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Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Livingston Parish Fair returns
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W e d n e s d ay, S e p t e m b e r 30, 2026
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Crews clearing Colyell creeks ‘It’s like taking a roadblock out of the highway’
BY GIGI LIMAN Staff writer
For the first time in more than 50 years, crews have begun clearing all 19.1 miles of the Colyell creeks, stretching from Walker to Port Vincent. The Livingston Parish government, its Gravity Drainage
District 5 and the city of Walker joined forces Tuesday to launch a clearing project for the threecreek system that empties into the Amite River. Leaders celebrated as an amphibious excavator made its way into the water, where it will begin floating down the creeks, clearing debris along the way. Fallen trees, branches and other
of the creek system, typically after large storms, but those jobs never covered the whole waterway, and debris often build up in the creeks crews often pushed the debris to and restrict them from properly the bank instead of hauling it away. Under the joint agreement, all flowing. “It’s like taking a roadblock debris will be completely removed out of the highway,” said Shane from the creeks. The three entities had already McKey, Gravity Drainage District 5 administrator, referring to the budgeted the project’s $375,000 cost, according to Gravity project. In the past, the parish has hired ä See CREEKS, page 2G contractors to clear isolated parts
The Livingston Parish Fair kicks off Oct. 3 with a parade starting at Doyle Elementary at 9 a.m. Saturday’s lineup also includes a kids market in the school gym and pageants starting at 12:45 a.m. Tuesday night is family night at the Livingston Parish Fairgrounds with agriculture, homemaking and floral exhibits from 8 a.m. t0 4:30 p.m. THe midway opens from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. with pay one price of $20. The Junior High Academic Fun Bowl start at 5 o.m. and the sixth grad Spelling Bee begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday is field trip day with schoolchildren visiting throughout the day. Mutton Bustin for ages 8 and younger is at 6:30 p.m. For a complete schedule, visit https://livingstonparishfair. com/.
Livingston Library board recommends property tax increase BY GIGI LIMAN Staff writer
ä See AROUND, page 2G
Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP
Walker off to 4-0 start thanks to solid play How much of a surprise is it to see Walker football sitting at 4-0 this season? Not only that, how about the way they’ve been piling up wins — piling up points while its defense has worked to establish its own identity. Everything came together Friday, when Walker hosted Dutchtown for its District 5-5A opener. The Wildcats took a 3521 halftime lead and held on in the second half to post a 35-28 win. The win over a previously unbeaten Dutchtown squad is Walker’s best of the season, so far. The 4-0 start is the Wildcats best since 2018, when they started out 5-0, and finished 8-2 in the regular season. Head coach Chris Harrell was hired away from Dutchtown to be Walker’s defensive coordinator in January, and he was elevated to head coach status when Chad Mahaffey left to take over at De La Salle in April. Harrell knows what type of offense creates headaches for a defense. Walker has been able to do that with a rushing attack that has averaged around 200 yards per game. Running backs Mike Garcia, Tyler Whisman and slot back Dylan Braud have all been effective for an attack led by quarterback Jayce Evans. “We’ve got a quarterback that’s really good at running the football,” Harrell said last week. “Looking at it from a defensive perspective, a running quarterback always presents issues. It creates another gap that a defense has to account for.”
ä See SALZER, page 2G
PHOTO BY RICHARD MEEK
Terry Peyton focuses on a painting during an artists’ reception at the Arts Council of Livingston Parish on Sept. 19.
Livingston Arts Council opens exhibition with eclectic theme
BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
The Arts Council of Livingston Parish is offering a peak into contemporary fiber art as well displaying the artistic talent of high school students with its current show, “An Eclectic Show.” The exhibition that runs through Oct. 30 features contemporary fiber artists of Louisiana, ACLP juried artists and Livingston Parish schools system high school art students. And patrons appear to be enjoying the various interpretations of contemporary art. “I am loving all of the colors and different styles,” said Kayla Rogers, of Denham Springs. Along with the adult artwork, also featured are pieces from students in the Livingston Parish
Kayla Rogers, and her daughter, Caisley, look at the artwork during an
ä See ARTS, page 3G artists’ reception at the Arts Council of Livingston Parish on Sept. 19.
