SPANISH LAKEA person thrown from a boat Monday evening after it hit a stump in Spanish Lake in Ascension Parish has been taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, wildlife officials said.

The male's age wasn't immediately known.

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Adam Einck, spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, said the male was missing for a time after the crash about 5:20 p.m. but an 18-year-old man riding with him had called for help.

Wildlife agents were able to find the male in the scenic swamp lake in the northwestern corner of eastern Ascension, Einck added.

Both boaters were taken back to a dock where an ambulance was waiting for the injured male to bring him to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge.

Einck said he didn't know what the boaters were doing on the lake.

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Injured boater, other man recovered from Spanish Lake area of Ascension Parish after crash - The Advocate

Sitting at 7-2 and practically a shoo-in for a playoff berth for the second consecutive season, the Baltimore Ravens look like one of the most complete teams in the entire NFL.

Things werent always this sunny this year.

The Ravens got off to a fast 2-0 start but quickly faltered against good teams, which dropped them back down to earth. Following Week 5, the Ravens sat at 3-2, and doubts were starting to creep in. It took overtime in Week 5 to beat a hapless Pittsburgh Steelers squad that needed to turn to their third-string quarterback after Baltimore knocked out backup Mason Rudolph.

In spite of a winning record, the thought of the schedule getting significantly tougher was a real worry for anyone looking closely at what Baltimore was doing. The Ravens were being questioned as pretenders, and many expected that tougher opposition would put them in their place. But quick thinking by general manager Eric DeCosta and great performances from new players have helped turn the team around and now have pundits questioning whether theres any team in the league capable of slowing them down.

For as much praise as the Ravens offense as gotten and rightfully so its the defensive turnaround that has sparked this team. The additions of linebackers L.J. Fort and Josh Bynes in Week 5, as well as the trade for cornerback Marcus Peters, have had immediate effects on the stat sheet.

Through the first five games of the season, Baltimores defense had given up an average of 370.2 yards and 24.6 points per game. In the subsequent four games all wins the Ravens have given up just 311.5 yards and 16.5 points per game, with a margin of victory of 18.25 points.

And its not like the competition has gotten any easier. Baltimores opponents through Week 5 now have a combined 19-27-1 record, while their last four opponents have included the best team in the AFC (New England Patriots) and one of the best in the NFC (Seattle Seahawks).

While improvements were expected as the new-look defense featuring five new starters and 10 new players jelled over the course of the year, the biggest difference has been the midseason additions. Combined, Bynes, Fort and Peters have 56 tackles and one sack. Peters has three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Theyve helped solidify troubled positions and allowed defensive coordinator Don Martindale to be more creative with his schemes and how he manufactures pressure.

The end result is a five-game winning streak and the improvement of a defense that was among the worst in the league but now sits at 14th in yards and points allowed. Not too shabby for two guys that were midseason free agents and a trade that cost a backup linebacker and fifth-round pick.

If the Ravens continue on their current pace and get a first-round bye in the playoffs, itd be easy to point to the offense as the difference. But in typical Baltimore fashion, the catalyst will have been a hot defense led by midseason roster changes.

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Ravens' midseason defensive additions are key to their ascension - Ravens Wire

Nick Fontenot, Special to The Advertiser Published 3:27 p.m. CT Nov. 12, 2019

Find out what they're listening to before the game, who they're excited to go up against this season, and more. Caitlin Jacob, Daily Advertiser

YOUNGSVILLE The 2019 season brought new challenges for Ascension Episcopal volleyball coach Jill Braun.

The Blue Gators graduated a veteran group of seniors who had been playing together and contributing since eighth grade. Gone are the likes of Addie Vidrine and Hannah Mattke to hold down the storied tradition of Ascension Volleyball.

More: New chapter begins for Ascension volleyball

But dont think Braun wasnt up for the challenge. In fact, as the Blue Gators prepare for their quarterfinal matchup against Pope John Paul II, Braun said the 2019 season has been one of her most rewarding.

I think part of the reason we coach is to step up to the challenge, Braun said. Its to see what we have and make the pieces that we have work to the best of our ability and form the best team possible. We embraced it and we were ready for the challenge.

Head Coach Jill Braun as the Ascension Blue Gators in the first round of the Spooktacular Volleyball Tournament at ESA. Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019.(Photo: SCOTT CLAUSE/THE ADVERTISER)

Ive been saying since the beginning of the season that this is a new chapter for Ascension volleyball.

The beginning as expected saw its share of bumps in the road, but the Blue Gators have found their stride at the right time, according to Braun. Ascension is led on the court by Abigail Hall, who had some experience hitting and setting last year for the Blue Gators. They also got a transfer from Dunham, Janai Stevens, who Braun said really meshed with the team immediately.

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This is a whole new crop of girls and I just really asked them to trust the process, Braun said. We just have a lot of new faces and new players on the floor together. I knew it would take a little bit longer to put the pieces together and I am really pleased with the progress they made throughout the season. Theyve really come together and theyre playing the best they have all season.

The Blue Gators switched to a 5-1 offensive set early in the season and Kira Braun, an eighth-grader and Jills daughter, emerged as the 5-1 setter. Ascension has a mixture of girls who just waited their turn behind such a talented group of graduating seniors.

We play an eighth-grader, three sophomores, one junior and a few seniors, Braun said. I would say we are a mixed group.

More: Acadiana Preps volleyball playoff scoreboard

Braun said she feels good about Thursdays quarterfinal matchup with Pope John Paul II and their talented senior, Ansley Tullis. Braun said when the Blue Gators play with intensity, they can compete with anyone.

Pope John Paul has always been a strong, well-coached program, Braun said. Ansley Tullis, for the last two years, has been an outstanding player. You never go in taking them lightly.

We just have to play our game. If we serve tough and cut down the errors while playing with a lot of intensity. I feel like we are competitive against whoever is on the other side of the net. With the way my team is playing right now, I am confident our best effort will be taking the floor Thursday.

