Central City News

On Monday, the Central Community School Board honored Students of the Year at each of Central’s five public schools. Supt. Jason Fountain presented the outstanding students with plaques, and local businesses presented gifts. Winners were: • Justin Nikoka, Student of the Year at Central High School. Justin, who is Central’s first National Merit Finalist, is […]

Central High School’s varsity cheerleaders have returned home as National Champions from the National High School Cheerleading Competition in Orlando, Florida. Their championship came in the Large Varsity Division. In the fall, the 20 members of the team competed in Louisiana regional cheerleading competition, winning 1st Place and qualifying for the national competition. They were […]

On February 24, Central High School’s powerlifting team competed in regionals competition held at Woodlawn High School. All five members of the girls’ powerlifting team and one member from the boys’ team placed and will be represent the region at state competition March 17 in Alexandria. Brianna Huber placed first and Tina Ridgell placed second […]

Majority owners John Stagg and Kaley Hill are new to Central Drug Store, now Central Pharmacy, but not new to the Central area. John Stagg has owned Central Imaging for the past 13 years and had his office in Central. Stagg’s father was originally from Eunice, where he was a customer at Derbes Drugs. Stagg […]

Claud Derbes, founder with his brother Pete of Central Drug Store, passed away last month. Now the long-time pharmacy has new owners and has moved to a new location. Central Drug Store opened in February 1998 in the Central Shopping Center at the corner of Hooper and Sullivan roads. It was in the same spot […]

The City of Central is now the 3rd richest city in Louisiana, based on a national survey of cities conducted by a media firm. The survey evaluates cities based on three factors found in Census data — household income, unemployment rate, and poverty level. Central (pop. 28,017) did well in the survey based on its […]

One of Central’s most beloved business owners, Claud Derbes of Central Drug Store, passed away on Friday, Feb. 2. His health had declined over the past year. Mr. Derbes was one of the most respected and admired business owners in Central. In 2015, Central Drug Store was named Central’s Business of the Decade. Woody Jenkins, […]

The Central Food Bank got a boost Saturday as a result of a cookout sponsored by Lancaster House and other Central businesses.  The event sold out 300 plates at $10 each and had a successful silent auction. All proceeds will go to the Central Food Bank, which is administered by Michelle Lewis. Ms. Lewis said […]

The Baton Rouge Business Report said today the East Baton Rouge Parish Council on Aging is using taxpayer funds to purchase full-page newspaper ads thanking voters for their support of the COA property tax, which was narrowly approved back in 2016. The Council on Aging is a non-profit organization not subject to the control of […]

Drainage, flooding, rain, thunderstorms, canals, ditches — the list goes on and on. These words have become common vernacular in Central since long before the Flood of August 2016. Central has been known as a community with more than its fair share of flooding. The Flood of 2016 was a phenomenon that I hope we […]