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, M a r c h 18, 2026
$1.00N
12TH YEAR, NO. 23
Strict facade rules for some commercial businesses dropped BY OLIVIA MCCLURE
ZACHARY CITY COUNCIL
Zachary is known for being strict about the 360-degree design standards in its development code. Among other requirements, commercial buildings must have brick or other decorative facades — and entirely metal structures typically aren’t allowed. Large chains, however, will soon get a break from those rules under an ordinance passed by the City Council on March 10 that also revised regulations related to bed-and-breakfasts, drivethrus and accessory buildings. Chain stores — which Zachary has long been trying to entice
to come to the city — will be allowed to erect metal buildings if that’s how their locations nationwide are typically constructed or if they are part of the company’s branding. And although the ordinance verbiage originally called for allowing industrial facilities such as mechanic shops and warehouses to have metal exterior walls too, that section was scrapped as part of council member Brandy Westmoreland’s motion to adopt the updated rules — which was supported by John LeBlanc and Ambre DeVirgilio.
Contributing writer
Westmoreland said removing that section and keeping the general prohibition on all-metal buildings is only fair. “There are tons of businesses in Zachary, and we made them do a storefront. And now we’re saying, ‘OK, well, you might have spent $100,000 … but now if you build tomorrow, you don’t have to have it.’ We’re backing up,” she said. “I’ve said before, ‘Zachary ain’t for everybody.’ ” The design standards help the city maintain an attractive, orderly appearance, she and others argued. “If you want to get a good feel or know what old metal buildings look like over time, take a
ride down South Choctaw in Baton Rouge, and you’ll see just a graveyard of metal buildings,” LeBlanc said, referring to a road that is lined with warehouses and industrial shops. DeVirgilio said she is seeing parts of Zachary turn around thanks to recently opened businesses that have followed the city’s building standards. “Would it be fair to them and those who have made that investment to comply with our UDC?” she said. “I just don’t know that we should start watering down what has already started to work.” The dichotomy in expectations for local businesses and chains
City plans hearing on go-kart track after residents complain, file suit
Leila Pitchford AROUND ZACHARY
Know a ZHS Hall of Famer? Zachary High Athletics is seeking help looking for inforamtion on former athletes. On Facebook, the school said, “We’re working to spotlight members of the Zachary High School Hall of Fame, and we want to make sure their stories are preserved.” Among the help needed is photos or information about Hall of Fame athletes. If you have them, send it them to steven.crowder@zacharyschools. org.
Compete in the lip sync show Registration and tickets are on sale for Zachary High’s fourth annual Lip Sync Battle. This event is open to anyone in the Zachary community on stage or in the audience. To enter an act, visit https://tinyurl. com/rc23fhbh. To purchase tickets, visit https://events.ticketleap. com/tickets/zhs-choirdepartment/4th-annual-lipsync-battle.
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.
Play golf to support Zachary athletics The Zachary Athletic Foundation Golf Tournament 2026 is April 6 at Copper Mill Golf Club to support Zachary Athletic Foundation and student athletes. Entry is $500 per four-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.
Want to be an EMT? A 13-week emergency medical technician 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 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.
