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ZACHARY PARADES INTO CARNIVAL TRADITION

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ä See more from the first Zachary Mardi Gras parade. PAGE 4G

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Councilman seeks attendance policy for zoning panel

BY OLIVIA MCCLURE

Contributing writer

Zachary Councilman James Graves is urging his colleagues to consider an attendance policy for the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission — but some of his fellow council members don’t agree that is a step they should take. At its last meeting, the council on a 3-2 vote rejected Graves’ effort to remove Commissioner Jason Floyd, who’s been absent from a majority of meetings in the past

year, from ofﬁce. Graves wants the administration to clarify what’s expected of commissioners and to ensure the panel is “fully functional and reliable.”

“Planning and zoning is not a ceremonial role,” he said. “It directly affects zoning decisions, growth, development and longterm planning of our city When a commissioner repeatedly misses meetings, we aren’t just dealing with the inconvenience. We’re facing a breakdown in responsibility.”

Councilwoman Jennifer Landry,

who along with Graves voted to remove Floyd, acknowledged that Floyd’s absences haven’t forced the commission to cancel meetings for lack of a quorum.

“But I believe a quorum alone is not the standard of effective service,” she said, “as I believe boards and commissions are not meant to function with the minimum number of members present.”

She said she has drafted policy suggestions and sent them to others on the council.

Zachary water bill fee surprises some on council

BY OLIVIA MCCLURE

Contributing writer

When Zachary Councilwoman Brandy Westmoreland opened her January water bill from the city, she was surprised to see a new $2 charge for technology. The council had discussed implementing such a fee several months ago but Westmoreland thought that was a thing of the past The city attorney at the time, John Hopewell, had told the council the fee was no longer needed, she said.

“So it was removed from the agenda,” she said. “I assumed ﬁnancially we did not need to implement the $2 technology fee every month on everybody’s water bill.”

“I’ve only gotten one response back,” Landry said “Nothing — total crickets about, ‘Hey, can we work together and collaborate on a policy?’

Councilwoman Ambre DeVirgilio, one of three who voted in favor of removing Floyd, expressed discomfort with the tenor of recent discussions related to the commission and its members, who she noted are unpaid volunteers.

“This was unprecedented, asking for a removal of a commissioner,” she said. “My concern is that

we are creating an environment where it’s going to be hard to get citizens of Zachary to serve.” She suggested that the council ask the commission to develop its own policies for member attendance.

“This should not look like a directive, like the council is the managerial body over the Planning and Zoning Commission,” DeVirgilio said. No action was taken on the item, as it was only on the agenda for discussion.

School Board increases fee for preschool, seeks teacher pay

Jacqueline Wilson, the current city attorney, offered some clarity on the ﬁve-year lapse.

“That technology fee was passed to pay for upgrades, and because of supply chain issues that occurred during that time the decision was made not to implement that one fee,” Wilson said.

The city was hoping to use the proceeds to buy some new equipment — but those plans were derailed when the supplier said there would be a 48-month delay, she said.

The confusing situation did not sit well with Westmoreland.

“I had several of my constituents reach out to me saying, ‘I thought y’all did away with this,’ ” she said.

Westmoreland described the ordeal as a breach in transparency with the public and the council.

“There was no conversation after, before with me,

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As it turns out, Westmoreland told her colleagues during the Feb. 10 council meeting, the agenda item was unnecessary not because of a change in the city utility ofﬁce’s ﬁnancial picture. Instead, Westmoreland learned, it was because a previous council had in fact already approved the fee back in 2021. The city just hadn’t started charging it.

BY OLIVIA MCCLURE

Contributing writer

Tuition at the Zachary Early Learning Center is going up, Superintendent Ben Necaise won a two-year contract extension and a tax measure to fund teacher pay raises will be put before voters again this summer

Those were all outcomes of the Zachary Community School Board’s Feb. 10 meeting. The board talked about the items earlier in the month at its committee of the whole meeting; discussion was minimal when members convened to unanimously vote to approve them.

