DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
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T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, J u ly 1, 2026
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Council OKs first pay raises for council members in decades
Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
AMERICA
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,
Walker plans Fourth of July celebration Music, food trucks, vendor 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
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.
ä See RAISE, page 4G
Seniors pick up information at Livingston COA Health Fair 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.
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
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.
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.
Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP
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 its volleyball
ä See SALZER, page 3G Chris Harrell