Category Archives: Ascension

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Justin Thomas and his Pepto-Bismol slacks have not yet committed to play at the upcoming Greenbrier Classic, but he could possibly be the highest-ranked player in the field if he does.

Seeing colleague Mitch Vingle map out Don Nehlens coaching tree got me to thinking about A.W. Hamiltons ascension to his first full-time Division I basketball job.

Earlier this month, the former Marshall point guard joined the staff of Kevin Keatts at North Carolina State. Keatts is in his first year in Raleigh after going 72-28 in three seasons at North Carolina-Wilmington.

As you may know, Hamilton played for Keatts at Hargrave Military Academy for a postgraduate season before heading to Wake Forest. Hamilton later transferred to Marshall and played for coach Greg White, then Ron Jirsa.

I recall Whites strategy of continuing to recruit a player or two the Thundering Herd had no chance of landing, just in case that player considered a change of course. Hamilton was a successful example.

Keatts coached on Whites bench for two years before running the Hargrave talent machine. Hamilton coached for Keatts before taking over for six seasons. In the 2015-16 season, Hamiltons Tigers went 47-1, winning the national prep-school national championship and landing NCAA scholarships for all 16 players.

Those two have solidified a branch of Whites coaching tree, which already boasts Wichita State icon Gregg Marshall, West Virginia States Bryan Poore, West Floridas Jeff Burkhamer and Stony Brooks Jeff Boals.

Burkhamer deserves a special mention, as he took the Division II Argonauts of Pensacola from seven wins to 20-9 this past season. Boals squad finished 18-14, reaching the College Basketball Invitational.

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Thanks to Thomas Frazier, I can make a seamless transition from Marshall sports to golf.

As I covered the West Virginia Amateur last week, that name was under my radar until I listed the top 15 and ties, those who won exemptions into this summers West Virginia Open and the 2018 State Am.

Frazier, who began his college career at Concord, just finished his sophomore season at Marshall and emerged as one of the teams top players in the spring.

He started all five of the Herds spring tournaments, finishing as high as fourth.

He played at Concord for a year, played really good down there, was their No. 1 player, said MU coach Matt Grobe. He came to me after that year at Concord, left Concord and enrolled at Marshall and said, I dont know if youve got a spot, but Id like to play for your team.

At the time, our numbers were too much and we really didnt have room for him. He basically sat last year, and this year we went through the fall and our numbers were still kind of high, but after fall I decided I was going to redshirt some kids, so I had some room.

So really, what I did was bring him in in the spring and he came to be part of the team, thinking that this year he had two years left, and that one semester he practiced with us he shot himself right into the lineup.

Frazier, a Huntington High grad, has played in several State Ams, finishing 18th in 2015. He won medalist honors in the qualifier at Sleepy Hollow, a feat he wont repeat next year.

He doesnt have to.

I think it was one of those things where Thomas, maybe he had the ability, and just didnt have a chance to play in a lot of tournament golf, Grobe said.

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Fathers Day was a success because I received the few things I want: (a) a silly shirt, (b) a good dinner and (c) the ability to watch the U.S. Open in peace.

It was great to see Justin Thomas on the leaderboard, shooting that 63 in his Pepto-Bismol slacks on Saturday. (Man, were they pink!) Back at the 2015 Greenbrier Classic, he led on the front nine before collapsing on the back.

He left that tournament 99th in the world. He entered this U.S. Open 13th, thanks to four wins and 15 top-10s in that two-year stretch.

Having also played here in 2012 as an amateur, Ill put the Kentucky native on my short wish list for the return of the Classic, which reopens the Old White TPC July 3-9. Should he commit, Id say he would be the fields highest-ranked player.

Unless the Classic finally lands No. 3 Jason Day. A long shot, but he did enter the 2014 Classic and appeared at its media day, but withdrew because of a nagging thumb injury. As long as he lives in the Columbus area, tournament officials should pursue him.

As for the characters of the game, the Classic has a much better shot at Andrew Beef Johnston. The bearded Englishman burst onto the scene last year by winning the Spanish Open and breaking into the top 10 at the British Open.

