Froedtert Hospital recently announced it will implement a rate adjustment that will increase gross patient revenue by 4.9 percent beginning July 1 to compensate for below-cost reimbursement from government programs and the increased cost of providing care.

Thats compared to its last increase of 5 percent, which was implemented on July 1, 2016.

Froedtert Hospital

Hospitals are required to report rate increases to the state and community if the increase is greater than the consumer price index, which is 2.5 percent.

The average price increase at Wisconsin hospitals in 2017 is 4.07 percent as of May 18, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association. In 2016, the average price increase was 3.73.

Health care systems typically raise rates between 2 and 10 percent at the beginning of the systems fiscal year. Earlier this year, Aurora Health Care and Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin raised their rates 4.5 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ascension, whichacquired Wheaton FranciscanHealthcare in 2016,recently announced a rate adjustment that will increase gross patient revenue by 3 percent at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Francis in Milwaukee, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Joseph in Milwaukee, Elmbrook Memorial in Brookfield and Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Franklin. It also announced a rate increase of 3.3 percent at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Franklin.

In recent public notices announcing the rate increase, both Froedtert and Ascension said its necessary to increase prices to keep pace with the increasing costs of providing care with below-cost reimbursement rates from government programs and other payers.

Rate increases are only on charges the amount a hospital bills for a patients care rather than a price increase on the actual care. The amount collected by a hospital for each service is almost always less than the amount billed.

The new prices typically have little impact on the average patient with commercial insurance because all major health care providers have contracts with insurance companies that use the hospital rates as a starting point for negotiations.

Rates dont apply to Medicare or Medicaid patients. Both programs pay hospitals a set rate based on the patients diagnosis and the procedure.

Froedtert Hospital recently announced it will implement a rate adjustment that will increase gross patient revenue by 4.9 percent beginning July 1 to compensate for below-cost reimbursement from government programs and the increased cost of providing care.

Thats compared to its last increase of 5 percent, which was implemented on July 1, 2016.

Froedtert Hospital

Hospitals are required to report rate increases to the state and community if the increase is greater than the consumer price index, which is 2.5 percent.

The average price increase at Wisconsin hospitals in 2017 is 4.07 percent as of May 18, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association. In 2016, the average price increase was 3.73.

Health care systems typically raise rates between 2 and 10 percent at the beginning of the systems fiscal year. Earlier this year, Aurora Health Care and Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin raised their rates 4.5 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ascension, whichacquired Wheaton FranciscanHealthcare in 2016,recently announced a rate adjustment that will increase gross patient revenue by 3 percent at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Francis in Milwaukee, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Joseph in Milwaukee, Elmbrook Memorial in Brookfield and Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Franklin. It also announced a rate increase of 3.3 percent at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Franklin.

In recent public notices announcing the rate increase, both Froedtert and Ascension said its necessary to increase prices to keep pace with the increasing costs of providing care with below-cost reimbursement rates from government programs and other payers.

Rate increases are only on charges the amount a hospital bills for a patients care rather than a price increase on the actual care. The amount collected by a hospital for each service is almost always less than the amount billed.

The new prices typically have little impact on the average patient with commercial insurance because all major health care providers have contracts with insurance companies that use the hospital rates as a starting point for negotiations.

Rates dont apply to Medicare or Medicaid patients. Both programs pay hospitals a set rate based on the patients diagnosis and the procedure.

Excerpt from:

Froedtert, Ascension post rate increases - BizTimes.com (Milwaukee)

Archbishop William E. Lori consecrates a new altar at Church of the Ascension in Halethorpe May 28. (Christopher Gunty/CR Staff)

editor@CatholicReview.org

HALETHORPE Weve got a consecrated altar now, Father John Williamson, exclaimed to a parishioner greeting him in the narthex of the Church of the Ascension after a Mass May 28 in which the altar was blessed and the new sanctuary was dedicated.

Archbishop William E. Lori remarked in his homily that a lot of things changed at the church since he had last celebrated Mass at the parish.

The $200,000 renovations were accomplished in about nine weeks between January and Palm Sunday, said Father Williamson, pastor of Ascension and St. Augustine (Elkridge) parishes.

A new altar and ambo were installed, with carved-wood fronts. The altar depicts the Last Supper and the ambo, from which the readings are proclaimed, depicts the Ascension of the Lord, which was also the reading for the day for the dedication Mass, on the parishs patronal feast.

The orange carpet throughout the church was replaced with tile. The Stations of the Cross and statues of Mary and Joseph are the same as before, but their backgrounds were redone in blue to match the new color of the wall behind the altar and tabernacle. The tabernacle, which was originally from the Good Shepherd Sisters convent, was restored as part of the 2017 renovations.