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Ascension Episcopal volleyball rises to the challenge ahead of state quarterfinals - Daily Advertiser

OSHKOSH An investigation is underway after two explosive devices were located at Ascension NE Wisconsin Mercy Campus located near 9th Avenue and Oakwood Road in the City of Oshkosh.

According to police, on Wednesday, Nov. 6at approximately 2:19 a.m., the Oshkosh Police Department was informed that an explosive device had been located in an individuals property. Upon further investigation, police located a second explosive device in the same persons property.

This individual is a 39-year-old man from Oshkosh. He is not an employee of Ascension NE Wisconsin Mercy Campus.

No threats were mentioned during this incident.

The Brown and Outagamie County Bomb Squad responded to this location to safely remove the devices. A search of the mans car and Oshkosh home were conducted and no other explosive devices were located.

The 39-year-old man has been detained and the investigation is ongoing.

No one was injured during this incident and the public is not in danger.

If anybody has any information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact Detective Hinke at the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5703.

If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or add the free P3 App to your Apple or Android phone and add a tip, or go to http://www.winnebagocrimestoppers.org to submit a text tip. If your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward.

44.012941-88.600488

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2 explosive devices located at Ascension NE Wisconsin Mercy Campus in Oshkosh - WITI FOX 6 Milwaukee

Ascension Parish Assessor M.J. 'Mert' Smiley, left, presents a check for $500 to Brent Gautreau, commander ofGonzales Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3693, to contribute to building a new facility to replace the one razed after August 2016 flooding.

Members of Gonzales Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3693 recently heard from Ascension Parish Assessor M.J. Mert Smiley, who discussed property tax exemptions available for qualifying disabled veterans and donated $500 toward replacing the post hall razed after August 2016 flooding.

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Veterans with a 50% disability rating qualify for a freeze on the assessed value of their homes during reassessments. Veterans with 100% service-connected disability ratings are eligible a doubling of their homestead exemption from $75,000 to $150,000.

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Gonzales VFW gets tax-saving tips, rebuilding donation from Ascension Parish assessor - The Advocate

GONZALESA game-changing interception return for a touchdown is nothing new for East Ascension coach Darnell Lee, particularly when his Spartans are playing Ascension Parish rival St. Amant.

Plays like that helped the winning team in two of the last three years, and it did again Friday night when Jyren Esters 84-yard touchdown return of a Cole Poirrier pass sparked East Ascension to a 34-7 win over St. Amant.

Esters return came in the final minute of the first half, and lifted the Spartans to a 10-7 lead at the break. East Ascension (8-2, 4-1 in District 5-5A) added two more touchdowns in the first three minutes of the third quarter, and let its defense do the rest.

In a big rivalry game like this, momentum swings are important, Lee said. We got that one right before the half, and it really had us in great shape. Our defense kept us in the game and gave us opportunities.

St. Amant (5-5, 2-3) gained 112 yards on the night, and only managed two first downs in the second half. The Gators came into the contest rated No. 33 in the latest Class 5A power rankings, and saw their hopes of making the LHSAA playoffs take a hit.

East Ascension, which was third in the power rankings, put the game away in the opening minutes of the third quarter. The Spartans took the kickoff to start the quarter, and four plays later Cameron Jones found Hobart Grayson open at midfield, and he sprinted to the end zone for a 71-yard touchdown.

After the ensuing kickoff, St. Amant quarterback Cole Poirrier fumbled as he was sacked by EA lineman Masey Lewis. Demarcus Ester recovered at the SA 5, setting up Jones 3-yard touchdown pass to Jyrin Johnson.

Jones completed 8 of 23 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran 14 times for 76 yards. Defensively, Lewis had three sacks, and linebacker Jerrell Boykins had a sack and two tackles for loss.

Poirrier had several passes dropped, and finished 13 of 27 for 108 yards with an interception.

(East Ascension) is a very good football team. We were up 7-3 and that interception took the wind out of our sails, St. Amant coach David Oliver said. They got over the top of us on their first possession (of the third quarter) and then we fumbled on first down. That was pretty much the game right there.

The first quarter was highlighted by St. Amants defensive stop at midfield. East Ascension failed to convert on 4th-and-3 at the SA 47, but the Gators couldnt take advantage. After St. Amant picked up a first down, Poirriers 47-yard field goal try came up short.

East Ascension put up the games first points on Alex Phelps 37-yard field goal early in the second quarter. St. Amant responded with a 7-play, 75-yard drive. Poirrier completed three passes for 59 yards helping set up a 1-yard TD run by Reggie Sims.

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Jyren Ester's pick-6 sparks East Ascension to win over St. Amant - The Advocate

ST. CHARLES PARISH - A man from Ascension Parish is charged in an unrelated case of police officer impersonation on interstates in the suburbs of New Orleans.

Peyton Oubre, 23, of Prairieville, was arrested for impersonating a police officer after an incident Saturday.

Sheriff's deputies in St. Charles said Oubre chased a vehicle from Jefferson Parish until a crash on I-310. Oubre was driving an Audi equipped with emergency lights, deputies said.

Investigators said Oubre confessed to giving chase because the other vehicle was being operated in a reckless manner. Oubre said he worked for the "government" but did not specify what agency, the sheriff's office said.

"When questioned about what government or where he worked specifically he was unable to provide specifics," the sheriff's office told WWL radio in New Orleans.

Oubre had a gun and handcuffs in his vehicle, deputies said, but there is no record of him being employed by any law enforcement or governmental agencies.

Authorities said this case is unrelated to other cases believed to be connected of impersonation in St. Charles and East Feliciana parishes.

