THE ZACHA Y
ADVOCATE& T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
Leila Pitchford AROUND ZACHARY
Library closed Fourth of July All locations of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library will be closed Friday in observance of Independence Day.
Back to school events Parents with students in the Zachary Community School District can find lists of supplies and fees for the upcoming school year at https:// tinyurl.com/523wjk5k. A description of the dress code is at https://tinyurl.com/msx2j2sz. Back to school events include: n The Zachary Men’s Club will have food, games and other activities at 10 a.m. Aug. 2. n The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Zachary will hold its Back to School Giveaway from 10 a.m. until supplies run out Aug. 2 at the Zachary High School Gym, 4100 Bronco Lane. School supplies, sno-balls and other refreshments will be available as well as the bookmobile. Attendees are asked to bring a canned good to donate. For information or to sign up as a vendor, contact Johnnie Evans (225) 933-6431 or Tina Clark (225) 202-1076.
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W e d n e s d ay, J u ly 2, 2025
11TH YEAR, NO. 38
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Council proposes utility rate hike Technology fee also sought
At its June 24 meeting, the City Council agreed to introduce an ordinance raising utility rates and imposing a new technology fee. The ordinance still must be formally adopted. BY OLIVIA McCLURE Deanna Mankins, Zachary’s Contributing writer chief financial officer, said the Zachary residents and others changes are needed to ensure the who rely on the city’s water and city covers all of its costs and has sewer services are likely to see money on hand for system imtheir monthly bills increase soon. provements.
Water users inside city limits now pay a $12.40 flat fee plus $2.32 for every 1,000 gallons of water they use each month. Under the ordinance, the flat fee would increase to $12.77, and the rate per 1,000 gallons would go up to $2.39. Users outside city limits, who pay a $24 flat fee plus $2.99 per 1,000 gallons, would see the flat fee rise to $24.72 and the usage
rate to $3.08. Senior citizens being charged a $2.32 flat fee and an additional $2.32 for every 1,000 gallons of water will see both of those rates increase to $2.39. Sewer fees would go from $17.27 a month to $18. And a new $2 technology fee would be tacked onto each bill.
ä See UTILITY, page 2G
Perfect harmony Louisiana’s 'American Idol' marries former Saints cheerleader
Reassess penicillin allergy Lane Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, led by Dr. Ashley Willis, is offering in-office evaluations to help patients safely reevaluate penicillin allergies that may no longer be active. To request an appointment, visit www.lanermc.org/allergy.
At the library in July Heather Kinsel, the artist of the resin geode artwork display at the Zachary Branch Library, 1900 Church St., will meet with patrons at 10 a.m. July 19. The display has several pieces inspired by women of the Bible and their stories. The Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library, 13600 PridePort Hudson Road, will host “Lethal Luau: Murder Mystery Game” for 20-somethings at 5 p.m. July 16. Through Aug. 15, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library will have free programs, workshops, story times, concerts and performances for all ages through the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, “Color Our World.” Learn more at www.ebrpl.com/SummerReading. Track your reading and earn rewards. Sign up at your library branch or online at ebrpl.beanstack.org.
Festival seeks organizers Downtown Live is looking for board members amid plans for the third annual Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Festival. “We’re looking for energetic, reliable team players who aren’t afraid to work hard, get a little dirty, and be part of something unforgettable,” a Facebook post said. The event hosted by the community event organization is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 8 and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 9 at BREC Zachary Community Park, 20055 Old Scenic Highway. Along with hot air balloons will be food trucks, vendors and live music. Visit facebook.com/profile. php?id=100093362362338 to message the group. Send news and events for the Zachary area to zachary@ theadvocate.com by noon Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
Laine Hardy, an ‘American Idol’ winner and Jordan Gautreau became husband and wife in June. BY JUDY BERGERON
Staff writer
Former “American Idol” winner and Louisiana native Laine Hardy is now a married man. The singer, 24, and Jordan Gautreau exchanged vows June 20 in an evening outdoor ceremony at Magnolia Fields wedding venue in Zachary. The Rev. Jarrett Wells performed the ceremony before family and friends. The bride wore a simple, elegant fulllength white off-the-shoulder gown and carried a bouquet of mixed fresh flowers. Hardy, who grew up in Livingston, was
PROVIDED PHOTO BY ROBBY KLEIN
in a midnight-blue tuxedo. The couple’s 4-month-old son, Hollis James, matched Dad in midnight-blue pants, vest and bowtie. The bridesmaids, among them Hardy’s sister Brittany Banta, wore fuchsia gowns. For dancing, the bride opted for a short, white, strapless dress layered with ruffles. The groom ditched his jacket and undid a few buttons on his white, longPROVIDED PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM sleeved shirt. Gautreau, who studied at Southeastern Jordan Gautreau shows off her Louisiana University in Hammond, is a engagement ring after she and Laine former New Orleans Saints cheerleader
Hardy announced their upcoming wedding and parenthood in September.
ä See HARMONY, page 2G
SERVING AFTER SERVICE
Veterans find new mission in outreach efforts BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
From the war for independence to the battles to ensure global freedom and security, soldiers pay sovereignty’s price, and many veterans spend their lives raising awareness and advocating for past, current and future members of the military. Retired Col. Robert Reisz Reisz and retired Lt. Col. Darrin Spears, both veterans advocates, are perpetual soldiers. Their missions have moved from the battlefield to the community setting and the classroom. Spears Their areas of reach cover the Baker-Zachary Memorial VFW Post, the Regional Veterans Park Steering Committee and the Zachary High
Junior ROTC. Spears said the nation benefits before and after a soldier’s service. “The generations of patriots who dedicated themselves to the defense of the United States of America, at times of great peril, our veterans have kept the faith,” he said. “They have kept us free and enabled Americans to keep faith with the rest of the world. That’s why I’m so pleased to honor their faithful service and to renew, reaffirm and to rededicate our commitment to keeping the faith with them.” Local veterans groups often work together because of shared leadership. Reisz is the VFW
ä See VETERANS, page 2G
ABOVE: Member of VFW Post 4224 and Auxiliary, the Regional Veterans Park steering committee and the Zachary High Jr. ROTC take part in a wreath hanging recently at Lane Regional Medical Center. LEFT: Former Army Airman Will Steen, of Zachary, from left, helps Zachary High Cadet Lt. Col. Adon Dunaway and Cadet Capt. Jamie White place wreaths. PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER