother, Gabe Timmons won the Hawks’ first title while older brother Luke also on the team.

“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 championship game Timmons joins Salmen’s Chris Duhon (2000) as just the second player from St. Tammany Parish to win the award.

Hannan senior Drew Timmons has been named the 2025 Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance/Mr Basketball by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

Bradley Miller

BY MIKE PERVEL Contributing writer

Covington reeled off its ninth straight win on April 8 as the Lions spoiled senior night at St. Paul’s with a 3-1 District 6-5A victory at Heap Field.

But it was more than a win over their district rivals; it was Covington’s 20th victory after a 1-3 start to the season

“Once we started hitting (.295 as a team), things started to click and the pitching, as expected, has been very good,” Covington coach Jeff Dragg said. “We have great kids, hard workers and they’re just fun to be around. They have a solid team bond, joking around a lot, but know when it’s time to be serious.”

Covington (20-7, 7-0) captured the district crown with an 11-3 win over Ponchatoula on April 5, and against St. Paul’s, junior right-hander Bradey Miller was dominant. Miller (4-1) surrendered only one unearned run on one hit and four walks in 6.2 innings before reaching the 115-pitch count limit. He struck out 10. Miller said his slider kept the Wolves off balance.

Hunter Spell, Miller and Panks opened the game with three straight singles to load the bases. Designated hitter Cameron Brewer hit a grounder to third, resulting in an errant throw home to allow Spell to score. On the play, courtesy runner Jared Dunkin also tried to score but was

final batter on three pitches to record the save.

St. Paul’s lone run came in the fifth as Easton Leblanc reached on a twoout infield single to deep short and later scored on a wild pitch.

St. Paul’s (8-17) slipped to 1-6 in district play First-year coach Kristian Gibbe credited Miller for his strong outing.

Northshore softball claims district title

Nette notches 100th win

BY DAVE WOODALL Contributing writer

With the District 7-5A title on the line, Northshore turned to freshman Abbi Allen in the circle, and the Panthers were not disappointed.

The freshman scattered seven hits and allowed one run as Northshore locked up the district crown with a 4-1 victory over Slidell at Marian Eades Field on April 10.

“I was excited and a little bit nervous coming into the game,” said Allen, who walked a pair and struck out three. “But I started pitching strikes and got my confidence back to get the win. I didn’t do well at the plate, but I thought I did well pitching. It’s nice to be able to secure a spot on the team as a freshman to help all of our seniors.” Northshore third baseman Anna Doll was one of the seniors who came up big. First, Doll scored the game’s first run in the fourth inning as she singled, moved to second on a sac bunt and later scored on a wild pitch for a 1-0 lead. She wasn’t done. Northshore added three insurance runs in the fifth as Brooke Stogner opened the inning with a walk. After a strikeout, Kylee Hylton and Ella Sanchez drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Doll then smacked a bases-clearing double off the left field fence to make it 4-0. “When I went up to the plate, I just wanted to get on base,” said Doll. “I said to myself, I’m just going to fight (pitcher Bailey Mackles) off until I get on base. She just kept pitching me inside until it came over the plate, and I smacked it over the outfielder’s head.”

Northshore coach Chelsea Nette, who recorded her 100th win in just her fifth season, said it was a total team effort.

“Anna (Doll) came up really big, and our pitcher Abbi (Allen) threw an awesome game,” Nette said. “Abbi’s a freshman, but she didn’t let the nerves or the crowd rattle her She made the pitches that I asked of her, and the defense played great behind her. Winning this district championship means more than any other that we have won because

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

“This was my best outing of the season,” Miller said. “My slider was my best pitch, and my fastball was dominant. I wanted to get the complete game, but I feel I didn’t get a close call on a 3-2 pitch, facing my last batter that walked.” Senior catcher and Southeastern signee Gavin Panks praised his teammate’s effort on the mound.

“Bradey had a flare about him, and he was awesome,” Panks said. “It was a special night behind the plate that I’ll never forget. His slider was his best pitch, and his fastball was very effective.” The Lions plated two runs in the first off Wolves’ starter Aiden Ankersen.

“He threw a great game and kept our hitters off balance. He competed well. Hats off to him, and he had a great defense behind him,” Gibbe said. Covington locked up the undefeated district crown with a 6-3 win over St. Paul’s on April 10. Senior Aidan Ryan tossed a complete game, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk with five strikeouts. Brewer

PHOTO BY BOBBY GILBOY

Bradey Miller struck

Paul’s on April 8.

PHOTO BY BOBBY GILBOY

Jay Carlin explains why he’s heading back to retirement

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

Pope John Paul II boys basketball Jay Carlin is heading back to retirement after two seasons with the Jaguars, school officials announced on April 9.

“It’s just that time,” Carlin said.

“I do it with mixed emotions but it was time I’m looking forward to the free time again. I’m very thankful to PJP for giving me the opportunity to coach a couple more years, but it was time.”

Carlin amassed a 41-23 record over the past two seasons, including a 51-50 first-round playoff victory over Northlake Christian on Feb. 28.

“Coach Carlin has been an excellent role model for the students of PJP and an exceptional co-worker for our faculty,” PJP II Athletic Director Richard Dieudonné said in a statement. “His passion for basketball and his positive outlook for his students and players is something that will be tough to match. It has truly been a blessing for the PJP community to have Coach Carlin be a part of this school; his calm presence and leadership have brought such positive growth to the athletic department.”

Carlin, who previously retired from Salmen in 2019, said the chance to build relationships and teach the game was why he got back into coaching at the high school level.

“I loved being involved with the kids again,” Carlin said. “That was awesome. It keeps you young and keeps you waking up with a purpose every morning. It was an opportunity to have a positive impact on young student-athletes. When I see their development mentally and physically, I know I’ve been blessed because I have coached some great kids and great players over the years.”

One of those kids was his grandson, senior Nathan Babin, who hit the game-winning shot in the final seconds against Northlake Christian.

“There are some special memories,” Carlin said. “There are just so many positives. Any time that you get to coach your grandkid or your own son, it’s special.”

FONTENOT

Continued from page 1B

the school from 1989-99 serving as head basketball coach from 199199. He then moved to Northlake Christian, where he spent 20 years in various administrative positions while also coaching basketball and baseball and serving as athletic director. Fontenot left Northlake in 2019 to go into sporting goods sales, but he returned to the classroom and coaching at Covington in 2021. Fontenot, 58, said it was a tough decision to leave Covington, where he posted a 22-11 record last season and guided the team to the quarterfinals for the first time in 15 years. “I love Covington High. I tell you, the administration, the players, the students and everyone was great. I had no plans to leave because it had been a great four

“I loved being involved with the kids again. That was awesome. It keeps you young and keeps you waking up with a purpose every morning

JAY CARLIN, Pope John Paul II basketball coach

Now, Carlin said he’ll have more time to spend traveling and attending games and events for his eight grandchildren.

For 35 years, Carlin roamed the sidelines in St. Tammany Parish as he coached Salmen to 844 victories, including a 2009 state title. When he retired from Salmen in 2019, he had 906 career victories in 1,242 games for a .729 winning percentage as St. Tammany Parish’s winningest coach. At Salmen, he won 27 district championships and made eight Final Four runs in 33 playoff appearances. He also had a state runner-up finish in 2015.

Carlin was named the Louisiana Coach of the Year in 1982, 1998 and 2015 and was inducted into the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association in 2021.

PJP II administration announced on April 10 that assistant coach Zachary Pisciotta will be the Jaguars’ new head coach for the 202526 season

years. I’m going to miss them, but

I’m excited to go back home to where I started my career,” Fontenot said.

He replaces Stephen Dale, who stepped down on March 11 after nine seasons to focus on his role as director of development, where he leads the school’s fundraising efforts.

“I want to build on what Stephen Dale has done,” Fontenot said. “I think the program is in a great place. I just want to keep it going.

I hope I can make a difference.”

St Paul’s athletic director Sam Francis said Fontenot’s history with the school was a plus.

“We are very excited to have Monty back home with us,” Francis said. “He will be a great addition to our faculty and staff and our community He loves this place. He wants to be here. I know he’s just as excited to be back as we are to have him. We know that he will continue to build the program.”

Northshore lineman Lang picks Aurora University

COVINGTON

Continued from page 1B

drove in a pair while Spell had two hits.

The undefeated district title was another positive note in a season full of them for the Lions, who are in line to host a first-round playoff series next week. The playoff brackets are scheduled to be released on April 15.

Ryan a Nunez Community College signee, is currently 8-0 on the bump and also plays left and first base He is hitting .276 and leads

the Lions with 23 RBIs through 28 games.

“Our 11 seniors give us so much experience, and we’re extremely confident Despite our slow start, we knew our lineup would come around. Before the season, we had goals to go undefeated in district and then make a deep playoff run. We feel we’re good enough, and we’ve taken care of winning the district,” Ryan said.

“Once our bats started to click, it’s been smooth sailing. We have a good balance, able to score runs and that helps our staff.”

Panks, who has drawn 30 walks this season, said he loves be-

ing part of a dynamic lineup and catching the Lions’ talented staff.

“Our starting pitchers have come through, and our relievers have also been good. We have good hitters throughout our lineup, so that makes us very tough,” he said.

Hargis set to take over Hannan baseball

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

Hannan officials announced the hiring of longtime coach Cass Hargis as the new head coach of the Hawks’ baseball program on April 11.

