Holidays are coming
Please remember to let The Watchman and The Democrat know about events the community can attend.
You are also invited to send us photos and information about events you host. Remember to identify people in photos and to include all the basic information about what is happening.
And since it is the holidays, there are several early deadlines. The first one is the Nov 27 Thanksgiving edition All stories for it must be to us by noon Nov 19. Stories for the Dec. 3 edition need to be to us by 5 p.m. Nov 25.
Celebrating West Feliciana school head
The community is invited to join in celebrating Superintendent Hollis Milton for his outstanding leadership, accomplishments and steadfast commitment to West Feliciana Parish schools, a news release said.
The event is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov 13, at The Freyhan School, 4727 Fidelity St., St. Francisville. Guests will have light refreshments and an opportunity to recognize Milton.
Sock it to the library
All branches of the Audubon Regional Library will be participating in the “Sock It To Me” sock drive. The library will be accepting new socks through the first week of December Socks will be donated to local organizations to give to those in need this holiday season. Boxes are set up at each branch for donations.
Save the date
n The West Feliciana Chamber of Commerce announced Chamber Uncorked! will be March 8 at The Mallory in St. Francisville.
n The 21st annual Feliciana Family and Friends Mardi Gras Parade is planned for Jan. 31 in downtown Clinton.
Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate.com.
Police Jury accepts state funds
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
The East Feliciana Parish Police
Jury wrote the final chapter Nov 3 in a failed bid to bolster the jury’s general fund finances, but accepted a one-time infusion of cash from state coffers.
In a special Oct. 11 election, voters turned down the Police Jury’s attempt to redistribute proceeds from a property tax that funds the Health Unit, general fund and road and bridge fund.
According to the official election
EAST FELICIANA
proclamation jurors approved in their regular monthly meeting, 676 voters favored the proposition on the special election ballot, while 756 opposed it.
Turnout for the election was only 10.5 percent of the parish’s eligible voters, and in two of the parish’s 23 precincts no one showed up to cast a ballot.
The jury had hoped voters would allow them to use surplus
revenues from a 3-mill property tax that funds the Health Unit for any legitimate purpose, instead of splitting the surpluses on a 90-10 basis between the road and bridge fund and the general fund, respectively, as the last renewal proposition requires. Jurors said the general fund needs more revenue to avoid cuts to services and agencies the jury supports but is not required by law to do so.
At one time, the surpluses were split 50-50 between the two funds.
In a separate motion, the jury voted to enter into a cooperative
St. Francisville woman arrested in alleged six-year abuse of adopted daughter
BY AIDAN MCCAHILL Staff writer
A St. Francisville woman faces charges after years of alleged physical abuse of her adopted daughter who recalls being struck with sticks, firewood and metal baseball bats, according to court records.
Gretchen Hanchey, 50, was arrested on Sept. 26 and booked into the West Feliciana Parish Jail on one count each of cruelty to juveniles and second-degree battery
According to court records, Hanchey and her husband, Glenn, are the girl’s aunt and biological uncle and adopted her in 2018 when she was 4 years old. In February 2024, the couple brought her to the Tupelo Children’s Mansion, a children’s group home in Mississippi, according to a report filed by the Mississippi Department of Child Family Services.
endeavor agreement with the state Treasury Department to accept a legislative appropriation of $100,000 that was included in a spending bill the Legislature approved earlier this year
A number of other East Feliciana agencies and municipalities also received cash appropriations from the Legislature.
The money will help offset costs for the special election, which were estimated at more than $37,000 prior to the vote.
Health Fair moves to Trinity Church’s campus
BY JAMES TAYLOR FOREMAN Contributing writer
of
Just
Health Fair sponsored by Our Lady of the Lake. It’s in its fourth year, but the first year outside of town.
“For one, it’s my home church,” said Rebecca Heinz, the nurse who organized the fair “Second, we just have more room out here. At the Lions Club, where we normally do it, we don’t have room for live music, bouncy houses, the booths, and to cook all this free food.” The pastor of Trinity Church, Phillip Mitchel added, “You can’t reach people if you just tell them to come to church. But, if you give people access to food, music, and information about how to stay healthy, you can reach them.” Growing
Feliciana football ends regular season
BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
East Feliciana High secured second place in District 8-2A and a playoff spot with a 58-14 rout of Northeast on Friday as the curtain dropped on the regular season.
The Tigers finished the regular season 7-3, 5-1 in District 8-2A, in solo second and one game behind district champ Dunham, who zipped through district play 6-0.