Archbishop William E. Lori greets parishioners at the May 28 blessing of the renovated sanctuary at Church of the Ascension in Halethorpe. (Christopher Gunty/CR Staff)

The corpus for the crucifix was retained, but it is now on a new cross. New candlesticks and new sanctuary furnishings rounded out the interior renovations. Outside, the old bells remain in the bell tower, but they are now accompanied by a new carillon system that pealed both before and after the Mass.

In his homily, Archbishop Lori noted that the Risen Lord is present in all the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.

Thats why its so wonderful that were consecrating a new altar in this church today, the archbishop said. For it is upon this altar that the one sacrifice of Christ is offered day after day, upon this altar that bread and wine become the body and blood of the risen Lord, and from this altar that we receive the strength of Christ in the Holy Spirit to be the Lords disciples and witnesses in the midst of our daily lives.

Catholics are called to make the Gospel known through their words and actions and to undergo what Pope Francis calls a missionary conversion so that they can share the joy of the Gospel, not just as individuals, but as a community of faith, he said.

In other words, our parishes too must undergo a missionary conversion as we seek to reconnect those who, for whatever reason, are unconnected with the Lord and with his body, the church, Archbishop Lori said.

As part of the dedication, the archbishop placed a stone in the altar that contains a relic of St. Genarius, which had been part of past altars at the parish, providing continuity to the past, Father Williamson said. The altar also contains relics that came from the Good Shepherd convent of Saints Mary Euphrasia, John Vianney, Maria Goretti and Pius X.

Father Williamson said the parishioners have been overjoyed with the results of the renovations. Everyone has been very happy, he said.

He said the number of weddings scheduled has doubled now that the sanctuary looks better, which is a good sign that more young people are eager to be married in the church.

As of July 1, the parishes of St. Augustine and Ascension will be formally merged into a single parish, the Catholic Community of Ascension and St. Augustine. Father Williamson has been pastor Ascension since 2008 and also became pastor of St. Augustine in 2011. Since that time, the parishes have been working together.

The merged parish will be one of the pilot pastorates in the parish planning process that was announced in May. With 2,200 registered families at St. Augustine and 840 families at Ascension, the combined parish will be one of the largest in the archdiocese.

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Renovations, new altar dedicated at Church of the Ascension - The Catholic Review

Three weeks after the Ascension Parish Council called on Parish President Kenny Matassa to resign over his indictment on attempted bribery allegations, it was mostly business as usual at the councils bi-weekly meeting in Donaldsonville.

Matassa and council members seeking his ouster showed no reluctance to engage with each other on a variety of issues, including the Community Development Block grant and fair housing programs. They even posed together for a group photo as the parish leader held up a copy of a proclamation.

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GONZALES After hearing from residents who for nearly 40 minutes Thursday night expressed d

And Matassa scored a significant legislative win when the council agreed, 9-1, with one member absent, to fund a new connector road to Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, although promised state and federal support has fallen through over the past three years. The road would provide a second access to the huge complex near Gonzales, improving safety and helping to attract major events.

But Matassa, who has refused to speak to the press since his indictment and the councils no-confidence vote March 16, didnt address the council on that issue Thursday. And he continued to avoid reporters, as he's done since his indictment.

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GONZALES Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa and Gonzales businessman Olin Berthelot

He ducked an Advocate reporter after the council meeting ended, slipping from his seat to the gated area of the council chambers where the council sits as his representatives blocked a reporter attempting to approach him.

Once behind the gate , Matassa conferred with council members, then left out a back door.

Afterward, his chief of staff, Kyle Gautreau, wouldnt say when Matassa would speak to news reporters again. But he offered a statement on his bosss behalf about the councils vote on the Lamar-Dixon connector.

There was a lot of consensus, an overwhelming consensus, that it was still important to get this road funded and completed, Gautreau, said after his boss had left the parish courthouse without speaking to reporters.

The East Baton Rouge Metro Council created a district to encourage development in North Baton Rouge last year, but now officials disagree over how the program is supposed to work.

Former metro councilman and mayoral candidate John Delgado pitched the North Baton Rouge Economic Opportunity Zone as a way to waive taxes on improvements and new construction in the city above Florida Boulevard. Then-mayor-president Kip Holden vetoed the plan, but council members over-rode him.

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The East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council on Wednesday overrode Mayor-President Kip Holdens

In December, voters approved a hotel tax to fund a separate Baton Rouge North Economic Development District. Acting executive director Rinaldi Jacobs told the recently-seated board on Thursday that the council's plan will only apply to projects that refurbish existing buildings, not incentivize the construction of new ones.

"The tax abatement relates to existing structures only and not new construction," attorney Richard Liebowitz wrote in a letter Jacobs presented to the board.

