L'OBSERVATEUR 2019 Year In Review

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2019 was an interesting year in St. John the Baptist Parish. We celebrated, and we mourned. There were changes in leadership of the public school system. Elections were held, changing not only the face of the Parish Council, but also ending the tenure of the Parish President. There was triumph and defeat, teamwork and controversy, and it touched us all.

2019 Year in Review A Special Supplement to L’OBSERVATEUR •

JANUARY 15, 2020

Millet retires after 52 years; Malik serves as Chair

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any of Norris “Butch” Millet Sr.’s happiest memories come from the St. John the Baptist Parish Library Millet system, where he has dedicated 52 years to serving the public.

A memory that stands out is his two youngest grandchildren standing on a blue stepladder to pull back a tarp in August 2017. On the other side of the tarp was portrait of Millet, framed in celebration of his contributions the day the Central Library in LaPlace was named the Norris J. Millet Sr. Library in his honor.

After more than five decades of meetings, budgeting and attending library events, Millet announced his plans to resign from the St. John Parish Library Board of Control during a Monday night meeting.

Effective Jan. 31, Millet’s resignation

marked the end of his time on the Board, but not the end of his dedication to the St. John Parish Library.

First term St. John the Baptist Parish Councilman Thomas Malik served as the Council chair in 2019.

The District 7 representative was unanimously elected by his peers during JanuMalik ary’s Parish Council meeting in Edgard.

Malik stepped in for outgoing chair — District 3’s Lennix Madere Jr. Council members filled out their leadership positions by also unanimously electing District 4’s Marvin Perrilloux as Council vice chairman, District 1’s Kurt Becnel as finance committee chairman and District 2’s Julia Remondet as finance committee vice chairwoman.

Frenier Landing celebrates its 10th anniversary. Manager and operator Crystal

Durand said mouthwatering seafood dishes and an atmosphere reminiscent of an older, slower way of living have made the restaurant a success for the past decade.

Bacon-wrapped shrimp, chargrilled oysters and stuffed flounder are traditional favorites at the restaurant, located at 113 Dottie Lane at the edge of Peavine Road in LaPlace.

Durand said the menu is constantly evolving with the latest trends.

Fresh fish specials are frequently advertised, and lobster specials are available Wednesday nights.

Guests are treated to live music from local talent from 7 to 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday and from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

“Every time you drive onto Peavine Road, it feels like you’re on an adventure,” Durand said. “It’s a destination.

Our customers come from Baton Rouge, Thibodaux, Hammond, Gonzales and New Orleans. You feel like

you’re on vacation, and the area is historically rich. We bring a lot of people into the community that wouldn’t otherwise come here.”

More than 140 dogs were removed from “horrendous” conditions, parish leaders said, causing a second problem as the St. John Parish Animal Shelter has become overwhelmed with rescued animals in need of care.

Norvel Lasserre of LaPlace co-created the only African American owned liqueur brand sold in Walmart locations across Louisiana, and he now has the national accolades to propel his business to new heights.

Lasserre Honey Cognac, an emerging brand created in 2014, was recently awarded the 2018 gold medal for best tasting cognac at the Microliquor Spirit Awards in San Francisco.

Produced in France and stocked at a Reserve warehouse, Lasserre Honey Cognac is known for its smooth taste as the only honeyblended cognac in the United States.

Lasserre said the award paves the way for expanded advertising typically accomplished through tastings.

“When people are choosing to try something new, seeing this is an award-winning brand can help a person decide to try

it out,” Lasserre said.

“Once they try it, they love it.”

Lasserre is proud to be an inspiration to other African American businessmen.

History repeated itself when a St. Charles Catholic High School Starstepper injured her foot during an onstage jazz routine Sunday at the American All-Star Louisiana State Championship dance competition in Lafayette.

Like the previous year, the nine-girl team was faced with reconfiguring a kick routine backstage, only minutes away from performing for a panel of judges.

The Starsteppers rose to the challenge and took home third in kick, along with a fifth-place finish in jazz and a second-place title in pom.

The girls were a joy to watch on stage, according to Christine Creppel, who ended her 15-year career as Starsteppers director when she was promoted to assistant principal this year.

February

January

Taylor named Officer of the Year; Bec’s on the Lake delights

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et. Sgt. Ann Taylor is known at the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff ’s Office for her steadfast dedication and compassion for juveniles, especially in relation to a young victim she helped save from the brink of death.

When Taylor located the victim in 2015, she saw a child with fractured bones, scarring burns and a body failing from extreme malnutrition.

The discovery happened in LaPlace just seven days after Taylor took on a longstanding missing juvenile investigation that spanned numerous parishes, and help couldn’t have come soon enough.

“The child was near death when we found her,” Taylor said. “The medical examiner literally said she maybe would’ve lasted another week. Today, she is

Sgt. Ann Taylor awarded Officer of the year by Sheriff Mike Tregre, right, as Steve Guidry, center looks on. happy and healthy.

She’s been on the honor roll and student of the year. She outweighs me at this point.”

Taylor’s dedication to the ongoing multijurisdiction, multi-defendant trial earned her SJSO’s Officer of the Second Quarter award in September.

On Thursday night,

Taylor was overwhelmed by cheers from a packed house of blue uniforms as she was named SJSO’s 2018 Officer of the Year.

In a competition of extravagant desserts from five-star hotels and New Orleans restaurants, the People’s Choice Award went to the apple praline cobbler from Bec’s at the Lake Restaurant and Catering in LaPlace.

The dessert competition, which featured tastings from approxi-

mately 400 guests, was part of the 19th annual Got Gumbo competition hosted by United Way of Southeast Louisiana last week at Royal Sonesta New Orleans. It was Bec’s at the Lake owner George Becnel’s first time entering a cooking competition.

Co-owner Denise Pritchard, son Holden Becnel and daughter Faith Becnel joined him A 41-year-old Prairieville woman is re-

covering from moderate injuries following a fiery St. John the Baptist Parish car wreck that would have turned fatal if not for the bravery of four good Samaritans.

Jeremy Zeringue, Byron Gilcrease, Miles Bourgeois and John Lejeune are seen in a video that made national headlines in February, tugging furiously to pull a woman out the driver’s side window of her burning car after she was hit by an alleged drunken driver one morning on Airline Highway in Garyville. The fire was twice the size of the car and had overtaken the back seats of the vehicle when she was rescued in the nick of time and carried to the grassy median, just as sirens began to blare with the approach of emergency response teams.

According to Louisiana State Police, Richard Preston, 22, of Paradis was driving a 2019 Nissan Ultima that slammed into the back of the Prairieville woman’s 2015 Infiniti Q70 at 6:45 a.m. Monday.

St. John Parish’s newest Parade, Krewe of Dagé, takes a stand for education.

Paradegoers were looking out the signature apple throws starting at noon March 3 as Krewe of Dagé trails Krewe du Monde down the familiar LaPlace route. Organizers were excited to announce 35 floats will accompany school bands, dance teams, cars, royalty and community groups.

According to organizer Jean Stewart, Krewe of Dagé will award a scholarship to a deserving River Parishes student this May.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020

Gregg’s celebrates 15 years; Millet named principal; RPTC moves

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lmost 15 years have passed since Gregg Simon took over the Weber’s Supermarket Foodliner in Reserve for a complete overhaul of interior and exterior renovations.

The store now known as Gregg’s Neighborhood Market opened at 148 Central Avenue in the early 1960s, back when there was no need for a large parking lot.

Locals from surrounding neighborhoods walked to the store for groceries, which were once condensed to the right wing of the building. A shoe store stood in the middle, separating the market from Mollere furniture.

By the time Simon arrived to work as manager in 1989, the storefront was exclusively a grocery market. In the years that followed, Simon watched the business decline

as aging equipment presented a dire need for refurbishment.

Opportunity for change came in 2004, when longtime owner Harvey Weber exited the business after a robbery and placed the store’s future in Simon’s capable hands.

The store name changed to Gregg’s Neighborhood Market and underwent major changes.

Dr. Courtney P. Millet was announced as the next principal of St. Charles Catholic High School in March 2019.

She assumed the position on July 1.

The River Parishes Tourist Commission moved to 671 Belle Terre Blvd. The move places River Parishes Tourist Commission one step closer to opening a much needed visitor center in LaPlace.

The visitor center

construction on a new complex and a neighborBuddy Boe ing upscale RV and Peggy Joseph stand resort on Belle Terre in 2020. outside the new River Par- More than 15 years ish Tourism have passed building. since the West Bank was rocked by the would complement deaths of two 11-yearwelcome centers in St. old cousins in a dirt James and St. Charles parishes to greet guests bike accident, but the children left behind a traveling into the River legacy that won’t soon Region from Interstate be forgotten.

10 in a centralized It was a long time comlocation. ing March 12 when St. The move secures John the Baptist Parish office space for four Council members anfull-time employees. nounced the baseball The picturesque yelpark and airnasium at low cottage will serve Juan Anthony Joseph as the front door for Park in Edgard would tourists until a visitor be named in honor of center is constructed the late Devante Smith less than a mile away. and Raeaneka Small.

Buddy Boe, executive Devante and Raeaneka director of River were riding a dirt bike Parishes Tourist Comtogether on July 15, mission, hopes to start 2003, when they crossed

the path of a LaPlace man driving a Nissan Maxima. The children were struck, thrown from the impact and killed.

The driver was not charged in relation to collision, and Devante’s sister DeShaun said her family does not hold resentment over the accident.

The newly named Devante Michael Smith Baseball Complex honors a loving spirit who enjoyed athletics and family time.

A second ordinance named the airnasium located in the Juan Anthony Joseph Park the Raeaneka Renee Small Airnasium.

Connie Finckbeiner felt thankful but mostly at a loss for words late Thursday night as the four-day LaPlace Feed Store homicide trial reached its conclusion.

The man she recalls killing her husband, Steven Finckbeiner, and firing a bullet into her face during a February 2014 armed robbery is facing life in prison.

An emotional scene erupted in the Edgard Courthouse shortly after 10 p.m. when a petit jury found defendant Charles McQuarter III guilty of second degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm.