Hargis will replace Chris Garrett, who announced at the beginning of the season that he will step down at the conclusion of the 2025 season due to personal reasons.

“Coach Chris Garrett has done an outstanding job laying a strong foundation for this program and I’m honored to build on the hard work he’s put in,” Hargis said via a news release. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about Hannan, and I’m truly excited to join the community and work alongside Athletic Director Mike Perniciaro and Head of School Denis Schexnaydre.”

Hargis most recently served as the head baseball coach at St. Thomas More in Lafayette, where he led the Cougars to back-to-back appearances in the LHSAA Division II semifinals and was named the 2023 District 4-5A Coach of the Year Before his time at St. Thomas More, Hargis led Holy Cross to consecutive Division I semifinal runs.

“Every experience that has brought me to this point has helped shape my coaching philosophy and deepened my appreciation for the importance of attention to detail,” Hargis said via a news release. “That commitment will be reflected in everything we do within our program.”

A New Orleans native and graduate of Holy Cross, Hargis was inducted into the Southeast-

ern Louisiana University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. He remains the program’s career leader in hits, runs, triples and games played. Following his collegiate playing career, Hargis served as an assistant coach at Southeastern Louisiana and McNeese State before transitioning to the high school level.

Hannan athletic director Michael Perniciaro praised Garrett for his work throughout the last four years in building a program with strong foundations on and off the field. The Hawks are currently in line for a Division II select first-round bye when the playoffs begin next week.

“First and foremost, I want to thank Coach Chris Garrett for his time, leadership and dedication to the Hannan baseball program,” Perniciaro said via a

news release. “Over the past four years, he has done a tremendous job building a strong foundation, and he deserves credit for making this an attractive and competitive position.”

Perniciaro said Hargis will continue to build on what Garrett and the players had accomplished.

“In our search for the next leader of the Hannan baseball program, we were looking for someone with the ability to develop players and teams while building on the strong foundation Coach Garrett established — all within the framework of our faith-based mission,” Perniciaro said via a news release. “Coach Hargis brings those qualities to Hannan. His background as both a standout player and an experienced coach positions him to lead our program for years to come.”

PROVIDED PHOTO

Northshore lineman Jayden Lang signed with Division III Aurora University in Aurora, Ill., on April 3. Pictured are, front row from left, Melissa Lang, Jayden Lang, Christian Lang and Autumn Lang; back row from left, Principal Bill Gallagher, football coach Bobby Sanders and assistant coach Jacob Karl. Lang intends to pursue a degree in biology with a focus on premed.

PHOTO BY MATT DOBBINS

PJP II boys basketball coach Jay Carlin stepped down after two seasons on April 9.

STAFF PHOTO BY JOSEPH HALM

Former Holy Cross and St. Thomas More coach Cass Hargis was announced as Hannan’s next baseball coach on April 11.

PHOTOS BY BOBBY GILBOY

St. Paul’s junior Cody Corales makes a diving catch against Covington on April 8.

Covington’s Rock Organ lays down a bunt single against St. Paul’s

‘The General’ lives up to nickname as Northshore locks up District 7-5A title

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

With a chance to lock up the District 7-5A baseball title, Northshore called in The General, and the rest is history. Panthers’ senior Carson Malasovich struck out 11 as he tossed a 1-0 complete-game shutout at Slidell on April 8.

“Honestly, I just did what my coaches told me to do,” Malasovich said. “I trust in their pitch calls. I trust in my defense to work. I’m not a big strikeout guy, but I know the guys behind me are going to do their best to get it done.” That trust has served Malasovich and the Panthers (27-4, 7-0) well this season. The senior right-hander allowed six hits and one walk in 85 pitches. It was his ninth win this season.

“We call him the general because it’s his team,” Northshore coach Jay Hodges said. “Whatever we ask him to do, he executes the pitches. Coach (David) Welch called a heck of a game. Carson trusts in it, so it’s been really good.” Malasovich, who will give up baseball to attend a maritime university in Michigan this fall, said the nickname reflects his confidence on the bump.

“They tell me that I own the hill, so they came up with the general,” Malasovich said. “Do I like it? I don’t know, but I go with it.” Northshore needed every bit of Malasovich’s dominance to earn their 12th straight victory

The Panthers took the lead in the first as David Cantrelle walked, stole second and scored on Ayden Strecker’s two-out RBI single back up the middle. Slidell starter Brayden Calamari limited the damage in the inning as two Panthers were caught attempting to steal second.

“We were just lucky to get one in the top of the first because this was a great pitchers’ duel,” Hodges said. “We’re happy about the district title. It’s our first in six years, so it’s exciting. They just keep finding ways to win.” Calamari matched Malasovich for the next six innings. He allowed one run on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts in 93 pitches.

The Tigers (21-9, 6-1) stranded six runners, including four in scoring position. Another runner was tagged out during a rundown between second and third for the first out of the sixth inning.

Slidell coach Cameron Lewis said his team simply came out on the wrong end of a pitchers’ duel.

“Malasovich was outstanding,”

Once ‘undersized,’ Salmen’s Beasley wins $20K scholarship from Allstate Sugar Bowl

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Salmen’s Desmond Beasley felt overlooked on the athletic fields when he was growing up because of how much smaller he was compared to other kids his age. But he outshined most of them when they were in the classroom.

On April 8, the Allstate Sugar Bowl recognized Beasley as the Oliver Delery Scholarship award recipient and presented him with a $20,000 scholarship check.

Beasley, a three-year defensive back starter at Salmen with a 4.35 grade point average, was selected among 37 scholar-athletes recognized by the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the National Football Foundation during a luncheon at the Audubon Tea Room.

“I wrote (in an essay submitted to the awards panel) about how I was undersized growing up,” said Beasley, who plans to play at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville. “Little league ball, I didn’t pass the eye test. But then I stayed true to my game, ate the right foods and everything. It kind of paid off — three-year starter and everything.”

Beasley, now 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, played above his smaller stature when he was a freshman to the point where he got on the field late in some games at running back He moved to defense as a sophomore and became a starter

“He excelled on the de-

Lewis said. “I think that was one of the best outings that Calamari has had all year They were both able to locate three pitches wherever they wanted. It was fun to watch. Northshore is one of the top teams in the state, and we stood toe-to-toe with them. It might have been a different story if we executed better offensively.”

The Panthers are ranked No. 6 in the unofficial LHSAA Division I nonselect power rankings and are in line for a first-round bye. They could use the rest as one of the most tested teams in the area. Northshore is 15-3 in games decided by three runs or less.

“I’ve been coaching 28 years, and I don’t remember a team as tough as this one,” Hodges said. “These kids are just tough. They’re resilient and never give in. Hopefully it continues.”

Malasovich, who was voted a team captain the past two seasons, said the Panthers have their eyes set on a deep playoff run after locking up the district crown. “I love to (play baseball),” Malasov-

ich said. I grew up with these guys. They’re brothers to me, so I’m honored to be able to do it for them. I love them, so we want to make a run.”

The Tigers were able to spoil the undefeated district crown as they knocked off Northshore, 7-1 on April 10 in the district finale. Senior Troy Green allowed one run on two hits and two walks with 12 strikeouts in 6.2 innings. Calamari had a monster game at the plate going 3 for 4 with four RBIs

fensive side of the ball, and part of it was his intelligence,” Salmen coach Eric Chuter said. “Understanding schemes and understanding being in the right place — always in the right place at the right time. The other part of it was his hard work and the things he did not just on the football field, but in the weight room and on the track, training.” Beasley, a football and soccer team captain, appeared noticeably undersized for all the years he played sports before high school.

“He hit a growth spurt, and then he finally had the size, and he was really able to become a factor on the field,” said Joshua Beasley, Desmond’s father The father noted how Desmond “was always a factor academically going back to kindergarten, excelling — I mean, doing multiplication and division in kindergarten.” Beasley, a member of the National Honor Society, was among five scholarship award recipients at the banquet. Brennon Johnson of Bonnabel, Davion Robertson of John Ehret, Josiah Rashad Mitchell of Thomas Jefferson and Justin Wells of Newman each received a $10,000 scholarship. Other awards went to former Newman coach Nelson Stewart as the Contribution to American Football Award recipient and longtime Sugar Bowl Committee member Vernon Brinson as the Distinguished American Award winner

Pearl River uses late surge to claim District 7-4A title

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

The road to Pearl River’s second straight baseball district title was long and winding.

The journey actually started with a 6-1 District 7-4A loss to Lakeshore on March 26.

It was a tight game. The Rebels had a chance to tie it in the sixth before a runner was thrown out at the plate on a safety squeeze bunt to stop the rally Lakeshore tacked on four runs in the top of the seventh to make the final result appear more lopsided than it was. Less than 24 hours later, the Rebels went to Lakeshore and earned a 5-0 win, thanks to senior Jake Clifton’s complete-game shutout.

That win set into motion a series of events that would end with Pearl River (12-12, 5-3) winning the tiebreaker as the district finished in a three-way tie with Lakeshore and Hannan at 5-3 as well.

Pearl River coach Mike Couvillion joked on the bus ride to the victory at Lakeshore that the Rebels needed five things to go right to win the district.

“I said if all of that goes right, we’re the district champions again,” Couvillion said. “One by one, it fell into place. Then, we looked at the pitching schedule for our Hannan series. We felt like we had the advantage because we were coming off a bye week.”

Step one was the win at Lakeshore. Next, the Rebels needed Hannan to sweep Lakeshore The Hawks obliged with 4-3 and 6-2 victories over the Titans.

