Mary and David Landry dance to the music of Chris LeBlanc on March 10, 2023, during the season opening of the Downtown at the Gazebo concert series.
Zachary’s Downtown Live at the Gazebo returns April 25
BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Contributing writer
The rhythm of the city is set to return this spring as the City of Zachary’s Downtown Live at the Gazebo committee prepares to launch its highly anticipated 2026 concert series. A staple of the local community, the series transforms the historic downtown area into a hub of music, food and fellowship.
The season officially kicks off on April 25 at the Virginia Street gazebo. The 2026 lineup promises a diverse range of genres, starting with two powerhouse acts scheduled for the early spring.
Opening the season is Bucket List, a popular Baton Rouge-based band known for their high-energy performances. Specializing in a mix of classic rock, soulful blues and contemporary hits.
Following the opener, the Spring Chickens Bluegrass Band will take the stage May 9. This ensemble brings a traditional Louisiana flavor to the series, blending intricate picking with soulful harmonies.
Downtown Live at the Gazebo is more than just a concert series; it is a collaborative effort designed to showcase the charm of Zachary’s Historic Village. The events are organized annually by a city committee and are made possible through the support of local businesses and organizations.
These sponsorships allow the events to remain free to the public, encouraging families and visitors to explore the downtown area, support local vendors, and enjoy the community atmosphere.
The series has seen significant growth over the years, evolving into a destination for local and regional talent including the Chris LeBlanc Band, that opened the 2023 season with soulful blues-rock; Shawnte Floyd, a local recording artist who brought a personal and spiritual message in 2022; and Cullen Wade, a Zachary native who returned home to share his theatrical and musical talents with his community
EVERY BUNNY’S HOPPY at Zachary hunt
snacks and prizes for area youngsters. The club estimated that more than 250 children participated.
Compete in lip sync show
Registration and tickets are on sale for Zachary High’s fourth annual Lip Sync Battle on April 16. This event is open to anyone in the Zachary community on stage or in the audience. To enter an act, visit https://tinyurl.com/rc23fhbh. To purchase tickets, visit events.ticketleap.com/tickets/ zhs-choir-department/4th-annuallip-sync-battle.
Shred Day set
The Bank of Zachary is hosting
ä See AROUND, page 2G
PHOTO BY SONYA GOSS
Zachary Broncos catcher Isaac Gaspard. Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
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BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
Zachary Men’s Club member Milton Lee calls out winners of prizes.
PHOTOS BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Kyndel Chase receives an Easter basket full of toys and treats Sunday at the annual Zachary Men’s Club Easter egg hunt.
Zachary Men’s Club Vice President Carl Dawson greets Cary Edens with his children, from left, Ronin, Evie and Benjamin.
FILE PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
David McDavid accompanies his mother, Myrtle McDavid, to the annual Zachary Men’s Club Easter egg hunt.
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its Community Shred Day event over two weekends. Events will take place from 9 a.m. to noon: n Saturday, April 11 at the Main Branch, 4743 Main St., Zachary; and the Watson Branch, 32340 La. 16
n April 25 at the Central Branch, 14395 Grand Settlement Blvd.
Residents and local small business owners can securely dispose of confidential documents free of charge. Plastic, three-ring binders, hardback books, CDs, DVDs and video or cassette tapes will not be accepted in the normal shred truck.
A separate collection truck will be on-site to collect digital items including laptops, keyboards, copiers, printers, cellphones, desktops, etc.
Know a ZHS Hall of Famer?
Zachary High Athletics is seeking help looking for information on former athletes.
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY LEILA PITCHFORD
Shredding company employees empty papers into a bin at the Central Branch of the Bank of Zachary on April 26, 2025.
On Facebook, the school said, “We’re working to spotlight members of the Zachary High School Hall of Fame, and we want to make sure their stories are preserved.” Anyone with photos or information can email steven. crowder@zacharyschools.org.
Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate. com.
