Category Archives: Ascension

Nine local high school seniors recently received scholarships totaling $16,000 from BASF through the companys local and corporate scholarship programs.

BASF's scholarship programs provide direct financial support to local high school students in recognition of their high academic performance, said Tom Yura, BASF senior vice president and Geismar site manager. By investing in students, we are supporting the leaders of the future.

Eight recipients are from Ascension Parish. Each received a $1,000 scholarship to use toward college tuition and plan to pursue STEM-related degrees.

DONALDSONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Kaleb Cayette, LSU, mechanical engineering; and Tamiko Stroud, Southern University, finance

DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL: Mason Miranda, LSU, chemical engineering; and Caroline Beeman, LSU, industrial engineering

EAST ASCENSION HIGH SCHOOL: Jacob Decoteau, LSU, mechanical engineering; and Nicole LeJeune, Mississippi State University, chemical engineering

ST. AMANT HIGH SCHOOL: Landon Boudreaux, LSU, construction management; and Jaime Keller, LSU, chemical engineering

The ninth scholarship, from the corporate scholarship program for academically talented children of BASF employees, was awarded to Alexis Langlois, of St. Josephs Academy in Baton Rouge. Her father, Jeffery, works at BASFs Geismar site. She received one of 20 national scholarships worth $8,000. Langlois plans to study communications disorders at LSU.

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BASF awards $16000 in scholarships to area high schoolers - The Advocate

GONZALES A. Wayne Lawson, a key witness in the attempted election bribery case against Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa and a Gonzales business man, failed to turn over his tax returns Monday morning as required by a subpoena from Matassa's defense team.

The Louisiana Attorney General's Office plans to send investigators to find Lawson and have him turn over the records by 9 a.m. Wednesday, an assistant attorney general said Monday in Gonzales.

The missing tax records came to light Monday at the Parish Courthouse Annex in Gonzales as prosecution and defense attorneys gathered before Judge Jason Verdigets of the 23rd Judicial District Court in Gonzales.

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Verdigets issued a bench warrant for Lawson but it won't be executed for 48 hours to give Lawson time to turn over the records.

Matassa and Olin Berthelot, a finance company owner and longtime ally of Matassa, have been accused of offering Lawson $1,200 to fix his food truck trailer and a parish job in exchange for his dropping out of a Gonzales City Council race last year. Lawson has said he never took the attempted bribe and never left the election, though he lost last fall.

Matassa and Berthelot, who were in court Monday, have denied the allegations, instead saying the $1,200 was a loan to a friend and the talk about dropping out was unrelated political advice.

After court Monday, Matassa defense attorney Lewis Unglesby declined to say why he wanted the tax returns.

In court, Unglesby also pressed the Attorney General's office to specify what the bribe was that his client allegedly offered to Lawson. Steven Moore, defense attorney for Berthelot, made the same request.

But Assistant Attorney General Jeff Traylor told Verdigets the state doesn't have to say because it has turned over the records in the case, known as "open file discovery."

Verdigets did not rule on Unglesby's request but gave the defense a week to file briefs.

Follow David J. Mitchell on Twitter, @NewsieDave.

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Defense for Ascension President Matassa wants tax returns from chief accuser, Lawson - The Advocate

East Ascension lost seven starters from 2016 that went on to sign college scholarshipsincluding two Big 12 signees in Adrian Ealy (Oklahoma) and Justin Harris (Baylor).

East Ascension lost seven starters from 2016 that went on to sign college scholarshipsincluding two Big 12 signees in Adrian Ealy (Oklahoma) and Justin Harris (Baylor).

Parting ways with such a heralded field may seem daunting for other teams, but second-year head coach Darnell Lee remains optimistic about his 2017 squad because of the great talent the Spartans return.

Last season, East Ascension was in a situation very similar. They entered the year with many first-time starters, including at quarterback.

They lost a two-year starter from under center in Kyran Irvin (Nicholls signee). His loss really hampered the Spartan offense in 2016.

East Ascension was forced to use three quarterbacks throughout the course of the season. This included receiver Keenen Dunn, Jason Wakefield and a converted baseball player in Cameron Schexnaildrewho was brand new to the position.

