Zachary girls and boys open playoffs as No. 1 seeds
The Zachary High girls and boys basketball teams have had little to no fall off after both winning state championships last year
Coaches Tami McLure and Jon McClinton have retooled and come back with a vengeance. The opportunity for both programs to repeat appears to be in the cards.
The Zachary High girls finished the regular season with a 26-3 record that included six straight wins including an undefeated record in District 4-5A, where they averaged over 70 points a game and held district opponents to an average of around 30 points per game.
Leila Pitchford AROUND ZACHARY
Thousands visit event
Zachary Mayor David McDavid estimates 6,000 to 8,000 attendees were at the inaugural Mardi Gras parade.
Want to be an EMT?
A 13-week EMT training program will start June 8. The class meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information sessions are scheduled for 6 p.m. March 12, 10 a.m. March 21, 9 a.m. March 26, 6 p.m. April 2, 9 a.m. April 7 and 10 a.m. April 11. Registration is limited.
Call (225) 389-5155 for details.
Baseball coming Zachary Youth Park spring baseball registration is open through March 15
Visit www.zacharyyouthpark org/registration to register Age brackets have changed If the child is 4 years old, a parent must coach or assistant coach.
Golf for Zachary athletics
Zachary Athletic Foundation Golf Tournament 2026 is April 6 at Copper Mill Golf Club to support Zachary Athletic Foundation and the student athletes.
Entry is $500 per 4-person team, which includes mulligan package, food, soft drinks and beer on course Prizes include first, second and third places; closest to the pin; and longest drive. Registration and lunch are at noon. Tee time is at 1 p.m. Visit tinyurl.com/3z9ey8ba to preregister and for information.
A Celtic concert experience
Madam Dulcimer (Amanda Roberts) and Lady Chops (Elizabeth Vidos) are bringing a Celtic concert celebrating St Patrick’s Day with music originating from the countries of Ireland, Scotland and Wales to the East Baton Rouge Library
The show will be at 10 a.m. March 17 at the Zachary Branch Library Check ebrpl. com to see other dates and times.
Discuss 1845 Black poets
Join author Kim Jones for the premiere of her newly released book “Nouveaux Renaissance: Keeping Les Cenelles Alive,” at the Zachary Branch Library from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., March 1. Les Cenelles was a groundbreaking 1845 anthology featuring 17 African American poets.
ä See AROUND, page 2G
ner of Natchitoches Central and Destrehan in the quarterfinals.
Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
The Broncos, led by lone senior Ava Raymond, earned the top seed and opened regional play at home on Feb. 23 against 17th seed Walker Walker was a 53-39 winner over H.L Bourgeois in the bi-district round
The Broncos beat Walker earlier in the season in a nail-biter 5146. The winner will play the win-
The Zachary High Boys finished the season 29-4 and also went undefeated in District 4-5A, finishing the season with an eight-game winning streak that included a victory over Catholic (68-56) on the road Feb. 20.
The boys were equally impressive in district play with the closest district opponent only coming within 12 of the Broncos with three 30-plus-point victories in district.
At the time of writing the boys are expected to be a top seed,
KINDER KREWE
Zachary schools mark holiday with kindergarten Mardi Gras parade
On Feb. 12, the annual Northwestern Elementary School Mardi Gras parade rolled down to Zachary Early Learning Center and Rollins Place Elementary School. The NES students rode in their classtheme decorated wagon floats and were pulled by students from Zachary High School and Northwestern Middle School.
The ZHS Band of Blue played while candy and beads were thrown.
Zachary Broncos senior Aidan Givens drives the ball down court to spark a run in mid first quarter during a Feb 17 game.
PHOTO BY SONYA GOSS
BRADY, page 3G
PROVIDED PHOTOS BY ZACHARY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS DISTRICT
Northwestern Elementary School teacher Ashley Pate, center, and Rollins Place students Jaden Minor and Madisyn Lawrence are superheroes at the 2026 Northwestern Elementary School Mardi Gras parade.
Wyatt Ewing, Vivian Foote and Amiya Bilberry dress in cowboy gear
John Wilkinson
Charles Thompson
Dan Bourgeois
Samantha Bland-Naquin
Lane Regional Medical Center names Medical Executive Committee officers
Community news report
Lane Regional Medical Center announced the election of its 2026 Medical Executive Committee officers, following the medical staff meeting held Jan. 12.
