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• $1 million lottery ticket claimed Play Video

  May 13, 2013 5:49 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - A Mississippi woman claimed a Powerball ticket worth $1 million today which she purchased in St. Francisville. "The dream came true," said Samantha Netterville, who bought the winning Powerball ticket from the May 11 drawing. She matched all five numbers, but missed Powerball. "When... more »

• Bonnie and Clyde get shot in Louisiana... again Play Video

  March 28, 2013 6:07 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - Bonnie and Clyde were gunned down by police in Bienville Parish, but they're also being shot right now in West Feliciana for a History Channel mini-series. Cameras began rolling Monday, featuring St. Francisville locales such as the courthouse, Magnolia Cafe and 3V Tourist Courts. The latter... more »

• No trial delay in child's slaying

  March 11, 2013 7:44 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - A state district judge has denied a motion to delay the trial of a 19-year-old accused of first-degree murder in the death of a young boy in 2010. The trial for Trevor Reese is scheduled to begin March 18. Reese is charged in the death... more »

• West Feliciana resumes counseling program

  February 27, 2013 8:14 AM

  ST FRANCISVILLE - The West Feliciana Parish School Board has voted to resume a career counseling program it dropped several years ago when state funding was frozen. Supervisor Al Lemoine told the board Tuesday the money to resume the program is coming from a federal grant routed through Baton Rouge... more »

• Drainage improvements in place in West Feliciana Play Video

  February 12, 2013 4:54 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE- People in the Baton Rouge region are once again bracing for flooding problems along several waterways. Portions of southern Mississippi received several inches of rain over the past two days. Much of that water will drain south into Louisiana. Water levels on Thompson Creek and its... more »

• West Feliciana schools receive additional security

  January 30, 2013 7:44 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - The West Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office has assigned an additional deputy to school security duties, giving each of the parish's four schools a full-time officer on campus. During a briefing on security issues on Tuesday, Chief Sheriff's Deputy Randy Metz told school board members the fourth officer... more »

• Ex-W. Feliciana official wins sentencing delay

  January 11, 2013 7:20 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - Former West Feliciana Parish Police Juror John Cobb has won a sentencing delay on his conviction for three counts of felony theft. Cobb appeared in state District Court Thursday with a new attorney. State police accused the 54-year-old Cobb and six other people, including Cobb's... more »

• Leaders agree to land deal for new hospital

  November 26, 2012 9:37 PM

  WEST FELICIANA- Plans to build a new hospital here are moving forward. Monday night, a land deal was worked-out between the Parish and the group in charge of the hospital. 7.26 acres will be sold to the Hospital Board for a new facility. The property is off Hwy. 61... more »

• W. Feliciana expands one-to-one computer program

  November 26, 2012 10:21 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - The West Feliciana Parish school system continues to expand a program that puts computers into students' hands for use in class or at home. The program started in 2007 from a state grant. Jerome Matherne, the district's technology supervisor, tells The Advocate the one-to-one computer initiative now... more »

• Battle for Old Ferry Landing heats up in West Feliciana Parish Play Video

  October 5, 2012 6:14 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE-For years people in St. Francisville have used the Old Ferry landing as a boat launch, but now few will take that chance. One boater, who doesn't want his identity revealed said, "I want to be sure before I go onto somebody's property." According to lawyers for... more »

• Disaster food aid sites to open in Felicianas

  September 20, 2012 8:36 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Residents in East Feliciana and West Feliciana parishes who were affected by Hurricane Isaac have seven days, beginning Thursday, to apply for disaster food benefits. State officials say they're opening sites at the East Feliciana Early Learning Center in Clinton and the Independence Community Center in... more »

• New tax allows teachers to resume receiving raises

  September 12, 2012 7:41 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - A half-cent sales tax voters approved in April will allow West Feliciana Parish school employees this year to regain their annual step raises for the first time in two years. Although the general fund budget for 2012-13 the school board does not include a cost-of-living raise,... more »