That set up back-to-back games against Hannan for all the marbles. If the Hawks won at least one game, Hannan won the crown. If the Rebels could sweep, Pearl River would force a threeway tie and win the tiebreaker (head-to-head record) in one swoop.

“Our top two pitchers have the ability to hold down anybody,” Couvillion said.

Those two pitchers — Clifton and junior Xan Harwell — came through in spades. Harwell pitched a completegame three-hitter for a 3-0 win over Hannan on April 7. He walked six and struck out six in 106 pitches. The next day, Clifton allowed two runs with six strikeouts in seven innings for a 4-2 victory as the Rebels completed the late surge to the title.

“It doesn’t matter who we are playing, they both give us a chance,” Couvillion said.

“Our team plays differently when they are on the mound because we have confidence that they are going to hold teams. We feel like if we can score two or three runs, that we have a really good shot at winning.”

The numbers back up that confidence. Clifton (3-2) has a 0.866 ERA with 40 strikeouts and nine walks, while Harwell (5-3) has 71 strikeouts, 21 walks and a 0.789 ERA.

“How many kids can go through a whole season and keep their ERA under one? It’s pretty incredible,” Couvillion said.

The District 7-4A race came down to the wire, but as the playoff pairings were scheduled to be released on April 15, all three teams are postseason-bound. Pearl River and Lakeshore (15-13, 5-3) are in line to host first-round playoff series in Division II nonselect while Hannan (18-14, 5-3) will

Beasley

PHOTO BY MATT DOBBINS

Pearl River’s Xan Harwell struck out 10 in 6-plus innings during a District 7-4A game against Lakeshore on March 26.

PHOTOS BY MATT DOBBINS

Northshore third baseman Connor Smith tags out Slidell courtesy runner Brayden O’Neill after O’Neill got caught in a rundown between second and third on April 8.

Northshore’s David Cantrelle slides in safely at home to score the only run in the Panthers’ 1-0 victory at Slidell.

Northshore’s Carson Malasovich

Salmen’s McKnight, Mandeville’s

Crandle win honors at meet

BY MIKE PERVEL

Contributing writer

Salmen track and field

coach Dustin Johnson knew his boys’ team had a chance to win another team title. With nine seniors, the Spartans were extremely confident heading into the 2025 Allie Smith Invitational Meet at Covington High on April 10.

That confidence was rewarded as the Spartans took home the team title while junior Marley McKnight won Field MVP honors

“I’m very pleased with our team’s winning performance,” Johnson said. “We have a great group of kids, and they continue to put in hard work Winning the boys’ team title was the result of a balanced overall effort.”

The Spartans posted 123 points to dethrone Ponchatoula (106.5 points), who won last year’s event Salmen senior Lamarion Walker won two events the 110-meter hurdles (15.76 seconds) and 300 hurdles (41.95), edging out teammate Camron Robinson by a mere five-tenths of a second.

“Lamarion (Walker) was exceptional for us. His outstanding effort helped keep us in front of Ponchatoula,”

Mandeville won the 4x100-meter and 4x200-meter relays April 10 at the Allie Smith Invitational Meet in Covington.

Johnson said McKnight won the long jump (22 feet, 10 inches), while Salmen sophomore Kyrin Goins won the triple jump (41-0.75).

St Paul’s (87 points) earned a third-place finish as senior Callahan Leahy was named the Track and Overall MVP He won the 200 (22.17) and the 400 (50.23), setting new PRs in both events. Leahy just missed becoming a triple-event winner, finishing second in the 100 by a mere .15 seconds.

“I’m happy with my performance, competing in a

really stacked field and being able to beat those guys,” Leahy said. “It’s crazy now having so much success after being cut from my Mandeville Junior High track team. It’s surreal to be in the position I’m now in. I was a little worried about running the 200 for the first time this season and being somewhat new to the 400, but everything worked out.”

In the girls’ competition, Ponchatoula defended its team title with 91 points. Hannan was a close second with 87 points Ponchatoula junior Gianna Winters

2025 ALLIE SMITH INVITATIONAL MEET

Salmen, 9:01.37; 3. Covington, 9:08.41.

At Covington High School

BOYS

TEAMS: 1. Salmen 123; 2. Ponchatoula

106.5; 3. St. Paul’s 87; 4. Mandeville 65; 5. Covington 62; 6. Hannan 30; 7. Country Day 29.5; 8. Fontainebleau 25.5; 9. St. Thomas Aquinas 15; 10. Pine 12; 11. Northlake Christian 9.5; 12. Holden 9; 13. Covington ‘B’ 7; 14. Northshore 4; 15. Christ Episcopal 3; 16. Pope John Paul II 1. Individual events

100: 1. Laiken Jordan, Ponchatoula, 11.05; 2. Callahan Leahy, St. Paul’s, 11.19; 3. Brandon Harper, Salmen, 11.26.

200: 1. Callahan Leahy, St. Paul’s, 22.17; 2. Laiken Jordan, Ponchatoula, 22.28; 3. Tayshawn Scott, Salmen, 22.69.

400: 1. Callahan Leahy, St. Paul’s, 50.23; 2. Grayson O’Shaughnessy, Salmen, 50.27; 3. Brayden Berglund, Mandeville, 50.70.

800: 1. Max Jacketti, Mandeville, 1:59.45; 2. Tyler Francis, Hannan, 1:59.48; 3. Kayden Hedrick, Mandeville, 2:04 59. 1,600: 1. Tyler Francis, Hannan, 4:30.50; 2. Matthew Norman, Ponchatoula, 4:33.08; 3. Max Newman, Mandeville, 4:36.93. 3,200: 1. Matthew Norman, Ponchatoula, 10:14.38; 2. Jacob Ruiz, Mandeville, 10:24.29; 3. Max Newman, Mandeville 10:28.56.

110 HURDLES: 1. Lamarion Walker, Salmen, 15.76; 2. Luke Demelo, Mandeville, 16.45; 3. Malik Brown, Ponchatoula, 16.46

300 HURDLES: 1. Lamarion Walker, Salmen, 41.95; 2. Camron Robinson, Salmen, 42.00; 3. Christian Richoux, Covington, 42.77.

4X100 RELAY: 1. Salmen, 42.87; 2. Covington, 43.06. 3. Ponchatoula, 43.28. 4X200 RELAY: 1. Salmen, 1:29.46; 2. Covington, 1:29.74; 3. St. Paul’s, 1:33.26.

4X400 RELAY: 1. Salmen, 3:31.74; 2. Ponchatoula, 3:32.28; 3. Mandeville, 3:37.14. 4X800 RELAY: 1. Ponchatoula, 9:01.16; 2.

SHOT PUT: 1. Lyrian Hart, Pine, 46-1; 2. Brody Cummings, Country Day, 44-2.5; 3. Joel Scobel, St. Paul’s, 43-3.

DISCUS: 1. Isaac Herzenberg, Country Day, 137-0; 2. Nate Sweeney, Hannan, 134-7; 3. Seth Jones, Covington, 125-3.

JAVELIN: 1 Austin Billiot, St. Paul’s, 159-6; 2. Cohen Naramore, Ponchatoula, 158-9; 3. Tate Soileau, St. Thomas Aquinas, 145-10.

LONG JUMP: 1. Marley Mcknight, Salmen, 20-10; 2. Gerardo Cervantes, Holden, 1910; 3. Luke Demelo, Mandeville, 19-9.5.

TRIPLE JUMP: 1. Kyrin Goins, Salmen, 410.75; 2. Ethan Ballard, St. Paul’s, 40-1; 3. Samuel Barze, Ponchatoula, 39-9.

HIGH JUMP: 1. Waylon Johnson, St. Paul’s, 6-0; 2. Jordan Kitchens, Salmen, 6-0; 3. Kellen Brewer, Country Day, 5-10.

POLE VAULT: 1. Caden Heck, Covington, 12-0; 2. Tyler Galladora, Ponchatoula, 116; 3. Lane Shoultz, Covington, 11-6.

GIRLS

TEAMS: 1. Ponchatoula 91; 2. Hannan 87; 3. Mandeville 76; 4. Fontainebleau 59.5; 5. Dominican 55; 6. Covington 45; 7. St. Scholastica 42.5; 8. Northlake Christian 39; 9. St. Thomas Aquinas 34; 10. Country Day 19; 11. Christ Episcopal 16; 12. Salmen 11; 12. Holden 11; 14. Covington ‘B’ 2; 15. Pine 1. Individual events

100: 1. Naleah Crandle, Mandeville, 12.69; 2. Chloe Gallien, Mandeville, 12.88; 3. Malacia Jackson, Ponchatoula, 13.01. 200: 1. Naleah Crandle, Mandeville, 26.20; 2, Julia Jenkins, Covington, 26.24; 3. Maggie Wylie, Hannan, 26.72.

400: 1. Brooklyn Baham, Covington, 1:00.88; 2. Olivia Bordes, Dominican, 1:02.10; 3. Madeline St. Cyr, Fontainebleau, 1:02.36.

800: 1. Colette Alvarado, Country Day, 2:21.56; 2. Lily Galliano, Country Day, 2:27.87; 3. Celia Adams, St. Thomas Aquinas, 2:29.65.

earned Field MVP honors after winning the discus (98-6) and shot put (34-3).