The three produced mixed results, but their play did improve toward the end of the season.

After an 0-6 start, East Ascension won their final three regular season games, and then upset No. 6 Ruston on the road in the first round of the playoffs.

From that team, the Spartans had seven players sign with colleges on National Signing Day: Ealy, Harris, offensive lineman Trevor Fleming (Grambling), defensive lineman Demontrey Jacobs (Grambling), District 5-5A Co-Defensive MVP Justin Daniels (Hutchison Community College), receiver Dylan Williams (Peal River Community College) and defensive lineman Gage Bourgeois (Pearl River Community College).

But unlike last year, the Spartans will have some much-needed experience at quarterback in 2017.

During the spring, Coach Lee said, Jason Wakefield ended last season as the starter. Hes a junior this year, and hes been doing a good job for us. Cameron Schexnaildre has been getting better. His first time playing was last year as a junior. Theyre both showing some improvement.

And though the Spartans will be without two all-district and All-Parish offensive linemen in Ealy and Fleming, they return one of the best prospects in the state in senior Cameron Wire.

Wire broke into the starting lineup last season and wasted no time making an impression on scouts. During the summer, he committed to LSU.

Hes improved lightyears, Lee said. The people that looked at him last year and werent interested, well, theyre offering him scholarships now. Its just a testament to how hard hes working. Hes grown a little bit. Hes put on about 15 pounds since the basketball season, hes getting stronger in the weight room and we just want to keep him healthy and let him enjoy his senior year.

Fortunately for East Ascension, theyll also return some key offensive weapons in first-team all-district running back Ralph Williams and all-district receiver Shaivonn Robinson.

Other players that should make some noise are receivers Tyrek Johnson and Marquell Stewart, running back Nick Massey and athlete Jimel London.

London, a Spartan basketball stalwart, joined the football team for the first time last year and become an all-district cornerback. At the end of the season, he also became a dangerous offensive weapon at running back and slot receiver.

East Ascension lost some heavy-hitters on defense, but overall, they will return seven starters.

Their returners include all-district linebacker Adrian Johnson. Coach Lee said that he also expects Chris Middleton to emerge as one of the Spartans top backers.

In special teams, East Ascension will be happy to return one of the best kickers in the parish in Ryan Gremillion.

We have talent at all positions, but it has to all come together in order to have success with the schedule we have, Lee said.

Like last year, the Spartans schedule is a mine field.

In addition to the challenging district tilt, theyll have tough non-league matchups against Lutcher, Parkview Baptist, Thibodaux and St. Charles.

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Spartans looking for better start in 2017 - Weekly Citizen

None of the parish's golf teams were able to bring home state championships this past season, but that didn't stop many of the area's stars from putting up tremendous performances.

None of the parishs golf teams were able to bring home state championships this past season, but that didnt stop many of the areas stars from putting up tremendous performances.

Due to this strong play, four of the parishs golfers were recently named to the Baton Rouge areas All-Metro teams.

Three male competitors made the Division I-II squad. Two of those selections came from Dutchtown.

These All-Metro standouts were Jacob Merritt and Collin Stinson. Both golfers put up identical numbers in certain statistical categories this past season.

Merritt and Stinson both scored an 88 at the Metro tournament, and both Griffins shot four over par during the regular season.

The other parish stalwart that made the All-Metro boys team was St. Amants Ben Wilcher. Wilcher finished the regular season with a 3.5 shots over par average.

Zacharys Brady Bennett was named the Division I-II Outstanding Player. Two of his teammates joined him on the All-Metro team.

Catholic of Baton Rouge placed a team-high four golfers on the squad.

As for the girls, only one Ascension standout was about to make the All-Metro team. She also came from Dutchtown.

Hagan Bell was the Lady Griffins lone selection.

Anna Heine of St. Josephs Academy was named the areas Outstanding Player.

St. Josephs and Zachary each placed two golfers on the All-Metro team.