*****************

Follow the publisher of this post on Twitter: @treyschmaltz

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Ascension man claiming to be with the 'government' arrested in bizarre police impersonation case - WBRZ

GONZALES Murphy Painter, a onetime chief sheriff's deputy in Ascension Parish and a recent candidate for parish president, accused the owner of a Gonzales news website of knowingly publishing misleadingly edited recorded comments so they sounded as if Painter was admitting to the criminal cover-up of child rapes while he was still in local law enforcement.

In a new defamation lawsuit, Painter adds that The Pelican Post and its editor, Wade Petite, published the comments and a companion story last monthto help Painter's political opponent, Clint Cointment, even after prosecutors had received the recording excerpt months earlier and declined to pursue a case against Painter.

The lawsuit asked a state district judge to order the Post and Petite to cease publishing the story and the recorded excerpts online.

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"The knowingly false statements made by Petite with actual malice in the Article and the edited Recording of Petitioner has caused and continues to cause immediate and irreparable harm to the reputation of the Petitioner," the lawsuit alleges.

The suit was filed Wednesday in 23rd Judicial District Court in Ascension Parish. Judge Alvin Turner Jr. has ordered a hearing 9:30 a.m. Nov. 18 to hear arguments on whether to issue a temporary order to take down the story and recordings while he considers imposing a permanent order.

The suit names The Pelican Post and Petite as defendants and, if Painter prevails, seeks legal costs. Painter and his attorney, Kim Segura Landry, did not return messages for comment Friday.

The Pelican Post published the comments and companion article on Oct. 18, six days after Painter had made it into the Nov. 16 runoff for Ascension Parish president against Cointment.

Petite and Cointment have denied any coordination in the publication of the article and comments; Petite has said he favored Cointment for parish president.

In a 49-second recording, a voice that is purportedly Painter's can be heard complaining that he spent years working for now-deceased Sheriff Harold Tridico in hopes of one day "taking over." Painter was Tridico's chief deputy for several years.

"The next week, whenever we find a friend of ours that raped five girls under the age of 12 years old, and yall want me to turn my head on that and look the other way," the voice says, before turning to other allegations.

With the recording's publication, District Attorney Ricky Babin convened the parish grand jury to investigate the allegations and announced he would call Painter before the jurors and seek a full copy of the recording to see if a possible rape suspect had escaped justice.

Painter withdrew from the race three days later after media began questioning him about the recording. Babin's office announced Tuesday no evidence was found of a cover-up.

In a prior interview and written statement with The Advocate, Painter refused to acknowledge the comments were his or that they accurately reflected what he may have said.

He also asserted that he was no longer chief deputy when the alleged incidents may have occurred, though, at the same time, he also contended he didn't know what the incidents were.

But neither the Post story nor the excerpted comments specify when or to whom the allegations pertain. Petite has previously declined to say to what the comments refer.

In the lawsuit, Painter says that he stepped down as Tridico's chief deputy on June 30, 1988, and alleged the rape allegations occurred in the 1990s "as evidenced by the prosecution filed in the criminal court records."

Painter has alleged the story was part of threat from Petite to defame him if he ran for parish president and that Petite knew Painter wasn't chief sheriff's deputy at the time of the alleged rapes.

Babin has said that Petite turned over the excerpted recording to his office on June 24. Babin added that he turned it over to Louisiana State Police, which declined to pursue the matter.

In claiming that the Post knowingly published false statements about him to aid Cointment, Painter is seeking to overcome the high legal bar that the U.S. Supreme Court has set for speech about elected officials and other public figures, known as the "actual malice" standard. Candidates for office are deemed public figures under this standard.

Mary Ellen Roy, a New Orleans-based First Amendment lawyer, said that under that standard, the plaintiffs have to prove a defendant knew what he was saying was false or acted with a reckless disregard of the truth.

"That doesn't mean he was just being reckless," Roy said. "It means that the defendant actually had serious doubts about the falsity of it."

In cases involving public figures, Roy added the defendant does not have to prove the truth, as a defense. Roy said the cases are rarely won because the plaintiff's burden of proof is difficult to meet and is higher than the typical standard used in civil cases.

In the Pelican Post's story, the publication contends the recordings stemmed from days of interviews in July 2017 with Painter about his defamation lawsuit against the state. That suit stemmed from his departure in leading the state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. It was during these talks, the article reports, that Painter raised the allegations.

But Painter's suit against the Post alleges that Dustin Clouatre, a local insurance agent who dabbles in local politics, recorded him without his authorization during a Feb. 7, 2019, conversation about his run for parish president. Then Clouatre, the lawsuit alleges, edited Painter's responses to his questions.

In Louisiana, the law requires that only one party to a conversation have knowledge that it is being recorded, not both.

In a statement and interview, Clouatre didn't dispute that he had met with Painter sometime in early February but disputed that he is the source of the recording.

"I, in no way, shape or form, have anything to do with a recording of Murphy Painter. I believe Mr. Petite has made it clear that I wasnt his source," Clouatre said. "Murphy Painter has long accused everyone around him for his endless misfortunes with his extreme victim complex. Its time for him to look in a mirror."

Clouatre added that he would not have "just brushed" off allegations of a cover-up.

In interviews last month, Petite said he had hours of recorded interviews with Painter from 2015 and 2017 and that there were many occasions where he heard Painter's complaints about his time as chief deputy. Painter himself has previously acknowledged he participated in an interview with Petite about his defamation lawsuit in 2017.

But on Friday, Petite said that while he may have given the impression the recordings stemmed from 2017 interviews, he contended he never specified from which interview the recordings stemmed.

He refused to clarify the source and context of the recording. When asked if he disputed Painter's allegations that Clouatre made the recording, Petite said it wasn't Clouatre.

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Murphy Painter sues website, publisher to stop publication of recordings tied to cover-up claim - The Advocate

More than 850 children filled their bags with candy and took part in arts and crafts, had free hot dogs and drinks and played basketball for candy at the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office's Boo with the Badge Halloween event.

The Halloween party was at the Hickley M. Waguespack Center in Donaldsonville.