Mandeville captured third (76 points) Skippers’ junior sprinter Naleah Crandle was named Track and Overall MVP Crandle swept the sprints, winning the 100 in 12.69 seconds and the 200 in 26.20 seconds. Crandle also ran on the Skippers’ victorious 4x100 relay (49.53) and 4x200 relay (1:45.27) teams.

“Running four events and facing quality competition in a tough meet was a challenge. I just had to push through it, and it’s special winning both the Track and Overall MVP,” Crandle said.

“I got off to a slow start in the 100, but I was able to accelerate to win. Setting a new PR in the 200 was very special. It was a bit of a fight, but I was able to pick it up, winning both races.”

It took a total effort from Hannan to earn team runner-up honors. The Hawks 4x800 relay team of Isabelle Breaux, Grace McMenamin, Jacklyn McMenamin and Mary Friel took first (10:01.62). Friel and Grace McMenamin also finished first and second in the 3200. Hannan’s Grace Furlow earned a second-place finish in the javelin setting a PR (108-5).

1,600: 1. Noah Watson, Christ Episcopal, 5:26.63; 2. Celia Adams, St. Thomas Aquinas, 5:27.65; 3. Mary Friel, Hannan, 5:40.92.

3,200: 1. Mary Friel, Hannan, 12:17.28; 2. Grace McMenamin, Hannan, 12:22.54; 3. Genevieve Blanc, Mandeville, 12:51.81.

100 HURDLES: 1. Emma Prieto, St. Scholastica, 15.16; 2. Olivia Crusta, Fontainebleau, 15.46; 3. Joelle Adegboye, Mandeville, 15.66.

300 HURDLES: 1. Joelle Adegboye, Mandeville, 44.87; 2. Emma Prieto, St. Scholastica, 46.65; 3. Olivia Crusta, Fontainebleau, 48.12.

4X100 RELAY: 1. Mandeville, 49.53; 2. Covington, 50.71; 3. Hannan, 51.55.

4X200 RELAY: 1. Mandeville, 1:45.27; 2. Dominican, 1:49.84; 3. Hannan, 1:49.96. 4X400 RELAY: 1. Dominican, 4:17.71; 2. St. Scholastica, 4:22.47; 3. Fontainebleau, 4:23.12.

4X800 RELAY: 1. Hannan, 10:01.62; 2. St. Scholastica, 10:36.45; 3. Christ Episcopal, 11:13.50.

SHOT PUT: 1. Gianna Winters, Ponchatoula, 34-3; 2. Jade Triste, St. Thomas Aquinas, 32-9; 3. Kendriyan Simms, St. Thomas Aquinas, 32-9.

DISCUS: 1. Gianna Winters, Ponchatoula, 98-6; 2. Ja’Nyla Drennen, Ponchatoula, 93-1; 3. Rosemary Burke, Hannan, 91-9.

JAVELIN: 1. Hannah Ellis, Fontainebleau, 111-7; 2. Grace Furlow, Hannan, 108-5; 3. Caroline Dupas, Ponchatoula, 97-7.

LONG JUMP: 1. Julia Jenkins, Covington, 18-0; 2. Mackenzie Hayes, Northlake Christian, 16-10; 3. Ava Dale, Northlake Christian, 16-4.

TRIPLE JUMP: 1. Emma Lirette, Dominican, 34-1; 2. Blaize Foster, Holden, 32-7; 3. Makayla Collier, Ponchatoula, 32-7.

HIGH JUMP: 1. Sophia Agner, Ponchatoula, 5-2; 2. Mihley Clayton, Dominican, 5-0; 2. Olivia Crusta, Fontainebleau, 5-0.

POLE VAULT: 1. Emma Romano, Northlake Christian, 10-6; 2. Sophia Agner, Ponchatoula, 9-0; 3. Alise Stuart, Hannan, 8-0.

Battle-tested Hannan softball readies for postseason

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

There was no better example of how the 2025 softball season has gone for Hannan than the last full week of the regular season.

On April 8, the Hawks went on the road to play Mount Carmel, a team ranked in the Top 6 in Division I select. Hannan pounded out nine hits and rallied from a two-run deficit to earn a 3-2 victory

“This last week really helped us zone in against good pitchers,” said Hannan sophomore Khloe Renton. “We just keep preparing for playoff teams. We know we have to keep the energy up so we can help each other battle at the plate.”

Sophomore Riley Williams’ two-run home run in the sixth was the gamewinner against the Cubs. Less than 24 hours later the Hawks continued their demanding schedule with a home game against Doyle, who came in at No. 4 in the Division III nonselect power rankings. This time, the visitors came back, as Doyle rallied for an 8-4 victory The Hawks actually took a 3-1 lead after the first inning, but the advantage was short-lived.

“We cannot put two games in a row together,” Hannan coach Becky Lambert said. “We’ll play well one game, but then the next day, we’re not the same team. We make too many mistakes against good teams. We cannot adjust at the plate, and that is a killer.”

The Hawks strung together three hits in the first inning but only managed six hits the rest of the game against Doyle starter Bella Collins.

Meanwhile, the Tigers kept chipping away and finally got to Hannan sophomore starter Ava Kulivan for four hits and four runs during a seventh-inning rally, which was aided by a throwing error

“These are the kind of games that you have to win in the playoffs,” Lambert said. “Doyle is that caliber of a team, so it was a good learning experience. They have a bunch of wins You have to be able to battle and fight and claw We got three in the first, but that was it until the seventh We can’t do that if we want to be successful in the playoffs.” It might sound a little cliché, but the Hawks (16-10) are young — very young. Mackenzie Jackson is the lone senior There are no juniors on the team, while the sophomore class boasts eight players. The Hawks have responded well to adversity before. Hannan opened the season 3-7 before winning 11 of their next 12 games.

“We had kind of a rough start in the beginning, but we worked our way back up in practice,” Renton said. “We keep working on the little things to get better, but we still have more things to work on. We’re really focused on boosting each other up and keeping the energy up.” The Hawks are flirting with a Top 4 seed, which would keep them at home until a potential trip to Sulphur for the state tournament. Regardless, they are in line for a first-round bye when the playoff seedings are released on April 16.

Mandeville Junior High celebrates baseball, track and field district titles

Staff report

Mandeville Junior High continued its successful 2024-25 sports season by claiming three more district titles.

The Mandeville Junior High baseball team recently won its second straight district title by going undefeated in district play Team members include Maddox Baumann, Gray Boudreaux, Cade Carlson, Logan Casorla, Brayden Clement, Krew Collura, Jesse Donahue, Lynnton Ethridge, Max Gegenheimer, Vaughn Gonlag, AJ Greene, Elijah Lebeau, Hunter MacMaster, Luke McCoy, Ford Monson, Jax Murla, Justin Schneiderhan, Jack Sperry, Calen Sutter, Adrian Vick, and bat boy Henry Sperry Coaches are Chad Sutter, Jerry Zulli, Melanie Gaines and Janice Evans. The Patriots were also dominant in track and field, as both the boys’ and girls’ teams won district titles. This was the girls second straight crown. Mandeville Junior High competed in the district meet against Fontainebleau Junior High, Madisonville Ju-

nior High, Boyet Junior High, St. Tammany Junior High and Slidell Junior High. At the district meet, Jack Frazier was named boys’ Field MVP, while Calen Sutter took Overall MVP honors. Kayden Hillery was named girls’ Field MVP and Overall MVP The full track and field team includes Conor Alberts, Madison Alberts, Adriana Benoit, Bennett Boogaerts, Camille Boudreaux, Ellie Brocato, Leah Collier, Krew Collura, Travin Davis, Katelyn Doyle, Tristan Edwards, Moss Falterman, Evan

Fuller

AJ

Mia Hardy Jack Hill, Kayden

Morgan

Sofia Johnson, Max Kercher, Luke

Drew

Harper

Zac

ald,

Dre

Faith

Flaherty, Rylee Foy, Jack Frazier, Jackson

Iris Gilman,

Greene,

Hillery,

Johnson,

L’Hoste,

Lawson,

Leblanc,

Licata,

Malik,

Marengo, Baylen McDon-

Allie Morris, Addison Patron, Isabel Riegel, Ryan Rudiger, Victoria Rusch, Calen Sutter, Allison Tarabour, Kylie Touchstone, Bree Upton, Hailey Vaughn, Charlotte Ware, Derland Wells, Patrick Wells, Isabelle Wilkins and Kaylie Zapien. Coaches are Anthony Pequeno and Amy Berger

The Mandeville Junior High track and field teams recently won the boys and girls district titles.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

The Mandeville Junior High baseball team recently won its second straight district title.

Hannan’s Ava Kulivan releases a pitch.

STAFF PHOTOS BY JOSEPH HALM Hannan’s Khloe Renton slides into home during a game against Doyle on April 8.

PHOTO BY MATT DOBBINS

Darce’, Cynthia

Cynthia “Cindy” Lakey Darce’, age 68, of Mandev‐ille, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Sun‐day, April 6, 2025, with her husband and daughter by her side. She is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, David A. Darce’; her daughter Christine Darce’ Donewar (Charles); and her cherished granddaugh‐ter, Emma Donewar She also leaves behind her mother, Ardell Krueger Lakey; sisters, Denise Cur‐rault (Jack) and Linda Rhea (Rick); her beloved Aunt Irene and Uncle Carroll Bussell; as well as numer‐ous nieces, nephews cousins, and dear friends Cindy was preceded in death by her son, Craig An‐thony Darce’, and her fa‐ther, Leland Dale Lakey Cindy was born on Sep‐tember 13, 1956, in Farm‐ington, New Mexico. She graduated from Arch‐bishop Blenk High School, earned an associate de‐gree from USL, and later pursued her passion for the legal field at Tulane University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies She spent much of her career as a paralegal and notary public at Sessions, Fish‐man & Nathan, where she was admired for her dedi‐cation, professionalism, and deep compassion for others Cindy found joy in traveling, antiquing, col‐lecting glassware and handmaking cards. One of her proudest and most treasured roles was be‐coming “Mimi” to her granddaughter, Emma She will be remembered for her warmth, her kindness, and her gift for making others smile Cindy’s gentle spirit and loving heart touched everyone who knew her, and her legacy of love will live on through those she held dear E.J. Fielding Fu‐neral Home were entrusted with the funeral arrange‐ments.

