The St. Tammany Farmer 04-08-2026

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ELECTION 2026

May’s closed primary brings challenges

Commissioners, voters prepare for new election rules

BY SUZIE HUNT Contributing writer

Voters and election commission-

ers will experience a new way of voting during the closed primary election to be held Saturday, May 16, according to St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court Jessica Brewster

“It is very important that voters understand the changes that were made when the Louisiana Legislature implemented the ClosedParty Primaries Act in 2024, especially for voters who were registered as independents,” Brewster said. “We used to have a jungle party primary with every man for themselves, and people could vote across party lines You cannot do that in a closed primary.

In the new closed primary system for statewide races, people registered as Democrats or Republicans will only be able to vote for candidates of their own party, according to Gavin Billiot, chief deputy for the St. Tammany Parish Registrar of Voters

“If you are a registered Democrat, you will only be able to vote for Democrat candidates down the ticket. The same for voters registered as Republicans,” Billiot said This is for statewide elections. The same rule does not apply for local elections or constitutional amendments. In May the races affected by the change include the contests for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, the Board for Elementary and

ALS in black and white

his

diagnosis,

less demanding But his

Photographer expresses gratitude with his art

BY TED JACKSON Contributing writer

The medical test felt routine. The mood, casual. Then-60-year-old photojournalist Rusty Costanza — known for his ethical introspection, particularly when documenting human suffering lay relaxed on an examination bed. The neurologist rolled his stool closer to Costanza’s feet and pierced a thin needle probe into the muscle of his leg. A technician watched close by as the computer’s audio sounded a faint background hiss. Normal. Routine. Exactly what the neurologist had hoped to hear from the electromyography

test that measures the electrical activity of muscles and nerves. Next, he moved the needle to Costanza’s right foot. This time, an abrasive static tone caught Costanza off guard. Weird, he thought. The neurologist abruptly shifted his posture and asked Costanza to push his foot as hard as possible against the examiner’s hand.

Again, a crackling static, sort of like really heavy rain on a tin roof. Odd. Costanza suddenly felt tension in the room. In the retelling, his voice cracked and his eyes teared.

ä See ALS,

St. Tammany needs up to 17K new homes, mostly rentals, by 2030

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

If it hopes to keep pace with population and job growth, St. Tammany Parish should add up to 17,300 new homes in the next four years, a significant increase over the current pace of home construction, according to a new parish housing study

11,500-17,300 new homes should be built by 2030, most of them rentals. At the same time, the study recommended stricter regulations in flood-prone areas, similar to the coastal resilience zoning that the parish implemented south of U.S. 190 between Mandeville and Slidell last year

The study, commissioned by parish government, comes as new Census data shows that while New Orleans lost population for the fourth time in five years in 2025, St. Tammany gained 1,400 people last year

The housing study says that

The housing study, compiled by consultants and presented to the Parish Council last month, found that the number of new homes built in St. Tammany had failed to keep up with growing demand since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the COVID-19 pandemic nearly 15 years later

New rental units for senior citizens and those making less than $50,000 annually are especially needed, according to the study noting that renters make up 23% of occupied homes in the parish, compared with 39.6% in Jefferson Parish and the state average of 34.3%. The lack of cheap rentals in the parish is impacting retention and recruiting in the parish’s largest industry, the health care and social assistance sector, which the study said employed 15,537 people in 2025.

PHOTO BY MATTHEW PAYZANT

A young, determined hunter sneaks up on the next colored eggs he has spotted during the March 28 Easter Eggstravaganza in the village of Folsom.. ä More on Page 3A ON THE

PHOTO BY TED JACKSON

After

ALS

photojournalist Rusty Costanza traded his heavy cameras for a lighter fixed-lens model that is physically

photographer’s eye for the decisive moment remains as sharp as ever.

PHOTO BY AMY COSTANZA SMITH

The Costanza family poses for a beach portrait on Nov. 25 as they adapt to the new reality Standing from left are family friend Dana Moore; son Kyle Costanza; son Chris Costanza; with Rusty and Ann in front.

ALS

Continued from page 1A

“I looked at the technician. She turned to the side and wiped her eye. And I knew I just knew.”

The doctor ran a couple more tests in heavy silence, then solemnly excused himself to fetch Costanza’s wife, Ann, from the waiting room. When the doctor returned, he confirmed the news to them almost apologetically:

“You have ALS.” Rusty and Ann cried. What else could they do?

The longest diagnosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a progressive disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord, robbing people of muscle control.

There is no cure. Most patients live two to five years after diagnosis, though about 10%-20% survive a decade or longer

“But at the same time, it’s like I expected it. I’ve been dancing around it for so long now now I’m dancing with it.”

The hardest conversation came with a phone call to his two grown sons, Kyle and Chris. “They responded like you would expect children to respond when they hear the news that they have a terminal parent,” Costanza said. “There was a long pause. A long silence.”

In the months that followed, Costanza’s community rallied with the same empathy and compassion that he had shown to so many over the years. Friends raised nearly $24,000 through a GoFundMe. The Team Gleason Foundation provided a wheelchair, guidance on benefits and mu ch -n ee de d advice for home renovations as the disease progressed.

“I’m not afraid of dying I’m afraid of missing out. I’m afraid of not being there for my kids. But I’m here now, and I concentrate on that.”

For Costanza, the Feb. 6, 2025, confirma tion capped nearly 15 years of anxious ambiguity

The first signs began in 2010 with excruciating cramps while photographing the NCAA Sweet 16 for The Times-Picayune.

The pains perplexed the professional photographer since he kept himself in excellent shape — running 30 miles a week, playing competitive volleyball and chasing stories in a fastpaced, high-energy city

From shooting a Super Bowl one day to flying inverted in a biplane over the Mississippi River the very next, Costanza had done it all. He always got photos to remember, but as any professional news photographer will tell you, it all takes a toll on the body

And at first, doctors blamed those terrible cramps on back issues, a photographer’s occupational hazard from lugging heavy lenses, then contorting their bodies to get the must-have shot, over and over again. But when “drop foot” emerged — difficulty lifting the front part of his foot — they tested for ALS.

The timing was eerie.

The wall-to-wall local news coverage of former Saints safety Steve Gleason’s 2011 diagnosis of ALS made the three letters feel like daggers. But Costanza’s tests returned inconclusive.

“Highly unlikely,” he was told. No need to worry

Easier said than done

For 14 more years, symptoms came and went In 2024, students at Archbishop Rummel had to help Costanza to his feet during a field day The deeper nerve study finally confirmed what he had halfexpected — and dodged — for so long.

“All those years of dodging it, I thought I was bulletproof,” Costanza said

Costanza’s tone lifted.

“I’ve decided that I will go that route. And I’m calling mine ‘Jay’ — you know, like JPEG,” he chuckled, enjoying his wisecrack reference to a JPEG image format preferred by newspapers for transmitting digital photos.

The great influx of love he is experiencing inspired Costanza to give back the only way he knows: through his photography But what started as an idea for a small neighborhood coffee shop display grew when his former photo editor at the newspaper, Andrew Boyd, looked over the collection.

“It’s really hard being on the receiving end,” Costanza said. “But the financial burden of ALS is huge. I do not want to die and leave my family in a financial hole because they’re already suffering enough.” That fundraiser cash will help finance required house renovations.

On a recent afternoon, Costanza welcomed visitors with coffee and Klondike bars — a decades-old tradition among photographers in the bustling Times-Picayune photo lab to ease tough days. During the visit, he shuffled between rooms on a standing walker yet he still instinctively snatched up his camera, now a lighter, fixedlens model better suited for his weakened condition.

His photographer’s eye for the decisive moment remains as sharp as ever.

A new vision

Costanza, now 62, says he rates ALS zero out of five stars. Lately, he’s bumped it to one because “the silver lining is the love you receive from people. Sometimes, I feel like I’m living my wake.”

He recalled his father’s funeral; hearing mourners share stories the man never got to hear “I get to hear those things,” Costanza said, voice thick with emotion. “If you’re looking for silver linings, that’s one of them Do I deserve that? It’s humbling. I get goose bumps.” What he fears, and what he doesn’t.

“I’m not afraid of dying,” he insists. “I’m afraid of missing out. I’m afraid of not being there for my kids. But I’m here now and I concentrate on that.”

Still, practical realities intercede. “Don’t let anybody fool you. Dying is a lot of work,” he advised. Endless procedures, treatments, wills, living wills, decisions about a tracheotomy or feeding tube, known as PEGs. At the mention of that,

“I’ve always thought of Rusty as a great sports photographer,” Boyd said. “But these images were different. They were quieter, warmer, more intimate.” He instantly recognized the power of the collection and imagined a serious gallery showcase. As fate would have it, the St. Tammany Art Association was actively exploring ideas for their upcoming Spring for Art exhibition in Covington, and Boyd’s wife, Sarah, served on the arts advisory committee.

With that, a show was born.

A new face

The gallery exhibit is “Love in the Face of ALS: A Photographic Journey,” and it is one that captures this talented artist’s spectacular shift in vision.

Costanza appears to be experiencing his illness as a window into a previously unknown world, and his newest work delivers that profound transition The images speak like a man on a journey, one deeply personal, yet strikingly universal, stark — but so richly layered, a subtle negotiation between mortality and the inevitable.

Of the 35 black and white curated images to be exhibited, Constanza shot one of his favorites as a self-portrait through a car’s passenger rearview mirror, his face etched with raw vulnerability of the fresh diagnosis, that “deer-inthe-headlights look,” as he describes it. Another photo shows his own elevated feet during home therapy, with Louis Armstrong’s lyrics to “What a Wonderful World” visible on the wall beyond. He and Ann danced to that song at their wedding 33 years ago.

“Seeing it up there is a reminder of just how lucky I am,” Costanza said. “ALS is truly terrible, but that doesn’t mean life is terrible. Sometimes I need a reminder of all the good things.”

Costanza’s show opens with a reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 at the St. Tammany Art

PHOTO BY RUSTY COSTANZA

Not everywhere Rusty Costanza goes is accessible to him. That’s when friends, family and other good people step in to help him step up. In this trip up sister Amy’s front steps in Oregon, Costanza has his arms around son Chris and brother in law, Lindsey Smith.

PHOTO BY JOHN MCCUSKER

Rusty Costanza signs prints on March 20 for his upcoming gallery show with the help of former Times-Picayune photo editor Andrew Boyd, left, who recognized the power of Costanza’s collection and imagined a serious gallery showcase. John McCusker, another friend and longtime Times Picayune colleague, took this photo.

PHOTO BY RUSTY COSTANZA

Rusty Costanza says elevating his feet helps with circulation. It also gives him a perfect view of the lyrics to ‘It’s a Wonderful World,’ the song he and wife, Ann, danced to celebrating their wedding The lyrics hang on the wall of their home.

RUSTY COSTANZA

PHOTO BY RUSTY COSTANZA

Costanza now photographs a lot from the passenger seat of vehicles, using the rear view mirror. That’s how he took this self portrait.

Covington to repave streets in 7 locations

$3.5 million plan approved by City Council on March 31

BY KIM CHATELAIN

Contributing writer

A plan to upgrade seven streets in Covington at a cost of $3.5 million was approved by the City Council on March 31. The council unanimously approved an ordinance amending the city’s 2026 operating and capital budget in a way that allows money from the Growth Management Area fund to be used for the roadwork

The ordinance spells out the seven repaving projects that will be paid for with the GMA funds:

n West 11th Avenue from President Drive to South Tyler Street, n West 19th Avenue from South Johnson to South Taylor streets, n West 33rd from North Columbia Street to North Collins Boulevard, n Hornsby Street from North Collins Boulevard to Lee Road, n North Theard Street from East Boston to North

STUDY

Continued from page 1A

“I know that a lot of our workers come in from Mississippi because you can live cheaper over there,” said Walter “Dub” Lane, a commissioner on the board that oversees Slidell Memorial Hospital.

“If we’re going to solve our affordability problem, it’s got to be a change in policy,” said Lane, who is also a health care economist at the University of New Orleans.

“We like these big lots, but people working minimum wage can’t afford those types of lots.”

Of the new homes that are built by 2030, 70% to 77% of them should be rentals, according to the study’s rec-

ELECTION

Continued from page 1A

Secondary Education, the Public Service Commission and the State Supreme Court.

While the rules are straightforward for registered Republicans and Democrats, people formerly registered as independents will need to make a choice, albeit temporary, to cast their ballot, according to Billiot.

“There is no longer an Independent Party For voters previously designated as independent, they are now listed as no party voters We have almost 60,000 voters in St. Tammany Parish with this designation When they go to vote, they will have to make a choice, although it is temporary one,” Billiot said A no party voter will have to choose a path for voting in the closed primary. They can choose to vote for Democratic candidates, Republican candidates or no party candidates, and only along those party lines.

“Once that voter declares for one party in the first primary in May they will be stuck with that same declaration in the case of a runoff in June. It’s important to note that this does not permanently change their party affiliation,” Billiot said. “For example, there are no statewide candidates that are not Democrat or Republican for the May primary Voters who choose the no party ballot will only get to vote on local races, any local propositions as well as constitutional amendments.” Brewster believes an informed voting population will make the primary election proceed more smoothly

Columbia streets, n South Taylor Street from West 21st to West 11th avenues, n South Madison Street from West Eighth to West 11th avenues.

St. Tammany Parish, in collaboration with some of its municipalities, has in place growth management areas and associated revenue-sharing agreements to manage development, infrastructure and sales tax collections.

Johnson

Mayor Mark Johnson said he reached out to the city’s five district council members and asked them to provide a list of streets in their respecti ve districts most in need of repair, “based not only on the condition, but the amount of traffic on the roads.”

After reviewing the lists, Johnson said it became evident that the city may be able to dip into a nontraditional funding source for repairs.

“We saw a number of the streets were candidates for the Growth Management Area tax that we share with

ommendations Currently, 78% of the parish’s homes are detached, single-family homes, according to the study

Russell Richardson, the CEO of St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation, said housing frequently comes up in discussions with employers in the parish. “When it comes time to think about hiring and retaining workers, they want to know how far away do those workers live and is it affordable for them to live in the area of where that workplace is,” he said

“It’s not a big surprise, knowing the growth we’ve had as a parish, but now it’s up to us to collectively and very collaboratively respond to that,” Richardson said.

The study’s recommenda-

CLOSED PARTY PRIMARY TOWN HALL MEETINGS

APRIL 13, 10 A.M.: Folsom Town Hall, 82378 June St.

APRIL 13, 2 P.M.: Madisonville Town Hall, 203 La. 22

APRIL 13, 6 P.M.: Paul Spitzfaden Community Center 23090 E Causeway Approach, Mandeville

APRIL 20, 1 P.M.: Pearl River Town Hall, 39460 Willis Alley

APRIL 20, 6 P.M.: Slidell Municipal Auditorium, 2056 2nd St.

“It’s important for people to understand this new system prior to going to the polls. We hope people will take advantage of the information available to help explain their options,” Brewster said. There will be a series of informational town hall meetings sponsored by the registrar of voters and the clerk of court offices where voters can learn details about this new voting format. There is also information on the GeauxVote.com/CPP website and on the Geaux Vote mobile app.

“We encourage people to be informed prior to going to vote, to take advantage of early voting and to be patient and kind to our commissioners at the polls on election day,” said Brewster In-person early voting will be held May 2-9 at the Towers Building in Slidell, the St. Tammany Justice Center parking garage in Covington and the Parish Council Chambers, 21490

the parish, something (a source) we have money in,” Johnson said.

The measure approved by the council allows for that GMA money to be used for the specific road projects outlined in the ordinance.

In other action, the council approved a resolution designating Council President Mark Verret to serve as acting mayor while Johnson is away on a trip for 18 days beginning April 24.

The city’s home rule charter requires that the council “certify and designate the president of the council” to serve as acting mayor when if the mayor’s absence exceeds 14 days.

Johnson is scheduled to return from his absence on May 14, according to the resolution.

Also, at the start of meeting, Johnson presented a proclamation honoring longtime Covington resident Robert Celestine for his outstanding contributions to the community

Celestine has served as a member of the city’s planning and zoning commission since 2007 and has played a major part in Covington’s historical preservation efforts, Johnson said.

tion to build more housing at a faster rate is sure to spark controversy

Residents regularly show up to parish meetings to oppose new housing developments, arguing that the parish’s infrastructure has not kept up with development and caused traffic and flooding. Community groups like “Keep Bush Rural” have cropped up in opposition to proposed growth.

Parish Council members, in turn, have been wary to approve new housing in recent years, at times passing moratoriums on some new construction in their areas.

Council member Kathy Seiden, who headed the parish’s Economic Development Work group that spearheaded the study said she thought the study should not be interpreted as a call to

Koop Drive, Building A in Mandeville.

Adding to the challenge of hosting a smooth-running election with a new format is that several precincts in St. Tammany Parish have moved since the last election and there is always a need for more election commissioners, according to Don duQuensney, St Tammany director of elections.

Voters who will place their ballot at a new polling place in May should have received a notice by mail with the new location, according to Brewster Precinct information is also available on the GeauxVote.com website and the Geaux Vote app. The last day to register in person for the May primary is April 15. People can also register to vote online until April 25 at www.stprov.org.

“We have 171 voting precincts in 65 locations parishwide Each precinct needs a commissioner-in-charge and three commissioners on election day. We need people to serve as commissioners, especially in the spring elections when many people have family obligations and travel plans,” duQuensney said.

To be an election commissioner, the person must be a registered voter, 17 years of age (a senior in high school) or older, take an online class and come into a Clerk of Court’s Office for a brief voting machine tutorial. For the new closed primary election, an additional class is required. Commissioners receive compensation for their work on election day

For more information about being an election commissioner, contact the Clerk of Court’s Office at (985) 8098700 or by email: elections@ sttammanyclerk.org.

immediately start building more, but as a way to help the parish develop thoughtful policy

“We didn’t get this way overnight and it’s not going to be a quick fix, but I do think this is a really good start,” said Seiden, who represents a western St. Tammany district that has seen growth in recent years.

The parish is now forming a housing task force that will include council mem-

SCRAMBLING FOR EGGS

ABOVE: Folsom holds its Easter Eggstravaganza on March 28, with multiple egg hunts in categories separated by age and degree of difficulty

LEFT: Siblings Lyria and Gabriel Powell share a happy pose with the Easter bunny

bers, planning and zoning commissioners, the parish administration and the St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation, said St. Tammany Director of Planning and Development Ross Liner Liner pointed to recent changes to the parish’s zoning code that he thinks will allow more construction, including expanding where town houses and accessory dwelling units can be built.

But he said it might be a while, if it is even necessary, before any staffing changes need to be made his department or the permitting office to process the study’s recommended thousands of new homes. “We don’t have thousands of lots sitting out there ready to go,” Liner said. Email Willie Swett at willie.swett@theadvocate. com.