On the tuition increase matter families will now have to fork out $550 monthly — up from $450 a month — to attend ZELC, Zachary’s prekindergarten. And the school’s registration fee, currently $60, will go up to $75.

ZELC will begin registering children for next school year in March.

Officials have said the higher fees are needed to offset rising operational costs They have emphasized that ZELC’s tuition remains lower than what is charged by other preschools in the area. The board also granted an

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PHOTO BY SONYA GOSS

royal court float of the inaugural Zachary Mardi Gras parade transports King Frank Corcoran and Queen Britney

along the parade route.

Gabby Anthony wins class at state wrestling meet

The Zachary High boys and girls wresting team made the long trip to Bossier City on Feb. 6-7 for the LHSAA State Wrestling Tournament.

The boys came into the tournament battered and bruised but continued to battle through the tournament

Seniors Braydon Sullivan (torn ACL) and Brandon Butler (low ankle sprain) were sidelined before the tournament. At the tournament, city ﬁnalist and Big Horse tournament champion at 120 pounds, Joshua Scott was ruled out after 15 seconds due to a concussion from accidental head-to-head contact. Senior Eli Roberts

ﬁnished the tournament 3-2 after suffering a sprained ankle. Despite the setbacks, eight of the boys were one match from placing.

Coach Ben McHugh pointed to the contribution of underclassman like freshmen Kayden Lynch and Kelby Gosserand and sophomores LaJavvein Franklin, Colin Allbritton and Jean-Batiste Honore. McHugh said, “Those blood-round matches showed us exactly how thin the margin is at the Division I level. That lesson will drive our offseason.”

“This was a young team learning what it truly takes to stand on the podium,” he said.

The ZHS girls celebrated several milestones.

Zachary qualified nine of 12 weight classes and was tied for second place with Baton Rouge High after Day 1 before the final blood rounds. The Lady Broncos finished fourth overall out of 57 teams.

Speaking of historic runs, senior 235 pound weight class wrestler Gabby Anthony became

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especially so that I would feel conﬁdent to be able to explain to the constituents in my district that it

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the student athletes. Entry is $500

4-person

and

Registration and lunch are at noon. Tee time is at 1 p.m.

Visit https://tinyurl. com/3z9ey8ba to preregister and for information.

A Celtic concert experience Madam Dulcimer (Amanda Roberts) and Lady Chops (Elizabeth Vidos) are bringing a Celtic concert celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with music originating from the countries of Ireland, Scotland and Wales to the East Baton Rouge Library

The show will be at 10 a.m., March 17 at the Zachary Branch Library Check ebrpl.com to see other dates and times

Learn about Black poets from 1845

Join author Kim Jones for the premiere of her newly released book “Nouveaux Renaissance: Keeping Les Cenelles Alive,” at the Zachary Branch Library from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., March 1

was approved in 2021, the reason it is being removed is because it’s already law and we just have not implemented it,” she said.

“Duly noted,” Mayor David McDavid responded.

Councilwoman Jennifer Landry, however, had a different recollec-

Les Cenelles was a groundbreaking 1845 anthology featuring 17 African American poets.

Nominations open for top Baker citizen

The Baker Inter-Club Council is accepting nominations for the 2025 Citizen of the Year Award.

Guidelines are:

n The individual must reside within the city limits of Baker or an unincorporated area of East Baton Rouge Parish.

n The individual must have provided unselfish time/talents that improved the quality of life for the citizens of Baker for which he/she was not paid and does not fall within the scope of his/her job duties.

n Consideration is for the period Jan. 1, 2025 — Dec. 31, 2025.

n Nominations should be mailed to 3809 Epperson St., Baker LA 70714.

n The selection will be made from nominations received as of noon March 23.

Voting by member clubs will be held in the Baker Branch Library at 6 p.m., March 23. Club dues must be paid prior to the beginning of the meeting. Clubs and organizations interested in joining the Inter-Club Council should contact President Doris Alexander at 225-778-0141.

