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2 weeks 6 days ago
Jim Brown
Although presidents from both political parties process no desire to carry on wars throughout the Middle East, history shows otherwise. The bigger question is just how much involvement should the United States undertake in the Middle East? We have been fighting endless wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and putting out never ending brushfires throughout this region for the past 80 years. Some 20,000 American soldiers have lost their lives fighting in this region since 9/11.
By Jim Brown on
2 weeks 6 days ago
Photo by Steve Kuperstock, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Storm damage at the home of Robert and Beverly Jones near the intersection of Highway 16 and Highway 1072 in Franklinton. (See additional photo by clicking arrow.)
, Storm damage at the home of Robert and Beverly Jones near the intersection of Highway 16 and Highway 1072 in Franklinton.
UPDATED ARTICLE
Washington Parish officials are evaluating damage that occurred in the parish last night (Wednesday night) as a result of multiple apparent tornadoes that touched down.
Damage was reported in the Franklinton and Mount Hermon areas, 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.
In Franklinton, an apparent tornado touched down late Wednesday night in an area alongside South Main Street (Hwy 16).
Published on
3 weeks ago
Keith Turner, an attorney with Jackson law firm Watkins & Eager gave the Rotary Club of North Jackson an update on Jackson’s flood control projects.
This is the one that started out as John McGowan’s Two Lakes, then became One Lake and is now called the “Pearl River Federal Risk Management Project.”
Published on
3 weeks ago
Scott Jordan
The man charged with the 2017 murder of Donna Arceneaux wants his trial moved away from Franklinton.
Scott Jordan was charged in December 2025 with the murder. His trial was initially set to start on April 6 in the Washington Parish Courthouse.
But his attorney plans to seek a change of venue. The motion for a change of venue will be heard on April 1, making it unlikely that the trial would actually begin on April 6.
Jordan is represented by well-known Covington attorney Roy K. Burns Jr.
Published on
3 weeks 1 day ago
State Rep. John Wyble
State Representative John Wyble of Franklinton has been appointed to serve on the Louisiana House Committee on Ways and Means, the state's chief tax-writing committee and one of the most influential panels in the Louisiana Legislature. The appointment was made by Speaker Phillip DeVillier.
Published on
3 weeks 1 day ago
Photo by Steve Kuperstock, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
There’s still a ways to go before Easter, which falls on April 5 this year, But it’s never too early to get into the Easter spirit.
Local businessman John David Schilling recently set up Easter decorations on the Waverley Triangle under the big flagpole on Main Street in Franklinton. The decorations will remain on the Triangle through Easter.
Published on
3 weeks 6 days ago
The Franklinton Board of Aldermen and Mayor Darwin Sharp held their Regular Meeting on Tuesday, February 24. Mayor Sharp began by acknowledging members of the press who were present from Mt. Hermon Web TV and The Era-Leader newspaper. The Board then approved the minutes of the February 10 Regular Meeting.
By Toni Tageant on
3 weeks 6 days ago
The Washington Parish Council's most recent meeting was held on Monday, February 23. Following the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, the minutes of February 9 were approved. This was followed by a presentation by Parish President Ryan Seal announcing the selection of a quilt square created by Sandy Miller and Kathy Mauthe that will be sown into a quilt being creating to celebrate the United States's 250th anniversary. (See related article.)
By Toni Tageant on
3 weeks 6 days ago
From left to right with the Quilt Square are Councilmen Reginald McMasters, Steven Branch, Clark Harry (partially hidden), Joe Culpepper, Parish President Ryan Seal, and Councilmen Carley King and Kim Wagner.
As America prepares to celebrate the Semiquincentennial --- our nation's 250th birthday --- Washington Parish is honored to be part of a special national project led by Washingtons Unite, an initiative bringing together the communities named for our first President, George Washington.
Published on
3 weeks 6 days ago
At the groundbreaking ceremony last Friday for the expansion to the Varnado Store Museum’s annex were, from left to right: Museum board member Wayne McElveen; Museum board president Beverly Taylor; Museum board member Jackie Smith; Stephanie Magee of the Parish Permit Office; Penny Jones, representing Sen. Beth Mizell; Museum board member and treasurer Charlene Guidry; Museum director Terry Seal; Parish President Ryan Seal; Kyle Varnado, representing the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office; and Kevin Steele, with the contracting firm that is constructing the expansion.