PHOTOS

Spring for Art has it all, from photography to dance

BY SARAH G. BONNETTE

Contributing writer

Jessica Boudreau loves all aspects of dance.

For 26 years, she’s shared that love through her business, Dancescape Studio.

“It’s just the learning and bringing my love of dance to my students, to see the joy on their faces and give them a positive outlook,” Boudreau said, adding that she’s now teaching second and third generation students.

Dancescape’s dancers will take to the streets during Spring for Art in downtown Covington on April 11 to perform a piece to Will Smith’s song “Friend like Me” from the 2019 live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1992 animated film “Aladdin.”

“It has a touch of hip-hop, but it’s theater It’s something a little fun and different, something to be able to get out and perform,” said Boudreau, who choreographed the piece and will perform with her dancers.

Known for their performances of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” during Fall for Art and their yearly Christmas show, Boudreau said her goal with Dancescape is “to bring dance to the community, share our love and joy of dance with everyone, and celebrate what happens in Covington. We love this city,” she said.

Boudreau discovered her love of dance at 3 years old under the tutelage of Rosemerry Emelia Fuhrmann Hanian at the Creative Dance Center Hanian, known for her roles on Broadway, taught “modern

Covington. This year’s

riences.

dance, ballet, and East Indian courses to girls ranging from 5 to 18,” according to a 1973 article about her on the website Tammany Family Many of her students went on to excel in professional dance careers, the website states.

“When I started with Ms. Rosemary I never left,” Boudreau said.

During Spring for Art, festivalgoers also can shop for local art at the sprawling art market along Columbia Street, see art demonstrations, and enjoy the Mix Masters Cocktail Contest. Red Freeman’s Honky Tonk Revue will play at the Art House, while Molly Taylor will perform at Lockwood Street. Additionally businesses will extend their hours to feature live music, artists, and shopping expe-

Inside STAA’s Art House, moving images from the new exhibition, “Love in the Face of ALS: A photographic Journey by Rusty Costanza,” will be on display in Barranger Gallery

The photographs by the longtime New Orleans photographer document his life after being diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in February 2025, after many years of unexplained medical issues.

The black-and-white photographs, shot with a digital, point-and-shoot camera, document Costanza’s life with the disease, among them portraits of friends who have helped him, rearview-mirror views as a passenger while friends and family drove him to medical appointments, and even the

SPRING FOR ART 2026

WHAT: An evening of art and community presented by

medications he takes.

“It became a way for me to raise ALS awareness,” he said “This disease is horrible, and I want to do what I can. I doubt I’ll ever live long enough for a cure, but maybe our kids’ generation will. And maybe what I’m doing will help. I want to do

what I can to raise awareness and sort of show (ALS) in a different way I think we’ve seen a lot of patients, but I want to show another side of it.”

Beyond Spring for Art, Boudreau said she is readying the studio on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for summer camps, and this December the group will celebrate the 60th anniversary of “A Joyful Noise,” the annual holiday performance that combines poetry dance and vocals. It will take place Dec. 5 in Covington’s Fuhrmann Auditorium.

Two St. Tammany educators still in running for state awards

Staff report

The Louisiana Department of Education selected two St. Tammany Parish Public School System educators to advance in Louisiana’s statelevel award programs. Mandeville Junior High Principal Gina Brown has been named a Principal of the Year Semifinalist, and Fontainebleau High Teacher Katie Weber has been named a New Teacher of the Year Finalist. Brown is among 24 principals selected to continue in the competition to be chosen as Louisiana Principal of the Year She brings more than 20 years of experience in education to her role. She began her journey in St. Tam-

Brown Weber

many Parish as a math teacher at Covington High School in 2006 before moving into administration as assistant principal at Mandeville Junior High in 2015. In 2020, she was named principal, where she continues to lead with purpose and vision. She believes one of a principal’s most important responsibilities is hiring educators who share a deep commitment to the school’s

mission and community As a former teacher, she views herself as a lifelong learner and as an administrator, she is dedicated to ensuring every child’s unique potential is recognized, nurtured, and fully realized.

“Gina does an incredible job at Mandeville Junior High and launches excellence every day,” said Superintendent Frank Jabbia. “It’s an incredible honor to have her continue on in the competition and represent our amazing school district.”

Weber is among nine firstyear classroom teachers selected to continue in the competition for Louisiana New Teacher of the Year She teaches ninth-grade English

at Fontainebleau High School and is a proud graduate of Lakeshore High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and her Master of Arts in English literature from The University of Southern Mississippi. As an undergraduate, Weber was recognized as the student with the highest GPA and the most credit hours in her graduating class. She is passionate about inspiring a love of reading and writing in her students and strongly believes that a strong foundation in English empowers students for success.

“I can’t say enough about the difference Katie is already making with our students in just her first year

teaching,” said Superintendent Frank Jabbia. “This recognition is a tremendous honor and an inspiration for our entire school system.”

Winners in both categories will be announced at the Educator Excellence Awards Gala in New Orleans this summer Pupil progression meeting

St. Tammany Parish Public School System officials will soon begin conducting meetings to discuss proposed changes to the School System Pupil Progression Plan. Members of the community will have an opportunity to give input on the proposed changes on April 23 at the Lakeshore High

School library at 6 p.m. Only the proposed suggestions will be presented for discussion.

The plan establishes placement, promotion, retention and grading policies for students within the St Tammany Parish Public School System. Annually, a Pupil Progression Plan Advisory Committee is formed consisting of school administrators, teachers, and parents to review the proposed changes for the plan. Following the public input meeting, the committee will meet to finalize the proposed plan, which will then go to the St Tammany Parish School Board for its consideration.

Young Entrepreneurs Academy ready for new students

BY DARREN COOPER

Contributing writer

Dane Pritchard said yes to YEA, and he’s forever grateful.

“I mention YEA all the time when I tell people how I got my start in business,” said Pritchard, now 19. “It was an immense joy I can’t sing the praises enough.” Young Entrepreneurs Academy — or YEA — is a program open to students in seventh to 12th grade in St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes who have a business idea, a business plan or something in between. It’s a free, 23-week after-school program where students are connected with business mentors, craft their ideas and eventually pitch their business, “Shark Tank” style. Every graduate is given seed money Applications for this year’s class are now open through June 30 at YeaNorthshore. org/apply

Pritchard’s idea was to use drones to help real estate agents sell homes faster by providing a unique look at a home’s interior floor plan, yards and design from a drone point of view Ace Drone Solutions isn’t making him rich, but the current Southeastern Louisiana junior feels more confident, has made lasting connections and is positive YEA gave him lessons he can apply “What was most helpful to

me was getting confident in public speaking to the point where I didn’t have to prepare to give my speech. I knew it like the back of my hand,” Pritchard said. “I also enjoyed doing the market research to find out whether or not my idea was really valuable.”

John Widlitze said that kids in the program learn how to plan and pitch

“I think the biggest thing that kids get out of it is their ability to develop an idea and then be able to pitch that to a demographic or generation that they are re-

moved from,” said Widlitze, a YEA mentor for several years. “It teaches them to be comfortable talking with an adult and pitching their business plan to someone who can make a change in their lives.”

Students must fill out an online application and are interviewed by a member of the YEA staff. At the interview, candidates must bring a recent transcript showing their GPA and a letter of recommendation from someone outside of their family Widlitze is retired after a career in the banking indus-

try He gets energized by all of the different ideas the candidates bring forward. He remembers one young woman who had the novel concept for a business that cleans out industrial-size waste bins and another who was ready to start their own landscaping business as a sophomore in high school

“I think this country was built on and is maintained by that entrepreneurial spirit and the desire and freedom to chase your dreams and make their financial future what they want it to be,” Widlitze said.

That spark of ingenuity is what YEA seeks to provide.

“My advice is to be open to learn new things,” Pritchard said, “even if you don’t want to open your own business yet, because the concepts YEA teaches are useful in any professional environment.”

“These kids are very bright and they have different ideas and they’re in a country where these ideas can be created and honed and sold on the market.”

Corkern Air Conditioning, Heating and Electric celebrating 50 years in business!!

PROVIDED PHOTO

Dancescape Studio performers are

PROVIDED PHOTO

Young Entrepreneurs Academy graduate Dane Pritchard, seen here with his drone, says he will always be grateful for the lessons he learned in the program.

Hope House champions come in all shapes, sizes, ages

BY DARREN COOPER

Contributing writer

Hope House is a place where lives are changed for the better Seven key individuals who help make these changes possible will be honored at the Hope House Champions for Children Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. April 22 at The Greystone in Mandeville

“I was so excited when they told me,” said Nicole Cox, one of the honorees and founder of Abba Educational Center in Mandeville. “I have been to the breakfast before, and I have seen these people who have done so much get recognized. I just feel like I am doing what I am called to do, which is fun, but I am trying to bring attention Hope House in any way I can.”

Cox laughed, saying she has no official title at Hope House, which is an organization devoted to helping the victims and their families through abusive situations. She just does whatever she can. Paint a room? Teach a young man how to read? Bring over some pizza for the staff?

“Hope House is literally taking care of our most vulnerable and being the voice for children who have had no voice in the past, and they don’t know that what happened was not OK,” Cox said. “The victims’ advocates come in and say, ‘Life can be better, people can be nice, and that’s not what love looks like.’ They take this whole

CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN BREAKFAST

WHAT: Hope House, an organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse, recognizes seven members of the community for helping the cause during a special breakfast.

WHERE: The Greystone, 935 Clausel St., Mandeville

WHEN: Wednesday,April 22, 7:30 a.m to 9:30 a.m.

HOW MUCH: Tickets are $35 for an individual and $350 for a reserved table of 10.

EXTRAS: Katie Rose McConnell, a member of the Hope House Board of Directors, will be the keynote speaker

MORE INFO: https://www.cachopehouse.org/

group of people, open their eyes and help restore their humanity.”

Zachary Popovich is another of the seven honorees. He became connected with Hope House through his work as an assistant district attorney in the Special Victims Unit. He is part of a multidisciplinary team at Hope House that works to find the best possible outcome in each case.

“It’s hard, but it’s also ultimately rewarding,” said Popovich, who grew up in Madisonville. “If I wasn’t doing this work, I don’t know what I would be doing. I like sitting down with the child and being a part of the team of people that can guide these kids through a difficult process and get them to the other side stronger.”

Popovich can quote the stats about Hope House, how it has doubled the number of kids it’s helped in the past nine years

He may be just one piece of the overall mission, but it’s a mission he said he is dedicated to.

“There are people at Hope House that I speak with almost every single day,” Popovich said. “I respect and admire everyone who works for Hope House tremendously, so to be recognized in this group is great.”

Here’s a look at all of the Hope House champions:

Kristine Bush, a caseworker with the Youth Service Bureau, works closely with Families in Need of Services, and homeless teens and children in need of support and encouragement. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Bush is actively involved in philanthropic efforts that promote youth development, family stability and educational advancement.

Nicole Cox, the owner of Abba Educational Center, has volunteered in a variety of

This year’s champions, from left, are Marie Jefferson, Louisiana DCFS; Youth Champion Colby Stewart, Ben’s Ford Christian School; Kristine Bush, Youth Service Bureau; Nicole Cox, Abba Educational Center; Katie Ragan, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office; Sunny McDaniel, St. Tammany Health Foundation; and Zachary Popovich, 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Special Victims Unit.

roles, including T-ball coach, Miracle League buddy, summer camp counselor and children’s ministry leader

In addition to her work at the center, Cox provides free dyslexia classes after school and has partnered with Hope House to offer free math and reading tutoring in Bogalusa.

Marie Jefferson, child welfare supervisor with Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, has a commitment to serve that began in 2006 when she joined the U.S. Army National Guard and served both stateside and abroad. In 2013, she began her career with Children

Irish performer shares traditional songs and stories

Gaelic speaking singer, songwriter and storyteller Danny O’Flaherty from Connemara, Ireland, spent an afternoon with fans in Covington on March 29 performing traditional Irish ballads, sea songs, original compositions and storytelling done the old way — close enough for his audience to hear what was being said and follow the stories being spun. It was a listening concert at Playmakers Theater, unhurried and welcoming, one that connected the performer his audience.

district attorney with the Special Victims Unit, 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, is part of the multidisciplinary team that collaborates with Hope House, the state Department of Children and Family Services, Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, and local law enforcement to ensure that children who have disclosed abuse receive the care and resources needed to remain safe and begin healing.

and Family Services, first in Tangipahoa Parish and later transitioning to Washington Parish.

Dr Sunny McDaniel is a St. Tammany Health Foundation board member and Certified Autism Specialist who has incorporated innovative communication methods and sensory adaptations into her practice to better serve people with autism and sensory needs. In 2022, she joined the St. Tammany Health Foundation Board, where she launched the St. Tammany Health System Autism Initiative.

Zachary Popovich, an assistant

Katie Ragan, a detective with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, has been in law enforcement for more than 14 years. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with children and families navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives, experiences she said have deeply shaped her commitment to protecting and serving the most vulnerable in her community Colby Stewart is a Ben’s Ford Christian School student and is this year’s Youth Champion. The 17-year-old Washington Parish resident lives in Bogalusa and has a commitment to service throughout the community including volunteering with the Youth Service Bureau’s annual Breakfast with Santa, coaching youth soccer with Bogalusa Youth Sports, and competing as a member of the Ventura Post 313 Competitive Canoe Race Team. He also contributes to community improvement efforts through Louisiana’s Love the Boot cleanup campaign.

Library invites community to design special card

BY JACKIE RIECKE Contributing writer

The St. Tammany Parish Library has kicked off a contest asking residents to submit designs for a special library card commemorating the country’s semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, this year Not only will the special card be designed by a member of the community the winning design will also be chosen by patrons who will vote on their favorite, much like the library’s 75th anniversary card was created.

A limited number of cards will be made and given to patrons on a firstcome, first-served basis.

The card will showcase the spirit of patriotism, the American Dream, and

the importance of reading and community Artists of all ages who are residents of St. Tammany Parish are encouraged to participate. Although the top designs will be selected by library staff, patrons will cast the final vote on the winning card design from that pool of finalists. Voting will take place inside branches and online from May 1 through May 7. The winner will be announced on May 11, and cards will be available for patrons in July The contest opened March 30 and will continue through April 27 Visit any branch for a list of guidelines and an entry design form, or visit sttammanylibrary.org/DesignContest for a digital copy and digital art guidelines.

PROVIDED PHOTO

PHOTOS BY JOE TROMBATORE

Performer Danny O’Flaherty gets the Playmakers Theater audience involved in his afternoon performance.

Les O’Regan assists Danny O’Flaherty performing ‘Waltz with Bears.

Abita Springs celebrates 18 years of En Plein Air

BY SARAH G. BONNETTE Contributing writer

Architect Ron Blitch lives on six acres in Abita Springs and often invites en plein artists to paint his property’s unique pavilions and gazebos, picturesque ponds and trees, abundant azaleas, and its river

Often those works wind up in the En Plein Air Exhibition, the popular annual show that celebrates this painting style Now in its 18th year, the exhibit will take place April 10-12 in the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum.

Exhibiting artists “pretty much know that if they paint something on my property, it’s going to sell to me,” said Blitch, an avid art collector and the show’s chair.

En plein air is a French term meaning “in the open air” and is used to describe the act of painting a landscape or scene completely outdoors. It’s a style that gained popularity during the Impressionist art movement when the advent of paint tubes and packable easels allowed painters to move out of the studio and into the great outdoors.

“Abita Springs has always been an arts community. This is one way of promoting the arts in St. Tammany It’s hard to believe it’s been 18 years,” Blitch said. “We started with a core group of artists, including Auseklis Ozols, who’s probably one of the most famous en plein air artists in the region (who) just passed away last fall.”

Ozols, a renowned painter and founder of the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, died Sept. 24, 2025, just two days after his 84th birthday A graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

2026 EN PLEIN AIR EXHIBITION

WHAT: A showing of art created out of doors, or en plein air

WHEN: April 10-12, with an opening reception on the first day from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Show continues April 11-12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., coinciding with the Abita Springs Busker Festival on April 12 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

WHERE: Abita Springs Trailhead Museum 22049 Main St. located on the Tammany Trace in downtown Abita Springs MORE: www.trailheadmuseum.org/en-plein-air

and winner of its Cresson Prize, he emphasized “the art of seeing” or “observation” as it intersects with visual arts.

Ozols, along with renowned pastelist Alan Flattman and Covington painter Patricia “Pat” Skornik Richardson — Flattmann and Richardson passed away within weeks of each other last summer will be honored during this year’s show All three were regular En Plein Air exhibitors, and some of their not-for-sale pieces will hang on the Trailhead Museum’s walls.

The eldest of Ozols’ three daughters, Saskia Ozols, will exhibit artwork a small painting of irises painted from direct observation — for the first time. She has been invited to participate “many times in the past” but never did. I decided to make time this year,” she said.

That’s because the show “really meant the world to him,” Saskia Ozols said of her father, recalling how he would travel from his home in New Orleans to Abita Springs to paint a selected landscape or the live oaks he loved, bring the in-progress piece home to add finishing touches, and come back to Abita Springs to deliver it to the Trailhead Museum. He also was known to assist in curating and hanging the

exhibition’s pieces.

“He loved the local art community,” she said, recalling her own connections from a young age to those who work en plein air and from direct observation.

Her 30-year career includes roles as an accomplished painter, art educator, independent curator, and founder of the Fine Arts Preservation Society of New Orleans.

In addition to Ozols, this year’s participating artists will include Jo-Ann Adams, Ben Bensen III, David Blackwell, Muriel Dauterive, Josh Duncan, Claude Ellender, Oksana Fogg, Sean Friloux, Diego Larguia, David Ledet, Andrew Liles, Julie Marshall, Renee Mithun, Mary Monk, Louis Morales, Judy Newman, John Preble, Julia Rubin, Phil Sandusky, Sabrina Schmidt, Drew South, Peg Usner Helen Valenti and Hal Wilke.

“We have such a variety of artists who are watercolorists or work in oil and pen-and-ink. Some of them have become quite accomplished over the past 18 years,” Blitch said. “So, it’s a big honor for the new artists to get in and be around their peers. That’s one of the great things about the show.”

Each artist submits up to

four paintings completed between Jan 1 and the show’s opening. “Some of the paintings are wet when they’re delivered. We’ll have between 95 and 100 works for sale,” Blitch said, and 30%

of the sale proceeds will go to the museum. “We’ve probably brought in almost $75,000 to $80,000 over the years, and it’s funded improvements to the museum, the park pavilion, and

other things in Abita

good relationship

artists, and they love it and want to come back every year.”

