THE ZACHA Y
ADVOCATE& T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, Au g u s t 6, 2025
$1.00N
11TH YEAR, NO. 43
Leila Pitchford AROUND ZACHARY
Mammograms offered in Zachary Aug. 13 Woman’s Hospital mobile mammography coach is bringing 3D breast imaging to Zachary Aug. 13 at United Methodist Church, 4205 Church St. A physician’s order is required, and appointments are encouraged. Call (225) 924-8268 to schedule.
School is coming soon The first days of school are happening soon. Zachary and West Feliciana schools start Aug. 7. East Feliciana schools start Aug. 11. Parents and guardians should make sure they have taken care of all enrollments and fees, checking on transportation and getting supplies. Drivers are asked to use caution in school zones and at bus stops. Don’t forget, it’s illegal to use a cellphone while driving.
Business Expo set The Zachary Business Expo is set from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 9 at Americana YMCA. To register a booth, call the Zachary Chamber of Commerce at (225) 654-6777.
Chamber ribbon cuttings The Zachary Chamber of Commerce is hosting ribboncuttings at area businesses. n Zachary Spine and Sports Rehab is holding an anniversary ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. Aug. 26 at 1215 Independence Blvd., Building 5, Suite A, Zachary. n Southern Clinical Research is celebrating 15 years of service with a ceremony at 10 a.m. Aug. 19 at 4867 W. Park Drive, Zachary. n Sweet Stirrings, 4342 High St., Zachary, is having a ribboncutting at its new building at 3 p.m., Aug. 19.
Zoo to host car show The inaugural Rumble in the Jungle will roll into town Nov. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., bringing together car lovers, families and animal enthusiasts. This event will showcase an array of vehicles — from classic cruisers to custom builds — set against the backdrop of the zoo grounds. Attendees can enjoy a full day of animal encounters, family-friendly activities and cars, included with the price of admission. Vehicle registration is open through Oct. 10. Visit brzoo.org/ rumble for registration details and event updates. Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate.com.
PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Grandparents Brian and Sharon Williams move through the Zachary MLK Committee Back-to-School Bash on Saturday with their grandsons Yasin and Aiden and their sister Brooklyn.
BACKPACKS
for back-to-school BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Contributing writer
Pediatric nurse practitioner Kara Sullivan normally sees many children on a busy workday, but recently she saw hundreds of Zachary-area school children and their families as she and a team from Lane Regional Medical Center did their part to ensure a safe and productive school year. The Zachary MLK Committee Back-to-School Bash, held Saturday, is far from the typical school supply giveaway. In addition to Lane, representatives from the school system, elected officials, community organizations, local businesses and faith-
based ministries engaged with entire families offering a connection to products, services and the expected fun gifts and supplies. The MLK Committee is led by chair Johnnie Evans, and she cochairs the back-to-school event with Tina Clark. The group initially organized an annual vigil honoring slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., but the effort grew and now funds scholarships for local high school graduates and organizes the massive return to school event that is reaching 700 to 800 students. Incoming third grader Katherine Prevost and her best friend Noah
Pediatric nurse practitioner Kara Sullivan greets young students at a table sponsored by Lane Regional Medical Center at the Zachary MLK Committee Backä See BACKPACKS, page 2G to-School Bash.
Balloons return for Zachary festival Community news report Look up Friday and Saturday evenings into the skies over BREC’s Zachary Community Park to watch as nine hot air balloons float during the Really Hot Air Balloon Festival. The two-day festival’s lineup includes tethered balloon rides, starting at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, nightly balloon glows, 10 food trucks, arts and crafts and retail vendors. The music stage include performances on Friday by Chubby Carrier and Lauren Lee Band and Adam Leger Band and Thomas Cain on Saturday. The park’s splash pad also will be open. A car show is set for 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Hot air balloons line the edge of a pond during the first hot air balloon festival at BREC’s Community Park in 2024. The festival returns Friday and Saturday.
District 4-5A football preview – things are going to get tougher and change is coming Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
In 2024, District 4-5A football teams were very competitive, with Central riding a fourth seed in the nonselect playoffs to a 42-0 upset of Ruston for a state championship. Our Zachary Broncos (7-4) advanced to the regional round before falling to that same Ruston team the Wildcats defeated. The regional loss represented the earliest that the Broncos have been knocked out of the playoffs during coach David Brewerton’s 11 seasons in Zachary. Woodlawn was knocked out in the first round of the select playoffs and Catholic’s season ended
in the semifinals of the Select playoffs. Only Liberty and Scotlandville failed to make the playoffs last year and both teams have new coaches and are anticipated to be much improved. The Broncos will open 4-5A play against Scotlandville at home Oct. 10. Veteran coach Richard Oliver, who has been a head coach at four schools in the area, replaces Ryan Cook who resigned from Scotlandville after three seasons and a 2-8 record in 2024. The Hornets will be talented, as always, and Oliver is familiar with the program having coached
at Scotlandville previously. He is well aware of the expectations for a program that has struggles as of late. The next week, Oct. 17, the Broncos will be home again to take on Liberty Magnet and new head coach Jimmy Zachary. Zachary was on the sidelines last year coaching against the Broncos when he was the head coach at Opelousas. He won a state championship in 2023 at Opelousas and brings a winning philosophy and approach to the Patriots. Coach Brewerton noted that
ä See BRADY, page 3G
New state laws in effect BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
Louisiana drivers, kratom users, voters and frog hunters are getting used to a slew of new state laws that took effect Aug. 1. The Louisiana Legislature during its regular session this spring passed 516 bills that avoided a veto by Gov. Jeff Landry, many of which took effect Friday. Here are 20 new state laws that will apply to those visiting or living in Louisiana.
ä See LAWS, page 4G