The verdict came after nearly two hours of deliberation.

The verdict led to a tense scene that included a thrown object in the courtroom gallery, shouts of profanity from family members and heartbreaking devastation from McQuarter’s mother, who collapsed between sobs and had to be carried out of the courtroom.

April

March

Monica honored; SCC stadium comes down; Train station concept unveiled

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t. Charles Catholic High School had lots to celebrate in April: Coach Frank Monica’s induction into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the Stadium Campaign Kick-off !

The Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame Committee voted to induct Monica as one of the recipients to their prestigious group of inductees.

The entire River Region community was invited to St. Charles Catholic High School to pay tribute to Monica, a man who has devoted 50 years of dedicated service to teaching and coaching the youth in Louisiana.

After decades of use, the steel structure of the stadium at St. Charles Catholic reached the end of its lifespan.

The only solution was

to replace the storied bleachers. The demolition and replacement cost approximately $540,000.

Monica hopes to have a new stadium in place

by Week 3 of football season in September.

Dozens of community members gathered at the corner of Main Street to reimagine the street with residential complexes, retail shops, cafes and green space to host everything from farmers markets to outdoor movies.

At the center of it all would be a multimodal transit station, placing LaPlace as an all-important stop for passenger train travel from New Orleans to Baton Rouge.

A community presentation marked the end of a feasibility study funded through a $145,000 grant from the Southern Rail Commis-

Denka Denka Performance Elastomer

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sion.

Timelines have not been set for construction, according to Parish President Natalie Robottom and Planning and Zoning Director Rene Pastorek. As LaPlace and each of the other stops along the rail line finalize feasibility research, the state can secure funding as it becomes available.

Football and baseball player George Smith doesn’t mind people underestimating his brainpower; it makes it easier to prove them wrong with sweeping chess tournament victories.

Smith, a STEM Magnet Program student, is following in the footsteps of his chess coach, Rene Phillips, a national master who picked up the game on a dare from his West Jefferson High School

Pictured, left to right are Noah Williams Joel Tumblin and Derron Cook while visiting the Leaning Tower of PIsa football coach.

Under Phillips’ leadership, the STEM program boasts the first St. John the Baptist Parish chess team to compete in the Louisiana High School Scholastic State Championship. The STEM team won first place in the novice division March 30, all while fielding a team of three players in a four-person category.

“We were up against perennial powers like

Lusher, Ben Franklin and Patrick Taylor,” Phillips said. “These are schools that have fielded formidable chess teams. To create a climate of chess as a mental sport and expose kids to an entirely different type of competition, focusing on academia, and having a championship team the first year is mind-boggling. It’s a rocket start.”

Five East St. John

High School students experienced the beauty of the Notre Dame Cathedral only two days before 800 years of history was consumed by ravenous fire.

The visit was part of an educational spring break tour of Paris, Milan, Florence and Rome, organized by teacher Derron Cook to expand local students’ worldviews.

“We have students who, for the first time, have gotten their passports,” Cook said.

“Students, for the first time, have gotten on planes. We’re talking about possibility.”

Students equipped with passports have the world at their fingertips and future opportunities stretching beyond St. John the Baptist Parish, according to Cook.

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Rainbow Chevy celebrates 21 years; SCC wins baseball championship

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ew Rainbow Chevrolet general manager William Holmes sees the dealership as an open door to the community, whether people come to purchase a car, service a vehicle or simply talk with friends.

Holmes was deeply engrained in his community while working at Gerry Lane Chevrolet in Baton Rouge, and he hopes to build upon the welcoming atmosphere at 2020 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace.

Guests were treated to a blowout inventory sale, free jambalaya and pastalaya, food trucks, local vendors and an exhilarating obstacle course challenge for all ages on May 25 at Rainbow Chevrolet’s momentous 21st anniversary celebration.

“My hope is for a day of

fun and competition,” Holmes said. “I don’t want customers to see us as just a place where you come and buy a car.

This is a place where you come and visit your friends. More than anything, I want people to feel like the door’s always open here.”

The eighth championship appearance was the charm for the St. Charles Catholic baseball team as the No. 6 Comets upset No. 1 University High for the first LHSAA state baseball title in school history.

It was a historic moment on the Sulphur field when the game ended 7-4 among loud cheers from a joyous Comets crowd. The championship appearance game followed SCC’s 5-2 semifinal victory against No. 2 seed St. Thomas More.

Coach Wayne Stein

The crowd was roaring at the St. Charles Catholic championship baseball game. knows firsthand just how elusive the state championship trophy can be. Stein has endured seven state championship losses in his time with the Comets — once as a student, five times as an assistant coach and once as a head coach.

“The team deserves this,” Stein said. “Our community deserves this; our school deserves this. This one’s for all the ones before us who couldn’t get it done.”

The St. John Sheriff’s

Office gathered to break ground on the upcoming Lloyd B. Johnson Law Enforcement Training Center at 947 Cambridge Drive, the site of the old LaPlace bowling alley.

Once the 12-month construction is completed, the new 36,000 square-feet facility will

serve officers and the surrounding community with continuous training and public education.

One of the building’s two large classrooms will be designed for virtual reality and simulations, according to Lieutenant Chip Wale, commander of the training division.

