market, kids village and fireworks are on tap July 4 as the city of Walker celebrates Independence Day
The festivities kickoff at 2 p.m. and the fireworks are planned for dark at Sidney Hutchinson Park.
America 250
July Fourth parade
The Livingston Parish America 250 July Fourth parade, is set for 7 p.m. July 4.
Entry fee is $250 and can be paid by mailing check and online entry form, tinyurl. com/4fhk4m6h, to P.O. Box 403, Denham Springs.
The parade lineup begins at 4:30 p.m. at Live Oak Junior High and will end at Rudy’s Seafood. For any questions, text (225) 360-5875, message the Livingston Republican Parish Executive Committee, or email us at wethepeople47@outlook.com.
Storytime, Full Tummy Bags planned for local families
The Livingston Parish Library is teaming with Mighty Moms, a local nonprofit organization committed to fighting childhood hunger in the local community for a special storytime this summer
This summer, families are invited to storytime and a hands-on craft activity at the Library’s Main Branch on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In partnership with Mighty Moms, each child in attendance (ages 0-13) will receive a Full Tummy Bag to take home, while supplies last. Full Tummy Bags are stocked with kid-friendly shelf-stable food items. Children must be present to receive a bag. There is no cost to attend this event or receive a Full Tummy Bag. Registration is not required. Based in Livingston Parish, Mighty Moms is a nonprofit organization committed to fighting childhood hunger in the local community. Mighty Moms storytimes are July 3; July 10; July 17; July 24; July 31 at the Library’s Main Branch, 20390 Iowa Street, Livingston.
ä See AROUND, page 3G
Library opens doors to magic, juggling of Crescent Circus
BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
Her hand raised in hope, the hope of a young girl’s desire to be a part of something magical, 10-year-old Juleyana Whorton did little to hide her excitement when she was called to the front.
With a smile that never left her face, Juleyana assisted magician Nathan Kepner in a series of magic tricks during the Crescent Circus at the Albany Branch of the Livingston Parish Library on June 23. And with each trick Whorton’s joy increased, matching the applause of her peers and the adults present.
“I liked (being a part of the act)” she said following the performance. “I enjoyed the whole show and I’m glad I was picked.”
Juleyana was one of more than 20 young people and many more adults who attended the New Orleans-based circus featuring the husband-and-wife duo of Nathan Kepner and Morgan Tsu-Raun,
a multitalented couple who have combined their talents in magic and circus arts into an award-winning and nationwide family event.
Kepner, a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, said the circus is often the first magic show experienced by many of young people.
“It really is exciting to share with people in a word that is not Netflix, or YouTube,” he said.
The couple, perhaps not surprising, met while members of a juggling club at Penn State University when both were undergraduates. In 2009, they began working together and have not been separated since, crisscrossing the country presenting corporate shows during the school year
And when summer arrives, they hopscotch to libraries from Louisiana to Atlanta, lighting up the faces of young people with performances that are as entertaining as physically breathtaking.
The show features Kepner’s
ä See CIRCUS, page 2G
Council OKs first pay raises for council members in decades
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
The next batch of Livingston Parish Council members taking office will get a bigger paycheck than their predecessors, after the council approved the first raises in decades.
On Thursday night, the Parish Council unanimously approved an ordinance raising council members’ monthly compensation by $400 a month. The raise from $1,200 to $1,600 will take effect in 2028, following the next election cycle.
The Parish Council last approved a raise in 2000 increasing the monthly pay from the charter-set rate of $800 to the current rate of $1,200. That raise went into effect in 2004.
The parish’s Home Rule Charter allows the council to raise its pay by ordinance,
Seniors
but prohibits that vote from taking place during the final year of a council term and that a pay change won’t be effective during the current term of the council members adopting the ordinance. Council member Ricky Goff spoke to the parish’s rapid growth and size regarding the raise in compensation and said he hopes the increased pay will attract more people to run for council in the future.
“We are the seventh largest parish out of 64 in the state,” Goff said. “Any individual that takes this seat in the future is still underpaid.” Council members in neighboring parishes like Tangipahoa receive $2,000 a month, and St. Helena Parish Police Jury members make $1,600 plus up to $200 for expenses.
pick up information at Livingston COA Health Fair
Libby Countryman reaches for a muffin before the start of the annual Livingston COA Health Fair ä More photos. PAGE 4G
Walker High hires defensive coordinator as football coach
“Next man up” is a common term in sports these days It’s one that is used when a player steps up to replace a starter or important role player on a team. That is certainly the case for Walker High football, only this time its defensive coordinator Chris Harrell who is doing the stepping up. Walker was in transition mode after former coach Chad Mahaffey left earlier this year to take the same position at De La Salle. That change came on the heels of a 1-9 season, one in which the Wildcats were more competitive than their final record would indicate, but continuity has not been a problem thanks to the promotion of Harrell to head coach.
