The St. Tammany Farmer 09-17-2025

Council OKs North Shore Square purchase

City will issue $27.6M in bonds to buy old mall

BY KIM CHATELAIN

narrowly adopted a resolution on Sept. 9 supporting the issuance of $27.6 million in revenue bonds for the city to purchase the mostly shuttered North Shore Square Mall. The council’s 4-3 vote on the controversial issue followed a heated public hearing during which opponents urged the city to pump the brakes on buying the 621,000-square-foot mall at Interstate 12 and Northshore Bou-

levard. Council members Trey Brownfield, Leslie Denham and David Dunham voted no. Most of those in the council chamber audience appeared opposed to the resolution, which marks the latest step in the city’s long-discussed plan to buy and redevelop the mall site. While the

use of the property is yet to be determined, a public/private partnership has been discussed. Even with the council’s approval, the state Bond Commission still must approve the issuance of any bonds.

Speaking in favor of the resolution, council member Nick DiSanti said its passage does not mean that the city is committed to purchasing the mall; rather it simply represents the city’s efforts to “explore the possibility.”

BY SHEILA GRISSETT Staff writer

The Hickory Creek Ranch in Pearl River — home to the only Clydesdale hitch team in the southern United States — hosted a TNT Wild West Show on Sept 6 that pulled in families and other fans of cowboys, cowgirls and all their wizardry, from trick roping and riding, to barrel and chuck wagon racing and even a staged barroom fight. This first Western show at the ranch is a big step in owner Clay Harper’s expansion plan to develop a small village of Western-style buildings for special events.

He already converted a paddock at the Milton Craddock Road ranch into a rodeo arena and installed the bleachers, as well building as a new traditional style barn for the big horses. Harper said the expansion will also provide a way for more members of the public to get a look at

and even to meet — his six magnificent

Among the opponents to address the council was Police Chief Randy Fandal, who is a candidate for mayor in the Oct. 11 election. His lone opponent, Mayor Bill Borchert, has pushed for the mall purchase but did not speak on the issue during the meeting.

Five-story garage to include offices, helipad and sky bridge

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

An overflow crowd packed the Covington City Council chambers on Sept 9 as the board voted 6-1 to allow St. Tammany Parish Health System to build a five-story parking garage that has been the subject of complaints by the neighborhood’s residents for months.

Former Covington mayors Keith Villere and Candace Watkins were among residents who have voiced concerns about the location of St. Tammany Health System’s planned garage at the busy intersection of 11th Avenue and Tyler Street. The garage would have more than 400 parking spots, medical offices, a helipad and a sky bridge connecting to the hospital.

Emily Claire Soileau, the 2024-25 St. Tammany Parish Fair Queen, greets some other stars of the parish fair in Covington. PROVIDED PHOTO

BY JESSICA SAGGIO Contributing writer

a diddly dum.” It was a family tradition to participate in the fair each year, and that was the year Baham, then Morgan, threw her name in the ring for a chance to become St. Tammany Parish Fair royalty She, along with her best gal pals, strutted their stuff in an evening gowns, answered interview questions and performed a talent for the panel of judges.

Phantom checks out the burger that belongs to James Livingston. When you are part of a team that gobbles down about 1,350 pounds of feed each week, you are always interested in what the guy next to you is eating

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The hospital has said the garage was the result of years of study and that it would reduce helicopter transfer time and improve parking safety after two traffic accidents involving hospital staff in recent years. The hospital has said the garage won’t generate additional traffic. The garage had already won approval from the City Council in March under the condition that the hospital agree to construct a right-turn lane on Tyler Street But in response to residents’ concerns, the hospital filed an amended application in May that added additional signage and moved the location of the sky bridge from the fourth floor to the third floor After the amended application was approved by the Covington Planning and Zoning Commission in July, Covington resident Carolyn Chassee appealed it to the council.

Differing interpretations

The debate on Sept. 9 centered on a traffic study commissioned by the hospital, as well as on the garage’s height, footprint and location. The council chambers, which hold 131 people, were full

“This is not about opposing hospital expansion,” Rick Schroeder, an attorney representing Chassee, said during the meeting, which ran for around three hours.

“It’s about a traffic impact study.” Schroeder argued the traffic study did not meet Covington’s code or national standards and appeared to be inaccurately dated. He also argued that the garage lacked a required variance for its height and said that the garage’s setbacks from the street did not meet Covington’s code.

“I think it is fair to say I respectfully disagree with nearly all of the comments made by esteemed counsel Schroeder this evening,” replied the hospital’s lawyer Jeff Schoen.

“We know how to do a traffic study We do them all day long,” said Lawrence Lambert, an engineer with Vectura Consulting Services, which conducted the traffic study The report did have a mistaken date on it, he said, but added that the study was in fact conducted on the correct day

As for the questions raised about whether the garage meets Covington’s code, Alex Carter, a planning consultant for the city, noted the challenges associated with interpreting the city’s code, but said, “Based on these interpretations, it meets the code as it’s written today.”

Some council members also noted that some aspects of the hospital’s application to build the garage had already been approved

“I think we have to recognize the fact it’s a fact there is

a traffic problem on Highway 21. There’s also a traffic problem throughout St. Tammany Parish.

Right? This parking garage is not bringing a newfound traffic issue to our parish,” said Council member Mark Verret.

And while Schroeder argued the hospital had picked the wrong spot for the garage, City Council member John Botsford questioned whether other locations, such as further south on Tyler Street, would be any better

“Every location has its own challenges,” Botsford said While Tyler Street itself is a state road and under the purview of the Department of Transportation and Development, Botsford said the city plans to conduct its own traffic study of the area, which he said could lead to improvements on surrounding streets.

Verret and Botsford, along with Peter Lewis, Joey Roberts, Todd Burrall and Blake Bushnell, voted in favor of the garage.

Council member Jimmy Inman voted against it. Inman had voted against the garage when it last appeared in front of the council.

“Last night was devastating,” Chassee, who lives three blocks from the site, said in an interview a day after the council meeting. She said she planned to meet with other residents to decide on their next steps.

jhalm@sttammanyfarmer.net

PAGEANT

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She didn’t get the queen’s crown, but she did get a special experience, and her memories are still vivid.

“It was just a really fun time. All of us girls were all excited and all dressed up. I had on a pink chiffon dress, there were big full dresses back then, and it was so full and bouncy,” she reminisced. “It was just wonderful.”

Baham is one of many who have experienced the glitz and glam of competing in the St. Tammany Parish Fair pageant over the years. From the first-ever recorded winner, Hazel Dickson in 1925, to Erica Schwarz, who was first runner-up in the Miss America Pageant in 1996, to the most recent winner, Emily Soileau, the fair pageant has been making memories for a century And as the pageant marks its milestone anniversary it remains what some consider a pillar of the community, a cherished tradition and an important piece of marketing for the area. And although the pageant has changed quite a bit from its emergence in 1925, it remains an important part of the fair for many people to this day

Traditions evolve

Nowadays, the St. Tammany Parish Fair queen isn’t just a pretty face, she’s becomes the face of the community and the fair itself, explained Pageant Director Melissa Dottolo. The queen travels all around the state during her reign, making appearances and showing off what St. Tammany and its fair has to offer

This year’s pageant will take place Sept. 20 at the Fuhrmann Auditorium in Covington. It will include a baby pageant for ages 1 day to 23 months at 9:30 a.m.; the children’s pageant for ages 2 to 11 years starts at 12:30 p.m.; the Junior and Fair Princess pageant, for ages 12-16; and the pageant, ages 17-23, at 4 p.m.

A panel of three judges who live outside the parish will crown winners in all categories. For the babies and children’s pageants, judges will look for the best themed “fair” outfit, personality and poise. Children in these competitions can be escorted by a parent.

For the junior pageant, contestants must introduce themselves and model an evening gown. Fair contestants must go through a 7-minute interview, present a commercial for the fair and model an evening gown Judges will look for candidates who have a love and knowledge for the fair among other qualities.

“Contestants are scored on poise, personality, facial and overall impression,” the fair’s website states.

The pageant crowns a winner but also hands out awards for Prettiest Hair, Prettiest Eyes, Prettiest Smile, Best Fashion, Photogenic and Congeniality. Scholarships are given to the overall winners. The St. Tammany Parish Fair queen must then accept her crown, agree to attend at least 12 events during the year and sign a behavior contract And it is not a

beauty contest, emphasized Soileau.

“It’s not just a girl going around and wearing a pretty crown. It’s a girl that needs to embody class and grace and poise and speak about the fair,” said Soileau, 18, now a Ouachita Baptist University student Pageant ties

The fair pageant has had its up and downs over the years, navigating hurricanes, economic downturns, war and a global pandemic, and more. It has also made changes, both small and large. In the 1990s, for example, the pageant moved away from the Miss America system, which is why events like the swimsuit and talent competitions are no longer part of the pageant. Now, the winner of the pageant goes on to compete for the title of Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen, a statewide honor

Hailey Graves, now 21, was the first queen crowned after both COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida shut down the fair for three consecutive years. Graves said she had wanted to compete in the pageant but couldn’t because of the cancellations After winning the Fair Princess mantle before the shutdown, the pageant title was always a goal of hers, but Graves wouldn’t be able to compete in the pageant again until she was a senior in high school.

Once named queen, Graves said she had her work cut out for her, rekindling connections for the fair across the state after the long hiatus.

“It was honestly such an honor,” said Graves, now a junior at McNeese State University “ It was nice to be able to make those connections and let people know what St. Tammany Parish, our fair and our organization is about.”

But today the pageant is fully back on track and a new queen will soon be chosen.

And for the young ladies on the fence about competing, Graves had one piece of advice:

“Just go for it,” she said. “It’s the experience of a lifetime.”

And as for those like Baham, who is now in her 70s, she can attest it’s truly unforgettable.

Slidell cracking down on pop-up vendors

BY KIM CHATELAIN Contributing writer

The Slidell City Council has tightened regulations on outdoor pop-up vendor shop events such as those staged in parking lots of strip centers.

The council on Sept. 9 voted unanimously to amend the city ordinance that regulates the temporary shopping events to address complaints from owners of local brick-and-mortar businesses.

The business owners whose parking lots are staging areas for the pop-up shops claimed that tents set up for the events are at

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“What concerns me is there has been no transparency in this,” Fandal said. No one I’ve talked to knows what the plan is.”

Slidell resident Louise Mace was more succinct.

“This sucks,” she said. “Why the big hurry to hurry up and develop North Shore Mall?”

Other opponents lamented the tax hike the mall’s purchase would trigger

The money to cover any purchase would come from a special tax on purchases made inside the recently expanded Northshore Square Economic Development District. The district’s officers recently approved a 1% sales tax on purchases made at stores inside the district and a 2% tax hotel occupancy tax in the district. Those new taxes begin Oct 1 and will run through September 2075.

Rick Franzo, a Slidell resident and president of the Concerned Citizens of St. Tamma-

times erected haphazardly, making it difficult for customers to park and gain access to their stores. Earlier this year, the issue came to a head at a City Council meeting Several owners of brick-and-mortar businesses asked the government to crack down on the pop-ups. Those who stage the events said eliminating or overregulating them would crush entrepreneurial efforts.

In May, the council imposed a 120-day moratorium on the events so that regulations could be refined.

Under the amended ordinance, anyone wanting to

ny group, urged the council to “slow the process down” while lamenting the 1% tax increase. With the increase, the sales tax rate would be 10.63% inside that economic development district.

Internet comments that the increase would make Slidell’s sales tax the highest in the country have been debunked, but Franzo said the taxation issue is still relevant.

“People are leaving because our taxes are crazy for what we get in return,” he said.

“We need to think about that.”

Each of the eight speakers drew an ovation from the audience after expressing their opposition. At times, the crowd shouted over comments by DiSanti, who chairs the council.

Brownfield complained that many questions about the mall’s purchase remain.

“I’m voting with the people tonight,” he said “This is rushed, and as far as I’m concerned, I’m out.”

DiSanti stressed that the resolution does not tie the city to the purchase. However, he said there is a time element involved because the mall’s

participate in a pop up event must apply for a city permit at least 30 days prior to the event. A site plan that

owner, the Canadian company Morguard, is in negotiations with another buyer

The other buyer is eyeing only a portion of the mall, which could lead to a “fragmentation” of the site and an unappealing fate like what happened to the city’s former outlet mall, he said DiSanti added that the $27.6 million bond issuance should not be construed as the sale price of the mall, which is still under negotiation.

“It is only what is determined to be (the amount) supported by revenue that would be created by that (North Shore Economic Development) district,” he said DiSanti said he believes the future of the Northshore Boulevard business corridor is bright and asked opponents to trust decision makers rather than buy into the any unsubstantiated narrative.

“Everyone who somehow thinks we’re getting rich off of this deal, that there’s all these side deals happening that are somehow supplementing the income that we make, you are absolutely wrong,” he said

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Early municipal voting starts Sept. 27

Staff report

Early voting for the Oct. 11 municipal parochial primary will begin on Saturday, Sept. 27, and end on Saturday, Oct. 4 Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through the early voting period, and closed on Sunday

The Covington office is located at 601 N. Jefferson Ave., and the Slidell Office is at 520 Old Spanish Trail in the conference area on the ground floor The Mandeville early voting location will not open for this election cycle

Identification is required to vote. If additional information is needed, call (985) 809-5500 or (985) 6464125.

Mayoral forum takes place in Slidell

Slidell mayoral candidates will meet again to answer questions from voters on Sept. 26 during the next regular meeting of the Widows’ Social Club of Slidell. The

Abita Springs Mayor Curtis avoids jail time

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

A state judge has agreed not to send Abita Springs Mayor Dan Curtis to jail after Curtis’ lawyers raised concerns about Curtis’ upcoming back surgery On Sept. 8, Judge William Burris of the 22nd Judicial District had ordered Curtis to spend weekends in jail in a ruling stemming from a long-running dispute between the town of Abita Springs and a developer who wants to build a new subdivision.

But Burris granted a request from Curtis to place a stay on his order after Curtis’ lawyers raised concerns about Curtis’ medical condition, Curtis’ lawyer Andrew Wilson said Sept. 11. Curtis is suffering from “severe spinal degeneration,” and plans to undergo spinal fusion surgery later this month, his lawyers said citing an affidavit from Curtis’ doctor Sending him to jail at this juncture could cause “irreparable injury,” they argued in court filings. Curtis’ lawyer noted that Curtis also plans to appeal Burris’ order and will request a hold on the incarceration order during that time. Burris had ordered Curtis to spend every weekend in jail, starting last week, after finding that the mayor was not working toward complying with a court order that he allow a 390-home development on 168 acres outside Abita Springs to proceed.

“When the mayor has come into good faith compliance, he can stop reporting every single weekend to the St. Tammany Parish Jail,” Burris said Sept. 8.

The yearslong legal case dates back to 2018, when Lonesome Development LLC made an agreement with Abita Springs to build the new subdivision, known as Abita Meadows. The following year, the town accused Lonesome of breaching the development agreement and said it could not proceed.

The developer sued and Burris and the state’s 1st Circuit Court of Appeal sided with Lonesome Development.

“What the Mayor fails to appreciate is that he already holds the key to this jail cell, needing only to purge his contempt,” the developer’s lawyer’s wrote in their filings opposing the stay They wrote that the “mayor’s medical condition” is not a “shield to perpetuate his continued contempt while Lonesome suffers.”

Last year, Burris ordered Curtis

10 a.m. meeting will be held in the John Wesley Center at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 360 Robert Blvd. The forum featuring Mayor Bill Borchert and Police Chief Randy Fandal will begin with a coin toss to determine which candidate speaks first. Each will be given 10 minutes to make remarks, then the two will take questions from the floor. There will be a time limit on their responses. All widows are welcome to attend. Call Cindy Alberts with questions at (985) 707-7676.

Riecke Retention Pond work to begin

Ground was officially broken Sept 5 on the Riecke Retention Pond plan, signaling the start of a new stormwater management project designed to help protect the Pontchartrain Drive corridor from future flooding.