Its usually tough for the Classic to land a European because of the place on the schedule and Beef is already exempt into the Open, but hes also a PGA Tour rookie and has to pedal hard to hang onto his card. I expect him in White Sulphur Springs.

I dont know where to start with this guy, but Ill keep it relatively tame. At the PGA Championship, the Wall Street Journal took him on a tour of Manhattan burger joints and asked him to rate them. He signs autographs Beef, with a smiley face.

He told Golf Digest last September: The kinds of golfers I like to hang out with are the ones who can spend a night at the pub conversing almost entirely in lines from Caddyshack.

And finally, this note: He earned his PGA Tour card on National Cheeseburger Day. (Sept. 18, if youre curious.)

Give me a threesome of Johnston, Andres Gonzales and John Daly, and Ill follow them for at least nine holes.

Contact Doug Smock at 304-348-5130 or dougsmock@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @dougsmock and read his blog at http://blogs.wvgazettemail.com/dougsmock/.

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Doug Smock: AW Hamilton's ascension, Thomas Frazier and the US Open - Charleston Gazette-Mail (subscription)

Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa praised the public service of wounded New Orleans-area Congressman Steve Scalise Thursday night and called for greater awareness of the public service component of politics.

Matassa recalled that over the past two years, Scalise has met with parish delegations visiting Washington, D.C., even though Scalise doesn't represent Ascension.

The fact that he would meet with us is a testament to public service done right. He cares about Ascension Parish and he cares about . the state of Louisiana, Matassa told the Parish Council in Gonzales.

Matassa, who also called for a moment of silence before speaking about Scalise, said the shooting that occurred during practice for a planned baseball game in Alexandria, Virginia, is a reminder that the solemnity of politics is needed more now than ever.

He called on his colleagues to raise awareness of the public service component in politics.

The best partnerships are among people who know how to respect others and people who seek ways to mend fences and invite others to join, Matassa said.

Council members also offered a prayer for Scalise, who arrived at a Washington hospital Wednesday in imminent risk of death, his doctors said.

Scalise, who was shot in the hip by a gunman upset with Republican policies and President Donald Trumps election, remained in critical condition Friday. However, his long-term prognosis has improved, his doctors said. The gunman was killed by return fire from law enforcement.

Follow David J. Mitchell on Twitter, @NewsieDave.

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Ascension president praises Scalise for public service, calls for mending fences in politics - The Advocate

Greg Fischer Editor-in-chief @AscensionEditor

Here is the latest report from La. State Police on Baton Rouge officer-involved shooting June 13:

Update: June 16, 2017

The Louisiana State Police continues to investigate the BRPD officer-involved shooting on Acadian Thruway in Baton Rouge. BRPD Officers stated that the traffic stop was initiated due to a vehicle equipment violation.

Officer statements indicate that the suspect immediately exited the passenger side with the gun, began to flee and turned pointing the gun towards the officer who was giving verbal commands. The suspect was armed with a stolen Ruger .22 caliber semi-automatic long barrel pistol. The gun was confirmed stolen out of Ascension Parish.

Additionally, the suspect was in possession of suspected ecstasy. State Police was notified yesterday by the coroner that 2 rounds traversed from rear to front of the suspect's torso and 1 struck his leg. Investigative elements of the case continue including ballistics, trajectory, toxicology, DNA analysis and additional interviews if warranted.

Original Release: June 14, 2017

On June 13, 2017 shortly before 11:30 pm, officers with the Baton Rouge Police Department were involved in a shooting in the 1200 block of Acadian Thruway. In accordance with the MOU between the Baton Rouge Police Department and the Louisiana State Police, Troopers were called to investigate the incident.

Troopers from the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene of the officer involved shooting where preliminary investigation revealed that BRPD officers were conducting a traffic stop. During the course of the traffic stop, a passenger exited the vehicle holding a gun and was shot by a BRPD officer. No officers were injured and the suspect died at the scene.

Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A and the LSP Crime Lab were called to the scene to assist with the investigation and will work to gather all of the facts surrounding the incident.

This is still an active investigation.