After years of political turmoil, turnover among both directors and board members, long debates about what is appropriate for young readers and talks about reducing services, the Livingston Parish Council will be asked to raise the tax that funds the libraries. The Library Board of Control, which oversees the parish’s five libraries, voted Sept. 22 to recommend that the council raise the property tax that funds the library system. If approved, the board’s recommendation would raise the rate from the 7.53 mills over the past two years to 8.2 mills. Under the higher rate, the average homeowner would pay about $143.50 a year in library taxes, about $12 more than under the current rate. A millage rate is a local property tax, charged as a rate on the assessed value of homes, that helps fund local agencies, including the library and the fire department. Voters narrowly approved an up to 10-mill library rate in 2023, but a state-ordered reassessment adjusted the rate to 7.53 in 2024, where it has stayed since. The question at the recent meeting was whether to raise the rate — taxing homeowners more but giving the library more money — or to hold or lower it, easing the burden on taxpayers while leaving the library with less. For the past few years, Livingston Parish library board meetings have been riddled with disputes over library leadership, funding and book content for minors. Most recently, the board is currently searching for its third director within the last year, following its last director resigning after less than two months on the job. The library board recently agreed to raise the starting salary for its next director and hopes to have someone in the position by early fall. “The library stands upon the edge of a knife,” Assistant Director of Branch Services Dustin Cotton told the board, warning that holding or cutting the millage would erode services. “You stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of the parish.” A rate of 7.53 or less would leave the library with fewer funds to maintain the building, services and salaries, although there were some proponents of cutting funding. “This system is not a community service apparatus,” resident and former board member Larry Davis said during the public comment period, criticizing some of the extra programs and services the library offers. Davis is running to represent Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. “If we all type into Google what the purpose of a library is, it is a collection of books and resources,” he said. Board member Rebecca Howze
ä See LIBRARY, page 2G
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CREEKS
Continued from page 1G Drainage District 5 Operations Manager Nick Rickards, who said hiring a contractor for the same work would likely come with a price tag of millions of dollars. The amphibious excavator will do most of the work, alongside a few other tools and crews of helpers. The excavator floats, which lets it move along the creek and scoop up branches in its path. Crews expect the job to take about six months, depending on how much debris they encounter along the way. About 75% of the creeks run through drainage districts that have no funding. District 5 cleans its own section, but the majority of the creeks have never been cleaned. The joint project started in Gravity Drainage District 8, which has never approved drainage funding for the creeks. “Mother Nature does not respect our political boundaries,” said Livingston Parish Council member John Mangus. Leaders said the project will help the whole parish, not just the unfunded areas. When water is blocked downstream, it backs up and slows drainage upstream, even if those sections have already been cleared and are regularly maintained. “The more we get it opened up going south, it’s going to benefit everybody in the parish north of the area,” said Gravity Drainage District 5 Board member Chance Ballard. The project was two years in the making. It is the first time the three entities have teamed up on work like this, according to project
STAFF PHOTO BY GIGI LIMAN.
Leaders from Livingston Parish, the City of Walker, and Gravity Drainage 5 pose Tuesday as they launch a joint project to clear the Colyell creeks. leaders. “It came to a point where we all got together and said, man, let’s do it,” McKey said. “Let’s not put this off anymore.”
Walker will pay 25% of the cost, Project leaders hope the results as will Gravity Drainage District will persuade voters in unfunded 5, and the Livingston Parish De- districts to approve drainage taxpartment of Public Works will es. “People don’t want to vote for fund the remaining 50%.
LIBRARY
SLU Giving Day experiences record-breaking support
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Morgan called that view outdated. Libraries have evolved into the third most important hub in a community behind the home and the workplace, she said. She got emotional describing what libraries offer children. “It is no longer just a book-lending institution,” she said. Central to the vote were the wages of the library employees. The millage discussion followed a labor report presentation showing how far Livingston’s pay lags behind neighboring parishes. Its library assistants have a starting wage of between $9.95 and $11.31 an hour, and the system’s associates make between $14.97 and $16.30 — less than the wages in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville and St. Tammany parishes. Meeting the average pay across the parishes would cost about $352,470 over five years. The library board will vote on the raises in the fall, but the pay hikes would not be possible without the higher millage. “I have a really hard time doing anything that would not allow our library staff to have a livable wage,” board member Kristan Whann said. “As a teacher, I consciously understand that our library staff getting paid $11 an hour is not OK.”
