Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

If you have any information for the Community Calendar, please email it to justin.schuver@bogalusadailynews.com.

COVID-19 testing locations

To help lessen the burden at hospitals and clinics, Washington Parish citizens may also schedule a COVID-19 test at the following locations: Washington Parish Health Unit, 626 Carolina Ave. in Bogalusa, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., appointment is recommended (drive-up only), call 985-732-6615; Washington Parish Health Unit, 120 11th Ave. in Franklinton, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., appointment is recommended (drive-up only), call 985-839-5646, ext. 1; Walgreens, 217 Superior Ave. in Bogalusa, by appointment only and drive-thru only, visit online at www.walgreens.com/covid19testing or call 985-735-6434. Additional locations can be found online at ldh.la.gov/page/3934 and then click on the specific parish.

COVID-19 self-test kit distribution

In partnership with the Louisiana Department of Health, a limited supply of FloFlex OTC self-administered test kits are available at the locations listed below. Test kits are on a first-come, first-serve basis and can only be picked up during days and times listed. The locations are Franklinton Fire Department, 415 11th Ave. in Franklinton, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., call 985-839-3515; Northshore EMS, 153 Montgomery St. in Bogalusa, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., call 985-735-9507; Sumrall’s Pharmacy, 30304 Louisiana Highway 21 in Angie, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., call 985-986-4433; Rawls Pharmacy, 36009 Louisiana Highway 38 in Mt. Hermon, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., call 985-877-4700.

Free COVID-19 testing

In partnership with the Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health, Pafford Medical Services and Omega Diagnostics, they are pleased to provide our community with free COVID-19 PCR testing that will be available to the residents of Washington Parish from Wednesday, Jan. 12, through Friday, Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day, at Cassidy Park in the main pavilion. Those wishing to be tested are highly encouraged to pre-register online at omegadiagnosticslabportal.com/pre-register/WashingtonParishCommunityTesting (the only dash is in “pre-register”). You can also be registered on site. The site will use a self-administered nasal swab test that will allow those being tested to swab their own noses, which will be observed by a trained medical volunteer to ensure the sample is taken correctly. The sample will then be dropped into a sealed container at the site. Those being tested will need to wear a mask and be socially distant at the test site. Your test results will be sent to you through the secure online portal or app.

Parish Republican Women

The Washington Parish Republican Women will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 11:30 a.m. at Maria’s Restaurant on Austin Street. The business meeting will begin at noon. Judge Ellen Creel will install the new officers at the annual installation ceremony. The members will continue to social distance.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event

On Saturday, Jan. 15, Redzone Bar and Grill, located at 15310 Louisiana Highway 21 in Bogalusa, will present a “Southern Soul Event” dedicated to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Presale tickets are $10 and will be $20 at the door. Door open at 8 p.m. and this event is for “grown folks only.” For more information, call 985-732-7007, or Thomas Kates at 985-750-8061. The speaker will be Jimbo Stevenson. Gloria Kates will recite a poem, Deidre Owens will have a solo and Krysta Parker will perform a song. The emcee will be Tiye Yayu and pastor Dr. Bridget Johnson will pray.

Bogalusa Showcase 2022

The Bogalusa Showcase 2022 will be Saturday, Jan. 15, starting at noon at Cassidy Park and Pocahontas Street in Bogalusa. It is free admission, and free to perform for musical artists. All genres and ages are welcome, and audience members can donate to their favorite artists while they perform. To book a performance slot, call 985-402-9449.

Bogalusa Help Center

It’s easy to smile when someone cares, and Bogalusa Help Center, our local food bank, cares. It is now a drive-through operation, located at 350 Martin Luther King Drive in Bogalusa. It is open from 8 a.m. until noon every Wednesday (except the fifth Wednesday of the month) providing food to those in need in our community. Since partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank/USDA, and along with generous donations from our community, BHC now distributes 35-40 pounds of food each month to over 400 families. These distributions include canned goods, meat, dry beans, peanut butter, fresh fruit and vegetables, etc. New clients can apply each week. They must provide: Name of head of the household; driver’s license or ID; address; number of persons in the household and ages; and SNAP or SSI printout, or proof of income of all in the household. For more information, BHC may be reached at 985-735-6404 every Wednesday.

American Legion bingo returns

Bingo is back at the American Legion building every Thursday. Doors open at 5 p.m. and outstanding food will be served also. There is an ATM for your convenience.