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BRPD shooting: Update says gun stolen from Ascension Parish - Weekly Citizen

GEISMAR, La. (WAFB) New jobs area headed to Ascension Parish ata 40,000-square-foot packaging and logisticsfacility.

The strong business climate, strategic supply chain and powerful workforce programs Louisiana offers made this decision a logical one for our company,said Mauser USA President and CEO Glenn Frommer.

During the projects initial phase, 28 direct jobs will be created. They will average an annual salary of more than $58,000, plus benefits. Officials say the project has the potential to expand with a second phase that would yield 19 additional jobs.

Ascension Parish is pleased to welcome Mauser USA as our newest industrial citizen, Parish President KennyMatassasaid. We appreciate Mausers commitment to Ascension Parish and look forward to working with the company in the months and years ahead.

The Louisiana Economic Development began working on this project in December 2015. The state offered an incentive package to further attract the company to make a $10 million capital investment.

Mausers selection of Louisiana and Geismar signals their recognition of our growth in this sector and the importance of ramping up customer service to support the most important manufacturing markets in America, said Gov. John Bel Edwards. We welcome one of the worlds industrial packaging leaders to our state and are grateful for their creation of new career opportunities in Louisiana.

The facility will be located on La. 30, between Interstate 10 and River Road.

CLICK HERE if you are interested in jobs at the facility.

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New jobs headed to Ascension Parish with opening of industrial packaging facility - KLFY

GONZALES The Ascension Parish Council took another stab Thursday at "rolling forward" property tax rates for parish government after the state Legislative Auditor's Office refused to certify those rates last year.

However parish officials only took a partial step toward recouping what they missed out on last year due to the state's action.

The state auditor's finding last year, which stemmed from a procedural error still being fought about in court, meant that for the first time since at least 2010, millage rates for parish government were not at the levels that they had been in the prior year.

That meant parish homeowners and businesses got a small, unexpected tax break last year if their property tax assessments also didn't increase during the 2016 reassessment year.

Depending where one lived or owned a business and what special taxing districts applied to them, property tax rates for parish government in 2016 were between 1 mill to a little more than 2.3 mills below what they had been in 2015.

That equated to a savings of $12.50 to $28.75 on the tax bill for a $200,000 home with homestead exemption.

But, with a few members airing concerns this week about appearing to raise taxes after last year's unanticipated break, the council agreed to roll some tax rates forward but held others back to the lower adjusted rates in place in 2016.

Still, even with all the maneuvering, residents will pay a slightly higher combined rate in 2017 than they did in 2016, though still lower than what parish officials had consistently kept the combined millage rates in 2015 and several years prior.

Depending where homeowners live, the parish government collected between 19 mills and a bit more than 39 mills overall in 2016 but will collect between 19.29 and 40.68 mills in 2017. Overall, residents in Ascension pay an average of 115 mills to all local governments, levee districts and other entities.

In reassessment years, local government must reset tax rates to a new adjusted maximum millage rate that accounts for changing values on the tax rolls. When values are on the rise, as they typically are each year in growing parishes like Ascension, the adjusted rates are generally lower than the year before but are also set so they generate the same revenue as the year before.

Once local governments adopt the adjusted tax rates in a reassessment year, often known as "rolling back," they can then vote to "roll forward" tax rates back to the prior year's maximum, netting a windfall of additional revenue.

That windfall didn't happen in 2016 due to problems the Legislative Auditor's Office found in the way the parish provided public notice for two meetings the council held last year on the millage rates.

In an interview Wednesday before the council vote, Parish Council Chairman Bill Dawson said that because of the parish's failure to roll forward in 2016, if the Parish Council would vote to roll forward all parish millage rates for 2017, the council could be seen as raising rates at a time when the residents are still recovering from the flood.

That circumstance cast the roll forward procedure, which usually happens with not much debate, in "a different light," Dawson said.

Councilman Randy Clouatre, whose St. Amant district was hit hard in the August flood, made that point again Thursday when he said he was in favor of "any help we can give to the taxpayer."

