Payraise approved forcrossingguards
BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
Zachary’scrossing guards,who help children
gettoschool safely,will soon receive araise for the first time in adecade.
Starting this school year,the four crossing guards will earn $13 an hour,Police Chief Darryl Lawrence said at aspecial meeting of the School board June 27.
“We’re goingtoabsorb that costinour budget,” Lawrence said. The part-time crossingguards as well as
four full-time school resource officers are paid through along-standing agreement between theschool district andcitygovernment, with bothentities paying aportionofcosts. The contract is renegotiated each year and is usually approved by the School Board and City Council with little fanfare. The board signed off on the renewed agreementatits June 18 meeting. Butwhen the item came before thecouncil June 25, members decidedtotable it anddelay takinga vote after discussionarose aboutthe fact thatcrossing guards had gone 10 years without apay raise.
“Shame on us if they’re ouremployees and they have not gotten araise,” said council member Brandy Westmoreland, aformer School Board member
“But if we’re going to give them araise,” she addedlater,“shouldn’tthe School Board give us someofit?” Underthe contract that was initially presented to both bodies, the school district would give the city $317,330 to compensate resource officers stationed at four school campuses plus
RAISE, page 2G
BY JOHN WIRT
Contributing writer
Teddy’sJuke Joint,the world-famous music attraction in Zachary,celebrated its 45th anniversary Saturday
Teddy “Lloyd” Johnson —the venue’s cowboy hat-wearingowner andDJ— bookedthe Neal family for the special occasion.The Grammy-nominated Kenny Neal, his brother,Lil’ Ray,daughter, Syreeta,and moremembers of Baton Rouge’sfirst family of the blues performed.
Alex V. Cook, theauthor of “Louisiana SaturdayNight: Lookingfor aGood Time in SouthLouisiana’sJuke Joints, HonkyTonks, andDancehalls,” opens his guidebook with avisit to Teddy’sJuke Joint. Cook’sawe-struck admiration for Johnson’s outlandishestablishment has only grown sincehis book’s2012 publication.
“Teddy’s Juke Joint is magical, the kind of place you can’tbelieve still exists, Cook said.“When Ifirst showed up there in2006, it opened aportal to glittering Louisiana,areason this place is special. Once you see Teddy carrying on in his cape among themillion holiday lights while he rolls out his risqué toasts over R&B songs you’ve never heard before, youare adifferent person.”
Johnson keeps Christmas lights glowing all year long.His joint’sother ornaments include discomirror balls, mirror fragments,musical instruments, photos of bluesmusicians and, hanging from the ceiling, ababy carriage, tricycle and little red wagon.
“Wethank
“I decorated according to what Icould afford to do,” Johnson said in a30th anniversary storythat appeared in The Advocate. “Juststuff Irefuse to throw away, or somebody threw away,and Igot hold to it. Ihave booths in here that’solder than me.”
Johnson’s fans include Johnny Palazzotto, the local music entrepreneur who founded Baton Rouge’sSlim Harpo Music Awards. In 2010, the Harpo Awards named Johnson one of its blues ambassadors. “Morgan Freeman spent millionsin
place where legends played.” Johnson transformed the shotgun house where he was born in 1946 into Teddy’s Juke Joint. He’shad along run with the place but the past fewyears haven’tbeen good. COVID-19 restrictions hit the business especially hard.
“It’sback to full capacity now,but people just ain’tcoming out forsome reason,” Johnson said on aquiet weekday afternoon.
Despite sparse patronage, Johnson still presents entertainment seven days a week. Tuesdays feature blues band Route 61 at 8p.m.; Wednesday is the Acoustic Circle with Dixie Rose at 7p.m. The duo Jelly Band the Wolf appears some Sundays. Johnson spins records at 8p.m. Monday,Tuesday and Thursday and, when there’snolive music, Friday and Saturday Before Johnson opened Teddy’sJuke Joint
and
Clarksdale, Mississippi, to duplicate Teddy’sJuke Joint and theother real juke joints,” Palazzotto said. “But Teddy’sis thereal home of down-home blues, the
Chris
STAFF PHOTOSBYJAVIER GALLEGOS
TeddyJohnson,
another $16,000— halfthe costof employing crossing guards. The city would pick up the remaining $16,000 needed to paythe guards.
“Howitworksessentially is they are our employees,” explained City Attorney John Hopewell. “They are in service at the school. We pay them and we are reimbursed.”