Garden volunteer helps ready the Busker Festival scene

BY JESSICA SAGGIO

Contributing writer

As music fans funnel into the town of Abita Springs for this year’s Busker Festival, it won’t be just the sounds of New Orleans area street music that set the scene. Beyond the cadence tickling the eardrums of visitors, the grounds of the festival have been meticulously prepped, adding a backdrop most wouldn’t necessarily notice — unless it wasn’t done.

Weeks prior to the event, volunteer Cindy Davenport, alongside others from Keep Abita Beautiful and the Garden Club, have been tending to the grounds of the Abita Springs Trailhead Park where the event will take place. Davenport, now a passionate gardener, has been weeding, putting down mulch, trimming and making sure planters outside the facility are filled with fresh spring flowers. She was also among those who scoured the area, making sure every little piece of trash or abandoned cigarette butt were removed as the grounds were tidied for the event

“Everyone has been to Disney World, and they know just how clean it is, and that is kind of how Abita is,” Davenport said. “People are always commenting on how lovely the plants are, and that’s because the Garden Club puts a lot of effort into maintaining them.”

Busker Festival is hosted by the Abita Springs Opry and will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 12 outside the Abita Trailhead Museum on Main Street. Admission is free and will feature six acts from a variety of different street music performers. The event will run in tandem with the museum’s “En Plein Air” Art Show Works from the show will be on display and available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the festival. As for Davenport, she will also be in attendance working behind the scenes, picking up any litter, and emptying trash cans during the event. She insisted the weekend was a “light duty” event weekend because vol-

Weeks prior to Busker Fest, volunteer Cindy Davenport, alongside others from Keep Abita Beautiful and the Garden Club, have been tending to the grounds of the Abita Springs Trailhead Park where the festival will take place.

ABITA SPRINGS BUSKER FESTIVAL

WHAT: Music festival hosted by the Abita Opry featuring a variety of busking street performers from all different genres of music.

WHERE: Abita Springs Trailhead Park, 22044 Main St.

WHEN: April 12, 11 a.m. — 7 p.m.

COST: Free admission; food and drink available for purchase

MUSIC: T-Marie & Bayou JuJu, Lily Unless & The If Onlys, Crybabies,Tropicals, James McClaskey & the Rhythm Band, and Tuba Skinny

EXTRAS: Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, but no outside food or drink permitted. FOR MORE: townofabitasprings.com

unteers will also be able to enjoy the festival. But being a part of community events is a special feeling, she said, and one she will particularly enjoy during Busker Festival.

“I can stand back behind the crowd enjoying the music with them but also knowing I played a part, along with my fellow volunteers, to make all this happen for them,” she said. Davenport has been involved with Keep Abita Beautiful and the Garden Club since moving to the area five years ago She

started with KAB and was instantly drawn in by the people involved.

“They were so dynamic, so passionate about being involved in the community and doing things for the community, and I thought, ‘I want to hang around with these people,’ ” Davenport said. And she dove in from there. She got involved with KAB cleanups and eventually the garden club, as much of the membership has some overlap. While she wasn’t an avid gardener prior she learned so much from men-

tors in the club it became something she truly enjoys.

“The passion and the mentoring I got and continue to get from the members just really sparked something in me to where I really literally dug in deep,” she said.

Now, she’s the corresponding secretary for the Garden

Club and board member for KAB. The two groups work diligently behind the scenes prepping areas for many of the town’s events.

Outside of her volunteer work, Davenport is mother to her son, daughter-in-law and “fairy dogmother” to a granddog golden retriever

She’s been married to her husband for 35 years, and she loves “piddling around” with a good craft. It’s always about the people, she said. Whether she’s at home with her family or in the community, it’s the people who energize every experience, she said.

within the mission of the museum,” he said. “It’s been a very

with the

PROVIDED PHOTO BY GEORGE H. LONG

A previous opening night reception for the En Plein Air exhibit in Abita Springs is attended by exhibition founder and art collector Ron Blitch, seated, en plein air exhibiting artists and other lovers of art created out of doors.

PROVIDED PHOTO BY GEORGE H. LONG

An earlier opening night reception for the En Plein Air exhibit at the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum.

PHOTO BY ANDREW CANULETTE

THE BEAUTY OF QUILTS

Generations of women who quilted didn’t think of themselves as artists, especially those who pieced and sewed with whatever leftover or recycled bits of cloth were at hand — often old clothing and flour sacks. Their quilts were simply considered the work of thrifty homemakers aiming to keep their families warm. But without doubt, those who quilt do create art, and examples of that art were on display during the open house held last month by the Ozone Layers Quilt Guild in the Abita Springs Town Hall. There are as many methods of making quilts as there are quilters making them, and that diversity of style, pattern, color and technique adds to the impact of seeing numbers of them displayed together in a communal space.

This quilt of many colors was pieced from more than two dozen different fabrics, a beautiful example of a patchwork quilt.

Women in business meet in empowerment symposium

BY MARGARET ALBERT

Contributing writer

The East St. Tammany Business Alliance recently held their Business & Bubbles Women’s Empowerment Symposium at the Harbor Center, an annual women-focused, signature event that brings together women in business from Slidell, St. Tammany Parish and the greater northshore for an afternoon of connection and learning.

Designed to support womenowned and women-led businesses, the March 19 event was attended by professionals, entrepreneurs and business owners eager to discover new products, grow their networks, and strengthen the local business community Curated sessions provided opportunities for conversations and business building.

“It’s important for women in power to come together and learn to grow and improve together as a team,” said business owner Brianna Ford. Jordan Williams and Raquel Fleming are new to the community

“We were excited to see this event posted because we’re bringing our business franchise here to Slidell,” said Williams “This day has been so productive — all about women empowering other women.”

Participants met, networked and strolled through the vendor’s tables, sipping Champagne and

local

Includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, gourmet buffet, open bar, live entertainment, silent auction and 50/50 drawing. Get tickets, $125 each, and more info at https://www.onewaylove.org/events/a-night-ofhope-2026. BRAWLING BULLDOGS: This April 18 Car and Craft Show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.at Fontainebleau High School will raise money for FHS wrestling competitions, travel, uniforms and equipment. Fun for the family with food, crafts and music. Vendors and auto participants should contact fhswrestlingdawgs@gmail. com/. NORTHSHORE AUTISM ACCEPTANCE FESTIVAL: A day of fun, inclusive activities April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mandeville Trailhead. Funds raised will help the Northshore Neurodiversity

Network’s mission of expanding educational opportunities for individuals on the spectrum. For ways to get involved or to find out more about the festival, see www nnnautism.org or email info@ nnnautism.org.

NORTHSHORE GARDEN & PLANT SHOW: Annual St. Tammany Master Gardeners Association event

PHOTOS BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

Toni Maggio and Erin Wojtala look over a National Parks themed quilt in Abita Springs.

PHOTO BY MARGARET ALBERT

Christy Goss and Christine Pittman

Jennifer Hord, Katie Gennusa, Jamie Seals and Jessie Freeland

Brittany Ford and Brianna Ford

Jordan Williams and Raquel Fleming

Tara Brouuilette and Rebecca Hernandez

This handcrafted treasure sure to thrill grandchildren for many years was created by a member of the Ozone Layers Quilt Guild.

Dew Drop Jazz Hall to swing with Matt Rhody’s Hot Club

BY SHEILA GRISSETT Contributing writer

If any music-lovers out there like to swing, the Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall on April 11 will be the time and place to do it. That’s when Matt Rhody’s Hot Club of New Orleans will bring the infectious energy of swingera jazz to life in Old Mandeville, but playing it with a modern edge and virtuosic flair

While the group draws inspiration from the gypsy jazz tradition, the players expand from there with contemporary rhythm, improvisation and showmanship, and they have a blast doing it. At the heart of the band is lightning-fast guitar work, tight rhythmic interplay and a sense of joy in the music they are making.

DEW DROP JAZZ HALL SHOW

WHO: Matt Rhody’s Hot Club of New Orleans

WHEN: April 11, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m; doors open

5:30 p.m.

WHERE: 430 Lamarque St., Mandeville

HOW MUCH: Cost is $15/adult (cash preferred) to enter the grounds; kids and students free. No advance tickets sold.

WHAT ELSE: Beer, wine, sodas and water (cash only) at the bar. Hot plate dinners of fried chicken, fried fish and all the fixins’ sold next door by the Ladies of The First Free Mission Baptist Church (cash preferred).

SEATING: Inside is first come/first serve for about 100, but most people sit outside, so bring a lawn chair. No smoking ice chests, outside food/drinks or pets are allowed.

PARKING: In the lot across the street or on neighborhood streets — but don’t block driveways.

“So these guys, the Hot Club of New Orleans, have challenged themselves with an awesome task: Take the swing era music of Duke Ellington, Django Reinhardt, and Stephan Grappelli (among others), retain the classic groove, avoid sounding like a museum piece and then infuse it with their own modern sensibilities,” writes the Jazz Music Archives. “ These guys can all swing like mad.”

Led by well-known virtuoso violinist Matt Rhody, critics say his command of the style roots the ensemble, blending technical precision with playful spontaneity The result is music that feels both timeless and fresh in classic jazz forms but delivered with a vitality that appeals to modern listeners.

Whether playing swing standards, jazz classics or

The Krickets to perform at Lobby Lounge

Staff report

The Krickets will give the next Up Close and Musical concert on April 16 in the Lobby Lounge, Harbor Center’s intimate music listening room that features nationally touring acts performing acoustic or lightly amplified music. Music by this trio from the Gulf Coast combines elements of Americana and country — with dashes of bluegrass and all seeped in their signature folk harmony They are two-time IMA song-of-the-year win-

ners in both folk and alternative country categories. The Krickets also produced their third album late last year All three singer-songwriters, Emily Stuckey Sellers, Lauren Spring and Rachel Grubb, also have solo projects. The women originally came together to play a breast cancer benefit, and then just kept performing. But what hasn’t changed over time is the band’s passion for supporting their namesake, TheCricketFund. org, which provides cancer

MUSIC

LIVE: Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz will perform a free Mandeville Live! concert at the city’s trailhead on April 10. Vappie, a New Orleans native (now living in St. Tammany) and Creole master of the tenor banjo, who is a member of the American Banjo Museum’s Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize. Vappie tours the world with his music, but is bringing it to Mandeville from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Food and beverages sold on-site, so no ice chests, eats or drinks from home allowed in the park. Bring fest chairs and blankets for seating.

ROCK: Rockin’ the Rails welcomes the Bucktown All Stars on April 9 to give the city’s free Thursday community concert. Sing and dance along with this brass-driven party band specializing in ‘60s classic rhythm and blues and soul, 70s funk and New Orleans jams. Their shows are legendary throughout the Gulf South. Take in the show at the Covington Trailhead from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Picnics welcome, but food and drink trucks are on-site and there are lots of restaurants throughout the historic district.

ROCK MORE: The next free Rockin’ the Rails concert on April 16 at the Covington Trailhead features Bottoms Up, a cover band with members from the northshore and southshore. The group specializes in top party rock ’n roll favorites and energizes crowds wherever they perform. Bring a fest chair or blanket and come out for the music from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

BEGINNER’S BLUEGRASS: Free slow bluegrass jam April 13 from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. in Abita Springs Pavilion, 22044 Main St. Bring a chair. Crafted especially for beginners who need to play slower or others who want to practice at slower tempo. See nstms.org for link to the lineup or other details.

IRISH: There’s a free traditional Irish session on April 16 from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in back room of Abita Brew Pub, 72011 Holly St., where musicians and music-lovers can play and sing favorite pieces of Celtic music. Visit thesession.org/tunes to find music catalog or go to nstms.org for details.

YOUNG: Young at Heart, a monthly program for adults

55+ at First Baptist Church Covington, invites residents to attend a program featuring solo vocalist and acoustic instrumentalist Brett Thomassie in the Central Hall on April 21 at 10:30 a.m. Registration is required by noon on April

UP CLOSE AND MUSICAL CONCERT

WHO: The Krickets

WHEN: April 16 at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Lobby Lounge inside the Harbor Center, 100 Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell.

HOW MUCH: $27.75 per ticket; two- and four-top tables also available; get tickets at eventbrite.com.

EXTRAS: Free parking

MORE INFO: Lobby Lounge Facebook page

aid to the uninsured. This is a repeat performance for them at the Lobby Lounge, where there are no bad seats in this cozy, smokefree, bohemian-styled venue designed for customer comfort. Get the best choice of

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODS

16 at FBCCOV.org/adults-55. A hot lunch will follow for a cost of $15.

HERITAGE: On April 18, the guqin, a 3,000-plus-year-old string instrument known as “Father of the Ancient Chinese Music,” will be played for the first time in St. Tammany Parish in a concert at AVanti Senior Living Community, 2234 WaterCross Parkway, in Covington. The guzheng, xiao, piano, dancing and singing will also be featured. The “Timeless Melodies from the East and the West” concert will be held from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the guqin will be introduced and played by Cuilan Li. In 2003, UNESCO added the ancient instrument to the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. For more, call (985) 317-6110.

ON STAGE

LAUGHS: It will be Comedy Night 17 at 30 by Ninety Theatre in Mandeville at 7:30 p.m. April 10 when the Mandeville Theatre welcomes Garrett Nelson to open and Caroline Picard to headline. It will be an evening of stand-up comedy with Nelson, who earned the title “Shreveport’s Funniest” in 2025, and Picard, known as the “Cajun Queen of Comedy.” A Grammynominated comedian, Picard has played in multiple spots worldwide, from entertaining U.S. military troops in the Middle East to entertaining passengers aboard Carnival Cruise Line voyages. Re-

served seats for the 7:30 p.m. show at 880 Lafayette St. are $30 at 30byNinety.com.

CUTTHROAT: The Evangeline Theater Company will present “Glengarry Glen Ross,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama written by David Mamet. The local production, directed by Emily Carmadelle, will show April 17 through May 2 at the newly located theater at 2635 N. Causeway Blvd. in Mandeville. This play tells the story of four salesmen competing tooth and nail to sell mostly worthless properties to unwitting customers. The stakes are huge for the winner and the loser, so the men will do anything to come out on top. Set in Chicago’s 1980s real estate market. Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Contains strong language and is intended for mature audiences. Reserved seats $27 at evangelinetheater.com/.

A HERO: “Shrek, the Musical” will be presented at Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Drive, April 17 through May 3, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. This Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure features new songs from Jeanine Tesori and book by David LindsayAbaire. The musical brings all the beloved characters from the film to life on stage and proves there’s more to the story than meets the cute ears. Adult tickets $35; students and seniors, $25 at Slidelllittletheatre.org

Krickets will perform April 16 in the Lobby Lounge located inside The Harbor Center near Slidell

POLITICAL ARTS

ART

SEE IT: The work of Zac

Maras, known for his colorful interior and exterior murals throughout the New Orleans region, and Steve Hasslock, fine artist and sculptor, will be featured during an opening reception at The Artwalk/ JFortier Studios, 829 Asbury Drive No. 2, in Mandeville, on April 11 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event will also feature musical artists Cactus Thief; performance artists with Ballet Apetrei; small bites and fine drinks. A presentation of the artists and artist talks begin at 8 p.m. The Artwalk and studios are part of the Ballet Apetrei Studio complex. Free and open to the public.

MEET: The Northshore Democratic Women’s Club, focused on bringing awareness to issues affecting the community, hosts an April 19 meeting at 3 p.m. in the Abita Town Hall. Speakers will be U.S Senate candidate Gary Crockett and Dr. Kevin Caillouet, director of the St Tammany Mosquito Abatement Board. The public is invited.

COMMUNITY GUMBO

KITES: The Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Slidell is holding a Kite Day on April

TRAGEDY: Because he was gay, Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old college student, was kidnapped, severely beaten, and left tied to a fence in the middle of the prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming, in late 1998. His bloody, bruised and battered body was discovered the next day, and he died several days later in an area hospital. Members of the Tectonic Theater Project made six trips to Laramie in the 18 months following Shepard’s death, including the trial of the two young men accused of killing him (Both now serving consecutive life terms). The theater group conducted more than 200 interviews during their visits and have constructed a deeply moving theatrical experience from these and their own experiences in Laramie. “The Laramie Project” is a breathtaking collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which we are capable. Patrons beware. This is a PG-13 performance due to mature subject matter, language and discussion of violence, so plan accordingly Tickets from $14 to $22 at 30byninety.org; shows April 18 to May 3 at 880 Lafayette St. in Mandeville.

HEALING: St. Tammany Hospital Foundation’s Healing Arts Committee is seeking entries to include in its next exhibition of the Rotating Gallery Series, part of its annual Healing Arts Initiative. All community artists, including St. Tammany Health System employees, are invited to apply. Applications will be accepted through April 20, and the exhibit will hang from May 18 to Aug. 17 on the first floor at St. Tammany Health System’s flagship St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. Visit STHFoundation.org/ArtApp or call (985) 898-4110 for guidelines and an online application.

VOTE: The People’s Choice Spring Art Show, hosted by the Slidell Art League, will hang in the St. Tammany Parish Library’s Slidell Branch, 555 Robert Blvd., through April 22. It is the community’s art show, and community members are invited to come into the library, see the art and vote for their favorite. Awards will be given at a reception of the artists and their art on April 17 at 7 p.m. LACOMBE: See the Lacombe Art Guild’s spring show, “Brushstrokes and Beyond,” from April 24-May 8 on the walls of the atrium at Lakeview Hospital in Covington. More at www.LacombeArtGuild.com.

FILE PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER

Not even a broken string stopped banjo virtuoso Don Vappie from continuing to play at last year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

PROVIDED PHOTO

The Bucktown All-Stars of New Orleans

original arrangements, fans say the band always creates an atmosphere that’s as

PROVIDED PHOTO

Matt Rhody’s Hot Club of New Orleans will bring the infectious energy of swing-era jazz to life in Old Mandeville on April 11.

Shepard

wins the 100-meter hurdles at the

Mandeville sophomore hurdler helps lead team to parish title

Salmen boys claim team crown

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

Mandeville hurdler Mackenzie Hayes wanted to make an impression.

The sophomore transferred from Northlake Christian over the summer, so she knew she would be taking a step up to Class 5A competition.

As a freshman, Hayes broke seven Northlake records and was the Class 2A state runnerup in the high jump, 100-meter hurdles and 300 hurdles.

Hayes showed that she has been up to the challenge of the state’s highest classification, as she won Overall MVP honors to help the Skippers take home the girls’ team title at the St. Tammany Parish Track and Field Championships at Fontainebleau High on April 2.

Covington’s Chance Marchand, left, holds off Salmen’s Andray Smith to win the 300-meter hurdles.

“I took the summer to get used to my events and focus on competing against bigger competi-

tion,” Hayes said “I worked my butt off to get better, and I think I showed that I can compete with

the big dogs.”

Hayes swept the 100 and 300 hurdles with times of 14.32 seconds and 44.56 seconds, respectively Both times were personal bests, and the 300-hurdle time set a new school record. She also won the high jump (5 feet) and the long jump (17-3.5).