• Historic St. Francisville building up in smoke Play Video

  May 24, 2012 6:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Blue Room Saloon and adjoining gift shop managed to save just a few historic murals from the 1920s, after a Thursday morning blaze gutted nearly the whole building. St. Francisville Fire Chief Tom Robinson estimates the damage at more than 1,000,000 dollars. The owner of... more »

• Damage to Blue Horse Saloon estimated to be $1M

  May 24, 2012 2:58 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - Firefighters estimated damage to the building containing several St. Francisville destinations, including the Blue Horse Saloon, at around a million dollars after this morning's fire. The damage was contained to the saloon and adjoining gift shop in the middle of St. Francisville, according to Chief Tommy... more »

• Fire destroys St. Francisville saloon

  May 24, 2012 10:30 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - A fire this morning destroyed two buildings in St. Francisville before being brought under control, according to the town's mayor. Mayor Billy D'Aquilla said the Blue Horse Saloon caught fire this morning and was a total loss. There are also reports the gift shop next door... more »

• Lawyers: Evidence withheld in Angola 5 trial

  April 9, 2012 8:52 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - Attorneys appealing the conviction and death sentence of Angola 5 defendant David Brown are seeking a new trial, saying prosecutors withheld evidence. The Advocate reports the judge overseeing the Angola 5 cases postponed the trial of the next defendant last week until Sept. 24 without disclosing the... more »

• W. Feliciana library funds on March ballot

  January 30, 2012 8:00 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - The West Feliciana Parish Library's board will ask voters in March to approve funding for a new library on property donated four years ago. The March 24 propositions include a $3.5 million construction bond issue that bond attorney Alan Offner estimated will require levying about 1.15... more »

• Entergy reports radioactive leak at nuclear plant

  December 22, 2011 8:59 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE, La. - Officials at Entergy Corp.'s nuclear power plant near Baton Rouge say they have notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission about a leak of radioactive hydrogen. The Advocate reports that an elevated level of tritium was found Wednesday in a groundwater monitoring well at the Entergy River... more »

• Fire destroys popular St. Francisville restaurant

  November 23, 2011 2:48 PM

  A massive fire has destroyed a popular restaurant in West Feliciana Parish. The Elm Park Restaurant in St. Francisville, which was known for southern and cajun style food, burned to the ground overnight Wednesday. Firefighters worked for two hours to put out the fire. The restaurant, which... more »

• Highway 61 widening project complete

  September 19, 2011 5:42 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE- Governor Bobby Jindal helped officially open Highway 61 after major improvements through St. Francisville. Nearly five miles of highway between Thompson Creek and Bains have been widened. That means drivers now have four lanes of traffic from Baton Rouge into Mississippi. Some business owners say they... more »

• Inmate formally sentenced in guard's death

  May 24, 2011 6:31 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE- A state district judge has formally sentenced Jeffrey Cameron Clark to die for murdering a prison security officer. A jury chosen in St. Tammany Parish last week convicted Clark of first-degree murder and sentenced him to death in the Dec. 28, 1999, beating and stabbing death of Louisiana... more »

• West Feliciana board closes elementary school

  May 18, 2011 7:02 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE- The West Feliciana School Board has approved a second round of budget cuts that included closing Tunica Elementary School near Angola and sending its students to Bains Elementary and Bains Lower Elementary schools. The board approved the closure Tuesday on a 4-2 vote for a savings of $590,303... more »

• Jury votes death penalty in Clark trial

  May 17, 2011 3:18 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE- The jury in the Jeffrey Cameron Clark murder trial has decided that he should be put to death for killing a Louisiana State Penitentiary security officer more than 11 years ago. The Advocate reports that the seven men and five women, who were chosen in St. Tammany Parish... more »

