Zachary Daily Briefing: February 7, 2026

Veteran firefighter promoted to lead department

Zachary has a new fire chief this weekend. Mayor David McDavid has appointed longtime department veteran Gordon Lipscomb to lead the city’s fire service following the retirement of Chief Danny Kimble, who served in the role for about 15 years.

Lipscomb has spent more than two decades with the Zachary Fire Department and steps into the job at a time when the city continues to grow along Highway 61 and in surrounding neighborhoods. City officials say the change in leadership is meant to strengthen emergency response, modernize equipment and training, and keep pace with new development.

Residents can expect to see the department reviewing staffing levels, station coverage and community risk reduction programs over the coming months. The goal, according to city leaders, is to keep response times low while maintaining the small-town, customer-focused approach residents are used to.

Mardi Gras comes home to Zachary

With Carnival season in full swing across the region, Zachary is counting down to its first-ever hometown Mardi Gras weekend. A three-day celebration is planned for February 13–15, capped by a Sunday parade rolling through the heart of the city.

The event will carry the theme “Celebrating Everyday Heroes,” highlighting teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, volunteers and other neighbors who keep the community running. Floats, marching bands, dance teams and local organizations are expected to line up at Church Street Park before making their way down Main Street and finishing near Ridgeway.

Organizers say the focus is on a family-friendly atmosphere, with clear safety rules, music appropriate for all ages and plenty of space along the route for lawn chairs and ladders. Volunteers and sponsors are still being recruited as the city works to turn the new parade into an annual tradition.

Planning for growth and downtown’s future

City leaders are also looking beyond the holiday season. In a recent address, the mayor pointed to rising sales tax collections, new retail openings and a major hospital expansion as signs that Zachary’s economy is on solid footing. That momentum is feeding into long-term planning efforts.

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public workshop in late January to review the first major update to the city’s master plan in about 15 years. Residents raised concerns about traffic, infrastructure and amenities for young families, urging officials to balance growth with quality of life.

Next steps include refining the draft plan, coordinating with regional partners and scheduling additional opportunities for public input before any final votes. For now, officials say they want residents to stay engaged, whether that means weighing in on zoning changes or simply showing up along Main Street as the city celebrates together later this month.

Sources

• https://nationaltoday.com/us/la/baton-rouge/news/2026/02/06/zachary-names-gordon-lipscomb-as-new-fire-chief
• https://zmardigras.com/
• https://www.porchandparish.com/2026/01/14/560496/2026-inaugural-mardi-gras-parade-celebrating-everyday-heroes
• https://www.wafb.com/2026/01/18/inaugural-zachary-mardi-gras-parade-roll-through-streets-2026/
• https://www.wafb.com/2026/01/29/zachary-holds-workshop-first-master-plan-revision-15-years/
• https://www.wafb.com/2026/01/06/zachary-mayor-highlights-new-businesses-overall-growing-economy-during-address/
• https://www.citycourtofzachary.org/