East Feliciana led 52-0 at the half, scoring 36 points in the second quarter. Ryan Moore returned a punt for a touchdown and the Tigers returned two fumbles for scores in the decisive period.
For the season, Moore led the district with six interceptions and was second in receiving with 877 yards.
Matthew King led the district with 10 sacks.
Quarterback Markus Cannon Jr passed for 1,470 yards to finish the season ranked second, and running back Kayden Wilson rushed for 644 yards, which was also second in the district.
Slaughter falls to Dunham
Slaughter Community Charter closed out its regular season with a 49-14 loss to District 8-2A champion Dunham High.
The Knights, 7-3, 3-3, struggled offensively, with standout quarterback Ty’Kimion Ford completing four of 14 passes for 72 yards. Slaughter was held to 144 offensive
yards, with the Knights’ outstanding rushing game stymied to 61 yards. Ford finished as the leading scorer in the district with 70 points and was third in rushing yards with 575.
Slaughter’s Keller Spinks finished the season with a district-high 91 tackles and teammate Kaden Oakley recorded 66 tackles.
West Feliciana closes out season with shutout
West Feliciana closed out the season Thursday with a 48-0 shutout of winless Tara. The Saints, 6-4, finished third in District
PHOTO BY DAVID THOMAS JR.
6-4A behind Plaquemine and Brusly in coach Terry Minor’s first season. East Feliciana ended the season on a three-game winning streak and won four of its final five games.
Silliman prepares for playoffs
Silliman had a bye week, finishing the regular season 4-5, 2-3 in district play
Wildcats open the playoffs
Mary Reese, Dr Amy Cangelosi, and Atlas the Dog are at their Health Fair booth for the Humane Society of the Felicianas
Keith Babin and his mother, Mary, run a booth for FirstFitness Nutrition at the Health Fair
PHOTOS BY TAYLOR FOREMAN
Trinity Church’s Health Fair
Organizer Rebecca Heinz speaks to a visitor on Nov. 1.
See FUNDS, page 2G
page 2G
FUNDS
Despite the Oct. 11 setback, the jury still has not given up on the idea of changing the way in which the tax is spent, having had recent discussions on calling another election on the question. No action has been taken, however.
On another matter, Greg Phares, of Clinton, thanked the jury for supporting him last year when the director of the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District tried to have him removed from the agency’s board of directors.
Gary Beard tried to persuade the jury in October 2024 that Gov. Jeff Landry wanted the jury to submit three names for his consideration as East Feliciana’s representative on the commission.
Phares had challenged some of the decisions Beard made as director, and Beard claimed Phares was ineligible to serve because he did not live in the parish.
The jury disagreed, however, and asked Landry to reappoint Phares as its representative.
Since then, the Legislature has disbanded the commission and given its duties of monitoring the area’s main groundwater aquifer to the state Department of Conservation and Energy
On Oct. 29, the state attorney general brought an indictment against Beard and Samuel Jason Hewitt, the owner of a company that supplied groundwater pumping meters and other equipment to the commission.
Attorneys for the two denied the allegations, which included contract conspiracy in restraint of trade, monopolizing trade and malfeasance in office
Phares told the jury the charges mirror “exactly what I have been raising sand about since I got there.”
“I’m here to thank you and tell you how much I appreciate you sticking by me,” Phares said.
Phares has served as the chief sheriff’s deputy for East Feliciana Parish, but his law enforcement career includes service as Baton Rouge police chief, interim sheriff of East Baton Rouge Parish and an employee of the state Inspector General’s Office
ABUSE
Continued from page 1G
At the time, staff members noticed burn injuries on the child’s face and had difficulty understanding her speech, the report said. The child’s face, nose and lips were also scarred, her teeth were chipped, and blood had collected between her ear cartilage and skin, an injury known as a hematoma auris or “cauliflower ear,” which is usually the result of blunt force trauma.
The DCFS report is undated, but indicates law enforcement first made contact with Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services in July 2025. It largely relies on the girl’s account given to the group home’s staff, detailing extreme abuse at the hands of her adoptive parents.
The report added that the child, now 12, was admitted to a hospital and treated for cranial swelling during her stay at the group home.
When staff contacted the parents, they were told the child’s scarring resulted from a car accident that occurred while she lived with her biological parents. However, when staff reviewed the photo from the girl’s adoption application, they saw no scarring on her lip at that time.
The girl told staff she remembered undergoing multiple plastic surgeries in Baton Rouge Staff requested her medical records, but the parents provided only documentation of a cleft palate surgery, the report said.
