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, D e c e m b e r 31, 2025
$1.00N
12TH YEAR, NO. 12
Leila Pitchford AROUND ZACHARY
Happy New Year! We at The Democrat, The Plainsman and The Watchman wish you all the best for 2026.
Urgent care moving FastLane, an urgent care clinic, will relocate Jan. 5. Beginning Jan. 5, FastLane will operate from 2335 Church St. within Lane Family Practice. “There will be no changes to services or hours,” said Patty Williams, Lane Physician Practice Director. “Patients can expect the same fast, convenient care they rely on.” Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
Hospital lights still lit n The free Holiday Lights exhibit on the walking track behind Lane Regional Medical Center, 6300 Main St., Zachary is open through Jan. 5. n Through New Year’s Eve, West Feliciana Hospital will have its Magical Lights Display available. Drive through the hospital grounds to see the exhibit.
Register for winter softball Registration is open through Jan. 4 for winter softball for ages 7-14 at Zachary Youth Park. Registration fee is $75. Tryouts and the draft will be the week of Jan. 5. Practice will start Jan. 19, and league play starts Feb. 9. Register at https://sportsplus. app/public/6064/. Anyone interested in coaching must also register.
The legacy of MLK In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and Justice Sunday, head to the Baker Branch Library at 3 p.m. Jan. 10 for a viewing of his “I Have a Dream” speech, followed by dialogue with Charles Vincent, Baker City Council member and president of the Mwalimu Institute. School supplies will be provided by Vincent to the first eight students in attendance. Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate.com.
PROVIDED PHOTO
The first edition on 2025 featured Zachary Mayor of the Day Genevieve Stephenson eating lunch with city of Zachary employees on the annual Christmas Chili Day on Dec. 19, 2024.
A look at Zachary through the images of 2025 BY LEILA PITCHFORD
ä More photos from 2025. PAGE 2G
Since the daguerreotype was created in the early 1800s, photos have been a way to help with share events and make memories.
At The Plainsman, we get photos from many sources: staff reporters and photographers; freelancers; communications people for business, organizations and
Staff writer
government; and from the general public. Here is a look at some of the eye-catching photos that ran in 2025. Remember to send photos of your 2026 events to The Plainsman at zachary@ theadvocate.com.
Let’s review the wrestling season through the holidays Zachary High coach Ben McHugh has been training the school’s girls and boys wrestling teams in preparation for the new year’s run of city and state. Since November, they have hosted girls and boys events, competed in duels, traveled to compete in tournaments out of state and will compete throughout the holidays. “This group is hungry,” McHugh said. “They’re disciplined, they’ve bought into the process, and they’re starting to believe they can compete with the best in Louisiana.” Through in its infancy as a program, McHugh noted that the girls team has taken “massive steps forward” this season. “Gabby Anthony, Adia Wells, Nachell Weaver and Jaiden Dyer are all ranked and all capable of making deep runs at state.” He credits their competitiveness for lifting the entire program and proving “wrestling is
Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
strong on both the boys and girls side.” The girls have picked up team wins in duals over Lakeshore and St. Amant at the “St. Amant Scuffle” and over Walker. On the boys side, McHugh pointed to his seniors. “Our seniors have been the backbone of our early success. Landon Blackwell, Eli Roberts and Tyrie Butler bring a level of composure and grit that elevates everyone in the room.” The Broncos lost senior Braydon Sullivan to a torn ACL during
ä See BRADY, page 4G Zachary High’s Eli Roberts gets the pin during a recent wrestling meet.
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PHOTO BY WARREN BRADY