Mandeville senior Chloe Gallien was the girls’ track MVP The sprinter took first in the 200 (24.86) and 400 (1:00.10) dashes and was second in the 100 (12.07). She set a personal best in the 100 despite being edged out by teammate Naleah Crandle, and Gallien ran the third leg in the second-place 4x100 relay (49.60).

“This is my second or third MVP of the season, so I’m very proud of myself because last year was a rough season for me,” Gallien said “I didn’t have any PRs last season, so it is inspiring to come back and show the growth from over the summer I

ä See TITLE, page 16B

Mandeville beats St. Paul’s in walk-off fashion

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

It wouldn’t be a St. Paul’s-Mandeville baseball game without a little drama.

Freshman Creshaun McCollum embraced that pressure and moved the Skippers to within one win of the District 6-5A crown With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, he poked the first pitch he saw through the right side for an RBI single to secure a 6-5 district victory on April 1. “I was just looking for anything that I could small ball and hit backside to get the run across,” McCollum said. “That was really it The feeling was absurd. I didn’t know how to react. I was just going crazy It was just an unreal moment.” Mandeville coach Brady Benoit

said he had total confidence in the freshman.

“He’s different,” Benoit said. “I pulled Creshaun over when they were making the pitching change, and said, ‘Aren’t these fun?’ He kind of looked at me crazy, and I said that this is what it is about.”

Tied at 5 heading into the seventh, the Skippers’ defense stepped up as freshman shortstop Leo Blum, who entered the game in the sixth, made a sliding stop and throw for the first out. Creshaun, who moved from first to second, recorded the final out of the inning.

“I told these guys I’m not nice enough to give you a uniform just because,” Benoit said “If I give you a jersey, it’s because I think you can help us win. (Blum) comes in here and makes that

Northshore knocks off Fontainebleau for its fifth straight win

BY DAVE WOODALL Contributing writer

Northshore won its fifth straight game with a 5-2 home victory over District 7-5A rival Fontainebleau on April 2.

The win puts the Panthers in position to secure the district crown with a sweep of Slidell this week.

The Panthers jumped on the Bulldogs early, scoring a run in the first inning against standout lefty Tanner Conley

Northshore’s Kole Brackman walked, moved to third on consecutive passed balls and scored on a double by Derek Weilbaecher for a 1-0 lead. Fontainebleau tied the game in the third as Jaxson Hill’s

Savoin Gray drove in the first run with a bases-loaded walk.

“We came up short of some timely hits,” said Bulldogs’ coach Rickey Noland “Hats off to their guys and

ä See NORTHSHORE, page 16B

against Pope John Paul II on March 17.

Northlake’s four-sport senior standout eclipses 700 strikeouts

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

Northlake Christian’s Abigail Willie has been an extremely busy woman this season. The senior started the season as the setter on the two-time state champion volleyball team. Then she moved on to winter sports — soccer and basketball.

Now, it almost feels like she can take a breath as she settles into the stretch run of the softball season.

But, she is not slowing down one bit after surpassing 700 career strikeouts during a 15-0 win over Independence on March 25.

“I never thought I would get this far,” Willie said. “I hit 500 last year, which was really special, but I never thought I would get to 700 It was a really cool surprise.”

The four-sport athlete said softball was the first sport she played.

“It was one of the first things that I found true joy in,” Willie said. “It became a competitive thing for me, and I found a lot of fun in that. I don’t remember the exact year when I started pitching, but it was before we started playing against live pitching, so I got an early start on that. I really had fun learning that and getting better and better at it.” Willie said, despite getting a late start on recruiting, she hopes to play in college and would be open to walking on a team.

“Senior year has been very, very busy, and a lot of fun too,” Willie said. “I’m really going out with a bang by playing all these different sports,

STAFF PHOTOS BY JOSEPH HALM

Mandeville’s Mackenzie Hayes

St. Tammany Parish Championships on April 2.

STAFF PHOTO BY JOSEPH HALM

Mandeville starter Kaden Croft winds up against St. Paul’s on April 1.

STAFF PHOTO BY JOSEPH HALM Northlake senior Abigail Willie warms up

Errors prove costly in

PJP II-French Settlement district championship game

BY JIM DERRY Contributing writer

If Pope John Paul II is going to have any chance at making a run in the Division III select baseball playoffs later this month and into May, they’re going to need senior Caden Amie at his best.

They did not have that on April 1 against French Settlement in the District 9-2A championship game, and the result was the proof.

Amie struggled a bit in a threeinning effort before leaving with arm discomfort, and the host Jaguars’ defense had an even worse night on the way to an 8-6 loss.

Pope (22-9) ended its nine-game winning streak by committing three errors and with a couple others played poorly, as only two of the Lions’ runs were earned

“I went out there and talked to (Amie) in the first inning, and he told me he was fine,” Jaguars’ coach Brian Babin said. “Come to find out he really wasn’t and that hurt a little bit. Then they go out and put up crooked numbers in the (third and sixth innings), and that hurt tremendously.”

Despite the fact Amie struggled to get through the first – needing

a whopping 29 pitches – he allowed just one run and all of the French Settlement outs came via the strikeout. PJP II responded in the bottom half, as Amie and Trey Dieudonné each singled in a run, and Luke Campbell’s perfect suicide squeeze bunt brought in cour-

tesy runner Everett Gibbs for a 3-1 lead. However, the advantage didn’t last long. The Lions (14-13) plated two unearned runs in the third, and Amie departed after 73 pitches and in a 3-3 game. Soon after, it got much worse.

“Even with the rough start, it looked like we might be on cruise control and things might be happening, and then we forget how to play defense,” Babin said. “… We didn’t make plays, we weren’t in the right positions for our play calls, we didn’t execute our play calls.

“When all those things happen, it’s a recipe for disaster.”

The disaster indeed came to be in a four-run Lions’ sixth inning. Eighth-grader Marcel Evans was mostly effective in the fourth and fifth, and his undoing wasn’t his fault.

Reid Murphy reached on a badhop single over second to start the sixth, and pinch-hitter Nate Jackson hit into a fielder’s choice that was dropped to put runners on first and second with nobody out. A double steal and an RBI single by Remy Cramer put French Settlement ahead to stay

The visitors tacked on two more runs on a throwing error that made it 8-4. It was tough on the Jaguars that

they played one of their worst games of the season in a district championship game, but they hope it will get them ready for the playoffs, which begin in two weeks.

“We have been able to bounce back before, and I have no doubt we’re going to be able to overcome this,” said Dieudonné, who was 2 for 3 with an RBI. “Things like this just happen. We get in our heads and just start spiraling down. Losses like this can bring us closer together, and we just need to realize what we need to do to get better.”

The Jaguars’ resume their scheduled on April 8 when they will host Episcopal.

Covington, Lakeshore, PJP II earn state powerlifting runner-up finishes

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

The LHSAA State Powerlifting Championships wrapped up on March 28 at the Pontchartrain Center, and St. Tammany Parish was well-represented on the podium. A trio of local teams — Lakeshore’s boys in Division II, Pope John Paul II’s girls in Division IV and Covington’s boys in Division I earned state runner-up finishes. There were also 13 individual state champions in the parish Below is a recap of our local athletes’ performances. Division II

Lakeshore and Lutcher tied for first with 61 points, but Lutcher won the state title on a tiebreaker as the Bulldogs had two individual state champions compared to one for the Titans.

“All in all, it was a great day It was our first state runner-up for powerlifting, so that is pretty special,” Lakeshore third-year coach Hunter Bonvillain said. “We knew that we had a chance and everyone really stepped up for us to compete for that state title.” Bonvillain, who was named the head football coach in January, credited first-year assistant coach Robert Hattier for helping the team reach another level.

Lakeshore’s Issiah Koontz was a state champion at 242 pounds with lifts totaling 1,600 pounds, including a 620-pound squat. Austin Deville was second at 123 with lifts totaling 880 pounds, while teammate Luke Logue was third at 275 (1,530 pounds lifted)

Lakeshore senior Oudrey Gros broke the Division II state record with a 370-pound bench press. Pearl River finished fourth as a

team with 38 points, while Mason Matrone was the state champion at 220 with lifts totaling 1,495 pounds.

Pearl River’s Carter Ordoyne was second at 132 with lifts totaling 925 pounds, while teammate Zachary Shae finished third at 242 (1,345 pounds lifted).

Hannan’s Charles Battaglia was third at 148 with 1,210 pounds lifted.

In the girls’ competition, St. Scholastica finished third with 56 points.

The Doves had two state champions and two runners-up.

SSA’s Gabby Goodman won at 97 with 540 total pounds lifted, while Grace Hartdegen took the 123 state crown with lifts totaling 830 pounds.

Abbey Hartdegen was the state runner-up at 114 with 690 total pounds lifted, while Avery Showalter took second at 181 with lifts totaling 850 pounds.

Other podium finishers included Hannan’s Aubrey Byers at 181 (780 total pounds lifted) and Lakeshore’s Amelia Davis in the superheavyweight division (955 total

pounds lifted), each finishing third. Division IV

The Pope John Paul II girls’ team finished as state runnersup while setting several state and school records along the way “They competed and prepared the best that they could, and I couldn’t be more proud of them,” Pope John Paul II coach Alan Miller said. “They left it all out there. Every female lifter set career-best totals, and the team broke five Division IV state records. It was an amazing performance.”

Senior Juliette Brewer won the 165-pound weight class with lifts totaling 950 pounds. She set state records in the deadlift (380 pounds) and total weight lifted. That performance earned her Most Valuable Lifter honors in the heavier weight classes.

The Jaguars were state runners-up with 95 points, behind D’Arbonne Woods Charter (105 pounds). Northlake was third with 87 pounds.

PJP II’s Shelby Fischer won the

148 weight class with 910 total pounds lifted to set a new division record Her 385-pound deadlift is a school record Cristina Angelloz won the 198 weight class with 850 pounds lifted, while Makensie Scott won the super heavyweight division with lifts totaling 965 pounds.

Three Jaguars finished second, led by senior Lillian Juneau at 148 (770 total pounds lifted), who set the state squad record (345 pounds). Kinzey Tucker was second in the 123 weight class with lifts totaling 706 pounds, while Lilly Alonso was state runner-up at 132 (760 total pounds lifted).

The Wolverines had seven podium finishers led by 132-pound state champion Ava Finley with lifts totaling 765 pounds. State runner-up finishers included Molly Hutchinson at 97 (585 total pounds lifted), Jillian Grimley at 114 (695 total pounds lifted), and Emelia Dauterive at 220 (1,000 total pounds lifted).

Emma DiGiovanni was third at 105 with lifts totaling 585 pounds, along with teammates Lacey Terrell at 123 (690 total pounds lifted) and Lucia Angelica at 132 (735 total pounds lifted).

In the boys’ competition, Northlake finished third with 46 points behind state champion Episcopal (59 points).

The Wolverines had seven lifters at the meet with three podium finishers Preston Raymer was a state runner-up at 148 with 1,175 total pounds lifted.

Gavin Angelo was third at 275 with 1,375 pounds lifted, while teammate Paxton Audler finished third at 181 with lifts totaling 1,255 pounds. Pope John Paul II’s Michael Delaney took the state crown at 181 with lifts totaling 1,400 pounds. He tied the school squat record while breaking the school deadlift (560 pounds) and total weight lifted records.

Division I

The Covington boys’ team finished second with 66 points behind state champion West Monroe (89 points). St. Paul’s was seventh. Covington senior Brett Falco ran away with the 148-pound weight class. He squatted 595, benched 420 and deadlifted 560 for a 1,575-pound total. His bench press was a new state record.

Covington junior Steele Rogers finished second at 220 with lifts totaling 1,650 pounds, while teammate Andrew Mariakis was second at 275 (1,670 total pounds lifted). Rogers’ bench press of 475 pounds was a new state record.

Covington’s Max Guy was third in the superheavyweight division with lifts totaling 1,620 pounds. There are several other podium finishers across several schools. Northshore’s Jackson Bice was second at 165 with lifts totaling 1,685 pounds, while teammate Tyler Roberts was third at 123 with lifts totaling 970 pounds.

Fontainebleau’s Nikolaos Filippou was third at 132 with 1,130 total pounds lifted, while teammate Kenneth Primus was third at 275 with lifts totaling 1,645 pounds.

Slidell’s Braxton Carriere was third at 181 with lifts totaling 1,435 pounds, and St. Paul’s Nate Canizaro finished third at 242 with lifts totaling 1,675 pounds.

In girls’ competition, Covington placed fourth with 64 points, behind state champion Live Oak (79 points).

Covington’s Mya Marigny ran away with the 165 state title with lifts totaling 1,100 pounds, while Mandeville’s Sara Refitt won the state championship at 148 with lifts totaling 1,035 pounds.

Covington junior Madeline Schieble was second at 132 with lifts totaling 910 pounds, just five pounds behind Pineville’s Margaret Bordelon. Covington’s Tessa Abram was second at 148 with lifts totaling 930 pounds.

PJP

PJP II

French

PHOTOS BY MATT DOBBINS

PJP II senior Trey Dieudonné scores from first base as he just beats the tag of French Settlement catcher Remy Cramer on April 1.

PJP II shortstop Luke Campbell lunges for an errant throw as French Settlement’s Cruz Castille steals second.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN MOODY/5 SHOT MEDIA

The Pope John Paul II girls’ powerlifting team poses with the Division IV state runner-up trophy.

Swimming, cheerleading and baseball highlight Lakeshore’s signing class

BY DAVE WOODALL

Contributing writer

A trio of Lakeshore athletes picked their college destinations on March 27. Those signees included swimmer Brady Hotard, baseball player Mason Maldonado and cheerleader Oudrey Gros.

Hotard said picking Loyola University-New Orleans came down to its location.

“I wanted to stay close to home,” said Hotard. “I love to travel a lot, but I really like New Orleans and decided to stay here. Some of my friends swim there, so it will be nice to compete with them. Loyola is a great school, and when I get older I want to apply to medical school. My four years here at Lakeshore were great as well, and I think this is the top school in the parish.”

Hotard finished fourth in the 100-yard butterfly (55.24 seconds) and 10th in the 500 freestyle (5:14.92) at the state meet this past season Lakeshore swim coach Meredith Alvarez praised not only Hotard’s athletic ability but also his academic focus.

“Brady is a great kid who will go far,” said Alvarez. “He is our fourth swimmer who has signed a scholarship.”

Maldonado will head to the United States Sports University in Daphne, Alabama.

“I liked it because it is only a couple of hours away, and it has some great facilities,” Maldonado said. “My time here at Lakeshore, especially the bond that I made with my coaches and teammates, is something I will never forget.”

Maldonado is hitting .270 this season with 11 stolen bases, 10 RBIs and two doubles.

Titans’ baseball coach Jacob Seward spoke highly of his team leader

“He’s been a starter for us the last three years, and he is one of those kids who has

done everything that he has been coached to do,” said Seward. “He’s a high character kid, and we are super proud of him.”

While Gros starred as a four-year starter for the football team at Lakeshore, he will attend the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss., to be part of the cheerleading squad.

“During my first visit, I really had no plan to cheer,” Gros said. “I was hoping to play football or something athletic, and that’s when

cheer came into my life. I tried out, and the coach really liked me, so I couldn’t give up the scholarship opportunity It’s cool that my football friends and cheerleading friends were here to watch me sign.”

Gros’ mother, Ashley, said she has been impressed with her son’s dedication regardless of the sport.

“To see him kind of pivot from football to cheering is very exciting, and I can’t wait to see how he does. He is also interested in studying nursing,” she said.

Covington’s Smith picks William Carey

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

It was a family finish at the top of the 43rd annual Henry J. Calamari Memorial 2-mile race on March 14.

The annual race is hosted by Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Slidell and is the oldest race on the Northshore.

This year’s top two runners came from the Schneidau family, with the son outpacing his father to the finish line. Fifteenyear-old Tommy Schneidau won the overall title with a time of 12 minutes and 50 seconds. His father Slidell City Attorney Thomas Schneidau, finished second overall in 13:57. On the women’s side, Our Lady of Lourdes seventh-grader Dylan Navarre was a repeat winner and the first OLL female with a time of 15:09. The first OLL male finisher was third-grader Cal Stephens with a time of 16:38. The youngest unassisted runner award went to a 29-month-old boy Sonny Binder who posted a time of 39:35

Top finishers by age group and gender are listed below:

5 & Under Male: 1, Walker Puntila, 23:05; 2, Henry Brink, 25:16; 3, Lincoln Morse, 39:20. 5 & Under Female: 1, Adaline Puntila, 23:10; 2, Lucy Galindo, 28:52; 3, Savannah Hursey, 38:02.

6-7 Male: 1, August Brink, 17:11; 2, Leo Stephens, 21:52; 3, Lucas Galindo, 23:30.

6-7 Female: 1, Elliott Morse, 24:19; 2, Millie Pizza, 28:50; 3, Aura Vortisch, 30:43. 8-9 Male: 1 Matthew Hebert 17:03; 2, Ridge Dartez, 19:54; 3, Vincent Galindo, 23:12.

8-9 Female: 1, Jojo Navarre, 19:54; 2, Rae-

gan Kaufmann, 24:45. 10-11 Male: 1 Landon Calamari, 17:58; 2 Blaise Binder, 18:29; 3, Bennett Hyla, 23:07. 10-11 Female: 1, June Brink, 19:53; 2, Ava Rayborn, 23:24; 3, Chloe Ducote, 32:53. 12-13 Male: 1, Carter Durrett, 15:00; 2, Wyatt Binder 17:55; 3, Grant Ochello, 24:01. 12-13 Female: 1, Bernadette Biller, 16:15; 2, Turner Brink, 16:40; 3, Caroline Pizza, 24:14. 14-16 Male: 1, Cohen Binder, 17:06. 14-16 Female: 1, Katelyn Calamari, 20:18; 2, Amelia Calamari, 20:41. 17-19 Female: 1, Julia Calamari, 26:53; 2, Sophie Calamari, 30:05. 20-29 Female: 1, Elizabeth Favre, 24:17; 2, Ali Tullis, 26:53; 3, Catherine Calamari, 27:09. 30-39 Male: 1, Adam Janssen, 17:00; 2, Phillip Gonzales, 18:37; 3, Chris Jones, 18:56. 30-39 Female: 1, Samantha Loescher, 30:45; 2, Marianna Fricke, 33:40. 40-49 Male: 1, Thomas Schneidau, 13:57; 2, Adam Bruno, 15:01; 3, Fightmaster, 15:46. 40-49 Female: 1 Adrinne Brink, 18:50; 2 Regina Bourlieau, 19:14; 3, Melanie Strecker, 21:00.

50-59 Male: 1, John Cherniok, 24:47; 2, Bobby Ducote, 33:40; 3, Fr Chris Zavackis, 34:07.

