PLAY TIME
BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
The Pilot Club of Denham Springs recently celebrated the completion of the South Live Oak Elementary School’s new all-inclusive playground in Watson. Interactive panels, a large seesaw, and other activity sets fitted for students in wheelchairs and other mobility aids are included in the playground.
“Our primary mission is to promote brain safety, health and awareness, while supporting individuals and families affected by brain-related disorders and disabilities,” Pilot Club of Denham Springs Board Director Terri Borde said. Building inclusive playgrounds at schools in Livingston Parish has been one of many long-term goals for the Pilot Club. Pilot Club, South Live Oak Elementary introduce inclusive playground
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BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
Research into the 1890 ambush slaying of a Livingston Parish sheriff’s deputy turned up other evidence of a particularly lawless period in local history, a retired lawman told the Edward Livingston Historical Association on July 5. Retired Lt. Col. Alden Thomasson said he found court records and contemporary newspaper accounts of four slayings that could be termed “extrajudicial executions,” more commonly called “lynchings.”
“There could have been more,” he told the group. Two of the four involved
Area school districts with lower teacher pay rates weigh stipend, raise options
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
Two school districts in the Baton Rouge region with the lowest starting teacher pay rates are hoping to pay employees more the next school year but still haven’t made any final decisions. Both superintendents from St. Helena and Livingston parishes recently expressed an interest to give extra money to school employees whether it be through a one-time stipend or a raise.
Ahead of the upcoming school year, a handful of nearby school districts, such as Ascension and Iberville parishes’, have approved permanent raises. Other districts, such as West Baton Rouge, approved one-time stipends. A new statewide stipend added $2,000 to all public school districts. St. Helena Parish public schools have the lowest starting teacher pay rate at $43,000, including the state stipend, in the greater Baton Rouge region. While the district’s operating budget was finalized at the July 10 school board meeting, St. Helena Parish School District Superintendent Kelli Joseph said the district wants to implement an employee stipend,
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Students spin on an inclusive merry-go-round at the South Live Oak Elementary’s new playground. Students now have easy access to playground equipment designed to include those with disabilities.
PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
Holland Alford, 11, left, and Matthew Blouin, 9, play a xylophone at the new inclusive playground at South Live Oak Elementary in Watson. Funds for the playground were raised by the school and Pilot Club of Denham Springs.
Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP
PHOTO BY JAMES MINTON
Retired Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Alden Thomasson speaks with Deputy Frank Rizzuto, right, after Thomasson spoke to the Edward Livingston Historical Association on July 5 about a violent chapter in the parish’s history.
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letterman and has been one of the Jackets most faithful supporters since graduating. He went on to graduate magna cum laude from Southeastern Louisiana University and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry Bond’s practice is located in Denham Springs, and his ongoing financial and moral support for DSHS athletics were significant factors in his recognition Lewis, a placekicker, is perhaps best-known for setting the DSHS school
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but that officials are still poring over the budget to see what they can afford.
“We really would love to give all of our employees a stipend,” Joseph said. “All of the neighboring parishes are providing a stipend to their employees, and we would like to do the same.” Livingston Parish’s public school district, which has a closer starting teacher pay to its neighbors compared to St. Helena
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vigilante executions of Black suspects in crimes against White women, while another was the murder of a Black youth during a violent attempt to intimidate Black sawmill workers. The fourth was a White man lynched for the slaying of a White woman. The four killings occurred in a brief period of Livingston Parish history, 1896-1900, a fact that still has Thomasson looking for an explanation of the factors that drove an apparent disdain for the law as the parish entered the 20th century Thomasson recently retired from the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office with 37 years service but still serves as a part-time deputy
record with a 57-yard field goal in a 20-0 win over East Ascension in 2008. As a senior he connected twice from longer than 50 yards. He was named all-district three times and finished with more than 100 points scored. He went on to have a stellar collegiate career at McNeese State, where he was named allSouthland Conference in 2010. The oldest member of this year’s inductees is Watson, an undersized defensive end who earned Class 2A all-state honors and was a key member of the Jackets undefeated district title winners. Beyond athletics, he
Parish, has not settled on its employee compensation package for the 202526 school year, as of early July
Superintendent Jody Purvis said he and other district officials are still trying to determine if there is room for a permanent starting pay raise or a stipend.