Dauterive Jr., Valliere Joseph 'Val'

Valliere "Val" Joseph Dauterive, Jr., age 93, died peacefully at home on April 3, 2025. He was born in Chalmette LA on Febru‐ary 8, 1932 to the late Val‐liere J Dauterive Sr and Helen Mistrot Dauterive Val was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Margaret B Dauterive He is survived by three chil‐dren, Ann D. Savoy, Suzanne D McGuire (Paul) and Val J Dauterive, III (Lynda) and was preceded in death by one daughter, Catherine Marie Dauterive Beloved grandfather to Amy S Bradshaw (Brian) Zachary V Dauterive, Jacob E Dauterive, and step children, Michael P McGuire, Luke A McGuire (Hannah) Kevin P. McGuire (Laura), and Derek Klein‐richert three great-grand‐children, Jack, Caroline, and James Bradshaw as well as four step-greatgrandchildren Leo, Patrick Elise, and Oscar McGuire

Val was born and raised in St. Bernard Parish. He worked with his father in their business, Val J Dau‐terive, and Son, Inc., servic‐ing fuel to the New Orleans area. He had a strong work ethic and expected that of all his employees He was a member of the Thebian Fraternity in St. Bernard Parish. As an avid fisher‐man, he was blessed to see many beautiful sun‐rises over the waters of St Bernard Parish, where he bravely fought every red‐fish of legal size Val was

was a man of few words with a kind and generous heart. He could recite every car he owned, make, model and year. When asked by a friend, "How are you doing, Mr. Val?" with his endless sense of humor, he re‐sponded "I am slowing up and I am only 91!" Loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure The family is grateful to Home Instead and St. Tam‐many Hospice for their ex‐cellent care To sign the guestbook, please visit www bagnellfuneralhome. com.

Lee Jr., James

James J Lee Jr., age 73, passed away at his home in Mandeville, La., on Sat‐urday, March 22, 2025. Jim loved God, country and his beloved wife of 29 years and best friend, Mary Lee Jim led an exceptionally full and interesting life Born in New Orleans, La., USMC Viet Nam Veteran and Owner | CEO of Lee Fi‐nancial Partners in Man‐deville, La. Jim was pre‐ceded in death by his wife Mary Dugas Lee, parents Mr. & Mrs James Lee, Sr. and sister Deborah Lee. Jim is survived by his son James J Lee, III (Lauren) grandchildren, Ava and Zoe; and sister, Sandra Lee; his sisters-in-law Mar‐cia Dugas Shelton (James) Barbara Dugas Rivet (Charles) Elizabeth Dugas Beadle (Brian); brother-in law Kennedy Joachim Dugas, Jr (Lydia); his nieces Lacey Maynor, Erin LiSik, Michelle Arceneaux, Ashley Delcambre, as well as their spouses, their chil‐dren and other family members and devoted friends Lee Financial Part‐ners LLC was Jim and his wife’s business serving the community for over 35 years as Financial Planner, Mandeville, LA. USMC was a big part of Jim’s life. A Viet Nam veteran who served on the Board of Di‐rectors of the Marine Sup‐port Group in New Orleans He had a sense of respon‐sibility to active Marines for years Jim and wife were ROTC sponsored par‐ents and adopted students at Tulane ROTC hosting An‐nual Christmas dinner for officers-in-training, their spouses and children. Jim chaired Marine Corp Toys for Tots 2004-2006. LKA Louisiana Karate School in Metairie, LA under Sensei Takayuki Mikami, ninth dan JKA Jim was a fourth de‐gree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and taught self-defense to Tulane’s ROTC students Community was important to Jim. He was a graduate of Leadership St. Tam‐many’s Class of 2014, vol‐unteered at St Tammany Hospice and was a mem‐ber of the St Tammany Chamber of Commerce through he and his wife’s business, Lee Financial Partners Hospice volun‐teer for St. Tammany Health System Leadership St. Tammany Class of 2013, Northshore Kiwanis Club and Men Who Cook- Hope House CAC Another cause close to Jim’s heart is Pro‐ject Dreamcatchers founded by the Lee’s to memorialize their de‐ceased parents This edu‐cation charity provides support for students at Westbank Adult Learning Center Jim and his wife were generous philan‐thropists to many nonprof‐its Attended Church of the King in Mandeville and a member of their men’s group Jim had a strong faith and lived his life to the fullest with gratitude He loved sports, daily walks, golf, prayer, bible study painting abstract art, and often exercised Tae Kwon Do at his resi‐dence and enjoyed sweets He loved people and strived to connect in a per‐sonal way with everyone he met, from his clients and fellow business pro‐fessionals. His impact on his corner of the world was immeasurable and will be missed by all E.J Fielding Funeral Home were en‐trusted with the arrange‐ments.

Martin, Norma Jean Fulton

Norma Jean Fulton Mar‐tin, 92, of Covington, LA passed away on April 4 2025 at home and in the care of her loving family Norma was born in Chris‐man Illinois on July 26 1932. Norma is survived by two daughters, Mary Ann Martin Lee and Susan Mar‐tin Price and son-in-law Thomas Jesse Price Also surviving are grandchil‐dren, Matthew Lee and Mindy Gremillion, Joshua and Michelle Lee, Jennifer Lee Watson, and John Galante and Mikayla Dunne as well as many greatgrandchildren Norma was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Harold Victor Martin; her parents, Webster Maxwell Fulton and Meryl Mildred Witt; and her siblings, Maryellen Fulton Johnson Craig and brothers-in-law

Robert William Johnson and John William Craig, and Wanda Maxine Fulton McKnight and brother-inlaw, James McKnight; her son, Richard Morgan Mar‐tin and son-in-law, Christo‐pher Harry Lee, and grand‐son-in-law, David Watson Norma graduated from Chrisman High School in 1951 where she was awarded the Activity Award for participating in the most extra-curricular activities throughout her high school years She was also the Carnival Queen, the president of her senior class, and the president of the Student Council. She married Harold soon after she graduated and set up residence in Rockville, Indi‐ana for a short time before moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She also lived for a short time in Missouri and Georgia. Norma loved flowers and gardening and worked in a landscape nursery which was conve‐niently located next door to her house in Long Beach, Mississippi She served as the PTA presi‐dent while her children were in grade school and was a member of Chris‐man United Methodist Church She and her family moved to Covington, Louisiana in 1967 where she lived the rest of her life. She was an avid fan of the LSU Tigers and the New Orleans Saints and espe‐cially liked to watch women’s basketball Norma had such a kindheart and spent her life making this world a more beautiful place In addition to gardening, she loved to help others. She worked for a while as a nurse s aide at Pleasant Meadows Senior Living and Nursing Home in Chrisman, IL Mostly, she was the per‐fect mother and granny Her children’s friends were always welcomed in her home and treated as fam‐ily Her grandchildren took every opportunity to visit her and enjoy her “granny loving.” Norma’s life was a testament to goodwill to‐ward others, kindness, and devotion to family and friends She will be missed by all who knew and loved her E.J. Fielding Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral arrangements

Harold Joseph “Pat” Mc‐Cabe, Jr., age 92, of Man‐deville, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025. He was born on Octo‐ber 21, 1932, in New Or‐leans Louisiana. He is sur‐vived by his children, Keith McCabe (Terry) and Karen Gunther (Richard); grand‐children, Garrett McCabe, Ryan Gunther (Sarah) Kevin McCabe (Michelle), and Katie Gremillion (Marc); four great-grand‐children and many ex‐tended family members and friends Harold was preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years Joyce Engelbracht McCabe; his parents, Harold Joseph McCabe Sr. and Myrtle Ce‐cile Clew and his sister, Velma Caronna; his step‐mother, Edna Springman Bokenfohr McCabe and his stepsister, EdnaMae Bo‐kenfohr Bourgeois He was a talented athlete who played both basketball and baseball at St Henry’s, St Henry’s CYO, and Redemp‐torist where he was awarded many medals and played with and against many New Orleans icons of basketball and baseball of that time He enlisted in the Air Force during the Ko‐rean War and served for a total of 8 years, including inactive duty His success‐ful career began as a salesman in the lumber business, originally being employed by U.S. Plywood in New Orleans He and his wife were transferred around the country and en‐joyed many adventures through his employment with Champion Interna‐tional and Georgia Pacific He served as VP in the Cor‐porate Office of Champion International After 25 years away from home, he retired and returned to their home state of Louisiana Upon retire‐ment, many happy memo‐ries were made on Pen‐sacola Beach at their fam‐ily condo This made it pos‐sible for them to be with their grandchildren regu‐larly, who were the ab‐solute light of their lives The title and role of Gramps” was a very im‐portant one to him be‐cause he was a fantastic and loving grandfather and great-grandfather He en‐joyed working outside in his yard and being outside to socialize with his neigh‐bors and the neighborhood children who know him as “Mr Pat” Harold was a hard worker a great hus‐band and father, who sac‐rificed a lot to make a good home for his family He spent the first years of his career traveling and was away from home a great deal. Joyce was the ab‐solute love of his life They met on Mardi Gras Day at F & M Bar while with their families. They eloped a couple of years later and had a wonderful life to‐gether. He was his wife’s devoted caregiver for many years and has been broken hearted since she passed away a year ago E.J Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, Louisiana, was honored to be en‐trusted with Mr McCabe’s funeral arrangements