• West Feliciana prepares for floods

  May 7, 2011 6:46 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE- The US Army Corps of Engineers anticipates opening the Morganza flood structure sometime next week, until then folks in West Feliciana Parish continue to make preps to shore up their property before it is inundated with water. "Our camp is in jeopardy of going under water so... more »

• River levels force bridge opening

  May 4, 2011 6:07 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE- The John James Audubon Bridge will be open to traffic beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday morning. It's a move prompted by Governor Jindal to provide a reliable crossing between St. Francisville and New Roads as river levels rise. The opening of the bridge also marks the closure of... more »

• Warden: No Shawshank Redemptions for West Feliciana

  February 9, 2011 5:49 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - Inmates at the West Feliciana Jail will have to do a lot more than getting past security guards or scaling razor-wire fences if they want to break free. They will now have to make it past 24-hour infrared cameras that will monitor both the inside and outside... more »

• Escaped W. Feliciana inmate will cost taxpayers

  January 10, 2011 5:48 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE-- Deputies worked more than a hundred overtime hours last week checking cars leaving St. Francisville as they searched for escaped inmate David St. Germain, according to deputies with the Sheriff's Office. It's not the only way his escape will cost taxpayers. Warden Randy Holden is looking into... more »

• Inmate from W. Feliciana still on the run

  January 10, 2011 3:00 PM

  WEST FELICIANA - U.S. Marshals on the hunt for David St. Germain, an inmate that escaped from the West Feliciana Parish jail last week, may be in Slidell where he has family ties. Marshals tracked St. Germain there last week but lost him in the woods near Slidell. There's... more »

• Inmate still on loose from W. Feliciana Jail

  January 4, 2011 8:39 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - Authorities continue to search for the man who escaped from the West Feliciana Parish jail. Sheriff J. Austin Daniel said that 45-year-old David St. Germain, a trusty, pulled the chain-link wire mesh of an exercise yard fence apart Sunday night, allowing him to reach an animal control... more »

• Escaped inmate still at large in W. Feliciana Parish

  January 3, 2011 12:39 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - Authorities are warning people in West Feliciana Parish to be on their guard as they continue their search for an escaped inmate. 45-year-old David St. Germain was noticed missing from the parish jail around 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Investigators believe he cut or ripped open a hole... more »

• Audubon Bridge construction hits a milestone

  December 29, 2010 5:37 PM

  The last beams connecting the east and west spans of the John James Audubon Bridge are now in place on. There is now one continuous structure over the Mississippi River. The bridge will connect St. Francisville and New Roads once it opens next summer. Project engineers say it's... more »

• Audubon Bridge connected

  December 29, 2010 11:19 AM

  The longest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere is officially connected, though not ready for commuters yet. The John James Audobon Bridge connects Pointe Coupee and West Feliciana parishes, stretching 1/3 a mile over the Mississippi River. Construction crews tell News-2 the bridge is about 92% complete but... more »

• 10 ATVs recovered; La. man arrested

  December 21, 2010 7:16 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - West Feliciana Parish sheriff's deputies have recovered 10 four-wheel motorcycles stolen in recent weeks in two parishes and one Mississippi county. Eight of the recovered all-terrain vehicles are among 11 reported stolen in West Feliciana Parish in the past month. One of the two remaining ATVs was... more »

• West Feliciana "Kids' Christmas" needs toys

  December 8, 2010 5:54 PM

  WEST FELCIANA - In the tenth year of the West Feliciana Sheriff's Office "Kids Christmas," they have 25 percent fewer toys than they need, with the event just days away. Last year, they gave about 200 kids gifts. This year, they're expecting 300 kids, but have gotten fewer donations.... more »

• Police: Man used sick son for scam

  October 29, 2010 1:14 PM

  NATCHEZ, Miss. - Authorities have charged a man with scamming people in Mississippi and Louisiana by raising money for his cancer-stricken son and allegedly spending the cash on narcotics for himself. Michael W. Jones, a 42-year-old man from Liberty, Miss., was being held Friday on a $10,000 bond. ... more »