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Lt. Mike Brooks, manager ad coordinator of the substation and park at the center, said 850 to 1,000 children and adults lined up candy and to take part in other activities.

The volunteers packed 600 candy bags in advance and quickly ran out and had to fill more, he said.

Members of the Donaldsonville High School dance team helped children make masks for the evening.

"All the streets around the center were packed with children," Brooks said.

The Sheriff's Office also hosted a Boo with the Badge on Halloween night in Gonzales at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church fair.

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Ascension Sheriff's office hosts more than 850 children at Boo with the Badge Halloween event - The Advocate

Football

Thursdays games

LOCAL/AREA

Ascension Catholic 62, St. John 6

St. Michael 42, Belaire 0

STATEWIDE

Alexandria 35, West Ouachita 13

Calvary Baptist 48, Arcadia 8

Carencro 35, Westgate 17

Catholic-New Iberia 48, Franklin 22

De La Salle 42, Thomas Jefferson 0

Haynes Academy 22, Kenner Discovery Health Science 13

Lake Charles College Prep 38, South Beauregard 28

Lincoln Prep 38, Ringgold 20

Logansport 57, Lena Northwood 6

Neville 56, Huntington 6

Oak Grove 55, Cedar Creek 16

Ouachita Parish 38, Pineville 7

St. Frederick Catholic 49, Delhi 6

Sterlington 28, Carroll 0

Teurlings Catholic 35, Northside 12

West St. John 46, St. Martins 3

Fridays games

Class 5A/4A

Catholic 70, Dutchtown 34

Central 20, Live Oak 10

East Ascension 34, St. Amant 7

Istrouma 50, Broadmoor 20

Plaquemine 21, Tara 12

Scotlandville 60, Denham Springs 14

Woodlawn 49, McKinley 33

Zachary 35, Walker 33

Baton Rouge area

Brusly 43, Mentorship 0

Catholic-Pointe Coupee 30, St. Edmund 6

Central Private 43, Thrive Academy 14

Donaldsonville 42, Berwick 18

Dunham 41, Capitol 8

East Feliciana 44, Northeast 8

East Iberville 43, Ascension Christian 6

Episcopal 28, Port Allen 7

Hannan 42, Albany 7

Jewel Sumner 21, Abramson Sci Academy 0

Kentwood 34, Amite 12

Loranger 29, Bogalusa 11

Lutcher 49, Patterson 7

Madison Prep 35, West Feliciana 21

Northlake Christian 31, Springfield 7

Parkview Baptist 54, Glen Oaks 0

Pine 47, Varnado 32

Southern Lab 56, Slaughter Charter 6

St. Helena 34, Independence 18

St. James 38, E.D. White 7

St. Thomas Aquinas 59, Pope John Paul II 8

University 21, Baker 14

STATEWIDE

Acadiana 45, Lafayette 20

Airline 21, Captain Shreve 14

Assumption 34, South Lafourche 7

Barbe 41, Comeaux 20

Benton 18, Natchitoches Central 15

Bossier 48, Beekman 16

Breaux Bridge 28, Livonia 15

Chalmette 20, Riverdale 0

Church Point 52, Pine Prairie 12

Covington 21, Mandeville 14

DeRidder 31, Cecilia 23

Destrehan 23, Hahnville 21

East Beauregard 30, Grand Lake 7

East Jefferson 54, West Jefferson 21

East St. John 21, Thibodaux 14, OT

Easton 50, John F. Kennedry 0

Ecole Classique 41, Ridgewood 12

Erath 24, Abbeville 22

Eunice 21, LaGrange 18

Ferriday 44, Richwood 8

Green Oaks 13, North Webster 6

Gueydan 31, Elton 0

Hamilton Christian 42, Merryville 35

Hanson 27, Covenant Christian 7

Haughton 38, Parkway 14

Haynesville 21, Homer 6

Holy Savior Menard 20, Avoyelles 16

Houma Christian 34, Delcambre 28

Iota 20, Mamou 0

Jennings 32, Westlake 21

John Curtis 36, Brother Martin 3

John Ehret 14, Higgins 9

Jonesboro-Hodge 48, Lakeside 43

Kaplan 47, Lake Arthur 40

Kinder 35, Vinton 8

Lafayette Christian 55, Welsh 3

Lakeshore 55, Salmen 0

Landry/Walker 22, Belle Chasse 20

Loreauville 42, Jeanerette 0

Loyola College Prep 26, Mansfield 14

Mangham 49, Madison 26

Many 56, Bunkie 12

Minden 60, Franklin Parish 26

NDHS 55, Port Barre 0

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Check out the prep report for Nov. 8 - The Advocate

GONZALESIn the final days of the Republican-on-Republican runoff in the state House 88 election, the battle to establish in voters' minds who would make the more conservative and trustworthy candidate is reaching a fever pitch.

The campaign for Brandon Trosclair has stepped up attacks on opponent Kathy Edmonston's record as a one-term member of a state education panel, calling her the mouthpiece the governor and claiming she is beholden to trial lawyers.

Meanwhile, a Louisiana PAC funded largely by trial lawyers has blasted Trosclair,through online videos and mail-outs, over his arrest in the mid-2000's.

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Trosclair led a three-person primary on Oct. 12 over Edmonston and former U.S. Army combat veteran Ryan Beissinger, holding a nearly 1,070-vote lead over Edmonston, the second-place finisher.

Trosclair and Edmonston are heading to the Nov. 16 runoff. Early voting ends Saturday.

Both Trosclair and Edmonston said they favor a smaller, more efficient government and generally hold conservative positions likely to appeal to many voters in the House district covering parts of the Prairieville, St. Amant and Gonzales areas in Ascension Parish.

In a forum last month, Trosclair accused Edmonston, a state party official who won the Republican Party's endorsement, of accepting help from Napoleon PAC, Gumbo PAC and trial lawyers, including from the firm of former Republican state Sen. Jody Amedee, a plaintiff's attorney based in Gonzales.