Meyers, Lorraine Holleman

At 99 years young Lor‐raine Holleman Meyers, who had effortlessly dis‐played and selflessly graced her family and friends with ample love, gentleness, beauty, and dignity to last their life‐times left this world on March 19, 2025, to be with her Lord Jesus where that Grace Love Gentleness Beauty, and Dignity is in abundant supply Lorraine was born on September 9, 1925, in New Orleans to Al‐bert Elliott Holleman and Agnes Montfort Blackman Holleman After graduating from Mamaroneck High School in Mamaroneck, NY, and while attending L.S.U , Lorraine met a young Ma‐rine who was studying at the L.S.U Law Center after serving in the Pacific in WWII, Bill Meyers. The cou‐ple was married in 1948 while Bill was in his senior year. Family legend has it that Bill’s eagerness to marry Lorraine was due, in part, to the prospect of re‐ceiving an additional $32 per month for married vet‐erans attending school on the GI bill Such a legend is unfounded because, in re‐ality, Bill was smart enough to realize what a prize he had in the beauti‐ful Lorraine and if there is one attribute that Meyers men have, it is that they al‐ways marry up with Bill being the prime example Lorraine was the perfect complement to Bill, and the two served as wonder‐ful examples for their chil‐dren and grandchildren. All six of her children played tournament tennis, and she regularly and without complaint, drove her kids and other budding young New Orleans tennis players around the country to compete in various re‐gional and national junior contests Accordingly, she also served as their main supporter and consoler-inchief Despite having no tennis experience, she nev‐ertheless proceeded to du‐tifully discharge her re‐sponsibilities by making sure all children brought their sweatbands to the matches and reminding them to “keep your eye on the ball.” After enduring the travails of watching hundreds of junior and col‐legiate tennis matches over many years she fi‐nally picked up tennis her‐self in her 50s and enjoyed it immensely She also rec‐ognized early on the futil‐ity of keeping the dirt from the clay courts at the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club from being tracked into her home by not only her kids but by the incessant pa‐rade of other out-of-town tennis aspirants being temporarily “housed” at the Jefferson Avenue home, not to mention the constant upkeep necessi‐tated by the family’s beloved slobbering English Bulldogs Lorraine was a gourmet cook and Bill and the six children were the beneficiaries of this talent for every meal, seven days a week including the LSU football tailgating feasts she faithfully prepared She was also an extraordi‐nary even for of j She hous that Home fille hors tiou hus easy to e tern very and coul ow lawy grea her end reer and rain Orl Leag New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club and served as a member of the board of the Odyssey House and The New Orleans Food Bank After Bill passed away in 2013, Lorraine resided at Christwood in Covington, La. and spent several wonderful years there where she cultivated numerous and blessed friendships with the resi‐dents and staff. We would like to thank the staff at Christwood and her "spe‐cial” companions, Anieth and Leona (her ‘bebe’) as well as her Visiting Angels, especially Sonia and De‐lanie. And to Emily, her As‐

rambunc‐tiousness. She loved her husband and children’s easy humor She was able to enjoy her children’s in‐ternecine banter until the very end. She was erudite and a voracious reader and could more than hold her own against the many lawyers in her family She greatly encouraged each of her children in their many endeavors and various ca‐reers in medicine, the law, and art and design Lor‐raine was a member of the Orleans Club, the Junior League of New Orleans, the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club, and served as a member of the board of the Odyssey House and The New Orleans Food Bank. After Bill passed away in 2013, Lorraine resided at Christwood in Covington, La and spent several wonderful years there where she cultivated numerous and blessed friendships with the resi‐dents and staff. We would like to thank the staff at Christwood and her "spe‐cial” companions, Anieth and Leona (her ‘bebe’) as well as her Visiting Angels especially Sonia and De‐lanie And to Emily, her As‐sisted Living Nurse who was an especially attentive and caring friend and healer. She is survived by her six children and their spouses and children: Dr William M. Meyers Jr and his wife, Melissa Day Mey‐ers of New Orleans; Meg Meyers Smith, her hus‐band, Michael, of Wimber‐ley Texas, and their chil‐dren, Taylor and Walker; Mark B. Meyers and his wife, Susan Hopkins Mey‐ers of Houston, and their children, Brent, Holly, and Anna; Andrew H. Meyers and his wife, Erin McKay Meyers of Lafayette and their children, Kathleen, Andrew, Jr., William, and Matthew; Mary Meyers Howard and her husband, Michael of Brooklyn NY and their daughter, Mimi; and John Cullen Meyers and his wife, Susan Worrel Meyers of Covington and their daughter, Emily. She is also survived by nine‐teen great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved very much E.J Fielding Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral arrangements.

McCabe Jr., Harold Joseph 'Pat'

Rock Jr., Alton

Alton Anthony Rock Jr , 75, of Slidell, Louisiana passed away on Wednes‐day, March 26, 2025, in Slidell. Alton was born on July 21, 1949, in Morgan City, Louisiana to Alton and Doris Rock. After at‐tending Nicholls State Uni‐versity, he was drafted into the U.S

in death by his parents

is survived by his

years, Cheryl Duhon Rock; two children, Bryan Rock, and Robin Herdliska (George); four grandchil‐dren Zachary Rock Riley Huebner (Zach), Abby Herdliska and Beau Herdliska; brothers, Robert Rock and Barry Rock;

ters, Janet Stewart, and Brenda Holeman; and

6B ✦ Wednesday,April 16, 2025 ✦ St.Tammany ✦

awarded the Purple Heart Medal for his service in Vietnam In 1969, he mar‐ried Cheryl Duhon in Amelia Louisiana. The cou‐ple moved to Slidell in 1978, and in 1991, they pur‐chased Artistic Florist in Slidell. Alton became ac‐tively involved in the local business community, join‐ing the Northshore Rotary Club and the Slidell Cham‐ber of Commerce, where he served as President in the 1993. After retiring Alton became a passionate advocate for Armed Forces Veterans. He held member‐ships in the American Le‐gion, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also served as the immediate past Trea‐surer of the Louisiana VVA State Council and as Presi‐dent of the Louisiana Viet‐nam Veterans Assistance Foundation. Additionally he was a past Commander of the Louisiana Military Order of the Purple Heart and was dedicated to ad‐vocating for veterans rights. Alton was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Cheryl Duhon Rock; two children, Bryan Rock, and Robin Herdliska (George); four grandchil‐dren, Zachary Rock, Riley Huebner (Zach), Abby Herdliska, and Beau Herdliska; brothers, Robert Rock, and Barry Rock; sis‐ters, Janet Stewart, and Brenda Holeman; and nu‐merous other relatives Honaker Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements.

Arthur Donald Seale of Lacombe, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the age of 88. He was born on October 27, 1936, in Tupelo, Missis‐sippi to Charles Arthur Seale and Lois Christian Seale His family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana when he was just a young boy where he met his one and only love of his life Melba Wiggins Seale. He, being the love of her life has always been her cher‐ished beloved “He-Art, my Heart”. From the beginning of their life together, he was always a gentleman at heart as he would walk her to school carrying her books and enjoying her friendship A man who dearly loved his family, he was known to be a won‐derful, selfless, Christlike inspiration to all who knew him He also spent much of his time watching Through the Bible with Les Feldick, studying the Bible, and talking about scripture Art proudly served in the Army National Guard of the United States and the Army National Guard of Louisiana for many years Art and Melba were mar‐ried in 1959 and moved to Metairie, Louisiana where they raised their three chil‐dren. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles Arthur Seale and Lois Christian Seale; sister Barbara Seale Barreca; daughter Donna Seale Graffagnino; and son, Arlen Daryl Seale He is survived by his beloved wife, Melba Wiggins Seale; son, Arthur Donald Seale, Jr (Pamela Seale); six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren (with two more on the way and one embraced in heaven) Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home in Slidell.

Patricia Lind Patricia Lind Sullivan of Mandeville, LA passed away on April 3 2025. She was

ter's degree 30 addi‐tional graduate hours) from Loyola University. Pa‐tricia enjoyed her career as a counselor at O Perry Walker High School for many years, before retiring in 1997. A devout Catholic, Patricia served as a Eu‐charistic Minister at Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church in Man‐deville. She was also en‐joyed playing the piano tending to her garden, and traveling with her husband Walter The family would like to extend their heart‐felt thanks to the dedi‐cated caretakers and healthcare professionals who provided exceptional care, love, and support during Pat's final days Fond memories and condo‐lences are encouraged at www gracenorthshore com.

