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1 week ago
A tragic accident on the Pine Highway Sunday morning claimed the life of a young Franklinton man.
Louisiana State Troopers reported that Hayden S. Davis, age 20, was killed in the crash, which occurred at about 10 a.m.
The report from the state police indicates that Davis was driving a 2008 Infiniti G35 east on the Pine Highway (LA436).
As Davis drove eastbound, he approached a 2026 Kia K5, which was also traveling east. For reasons still under investigation, Davis tried to pass the Kia in a no-passing zone. His car collided with the Kia.
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1 week ago
Saturday was opening day for the Franklinton Youth Baseball organization, and local leaders were at the baseball fields to cheer for the young players. From left to right above are Sheriff Jason Smith, Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown, Franklinton Mayor Darwin Sharp, Parish President Ryan Seal, and Franklinton Alderman T.J. Butler Jr. Mayor Sharp threw the first pitch of the 2026 season, and he was caught by Chief Brown. See additional opening day photos in this week's printed edition of The Era-Leader.
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1 week ago
(Note: Photos of all of the Pine students recognized at the School Board meeting are in the printed edition of The Era-Leader this week.)
By TONI TAGEANT
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1 week ago
The Franklinton Junior high softball team split a pair of games last week as they defeated Mt Hermon 5-2 and fell to Loranger 11-6. The Lady Falcons will finish out their season this Thursday against Pine at FHS. This will also be Eighth Grade night for the Lady Falcons as well.
By DAMON SMITH on
1 week ago
Cecily Bateman
When my daughter Betsy first moved to Boston in the summer of 2021 for her fellowship at Brigham and Women's, a native Bostonian advised me --- a real Southerner --- against coming to Bean Town in January or February. She cautioned, "Even March can be dicey." But the first two months of the year were to be avoided at all cost.
By Cecily Bateman on
1 week ago
Callie Foreman
Way back thousands of years ago it only seemed logical that mankind would create explanations for the unexplained. Mythological creatures, lunar eclipses, unusual weather changes, and rising tides must have preempted men and women to come up with their own logical or not so logical reasoning. And years passed which trickled down into what we refer to as superstitions.
By Callie Foreman on
1 week ago
Attention Golfers!! The Mt. Hermon Ruritan Club will be hosting The Beryl Schilling Memorial Golf Tournament on April 11th at the Franklinton County Club, with a start time of 9 AM. Team fee is $200 and Mulligans are $5 each. Early registration is appreciated, but you can register that morning. Please contact Mike Burris at 504-451-8220. Players will be served lunch after completing the 18 holes.
By Holly Gill Sanders on
1 week ago
If you would like to help with our Little Caesars Fundraising for Enon Elementary School, just go to our Facebook Page and check out the information. Our Book Fair for EES is March 23-27. We are so excited to see all of the books and items for sale. If you have a child who will be 4 years old by 9/30/26, make sure to register your child as soon as possible, just check out our Facebook page for more information. Don’t forget Spring Break is April 3 through April 12.
By Karen Thigpen on
1 week ago
Hello again everyone. I hope this finds you all doing well. I hope you are out in your yards and enjoying all this beautiful weather we've been having. Spring is here and all the flowers are so pretty. Many folks already have their gardens planted. Ain't God good....!!!
Happy Birthday to the following: . . . . Mack Magee, Matt Stewart, Drew Stafford, Todd McElveen, Pam Breland, Hannah Terrell, Monica Smith, Brandon Hightower, Randy Branch, and Jacob Graves.
Condolences go out to the Clarence Russell family and to all others who have loved ones pass away this past week.
By Lerand Hunt on
1 week ago
The Magnolia Belles met for their March meeting at the home of Tra Ladner. Hostesses were Jana Stafford, Tra Ladner, Patty Alford, and Anne Millette (Picture above).
The Ladner home was beautifully decorated with an Easter theme. Members were served a Caesar salad, chicken pot pie casserole, deviled eggs, and meringue desserts.
