Central City News

The Central High School Class of 2025 walked across the stage at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Wednesday night, May 14, 2025.  With 402 eligible to walk, it was the largest graduating class since the Central Community School System was founded in 2007. More than 8,000 people packed into the Assembly Center on the campus […]

May 2005 was an important time in the history of Central. On April 19, the Central City News began publication, and two days later the voters of Central voted to incorporate Central as Louisiana’s newest city.  May 2005 was a time of great excitement but also apprehension about the future. All eyes in the capital […]

In May 2005, if you had to pick some folks who best represented the old timers who made Central what it was prior to incorporation, you could find no better choice than Johnny Carpenter and his wife Jean. For many years, their home was the site of Pickin’ and Grinnin’ — a unique monthly event […]

Bill Lewis, 94, grew up on Blackwater Road in Central in the 1930’s and 1940’s, and he wrote a delightful book about growing up here, called Simpler Times. Bill’s daughter Cathy Gable texted me a few days ago telling me that Bill was not doing so well but that he was wondering if I might […]

Benjamin Cavin, president and CEO of Landmark Bank in Clinton, was installed as the Capital region representative on the Louisiana Bankers Association’s Board of Directors during LBA’s 125th Convention and Exposition. Cavin succeeds Mark S. Marionneaux, president and CEO of Bank of Zachary. Marionneaux served for three years as the Capital  region representative on the […]

As summer heats up, so does the stage at Sullivan Theater — and there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with the classic musical Oklahoma! in Central!  A musical that’s been around for 75 years, Oklahoma!  tells the sweeping story of Curly, a charming cowboy, and Laurey, a spirited farm girl, as they […]

Carney Christian Academy is moving to the new Blackwater Community Center on the campus of Blackwater Methodist for the 2025-2026 school year. Carney Christian Academy has met the educational needs of students in Central and surrounding communities since 2001.   The school offers  •A small learning environment for students in grades 6-12,  •A state approved diploma […]

 In May 1913, Pearl Elizabeth Felps walked to the podium as the valedictorian of the first graduating of the new Central High School, located at the corner of Canal (now Hooper) and Sullivan roads. A copy of her speech was discovered in 2009 and given to the Central City News. It is a timeless message […]

On May 14, 2025, Mia Ackoury walked across the stage as Valedictorian of the Central High School Class of 2025, the 113th graduating class in school history. More than 8,000 people came to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the campus of LSU to witness graduation and to hear Mia’s Valedictory Address. She spent more […]

In the 22 years since former Rep. Tony Perkins became president of Family Research Council in Washington, he has continued his pursue of the traditional Christmas values that he was noted for in the Louisiana Legislature.  His message travels far and wide — from the halls of the U.S. Capitol to the White House to […]