SALZER
Continued from page 1G The Wildcats needed everything their offense could muster
St. Francis Day pet blessings set
Bring your animals to St. Francis Episcopal Church at 9:30 a.m. Oct 3 for a Blessing of the Animals service. St. Francis Episcopal Church, 726 Maple St. Denham Springs, and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church are joining to host this event where all pet owners and their animals will receive special blessing and contribute to a local cause. All community members and their pets are welcome to attend this free event under the oaks held in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Pets of any and all kinds will be blessed. In addition to the blessing, the event will feature a pet food drive to support the Denham Springs Animal Shelter. Donations of Purina Cat, Dog, Puppy, and Kitten food are preferred. The shelter is also collecting newspapers, old washcloths, and towels to support their daily operations. Whether furry, feathered, or scaled, all pets are invited to participate. Pet photos and stuffies are also welcome. There will also be a display and remem-
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The Livingston Parish Library main branch in Livingston.
Whann voted for the 8.2-mill rate after her own proposal for a more modest increase was rejected. Among the three members who voted against the final rate was board president Jonathan Davis, who had floated a separate resolution to hand the decision to the Parish Council instead. There were “too many opinions for us to declare as a volunteer board,” he said. The idea drew comments from the audience that the board was not doing its job. District Attorney Scott M. Perrilloux told members the move might not be illegal but would be neglecting their responsibilities. Davis withdrew the proposal and later said he was glad people voiced their opinions.
Class reunion The Denham Springs High School Class of 1966 is celebrating its 60 year reunion Oct. 3. For more information, contact pfharris@ cox.net.
Old South Jamboree exhibit Old City Hall in Denham Springs has a new exhibit about the Old South Jamboree music venue, which opened in Walker in 1969 and provided weekly live country music entertainment until March 2020. Top stars and others who went on to become some of the greatest country music stars performed there, including Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Jerry lee Lewis, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams Jr., George Jones, Ronnie McDowell, Faron Young, Mel Tillis, Porter Wagoner, Marty Robbins and many others. Denham Springs Old City Hall is at 115 Mattie St. in the Denham Springs Antique Village, located in the Louisiana Main Street District.
EDITOR
Andrew Canulette editor@ sttammanyfarmer. net
Southeastern Giving Day, an annual online event facilitated by the Southeastern Foundation in support of Southeastern Louisiana University achieved its largest ever number of donors, as well as funds raised. “We are appreciative of the remarkable outpouring of support during this year’s Giving Day,” said Southeastern President William S. Wainwright. “Over 2,700 individuals, a 20 percent increase over last year, demonstrated their commitment to ensuring the continued success of our university, our students, and our community. Together we have raised over $537,000, a 5.7% increase over last year’s historic mark, and we are excited to see the level of positive impact it will make.” Led by Southeastern’s Office of University Advancement, the event allowed donors to select an individual
“The first two games we gave up some big plays, but I think the defense played better than what the stats showed,” said Harrell, whose team got production and statistics in a week 3 shutout of Scotlandville. It helped provide
brance of those beloved animal companions now gone. Feel free to bring your pet’s photo to remember. Another Blessing of the Pets program is set for 5 p.m. Sept. 26 at LeChien Brewing.
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college, department, organization, or project important to them, directly giving back to the areas toward which they feel most passionate. In partnership with the Department of Communication and Media Studies, this year’s Giving Day included a simulcast from the Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center. On Giving Day, university officials, faculty, staff and community members spoke live on-air about their Giving Day campaigns and why it is important to give back to the university. “The Giving Day simulcast provided a meaningful opportunity to showcase the power of the Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center while connecting our students with a real-world broadcast experience,” said Communication and Media Studies Department Head Caroline Sawyer. For more information, contact the Southeastern Foundation at (985) 5492239.