Located just off Pontchartrain Drive at the site of the old Tammany Mall, the one-acre retention

pond will offer approximately 1.4 million gallons of stormwater storage. Hartman Engineering, Inc. is leading the design phase, which includes a comprehensive hydraulic analysis of the upper Pontchartrain Drive drainage corridor Construction should begin this fall and the project completed by 2026. This initiative builds on the city’s ongoing efforts to upgrade drainage systems in Slidell. Once completed, the Riecke Retention Pond will join a network of retention ponds and pump stations that work in tandem to help manage heavy rainfall events across Slidell. For more information on city events and issues, visit MySlidell. com and follow the “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook and Instagram.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful grants awarded

Almost $175,000 in Keep Louisiana Beautiful grants have been

awarded to 20 organizations in 17 parishes for projects that will reduce litter and waste, help educate residents, increase recycling and/or strengthen litter enforcement. Locally, the 2025-2026 Healthy Communities Grant recipients included: n Keep Abita Beautiful to expand recycling options in Abita Springs with mega bin stations at the Abita Trailhead Park, the Community Garden, Town Hall and at the Recreation Center n The St. Tammany Parish Government will use its grant to implement the “Keep St. Tammany Beautiful Youth Clean-Up Initiative,” which will feature quarterly cleanup days for children aged 12 and older

“Thanks to the hard work of our grant recipients, communities throughout the state are experiencing a reduction in litter, improved recycling, and increased public awareness around the issues of litter and waste. Let’s

keep up the momentum and continue to prioritize keeping Louisiana beautiful,” said Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell. Organizations are awarded up to $10,000 in reimbursement grant funds. In 2025, KLB awarded $1.12 million in all categories of grants, from the Greener Grounds and Healthy Communities grants to community and university affiliate grants and grants for trash receptacles and surveillance equipments.

During the KLB State Conference Sept. 23-24 at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge, KLB Grants Director Jan Windhorst will lead a session on the state organization’s grant opportunities. Other beautification and community improvement topics are included in the agenda, which can be viewed on the KLB State Conference webpage. Registration for the conference can be completed online, as well.

St. Tammany Parish firefighter Mathew Lato, left, wears his honor guard uniform as he rings a bell during the remembrance of 9/11 held at Heritage Park in Slidell on Sept. 11

Slidell first responders pay respects to the fallen

BY ANDREW CANULETTE Staff writer

St. Tammany Parish Fire Protection District No. 1 and the Slidell Police Department held a memorial prayer service on Sept. 11 to honor the legacy of the nearly 3,000 people, many of them first

responders, who died during terrorist attacks in the northeast U.S. that day in 2001. Nearly 350 firefighters died during rescue efforts following attacks on the twin towers in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, and some 400 have died since then due to diseases or injuries incurred

that fateful day More than 70 police officers died, as well. Another 125 people, both military personnel and civilians, died when another plane crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and 265 flight passengers and crew aboard four hijacked aircraft perished.

The gathering at the 9/11 Memo-

rial at Slidell’s Heritage Park was a somber one, as local police, firefighters, city officials and more paid respects to the fallen. A steel beam from a fallen tower in New York City resides in Slidell’s Heritage Park as part of a permanent memorial to the many lives lost 24 years ago.

Covington lawyer awarded for his work protecting the abused

Covington attorney Richard Ducote was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 30th International Summit on Violence Abuse and Trauma held last month in San Diego. The honor is a culmination of Ducote’s 47 years of service as an attorney who advocates nationwide for abused women and children.

Ducote

It was the fifth time he has received national recognition for his legal work with the abused Those honors include the Alliance for Hope International, an association of domestic violence shelters and child advocacy centers, which presented Ducote with a Purple Ribbon Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year In May 2022, the Battered Mothers Custody Conference presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award “for his courageous work on behalf of battered mothers and their children.”

Also, the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Board honored Ducote with the Judge Richard Ware award in 2015, and in 2012, the National Organization of Forensic Social Work presented him with the Sol Gothard Lifetime Achievement Award. Both Ware and Gothard were prominent Louisiana judges known for their dedication to protecting the most vulnerable among us. In addition to those recognitions, Ducote also has been honored previously by Justice for Children, the American Bar Association, the Jefferson Parish Foster Parent Association, the Baton Rouge Battered Women’s Program, the LSU School of Social Work Alumni Association the National Association of Social Workers, and the California Protective Parents Association

Volunteer’s superpowers help Safe Harbor gala soar

BY LISA VON EBERSTEIN Contributing writer

The St. Tammany Parish social calendar is filled with important events throughout the year We’ve asked organizers to help us highlight people who work behind the scenes to quietly make our most beloved events successful. We’re calling the feature “From Shadows to Spotlight” and letting it be a reminder that not only is one of our area’s biggest events coming up, but also to remind readers the tremendous person one caring person can make in our community Be well!

Andrew Canulette, editor, St. Tammany Farmer

Lori Manville of Covington prefers to work quietly behind the scenes, but for Safe Harbor, she has become a hero in her own right.

Manville started working withorking with the program that assists victims of domestic violence after helping a colleague with the gala four years ago, and she quickly became indispensable, according to the nonprofit’s leadership.

As current board treasurer, Manville has been an invaluable part of the nonprofit agency’s largest annual fundraiser, The Real Superheroes of Safe Harbor Gala.

Her supporters said Manville has championed the cause by handling the finances, coordinating the silent auction and rallying volunteers — a commitment that can take more than 30 hours a month in the lead-up to the event.

“We all dig in and do as much as we can, and I certainly dig in,” Manville said. “Ever since I’ve started, if I do something, I’m gonna do it 100%.” Fundraising is only part of the mission for the gala.

REAL SUPERHEROES OF SAFE HARBOR GALA

WHAT: Gala festivities include live music, performances, dinner, dancing, and live and silent auctions.

WHY: Primary fundraiser for Safe Harbor’s mission to shelter and support victims of domestic violence.

WHEN: Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: The Harbor Center near Slidell. WHAT ELSE: Cocktail attire

Generating cleaner energy forgenerations to come.

requested, and superhero costumes welcomed.

HOW MUCH: General admission tickets are $100 in advance or $125 at the door

MORE: Tickets, sponsorship information and superhero voting online at https://safeharbor northshore.org/real-superheroes-ofsafe-harbor

QUESTIONS: Call Meredith Mendez at (985) 590-2821.

“I also think it’s important for anybody out in the community that is experiencing domestic violence to know that we’re out here,” Manville said. “I think it’s a very isolating experience for people, so it’s important for them to know that people in the community do care and want to help.”

Board president Meredith Mendez said Manville’s passion for Safe Harbor is deserving of the spotlight. “She truly has stood up and done an incredible job organizing the gala and taking over the financials,” Mendez said. “She’s been a bright light on the board.”

Manville spent two decades working for a large media outlet in Atlanta before coming home to do accounting work in Louisiana. Though she laughs about her behind-the-scenes nature and experience, her dedication is evident in every detail of the gala.

Now in its 13th year, the superhero-themed event recognizes community volunteers who are committed to ending domestic violence. The superhero candidate who raises the most money for Safe Harbor will be named the Real Superhero of the Year

“There’s a lot of confidentiality in what we do, so most people that are going to volunteer are doing something more along the lines to help raise money and awareness. But you know what’s great? We have people that come from every walk of life to support us, which I think that speaks volumes,” said Manville. “They want to see the changes in the community They want to help people.”

Gala festivities include live music, performances, dinner, dancing, and live and silent auctions. Each dollar raised helps fund Safe Harbor’s mission to provide shelter and support to survivors of domestic abuse.

St. Tammany School Board adopts $500M budget,

as expected

BY KIM CHATELAIN

Contributing writer

The St Tammany Parish School Board has formally adopted a budget of just over $500 million to run the district during the 2025-26 fiscal year

The spending plan was approved during the full board’s regular meeting on Sept. 11 At a meeting a week earlier, a board committee gave preliminary approval following a report from the district Chief Financial Officer Terri Prevost.

During the committee meeting, Prevost reported that the district had amassed a $16.3 million surplus during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Savings on the district’s health insurance policy and on worker’s compensation

claims along with sales tax collections that were more than $5 million higher than originally budgeted helped create the surplus, she said.

Half of the surplus will be divided equally among the school system’s approximately 5,900 employees. The other half will be earmarked for unexpected expenses that could arise throughout the 2025-26 fiscal year

The new budget allocates about $291 million for employee salaries, $52 million for teacher retirement accounts, nearly $49 million for group insurance for active employees and $26 million for insurance for retired employees

The full board unanimously approved the budget with no discussion as part of its consent agenda

Woman hit co-worker, went to work ‘as if nothing happened,’

Slidell police say

BY BOB WARREN Staff writer

A Mandeville woman is accused of hitting a co-worker with her SUV in the parking lot of their workplace and then leaving the scene, Slidell police said.

Slidell police said Lillian Sellers, 67, has been booked into jail on several counts, including hitand-run causing serious injury and reckless driving, police said in a news release on Sept 9. Paramedics were called to Greenbriar Community Care in Slidell around 11 p.m. Sept. 7 after a woman was reported to have fallen in the parking lot. The victim was brought to an area hospital, but her injuries were consistent with being hit by a vehicle, not a fall, police said.

The hospital then notified police.

Officers viewed surveillance video from Greenbriar’s parking lot that showed the injured woman, an employee, was hit by an SUV “which was backing up recklessly through the parking lot,” police said in the news release

The SUV’s driver identified as

Sellers, who also works at Greenbriar, “briefly exited the vehicle, retrieved a broken piece of the vehicle’s bumper and went to work as if nothing happened,” police said. Sellers only told co-workers that a woman fell in the parking lot and needed assistance, police said.

Police said it does not appear that Sellers hit the woman intentionally But when asked about her actions, Sellers “shrugged” her shoulders and provided no explanation, the police news release said.

Lisa Gardner, a Greenbriar spokesperson, said last week the company is cooperating fully with the police investigation.

“Our residents and our staff — we are heartbroken for our coworker,” Gardner said.

Sellers, who also booked with negligent injuring and obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence was later transported to the St. Tammany Parish Jail. The victim was listed in critical condition, police said in their Sept. 9 release.

The investigation is ongoing.

Former Slidell High teacher pleads guilty to sexual misconduct with student

BY BOB WARREN Staff writer

A former teacher in St Tammany Parish who was accused last year of sexual misconduct with a student pleaded guilty this week to two counts of prohibited sexual contact between an educator and student.

The 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office said that Alexa Wingerter, who taught at Slidell High School before being arrested in April 2024, entered the plea on Sept. 8, prior to the scheduled start of her trial.

Judge Ellen Creel of the 22nd Judicial District sentenced Wingerter to two years of probation.

Prosecutors dismissed a charge of indecent behavior with a juvenile,

the DA’s office said.

At the time of her arrest, Slidell police said they had discovered evidence that Wingerter was involved in an “inappropriate and sexual relationship” with at least one 18-yearold male student while she was an educator Police also said evidence showed she purchased alcohol for students at local bars.

Under Louisiana law, sexual acts between an educator and student are illegal when the student is 17 or older but under the age of 21, and the teacher is more than four years older than the student.

When her arrest was announced by Slidell police, a St. Tammany school district spokesperson said Wingerter was no longer an employee. The district also said it had cooperated fully with police.

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

Just days after opening a new same-day delivery site in Jefferson Parish, Amazon officials gathered in Slidell on Sept. 10 to unveil a long-awaited $40 million facility that the company says will provide hundreds of jobs and continue the online retail giant’s expansion across Louisiana.

Officials from the city of Slidell and St Tammany Parish toured the 140,000-square-foot building and praised it as an economic driver for the area.

“It’s a great day in Slidell,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert.

“What a great opportunity for our citizens,” echoed St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper “What an investment we are making here that’s going to prove beneficial to both the city and St. Tammany Parish.”

Although the formal ribbon-cutting didn’t take place until Sept. 10, Amazon has been moving packages in and out of the Slidell center for a few weeks now

The Slidell building is one of Amazon’s “last mile” facilities, where employees take items that have already been packaged, sort them and then put them in delivery vans.

The facility can process about 18,000 packages an hour and about 93,000 packages a day for delivery across the northshore, according to Demoy Dobson, Amazon’s site leader

Around 100 people are employed by Amazon at the facility and that number is expected to grow to 200, said Daniel Martin, a company spokesperson The starting hourly wage at the delivery site is $18.50, the company says.

In addition, Amazon contracts with about 100 people to work as delivery drivers for the facility. They drop off packages in a 45mile radius around the facility, according to Jessica Breaux, a senior manager of economic development at Amazon.

The Slidell site was first announced in 2021 and was initially slated to open in 2022, before being delayed several times.

“There are a variety of factors that go into deciding where we expand our operations facilities, including strong customer demand, support from state and local leaders, access to transportation corridors and a talented local workforce,” Martin said.

St. Tammany Parish Council member Jimmy Strickland, whose district the new facility is in, said he is hopeful it will encourage future growth in the area and bolster the parish’s tax base. The grand opening of the Slidell facility came after Amazon officially opened a 150,000-squarefoot facility in Elmwood on Sept. 8 — the company’s first same-day delivery site in Louisiana At the site, it will use robotics to fulfill, sort and deliver thousands of same-day orders in the greater

New Orleans region. The St. Tammany and Jefferson Parish sites continue Amazon’s growth in Louisiana. The company now has six delivery centers and four fulfillment centers across the state in cities like Shreveport and Baton Rouge. The company says it has invested more than $3 billion across the state and created 6,000

Slidell Little Theatre celebrates ‘Rocky Horror’ at 50

BY MARGARET ALBERT

Contributing writer

Fifty years ago, an independent musical comedy parody of B-grade horror movies was released — and flopped. A year later, it had become a hit as a midnight movie, with audience members talking back to the screen, dressing as the characters, and later performing in costume in front of the movie itself as a “shadow cast,” miming the actions on screen while lip-syncing the characters’ lines.

A cult following had been born for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” and it remains alive and well today everywhere, but especially in Slidell

On Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19-20, Slidell Little Theatre will present the movie for adult audiences with a shadow cast of theater members.

Halloween is the usual time of year that this theater and others present the show, but in honor of the 50th anniversary, it will occur in September, the same month that it opened in 1975.

Adam Landry, the theater’s vice president of operations, says Rocky Horror is presented each year as a fundraiser

“It’s open to members and nonmembers over 18, and IDs will be checked. The experience is adult humor at its bawdiest

COAST hosts a Resource Fair

Staff report

Council on Aging St. Tammany, or COAST, is gearing up for its annual Resource Festival on Oct. 2 at the Castine Center near Mandeville.

Continuing a recent tradition, the theme will be “Game On with COAST,” and attendees are encouraged to show their spirit by wearing their favorite team jersey.

The festival will feature more than 50 vendors offering information, giveaways, and resources for sale to older adults and their families.

A few exhibitor spots remain available, and interested organizations are encouraged to contact COAST for details.

This year’s format has been refreshed, and instead of separate breakout sessions, presentations will be given to the full audience at the

start of the day Afterward, guests will have the opportunity to explore the exhibit hall to connect directly with vendors.

In addition to dispensing information, the festival promises plenty of fun with music and dancing throughout the day Last year, more than 350 attendees came to the Castine Center and COAST expects a livelier crowd this year as neighbors come together to celebrate and learn.

The free Resource Festival is open to all St Tammany residents age 60 and older Doors open at 10 a.m and the event wraps up at 2 p.m. For more information on COAST or any of its programs, visit www.coastseniors.org or call (985) 8920377.

‘ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW’

WHAT: An interactive cult classic. Dress as your favorite character, shout, sing, and sass along with the live shadow cast.

WHERE: Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Drive.

WHEN: Sept.19 & 20; Doors 0pen at 8 p.m.; pre-show and adult games at 9 p.m.; curtain at 10 p.m.

HOW MUCH: $20 online and at the door Tickets are limited; must be 18 or older, and ID will be checked.

MORE INFO: www.slidelllittletheatre.org or https://www.facebook.com/SlidellLittleTheatre

best.”

Landry says there will be an interactive pre-show party beginning at 9 p.m., an hour before the show begins, and a special contest for first-timers.

Audience members will become part of

the travails of characters Brad and Janet, who, looking for assistance at night after a flat tire, end up at the haunted house of Dr. Frank N. Furter and his new superhuman creation, Rocky “This will be a night to let your hair down,” Landry said. “If you’ve never been to a shadow cast experience, keep an open mind, and you’ll be in for a real treat,” he continued. In the past, the theater has had themed Rocky Horror experiences, such as pirates or togas, but this year, to honor the anniversary characters will be in the traditional costumes from the movie. The Walt Disney Company, which owns the rights to this show, is releasing a 50th anniversary edition 4K ultra high-definition version of the movie in the future. So, decide which character to portray and start putting together your costume And practice getting into character As Dr. Frank N. Furter says, “Don’t dream it, be it!” For more information or to get tickets while they last, visit www.slidelllittletheatre.org.

Covington Third Sunday Concert Series opens with jazz

Staff report

Don Vappie and Jazz Friends will kick off the 35th season of the Third Sunday Concert Series at Christ Episcopal Church in Covington on Sept. 21.

The 5 p.m. concert will be staged in the church, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m.