At the time, Napoleon PAC and Gumbo PAC, outside groups that make expenditures on races independent of candidates' campaigns, hadn't spent on the House race. The House 88 seat is held by outgoing Republican state Rep. Johnny Berthelot and hadn't been a key seat to further Republican control of the House.

Last month, however, Trosclair and his campaign manager, J Hudson, promised that outside spending would be coming, and it has in some cases.

Napoleon PAC, which has had heavy donations from plaintiffs' firms in recent election cycles but also from a state teacher's union, has aired a Facebook video and mailed out fliers questioning Trosclair over his 2006 arrest on a misapplication of funds count stemming from his time as a contractor and as well as related litigation.

"Trosclair says trust him. His record says we shouldn't," the Napoleon PAC video says.

The criminal charge was dropped after Trosclair completed a pretrial diversion program. Trosclair says the incident was the result of an unfortunate situation and that he was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Campaign finance reports filed after the Oct. 12 primary show Edmonston received $2,500 from Talbot, Carmouche and Marcello, a major plaintiffs' law firm heavily involved in legacy oil cases that have drawn the ire of the industry and business lobby.

"The trial lawyers have their candidate in this race, and it's Kathy Edmonston. The people who sue the oil and gas industry and keep auto insurance high have one candidate, and it's Kathy Edmonston," Hudson said in an interview Wednesday.

Trosclair's attacks come amid a pitched fundraising battle between trial lawyers and the business lobby in statewide and some regional judicial races as an array of coastal and legacy lawsuits wind their way through the courts and may be ripe for key decisions in the next term.

Edmonston countered that Trosclair has been cherry-picking donations she's received from longtime personal friends in Ascension who are also lawyers. That support, she said, doesn't affect her view that litigation from the plaintiffs' bar should be "reined in."

"There is nothing between me and any trial lawyers, I can assure you," she said.

She also pointed to other donors who are supporters of conservative causes in Ascension Parish. Among them are Al and Theresa Robert, the restaurateurs and big landowners who are active in the local Republican Party and parish politics. Together, they gave Edmonston $3,000 combined.

Trey Ourso, who manages Napoleon and the Gumbo PACs, said he wasn't even paying attention to the House 88 race and didn't know much about either of the candidates until Trosclair began making claims about the PACs and drawing attention to the race.

"Ask, you shall receive," Ourso said.

The Gumbo PAC is exclusively focused on Gov. John Bel Edwards.

Edmonston, who has sent her own mailouts raising Trosclair's old criminal charge, said she didn't know anything about Napoleon PAC's involvement until she got one of its fliers in the mail.

Trosclair has also tried to amplify his critiques of Edmonston's time on the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, charging in mail-outs that she didn't halt the introduction of Common Core curriculum standards a few years ago. He has also attacked her opposition to letter grades for school accountability scores.

Trosclair, who says he opposed Common Core "100%" and supported school letter grades, has gotten endorsements and campaign funding from the Louisiana Association for Business and Industry, other business groups and Baton Rouge contractor Lane Grigsby. They have been backers of stronger accountability measures and the charter school movement generally but also Common Core.

Edmonston, who works in Ascension public schools, said she remains an opponent of Common Core. She said she was unable to halt standards on BESE because she was outnumbered by other members backed by Grigsby and others supporting the standards.

She was the only vote against it in a key March 2016 BESE vote. She said she did oppose school letter grades because she believes the entire system needs to be revamped but supports accountability measures that don't punish students and teachers.

The Common Core education standards, which were pushed by National Governors Association but happened under then-President Barack Obama, have remained controversial among conservatives and some parents.

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Attacks step up in House 88 race as final days pass, early voting comes to close - The Advocate

Curwin Bosch and Damian Willemse are among South Africas most talented backline players but their desire to play flyhalf could pave the way for the Sharks Aphelele Fassi to ascend to the Springbok setup.

The coaches of the Sharks and Stormers have made it clear that Bosch and Willemse will largely be used as number 10s in Super Rugby.

The Boks are likely to be looking for a successor to Willie le Roux as first-choice fullback. Le Roux is just 30 but is based in Japan and will be 34 by the time of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

The Sharks possess another very exciting rugby talent in Fassi, who can play of the wing or at fullback.

The Sharks have made changes to the coaching staff and also have a number of player changes ahead of the 2020 season.

Flyhalf Robert du Preez is one of five Sharks to join their Premiership namesake in Sale after the 2019 season which should leave Bosch as the first-choice flyhalf. The Sharks previous coach Robert du Preez senior faced criticism for his decision to use his son ahead of Bosch at number 10. The 22-year-old utility back from PE offers much more on attack than du Preez though there are still some questions about his defence and decision-making under pressure.

Inconsistent selection and injury have prevented Bosch from establishing himself in the Springbok team he still has plenty of time to learn and grow as a player though and should offer SA Rugby plenty of value in the coming years.

The Sharks have recruited Maties and former SA Schools flyhalf Jordan Chait to be understudy to Bosch, but one imagines he will be used sparingly, if at all, in the coming Super Rugby season.

In the fullback position, the Sharks have allowed Rhyno Smith to join the Cheetahs while Courtney Winnaar made just one Currie Cup appearance for the Sharks before being allowed to join the Southern Kings.

With the Sharks well-stocked for wingers sporting the likes of Rugby World Cup winners, Makazole Mapimpi and Sbu Nkosi backed up by Springbok Lwazi Mvovo and former SA under-20 win Kobus van Wyk. Madosh Tambwe has also arrived from the Lions to bolster the ranks of the wide men meaning Fassis best chance for game-time is at fullback.

Fullback also represents perhaps the quickest path to the Springbok team, but he will have to outperform some handy players to move himself to the head of the queue. Bulls fullback Warrick Gelant is the man best positioned to lay claim to the Springbok 15 jersey while Stormers utility back Dillyn Leyds is also in the frame.

