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4 days 23 hours ago
Natchez is a treasure and I was delighted to spend a long weekend in that historic town on Memorial Day.
Jesus said a prophet is not appreciated in his hometown. Likewise, many Mississippians don't appreciate what a historic treasure Natchez is.
Back in the years before the Civil War, Natchez was, by far, the richest city in the United States with the most millionaires per capita. It was the historic equivalent of what Silicon Valley is today.
By Wyatt Emmerich on
5 days ago
This past Sunday, in advance of Memorial Day on Monday, local residents gathered at the Varnado Store Museum in downtown Franklinton for a solemn ceremony in remembrance of and gratitude to those who lost their lives serving their country in time of war. In the photo above, the American Legion Post #24 firing party prepares for a 3 volley rifle salute.
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5 days ago
The Washington Parish Council met on Monday, May 18. Following a public hearing on two proposed ordinances, the Council decided on the appeal filed by residents of Austin Varnado Road to negate a conditional use permit grant by the Washington Parish Planning Commission to allow a cell tower to be constructed.
By Toni Tageant on
5 days ago
The Washington Parish School Board members gathered for the board’s May 14 meeting.
Prior to the invocation, Board member Scott Breland asked everyone to be mindful of and in prayer for the families of Jaliyah Howard who attended Franklinton High School and Cameron Spears who attended Pine High School. Both passed away in the past two weeks.
By Toni Tageant on
5 days ago
The May meeting of the Magnolia Belles was held at the beautiful home of Melanie Sumrall. Hosting with Melanie were Karen Spears, and Joni Brindle. Guest speaker was Hutch Gonzales who recently became the new owner of B4 Fitness. He gave a very informative talk on the importance of fitness and what B4 Fitness has to offer our community. Members were served a “ball park” menu of salad, hot dogs or Frito pie, chips, fruit kabobs and assorted desserts. No meetings are scheduled for June and July. Everyone enjoy your summer and see you in August!
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5 days ago
The final meeting of the year for the Washington Art Association was held at Cafe Bouchee' with a brief business meeting led by President Hilaria Broadwater. Following a delicious banquet, the offices of the Association were declared vacant and the installation ceremony was led by Terry Seal, Historian. Officers from the preceding year agreed to continue in office for the 2026-2027 year.
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5 days ago
Cecily Bateman
This column has yet to feature lipstick, until today. In all candor, the thought never crossed my mind, that is until the Pierre de Mandeville Chapter NSDAR (National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution) Newsletter Volume 18 Issue 5 December 2025 appeared in my inbox, courtesy of my fellow DAR member Melissa Sprafka.
By Cecily Bateman on
5 days 1 hour ago
Greetings once again to all my faithful readers. Hopefully you are doing good.One thing for sure, we had lots of rain over the past several days. We do know the rain from the heavens is important, but once everything is soaked, we desire to have sunny days, we are not in control of the weather, so therefore we will leave that to the Lord. He knows what we need and how much we need. Amen.
By Nell Smith on
5 days 1 hour ago
The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station will hold its annual landscape horticulture field day June 18 — about one month earlier than the event has traditionally taken place.
Gates will open at 7:30 a.m. for registration, coffee and refreshments. The field day program will begin at 8:15 a.m. and conclude at 2:30 p.m. with a break for a provided lunch.
The day’s itinerary includes the following:
— Welcome remarks from AgCenter and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry officials.
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5 days 2 hours ago
Southeastern Louisiana University celebrated its 1,215 graduates Saturday, May 16, in two separate commencement ceremonies in the University Center. The ceremonies mark the 100th anniversary of Southeastern’s first graduating class. During the afternoon ceremony, Southeastern celebrated its 100,000th graduate with special fanfare. Gracie LeBlanc, a psychology major from Cut Off received the distinction and was awarded a special plaque to commemorate the occasion.
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1 week 4 days ago
On hand at the Franklinton Shooting Range are from left: AmWaste employees Landry Richardson, Operations Manager; Laci Howes, Office Manager; Lauren Anthony, District Manager; and Mayor Darwin Sharp, Alderman Seth Descant, Lt. Jonathan Leche, and Sgt. Justin McFarland. Pictured behind them is the clay berm that will undergo extensive renovation.
Franklinton residents may not realize that tucked away behind locked fencing beyond the softball complex on Boat Ramp Road is the Franklinton Police Department's shooting range.
Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown said the first range was built on the site in the 1960's, and in 2010, he spearheaded tearing down the old one and rebuilding it.
By Toni Tageant on
1 week 4 days ago
Michael Martin
Approximately 3 a.m. Sunday morning (May 17) a 911 call was received about a shooting just off of Jamieson Creek Road, north of Franklinton.
Upon arrival Washington Parish deputies found 64-year-old Johnny Slocum critically injured with a gunshot wound.
Slocum was transported to Riverside Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
Deputies arrested Michael Martin, age 23. He was charged with second-degree murder and booked into the Washington Parish Jail. He was being held on $750,000 bond.
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1 week 4 days ago
The Franklinton Demons football team scrimmaged with the Hammond Tornados last Thursday in Demon Stadium. The Demons came out on top of the scrimmage as they scored seven touchdowns to Hammond's four.
The scrimmage began with goal line situations and Hammond scored once on their four plays while the Demons scored three times in their four plays. Chakyn McClain rushed for a touchdown, Ricardo Burris rushed for a touchdown and Kerston Diddon rushed for a touchdown as well.
By DAMON SMITH on
1 week 4 days ago
Damon Smith
After the spring football scrimmages were held I asked the local and area coaches their thoughts on their scrimmage and how their respective teams played. Here are their responses
By DAMON SMITH on
1 week 4 days ago
On Sunday, May 24th, the Varnado Store Museum in Franklinton will host a Memorial Day program on the Cleveland Street side of the museum at 2 p.m.
The American Legion Post 24 will present the memorial speakers, prayers, color guard, gun salute and taps.
Everyone is invited to join in remembering those who have fought and given the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
The museum will be open for the viewing of the current exhibit, "A Salute to the Military".
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1 week 4 days ago
The Washington Chamber of Commerce was pleased to begin this past Monday morning at the State Capitol hosting the Northshore Delegation Breakfast alongside the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce and the Tangipahoa Chamber of Commerce.
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1 week 4 days ago
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1 week 4 days ago
Hello there again hope that all mothers had a bless day, I know that many did not in losing their children, so we keep praying for everybody.
By Brenda Magee on
1 week 5 days ago
The family photo of Billy Elmore has always haunted me. It pops up every now and then as my computer screen rotates through thousands of stored photos.
He is a handsome lad in his twenties with a long face and a serious demeanor.
I am probably the only person left in the world who can recognize him. He died in World War II in 1942 and left no children. He was my great-uncle. My mother’s mother’s brother.
By Wyatt Emmerich on
2 weeks 2 days ago
William "Billy" Burris...elected to state Supreme Court
, Jamie Davis...led in Democratic Senate primary.
, Julia Letlow...led Republican Senate primary
In Saturday’s primary election U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy was unseated and a Franklinton judge was elevated to the state Supreme Court.
Cassidy placed third in statewide balloting for the Republican nomination for Senate. His term will end in January.
U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow represents Washington Parish and other parishes in her 5th Congressional District. She won the statewide Republican primary for Senate, but she didn’t get 50% of the vote so she will be in a June runoff with State Treasurer John Fleming. Fleming placed second in Saturday’s election.
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