Livingston Parish students start school Aug. 8 and St. Helena Parish students start Aug. 5.
Email Claire Grunewald at claire.grunewald@ theadvocate.com.
His research led to Deputy George C. White being included in a Washington, D.C., memorial that honors lawmen killed in the line of duty Thomasson found that two of the lynching victims he found were included in a list maintained by the Equal Justice Initiative, of Montgomery Ala., but he was able to add two more to the list.
The lynching victims Thomasson found are:
n Jerry Burke, a 19-yearold Black man, who was accused of attacking the wife of his employer and her mother near Clio. He was caught in a nearby swamp, questioned and eventually shot in two volleys from more than 20 guns on Dec. 23, 1896.
n Fred Lewis, 13, shot dead in his bed on April 21, 1899, when “Whitecaps,” a racist vigilante force, rode through a Black neighborhood near the sawmill town
was the city’s Outstanding Teenager, Mr DSHS, senior class president, and president of the FCA, Letterman’s Club and Interorganizational Council. He was also voted class favorite three times.
O’Neal, known as “Big Mike,” was a two-year football letterman. Now the owner of a local sports bar, he hosts monthly Denham Springs Athletic Association meetings. He has also provided financial support for facility upgrades, and made donations to help teachers and students.
O’Neal’s business was devastated by the historic flood of 2016, but his resilience and community spirit
have cemented his status as a civic leader
Sceroler is the most recent graduate, a former two-sport star who made his mark as a baseball player He was a two-time all-district selection, and also earned academic allstate honors.
He went on to a standout collegiate career at Southeastern Louisiana before becoming a fifth-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in the 2017 MLB draft.
Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports for the Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@ theadvocate.com.
Starting teacher pay in the Baton Rouge region DISTRICT ANNUAL SALARY*
$62,506
Iberville
West Baton Rouge $56,274
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youth performance at the Livingston Parish Library Young dancers will take the stage, bringing stories to life through graceful movement, costumes and fun choreography
Friday, July 18, 1 p.m., Egg Carton Flower Wreath (ages 18+). Explore your creativity and create a wreath out of recycled egg cartons and paint. Registration is required.
Tuesday, July 22, 10 a.m., Bubble Art (ages 5-12). Did you know bubbles can be used to make art? Come learn how to make your own watercolor creation using a bubble blower Registration is required.
Check out events at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch by calling (225) 6864140 or visiting www.mylpl. info.
n Wednesday, July 16, 2 p.m., Hooks & Loops Crochet Club (ages 18+). Learn how to crochet at this class. Get project help and advice. Are you a veteran crocheter? Join us to swap ideas, work on your latest creation, and share your knowledge. Bring your supplies and spin a yarn with like-minded crafters.
n Thursday, July 17, 2 p.m., Box of Chocolates Book Club (ages 18+). Are you an avid reader or are you just looking for some great new titles to try? Do you like mysteries, historical fiction or thrillers? Join the library staff at the Box
of Chocolates Book Club, because you never know what you’re going to get.
n Thursday, July 17, 6 p.m., Fantastic Foil Art (ages 3-7). Foil Art? What’s that? Learn how to make a little masterpiece with the supplies provided by the library and see how fun and simple art can be.
n Friday, July 18, 10:30 a.m., Wiggle Worms (ages 0-5). Enjoy a variety of songs and rhythms that will have your child dancing, clapping, and singing along. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join in the fun and share in the joy of music with their little ones.
n Saturday, July 19, 1 p.m., Afternoon Board Games (ages 18+). Board gaming is exploding as a hobby There’s something for everyone at the library: traditional, casual and strategy Space is available for tabletop role-playing.
n Tuesday July 22, 3 p.m., Dali-esque Melting Clock (Ages 18+). Join in the fun at the library and create your own clock. Summer Reading 2025 is all about artists and the creation of works of art. One such artist, Salvador Dali, is known for the melting clocks in his paintings. Using paint, hot glue and clock mechanisms, participants will assemble a working clock based on the Dali artwork. Registration is required.
Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 3880731.
Community news report
Fifty-nine 4-H
of Maxwell south of Albany, firing their weapons into homes.
n Frank Gilmore, described as a career criminal and accused of the murder of a woman in the Killian area on June 21, 1900. He was caught “lurking about” the scene of the crime, allegedly confessed to the murder and was marched into some woods by four men who killed him
n Sam Fields, a 21-yearold Black man, arrested for allegedly attacking a woman while she was walking to a Whitehall sawmill on Aug. 20, 1900. A posse quickly found Fields hiding nearby and turned him over to sheriff’s deputies. But when the deputies were taking Fields to the Centerville courthouse, a mob of 30 to 40 men took him from the officers and shot him dead in the road.
Thomasson said he could find no evidence that anyone was indicted or
charged in the slayings of Burke, Gilmore and Fields, but a grand jury indicted 14 men for murder in the teenager’s killing.
Three of the 14 were tried in November 1899, but jurors acquitted the three and the district attorney dismissed the remaining cases, Thomasson said. He said a Black man was the first suspect in the 1894 murder of a White woman in Port Vincent.
“He was not lynched and stayed in the area during the investigation of the case, which went on for several years,” Thomasson said. “No one was ever charged or prosecuted for this murder.”
During the same time period, Livingston Parish had one execution within the legal parameters that then existed. Louis Durant was hanged at the Centerville courthouse on May 27, 1898, for the murder of his sister-in-law
Fifty-nine 4-H members from across Livingston Parish participate in 4-H Camp at Grant Walker Educational Center in Pollock May 26-29
Randy Watson Mac Sceroler
Mike O’Neal
Josh Lewis Hunter Bond
PROVIDED PHOTO
The Pilot Club of Denham Springs partnered with the school to raise funds for the
In 2023 the organization
adopted a 5-to-10-year plan to help two schools per year receive inclusive playground equipment.
Borde said the inclusive playgrounds cost around $50,000 to complete.
The club is ahead of schedule having already completed inclusive playgrounds at four Livingston Parish schools.
Denham Springs’ Seventh Ward Elementary School, the Holden School, Maurepas Elementary School and South Live Oak Elementary have all received inclusive playground equipment.
“We are currently working on the Levi Milton Elementary School and Springfield Elementary School,” Borde added.
South Live Oak Elementary principal Amy Savage said the project is the achievement of a years-long goal.
access with a ramp and includes wood mulch flooring.
“Our kids weren’t able to get access to the playground like everyone else,” Kelley said. “We wanted to make this happen.”
The Pilot Club aims to make things easier for students with disabilities while also giving them the chance to continue to grow as much as other students.
“Play is vital for children’s development,” Borde said.
“Through play, children build cognitive, social, motor and communication skills as they interact with one another
“If additional funding were available through the local school system and/or the state, we could accelerate our efforts and build inclusive playgrounds at all elementary schools across Livingston Parish.”
“We are thrilled,” Savage said. “This playground is six years in the making The school has held lots of fundraisers like softball tournaments. If not for the Pilot Club, it would have taken us another three or four years to raise the money “The new playground will be much easier for teachers and paraprofessionals who were having to lift the kids onto swings.”
The school raised $33,000 and the Pilot Club helped with the rest, Savage said.
“Livingston Parish schools provide the required special education services to students with disabilities,” Borde said. “However, they have indicated to us that funding is not available to construct playgrounds at elementary schools, much less playgrounds that are fully inclusive.
“When we learned of this gap, we were determined to help ensure these inclusive playgrounds are built so that children of all abilities can play, learn, and grow together.”
Amanda Morris, Pilot Club president-elect, said the playground is a differencemaker for students with disabilities.
“This playground allows students with disabilities the opportunity to play together with other students, and to interact with each other,” McMorris said. “As a speech pathologist, it’s exciting to see students develop and have the chance to learn and play.”
