Council proposes utility rate hike
Leila Pitchford
AROUND ZACHARY
Library closed Fourth of July
All locations of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library will be closed Friday in observance of Independence Day
Back to school events
Parents with students in the Zachary Community School District can find lists of supplies and fees for the upcoming school year at https:// tinyurl.com/523wjk5k. A description of the dress code is at https://tinyurl.com/msx2j2sz.
Back to school events include:
n The Zachary Men’s Club will have food, games and other activities at 10 a.m. Aug. 2.
n The Dr Martin Luther King Jr Committee of Zachary will hold its Back to School Giveaway from 10 a.m. until supplies run out Aug. 2 at the Zachary High School Gym, 4100 Bronco Lane School supplies, sno-balls and other refreshments will be available as well as the bookmobile. Attendees are asked to bring a canned good to donate.
For information or to sign up as a vendor, contact Johnnie Evans (225) 933-6431 or Tina Clark (225) 202-1076.
Reassess penicillin allergy
Lane Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, led by Dr Ashley Willis, is offering in-office evaluations to help patients safely reevaluate penicillin allergies that may no longer be active.
To request an appointment, visit www.lanermc.org/allergy
At the library in July
Heather Kinsel, the artist of the resin geode artwork display at the Zachary Branch Library, 1900 Church St., will meet with patrons at 10 a.m. July 19.
The display has several pieces inspired by women of the Bible and their stories.
The Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library, 13600 PridePort Hudson Road, will host “Lethal Luau: Murder Mystery Game” for 20-somethings at 5 p.m. July 16 Through Aug. 15, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library will have free programs workshops, story times, concerts and performances for all ages through the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, “Color Our World.” Learn more at www.ebrpl.com/SummerReading. Track your reading and earn rewards. Sign up at your library branch or online at ebrpl.beanstack.org.
Festival seeks organizers
Downtown Live is looking for board members amid plans for the third annual Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Festival.
“We’re looking for energetic, reliable team players who aren’t afraid to work hard, get a little dirty, and be part of something unforgettable,” a Facebook post said.
The event hosted by the community event organization is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m Aug. 8 and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 9 at BREC Zachary Community Park, 20055 Old Scenic Highway Along with hot air balloons will be food trucks, vendors and live music. Visit facebook.com/profile. php?id=100093362362338 to message the group.
Send news and events for the Zachary area to zachary@ theadvocate.com by noon Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
Technology fee also sought
BY OLIVIA McCLURE Contributing writer
Zachary residents and others who rely on the city’s water and sewer services are likely to see their monthly bills increase soon.
At its June 24 meeting, the City Council agreed to introduce an ordinance raising utility rates and imposing a new technology fee. The ordinance still must be formally adopted.
Deanna Mankins, Zachary’s chief financial officer, said the changes are needed to ensure the city covers all of its costs and has money on hand for system improvements.
Water users inside city limits now pay a $12.40 flat fee
Perfect harmony
Laine Hardy, an ‘American Idol’ winner and Jordan Gautreau became
BY JUDY BERGERON Staff writer
Former “American Idol” winner and Louisiana native Laine Hardy is now a married man.
The singer 24, and Jordan Gautreau exchanged vows June 20 in an evening outdoor ceremony at Magnolia Fields wedding venue in Zachary
The Rev Jarrett Wells performed the ceremony before family and friends.
The bride wore a simple, elegant fulllength white off-the-shoulder gown and carried a bouquet of mixed fresh flowers Hardy, who grew up in Livingston, was
BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
From the war for independence to the battles to ensure global freedom and security, soldiers pay sovereignty’s price, and many veterans spend their lives raising awareness and advocating for past, current and future members of the military Retired Col. Robert Reisz and retired Lt. Col. Darrin Spears, both veterans advocates, are perpetual soldiers. Their missions have moved from the battlefield to the community setting and the classroom. Their areas of reach cover the Baker-Zachary Memorial VFW Post, the Regional Veterans Park Steering Committee and the Zachary High
and wife in June.
in a midnight-blue tuxedo. The couple’s 4-month-old son, Hollis James, matched Dad in midnight-blue pants, vest and bowtie.
The bridesmaids, among them Hardy’s sister Brittany Banta, wore fuchsia gowns. For dancing, the bride opted for a short, white, strapless dress layered with ruffles. The groom ditched his jacket and undid a few buttons on his white, longsleeved shirt.
