SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
The
W atchman
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 8, 2026
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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. 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 oppor-
tunities. Interested visitors are encouraged to bring their resumes to the fair. 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
ä See HUT 8, page 2G
PARTY LIKE IT’S 1776
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.
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-
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
AMERICA
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
ä See PARTY, page 4G
Retired teachers invited Friends of Historic Clinton High School to meet in St. Francisville meet to discuss plans for building 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 High School Auditorium, 8604 U.S. 61, St. Francisville. The Louisiana Retired Teachers Association is a nonprofit organization that is devoted to protecting and enhancing benefits for individuals receiving retirement benefits from the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana. For more information follow LRTA on Facebook or
BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
visit lrta.net.
Bible school set for July 13 The First Baptist Church of Jackson will have its annual vacation Bible school July 13-17 from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. The theme
ä See AROUND, page 2G
The Friends of the Historic Clinton High School, a newly formed nonprofit organization, hosted its first public meeting June 23 with the goal of saving and renovating the old structure, turning it into something that could be for the whole community — available to everybody. The volunteer group hosted the meeting at the Clinton United Methodist Church asking for input — ideas and opinions about possible renovation and usages. Attendees included people from the town, parish, region and also state level representatives. Speaking for the group, Catherine Landry welcomed all and thanked them for their interest in saving the
PHOTO BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
Friends of Historic Clinton High School met June 23 to discuss uses for ä See BUILDING, page 3G the building.