In The News
The City of Zachary has been awarded a $10,000 Beautification Grant to support a tree-planting initiative aimed at enhancing public spaces. As part of this project, a highly visible section of Mt. Pleasant Road was selected for beautification. Recently, thirty-two 12-foot Natchez white crape myrtles—a Louisiana native species—were planted in the medians, adding greenery and charm to the area.
This grant was made possible through funding from the State of Louisiana and the Office of Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “We sincerely thank Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser for choosing Zachary for this beautification initiative,” said Mayor David McDavid. Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) Executive Director Susan Russell added, “Through these grants, Keep Louisiana Beautiful empowers local communities to take pride in their surroundings, working together to protect and enhance our Sportsman’s Paradise.”
On planting day, Attilio Romero, a fourth grader at Zachary Elementary and recipient of the ZEPTCO (Zachary Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization) Councilmember of the Day fundraiser, participated in the event. Attilio had the opportunity to shadow Councilwoman Ambre DeVirgilio and assist in planting the trees. Mayor McDavid and several community members also took part, ensuring the project’s success. While planting, Attilio and Mayor McDavid collected litter from the medians, reinforcing the importance of keeping Zachary clean and beautiful.
“Teaching children the value of volunteering at a young age is essential to our future,” said Mayor McDavid. “Keep Louisiana Beautiful mentors youth and citizens alike through programs such as Love the Boot Week, where individuals and groups statewide demonstrate their commitment to cleaner, healthier communities.”
Save the date! Zachary’s Love the Boot Cleanup Event is scheduled for April 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. This year, efforts will focus on cleaning up the Avenues area of Zachary. Stay tuned for updates on Facebook, and we encourage everyone to volunteer a few hours to help beautify our city!
The City of Zachary partners with Municibid.com, an online government auction platform, to sell surplus items. Utilizing an online auction enhances cost savings and maximizes benefits for both the City and taxpayers by reaching a wider audience.
Bidding is open to the public. Municibid provides a user-friendly marketplace for government agencies, schools, and utilities to sell surplus and forfeited items directly to buyers. Auctions are conducted entirely online and available 24/7.
Currently, the City of Zachary has eight automobiles, filing cabinets, Office printers, a TV, a Generac generator, a commercial refrigerator, two zero turn lawnmowers, and two Honda 4-wheelers available for auction.
Mayor McDavid Applauds City Departments for Keeping Our City Safe During the Winter Snow Event
"The City of Zachary handled the historic snowstorm exceptionally well, with approximately six inches of snow blanketing the area. I credit our team of dedicated city department heads who, in anticipation of the rare winter snowfall, met beforehand to create a solid plan," said Mayor David McDavid.
Our Emergency Preparedness Director, Ty Stephens, worked alongside the incredible teams from Public Works, the Fire Department, Police Department, Parks Department, Purchasing Department, and Utilities Maintenance to keep our city running smoothly. Despite the rarity of snowfall in our area, proactive measures were taken to ensure public safety. For instance, early on, the City secured two pallets of salt by traveling to Houston, Texas, which allowed us to pre-treat and brine the roads ahead of the storm.
After the snow subsided on Tuesday, the Public Works Department, led by Wayne Day, worked tirelessly to de-ice bridges and main roads using a mixture of salt and sand. Their efforts extended beyond the norm—they made special trips to de-ice Lane Regional Medical Center to ensure emergency access and even cleared the parking lot at Rouses, helping residents grocery shop safely once the streets were deemed safe for travel and the curfew was lifted.
The Utilities Maintenance Department also stepped up by implementing proactive measures, such as fueling city generators and placing barricades, to enhance safety throughout the storm. Thanks to their hard work and foresight, our city was able to reopen quickly and without major issues.
The only significant challenge we encountered was a brief gas outage in the Clairmont Subdivision, but our crews resolved the issue promptly. Throughout the storm, the City’s Public Information Officer, the Zachary Police Public Information Officer, and the Fire Department kept residents well-informed with regular updates via Facebook and Text My Gov, ensuring everyone stayed informed. Meanwhile, the Utilities Maintenance Department, led by Jeff Johnson and Lionel Lawson, diligently monitored gas and water pressures city-wide during the extreme low temperatures, which dropped to 7 degrees.
"I am incredibly proud of the dedication and teamwork displayed by our city departments. Their commitment and preparation made all the difference in keeping our city safe and operational during this unprecedented winter event," said Mayor McDavid.
Mayor David McDavid held an emergency preparation meeting on Saturday, January 18th, with all City of Zachary Departments to discuss plans for the impending winter weather. Public Works crews will begin proactive anti-icing measures on Monday to prevent the formation of bonded snow and ice on roads and bridges.
Barricades are already in place and will be deployed if road closures become necessary. Police Chief Lawrence will assess road conditions and the safety of residents to determine whether a curfew will be required during the snowstorm. Updates will be available on Facebook, or residents will receive a notification via Text My Gov if a curfew is enacted.