“We are glad someone stood up and did the right thing to help this child,” West Feliciana District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla said in a statement “By the right thing, I mean reported the issue and hopefully they will stand by and help us bring the offenders to justice.”
On Sept. 30, Gretchen Hanchey posted a $100,000 bond and signed an order of proactive custody the same day, barring her from contacting her adoptive daughter or coming within 100 yards of her Her arraignment is set for Nov 13.
D’Aquilla said Tuesday that his office is considering bringing the case before a grand jury, as well as charging Glenn Hanchey Email Aidan McCahill at aidan. mccahill@theadvocate.com or follow him on X, @AidanMcCahill47
Hundreds gather on Mount Carmel for Mass, music and fellowship
BY JAMES TAYLOR FOREMAN Contributing writer
Hundreds of people gathered Nov 1 to listen to a blues band jam in front of a sunset at Mount Carmel Church in St. Francisville for the annual Music on the Mount event.
Kids chased each other around the sea of folding chairs as their parents ate plates from the food trucks.
Earlier in the day, people competed in a city-sponsored fun-run event. But the party really started right after an All Saints Day Mass. The Rev Brad Doyle, known as Father Brad, transitioned out of his vestments to make rounds and shake hands.
“I can’t overstate how much Father Brad has done for this community,” said one man, who is taking classes to become Catholic.
Music on the Mount started in 2021, when Doyle organized a 150th anniversary celebration for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in St. Francisville and just keeps on growing.
“I’m not surprised, no,” said Doyle, “You give people the things that light up their soul: food, music and community, they come. It’s simple.”
PHOTO BY TAYLOR FOREMAN
The crowd gathers after 4 p.m. Mass at Music on the Mount in St. Francisville on Nov. 1,.
Father Brad, the Rev. Brad Doyle, thanks the many sponsors for the Music on the Mount event.
A girl is eager to join her friends in the bouncy house
People line up for a food truck at Music on the Mount.
THE ST. FRANCISVILLE
DEMOCRAT
| Wednesday, november 12, 2025 $1.00N
Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Holidays are coming
Please remember to let The Watchman and The Democrat know about events the community can attend.
You are also invited to send us photos and information about events you host. Remember to identify people in photos and to include all the basic information about what is happening.
And since it is the holidays, there are several early deadlines. The first one is the Nov 27 Thanksgiving edition. All stories for it must be to us by noon Nov 19. Stories for the Dec. 3 edition need to be to us by 5 p.m. Nov 25.
Celebrating West Feliciana school head
The community is invited to join in celebrating Superintendent Hollis Milton for his outstanding leadership, accomplishments and steadfast commitment to West Feliciana Parish schools, a news release said.
The event is from 4 p.m to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov 13, at The Freyhan School, 4727 Fidelity St., St. Francisville. Guests will have light refreshments and an opportunity to recognize Milton.
Sock it to the library
All branches of the Audubon Regional Library will be participating in the “Sock It To Me” sock drive. The library will be accepting new socks through the first week of December Socks will be donated to local organizations to give to those in need this holiday season. Boxes are set up at each branch for donations.
Save the date
n The West Feliciana Chamber of Commerce announced Chamber Uncorked! will be March 8 at The Mallory in St. Francisville.
n The 21st annual Feliciana Family and Friends Mardi Gras Parade is planned for Jan. 31 in downtown Clinton.
Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate.com.
Police Jury accepts state funds
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
The East Feliciana Parish Police Jury wrote the final chapter Nov 3 in a failed bid to bolster the jury’s general fund finances, but accepted a one-time infusion of cash from state coffers.
In a special Oct. 11 election, voters turned down the Police Jury’s attempt to redistribute proceeds from a property tax that funds the Health Unit, general fund and road and bridge fund.
According to the official election
EAST FELICIANA
proclamation jurors approved in their regular monthly meeting, 676 voters favored the proposition on the special election ballot, while 756 opposed it.
Turnout for the election was only 10.5 percent of the parish’s eligible voters, and in two of the parish’s 23 precincts no one showed up to cast a ballot. The jury had hoped voters would allow them to use surplus
revenues from a 3-mill property tax that funds the Health Unit for any legitimate purpose, instead of splitting the surpluses on a 90-10 basis between the road and bridge fund and the general fund, respectively, as the last renewal proposition requires.
Jurors said the general fund needs more revenue to avoid cuts to services and agencies the jury supports but is not required by law to do so.
