Central City News

By Woody Jenkins editor, Central City News A few thoughts on the runoff for Senate June 27…. The composition of the voters on June 27 will be significantly different from what it was May 16. For one thing, many people were drawn to vote to support President Trump in ousting Sen. Bill Cassidy. They weren’t […]

Mildred Hebert Stroderd was born on September 7, 1940, in Iota, Louisiana, and on April 1, 2026, at the age of 85, she passed from this life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, leaving behind a legacy of grace, devotion, and quiet strength. Her life was a testament to love well kept, duty well done, and joy […]

Randolph Joseph (R.J.) Saucier, born 4/24/39, in Houma, left a long, full life on 11/17/25. Born to Robert F. Saucier of Saucier, MS, and Inez M. Brunet of Houma.  R.J. grew up in Watson with siblings Catherine Norris, Arnold Saucier, and Elaine Stevens. He was educated at LSU and Tulane. After four years on active […]

James Richard “Jim” Cress was born December 8, 1942 in  Ben Hur, Virginia. Jim passed away of cancer in his home in Mesquite, Nevada, November 8, 2025.  Jim was the eldest of three children. His siblings were Johnny Cress and sister Linda Cress Robbins.  Jim grew up in Central and attended Central High where he […]

Russell Lane Stringer of Central passed away Nov. 6, 2025, after a fully lived 89 years of life. A native of Franklinton, Russell was born to Frank Lane Stringer and Maudine Magee Stringer in 1936 and was raised alongside his beloved siblings, Larry and Cornell. Many of his best days were spent in a fishing […]

Willie D. Lewis, affectionately known as “W.D.,” was born November 7, 1938, and peacefully passed away of natural causes on November 4, 2025, in Baton Rouge at the age of 86.  Willie leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Tharis Ennis Lewis, and devoted daughter, Chenese Lewis. He is also survived by his brother, Edward […]

Family and friends of the late Col. Gordon Jenkins, USAF (retired) gathered to honor him Sunday, December 14, 2025, at the home of his first cousin, Woody and Diane Jenkins. Gordon was a 1960 graduate of Baton Rouge High where he played football and participated in track and field. He went on to LSU where […]

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 […]

He had a distinguished career at the highest level of Louisiana state government, serving for years as director of the State Civil Service Commission, a post in some ways more powerful than the governor.  He was known as a man of impeccable character who could not be bought or intimidated. Not only that but a […]

Ken Bush, a resident of Central, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at the age of 68. He was born in Pensacola, Florida on Feb. 9, 1956, to Edward “Billy” and Addie Ruth Beasley Bush. Ken completed his master’s degree in business at LSU and worked in industrial sales. Ken also served as the […]