Longstanding Livingston Land Dispute Headed To Court

LIVINGSTON, La. (AP) — A land dispute dating back decades is headed to court Monday in Livingston Parish.

The parish school board wants a judge to decide if it still owns 145 acres near French Settlement or if the 30 people who live there do.

The Advocate (http://bit.ly/LygvtK ) reports that school leaders contend the land given to them by the federal government was sold without permission, keeping them from cashing in on lumber and gas royalties.

The homeowners say the board is looking too late, in the wrong place and in the wrong way.

Documents include records of sale for every homeowner.

The school district says more records were lost in a courthouse fire long ago, so a judge's decision is needed.

Monday's hearing is preliminary. There's no telling when a decision could be made.