The Pilot Club of Denham Springs, founded in 1965, has helped numerous schools, medical patients, military veterans, and others. The group raises money for projects through many ways such as its Southern Charm Gala Fundraiser a “Pound the Pavement for Pilot” 5K run and reaching out to local businesses, Borde said.
South Live Oak Elementary teacher Brittany Kelley who helped complete the project, said the playground is ADA-compliant, has easy
For information about the Pilot Club of Denham Springs, visit www.pilotclubds.org.
PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
Members of the Pilot Club of Denham Springs, staff of South Live Oak Elementary School and students recently celebrate the completion of an inclusive playground to include students with disabilities.
Children enjoy the new inclusive playground at South Live Oak Elementary School. The playground is ADA compliant and includes wood mulch to help students with wheelchairs and other mobile aids easy access.
project.
Keep Hammond Beautiful sets meeting
The next Keep Hammond Beautiful meeting is set for 11:45 a.m. Thursday, July 17, in the City Council chamber at 312 E. Charles St. The group’s mission is to make a difference by providing leadership and standards of excellence and by bringing the community into balance with ecological and environmental principles.
Jones, of Livingston, earns Clark degree
Katie J. Jones, of Livingston, received a degree from Clark University during a May commencement.
Jones graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts.
Clark awarded 468 undergraduate degrees and 1,014 advanced degrees during two ceremonies as part of the University’s 121st Commencement exercises held at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Mississippi State announces graduates
Approximately 3,500 students graduated from Mississippi State University in May
Local graduates were: Emily Donaldson, of Denham Springs, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude, from MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Haley Roberson, of Walker, Bachelor of Science from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Belmont University announces dean’s list
Belmont University recently released the dean’s list for the spring 2025 semester
Approximately 47% of the university’s 6,912 undergraduate students qualified for the spring 2025 dean’s list.
Dean’s list eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C Among the honorees was Laine Lonero, of Ponchatoula.
Breelyn Kilpatrick named to honor roll
Breelyn Kilpatrick, of Denham Springs, was named to the University of Mississippi’s Spring honor roll lists Kilpatrick, majoring in exercise science, was named to the dean’s honor roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.50-3.74.
To be eligible for honor roll designation, a student must have completed at least 12 graded hours for the semester and may not be on academic probation during the semester
Upper Iowa University announces honors list
Upper Iowa University has announced the dean’s list for the 2025 spring semester To be honored, a student must have earned a minimum 3.50 gradepoint average and be enrolled as a full-time student. Students from the region on the list include Lorena Guerrero, of Ponchatoula; and Ericka Abrams, Roger May and Raven Viada, all of Denham Springs.
Denham Springs resident graduates
Angelo State University conferred 886 undergraduate and graduate degrees on 876 graduates during the 2025 Spring commencement exercises on May 17 at the Junell Center/ Stephens Arena in San Angelo, Texas. Lane Garrett Hutchinson, of Denham Springs, was among the graduates.
Kaitlin Hudspeth, of Hammond, graduated from Georgia State University during the Spring 2025 semester with a doctor of philosophy degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. Hammond student graduates in Georgia
Louisiana Tech announces spring honor roll
Community news report
Louisiana Tech University has announced its 2025 spring quarter president’s and dean’s honor lists.
Students whose names are followed by an asterisk earned recognition as members of the president’s honor list. That distinction signifies at least a 3.8 academic grade point average on a minimum of nine semester hours completed (100-level or higher), with no grade lower than a B.
To be eligible for the dean’s honor lists, a student is required to earn at least a 3.5 academic grade point average with no grade lower than a C on a minimum of nine semester hours completed (100-level or higher).
Courses yielding satisfactory/ failure grades and courses audited do not count toward eligibility for either recognition. Only undergraduates with no incomplete grades are eligible.