Willemse is another contender. However, this may put the new Springbok coach at odds with the Stormers setup who are eager to give the player more opportunities at 10. Willemse would be competing with Jean-Luc du Plessis for the pivot spot, offering similar qualities to those Bosch gives the Sharks.

Fassi has the raw talent and should get the opportunities to prove himself in the 2020 Super Rugby season and perhaps earn a Springbok call.

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Bosch and Willemses 10 ambitions could pave the way for Fassis ascension - The South African

Make plans for trunk-or-treat

Decorated cars with candy-filled trunks will line up for a trunk-or-treat event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Gonzales Healthcare Center, 905 W. Cornerview St. To register your trunk, call (225) 644-5358. Donations of candy can be dropped off in the admissions office through Oct. 25.

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Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office is hosting two Boo with the Badge events.

One is at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church's La LeFte des Bayous in St. Amant. Members of the Sheriff's Office and Ascension Parish Fire District 1 will join the festival for family night festivities from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a safe trick-or treating event. Local businesses and organizations will distribute candy.

The second Boo with the Badge is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Hickley M. Waguespack Center in Donaldsonville.

The Ascension Parish 4-H is taking orders through Oct. 30 for sweet potatoes and pecans to support the Ascension Parish 4-H Foundation's scholarships and programs. The Thanksgiving feast essentials can be picked up between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Nov. 20-21 at the 4-H office at Lamar Dixon, 9039 S. St. Landry Road, Gonzales. (Thanksgiving is Nov. 28.)

The sweet potato prices are $12 for a 10-pound box or $25 for a 40-pound box. The price for peeled pecans is $30 for a 3-pound box. To place an order, contact an Ascension Parish 4-Her or the Ascension Parish 4-H Office at (225) 621-5799.

Online registration for the 2019 Ascension Youth Basketball Association program for boys and girls ages six to fifteen runs through Oct. 31. The registration fee is $80 per child. Visit http://www.ayba.info for the link and instructions.

The Ascension Veterans Memorial Park Foundation is taking orders for a wreath to place on the graves of veterans this Christmas season.

The deadline to order a wreath for veterans graves will be Nov. 30. The program is part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America program to remember and honor the deceased veterans during the holidays. The cost of a wreath is $15. Wreaths ordered through the AVMP Foundation can be specifically placed on the graves of Ascension veterans through volunteers or families can pick up the wreaths and place on the graves. Donations are also accepted to place a wreath on the grave of any veterans.

This year, the AVMP Foundation will be honoring peacetime veterans for their service. Wreaths will be available at the ceremony to be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 14 at the Ascension Veterans Memorial Park in Gonzales. For more information or to order a wreath, visit http://www.facebook.com/AscensionVeteransPark or email ascvetspark@gmail.com.

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Around Ascension for Oct. 24, 2019 | Ascension - The Advocate

Our Lady of the Lake Ascension will present these community education programs in October.

TOTAL JOINT REPLACEMENT: A free class for people considering knee or hip replacement surgery will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 28, in the Sister Linda Conference Room at Our Lady of the Lake Ascension, 1125 W. La. 30, Gonzales. Participants will meet Our Lady of the Lake Ascension health professionals who will discuss the whole process,from pre-admission to rehabilitation. To register, call (225)621-2906 or email Diane.Hodges@fmolhs.org.

HEALING ARTS WORKSHOP: A free program on using art toincrease self-awareness, cope with symptoms, and manage stress will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 22 in the St. Francis Conference Room in Medical Plaza I ofOur Lady of the Lake Ascension, 1125 W. La. 30, Gonzales. To register, call Rachel Mumphrey at (225) 644-1205.

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HEALTH FAIR EXPO: TheCapital Area Agency on Aging will hold its annual Health Fair Expo from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 31, at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, 9039 S. St. Landry Ave., Gonzales. There will be numerous free health screenings, plus educational materials and handouts. To register, go to http://www.capitalaaa.org.

LIVE WELL ASCENSION:Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Gonzales, in conjunction with the Gonzales Area Foundation, is providing free, convenient access to a host of cancer screenings at its Live Well Ascension event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, atJambalaya Park 1015 E. Cornerview St., Gonzales. Cancer screenings will include breast (appointment required), colorectal, oral, prostate and skin, as well as blood pressure and glucose checks. To make an appointment for breast screening, call (225)621-2906 or email Diane.Hodges@fmolhs.org.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: The Grief Recovery Center holds a meeting for people who have experienced loss of any kind at 6 p.m. Thursdays in theSister Linda Conference Room at Our Lady of the Lake Ascension, 1125 W. La. 30, Gonzales. The next meeting will be Oct. 3.

SMOKING CESSATION Louisiana residents who smoked a cigarette before Sept. 1, 1998, are eligible for free medications and group and individual counseling to help them quit, through the Smoking Cessation Trust.Services are provided at Our Lady of the Lake Ascension, Our Lady of the Lake Baton Rouge and Our Lady of the Lake Livingston. Registration is required; to register for the program meeting in theSister Linda Conference Room at Our Lady of the Lake Ascension, 1125 W. La. 30, Gonzales, call (225) 757-2455.

MINDFUL YOGA: The Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center presents free yoga classes for cancer survivors and caregivers at 10 a.m. Wednesdays atThe City Room 1006 W. La. 30, Gonzales; the next class will be Oct. 9. To register, contact Rachel Mumphrey at (225) 644-1205 or rmumphrey@marybird.com.

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: The Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center presents a support group helpingcancer survivors and caregivers reduce stress, enhance the immune system, increase sense of well-being, and improve self-care at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the center,1104 W. La. 30, Gonzales; the next class will be Oct. 9.

WALKING GROUP:The Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has organized a walking group for cancer survivors and caregivers that meets at 9 a.m. Thursdays atJambalaya Park, 1015 E. Cornerview St., Gonzales. The next walk will be Oct. 10.

