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1 month 2 weeks ago
MCCA Parade
1:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14
High Temp 75 degrees
55% chance p.m. Showers
Pepe Parade
2:00 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 15
High Temp 65 degrees
38% chance a.m. Showers,
Likely clearing by parade time
Mardi Gras Day
Tuesday, Feb. 17
High Temp 74 degrees
Slight chance of showers
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1 month 2 weeks ago
At the February meeting of the Washington Parish Free Fair Executive Board and Committee Chairs, two schools were recognized for their participation in the Corporate Sponsor Committee's Ribbon Sponsor program. Money raised by the schools is used to purchase ribbons for school-aged participants in the fair's various contests. In the photo above from left to right are Erin Galloway, Principal at Byrd Avenue Primary School; Ty Dillon, Corporate Sponsor committee member; and Kayla Sabel, Principal at Franklinton Primary School.
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1 month 2 weeks ago
Photo by Steve Kuperstock, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Work is under way to block the view of the new Lee Street recycling facility.
Concerns about a new metal recycling business in Franklinton have apparently lessened in recent weeks as the owners of the business have started implementing their plan to improve the view of the facility.
Franklinton Metal Recycling is located along Lee Street, just south of downtown Franklinton. Late last year, as scrap metal began accumulating on the site some Franklinton residents expressed worries about the junky views that were so obvious to anyone driving on Lee Street.
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1 month 2 weeks ago
Cecily Bateman
"You meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. But sometimes you meet those people you can't forget. Those are your friends." -----Mark Twain
By Cecily Bateman on
1 month 2 weeks ago
Mississippi State University congratulates students named to the fall 2025 Deans' List.
Students named to the Deans' List at Mississippi State must have achieved a GPA between 3.5 and 3.79, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.
The following local students attained this honor:
Madison Bruns, of Bogalusa.
Madeline Clabert, of Franklinton.
Nicholas Caminita, of Franklinton.
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1 month 2 weeks ago
The Franklinton Lady Demons basketball team used a dominant fourth quarter to pull away from the Belle Chasse Lady Cardinals for a 37-25 victory last week.
Coach Atari Warners Lady Demons trailed 10-0 after the opening period and went into halftime down 12-9 after outscoring Belle Chasse 9-2. The Lady Demons still faced a nine-point deficit, 21-12, after three quarters before turning the game around in the final period.
Franklinton exploded for 22 points in the fourth quarter while holding Belle Chasse to just four points to secure the win.
By DAMON SMITH on
1 month 2 weeks ago
The Franklinton Demons baseball team participated in the Pine jamboree with mixed results as they fell to the host Raiders 3-0 and soundly defeated the Bogalusa Lumberjacks 9-0. Both jamboree games consisted of three full innings of play. The Raiders also defeated the Varnado Wildcats 8-0 on the other varsity jamboree game. The Demons will play Chalmette on February 12 and host Ponchatoula on February 13 before hosting Northshore on February 14. The Raiders will play St Martins and Covington on February 14.
By DAMON SMITH on
1 month 2 weeks ago
Sheriff Jason Smith commends Deputy Victoria Fletcher.
, Sheriff Jason Smith commends Deputy Roy Scroggs
, WPSO Jail Warden Mike Guitreau promotes Sgt. Riona Wilson
, WPSO Jail Warden Mike Guitreau promotes Lt. Sonnie Warren
On Tuesday of this week, Washington Parish Sheriff's deputies gathered for their monthly “All Hands” meeting. During the meeting, Sheriff Jason Smith recognized several outstanding deputies who have demonstrated commitment and gone above and beyond in their roles.
Deputies who received recognition include: Deputy Victoria Fletcher and Deputy Roy Scroggs.
Two more deputies received promotions for their hard work and dedication in the jail. Deputies who received promotions include: Sgt. Riona Wilson and Lt. Sonnie Warren.
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1 month 2 weeks ago
Keldric Harry
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1 month 2 weeks ago
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1 month 3 weeks ago
Photo by Steve Kuperstock, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Was it only a few days ago that Washington Parish was shivering with temperatures in the mid-20's?
What's that old saying? If you don't like the weather in Southeast Louisiana, just wait a little while --- it'll change!
