Central: 20 Years a City!

After a vigorous campaign by supporters and opponents, voters responded with a resounding 63- to-37 victory for incorporation. Central founder Russell Starns and a core group of 30 volunteers showed that with hard work, courage, resourcefulness, and determination, anything is possible. Twenty years later, Central resembles a “Shining City on a Hill”  envisioned in Matthew […]

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April 21, 2005: A Newspaper Is Born

By Woody Jenkins, Editor Central City News The Central City News has consistently been named Louisiana’s Newspaper of the Year by the Louisiana Press Association, and it has won more than 200 state and national awards from Best News Coverage to Best Investigative Journalism to Best Advertising Design to Best Photography to Best Editorial Writing and […]

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Legendary Businessman Bill Simon

EDITOR’S NOTE: He was the ugliest woman on TV but the Best Man in the City! Bill Simon, a strong Christian family man, nearly 60 years in business in Baton Rouge, his job was to keep us all moving, a faithful friend, he entered a room and brought laughter and good cheer, he never knew […]

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Rep. Dixon McMakin Attempts to Take Over Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish

In an unusual move, Rep. Dixon McMakin of Baton Rouge has introduced a bill to name himself, other legislators, statewide officials, and members of the Public Service Commission and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to the East Baton Rouge Republican Parish Executive Committee. The bill is an attempted coup or take over of the […]

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The Past 20 Years At Your Fingertips

Did you know the past 20 years of Central’s history since the Central City News’ first edition is all online and waiting for your visit? The Central City News’ archives — all 498 print editions — plus the St. George Leader, Istrouma Journal, and other publications are online and searchable absolutely free. To visit, go […]

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Murder Down 23%, Other Shootings 33% In 1st Quarter of 2025: Mayor Sid Edwards

Mayor-President Coach Sid Edwards commemorated his first 100 days in office under the banner “100 Days of Momentum,” a theme that reflects the administration’s progress in addressing East Baton Rouge Parish’s most pressing challenges. In just over three months, Mayor-President Edwards’ administration has worked tirelessly to deliver real, measurable results in public safety, homelessness, and […]

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Central JROTC Earned 98% Rating

The Central High School Jr. ROTC program is completing a successful year.  The unit won 1st Place overall at the state Raider meet in November 2024. Jon Jones, the outgoing battalion commander, and Abigail Sherlin, the incoming commander, were chosen to represent Central in the “ultimate Raider” competition.   Col. Joshua Germann and Sgt. Timothy […]

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Kolbe Campbell Elected Youth Legislature Governor

Youth Legislature is a two-day mock legislative session held at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge. Each year more than 1,800 middle school students from across Louisiana come together to learn the legislative process through hands-on experience.  This year 17 Central Middle students participated in the program and one of them, Kolbe Campbell, was […]

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Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express Comes To Central’s Sullivan Theater April 25 to May 4 Nightly

Based on Agatha Christie’s classic novel, Murder on the Orient Express, is a thrilling adaptation by Ken Ludwig that brings the Queen of Mystery’s most famous detective, Hercule Poirot, to life on stage. The play takes audiences aboard the luxurious Orient Express in the 1930s, where a murder is discovered just after midnight. With the […]

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Bank of Zachary Announces Key Promotions

Bank of Zachary has announced the promotions of Ashley Boudreaux to Assistant Branch Manager (Main) & Bank Officer, Haley Davis to Assistant Vice President, and Michael McLin to Bank Officer. These advancements underscore the bank’s commitment to recognizing and nurturing exceptional talent within its ranks. According to a statement from Bank of Zachary, Ashley Boudreaux […]

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