Tennyson, Suellen

Sister Suellen Theresa Tennyson (AKA Sr Mary Richard) passed away on April 2, 2025, in Covington, Louisiana, at the age of 86 Born on December 21, 1938 she dedicated her life to faith service and educa‐tion as a member of the Marianites of Holy Cross She entered the Marianites on September 7, 1956, and professed her final vows on August 14, 1961. Over the decades, Sister Suellen served in numerous lead‐ership roles within the con‐gregation, including Direc‐tor of Novices, Provincial Council member, Provin‐cial, and Congregational Leader. Her commitment extended beyond her com‐munity as she also served as Vicar for Religious for the Archdiocese of New Or‐leans Sister Suellen de‐voted many years to edu‐cation in Louisiana. She taught at St. Cecilia, St Rita, and Resurrection schools in New Orleansserving one year as princi‐pal at Resurrection - and taught at Sacred Heart in Ville Platte LA Her dedica‐tion to spiritual formation and education was further reflected in her service on the Boards of the Univer‐sity of Holy Cross and the Cenacle Retreat House She also ministered inter‐nationally in Yalgo, Burkina Faso, at John Paul Il Med‐ical Center and Holy Family Parish. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Tennyson and Gladys Labbe Tennyson; her brother, James Ten‐nyson Jr.; and her sister Patricia Tennyson Down‐ing She is lovingly remem‐bered by her Marianite sis‐ters as well as her nieces Suellen Tennyson, Laura T Butler and Kristin D Las‐siter (Chad); nephew James Downing (Kim); grand-nieces Taylor Butler, Madison Richard, Grace Downing, Lillian Downing and Iris Downing; grandnephews Brennan Butler Zachary Richard, and Levi Downing; sister-in-law Jenny Tennyson; numerous Tennyson and Labbé cousins; and longtime friend Shirley Lachmann and her family Suellen spent her last two and a half years in Louisiana reestablishing connections made throughout her lifetime as well as making new friends every day Sis‐ter Suellen's life was a tes‐tament to unwavering faith and compassionate ser‐vice. She treated everyone she encountered with deep respect and always with her ever-ready smile May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her Bagnell & Son Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements.

en Lavender III and Callie Mae Lavender; and his sister Judith Dianne West. A proud graduate of Pen‐sacola High School, Randy continued his education at Mississippi College, where he earned a Bachelor’s de‐gree in Finance and, more importantly, met his beau‐tiful bride, Anita Their en‐during partnership became the cornerstone of his life Randy built a long and dis‐tinguished career in the transportation industry Starting at the rental counter of Hertz in Jack‐son, Mississippi, his sharp intellect and unwavering dedication propelled him through the ranks to csuite positions at Ryder and several other promi‐nent companies. What set Randy apart was his ability to recognize potential in others investing his time and energy in mentoring countless individuals who flourished under his guid‐ance. His career took he and Anita across the Southeast, but their hearts always belonged to South Louisiana, where they made Mandeville their cherished home for over two decades Beyond his professional achieve‐ments Randy embraced life with enthusiasm He was an avid golfer and a passionate supporter of the New Orleans Saints and LSU Tigers. On any given Monday, you could find him savoring his fa‐vorite meal of red beans and rice. He loved a series of dogs, spoiling them all and declaring each to be exceptionally wonderful, especially Thibodeau, the dog that survives him Randy possessed a keen business acumen that re‐mained with him even in retirement, as he contin‐ued to mentor aspiring professionals. He held high standards for those around him inspiring them to strive for excellence With his natural conversational ease and infectious sense of humor, Randy had a re‐markable ability to make everyone feel comfortable and valued His Christian faith was an integral part of his being, shaping his in‐teractions and leaving a lasting impression on those who knew him. While Randy achieved significant success in his career, his greatest pride was his family He admired Anita’s culinary talents and her selfless dedication to serv‐ing others He was im‐mensely proud of his son Josh, whose brilliant mind and compassionate heart which was obvious by his interest in physics music and spirituality. He also deeply admired his daugh‐ter Allyson, who inherited his tenacity and business acumen following in his footsteps in the trans‐portation industry In his later years, Randy found immense joy in his grand‐children He treasured his golf outings with Thomas and delighted in the spir‐ited conversations and matching wits with Callie Mae He also enjoyed a lov‐ing bond with his older sis‐ter, Judith, who served as a pillar of support for their tight-knit family In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Josh West Memorial Scholarship Fund at Montreat Conference Center Office of Develop‐ment P.O. Box 969, Mon‐treat NC 28757 or Coving‐ton Presbyterian Church, 222 S. Jefferson Covington LA 70433 honoring Randy's memory and his commit‐ment to the growth and de‐velopment of others. A Cel‐ebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at Covington Presbyterian Church, 222 South Jefferson Avenue Covington, LA 70433 with visitation beginning at 1:30 p.m until service time E.J Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with fu‐neral arrangements Please sign the guestbook at www ejfieldingfh.com

Announcements

PUBLICNOTICE

NOTICEOF PUBLIC AUCTION

St Tammany Parish Tourist & Conven‐tion Commission (dba Visit The Northshore) will hold a public auc‐tion, and intends to sell to the highest bidder, a vehicle, iPhones, computers, cameras and furni‐ture deemed as sur‐plus by Visit The Northshore’s Board ofCommissioners. Thispublicauction willbeheldon THURSDAY, APRIL24, 2025, at 9:00AM At:ServCorp International,Inc 101MagnoliaSt., Slidell,LA70460

The movable prop‐erty to be sold will be available for viewing on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 AMand3:00PMat ServCorp Interna‐tional.

This will be a Live Onsite Auction with Online Bidding. To obtain additional details visit Serv‐Corp International’s website at slidel‐lauction.com and click on the auction date listed on the Homepage For on‐line bidding via Proxibid please visit https://bit.ly/ 3XRHRrS.

Visit The Northshore’s items to be auctioned will not be sold for a price less than re‐quired by law. All items are sold “as is, where is” without warrantyandwillall faults/defects. Visit The Northshore re‐serves the right to reject any and all bidsandremoveany movable property from sale Buyer’s premium, notary fee & other terms apply See full terms at the auction.

(CST) Website: wwwsli dellauction.com

PUBLICNOTICE

The City of Coving‐ton will hold a pub‐ lic auction, and in‐tends to sell to the highestbidder,vehi‐cles machinery equipment, furni‐ture and miscella‐neous IT equipment deemed as surplus by the City of Cov‐ington. The Onsite Live Auction with Online Bidding will be held on: April 24, 2025, at 9:00 AM at ServCorp In‐ternational 101 Magnolia Street Slidell, LA 70460, phone number 985847-1242. Online Bidding via www proxibid.com/ servcorp The pre‐ view for the prop‐erty to be sold will be on Wednesday April 23, 2025, be‐tween the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM Items to be auctioned per the City of CovingtonOrdinance # 202504 and will not be sold for a price less than required by law All items are sold “as is” without warranty and with all faults/defects. Some items may be subject to reserve. Buyer’s premium, notary fee and other terms & conditions apply Visit slidel‐lauction.com for moredetails 132675AP2-9-163T $104.71

PUBLICNOTICE

ADVERTISEMENT FORBIDS

Sealed bids will be received until 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2025 on Janitorial Sup‐plies. Additional informa‐tion and specifica‐ tions will be fur‐nished prospective bidders upon re‐quest at the School Board Office. Bid documents can also be found on www stpsb.org/bids and wwwcentralbidd ing.com.

Each bid shall be sealed in an enve‐lope clearly marked ontheoutside, "BID#1879 JANITORIAL SUPPLIES–MAY 8,2025."

mas‐ter's degree (plus 30 addi‐tional graduate hours) from Loyola University Pa‐tricia enjoyed her career as a counselor at O Perry Walker High School for many years, before retiring in 1997. A devout Catholic, ‐

Auctionconducted byServCorp International, Inc., 101 Magnolia Street, Slidell, LA 70460, 985.847.1242, slidellauction.com, B.Mutz,LA-1467 132680‐MAR26AP2-9-1623-5T $249.25

Bids will be re‐ceived at the office of the St Tammany Parish School Board, 321 N. Theard Street Cov‐ington, Louisiana 70433, and at the time stipulated above all bids on hand will be pub‐licly opened and read aloud. Any bid received after date and hour shown above will be re‐turned unopened to thebidder. The St Tammany ParishSchoolBoard reserves the right to reject any and all bids Thisinstitution is an equal opportu‐nityprovider. ST TAMMANY PARISHSCHOOL BOARD /s/JAMES BRAUD,President /s/FRANKJ. JABBIA, Superin‐ tendent 136091AP16-23-2T $66.60

NOTICE St Tammany ParishSheriff’s OfficeLiveAuc‐tionwithOnline Bidding

The St Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Of‐fice will be conduct‐ing an Onsite Live AuctionwithOnline Bidding of surplus 3- 2013 Tahoe’s 8 –2015 Tahoe’s, 42014 Fusion’s, 1 –2015 Fusion, 1 -2019 Fusion, 4 –2015 Harley David‐son Motorcycles and other miscella‐neousitems

AuctionDate: ThursdayApril 24, 2025 Startsat9:00AM (CST)

Items located at ServCorp Interna‐tional, Inc at 101 Magnolia Street Slidell,LA70460 Preview: Wednes‐day April 23, 2025 from 9AM to 3PM (CST) Website: wwwsli dellauction.com (985)847-1242

Online Bidding via wwwproxibid.com/ servcorp

All items are sold “AS IS” without warranty and with all faults/defects. Items deemed sur‐plus will not be sold for a price less than required by law Some items maybesubjecttore‐serve. Buyer’s pre‐ mium, notary fee and

