Burglary and theft suspect caught after chase with dogs
Community news report
A Wilson man was arrested Oct. 28 after fleeing from deputies and hiding in a gully
On Oct. 29, an East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted a suspect, Derrick McKneely, 50, of Wilson, driving on La 19 near La. 10, the McManus Crossing
A press release from the sheriff’s office said the deputy attempted to make a traffic stop, and McKneely fled into an overgrown area on foot.
A perimeter was established, and the Dixon Correctional Institute Chase Team, as well as officers
INSURANCE
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Breaux and Deanna Mankins, the city’s chief
financial officer, said insurance companies typically refuse to provide quotes until the last minute, making it difficult to speed things up.
“We’d love that,” Mankins said, “but we got this renewal Friday after hours.”
STRUGGLES
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Yet there’s one thing they all seem to agree on. Practically everyone on the council has, at some point, decried communication problems and urged cooperation.
The latest such episode came at the council’s Oct 28 meeting, where one council member accused another of not being transparent and a third said she sometimes feels embarrassed to be part of the perpetually squabbling panel.
It all started when DeVirgilio asked her colleagues to sign off on a seemingly simple resolution: a directive for the city to insert hyperlinks to ordinance drafts and other supporting documents into the meeting agendas it posts online.
“That way, the public can see them from home,” DeVirgilio said. “It’s 2025 We need to move in this direction.” She motioned to introduce the resolution. That’s when the fireworks started.
“I didn’t see anything on the shared drive about it or any information it,” Landry said. “Is there anything you can give us other than that? This is the first I’m hearing of it. Again, I don’t understand the transparency problem we’re having with the council.” Landry called out DeVirgilio for having criticized an insurance consultant earlier in the meeting for not providing the council with information about the city’s premiums sooner.
“You just ridiculed this lady earlier about not having something until the moment of, and we don’t even have any information from you on this,” Landry said. “And that’s a double standard. I call it like I see it.”
DeVirgilio apologized for any misunderstandings about her proposal
“I thought that we were all familiar with the way that other cities do this, especially in East Baton Rouge Parish,” she said, adding that Metro Council agendas are digitized and include click-
from the Jackson and Zachary police departments responded. The DCI Chase Team dogs located McKneely hiding in a nearby gully, and McKneely was taken into custody, the release said.
McKneely was arrested for speeding 84 in a 55, driving under suspension, resisting an officer, simple burglary and felony theft.
McKneely became a burglary suspect in August after the sheriff’s office posted Ring Camera photos of him on Facebook and asked the public for assistance in identifying him On Aug. 27, a warrant was obtained for his arrest for simple burglary and felony theft
“Insurance carriers, they don’t care,” Breaux said. “They’re there to work strictly on a date timeline. ‘Yours isn’t due till Nov 1. You’ll get it before Nov 1,’ is what I’m being told. Is this a city of Zachary thing? I can tell you: absolutely not. I have this same issue with all of my clients. And it’s not just my clients. I talk to other agents and brokers out there. It’s a problem for all of them.”
able links.
With the council yet again falling into the familiar pattern of heated back-andforth, council member Brandy Westmoreland spoke up.
“It’s a little personal for me,” she said, “taking time away from my family to feel like I’m just in an argument every time we come in here.”
Rebuking Landry for her comments about DeVirgilio, Westmoreland said she hadn’t gotten details on the hyperlink item before the meeting either but felt it was straightforward enough to vote on.
“You’re ridiculing Councilwoman DeVirgilio about an insurance premium that went up over $50,000,” Westmoreland said. “That is a huge difference.”
She went on: “It is embarrassing to sit up here amongst council members and have this type of behavior Most of us just went to the mayor’s prayer luncheon, and I’m like, ‘What are we doing now? It ain’t even been a week.’”
“OK, are we finished?
Maybe we should all have three-minute time limits,” Landry said, referring to restrictions imposed on those making public comments.
“That was irrelevant.”
Mayor David McDavid apparently had heard enough, too.
“We need to get past this,” he said. “Do we need to make a motion on this?”