Gautreau, who studied at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, is a former New Orleans Saints cheerleader
Junior ROTC. Spears said the nation benefits before and after a soldier’s service. “The generations of patriots who dedicated themselves to the defense of the United States of America, at times of great peril, our veterans have kept the faith,” he said. “They have kept us free and enabled Americans to keep faith with the rest of the world. That’s why I’m so pleased to honor their faithful service and to renew, reaffirm and to rededicate our commitment to keeping the faith with them.” Local vetera ns groups often work together because of
PROVIDED PHOTO BY ROBBY KLEIN
husband
PROVIDED PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM
Jordan Gautreau shows off her engagement ring after she and Laine Hardy announced their upcoming wedding and parenthood in September
ABOVE: Member of VFW Post 4224
Auxiliary, the Regional Veterans Park steering committee and the Zachary High Jr ROTC take part in a wreath hanging recently at Lane Regional Medical Center LEFT: Former Army Airman Will Steen, of Zachary, from left, helps Zachary High Cadet Lt. Col. Adon Dunaway and Cadet Capt. Jamie White place wreaths.
PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Entergy grant aims to help Zachary seniors beat the summer heat
Community news report
Entergy awarded a $500 “Beatthe-Heat” grant to Zachary to help protect vulnerable residents from the summer heat
With these funds, the city purchased 18 tower fans, which were raffled off during the “Prime Timers” senior luncheon at Zachary First Baptist Church — a monthly community gathering open to all seniors.
Zachary Mayor David McDavid joined Entergy representatives Desiree Harris, the customer service manager, and Sara Kleinpeter,
senior public affairs officer, to draw names and hand out the fans.
Harris shared valuable information about Entergy’s utility bill assistance programs, including LIHEAP, deferred payment plans and emergency resources available for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities.
McDavid took the opportunity to update attendees on the city’s progress in areas such as infrastructure improvements, transportation upgrades, public safety initiatives, economic development and ongoing beautification projects.
Entergy representatives Desiree Harris, customer service manager, left, and Sara Kleinpeter, senior public affairs officer, drew names and spoke to Prime Timers about Entergy’s programs to help with bills.
U.S. Naval Academy awards diploma to Zachary High grad
Community news report
Abigail Yoes, 2021 graduate of Zachary High School, has reached another milestone after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy on May 23 with a degree in chemistry While at the academy she served as president of the Chemistry Club, mentored local youth and supported area schools through educational outreach programs. Yoes was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. She is the daughter of retired Master Chief Petty Officer Darryl Yoes, retired from Entergy, and Susan Yoes, a retired mathematics teacher at Zachary High School. She has been selected to attend Naval Aviator Training and will report to Naval Air Station Pensacola later this year to begin flight school. Before she reports to Florida, she plans to spend the summer teaching sailing to incoming academy students
support U.S
VETERANS
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post commander and vice chair of the Regional Veterans Memorial Park committee. Spears is the chair of the Veterans Park group, vice commander of the VFW and faculty instructor of the Zachary High Bronco Battalion. When the country paused to honor fallen soldiers on Memorial Day, the three groups gathered to lay wreaths outside of a public dis-
play in support of fully uniformed Jr ROTC commanders who made the presentation.
Reisz was not much older than those young cadets in 1980 when, as a private, he was assigned to Fort Bragg Special Operations Command. He completed multiple assignments in the Army, served in Operation Desert Storm as a Marine and returned to the Army for three deployments in Iraq.
“When I retired, one month shy of 42 years, I wanted to get more involved in our veterans, because that’s what you serve,” Reisz said.
UTILITY
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“That’s just a small fee to cover everything that our utilities department does, including gas, our new metering system, all of our technology with our computers and websites and all of our payment applications,” Mankins explained.
Council members didn’t object to the fee but noted that customers are likely to question its necessity
“We’re going to get bombarded with ‘What is the technology fee for?’” said council member Brandy Westmoreland.
Council member Ambre DeVirgilio suggested amending the ordinance to clearly define what the fee will be used for All customers would have to pay the fee, regardless of whether they use all or just some of the city’s utilities. Mankins said the across-the-board fee is a better alternative to raising the rates of particular services.
“I think this is more of a fair
HARMONY
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and New Orleans Pelicans dancer After winning the ABC singing competition series “American Idol” in 2019, becoming the state’s first “Idol” title holder, Hardy signed with Hollywood Records. They parted ways in 2022, with Hardy moving forward as an in-
dependent artist. His most recent single, “That Man,” was released in January Hardy performed in March at the Louisiana Crawfish Festival in Chalmette and is scheduled to headline Chennault Fest 2025 in Monroe in November For more on Hardy, visit lainehardymusic.com.
Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate.com.
“You want to help take care of our veterans, and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.”
The VFW advocates for veterans but also promotes patriotism through programs like the Voice of Democracy scholarship competition.
“It helps educate and inspire the younger generation to be a part of what we’re all doing,” Reisz said. “It’s vital that our veterans join veteran organizations and work or just be part of the membership and stay updated on information about what’s going on in the veterans.”
PROVIDED PHOTOS
PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
The Baker-Zachary Memorial VFW Post 4224 and Auxiliary distributes Buddy Poppies and collects donations to
veterans outside of the Zachary Tractor Supply store.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Abigail Yoes shakes hands with Vice President JD Vance at her graduation from the U.S Naval Academy on May 23