The Washington Area Museum Foundation formed in 1996 and began soliciting donation and pledges to purchase the deserted D. A. Varnado and Sons building with the goal of making it into a museum. That goal was accomplished through the work of many citizens who were interested in preserving the history of our area. The early openings of the museum were only once a month on a weekend.
By Terry Seal - Varnado Store Museum Director on
3 weeks 6 days ago
Published on
3 weeks 6 days ago
The Franklinton Demons baseball team defeated the formerly undefeated Bogalusa Lumberjacks 16-1 in the opening game of the Franklinton baseball tournament last Thursday.
In the second game of a double header the Demons also slipped by a good Maurepas Wolves team, 4-3.
On Friday the Demons defeated the Sumner Cowboys 8-1 and they defeated Karr on Saturday 6-2 to go 4-0 in their tournament and move their overall record to 9-3.
By DAMON SMITH on
3 weeks 6 days ago
Brian “BJ” Dykes, center, with Coach Clay Tageant and the FHS Baseball Team. Standing next to Brian are his sons, Brian Jr. and Jersey.
Former Demon #3 Brian "BJ" Dykes threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the FHS vs Sumner game on Friday, February 27.
BJ is a 2009 graduate of FHS where he was an honor student and member of the National Beta Club. He was a 1st team all-district defensive back and four year football letterman for Coach Shane Smith and played in the Lake Ponchatrain All Star game. BJ was also a two year letterman in basketball.
Published on
3 weeks 6 days ago
Pictured Left to Right: Jimmy Seibert, CEO, April Ard, RRT, Kandi James, RN, Critical Care Director, Melissa Graham, BS, MLS(ASCP) Microbiology Specialist, Brittany Dillon, BSN, RN, Director of Infection Control & Prevention, Liz Dunaway, BS, MLS (ASCP) Assistant Laboratory Director, Kristian Boyette, MHA, MLS (ASCP) Blood Bank Specialist, Jeffrey Vince, BS, MLS (ASCP) Laboratory Director, Taryn Marchese, BSN, RN, CNO, Crystal Lyons, RRT, Director of Clinical Operations, Dewayne Provost, RRT, Cardiopulmonary Supervisor, and Misty Thomas, RRT.
Riverside Medical Center is proud to announce that our laboratory has successfully completed its recent re-accreditation survey by The Joint Commission with zero deficiencies. This outstanding achievement demonstrates that our laboratory not only meets, but consistently upholds the highest standards in diagnostic accuracy, specimen handling, documentation, staff competency, and quality assurance processes.
Published on
3 weeks 6 days ago
Cecily Bateman
•Part 3
"The good lawyer is not the man who has an eye to every side and angle of contingency, and qualifies all his qualifications, but who throws himself on your part so heartily, that he can get you out of a scrape." ---Ralph Waldo Emerson
By Cecily Bateman on
3 weeks 6 days ago
Callie Foreman
Years ago when first starting out as basically kids having kids, we tried many options to financially get on our feet.
Having two sons in the first three years, it became obvious that as college students we would not be able to both work and make enough money to afford childcare. So, we decided I would go to work for a daycare that allowed my one- and two-year-old to attend free if I managed the two year old class.
By Callie Foreman on
4 weeks ago
Published on
4 weeks ago
Rev. Jimmy Oalmann
Luke 8:19-21
"Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it," Luke 8:19-21.
By Rev. Jimmy Oalmann - Richardson Baptist Church on
4 weeks ago
“March, when days are getting long, let thy growing hours be strong to set right some wintry wrong.”
---Caroline May
Daylight Savings Time begins this comingweekend. Before going to bed Saturday night, set your clocks ahead an hour. Spring forward and enjoy more daylight in the evenings.
By Holly Gill Sanders on
4 weeks ago
It’s March and it feels like Springtime! In addition to that, daylight savings time begins…we Spring-Forward @ 2am on Sunday, March 8th. Most of our devices and appliances reset automatically but, I personally still have a few battery-operated wall clocks that I’ll have to attend to.
School News:
Varnado High School (VHS/VJHS):
*The Key Club is sponsoring a “Personality Ball” that's scheduled for Saturday, March 7th as follows: Jr. High 6pm to 8pm and High School 8:30pm-10:30pm. Pre-Sale Tickets are $7 and $10 the night of the Personality Ball.
By Gwen Pigott on