The St Tammany ParishSchoolBoard will participate in a publicauctionat 9:00 AM on Thurs‐day April 24 2025 at ServCom Intem‐ational Inc located at101lia Street, Slidell, Louisiana 70460 This will both a live auction and online auctionvia wwwproxbid com/ servcorp Questions regarding the online auction should be addressedto ServCorp Intem‐ational, Inc at (985) 847-1242 Miscellaneous audio-visual equip‐ment comDuters printers appliancescustodial eouioment food service equipment lawn maintenance equipment and ve‐hicleswillbesold to the highest bid‐der(s) The public is invited to attend In‐terested individuals mayviewthe equipment on Wednesday April 23 2025 between 9:00AMto3:00PM attheaucfionsite Additional informa‐tion can be obtained by contacting Mr Dale Roark, Custo‐dial Supervisor at (985) 966-30M Monday through Friday from 8:00 a m to 3:00 p m 134421AP9-16-2T $54 10

UNIFORMS & SUPPLIES

Bid packets, includ‐ing instructions and/or specifica‐tions, may be ob‐tained online at wwwbidnetdirect. com or by contact‐ing the St Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Of‐fice, Purchasing Di‐vision

70458

Bidding

Bids will be pub‐licly opened and read aloud at 11:30 a.m (CST) on MAY 2, 2025 in the Purchasing Depart‐ment of the St. Tam‐many Parish Sher‐iff’s Office, 300 Brownswitch Rd Slidell,La.70458. Bidders are respon‐ sible to ensure

Seale, Arthur Donald

PUBLICNOTICE INVITATIONTO BID CITYOF MANDEVILLE

Sealed bids will be received until 11:00 A M , local time, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in the of‐fice of the Purchas‐ing Agent, City Hall, Mandeville, Louisiana, 3101 East Causeway Ap‐proach, Mandeville, LA 70448; for fur‐nishing all labor, materials, supervi‐sion, etc , and per‐ forming

001; for the City of

Mandeville, Louisiana Anybids received after 11:00 A M will be returned un‐opened The Work consists ofconstructionofan Earthen berm and

A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2025; 10:00 A M , at Mandev‐ille s Department of Public Works, 1100 Mandeville High Blvd Mandeville, LA 70471; (985624-3169) Drawings and Spec‐ ifications are open for inspection at the Mandeville Depart‐ment of Public Works Director’s Office 1100 Man‐deville High Blvd Mandeville LA 70471; (985-6243169) A complete set of Contract Doc‐uments for this Pro‐ject may be secured from Neel-Schaffer Inc , located at 2900 E Causeway Blvd, SuiteE,Mandeville, LA 70448; (985674-9820) by li‐censed Contractors upon payment of ONE HUNDRED dollars ($100) per set This payment is refundable

deville Bids will be opened and publicly read aloud after 11:00 A M in the City Council Cham‐bers, City Hall, Mandeville, Louisiana Anybids received after 11:00 A M will be returned un‐opened The Work consists ofconstructionofan Earthen berm and stone armoring for a base bid and chan‐nel excavation stone lining and marsh creation for alternatebid1 A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2025; 10:00 A M , at Mandev‐ille’s Department of Public Works, 1100 Mandeville High Blvd Mandeville, LA 70471; (985624-3169) Drawings and Spec‐ ifications are open for inspection at the Mandeville Depart‐ment of Public Works Director s Office, 1100 Man‐deville High Blvd , Mandeville LA 70471; (985-6243169) A complete set of Contract Doc‐uments for this Pro‐ject may be secured from Neel-Schaffer Inc located at 2900 E Causeway Blvd SuiteE Mandeville LA 70448; (985674-9820) by li‐censed Contractors upon payment of ONE HUNDRED dollars ($100) per set This payment is refundable to bonafide bidders re‐turning the Docu‐ments in good con‐dition within ten (10) days after the Opening of Bids Digital copies of the contract documents may be requested from purchasing@ cityofmandeville com Please find bid re‐lated materials and placeelectronicbids at wwwcentralbidd ing com For ques‐ tions relating to the electronic bidding process please call Central Bidding at (225)810-4814

PUBLICNOTICE INVITATIONTO BID CITYOF MANDEVILLE Sealed bids will be received until 11:00 A M , local time, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in the of‐fice of the Purchas‐ing Agent, City Hall, Mandeville, Louisiana, 3101 East Causeway Ap‐proach, Mandeville, LA 70448; for fur‐nishing all labor materials supervi‐ sion etc and per‐ forming all work necessary to com‐plete Mandeville Lakefront Wet‐lands ; City of Mandeville PRO‐JECT NO :100 21 001; for the City of Man‐deville Bids will be opened and publicly read aloud after 11:00 A M in the City Council Cham‐bers, City Hall, Mandeville, Louisiana Anybids received after 11:00 A M will be returned un‐opened The Work consists ofconstructionofan Earthen berm and stone armoring for a base bid and chan‐nel excavation stone lining and marsh creation for alternatebid1 A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2025; 10:00 A M , at Mandev‐ille s Department of Public Works, 1100 Mandeville High Blvd Mandeville, LA 70471; (985624-3169) Drawings and Spec‐ ifications are open for inspection at the Mandeville Depart‐ment of Public Works Director’s Office 1100 Man‐deville High Blvd Mandeville LA 70471; (985-6243169) A complete set of Contract Doc‐uments for this Pro‐ject may be secured from Neel-Schaffer Inc , located at 2900 E Causeway Blvd, SuiteE,Mandeville, LA 70448; (985674-9820) by li‐censed Contractors upon payment of ONE HUNDRED dollars ($100) per set This payment is refundable to bonafide bidders re‐turning the Docu‐ments in good con‐dition within ten (10) days after the Opening of Bids Digital copies of the contract documents may be requested from purchasing@ cityofmandeville com Please find bid re‐lated materials and placeelectronicbids at wwwcentralbidd ing com For ques‐ tions relating to the electronic bidding process please call Central Bidding at (225)810-4814 Eachbidmustbeac‐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‐teethattheBidder 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 enve‐lope in which the bid is placed must be clearly marked as follows: SealedBid: MANDEVILLE LAKEFRONT WETLANDS CITY OF MAN‐DEVILLE PRO‐JECT NO 100 21 001

M in the City Council Cham‐bers City Hall Mandeville Louisiana Anybids received after 11:00 A M will be returned un‐opened The Work consists ofconstructionofan Earthen berm and stone armoring for a base bid and chan‐nel excavation, stone lining, and marsh creation for alternatebid1 A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2025; 10:00 A M , at Mandev‐ille’s Department of Public Works 1100 Mandeville High Blvd Mandeville LA 70471; (985624-3169) Drawings and Spec‐ ifications are open for inspection at the Mandeville Depart‐ment of Public Works Director s Office, 1100 Man‐deville High Blvd , Mandeville, LA, 70471; (985-6243169) A complete set of Contract Doc‐uments for this Pro‐ject may be secured from Neel-Schaffer Inc , located at 2900 E Causeway Blvd, SuiteE Mandeville LA 70448; (985674-9820) by li‐censed Contractors upon payment of ONE HUNDRED dollars ($100) per set This payment is refundable to bonafide bidders re‐turning the Docu‐ments in good con‐dition within ten (10) days after the Opening of Bids Digital copies of the contract documents may be requested from purchasing@ cityofmandeville com Please find bid re‐lated materials and placeelectronicbids at wwwcentralbidd ing com For ques‐ tions relating to the electronic bidding process please call Central Bidding at (225)810-4814 Eachbidmustbeac‐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‐teethattheBidder,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 enve‐lope in which the bid is placed must be clearly marked as follows: SealedBid: MANDEVILLE LAKEFRONT WETLANDS CITY OF MAN‐DEVILLE PRO‐JECT NO 100 21 001

PUBLICNOTICE NOTICETO BIDDERS ST TAMMANY PARISH

PUBLICNOTICE

NOTICETOBID‐

Sealed

Bid Due Date and Time: WEDNES‐DAY,May14,2025; 11:00A M INCLUDE: CON‐TRACTOR S NAME, AD‐DRESS,AND LOUISIANA CON‐TRACTOR S LI‐CENSENUMBER

It is requested, but not mandatory, that the entire bid pack‐age be submitted in duplicate Duplicate copycanbeaphoto‐copy All applicable laws ordinances and the rules and regula‐ tions of all authori‐ties having jurisdic‐ tion over construc‐tion of the project shall apply to the Contract through‐out MayorClay Madden CityofMandeville 135092AP9-16-30-

Bid Due Date and Time: WEDNES‐DAY,May14,2025; 11:00A M INCLUDE: CON‐TRACTOR S NAME, AD‐DRESS AND LOUISIANA CON‐TRACTOR’S LI‐CENSENUMBER

It is requested but not mandatory that the entire bid pack‐age be submitted in duplicate Duplicate copycanbeaphoto‐copy All applicable laws, ordinances, and the rules and regula‐ tions of all authori‐ties having jurisdic‐ tion over construc‐tion of the project shall apply to the Contract through‐out MayorClay

Sealed bids will be received by the De‐partment of Pro‐curement, until 2:00 p m , Tuesday, May 6, 2025, and then opened and read publicly at that time by the Procure‐ment Staff for the followingproject: 2025Official Journal

Bid#25-14-2

This bid package is available online at wwwbidexpress com or LaPAC https://wwwcfprd doa louisiana gov/ osp/lapac/pubmain cfm It is the Ven‐dor s responsibility to check Bid Ex‐

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