Division I-II All-Metro boys team:

Brady Bennett (Zachary), Tyler Armstrong (Zachary), Andrew Bennett (Zachary), Carson Caruso (Catholic of Baton Rouge), Jonathan Ellis (Catholic of Baton Rouge), D.J. Johnson (Catholic of Baton Rouge), Jacob Merritt (Dutchtown), Luke Miller (Catholic of Baton Rouge), Collin Stinson (Dutchtown), Max Trapp (Catholic of Baton Rouge), Ben Wilcher (St. Amant)

All-Metro girls team:

Anna Heine (St. Josephs Academy), Hagan Bell (Dutchtown), Claire Harrington (St. Josephs Academy), Riely Heaslip (Episcopal), Whitley Moore (St. Michael), Kylie OBrien (Zachary), Brooke Riley (Parkview Baptist), Skylar Johnson (University)

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Four Ascension golf standouts make All-Metro teams - Weekly Citizen

Press Release

Statement of Alderman Khalif J. Rainey - August 11, 2017

The announcement by Ascension that it will preserve the Wheaton Franciscan-St. Joseph Campus Hospital, the only hospital in Sherman Park and a strong and stabilizing partner in the neighborhood, is absolutely great news. I want to take this time to publicly thank them.

As one of the only safety-net hospitals in the city, St. Josephs future was unclear for some time. So many of my constituents were born at St. Josephs and so many more have been healed there. The loss of the hospital would have been devastating to the Sherman Park community. Ascension has consistently demonstrated a stakeholder and strong neighbor position to the area and securing the future of St. Josephs only adds to their commitment.

Through optimizing care at their multiple hospitals in Milwaukee, Ascension has provided a great service not only to the Sherman Park community, but to the entire City of Milwaukee.

Ascension has reaffirmed its support for the Sherman Park neighborhood and I look forward to many more years of partnership.

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Ascension committed to St. Joseph Hospital for the long haul - urbanmilwaukee (press release)

It seems a team of five has found an unbeatable strategy for the Ascension rotating game mode.

According to Reddit user TheCheeZZ, who made a post on the League of Legends subreddit on Tuesday, he and some friends were matched into an Ascension game with a team that chose all tank champions. The tank team refused to do any damage or attack and simply died over and over again. Every time they could back, they bought tank items. Eventually, the team that wasnt being attacked, TheCheeZZs team, couldnt do damage to the tanks anymore, because in Ascension, you can only buy items when you die.

TheCheeZZ said his team surrendered right around the 60 minute mark after it became clear that they could neither take objectives thanks to the tank teams collection of Sunfire Capes which interrupt the objective taking mechanic in Ascension or fight, meaning that the tank team won, despite doing almost nothing.

The thread was updated shortly after to reflect the fact that, in a moment of frustration TheCheeZZs team reported the tank team, and the team ended up receiving a 14 day ban. The protests came shortly after, with other Reddit users upset that the team was banned for a strategy that isnt explicitly outlawed. Riot responded to the players concerns.

According to a tweet from Rioter Ben Forbes, the bans were reversed and the players that were banned were contacted.

The official League of Legends Reddit account then posted a follow-up thread stating that they know that the pacifist strategy is horrifically unhealthy, and theyll be looking for a way to fix that. The players were unbanned because despite it being a completely unfun way to play, they were playing with the intent to win.

We can probably expect some changes to Ascension the next time its on the Public Beta Environment.

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Bizarre Pacifist Ascension strategy leads to player bans that were later reversed - The Rift Herald

None of the parish's golf teams were able to bring home state championships this past season, but that didn't stop many of the area's stars from putting up tremendous performances.

None of the parishs golf teams were able to bring home state championships this past season, but that didnt stop many of the areas stars from putting up tremendous performances.

Due to this strong play, four of the parishs golfers were recently named to the Baton Rouge areas All-Metro teams.

Three male competitors made the Division I-II squad. Two of those selections came from Dutchtown.

These All-Metro standouts were Jacob Merritt and Collin Stinson. Both golfers put up identical numbers in certain statistical categories this past season.

Merritt and Stinson both scored an 88 at the Metro tournament, and both Griffins shot four over par during the regular season.