Westmoreland questioned why the city is footing half the bill for crossing guards.
“Wedon’tneed crossing guards,” she said. “The school does.”
“I respectfully disagree,” said council member JenniferBoyd,who lives nearone of the school crossings and
regularly sees the guards helping children navigatetoschool. “Theyrisk their lives.”
“While Iagree there is atraffic issue…are we goingtopay when everychurchdismissesonSunday afternoon because that’scrowded too?”
Westmoreland countered. “I mean, where does it stop?”
Hopewelland some of thecouncil members pointed out thatcrossing guards help ensure public safety, which is of interest to the city government. Lawrence echoed those commentsatthe special School Board meeting, which took place two days after thecouncil’sdiscussion.
He took responsibilityfor the guards not gettinga raise in several years, saying he handled thePolice Department’s budget for several years as assistant chief, theposition
he held before being elected chief. He said he andMayor David McDavid had talked thematter over and decidedtoincreasethe guards’ hourly rateusing cityfunds.
“I wanttomakesure that youall know that your Police Department is happywithwhatweget from the School Board,” Lawrence told the board.
He alsosaidthatCopper Mill Elementary School will begin the school year without adedicated resource officer as it hashad in thepast. He hopes to train someone and fill the position by January “Wewill have aduty officer there, someone that we’repaying to be there as an officer,” Superintendent BenNecaiseclarified. “They just won’thave gone through thecertification for SRO.”
Thefollowingpeople were booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison or issued asummons by the ZacharyPolice DepartmentfromJune 28-July 3:
STACIARNOLD: 43; 3624
Cruden BayDrive, Zachary; domesticabuse aggravated assault —child endangerment
TYARRI BELL: 46; 4175 La. 955, Ethel; operating avehicle while intoxicated, driving under suspension, expired registration and no insurance
ALTHEA CHRISTY: 52; 1306
PleasantRidge Ave., Zachary; 15 counts of simple burglary
ALBERTHENRY: 48; 1306
PleasantRidge Ave., Zachary; 15 counts of simple burglary
JOHNEISHA NIXON: 21; 1115
E. Plains-Port HudsonRoad Zachary; possession of marijuana and window tint
violation JORGE RICE: 35; 4150 McHugh Road, Zachary; failureto report thecommission of certain felonies and malfeasance in office
JAMYSE ROBINSON: 23; 8037 Sherry Drive,Ethel;obstruction of ahighway, reckless operation of avehicle and simple criminal damage to property
JAHI SINGLETON: 33; 880 W. Plains-Port HudsonRoad Zachary; simple battery
JAYLEN WOODS: 21; 20051 Old Scenic Highway, No. 1907, Zachary; domesticabuse aggravated assault —child endangerment,contributing to thedelinquency of juveniles, failuretoappear on outstanding bench warrants and chargedwithpossession of marijuana
CORRECTION
Astory in the July 3ZacharyPlainsmanand Advocate about the National Beta Convention incorrectly reportedthatKristi Gilpin was ateacher.She is assistant principalatRollinsPlace Elementary The Beta Robotics team earned honors during the National Beta Convention held June 9-13. The story did not include the award wonatthe national conference by JoleneJiang. The sixth grader,who placed first in the stateinthe category of Hand-drawn Anime, traveled to Savannahand won ninth place for her art.
The ZacharyAdvocate &Plainsman is published weekly in Baton Rougeand at additional mailing offices.Periodicalspostagepaid at Baton Rouge, LA ISSN: 1061-3978 Capital City Press, proprietor TheAdvocate, 10705 Rieger Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70809-4520 POSTMASTER: Send addresschanges to: Circulation Accounting,P.O.Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588 SUBSCRIPTION QUESTIONS R. GRANT
(225) -388-0625
AZachary firefighter takes partinanextrication
learned howtouse cutters, spreader and other extrication tools.
Mayorhosts trackand field competition
Community news report
The First Official Mayor’sCup Games, atrack and field competition hosted by Zachary Wings Elite, took place June 22 at Zachary High School
Twenty-fourteams with 487 athletes competedfor various accolades including the Mayor’s Cup, Mayor’s Games Star Performer for the top boy and girl with the most points, as wellasgold,silver, bronze andbaby bronzemedals.