Community news report
the first two weeks in wins of 4241 over Ponchatoula, and 52-49 at Erath. Those were followed by a 42-0 win at Scotlandville, and last week’s win over Dutchtown, when the defense limited the Griffins to one touchdown in the second half.
AROUND
taxes, but when it comes to drainage, that’s one of the most important things,” Ballard said. “After it’s done, they might want to vote in a gravity drainage.”
a bit of intrigue leading up to the Dutchtown game, when both teams came in with no losses. The game provided a playoff atmosphere, a dress rehearsal of sorts, that showed Walker has a team capable of making noise in
The exhibit will remain open through the end of December.
Hungarian Festival plans underway Celebrate Hungarian heritage with a weekend of family fun, food, music and entertainment at Fayard Field in Springfield with traditional Hungarian dancing and entertainment Sept. 25-27. The Hungarian Harvest Festival will include authentic Hungarian foods and pastries. For more information, call (985) 9746883, (225) 278-3770 or email albanymagyars@gmail.com.
Denham Springs Fall Fest Fall Market The annual Fall Festival is from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 3 in Denham Springs Antique Village. Special sales in the stores, over 160 vendor booths, food, free kids’ zone and music.
Fall market Oct. 10 The For the One Fall Market and Craft show is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 10 at Riverside Baptist Church, Denham Springs.
Fall Fest coming to Walker The Walker Fall Festival, featuring a gospel concert, is from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct.
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the post season. “We’ve got a lot of kids that are learning every week, so playing in that kind of environment was one of the boxes we wanted to check,” Harrell said. So far so good.
17 at Sidney Hutchinson Park. Bring the whole family for a free night packed with pumpkin painting, hayrides, mechanical bull, kids village, scavenger hunt, vendor market, food trucks, petting zoo and gospel concert.
Vintage Market Days planned Vintage Market Day is presenting a Christmas Cheer market Oct. 16-18 at Florida Parishes Arena, Amite.
Bayhi’s Landing Veterans Day Parade Bayhi’s Landing is hosting a Veterans Day Parade at 3 p.m. Nov. 8 from downtown Springfield to Bayhi’s Landing. Car clubs, truck clubs, motorcycle clubs, Jeep clubs, families, businesses and proud Americans — decorate your vehicles, fly those American flags and join us for an oldschool, hometown jamboree. Then, everyone will gather at Bayhi’s Landing for the Bullets and Bacon Fest. Event grand marshal is Walter Penalber and music will be provided by the Fly by Night Band. Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 603-1998.
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Lecture, concerts highlight Fanfare’s opening acts Community news report A symphony concert, lecture, and chamber concert are the events scheduled during the opening week of the 41st season of Fanfare, Southeastern Louisiana University’s annual fall festival of the arts, humanities and social sciences. Fanefare kicked off Sept. 24 when the Southeastern Wind Symphony presented “American Salute.” A Then and Now Fanfare lecture from the History and Political Science De-
partment is scheduled at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 1 in the Student Union Theatre. Associate Professor of History and Political Science Mark Dries will present “Amalgamated Selves: Identity and Resilience in Colonial Peruvian Science.” “For nearly 300 years, the mineral wealth that underwrote the Spanish Empire in the Andes depended on mercury from Huancavelica, Peru,” Dries said. “To secure this, the Crown established a labor draft to force Indigenous Andeans to work in toxic conditions
extracting and refining mercury. Andean communities adapted, framing first their service and later their identities according to Spanish legal culture to mitigate the dangers of Peru’s most deadly mine.” Next up is a concert by the Southeastern Chamber Orchestra on Saturday, Oct. 3. Scheduled in Pottle Auditorium, the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Fanfare events are free, unless otherwise noted. For more information, contact the Columbia/Fanfare office at (985) 549-2999.
Colorful paintings are on display during an artists’ reception at the Arts Council of Livingston Parish.