The following people were booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison or issued a summons by the Zachary Police Department from March 12-31:
RIKETA AUGUSTINE: 33; 3565 Mission Drive, Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
DJON BLALOCK: 32; 1933 Sparta Ave Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
SHALEIDRA BROOKS: 35; 991 W. Port Hudson Plains, Zachary; theft, contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, fugitive warrant from Baton Rouge Police Department
ALESHA CAVANAUGH: 45; 6489 English Turn Road, Zachary; operating a vehicle while intoxicated, general speed law
KALVALEISHA COTTON: 25; 1810 Harrell Ave., Apt. A, Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
KYLE ELEMORE: 21; 4215 W. Central Ave., Zachary; domestic abuse battery, simple battery
SHAWN ELSEY: 55; 3722 Pope Road, Zachary; entry on or remaining in places/land after forbidden
BELKY GARCIA: 21; 2360 Trask Road, Centreville, Mississippi; theft
DAE’MON JOHNSON: 19; 3777 Cleo St., Baton Rouge; possession of marijuana
JILL JONES: 51; 9326 Arleen Ave., Zachary; fugitive warrant from East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office
MAKAYLA PITTS: 21; 1115 Timberside
Drive, Baton Rouge; disturbing the peace/fistic
JEFFERY PLAISANCE: 61; 4215 W. Central Ave., Zachary; domestic abuse battery
BAYRON PLEITEZ: 29; 2360 Trask Road, Centreville, Mississippi; theft, fugitive warrant from Louisiana State Police
SHEDRICK TRIPLETT: 58; 3725 Shaffett Lane, Zachary; hit-and-run, driving under suspension, insurance required
JESSICA VANNORMAN: 37; 3007 Midway Ave., Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
KENDRA WHITE: 23; 5818 Comish Drive, Baton Rouge; credit card fraud by persons authorized
ADAM KELLY: 42; 15810 Denham Road, Pride; hit-and-run, no proof of insurance
TONYA KIRKLAND: 51; 6508 Donnie St., Zachary; two counts of theft, entry on or remaining in places/land after forbidden
RAVEN LEBLANC: 28; 11352 Falcon Perch, Denham Springs; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
KANEN MAGEE: 20; 18224 Martha Drive, Zachary; domestic abuse battery-child endangerment, simple criminal damage to property
LAMONA PARMS: 43; 2567 Old Towne Road, Zachary; cruelty to juveniles, domestic abuse battery-strangulation
JOSEPH ROBINETTE: 25;1953 S. Brightside View Drive, Baton Rouge; failure to
appear on outstanding bench warrants
DAYLIN WOODS: 18; 9045 Redwood Lake Blvd., Zachary; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
ZARAYAH YISRAEL: 21; 2929 Ray Weiland Drive, Apt. 111, Baker; littering, flight from an officer, general speed law
KRISTOPHER ANDERSON: 30; 5190 Linden St., Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
ANTONIO GILMORE: 26; 9780 Jones Vaughn Creek Road, St. Francisville, illegal possession of stolen things
PATRICK HAMILTON: 43; 20051 Old Scenic Highway, Apt. 706, Zachary; possession of marijuana, possession of legend drugs, driving on right side of road, no proof of insurance and failure to change address
CHRISTOPHER HARRISON: 34; 14578 La. 10, St. Francisville, failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
SERGIO HOUSTON: 20; 4072 Robert St., Zachary; battery of a dating partner –pregnant and charged with possession of marijuana
LAYLA MONTGOMERY: 27; 27070 Wagner Drive, Slaughter; theft
CALEB THIBODEAUX: 30; 4415 Belle Vue Drive, Addis; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
JERTORIN WOLF: 38; 3675 Cypress Park Drive, Zachary; domestic abuse battery – child endangerment
PHOTOS BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
left, Kyndel, Kailyn and Rhianna Chase pose with basket and prizes they received Sunday at the annual Zachary Men’s Club Easter egg hunt.
Jesse Rheams accompanies his sons, Maccabee, left, and Kalvev, at the annual Zachary Men’s Club Easter egg hunt.
Tirana Gordon clutches the Easter basket she received at the annual Zachary Men’s Club Easter egg hunt.
Zachary Mayor
ZACHARY POLICE BOOKINGS
PROVIDED PHOTO
Zachary High School’s Gabrielle Anthony was named the 2026 LHSAA 235-pound State Champion.
ZHS wrestler wins state title
Community news report
Zachary High School’s Gabrielle Anthony was named the 2026 LHSAA 235-pound State Champion. The ZHS Bronco wrestling girls team finished fourth overall out of 57 teams. Nachell Weaver was third in the 126-pound class; Adia Wells, third place, 185-pounds and Jaiden Dyer, fifth place, 107-pounds.
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In the home win against Woodlawn, the 10 Zachary seniors — Madden McClure, Ethan Rayburn, Isaac Gaspard, Tyson Kimble, Camden Massengill, Braden Sanders, Cullen Howard, Collin Walls, Noah Sullivan and Wyatt Roberts — were recognized.