The nominated physicians were elected by unanimous consent, receiving a round of applause from those in attendance Physicians selected for 2026 are:
n John Wilkinson, M.D , orthopedic surgeon, chief of staff and representative to the board
n Charles Thompson, M.D., interventional cardiologist, vice chief of staff
n Dan Bourgeois, M.D., general surgeon, secretary/treasurer
At the conclusion of the election, Samantha Bland-Naquin, OBGYN, was recognized and honored for her dedicated service as chief of staff and representative to the board from January 2024 through January 2026. Lane RMC extends its sincere gratitude to Bland-Naquin for her leadership, commitment and contributions to the medical staff and community
ZACHARY POLICE BOOKINGS
The following people were booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison or issued a summons by the Zachary Police Department from Feb. 12-18:
WILLIAM BARKER: 40; 4051 David St., Baton Rouge; criminal trespass, for fugitive warrant from East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office
DERRICK COPELAND: 50; 4150 McHugh Road, Apt. 423, Zachary; illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities
GERREN HAYES: 22; 2182 Royal Troon Court, Zachary; fugitive warrant from East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, illegal carrying of weapons with
controlled dangerous substance, principals aggravated assault, simple burglary distribution or possession Schedule I drugs, simple battery
SANTANA HURST: 38; 280 E Mount Pleasant Road, Zachary; improper supervision
KIMBERLY LANGLOIS: 55; 3830 N. Row Ave., Zachary; theft
NATASHA LOCKETT: 43; 1324 Cedar Trail Ave., Zachary; improper supervision of a minor by parent or legal custodian-
CORRECTION
A Zachary Plainsman/Advocate story on Feb. 18 incorrectly reported that Zachary City Council member Ambre DeVirgilio voted in favor
penalty JOHN MCDOUGALL: 42; 4178
Nelson St., Zachary; theft
PRECIOUS MALOID: 30; 11445
Bard Ave., Apt. 234, Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants, theft
ALEISHA ROGERS: 33; 01120
Sherron Ave., Baker; theft
LATRISHA TERRANCE: 37; 1144
Stilt St., Baton Rouge; possession of marijuana
DAVID VOIGT: 60; 8027 Jacko Road, St. Francisville; theft
ZOEY WEBSTER: 18; 7022 Marshal Bond Drive, Zachary; theft
of removing Commissioner Jason Floyd from office. DeVirgilio voted against removing Floyd. We regret the error
AROUND
Continued from page 1G
Nominations open for top Baker citizen
The Baker Inter-Club Council is accepting nominations for the 2025 Citizen of the Year Award. Guidelines are:
n The individual must reside within the city limits of Baker or an unincorporated area of East Baton Rouge Parish.
n The individual must have provided unselfish time/talents that improved the quality of life for the citizens of Baker for which he/she was not paid and does not fall within the scope of his/her job duties.
n Consideration is for the period Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2025.
n Nominations should be mailed to 3809 Epperson St., Baker LA 70714.
n The selection will be made from nominations received as of noon March 23.
Voting by member clubs will be held in the Baker Branch Library at 6 p.m. March 23. Club dues must be paid before the beginning of the meeting. Clubs and organizations interested in joining the Inter-Club Council should contact President Doris Alexander at (225) 778-0141.
Easter run set
The Zachary Rotary Bunny Hop is March 21 in downtown Zachary A 1-mile walk and run starts at 8 a.m. The 5K run and walk start at 8:30 a.m. Register at runsignup.com/Race/LA/ Zachary/ZacharyRotaryBunnyHop.
Amnesty offered in Baker
The City Court of Baker, Baker City Court Judge Kirk A. Williams and Baker City Marshal Carl K. Dunn will provide an amnesty period for February to any Baker City Court defendants who has an outstanding bench warrant issued before Feb. 1.
The bench warrant will be recalled without first paying the normal bench warrant recall fee. The defendant will be given a new court date and additional time to pay any outstanding fees. This amnesty program does not reduce outstanding fees.
Amnesty will allow the defendants an opportunity to clear any outstanding bench warrant.
The clerk’s office will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. to assist defendants in recalling their bench warrants.
Call Baker City Court at (225) 778-1866 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Baker Police Department at (225) 775-6000 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. to find out if you have an outstanding warrant in Baker City Court.
Defendants excluded from amnesty are defendants that have received prior amnesty bench warrant recalls.
Help with food needs
The Zachary Food Pantry is seeking post-holiday help.
Among the items needed to stock the shelves are flour, sugar, cereal, Hamburger Helper, jambalaya mix, chicken, hamburger meat, hot dogs, mustard, instant mashed potatoes, ketchup, mayonnaise, peanut butter jelly snacks, seasoning, toilet paper and paper towels. Contact (225) 654-4028 or info@zacharyfoodpantry.org for information.
Renew pesticide certificates A Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification training session will be March 12 at the Zachary Branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, 10 a.m. to noon, 1900 Church St., Zachary Attendees need to bring a current pesticide card and two checks — one made to the LSU AgCenter for $15 and one made to LDAF for $25.
To reserve a spot, call Donna Gentry at (225) 683-3101 or dsgentry@agcenter.lsu. edu.
Learn about Louisiana’s first Black elected officials
Join Charles Vincent at the Baker Branch Library Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. for his annual series, Heroes in African American History This year’s theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations.”
He will give a presentation on the first black elected officials in Louisiana, then autograph copies of his book, “Black Legislators in Louisiana During Reconstruction.”
School supplies will be provided for the first five students in attendance.
Apply for Leadership North 2026 Leadership North is an annual leadership development program for the north Baton Rouge region.
