News

By Pam FolseContributing Writer

St. James Parish taxing authorities will lose over $162 million by the year 2045 as a result of the Payment- in-Lieu-of-Taxes or PILOT program. Nucor Steel in Convent and Plains All American Pipeline, LP in St. James are assisted by such PILOTs, an incentive which allows a governmental unit to take title to a plant or industry for a specified number of years and lease it back to the company when the project is built. PILOTs are extended by local government as a way to encourage industry by offering a tax break in return for hiring parish residents and doing business locally.

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By Pam FolseContributing Writer

The St. James Parish Council last week again considered changes to the Parish’s Land Use Plan. Last month, the Council made some recommended technical changes to the plan description, and at that meeting they were asked to forward any requested changes in the Land Use Map to Director of Operations Blaise

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By Pam FolseContributing Writer

With big ships passing in the river as the backdrop, the congregation of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in St. James held the groundbreaking for a new church on Saturday, March 3rd, at the new site along River Road close to 5th Ward School and the current church. Head Deacon Raymond Richardson said the current church was built in 1906 and was chartered in 1907. George Hooper was the first pastor and Joshua Jones was the head deacon. Additions and renovations were made to that tiny church over the years, the last one in 1988.

The congregation had been considering a new church for quite some time. The current church is once again too small for the growing congregation. They are also concerned about safety since the church is very near the busy River Road and there is not enough space for adequate parking

By Pam Folse Contributing Writer

The Bayou Chevreuil/LA 20 Task Force held a public meeting on Thursday, March 1st, to allow the public to hear and comment on the progress the Task Force has made in trying to alleviate traffic accidents along the highly-used roadway. The group usually meets once a month, on Friday mornings.

Task Force Chairman Edward Becnel said the Task Force began in October 2015 as a result of a double fatality along the section of Hwy. 20 extending from Molaison to Chackbay.

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By Pam Folse Contributing Writer

St. James High senior Korri Martin credits her father for helping to select her award-winning Social Studies Fair topic.

Titled “Cancer Alley”, Martin’s Louisiana History project won first place at the 77th Annual Regional Social Studies Fair held recently at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.

The daughter of Derrell and Tracie Whittington, Korri didn’t have to look very far to research the question she posed to answer: “How much of an effect does Cancer Alley have on the River Parishes?”

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By David Reynaud

Editor’s Note: On Tuesday morning I received a rather strange phone call from a man named Bill Worthington, who lives in Atlanta, GA.

As Bill and I chatted, and as he began to share his story, I quickly realized I was becoming part of something very special. Part of something this crazy world needs a bit more of - true love.

Below you will read a clever, funny, and endearing story of one man’s quest to not fail/disappoint, like so many of us husbands do, in the “What Do I Get My Wife for Christmas” challenge we all face year after year.

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By Pam Folse Contributing Writer

The St. James Parish School System, acting through it Building Committee, is preparing for the addition of two turn lanes at the new St. James High School.

Board representative Clay Slagle said the Board must amend the Act of Servitude for Gas and Water at the site from 5 to 15 feet to move the utilities, cable and phone lines in the area to make way for the addition of the turn lanes at both entrances to the school. Slagle estimates the cost of the project at around $650,000.

The Committee also agreed to advertise for moving services for the district moving plans.

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By Pam Folse Contributing Writer

Twenty-third Judicial District Court Judge Jason Verdigets last Wednesday took under advisement the testimony he heard in a bench trial to settle a lawsuit brought by the St. James Parish Council and the St. James Parish School Board against the residents or property owners along the gravel extension of Ash Street.

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By Kirk White Contributing Writer

Lutcher High School graduate and current State Representative Randal L. Gaines spoke at the school’s Black History Month’s observation.

Gaines represents District 57, which covers St. John the Baptist parish, was recently elected as Legislative Black Caucus’s chairman, a position that places him in the legislature’s senior leadership.

Gaines thanked his former teachers for “believing in me” and those “who were particularly hard on me.”

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By Pam Folse Contributing Writer

Motorists driving along Highway 61 through Garyville and Reserve are amazed to see the shiny Blue Angel aircraft that appears to be taking off right over the road and into the sky.

Drivers may not realize that right down that road is the Port of South Louisiana Executive Regional Airport (KAPS), a growing airport that services the River Parishes area.

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