DeVirgilio reminded him that she’d already made a motion to approve the resolution. Westmoreland seconded it, and Landry and LeBlanc voted yes. When it was Graves’ turn, he voted no.
“I’m sorry that I can’t vote yes on this because I don’t know exactly what it is,” he said. “I can kind of understand, but we say this every month, we say this every six months. It’s been like this from the get go Transparency, transparency We need to work together as a team.”
“It’s just a hyperlink,” DeVirgilio said. “That’s all.”
“I don’t even know what hyperlink means,” Graves said.
BRADY
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Ricky Wells (10th in the 50 free and 100 fly), the boys 200 medley relay team of Griffin, Wells, Aaron Gaines and Caleb Connor (sixth) and the boys 200 free relay team of Griffin, Connor Wells and Cade Hebert (fifth).
Top 10 girls finishers were Wedblad (seventh in the 200 IM and 500 free), Ordonio (ninth in the 200 free), the girls 200 medley relay team of (Caricato, Wedblad, Morgan and Ordonio) finished seventh and the 200 free relay team of Caricato, Annabelle Johnson, Myra Jenkins and Camille Harms, which also finished seventh.
The high school volleyball team secured the 18 seed in the LHSAA playoffs and traveled to No. 15 Benton for first round action Nov 4. The Broncos lost 16-25, 14-25 and 10-25 to end the 2025 campaign.
Coach Cheri Perry had a young team this year with one senior (Asia Sterling).
The experience of reaching and competing in the playoffs in 2025 should pay dividends and reduce the learning curve for a large junior class with up and coming sophomores and freshmen next season.
The ZHS cross-country competed in the Division I regional meet at Highland Park on Nov 6.
The girls finished fifth overall with Blair Smith (17th at 19:51.06) and Nala Mitchell (19th 20:06.63) finishing in the Top 20.
The ZHS boys finished fourth overall with junior Max Gennaro’s sixth place finish (15:45.39) leading the boys. Trent Gomilla (16:47.79), Carson Southall (16:56.81) and Connor Conachen (17:04.62) cracked the top 30 in a race with over 119 participants.
Coach Julie Fink noted that there was definable improvement demonstrated by 13 new personal best times recorded by the Broncos during the regional race.
On the team’s performance Fink noted that the Broncos “executed their race plans with precision and raced for each other I am proud of our forward progress and look forward to racing both teams at state.”
The ZHS varsity football team closed out the 2025 regular season against the Catholic Bears at Memo-
rial Stadium on Nov 6.
The Bears (8-2, 5-0) were victorious, leaving the Broncos at 6-3 in the regular season. Despite the loss, the Broncos are anticipated to host a home playoff game to open the Division 1 nonselect playoffs Friday, Nov 14.
At the time of writing, the Broncos were 15 in the nonselect power rankings with games yet to be played.
Speaking of playoffs, the Broncos have a rich history of turning things up to a different level during the playoffs.
That’s right, and four of those teams won it all. It’s playoff time!
Warren Brady covers sports for The Plainsman He can be contacted at zachary@theadvocate. com.
After the Catholic game on the long drive back to Zachary, ZHS Athletic Department do-it-all Diane Leblanc reminded me that during “Coach Brewerton’s previous 11 years at Zachary, only one team failed to make it through Thanksgiving (generally the quarterfinals.)”
Zachary wide receiver Ethan Kimmie (9) makes a catch for a first down as Catholic DBs Pierson Carmouche (3) and Ian Locklar (15) bring him down immediately during their game in Memorial Stadium on Thursday.
Zachary quarterback Michael Kirby (5) throws a completed pass against Catholic High.
PHOTOS BY PATRICK DENNIS
Zachary running back Tylek Lewis (28) breaks into the open for a long touchdown run as Catholic defensive back Blaine Bradford (23) defends during their game in Memorial Stadium on Thursday.