Easter run set

The Zachary Rotary Bunny Hop is March 21 in downtown Zachary

tion of events.

Landry said Deanna Mankins, the city’s former chief ﬁnancial ofﬁcer, told the council in July the fee had been adopted by a past council. And in August, Landry said, Hopewell informed council members that he had found the

A 1-mile walk and run starts at 8 a.m. The 5K run and walk start at 8:30 a.m. Register at runsignup.com/ Race/LA/Zachary/ZacharyRotaryBunnyHop.

Amnesty offered in Baker

The City Court of Baker, Baker City Court Judge Kirk A. Williams and Baker City Marshal Carl K. Dunn will provide an amnesty period for February to any Baker City Court defendants who has an outstanding bench warrant issued before Feb. 1. The bench warrant will be recalled without ﬁrst paying the normal bench warrant recall fee. The defendant will be given a new court date and additional time to pay any outstanding fees. This amnesty program does not reduce outstanding fees.

Amnesty will allow the defendants an opportunity to clear any outstanding bench warrant.

The clerk’s ofﬁce will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. to assist defendants in recalling their bench warrants. Call Baker City Court at (225) 778-1866 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Baker Police Department at (225) 775-6000 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. to ﬁnd out if you have an outstanding warrant in Baker City Court.

Defendants excluded from amnesty are defendants that have received prior amnesty bench warrant recalls.

ning the defending state champion in 3:15 in the ﬁnals. McHugh said, “Gabby’s run was dominant and fearless. To pin the defending state champion in the ﬁnals shows exactly the standard we’re building.”

Other top placers for the girls were senior Nachell Weaver (third at 126 pounds), sophomore Adia Wells (third at 185 pounds), senior Jaiden Dyer (ﬁfth at 107 pounds). Sophomore Londyn Reed missed the podium by one match. McHugh praised freshman 100 pounds Kaelyn Anthony as “showing strong promise for the future” based on her performance. She is the little sister of State Champion Gabby Anthony On the girls performance at the state meet McHugh said, “Our girls believe now. They’ve fully bought into the process and genuinely feel they can win the whole thing next year ” ZHS girls soccer team completes great 2025-2026 season

The ZHS girls soccer team attacked the 2026 portion of the season on fire finishing with a 7-1-1 record that earned them a No. 16 seed in the LHSAA Division I playoffs. For the season, the girls posted 16-4-3 record. On Feb. 5, the Broncos defeated the No. 17 seed H.L Bourgeois 5-1 in the bi-district round. The home playoff opener marked the first time in 13 years that the ZHS girls soccer team has hosted a

ordinance from 2021 and that the city would begin implementing it.

“My experience with this situation is we were told months in advance,” Landry said.

Councilwoman Ambre DeVirgilio disputed that account, saying Hopewell did not share the same

Help with food needs

The Zachary Food Pantry is seeking post-holiday help. Among the items needed to stock the shelves are ﬂour, sugar, cereal, Hamburger Helper, jambalaya mix, chicken, hamburger meat, hot dogs, mustard, instant mashed potatoes, ketchup, mayonnaise, peanut butter, jelly snacks, seasoning, toilet paper and paper towels. Contact (225) 654-4028 or info@zacharyfoodpantry.org for information.

Renew pesticide certificates A Private Pesticide Applicator Recertiﬁcation training session will be March 12 at the Zachary Branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library 10 a.m. to noon, 1900 Church St., Zachary Attendees need to bring a current pesticide card and two checks — one made to the LSU AgCenter for $15 and one made to LDAF for $25.

To reserve a spot, call Donna Gentry at (225) 683-3101 or dsgentry@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Learn about Louisiana’s first Black elected officials

Join Charles Vincent at the Baker Branch Library Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. for his annual series, Heroes in African American History

information with her She too was blindsided by the fee on her January bill and believes residents should have been given notice before it took effect.

“I wasn’t made aware of it until a couple of weeks ago when it was on the bills,” she said.

This year’s theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations.”

