THE ZACHA Y
ADVOCATE& T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
Leila Pitchford AROUND ZACHARY
Give your thoughts on Zachary’s Master Plan
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W e d n e s d ay, A p r i l 2, 2025
$1.00N
11TH YEAR, NO. 25
CHAMPIONS
The city of Zachary is updating its Master Plan and is seeking input. The draft Master Plan and Future Land Use Map is available for review, and public comments are open until April 14 at tinyurl.com/2fjej6jk. Review the draft plan and send you feedback to Stephen Villavaso at svillavaso1@cox. net, Fred Neal at frednealjr@ gmail.com and Bryant Dixon at bryant.dixon@cityofzachary. org. On Monday, April 7, representatives from V&A will be at the Planning & Zoning meeting to answer questions. On April 23, a public workshop will be held to review comments and discuss potential updates.
Breast scans set in Zachary Woman’s Hospital mobile mammography coach will be in the area. A physician’s order is required, and appointments are strongly encouraged. The coach will be at Zachary United Methodist Church, 4205 Church St., Zachary, on April 9. Call (225) 924-8268 to schedule. It will be at LPG Baker, 6516 E. Myrtle Ave., Baker, on April 30. Call (225) 774-9486 to schedule.
ä See AROUND, page 3G
PHOTO BY SONYA GOSS
ZHS girls basketball player sophomore Ayja Walker rides Friday in a parade celebrating state championship wins by the girls and boys basketball teams.
Zachary celebrates state titles with parade Despite the rainy weather Friday, Zachary High girls and boys basketball champions’ Victory Parade rolled through downtown Zachary. ä More photos. PAGE 2G
Council agrees to withhold $440,648 payment on police station
Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
Athletes move out of the gym for spring sports A review of the March Plainsman sports columns reminds me that everything was about what was happening inside (as in gyms) as the boys and girls basketball teams completed their journeys to state championships. Before taking things outside where spring has sprung, one more congratulations to Coach Tami McClure and the ZHS girls 2024-2025 state championship team that was named the top team in Louisiana in all classification by Sports Illustrated on March 24. Taking it outdoors and on to the track, at the time of writing the ZHS boys and girls track teams have already competed in three outdoor meets. The boys picked up a team victory and the girls finished second at the Saints relays on March 6. Closer to home, the Broncos hosted the Bronco Relays on March 12 where both teams finished second. First place for the ZHS girls were Talar Johnson, 200-meter; the 4x100m relay team of Johnson, Karli Hester, Sabriah Bethley and Mariah Myles; the 4x200m relay team of Hester, Auna Cook, Lauren Vessel and Lauren Vessel, Abiah Simpson; and Keari Stewart, high jump. Boys first place finishers were Veron Bolden, 30-meter hurdles,
ä See BRADY, page 1G
BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
played finished work while also encouraging woodcarving as a skill and hobby. “We’re a group of around 12 to 17 people,” he said. “We gather at Jones Creek library on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and we just carve and show what we’ve done and show different techniques. We are always looking for new members.” Gena Ponder volunteers each year, but also encourages her students to take advantage of all libraries have to offer. “I’m a teacher and I love reading,” she said. “I tell my students about this event, and some come. In fact, I have one in there that’s in my class. These kinds of things can spark an interest in what could be a career.” Ponder recalled a previous
Malfunctioning doors. A leaking roof. Bubbling paint. Zachary’s new police headquarters has some problems. They were a point of discussion at the City Council’s March 25 meeting, where members of the panel voted to deny — at Police Chief Darryl Lawrence’s request — a payment of $440,648 to the firm that constructed the building. The police facility on Old Slaughter Road cost more than $8 million to build and officially opened at the beginning of the year. It was built by Stuart and Company, and the architect was Grace Hebert Curtis. The council’s agenda included two payments to Stuart and Company. Members agreed to pay the firm $61,495, the final installment for construction of the headquarters. But after hearing about building deficiencies that haven’t been addressed yet, they voted against another pay request for $440,648 worth of punch list items. “The chief does not believe there has been significant portions of the punch list achieved, and he is recommending withholding payment,” said City Attorney John Hopewell. “I will tell you, you have no legal basis to do that,” he cautioned. “The certificate of substantial completion and the clear lien certificate pursuant to the contract and the architect’s recommendation empower them to request and empower you to pay.” Capt. Shawn Pratt told the council about the problems at the facility. “The leaking of the roof is starting to cause bubbling on the walls,” he said. “We’ve had to call painters and stuff out there.” Hopewell reassured the council that the city won’t be paying for
ä See CRAFTS, page 4G
ä See STATION, page 4G
PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Members of the Lagniapple Historic Dance and Pastime Society conduct a dance demonstration Saturday at Country Crafts and Hobbies: 15th annual Community History Festival at the Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library.
Library history event focuses on country, crafts
BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
The Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library has a long tradition of tools — not just books — to open and broaden minds to the world here and abroad. The theme of Country Crafts and Hobbies highlighted the 15th annual Community History Festival. The festival, held Saturday, included a wide assortment of country fun, food, games, crafts, music and entertainment. The “country crafting” was supplied by artists and craftsmen who displayed and sold homemade items. Local live music was provided by the Louisiana Lagniappe Dulcimers and The Upbeats. Dancing with a flair for history and costumes helped participants
“We’re a group of around 12 to 17 people. We gather at Jones Creek library on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and we just carve and show what we’ve done and show different techniques. We are always looking for new members.” BURT FLEMING, master woodcarver and member of Pelican Woodcarvers learn and move with the help of the Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society. Other activities included a pie contest, basket weaving, candle making, herb gardening tips, jewelry making and woodcarving. Master woodcarver Burt Fleming, of Pelican Woodcarvers, dis-