Vappie, well-known for his original tenor banjo style, is the recipient of the 2021 Steve Martin Banjo Prize and an inductee of the Banjo Hall of Fame He has produced seven of his own albums, including “The Blue Book,” which was named the top jazz album of 2020 in The Times of London, and has performed as a featured artist on movie and television soundtracks and at concerts and festivals around the world.

Friends performing with Vappie will be Richard Moten, one of the most sought-after bassists in the New Orleans area; Matt Rhody, an award-winning violinist; and Mike Esneault, an awardwinning composer and jazz pianist

The ensemble will perform a variety of jazz standards, as well as original music.

The one-hour concerts are free and open to the public and are followed by a reception in the parish hall for the performers and audience.

Library gardening events sprouting

BY JACKIE RIECKE

Contributing writing

up in St. Tammany

The northshore is known for its lush greenery, so it’s no coincidence that gardening has become a favorite hobby across several generations of patrons — and St. Tammany Parish Library is always available to support both new gardeners and the greenest of thumbs. Hands-on and in-person events are a particularly big help for those new to the horticulture realm, so usually, around March or early April the Library partners with St. Tammany Master Gardeners to host Garden Fest at the Covington branch.

And now, the library’s Adult Programming Department has teamed up with the St. Tammany Master Gardeners to provide plenty of gardening classes and events across the parish, starting this month and continuing through the end of October This series is titled the Master Gardener Library Lecture Series and will include learning about native plants, toxic plants, bats, pollinator gardens, square foot gardening, vegetable garden and citrus trees.

Ty Carter, from Cultivating Culture, has joined the list of monthly gardening events at the Slidell branch, 555 Robert Blvd Each month, she will host a class based on a specific gardening topic. At the end of the class, she will poll attendees on what topic they would like for the next event. During a Sept. 16 class on herbs, attendees were invited to bring in extra seeds to swap with fellow gardeners. The topic for October has not been selected yet, but it will be posted on the library’s event page by the end of September. Also at the Slidell branch, patrons can visit the herb garden that was created in partnership with St. Tammany Parish Master Gardeners and the Friends of the Slidell Library And patrons of this branch may also join a

community seed saving program with the Seed Library located in the library there.

Learn all about gardening, gardening features, and gardening events at the Library’s sttammanylibraryorg/gardening website.

Friends sale

The Friends of the Library of West St Tammany will hold their monthly Used Book Sale on Sept. 19 &20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at their building,1301 N. Florida St. in Covington, near the St Tammany Parish Fairgrounds.

Other events

TECH TIME: At the Folsom branch from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sep. 17, Tech Time will offer one-on-one help with technology issues. Attendees should bring their devices, and if they need help with a library app, they should also bring their library card and password.

CONCERT: The Friends of the Slidell Library’s Fall Concert Series starts with a performance by Christian Serpas at the Pearl River Branch on Sept. 17. This outdoor concert is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with a rain date of Sept. 24 if needed.

AUTHOR: Suzie Bronk Hunt will discusses preserving family stories and her own writing journey at the Causeway Branch on Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Hunt is a contributing writer for the St Tammany Farmer/www.nola.com and a novelist with three published works of contemporary fiction. Register at http://bit ly/4mfNVDP

SPACE: The Slidell Branch will host its KIDS Space Day Adventure Family DropIn Program on Sep. 20 from 10 a.m. until noon. Families are invited to participate in stellar space-themed crafts and an astronomical scavenger hunt.

PARISH SHELTER PETS

Soda is a neutered male, brown tabby and white domestic shorthair kitty that shelter staff thinks is about 14 months old. He has been in the parish shelter since July 11. Soda and other adoptable pets can be found online at https://24petconnect.com/ STPAdoptablePets. PROVIDED PHOTO

PROVIDED PHOTO

Don Vappie

The concerts are made possible with support from the church congregation and the community at large.

Christ Episcopal is located at 120 S. New Hampshire, near the entrance to Bogue Falaya Park. The handicap accessible entrance to the sanctuary is on the park side of the main church.

For more information, contact the church office at (985) 892-3177.

CHRIST EPISCOAL CHURCH HOSTS LEGENDARY DON VAPPIE AND HIS TRIO OF JAZZ MEN

WHO: Don Vappie & Jazz Friends, featuring Vappie, tenor banjo; Richard Moten, bass; Matt Rhody, violin; and Mike Esneault, piano.

WHAT: A performance of jazz standards and original music.

WHEN: Sept. 21; show 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; doors open at 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Christ Episcopal Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St., Covington.

HOW MUCH: Free and open to the public.

WHAT ELSE: Reception on church campus immediately after the concert for artists and audience members.

MORE: Get additional information by calling (985) 892-3177.

Curtain rises on Bayou Jam concert season in Slidell

Butterfly exhibit goes up at Children’s Museum

Staff report

The Children’s Museum of St. Tammany will preview on Sept. 23 a new migrating butterfly exhibit created by Talented Arts school programs across the parish.

The 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. exhibit at the museum in Mandeville results from its new partnership with the St Tammany Parish Public School Talented Arts students and teachers.

Slidell artist Josh Wichterich created the roost for hundreds of migrating butterflies, each created by Talented Arts students and teachers during the 2025 spring semester of school. The Butterfly Migration Exhibit will be displayed above the ARTworks Gallery inside the Children’s Museum at 813 Florida St., Suite A.

The museum’s mission is to inspire children to imagine, explore and create in an interactive learning en-

vironment.

The partnership between the museum and public school Talented Arts program was supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts and Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by the St Tammany Parish Commission on Cultural Affairs. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment of the Arts.

Dew Drop season in Mandeville opens with jazz great Thais Clark

BY SHEILA GRISSETT Staff writer

The Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall will open its upcoming season on Sept 27 with a grand dame of jazz, New Orleans vocalist and performer Thais Clark, a jazz and blues powerhouse whose compelling voice and commanding stage presence have captivated audiences for decades.

Raised in the city’s music-rich 7th Ward, Clark exploded onto the scene at age 35 as a star in Vernel Bagneris’s hit musical “One Mo’ Time,” earning international acclaim and touring the world, channeling the raw emotion of legends like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith.

In a Gardens & Gun magazine feature published post-Hurricane Katrina entitled “Living Legends of Jazz,” well-known jazz historian Michael White extolled the role Clark played in spreading the gospel of New Orleans’ music around the globe as she sang and dance in that groundbreaking musical that depicted a 1920s touring black vaudeville troupe.

“With her deep, expressive voice... Clark became a standout in her comedic role as Ma Reed and her show-stopping renditions of old blues classics, such as ‘See See Rider’ and ‘Muddy Water.’ During the musical’s long off-Broadway run, and through several tours in (Europe and Asia), her authentic delivery of blues and hymns attracted the attention of traditional jazzstyle bands throughout the world,” White wrote, cataloging jazz greats that continue in their later years (Clark was born in 1942) to entertain and inspire younger generations to love and preserve New Orleans’ traditional jazz roots.

Whether delivering bawdy blues (she loves those), tender ballads, or foot-stomping traditional jazz, Clark continues to embody the spirit, resilience and joy of New Orleans music, fans and critics say Clark went on to share the stage with most of the jazz greats — or they shared it with her — including a tour with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. For many years, she was a regular at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe, a landmark on Decatur Street, and still makes some appearances at Snug Harbor and other jazz performance venues.

“Thais Clark is a blues singer of prestigious effect,” the Jazz Foundation wrote of Clark. “A high-energy performer this vivacious singer-dancer can inhabit a song like no other With more than 30 years of experience performing before audiences at home in New Orleans and around the world, Thais Clark is a tireless entertainer bringing the same stunning amount of spirit to each and every performance.” Clark will bring all that jazz and her history to the stage of the Dew Drop, another jazz icon. One of the oldest, unaltered rural jazz halls in the U.S., the wooden shotgun built in a grove of Old Mandeville live oaks hosted many of the century’s early jazz

PROVIDED PHOTO

Powerhouse jazz vocalist Thais Clark will open the upcoming Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall concert season with a big sound on Sept 27.

DEW DROP JAZZ & SOCIAL HALL SEASON OPENER

WHO: Powerhouse jazz and blues vocalist Thais Clark will open the season.

WHEN: Sept. 27; music from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m; doors open 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: 430 Lamarque St., Old Mandeville.

HOW MUCH: Cost is $10/adult (cash preferred) to enter the grounds; kids and students free. Pay at the door; no advance tickets sold

WHAT ELSE: Beer wine, sodas and water (cash only) at the bar Hot plate dinners of fried chicken, fried fish and all the fixins’ sold next door by The Ladies of The First Free Mission Baptist Church (cash preferred).

SEATING: Inside is first come/first serve for about 100, but most people sit outside, so bring a lawn chair. Not allowed: smoking, ice chests, outside food/drinks or pets.

PARKING: In the lot across the street or on neighborhood streets — but don’t block driveways.

greats; in recent years, the old hall has been given renewed life as a premium jazz venue by the nonprofit Friends of the Dew Drop, its operators, and the city, which now owns it.

For more information, visit dewdropjazzhall.com or check out the Facebook page.

Mande Milkshakers get ready for their ball and new queen

Staff report

The Mande Milkshakers are doing it again, for the seventh time, throwing their signature Polka Dots & Pearl Balls and Charity Auction on Sept. 20 in the Castine Center near Mandeville.

The women’s marching and dance organization and their guests will celebrate from 6 p.m. till midnight to the theme “The Time of Our Lives.” A highlight of the gala in red will be the traditional reveal and crowning of their Milk Queen for 2026.

The Milkshakers’ mission of empowering women through fun, friendship, fitness and philanthropy will be on full display And the contestants for Milk Queen will compete for the honor

with spirited performances and community engagement.

Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana, an organization that provides vital services and resources to families navigating life after a brain injury

“Our Polka Dots & Pearls Ball has become a true highlight of the season, bringing together music, fashion, and philanthropy,” said Tina Rhinehart, spokesperson for the Mande Milkshakers. “This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate resilience, community, and the power of joy to inspire change.”

The Milkshakers ball always includes lots of dancing, with music by Tyler Kinchen & the Right Pieces.

There will also be a charity auction that spotlights the best of local dining, travel and cultural experiences and a debut performance by the new 2026 Mande Class. Organized in 2016 in Mandeville, the Mande Milkshakers quickly became impossible to miss in their vibrant red and white polka dot garb and high-energy performances in parades, at festivals and fairs and in other community events throughout the region. For a taste of what the Milkshakers have been up to, check out the Mande Milkshakers Instagram Page.

Tickets and sponsorships for the ball are available now at mandemilkshakers. com.

Corkern Air Conditioning,Heating and Electric celebrating 50 years in business!!

Family fun rules Louisiana Food Truck Fest in Slidell

The fall 2025 Louisiana Food Truck Festival spread out seven hours of food, fun, a Kids Zone, arts and crafts vendors and live music by Bayou Stampede and Al “lil fats” Jackson on Sept. 6 at The Harbor Center near Slidell. In addition to street tacos, BBQ, seafood, sweet treats and delectable coffee concoctions, there were homeless pets to adopt, thanks to the St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services. Although it might not have been easy to decide one’s favorite bite or beverage of the day, such was the spread, awards were given to three food vendors. Deep Roots Juicery won two top spots, both the People’s Choice and first place in the dessert and snack category; Sho-Nuff Smokehouse Q won first place in the main course category; and Sirincci Coffee Co. was awarded first place for the best beverage. Festival organizers said 27 food vendors participated.

Tessa Burns, of Rolling in the Dough, hands out a king cake pretzel.

St.

It is prudent, however, in the case of inclement or threatening weather, to go online to determine if a particular market is set up to tolerate the rain or closes up shop until things dry out. THE PADDOCK FARMERS MARKET AT THE GIDDY UP FOLSOM n 82292 La. 25, Folsom

n

n Live music, local produce, prepared food, local art, handcrafted goods n (985) 705-1091; gufolsommarket@gmail.com ABITA SPRINGS ART AND FARMERS

THEATER

LESSON: “Tuesdays with Morrie,” the autobiographical story of Mitch Albom (played by Lance Nelson), an accomplished journalist driven solely by his career, and Morrie Schwartz (played by Chris Aberle), his former college professor, showing now at 30 by Ninety Theatre in Mandeville. Sixteen years after graduation, Mitch learns that his old professor is battling Lou Gehrig’s disease. This powerful story of friendship shows weekends at 8 p.m. with 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinees through Sept. 21. Tickets at 30byninety.com from $14 to $22, depending on age. Director Jason Leader, assisted by Sam Pickens.

CHICKEN: Can these bickering siblings bury their father without killing each other — or their grown kids — or will the pastor in the family save them or send them all over the edge in “Chicken and Biscuits” at Cutting Edge Theater? See it weekends through Sept. 28 with 8 p.m shows and 2 p.m. Sunday matinees at 767 Robert Blvd General admission tickets $35; VIP seats $45. Get them online at eventbrite.com or call/text the theater at (985) 288-2933 or (985) 649-3727.

FOURSOME: At Playmakers Theater, “Don’t Dress for Dinner,” a comedy and classic how-could-this-go-wrong tale, continues one more weekend through Sept. 21

See Bernard and his mistress — and Bernard and his best friend (and secret lover of the best friend) — pull off a weekend tryst while Bernard’s wife is away. Or is she? Directed by Julie Generes. Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. at 19106 Playmakers Road in Covington. Tickets $15-$25; get them at Playmakers-theater-05.webself.net.

HOPE: The Swamplight Theatre in Ponchatoula will produce “Every Brilliant Thing” on Sept. 19 & 20, a powerful, one-man show that offers a poignant, funny and ultimately hopeful exploration of depression and the things that make life worth living. Limited seating. The audience will sit on three sides of the performance stage to provide an intimate space that encourages audience interaction. Get tickets at swamplight.org for the show at 950 S.W. Railroad Ave. Not recommended for children under 16 due to frank discussion.

BINGO: The Village Theater Co. presents “Bingo Spells Murder” Sept. 19-21 & Sept 26-28 at The Village Church, 29180 U.S. 190, in Lacombe Father O’Sullivan is desperate but who wouldn’t be? The bank is about to foreclose on his church buildings and orphanage. Young people in love, developers and the Mob are all after the property — plus, the clergyman is hosting a Bingo night as a last chance to raise the money needed. So, what happens when his bookkeeper is killed and the money is stolen? Presented as a dinner theater in the evenings and as a dessert matinees on Sunday afternoons. Tickets range from $20 to $25, depending on date and time of show. For information or questions, call Karen Hoyt at (985) 718-9213.

MUSIC LIVE AGAIN: Another Mandeville Live! concert happens Sept. 19 with a performance by the funky good-time Flow Tribe band — known to play what feels good in the moment — at the Mandeville Trailhead, 675 Lafitte St. Bring the family to the show from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, but leave the coolers, food and drinks at home. Concessions will be sold by vendors on site. Don’t forget to bring a folding chair or blanket to guarantee personal comfort and seating.

SLIDELL: The next Bayou Jam concert takes place Sept. 21 in Heritage Park, 1701 Bayou Lane, with the Southern Roux Band playing a mix of rock, country and blues to please the crowd. This free, family-friendly concert is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday Bring the family, the picnic baskets and ice chests to the

park, along with blankets and folding chairs for guaranteed seating.

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL: North Star Theatre presents Thomas Sanders and his Bandits performing a Jerry Lee Lewis tribute Sept. 19 in the theater at 347 Girod St. in Mandeville. All tickets are reserved, so pick a seat online. General admission $25; VIP tickets, $60, which includes nibbles, drinks and a meet-and-greet with the artist. Get them at northstartheatre.org. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., and the music starts at 7 p.m.

SUNSET: Another Sunset at the Landing Concert is happening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 19 at the foot of Columbia Street in Covington. The concert is free and everyone is encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for seating and refreshments to enjoy during the show featuring Sunset Ragas with Saugata Roy Chowdhury and Andrew McLean.

NPAS: The Northlake Performing Arts Society singers present a pair of annual fall concerts, “Double, Double, Toil & Trouble,” on the Covington High School stage at 73030 Lion Drive. The show will be presented twice, with some variation, one on the evening of Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and its companion concert, a Sunday matinee performance on Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. Will include some new numbers and well-known favorites, such as Thriller.” Tickets are $15 for ages 13 and above; younger patrons are free. Get them online at NPASsingers.org, or in person at Downtown Drugs in Covington or C&C Drugs in Mandeville.

BLUE: The sixth annual Bluesberry Music + Art Festival takes place in Covington’s Bogue Falaya Park from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 4 with local, regional and national music, plus lots of art, food and a special Children’s Village. General admission is $25 online, $30 at the gate, and free for children ages 10 and under. Festival parking available, with transport to and from the park. Visit www thebluesberryfest.com for tickets and details.

