04-29-2020 Bossier Press-Tribune e-Edition

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Bossier Press-Tribune

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 | $1.00 | BOSSIER CITY, LA | SERVING GOD & OUR COMMUNITY | VOL. 91 NO. 43

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COVID-19 RESPONSE

‘Lights, camera, cue the mayor’

BOSSIER ECONOMY

City officials take to YouTube weekly to inform public concerning COVID-19 STACEY TINSLEY Bossier Press-Tribune Earlier this month Bossier City’s Mayor, Lorenz “Lo” Walker, began issuing weekly YouTube video updates on COVID-19 preparedness, operations and activities in Bossier City. Bossier City Police Public Information Officer Traci Landry said hearing from Mayor Walker directly on what Bossier City has been doing, and continues to do, regarding COVID-19 preparedness is extremely important. “That’s what he’s here for,” Landry said. “To have that direct line of communication is absolutely important to the people. People want to hear from the mayor. The mayor wants to talk directly to them. “The YouTube video update is a good avenue to get the information out to the public. People can access it anytime they want. We talk about what the city is doing, what needs to be done, what is coming in the future. It just gives us an opportunity to put out there exactly what’s going on,” she added.

“The YouTube video update is a good avenue to get the information out to the public. People can access it anytime they want. We talk about what the city is doing, what needs to be done, what is coming in the future.” Traci Landry Bossier City Spokesperson To give a well rounded and accurate description of what COVID-19 preparedness operations and activities are taking place in Bossier City, Walker is joined by Bossier City Fire Department Chief Brad Zagone and Bossier City Police Chief Shane McWilliams during his weekly video updates to the community. Landry did reiterate the importance of what Walker and other government officials have been stating for weeks. The public continues to adhere to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ protocol on flattening the curve of See, UPDATE, Page 3

STACEY TINSLEY/BOSSIER PRESS-TRIBUNE

Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker (Right) prepares to give his weekly YouTube update along with Bossier City Fire Chief Brad Zagone (Left). © 2020 Bossier Newspaper Publishing Co., Inc.

STACEY TINSLEY/BOSSIER PRESS-TRIBUNE

The Bossier City Farmers Market kicked off its 2020 season Saturday with a drive-thru market.

Market shift

Bossier City Farmers Market converts to drive-thru experience STACEY TINSLEY Bossier Press-Tribune With social distancing guidelines in effect, a popular farmers market in Bossier City decided to make its opening day a drive-thru event, encouraging people to stay apart during the coronavirus outbreak. More than 500 cars, many with multiple people inside, lined up to buy produce and other items from the Bossier City Farmers Market. “It’s all to ensure the safety of our customers and make sure that they comply with social distancing,” said Chris Graham, founder and organizer of the Bossier City Farmers Market. “I think everyone is excited to get out, while still adhering to social distancing guidelines. When a customer arrives at a booth, we’re looking at each other through masks and talking from a social distance perspective. It’s nice to see our residents

Vehicles line up to participate in the Bossier City Farmers Market. and to see our vendors. I think today’s market was a much needed thing for our community,” he said. Graham received approval from Gov. John Bel Edwards and local authorities to open as an essential business, using social distancing guidelines. The market also encouraged customers to pre-order from all the vendors before arriving. Meagan Overley, with Plum Nelly Flowers, said the unique farmers market drive-thru is nothing that she had ever seen before.

She was grateful to Graham for his hard work and dedication to making it happen. “From what I have seen so far, today’s market has done very well. I’m enjoying it. Thank you to Chris for putting all of the effort into making today’s market happen,” Overley said. Words of thankfulness to Graham for all of his hard work was echoed by many other vendors. “I think today’s market has been really great. Traffic has been going really easy. People seem like

they are in a good mood and they are happy with what they buy. I’m glad that Chris was able to get this market operational today. It helps us and it also helps people to get out and buy products,” said Tracy Simmons, Gator Soy Candle Company. The Bossier City Farmers Market will continue as a drive-thru market until organizers deem it safe to change back to the original format. “Get out and support local and support your local community. These folks have essentially closed for the better part of three months and they are very eager to make a deal and see everybody,” Graham said. The market will be open every Saturday 9 AM-1 PM from April 25th through Nov. 21 in the south parking lot of Pierre Bossier Mall. The Bossier City Farmers Market was scheduled to open on March 28, but the date was pushed back due to the coronavirus outbreak.


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