He will give a presentation on the ﬁrst black elected ofﬁcials in Louisiana, then autograph copies of his book, “Black Legislators in Louisiana During Reconstruction.”

School supplies will be provided for the ﬁrst ﬁve students in attendance.

Apply for Leadership North Leadership North is an annual leadership development program for the north Baton Rouge region.

The Zachary Chamber of Commerce hosts the program. Participation in the program is open to people living or working in Baton Rouge, Zachary, Central, Baker Pointe Coupee and East and West Feliciana parishes who have the full support of the organization or business they represent.

The program is designed to engage emerging leaders in the region and prepare them to meet the future needs of our communities. Through the exchange of viewpoints and experiences, participants are exposed to the challenges, opportunities and vital issues affecting the northern Baton Rouge region.

The application is at forms.ofﬁce.com/r/7feLGC5qtF Deadline is Feb. 27.

Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate.com.

PHOTO BY WARREN BRADY

Gabby Anthony smiles after a wrestling meet in December 2025.

Lane promotes two to executive leadership

Community news report

Lane Regional Medical Center announced the promotions of Jassoni Martin and Dawn Fuller, to executive leadership roles.

Martin has been promoted to executive director of Pharmacy and Retail. In this expanded role, Martin will continue to oversee Lane Rx, Lane Pharmacy and retail operations, while also assuming leadership responsibility for Endoscopy Infusion, and Cancer Center, with the director of Endoscopy/Infusion/Cancer Center reporting directly to her Martin brings over 20 years of experience in pharmacy and retail and has served as director of Pharmacy and Retail Services for the past two years. She earned her doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Pharmacy

care experience and has led Lane’s obstetrical services with a strong focus on quality, patient satisfaction, staffing and physician collaboration.

Prior to joining Lane, she spent more than 14 years at Woman’s Hospital. She is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University School of Nursing, earned her master’s degree in nursing leadership and management at Western Governor’s University and holds national certiﬁcations in inpatient obstetrics, electronic fetal monitoring, and obstetric and newborn quality and safety. She is a member of the American Nurses Association and AWHONN.

“I am grateful for this opportunity and the conﬁdence placed in me,” Martin said “I look forward to continuing our work to strengthen pharmacy, retail, endoscopy, infusion, and cancer treatment services while supporting the incredible teams who deliver care every day.”

“Jassoni has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision across pharmacy and retail services,” said Frank Corcoran, CEO of Lane Regional Medical Center “Her ability to integrate clinical and operational teams will further enhance efﬁciency, collaboration, and the patient experience.”

Fuller has been promoted to executive director of Women’s Services. In addition to her current responsibilities, Fuller will lead efforts to expand women’s services across the organization, further advancing Lane’s commitment to comprehensive care for women at every stage of life.

Fuller has over 20 years of health-

“Dawn’s passion for women’s health and her deep clinical expertise make her uniquely qualified to lead this next phase of growth,”

Corcoran said. “Her leadership will play a key role in expanding and enhancing women’s services for our community.”

“As a lifelong Zachary resident, it is an honor to continue serving the women and families of our region in this expanded role,” Fuller said.

extension of Necaise’s contract, allowing him to stay in his role through 2028. When Necaise was hired in May 2023 to replace retiring Superintendent Scott Devillier, he was awarded a three-year contract that included a base salary of $157,000, 2.5% yearly raises and a monthly vehicle allowance. “I want to thank the board for your trust, and I continue to work hard, and I appreciate our staff, our teachers and our district,” Necaise said after the board voted. “And, again, I can’t appreciate how much trust you’ve given me but also in return for our team — so I appreciate it, and we’ll continue our work.”