IRISH: There’s a free traditional Irish session on Sept. 18 (third Thursday) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in back room of Abita Brew Pub, 72011 Holly St. Musicians and music-lovers welcome to play and sing favorite pieces of Celtic music. Visit nstms.org for details and link to music.

PERFORM: Open Mic Night on Sept. 25 (final Thursday) from 6 to 8 p.m. in The Reminding Coffee & Creative House, 141 Terrabella Blvd., Covington Great chance for musicians of all ages and abilities to perform before a supportive audience. Each performer/ ensemble is invited to share a set of three songs or about 15 minutes Arrive early to sign up for a spot.

BLUEGRASS: A free Bluegrass Jam on Sept. 26 (every final Friday) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Covington Farmer’s Market Gazebo, 100 N. Columbia St. Takes place during Columbia Street Block party in the walkable historic downtown area. See nstms.org for details.

ART

CONNECTIONS: The Atrium Gallery is hosting a Mary Ann Haase exhibition through Oct. 31 at the Christwood residential complex, 100 Christwood Blvd. (access via Brewster Road entrance) near Covington. Gallery open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at no charge. The show, presented in collaboration with Saladino Gallery, features some of Haase’s photography and mixed media that seeks to capture the connection between balance and beauty chaos and order.

TERRABELLA: On Sept. 20, TerraBella Village near Covington will host an evening art stroll called Canvas & Chords similar to other white linen events this summer. It will combine dozens of juried art vendors, live music from Jake Gunter and 8 Track Acoustic, food trucks, beer, wine, cocktails and open houses at participating businesses along Terra Bella Boulevard

A portion of the event’s proceeds will go to the St. Tammany Art Association. For details, see terrabellavillage. com/event.

8 a.m. Visit onewaylove.org/ golf to register.

COMMUNITY GUMBO

QUILTING: Anyone interested in learning to quilt or experienced quilters looking for a group are invited to the next meeting of The Camellia Quilters Guild of Slidell at 10 a.m. on Sept. 18 (the third Thursday of every month) in Genesis Hall, Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Information, education and inspiration in all things quilting and related fiber arts. For more, contact Mollie Lusty at mlusty63@gmail.com.

ANIMALS: The Northshore Humane Society’s signature annual event, Unleashed! Rescue Me Gala, takes place Oct. 4 at the Covington Country Club. Proceeds from the 7 p.m. event will go toward the cost of building a new facility near the no-kill society’s current location near Covington. Expect good food, specialized drinks, plenty of animal stories, a live auction and the cork pull. To get tickets, $125 through Oct. 4, or sign up as a partner, go to www.facebook.com/ events/s/unleashed-rescue.

BIRDS: A four-week class in bird watching starts from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 24 at Coquille Park near Covington. Four sessions; first introduces all the basics, and the last three will be leisurely walks around the property (could last for two hours) identifying birds. Binoculars and field guides will be provided for class taught by Jane Patterson, president of the Baton Rouge Audubon Society and experienced birder. For details and registration, visit braudubon.org and look under Events or email education@braudubon.org.

YEAH TEAM!: The Exchange Club of West St. Tammany hosts its annual Ultimate Tailgate Party at the Covington Trailhead to kick off winning football seasons for the Saints, LSU and Tulane, all while raising money to help northshore children and families. The Sept. 27 event brings tailgaters and sports fans together for a mega tailgate, barbecue contest, live music and live and silent auctions. General admission is $75; sponsorships levels available. Tickets and more info at sttammanyexchange.org.

JOY: The JOY Charity Benefit will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 57210 Allen Road, near Slidell. Unique homemade quilts and a silent auction featuring a framed print of “LSU Tiger Country 1989,” autographed by artist Betty Malone. Enjoy food, tea, door prizes and live music. Entry tickets are $5 at the door. For more information, contact Toni Roger at (985) 847-1877 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

TEE TIME: Play the first annual One Way Love Golf Classic to benefit at-risk youth on Oct. 24 at The Bridges Golf Club at Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis. Gets started at

MANDY: Keep Mandeville Beautiful will hold its Fall Citywide Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 20. Meet at Lakefront Gazebo at 2129 Lakeshore Drive. Do the work and get free food and an event Tshirt. See KMB@ cityofMandeville.com for more. WATCH: There will be a free event called Northshore Moves at the Mandeville Trailhead from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 5. It will be a marketplace open to northshore fitness, health and wellness outfits to gather to tell — and show — the public the various health and wellness activities available to them. Vendors will show or share what they do, from Zumba to yoga, Pilates to foam rolling, healthy drinks to exercise. Potential vendors should visit https://www ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/

NorthshoreMovementExpo.

SAVE THE DATES

LIVE BETTER: The Parkinson’s community from throughout southeast Louisiana will gather for its annual Walk for Parkinson’s fundraiser on Oct. 11 in Lafreniere Park in Metairie. This family-friendly event features live music, auction, parade of prizes, kids’ activities and Parkinson’s Foundation resources. The group’s mission is to make life better for people living with Parkinson’s disease through improved care and advancing research toward a cure. Registration opens at 9 a.m. and the optional walk 11 a.m. More at parkinsonwalk.org.

WWII TUNES: The First Baptist Church of Covington’s Adult 55+ Group will host the National WWII Victory Belles on Oct. 21 for the group’s Fall Celebration. This vocal trio will serenade guests with WWII-era musical hits. Their repertoire in three-part harmony includes treasured gems of the 1940s and patriotic classics, including a salute to each branch of the U.S Armed Forces. Program takes place in the Worship Center at 10 a.m. and concludes with lunch at noon. Cost is $15, payable at the door. Registra-

Farmer Football 5

Lakeshore cements top spot; Slidell enters rankings

With Week 3 about to kick off, everyone (maybe it’s just me) needs to take a deep breath because Week 2 had a little bit of everything.

First things first, Franklinton at Covington lived up to the billing. Period Covington took control early, but Franklinton never stopped battling, even though the Covington defense had six sacks and four TFLs. The Demons made things exciting in the fourth quarter, and it took a 2-point conversion stop by Derrick Dunbar to avoid overtime.

You can’t get a better test than that in Week 2. Speaking of tests, Lakeshore passed their first major one with flying colors. The Titans went on the road and jumped out to a 21-0 lead at Chalmette en route to a comfortable two-score victory

The Titans are a very good football team, and they are extremely seasoned It’s hard not to look ahead to the Week 6 District 7-4A opener against Franklinton because that game will be a classic in the Titan Coliseum

St. Paul’s began their midseason gauntlet with a 37-27 loss to Brother Martin in a game that was tied at 20 at halftime Crusaders junior Easton Royal was dynamic in that game, and the Wolves might not see a more electric playmaker for the rest of the season. It was a good test, but now the focus turns to a solid De La Salle team

Those were just three of the biggest battles in the parish last week.

Northlake Christian scored an impressive 3821 bounce-back win at Episcopal-Baton Rouge

As the Wolverines enter their bye week, they seem to have found their identity.

Slidell improved to 2-0 for the first time in 11 seasons with a 42-27 win over Livingston Collegiate. It wasn’t the cleanest game, but Coach Damon Page’s team is learning to win

A shout-out to Fontainebleau as the Bulldogs posted an impressive 50-12 win over Madison High to even their record, and Pope John Paul II also earned a dominating road win.

There are even impressive nuggets in defeat. Salmen dropped a 50-44 barnburner at East Ascension but what might be lost in the Spartans’ 0-2 record is that Isaac Plinski booted a 40-yard field goal to give Salmen the lead in the fourth quarter I don’t remember the last time a Salmen kicker booted a kick that long, especially in a pressure-filled moment. Plinski’s leg will come in handy during tight games this season And Mandeville freshman Krew Collura made his first start for the Skippers in place of injured senior quarterback Ben Hendricks. And exhale. That was just Week 2 There are eight more weeks in the regular season, and the excitement is just getting started

St. Tammany powerlifters dominate at IPF World Championships

BY MIKE PERVEL

Contributing writer

Fifty-five countries competed at the 2025 International Powerlifting Federation World Championships held in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Aug. 26Sept. 5, and once again, St Tammany Parish was well represented.

Two local lifters claimed Equipped Sub-Junior World Championships (14-18 age group), while the U.S. team won the men’s and women’s team titles Covington High coach John Burford served as the U.S. team head coach for the third year having been affiliated with the International Powerlifting Federation since 2012.

“I’m extremely proud of our lifters’ tremendous performance representing the state and our country They were mentally focused and did an exceptional job, competing against the absolute best,” Burford said.

“Our goal is to improve and take more athletes to the Worlds. We’ve been able to do that in recent years, and our teams are getting better and in some cases more dominant I’m really excited about the direction we’re moving in ”

SURE STEPS TOWARD SOLID PLAY

Slidell is 2-0 for first time in 11 years

BY TREASURE WASHINGTON Contributing writer

Damon Page knows there is still work to be done.

The second-year Slidell football coach and his squad are elated to start 2-0 for the first time in 11 years following its 42-27 victory against Livingston Collegiate Academy at L.V. McGinty Sr Stadium on Sept. 12.

The Tigers’ offense continued to be efficient behind a 173-yard, two-touchdown outing from junior Ja’Kwan Jones while junior quarterback Ricky Williams III totaled four touchdowns. But while Slidell is gaining experience and stacking victories, it still hasn’t mastered winning and solidifying itself as a team. Despite the Tigers leading for much of the game, LCA kept chipping away late in the second half. The Wolves even made it a one-possession contest with five minutes left in the game af-

ter two Pierre Eskinde touchdowns. Yet, Slidell didn’t break.

“We still have some growing to do in certain areas where you see the ebbs and flows even within the game, where we might have momentum and then we lose it on something silly,” Page said “We’re still learning and we’re still growing, but the boys are definitely excited (about this season). They’re fired up.”

Slidell wanted to start fast after senior Carlos Flemings Jr opened the game with a long kickoff return, but both the Tigers’ and Wolves’ offenses stalled throughout much of the first quarter The fireworks didn’t start until early in the second as Slidell and LCA traded scores in the span of 25 seconds.

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

Covington junior Derrick Dunbar didn’t want to go to overtime. The Lions led since the opening drive against

Brother Martin’s Easton Royal scores early, often against St. Paul’s

BY MIKE GEGENHEIMER

Contributing writer

St. Paul’s didn’t have an answer for Easton Royal on Sept 12.

The Wolves fell to Brother Martin 37-27 in large part to the dominant junior receiver’s performance that included 243 yards and three touchdowns, and a fourth score passing that put the game out of reach of a potential comeback.

“You have to credit No. 3 (Royal).

He’s a heck of a player for them,”

St. Paul’s coach Kenny Sears said.

“He came up with a big play after we failed on fourth down. For us, it was a lot of penalties and special teams errors, a lot of self-inflicted wounds that probably could have flipped the tide here and there.”

From the opening kick, Royal proved he was worthy of his 5-star recruiting rating. He started with an 11-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter In the second, he took a slant 73 yards for another score that he called one of his favorite touchdowns of his career In the third quarter, he slipped past the defense for 81 yards. And then he finished the night with a

6-yard passing touchdown to Rex LeBlanc in the fourth quarter, just barely clearing the defender’s outstretched arms, his first passing touchdown of his career

The Wolves, typically a staunch defense, simply had no answer for the 6-foot pass catcher as he slowly took over the game to pull ahead in the second half of what was originally a close game.

The two sides traded blows through the first two quarters with the game tied 20-20 at halftime. St. Paul’s opened the game with its own explosive play when running back Cody Corales took the third snap of the game 58 yards for a touchdown.

The Wolves were effective running the ball in the first half with 195 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Corales alone accounted for 125 yards and two scores Running back Troy Willis posted the other touchdown in the first half with a 3-yard run early in the second quarter

Meanwhile, Brother Martin took advantage of a strong special teams performance to keep the game in reach. Kicker Maximo Barrios chipped in kicks from 40

and 36 yards in the first half.

“I think that shows the toughness of our team,” Royal said. “We worked all summer, we’re practicing on different terrains, from terrible grass to turf, flipping back and forth. That just shows our resiliency.”

But that back-and-forth quickly ended in the second half as Brother Martin and Royal took control. The Wolves totaled only 137 yards in the third and fourth quarters while the Crusaders marched for 240 over the same stretch.

Brother Martin quarterback Hudson Fields finished with 283 yards on a 15-for-18 clip. Backup quarterback Justin Morgan also tossed a touchdown when he connected with Royal for his first trip to the end zone.

St. Paul’s managed to close the gap slightly late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Brady Pierson connected with Adam Connell with 20 seconds to play on a 4-yard pass in the end zone. But the ensuing onside kick was unsuccessful, clinching the game for the Crusaders. Pierson finished with 113 yards on a 14-of-22 clip.

“We have a lot to learn from it,” Sears said. “We’ll put it in the rear view mirror, learn from our mistakes and move forward.”

SCORE BY QUARTERS

BROTHER MARTIN | 10 | 10 | 7 | 10 — 37 ST. PAUL’S | 7 | 13 | 0 | 7 — 27

SCORING SUMMARY

FIRST QUARTER

SPS: Cody Corales 58 run (Carter Pierson kick), 10:11, 0-7

BM: Maximo Barrios 40 FG, 8:28, 3-7

BM: Easton Royal 11 pass from Justin Morgan (Barrios kick), 0:48, 10-7

SECOND QUARTER

SPS: Troy Willis 3 run (kick failed), 8:04, 10-13

BM: Royal 73 pass from Hudson Fields (Caden Flanagan kick), 6:55, 17-13

BM: Barrios 36 FG, 5:07, 20-13

SPS: Corales 4 run (Pierson kick), 1:29, 20-20

THIRD QUARTER

BM: Royal 81 pass from Fields (Flanagan kick), 2:05, 27-20

FOURTH QUARTER

BM: Rex Leblanc 6 pass from Royal (Flanagan kick), 11:52, 34-20

BM: Barrios 19 FG, 37-20

SPS: Adam Connell 4 pass from Brady Pierson (Pierson kick), 0:20, 37-27

STATISTICS BROTHER MARTIN: 443 total yards (311 pass, 132 rush)

RUSHING: Jeremiah Burton, 8-47; Jack Melancon, 8-48; Luca Ascani, 4-39.

RECEIVING: Easton Royal, 9-243, 3 TDs; Rex LeBlanc, 5-46, TD; Rowan Lipscomb, 2-14.

PASSING: Hudson Fields, 15-18, 283 yards, 2 TDs; Easton Royal 1-1, 6 yards, TD; Justin Morgan, 2-2, 22 yards, TD ST. PAUL’S: 332 total yards (113 pass, 219 rush)

RUSHING: Cody Corales, 14-139, 2 TDs; Troy Willis, 12-51, TD; Brady Pierson, 5-14. RECEIVING: Daniel Harty, 6-85; Adam Connell, 3-38, TD; Corales, 4-19. PASSING: Pierson, 14-22, 113 yards, TD

The full parish schedule is below, but first, our Farmer Football 5 rankings.

FARMER FOOTBALL 5

1 | Lakeshore | 2-0 (Last week: 1) This week: vs. Northshore Another week, another impressive performance by Lakeshore. Going on the road to a good Chalmette team and controlling that game from start to finish is a good sign for the Titans. The Class 5A tests continue this week with a Northshore team that is better than their 0-2 record suggests.

2 | Covington | 2-0 (Last week: 4) This week: vs. Booker T. Washington

The Lions were completely gassed in the fourth quarter against Franklinton, and yet, here they stand at 2-0 with a dramatic two-point victory In my preseason prediction, I picked Franklinton in that game. I was wrong. Now, the Lions need to build on that momentum. Junior quarterback Matthew Fussell has eight TDs on the season while the defense has 15 TFLs and 6 sacks. The Lions are salty 3 | St. Paul’s | 1-1 (Last week: 2) This week: vs. De La Salle

The Wolves hung tough with Brother Martin before Easton Royal helped the visitors pull away The loss stings, but St. Paul’s will be better for it. Now, the battles continue as a solid De La Salle team comes to Hunter Stadium. A bounceback win would speak volumes about the Wolves’ toughness. 4 | Mandeville | 1-1 (Last week: 3)

This week:

Hendricks

is a

for the

but

Krew Collura is a

in his

He

against a

The

for the Skippers is getting their defense in

after giving up 500-plus yards last week. That task starts against Carver 5 | Slidell | 2-0 (Last

NR) This week: at Warren Easton The Tigers are 2-0 for the first time in 11 years, so spirits are high in the Dell. Now, Slidell gets a tough road test at a rugged Warren Easton team. The Tigers’ offense is averaging 36 points per game thus far this season. The question is can they put together a complete, focused game on the road. If they do that at Pan American Stadium, the Tigers will be dangerous. On the fringe: Salmen

WEEK 3 ST. TAMMANY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Friday, Sept. 19

n Booker T. Washington at Covington, 7 p.m.

n Carver at Mandeville, 7 p.m.

n De La Salle at St. Paul’s, 7 p.m.

n Hannan at Catholic-PC, 7 p.m. n Northshore at Lakeshore, 7 p.m. n Peabody at Fontainebleau, 7 p.m.

n Pope John Paul II at Riverdale, 7 p.m.

n Salmen at Bogalusa, 7 p.m.

n Slidell vs. Easton at Pan Am, 7 p.m.