Wale has seen a need for a new training facility since 2014 and is confident the Lloyd B. Johnson center will be a perfect fit for required in-service training among more than 300 employees.

Pictured, Angel Thompson puts her arm around Toni Flynn, the daughter of Lloyd B. Johnson.

June

May

George steps down from school system; Trosclair named interim superintendent

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eidi Trosclair will lead the school system as interim superintendent through the summer and the start of the 2019-2020 school year, filling the vacancy left by departing Superintendent Kevin George.

June 13 was George’s last day with St. John Parish schools, and his resignation was finalized during the June 13 St. John Parish School Board meeting.

Just days before, George announced he was accepting an interim CEO position with New Beginnings School Foundation, a New Orleans charter organization. However, he initially announced his intent to leave the school system last month, noting a recent death in his family made him reconsider what he wanted to do with the rest of his

career.

With no storage space available, the River Parish Community Theatre Board was forced to relinquish large panels, painted flats, bedroom and office furniture and other reusable set pieces after annual summer shows. That changes this year.

Hours of cleaning, painting and replacing old flooring has given new life to the former Reserve Telecommunications headquarters, which will now serve as a multipurpose facility for the local theater group.

River Parish Community Theatre and RTC held a grand opening at the site, located at 203 W. Fourth St. in Reserve.

When Roland Ketchens of Reserve first became a car salesman in 1994, he was told he

would never make it in the industry.

His kind and compassionate nature was initially seen as a weakness among fellow salesmen. “When I first got in the business, they told me I would never make it as a car salesman because I was caring about the customer instead of caring about my pocket and the money I’m making,” Ketchens said.

“The same people who told me that, 20-something years later, can’t sell a car anywhere in America. I can do what I do anywhere in the world.”

Ketchens has earned “Salesman of the Year” for the past 10 years at Rainbow Chevrolet since starting work at the LaPlace dealership in January 2009.

Premier Charter School will not open

for the 2019-2020 school year, but it’s not the end of the road for families advocating for local charter school education.

An August 2020 opening in St. John the Baptist Parish is still possible with an operating agreement between Louisiana Premier Charter School and the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, charter officials said.

At a June 19 committee meeting, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved a substitute motion to defer Louisiana Premier Charter School’s request to open as a Type 2 charter school.

However, the Board also charged Louisiana Premier and the St. John School Board to work together on finalizing an operating agreement that

would allow the charter school to open as a Type 1 charter for the 2020-2021 school year.

Those who knew legendary New Orleans trumpet player, songwriter and producer Dave Bartholomew say he was a man of discipline, unfailing morals and love for his Edgard roots. Bartholomew, a member of the Song-

writers Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, passed away June 23 at age 100. He was born on Christmas Eve 1918 in Edgard and went on to usher in the era of rock ‘n’ roll before it even had a name.

Bartholomew wrote many of the earliest hits within the genre and defined the New Orleans sound in his talent scouting abilities, which led to the discovery of Fats Domino and other musical icons.

Dave Bartholomew, left, is pictured with musician Fats Domino in 1977.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020

Mason organizes march against gun violence

group of St. John the Baptist Parish clergy, elected officials and community members marched against gun violence in Reserve.

Clad in orange Tshirts for gun violence awareness, participants used a guided prayer walk to bring attention to issues afflicting the youth of the community.

Pastor Neil Bernard of New Wine Christian Fellowship helped lead the group in prayer with the words, “Wherever there’s been violence, we speak peace today. Wherever there has been hate, we speak love today.

Wherever there’s been division, we speak unity today.”

The walk, organized

by Pastor Devin Mason, stretched from the front of Homewood to New Rescue Mission Baptist Church in observance of the May 30 Homewood drive-by shooting.

East St. John High School’s May commencement ceremony extended a posthumous diploma to a Wildcat taken from the world far too soon.

Tory Horton’s path to a bright future was shot when he was gunned down outside of the LaPlace Discount convenience store on Aug. 5, 2016, days before what

would have been the start of his sophomore year.

Horton’s family accepted the diploma in his honor.

His loved ones found some long-awaited closure last week when gunman Frederick Seymore, 25, was convicted for Horton’s murder at the conclusion of a four-day trial in Edgard.

A jury found Seymore guilty as charged for second-degree murder June 27 after approximately four hours of deliberation.

Sentencing was set for September 3, according to the St. John Clerk of Court.

When 15-year-old tennis sensation Cori “Coco” Gauff defeated Venus Williams at Wimbledon, it sent shock waves throughout the world.

Those waves reached all the way to St. John the Baptist Parish.

Coco, the daughter of

Coco Gauff is seen after her win against Venus Williams.

Corey and Candi Gauff, has deep ties in the

area.

Melvin Gauff of Reserve is her grandfather. Lucien Gauff III, the St. John Parish assessor, is her cousin.

She also has dozens of aunts, uncles and cousins who still call the River Parishes and the New Orleans area home.

None of them were able to fly across the ocean to watch young Coco make her Wimbledon debut, becoming the youngest player ever to qualify for the event in the Open era.