Shown above is the downtown Franklinton temperature early Friday afternoon at First Baptist Church ---- and the 71-degree temperature was expected to rise later in the afternoon. Now that's a temperature swing!
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1 month 3 weeks ago
There are now four Washington Parish Mardi Gras organizations holding parades. As always, everyone is invited to attend the parades and share the fun!
Look for complete information in the annual Mardi Gras section in the February 11 edition of The Era-Leader!
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PARADE SCHEDULE
•Krewe of Odysseus Night Parade
Friday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m.
Regular Franklinton Parade Route
•Magic City Carnival Assn. (MCCA)
Saturday, Feb. 14, 1 p.m.
Regular Bogalusa Parade Route
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1 month 3 weeks ago
Judge William H. (Billy) Burris
Judge William H. “Billy” Burris of Franklinton, a conservative jurist and lifelong Republican, has announced his candidacy for the Louisiana Supreme Court, District 1.
The District 1 seat on the court became vacant upon Justice Will Crain’s appointment to a federal judgeship. Like Burris, Crain is also a native of Washington Parish.
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1 month 3 weeks ago
Cecily Bateman
"Because I could not stop for death, He kindly stopped for me; The carriage held but just ourselves and immortality." ----Emily Dickinson
By Cecily Bateman on
1 month 3 weeks ago
Jim Brown
By Jim Brown on
1 month 3 weeks ago
Pictured: Front row (left to right): Rebecca Ingram, Chalmette Anderson, Mateo Morales, Levi Applewhite, Destiny Martinez; Back row (left to right): Rusty Fornea (ADAPT, Inc. Executive Director); Laiton Stewart (Northshore Charter art teacher); I’Layna Simmons, Eli Murray, Addison Buffinet, Caroline Myers, Kamryn Wilson, Presley Stafford, O’Ryon Norris; Sharon Fornea (Franklinton Elementary and Franklinton Primary art teacher); Ramona Thomas (Pine High School principal); Kelly Stubbs (Pine High School art teacher); and Rachel Sumrall (Franklinton Elementary principal). Winners not pictured are: McKinley Rice, Adalberto Jr. Bussi-Valdez, Logan Walker, and Aubury Dillon.
ADAPT, Inc. is proud to announce the successful completion of its Youth Art CalendarContest, a parish-wide initiative designed to increase awareness of alcohol-related issues and encourage healthy, drug-free choices among young people.
This prevention project was made possible through funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as part of its national Communities Talk to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse Campaign.
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1 month 3 weeks ago
The Franklinton Junior High Lady Falcons softball team was shut out by Madisonville last week, falling 13-0 in a three-inning contest.
Madisonville took control early, scoring six runs in the first inning and adding five more in the second. Two additional runs in the third inning ended the game.
By DAMON SMITH on
1 month 3 weeks ago
Ricky Songy was the starting pitcher for FHS.
PHOTO BY TONI TAGEANT
The Franklinton Demons baseball team traveled to Belle Chasse to scrimmage the Cardinals in what turned out to be a spectacular game. Another extra twist was that the Demons head coach, Clay Tageant, and the Cardinals head coach, Evan Tageant, are brothers, as well as being the sons of former FHS head coach Jeff Tageant.
By DAMON SMITH on
1 month 3 weeks ago
The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame today announced the 95 state winners of the 2025-26 NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards, Presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation. The initiative honors the top academic football teams from each level of play within each state and is designed to inspire and foster a culture of academic excellence in high school football teams throughout the nation. The 95 teams will now vie as finalists for the NFF Hatchell Cup, Presented by Bob's Steak & Chop House. The Hatchell Cup winner will be announced Feb.
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1 month 3 weeks ago
Photo by Tracey Ladner, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Rouses of Franklinton opened at 7 a.m. Monday morning to a large crowd of local shoppers eager to view the remodeled store. Rouses replaces Winn-Dixie, which has pulled out of Louisiana entirely.
At 4 p.m. Monday local officials and others joined Rouses CEO Donny Rouse for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the store.
In the photo above, a large group of local officials and Rouses personnel were present for the ribbon-cutting. Store personnel said they were appreciative of the large number of shoppers who have come to the store.
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