LAPLACE — The St. John the Baptist Parish Public School System, in coordination with the Fire Department, Public Safety officials, Sheriff’s Office and Local Emergency Planning Committee, is conducting an emergency exercise Monday at LaPlace Elementary School.

Residents in the area may notice higher volumes of emergency personnel traffic than normal and/or hear loud sirens and alarms.

Parish officials stress this is a CONTROLLED exercise that will take place during the daytime hours Monday and no public action is required.

For more information, call the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Office at 985-536-1106.

Destrehan Plantation triples in size

The River Road Historical Society recently announced their purchase of more than eight acres of property directly connected to the Destrehan Plantation site.

Organizers said this is a major accomplishment for the River Road Historical Society, a non-profit organization that owns and operates Destrehan Plantation.

Prior to the land purchase, the River Road Historical Society owned approximately four acres of property surrounding the Plantation house.

Other areas of the site, where the Mule Barn, Administrative Office and Creole Cottages are located, are on 14 acres of land licensed for use by Amoco/British Petroleum America to the River Road Historical Society.

This year, the River Road Historical Society was not able to conduct their annual fund raising Fall Festival because of improvements to the site and lack of parking for festival goers.

Operation Christmas Child lands at First Baptist Church

A LaPlace location will serve as collection site this year for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child — the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind.

During National Collection Week, Nov. 14 – 21, area residents can donate shoeboxes filled with school supplies, hygiene items, notes of encouragement and fun toys, such as a doll or soccer ball for Operation Christmas Child to deliver to children in need around the world.

First Baptist Church is hosting the collections at its location, 120 Ormond Blvd. in LaPlace.

“The shoebox gifts donated by LaPlace volunteers at these drop-off locations will shine a light of hope to children living in poverty overseas,” said Regional Director Matt McCelland. “Anyone is welcome to pack a shoebox and help a child facing difficult circumstances to feel loved and not forgotten.”