The Broncos will close out district play at Catholic on April 9 followed by Catholic coming to Zachary on April 10. The Bears (24-4) are second in the 5A select rankings
The Zachary softball team (11-12) under new coach Scott Nielsen are 29th in the 5A nonselect power rankings. The Broncos have picked up blow out district wins over Scotlandville (17-0), Liberty (21-0) and Woodlawn (21-0). Upcoming home games include Central Private (April 7), Parkview Baptist (April 10), Belle Chase (April 13) and Slaughter Charter (April 14).
Track and field
The boys and girls track and field programs were both victorious at the Bank of St. Francisville Relays on March 27. First place individual finishers for the boys were Kristian Patain (100-meter in 10.82), Connor Conachan (800m in 2:00.70 and javelin with a throw of 165’ 11”), Ben O Brian (1600m in 4:49.51), Max Gennaro (3200m in 10:06.77), Veron Bolden (100m hurdles in 15.77 and 300 hurdles in 41.01) and Keidrick Bailey (shot put with a throw of 53’ 3.5” and discus with a throw of 147’ 8”).
The boys also swept the 4x100m (42.25), 4x200m (1:27.89), 4x400m (3:24.04) and 4x800m (8:29.41) relays with a combination
Bolden, Patin and Jayden Williams.
First place individual finishers for the girls were Kerrington London (400m in 1:01.09), Jacelyn Smith (800m in 2:27.34), Blair Smith (3200m in 12:25.49), Serenity Early (100m hurdles in 14.58 and 300m hurdles in 48.13), Kai Richard (shot put with a throw of 41’ 5.5” and discus with a throw of 131’), J’Niyah Alexander (long jump of 18’ 6.5”).
of Kaleb Spurlock, Elijah Dunaway, Tyson Franklin, Kaleb Spurlock, Tyler Jackson, Anthony Jackson,
Like the boys, the girls swept the relays with contributions from Sylar Powe, Lailah Perry, Bailey Galloway, Kelsy Jackson, Mariah Myles, London, Smith, Trinity Killion, Destiny Thomas and Malayah Fambro. The Broncos will compete in the Josten Invite (April 10), Pit Stop Relays (April 15) and Grizzly Relays (April 16) before the District 4-5A meet at Catholic High on April 23.
PHOTOS BY SONYA GOSS
Zachary Broncos pitcher Camden Massingill pitches a fast ball and strikes out Woodlawn batter during the second inning
Zachary Bronco left fielder Braden Sanders prepares to take the field at the beginning of the fifth inning during a March 31 game.
Baker has new website
Visit https://cityofbakerla. com/ to see Baker’s new website.
Rec center has new hours
Visit https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=3 4773819618898412&set
=a.1781685181871948 to see the new city of Baker schedule for the recreation center at 1420 Alabama St Color Carnival for a cause
The fifth annual Rose Run Color Carnival is from 8 a.m to noon, April 18 at Baker City Park, 3325 Groom Road. A 3K and 5K run will allow running, jumping, skipping, hopping or rolling. Awards will be given for attendance and enthusiasm. Register at the-MRF.org/ ausome-weekend-2026.
Adults and teens are $15. Kids through age 12 are $10. T-shirts are available for purchase.
Learn about victim’s rights Louisiana Victim Outreach recognizes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. April
22 at Baker Municipal Auditorium, 3325 Groom Road
The event is a chance to connect with resources and services.
Mayor and council members visit D.C
Baker city leaders attended the National League of Cities 2026 Congressio-
nal City Conference held in Washington, DC The theme was “Local Politics Make it Happen, Local Governments Deliver.” During the trip, Mayor Darnell Waites and members of the Baker City Council met with U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields to coordinate on priorities for the city and discuss federal sup-
port for local initiatives.
City leaders thanked Fields for securing $250,000 in federal funding that will contribute to the design and construction of a tournament-ready baseball complex in Baker City officials discussed obtaining federal funding to continue development efforts within Baker
Economic Development Districts, where leaders are working to attract businesses, create jobs and strengthen the local economy
The Washington visit provided an opportunity for Baker officials to connect with municipal leaders from across the country during conference sessions
focused on economic development, infrastructure, and public policy Those conversations, officials said, offered valuable insight into strategies other cities are using to address similar challenges and pursue sustainable growth.
Waites said, “Collaboration with federal partners and other city leaders is key to ensuring Baker remains competitive and prepared for future opportunities.”
City leaders said the trip reflects an ongoing effort to secure resources, strengthen partnerships, and position Baker for continued growth while improving services and amenities for residents.
Zachary bull named reserve grand champion at February show
PCC Firepower
265, owned by Rory Forbes, of Zachary, won reserve grand champion owned bull at the 2026 LSU AgCenter Livestock Show’s Junior Angus Show, Feb 20, 2026, in Gonzales. PROVIDED