Contact Joseph Halm at jhalm@sttammanyfarmer.net.

Week 2 of the 2025 football season is officially in the books. Keep reading to see how your team did in Week 2

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11

NORTHLAKE 38, EPISCOPAL-BR 21: Senior

carries and hauled in two catches for 57 yards.

“I was proud of the way our guys responded after last week,” Northlake coach James Willis said. “It was one of those games that we didn’t play our best against Hannan last week, and then, this game was back and forth. But I think we found our identity I think our guys like a fight. They respond to that kind of game, and we pulled away in the fourth quarter.” The Wolverines (1-1) scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull away after the Knights (0-2) took the lead into the half. Coach Willis also credited his defense, led by Blake Drury Willis and Aidan Riley, for coming up big in the second half. “Now, we want to work on cleaning up everything,” Coach Willis said about his team’s focus heading into a Week 3 bye. “We want to work on execution. Let’s run whatever plays we run and execute them well. I think this win was a confidencebuilding moment, so let’s build on

FRIDAY, SEPT. 12

ASCENSION EPISCOPAL 21, HANNAN 10: The Hawks led 10-7 at halftime, but the Blue Gators’ running game controlled the second half en route to the victory. The comeback started midway through the third quarter as the home team blocked a punt and returned it for a TD

The Blue Gators added another TD midway through the fourth quarter to extend their lead. The Hawks (11) had a couple of chances late, but interceptions ended those drives.

Junior quarterback Braden Sprang was a perfect 13 for 13 in the first half, finishing 21 of 29 for 182 yards with two interceptions. Junior Riley Jones rushed 19 times for 59 yards including a 5-yard TD run. Hunter Lay was the leading receiver with 10 catches for 82 yards. Freshman Dylan Robles added a 32-yard FG in the first half. Defensively, Paul Hoyt had 11 tackles and a TFL while Greyson Dupre added 10 tackles including three solo stops.

BROTHER MARTIN 37, ST. PAUL’S 27: See story, above.

COVINGTON 28, FRANKLINTON 26:

See story, Page 1B.

EAST ASCENSION 50, SALMEN 44:

The visiting Spartans trailed by 21 points in the second half before mounting a furious comeback to take a 44-42 lead on Isaac Plinski’s 40-yard FG with 5:55 remaining. But East Ascension scored the gamewinning TD with 38 seconds left to earn the home victory. Salmen

junior quarterback Da’John Howard posted TD runs of 18, 3 and 3 yards as he racked up 176 yards on 15 carries. He also tossed a 16yard TD pass to Terrance Mitchell. Senior running back Jimmy Chanzy finished with 152 yards rushing on 22 carries and a 3-yard TD run. Kevin Smiles also had a 90-yard kickoff return for a TD as Salmen scored 31 points in the second half.

FONTAINEBLEAU 50, MADISON HIGH 12: See story, Page 3B.

JOHN CURTIS 53, NORTHSHORE 11: The Panthers hung tough early, but the Patriots (2-0) pulled away in the second quarter out gaining Northshore 428-169 yards as the visitors fell to 0-2 on the season. Northshore’s William Lachney booted a 25-yard FG in the first quarter, while sophomore Justus Carlton added a 3-yard TD run in the second half.

MADISON PREP 30, MANDEVILLE 21: The Skippers held a 7-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but Chargers two-way standout

Landon Johnson scored two late TDs and had an interception en route to the comeback victory Madison Prep (2-0) rolled up 538 yards of offense while Mandeville managed just 269. Still, the Skippers (1-1) held a 21-14 lead in the fourth quarter after freshman quarterback Krew Collura, who was making his first start in place of injured senior Ben Hendricks, hit Jax O’Quin for a 48-yard TD. Collura completed 13 of 23 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns and an interception. Collura’s other TD strikes came on

a 29-yard score to Jake Jacketti and a 27-yard TD to Landon Lips in the second quarter.

Mandeville coach Craig Jones said the Skippers made a lot of changes on defense from Week 1. He credited Collura’s performance in his first start, but added that overall, his team’s play wasn’t clean enough to earn the victory LAKESHORE 27, CHALMETTE 12: The Titans raced out to a 21-0 lead in the first half and held on for the road victory. Junior quarterback Brody Loudermilk ran for 92 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. He was also 7-of-12 passing for 93 yards. Oudrey Gros scored the other TD and finished with 43 yards on nine carries despite struggling with cramps in the second half. Spencer Siverd added four catches for 46 yards for Lakeshore (2-0).

“We got off to a quick start, going up 21-0, and then we just bogged down in the third quarter,” Lakeshore coach Brent Indest said. “They were really good on defense. They hurt us with a few deep passes, but overall, we played well. We punched one in late in the fourth quarter to seal it. We feel like we beat a really solid 5A school.”

PJP II 50, VARNADO 6: The Jaguars raced out to a 30-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back en route to their first victory of the season. Dominik Smith rushed for three scores, while Everett Gibbs and Jack Roniger also posted TD runs. The PJP II defense recorded a safety, and defensive lineman Jax Dean had a

fumble recovery in the end zone for his first varsity touchdown. “We told the kids that we had to come out strong from the start, and they did that,” PJP II coach Philip Pigott said. “We were able to get a running clock by halftime, so that was a good thing. It was a complete performance, so I was proud of the way they handled business on the road.”

SLIDELL 42,

late Tarpons’ TD sealed the victory. Facing third-and-12 in the third quarter, Pearl River senior quarterback Brayden Hutchison ran 47 yards for a TD to cut the lead to 19-14. On the ensuing drive, Jake Bowman, who also had an interception, recovered a fumble, and the Rebels marched 73 yards, capped by a 2-yard Hutchison TD run to give Pearl River a 22-19 lead after a Gage Durand 2-point conversion run. The Tarpons scored the game-winning TD midway through the fourth quarter to earn the victory Hutchison was 11-of-14 passing for 129 yards, and he ran for 109 yards and two scores on 10 carries. Durand rushed 18 times for 82 yards, including a 7-yard TD run in the first half. Angel Perez was the leading receiver with five catches for 75 yards, while Davyn Keicher added four receptions for 35 yards.

Two-way player helps ignite Fontainebleau’s first victory

BY JASON RUSSELL

Contributing writer

After a tough season-opening loss to Lakeshore, the Fontainebleau football team was in search of a rebound performance against Madison High.

Mission accomplished.

Two-way standout Sawyer Shane made sure the Bulldogs took control early as Fontainebleau scored four touchdowns in the first quarter and cruised to a 50-12 home victory on Sept. 12.

After the Bulldogs’ defense forced a three-and-out on Madison’s first possession, Shane ran the ball on the next two plays gaining seven yards on first down and then rushing 18 yards for a score and a quick 7-0 lead.

Two plays into Madison’s next drive, Shane playing linebacker — dropped back and picked off a pass near midfield, nearly return-

“This win just helps build our team and gives us confidence,” Shane said. “Now we can be ready to play next week.”

Shane said he was also happy to play well on defense.

“It’s always fun to play defense like that,” he said.

Fontainebleau coach John Kavanaugh said Shane’s early play got the wheels in motion for the Bulldogs.

“It just put us in the right mind frame,” he said. “It let us put our foot on the gas, and we knew once we started rolling that things would go our way

ing the interception for a score. He was tackled at the 3-yard line, and the Bulldogs’ quarterback Connor Tyson punched it in to go up 14-0 midway through the first quarter

“Sawyer is the kind of player who will do anything he has to do to win the game. I’m happy to have him on our team because he’s the kind of guy you want to build your football program around, and he showed why tonight.”

Fontainebleau got two rushing touchdowns from Sheldon Asmore

later in the first quarter to take a 28-0 lead going to the second period. Shane put an exclamation point on his night with a 20-yard sprint for a touchdown with 10:45 left until halftime for a 35-0 lead. Tyson – playing his first game of the year after sitting out Week 1 for disciplinary reasons – hit Semaj Whittine for an 11-yard TD pass with 3:56 remaining in the second period to give the Bulldogs a 42-0 lead, leading to the rest of the game being played with a running clock, per LHSAA rules. Even with the clock running, Fontainebleau put a stamp on the victory with a three-play drive to start the second half, capped with a 47-yard TD run from Aiden Easley The 2-point conversion run by kicker Jack Hearn made it 50-0.

Madison used some big plays against Fontainebleau’s backups to score twice in the fourth quarter

Kavanaugh said this victory was needed after the loss to Lakeshore

“This is what we had to do,” he said. “We felt like we had an advantage on them, and when you have that advantage, you have to come out and put them away, and that’s what we did.

“I was proud of the effort and the way we made some big plays in the first half.”

Kavanaugh also praised Tyson, who started in place of injured starter Logan Astugue, for his poise and confidence.

“He is a great athlete, so he can overcome some of the stuff he hasn’t gotten up to speed on yet with his athleticism,” Kavanaugh said. “He’s got a great arm and good legs, so I’m proud of the way he played tonight.”

Shane agreed: “He is a leader He did his job and helped us get the win tonight, and that’s what we needed him to do.”

time since 2022.

The Tigers continued pulling away toward the rest of the half behind Jones’ first touchdown run, a 16-yarder and a 53-yard bomb from Williams to senior Jeremiah Birdlow Jones’ second score of the night and another Williams touchdown pass maintained Slidell’s sizable lead toward the end of the third quarter Jones has now run for over 100 yards in back-to-back games. Sporting a large gold chain postgame, Jones said he embraces be-

ing his team’s bell cow

“I feel like I have to because (my team depends) on me to run the ball and score,” Jones said. “My quarterback does it beside me, and I’ll protect him with everything I’ve got. I’d put my life on the line for him.”

The Tigers, however, were mostly stagnant the rest of the way and didn’t score again until the final 90 seconds of the game. LCA took advantage of Slidell’s miscues, from broken coverages to personal foul penalties, and also used a punishing rushing attack

Where the Wolves couldn’t cash in, however, was completing their two-point conversions, going 0-for-

3 in the process Slidell also gained momentum with its newest kicker, Wyatt Burkell, who stepped up following Brennen Heim’s injury and was perfect on extra points.

“We’ve got to stay on top and keep doing what we do best,” Williams said. “Our younger kicker stepped up and did his job. He did what he had to do to keep us up on top every time.”

After matching their win total from last year, Slidell wants to continue on its “revenge tour.” The Tigers want to continue their winning ways and have many lofty goals in mind this fall, including making a statement in district play and going to the postseason for the

POWERLIFTERS

Covington senior Brett Falco

excelled in his first Worlds appearance, becoming an Equipped Sub-Junior World Champion at 145 pounds. He established two new personal bests along the way Falco squatted 562 pounds, benched 396 (new PR) and deadlifted 523, establishing a new PR, for lifts totaling 1,482 pounds.

Falco talked about gaining some redemption by competing against his nemesis from last year’s LHSAA state championship. Dutchtown’s Joshua Thompson edged him by a mere five pounds at last year’s state championship

“It was definitely redemption for me. My preparation for Worlds was all about facing him in a rematch. That’s all I thought about heading to Costa Rica I knew I’d have to be at my best, and he brought out the best in me. I was expecting tough competition, and that’s what I faced,” Falco said “We were going back-and-forth, and I knew what I needed to keep my lead. The bench is my favorite, and it’s my best lift. I like loading up as much weight as I can, making a good lift.”

Falco said if given the chance, he’d like to defend his title at Worlds next year, but now he is focused on preparing for the state meet in March.

“It’s off-season, but I’m already training, preparing for state, lifting five days a week,” he said. “When I graduate, I’ve decided to stop lifting to focus on whatever my future may hold for me. I know I’ll miss lifting and competing but that’s my decision.”

Covington grad Nick Calidonia garnered a second-place finish, while fellow Lions alumnus JT Sylvera, the defending 130-pound world champion, took third place.

Northshore High senior Jackson Bice, the defending 163-pound world champion, settled for second place this year

Bice established a new world squat record with a lift of 634 pounds, bettering the previous mark by a single pound. He bench pressed 363 (matching his PR), and closed with an impressive deadlift of 562, establishing a new PR

COVINGTON

Continued from page 1B

by six pounds. Bice totaled 1,560 pounds, also establishing a new PR by 80 pounds.

“Breaking the world record in

when it mattered most, they bore down and made a play I think there is a lot to learn from this game, and I think we played well,” Covington coach Greg Salter said “I thought we were really consistent in playing well for three quarters, and then the wheels came off everywhere. The penalties were costly, and that’s on us. That’s being undisciplined. That’s something that we have to fix. We’ve got to be able to get ourselves off the field.”

The Lions seemingly took control when they marched 79 yards in 6-plus minutes to take a 21-6 lead with 8:47 left. Fussell, who finished with four total TDs, ran for an 18yard score on a quarterback pull. But the Demons responded as Crain tossed a 16-yard TD pass to Jayden Burkhalter to cut the lead back to eight points.

Fussell came up big on the ensuing drive as he pulled back a handoff and raced 64 yards up the middle for his second rushing TD of the quarter He finished with 171 yards rushing and two TDs on 16 carries while also passing for 103 yards and two scores

the squat is something I’ve been working for, and I knew it was in reach. Having my name on the world board is an extremely spe-

cial accomplishment, beating a Russian lifter is also kind of cool,” Bice said.

“From start to finish, I had an ex-

For Franklinton (1-1), Crain was 26-of-39 passing for 274 yards, three TDs and an interception. His favorite targets were DaMikies McClain (10 catches, 112 yards, TD) and Burkhalter (6 catches, 110 yards, TD).

“We just got beat by a better program. That’s the bottom line,” Demons’ coach Nick Saltaformaggio said. “Those two points come from that We’ve just got to get our program there. Still, I think we have a really good football team. I don’t take anything away from our effort. We were in the same place last year, and we didn’t lose again until December 13.”

The Lions raced out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter but the offense struggled from there as the Demons cut the lead to 14-6 at halftime.

ceptional day I started off hot and was on a roll. I had the momentum, and I loved the numbers I put up When you’re lifting, regardless of the event, the opponent is really just yourself.”

In the female competition, Mandeville senior Sara Reffit, a first-time competitor became a Sub-Junior World Champion at 152 pounds. Refit posted lifts totaling 1,036 pounds — squatting 430, benching 237 and finishing with a deadlift of 370.

“Going to Costa Rica with only about six months of training, I didn’t set any expectations, not knowing what it might be like. At first, I was experiencing anxiety, but what an insanely rewarding experience it ended up being for me,” Reffit said.

“I had a 30 to 40 pound lead heading to the deadlift, so I felt pretty good since that’s a strong lift for me. Powerlifting has become a big part of my life and provides me with a coping mechanism. The gym just feels like home.”

Two other Covington High grads competed in Costa Rica after lifting at last year’s Worlds in Malta. Kaylee Robin, runner-up last year, overcame some technical issues, settling for another runner-up finish at 167, while teammate Lila Cooper, who was also second last year, garnered a fourth-place finish in the 138-pound weight class.

The Covington defense started the second half strong before a scary moment for junior Davion McKaskill, who had to be stretchered off with an apparent neck injury Salter said after the game that the move was precautionary and McKaskill was expected to be OK.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

FRANKLINTON | 0 | 6 | 0 | 20 — 26

COVINGTON | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 — 28

SCORING SUMMARY FIRST QUARTER CHS: Mason Cryer 22 pass from Matthew Fussell (Jackson Aleman kick), 8:49, 0-7

SECOND QUARTER CHS: Jake Pompa 14 pass from Fussell (Aleman kick), 10:20, 0-14 FHS: DaMikies McClain 29 pass from Jacob Crain (run failed), 2:10, 6-14

THIRD QUARTER No scoring FOURTH QUARTER

CHS: Fussell 18 run (Aleman kick), 8:47, 6-21

FHS: Jayden Burkhalter 16 pass from Crain (Christopher Gonzalez kick), 6:15, 13-21

CHS: Fussell 64 run (Aleman kick), 5:48, 13-28

FHS: Colin Stewart 18 pass from Crain (Gonzalez kick), 2:48, 20-28 FHS: Crain 1 run (run failed), 0:09, 26-28

“The reps, the practice we have is building that connection on offense,” Fussell said.

