Central City News

Sen. Bodi White (R-Central) has introduced legislation to allow the City of Central to have its own recreation and parks system. Taxes currently collected by BREC, the Baton Rouge Recreation and Parks Commission, would go to the new park system for use exclusively in Central.  According to BREC, Central taxpayers currently pay BREC $2.5 million […]

Two Central legislators have introduced legislation to  allow dredging of the Comite River without a permit through August 1, 2026. The current authority for dredging without a permit expires Aug. 1, 2021.  Rep. Valarie Hodges is the lead author of HB 544. Sen. Bodi White will be handling the bill in the State Senate. The bill […]

 Property owners in Central could see their property tax bills go up if the Central Community School Board rolls forward property taxes here at its meeting on May 10 as proposed by board member Dr. Keith Holmes. The result would be a $750,000 increase in property taxes without a vote of the people. The Central […]

The Central Fire District issued the following statement on two tax renewals on the ballot this Saturday, April 24: “Central Fire Protection District #4 respectfully asks for your consideration and support of the two renewals on the April 24 ballot.  These two renewals account for approximately one-third of the budget of the Central Fire Department […]

Growing up on the island side of rural Pointe Coupee Parish in the early 1950’s, I was barefoot most of the time. We rented our modest little farmhouse from Mr. Pete Samson, a kindly Cajun farmer who spoke little English. The house was $20 a month. We were poor, I suppose, but I had no […]

 In a far-reaching interview with the Central City News, Central schools Supt. Jason Fountain gave his views on key issues facing the school system, including: •While the East Baton Rouge Parish School System has been considering starting school in July, Central will stay on its regular schedule.  Faculty and staff will come back on Tuesday, […]

The Louisiana Legislature began meeting in regular session on April 12 and will continue until 6 p.m. on June 10. As bards say, only half-joking, “No man’s life, liberty or property is secure while the legislature is in session.” Despite that axiom, a handful of conservative lawmakers are working to protect liberty and make government […]

 Leaders of the Baton Rouge Police Union and the association of police organizations statewide told Capital area Republican leaders that HB 609 by Rep. Edmond Jordan is a threat to law and order and safe communities. Siya Creel, vice president of the Baton Rouge Police Union, said the bill would cause many police officers to […]

Gene Lato is celebrating 62 years as a barber and 60 years as owner of the Central Barber Shop on Hooper Road. In fact, Central Barber Shop may be the oldest business in Central, certainly one of the oldest. Gene hung out his shingle April 1, 1961, in the old car dealership building at the […]

In Louisiana, state law provides in R.S. 17:170 that all students in public or private school from day care or kindergarten through college shall submit at the time of registration or entry proof of immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases approved by the La. Dept. of Health. However, the same statute provides in R.S. 17:170(E) as follows: […]