The Zachary Chamber of Commerce hosts the program. Participation in the program is open to people living or working in Baton Rouge, Zachary, Central, Baker Pointe Coupee and East and West Feliciana parishes who have the full support of the organization or business they represent.
The program is designed to engage emerging leaders in the region and prepare them to meet the future needs of our communities. Through the exchange of viewpoints and experiences, participants are exposed to the challenges, opportunities and vital issues affecting the northern Baton Rouge region.
The application is at forms.office.com/ r/7feLGC5qtF Deadline is Feb. 27. Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@ theadvocate.com.
THE ZACHARY ADVOCATE & PLAINSMAN P.O. Box 588 Baton Rouge, LA 70821. (225) 388-0215
PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY Online at theadvocate.com/news/communities/zachary/ USPS NO 434-760
EDITOR
Darlene T. Denstorff zachary@theadvocate.com (225) 388-0215
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which would give them a bye in the bi-district round of the Division I nonselect playoffs.
ZHS track and field closes out indoor season
The ZHS indoor track and field teams competed in the LHSAA indoor championships on Feb. 21 at LSU as a prelude to the outdoor season, which begins at the Saints Relays on March 6. Earlier in the season, coach Chris Carrier relayed that the season was going well with several state qualifiers.
The boys finished fourth overall with top individual performances by Khristian Patin (seventh in the 60-meter) and Keidrick Bailey (fifth in the shot put)
The boys fared much better in the relays with the 4x200m relay team of Jayden Williams, Tyler Jackson, Anthony Jackson and Patin finishing second in 1:30.78. The 4x400m relay team of Tyler Jackson, Anthony Jackson, Veron
ZHS
was presented a custom basketball during Feb 17 game against Central for scoring his 1,000th point in the Scotlandville game on Feb 6.
Bolden and Kaleb Spurlock also finished second with a time of 3:25.47. The 4x800m relay team of Maximo Gennaro, Spurlock, Elijah Dunaway and Connor Conachen also picked up points finishing fifth in 8:14.79
The girls finished in third place overall. Sophomore Serenity Early led the girls with a win in the 60m hurdles (8.77). Other individual girls scoring for the Broncos were Kai Richard (second in the shot put),
Keari Stewart (fifth in the 60m hurdles) and J’Niyah Alexander (third in the long jump and fifth in the triple jump).
Like the boys, the girls were strong in the relays. The 4x200m relay team of Lauren Vessel, Talar Johnson, Kelsy Jackson and Early were second (1:43.11) and the 4x400m relay team of Vessel, Kerrington London, Jacelyn Smith and Early were also second with at time of 4:04.22.
Lane Regional Medical Center has earned aprestigious 4-Star Rating from the Centers forMedicare&Medicaid Services (CMS) placing usinthe toptier of hospitals nationwide and making us the only hospital inour region with this distinction
Out of 157 hospitals in Louisiana, only 11 received 4stars Lane is one of them.
When it comes to your health, choose
PHOTO BY SONYA GOSS
Ian Edmond,
junior,
PHOTO BY SONYA GOSS
Zachary Broncos coach Johnathan McClinton goes over plays before their game against Central on Feb 17.
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Zachary’s Serenity Early clears a hurdle during an April meet.
Lane promotes Brittany Casey to chief quality officer
Community news report
Lane Regional Medical Center announced the promotion of Brittany Casey to chief quality officer In her new role, Casey will oversee enterprise-wide quality strategy, regulatory compliance, performance improvement and organizational excellence initiatives. She will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Frank Corcoran.
Casey, who previously served as director of professional development, has been a key leader in advancing the company’s quality systems, strengthening safety practices, and elevating
operational performance across the organization, a press release said. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving data-driven improvements and cultivating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
“Brittany has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic insight and a
deep commitment to quality at every level of our organization,” said Corcoran. “Her promotion to chief quality officer reflects both her outstanding contributions and the confidence we have in her ability to elevate our quality performance even further.”
Casey said, “I am honored to
step into this position and continue supporting our teams in delivering the highest standards of quality, safety, and service. I look forward to advancing our strategic goals and driving meaningful improvements that benefit our employees, our customers and the communities we serve.”
Casey
Zachary High baseball seniors Noah Sullivan, Collin Walls, Tyson Kimble, Cullen Howard, Wyatt Roberts and Camden Massingill help with the festivities.
Zachary High baseball player Issac Gaspard and Dezion George are ready to roll.
Mardi Gras Cowboy Glenn Rheams
Zachary High volleyball team members Avie Mason, Parker Williams, Alyssa Albert, Amelia Mitchem, Kyleigh Norman and Karsyn Marshall help at the parade.
Zachary High football players Braeden White and Henry Bellat pull floats.
Lorelei Ayers masks as a tiger
Lillianah Peters and Elizabeth Williams are in a traveling circus.
Zachary High football players Braeden White and Henry Bell
Oliver Richardson is a giraffe.
Krewe of Zachary Broncos is ready to march in the 2026 Northwestern Elementary School Mardi Gras parade.
Zachary Community Schools District Child Nutrition Supervisor Bianca