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didn’t sit well with James Graves and Jennifer Landry, who opposed the motion. “I want everyone included,” Landry said in registering her “no” vote. Said Graves: “Are we really — we’re going to sacrifice our morals and values for the highend chain, for someone way out of state? What about the local guys?” Graves recounted the council’s past denial of plans for a mechanic shop that would have been housed in a metal building. That shop is now operating in another city, he said. “I don’t want to run any more business off,” he said
BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
with free throws as the deficit dwindled to one during the third quarter. Edmond cut through defenders to push the lead back to five late in the third. With just three seconds left, Brooks stole an inbounds pass and deflected it to junior Jerry Armwood. Just past midcourt, he fired up a 3-pointer that banked in at the buzzer to put Zachary up 48-41. Early in the fourth, Hudson drew a foul on a banked-in jumper and hit his free throw to cut the deficit to three points. Ruston (26-4) cut the lead to just one point with a Darren Ford
Zachary officials are investigating reports of a divisive go-kart race track expanding with a parking lot and posting signage — possible violations of the conditional use permit the City Council granted the facility in November. A hearing on the matter will take place later this month or in April. The track, operated by 593 Motorspots Kart Club on W.J. Wicker Road, has been a source of controversy for months. It and the city are being sued by a group of residents. Many people who live in the residential, somewhat rural area oppose the track, saying it creates noise that disrupts their lifestyle and runs afoul of Zachary’s development code. Proponents argue the facility offers much-needed activities for young people and helps the local economy. When the council issued the conditional use permit allowing the track to continue operating — it had already been up and running — several restrictions were included in the verbiage, something that is common when the panel grants permission for alternate uses of land in residential zones. Residents say some of those provisions are now being violated. Joanne Saale, a W.J. Wicker Road resident, said the track has put up signage along the road. She contacted Mayor David McDavid with her concerns in February, and McDavid responded that the city’s code enforcement officer had told owner Joshua O’Neal to remove the sign, she said. That sign is still there, Saale told the City Council at its March 10 meeting, and additional signage has been posted since then. “Mr. O’Neal is making a mockery of the City of Zachary and is showing absolute disrespect for authority,” she said, suggesting that the city issue fines. She and Donald J. “Pete” Charlet, a former city council member, also raised questions about a parking lot that has been opened next door to the track. Charlet said the track charges people to park in the lot. “Expanding the development of the race track operation with a parking lot development and sales without any notice or proper permitting is a clear violation of the conditional use permit issued, which warrants revocation of the conditional use permit, and the adjacent property owner should be brought to justice,” he said. No one spoke on behalf of 593 Motorsports at the meeting. McDavid said code enforcement officer Ty Stephens has been investigating the alleged code infractions. “He’s interviewed a bunch of
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PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER R. VINN
CHAMPS
Zachary Broncos Kristion Brooks pushes down the court with pressure from Ruston’s Jayden Anding during the Division 1 Nonselect Finals at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles on March 14.
Zachary hangs on late in back-and-forth fourth quarter to win state title
BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer
Zachary has another championship trophy — this time the boys basketball team won, a week after the girls picked up hardware. In Saturday’s win over Ruston, the two teams traded the lead throughout the fourth quarter. In three minutes, the two sides switched leads six times. As the clock ticked to less than two minutes, the Broncos showed their championship pedigree. Junior Ethan Kimmie drove to the rim and scored a layup to put his team up by one. Junior Ian Edmond then drew a foul and hit a free throw. On the ensuing possession with 1:22 left, junior Mason Newman drew a charge to give his team the ball back. Ruston turned it over again late as Zachary made the free throws to put away a 63-60 victory at Burton Coliseum on Saturday in the Division I nonselect championship game. The win marks the Broncos’ second state title in a row and eighth overall. “When it comes to us, our resiliency,” Broncos coach Jon McClinton said, “it’s just something about these guys. There’s no way that we’re not tough and we don’t come out victorious in that game.” McClinton pointed to his team’s depth in helping wear down Ruston. Only three Bearcats scored, while eight Broncos found the box score. “We want to wear you down so much that when that fourth quarter comes,” McClinton said, “those legs are starting to get to you a little bit.” Edmond tied the game at 15-15 after he hit a step-back fadeaway
Zachary’s Ian Edmond celebrates with his teammates after their win. 3-pointer at the first-quarter buzzer. The Broncos sprinted out to a 12-2 surge at the start of the second quarter to take a 10-point lead. Kimmie started it with a pair of layups. Edmond and senior Kristion Brooks buried 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to cap the run. Ruston’s Ahmad Hudson ended the run with a pair of scores, but Zachary responded with a 3-pointer by junior Mason Newman. Ruston ripped off a 9-3 run to get within four points. Zachary (28-2) led 34-28 at halftime after Newman grabbed a miss and converted a floater at the buzzer. The Bearcats cut into the lead