Teams from locationssuch as Destrehan, Slidell, Alexandria, BatonRouge, Darrow, Prairieville, Carencro, Greenwell Springs, Hammond, Houma, Plaquemine, LaPlace, Leesville, Lafayette, Metairie, Monroe, Marrero, Natchitoches, Napoleonville, St. Francisville, Port Allen, Lake Charles, Thibodeauxand Zachary, as well as Natchezand Ocean Springs, Mississippi; Douglasville, Georgia; and Dallas participated
The event saw 13 regional champions, eight runnerup champions, and13bronzemedalists, with35athletes qualifying for the Junior Olympics.
JamesTrotter,head coach andevent organizerfrom Wings Elite Track and Field, expressedpride andhonor in hosting the inaugural Mayor’s Cup Games in Zachary
He extended gratitude to McDavid andhis team for their support, highlightingthe eventasa significant milestone for the youth of Zachary andthe city’s track team.
McDavid also voicedhis excitementabout hosting talented athletes from across the country and emphasized the anticipation for an even larger event next year
GIRLS
50 METERS (8 &UNDER)
1. Chole Richard, Motivated Motion, 9.18
2. Paisley Browder, Motivated Motion, 9.56
3. Kobei Hawkins, Zachary Wings Elite, 10.35 100 METERS (9)
1. Da’Myrie Spurlock, Zachary Wings Elite, 15.74
200 METERS (9)
1. Da’Myrie Spurlock, Zachary Wings Elite, 33.23
100 METERS (10)
1. Natari McGee, South Baton Rouge, 14.78
2. BaleighSpurlock, Zachary Wings Elite, 14.88
100 METERS (11)
1. Kennedi Diamond, Zachary Wings Elite, 14.11
200 METERS (11)
1. Kennedi Diamond,
Zachary Wings Elite, 28.76
400 METERS (11)
1. Kennedi Diamond Zachary Wings Elite, 1:07.82
800 METERS (15-16)
5. Sa’Riyah Milligan Zachary Wings Elite, 3:29.67
1500M WALK (10)
1. Kaylie Trotter, Zachary Wings Elite, 11:01.90
2. Bailey Thomas,Zachary Wings Elite, 11:02.00 1500M WALK (11)
1. Daniyah Townes, Zachary Wings Elite, 9:29.63
2. Callie Walker, KY Track Club, 11:47.53
3. Kirsten Honore,Zachary Wings Elite, 13:02.29 1500M WALK (12)
1. Kennedi Smith,Zachary Wings Elite, 11:01.75 3000M WALK (14)
1. London Williams, Zachary Wings Elite, 21:53.28
Games, atrack and field competition hosted by ZacharyWings Elite on June 22 at ZacharyHigh School.
MAYOR’SCUP GAME RESULTS
4X 100M RELAY(8& UNDER)
1. Zachary Wings Elite (A): Caidyn Williams, Trista Manning, Kynleigh Tarvin, Aminah Thomas, 1:11.53
4X 400M RELAY(8& UNDER)
1. Zachary Wings Elite (A): Caidyn Williams, Trista Manning, Kynleigh Tarvin, Aminah Thomas, 6:34.78
4X 400M RELAY(10)
1. Zachary Wings Elite (A): Baleigh Spurlock, Da’Myrie Spurlock, Erie George, Bailey Thomas, 5:56.89 LONG JUMP (11)
1. Anita Adrianna Burnett, MJB Track Club, 12’ 9.5”
2. Daniyah Townes, Zachary Wings Elite, 11’ 0.5” SHOTPUT (10)
1. Kaylie Trotter, Zachary Wings Elite,
NOVEMBER-
19’ 10” SHOTPUT (11)
1. Callie Walker, KY Track Club, 22’ 8”
2. Anita Adrianna Burnett, MJB Track Club, 22’ 0”
3. Kirsten Honore, Zachary Wings Elite, 14’ 2” SHOTPUT (14)
1. London Williams, Zachary Wings Elite, 24’ 5” JAVELIN (9)
1. Aubrey Selders, Motivated Motion, 28’ 1”
2. Erie George, Zachary Wings Elite, 23’ 4” JAVELIN (10)
1. DenverMartin, NRPD Natural, 46’ 5”
2. Bailey Thomas, Zachary Wings Elite, 44’ 11”
3. Kaylie Trotter, Zachary Wings Elite, 43’ 10”
4. Baleigh Spurlock, Zachary Wings Elite, 38’ 7” JAVELIN (11)