So it went Thursday as council members agreed in a series of votes to keep millage rates for parish operations, the parish library system, East Ascension drainage, and road lighting districts in parts of Gonzales and Donaldsonville at the lower rates residents and homeowners unexpectedly paid in 2016.

But the council also agreed to raise tax rates to the old 2015 levels, or roll forward, for a variety of special parish taxing districts, including for firefighters in Prairieville, the Council on Aging, the parish's mental health and other parish health programs, and juvenile detention.

Millage rates for West Ascension drainage, a West Ascension utility district and road lighting districts in Sorrento and Modeste were unchanged between 2016 and 2017.

During public comment Thursday night in Gonzales before the votes, several residents and agency heads argued in favor of rolling forward millage rates for the parish's health, community and fire service operations but other residents spoke against rolling forward millage rates for East Ascension drainage and the library system.

Parish resident Chase Melancon said the parish has a $40 million surplus in its drainage fund but is two years behind on fulfilling drainage requests from the public. He also called into question the need for the library to gain additional revenue when it is building a $3.1 million expansion of its branch in Galvez that he considered unnecessary.

"I can't fathom why anybody would think we need to put more money in that fund when we can't utilize what we have," Melancon told the council about the drainage millage rate.

The drainage surplus is primarily made up funds set aside for major, long-term projects. Parish officials recently acknowledged the two-year backlog on clearing minor drainage ditches, as they pitched the need for nearly two dozen more personnel to do the added work.

With some library officials in attendance, Melancon's comments to keep the library rates lower did not draw a response Thursday night.

The Ascension Parish Library board had already told the Parish Council recently not to roll forward their property tax rates "in light of the burden and impact of the floods on the citizens and parish of Ascension." The vote preserved a savings of 0.21 mills home and property owners received in 2016 and cost the libraries about $246,000 in 2017.

The lower millage rate amounted to a continued savings of $2.63 on the tax bill for a $200,000 house with homestead exemption.

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Ascension Council splits the difference on property tax rates for 2017 - The Advocate

Reading 1 Acts 1:1-11 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

When they had gathered together they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."

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The Ascension of the Lord

The challenge on Ascension Island is to maintain a balance of the new and the old. A novel ecosystem is an ecosystem engineered by humans. Over the last 150 years, non-native plant species were planted on the remote Island in the Atlantic Ocean. What began as an experiment to transform an ecosystem has left researchers to observe the relationship of native and non-native species. Island species are highly vulnerable to invasive species impactsis there room for non-native plants to grow on Ascension Island?

Green Mountain is Ascension Islands highest peak, standing nearly 3,000 feet tall. The beautiful green landscape is human-engineered. Credit:Clare Fieseler

Ascension Islands natural landscape is desolate. The foreboding terrain inspired Charles Darwin to include the word Devil in the name of several of Ascensions volcanic rock features. He arrived to Ascension from the Galpagos, calling the island Hideous. It was Darwin who conceived the ideato engineer a new environment on Ascension. Sir Joseph Hooker, a young botanist, took on the challenge. In 1843 he embarked on a life-long experiment and introduced 330 non-native plants to Ascension Island. By 1870, more than 5,000 trees were planted. The experiment transformed the island ecosystem.

The landscape on Green Mountain stands lush and stoic but is also covered with an artificial green ecosystem. Moisture is captured in the arms of the tall non-native trees and the water forms a pond on the forest floor. Not too long ago, merely one solitary tree stood swaying above the drylandscape of Ascension Island. However, the transformation onAscension Island comes at a cost. As an elderly man, Hooker expressed regret in his journals.

The intentional non-native species distribution, at this scale, made room for unintended consequences. Only a few native plant species survived. Hydrology and soil changes were noted, and the scarce endemic plant species, still left on the island, were observed competing for regeneration.

Ascension Island naturalist Stedson Stroud is leading the efforts to facilitate recovery of endemic species. Two native fern species grew on Ascension for thousands of years, and have found refuge from the onslaught of new competitors in the mosses of non-native trees. Stroud is planting more of these trees in hopes of sparking population growth in these two adaptive ferns. The trick to conserving these ferns is to help them adapt and coexist with the non-native trees. However,it is still too early to know whether the ferns are thriving in their new habitat.