The Board of Commissioners for the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District has decid

In an interview later, Delgado, also a lawyer, disagreed. The ordinance had to be worded the way it was, he said, to account for different types of projects and various government programs. It's easier to pass a renovation project through, Delgado said, but the zone also paves the way for new buildings to get a break on their taxes.

Assistant Parish Attorney Ashley Beck cut a middle path, saying the economic opportunity zone has "probably no" direct effect on new construction but could possibly help those projects. The main focus of the ordinance is to encourage the restoration of existing buildings, she said.

Those trying to push forward an agenda for the Baton Rouge North Economic Development Distri

Adding to the confusion, the debate is still purely theoretical, as no developers have yet applied to participate so officials have not yet seen a test case.

Advocate staff writers David J. Mitchell and Steve Hardy contributed to this article.

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Ascension Parish president schmoozes with council, dodges press after indictment - The Advocate

An Ascension Parish sheriff's deputy and 911 dispatcher who continued to handle emergency calls in August knowing her own home was flooding has been honored by the Louisiana chapters of two national organizations, Sheriff Jeff Wiley said Thursday.

Deputy Erica Michel received the Telecommunicator of the Year Award this week from the state chapters of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and the National Emergency Number Association, Wiley said in a news release.

Michel, who had also lost a home to Hurricane Katrina, Wiley said, was working in the Sheriff's Office 911 communications center in Gonzales when the catastrophic flood hit in August.

"Even as she realized her own home was quickly being overtaken by flood waters, she was able to maintain her professionalism and composure, while continuing to answer the non-stop radio traffic and the relentless flow of 911 calls from scared citizens," Wiley said.

Among the calls Michel took, Wiley said, was one from a man who heard a gunshot at his neighbor's house. With Michel still on the phone with him, the caller learned that his neighbor had shot himself, after apparently committing a double murder, Wiley said.

The condition of the roads because of the flooding made it difficult for deputies and other first responders to reach the house, Wiley said.

"Deputy Michel was unwavering and maintained contact with the caller, keeping him focused until help arrived at the scene," the sheriff said.

The caller's neighbor was Shawn Millet, 37, of Prairieville, who on Aug. 14, fatally shot Lacey Leblanc, 31, and her 8-year-old daughter at his home, before turning the gun on himself, according to the Sheriff's Office. Millet later died at an area hospital.

Michel has been a member of the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office 911 communications team for almost three years. Michel, who is certified in CPR, is also a certified emergency medical dispatcher and, last year, became certified as a communications training officer with the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials.

Michel, whose husband, Thomas Michel, is also an Ascension Parish sheriff's deputy, received the award Monday at the annual conference, held in Bossier City, of the Louisiana chapters of the two national organizations for emergency dispatchers.

Michel said Friday that her family's home, built not far from Bayou Manchac in Ascension Parish, received more than 2 feet of water in the August flood, despite already being elevated 9 feet.

She said she and her husband, Thomas, following the predictions of the bayou's rise, knew early on that they would have to boat in to their home, if nothing else, so they brought their two sons, ages 15 and 8, to her parents' home in New Orleans before their Bayou Manchac home flooded.

The crisis was something the couple had seen before. They were living in New Orleans when their previous home flooded during Hurricane Katrina. Their oldest son was just 4 when that happened, Erica Michel said.

It appears the family's present home will have to be elevated further, and the Michel family is living in a recreational vehicle on their property, she said.

Of her work as a 911 dispatcher and, particularly, on the call that came in that August weekend from the caller whose neighbor had killed two others and then himself, Michel said, "I guess, because I'm dealing with someone else's worst day, I try to take myself out of the equation."

"This is their worst moment. I can't make it my worse call," she said.

"To be singled out for that honor is extremely humbling," Michel said of the award she received this week.

"I work in a center with wonderful dispatchers, who any one of them deserve that award," she said, adding that applies to her colleagues everywhere.

"I think she's the personification of so many of our first responders who are selfless and came and served, even though they had such dire circumstances at home" during and after the flood, Sheriff Wiley said Friday

"We're very proud of her and many others like her," Wiley said.

Follow Ellyn Couvillion on Twitter, @EllynCouvillion.

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Ascension Parish dispatcher honored; maintains composure during floods, triple shooting - The Advocate

Vegetable garden contest

The Ascension Parish LSU Agricultural Center, Ascension Farm Bureau and Ascension Master Gardeners Home Vegetable Garden Contest for adults and 4-H youth will be held in May. Judging will be conducted in mid-May.

Categories are youth gardens, adult small home vegetable gardens (less than 1,000 square feet), adult medium gardens (1,000 to 3,500 square feet) and adult large gardens (more than 3,500 square feet). Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each category.

All gardens must have at least four different types of vegetables. Only Ascension Parish gardens are eligible.