After the business meeting members enjoyed a game of Left/Right as they listened to the Easter story.
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1 week 1 day ago
John Gallaspy
Washington Parish President Ryan Seal has issued an Executive Order directing that all flags in the parish be flown at half-staff tomorrow, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in honor of John Norman Gallaspy.
We join our community in remembering his life and legacy, and we lift his family and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Mr. Gallaspy was an attorney, a watermelon grower, a community activist, and a proud and active veteran, having won the Bronze Star with V for valor during the Korean War.
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2 weeks ago
Photo by Steve Kuperstock, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
This metal outbuilding was flipped over and moved by the Franklinton tornado. It is located at a residence on Clarain Drive on the south side of Franklinton.
Although the two tornadoes that touched down in Washington Parish last Wednesday night created plenty of damage, local residents can be thankful that there were no serious injuries or deaths.
Damage was reported in the Franklinton and in the areas to the south of Mount Hermon, as well as elsewhere in the parish.
But it was more than just tornado and wind damage ---- Pine High School suffered a lightning strike and classes were cancelled for Thursday.
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2 weeks ago
Justin Brown, Chief of Police
, Jason Smith, Washington Parish Sheriff
Washington Parish and Franklinton first responders received plenty of praise for their efforts following last week’s tornado emergency. The Era-Leader asked Sheriff Jason Smith and Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown to comment:
•SHERIFF JASON SMITH
“I’m thankful there was no loss of life and I want to commend the communications deputies who worked so diligently through the storm to ensure the response of law enforcement, fire, public works, DOTD, and the utility companies was properly coordinated. Thank you, Katherine Ordoyne and Abigail Knight.”
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2 weeks ago
The Franklinton Mayor and Board of Aldermen met most recently on March 10. Following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, the minutes of the February 24, 2026, Regular Meeting were approved.
The Board then addressed new business.
First on the agenda was to adopt the Fleet Monitoring and Vehicle Use Policy. This item was tabled at the last meeting so that Aldermen would have more time to study the document.
By Toni Tageant on
2 weeks ago
The Washington Parish Council met on Monday, March 9.
By Toni Tageant on
2 weeks ago
Cecily Bateman
"Maybe I should just go home and ride my tractor." ----Chuck Grassley, Iowa farmer and President pro tempore of the United States Senate
By Cecily Bateman on
2 weeks ago
Photo by Tracey Ladner, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Franklinton High’s record breaking quarterback, Jacob Crain, signed with Pearl River Community College Monday afternoon, continuing his football career.
Jacob is the son of Rob and Kristi Crain of Franklinton. He is shown above with his parents and grandmothers at the signing ceremony.
From left to right are Linda Crain, Rob Crain, Jacob Crain, Kristi Crain, and Judy Simmons.
Jacob’s deceased grandfathers are Robert Crain and Reggie Simmons.
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2 weeks ago
Franklinton Junior High School Students of the Month were recently recognized.
Shown in the photo above are, front row, left to right, Darriuna Hart, Everett Smith, Reagan Stogner, Jacori Webb, Kollin Graves, Quentin Spikes, Will Walker, and Alexis Magee.
Back row, left to right, Ethan Pierce, Principal Misty Polk, Ziley Babin, Rayley Brown, Evan Tovar, Heaven Butler, Eugene Simmons, and Drew Hartzog.
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2 weeks ago
Rev. Jimmy Oalmann
Luke 8:26-39
By Rev. Jimmy Oalmann - Richardson Baptist Church on
2 weeks ago
Jim Brown
Louisiana has been called the Culinary Mecca of America. Folks in this part of the country can take just about anything edible and make it not just good, but quite exceptional. And when we say anything, we mean everything. There is virtually no limit to what a Cajun will put in a gumbo. Well, because of federal restrictions, there is one thing --- horsemeat.
For years, Congress has banned the sale of horsemeat for consumption in the U.S. But that could well change under the proposed budget by the Trump Administration.
By Jim Brown on