QUALIFYINGDATES &TIME: July 17th -July19th, 2024 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. PLACETOQUALIFY: ClerkofCourt’s Office 12305 St.HelenaStreet Clinton, Louisiana MUNICIPAL OFFICES SPECIAL ELECTION CLINTON: Mayor- Precinct9only Alderman (5 to be elected)
1. Callie Walker, KY Track Club, 63’ 6”
2. Kirsten Honore, Zachary Wings Elite, 31’ 2” JAVELIN (14)
1. Arianna Bynum, KY Track Club, 49’ 7”
2. Arielle Bynum, KY Track Club, 49’ 2”
3. London Williams, Zachary Wings Elite, 45’ 7” DISCUS (14)
1. Arielle Bynum, KY Track Club, 70’ 5”
2. Arianna Bynum, KY Track Club, 59’ 0”
3. London Williams, Zachary Wings Elite, 41’ 2” BOYS
100 METERS (8 &UNDER)
1. Logan Derosin, Zachary Wings Elite, 14.83
2. Bry’Cen Ross, Iberville Track, 15.93
3. Dylan Metz, Motivated Motion, 16.13
4. Jermal Hawkins, Motivated Motion, 16.32
5. Kylar Barnes, Zachary Wings Elite, 16.40
100 METERS (9)
1. Isaiah Smith, Zachary Wings Elite, 14.68
2. AnthonyClark III, Motivated Motion, 14.81
3. Braydon Couch, Tangi Warriors, 14.91
4. Kiante Davis, Zachary Wings Elite, 16.01
100 METERS (11)
1. Daniel Taylor, Focus Athletics, 13.61
2. KyreeMontague, South Baton Rouge, 14.13
3. Kingston Clayton, Zachary Wings Elite, 14.28
100 METERS (12)
1. Armonti James, KY Track Club, 12.77
2. Kylan Diamond, Zachary Wings Elite, 13.71
100 METERS (14)
1. Romelo Stevenson, KY Track Club, 12.16
2. Dalen Clark, Run Fast TC —Lou, 12.45
3. Terrence Hunter, Zachary Wings Elite, 12.81
200 METERS (9)
1. Braydon Couch, Tangi Warriors, 31.09
2. Isaiah Smith, Zachary Wings Elite, 31.13
3. Lazarus Richard, Motivated Motion, 33.65
4. Kiante Davis, Zachary Wings Elite, 34.01 400 METERS (8 &UNDER) 1. Logan Derosin, Zachary Wings Elite, 1:14.57
Terrance Davis, Motivated Motion, 1:16.88 3. TyreeClark, KY Track Club,
District 3, Div.1:Precincts- 2; Part of 3; Part of 3A; andPartof6and 6A
STATELAW REQUIRES THAT ALL FEES BE CASH OR MONEY ORDER!! FORFURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT DAVID DART CLERK OF COURT
Head coach James Trotter,Mayor David McDavid and coach Devarrius Jeanpiere at the first official Mayor’sCup
PROVIDED PHOTOS
ZacharyMayor David McDavid fires the starting gun to startarace.
“I was spinning records all over the country,” he said in 2008. “Everybody was saying: ‘Why don’tyou open up your own place, Teddy?’ Imade up my mind to go ahead on and open up my place —and I’m still with it.” At first, his own record spinning was the only entertainment Johnson had at the venue he’d originally named Teddy’sBar and Lounge. The policy changed when Big Bo Melvin and the Nighthawks became the house band. Members of the Neal familysoon played there, too, including the family’slate patriarch Raful Neal who performed at Teddy’s until his death in 2004
“Kenny Neal and Lil’ Ray and Fredrick, they’ve been playing here all thetime,” Johnson said. “And Iknew Raful way before Iopened the place up.”
Other Teddy’sperformers included the king of the Chitlin’ Circuit, Bobby Rush; Grammy-winner Chris Thomas King; Little Jimmy Reed; Smokehouse Porter and MissMamie; Doug Brousseau; Sam Hogan;SunDanze Dunston; Jonathon “Boogie”Long; Mississippi’sEden Brent,
AROUND
Continued from page1G
Alook at the entrywayinside of Teddy’sJukeJoint in Zachary.
Christone“Kingfish” Ingram and D.K. Harrell; and New Orleans’ Sam Joyner, Mem Shannon and Guitar Slim Jr Johnson and his longtime juke joint have won honors
School Gymnasium on Aug.3 from 10 a.m. until supplies run out.