All emergency vehicles have been fueled, and generators have been tested. "Our City Departments are prepared and will be on 24-hour standby to ensure the safety of our citizens during the winter storm," said Mayor David McDavid. Winter precipitation is expected tomorrow night through Tuesday. Possible snow accumulation totals of 4-6 inches are forecast . Based on this forecast, drivers should not travel during the storm. In case of an emergency, DIAL 9-1-1. Stay safe, stay warm.
Councilwoman Jennifer Boyd Landry was selected by her fellow council members to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore on January 14, 2025.
Jennifer Boyd Landry was elected to the Zachary City Council in December 2022, representing District 5. Jennifer has served in the banking/finance industry for the last 26 years and is the founder of Dogwood Financial Group, specializing in Financial Literacy for all. She is also a licensed Real Estate Agent and operates Dogwood Real Estate Group, serving the Greater Baton Rouge area. Jennifer currently serves on the Lane Regional Medical Center Foundation Board, the Rotary Club of Zachary Board, and the Community Relations Committee for the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors. She is a Rotary Club of Zachary Past President and Past Assistant District Governor for the Rotary District 6200. Jennifer is a graduate of the LSU Graduate School of Banking and the 2021 recipient of the Zachary Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year award, currently serving as an ambassador to the Chamber. Jennifer has lived in Zachary with her two sons since 2001 and is a member of Zachary First Baptist Church where she recently married Bryan Landry.
Extreme cold air and a potential winter mix are forecasted to begin Sunday and continue into next week. Now is the time to prepare for winter weather. Take the following precautions:
- Wrap exposed pipes and faucets.
- Detach hoses and cover spigots.
- Turn off sprinkler systems.
For businesses, ensure backflow preventers are wrapped, and cover all exposed piping, including valves, as thoroughly as possible. Please note that maintaining and protecting these systems is the responsibility of the business owner, not the City of Zachary.
As a precaution, Waste Depot, the City's Bulk Waste Operator, will service both Monday and Tuesday routes by picking up bulky waste only on Monday. If your scheduled pickup day is Tuesday, please place your bulky waste items out on Sunday night for collection.
The City is actively monitoring the weather and implementing measures across the area to prepare for the anticipated wintry mix.
Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship! Enter now!
Since 1972, councils have sponsored the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship for boys and girls from the ages of 9 to 14 to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. Kids compete within their own gender and age and progress from local level to district, regional and state/province competitions.
Waste Depot, the City of Zachary's contracted bulk waste collection service, will begin collecting live, discarded Christmas trees. Please place your tree at the curb for pickup on your regularly scheduled bulk waste collection day.
- Residents north of Main Street/LA 64: Pickup occurs on the first and third Mondays of each month.
- Residents south of Main Street/LA 64: Pickup occurs on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
This service is available exclusively for residents living within the city limits of Zachary. If you are unsure of your collection days, please contact the City of Zachary Public Works Utilities Office at 225-654-1902. Collections begin as early as 6 a.m. and may continue until 8 p.m. the same day.
Additionally, BREC is offering Christmas tree recycling for residents. You can drop off your live Christmas tree at one of the following locations near Zachary:
- Plank Road Park: 19550 Plank Road, Zachary
- Zachary Community Park: 20055 Old Scenic Highway
We appreciate your patience during the transition to our new Police Department. We are committed to keeping you informed and ensuring that you continue to receive the services you need.
For Immediate Police Assistance or to File a Report:
You can continue to visit us at 4510 Main St, Zachary, LA. For assistance, please call 225-654-1922.
To Pick Up a Copy of a Police Report:
As of Monday November 25th, the Records Division will be located at 5160 Old Slaughter Rd, Zachary, LA. Please call 225-654-1904 for questions.
Administration Transition:
Our Administration has moved to the new building. To schedule an appointment with the Chief of Police or any Administration personnel, please call 225-654-0073
New Police Department Location:
The new Police Department building is located at 5160 Old Slaughter Rd, Zachary, LA 70791.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to serve you better.
Dear Community,
We appreciate your patience during the transition to our new Police Department. We are committed to keeping you informed and ensuring that you continue to receive the services you need.
For Immediate Police Assistance or to File a Report:
You can continue to visit us at 4510 Main St, Zachary, LA. For assistance, please call 225-654-1922.
To Pick Up a Copy of a Police Report: As of Monday November 25th, the Records Division will be located at 5160 Old Slaughter Rd, Zachary, LA. Please call 225-654-1904 for questions.
Administration Transition: Our Administration has moved to the new building. To schedule an appointment with the Chief of Police or any Administration personnel, please call 225-654-0073
New Police Department Location: The new Police Department building is located at 5160 Old Slaughter Rd, Zachary, LA 70791.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to serve you better.
Sincerely,
Chief of Police
Darryl Lawrence, Sr.