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Our Lady of the Lake Ascension plans health education programs - The Advocate

Ascension Picture: Syfy

One of Syfys best titles currently on Netflix is currently scheduled to be removed from Netflix in the United States and almost every other Netflix region in November 2019. Heres why you should revisit the series and when its scheduled to leave.

Syfy is mainly known for sci-fi series with smaller budgets to streamers such as Netflix, Amazon or HBO but this 2014 series broke most peoples expectations and delivered a fantastic well-received limited series.

The series follows an expedition to populate a new world that comes under fire when a womans murder puts the project at risk.

The series featured a relatively unknown cast including Tricia Helfer, Brian Van Holt, Andrea Roth, Gil Bellows, and Brandon Bell. Ascension was created by Philip Levens.

Now notably Netflix split the three-part limited series up into 6 episodes. Netflixs versions roughly span 40 minutes apiece whereas the original series aired episodes at an hour and a half each.

The series was added to Netflix in every region of the world in 2016 although the United States has had it streaming since June 18th, 2016.

Currently, all regions of Netflix will be seeing Ascension season 1 removed on November 17th, 2019.

Itll leave at roughly 12:00 AM PST.

The removal date applies to multiple regions that weve gathered thanks to Unogs.

There are also a few other regions that have it listed to expire come November too.

November will see quite a few big titles leave Netflix including Blue Bloods and Last Tango in Halifax.

No future streaming home for Ascension has been announced just yet but given the direction of travel at the moment, wed expect NBC Universal to keep it back for its upcoming Peacock platform.

The only other location could be of Debmar-Mercurys choosing who, alongside NBC, distributes the series.

Beyond the US, the series will likely be distributed in a case by case basis.

Will you miss Ascension once it leaves Netflix? Let us know in the comments.

Continued here:

Syfy Limited Series Ascension Leaving Netflix in November 2019 - What's on Netflix

Overview

Ascension Island lies in an isolated expanse of the South Atlantic Ocean midway between Angola and Brazil. Part of the United Kingdom Overseas Territory of St. Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha, the volcanic island measures just 88 square kilometres (34 square miles). The surrounding waters are rich with biodiversity and serve as a critical stopping place for migratory species, such as green sea turtles.

This critically important ecosystem warrants protection. Highly mobile species stop in these waters seeking food and shelter from the open seas as they travel across the ocean. The area supports healthy populations of marine mammals and fish, including 11 fish species found nowhere else. The island is home to the second-largest nesting population of green sea turtles in the Atlantic, along with 11 types of seabirds that nest on the island and feed in its rich waters.

The Ascension Island Council (AIC) and the U.K. Government both support steps to safeguard biodiversity in these waters through establishment of a large marine protected area (MPA). Encompassing the islands entire exclusive economic zone, the MPA would be twice the size of the United Kingdoms land mass. Industrial fishing and mineral extraction would be prohibited within its boundaries.

Recognising the declining health of the worlds ocean ecosystems, the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2016 recommended that 30 per cent of all marine habitats be protected in order to sustain and continue the growth of marine biodiversity. Later that year, the U.K. Government publicly committed to protect 4 million square kilometres (1.5 million square miles) of its waters through what is known as its Blue Belt policy. This ambitious framework included a goal of protecting at least 50 per cent of the area around Ascension Island.

In March 2019, the U.K. Government agreed to support the Ascension Island Councils proposal to designate a 443,000-square-kilometre (171,000-square-mile) MPA that would cover the islands entire exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Commercial fishing and mineral extraction would be banned throughout the MPA, but recreational and sport fishing still would be allowed up to 12 nautical miles (22 kilometres) from shore. If designated, the Ascension Island MPA would cover more than twice the area that the U.K. Government committed to protect in 2016. Such an action would represent significant progress in the national governments effort to implement comprehensive protections for the marine environment of its Overseas Territories.

Because of its isolation, Ascension has largely avoided intensive commercial fishing. As a result, these waters are among the most intact in the Atlantic, providing a home to some of the worlds largest tuna, marlin, and sailfish.

Green sea turtles return from their feeding grounds in Brazil and the Caribbean once they reach maturitywhich can take decadesto nest on the beaches of their birth. The turtles were regularly harvested on Ascension until the practice was banned in the 1930s. Theirnumbers began to recover in the 1970s, andalthough still listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red Listthe species is rebounding. Critically endangered hawksbill turtles also have been observed in local waters, although they arent known to nest on the island.1

A variety of marine mammals frequent Ascensions waters, including bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales, sperm whales, and Gervais beaked whales. Humpbacks return to these seas from the Southern Ocean during the late winter and early spring to mate and give birth.2

Sperm whales and other migratory species can be found in the waters surrounding Ascension Island. Getty Images

The fish that live in these waters include larger migratory species, such as various sharks, and smaller reef-dwelling species, such as the Ascension goby. There are 11 endemic species of fish, including the resplendent angelfish. Other common species include the rock hind grouper, yellowfin tuna, spotted moray eel, and Atlantic blue marlin.3 In addition, shoreline shark sightings have increased in recent years.

Experts believe Ascension provided a home for millions of seabirds before humans arrived in 1815. In the following years, those populations were almost entirely wiped out by predators introduced by early settlers. After feral cats were eradicated in 2009, bird populations began to rise. The island is now home to more than 500,000 seabirds of 11 species and is considered a haven for the brown noddy,sooty tern, 4 Boatswain Bird Island, a few hundred metres from Ascensions northeast coast, is an important nesting site and home to 10 per cent of the Atlantic population of masked booby and 17 per cent of the Atlantics red-billed tropic birds. Other species that dwell on Ascensions cliffs include the black noddy, white tern, yellow-billed tropic bird, brown booby, red-footed booby, and the Madeiran storm petrel.5 Fishing pressure remains limited in the region around Ascension, but the islands rich biodiversity remains at risk without protections in place.