• Teen killed in double shooting at club

  August 8, 2010 10:03 AM

  A teenager was killed in a double shooting in the parking lot of a nightclub in St. Francisville. It happened at Gerri's Blues Club near the corner of Solitude Road and Indian Mound Road in St. Francisville, La. around 2 a.m. Sunday. Christopher Blaylock, 22, of Jackson, La. was... more »

• Baton Rouge man accused in ATM thefts

  July 13, 2010 7:45 AM

  Federal prosecutors have charged a Baton Rouge man with conspiracy to commit bank thefts totaling more than $200,000. Larry Harrington has been in custody since his arrest June 20 by St. Francisville police. Harrington is accused of conspiring with unnamed others to steal approximately $124,000 last month from a St.... more »

• Man arrested in ATM theft being held in Tangipahoa Parish Jail

  June 24, 2010 2:56 PM

  Update : A second man arrested in connected with the June 15 burglary of a bank’s automated teller machine in St. Francisville is being held in Tangipahoa Parish Jail. Police said Mark Alan Stanley, Baton Rouge, will be transferred to West Feliciana Parish Jail, but they are unsure when. They... more »

• Baton Rouge man arrested in ATM theft

  June 24, 2010 7:25 AM

  A second man has been arrested in connection with the June 15 burglary of a bank's automated teller machine in St. Francisville. Mark Alan Stanley, Baton Rouge, was arrested at his girlfriend's house in Hammond. Police arrested 54-year-old Larry Harrington, Baton Rouge, Saturday and booked him in West Feliciana Parish... more »

• Woman dies after two-vehicle crash

  June 22, 2010 4:58 PM

  A woman is dead after a two-vehicle crash around 7:00a.m. this morning. Louisiana State Police said 46-year-old Maria Peterson, St. Francisville, was driving a 2004 GMC Yukon west on LA 10 when she crossed the center line into the eastbound lane and struck a 1989 Oldsmobile Ciera head on. The... more »

• Thief robs ATM of $126,000

  June 18, 2010 6:04 PM

  A St. Francisville ATM sits empty while investigators try to figure out who emptied it of the $126,000 of cash that someone took Tuesday night. Just after 8:15, surveillance video from Hancock Bank shows someone pull up to the ATM in a van, open both the side doors of... more »

• Thief robs Hancock ATM of $126,000

  June 18, 2010 10:05 AM

  The thief who overcame several layers of security to rob a bank's automated teller machine of about $126,000 was driving a late-model, white GMC van. The Advocate reported on Friday that Police Chief Scott Ford said Thursday night's theft took only about four minutes. The thief apparently had... more »

• Accused teen killer indicted by Grand Jury

  June 17, 2010 1:02 PM

  A 16 year old West Feliciana Parish boy has been indicted on a first degree murder charge. Trevor Reese is accused of stabbing to death eight year old Jackson Attuso. Attuso was killed while riding his bile on a hiking trail in the Bluffs subdivision, near St. Francisville,... more »

• St. Francisville woman celebrates 110th birthday

  June 16, 2010 2:11 PM

  The woman known as "Mama Lou" celebrated her 110th birthday Tuesday at the St. Francisville Country Manor. Nursing Home officials say Louise Williams participates in karaoke, exercise classes, and bingo on a regular basis. Williams also has a 97 year-old sister and an 88 year-old Caroline Harris Adams.... more »

• Teen to be tried as adult for murder

  June 11, 2010 6:19 PM

  A West Feliciana Parish Judge ruled 16-year-old Trevor Reese would be tried as adult for murder. He's accused of stabbing 8-year-old Jackson Attuso to death. It happened yesterday on a trail in The Bluffs subdivision in St. Francisville. "This kid has never been in trouble," said Sheriff Austin... more »