50-59 Female: 1, Anna Caruso, 21:00; 2, Suzanne Melhado, 22:12; 3, Diana Tullis, 24:37.

60-69 Male: 1 Scott Pugh, 19:14; 2, Julio Melhado, 20:18; 3, Martin Klei, 20:57.

60-69 Female: 1, Brenda Bourliea, 25:06; 2, Joanne Jones, 34:07; 3, Rosaleen Purvis, 38:47.

70 & Over Male: 1 Dr Tom Krefft, 29:31; 2, Fred Litchliter, 38:02; 3, Tim Purvis, 38:45.

70 & Over Female: 1, Grace Litchliter, 38:02; 2, Linda Holland, 38:03.

PHOTO BY HERB GOMEZ

A trio of Lakeshore athletes picked their college destinations on March 27. Those signees include from left Oudrey Gros (Southern Miss, cheer), Mason Maldonado (United States Sports University, baseball) and Brady Hotard (Loyola, swim).

Sonny Binder, left, was the youngest unassisted finisher at the 43rd annual Henry J. Calamari Memorial 2-mile race. Also pictured is race director Henry P Calamari.

PROVIDED PHOTOS Cal Stephens, left, and Dylan Navarre, right, were the top Our Lady of Lourdes finishers at the 43rd annual Henry J. Calamari Memorial 2-mile race on March 14. Also pictured is race director Henry P. Calamari.

Dylan Navarre, left, and Tommy Schneidau, right, were the top finishers at the 43rd annual Henry J. Calamari Memorial 2-mile race. Also pictured is race director Henry P. Calamari.

Covington swimmer Dylan Smith was all smiles as he signed to continue his academic and swimming career at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Miss., on March 24. Smith is a four-year varsity letterman and has participated in the LHSAA State Championship Swim Meet each of the last four years. This past season, he swam the 100-yard butterfly and 50 freestyle.

PHOTO BY GEORGIA MANUEL

Covington swimmer Dylan Smith was all smiles as he signed with William Carey University on March 24.

Boudreaux, Leona Ann 'Butch'

Leona Ann “Butch” Boudreaux May 15, 1942 –March 29, 2026. Leona Ann Butch” Boudreaux a resi‐dent of Mandeville, Louisiana passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the age of 83. Leona was a devoted mother grand‐mother, and great-grand‐mother who cherished her family above all else Known for her strength, warmth, and unmistakable personality, she leaves be‐hind a legacy of love laughter, and resilience that will be remembered by all who knew her. She is survived by her loving chil‐dren, Ranzy Boudreaux Jr (Lacey) and Ann Rudesill (Larry “Bubby”); her grand‐children, Ashleigh (Matthew), Victoria (Blake), Abbey (Jonathan), Abigail, Christian Caleb Devon, Matthew (Madi‐son), Zachary and Timo‐thy; and her cherished great grandchildren Matthew Jr., Sophia, Au‐gust, and Walker. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ranzy Boudreaux Sr.; her son Baby Boudreaux; her par‐ents, Wiley “Peg” Tread‐way and Ruby Treadway; her sisters, Yvonne Corona Jeanne “Lemon” Treadway, and Gloria Pailot; and her brothers, Bruce Treadway, Tarzan “Grant” Treadway Barry Treadway, Charles “Chick” Treadway, and Peter “Touch’em” Tread‐way. Leona will be deeply missed and forever loved by all whose lives she touched. E.J Fielding Fu‐neral Home was entrusted with funeral arrangements.

her sisters Yvonne Corona, Jeanne “Lemon” Treadway, and Gloria Pailot; and her brothers, Bruce Treadway, Tarzan “Grant” Treadway Barry Treadway, Charles Chick” Treadway and Peter “Touch’em” Tread‐way Leona will be deeply missed and forever loved by all whose lives she touched E.J. Fielding Fu‐neral Home was entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Barbara Griffis Graham, 81, of Slidell, Louisiana passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, at Lake‐view Regional Hospital Barbara was born Septem‐ber 13, 1944, in Columbia Mississippi She attended Warren Easton Class of 1958 and ultimately earned her GED in 1967. Barbara supported her husband, James Graham throughout his 20 + year Naval Career, traveling throughout the world as she raised their two kids (Sandy & Jim She also volunteered as an Om‐budsman, in schools, was a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scouts Den Mom in Cub Scouts. She was the dri‐ving force behind her fam‐ily’s success. Her belief in Faith, Family, and Country was evident in all she did She had a creative side producing country crafts, decorations, and floral arrangements that bene‐fited her church and com‐munity She helped to or‐ganize TRBC’s Joy Seekers and served as their trea‐surer for many years. Bar‐bara was a founding mem‐ber of Thompson Road Baptist Church where she attended for over 18 years She loved to cook and made the best Peach Cob‐bler! Barbara was a won‐derful wife, mother, and friend to all who knew her. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Graham; her son, James Alan Graham; and her grandson, Devon Till‐man. She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Tillman (Ken); grandsons, Kyle Lovett, and Connor Till‐man; her sister, Mary Griffis; her brother Bob Griffis; and many other rel‐atives. Arrangements were entrusted to Honaker Fu‐neral Home

bara was a founding mem‐ber of Thompson Road Baptist Church where she attended for over 18 years. She loved to cook and made the best Peach Cob‐bler! Barbara was a won‐derful wife, mother, and friend to all who knew her Barbara was preceded in death by her husband James A Graham; her son, James Alan Graham; and her grandson, Devon Till‐man She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Tillman (Ken); grandsons Kyle Lovett, and Connor Till‐man; her sister, Mary Griffis; her brother Bob Griffis; and many other rel‐atives Arrangements were entrusted to Honaker Fu‐neral Home

Emile Meilleur Jr passed away Monday, March 9 2026, in Coving‐ton, Louisiana. He was born to the late Amelia Capponi Meilleur and Emile A Meilleur Sr. in New Or‐leans, Louisiana, on Octo‐ber 18, 1933. He is survived by his daughters Rene Birkle (Kent) and Michele Dufour; his granddaughter, Savannah Dufour Bandi (Brandon); and his sister Marie Celino. He is also survived by a niece and nephew. He was preceded in death by his wife Ida McDougald Meilleur of 67 years; his sister Althea Cuccio; and two nieces. Emile resided in Terrytown, for 35 years and Lacombe, Louisiana for 20 years. He was a member of VFW post 8290. He attended Warren Easton n New Orleans n the Navy d orean War. H mem‐ber of nance crew on the USS Wedder‐burn (DD-684) He worked for Tex f years until re ombe He en and travelin all 50 states a a. He looked amping almost every weekend with friends and family Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA

an and his sister Marie Celino He is also survived by a niece and nephew He was preceded in death by his wife Ida McDougald Meilleur of 67 years; his sister, Althea Cuccio; and two nieces Emile resided in Terrytown, for

Meilleur Jr., Emile

Graham, Barbara

Yays-6, Nays-0, Absent-1 to adopt Item No 2026-02-04. Item No 2026-02-04 was adopted

5.PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION ON ITEM No 2026-02Ordinance of City of Cov Authorizing Mayor To Pu on Behalf of

Call was Yays-6, Nays-0, Absent-1 to adopt Item No 2026-02-04. Item No 2026-02-04 was adopted

Authorizing the Mayor To Purchase on Behalf of the City Covington

5.PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION ON ITEM No 2026-02-05 An Ordinance of the City of Covington Authorizing the Mayor To Purchase on Behalf of the City Covington Lot 4, Square 22 of the Division of St. John. (Bushnell) Councilman Bush‐nell led the discus

Build‐ing Official at the City of Covington, explained this miti‐gation plan Coun‐cilman Roberts made a motion to adopt Resolution No 2026-04, sec‐onded by Council‐man Bushnell. Roll call was; Yeas- 6 Nays-0 Absent-1 to adopt Resolution No 2026-04. Reso‐lution No 2026-04 wasadopted 3.Resolution Number 2026-05 A Resolution of the Covington City Council Informing the Louisiana De‐partment of Envi‐ronmental Quality of the Actions Re‐garding the Sewer‐age Treatment Fa‐cility(MWPP) (Ver‐ret) David Curtis with Curtis Environmen‐tal gave a complete explanation of the Report conducted by Curtis Environ‐mental. Kudos was giventoMikeBrant, Public Works Sewer Plant Manager and his team for the amazing work they dotokeepoursewer plant in excellent standings Council‐man Inman made a motion to adopt Resolution No 2026-05, seconded by Councilman Roberts. Roll call was;Yeas- 6 Nays-0 Absent-1 to adopt Resolution No 2026-05.Resolution No 2026-05 was adopted

4.Resolution Number 2026-07 A Resolution of the Covington City Council Confirming the Appointment of Pamela McKay as the District A Ap‐pointment to the Covington Planning and Zoning Com‐mission to Fill An UnexpiredTerm (Verret) Councilman Verret made a brief com‐ment Councilman Verret made a mo‐tion to adopt Reso‐lution No 2026-07, seconded by Coun‐cilman Bushnell. Roll call was; Yeas6 Nays-0 Absent-1 to

noon in downtown Covington. He stated rocking the rails it's kicking off this month as well on March 26th which is a Thursday the 26th of March at 5:30 at Reverend Peter Atkins park He stated the final Friday Block party is also kicking off in Marchonthe27that 6:00 PM on Colum‐bia St He stated just a little friendly re‐minder that daylight savings time kicks in on Sunday so don't forget. He also stated there's an op‐ portunity to pur‐ chaseatickettohelp the Covington high football team for they're having their reverse raffle which they have every year andalltheben‐efits go to the foot‐ball team He said if anyone is interested contact him or coach Salter or you can even go by the holdens wrecker service to purchase aticket.

3.DistrictC Councilman Roberts stated dis‐trict C is actually quiet He praised the “Desire Line community meeting and encouraged public involvement in long-term plan‐ning. He stated they're doing an amazing job of all the information they're getting out and the information they're collecting. He stated if you have some input of what you think Cov‐ington should look like in the future So kudos Desire Line for they are super organized super knowledge‐ able

4.DistrictD Councilman Inman stated Following up with Councilman Roberts, desire line has been most im‐pressive in my inter‐actions with them He stated they're very professional, very knowledge‐able, and I think we're in good hands He stated there are somenewsidewalks on Jefferson Av‐enue He stated when he does his drive through in his district, he makes notes of potholes and then lets Public Works know and they get right on it. He stated concern‐ing theTyler St cor‐ridor study it is in‐credibly important to the district great he stated there are streets on both sides N Taylor S Taylor and Jefferson so key corridors that are off the Tyler St corri‐dor He stated the li‐brary has a lot going on. He stated they have a Jean Lafitte activity discussing some of the exploits he was in and some not so good because he was a Buccaneer He said this will be on Wednesday March 18th from 11:30 to 12:30. He stated medical the 101 we'll have a workshop on Mon‐day the 23rd from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM He stated on Saturday the 29th 10:00 AM to noon there will be an Eggstravaganza so bring your kids out for that He stated in local sports the old coach and I has to mention this He stated powerlifting state championships are coming up March 25th to the 28th so good luck to all our local schools who are participat‐ing in that he stated the boys basketball playoffs started tonight and Coving‐ton high school and Archbishop are both involved in that. He stated the soccer state champions Archbishop Hannah High School girls under Coach Peters went twenty wins, one draw, and one loss for the season so congratulations to them He stated at North Lake Christ‐ian under Coach Nick is celebrating his fourth or fifth state title He stated these student ath‐letes put in a lot of work time and ef‐fort and he encour‐ages all students to participate where they get a lot out of it.

5.DistrictE Councilman Burrall stated he wanted to thank all the city employees in every department for an‐other successful Mardi Gras He stated they have done such a good job over the years, and the city has turned it into a real signature and desti‐nation for those

Councilman Burrall stated he wanted to thank all the city employees in every department for an‐other successful Mardi Gras He stated they have done such a good job over the years, and the city has turned it into a real signature and desti‐nation for those events and a nice family friendly en‐vironment so, thank you again. He stated that they have been working on the Co‐lumbia St landing stage and are really close to finishing it. He stated at our last meeting we were goingout tobid,and we did but the bid came back higher than we had antici‐pated so we're doing a little bit of value engineering with architect and trying to get it more in line with our bud‐get. He stated we will have the first concert, the Sunset at the landing which will be on March 20th and we're going to utilize the city's temporary stage, so the con‐certs are going to happen. He stated a couple other events that have not been mentioned are Chef’s Soiree’ which will be on March 15th at the Bogue Falaya Park and also Keep Cov‐ington Beautiful event on March 22nd at the Fire‐house Event Center from2:00to4:00.

6. Councilman At Large Councilman Bots‐fordAbsent

7. Councilman At Large Councilman Verret stated the council is committed to the Landing Stage and he knows adminis‐tration worked on it and we're going to get that complete. He encouraged re‐newal of member‐ship of the Coving‐ton Heritage Foun‐dation. He stated the signature event, Farm to Table is going to be off the charts He stated the event sold out in five days He stated hethinksthatitisin‐dicative again of people who care about their commu‐nity and want to be involved. He thanked the city for assisting with the event at the trail‐head and this event is one of many more to come throughout the year He stated that April meeting has been moved to March 31st from April 7th due to Easterholidays. ADMINISTRA‐TIVE COM‐MENTS AND RE‐PORTS

Mayor Mark John‐son

a. He stated he wanted to give Kudo’s to the NAACP and Coun‐cilman Callahan for putting together the MLK March and the MLK program on very short notice which was a suc‐cess.

b. He stated Mardi Gras was a huge success. He stated tens of thousands Came for the Satur‐day night parade andalso10softhou‐sands came on Mardi Gras day He stated Mardi Paws was also a big suc‐cess.

c.Hestatedthereare several big events coming up in the city and they are as follows: *The 4 Unplugged will be performing the Thursday before St Patrick’sDay.

*The Covington CelticParade

*Youth Service Bu‐reau event, Chef Soiree’ at Bogue FalayaPark The Chef Soiree’ is one of the events thatisgrandfathered in to reserve the park The others are, The Monster Mash Sparks In the Park and Bluesberry Festival.

*Shamrock Spirit 5Krun

*RockintheRails

*The British Car Show When it comes to Cultural Arts and Events , music shows, fundraisers, fun walks, car shows, block par‐ ties,theCityofCov‐ington is not at ca‐pacity for we are be‐yond capacity Our Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works and our Administration are strained to keep up with the size of events that we are doing. He stated he wanted the council to know this be‐cause he wanted them to be aware that if you get feed‐back from some‐body Saying the Mayor said no. He stated he just wanted the council to be aware that we do not have the re‐sources to say yes to just everybody who comes in that wants to do an event in Covington. He stayed at kudos for you guys have al‐luded to administra‐tion to culture arts andeventstothefire

stated he just wanted the council to be aware that we do not have the re‐sources to say yes to just everybody who comes in that wants to do an event in Covington. He stayed at kudos for you guys have al‐luded to administra‐tion to culture arts andeventstothefire department to the Police Department to public works for the work they have done He stated the Mardi Gras parades are beyond our con‐trol now and kudos to our residents, our citizens, and our spectators for main‐taining that control that they do them‐selves because we couldn't do it with‐out their good be‐havior.

d. He stated in the current issue of Southern Living Magazine there's a tremendous article highlighting Cov‐ington.

Erin Stair, CAO wished a Happy Birthday to Rd Ro‐drigue, City Attor‐ney Rod Rodrigue , City Attorney No Re‐marks.

Council President Verret stated the next council meet‐ing will be Tuesday March31,2026not April07,2026

There being no fur‐ther business, the meeting was ad‐journedat6:52PM Video of this meet‐ing can be found on wwwcovla.com /s/_ /s/_

MARK W. VER‐RET JOANN D. RUCKER Council President CouncilClerk 183135AP8-1T $481.32

PUBLICNOTICE

CITYOF COVINGTON STATEOF LOUISIANA

RESOLUTION NUMBER2026-09

A RESOLUTION OF THE COVING‐TON CITY COUN‐CIL CERTIFYING AND DESIGNAT‐ING THE PRESI‐DENT OF THE COUNCIL AS ACTING MAYOR DURING THE MAYOR’S AB‐SENCE START‐ING APRIL 27, 2026 THROUGH MAY14,2026

WHEREAS, the City of Covington Code of Ordinances Part 1 – Home Rule Charter, Section 306 – Mayor’s Tem‐porary Absence states “When such temporary absence ofthemajorexceeds (14) days the coun‐cil shall so certify and designate the president of the council as acting mayor during the mayor’s absence; and WHEREAS, Mayor Mark Johnson will be absent April 24, 2026 through May 14, 2026, a total of 18days; NOW, THERE‐FORE, BE IT RE‐SOLVED by the City Council of the City of Covington, at its regular session convened, that the president of the council shall serve as acting Mayor during the Mayor’s absence.

