Central City News

​Central Private School has announced that Dr. Mikelyn Smith Sumner, an alumna and longtime supporter of the school, has been named Executive Director. A graduate of the Class of 1991 and a familiar face around campus, Mrs. Sumner’s love for Central Private runs deep. Now she’s bringing that passion to her new leadership role. Mrs. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Central Intermediate School 4th grade teacher Ashley Davis received the “Oscar of Teaching” in a surprise ceremony Dec. 4 at Central School Complex on Sullivan Road in Central.  Davis received the Milken Educator Award along with $25,000.  She was the 3,000th recipient of the award and the 51st teacher from Louisiana to receive the honor.  […]

Fall is in the air, and everyone is back to school in Central.  Enrollment in the Central Community School System has hit 4,560 so far, and Central High School has 1,546 students for the fall semester. Football began with the jamboree last Friday night with Central High at East Ascension. Things actually seem quite normal, […]

The national surveys of “Best Places to Live” have not yet recognized the City of Central, but they should.  If the best measure of a place to live is safe neighborhoods, great public schools, and warm, friendly people, then Central should be ranked as one of the best places to live in the state and […]