COMBINED TEAM SCORES: 1, Mandeville, 295. 2, St. Paul’s, 165. 3, St. Scholastica, 129. 4, Northlake Christian, 116. 5, Hannan, 112. 6, Covington, 89.

GIRLS

TEAM SCORES: 1, Mandeville (MHS), 190. 2, St. Scholastica (SSA), 129. 3, Hannan (HAN), 56. 4, Northlake Christian (NCS), 55. 5, Covington (CHS), 43.

200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY: 1, MHS, 2:01.95. 2, SSA, 2:06.00. 3, HAN, 2:17.07.

200 IM: 1, Emma Cate Dobie, MHS, 2:17.40. 2, McKenzie Douglas, MHS, 2:27.38. 3, Morgan Corderman, MHS, 2:41.96.

50 FREESTYLE: 1, Emma Mae Smith, SSA, 25.90. 2, Amelia Smith, SSA, 27.31. 3, Kenzie Dorris, MHS 28.13.

100 FREESTYLE: 1, Emma Mae Smith, SSA, 55.02. 2, Sydney Eagan, MHS 55.26. 3, Kenzie Dorris, MHS, 1:02.20.

200 FREESTYLE: 1, Sydney Eagan, MHS, 2:03.69. 2, Kenzie Buchanan, MHS, 2:16.94. 3 Kennedy Hall, MHS, 2:19.09.

500 FREESTYLE: 1, Lilly Daigle, MHS, 5:42.32. 2, Kennedy Hall, MHS, 6:03.51. 3 Kenzie Buchanan, MHS, 6:04.94.

200 FREESTYLE RELAY: 1, MHS, 1:43.06. 2, SSA, 1:49.72. 3, HAN, 2:05.87.

50 BACKSTROKE: 1, Avery Lane, SSA, 38.66. 2, Emma Villa, SSA, 41.57. 3, Hazel

“The coaches are making it as easy as possible, and we’re growing.” Despite the big plays, the Demons fought back. Crain found Colin Stewart for an 18yard TD reception. Franklinton recovered the onside kick and marched down the field, thanks to a 33-yard Burkhalter catch on fourth-and-10. After Crain’s QB sneak, Dunbar came up with the game-saving tackle.

Lucius, MHS, 42.28.

100 BACKSTROKE: 1, Avery Daigle, MHS, 58.68. 2, McKenzie Douglas, MHS, 1:08.32. 3, Ava Gibson, SSA, 1:13.20.

50 BREASTSTROKE: 1, Jillian Englehardt, SSA, 41.33. 2, Clare Lambremont, CHS, 46.42. 3, Victoria Lopez, MHS, 47.13.

100 BREASTSTROKE: 1, Emma Cate Dobie, MHS, 1:08.46. 2, Camille Redmond, SSA, 1:20.96. 3, Gabrielle Savoye, NCS, 1:28.94. 50 BUTTERFLY: 1, Emma Green, CHS, 37.69. 2, Lillian Bethel, CHS, 41.57.

100 BUTTERFLY: 1, Avery Daigle, MHS, 58.07. 2, Lilly Daigle, MHS, 1:06.10. 3, Amelia Smith, SSA, 1:07.34.

400 FREESTYLE RELAY: 1, MHS, 3:49.63. 2, SSA, 4:12.47. 3, HAN, 4:50.75.

BOYS

TEAM SCORES: 1, St. Paul’s (SPS), 165. 2, Mandeville (MHS), 105. 3, Northlake Christian (NCS), 61. 4, Hannan (HAN), 56. 5, Covington (CHS), 46.

200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY: 1, SPS, 1:55.70. 2, NCS, 1:57.19. 3, HAN, 1:59.76.

200 IM: 1, Jake Bergeron, SPS, 2:04.58. 2, Atlas Dyer, SPS, 2:25.14. 3, Gage Ulmer, NCS 2:30.12.

50 FREESTYLE: 1, Hollis

Kanigowski, MHS, 23.41. 2, Aidan O’Connor, NCS, 23.58. 3, Daniel Eversgerd, SPS, 23.75.

100 FREESTYLE: 1, Daniel Eversgerd, SPS, 53.46. 2, Hunter Boynes, MHS, 55.03. 3, Dylan Smith, CHS, 55.13.

200 FREESTYLE: 1, Christopher Lobue, SPS, 1:54.83. 2, Aidan O’Connor, NCS, 1:57.84. 3, Viktor Yordanov, MHS, 2:07.38.

500 FREESTYLE: 1, Jason Stewart, CHS, 5:42.68. 2, Viktor Yordanov, MHS, 5:49.69. 3, Caleb Schouest, SPS, 6:14.03.

200 FREESTYLE RELAY: 1, SPS, 1:33.19. 2, MHS, 1:40.07. 3, HAN, 1:53.84.

50 BACKSTROKE: 1, Cameron Hymel, MHS, 39.60. 2, Wyatt Hooker, MHS, 40.21.

100 BACKSTROKE: 1, Jake Bergeron, SPS, 56.84. 2, Atlas Dyer, SPS, 1:05.94. 3, Cole Reichert, HAN, 1:09.01.

50 BREASTSTROKE: 1, Walter Gilbert, MHS, 43.94. 2, Marcus Indest, MHS, 50.63.

100 BREASTSTROKE: 1, Dominic Barcelona, SPS, 1:08.32. 2, Hollis Kanigowski, MHS 1:09.45. 3, Gage Ulmer, NCS 1:13.57.

50 BUTTERFLY: 1, James Dosch, HAN, 36.47.

100 BUTTERFLY: 1, Hunter Boynes, MHS, 57.18. 2, Christopher Lobue, SPS, 58.39. 3, Ethan Espinosa, NCS, 1:02.97.\

400 FREESTYLE RELAY: 1, SPS 3:28.21. 2, MHS, 3:48.40. 3, CHS, 3:54.57.

Fussell connected with Mason Cryer for a leaping 22-yard TD catch to cap the opening drive and give the Lions a 7-0 lead. Covington added to its lead with a 14-yard Jake Pompa TD catch less than two minutes into the second quarter for a 14-0 advantage.

But the Demons rallied in the second quarter as penalties and formation miscues stalled the Covington offense. Franklinton capped its lone first-half scoring drive with a bruising 29-yard McClain TD catch and run. But Termarkus Scott stuffed the 2-point conversion attempt to set the halftime score.

STATISTICS

FRANKLINTON: 313 total yards (274 pass, 39 rush)

RUSHING: Richardo Burris, 20-58; Jacob Crain, 10-(minus-21), TD RECEIVING: DaMikies McClain, 10-112, TD; Jayden Burkhalter, 6-110, TD; Colin Stewart, 3-27, TD. PASSING: Crain, 26-39, 274 yards, 3 TDs, INT

COVINGTON: 340 total yards (103 pass, 237 rush)

RUSHING: Matthew Fussell, 16-171, 2 TDs; Rodney Clark, 9-41; Jake Pompa, 4-12. RECEIVING: Mason Cryer, 2-54, TD; Jiwaun Brock, 1-35; Pompa, 1-14, TD PASSING: Fussell, 4-12, 103 yards, 2 TDs, INT

Lawrence Francis 'Larry'

Lawrence “Larry” Fran‐cis Chisholm, of Slidell Louisiana, went to his heavenly home on August 30, 2025, at the age of 71, after fighting a courageous battle of kidney cancer for 15 years. Born on Septem‐ber 10, 1953, in New Or‐leans Louisiana, to his lov‐ing parents, Michael and Mary Ellen Chisholm, Larry lived a life marked by de‐votion, joy, and an unwa‐vering commitment to his loved ones and community Larry is the beloved hus‐band of Terry Grashoff Chisholm, his high school sweetheart, with whom he shared 48 years of mar‐riage filled with many trea‐sured memories. Together, they raised two daughters Kelly Chisholm Pizza (An‐drew) and Courtney Ellen Chisholm, who were the light of his life His joy mul‐tiplied with the arrival of his grandchildren Lucy Grace, Augustine Lawrence, Audrey Diane Caroline Terry, and Amelia Frances Pizza, who will re‐member their Paw-Paw for his boundless love and the fun-filled moments they shared. He also leaves be‐hind, to cherish his mem‐ory, his brother, Dennis Chisholm, and a host of ex‐tended family members and friends all of whom he loved greatly Larry was preceded in death by two siblings, Michael and Patrick Chisholm. Larry at‐tended Saint Gabriel the Archangel Grammar School It was there he met a group of guys who would become lifelong friends and brothers - The Lugnuts. He graduated from Brother Martin High School with the Class of 71. He always enjoyed re‐uniting with his Crusaders for lunches, Christmas din‐ners, and fun vacations. He received his Juris Doctor‐ate from Loyola University School of Law and built a successful career as an at‐torney dedicating many years of service to Conti‐nental Insurance Company and CNA Insurance Com‐pany. As a devoted parish‐ioner of Our Lady of Lour‐des Church, he was an ac‐tive member of the OLL Men's Club, where he found great fulfillment in organizing church fish fries and participating in vari‐ous church activities He was honored to receive the Saint Louis Medallion Award! He was also an ac‐tive member of the Knights of Columbus where he served the community through volunteering and developed many lasting friendships. Larry had a love of boating, sunset cruises, annual Gulf Shores and Percy Quin trips, es‐caping to fun get-aways, and being the life of the party His enthusiasm for Jimmy Buffett was infec‐tious and he never missed an opportunity to live like it’s 5’oclock somewhere! Larry’s presence was felt at every social and service event, where his vibrant personality shone brightly As someone who cher‐ished every moment spent with his children and grandchildren, you could always find him cheering them on at their football and volleyball games plays, dance recitals, and school activities Larry s life experiences were a testament to cherishing the moments that bring joy and meaning to our lives

He truly lived life to the fullest every day! He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his spirit will continue to in‐spire those he left behind Arrangements by Audubon Funeral Home in Slidell.

Glaudi Drolla, and his sister Dana Drolla Manly and her husband, David Michael Manly. David was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Lorraine Walt Tschirn and Edward Roosevelt Tschirn, his pa‐ternal grandparents, Genevieve “Gam” Clark Drolla and Francis Joseph Drolla. David graduated from St Paul’s School in Covington and obtained an Associates Degree from Delgado Community Col‐lege in Radiology Technol‐ogy He was employed at North Shore Regional Med‐ical Center in Slidell, Louisiana, for 18 years David then completed a Computed Tomography course at Delgado Commu‐nity College and was em‐ployed at Tulane University Hospital as a CT Technolo‐gist for 4 years. In June of 2020, David contracted Guillian-Barré Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the periph‐eral nerves rendering him disabled for several years prior to his death. David was a devoted animal lover He cherished his dogs, Lily and Apache, and his cat The Churdle David finally found peace in death after struggling for most of his life with de‐pression and anxiety E.J Fielding Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Jaromir “Mirek” Edl, of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on August 26, 2025, at the age of 54. Born on Au‐gust 17, 1971, in Prague Czech Republic, Jaromir was a man whose loving nature and zest for life left a lasting impression on all who knew him. Jaromir was predeceased by his parents, Jaromir Edl and Jaroslava Marešová. He leaves behind, to cherish his memory, his wife with whom he shared 26 years of treasured memories, D'Ann Kerby-Edl, and three children Jaromir Edl (Krys‐tal Corcoran), Tomáš Edl, and Dita Edl (Kyle Pavel‐ski). His legacy continues through his grandchildren Kale Corcoran and Gabriel Edl who brought immense joy to his life Jaromir’s lov‐ing spirit will also be fondly remembered by his siblings, Robert Jezil (Eve‐lyn) and Zuzana Tikalová (Petr Tikal), as well as a host of extended family members and friends Jaromir's professional life was marked by his dedica‐tion to his role as a notary where he served his com‐munity with integrity and a friendly demeanor. His work was not just a job but a way to connect with peo‐ple from all walks of life, offering them guidance and support in their times of need Beyond his profes‐sional endeavors, Jaromir was a member of the Gal‐loping Goose Motorcycle Club. His passion for mo‐torcycles and the open road was more than a hobby; it was a way for him to explore the world, make lasting friendships and experience the free‐dom he so cherished Those who knew Jaromir will remember him as a pil‐lar of strength for his fam‐ily a source of laughter and wisdom for his friends, and a beacon of kindness in his community. Arrange‐ments by Audubon Funeral Home in Slidell.

Foster, Burnley Bentley 'Bunny'

Burnley Bentley “Bunny Foster, born January 25, 1950 in St. Andrew Ja‐maica, passed away on Au‐gust

skilled carpenter and con‐tractor who worked along‐side his father and broth‐ers for many years building a successful business of developing homes, rental properties and commercial properties in both St Bernard Parish and the Cayman Islands. He and Mary made the permanent move to Grand Cayman in 1987 and continued the family business. Bunny was most passionate about fishing, boating and drag racing. He spent most of his retirement island hopping around the Caribbean deep sea-fish‐ing and searching for the next best Rum bar He was a well-respected member of the Cayman Islands An‐gling Club, and one of his greatest joys was mentor‐ing young fisherman Bunny lived life to the fullest He loved sharing his island with visiting family and friends hosting big cookouts, and making everyone feel welcomed at his home. Bunny is sur‐vived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Ann Ybarza‐bal Foster; his beloved daughter, Sindy Foster Guarino and son-in-law

Gerald Guarino, who he ad‐mired greatly He adored his grandchildren Matthew Raymond Carba‐jal and Marisa Mary Guar‐ino; and great-grandchil‐dren Amelia Rae Carbajal Bentley Edward Carbajal, and Sophie Jayne Carbajal who all knew him as Papa.” He was a loving brother to siblings Ronald Berkeley Foster (Joyce), Donna Foster Campbell (Bruce), and Lonnie Clifton Foster He was a cherished uncle to nieces and nephews Stacy Foster Ro‐driguez (Henry), Christie Foster Serigne (Beau), Ran‐dall Foster Martin (Katie) and Andrew Berkeley Mar‐tin And lastly, he was lov‐ingly known as “Pops” and adored by Brayden and Ava Philpott. He is preceded in death by his loving par‐ents, Berkeley & Selena Foster and his greatnephew, Gage Garcia Bunny leaves behind a legacy of love and good vibes to all who were blessed to know and love him He had a vast array of friends that he considered family and cousins that he kept in touch with daily. He will be terribly missed by his family friends and community May his soul rest in peace E.J. Fielding was entrusted with arrangements.

Linda F Patrick, 77, of Slidell, Louisiana passed away on Friday, September 5 2025, in Metairie Louisiana Born November 2 1947, Linda Lorraine Fauquier was the oldest child of Wilford and Hazel Fauquier. Her siblings in‐clude Wayne (Vicky) Fauquier, Debby (Hal) Moberg and the late Mark Fauquier. Linda graduated from Bogalusa High School where she was known for being an excel‐lent student and for her striking red hair. She worked as a secretary for several attorneys and later for Gaylord Container Linda married David Patrick on August 26, 1965 and they welcomed three children Joel (Rita) Patrick, Joanna (Walter) Dennis and David Roderick Patrick, Jr. (Jennifer) Linda was the proud grandmother of four grandsons, Joshua Dennis Jonah Patrick, Andrew Patrick, and Luke Patrick Linda also loved her ex‐tended family, including her nephews Brandon (Courtney) and Brett Moberg, and Clay (Heather) Fauquier, and niece Chelsea (Dave) Fehlauer, and many other family members. The most important aspect of Linda’s life was her wor‐ship of her God Jehovah. Linda was an avid student of the Bible from an early age and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Wit‐nesses at age 11. Linda served as a regular pioneer (volunteer full time minis‐ter) for over 30 years and attended Pioneer Service School several times over the years. She enjoyed teaching others about the Bible, especially about God’s promise of the resur‐rection and the opportu‐nity to see our dead loved ones again Over the years

niece Chelsea (Dave) Fehlauer and many other family members. The most important aspect of Linda’s life was her wor‐ship of her God Jehovah. Linda was an avid student of the Bible from an early age and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Wit‐nesses at age 11. Linda served as a regular pioneer (volunteer full time minis‐ter) for over 30 years and attended Pioneer Service School several times over the years She enjoyed teaching others about the Bible, especially about God’s promise of the resur‐rection and the opportu‐nity to see our dead loved ones again. Over the years, Linda traveled with her family and friends to at‐tend conventions both lo‐cally and internationally and visited the World Headquarters of Jehovah s Witnesses in New York many times, where several family members including all three of her children served as volunteers.