Stedson Stroud surveying the artificial ecosystem in search any remaining endemic plant species. Credit: Clare Fieseler

Ascensions unusual history could be valuable as a reference point for some of todays greatest environmental puzzles. Island Conservation board member and invasive species expert Daniel Simberloff suspects that further research on Ascension Island could generate insight into challenges like greening Earths deserts and expanding local crop production to meet the human populations nutritional needs.

It is too late to erase the history on Ascension Island. For now, conservationists are concerned with maintaining a healthy relationship between the new and old ecosystems.

Feature photo: Tracking station on Ascension Island. Credit: Dominic Smith Source: National Geographic

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Engineering Ascension Island - Island Conservation News

Playing pool, video games and tossing beanbags were just a few of the activities 100 attendees of this summers Special Tuesday participated in June 6.

The event, in its 23rd year, is organized by Volunteer Ascension and event creator Bobbie Blanchard.

Blanchard started the event in 1994 to give her physically-challenged grandson, Beau Porto, a chance to experience a day of playing in a friendly environment.

He was already going to a school for children with disabilities, but we wanted a place where he could play, Blanchard said. We wanted kids with disabilities to feel comfort while playing and not be afraid of being made fun of.

Blanchard began with five children playing at her house. Special Tuesday grew over the years. School gyms in Ascension Parish became host buildings.

This year Special Tuesday is being held at Gonzales Primary.

Sherry Denig, executive director of Volunteer Ascension, has enjoyed working with Blanchard over the years. Volunteer Ascension has taken over some of the organizing responsibilities.

Denig said, Volunteer Ascension is bringing manpower to Special Tuesdays with our ConnecTeens. They are a group of teenage volunteers helping out at various events. We have 15 volunteers here today with 10 from ConnecTeens.

This year we added more games and activities to help the youth get to know the participants one-one-one, Denig said. We added things such as line dancing so they can be active with the participants.

Blanchard is glad Volunteer Ascension has taken over Special Tuesday.

I had kidney cancer five years ago, and Im having a few health setbacks, Blanchard said. Volunteer Ascension has helped Special Tuesdays to keep going.

Volunteer Sherrie Jenkins son, 20-year-old Braylan Jenkins, has participated in Special Tuesday events since he was 10 years old.

One of the best things Ive ever done is volunteer for this program, Jenkins said. As a mom, I think this is wonderful because there is nothing else like this in Ascension Parish for people with disabilities.

Braylan Jenkins agrees he likes the event. I like doing this, and I look forward to it every summer, he said.

Kittyanna Walker, 13, of Gonzales, is one of the ConnecTeens helping out. I heard Special Tuesdays was a pretty fun event to help with. I love giving out goodwill. Ive met a lot of people, and they are awesome.

Devon Cooper, 14, enjoyed his day playing pool. Ive had a good time, he said.

ConnecTeen volunteer, Amaire Anderson, 12, passed out lunches to attendees.

I wanted to follow in my sister's footsteps, Anderson said. I wanted to refresh my mind in the summer and get a chance to meet new people. I plan on coming back because its a good opportunity for teens and kids to become more than they think they are.

Amaire's sister, Alexis, 14 manned the popcorn machine.

Ive volunteered for three years, Alexis said. I thought it was very interesting and told my sister about it. I find it fun to help people, and I can satisfy their needs here. I try to make sure they are happy. Im really proud of my sister for joining with me.

Special Tuesday will continue throughout June. On June 27, the program will conclude with a Mardi Gras parade at Gonzales Primary.

For information or to make donations, visit volunteerascension.org.

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Feeling special: Volunteers, attendees connect through summer program - The Advocate

Potter trivia

Harry Potter fans of all ages can test their knowledge of the series with Harry Potter Pub Trivia at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Gonzales Branch of Ascension Parish Library.

Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws and Slytherins will compete against one another to correctly answer the most trivia questions. Costumes are encouraged but not required.

Call (225) 647-3955 for details or to register.

Ascension Parish Library's summer reading program offers a variety of events for youths of all ages.