At one time, the surpluses were split 50-50 between the two funds.
In a separate motion, the jury voted to enter into a cooperative
St. Francisville woman arrested in alleged six-year abuse of adopted daughter
BY AIDAN MCCAHILL Staff writer
A St. Francisville woman faces charges after years of alleged physical abuse of her adopted daughter who recalls being struck with sticks, firewood and metal baseball bats, according to court records.
Gretchen Hanchey, 50, was arrested on Sept. 26 and booked into the West Feliciana Parish Jail on one count each of cruelty to juveniles and second-degree battery
According to court records, Hanchey and her husband, Glenn, are the girl’s aunt and biological uncle and adopted her in 2018 when she was 4 years old. In February 2024, the couple brought her to the Tupelo Children’s Mansion, a children’s group home in Mississippi, according to a report filed by the Mississippi Department of Child Family Services.
endeavor agreement with the state Treasury Department to accept a legislative appropriation of $100,000 that was included in a spending bill the Legislature approved earlier this year
A number of other East Feliciana agencies and municipalities also received cash appropriations from the Legislature.
The money will help offset costs for the special election, which were estimated at more than $37,000 prior to the vote.
Growing Health Fair moves to Trinity Church’s campus
BY JAMES TAYLOR FOREMAN Contributing writer
Just
campus hosted this year’s Health Fair sponsored by Our Lady of the Lake. It’s in its fourth year, but the first year outside of town. “For one, it’s my home church,” said Rebecca Heinz, the nurse who organized the fair “Second, we just have more room out here. At the Lions Club, where we normally do it, we don’t have room for live music, bouncy houses, the booths, and to cook all this free food.”
The pastor of Trinity Church, Phillip Mitchel added, “You can’t reach people if you just tell them to come to church. But, if you give people access to food, music, and information about how to stay healthy, you can reach them.”
Feliciana football ends regular season
BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
East Feliciana High secured second place in District 8-2A and a playoff spot with a 58-14 rout of Northeast on Friday as the curtain dropped on the regular season.
The Tigers finished the regular season 7-3, 5-1 in District 8-2A, in solo second and one game behind district champ Dunham, who zipped through district play 6-0.
East Feliciana led 52-0 at the half, scoring 36 points in the second quarter. Ryan Moore returned a punt for a touchdown and the Tigers returned two fumbles for scores in the decisive period.
For the season, Moore led the district with six interceptions and was second in receiving with 877 yards.
Matthew King led the district with 10 sacks.
Quarterback Markus Cannon Jr passed for 1,470 yards to finish the season ranked second, and running back Kayden Wilson rushed for 644 yards, which was also second in the district.
Slaughter falls to Dunham
Slaughter Community Charter closed out its regular season with a 49-14 loss to District 8-2A champion Dunham High.
The Knights, 7-3, 3-3, struggled offensively, with standout quarterback Ty’Kimion Ford completing four of 14 passes for 72 yards.
Slaughter was held to 144 offensive
yards, with the Knights’ outstanding rushing game stymied to 61 yards.
Ford finished as the leading scorer in the district with 70 points and was third in rushing yards with 575.
Slaughter’s Keller Spinks finished the season with a district-high 91 tackles and teammate Kaden Oakley recorded 66 tackles.
West Feliciana closes out season with shutout
West Feliciana closed out the season Thursday with a 48-0 shutout of winless Tara. The Saints, 6-4, finished third in District
BY DAVID THOMAS JR.
6-4A behind Plaquemine and Brusly in coach Terry Minor’s first season. East Feliciana ended the season on a three-game winning streak and won four of its final five games.
Silliman prepares for playoffs
Silliman had a bye week, finishing the regular season 4-5, 2-3
PHOTO
Mary Reese, Dr Amy Cangelosi, and Atlas the Dog are at their Health Fair booth for the Humane Society of the Felicianas
Keith Babin and his mother, Mary, run a booth for FirstFitness Nutrition at the Health Fair
PHOTOS BY TAYLOR FOREMAN
Trinity Church’s Health Fair
Organizer Rebecca Heinz speaks to a visitor on Nov. 1. ä See FUNDS, page 2G
See ABUSE, page 2G
FUNDS
Continued from page 1G
Despite the Oct. 11 setback, the jury still has not given up on the idea of changing the way in which the tax is spent, having had recent discussions on calling another election on the question. No action has been taken, however.
On another matter, Greg Phares, of Clinton, thanked the jury for supporting him last year when the director of the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District tried to have him removed from the agency’s board of directors.