The following people were booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison or issued a summons by the Zachary Police Department from Oct. 16-29:
LEAH FRANKLIN: 19; 5441 N. Snowden Drive, Baton Rouge; disturbing the peace/fistic
ANDRUS JONES: 18; 4176 Wilderness Run Drive Zachary; license plate lamp required, possession of marijuana
CAMERON JONES: 25; 3818 Stoney Brook Road, Zachary; indecent behavior with juveniles
TAYLOR LEWIS: 18; 5621 Lanier Drive, Baton Rouge; disturbing the peace/fistic
JAVON OCONNOR: 19; 485 E. Mt. Pleasant Road, Zachary, failure to appear on five outstanding bench warrants
NICHOLAS SPANN: 29; 1814 Saul Ave., Zachary; theft
JADA WRIGHTS: 28; 3015 Truman St., Zachary; simple criminal damage to property
JORDAN WRIGHTS: 25; 3015 Truman St., Zachary; simple criminal damage to property
DARNAJAH ADAMS: 18; 3911 Sardis Church Road, Buford, Georgia; theft
JACKQULYN BUTLER: 39; 6760 Old Scenic Highway, Zachary; theft, resisting an officer, obstruction of justice
MICHAEL DAQUILLA: 45; 782 Greenville Lane, Clinton; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
NEERAJ EDWARDS: 26; 223 N. Northgate Court, Baton Rouge; possession of marijuana, general speed law
GODFREY FAOGT JR.: 4640 Earl Gros Ave., Apt. 1, Baton Rouge; possession of marijuana, possession of Schedule II, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft prior convictions, resisting a police officer with force or violence
THEADORE FISHER: 39; 3060 Dalton St., Baton Rouge; theft
JASON FLOYD: 41; 6480 Woodland Drive, Zachary; domestic abuse battery – child endangerment
SHAWNTE FLOYD: 38; 6480 Woodland Drive, Zachary; domestic abuse battery – child endangerment
KAZANDRA GARZA: 36; 4030 Karen Elizabeth Drive, Zachary; aggravated battery
SERGIO HOUSTON: 19; 4072 Robert St., Zachary; three counts of possession/distribution manufacturing Schedule II drugs, four counts of distribution or possession Schedule I drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia
RANDY ISAAC: 45; 5560 Beech St., Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
TYLER KILGORE: 40; 6530 Donnie St., Zachary; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
SCOTT MOORE: 24; 21475 Samuels Road, Zachary; possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, tail lamp/license plate
JOHN NIX: 55; 3453 Hancock St., Zachary; domestic abuse battery, failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
JAIVON OCONNOR: 19; 485 E. Mount Pleasant, Zachary; illegal carrying of weapons with controlled dangerous substance, four counts of distribution or possession Schedule 1 drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia
KEDRICK RICARD: 19; 5060 Lynn St., Zachary; five counts of distribution or possession of Schedule 1 drugs, prohibited acts
DASHAY ROBINSON: 18; 1050 Foster Drive, Apt. 227, Baton Rouge; distribution or possession of Schedule 1 drugs, prohibited acts, illegal carrying of weapons with controlled dangerous substance
TYLEKE ROBINSON: 19; 2121 Ridgefield Ave., Zachary; disturbing the peace
MAKHI STEWART: 18; 4250 Blount Road, Apt. 69, Baton Rouge; three counts of distribution or possession Schedule 1 drugs, illegal carrying of weapons with controlled dangerous substance
ROBERT WILSON: 61; 4142 Old Baker Road, Zachary; simple battery
Community news report
Volunteers are preparing to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov 17-24, a press release said.
Participants pack shoeboxes with items that are sent to children around the world. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox at tinyurl.com/bddx8yma.
Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.
Participants can find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation as they make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. Visit tinyurl. com/4vamu8zy to find a drop off location. The online lookup tool is searchable by city or ZIP code.
Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, said it seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 232 million giftfilled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. Area drop-off sites include:
Zachary and the Felicianas
First Baptist Church 4200 Main St., Zachary
Nov 17: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Nov 18: 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
Nov 19: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Nov 20: 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
Nov 21-22: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Nov 23: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Nov. 24: 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m
135 Main St., Liberty, Mississippi
Nov 17: 10 a.m.-noon
Nov 18: 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.