• 8-year-old stabbed to death on bike trail

  June 10, 2010 10:01 PM

  West Feliciana Sheriff's Office is investigating the stabbing death of an 8-year-old boy in St. Francisville. Witnesses told News 2 the boy was riding bikes with his mother along a trail in The Bluffs subdivision. The boy got separated from his mother, and that's when authorities say a 16-year-old... more »

• Man gets 2-year deferred sentence in death

  May 28, 2010 5:21 AM

  A Zachary man received a deferred two-year prison sentence for the June 2008 hit-and-run death of a St. Francisville pedestrian. Darryl Whittington will serve two years of supervised probation and pay a $1,000 fine. He pleaded no contest to hit-and-run driving after his indictment in the death of Angela Davis... more »

• Truck stop employee accused of robbing his employer

  May 14, 2010 12:46 PM

  West Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Deputies are looking for two men accused of robbing Swifty's Truck Stop on Highway 61 in St. Francisville. The suspects are identified as Michael Johnson of New Orleans and Jimmy J. Davis Jr. of Baton Rouge. Deputies say Johnson robbed the truck stop at... more »

• New Roads/St. Francisville ferry out of service

  May 5, 2010 6:39 AM

  The 35-car ferry between St. Francisville and New Roads is out of service after an oil leak developed in one of the vessel's main engines. A 17-car ferry boat will be moved from Edgard to the New Roads/St. Francisville ferry landing to permit service to resume by Wednesday. Vehicle restrictions... more »

• No decision yet on restarting paper mill

  May 4, 2010 7:28 AM

  The purchase of the Renew Paper mill near St. Francisville is official, but there's no word on restarting the plant. The $10 million sale was approved last month by a federal bankruptcy judge in Baton Rouge. West Feliciana Acquisition LLC sold the 455,000-square-foot mill and 610 acres to Amzak Capital... more »

• Florida company buys St. Francisville mill

  April 10, 2010 11:11 AM

  A Florida company has agreed to pay $9.9 million to take over the closed Renew Paper mill near St. Francisville. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Douglas Dodd, who ordered a court-supervised auction, said he would enter a sale order Monday. The Advocate of Baton Rouge says that clears the way for... more »

• U.S. 61 remains shut down in St. Francisville

  March 31, 2010 4:27 PM

  U.S. 61 in St. Francisville is expected to be shut down until after 7 p.m., according to Louisiana State Police Troop A. Officials said the time will allow crews to move the concentrated chlorine from the overturned 18-wheeler into another tanker. Then the truck will be righted and moved... more »

• U.S. 61 shut down in St. Francisville

  March 31, 2010 11:29 AM

  U.S. 61 in St. Francisville has been shut down in front of McDonald's in the city limits due to an overturned 18-wheeler. The 18-wheeler is loaded with concentrated bleach and it is leaking. West Feliciana Sheriff Austin Daniels says Hazmat and DEQ are on the scene and a few... more »

• March auction set for Bluffs clubhouse

  February 10, 2010 7:45 AM

  The Bluffs Country Club clubhouse, which closed last summer and has since been repossessed by a bank, will be placed on the auction block March 5. Sperry Van Ness/Gilmore Auction will conduct the sale of the clubhouse, which sits on 4.7 acres. The 19,786-square-foot clubhouse has two floors and includes... more »

• Man sentenced in child porn case

  January 28, 2010 6:42 AM

  A 44-year-old St. Francisville man has been sentenced in Baton Rouge to nearly four years in federal prison for possession of child pornography. Earl Henry Leet also was ordered to serve three years under the post-prison supervision of federal officers. Leet was convicted by a jury in January 2009. Leet's... more »

• Sheriff's deputy accused of stalking, fired

  January 22, 2010 6:34 AM

  A West Feliciana Parish sheriff's deputy has been fired after being arrested for allegedly stalking a man he believed was seeing his wife. Authorities say 48-year-old Robert Wayne Stogner of St. Francisville tried to contact the man at his place of employment, Georgia Pacific's Port Hudson mill. East Baton Rouge... more »