Gary Beard tried to persuade the jury in October 2024 that Gov. Jeff Landry wanted the jury to submit three names for his consideration as East Feliciana’s representative on the commission.
Phares had challenged some of the decisions Beard made as director, and Beard claimed Phares was ineligible to serve because he did not live in the parish.
The jury disagreed, however, and asked Landry to reappoint Phares as its representative.
Since then, the Legislature has disbanded the commission and given its duties of monitoring the area’s main groundwater aquifer to the state Department of Conservation and Energy
On Oct. 29, the state attorney general brought an indictment against Beard and Samuel Jason Hewitt, the owner of a company that supplied groundwater pumping meters and other equipment to the commission.
Attorneys for the two denied the allegations, which included contract conspiracy in restraint of trade, monopolizing trade and malfeasance in office
Phares told the jury the charges mirror “exactly what I have been raising sand about since I got there.”
“I’m here to thank you and tell you how much I appreciate you sticking by me,” Phares said.
Phares has served as the chief sheriff’s deputy for East Feliciana Parish, but his law enforcement career includes service as Baton Rouge police chief, interim sheriff of East Baton Rouge Parish and an employee of the state Inspector General’s Office
ABUSE
Continued from page 1G
At the time, staff members noticed burn injuries on the child’s face and had difficulty understanding her speech, the report said. The child’s face, nose and lips were also scarred, her teeth were chipped, and blood had collected between her ear cartilage and skin, an injury known as a hematoma auris or “cauliflower ear,” which is usually the result of blunt force trauma.
The DCFS report is undated, but indicates law enforcement first made contact with Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services in July 2025. It largely relies on the girl’s account given to the group home’s staff, detailing extreme abuse at the hands of her adoptive parents.
The report added that the child, now 12, was admitted to a hospital and treated for cranial swelling during her stay at the group home.
When staff contacted the parents, they were told the child’s scarring resulted from a car accident that occurred while she lived with her biological parents. However, when staff reviewed the photo from the girl’s adoption application, they saw no scarring on her lip at that time.
The girl told staff she remembered undergoing multiple plastic surgeries in Baton Rouge Staff requested her medical records, but the parents provided only documentation of a cleft palate surgery, the report said.
“We are glad someone stood up and did the right thing to help this child,” West Feliciana District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla said in a statement “By the right thing, I mean reported the issue and hopefully they will stand by and help us bring the offenders to justice.”
On Sept. 30, Gretchen Hanchey posted a $100,000 bond and signed an order of proactive custody the same day, barring her from contacting her adoptive daughter or coming within 100 yards of her Her arraignment is set for Nov 13.
D’Aquilla said Tuesday that his office is considering bringing the case before a grand jury, as well as charging Glenn Hanchey Email Aidan McCahill at aidan. mccahill@theadvocate.com or follow him on X, @AidanMcCahill47
Hundreds gather on Mount Carmel for Mass, music and fellowship
BY JAMES TAYLOR FOREMAN Contributing writer
Hundreds of people gathered Nov 1 to listen to a blues band jam in front of a sunset at Mount Carmel Church in St. Francisville for the annual Music on the Mount event.
Kids chased each other around the sea of folding chairs as their parents ate plates from the food trucks.
Earlier in the day, people competed in a city-sponsored fun-run event. But the party really started right after an All Saints Day Mass. The Rev Brad Doyle, known as Father Brad, transitioned out of his vestments to make rounds and shake hands.
“I can’t overstate how much Father Brad has done for this community,” said one man, who is taking classes to become Catholic.
Music on the Mount started in 2021, when Doyle organized a 150th anniversary celebration for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in St. Francisville and just keeps on growing.
“I’m not surprised, no,” said Doyle, “You give people the things that light up their soul: food, music and community, they come. It’s simple.”
DEMOCRAT
PHOTO BY TAYLOR FOREMAN
The crowd gathers after 4 p.m. Mass at Music on the Mount in St. Francisville on Nov. 1,.
Father Brad, the Rev. Brad Doyle, thanks the many sponsors for the Music on the Mount event.
A girl is eager to join her friends in the bouncy house
People line up for a food truck at Music on the Mount.
West Feliciana and East Baton Rouge parishes Monday through Friday. Call (225) 6839862 to schedule a transportation appointment.
Area drop-off points coming for Operation Christmas Child packages
Community news report
Volunteers are preparing to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov 17-24, a press release said. Participants pack shoeboxes with items that are sent to children around the world. Find a step-bystep guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox at tinyurl.com/bddx8yma.
Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Participants can find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation as they make plans to drop
off their shoebox gifts. Visit tinyurl. com/4vamu8zy to find a drop off location The online lookup tool is searchable by city or ZIP code. Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, said it seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 232 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. Area drop-off sites for Zachary and the Felicianas include:
First Baptist Church 4200 Main St., Zachary
Nov 17: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Nov 18: 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
Nov 19: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Nov 20: 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
Nov 21-22: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Nov 23: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Nov 24: 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Liberty Baptist Church
135 Main St., Liberty, Mississippi
Nov 17: 10 a.m.-noon
Nov 18: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Nov 19-20: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Nov 21: 10 a.m.-noon
Nov 22: 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Nov 23: 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
Nov 24: 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
The Feliciana Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Mu, inducted a new member, worked on two projects and heard a story from one of their members at their November meeting.
Clover Stephenson was formally installed as a member of the women teachers organization. She had already participated earlier in the year Stevenson is a retired teacher whose experience includes teaching many years abroad in Germany and South Korea. She is a native of East Feliciana and a graduate of Jackson High School.
The installation ceremony was conducted by President Beth Box, First Vice President Peggy Reno and Second Vice President Julee Blanchard.
ceived the key, a golden ellipse pin to wear The officers taking part in the ceremony explained the meaning of the DKG colors of crimson and gold and about other symbols including the wreath, the shield and the red rose.
After the ceremony, members continued their annual tradition of writing by hand, thank you notes for the veterans of the U.S. armed forces who reside at the local veterans home in Jackson.
At the same time, other members began applying the labels for the inside of the books purchased for kindergarten students. Each kindergarten student in East Feliciana and West Feliciana parishes will receive a book of their own as a Christmas gift from Alpha Mu. The funds for the books were raised by the annual Literacy Walk and by donations.
BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer
at 96
Stephenson listened as the purposes of the organization were stated, and then she pledged to be loyal. As part of the ceremony Stephenson re-
Members heard an inspiring true story from member Beth Dawson and then had lunch.
WEST FELICIANA PARISH BOOKINGS
The following people were booked into the West Feliciana Parish Detention Center between Oct. 20-26:
OCT. 20
HURST, LUCAS: 42; 11420 U.S. 61, St. Francisville; residential contractor fraud
OCT. 22
DUNN, ANGELIA: 47; 8495 Delray Lane, St. Francisville; possession of contraband
OCT. 23
LUEVANO, SHELLEY: 44; 7050 Reed
Road, St. Francisville; two counts exploitation of the infirmed
OCT. 26
AL THYABAT, JASMINE: 29; 10440 La. 965, St. Francisville; unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling
William Kline Jr., of Clinton, who served as a judge on Louisiana’s 20th Judicial District Court for 20 years, died Nov 2 at the age of 96. Kline earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in education from LSU and taught for two years at Clinton Junior High before serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict.
He attained the rank of captain during the war, returning home to attend LSU law school, where he served as president of the student bar association.
He went on to practice law in Clinton for 16 years before being elected to the 20th Judicial District Court in 1976
“As a judge, he was known for his humility kindness and fairness,” his family said in his obituary Tuesday “Everyone left the courthouse believing that justice had been served.”
After Kline retired from the district court bench, he was appointed as a judge pro tempore, appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court to step into various jurisdictions in the state temporarily Kline retired from the bench at the age of 84.
He was a lifelong member of Clinton United Methodist Church. In 2017, Kline, then 88, was recognized by the Boy Scouts Istrouma Area Council as its oldest living Eagle Scout, according to an Advocate story, having earned the rank in 1947.
A service was held Nov 8, at Clinton United Methodist Church. He was to be laid to rest in Rosehill Cemetery in a private family service.
Email Ellyn Couvillion at ecouvillion@theadvocate.com.
Alpha Mu inducts a member and works on projects at recent meeting
PHOTO BY MELINDA HOWELL
Clover Srephenson, center, is installed into the Alpha Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma at the November 2025 meeting On the left is President Beth Box and on the right is Kathy Welch, Louisiana State President of DKG, who is a member and treasurer of the local chapter
West Feliciana Hospital paints the town pink
Paint the Town Pink co-winner West Feliciana Parish Courthouse, ‘Breast Cancer Warriors.
West Feliciana Hospital employees
Dakisha Bryant, Misty Metz, Alison Malina and Jeri Malina run the Pink Bake Sale.