But they sure were there in spirit as she took on her idol, Venus Williams, in a first round match – and stunned the world with her win.

Coco continued her incredible run Wednesday by dispatching former semifinalist Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3, 6-3, booking a spot in the third round of the Wimbledon tournament After 42 years as a coach, 38 of those spent at West St. John High School, Lester Smith has decided he’s finally done enough.

“I just decided to pass the torch,” Smith said.

“I just decided I need to try and do something else.”

That doesn’t mean Smith, who will turn 74 in December, is con-

“I decided to take my Superman outfit off,” said Lester Smith pictured above. “It was a hard decision to leave the girls this year. templating a career change. He still will teach physical education as he has always done. He also will continue his side gigs of umpiring baseball and refereeing football and basketball. He also will help with his brother’s t-shirt shop.

But, he said he’s ready to walk away from the West St. John basketball courts, which have served as his second home for decades. He gave up coaching football a few years ago, but still does the team statistics.

Parish President Natalie Robottom expressed gratitude to the residents who helped neighbors and heeded storm warnings, as well as the St. John Parish employees who worked through the weekend to keep the public safe.

“We’re grateful that we

didn’t get what was projected,” Robottom said. “[Hurricane] Barry did give us an opportunity though to do a trial run.

Some of our employees are new to the role, so it was a good first chance for them to get their feet wet. I think we’re ready. We’re confident that we can control the things that we control.”

Recent East St. John High School honors graduate Jayla Tassin’s family vacation to a Florida beach changed to a battle for her life in the ICU. According to her loved ones, Jayla was in the water when she walked across a hole, causing her to sink. A wave crashed over her at the same time and pushed her underwater.

“It happened quietly, and no one even saw,” said Benny Tassin, Jayla’s father.

“We were all right there in the water with her.

Jayla, an excellent swimmer, must have panicked and lost all of her ability to fight her way to the top of the water.”

Jayla, who had been in the ICU in a Florida hospital on life support, passed away days later.

In a press release from St. John the Baptist Parish, “loving, beautiful, kind, warm spirited” are just some of the adjectives used to

describe Jayla. She has left her mark on our community and St. John the Baptist Parish will always be Jayla’s home. She will never be forgotten.”

Detectives with the St. John Sheriff’s Office are investigating a double homicide after the body of two males, identified as Kerell Tyrez Sanders, 18, and Kyron Perrilloux, 20, both of Reserve, were found just after midnight inside a vehicle that crashed into a ditch at W. Airline Highway and East 22nd Street in Reserve.

Both victims had been shot.

Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019.

The church was established on July 2, 1979,

by Archbishop Hannan, and its founding pastor was Rev. Benjamin Piovan. The original congregation had been parishioners of St. Joan of Arc. It took several years for the building that currently stands at 1900 Greenwood Drive in LaPlace to become a reality.

August

July

Arrest made in the murder of two cousins; Frosttop celebrates 61 years

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he second suspect has been arrested in the shooting death of cousins Kerell Sanders, 18, and Kyron Perrilloux, 20, both of Reserve, on July 30.

Kelvin Timothy Taylor, 31, of LaPlace, turned himself into police at about 9 p.m.

Monday. He was booked with two counts of sec-

August 3 anniversary celebration to commemorate 61 years on Highway 61.

The family owned business is located at 411 E. Airline Highway.

Visible to motorists by its iconic spinning mug, LaPlace Frostop was built by Morris Terry in 1958.

Indigo Angel of “DJ Scotty” Forsythe performs at the LaPlace Frosttop anniversary celebration.

ond degree murder.

Theron J. Williams, 25, of New Orleans, the first suspect in the investigation, was booked with two counts of second-degree murder on August 1.

Frostop, the longestsurviving restaurant in LaPlace, hosted an

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LaPlace was 30 years old when her husband surprised her with a sewing machine as a birthday gift, not realizing it would propel her to discover one of her true talents.

Lessons and plenty of practice led her to design custom clothing,

participate in fashion shows, open a boutique in Baton Rouge and give back to the next generation with sewing classes.

Indigo’s journey has now carried over to St. John the Baptist Parish with the recent opening of Sew Excited Sewing Academy at 944 Cambridge Drive, Suite D in LaPlace.

Adults and children ages 8 and up are invited to release their inner designer through individual and group classes that cater to all experience levels from beginner to advanced While most 2019 high school graduates are shopping for dorm supplies and preparing to head off to college, Nick Lorio is hoping to extend his summer as long as he can.

The former St. Charles Catholic Comet and Delgado-bound freshman is a pitcher/ outfielder for the Pedal Valves Cardinals, who are headed to the American Legion World Series in Shelby,

Pedal Valves Cardinals headed to the American Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C. N.C. The team, based out of Destrehan pulls players from around the New Orleans Metropolitan area, clinched its spot Sunday with a 4-2 victory over Tupelo, Miss., in the Southeast Regional.

Monica Morrison, the new River Parishes Community College Reserve Campus Director, looks forward to fostering industry em-

Monica Morrison

ployability readiness within students while breaking barriers to continuing education.

Morrison is taking the place of departing Reserve Campus Director Penelope Shumaker, who will oversee a new St. Charles Parish RPCC campus expected to open in 2020.