Linda loved attending Christian meetings, read‐ing (particularly history and studying Bible prophecy) watching old movies, having guests in her home, shopping, and spending time with dear friends like Carrie Daigle She loved the local Fre‐maux Congregation of Je‐hovah’s Witnesses and often remarked on how much she appreciated her friends’ encouragement and kindness. Over the years, Linda loved visiting her children in their homes in Texas and New York but always felt most at home down south in Louisiana We will miss her fine exam‐ple of faith her warm Christian hospitality, her enduring love and support and her readiness to share a story from her deep fam‐ily history. “He is a God, not of the dead but of the living, for they are all living to him.” Luke 20:38 Please visit www honakerforestla wn.com to sign guestbook Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA

Howard Joseph Pitre, Sr passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 6, 2025 in Covington, LA. He was 78. Howard was born in Algiers and was a resi‐dent of Mandeville, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents, John E. Pitre and Norma Duett Pitre, his granddaughter, Jessica Marie Pitre his siblings John Pitre, Kermit Pitre, Gary Pitre, James Pitre Jane Constanza, and Char‐lene Jarrell. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Susan Delhommer Pitre his children, Howard J Pitre, Jr. (Jacklyn), Steven Pitre, Kevin Pitre (Yvette), and his siblings, Rick Pitre, Dolores Hill Maryann Chisesi (Phillip), Rita Schiffman (Jerry) and Barbara Neidhardt. He is also survived by his grand‐children Howard J Pitre III, Kayla Pitre, Heather Tovar (Juan) Dorie Cross‐land (Brandon Bowman), Katelyn Gibson (Alex) and Timothy Crossland (Shelby) and his greatgrandchildren, Elijah, Olivia, Jaxson Rallie, Allie Dakota, Emmalyn and Au‐drie. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Man‐deville, LA. E.J Fielding Fu‐neral Home were entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Simmons Sr., Norris Dale

Norris Dale Simmons, Sr passed away on Tuesday, September 9 2025. He was born in Jennings, LA on January 22, 1937. He is sur‐vived by his children, Rox‐anne Simmons Williams Norris Dale Simmons, Jr , Merry Simmons Hulme and Shannon Simmons Williams; grandchildren, Matthew Williams, Alexan‐dra Brocato, Taylor Motter, Andrew Motter Campbell Motter, Ryan Motter, Calis‐ter Simmons, Kensey Williams, Kira Williams and Callen Williams; and four great-grandchildren He was preceded in death by his wife, Gail McKinnon Simmons; his parents Elsie Mary Vincent Simmons and Jerry Tillman Sim‐mons; and brother Vincent Jerry Simmons. Mr. Sim‐mons was a lifetime edu‐cator beginning his career at N. P Trist Middle School and many years and retir‐ing at Bayou Lacombe Mid‐dle School He will be missed by all who knew and loved him In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr Simmons may be made to the Gary Sinese Foundation www garysinisefoundation.org E.J Fielding Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Sindy Ann Foster (Guarino) Bunny was a hard-working, skilled carpenter and con‐tractor who worked along‐

his father and broth‐ers for many years

Linda traveled with her family and friends to at‐tend conventions both lo‐cally and internationally and visited the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New York many times, where severa family members includin all three of her children served volunteers. Lin oved attending Ch meetings, read ing icularly history an udying Bible prop watching old movies, having guests in her home shopping, and spending time with dear friends like Carrie Daigle. She loved the local Fre‐

Laurie Ann Bailey Wogan, devoted wife mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025 at the age of 70. She was the wife of 43 years to Charles Stuart “Buddy” Wogan and a resi‐dent of Slidell, Louisiana since their marriage in 1982. She was born in New Orleans to the late August Vincent and Joyce Anna Al‐wert Bailey Laurie gradu‐ated from Abramson High School and earned a Bach‐elor of Science Degree in Dietetics at L. S U. followed by a Masters of Public Health Degree in Nutrition from the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She had a dis‐tinct love for the science of Nutrition and that devotion along with the research skills she learned at Tulane proved to be a valuable asset she would later use in her efforts to survive in a 15 year-long illness with breast cancer. Following her graduation from Tu‐lane, Laurie turned her at‐tention to her family rais‐ing three children, Keith Michael (Bryttany) David Matthew (Jessica), and Patrick Charles Wogan. Re‐calling trips she made with her brother and friends to the National Forests in the West and summer she spent working as a camp‐ing counselor at Camp Yanahlossee, she followed her Buddy, into the pr fered by the Boy America Be‐com Leader and progr dinator for her three boys she saw them grow and mature while experiencing memo‐rable adventures as they progressed through Cub and Boy Scouts She be‐came an avid camper and loved to spend time with them in the Great Out‐doors. Along the way she became a skilled archery instructor mentoring well over a thousand young boys and girls in the sport of archery For that she was recognized with the District Award of Merit When her boys had grown to where they could take care of themselves, she turned her attention to a 14 year career of helping preK and Kindergarten school children learn as a specialed para-professional sup‐port staff member with the St Tammany Parish School Board. Serving at Brock and Alton Elementary Schools in Slidell, Laurie brought with her to the classroom a certain soft and friendly demeanor that brought calm and peace to the learning expe‐rience of her students which helped them accept, as well as adapt to, the dis‐cipline and regimen de‐manded by the school en‐vironment. She cherished their response to her with their many hugs and “I love you, Mrs Wogan.” She had an avid interest in geneal‐ogy She learned to navi‐gate the computer pro‐grams to gain information Then Buddy and she would take road trips visiting

her brother and friends to the National Forests in the West and summer she spent working as a camp‐ing counselor at Camp Yanahlossee, she followed her husband, Buddy, into the program offered by the Boy Scouts of America. Be‐coming a Den Leader and program coordinator for her three boys she saw them grow and mature while experiencing memo‐rable adventures as they progressed through Cub and Boy Scouts. She be‐came an avid camper and loved to spend time with them in the Great Out‐doors. Along the way she became a skilled archery instructor mentoring well over a thousand young boys and girls in the sport of archery. For that, she was recognized with the District Award of Merit When her boys had grown to where they could take care of themselves, she turned her attention to a 14 year career of helping preK and Kindergarten school children learn as a specialed para-professional sup‐port staff member with the St. Tammany Parish School Board Serving at Brock and Alton Elementary Schools in Slidell, Laurie brought with her to the classroom a certain soft and friendly demeanor that brought calm and peace to the learning expe‐rience of her students which helped them accept as well as adapt to, the dis‐cipline and regimen de‐manded by the school en‐vironment She cherished their response to her with their many hugs and “I love you Mrs. Wogan.” She had an avid interest in geneal‐ogy She learned to navi‐gate the computer pro‐grams to gain information Then Buddy and she would take road trips visiting churches, libraries, and court houses to gather more detail. Lastly, they would visit the places where their ancestors had lived or were interred She is credited with solving a daunting family mystery which opened her paternal line back an additional 3 generations and gave her a new friendship with a dis‐tant cousin Aside from her work, Laurie enjoyed at‐tending family gatherings She kept close relation‐ships with her immediate family and cousins and could always be seen milling around and visiting with them at those gather‐ings. She was always grateful to have lived long enough to see her grand‐children Laurie was an ac‐tive member of Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Slidell. In addition to her parents, Laurie is preceded in death by her sister, Con‐stance Escoffier Laurie is also survived by her brother August Vincent Bailey, Jr (Terri); her sister, Deborah Menesses (Rob‐bie); and 5 grandchildren, Andrew Paul Wogan, Kain Richard Wogan, Martin Aiden Wogan, Sean Francis Wogan, and Serafina Va‐lene Mae Wogan. Arrange‐ments by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.

PUBLICNOTICE

NOTICEOF

SPECIAL ELECTION

Pursuant to the pro‐ visions of a resolu‐tion adopted by the Board of Commis‐sioners of Fire Pro‐tection District No 3 of the Parish of St Tammany State of Louisiana (the "Governing Author‐ity") acting as the governing authority of Fire Protection District No 3 of the Parish of St Tam‐many, State of Louisiana (the "Dis‐trict ), on July 9, 2025, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special elec‐tion will be held within the District onSATURDAY, NOVEMBER15, 2025, and that at the said election there will be submitted to all registered voters in the District quali‐ fied and entitled to vote at the said elec‐tion under the Con‐stitution and Laws of the State of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States, the following proposi‐tion,to-wit: PROPOSITION (IN-LIEU MILLAGE)

Shall Fire Protec‐tionDistrictNo 3of the Parish of St Tammany, Louisiana (the “Dis‐trict”) levyaspecial tax of 34 95 mills (the “Tax”) on all property subject to taxation in said Dis‐trict (an estimated $3 464 000 reason‐ably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 20 years, beginning with the year 2026 and ending with the year 2045, for ac‐quiring, construct‐ing, improving, maintaining and op‐ erating fire protec‐ tion and emergency medical service fa‐cilities, vehicles and equipment, includ‐ing both movable and immovable property to be used by the District in providing fire pro‐ tection and emer‐gency medical ser‐vice saidtaxtobein lieu of and com‐pletely replace the current 34 95 mills comprised of: (i) a 9 94millstaxautho‐rized to be levied pursuant to an elec‐tion held on April 29, 2017 and (ii) a 25 01 mills tax au‐thorized to be levied pursuant to an elec‐

The estimated cost of this election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the pro‐ visions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of simi‐lar elections is $22 400

Notice is further given that a portion of the monies col‐lected from the tax described in the Proposition shall be remitted to certain state and statewide retirement systems in the manner re‐quiredbylaw

The said special election will be held in accordance with the applicable pro‐ visions of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority and the officers ap‐ pointed to hold the saidelection aspro‐ vided in this Notice of Special Election or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and desig‐ nated in accordance with La R S 18:1287, will make due returns thereof to said Governing Authority, and NO‐TICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Governing Authority will meet at its regular meet‐ing place, the Ad‐ministrative Build‐ing, 27690 Main Street Lacombe Louisiana on WEDNESDAY DECEMBER10, 2025,at5:00PM and shall then and there in open and public session pro‐ ceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the re‐sult of the said spe‐ cial election All registered voters of the District are enti‐tled to vote at said special election and voting machines willbeused 156759SEP10-1724OCT1-4T $462 36

PUBLICNOTICE NOTICETO PRESENT CLAIMSBY ROWE-CBFSJV, LLC

PLEASETAKE NOTICEthat ROWE-CBFSJV, LLC (referred to as the “Company”), a Louisiana limited li‐ability company filed its Articles of Dissolution with the Louisiana Secretary ofState.

PLEASETAKE FURTHER NO‐TICE that Com‐pany requests that allpersonsandorga‐ nizations who have claims against it present such claims immediately by let‐ter to the liquidator, Patrick J. Gros, CPA, 651 River Highland Blvd., Covington, LA 70433.

PLEASETAKE

FURTHER NOTICE that all claims against the Company must in‐clude: (1) the name address and phone number of the claimant; (2) the amount claimed; (3) the basis of the claim; (4) the date on which the claim arose; and (5) docu‐mentation support‐ing the claim by March16,2026 156660SEP10-172T $420.22

PUBLICNOTICE

RANDIE R. WILLIAMS a/k/a RANDIE RAY‐NARDWILLIAMS

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Randie R. Williams a/k/a Randie Ray‐ nard Williams (or heir) where last known address was 1012WilliamDrive, Slidell LA 70460. Please contact the Office of W Scott Wajda at 985-2280848. 155382AU27SEP310-17-4T $334.12

PUBLICNOTICE St Tammany Parish Development Dis‐trict opens applica‐ tions for candidates to serve on Board of Commissioners The St Tammany Parish DevelopmentDistrict NominatingCommittee will ac‐cept and review re‐sumes and question‐ naires from appli‐cants interested in serving on its Board of Commissioners to fill one expiring seat All applicants must be qualified votersandtaxpayers within St Tammany Parish Terms will begin January 1, 2026, and run through December 31,2028. The District is a po‐ liticalsubdivisionof the State of Louisiana, created by the Legislature to foster business and economic develop‐

within St. Tammany Parish Terms will begin January 1, 2026, and run through December 31,2028. The District is a po‐ liticalsubdivisionof the State of Louisiana, created bythe Legislature to foster business and economic develop‐ment in St. Tam‐many Parish and op‐erates under the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics TheBoardof Commissioners holds regular meet‐ings, generally on the third Thursday ofeverymonth.

The position re‐quires a commit‐ment of time, sub‐missionofanannual Tier 2.1 Financial Disclosure nondis‐closure agreement ethics training, sex‐ual harassment pre‐ vention training, cy‐ bersecurity aware‐ness training, a fam‐ily roster, a back‐ground check and a willingnesstoinvest knowledge, exper‐ tise,andservice.

Candidates of par‐ ticular interest are those with expertise in economic devel‐opment, business development, busi‐ness management, legal, finance, real estate, transporta‐tion, logistics and advanced manufac‐turing.

Candidate Applica‐ tion and Question‐naire: https://stt ammanyedc.org/ stpdd-boardcandidateapplication

Submit a resume, cover letter, candi‐date questionnaire, and candidate appli‐ cation by end of business on Friday, October 3, 2025. Email your submis‐sion to sdelong@stt ammanyedc.org

For more informa‐tion, contact Sharon DeLong, Director of Finance &Adminis‐tration,at(985)8097874. 157736SEP17-242T $129.14

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

PUBLICNOTICE ABITASPRINGS

The Abita Springs Town Council is considering Instrument 202509-001A AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE TOWN OF ABITA SPRINGS TO ADOPT THE RECOMMENDA‐TION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, TO APPROVE PHASE 1 OF THE ABITA MEAD‐OWS PLANNED UNIT DEVELOP‐MENT (PUD) FINAL ZONING PLATAND ASSO‐CIATED ZONING DISTRICT, LO‐CATED ON HIGHWAY 36, EAST OF HEBERT ROAD, IN ACCOR‐DANCE WITH THE DEVELOP‐MENT AGREE‐MENT PREVI‐OUSLY AP‐PROVED BY OR‐DINANCE NO 485. THIS AP‐PROVAL IS PUR‐SUANT TO THE PUD FINAL AP‐PROVAL PROCESS OUT‐LINED IN SEC‐TIONS 9-803 AND 9-804 OF THE TOWN OFABITA SPRINGS CODE OF ORDI‐NANCES (NOTWITH‐STANDING THAT THESE SECTIONS HAVE SINCE BEEN RE‐PEALED AND RESERVED, THEY REMAIN APPLICABLE TO THIS PUD UNDER THE TERMS OF THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT) A public hearing to discuss the pro‐ posed ordinance, will be held on Oc‐tober 7, 2025 at 6:00pmintheAbita Springs Town Hall, 22161 Level St., Abita Springs, LA 70420. Any inter‐estedpartyisinvited toattend. 158352SEP1724OCT1-3T $104.37

PUBLICNOTICE BOARD MIN‐UTES THEHARBOR CENTERBOARD THURSDAY, AUGUST7,2025, 9AM 100HARBOR CENTERBLVD. SLIDELL,LA 70461 The meeting was called to order at 9:02 am by Board Chairman, Mr MarkMyersInvocation: Mr. Eric Calvin led the prayerandPledgeof Allegiance.

The meeting was called to order at 9:02 am by Board

Chairman, Mr MarkMyersInvocation: Mr. Eric Calvin led the prayerandPledgeof Allegiance.

Ms. Victoria Paz performed roll call. Present: Grant Black, Kevin Davis, Mark Myers, Kath‐leen Wilkin, Eric Calvin, Glen Boyer, Troy Brackett, and Linda Larkin Ab‐sent: Kurt Bozant, Donna O’Daniels, Darrell Smith Athena Tzuanos Don Thanars Greg Ireton.Staffpresent: Victoria Paz, Jessica Hester, Jessica Smith and Judi Chase.Therewasno guest or public com‐ment

Approval of Agenda: Mr Black moved to approve the agenda and Ms. Larkin seconded withallinfavor

Approval of Min‐utes: Ms. Wilkin moved to approve the July 10, 2025 minutes Ms. Larkin seconded with all in favor

Treasurer’s Report: In Mr Ireton, the Treasurer’s, ab‐sence, Ms. Paz went over the financial statements through August 1st. First Ms. Paz briefed the Board on the bal‐ance sheet and then the P&L Previous Year Comparison.Overall income ex‐ceeded budget on multiple income ac‐counts and we are ahead of budget on total income as of August 1st. Then Ms. Paz moved on to expenses, report‐ing that expenses are over budget on wages, which she will discuss in more detail during the budget meeting.Ad‐ditionally Ms. Paz reported that most of the contingency budget stems from the retro-fit project and that we are try‐ing to make up for the gap in net in‐come Mr Brackett moved to approve the Treasurer’s re‐port and Ms. Wilkens seconded withallinfavor

Old BusinessHighway Sign Up‐ date: Ms. Paz re‐ported that the issue with the sign had been resolved and stemmed from an incomplete setup at initial install of the new modem when it was installed in Jan‐uary. It was discov‐ered that a majority of the panels on the sign were black and needed service. Daktronics told us the sign is very old, not worth saving and we should just get a new sign. Ms. Wilkin asked Mr Davis what advice he has regarding the impasse with the sign. Mr Davis rec‐ommendedleasinga sign instead so that they would be the onestomaintainand repair it. This idea was agreeable to the Board. The board discussed sending a letter to Signlite to address issues and concerns with the sign and the trou‐bleshooting. Mr Myers also agreed that leasing a sign is the best way to move forward Ms. Paz will report an update next month withoptions

New Business –Budget Committee Update: Ms. Paz stated that the Bud‐get Committee has had its first meeting in July and will con‐duct a second meet‐ing to continue bud‐get discussions re‐garding the remain‐der of the year Ms. Paz went over items that were discussed as they pertained to labor potential con‐tract savings and updates to rental pricing.