Ten percent of the masked booby population lives on Ascension Island. Getty Images

Highly protected MPAs mitigate the effects of climate change by building resilience into the ecosystem, helping to buffer against future uncertainty in management and environmental fluctuations.6 Over time, the ability of Ascensions marine environment to cope with the impact of climate change could increase under strong protection, helping to safeguard the species that live there, area biodiversity, and the people who depend on a healthy marine environment.

Since 2015, Great British Oceans (GBO), a coalition of environmental non-governmental organisations that include the Blue Marine Foundation, Greenpeace-U.K., Marine Conservation Society, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Zoological Society of London, and The Pew Trusts, has advocated for an ambitious implementation of the U.K. Governments Blue Belt policy. With support from the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, GBO has called for the protection of Ascensions waters and has partnered with the Ascension Island Council over several years to study the best path forward.

A school of horse-eye jacks in the waters around Ascension Island. A wide range of fish, including larger species such as sharks, live in these waters. Paul Colley

Effective monitoring and enforcement is critical to an MPAs success. Remote monitoring can help solve the challenges posed by large-scale MPAs or those established in distant and isolated waters. That task can be handled in large part by capabilities such as Oversea Ocean Monitor, which was developed by Pew and Satellite Applications Catapult. Initially called Project Eyes on the Seas, the technology combines satellite data, fishing authorizations, and artificial intelligence to detect illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing for further assessment and investigation.

This platform has already been used extensively to monitor vessel activity in Ascensions waters and has helped enforce the Blue Belt policy. The analyses by Oversea Ocean Monitor have assisted in setting baselines to inform future management decisions. The technology helps ensure IUU fishing does not undermine marine conservation measures that ban commercial fishing.7

The Ascension Island MPA would help safeguard a critical and irreplaceable ocean ecosystem, and strengthen the U.K. and its Overseas Territories position as global leaders in marine conservation. Establishment of this protected area would also mean that the U.K. has protected over 30 per cent of its waters with fully protected MPAs.

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Protections for Ascension Island, the Crossroads of the Atlantic - The Pew Charitable Trusts

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Ascension Borgess Hospital will offer free heart screenings Saturday morning.

The Healthy Heart Project will run from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Ascension Borgess Heart Institute located at 1722 Shaffer St.

Nearly half of all U.S. adults have some type of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association.

In May, Borgess screened 185 patients. Of those, four were sent straight to the emergency room, Chris Hunt, Borgess Senior Marketing Specialist, said.

Participants will get free heart screenings with on-the-spot results and a one-on-one conversation with a doctor.

If additional treatment is needed after the screening it is no longer part of the free screening. The Healthy Heart Project include the following services:

Electrocardiogram (EKG). Measures the electrical activity of your heartbeat. Electrodes with adhesive pads are attached to the skin of your chest, arms, and legs.

Blood Pressure screening: Measures the pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls. A blood pressure cuff is used.

Body Mass Index: A calculation to identify whether an adult is at a healthy weight.

Blood glucose test (no fasting required): Measures your blood sugar levels which may help to determine diabetes. A finger prick is required and a glucometer is used.

Heart Risk Assessment: May determines the likelihood of developing heart disease, heart attack or stroke in the future. A questionnaire is used.

Originally posted here:

Free heart screenings at Ascension Borgess Hospital - MLive.com

Ascension Parish law enforcement and school authorities are investigating reports that a male Dutchtown High School teacher had inappropriate interactions with a student, a sheriff's spokeswoman said.

The parish Sheriffs Office said it was investigating complaints but could not identify the teacher or student nor provide any further information about the alleged interactions, a spokeswoman said.

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Whenever there is suspected inappropriate interactions between an employee and a student, we report it to law enforcement, as required, and conduct an internal investigation," said Jackie Tisdell, school spokeswoman. "Once our investigation is complete, we will release the appropriate information.

She would not say whether the teacher remains at the school.

"I cannot give any details about a personnel matter," Tisdell said.

WBRZ, citing unnamed sources, reported the teacher was removed from campus.

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Unnamed Dutchtown High teacher investigated over 'inappropriate interactions' allegation - The Advocate

Ascension Parish Deputies Joshua Delery and Dwanya Black graduated from the Capital Area Regional Training Academy in Baton Rouge on Oct. 15, earning certification by the Louisiana Peace Officers Standards and Training Council.

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Black received the top academic award and the male physical fitness award.

The Capital Area Regional Training Academy is operated by the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office. The program includes physical training and lessons in legal and report writing and law enforcement history.

A total of 45 students, representing 20 different agencies from across the state, graduated from the 592-hour, 14-week long program. They learned law enforcement history, firearms use, legal and report writing, officer survival techniques, physical training and many other topics.

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Two Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office deputies earn peace officer certification - The Advocate

EAGLE RIVER - Make Music Day started in France back in 1982.

The holiday encourages people to take their musical talents outdoors and be heard by everyone.

Now there's a push to bring the holiday to the Northwoods.

Representatives from local art centers met in Eagle River Sunday.

They got an early start to planning Make Music Day, which falls on June 21.

"It was really a way to introduce some of our cultural institutions to what Make Music Day is all about and see if they want to work together to make it happen in the Northwoods," said Grow North Executive Director Brittany Beyer.

In 2007, Aaron Friedman brought Make Music Day to New York.

He travelled all around Wisconsin this weekend in an effort to take the festivities nation-wide.

Friedman says it's an opportunity for musicians of all skill levels to be heard.

"For some people, this is a chance to play in public when they otherwise wouldn't be able to," said Friedman. "This is a way for people to come out and say 'yes, I'm a musician too,' and everyone in the town can wander around and hear all the different music and there's not really any pressure. Just come out and do whatever you can."

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Ascension's Spirit 1 helicopter relocated to Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee - WJFW-TV