Job fair planned for Hut 8 data center
BY JAMES MINTON
Contributing writer
A July 14 job fair, followed by an open house for the community, will be the first public events associated with the Hut 8 data center now under construction in West Feliciana Parish.
Hut 8 is calling the data center
“River Bend” in promotional materials. The center, to be used for artificial intelligence purposes, is
a few miles south of Entergy’s nuclear power plant, known officially as River Bend Station. Meanwhile, West Feliciana agencies have received Hut 8’s $10 million advance payment in lieu of taxes that would normally be due on July 1 of next year, and the School Board and Sheriff’s Office have announced plans to share their portion of the windfall with employees. Also, Parish President Kenny
Havard announced a “document dump” of official papers associated with the parish’s dealings with Hut 8, including a narrative of the steps taken to bring the center under construction on the parish’s industrial park and neighboring properties.
The documents are available for public inspection on the Parish Council’s portion of the parish’s government website, www.wfparish.org/parish-council.
The River Bend “hiring event” will be on July 14 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at West Feliciana High School, 8604 U.S. 61, north of St. Francisville.
The company said opportunities for employment will include workers in skilled trades, administrative support, equipment operation, electrical and mechanical work, safety security HVAC and operations and maintenance.
The community open house
Havard said the plan is for the meeting to be held in the school’s career education building. Hut 8 said its representatives and those of its construction partners will be available to meet with potential job-seekers to discuss current and upcoming job opportunities. Interested visitors are encouraged to bring their resumes to the fair
PARTY LIKE IT’S 1776
Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with dance party at library
BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
Contributing writer
The 250th anniversary of Independence Day celebrations started early — on June 29 at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s Zachary Branch — as dancers performed colonial period dances in period attire.
Members of the Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society demonstrated dance moves from English coun-
The Louisiana Retired Teacher Association invites all retired teachers and school staff to attend a free meeting as it creates a functioning retired teachers’ group in the area A meeting will be at 2 p.m. July 28, at West Feliciana
try dances and other popular dances from the times. They also shared the revelry inviting audience members to join in.
Dance mistress Roxanne Struppeck offered instruction when needed, noted the names of the dances adding interesting details and the time period/range when
they were popular
She then smiled and told the experienced dancers and the brave newcomers “let’s mess it up to music” as the dancing commenced.
She acknowledged that there were more women attending the event that evening and so some took the role of “gents” for the dance party. True then and now, she said, “ladies love to dance.” Historians also tell us that George Washington liked to dance and was quite proficient at it. Struppeck also commented about how the clothing and fashions changed throughout the years. Dress styles did not have the longevity that some of the traditional dances had. Colonial dress was featured at the Zachary library’s
BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
PHOTO BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
With just a little encouragement, young Daisy Rothschild, of St. Francisville, joins in the fun and danced in celebration of the 250th anniversary celebration at the Zachary branch library
PHOTO BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Friends of Historic Clinton High School met June 23
will follow the hiring fair, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., also at the high school.
The company’s invitation says visitors will meet the Hut 8 team, learn about the project, and have opportunities to ask questions and share input on the facility
Of the $10 million early payment, the School Board received $5.3 million, the sheriff’s office, $800,000, and the parish government, $3.9 million.
Sheriff Brian Spillman announced that eligible employees will receive up to $8,000 over the next year from the one-time payment.
As public agencies are prohibited from awarding bonuses to employees, the sheriff is calling the outlay a “prospective supplemental compensation program,” structured as additional compensation for services to be rendered during the term of employment
The office’s allocation from the Hut 8 payment will be directed toward employee retention and recruitment, the sheriff said
“This investment from Hut 8 gives us a unique opportunity to directly reward the men and women who serve West Feliciana Parish every day,” Spillman said in a statement announcing the pay plan.
“Like law enforcement agencies across the state, we compete for the most qualified deputies, detention officers, dispatchers and support personnel. Retaining experienced employees is critical to maintain public safety services, which is the Sheriff’s Office’s highest operational need Retaining and recruiting quality personnel is one of our top priorities, and this is a meaningful step toward that goal,” Spillman said.
Qualifying employees will receive $4,000 on Aug. 1 and additional $4,000 on Jan. 15.
The School Board recently voted to give its employees a $7,000 annual stipend for the next two school years, budgeting the Hut 8 prepayment and expected increases in sales and property taxes.
Havard said the documents will
remain on the parish government’s website at least until the project is completed.
“We want the people to see how the deals were negotiated,” Havard said, adding, “We didn’t want people to think it was done in a vacuum.”
The documents include the 60page “payment in lieu of taxes” agreement, appraisals of property
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is Illumination Station and all are welcome Register on the church website, fbcoj.com Get ready for school at luau
East Feliciana Public Schools and RKM Primary Care are partnering to present the Feliciana’s Health and School Readiness Luau from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 25, at the East Feliciana STEAM Academy, 9414 Plank Road, in Clinton.
School gear and supplies, drinks and treats, music and vendors, and water activities will be available while supplies last, all at no cost to families. Follow East Feliciana Public Schools on Instagram and Facebook for more event updates.
Community theater page set up
A new Facebook page has been created called the Saint Francisville Theater Project. Visit https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61591454694249 to message the group if you are interested in participating.
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THE ST FRANCISVILLE DEMOCRAT P.O. Drawer 1876 St Francisville LA 70775 (225) 388-0215
PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY USPS NO 668-520 Online at www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/west_feliciana/ EDITOR
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involved in the site, and a map of the site.