The other parish stalwart that made the All-Metro boys team was St. Amants Ben Wilcher. Wilcher finished the regular season with a 3.5 shots over par average.

Zacharys Brady Bennett was named the Division I-II Outstanding Player. Two of his teammates joined him on the All-Metro team.

Catholic of Baton Rouge placed a team-high four golfers on the squad.

As for the girls, only one Ascension standout was about to make the All-Metro team. She also came from Dutchtown.

Hagan Bell was the Lady Griffins lone selection.

Anna Heine of St. Josephs Academy was named the areas Outstanding Player.

St. Josephs and Zachary each placed two golfers on the All-Metro team.

Division I-II All-Metro boys team:

Brady Bennett (Zachary), Tyler Armstrong (Zachary), Andrew Bennett (Zachary), Carson Caruso (Catholic of Baton Rouge), Jonathan Ellis (Catholic of Baton Rouge), D.J. Johnson (Catholic of Baton Rouge), Jacob Merritt (Dutchtown), Luke Miller (Catholic of Baton Rouge), Collin Stinson (Dutchtown), Max Trapp (Catholic of Baton Rouge), Ben Wilcher (St. Amant)

All-Metro girls team:

Anna Heine (St. Josephs Academy), Hagan Bell (Dutchtown), Claire Harrington (St. Josephs Academy), Riely Heaslip (Episcopal), Whitley Moore (St. Michael), Kylie OBrien (Zachary), Brooke Riley (Parkview Baptist), Skylar Johnson (University)

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Four Ascension golf standouts make All-Metro teams - Donaldsonville Chief

GONZALES A nonprofit group of business leaders pushing to change Ascension Parish's form of government announced on Thursday plans to hold the first of three community meetings on Aug. 21 in Prairieville.

A Better Ascension wants voters to change the home rule charter and do away with the elected parish president in favor of a Parish Council-appointed parish manager in a bid backers say would improve government efficiency.

Critics have already emerged who oppose the proposal, saying it would deprive voters of being able to directly elect parish government's top executive.

We believe our proposed charter amendments will make the Ascension government more effective, in addition to making our parish a better place in which to live, said Jamie Bourgeois, A Better Ascension board member, said in a statement Thursday. We look forward to meeting with our neighbors throughout Ascension to present our amendments and, more importantly, to listen to their feedback.

A Better Ascension officials had earlier proposed four meetings starting Monday but, with the latest announcement, they have pushed back the meetings' start date and reduced their number to three. The meetings will be at the following locations:

*Monday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. Sammy's Grill, Prairieville.

*Thursday, Aug. 24, at 6:30 p.m. Church of Donaldsonville, Donaldsonville.

*Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. City Room.

During the meetings, the Better Ascension board plans to present the proposed amendments, data showing how the Parish Council-parish manager form of government would benefit Ascension, success stories from other communities and an explanation of the process of approving the charter amendments, Better Ascension officials said. The public is invited and will have a chance for questions and answers after the initial presentation, officials said in the statement.

Brandon Trosclair, A Better Ascension board member, said the group wants feedback and buy-in from the community.

A majority of voters in the parish must approve any change to the home rule charter, the parish's plan of government. For an amendment even to get on the ballot, two-thirds or eight members of the 11-member Parish Council, must agree to put the measure on the ballot.

Follow David J. Mitchell on Twitter, @NewsieDave.

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A Better Ascension announces meetings about parish manager plan - The Advocate

BATON ROUGE Construction on the next phase to widen I-10 into Ascension Parish from East Baton Rouge will begin in early 2018.

DOTD announced it hired James Construction Group to do the work.

Designs call for three lanes in each direction from Highland Road to La. 73.

The project will take approximately two-and-a-half years to complete and includes the widening I-10 from four lanes to six lanes west of Highland Road to the LA 73 interchange, as well as the replacement of the LA 42 overpass structures.