To most of the East St. John baseball players, Wendell Henderson is just “Coach,” the guy who makes them work and sweat and who yells at them when they miss the cut-off man. To them, he’s just that retired plant worker who volunteers his time to coach the

baseball team. Most of them don’t even realize that, every day, they are in the presence of a legend.

Henderson, who has had the nickname of “Brick” since he was a toddler, was inducted into the Grambling State University Legends Hall of Fame on July 13, joining more than 130 other athletes and contributors in the Eddie Robinson Museum. He has been on the ballot for the past few years but finally got the needed votes to be enshrined.

When the Little League team from Louisiana posted the final out on its 9-5 win over Hawaii on Saturday to win the Little League World Series, and then its 8-0 win over Curacao on Sunday to win the International Little League World Series, they were celebrated as the team from River Ridge.

But the team has some strong ties to the River Parishes.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020

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United Front Transportation wins award; Fairfield Inn & Suites opens

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hen United Front Transportation Services got its start in St. John the Baptist Parish in 2017, business owners Dayna James and Shaun Adams never anticipated they would receive a Louisiana Ambassador Award from the lieutenant governor.

globe and transporting locals and visitors alike to the region’s unique restaurants and plantation tours.

The ladies were invited to the annual Tourism Summit Luncheon in Baton Rouge, where they received a Louisiana Ambassador Award trophy from Lieutenant Governor Dayna James and Shaun Adams received the Louisiana Ambassador Award from the lieutenant governor.

James and Adams saw a door open to the exciting world of tourism. The ladies have advocated for economic growth in the River Parishes one ride at a time by shuttling travel writers from across the

Billy Nungesser.

Buddy Boe of the River Parishes Tourist Commission nominated United Front Transportation Services for the prestigious award after working closely with the ladies in travel

tours.

The opening of Fairfield Inn & Suites LaPlace was celebrated with a ribbon cutting last week, united by the hope that the new hotel will spur further economic growth along the Belle Terre corridor.

Located at 944 Belle Terre Boulevard, Fair Field Inn & Suites is impossible to miss. It is owned and operated by family-owned company SMC Hotels under the

to LaPlace, saying it’s good to have a new neighbor in St. John Parish. “ As far as St. Charles Catholic football coach Frank Monica was concerned, the Comets’ 31-3 win over South Lafourche was just another win.

Then Monica found out it was a little more than just another win.

It was Monica’s 267th victory, and it made him the winningest

Fairfield Inn & Suites LaPlace was celebrated with a ribbon cutting. leadership of Harrison and Delton Smith.

Sheriff Mike Tregre welcomed the owners

coach in River Parishes football history, pushing him past his own former player and

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Parish jury convicted Juan Ramos of attempted manslaughter for his involvement in the 2018 machete attack that nearly claimed the life of a 47-year-old man.

The verdict was announced Thursday at the conclusion of a three-day trial, according to the St. John Parish District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors elicited testimony that on Aug. 6, 2018, Ramos brutally attacked Bryan Guillot of Montz. While Guillot was inside a LaPlace residence, talking to several persons, Ramos entered the trailerhome armed with a machete.

Evidence showed that Ramos immediately began to hack and slash at Guillot.

October

September ore than 370 employees were without a job following the mass layoff at Bayou Steel Group in LaPlace. The steel mill was scheduled to officially shut down on Nov. 30, Parish President Natalie Robottom said.

It was a devastating outcome for St. John the Baptist Parish families and the greater community.

Bayou Steel was the No. 4 employer of St. John the Baptist Parish residents in 2018 and a major contributor to the tax roll, with 400 employees accounting for 2 percent of the local working population.

Planet Fitness is officially open in LaPlace.Located inside of the Riverlands Shopping Center, Planet Fitness is now open and staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Over the summer, East St. John High School student A’Kyri Paulding was chosen to train as a teller at the Total Choice Federal Credit Union branch in LaPlace. The expertise she gained will help her work as a head teller at the new Total Choice Federal Credit

mentee, Tim Detillier.

There’s a new spot in town to find hot donuts and a full range of breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Citylicious Donuts Café opened in September at 143 Belle Terre Blvd. in LaPlace inside the building that once housed KFC and Krystal.

SCC’s football game against E.D. White was a special milestone for the St. Charles Catholic Comets, coinciding with the blessing and dedication of the new $540,000 Thomas J. Dupuy Stadium.

SCC’s original stadium was part of the last remaining remnants of the upper deck of the famous Tulane/ Sugar Bowl stadium, according to St. Charles Catholic Advisory board president Louis Authement.

A St. John the Baptist

Bayou Steel closes; Local elections held Union Wildcats branch on her school’s campus.

Aimed to increase financial literacy skills among students ages 14 to 18, the East St. John branch celebrated its soft opening with a ribbon cutting.

Laborde has been named head coach of the Riverside Academy baseball team, taking the place of Ashton Perret, who served as a first year head coach for the 2019 season.

Perret recently resigned to pursue a public school position.

Laborde, an assistant football coach at Riverside Academy, hasn’t coached high school baseball since 2008.