The following people were booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison or issued a summons by the Zachary Police Department from Jan. 22-Feb. 11:

CANDICE ADAMS: 47; 7576 La. 10, Ethel; criminal trespass

CANDICE ADAMS: 47; 7576 La. 10, Ethel; possession of Schedule II, prohibited acts, possession Schedule I

DERRICK BUTLER: 20; 12757 Coursey Blvd., Baton Rouge; simple criminal damage to property stalking

TALMADGE CASTLE: 47; 5935 Cherryl Drive, Baton Rouge; possession of Schedule I, prohibited acts

TALMADGE CASTLES: 47; 5935 Cherryl Drive, Baton Rouge; criminal trespass

MACY CULPEPPER: 30; 2408 Boxwood Drive, Baker; simple burglary

TREDARIUS DAVIS: 30; 3928 Gourrier Ave., Apt. 18, Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants

DEVON GROSS: 27; 5670 Rickover St., Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants

PATTY HALEY: 62; 18750 Old Scenic Highway Zachary; two counts of telephone communicationimproper language/harassment, two counts of threatening a public ofﬁcial

CRESHAWN ODELL: 31; 11880 Catalpa Drive, Baton Rouge; telephone communications-improper language/harassment

JOSEPH ROBINETTE: 25; 1953 South Brightside Road, Baton Rouge; theft, prohibited acts, resisting an ofﬁcer

ALAYSIA SULLIVAN: 20; 3149 Redbud St., Zachary; disturbing the peace/violent and tumultuous manner, aggravated battery

COLTON WELCH: 29; 2703 Rush St., Jackson; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants

JORDAN WRIGHTS: 26; 3015 Truman St., Zachary; possession of Schedule II

HIGHLAND, ST. AMANT; THEFT

DANIEL ATKINS: 24; 1618 Plains Knoll Ave., Zachary; two counts aggravated assault with a ﬁrearm

KAMERON BARFILED: 21; 381 Flonacher Road, Zachary; fugitive warrants from East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Ofﬁce

CHARLES DUNCAN: 43; 2924 Jessamine Ave., Baton Rouge; theft

DARNELL HARRELL: 26; 5438 Groom Road, Baker; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants

QUENTIN HARRIS: 25; 4212 Florida St., Zachary; fugitive warrants from East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Ofﬁce

LIZZIE HAWKINS: 67; 1531 Pecan Crossing, Zachary; hit-and-run

DENNIS JEFFERSON: 41; 9818 Liberty Highway, Clinton; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants

JAZZY MCQUIRTER: 23; 10939 Balls Lane, St. Francisville; two counts principals to aggravated assault with a ﬁrearm

TILTON MOORE: 21; 6227 Windwood Drive, Zachary; possession of marijuana

TRENTON MOORE: 18; 4250 Blount Road Apt. 69, Baton Rouge; possession of marijuana and equipment violation-display of plate

BLAYTON MYERS: 29; 8688 Lower Zachary Road, Zachary; third degree rape/vaginal and failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants

DEVIN WHITE: 32; 6770 Spring Drive, Baton Rouge; illegal possession of stolen things and possession of drug paraphernalia

MARCUS WILSON: 55; 18315 Keystone Ave., Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants

DANIEL ATKINS: 24; 1618 Plains Knolls Ave., Zachary; possession of drug paraphernalia

DAESHAWN MONTGOMERY: 27; 4000 McHugh Drive, Apt. 66, Zachary; possession of marijuana

JAZLYN SMITH: 24; 6348 Mallard Crossing, Zachary; unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling

JERAMMANE WILLIAMS: 32; 4709 Avenue Z, Zachary; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants, theft, criminal trespass

One of Necaise’s major focuses in recent months and those ahead is ﬁnding money to boost teacher and staff pay His Zachary Forward tax initiative, which called for reallocating an existing 24mill property tax, failed at the polls in November The board took the ﬁrst step toward trying again to get voters’ approval for the tax change by agreeing to set an election for June 27. If the measure passes, the tax proceeds will go toward salaries only Necaise wants to give $10,000 raises to teachers and $5,000 to staff. The item presented to voters in the fall called for spending some of the funds on technology and facility updates as well. The board was expected to vote on whether to buy a piece of property near Zachary High School — something it had discussed at the committee of the whole gathering in early February But that topic didn’t show up on the agenda for the meeting.