STARS AND STRIPES WREATH: Make a festive fabric wreath with Nan Riffe, The Bookmark Lady: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dutchtown. For all ages.

BROWN BEAR: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Brown Bear, Brown Bear with fun and games: 6 p.m. Monday, Gonzales. For all ages.

OREGON TRAIL: Hunt for dinner, ford a river and experience pioneer life; costumes are welcome but not required: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Galvez and 6 p.m. June 22, Dutchtown. For all ages.

HARRY POTTER 20TH ANNIVERSARY: Get sorted into a house, attend classes and compete at Quidditch: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Galvez. For all ages.

CACTUS ROCK: Paint rocks to look like cactuses to create a mini desert: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dutchtown. For children entering grades two through five.

3-D STRAW SCULPTURE ART: Create original artwork with neon straws and washi tape: 2 p.m. Monday, Galvez. For children entering grades two through five.

SALT DOUGH: Make salt dough from scratch: 6 p.m. June 22. For children entering grades two through five.

TISSUE-PAINTED CANVAS: Create a work of art using a canvas, tissue paper and water: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dutchtown and 10:30 a.m. June 23, Donaldsonville. For children entering grades two through five.

TWEEN SPA DAY: Make a cotton candy lip scrub and paint your nails: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Galvez. For children entering grades four through eight.

SEED BOMBS: Make seed bombs from dirt, clay and flower seeds: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Donaldsonville. For children entering grades four through eight.

EMOJI PILLOW: Design and create a no-sew emoji pillow with felt and fabric glue: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Gonzales. For teens entering grades six through 12.

TEEN SPA DAY: Learn easy, eco-friendly, chemical-free ways to look good and reduce stress: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dutchtown. For teens entering grades six through 12.

Learn about risk factors for heart disease and changes to improve personal heart health with Charla Johnson, at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Donaldsonville Branch of Ascension Parish Library.

The free, hourlong seminar is sponsored by St. Elizabeth Hospital. Registration is preferred but not required; call (225) 621-2906.

Ascension Parish Librarys Donaldsonville Branch invites adults to an evening of coloring and coffee at 6:30 p.m. June 22. Supplies will be provided.

Registration is required; call (225) 473-8052.

A class for preteen boys and their parents about the physical and emotional changes that accompany puberty is slated for 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. June 24 in the Sister Vernola conference room of St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Cost is $15. Preregistration is required; call (225) 621-2906.

Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1996; or email, ascension@theadvocate.com or ddenstorff@theadvocate.com. Deadline: noon Monday.

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Around Ascension for June 15, 2017 - The Advocate

The cancellation of all flights from Ascension Island has forced passengers to remain onboard Atlantic Odyssey voyages from Oceanwide Expeditions.

According to a letter provided to Travel Agent, Oceanwide Expeditions passengers booked on Atlantic Odyseey voyages PLA33-18 and PLA35-18 will have to remain onboard on voyage PLA36-18 from Ascension to Praia, Cape Verde, for six nights. From Praia passengers will be able to depart for their outbound flights.

Passengers already booked on the affected Atlantic Odyssey voyages will receive a 50 percent discount on the original cruise fare for the Ascension to Praia voyage. For new bookings, Oceanwide Expeditions will offer a 20 percent discount on the original cruise fare of the Ascension to Praia voyage.

Due to the flight cancellations, voyages PLA32-18 and PLA34-18 have been canceled.

All flights have been cancelled from the British-run Ascension Island until at least 2019 because of potholes on the islands only runway, The Guardian reports. Additionally, flights to the Falklands will have to be rerouted because the Airbus A330 Voyager that operates the route is too heavy for the damaged runway.

According to the official website of the islands government, the RMS St. Helena continues to provide the main access route to the destination by sea. The ship will continue its route from Cape Town, South Africa, to St. Helena and then Ascension Island. The service is currently scheduled until February 2018, or until the St. Helena air service is in place.

Ascension Island is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, just south of the equator and 700 miles northwest of St. Helena, the United Kingdom territory by which it is administered.

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Ascension Island Flights Cancelled; Oceanwide Issues Cruise Updates - Travel Agent