MOVED FOR ADOPTION by Roberts, seconded by Inman, was then submitted to a vote, the vote thereon beingasfollows: YAYS: 7 ABSENT: 0 NAYS: 0 AB‐STAIN:0

And the resolution was declared adopted on this, on the 31ST day of March,2026. /s/_ /s/_ MARK W. VER‐RET JOANN D. RUCKER COUNCIL PRESI‐DENT COUNCIL CLERK

CERTIFICATE I, JoAnn D. Rucker Council Clerk of the City of Covington, certify that the aboveandforegoingconstitutes a true and correct copy of a Resolution passed and adopted by the City of Covington on the 31st day of March, at which meeting a quorum was present and vot‐ing. Covington, Louisiana, this 31st dayofMarch 2026. /s/_ JOANND. RUCKER COUNCILCLERK 183132AP8-1T $81.40

public auction or private sale or

PUBLICNOTICE

Introduced Febru‐ary 10, 2026, by Councilwoman Denham

Item No 26-023627

ORDINANCENO 4272

An ordinance mak‐ing an honorary des‐ignation of Carey Street, between Front Street and PontchartrainDrive, in Slidell, LA as Dr Gerry Hinton MemorialRoad

WHEREAS, Dr Gerry Hinton, a beloved husband, father, and chiro‐practor,wasadistin‐guished member of the Slidell commu‐nity;and WHEREAS, Dr Hinton was also a dedicated public servant having served for 16 years as a Slidell city councilman and, later, as a three-term Louisiana state sen‐ator;and WHEREAS, Dr Hinton was a major proponent for, and instrumental in, the adoption of a chiro‐practic licensing act in Louisiana, and he satfor9yearsonthe Louisiana Board of Chiropractic Exam‐iners;and WHEREAS, Dr Hinton was also a veteran of the U.S. Army having servedintheKorean War;and WHEREAS, Dr Hinton passed away on July 2 2000, after a battle with lungcancer;and WHEREAS,itisfit‐ting to honor the memory and legacy of Dr Hinton by making an honorary designationofapor‐ tion of Carey Street in Slidell, LA—a street on which Dr Hinton maintained an office—as Dr Gerry Hinton MemorialRoad NOW THERE‐FORE BE IT OR‐DAINED by the SlidellCityCouncil, in legal session con‐vened, that Carey Street between Front Street and PontchartrainDrive, in Slidell, LA is hereby further des‐ignated as Dr. Gerry Hinton Memorial Road, and such hon‐orary designation shall be evidenced byappropriatestreet signage provided by theCity BE IT FURTHER

ORDAINED that this honorary desig‐ nation shall not alter the official mailing address of parcels on Carey Street with respect to the records of any pub‐ lic body or agency including the St Tammany Parish Registrar of Voters, the St Tammany ParishAssessor and the United States Postal Service, the Carey Street name tosurvive ADOPTED this 24th day of March, 2026. 182850AP8-1T $82.75

PUBLICNOTICE

Introduced Febru‐ary 24, 2026, by Councilman DiS‐anti, seconded by Councilman Brownfield, (by re‐questofAdministra‐tion)

Item No 26-023628

ORDINANCENO 4273

An ordinance de‐claring certain prop‐erty of the City of Slidell surplus and setting the method ofdisposingsame WHEREAS, the City of Slidell, as part of its standard practices, has re‐viewed its assets and the condition of same so as to deter‐mine what tangible,non-consumable movable property is nolongerneededfor public purposes and should be declared surplusproperty NOW THERE‐FORE, BE IT OR‐DAINED by the Slidell City Council that the property listed on the at‐tached Exhibit A (consisting of twelve (12) pages) incorporated herein with minimum val‐ues, is no longer needed by the City of Slidell for public purposes and is hereby declared sur‐plus, to be sold at public auction or private sale or do‐nated, as may be al‐lowedbylaw. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the date, time, and place of any public sale of said property is to be fixed by the Mayor of Slidell, who shall also es‐tablish the method of payment and other ifications

FURTHER ORDAINED that the date, time, and place of any public sale of said property is to be fixed by the Mayor of Slidell, who shall also es‐tablish the method of payment and other specifications for bidders, includ‐ing the deadline for removalofproperty BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Mayor of the City of Slidell is au‐thorized to execute any and all docu‐ments necessary to effectuate the above BE IT FINALLY ORDAINED that this ordinance shall be effective upon adoption. ADOPTED this 24th day of March, 2026. 182851AP8-1T $69.37

PUBLICNOTICE

Introduced March 10, 2026, by Coun‐cilman DiSanti, sec‐onded by Council‐man Brownfield, (by request of Ad‐ministration)

Item No 26-033629

ORDINANCENO 4274

An ordinance grant‐ing a Conditional Use Permit for arti‐san manufacturing of hand rolled cigars by up to four em‐ployees at 2992 Pontchartrain Drive (CUP2026-0001)

WHEREAS, the Slidell City Council received a petition from Rolando Reyes to approve a Conditional Use Permit for the arti‐san manufacturing activity of hand rolled cigars by up tofouremployeesas associated with his existing cigar retail establishment at the leased property des‐ignated as 2992 Pontchartrain Drive;and WHEREAS, Rolando Reyes re‐ceived a Certificate of Occupancy for the operation of Rolando’s Cigar Lounge at this ad‐dress in March 2024;and WHEREAS, this expanded use for ar‐tisan manufacturing is required to meet all requirements by the Louisiana Alco‐holandTobaccoTax and Trade Bureau for the premises at 2992 Pontchartrain Drive;and WHEREAS, the Slidell Director of Planning duly ad‐vertised and the Zoning Commis‐sion held a public hearing for CUP2026-0001 on March16,2026;and WHEREAS, the property has been recommended by the Planning De‐partment and the Planning and Zon‐ing Commissions to allowed artisan manufacturing as a conditional use for this property within the MU1 Neighbor‐ hood Mixed Use district, with addi‐tional conditions;

recommended by the Planning De‐partment and the Planning and Zon‐ing Commissions to allowed artisan manufacturing as a conditional use for this property within the MU1 Neighbor‐ hood Mixed Use district, with addi‐tional conditions; and WHEREAS, the firstconditionisthat if this conditional use is abandoned or is discontinued for a continuous period of ninety days, the conditional use per‐ mit shall become null and void and may not be reestab‐lished unless a new conditional use per‐ mit is obtained in accordance with the provisions of the Unified Develop‐mentCode;and WHEREAS, the second condition is that this conditional use permit is only valid for artisan manufacturing by Rolando Reyes and does not remain valid upon after a change in owner‐ship manager oc‐cupancy, or opera‐tor;and NOW THERE‐FORE BE IT OR‐DAINED by the Slidell City Council that it does hereby approve a Condi‐tional Use Permit for the artisan man‐ufacturing activity of hand rolling cig‐arsbyuptofourem‐ployees as associ‐ated with the exist‐ing cigar retail es‐tablishment at the leased property des‐ignated as 2992 PontchartrainDrive. ADOPTED this 24th day of March, 2026. 182852AP8-1T $95.26

PUBLICNOTICE MINUTESFOR THECITY COUNCIL MEETINGOF MARCH12,2026

The regular meeting of the Mandeville City Council was called to order by Council Chairman Zuckerman at 6:00pm, followed by roll call, a Mo‐ment of Silence, and Pledge of Alle‐giance.

ROLL CALL- pre‐sent: Cynthia Strong-Thompson, Kevin Vogeltanz, Jill Lane, Scott Dis‐con and Jason Zuck‐erman

Absent-0

Also Present- Eliza‐beth Sconzert City Attorney; Joanna Anderson, HR Di‐rector; Keith La‐Grange, Public Works Director; Buster Lyons, Digi‐ tal Engineering; Clay Madden, Mayor

PUBLIC COM‐

MENT: Tracy Elsensohn, 1379 Valmont St., saidapersonwasre‐ferred to her about a family grave being destroyed for the second time She stated she does things for the ceme‐tery but does not rk f M d

PUBLIC COM‐MENT: Tracy Elsensohn, 1379 Valmont St., saidapersonwasre‐ferred to her about a family grave being destroyed for the second time She stated she does things for the ceme‐tery but does not work for Mandev‐ille and needs help with the mainte‐nance, upkeep and possiblepatrols. Buck Abbey, 1129 Villere St. thanked the Council for ap‐ pointing him to the Parks and ParkwaysCommission and commented that his first meeting had a guest speaker, Alex Landry, who spoke about how great the Neighborwoods Parkis Paul Branch, 531 Dorado, agreed with Mr Abbey that the Neighborwoods Park is a great park and more people shouldseeit.

MINUTES: 1. February 26, 2026 Council Meet‐ing MinutesAdopted

INTRODUCTION OF ORDI‐NANCES: 1. Introduction of Ordinance 26-10: AN ORDINANCE TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO.4 TO ORDI‐NANCE NUMBER 25-25, THE OPER‐ATING BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MANDEVILLE AND FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH (2022 ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE) (Councilman Zuck‐erman,At-Large) 2. Introduction of Ordinance 26-11: AN ORDINANCE TO EXECUTE

AMENDMENT NO.3 TO ORDI‐NANCE NUMBER 25-26, THE CAPI‐TAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MANDEVILLE AND FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH (2022 ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE) (Councilman Zuck‐erman,At-Large)

REPORTS, AN‐NOUNCEMENTS, & MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR: 1. Update from In‐come StrategiesCommittee Meet‐ing- Both Council‐manZuckermanand Mayor Madden agree it went great Mayor Madden re‐ported an upcoming concert at the Dew Drop on March 14th, Mandeville Live concert with Kermit Ruffin on March 20th and the Trailhead Market everySaturdayfrom 9:00am-1:00pm PRESENTATIONS: 1.Curtis Environmental Ser‐vices Inc. -MWPP Audit- David Curtis gave a summary of the audit, with the scores of the indi‐vidual categories being: Influent Flow- 0, Effluent Flow- 0, Age of Pl 6 Ov flow/

Drainage, Girod Street Landscaping & Lighting (Ph. III), LA22 Drainage Im‐provements, Sunset Point Fishing Pier, WWTP Disinfec‐tion System Im‐provements, Old Mandeville Water‐lines, LS 32 (Shad‐ows)

to adopt by Councilwoman Strong-Thompson, seconded by Coun‐cilman Vogeltanz Then a motion was made by Council‐woman StrongThompson to re‐move Item #3 from the Consent Agenda and add it to New Business, this was seconded by Coun‐cilman Vogeltanz and

sent Agenda was then

and adopted unani‐mously 1. Approval of Spe‐ cial Event Permit and Alcohol Permit Application for Mandeville Lion’s Club- “Mandeville Food Truck Festi‐val” event to be held on May 9, 2026 4:00-8:00pm Loca‐tion: 720 Lafitte St Approval Requests: Approvaltoapplyto ATC for Liquor per‐ mit Contingent Upon: Council ap‐ proval to apply to ATC, Contact Fire Dept for Food Truck inspection (Councilwoman Lane,District3) 2. Approval of Spe‐ cial Event Permit and Alcohol Permit Application for George’s Mexican Restaurant- “Cinco de Mayo” event to be held on May 5, 2026 5:30-9:00pmLocation: 1461 North Causeway Blvd. Ap l Re

Approval of Change Order no. 2 to the 2025 Road‐way and DrainageMaintenance Con‐tract (Councilman Zuckerman, AtLarge) 11.AdoptionofRes‐olution 26-06: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MANDEVILLE TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO.2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BE‐TWEENTHECITY OF MANDEVILLE AND CSRS, LLC AND PROVIDING FOROTHERMAT‐TERS IN CON‐NECTIONTHERE‐WITH (Councilman Zuckerman, AtLarge) 12. Adoption of Resolution 26-07:A RESOLUTION IN‐FORMING THE LOUISIANA DE‐PARTMENT OF ENVIRONMEN‐TAL QUALITY OF ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MAN‐DEVILLE RE‐GARDING MU‐NICIPAL WATER POLLUTION PRE‐VENTION AND RELATED PER‐MITS (Councilman Zuckerman, AtLarge)

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1.Adoption of Ordi‐nance 26-07: AN

VIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN

THEREWITH (Councilman Zuck‐erman,

by Coun‐cilman Discon, sec‐onded by Council‐woman StrongThompson, adopted by5-0vote.

NEWBUSINESS: 1. Adoption of Res‐olution 26-08: A RESOLUTION ES‐TABLISHING A FORMAL, MULTISTAGE PROCESS FOR APPOINT‐MENTS AND TERM RENEWAL APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TOENSURE FULL REVIEW OF ALL APPLICANTS. (Councilwoman Strong-Thompson, District1)Motioned to adopt by Council‐woman StrongThompson, sec‐onded by Council‐man Discon. After discussion,Council‐man Vogeltanz mo‐tioned to postpone to March 26th meet‐ing, this was sec‐onded by Council‐woman Lane When voted,onlyCouncil‐man Vogeltanz was for, motion failed. Original motion to adopt was voted and passed unani‐mously 2.Adoption of Ordi‐nance 26-03: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AR‐TICLE 3, SEC‐TION 3.3 GEN‐ERAL DEFINI‐TIONS AND AMENDING AR‐TICLE 7, SEC‐TION 7.5.13 PM-1 MARINA DIS‐TRICT – WATER‐FRONT LOTS, AND AMENDING SECTION 7.5.14 PM-2 MARINA DISTRICT – NONWATERFRONT LOTS, AND AMENDING SEC‐TION 7.5.15 PD –PLANNED DIS‐TRICT AND PRO‐VIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH (Councilman Zuck‐erman At-Large) Motioned to adopt by Councilman Vo‐geltanz, seconded by Councilwoman Lane Councilman Zuckerman mo‐tioned to postpone toApril9thmeeting, this was seconded by Councilwoman Lane Councilman Zuckerman would like to further dis‐cuss with owners of certain properties that this Ordinance may affect Vote taken and passed by 5-0 vote to post‐pone 3. Approval of Spe‐ cial Event Permit for Heroes at Home“Mandeville Family Reunion” event to be held on May 24, 2026 9:00am8:00pm Rain Date: May 25, 2026 Loca‐tion: Mandeville Lakefront (See Map) Approval Re‐quests: Council ap‐ proval of location Contingent Upon: Council approval of location, Certificate of Insurance, Police detail secured, con‐tact Fire dept for Food Truck inspec‐ tion (Council‐woman Lane Dis‐trict 3) Motioned to adopt by Council‐woman Lane sec‐onded by Council‐man Discon. There was a question about the number of Police for the crowd, but the Mayor stated the people move in and out throughout the day and there is no mass traffic Voted and passed unani‐mously 4. Adoption of Res‐olution 26-06: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MANDEVILLE TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO.2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BE‐TWEENTHECITY OF MANDEVILLE AND CSRS, LLC AND PROVIDING FOROTHERMAT‐TERS IN CON‐NECTIONTHERE‐WITH (Councilman Zuckerman, AtLarge) Motioned to adopt by Council‐woman Lane, sec‐onded by Council‐man Discon. This amends the contract to allow CSRS to testify in court on behalf of the City Voted and passed unanimously

FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION

crowd, but the Mayor stated the people move in and out throughout the day and there is no mass traffic Voted and passed unani‐mously 4. Adoption of Res‐olution 26-06: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MANDEVILLE TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO.2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BE‐TWEENTHECITY OF MANDEVILLE AND CSRS, LLC AND PROVIDING FOROTHERMAT‐TERS IN CON‐NECTIONTHERE‐WITH (Councilman Zuckerman, AtLarge) Motioned to adopt by Council‐woman Lane, sec‐onded by Council‐man Discon. This amends the contract to allow CSRS to testify in court on behalf of the City Voted and passed unanimously ADJOURNMENTMotionedtoadjourn at 7:15pm by Coun‐cilwoman Lane seconded by Coun‐cilman Vogeltanz andapprovedbyall. 182608AP8-1T $307.13

TALPROJECT) SERIES2026

PUBLICNOTICE NOTICEOF PUBLIC HEAR‐ING

NOT EXCEED‐ING$90,000,000 HOSPITAL REV‐ENUE AND RE‐FUNDING REV‐ENUEBONDS (ST TAMMANY PARISH HOSPI‐TALPROJECT) SERIES2026

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Sandra DiPi‐etro,ChiefFinancial Officer of St Tam‐many Parish Hospi‐ tal (the "Hospital") on behalf of St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District No 1 (the "District") will hold a public hearing on April 15, 2026, at nine thirty o'clock (9:30) a.m in the Board Conference Room of St. Tam‐many Parish Hospi‐tal, 1202 South Tyler Street, Cov‐ington, Louisiana, 70433, with respect to the issuance of the above-captioned qualified 501(c)(3) hospital revenue bonds (the "Bonds") under the applicable provisions of the In‐ternal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Title to the Hospital is in the public; however pursuant to a Joint Operating Ag ment dated as September 30, 2014 (the "Joint Op ing Agreement")and among the trict, Och Health Sy ("OHS"), a 501( (3) corporation,Ochsner Cl Foundation ("OC and, together OHS "Ochsne certain of Ochs and the District' sets located in W St Tammany Pa are, and the he inafter defined P ject may be, op ated on an i gratedbasis.

by the District in one or more series pursuant to a plan of finance in an aggre‐gate face amount not $90,000,000,exceeding and the proceeds of the Bonds (with ap‐ proximate amount of Bond proceeds stated for each com‐ponent) are to be used for the purpose of (a) financing the costs of capital ex‐penditures through‐out the Hospital, in‐cluding costs of constructing and equipping a five storybuildingwitha 8,402 square foot physician clinic on the first floor and parking consisting of four floors for 388 cars ($35,000,000) the fourth floor build outlocatedatthepa‐ tient care tower ($25,000,000) and other capital expen‐ ditures throughout the Hospital and within the Parish ($30,000,000), and to acquire, if deter‐mined to be benefi

($25,000,000) and other capital expen‐ ditures throughout the Hospital and within the Parish ($30,000,000) and to acquire if deter‐mined to be benefi‐cial to the District, propertiestobeused for healthcare pur‐poses of the District (the "Project"), (b) refunding the Dis‐trict's outstanding Series 2016 Bonds which were issued forthepurposeoffi‐nancing the pur‐ chase of building, land, capital equip‐ment and improve‐ments including but not limited to (i) renovation and ex‐pansion of phar‐macy laboratory central sterile areas surgery and parking garages and/or (ii) making capital ex‐penditures through‐out the properties of St Tammany Parish Hospital (the "Hos‐pital"), and (c) pay‐ ing the costs of is‐suanceoftheBonds The Project will be located at the main out the properties of St Tammany Parish Hospital (the "Hos‐pital"), and (c) pay‐ ing the costs of is‐suanceoftheBonds The Project will be located at the main Hospital complex which is located at 1202 South Tyler Street and bounded by 12th Avenue, Polk Street South Monroe Street and the Tchefuncte River Additional properties may be acquired and capital expenditures may be made within the areaboundedbyand withintheareanorth of Interstate 12, south of Highway 1085, west of High‐way 21 and High‐way 1085 and east of Lake Placid Drive, each located in Covington,Louisiana and St Tammany

CITYOFCOVINGTON STATEOFLOUISIANA

ORDINANCENUMBER2026-09

ANORDINANCEOFTHECITYOFCOVINGTON TOAMENDTHE2026OPERATINGANDCAPITALBUDGET

THEREWITH (Councilman Zuck‐erman, At-Large) Motioned to adopt by Councilman Vo‐geltanz seconded by Councilwoman Lane Councilman Zuckerman mo‐tioned to postpone toApril9thmeeting, this was seconded by Councilwoman Lane Councilman Zuckerman would like to further dis‐cuss with owners of certain properties that this Ordinance may affect Vote taken and passed by 5-0 vote to post‐pone 3. Approval of Spe‐ cial Event Permit for Heroes at Home“Mandeville Family Reunion” event to be held on May 24, 2026 9:00am8:00pm Rain Date: May 25, 2026 Loca‐tion: Mandeville Lakefront (See Map) Approval Re‐quests: Council ap‐ proval of location Contingent Upon: Council approval of location, Certificate of Insurance, Police detail secured, con‐tact Fire dept. for Food Truck inspec‐ tion (Council‐woman Lane, Dis‐trict 3) Motioned to adopt by Council‐woman Lane, sec‐onded by Council‐man Discon. There was a question about the number of Police for the crowd, but the Mayor stated the people move in and out throughout the day and there is no mass traffic Voted and passed unani‐mously 4. Adoption of Res‐olution 26-06: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MANDEVILLE TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO.2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BE‐TWEENTHECITY OF MANDEVILLE AND CSRS LLC AND PROVIDING FOROTHERMAT‐TERS IN CON‐NECTIONTHERE‐WITH (Councilman Zuckerman, AtLarge) Motioned to adopt by Council‐woman Lane, sec‐onded by Council‐man Discon. This amends the contract to allow CSRS to testify in court on behalf of the City Voted and passed unanimously

WHEREAS,theMayorofCovingtonhasproposedanamendmenttothe 2026OperatingandCapitalBudgettotheCityCouncilfortheirconsideration; and WHEREAS,itisnecessarytoamendthe2026Budgetasfollows:

ADJOURNMENTMotionedtoadjourn at 7:15pm by Coun‐cilwoman Lane seconded by Coun‐cilman Vogeltanz andapprovedbyall. 182608AP8-1T $307.13

WHEREAS,CovingtonCityCouncilhashelditspublichearingin accordancewithlaw

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by theCity Council of theCity ofCovington, Louisiana, at its regularsession convenedthatthe 2026 Operating andCapitalBudgetshallbeamendedassetoutabove

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Sandra DiPi‐etro ChiefFinancial Officer of St Tam‐many Parish Hospi‐ tal (the "Hospital") on behalf of St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District No 1 (the "District") will hold a public hearing on April 15, 2026, at nine thirty o'clock (9:30) a.m in the Board Conference Room of St Tam‐many Parish Hospi‐tal, 1202 South Tyler Street, Cov‐ington, Louisiana, 70433, with respect to the issuance of the above-captioned qualified 501(c)(3) hospital revenue bonds (the "Bonds") under the applicable provisions of the In‐ternal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Title to the Hospital is in the public; however, pursuant to a Joint Operating Agree‐ment dated as of September 30, 2014 (the "Joint Operat‐ing Agreement") by and among the Dis‐trict, Ochsner Health System ("OHS"), a 501(c) (3) corporation, and Ochsner Clinic Foundation ("OCF" and, together with OHS "Ochsner"), certain of Ochsner and the District's as‐sets located in West St Tammany Parish are, and the here‐inafter defined Pro‐ject may be, oper‐ ated on an inte‐gratedbasis

BE IT FURTHERORDAINED that if anyprovision of this ordinance shallbeheldtobeinvalid,suchinvalidityshallnotaffectotherprovisionsherein whichcan be giveneffect without theinvalid provision andtothisend the provisionsofthisordinanceareherebydeclaredtobeseverable.