We are excited to start this much-needed capacity project, said DOTD Sec. Shawn Wilson. I-10 is not only an important route for freight, but its also a major artery for commuters who use it daily to travel between East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parishes. This is yet another project that highlights the necessity of having a well-funded transportation system and shows this administrations dedication to using innovative means, such as design-build, to fund and construct meaningful projects. However, additional reliable, long-term funding will be needed to complete the expansion of the I-10 corridor or the construction of a new bridge.

The $72 million project is being funded by a combination of federal and state funds, including the use of over $40 million in congressionally authorized repurposed earmarks, which are one-time expenditures.

In the Baton Rouge area, there are a handful of interstate improvement projects happening: West of the Basin Bridge, work is going on on I-10 toward Lafayette and in Baton Rouge, there are plans being drawn up to improve interstate access to the WashingtonTerrace Street area.

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I-10 widening project into Ascension starts in early 2018 - WBRZ

DONALDSONVILLE Ascension Parish government's auditors say the parish ended 2016 flush with cash despite having spent more than $12 million from its reserves on flood recovery last year.

Despite the flood expenses, the parish was able to boost its total reserves by $5.4 million last year to $192.7 million, but more than $105 million of that surplus is set aside by voters or by Parish Council spending priorities for recreation, parish jail expenses, drainage, fire protection or health and mental health services.

Auditor Tommy LeJeune, of Faulk and Winkler, told the Parish Council recently that continued strong sales tax collections have helped build the surplus. The past three years of collections have hovered around $55 million, about $15 million per year more than what the parish took in for 2012.

At the same time, the total surplus has risen from $147.5 million in 2012 to more than $192.7 million in 2016 also an increase of about $45 million.

"So, 15 times three is $45 million, so the whole point of it is you're not spending up to the high point of sales tax," LeJeune said. "So basically what you have been able to do is experience a really lucrative time from a sales tax collection perspective and you have been able to bank it."

He added that eventual reimbursement for last year's flood expenses from the Federal Emergency Management Agency would only further improve those surpluses. Since the audit was finished, the parish has received about $7.3 million in reimbursements.

LeJeune made his comments Aug. 3 at the Parish Courthouse in Donaldsonville as he reviewed the 2016 audit for the council. While the audit detailed the parish's strong financial status, it also uncovered a number of findings in the parish U.S. Housing and Urban Development public housing program and in travel, personnel and pay, and Lamar-Dixon Expo Center policies and procedures.

The Parish Council members have asked the parish administration to update them in a coming meeting about its progress in responding to many of these findings.

LeJeune's report of the parish's flush accounts prompted only some mixed reaction from the council. The parish is trying to fund major road improvements without a new tax and developing further spending on drainage improvements in light of last year's floods. Part of the road plan, Move Ascension, counts on a new debt issue and big part of the reserves in the parish road fund.

While the parish has continued to see population growth, the strong sales tax collections have come mostly during a period of expansion in the parish's industrial sector, the majority contributor to sales tax collections. That expansion has slowed some more recently.

After LeJeune's initial report on the surpluses, Council Chairman Bill Dawson sought to downplay their size, noting that only about $28.6 million is fully discretionary and could be spent for any purpose. He questioned LeJeune about whether that discretionary reserve was too high or low to ensure sound savings for unexpected expenses.

LeJeune said governments typically want to have a savingsequivalent to three to six months of annual spending. He said the $28 million fits within the lower end of that range.

"I don't think it's too low. I think it's a good comfortable number," LeJeune said.

But later, Councilwoman Teri Casso said that every year she hears the audit, she thinks, "My God, we have money. We are in a wonderful situation.

"We are not in the savings business. We need to be providing services, and so I look forward to next year seeing that we have spent the taxpayer's money, and if we're not going spend it, we need to give it back to them or quit collecting," she said. "It is time to spend it."

Auditors found the parish had about $27.8 million in a capital surplus fund for drainage and another $22.5 million for roads. The $40 million to $45 million Move Ascension program plans on tapping that reserve for nearly half its spending.

"Its a nice sum of money," LeJeune said of the road reserve, "but it's probably not an amount that solves all the parish's traffic woes."

Follow David J. Mitchell on Twitter, @NewsieDave.

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Auditors: Strong sales taxes continue to boost Ascension ... - The Advocate