• New Roads/St. Francisville ferry return delayed

  January 6, 2010 3:09 PM

  The New Roads/St. Francisville ferry’s return to service has been pushed back. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) says that the ferry will remain out of service until midday on Friday, January 8, 2010. The ferry service was suspended on Tuesday for repairs to be made to the... more »

• Murder suspect arrested

  December 28, 2009 10:11 AM

  23-year-old Eric Martin turned himself in to East Feliciana Parish Deputies this morning. He is accused of shooting and killing 21-year-old Terrance Brooks outside Gerri's Blues Club in St. Francisville after a fight over the weekend. He will be booked into the West Feliciana Parish Jail and charged with murder. more »

• Murder suspect still on the loose

  December 27, 2009 6:01 PM

  West Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Deputies spent Sunday processing evidence and searching for the suspect of a weekend shooting. Investigators believe Eric Martin shot and killed Terrance Brooks at Gerri's Blues Club in St. Francisville early Saturday morning. The former owner, now landlord of the club, Elizabeth Lee, told News... more »

• Deadly shooting in St. Francisville

  December 26, 2009 4:27 PM

  Update: 23-year-old Eric Martin, from Ethel, is wanted for the murder of Terrence J. Brooks, of Harwood, LA in West Feliciana Parish overnight. Deputies responded to reports of fighting and gun shots outside Gerri's Blues Club in St. Francisville. Brooks was found outside the club with a single gun... more »

• Deadly shooting in St. Francisville

  December 26, 2009 2:18 PM

  A killer is on the loose after a shooting at Liz's Lounge in St. Francisville overnight. Police are searching for the suspect in East Baton Rouge and East Faliciana Parishes, but have not released any details on who they're looking for. Terrance Brooks was shot to death outside... more »

• New Roads/St. Francisville ferry to reopen Thursday

  December 9, 2009 4:54 PM

  The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced Wednesday that the New Roads/St. Francisville ferry will reopen mid-morning Thursday after clearance is received from the U.S. Coast Guard. The ferry did not run on Wednesday while crews repaired the vessel's engine cooling system. The regular operating hours for... more »

• Ferry closed Wednesday

  December 8, 2009 8:12 PM

  The ferry between New Roads and St. Francisville will not run Wednesday. Crews need to repair the vessel's engine cooling system. The ferry is expected to return Thursday. There are several ways to keep up with the ferry's status. You can call 1-888-613-3779, check the ferry's Twitter page... more »

• Funds approved for US 61 traffic study

  November 18, 2009 6:14 AM

  The West Feliciana Parish Police Jury has voted 5-2 to pay $95,000 for a study of future traffic patterns along much of U.S. 61 in the parish. The highway is being improved and widened to four lanes from Thompson Creek on the southern end of the parish to Bains, north... more »

• New Roads/St. Francisville ferry out of service until Sunday

  November 5, 2009 1:55 PM

  Update: The New Roads/St. Francisville ferry will be out of service until Sunday after the vessel's propeller was damaged by debris in the Mississippi River, the Department of Transportation and Development announced Thursday afternoon. DOTD is in the process of moving another ferry to the New Roads/St. Francisville ferry landing.... more »

• Smaller ferry set for New Roads

  September 29, 2009 5:58 AM

  The state Department of Transportation and Development says the 35-car ferry at the New Roads/St. Francisville location will be temporarily replaced with a 17-car ferry to allow crews to repair its fuel vents. There are vehicle restrictions including no trailers, and vehicles can have no more than two axles and... more »

• Man convicted for molestation, victim recants story

  September 16, 2009 8:20 PM

  A man was convicted of molesting a child in West Feliciana Parish today, even though the girl recanted her story. 34-year-old Michael Paul Jackson of St. Francisville faces up to 20 years in prison. The 14-year-old girl took the stand and told the jury that Jackson did not fondle... more »