Harrell joined Walker last season after spending the previous seven on Dutchtown’s staff. This season will be his first as a head coach. “Its definitely advantageous to already have a relationship with the kids,” Harrell said last week. “Any time you have a new coach it brings excitement, and
we’re getting to the point in the summer where you really get into evaluations. We can see the things we need to work on, but overall the kids have responded really well. They’re eager to please and do the things we’re asking them to do.”
Some of those things have involved competing in the Robert Graves 7-on-7 league throughout June. The four-week schedule gave the Wildcats skill players a chance to get in some detail work against players that don’t wear the same jerseys. It also allowed Harrell to become more accustomed to being in control of the big picture. “Its different overseeing every-
thing instead of just defense,” he said. “There are all of the little things that come with being the head coach, and it allows me to focus a little more on the culture.
I find myself still coaching a little bit like I was a DC, but I’m trying to step back a little bit.” Walker football always seemed to have a fun and interesting vibe under Mahaffey, and that doesn’t seem to be changing.
Castillo returning to Walker volleyball
Walker High announced a new coach to lead
ä See SALZER, page 3G
its volleyball
Chris Harrell
Charles Salzer
SPORTS ROUNDUP
PHOTOS BY DAVID NORMAND
Renee Roberts, director of outreach with the State Attorney General Office, gives Terry Thomassie a bag with brochures to help seniors dealing with safety during the annual Livingston COA Health Fair held at the Livingston Parish Sheriff Office Training Center in Walker on Friday.
PHOTO BY RICHARD MEEK
Nathan Kepner, right, supports himself on his the legs of his wife, Morgan Tsu-Raun, while juggling three bowling pins during the Crescent Circus at the Albany Branch of the Livingston Parish Library on June 23.
CIRCUS
Continued from page 1G
juggling, card tricks and a humorous skit featuring imaginary fleas. Tsu-Raun, 40, a native of Austin, Texas, is a magician in her own right, performing routines, perhaps the most impressive spinning with a hula hoop while balancing herself on a board supported by piece of pipe. And to add to the difficulty, she is simultaneously balancing bowling pins placed on a platter in each hand and another on her nose In performance areas with higher ceilings, TsuRaun will stand on Kepner’s shoulders and hula hoop, an act that began sans hoop. Always looking for a new wrinkle, at one point he told his wife “I bet you can hula hoop up there.”
So one hoop was added, a number that quickly increased.
“Now she has three and I have one but that took a couple of years to work up to that,” Kepner, 38, admitted. Conversely, Kepner will balance himself on TsuRaun’s thigh while juggling, all part of a constantly evolving performance, as what happened during the show in Albany
“At times I will tell (Kepner) he is out of his mind but it sounds like it would be really cool so that wins out,” Tsu-Raun said “I am working on stuff ev-
ery day,” Kepner said “We are together all of the time, always traveling, so there is a lot of time in the car just to bounce ideas around and see what comes up.” Naturally coordination
and trust in each other are critical to the show’s success. So the couple spend several hours a day when no shows are scheduled training and tweaking their acts.
“It took a long time to develop that trust in ourselves as well as trusting the other person,” Kepner admitted. He said the corporate show is much different from that for the younger
set, saying the adult show is focused on mentalism and illusions. He did say they respond and some will even get in touch with their inner child “once you get them comfortable and they let
loose.”
“It is entirely different,” Kepner said. “The hula hoops are similar but that is about it.”
But is the children’s shows that bring the most joy to the couple, who moved to New Orleans 15 years ago because TsuRaun said she had experienced enough of Pennsylvania’s winters. The couple frequently adds new material and changes out old acts to keep the performance fresh. And how long can they couple continue to sustain such a physically demanding career?
“We wonder about that but the nice thing about being a magician is the show can get less physical over the years so I never need to completely stop,” Kepner said. “And I can never imagine completely stopping.”
Nathan Kepner entertains young and old by juggling three balls behind his back.
Children are spellbound as well as entertained by the magic of The Crescent Circus.
Six-year-old Lucy Lalonde laughs as magician Nathan Kepner entertains the crowd with a series of magic tricks.
Morgan Tsu-Raun added a flair to her hula hoop routine.
PHOTOS BY RICHARD MEEK
Juleyana Whorton, left, assists Nathan Kepner with a magic trick during the Crescent Circus performance at the Albany Branch of the Livingston Parish Library on June 23
AROUND
Continued from page 1G
‘Wackadoo’ coming to library
Wackadoo! Get ready to meet everyone’s favorite pups when the Petite Princess Company and the Livingston Parish Library presents dino-themed games and activities inspired by everyone’s favorite Blue and Orange Pups. The event will also feature storytime with Bluey tales for all ages.
This special storytime event is perfect for children who love imaginative play and the heartwarming spirit of the beloved animated series.