The committee is in need of donations forthe event,which will feature school supplies, sno-balls,the bookmobile and refreshments. Attendees areasked todonate acanned good.
For information or to bea vendor, call Johnnie Evans at (225) 933-6431 or Tina Clark at (225) 202-1076.
ABack 2School Block Party will be heldfrom 10 a.m. to 2p.m. July 27 at Mount Pleasant BaptistChurch, 22911 Reames Road, Zachary.Free school supplies will be givenout while they last.
Balloonfestivalofferstime
Zachary Really Hot AirBalloon Festival has time slotsinits festival schedulefor anonprofit organization or aschool group looking to raise money.Emaildowntownlivezachary@gmail.com. Thetime slotis 2-6 p.m. and can be broken into two slots. Suggestions include acornhole tournament, fishing tournament on thepond, remote control boat races, etc.
Football camp set
The Boston Scott Football Camp forages 8-12 is July 20 at Zachary High. Getinformation and register at bostonscott2024. eventbrite.com. Theevent isfree. Health needsassessment
East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome andHealthyBR invite all East Baton Rouge residents to participate in the 2024 CommunityHealth
and muchmedia attention. In 2023, the Memphisbased Blues Foundation presented him with its Keeping the BluesAlive Award. National and international news coverage
Needs Assessment survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/LS3D2SX. Conducted every three years,this assessment allows local hospitals to identify and prioritize the most pressinghealth needs in our community
Thesurvey asks residentstorank health issues from mostimportanttoleastimportant. It will takeafew minutes to complete andneedstobedone by mid July
Atthe end of the survey, participants have theoption to provide their email address to receive areport of thesurvey findings.
ClintonHighBandmembers sought for Bicentennial
On theClinton is Home Facebook page, a call has been made for members of the former ClintonHigh Band to reunite for the Oct. 5bicentennial celebration of the town. Go to the page and express your interest. The Clinton Is Home committee has several things in the works for thetown’s 200th birthday
Designsand applications are being accepted for official artwork that will represent the historic celebration. The contest is open to all current and former residentsof East Feliciana Parish. All entries must be accompanied by an application and submitted by July 15.
Abake sale is being planned for Aug. 3. The design contest winner will be announced at the bake sale.
Thecommittee is also looking for recipes foracookbook.
Contact thecommittee by
n Drop off at The Green Door at HMercantile, 12408 St. Helena Street,Suite B, Clinton
n Email to clintonishome@gmail.com
n Mail to 12408 St.Helena Street, Clin-
includes numerous New York Timestravel stories, such as 2015’s“In Baton Rouge,They’re Still Singing the Blues” and 2014’s “36 Hours in BatonRouge, La.”
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“I’ve been around blues my whole life,” Johnson mused. “The blues is life itself. And jazz and just about everything in America cameout of the blues.” As the 50th anniversary of Teddy’sJuke Joint grows near,Johnson hopes to preside over his life’swork “as long as Ican hold out.” Email JohnWirtatj_wirt@ msn.com
n Facebook Messenger to The Clinton Is HomeFacebook page.
Checkout activities at thelibrary
Be sure to keep track of your reading in the East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s 2024 Summer ReadingProgram:Adventure BeginsatYour Library
Upcoming activities include:
n Teens can watch Lady Chops (aka Elizabeth Vidos),aprofessional drummer/ percussionist who performed with STOMP off Broadway,for an energetic and interactive performance. Nearby appearances include 11 a.m. July 24, Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library,and 3p.m. July 24, Zachary Branch Library
n The Baker Branch Library will hold aTechnology Petting Zoo at 11 a.m. July 20. Participants will enjoy ahands-on ap-
proach to exploring various tech toys that teach basic block coding, engineering, and other tech concepts.
n At 2:15 p.m.July 20, the Greenwell Springs Regional Branch Library,11300 Greenwell Springs Road, will hold afreeform atmosphere at Arts and Crafts for Adults. You’re invited to color,explore watercolor paints and free draw;learn to macramé and tie fancy knots; makejewelry and keychains; and much more. All supplies provided.
n At 4p.m. July 17, teens are invited to aPaper Airplane Competition at the Greenwell Springs Road Regional Branch Library.Books and videos will be available to inspire your design.
Send newsand events forthe Zachary area to zachary@theadvocate.com by noon Fridayorcall(225) 388-0731.
STAFFPHOTO
