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, A p r i l 1, 2026
$1.00N
12TH YEAR, NO. 24
PROVIDED PHOTOS
The Zachary Community School District’s Copper Mill Elementary School’s 5th and 6th Grade Choir, Northwestern Middle School Choir (7th and 8th grade), and ZAchary High School Choir all received the highest honor of Sweepstakes at the Louisiana Music Educators Association’s Choir Festival.
Zachary choirs win big at Choir Festival
Copper Mill Elementary School choir earned Sweepstakes at LMEA Festival. The choir includes, first row from left, Savannah Anthony, Harper Angelloz, Meryl David, Tinleigh Lauer, Abigail Mitchem, Ella Harvey and Griffin DeVaux; second row, Juliet Lyon, Anghelie Duenas-Lopez, Lillian Cassagne, Ginnifer Steinberger, Lily Pitre, Alexander Prevost, Kennedy Brown and Carmon Dillon; third row, A’niyah Winn, Zaylen Bruce, Brailynn Jackson, Lillian Jett, Rayleigh Smith-Pittman and Grace Travasos; fourth row, student teacher Madison Berg, Raegan Cunningham, Caitlin Gauthier, Asanti Sellers, Braelan Clark, Aubrey Alcorn and director Emma Lawton and top group, Salem Crighton, Stephen Mauer, Giselle Hofeling, Shermara Brickley, Maci Keller, Kennedi Heard, Kelsey Crockett, London Joseph, Destiny Harrell, Verenity Matthews, Katelyn Boudreaux and Madeline Turner.
Community news report
The Zachary Community School District choirs received Sweepstakes honors at the recent Louisiana Music Educators Association’s Choir Festival. Copper Mill Elementary School’s fifth and sixth grade choir, Northwestern Middle School’s seventh and eighth grade choir and Zachary High’s choir all received the highest honor given at the event. The choirs are taught by Emma Lawton, Copper Mill; Cassi Doherty, Northwestern Middle; and Cierra Fountain, Zachary High.
Hearing set on go-kart tract after more complaints BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
The Zachary City Council is planning to hold a hearing April 14 as part of the city’s investigation into whether a controversial go-kart racetrack has violated the terms of the permit that allows it to operate. The 593 Motorsports Kart Club track, located in a residential area on W.J. Wicker Road, won a conditional use permit in November on a 3-2 vote of the council. The track already had been hosting practices and races before receiving the permit — irking neighbors who have complained of noise and dust emanating from the facility. A group of residents later filed a lawsuit against the city and the track. Supporters, by contrast, have said the track is a boon to the Zachary economy that provides a family-like atmosphere and learning opportunities for area youth. The controversy has continued to escalate. In recent weeks,
W.J. Wicker Road residents have said the track has installed signs and built a new parking lot — things that aren’t allowed under the conditions the council set when it issued the permit. Mayor David McDavid confirmed in early March that code enforcement officer Ty Stephens was investigating the allegations. The council agreed to have a hearing on the matter once Stephens completed a report on his findings. That report is almost done, City Attorney Jacqueline Wilson told the council at its most recent meeting on March 24. The council then voted to issue subpoenas to people who have been involved in the investigation. They’re expected to appear at a hearing during the panel’s regular April 14 meeting. “It was pretty much a blanket, across the board — everyone who provided information,” Wilson said, describing who is being subpoenaed. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
Zoning change to allow mobile home draws criticism from neighbors BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
For Glen Lane, the 1.17-acre lot on Munson Road represented an ideal spot to set up a mobile home for his stepdaughter. Some people who live in the area, however, would prefer that he look elsewhere. It’s a debate that has played out numerous times over the years at Zachary City Council meetings: Someone asks for permission to place a manufactured home on property, and nearby residents — concerned about their property values and the character of their neighborhood — turn out to voice their opposition. When the Planning and Zoning Commission heard Lane’s request for a conditional use permit, it recommended denial. But on March 24, the council broke with the commission’s recommendation, giving Lane the green light. “I’m trying to do something nice for my stepdaughter. … I was a little surprised that there was any pushback,” Lane, of Ethel, told the council. “All we’re trying to do is
find a peaceful and safe neighborhood for her to live in.” He along with his surveyor, Shane Nicholas, said the mobile home wouldn’t be out of place. Known as Zachary Estates, the neighborhood is located off La. 19 north of Port Hudson-Pride Road. “Nineteen percent of the current homes in there are manufactured homes,” Nicholas said. Calesia Anderson, assistant planning and zoning specialist, said her office was on board with Lane’s plans for the mobile home. It complies, she said, with a code requirement that says, “A manufactured home that is not replacing an existing manufactured home on the same lot shall be located on a lot with a minimum area of 1 acre and shall meet the minimum requirements of the underlying zoning district.” The 1.17-acre property in question is zoned as residential estate, a designation that has a 3-acre minimum lot size. But it is considered a “legal, nonconforming lot,” Anderson said. Several Zachary Estates resi-
dents spoke to the council about their concerns. While some applauded Lane’s intentions and said they generally had nothing against mobile homes, they nevertheless are worried about how putting one in their neighborhood will affect property values. “By approving this, you’re not hurting me. You’re hurting everybody around — their investment, OK?” said Munson Road resident Donnell Barber. “So take that into consideration when you’re about to make this vote because this is our investment. We invested money into these properties that we have.” Some took issue with the argument that a mobile home should be allowed just because there are others in the area. “The mobile homes that have been left in that neighborhood for over 30, 40 years are now condemned and should have been moved off the property decades ago,” said Brandon Bankston, who lives on Munson Road. Stephanie Campbell, a resident
ä See ZONING, page 2G
ride to remember — Celebrating Library closings at Easter AZHS boys basketball champions Leila Pitchford AROUND ZACHARY
All locations of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library will close Thursday, April 2, for staff training and Friday, April 3, and Sunday, April 5, in observance of Good Friday and Easter.
Know a ZHS Hall of Famer? Zachary High Athletics is seeking help looking for information 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.” Anyone with photos or information can email steven.crowder@ zacharyschools.org.
Baker to host Spring Pop-up Baker’s Spring Pop-up Market in
ä See AROUND, page 2G
Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
A week after the Zachary High girls captured their second straight state championship, the top seed boys team completed their repeat winning the division I nonselect state championship with a 63-60 victory over second seed Ruston on March 14 at Burton Coliseum. Similar to the girls, the boys followed a tough path and fought a tough two seed in the finals to secure the victory.
ä See BRADY, page 2G