This is part of the Library’s Summer Reading Program, which runs through Aug. 2. Admission is free and open to the public.
Blue and Orange Pups schedule:
Denham Springs-Walker Branch: 10 a.m. on July 1
Denham Springs-Walker Branch: 2 p.m. on July 1 Watson Branch: 10 a.m. on July 2
Main Branch: 2 p.m on July 2
Heritage Camp for kids Register your child for Heritage Kids’ Camp on July 20-22 at the Albany Hungarian Presbyterian Church. Children ages 4 to 12 can take part in arts and crafts, kifli making and learning Hungarian words, dances and traditions. The camp is hosted by the Arpadhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association. For information, call Connie Olah at (225) 5731400.
Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@theadvocate. com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 603-1998.l
SALZER
Continued from page 1G
program last week, but the hire, a reunion of sorts, had plenty of familiarity Former Walker coach Greg Castillo will return to lead the Wildcats, a move that will mark his second stint with the program. Castillo coached Walker for one season, 2023, before stepping down for personal reasons. He will replace his own replacement, Jennifer Rivero, whose two-year span included a run to the Division I nonselect playoffs in 2024.
Walker students wins Louisiana Women’s Amateur Championship at Beaver Creek Golf Course
Community news report
Evelynn Artieta, of Denham Springs, recently won her first Louisiana Women’s Amateur Championship at Beaver Creek Golf Course.
Artieta, a rising senior at Walker High School, is committed to play college golf at Dallas Baptist University
On June 18, the stroke play qualifying round was shortened to 9 holes and Artieta earned the No 2 seed after carding a 3-under par 33. Fellow Denham Springs native and stroke play medalist Sophia Macias also competed in the tourney. Artieta did well on her first-round match but needed 20 holes to finish the job against Isabella Reeves in the quarterfinal.
Artieta defeated Maci Williams 2 and 1 in the semifinal, setting up the final match against Macias who is a rising sophomore on the Tulane University Women’s Golf Team.
Both players tied the first hole with a par, and then Artieta took a 1 up lead after an eagle at the par 5 second hole, and she would never relinquish the lead. She continued the hot start with a birdie at the par 3 third hole to go 2 up. Both players went birdiepar-birdie on the next three holes and the match remained 2 up in Artieta’s favor Macias won her only hole on the day with a birdie at the par 4 seventh hole. Both players made par at the par 3 eighth hole, and Artieta won the ninth hole with a par to make the turn with a 2 up lead. In the second nine holes, the players were tied Artieta made a birdie at the par 3 15th hole to go 3 up with 3 holes to play After both players made a par at the par 4 16th hole, Artieta
Denham Springs, Sons of the American Revolution dedicate Liberty Tree
Community news report
Just in time for the nation’s 250 birthday, Denham Springs has a Liberty Tree. The city of Denham Springs, in partnership with the General Philemon Thomas Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, during a morning ceremony June 24 dedicated a Liberty Tree at the former site of the First Baptist Church of Denham Springs. SAR member Dr Derrick Spell served as master of ceremonies. The General Philemon Thomas Chapter Color Guard presented the colors. Leo Miller offered the invocation and benediction. Music Minister Matt Calhoun sang the National Anthem and led attendees in a rendition of “God Bless America.”
Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry offered remarks emphasizing the importance of commemorating the people, places, and ideals that shaped the nation’s
PROVIDED PHOTO
Evelynn Artieta, of Denham Springs, captured her first Louisiana Women’s Amateur Championship at Beaver Creek Golf Course on June 20.
claimed the match 3 and 2. “I hit 16 greens today out of 16 holes I played, and my putter was hot which was helpful to keep the momentum going,” said Artieta. The Beaver Creek Golf Course played to a par 72 at 6,017 yards on June 20. 2022 Louisiana Women’s Amateur Champion Sydney Moss, of Shreveport, won the Championship Consolation final 1 up over Nicole Crochet of Baton Rouge. Amanda Rothrock defeated Dawn Watson 4 & 3 to win the First Flight Tina Chin-Griffin of Port Allen defeated Donna Constant of Abita Springs 3 & 2 to win First Flight Consolation Bracket. The Louisiana Golf Association thanks Beaver Creek for the generous hospitality this week The golf course took on a lot of water with the recent storms, but the maintenance crew worked tirelessly to get in championship condition, and it was a great test for this championship
founding.
“Liberty Trees became powerful symbols of the courage and determination that helped secure American independence,” Landry said. “By dedicating this Liberty Tree today, we honor those who stood for freedom and ensure that future generations remember the sac-
rifices made to establish and preserve our nation.”
Members of the Denham Springs City Council, city executive staff, numerous members of the community, members of local chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and representatives of the Sons of the American Revolution
attended the event.