Call Craig Roussel at (225) 621-5799 no later than April 28 to enter and for details.

The Ascension Council on Agings annual Spring Fling Easter Party for Ascension seniors ages 60 and older begins at 9:30 a.m. April 13 at the Gonzales Senior Center. Lunch will be served at noon.

Contests will be held for the prettiest and most creative hats in the Easter parade, with prizes going to the best hats. There also will be an Easter egg hunt and entertainment.

Reservations are due by Friday; call Missa at (225) 621-5750.

Children ages 7 and younger and their families can put on their favorite pajamas for a dinosaur story time at Ascension Parish Librarys Donaldsonville and Dutchtown branches on Tuesday and Gonzales on April 13. All story times begin at 6:30 p.m.

Story times also include songs and the making of a giant dinosaur woven mat children can take home.

Dr. Sean DeBarros, of St. Elizabeth Physicians, is the speaker at a free community health series at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Rouses Market, 14635 U.S. 61, Gonzales.

DeBarros will talk about insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and effective behavioral and lifestyle changes to prevent diabetes and risk of complications.

Registration is required. Call the Rouses concierge desk at (225) 673-4255 or St. Elizabeth Hospital at (225) 621-2906.

Our Loss Lambs, a support group for those who have lost children, will meet the third Monday of each month at First United Methodist Church of Gonzales, 224 W. Constitution St. Its first meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. April 17.

Meetings will be held in the administrative conference room in the building next to the church sanctuary building. Call the church office at (225) 647-4678 for details.

Also, St. Elizabeth Hospitals loss and grief support group meets at 6 p.m. every Thursday at the hospitals Sister Linda conference room. The group is intended for those who have experienced a loss of any kind.

Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 336-6952 or (225) 603-1996; fax, (225) 644-5851; or email, ascension@theadvocate.com or ddenstorff@theadvocate.com. Deadline: noon Monday.

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Around Ascension for April 6, 2017 - The Advocate

INDIANAPOLIS & AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ascension, the nations largest Catholic and non-profit healthcare system, has been selected as the first organization in North America authorized to train companies on a leading robotic process automation solution Blue Prisms Robotic Process Automation (RPA) software.

Ascensions Intelligent Process Automation team was one of the continents first adopters of Blue Prisms solution, and now it is the companys first authorized training partner on the continent. This accreditation will help Ascension drive adoption and promote best practices in RPA, especially in the healthcare industry.

Ascension has a long track record of delivering RPA solutions that meet the toughest security and compliance requirements, said Neil Wright, Global Head of Professional Services at Blue Prism. Were partnering with Ascension to enable digital transformation for our healthcare clients in North America.

Blue Prisms RPA software is changing the way work gets done by automating manual, repetitive tasks. This reduction of administrative burden is improving process efficiency and effectiveness, while reducing costs and improving customer experience. The solution leverages the cognitive ability of people as opposed to building processes around technology.

Its been an exciting journey with Blue Prism, as we have gone from client to value-added resale partner and now an authorized training partner, said Lee Coulter, senior vice president of Ascension and chief executive officer of Ascensions shared service subsidiary, based in Indianapolis. We have worked closely with the Blue Prism team over the last several years to develop training for our own associates are now helping others train teams and implement automation solutions.

Within months of launching its first automation, Ascension demonstrated substantial return on investment and improved customer experience. Blue Prism practitioners in Ascensions shared service subsidiary now provide automation tools training, consulting, and digital labor management to other organizations seeking business transformation. A trusted early adopter of robotic process automation, Ascension has advanced from pioneer to thought leader. A contributing member in the development of standards for RPA in conjunction with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Ascension brings transformational as well as practical experience to its engagements.

About Blue Prism Blue Prism Robotic Process Automation (RPA) software delivers the worlds most successful digital workforce, which has executed over 1 billion transactions in our customers datacenters. Blue Prism (AIM:PRSM) is trusted by a diverse range of highly successful organizations to operate in some of the most demanding administrative environments. Blue Prisms RPA software delivers a digital workforce for the enterprise to eliminate high-risk, manual, rules-based, repetitive tasks and execute business processes at scale to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness whilst radically reducing operating costs. Blue Prism provides a scalable and robust execution platform for best of breed AI and cognitive technologies and has emerged as the trusted and proven RPA platform for the digital enterprise. Customers include BNY Mellon, Commerzbank, Nordea, ING, Westpac, Zurich, Aegon, Maersk, Siemens, IBM, Procter & Gamble, and Nokia. With offices in Manchester, London, Miami, Chicago, New York and San Francisco, Blue Prism is listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market. For more information visitwww.blueprism.com and follow the company onLinkedInand Twitter.

