Central City News

A lot of things have changed since January 1999. TV screens became flatter, cell phones became ever-present, and Red River Bank grew from a single location on Alexandria’s Centre Court to a statewide presence with more than 300 team members in eight parishes. And on January 14, 2019 they celebrated 20 years as a true […]

Imagine the small North Louisiana delta town of Newellton in the 1940’s — before television, the Internet, and life as we know it. Every evening, an elderly black man would walk the streets selling the hot tamales he and his wife Bessie made in their two-room shack. Tamale Dan, as the people called him, was […]

Delta College of Arts and Technology has just reached a milestone. On January 31, 2019, Delta graduated its 100th class of nurses. A total of 1,600 have completed the program to prepare to be an LPN since Delta launched its nursing program in 1992. Everywhere you go in the Baton Rouge area, you’ll find Delta’s […]

With the New Year here, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank our amazing community of Central. The food drives at our schools, local businesses and churches, our Central Feeding Central in Memory of Dennis M. Lewis (my daddy!), and our Thanksgiving and Christmas drives have exceeded all expectations any of us at the […]

Baton Rouge Community College Vice Chancellor Phil Smith says the BRCC sports program is loaded with talent and exciting play, great coaches, and excellent facilities, but not enough sports fans are aware of how good the BRCC Bears are. That will change in January 2019 when the college launches an ambiguous schedule of TV broadcasts […]

Central babies and young children from six months to six years are learning to survive in the water even if they are somehow alone in an extreme emergency. It’s thanks to a course taught by Dari Stockton at Central Physical Therapy, 13111 Hooper Rd. Dari is a certified instructor for a national program, Infant Swimming […]

Dr. John Thomas Roshto has purchased Central Oaks Dental from Dr. David Prudhomme and is accepting new patients. Dr. Rosto is a native of Central. He graduated from Central Private School before moving on to LSU Baton Rouge where he met his wife, Sarah, and graduated with a bachelors of science degree. He then pursued […]

Helen Balzli founded Central Physical Therapy in September 2001. She was almost killed in a tragic automobile accident years ago. That accident required her to undergo years of physical therapy. But the experience helped lead her to a life of service to others and the desire to help others recover from disabilities. Her partner in […]

One of Central’s most beloved business owners, Claud Derbes of Central Drug Store, passed away on Friday, Feb. 2. His health had declined over the past year. Mr. Derbes was one of the most respected and admired business owners in Central. In 2015, Central Drug Store was named Central’s Business of the Decade. Woody Jenkins, […]

The Central Food Bank got a boost Saturday as a result of a cookout sponsored by Lancaster House and other Central businesses.  The event sold out 300 plates at $10 each and had a successful silent auction. All proceeds will go to the Central Food Bank, which is administered by Michelle Lewis. Ms. Lewis said […]