Central City News

 In a letter to his supporters, Rev. Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church reacted to last week’s Louisiana Supreme Court decision, which found unconstitutional Gov. John Bel Edwards’ mandates against churches and threw out the criminal case against the pastor.  Here is what he said: “I am relieved and happy to let you know the […]

In an historic 5-2 decision, the Louisiana Supreme Court last week ruled that Gov. John Bel Edwards’ edicts closing churches and the subsequent arrest of Rev. Tony Spell for holding church services were illegal and unconstitutional.  This means the pastor’s arrest, imprisonment, house arrest, being fitted with an ankle bracelet, order not to hold church, […]

The Louisiana Supreme Court was the scene last week of a major victory for religious liberty in a case out of Central.  In State of Louisiana v. Pastor Tony Spell, the court struck down Gov. John Bel Edwards’ emergency orders closing churches and ended criminal charges against Rev. Spell, the pastor of Life Tabernacle Church […]

 After more than two years of arrests, handcuffs, fingerprinting, imprisonment, home incarceration, ankle bracelets, surveillance, hearings, meetings with judges, and travel restrictions for a crime that doesn’t exist, Rev. Tony Spell is a free man. Last Friday, the Louisiana Supreme Court threw out the criminal charges against the Central pastor as illegal and unconstitutional.  His […]

In the aftermath of the Louisiana Supreme Court decision in the case of State of Louisiana v. Pastor Tony Spell, many people have asked what Rev. Spell’s legal options are.  Both state and federal law provide powerful remedies to use when government officials violate a citizen’s rights.  One of the most important is 42 USC […]

 In a move that raises constitutional issues, Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran proposed and the Central City Council has approved the purchase of seven cameras designed to record the license plate of every vehicle entering the City of Central or moving along certain roads in the city. The travels of all vehicles would be recorded […]

 Bobby Dale Callender has told the Central City News he plans to run for Police Chief of the City of Central in the Nov. 8 municipal elections. Callender, a native and lifelong resident of Central, spent 45 years in law enforcement. He served under five sheriffs and rose from deputy to colonel. He also served for four […]

Cooking in Central, the Official Festival for the City of Central, was held March 25-26, to help the hurricane-ravaged people of south Terrebonne Parish. Cooking founder Louis DeJohn said, “Thanks to the Central community for making this 15th annual event a great success. The 2022 event was themed ‘Cooking for Our Neighbors’ with proceeds dedicated […]

Should there be differences between boys and girls in the Student Dress Code for Central schools? That was the issue Central school board grappled with at two recent meetings.  Some members of the board are afraid the board will be sued if there are any differences.  So should boys be allowed to wear dresses and […]

 Senate Bill 189 by Sen. Bodi White (R-Central) to change the boundaries of the Central Community School System is moving through the Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature.   It passed the Senate Education Committee and then the full Louisiana Senate by a vote of 32-1.  It is now awaiting a hearing in the House […]