Heather Roussel was crowned 2019 Andouille Queen at the Andouille Festival Pageant at the St. John Theatre in Reserve.

Teen Andouille Queen Mallory Waguespack was also crowned the same night in Reserve during the “Under the Big Top” circus themed extravaganza. Waguespack was also awarded the People’s Choice and Fashion awards during the Andouille Festival Pageant.

Andrea Tullos said

it felt like serendipity when she found out St. John the Baptist Parish was in search of a new library director.

Tullos, a St. Charles Parish native and St. Charles Catholic alumna, lived in North Carolina, where she was the assistant director for the Orange County Library System since 2002.

She soon learned there was a position open that would allow her to continue servicing the community in library services.

Tullos officially accepted the St. John the Baptist Parish Library Director position. Her first day of work was Monday, Nov. 25.

A new café in Wallace is serving beignets and coffee with a side of local history. Jo and Joy Banner found a love for St. John the Baptist Parish culture through a series of Creole stories passed down by their grandmother, Grace Populus. One of those stories involved the legend of the Fifolet (pronouced Fee-FoLay), a mysterious creature that has taken different forms in Creole and Acadian storytelling.

In October 2019, the

Banner sisters celebrated the grand opening of the new Fee-Fo-Lay Cafe at 5593 Highway 18 in Wallace, half a mile from the Veterans Memorial Bridge. In addition to providing a much-needed refreshment stop on the West Bank of St. John, Fee-Fo-Lay Cafe celebrates a history that isn’t being shared anywhere else.

A significantly different leadership team will be at the helm of St. John the Baptist Parish for the next four years follow-

St. John Parish residents were loud and clear about their choice for Parish President, electing Jaclyn Hotard by a landslide 68 percent in a race that included five candidates.

Incumbents losing their seats in this electionwere Councilman At-Large Division A, Larry Sorapuru and District 2 Councilwoman, Julia Remondet.

Parish Council members elected included Lennix “Tweet” Madere for At-Large Division A, Warren J. “Bosco” Torres Jr. for District 2, Tammy Houston for District 3, Robert J. Arcuri for District 5 and Tonia Schnyder for District 6.

Without any vote-getters receiving the 50 percent threshold, Parish Councilman At-Large Division B (Michael P. Wright and Marvin “Butch” Perrilloux) Jo and Joy Banner and Parish Council District 4 (Tyra ing the Oct. 12 election, Duhé-Griffin and which retained the inFrank Alexis Jr.) cumbent sheriff and headed for run-offs in clerk of court but the November election. named a new Parish The Inaugural AlumPresident and several ni Tailgate brought new Parish Council an impressive 792 members. classmates home

to East St. John, raising approximately $20,000 from $25 entry fees. In 2018, more than 1,000 alumni participated.

A rainout game didn’t stop the 2019 tailgate on Oct. 11, attended by more than 1,700 alumni representing 50 graduation classes. At least $43,000 was raised through pre-purchased tickets.

Proceeds will be used to fund numerous scholarships for students graduating in May, according to Carter. More than $20,000 in scholarships were awarded to 2019 graduates using last year’s tailgate proceeds.

The Vicknair Family, originally from Reserve, ended a spectacular five-episode appearance on Family Feud with $42,345 and a 2020 Jeep Cherokee Latitude.

Vicknair sisters Angela Melancon Solomon (oldest), Cindy DeLacerda (middle) and Karen Richoux (youngest) were on the show, along with two of Angela’s daughters Anne Stubbs and Abby Link.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020

East St John on lockdown; Local pastors feed thousands; Run off elections commence

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n open stapler wrapped in a bandana was cause for concern at East St. John High School, leading to a gun scare, a two-hour school lockdown and a student being arrested for terrorizing.

The school was put on lockdown shortly after a student reported seeing a possible firearm in another student’s possession. Students reported hearing Principal Christopher Mayes come onto the intercom and announce that the lockdown was not a drill.

Hundreds of reenactors dressed in 19th Century clothing led a procession along the Mississippi River. Many were on horseback, flags flying behind them as they sang about marching to New Orleans to obtain their freedom.

The Slave Rebellion Reenactment has been in the works since 2013, according to visual artist Dread Scott. The large-scale performance is a reimagining of the 1811 German Coast Uprising that started at Woodland/ Andry Plantation in LaPlace and became known as the largest slave revolt in United States history.

Scott envisioned and organized the performance piece, which was documented by filmmaker John Akomfrah. New Orleans arts organization Antenna produced the reenactment with support from community organizations.

The Inaugural St. John Pastor’s Coalition Thanksgiving Celebration fed more than 2,000 people and blessed 1,000 families with Thanksgiving

turkeys.

The overwhelming success of the event prompted the 26 pastors to join forces and feed the masses once again.

The Second Annual Thanksgiving Celebration took place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24 at New Wine Christian Fellowship on the East Bank and at West St. John Elementary on the West Bank.

All in need of a holiday blessing were invited to join the St. John Parish pastors for a hearty sit-down meal.

The tables were set for 2,000 guests on the East Bank and 300 guests on the West Bank, according to Pastor Neil Bernard of New Wine Christian Fellowship.

