THE ZACHA Y
ADVOCATE& T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
|
W e d n e s d ay, Au g u s t 19, 2026
$1.00N
12TH YEAR, NO. 45
Members of the Baker-Zachary Alumnae of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority perform the play ‘The Day the Crayons Went on Strike’ for children gathered for the Zachary Men’s Club Annual Back-to-School Giveaway. The Chapter was chartered in March 1995 to serve Baker, Zachary, East Feliciana Parish and West Feliciana Parish.
PHOTOS BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Police Chief Darryl Lawrence Sr. spends a moment with a returning Zachary school student Aug. 8 during the Zachary Men’s Club Annual Back-to-School Giveaway.
OFF TO SCHOOL with a helping hand
BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
It takes a village to raise a child and the Zachary community village came out in force to support local children and families Aug. 8. Community and civic organizations, local agencies, and a number of elected officials joined the effort to kickstart a successful school year. The annual Back-to-School Giveaway, hosted by the Zachary Men’s Club, exceeded previous years in both turnout and sponsoring organizations. Carl Dawson, the group’s vice president, said an estimated 300 children and 150 adults participated in the event held at the club’s Rollins Road center. Mayor David McDavid and a host of City Hall and City Council officials were on hand to help distribute lunch totes with reusable water bottles, along with zipper pencil bags
filled with school supplies. The giveaway provided students with much-needed supplies and free food and drinks. “Events like the Zachary Men’s Club Backto-School Giveaway are a wonderful reminder of what makes Zachary such a special community,” McDavid said. “The support and generosity of local organizations help ensure that our young people begin the school year feeling prepared, encouraged and supported.” The leadership and generosity of the Zachary Men’s Club was noticed across the region and the group received top honors in the coveted Solaris Awards of greater Baton Rouge in 2017. Each year, the Family Road organization recognizes outstanding community groups during its annual fundraising gala. Nine categories are highlighted, and groups and agencies are honored for excellence in serving the greater Baton Rouge community.
East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy M. Edwards of the Community Policing unit offers supplies to children. ä More photos. PAGE 4G
Sewing Zachary police confirm no shots volunteers were fired at hot air balloon fest sought BY OLIVIA TEES Staff writer
Charlee’s Angels is preparing for Christmas projects and is seeking people to help sew baskets made from a dish drying mat for nursing homes in the Zachary/ Slaughter/ Baker Leila areas. Pitchford Visit https:// AROUND tinyurl. ZACHARY com/3rvvzut8 to see details and leave a message to volunteer.
Recycling date change The recycling collection schedule for residents of the Oak Shadows, Meadowview, and Fairview subdivisions has changed.
ä See AROUND, page 3G
Zachary police confirmed that no shots were fired Saturday evening at the Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Festival, which was closed early during the investigation. At 8:11 p.m. patrol officers and officers working extra duty responded to a report of multiple shots fired on the festival grounds. ä More photos from Police secured the scene and the festival. PAGE 2G through witness interviews and surveillance footage of the scene determined there was a fight that occurred but no shots fired. No spent shell casings were recovered at the scene, and multiple witnesses in close proximity to the incident reported that they did not hear any gunshots, police said. Shortly after the incident, police received a tip that a person of interest in the battery was at the Rouses Market on Church Street. Police questioned the individual and released them after it was determined they were not involved. “We are relieved the investigation confirmed there were no shots fired at the festival. Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public safety, we made the decision to close the festival. Having officers already on-site allowed for a swift response and helped prevent any further
STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
A passenger snaps a picture as the hot air balloon pilot ignites the burner to raise the balloon during the Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Festival on Friday, in Zachary.
incidents. We look forward to meeting with festival organizers to review our findings and make any adjustments needed to strengthen security at future events,” said police chief Darryl Lawrence Sr.
Zachary cross-country is pounding pavement for 2026 Zachary High School cross-country coach Julie Fink has high aspirations for this year’s season and a Broncos team that will be focused on “total team synchronicity.” Fink describes it as a simple job for each athlete where they “commit, work hard toward our team goals and make the teammates in front of and behind them better.” In preparation for the 2026 season Warren the team has worked hard all summer. Brady That summer training included 11 ZACHARY athletes attending the Wingfoot RunSPORTS ning camp where they worked with top coaches and elite runners from around the country. Fink said they “returned with the confidence and knowledge to lift our entire program.” Fink returns some top athletes for both the girls and boys with high expectations for newcomers. For the girls, Blair Smith returns as one of the top runners and will be joined by senior Destiny Thomas. A group of sophomores — Malayah Fambro, Maddy Franks and Mary Fontenot — plus track standout Jacelyn Smith and Trinity Killion will round out the team. In addition, Fink expects “breakout years” from Coraline Lawhon and Isabel Johannsen. On the boys side Maximo Gennaro is the top runner with returning leaders Elijah Dunaway, Trent Gomila, Tyson Franklin, Ben O’Brien, Easton Dobson and Carson Southall. Fink acknowledged that Jarrell
ä See BRADY, page 3G