WHEREUPON,thisordinancehavingbeensubmittedinwriting,having beenreadbytitleandadoptedatapublicmeetingoftheCityCounciloftheCity ofCovington,StateofLouisiana,wasthensubmittedtoanofficialvoteasawhole, thevotethereonbeingasfollows:

MOVEDFOR ADOPTION Roberts,secondedbyInman

YEAS:7 ABSENT:0

NAYS:0 ABSTAIN: 0

PASSEDANDADOPTED this31st dayofMarch,2026.

/s/_ MARKW.VERRET COUNCILPRESIDENT

/s/_ JOANND.RUCKER COUNCILCLERK

/s/_ JOANND.RUCKER COUNCILCLERK

The Bonds are p posed to be is by the Distric one or more se pursuant to a pla finance in an ag gate face am not exceed $90,000,000, the proceeds of Bonds (with a proximate amo of Bond proceed stated for each c ponent) are to used for the pur of (a) financing costs of capital penditures through out the Hospital, cluding costs constructing equipping a storybuildingwi 8,402 square f physician clinic the first floor a parking consist of four floors 388 ($35,000,000) fourth floor b outlocatedatth tient care to ($25,000,000) a other capital ex ditures through the Hospital a within the P ($30,000,000), to acquire, if d mined to be ben cial to the Dis propertiestobe for healthcare poses of the Di (the "Project") refunding the trict's outstand Series 2016 Bo which were is forthepurposenancing the chase of build land, capital e ment and impr ments includin not limited to renovation and pansion of p macy, labora central sterile a surgery, and pa garages and/or making capital penditures through out the propert St Tammany Pa Hospital (the "H pital"), and (c) ing the costs of suanceoftheB The Project w located at the Hospital com which is locat 1202 South Street and bounde by 12th Av Polk Street So Monroe Street the Tchef River. Addit properties ma acquired and cap expenditures be made within areaboundedby withinthearea of Interstate south of Hig 1085, west of H way 21 and Hi way 1085 and of Lake Pl Drive, each lo in Covin Louisiana and TammanyParish

PresentedtotheMayoronthis1stdayofApril,2026,at9:20,A.M.

ADJOURNMENTMotionedtoadjourn at 7:15pm by Coun‐cilwoman Lane seconded by Coun‐cilman Vogeltanz andapprovedbyall. 182608AP8-1T $307.13

Approved_X_orVetoed bytheMayoronthis1st dayofApril,2026.

/s/_ MARKR.JOHNSON MAYOR

/s/_ JOANND.RUCKER COUNCILCLERK

The Bonds are pro‐ posed to be issued by the District in one or more series pursuant to a plan of finance in an aggre‐gate face amount not $90,000,000,exceeding and the proceeds of the Bonds (with ap‐ proximate amount of Bond proceeds stated for each com‐ponent) are to be used for the purpose of (a) financing the costs of capital ex‐penditures through‐out the Hospital, in‐cluding costs of constructing and equipping a five storybuildingwitha 8,402 square foot physician clinic on the first floor and parking consisting of four floors for 388 cars ($35,000,000), the fourth floor build outlocatedatthepa‐ tient care tower ($25,000,000) and other capital expen‐ ditures throughout the Hospital and within the Parish ($30,000,000), and to acquire, if deter‐mined to be benefi‐cial to the District, propertiestobeused for healthcare pur‐poses of the District (the "Project") (b) refunding the Dis‐trict's outstanding Series 2016 Bonds which were issued forthepurposeoffi‐nancing the pur‐ chase of building, land, capital equip‐ment and improve‐ments including but not limited to (i) renovation and ex‐pansion of phar‐macy, laboratory, central sterile areas, surgery, and parking garages and/or (ii) making capital ex‐penditures through‐out the properties of St Tammany Parish Hospital (the "Hos‐pital") and (c) pay‐ ing the costs of is‐suanceoftheBonds

The public hear shall be conduc for the purposreceiving comme on and hearing objections (ve or written) to proposed issu of the Bonds and associated plan finance. All ested parties ar vited to attend publichearingto presstheirview

ReceivedfromtheMayoronthis1St dayofApril,2026,at1:20P.M

Persons who in to appear at hearing and ex their view are vited to contact DiPietro either writing or by phone (985) 8 4000, in advanc the hearing. An terested persons able to attend hearing may su their views in w ing to Ms. DiP prior to the d scheduled for hearing. The tion and time o hearing may changed or an

a subdivi‐sion of a portion of Section 37, Town‐ship 8 South, Range 14 East, Greensburg District, 9th Ward, St Tammany Parish State of Louisiana, which subdivision has been duly accepted and approved by the Parish of St Tam‐many and which Lot or Parcel of land is more fully de‐scribed as being LOT 22, Square 10 of said Subdivision; subject to restric‐tions, servitudes, rights-of-way and outstanding mineral rights of record af‐fecting the property ("Property") Municipal Address: 1541 CHERRY ST, SLIDELL, LA 70460-8825 Writ Amount: $194,953.96 Plaintiff Attorney: Halliday, Watkins & Mann, PC 1509 North 19TH ST Monroe,LA71201 TermsofSale:With‐out appraisal, 10% at adjudication and balance within 30 days RANDY SMITH, SHERIFF $77.55

St Tammany Parish, State of Louisiana, which subdivision has been duly accepted and approved by the Parish of St. Tam‐many and which Lot or Parcel of land is more fully de‐scribed as being LOT 22, Square 10 of said Subdivision; subject to restric‐tions, servitudes, rights-of-way and outstanding mineral rights of record af‐fecting the property ("Property") Municipal Address: 1541 CHERRY ST, SLIDELL, LA 70460-8825 Writ Amount: $194,953.96

Plaintiff Attorney: Halliday, Watkins & Mann, PC 1509 North 19TH ST Monroe,LA71201

TermsofSale:With‐out appraisal 10% at adjudication and balance within 30 days

RANDY SMITH, SHERIFF $77.55

(52)202610773

Sheriff’s Civil Divi‐sion Parish of St. Tam‐many StateofLouisiana M&TBank Vs Brianna Maryse Lyons and Charles RaymondHarris

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 22nd Judicial Dis‐trict Court for the Parish of St. Tam‐many in the above entitled and num‐bered cause dated March 4, 2026 and to me directed I, Randy Smith Sher‐iff, have taken pos‐ session of and will offer for sale at pub‐ lic auction to the highest bidder in the courthouse located at St Tammany Parish Courthouse, 701 N Columbia St, Covington, LA 70433, beginning at 10:00 am Wednes‐day, May 13, 2026, the following prop‐erty:

lic auction to the highest bidder in the courthouse located at St. Tammany Parish Courthouse, 701 N Columbia St, Covington, LA 70433, beginning at 10:00 am Wednes‐day, May 13, 2026, the following prop‐erty:

Property Descrip‐ tion: THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PORTION OF GROUND, to‐gether with all the buildings and im‐provementsthereon, and all the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes, appurte‐nances and advan‐tages thereunto be‐longing or in any‐ wise appertaining,situated in Section 48, Township 8 South, Range 12 East in St. Tam‐many Parish Louisiana, and being more fully de‐scribed as follows, to-wit: LOT 20, AUTUMN HAVEN SUBDIVI‐SION, St Tammany Parish, Louisiana. All in accordance with plan of subdi‐vision by Kelly J. McHugh & Associ‐ates, Inc., dated Au‐gust 10, last revised October 24, 2005, filed October 28, 2005, with the Clerk of Court for St Tammany Parish Louisiana, at Map File No 4070, and Act of Correction thereto, dated June 8, 2007, recorded at CIN 1632053, St Tammany Parish, Louisiana.

Municipal Address: 120 AUTUMN WOODS DR, LA‐COMBE,LA70445 Writ Amount: $222,639.82 Plaintiff Attorney: Graham, Arceneaux & Allen Two Lake‐way,3850N.Cause‐way Blvd., Ste. 1695, Metairie LA 70002

Terms of Sale: With appraisal, 10% at adjudication and balance within 30 days RANDY SMITH, SHERIFF $79.96

Rocket Mortgage LLC F/K/A Quicken Loans, LLC F/K/A

QuickenLoans,Inc

vs Cecil William Ben‐nett, Jr. a/k/a Cecil W.Bennett,Jr. a/k/a CecilBennett,Jr.

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 22nd Judicial Dis‐trict Court for the Parish of St. Tam‐many in the above entitled and num‐bered cause dated February 24, 2026 and to me directed, I, Randy Smith, Sheriff, have taken possession of and will offer for sale at public auction to the highest bidder in the courthouse located at St Tammany Parish Courthouse, 701 N Columbia St Covington, LA 70433, beginning at 10:00 am Wednes‐day, May 13, 2026, the following prop‐erty:

Property Descrip‐ tion: Timber Ridge Sub‐division,PhaseOne, Lot 86, as refer‐enced in the Mort‐gage recorded at in‐strument number 2088708.

Municipal Address: 212 TIMBER RIDGE DR, SLIDELL, LA 70460-6521 Writ Amount:

$54,536.21 Plaintiff Attorney: Law Offices of Her‐schelAdcock,Jr P.O BOX87379 BATON ROUGE, LA70879 TermsofSale:With‐out appraisal, 10% at adjudication and balance within 30 days

RANDY SMITH, SHERIFF $63.12

(52)202610953 Sheriff’s Civil Divi‐sion Parish of St. Tam‐many StateofLouisiana

Newrez, LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mort‐gageServicing Vs RussellLindsey,Jr.

of the Honorable 22nd Judicial Dis‐

bered cause dated March 5, 2026 and to me directed, I, Randy Smith, Sher‐

session of and will offer for sale at

lic auction to the highest bidder in the courthouse located at St Tammany Parish Courthouse, 701 N Columbia St, Covington, LA 70433, beginning at 10:00 am Wednes‐day, May 13, 2026, the following prop‐erty: Property Descrip‐ tion: ALL THAT CER‐TAIN PARCEL OF LAND, situated in Section 4, Township 8 South, Range 14 East, St Tammany Parish, Louisiana, more fully de‐scribedasfollows:

From the quarter section corner com‐mon to Sections 4 and 9 of said town‐ship and range go North 00 Degrees 28 Minutes 56 Sec‐onds East 50.00 feet to a point on the North Right-of-Way of Pine Street Ex‐tension and the PointofBeginning.

From the Point of Beginning continue North 00 Degrees 28 Minutes 56 Sec‐onds East 290.40 feet to a point; thence go South 89 Degrees 35 Minutes 56 Seconds East 150.00 feet to a point; thence South 00 Degrees 28 Min‐utes 56 Seconds West 290.40 feet to a point on the North Right-of Way of Pine Street Exten‐sion; thence go North 89 Degrees 35 Minutes 56 Sec‐onds West 150.00 feet along the North Right-of-Way of Pine Street Exten‐sion to the Point of Beginning.

(52)202611211 Sheriff’s Civil Divi‐sion Parish of St. Tam‐many StateofLouisiana Village Capital & Investment,LLC Vs Carey Michael Tardo, Jr and Sara AndersonTardo

and being more fully described as follows,to-wit: LOT 80, QUAIL CREEK SUBDIVI‐SION, PHASE 10, St Tammany Parish, Louisiana. All as per survey by Randall W. Brown & Associates, a copy of which is an‐nexed to COB 01119223. And fur‐ther in accordance with survey by Ran‐dall W. Brown & Associates Inc. dated June 12, 1997 under Survey No 97597, a copy of which is annexed hereto and made a part hereof ("Prop‐erty")

Municipal Address: 1454 SYCAMORE PL, MANDEV‐ILLE, LA 704481080 Writ Amount: $288,561.94

Plaintiff Attorney: Halliday, Watkins & Mann, PC, 1509 North 19th Street, Monroe,LA71201

TermsofSale:With‐out appraisal 10% at adjudication and balance within 30 days RANDY SMITH, SHERIFF $86.22

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 22nd Judicial Dis‐trict Court for the Parish of St. Tam‐many in the above entitled and num‐bered cause dated March 5, 2026 and to me directed, I, Randy Smith, Sher‐iff, have taken pos‐ session of and will offer for sale at pub‐ lic auction to the highest bidder in the courthouse located at St. Tammany Parish Courthouse, 701 N Columbia St, Covington, LA 70433, beginning at 10:00 am Wednes‐day, May 13, 2026, the following prop‐erty:

Municipal Address: 36393 PINE ST Ex‐tension, PEARL RIVER,LA70452 Writ Amount: $154,432.90 Plaintiff Attorney: LOGS Legal Group, LLP3510 N. Cause‐way Blvd, Ste. 600, Metairie,LA70002

Terms of Sale: With appraisal, 10% at adjudication and balance within 30 days RANDY SMITH, SHERIFF $80.92

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 22nd Judicial Dis‐trict Court for the Parish of St. Tam‐many in the above entitled and num‐bered cause dated March 9, 2026 and to me directed, I, Randy Smith Sher‐iff, have taken pos‐ session of and will offer for sale at pub‐ lic auction to the highest bidder in the courthouse located at St Tammany Parish Courthouse, 701 N Columbia St Covington, LA 70433, beginning at 10:00 am Wednes‐day, May 13, 2026, the following prop‐erty: Property Descrip‐ tion: ALL THAT CER‐TAIN PIECE OR PORTION OF LAND, together with all the build‐ings and improve‐ments thereon, and all the rights, ways means, privileges, servitudes, prescrip‐ tions appurtenances and advantages thereunto, belong‐ing or in anywise appertainingthento situated in the Parish of St. Tam‐many, State of Louisiana, in that part thereof known as QUAIL CREEK SUBDIVISION, PHASE 10, all as per plan of subdivi‐sion by Kelly J. McHugh & Associ‐ates Inc., dated Sep‐ tember 6, 1996, recorded at Map File No 1467 of the official records of theClerkofCourtof St Tammany Parish Louisiana, and being more fully described as follows to-wit: LOT 80, QUAIL CREEK SUBDIVI‐SION PHASE 10, St Tammany Parish Louisiana. All as per survey by Randall W. Brown & Associates, a copy of which is an‐nexed to COB 01119223. And fur‐ther in accordance with survey by Ran‐dall W. Brown & Associates, Inc dated June 12, 1997 under Survey No 97597, a copy of which is annexed hereto and made a part hereof ("Prop‐erty")

52)202610959 Sheriff’s Civil Divi‐sion Parish of St. Tam‐many StateofLouisiana Data Mortgage Inc. dbaEssexMortgage Vs LaquitaS.Gordon Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 22nd Judicial Dis‐trict Court for the Parish of St. Tam‐many in the above entitled and num‐bered cause dated March 2, 2026 and to me directed I, Randy Smith Sher‐iff, have taken pos‐ session of and will offer for sale at pub‐ lic auction to the highest bidder in the courthouse located at St Tammany Parish Courthouse, 701 N Columbia St, Covington, LA 70433, beginning at 10:00 am Wednes‐day, May 13, 2026, the following prop‐erty:

‐tion: THAT CERTAIN PIECE OR PAR‐CELOF GROUND, together with all the buildings and im‐provementsthereon, and all of the rights, ways privileges servitudes, appurte‐nances and advan‐tages thereunto be‐longing or in any‐ wise appertaining,situated in the Parish of St. Tam‐many, State of Louisiana, to wit: A CERTAIN POR‐TION OF GROUND situated in the subdivision known as Pine Park Place Subdivision, and designated on the official plat of said subdivision on file and of record in the Office of the Clerk and Recorded of St Tammany Parish as LOT 4 of SQUARE NO. 31 said subdivision, said Lot fronting 60 feet on Seventh Street by a depth be‐tween parallel lines of 120 feet THE FOLLOWING IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMA‐TIONAL PUR‐POSES ONLY: IM‐PROVEMENTS THEREON BEAR THE MUNICIPAL NO. 2008 7TH STREET, SLIDELL, LA 70458

Municipal Address: 2008 7TH ST

Property Descrip‐ tion: THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PORTION OF GROUND, to‐gether with all the buildings and im‐provementsthereon, and all the rights, ways privileges servitudes, appurte‐nances and advan‐tages there longing or wise appesituated in 48, Town South, Ra East, in S many Louisiana, being more ‐scribed as s, to-wit: LOT 20, AU MN HAVEN SU ‐SION, St. T y Parish, Lo a. All in ac e with plan ‐vision by McHugh & ‐ates Inc. da ‐gust 10, la d October 24, 2005, filed Oct 28, 2005, with rk of Court Tammany Louisiana, p File No. 4070, Act of C thereto, da 8, 2007, re CIN 1632053, Tammany Louisiana.