Students from the region include:
Ascension
Geismar: Mateo Apodaca, Aidan Cole, Sydnee Daniel*, Maegan Duet*, Cameron Dupre, Kylie Ev-
ans, Joshua Landry*, Julia Minvielle*, Mackenzie Rodriguez* Gonzales: Matthew Bucci*, Grace Burke, Lily Cook, Xander Jackson, Demi Jeansonne*, Alexander Lambert*, Beau Romero*, Gavin Soniat*, Samantha White*, Ja’Von Wilson
Prairieville: Garrett Accardo, Emma Baumann*, Christian Bock, Margaret Brickey*, Sawyer Bufkin*, Stewart Cayton, Zachary Chaisson*, Preston Connelly*, Emily Duguay*, Beau Dupuy*, Andrew Faulkner Ethan James*, Melanie Jones*, Ella Lambert*, Toby Latino*, Layla Legendre, Kierstin Manly*, Abigail Mathews*, Mackenzie Millet, David Morrill, Vito Mumphrey, Aiden Remont, Jackson Slater, Sheridan Smith, Brooklyn Thomas, Grayson Toney, J Unangst*, Ryan White Sorrento: Zealand Cook
St Amant: Collin Franta*, Kinslei Scroggs*, Jacee Spillman* East Baton Rouge
Baker: Anthony Palmer, Austin Pearson, Luke Robinson Greenwell Springs: Katelyn Easley, Natalie Gendron, Henlee Hoffer Olivia Thibodeaux*
Zachary: Ashley Brumfield, Eli-
jah Carr*, Mya Claiborne, Billy Deroche, Neil Garcia, Sophia Holeman-Galey, Briley Howard, Taylor Hughes*, Sarah Israel, Kaleigh Louque*, Averie Manuel, Ainslie Mcnabb, Jackson Phelps, Michael Plaisance*, Kye Poston, Emma Rioux, Sean Sullivan, Alexander Thompson*, Laila Walton, Raeghan Williams*
East Feliciana
Clinton: Alexander Jose*, James Jose*
Jackson: Tessa Hay Catherine Hodges, Kaiden Lang*, Joshua Wittig
Slaughter: Austin Delee
West Feliciana
St Francisville: Sara Barrow*, Parker Bennett, Ethan Benton, William D’Aquilla*, Joseph Dalferes, Jude Daniel*, Cade Grissett, Lily Holland, Ainsley Mascagni*, Anna Maxwell*, Christopher Murray*, Alexandra Patin, Makenzie Patrick*, Abigail Pittman Kolbe Smith*, Adam Theriot*
Tunica: Kaitlyn Mcclure*
Livingston
Albany: Mackenzie Richardson*, Ethan Woods*
Denham Springs: Emma Allerheiligen*, Zakery Barbier, Taylor Czarnecki*, Mandolyn Donohue, Charity Eiland*, Karissa Englert, Sophia Esposito, Alayna FelderFields*, Isabella Ferguson*, Delaney Ferris*, Brinton Harmon*, Anne Hebert*, William Langley, Ella Price*, Sara Schneller*, Mia Schoen, Hanna Stout, Robert Thompson, Laney Vige*, Dylan Watson*
Holden: Anna Hutchinson* Livingston: Emily Armand, Beau Armand
Maurepas: Joseph Lemoine Springfield: Peyton Ellis*
Walker: John Bergeron*, Garrett Patrick*, Sydni Seighman* Tangipahoa
Amite: Benjamin Williams*
Hammond: Jordan Adams*, Ian Alvis, Trevor Forrest, Kohl Garner*, Gavin Gill, Conor Montalbano, Micah Moskau, Anthony Odak, Maxwell Turner* Independence: Landon Faust, Kyla Michelli, Bryce Trapen, Lathan Whiddon*
Kentwood: Audrey Conn*
Loranger: Brayden Puls
Ponchatoula: Hanna Bankston, Jenny Little, Gabriel Rivero
PROVIDED PHOTO Chanon Martin, Louisiana Council of Farmer Cooperatives board vice president, presents a plaque to Danny Berthelot, DEMCO board president, naming him the 2025 Louisiana Coop Leader of the Year
The Louisiana 4-H Shooting Sports team at the National Champions in Grand Island, Neb
PROVIDED PHOTO
Gathering, from left, are Carolyn Miller, service chair with Iota Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi International, Capt. Brylan Edwards, District Chief Lee Drago and firefighter George Blunt. Not pictured is Firefighter Steve Singleton.