About Ascension Ascension (www.ascension.org) is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the worlds largest Catholic health system, Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. In FY2016, Ascension provided more than $1.8 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. Ascension includes approximately 150,000 associates and 36,000 aligned providers. Ascensions Healthcare Division operates 2,500 sites of care including 141 hospitals and more than 30 senior living facilities in 24 states and the District of Columbia, while its Solutions Division provides a variety of services and solutions including physician practice management, venture capital investing, investment management, biomedical engineering, clinical care management, information services, risk management, and contracting through Ascensions own group purchasing organization. For more information, visit http://www.ascension.org/IPA.

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Ascension Becomes First North American Authorized Training Partner for Blue Prism - Business Wire (press release)

The Ascension Veterans Associations is accepting applications to its third annual scholarship program.

Applications must be postmarked no later than May 15, a news release said.

Scholarships are given in honor of area Americans and troop supporters and focus on exemplary civic service and patriotic ideology, the release said.

The organization will award a minimum of four scholarships of $1,000 each for the 2017-18 academic year. Previous applicants are welcome to apply again.

Eligible applicants include dependent children, grandchildren or spouses of an honorably discharged veteran, current service member or service member killed while serving in the military. This year, the dependent child category also has been opened to those who have an immediate family member who served or is serving honorably discharged veterans, a news release said. Current grandchildren or step-grandchildren of an honorably discharged veteran or current service member are eligible to apply, as well.

Applicants must be residents of Ascension Parish. Those who attend school outside the parish, who have graduated from a public or private Ascension school and current Ascension seniors, public or private, are eligible to apply. Applicants must have or have had at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Current Ascension high school seniors can pick up packets from their high school counselor. Other interested applicants can email Scholarship Chairwoman Tanya Whitney at msgwhitney@gmail.com or call (225) 612-0805 or (256) 656-2124.

Scholarship recipients will be honored at the Ascension Veterans Associations annual Musical Tribute for Our Troops on June 16.

Originally posted here:

Ascension Veterans Association accepting scholarship applications - The Advocate

Large enough to provide a first rate education. Small enough to know you by name.

Ascension is a school replete with opportunities and poised to take advantage of them as we embrace 21st century educational ideologies. Our small class sizes allow for greater depth of teaching, a more individualized approach, greater ease in differentiation and the unique opportunity to build deeper relationships with students and parents, which allows a firm understanding of each students inimitable learning profile.

Our sound financial planning and dedicated community have made it possible to be the only school in Kentucky to offer our students 1:1 iPads in Kindergarten through 8th grade. This gives each student and teacher the ability to learn and teach on a tailor made basis while keeping us on the cutting edge.

Beyond technology, we will continue to encourage each students creativity through music, art, drama and play as we recognize that each student has talents in diverse areas.

As we celebrate our 50th year as a parish/school we invite our students,alumni, friends, parishioners and current/former faculty and staff to join us at the many events we have planned throughout the year in celebration of our rich history and exciting future. We do everything at Ascension through our faith, community, giftedness, opportunity and excellence.

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Home - Ascension School

PRAIRIEVILLE Students of Galvez Middle School will return to their home campus Monday, where temporary classroom buildings, a dining hall, library and band tent have been set up until the flood-damaged school can be repaired, the Ascension Parish school district announced Friday.

Galvez Middle is the last of five flood-damaged Ascension Parish public schools that have had their student bodies reunited in recent weeks, after more than six months spent at sites off campus.

Temporary buildings are in use at the middle school, as well as at St. Amant High, Galvez Primary and Lake Elementary.

Students at St. Amant Primary, are back together at the former location of the River Parishes Community College on La. 22 in Sorrento.

Galvez Middle teachers will move classroom materials from host site Central Middle School over the weekend.

Parents will be getting information from Galvez Middle School Principal Michelle Bourque on schedules, classroom locations and drop-off and pick-up locations for students, the school district said.

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Last of the flood-damaged Ascension Parish Schools to get students ... - The Advocate

Greg Fischer

After months of uncertainty and a continued push from some Ascension residents Parish President Kenny Matassa was indicted by a grand jury on Friday, March 10, 2017.

Gonzales businessman Olin Berthelot was indicted separately. Both men are officially charged with offering a bribe to former candidate for Gonzales City Council, Wayne Lawson. This was said to be done in order to get Lawson to drop out of the council race, last Summer.

"Those indictments were based on a bribery scheme perfected by Mr. Matassa and Mr. Berthelot wherein they attempted to induce a candidate for a city council election to withdraw in exchange for cash and political favors," Brandon J. Fremin, Director of the Criminal Division with the Attorney General said.

Their bonds have been set at $5,000 each. The men now have warrants out for their arrest but will most likely be given a chance to turn themselves in, according to Assistant Attorney General Jeff Traylor, who will also serve as lead prosecutor. They will likely post bond.