Mr Davis men‐tioned that people still do not seem to know we are here He’d like to talk to Mr Jabbia at STPSB regarding graduations Mr Davis recom‐mended pursuing a development dis‐trict and that he will meet with Mr. Jab‐biatohaveaconver‐sation about helping with acquisition to expand. Mr Calvin mentioned that we still need an adja‐cent hotel A $120K grant has been ap‐ proved for a feasi‐bility study for hotel and entertainment area.

General Manager’s Report: Ms. Paz re‐minded the Board to complete the Ethics and Sexual Harass‐ment Prevention training. Ms. Paz then spoke about raising money through the Com‐munity Partnership Advertising Pro‐gram The goal is to obtain a partnership with businesses and

Report: Ms. Paz re‐minded the Board to complete the Ethics and Sexual Harass‐ment Prevention training. Ms. Paz then spoke about raising money through the Com‐munity Partnership Advertising Pro‐gram The goal is to obtain a partnership with businesses and put a permanent ad wrap on the walls of the lobby or halls or on digital signage for a fee. Ms. Paz is getting options for the digital signage includingapotential partnership with So‐cial Pixel Market‐ing. Ms. Paz then stated there will be a meeting with parish legislators on Sep‐ tember 4 to discuss funding opportuni‐ ties. Ms. Paz in‐formed the Board that residents in Lakeshore had ap‐ proached THC to ask for help with the Lakeshore Round‐about Beautification Project and she’d refer to individuals and organization that may help Ms. Paz then went on to say that our Busi‐ness Open House is coming up on Au‐gust 28 from 11am to 2pm and that we sent invitations to area businesses, leg‐islators, and even Stennis in Missis‐sippi Ms. Paz then reported that we are striving to save money on our ser‐vice agreements and that Michael has met with multiple landscapers and is awaiting quotes; the TechCommitteehas received two quotes for IT systems and will review. Ms. Paz said we’d reapply for Capital Outlay funds for our duct‐workthatdidnotget approved in a previ‐ous session. We are having Michael get quotes for that pro‐ ject as well as paving the parking lot and a few other things to submit for Capital Outlay. For the other things that don’t qualify for Capital Outlay such as tables and chairs Ms. Paz spoke with Rep. Berault re ing an appr tions packagemaintenance equipment Ms. then spokeTri-Parish wo and that our i Jessicaisleavi college and we getting a new in Austin, to hel marketing.

Sales Report: Hesterwentove sales data and ings for Augus September. Hester reporte our Facebook lowers are up percent since ary 2025 and updated the Bo on our Fox 8 awareness paign. Jessica notified the boa inquiries and ing, and asso revenues, with Fox8campaign.

Commissioner Comments: M Myers informe Board of the three Lobby Lo entertainers mentioned much recog and positive back he’s recei about THC st the Red Be Cookoff. Mr. My also relayed tha new Lobby Lo logo is getting tive feedback that Lobby Lo merchandise wi forsalesoon.

Mr Myersstat next meeting is tember4,2025.

Adjournment: Boyer motione adjournment Mr Davis se ing and then a provedtoadjour

ses be for the Council to discuss with each other the proposed Operating and Capi‐ tal Budgets for 2026. The Council will go through tabs 1-32 of the City of Covington’s 2026 ProposedBudget. There will be no ac‐tion taken at this worksession. There will be No One from Adminis‐tration at this Work Session. Copies of the pro‐ posed ordinances and budgets are available for public inspection in the Council Office at City Hall between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M Monday through Friday. The pro‐ posed budgets may also be found on the City's website: wwwcovla.com after the September 09, 2025 Council Meeting. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special as‐sistance, please con‐tact the ADA Coor‐dinator at (8921811) Covington City Hall describing the assistance that is necessary.

/s/_ JoAnnD.Rucker CouncilClerk

Posted at City Hall, Covington Council Chamber and www covla.com on 09/09/2025. 158348SEPT17-1T $68.89

will be held in the City of Covington Council Chambers located at 222 East Kirkland Street in Covington, Louisiana: A. PUBLIC HEAR‐INGANDACTION ON ITEM NO. No. 2025-09-01–AnOr‐dinance of the City of Covington Amending the Offi‐cial Zoning Map of the City of Coving‐ton to Rezone Lots 8,9, and 10, Square 2803 Division of New Covington, City of Covington From RSL-Residen‐tial Single Family ExistingSmall lot to CN-Neighborhood Commercial and Providing for Fur‐ther Matters in Con‐nection Therewith (Lewis)

B. PUBLIC HEAR‐INGANDACTION ON ITEM NO.

2025-09-02- An Or‐dinance of the City of Covington Amending the Cov‐ington Code of Or‐dinances Chapter 18-Buildings and Building Regula‐ tions Chapter 102Vegetation, and Ap‐pendix B.-Compre‐ hensive Zoning Or‐dinance of 2010 (Verret)

C. PUBLIC HEAR‐INGANDACTION ON ITEM NO.

2025-09-03- An Or‐dinance of the City of Covington Amending the Cov‐ington Code of Or‐dinances Chapter 58-Human Rela‐tions, Chapter 98Utilities, and Ap‐pendix B.- Compre‐ hensive Zoning Or‐dinance of 2010 (Verret)

D. PUBLIC HEAR‐INGANDACTION ON ITEM NO.

The following pub‐ lic hearing/meetingwill be

in the

of Covington Council

at 222 East Kirkland Street in Covington, Louisiana: A. PUBLIC HEAR‐

2025-09-04- An Or‐dinance of the City of Covington Au‐thorizing the Mayor to Sell on Behalf of the City of Coving‐ton A Portion of the West 27th Avenue Right of Way, City of Covington, St Tammany Parish, Louisiana.(Lewis)

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if special assistance is needed, please con‐tact the ADA Coor‐dinator at Coving‐ton City Hall (8921811) describing the assistance that is necessary. /S/ JoAnnD.Rucker CouncilClerk 157514SEP17-1T $78.03 dinances

PUBLICNOTICE CITY OF COV‐INGTON COUN‐CIL PUBLIC HEAR‐ING/ MEETING

TUESDAY, Octo‐ber14,2025 6:00P.M.

The following pub‐ lic hearing/meetingwill be held in the City of Covington Council Chambers located at 222 East Kirkland Street in Covington, Louisiana: A. PUBLIC HEAR‐INGANDACTION ON ITEM NO. No

2025-09-01–AnOr‐dinance of the City of Covington Amending the Offi‐cial Zoning Map of the City of Coving‐ton to Rezone Lots 8,9, and 10, Square 2803 Division of New Covington, City of Covington From RSL-Residen‐tial Single Family ExistingSmall lot to CN-Neighborhood Commercial and Providing for Fur‐ther Matters in Con‐nection Therewith (Lewis) B. PUBLIC HEAR‐INGANDACTION ON ITEM NO. 2025-09-02- An Or‐dinance of the City of Covington Amending the Cov‐ington Code of Or‐dinances Chapter 18-Buildings and Building Regula‐ tions Chapter 102Vegetation, and Ap‐pendix B.-Compre‐ hensive Zoning Or‐dinance of 2010

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if special assistance is , of Covington, St Tammany Parish, Louisiana.(Lewis)

Respectfully S mitted, JudiChase 157512SEP17$193.53

PUBLICNOTICE CITY OF COV‐INGTON,LA CITYCOUNCIL 2026 Council Pro‐posed Budget Work Session September 25, 2025 5:30pm COVINGTON CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 222 EAST KIRK‐LANDST COVINGTON, LA 70433

The following bud‐get work session will be held in the City of Covington Council Chambers located at 222 East Kirkland Street, Covington,La Thursday, Septem‐ ber 25, 2025- 5:00 P.M The purpose of the work sessions will be for the Council to discuss with each other the proposed Operating and Capi‐ tal Budgets for 2026. The Council will go through tabs 1-32 of the City of Covington’s 2026 ProposedBudget. There will be no ac‐tion taken at this worksession.

PUBLICNOTICE

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Vs Chad Murphy Dan‐tin a/k/a Chad M. Dantin a/k/a Chad Dantin and Alicia Chantalle Hernan‐dez a/k/a Alicia C. Hernandez a/k/a AliciaHernandez

(52)202414883

Sheriff's Civil Divi‐sion

Parish of St. Tam‐many State of Louisiana

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 22nd Judicial Dis‐trict Court for the Parish of St. Tam‐many in the above entitled and num‐bered cause dated September 17, 2024 and to me directed, I, Randy Smith, Sheriff, have taken possession of and will offer for sale at public auction to the highest bidder in the courthouse located at St Tammany Parish Courthouse, 701 N Columbia St Covington, LA 70433, beginning at 10:00 am Wednes‐day October 22, 2025, the following

Property Descrip‐ tion: Lots 14 and 16, in Square 66 of Tam‐many Hills

PUBLICNOTICE

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. VS ShelbyMyers (52)202513155

Sheriff's Civil Divi‐sion Parish of St. Tam‐many StateofLouisiana Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 22nd Judicial Dis‐trict Court for the Parish of St. Tam‐many in the above entitled and num‐bered cause dated June 5, 2025 and to me directed, I, Randy Smith, Sher‐iff, have taken pos‐ session of and will offer for sale at pub‐ lic auction to the highest bidder in the courthouse located at St Tammany Parish Courthouse, 701 N Columbia St Covington, LA 70433, beginning at 10:00 am Wednes‐day, October 22, 2025, the following property:

Property Descrip‐ tion: Lots 6, 7, 8 and 9 of Square 4 in Pecan Grove Subdivision as referenced in the Mortgage recorded at instrument num‐ber2227239

Municipal Address: 39570 PECAN DR PEARLRIVER LA 70452-4033 Writ Amount: $182,971.02

Plaintiff Attorney: Law Offices of Her‐schelAdcock,Jr P.O BOX87379 BATON ROUGE, LA70879 Terms of Sale: With appraisal, 10% at adjudication and balance within 30

PUBLICNOTICE Wilmington Sav‐ings Fund Society, FSB not in its Indi‐vidual Capacity but Solely asTrustee for LWFTI Trust2020-1 vs Courtney C. John‐son (52)202411169

Sheriff's Civil Divi‐sion Parish of St Tammany State of Louisiana

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 22nd Judicial Dis‐trict Court for the Parish of St. Tam‐many in the above entitled and num‐bered cause dated April 2, 2024 and to me directed, I, Randy Smith, Sher‐iff, have taken pos‐ session of and will offer for sale at pub‐ lic auction to the highest bidder in the courthouse located at St Tammany Parish Courthouse, 701 N Columbia St Covington, LA 70433, beginning at 10:00 am Wednes‐day October 22, 2025, the following property:

Property Descrip‐ tion: Oak Harbor Subdi‐vision Phase One, Section One, "The Fairways" desig‐ nated as Lot 28 as referenced in the mortgage recorded at instrument num‐ber2346785

Municipal Address: 57 OAK TREE DR SLIDELL, LA 70458 Writ Amount: $646,719.68 Plaintiff Attorney: DeanMorris,LLP 1505NORTH19TH STREET MONROE, LA 71207

Terms of Sale: With appraisal, 10% at adjudication and balance within 30 days RANDY SMITH, SHERIFF $65.04

Covington’s Sharp hits special milestone

Covington outside hitter Kaelyn

“KK” Sharp came into the season knowing she was nearing the 1,000 digs milestone.

She eclipsed 1,000 kills late last year, but the Southeastern commitment continued to improve her defense over the summer

“Defensively, I’ve really been focused on being more aggressive and going for every ball,” Sharp said “No matter what, I don’t want to let the ball hit the ground.”

That work paid off as she posted 21 digs and 19 kills during the opening week, surpassing 1,000 digs against Christ Episcopal on Sept. 4.

“It felt really good,” Sharp said “Last year, getting 1,000 kills felt really good, too, but it pushed me to keep working. I knew I was close to getting 1,000 digs, so it just felt really good starting off senior year getting that milestone.”

Third-year Covington coach

Brennon Coker said Sharp has embraced an expanded leadership role this season.

“I’ve really seen her step up a lot this season,” Coker said “It’s not only her being a vocal leader, but she’s also taken a step up and is almost coaching on the court

We want to be a player-led team, and she’s leading the push on that. She sees things on the court because she’s a high-level player.” Sharp, who said she has worked on controlling her swing and being smarter on offense, added that the team has emphasized

GOLDEN TOUCH

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

in a five-set

I

ie

Then, senior

and the

with

is history The senior recorded three straight kills to fight off two match points as the Hawks rallied for a 23-25, 25-22, 25-17, 23-25 16-14 victory in a two-plus hour marathon on Sept. 9.

“I’m so proud of Goldie. She hadn’t had a breakthrough yet, so I’m really proud of her. She did great,” said Lewis, who had a team-high 26 digs.

“We just really stuck it out. It was very ugly on our side, and I think if we can learn to play through a match like this, it’ll make us better I’m just proud of how we stuck it out. We just ignored everything around us and focused on passing and playing defense.”

The one-two punch of Lowe (21 kills) and senior Bailey Bevolo (20 kills, 4 blocks) led the way for Hannan’s offense, while junior Josie Pathoumthong had 52 assists, 16 digs and four kills. Senior Lola Soper added 15 digs and nine kills.

The Hawks (5-3) never led in the fifth set until the final two points. Trailing 14-12, Lowe began her string of three straight kills that prompted a Northshore timeout as Hannan gained a 15-14 advantage. An errant Northshore attack sealed the comeback victory

“I definitely trust Avery (Lewis) covering me because I’m going to get blocked sometimes. I couldn’t do it without my teammates covering me,” Lowe said.

“We started off really strong in the summer, especially during the LSU camp. We started to trust each other more. We’re all really close as a team, so it is just about clicking right now We definitely connected a lot in this game.” Hannan coach Rebekka Bonnaffee lamented her team’s 13 service errors, including three in the final set, but also credited Lowe and the entire team with coming up big in the final moments.

“When Goldie plays with confidence, she is tough. She’s so strong, and she’s smart when she is up at the net When she is swinging with confidence, we’re usually going to be okay,” Bonnaffee said.

making a better first pass to set up the offense.

“We’ve really been working as a team to get more consistent on serve-receive,” Sharp said.

“We’ve been working on defense, on me and the libero sharing opportunities and stabilizing the

court. I think we’ve been more focused on staying in system for each point.”

The Lions have eight seniors on the team, and all of them see the court. That experience, coupled with Sharp’s well-rounded skill set, is key to the Lions’ success.

“There are times when the middle is serving, so I’ll put her in the libero spot, and she’ll embrace the challenge,” Coker said. “Or she’ll run a slide when we need points, and she’s athletic enough and well-rounded enough to do what we ask. She’s able to do so many things, and she’s just a really special player.”

Below are my Farmer 5 volleyball rankings.

1 | Hannan (last ranking: 3)

The Hawks had quite the start to the season. They went 4-2 at the McGill-Toolen Tournament in Mobile against some of the best competition in the country Then, they saved the best for Week 2 with a five-set win at Northshore and a four-set win over Fontainebleau. Senior middle hitter Bailey Bevolo and senior outside hitter Goldie Lowe are special offensive weapons, and both showed out in those victories last week.

2 | Slidell (last ranking: 1)

The defending Division I state champions also had a strong showing as they went undefeated at the St. Michael Tournament on Sept. 5-6. But the Tigers did drop a set to Mandeville at home and

were swept by Mount Carmel in the second match of the season. Slidell will have some growing pains as they took to replace some key starters from last year

3 | Fontainebleau (last ranking: 2) The Bulldogs lost to Hannan in four sets on the road for their first defeat of the season. Fontainebleau will get better from that experience.

“I’m happy that they never gave up, but it should never have gotten to that point. We missed 13 serves. We can’t do that and be successful. But I have good girls who want to