Landry and General Philemon Thomas Chapter President Jim Moffatt unveiled a granite marker commemorating the Liberty Tree and its connection to America’s Revolutionary heritage. The original Liberty Tree was a historic elm in colonial Boston that served as the primary gathering place for the Sons of Liberty and a rallying symbol of the American Revolution. It became the staging ground for organized protests against British taxation and oppression before being cut down by Loyalists in 1775. Despite its destruction, the Liberty Tree endured as a lasting symbol of resistance, selfgovernment, and the pursuit of liberty The Denham Springs Liberty Tree dedication is one of many local efforts taking place across the country as communities commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
NorthOaksNeurosurgery Welcomes Drs. Dani Terrell and S. Garrett Whipple-Bones
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PHOTO BY CHARLES SALZER
Greg Castillo
A marker sits next to the new Liberty Tree planted on the former site of the First Baptist Church of Denham Springs.
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Denham Springs leaders and members of the General Philemon Thomas Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution dedicated a Liberty Tree at the former site of the First Baptist Church of Denham Springs during a ceremony on June 24.
One public commenter, Adrienne Bordelon, of Denham Springs, didn’t have an issue with the raise but questioned some of the language in the ordinance.
Bordelon read out loud the portion of the ordinance that said council compensation would be “automatically adjusted hereafter as the legislature allows additional compensation.”
“Y’all automatically get a pay raise, but it never comes back to the public to hear that you are seeking to raise the pay for this council again, and I think that is wrong,” she told the council. “I’m opposed to automatic pay raises.”
Some council members like John Mangus said that section of the ordinance was added to be more closely aligned with state law and emphasized that any raise would still not take effect until the following council term.
“If the state then raises it, it wouldn’t take place that new raise, until the next election,” he said “We just want to bring it in line with what the state has. I don’t really foresee the state raising parish councils’ (compensation).”
The discussion was in reference to a parish ordinance that took effect in 2020, which says the Parish Council’s monthly pay depends on what the state Legislature sets as the maximum. The ordinance, approved in 2017, sets council members’ pay at 75% of the state limit.
Some council members said they would be OK with taking out the debated wording. Mangus said the new ordinance could be amended, or the Parish Council could reject a proposed raise in the future.
“We would have to come back and ask for it again,” he said about future compensation changes.
The council voted 7-0 to approve the raise. Council members Erin Sandefur and Ryan Chavers were absent.
Summer classes coming to Arts Council of Livingston Parish
Leadership Livingston Class of 2026 graduates 23
environment. During the graduation ceremony, the organization recognized its class sponsors, organizations whose support demonstrates a commitment to leadership development and community progress in Livingston Parish, the release said. Emily Glascock was selected by her classmates to serve as the class speaker and delivered remarks on behalf of the graduates. The Class of 2026 also presented the results of three impactful group projects developed throughout the year April Wehrs, Leaderhsip Livingston program facilitator and
chamber president, is a founder of the program and has led every class to date since the program’s inception in 2012. Class of 2026 Project Impact Collectively, the projects of the class have a $68,450 in project value with 450 volunteer hours to date. The projects will benefit countless residents across the parish for years to come, the release said. The class included:
n Buffy Anderson, city of Denham Springs
n Ric Banker, North Oaks Health
n Tiffany Battistella, Livingston Parish Public Schools
n Chase Bernard, Client Technology Services
n Calvin T. Bowden, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office
n Jennifer Brooks, Louisiana Blue Cross Blue Shield n Aaron Michael Brown, Quality Engineering and Surveying
n Thomas E. Bryson III, Livingston Parish Government n John Cavalier, Cavalier House Books n Landon Collins, The Olivier Group
n Olivier Doin, Rouge Painters
n Michelle Plaskett Dupuy, Ochsner
n Emily Glascock, Baton Rouge Area Foundation
n Heather Hill, Our Lady of the Lake Livingston
n Maurice “Scooter” Keen, Livingston Parish Government
n Raymond Lee Jr., Denham Springs Marshal’s Office
n John R. Mangus, Livingston Parish Government
n Kelsey Murray, city of Walker
n Kelly Neal Pittman, Premier Geotech and Testing LLC
n John L. Ponder, Site Pro Construction
n Erin Sandefur, Livingston Parish Government
n Alexis Stewart, BRECO Federal Credit Union n Luke Yoes, Hannis T. Bourgeois.
PHOTOS BY DAVID NORMAND
Council on Aging members relax after visiting vendor booths and wait for lunch during the annual Livingston COA Health Fair at the Livingston Parish Sheriff Office Training Center in Walker on Friday.
Livingston COA Director Stephanie Landry, left, COA Assistant Director Debra Thomas talk to Dee Stafford and her husband, David Stafford, during the annual COA Health Fair
PROVIDED PHOTO BY EMILY GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY
Leadership Livingston graduated its 14th cohort, the Class of 2026, on June 16, 2026.