The jury began their proceedings at 10:30 a.m., and finished near 3 p.m.

"Attorney General Jeff Landry has on many occasions said that public officials have to be held accountable for their actions," Fremin said. "They must hold themselves to a higher standard. They must be fair, honest and ethical, and that they must follow the law. If that does not happen it undermines the public trust in our system of government, and that is absolutely unacceptable."

Berthelot's lawyer Steven Moore maintains that his client is not guilty. He said particularly that he would like the case to play out in the courtroom.

"I think I should let it play out in the courtrooms," Moore said. "And not in the media, and not in blogs that people have, and just kind of let that ridiculousness go away."

Moore is most likely referring to a July 31 blog posted in the Pelican Post, owned by Wade Petit, who posted a video of the bribe almost as it occurred. And which can still be viewed as of today.

However, both sides maintain that this is just the beginning.

"At the outset, we started this investigation at the request of the locals here," Fremin said. "Following the recusal of attorney Ricky Babin, our attorneys took the lead in the case, brought the case to the grand jury, which culminated in the events for which we're here right now."

The charge carries 0-2 years imprisonment with or without hard labor, or a maximum $2,000 fine, according to Fremin.

Follow Greg on Twitter @AscensionEditor

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Ascension Parish President Matassa indicted - Weekly Citizen

ASCENSION A nine-month investigation led to the arrest of a man in possession of an estimated $20,000 worth of marijuana in Ascension Parish.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office arrested 47-year-old Ron McZeal on Mar. 9 following the investigation into drugs being shipped to his home.

Detectives began a joint investigation with the Baton Rouge Police Department and saw McZeal get a package from his home and then leave the area.

Detectives initiated a traffic stop of his vehicle and McZeal agreed for detectives to conduct a search of his vehicle. Detectives found a package with five pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $20,000. A digital scale and $1,500 in cash was also seized from the vehicle.

McZeal was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute schedule I drugs, drug paraphernalia and no use of turn signals. He was booked on the above charges into the Ascension Parish Jail.

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Man arrested, $20,000 worth of marijuana seized in Ascension - WBRZ

Delkeskamp made senior pastor

ANSWERING THE CALLThe Rev. Timothy Delkeskamp will be installed as senior pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church on March 19. He served as associate pastor of the church for 13 years. The Rev. Timothy Delkeskamp has been called to become the new senior pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church, School and Foundation in Thousand Oaks.

This call to service comes after an 18-month process during which multiple candidates from across the country were interviewed by a call committee and following a congregation-wide vote that took place Feb. 26.

Delkeskamp will be installed during a ceremony at the church Sun., March 19, with reception to follow.

For the past 13 years, he has served as an associate pastor at Ascension. His duties have included serving as liaison pastor for the school, as well as outreach, worship and adult education.

He is also on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County.

Delkeskamp was born in Brea, Calif., and raised in Orange County.

He graduated from Cal Lutheran University and has a doctorate from Luther Seminary in Minnesota.

After serving at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Mission Viejo, Calif., for five years, he accepted the call to come to Ascension in 2003.

His wife, Chamie, a United Methodist pastor, is Ascension Lutheran Schools religion teacher and coordinator of chapel.

The Delkeskamps have three children.

Ascensions former senior pastor, the Rev. Larry Wagner, retired in 2015 after 38 years at the church. The Rev. Paul Gravrock has served as interim senior pastor since then.

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Familiar face picked to lead Ascension - Simi Valley Acorn

PRAIRIEVILLE The skeletal remains found in a wooded area of Prairieville in January have been identified as those of William Winters, 55, Ascension Sheriff's Chief Deputy Bobby Webre said.

Foul play is not suspected in his death, Webre said.

On Jan. 30, deputies responded to a call to a wooded area off Germany Road after a family's dog found a human skull in a wooded area.

The LSU FACES lab assisted in the identification of the remains.

Webre said that investigators had suspected that Winters might be the person whose remains were found, but that two sets of indentification were found at the site, one belonging to Winters and one to a relative of Winters.

A DNA match was made with Winters' son, who is currently an inmate at the Ascension Parish jail, Webre said.

William Winters had been living with others in a trailer park in an area behind where the remains were found.

"The people he was staying with were evicted. I think he was staying in the woods there. He had no place to go," Webre said.

Continued here:

Skeletal remains found January in Ascension Parish identified - The Advocate

ASCENSION Ascension Parish officials will begin using tracking devices on all parish-owned vehicles to track their resources, however some are confused about its true intentions.

Some council members say the GPS policy is not fully ironed out. The vehicles were installed with the GPS's, but some have not been used.

"I think some of them were turned off or not installed at all, under the previous administration," Martin McConnell, of the Ascension Parish government, said.