Every vote counted Saturday Nov. 16 in the race for Parish Councilman-At-Large Division B. After polls closed, Michael P.

Wright (No party) was elected to the position by a margin of Wright 45 votes.

Wright earned just over 50 percent of the turnout with 3,950 votes, while his opponent, Marvin “Butch” Perrilloux Jr. (Democrat), earned 3,905 votes. As the new Councilman for At-Large Division B, he will fill the role previously held

by Parish PresidentElect Jaclyn Hotard.

Also elected Nov. 16 was new DuheDistrict 4 CouncilGriffin woman Tyra Duhé-Griffin

November

(Democrat) with 66 percent of the vote.

Duhé-Griffin earned 1,107 votes across nine precincts. Her opponent, Frank Alexis Jr. (Democrat), earned 582 votes for 34 percent of the turnout.

Duhé-Griffin will represent residents in LaPlace Park, Sugar Ridge, Foxwood, the Grove and other areas of LaPlace that were previously represented

by Marvin “Butch” Perrilloux Jr. East St. John earned a share of the District championship. The first round of playoffs was a Friday night thriller. East St. John, ranked No. 24, pulled out a 34-30 win against Central High of Baton Rouge.

The Wildcats lost in the second round of playoffs, 45-24, against Airline.

Sean Shelby was an

offensive standout this season. He rushed for 1,633 yards and collected 19 touchdowns.

Only 56 teams made it through to still be in the playoffs at Thanksgiving, and that number included local teams St. Charles Catholic and West St. John High.

The Comets (9-1), the No. 3 seed, hosted No. 7 Catholic High of New Iberia (7-3) in the Division III quarterfinal playoff game at Thomas J. Dupuy Memorial Stadium.

Class 1A No. 1 seed West St. John (6-3) hosted No. 8 seed Logansport (6-5) in a quarterfinal round game played at Rudy Dinvaut Stadium in Edgard.

For the Rams, the goal was simple – to win the next two games and get to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Dec. 14.

December

Whitney celebrates five years; RA Sweethearts shine; Traffic light installed

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aturday, Dec. 7, Whitney Plantation marked its fifth year anniversary with a free day of fellowship, music and cuisine. This was a momentous occasion for the staff at Whitney Plantation, according to marketing director Dr. Joy Banner. As the only plantation in the region with an exclusive focus on the lives of the formerlyenslaved, many felt the odds were against Whitney Plantation’s success.

It opened in Wallace in 2014, surrounded by a dozens of others plantations that focused on the grandeur of the Big House and the wealthy lifestyles of the owners.

Since its opening, the museum’s visitation has grown from just under 35,000 in its first year to almost 100,000

projected by the end of 2019, Pride and spirit shined through in every performance by the Riverside Academy Southern Sweethearts Dance team at December’s LHSAA Spirit Dance Competition, held at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner.

The girls exited the competition with a trophy that designated them the Division 3 state champs in Spirit, according to Southern Sweethearts captain Madison Tassin.

Jan. 23, 2020 will mark the one-year anniversary of Toneka Walker’s tragic death and led to major safety upgrade in December 2019.

Walker, a teacher at West St. John High School, was driving to work with her 14-yearold daughter when she turned on Highway

3127 and was struck on the driver’s side by a dump truck.

She sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene, while her daughter sustained moderate injuries.

This was only one of many tragic stories that prompted a safety upgrade for the intersection of Highway 3127 and Highway 3213, a corridor that has been plagued by years of collisions and fatalities.

Walker’s daughter and several of her extended family members were present as a new signalized traffic light was turned on for motorists traveling the road.

The St. John School Board held a special meeting to approve Louisiana Premier Charter School as a Type 1 charter at the LifeHouse campus in

Reserve, the former site of Reserve Christian School.

The charter school is progressing toward an August 2020 opening as a Type 1 to operate under the oversight of St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools.

Cory Butler, director of child welfare and attendance, will lead St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools forward as Interim Superintendent.

He is filling the role previously held by Heidi Trosclair, who assumed the role of interim superintendent in June. At the time she was appointed, the School Board hoped to have a permanent superintendent in place by the end of the calendar year. However, that superintendent search process has since been extended.

Trosclair exited the

position on Dec. 20, which marked Butler’s first official day as interim superintendent.

He will lead the school system through June 30, 2020, or until a permanent superintendent is named.

Fourth and fifth graders in the Riverside Academy Elementary Beta Club learned the importance of giving as they distributed blankets to the residents of Chateau St. James Rehab and Retirement Home in Lutcher.

The annual blanket drive is a schoolwide effort that aims to increase Christmas cheer, according to Beta sponsor Molly Duhe.

This year, 29 children in the club collected a total of 132 blankets. All

blankets were personally delivered to residents of the home on Dec. 12.

This year’s Blood, Sweat and Bonfire burning creation was a gigantic alligator stretching more than 60 feet long.

Josh Weidert placed finishing touches on a 10-foot long alligator head that was soon attached to a 23-foot long body and a winding tail that measured approximately 35 feet in length. The public was welcomed to view and enjoy the bonfire on top of the levee near South Church Street in Garyville.

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