Central City News

The Central Community School Board voted 5-2 to raise property taxes in Central by $750,000 a year.  It was the first time since the Central school system was created that a tax has been imposed or raised without a vote of the people. Supt. Jason Fountain said he was not asking the board for the […]

A bridge across the Amite River linking Hooper Road in Central to the Watson community in Livingston Parish has been a dream of both communities for at least 70 years. In fact, leaders of Central and Watson met with Gov. Robert  Kennon in the early 1950’s to propose the project. Since then, Central leaders have […]

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 […]

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 […]

After a pause during the pandemic in 2020, new businesses are opening in Central. The largest is The Reserve at Shoe Creek, a luxury apartment complex located on Grand Settlement Boulevard across Sullivan Road from Central Pharmacy. Behind The Reserve is The Claiborne at Shoe Creek, a state-of-the art assisted living facility. Both projects were […]

Hannah Wall of Greenwell Springs has been initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective, all-discipline collegiate honor society.  Wall was initiated at Southeastern Louisiana University. She is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year.  Membership is […]

Central schools Supt. Jason Fountain has appointed former college softball coach and Central High graduate Ashley Lewis Rush as the new Athletic Director of the Central Community School System. Prior to the hire, the athletic director position was held by Coach Sid Edwards, who will continue to serve as Head Football Coach. Fountain said, “Splitting […]

By Woody Jenkins • Editor • Central City News • CITY OF CENTRAL — Chief District Judge Wilson Fields has ruled in favor of Central’s Kim Powers in her efforts to defend Louisiana citizens’ constitutional right to have open meetings of public bodies — a right that is in great danger right now. Last July the […]