TAIN PARCEL OF LAND situated in Section 4, Township 8 South, Range 14 East, St Tammany Parish, Louisiana, more fully de‐scribedasfollows:

Municipal A 120 AU WOODS D COMBE,L Writ $222,639.82

Plaintiff Graham, A & Allen Tw way,3850 way Blvd., 1695, Meta 70002

Municipal Address: 1454 SYCAMORE PL MANDEV‐ILLE, LA 704481080 Writ Amount:

$288,561.94

Plaintiff Attorney: Halliday, Watkins & Mann, PC, 1509 North 19th Street, Monroe,LA71201

Terms of S appraisal adjudicatio d balance wi 0 days RANDY S , SHERIFF $79.96

TermsofSale:With‐out appraisal, 10% at adjudication and balance within 30 days RANDY SMITH, SHERIFF $86.22

From the quarter section corner com‐mon to Sections 4 and 9 of said town‐ship and range go North 00 Degrees 28 Minutes 56 Sec‐onds East 50.00 feet to a point on the North Right-of-Way of Pine Street Ex‐tension and the PointofBeginning. From the Point of Beginning continue poi th No

(52)202610870 Sheriff's Civil Divi‐sion Parish of St. Tam‐many StateofLouisiana Rocket Mortgage LLC F/K/A Quicken Loans, LLC F/K/A QuickenLoans,Inc vs Cecil William Ben‐nett, Jr a/k/a Cecil W.Bennett,Jr.,a/k/a CecilBennett,Jr. Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 22nd Judicial Dis‐trict Court for the Parish of St Tam‐many in the above entitled and num‐bered cause dated February 24, 2026 and to me directed an s fe auction to the t bidder in the ouse located t. Tammany Courthouse, 701 N Columbia St , Covington, LA 70433, beginning at 10:00 am Wednes‐day, May 13, 2026, the following prop‐erty: Property Descrip‐ tion: Timber Ridge Sub‐division,PhaseOne, Lot 86, as refer‐enced in the Mort‐gage recorded at in‐strument number 2088708. Municipal Address: 212 TIMBER ai l, 10% When you need the news. Wherever you read the news. The newspaper of

Property Descrip‐ tion: THAT CERTAIN PIECE OR PAR‐CELOF GROUND, together with all the buildings and im‐provementsthereon, and all of the rights, ways privileges, servitudes, appurte‐nances and advan‐tages thereunto be‐longing or in any‐ wise appertaining,situated in the Parish of St Tam‐many, State of Louisiana, to wit: A CERTAIN POR‐TION OF GROUND situated in the subdivision known as Pine Park Place Subdivision, and designated on the official plat of said subdivision on file and of record in the Office of the Clerk and Recorded of St. Tammany Parish as LOT 4 of SQUARE NO. 31 said subdivision, said Lot fronting 60 feet on Seventh Street by a depth be‐tween parallel lines of 120 feet THE FOLLOWING IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMA‐TIONAL PUR‐POSES ONLY: IM‐PROVEMENTS THEREON BEAR THE MUNICIPAL NO. 2008 7TH STREET, SLIDELL, LA 70458

Municipal Address: 2008 7TH ST SLIDELL, LA 70458

Writ Amount: $178,469.23

Attorney Plaintiff: Halliday, Watkins & Mann, PC 1509 North 19TH ST Monroe,LA71201

Terms of Sale: With appraisal, 10% at adjudication and balance within 30 days RANDY SMITH, SHERIFF $80.44

didn’t know if I would adjust with a new coach, but I did, and I’m really proud of that.”

Salmen sophomore Zoe Smith was the girls’ Field MVP She finished second in the long jump (16-0) and triple jump (33-1.75), while taking third in the high jump (4-10).

“I was kind of tired toward the end, and it was my first time doing the triple jump,” Smith said. “I thought I did really well overall. I was nervous at first, but this award is so exciting. Today was a lot of fun.”

On the boys’ side, Salmen snapped Slidell’s three-year reign atop the parish, while Mandeville came in second Salmen coach Dustin Johnson said it took a total team effort to unseat the Tigers, who finished third.

“This is a great team win,” Johnson said. “This is the first time that I have won the team title as a coach. It’s been a long time. This week is always tough because of spring break. We did great in the field events, and we won the races that we were supposed to win. All props to the kids because of the work they have put in.” Covington sophomore Chance Marchand was the boys’ Overall MVP He won the high jump (6-6) with a personal best and broke the school record in the 300 hurdles (40.76). He also ran the second leg of the third-place 4x200 relay (1:34.77)

“I’m proud of myself. I’m happy to go show this (award) to my dad. He’s going to be very pleased to see it, and I’m excited to bring it home,” Marchand said. “I’m always working to improve. I play football too, so I’m always working after school to get better.” Mandeville sophomore distance runner Maxwell Newman took home Track MVP honors after winning the 800 (2:04.42) and 1,600 runs (4:40.97) and running the lead leg of the first-place 4x800 relay (8:47.25).

“I was pretty tired after the 1,600 but I knew I wasn’t done,” Newman said. “After that, I had the 800 and ran a 2:04. I was at spring break for five, six days before this, so I wasn’t able to get in some good training before this. But, I’m blessed to get this award, and I think there is a lot more to come this season.”

St. Paul’s junior Ethan Ballard took home Field MVP honors after finishing second in the triple jump (40-10), third in the high jump (6-0) and fifth in the long jump (195.5).

BOYS

2026 ST. TAMMANY PARISH CHAMPIONSHIPS

TEAMS: 1. Salmen, 104; 2. Mandeville, 91; 3. Slidell, 79; 4. St. Paul’s, 74; 5. Covington, 69; 6. Fontainebleau, 60; 7; Northshore 53; 8. Hannan, 30; 9. Northlake Christian, 14; 10. Pearl River, 8; 11. Christ Episcopal, 5; 12. Pope John Paul II, 2.

Individual events

100: 1. Amir Stokes, Slidell, 10.78; 2. Chase Thibodeaux, Mandeville, 10.89; 3 Travis Warren, Slidell, 10.98.

200: 1. Chase Thibodeaux, Mandeville 22.30; 2. Julian Conzonere, St. Paul’s, 22 49; 3t. Brandon Harper, Salmen, 22.79; 3t. Derrick Dunbar, Covington, 22.79

400: 1. Judah Benjamin, Fontainebleau, 50.48; 2. Isaiah Esparza, Northshore, 51.09; 3. Beau Doussan, St. Paul’s, 51.15

800: 1. Maxwell Newman, Mandeville, 2:04.42; 2. Jackson Mackie, Slidell, 2:04.79; 3. Brody Trumble, Mandeville, 2:06.59.

1,600: 1. Maxwell Newman, Mandeville, 4:40.97. 2. Jack Blanda, Northshore 4:45.72. 3. Alexander Merkle, Slidell, 4:47.84. 3,200: 1. John Cresap, Mandeville, 10:40.96; 2. David Hebert, Northshore, 10:49.65; 3. Brent Tissue, Fontainebleau, 10:53.22. 110 HURDLES: 1. Andray Smith, Salmen, 15.73; 2. Luke Demelo, Mandeville, 15.81; 3. Christian Martin, St. Paul’s, 16.27.

300 HURDLES: 1. Chance Marchand, Covington, 40.76; 2. Andray Smith, Salmen, 40.83; 3. Camron Robinson, Salmen, 41.69

4X100: 1. Salmen, 43.85; 2. Covington, 43.91; 3. St. Paul’s, 44.35. 4X200: 1. Slidell, 1:29.63; 2. Salmen, 1:31 71; 3. Covington, 1:34.77

4X400: 1. Slidell, 3:30.95; 2. Fontainebleau, 3:34.67; 3. Salmen, 3:35.82

4X800: 1. Mandeville, 8:47.25; 2. Covington 8:53.41; 3. Fontainebleau, 8:55.69.

MANDEVILLE

Continued from page 1B

play to start the seventh inning, and that was big. He had a lot of young guys step up.”

Greyson Parker opened the bottom of the seventh with a single before Nathan Woodward’s sac bunt moved him to second. After Peyton Gomez was intentionally walked, Cooper Todd drew an eight-pitch walk against reliever Cooper Bertrand to load the bases and set up McCollum’s heriocs.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this guy,” Todd said, pointing to McCollum. “He has delivered all year It’s been amazing to see what he has done I couldn’t be happier for him He deserves it.”

The game was a back-andforth battle throughout.

St. Paul’s built a 2-0 lead only to have the Skippers score three unanswered runs as Carter Winchester’s two-run single in the fourth gave the home team a 3-2 lead. That advantage was short-

Continued from page 1B

their starter (Jacob) Neely, who did a great job keeping us off balance. We had some opportunities but didn’t take advantage of them. In the third inning, we had a defensive miscue that led to a big inning for them. They executed and took advantage of our mistakes.”

The Bulldogs (16-13, 5-3) added their final run in the sixth inning on a walk to Jordan Davidson and an RBI sacrifice fly by Gage Fradella to narrow the Panthers’ lead to 4-2.

The Panthers added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on Aviel Johnson’s RBI single.

Northshore starter Jacob Neely, who allowed just one earned run on four hits in six innings, said his defense came up big all night. Cole Bricker struck out two in the seventh for the save.

“We battled with the bat and finally got (Tanner) Conley out of the game,” said Neely. “We really rely on our defense, and I trust the world of Aviel (Johnson), who I think is the best in the state at his position It really wasn’t my best game, but I pulled it together I got myself in a few holes, but I got myself out of them.”

Northshore coach Jay Hodges also credited his team’s defense and Neely’s ability to battle on the bump.

“Jacob didn’t have his best stuff tonight, but it was good enough,” said Hodges “We got some key hits when we needed them, and this was a big win for us. Our defense came up big, especially in the outfield, where Aviel (Johnson) did a great job tracking down some difficult balls. We’ve got Slidell coming up next week, and we know it’s going to be a battle.”

Conley took the loss despite striking out 11 in five innings.

SHOT PUT: 1. Reginald Bouie, Salmen, 43-8; 2. Andrew Shofstahl, St. Paul’s, 42-9; 3. Nathan Sweeney, Hannan, 42-1.5.

DISCUS: 1. Jerry Birdlow, Slidell, 156-11; 2. Nathan Sweeney, Hannan, 154-3; 3. Seth Jones, Covington, 141-5.

JAVELIN: 1. Waylon Johnson, St. Paul’s, 184-8; 2. Hayden Williams, Northlake Christian, 1440; 3. David Chimento, Hannan, 142-9.

LONG JUMP: 1. Luke Demelo, Mandeville, 21-0.5; 2. Jayden Wiltz, Slidell, 20-4; 3. Ramon Williams, Northshore, 20-2.

TRIPLE JUMP: 1. Kyrin Goins, Salmen, 42-5; 2. Ethan Ballard, St. Paul’s, 40-10; 3. Bryce Williams, Fontainebleau, 40-9.

HIGH JUMP: 1. Chance Marchand, Covington, 6-6; 2. Jordan Kitchens, Salmen, 6-4; 3. Ethan Ballard, St. Paul’s, 6-0.

POLE VAULT: 1. Jack Evans, Fontainebleau, 13-6; 2. Israel Agent, Covington, 12-0; 3. Camron Robinson, Salmen, 10-6.

GIRLS

TEAMS: 1. Mandeville, 140.5; 2. Hannan, 80.50; 3. St. Scholastica, 75.5; 4. Fontainebleau, 63; 5. Slidell, 62; 6. Northshore, 46; 7. Covington, 43; 8. Salmen, 26; 9. Christ Episcopal, 16.5; 10. Pearl River, 15; 11. Northlake Christian, 10; 12. Pope John Paul II, 8.

Individual events

100: 1. Naleah Crandle, Mandeville, 11.83; 2. Chloe Gallien, Mandeville, 12.07; 3. Madyson Parker, Slidell, 12.39.

200: 1. Chloe Gallien, Mandeville, 24.86; 2. Naleah Crandle, Mandeville, 24.94; 3. Madyson Parker, Slidell, 25.00.

400: 1. Chloe Gallien, Mandeville, 1:00.10; 2. Mia Celestine, Northshore, 1:01.63; 3. Lola Keim, St. Scholastica, 1:01.81. 800: 1. Lola Koenig, St. Scholastica, 2:24.55; 2. Jacklyn McMenamin, Hannan, 2:31.62; 3. Brooke Adams, Northshore, 2:33.13.

1,600: 1. Katelyn Doyle, Mandeville, 5:34.73; 2. Jacklyn McMenamin, Hannan, 5:35.00; 3. Noah Watson, Christ Episcopal, 5:39.38.

3,200: 1. Noah Watson, Christ Episcopal, 12:22.38; 2. Peyton Piske, St. Scholastica, 12:38.24; 3. Genevieve Blanc, Mandeville, 12:56.19.

100 HURDLES: 1. Mackenzie Hayes, Mandeville, 14.32; 2. Brooklyn Baham, Covington, 15.25; 3. Olivia Crusta, Fontainebleau, 15.38.

300 HURDLES: 1. Mackenzie Hayes, Mandeville, 44.56; 2. Brooklyn Baham, Covington, 44.59; 3. Anaya Miller, Slidell, 50.98.

4X100: 1. Slidell, 48.34; 2. Mandeville, 49.60; 3. Covington, 50.64.

4X200: 1. Hannan, 1:49.03; 2. Slidell, 1:49.60; 3. St. Scholastica, 1:50.35.

4X400: 1. St. Scholastica, 4:19.71; 2. Fontainebleau, 4:22.20; 3. Slidell, 4:29.24.

4X800: 1. St. Scholastica, 10:30.36; 2. Hannan, 10:55.20; 3. Fontainebleau, 11:18.93.

SHOT PUT: 1. Kate Norton, Mandeville, 32-1; 2. Rosemary Burke, Hannan, 30-4. 3. Layla Bakay, Pearl River, 29-6.5.

DISCUS: 1. Margrit Pelto, Fontainebleau, 10710; 2. Kyra Moore, Pearl River, 100-8; 3. Grace Furlow, Hannan, 95-9.

JAVELIN: 1. Lola Soper, Hannan, 113-8; 2. Jaiden Campbell, Pope John Paul II, 110-11; 3. Grace Furlow, Hannan, 108-7.

LONG JUMP: 1. Mackenzie Hayes, Mandeville, 17-3.5; 2. Zoe Smith, Salmen, 16-0; 3. Mary DiVittorio, St. Scholastica, 15-8.

TRIPLE JUMP: 1. Gabrielle Tanner, Fontainebleau, 33-2.75; 2. Zoe Smith, Salmen, 33-1.75; 3. Jaiana Williams, Northshore, 33-1.5.

HIGH JUMP: 1. Mackenzie Hayes, Mandeville, 5-0; 2. Mary DiVittorio, St. Scholastica, 4-10; 3. Zoe Smith, Salmen, 4-10.

POLE VAULT: 1. Madeline St. Cyr, Fontainebleau, 8-0; 2. Kaylin Hessel, Mandeville, 8-0; 3. Reagan McKinney, Fontainebleau, 8-0.

lived as St. Paul’s plated a pair in the fifth on Brennan Villa’s RBI walk and Jude Reason’s sac fly

Once again, the Skippers (207-2, 7-0) answered as Todd belted a two-run, two-out home run in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead. But the Wolves would not go away as Brody Bouterie’s two-out, RBI single tied the game in the sixth.

“My hat’s off to St Paul’s and

Mike Scanlon because that is a hell of a team, and it was as hell of a game,” Benoit said “We just got one more bounce than they did tonight. This was fun. This is what it is all about.” Mandeville sophomore Ardan Calegan got the win, pitching 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief with two strikeouts. For St. Paul’s (17-7, 4-1), Clay Sims belted a massive solo home run in the third inning,

while Reason, Villa, Bouterie and Graham Lang each drove in a run.

“I was proud of the way we battled against a really good ball club,” St Paul’s coach Michael Scanlon said. “We just kept throwing punches back It was a really good high school game to be a part of, but unfortunately, we were on the wrong end of it. Credit to those guys because they made a few more plays than we did.”

The Skippers have now won nine straight, while the loss snapped the Wolves’ six-game win streak.

The teams were scheduled to meet on April 6 at St. Paul’s. A Mandeville victory would lock up an undefeated district title LINESCORE ST. PAUL’S – 011 021 0 – 5

STRIKEOUTS

and I’ve had so much fun. With basketball, I wanted to help out my team since there weren’t as many kids playing. I really had a lot of fun doing that. I just love the competitive aspect of all the sports.”

Willie has won at least one playoff game in each sport this season, with the volleyball team making the state semifinals before falling to state champion Newman. She said the most memorable part of her senior year has been the relationships she has formed with her teammates.

While eclipsing 700 career strikeouts has been a special moment in her softball season, many other aspects make her final high school season special.

Northlake Christian softball coach Clint Willie is also Abigail’s father

“This season has probably been my favorite,” Abigail said. “It has just been really special to have him be my coach. It’s something that I’m very thankful for Sometimes in the past, I have taken it for granted, but I have been very, very thankful for it this year I don’t want it to come to an end, but hopefully, we can end it on a high note.”

Clint said that although it has been a busy season for the whole family he wouldn’t have it any other way

“We wanted to make sure that she didn’t get overwhelmed,” Clint said. “She holds herself to a high academic standard. As a family, we tried to manage the time as best as possible. It was a team effort with the coaches as well. It got really crazy with basketball, soccer and the beginning of softball. We got through that, and now, it’s almost like she can take a breath and focus on one thing.”

Clint said one of the top things he has done as a father and a coach has been to be on the bucket with his daughter

“She’s just worried about the next pitch regardless of what happened on the previous one,” Clint said. “She has a lot of trust in her teammates. She knows her job is to throw strikes and compete on every pitch. Honestly, she’s had that mindset since she was young.”

The softball playoff pairings will be released on April 15, with the state tournament set to begin on May 1 in Sulphur Clint said the team’s goal is to take at least one bus ride down I-10.

“We would love two home playoff games, but our goal is to get to Sulphur,” Clint said. “Our division is really tough, but if we can get there, my message to the club is, ‘Why not us?’ We’re going to give it all we’ve got and go from there. If we play Northlake

PROVIDED PHOTO

Northlake pitcher Abigail Willie was all smiles after she recorded her 700th career strikeout on March 25.

: Ardan Calegan,

:

STAFF PHOTO BY JOSEPH HALM

Mandeville courtesy runner Brody Buster is tagged out trying to steal second by Cooper Bertrand on April 1

STAFF PHOTOS BY JOSEPH HALM

Mandeville’s Chloe Gallien, left, just edges out Mandeville’s Naleah Crandle and Slidell’s Madyson Parker to win the 200-meter dash at the St. Tammany Parish Championships on April 2.

Slidell’s Amir Stokes runs the anchor leg of the 4x200-meter relay.

SSA’s Lola Koenig won the 800-meter run at the St. Tammany Parish Championships.