However the rules are now changing. Ascension Parish officials say that whether it's a tractor or vehicle, they want to keep tract of their equipment.

"You know GPS tells us things like number of hours that equipment has been in operation," McConnell said.

For example, if a tractor or vehicle is not being used enough at one site, it can be transferred to another.

"Because if it's sitting parked we don't need it right?" McConnell said.

Parish officials say the GPS's are about staying organized and ensuring that parish equipment is being used efficiently. However, some council members say there is more to the issue.

"Every single person that works in the parish that has a vehicle has to be subject to the same rules," Aaron Lawler, Ascension Parish council member, said.

Lawler said that he supports the use of GPS devices, but says the policy is missing key information.

"Right now there's no policy whatsoever, so if somebody is caught speeding they can fire that person," Lawler said.

Others argue that the devices are not in place to get workers in trouble.

"The primary reason is to know that parish-owned vehicles are being used in an efficient manner to their best and highest use," McConnell said.

A total of 180 GPS systems are installed in parish vehicles and equipment.

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Ascension to begin using GPS devices on parish equipment - WBRZ

Delkeskamp made senior pastor

ANSWERING THE CALLThe Rev. Timothy Delkeskamp will be installed as senior pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church on March 19. He served as associate pastor of the church for 13 years. The Rev. Timothy Delkeskamp has been called to become the new senior pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church, School and Foundation in Thousand Oaks.

This call to service comes after an 18-month process during which multiple candidates from across the country were interviewed by a call committee and following a congregation-wide vote that took place Feb. 26.

Delkeskamp will be installed during a ceremony at the church Sun., March 19, with reception to follow.

For the past 13 years, he has served as an associate pastor at Ascension.

His duties have included serving as liaison pastor for the school, as well as outreach, worship and adult education.

He is also on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County.

Delkeskamp was born in Brea, Calif., and raised in Orange County.

He graduated from Cal Lutheran University and has a doctorate from Luther Seminary in Minnesota.

After serving at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Mission Viejo, Calif., for five years, he accepted the call to come to Ascension in 2003.

His wife, Chamie, a United Methodist pastor, is Ascension Lutheran Schools religion teacher and coordinator of chapel.

The Delkeskamps have three children.

Ascensions former senior pastor, the Rev. Larry Wagner, retired in 2015 after 38 years at the church.

The Rev. Paul Gravrock has served as interim senior pastor since then.

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Familiar face picked to lead Ascension | http://www.toacorn.com ... - Thousand Oaks Acorn

KLFY	Teen motorcyclist dies after being struck by vehicle in Ascension ... KLFY ASCENSION PARISH, La. (KLFY) A two vehicle fatal crash on La. 940 west of La. 44 in Ascension Parish has taken the life of 18 year old Aiden Womack of ... and more »

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Teen motorcyclist dies after being struck by vehicle in Ascension ... - KLFY

TD Ameritrade (Nasdaq:AMTD), one of the largest brokers for retail clients in the United States, has reported its monthly metrics and turnover for February 2017, which saw a slight rebound across key segments, per the latest TD Ameritrade report.

After a largely downtrodden performance in January 2017, volumes rebounded in February despite a lack of major market drivers. For the month ending February 2017, TD Ameritrade underwent an average of 534,000 client trades per day, which reflected a growth of 2.5 percent month-over-month from 521,000 trades per day in January 2017.

The latest volumes reading were also on par with other institutional venues in the US, which cited a generally mixed performance on a month-over-month basis. Outside of speculative positions ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting in March, and with it a likely rate hike, February was devoid of any major volatility.

Over a yearly timetable, February 2017s average daily volumes are higher by a factor of 5.0 percent year-over-year from February 2016. Moreover, TD Ameritrade disclosed its total client assets as of February 28, 2017 at $837.8 billion, which edged higher by 2.6 percent month-over-month from $815.0 billion since January 31, 2017. This figure was much larger when measured against its 2016 counterpart, justifying a gain of 24.0 percent year-over-year from the same period ending February 28, 2016.

Looking at its other figures, TD Ameritrades average spread-based balance managed to maintain a tight consolidation with $119.3 billion in February 2017, virtually unchanged from $120.1 billion in January 2017. Year-over-year the latest figures also grew by 14.0 percent from February 2016.

Finally, the groups average fee-based balances stood at $181.2 billion in February 2017, climbing by a factor of 2.7 percent month-over-month from $176.4 billion in January 2017.

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TD Ameritrade's DARTs Rebound in February, Client Assets Continue Ascension - Finance Magnates

One person was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of breaking into a landmark Jerusalem church and trying to set it on fire earlier in the day, police said, noting that the incident did not appear to have been a religiously motivated attack.