Sue Nelson and Jean Hebert work on crafts at the Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community fundraiser. PHOTOS BY RICHARD MEEK
Visitors take their time enjoying the artwork during an artists’ reception at the Arts Council of Livingston Parish on Sept. 19.
ARTS
Downing said she enjoys attending art exhibitions to learn what other artists are painting, perhaps gaining inspiration. “I have learned to take chances, take it out of my comfort zone, try new things,” she said. “I think the most difficult thing is learning when to stop because I tend to be very much a perfectionist.” Rogers, who is considering joining the board, stressed the importance of the arts center to the community. “I don’t think the council is publicized enough,” she said. “And they offer so much that I don’t think people realize, from the classes to the art shows. “This is our culture.” Arts Center treasurer Cheri Ducote Breaux said the adult works in the exhibition were painted by juried artists. She said a juried artist is an ACLA member and must bring three to four pieces for the board to determine if the art meets the center’s criteria. “We have had a few artists that have been turned down, but they can come back,” Breaux said. “We are looking for the quality of the work and the use of products but they can be whatever mediums they choose.” “Just if they are good at what they do,” she said. “We don’t want to exclude anybody, but we want to be sure it is up to standards.” ACLP is opened Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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PROVIDED PHOTOS
Christy Pareti, Freda Akbogast and Anita Murray at the Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community crafting fundraiser.
Volunteer group raises money with crafting fundraiser Community news report On Sept. 11, Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community held its 43rd annual Holidays Ideas Workshop fundraiser at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Ponchatoula. The theme for the day was “Remembering the Past,” which was in part a tribute to the significance of 9/11. A table was set near the front entrance displaying a fireman’s uniform and a policeman’s uniform in honor of the fallen heroes who died on Sept. 11, 2001, and afterward due to exposure to the fallout from the terrorist attacks. The attendees were able to use the window of time available to them before the event began to browse through the display of numerous beautiful holiday floral arrangements and craft items made by the club members. These items were all available for sale, and during the day, attendees were given more opportunities to shop. TVFC’s President Gloria Messenger kicked off the event by welcoming everyone, The Ponchatoula High School ROTC Color Guard Cadets performed the color guard presentation. Messenger introduced the two co-chairs for the event, who were Susan Melancon and Jamie McDonald. Melancon and McDonald,
Susan Melancon and Jamie McDonald at the Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community fundraiser. donned in attire depicting “Rosie the Riveter,” oversaw the various nostalgic and traditional craft activities they had planned for the morning. First up, TVFC Membership Chair Sue Nelson, demonstrated a craft activity making “snow buddies” using common household materials. Second up, TVFC member Daphne Griffin demonstrated various decoupaging projects using common household materials. Last, McDonald led a hands-on activity teaching attendees how to make beautiful bows for any holiday or occasion. A hot lunch was served midway through the event.
Activities after lunch included bingo, parade of prizes, and a 50/50 raffle. Attendees also had an opportunity to buy raffle tickets for a $250 Walmart gift card. The drawing for it, however, will not be until November and the proceeds for it will benefit the club’s scholarship program. The club will use all the other proceeds from the event to fund their various community projects throughout the parish for the upcoming year. Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community is an all-volunteer arm of the LSU Agriculture Extension Service.
Public Schools’ Talented Art Program. Artwork from Doyle, Live Oak, Albany, Springfield and Walker high schools are presented, which pleased Rogers. “It is important to have young people exposed to art because art is so many different things, like jewelry, pictures, theater,” she said. “This is a way for kids to get confidence in themselves.” Artist Alice Downing, explaining her selection process of deciding what pieces to display, said she typically opts for “what hits me at the moment and speaks to me the most.” “Hopefully it will speak volumes to other people,” added Downing, a painter for the past three years. Baton Rouge artist Judy Gilmore, who is also displaying her art, admitted her works feature “whatever strikes me.” She has always enjoyed painting but never picked up the brush until 2016. Today she often paints portraits of her granddaughter, who was born in 2020. “I do lots of her and am inspired by her,” she said. Downing labeled her style realistic but said through a weekly gathering of artists she has learned to try new things and new ideas. Email Richard Meek at livingston@ “I go for it as things hit me,” she said. theadvocate.com
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