Havard is critical of state officials who entered into nondisclosure agreements with other companies seeking to locate industrial projects in Louisiana, including a large data center planned for Richland Parish. Using NDAs to prepare the way, the administration of Gov Jeff
Flag collection box put at library
The West Feliciana Parish Library has received a retired U.S. flag collection box, donated by Rebecca Corkern at Woodmen Life. The box has been placed next to the flagpole and is a resource for proper and respectful disposal of worn or damaged flags.
Woodmen Life is also donating a new American flag to the library Concerts to help build chapel
In September, Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola is holding a concert series
Landry persuaded key legislators to prohibit local governments from levying sales taxes on construction materials and equipment installed in data centers. That sales tax break already has cost West Feliciana Parish millions of dollars, Havard said. Havard said he did not sign an NDA during the lead-up to the Hut 8 announcement.
to raise funds for the Allen Correctional Center Chapel Foundation. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections with God Behind Bars will hold shows Sept. 18-19 Details will be release later, so check angolarodeo.com for information as it becomes available.
To donate to the chapel project, visit paypal.com/ncp/payment/A66Y9R8FNUBYG.
Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@ theadvocate.com.
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QUESTIONS R. GRANT LALONDE (225) 388-0625
–18:52, the
ll thevacancyofWest Feliciana ParishRegistrar of Voters Deadline to submit resumes: July 22, 2026 by 2:00 P.M.
Resumes maybehand deliveredto5934 Commerce Street,St. Francisville,LA70775 –Attn: Karla Dietz, Council Secretaryor by email to kdietz@wfparish.org. Resumes submitted afterthe deadline will not be considered
TheWest Feliciana Parish Council shall intervieweachcandidate who meets the qualifications provided forbylaw forthe Office of Registrar of Voters in aspecial meeting on July 27, 2026 at 5:30 P.M.
TheWest Feliciana Parish Council shall appointa West Feliciana Parish Registrar of Voters at the August 10, 2026 Council Meeting
La R.S. 18:52 –QualificationsofRegistrars
A. Each applicantto fill the office of registrar of voters shallbearegisteredvoter.If appointedto fill the office of registrar of voters,the applicantshall become aresident and registered voterofthe parish in which he is to perform his duties prior to taking the oathofoffice.The registrar shall remain aresidentand qualified voterofthe parishin which he is to perform hisduties
B. (1) Theregistrar shall possess at least one of the following at the time of appointment:
a. Abaccalaureate degreefromanaccreditedinstitution and twoyears of full-time, professional work experience.
b. An associate degreefromanaccreditedinstitution and four years of full-time, professional work experience.
c. Sevenyearsoffull-time,professionalwork experience.
d. Five years of full-time employment in aregistrar’soffice in Louisiana.
(2) Forpurposes of this Subsection, “professional work experience” meansexperiencein an occupation which requiresspecializedand
STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Francisville.
1903 structure referred to as the “historic Clinton High School.”
History and condition
Located on Bank Street in Clinton, the school was the first public education building built in the town and at one time served as both an elementary and high school. The school closed in 1938 when the Clinton High School structure on Plank Road was opened.
The Bank Street building has served over the years as the location of other offices including LSU Cooperative Extension office and the East Feliciana Parish Police Jury offices. It is now used for storage for the police jury which owns the building.
The first floor once contained four large classrooms, the second floor was a large open room which was later subdivided and the third floor has a small area. A study was recently done to determine the possible and needed abatement of asbestos, though the extent has not been officially reported by the police jury
The overall soundness of the structure would also need to be assessed.
Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation
Proposed uses
Attendees’ suggested using the building for a museum or an area displaying historic
Guest speaker Brian M. Davis, executive director of the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, offered his help in connecting the group with resources for meeting their goals and commended them for their efforts. He reminded the audience that the building is already on the National Register of Historic Places. He also briefly referred to the East Feliciana Parish Courthouse and Lawyers Row and mentioned the possibility of adding a cultural district or historic district within the town. Davis explained briefly that there are tax credits available for historic preservation and for rural areas. He offered assistance in the nomination/application process before the Oct. 1 deadline. Funds from the Legislature and from grants were mentioned by attendees as something needed
information, a restaurant, a coffee shop, a bed and breakfast, an art gallery and shops. There were comments and general agreement that the building would need to earn a sustaining income. It was recognized that the police jury with input from the community, would decide what was allowed/needed.
Adraine Conrad, president of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce said she spent summers in Clinton. Conrad offered to work with the group and Louisiana Legislators, senate and house members, to seek funds and grants. She repeated the goal of developing the historic structure into something that is for the whole community and available to everybody She said a plan was needed and asked the group to determine what is needed immediately She offered assistance in getting state department heads together She mentioned the possibility of getting involvement from departments/schools at LSU and Southern. Volunteers, members needed
The Friends of the Historic Clinton High School group is seeking members/ volunteers. Dues for a family membership is $10 and for a business, $20. To join or get more information about the organization contact joe1641@att.net.
PHOTO BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
Audience members listen and answer questions and make comments during a meeting for the Friends of the Historic Clinton High School organization.
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early July 4th gathering although other members were dressed in regency period attire.
For more information about the group, contact the Pride-Chaneyville Branch of the East Baton Rouge Library System where the group meets weekly in the evening for dance lessons/practice. The society performs at a variety of educational and historic events as well as gathering for occasional socializing.
Jayson Moffett, of Central, with Debbie Samuel, left, and Roxanne Struppeck, of Clinton, both dressed in historic colonial attire for the dancing celebration at the Zachary Branch Library.
The large circle was one of many formations and steps in the varied dances performed during a program at the Zachary branch library.
The men of Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society doing their part at the celebration.
PHOTOS BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
Library staff member David Heidke, right, joins in from the audience to dance with members of the Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society in the early celebration for the Fourth of July