A guard at the Russian Orthodox Church of the Ascension on Jerusalems Mount of Olives reported that the building had been broken into and damaged, apparently by a fire.

Police confirmed that the door to the church entrance had been broken through and that extensive soot suggested attempted arson.

However, police said it appeared to be motivated by a local dispute. They did not elaborate.

The church, whose 64-meter (210-foot) tower helps to define Jerusalems skyline, is dedicated to the ascension of Jesus to heaven 40 days after his resurrection, even though most Christians believe the Chapel of the Ascension, some 200 meters further west, to be the true spot.

The Church of the Ascension on Jerusalems Mount of Olives. (CC BY-SA 2.0 Alistair/Wikimedia)

There have been several attacks on churches in recent years.

The Church of the Dormition on Mount Zion has been attacked on several occasions by vandals.

In June 2015, the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes sustained major damage after an arson attack by Jewish extremists.

The latter in Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee reopened last month.

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Suspect detained for fire at Jerusalem's Ascension Church - The Times of Israel

Gonzales, LA Shortly before 11:00 am on March 8, 2017, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a two vehicle fatality crash that occurred on LA 940 west of LA 44 in Ascension Parish. The crash took the life of 18 year old Aiden Womack of Gonzales, LA. The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Womack was operating his 2005 Kawasaki motorcycle eastbound on LA 940. At the same time, 72 year old Hazel Miles of Gonzales, LA was traveling westbound on LA 940 in a 2002 Ford F-150. For unknown reasons, Miles failed to yield and began to make a left turn into the path of Womacks motorcycle. Womack was unable to avoid Miles vehicle and struck the passengers side Womack suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash and was transported to University Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased. Miles was properly restrained and sustained minor injuries in the crash. Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in this crash but a toxicology sample was taken from both drivers for analysis. This crash remains under investigation and charges are pending. Louisiana State Troopers would like to remind motorist to Watch for Motorcycles. As the spring and summer months approach, more and more motorcyclists will be traveling on Louisiana highways. We ask that motorist take an extra second to look for motorcycles before pulling out, turning, or changing lanes.

Troopers also encourage all riders to take an approved motorcycle safety course. These courses teach safe riding practices and help you apply safe riding strategies that can help reduce your chance of injury should a crash occur. Making good choices while riding a motorcycle, such as never driving while impaired and obeying all traffic laws, can often mean the difference between life and death.

For more information on the Louisiana Motorcycle Safety, Awareness, and Operator Training Program, visit http://www.lsp.org/motorcycle.html

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Motorcyclist Dies after being Struck by Vehicle in Ascension Parish - Avoyelles Today

DONALDSONVILLE The Ascension Parish School Board this week approved the apparent low bid of $3.5 million for the renovation of flood-damaged St. Amant Primary School.

Chad Lynch, director of planning and construction for the school district, said the bid, from McInnis Brothers of Minden, came in well under the $4.1 million his office had projected for the project.

Superintendent David Alexander said the St. Amant Primary project is expected to be completed some time in December.

Work on the four other schools that remain closed due to flooding St. Amant High, Lake Elementary, Galvez Middle and Galvez Primary is in the architectural design phase.

Repair work at another school, St. Amant Middle, which received some flood damage but was able to remain open, is out for bid.

In recent weeks, the student bodies of St. Amant High, Lake Elementary and Galvez Primary have returned to their home campuses, where large, temporary classroom buildings have been installed until the school buildings are repaired.

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Galvez Primary School students and faculty returned to their home campus on March 2, in Prai

St. Amant Primary students, who had been attending classes at two host sites, are now reunited at the former location of the River Parishes Community College on La. 22 in Sorrento.

Alexander said it is highly likely that students at the fifth flood-damaged school, Galvez Middle, will be able to return by Monday to their own campus, where temporary buildings have been set up, but the school district won't have the official word on that until the Fire Marshal's inspection, planned for Friday.

In another matter Tuesday, School Board member Robyn Delaney asked that the board's Students and Safety Committee meet to discuss the incident on March 3, when a herbicide being sprayed on sugar cane fields next to Donaldsonville Primary led to a two-hour shelter-in-place order for the primary school, as well as nearby Ascension Head Start and the School Board's central office.

"That school is surrounded on three sides by cane fields," said Delaney. "I want to know if there's more work we can do to make it safe."

DONALDSONVILLE A farmer spraying sugar cane fields with herbicide on a windy Friday mornin

Delaney asked that officials with the Ascension Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security and the Sheriff's Office be invited to the meeting, as well as the administrators of Donaldsonville Primary.

Follow Ellyn Couvillion on Twitter, @EllynCouvillion.

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Ascension Parish School Board awards first bid for flood damage ... - The Advocate