Nov 19-20: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Nov 21: 10 a.m.-noon
Nov 22: 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Nov 23: 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
Nov 24: 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Ascension Parish Ascension Baptist Church 13432 Airline Highway Gonzales
Nov 17: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov 18: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Nov 19: 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Nov 20: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Nov 21: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Nov 22: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Nov 23: 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
Nov 24: 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Livingston Parish
Luke 10:27 Church 536 Centerville St NE, Denham Springs Nov 17-20: 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
Nov 21: noon-5 p.m.
Nov 22-23: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Nov 24: 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Christ’s Community Church 26574 Juban Road, Denham Springs
Nov 17-21: 4:30 p.m.6:30 p.m.
Nov 22: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Nov 23: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Nov 24: 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Judson Baptist Church 32470 Walker North Road, Walker
Nov 17-18: 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Nov 19: 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Nov 20: 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Nov 21-22: noon-4 p.m. Nov 23: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Nov 24: 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Tangipahoa Parish French Corner Baptist Church 39715 Teel Road, Ponchatoula Nov 17: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Nov 18: 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Nov 19: 10 a.m.-noon
Zachary chamber hosts inaugural expo to help area businesses
Community news report
On Sept. 9, the Zachary Chamber of Commerce held its first Zachary Business Expo at YMCA Americana.
The group plans to make it an annual event. The event was for business owners to have all the tools in one place to move forward for future success, the chamber said.
The 40 booths included governmental and development bodies, such as the Small Business Administration, LA Economic Development and Launch BR/MetroMorphosis; educational, financial and medical institutions; and businesses of all sizes.
All Pro Tint and Graphics demonstrated security film for windows and doors, while Greater Works Gallery offered free head shots Andrew Schwarz, of LSU, spoke about AI.
Three food trucks — Tai’Lynns Taste of Elegance, Boo’s Best BBQ and A Hint of Taco — were on hand for lunch
The Zachary Chamber of Commerce offers many services for businesses in the area
While the expo is the newest, various networking and informational sessions are offered morning, lunch and evening. Ribboncuttings are hosted to welcome new businesses or big moments for existing businesses The chamber also has an annual awards banquet.
The chamber offers membership packages from $175 to $12,000 per year Visit https:// zacharychamber.com/ for information
AROUND
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It will roll at 10 a.m. Dec. 6 from Rouses on Church Street to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Entry fee is $100, and the deadline to apply for a spot in the parade is Nov 17. Sign up at forms.office.
com/r/b8qkhsEujS.
Baker Christmas
n The City of Baker is holding a bicycle and toy giveaway at 10 a.m., Dec. 6, at Baker Municipal Building, 3325 Groom Road. Recipients must turn in a registration form to City Hall by Nov 27.
n The Baker Christmas parade, “Home for the Holidays” is at 10 a.m., Dec. 13. Parade participants should register at https://tinyurl.
com/4ye6n35v Pack the pantry Schools in the Zachary Community School District will be competing in Pack the Pantry Nov 3-20. Students will try to collect the most food for the food pantry Christmas activities planned at library
n Madam Dulcimer and Lady Chops will present lively dulcimer and drum holiday music for the whole family Among the many shows are the 10 a.m. show at Baker Branch Library and the 2 p.m. show at Zachary Branch Library on Dec. 22. Registration may be required; Call the specific location directly All children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by an adult n Books & Music cel-
ebrates the holiday season with a “Nutcracker Suite” freeze dance, some very jingly bells, and the book
The Boy Who Said Wow by Tom Boss about a nonverbal boy who goes to a concert and says “Wow!” Children will engage in hands-on musical and movement activities with teaching artists from the Kids’ Orchestra. All ages and skill levels are welcome. The Kids Orchestra event will be at the Zachary Branch Library at 11 a.m., Dec. 6. It is available at other branches.
n Visit the PrideChaneyville Branch Library 13600 Pride-Port Hudson Road, for an Ugly Christmas Sweater Murder Mystery Party at 3 p.m., Dec. 13.
Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate. com.
PROVIDED PHOTOS BY SONYA’S CREATIONS MEDIA COMPANY
Works Gallery offered portraits all day for $20 at the Zachary Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on Sept. 9.
